Ancient funerall monuments within the vnited monarchie of Great Britaine, Ireland, and the islands adiacent with the dissolued monasteries therein contained: their founders, and what eminent persons haue beene in the same interred. As also the death and buriall of certaine of the bloud royall; the nobilitie and gentrie of these kingdomes entombed in forraine nations. A worke reuiuing the dead memory of the royall progenie, the nobilitie, gentrie, and communaltie, of these his Maiesties dominions. Intermixed and illustrated with variety of historicall obseruations, annotations, and briefe notes, extracted out of approued authors ... Whereunto is prefixed a discourse of funerall monuments ... Composed by the studie and trauels of Iohn Weeuer.
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‘Stipendium peccati Mors. Gratia Dei vita aeterna per Dm. N. I. Chr.’‘Primus Adam de terra terrenus. Secundus Adam Dominus de
Coelo[?]’‘Vt in Adamo omnes moriuntur. Ita in Christo omnes viuificabuntur.’‘Hic iacet.’‘Sunt nisi praemissi quos perijsse putas. Mors haec reparatio vitae est.’
ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITH IN THE vnited Monarchie of Great Britaine, Ireland, and the Ilands adiacent; with the dissolued Monasteries therein contained; their Founders, and what eminent persons haue beene in the same interred.
As also the Death and buriall of certaine of the Bloud Roiall, the Nobilitie and Gentrie of these Kingdomes entombed in forraine Nations with other matters mentioned in the insuing Title.
Composed by the Trauels and Studie of Iohn Weeuer.
‘Spe labor leuis.’
London Printed by Tho: HARPER. M.DC.XXXI.
And are to be sold in Little Britayne by Laurence Sadler at the signe of the Golden Lion.
ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE VNITED MONARCHIE OF GREAT Britaine, Ireland, and the Islands adiacent, with the dissolued Monasteries therein contained: their Founders, and what eminent Persons haue beene in the same interred.
AS ALSO THE DEATH AND BVRIALL OF CERTAINE OF THE Bloud Royall; the Nobilitie and Gentrie of these Kingdomes entombed in forraine Nations.
A worke reuiuing the dead memory of the Royall Progenie, the Nobilitie, Gentrie, and Communaltie, of these his Maiesties Dominions.
Intermixed and illustrated with variety of Historicall obseruations, annotations, and briefe notes, extracted out of approued Authors, infallible Records, Lieger Bookes, Charters, Rolls, old Manuscripts, and the Collections of iudicious Antiquaries.
Whereunto is prefixed a Discourse of Funerall Monuments. Of the Foundation and fall of Religious Houses. Of Religious Orders. Of the Ecclesiasticall estate of England. And of other occurrences touched vpon by the way, in the whole passage of these intended labours.
Composed by the Studie and Trauels of IOHN WEEVER.
Spe labor leuis.
LONDON, Printed by THOMAS HARPER. 1631.
And are to be sold by
Laurence Sadler at the signe of the Golden Lion in little Britaine.
TO THE SACRED AND IMPERIALL MAIESTIE OF OVR DREAD SOVERAIGNE, THE MOST MAGNIFICENT, ILLVSTRIOVS, AND PVISSANT MONARCH, CHARLES: BY THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE, OF GREAT BRITAINE, FRANCE, IRELAND, AND MANY ILANDS, KING.
THE MOST POWERFVLL PROTECTOR OF THE FAITH: THE MOST ROYALL PATRON, PRESERVER, AND FOSTERER OF THE VNDOVBTED RELIGION OF
IESVS CHRIST.
THE PATTERNE OF TRVE PIETIE, AND IVSTICE, AND THE PRESIDENT OF ALL PRINCELY VERTVES.
HIS HIGHNESSE MOST LOWLY, AND MOST LOYALL SVBIECT IOHN WEEVER, IN ALL HVMILITY, CONSECRATETH THESE HIS LABOVRS: THOVGH FARRE VNWORTHY THE VIEW OF SO RESPLENDANT A GREATNESSE.
HAuing seene (iudicious Reader how carefully in other Kingdomes, the Monuments of the dead are preserued, and their Inscriptions or Epitaphs registred in their Church-Bookes; and hauing read the Epitaphs of Italy, France, Germany, and other Nations, collected and put in print by the paines of
Schraderus, Chytraeus, Swertius, and other forraine Writers. And also knowing withall how barbarously within these his Maiesties Dominions, they are (to the shame of our time) broken downe, and vtterly almost all ruinated, their brasen Inscriptions erazed, torne away, and pilfered, by which inhumane, deformidable act, the honourable memory of many vertuous and noble persons deceased, is extinguished, and the true vnderstanding of diuers Families in these Realmes (who haue descended of these worthy persons aforesaid) is so darkened, as the true course of their inheritance is thereby partly interrupted: grieuing at this vnsufferable iniurie offered as well to the liuing, as the dead, out of the respect I bore to venerable Antiquity, and the due regard to continue the remembrance of the defunct to future posteritie; I determined with my selfe to collect such memorials of the deceased, as were remaining as yet vndefaced; as also to reuiue the memories of eminent worthy persons entombed or interred, either in Parish, or in Abbey Churches▪ howsoeuer
[Page] some of their Sepulchres are at this day no where to be discerned; neither their bones and ashie remaines in any place to bee gathered. Whereupon with painefull expences (which might haue beene well spared perhaps you will say) I trauailed ouer the most parts of all England, and some part of Scotland; I collected the Funerall Inscriptions of all the Cathedrall Churches of the one, and in some of the other, and euer by the way gathered such as I found in Parochiall Churches▪ I likewise tooke view of many ancient Monuments not inscribed, demanding of the Church officers, or others the inhabitants, for whom such and such Tombes or Sepulchres were made and erected, which was told me according to that truth which was deliuered vnto them by tradition: after all this scrutinie, finding so few, or none at all in many Churches (time, the malignitie of wicked people, and our English profane tenacitie, hauing quite taken them away for lucre sake) I was altogether discouraged to proceede any further in this my laborious and expencefull enterprise; vntill I came casually into the acquaintance of my deare deceased friend,
Augustine Vincent, Esquire, Windsor Herald, & keeper of the Records in the Tower, who perswaded me to goe forward as I had begun, and withall gaue me many Church-Collections, with diuers memorable Notes, and Copies of Records, gathered by himselfe and others; and by his meanes I had free accesse to the Heralds Office, to write out such antiquities as I could there finde for my purpose.
But aboue all, I am most bound to loue the foresaid
Vincents memory, for that he made me knowne to that honourable Gentleman Sir
Robert Cotton, Knight and Baronet; who forthwith apprehending the scope and drift of this my Argument (his generous disposition being alwaies ready to afford his best furtherance to other mens industrious labours) gaue me his able directions, and withall, lent me out of his inestimable Librarie, such Bookes and Manuscripts as were most fitting for my vse.
But alas, this worthy repairer of eating-times ruines, this
Philadelphus, in preseruing old Monuments, and ancient Records:
[Page] this Magazin, this Treasurie, this Store-house of Antiquities, Sir
Robert Cotton, is now lately deceased, whose excellent good parts are well conceiued in a Funerall Elegie which hath happily come into my hands, and which I thinke fitting here to be inserted.
Viro clarissimo Roberto Cottono, ab antiqua Regum prosapia oriundo, Epicedium.
Qualis Homerus erat, cuius de fonte furores
Sacros hauserunt veteresque nouique Poetae▪
A funerall Elegie vpon the death of Sir Robert Cotton
Knight and Baronet.
Talis eras nostros inter, Cottone, Britannos,
Rerum explorator veterum. Ciuilia iura
Regni, Magnatum molimina, munia Regum
Et populi, nexus faustos, diuortia saeua,
Nauigia, et merces, castra, artes, religiones,
Nummos, structuras, chartas, solennia verba,
Et quic quid bello faceret vel pace triumphos
Callebat dextrè, nemo magis, omnis ab illo
Et tua Camdene & Seldeni gloria creuit▪
Ingentes Dominos titulorum dote superbos
Famo sosque Equites (simul omnes si perijssent)
Quiuis Rex Orbi potis est renouare; beatum
Cottoni pectus nullâ est reparabile cera.
Ingenio quicunque vigent tua tecta frequenter
Visebant, tanquam à Phoebo responsa petentes.
Nunc Oracla silent, sed non Schediasmate tantae
Oceanum laudis liceat transnare, misellum
Nescio quid gaudens ad amici iusta litasse:
Omnia complectar celebrat
Wigornia[?] verbis
Queis Neckami obitum, crescitque in carmine verum.
"Eclipsim patitur sapientia, Sol sepelitur,
"Cui si par vnus minus esset flebile funus.
He died at his house in Westminster the sixt of May, about ten of the clocke in the forenoone,
Anno 1631. being aged, threescore yeares, three moneths, and some few odde dayes:
[Page] He tooke to wife
Elizabeth, one of the daughters and heires of
William Brocas Esquire, by whom hee had issue, onely one Sonne, Sir
Thomas Cotton Baronet, now liuing; who married
Margaret, Daughter of the Lord
William Howard, grandchild to
Thomas Duke of Norfolke, by whom hee hath issue, one Sonne, named
Iohn, and two Daughters,
Lucie and
Francis.
But to returne: I haue had many helpes, I confesse, from Sir
Henry Spelman, Knight, and
Iohn Selden Esquire, the most learned Antiquaries now liuing of our times: nor haue the helpes beene few which I haue long receiued from the well furnisht, and daily increasing Librarie of Sir
Simonds D'Ewes Knight, whose iudicious directions, and ready assistance, were as often vouchsafed vnto mee, as I had occasion to request, and whose long studied, and still intended labours for the publique good, though in another kinde, may in due time make his memory and themselues deare vnto posteritie: Diuers of the Heralds haue much furthered these my intended designes; namely, Sir
Richard, and Sir
Henry Saint
George, Knights▪
Iohn Philipot, and
William Le Neue, Esquires, which I shall euer acknowledge, as occasion presents it selfe.
Venerable
Bede, when hee compiled the Chronicles of the English Saxons, had all the helpe that might be of the Bishops and learned men of this Land.
Cymbertus wrote vnto him all that was done in Lincolnshire:
Nothelmus also sent vnto him all that he had gathered together in Sussex, Surrey, and Kent.
Alcuinus gaue him his labours and collections for the Prouince of Yorke.
Daniel of Winchester made him priuie of all that was done amongst the west Saxons: And from all other quarters of the Land, were Letters, Scrowles, and writings, directed vnto him by messengers, to aide and assist him in his enterprise, as he doth himselfe acknowledge in his Epistle Dedicatory to
Ceolnulph, King of the Northumbers.
Now generous Reader, as hee had these helpes for the perfecting of his Ecclesiasticall Historie, and as I haue had the acceptable assistance of many of my good friends, studious in this kinde, for the finishing of this first part, and the rest of the worke now in hand, which is already in a good forwardnesse,
[Page] let me intreate thy furtherance in the same thus farre, that, in thy neighbouring Churches, if thou shalt finde any ancient funerall Inscriptions, or antique obliterated Monuments, thou wouldst be pleased to copie out the one, and take so much relation of the other as tradition can deliuer; as also to take the Inscriptions and Epitaphs vpon Tombes and Grauestones which are of these times; and withall to take order that such thy collections, notes, and obseruations may come safely to my hands; and I shall rest euer obliged to acknowledge thy paines and curtesie.
And I would earnestly desire the Tombe-makers of this Citie of London, and elsewhere, that they would be so carefull of posteritie, as to preserue in writing the Inscriptions or Epitaphs which they daily engraue vpon Funerall Monuments, from whom I shall expect the like kindnesse, and to whom I will euer remaine alike thankfull. For, I intend, God willing, hereafter to publish to the view of the world, as well the moderne, as the ancient memorialls of the dead throughout all his Maiesties foresaid Dominions, if God spare me life; if not, it is enough for me to haue begun, as
Camden saith in his Epistle to the Reader of his booke
Britannia, and I haue gained as much as I looke for, if I shall draw others, when I am dead, into this argument; whose inquisitiue diligence and learning, may finde out more, and amend mine.
It may seeme, peraduenture, vnpleasing to some, for that I do speake so much of, and extoll the ardent pietie of our forefathers in the erecting of Abbeyes, Priories, and such like sacred Foundations.
To the which I answer with
Camden, that I hold it not fit for vs to forget, that our Ancestours were, and we are of the Christian profession, and that there are not extant any other more conspicuous and certaine Monuments of their zealous deuotion towards God, then these Monasteries with their endowments, for the maintenance of religious persons, neither any other seed-plots besides these, from whence Christian Religion and good literature were propagated ouer this our Island. Neither is there any other act of pietie more acceptable
[Page] in the sight of Almighty God, then that of building Churches, Oratories, and such like sacred edifices, for the true seruice of his heauenly Maiestie.
Ethelbert the first Christian King of Kent, hauing built S.
Pauls Church London, and diuers other Churches and religious structures, as I shew hereafter, is thus commended to posteritie by this Epitaph following, which passed with applause no question in those dayes.
Rex Ethelbertus hic clauditur in Polyandro,
Fana pians certus Christo meat absque Meandro.
King
Ethelbert lyeth here
closed in this Polyander,
For building Churches sure he goes
To Christ without
Maeander.
[...]The pious care likewise and gracious intention of our late Lord and Soueraigne King
Iames of famous memory, had, for the repairing of the foresaid Church of Saint
Paul, and the earnest desire and purpose, which our dread Lord and Soueraigne now hath (proceeding out of his zeale to Gods glory and his diuine worship) for the repairing and vpholding, as his Father intended, of that venerable large Fabricke and goodly Pyle of building, will be had in remembrance to all generations, and their names will be registred in the booke of the liuing.
And the munificent allowance towards the said worke from
William Laud, now Lord Bishop of London, of one hundred pounds by the yeare, while he doth contiune there Bishop, shall be commended, and had in remembrance of all his Successours for euer.
It may, perhaps, bee distastfull to some for that I write so fully of the fall and backsliding of Religious Persons from their primitiue zealous ardour of piety, making that the maine cause of the dissolution of Abbeyes: which I doe, for that some are of opinion,
[...] that because many of these Monasteries were built vpon the occasion of rapine and bloud, the Founders thereby thinking to expiate their guilt, and make satisfaction
[Page] for their sinnes (an errour in point of Diuinitie) these sacred structures howsoeuer consecrated to the seruice of Almighty God, could not stand fast, nor continue in one and the same state for many ages; therefore I thinke it meete and expedient to discouer and lay open to the world, the manifold enormities of the professed votaries residing in such religious foundations; that it may euidently appeare that it was not the sinnes of the Founders (of whose pious intentions we ought to haue a more reuerend opinion) that their donations were of no longer continuance but that the delinquencies of the religious Orders themselues, were the sole cause of their owne vtter subuersion.
I may, perhaps, be sound fault withall, because I doe not chorographically and according as Churches stand, neare or further remote in one and the same Lath hundred or wapentack, emprint and place the Funerall Monuments in this my booke; but slip sometimes from one side of a County to another before I emprint and Epitaph. To which giue me leaue to make this answer, that hauing found one or two ancient Funerall inscriptions, or obliterated Sepulchers, in this or that Parish Church, I haue ridden to ten Parish Churches distant from that, and not found one. Besides I haue beene taken vp in diuers Churches by the Churchwardens of the Parish, and not suffered to write the Epitaphs, or to take view of the Monuments as I much desired, for that I wanted a Commission; which would greatly haue encouraged me (and still it would) as that of
Henry the eight did
Iohn Leyland, in the prosequution of this businesse.
I conclude the Epitaphs and Funerall inscriptions in this booke as I finde them engrauen, with a
cuius anime propitietur Deus: or with God pardon his soule; which some may say might haue beene as well left out of my booke, as they are in many places scraped out of the brasse: And I write the Latine in the same manner as I finde it either written or imprinted, as
capud for
caput, nichil for
nihil, and the like; as also E vocall, for E dipthong, dipthongs being but lately come into vse. And now I hope that neither the conclusion of the one, nor termination
[Page] of the other will seeme any way offensiue to my intelligent Reader.
I likewise write the Orthographie of the old English as it comes to my hands; and if by the copying out of the same it be any manner of wayes mollified, it is much against my will, for I hold originalls the best; whereby some may obiect the simplicitie of my vnlaboured stile, and the rough hewen forme of my writing. To which I reply, that this my kinde of Argument is incapable of all eloquent speech.
When I cite
Ouid or
Lucan, I vse those exquisite translations of
George Sa
[...]dys, and
Thomas May Esquires.
Some will say, that the Epitaphs of London are already printed, and true it is that some are, especially such as are of later times, with which I do not meddle at all, onely I set downe those of more antiquitie, which haue either beene omitted in the collection, or for which I haue some historicall elucidations, for the better vnderstanding of the qualities of the parties defunct and interred.
Hauing had the helps and collections of many, my Reader may finde errours in some, which hereafter I shall studie to amend; intreating in the meane time a fauorable construction.
Many are the errataes, I am afraid, which will be found in the printing, the greatest I haue met withall I haue amended, not doubting but some also of consequence haue escaped mee; and for those of lesser note, I haue passed them ouer, desiring my Reader to correct and pardon.
Thus, curteous Reader, submitting my selfe, and this worke, to thy learned and friendly censure, I take my leaue.
From my House in Clerkenwell Close,
this 28. of May 1631.
Chytraeus.
Te moneant, Lector, tot in vno funera libro,
Tempore quod certo tu quoque funus eris.
So many burials, Reader, in one booke
Warne thee, that one day, thou for death must looke.
A TABLE OF THE DISCOVRSE summed into certaine Chapters or Heads, bearing these following Contents
The first Chapter, Fol. 1.
DIscusses and treates of Monuments in generall.
Chap. 2. fol. 5.
Of Funerall Monuments, Graues, Tombes, or Sepulchers▪ of the ancient custome of Burials: of Epitaphs and other Funerall Honours.
Chap. 3. fol. 10.
Of Sepulchers answerable to the degree of the person deceased. The diuers manner of bearing man and woman to the graue. When both sexes began to be borne alike.
Chap. 4. fol. 12.
Of the excessiue expences bestowed vpon Funerals in former times.
Chap. 5. fol. 18.
The reasons wherefore so many haue made their own Sepulchers or Tombes, in their life time. Of the care that all or most of all men, haue of decent buriall. The burying of the dead, a worke acceptable vnto God. A Funerall Hymne of
Aurelius Prudentius to the like purpose.
Chap. 6. fol. 29.
Of the care and cost anciently vsed in the preseruing whole and entire, the bodies of the dead. Strange waies, customes and fashions of buriall.
Chap. 7. fol. 32.
Of Cenotaphs Honorarie, and Religious: of the reuerence attributed to these emptie Monuments.
Chap. 8. fol. 37.
Of the sanctitie ascribed sometimes to ancient Funerall Monuments, and of the ardent desire most men haue and euer had to visite the Tombes and Sepulchres of eminent and worthy persons.
Chap. 9. fol. 42.
Of the punishments both by humane lawes, and Gods seuere iustice, inflicted vpon such malefactors in foregoing ages; who violated Sepulchers. Of Church-Robbers.
Chap. 10. fol. 50.
Of the rooting vp, taking away, erazing and defacing of Funerall Monuments in the seuerall raignes of K.
Henry the eight, and
Edward the sixt. Of the care Queene
Elizabeth, of famous memory, had for the preseruation of the same, Her proclamation in the second yeare of her raigne against breaking or defacing of Monuments of Antiquity, being set vp in Churches,
[Page] or other publike places, for memory and not for superstition.
Chap. 11. fol. 57.
The conuersion of this our Nation from Paganisine to Christianitie, including generally the Foundations of Religious Structures in the same. The piety in the primitiue times, both of Religious and Lay persons.
Chap. 12. fol. 66.
Of the fall or backsliding, as well of Religious Votaries, as of Lay people from the foresaid zealous ardour of pietie.
Chap. 13. fol. 78
Of the abrogation, abolition and extinguishment of the Popes supreame and exorbitant authoritie within the King of Englands dominions.
Chap. 14. fol. 89.
The policie vsed by
Henry the eight, and his Councell in the expelling of the Popes foresaid authoritie out of his dominions.
Chap. 15. fol. 104.
The policie vsed by the King and his Councell for the dissolution and extirpation of Religious foundations, and religious orders within this Realme of England and Wales, the reformation of religion, of Inscriptions in Churches; the Kings warrant for the surrender of Religious Houses: an information to Queene
Elizabeth, of the seuerall abuses done vnto the state generall and Crowne, by the corruption of such as were imployed by her Father vpon the suppression of Abbeyes.
Chap. 16. fol. 127.
The time of the institution of Religious Orders, their seuerall Names and Authors, and the infinite increase of their Fraternities and Sisterhoods.
Chap. 17. fol. 157.
Of the sundry wayes and meanes by which Religious Votaries, and others of the Clergie enriched themselues and other Churches: of Pardons, Pilgrimages, and Romescot.
Chap. 18. fol. 176.
Of Parishes, Bishoprickes, Sanctuaries, and of the Ecclesiasticall estate of England and Wales.
IN the Epistle to the Reader, in the Elegie of Sir
Robert Cotton, reade
Wigornia. Page 16. line 33▪ reade
of. p. 20. l. 10. r.
home. p. 53. l. 26. r.
of money. ead. l. 27. r.
of any. p. 62. l. 6. r.
Chilperick. p. 76. l. 20. r.
laicis. p. 128. l. 32 r.
Mysteries. p. 136. l. 34. r.
Bernard. p. 16. l. 23. r.
read. p. 163. l. 25. r.
And. p. 172. l 18. r.
leuti. p. 180. l. 9. r.
haue had, omitted. p. 235. l. 8. r.
of. p. 247. l. 17. r.
vt: p. 273. l. 4. 81. l. p. 273. l 16. r.
Totehill. p. 284. l. 24. the number of Constables mistaken. p. 295. two halfelines transposed. p. 301. l. 1. r.
him omitted. p. 336. l. 17. r.
iuuate. p. 418. l. 36. r.
Tudenham. p. 425. in omitted twice. p. 429. l 30. r.
obijt. p. 496. l. 4. r.
Edward. pa. ead. l. 25. r.
Wesenham. pa. 597. Essex before West Ham, omitted.
I
[...]scrip
[...]ion in Saint Peters Church Cornwall Lond.
413
Iohn King
219.465
Iohn Lord Clifford
574
Io
[...]n faire maid
[...]f Kent
4
[...]9
Ioan Queene
210
Io
[...]elin
291
Iohn de Pich
[...]m Earle of Harford
541
Iohn
[...]e
[...]trange, Lord St
[...]ange
530.
Io
[...] S
[...]ange ibidem
Iohn
[...] Snepey Bishop of Rochester
[...]13
Iohn de
[...]empo
[...]ibus
595
Iohnson
4
Iohnston
198.308 & alib
[...]
Iohn Earle of Somerset 2
[...]. Ma
[...] quesse Dorset
Iohn de Dreux
387
Ioyner
675
Ioyce Lady Tiptost
554.765
Iordan le Brune
655
Ioseph of Arytnathea
58.60
I
[...]s
[...]ne
549
I
[...]eipre Will Earle of Kent
289
I
[...]lesse
472
Isabell Countesse of Arundell
864
Isabell C
[...]untesse of Atholl
213
Isakeas
235
I
[...]ham
610
Iseley
235.59
[...]
[...]sl
[...]p Archbishop
223.224
Ab
[...]t
488
I
[...]hi
[...]gham
427
I
[...]ham
[...] Bishop
311
I
[...]d
323
Iudges fined for bribery
367
[...]uga
6
[...]1
Iulius Caesar 397.724 Ready Death his sword taken from him
420
Iullaber 280. misnumbred.
Iustus Archbishop
247.308
Iwin
134
Ivy
855
K
KAtherine Queene
475.514
Katherine Dutchesse of Norffolke
419
K
[...]ynewhat
164
K bull
618
Kell
825
Kelley the Alchumist
45.46
K
[...]m
[...]is
731
Kempe Bishop
228.274.360.361.752
Kem
[...]ig
806
Kemdall
599
Kenneth King
459
Kenulph king
177
Kent
[...]shmen throw off the Norman yoke
346
Kentish yeomanry
347
Kent
500
Kenton
438
K
[...]nwalch king
177
Kerdeston
125
Keryell
265
Ketleby
538
Kille
641
Kilwarby Archbishop
306.388
Kinesbourgh Castle
596
Kinnugale
807
Kingston
114.769
King
610
Kirkham
695
Kir
[...]on
534.487
Ki
[...] Bishop
539
K
[...]apton
800
Kneuer Lord Chancellour 855 Lord Kn
[...]uet, ibid. Hen. 856. Kneuet 855 541.783.815
Knevinton
601
Knivet
657
[...] knife instead of a Seale
631
Knight
677.417.435
Knighton
827
Knowles, or Knolles
402.403.436
L
LAberius durus
280
Lacy
332.659 744
Lacy Earle of Lincolne
365 366
Lagisse
675▪
Layton
109.104
Laynham 750 misnumbred.
Laken
333
Lambard Will. peramb. of Kent, avouched in many places.
Lambe
754
Lambert
252
Lamberne
655
Lancaster
283 654
Land
[...]ard
606
Langleys
267.628.634
Langton Archbishop
219.202.3
[...]8
Laud Will. Bishop of London, Epistle to the Reader, and pag.
383
Langham Archbishop
389.479.
Langham
444
Lanfranke Archbishop
259.291.785
Larke
827
Large
628
Lathell
389
Lathum
651.652
Laurence Abbot
417
Launde
410
Laune
263
Lauerocke
524
Laurence Archbishop
242.245
Lawlesse Court
605
Law
324
Laxisfield
720
Leche
625
Lee
548.727.103.104
Leeds
276
Legh
67
[...]
Legge
329
Legare
263
Leyborne 259 287. Iulian Gountesle of Huntington
260
Leyton
103
Leicester
368
Leicester Archbishop of Smirna
806
Leyland Iohn his laborious iourney: his New yeares gift to King Henry his books▪ his death, and buriall:
688.689.690.691.692
Lempster
404
Le Neue Epistle to the Reader,
678 859. & alibi
Leonell Duke of Clarence
740, 74
Lhewelin Prince
650
Letters
A Letter from Gregory the Great to Mellitus
711
Letters transcribed out of the originall.
A Letter from Edward the fourth to the Prior and Couent of Lewes in Sussex, which I had from my very louing friend Henry Lily, from whom I haue also had many vse full Collections.
77
Letters from Henry the eight to his Nobilitie and others
8
[...].86 80
A Letter from Tho. Duke of Norfolke, and George Vscount Ro
[...]hford to Secre
[...]ary Cromwell
89
A Letter from Secretary Cromwell to Iames the fifth King of Scotland, 9
[...]. the page wrong numbred.
A Letter from Nicholas Shaxton Bishop of Salisbury, to Secretary Cromwell
101
A Letter from Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester to king Henry the eight
501
A Letter from the said Bishop to th
[...] high Court of Pa
[...]liament
503
A Letter from Thomas Archbish
[...]p of Canterbury to Secretary Cromwell
507
A part of a Letter from Sir Thomas More to Secretary Cromwell
508
A Letter from Richard Layton to Secretary Cromwell
Pissing against Tombes 47. against Churches 373. vnlawfull and impious.
Plague 222.805.862. A prayer for the deliuerance of certain Carmes out of purgatory which died of the plague, ibid.
Plaize or Plas
654.752.850.861
Playfers, misprinted, read Playters,
762.763.784
Plebania what
180
Plessys
370
Plantaginet
587.443.638.726.211.555.748.627. & alibi
Plomer
854
Pluralities of Benefices
71.72
Pluckley
291.293
Plumsted
826
Poynes
544
Poynings
114.282.269.721
Polter
596
Pole
788.759
Pond
279
Pope Alexander
170
Pope his Bull of dispensation with Symony, vsury, &c. Discourse
cap. 17
Pope his pardons
ibid.
Pope his Bull of generall pardon in the yeare of Iubily, the price to
[Page] be giuen for it, Discourse
cap. 17.
Pope his indulgences to certaine Churches and Altars
121
Pope his power abrogated Discourse
cap. 13.
Pope his absolute power, his couetousnesse, tergiuersation and tyranny
304
Pope his Bulls, Discourse cap. 12. His Bull defined ibid. His Buls reiected ibid. His Bull for Bishop Fleming ibid.
Pope Buls transcribed out of their originals
141.204.340.559.560.857
Pope
112
Portgraue
362
Porter▪ 700. De Portis
816
Po
[...]kin
324
Pots
861
Poultney
371.380
Poueyn
258
Powlet
103.647
Powley
780
Prayer vpon a grauestone
641
Prat
420
Preue
337
Preston
368.683
Price
625
Priest
542
Prince
803
Prior of Crouched Friers
423
Priors Aliens suppressed
338.339
Priuiledges many granted to S. Albans
578
Priuiledges to kings and Heralds
685
Prickill
368
Proclamation for preseruing of Monuments
52
Prophete
209
Prophesies
358.496
Pulham
805.806.863
Q
QVarrell betweene the Canons of Leedes and the Monks of Saint Albons 287. Betweene the Monks of Canterbury and Rochester 348 349. Betweene the Townsmen and the Abbot and Couent of Saint Edmonds Bury 723. Between the Monks of Norwich and the Citizens
791.
Qua
[...]efeld
750
Quoyte
111
R
RAbing
263
Radcliffe
635:608.804.809
Radcliffe Earles of Sussex
635.636.634.676
Radcliffe Knight of the Garter
809
Radulfe de Torneio
816
Radulph de Diceto
355
Rahere
433.435
Ramrige
557
Ramsey
697
Rayning
700
Raysh
209
Ranyngham
761
Ranishaw
581
Raymund
807
Raph de Pauliaco
815
Raph Lord Basset
542
Raph Lo. Stafford
530
Raph Lo. Limsey
543
Rauson
113.114
Rauen
677.758
Read
276.802.585.327 784.701
Readmund
252
Redmane
526.419
Redman Bishop
870
Redham
816
Redmeld
772
Redwald K:
777
Redred
750
Reducr
[...]
829
Rees
865
Regham
631
Reynolds Archbishop
221
Reliques
143.160.261.279.259.301.316.314.714.724.858
Religion
49
Religious orders Discourse cap. 16. Seuerall waies to enrich themselues Discourse
cap. 17.
Rendlesham
753
Rendleshham the Court of the East Angle Kings
777
Renunciation of the Crowne by K. Ed. the second
485
Renham
288
Rentha K.
7
Rice
290
Rich E. of War.
606.627
Rich E. of Hol.
525
Rich Lord Chancelor of England
103.606
Rich S. Edm. Arcbishop
303
Rich
401
Richard de Grauesend Bishop
610
Richard Archbishop
217
Richard de Ware Abbot
485
Richard de Clare Earle of Glocester
322
Richard the third King
520.521 830 831
Richard the first King
318.319.642.644.204
Richard the second K.
318.319.471
Richold
859
Ricula Q.
451
Rider
536
Ridston
390
Rikhill
312
Ryley
440.681
Ringleis
267
Riplingham
389
Risby
422
Robert Earle of Dreux
204
Robert de Losinga
70.788.
Robards
111
Robert de Say
443
Robert de Bradgar
[...]
291
Robert de Bellemont Earle of Leicester
[...]19
Ro
[...]. de Vallibus
82.
Robert a boy martyred
7
[...]
Rob. de Bello. Abbot
256
Robins
58
Robinson
529
Robsert
7
[...]0
Roche B
[...]shop
76
[...]
Roche
6
[...]
Rocheste▪ Diocesse 308. City
ibid 367
Rochford
[...]1
[...] 6
[...]1
Rockwood
612
Ro
[...] of Rowe
[...]
429 49
[...]
Roer King of Armes
661
Roger Abbot
255 256
Roger
[...] [...]
54
[...]
Roger and Sy▪ Hermi
[...]
5
[...]7
Ro
[...]er Bishop 359. Roger deriued
716
Ro
[...]s
114
Ro
[...]sia de Vere
54
[...]
Roy
[...]on
780 604
Roys
814
Rokeden
613
Roode of Grace at Boxley
289
Roos or Ro
[...] Lo.
212.813.831
Rosse
443
Roper Lord Tenham 338. Marge
[...]y
ibid.
Rote
524
Rosabart Tirri
[...]
804
Roscelyn
815
Rose
806
Rosew
815
Rouse
596.422
Rouceby
72
Rowenna
415
Rowsse
[...]82.783
Rowlat
569
Rugge Bishop
869
Rushbroke
8
[...]2
Russell
114.782.591
Rust
276
Rustandus Legate
363
Ruthall Bishop of Durham
484
Rustwyne
550
S
SAbernes
423
Sackuile Ed. E. of Dorset
613
Sackuile
857.861.318.319 429
Sackford
781
Sadington
543
Sadleir
594
Saham
368
Saint Eppalet a tamer of Colts
545
S. Clare
150
Saint Basill
131
Saint Alban 552. Foundation of Saint Albans, a catalogue of the Abbots there
A Monument is a thing erected, made, or written, for a memoriall of some remarkable action, fit to bee transferred to future posterities And thus generally taken, all religious Foundations, all sumptuous and magnificent Structures, Cities, Townes, Towers, Castles, Pillars, Pyramides, Crosses, Obeliskes, Amphitheaters, Statues, and the like, as well as Tombes and Sepulchres, are called Monuments. Now aboue all remembrances (by which men haue endeuoured, euen in despight of death to giue vnto their Fames eternitie) for worthinesse and continuance, bookes, or writings, haue euer had the preheminence.
Marmora Maeonij vincunt monimenta libelli;
Viuitur ingenio, caetera mortis erunt.
The Muses workes stone-monuments out last;
'Tis wit keepes life, all else death will downe cast.
Horace thus concludes the third booke of his lyrick poesie.
Exegi monimentum are perennius,
Regalique situ, &c.
A monument then brasse more lasting, I,
Then Princely Pyramids in site more high
Haue finished, which neither fretting showers,
Nor blustering windes, nor flight of yeares, and houres,
Though numberlesse, can raze. I shall not die
Wholly; nor shall my best part buried lie
Within my Graue.
And
Martial lib. 10.
Ep. 2. thus speakes of bookes and writings.
Lib. 10.
Epig. 11.And in another
Ep. thus much of his bookes.
'Tis not the Citie onely doth approue
My muse, or idle eares my verses loue;
The rough Centurion, where cold frosts orespread
The Scythian fields, in warre my books are read.
My lines are sung in Britaine farre remote;
And yet my emptie purse perceiues it not.
What deathlesse numbers from my penne would flow?
What warres would my Pierian Trumpet blow?
If, as
Augustus now againe doth liue,
So Rome to me would a
Mecaenas giue.
In like manner
Ouid giues an endlesse date to himselfe, and to his Metamorphosis in these words.
In conclu. li. vlt.
Iamque opus exegi, &c.
And now the worke is ended, which, Ioues rage,
Nor Fire, nor Sword, shall raze, nor eating Age;
Come, when it will, my Deaths vncertaine houre,
Which onely of my bodie hath a power:
Yet shall my better part transcend the skie;
And my immortall name shall neuer die:
For where-soere the Romane Eagles spread
Their conquering wings, I shall of all be read.
And if wee Prophets truly can diuine,
I in my liuing Fame shall euer shine.
S. Ierom in like manner, in one of his Epistles, writeth of the perpetuity of a funerall Elegie, which he made himselfe to the deare memorie of his beloued
Fabiola, who was buried in the citie of Bethlem; not because the said Elegie was cut or engrauen upon her Sepulchre, but for that he had written it down in one of his volumes, according to these his own words following.
Exegi monimentum tuum aere perennius, quod nulla destruere possit vetustas; incîdi Eulogium Sepulchro tuo, quod huic volumini subdidi, vt quocun
(que) noster Sermo peruenerit, te laudatam; te in Bethlem conditā Lector agnoscat.
Varus Tribune of Rome, hath beene and will be longer remembred by
Martials Epigram,
lib. 10.
ep. 26. then euer hee could haue beene by any funerall monument, which is lately made thus to speake English.
Varus, which as Romes Tribune didst command
An hundred men, renown'd in Aegypt land:
Now as a stranger Ghost thou dost remaine
On
Nilus shore, promisd to Rome in vaine.
We could not dew with teares thy dying face,
Nor thy said funerall flames with odours grace;
Yet in my verse eterniz'd shalt thou bee,
Of that false Egypt cannot cousen thee.
Thus
Lucan lib. 9. of his owne verse and
Caesars victorie at Pharsalia.
[Page 3]
O great and sacred worke of poesy,
Thou freest from fate, and giu'st eternity
To mortall wights; but,
Caesar enuy not
Their liuing names; if Romane Muses ought,
May promise thee, whilest
Homer's honoured,
By future times shalt thou, and I, bee read;
No age shall vs with darke oblivion staine,
But our Pharsalia euer shall remaine.
Bookes then and the Muses workes are of all monuments the most permanent; for of all things else there is a vicissitude, a change both of cities and nations: as we may thus reade in
Ouids Metamorphosis,
lib. 15.
For this wee see in all is generall,
Some nations gather strength, and others fall.
Troy rich and powerfull, which so proudly stood,
That could for ten yeares spend such streames of bloud;
For buildings onely her old ruines showes,
For riches, Tombes, which slaughtered fires inclose,
Sparta, Mycenae, were of Greece the flowers;
So Cecrops citie, and Amphions Towres:
Now glorious
Sparta lies vpon the ground;
Lofty
Mycenae hardly to be found.
Of
Oedipus his Thebes what now remaines;
Or of
Pandions Athens, but their names?
Thebes,
1. Siluester, Transl.
Babell, Rome, these proud heauen daring wonders,
Loe vnder ground in dust and ashes lie,
For earthly kingdomes, euen as men doe die.
Bellay in his ruines of Rome, translated by
Spenser, makes this demonstration or shew of that citie, to the strange countrey man or traueller:
Thou stranger, which for Rome in Rome here seekest;
And nought of Rome in Rome perceiu'st at all,
These same old walls, old arches, which thou seest,
Old palaces, is that which Rome men call.
Behold what wreake, what ruine, and what wast,
And how that she, which with her mighty power
Tam'd all the world, hath tam'd her selfe at last:
The prey of Time, which all things doth deuoure.
Rome now of Rome, is the onely funerall,
And onely Rome, of Rome hath victorie.
Ne ought saue Tyber hastning to his fall
Remaines of all: O worlds inconstancie.
That which is firme, doth flit and fall away,
And that is flitting, doth abide and stay.
It is a vanitie for a man to thinke to perpetuate his name and memory by strange and costly great Edifices, for
Not sumptuous Pyramids to skies vpreard;
Nor
Elean Ioues proud Fane,
Proper
[...] lib. 3.
El. 2.
which heauen compeerd,
Nor the rich fortune of
Mausoleus Tombe,
Are priuiledg'd from deaths extreamest doome:
[Page 4]Or fire, or stormes, their glories do abate,
Or by age shaken, fall with their owne waight.
We haue many examples here in England of the small continuance (as I may so call it) of magnificent strong buildings, by the sudden fall of our religious houses, of which a late namelesse versifier hath thus written:
What sacred structures did our Elders build,
Wherein Religion gorgeously sat deckt?
Now all throwne downe, Religion exild,
Made Brothell-houses, had in base respect,
Or ruind so that to the viewers eye,
In their owne ruines they intombed lie:
The marble vrnes of their so zealous Founders
Are digged up, and turn'd to sordid vses;
Their bodies are quite cast out of their bounders
Lie vn
[...]interr'd. O greater what abuse is?
Yet in this later age we now liue in,
This barbarous act is neither shame nor sinne.
Of walls, towres, castles, crosses, forts, rampiers, townes, cities, and such like monuments, here in great Britaine, which by age, warres, or the malignitie of the times, are defaced, ruined, or utterly subuerted, you may reade in learned
Camden: onely thus much out of famous
Spenser, personating the Genius of Verlame, or Verulam, sometimes a citie neare to S. Albons.
Ruines of Time.
I was that Citie which the garland wore
Of Britaines pride, deliuered vnto me,
By Romane victors, which it wonne of yore;
Though nought at all but ruines now I bee.
And lie in mine owne ashes as ye see.
Verlame I was, what bootes it that I was,
Sith now I am but weeds and wastfull grasse?
Another English muse (now liuing) vnder the name of
Watling,M.
[...]rayton, P
[...]l. Song. xvi. one of the foure imperiall high wayes sings thus of the ruines of this citie.
Thou saw'st when Verlam once her head aloft did reare,
Which in her cinders now lies sadly buried here:
With Alabaster, Tuch, and Porphery adornd,
When (welneare) in her pride great Troinouant she scornd.
Likewise vpon this forgotten Citie a namelesse late writer hath made this Epitaph.
But I will conclude this Chapter with these two stanzaes following, taken out of
Spensers poeme aforesaid, speaking of the vanity of such Princes who (
Absolon like) thinke to gaine a perpetuitie after death, by erecting of pillars, and such like monuments, to keepe their names in remembrance▪ when as it is onely the Muses works which giue unto man immortality.
In vaine do earthly Princes then, in vaine,
Seeke with Pyramides, to heauen aspired;
Or huge Colosses, built with costly paine;
Or brasen pillars, neuer to bee fired;
Or Shrines, made of the metall most desired,
To make their memories for euer liue:
For how can mortall immortalitie giue.
For deeds doe die, how euer nobly done,
And thoughts of men doe in themselues decay,
But wise words taught in numbers for to runne,
Recorded by the Muses, liue for aye;
Ne may with storming showres be washt away,
Ne bitter breathing windes with harmfull blast,
Nor age, nor enuie, shall them euer wast.
CHAP. II. Of Funerall Monuments, Graues, Tombes, or Sepulchres. Of the ancient custome of burialls. Of Epitaphs, and other funerall honours.
NOw to speake properly of a Monument, as it is here in this my ensuing Treatise vnderstood, it is a receptacle or sepulchre, purposely made, erected, or built, to receiue a dead corps, and to preserue the same from violation.
Scipio Gentilis lib. Orig. sing.Nam monumentum Sepulchri, est, quod causa muniendi eius loci factum sit, in quo corpus impositum sit, vnde Monumentum quasi munimentum dicitur.
And indeed these Funerall Monuments, in foregoing ages, were very fittingly called muniments, in that they did defend and fence the corps of the defunct, which otherwise might haue beene pulled out of their graues by the sauage brutishnesse of wilde beasts: for as then none were buried in Townes or Cities, but either in the fields, along the high way side (to put passengers in minde, that they were like those so interred, mortall) vpon the top, or at the feet of mountaines.
Apud maiores (saith
Seruiu
[...] lib. xi. Aeneid.)
aut sub montibus, aut in ipsis montibus sepeliebantur, vnde natum est, vt super cadauera aut pyramides fierent, aut ingentes collocarentur columnae.
The Romanes were forbidden by this the second Law of their twelue
[Page 6] Tables.
Hominem mortuum in vrbe ne sepelito neve vrito: to bury or burne any within any Towne or Citie.
For the ancient custome of buriall amongst the Iewes, wee reade, that
Abraham was buried with
Sara his wife, in the caue of Machpelah in the field of Ephron,
Gen. cap. 25.
And
Vzziah king of Iuda, slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers, in the field of the buriall which pertained to the kings. 2.
Chron. cap. 26.
The sepulchre of
Lazarus was without the citie of Bethania: and so was that of
Ioseph without Ierusalem.
Sandys in the relation of his long iourney, tells us, that hee was shewed the Tombe of the Prophet
Samuel, as also the Sepulchre of the seuen brethren (who were tortured to death by
Antiochus) fenced about with a pile of stones, square, flat, and solid, both of them being on the top of two mountaines, neare vnto the citie of Emmaus; and in the vineyards on the North-west side of the said citie, sundry places of buriall, hewne out of the maine rocke, amongst the rest, one called the Sepulchre of the Prophets.
And those Egyptian lofty proud Pyramids (the barbarous wonders of vaine cost) so vniuersally celebrated, being the Regall sepulchres of the Ptolomees, were erected farre out of all cities, as the said Traueller tells vs, who did see so much of the ruines thereof, as time hath not deuoured.
The Athenians buried such as were slaine in battell, and other honourable personages, in a place without the Citie called Ceramnicus.
So here in England, the interments of the dead were anciently farre out of all Townes and Cities, either on the ridges of hills, or vpon spatious plaines, fortified or fenced about, with obelisks, pointed stones, Pyramids, pillars, or such like monuments; for example, Englands wonder vpon Salisbury-plaine, called Stonehenge, the sepulchre of so many Britaines, who by the treachery of the Saxons, were slaine there at a parley. That of
Wada the Saxon Duke neare to Whitby in Yorkshire, and those of
Cartigerne the Britaine, and
Horsa the Saxon, neare to Ailesford in Kent.
It was a thing vsuall among our old Saxon ancestours (saith
Verstegan) as by
Tacitus it also seemeth to haue beene among the other Germans, that the dead bodies of such as were slaine in the field, and buried in the fields, were not layed in graues, but lying upon the ground, were couered ouer with turnes, clods, or sods of earth; And the more in reputation the persons had beene, the greater and higher were the turnes raised ouer their bodies: and this some vsed to call Byriging, some Beorging, and some Buriging of the dead, which wee now call berying, or burying of the dead, which properly is a shrowding or an hiding of the dead bodie in the earth. Of these kinde of funerall monuments you haue many vpon Salisbury-plaine, out of which the bones of bodies thus inhum'd are oftentimes digged vp; which the Inhabitants thereabout call Beries, Baroes, and some Burrowes, which accordeth with the same fence of Byrighs, Beorghs, or Burghs. From whence the names of diuerse Townes and Cities are originally deriued; Places first so called, hauing beene with walls of turfe or clods of earth, fenced about for men to bee shrowded in, as in forts or Castles.
[Page 7]Reutha, King of that neuer-conquered terrible, fierce Nation of the Scots (who flourished about they eare of the world 3784. and before the birth of our blessed Sauiour, one hundred eightie and seven yeares) ordained, That such Noblemen which had atchieued any notable exploit in defence of their countrey, should bee had in perpetuall memorie, and buried, in solemne wise, in sepulchres aloft vpon hills, or mountaines, vpon which were set so many Obelisks, pillars, or long-pointed stones, as they had slaine enemies in the warres. Whereof some remaine (saith
Hector Boethius in the life of the said King) there to be seene euen to this day.
Sepulchres of this stately kinde of structure for persons of eminent ranke and qualitie, were sometimes (howsoeuer) erected within the cities: for wee reade in the first booke of the Maccabees, Chap. 13. that
Ionathan the valiant (brother to
Iudas the worthie) being slaine in battell neare to Baschama, and there buried,
Simon sent to take the bones of his brother
Ionathan (I will vse the words of the Text) And they buried him in Modin his fathers city. And all Israel bewailed him with great lamentation, and mourned for him verie long. And
Simon made vpon the Sepulcher of his father, and his brethren, a building high to looke vnto, of hewne stone behinde and before. And set vp seuen pillars vpon it, one against another, for his father, his mother, and foure brethren: And set great pillars round about them, and set armes upon the pillars for a perpetuall memorie, and carued ships beside the armes, that they might be seene of men sailing in the sea.
In like manner the Romanes (notwithstanding their second law of the twelue Tables) did sometime entombe their dead within the Citie (but that was but seldome;) for the bones and ashes of
Trajan the Emperour, were put into a golden vrne, and set in the Market-place, vpon the top of a pillar, of one whole peece, being one hundred and fourty foot high.
And
Galbaes bodie long neglected (saith
Tacitus) and in the darke despightfully intreated;
Argius his Steward, one of his principall bondmen, buried with small ceremonie in his priuate garden. But this was not vsuall amongst them.
Hospinian lib. 3.
cap. 1. out of
Durandus, Vlpian, and other Authours, giues this reason: wherefore both the Iewes and Gentiles vsed to burie their dead, without the gates of Townes and Cities. It was a custome in times of old (saith he) that men and women were buried in their owne priuate houses, or within their owne priuate gardens; but afterwards for the noysome savour, and contagious stinke of the dead carkases so interred, it was enacted, That all burials should bee without Townes and Cities, in some conuenient place appointed for that purpose. And howsoeuer that this order was obserued by the Gentiles upon this reason onely,
Scilicet vt in vrbibus mundicies seruaretur, & aer minus inficeretur, ex cadauerum putrescentium faetore; Yet the true Christians, and such as by their liuely faith were adopted the children of God, had a further mysterie in this their manner of interments; for by the carriage and buriall of their dead corps without their citie walls, they did publikely confirme, and witnesse, that the parties deceased were gone out of this world, to bee made free denizons of another citie, namely, Heauen, there to remaine with the blessed Saints in eternall happinesse.
[Page 8]This order or custome of buriall without cities, continued amongst the Christians, vntill the time of
Gregory the great, for as then the Monkes, Friers, and Priests (saith my foresaid Authour) began to offer sacrifice for the soules departed; so that, for their more easie and greater profit, they procured first, that the places of sepulture should bee adioyning vnto their Churches, and afterwards they got licence to burie within Churches. Vpon this reason out of the said
Gregory 13.
q. cap. 2.
Cum grauia peccata non deprimunt (saith hee)
tunc prodest mortuis si in Ecclesijs sepeliantur; quia eorum proximi, quoties ad eadem sacra loca veniunt, suorumque sepulturam aspiciunt, recordantur & pro eis Domino preces fundunt.
Panuinius in lideritu sepeliend. mortuos.Antiquitus tantum extra vrbem in coemiterijs hominū corpora sepeliebantur, pace Ecclesiae data intra vrbes, ad Templorum limina, postea etiam in ipsis templis sepeliri mos inualuit. Constantinus in porticu Templi Apostolorum, Constantinopoli: Honorius in porticu Templi S. Petri Romae, eius vxor intra idem Templum sepulti sunt.
Anciently the bodies of the dead were buried onely without cities in Coemiteries or sleeping places, vntill the resurrection (as the word signifies) but persecution being ended, and peace giuen to the Christian Church, the manner grew in vse to burie within Cities, at the entrance into their sacred temples, yea and afterwards in the verie Churches themselues.
Constantine was buried in the porch of the Apostles in Constantinople.
Honorius in the porch of S.
Peter in Rome; and his wife (the Empresse) within the said Church. But to come nearer home,
Austine the first Archbishop of Canterbury, sent hither by the foresaid
Gregory, was interred in the porch of Saint
Peter and
Paul, commonly called Saint
Austins neare vnto Canterbury, a religious house of his owne foundation, and together with him sixe other Archbishops who next succeeded him: whose reliques afterwards were remoued into the Abbey Church, of which I shall speake hereafter.
Cuthbert or
Cudbright th'eleuenth, Archbishop of that Province, obtained from the Pope a dispensation, for the making of Coemiteries or Churchyards within Townes, and Cities, whereas, here in England, vntill his time, within the walls thereof none were buried. These following are the words in the Appendix to the booke of
Rochester a Mss. in Sir
Robert Cottons Librarie.
Cutbertus Archiepiscopus Cant. xi. ab Augustino cum Romae videret plures intra Ciuitates sepeliri, rogauit Papam ut sibi liceret Coemiteria facere, quod Papa annuit, reuersus itaque coemiteria vbique in Anglia fieri constituit.
This order of buriall being thus begun here in England, it likewise followed, that Graue-stones were made, and Tombes erected with inscriptions engrauen upon them, to continue the remembrance of the parties deceased, to succeeding ages; and these were called Epitaphs: now, an Epitaph is a superscription (either in verse or prose) or an astrict pithie Diagram, writ, carued, or engrauen, vpon the tombe, graue, or sepulchre of the defunct, briefly declaring (and that sometimes with a kinde of commiseration) the name, the age, the deserts, the dignities, the state, the praises both of body and minde, the good or bad fortunes in the life, and the manner and time of the death of the person therein interred.
Of all funerall honours (saith
Camden) Epitaphs haue alwayes beene
[Page 9] most respectiue; for in them loue was shewed to the deceased, memorie was continued to posteritie, friends were comforted, and the Reader pu
[...] in minde of humane frailtie: and indeed the frequent visiting, and aduised reuiewing of the Tombes and monuments of the dead (but without all touch of superstition) with the often reading, serious perusall, and diligent meditation of wise and religious Epitaphs or inscriptions, found vpon the tombes or monuments, of persons of approued vertue, merit, and honour, is a great motiue to bring us to repentance. The invention of Epitaphs proceeded from the presage or forefeeling of immortalitie, implanted in all men naturally, and is referred to the Schollers of
Linus the Theban Poet, who flourished about the yeare of the world 2700) who first bewailed this
Linus their master, when he was slaine, in dolefull verses, then called of him Aelina, afterward Epitaphia, for that they were first song at burialls, after engraued vpon the sepulchres. Funerall monuments then of costly workmanship, with curious engrauen Epitaphs, were called
Sepulchra, id est, semipulchra, halfe faire and beautifull; the externall part or superficies thereof being gloriously beautified and adorned; and hauing nothing within, but dreadfull darknesse, loathsome stinke, and rottennesse of bones, as it is in the Gospell,
Mat. 23. And they are sometimes called memories,
à memoria vel à monendo, in that by them we are put in minde, and warned to consider our fragile condition; for they are externall helpes to excite, and stirre vp our inward thoughts,
habere memoriam mortis semper prae oculis: to haue the remembrance of death euer before our eyes, and that our brethren defunct, may not be out of minde as out of sight.
Non ob aliud, saith S.
Austin in his booke
De cura pro mortuis, vel memoriae vel monumenta dicuntur, ea quae insignita siunt Sepulchra mortuorum, nisi quia eos, qui viuentium oculis morte subtracti sunt, ne obliuione etiam cordibus subtrahantur, in memoriam reuocant, & admonendo faciunt cogitari: Nam & memoriae nomen id apertissime ostendit, & monumentum eo quod moneat mentem, id est admoneat nuncupatur.
In the Register of the Gray Friers London, I finde this definition of a funerall monument much what to the same effect.
Monimentum est quasi monens mentem, [...]& sic solet à doctoribus etymologiari: monet namque bifarie humanam mentem, cum aut mortis memoriam incutit visis precedentium sepulchris; aut eisdem conspectis, mentes moneantur siue moueantur carorum, ad reddend. suffragia pro ipsis.
These tombes or sepulchres were also named,
Requtatoria, Ossuaria, Cineraria, domus aeternae, &c. as you haue them with their seuerall significations in
Kirkman, De Funeribus Romanorum.
Tertullian (in his booke
De Resurrectione carnis, cap. 37.) calls these monuments of the dead,
Cadauerum stabula, stables or stalls of carcases.
Nemo iam poterit aliud mortuos interpretari, qui sunt in monimentis, nisi corpora & carnem, quia nec ipsa monimenta aliud, quam cadaverum stabula: which
Lucian scoffingly termed campes and cottages of carcases.
But to conclude this Chapter;
R
[...]maines. the place of buriall was called by S.
Paul, Seminatio, in the respect of the assured hope of resurrection: of the Greeke
[...]Coemiterion, as a sleeping place vntill the resurrection: and of the Hebrews▪
[Page 10] The house of the liuing, in the same respect, as the Germanes call Churchyards vntill this day, Gods aker, or Gods field.
CHAP. III. Of Sepulchres answerable to the degree of the person deceased. The diuers manner of bearing man and woman to the Graue. When both Sexes began to be borne alike.
SEpulchres should bee made according to the qualitie and degree of the person deceased, that by the Tombe euery one might bee discerned of what ranke hee was liuing: for monuments answerable to mens worth, states and places,
Camd. Remaines. haue alwayes beene allowed, and stately sepulchres for base fellowes haue alwayes lien open to bitter iests; therefore it was the vse and custome of reuerend antiquitie, to interre persons of the rusticke or plebeian sort, in Christian buriall, without any further remembrance of them, either by tombe, grauestone, or epitaph. Persons of the meaner sort of Gentrie, were interred with a flat grauestone, comprehending the name of the defunct, the yeare and day of his decease, with other particulars, which was engrauen on the said stone, or vpon some plate. And Gentlemen, which were of more eminencie, had their effigies or representation, cut or carued vpon a Terme or Pedestall, as it were of a pillar, raised somewhat aboue the ground,
vmbelico tenus: and this image had no armes, but was formed from the waste vpwards vpon a Terme, which did beare a true resemblance of the fauour of the partie defunct Vpon the said terme (commonly) were inserted, the name, progeny, match, issue, vocation, and imployment of the defunct, with the day, yeare, and place of his death.
Noble men, Princes, and Kings had (as it befitteth them, and as some of them haue at this day) their Tombes or Sepulchres raised aloft aboue ground, to note the excellencie of their state and dignitie; and withall, their personages delineated, carued, and embost, at the full length and bignesse, truly proportioned throughout, as neare to the life, and with as much state and magnificence, as the skill of the Artificer could possibly carue and forme the same: the materials of which were alabaster, rich marble, touch, rauce, porpherey, polisht brasse or copper, like vnto that made to the memorie of King
Henry the seuenth in Westminster, who dwelleth more richly dead (saith
Viscount Saint
Alban in his history of that kings raigne) in the monument of his Tombe, then hee did aliue in Richmond or any of his palaces, it being the stateliest, and most curious daintie monument of Europe, both for the Chappell, and for the Sepu
[...]chre.
And as stately monuments were not due, nor allowed▪ to euery man that was of ability to erect the same; so swelling titles, lofty inscriptions or epitaphs, were prohibited to bee inscrib'd, insculpt, or engrauen vpon the sepulchres of men of meane desert: but onely vpon the monuments of such as were of vertue, wisedome, and valour▪ as martiall men, or persons of eminent place of gouernment in the weale publike. Which is not obserued altogether in these times: for by some of our epitaphs more honour is attributed
[Page 11] to a rich quondam Tradesman, or griping vsurer, then is giuen to the greatest Potentate entombed in Westminster: and their tombes are made so huge great, that they take vp the Church, and hinder the people from diuine Seruice. Besides if one shall seriously suruay the Tombes erected in these our dayes, and examine the particulars of the personages wrought vpon their Tombes, hee may easily discerne the vanity of our mindes, vailed vnder our fantasticke habits and attires, which in time to come will be rather prouocations to vice, then incitations to vertue; and so the Temple of God shall become a Schoolehouse of the monstrous habits and attires of our present age, wherein Taylors may finde out new fashions. And which is worse, they garnish their Tombes, now adayes, with the pictures of naked men and women; raising out of the dust, and bringing into the Church, the memories of the heathen gods and goddesses, with all their whirligiggs: and this (as I take it) is more the fault of the Tombe-makers, then theirs who set them a worke.
There was likewise made a difference of personages in the carriage of their dead bodies to the place of sepulture, according to their state and dignitie. Great men of birth or qualitie were carrried in chariots drawne with horses, trumpets and seuerall sorts of musicall instruments sounding before the corps; mourners, and likewise many who sung mournfull ditties in praise of the defunct: to whose further honour they did also set vp in their Temples, and other publike places, certaine ornaments, as scutcheo
[...]s, crownes, and such like: of which pompous progression more in the next Chapter. Now such as could not be interred with all this maiesticke solemnitie, although they were of high parentage, for that the charge was very great, were buried in the euening by certaine men who had that charge, who were called Vespillons.
Men of meaner ranke, howsoeuer neuer so rich, were not allowed this princely kinde of production to their graues; for their corps were borne vpon their seruants shoulders, whom they had manumitted a little before their deaths, with a Trumpet onely sounding before them, and some lights, according to this of
Persius, Satyre 3.
Then were prepared for his Funerall
The Trumpet, and the Lights: And last of all
This seeming happie man, that would not doubt
His health, being composedly laid out
On his high bed, his biere; and now daub'd o're,
And eu'n bedurted with th'abundant store
Of ointments; stretcheth tow'rd the citie gate
His cold dead heeles; and those whose best estate
But yesterday, was but to be his slaue,
Now weare their caps, and beare him to his graue.
Man and woman, though of equall degree and qualitie, were borne in a different manner to their graues. Man was borne vpon mens shoulders to signifie his dignitie and superioritie ouer his wife; and woman at the armes end, to signifie, that being inferiour to man, in her life time, she should not be equalled with him at her death. Which vse continued a long time, vntill women, by renouncing the world, and liuing monasticall religious
[Page 12] liues, got such an honourable esteeme in the world, that they were thought no lesse worthie of honour, in that kinde, then men; and when as a widow d
[...]ed hauing h
[...]d but one husband, they carried her to her graue with a crowne of chastitie vpon her head.
Condemned persons (as they are now adayes) were carried in waines or carts, because they were thought vnworthy to bee borne by men, who, by their wicked demerits, had procured the hand of iustice to cut them off, by vntimely death, from the societie of men.
CHAP. IIII. Of the excessiue expenses bestowed at Funeralls in former times.
I Might include within this Chapter, and not impertinently, to these contents, the ancient customes, and manners of burying the dead, in all Nations, throughout all the habitable world: but that would make the gate bigger then the citie, this discourse of a greater bulke, then all the rest of the booke besides: you may finde this Treatise touched vpon, in the Volumne of the Estates, Empires, and Principalities of the world; as also in the Treasurie of Ancient and moderne Times, the sixth booke; where hee speakes of diuers customes and fashions of buriall, of ancient obsequies, and their ceremonies; onely then a little of so much, because I would not stray beyond my limits.
The ancient Romanes did vse them that were dead after two manners, and they had two kindes of obsequies: the first and most ancient was to couer the dead with earth, and to bury them as we doe; the other, to burne their bodies, but this manner did not continue long.
Sepeliri antiquius fuisse quam cremari. Plin. lib. 7.
cap. 54.
Cremari apud Romanos non suit ve
[...]eris instituti, terra condebantur: at postquam longinquis hellis obrutos eru
[...] cognouere, est institutum, & tamen multae familiae priscos seruauere ritus. Manut. de leg. Rom. sol. 125.
Numa Pompilius was the inuenter of obsequies, and hee instituted a high Priest, who had the charge. The first honour which they vsed to performe in the obsequies of famous persons, was to commend the partie by an Oration.
Valerius Publicola made a funerall oration on the death and in the praise of
Brutus. In like manner
Iulius Caesar, being but twelue yeares old, commended his grandfather: and
Tiberius at the age of nine yeares praised his father. The second honour was to make Sword-players to fight.
Marcus and
Decius sonnes to
Iunius Brutus, were the first that did practise this, in honour of their father. The third honour was, to make a feast of magnificent furnishment. The fourth was a distribution of meat to all the common people. And such (as I haue said before) as could not be buried with the like, and so great pompe (for the expenses were in supportable) were buried in the night time, by the Vespillons clothed all in white, who carried the dead body to his graue. They had likewise an order, that within some while after the obsequies, they would strew diuers flowers, and sweet odours, upon the sepulchre, as the Romane people
[Page 13] did vpon the funerall monument of
Scipio. And also they accustomed yearely, to garnish, decke, and adorne, the tombes or graues of the dead, with poesies, crownes, and garlands of all sorts of flowers. Husbands (saith Saint
Ierom ad Pammachum) were wont to straw, spread, or scatter ouer, and vpon the graues and sepulchres of their deceased deare wiues, violets, roses, lillies, hyacinths, and diuers purple flowers: by which vxorious office, they did mitigate, and lessen the griefe of their hearts conceiued by the losse of their louing bedf
[...]llowes. The like expression of mutuall loue wiues shewed to their buried husbands.
Now aboue all flowers in these ceremonious obseruances, the Rose was in greatest request, and had the sole preheminence.
Romani (saith
Kirkman de Funeribus Romanorum, lib. 4.
cap. 3.)
verò Rosarum fuere studiosi, vt ijs post mortem monimenta sua spargi supremo iudicio nonnunquam iusserint, legato ad hanc rem relict
[...], cui plerumque haec erat conditio (ut in Rauennati inscriptione legimus) vt quotannis Rosas ad monumentum eius de
[...]errent, ibi
(que) epularentur. To which
Io. Passeratius in his Rosa, thus alludes.
Manibus est imis Rosa grata, & grata Sepulchris,
Et Rosa flos Florum.
Vnto the Tombes and Spirits of the dead
The Rose is gratefull, of all flowers the head.
And
Anacreon in praise of the Rose thus sings in one of his odes: I will vse the Latine translation.
Rosa, honor, decusque florum
Rosa, cura amorque veris
Rosa, coelitum voluptas:
And in another ode in commendation of the Rose more aptly to this purpose, thus.
Medicatur haec & aegris,
Defendit haec sepultos▪
The Rose full many griefes doth cure,
Defends corps laid in sepulture.
The ancient Ethnicks did hold the springing of flowers, from the graue of a deceased friend, an argument of his happinesse; and it was their vniuersall wish, That the Tombe stones of their dead friends might bee light vnto them; and that a perpetuall spring-tide, of all kinde of fragrant flowers, might incircle their verdant graues. According to this of
Persius. Sat. 7.
Dij maiorum vmbris tenuem & sine pondere terram
Spirantesque crocos, & in vrna perpetuum ver.
Lie earth light on their bones, may their graues beare
Fresh fragrant flowers: let springtide still liue there.
But to come backe againe. The magnificence in burning the bodies of the dead, did farre exceed in charges all other kindes of funerall; for which the bodies of persons of principall regard (as you may reade in the Trauelles of
George Sandys) they burnt rich odours, gold, iewels, apparell, heards of cattell, flocks of sheepe, horses, hounds, and sometimes the concubines and slaues whom they most respected, to supply their wants, to serue their delights, and attend vpon them in the lower shades. The express
[...] of such a funerall fire, wherein the body of
Archemorus was consumed,
[Page 14] is thus set downe by
Statius the Theban; in his sixth booke, translated by
Sandys.
Neuer were ashes with more wealth repleate;
Gems crackle, siluer melts, gold drops with heate:
Embroidered robes consume. Okes, fatned by
The iuyce of sweet Assyrian drugs, flame hie:
Fyer'd honey, and pale saffron hisse: full boules
Of wine pour'd on, and goblets (gladding soules)
Of blacke bloud, and snatcht milke. The Greeke Kings then
With Guidons trail'd on earth, led forth their men
In seuen troupes: in each troupe an hundred Knights
Circling the sad pile with sinister rites:
Who choke the flame with dust. Thrice it they round
Their weapons clash: foure times a horrid sound
Strucke armours raisde: as oft the Seruants beate
Their bared breasts, with out-cries. Heards of Neate,
And beasts halfe slaine, another wastfull fire
Deuoures, &c.
With the like solemnitie, or farre greater, the funerals of
Patroclus were performed by
Achilles, for with him were burned, oxen, sheepe, dogges, horses, and twelue stout and valiant sonnes of noble Troians.
Achilles pulls off the haire off his head, and casts it into the flame; and besides institutes certaine Funerall Games to the honour of his slaine friend, the glory of the Greekish Nation,
Patroclus which is recorded by
Homer in the 23. booke of his Iliads; of which this is the argument:
Achilles orders iusts of Obsequies,
For his
Patroclus, and doth sacrifice
Twelue Troian Princes: most lou'd hounds, and horse,
And other offering to the honoured corse.
He institutes besides a Funerall Game,
Where
Diomed for horse-race wins the same.
For foot,
Vlysses; other otherwise
Striue, and obtaine, and end the Exequies.
They vsed to quench these funerall fires with red wine, and gathering the bones together, to include them in vrnes, which they placed in or vpon some sumptuous rich Monument, erected for that purpose, as you may reade in the sixth booke of
Virgils Aen
[...]iads,
Aene
[...] [...] Trump
[...]. in the funeralls of
Misenus, most liuely thus expressed. I will vse
Phaers Translation.
—the Troians all in solemne guise
Did waile
Misenus corps, and gaue to him their last outcries.
First cut in culpons great, and fat of sappe, with pitch among,
A stately pile they build, with timber trees and Cypresse strong,
(That dead mens treasure is) his gorgeous armes also they set;
Some brought the water warme, and Cauldrons boyling out they set.
The body cold they wash, and precious ointments on they poure;
[Page 15]Lamenting loud is made, then close his limbes in bed, or floore,
They crouch with weeping teares, and purple weedes on him they throw:
His robes, his harne is bright, and ensignes all that men may know.
In mourning sort some heaue on shoulders high the mighty Beere,
(A dolefull seruice sad) as children doe their father deere,
Behinde them holding brands, then flame vprising broad doth spread,
And oiles and dainties cast, and Frankincence the fire doth feed.
When falne his cinders were, and longer blase did not endure;
His reliques and remaines of dust, with wine they washed pure,
Then Choriney his bones in brasen coffin bright did close.
And sprinkling water pure, about his mates three times he goes:
And drops of sacred dew, with Oliue-palmes on them did shake,
And compasse blest them all, and sentence last he sadly spake:
To fields of ioy thy soule, and endlesse rest we doe betake.
But good
Aeneas then, right huge in height his Tombe did rere,
And gaue the Lord his Armes, his Ore and Trumpet fixed there,
On mountaine neare the skies, that of
Misenus beares the name,
And euerlasting shall from world to world retaine the same.
Many more ceremonies were obserued in the magnificent ordering of both kindes of Funeralls, as well of such as were buried in the earth, as of these burned in these costly piles of wood. The custome of burning the dead bodies continued among the Romanes, but vntill the time of the
Antonine Emperours, An Do 200. or thereabouts: then they began to burie againe in the earth.
Manutius de log. Rom. fol 125.126.
They had, at these burials, suborned counterfeit hired mourners, which were women of the loudest voices, who betimes in the morning did meere at appointed places, and then cried out mainly, beating of their breasts, tearing their haire, their faces, and garments, ioyning therewith the prayers of the defunct, from the houre of his natiuitie, vnto the houre of his dissolution; still keeping time with the melancholicke musicke. (This is a custome obserued at this day in some parts of Ireland, but aboue all Nations the Iewes are best skilled in these lamentations, being
Fruitfull in teares:
Inuen.
[...]
teares, that still ready stand
To sally forth, and but expect command.)
Amongst these women there was euer an old aged Beldam,
Rosin. de Autin Romano.
[...] l.
[...]. cap. 59. called
Praefica, quasi in hoc ipso manus praefecta, a superintendent aboue all the rest of the mourners: who with a loud voice did pronounce these words:
I licet, or,
Ire licet; as much to say, He must needs depart: and when the dead corps were lain in the graue, and all ceremonies finished, she deliuerd the last adieu in this manner,
Vale, vale, vale, nos te ordine, quo natura permiserit, cuncti sequemur: Adieu, Adieu, Adieu, wee must follow thee, according as the course of nature shall permit vs.
The manner of these lamentings (saith
George Sandys in his Journall) may of old appeare by this ironicall personating of a father following the exequies of his sonne, introducted by
Lucian in these words: O my sweet sonne, thou art lost, thou art dead: dead before thy day, and hast left mee
[Page 16] behinde, of men the most miserable. Not experienced in the pleasures of a wife, the comforts of children, warfare, husbandrie, nor attained to maturitie. Henceforth, O my sonne, thou shalt not eate, nor loue, nor bee drunke amongst thy equalls. They had likewise their
Libitinarij (and those many in number) which were the prouiders of all things necessarie for the Funeralls; and their
Pollinctores, which were those that anointed, embalmed, and inuested the defunct, with mirrhe, aloes, salt, honey, waxe, sweet odours, pretious oyles, perfumed sereclothes, fine Aromaticke Sindon, and the like. The mourners were exceeding many, (of which I haue partly spoken before) with Trumpeters, and Musitians of all sorts, most dolefully sounding, and warbling forth their lamentable notes: the corps of the defunct being garded, and attended vpon, with troupes of horsemen, which was accounted an extraordinarie kinde of honour done to the deceased: then last of all, Funerall Games, Bonefires of most pretious woods, Orations, magnificent, sumptuous, and most royall feasts and banquets were ordained.
But these excessiue charges, these superfluous and impertinent costs of funerall expenses, were by certaine Lawes restrained, both by the Romans, and Grecians, and funerall charges proportioned, according to the worthinesse of the person deceased, and his meanes; answerable to the valuation of his yearely reuenues, or the generall estimate of his substance.
In like manner these Ethnicke lamentations, and fearefull howlings for the dead, by hired mourners, were prohibited; yet moderate weeping and mourning at Funeralls, was neuer dissallowed; nay it hath been euer highly commended, accounted the chiefe grace of Funerals, promised for a blessing to the godly, and the want thereof, a malediction or curse; and moderately to mourne after the interment of our friends, is a manifest token of true loue; by it wee expresse that naturall affection wee had to the departed, with a Christian-like moderation of our griefe, whereby our faith to God ward is demonstrated. For as God hath made vs liuing, so hath he made vs louing creatures, to the end we should not be as stocks and stones, voide of all kinde and naturall affection, but that liuing and louing together, the loue of the one should not end with the life of the other. And now to go a little further, I say, that to mourne and sorrow for parents, children, husbands, wiues, kindred and friends, is not any matter of noueltie but most ancient.
Gen. 1
[...].Abraham mourned and wept for his wife
Sarah: Dauid could not hide his fatherly affection toward his sonne
Absolon; although he was a traitour to his father,
2. Sam. 18.Dauid the King: for so soone as hee heard of his death, he went up to the chamber ouer the gate (as the text is) and wept: and as hee went, thus he said,
O my sonne Absolon, my sonne, my sonne Absolon, would God I had died for thee, O Absolon, my sonne, my sonne.
Dauid also hearing of the death of murdered
Abner, whom he respected as a deare friend: said vnto
Ioab (who slew
Abner) and to all the people that were with him,
2▪ Sam. 5. Rent your clothes and put on sackcloth, and mourne, before the corps of
Abner: and king
Dauid himselfe followed the Beere. And when they had buried
Abner in Hebron, the king lifted vp his voice, and wept beside the Sepulchre of
Abner, and all the people wept.
Now, it being the custome of the Israelites to feast and banquet at their
[Page 17] burials;
[...]he people came to cause
Dauid (such is the Scripture phrase) to eate meate while it was yet day, but
Dauid sware, saying, So doe God to me and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else till the Sunne bee downe: and a
[...]l the people knew it, and it pleased them, saith the Text.
Our a
[...]l perfect and Almighty Sauiour Christ Iesus,
Ioh. 11. wept ouer the graue of dead
Lazarus (whom he reuiued) wherupon the standers by said among themselues, behold how he loued him.
The ancient Romanes, before they were Christians, mourned nine moneths, but being Christians, they vsed mourning a whole yeare, clothed in blacke for the most part, for women were clothed partly in white, and partly in blacke, according to the diuersitie of Nations. And if any Christian, man, or woman, in those parts, wearing mourning, came to agree againe in a second marriage, during the yeare appointed for mourning, the Matrimony was stayed, but thenceforward hee nor shee were bound to weare any more mourning.
These examples considered, I obserue that wee, in these dayes, doe not weepe and mourne at the departure of the dead, so much, nor so long, as in Christian dutie we ought. For husbands can burie their wiues, and wiues their husbands, with a few counterfeit teares, and a sowre visage masked and painted ouer with dissimulation; contracting second marriages, before they haue worne out their mourning garments, and sometimes before their cope mates be cold in their graues.
Young heires may attend vpon the corps of their parents to their buriall places, seemingly making great shewes of inward griefe and sorrow, but
Haeredis flectus sub persona risus est.
Aul. G
[...]ll. Noct. Att. lib.
17. c.
14.
The weeping of an heire, is laughing vnder a visard or disguise.
And if his father haue impaired, or not augmented his state and inheritance, this young master will reduce the conuoy of his fathers obsequies, to some vnwonted parsimonie, answerable to these verses of
Persius in the sixth and last Satyre.
—if thou impaire thy wealth, thy angred heire
Of thy last funerall feast will take small care:
And with neglect into thy vrne will throw
Thy bones without perfumes, carelesse to know
Whether he buy dull-smelling Cinnamum,
Or Casia corrupt with cherry gumme.
Now howsoeuer the procuration of funerals, the manner of buriall, the pompe of obsequies, bee rather comforts to the liuing, then helpes to the dead; and although all these ceremonies be despised by our parents on their death-beds; yet should they not be neglected by vs their children, or nearest of kindred, vpon their interments.
But funerals in any expensiue way here with vs, are now accounted but as a fruitlesse vanitie, insomuch that almost all the ceremoniall rites of obsequies heretofore vsed, are altogether laid aside: for wee see daily that Noblemen, and Gentlemen of eminent ranke, office, and qualitie, are either silently buried in the night time, with a Torch, a two-penie Linke, and a
[Page 18] Lanterne; or parsimoniously interred in the day-time, by the helpe of some ignorant countrey-painter, without the attendance of any one of the Officers of Armes, whose chiefest support, and maintenance, hath euer depended vpon the performance of such funerall rites, and exequies. So that now by reason of this generall neglect of Funeralls, and the sleight regard wee haue of the needfull vse of Heraulds, many and great errours are daily committed, to the great offence and preiudice of the ancient Nobilitie, and Gentrie of this Kingdome, and to the breeding of many ambiguous doubts and questions, which may happen in their Descents, and issues in future ages: And nothing will be shortly left to continue the memory of the deceased to posteritie; pilfery and the opinion some haue, that Tombes, and their Epitaphs, taste somewhat of Poperie, hauing already most sacrilegiously stolne, erazed, and taken away, almost all the Inscriptions and Epitaphs, cut, writ, inlaid, or engrauen vpon the Sepulchres of the deceased; and most shamefully defaced the glorious rich Tombes, and goodly monuments of our most worthy Ancestours. It could bee wished that some order might betaken for the preseruation of these few which are as yet remaining: for to mine owne knowledge, by the obseruation I haue made in many Churches, the Monuments of the dead are daily thus abused.
CHAP. V. The reasons wherefore so many haue made their owne Monuments in their life-time. Of the care that all or most of all men haue of decent buriall. The buriall of the dead, a worke acceptable vnto God. A funerall Hymne of Aurelius Prudentius to the like purpose.
IT was vsuall in ancient times, and so it is in these our dayes, for persons of especiall ranke and qualitie to make their owne Tombes and Monuments in their life-time; partly for that they might haue a certaine house to put their head in (as the old saying is) whensoeuer they should bee taken away by death, out of this their Tenement, the world; and partly to please themselues, in the beholding of their dead countenance in marble. But most especially because thereby they thought to preserue their memories from obliuion.
Absolon in his life time, erected a pillar, to retaine the memory of his name, in that his issue male failed. Will you heare the Text.
2.
Sam. c
[...]. [...]8Now
Absolon in his life-time had taken, and reared him vp a pillar, which is in the Kings dale: for hee said, I haue no sonne to keepe my name in remembrance, and hee called the pillar after his owne name, and it is called vnto this day,
Absolons place.
This pillar, which
Absolon intended for the place of his sepulture, hewne and framed out of the rocke or growing stone, is to bee seene at this day, saith
Sandys, all entire and of a goodly fabricke. But to returne, euery man like
Absolon desires a perpetuity after death, by these monuments, or by
[Page 19] other meanes,
Cap. 4. according to that of
Tertullian in his booke,
De Testimonio animae. Quis non hodie (saith hee)
memoriae post mortem frequentandae ita studet, vt vel literaturae operibus, vel simplici laude morum, vel ipsorum sepulchrorum ambitione, nomen suum seruet? These that in their life time do thus build their owne sepulchres, and take care in the ceremonious disposing of their funeralls, would (no question) lay this charge vpon those which they must of necessity trust, in the performance of their Wills and Testaments, and employ their last dayes and houres in more heauenly designes; if they did not oftentimes see in their course of life, that as well heires as executours, interre both the honour and memory of the defunct, together with his corps: perfidiously forgetting their fidelity to the deceased. Of which will it please you reade this old inscription depicted vpon a wall within S.
Edmunds Church in Lumbard-street, London.
Man, the behovyth oft to haue
this.
yis in mind,
that.
Yat thow geueth wyth
thine.
yin hond, yat sall thow fynd,
For widowes be sloful, and chyldren beth vnkynd,
Executors beth couetos, and kep al yat
they.
yey fynd.
If eny body esk wher the deddys goodys becam.
they answer.
Yey ansquer
So God me help and halidam, he died a poor man,
thinke on this.
Yink
on yis
Io. Gower in his additions to his booke called
Vox clamantis,Mss. in. Bib. Cott. hath these verses,
contra mortuorum Executores, much what to the same effect.
Dicunt Scripture memorare nouissima vite,
Pauper ab hoc mundo transiet omnis homo.
Dat Fortuna status varios, Natura sed omnes
Fine suo claudit, cuncta
(que) morte rapit.
Post mortem pauci qui nunc reputantur amici,
Sunt memores: anime sis memor ipse tue.
Da dum tempus habes, tibi propria sit manus heres;
Auferet hoc nemo quod dabis ipse Deo.
Vpon these and the like considerations, they vsed (as they now doe) to inscribe or engraue these kinde of monuments with certaine sentences to this effect.
Fallax saepe fides, testataque vota peribunt:
Constitues tumulum, si sapis, ipse tuum.
Or thus.
Certa dies nulli, mors certa, incerta sequentum
Cura: locet tumulum qui sapit ipse sibi.
Concluding most commonly with these words.
Viuus fecit. Viuus faciendum curauit. Viuus sibi posuit. Se vino fecit. Viuus hoc sibi fecit monumentum: and the like.
Some erected their sepulchres whilst they were liuing, concluding their inscriptions thus.
Sibi & coniugi. Sibi, coniugi & Liberis. Sibi & posteris.[Page 20] And some that would not haue their wiues heires nor any other entombed therein, thus.
Hoc monumentum heredes non sequuntur. Or thus:
Rogo per deos superos inferosque ossa nostra ne violes.
This care of buriall moued
Augustus Caesar to build his funerall monument, in the sixth yeare of his Consulship; for himselfe, and the succeeding Emperours.
The like reason moued
Hadrian to build his Tombe or Sepulchre neare vnto the bridge Aelium, for the Mausoleum of
Augustus was full; as
Xiphilinus writes in the life of
Hadrian.
And to bring you this honie example, the like consideration moued King
Henry the seuenth, in the eighteenth yeare of his raigne, to build that glorious faire Chappell at Westminster, for an house of buriall, for himselfe, his children, and such onely of the bloud-royall, as should descend from his Ioynes; forbidding that any other of what degree or qualitie soe
[...]uer, should euer be interred in that sacred mould; as appeares by his last Will and Testament.
De Ci
[...]t. Dei. ca. 1
[...].Saint
Augustine saith, that the Funerals of the righteous, in the times of old, were performed with a zealous care, their burials celebrated, and their Monuments prouided in their life time.
R
[...]maines.Great hath been the care of buriall (saith
Camden) euer since the first times, insomuch that Fathers would lay charges vpon their children, concerning the buriall, and translating of their bodies, euery one being desirous to returne,
in Sepulchra maiorum, into the sepulchres of their Ancestours.
Gen. 49.50.Iacob at his death charged his sonne
Ioseph to carry his body into the sepulchre of his fathers. And
Ioseph himselfe commanded his brethren that they should remember and tell their pos
[...]eritie, that when they went away into the land of promise, they should carry his bones thither with them.
Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and
Ioseph, were buried together in one Sepulchre.
The kings of Aegypt accustomed to awe their subiects by threatning to depriue them of buriall. And it was a penaltie of the law amongst the Romanes. He that doth this, or that, let him be cast forth vnburied; and so in the declamations; He that forsakes his parents in their necessities, let him be cast forth vnburied; An Homicide, let him be cast forth vnburied. And so speakes
Cicero to the peoples humour for
Milo, when hee affirmes his carcase to be more wretched, because it wanted the solemne rites of funerall.
Commanders in warres vsed to terrifie their enemies with the want of buriall, according to this speech of
Hector in the fifteenth booke of
Homers Iliads.
T
[...]ans. by
George Chapman ▪
Then
Hector cri'd out, take no spoile, but rush on to the fleete,
From whose assault (for spoile nor flight) if any man I meete,
He meetes his death: nor in the fire of holy funerall,
His brothers nor his sisters hands shall cast within our wall,
His lothed body; but without, the throtes of dogs shall graue
His manlesse limbes.
The people of Israel, crying vnto God against the barbarous tyranny of the Babylonians, who spoiled Gods inheritance, polluted his Temple, destroyed
[Page 21] his religion, and murdered his chosen Nation; amongst other calamities, thus they complaine for the want of sepulture.
The dead bodies of thy seruants haue they giuen to be meat vnto fowles of the heauen;
Psal. 79. and the flesh of thy Saints vnto the beasts of the earth.
Their bloud haue they shed like waters, round about Ierusalem, and there was none to bury them.
God commands
Elias to tell
Iezebel, that, for her wickednesse, the dogs should eate vp her flesh in the field of
Iesreel;
2. King 9. and that her carcase should be as doung vpon the ground, in the said field of
Iesreel: so that none should say, this is
Iezebel.
The seduced Prophet,
1. King 13. because he disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, was reproued by him who was the occasion of his errour, as hee had it in commandement from God; and withall told, that his carcase should not come vnto the sepulcher of his Fathers.
Esay speaking in derision of the death and sepulture of the king of Babylon,
Chap. 14.18, 19, 20. which was not with his Fathers, for that his tyranny was so much abhorred; thus noteth his vnhappinesse.
All the kings of the nations, euen they all sleepe in glorie euery one in his owne house.
But thou art cast out of thy graue like an abhominable branch: like the rayment of those that are slaine, and thrust through with a sword, which go downe to the stones of the pit, as a carcase troden vnder feet.
Thou shalt not be ioyned with them in the graue.
Ieremie the Prophet speaking against the breakers of Gods sacred couenants, brings in (most commonly) the want of buriall, as a punishment for such their hainous offences as followeth.
Thus saith the Lord,
Ier. 34.20. I will euen giue them into the hands of their enemies, and into the hands of them that seeke their life; and their dead bodies shall bee for meat vnto the fowles of the heauen, and to the beasts of the earth.
And prophesying against
Iehoakim; he is inspired with these words.
Thus saith the Lord against
Iehoakim,Ier 22.18.19. the sonne of
Iosiah king of Iuda: they shall not lament him, saying, Ah my brother, or ah sister, neither shall they mourne for him, saying, Ah, Lord, or ah, his glory. He shall be buried, as an asse is buried; (not honourably (saith the Margent) among his fathers) euen drawne and cast forth without the gates of Ierusalem.
In other places of his prophesie, thus.
They shall die of deaths,
Ier. 16.4. and diseases they shall not bee lamented, neither shall they be buried, but they shall be as doung vpon the earth.
They shall be cast out in the streets of Ierusalem,
Ier. 14.16. because of the famine, and the sword, and there shall be none to burie them: both they and their wiues, their sonnes and their daughters; for I will poure their wickednesse vpon them.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts,
Ier. 19.7. I will cause them to fall by the sword, before their enemies, and by the hand of them that seeke their liues: and their carcases will I giue to bee meate for the fowles of the heauen, and to the beasts of the field.
We haue diuers examples of this nature in the holy Scriptures. But let
[Page 22] vs go no further then to the lawes of our owne Nation, by which the subiect is kept in awfull obedience.
Hee that commits treason, is adiudged by our Lawes, to bee hanged, drawne, and quartered, and his diuided limbes to be set vpon poles in some eminent place, within some great Market-towne, or Citie.
He that commits that crying sinne of murther, is vsually hanged vp in chaines, so to continue vntill his bodie be consumed, at or neare the place where the fact was perpetrated.
Such as are found guilty of other criminall causes, as Burglarie, Felonie, or the like, after a little hanging are cut downe and indeed buried, but seldome in Christian mould (as we say) nor in the sepulchres of their fathers, except their fathers had their graues made neare, or vnder the gallowes.
And we vse to bury such as lay violent hands vpon themselues, in or neare to the high wayes, with a stake thrust through their bodies, to terrifie all passengers, by that so infamous and reproachfull a buriall; not to make such their finall passage out of this present world.
The feare of not hauing buriall, or hauing of ignominious and dishonourable buriall, hath euer affrighted the brauest spirits of the world▪ this feare made the dying
Mezentius make this request to his enemy
Aeneas.Virg. Ae
[...]. l
[...]. 10.
No ill in death: not so came I to sight:
Nor made my
Lausus such a match. One right
Afford (if pitie stoope t
[...]a vanq
[...]sht foe)
Interre m
[...] corps. Much hate of mine I know
Surrounds me. Dead from that fear'd furie saue:
And lay me with my sonne, both in one graue.
This feare made the faire-helm'd
Hector (as
Homer calls him) being readie to combat with
Ajax Telamon, to propound this couenant.
Amongst you all whose breast includes the most expulsiue minde,
Let him stand forth, as Combatant, by all the rest design'd,
Before whome thus I call high Ioue, to witnesse of our strife:
If he with home-thrust-iron can reac
[...] th'exposure of my life,
(Spoiling my armes) let him at will conuay them to his tent.
But let my body be renurn'd, that Troys two-stept descent
M
[...]y
[...]see it in the funerall pile: if I can slaughter him,
(Apollo honouring me so much) I'le spoile his conquered limbe:
And beare his armes to Ilion, where in Apollos Shrine
I'le hang them as my Trophies due: his body I'le resigne
To
[...]e disposed by his friends, in flamie Funeralls;
And h
[...]nour'd with erected Tombe, where
Hellespontus fals
Into
Aegaeum, and doth reach euen to your nauall rode.
That when our beings in the earth shall hide their period,
Epitas
[...]um per anticipat
[...]onem.
Suruiuers sailing the blacke sea, may thus his name renew:
This is his Monument, whose bloud long since did fates imbrew,
Whom passing farre in fortitude, illustrate
Hector slew.
This shall posteritie report, and my fame neuer die.
Cicero, in his second booke,
De gloria, makes
Aiax (glorious in
[Page 23] armes) to intreate
Hector, that if it were his fortune, to be vanquisht by him so renowned an enemy; he would affoord his body worthie and honourable buriall, and that his Tombe to succeeding ages, might thus speake to all passengers.
Hic situs est vitae iampridem lumina linquens,
Aul. Gell. Noc Att. li.
[...].
Cui quondam Hectoreo perculsus concidit ense,
Fabitur haec aliquis, mea semper gloria vines.
Here he lies depriu'd of light,
Slaine by
Hectors sword in fight:
Some one will euer tell this story;
So endlesse shall be
Aiax glory.
Achilles, hauing giuen
Hector his deaths wound, insulted ouer him (as it is in the two and twentieth booke of
Homers Iliads) thus.
—And now the dogs and fowles, in
[...]oulest vse
Shall teare thee vp, thy corse expos'd to all the Greekes abuse.
To whom
Hector makes his dying request on this manner.
He fainting said, let me implore, euen by thy knees, and soule,
And thy great parents; doe not see a cruelty so foule,
Inflicted on me; brasse and gold receiue at any rate,
And quit my person, that the Peeres, and Ladies of our State
May tombe it.
Thus you see how much the most heroicall spirits desir'd the honour of sepulture, with the performance of all funerall rites; howsoeuer
Lucan in his fifth booke of the Pharsalian warres, makes
Iulius Caesar (being as then in danger to be drowned) to expostulate with the Gods, and (in a boasting manner) to contemne all funerall exequies. Concluding thus.
—O Gods I craue
No Funerall: let the seas vtmost waue
Keepe my torne carcase, let me want a Tombe
And funerall pile, whilest look't for still to come
Into all Lands I am, and euer fear'd.
But this was but one of
Caesars rodamantadoes, or thundring declamations in a storme, onely to his poore Bargeman
Amyclas, being as then out of all hope or helpe for buriall, saue in the bottome of the sea; otherwise at another time, I do not doubt but that he would haue desired sepulture with all her ceremonies, as earnestly as
Hector or any one of his nine fellow-worthies. For neuer any (saith
Camden) neglected buriall but some sauage nations;
Remaines. as Bactrians, which cast their dead to the dogs; some varlet Philosophers, as
Diogenes, who desired to bee deuoured of fishes; some dissolute Courtiers; as
Macaenas who was wont to say,
Lucius Scipio likewise, being ouerthrowne at the battell of Thapsus, where hee was Generall, fled disguisedly by sea for his owne safety, but being driuen by a storme into the Bay of Hippo, where
Caesars Nauie lay to guard the shores, and perceiuing them himselfe and his Barke both lost; he stabbed himselfe with his ponyard, leapt ouerboard, and drowned himselfe in the maine; vttering vpon his instant resolution certaine words in disdaine of buriall.
Thomas May, lib. 4. Thus exquisitely deliuered in verse by my worthy Friend the continuer of
Lucans Historicall poeme.
My course is runne; and, though this armed hand
Shall testifie I could haue di'd by land,
The Ocean likes me best; within the maine
Vnknowne for euer Scipio shall remaine:
O let my floating carcase neuer come
To land, lest Affricke should bestow a Tombe,
And to her sonnes in after ages show
A Monument of vanquisht
Scipio.
Loath he was that his dead bodie should either suffer despight, or receiue fauour from his enemies; so that I thinke no otherwise of his imprecations then I do of
Caesars.
These carelesse
Mecaenas-like resolutions, make so many (I beleeue) of especiall note amongst us; who either vpon a sparing or precise humour, are content to commit to the earth, their parents, wiues, children, and the nearest vnto them,
in tenebris, with little better than
Sepulchra asinorum.
This office of burying the dead, this last dutie done to our deceased friends, hath euer had the prime place of commendation by
Lucan, lib. 18. for that he, so solicitously tooke care to giue all funerall dues, to the head lesse Trunke of great
Pompey, cut off by the treachery of the vngrat
[...]full base
Ptolomey; vpon whom he is made in the said booke to bestow this Epitaph.
Here the great
Pompey lies, so Fortune pleasde,
To instile this stone; whom
Caesars selfe would haue
Interr'd, before he should haue mist a graue.
And
Virgil makes buriall an honour to such as are slaine in battell, and so consequently of others.
Meane while th'vnburied bodies of our mates
Ciue wee to graue, sole honour after fates.
Go honour those braue soules, with their last dues,
Who with their bloud purchas'd this land for vs.
Toby his burying of the dead was acceptable vnto God, as the Angell testifieth. And the Lord himselfe, being to arise againe the third day, commended that good worke of those religious women, who poured those pretious ointments, with sweete odours, vpon his head and body, and did
[Page 25] it to bury him. And the Gospel hath crowned them with immortall praise, that tooke downe his bodie from the crosse, and gaue it honest and honourable buriall.
Lib. 1.
de Ciuit Dei. cap. 11. Which signifieth, saith S.
Augustine, that the providence of God extendeth euen vnto the very bodies of the dead (for he is pleased with such good deeds) and doe build vp the beleefe of the resurrection. Where, by the way (saith he) we may learne this profitable lesson; how great the reward of almes done vnto the liuing may be, since this duty and fauour showne, but vnto the dead, is not forgotten of God.
Decent buriall, according to the qualitie of the person deceased, with attendants of kindred and friends, is an honour to the defunct.
Hezekiah (saith the text) slept with his fathers,
2. Chro
[...]2.3
[...] and they buried him in the highest sepulchre of the sonnes of
Dauid: and all Iudah, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem, did him honour at his death.
We commend (many of vs I am sure doe) that good worke of
Richard Fox, Bishop of Winchester, who caused the bones, and other reliques of such sacred Princes, and sainted Prelates, as there had beene buried in that Church, and dispersed abroad in seuerall odde corners, to bee placed together in seemly monuments, vpon the top of the new partition built by himselfe for the same purpose.
And likewise wee cannot but loue the memory of such, who vpon the dissolution, and finall destruction of our religious structures, caused so many funerall monuments, with the bodies therein included, to bee remoued into other neighbouring Churches, where by all likelihood, they may rest in peace and safety, vntill the last sound of the Trumpet.
In the works of
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (a Spaniard by birth, an ancient Christian Poet,
Pet Opmer. opu
[...] Chronog ad. An. 408. and one,
Qui palmam inter omnes Christianos Poetas obtinuit; who flourished about foure hundred yeares after the incarnation of our Lord and Sauiour) I finde this Funerall Hymne following, of which (and not impertinently) I may make some vse here in this place, translated by Sir
Iohn Beaumont Baronet.
CHAP. VI. Of the care and cost anciently vsed in the preseruing whole and entire the bodies of the dead. Strange wayes, customes, and fashions of buriall.
AS in former times the most of all Nations were ardently desirous of decent buriall; so Histories doe shew that the Ancients, and namely the Egyptians, were no lesse carefull, and curious to preserue whole and entire, the bodies of the dead laid within their Sepulchres, and to keepe them from putrifaction, so much as they could possible, which they did by this meanes. So soone as any one amongst them (especially of exemplary note) was dead, they would draw out the braines of the defunct, at the nostrils, with an instrument of iron, replenishing the same with preseruatiue spices; then cutting vp the belly with an Aethiopian stone, called Laigne, and extracting the bowels, they cleansed the inside with wine, and stuffing the same with a composition of Cassia, myrrhe, and other odours, closed it againe. The like the poorer sort of people effected with Bitumen (as the inside of their skuls and bellies yet testifie, saith
Sandvs, lib. 2 who saw such their strange embalmed bodies) fetcht from the lake of Asphaltis in Iury. So did they by the iuyce of Cedars, which by the extreame bitternesse and si
[...]catiue qualitie, not onely subdued (forthwith) the cause of interiour corruption, but hath to this day (a continuance of aboue three thousand yeares) preserued them vncorrupted. Within their bellies (besides their odorous compositions) they enclosed certaine painted papers; and strange shapes of their Gods, in little models of stone or mettall: this done, they wrapt the bodie with linen in multitudes of folds, besmeared with gumme in manner of a seare-cloth, swathled with bands of the same; staining their breasts with Hierogliphycall characters; and so laid them downe in such vaults, as did belong to euery mans particular familie.
Camerar,Lib. 1.
cap. 25. in his Hist. Meditations, saith, That the Ancients fixed nailes of brasse; within their dead bodies knowing well that brasse is a mettal very solid and lasting, in which qualitie both
Horace and
Virgil do commend it: that it keepeth a long time from rust and corruption, and that it is endued with a particular vertue against putrifaction. And not long since (saith he)
[Page 30] there was found in a certaine wood neare to Nuremburgh very ancient Tombes, and amongst the bones of the dead, nailes and buckles of brasse.
It is reported by
Fulgosus, and other forraigne Authours, as also by our owne countrey-men,
William of Malmesbury, and
Matthew of Westminster; that in the yeare of Grace, one thousand thirty and seuen, the bodie of
Pallas, the sonne of
Euander, slaine by
Turnus in single combat, was found, and taken vp in Rome, intire and sound in all parts, to the great astonishment of the beholders, in that it had triumphed so many ages ouer all corruption. At his head was found
The like found at the suppression of Abbaies in
[...]. a burning lampe, which could not bee extinguisht, neither by violence of blast, nor by aspersion of liquor. Vpon whose tombe this Epitaph following was then found.
Filius Euandri Pallas, quem laurea Turni
Militis occidit; more suo iacet hic.
Pallas Euanders sonne, by
Turnus speare
In combate slaine; on this wise lieth here.
Within the Parish of Stepney in Midlesex, in Radcliffe field, where they take ballast for ships; about some fourteene or fifteene yeares agoe, there was found two Monuments, the one of stone, wherein was the bones of a man, the other a chest of lead, the vpper part being garnished with Scallop shels, and a crotister border. At the head of the coffin, and the foot, there were two Iars, of a three foot length, standing, and on the sides a number of bottles of glistering red earth, some painted, and many great viols of glasse, some sixe, some eight square; hauing a whitish liquour within them Within the chest was the body of a woman, as the Chirurgians iudged by the skull. On either side of her, there was two scepters of Iuory, eighteene inches long, and on her breast a little figure of Cupid neatly cut in white stone. And amongst the bones two printed peeces of Iett, with round heads, in forme of nailes three inches long.
It seemeth (saith Sir
Robert Cotton, from whom I had this relation) these bodies were burned about the yeare of our Lord 239. being, there were
[...]ound diuers coines of
Pupienus, Gordian, and the Emperours of that time. And that one may coniecture by her ornaments, that this last body should be some Princes or Propretors wife here in Britaine, in the time of the Romane gouernment.
In the North isle of the Parish-church of Newport painell in Buckinghamshire, in the yeare 1619. was found the body of a man whole and perfect; laid downe, or rather leaning downe, North, and South▪ all the concauous parts of his body, and the hollownesse of euery bone, as well ribs as other, were filled vp with sollid lead. The skull with the lead in it doth weigh thirty pounds and sixe ounces, which with the neck-bone, and some other bones (in like manner full of lead) are reserued, and kept in a little chest in the said Church, neare to the place where the corps were found; there to bee showne to strangers as reliques of admiration. The rest of all the parts of his body are taken away by Gentlemen neare dwellers, or such as take delight in rare Antiquities. This I saw.
Thus you see by the premises, how magnificent our Ancients were in the ordering and expenses of Funerals; how sumptuous in their houses of
[Page 31] death or sepulchres; and how carefull to preserue their dead carcases from putrifaction; for so much as the soule, saith
Sandys, knowing it selfe by diuine instinct immortall, doth desire that the body (her beloued companion) might enioy (as farre forth as may be) the like felicity, giuing, by erecting lofty Monuments, and these dues of Funerall, all possible eternitie.
But now iudicious Reader vnderstand, that howsoeuer I haue spoken, or whatsoeuer I shall speake hereafter of buriall, and the ceremonies thereunto belonging:
De
[...]. Des. cap. 11. yet I speake now out of Saint
Augustine and
Ludouicus Vtues his Commentor, that it is not preiudiciall to a Christian soule to bee forbidden buriall. For although the Psalmist complaines (as I haue said before) how that none would bury the dead bodies of Gods seruants; yet this was spoken to intimate their villany which did it; rather then their misery which suffered it. For though that vnto the eyes of man, these acts seeme bloudy and tyrannous, yet precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. And our faith, holding fast the promise, is not so fraile, as to thinke that the rauenous beasts can depriue the body of any part to bee wanting in the resurrection; where not a haire of the head shall be missing; a new restitution of our whole bodies being promised to all of vs in a moment, not onely out of the earth alone, but euen out of the most secret angles of all the other elements, wherein any body is or can bee possibly included. A bad death neuer followes a good life, for there is nothing that maketh death bad, but that estate which followeth death. What power then hath the horrour of any kinde of death, or the want of buriall, to affright their soules that haue led a vertuous life?
Quo loco, quo modo, quo tempore, fiat haec emigratio, quid interest? vndique Christi fidelibus
[...]d coelestia regna patet aditus.
The familie of the gorgeous rich glutton, prepared him a sumptuous funerall vnto the eyes of men, but one farre more sumptuous, did the ministring Angels prepare for the vlcered begger, in the sight of God. They bare him not into any Sepulchre of marble, but placed him in the bosome of
Abraham.
Lucans Pharsalia, the ninth booke, speaking of great
Pompey, who wanted a Tombe, tells vs how that his spirit ascended vp to the heauens; to which habitation few come that are entombd in rich and sumptuous monuments, thus.
The eternall Spheres his glorious spirit doth hold;
To which come few, with incense buri'd, tomb'd in gold.
And the said
Lucan in his seuenth booke, speaking of the dead, that
Caesar forbad should be burned, or buried, after hee hath brought forth many graue sentences concerning this matter of buriall, at length thus concludes, speaking as it were passionately vnto
Caesar.
This anger bootes thee not; for tis all one
Whether the fire, or putrefaction
Dissolue them; all to Natures bosome go,
And to themselues their ends the bodies owe.
If now these Nations,
Caesar, be not burnd,
They shall, when earth and seas to flames are turnd;
[Page 32]One fire shall burne the world, and with the skie
Shall mixe these bones: where ere thy soule shall be,
Their soules shall goe; in aire thou shalt not flie
Higher, nor better in Auernus lie.
Death frees from fortune: Earth receiues againe
What euer she brought forth: and they obtaine
Heauens couerture, that haue no vrnes at all▪
Ae
[...]. l.
[...]So
Virgil who appoints a place of punishment in hell for the vnburied, yet in
Anchises his words, he shewes how small the losse of a graue is.
But to conclude with mine Authour Saint
Augustine. If the necessaries of mans life, as meate, and cloathing, though they be wanting in great extremitie, yet cannot subuert the good mans patience, nor draw him from goodnesse; how much lesse power shall those things haue, which are omitted in the burying of the dead, to afflict the soules that are already at quiet in the secret receptacles of the righteous. And whereas in the bloudy ouerthrow of many fierce battels; in the sacking and subuersion of many Townes and Cities, the bodies of the Christians haue wanted the rites and ceremonies of buriall; it was neither fault in the liuing that could not performe them, nor hurt to the dead that could not feele them. Yet notwithstanding all this which I haue spoken, the bodies of the dead are not to be contemned, and cast away, especially of the righteous and faithfull, which the holy Ghost hath vsed as Organs, and instruments vnto all good works; for if the garment or ring of ones father, be so much the more esteemed of his posterity, by how much they held him dearer in their affection; then are not our bodies to bee despised, being wee weare them more neare vnto our selues, then any attire whatsoeuer.
CHAP. VII. Of Cenotaphs, Honorarie and religious. Of the reuerence attributed to these emptie Monuments.
A Cenotaph is an emptie Funerall Monument or Tombe, erected for the honour of the dead, wherein neither the corps, nor reliques of any defunct, are deposited, in imitation of which our Hearses here in England are set vp in Churches, during the continuance of a yeare, or for the space of certaine moneths.
Octauia the sister of
Augustus, buried her sonne, young
Marcellus, that should haue beene heire in the Empire, with sixe hundred Cenotaphs or hearses: and gaue to
Virgil more then fiue thousand French crownes, in reward; for the writing of sixe and twentie Hexameters in her sonnes commendation: all which you may haue for nothing, in the latter end of the sixth booke of his Aeneidos.
These Cenotaphs were of two sorts: they were made either to the memory of such as were buried in some other remote funerall monument; or to such which had no buriall at all: The first kinde of these Cenotaphs are
[Page 32] called by
Suetonius in the life of
Claudius, Honorarie tombes; erected
Honoris vel memoriae gratia. Such as the souldiers made to the memorie of
Drusus, neare vpon the riuer of Rhine, howsoeuer his body was carried to Rome, and there interred
in Campo Martio.
Alexander Seuerus (slaine by the treacherie of certaine seditious French souldiers, about the yeare of grace 238) An Emperour (saith Sir
Thomas Eliot, who translated his story out of Greeke) whose death all Rome lamented, all good men bewailed,
Some say hee was slaine here in England, some others in the Citie of Mentz in Germany. all the world repented, whom the Senate deified, noble fame renowned, all wise men honoured, noble writers commended) had his Cenotaph erected in France neare vnto the place where he was slaine; but his body was carried to Rome, and there interred vnder a most rich magnificent sepulchre, as
Lampridius affirmes.
Septimius Seuerus the Romane Emperour died in Yorke, in the yeare of mans saluation 212. out of which Citie his corps were carried forth to the funerall fire, by the sixth Legion of his souldiers, called Victrix; after the militarie fashion,
Camd. in York. committed to the flames, and honoured with iusts and Turneaments, in a place neare beneath the Citie Westward, where is to be seene a great mount of earth raised vp as for his Cenotaph. But his ashes, being bestowed in a little golden pot, or vessell of the Porpherite-stone, were carried to Rome, and shrined there in the Monument of the Antonines.
Constantine, or
Constantius, the younger sonne to
Constantine the Great, who is supposed to be the builder of Silcester in Hampshire, died at Mopsuestia in Cilicia,
Camd. in Hamp. and was interred in Constantinople in the Sepulchre of his Ancestours. Yet he had a Cenotaph, or emptie monument, built to his memory, in the said now-ruined Citie of Silcester. And many there were that, in honour and remembrance of them, had such monuments built, about which the souldiers were wont yearely to iust, and keepe solemne Turneaments in honour of the dead.
The second kinde of Cenotaphs were made
Religionis causa, to the memory of such whose carcases, or dispersed reliques, were in no wise to bee found, for example, of such as perished by shipwracke, of such as were slaine, cut, mangled, and hew'd apeeces in battell, or of such that died in forraine nations; whose burials were vnknowne. For in ancient times it was thought, that the Ghost of the defunct could not rest in any place quietly, before the body had decent buriall, or the performance thereof, in as ample manner as could possibly be imagined.
Aeneas (as it is fained) by the helpe of
Sibylla Cumea, descending into hell, found
Palinurus his shipmaster (drownd not long before) among many more wandring about the lake of Styx,
Vir. Aen. l. 6. because his body was vnburied: which kinde of punishment is thus related by the Prophetesse;
Phaers translation.
This prease that here thou seest beene people dead, not laid in graue,
A pitious rable poore that no reliefe nor comfort haue:
This Boate-man
Charon is. And those whom now this water beares,
Are bodies put in ground, with worship due of weeping teares.
Nor from these fearfull bankes, nor riuers hoarce they passage get:
Till vnder earth in graues their bodies bones at rest are set.
[Page 34]An hundred yeares they walke, and round about these shores they houe,
And then at last (full glad) to further pooles they do remoue.
Then after this she puts him in comfort with hope of Exequies and honorable buriall, thus.
Since whan, O
Palinure, both all this madnesse come on thee?
Wouldst thou the Limbo-lake, and dolefull flouds vntombed see?
Vnbidden from this banke doest thou indeed to scape intend?
Seeke neuer Gods eternall doome, with speech to thinke to bend.
Yet take with thee
Aeneas word, and comfort thus thy fall,
For they that border next vnto that mount, and Cities all,
By t
[...]kens great from heauen shall be compelld thy bones to take,
And tombe they shall thee build, and solemne seruice shall thee make.
And
Palinurus name for euermore the place shall keepe.
This spoken, from his heauy heart his cares abating creepe,
And sorrowes partly shranke; and glad on earth his name he knew.
Vlysses at the commandement of
Circes went downe into the lower shades, where he met with his companion, or fellow-traueller
Elpenor, who desired of him buriall,
H
[...].
[...]yss.
[...]. ij. with the ceremonies thereof; as also a Sepulchre, which
Vlysses granted and erected to his memory a Cenotaph.
Doe not depart from hence, and leaue me thus
Vnmournd, vnburied; lest neglected I
Bring on thy selfe th▪incensed Deitie.
I know, that sai
[...]d from hence, thy ship must touch
On th'Isle Aeaea, where vouchsafe thus much,
(Good King) that landed, thou wilt instantly,
Bestow on me thy royall memory.
And on the foamie shore a Sepulchre
Erect to me, that after times may heare
Of one so haplesse. Let me these implore;
And fixe vpon my Sepulchre the Ore,
With which aliue I shooke the aged Seas,
And had of friends the deare societies.
To these
inania busta, or
vacua Sepulchra, the friends of the defunct would yearely repaire, and there offer sacrifice, vpon Altars erected neare to the Cenotaph for that purpose, calling vpon the spirit, ghost, or
Manes of him, to whose memory the Cenotaph was made, by which ceremony they imagined, that the body of the party deceased, would lie some where or other at re
[...], and his ghost would giue ouer walking, as though all the dues of funerall had beene really performed to him at his death:
Parental. in praef. as in
Ausonius.
Voce ciere animas, funeris instar habet.
And aga
[...]ne.
Ille etiam moesti cui defuit vrna sepulchri,
Nomine ter dicto paene sepultus erit.
[Page 35]Aeneas saluted the soule of
Deiphobus, the sonne of old
Priam, at his Cenotaph after the same manner.
—The rumour went,
Virgil. l.
6. Aen.
How in the night extreme of Greekish slaughters wearie spent;
Thou headlong threw'st thy selfe on mixed heape of enemies slaine:
Then I my selfe to thee, an emptie Tombe on Rheta plaine
Aduancing vp did build, and thrice thy soule saluted cleere;
Thy name, and armes that place preserues, but thee O friend so deare,
Could I not see, that in thy countrey-ground I might interre.
Then
Deiphobus said, Nothing sweet friend can I require;
All duties done thou hast, nor more my ghost can thee desire.
You haue the manner of sacrificing about these Cenotaphs expressed in
Virgil, lib. 3.
Aen. where
Andromache celebrates the Anniuersary of her slaine husband arme-puissant
Hector, thus.
Great sacrifice by chance that time, and gifts with heauie minde
Before the Towne in greenwood shade, by
Simois water side,
Andromache to
Hectors dust with seruice did prouide;
And dainties great of meat she brought, and on his soule she cride
At
Hectors Tombe; that greene with grasse, and turfs stood her beside.
And causes more to mourne, thereby two Altars had she set.
The solemnitie of
Polydores obit at his emptie hearse; is described in the said booke much what after the same manner:
Anon therefore to
Polydore an Hearse we gan prepare,
And huge in height his Tombe we reare; all Altars hanged are,
With weeds of mourning hewes, and cypres trees, and blacke deuise:
And Troian wiues with haire disclosde, as is their guise.
Great fomy boules of milke we threw luke-warme on him to fall,
And holy bloud in basons brought we poure, and last of all
We shrikt, and on his soule our last, with great outcries we call.
And much what to the same purpose are these verses in
Ouids Metam. lib. 6.
fab. 7.
Progne, her royall ornaments reiects,
And puts on blacke: an emptie Tombe erects
To her imagin'd ghost: oblations burnes:
Her sisters fate, not as she should, she mournes.
To the memory of the Grecians slaine in the warres of Troy,
Pausa. in Corinthiacis. a Cenotaph was set vp at Corinth.
In the expedition of
Cyrus,Xenophon lib. 6. an emptie sepulchre was built for the slaine and mangled souldiers, whose reliques could not be found.
The Romanes,
Tacit. li, Annal. cap. 23. sixe yeares after the slaughter made by
Arminius of so many of their Legions; erected a Cenotaph, or couered with earth the remaines of their friends and kindred, howsoeuer it was vncertaine whether they buried the stranger or friend. And
Caesar to shew a gratefull memory of the dead, and himselfe to be partaker of their griefe, with his owne hands put the first turfe on their Tombes.
[Page 36]The Primitiue Christians did exhibite a religious honour to the Cenotaphs of holy men (to whose memory many in those dayes were erected) which for the profession of the Gospell had suffered martyrdome, or vndergone those variety of torments, which were as then inflicted vpon the faithfull: as you may reade in
Theodoret. lib. de Martyr. and in these Saphicks of
Aurelius Prudentius.
Per
[...] Stephanon. Hy
[...]nus
4.
Nonne, Vincenti, peregre necatus
Martyr, his terris tenui notasti
Sanguinis rore speciem futuri
morte propinqua?
Hoc colunt ciues velut ipsa membra
Cespes includat suus, & paterno
Seruet amplectens tumulo beati
Martyris ossa.
It was, and is the vse in most countries, to inscribe these emptie monuments, as reall sepulchres, with the names and titles of the defunct, to whose honour they were intended. As in
Ouid. Meta, lib. 11.
fab. 10.
Seas fright me with their tragicall aspect,
Of late I saw them on the shore eiect
Their scattered wracks, and often I haue read
Sad names on Sepulchres that want their dead.
And a little after in the same fable, where
Alcyone mournes for her drownd husband
Ceix, thus.
—would I with thee
Had put to sea: a happie fate for me;
Then both together all the time assignd
For life had liu'd; nor in our death disioynd
Now here, I perisht there: on that profound,
Poore I was wrackt; yet thou without me drownd.
O I, then flouds more cruell, should I striue
To lengthen life, and such a griefe suruiue;
Nor will I, nor forsake thee, nor deferre.
Though one vrne hold not both, one Sepulchre
Shall ioyne our titles: though thy bones from mine
The seas disseuer, yet our names shall ioyne.
Death choakt the rest. —
Our Ancients accustomed likewise to garnish, decke, and adorne these cenotaphs, as other tombes or sepulchres; and that with all kinde of reuerence: and whosoeuer did deface, or breake downe, any of these Honorarie void Monuments, exemplarie punishment was inflicted vpon the partie so offending, as vpon your Tumboruchoi or graue-diggers. But I will conclude this chapter with this difference of Sepulchres and Cenotaphs; as I finde it recorded by
Scipio Gentilis, Sepulchrorum sanctitas, saith he,
in ipso solo est, quod nulla vi moueri neque deleri potest. Cenotaphiorum vero in ipsa religione & reuerentia viuorum, quae & mutari & deleri potest.
CHAP. VIII. Of the sanctity ascribed sometimes to ancient Funerall monuments; and of the ardent desire most men haue, and euer had, to visit the Tombes and Sepulchres of eminent worthy persons.
FVnerall Monuments (especially of the godly and religious) haue euer beene accounted sacred.
Batti veteris sacrum Sepulchrum.
The sacred Sepulchre
Of old
Bat, loe is here. saith
Catullus.
To which effect,
Quintilian, Declam. 10.
Sacratos morte lapides, etiam ossa & cineres, & ossa religiosè quiescentia fracta sparsisset vrna. And they were accounted the more sacred, by how much they were of more continuance.
Sepulchra sanctiora sunt vetustate, saith
Vlpian. And as in the Se
[...]pulchres themselues, there was euer holden to bee a kinde of sancti
[...]ie; so there was holden to bee the like or more holinesse in the soile whereupon these sepulchres were made and erected. And such a holinesse, as I haue said before,
quod nulla vi moueri neque deleri potest; and more especially in that ground, wherein the bodies of Christians were interred, by reason of the sanctified corps that it receiued.
It is an vse in some parts of Ireland (as yet not altogether abolished) for children to sweare by their forefathers hand, or by their Lords hand. And in the countrey where I was borne, the vulgar sort especially, doe most commonly sweare by the crosse of their owne Parish Kirke, as they call it, and in ancient times children vsed to sweare, by the Sepulchres of their parents. Others by the sepulchres of such persons, who in their life time were reputed honourable amongst them, either in regard of the worthinesse of their person, or of the eminence of place of gouernment which they held in the weale publike. And by these oathes (the things themselues being reuerently esteemed, and accounted sacred) their assertions or asseuerations were alwayes holden the better to be beleeued. I reade in the Sto
[...]ehouse of Times,
lib. 8.
cap. 12.
Part. 1. that a Master bearing his Slaue neere to the Temple of
Apollo; the Slaue fled from him, and knowing that the Temple afforded refuge, ranne thereinto, and mounting vp to the Altar embraced the image His Lord pursued him, and hauing forcibly recouered him from the Statue without any reuerence of the place, began againe to giue him many Bastonadoes. The seruant fled from him once more, and ranne to saue himselfe at the Tombe of his Lords deceased Father: but then, in meere paternall dutie, he left punishing him any more, and pardoned him the fault which hee had committed. In such reuerend and religious regard the very Pagans had the Tombes of their Ancestours.
But, with vs, in these dayes, I see no such reuerence that sonnes haue to their fathers hands, or to their Sepulchres. I heare no swearing by Kirkes, Crosses, or Sepulchres. I heare sometimes, I must confesse, for swearing to build Churches; swearing to pull downe crosses, and to deface or quite
[Page 38] demolish all Funerall Monuments; swearing and protesting that all these are remaines of Antichrist, papisticall and damnable.
Now to come to the other part of this Chapter. All men in generall are taken with an earnest desire to see ancient great Cities; yea and the very tract where such cities were in former times scituated, howsoeuer they bee destroyed, laid leuell with the ground, and their very ruines altogether ruined: I will instance with the glory of Asia, Troy
Ouid. Met. l.
15.
So rich, so powerfull, that so proudly stood,
That could for ten yeares space spare so much bloud,
Now prostrate, onely her old ruines showes,
And Tombes that famous Ancestours enclose.
Now although these ruines, and ruined Tombes, are at this day no more but coniecturally extant: as
Sandys writes, who viewed the circuit of ground whereupon it once stood. And that
Iam seges est vbi Troia fuit.
Corne now growes where Troy once stood.
Yet like him we daily know many Trauellers sailing neare thereunto, to be desirous to see those celebrated fields, that affoorded to rarest wits so plentifull an argument.
And so we reade how that in former times, many tooke the like paines to behold this Citie so renowned throughout the whole Vniuerse. For example, the great
Alexander.
Earths fatall mischiefe, and a cloud of thunder
Rending the world, a starr that strucke asunder
The Nations.
as
Lucan calls him: hauing read many heroicall actions performed at the besieging of this Citie, made it in his Iourny to see it; and finding it laid desert, caused it to be reedified; gaue great immunities and priuiledges to the inhabitants, whom hee exempted from ordinarie Tributes, and instituted their Free-martes, or Markets, for al such as would dwell there, or negotiate with them.
Ouid. l. 25.That blasing Comet,
Iulius Caesar, who darted his raies ouer so many regions.
Who did the habitable earth command,
And stretcht his Empire ouer sea and land.
goes in person to behold that farre-famed Citie; where treading vpon
Hectors graue-stone, hid with rubish, and growne ouer with grasse, hee is found fault withall by a Phrygian, thus.
Respect you not great
Hectors Tombe, quoth he, but for all this reprehension
And being pleased with the sight of these Antiquities, he offers sacrifice to the ghost of
Hector, and to the rest of those magesticke Heroes, or halfe-gods, there interred: promising withall (conditionally) to build vp anew this City of Troy.
Then
Caesar pleas'd with sight of these so prais'd
Antiquities, a greene turffe altar rais'd,
And by the Frankincense-fed fire prepar'd
These orizons not vaine; you Gods that guard
These Heroes dust, and in Troyes ruines reigne:
Aeneas houshold gods, that still maintaine
In
Alba and
Lauinia your shrines,
Vpon whose altars fire yet Troian shines;
Thou sacred Temple clos'd
Palladium,
That in the sight of man didst neuer come;
The greatest heire of all
Iulus race,
Here in your former seat implores your grace,
And pious vses on your altars layes;
Prosper my course, and thankfull Rome shall raise
Troyes walls againe; your people Ile restore,
And build a Romane Troy.
Marcus Aurelius, Dioclesian, and
Claudius, Romane Emperours, potent, and mightie, took paines to trauell from Rome to this City of Troy, onely to take suruay of what venerable antiquities were as then remaining; and to leaue memory to posterity of their being there, they caused a goodly columne of white marble to be therein erected, whereupon were engrauen these words following.
Imperator. Caesar. Mar. Aur. Pius. Foelix. Parthicus Maximus, Trib. Pleb. Imp. P.X.V. Cons. III. Prouinciam Asiam, per viam, & flumina pontibus subiugauit.
And on the other side of the said pillar was likewise engrauen,
Imperator Caesar Augustus Dioclesiano. P. Cos. 11. regnante Tribunicia vicit potestate. M.F.T. & Claudius, C. VIII. P.R.
But to come nearer home; who hath euer read or credibly heard of the magnificencie of that capacious City of Verulam (of which I haue spoken before) so much renowned for so many memorable exploits, but more especially for the inuincible constancie, and resolute suffering, of our Protomartyr, Saint
Alban, that would not desire to see the place where it sometimes stood? howsoeuer
Of it there now remaines no memory,
Spons. Ruines of Time.
Nor any little monument to see,
By which the Traueller, that fares that way,
This once was she, may warned be to say.
Who would not see, if hee could with conueniencie, the scituation of Silcester in Hampshire, hauing read in our ancient Historiographers, how
[Page 40] famous it was in the time of
Constantius the sonne of great
Constantine, and how that our first Christian worthy, king
Arthur, was there inuested with the royall Diadem? howsoeuer, no markes are at this day remaining to shew that euer it was a Citie; saue a wall of two miles in compasse, containing within fourescore Acres of ground, diuided into certaine cornfields.
The seeing of places, wee know to haue beene frequented or inhabited by men, whose memory is esteemed, or mentioned in stories, doth moue and stirre vs vp as much, or more, then the hearing of their noble deeds, or reading of their compositions▪
With the like desire (or more then they haue to see these old Cities entombed in their owne ruines) many men take paines with farre trauell, to view strange cities, famous and flourishing in their owne countrey, or in forraine Nations.
What stranger, or home-bred countrey-man, would not ardently long to see our rich, powerfull, and imperiall Citie of London; when hee reades or heares how spatious, how populous, how plenteous, and how faire builded it is? And who would not couet to see Paris, hearing that it is the capitall Citie of France; and as some will haue it, of all Europe, farre greater fairer built, and better scituate then London.
And who would not visit Rome, if abilities of bodie and meanes were all-sufficient, his occasions would permit, and that with safety hee might; it being a citie,
Laudandis pretiosior ruinis:
Euen made more honourable
By ruines memorable.
Moun. [...] Cap.
[...].As
Mountaigne writes, and as I my selfe, being there, did also obserue; A Citie whose ruine is glorious with renowne, and swolne with glory; for low-leuelled as she lieth, and euen in the Tombe of her glory, yet for all this she reserueth the liuely image and regardfull markes of Empire. And, aboue the rest, who would not ardently desire to see Ierusalem that holy Citie with the sepulchre, hauing heard or read the sacred Scriptures; or such historicall Authours as haue written of the same?
Considering then that the most of men do earnestly desire,
Vlysses like
Qui mores hominum multorum vidit, & vrbes.
to see ancient great cities (obseruing euer their gouernment, with the manners of the Inhabitants) either flourishing, quite fallen downe, or partly ruined; So all men (a snifling conuenticle or companie of proud Sectaries excepted) are as greedily affected to view the sacred Sepulchres of worthie, famous personages, yea and the very places, where such haue beene interred, although no Funerall Monument at all bee there remaining, to continue their memories:
This desire made
Alexander the great, in his Asian expedition, go to visit the Tombe of
Achilles, which he couered with flowres, and ranne naked about it (as then the custome was in funeralls) sacrificing to the ghost of his kinsman, whom he reputed most happy, that had such a Trumpet as
Homer to resound his vertues; and weeping ouer the Tombe, complained that he was not so fortunate, as to haue a man that could so well publish his praises, as
Homer had done those of
Achilles.
[Page 41]The sight of all the far-fam'd Antiquities of Egypt did not so much de
[...]ght
Caesar, as the sight of the Tombe of
Alexander.
Caesar in Aegypt fearelesse walkes and sees
Lucan in
the Argument[?].
Their Temples, Tombes, and fam'd Antiquitie▪
afterwards in the booke,—
he goes from thence
To Alexandria, crown'd with confidence.
—then goes he
[...]
The stately Temple of th'old God to see;
Which speakes the ancient Macedonian greatness
But there delighted with no obiects sweetnesse,
Not with their gold, nor Gods maiesticke dresse
Nor loftie Citie walls; with greedinesse
Into the burying vault goes
Caesar downe▪
There Macedonian
Philips mad-braind sonne
The prosperous Thiefe, lyes buried▪ whom iust
[...]
Slew in the worlds reuenge
Augustus his successour, Emperour of Rome, went with the like desire, or more, to see the said Tombe of
Alexander; And not contented with the bare sight of the Sepulchre,
[...]Corpus Alexandri inspexit, idque attrectauit ita vt nasi quoque (ita enim fertur) particulam aliquam fregerit: he would needs looke into the Tombe and behold the body of the worlds terrour,
Alexander, which hee so feelingly handled, that hee broke a little part of
Alexanders Nose: as it is reported.
But to come to our selues; What concourse of people come daily, to view the liuely Statues and stately Monuments in Westminster Abbey wherein the sacred ashes of so many of the Lords anointed, beside other great Potentates are entombed. A sight which brings delight and admiration, and strikes a religious apprehension into the mindes of the beholders.
We desire likewise to behold the mournfull ruines of other religions houses, although their goodly faire structures bee altogether destroyed, their tombes battered downe, and the bodies of their dead cast out of their coffins; for that, that very earth which did sometimes couer the corps of the defunct, puts vs in minde of our mortalitie, and consequently brings vs to vnfained repentance. What numbers of Citizens and others at this very time, go to Lesnes Abbey in Kent, to see some few coffins there lately found in her ruines, wherein are the remaines of such as haue beene there anciently interred; of which, when I come to speake of her Foundation.
Neither can we passe by, but with yearning hearts looke vpon that fatned soile (the fertile seed-plot of the Church) which in former times hath beene sprinkled with the bloud, blackt with the cinders, and strawne with the ashes, of those blessed Saints, who for the profession of the Gospell, by sword, fire, and fagot, haue suffered most cruell martyrdome: giuing reuerence and honour to their memories, because by their sufferings true Religion was propagated, and all idolatrie demolished: which we may lawfully do, as vnto Gods chiefe champions standing vnto death for the truth. And as vnto men whom God hath aduanced into the society of his Angels in heauen; giuing also thanks, at these Martyrs and Saints solemne feasts, to
[Page 42] God for their victories, endeauouring the attainment of such crownes and glories as they haue already attained; with other religious performances due vnto them▪ as ornaments of their memories. Prouided alwayes that we do not intermi
[...]e out deuotions with superstitious adoration.
CHAP. IX. Of the punishments both by humane Iawes, and Gods seuere iustice,
[...]flicted vpon such malefactors in foregoing ages, who violated Sepulchers▪ Of Church-robbers.
THose
[...]in foregoing ages) which did violate, misuse, or distaine tombes, graues, sepulchers, or any of these funerall Monuments, were punished richer with death, perpetuall exile, condemnation to the mines, banishment for a time, payment of money, forfeiture of goods, losse of members, or the like according to the qualitie of the person, and circumstance of the fact. To begin with the Clergie▪
[...] Priest found guiltie of this execrable act (being so much more odious, by how much his place was reputed more honourable and religious) was degraded from his Priesthood, his goods set to open sale, and forfeited, and himselfe condemned to perpetuall banishment.
If a man of eminent place, of great riches, ranke, and qualitie, did with an aimed hand, despoile any Tombe or Sepulchre,
Latronis more, after the manner of an high-way robber, that man by the Law was put to execution; if vnaimed, then the Iudge did send him to the Mines, or to banishment, or punish him with some pecuniarie mu
[...]ct, to the value, most commonly, of halfe his goods, and branded him with eternall infamie.
If a Seruant, or a man of meane fortunes, was knowne to pull downe, or deface any funerall Monument, without his masters priuitie, hee was condemned to the Mines; if hee had beene vrged thereunto by his master, then he was adiudged for a time to be banished; if he did digge vp, and draw out of the graue, the body or bones of the defunct, then his iudgement was death.
If any man did deface, or cut away any part of the Effigies or representation of the defunct, caru'd, engrauen, or embost, vpon any graue-stone, tombe, or sepulchre, that man by the law was to lose his hand.
Whosoeuer in the repairing of any ruinous decayed Sepulchre, did any way vndecently touch the body of the dead person, therein laid downe to his eternall rest▪ that party so offending, was commanded by the Law,
De
[...]em pondo auri Fisco inferre, to bring ten pound weight of gold into the
[...]xchequer:
But the most execrable and hellish abuse of all other offered to the dead, is effected by witchcraft, incantation, and Art-magicke; an art, saith
Quin
[...]l
[...]a
[...]s, Declam. 15. which is said to disquiet the Gods, to trouble and displace the starres, to search into the graues and sepulchres of the dead, to mutilate, dismember, and cut off, certaine parts of the carcases therein inhumed, and by those pairings and cuttings, together with certaine horrid
[Page 43] enchantments, charmes, and spels, to bring to passe strange, diabolicall conclusions. The powerfull force of which coniurers, witches, or infernall Hags is thus exprest by the ancient Poets.
Skill'd in blacke Artes,
[...]8
she makes streames backward
[...]
The vertues knowes of weeds; of laces spunne
On wheeles▪ and poyson of a lust-stung m
[...]re.
Faire daies makes cloudy, and the cloudy fa
[...],
Starres to drop bloud, the moone looke bloudily,
And plum'd (aliue) doth through nights shadows fly
[...]
The dead cals from their graues to further harmes,
And cleaues the solid earth with her long charmes.
She said her charmes could ease ones heart of paine,
Virg Ae
[...] [...] ▪
Euen when she list, and make him grieue againe.
S
[...]op flouds, bring backe the starres, and with her breath
Rouse the blacke fiends; vntill the earth beneath
Groand, and the trees came marching from the
[...]ills▪
These witches spels loues soft desires haue sent
Into the hardest hearts, gainst fates intent▪
Seuere old men haue burnd in impious loue
Which temp'red drinks, and Philirums could not moue.
—the dull world a
[...] their
Lucan. lib
[...] ▪
Dire voice, has been benum'd: great Iupiter
Vrging their course, himselfe, admir'd to see
The poles not mou'd by their swift axle
[...]tree▪
Showres they haue made; clouded the clearest skie;
And he auen
[...]as thundred, Ioue not knowing why.
But not to speake thus in generall of their power, and come nearer to the purpose:
Sextus the sonne of great
Pompey, desirous to know the euent of the Pharsalian warres, consults thereof with the witch
Erictho, who, amongst many her powerfull charmes, resolues to take vp the body of one lately buried, which she, by her Art-magicke, would coniure to disclose the sad issue of his and his fathers fates: as it is thus in the Argument of the said sixth booke.
To the dire witch
Erictho, Sextus goes.
This fatall warres sad issue to disclose:
She quickens a dead carcase, which relates
To
Sextus eare, his and his Fathers Fates,
And crauing then deaths freedome to obtaine,
Is by a magicke spell dissolu'd againe.
Now, in the booke following,
Lucan makes young
Sextus thus to woe, and sollicite the old witch
Erictho, for the speedie knowledge of the warres euent.
—thus Pompey's fearefull sonne best a
[...]e
Wisest of all
Thessalians, that canst make
Foreknowne all things to come, and turne a
[...]ay
The course of destiny, to me (I pray)
[Page 44]The certaine end of this warres chance relate.
[...] am
[...]o meane part of the Romane state:
Great
Pompey's sonne, now either Lord of all,
[...]r wofull heire of his great funerall.
My mind, though
[...]ounded now with doubtfull feare,
[...] well resolu'd any knowne woe to beare.
[...] from chance this power, it may not fall
[...] ▪ and suddaine on me, the Gods call,
Or spare the Gods, and force the truth out from
The ghosts below, open
Elysium,
[...]all forth gr
[...]m
[...]e death himselfe, bid him relate
Which of the two is giuen to him by fate,
T
[...]is no meane taske, but labour worthie thee
To search what end of this great warre shall be.
The witch makes a replication, with an expression, as also a limitation, of her magicke power, in these words.
The
[...]mpious witch proud of a fame so spread
Replies, young man, wouldst thou haue altered
Some me
[...]ner fate, it had been easily done;
[...] could haue forc
[...]d to any action
[...] unwilling Gods, I can preserue the breath
Of him whom all the starres haue doomb'd to death:
And though the planets all conspire to make
Him old, the midst of his lifes course can breake.
But Fates, and thu
[...]der of great causes all
Worke downeward from the worlds originall.
When all mankinde depend on one successe,
If there you would change ought, our arts confesse
[...]ortune has greater power▪ but if content
[...]o
[...] be alone to know this warres euent,
Many, and easie wayes for vs there be
To finde out truth, the earth, the sea, the sky,
T
[...]e dead, the Rodopeian rock, and fields
Shall speake
[...]. But since late slaughter yeeld
[...]
Such choice of carcases in Thessaly
[...] vp one of those who easiest be:
That a warme new-slaine carcase with a cleare
[...]elligible voice may greet your eare▪
[...] (by the sunne the organs parch'd and spill
[...]d)
The dismall ghost vncertaine hissings yeild.
[...]rictho hauing raised vp a dead carcase, by her damnable incantations; and possest his inward parts with some diabolicall spirit, who by and thorow
[...]gans might giue to her and young
Sextus some satisfactory answers,
[...] she goes forward with her demands.
The deuill in his conference with the Sompner (who to tell you by the way,
—Is a renner vp and doun
The de
[...]ion of a Sompner, Chaucer
in the
[...]riei
[...] Prologue.
With maundements, fornicatioun
And is y beat at euery tounes end)
Amongst other his subtilties relates this for one; by way of interrogation, thus.
Yet tell me (quoth this Sompner) faithfully,
Chaucer
in the Friers tale.
Make ye you new bodies thus alway
Of elements? the fiend answerd nay:
Sometime we faine, and sometime we arise
With dead bodies, and that in sundry wise,
And speake as renably, faire and well
As the Phitonesse did to Samuel.
This violation or fearefull disturbance of the dead, was punished with extreme tortures, and afterwards by decollation.
Kelley (otherwise called
Talbot) that famous English Alchymist of our times, who flying out of his owne countrey (after he had lost both his cares at Lancaster) was entertained with
Rodolph the second, and last of that Christian name, Emperour of Germany: for whom
Elizabeth of famous memory, sent (very secretly) Captaine
Peter Gwinne, with some others, to perswade him to returne backe to his owne natiue home; which hee was willing to doe: and thinking to escape away in the night, by stealth, as he was clammering ouer a wall in his owne house in Prague (which beares his name to this day, and which sometime was an old Sanctuary) he fell downe from the battlements, broke his legges, and bruised his body; of which hurts within a while after he departed this world.
Sed quorsum haec, you will say: then thus, This diabolicall questioning of the dead, for the knowledge of future accidents, was put in practise by the foresaid
Kelley; who, vpon a certaine night, in the Parke of Walton in le dale, in the county of Lancaster, with one
Paul Waring (his fellow companion in such deeds of darknesse) inuocated some one of the infernall regiment,
[Page 46] to know certaine passages in the life, as also what might bee knowne by the deuils foresight, of the manner and time of the death of a noble young Gentleman, as then in his wardship. The blacke ceremonies of that night being ended,
Kelley demanded of one of the Gentlemans seruants, what corse was the last buried in Law-church-yard, a Church thereunto adioyning, who told him of a poore man that was buried there but the same day. Hee and the said
Waring intreated this foresaid seruant, to go with them to the graue of the man so lately interred, which hee did; and withall did helpe them to digge up the carcase of the poore caitiffe, whom by their incantations, they made him (or rather some euill spirit through his Organs) to speake, who deliuered strange predictions concerning the said Gentleman. I was told thus much by the said Seruingman, a secondarie actor in that dismall abhorrid businesse: and diuers gentlemen, and others, are now liuing in Lancashire to whom he hath related this story. And the Gentleman himselfe (whose memorie I am bound to honour) told me a little before his death, of this coniuration by
Kelley; as he had it by relation from his said Seruant and Tenant; onely some circumstances excepted, which he thought not fitting to come to his masters knowledge.
These iniuries done against the dead, who ought to sleepe in peace vntill the last sound of the Trumpet, haue euer beene, euen amongst the very Pagans themselues, esteemed execrable. Insomuch that if any man that was knowne to haue committed such an hainous offence, and did by chance escape the hand of humane Iustice, yet he could not (in their opinion) auoid the punishment of the diuine powers. Whereupon they vsed to make their imprecations to Isis, or some other of their gods or goddesses; against such as should any wayes violate and breake downe their Sepulchres or eternall houses of rest. As in this old Inscription.
Secus qui fecerit; mitem Isidem iratam sentiat, & suorum Ossa eruta, atque dispersa videat.
We reade in holy Writ that the king of the Moabites was so sauagely cruell, euen after death, against the king of Edom; that he tooke his body out of the Sepulchre, and burnt his bones into lime; for which barbarous rage, vpon the sacred remaines of a kings body, hee and his people were punished of God: these are the words of the Prophet.
Amos
[...]Thus saith the Lord, for three transgressions of Moab, and for foure, I will not turne to it, because it burnt the bones of the king of Edom into lime.
Therefore will I send a fire vpon Moab, and it shall deuoure the palaces of Kerioth, and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of a Trumpet.
And I will cut off the Iudges out of the midst thereof, and will slay all the Princes thereof with him, saith the Lord.
Amongst the Christians,
adeo flagitiosum hoc scelus habitum fuit, vt atiam inter causas relatum sit, sur vxor à marito diuortere posset, si nimirum Sepulchrorum dissolutorem esse probauerit: saith
Kirkman, De funeribus Rom. l. 3.
cap. 26. out of
Theodosius and
Valent. Emperours,
Cod. de repudijs.
Remaines.And of this barbarous kinde of cruelty against the dead,
Camden in his Remaines giues you these words following, out of
Nouel. Leg. Valent. Aug.
[Page 47] de Sepulchris, Tit. V. Nimis barbara est, & vesana crudelitas, munus extremum luce carentibus inuidere, & dirutis per inexpiabile crimen Sepulchris, monstrare coelo eorum reliquias humatorum. And the heathens (saith he) did account and verily beleeue, that those
qui in patrios cineres minxissent; hoc est, qui patrium Monumenta violassent: which had pist vpon their fathers ashes, that is to say, those which had violated the Monuments of their Ancestours, elders, or forefathers, to be no otherwise then Patricides or murtherers of their fathers or deare friends; and that such should be strucke to death by lightning from heauen; & after death that they should be frightned, tost vp and downe, and tormented in hell, with burning torches by the hands of the furies; whereupon
Horace de Arte Poetica versus finem.
Nec satis apparet cur versus factitet, vtrum
Minxerit in patrios cineres; an triste bidental
Mouerit incestus.
In
Cimbrike Chersonese; a Distich, vpon one of the funerall Monuments of the familie of the Ranzouies, giues this admonishment to the way-faring man.
Ad Viatorem.
Si pia maiorum violas monumenta, viator;
Vltrices Furias experiere breui.
As it was holden vnlawfull and punishable, in former times, for any one to pisse, in or against the walls of any religious structure (a custome (to our shame) too commonly vsed of vs in these dayes, of which I shall haue often occasion to speake hereafter) so, you may thinke, that it was holden to bee an impious and hainous offence for any one, to pollute with vrine, the tombes, or graues of their parents, predecessours, friends, or any other whosoeuer. Which to preuent, they were wont to make a deprecation, or earnest sute, in some part of their funerall Inscriptions, on this manner.
Hospes ad hunc tumulum ne meias,
Ossa precantur tecta hominis.
For indeed such as had their graues, tombes, statues, or representations, thus stained and defiled, were thought to haue passed out of this world with shame and ignominie.
I cannot without griefe remember (saith
Camden) how barbarously and vnchristian like some not long since haue offended by the abusing of these Monuments;
Remaines. yea some
mingendo in patrios cineres; which yet wee haue seene strangely reuenged.
Now as the violation of Sepulchres, so the depredation of Churches, Church-robbing, or Sacriledge, was in all ages accounted most damnable.
De Ecclesia qui aliquid furatur,Aug. super Ioha.Iudae proditori comparatur: He that steales any thing from the Church, may be compared to
Iudas the traitour.
Aliquid inde subtrahere,Hieron. Ep. 34.omnium praedonum cupiditatem superat; to hooke or draw any thing from thence, is a sinne, which exceeds the most detestable desire of all other sorts of robbers.
Sacrum sacro
[...] qui dempserit,Cicero de Legibus.rapueritque Parricida esto: He that abates, or forcibly takes
[...]way that which is sacred, or given to any sacred
[Page 48] vse, let him be reputed, and thought of, as wee doe of a murtherer of his owne parents.
Against Church-spoilers, and breakers of Church-liberties,
Ann. 1257. 3.
Maij, Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted with other Bishops, apparelled in their Pontificals, with Tapers burning, denounced the sen
[...]tence of Excommunication, in this forme.
Rastat.
[...] Excommengement.By the authoritie of Almighty God, the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, and of the glorious mother of God, and perpetuall Virgin
Mary, of the blessed Apostles,
Peter and
Paul, and of all Apostles, and of all Martyrs, of blessed
Edward king of England, and of all the Saints of heauen; we excommunicate, accurse, and from the benefits of our holy mother the Church, we sequester all those, that hereafter willingly, and maliciously, depraue or spoile the Church of her right. And all those that by any cra
[...]t, or wilinesse, do violate, breake, diminish, or change the Church liberties and free customes, contained in the Charters of the common liberties, &c.
But I speake here of such sacrilegious persons as do rob, and bereaue the Church of her treasure and sacred ornaments; a sinne of such, onely, which do misprise, and contemne Religion: a sinne which hath beene by the very Pagans obserued neuer to escape vnpunished.
[...]Cum oppidum Tolosanum in terra Gallia Quintus Cepio Consul diripu
[...]sset; multumque auri in eius oppidi templis furisset, quisquis ex ea direptione aurum attigit, misero cruciabilique exitu perijt.
Quintus Cepio with his company hauing taken and spoiled the Towne or Citie of Tholouse in France, entred forcibly into the holy Temples, out of which sacrilegiously hee tooke to the quantitie of one hundred and ten thousand markes in gold, and fiue hundred millions of marks in siluer; but euery man of them, which were guilty of that robbery, with all their kindred and families died within that yeare; and not aboue one of them, did carry so much as one piece thereof home to his owne house. This treasure of Tholouse was a part of the Delphian riches. For
Brennus (the brother of
Belinus king of great Britaine) Captaine of the Gaules brake open the Temple of
Apollo at Delphos, for the riches and the gold therein, which had beene offered to the Gods, which hee committed to publike spoile. The most part whereof was conuaid by the Tectosages (a people of the West part of Narbon) to this city of Tholouse;
Iustin. Hist. l. 32. but presently vpon this sacriledge and contempt of the Gods;
[...]. the most of his armie (which consisted of one hundred and fifty thousand footmen, and fifteene thousand horsemen) were discomfited and slaine; and hee so furiously possessed, that hee slue himselfe with his owne hands.
[...]
—quis enim laesos impune putaret
Esse deos!
For who could thinke the Gods thus wronged
Their punishment would be prolonged.
Virgil makes these Church-robbers, these contemners of Religion, to bee more miserably, then others, tormented in hell.
Amongst those caytiues darke and loud with voice to them doth rore,
Learne Iustice now by this, and Gods aboue despise no more.
This
Phlegyas king of the Lapithes (a people dwelling in a part of Thessalie) hauing done infinite dammages in Greece, surprizing many Townes and Cities: became in the end so ouer▪ weening, and foolish bold, that hee sacked the foresaid Temple of
Apollo in Delphos, and slue
Philamon, that cunning Harper, the sonne of
Apollo, who brought an armed power to rescue his fathers oracle. Vpon which sacriledge and contempt of the gods, all the countrey of the Phlegyans was vtterly ruinated with an earthquake, and flaming arrowes shot from heauen, which killed most of the people, and the few that remained died of the plague; and for this high handed offence, their foresaid king is still plagued in hell. Which verses of
Virgil, to that purpose, thus paraphrastically translated, will it please you to reade ouer againe:
Phlegias king most wretched in that place;
Forewarneth all of his great misery,
And as sad witnesse of his pitious case,
In those dimme shades he cries out wofully:
Learne to doe Iustice: and by my contempt,
Of the high Gods, do you like fate preuent.
Histories affoard infinite examples of this kinde in all sorts of Religions▪ yea Christian kings, and other Potentates in all ages haue misprised the true, onely, all-sauing God, by the sacrilegious taking away of the rights, riches, and ornaments of holy Church; yet it hath beene obserued, that they seldome or neuer escaped scotfree as: the sequele of this worke will shew.
Seuere punishments haue formerly beene inflicted vpon Church▪ robbers of the meaner ranke,
Stow. Annal. by the strictnesse of our Lawes here in England. For an instance, in the twentieth yeare of
Edward the fourth, on the 22. day of February, fiue notable malefactors were put to death at London, for robbing of Churches and other places; especially the collegiate Church of Saint
Martins le grand in London; for the which three of them were drawne to the Tower-hill, and there hanged and burnt, the other two were pressed to death.
Wee haue not heard of the hanging of any such Church robbers in these our dayes, for
Sublata causa tollitur effectus; the cause taken, or, if you will, stolne away, the effect will consequently cease: For what man will venture a turne at the Gallows, for a little small siluer chalice, a beaten-out pulpit cushion, an ore-worne Communion-cloth, and a course Surplisse? these are all the riches and ornaments of the most of our Churches; and these are more, by the Surplisse, then by some of the Parishioners may bee thought perhaps fitting to be allowed: such is now the sleight regard we haue of the decent setting forth of sacred Religion. Of which a late writer,
Sacred Religion,
Sam. Daniell Musophilus.
mother of forme and feare,
How gorgeously sometimes dost thou sit deckt?
[Page 50]What pompous vestments do we make thee weare?
What stately piles we prodigall erect?
How sweet perfum'd thou art, how shining cleare?
How solemnly obseru'd, with what respect?
Another time all plaine, and quite threed-bare;
Thou must haue all within, and nought without
Sit poorely without light; disrobd, no care
Of outward grace to amuze the poore deuout.
Powerlesse, vnfollowed, scarcely men can spare
Three necessarie rites to set thee out.
Either truth, goodnesse, vertue, are not still
The selfe same which they are; and alwayes one,
But alter to the proiect of our will;
Or we our actions make them wait vpon,
Putting them in the liuery of our skill,
And cast them off againe, when we haue done.
CHAP. X. Of the rooting vp, taking away, erazing and defacing of Funerall Monuments in the reignes of King
Henry the eighth, and
Edward the sixth. Of the care Queene
Elizabeth, of famous memory, had, for the preseruation of the same. Her Proclamation in the second of her raigne against defacing of Monuments.
TOward the latter end of the raigne of
Henry the eight, and throughout the whole raigne of
Edward the sixth,
Vid
[...]. Parl. An. 2
[...].
[...]d 6.
ca. 6. and in the beginning of Queene
Elizabeth, certaine persons of euery County were put in authority to pull downe, and cast out of all Churches, Roodes, grauen Images, Shrines with their reliques, to which the ignorant people came flocking in adoration. Or any thing else, which (punctually) tended to idolatrie and superstition. Vnder colour of this their Commission, and in their too forward zea
[...]e, they rooted vp, and ba
[...]tered downe, Crosses in Churches, and Church-yards, as also in other publike places, they defaced and brake downe the images of Kings, Princes, and noble estates; erected, set vp, or pourtraied, for the onely memory of them to posterity, and not for any religious honour; they crackt a peeces the glasse-windowes wherein the effigies of our blessed Sauiour hanging on the Crosse, or any one of his Saints was depictured; or otherwise turned vp their heeles into the place where their heads vsed to be fixt; as I haue seene in the windowes of some of our countrey Churches. They despoiled Churches of their copes, vestments, Amices, rich hangings, and all other ornaments whereupon the story, or the pourtraiture, of Christ himselfe, or of any Saint or Martyr, was delineated, wrought, or embroidered; leauing Religion naked, bare, and vnclad; as
Dionysius left
Iupiter without a cloake, and
Aesculapius without a beard. It will not seeme
[Page 51] distastfull, I hope, to my Reader, nor impertinent to this purpose, if I shall relate the story.
Dionysius a Tyrant of Sicilie, spoiled the Churches, and tooke away a cloake of gold from
Iupiter, saying (scoffingly) a cloth-cloake was lighter for Summer and warmer for Winter; he tooke likewise away from
Aesculapius his golden beard, saying it was a saucie part for him to haue a long beard, and his father
Apollo to haue none. But this his scoffing sacriledge was punished in his sonne
Dionysius, who was enforced to flie out of his owne kingdome; to trudge vp and downe like a runneagate, and in the end to leade a priuate life at Corinth. Seldome saith one, the children of them prosper, that scorne the false Gods, and beleeue not in the true God. And how the posteritie of these Commissioners haue prospered vpon earth, or how punished after death, God knowes all, howsoeuer by men somewhat in their passages hath beene obserued.
Camd. in
[...]uff For these hote-burning in zeale officers, got cloakes to hide their knauery, and beards to visard their hypocrisie, and thereby vnder a goodly pretence of reforming Religion, they preferred their priuate respects, and their owne enriching, before the honour of their Prince and countrey; yea and before the glory of God himselfe.
But the foulest and most in humane action of those times, was the violation of Funerall Monuments. Marbles which couered the dead were digged vp, and put to other vses (as I haue partly touched before) Tombes hackt and hewne a peeces; Images or representations of the defunct, broken, erazed, cut, or dismembred, Inscriptions or Epitaphs, especially if they began with an
orate pro anima, or concluded with
cuius animae propitietur Deus. For greedinesse of the brasse, or for that they were thought to bee Antichristian, pulled out from the Sepulchres, and purloined; dead carcases, for gaine of their stone or leaden coffins, cast out of their graues, notwithstanding this request, cut or engrauen vpon them,
propter misericordiam Iesu requiescant in pace. These Commissioners, these
[...], these Tombe-breakers, these graue-diggers, made such deepe and diligent search into the bottome of ancient Sepulchres, in hope there to finde (belike) some long-hidden treasure;
Ioseph. Antiq. Iud. l. 13.
ca [...]5. hauing heard or read that
Hircanus ex Dauidis Sepulchro tria millia auri talenta eruit: That
Hircanus tooke three thousand talents of gold out of King
Dauids Sepulchre;
Cod. Theod l 5Crimen Sacrilegio proximum, a sinne the nearest vnto Sacriledge. Not so much for taking out the money,
C
[...]ss
[...]d l. 4. for
Aurum Sepulchris iustè detrahitur, vbi Dominus non habetur, as for the drawing out, and dispersing abroad the bones, ashes, and other the sacred remaines of the dead. And hereupon the graue-takers, these gold-finders are called theeues, in old Inscriptions vpon Monuments.
Plutoni sacrum munus ne attingite fures▪
And in another place:
Abite hinc pessumi fures.
But I haue gone further then my commission, thus then to returne.
This barbarous rage against the dead (by the Commissioners, and others animated by their ill example) continued vntill the second yeare of the raigne of Queene
Elizabeth, of famous memory, who, to restraine such a sauage cruelty, caused this Proclamation (following) to bee published
[Page 52] throughout all her dominions; which after the imprinting thereof, shee signed (each one seuerally) with her owne hand-writing, as this was, which I had of my friend, Master
Humphrey Dyson.
ELIZABETH. A Proclamation against breaking or defacing of Monuments of Antiquitie, being set vp in Churches, or other publike places, for memory, and not for superstition.
THe Queenes Maiestie vnderstanding, that by the meanes of sundrie people, partly ignorant, partly malicious, or couetous; there hath been of late yeares spoiled and broken certaine ancient Monuments, some of metall, some of stone, which were erected vp aswell in Churches, as in other publike places within this Realme, onely to shew a memory to the posterity of the persons there buried, or that had beene benefactors to the building or dotations of the same Churches or publique places, and not to nourish any kinde of superstition. By which meanes, not onely the Churches, and places remaine at this present day spoiled, broken, and ruinated, to the offence of all noble and gentle hearts, and the extinguishing of the honourable and good memory of sundry vertuous and noble persons deceased; but also the true vnderstanding of diuers Families in this Realme (who haue descended of the bloud of the same persons deceased) is thereby so darkened, as the true course of their inheritance may be hereafter interrupted, contrary to Iustice, besides many other offences that doe hereof ensue to the slander of such as either gaue, or had charge in times past onely to deface Monuments of idolatry and false fained images in Churches and Abbeyes. And therefore, although it be very hard to recouer things broken and spoiled: yet both to prouide that no such barbarous disorder bee hereafter vsed, and to repaire as much of the said Monuments as conueniently may be: Her Maiestie chargeth and commandeth all manner of persons hereafter to forbeare the breaking or defacing of any parcell of any Monument, or Tombe, or Graue, or other Inscription and memory of any person deceased, being in any manner of place; or to breake any image of Kings, Princes, or nobles Estates of this Realme, or of any other that haue beene in times past erected and set vp, for the onely memory of them to their posterity in common Churches, and not for any religious honour; or to breake downe and deface any Image in glasse-windowes in any Church, without consent of the Ordinary: vpon paine that whosoeuer shal herein be found to offend, to be committed to the next Goale, and there to remaine without baile or mainprise, vnto the next comming of the Iustices, for the deliuery of the said Goale; and then to be further punished by fine or imprisonment (besides the restitution or reedification of the thing broken) as to the said Iustices shall seeme meete; vsing therein the aduise of the Ordinary, and if neede shall bee, the aduise also of her Maiesties Councell in her Starre-chamber.
And for such as bee already spoiled in any Church, or Chappell, now
[Page] standing: Her Maiestie chargeth and commandeth, all Archbishops, Bishops, and other Ordinaries, or Ecclesiasticall persons, which haue authoritie to visit the Churches or Chappels; to inquire by presentments of the Curates, Churchwardens, and certaine of the Parishoners, what manner of spoiles haue beene made, sithens the beginning of her Maiesties raigne of such Monuments; and by whom, and if the persons be liuing, how able they be to repaire and reedifie the same; and thereupon to conuent the same persons, and to enioyne them vnder paine of Excommunication, to repaire the same by a conuenient day, or otherwise, as the cause shall further require, to notifie the same to her Maiesties Councell in the Starre-chamber at Westminster. And if any such shall be found and conuicted thereof, no
[...] able to repaire the same; that then they bee enioyned to doe open pe
[...]ance two or three times in the Church, as to the qualitie of the crime and part
[...] belongeth vnder like paine of Excommunication. And if the partie that offended bee dead, and the executours of the Will left, hauing sufficient in their hands vnadministred, and the offence notorious; The Ordinary of the place shall also enioyne them to repaire or reedifie the same, vpon like or any other conuenient paine, to bee deuised by the said Ordinary. And when the offendour cannot be presented, if it be in any Cathedrall or Collegiate Church, which hath any reuenue belonging to it, that is not particularly allotted to the sustentation of any person certaine, or otherwise, but that it may remaine in discretion of the gouernour thereof, to bestow the same vpon any other charitable deed, as mending of high-wayes, or such like; her Maiestie enioyneth and straightly chargeth the gouernours and companies of euery such Church, to employ such parcels of the said sums of any (as any wise may be spared) vpon the speedy repaire or reedification of money such Monuments so defaced or spoiled, as agreeable to the originall, as the same conueniently may be.
And where the couetousnesse of certaine persons is such, that as Patrons of Churches, or owners of the personages impropriated, or by some other colour or pretence, they do perswade with the Parson and Parishioners to take or throw downe the Bels of Churches and Chappels, and the lead of the same, conuerting the same to their priuate gaine, and to the spoiles of the said places, and make such like alterations, as thereby they seeke a slanderous desolation of the places of prayer: Her Maiestie (to whom in the right of the Crowne by the ordinance of Almighty God▪ and by the Lawes of this Realme, the defence and protection of the Church
[...] this Realme belongeth) doth expresly forbid any manner of person, to ta
[...]e away any Bels or lead of any Church or Chappell, vnder paine of imprisonment during her Maiesties pleasure, and such further fine for the contempt, as shall be thought meete.
And her Maiestie chargeth all Bishops and Ordinaries to enquire of all such contempts done from the beginning of her Maiesties raigne, and to enioyne the persons offending to repaire the same within a conuenient time. And of their doings in this behalfe, to certifie her Maiesties priuie Councell, or the Councell in the Starre-chamber at Westminster, that order may be taken herein.
Yeuen at Windsor
the xix of September the second yeare of her Maiesties raigne.
God saue the Queene.
Imprinted at London in Pauls Churchyard by
Richard Iugge and
Iohn Cawood, Printers to the Queenes Maiestie.
Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis.
This Proclamation was seconded by another, to the same purpose, in the fourteenth yeare of her Maiesties raigne, charging the Iustices of her Assise to prouide seuere remedie, both for the punishment and reformation thereof.
But these Proclamations tooke small effect, for much what about this time, there sprung vp a contagious broode of Scismatickes; who, if they might haue had their wills, would not onely haue robbed our Churches of all their ornaments and riches, but also haue laid them l
[...]uell with the ground; choosing rather to exercise their deuotions, and publish their erronious doctrines, in some emptie barne, in the woods, or common fields, then in these Churches, which they held to be polluted with the abhominations of the whore of Babylon.
Besides about that time these foresaid wilfull Sectaries did penne, print, and spread abroad certaine seditious Pamphlets (as still they doe) against our booke of Common Prayer; against all Ecclesiasticall gouernment, and against all the rites and ceremonies vsed in this our orthodoxall Church of England; inuenting out of their owne corkie braines, a new certaine no
[...]orme of Liturgie to themselues; thereby to bring into the Church all disorder and confusion. These Renegadoes are (at this day) diuided, and subdiuided into as many seuerall Sects, as there be seuerall Trades in the greatest Market-towne. As into Brownists, Barowists, Martinists, Prophesiers, Solifidians, Famelists, rigid Precisians, Disciplinarians, Iudaicall Thraskists, &c. and into a rable, numberlesse.
[...] of a booke intituled, Conspiracie of pretended Reformation.In the three and thirtieth yeare of Queene
Elizabeth, the sixteenth day of Iuly in the morning,
Edmund Coppinger and
Henry Arthington, repaired to one
Walkers house neare vnto Broken warfe of London, where conferring with one of their Sect, named
William Hacket of Owndale in the County of Northampton, Yeoman, they offered to anoint him king: But
Hacket taking
Coppinger by the hand, said, You shall not need, for I haue beene already anointed in heauen by the holy Ghost himselfe. Then
Coppinger asked him what his pleasure was to be done: Go your way both (said he) and tell them in the citie, that Christ Iesus is come with his fanne in his hand to iudge the earth. And if any man aske you where he is, tell them he lies at
Walkers house by Broken-wharfe; and if they will not beleeue it, let them come and kill me if they can: for as truely as Christ Iesus is in heauen, so truely is he come to iudge the world. Then
Coppinger said it should be done forthwith: and thereupon went forward, and
Arthington followed, but ere he could get downe the staires,
Coppinger [...]ad begun below in the house, to proclaime newes from heauen of exceeding
[Page 55] great mercy: that Christ Iesus was come, &c. with whom
Arthi
[...]on also cried the same words aloude; following him along the streets from thence by Warling-street, and Old Change toward Cheape; they both adding beyond their commission, Repent England, repent. After they had both thus come (with a mightie concourse of common multitu
[...]e) with an vniforme cry into Cheape neare vnto the Grosse, and there finding the throng and prease of people to increase about them, in such sort a
[...] they could not well passe further, nor be conueniently heard of them all as they desired: they got them vp into an emptie pease cart; wherein they stood not onely vpon the words of their former crie, but reading something out of a paper, they went more particularly ouer the office and ca
[...]ling of
Hacket, how he represented Christ, by partaking a part of his glorified bodie, by his principall spirit, and by the office of seuering the good from the bad. And that they were two Prophets, the one of mercy, the other of iudgement, called and sent of God, to assist this their Christ
Hacket in his great worke. These men were apprehended the same day. The 26, of Iuly
Hacket was arraigned, and found guiltie, as to haue spoken diuers most false and traiterous words against her Maiestie; to haue razed and defaced her Armes, as also her picture, thrusting an iron instrument into that part which did represent the breast and heart. For the which he had iudgement, and on the 28. of Iuly, hee was brought from Newgate, to a gibbet by the Cro
[...]e in Cheape; where being moued to aske God and the Queene forgiuenesse, be fell to railing and cursing of the Queene, and began a most biasphemous prayer against the diuine Maiestie of God. They had much ado to get him vp the ladder; where hee was hanged, and after bowelled and quartered. His execrable speeches and demeanure as well at his arraignment, as death, vtterly distained and blemished all his former seeming sanctitie, wherewith he had shroudly possessed the common people. Thus you see how easily ignorant people are seduced by false new doctrines, how suddenly they
[...]ll from true Religion into heresie, frensie, and blasphemie; robbing the Church of all her due rites, and (as much as in them lies) God of his Glory; which abuse, of these times, I leaue to be reformed by our reuerend Clergie.
On the next day (to make an end of the Story)
Edmund Coppinger hauing wilfully abstained from meat, and otherwise tormented himselfe, died in Bridewell. And
Henry Arthington lying in the Counter in Woodstreet, submitting himselfe, writ a booke of repentance, and was deliuered; such was the end of these men (saith mine Authour) of whom the
[...]il
[...]ie people had receiued a very reuerend opinion, both for their sincere holinesse and sound doctrine.
And in the yeare 1612. Aprill 11.
Edward Wightman, another peruerse heretique, was burned at Lichfield. This
Wightman would faine haue made the people beleeue, that he himselfe was the holy Ghost, and immortall, with sundrie other most damnable opinions, not fit to bee mentioned amongst Christians. Yet for all this, this heretique had his followers. It is much to be wished that all backsliders from our Church, should be well looked vnto at the first: and not to runne on in their puritanicall opinions.
[Page 56] Of the Shcismatiques of those times, and more especially of
Martin Marprelate, these Rythmicall numbers following were composed.
Hic racet vt pinus,
Nec Caesar, nec Ninus,
Nec Petrus, nec Linus,
Nec Coelestinus,
Nec magnus Godwinus,
Nec plus, nec minus,
Quam Clandestinus,
Miser ille Martinus;
Videte singuli,
O vos Martinistae,
Et vos Brownistae,
Et vos Barowistae,
Et vos Atheistae,
Et Anabaptistae,
Et vos Haketistae,
Et Wiggintonistae,
Et omnes Sectistae,
Quorum dux fuit iste,
Lugete singuli,
At Gens Anglorum,
Presertim verorum,
Nec non qui morum,
Estis honorum,
Inimici horum,
Vt est decorum,
Per omne forum
In secula seculorum,
Gaudete singuli.
A certaine Northern Rimer also made these following Couplets vpon him and his seditious Pamphlets:
The Welchman is hanged,
Who at our Kirke flanged,
And at her state banged,
And brened are his buks.
And tho he be hanged;
Yet he is not wranged,
The de'ul has him fanged
Is his kruked kluks.
His name was
Iohn Penry a Welshman, a penner and a publisher of books, intituled,
Martin marre Prelate, he was apprehended at Stepney, by the Vicar there, and committed to prison, and in the moneth of May 1593. hee was arraigned at the Kings bench in Westminster, condemned of Felonie, and afterward suddenly in an afternoone conuaied from the Gaile of the Kings Bench to Saint
Thomas Waterings, and there hanged with a small audience of beholders, saith
Stow.
CHAP. XI. Of the conuersion of this our Nation from Paganisme to Christianity, including generally the Foundations of religious houses in the same; and the pietie in the Primitiue times; both of religious and Lay persons.
OF the conuersion of this our Island, from Paganisme to Christianity, diuers authenticall Authors, both ancient and moderne, haue written at large: a little then of so much will suffice for this present Discourse.
Christiana doctrina sexaginta octo plus minus annorum spacio,N Harp
[...]i
[...]ld.
[...] Angl Eccl. cap 1.
[...] secul.post passionem Domini nostri Iesu Christi, totum fere orbem peruagata est; within the space of threescore and eight yeares, or thereabouts, after the death and passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, Christian Religion was spread almost ouer the face of the whole world. And so fruitfull and famous was this spreading of the Gospell, that
Baptista Mantuan, a Christian Poet, compares the increase thereof with that of
Noah, thus alledging vnto it.
Sicutaquis quondam Noe sua misit in orbem
Pignora sedatis, vt Gens humana per omnes
Debita caelituum Patri daret orgia terras;
Sic sua cum vellet Deus alta in regna reuerti,
Discipulos quosdam transmisit ad vltima mundi,
Littora, docturos Gentes, quo numina ritu
Sint oranda, quibus caelum placabile Sacris.
As
Noah sent from the Arke his sonnes, to teach
The Lawes of God vnto the world aright;
So Christ his Seruants sent abroad to preach
The word of life, and Gospell to each wight;
No place lay shadowed from that glorious Light.
The farthest Isles, and Earths remotest bounds.
Embrac'd their Faith, and ioy'd at their sweet sounds.
Now to speake of the conuersion of this Island out of a namelesse Authour,
A Manus
[...]pt in the Ea
[...]le of Excesters
[...]lemino
[...]s Library. who writes a booke
De regnis & Gentibus ad Christi sidem conuersis, thus:
Prima Prouinciarum omnium (sicut antiquissimi Historiarum Scriptores memoriae prodidere, quorum etiam authoritatem M. A. Sabellicus inter nostrae aetatis recentiores est sequutus) Britannia Insula, publico consensu, Christi fidem accepit.
The first of all Prouinces or farre countries (as ancient Historiographers haue deliuered to memory; whose authority
M. A. Sabellicus, one amongst the late writers of our age, doth principally follow) this Island of Britaine, by common consent, receiued the Christian faith. The glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ (saith
Gildas Albanius,Gild. de extud.
[...] Brit. surnamed the wise, the most ancient of our British Historians) which first appeared to the world in the later time of
Tyberius Caesar, did euen then spread his bright beames vpon this frozen
[Page 58] Island of Britaine. And it is generally receiued for a truth, that
Ioseph of Arimathea (who buried the body of our Sauiour Christ) laid the foundation of our faith in the West parts of this kingdome, at the place, or little Island, as then called Aualon, now Glastenbury; where he with twelue disciples his assistants, preached the Gospell of life vnto the Islanders, and found meanes there to build a Church or Oratorie of wreathen wands, as also a little cell thereunto adioyning; and this was the first religious house dedicated to the seruice of the true God in all Britaine: and these religious men the first beginners or founders of that famous fenny-seated Monastery, which is partly standing at this day, of which more hereafter, when I come to speake of the religious Foundations in Somersetshire. In the meane while will you reade what our countreyman
Iohn Capgraue (in his Catalogue of English Saints) writes of
Iosephs comming into this kingdome. Thus in English.
Ioseph with his sonne
Iosephes (saith he) and ten more of his assistants, sent hither by
Philip the Apostle out of France, for the inhabitants saluation, preached zealously, and without feare, the true and liuely faith;
Aruiragus as then swaying the Scepter of this land. The which
Aruiragus, howsoeuer he was vnwilling at the first, to giue them entertainment, or to heare them preach any doctrine repugnant to the traditions of his predecessours, yet because they came from such a farre remote countrey as the holy Land, and that he saw their ciuill behauiour, their sanctitie, and strict course in the manner of their life and conuersation, he gaue them a certaine Island to inhabite, in the West part of his dominions, all compassed about with lakes and standing waters, called Ynswitrim, or the glassie Isle; of which (saith he) a certaine Metrician made this Tetrastich.
Intrat Analoniam duodena caterua virorum,
Flos Arimathie Ioseph est primus eorum.
Iosephes ex Ioseph genitus patrem comitatur,
Hijs alijsque decemius Glasconie propriatur.
George Owen Harry, in his Pedigrees, vpon report from others, saith,
Ioseph brought ouer with him his sister
Eurgaine, who afterwards married a Britaine, whose name was
Starklos.
Iohn Harding, in his Chronicle of England, will haue fourteene to accompany
Ioseph in this iourney, and that amongst many Britaines conuerted by them to the Christian faith;
Aruiragus the king was one, to whom
Ioseph gaue a shield of the Armes, which now we call S.
George his Armes; such are the rimes in the English of those dayes, two hundred yeares since or thereabouts.
Cap.
47. &
48.
—
Ioseph full holy and full wyse
Of Arymathie wyth his felowes fourtene,
Into this lond then came and gaue contene
In Bretayne then this
Ioseph dyd conuerte
Brytons, as how to know the incarnacyon,
Afore that Paynyms, and also peruerte
He taught them of his conuersacyon,
Of his passyon, and his resurrectyon.
[Page 59]Wyth other thynges as the Chronycler sayth,
That apperteyneth to Christes fayth.
Ioseph conuerted king
Aruiragus
By hys prechyng, to knowe the lawe deuyne,
And baptyzed hym as written hath Nennius
The Cronycler in Bretayn tongue full syne.
And to Chryst lawe made hym enclyne.
And gaue hym a sheld of siluer whyte,
A crosse endlong, and ouertwhart full perfyte.
These Armes were vsed throughout all Bretayn
For a common sygne eche manne to know his nacyon
From enemyes, whiche now we call certayn,
Saint
Georges Armes by Nenius enformacyon.
And thus these Armes by
Iosephs creacyon,
Full long afore Saint
George was generate
Were worshcipt here of mykell elder date.
The seeds of true Religion thus sowne by the said
Ioseph and his associates; neare or vpon (for about this accompt there is some difference amongst writers) the yeare of our Sauiour Christ one hundred and fourescore,
Lucius (surnamed
Leuer Maur,Non Bana. hist sua genti
[...]. which signifies great brightnesse) king of the Britaines; vpon his request made to
Eloutherius Bishop of Rome (for as then, and many yeares after, the title of Pope was altogether vnknowne) two learned Diuines were sent vnto him from the said Bishop, at whose hands he receiued the lauer of baptisme. And so it sell out (our Histories say) that not onely his wife and family accompanied him in that happie course,
Godwin de
[...]on. Brita. but Nobles also and Commons, Priests and people, high and low, euen all the people within his Territories. And that generally all their Idols were then defaced; the Temples of them conuerted into Churches, for the seruice of God, the liuings of their idolatrous Priests appointed for the maintenance of the Priests of the Gospell: and that instead of 25. Flamines or high Priests of their idols, there were ordained 25 Bishops, as also for three Archflamines, three Archbishops, whereof one was seated at London, another at Yorke, and a third at Caerlion vpon the riuer Vske in Wales. Of all which will it please you peruse a few lines penned by my foresaid Author,
Iohn Harding.
In the yere of Christes incarnacyon,
An hundryd fourescore and tenne,
Eleuthery the first, at supplicacyon
Of
Lucius, sente hym twoo holy menne,
That called wer
Faganus and
Damianus.
Faggan and Duvyen,
That baptyzed hym and all his realme throughoute,
With hertes glad, and laboure deuoute.
Thei taught the folke, the lawe of Christ eche daye,
And halowed all the temples in Christes name.
All mawment, and Idoles caste awaye
Through all Bretayn, of all false Goddes the same,
The Temples, Flamines the Idoles for to shame,
[Page 60]Thei halowed eke and made Bishoppes Sees,
Twenty and eight at diuers grete citees,
Of three Archflamines, thei made Archbishoprikes
One at London, Troynouant that hight,
For all Logres, with lawes full authentikes
To rule the Church and Christentee in right.
Another at Carlyon a towne of might,
For all Cambre; at Ebranke the thirde
From Trent North, for Albany is kide.
A Manuscript in the Heralds office.Robert the Monke of Gloucester, an old rimer, who writes the language of our fathers about foure hundred yeares since, doth summarily thus tell you, how
Ioseph planted, and
Luciu
[...] established the doctrine of Christ in this our kingdome of Britaine. His liues you will say are neither strong nor smooth; yet perhaps they may giue your palate variety: and as you like them, you shall haue more hereafter.
Lucie Coeles sone aftur hym kyng was
To fore hym in Engelond Chrestondom non nas
For he
heard
hurde ofte miracles at Rome,
And in meny anothur stede,
that.
yat thurgh Christene men come,
He wilnede anon in hys herte to
take.
fong Christendom.
Therfor messagers wyth good letters he
chose.
nom,
That to the pape Eleutherie hasteliche wende;
And yat he to hym and his menne xpendom sende.
And yat he myghte servy God he wilned muche therto
And seyd he wold noght be glad er hit wer ydo.
although.
Tho ye Pape hurde thes
El
[...]anus
and Medu
[...]inus
two learned Clerks sent by Lu
[...]ius
to Rome.
twey h
[...]ly men: be sende,
Phagan and Damian hys soul to amende.
The ryghte beleue to teche; and yaf him xpendom
That folke faste aboute wide ther to com.
Thys was an hundryd sixti yer and too
Aftur God was ybore, this dede was ydoo,
Thus come lo xpendom into Brutayne lond.
But ther wer erst som preneliche xpendom had de fond,
As atte the plas of Glastyngbury Ioseph of Arimathie,
Liued ther in Christes lay wyth hij companie:
Ther wer tho in Brutayne false lawes to lere,
Eyght and twenty chese stedes Byshopriches as
[...]it were,
And thre Erchtemples as hit wer heyghest of echon,
London, and Ebrackwike, and therto Caerlyon.
The King and other hely men destruyde hem alle yfere,
And eyghte and twenty Bishops in hure stede dude rere.
And the Erchbishopes ther, &c.
A little more in another place to the same purpose, if you be not already weary of reading thus much.
The Pape Eleutherie that sende huder furst Chrestendom,
Was the XIII Pape that aftur Peter com:
[Page 61]The descyples yat he huder sende xpendom to bring
By lefte in wildernesse aftur hure prechyng
That
men.
me
name
[...]h.
clupeth Glastyngbury that desert was tho
And ther by come Monckes and nome to hem mo
Phagan and Damian chief of hem wer
And othur mo that loued best to liue and dwelle ther
Becaus that Ioseph of Arimathic and hys felowes twelue
Thulk plas chosen had to wonne ther by hem selue.
And ther wyth hure own honds had rerde a Church
Of hurdles and of yerds as
they.
hij
could.
coud worche
And held ther by hem self the law of xpendom
And yat was longe er xpendom to kyng Lucie com.
The foundation of the famous Colledge of Bangor in Wales is ascribed to this king
Lucius; in which so many hundreds of Monkes liued deuoutly, and religiously, by the labour of their owne hands, according to this peece of my foresaid Author.
In the Citie of Bangor a gret hous tho was,
And ther vndyr
Seuen cols. or seuen portions which had euery one a seuer
[...]ll head or
[...] them.
vij
Seuen cols. or seuen portions which had euery one a seuer
[...]ll head or
[...] them.
cellens and ther of ther nas
That CCC Monckes hadde othur mo
And alle by hure trauayle lyuede; loke now if they do so.
From the time of king
Lucius vntill the entrance of
Austin the Monke, called the Englishmens Apostle, which was foure hundred and some few yeares, the Christan faith was alwayes both taught and embraced in this Island; notwithstanding the continuall persecutions of the Romanes, Huns, Picts, and Saxons, which last, made such desolation in the outward face of the Church, that they droue the Christian Bishops into the desarts of Cornwall and Wales; by whose labours the Gospell was plentifully propagated amongst those vast mountaines; and those parts aboue all other made glorious, by the multitudes of their holy Saints and learned Teachers. Of which a namelesse Author mentioned by
Speed. Hist. cap 9.
Sicut erat celebris cultu numeroque Deorum;
Cum Iouis imperium staret, Britannica tellus;
Sic vbi terrestres coelo descendit ad oras
Expectata salus, patribus fuit inclyta sanctis.
Qui Neptunicolum campos, & Canibrica rura
Coryneasque casas loca desolata, colebant.
As were the Britaines famous for their zeale
To Gentile Gods, whiles such they did adore;
So, when the Heau'ns to Earth did Truth reueale,
Bless'd was that Land with Truth and Learning store.
Whence British plaines and Cambrias desert ground,
And Cornewalls crags, with glorious Saints abound.
About the yeare six hundred, Christian Religion in this Island, being almost totally eclipsed by seuerall persecutions, Pope
Gregory the first, being zealously moued for the reconuersion of this English Nation, sent hither
[Page 62]Austin the Monke, with other his associates; to kindle anew the sparkes of Christianity, which were couered in the cinders of Pagans desolation. The story is frequent, and I shall often touch vpon it.
Ethelbert being as then king of Kent, receiued holy Baptisme by the said
Austin, being principally induced thereunto, by
Berta his wife and Queene, a Christian, daughter to
Chilperuk king of France. Christianity being thus receiued by him, the most potent king of the Saxons.
Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis.
The good example of the King
His people all to Christ did bring.
The succeeding Saxon kings followed his heauenly steps, endeauouring in all they might, to ouerthrow the Synagogue of Satan, by breaking downe the abhominable idols throughout the whole Island.
Edwyne king of Northumberland;
Carpenwald, king of the East-English;
Sebert king of the East-Saxons,
Kynigilds king of the West-Saxons,
Peda king of the Merci
[...]s:
Eth
[...]ulphe king of the South-Saxons, in the space of not much aboue threescore yeares, after the conuersion of King
Ethelbert, were conuerted
[...] God so wrought with them) from Paganisme and Idolatrie, vnto the beleefe and worship of our Lord Iesus Christ: and the Christian faith was publikely preached in all their dominions. These and other the Saxon kings for san
[...]t
[...]ty of life are ranked before all the Kings and Potentates of the world For such was their feruent zeale in Religion, that he thought himselfe most happie, who in pious acts, hard penance, wearie pilgrimages, and retired solitude, spent the various course of life, which moued many of them to exchange a pallace royall, and a Scepter imperiall, for a poore cell and a Mon
[...]h st
[...]fe; to forsake their owne kingdome, and to liue as pilgrimes in a forraine countrey; to lose their owne lines in warlike opposition against Pagans and Infidels, thereby to liue in heauen amongst the noble army of Martyrs; and lastly, it moued them and other great personage
[...] so
[...]o
[...]v
[...]ng their pious examples, to erect and amplie endow religious
[...], as Churches, Chappels, Schooles, Colledges, and Monaste
[...]e
[...] the preaching and further propagating of the Christian faith. As you may see in the sequell of these intended labours▪ Whose charters did
[...] end with an execrable curse to all those which by any manner of meanes should demolish or ouerthrow any of such their sacred structures, or infringe, alienate, or diminish any of their immunities, or yearely reuenewes. Likewise fearefull comminations and excommunications were threatned and thundred out against those which should scorne, abuse, deceiue, or craftily entrap any one, either of the secular, or Monasticall orders; and a benediction diuulged, and granted to all those by whom they should bee honoured, reuerenced, rewarded, and haue their liuelihoods further enricht: concluding with a promise to defend these religious Votaries from the persecution of all humane enemies; and to maintaine their li
[...]e
[...]ies, freedomes, and priuiledges from the vsurpation of any secular power.
Their donations were sometime in meeter or rime, with the names of a number of witnesses, whereunto the signe of the crosse was euer added;
[Page 63] the forme of which you may reade hereafter: but the most of these their important writings were in prose, and many of them wondrous short. For example, King
Athelston giues a certaine plow-land and other profits to the Priest of the Church of high Bickington in Denshire, in these words which I had from my friend, Master
Tristram Risdon that countrey man.
Ich Athelston Konyng, Grome of hys home,
Y if and grant to ye Prestes of thus chyrche,
On Yok of my lond freliche to hold: wodd in
My holt hous to build; bit gras for alle hys
beastes,
fewell for his fire.
vewel for hys herth
corn f
[...] swine and p
[...]gs.
pannage
For Sow and Puggis World out end.
To the gouernment of these foresaid holy Fabricks, and their reuenues, such men were chosen as were the best learned, and most eminent for integritie of life. The Priests consecrated by the imposition of hands; and appointed to say prayers, administer the Sacraments, instruct the Christians which daily increased; and to execute all such offices as belonged to a sacred Bishop or venerable Pastour, were in such high and holy repute amongst the lay-people, as that when any of them were espied abroad, they would flocke presently about him, and with all reuerence humbly beseech his Benisons, either by signing them with the crosse, or in holy prayers for them. And further (saith
Bede) it was the manner in those primitiue times,
Lib. 4
cap. 27. of the people of England, that when any of the Clergie, or any priest came to a village, they would all by and by, at his calling, come together, to heare the word, and willingly hearken to such things as were said, and more willingly follow in workes, such things as they could heare and vnderstand. A wonderfull order of pietie both in priest and people.
Chaucer in the prologue, to his Canterbury Tales, giues vs the character of a religious and learned priest, who in his holy actions did imitate the example of the Clergie of these times, whereof I haue spoken; but such were not to be had by the dozens in his dayes, as by his writings appeares.
Bed. l. 1.
ca. 26.The Monasticall orders likewise in that age, serued God in continuall prayer, watching, and fasting, and preaching the word of life to as many as they could, despising the commodities of this world, as things none of theirs, taking of them whom they instructed, onely so much as might serue their necessities; liuing themselues according to that they taught to others, being euer ready to suffer, both troubles, yea and death it selfe, in defence of the truth that they taught.
Bed. li. 3
ca. 26.And in another place, speaking of the religious and lay-people in the North countrey; They had no money (saith he) but cattell, for if they tooke any money of rich men, by and by they gaue it to poore people. Neither was it needfull that either money should be gathered, or houses prouided
[Page 65] for the receiuing and entertainment of the worshipfull and wealthy, who neuer came then to Church, but onely to pray and heare the word of God. The King himselfe, when occasion serued to come thither, came accompanied onely with fiue or sixe persons, and after prayer ended, departed. But if by chance it fortuned, that any of the Nobilitie, or of the worshipfull, refreshed themselues in the Monasteries, they contented themselues with the religious mens fare and poore pittens, looking for no other cates aboue the ordinary and daily diet. For then those learned men and rulers of the Church, sought not to pamper the panch, but to saue the soule; not to please the world, but to serue God.
Wherefore it came then to passe, that euen the habite of religious men was at that time had in great reuerence; so that where any of the Clergie or religious person came, he should bee ioyfully receiued of all men, like the seruant of God. Againe, if any were met going on iourney, they ranne vnto him, and making low obeysance, desired gladly to haue his benediction either by hand or by mouth. Also if it pleased them to make any exhortation as they passed by, euery man gladly and desirously hearkened vnto them. Vpon the Sondayes ordinarily the people flocked to the Church, or to Monasteries, not for belly-cheare, but to heare the word of God: And if any Priest came by chance abroad into the village, the inhabitants thereof would gather about him, and desire to haue some good lesson or collation made vnto them. For the Priests, and other of the Clergie in those dayes, vsed not to come abroad into villages, but onely to preach, to baptise, to visit the sicke, or (to speake all in one word) for the cure of soules▪ Who also at that time were so farre from the infection of couetousnesse and ambition, that they would not take territories and possessions toward the building of Monasteries, and erecting of Churches, but through the earnest suite, and almost forced thereunto by noble and wealthy men of the world: which custome in all points hath remained a long time after (saith he) in the Clergie of Northumberland.
No lesse feruent in deuotion, and austere in strictnesse of life, in these dayes, were the religious Votaries of the female sex. I had almost forgotten (saith
Capgraue) (in the prologue to his booke of the English Saints) the company of sacred virgines, which like lillies amongst thornes, despising all carnall pleasures, with all the great pompe and riches of the world (many of them being kings daughters) did in all chastitie, pouertie, and humilitie, adhere onely to their Sauiour Iesus Christ, their celestiall Bridegroome, for whose sake (as in this subsequent Treatise will be shewne) they did vndergo many exquisite torments, and in the end were glorified with a crowne of martyrdome.
Deus ex sexu elegens infirmiore vt fortia mundi confunderent.
In a Lieger booke belonging sometime to the Abbey of Rufford,
Mss. in bib. Cotton. I finde these verses following of the constant sufferings of certaine virgine martyrs.
C. in Cheshire.But I will conclude this Chapter with the words of
Camden, speaking of the Monasticall life and profession.
The profession of this Monasticall life (saith he) began when Pagan Tyrants enraged against Christians, pursued them with bloudy persecutions. For then good deuout men, that they might serue God in more safety and security, withdrew themselues into the vast wildernesses of Egypt, and not (as the Painims are wont with open mouth to giue it out) for to enwrap themselues willingly in more miseries because they would not be in miserie.
Where they scattered themselues among mountaines and desarts, liuing in caues and little cells, here and there in holy meditations. At first solitary and alone: whereupon in Greeke they were called
Monachi, that is, Monkes: but after they thought it better (as the sociable nature of mankinde required) to meete together at certaine times to serue God, and at length they began to cohabite and liue together for mutuall comfort, rather then like wilde beasts to walke vp and downe in the desarts. Their profession was to pray, and by the labour of their owne hands to get liuing for themselues, and maintenance for the poore, and withall they vowed pouerty, obedience, and chastitie.
Athanasius first brought this kinde of Monkes, consisting of lay-men, into the West-Church. Whereunto after that Saint
Austen in Afrike. Saint
Martin in France, and
Congell (one of the Colledge of Bangor) in Britaine and Ireland, had adioyned the function of regular Clergie. It is incredible how farre and wide they spread, how many and how great Coenobies were built for them, so called of their communion of life: as also Monasteries, for that they kept still a certaine shew of solitarie liuing: and in those dayes none were more sacred and holy then they, and accordingly they were reputed; considering how by their prayers to God, by their example, doctrine, labour, and industrie, they did exceeding much good, not onely to themselues, but also to all mankinde. But as the world grew worse and worse, so those their holy manners, as one said,
rebus cessere secundis, that is, Gaue backward in time of prosperitie.
But of the pietie of religious professours in the Primitiue times, of the sanctitie of British and Saxon Kings, of their Queenes, and issue royall; as also of other persons of exemplarie zeale and holy conuersation; I doe speake hereafter in particular, as I come to the places of their interments.
CHAP. XII. Of the fall or backsliding as well of religious persons, as of lay-people from the foresaid zealous ardour of pietie.
THis heate of deuotion, which I haue spoken of, continued not long in this Island. For as the Clergie and other religious orders, grew rich in
[Page 67] faire buildings, proud furniture, and ample reuenues, so they daily increased in all kindes of disorders; which was no sooner perceiued, but put in practise by the Laitie: our kings declined from their former sanctitie, and (which the worst was) after their examples, many others (especially of the Nobilitie) did follow their licentious traces. Examples of Princes being alwayes of greater force then other lawes, to induce the people to good or to euill.
Quint. declam. 4Nam haec conditio Principum, vt quicquid faciant praecipere videantur.
To proue as much as I haue spoken.
Godwin. Presul. Aug. in vit.
[...]ut. Wil
[...]. Malms de gestis
[...]oni. lib. 1.
de Epis. Dorober. In the yeare of Grace, 747
Cuthbert Archbishop of Canterbury, by the counsell of
Boniface Bishop of Mentz, called a Conuocation at Cliffe beside Rochester, to reforme the manifold enormities wherewith the Church of England at that time was ouergrowne. Our kings forsaking the companie of their owne wiues, in those dayes delighted altogether in harlots, which were for the most part Nunnes. The rest of the Nobilitie following their example, trode also the same trace. The Bishops likewise, and other of the Clergie, that should haue beene a meanes of the reforming these faults in others, were themselues no lesse faultie; spending their times either in contentions and brables, or else in luxurie and voluptuousnesse, hauing no care of study, and seldome or neuer preaching Whereby it came to passe, that the whole land was ouerwhelmed, with a most darke and palpable mist of ignorance, and polluted with all kinde of wickednesse and impietie, in all sorts of people. In which Conuocation, after long consultation with those his Bishops, or Suffraganes, and the rest of the Clergie which were holden in greatest esteeme for their learning, in number thirtie, for the reformation of these horrible abuses, endeauouring thereby (like a good Pastour) to turne away the wrath of God which seemed to hang ouer this land, and to threaten those plagues which not long after fell vpon it, when the Danes inuaded the same.
Edgar, surnamed the peaceable, King of England in the yeare, 969. called together his Bishops, and other of his Clergie, to whom hee made this or the like Oration, as followeth.
Forsomuch as our Lord hath magnified his mercy to worke with vs it is meete (most reuerend Fathers) that with worthy workes we answer his innumerable benefits:
Allernd.
[...]uall. a M ss in
[...]ib. Cot.Stow Annal. for neither by our owne sword possesse we the earth, and our owne armes hath not saued vs; but his right hand and his holy arme; for that he hath beene pleased with vs. Meete therefore it is, that we submit both our selues and our soules to him, that hath put all things vnder our feet; and that we diligently labour that they whom he hath made subiect vnto vs, may bee made subiect vnto his lawes. And truly it is my part to rule the Laitie, with the law of equitie, to doe iust iudgement betwixt man and his neighbours, to punish Church-robbers, to represse rebels, to deliuer the weake from the hands of his stronger; the poore and needie from them that spoile them. And it also belongeth to my care, to haue consideration to the health, quietnesse, or peace of the Ministers of the Church, the flocke of Monkes, the companies of Virgines, and to prouide the things needfull for them. The examining of whose manners belongeth vnto you, if they liue chastly, if they behaue themselues honestly towards
[Page 68] them which bee abroad, if in diuine seruice they bee carefull, if in teaching the people diligent, if in feeding sober, if moderate in apparell, if in iudgement they be discreet. If you had cured these things by prudent scrutinie (by your licence I speake O reuerend Fathers) such horrible and abhominable things of the Clerkes had not come to our eares. I omit to speake, that their Crowne is not large, nor their rounding conuenient, but wantonnesse in apparell, insolencie in behauiour, filthinesse in words, doe bewray the madnesse of the inward man. Furthermore, how great negligence is there in the Diuines, when in the holy Vigils, they will scarce vouchsafe to be present, when at the holy solemnities of the diuine-seruice, they seeme to bee gathered together to play and to laugh, rather then to sing.
I will speake that which good men lament, and euill men laugh at. I will speake with sorrow (if so be it may be spoken) how they flow in banquettings, in chambering and wantonnesse, that now Clerkes houses may bee thought to be brothell houses of harlots, and an assembly of plaiers. There is dice, there is dancing and singing, there is watching till midnight, with crying and shouting. Thus the patrimony of Kings, the almes of Princes, yea (and that more is) the price of that precious bloud is ouerthrowne. Had our fathers therefore for this purpose emptied their treasures? hath the Kings bountifulnesse giuen lands and possessions to Christian Churches for this end? that Clerkes harlots should be pampered with delicious dainties, that riotous guests may be prepared for; that hounds and hawkes, and such like toyes may be gotten. Of this the Souldiers cry out, the common people murmure, the i
[...]sters and scoffers sing and dance, and you regard it not; you spare it, you dissemble it. Where is the sword of
Leuy, and zeale of
Simeon, which killed the circumcised Sichimites, being the figure of them that defile the Church of Christ, with polluted acts, abusing
Iacobs daughter as an harlot? Where is the spirit of
Moses, that spared not his houshold, kinsfolke worshipping the head of the calfe? Where is the dagger of
Phin
[...]es the Priest, who killing him that played the harlot with the Madianite, with this holy emulation pacified Gods wrath? where is the spirit of
Peter, by whose power couetousnesse is destroyed, and Simoniall heresie condemned? Endeauour to imitate, O ye Priests in God: It is time to rise against them that haue broken the Law of God. I haue
Constantines, you haue
Peters sword in your hands, let vs ioyne right hands, let vs couple sword to sword, that the Leapers may bee cast out of the Church, that the hallowed place of our Lord may bee purged, and the sonnes of
Leui may minister in the Church. Go to carefully, I beseech you, lest it repent vs to haue done that which we haue done, and to haue giuen that which wee haue giuen, if we shall see that not to be spent in Gods seruice, but on the riotousnesse of most wicked men, though vnpunished libertie. Let the reliques of holy Saints, which they scorne, and the reuerend Altars before which they rage, moue you: Let the maruellous deuotion of our Ancestours moue you, whose almes the Clerkes furie abuseth, &c. To you I commit this businesse, that both by Bishoplie censure, and kingly authority, filthie liuers may be cast out of the Church, and they that liue in order may be brought in.
[Page 69]Not long after,
Hen. Hunting. li. 6. to wit, in the raigne of
Etheldred, commonly called, The vnready, it was foretold by an holy Anchorite; that forsomuch as the people of this Nation were giuen ouer to all drunkennesse, treason, and carelesnesse of Gods house; first by Danes, then by Normans, and last of all by the Scots they should be ouercome. Of which hereafter.
Edward the Confessor,
Will. Malms. Matt. West. Ran. Higde
[...]. in Pol▪ chron. lib 6
cap [...]8.Holli
[...]s in vit. Howa
[...]d. whilest he lay sicke of that sicknesse whereof he died, after he had remained for two dayes speechlesse, on the third day lying for a time in a slumber, or soft sleepe, at the time of his waking, he fetched a deepe sigh, and thus said. O Lord God Almightie, if this be not a vaine fantasticall illusion, but a true vision which I haue seene, grant me space to vtter the same vnto these that stand here present, or else not. And herewith hauing his speech perfect, he declared how he had seene two Monkes stand by him, as he thought, whom in his youth he knew in Normandie to haue liued godly, and died Christianly. These religious men (said he) protesting to me that they were the messengers of God, spake these words. Because the chiefe gouernours of England, the Bishops, and Abbots, are not the ministers of God, but the deuils, the Almighty God hath deliuered this kingdome for one yeare and a day into the hands of the enemy, and wicked spirits shall walke abroad through the whole land. And when I made answer that I would declare these things to the people, and promised on their behalfe, that they should doe penance in following the example of the Niniuites: they said againe, that it would not be, for neither should the people repent, nor God take any pitie vpon them And when is there hope to haue an end of these miseries? said I: Then said they, when a greene tree is cut in sunder in the middle, and the part cut off, is carried three acres breadth from the stocke, and returning againe to the stoale, shall ioyne therewith, and begin to bud and beare fruit after the former manner, by reason of the sap renewing the accustomed nourishment, then (wee say) may there bee hope that such euils shall cease and diminish. With these words of the dying king, though many that stood by were strucke with feare; yet
Stig and the Church-chopper, Archbishop of Canterbury, made but a iest thereof, saying, that the old man doted, and raued now in his sicknesse. Neuerthelesse within the same yeare the truth of this propheticall dreame or vision did plainly appeare. When the conquerour
William seized into his hands, to glue vnto the Normans, the most part of euery mans possessions in England; tooke from the Bishops Sees all their ancient priuiledges and freedomes, bereaued all the Monasteries and Abbies of their gold and siluer, sparing neither Shrine,
Sir Iohn Hayward in vit. Will. Con. nor Challice, appropriating the said religious houses, with their reuenues to himselfe, degrading and depriuing as well Bishops, as Abbats of their seats and honours, and detaining many of them in prison during their liues, that others of his owne followers might bee placed in their roomes.
R. Wendou
[...] in bib. Cotton. By which meanes there was scarce left any man in authoritie of the English nation to beare rule ouer the rest, insomuch that it was counted a reproach to be called an Englishman.
William surnamed
Rufus, sonne to the Conquerour, and king of England, endeauouring to abate the tumorous greatnesse of the Clergie, restrained his Subiects from going to Rome,
Sir Iohn Hay, in v. t. Will. Rufi. withheld the annuall payment of
Peter pence, and was oftentimes heard to giue forth these words, They follow
[Page 70] not the trace of Saint
Peter, they greedily gape after gifts and rewards, they retaine not his power whose pietie they do not imitate.
[...].
[...]gden in Poly. lib. 7.
cap. 9. Nothing was now more in vse then seasing, farming, and merchandizing of Church-liuings, and the chiefe agent in this businesse was one
Ranulf Flambard, the Kings Chaplaine, afterwards Bishop of Durham, for which he gaue a thousand pounds.
Robert Bluet gaue for the Bishopricke of Lincolne, fiue thousand pounds: and one
Herbert Prior of Fiscane in Normandy bought for his father, whose name was
Losinge, the Abbacie of Winchester, and for himselfe the Bishopricke of Norwich.
Will. Malms. de Reg. Mut. West. mon. Treuisa. Whereupon a versi
[...]ier of that age made these rythmes.
Surgit in Ecclesia monstrum genitore Losinga,
Symonidum secta, Canonum virtute resecta.
Petre nimis tardas, nam Symon ad ardua tentat:
Si praesens esses, non Symon ad alta volaret.
Proh dolor Ecclesiae nummis venduntur & aere,
Filius est Praesul pater Abbas Symon vterque.
Quid non speremus si nummos possideamus?
Omnia nummus habet, quid vult facit, addit, & aufert,
Res nimis iniusta, nummis sit Praesul & Abba.
Thus translated by
Bale in his Votaries:
A monster is vp the sonne of
Losinga,
Whiles the law seeketh Simony to flea:
Peter thou sleepest, whiles
Simon taketh time;
If thou wert present,
Simon should not clime.
Churches are prised for syluer and gold,
The sonne a Bishop, the father an Abbot old.
What is not gotten if we haue richesse?
Money obteineth, in euery businesse
In
Herberts way yet, it is a foule blot,
That he by Simony, is Bishop and Abbot.
But Simonie was not so common now as other sinnes; for the Clergie in generall gaue themselues strangely to worldly pleasures,
Higd. in Polych. lib. 7.
cap. 6. and pompous vanities; they wore gay rich garments, gilt spurres, embroidered girdles, and bushie locks.
The Monkes of Canterbury, as well nigh all other Monkes in England, were not vnlike to secular men,
Idem. lib▪ cod.
[...]. they vsed hawking and hunting, playing at dice, and great drinking; thou wouldest haue taken them to haue beene great Magnificoes rather then Monkes, they had so many seruants and attendance of goodly aray and dignity.
Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury, by the permission of King
Henry the first,
Mat. Paris. assembled a great Councell of the Clergie at Westminster; wherein he depriued many great Prelates of their promotions for their seuerall offences, and many Abbots for other enormities; forbidding the farming out of Church dignities.
In the raigne of King
Henry the second, the abuses of Church-men were growne to a dangerous height, saith well the Monke of Newborough,
lib. 2.
cap. 16. for it was declared, saith he, in the Kings presence, that Clergie
[Page 71] men had committed aboue an hundred murthers in his raigne: Of which nine yeares were, as then, scarcely expired. And in the 23 of his raigne, the Nunnes of Amesbury were thrust out of their house, because of their incontinent liuing.
Rog. Houed.
Richard Cordelion, king of England, being told by a certaine Priest called
Fulco, a Frenchman, that he kept with him three daughters, namely, pride, couetousnesse, and lechery, which would procure him the wrath of God, if he did not shortly rid himselfe of them:
[...] answered, That he would presently bestow his three daughters in marriage; the Knights Templers (said he) shall haue my eldest daughter Pride: the white Monkes of the Cis
[...]ux order, Couetousnesse: and my third daughter Lechery, I commit to the Prelates of the Church, who therein take most pleasure and felicitie. And there you haue my daughters bestowed among you.
In the raigne of
Henry the third,
[...] the Templars in London being in great glory, entertained the Nobilitie, forraine Embassadours, and the Prince himselfe very often, insomuch that
Matthew Paris, Monke of Saint
Albans, who liued in those dayes, cried out vpon them for their pride, who being at the first so poore as they had but one horse to serue two of them (in token whereof they gaue in their seales two men vpon one horsebacke) yet suddenly they waxed so insolent, that they disdained other orders, and sorted themselues with Noblemen. But this their insulting pride had a quicke period:
[...] for shortly after, to wit, in the beginning of King
Edward the seconds raigne, in the Councell at Vienna, this their so highly esteemed order, was, vpon cleare proofe of their generall, odious, abhominable sins, and incredible Atheisticall impieties by them practised, vtterly abolished throughout all Christendome: And by the consent of all Christian Kings, depo
[...]ed all in one day; taken all and committed to safe custody: And thus being polit
[...]kely apprehended, their lands and goods were seised vpon: the heires of the Donours here in England, and such as had endowed these Templars with lands, entred vpon those parts of their ancient patrimonies after this dissolution,
Tho. de la
[...] and detained them vntill not long after they were by Parliament wholly transferred vnto the Knights of the Rhodes,
[...] or of S.
Iohn of Ierusalem.
A litt
[...]e before the vniuersall extinguishment of this order of the Templars,
[...]. M
[...]rtyr. pag 33
[...].
[...] Edit.Philip the French King caused 54. of that Order with their great Master to be burnt at Paris; for their hainous vngodlinesse.
In the raigne of
Edward the third, the Clergie of England exceeded all other Nations in the heaping vp together of many Benefices,
[...] and other spirituall promotions; besides, at that time, they held the principall places both of trust and command in the kingdome. Some of them had twenty Benefices with cure, and some more, and some of them had twenty Prebends, besides other great dignities.
William Wickham at the death of
William Edington Bishop of Winchester, was made generall Administratour of spirituall and temporall things pertaining to that Bishopricke, and the next yeare was made Bishop of Winchester. This
Wickham besides the Archdeaconry of Lincolne, and Prouostship of Welles, and the Parsonage of Manihant in Deuonshire, had twelue Prebends.
[Page 72]Simon Langham was Archbishop of Canterbury, and Chancelour of England.
Iohn Barnet Bishop of Bath, and Treasurer of England.
Godwin in vit. Wichami.The foresaid
Wickham Keeper of the priuie Seale, Master of the Wards, and Treasurer of the Kings reuenues in France.
Dauid Wellar Parson of Somersham, Master of the Rolles, seruing King
Edward, in the Chancery fortie yeares and more.
Ten beneficed Priests, Ciuilians, and Masters of the Chancery.
William Mu
[...]se, Deane of S.
Martins le Grand, chiefe Chamberlaine of the Exchequer, Receiuer, and Keeper of the Kings Treasure and Iewels.
William Ashby, Archdeacon of Northampton, Chancellour of the Exchequer.
William Dighton, Prebendary of Saint
Martins, Clerke of the priuie Seale.
Richard Chesterfield, Prebendary of S.
Stephens, Treasurer of the Kings house.
Henry Snatch, Parson of Oundall, Master of the Kings Wardrobe.
Iohn Newenham, Parson of Fenistanton, one of the Chamberlaines of the Exchequer, and keeper of the Kings Treasurie, and Iewels.
Iohn Rouceby, Parson of Hardwicke, Surueior, and Controuler of the Kings works.
Thomas Britingham, Parson of Ashby, Treasurer to the King, for the parts of Guisnes, and the marches of Caleis.
Iohn Troys, Treasurer of Ireland, diuers wayes beneficed in Ireland.
Pope
Vrban the first, made a decree against the heaping together of many Benefices, or spirituall promotions by one man, for the execution whereof he sent commandement to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and by him to all his Suffragans, to certifie in writing, the names, number, and qualities, of euery Clerke, Benefices, or liuings, within their seuerall Diocesse. Whereupon this or the like certificate was brought in.
I finde,
inter Breui
[...] Regis▪ Ed. 3.
Ann. 24. that
William Fox Parson of Lee neare Gainsborough,
Ex Archiuis
[...]urris London.Iohn Fox, and
Thomas of Lingeston, Friers Minors of that Couent in Lincolne, were indited before
Gilbert Vmfreuill, and other Iustices,
in partibus de Lindesey, apud Twhancaster, die Sabbati post festum s
[...]ncti Iohannis Baptiste, in the said yeare, for that they came to Bradholme, a Nunnery in the County of Nottingham, the eighteenth of the Kal. of February, and then and there
rapuerunt, & abduxerunt inde, contra pacem Domini Regis, quandam Monialem nomine Margaretam de Euernigham Sororem dicte Domus, exeuntes eam habit. Religionis, & induentes eam Rob. virid. secular. ac etiam diuersa bona ad valenc. quadragint. solid. Violently tooke and forcibly from thence carried away, against the peace of their Soueraigne Lord the King, a certaine Nunne by name
Margaret de Euernigham, a sister of the said house, stripping her quite out of her religious habit,
A greene Gowne giuen to a Nunne. and putting vpon her a greene Gowne, Robe, or Garment of the secular fashion, and also diuers goods to the value of forty shillings.
In this Kings raigne
Robert Longland a secular Priest, borne in Shropshire, at Mortimers C
[...]liberie, writ bitter inuectiues against the Prelates, and
[Page 73] all religious orders in those dayes, as you may reade throughout this book, which he calls, The vision of Piers Plowman.
Presently after, in the raigne of
Richard the second,
Iohn Gower flourished, who in his booke called,
A Manus. in Sir
Robert Cottons Library.Vox clamantis, cries out against the Clergiemen of his time; first,
Quod Christi scholam dogmatizant, & eius contrarium operantur. 2
Quod potentiores alijs existunt. 3
Quod carnalia appetentes vltra modum delicatè vinunt. 4
Quod lucris terrenis inhiant, honore Prelacie gaudent, & non vt prosint, sed vt presint, Episcopatum desiderant. Quod legibus positi
[...]is quae quamuis ad cultum anime necessarie non sunt, infinitas tamen constitutiones quasi quotidie ad eorum lucrum nobis grauiter impon
[...]t. Quod bona temporalia possidentes, spiritualia omittunt. Quod Christus pacem suis discipulis dedit & reliquit; sed Prelati propter bona terrena guerras contra Christianos, legibus suis positiuis, instituunt, & prosequuntur. Quod cleri sunt bellicosi. Quod scribunt & docent ea quae sunt pacis, sed in contrarium ea quae sunt belli procurant. Quod nomen sanctum sibi presumunt, appropriant tamen sibi terrena, nec alijs inde participando ex caritate subueniunt. Quod intrant Ecclesiam per Symoniam. Quod honores & non onera Prelacie plures affectant, quo magis in Ecclesia cessant virtutes, & vitia multipliciter accrescunt. Quod Rectores in curis residentes, cu
[...]s tamen negligentes, venationibus praecipue, & voluptatibus penitus intendunt. Quod Presbyteri sine curis, siue stipendarij non propter mundici
[...]m, & ordinis honestatem, sed propt
[...]r mundi otia gradum Presbyteratus appetunt & assumunt. Much more he speakes against the abuses and vices of Churchmen, as also against the lewd liues of the Schollars in Cambridge and Oxford, which he calls the Churches plants: concluding thus his third book:
Sic quia stat cecus morum sine lumine clerus
Erramus Laici nos sine luce vagi.
In his fourth booke hee speakes of Monkes, and all other religious Orders:
Quod contra primi ordinis statuta abstinentie virtutem linquunt, & delicias sibi corporales multipliciter assumunt. Ripping vp their faults in particular.
Chaucer who was contemporarie and companion with
Gower, in the Plowmans tale, the Romant of the Rose, and in his Treatise which hee intitles, lacke Vpland, writes as much, or more, against the pride, couetousnesse▪ insatiable luxurie, hypocrisie, blinde ignorance, and variable discord amongst the Church-men, and all other our English votaries. As also how rude and vnskilfull they were in matters and principles of our Christian institutions; to whose workes, now commonly in print, I referre my Reader, for further satisfaction.
In a Parliament holden at Westminster, the eleuenth yeare of King
Henry the fourth, the lower house exhibited a Bill to the King and the Lords of the vpper house in effect as followeth.
To the most excellent Lord our King,
Tho. Walsing. Fabian The like bill or petition was exhibited in Parliament,
an. 9.
Ric. 2. and to all the Nobles in this present Parliament assembled, your faithfull Commons doe humbly signifie, that our Soueraigne Lord the King might haue of the temporall possessions, lands, and reuenues which are lewdly spent, consumed, and wasted, by the Bishops, Abbats, and Priors, within this Realme; so much in value
[Page 74] as would suffice to finde and sustaine one hundred and fifty Earles, one thousand and fiue hundred Knights, sixe thousand and two hundred Esquiers, and one hundred Hospitals, more then now be.
Speed. Walsing.But this Petition of spoiling the Church of England of her goodly patrimonies, which the pietie and wisedome of so many former ages had congested, was by the King (who was bound by oath and reason to preserue the flourishing estate of the Church) so much detested, that for this their proposition, he denied all other their requests: and commanded them that from thenceforth they should not presume to intermeddle with any such matter.
This King, as also his sonne, and grandchilde, were wondrous indulgent to the Clergie; although they were daily disquieted with the bellowing of the Popes Prouisorie Bulls. For
Henry the fifth was so deuour and seruiceable to the Church of Rome and her Chaplaines, that he was called of many, the Prince of Priests.
[...]ox. Martyr. pag 6.
[...]vlt. Ed. And
Henry the sixth, surnamed the holy, wa an obedient childe, and no lesse, nay more obsequious to the See Apostolicall, then any of his predecessours; howsoeuer I finde that once he reiected the Popes Bull,
[...] Arch. Turris London. An. 16.
[...]. 6. concerning the restoring of the Temporalities of the Bishoppricke of Ely.
And now giue me leaue a little to digresse, speaking somewhat by the way of the denomination of this word
Bulla, and why the Bishops of Rome call their leaden Seales, by which they confirme their writings, Bulls. This word
Bulla was called
[...],
Ioseph. Castaleon. pag. 288.id est, à Consilio, of councell. For that anciently a golden Bull, broach, or ornament, round and hollow within, was vsually fastened about the necks or breasts of young children, and semblablie to all their pictures, signifying thereby, that their render vnbridled age ought to be gouerned by the graue councell, and good aduise of others, of more maturitie in yeares. And from hence the Bishops of Rome borrowed the name for their leaden Seales; vpon one part of which the name of the Pope is to be read: on the other, the head of Saint
Paul on the right side of the Crosse, and of Saint
Peter on the left are to bee seene.
Honoris tamen non praelationis gratia factitatum hoc ab Ecclesia. Nam quanquam S. Petrus sit Princeps Apostolici ordinis, tamen Ecclesia voluit eos indiscretae esse excellentiae. But this was done of the Church (saith my Author) in regard of honour, not of preheminence; For although Saint
Peter be the head of the Apostolike Order, yet the Church will haue them to be of an vndistinct excellence.
Now the Popes
per liter as suas bullatas Regi directas, did preferre whom they pleased, and how they pleased, to any Ecclesiasticall promotion here in England. One example for all.
Innocent the seuenth by his Bull preferred
Richard Fleming, first to the Bishopricke of Lincolne, then to the Archbishopricke of Yorke, and lastly driue him backe againe by his roaring Bull to his first preferment of Lincolne. All which this King thus ratifies.
Cum nuper summus Pontifex Richardum tunc Episcopum Lincoln: a vinculo quo eidem Ecclesie tenebatur absolnerit;Ex Arch.
[...]urris Lon. 2.
pars. pat. An 4
Hen. 6.ad Ecclesiam Ebor: transtulerit. Nec non à vinculo quo eidem Ecclesie Ebor. cui tunc preerat, tenebatur, absoluit ipsum; ad prefat. Lincoln. Ecclesiam duxerit restituend. & transferand.
[Page 75] ipsumque in Episcopum Ecclesie Lincoln. prefecerit. Rex fidelitatem cepit ipsius Episcopi & restituit ei temporalia. Teste Rege apud West. 3.
Augusti.
Such was the absolute authority of the Pope;
In bib Cott. whose name (saith a namelesse Author) was neuer
Peter, except you grant Saint
Peter to bee one and the first, (howsoeuer many of them haue had that name giuen vnto them in baptisme) the reason whereof is thus diliuered:
Nemo ex omnibus Romanorum Pontificibus Petri nomen sibi assumpsit, (etsi nonnulli in Baptismate ita nominati) ex quadam erga Apostolorum Principem reuerentia.
Now let me returne, this Digression being much longer then I expected, as also this Chapter, which I will conclude as briefly as I may; in the meane while take this short story, which I finde in the fourth part of Sir
Edward Cokes reports,
Act. de Scandalis.
The Abbot of S.
Albons commanded his seruant to go into the Towne,
An. 22.
Ed. [...].
Rot. 20. or some place neare adioyning, and to desire a certaine mans wife to come vnto him, with whom (he said) he had an earnest desire to talke: The seruant obeyed, and (like a good trustie Roger) performed his Masters commandement, in bringing the woman to his priuate chamber. Now so soone as the Abbot and the wife were together, the seruant (well knowing his masters minde) withdrew himselfe out of the way; and left them together alone in the chamber. The Abbot then began to accoast the wise; telling her first, that her array was meane, poore, and grosse array; to which she answered, That her array was according to her small abilitie, and the abilitie of her husband. The Abbot (knowing in what most of women take the greatest delight) told her that if she would be ruled by him, she should haue as good array to weare, as the best woman in the Parish where shee dwelt; and so began to sollicite her chastitie. The woman giuing no eare to his libidinous motions, the Abbot assaulted her with struglings and baudy embracings, thinking to get that by force which hee could not obtaine by faire meanes. But she still resisted all his encounters, promises, and perswasions, by which he detained her in his chamber a long time against her will. The husband hauing notice of this abuse offered to his wife; began to talke of the matter, and said that he would haue an Action of false imprisonment against the Abbot, for detaining his wife against her will so long in his chamber. The Abbot hearing of this (adding one sinne to another) did sue the innocent poore husband in the Ecclesiasticall Court vpon an Action of defamation, because (forsooth) the husband had giuen out, and published abroad, that my Lord Abbot would haue made his wife a dishonest woman. The matter being opened in the Court, the husband had a Prohibition, &c.
This cunning sinne (amongst other their crimes) was vsually put in practise by the Church-men of other countries; witnesse
Francis Petrarch Archdeacon of Parma in Italy, in one of his Epistles,
sine titulo, to his namelesse friend; wherein he anatomises the Romane Clergie. Thus translated.
Epist [...]0.
And dangerous it was for a Lay-man in
Iohn Gowers dayes, to accuse any of the Clergie with a matter of truth. As you may perceiue by the sequele.
Vox Clam. lib.
3. ca.
21.
Hoc dicit clerus quod quamuis crimine plenus
Sit, non est laici ponere crimenei.
Alter & alterius cleri peccata fauore
Excusat, quod in hijs stat sine lege reus.
Non occusari vult à caliis, tamen illos
Accusat, que sibi libera frena petit.
Libera sunt ideo peccata placentia Clero
Sit nisi quod Laici iura ferantur ibi.
Presbiter insipiens populum facit insipientem,
Et mala multa parit, qui bona pauca sapit.
Plough mans
[...]le.Chaucer writes of the same.
Mennes wiues they wollen hold,
And though that they been right sorye,
To speake they shull not bee so bold
For sompning to the Consistory:
And make hem saie mouth I lie
Though they it sawe with her iye,
His Lemman holden openly
No man so hardy to aske why.
They
[...]aine to no man that it longeth
To reproue them though they erre.
Sir
Thomas Moore reports how (in this kings dayes) a poore man found a Priest ouer-familiar with his wife;
Camd. Re
[...]iq. and because hee spake it abroad, and could not proue it, the Priest sued him before the Bishops Officiall for defamation, where the poore man in paine of cursing was commanded, that in his Parish Church, he should vpon the Sonday stand vp, and say, Mouth thou liest. Whereupon for fulfilling of his penance, vp was the poore soule set in a pew, that the people might wonder at him, and heare what hee said; and there all aloud (when he had rehearsed what he had reported by the Priest) then he set his hands on his mouth, and said,
Mouth thou liest. And by and by thereupon, he set his hands vpon both his eyes, and said, But eyne, by the Masse, ye lie not a whit.
[Page 77]Abbots and Priours in these dayes did ouer-awe all sorts of lay-people, yea the greatest Potentates: which made
Edward the fourth write thus to the Priour of
Lewes in Sussex, more like a poore petitioner then a great Prince, concerning a matter wherein the Prior and Couent went about to cosin his seruant
Vincent.
Deare and welbeloued in God,
Transcribed out of the o
[...]ginall. we greet you well: and wher we been enformyd yat many yeres past, by yowr letters endentyd, vndre yowr Couuent Seal, grauntyd to owr trusty and welbelowed servant,
Iohn Vincent, Esquyr, fader to owr ryght welbelowed seruant
Bryan Vincent, certain of yowr londes and rentes within yowr Lordshyp of Conesburgh; to haue to the seyd
Iohn, and to his heyres, beryng therfor a certayn yerly rent specyfyd in yowr seyd indentures, and afterwards the seyd
Iohn, and
Bryan his son, hadd of yowr graunt, the same londes and tenements, with othyr, by yowr othyr indentures, yervpon made betwex yow & tham, whych endentures wer seald by yow, and the seyd
Iohn in thabsens of his seyd son, delyuered and left in yowr kepyng of trust, and soon aftyr fortuned him to be sleyne, at the lamentable conflyct of Wakfeld, in the seruice of the ryghte noble and famous Prynce owr fader whom God rest: And now, as we hear, ye labor and entend to put owr seyd servant hys son from the seyd londes and tenements, contrary to yowr fyrst and latyr graunte, a for expressyd, and agenst ryght, and good conscyens, yf hit be as is surmysed: We therfor exhort, and desyr yow to suffre owr seyd servant to have, and enioy the seyd londs and tenements according to yowr forseyd couenants, and graunts, and to delyuer vnto him the seyd later endentures concerning the same, as his fader so left of trust in yowr kepyng; And beside that to shew to owr seyd servant in any othyr matyrs lawfull and reasonable, that he shall a have adoo with yow, yowr beneuolences and herty fauors; and the rathyr, and mor especyally at owr instance and contemplacyon of theys owr letters; wherin ye shall not only doo vs a singular plasur, but caus vs, for the sam, to have yow and yowr plas, in the mor herty fauor and recomendacyon of owr good grase. Yeuen vndre owr Signet at owr palas of Westminstre the xix day of Iun.
To ouerpasse the short time during the Protectorship and raigne of King
Richard the third, let vs come vnto
Henry the seuenth, in whose dayes religious persons did wallow in all kindes of voluptuousnesse; to the Kings no little griefe, who by his breeding vnder a deuout mother, as also in his owne nature was euer a zealous obseruer of religious formes. To bridle whose incontinent liues, he caused an Act to be made bearing this title.
An Act to punish Priests for their incontinencie. Of which, so much as will serue for this purpose:
Item. For the more sure and likely reformation of Priests, Clerks, and religious men,
In Pa
[...]l. anno 3.
Hen. 7.
cap. 4. culpable, or by their demerits openly reported of incontinent liuing in their bodies, contrary to their Order: It is enacted, ordained, and stablished by the aduice and assent of the Lords spirituall and temporall, and the Commons in the said Parliament assembled, and by authority of the same, That it be lawfull to all Archbishops, and Bishops, and other Ordinaries, hauing Episcopall iurisdiction, to punish and chastice Priests, Clerks, and religious men, being within the bounds of their iurisdiction,
[Page 78] as shall be conuicted before them by examination and other lawfull profe, requisite by the Law of the Church, of Aduoutrie, Fornication, Incest, or any other fleshly incontinencie, by committing them to ward and prison, there to abide for such time, as shall be thought to their discretions conuenient, for the qualitie, and quantitie of their trespasse: And that none of the said Archbishops, Bishops, or other Ordinaries aforesaid, be thereof chargeable, of, to, or vpon any Action of false or wrongfull imprisonment, but that they be vtterly thereof discharged in any of the cases aforesaid, by vertue of this Act.
In his sonnes raigne, the Pope being (here in England) at the point verticall of his all-commanding power, and religious Orders growne to the height of their abominable sinnes, both of them had a sudden downfall, as will appeare in the subsequent Chapters.
But of the pietie and impuritie of Monkes and other religious Votaries, of the first and latter times, take for a conclusion of this, as also of the precedent Chapter, these riming Hexameters as I haue them out of the booke of Rufford Abbey, in Nottinghamshire: a Manuscript in Sir
Robert Cottons Librarie.
Inuectio Walonis Britonis in Monachos.
Sacrilegis Monachis emptoribus Ecclesiarum
Composui Satyram.
Ordo Monasticus Ecclesiasticus esse solebat,
Dura cibaria dum per agrestia rura colebat.
Nulla pecunia, nulla negocia prepediebant,
Sobria copia, parua colonia sufficiebant.
Pro venialibus & capitalibus inuigilabant;
Tam venalia quam capitalia nostra placebant.
Ordo Monasticus Ecclesiasticus est violenter
Ecclesiastica comparat omna dona potenter.
Ordo Monasticus Ecclesiasticus est sine fructu,
Intrat ouilia desuper ostia non sine luctu.
Ordo Monasticus Ecclesiasticus est sine causa,
Clamat ad ostia spiritualia iam sibi clausa.
Ordo Monasticus Ecclesiasticus inde vocatur,
Quando rapacibus atque tenacibus assimulatur.
Terra, pecunia, magna Palatia, templa parantur
Vnde potencia, siue superbia magnificantur.
Desunt caetera.
CHAP. XIII. Of the abrogation, abolition, and extinguishment of the Popes supreme and exorbitant authoritie, within the King of Englands Dominions.
KIng
Henry the eighth vpon occasion of delay, made by Pope
Clement the seuenth, in the controuersie of diuorcement betwixt him and
[Page 79] Queene
Katherine, and through displeasure of such reports as hee heard had beene made of him to the Court of Rome: or else pricked forward by some of his Counsellours, to follow the example of the Germanes; caused Proclamation to be made on the eighteenth day of September,
In bib. Cott.Anno reg. 22. forbidding all his subiects to purchase or attempt to purchase any manner of thing from the Court of Rome, containing matter preiudiciall to the high authoritie, iurisdiction and prerogatiue Royall of this Realme; or to the hinderance and impeachment of the Kings Maiesties noble and vertuous intended purposes. Vpon paine of incurring his Highnesse indignation, and imprisonment, and further punishment of their bodies, for their so doing, at his Graces pleasure, to the dreadfull example of all other.
Not long after,
Ex Parl. an. 24.
Hen. 8.
cap. 12. it was enacted, that appeale
[...], such as had been vsed to be pursued to the See of Rome, should not be from thenceforth, had, neither vsed but within this Realme; and that euerie person offending against this Act, should runne into the dangers, paines, and penalties, of the Estatute of the Prouision and Premunire, made in the fiue and twentieth yeare of the raigne of King
Edward the third; and in the sixteenth yeare of King
Richard the second.
And shortly after this, it being thought by the ignorant vulgar people; that to speake against any of the lawes, decrees, ordinances, and constitutions of the Popes, made for the aduancement of their worldly glorie and ambition,
Ex. Parl. an. 25.
Hen. 8
ca. 21. was damnable heresie; it was enacted that no manner of speaking, doing, communication, or holding against the Bishop of Rome, called the Pope, or his pretensed authoritie or power, made or giuen by humane lawes or policies, and not by holy Scripture; nor any speaking, doing, communication, or holding against any Lawes, called Spirituall Lawes, made by authoritie of the See of Rome, by the policie of men, which were repugnant and contrariant to the Lawes and Statutes of this Realme, or the Kings Prerogatiue royall, should be deemed, reputed, accepted, or taken to be Heresie.
It was also enacted that no manner of appeales,
In eod. Parl. cap. 19. should be had prouoked, or made, out of this Realme, or any the Kings dominions to the Bishop of Rome, or to the See of Rome, in any causes or matters, happening to be in contention, and hauing their commensement and beginning in any of the Courts within this Realme, or within any the Kings dominions, of what nature, condition, or qualitie soeuer they were.
Vpon this followed another Act,
In eod Parl. cap. 20. restraining the payment of Annates, or first-fruits, to the Bishop of Rome, and of the electing and consecrating of Bishops within this Realme.
Another Act was made concerning the exoneration of the Kings Subiects,
In eod Parl. cap. 20. from exactions and impositions, theretofore paied to the See of Rome, and for hauing licences and dispensations within this Realme, without suing further for the same: in which the Commons assembled complaine to his Maiestie, that the subiects of this Realme, and other his dominions, were greatly decaied and impouerished by intollerable exactions of great summes of money, claimed and taken by the Bishop of Rome, and the See of Rome, as well in pensions, censes, Peter-pense, procurations, fruits, sutes for prouisions, and expeditions of Bulls for Archbishoprickes and Bishopricks,
[Page 80] and for delegacies of rescripts in causes of contentions, and appeales, iurisdictions, legatiue; and also for dispensations, licences, faculties, grants, relaxations, Writs, called
Perinde valere, rehabitations, abolitions, and other infinite sorts of Bulls, breeues, and instruments of sundrie natures, names, and kindes, in great numbers, ouer long and tedious here particularly to be inserted.
S
[...]o
[...]. Annal.It was affirmed in this Parliament, that there had been paied to the Pope of Rome onely for Bulls, by our English Bishops, and other of the kingdome, since the fourth of
Henry the seuenth to that time, threescore thousand pound sterling.
An. 2
[...].
Hen. 8.
c
[...]p. 1.The next yeare following, in a Parliament begun at Westminster, the third of Nouember, the Pope with all his authoritie was cleane banished this Realme, and order taken that he should no more bee called Pope, but Bishop of Rome; and the King to be taken and reputed as supreme head in earth of the Church of England, called
Anglicana Ecclesia. And that hee their Soueraigne Lord, his heires and successours kings of this Realme, should haue full power and authoritie, from time to time, to visit, represse, redresse, reforme, order, correct, restraine, and amend all such e
[...]rours, heresies, abuses, offences, contempts, and enormities whatsoeuer they were, which by any manner spirituall authoritie or iurisdiction, ought or might lawfully bee reformed, repressed, ordered, redressed, corrected, restrained, or amended, most to the pleasure of Almighty God, the increase of vertue in Christs religion, and for the conseruation of peace, vnitie, and tranquilitie of this Realme, any vsage, custome, forraine lawes, forraine authority, prescription, or any thing, or things, to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.
Cap
[...]In this Parliament also were granted to the King and his heires, the first-fruits and tenths of all spirituall dignities and promotions.
[...]. Hen. 8.
cap. [...].His stile of supremacie was further ratified, and declared to bee set downe in this forme and manner following: in the Latine tongue by these words.
Henricus octauus Dei gratia, Angliae, Franciae, & Hiberniae Rex, Fidei defensor, & in terra Ecclesiae Anglicanae & Hibernicae supremum caput. In the English tongue by these:
Henry the eight, by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland, defendour of the faith, and of the Church of England, and also of Ireland in earth, the supreme head.
Which stile was enacted, to bee vnited and annexed for euer to the imperiall Crowne of this his Highnesse Realme of England.
Vpon the first expulsion of the Popes authoritie, and King
Henries vndertaking of the Supremacie; the Priests both religious and secular, did, openly in their Pulpits, so farre extoll the Popes iurisdiction and authority, that they preferred his lawes before the kings; yea and before the holy precepts of God Almighty. Whereupon the King sent his mandatory letters to certaine of his Nobilitie, and others in especiall office, thinking thereby to restraine their seditious false doctrine and exorbitancie. And here let me tell you that amongst many letters of important affaires, which I found in certaine Chandlers shops of our Parish, allotted to light Tobacco pipes,
[Page 81] and wrap vp peniworths of their commodities (all which I gaue to Sir
Robert Cotton, Knight and Baronet, the onely repairer of ruined antiquirie, whom I knew (the contents therof shewing some passages of former times) would preserue them for better vses; I happened vpon certaine letters following tending to the same purpose: of which I haue already spoken.
Henry R. By the King.
RIght trusty and right welbiloued Cousin we grete you well. And wher it is commen to our knowlaige that sundry persons, aswell religious as seculer Priests and curats in their peroches and d
[...]ue
[...]se places within this our Realme, do dailly asmoche as in them is, set fo
[...]the, and extolle the iurisdiction and auctoritie of the Bishop of Rome, ortherwyse called Pope, sowing their sediciouse pestylent and false doctryne, praying for him in the Pulpit, and makyng hym a God, to the greate deceyte, illudyng and seducyng of our subgietts, bryngyng them into errors, sedicyon, and euyll opynyons, more preferryng the power, lawes, and Iurisdictyon of the said Bishop of Rome, then the most holly lawes and precepts of almighty God. We therfore myndyng not only to prouide for an vnitie and quietnes to be had and contynued among our said subgietts, but also greatly cou
[...]tyng and desyryng them to be brought to a perfectyon and knawlege of the mere veritie and truth, and no longer to be seduced, nor blynded, with any suche superstitiouse and false doctryne of any erthly vsurper of godds lawes, will therfore and commaund you, that wher and whensoeuer ye shall fynde, apperceyve, know, or heretell, of any such sedicious personnes, that in suche wise do spreade, teche, and preache, or otherwise set forth any su
[...]he opynyons and perniciouse doctryne; to the exaltatyon of the power of the bishop of Rome, bryngyng therby our subgietts into error, gruge, and murmuracyon; that ye indelaydly doo apprehend and take them, or cause them to be apprehended and taken, and so commytted to Ward ther to remayne without bayle or mayneprise, vntill vpon your aduertisement therof vnto vs or our Councell ye shall know our further pleasure in that behalfe. Ye uen vndre our Signet, at our Manor of Grenwich the xvii day of Aprill.
This letter was thus endorsed: To our right trusty and welbiloued cousin and Counsellor Therle of Sussex.
In Iune or Iuly following, these maiesticall commanding Epistles were seconded, and made more strong by an Act of Parliament, called, An Act extinguishing the authoritie of the Bishop of Rome. Of which I hold it not amisse to set downe so much as principally tends to the purpose. To begin then at the beginning.
For as much as notwithstanding the good and wholesome lawes,
Ex Parl. an. 28.
Hen. 8.
ca. 10. ordinances, and statutes heretofore made, enacted, and established by the kings Highnesse, our most gratious souereigne Lord, and by the whole consent of the high Court of Parliament, for the extirpation, abolition, and extinguishment out of this Realme, and other his graces dominions, seigniories, and countries, of the pretended power and vsurped authoritie of the Bishop of Rome, by some called the Pope, vsed within the same or elsewhere, concerning
[Page 82] the same realme, dominions, segniories, or countries, whi
[...]h did obfuscat and wrest Gods holy word and Testament a long season from the spirituall and true meaning thereof, to his worldly and carnall affections: as pompe, glory, auarice, ambition, and tyrannie, couering and shadowing the same with his humane and politike deuises, traditions, and inuentions, set forth to promote and stablish his onely dominion, both vpon the soules, and also the bodies and goods of all Christian people, excluding Christ out of his kingdome and rule of mans soule, as much as hee may, and all other temporall Kings and Princes out of their dominions; which they ought to haue by Gods law, vpon the bodies and goods of their subiects: whereby he did not onely rob the Kings Maiestie, being onely the supreme head of this his Realme of England, immediately vnder God, of his honour, right, and preheminence, due vnto him by the law of God, but spoiled his Realme yearely of innumerable treasure, and with the losse of the same deceiued the Kings louing and obedient subiects, perswading to them by his lawes, buls, and other his deceiuable meanes, such dreames, vanities, and fantasies, as by the same many of them were seduced and con
[...]ueied vnto superstitious and erroneous opinions; So that the Kings Maiestie, the Lords Spirituall and Temporall, and the Commons in this Realme, being ouer-wearied and fatigated with the experience of the infinite abhominations and mischiefes, proceeding of his impostures, and craftily colouring of his deceits, to the great dammages of soules, bodies, and goods, were forced of necessitie for the publike weale of this Realme, to exclude that forraine pretended iurisdiction and authoritie, vsed and vsurped within this Realme, and to deuise such remedies for their reliefe in the same, as doth not onely redound to the honour of God, the high praise and aduancement of the Kings Maiestie, and of his Realme, but also to the great and inestimable vtilitie of the same; And notwithstanding the said wholesome lawes so made and heretofore established, yet it is common to the knowledge of the Kings highnesse, and also to diuerse and many his lo
[...]uing, faithfull, and obedient subiects, how that diuers seditious and contentious persons, being imps of the said Bishop of Rome and his See, and in heart members of his pretended Monarchie, doe in corners, and elsewhere as they dare, whisper, inculke, preach, and perswade, and from time to time instill into the eares and heads of the poore simple and vnlettered people, the aduancement and continuance of the said Bishops feined and pretended authoritie, pretending the same to haue his ground and originall of Gods law, whereby the opinions of many bee suspended, their iudgements corrupted and deceiued, and diuersitie in opinions augmented and increased, to the great displeasure of almighty God, the high discontentation of our said most dread soueraigne Lord, and the interruption of the vnitie, loue, charitie, concord, and agreement that ought to bee in a Christian Region and congregation. For auoiding whereof, and repression of the follies of such seditious persons, as be the meanes and authours of such inconueniences: Be it enacted, ordained, and established by the King our soueraigne Lord and the Lords spirituall and temporall, and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authoritie of the same, that if any person or persons, dwelling, demurring, inhabiting, or resiant within this
[Page 83] Realme, or within any other the Kings dominions, seigniories, or countries, or the marches of the same, or elsewhere within or vnder his obeizance and power, of what estate, dignitie, preheminence, order,, degree, or condition soeuer hee or they bee, after the last day of Iuly, which shall bee in the yeare of our Lord God, 1536. shall by writi
[...]g, ci
[...]ering▪ printing, preach
[...]ing, or teaching, deed or act, obstinately or maliciously, hold or st
[...]nd with, to extoll, set foorth, maintaine, or defend the authoritie, iurisdiction, or power of the Bishop of Rome, or of his See, heretofore claimed, vsed or vsurped within this Realme, or in any dominion or countrey, being or, within, or vnder the Kings power or obeisance: or by any presence obstinately or maliciously inuent any thing▪ for the extolling, aduancement, setting forth, maintenance, or defence of the same, or any part thereof, or by any pretence obstinately or maliciously attribute any manner of iurisdiction, authoritie, or preheminence to the said See of Rome, or to any Bishop of the same See for the time being within this Realme, or in any the Kings dominions and countries: That then euery such person or persons, so doing or offending, their aiders, assistants, comfortors, abettors, procurers, maintainers, fautors, counsellours, conceilours, and euery of them, being thereof lawfully conuicted, according to the Lawes of this Realme; for euery such default, and offence, shall incurre and runne into the dangers, penalties, paines, and forfeitures, ordeined and prouided by the statute of Prouision and Premunire, made in the sixteenth yeare of the reigne of the noble and valiant Prince King
Richard the second, against such as attempt, procure, or make prouision to the See of Rome, or elsewhere, for any thing or things, to the derogation, or contrarie to the Prerogatiue royall, or iurisdiction of the Crowne, and dignitie of this Realme.
King
Henry still hearing of the murmuring of his Subiects, vpon the enacting of this Statute, writes againe to his principall magistrates in euery countrey, in this manner following.
Henry R. By the King.
TRusty and welbeloued we grete yow well; And wheras heretofore as ye know both vpon most iust and vertuouse fowndacions grownded vpon the lawes of Almighty God, and holy Scripture; And also by the deliberate aduice, consultacion, consent and agreement aswell of the Bishops and Clergie, as by the Nobles and Commons temporall of this owr realme, assembled in owr high Court of Parliament, and by auctorite of the same; the abuses of the Bisshop of Rome his auctorite and iurisdiction, of long time vsurped against vs, haue been not onely vtterly extirped, abolished, and secluded; but also the same owr Nobles and Commons both of the Clergie and Temporalty by an other seuerall Acte, and vpon like fundacion for the publike weale of this our realme, haue vnited, knytte, and annexed to vs and the Crowne imperiall of this our realme, the title, dignitie, and stile of Supreme hed in erthe, immediatly vndre God, of the Church of England; as vndoubtedly euermore we haue ben; which thing also the said
[Page 84] Bisshops and Clergie particularly in their Conuocacions haue holly and entyrely consented, recognised, ratifyed, confirmed, and approued authentiquely in wryting both by their speciall othes, profession and wryting vnder their Signes and Seales, so vtterly reuouncyng all other othes, obedience, and iurisdiction, either of the said Bisshop of Rome, or of any other Potentate. We late yow witt that prependyng and consideryng, the charge and commission, in this behalfe geuen vnto vs by almighty God togedre with the great quietnes, rest, and tranquillity that hereby may ensue to owr faithfull Subgiects, both in their conscience and otherwise, to the pleasure of almighty God, in cace the sayd Bisshops and Clergie of this our realme shuld sincerely, truly and faithfully sett furth, declare and preche vnto our sayd Subgiects the veray true word of God, and without all maner color dissimulacion and hipocrisie, manifest, publishe and declare the great and innumerable enormities and abuses, which the said Bisshop of Rome, as well in title and stile, as also in auctorite and iurisdiction of long time vnlawfully and iniustly hath vsurped vpon vs our Progenitors and all other Christen Princes; haue not onely addressed our letters generall to all and euerye the same Bisshops straitely charging and commaundyng them, not only in their propre persons to declare teche and preche vnto the people the true, mere, and sincere word of God, and how the said title, stile, and iurisdiction of supreme hed apperteyneth to vs, our Crowne and dignitie royall; and to gyve like warnyng, monicion, and charge to all Abbots, Priors, Deanes, Archdeacons, Prouosts, Parsons, Vicars, Curats, Scolemasters, and all other Ecclesiasticall persons within their Diocesses to do the semblable; in their Churches euery Sunday and solempne feast, and also in their scoles: And to cause all maner prayers, orysons, Rubricks, and Canons in Massebokes, and all other bokes vsed in Churches, wherein the sayd Bisshop is named, vtterly to be abolished, eradicated, and rased, in soche wise as the said Bisshop of Rome, his name and memory for euermore (except to his contumely and reproche) may be extinct, suppressed, and obscured. But also to the Iustices of our Peace, that they in euery place within the precinct of their Commissions do make and cause to be made diligent serche, wayte, and espiall whedder the sayd Bisshops and Clergie doo truly and sincerely, without any manner cloke, or dissimulacyon execute accomplish their said charge, to them committed in this behalf. And to certifye vs and our Councail of such of them as shuld omytt or leaue vndone any parte of the premises, or ells in the execucyon thereof shuld coldely or faynedly vse any maner synistre addicyon interpretacion or cloke, as more plainly is expressed in our said letters. We consideryng the great good, and furtheraunce, that ye may doo in thise matiers in the parties about yow, and specially at your being at Sises and Sessions, in the declaracion of the premisses, haue thought it good, necessary, and expedient to write thise letters vnto yow, whom wee esteme to be of soch singler zeale and affection, towards the glory of Almighty God, and of so faithfull and louing harte towards vs, as ye woll not only with all your wisdoms, diligences, and labors accomplishe all soche things as might be to the preferment and setting forwards of Gods word, and the amplification, defence, and maintenance of our said interesse, right, title, stile, iurisdiction, and auctorite apperteyning
[Page 85] vnto vs, our dignitie, prerogatiue, and Corone imperiall of this our realme; will and desire you, and neuerthelesse straitely charge and command you, that laying aparte all vayn affections, respects, and carnall consideracions, and setting before your ees the mirror of truth, the glory of God, the right and dignitie of your Soueraigne Lord, thus sounding to the inestimable vnitie and commoditie both of your selfes, and all other our louing and faithfull Subgiects; ye doo not only make diligent serche within the precinct of your Commission and auctorite, whedder the said Bisshops and Clergie doo truly and sincerly as before preche, teche, and declare to the people the premisses according to their dutyes; but also at your said sitting in Sises and Sessions ye doo perswade, shew, and declare vnto the said people, the veray tenor, effect, and purpose of the premisses, in soch wise as the said Bisshops and Clergie may the better not only doo therby and execute their said duties, but also the parents, and rulers of families, may declare, teche, and informe their childer and servaunts in the specialties of the same, to the vtter extirpacion of the said Bisshops vsurped auctoritie, name, and iurisdiction for euer. Shewing and declaring also to the people, at your said Sessions, the treasons treacherously committed against vs, and our lawes, by the late Bisshop of Rochester and Sir
Thomas More knight, who therby, and by diuerse secrete practises of their maliciouse mynds against vs, entended to seminate, engender, and brede amongst our people and subgiects a most mischieuous and sediciouse opynyon not only to their own confusion, but also of diuers others, who lately haue condignely suffered execucion, according to their demerites: And in soche wise dilating the same with persuacions, to the same our people, as they may be the better rixed, established and satisfyed in the truth; and consequently that all our faythfull and true subgiects may therby detest and abhorre in their hartes and heads, the most recreaunt and trayterouse abuses and behaviors of the said maliciouse malefactors as they be most worthy. And finding any defaulte, negligence, or dissimulacion in any maner of person or persons, not doing his duty in this partie. Ye immediatly doo advertise vs and our Counsail of the defaulte, maner and facion of the same, Lating you witt, that considering the great moment, weight, and importaunce of this matter, as wherevpon dependeth the vnitie, rest, and quietnes of this our Realme, yf ye shuld contrary to your duties, and our expectation and trust, neglect, be slake, or omytte to doo diligently your duties, in the true performaunce and execucion of our mynde, pleasure, and commaundement as before; or wold haulte, stumble at any parte, or specialtie of the same; Be ye assured that we, like a Prince of Iustice, will so punyshe and correct your defaulte and negligence therin, as it shal be an example to all others how contrary to their allegiance, othes, and duties, they doo frustrate, deceiue, and disobey the iust and lawfull commaundement of their soueraigne Lord, in such things, as by the true harty and faithfull execucion whereof, they shall not only prefer the honor and glory of God, and sett forth the maiestie and imperiall dignitie of their soueraign Lord, but also importe and bring an inestimable vnitie, concord, and tranquillitie of the publike and common state of this Realme: whereunto both by the lawes of God, and nature, and man, they be vtterly obliged and bounden. And therfore
[Page 86] faile ye not most effectually, ernestly, and entierly to see the premises done, and executed; vpon paine of your allegeance, & as ye well advoyd our high indignacion and displeasure at your vtmost perils. Y euen vndre our Signet, at our Manor besids Westminster the xxv day of Iune.
Henry R. By the King:
TRusty and welbeloued we grete yow well; And whereas we chiefly and principally regarding and tendring the quiet, rest, prosperite, and tranquillite of our Nobles and Commons, and their conservacion no lesse then our own; directed lately our letters vnto you and other Iustices of our Peace throughout this our Realme, conteyning our admonicion and gentill warenyng, to haue such speciall regard to the dewties of your offices accordyng to the trust we haue in yow; that not only for thymportance it is both vnto vs and our common welth, ye shuld see our high dignite of Supremacie of our Church (wherwith it hath pleased almighty God by his most certain and vndoubted word to endowe, and adorne, our auchtorite, and Corone imperiall of this our Realme) to be set forth and impressed in all our Subiects harts and mynds, and to forsee that the mayntenors of the Bisshop of Roomes vsurped and fayned auctorite, with all his Papisticall supersticions and abuses, wherwith he hath in times past abused the multitud of our subgiects (of whose yoke, tyranny, and skornefull illusion we haue by Gods porveiaunce deliuered this our realme, and of other his Satellites whiche secretly did vphold his faction) shuld be by yow diligently serched, enqwired, and tried owt, and so broughte to our Iustices to receaue condigne punyshement, according to their demerits; but also that tale tellers about the cuntriee, and spraders of rumours, and false inventors of newes, to put owr people to feare, and stirr them to sedicyon, shulde be apprehended, and punyshed to the terrible example of others. Also that vagabonds and valiant Beggers shalbe avoyded and haue worthy corrections. And for the same purpose to kepe watches, and to see commen Iustice with indifferency, and without corrupcion to be obserued and ministred, vnto all owr Subgiects like as by the porporte and contents of our said Letters ye may more amplie perceiue. We haue thervpon ben credably enformed that sondry of yow haue, for a time, so well done yowr dewties, and endeuoired your selues in fulfilling our admonitions, and caused the euill doers to be punyshed according to their demerites, that our louing Subgiects haue not ben disquieted of a long season, vntill now of late that sum vngracious, cankred, and maliciouse persons haue taken boldnes to attempt, with sondry diuelish persuasions to moue and seduce our trewe subgiects, vsing false lies, and most vntrewe rumors; And amonst them we vnderstand, sondry Parsons, Vicars, and Curats of this our Realme to be chieffe; which to bring our people to darkenes, of their own perverse mynde, not only to blynde our Commons, do rede so confusely, hemming and hacking the word of God and soche our Iniunctions, as we haue lately set forthe, that almost no man can vnderstand the trewe meanyng of the
[Page 87] said Iniunctions, but also secretly haue suborned certeyne spreders of Rumors and false tales in corners, which doo interpreat and wrast our trewe meanyng and intention of owr said Iniunctions to an vntrewe sense. For wheras we haue ordeyned by owr said Iniunctions for thavoyding of sondry striues, processis, and contentions, risyng vpon aege, vpon lineall discents, vpon title of Inheritances, vpon legittimation or Bastardie, and for knowlege whither any person is our subiect borne or no; Also for sondry other causes, that the names of all childer christened from hensforth with ther birth, ther fathers and mothers names, and likewise all mariages, and burialls, with the time and date thereof shuld be registred from time to time in a boke in euery Parish Church, surely and safe
[...]y to be kept. They haue bruted and blowen abrode most falsely and vntrewely that we doo entende to make some new exactions at all christenyngs, weddings, and burials: The whiche in no wise we euer meaned or thought vpon, a
[...]leging (for to fortefy and color there false and manif
[...]st lies) that therin we go abowt to take away the liberties of the realme. For conservacion wherof they fayne that Bisshop
Beckett of Canterbury, which they haue to fore called Saynt
Thomas, died for where in dede there was neuer soch thing done, nor ment in that time nor sithens. For the said
Beckett neuer swarved nor contended with owr progenitor Kyng
Henry the second, but only to lett that those of the Clergie shuld not be punyshed for their offences, nor iustyfyed by the Courts and lawes of this Realme, but only at the Bisshops pleaser, and after the decrees of Roome. And the causes why he died, was vpon a wilfull reskewe and a fray by him made and begon at Canterbury; Which was neuerthelesse afterward alleged to be for soche liberties of the Churche which he contendyd for, during his life, with tharchbisshop of Yorke: chiefly to haue soche priuiledge that no Kyng of England ought euer to be crowned by any other Bisshop but oonly by the Bishops of Canterbury. Yea and in case he shuld be absent or fugitiue out of the Realme, the Kyng shuld neuer be coroned by any other, but constrayned to abide his retorne. These and soche other detestable and vnlawfull liberties of the Church, nothing concerning the common weale, but only the partie of the Clergie, the said
Thomas Becket most arrogantly desyred, and trayterouslye sewyd to haue, contrary to the law of this our Realme. To the which most false interpretacions and wrasting of our trewe meanyng, they haue ioyned such myscheuous lyes and false tales for markyng of catals, and like seditious devises; wherevpon owr people were lately stirred to sedition, and insurrection, to ther vtter ruyne and destruction; onles almighty God (who by his diuine prouidence gaue vnto vs habundance of force, as he alwaies dothe vnto rightfull Princes) had so with clemencie illumyned vs, that where as we with thedge of the swerde, and by our lawes might haue ouerthrowen and destroyed them, there wyues, children and posterite for euer, we neuerthelesse, as ye can right well remember, extended vpon them at that time, our benigne and mercifull pardon. These miserable and Papisticall superstitious wretches, nothing regarding the same, nor caring what danger and myschiefe our people shuld incurre, haue both raysed the said olde rumors, and forged new sedicious tales, intendyng, asmoche as in them lyeth, a new commotion, and all to satisfye there cankred harts. Wherfore and for the
[Page 88] imminent daunger to yow, and all our good subgiects, and the troble that might ensewe, onlesse good and ernest prouision to represse them, be taken thervpon; We desyre and pray yow, and neuerthelesse straytly charge and commaund yow, that within the Precinct and lymyts of yowr charge; ye shall not only endeuor your self, and employ your most diligence, to inquyre and fynd owt such cankerd Parsons, Vicars, and Curats, which doo not trewly and substancially declare our said Iniunctions, and the very worde of God, but momble confusely, seying that they be compelled to rede them; and bydd ther Parishens neuerthelesse to doo as they did in times past, to lyue as ther fathers, and that the olde fashion is the best, and other crafty sedicious parables. But also with your most effectuall vigilancy, doo enserche and trie owt such sedicious tale tellers, and spreders abrode of suche brutes, tydings, and rumors, touching vs in honor, or suretie of the state of our Realme, or any matacion of the lawes or customes therof▪ or any other thing which might cause any sedicion. And the same with ther setters forthe, maintenors, counsaylors, and fautors with all dilygence to apprehend, and commytt to warde and prison without bayle or maynprise, till vpon euidence to be geuen against them, at tharriuall of our Iustices in that cuntrey, or otherwise vpon yowr advertisement to vs, or our Counsaill to be geuen, and our further pleaser knowen, they may be punyshed for their seditious demerites, accordyng to the law: to the fearfull example of all other. Imploying and endeuoring yowr selfes therunto so ernestly and with soche dexterite, as we may haue cause to thinke that ye be the men, which aboue all things desyre the punyshment of evill doers and offendors. And will lett for no trauaile, to sett forthe all things for the commen peace, quiet, and tranquillite of this our Realme. And like as the daunger is imminent no lesse to your self and your neighbours then to other; so ye of yowr owne mynd shuld procure and see with celerite our Iniunctions, lawes, and Proclamations, aswell touching the Sacramentaries, and Anabaptists, as other to be sett forthe to the good instruction and conservacion of our people, and to the confusion of those which wold so craftely vndermine our common welth, and at the last destroye bothe yow and all other our louing subgiects, although we shuld geue vnto yow no such admonicion. Therfore faile ye not to follow the
[...]ffect, admonicion, and commaundement both in our said letters, and in these presents conteyned, and to communicate the hole tenor of these our letters, with soche Iustices of our Peace, your neighbors and other in that shire, and to geue vnto them the trewe copye thereof: exhorting them, like as by these presents we desyre, and pray them, and neuerthelesse straytly charge and commaund them, and euery of them, that they will shew their diligence, towardnes, and good inclinacion to ioyne with you and other of your sorte, And that euery of yow for his own parte see the same put in execucion accordingly, as ye and they tendre our pleasur, and will deserue our condigne thankes. Y euen vndre our Signet at our Manor of Hampton Corte the day of December.
CHAP. XIIII. Of the policie vsed by King
Henry the eighth, and his Councell, in the expelling of the Popes authoritie out of his Dominions.
THus you haue seene the abrogation and extinguishment of the Popes vsurped authoritie here in England, & the establishment of that power in the Crowne imperiall, which was not rashly attempted by his Maiestie; but vndertaken vpon mature deliberation, and proceeded in, by the aduise, consultation, and iudgement of the most great and famous Clerkes in Christendome: amongst which number, was that pure Orator and learned diuine
Philip Melanchton; whose presence here in England (after his opinion) the king much desired; as by this letter following, sent to Secretarie
Cromwell from the Duke of Norfolke, and Viscount Rocheford appeareth.
Master Secretary after our most harty commendacions,
[...] ye shall vnderstand that hauing receyued the letters sent vnto yow from Sir
Iohn Wallop, and shewed the same vnto the Kings Maiestie, his pleasure therevpon was that we should dispatch these owr letters incontynently vnto youe concernyng thaccomplishment and doing of these things ensuing. First, his graces pleasure is that youe shall immediatly vpon the receipt hereof, dispatch
Barnes in Post with
Deryk in his company into Germany, commanding him to vse such diligence in his iournay, that he may, and it be possible, mete with
Melanchton, before his arryuall in France, and in case he shall so mete with him, not onely to disuade his going thither, declaring how extremely the French king doth persecute all those that will not grant vnto the Bishop of Romes vsurped power, and iurisdiction; vsyng in this parte all persuasions, reasons, and meanes that he canne deuise, to empeach, and let his said iornay thither, layeng vnto him how moche it shuld be to his shame, and reproche, to vary and goo nowe from that true opinnion wherein he hath so long continued. But also on thother side to persuade him all that he may to conuert his said iournay hither, shewing aswell the conformity of his opinnion and doctrine here, as the nobilitie and vertues of the Kings Maiestie, with the good entretaynement which no doubt he shall haue here at his grace hand. And if percase the said
Barnes shall not meet
[...] with him before his arriuall in France; thenne the said
Barnes proceding himselfe forth in his Iournay towards the Prynces of Germany, shall with all diligence returne in post to the Kings highness the said
Derik, with the advertisement of the certainty of
Melanchtons commyng into France, and such other occurrants as he shall then knowe. And if the said
Derik be not now redy to go with him, the Kings pleasure is, you shall in his stede appoint and sende suche onn other with the said
Barnes, as you shall thinke mete for that purpose.
And when the said
Barnes shall arriue with the said Princes of Germany, the Kings pleasure is, he shall on his grace behaulfe aswell persuade
[Page 90] them to persist and continue in their former good opinion concerning the denyall of the Bishop of Romes vsurped authoritie, declaring their owne honor, reputacion, and surety to depend thereon, and that they nowe may better mayntain their said iust opinion therein then euer they might, having the kings Maiestie, oon of the moost noble and puissant Princes of the world, of like opinion and iudgement with them, who, having proceeded therein by great aduise, deliberacion, consultacion, and iudgement of the most parte of the greate and famous Clerkes in Christendome, will in no wise relent, vary, or alter in that behalfe, as the said
Barnes may declare and shew vnto them, by a booke made by the Deane of the Chappell, and as many of the Bishops Sermons as ye haue, whiche booke ye shall receyue herwith, the copies wherof, and of the said Sermons, ye must deliuer vnto the said
Barnes at his departure, for his better remembrance and instruction. To whom also his graces pleasure is, ye shall shew as moche of Sir
Iohn Wallops letter which we send you also again, as ye shall see drawne and merkt with a penne in the mergent of the same. As also exhorte and moue them in any wise to beware howe they commyt any of their affayres to thorder, direction, or determinacion of the French King, consideryng he and his counsail be altogether Papist, and addict and bent to the mayntenance and confirmacion of the Bishop of Romes pretended authoritie. Furthermore the Kings pleasure is, ye shall vpon the receipt herof immediatly cause Master
Haynes and
Christofer Mount in post to repaire into France to Sir
Iohn Wallop, in as secrete maner as they canne, as cummyng like his friends to visite him, and not as sent by the King. And in case they shall by him or otherwise lerne and knowe that
Melanchton is there arryued, then his grace wold that the said
Haynes and
Mount shall, in such sort as they be not moche noted, resorte vnto him, and for the disuading of his continuance there, or alteration of his opinion, and alluring of him hither, to vse suche reasons and persuasions as be before written, with suche other as they can further deuise for that purpose. To the which
Haynes and
Mount the Kings pleasure is, ye shall deliuer like copies of the said Deanes booke, and Bishops Sermons to be shewed vnto the said
Melanchton, or otherwise vsed, as may be most expedient for thachyeuement of the Kings purpose in that behaulfe.
Ye shall also vnderstande that the kings pleasure is, ye shall write to Sir
Iohn Wallop, and send vnto him therwith like copies; willing him in case he shall haue certain knowledge that tharticles be true written in these his letters concernyng the French Kings sending into Germany, for the continuance of the Bishop of Romes pretended supremacie, to repaire with the said copies to the French King, and not only to set the same furth with such reasons as he can deuise in that part, shewing how moche it shalbe against his honour, both to geue himselfe subiect to the said Bishop, and moue other to doo the semblable, but also to declare vnto him, that the Kings highnes remembring his old frendly promises concernyng the mayntenance of his cause, and of his procedyngs touching the same, cannot thinke it a litle strange that the said French King (seing his Maiestie hath in his doings touching the said Bishop of Rome, moued neyther his nor any Princes subiects) will m
[...]ue and styr the Germayns to condescende vpon a
[Page 91] contrary opinion, both to themselfs, and to his grace in this behalfe; And that his Maiestie must nedes thinke this Amytie moche touched in that he shuld moue any state or cuntrie to doo that thing, whiche is so moche against the Kings highnes and his owne promes, vsing all the waies to disuade him from the dishonorable obedience of the said Bishops See, mouing him to inclyne to the Kings iust opinion touching the same.
Finally the Kings pleasure is, ye shall write an other letter to the Bishop of Aberden, signifying that the Kings Maiestie taketh it very vnkindly that the King his Nephieu wold now embrace without his aduise or counsail, being his derest frend and Vncle, and now in liege and Amytie with him, the mariage of
Mounsieur de vandous daughter, wherevnto he wold geue non eare at his graces ouerture hertofore made of the same. In your seid letter imputing a great negligence therein to the said Bishop and other of his Masters counsail, seing their Master sheweth not in the doing therof suche amytie towards the Kings highnes, as the frendship betwene them doth require. And to make an end, his grace will in no wise that
Barnes of
Haynes shall tarry for any further instruction of the Bishop of Canterbury, or any other, his grace hauing determyned to sende the same after by Master
Almoner and
Heth: but that he, Master
Haynes, and
Mount shal with all possible diligence departe immediatly in post without lenger tarying thenne for this their depeche shal be necessary, soo as their abode empeche not the Kings purpose touching the said
Melanchton. And thus fare youe most hartly well.
From Langley in moche hast
this Monday at iiii of the clocke at after none.
Your louyng Frends,
T. Norffolk.
George Roc
[...]ford.
Also, before the beginning of that Parliament wherin the Popes supreme authoritie here in England was abolished, these remarkable Inductions following were set downe, and commanded by the King and his Councell to be suddenly put in execution.
First, to send for all the Bishops of this realme, and speciallie for suche as be nerest to the Courte,
Out of the said Mss. in
bib. Cot. and to examine them a parte, whether they by the law of God can proue and iustifie, that he that now is called the Pope of Rome is aboue the generall Counsaile, or the generall Counsail aboue him; Or whether he hath gyuen vnto him by the law of God any more auctority within the realme, then any other foreyn Bishop.
Item, to deuise with all the Bishoppes of this realme, to set furth, preach, and cause to be preched to the Kings people, that the said Bishop of Rome called the Pope, is not in auctoryte aboue the generall Counsell, but the generall Counsell is aboue him and all Bishpos. And that he hathe not by Goddes law any more iurisdiction within this realme then an other forraine Bishop, being of any other realme hath. And that such auctority as he before this hath vsurped within this realme, is both against Gods law, and also against the generall Counsalles; Which vsurpation of auctoritie onely hath growen to him by the sufferance of Prynces of this realme, and by none auctority from God.
Item, therefore that order be taken for such as shall preach at
Paules[Page 92] Crosse from henceforth, shall continually from Sonday to Sonday preach there, and also teach and declare to the people, that hee that now calleth himselfe Pope, nether any of his Predecessours is and were but onely the Bishops of Rome, and hath no more authoritie and iurisdiction by Gods law within this realme, then any other forraine Bishop hath, which is nothing at all. And that such authoritie as hee hath claimed heretofore hath been onely by vsurpation and sufferance of Princes of this realme. And that the Bishop of London may bee bound to suffer none other to preach at
Paules Crosse, as hee will answer, but such as will preach and set forth the same.
Item, that all the Bishops within this realme bee bound and ordered in the same wise, and cause the same to bee preached throughout all their Diocesses.
Item, that a speciall practise be made, and a straight commandement giuen to all Prouincialls, Ministers, and rulers of all the foure Orders of Friers within this realme, commanding them to cause the same to be preached by all the Preachers of their religions, and through the whole realme.
Item, to practise with all the Friers Obseruants of this realme, and to command them to preach likewise; or else that they may be stayed, and no
[...] suffered to preach in no place of the realme.
Item, that euery Abbot, Prior, and other heads of religious houses within this realme, shall in like manner teach their Conuents and brethren, to teach and declare the same.
Item, that euery Bishop shall make speciall commandements to euerie Parson, Vicar, and Curate within his Diocesse to preach and declare to his Parishoners in likewise.
Item, Proclamations to be made throughout the realme containing the whole Act of Appeales; And that the same Act may bee impressed, transumed, and set vp on euery Church doore in England, to the intent that no Parson, Vicar, Curate, nor any other of the Kings subiects shall make themselues ignorant thereof.
Item, the Kings prouocations and appellations made from the Bishop of Rome vnto the generall Councell, may also be transumed, impressed, published and set vp on euery Church-doore in England, to the intent that if any censures should be fulminate against the king or his realme, that then it may appeare to all the world, that the censures be of none effect, considering that the king hath already, and also before any censures promulged, both prouoked and appealed.
Item, like transumpts to bee made, and sent into all other realmes and dominions, and specially into Flanders, concerning the kings said prouocations and appellations, to the intent falsehood, iniquitie, malice, and iniustice of the Bishop of Rome may thereby appeare to all the world. And also to the intent that all the world may know that the Kings highnes standing vnder those appeales, no censures can preuaile, neither take any effect against him and his realme.
This could not well be done before the Parliament.Item, a letter to be conceiued from all the Nobles, as well Spirituall as Temporall of this Realme, vnto the Bishop of Rome, declaring the wrongs iniuries, and vsurpations vsed against the kings highnes and this realme.
[Page 92]Item, to send exploratours and espies into Scotland, and to see and perceiue their practises, and what they intend there; And whether they will confederate themselues with any other outward Princes.
Item, to send letters for that purpose to the Earle of Northumberland, my Lord
Daves, and Sir
Thomas Clyfford.
Item, certaine discreete and graue persons to bee appointed, to repaire into the parts of Germany, to practise and conclude some lege or amitie with the Princes and Potentates of Germany, that is to say, the King of Pole,
Iohn of Hungary, the Duke of Saxony, the Duke of Bauyere, Duke
Fredericke, the Landegraue Van Hesse, the Bishop of Magous, Bishop of Treuers, the Bishop of Collene, and other the Potentates of Germany, and also to ensearch of what inclination the said Princes and Potentates be of towards the King and this realme.
Item, like practise to be made and practised with the Cities of Lubeke, Danske, Hambourgh, Bromeswicke, and all other the steads of the Haunse Tu
[...]onyk; and to ensearch of what inclination they bee towards the King and this realme.
Item, like practise to be made and practised with the Cities of Norimbourgh, and Aughsbrough.
Item, to remember the Merchants aduenturers, haunting the dominions of Braband, and to speake with them.
Item, to set order and establishment of the Princes Dowagers house, with all celeritie, and also of my Lady
Maryes house.
To these (or some of these) purposes, the King dispatched messengers to all his Embassadours and Agents beyond seas, hauing before that sent the Duke of Norfolke, Viscount
Rocheford, Sir
William Pawlet (afterwards Marquesse of Winchester) and others, to the Pope, the Emperour, and the French King, being all three together at Nice. He also caused his Secretarie to write in this manner to
Iames the fifth, King of Scotland.
Moste excellent,
In predict.
[...] bib. Cot. myghtye and victorious Prynce, Ple
[...]s
[...]th your Magestie that by the commaundment of my most dread Lord and Soueraigne Kyng of England, your graces moste dere Vncle, I haue in charge, vndre commyssion, certeyn specyall maters concernyng his highnes pleasure, secreatly to be signyfyed vnto your grace, wherein not only as a naturall Cousyne of your royall consanguinity; but as a moste loueing Father entierly tendryng your worthye honor, no lesse desirous hereof, then regardyng his owne peculyer prosperyte, vnfaynedly accomptyng your graces aduancement his moste conformable consolacion. In consideracyon whereof sith it hath so pleasyd God of his infynyte fauour to revele vnto his highnes as well by studyous endeuor of good letters, as by erudyte consultacyon of famous estemyde Clerke; Also by long attempted experience, ensearchyng truyth chyeflye in Christs doctryne, who, saith
Iohn the fourteenth,
Ego sum veritas: now clerely to perceive the thrall, captyvyte, vndre the vsurpyd power of the Busshop of Rome, and his vngodly lawes. Wherein his highnes and other many of his noble progenitors were moste wyckedly abusyde, to their intollerable calamity; and excedyng molestacion of their Subiects, ouer whom God had yeuon them auctoryte and gouernaunce to rule, as by all storyes of the olde testament, and informacyon of the new
[Page 94] playnely apperith. Which groundly knowen to his highnes, wisshith lykewise, the same to be persuadyd vnto your grace; wherby your honorable renoune and royall auctoryte shuld be moche enlargyd, with no lesse felycitye of soule, pryncipally to be regardyd, then with aboundant comoditie of riches, and vnfayned obeysaunce of faythfull Subiects, ferr from the comeberous calamyte of the Popysshe myserable molestacyon. What more intollerable calamyte may ther be to a Christian Prynce, than vniustlye to be defeatyd of his righteous iurisdiction within his realme? to be a King by name, and not indede, to be a ruler without regyment ouer his owne liege people? what more greuous molestacion can chaunce to true harted Subiects, than to be seuer
[...]d from the alliegiaunce due to their naturall Soueraigne, ther annoyntyd King grauntyd by Gods lawes, and to become servile slaues to a foreyn Potentat, vsurpyng to reigne ouer them agaynste the lawe of God? as by the violent tyrannye of the Bushop of Rome hathe many yeres hitherto bene practysed throughout all regions, to the ruynous desolacyon of the hole Christentie? what Realme is ther but that the Bus
[...]shop of Rome hath planted therein his kingdome? and established his regiment after soche a subtiell way, that he and his cra
[...]tye creatures were obeyd of Prynces, to whome of dutye they ought to haue bene subiect: 1.
Pet. 2.
siue Regi tanquam praecellenti, &c. of whome all Romayn Busshops haue presumyd to be successors, but not folowers, contrarye to his example,
Qui non venit ministrari, sed ministrare. In all Realmes the Popisshe practise hath had soche confederacye of false forsworne factious and trayterous
Taleb
[...]rers. Titinylks vntrue to ther Soueraigne, that nothyng was so secreatly in counsaill of any Prynce, but forthwith it was caried by relacion to the Popes care. And if ought were attemptyd agaynste his owne person, or any crookyd creature of his creation, in restraynyng of ther extortionate claymes (as ther was nothyng but they claymed to haue auctoryte vpon) incontynent they bouncyd out their thunderbolts, and currsyng fulminations, with soche intollerable force of vnmercyfull crudelyte, that they made the greatiste personages of the world to trymble and quake for feare. For by the negligente soufferaunce of Prynces, thrughe d
[...]faute of knowlege of Goddes worde the Popisshe pride was so haught, his auctoryte so preemynent, his power so puisaunte, his strengthe so myghtye, his displeasure so daungerous, his Tyrrannye so terrible; that scarse any durst resiste; to coutrevaill none was able. Example of many excellente Prynces; as
Iohn the furst, and
Henry the second of gracyous memory, Kings of England, here in their liffe times moste cruelly vexyd, and after there disseas, by forged leasyngs, and slaunderous ympechements mysreportyd, and faulselye belied, with dispitfull dishonor of ther excellent progenye. After like fasshion the victorious Emperor
Lodovicus enterprysing to interrupte the pestilente peruersyte of Pope
Iohn the two and twentieth, to what carefull confusion was he brought? Moreouer the godly and well disposed
Henry the third, Emperour of Allmayn, how traytterouslye was he betrayed by Pope
Hildebrande, procuryng his owne son vnnaturally to war agaynst his Father, to take him prisoner, and fynally to depose him of his Empereall crowne? Furthermore, what Christian hart can refrayn from sorrofull sighes, and morening lamentation to considre how the Innocent and harmles
[Page 95] Prynce
Childevicus King of France, was extremely handelyd of his owne servant
Pepyne, beryved of his Kyngdome through the instigacion of the Busshop of Rome. And no marvaill though he ha
[...] thus encroched vpon Prynces, being men; wheras he hath exalted hymself agaynst God, thrustyng him out of his roome, and setlyng hymself in Gods place, the conscience of Christian people, of whose vsurped power, S.
Paul prophecyeng,
Thessall. 2. chap. 2. callyth him the sinfull man, the sonn of perdicion,
qui est aduersarius & effertur adversus omne quod dicitur Deus, adeo vt in templo Dei sedeat. Doth not he sytt in the temple of God, by dampnable dispensacions, by dysceyvable remyssions, by lyenge myrracles, by fayned reliques, by false religion, &c. And as he hath avoyded God out of the conscyence of Christian people, so hath he defeated Prynces of ther iurisdictions, and debarred euery commen weale from ther politick gouernaunce, bringyng in his lawlesse Canons, and detestable decrees, supplantyng the devyne ordynaunce of power yeuen to Pryncely rulers. And the cause why they haue bene so decey
[...]ed, S.
Paul declaryth,
Eo quod dilectionem veritatis non acceperunt. This legally consideryd of your moste prudent, singuler, and high politike discretion, aswell by probable experience within your Domynyons, as by euident examples of other Christian regions, wher the Popisshe vnruly regiment hath raigned with intollerable vsurpacion, tyrannouslye defacing all power of Prynces.
It may please your gracious benygnytie to aduertice the entier intent, the louyng mynd, and vnfayned hart of my Soueraigne, your most dere vncle, so fervently moued with a faithfull loue, vnable to be expressed, to allure your graces affection toward the fauourable embracement of Gods worde; wherein, his highnes onlye reioysinge, ardently desyreth to imparte the same, his speciall ioye, with your most excellent grace, which shuld be greatly thadvauncement of your estate royall, the quietacion of your louing Subiects, and most highlie the pleasure of God.
Now to make the Pope more odious, his Kinglie power, and deliberate proceedings in these his weightie causes of greater validitie, and more warrantable, as well by the lawes of God, as generall Councells; he caused to be pend, and published abroad, here, and beyond seas, to the same effect in these words.
If mortall creatures to theyr hedds,
Ex eod. M
[...]ss. in bib. Cot. soueraignes, and naturell Princes, be cheeflye bounde next vnto God, specially where they as moste carefull fathers and Tutors, prudently and sagely rule and gouern the great numbers and multitudes of men, commytted to theyr obedyence; And where they in their royall persons often forgetting the regard of theyr Princely magesties, valyantly withstand, abyde and resist, whatsoeuer troubles, daungers, perells, assawts, wrongs, iniuryes, or displeasures myght at any tyme happen, chaunce, threten, or be incident vnto theyr people, or countries, besyds many and innumerable other displeasures and troubles, which dailie and heurely for the defence mayntenaunce and supportacion of theyr realmes, people and cuntryes, secretly happen, and chaunce them, theyr people seldome, or at no time pryvey thervnto; wherby of good congruence, all Subiects become most bounden to theyr soueraignes and Prynces, and them ought most feithfully to loue, honour, obeye, serue and dreade,
[Page 96] and theyr magesties to mayntayn, support, and defend with all theyr powre, myghte, strength, and habilitie. Then let no Englyssheman forgett the most noble and louyng Prynce of this realme, who for the godly ensample of his people, the loue and dread he hath to God, and obseruance of his most reuerend lawes, hathe to the evydent knowlege of all his welbelouyd Subiects long endured and abyden, to his inestimable coste, charge, trouble, vexation, and inquye
[...]nes,
Which was the diu
[...]rce betwixt him and his wife
Katherine. the triall of his great cause: And at last after innumerable most famous learned mens iudgements on his syde therin gyuen. Yet for all that most wrongfully iudged by the great Idoll and most cruell enymye to Christs law and his religion, which calleth himselfe Pope, And his most iust and lawfull prouocacion and appellacion from the sayd enemye of Christs law to the generall counsail made, also refused, denyed, and forsaken; Wherfore and to thintente all men may know the abhominable wrongs, which our most noble and gracious Prynce doth susteyne by so vnlawfull intreatyngs, Therfore are these few articles hereafter following presented vnto those, that shall both desyre to knowe the truth, and in truth shall thyrste and couet feythfully to assyst, maynteyn, supporte, defende, and stand by theyr Prynce and Souerayn, in his most iust, lawfull, and right wise cause.
First that the generall Counsail lawfully gathered is and ought to be superiour to all Iurisdictions, either vsurped and suffred (as the Papall) or iustly holden as kings in all matters concernyng the feythe and direction of the whole Churche of Christe. And also ought to be iudged thereby, and by the decrees of the same only, and by none other, they being consonant to the law of Christe.
Secondly, that Prynces have two wayes principally; when none other can prevayle to attaine right thone against thother; that is to say, in cawses concernyng the sowle beyng mere spirituell, appellacion to the generall counsail In temporall cawses the sword only, except by mediation of frends the matters may be compounded; So that whosoeuer wolde go about to take away these naturell defenses from Prynces, is to be manly withstood, both by the Princes and their Subiects. And therto all Christien men shuld be anymated by the words of our Lord Iesu Christe, which are, Obey ye Prynces aboue all; and then theyr deputyes or mynysters, not gevyng powre to forreyns wythin theyr rules and domynyons.
Thirdly, that dyuers generall Counsaills haue determyned, that cawses of strife or controuersie beyng ones begonne in any Regyon, shall there, and in the sayd Regyon be finally determyned, and not elsewhere. Vpon which grounde the Kings highnes, his nobles, both spirituell and temporall, and Commons by one hole consent, vpon diuers most prudent, wyse, and polytike reasons, and weyghty consideracions, agreable to the seyd generall Counsaills, haue made a Law, by the which good people, lyving within the lymets of true and lawfull matrymonye, shall not by malice or evill will be so long deteyned and interrupted from their ryght, as in tymes passyd they haue byn. Neither vnlawfull matrymonye shall haue his iniust and incestuous demoure and contynuance, as by delayes to Rome it was wont to haue; Which now may evydently appere, by that, that our Prynces weyghtye and long protracted cause of matrymonye hath his
[Page 97] finall and prosperous end, accordyng to the lawes of God, with briefe successe of Issue alredy had, and other like to follow, lawdes be to God, thonly werker of the same.
Forthely, that our sayd Prynce and Soueraigne, accordyng to the libertie and lawes of Nature, and constitucions of generall Counsaills (as afore) hath both prouoked and appeled from the most iniust and vnlawfull sentence wrongfully geuen against him, by the Bushop of Rome, to the generall Counsaill next ensying, and lawfully congregate, that is to say, from the sentence of the vsurper of Goddes lawes, and infringer of generall Counsells, which callyth himselfe Pope. In the which our sayd Prynces doyings, all iust and true Christien men, specyally his most louyng Subiects I doubt not will supporte and maynteyne him: Which prouocacions and appellacions also standyng in force, and beyng intimate to the person of the said Vsurper (as indede they be) and by him denyde and refused, sequestreth him rightfully from all maner of Processes belongyng, or in any wyse apperteynyng to the sayd fact or matter; other Diabolike acts and statuts by some of his predecessors to the contrary made notwithstandyng. Wherfore what censures, interdictions, or other his cursed invencions so euer they be, fulminate or set forthe by the sayd vsurper, the same ought not only to be abhorred and despysed, but manfully to be withstood and defended. And who so doen shall haue for theyr bukler the latter and better parte of this verse ensuyng, and the maligners the forparte, which is,
Quoniam qui malignant exterminabuntur, sustinentes autem Domini ipsi heredita
[...]unt terram.
Fyftely, that where indede by holy Scripture and Christs lawe, there is none authoryte nor Iurisdiction graunted more to the Bushop of Rome, then to any other Bushop,
extra Prouinciam, yet because that sufferaunce of people, and blyndnes of Prynces with theyr supportacion hetherto hath susteyned the same, doyng themselffs thereby to great iniurye and wrong; It is now thought therfore not only conuenyent, but also moche more then necessarye, to open the same vnto the people, to thyntent they shulde from henceforth no longer be disteyned in honouryng him as an Idoll; which is but a man vsurpyng Goddes powre and auctoryte: And a man neither in life, learnyng, or conuersacion like Christs minister or disciple: yea a man also (though the See Apostolike were neuer of so high auctoryte) vnworthy and vnlawfull by theyr owen decrees and lawes to occupye and enioy that vsurped place. For first he is both base, and also come to that dygnytie by Symonye. And now by denying the Kings lawfull prouocacion and appele, and in supportyng that Diabolike decree of his predecessor
Pius, is determyned by a generall Counsaill a very Heretike. Wherfor all true Christien people (except he amend) ought to despise both him and all his facts, and be no lenger blynded by him; but geue themselffs entierly to the obseruaunce of Christes lawes, in which is all swetenes and truthe; and in the other nothing else but pompe, pride, ambycion, and wayes to make himselfe riche: which is moche contrarious to theyr profession. Our Lord amend them.
Likewise such was the wisedome of the King and his Councell, that the best schollers of the kingdome, as well verst in historie humane, as in the
[Page 98] storie of sacred Writ, were appointed to collect out of holy Scripture, Catholike Authours, and generall Councells, such materiall points, as might annihilate the Popes power and authoritie, confirme his Maiesties Supremacy; and delineate and set forth the manifold abuses found to be practised by the Popish Clergie. Which they diuided into certaine membranes, containing these heads following.
Ex eod. M
[...]ss. in bib. Co
[...]t.
Regia institutio, officium, & potestas ex veteri testamento.
Regia institutio, officium, & potestas ex nouo testamento, Item ex authoribus Catholicis.
In clerum Regia Potestas.
Regia Potestas in Ecclesiam seu Concilium.
Regia potestas in personas Ecclesiasticas.
Regia potestas in res Ecclesiasticas.
Regi Anglie legem petenti iubet S. Pontifex, vt relictis Romanorum legibus, lege Dei se ac populum Dei rogat.
Regis Anglie officium & potestas.
Regis Anglie in Concilium, in personas, & res Ecclesiasticas, potestas.
Regis Anglie in Gualliam, Hiberniam, & Scotiam ditio.
Regis Anglie in summum pontificem liberalitas.
Regia in Investiendis Episcopis potestas.
Regum Anglie in Investiendis Episcopis authoritas.
Episcoporum Iusiurandum duplex.
Concilij potestas & pontificis.
Regia & ecclesiastica potestas simul, tam quoad personas qaum res, seu gladij duo.
Regia & Ecclesiastica potestas simul seu gladij duo in Anglia tam quoad personas quam res.
Episcopale officium & Sacerdotale.
Episcopi vel sacerdotis potestas.
Terrenarum, temporalium, vel secularium rerum fuga Ecclesiasticis prescripta: Dominium, imperium, potentia terrena Ecclesiasticorum.
Iudicia, leges, Negotia Ecclesiasticorum.
Predia, possessiones Ecclesias.
Bona Ecclesiastica cur & à quibus donata.
Bonorum Ecclesiasticorum per auaritiam vel ambitum effrenis cupido:
Bona Ecclesiastica cur queruntur.
Honores & bona ecclesiastica quibus acquirantur artibus.
Bonorum Ecclesiasticorum vsus et ad quos ea pertineant.
Abu sus bonorum Ecclesiasticorum per auaritiam, luxum, fastum in victu, veste, Suppellectile domestica, edificijs, nobilitando genere, per libiainem, perque otium, se
[...] fugam laboris.
Pontificis potestas in electionibus et confirmationibus Episcoporum.
Excomunicandi potestas.
Onera et iuiurie Apostolice sedis, vel dominium Romane sedis.
Onera à Romana sede Anglis imposita.
Annatarum origo.
Annate ex Anglia.
Anglorum de non soluendis Annatis decretum.
Angli in Comitijs se perlamento Annatarum solucionem damnant.
De Annatis & similibus ex Concilio Constan.
De Annatis ex Concilio Basilien.
De Annatis ex glossa pragmatice sanctionis.
Bulla Nicolai Pape de approbatione Consilij Basilien.
Concilij Basiliensis confirmatio ex Panormitano.
Annatas Romane sedi denegare sidei Christiane non repugnas.
Romanorum mores ex ijsdem authoribus.
Metropolitani legati priuilegium.
Ne Aclor reum extra Diocesim vocet.
Iudicia peregrina vel Primatis iurisdictio. Vel Iurisdictio Prouincialis.
Iudicia peregrina vel Iurisdicto Primatis in Anglia.
Primatis vel Patriarche ius.
Legati ius.
Cantuariensis Iurisdictio. Contra prouisiones Papales.
Canones Patrum quando et quo pacto primo in Anglia recepti sunt.
Fundatio Monasterij Sancti Albani.
These Heads or Chapters are all succinctly handled, glossed vpon, and illustrated by diuers examples, which are too long (though perhaps they would not seeme tedious) for this my present discourse; I will onely then insist vpon the last, the foundation I meane of Saint
Albans, by
Ossa King of the Mercians; for that by this Donation, the Supremacie of Kings is very apparent; and also that once for all I may by this one, shew my Reader the forme of all those Cartularies, by which such deuout Saxon Princes endowed their sacred Structures.
Fundatio Monasterij Sancti Albani vbi & Regia potestas apparet.
REgnante imperpetuum Deo & Domino nostro Iesu Christo, licet per totum mundum beatorum Marty
[...]um qui suum in Christo sanguinem fuderunt merita diuine laudis exultatione celebranda sint;
The foundacion of S. Albans Abbey. Eorumque Dei auxilio exempla gloriosa consequenda; precipue tamen nobis beatissimi Albani qui sub hac Britannie Insula gloriosus Martyrio effulsit: memoria pia semper intentione et sedula sollicitudine obseruanda est. Vnde ego offa gratia Dei Rex Merciorum cum filio meo Egfrido, pro amore omnipotentis Dei & huius Sancti intercessione terram XXX. manentium in locis quorum subinferuntur nomina Domino meo Iesu Christo ad Ecclesiam sancti Albani, vbi ipse Tyro primus in passione victima effectus est iure perpetuo perdonabo.
[Page 100] Eoque deleclabilius hanc donationem perficio, quia superna protectio tam nobilem temporibus nostris thesaurum qui diu fuit clausus, et huius terre indigenis abditus, reuelare dignata est. Hec itaque supradictarum vocabula terrarum. Et Wineslawe XII. manentium cum terminis suis. Et Stelsdune sine B
[...]ldinistotum trium Manentium, quorum scilicet trium manentium termini sunt hij. Suanaburna. Heortmere. Stretreolab. Item vero X. Manentium vbi dicitur Senecaulilan vel Feutun, cum sylua que cognominatur Lioropuda cum terminis suis. Et Lystune V. Manentium: quam videlicet terram Albumundus Abbas expeditionem subterfugiens mihi reconciliacionis gracia dabat. Et quia ipse Martyr almifluus caput et exemplum Christianitatis omnis Britannie indubitanter habetur: dignum est vt locus in quo sanctum corpus eius requiescit, et ab omni populo veneratur, speciali qua
[...]dam et singulari priuilegij libertate per nos honoretur. Hoc igitur con
[...]us Episcopis et Abbatibus, Ducibus et Principibus meis sub inuo
[...]a
[...]ione sancle Trinitatis & indiuidue Vnitatis donando precipio, vt Ecclesia
[...]ancti Albani omnisque possessio nunc et in futuris temporibus illi subdita. s
[...]mper sit libera et quieta ab omni tributo et necessitate seu Regis, seu Episcopi, ducis, indicis et exactorum et operum que iudici solent, neque emendatione Pontium, neque fossam adversum immicos faciendam, totum omne prefatur terre stipendium, et exactio ad supradicti martyris tumbam insolubiliter persoluatur. Statuo etiam, et cum fidelium meorum assensi
[...] confirmo, vt Episcopi vel eorum Ministrinudam aliquatenus super ipsam Ecclesiam vel super perochiales Ecclesias eidem quibuscunque temporibus subiacentes nisi tantummodo cum advocati fuerint, dedicandi, vel in Paschali solennitate sanctum Chrisma et oleum ex more tribuendi potestatem habeant.
[...]ec earum Presbiteros ad Sinodum suam, vel capitulum conuocare vel ab officio diuino suspendere, seu aliquod in eos, vel minimum ius exercere presumant. Sed omnia quecunque Ecclesie sancte fuerint Abbatis solummodo
[...]usdem Monasterij potestati tractanda libere subiaceant. De censu quoque singulis annis per vniuersam Britanniam colligendo et sacre Romane Ecclesie pro slabilitate Regni nostri et salute communi transmittendo decernimus, vt quantum in terra sancti Martyris peruenerit, ab hijs quibus iniunctum fuerit ab Abbate vndecunque collectum nullatenus alias asportetur, sed aliari sancti Albani fideliter oblatum ad vtilitatem eiusdem Eccles
[...]e secundum quod Abbas decreuerit inviolabiliter expendatur. Esi forte quis intra eiusdem Ecclesie protestatem aut exitum cum Episcopo seu Abbate inveniatur bello surto vel fornicacione, aut alio quolibet simili reatu astrictus, semper
[...]a pars pene et emendacionis que Regi Episcopo committi debetur, ad beati Albani Monasterium inviolato semper federe reddatur. Credo enim et vera
[...]iter consido quod hec munificentia non solum mihi meisque sed etiam vniuersis Anglorum populis summopere prodesse uult. Quia pro eius amore ille miles intrepidus meruit coronari qui totius mundi pericula passus est suo sanguine expiare. Si autem quod absit vspiam quis laruarico attactus instinctu m
[...]nte subdola hec machinatus fuerit annullare, vel quippiam in penis quod consti
[...]uimus transuertere, sua pro audacia à cetu in hac vita anathematizetur fidelium, et in tremendo Dei examine astantibus celorum agminibus hominum
(que) turmis, nec non et horrendis herebi vermulis palam cunctis damxetur cum hedis Auerni cruciamenta sine fine lucturus, ni ante obitum condigne emendauerit.
[Page 101]Hec sunt nomina qui hanc donationem meam consentientes signo crucis Christi confirmauerunt.
✚ Ego offa Rex huic donationi mee signum crucis impono.
✚ Ego Higberht Archiepiscopus consensi & subscripst.
✚ Ego Ceelnulf Episcopus consensi.
✚ Ego Hethered Episcopus consensi.
✚ Ego Vmmona Episcopus consensi.
✚ Signum manus Alhmundi Abbatis.
✚ Signum Beonnon Abbatis.
✚ Signum Yigmundi Abbatis.
✚ Signum Brordon Patricij.
✚ Signum Bynman Principis.
✚ Signum Esnuini Ducis.
✚ Signum Alhumundi Ducis.
✚ Signum Yighberti Ducis.
✚ Signum Athelmundi Ducis.
✚ Signum Radgari Ducis:
✚ Signum Heardberhti Ducis.
✚ Signum Althmundi Ducis.
✚ Signum Cuthberti Ducis.
✚ Signum Radbirhti Ducis.
✚ Signum Vulpheardi Ducis.
Perscripta est autem huius donationis cartula Anno Dominice incarnationu D.CC.XC.V. & Regni Regis Offani XXXV. Indictione V. sub. IIII. Nonas Mai
[...]s in loco qui dicitur & Beoranporda.
It was generally conceiued (and truly as I thinke) that these politike wayes for the taking away from the Pope his vnlimited authoritie here in England, as also in the suppression of religious houses (of which in the next Chapter) were principally deuised by Secretarie
Cromwell, afterwards Earle of Essex, which may appeare both by the premises and sequele of this my discourse, as also by the intimation of
Nicholas Shaxton Bishop of Sarum, in a letter sent vnto him the said
Cromwell, thus worded.
Honorable syr
I certifie your good mastership that I haue this daye receyued the Kyng his most honorable letters sent vnto me from you by my servant,
Ex eod. lib. in bib. Cottoniana. And reioyse nott a litle that itt hath pleased his highnes to write so ernestly vnto the Bishopps in this so ernest a cause, thynkyng suyrly that God hath vsed your wisdom to stire vp the good Prynce herevnto, whereof I heighli thanke the almighti Lord; preyeng you also to goo on still from one thyng to another, as your wisdom, yea Gods veray wisdom in you exciteth and serueth you, till the vsurped poure of that man of Rome be clene
[Page 103] abolished; and put out of the hartes of the kyngs subiects. And I shall with all my diligence applie my self to thaccomplishment of this his so godly commandement by Goddes grace. And for as moche as I haue taken my leue of the Kyng and Quene, and tarry for noothing now but only for the instrument called
Custodias temporalium. I eftsones beseche your mastirship to haue that in your remembraunce whan ye shall next repaire vnto the Court, together with a discharge for takyng of any othe of the residentiaries of
Sarum, which suyrly they will exact of me, oneles I bryng some thyng outher from the Kyng his highnes, or elles from you his chefe Counsellor for to stopp their mouthes. And as for seallyng of new obligacions if itt like you to commande your servaunt to send me them to morow by this brynger, I shall seale them and send them to you, without any tariaunce, by the grace of God: who preserue you and prosper you in all your godly purposes and interprises.
Murtelack
the iiii daye of Iuin.
Yorn owne to comaunde
Nic. Sarum.
But howsoeuer the honour of this act, as also of the dissolution of Abbeys be principally attributed to
Cromwell and his complotments; yet at the same time there was others of the priuie Councell, as forward, and as able for their singular endowments, to conclude a matter of that consequence as euer was
Cromwell. I meane
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, whose zeale and abilities are generally knowne to all that euer heard of the booke of Martyrs. Sir
Thomas Audley Knight, speaker of the Parliament, for his demerits created by
Henry the eighth, Baron
Audley of Walden, and also aduanced to the honour of the Chancellorship of England. Sir
William Pawlet Knight, Comptroller of the Kings house, who, for his wisedome, the said King created Lord S.
Iohn of Basing, and Knight of the Garter, whom
Edward the sixt made great Master of his houshold, President of his Councell, and Lord Treasurer of England; whom he created Earle of Wiltshire, and Marquesse of Winchester; to whom Queene
Elizabeth committed the keeping of the great Seale. Who liued to see one hundred and three persons issue out of his loynes, who died at Basing in Hampshire the tenth of March, 1571. where hee was honourablie buried, when he had liued eightie seuen yeares. Another pillar of the State at that time, was that wise and iudicious gentleman▪ Sir
Richard Rich, Lord Chancellour of England, vnder King
Edward the sixth, who in the first yeare of his raigne, aduanced him to this office, and created him Baron
Rich of Leez in Essex. These and other more of the Nobilitie had both their hands and heads in this businesse, yet
Cromwell, Audley, and
Rich, were thought to be the onely men; who, for their religious paines, ranne into great obloquie with the common people; insomuch that the Commons of Lincolnshire finding themselues fore troubled with this strange alteration, and rising in rebellion, presented diuers articles of aggrieuances to the Kings Maiestie▪
Amongst the said Articles and demands of
Robert Ask
[...], and his rebellious crew, the Commons of Yorkeshire, Cumberland, Westmerland, Northumberland,
[Page 104] and the countries adiacent▪ at the conference holden at Doncaster, betwixt
Thomas Duke of Norfolke, Generall of the Kings Armie, and certaine Commissioners on the partie of the said Captaine
Aske, and his fellow rebels. Thus it was propounded by their Speaker, Sir
Thomas Hylton Knight.
The fowrt that
Thomas Cromwell, nor any of his bande or secte, be not at our metinge at Doncastre, but abcent themselfe from the Councell.
Also to haue the Lord
Cromwell, the Lord Chancellor, and Sir
Ryc. Rich to haue condigne punyshment, as subuerters of the gud lawes of the
[...]eame, and ouetemers of the slese secte of theys fals Heretykes, first inuenters and brengers of them.
Likewise Doctor
Leyton, and Doctor
Le
[...], who had bene loyned in commission with
Cromwell for the visitation of religious Foundations (of which hereafter) were maliciouslye detracted, by this demand of the Commons in the foresaid conference.
Also that Doctor
Lee, and Doctor
Leyton, may haue condigne punyshment for theyr extortions, in time of visitation, in brybes, of some religyous houses,
x. lib. xx. lib. and for other summes, besyde horsys, vowsens, leases, vndre Couent Seallys, by them taken, and other abomynable acts by them committed and done.
I might haue occasion here to speake of the abrogation of the Popes authoritie, of the subuersion of religious foundations, of the suppression of religious Votaries, and of the reformation of Religion in that neuer-conquered Nation of Scotland, where, at this time, Religion is double refined, pure and spotlesse without ceremonie, and plaine as a pike staffe without a surplise. But I will reserue this narration till I come to speake of the conuersion of Scotland to the Christian faith. As also of the Funerall Monuments which are there to be found, which will be but a few, if Sir
Robert Cottons Librarie do not helpe me, for by my owne obseruation, in the famous maiden-citie of Edenborough, and in the Parish Churches of other Townes, the Sepulchres of the dead are shamefully abused, or quite taken away, yea and the Churches themselues, with religious houses, and other holy places, violated, demolished, or defaced.
CHAP. XV. The policie vsed by the King and his Councell for the dissolution and extirpation of Religious Foundations, and Religious Orders, within this Realme of England and Wales. The reformation of Religion. of Inscriptions in Churches. The Kings warrant of the surrender of Religious Houses. An information made to Queene
Elizabeth of the seuerall abuses done vnto the State generall, and Crowne, by the corruption of such as were imployed by her Father vpon the suppression of Abbeyes.
HEnry the eighth hauing (as ye haue heard) thus setled the Supremacy where he would haue it, either by the aduise of politick
Cromwell, or by the example of proud
Wolsey, or else of himselfe (hee being nothing so scrupulous in conscience, nor so stayed in sacred resolutions as was
Henry the fourth) vpon a greedie desire to enrich his coffers, began now to lay plots, deuises, and proiects for the vtter subuersion of all Abbeyes, Priories, Nunneries, and other religious foundations; within this his kingdome of England and Wales: and first for an induction to the businesse, He put in Commission his seruant
Cromwell, Thomas Lee, and
Richard Laiton, Doctors of the Ciuill Law,
Thomas Bedell, Deane of Cornwall,
Thomas Bartlet publike Notarie, and others, to visit all the foresaid religious Houses, and to make inquirie of their Orders, Founders, values, debenters, reliques, pilgrimages, and other Queres: but most especially they were to make diligent scrutinie, and to learne,
vijs & modis omnibus, by all manner of meanes the wicked abuses of those times, practised amongst the Fraternitie, and Sisterhood of each seuerall Couent. Which with their Commission they returned; making a shamefull discoueri
[...] of the bestiall sensualitie of Monasticke profession.
This generall visitation began in the moneth of October, and in Februarie next following, a Parliament vpon prorogation was holden at Westminster, in which these vnspeakable crimes of all the Couents were certified by the Commissioners to the King, and that high Court. Vpon the reading whereof, because their offences were found to be many and odious, or that King
Henry would haue it so (which I rather beleeue) it was enacted by both houses in that present Parliament,
Stat. in 27.
Hen. 8.
ca. 28. that all religious houses of and vnder the yearely value of two hundred pound, within the whole Realme of England and Wales, should be giuen and granted to the King and his heires for euer: with all and singuler the lands, tenements, rents, reuersions, goods, cattels, debts, ornaments and iewels, with all things else thereunto, or to their Orders, in any wise appertaining or belonging.
The number of these houses then suppressed, were three hundred seuenty sixe. The value of their lands, yearely as then easily rated, was twentie nine thousand fourtie one pounds three pence halfe penie qua: others, for thirtie two thousand pound,
[...] and more, the moueable goods as they were
[Page 105] sold,
Robin Hoods peniworths, amounted to more then one hundred thousand pounds, the religious persons that were put out of the same houses, were in number aboue ten thousand.
It was a pitifull thing to here the lamentation that the people in the countrey made for them, for there was great hospitalitie kept among them, and as it was thought more then ten thousand persons, masters, and seruants, had lost their liuings, by the putting downe of those houses at that time.
Before the dissolution of these religious houses, the plot was laid for the suppression of the rest. For first of all, for an introduction to that which followed,
Cromwell and the rest of the Visiters, in their visitations, put forth of their Couents all religious persons, that desired to be eased of the burdenous yoke of their profession, to whom the Abbot or Prior was to giue to such so departed for their habit, a Priests gowne, and fourty shillings of money. The Nunnes to haue such apparell as secular women wore, and to go whither they would. They put forth likewise all religious persons that were vnder the age of foure and twenty yeares, and afterwards closed vp the residue that would remaine, so, that they could not come out of their places; and tooke order that no man should come to the houses of women, nor women to the houses of men, but onely to heare their seruice in the Church. This little bondage, after so long and so licentious a time of libertie, could not be endured; which being perceiued by the Commissioners, with faire promises of other preferments, or competent yearely pensions, they so wrought with the Abbots, Priors, and Prioresses, and the rest of the Couents, that diuers of them surrendred vp their houses with the appurtenances into the Kings hands, before the sitting of this Parliament, as by these words in the foresaid Act doth plainly appeare.
And also be it enacted, that his Highnes shall haue to him and his heires all and singular such Monasteries, Abbies, and Priories, which at any time within on yeare next before the making of this Act, hath beene giuen and granted, by any Abbot, Prior, Abbesse, or Prioresse, vnder their Couent Seale, or that otherwise hath beene suppressed or dissolued, and all and sin
[...]gular the lands, tenements, goods, &c. interests and hereditaments, &c. to the same appertaining and belonging.
Now (by the example of these, or by what other meanes I know not) the rest of the Abbots, Priors, Abbesses, and Prioresses, at other times, with vnanimous consent of their Couents, in great compunction of spirit, contrition of heart, and confession of their manifold enormities, did seuerally giue and grant to the Kings Maiestie, and to his heires, all their right and interest which they had in their Monasteries, lands, goods, or hereditaments; by certaine instruments or writings vnder their hands and S
[...]ales, of which I will set downe one or two for example, which I had from my louing friend, Master
Iohn Masters, Master of the Augmentation Office; in forme as followeth.
But first will it please you reade the copie of the Kings Warrant, to such his Commissioners as were to take the Surrenders of Religious houses. The forme of which thus followeth.
Forasmuche as we vnderstand that the Monastery of
S. A. is at this presente in such state, as the same is neither vsed to the glory of God, nor to the benefyte of our Comon welth, We let you wit, that therfore being mynded to take the same into our owne hands for a better purpose; like as we doubt not but the head of the same wilbe contented to make his surrender accordingly, we for the spesyall truste and confydence that we haue in your fydellity, wisdomes and discrecions, haue, and by these presents, doo authoryse, name, assygne, and appoynte you, that immediatly repayring to the sayd Howse, ye shall receave of the sayd Head such a wryting vnder the Couent Seale, as to your discretyons shall seeme requisite, meete, and conuenient, for the due surrender to our vse of the same, and thervpon take pos
[...]sessyon therof, and of all the goodes cattelles plate, fuel
[...]es, implements and stuffe, being within, or apperteyneng thervnto. And forther causyng all the goodes and implements to be indisterently sold, either for reddy money, or at dayes vpon suffyciente suertyes; so that the same day passe not one yere and a halfe. Ye shall deliuer to the said Head and Brethren, suche parte of the sayd money and goodes, as ye by your discresyons shall thinke meete and conuenyente for their despeche. And forther to see them haue convenyente pensyons, by your wysdomes assigned accordyngly: which done, and moreouer seeing the rightfull and due debts therof payd and satysfyed, as well of the revenewes as of the sayd stuffe, as to reason and good
[...]onscyens apperteyneth, and your charges reasonablie allowed, ye shall proceed to the dissolutyon of the sayd howse: And forther in your name take possessyon of the same to be kept to our vse and profyte. Ye shall furthermore bringe and convaye to owr Tower of London after yowr sayd discressyons all the rest of the sayd money, Plate, Iuelles, and ornaments that in any wyse shall come to your hands by meane of the premysses, or of any parte therof. Straitely charging and commandynge all Maires, Sheryffes, Bayli
[...]s, Constables, and all other our Officers, Ministers, and Subiects, to whom in this case it shall apperteyne, that vnto you, and euery of you in exe
[...]ution herof, they be helpinge, aydinge, sauoring, and assisting, as they will answer vnto vs to the contrary at their vttermoste perrilles.
Yeuen, &c.
The resignation or surrender of the Prior and Couent of Saint Andrewes, Northampton: with a recognition of their manifold enormities.
[...]Most noble and vertuous Prince, owr most rightuous and gracyous Soueraign Lorde, and vndoubted Founder, and in erthe next vndre God Supreme heed of this Englyshe Churche. We yowr Gracys pore and most vnworthy Subiects,
Francys, Priour of yowr Graces Monastery of Saint
Andrew the Apostle, within yowr Graces Towne of Northampton, and the hoole Couent of the same, being steryd by the gryffe of owr conscience, vnto greate contricion for the manifolde negligence, enormytes, and abuses, of long tyme by vs and other owr predecessours, vndre the pretence and shadow of perfyght Religion, vsyd and comytted, to the greuous displeasure
[Page 107] of Almyghty God, the craftye decepcion, and subtell seduccion of the pure and symple myndys of the good Christian people of this yowr noble Reame, knowlegen owr selffes to haue greuously offendyd God, and yowr Highnesse owr Soueraign Lord and Founder. Aswell in corrupting the conscience of yowr good Christian subiects, with vayne, superstitious, and other vnprofitable ceremonyes, the very means and playn induccions to the abominable synne of Idolatry; as in omyttyng the execucion of suche deuowte and due observaunces, and charitable acts as we were boun
[...]den to do, by the promises, and avowe made by vs and our predecessors, vnto Almighty God, and to yowr graces most noble progeni
[...]ors, orygynall Founders of yowr saide Monastery. For the which obseruances, and dedys of charyte, only yowr saide Monastery was indowed with son
[...]ry possessions, Iewels, ornaments, and other goods, moueable and vnmoueable, by yowr graces saide noble progenitors. The revenues of which possessions, we the saide Priour and Couent, voluntaryly onely by owr pr
[...]pre conscience compellyd, do recognyce, neither by vs, nor owr predecessors to haue ben emploied accordyng to the origynall intent of the Founders, of yowr saide Monastery; that is to saie, in the pure observaunce of Chrysts Religion, accordyng to the devowte rule, and doctryne, of holy Saint
Benedict, in vertuose exercyse, and study, accordyng to owr professyon and avowe; ne yett in the charytable sustayning, comforting, and releiving of the pore people, by the kepyng of good and necessary hospitality. But as well we as others owr predecessors, callyd religiouse persones within yowr said Monastery, taking on vs the habite or owtewarde vesture of the saide rule, onely to the intent to lead owr liffes in an ydell quyetnes, and not in vertuose exercyse, in a stately estymacion, and not in obedient humylyte, haue vndre the shadowe, or color of the saide Rule and habite, vaynly, detestably, and also vngodly, employed, yea rather deuowred, the yerely reuenues yssuing and comyng of the saide possessions, in contynuall ingurgitacions and farcyngs of owr carayne bodyes, and of others, the support
[...]res of owr voluptuose and carnall appetyte, with other vayne and vngodly expensys; to the manyfest subvertion of deuocion, and clennes of lyvyng; and to the most notable slaunder of Chrysts holy Euangely, which in the forme of owr professyon, we dyd ostentate, and openly advaunte to kepe most exactly: withdrawing therby from the symple, and pure myndys of yowr graces subiects, the onely truth and comfort, which they oughte to haue by the true faith of Christe. And also the devyne honor, and glory, onely due to the glorious Maiestye of God Almyghty, steryng them with all persuasions, ingynes, and polyce, to dedd Images, and counterfett reliques, for owr dampnable lucre. Which our most horryble abhominacions, and execrable persuacions of yowr graces people, to detestable errours, and our long coueryd Ipocrysie cloked with fayned sanctite; We revolving dayly, and continually ponderyng in owr sorowfull harts, and therby perseyuing the botomlas gulf of euerlastyng fyre redy to devowre vs, if persysting in this state of lyvyng, we shulde departe from this vncertayn and transytory liffe; constrayned, by the intollerable anguysh of owr conscience, callyd as we trust by the grace of God, who wolde haue no man to perysh in synne: with harts most contrite, and repentante, prostrate
[Page 108] at the noble feet of yowr most roiall Maiestye, most lamentably doo craue of yowr highnes, of yowr habundant mercy, to grant vnto vs, most greuous agaynst God, and yowr highnes, yowr most gracious perdon, for owr saide sondry offences, omyssyons, and negligences, comytted as before by vs is confessyd, agaynst yowr hyghnes, and yowr most noble progenitors. And where yowr hyghnes, being supreme hedd, immediately next aftre Christe, of his Church, in this yowr Roialme of England, so consequently generall and only reformator of all religious persones, there, haue full authority to correcte or dyssolue at your graces pleasure, and libertye, all Couents and Relygious companyes abusyng the Rewles of their profession. And moreouer to yowr highnes, being owr soueraygn Lord, and vndoubted founder of yowr saide Monastery, by dissolucion whereof apperteyneth onely the oryginall title, and propre inherytance, as well of all other goods moueable and vnmoueable, to the saide Monastery in any wyse apperteyning or belonging, to be dissposed, and imployed, as to yowr graces most excellent wysdome shall seme expedyent and necessary. All which possessyons, and goods, yowr highnes for our saide offences, abuses omyssyons, and neglygences, being to all men obedyent, and by vs playnly confessed, now hath, and of long tyme past hath hadd, iust and lafull cawse, to resume into yowr graces hands and possessyon, at yowr graces pleasure. The resumption wherof, yowr highnes neverthelesse, licke a most naturall lovyng Prince, and clement gouernor, ouer vs yowr graces po
[...]e, and for owr offences, most vnworthy subiects, hath of long season differred, and yet doth, in hope and trust of owr voluntary reconciliacion and amendment, by yowr graces manyfolde, lovyng, and gentyll admonyshments, shewyd vnto vs by dyuerse and sondry meanys. We therfor consyderyng with owr selffes your graces exceedyng goodnes and mercy, extended at all tymes vnto vs, most miserable trespassers against God and yowr hyghnes; For a perfight declaracion of yowr vnfeyned contricion and repentance, felyng owr selffes very weeke, and vnable to obserue and performe owr aforesaid avowes and promyses, made by vs and owr predecessors, to God, and yowr graces noble progenitors; and to imploy the possessyons of yowr saide Monastery, accordyng to the fyrst will and intent of the oryginall Founders. And to the intent that yowr highnes, yowr noble heires and successors, with the true Christian people, of this yowr graces Roialme of England, be not from hensforth estsones abused with such feyned deuocion, and deyllysh persuasions, vndre the pretext and habyte of Relygion, by vs or any other, which shulde happen to bear the name of Relygyous within yowr saide Monastery. And moreouer, that the saide possessyons and goods shulde be no lenger restreyned, from a bettyr or more necessary employment. Most humble beseechen yowr highnes, owr most gracyous soueraign Lord and Founder, that it might licke yowr Maiesty, for the discharging and exoncrating vs, of the most greuous bourden of owr payned consciens, to the immynent parell and danger of owr dampnacion, that we shuld be in, if by persisting in the state that we now rest in, we shulde be the lett of a more godly and necessarie imployment: graciously to accept owr free gifts withought coercion, persuasion, or procurement, of any creature liuing, other then of owr voluntary free will, of all such possessions,
[Page 109] right, title, or interest, as we the sayd Prior and Couent hath or euyr hadd, or ar supposed to have hadde, in or to your sayd Monastery of Northampton aforesaide. And all and euery parcell of the lands, advousons, comodytes, and other reuenues, whatsoeuyr they ben belonging to the same And all maner of goods, Iewels, ornaments, wi
[...]h all other manner of cattals, moueable and vnmoueable, to the sayd Monastery in any wise apperteyning or belonging, into whoes handes or possession to euyr they ben come into, to be imployed, and disposed, is to your graces most excellent wysedome shall seme expedy
[...]nt and necessary. And although, most gra
[...]cious soueraign Lord, that the thyng by vs g
[...]ven vnto your highnes, is properly and of right ought to be yowr graces owne, as well by the meryt, of our offences, as by the ordre of our graces lawes; Yet notwythstan
[...]dyng we eftsones most humble beseechen yowr highnes, graciously and benevolently to accept owr free wyll, with the gift therof, nothing requyring of yowr Maiesty therfor, other then your most gracious perdon, with some pece of yowr graces almes, and habundant charyte towards the mayntenance of owr pore lyving, and lycence hensforth to liue in such forme in correcting the rest of our liffes, as we hope to make satysfaccion therby to God, and yowr highnes: for owr hypocrasie, and other owr greuous offences by vs commytted, as well againe his Di
[...]te, as your Maiesty. And for the more infallyble proffe that this our recognycion vnto yowr highnes, is only the mere and voluntary Acte of us the said Priour and Couent aforesaid, withought any compulcion, or inducement, other then of owr propre consciens, we haue not only publyshed the same, openly in the presence of your graces true and faithfull subiects, and seruants, Sir
Wylliam Apparre, Knyght,
Richard Layton, Doitor in the Lawes, Arche
[...]deacon of Buckingham, and
Roberd Southwell, Atturnay for the Augmentacions of yowr graces most noble Crowne yowr graces Commyssyoners here, with diuerse other that wer present at that tyme. And vndre this owr present Recognicion Sealed with our Couent Seale, subscrybed owr owne names; but also haue made sealed with owr Couent Seale, and delyuered to the saide
Roberd Sowthwell to yowr highnesse vse, a sufficient and lawfull deade, framed accordyng to the forme of yowr graces lawes, for the possessing your grace, yowr noble heires, and successors therof for
[...]uyr, to be presented by him vnto yowr highnes, together with this owr free Recognicion and assent; offering owr selffes most humbly vnto your highnes, to be at all tymes redy
[...]o do from tyme to tyme, any other Act or Acts, as by yowr highnes, and yowr most honorable Councell shall be of vs farther requyred, for the more persight Assurans of this owr voluntary surrendre and gift vnto yowr highnes. And fynally we most humbly, and reuerently, with
[...]abundant teares proceedyng from our harts, having before owr even owr detestable offences, submytt owr selffes totally to the ordre of God, and yowr mercyfull and benygne Maiesty, most hartely beseching almyghty God to grante your highnes, with the noble Prince
Edward your graces most noble and naturall sonne, next vnto yowr grace the most preci
[...]ous
[...]uell, and chyse comforte of this yowr graces Roialme, long to lyue among vs, yowr naturall and true subiects, with prosperous and fortunate successe, of all yowr graces honorable and deuoute procedings, which
[Page 110] hytherto thorow your graces most excellent wysdome, and wonderfull industry, assidually solycyted abought the confirming and stabyshyng mens consciens contynually vexed, with sondry doubtfull opynions, and vaine ceremonyes, haue taken both good and lawdable effecte; to the vndoubted contentation of Almighty God, the greate renowne, and immortall memorie of your graces hye wysedome and excellent knowledge, and to the spyrituall weale of all your graces subiects.
Datyd and subscrybyd in our Chaptre
the first day of March in the xxix yeare of yowr graces Reign. By the hands of yowr graces pore and vnworthy subiects.
Per me Franciscum Priorem.
Per me Iohannem subpriorem.
Per me Tho. Smyth.
Per me Tho. Golston.
Per me Rob. Martin.
Per me Iacob. Hopkins.
Per me Ric. Bunbery.
Per me Iohannem Pette.
Per me Io. Harrold.
Per me Tho. Barly.
Per me Will. Ward.
Per me Tho. Atterbury.
Per me Will. Fowler
The Surrender of the Warden and Friers of S. Francis in Stanford.
For as moche as we, the Warden, and Freers, of the howse of Saynt Frances in Stannforde, comenly callyd the gray Freers in Stannford, in the County of Lincoln, doo profoundly concider that the perfeccion of Christian liuyng dothe not conciste in dome ceremonies, weryng of a grey cootte, disgeasing our selffe aftyr straunge fassions, dokyng, and beckyng, in gurdyng owr selffes wyth a gurdle full of knots, and other like Papisticall ceremonyes, wherin we haue byn moost principally practysed, and misselyd in tymes past; but the very tru waye to please God, and to liue a true Christian man, wythe owte all ypocrasie, and fayned dissimulacion, is sinceerly declaryd vnto vs by owr Master Christe, his Euangelists, and Apostoles. Being mindyd herafter to folowe the same; conformyng owr selffe vnto the will and pleasure of owr supreme hedde vndre God in erthe the Kings Maiesty; and not to follow hensforth the supersticious tradicions of of ony forincycall potentate, or poore, wythe mutuall assent, and consent, doo submytt owr selffes vnto the mercy of owr saide soueraygn Lorde. And wythe like mutuall assent and consent, doo surrender, and yelde vpe vnto, the hands of the same, all owr saide howse of Saynt Frances in Stannforde comenly callyd the grey Friers in Stannforde, wythe all lands, tenements, gardens, medowes, waters, pondyards, fedyngs, pastures, comens, rentes, reuersions, and all other our interest, ryghtes, or titles, aperteynyng vnto the same: mooste humbly besechyng his mooste noble grace, to disspose of vs, and of the same as best schall stonde wythe his mooste graciouse pleasure. And farther frely to grant vnto euery on of vs his licens vndre wretynge and Seall, to change our abites into seculer fassion, and to receve suche maner of livyngs, as other seculer Pristes comenly be preferryd vnto. And we all faythfully schall prey vnto allmyghty god long to preserue his mooste noble grace, wythe encrease of moche felicitie and honor.
And in witnes of all and singuler the premysses, we the saide Warden, and Couent of
[Page 111] the grey Freers in Stannforde, to thes presentes haue putte owr Couent Sceall
the yeght day of Octobre, in the thirty the yere of the raygn of owr mooste Souerayne Kinge
Henry the yeght.
Factum Iohannis Schemy Gardian:
Per me Fratrem Iohannem Robards.
Per me Fratrem Iohannem Chadwhort.
Per me Fratrem Richardum Pye.
Per me Fratrem Iohannem Clarke.
Per me Fratrem Iohannem Quoyte.
Per me Fratrem Iohannem German.
Per me Fratrem Iohannem Yong.
Per me Fratrem Iohannem Lovell.
Per me Fratrem Willielmum Tomson.
With the like petition and recognition of their seuerall delinquencies, the Prior and Couent of the White Friers Carmelites in Stanford, the
[...]bbo
[...] and Couent of our blessed Lady of Bidlesden, the Warden and brethren of the grey Friers of Couentrie, Bedford, and Alesbury, surrendred vp them houses into the kings hands.
Battaile Abbey in Sussex, Martine Abbey in Surrey, Stra
[...]ford Abbey in Essex, Lewis in Suffex, Saint
Austines in Canterbury, the new Abbey at the Tower hill, the Minories without Aldgate, the Nunnery at Clerken well: The Hospitall of Saint
Thomas Akers, the Blacke-Friers, the White-Friers, the grey Friers, and the Charterhouse Monks in London, with the most, or all other, were surrendred after the same manner.
In September the same yeare.
Viz. An. 30.
Hen. 8. by the speciall motion of great
Cromwell, all the notable images, vnto the which were made any especiall pilgrimages, and offerings, as the images of our Lady of Walsingham, Ipswich, Worcester, the Lady of Wilsdon; the rood of Grace, of our Ladie of Boxley, and the image of the rood of Saint Sauiour at Bermondsey, with all the rest, were brought vp to London, and burnt at Chelsey, at the commandement of the foresaid
Cromwell, all the Iewels, and other rich offerings, to these, and to the Shrines, (which were all likewise taken away or beaten to peeces) of other Saints throughout both England and Wales, were brought into the Kings Treasurie.
In the same yeare also the Abbey of Westminster was surrendred, being valued to dispend by the yeare three thousand foure hundred and seuenty pound, or by some 3977. l. 6. s. 4. d. ob. q. as in the Catalogue of religious houses; the Monkes being expelled, King
Henry placed therein a Deane and Prebendaries, and made the last Abbot, whose name was
Benson, the first Deane; in the time of
Edward the sixth it was made a Bishops See, shortly after (the benefits of the Church being abridged) it came againe to a Deane and Prebends; Againe Queene
Marie ordained there an Abbot and his Monkes, who continued not many yeares, but were againe cut off by Act of Parliament. And lastly Queene
Elizabeth (that wonder of the world) made it a collegiate Church, or rather a Nursery for the Church, saith
Norden, for there she ordained (to the glory of God, the propagation of true Religion and good literature) a Deane, twelue Prebendaries, an
[Page 112] vpper master, and an Vsher for the Schoole, fourtie Schollers, called the Queenes or Kings Schollers, who (as they become worthie) are preferred to the Vniuersities, besides Ministers, Singers, and Organists; ten Quiristers, and twelue well deseruing Souldiers. Thus you see the interchangeable vicissitude of her foundacion, and if it had not beene for the reuerend regard they had of the Sepulchres, inauguration and vnction here of their famous Ancestors, these forenamed Kings (if I may ground my reason vpon the passages of those times) had taken her commings in, to haue inrich
[...] their owne coffers, despoiled her o
[...] her vnualuable wealth and ornaments, and battered downe to the ground her sacred Ed
[...]fice.
The fifth of December
[...]n the soresaid yeare, the Abbey of Saint
Alba
[...]s was surrendred, by the Abbot and Monkes there, by deliuering the Couent Seale into the hands of
Tho. Pope, D. Peter, Master
Canendish, and others the Kings visiters.
[...] 13.Now all, or the most of all, the religious houses in England and Wales, being thus surrendred, the King summoned another Parliament at West
[...]minster; for howsoeuer these forenamed religious orders, and other more, of their owne free and voluntary mindes, good wills, and assents, without constra
[...]t
[...]oact
[...]on or compulsion (as are the words in the Statute) of any manner of person or persons, by due order of law, and by their sufficient writings of Record, vnder their Couent, and common Seales; had alreadie g
[...]uen, granted, and confirmed, renounced, left, and forsaken, all their religious h
[...]u
[...]s, with their lands, and all other the appurtenances to the same belonging
[...] vnto the King his heires and successors for euer. Yet it was thought necessarie by the King and his Councell, that these their
[...]o u
[...]ta
[...]ic donations should bee further ratified by authoritie of that high
[...] whereupon it was enacted, that all Monasteries, with their Scites, circuits and precincts; la
[...]ds, Lordships, and all oth
[...]r franchises, not onely those which were surrendred or dissolued, before the session of this Parliament, but also such as were to bee surrendred or dissolued hereafter, shou
[...]d bee vested, deemed, and adiudged to be in the very actuall and reall season, and possession of the King his heires and successors for euer.
The religious Order of Saint
Iohns of Ierusalem, whose chiefe mansion house was in the precincts of Clerkenwell Parish, within the Country of Middlesex, consisting of gentlemen and souldiers, of ancient families and high spirits, could by no means be brought in, to present to his Maiestie any of these puling petitions, and publike recognitions of their errors, thereby, like the rest, to giue a loafe, and beg a shiue, to turne themselues out of actuall possession, and lie at the Kings mercie for some poore yearely pension. But like sto
[...] fellowes stood out against any that thought to enrich themselues with their ample reuenues, vntill they were cast out of their glorious structures, and all other their estates, for these causes following alledged a
[...]gainst them in open Parliament; as appeares by the statute beginning thus.
[...] 2.
[...]The Lords Spirituall and Temporall, and the Commons of this present Parliament assembled, hauing credible knowledge, that diuers and sundrie the kings subiects, called the Knights of the Rhodes, otherwise called Knights of Saint
Iohns; otherwise called Friers of the religion of S.
Iohn of Ierusalem in England, and of a like house being in Ireland, abiding in
[Page 113] the parties of beyond the sea, and hauing aswell out of this Realme, as out of Ireland, and other the Kings dominions, yearely great summes of money for maintenance of their liuings, Haue vnnaturally, and contrary to the dutie of their alleageances sustained, and maintained,
[...] power and authoritie of the Bishop of Rome, lately vsed and
[...] within this Realme, and other the Kings dominions, and haue not onely adhered themselues to the said Bishop, being common enemy to the King our soueraigne Lord, and to this his Realme, vntruely vpholding, knowledging, and affirming maliciously and traiterously, the same Bishop to bee supreme, and chiefe head of Christs Church, by Gods holy word. Entending thereby to subuert and ouerthrow the good and godly laws and statutes of this realme, for the abolishing, expulsing, and vtter extincting of the said vsurped power and authoritie: but also haue defamed and slandered as well the Kings Maiestie, as the Noblemen, Prelates, and other the Kings true and louing subiects of this Realme, for their good and godly proceeding in that behalfe.
Vpon these causes and other considerations, it was enacted, That the Corporation of the said Religion, as well within this Realme, as within the Kings dominion, and Land of Ireland, should be vtterly dissolued, and void to all entents and purposes. And that Sir
William Weston Knight, as then Prior, of the said Religion, of this Realme of England, should not be named or called from henceforth, Prior of Saint
Iohns of Ierusalem in England, but by his proper name of
William Weston Knight, without further addition touching the said Religion. And that likewise Sir
Iohn Rauson knight, being then Prior of Kilmainam in Ireland, should not bee called or named from thenceforth, Prior of Kilmainam in Ireland, but onely by his proper name of
Iohn Rauson, knight, without farther addition. And that none of the Brethren or Confriers of the said Religion within this Realme of England, and Land of Ireland, should bee called Knights of the Rhodes, or knights of Saint
Iohns, but by their owne proper Christian names, and surnames of their parents without any other additions.
And furthermore it was enacted vnder a great penaltie, that they should not weare about their necks, in, or vpon any apparell of their bodies, any chaine with a Ierusalem Crosse, or any other signe marke, or token thereto
[...]fore vsed, and deuised, for the knowledge of the said Religion, and that they should not make any congregations, chapiters, or assemblies touching the same Religion, or maintaine, support, vse, or defend any liberties▪ franchises, or priuiledges, theretofore granted to the said Religion, by the authoritie of the Bishop of Rome, or of the See of the same.
Lastly, it was granted by the authoritie of the said Parliament, that the Kings Maiestie, his heires and successors, should haue and enioy their said mansion house in the Parish aforesaid, within the County of Midlesex; and also the Hospitall of Kilmainam in Ireland, with all their appurtenances for euer.
Yet it was prouided by the said Act, that Sir
William Weston and Sir
Iohn Rauson Priors, as also some other of the Confriers, should haue a certaine annuall pension during their liues, with some reasonable proportion of their owne proper goods. And this was done (saith the words in the statute)
[Page] by the agreement and assent of the Kings most excellent goodnes.
Sir
William Weston had giuen vnto him one thousand pound of annuall rent or pension. Sir
Iohn Rauson fiue hundred Markes.
Clement West Confrier, two hundred pound.
Thomas Pemberton, fourescore pound.
Gyles Russell, one hundred pound.
George Ailmer, one hundred pound.
Iohn Sutton, two hundred pound.
Edward Bellingham, an hundred pound.
Edward Browne fifty pound.
Edmund Husse, an hundred Markes.
Ambrose Caue, an hundred Markes.
Thomas Copledyke, fifty pound.
Cuthbert Leighton, threescore pound.
Richard Broke, an hundred Markes.
Henry Poole two hundred Markes.
William Tyrell, thirty pound.
Iohn Rauson, Confrier, two hundred Markes.
To
Anthony Rogers, Oswald Massingberd, Iames Husse, Thomas Thornell, Nicholas Hopton, Philip Babington, Henry Gerard, Dunstan Nudegate, Nicholas Lambert, and
Dauid Gonson, being Confriers professed, and hauing no certaine liuing, was giuen ten pound a peece of yearely pension.
And if any pro
[...]es
[...]ed in the said Religion were negligently forgotten, or omitted out of that present Act, for lacke of knowledge of their names; yet it was ordered by the same, that they should haue such honest, conuenient, and reasonable yearly pension, and portion of goods, as should please the Kings Maiestie to limit and appoint.
And by the said Act
Io
[...]n Mableston, Subprior of this Hospitall in England;
William Ermested Master of the Temple of London:
Walter Lymsey, and
Iohn Winter Chapleines; were authorized to receiue and enioy, during their natura
[...]l liues, all such mansion houses, stipends, and wages, in as large and ample manner, as euer they did before the sitting of that Parliament.
What other pensions were giuen, or how much the value in money was of the yearely profits of these foure last remembred, I do not reade. But the annuities or pensions appointed to the said two knights, and the Confriers, amounted to the summe of two thousand eight hundred and seuenty pound the yeare, issuing out of the lands to this Hospitall appertaining. And I finde that at the very same time of the dissolution of this Fraternitie, certaine lusts and Tourneaments being holden at Westminster, wherein the challengers against all commers were, Sir
Iohn Dudley, Sir
Thomas Seymor, Sir
Thomas Poinings, Sir
George Carew, knights,
Antony Kingston, and
Richard Cromwell, Esquires. To each one of which, for a reward of their valiantnesse; the King gaue an hundred Markes of yearely reuenues, and an house to dwell in, and both of them, to them and their heires for euer, out of the lands and liuings belonging to this Hospitall. Of such a large extensure were her possessions. And much what after this manner, the rest of the Manors, honors, lands, tenements, rents, and reuersions, were bestowed; and likewise at that time vpon small considerations, the scite and lands of all other Monasteries were begged, bought, and alienated by such who respected their owne profit aboue the seruice of Almighty God. Albeit it was then declared, saith
Camden, that such religious places, being of most pious intent consecrated to the glory of God,
[...] might haue beene according to the Canons of the Church, bestowed in exhibition and almes for Gods Ministers, reliefe of the poore, redemption of captiues, and repairing of Churches.
[Page 115]All Monasteries being thus suppressed; it followed that (vnder a faire pretence of rooting out of superstition) all Chanteries,
[...].
[...]7.
Hen. 8.
[...].
[...]. Colledges, and Hospitals, were likewise by Act of Parliament left to the dispose and pleasure of the King: And all these Monuments (aforesaid) of our forefathers pietie and deuotion, to the honour of God, the propagation of Christian saith and good learning,
Camd.
[...].
[...].
[...]. and also for the reliefe and maintenance of the poore and impotent (if without offence I may speake the truth.) All these, I say, for the most part, were shortly after; to wit, within the remainder of his raigne, and the short time of his Sonnes, King
Edward the sixth: euery where pulled downe, their reuenues sold and made a way: and those goods and riches which the Christian pietie of our English Nation had consecrated vnto God,
Id
[...] [...] [...]. l. since they first professed Christianity, were in a moment, as it were, dispersed, and (to the displeasure of no man be it spoken) profaned.
Thus haue you seene, by degrees, the fatall and finall period of Abbeyes, Priories, and such like religious Structures; with the casting out to the wide world of a
[...]l their religious Votaries: chiefly occasioned by their owne abhominable crying sinnes, more then by any other secondarie meanes; as plainly doth appeare by the premisses All which Queene
Mary attempted to haue restored to their pristine estate, and former glory. But all in vaine; for these religious Edi
[...]ices with the lands and possessions thereunto belonging, were so infringed, alienated and transferred, that neither the power of Maiestie, nor the force of Parliament, could reduce them againe to the proper vse, for which by the Founders they were intended.
Howsoeuer she (being a Prince more zealous then poli
[...]ke
[...] resigned, and confirmed by Parliament, to God and holy Church, all those Ecclesiasticall reuenues,
Parl. An 2.
C
[...] 3.
[...]C. [...]. 4. which by the authoritie of that high Court, in the time of her father King
Henry had beene annexed to the Crowne, to the great diminution and impouerishing of the same. And this she did frankly and freely, moued thereunto by her owne conscience, saying (with a Christian and princely resolution I must confesse) to certaine of her Counsel
[...]our
[...], that albeit they might obiect against her,
Ho
[...]in
[...] p
[...] 112
[...] that the state of her kingdome, the dignitie thereof, and her Crowne imperiall, could not bee honourably maintained and furnished, without the possessions aforesaid; yet she set more by the saluation of her soule, then she did by ten kingdomes.
And whereas in the raigne of King
Edward the sixth,
In Parl
[...] & 4
[...]. c. l. 12. it was enacted, that all the bookes, called
Antiphoners, Missales, Grailes, Portuassis, and Latine Primmers, vsed for seruice in the Church, in the time of Poperie, should be clearely abolished; All images grauen, painted, or carued, taken out of any Church or Chappell, with the foresaid bookes, should bee defaced or openly burned. She being now more forward then wise to obserue the rites and ceremonies of the Romanists, caused the like bookes and images to be bought, and brought againe into all the Churches within her dominions. Holy water, Pax, and censers were commanded to be employed at the celebration of Masses, and Mattens, Oyle, Creame, and Spittle, vsed in the Administration of the Sacrament of Baptisme. Altars furnished with pictures, costly couerings, and the Crucifix thereon solemnly placed: Vnto whom Lights, Candles, and Tapers, were offered The restauration and dispose of these, as also of all other matters concerning the Church, shee
[Page 116] committed to the Pope, and Cardinall
Poole his Legate, by whose authoritie and meanes by all probabilitie,
In Parl. An
[...]. & 2.
Phil.
[...] Mar. cap 8.
In Parl. [...].
Hen. 8.
[...]ap. [...] all Statutes made in her father and brothers raigne against the See of Rome, the Pope and his Supremacie were altogether repealed; and the sixe bloudie Articles enacted by
Henry the eighth tyrannically put in execution; by force of which (shee being ouerswayed by the authoritie of Church men, for of her selfe she was of a more facile and better inclined disposition) so many, in lesse then foure yeares continuance, were consumed with fire, for the testimoniall of their consciences in that case.
[...]eed. cap. 23.In the heate of whose flames were burned to ashes fiue Bishops, one and twentie Diuines, eight Gentlemen, eightie foure Artificers, one hundred husbandmen, seruants and labourers, twentie sixe wiues, twentie widowes, nine Virgines, two boyes, and two Infants, one of them whipped to death by
Bonner, alias Sauage, Bishop of London; and the other springing out of his mothers wombe from the stake as she burned, was by the Sergeants throwne againe into the fire. Sixtie foure more, in those furious times were persecuted for their profession and faith, whereof seuen were whipped, sixteene perished in prison, and twelue buried in dunghills, many lay in captiuity condemned; but were released, and saued by the auspicious entrance of peaceable
Elizabeth, and many fled the Land in those dayes of distresse, which by her vpon their returne home were honourably preferred, and prouided for according to their worthes.
Queene
Mary now dead, and
Elizabeth of famous memory proclaimed Queene, possessed of her lawfull inheritance, placed in her glorious Throne, and crowned with the imperiall Diadem; presently after followed a Parliament, wherein the title of Supremacie,
In Parl. An.
[...] c. [...].2.
& [...]. and all ancient iurisdictions were againe restored, all forraine power abolished; and for the more augmentation and maintenance of her State royall, it was ordained and established, that the first-fruits and Tenths of all Ecclesiasticall liuings, with the lands and Scites of Monasteries, giuen away by Queene
Mary, should be vnited and annexed againe to the Crowne; that all Statutes should bee repealed, which were enacted by the said Queene
Marie, in fauour of the Romish Religion, and that the booke of Common Prayer, vsed in King
Edwards time, for an vniforme celebration of Gods diuine seruice in the English Churches, should bee ratified and authorised againe by this present Parliament.
This Parliament ended vpon the eight of May, vpon the fourteenth day of the same moneth next following, being Whitsonday, diuine Seruice was celebrated in the English tongue, whereby Gods word might be heard in a perfect sound, and the prayers of the Congregation vttered with an vnderstanding heart.
Soone after in the same yeare certaine Commissioners were appointed in seuerall places, for the establishing of Religion throughout the whole Realme; then all the religious houses which were reedified, erected, or restored by Queene
Mary, as the Priory of Saint
Iohns Ierusalem; the Nuns and Brethren of Sion and Sheene, the blacke Friers in Smithfield, the Friers of Greenwich, with all other of the like foundation were vtterly suppressed. All Roods and Images set vp in Churches, whose sight had often captiuated
[Page 117] the senses of the zealous beholder, and heated the blinde zeale of many poore ignorant people, were now themselues consumed in the fire, and with them (in some places) the copes, vestments, altar-clothes, Amises, bookes, banners, and rood lo
[...]s, were like wise burned in the open streets.
Vpon the walls, pillars, and other places of all Churches, certaine Inscriptions were cut, painted, or engrauen, which being holden to be superstitious, were as then defaced, erazed, washt ouer, or obliterated: of which a few for example.
This Inscription was vsuall to the picture of the blessed Trinitie, represented by the Effigies of an old man, our Sauiour in his bosome, and a Doue.
Ave Pater, Rex Creator, Ave fili, lux Seruator.
Ave pax & charitas.
Ave simplex, Ave Trine, Ave regnans si
[...]e si
[...]e,
Vna summa Trini
[...]as.
Vnder the picture of the blessed Trinitie,
[...] lib. Co
[...] sometimes in the Abbey Church of Rufford in Nottinghamshire, as it is in the booke of the said house.
Sede Pater summa disponit secula cuncta:
Patre D
[...]o genitus creat & regit omnia natu
[...].
Omnia vi
[...]ificat procedens Spiritus almus.
Flamma, calor, pruna, tria sunt hec, res sed & vna
[...]
Sic ab igne calor non diuiditur neque fulgor.
Ast his vnitis vnus subsi
[...]lit & ignis.
Sic Pater & natus & Spiritus sed Deus vnus.
Huic laude munus qui regnat trinus & vnus.
Huic laus et doxa nunc et per secula cuncta.
Vnder the picture of Christ crucified.
Nec Deus est nec Homo presens quam cerno figura,
Et Deus est et Homo que signat sacra figura.
Verus Homo verusque Deus tamen vnus vterque.
Probra crucis patitur, mortem su
[...]it, et sepelitur
Viuit, item crucis hic per signa triumphat ab hoste.
Id notum nobis crucis huius litera reddit,
Scilicet ipsius nota sunt c
[...]ux et crucifixus:
Hec et ego veneror Iesum'quoque semper adore.
Againe vnder the Crucifix.
Quantum pro nobis Christus tulit ecce videmus
Et tamen à lachrymis heu lumina sicca tenemus.
Vnder the picture of Christ, vsually in all Abbey Churches.
Effigiem Christi dum transis semper honora▪
Non tamen effigiem sed quem designat adora;
Nam Deus est quod imago docet, sed non Deus ipsa:
[Page 118]Hanc videas, et mente colas quod cernis in illa.
And this.
Sum Rex cunctorum caro factus amore reorum.
Ne desperetis venie dum tempus habetis.
To the picture of Christ, speaking thus to man in the agonie of his Passion.
Aspice mortalis, fuit vnquam pas
[...]o talis?
Peccatum sperne, pro quo mea vulnera cerne.
Aspice qui transis, quia tu mihi causa doloris▪
And thus, exhorting man to amendment of life.
Aspice Serue Deisic me posi
[...]ere Iudei.
Aspice deuote, quoniam sic pendeo pro t
[...].
Aspice mortalis, pro te datur hostia talis.
In
[...]roitum vite reddo tibi, redde mihi te.
In cruce sum pro te, qui peccas desine pro me.
Desine, do veniam, dic culpam, corrige vitam.
The Knights Templers before they came to that house, now called the Temple, had an house in Holborne, which is now Southampton place, where in their Chappell was a representation of Christs Sepulchre, with these verses brought from Ierusalem.
Vita mori voluit, et in hoc tumulo requieuit,
Mors quia vita fuit nostram victrix aboleuit.
Nam qui confregit nigra inferna ille subegit,
Educen
[...]o suos cuius Dux ipse cohortis.
Tartarus inde gemit, et mors lugens spoliatur.
Another Inscription vpon the same.
Hac sub clausura recubat Christi caro puro,
Sub cura semper stat nostra figura.
Est Deus hic tantus natus de Vigine quantus,
Militie caput hic, mundi medicena iacet hic.
Another.
Sum Deus, ex quo carnem sumsi, sed sine neuo:
[...]lebs mea me ligno fixit pendente maligno;
Aspice plasma tuum, qui transis ante sepulchrum.
Qui triduo iacui cum pro te passus obiui.
Quid pro me pateris, aut quae mihi grata rependis?
Sum Deus et puluis, sed regnes si modo serues.
Pro te passus, ita tu pro me prospera vita.
Pro te plagatus pro me tu pelle reatus.
Vpon the picture of the holy Lambe.
Mortuus et viuus idem sum Pastor et agnus:
Hic agnus mundum instaurat sanguine lapsum.
Many were the Altars here in England consecrated to the blessed Virgine
[Page 119]Mary, more then to Christ; m
[...]ny the pictures and statues, many the Churches erected and dedicated to her holinesse, and many were the exorbitant honours, due onely to our blessed Sauiour, attributed to her heauenly Deitie: As did appeare by Inscriptions numberlesse about her Altars. Of which some few.
In celo lata, nos seruet Virgo beata,
Sede locata pia; nostri memor esto Maria.
Que super astra manet lapsorum vulnera sanet▪
Que celo floret, pro nobis omnibus oret.
Sit nobis grata virgo super astra leuata.
Ora mente pia, pro nobis virgo Maria.
Virgo Dei genetrix sit nobis auxiliatrix.
Stella Maria maris, succurre pijssima nobis▪
Virgo Dei digna poscentibus esto benigna,
Mater virtutis det nobis dona salutis.
Liberet à pena nos celi porta serena.
Virgo Maria tuos serva sine crimine servos.
Virginis auxilium foueat nos nunc et in euum.
Virgo fecunda pia, tu nos à crimine munda.
Nos benedic grata pia mater et inviolata.
Nos iuuet illud Ave per quam patet exitus a ve
Virgo salutata iuuet omnes prole beata
Nos Gabriele nata saluet partu grauidata▪
Virginis intacte cum veneris ante figuram
Pretereundo caue ne sileatur Ave.
Sol penetrat vitrum, penetratur nec violatur,
Sic Virgo peperit, nec violata fuit.
Hac non vade via nisi dicas Ave Maria:
Semper sit sine ve qui mihi dicit Aue.
Iuxta aram
[...]. virginis in Fano Arenae
patauiis[?].
O Regina lucis almae syderum,
Intacta parens, puerpera virgo,
Salutisque nostre digna propago.
Parce iam parce mitissima quaeso,
Hanc animam Christo redde benigna
Et miserere canentis Osanna.
Her salutation.
Virgo salutatur, verboque Dei grauidatur,
Nec grauat intactum gremium verbum caro factum.
[Page 118]Virgo parens humilisque Deo cara, sibi viles
An
[...]uem calcauit, que prima superbia strauit.
The nativity of Christ.
Virgo parit puerum, lumen de lumine verbum
Est vox celestis, lux celica, stellaque testis.
In the Churches of
Corpus Christi most commonly these Inscriptions following.
Hic est cibus qui plene re
[...]icit non corpus sed animam, non ventr
[...]m sed mentem, si quis ex hoc comederit, viuet in eternum.
Panis mutatur specie remanente priore,
Sed non est talis qualis sentitur in ore:
Res occultatur, quare? nam si videatur,
[...] unc abhorreres & manducare timeres.
Panis mutatur in carnem, sic operatur
Christus ipse, verum sub pane latens caro, Verbum.
To the portraitures of the soure Euangelists these.
Mat. Ma
[...] Luc. Iohannes.
Per Euangelica dicta deleantur nostra delicta.
Euangelicis armis muniat nos Conditor orbis▪
Euangelica lectio sit nobis salus & protecti
[...].
Fo
[...]s Euangelij repleat nos dogmate celi.
Que
[...]eque naturas retinent nec vtrique figuras,
Sic act
[...]s Christi describunt quatuor isti.
Queque s
[...]b obscuris de Christo dicta figuris
His aperire datur, & in his os ipse notatur.
About or neare to the Altars consecrated to all Saints.
Martyribus sisti facia
[...] [...]os gratia Christi.
Grex confessorum purget peccata reorum.
Virginci flores nostros delete dolores.
Nos reg
[...], nos muni Sanctis Deus omnibus vni.
Indulgences and Pardons granted by the Bishop of Rome, to certaine Churches and Altars, were likewise depensild vpon the walls. In forme as followeth.
Alexander Episcopus Seruus seruorum Dei, vniuersis Christi sidelibus presentibus & futuris salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Lice
[...] ad o
[...] nes [...].S. R. E. sideles muni
[...]icenti
[...] nostre dextram debeamus extendere debitricem, maxime tamen spiritualis gratie prerogatiua nos decet illos at
[...]ollere, & dignioribus beneficentie nostre fauoribus ampliare, qui se nobis & S. R. F. feruentiori deuotione exibent, & in fide stabiles, & in opere sideli
[...]er
[...]ffi
[...]aces. Sane igitur cupientes vt Ecclesia S. Ia. C. preementioribus frequentetur
[...]o noribus, & vt Christi
[...]ideles eo libentius de
[...]otionis causa conslu
[...]nt ad e
[...] dem, manusque ad conseruationemeius dein prompti
[...]s porrigentes adiutrices, quo ex inde dono celestis gratie conspexerint se ibidem vherius refertos; de omni potentis Dei miserecordia, & B B. Petri & Pauli Apostolorum eius autoritate con
[...]isi, omnibus vere penitentibus & confes
[...]is & contritis, qu
[...] di
[...] Ascensionis Domini nostri Iesu Christi a vespera Vigilie ipsius v
[...]que ad vesperam eiusdem diei dictam S. Ia. C. Ecclesiam deuote visitauerint annuatim, et manus adeius conseruationem por
[...]exerint adiutrices, plenam omnium suorum peccatorum absolutionem concedimus. Ins
[...]per per septem dies dictum festum sequentes, et quolibet ipsorum dierum de iniunctis ipsorum peniten
[...]ijs septimam partem miserecorditer in Domino relaxamus, presentibus perpetuis temporibus duraturis. Nulli ergo hominum liceat
[...]anc nostram concessionis et relaxationis paginam infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. S
[...] quis antem hoc attemptare presumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei et B B. Petriet Pauli Apostolorum se incursurum nouerit, atque in extremo indicio districti Iudicis ira crudeliter permulctari. Dat. R. apud S. P. Id. M. Pontisica
[...]us nostri anno. Testes A. Episcopus. P. G. Episcopus. S. E. S. E
[...]statij presbiter Cardinalis, &c.
Against an Altar.
Si quis Missam ad hoc Altare fieri curabit, plenariam peccatorum remissionem consequetur. Si vero pro defuncti alicuius anima ad idem Altare legatur Missa, statim in ipso actu et celebratione Misse anima defuncti ex purgatorio in celum ascendet et seruabitur.
‘Nihil certius.’
Neare to the place where reliques were kept, such a like Inscription was either painted, insculpt, or written vpon a table hanging vpon some pillar or other of the Church.
Lector se
[...]re velis docet hoc te charta fidelis.
De Christi cuna, que virga refloruit vna.
Coelo manna datum, paranymphi manna beatum.
Mensa gerens cenam, turbamque cibans duodenam.
Claud
[...]tur & cista chlamys inconsutilis ista.
Sanguine Baptiste pariter locis omnibus iste
Est sacer & magni sudaria continet agni.
The reliques kept in the Church being all thus reckoned, they were concluded much what after this manner.
Horum reliquijs constat locus iste celebris
Hinc & multorum possemus nomina, quorum
Dicere si in tabula locus illis esset in ista;
Nos meritis horum redeamus ad alta polorum.
Inscriptions neare and vpon Bells.
Bels in time of Poperie were baptised, they were anointed,
oleo chrismatis, they were exorcized; they were blest by the Bishop: these and other ceremonies ended, it was verily beleeued that they had power to driue the deuill out of the aire, to make him quake and tremble, to make him at the sound thereof flie,
Tanquam ante crucis vexillum: that they had power to calme stormes and tempests, to make faire weather, to extinguish sudden fires, to recreate euen the dead; and the like. And as you may reade in the Romane Pontificals, they had the name of some Saint or other giuen
[...] them in their Baptisme; I will bring in for example the Bells of the Parish Church of Winington in Bedfordshire, whose names are cast about the verge of euery one in particular, with these riming Hexameters.
Nomina Campanis hec indita sunt quoque nostris.
1.
Hoc signum Petri pulsatur nomine Christi.
2.
Nomen Magdalene Campana sonat melodie.
3.
Sit nomen Domini benedictum semper in euum.
4.
Musa Raphaelis sonat auribus Immanuelis.
5.
Sum Rosa pulsata mundi que Maria vocata.
Vpon or within the steeple these verses following, or others to the same effect, were either engrauen in brasse, cut in the stone, or painted within, on the wall.
En ego campana nunquam denuncio vana;
Laudo Deum verum, plebem voco, congrego clerum.
Defunctos plango, viuos voco, fulmina frango,
Vox mea vox vite, voco vos ad sacra, venite.
Sanctos collando, tonitrus fugo, funera claudo.
Or these.
Funera plango, fulgura frango, Sabbatha pango,
Excito lentos, dissipo ventos, paco cruentos.
[Page]For the power of holy water sprinkled vpon the people vpon their entrance into the Church, these Inscriptions.
Huius aque tactus depellet Demonis actus.
Asperget vos Deus cum omnibus sanctis suis ad vitam eternam.
Organs, Pulpits, Portals, Crosses, Candlesticks, Roods, Crucifixes, and what else of that kinde were likewise thus inscribed, all which with the rest were erazed, scraped, cut out, or taken away by the Commissioners, and instead of them certaine sentences of the holy Scripture appointed to be painted or dispensild in euery Church.
Thus iudicious Reader thou maiest by this Chapter vnderstand, how, by Gods diuine prouidence, and the depth of state pollicie, first of all, the authoritie of the Pope here in England was abrogated, the Supremacie of the Church in our Kings inuested Abbeyes, and all other such like religious houses subuerted, Superstition and Idolatrie rooted out and suppressed, and how this kingdome, from all Papall infection cleared, and with the Sunne shine of the Gospell enlightned, the true worship of the euerliuing God was established. Which onely true worship that it may continue in our Church without Schismes, rents, and diuisions, vnto the end of the world, let vs all with vnanimous consent both of heart and voice, pray vnto him who is Truth it selfe, and the Authour of all vnitie, peace, and concord.
Now gentle Reader giue me leaue to adde vnto this Chapter (howsoeuer thou wilt say (perhaps) it is too long already) the copie of the Kings Warrant to Commissioners, to take the surrender of Religious houses, as also a copie of an Information to Queene
Elizabeth, of the frauds and corruption of such so imployed by her Father; being in my iudgement coincident with the Contents of the same. Thus the Warrant speakes.
Henry,Ex
[...]. &c. To or trustie, &c. Forasmoche as we vnderstand that the Monastery of ...... is at this presente in soche state, as the same is neither vsed to the honour of God, nor to the benefyte of our comon welth; we let you wit that therfore being mynded to take the same into our owne hand for a better purpose; like as we doubt but the head of the same will be contented to make his surrender accordyngly; we for the spesyall truste and confydence that we haue in your fidelytye, wisdomes, and discrecions, haue, and by these presents doo authorise, name, assygne, and appoynt yow that ymmediatly reparyng to the sayd howse, ye shall receyve of the sayd Head such a wryting vnder the Couent seale, as to yowr discrecions shall seeme requisite, meete, and conuenient, for the due surrender to our vse of the same; and thervpon take possessyon therof, and of all the goods and implements to be indifferently sold, eyther for redy money, or at dayes vpon suffyciente suretyes, so that the same day passe not one yeare and a half. Ye shall deliuer to the sayd Head and Brethren soche parte of the sayd money and goodes, as ye by your discrecions shall thynke meete and convenyente for their dispeche. And further to see them have convenyente pensyons by yuur wisdomes assygned accordyngly. Whych done, and moreouer
[Page 124] seeing the rightfull and due debts there payd and satysfyed, aswell of the reuenewes as of the sayd stuffe, as to reason and good conscyence apperteyneth, and yowr charges reasonably allowed; ye shall proceede to the dissolutyon of the sayde howle; and forther in our name take possessyon of the same to be kept to our vse and profyte. Ye shall furthermore bring and convaye to our Tower of London after your seyd discressyons all the rest of the seyd money, plate, Iue
[...]les, and ornaments that in any wise shall come to your hands by meane of the premisses or of any parte therof. Straytely chargynge and commandyng all Mai
[...]es, Sheriffes, Bayliffes, Constables, and all other our officers, ministers, and subiects, to whom in this case it shall apperteyne, that vnto yow, and euery of yow, in execucion herof they be helpynge, ayding, favoringe, and assistyng, as they will answere vnto vs to the contrary at their vttermost perrilles. Yeven, &c.
An Information made to Queene
Elizabeth by ...... of the seuerall abuses and frauds done vnto the State generall, and Crowne by the corruption of such as haue bine imployed by her Father vppon the suppression of the Abbeyes, and Continuance of the same.
Part of the corrupt, deceitfull, fraudulente, and vnrighteouse dealinge of many Subiects of this Realme at and since the visitation and suppression of Abbeyes, which with all the rest God by his grace hath made me hate and refuse, and also deteste and resiste in otheres to the vtmoste of my small powere, beyng contrary to this commaundemente of the second Table, Thou shal
[...] not
[...]eale: wherby the possessiones, reuenues, and treasure of the Crowne have byn vnmesurably robbed and diminyshed, to the great offence of God, and slaunder of the Gospell, and to the no small impouereshynge and weakenynge of the Imperiall Crowne, and vtter vndoinge of a nomber of your Maiesties pore Tenants and Subiects, and so to the great slaundere of your Maiestie, and withdrawinge of their harts from you, whos Acte it is told them to be, and so to them it semeth, because some of your seales be at all or most parte of them, and the confirmacion of your head officers at the reste: and to the vttere spoyling and vndoynge (before God and good men) of a nomber of lerned persones and exelente witts who vnderstanding that many before them had byne therby greatly enriched and advaunced; and that the gapp thervnto as vnto a vertue was made wyde opene for all without any punyshement, but rather commendacions, were and
[...]re still the easilier ouercom by temptacion of the wisedome of Satane, the world, and the fleshe, to seeke and labour to become riche by like wicked wayes; of whom as the nomber is now of late yeres increased, so also deceave they moore subtillie and detestablie, and in more things then euer before. For redresse wherof, and of a nombere of other cunnynge and clenly Thefts and decepts which I know and can in time remember and discouere, beside the multetude out of my compasse sayd by common brute to be in other calings. There must be pennede (by some persones learnede in the Lawe that be knowne to hate all kynds of vnrighteousnes)
[Page] some strong Act or Actes (to passe by Parliament, and afterward
[...] to be roundly executed) with great penalties, forfeitures, and ponyshments, to reche vnto lands, goods, and bodie, as the greatnes or the smalnes of the case shall require, without the which God wil be yet more offended, the Gospell more slaundered, the Crowne more impouereshed and wekened, your people more vndone, your Maiestie more slaundered, your peoples harts more drawne from you, the lerned persones and exelente witts of your people more spoyled, and many other particuler euills will grow thereby, besides Gods great strokes: which at length will come without repentance and amendment: Wheras yf reformacion be had, God wilbe therin pleased, the Gospelle commended, the Crowne enriched, your people profited, ther loues towards you encreased; the learned and exelente wittes enforced from deceite, to seeke prefermente and welthe by godly and honeste meanes; and many other things will grow therby, besides Gods good blessing which your Maiestie shall be sure to haue for it.
Deceiptfull and vnrighteouse dealings,
viz. at and vpon the visitation and suppression of Abbeyes.
Wher the Images of gold and siluer, &c. with the costelye Shrines, Tabernacles,
1 Alteres, and Roodloftes, and the pretious Jewelles, rich Stones, and perles, &c. belonging to the same, and the pixes, phallaces, Patenes, Basines, Ewers, candlestickes, Crewets, challices, Sensors, and multitudes of other riche vesselles of gold and siluer, &c. And the costly Alter clothes, curtenes, copes, vestments, Aulbes, Tunicles, and other riche ornaments, and the fine linnen, iette, marble, precious wood, brasse, iron, lead,
belles[?], stone, &c. and the houshould plate, householde stuffe, and furniture of housholde, and the Leases and chattalles, and the horses, oxen, kine, sheepe, and other cattell, and the superfluous howses and buildings, and multitudes of other things that belonged to Abbeyes, &c. were worth a million of gold. The salles of the parte whereof were so cunningly made, and the preseruation of the rest was suche that your Maiesties Father, and the Crowne of England hade in comparison but meane portiones of the same, of which muche was vnpayd by ill dealinge in many yeres aftre. For the fynding out of which, and punishyng the great decept and fraude, thear was not then, nether hath thear byne at any time since, for the like euilles afterwards also committed to this day any good order or diligent labour taken, but let passe, as though to fynd out and punishe such wickednes were no profite to the Prince and Crowne, or good seruice to God. All which haue byne the easelier let slip, because perhaps some of them that sholde haue punyshed vnder the Prince might also be partly guiltie, and so, Ca
[...] [...]ce: Cathee.
Item, wher diueres of the Visitores and Suppressores had afterwards
2 yerly allowance of Fees, annueties, corodies, &c. graunted by the Abbeyes, &c. to themselues, their servaunts and friends, was it likely that they came by them without fraude.
Item, the most part of the Evedences of Abbeyes and Nunneries were
3 pilfered away, sold and loste, as herein following vnder the title of your
[Page 126] Maiesties tyme more playnlie a
[...]pereth.
4Item, Mannores, Landes and T
[...]nements, and other hereditaments were ofte solde at vnder yerly Rents, by many subtile deceipts and frawdes.
5Item, many Lands and Tenements, &c. were sometime solde with thapportenances at the old yerly Rents: but where the woods were vnvalued (as ofte they were) the same went from the Kyng without recompen
[...].
6Item, Mannores, Lands, and Tenements, &c. sold to diuers, and after the woods were felled and solde, and the Rents enhaunced, or for great fines leased out for many yeres, then the same Mannores, lands, &c. were retorned to the kyng in exchange for other lands that had plentie of woods, and were vnenhauncede, and vnleased in all or in parte, or the Leases were nere expyred.
7Item, muche Lands and Tenements, and many great woods, and other hereditaments were then solde away, wher the money for the same by deceptfull defrawde was not payd in many yeres after the due dayes of paymente.
So likewise in the time of the reigne of King
Edward the sixt, your Maiesties Brother, many things were done amisse, though not so many and so great as befoar.
Exchanges more were then in King
Henries tyme, and almost as badde, wherof the Rents of many of them muste needs decaye in a great parte when that Leases shall end that were made by the Exchang
[...]r
[...]s, or when their Bonds made to warrant thos Rents shall either be lost, or not extended.
Much Lands, &c. were sold at vnder values by great decepte of many.
And in the shorte tyme of the Reigne of Queene
M
[...]ry your Maiesties Sister, many great gifts, Sales, and Exchanges were made, wherein was great deceipt and losse to the Prince and Crowne
In your Maiesties time and before, all or the greateste parte of all the Evidences of the Lands, possessions and hereditaments of all the Abbeyes, &c. have by litle and litle by fraudulent meanes byne so pilfered, and solde awaye and so drawne into many priuate mens handes, that there is almoste none of them left to your Maiesties vse; so that your Maiestie hath nothing to mainteyne your title yf neede so requyre, but onely the long possession, and your owne Records made since suppression, whereof a nomber of them be gone.
This Informer, (a man in authoritie, as appeares by the sequele, of whose name I am ignorant) proceeds further in the rehearsall of many more deceipts, frawdes, and corruptions, vsed by diuers of the Officers of those dayes, onely for their owne lucre and advauncement, which are too many here to set downe; I will end this Chapter with the conclusion of his arguments.
When I speke (saith he) write, or worke against thes, and multitudes of like things, what adoe ther is on euery side, and what outcries ther i
[...] againste me, and what inward hatred is borne me, which sometime brek
[...]s foarth, and shewes it selfe, by their sowre lookes, bittere speches, and taunt and by their liftings at me, and paying me home one way or other when they can themselues, or when others canne for them, your Maiestie wo
[...][Page 127] wondere yf you knewe; And the more because some of them beare great shew and name of good men and Gospelers: But alas piteous ones God amend them and vs all; That we together that prof
[...]sse the Gospell may studye and strive not onely to loue and doe what he commands, and to hate and resist what he forbids; But also thos of vs that be in authore
[...] to bring all others ther vnto by great intreaty and good rewards, yf that will serve, yf not by roughe threats, and sharpe strokes, as he hath appointed for the bringing home vnto himself of euery creature.
CHAP. XVI. The time of the institution of Religious Orders. Their seu
[...]rall names and Authours, and the infinite encrease of their Fraternities and Sisterhoods.
THe Popes of Rome challenging a succession from Saint
Peter, [...]. Op
[...] Cro
[...]g. pag. [...]0. and seeking to imitate the Hebrewes, began to institute Ostiaries, Acolites, Exorcists, Readers, Subdeacons, and Deacons.
The Office of the Ostiarle was to open and shut the Church doores,
Os
[...]ati
[...]s. to looke to the decent keeping of the Church▪ and the holy ornaments laid vp in the Vestrie; which is now the charge of the Vergers (as I take it) in Cathedrall Churches.
Acolites, or Acoluthites,
Acolites, or
[...].
Vid
[...]s
[...]s
[...]mina Angel
[...] [...] S. were to follow and serue the Bishop or chiefe Priest, to prouide and kindle the lights and lamps of the Church▪ and to register the names of such as were catechized.
Exorcists had the power giuen them to expell vncleane spirits;
[...]xorcists. and by fasting and prayer, to free such persons as were so possest.
Readers,
Readersquos Pastores à pasco nominatos putat Am... osius, matut
[...]n
[...] tempore Prophetarum Apostolorumque scripta legebant, ac populum diuinis lectionibus quasi pascebant. Which Saint
Ambrose supposeth to be called Pastours,
[...]phes. 4.
[...]. by the Apostle
Paul: did reade the writings of the Prophets and Apostles, at the time of morning prayer, and did feede, as it were, the people with such diuine lessons.
The office of the Subdeacons was to set and giue out the Psalmes in solemne tunes,
Subde
[...]co
[...]. to receiue the oblations of the faithfull, to write the liues and Agons of the Martyrs, and to declare, or make more plaine vnto the people the Epistles of the Apostles.
Deacons had the charge to releeue widowes and orphans,
Deacons. and other poore faithfull people; and to distribute vnto them the almes which deuout Christians had giuen to that intent. They were also allowed to preach the Gospell,
Summa Angel. li
[...]ra D. to interprete the Scriptures, and appointed to adorne the sacred Altars, and helpe the Priest in diuine Seruice (a place officiated now by our Parish Clerkes) these were chosen to bee men full of religion, integritie of life, faithfulnesse and bountie, after the example of the Churhes of Ierusalem and Antioch,
[...]riests. who were called Clerkes; some of these were made by the imposition of hands Priests, others Deacons: to the end the Bishop of
[Page 128] Rome might imploy them to instruct the Christians which then increased, and were so many, as he could not alone execute the charge. To these Priests he gaue the chiefe care of soules, to the end that administring the Sacraments to the people of God, they might with the Bishop attend prayer and preaching.
Op
[...]e
[...] in loco
[...]ad.Presbyterorum vero munus erat baptisare, Episcopis adesse consilijs, orationibus esse intentos, frangere panem in commemorationem Christi, annunciando mortem eius, orare super infirmos, vngentes eos oloo in nomine Domini. The office indeed of Priests was to baptise; to be assistant to the Bishops in Councell, to be attent and earnest in prayer, to breake the bread of life in remembrance of Christ; preaching or declaring his death and passion: to visite and pray for the sicke, giuing them extreme Vnction in the name of the Lord.
The Author of the booke called,
S
[...]lla Clericorum. And
Presbyter, saith one,
dicitur quasi praebensiter; as shewing the way of saluation to the ignorant people. They were likewise, saith the same Author, called
Sacerdotes, men consecrated to God in respect of their sacred orders, and pious imployments: which by him is thus deciphered.
Quinque enim sunt dignitates Sacerdotum prae ceteris. Primo dicitur sacerdos quasi sacris dotatus, scilicet sacris ordinibus, quia ipse est in summo gradu, qui est Sacerdotum. Secundò, Sacerdos quasi sacris is ded
[...] tus, id est sacramentis; ad sacrisicanda sacramenta; nam ipse sacri
[...]ic
[...] sacrosanctum corpus Domini cum verbis, signis, prodigijs, & caetera sacramenta. Tertiò, dicitur Sacerdos quasidans sacra, dat enim Baptismum, confessionem, poenitentiam, indulgentiam, Eucharistiam, benedictionem, & extremam vnctionem. Quartò dicitur Sacerdos, quasi sacra docens: docet enim verba sancti Euangelij, & articulos rectae fidei. Quintò, dicitur Sacerdos, quasi sacer dux, quasi ducatum praebens, & iter populo ad regna coelorum, verbo sanae doctrinae, et vitae bono exemplo. Whereupon this Distich was compiled:
Sacris dotatus, et sacris deditus, atque
Sacra docens, sacra dans, et dux sacer esto Sacerdos.
Vpon the diuision of Prouinces into Parishes (of which hereafter) and building of Churches (which worke was effected with chearfull deuotion) the fittest men out of this holiest order, were chosen and appointed to consecrate the diuine Miestries of the Church. To such, or such particular congregations as were committed to their charge, and of whose soules they had the cure. And such Deacons, which as Parish Clerks, did helpe the Priests in the execution of their sacred office; did most commonly after a short time, enter into the order of Priestood, and tooke vpon them the cure of soules, and the benefit of a fat Parsonage, if they could procure it; in which promotion, if this or that Deacon carryed himselfe proudly, or any wayes no
[...] to the contentment of his Parishioners: such was the common saying,
‘
Prouerbium.The Priest forgets that e're he was a Clerke.’
These Priests were called Secular, and such as led a Monasticall life Regular. And so Canons were both secular and regular.
ChanonsThe opinions of the first institutions of Chanons are very diuers; some refer the beginning of a canonicall life to
Vrbin the first, a Romane Bishop, who liued about the yeare of Grace 230. Others, and namely
Possidomus,[Page 129] make Saint
Augustine the chiefe Author of this institution, who when hee had gathered together a companie of godly men, who liued religiously, farre from the noise and trouble of the multitude, being made a Bishop, he built a Monasterie for Clerkes and Priests within his pallace, with whom he might liue in common.
Lib. d
[...] pracipuis vib
[...] Rom.
[...].Onufrius Panuinus writes, that Pope
Gelasius[?] the first, about the yeare 493. placed the regular Chanons of Saint
Augustine at Latran in Rome; Pope
Boniface in the yeare 1298. placed there Chanons secular;
Gregorie the twelfth restored the regular
Calistus the third brought in secular Chanons againe; and Pope
Paul, the second of that name, dispossest them, and restored the regular. They were wont to sleepe vpon mattresses, and had blankets of wooll, they fasted much, vsed great silence, and liued in common, hauing nothing proper to themselues: they v
[...]ed exercises two houres in the day, and at the end of the yeare they made their procession. They did not admit any one to the habit vntill hee were seuenteene yeares old; and they gaue themselues to studie and preaching. The rule of these Chanons (confirmed by many Popes) consisted chiefly vpon three points, to haue nothing of their owne, to bee chaste, and to keepe their cloisters. Which rule is deciphered in the old cloister of the Monasterie of Saint
Iohn Lateran, in riming verses, now hardly to be read, thus
Canonicam formam sumentes discite normam,
Quam promisistis hoc claustrum quando petistis,
Discite sic esse tria vobis adesse necesse;
Nil proprium, morum castum portando pudorem,
Claustri structura sit vobis docta figura:
Vt sic clarescant anime, moresque nitescant
Et stabiliantur animo qui canonicantur.
Vt coniunguntur lapidesque sic poliuntur.
Thus regular in holinesse of good life,
In the Plowmans tale. and also in learning, both Priests and Chanons were of ancient times, but how irregular afterwards, let
Chaucer tell you.
Passus 14.
Ex Mss. in bib. Cot.Piers the Plowman thus blanklie speakes of their pride.
Sir
Iohn and Sir
Ieffery hath a girdle of siluer,
A Baselard or a ballocke knife, with buttons ouergilt,
And a Portus that shuld be his plow.
Placebo [...]o synge,
Had he neuer seruice to saue siluer therto, seith it with idle will.
And hereupon he exhorts lay-men not to bee so liberall in bestowing their goods vpon the Clergie. Thus.
Alas ye lewd men much lese ye on Pryests,
And a thinge that wickedly is won, and with false sleights
Would neuer wit of wittye God, but wicked men it had,
The whych ar Pryests imperfit, and Prechers after s
[...]uer.
That with gile is gotten, vngraciously is spended;
Executours and sodemes, samoners and their lemmans:
So harlots and hoores are holpen with such goods,
And gods folks for defaulte therof, forfaren and spill.
These Canons had many cloisters here in England, great lands and reuenues, and were wondrous rich, the first Chanon Regular in this kingdome was one
Norman, whom
Matilda wife to King
Henry the first preferred to the gouernment of her Priory, called Christ-church, now the Dukes place within Aldgate London.
There are foure rules, or religious Orders, that is to say, of S.
Basill, S.
Augustine, S.
Benet, and S.
Francis, vnder which all other orders are comprehended and gouerned. Of which my old Author
Robert Longland, siue Iohannes Maluerne in the vision of
Piers Plowman giues a touch: where he speakes of Pardons and Popes Bulls, on this manner.
At the dredfull dome whan the dead shall arise
Pas
[...]us [...].
And comen al to fore Crist, accountes for to yeue
How thow leadest thy life here, and his lawes kepest
And how thow diddest day by day the dome wil reherse.
A poke full of Pardons there ne prouinciall lettres,
Though ye be founden in the fraternyte of the iiii. orders,
And haue indulgence an C. fold, but if Dowel ye help,
I beset yowr Patentes and yowr Pardons at a pyes hele.
[Page 131]And thus the same Authour in another place, speaking of the pilgrimage to our Ladies Shrine at Walsingham.
Hermets an heape with hoked staues,
Wenten to Walsingham, and her wenches after,
Great loubies and long, that loth were to swinke
Clothed em in copes, to be knowen from other,
And shopen hem hermets, her ease to haue.
I found there Freres, al the foure orders,
Preched to the people for profit of themselues,
Glosed the Gospel as hem good liked,
For couetous of Copes construe it as thei wold.
So
Chaucer in his prologues and in the Character of the Frier mentions foure Orders.
A Frere there was a wanton and a merry,
A Limy
[...]our, a full solempne man:
In all the Orders foure is none that can
So much of daliaunce and faire language.
But to returne to the first of the foure orders,
The
[...] which is that of S.
Basill, (howsoeuer as I conceiue the order of Saint
Dominicke was accounted one of the foure here in England) this
Basill surnamed the Great, for his great learning, liued about the yeare of Grace 300. he was a Priest in Caes
[...]a, the chiefe Citie of Cappadocia where he was borne, and whereof afterwards he was chosen B
[...]shop. He was the Authour of building of Monasteries, whereas many might liue together, for before his time the Monkes dwelt in caues and cels alone, in desarts and solitarie places, from the which hee drew them into Coenobies or Couents: and instituted of discipline, by the which they should no more wander, but bee alwayes bound by one forme of Religion. These Monasteries were schooles, in the which the arts, and Philosophie, together with Diuini
[...]ie, true Religion and pietie were taug
[...]t, to the end there might be learned and fit men alwayes readie to gouerne the Church; it is said that he built so great and spatious a Monasterie in Armenia, as it contained aboue 3000 Monkes; and in the end reduced all the religious men of the East to a good forme of life. He died in the yeare 379, full of yeares as of vertues, when
Damasus the first of that name held the See of Rome, and the Emperour
Valens an Ari
[...]n gouerned the East▪ This Emperour was determined to haue dispossessed him of his Bishoppricke, as he had done others, but hearing him preach, and speaking with him at Cappadocia, he absteyned from expelling him his seate; to which effect
P. Opmer. thus.
Basilius tantae doctrinae ac sanctitatis suit, [...] 316.vt et Valens abstinueri
[...] ab expellendo eum sede, cùm reuersus Cappadociameum concionantem audijsset, atque venisset cum illo in colloquium.
It is holden that this
Basill was the first which caused Monkes to make a vow, after a yeares probation, to liue in their Monas
[...]eries vntill death, to promise full obedience to their superiours, and not to contradict their ordinances, and moreouer to vow continencie and pouertie. This order wheresoeuer
[Page 132] they liue, labour with their hands in imitation of the perfect Monkes of Aegypt: and what they get with their labour, they bring in common, retaining nothing to themselues. This order of this holy man doth flourish at this day in Italy, especially in the dominions of Venice, although all the Monasteries there which are of this order, doe acknowledge the Abbey of Grottaferata, twelue miles distant from Rome for their mother. I doe not finde that any of this rule liued euer here in England: which makes me beleeue that this was none of the foure Orders before specified.
The order of S.
Augustine.The next Monasticke Order confirmed by the Church of Rome, was that of the Doctor of all Doctors, namely, Saint
Augustine; He was borne in the Castle of Tegast in Carthage, about the yeare of our redemption 358. his Fathers name was
Patricius, his Mothers
Monica, by whose intrea
[...]es, mingled with teares, and the learned Sermons of Saint
Ambrose, hee was drawne from the errours of the Manachies; from Saint
Ambrose as then Bishop of Millan in Italie, he returned into his owne countrey, where hee obteyned of the Bishop of Hippo (whereof he was afterwards Bishop himselfe) a garden without the Towne, causing a Monastery to be built there, in which he liued of the labour of his hands in all integritie, according to the institution of the Primitiue Church. He died of a feuer at Hippo▪ when he had sitten fourty yeares in his Bishopricke, being seuenty and six yeares of age, on the fifth of the Kalends of September, leauing to posteritie, two hundred and thirty bookes of his owne writing. This order multiplied greatly throughout the whole Christian world, howsoeuer branched into many seuerall orders, differing both in habit and exercises, as also in rule and precepts of life.
An Epitaph to the memorie of Saint
Augustine which I found in the booke of Rufford Abbey.
Omnis plorat homo mox matris vt exit ab aluo,
Et merito, quoniam ve
[...]it in vallem lachrimosam.
Solum nascentem risisse ferunt Zoroastrem,
Ergo monstrosum crede risum liquet istum;
Primus enim rerum fuit inventor magicarum.
Hoc Augustinus testatur vir preciosus.
Vir doctus, vir magnisicus, vir quippe beatus.
The order of S.
Benet.About some fourtie yeares after the death of Saint
Augustine, Saint
Benedict, vulgarly called
Benet, appeared to the world, who is accounted the Patriarch and Father of all the Monkes of Europe. Hee was borne in Vmbria, a region in Italy, of the noble familie of the Regards, his Fathers name was
Propre, his Mothers
Abundantia, hee was sent to Rome at the age of ten yeares to learne the liberall Arts, but being wearie of the tumults and warre during the raigne of
Iustinian the Emperour, hee went from thence into a desart neare vnto Sublacke, a Towne some fourtie miles from Rome; where he continued the space of three yeares or thereabouts: doing very austere penance vnknowne to any saue one Monke called
Roman; but being afterwards discouered by certaine Shepherds, the people (by reason of the
[Page] great
[...]ame of his integritie and holinesse of life) flocked from all parts to see him; who had such force to perswade them to abandon the world, as in a short time they built twelue Monasteries, and hauing giuen to euery our of them a good Superiour or Abbot, desiring solitarinesse, he retired himselfe with a good number of his best disciples, to the mount Cassin, neare to the Towne of old called Cassina. Where hauing ruined all the idolatrous Temples, and broken downe their Images; hee built him a Monasterie, which hee dedicated to Saint
Iohn the Baptist, with a Chappell to Saint
Martin. Drawing all the Monkes, dispersed in Italy, into one societie and companie, to whom he gaue a certaine rule in writing, by the which they and their successours should gouerne themselues, according as Saint
Basill had done before him; and withall bound them to three seuerall vowes, Chastitie, Pouertie, and Obedience to their superiours, which decree was ratified by the Church of Rome for an Euangelicall law. This congregation of the Benedictines grew by little and little to bee so great throughout all Christendome,
[...] as is almost incredible.
Nulla Monasteria nisi Bene
[...]dictina erat apud Anglos ab aetate Edgari vsque ad regnum Gulielmi primi. There was no Monasteries, saith a late Writer, amongst the English from the time of King
Edgar, till the raigne of
William the Conquerour, but Benedictines. This order, saith the same Authour, came first into England with
Austin the Monke, Bishop of Canterbury. Hee the said Saint
Benet, died about the yeare of our Lord fiue hundred and eighteene, and was buried in his owne Oratorie consecrated to Saint
Iohn: where as before was wont to be the Altar of
Apollo. He liued 63. yeares.
Saint
Francis was borne in the Towne of Assile in the Duchie of Spoletum in Italy;
The order of S
Francis. in his young yeares he dealt in the trade of Merchandise, but by reason of a great sicknesse, at the age of two and twenty yeares, he contemned all worldly dealings, and gaue himselfe wholly to heauenly meditations; he put a shirt of haire vpon his bare skinne, and a sacke vpon it, girding himselfe with a cord,
Opmer. opus Cron
[...]g, ad a
[...]. 12
[...]. going also without hose or shooes,
Et victus ostiatim emendicans, begging from doore to doore; so as the fame of him being spread ouer neighbour countreys, many drawne by his holinesse abandoned the world, and became his disciples, making profession of pouerty, but yet to labour and take paines for a poore liuing. For these he built an Abbey in the Towne where he was borne, and wrate a rule, as well for those which were vnited vnto him, as for such as should come after him, which was approued and confirmed with many Indulgences, Priuiledges, Graces, and Pardons, by Pope
Innocent the third, and
Honorius that succeeded him; After the confirmacion whereof, he ordained that his Friers should be called,
Fratres minores, or Minorite Friers, to witnesse their greater humilitie.
One
Adam Sousbout a Germane Diuine,
Opmer. opus Cron
[...]g. ad ann 1225.Ann. 1227. vpon his entrance into this order, writes thus to his Father at Delphos.
Quàm sit vita breuis, quam sit via lubrica, quamque
[...] ca. 34.This Scraphicall Saint
Francis died the fourth of October, 1226. and was canonised by Pope
Gregorie the ninth,
ann. 1276.
Ann. 1224. About two yeares before the death of Saint
Francis, these Friers Minorites came into England,
Et benigne a Rege Henrico tertio sunt suscepti, & Cantuar, collocati fuerunt: They were graciously receiued of
Henry the third, and placed in Canterbury. And afterwards,
anno 1269, one of the Ancestours of Sir
Dudley Digge, commonly called
Digges, Emit Insulam vocatam Bynnewyght in Cantuar. et locum Porte super stonestreete ad opus Fratrum Minorum, [...]land Comment.et tempore oportuno transtulit Fratres ad illam, bought an Island in Canterbury called Bynnewyght, and the place of a gate ouer Stone-streete for the vse of the Friers Minorites, to which hee translated them in conuenient time.
[...].The Friers Minors (saith
Stow, first arriued in England at Douer, nine in number, fiue of them remained at Canterbury, and did there build the first Couent of Friers Minors that euer was in England; the other foure came to London, and lodged at the preaching Friers the space of fifteene dayes, and then hired an house in Cornhill of
Iohn Traners, one of the Sheriffes, they bui
[...]ded there little cels, wherein they inhabited, the deuotion of the Citizens toward them, and also the multitude of Friers so increased, that they were remoued by the Citizens to a place in S.
Nicholas Shambles, which
Iohn Iwyn Citizen and Mercer of London, appropriated vnto the Communalty of the Citie, to the vse of the said Friers, and became himselfe a lay Brother.
The order of S.
[...].Contemporarie with Saint
Francis was Saint
Dominicke, a Spaniard, borne in a Towne called Calogora, in the Diocesse of Osma. His fader was namyd
Felix, and his Meder
Iohane, saith an old Agon: from Calogora hee came into Gascoigne, where hee continued ten yeares preaching, and drawing Christian Princes into armes against the Albigeo
[...]s, certeyne Heretiques,
Qui damnato matrimonio vagos suadebant corcubitus; atque
[...]sum carnium prohibebant. Who condemned Matrimonie perswaded licentious copulations, and forbad the eating of flesh, whose errours hee repressed by his Sermons From thence he went to Rome to the Councell of Lateran, vnder
Innocent the third, where hee obtained licence of the said Pope▪ to put himselfe vnder what rule he should like best▪ that was allowed by the Church: whereupon he made choise of that of Saint
Antonie, with sixteene of his disciples, and hauing made certaine constitutions, it was confirmed by
Honorius the third; about the yeare of our Lord, 1206. Then going to Tholouse he exhorted his Friers, and sent them to preach, two and two together, perswading them to bee preachers both in deed and name; These Friers Preachers came first into England in the yeare 1221. where they had louing entertainment and houses built. Of which my old Author.
[...]. of Glocester.
Then deide Seynt Hugh an half yer and no mo
That was Bishop of Lincolne, and ther after the fyrst yer
The order of Frere prechours bygan, that
[...]as neuer
Seynt Domnyk hit bygan, in the yere of gease ywis
M. C. C. no mor forsothe hit ys.
[Page]Of the gluttonie and drunkennesse of this order which so farre declined, like others, from the first institution; one of their owne side thus writ.
Sanctus Dominicus sit nobis semper ami
[...]us,
Cuicanimus nostro iugiter praeconia ros
[...]ro.
De cordis venis siccatis ante lagenis.
Ergo was laudes si tu nos pangere gaudes,
Tempore Paschali, fac ne potu puteali
Conveniat vti: quod si sit, vndique muti
Semper erant Fratres, qui non curant nisi ventres.
All things degenerate in time,
[...] and stray in a manner from the right course; for example, the order of Saint
Benet which had flourished a long space with great reputation of holinesse, di
[...]ered so much from the first institution of their Founder, that neither the decrees and authoritie of holy Fathers generall and prouinciall Councels could reforme or draw them to their first principles, vntill the sanctitie of one
Odo, or
Otho, Abbot of Clu
[...] Burgandy, and one of Saint
Benets order, reuiued in a manner from
[...] to life this Monasticall profession, forcing them to obserue▪ and obseruing himselfe from point to point all that was practised in the time of S.
Benedict. So as many of their Abbots which were drawne by his good example, reformed also their Abbeyes, not onely in France, but as well in Sp
[...]ne, Germany, Italy, and England; and for that this reformation
[...] his first beginning at Cluni; the vnion of so many Abbeyes was called the congregation of Cluni, and euery yeare, by the Popes permission and authoritie, all the Abbots of this congregation met at a certaine place, and they called it the generall Chapter, whereas they treated of the order and life of Monkes, putting out, and punish
[...]ng such as had offended. This
Odo liued in the yeare of our Lord, 913.
It was no long time after, ere that these Benedictines fell againe to their old vomit,
Ciste
[...]ci
[...]n Monke. their great wealth hauing made them, proud, idle, luxurious, carelesse of Gods house; and in most or all of their actions, extreamely vitious. Whereupon one
Robert Abbot of Molesme a Towne in Burgundy, pe
[...]ceiuing that the Benedictines Monkes of his owne house (as of all other Monaster
[...]es) had almost quite left and forsaken the ancient rule and discip
[...]i
[...]e that
Benet had giuen them; he left his owne house, taking with him one a
[...]d twenty of the honestest Monkes he could finde, to a solitarie stupendiou
[...], and neuer inhabited place, called Cisteux, or Cistercium, neare to
[...]gres, in the said Duchie of Burgundy, where hee erected a new Abbey for his new companions, whom hee called Cistercians, of the place where the Abbey was scituated.
The liberties, immunities, and priuiledges of this Order was generally confirmed by
Alexander the fourth, Bishop of Rome,
circa An 1258.
Bulla Pape Alexandri quarti de Confirmatione omnium libertatum, immunitatum, priuilegiorum, &c. ordinis Cisterciensis.
Alexander Episcopus seruus seruorum Dei.
In lib. Si
[...].
[...] Dilectis filijs Abbati Cistercij,
[Page 136] eiusque coahbitibus et conventibus vniuersis Cisterciensis ordinis. Salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem. Solet annuere sedes Apostolica pijs votis, et honestis p
[...]tentium precibus fauorem beneuolum impertiri. Ea propter dilecti in Domino filij, vestris iustis postulationibus grato concurrentes assensis, omnes libertates et immunitates à predecessoribus nostris Romanis Pontificibus, siue per priuilegia seu alias Indulgentias ordini vestro concessas; nec non libertates et exemptiones secularium exactionum à Re
[...]ibus et principibus, vel alijs Christian
[...] sidelibus rationabiliter vobis indultas, auctoritate Apostolica confirmamus, et presentis scripti patrocinio communuimus. Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostre confirmationis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contra
[...]re. Si quis autem hoc attemptare presumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei, et beatorum Petriet Pauli Apostolorum eius se nouerit incursurum.
Dat. Lateran. X. Kal. Martij. Pontificatus, nostri Anno secundo.
[...]. M ss. in bib. Co
[...].This Cistercian Brotherhood was first established here in England by one
Walter Espeke, who founded the first Abbey of the said Order at Riuaux, or Rivall in Yorkeshire, about the yeare 1131. according to this old Distich, sometimes depicted vpon the wall at the entrance into the said Abbey.
Anglia Millesimo centes. Anno quoque et vno.
Christi et tricesimo, micuit Cistercius Ordo.
Some fifteene yeares after this foundation, and about the yeare 1098. S.
Bernard surnamed the Mellifluous, a man noblely descended, borne at the Castle of Fountenay in Burgundy, with thirtie of his companions, amongst which three were his owne brethren, became religious men in this Monasterie. This
Bernard in short time became very famous, as well for his learning (of which his diuine writings full of sweetnesse beare witnesse) as for the holinesse of his life, in regard of which hee was sent by his superiour to lay the foundation of that great and famous Abbey of Clareuaux, or Claravallensis, neare to the riuer Aulbe, about Lang
[...]es; which Abbey a Nobleman of the countrey had then lately built; and thus began the Monkes of the Order of Saint
Bernard, [...]ernar▪ li
[...] Monke
[...]. which is all one with the Cistercian Monkes, sauing a little difference in the habit, both of them obseruing the rule of Saint
Benet. This good man Saint
Benet came to the Abbey of Cisteux, when he was eighteene yeares old, at the age of 25 he was consecrated Abbot of Claravall:
Opus Cron. pag. 371
ad An. 11
[...]8.Et diuino magis instinctu, quam humana industria legem Domini didicit, quam tanta doctrinae munificentia, et eloquij suavitat
[...] enarrauit, vt communi Doctorum consersu Mellistui Doctoris cognomen sit adeptus, saith
Opmer. The Archbishoprickes of Genua and Millan hee refused, and onely contented himselfe with the gouernment of this Abbey of Claravall, in the which he continued 38. yeares. Hee died the fifth of Nouember, about the yeare of Grace, 1160. and was buried in his owne Monasterie, when he had liued, 63, yeares. He built the Monasterie of Saint
Vincent and
Anastasius in Rome, to the gouernment of which he preferred one
Peter Bernard, his Scholler, who was afterward Pope of Rome, by
[Page] the name of
Eugenius the th
[...]rd. In his time by himselfe and his meanes one hundred and sixe Abbeyes of this Order were built and reestablished; vpon the forefront or some other places within these Abbeyes, this sentence is most commonly depensild, grauen, or painted; taken out of Saint
Bernard.
Bonum est nos hic esse, quia homo viuit puriùs, cadit rariùs,
[...]urgit v
[...]lociùs, incedit cautiùs, quiescit securiùs, moritur felic
[...]ùs, purgatur
[...], & praemiatur copiosius.
Amongst many Epitaphs made to the immortall memorie of this Mellifluons Doctor, these following may suffice.
Dura, malum, cunctos, tulit, horruit, edi
[...]icauit,
Vana, Deum, requiem, spreuit amauit, habet.
Another alluding to the name of
Claravall.
Sunt clare valles, sed claris vallibus Abbas;
Clarior, hijs, clarum nomen habere d
[...]dit.
Clarus auis, clarus meritis, et clarus honore,
Clarier eloquio, Relligione magis.
Mors est clara, cinis clarus, clarumque sepulchrum,
Clarior exulta
[...] spiritus ante Deum.
Another vpon his owne name.
Ardens Bernardus, aut ardens, aut bona nardus,
Iure vocatur, propter quod nunc celebratur.
Ardens feruore; vita sublimis; odore
Nardus; que vere virtutis signa fuere.
Iste fuit per quem patuit doctrina sophie
Preco Dei, Doctor fidei, Cytarista Marie.
It is said by one,
[...] S. B
[...]rn. that approaching neare to his end, he spoke thus to his brethren:
Tria vobis obseruanda relinquo, que in stadio presentis vite quo cucurrimemini me pro viribus observasse. Nemini scandalum facere volui & si aliquando accidit sedaui vt potui. Minus semper sensui meo quam alterius credidi. Lesus de ledente nunquam vindict im expetij. Three things I require you to keepe and obserue, which I remember to haue kept to my power, as long as I haue been in this present life. I haue not willed to slander any person, and if any haue fallen, I haue hid it as much as I might. I
[Page 138] haue euer lesse trusted to my owne wit and vnderstanding, then to any others. If I were at any time hurt, harmed, or annoyed, I neuer craued vengeance of the partie which so wronged me. Which is thus more succinctly set downe by another, who hath written the life of the said
Bernard.
Beati Bernardi metricum Testamentum
Et primo sui Prioris interrogatio.
Que vite forma, qui mores, que sacta norma
Quid d
[...]ceat quid non, instrue sancte pater.
Respunsio ipsius Bernardi.
Que
[...]eci, prim
[...], v
[...]bis facienda relinquo
Celesti
[...] Monkes.Within one hundred yeares after the first spreading abroad of these Cistercian and Bernardin Monkes; the Benedictines wanted another reformation▪ which was attempted by
Peter, one of the same Order, surnamed
[...]oron, of a Mountaine so called; at the foote of which he liued in a caue for the space of three yeares, doing daily penance. Vpon this mountaine he built a little Church, which he called of the holy Ghost; be ware a
[...]wayes a
[...]l
[...]aine of Iron vpon his bare flesh, vpon it a shirt of haire, being in continuall prayer, and reforming the rule of Saint
Benet, which was then much degenerated. Hee obtained of the Pope a confirmation of his rule, vpon which hee celebrated the first generall Chapter of his Order. After which in the seuentie ninth yeare of his age, he was chosen Pope, about the yeare of our redemption, 1
[...]94. by the name of
Celestin the fifth, where vpon this reformed order were called Celestins: the number of which increased so fast, that he himselfe consecraced for them fixe and
[...]hirtie cl
[...] sters in Italy, wherein were sixe hundred Monkes; amongst others this was one of
Celestin the Popes caueats for his new reformadoes.
Tunc Celestinus cris si celestia mediteris.
If heau'nly things thoult meditate,
Then shalt thou liue in heuenly state.
Their first comming into England was much what about the yeare 1414.
The sanctitie of the Francischan Minorite Friers growne cold, one
Ber
[...]ard of Sienna,
[...] a gentleman of a noble extraction, moued with an holy and
[...] deuotion, laboured much for the reformation of that Order, which
[...] some assistants effected, taking away the abuses which were crept
[...] causing the Friers to liue in common, and to haue nothing proper to
[...], following simplie the institution of their father Saint
Francis [...] called Obseruant Minorite Friers, because they were
obseruan
[...] S. Francisci & propterea meliores: more obseruant to keepe the
[...] and orders of Saint
Francis, and therefore the better. This Order
[...] the yeare of Iubile, 1400. or thereabouts: it was first confirmed by
[...] Cou
[...]ell of
C
[...]s
[...]nce ▪ afterwards by
Eugenins the fourth, and other
[...] the fourth brought them into England, and
Henry[Page] the seuenth auhmented their numbers: in whose time they had six famou
[...] Cloisters here in this kingdome. Many other reformations haue been
[...] [...] time to time of the Franciscans, as by the Minims, Reco
[...]lects, Pen
[...] ries, Capuchins, &c. and by many others; which happened sinced
[...] lution here in England, or much what thereabouts.
One
Norbert Archbishop of Magdebourgh,
[...] leauing the world, retired himselfe with certaine companions into a certaine place called
[...] of which this order tooke denomination, where hee squared
[...] himselfe, his fellowes and successours to obserue, much what after the order of Saint
Augustine; which was approued and confirmed by
Calixtus the second.
Honorius the second made them regular Charions. Their Abbots were perpetuall, and euer consecrated by Bishops. They had power to conferre their lesser Orders to their Monkes, and to blesse all th
[...] ornaments of the Church, and to do all other ceremonies, but where as conse
[...]ration is required in the blessing; yet they might celebrate so
[...]emne and
[...] Masse, with the myter, crosier staffe, cappe, and other ornaments, which belong to the Episcopall order and dignitie.
The first institution of this order was about the yeare 1120. their first house here in England was at Newhouse in Lincolnshire.
These Votaries pretend to haue had their first institution at mount Carmel in Syria,
[...] where
Elias and other heretofore liued solitarily, and that the place being inhabited by many Hermites;
Almericke Bishop of
[...] drew them together, liuing dispersed about the mountaine, and
[...] them a Monasterie in that mount neare vnto a fountaine. They say a f
[...]th
[...]r one
Albert Patriarch of Ierusalem, a very famous man, set downea rule from the life of
Elias, out of a certaine Greeke booke of the institution of the first Monke, and from the rule of Saint
Basill the Great, giuing it to keepe to one
Brocard, who was Prior of Mount Carmell, and to his Hermits, which rule of
Albert they vowed to obserue, which was afterwards confirmed by Pope
Honorius the third. They affirme that the Virgine
Mary appeared vnto one of their order, and presented vnto him a
[...] Scapularie, saying, Receiue, my beloued, this Scapularie which I giue vnto thy order, in signe of my fellowship. Whereupon they vsurpe the title of
[...] tres Ordinis beatae Mariae Virginis de monte Carmelo: Friers of the Order of the blessed Virgine
Mary of mount Carmell. Their first apparition
[...] the world was about the yeare 1170. Their entrance into England, and seating themselues at Newenden in Kent, of which hereafter, was about the midst of the raigne of King
Henry the third. These, like as other Orders, haue beene diuers times reformed, euer as they did degenerate from their primitiue sincerity: at this day they are called
Carmes discalced, or bare footed Friers, by a certaine constitution confirmed by the Apostolique authoritie, in a generall Chapter held at Alcara de Henares, in the yeare of our redemption, 1581. There were likewise Carmelin or Carnie
[...] Nunnes here in England.
Iohn Bale who writ of the writers and the best learned men of great Britaine,
[...] writ also a large Treatise of this Order of Carmes, or Carmelites: whose antiquitie, institution, and progresse he sets downe in one of
[...] sages, as followeth.
Namque per H
[...]liam datur Ordo fuisse Prophetam,
Hie primo inceptus sacro quoque iure statutus:
Qui postquam curru raptus fuit in Paradisum
Flammato[?], successit et vates Heliseus;
Condita quinque virum ter claustra fuere per illum;
Quem post affirmant Ionam fuisse Prophetam.
Cui
successerunt[?] Abdias, atque Micheas,
Et plerique alij, quos non memorare necesse est.
Tempore non Christi Montem Baptista Iohannes.
Carmeli Andreas et Ap
[...]stolus incoluerunt,
Nathaniel, Ioseph Vir Virginis atque Marie,
Sanctus Iheronimus, et quidam nomine dictus
Nilas, Marcellus quorum Pauli fuit alter,
Petri Discipulus fuit alter deinde beati.
Tunc in honore pia fuit Ara sancta Marie
Monte in Carmeli, prenescentum que virorum
Tunc in Hierusalem Claustrum fuit aurea porta
Quondam nempe loco qui vulgo sertur ab omni,
Ac in monte Syon claustrum primo Muli
[...]rum,
Multe denote quod percoluere Sorores▪
Sincletica, Euprepia, Polycrasia, item Melania.
Combustum primo verum fuit à Mahumeto,
Postque per Eraclum destructum, post quoque Paulo
Euersum, rursus Danorum et ..... Regio ....
Per .... Karoli reparatum tempore
magni[?].
Ast vbi capta primo fuit Acon, in pede cuius
Est mons Carmeli, Syriamque, Asyamque, coacti
Linquere sunt Fratres; & in
Europam[?] Lodouici
Translati Regis Francorum sunt ope sancti:
Anglia bissenos illos tenuit tamen annos
Qua Regione moram traxere......
He speakes much in the honour of this religious Order, of which hee was a member in the Monasterie of the Carmes within the Citie of Norwich; and findes himselfe much aggrieued at a certaine Lollard, as he calls him, and a Frier mendicant, who made an Oration and composed certaine virulent meeters against this and other of the Religious orders; which hee caused to bee spread abroad throughout the most parte of England, in the yeare 1388. and here will it please you reade these his cursing rimes.
I
[...] is destr
[...]ctis et ab hinc cum Demone Ductis,
Fraus dolus ex: bunt, pax et bona vita redibunt▪
Hij non seribantur cum iustis; sed deleantur
De libro vite, quibus dicat Deus. Ite.
These Sathanicall strong lines (as the phrase is now) did at the first gre
[...]ly distaste my
[...]end Author
Iohn Bale, being one of the Fraternitie:
Sed
[...] deformitatem suam videbat, but afterwards when as he say his owne deformitie and blindnesse,
exuebat habitum sise professionis, he put off the habite of his cloistered profession; he rooted out, erazed, and defaced the maleuolent character of Antichrist (as hee saith himselfe) and consequently embraced the reformed Religion; and writ many-most bitter Inuectiues against al sorts of our English Votaries.
This
Bale flourished in the raigne of King
Henry the eighth, and was liuing in the second yeare of
Edward the sixth, about which time he writ his Centuries.
Thus much (which is more then I determined to haue spoke) touching the order of the Carmes.
The order of Grand Mont was instituted at Grand Mont in Limosin in France,
The Order of
[...] about the yeare of our redemption, one thousand seuentie sixe, vn
[...]der the rule of Saint
Benedict, by
Stephen a gentleman of Auuergne, who being sent by his father to Molon Bishop of Be
[...]uent, to bee instructed by him, he spent twelue yeares learning the institutions and rule of Saint
Benedict. Going from thence, and hauing duely obserued the liues of many Hermites, and Monkes, and seene what was worthie of imita
[...]i
[...]n, in the end he se
[...]ed himselfe vpon the top of an high hill in Limosin, being at that time thirtie yeares old, whereas hee built a little cottage. Hee prescribed a rule of Saint
Benedict to his disciples, himselfe liuing with bread and water, and died being eightie yeares old.
I finde very few Couents of this religious Order here in England, one there was at Abberbury in Shropshire confirmed by the Bull of
Gregorie the ninth, Bishop of Rome: as followeth.
Gregorius Episcopus Seruus sernorum Dei. Dilectis filijs Priori & Fratibus de Abberburi Grandimontensis ordinis Hereforde. Dioc. Salut. & Apostolicam benedictionem. Iustis petentium desiderijs dignum est nos facilem prebere consensum, et vota que a rationis tramite non discordant effectu prosequente complere. Ea propter dilecti in domino filij vestris iustis postularionibus grato concurrentes assensio, possessiones, redditus, & al
[...]a bo
[...] a vesira, si
[...]cue ea omnia iuste & pacifice possidetis, vobis & per vos domui vestre auctoritate Apostolica confirmamus, & presentis scripti patrocinio communui
[...]hus. Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostre confirmation is infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare pres
[...]mpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei, & beatorum Petri & Pauli Apostolorum eius, se nouerit incursurum.
Dat. Avagnie. Non. Febr. Pontificatus nostri. Anno Sexto.
To speake nothing of their opinion (being altogether vnprofitable) who
[Page 142] [...], Saint
Peters disciple and Bishop of Rome,
[...] or the
[...] of the holy Crosse. was the first founder of this order. It is receiued for more truth, that one
Cyriacus Patriarch of Ierusalem (who shewed S.
Helen (the mother of Great
Constantine) where the Crosse was whereon our blessed Sauiour was crucified) was th
[...] first that instituted this Order, in memoriall of the inuention of the Crosse; and gaue ord
[...] that these Friers should euer afterwards carrie a Crosle in their hands: but by reason of
[...] his martyrdome, vnder the Apostata
Iulian, and the cruell persecutions of the Christians, this order became almost quite extinguished, vntill Pope
Innocent the third gaue it new life: since which time it ha
[...]h euer flourished here and beyond. Seas with some little reformation like the rest of its fellowes This holy order came into England in the yeare of our saluation, 1244. Their first C
[...]oister was at Colchester, their greatest Monasterie was neare vnto the Tower hill London, as yet called by the name of Cruched Friers. They did not of late as the first institution, carry the Crosse in their
[...], but ware a crosse of red cloth or skarlet fixed to then habit on their breast.
About the yeare 13
[...]7 the order of the Trinitarian Friers came into England;
Trinita
[...]ian
[...]. an order whose chiefe charge was to go and gather money to redeeme Christians that were captiues vnder the
[...]ranny of the
[...] and Infidels; whereupon they were called
Monachi de Redemptio
[...]e
[...] rum, Monkes of the redemption of captiues. This order was instituted by a Frier, called
Iohn Matta, and
Felix Anachorita, who liued a solitarie life in France, and were warned in their sleepe (as the tale goes) to repaire to Rome to the Pope, and to seeke for a place of him, to build them a cloister. Which they did, and their petition being to them granted, they laid the foundation of the Monasterie now called Saint
Thomas of the Mount, in mount Celia Rome; wherein Frier
Iohn died, and was buried, as appeares by an Arch or ancient Sepulchre of marble in the little Church of the said Church, on the which this Epitaph or Inscription is engrauen.
[...]Anno Domini et incarnationis 1197.
Pontificatus verò domini Innocentij Pape terij Anno primo 15
Kaldanuar. institutus est nutu Dei Ordo Sanctissimae Trinitatis. et captiuorum à Fratre Iohanne, sub propria regula sibi ab Apostolica sede concessa; sepultus est idem Frater Iohannes in hoc loci. Ann. Dom. M. CC. XIII. Mense Decembris vicesimo primo. Yet for all this these Trinitarians say, that the holy and blessed Trinitie, and not Frier
Iohn, neither any of the Saints, gaue them this their rule and order, to which effect in all their Couents these Rimes are painted or engrauen.
Hic est ordo ordinatus,
Non à sancto fabricatus,
Sed a solo summo Deo.
This blessed Order first began
By God, and not by Saint, nor man.
Robertin
[...].For the foundation of these Friers, I will vse the words of the famous Antiquary
Iohn Leyland in his Commentaries; who flourished in the raigne of King
Henry the eighth,
Cui à Bibliothecis erat; who died in the raigne of
Edward the sixth of a Phrenesie, to the great griefe of all such as then did, or
[...]ow do take delight in the abstruse studie of reuerend Antiquitie. Hee
[Page] lieth buried in Saint
Michaels Church in Pater Noster Row, London.
The Priorie of Knasborough,
[...] saith hee, is three quarters of a mile beneath Ma
[...]ch Bridge, which goes ouer Nid, one
Robert Flower, sonne of one
Tork Flower, that had beene twice Maior of Yorke, was the first beginner of this Priory: he had beene a little while before a Monke in New minster Abbey in Morpeth, within the County of Northumberland, forsaking the lands and goods of his father, to whom hee was heire and firstborne sonne, and desiring a solitarie life as an Hermit, resorted to the Rockes by the riuer of Nid, and thither, vpon opinion of his sanctitie, others resorted; for whom and himselfe he built a little Monasterie; got institution and confirmation of an Order about the yeare 1137 which after his owne name he called Robertins. Howsoeuer his companie of Friers were instituted of the order
De redemptione captiuorum, alias, S. Trinitatis.
King
Iohn, as he saith, was of an ill will to this
Robert Flower at the first, yet afterwards very beneficiall both to him and his.
Some of the
Flowers lands at Yorke, were giuen to this Priory, and the name of the
Flowers of late dayes remained in that Citie.
Many miracles, as it is said, were wrought at the Tombe in his owne Priory, wherein he was interred.
Eodem anno claru
[...]t fama Roberti Heremitae apud Knaresburgh, [...]cuius
[...] oleum medicinale fertur abundanter emisisse.
In the same yeare the same of
Robert the Hermite of Knarsborrow spread it selfe clearely abroad; whose Tombe, as the report went, cast forth abundantly medicinable oyle, saith
Mat. Paris the Monke of Saint
Albon
[...], who liued in those dayes. This Order, as I take it, was abolished before the dissolution.
These Friers challenge and deriue their first institution from Saint
Antonie, [...]. who liued about the yeare of our redemption, 345. howsoeuer they obs
[...]rae and follow the rule of Saint
Augustine; but whosoeuer was their first Patron it skills not much. Vpon this occasion following, they came first into England.
Edmund, the sonne and heire of
Richard Earle of Cornwall,
[...] who was second sonne to King
Iohn; being with his father in Germany, where beholding the reliques, and other precious monuments of the ancient Emperours, he espied a boxe of Gold; by the Inscription whereof hee perceiued (as the opinion of men then gaue) that therein was contained a portion of the bloud of our blessed Sauiour.
He therefore being desirous to haue some part thereof, by faire intreatie and money obtained his desire, and brought the Boxe ouer with him into England: bestowing a third part thereof in the Abbey of Hales; which his father had founded, and wherein his father and mother were both buried, thereby to enrich the said Monasterie, and reseruing the other two parts in his owne custodie, till at length moued vpon such deuotion as was then vsed, he founded an Abbey at Ashrugge in Hertfordshire, a little from his Manor of Berkamsted, in which hee placed Monkes of this order,
Bonhommes, Good men: and assigned to them and their Abbey the other two parts of the said sacred bloud. Whereupon followed great resort of people to those two places, (induced thereunto by a certaine blinde deuotion) to
[Page 144] the great emolument and profit of these Good-men the religious Votaries.
The superiour of this Order was called a Rector, or a Father Guardian.
Bethlemit Friers.About the yeare 1257. the Bethlemit Friers had their dwelling in Cambridge, who should be the first institutor I do not reade; their rule and habite was much what like that of the Dominicans; sauing that they wore a starre in their breast wrought vpon their habite, in memoriall of the starre which appeared at the time that our Sauiour was borne in Bethlem. This Order was extinct before the suppression.
[...]This religious Order was first instituted in the yeare of our Lord God, 1080. vpon this occasion (the story is frequent) a Doctor of Paris, famous both for his learning and godly life; being dead and carried to the Church to be buried, when as they sung ouer his bodie the lesson which begins,
Responde mihi quot habes iniquitates, Answer me how many iniquities thou hast, the bodie, sitting vp in the coffin, answered with a terrible voice,
Iusto Dei iudicio accusatus sum: I am accused by the iust iudgement of God: at which voice all the companie being much amazed, they defe
[...]red the interment vntill the next day; at which time vpon the rehearsall of the same words, the body did rise in like manner, and said,
Iusto Dei iudicio iudicatus sum, I am iudged by the iust iudgement of God. The third day hee raised himselfe vp as before, saying,
Iusto Dei iudicio condemnatus sum, I am condemned by the iust iudgement of God. Amongst many Doctors which assisted these Funeralls, one
Bruno, a German, borne at Colleyn, of a rich and noble familie, Chanon of the Cathedrall Church of Rheimes in Champaigne, being strucken and fearfully affrighted at this strange and neuer-heard of spectacle, began to consider with himselfe, and to reuolue and i
[...]erate very often these words following,
Si iustus vix salvabitur, impius & peccator vbi erit: If such a pious man as hee was in the opinion of the world, be damned by the iust iudgement of God (thinkes hee) what will become of me and many thousands more, farre worse and more wicked in the eye of the world then this man was. Vpon this deepe consideration,
Bruno departed from Paris, and tooke his iourney together with sixe of his Schollers, to liue solitarily in some wildernesse; and not long after came to the Prouince of Dolphine in France, neare to the Citie of Grenoble, where hee obtained of
Hugh Bishop of that Citie, a place to build him a Monasterie, on the top of an high stupendious hill, called Carthusia, from whence the Order tooke the name. They gaue themselues to silence, and reading, and separated themselues by little Cels one from another, lest they should interrupt one anothers quiet. They spent some houres in the labour of their hands, and some in the writing of godly books, both to relieue their wants, and to do seruice to the Church of God. Many workes of theirs are still extant; out of which, tending to mortification, the Iesuite
Parsons collected the Resolution.
They did macerate their bodies by fasting and discipline, and in the end resolued to eat no flesh, during their liues.
This donation of Bishop
Hugh (who became himselfe one of their order) was confirmed by
Hugh Bishop of Lions, and afterwards by Pope
Vrban the second. The said Pope
Vrban (as the story, which I haue read,
[Page 145] depicted round about the Cloister of the Carthusians at Paris, doth shew) sent for the foresaid
Bruno to Rome (whose disciple hee had beene) where he remained for a time, and did much helpe to pacifie the troubles there at that time by his prayers; he parted from Rome, and taking his way by Calabria, he came into a desart, called the Tower in the Diocesse of Squilace, where he stayed with his compa
[...]ions, making their residence in certaine caues vnder the ground. The which when one
Roger the Prince of that countrey vnderstood, he went to visit this holy man
Bruno, and gaue to him and his societie all that desart; whereas they built a Church, in the which
Bruno remained alone, where his companions liued, and in that place hee died,
ann. 1102. and there was buried. Vpon whose Sepulchre this Epitaph was insculped.
Primus in hac, Christi fundator ouilis, Eremo
Promerui fieri, qui tegor hoc lapide.
Bruno mihi nomen, Genetrix Germania, meque
Transtulit ad Calabros grata quies nemoris.
Doctor eram, Preco Christi, virnotus in orbe:
Desuper illud erat, gratia non meritum.
Carnis vincla dies Octobris sexta resoluit.
Ossa manent tumulo, spiritus astra petit.
He was canonized in the yeare 1520.
Priors of their grand Monasterie at Carthusia from
Bruno the first,
Antiq de Paris liure
[...]und. till
Bruno d' Affrinques, who gouerned that house,
ann. 1611. haue beene fourty and foure.
This order came into England about the yeare 1180. and at Witham in Somersetshire built their first cloister. Afterwards they came to London and had a faire sumptuous house neare vnto Smithfield London, which is now
Suttons Hospitall; another they had called Sein or Shene, in the countie of Surrey, now best knowne by the name of
Richmond.
There were foure Orders here in England of begging Friers,
Begging F
[...]ier
[...] who did challenge for their Patrons S.
Augustine, S.
Francis, S.
Dominicke, and Saint
Basill, but in their discipline and rule of life, they came farre short of their first Institutors, who both tooke paines with their hands as labourers, and as learned writers, as their workes do testifie; of all Orders these Mendicants haue euer been most bitterly inueighed against by their owne writers: as I shall shew hereafter.
Quidam nouus ordo Fratrum Londini apparuit,Friers of the backe.& incognitus. Papale tamen autenticum palam ostendens; ita vt tot ordinum confusio videretur. A certaine new and vnknowne order of Friers appeared in London; shewing openly the Popes authenticall Bull for their admission; so that then there seemed to be a confusion of so many Orders,
In An 1297.
Hen. 3.41. saith
Paris. These were called
Fratres de poenitentia Iesu, or
Fratres de Sacca: Friers of the repentance of Iesus, or Friers of the Sacke, for that they carried sacks, and for that they were clad in sackcloth. These had their first house a little without Aldersgate London; and obtained licence of King
Henry the third in the fifth yeare of his raigne,
Stow Survay. to remoue from thence vnto any other place, and within some two yeares afterwards hee gaue to them the Iewes Synagogue in
[Page 146] Colmanstreet ward, which was defaced by the Citizens of London, after they had slaine seuen hundred Iewes, and taken away all their goods. After which time
Eleanor, wife to King
Edward the first, tooke into her protection, and warranted vnto the Prior and Brethren
De poenitentia Iesu Christi, of London, the said land in Colechurch street, in the Parish of Saint
Olaue in the old Iury, and S.
Margaret in Lothbury, by her granted, with consent of
Stephen de Fulborne, Vnder-Warden of the Bridge-house, and other Brethren of that house, for threescore Markes of siluer, which they had receiued of the said Prior and Brethren of Repentance, toward the building of the said Bridge.
This Order of Friers gathered many good Schollers, and multiplied in number exceedingly, vntill by a generall Councell it was decreed, that there should no more Orders of begging Friers be permitted, but onely the foure Orders, and so from that time these Friers decreased and fell to nothing. There were also Nunnes of this order,
Nuns Sachettes. which were called Sachettes, whether they had any Couent in England or not, I do not know. But great S.
Lewis King of France, being stirred vp by Queene
Blaunch his mother, in the yeare of our saluation,
Antiquitez. de Paris lib. 2. 1261. hauing giuen vnto the Brethren of the Sacke, or of the repentance of Iesus Christ, a certaine house vpon the riuer of Seine, a little beneath S.
Michaels bridge, in the Parish of Saint
Andrew des Artes at Paris, as by his charter (which I haue read) appeares, gaue also to the Nunnes of the same order, another house to inhabite in the said Parish, where neither of the orders made there any long abode but were expelled in the time of the said King, leauing onely the name of Sachettes vnto the streete.
The order of S.
Iohn of Ierusalem.About the yeare 1048. (the Sarazins being masters of Ierusalem, and of the holy Temple which they ruined) certaine gentlemen and Italian Merchants vsed to frequent the ports and maritime towns of Syria and Aegypt, who (for that they brought merchandise which was pleasing vnto those countries) were well entertained, not onely by the gouernour of the Towne, but by the Calife of Aegypt. These Christians going often to Ierusalem to visit the holy places, and hauing no place of retreat within the citie, they obtained leaue to build a Church, a Pallace, with certaine Monasteries for the lodging of Pilgrimes. But in the end they caused an Hospitall to bee built for the receiuing of all sorts of Pilgrimes, both sicke, and whole, and in like manner a Church, which was dedicated to S.
Iohn Baptist.
In the yeare 1099. the citie of Ierusalem being recouered against the impulsions of the Infidels by
Godfrey of Bullein Duke of Lorraine, this order was instituted;
Sandys Relation. the Kings of France were soueraignes of this order, who granted them diuers immunities. They bare fiue crosses gules, in forme of that which is at this day called Ierusalem crosse, representing thereby the fiue wounds that violated the bodie of our Sauiour. None were to be admitted if of a defamed life, or not of the Catholike religion. They were to be gentlemen of bloud: and of sufficient meanes to maintaine a port agreeable to that calling, without the exercise of mechanicall sciences: as appeares by these demands propounded by the Pater-Guardian vpon their admission and the Knights answers.
Antiq. de Paris, lib. 2.Guard. Quid quaeris? Miles. Quaero effici Militem sanctissimi Sepulchri.
[Page 147] Guard. Cuius co
[...]ditionis es? Mil. Nobilis genere, Pare
[...] bis, & Christianis ortus. Guard. Habes vnde
[...] litaris dignitatis conseruare possis absque mercibus et
[...] Habeo Dei gratia. They tooke the Sacrament to heare euery day
[...] if they might conueniently; if warres were commenced against the
[...] to serue there in person, or to lend other in their stead no
[...] To oppugne the persecutours of the Church, to shunne vniust warres,
[...] honest gaine, and priuate duels. Lastly, to be reconcilers of dissentions, to aduance the common good, to defend the widow and orphane, to
[...] from swearing, periurie, blasphemie, rapine, vsury, sacriledge, murder, and drunkennesse: to auoid suspected places, the companie of
[...]; to liue chastly, irreproueably, and in word and dead to
[...] the
[...] selues worthy of such a dignity. This oath taken, the Pater
[...] his hand vpon his head, as hee knee
[...]ed before the entrance
[...] saying,
Esto tu fidelis, strenuus bonus & robustus
[...]iles
[...] Christi, & sanctissimi Sepulchri, quite cum
[...]lectis suis in
[...] a cello
[...] redignetur. Amen. Then he gaue him a paire of spurres which he put on his heeles, and after that a sword, being before h
[...]llowed with this
[...]Exaudi quaesumus Domine Deus preces nostras, &
[...], qua se
[...] mulus tuus hic cingi desiderat, Maiestatis tuae dextera dig
[...] [...] quatenus possit esse defensor Ecclesi
[...]rum, vidu
[...]runu,
[...], que Deo servientium, contra Paganorum saeuitiam,
[...] sit terror atque formido praestans ei aequè persecutionis &
[...] effectum. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Amen. Then he
[...] him to vse this sword in defence of the Church, and himselfe, and to the confusion of Infidels, by these words.
Accipe N. sanctum gladium. I
[...] nomine Patris, et Filij, et Spiritus s
[...]ncti. Amen. Et vlaris eo ad
[...] tuam, et sanctae Dei Ecclesiae, et ad confusionem inimicorum
[...] sidei Christianae: et quantum humana imbecillitate poteri
[...],
[...] laedas. Quod ipse praestare dignetur qui cum Patre et Sp
[...]rita
[...] per omnia secula seculorum. Amen. The sword being
[...] aga
[...] [...] Knight was to gird himselfe there with: to whom the Pater Guardian
[...] spoke.
Accingere N. gladio tuo super faemur inum potentiss me.
[...] Domini nostri Iesu Christi: Et attende quod sancti non in
[...] sidem vicerunt regna. Then the Knight arising, and forthwi
[...] kneeling
[...] to the Sepulchre, enclining his head vpon the same, he was citated
[...] by the said Pater-Guardian, by receiuing three strokes with a sword
[...] shoulder, and by the saying of these words following thrice o
[...]er.
I go constituo et ordino te N. Militem sanctissimi Sepulchri Domini nostri Iesu Christi. In nomine patris et filij et Spiritus sancti. Amen. I constitute and ordaine thee N. a knight of the holy Sepulchre of our Lord Iesus Christ, in the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost. Amen.
Anno Dominii 1117.
Gotfredus Aldemarus Alexandrinus, [...] and
Hugo de Planco de Paganis (
Godfrey (aforesaid) Duke of Lorraine, and King of Ierusalem being dead, and
Baldwin then raigning) this order of Knighthood first began, and a seat was granted them in the Temple of Ierusalem, whereupon, they were called Knights Templers, or Knights of the Temple. By entreaty of
Stephen Patriarch of Ierusalem, Pope
Honorius brought
[Page 148] in this order, and confirmed their societie, giuing them a white garment, whereunto
Eugenius the third added a red crosse on the breast. The charge of these Knights, was, to guide Trauellers on the way of Ierusalem, and to entertaine strangers. Of the time when these, as also the other Knights, came first to haue Hospitalls and houses here in England, I do speake hereafter.
Monkes and Nunnes Gilbertines.
Bale. Cent. 1.In the yeare after Christs Natiuitie, 1148. (contrarie to
Iustinians constitutions, which forbad double Monasteries, that is to say, of men and women together) one
Gilbert, Lord of Sempringham in Lincolnshire, whose fathers name was
Ioceline, a knight; this
Gilbert was a man very deformed in his body, but very studious and learned. Hee went ouer into France, where by his study in the liberall Arts, he obtained both the name and degree of Master: and comming home, hee instructed both the boyes and girles of his owne countrey in the same disciplines. Out of which number, when they came to maturitie of yeares, he collected a company consisting of men and women, and gaue them a rule to obserue, which hee had taken out of Saint
Augustine, and Saint
Benets rules.
Eugenius the third, Bishop of Rome (admiring much his deuotion and forwadnesse, like as others did his holinesse) confirmed this his religious order. Which so grew and increased, that himselfe laid the foundation of thirteene religious honies of the same Order,
[...] Cent. 2. whereof the chiefest was at Sempringham, and whiles he liued (which was one hundred and sixe yeares) had in them seuen hundred Gilbertin Brethren, and eleuen hundred Sisters, parted one from another by walls you must thinke; of which, as also of the whole order, a scoffing Poet of those dayes thus versified:
Nige
[...]. Wircker in specule stultorum. translated by
Bale in the Acts of English Votaries, out of Latine thus.
The Monkes sing the Masse, the Nuns sing the other,
Thus doth the Sister take part with the Brother.
Bodies, not voices, a wall doth disseuer;
Without deuotion they sing both together.
Againe thus.
What should I much prate;
An order it is begun of late,
Yet will I not let the matter so passe,
The silly Brethren and Sisters, alas
Can haue no meeting but late in the darke,
And this you know well is a heauie warke.
Againe of these Friers and Nuns.
Some barren are of these, some fruitfull bee,
Yet they by name of Virgins couer all:
More fertile sure and better beareth shee,
Who blest is once with croysier Pastorall:
Now scarce of them is found one barren Doe,
Till age debarre, whether they will or no.
The order of S.
[...]Brigide or
Briget that holy Queene of Sweden, in the yeare 1376 did
[Page 149] institute the like order (as aforesaid) of Monkes and Nunnes, which was confirmed by
Gregorie the eleuenth, in the first yeare of his Popedome. She obtained of the said Pope, that the Monasteries of her said order should bee common as well for men as women: yet there should bee such a s
[...]paration by walls, as the one should haue no meanes to come vnto the other, but vpon great necessitie. She would also haue but one Church for both sexes, and that the Monkes as Ministers of sacred things should bee below, and the Nunnes aboue, to say their seruice and prayers; but the Lady Abbesse should haue power to command both: yet men should haue charge of tha
[...] which did belong to the Diuine Seruice, and to the ornaments of the Church, and that there should be one amongst them that should be called Prior, or Confessour. She also ordained, that they should haue lands and possessions wheron to liue, but the superintendance to prouide for all things that should be needfull, for the one and the other, as well for victualls, as apparell, should belong vnto the Abbesse. That it should not bee lawfull for either men or women to go out of their Monasterie, without great necessitie, and then they should demand leaue of the Abbesse. They held the rule of S.
Augustine, with certaine Articles added by this famous Queene. Some are of opinion, that this forme of Religion was first inuented in Greece, but that the Fathers had ordained, that the men should remaine seperated from the women, lest they should giue occasion of scandall: wherefore Saint
Brigide desiring to reuiue this order, she found meanes how without any suspition, the Church and house should be common to bo
[...]h. She ordained that they should weare a russet habit, with a cloke of the same colour, with a red crosse vpon their breasts. Shee would haue but sixtie Nunnes, and fiue and twentie Monkes in euery Monasterie: that is to say, thirteene Priests, according to the number of the thirteene Apostles, comprehending Saint
Paul. Then foure Deacons; who might also be Priests, and represented the foure Doctors of the Church: and eight Conue
[...]ts, who might alwayes be readie to labour for the affaires of the house: so as the Friers and Nunnes all together, made the number of the thirteene Apostles, and the seuentie two Disciples of our Sauiour: And to the end they might be distinguished one from another, the Priests carried a red Crosse vpon the left side of their cloke, vnder which crosse they put a little peece of white cloth, as broad as a wafer, which they offered vp in reuerence of the holy Sacrament. And the foure Deacons, for a difference from the Priests, carried a round wreath of white cloth, which signified (as they gaue out) the sapience of the foure Doctors, whom they represented, and vpon it they put foure little peeces of red, made like vnto tongues, to shew that the holy Ghost inflamed their tongues to deliuer the sacred mysteries of Diuinity. The Conuerts wore a white crosse vpon their clokes, to shew the innocencie of their liues, vpon which there were fiue peeces of red, in commemoration of the fiue wounds of our Sauiour.
At the dissolution there was a Couent of this Order, at Sion in Mid'e sexe; now a mansion goodly faire house belonging to the right honourable the Earle of Northumberland.
This holy Lady
Brigid died at Rome, and her daughter
Katherine, Princesse of Nerice, caused the rule, after her death, to be confirmed by Po
[...]e
[Page 150]Vr
[...] the fifth: She came to Rome at the age of two and fourtie, where she continued eight and twentie yeares, she was canonized in the yeare of Grace 1391.
There was another S.
Brigid of Ireland, farre more ancient.
It is said that the image of our Sauiour spoke to this pious Queene of Sweden, as she was saying her orizons before the high Altar in the Church of Saint
Paul in
Via Ostiensi Rome: as appeares by an inscription vpon a table hanging in the same Church, which I haue seene.
As many orders, or neare thereabouts, as were of Friers, so many were of Nunnes here and beyond Seas, for men in the feruencie of deuotion did not precede the weaker sex of religious women. The strictest Order of Nunnes is that of S.
Clare;
The poore Clares. A Lady who liued in the same time, and was borne in the same Towne of Assile with S.
Francis. Which Towne to this day brags of the birth of two such worthie persons. These Clares obserue the rule of their Patron S.
Francis, and weare the like habit in colour. They are neuer rich, and therefore to this day wheresoeuer they doe inhabite, they are called the poore Clares. This Saint
Clare was the first Nunne of Saint
Francis Order, and her Mother and Sister vndertooke the same vow.
Ex lib. Fratrum Manerum Lond. in bib. Cot.Sancta Clara que in vita & in morte mirabiliter miraculis claruit. Beata Agnes soror sancte Clare, & beata Ortulana mater eorundem fuere ordinis Franciscorum. Saint
Clare, who both in life and death was wondrously famous by her miracles. S.
Agnes her sister, and
Ortulana her mother, were of the order of S.
Francis. This S.
Clare, (saith her Legend) touching the world was of rightworthy and honourable linage:
Iacob. de Vora g
[...]ne. and, as touching the spirit to the regard of the state of vertues, and holy manners towards God, of right noble reputation.
Hermi
[...]es. Anchorites.Hauing spoken already of such religious persons as I finde to haue liued here in England in Coenobies or Couents, at the time of the generall dissolution: it remaines now, to say somewhat of Hermits and Anchorites, who had at that time their solitaire little cells or cabbins in diuers places of this kingdome, which carrie still the name of Hermitages, in and about the countrey, and Anchor-holds, in Parish or Abbey Churches. They were called Hermites, or Eremites, for that they liued solitarily in desarts and wildernesses; and Anchorites because they liued alone without all company; immured betwixt two walls, in the out side of some Abbey, or Parish-Church, in which, by their rule, they were to liue, die, and to bee buried. Whose exercise was feruent prayer, handy labour, digging and filling vp againe their graues, which were to be within their lodgings. Of the beginning and first Authors of the Hermites life there is great question, which I leaue vnto the learned; and adhere to the common receiued opinion, which affirmes that the times of persecution were the first cause of this kinde of life. For when as in the time of
Decius and
Valerianus, Emperours, about two hundred fiftie and two yeares after Christ, they prepared horrible torments against the Christians, many distrusting the weaknesse of the flesh, and searing to denie the name of God by their intollerable persecutions, thought it fittest to seeke their safetie by flight: Wherefore many leauing Townes, fr
[...]ends, and all their wealth, retired themselues into desarts, and
[Page 151] held themselues in solitarie places and caues, where they bu
[...]lt poore cottages. Yea many times they went wandring vp and downe in thicke woods lest they should bee taken. But when the surie of their t
[...]ran
[...], ceased, they returned not vnto the world, but liued voluntarily in desarts, so being accustomed to diuine contemplation, and a quick kinde of
[...], they continued in the course vntill death. Among the first which entred into this course of life, was
Paul of Thebes, who liued in a caue at the foote of a rocke; about the yeare of our redemption, 260. The second was Saint
Antonie of Aegypt, who built himselfe a cottage vpon the top of an high hill, where he died hauing liued one hundred and fiue yeares,
[...] in the yeare 34
[...] S.
Hierome of Stridone in Dalmatia, that learned and religious Doct
[...] the like life in the desarts of Syria, not farre from Jerusalem:
In quo lo
[...]o deserto se ieiunijs macerabat, plangebat, orabat, sludebat, atque, etiam
[...]m mentabatur. In which vninhabited place, he macerated, or made leane, his bodie with fastings; he lamented and bewailed his sinnes, he p
[...]ayed▪ he studied, and writ certaine Comments vpon the sacred Scriptures: Many other workes he writ before his death, which happened about the yeare of our Lord, 388.
But to come nearer home where the repute and godlinesse of these Hermites or Anchorites (for both of them liuing from the companie and conuersation of men; were called sometimes by the name of Hermites, and some other time of Anchorites) was likewise had in venerable regard for we reade that when seuen British Bishops, with other learned men of the Monas
[...]e of Bangor,
[...] were to meete
Austin the first Archbishop of Canterbury, concerning certaine points tending to the Catholicke vnitie and concord, they came first (saith venerable
Bede) to a certaine holy and wise man, which liued thereabout an Anchorites life, to aske his counsell, whether they ought at
Austins preaching and exhortation, to leaue their traditions, or no: And we reade,
[...] in the said Authour, that
Cuthbert Bishop of Durham (enforced thereto by the King) increasing in the merit of religious and holy deuotion, came also to the secret silence of an Anchors life and contemplation: that by prayer he brought forth water out of a stonie ground, and also receiued graine by the labour of his owne hands, and that out of all season of sowing.
And I haue seene the Psalter translated out of Latine into English, by one
Richard a religious Hermite,
In the
[...] of
[...] bra
[...]e. the antiquitie whereof may bee gathered by the character of the English, of which I will giue you an Essay, of certaine parcels.
We heryen ye God,
[...] Tuum.
we knowlechen ye Lord:
Alle ye
[...]
erye worschips ye euerlasting fader.
Alle aungels in heuens, and alle ye poures in yis warld.
Cherubin and Seraphin cryen by voyce to ye vnstyntyng.
Benedictus.Blessyd be ye
Lord. Louerd God of Israel for he has visityd and maad bying of his puple.
iken of yat blissefulle schall sey me all generaciouns.
For he has don to me grete yingis yat
mightie.
myrty is and hys nome hely.
Nunc dimittis.Louerd you leuest nowe yi servaunt in pees, aftyr yi word yat you hast seyde bifore, for now I am ripe to die.
For myn
[...]ies
[...] eghen hau seen yin owen son Christ, yat is yin owen hele to men.
Mat. cap 1The Boc of ye generacoun of Ihu Crist sone of Dauid, sone of Abraham, Abraham gendride Isaac, Isaacforsooth.forsaye gendride Iacob, Iacob forsoye gendride Iudas, and hys br
[...]yeen.
Ye dedis of ye Apostlis.
Acts [...]Theosile fyrst I maad a sermon of all yingis yat Ittu bigan to do, and to teche into ye dat of hys assencioun, in why
[...]he he commandide in ye hooli goost to his Apostlis whyche he hadde thosen, to whyche he schew▪ de hymself alyue aftyr hys passioun by many argumentys, appering to hem fourti dais.
Rom 1.Paul ye servaunt of Ihu Crist clepid an Apostle de
[...] romptyd into the Gospel of God, whyche he haddepromised:behote tofore by h
[...]e Profetis in hooli scryptur of his sone.
Apocalipis.
Apoc. 1.Apocalipis of Ihu Crist whyche God [...]aue: 3
as to hym to maak open to hys servauntis whyche yingis hitbehoueth.behouey to be maad soone, and he signyfyed sendynge by hys Angel to hys servaunt Ion. Whyche bar witnessyng to ye word of God.
In the like language are all the Collects, Epistles and Gospels, for the whole yeare, much what as we haue them in our Church, as also the Paternoster, and the Creede. All which by the Dialect, I gesse to haue beene translated by this Hermite in the dayes of King
Henry the second, comparing them with the English of that
Pater Noster and the Creed, which
Adrian the fourth Pope of Rome, an Englishman, the sonne of
Robert Breakespeare,Stow. Annal.
[...]. H. 2. of Abbots Langley in Hertfortshire, sent to the said King
Henrie the second, as followeth.
I beleue in God Fadir almighty shipper of heuen and erth,
[...]
And in Ihesus Crist his oule thi son vre Louerd,
That is iuange thurch the hooli Gost, bore of Mary maiden,
Tholede Pine vndyr puonce Pilat, pickt on rode ire, dead and yburiid.
Licht into helle, the thrid de day fro death arose,
[...]
Steich into heuene, sit on his Fadir richt honde God almighty.
[...]
Then is cominde to deme the quikke and the d
[...]de.
[...]
I beleue in ye hooli Gost,
[...]
Alle hooli Chirche,
Mone of allehallwen forgiuenis of sine,
[...]
Fleiss vprising,
Lit withuten end. Amen.
[...]
This Hermite likewise translated all the Psalmes of
Dauid with a gloss
[...] or exposition in English vpon euery Pslame.
Blysfull man yat whych away rede naught in counc
[...]ll of wi
[...] ked, [...]and in ye way of sintull stud nought, and in ye chayer of pe
[...]yleus he nought satt. But in lagh or Louerdyr wille of hym and in his lagh he schall [...]yeuke day and [...]nigt.
Selden tells vs of a Psalter in that famous Bodleian Librarie in Oxford,
[...] with a metricall translation of the Psalmes, the which, as h
[...]e is perswaded by the character, was englished about the time of King
Edward the second, where he giues vs the first Psalme as a taste of the idiom or forme of our speech in those dayes; which a wicked hand (saith he) by cutting the first Capitall left a little imperfect.
And in the same place you may reade a verse or two of the fifteenth Psalme, thus rimed.
Louerd who id thi
Te
[...].
T
[...]ld who s
[...]l wun
In the heli hille or who rest mun?
He that in comes
spo
[...]tlesse
w
[...]mles,
And euer wickes rightwisenes.
Here the more willingly (to vse the words of the transcriber of these Psalmes) I haue inserted these parcels of the Psalter, that by this occasion my Reader might palliate his taste with an Essay of our Ancestors old English, as well in the curte composition of their prose, as in the nearnesse of their holy meeters, which howsoeuer abounding with libertie, and the character of their times, yet haue, I confesse, my admiration.
And (for a conclusion) we reade in
Henry Archdeacon of Huntington that a certaine Anchorite, or
quidam vir Dei, as he calls him, prophesied in King
Etheldreds dayes, that forsomuch as Englishm
[...]n were giuen ouer to all drunkennesse, treason, and carelesnesse of Gods house, first by Danes then by Normans, and a third time by the Scots they should be ouercome. Of which I speake elsewhere.
[...] Helen of
[...]anchit
[...]are Anchoreste.To this retyred holy Order aforesaid, women were admitted as well as men. For I reade in an old Lieger booke that one
I sold He
[...]on widow (vnlike in conuersation to these Anchorites I haue spoken of, or the Anchores
[...]es in the Primitiue times) made sure to King
Henry the sixth, that shee might be an Anchoresse, or vowed recluse, in that part of the Abbey of Whally, anciently ordained for that purpose; which was granted and thus confirmed.
Henricus Dei gra. Rex Angl. & Dominus Hibernie, omnibus ad quos presentes litere pe
[...]uenuerint;In the
[...]ger booke of
[...] Abbey of Whalley in Lan
[...]r
[...]hire.Salutem. Sciatis quod de gratia nostra speciali concessimus, dilecte nobis isole de Heton de Com. Lanc. vidue. quod ipsa pro ter
[...]i
[...]o v
[...]te sue esse possit Anachorita in loco ad hoc ordinato, iuxta Ecclesiam Parochialem de Whalley in dicto Com. Lanc. & quod ipsa talem sustentationem habere possit pro ut ibidem pertinet, de Abbate & conuentu loci ciusdem. In cuius rei tetimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Dat. suh sigilla nostra ducatus nostri Lanc, apud Manerium nostrum de Kenington. V
[...] die Iulij, An. Regni quinto decimo. Per breue de priuato Sigillo.
[Page 155]But this religious Votaresse tooke no great delight in her straight lodging, as appeares by the story: for within a short time after, she being desirous of more libertie, broke out of her cage (as other such like holy Sisters had done before her) and flew abroad in the open world. Whereupon the Abbot and Couent of the said Monasterie, made certificate following to the King.
To the Kyng owr souereigne Lord, &c.
Be hit remembryd that the please and habitacion of the seyd Recluse is within place holowed, and nere to the gate of the seyd Monastre. And that the weemen that haue been attendyng, and acquayntyd to the seyd Recluse haue recorse dailly into the seyd monastre, for the liuere of brede, ale, Kychin, and other thyngs, for the sustentacion of the seyd Recluses, accordyng to the composicion endentyd above rehersed. The whyche is not according to be had within suche religyous plases. And how that dyvers that been Ancores and Recluses in the seyd plase afore tyme contrary to theyr own oth and professyon, haue brokyn owt of the seyd plase wherin they wer reclusyd, and departyd therfrom wythowt eny reconsilyatyon. And in especyal how that now
Isold of Heton that was last Reclused in the seyd plase denominacion and preferment of owr souereigne. L. and Kyng that now is, is broken owt of the seyd plase, and hath departyd therfrom contrary to her own oth and professyon, not willyng nor entendyng to be restoryd ageyn, and so liuyng at her own liberte, and large by this two yer and mor like as sche had neuer bin professyd. And that diuers of the wymen that haue been seruants ther and attendyng to the Recluses afortym have been misgouerned and gotten with chyld wythin the seyd plase halowyd to the grete displesaunce of hurt, and disclander of the Abbey aforeseyd, &c. Please hit yowr highnes of yowr especial grase to grant to yowr orators, the Abbat and, &c.
This Anchoresse hauing taken vpon her so strict a vow, and being thus loose in her life and conuersation,
Rob. Langland. Pass. 8. some may very well imagine that Nuns, which had more libertie allowed them by their rules, were farre more licentious; and indeed the Author of
Piers the Ploughman speakes (in the person of the Frier Wrath) somewhat reprochfully of his Aunt a Nunne and an Abbesse. As also of other like Votaresses and Votaries, which with his introduction followeth.
I am wrath, quoth he, I was sometyme a Frere,
And the Couents gardiner, for to graften impes,
On Limitours, and Legisters, lesings I imped
Til thei bear leaues of smoth speach Lordes to please;
And sithen thei blosomed abrod, in bour to hear shrifte
Now is fallen, therof a fruit that folk han wel liuer
Shew her shrifts to hem than shriuen hem to her persons
And persons haue perceiued that Freres part with hem.
These possessours preach and depraue Freres
And Freres findeth hem in default, as folk bear witnes
And when thei preach the people in many places about
I wrath walk with hom, and wish hem of my bookes.
[Page 150]Thus they speken of my spiritualty and despise ech other,
Til thei be both beggers and by my spiritualty libben,
Or els al rich and
[...]iden about, I Wrath, rest neuer
That I ne most follow this wicked folk, for such is my grace.
I haue an Aunt to Nun, and an Abbes both,
Her had leue swone or swelt, than suffer any payne,
I haue ben coke in her kitchen, and her Couent serued
Many monethes with hem, and with Monks both,
I was the Priores potager, and other pore ladies,
I made hem iowts of iangling: That Dame Ione was a bastard,
And dame Clarence a knights doughter, a cokolde was her Sire,
And dame Pernel a Priestes file, Priores was she neuer,
For she had child in chery time, al our chapter hit wiste,
Of wicked wordes, I Wrath, her wortes made,
Till thou liest, and thou liest lopen out at once,
And either hit other vnder the cheke:
Had thei had kniues, by Christ, either had killed other.
Saint
Gregory was a good Pope, and had good forewit
That no Priores wer Priest, for that he prouided
Let haply thei had no grace to hold harlatry in,
For thei article of her tonges and must all secretes tell.
Among Monkes I might be, and many times yshamen
For thei be many fel frekes my feris to espie.
Both Prior and Subprior and our Pater Abbas;
And if I tel any tales thei taken hem togethers,
And do me fast Fridayes to bread and to water.
I am challenged in chapter house as I a child were,
And balaced on the bare ars.
Thus haue I spoken of all the religious Orders, which I finde to haue beene cloistered here in England at the time of the dissolution of Religious houses, howsoeuer their number might bee farre more then I haue spoken of.
Vol. 1. pa
[...] 236. For.
I. Fox in his Martyrologe alphabetically sets down a catalogue of an hundred and twelue seuerall orders of Monkes, Friers, and Nuns, here and beyond seas, whose rules were confirmed by seuerall Popes; all branched from the foure Primitiue institutions of
Basill, Augustine, Benet, and
Francis. Of which increase, for a conclusion to this Chapter, as also to this discourse, one
Lelius Capilupus, a Catholike Romane in his Anatomie of the Romane Clergie, hath formerly written in Latine verse, thus not long since Englished.
CHAP. XVII. Of the sundrie wayes and meanes by which Religious Votaries, and others of the Clergie, enriched themselues, and other Churches Of Pardons, Pilgrimages, and Romescot.
AL
[...] Churches are either Cathedrall, Conuentuall, or Parochiall. Cathedrall, is that Church, where there is a Bishop seated, so called,
à Cathedra, the chaire or seat. Conuentuall, consisteth of regular Clerkes, professing some order of Religion, or of Deane and Chapter, or other Colledge of spirituall men. Parochiall, is that which is instituted for the saying of Diuine Seruice, and ministring the holy Sacraments to the people dwelling within a certaine compasse of ground neare vnto it. Of which more in the next Chapter. I will begin with Conuentuall Churches.
As the number of Religious Orders increased, and as Religious houses were daily more and more replenished, insomuch that the donations of their Founders were not thought (by themselues) sufficient, they deuised other meanes to increase their liuelihood; and the better to maintaine their high state and comportement; and one was, by the admittance of lay people into their Fraternities: the forme whereof was after this manner following, as I haue it out of the collections of
Nicholas Charles Lancaster Herald, deceased.
Frater Iohannes,
A
[...] Minister domus Sanct. Radegundis de Theldsord, Wigor. Dioc. ordinis Sanct. Trinitatis & redemptionis Captiuorum, qui sunt incarcerati pro fide Iesu Christi à Paganis. Dilecto nobis in Christo Willelmo Beyvill Salutem in Deo per quem omnium peccatorum plena fit remissio. Cum plurima priuilegia nobis et ordini nostro gratiose fuerint ab artiquo concessa; et de nouo per sanctissimum Papam Alexadrum sextum. Et nesetiam Minister predictus, & Conuentus eiusdem loci de nostra speciali gratia concedimus, vt post eorumdem decessum, et suarum literarum exhibitionem, in nostro Conuentuali Capitulo, cadem pro illis siet commendatio, que pro nobis ibidem fieri consueuit; & per presentes in nostram sanctam confraternitatem vos deuote admittimus. Dat. sub Sigillo nostre
confraternitatis[?] predicte. Ann. Dom. M.CCCCLXXXXIIII.
In dorso.
Auctoritate Dei Patris omnipotentis & beatorum Petriet Pauli Apostolorum eius▪ ac auctoritate mihi commissa, et tibi concessa. Ego absoluo te ab omnibus peccatis tuis mihi per te vere et contrite confessis; nec non de
[...] de quibus velles confiteri si tue occurrerent memorie; et concedo tibi plenariam absolutionem, et remissionem omnium peccatorum tuorum, in quantum claues Ecclesie se extundunt in hac parte.
In nomine Patris, et Filij et Spiritus sancti.
Amen.
I finde in the golden Register of Saint
Albans (a Manuscript in Sir
Robert Cottons Librarie) aboue two thousand men, women, and children, lay-persons of the Nobilitie and Gentrie of this kingdome, to haue beene thus admitted into that one Monasterie: all of which gaue either lands, goods,
[Page 158] iewels, plate, copes, vestments, or some ornament or other to the Church and Couent.
The religious Votaries likewise, either by themselues, or their friends, gaue somewhat or other vpon their first admittance into any of these Monasteries: of which I could giue many examples, but in place take one for all,
I
[...] bib. Cot. which I haue read in the Lieger booke of Saint
Maries the Nunnery at Clerkenwell. Where Sir
William de Sancto Georgio, or Saint
George knight (one of the Ancestors of Sir
Richard, S.
George Clarentieux now liuing) giues to the Prioresse and her Sisters of the foresaid Saint
Maries Clerkenwell; with
Mabell his daughter, vpon her admittance into their Nunnery, halfe a Verge of land in Kingstone in Cambridgeshire.
Test. Willelmo de Baus. Roberto de S. Georgio. Roberto de Hasselingtonfeld, &c. a deed sans date.
And by another deed the said Sir
William Saint
George giues to the said Priorie of Clerkenwell, for the soules health of himselfe, his father, his mother, and his wife; and with
Albreda his sister, who was to be a Nunne of the said house, his land in Hasselingfeld, within the foresaid Countie of Cambridge, which
Robert Russis held
in pratis in pascuis, &c. Test. Eustac. de Bancis, Willelmo de Bancis, Roberto de Sancto Georgio, &c.
And many others having large portions in their owne possessions, out of zeale and deuotion, would giue all, with themselues, to some Cloister or other, and therein take vpon them the habite of Religion. As many English doe in these dayes vpon their admission into religious Orders beyond Seas.
They were wondrously enriched by the burials of great personages, for in regard of buriall, Abbeyes were most commonly preferred before other Churches whatsoeuer: and he that was buried therein in a Friers habite, if you will beleeue it, neuer came into hell.
Vpon their visiting and confessing of the sicke, they euer vsed some perswasiue argument or other, that it would please the sicke person to bestow somewhat more or lesse (according to his or her abilitie) towards the maintenance of their Fraternities, or the repairing of their Monasteries; and that he would bequeath his bodie to be interred in the Church of their Couent, with a promise that they would daily say prayers and make intercession for his soule. They got likewise by confessing such as were in perfect health, giuing them absolution, and enioyning them penance, according as they receiued gratuities. Of all which, will it please you reade these passages following, copied out of the Author of
Piers Plowman, and
Geffrey Chaucer. And
First
Piers the Plowman,
Passus vndecimus, speaking how Friers couet to burie men for their goods.
Go confesse to some Frier, and shewe him thy synnes,
For while Fortune is thy frend Friers will the loue,
And fetch the to their Fraternitie, and for the beseche
To her Prior Prouinciall, a Pardon to haue;
And pray for the pole by pole, if thou be
pecuniosus.
Sed pena pecuniaria non sufficit, pro spiritualibus delictis.
Be buried at their house, but at my Parish Church:
For I hard once, how conscience it tolde:
That kind wold men be buried wher thei wer christined.
Or wher that he were Parishen that ther he sholde be grauen.
And for I said thus to Friers, a fole thei me helden,
And loued me the lesse, for my lely speche.
And yet I cried on my confessour that helde himselfe cunnynge.
That none wolde wed widowes but for to weld her goods,
Right so by the Rode * rought you neuer
Where my body wer buried, by so ye had my siluer.
I haue much marvaill of you, and so hath many other
Why your Couent coueteth to confesse and bury,
Rather than to baptise Barnes that be catechislinges.
And
Passus decimus tertius.
Friers folowed folke that wer riche
And folke that wer pore at litle price they set.
And no cors in hir kyrkeyard, nor kyrke was buried,
But quick he bequeth hem ought, or quit part of his dets.
The Frier, in
Chaucer, perswading with the sicke farmer, to make his confession to him, rather to his Parish Priest, hauing his hand vpon his halfepennie,
In the So
[...]pners tale. makes this request to the bed-rid man lying vpon his couch.
Yeue me then of thy gold to make our cloister,
q
[...]oth.
Quod he, for many a muskle and many an oister,
When other men have been full well at ease,
Hath been our food; our cloister for to rease.
And yet, God wot, vnneath the foundament
Performed is, ne of our pauement
Is not a tile yet within our wones
By God we owen fourty pound for stones.
The same Author in the Prologues to his Canterbury tales, and in the character of the Frier, thus speakes of the absolution and easie penance they gaue to men in health, where they thought some commoditie would thereby accrew to themselues and their Couent.
Full sweetly heard he confession,
And pleasant was his absolution.
He was an easie man to giue penaunce,
There as he wist to have a good pitaunce,
For vnto a poore Order for to give,
Is a signe that a man is well yshryve:
For if he gaue ought he durst make avaunt,
He wist well that a man was repentant:
For many a man is so hard of hert,
That he may not weepe although him smert:
Therefore in stede of weeping and prayeres,
[Page 160]Men mote giue siluer to the poore Freeres.
The Priests likewise in general as well of Cathedrall, Parochiall, as of these Conuentuall Churches got much by saying of Masses;
Passus vndecimus. as it is intimated to vs by Plowman in these few lines following.
If pryestes were perfite they would no siluer take
For Masses, ne for Mattens, ne her meates of vsurers,
Ne nether kirtle ne cote though thei for cold shold die.
But that which brought most riches to all the foresaid Churches, was the Shrines, Images, and Reliques, of this or that Saint, in this or that Church especially honoured and preserued; to the Visiters whereof (who with great cost and labour did vndertake so holy and deuout resolution) great Indulgences and Pardons were granted by seuerall Popes (as will appeare by the sequele) and so semblablie to their sacred Altars and other holy places: and such like Indulgences and Pardons they were, as were anciently granted to the Churches in Rome; which will not seeme impertinent (I hope) here to set downe, as I haue them out of an old booke in broken English, which crept into the world in the minoritie of Printing, and is commonly called, The Customes of London. But, before I go any further, let me tell you, that Reliques were euer holden in most reuerend regard, amongst all sorts of people, insomuch that in the taking of any solemne oath, they vsed to lay their hand vpon certaine Reliques, as they did vpon the holy Euangelists; For I heard that King
Henrie the second being to cleare himselfe of Archbishop
Beckets death,
S. Danyel in vit. H. 2. at a generall assemblie holden within the Citie of Auranches, in the Church of the Apostle Saint
Andrew, before the two Cardinals,
Theodinus and
Albertus, the Popes Legates, and a great number of Bishops, and other people, made his purgation in receiuing an oath vpon the holy reliques of the Saints; and vpon the sacred Euangelists, that he neither willed, nor commanded the said Archbishop to be murdered.
The hoole Pardon of Rome graunted by diuers Popes.
Videsis Onuphrium de septē santioribus vrbis Romae Ecclesijs.In the cite of Rome ben iiii chirches in which is Masse daily don, but ther ben vii of the same priuileged aboue all the other with gret holines and Pardon, as is here aftir shewid.
The furst is called Saint
Peters Chirch th'appostell, and is set vpon the fot of an hill, and men goo vpward thertoo a steyer of xxix steppes high, and as oft as a man gooth vp and downe that steyer, he is relesid of the seuenth part of penaunce inioyned and graunted by Pope
Alysander.
Item, as ye come before the Chirch ther the well sporingeth, so may ye see aboue the dore an Image of our Lord, and betwene his feete stondith oun of the pence that God was sold for, and as ofte as ye looke vpon that peny ye haue xiiii C. yerys of Pardon.
Item, in the same Chirche on the ryght side is a pilour that was sometyme off
Salamons temple, at whiche pilour our Lord was wonte to rest him whan he preched to the people, at which pylour if ther any be frentyk, or madd, or trobled with spyritts, they be deliueryd and made hoole.
[Page 161]And in that Chirge be xi aulters, and at euery aulter is xlviii yere of Pardon, and as many Lentes or Karynes: and vii of thoo aulters ben seuerally priuelegyth with grace and Pardon. At the furst aulter is the vysage of our Lord; who loketh vpon that hath vii. c. yere of Pardon.
Item, at the same aulter is the spere that Crist was parced with, whych was broght from Constantynenople, sent from the gret Turke to Pope
Innocent the Viii.
The second aulter is of saint
Andrew there ye haue V. C. yere of Pardon.
The forth aulter is of owr Lady, there is Vii. C. yere of Pardon.
The v. aulter is of Saint
Leoo, there he receyuid the absolucion in his Masse fro hevyn, and there is Vii. C. yere of Pardon.
The vi aulter of all Souls and there is V. C. yere of Pardon: and euery hygh fest an soul out of Purgatory.
The vii aulter is of Saint
Simond and
Iude, there is Vi. C. yere of Pardon.
And befor the Quyer dore stond two yruen crosses, who kysseth thoo crosses hath V. C. yere of Pardon.
Item, vpon our Lady day in Lente is hanged afore the quyer a cloth that our Lady made her self, and it hangeth still till our Lady day assumpcion, and as many tymes as a man beholdith it he hath iiii C. yere of Pardon.
Alsoo as many tymes as a man gothe thorow the Croudes at Saint
Peters Chirche he hathe iiii c yere of pardon.
And as often as a man folowith the Sacrament to the syke bodyes he hath xiiii c. yere of Pardon.
Also Pope
Siluester grauntid to all thym that dayly gothe to the Chirch of saint
Peter the iii parte of all his synnes relesyd, and all advowes and promyse relesyd, and all synnes forgeten relesyd and forgeuen, except leynge hondes vpon fader and moder vyolently, and aboue this is grauntid xxviii c yere of pardon, and the merytis of as many Lentis or Karyns. The knowlege of a karyn ye shall fynd in the end of this bo
[...]ke.
And in the fest of Saint
Peter a M. yere of pardon, and as many Karyns and the
third parte. threddendell of penaunce enioyned relesyd.
And from thassencion day of our Lorde into the assumpcion of our Lady ye haue xiiii yere of pardon and as many karyns, and foryefenes of the iii parte of all Synnes.
And vpon the one syde of saint
Peters Chirch lyeth a Chirchyard, and that is callyd Godys felde, and there be the beryed poore Pylgryms and none other and it is the lande that was bought with xxx pens that our Lord was solde fore, as oft as a man gothe vpon that grounde he hath xv c. yere of Pardon.
Item, in the Chirche of saint
Poule wythout the walls ye haue xlvii M. yeare of pardon.
Item, in the day of his conuersyon i c yere of pardon.
Item, on Childermasse day iii M. yere of pardon.
Item, on the
on the eight day. Vtas of saint
Martin whan the Chirche was holowyd xiiii M. yere of pardon, and as many karyns and the third parte of all synnes relesyd.
Also whoo that visite the Chirche of saint
Poule two sondayes doth as
[Page 162] moche as he went to
S. Iames of Compostela in Spaine. Saint
Iames and come geyne.
Item, in the Chirch of Saint
Laurence wythout the walles there lyeth the body of Saint
Laurence and of Saint
Stephan, and at the hygh aulter ye haue xciii M. yere of pardon and as many Karyns.
And who that vysite the other aulters hathe at eche aulter vii M. and as many karyns.
Also the Pope
Pelagius grauntid there at iiii festis of the yere at eche feste vii c yere of pardon, and as many karyns, and who that goth thether euery Wednesday, he delyuered a soul out of Purgatory, and himself quytt of all synnes.
Item, in the Chirche of saint
Crucis there is a chambre or a chappell within, that Pope
Siluestre named Iherusalem, there is the bonde that Cryste was led with to his crucifyeng, and ther ben ii sausers, the one is full of Ihs bloode, and the other is full of our Ladyes mylke and the sponge wherin was mengyd eysell and galle.
And one of the nayles that Iesus was wyth on the crosse, and a parte of the blocke that saynt
Iohn his hed was smeten off vpon, and two armes the one of Saint
Peter, the oder of saint
Poule.
Item ther stondyd a cheir in which Pope
[...]Accensius was martred and to all theym that sitte in that eitheir is graunted an C M. yere of pardon and as many karyns, and euery sonday a soul out of Purgatory and the treddendell of all synnes relesyd.
Item, in the same Chirche is a grete parte of one of the crosses that one of the theuis was put on that was crucifyed with Cryste.
Item, in the same Churche is the tytell of Cryste whiche that was in latyn, Ebrew, and greke, whiche was found in the tyme of Pope
Innocent, to the whiche the same Pope hath graunted gret pardon.
Item, in the Chirche of saint
Mari Mayor there stondyth on the hygh auter the hed of saynt
Iheronimus, and there ye have xiiii M. yere of pardon and as many karyns.
And on the oder auter on the ryght honde ther is the cradle that▪ Iesus lay in, and of our Ladyes mylke, and a grete parte of the holy crosse, and of many oder bodyes Seintis, and there ye have xix M. yere of pardon, and as many karynes.
And Pope
Nicholas the iiii, and saint
Gregory, eche of theym graunted therto X M. yere of pardon, and as many karynes.
And from thassencyon of our Lorde into crystmas, ye haue there xiiii M. yere of pardon, and as many karyns, and the thred parte of all synnes relesyd.
Item, in the Chirche of saint
Sebastian wythout the Towne there in a plase that Pope
Calixt named Tolund, as there the Aungell appered and spack to
Gregory the Pope. In that place is foryefenes of all synnes and all penaunce.
At the high auter is graunted xxviii c yere of pardon, and as many karynes; and who so cometh to the furst auter that stondith in the Chirche hath xiiii c. yere of pardon, and there is a sellare or a vaute wherin lyeth buryed xlix Popes that deyed all Martyrs, whoo so cometh fyrste into that place delyueryth viii soules out of Purgatory of soche as he moste desyreth,
[Page 163] and as moche pardon therto that all the worlde can not nombre ne reken, and euery sonday ye delyuer a soul out of Purgatory. And in that sellare stondith a pytt, there saint
Peter and saint
Poule were hyd in ccl. yere that noo man wyst where thei were be com; and who that puttyth his hed into that pytte and takyth it out ageyne is clene of all synne.
Pope
Gregory and
Siluester, and Pope
Nicholas, and Pope
Pelagius, and Pope
Honorius, eche of theym graunted to the same place one M. yere of pardon and as many karyns. And there lyeth the bodys of dyvers oder holy persones which were too long to write off. And so the grace that is at Saint
Sebastians is groundyd that it can not be taken away.
Item, in the Chirche of saynt
Mary Mayor afore writen, afore the quyer is the ymage of our lady whiche seint
Luke did peynt; which ymage seynt
Gregory dyd bere from
Mary Mayor to Saint
Peters th'apostle, also comyng afore the castell of Saint
Aungell, he see an Aungell in the hyght of the castell, havyng in his honde a burninge sworde, and with hym a gret multytude of Aungels, whiche songe afore that ymage▪
Regina celi letare, &c.
answering saynt
Gregory.
Ora pro nobis Deum Alleluia.
Item, in the Chirche of saint
Iohn Latryneus, the Pope
Siluestre yas therto as many yere of pardon, as it reyned droppes of water the day that halowed the Chirche.
And that tyme it reyned so sore, that noo man had seen a greater rayne before that day.
And whan he had graunted this, he thought in hym selfe whedyr he had so much power or not.
Then ther came a voyce from heuen, and sayd
Siluestre thou hast power inough to yeue that pardon and god graunted thus moche therto; That and a man had made a vowe too Iherusalem and lacked good to doo his pilgramage yf he go from saint
Peters Chirch to saint
Iohn Latrynes he shal be discharged and haue absolucyon of that promise.
And ony tyme that a man cometh to saint
Iohn Latrynes, he is quitt of all synnes and of all penaunce, with that, that he be penitent for his synnes.
Blyssed is the moder that bereth the chylde that heryth Masse on Saturdayes at saint
Iohn Latrynes, for he delyvaryd all theym that he desyreth out of Purgatory too the nombre of lxxvii soules.
Item, vpon the tour of the Chirch stondyth a double crosse that was made of the swerde that saint
Iohn was beheded with, and at euery tyme that a man beholdith that crosse he hath xiiii M. yere of pardon, and as many karynes of all penaunce.
And at the high auter ye haue remishion of all sinnes, and of all penance and innumerable pardon more then he nedeth for hymselfe.
There ys the graue that seynt
Iohn layd hym selfe in whan he had sayd masse, and than come a gret lyght ouer the graue, and whan that light was goon than funde they noo tynge there but hevynly bred. In that graue cometh euery good Fryday in the night ye holy creame and oyle, and he that putteth therein his hed hath an CM. yere of pardon, and as many karyns.
[Page 164]And behynde the high auter stondith a cheyr which God sat in, and whoo that sitteth therein hath the iii parte of alle hys synnes relesyd.
And who that visite the alle the odir aulters hath at eche auter xliiii C. yere of pardon, and as many karynes; and on the oon side of the Chirche ther is a sacryfice that is at Seynt
Iohn Baptist aulter, and there is the table that our Lord ete att vpon Mandy Thurrysday. And also the tables of stone with the x Commandementys that our Lorde yaf to
Moyses vpon the mount of Synai; And ther ys a iiii square of the v barley loues and of the twoo fishes, and also there is our ladyes keuyrchef.
Item, in that same Chirche on the hygh aulter be the hedys of seynt
Peter and
Poule, and the hed of
Zacharie the Prophet, fader of S.
Iohn Baptist wyth dyuers odyr reliquys.
Item, in the same Chirchyard stondith a chapel that ys callid
Sanctum Sanctorum, there is the face of our Lord; there may ye haue xiiii M. yere of pardon, and as many karynes.
Whan the Emperour
Constantyne was christened tho spake he to Pope
Siluestre: In that, that I have geuen my hous to the wurschip of god, graunt you mekely his grace to all them that willingly come to this towne. Thoo answerd Pope
Siluestre, our Lord Ihu Criste that by his gret mercy hath purged you of your gret lazarye he mut purge alle them that visityth this Chyrch of all her synne and of all other penance.
He that woll not beleue this may goo to seynt
Latrynes before the quyer dore, and there he may see in a marbill all that is wryten here.
From seynt
Iohns day vnto Scrouetyd all this pardon is doubled, and fro Scrouetide vnto Ester the pardon is threfolde double; Blessyd is he that may deserve to have this pardon. And in the same chapel abouesaid may come noo weemen.
Item, aboue that chapel on the lefre syde ar stoppys which sometyme ware at Iherusalem; and who so goth op tho steppys on his knees, he deliuerith o soul out of Purgatory.
Item, in the Chirch of Seynt
Eustace you may have relyse and pardon of all synne.
And he that is shreuen and repentant of his sinne he hath a M. yere pardon, and as many karynes.
My Author hauing spoken of the Indulgences and priuiledges granted to these principall Churches, and the great benefit which deuout pilgrimes receiue which come to visit these sacred structures, and highly reuerence the holy reliques therein contained, he proceeds in this place (according to his promise) to giue his Reader knowledge what a karyne is.
A karyne (saith he) is too goo wulward vii yere.
Item to fasten bred and watter the Fryday vii yere.
Item, in vii yere not too slepe oon nyght there he slepith a nother.
Item, in vii yere not to com vndir noo couered place, but yf it bee to here Masse in the Chirch dore or porche.
Item in vii yere nott to ete nor drynke out of noo vessel, but in the same that he made hys avow in.
Item, he that fulfillyth all thes poyntis vii yere duryng; doth and wynnethe a karyne, that ys to sey a Lentdum.
Thus may a man haue at Rome (as he concludes) gret pardon and Soul helth; blessyd ben thoos pepull and yn good tyme borne that reslayyeth
[Page 165] thes graces, and well kepith them. Of the which pardon and grace, our Lord Ihesu Cryst mot grant to euery good Crysten man. Amen.
Then follow the Indulgences granted to other lower Churches in Rome: but by these you may imagine the rest. And by both iudge of the Pardons granted by seuerall Popes to the Cathedrall, Conuentuall, and Parochiall Churches of England. And thinke what concourse of pilgrimes and other people daily visited the foresaid Churches; which will hereafter appeare within each seuerall Diocesse.
And here giue me leaue a little to speake of a certaine generall Pardon or Indulgence granted by
Alexander the sixth, Bishop of Rome, to this Realme of England. By which he enriched himselfe, and the Church-Ministers, and emptied the purses of many of the Kings subiects.
Towards the latter end of the yeare, one thousand fiue hundred, being the yeare of Iubile (so called, for that it is the yeare of ioy or deliuerance) the foresaid Bishop of Rome sent hither to King
Henry the seuenth, one
Iasper Powe or
Pons,The great pardon, or Heauenly Grace. a Spaniard, a man of excellent learning, and most ciuill behauiour, to distribute the Heauenly Grace (as hee termed it) to all such as (letted by any forcible impediment) could not come to Rome that yeare to the Iubile which was there celebrated. The Articles contained in the Bul of this great Pardon, or Heauenly Grace, were as followeth.
The Articles of the Bulle of the holy Iubiley of full remissyon,
Copied out of an old Roll, now in the custody of Sir
Symon D'Ewes Knight. and gret ioy graunted to the Relme of Englond, Wales, Irelond, Gernesey, and Garnesey, and other places vndre the subiection of oure Soueraygne Lord King
Henry the seuenth to be distributyd accordyng to the trew meanyng of our holy Fader vnto the Kyngs Subiects.
Ower most holye Fader the Pope, Goddes Vicar in erthe, of hys holye and gracyous disposycion, faderla beholdyng the hole flok of christen peple comitted to hys cure and charge, daylie studyeth diligently the helth and welfar of yowr sowles: And in as moche as in his holynes prouydeth for all soche perelles and ieoperdies as may fall to the same, by grauntyng of gret Indulgence, and remishyon of synnes and trespasses.
Where as the holye yere of grace now of late passyd, that ys to say, the yere of remishyon of all synnes, ye yere of ioye and gladnes, was celebrate devowtely, and solenly keped, by grete and infenite nombre of Cristen pepull in the Cowrte of Rome. Ower saide most holie Fader the Pope, as well consideryng the infenite nombre of cristen peple bothe spyrituall and temporall which was desirous to haue had the sayd remishyon and Grace, and wold haue visetted the sayd Cowrte of Rome, saue only that they were lette, eyther by sikenesse, feblenesse, pouerte, long distance, and gret ieoperdie; or besines and charges of spirituall or temporall occupacions, or at that tyme purposed not to optaine and perchase the sayd Grace, and now be in will and desire to haue the same. As willyng, and effectually desiring to prouyde and withstond the most cruell purpose, and infenyte malice of our most cruell enemyes of our cristen feithe the Turks whiche continually studieth, and gretely inforceth hymselfe with alle hys myght and strenght to subuert and vtterly destroye the holye Religion of our Souerayne Criste. As it is nott vnknowen how now of late, the sayd most cruell enemy hath opteyned and goten with grete myght and power many and dyuers grete
[Page 166] citees and castles; As Modon, Neopo
[...]ton, and Corona, with many oder Townes and possessions which was than in the dominatyon and possession of cristen peple. And most cruelly hath sleyne and
[...]estroyed infenite nombre of cristen peple withowt mercy or pite, bothe by water and by londe. Seeyng and consideryng his Holynes, that he of hymselfe is not sufficyent, ne of power to resiste, and withstonde the forsayd gret malyces, and porposes, without the ayde and helpe of cristen peple; Hath statu
[...]ed, ordeyned, and graunted of his Pastorall power, as is conteyned in thes Articles following.
Furst ower soueraigne Lorde Kyng
Herry the seuenth, with all his progeny; all Archebusschoppes, Busschoppes, Abbotts, Dukes, Erles, Barons, Knygtes, Squyers, Gentillmen, yomen, cetezines, and Strangers▪ and all oder cristen peple, both men and women, what oder degre, or condicyon soeuer thei be, of spyrituall or temporall, seculer, or reguler, dwellyng, or for a tyme abydyng within the Relme of Englond, Irelond, Wales, Gernesey or Garnsey, or any oder place vndre the rewle or dominacion of our sayd soueraigne Lorde the Knyge, which att any time after the publycation herof, to the last Euensong of the Octaues of Ester next commynge, truely confessyd and contryte visite soche Chorches as shall be assigned to be vesited; by the ryght reuerent Fader in God
Gasper Powe Prothonotarie, and Doctor of Diuinite, of our sayd holy Fader, the Popes Imbassator, and in this holy Iubeley Commissarie, or by oder by hym substituted or deputed; and ther put into the chest for thentent ordeyned, soche somme or quantite of money, gold, or siluer, as is lymytted and taxed here folowyng in the last end of this paper; to be spent for the defence of ower feithe; shall have the same Indulgence, Pardon, and Grace with remissyon of all ther sinnes, whiche thei shuld have had, if thei had gone personally to Rome in the yere of Grace, and ther vesited all the Chorches assigned for that entent, both within the cite and without, and alsoo done all oder things required to have be done ther for the obteyning of the said grace of the
[...]ubeley.
Also our said holy Fader hath gevyn full power and auctorite to his said Commissarie and his Deputis to che
[...]e and assigne Confessours and Penitenciers seculer and reguler in all soche places as shall please the said Commissarie or his Deputies; to here the confessions of all soche as are desposed to receyue the Pardon of this holy Iubeley. The which confessours and Penitenciers shall have the same auctorite and power in euery behalfe whiche the Penitenciers of Rome had at Rome in the yere of Grace. That is to saye, thei shall absolue them of all manner of crimes, trespasses, trangressyons, and synnes what so euer thei be, though the absolutyon ther of be reserved to the Courte of Rome; or to the Pope himselfe; nothyng except, but soche as was except to the Petenciers of Rome: and that was only the absolucyon of Conspiratours in the person of the holy Fader the Pope, or in the state of the See of Rome. And also the falsaries of the Popes Bulls, and of oder wrytings passing from the Courte of Rome: of the sellers or conveyers of Harneys, or oder things prohibited to the hethen peple. And of thes that laieth violente bondes on Busschoppes, or oder Prelates of the Chirche, which be above Busschoppes. And the said Confessours shall haue power to geue and graunte to all the said persones confessyd and contrite,
[Page 167] clene and full remission whiche is called,
A pena et culpa.
Also the said Confessours and Penitenciers shall have power and auctorite to dispence and change all manner of vowes into alm
[...]sdede for the defence of our Feith, none except, though itt be to Rome, to Iherusalem, or to Seint
Iames.
Also our said holy Fader willing no man to be excluded from this grete Grace and Indulgence, hath graunted, that all soche as be seke and impotente, or oderwyse deseased so that * yei may not easly visitte the Chorches assigned to be visetted, shall have for them and all ther howsholde the sayd Indulgence, Remissyon and Grace, as well as if they did visitte the sayd Chorches. Furst compownding effectually with the sayd Commissarie, or his Deputies for the same.
Also itt ys graunted by our sayd holy Fader that all thos that were at Rome this last yere of Grace shalbe parteable and capax of this sayd Grace and Pardon, yt thei will receive itt.
Also our sayd holy Fader hath graunted to his said Commissarie, and his substitutes full power to interpretate, and declare, all soche doubts as may be fownde, or be moved in thies his graunts, or in the execucion of the same, or any parte ther of, willyng and commandyng that ther interpretatyon shall effectually be taken and stond.
Also our said holy Fader hath straitly commanded, in the vertue of obedience, and vndre the payne of cursyng, the sentence in that behalfe gevin; of the whiche they may nott be assoyled, but of the Pope himself, furst satisfaccion made with the sayd Commissarie, or his Depute after the qualite of the trespas. That none ordinary seculer, or reguler, or any oder persones seculer or reguler, lett his Bulles or any oder writyngs made for declaracion her of, to be published in their Chorches, Citees, or Diocesses, wher or whan itt shalbe nedefull; nor that thei shall aske or receyve though itt be offered any money or oder reward, for the publicacion or sufferance therof, or any otherwyse lett or hynder thexpedicion therof, and goodspeede of the seid Indulgence; or persuade directly or indirectly any person to withdrawe their good mynd or porpose in that behalfe.
Also our seid holy Fader chargeth and commandeth all prechers of the word of God, whate condicion so euer thi be, as well men or Religyon as oder; that thei shall publishe, and effectually declare in ther prechings, and oder places whan thei shall be required by the seid Commissarie, or his Deputees the seid Indulgence and Pardon vndre the peyne specifyed.
Also our seid holye Fader hath suspended and disanulled all manner of Pardons and graunts, graunted or to be graunted, notwithstondyng any specyall clause that thei shulde not be revolted without specyall mentyon made
de verbo in verbum.
The Tax what euery man shall put into the Chest that woll receyve this grete grace of this Iubeley.
Furst euery man and woman, what degre, condicioun or state soeuer thei be, yf it be an Archebusschoppe, Duke, or of any oder dignite spirituall or temporall, havyng londes to the yerely valour of M. M. l. or aboue,
[Page 168] must pay or cause to be payed to this holy enrent, and effecte, for defence of our Feithe, agaynst the most grete and cruell enemy of the same the Turke, yf thei will receiue this grete indulgence and Grace of this Iubeley; for themselfs and their wyfes and their children not maryed, and effectually without disseyte put into the Chest ordeyned for that entent of trew and lawfull money in that countrie wher thei be iii. l. vii s. viii d.
Also euery man and woman havyng tenementes and rentes to the yerely value of one M. l. or aboue▪ to the summe of ii M. l. exclusive must pay for themselfs and their wyfes xl s.
Item, all thos that hath londes and Rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of ccccl. or aboue to the summe of a M. l. exclusive must pay for themselfes and their wyfes xxvi s. viii d.
Item, all thos that hath londes and rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of ccl. or aboue, to the summe of ccccl. exclusive must pay for themselfs, &c. xiii s. iiii d.
Item, all thos that haue londes and rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of one cl. or aboue, to the yerely valour of ccl. exclusiue must pay for themse
[...]fs, &c. vi s. viii d.
Item, all thos that haue londes and rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of xl. l. or aboue to the summe of one cl. exclusive must pay for themselfs, &c. ii s. vi d.
Item, all thos that haue londes and rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of xx l. or above to the summe of xl l. exclusive must pay for themselfs, &c. xvi. d.
Item, men of Religion havyng londes, Rents, and Tenements to the yerely valour of ii M. l. or aboue, must pay for themselfs and their Couent, xl.
Item, thos that hath londes and rents, &c. to the yerely valour of one M. l. or aboue to the yerely valour exclusive must pay for themselfs and their Couent, vl. iiii s.
Item, all thos that have londes and rentes, &c to the yerely valour of cccccl. or aboue, to the valour of one M. l. exclusive must pay for them and their Couent iii l. vi s. viii d.
Item, all thos that hath londes and rentes to the yerely valour of iicl. or aboue, to the summe of ccccl. exclusive, must pay for themselfs and their Couent, xx s.
Item, thos that hath londes and rents to the yerely valour of xl l. and aboue, to the summe of on cl. must pay for themselfs and their Couent, x s.
Item, seculer men and wemen which hath londes and rents to the yerely valour of xl l. or vndre, whose mouable goodes extendyth to the valour of on M l. must pay for themselfs and their wyfes, xl s.
Item, thos whos goodes mouable extendyth to ccccl. or aboue, to the summe of one M. l. exclusive, must pay for themselfs and their wyfes, vi s. viii d.
Item, thos whos goods mouable extendyth to the valour of ccl. or aboue to the summe of ccccl. must pay for themselfs and ther wyfes vii s. vi d.
Item, thos whos goodes mouable be within the valour of ccl. and not
[Page 169] vndre xx l. must pay for themselfs ther wyfes and children not married, xii d.
Item, thos whos goodes mouable extendyth nott to the valour of xx l shall pay for themselfs ther wyfes and children as it shall please them of their devocyon.
The Articles of the Bull of dispensacyon with Simony, Vsury, and of goodes
wrongfully[?] keped; reserued to the Commissary only.
Moreouer ower seid holy Fader the Pope willynge more largely to prouide for the helth and welfar of the sowles of all cristen pepull dwellyng or abyding in the Relme and places aboue written; hath geuen, and graunted, full auctorite, and power, to the sayd Venerable Fader in God,
Gaspar Pow
[...] his Orator and Commissary, to absolue, and dispence with all manner of persones, dwellyng or abidyng within the seyd Relme, or places aboue rehersyd, men or wemen, of what degre or condicyon so euer thei be, spirytuall or temporall, seculer or reguler, whiche hath commytted Symony, in gevyng or recevyng holy Orders, or Benefices spiritual or any other wai
[...]s; that thei may, notwithstondyng the seyd Simony so commyttid ministre in the orders so receyved: And the Benefices so obteyned lawfully kepe and occupye, and the frutes or to be receyved, occupie and despose at their plesure. And yf the seyd persones by reason therof have runne into irregularite; as ther apon syngyng Masse, or oder wyse ministryng the holy Sacramentys of the Chirche: The seyd Commissary hath full power to despence with that irregularite; and to take away all infamye and vnablenes whiche thei be in by reason of the same. Alway prouyded that the seyd persones make a composytyon herof with the seyd Commissarie, and soche money as thei compownd for, effectually to pay to the seyd Commissarie, to be spent in this holy vse for the relefe and defence of our feith.
Also the seyd Commissarie hath power to compownd, absolue, and dispence with all thos that occupye evill goten goods; all vsurers, and all soche that wrongfully and vnlefully occupieth or witholdeth oder mennys goods by fyndyng; or goods hidde not knowyng, or dowtyng who be the owners of the seyd goods, or to whom thei shulde mak restitucyon, that thei lefully kepe, and occupie the same goods. Furst makyng composycyon for the same with the seyd Commyssarie, of some certeyne summe of money to be spent in the foreseyd holy vse, that is to sey, for the relefe and defence of ower Feith, ayenst the most cruell and bitter enemys of the same, the Turkes.
Also yf ther be any willing to be created Doctour in both Lawes, or in one of them; the seyd Commissarie hath power to doe it, as well as if he were created in any Vniuersitie: And so of oder degrees, &c.
Also this Pope by his Buls imparted this his blessing and benefit of the Iubeley to all other kingdomes and territories vnder his spirituall Iuris
[...]iction and obeysance, and to all in like manner, and vpon the like condicions. By which you may gather, that this beneuolent liberalitie of pardon and
[Page 170] heauenly Grace, was not altogether freely giuen by the Pope; neither was that masse of money, thus co
[...]gested together, spent in any warres against the Turkes, as he promised; but conueied to Rome, and there laid vp in his owne Treasurie: whilest the enemies of the faith did greatly infest the Christians. But this Pope of all other, in my iudgement, had the most shamefull and cunning shif
[...]s to get money withall, and was more opprobrious in all his actions then any other either before or since. But as he liued wickedly, so hee died miserably, being poysoned with the same bane which hee had prepared for another.
Actius Sannazarius, and other writers of that age made certaine Epitaphs of him to his eternall in
[...]amie. Which I finde thus translated into English, out of
Io. Bale in his Pageant of Popes.
Perhaps whose Tombe this is (my friend) ye do not know,
Then pause a while if that ye haue no haste to go.
Though
Alexanders name vpon the stone be grauen,
Tis not that great, but he that late was Prelate shorne and shauen.
Who thirsting after bloud, deuour'd so many a noble Towne,
Who tost and turn'd the ruthfull states of kingdomes vpside downe.
Who to enrich his sonnes, so many Nobles slew,
And wast the world with fire and sword and spoyling to him drew.
Defying lawes of earth and heauen, and God himselfe erewhile,
So that the sinfull Father did the Daughters bed defile.
And could not from the bands of wicked wedlock once refrayne,
And yet this pestilent Prelate did in Rome tenne yeeres remaine.
Now friend remember
Nero, or els
Caligula his vice;
Or
Heliogabalus: enough: the rest ye may surmise,
For shame I dare not vtter all. Away, my friend, with this.
Another.
The Spaniard liethe here that did all honestie defie,
To speake it briefely: in this Tombe all villanie doth lie.
Another.
Lest
Alexanders noble name, my friend, should thee beguile,
Away: for here both treachery doth lurke, and mischiefe vile.
Another.
Though
Alexander after death did vomit matter blacke,
Yet maruell not: he dranke the same, and could not cause it packe.
Vpon the yeare of Iubelie aforesayd kept by this Pope
Alexander ▪
The Romane Priest that promised both heauen and starres to sell,
By treacherie and murtherings hath made a gap to hell.
This
Alexander before (by deuillish meanes) he obtained the Papacie, was called
Rodericus Borgia, a Spaniard borne in Valentia. But of him enough, except it tended more to the matter. Now may it please you reade certaine blanke verses taken out of my fore remembred Author,
Piers Plow man, who speakes in his language of the Pope and Cardinals, Pardons and pilgrimages effectually to this purpose.
Passus 19.
And claymeth before the Kyng to be kept of Christen
Of the Pope.
And counteth not though cristen be killed and robbed
And fynd folke to fight, and christen folk to spill.
Agayne the old law and new law as
Paule therof wytnesseth.
Non occides, mihi vindictam, &c.
I ne knew neuer Cardinall that he ne come fro the Pope,
And we Clarks when they come for her Commens payen,
Of the Cardinal
[...]
For her pelures, and palfreis, and pilors that hem folow.
The
Commune clamat quotidie eche a man to other,
The contrey is the curseder that Cardinals commen in.
And there they lig, and leng more lechery there raigneth
Therfor, quod this victory, by very god I would
That no Cardinals ne come among the commen peple,
But in her holines helden hem styl
At Avion among the Iewes;
cum sancto sanctus eris,
Or in Rome as their rule wyl the relikes to kepe.
In the seuenth passage he deliuers his opinion of the Popes Pardons, in these words.
The Prieste preued no pardon to do well,
[...]
And demed that Dowell Indulgence passed
Biennales and Triennales, and Byshops letters
And how Dowell at the day of dome is
[...]
dignely vndersongen,
And passed all the Pardon of S.
Peters Church.
A little after in the same passage, thus.
Soules that haue sinned seuen
times.
sythes deadly
And to trust to these Trentals truely me thynketh
Is not so
[...]
siker for the soule as to do well.
Therfore I
a
[...]ise
red you
[...]lers.
renkes that rich be on this erth
Apon trust of treasure Trientales to have
Be ye neuer the bolder to breake the
ten Comma
[...]dements.
ten hestes
And namely ye Maisters, Mayres, and Iudges
That haue the welth of this world, and for wise men be holden
To purchase you Pardons, and the Popes Buls:
At the dreadfull dome whan the dead shall arise
And commen all tofore Christ accounts for to yeue
How thou leadest thy lyfe here, and his lawes kepest
And how thou didest day by day the dome wil reherse.
A poke full of Pardons there, ne prouinciall letters,
Though ye be founden in the fraternitie of the iiii Orders
And haue Indulgence an hundryd fold, but if Dowell you helpe
I beset your patents and your pardons at a pyes hele.
Therfore I counsell all christen to crye god mercy,
And make Christ our meane that hath made amends.
That God give vs grace here, or we go hence
Such workes to worke while we ben here
[Page 172]That after our deathes day, Dowell reherse
At the day of Dome we did as he
[...] he was named.
highte.
The same Author shewing what true pilgrimage is,
Of pilgrimages
[...]ad. [...]. breathes forth these blanke verses following.
Nay by my soule health, quoth
Piers, and gan for to sweare,
I nolde
take
fang a ferthyng for Saynt
Thomas shryne.
The way to Truths dwelling place.
Truth wold loue me the lesse long tyme therfor after,
And if ye wyll to wend well this his the way thither.
Ye must go thorow mekenes both men and wyues
Tyll ye come into conscience, that Christ wit soch
That ye louen our Lord God,
the best.
leuest of all thynges,
And that your neighbours next; In no wy
[...]e appeire
Otherwise than thou woldist he wrought to thy selfe.
In the same passage.
Ye that seke S.
Iames, and Saintes at Rome
Seke saint Truth, for he may saue you all.
In another place.
Pass. 12.
He doth well withoute doute, that doth as
[...]an.
beuti techeth
That is if thou be man maryed, thy make thou loue,
And lyue forth as law wyll, whyle ye lyuen both.
Right so if thou be religious, ren thou neuerfurther,
To Rome nor Roch Madon, but as thy rule techeth,
And hold the vnder obedience, that high way is to heuen.
And yf thou be mayden to mary, and myght well continewe,
Seke neuer no saint further for thy soules health.
Pilgrimage what it is.Pilgrimage, is called of the Latines,
Peregrinatio, quasi peregre abitio, a going into a strange countrey; for a short pilgramage is not worth a pin: neither is that Image in so much honour or respect in that countrey where it is, as in farre countries. For example, the Italians, yea those that dwell neare Rome, will mocke and scoffe at our English (and other) pilgrims that go to Rome to see the Popes holinesse, and Saint
Peters chaire, and yet they themselues will runne to see the Reliques of Saint
Iames of Compostella in the kingdome of Galicia in Spaine, which is aboue twelue hundred English miles. And so the Spaniards hold Rome to be a very holy place, and therefore spare no cost or labour to go thither. And so of other pilgrimages.
Pilgrimage was also called
Romeria, quia Romam vt plurimum peregrinationes, because pilgrimages forth most part were made to Rome.
Now hauing acquainted my Reader (omitting many particulars, I confesse, which will more plainly appeare in the sequele) by what deuises and meanes, the Religious Votaries and others of the Clergie within this kingdome, as also the Bishop of Rome (who most commonly went away with the best share) augmented their reuenues, and deceiued the poore Commons. I am here to speake of a yearely tribute paied onely to the See of Rome (which many times I obuiously meete withall) from the payment
[Page 173] whereof, neither the King nor the Clergie, nor any housholder
[...] in England or Ireland were priuiledged, and this was called
[...] which is a Saxon word compounded of Rome and Scot, as you wou
[...]d say, the
[...] bute due to Rome,
[...] or an Apostolicall custome, or the see of
[...] penning, or
Denarij Sancti Petri, Peter pence: From which payment
[...]Mathew the Monke of Westminster, neither the King, nor the Archbishop, Bishop, Abbot, nor Prior, were exempted. I he first
[...]ounder of
[...] Tribute was
Inas, or
Ina, king of the West-saxons. Of which the foresaid
Mathew thus writes.
Ina the pious and potent king of the West Saxons, lea
[...]ing his temporall kingdome (thereby to gaine an eternall) to the gouernment of his kinsman
Ethelard, [...] trauel
[...]ed on pilgrimage to Rome, where in the said Citie by the permission of
Gregory the second, hee built an house which he called, The English Schoole; vnto which, the kings of England, and the Regall Image, as also Bishops, Priests, Clerkes, and others might repaire, to
[...]ee instructed in good literature, and in the Catholicke faith; lest that any thing in the English Church might be sin
[...]ste
[...]ly expounded contrary to the vniuersall vnitie, and so, being established in the orthodoxall and right receiued Faith, they might returne backe againe into their owne countrey. For the doctrine and Schooles of the English Nation since the time of Archbishop
Austin, had beene interdicted by diuers Romish Bishops, for certaine heresies which daily appeared after the comming in of the Saxons into Britaine, by reason of the commixture of the misbeleeuing wicked Pagans, with the Christians of holy conuersation. Hee also caused a Church to be erected neare to the foresaid house or Colledge, which he dedicated to the honour of the blessed Virgine
Mary; in which such of the English as came to Rome might celebrate d
[...]uine Seruice, and that therein, if any of the said English there happened to depart this world, they might be in
[...]erred. And all these, that they might for euer be more firmly corroborated, it was ordained by a generall decree, throughout all the kingdome of the West-Saxons, that in euerie familie one pennie should be yearely collected and sent ouer to blessed Saint
Peter and the Church of Rome, which in English Saxons was called Romescot; that the English there abiding mig
[...]t by that meane haue sufficient to liue vpon. Thus
[...]a
[...]re
Mathew of Westminste
[...] surnamed the Flower-gatherer. The which in substance is thus deliuer
[...]d by a late writer, yet in a different manner.
He (meaning
Ina) instituted also a certaine yearely payment to the See of Rome,
[...] enioyning euery one of his Subiects that posses
[...]ed in his house of one kinde of goods to the value of twentie pence, that he should pay a p
[...]ny to the Pope yearely vpon Lammas day; which at that time was contributed vnder the name of the Kings Almes, but afterwards was called and challenged by the name of Peter-pence.
Another of the same gift by the said King hath these times.
He gaue to Rome eche yere
[...]
The Rome pence thorrow West sex all about
Perpetually to be well payd and clere,
For vnto Rome he went without all doubt.
After the example, and with the like zeale of
Ina, Offa the most magnificent
[Page 174] king of the Mercias, in great deuotion went also to Rome, and made euery house within his territories subiect to this payment of Romescot;
Hand. cap. 133.
Ossa gaue through Mers the Rome penny
Vnto the Church of Rome.
Afterwards about the yeare eight hundred and fiftie, this tribute was confirmed, and made further payable throughout all England; For
Ethelwolfe (as then being sole Monarch of the Englishmen; (hauing beene sometimes for certaine yeares (as
Haneden and
Brampton write) Bishop of Winchester) remembring his Ecclesiasticke profession; and ordaining first that tithes and lands due to holy Church should be free from all tributes and Regall seruices; in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne, with the like deuotion of the two former kings, went in pilgrimage, taking with him his youngest sonne
Alfred, or
Elfred, to the foresaid chiefe Citie of the Romanes; where he was both honourablie receiued and entertained by the Bishop of Rome and the whole Senate, for the space of one yeare and vpwards: in which time he rebuilt the English Schoole before remembred, which lately had beene almost quite consumed with fire.
[...] And in lieu of his kinde entertainment, confirmed the former grant of Peter-pence, causing it to bee payed throughout all his Dominions; and further couenanted to pay yearely to Rome three hundred Markes, thus to be employed; one hundred to Saint
Peters Church, another hundred to Saint
Pauls light, and the third to the Pope (a Saint that euermore will haue his share) to the entent, saith one, that no Englishmen should doe penance in bounds, as he saw some do before his face.
This
Athilwolfe to Rome toke his way
In pilgramage with him his sonne
Aelfrede,
To
Peter and
Pole he graunted infenitife
The Rome pence of all Englond.
As
Flores saith as I con vnderstond.
Saith
Harding, cap. 105.
And further to confirme the premisses, may it please you to trouble your patience in the reading of these following hard rimes transcribed out of a namelesse old Author.
A Manuscript in the Library of
Edmond Cotton [...]pti
[...]e.
Edgar king of England made sharpe constitutions for the payment of this Tribute.
And it was one of the lawes of
Edward the Confessour,
[...] that euery householder which had
triginta denariatas viuae pecuniae in domo sua de proprio suo, Thirtie pence of ready money, or of any kinde of cattell in his house of his owne proper, should by the Law of the English giue a pennie to Saint
Peter, and by the Law of the Danes halfe a marke; which pennie was to be demanded at or vpon the feast of Saint
Peter and
Paul, and to be collected before the feast of Saint
Peter [...]ad vincula, and not to be deferred to any further day: And if any withheld the payment thereof any longer time, complaint was to be made to the Kings Officers, for that this penny was the Kings Almes. And that the partie so offending, should hee constrained by iustice to make payment thereof, on paine of forfeiting his goods. Now if any man had more dwelling houses then one, hee was to pay onely for that house where he should happen to be resiant, at the said feast of Saint
Peter and
Paul.
Henry the second vpon his conquest of Ireland, imposed this tribute vpon that kingdome, onely to curry fauour with the Pope, who as then was
Adrian the fourth, called before his inthronization,
Nicholas Breakespeare, borne at Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire. For hee (saith
Speed in the life of the said
Henry) knowing how great and dangerous tumults the Popes had raised vpon small occasions, thought his way would bee much easier,
[...] if he went onward with the Popes good fauour, which he easily obtained for a fee,
viz. a penny yearely to bee payed to Saint
Peter of euerie house in Ireland.
Edward the third in the 39. yeare of his raigne (saith
Treuisa the Continuer of Polychronicon) ordained, that this Tribute of Peter pence, should not be from thenceforth any more gathered within this Realme, nor any such payment made at Rome. But howsoeuer (saith
Hollinshed in the said
[Page 176] yeare) this payment was abrogated at this time, by King
Edward, it was after rene
[...]ed againe by the Pope, and the money was gathered in certaine Shires of this Realme, vntill the dayes of king
Henry the eighth.
Parsons, and Impropriators of Churches, at this day in many places of England, are payed this pennie vnder the name of a Smoke pennie.
This Chapter is growne much longer then I expected. Of which an end.
CHAP. XVIII. Of Parishes, Bishoprickes Of the power and sanctitie of Bishops and Priests. Of Sanctuaries, and of the Eccles
[...]asticall state of England and Wales.
[...] Angel.
[...].PArochia dicit
[...]r locus in quo degit populus alicui Ecclesiae baptismali deputatus, & certis finibus limitatus.
A Parish is said to bee a place in which people doe hue assigned to some Christian Church, and limited by certaine bounds.
[...]Euaristus the first, Bishop of Rome, who suffered martyrdome vnder
Traian the Emperour, about the yeare of our redemption, one hundred and ten, ordained Curates, and disposed of them to certaine places, that they might administer the Sacraments to such people as were committed to their charge; and withall he ordained that these Curates should bee nourished and maintained by those people of whose soules they had the cure; whereupon they were called,
Parochi
[...] à prebenco, vel à mutua alimentorum praebitione, Parochians, or Parishioners of the mutuall exhibition, and giuing of nourishment one to another; the Priest for the soules of his people, and the people for the maintenance of their Priest.
[...]Dionisius, that blessed Martyr, Bishop of Rome,
circa ann. 266. did attempt to doe the like throughout the whole Christian world, appointing by distribution certaine places, to which he assigned Ecclesiasticall persons, there to administer the Sacraments, pray, and preach the word, and to receiue the tenths of the possessions contained within the limits of the foresaid places.
[...]Honorius Archiepiscopus Cantuar▪ circa annum à salute reparata 636.
Angliam primus in Parochias distribuere cepit.
Honorius Archbishop of Canterbury, about the yeare of our saluation, 636. began first to diuide England into Parishes.
[...]. cap. 9.But this opinion is controuerted by a late learned Antiquary, and by him plainly approued, that
Honorius was not the first that made this diuision here in England, but that Parishes were diuided, and Parish-Churches built long before his time; euen in the Primitiue Hierarchie of the Britaine
[...]. And that in the time of King
Arthur, about the yeare of our Lord 490 when
Dubritius was made Archbishop of South Wales, diuers Churches with their endowments of Tithes, oblations, and other profits, were appropriated to him the said
Dubritius, and his successours. And that in those times Churches were built here no doubt can bee made. Neither is it to
[Page 177] be conceiued how Christianitie could be in any nation, saith my Author, much ancienter (if generally receiued, or by any number) then Churches, or some conuenient houses, or other places in the nature of Churches, appointed for the exercise of deuotion.
[...] And expresse mention is made of a Church (of which I haue spoken before) built in Canterbury in the time of the Romanes, to the honour of Saint
Martin, in which
Augustine and his followers when they came first from Rome, made their holy assemblies.
After that the stormes of
Diocletians persecution were ouerblowen, saith
Bede,Lib. 1.
cap [...]. which was
circa Ann. 290. the faithfull Christians, who in time of danger lay hid in dennes and deserts, came forth, and shewed themselues abroad, renewed their Churches, which before were ouerthrowne flat to the ground, founded, builded, and perfited new Temples, in honour of the holy Martyrs, celebrated holy dayes, consecrated the holy mysteries, with pure mouth and heart, and euery where as it were displayed their ensignes in signe of Conquest.
Aliquindo Parochia dicitur totus Episcopatus,Sum. Angl. lit. P. Will. Malms. degest. Pont. l. 1. saith one, and
Parochia etiam Dioecesis Episcopalis dicitur, saith another. Sometime a Parish is said to be the whole Bishopricke, and sometime the Episcopall Diocesse.
Kenwalch King of the West-Saxons,
[...] diuided,
In duas Parochias Pra
[...]nciam; the Prouince into two Parishes, or Diocesses, when as he erected a new Bishopricke at Winchester, taken out of the Diocesse of Dorchester, a ruinous Towne now in Oxfordshire.
In the yeare 680.
[...]Merciorum Prouincia in quinque Parochias est diuisa: The Prouince of Mercia was diuided into fiue Parishes, that is, into fiue Bishopricks; and thus
Honorius may be said properly to haue beene the first vnder whom his Prouince was diuided into such Parishes or Bishoprickes.
Anno Dom. 747. in the raigne of
Ethelbald,Will. Malms. de gest. Pont. lib. king of the Mercians, in a Synod holden at Clouesho, it was decreed,
Vt singuli Episcopi omni anno Parochias suas circumirent: That euery Bishop should go about or visit his Parishes once euery yeare.
And in the first Synod or Conuocation of the English Church,
Bed. l 4.
ca. 5. holden at Hereford,
Ann. 670, it was determined,
Vt nullus Episcoporum Parochiam alterius inuadat, sed contentus sit gubernatione creditae sihi plebis: That no Bishop should haue ought to do in anothers Parish, but bee contented with the charge of the people committed vnto him.
Kenulph,Will. Malms. de g
[...]stis Reg li. 1.
c. 4. King of the Mercians, in his Epistle to
Leo the third, Bishop of Rome, writes,
Quod contra Canones à Patre Gregorio constitut as auctoritas Dorobernensis Metropolitani in duas scinditur Parochias, cuius ditioni duo decim subiacere debent Episcopi. That contrary to the Canons of Saint
Gregory the iurisdiction of the Metropoliticall See of Canterbury was diuided into two Parishes, to whose authoritie twelue Bishops ought to be subiect. To which point of his Epistle,
Leo makes this answer.
In sacro scrinio nostro reperimus, sanctum Gregorium Predecessorem nostrum in integro ipsam Parochiam numero duodecim beato Augustino Archiepiscopo tradidisse Epis copos consecrandos. We finde in our sacred Cabinet, our Predecessour Saint
Gregory, to haue giuen and deliuered that Parish to blessed
Augustine entire
[Page 178] and whole, with the number of twelue Bishops by him to bee consecrated.
These great Parishes or Bishoprickes were not made Diocesses or Iurisdictions together, straight from the first budding of Christianitie, but in succession of time, as the number of Christians did increase, and as the true faith was spread abroad. For some Churches were vnder the charge of Curates, other some of Abbots, and of these were made these great Parishes or Bishopricks. The dignitie and gouernment of which was appointed to learned and religious men, which did diligently ouersee, like good Shepheards, the flocks committed to their charge, and these were called Bishops.
Numma. Angelica lit. E.Episcopus Grece, latine speculator interpretatur, speculari enim debet mores & vitia populi sibi subiecti & intendere ad eorum salutem. A Bishop both in Greeke and Latine, signifies a beholder, or a Scoute▪ watch, for he ought to behold and ouersee the manners, conditions, and vices of the people liuing vnder his gouernment, and to vse the best meanes hee can for their soules health.
Iliad. lib. 15.Homer calls
Hector suum Episcopum, because he was
precipuus Troiae inspector et propugnator, the chiefe ouerseer and defender of the Citie of Troy.
Amb. in Pasto
[...]al
[...].Nihil in hoc seculo excellentius sacerdotibus, nihil sublimius Episcopis reperiri potest. Nothing in this age more excelling then Priests, nothing more sublime and high then Bishops can be found.
The power and holinesse of Priests and Bishops.
Honor et sublimitas Episcopalis nullis poterit comparationibus adaequari. The Episcopall honour and dignitie can be equalled by no comparisons.
Id. in Pastoral. Id. Ibid.Esto subiectus Pontifici tuo et quasi parentem animae tuae ama. Be subiect to thy Bishop, and loue him as the father and nourisher of thy soule.
Augustine in li. de pastoribus.Nihil est in bac vita, et maxime hoc tempore difficilius, laboriosius, et periculosius Episcopi aut Presbyteri officio, sed apud Deum nihil beatius, si eo modo militetur quo noster Imperator iubet. Nothing in this life, and specially at this time more difficult, laborious, and perillous then the office of a Bishop or Priest, but before Almightie God no office more blessed; if they fight and make warre after the same manner as they bee commanded by their Captaine our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ.
Hebr.
[...].Omnis Pontifex (saith Saint
Paul)
ex hominibus assumptus, pro hominibus constituitur in ijs qui sunt ad Deum, vt offerat dona et sacrificia pro peccatis.
Euery Bishop or high Priest, is taken from among the men, and is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that hee may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sinnes.
Corinth. 3. Corinth. 4.They are Gods labourers, Gods husbandrie, and Gods buildings.
Let a man so thinke of them, as of the Ministers of Christ, and disposers of the secrets of God.
Lib. 1.What is more pleasant (saith
William the Monke of Malmesbury in his Prologue to the Acts of our English Bishops) then to rehearse the praise of our ancient Bishops; that thou mayest know the deeds of them of whom thou hast receiued the rudiments of Faith, and the incitements to a godly life.
No nation of the world, saith
Capgraue, in the Prologue to his Catalogue
[Page 179] of English Saints,
Io Cap hath from the beginning beene so blest with holy, learned, and religious Bishops as England, whose sanctitie did so shine, that all which saw them and their good workes, assuredly knew, that they were the seed, to whom God had imparted his blessings: their conuersation and studie being alwayes about heauenly matters.
As the rod of
Aaron did bud and blossome,
Numb.
[...]. and bring forth ripe Almonds, so the Church and Ministery of England, by the meanes of our reuerend Bishops, as of Gods sacred instruments, did (and still doth) prosper, flourish, and bring forth fruits of righteousnesse, to the glorie of God, and comfort of all true Christian hearts.
Now before I conclude this point,
Of the first in
[...] of
[...]ishop
[...]. giue me leaue to speake a little further of the first institution of Bishops out of the booke of a namelesse Author, written in Latine about three hundred yeares since; translated into English by one
William Marshall, and imprinted at London by one
Robert Wyer, Ann. 1535 in the 27. of King
Henry the eighth, the booke is called, The Defence of Peace.
After the tymes of the Apostles,
D
[...]fence of Pe
[...]ce. Chap. 1
[...]. the nombre of Preestes beyng notablye augmented, and increased (saith he) to avoyde sclaundre and occasyon of offendynge any man, and to avoyde scisme and dyvysion, the Preestes chose one among themselues, which shulde dyrecte and ordre the other, as touchynge to the exercysynge of the Ecclesiasticall offyce, or service, and the dystrybutyng of the oblacyons, and the dysposynge and orderynge of other thyngs in the most conuenient maner,
N
[...]t
[...]. for our t
[...]s. leste yf euery man myght do this thinge after his owne pleasure, as he lest himselfe, the good ordre and servyce of the Churches myght be troubled, by the reason of the dyuerse affeccions of men. This Preeste whiche was so elected and chosen, to ordre and rule the other Preestes, by the custome and vsed maner of speakynge of them that came afterwards, was onely called a Bysshop or ouerseer; because not onely he was ouerloker of the Christen people▪ for whiche cause all other Preests also were called Ouerseers in the Prymatyne Church; but also because he had the ouersyght of the other Preestes. Howsoeuer, saith he, in the same Chapter, in the essentyall and inseparable auctoryte and dygnyte of Preesthood; the Bysshops have no preheminence aboue other Preestes, but onely in auctoryte accydentall, being that the Bishop by the provydence of God is chosen (vpon the former reason) to have the rule and gouernment of the Clergie within his Diocesse: For in the power and auctoryte of makyng and admynystryng the Sacraments, and performing of other duties belonginge meerely to the Preesthood, all Preestes (saith he) have all one auctoryte in kynde: neyther the Bysshop of Rome, or any other Bysshop hath this auctoryte any whyt more largely, than any other hath who euer he be, beynge called a symple or pryvate Preest. And therfore it is to be mervayled, wherfore some men do stryve styffely and frowardly affyrmynge yet no thynge reasonably, that the Pope of Rome hath more large power of the keyes geuen to hym of Chryste than hath other Preestes,
Euery Priest hath as much power in binding and loosing as the Pope. seing that this cannot be proued by the holy Scrypture, but rather the contrary. For whiche thyngs, to go on with my Author, more euidently to be seene and perceyved, you ought to vnderstande and knowe, that these two wordes
Presbyter, and
Episcopus, that is to saye, Preest or
[Page 180] senyour, and Bysshop, were both of one sygnyfycacion, and betokened all one thynge in the Prymatyue Church, albeit they were put to sygnyfy one thynge of diuers propertyes, for
Presbyter was a name gyven to them of age, which is as moche to saye as a Senyour or Elder. And
Episcopus was a name gyuen of cure or charge vpon other, and is as moche to say as an ouerloker, according to that of Saynt
Iherom in a certayne Epystle to
Euandre, who sayth thus,
Presbyter and
Episcopus, the one is a name of age, the other of dygnyte.
These dignified priests, I meane Bishops, euer since the Conquest, their chiefe seate or chaire in Cities, and their Churches haue, euer since the sunne-shine of the Gospell, beene called Cathedrall▪ and in respect they were more spatious then other inferiour Parish Churches,
Camd. in Epis. D
[...]. they were tearmed
Basilicae, of which will it please you heare
Camden speake. These greater Churches (saith hee) when the sauing light of Christ shone vpon the world were tearmed
Basilicae, for that the
Basilicae of the Gentiles which were large and spacious Hauls, wherein Magistrates sat in iudgement, and ministred iustice, were conuerted into Christian Churches. Whence
Ausonius wrote thus.
Basilica olim negotijs plena, &c. The Basilica (or Haul of Iustice) in times past full of businesses, is now as full of prayers and vowes: or else because they were built in forme somewhat long in manner of those
Basilicae.
But to returne backe againe to my Parishes, which are called Benefices for Ecclesiasticall persons, like as the preferments in Cathedrall Churches are tearmed Church Dignities: and of these, some are called Rectories, or Parsonages, some Vicaradges, as will appeare by the sequele.
Parochia is sometime called
Plebania, and thus defined.
Sintagiutis lib 1
[...].
cap. 24.Plebania est aliud genus beneficij, et maius quam Rectoria, habet sub se Capellas et dignitatem esse putant interpretes.
Plebania is another kinde of Benefice, and of greater circuite then a Rectorie; it hath vnder it certaine Chappels, and this
Plebania, or
dignitas plebeia is said to be a Church dignitie, by Interpretours.
Questionlesse these Plebanians were like our side-wasted Parishes in Lanchishire, whose extensure is so large, that (to my owne knowledge) some one of those Parish Churches hath fourteene Chappels of ease (as we call them) within the circumference of her limits,
The Parish of Whalley in Lanchishire. and as it were vnder her iurisdiction, all which are honoured with Parochiall rites.
Cathedrall, Abbey and Parish Churches had great priuiledges of sanctuarie granted vnto them in former times.
Sanctuaries[?]. Now a Sanctuarie is a place of refuge for offenders to escape punishment. And these Sanctuaries were so called of an old Mosaicall rite vsed amongst the Israelites, among whom euery Tribe had certaine Cities, and places of refuge, to which malefactours might repaire, and for a time bee protected from the rigour of the Law. Of which you may reade in the sacred writ: Exod. 21.13. Numb. 35.1. Deuter. 4.41. and Iosh. 20.2. And so likewise here in great Britaine Churches, Church-yards, Cities, ploughs and high-wayes, had many priuiledges in this kinde anciently granted and confirmed vnto them. I will speake first of the last out of a late Writer, who makes old Watling-streete thus to sing his verse.
Wh
[...]at in m
[...]nd to keepe Posteritie might haue,
Appo
[...]nting
[...]ust his course, this priuiledge he gaue,
That no man might arrest, or debtors goods might seize
In any of vs foure his militarie waies.
Neare fiue hundred yeares before this King
Mulmutius (take it vpon the credit o
[...] the British Story) constituted diuerse lawes;
Se
[...]de
[...] in his Illustrations vpon the
[...] verses. especially that Churches, Ploughs, and high wayes should haue liberties of Sanctuary, by no authoritie violable. That Churches should be free, and enioy liberty for refuge, consenting allowance of most Nations haue tollerated, and in this kingdome (it being affirmed also by constitution of King
Lucius a Christian) euery Church yard was a Sanctuary, vntill by Act of Parliament vnder
Hen. 8. that licence, for protection of offences, being too much abused, was taken away.
Of
Mulmutius Dunwallo (for so hee is sometime called) and his priuiledges to sacred places, my old Mss. thus further speakes.
A kynge ther was in Brutayne Donw
[...]lle was his nam,
Ro
[...]. Christ
Stale worth, and hardy a man of grete fam.
He ordeyned first yat theeues yat to Temple slown wer
No man wer so hardy to do hem despit ther;
That hath be moche suth yhold as hit begonne tho,
Hely Chyrch hit holdyth yut and wole euer mo.
Hereupon he called the Temples which hee built, the Temples of peace and concord: one of which was in London, where now Blackwell Hall is, another in Fleete-street, as yet called the Temple Church, wherein (or in some of them) himselfe,
Gorbomannus, and other of the British kings, were interred, as by supposition it is deliuered.
Lucius,Fl
[...]res. Hist. p
[...].
[...]og de
[...] [...]un. 183. king of the Britaines, hauing abundantly distributed and giuen ample possessions, and reuenues to Churches and Clergie men, ordained that Churches with their Coemiteries or Church-yards, should haue this priuiledge; that what malefactour soeuer should thither make flight for his safetie, he might there remaine without indemnitie.
Ethelwolfe and
Alfred Kings of the West-Saxons, gaue the like important priuiledges to these holy Edifices.
Athelstane sole Monarch of the Englishmen,
[...]eg. A
[...]fr
[...]i. c. 5. held the memory of
Iohn de Beuerley, Archbishop of Yorke, so sacred and reuerend (for he honored him as his
[...]urelar Saint) that he endowed Beuerley (the place of the said Archbishops birth) with many,
Camd. in Yorkeshire. and those very great priuiledges, and granted them liberties in these generall words.
As free make I thee
As heart may think, or eie may see.
Yea and there was granted vnto it the priuiledge of a Sanctuary, so that Bankrupts and men suspected of any capitall crime, worthy of death, might
[Page 182] be free and safe there from the danger of the law; in which was erected a chaire of stone with this Inscription.
This seat of Stone is called Freed stool, that is, the chaire of peace, vnto which what offender soeuer flieth, and commeth, hath all manner of Securitie.
Of the Sanctuary at Westminster, first granted by
Sebert King of the East-Saxons, encreased by
Edgar King of the West-Saxons, and confirmed by the Charter of King
Edward the Confessor, I haue spoken before.
In Leg. Will. Con. Reg. de Houeden.If any one guilty of offence flie from any place for refuge to the Church, Church-doore, to the Parson or Vicars house, or into any part of his base or inner Court (prouided that the said house and courts bee within consecrated ground) it shall not be lawfull for any to take him from thence, saue onely the Bishop or some of his Officers. Now if this malefactour bee a filching knaue, or an high-way robber, and be taken with the bootie, or if his theeuish purchase be altogether exhausted and spent, yet if he haue any meanes otherwayes of his owne, he shall make satisfaction to the partie, or parties whom hee hath so wronged; and if hee still continue to play the thiefe, and make a custome of this manner of flight to Churches and Priests houses, after restitution made, he shall abiure the countrey; and if he giue not satisfaction to the parties, whose goods hee hath taken and purloyned, no man shall dare to giue him lodging or entertainment, without the kings speciall licence first obtained.
Bracton sol. 132If a Clergie-man bee taken for felonie, deliuered to the Ordinarie, and breake prison, and flie to the Church for sanctuarie or refuge, he shall bee taken from thence, and put into the same prison out of which he escaped; for the Church ought not to defend him, nor any publike malefactour,
Si ad pacem Regis venire noluerit.
But stay, for if robbing from other mens works, to embellish my owne writings, be an offence, it is high time for mee to take Sanctuarie: yet giue me leaue to go a little further in my course, and to speake somewhat, out of other Authors, of the Ecclesiasticall state of England, of which you may reade more at large in
Camden his diuision of Britaine, and know more by
Speed in his Type of this flourishing kingdome.
Sir
Edward C
[...]ke in his Comment. vpon
Littleton. lib. 2.
cap. 6.The Ecclesiasticall state of England is diuided into two Prouinces or Archbishopricks;
viz. of Canterbury, and of Yorke. The Archbishop of Canterbury
[...]s stiled,
Metropolitanus et Primas totius Angliae; and the Archbishop of Yorke,
Primas Angliae. The Archbishop of Canterbury hath vnder him within his Prouince, of ancient and late foundations. Rochester his principall Chaplaine; London his Deane; Winchester his Chancellour, and all the rest of the Bishopricks, foure excepted,
viz. Chester, Durham, Carlile, and the Ile of Man, which are annexed to the Archbishopricke of Yorke.
Euery Diocesse is diuided into Archdeaconries, and the Archdeacon is called
Oculus Episcopi, The eye of the Bishop. And euery Archdeaconrie is parted into Deanries, and Deanries againe into Parishes, Townes, and Hamlets.
The Bishop is called the Ordinarie, in the Ecclesiasticall Law.
Quia habet ordinariam iurisdictionem in iure proprio, et non per deputationem:
[Page] for that he hath ordinarie iurisdiction in his owne proper right, and not by deputation, in causes Ecclesiasticall.
All the Archbishops and Bishops of England haue beene founded by the Kings of England; and do hold of the King by Baronie, and haue been all called by writ to the Court of Parliament, and are Lords of Parliament.
And the Bishopricks in Wales, were founded by the Princes of Wales; and the Principalitie of Wales was holden of the King of England, as of his Crowne. And the Bishops of Wales are also called by Writ to Parliament, and are Lords of Parliament as Bishops of England be.
There were within the Realme of England one hundred and eight
[...]ene Monasteries, founded by the Kings of England, whereof such Abbots and Priors as were founded to hold of the King
per Baroniam, and were called to the Parliament by Writ, were Lords of Parliament, and had places and voices there. And of them were twenty sixe Abbots, and two Priors, as by the Rolles of Parliament appeare: yet if you reckon the Abbot of Feuersham in Kent, founded by King
Stephen, there were twentie and seuen, which some do, saith my learned Author, warranted by these words in the Cartularie:
Et dedit Abbati, et Monachis, et successoribus
[...]s is Minerium de Feuersham, Com. Kane. simul cum Hundredo, &c. tenend. per Baroniam. But (saith he) albeit this Abbot held by a Baronie, yet because he was neuer (that I finde) called by Writ, he neuer sat in Parliament.
Bishopricks in England,
Cam. l.
[...]. with that of the Isle of Man, are 37. whose extents I set downe in the passage of this worke. Deanries 26. whereof thirteene were ordained by
Henrie the eighth, in the greater Cathedral Churches after the Monkes were thrust out. Archdeacouries threesco
[...]. Dignities and Prebends fiue hundred fourty foure.
Numbred also there are Parish churches vnder Bishops 9284 of which 3845. be Appropriat, as I finde in a Catalogue, saith he, exhibited to King
Iames. Now, Appropriat Churches, those are called, which by the Popes authoritie comming betweene, with consent of the King, and the Bishop of the Diocesse were vpon certaine conditions tyed, or Instruments vnited, annexed, and incorporate for euer, vnto Monasteries, Bishopricks, Colledges, and Hospitals, endowed with small lands, either for that the said Churches were built their Lordships and Lands or graunted by the Lords of the said Lands. Which Churches afterwards when the Abbeyes and Monasteries were suppressed, became Laye Fees, to the great damage of the Church.
Henry the eighth, presently vpon the suppression of Monasteries, and his ordination of certaine Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches, set d
[...]wne by the aduice of his Counsell, a number of Rules and Statutes to be obserued by the Officers and Ministers residing in the same. As appeares by this Record following, which I thought to transcribe.
Henricus Octauus Dei gracia Anglie, [...]Francie, et Hibernie, Rex, Fidei Defensor, ac in terra supremum Ecclesie Anglicane, et Hibernie caput. Vniuersis sancte matris Ecclesie silijs ad quorum noticiam presens Scriptum peruenerit Salutem.
Cumet nobis et Regni nostri Preceribus, vniuer soque Senatui qu
[...]m Parliamentum vocamus visum sit Deo, et confidimus nos huc mouente, Monasteria,
[Page 184] que passim in regno nostro extabant, tum propter graues, et multiplices illorum enormitates, tum ob alias iustas rationabilesque causas supprimere,
[...]olere, et in meliores vsus convertere. Nos et diuine voluntati conformius,
[...]m
[...]ius
[...]re Christiana esseducentes, vt vbi ignorantia et superstitio regnabant, ibi sincerus Dei cultus vigeat, et sanctum Christi Euangelium assidue et pure annuncietur: Et preteria vt ad Christiane fidei, ac pietatis incrementum iuuentus Regni nostri in bonis literis instituatur, et pauperes perpetuo sustententur; in ipsorum Monasteriorum loco Ecclesias ereximus et cons
[...]ituimus: Quarum alias Cathedrales, alias Collegiatas vocari volumus; pro quarum Ecclesiarum ac Collegiorum gubernaecione et regimine leges et statuta que sequntur prescribend. curauimus, quibus tam Decani et vtriusque ordinis Canonici, quam ceteri omnes ministri, pueri et pauperes, qui in ipsis Ecclesijs commoraturi sunt, pareant et ebsequantur, eisque vt à nobis conditis et perfect is regantur et gubernentur. Id quod si fecerint ingens sine pictatis incrementum in hoc regno nostro peruenturum esse confidemus; Et nos expectatione
[...] voto nostro qui ad Dei optumi maximi gloriam ac fidei Christiane augmentum has Ecclesias ereximus, et varijs ministrorum ordinibus enornauimus, ha
[...]d quaquam fraudabimus. Dat. &c.
The Statutes, rules and orders were annexed hereunto; which were very many, and more then can conueniently be included in this short Treatise, and more I thinke then were well performed. As may partly be proued by an In
[...]unction from the Queenes Maiestie to the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Mathew Parker, in these words.
By the Queene.
The Queenes Maiesty considering how the pallaces and houses of Cathedrall Churches and Colledges of this Realme haue ben both of ancyent and late tyme, buylded and inclosed in seuerall to susteyne and kepe Socyeties of learned men professing Study and prayer for the edification of the Church of God; and so consequently to serue the Common-weale. And vnderstanding of late that within the houses hereof, as well the chiefe Gouernours as the Prebendaries, Students, and members thereof being married, do keepe particular housholds, with their wiues, children, and Nurses, whereof no small offence groweth to thentent of the Founders, and to the quiet and orderly profession of studie and learning within the same, hath thought meete to prouide remedie herein, lest by sufferance thereof, the rest of the Colledges, specially such as be replenished with young Students, as the very roomes and buildings be not answerable for such families of women and young children, should follow the like example. And therefore expresly willeth and commandeth, that no manner of person, being either the head or member of any Colledge or Cathedrall Church within this
[...], shall from the time of the notification hereof, in the same Colledge haue, or be permitted to haue, within the precinct of any such Colledge, his wife or other woman to abide and dwell in the same: or to frequent & haunt any lodging within the said Colledge, vpon paint that whosoeuer shall do to the contrary, shall forfeite all Ecclesiasticall promotions in any Cathedrall or Collegiate Church within this Realme. And for continuance of this order, her Maiestie willeth that the Transcript hereof shall
[Page 185] be written in the booke of the Statutes of euery such Colledge; and shall be reputed as parcell of the Statutes of the same. Yeuen vnder our Signet at
[...]ur Towne of ipswiche, the ninth of August in the third yeare of our reigne.
Now Reader if thou wouldest know more particularly the Ecclesiasticall State of England, will it please thee reade the declaration following.
A briefe declaration of the nomber of all promocions Ecclesiasticall, of what nam or title soeuer, at the Taxacion of the first fruites and tenthes, with the yearlie value of eiche Bishopricke, Deanrie, and Archdeaconrie, and the tenth of the Clargie in euery Diocesse.
Lincoln. 179. l. 19. s.
S
[...]ow. 14. l. 2 s. 8. d. ob.
Bedf 57. l. 2. s. 3. d.
Buck 8
[...]. l 14. s. 5. d.
Hunting. 57. l. 14. s. 2. d.
Leicester 80. l. 12. s. 3. d.
[Page 192]Memorandum, That vnder the title of Benefices in euery Diocesse is contained in figures two numbers. The first doth shew how many be of 30. l. in her Maiesties Records, and vnder 40 l. The other number how many be of 40. l. value and vpwards. And vnder those figures be other figures which do shew how many of them be Vicarages. As for example, in the title of Benefices, in Bathe and Welles, you haue 380. Benefices, of them there is 14. of 30. l. value, and vnder 40. l. and 5. of 40. l. value, and vpwards. And of those of 30. l. value, there are 6. Vicarages: and of those of 40. l. 1. Vicarage, as may appeare by the figures, and so of the rest.
Summe totall of all the promotions Spirituall at the Taxation of the first fruits and Tenths. viz.
Archbishopricks and Bishop.
0021.
Deanries.
0011.
Archdeaconries.
0060.
Dignities and Prebends in Cathedrall Churches.
0394.
Benefices.
8803.
Religious Houses.
0605.
Hospitalls.
0110.
Colledges.
0096.
Chauntries and free Chappels.
2374.
Sum. Totalis
12474.
The yearely value of all the said Promotions according to the Rate and Taxation of the first fruits, and tenths, amounteth by estimation to
330180. l.
10. s.
0
[...] d.
The yearely tenth of the Cleargie amounteth by estimation to
015041.
01.
02.
ob. q.
The yearely value of the Clergies Liuings according to the said Tenth is
150410.
12
00
Of the which sum of 450410 l. 12. s. defaulke for the yearly value of the Bishoprickes of Chestre, Oxford, Peeterburgh, Bristoll, and Gloucester. Not parcell of the Taxation of first fruits and tenths the summe of 1888. l. 13. s. 4. d. q. and then remaineth 1480511. l. 12 s. q. To the which adde for the yearly value of the possessions of the Colledges in both the Vniuersities, and the Colledges of Windsor, Eaton, New Colledge by Winchester and Woluerhampton the summe of 10568. l. 8. s. 4. d ob. Parcell of the taxation of first-fruites
viz. [...] for the possessions of the Colledges in Cambridge, 2762. l. 19. s. ob. in Oxford, 4693. l. 17. s. ob. Windsore, 1396. l. 17. s. 1. d. q. Eaton, 996. l. 12. s. q. New Colledge, 628. l. 13. s. 6. d. and Woluerhampton, 89. l. 9.8. d. and then the summe is
159080.
00
04
ob. q.
So there hath been taken from the possessions of the Clergie sithence the dissolution of Religious Houses, Colledges, and Chauntries hitherto in value by estimation parcell of the said 320180. l. 10. s. to temporall vses.
161100.
09
07▪
q.
[Page 194]After the dissolution of the Religious Houses,
Henry the eighth erected these sixe Bishopricks, to wit, Westminster, Chester, Peterburgh, Oxford, Bristow, and Gloucester, whereof the fiue last are
in esse. And at the same time he erected also these Cathedrall Churches, hereafter mentioned, wherein he founded a Deane, and the number of Prebends following. (
viz.)
Cantuarien.
12.
Winton.
12.
Wigorn.
10.
Cestren.
06.
Peterburgh.
06.
Oxon.
06.
Elien.
08.
Gloucestre.
06.
Bristoll.
06.
Carlioll.
04.
Dunelm.
12.
Roffen.
06.
Norwicen.
06.
The yearely value of the said Cathedral Churches newly erected with the Collegiate Churches of Windsore, Westminster, and Woluerhampton ouer and besides the petticanons and other inferiour Ministers amounteth by estimation,
5942.
08.
02.
So the yearely value of the Clergies Liuing, together with the said summe of 150410. l. 12. s. ouer and besides the Colledges in the Vniuersities, and of Eaton, and New Colledge aforesaid, amounteth by estimation to
156253.
00.
02.
There are Parsonages appropriate in England according to my collection, whereof there be Vicarages endowed ouer and besides diuerse Personages, whereof there is no endowment of Vicarages, (
viz.)
003236.
00.
All which Parsonages of right belonging to the Altar, and should bee the proper liuing of
[...]he Clergie, a few onely excepted, which belong to Bishopricks, Cathedral Churches, and the Colledges before mentioned, remaine in the Laities hands, which if you esteeme one with another after 40 l. amount to the sum of
129440
00
00
Besides all this, if search and examination were made throughout England, it would bee found that the most part of the best Liuings remaining in the possession of the Clergie in euery Diocesse, either by Leases confirmed, corrupt Aduousanes, or by the iniquitie of Patrons and vnlearned Ministers, remaine also in the Laities hands.
The first summe vnder euery Bishopricke is the originall value at the taxation of first-fruits and tenths: the other summe is the value now remaining of Record for the payment of first-fruites.
Sithence the taxation of first-fruits and tenthes there hath been taken from Bishopprickes in value with 140 l. for the decay of the faculties (
viz.)
06894
04
09
There are Parsonages to the number of 41 made appropriate sithence the taxation of first-fruites and tenths, which amount to the yearely value of (
viz.)
01663
14
09
q.
The Colledge of Llandewy breeuie in the Diocesse of S.
Dauids hauing a Chauntership and 13 Prebends was lately taken
[Page 196] away, amounting to the summe of
00148
05
09
Memorandum, that the tenth of the Clergy in some Diocesses, as London, Chichester, Hereford, Worcester, and others, is more then is expressed in the title of Tenth; for there the tenth is set downe, as it is chargeable to her Maiestie: the rest is allowed in lieu of certaine Lands taken away from the Bishopprickes: Canterbury and Elie haue the tenth allowed wholly, sauing that Canterbury yeeldeth an account of 9. l. 2. s. 1. d.
The number of Benefices as is aboue mentioned is 8803.
ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE Diocesse of Canterbury.
The Foundation of Christ-Church in Canterbury.
CHristian Religion (of which I haue spoken before) which presently after our blessed Sauiours passion, was both preached, and planted in this Island, by
Ioseph of Arimathea, and his associates, and after that aduanced, and increased by
Lucius King of the Britaines, and his famous Clerkes; being darkened, ouerclouded, and almost totally eclipsed, with the contagious smoke arising from such abhominable sacrifices as were offered here vnto strange Idols; was againe illumined, and recomforted with the glorious beames of religious
light[?] by
Augustine the Monke, and his fellow-labourers in Christs vineyard. Which
Augustine (sent hither from Rome by
Gregory the great) when he had found such fauour in the sight of King
Ethelbert, that he might freely preach the Gospell in this his countrey; hee chose for assemblie and prayer, an old Church in the East part of this Citie, which was a long time before builded by the Romanes, and hee made thereof (by licence of the King) a Church, for himselfe and his successours, dedicating the same to the name of our blessed Sauiour Christ; whereof it was alwayes afterward called Christ-Church. And by the meanes of the said Pope
Gregory, hee translated the Metropolitan See from London (the Cathedrall Church being then at Saint
Peters in Cornhill) to this his newly consecrated Church here in Canterbury: whereof he was the first Archbishop. By these proceedings the prophesie of
Merlin was fulfilled, which foretold that Christianity should faile, and then reuiue againe, when the See of London did adorne Canterbury. Of which out of an old
Robert of Glocester. Manuscript these following Rimes.
Erchebysshop furste of alle Seynt Austyn was ther;
But ye Erchcbysshops Se at London was er:
Tho camme Merlynes word to sothe atten ende,
Yat ye dignyte of London to Canterbery sholde wende.
Anothur chyrche in Cantyrbery he lete rere,
Yat is clupyd Christ Chyrche, and now the Se is there.
Since which time, this sacred structure, by the pious and exceeding charges of succeeding Archbishops (by the deuotion of those dayes made
[Page 198] willing to disburse great summes) is so raised aloft (saith learned
Camden) to that maiestie and statelinesse,
Camd. in Kent. that it striketh a sensible impression of Religion in the hearts and mindes of the beholders; of which, as also of the Citie, will it please you reade this Ogdoasticon out of a Manuscript penned by
Iohn Iohnston of Aberden, sometimes the Kings professour of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of S.
Andrewes in Scotland.
M
[...]ss. in
[...]ib.
[...]
Quae minima in paruo regno pars ante fuisti,
Facta es Cantiadum regia prima Ducum.
Quae modica in magno imperio pars ante fuisti,
Maiorem fecit Pontificalis honor.
Alterius cum iura locitecum inde tulisti,
Facta es finitimis imperiosa locis.
Sponsa tibi Christi si tot cumulauit honores
Non iterum huic par sit reddere velle suos?
To this his Church
Austine adioyned a Monastery,
The foundation of the Priory of S. Trinitie. and dedicated the same to the blessed Trinitie; into which
Laurence, his next Successour, brought Benedictine Monkes; the head whereof was called a Prior. Which word (saith
Lambard in his perambulation of Kent) howsoeuer it soundeth, was indeed but the name of a second Officer, because the Bishop himselfe was accounted the very Abbot; for in old time, the Bishops were, for the most part, chosen out of such Monasteries, and therefore most commonly had their palaces neare adioyning, and gouerned there as Abbots. By meanes whereof it came to passe, that such Abbeyes were greatly enriched, and endowed with wealth and possessions; insomuch that this Priory at the dissolution (being valued at Robin Hoods peniworths) was found to be yearly worth (besides iurisdiction ouer diue
[...]s hundreds) (as you may finde in the Exchequer booke, called,
Nomina Villarum) two thousand foure hundred eightie nine pounds foure shillings nine pence. But
Henry the eighth (saith
Camden) scattered this wealth heaped vp together in so many ages, and dispersed these Monks: in lieu of whom he placed in this Church a Deane, an Archdeacon, Prebendaries twelue, and sixe Preachers; who in places adioyning round about, should teach and preach the word of God. The Archbishoprick, at this day (whose Prouince containeth twentie two Bishoprickes,
Godwin. de prasid Angl and Diocesse the greatest part of Kent) being but valued in the Kings bookes at two thousand eight hundred sixteene pounds, seuenteene shillings, nine pence. Howsoeuer in former times the Archbishop was wont to pay to the Pope at euery income for his first-fruits ten thousand Ducats or Florens; and for his Pall fiue thousand, euery Ducate being of our Sterling money foure shillings sixe pence. And (as I finde it in an old Manuscript) for Rom-scot or Peter-pence,
Lib.
[...] in lib
[...]. seuen pounds seuenteene shillings.
Seuentie three Archbishops in a continued traine of Succession, haue sitten in this glorious chaire; which at this present doth adde grace and honour to
George Abbot, Doctor of Diuinity, sometime Deane of Winchester, Master of the Vniuersitie Colledge in Oxford, Bishop of Couentry and Lichfield, from whence hee was remoued to London, and from thence translated to this Metropoliticall seate of Canterbury. Who hath bestowed
[Page 199] great summes of money in building and endowing of an Hospitall at Guildford in Surrey, the Towne wherein he was borne.
But now to come within the Cathedrall Church; which hath beene, and still is,
[...] Archbishop honoured with the funerall Monuments of many renowned Princes; of which although it may iustly vaunt, yet was it for nothing else so famous, as for the life, death, sepulcure, and Shrine of
Thomas Beck
[...]t Archbishop of this See; by which her estimation was aduanced beyond all reason, measure and wonder.
This
Thomas Becket was borne in London, his fathers name was
Gilbert, a Merchant, his mothers
M
[...]tilda, a stranger borne in Syria. He was first taught and brought vp, by the Prior of Mercon Abbey in Surrey, and from thence sent to the Vniuersities of Oxford, Paris, and Bononia, to study the Canon Law; vpon his returne, he proceeded Doctor of that faculty in Oxford; after which (as you may haue it in the History of his life, written by the right reuerend Father in God,
Francis Godwin, now Bishop of Hereford) in short time he was preferred by
Theobald, Archbishop of this See, vnto the Archdeaconry of Canterbury, the Prouostship of Beuerley, and the Parsonages of Bromfeeld, and Saint
Mary Hill: a Prebend in Paules, and another in the Church of Lincolne, and withall commended by him so effectually to King
Henry the second, that he receiued him into the number of his Chaplaines, aduanced him to the honour of Lord Chancellour of England, and (after the death of the said
Theobald) to this Grace, and Prima
[...]ie of Canterbury: presently after his consecration, being yet scarcely warme in his seate, vnder colour of defending the rights of his Church, hee stubbornly opposed himselfe against his Lord and Soueraigne in all his royall proceedings, insomuch that he was constrained to exile him the kingdome. Of which you shall heare a peece out of
Harding in the life of
Henry the second.
He exiled then,
Hard. cap. 31.
Thomas of Cauntorbury
Out of Englande, and many of his alliaunce,
For cause of his rebellious gouernaunce;
And as he came fro Rome by Fraunce awaye
With language fel, he prayede the Kyng that daye
The poyntes to mende.
And now, if you will giue me leaue a little to digresse; I will tell you a tale (beleeue it as you lift) reported by the said
Thomas Becket himselfe, how that being in banishment, our blessed Lady gaue him a golden Eagle, full of precious ointment, inclosed in a stone vessell, commanding him to preserue it; foretelling withall, that the kings of England, which should be therewith anointed, should be strong champions, and stout defendours of the Church that they should be bountifull, benigne, and fortunate, and that they should peaceably recouer such lands or territories, as had beene before lost by their predecessours; so long as they had this Eagle, with the viall or sacred vessell in their custody, telling him withall, that hee should bee a Martyr. This vision happened to him (forsooth) at Sens in France, in the Nunnes Church consecrated to Saint
Columbe, in which Citie hee found Pope
Alexander the third, a man, like himselfe, of an ambitious and turbulent
[Page 200] [...]ierie spirit, into whose bosome, saith
Hollinshead, he emptied whole cart-loads of complaints and grieuances, like a contumacious rebell, against his soueraigne Lord: excommunicating and cursing with bell, booke, and candle, all that did any way adhere vnto the kings partie.
But now to returne to the words, by which hee did expresse his strange and incredible apparition, which I will set downe in the same language, as I found them anciently written in the Lieger booke of the Abbey of Whalley in Lanchishire. Thus he begins.
Quando ego Thomas Cantuar. Archiepiscopus, exul ab Anglia, fugie bam ad Franciam, veni ad Papam Alex. qui tunc Senonis erat, vt ei ostenderem malas consuetudines, & abusiones quas Rex Anglie in Ecclesiam in troducebat.
A
[...] wholly
[...]end
[...]ing
[...] own purpose.Quadam nocte cum essem in Ecclesia Sancte Columbe in Monial. rogaui Reginam Virginum vt daret Regi Anglie et hered. propositum et voluntatem emendandi se erga Ecclesiam, et quod Christus pro sua miserecordia, ampliori dilectione ipsum faceret diligere Ecclesiam. Statim apparuit mihi beata Virgo, habens in pectore istam aquilam auream, siue lapideam, & accipiens Aquilam de pectore suo ampullam includit. Aquilam cum Ampulla in manu mea posuit, et hec verba per ordinem dixit.
Ista est vnctio per quam Reges Anglie debent inungi; non isti qui modo sunt & regnant, & regnabunt, quia maligni sunt, & propter peccata sua multa amiserunt, & amitterent. Sunt autem Reges Anglie futuri qui inungerentur vnctione benigni, & pugiles Ecclesie erunt. Nam isti terram amissam à parentibus pacisice recuperabunt, donec Aquilam cum Ampulla habeant. Est autem Rex Anglorum futurus qui primo mungeretur vnctione ista, qui terram amissam à parentibus scilicet Normanniam, Aquitaniam, recuperabit sine vi; Rex iste erit maximus inter Reges, & est ille qui edificabit multas Ecclesias in terra sancta, & fugabit omnes Paganos de Babilon, & in
[...]adem Ecclesias edi
[...]icabit plures, quotiescunque Rex portabit Aquilam in pectore, victoriam habebit de inimicis suis, [...]& regnum eius semper augmentabitu
[...], tu autem es Martyr futurus.
Tunc rogaui beatam Virginem, vt ostenderet mihi vbi custodirem tam preciosum Sanctuarium, que dixit mihi, est vir in ciuitate isla Willielmus Monachus Sancti Cipriani Pictauie eiectus iniuste ab Abbate suo de Abbachia sua, qui rogat Papam vt Abbatem suum compellat, vt eum in Abbachiam suam reducat: trade sibi Aquilam cum Ampulla, vt eam ad Ciuitatem Pictauie portet, et in Ecclesia Sancti Gregorij, que est iuxta Ecclesiam Sancti Hillarij eam abscondat in capite Ecclesie versus occidentem sub lapide magno, ibi inuenietur in tempore oportuno et erit vnctio Regum Anglorum.
Henry the first Duke of Lancaster, vnder
Edward the third in the warres of France, had it deliuered to him by an holy man (say they) which found it by reuelation. But of this enough, if not too much.
This Archbishop
Becket, being recalled from exile, and restored to his former honours and reuenewes, carried himselfe more obstinately then before, perturbing the whole State with curses and excommunications in maintaining of Ecclesiasticall liberties (as he pretended) but most of all this kinde of dealing grieued the King, who cursed the time that euer he made him Archbishop. Which is thus explained in old rimes.
It happened (amongst other) foure Knights to be present at this speech of the King, namely,
Reynald Fitz
[...]vrse, Hugh Moruill, William Tracy, and
Richard Briton; who gathered thereby, that they should do a deed very acceptable vnto him,
Math. West. if they killed the Archbishop. Whereupon (without either warrant or priuitie of their Soueraigne) they posted into England; came with their swords drawne into this his owne Church, and therein most barbarously murdered him with many blowes, vpon Tuesday the 28. of December,
Ann. Dom. 1170. as saith
Mat. Paris, who in the same place obserues that many remarkable occurrences behappened this Martyr euer vpon the Tuesday, more then vpon any other day in the weeke.
Mars secundum poetas (saith he)
Deus belli nuncupatur: vita Sancti Thome (secundum illud Iob, vita hominis militia est super terram) tota suit contra hostem bellicosa: passus fuit die Martis et translatus die Martis. Die Martis sederunt Principes aduersus eum apud Northampton. Die Martis actus est in exilium. Die Martis apparuit ei Dominus apud Pontiniacum, dicens, Thoma, Thoma, Ecclesia mea glorificabitur in sanguine tuo. Et die Martis reuersus est ab exilio. Martyrij palmam die Martis est adeptus. Et Die Martis Anno 1220.
venerabile eius corpus gloriam translationis suscepit, anno 50.
post passionem eius.
In English as followeth.
Mars according to the Poets, is called the God of warre; the life of Saint
Thomas (according to that of
Iob, the life of man is a warfare vpon earth) was a continuall conflict against the enemy; vpon the Tuesday he suffered, vpon Tuesday he was translated, vpon Tuesday the Peeres of the Land sat in councell against him at Northampton. Vpon Tuesday he was banished; vpon Tuesday the Lord appeared to him at Pontiniacke, saying,
Thomas, Thomas, my Church shall be glorified in thy bloud. Vpon Tuesday he returned from exile, vpon Tuesday he got the palme or reward of Martyrdome, and vpon Tuesday the yeare 1220. his venerable body receiued the glory and renowne of translation, in the fiftieth yeare after his passion.
But to returne.
Rog. Houeden. Annal. in
[...]. Hen. 2. It is said that these foure knights despairing to obtaine the Kings pardon, wandred vp and downe (for a time) like vagabonds and runagates vpon the earth; being hstefull to all their kindred, as well as to their countreymen, vntill at length they resolued to go a pilgrimage to Rome, where Pope
Alexander the third enioyned them this penance, which was to trauell to Ierusalem, and there to liue as penitenciall conuertites in the blacke mountaine; where they finished their dayes; and were buried in Jerusalem before the doore of the Temple, for whom this inscription was framed.
Hic iacent miseri qui martirizauerunt beatum Thomam Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem.Id
[...]m.
Of these foure Knights which murdered this Archbishop, and of the
[Page 202] three Bishops which conspired together against him, I found these Hexa
[...]i
[...]ers in an old Manuscript in Sir
Robert Cottons Library.
Quatuor hij proceres Reginaldus Filius Vrsi,
Hugo de Morvilla, Willelmus que Tracensis,
[...] Brito Thomam necuere beatum▪
Hij tres G
[...]lfridus qui primus Eliacensis,
Gilbertus Foliot qui Presul Londoniensis,
Amborum complex Sarum Presul Iocelinus,
Aduersus Thomam conspirauere beatum.
The body of this murdered Bishop was buried first in the vndercrost of the Church, but shortly after it was taken vp and laid in a most sumptuous Shrine in the East end; at the charges of
Stephen Langton his successour: being matriculated by the Pope a glorious Saint and Martyr. To this new shrined Martyr, people of all degrees, and from all parts, flocked in pilgrimage: as
Chaucer thus hath it in his Prologue to his Canterbury tales.
—fro euery shires end
Of Englond, to Canterbury they wend:
The holy blisfull Martir for to seeke,
That hem hath holpen wher they were seke.
Eras.
[...]alogue.They loaded the Shrine with such large offerings, that the Church did all round about abound with more then Princely riches, whose meanest part was pure gold, garnished with many precious stones. Whereof the cheesest was a Regall of France, or a rich gemme, offered by King
Lewis, who asked,
[...]. La
[...]d.
[...]. and obtained (you may be sure, he buying it so deare) that no passenger betwixt Douer and Whitesand, should perish by shipwracke. Such pressing there was to touch him, and such creeping and kneeling to his Tombe, that the prints of their deuotion in the marble stones remaine to this day. Euery pillar resounding the miracles of this reputed Martyr, and the Church it selfe, dedicated to Christ, forced to giue place to the name of Saint
Thomas.Er
[...]sin. in O
[...]al. de pereg
[...]. religions ergo. His bloud was as then almost matched in vertue with our blessed Sauiours, and his old shoe deuoutly kissed by all passengers. The building of this shrine is thus briefly described by that painfull Antiquarie
Io. Stow.Stow Annal in
[...] H. 8. It was built (saith he) about a mans height all of stone, then vpward of Timber plaine, within the which was a chest of iron, containing the bones of
Thomas Becket, Skull, and all, with the wound of his death, and the peece cut out of his skull laid in the same wound. The timber worke of this Shrine on the out side was couered with plates of gold, damasked and embossed with wires of gold, garnished with broches, images, Angels, chaines, precious stones, and great orient pearles, the spoile of which Shrine (in gold and iewels of an inestimable value) silled two great chests, one of which, sixe or eight strong men could do no more then conuey out of the Church: all which was taken to the Kings vse, and the bones of Saint
Thomas (by commandement of the Lord
Cromwell) were then and there burnt all to ashes. Which was in September, the yeare 1538.
Hen. 8.30.
[Page]Diuers Epitaphs were composed to the memory of this much honoured Martyr, expressing the cause, time, and place of his martyrdome. For example.
Annus Millenus,
Houeden in
[...] H.
2.
centenus, septuagenus
Primus erat, Primas quo ruit ense Thomas.
Pro Christi sponsa, Christi sub tempore, Christi
In Templo, Christi verus amat
[...]r obit.
Quis moritur? Presul. Cur? pro grege. qualiter? Ense.
Quando! natali. Quis locus? ara Dei.
Quinta dies Natalis erat; Flos orbis ab orbe
Carpitur; et fructus incipit esse Poli.
Henricus natus Matildis regna tenebat,
Sub quo Sacratus Thomas mucrone cadebat.
This Anthem was likewise made to his honour.
Tu per Thome sanguinem quem pro te impendit,
Fac nos Christe scandere quo Thomas as
[...]endit.
For the bloud of
Thomas which he for thee did spend
Grant vs Christ to clime where
Thomas did ascend.
The Pope writ to the Clergie of England, to make a new Holiday for this late Martyr, an extract or clause whereof followe
[...]h.
Wee admonish you all,
[...] and by the authoritie which wee retevne, doe straightly charge you, that you celebrate the day of the suffering of the blessed man
Thomas, the glorious Martyr, sometime Archbishop of Canterbury, euery yeare in most solemne sort, and that with deuout prayers ye endeuour your selues to purchase forgiuenesse of sinnes: that he which for Christs sake suffered banishment in this life, and martyrdome in death by constancie of vertue, through continuall supplication of faithfull people, may make intercession for you to God.
The tenor of these letters were scarcely read, but euery man with a loud voice began to recite and sing,
Te Deum laudamus.
Furthermore, because his Suffragans had not exhibited due reuerence to him their father, either in time of his banishment, or at his returne from the same, but rather persecuted him; that they might openly confesse their errour and wickednesse to all men, they made this Collect.
Be fauourable good Lord to our supplication and prayer,
A Collect deuised in honour of Archbishop
Becket. that we which acknowledge our selues guilty of iniquitie, may be deliuered by the intercession of
Thomas thy blessed Martyr and Bishop. Amen.
This Collect was likewise vsed by the Couent of S.
Albons, and other Religious Votaries vpon the day of his martyrdome.
[Page 204]Robert the first Earle of Dreux, and the fourth sonne of
Lewis the grosse, King of France, laid the foundation of a Collegiate Church, to the honour of this supposed holy Martyr, called, S.
Thomas du Louure in Paris, the reuenues whereof were augmented by his wife
Agnes, Countesse of Bray, and confirmed by the Bull of
Clement the third, Bishop of Rome, in these termes.
Clemens Episcopus seruus seruorum Dei, Dilectis filijs Canonicis Ecclesie sancti Thome de Louurea salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem. Iustis pe
[...]entsum desiderijs facilem nos conuenit prebere consensum, et vota que à rationis tramite non discordant, eff
[...]ctu prosequente complere. Ea propter dilecti in Domino silij, precibus inclinati nobilis femine Comitisse Braye, possessiones et redditus à Roberto Comi
[...]e quondam marito suo ab ipsa et liberis eius in
[...]lecmosynam Ecclesie vestre con
[...]essos. Scilicet Curiam, in qua erant edificata stabula, vt ibi construeretur Hospitale: Partem Virgulti (vulgo du verger) inter Hospitale & Canonicos attingentis, A claustro quod est ante tanuam Ecclesie, vsque ad extremitat
[...]m muri, et redditus ad sustentationem quatuor Canonicorum sacer dotum manentium in decimis de Triciaco, Calliaco, et de Braya. Et centum solidos Parisiensis monete apud villam nouā Sancti Georgij annuatim in festo Sancti Remigij persoluendos. Vineam etiam et arpentum terre, queiacent extra muros predicti loci Sancti Thome (sicut corum scripto autentico continetur) Ecclesie vestre auctoritate Apostolica confirmamus, & presertis scripti patrocinio communuimus. Statuentes, vt nulli omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostre confirmationis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare presumps
[...]rit; indignationem omnipote
[...]tis Dei, et Beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum eius se nouerit incursurum. Datum Laterani septimo Kalendas Augusti, Pontisicatus nostri anno secundo. Annoque Domini Millesimo centesimo octuagesimo nono.
These donations were afterwards,
viz. Ann. 1428. augmented by
Iohn Duke of Britaine, Montefort, and Richmund, as appeares by his Charter which I haue read.
Many other religious structures, Churches, Chappels, and Oratories in forraine parts were erected, and endowed to the memory of this our English Martyr.
Neare to the Gallerie of the Louure, and adioyning to the Collegiate Church, is a prettie faire street, which at this day is called, La rue de
S. Thomas du Louure, the streete of S.
Thomas at the Louure.
Knights of the order of S.
Thomas ▪Richard the first, King of England, after the surprisall of Acrres, instituted an order of Knights, which he called, The Order of Saint
Thomas; they held the rule of Saint
Augustine, and tooke for their Patron the foresaid
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, as you may reade in the Theater of Honour,
lib. 9.
cap. 11.
But I stand too long gazing and glossing vpon this imaginarie monument, digressing from the breuitie of that method which I haue proposed to my selfe. Let me view the sumptuous monument still remaining of
Edward surnamed the blacke Prince (so by-named not of his colour, but of his dreaded acts in battell) vpon which this Epitaph is inlayd with brasse.
Cy gist le noble Prince Mouss Edward, aisnez filz du tresnoble Roy Edward tiers: iadis Prince d'aquitaine et de Gales, Due de Cornwaille,
[Page 205] et counte de Ces
[...]e, qi morust, e
[...] la feste de la Trinite qestoit le vni iour de iuyn l'an de grace mil troiscens septante sisine. Lalme de qi Dieu eit mercy. Amen.
Tu qi passez
oue[?] bouche close,
Par la ou ce corps repose,
Entent[?] ce qe te diray:
Sycome te dire le say.
Come tu es au tiel fu,
Tu seras tiel come ie su.
De la mort ne pensai ie mie,
Tant come iauoy la vie.
En tre auoi grand richesse
Sont icy sis grand noblesse
Terre Mesons et grand tresor
Draps, chiuaux, argent et or
Mes ore su ieo poures et chetifs
Perfond en la tre gis.
Ma grand beaute est tout alee,
Ma char est tout gastee.
Noult est estroit ma meson;
En moy na sy verite non.
Et si ore me veisses,
Ie ne quide pas qe vous deisses.
Qe ie eusse onges home este
Sy su ie ore tant changee.
Pur dieu priez au celestien Poy
Qe mercy ait de barme de moy.
Tour ceulx qi pur moy prieront.
On a dieu maccorderont:
Dieu les mette en son Paraydis
Ou nul ne Poet estre chetifs.
Thus Englished.
Here lieth the noble Prince, Monsieur
Edward, the eldest sonne of the thrice noble King
Edward the third, in former time Prince of Aquitaine, and of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earle of Chester, who died on the feast of Trinitie, which was the eight day of Iune, in the yeare of Grace, 1376. To the soule of whom, God grant mercy. Amen.
The death of this Prince (which fortuned in the fourtie and sixth yeare of his age) was a heauy losse to the state;
S.
Daniel. Hist. of England. being a Prince of whom we neuer heard any ill, neuer receiued other note then of goodnesse, and the noblest performances that magnanimitie and wisedome could euer shew, in so much as what praise can bee giuen to ve
[...]ue is due to him: The compendious Chronicle of Canterbury written by one
Thomas Haselwood,Mss. in bib. Cot. a Canon of Leedes speakes more particularly of his militarie atchieuements in these words.
Edwardus filius Edw. 3.
primogenitus, Princeps Wallie fortunatissimus, & miles in bello audacissimus, inter validissima bella gesta militaria, magnisice ab eodem peracta; Iohannem Regem Francie apud Poyteires debellauit, & pluribus, tam nobilibus quam alijs, de dicto regno captis, & interfectis, eundem Regem captiuauit, & ipsum potenter in Augliam ductum Patri suo presentauit. Henricum etiam intrusorem Hispanie, potentissime in bello deuicit, & Petrum Hispanie Regem dudum à regno suo expulsum potenti virtute in regnum suum restituit. Vnde propter ingentem sibi probitatem, & actus ipsius triumphales memoratum Principem inter regales Regum memorias dignum duximus commendandum.
Hen
[...]y the fourth King of England.Here lieth the body of
Henry the fourth, King of England, whose Tombe is richly adorned and garnished about with the Armes of all the Christian Princes, and most of the greatest Peeres of this kingdome, then liuing; vpon which I finde no Inscription, who died 20.
Mar. Anno Dom. 1412.
aetat. 46.
Reg. 14.
This King finished his politique and victorious raigne in peace and honour.
[Page 207] Howsoeuer the iniustice of his first entrance (stepping into the seat Royall by the deposition and murder of his lawfull Soueraigne King
Richard the second) left a dishonourable staine vpon all his actions. He aduised his Sonne
Henry (after him King) vpon his death bed, to punish the oppressours of his people:
Speed in vita Hen. [...]. for so shalt thou (quoth hee) obtaine fauour of God, and loue and feare of thy subiects, who whiles they haue wealth, so long shalt thou haue their obedience, but made poore by oppressions, will be ready for insurrections.
Let this memoriall of him, in such rimes as I haue it, stand for his Epitaph.
Aftur
After Richard the second.
hym regnyd than
The iiii Harry that doughty man
At Westminstre crouned he was,
Wher of al Engelond made solas.
In hys tyme was a blesyng Sterre,
Addition to Rob. of Glo.
That al men myght see ryght ferre
Walis was rebel, but noght for thy,
For owyn Glendor was the caus truly.
A doughty man he was, and wyse,
In euery Batail he had the pryse.
At Batail of Sheresbury truly,
Off hys enemyse he hadde the victory.
He regnyd here
Xiii. yeares and sixe moneths wanting 5. dayes. Vp
[...]dig. Ncus
[...].
almost xiiii yere,
And to Canterbury men hym bere.
Another of his raigne, his death and gouernment, thus rimes.
This king dyed of his reygne in the yere
Fourtene accompted, of March the xix daye,
Io. Harding cap. 210.
The sondaye was then by Kalendre.
Of whom the realme great ioye at first had ay,
But afterward they loued not his arraye:
At his begynnyng, full hye he was commende
With commons then, and also litell at the ende.
Io. Gower in the last part of his Tripartite Chronicle giues vs this various Character following of this
Henry, and his predecessour
Richard the second, Kings.
O quam pensando mores variosque notando,
Si bene scrutetur R. ab H. distare videtur.
Mss. in bib. Cot.
Clarus sermone tenebrosus et intus agone.
R. pacem fingit, dum mortis federa stringit,
Duplex cautelis fuit R. Pius H. que fidelis
R. Pestem mittit, mortem pius H. que remittit.
R. Plebem taxat, taxas pius H. que relaxat.
R. proceres odit et eorum predia rodit.
H. fauet heredes que suas restaurat in edes.
R. regnum vastat vindex & in omnibus astat.
Mulcet terrorem pius H. que reducit amorem,
[Page 208]O Deus Henrico quem diligo quem benedico;
Da regnum tutum nulla grauitate volutum,
Vite presentis pariter viteque sequentis:
Da sibi quodcunque felicius est ad vtrunque.
Vide
[...]is in Chancerum. fol. 316.
vlt. edit.The same Authour in another place, to the laud and memory of this King, hath these nicking Hexameters.
Electus Christi pie Rex Henrice fuisti,
Qui bene venisti, cum propria regna petisti,
Tu mala vicisti que bonis bona restituisti,
Et populo tristi noua gaudia contribuisti,
Est mihi spes lata, quod adhuc pro te renouata
Succedent fata veteri probitate beata.
Et tibi nam grata gratia sponte data.
And the said
Gower makes a ballade to this king, to his no little commendations. Whereof take the first Stanza for an Essay.
O noble worthy Kyng
Henry the fearth,
In whom the gladde Fortune is befall:
The people to gouerne here vpon earth,
God hath thee chosen in comfort of vs all.
The worship of this land, which was dounfall,
Now stant vpright through grace of thy goodnesse.
Which euery man is hold for to blesse.
Caxton the continuer of Polychronicon, saith, that this King
Henry the fourth found great riches, whereof
Richard his predecessour was possest at the time of his resignation of the Scepter royall. These are the wordes: Thenne he fonde in Kyng
Rychads tresorye nyne hundryd thowsand nobles besydes Iewels and Vessels,
Poly.
[...]. cap. [...]0. whyche was as moche worthe or more. And there was found in the Tresorers kepyng of Englonde an hundryd and fyfty thowsand nobles; and Iewels and Vessels as moche worthe or more: Vpon which, saith
Fabian, It shulde seme that Kyng
Rycharde was ryche,
Fab in Ann. 1400. whan hys money and Iewelles amounted to seuen hundryd thowsand pounds.
Sir
Simon D'ewes Knight, a diligent searcher of Antiquities, gaue me the copie of King
Henries Will, here entombed, examined by the originall vnder the priuie Seale, according to the orthographie in the said originall: which is not vnworthy, I hope, of my Readers perusall.
The last Will of King
Henry the fourth.In the name of God Fadir, and Son, and holy Gost, thre persons and on God. I
Henry, sinful wretch, be the grase of God Kyng of Englond, and of Fraunce, and Lord of Irlond, being in myne hole mynd mak my Testament in manere and forme that suyth. First I bequeth to Almyghty God my sinful Soul; the whiche had neuer be worthy to be man but through hys mercy and hys grase; whiche lyffe I haue mispendyd, whereof I put me whollily in his grase and his mercy, with all myn herte. And what tym hit liketh him of hys mercy for to tak me to hym, the body for to be beryed in the Chirch of Caunterbury, aftyr the descrecion of my Cousin the Erchbyshcoppe of Caunterbury. And also I thank all my Lordis and trewe
[Page 209] peple for the trewe servise that they haue don to me. and Yask hem forgiuenes if
[...] haue missentreted hem in any wyse. And als far as they haue offendyd me in wordis or in de
[...]is in any wyse, I prey God forgeue hem hit and Y do, Also Y devyse and ordeyn that ther be a chauntre perpetuall of twey Precitis for to sing and prey for my soul in the aforseyd chirch of Caunterbury, in soche plase and aftyr soch ordinaunse as hit semeth best to my aforse
[...]d cousin of Canterbury. Also Y ordeyne and deuise that of my goodors restitution be made to all hem that Y haue wrongfully greuyd, or any good had of theirs without iust tytle. Also I will and ordeyne that of my goodis all my debtis be al paied in all hast possible, and that my seruants be rewardyd aftyr ther nede, and desert of seruise: and in especyal,
[...]lkin, Iohn Warren, and
William Thorpe, Gromes of my chambre. Also Y will that all those that be bond in eny debt that Y owe in eny wyse, or haue vndyrtake to eny man for eny debt that Y owe, or that they can dwlye shewe hit, that all soche persons be kept harmlysse. Also I will that a
[...] sees and wages that ar not paied to be paied, and in especiall to my seruaunts of my houshold, befor eny oder. And also that all myn Annuityes, fees, and donacions grauntyd by me byfor this tym be my lettres patents, be kept and paied aftyr the effect of the forseyd lettres patents; and yn especiall to all hem that haue bene trewe seruaunts to me and toward me alway. Also Y will and prey my Son that he haue recomendyd
Thomas de l
[...] crois, that hath well and trwly seruyd me, and also in the same wyse,
Iacob Raysh and
Halley. Also I will that the Quene be endowyd of the Duche of Lancastre. Also I will that all my Officers both of houshold and other, the which nedeth to haue pardon of eny thing that touch here offices both of losse and oder thing, they haue pardon therof in semblable mancre, as y of my grase haue bewont to do befor this tym. And for to execut this Testament well and trulich for grete tryst that I haue on my Son the Prince, Y ordeyne and mak him my Executor of my Testament foreseyd, kalling to him soche as him thinkyth in his discrecion that can and will labor to the sonrest spede of my will comprehended in this myn Testament. And to fulfill trwly all things foresaid y charge my foreseyd Son vpon my blessyng. Wetnessyng my welbelouyd Cousins,
Thomas Erchbyshop of Caunterbury foreseyde and
Edward Duke of Yorke,
Thomas Bishchop of Duresme,
Richard the Lord Grey my Chamberlaine,
Iohn Tiptost myn Treasuror of Englond,
Iohn Prophete Wardeine of my priuie seale;
Thomas Erpingham, Iohn Norbery, Robert Waterton, and meny oder being present. In witnessyng wherof my priuy Seele be my commaundement is set to this my Testament. I yeue at my manere of Grenwich the xxi. dey of the moneth of Ianuer, the yere of owr Lord, M.CCCC.VIII. and of our Reigne the tenth.
He departed this world the twentieth of March, as aforesaid, some three yeares and odde moneths after the making of this his last Will and Testament, in a Chamber belonging to the Abbot of Westminster, called Ierusalem, hauing beene prophetically foretold that hee should die in Ierusalem.
The words, saith
Harding, that the King said at his death, were of high complaint, but nought of repentance, of vsurpement of the Realme, ne of restorement of right heires to the Crowne. Which he thus versifies.
As a kyng shulde be with all kynde of circumstance,
Besyde the Prynce
Edward, with grete expence.
His funerall Exequies were solemnised here in all pompe and state, his Sonne
Henry the fifth and his Nobilitie being present, vpon Trinitie Sonday next following the day of his death.
The reason (as I take it) wherefore King
Henry made choice of this Church for his buriall place,
Mary the first wife of
Henry the fourth. was, for that his first wife (the Lady
Mary, one of the daughters and coheires of
Vmphrey de Bohun, Earle of Hereford, Essex, and Northampton) was here entombed; who died before hee came to the Crowne,
Ann. Dom. 1394. leauing behinde her a glorious and faire renowned issue of children, to the comfort of her husband, and good of the common-wealth:
viz. Henry afterwards King of England,
Thomas Duke of Clarence,
Iohn Duke of Bedford,
Humphrey Duke of Glocester.
Blanch married to
William Duke of Bauaria, and Emperour, and
Philip married to
Iohn King of Denmarke and Norway.
Here in the same Sepulchre lies the body of
Ioane his second wife, daughter of
Charles the fifth,
Stow Annal. King of Nauarre, who died without issue at Hauering in the bower,
Queene
Ioane second wife of
Henry the fourth. in the County of Essex, the tenth of Iuly,
Anno Dom. 1437.
Reg. H. 6.15. hauing continued widow 24. yeares; This Queene endured some troubles in the raigne of her Stepsonne King
Henry the fift, being charged that shee should by witchcraft or sorcerie seeke the Kings
[Page 211] death,
Speed. Hist. in vit. Hen. 5. a capitall offence indeed, if the accusation was true, vpon which furmise her goods and lands were forfeited by Act of Parliament; and shee committed to safe keeping, in the Castle of Leedes in Kent: and from thence to Pemsey, attended onely with nine of her seruants; but (belike) her innocency within a little time deliuered her from imprisonment, and she liued a long time after in all princely prosperitie.
Here,
Margaret Duchesse of Clarence.
Vincent. Catal. Hon. Mills. Catal. betweene her two husbands (
Iohn Beaufort, Marquesse Dorset, and
Thomas Plantaginet, Duke of Clarence)
Margaret, daughter of
Thomas, and sister, and one of the heires to
Edmond Holland, Earles of Kent, lieth gloriously entombed by her first husband; she had issue
Henry Earle of Somerset,
Thomas Earle of Perth,
Iohn, and
Edmund, both Dukes of Somerset,
Ioane Queene of Scots, and
Margaret Countesse of Deuonshire: she died full of yeares the last of December,
Ann. Dom. 1440.
Iohn her first husband lieth on her left side,
Iohn Earle of Sou
[...]rset, and Marques Dorset. as appeares by his armes, and portraiture (for I finde no inscription at all vpon the Monument) who was the eldest sonne of
Iohn of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, by his last wife
Katherine Swinford, and surnamed
Beaufort, of Beaufort, a Castle in Aniou, where he was borne: He was created first Earle of Somerset, and after Marquesse Dorset, by
Richard the second: being but of small meanes to support such a swelling title.
He made therle of Somerset Marques
Io. Harding. cap 192.
Of Dorset then; Sir
Iohn Beaufort that hight;
Of poore liuelode that was that tyme doubtles.
But hee was depriued of this title of Marquesse Dorset, by Act of Parliament, in the first of
Henry the fourth, his halfe brother, for whom afterwards the Commons became earnest petitioners in Parliament for his restitution. But he himselfe was altogether vnwilling to be restored to this kinde of newly inuented honour, being but begun in the ninth yeare of this Kings raigne, and giuen to
Robert de Vere, his mignion; the first stiled Marquesse of England, as it is obserued by that most learned Antiquarie and Lawyer,
Ti
[...]les of honour
pag. 211Io. Selden Esquire. I finde little of him remarkable, being (belike) sore weakened both in power and spirit, by the foresaid Parliament; whereby (with others of the Nobilitie) he was reduced to the same estate of honour and fortune (which was but weake) in which he stood when first
Thomas of Woodstocke,
Hollins. pa. 513. Duke of Glocester, was arrested; and besides it was not lawfull for him, nor any of the rest, to giue liueries to retainers, or keepe any about him but necessarie seruants. Hee died on Palmesonday the 16. of March,
Ann. Dom. 1409.
On her right side is the pourtraiture of her second husband,
Thomas Duke of Clarence.Thomas Duke of Clarence, second soune of King
Henry the fourth, Lord high Steward of England, Constable of the Kings Host, and Lieutenant Generall of his Armie in France: who (after his many fortunate euents in warre) was
[Page 212] the first man that was slaine in the battell of
O
[...], little Baugie Baugy, vpon Easter Eue
An. Do. 1420. by one
Iohn Swinton, a Scot, who wounded him in the face with his Launce, as he was remounting (hauing giuen singular demonstration of his great valour) and so threw him to the ground. And with him that day were slaine many of exemplarie note, besides 4500. common Souldiers.
This Duke had borne forth his youth with better respect then Prince
Henry his brother had done;
Hab.
[...]. and was made President of the Councell, when his brother was dismissed that office for striking the Lord chiefe Iustice; yet for all that, his father sore feared, that his hastie distempered humour would breed great troubles in the State: and questionlesse he was of a violent selfe-willie disposition, neglecting now at the last cast the graue aduise of his owne countrey-men, his chiefest Commanders by which, by all likelihood, he might haue escaped all danger: and adhering to the trecherous perswasion of a
[...] For
[...] [...]um bard.
Vincent Catal. Stranger, by which hee was betrayed to present destruction. Which fierie-rash temper of his, together with the losse of the Battell, and the place of his buriall, is briefly thus set downe by my Author
Iohn Harding.
The English power vnder the conduct of
Thomas Montacute, Earle of Salisbury, comming somewhat too late to this ouer-hastie encounter, thought to haue requited this losse vpon their enemies heads, but at the sight of their forces the French gaue ground, whereby the dead bodie of
Clarence was recouered, and (with the rest) conueied into England; and buried in this Church.
Att Canterbury the Duke was of Orleance,
Idem eodem:
Besyde hys Father King
Henry buryed,
With suche honoure costage and expence
As the Duches his wife coulde have signifyed
Which neded not to haue bene modifyed.
She was so well within her selfe avysed
Of greate sadnesse, and woman hede premised.
This following I haue read for his Epitaph.
Lib. Sawler, Mss. in bib. Cot.
Hic iacet in tumulo Tho. Dux Clar. nunc quasi nullus
Qui fuit in bello clarus nec clarior vllus.
In the vndercroft of our Ladies Chappell is an ancient Monument thus inscribed,
‘Ioane de Borwaschs dame de Moun.
Ioane
Lad, Burwas
[...].’ thus surnamed of Burwash a towne in Sussex, wherein she inhabited, which likewise gaue name to Sir
Bartholomew Burwash,Lamb. peramb. Knight of the Garter, Constable of Douer Castle, and Lord Warden of the Cinque ports.
Here lieth interred
Isabell de Douer,Isabel Countesse of Atholl. Countesse of Assyle, as
Stow calls her, but I thinke there is a mistaking of Assyle for Atholl, as will partly appeare by the sequele.
Fulbert Lord of Chilham, had one onely daughter and heire, whom
Richard the base sonne of King
Iohn tooke to wife,
Camden, in this Tract. by whom he had two daughters,
Lora the wife of
William Marmion, and
Isabell wife to
Dauid of Stratbolgy, Earle of Atholl, and afterwards to Sir
Alexander Baliol, who was called to Parliament by the name of Lord of Chillham, and mother to that
Iohn, Earle of Athol, who being condemned oftentimes for treason, was hanged at the last vpon a gibbet fiftie foot high; as King
Edward the first commanded,
Stow Annal. because he might be so much the more conspicuous in mens eyes, as he was of higher and nobler birth, being of the Kings bloud.
Lora was secondly married to one of the Lord
Berkeleyes Ancestours, if we may giue any credit to these ancient rimes.
For the Erles doughter of Warren his good modir was,
And his fadir Kyng Iohn, that by gat hym a perchas,
Sir Morreys of Berkele wedded suth by cas,
His doughter, and wan on hur the good knyght Sir Thomas.
This
Isabell deceased at Chilham here in Kent, in the moneth of February,
Ann. Dom. 1292.
Cuthert Archbishop of Cant.The first Archbishop that I finde to be buried in this Church was
Cuthbert, or
Cudbrict (for before him they were alwayes buried at Saint
Augustines) an Englishman of great parentage, translated from Hereford, the yeare 742. to this seate of Canterbury.
Godwin, do Ptaeful. Aug. In whose time the Laitie were wicked, and the Clergie worse; the whole land was ouerwhelmed with a most darke and palpable mist of ignorance, and polluted with all kinde of impietie. Which to reforme, hee called together a Synode of Bishops and learned men at Cloueshoo (now Cliffe at Hoo) beside Rochester,
Lamb. ye
[...]amb. and there, after long consultation, caused one and thirtie Canons to bee decreed, one of which was, That the Priests were required to reade to their Parishoners the Lords prayer, and the Creed in the English tongue: which, with the rest,
De ges
[...] Pontis. lib. 1. you may reade in
William Malmesbury. This Bishop obtained from the Pope a dispensation for making of Coemiteries, or Churchyards, within Townes and Cities, whereas vntill his time within the walls none were buried;
Appendix Cron. Rotsen. in bib. Cot. as I haue it thus in a Manuscript.
Cutbertus Archiepiscopus Cant. xi. ab Augustino cum Rome videret plures intra Ciuitates sepeliri, rogauit Papam vt sibi liceret cemiteria facere, guod Papa annuit, reuersus itaque cemiteria vbique in Anglia fieri constituit. He died,
Ann. Dom. 758.
Odo Seuerus ArchbishopI finde little of any other Bishop here buried, vntill the time of
Odo Seuerus who lyeth here interred vnder a Tombe of Touchstone (surnamed
Seuerus of the austeritie of his life and gouernment) borne of Danish parents, Pagans, and vtter enemies of Christ and Christian religion, insomuch that they disinherited this their Sonne
Odo, for keeping companie with Christians,
Godwin de Praef. Ang. so that he was constrained to forsake his fathers house, his kindred, and countrey, and betake himselfe to the seruice of a Nobleman in the Court of King
Edward the elder, named
Ethelelm, who set him to schoole, where he profited exceedingly. He was not baptised till hee was come to mans estate: soone after his baptisme, by the aduise of
Ethelelm his Master, he entred into orders; yet before he came to bee a Clergie man, he serued in the warres, which is not vnlikely, saith mine Authour, for after he was Bishop he was thrice in the field,
Antiquit. Brit. M. Parker. and did his Prince notable seruice. He was first preferred to the Bishopricke of Wilshire (whose See was then seated at Ramsbury) by the speciall fauour of King
Athelstan; who being dead, his brother
Edmund, who succeeded him in his kingdome, louing him no lesse, procured him to be chosen Archbishop. In which pastorall charge hee continued many yeares in great fauour, and authoritie, vnder
[Page 215] diuers Princes, till towards the latter end of his time, that
Edwin a young King was sore exasperated against him, for that this Bishop had caused him to be diuorced from his Queene, for consanguinitie, or some other reasons, and excommunicated his Concubines, causing one of them, whom the king doted vpon, to be fetcht out of the court by violence, to bee burnt in the forehead with an hote iron, and banished into Ireland. But not long after he was taken away by death from the Kings displeasure,
Io. Bale. Cent. 2 in the yeare of our redemption, 958. hauing sate Archbishop 25. yeares, or thereabouts. He writ diuers Tractates both in verse and prose,
Io. Capg. in vita S. Odonis. mentioned by
Bale, and
Capgraue, will haue him in the Kalender of our English Saints and Confessours. But to conclude, such was his Epitaph.
Stemmate serenus iacet hic sacer Odo Seuerus:
Ex vet. Miss. in bib. Cot.
Moribus excellens acriter peccata refellens.
Presul at indulgens omni pictate refulgens.
Ecclesie & Christi Pugil inuictissimus isti.
O bone nunc Christe quia sic tibi seruijt iste
Celi solamen sibi des te deprecor. Amen.
The life and death of this Archbishop
Lanfranck is set downe at large by
William Malmsbury,Lanfrank Archbishop of Cant.Io. Capgraue, Nicholas Harpsfeild, Archdeacon of Canterbury,
Mathew Parker, Archbishop, with others, and out of them all by
Francis Godwin, now Bishop of Hereford. Yet for method sake thus much, because I find his body (by a Table inscribed which hangs vpon his Tombe) to be here interred. He was borne in Italy, at Pauia, some twenty miles from Myllaine, brought vp in the Monasterie of
Becco in Normandie, vnder
Herlewin the learned Abbot of that house, of which he became Prior: from whence, in regard of his singular wisedome, and great knowledge in all good literature, he was called by
William the Duke of Normandie to be Abbot of Saint
Stephens in Cane, a Monasterie that the said Duke had founded. And in the fifth yeare after his conquest of England, he promoted him to this Archbishopricke, which he laudablie gouerned the space of eighteene yeares. It is said (an action which much obscured all his former praises) that he perswaded the Conquerour to leaue the kingdome of England to his younger sonne
William Rufus: which they said
William thus requited; the Bishop (as the King thought) being somewhat too busie in reprehending his manifold vices, and exhorting him to godlinesse and vertue; he so bitterly fell out with him, that he banished him the Realme; the poore old bishop trauelled to Rome; and wandred vp and downe many countries, till by intercession of friends hee was suffered to returne home; and soone after died of an ague,
Harpsfeld Vndec. secul ca. 1
[...]. according to his owne desire.
Solebat enim Deum rogare vt velex dissenteria vel ex febri diem suum obiret, propterea quod hi morbi nec memoriam, nec loquelam auferant. He would often desire God that he might take his end either by a fluxe, or an ague: for that in those kinde of infirmities men are wont to haue the vse both of speech and memorie to the last cast.
Floren Higorn. His death happened the 24. of May,
Ann. Dom. 1089. He bestowed much vpon the fabricke of this Church, and the housing of the Monkes: he built in a manner all the Archbishops pallace, hee founded two Hospitals adioyning to this Citie, hee gaue great summes of
[Page 216] money, and also a Mannor toward the building of the Cathedrall Church of Rochester, and did much for the Abbey of Saint
Albons. Hee encreased the number of the Monkes of this Church, from thirty to fourty, restored the dignities and offices of old belonging to the Monasterie, and recouered vnto the same 25. Manors that had beene taken from it wrongfully in times past,
Pitseus. Bale. Centuria secunda. by
Odo Bishop of Bayon, and Earle of Kent. Hee was a profound Scholler for those times; he writ the noble acts of the Conquerour, he made learned Comments and Expositions of many parts of the Bible, and tooke great paines in reforming the same, the copies whereof were much corrupted throughout all England, by the negligent ouer-sight of the writers. To his memorie this Epitaph was composed.
Serlo Parisiensis Mss. in bib. Cot.
Vixisti venerande Pater sapienter, & egens,
Vixisti, vivens mors quoque vita tibi.
Inter diuitias pauper Lanfrance fuisti.
Diuitijs manans pauperum amator eras.
Per te florentes artes valuere latine;
Grecia sis nobis ecce triumphat ouans.
Tu Laios ortu, Gallosque docendo leuasti,
Te sibi Primatem cardo Britannus habet.
In terra degens celestia regna petebas,
Exemptus terra sider a liber adis.
Sol geminos denis obsiderat igne diebus,
Promsit Luna diem, nocte solutus abis.
Anselme Archbishop.Here is the Tombe of Archbishop
Anselme, borne in Augusta a Citie of Burgundie, who followed his predecessours steps almost foot by foot. First he came to
Becco vpon the like errand as
Lanfrank had done; which was to obtaine knowledge in all good learning:
Antiquitales Brilan in vita Ans.Lanfrancke being called away to Cane, he was made Prior of Becco in his place, and afterwards Abbot, in which he continued 15. yeares, vntill at the request of
Hugh Earle of Chester, he came ouer into England; and had this Bishopricke bestowed vpon him, some foure yeares after the decease of
Lanfrancke (for so long the king pursed vp the profits thereof) by
William Rufus; who presently after his consecration fell out with his new Bishop, and banished him the kingdome; in which he trauelled vp and downe as an exile during the Kings life, vntill by his brother King
Henry the first, he was called home, and restored to all his former dignities.
Godwin. de Praef. Aug. But not long after he was likewise banished the Realme by the said
Henry, falling out with him concerning the disposing of Bishoprickes at the Kings pleasure, giuing inuestiture, and possession of them by the staffe, and the ring, within three yeares, by the meanes and mediation of
Adela or
Alice, Countesse of Blois, the Kings sister, he was restored, not onely to his place, but to all his goods and fruits gathered in the time of his absence. Some two yeares after this his last returne, falling sicke of a languishing disease, hee died Aprill 21.
Ann. Dom. 1109. in the sixteenth yeare of his gouernment. Some 400. yeares after, by the procurement of
Iohn Morton, one of his Successours, he was canonized
[Page 217] a Saint, and one as worthy that honour as any that euer since his
[...] was canonized by the Pope; for, as his life and
[...] was for integritie euen admirable, and so was his learning as his works
[...]et ex
[...]ant do testifie. Now because his Epitaph is either worne out, or was euer wanting, I will be so bold as borrow one for him from one of his owne name, which I haue read vpon a Monument in Parma, in Italie.
Hic iacet Anselmus post mortem viuere certus,
Cantuar. Archiepus que omni bonitate refertus.
Vir sobrius, castus, vir vitans vndique fastus.
Vir gremijs plenis, largus largitor egenis.
Vir bene politus, sagax, doctus, ernditus.
Dogmata maturus
(que), inter contagia purus.
An Domini Mil. cent. que nono. que die quoque me
[...]sis,
April vicesimo vno Mortis hunc enecat ensis.
In the south part of Saint
Thomas Chappell,
[...] Archbishop. in a marble Tombe ioyning to the wall, lieth the body of
Theobald, Archbishop of this See. Who was chosen to that Grace by the Suffragan Bishops of his owne Prouince, in a Conuocation held at London: he was a Benedictine Monke, and Abbot of Becco; a man of no great learning, but of so gentle and sweet behauiour (being very wise withall) as hee was greatly esteemed of high and low, Kings, Nobles, and Commons; yet howsoeuer he was of an affable milde nature,
Antiq. Britan. and faire demeanure, his patience was so greatly moned (vpon good occasion) that he interposed the Popes authoritie; with whom the King was made a partie,
Goeh
[...]i
[...]. in v
[...] [...]. so farre, as that his goods and Temporalties were twice confiscate seised into the King
[...] hands, and himselfe once banished the kingdome: which so netled him, that like a tall fellow,
Nam laesa patientia fit furor, he interdicted King
Stephen, and the whole Realme, and taking aduantage of the time, which was wondrous troublesome, came home and liued in Norfolke, till by the intercession of certaine Bishops, hee was restored. After which hee grew into great fauour with the said King, and was the chiefe meanes of concluding that finall peace at Wallingford,
Mat Pa
[...]is Ann. 115
[...]. betweene him and
Maud the Empresse. Shortly after which, King
Stephen died, and
Henry, surnamed
Fitz empresse, sonne of
Geffrey Plantaginet, and
Maud the Empresse, succeeded him in the Regalitie, vnder whom this Bishop passed the rest of his dayes quietly in great fauour and estimation: and died,
Antiquitales Britan.Ann. 1160. when he had sat Archbishop 22. yeares. Perceiuing his end to approach, he made his Will, and gaue all his goods to the poore, or other like good vses. Of whom this Epitaph was made.
Hic iacet Theobaldus Cantuar. Archiepiscopus, ob morum placabilitatem at que constantiam, Hen. 2.
valde gratiosus, affabilis, veridicus, prudens, & amicus sirmus, in omnes liberalis, & in pauperes munificus; Qui sue tandem senectut is & languide vite pertesus anteactam vitam morti persoluit. Ann. Dom. 1160.
cum 22.
annis sedisset. Anima eius requiescat in pace. Amen.
I finde one
Richard (for I finde no further of his name) Archbishop of this chaire,
Richard Archbishop. to be here interred in our Ladies Chappell, sometime a Benedictine
[Page 218] Monk
[...], Prior of the Monasterie of Saint
Martins in Douer, a man very libera
[...]l,
[...] gentle, and wise; for hee so handled the matter, that in all his time he neuer was at odds, or out, either with the Pope or King. The Pope he entertained with often gifts and money, the Kings fauour he retained by yeelding, and conforming himselfe to his pleasure. This man continued in his gouernment, about the space of ten or eleuen yeares. In all which time there happened not any thing of him worthie of memorie; except the controuersie,
[...]. Westminst. 11
[...]6. stirre, and tumult betweene him and the Archbishop of Yorke for primacie: and the ordaining of three Archdeacons for his Diocesse, which euer before his time was content with one.
[...]ib.
[...]ocest. M
[...]s. An ill husband hee was for his Church, if wee may beleeue this my old Authour. This
Richard (saith he) was a man of great Religion, and also of great wit in his temporall gouernance; but in defending of his freedome of holy Church, and punishment of excesse, and misbeleeuers, to simple and slow; which is partly approued by the sequele (if the report of his end and death may passe for current truth) how that being a sleepe at his Manor of Wrotham,
[...] Britan. there seemed to come vnto him a certaine terrible Personage,
[...]. demanding of him who he was, whereunto, when for feare the Archbishop answered nothing. Thou art he (said the other) that hast destroyed the goods of the Church, and I will destroy thee from off the face of the earth; which hauing said, he vanished away. In the morning the Bishop (taking his iourney toward Rochester) related this fearfull vision unto a friend of his by the way, which he had no sooner told, then that hee was taken suddenly with a great cold, and stiffenesse in his limbes, so that they had much adoe to get him so farre as Halling, a house belonging to the Bishop of Rochester, where he tooke his bed; and being horribly tormented with the Chollick, and other griefes, gaue vp the ghost the next night following saue one the 16. of Feb.
Ann. 1184.
obijs (saith one) 14.
Kal. Martij feria sexta necte,Lib. Mortall. de
[...]. M
[...]s. in
[...]ib ColAnn. 11.
ab electione sua, cuius corpus in Ecclesia Christi Cant. in oratorio sancte Marie 22.
Kal. Martij die Sabbati est honorifice Sepultus.
Hubert Walter Archbishop:In the South wall of this Church, lieth the body of
Hubert Walter, or
Walter Hubert, (for such a transmutation of the name I finde to bee vsed) who was borne at West-Derham in Norfolke,
Francis Thinne and brought vp vnder
Raynulph de Glanfeld,Antiq B
[...]tan Godwin. de prae
[...]ul. Ang chiefe Iustice of England. The first preferment hee obtained was the Deanrie of Yorke, thence hee was called by King
Richard the first, vnto the Bishopricke of Salisbury. Whom he attended in all that long and dangerous voyage into the holy Land; as a Commander, or Colonell of some English forces,
Ger. Dorob: by whose valour and his owne, he performed admirable seruice at the siege and surrender of Acon, and other fortified places,
H
[...]llins. pa 1
[...]2. for which, and for his discreete handling the matter, in procuring 250000. Markes of the Clergie, for the ransome of his Master King
Richard, the said King knew not how to heape honours sufficient vpon him; so that at one time he was Archbishop, the Popes Legate, Lord Chancelor, Lord chiefe Iustice, and high immediate Gouernour vnder him of all his Dominions, both in Wales and England: he was much blamed (and peraduenture not vnworthily) for vndertaking so many great offices; For
howsoeuer,
[...]ig Heueden neuer any man vsed his authoritie and power more moderately; faithfull and loyall he was euer to his Prince, louing and very care
[...]u
[...]l of his countrey,
[...] in which he caused many excellent Decrees and Lawes to be established. His house keeping was such, as the expence thereof was thought to be little inferiour to the Kings; hee built a Monasterie at Durham, the place of his birth, began another at Wulferhampton, encomp
[...]ssed the Tower of London with a strong wall; and a deepe Moat, beene
[...]ased the reuenewes of his See, adorned it with many sumptuous and sta
[...]ely buildings, and procured diuers notable priuiledges for the same; and to repaire the bookes and Library of this Church,
[...] he gaue the Church of Halegast: he finished a Collegiate Church at Lambeth, of Canons regular, begun by
Baldwin his predecessour. Which vpon the complaint of the Monkes of Canterbury to the Pope, was pulled downe to the ground. Ma
[...]ny oppositions were betwixt him and the Pope,
[...] 119
[...]. and many times he was discountenanced by King
Iohn, yet (apparently) he died in both their fauours, at his Manor of Tenham, Iuly 13. 1205. Hauing sat Archbishop twelue yeares sauing foure moneths.
Here lieth entombed the body of
Stephen Langton Archbishop,
Stephen Langton Archbishop. whose election to this See, against the Kings will, was the cause of many calamities within this kingdome, the greatest part whereof fell vpon the Clergie; Of which heare my Authour.
Bishop
Hubert of Canterbury tho died,
Iohn Harding. cap. 142.
Wherefore Kyng
Iohn vnto the Couent sente,
To chose his
Iohn Gray Bishop o
[...] Norw
[...]ch.
Clarke, whych they refused and denied,
Wherefore the kyng was wroth in his entente;
For they disobeyed the lettre whych he sente,
For they had chosen Mayster
Stephan Langton;
An worthy Clarke, of all disposicion.
Whom kyng
Iohn then wold not admytte
For Romayn Bull, ne for the Prelates prayer,
But prisoned some, and some to death commytte,
Some he exiled, and theyr eyen clere,
And all persounes and Prelates in fere
He then put out, and seazed theyr benefice
Through all the lande, as his mortall enemyes.
The Romysh Byshoppe curssed hym openly
And all the realme fully did enterdite,
That Sacraments none, therin should occupie.
But howsoeuer these mischiefes happened vpon his admittance, yet the man (in regard of his many excellent gifts both of body and minde) was no way to be misliked, but much to be commended, for his religious wise carriage, liuing vnder so violent a King. And in such troublesome vngodly times, to whom this Distichon, taken out of
Martials Epigrams, to
Traian warfaring vnder
Diocletian, was applied,
Laudari debes, quoniam sub principe duro,
Giraldus Cambrens in Praes. ad Steph. Arch. Cant.
Temporibusque malis ausus es esse bonus.
[Page 220] descended he was from an ancient familie in Lecestershire, brought vp in the Vniuersitie of Paris, greatly esteemed by the King and all the Nobility of France, for his singular and rare learning; made Chancellour of Paris, and Cardinall of Rome:
Bule. Cent. 2. [...] S.
Chrysogoni. Hee writ many admirable profound workes, and amongst the rest, diuided the Bible into Chapters: in such sort as we now account them; he bestowed much vpon his palace here in Canterbury, and vpon a faire Horologe in the South-crosse Isle. Yet the solemnitie of the translation of
Thomas Beckets bones was so chargeable vnto him,
Godwin. de P
[...]sul. Ang. as neither he, nor foure of his successours, were able to recouer the debt, he cast his Church into. He died Iuly 9. 1228. hauing sate Archbishop 22. yeares.
Here in this Church, but in what particular place my Author knowes not,
Iohn Peckham Archbishop.Iohn Peckham, sometime Bishop of this See lieth buried. This
Iohn was borne in Sussex, spent his childhood in the Abbey of
Lewes, and was brought up in the Vniuersitie of Oxford, from thence hee went to Paris to study Diuinitie, and after that to
Livus to get some knowledge in the Canon Law,
Godwin. Catal. without the which Diuinitie was esteemed vnperfect in those dayes: and to better his knowledge, he visited all the Vniuersities of Italie, came to Rome, where, his rare learning being soone perceiued, hee was made by the Pope, Auditor, or chiefe Iudge of his pallace; and so continued till his preferment to Canterbury: for a man of so meane parentage, he was thought to be very stately, both in gesture, gate, words, and all outward shew, yet of an exceeding meeke, facile, inward disposition. Vnto double Beneficed men, and Non-residents he was very strict, Adulterie he punished very seuerely; he persecuted a Bishop terriblie, for keeping of a Concubine: and one
Roger Ham a Priest, he enioyned to three yeares penance for fornication: a sinne predominant in former times among the Clergie. Witnesse these rimes.
Greate Lechery and fornication
Was in that
Harding c 193. King
Richards 2
house, and also greate aduoutree
Of Paramours was greate consolation
Of eche degree, well more of Prelacie
Then of the Temporall, or of the Chiualrie.
He excommunicated one Sir
Osborne Gifford, Knight, for stealing two Nunnes out of the Nunnerie of Wilton; and absolued him vpon these conditions. First, that he should neuer come within any Nunnerie, or in the company of a Nunne, that three Sondayes together he should be whipped in the Parish-Church of Wilton, and as many times in the Market, and Church of Shaftsbury; that he should fast a certaine number of moneths, That he should not weare a shirt of three yeares: And lastly, that he should not any more taken vpon him the habite or title of a Knight, but weare apparell of a russet colour, vntill he had spent three yeares in the holy Land. He died
Ann. 1294. very rich, yet founded a Colledge of Canons at Wingham in Kent,
Wingham C
[...]lledge founded. valued at 84. l.
per annum, and aduanced many of his friends to great possessions, whose posteritie haue continued in the state of
[Page 221] Knights and Esquires euen vntill our times. He sat Archbishop thirteene yeares and an halfe.
[...] His heart was buried at Christ-Church London,
retro magnum altare.
Here beside the altar of Saint
Gregorie, [...] sometime stood a sumptuous Monument, wherein the bones of
Robert Winchelsey were entombed, which vpon the reformation of Religion was pulled downe to the ground, lest that the common people, who would needs esteeme him a Saint, might giue him diuine honours. Hee sate Archbishop nineteene yeares, during which time he endured much sorrow, yet finished his dayes in quietness
[...], and great felicitie.
[...] The King and the Pope concurring together in his time, exacted many great payments, and inflicted grieuous punishments vpon the Clergie. Whereupon these Satyricall verses were framed.
Ecclesiae nauis titubat regni quia clauis
[...]
Errat, Rex Papa facti sunt vnica capa
Hoc faciunt, do, des, Pilatus hic, alter Herodes.
Hee liued in banishment two yeares, euen vntill the death of
Edward the first, who exiled him vpon surmised Treason, from which hee was called home by
Edward his sonne, who restored him to his place, to all his goods, and to all the profits of his Temporalities, receiued in his absence. He was a stout Prelate, and a seuere punisher of sinne; hee boldly opposed himselfe against
Piers Gaueston, the
Spensers, and other corrupters of the young king; and enforced
Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey, to forsweare the company of a certaine beautifull Wench, with the loue of which he was greatly be witched. Hee maintained many poore Schollers at the Vniuersities with liberall exhibition, and such preferments as fell to his disposition, he bestowed vpon men of excellent learning. Vnto all kinde of poore people hee was exceeding bountifull: his bookes, apparell, and other mou
[...]ables (such as they were; for most of his yearely reuenues he euer bestowed in almes-deeds and liberall house keeping) he gaue to this Church of Canterbury,
[...] who l
[...]st to know more of his life may reade the Catalogue of Bishops, and the perambulation of Kent. He died at Otford his Mannor house, May
[...]. 1313.
Here lieth entombed
Walter Reynolds, [...]alter Reynolds Archbishop. a man but of meane learning; brought vp a Courtier, preferred to the Bishopricke of Worcester, to the offices of Lord Chancellour, and Treasurer of England, and to this Metropolitane honour of Canterbury by King
Edward the second; all which he most disloyally and like a Traitour requited, aiding (vnderhand) the Queene,
Mortimer, and their complices, with great summes of money, and forsaking his lawfull Soueraigne, his Master, his Patron, that had aduanced him by so many degrees, vnto an estate so gratiously honourable; but it pleased God that vnthankfull timerousnesse should be his destruction, for being by the said Queene (of whom he stood so greatly in awe) commanded to consecrate one
Iames Berkley, [...] Bishop of Exceter: and performing the same, he was so reuiled, taunted, and threatned by the Pope, that for griefe and anger together he died, when he had sate Archbishop thirteene yeares,
[Page 222] nine moneths and three weekes, the 16. of Nouember,
Ann. 1327. as appeares by this inscription vpon his Tombe in the South wall, now hardly to be read.
Hic requiescit Dominus Walterus Reynolds prius Episcopus Wigorniensis, & Anglie Cancellarius, deinde Archiepiscopus istius Ecclesie qui obijt 16.
die mens. Nouembris Ann. gratie 1327.
Simon Mepham Archbishop.Vpon the North side of Saint
Anselmes Chappell, in a marble Tombe, lieth
Simon Mepham Archbishop of this See, borne in this countrey, Doctor of Diuinitie, and very well learned (as learning went in those dayes) of whom I finde little worthy of relation; for all the time hee sate (which was but fiue yeare and somewhat more) he was euer a wrangling with his Monkes of this Church, and with
Io. Graundison Bishop of Exceter; and getting the worse by both, he fell sicke and died, October 12. 1333.
Iohn Stratford Archbishop.Here in a goody Tombe of Alabaster on the South side of the high Altar, lieth the body of
Iohn Stratford, Archbishop of this Diocesse, borne at Stratford vpon Avon: a man famous for his learning, and good gouernment of his iurisdiction. He was called from the See of Winchester to this place; he was Lord Chancellour of England, and protector of the Realme, in the absence of
Edward the third in France; but neuer man enioyed such great honours with lesse comfort.
Antiq. Britan. It is written that hee was consecrated vpon the Sonday, called then,
Multae tribulationes iustorum, which hee thought boaded or foretold vnto him, how in the whole course of his life, he should finde nothing but trouble; which sell out according to his ominous conceit. For neuer any Archbishop, either before or after him, giuing so little cause, and doing his endeuour to please, was more encombred with vndeserued and often crosses.
Godwin The story is ouer-long here to relate, I must referre my Reader to the Catalogue of Bishops. Yet before his end (which happened
Anno 1348. hauing beene Archbishop 15. yeares) he had made an end of all his troublesome crosses, and liued certaine yeares quietly; they writ of him that he was a very gentle and mercifull man,
[...] rather too remisse then any way rigorous to offenders, and a pitifull man to the poore. He founded a Colledge at Stratford vpon Avon, and endowed the same largely.
Iohn
[...] Arc
[...]bishop.Here lieth obscurely buried
Iohn Vfford, brother to that illustrious Knight of the Garter,
Robert de Vfford, Earle of Suffolke: brought vp in Cambridge, and made Doctor of Law, promoted first vnto the Deanrie of Lincolne, then to the Chancellourship of England, and lastly to this Archbishopricke. Which he neuer enioyed, being cut off by that plague (which consumed nine parts of the men in England) before hee receiued either his pall, or consecration, Iune the seuenth,
Ann. 1348.
His next successour,
Thomas Bradwardin, lieth buried in the South wall,
[Page] somewhat darkly;
Thomas
[...] Arch
[...]ishop. preferred to his grace and dignitie, without his owne seeking, or any of his friends endeuours; which he likewise enioye but a very little time. For within fiue weekes and foure dayes after his consecration, he died at Lambeth (being neuer enthronised at all)
Ann. 1349 This man was borne at Heathfeild in Sussex, and brought vp in the Vniuersitie of Oxford, where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinitie; and so exquisite a Diuine he was,
[...]. that he was commonly enstiled
Doctor Profundus. He was a good Mathematician, a great Philosopher, and a generall Scholler in all the liberall Sciences, as his workes not yet perished do testifie. In whole praise thus
Chaucer speakes in the Nunnes Priests tale.
But I ne cannot boult it to the bren,
As can the holy Doctor Saynt
Austin,
Or
Boece or the Bishop
Bradwardin.
But aboue all, he is especially commended for his sinceritie of life and conuersation. He was Confessour to
Edward the third, and in all his
warres[?] of France, was neuer from him; and though he might haue had many preferments of the King, yet he was so farre from ambitious desire of promotion, as it was long before he could be perswaded to take a Prebend of Lincolne, when it was offered him. Well we will leaue him to his rest, onely remembred with this Epitaph.
Doctor Doctorum Bradwardin hac iacet vrna,
Ex vet, M
[...]s Anon. in bib. Cot.
Norma Pastorum laudabilis & diuturna.
Qui inuidia caruit vitam sine crimine duxit,
Et ex ore suo quicquid sit scibile fluxit.
Nullus sub sole est cui sic fuere omnia nota.
Cantia nunc dole, tristeris & Anglia tota.
Vos qui et transitis, hic omnes atque reditis,
Dicite quod Christi pietas sit promptior isti.
Simon Islip brought vp in Merton Colledge in Oxford,
Simon Islip Archbishop. being Doctor of Law became Canon of
Paules, then Deane of the Arches, after that was chosen to be of the priuie Councell to King
Edward the third; first in the place of Secretarie, and then Keeper of the priuie Seale And lastly, by the Monkes election, the Popes approbation, and the Kings good liking; hee was aduanced to this grace and dignitie. Wherein hee continued sixteene yeares, foure moneths, and twelue dayes: and died April 26. 1366. he lieth buried in the middle of the Church, vnder a marble Tombe inlaid with brasse, whereon is engrauen this Epitaph.
Simon Islip oriens, vir bina lege probatus,
Vt nascens, moriens sic nunc iacet arcte locatus,
Arcem qui tenuit hic quondam
Pontificatus[?],
Clero quique fuit regno toti quoque gratus.
Princeps Pastorum fac Simon Apostolorum,
Simon vt iste chorum per eos pertingat eorum
Mil. trecenteno, sexageno modo seno
Eius septeno pastoratus quoque deno
Hic Kal. Maij seno rupto carnis nece freno:
[Page 224]Flos cadit e feno celo peto qui sit ameno
O spes sanctorum decus et pie Christe tuorum,
Cetibus ipsorum pre
[...]e tungas hunc precor horum.
He was a very seuere corrector of sinne, depriuing many Clergie-men of their liuings, in the first visitation of his owne Diocesse. He repaired his pallace, with 1101. l. and odde money, which he recouered of
Andrew Vfford, Archdeacon of Midlesex, admin
[...]stratour of
Iohn Vfford his predecessour, for dilapidations,
Godw
[...]n. hee built and endowed with good possessions a Colledge in this Citie, which is now become a parcell of Christ-church in Oxford. He bequeathed to his Church a thousand sheepe, his vestments, which were all cloth of gold, a very sumptuous Coape, and much plate; he was a very
[...]ugall and sparing man, neuer esteeming pompe nor outward brauery, which he shewed at his end, desiring to be buried obscurely to auoid superfluous expence.
William Wittle
[...]ey ArchbishopWilliam Wittlesey succeeded the said
Simon, and was brought vp at Oxford, at the charges of
Simon Islip who was his Vnkle, where hee proceeded Doctor of the Canon Law, and by him sent to Rome to sollicite his causes, and also to get experience by seeing the practise of that Court: who after he had stayed there a time was called home, and preferred by his Vnkles meanes, vnto the place of Vicar generall, then to the Deanrie of the Arches, the Archdeaconrie of Huntington, the Parsonages of Croydon, and Cliff; to the Bishopricke of Rochester, from thence to Worcester; and lastly (after the decease of his said Vncle) to this Archbishopricke of Canterbury, in which he continued almost seuen yeares, being the most of his time troubled with a tedious lingring disease, whereof he died Iuly 5. 1374. He lieth buried ouer against his Vncle betweene two pillars, vnder a marble Tombe inlaid with brasse, which with his Epitaph is altogether defaced, the brasse worne, torne or stolne away; these few words onely remaining.
............ tumulatus
Wittelesey natus gemmata luce.....
[...]
Sudburie natus Simon iacet hic tumulatus
Martirizatus nece pro republica stratus.
Heu scelus infernum, trux, exitiale, nefandum,
[...]
Presulis eximij corpus venerabile dandum
In rabiem Vulgi.........
This is a fragment of an Epitaph, composed to the memory of
Simon Tibold, the sonne of one
Nigellus Tibold, surnamed Sudbury of a Towne in Suffolke, where he was borne; a Doctor of the Canon Law, who by degrees came to this Metropolitan Grace of Canterbury. A man very wise, learned, eloquent, liberall, mercifull, and wondrous reuerend: all which could not deliuer him from vntimely death. For he, together with Sir
Robert Hales, Lord Prior of Saint
Iohns Ierusalem, and Chancellour or England,
[Page 225] were haled to the Tower-hill, by the Rebels of Kent, and Essex, with infernall shouts and yells, and there vniustly (
Nam ius calcatur viol
[...]tia cum dominatur) and horriblie hack
[...], hewed, and in that barbarous manner beheaded by these arch Tray
[...]ours,
[...] Iune the fourteenth, the yeare of our Lord, 1381. and of the raigne of that vnfortunate King
Richard the second, the fourth; hauing sate Bishop about six yeares. Which lamentable storie the Chronicles at large declare. When these hurlie burlies were at an end, the body of this good Archbishop was conueyed to his owne Church, and there honourablie inte
[...]ed vpon the South side of the Altar of Saint
Dunstan. This Bishop built the West-gate of this Citie, and the wall from that gate vnto the North-gate, commonly called by the name of the long wall, and would haue done likewise about all the Towne, if hee had liued.
The Maior and the Aldermen once a yeare vsed to come solemnly to his Tombe to pray for his soule, in memory of this his good deed to their Citie, saith
Leland in his Commentaries.
It was the custome of old, and so it is in these dayes, for men of eminent ranke and qualitie to haue Tombes erected in more places then one;
[...] for example and proofe of my speech, I finde here in this Church a Monument of Alabaster, at the feete of the blacke Prince, wherein, both by tradition and writing, it is affirmed that the bones of
William Courtney (the sonne of
Hugh Courtney, the third of that Christian name, Earle of Deuonshire▪ Archbishop of this See, lies entombed. And I finde another, to the memory of the same man, at Maidstone here in Kent, wherein (because of the Epitaph) I rather beleeue that his body lieth buried; Of which hereafter when I come to that Towne.
Here lieth interred vnder a faire Monument,
Thomas Arund
[...]ll Archbishop.Thomas Fitz-Alan, or
Arundell, the third sonne of
Richard Fitz-Alan, Earle of Arundell, Warren, and Surrey, by
Eleanor his wife, daughter of
Henry Plantaginet, Earle of Lancaster, as I haue it in the Catalogue of Honour. Who at the age of two and twenty yeares was consecrated Bishop of Ely:
An old Bishop which hee laudablie gouerned (considering the greennesse of his age) the space of fourteene yeares, three moneths, and eighteene dayes. In which time hee was Lord Chancellour of England; from Ely he was translated to Yorke; leauing for an implement at his house of Ely, a wonderfull sumptuous and costly Table, adorned with gold and precious stones, which belonged first to the King of Spaine,
Godwi
[...]. and was sold to this Bishop by the blacke Prince for three hundred Markes. Hee also bestowed the building of the great Gatehouse of Ely house in Houlborne: during his abode at Yorke, which was about eight years, he bestowed much in building vpon diuers of his houses, and vnto the Church. Besides many rich ornaments, he gaue two great Basons of siluer and gilt, two great Censers, two other Basons of siluer, and two Creuetts; he gaue to the Vicars, a siluer cup of great waight, and a massie bowle of siluer to the Canons. From Yorke he was remoued hither to Canterbury, and here he sate one moneth aboue seuenteene yeares. In which time, at the West end of his Church, hee built a faire spi
[...]e steeple▪
[Page 226] called to this day, Arundell steeple, and bestowed a tunable ring of fiue bels vpon the same,
Antiq. Britan. which he dedicated to the holy Trinity, to the blessed Virgine
Mary, to the Angell
Gabriel, to Saint
Blase, and the fifth to S.
Iohn Euangelist. Thus much he effected: howsoeuer hee was no sooner warme in his seate,
Lanquet. Hollins. then that he with his brother, the Earle of Arundell, were condemned of high Treason, his brother executed, and he banished the kingdome; and so liued in exilement the space of neare two yeares, vntill the first of the raigne of
Henry the fourth.
This worthy Prelate died of a swelling in his tongue, which made him vnable to eate, drinke, or speake for a time before his death. Which happened Februar. 20.
Ann. 1413.
An Author contemporarie with this Archbishop, writes as followeth of the passages in those times, as also much in the grace and commendation of this worthy Metropolitan.
Io. Gower Cronic.
[...]ripart. Mss. in bib. Cot.
Heu mea penna madet lachrimis, dum scribere suadet,
Infortunata sceleris quibus horreo fata.
Non satis est Regem mundi deflectere legem;
Vt pereant gentes sub eo sine lege manentes.
Sed magis in Christum seuit, qua propter ad istum
Casum deslendum non est mihi crede tacendum.
Anglorum Primas, sub primo culmine primas
Qui tennit sedes melius dum sperat in edes
Hunc Rex compellit & eum de sede repellit,
Dum Simon Rome supplantat federa Thome,
Hic Thomas natus Comitis fuit intitulatus,
Clericus aptatus, Doctor de iure creatus,
Legibus ornatus, facundus moringeratus
Cam Christo gratus, in plebe que magnisicatus.
O quam preclarus tam purus & immaculatus,
Ad Regale latus tandem fuit illaqueatus.
Tramite subtili latitans plus vulpe senili,
Rex studet in sine Thomam prostrare ruine
De tribus audistis cum Rex scelus intulit istis
Presul & adiutor fuit hijs quodammodo tutor,
Non contra legem sed ab ira flectere Regem.
Nomine pastoris temptauerat omnibus horis.
Semper erat talis restat dum spes aliqualis;
Sicanira mortem poterat saluasse cohortem.
Rex
[...]lit hoc triste quod Cancellarius iste
Tempore quo stabat hos tres constanter amabat.
Sic procurator pius extitit & Mediator.
Cartas quod Regis habuerunt munere legis,
Pontificis more summi pro Regis amore.
Sic pacem mittit mortis gladiumque remittit.
Hec ita fecisset pactum si Rex tenuisset;
Sed que iurauit hodie cras verba negauit.
Cernite pro quali culpa magis in speciali,
[Page 227]Ponti
[...]ici tali sine causa materiali
Rex fuit iratus, sed & altera causa reatus,
Est plus secreta tunc Rome quando moneta,
Simonis ex parte Papam concludit in a
[...]t
[...].
Ecce per has causas sub Regis pectore clausas,
Hec scelus obiecit Thome, qui nil male secit.
Regis fautores super hoc tunc anteriores.
Fraudibus obtentum concludunt Parliamentum:
Sic de finali Rex pondere iudiciali.
Exilio demit Thomam, nee amore redemit.
Sic Pater absque pare, quem Rex spoliauit auare,
Partes ignotas tunc querit habere remotas.
Sic pius Antistes casus pro tempore tristes
Sustinet, & curam sperat reuocare futuram.
Christus eum ducat, saluet que salute reducat:
Si vt vterque status sit ei cum laude beatus.
Vpon his restauration to this his Bishopricke, by
Henry the fourth Duke of Lancaster, the same Author thus writes.
Iustos laudauit,
[...]
iniustos vituperauit,
Hos confirmauit, hos deprimit, hos releuauis.
Regni primatem crudelem per feritatem
Quem Rex explantat, Dux ex pietate replantat.
Henry Chichley, [...] Bishop of this See, lies here on the North side of the Presbitery, in a Tombe built by himselfe in his life time: hee was borne at Higham
[...]errys in Northamptonshire, where he began the foundation of a goodly Colledge, and an Hospitall, which were finished by his two brethren, his Executours. Hee was brought vp in New Colledge in Oxford, where he proceeded Doctor of Law, and where he founded two Colledges, one called
Bernard Colledge, renewed by Sir
Thomas White, and named Saint
Iohns Colledge: and all Soules Colledge, which yet continueth in the same estate he left it, one of the fairest in that Vniuersitie. Hee was employed much in embassages by King
Henry the fourth, who preferred him to the Bishopricke of Saint
Dauids;
[...] where he sate fiue yeares, and was then translated hither by his sonne King
Henry the fifth. He was a man happie, enioying alwayes his Princes fauour, wealth, honour, and all kinde of prosperity many yeares, wise in gouerning his See worthily, bountifull in bestowing his goods to the behoofe of the common-wealth. And lastly stout and seuere in due administration of iustice. When hee had gouerned this Sec. 29. yeares (a longer time then euer any did in fiue hundred yeares before him) he died April 12.
Ann. 1443. Vpon whose Monument I finde this Epitaph.
Hic iacet Hen: Chicheley L. Doctor, quondam Cancellarius Sarum,
[...]ui anno 7.
Hen. 4.
Regis ad Gregorium Papam 12.
in Ambassiata transmissus, in Ciuitate Senensi per manus eiusdem Pape in Episcopum Meneuens
[...]m consecratus est. Hic etiam Henricus anno 2.
Hen. 5.
Regis, in hac sancta Ecclesia in Archiepiscopum postulatus & à Ioanne Papa 23.
ad eandem translatus, qui
[Page 228] obij
[...] anno Dom. 1443.
Mens
[...] Apr. de
[...] 12.
Cetus sanctor
[...]m
[...] iste precetur,
Vt Deus ipsorum mer
[...]s,
[...]b
[...] propictetur.
Remaine.I finde another more vnlearned Epitaph of him, by which he is but little honoured, being such an especiall furtherer of learning.
Pauper eram natus, post Primas hic
[...]euatus.
[...]am sum prostratus, & vermi
[...] [...] paraius.
Ecce meum tumulum. M.CCCC.XLIII.
Iohn Stafford Archbishop.Here lies interred in the Martyrdome an Archbishop, very noble, and no lesse learned, one of the honourable familie of the
Staffords; sonne (saith the Catalogue of Bishops) vnto the Earle of Stafford, but I finde no such thing in all the Catalogues of Honour; a man much fauoured by King
Henry the fifth, wo preferred him first to the Deanrie of Wells, gaue him a Prebend in the Church of Salisbury, made him one of his priuie Councell, and in the end Treasurer of England. And then although this renowned King was taken away by vntimely death, yet hee still went forward in the way of promotion, and obtained the Bishopricke of Bath and Welles, which with great wisedome hee gouerned eighteene yeares, from whence he was remoued to this of Canterbury, in which he sate almost nine yeares; and in the meane time was made Lord Chancellour of England, which office hee held eighteene yeares (which you shall hardly finde any other man to haue done) vntill waxing wearie of so painfull a place, he voluntarily resigned it ouer into the Kings hands. And about three yeares after that died at Maidstone, Iuly 6.
Ann. 1452. Vpon a flat marble stone ouer him I finde this consabulatorie Epitaph.
Quis fuit enuclees quem celas saxe
[...] moles?
Stafford Antistes. fuerat dictusque Iohannes.
Qua sedit sede marmor queso simul ede?
Pridem Bathonie, Regni totius & inde
Primas egregius. Pro presule funde precatus
Aureolam gratus huic det de Virgine natus.
Much more may be read of this Bishop in the booke called,
Antiquitates Britannicae, penned by
Mathew Parker, Archbishop of this place, and in the Catalogue of Bishops, by
Francis Godwin, Bishop of Hereford▪ as also in the Catalogues of the Lords Chancellours and Treasurers of England, collected by
Francis Thinne.
In a decent Monument on the South side of the Presbitery,
Iohn Kempe, Archbishop of this See,
Iohn Kempe Archbishop. lieth interred, who was borne at Wye in this County of Kent, brought vp at Oxford in Merton Colledge, where hee proceeded Doctor of Law. Hee was made first Archdeacon of Durham, then Deane of the Arches, and Vicar generall vnto the Archbishop
Stafford. Not long after he was aduanced to the Bishopricke of Rochester, remoued
[Page 229] thence to Chichester, from Chichester to London, from London to Yorke, from Yorke to Canterbury: he was first Cardinall of the title of Saint
Balbine, and from that remoued to the title of Saint
Rusine; all which his Ecclesiasticall preferments were comprehended in this one verse, composed by his cosin
Thomas Kempe, Bishop of London.
Bis Primas ter Praesul erat, bis Cardine functus.
[...]
And to adde to all these honours, he was twice Lord Chancellour of England. He continued not here aboue a yeare and a halfe, but died a very old man, March 22. 1453. hee conuerted the Parish-Church of Wye into a Colledge of secular Priests. Of which hereafter.
In a little history of the Archbishops of Yorke, written in rythmicall numbers, I finde these in his commendations.
Tunc Iohannes nobilis Kemp vociferatus,
[...]
Prius in Londonijs Presul installatus.
Et erectus Pontifex Metropolitanus.
Presul Archipresulem confirmat Romanus,
Mandans sibi pallium Martinus; erectus
Sagax Cancellarius Regis est effectus.
Cardinalis Presbiter digne sublimatur.
Sub Balbine Titulo, sic laus cumulatur.
In Suthwell manerium fecit preciosum,
Multis artificibus valde sumptuosum,
Annis multis prospere curam sui gregis,
Rexit per iusticiam, & per normam legis.
Tandem vsque Cantiam Presul est translatus
Illic Archiepiscopus est inthronizatus
Apud Lambeth obijt labor iam finitur,
Et in Cantuaria corpus sepelitur,
Licet prohibuerit Abbas rigorose
Iacet ibi condita gleba gloriose.
I finde little of any great worke or deede of charitie this Bishop performed (besides his Manor of Suthwell here onely mentioned) with all these his pennisome preferments. but the reason is giuen in the Catalogue of Bishops, that he died very rich, and that in his life time he aduanced many of his kindred to great wealth, and some to the dignitie of knighthood, whose posteritie continued yet in this County, of great worship and reputation, euen to this day. That he might die very rich I doe not denie, but for the aduancement of his kindred to the honour of knighthood, was no other title then his grandfather Sir
Iohn Kempe, and his Vncle Sir
Roger enioyed: his owne father
Thomas being a younger brother to the said Sir
Roger.
Here lieth buried (as by an inscription vpon a marble doth appeare)
Thomas Bourchier,Tho
[...] Archbishop. commonly called
Bowser, second sonne of
William Bourchier, Earle of Ewe in Normandie, and brother to
Henry Bourchier Earle of
[Page 230] Ewe and Essex. He was brought vp in Oxford
[...] preferred to the Deanrie of Saint
Martins, then to the Bishop
[...] o
[...] Worcester, from whence he was translated to Ely; and
[...] in this chaire of Canterbury, wherein he sate 32. yeares, and
[...] the time of his first consecration 51. yeares. I finde not
[...] Englishman continued so long a Bishop, or that any Archbishop,
[...] before or after him, in eight hundred yeares enioyed that place so long. And to adde more honour to his Grace, and money to his purse, he was about two yeares Lord Chancelour of England,
[...] [...]atal. of Chancellour. and Cardinall tt. S.
Ciriaci in Thermis, [...]t all this time for all these great and eminent promotions, he left nothing behinde him to continue his memorie, but an old rotten chest in the congregation house at Cambridge, called
Billingsworth and
Bowser, into which (for the vse of the Vniuersitie)
Billingsworth before him had put in one hundred pounds, and he (forsooth) imitating that munificent example, put in one hundred and twenty pounds. He died March 30. 1486. as appeared by
[...] ption vpon his Monument.
Hic iacet reuerendissimus pater & Dominus D. Thomas
[...] quo
[...]dam sacrosancte Romane Ecclesie S. Ciriaci in Thermi
[...] chiepiscopus huius Ecclesie, qui obijt 30.
die Marty 1486.
[...] propitietur altissimus.
Iohn Morton Archbishop: Here lieth buried vnder a marble stone, in a sumptuous Chappell vnder the Quier, of his owne building,
Iohn Morton, borne (to the good of all England) at Beere (at Saint
Andrews Milborn, [...]md. Dorset. saith Camde
[...]) in Dorsetshire, brought vp in Oxford, where he proceeded Doctor of the Ciuill and Canon Law; he was first Parson of Saint
Dunstans in London, and Prebendarie of Saint
Decumanes in Wales, then Bishop of Ely, Master of the Rolles, Lord Chancellour of England, Cardinall of Saint
Anastatia, and Archbishop of this Metropolitan See. A man so well deseruing both of the Church and common-wealth, that all honours and offices were too little which were conferred vpon him: of a piercing naturall wit he was, very well learned, and honorable in behauiour, lacking no wise wayes to winne loue and fauour, by whose deepe wisedome and pollicie, the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster (whose titles for a long time had mightily disquieted the whole kingdome) were happily vnited; but our English Chronicles are so full and copious in this Bishops commendation, as that I know not where to begin with him, nor how to take my leaue of him.
Whilest he was Bishop of Ely (which was about eight yeares) hee bestowed great cost vpon his house at Hatfield in Hertfordshire,
Antiq. Britan. (now the mansion place of that right honourable Lord, and one of the priuie Councell,
William Cecill, Earle of Salisbury) and at Wisbich Castle in Cambridgeshire (a house belonging to that See) all the bricke-building was done at his charges And in the time of his Primacie in this Church, he bestowed great summes in repairing and augmenting his houses at Knoll, Maydstone,
Godwin. Alington Parke, Charing, Ford, Lambith, and Canterbury. He bequeathed by his last Will, in a manner, all that hee had, either vnto good vses, or to such of his seruants as he had yet beene able to do nothing
[Page] for. He gaue to the King a Portuis, to the Queene a
[...], to the
[...]dy
Margaret his God daughter (afterwards married to
[...], King of Scotland) a cup of gold, and tourry p
[...]unds in
[...] Church of Ely, his Myter and Crolle; vnto his
[...] and
[...] giue nothing, as hauing sufficie
[...]tly pref
[...]rre
[...] them in his
[...] which family,
Robert, Bishop of Worcester, and many
[...] of very good note and qualitie in Dorsetshire, and
[...]. His Ex
[...]ecutors he bound by oath to maintaine sufficiently
[...] at Oxford, and ten at Cambridge, for the space of twenty
[...] decease And it is not to be forgotten, that the yeare before he died,
[...] great charges he procured
Anselme, one of his predeces
[...]ours, to be
[...] nized a Saint. This good man died at his Manour of
[...], in the
[...] of October, 1500. hauing enioyed this Archbishopricke
[...] en
[...] yeares in all quietnesse. I finde no memoriall of him vpon his
[...] please you then to let these lines following serue for an Eulogium or Epitaph.
Iohannes Morton postquam Cantuariensem Prouinciam 13.
Ann. rexisset, obijt. D
[...]lubrum ipse sumptuosum vinus in Ecclesii in subterraneo crypto ex trux
[...]t, in quo humatus est. Vir fuit prudens, facundus, atque grauis qualem Hen. 7.
vitae socium, morumque quasi magistrum plerumque penes se habuit. Tulit sub Richardo Tyranno vitae discrimina, exilium atque carceres; à tri
[...]bus regibus Hen 6.
Edwardo 4.
& Hen. 7.
probata intege
[...]mi prudentissiani que p
[...]tris fides nunquam in dubium venit. In condendis et repara dis pleris
[...] magnificentiam, in pauperibus crebris Elcemosinis re
[...]ocillandis, Indige
[...]ttum liberis in literis studijsque alendis, notis atque familiaribus promo
[...]endis, propinquis & Consanguineis, quibus opimas & honorarias haredi
[...]ates atquisiuit, ditandis, pretatem, liberalitatem & munisicentiam
[...] declarauit: vt in Testamento suo fusius apparet.
Vnder a faire marble stone in the martyrdome, inlaid with brasse,
[...] in erred the body of
Henry Deane, an Oxford man, Doctor of Diuia
[...], sometimes Abbot of Lanthony, Chancellour of Ireland, Bishop of
[...] translated to Salisbury; and within two yeares after, aduanced to this
[...] [...] of Canterbury. He was a very wise industrious man, by who
[...]e care and diligence, during his abode in Ireland,
Perkin Wa
[...]b
[...]ck, who count
[...]rfei
[...]ed himselfe to bee
Richard the young Duke of Yorke, was forced to flie from thence into Scotland; He recouered diuers parcels of land to his Se
[...] of Bangor, which were lost by his predecessours, for want of good loo
[...] king to: amongst other, a certaine Island betweene Holy-head and An
[...] g
[...]esey, called
Mo
[...]lr. homicit, or the Island of Seales. Hee bestowed much money in repairing his Church and pallace at Bangor, which had beene burned and destroyed long before by
Owen Glendow
[...], that famous rebell
[...] during the time he sate here Archbishop (which was scarce two yeares) h
[...] built the most part of Otford house, and made the iron worke vpon th
[...] coping of Rochester Bridge. He bequeathed to his Church a siluer image, of one and fiftie ounces waight, and appointed fiue hundred pounds to bee bestowed vpon his funeralls. Hee died, Februar. the fifteenth, at Lambith▪
[Page 232]Ann. 1502. as appeares by his Epitaph.
Hic sub marmore iacet corpus reuerendissmi in Christo patris et Domini D. Henrici Dene, quondam Prioris Prioratus de Lanthona; d
[...]inde Bangorens. ac successiue Sarum Episcopi. Postremo vero huius Metropolitice Archiepiscopi; qui diem suum clausit extremum apud Lambi
[...]h, 15.
die mens. Feb. Ann. Domini 1502.
in secundo Translationis ann. Cuius anime propitietur altissimus.
In a little Chappell built by himselfe, lieth
William Warham,William Warham Archbishop
[...] Archbishop of this See. A gentleman of an ancient house in Hampshire, brought vp in the Colledge of Winchester, and chosen thence to the new Colledge in Oxford,
Godwin. where he proceeded Doctor of Law. Presently vpon which, he practised as an Aduocate in the Arches, then hee was Parson of Barley in Hertfordshire as I finde in that Church-windowes, and Master of the Rols. He was sent Embassadour by
Henry the seuenth, to the Duke of Burgundy, concerning the two counterfeits,
Lambert, and
Perkin Warbeck, which the Duchesse his wife had set vp against him. In which businesse hee behaued himselfe so wisely, as the King highly comm
[...]nded him, and preferred him vpon his returne, to the Bishopricke of London; and vpon the death of
Henry Deane, to this of Canterbury. He was also made Lord Chancellour of England by the same King; in which office he continued, vntill hee was wrung out by
Wolsey,Mat. Pa
[...]ke
[...]. Antiq. B
[...]itan. the seuenth of
Henry the eight. The ceremony of his inthronization to Canterbury was performed in a most magnificent manner: the Duke of Buckingham, and many other great men of the kingdome being that day his officers. In his solemne and sumptuous feast, all his honours and offices were drawne, depicted, or delineated, after a strange manner, in gilded Marchpaine vpon the banqueting dishes: and first because he was brought vp in the Vniuersitie of Oxford, the Vicechancelour with the Bedels before him, and a multitude of Schollars following him, were described to present to the King and the Nobilitie, sitting in Parliament, this
William Warham with this laudatorie Tetrasticon.
Deditus à teneris studijs hic noster alum
[...]us,
Morum et Doctrinae tantum profecit, vt Aulam
Illustrare tuam, curare negotia Regni
(Rex Henrice) tui possit honorifice.
Which the King seemes to answer thus.
Tales esse decent quibus vti sacra maiestas
Regnum in tutando debeat imperio.
Quare suscipiam quem commendastis Alumnum
Digna daturus ei praemia pro meritis.
Rolles sometime a house of Conuert
[...], dedicated to the blessed Virgin.Then these verses vpon his preferment to the Mastership of the Rolls.
Then of his consecration and installation to this See, many verses were composed to explaine the Artifice, to this effect.
O Wilhelme veni Domini sis cult
[...]r agelli,
Esto memor qui
[...] honor, quae tibi cura datur.
Est minor ista tuis sedes virtutibus, illa
* Thomae digna
[...]uis est potius meritis.
And lastly (to omit a great many) the manner of the deliuerie of his pall (which is an Episcopall vestment com
[...]ing
[...] be sho
[...]lders, made of a sheepskinn
[...],
[...] in memoriall
[...] that
[...]; and hauing the same, laid it
[...]pon his shoulders,
[...] with crosses, first laid vpon Saint
Peters coffin or
[...] crowned, sitting in his glistering Throne, encompassed with his
[...] of Cardinals: which he presents with this Dis
[...]chon.
Amplior hic meritis simili potiatur honore
Suppleat et vestrum sede vacaute
[...].
The words at the deliuerie of the Pall to him, or to any other Bisho
[...] were these.
Ad honorem Dei omnipotentis et B. Mariae Virginis, ac B
[...]. P
[...]tri et Pa
[...] li Apostolorum, et Domini nostri Alex. Pp. sex. et S. Ro
[...]an
[...]e
[...] nec non et Cantuariensis Ecclesiae tibi commissae tradimus pall
[...]um
[...] [...]eati Petri sumptum, plenitudinem, viz. Pontisi ali
[...] [...] vtaris
[...] Ecclesiam tuam certis diebus qui exprimuntur in priuileg
[...]s
[...]i ab Apos
[...]lic
[...] sede concessis.
The Pall being receiued, the Bishop takes his oath vnto the Pope in these words.
Ego W. W. Archi. Cantuariensis, ab hac hora, in ante
[...] sidelis cro
[...]t obediens B. Petro sanctaeque Apostolicae Romanae Ecclesiae, et Domino meo D. Alexandro Pp. Sexto suisque successoribus Canonice
[...]tranti
[...]us. Non
[...]ro in consilio aut consensu, vel facto, vt vitam perdant vel membrum,
[...] cap
[...] tur mala captione, Concilium vero quod nibi credi
[...]i su
[...]t per se aut
[...] tios ad eorum damnum me sciente ne
[...]ini pa
[...]dam. Papatum Rom. et
[...]ega
[...]a S. Petri adiutor ero cis ad retinendum, et desendend
[...]m, saluo o
[...]dine
[...], contra omnem hominem. Legatum sedis Apostolicae in eundo et redeundo honorificè tractabo, et in suis necessitatibus adi
[...]abo, vocatus ad Synedum veniam nisi praepeditus fuero Canonica praepeditione; Apostolorum limina Rom. curia existente citra Alpes singulis annis, vltra vero mo
[...]tes singulis biennijs visitabo, aut per me aut per meum nuntium, nisi Apostoli
[...]a absoluat licen
[...]ia. Possessiones vero ad mensam mei Archiepiscopatus pertinentes non
[Page 234] vendam, neque donabo, neque impignerabo, neque de nouo insendabo, vel aliquo modo alienabo inconsulto Rom. Pontifice sicut me Deus adiuuet, &c.
The crosse was deliuered vnto him by a Monke of this his Church in these words.
Godwin.Reuerend Father, I am the messenger of the great King, that doth require and command you to take on you the gouernment of his Church, and to loue and defend the same, in token whereof, I deliuer you this his ensigne. But I doubt I am tedious, I will draw to his end, which happened, August 23. 1532. after hee had continued Archbishop eight and twentie yeares, and was buried without any great funerall pompe, mourning clothes being giuen onely to the poore. Hee purchased much land for his kindred, and bestowed very much in repairing and beautifying his houses with faire buildings, euen to the value of thirtie thousand pounds, as hee professeth; for which cause hee prayed his Successours to forbeare sute for dilapidations. His motto I finde in many places of the pallace, which was,
Auxilium meum à Domino.
I finde no more Archbishops to bee here buried, saue Cardinall
Poole, whom I reserue for another booke.
Sir
William Molyneux Knight Banneret.Here sometimes was a monument erected to the memory of that valiant Knight, Sir
William Molyneux, of Seston in Lanchishire, who at the battell of Nauarret in Spaine, was made knight Banneret, by
Edward the black Prince,
Anno 1367. vnder whose command he serued in those warres, as also for a long time, in the warres of France. From whence returning homewards, he died here at Canterbury,
Anno 1372. Whose Epitaph I haue out of the pedegree of that honourable worthy gentleman, Sir
Richard Molyneux of Seston, Knight and Baronet, and Viscount Marybourgh in Ireland, now liuing, who from the said Sir
William is lineally descended.
Miles honorificus Molyneus subiacet intus;
Tertius Edwardus dilexit hunc vt amicus:
Fortia qui gessit, Gallos, Nauar osque repressit,
Hic cum recessit, morte feriente decessit,
Anno milleno trecento septuageno,
Atque his iunge duo: sic perit omnis home.
Sir
William Septvaus knight
Bundella indenturarum Guerre 10.
& 11. Sir
Williā Septvai
[...] Knight and
Elizabeth his wi
[...]eIcy gist Gulian Septvaus cheualier qui morust le dernier iour D'aust,
[...]an de Grace M.CCCC.VII. de quele alme Deux eit pite et mercy Amen. This Sir
William serued in the warres of France vnder
Edward the third; as I haue it in the Pell office.
Sub hoc marmore iacent corpora Wilhelmi Septvans militis, qui obijt 4.
die mens. Mar. Ann. Dom. 1448.
et Elizabethe vxoris eius silie Iohannis Peche militi
[...], que obijt 28.
Mar. Sequenti, quorū animabus propitietur Deus.
Sum quod eris, volui quod vis, credes quasi credis
Viuere forte diu mox ruo morte specu.
Cessis quo nescis, nee quomodo, quando sequeris,
Hinc simul in celis vt simus queso preceris.
[Page]Hic iacet Odomarus Hengham Ar. qui obijt 4.
April Ann. Dom. 1411. he dwelt at Gowsted in Stokebury.
[...]
Hic iacet expectans miserecordiam Dei,Sir Iohn
[...] knight.prenobilis vir Iohannes Guil
[...]eford miles, vnus consiliariorum illustrissimi Regis, Hen. 7.
qui quidem Iohannes obijt, 19.
die mens. Iuly 8.
Hen. 7.
Ann. 1493.
Cuius anime pro
[...]tetur altissimus. Iesu filius Dei miserere mei.Camden in
[...].Camden tells vs that this familie of the
Guildfords is very ancient, but most eminent, euer since this Sir
Iohn Guilford (here interred) was Controuler to the house to King
Edward the fourth; whose sonne and heire Sir
Richard, was, by King
Henry the seuenth, made Knight of the Garter: of his sonnes againe Sir
Edward Guilford was Marshall of Callais, Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports, and Master of the Ordnance, father to
I
[...]ne Dutches of Northumberland, wife to Sir
Iohn Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, mother of the late Earles of Wa
[...]wick, and Leicester; of
Guilford Dudley, beheaded with his wife the Lady
Iane; and of fiue sonnes and eight daughters besides: and Sir
Henry was chosen Knight of the Garter by King
Henry the eight, and had his armes ennobled with a Canton of Granado by
Ferdinando, King of Spaine, for his worthy seruice in that kingdome, when it was recouered from the Moores; and
Edward liued in great esteeme in his countrey: To be briefe, from this Sir
Iohn Guilford are issued by females immediatly, the
Darells, Gages, Brew
[...]es, Walsinghams, [...]Cromers, Isaacs, and
Iselcies, families of prime and principall note in these parts. But I digresse, and I craue pardon. Onely let me tell you, that Sir
Richard Guilford, aforesaid, serued King
Henry the seuenth,
s
[...]pra mare cum 550.
Nautis et Soldarijs pre duos menses. 5.
Hen. 7.
Thomas Fogge iacet hic, iacet hic sua sponsa Iohanna:
Sint celo ciues per te Deus hos & O sanna:
Sir Thomas Fogge
and and
his wif
[...].
Regni protector Francos Britones superauit.
Nobilium Rector sicuti Leo castra predauit.
Et quoque militiam sic pro patria per amauit,
Ad summam patriam Deus hic ab agone vocauit.
Fogge, [...]Annal[?]. a name both of antiquitie and eminencie, one of which familie, namely, Sir
Iohn Fogge, was of the priuie Councell to King
Edward the fourth, and sate with the Duke of Clarence, the Earle of Warwicke, and the Lord
Riuers in iudgement, vpon Sir
Thomas Cooke of Giddie-Hall in Essex. And I finde one Sir
Iohn Fogge, a warriour, in the beginning of the raigne of King
Henry the eight. But this great conquering Knight did flourish long before: he was the sonne of Sir
Thomas Fogge knight, buried at Glastenbury, by his wife the Countesse of Ioyeux in France. And this
Ioane his wife here buried, was the daughter and heire of
Valons, or
Valance.
Hic iacent Wilhelmus Bruchelle (siue Brenchley) miles,Sir
William Bruchelle and
Ioanne [...]is wifequondam Iusticiarius Domini Regis de communi Banco, qui obijt in Holborne in suburbo London 20.
Maij 1406.
et Ioanna vxor eius, que obijt 1453.
Aug. 8.
Here lieth
Edmund Hawte Esquire ..... 1488.
Hic iacet Iohannes Fyneux miles,Sir
Iohn Fyneux and
Elisabeth his wife.et Elisabetha vxor eius filia ..... Paston ..... the rest gone.
[Page 236]This
Fyneux was Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas, the
[...] ▪ of
Henry the seuenth.
[...].
Hic iacet Iohannes Fynch de Winchelsey quond
[...]n prior huius Ec
[...]lssie
[...] obijt ..... 9
die Ianuar ...... edificta constructa & plura alia collata bona .... cuius anime ....
Iohn Finch Prior.
Thomas Goldston Prior.Hic iacet reuerendus pater Thomas Goldstone huius sacrosancte Ecclesie Prior, ac sacre pagine Prosessor,
[...] Ecclesiam per annos 24.8.
mens. et dies 16.
optime
[...] migrauit ad dominum 16.
Septemb. Ann. Dom. 1517.
Cuius anim
[...] ▪
Plangite vos Cyth
[...]ram plangentes carmine, mole
Hic iacet occulta Religionis honos.
[...] Doctor Thomas Goldston vocitatus
Moles quem pres
[...]ns saxea magna tenet.
O
[...]os spectantes huius
[...]um fure
[...] a patris,
Nunc est is memores fundite que so preces.
Thomas
[...]lham Prior.Hic requiescit Dominus Thomam Elham quondam Prior huius Eccles
[...], quicum Ann. 2.
mens. 11.
et 4.
dieb. honor
[...]fice vixisset 20.
Febru. 1440.
obdormiuit in Domino.
Est nece substratus Ion Woodnesbergh tumulatus,
Iohn Woodnesbergh
Prior.
Huius erat gratus Prior Ecclesie aumeratus;
Quem colie ornatus hic tantus vhique nouatus,
Per loca plura datus fit sumptus testificatus:
Auctor erat morum, probitatis, laudis, honorum,
Largus cunctorum, cunctis dator ille laborum,
Quique Prioratum rexit sub schemate graium.
Annos hunc plenos per septenos quoque denos:
Quadringentenis Mil. eius bis quoque denis
Annis septenis domini nondum sibi plenis.
....... cum tibi Chrisle ... agone,
Quem precibus pane radiantis forte corone.
Hic iacet Dominus Thomas Chyllindene quondam Prior huius Ecclesie, Decretorum Doctor egregius,Thomas Chyllinden Prior.qui nauem islius Ecclesie ceteraque diuersa edisicia ..... qui post quam Prioratum huius Ecclesie 25.
Sept .... et quinque diebus nobiliter rexisset, tandem in die Assumptionis beate Marie virginis diem suum clausit extremum, Ann. Dom. 1411.
Cuius anime propi
[...]ietur Deus. Amen.
This man flourished vnder Archbishop
Arundell, who entirely affected him, euen from the time that he deliuered him the Crosse at Westminster, with all accustomed solemnitie, in the presence of the King, and most of the Nobilitie.
Preteriens flere, discas, et die miserere,
Iohn
[...]alisbury
Prior.
Et ne subsannes, quia victus morte Iohannes,
Membris extensis iacet hic Sarisburiensis:
Sic non euades, vindice morte cades.
Hic Prior Ecclesie Doctorque fuit Theorie:
Wulstam festo feria quarta memor esto
[Page 237]Mille quater centum X. V. dant documentum
Sint anime merces, lux, decor, & requies.
Amen.
Hic iacet reuerendus pater Wilhelmus Selling huius sacrosancte Ecclesie Prior, [...]illiam Selling Prior.ac sacre pagine Professor, qui post quam hanc Ecclesiam per ann. 22.
mens. 5:
et 24.
d. optime gubernasset migrauit ad Dominum. Die viz. passionis Sancti Thome Martyris, An. 1494.
Doctor Theologie Selling Greca atque Latina
Lingua predoctus hic Prior almus obit.
Omnis virtutis speculum, exemplar Monachorum,
Religionis honor, mitis imago Dei.
Hic requiescit in gratia & miserecordia Dei Richardus Oxinden, quondam Prior huius Ecclesie .... qui ob. Aug. 4. 1338.
R
[...]ch. Oxinden Prior.
Sub isto marmore requiescit corpus Magistri Richardi Willesford,Rich. Willford.quondam Capellani Cantarie de Arundell, cuius anime propitietur altissimus. obijt. 1520.
Hic iacet Robertus Clifford Armiger,Robert Clifford.frater recolende memorie Domini Richardi Clifford Episcopi Londoniarum, quiob. 9.
die mens. Martij. Anno Dom. 1422.
Cuius, &c.
Hic iacet sub hoc marmore expectans miserecordiam Dei,Iohn Bourchier Archd.vonerabilis vir, Magister Iohannes Bourchier Archidiaconus Cantuariensis, qui quidem Iohannes migrauit ad Dominum 6.
die mens. Nouemb. 1495.
Cuius anime de seta magna pietate propitietur Altissimus.
Heus tu sistito gradum qui obambulas,
William Gardiner
Prebend.
Et quod scriptum est legito Gulielmi
Gardneri Candidati Theologie,
Huius & Ecclesie olim prebendarij
Ossa hoc clauduntur sub marmore.
Obijt qui Sancti Michaelis .... luce
Anno post milesimum & quingentesimum
Quadragesimo quarto. Cui det
Christus vitam, & tibi Lector, perennem.
Holy crosse Church in Canterbury.
Hic .... Thomas Lynd primus Mayor Cant. & Constantia vxor eius ... Feb.
12. Ann. Dom ....
Tho. Lynd
and Constance
his wife. Clemens Harding.
Hic iacet Wilhelmus Ikham quondam cit.
[...] qui obijt ... Iulij ...
1424.William Ikham.
In Fenestris.Orate pro anima Wilhelmi Septvaus
[...].
Orate pro bono slatu Ioha
[...]is Biggs A
[...]. Cant.... Anno Dom.
1473.
Saint
Mildreds in Canterbury
Thomas Wood
and Margaret
his wife.Orate pro animabus Thom
[...] Wood
[...]. Hospitijre
[...] [...] patris in Christo Domini ... Maior is huius Cinitatis, qui i
[...] honore Iesu hanc capellam
[...]ieri fecit, et
[...] garete vxoris eius filie Iohannis Moyle Armigeri. Orate procis.
The white Friers obseruants.
Out of a Mss. in the hands of
Iohn Philipo
[...] Esq.
[...]m He
[...]ald. Barth Lord
Badlesmere Camd. in Kent.This religious house was founded by one Sir
Iohn Digges of this Countie, Knight,
circa ann. 1207. and valued at the suppression a
[...] 39. l.
[...] ob. of yearely reuenue. Herein were sometimes inte
[...]ed,
[...], Lord
Badlesmere, Steward of the houshold to King
E
[...]ward the second, who for his good seruice gaue to him and his heires the Castle of Leedes in this County, which hee persidiously fortified against his Soueraigne Lord and Master, and after that payed the due price of his disloyaltie vpon the gallowes,
Ann. 1321. Sir
Giles B
[...]dilsmere, or
Badlesmere knight, his sonne: Dame
Elisabeth Lady of Chilham: Sir
William Mauston, knight, Sir
Roger Mauston his brother: Sir
Thomas Brockhall knight, an
[...] Lady
Ioane his wife: Sir
Thomas Brockhall knight, sonne to the said Sir
Thomas, and Lady
Editha his wife: Sir
Falcon Payserer knight: Sir
Thomas Daynes knight, Lady
Alice of
Maryms: Lady
Candlin: Sir
Alan Pem
[...]ington of
[...] in the Countie of Lancaster knight, who comming from the warres beyond Seas, died in this Citie. Lady
Ladrie of Valence: Sir
William Trussell, Sir
William Baloyle, Sir
Bartholomew Ashburnham knights, and Sir
Iohn Montenden, knight; and a Frier of this house; lie all here in terred.
The blacke Friers Minorites.
Blacke FriersKing
Henry the third is said to bee the founder of this house, in which were buried,
Robert and
Bennet Browne, Esquires:
Bennet daughter of
Shel
[...]ings, and wife to Sir
Edmund Hawte knight, and after wife to Sir
William Wendall, knight.
[...]The Hospitall of Saint
Iames was erected by
Elianor, the wife of the said
King Ed. 3. valued at the suppression to 32. l. 2. s. 1. d. ob.
[...]Here sometime stood an house of blacke veyled Nunnes, dedicated to S.
[...], founded by one of the Abbots of Saint
Augustines, esteemed to
[Page 239] be worth vpon the suppression 38. l. 19. s. 7. d. ob.
per annum. [...] These Nuns were endowed with the Church of Redingate with other reuenues, and were to pay twelue pence yearely to the Monkes of S.
Augustine, vpon his feast day, on the high altar.
The Monastery of Saint
Peter and Saint
Paul, commonly called, Saint
Austins.
Annis sexcentis preter tres Anglia mundi,
[...]
Christi nascentis micuit Baptismatis vnda.
The yeare of our redemption, sixe hundred and three (as these times do testifie)
Ethelbert, king of Kent, receiued the lauer of Baptisme in Saint
Martins Church,
[...] at the hands of Saint
Augustine: within two yeares after that, he began the foundation of this Monasterie. As I haue it out of this his Charter, in the red booke of Canterbury.
In nomine Domini nostri Iesu Christi. Omnem hominem, qui secundum Deum viuit, & remunerari à Deo sperat & optat, oportet, vt puris precibus consensum hilariter & ex animo prebeat. Quoniam certum est tanto facilius ea que ipse à domino poposcerit, consequi posse, quanto & ipse libentius Deo aliquid concesserit. Quocirca ego Ethelbertus Rex Cantie, cum consensu venerabilis Archiepiscopi Augustini ac Principum meorum do & concedo in honorem Sancti Petri, aliquam partem terre inris mei, que iacet in oriente ciuitatis Dorobernie: ita duntaxat, vt monasterium ibi construatur, &
[...]es quam supra memoraui, in potestate Abbatis sit, qui ibi sucris ordinatus.
[...] adinro & precipio, in nomine Domini Dei omnipotentis, qui est omnium Rex Iudex iustus, vt presata terra subscripta donatione sempiternaliter sit confirmata; ita vt nec mihi, nec alicui successorum meorum Regum ant Principum, siue cuiuslibet conditionis dignitatibus, & Ecclesiasticis gradibus, de ea aliquid fraudare liceat. Si quis vero de hac donatione aliquid imminuere ant irritum facere tentauerit, sit in presenti seperatus à sancta communione corporis & sanguinis Christi, [...]& in die Iuditij ob meritum malitie sue, à consortio Sanctorum omnium segregatus. Dorobernie Anno ab incarnatione Christi Sexcentesimo q
[...]into. Indictione octaua. Ego Ethelbertus Rex Cantie sana mente integroque consilio, donationem mea
[...] signo sancte Crucis propria
[...] nu roboraui con
[...]irmanique.
Austin did also confirme and strengthen King
Ethelberts donation by his owne Bull or charter, and exempted this Abbey from all Archiepiscopall iurisdiction,
[...] Abb
[...]. Aug. Mss. in lib. Co
[...].Varijsque reliquijs Diuorum quas Roma auexerat, orna
[...]il. Inter quas suit pars inconsutilis Domini tunicae, et virge Aaron. And enriched it with diuers reliques of Saints which hee had brought with him from Rome; amongst which was a part of Christs seamelesse Cote, and of
Aarons Rod.
And here by the way obserue, that
Austin sealed his deeds or charters,
bulla plumbea,Harsfeld Hist.
[...] Angl. Sex. S
[...]cul. with a leaden Bull, which many ages afterwards,
Richard Archbishop of Canterbury, went about to infringe and infirme,
Quod is signandi modus Romanis Pontificibus proprius esset: Because that manner of signing was proper to the Bishops of Rome; About which time
Philip,[Page 240] Earle of
[...]landers, sent ouer into England the like Bull of a certaine Bishop, by which he and the Bishops before him vsed to seale their writings
The reuenues of this Monasterie were augmented by King
Edgar of which will it please you reade his Charter.
[...] Regis Edgars.In nomine Trino diuino Regi reg
[...]anti in perpetuum. Domino Deo Sabaoth, cui patent cuncta penetralia cordis ei corporis, &c. Ego Eadgarus Rex Anglorum, do et concedo Sancto Augusti o Anglorum Apostolo, et Fra
[...].
[...] in illo sancto Cenobio conuersantibus,Plumpsted. in Kent.terram quatuor aratrorum que nominatur Plumstede: Hanc ergo terram
[...]um consensu Archiepiscopi Dunstant optimatumque meorum libenti animo concedo pro redemptione anime mee, vt cam teneant perhenniterque habeant. Si quis vero heredum Successorumqu
[...] meorum hanc meam donationem seruare vel amplificare staduerit, seruetur ei benedictio sempiterna. Si autem sit, quod non optamus, quod alicuius Persone Homo diabolica temeritate insligatus surreperit, qui vel hanc meam donationem infringere in aliquo temptauerit; Scia
[...] se ante Tribunal summi et eterni Iudicis rationem esseredditurum,
[...]isi ante digna et placabili satisfacti one Deo et sancto Augustino Fratribusque emendare voluerit. Ego Edgarus Anglorum Monarchus hoc donum roboraui. Ego Dunstanus Archiepiscopus consensi, &c.
These lands being taken away by Earle
Godwin; and giuen to his sonne
Tostic; were restored backe againe to this Abbey by the Conquerour. Whose letters patents ranne in this forme.
In nomine sancte et indiuidue Trinitatis, patris et silij et spiritus sancti. Ego Wilhelmus Dei gracia Rex Anglorum,Carta
[...]illelmi C
[...]no
[...]estoris.statum Eccl
[...]siarum Regne mei corroborans, et vacillata hactenus in melius confirmans, atque iniuste ablata restituens. Concedo et annuo sancto Augustino et Fratribus suo Cenobio commorantibus terram que dicitur Plumstede. Hanc terram à pr
[...]memorato Sancto Augustino et Fratribus loci antiquitus possessam, Godwynus comes fraude et vi iniuste abstulerat, et suo filio Tostit dederat: quam tamen Rex Edwardus postea Sancto reddiderat, sit varijs euentibus possessa, ablata, restituta, neiam vlterius calumpnie pateat, aut cuiusquam querimonia à Cenobio Sancti Augustini supradictam villam auferat, inde Cyrographum hoc confirmo vt cam habeant, tencant possideant Monachi Sancti Augustini in perpetuum. Si quis antem huic nostre authoritati contrarius boc violare presumpserit, eterna maledictionis dampnatione se mulctandum nouerit, et regie vindicte subi
[...]cebit. Ego Wilhelmus gratia Dei Rex Angloram hanc cartam confirmo, et meis firmandam committo. Ego [...]a
[...]le of Kent.Odo Archiepiscopus Baiocensis Calumpniam quam in ipsa terra habebam relinquo, et lubens subscribo. Ego Wilhelmus Londonens. Episcopus subscribo, &c.
But this Abbey was endowed with ample reuenues by many others, so that being valued at the dissolution, like the rest of all such religious foundations at a fauourable and farre vnder-rate, it amounted to bee yearely worth 1412. l. 4. s. 7 d. ob. q. It was surrendred 4. Decemb. 29.
Hen. 8. Saint
Austine replenished this house with blacke Monkes, Benedictines, and ordained it to be the place of Sepulture for the kings of Kent, for himselfe, and all succeeding Archbishops. The first king here interred, was the foresaid
Ethelbert, who, after hee had gloriously raigned the space of 56. yeares,
[...] and had enlarged the frontiers of his Empire, as farre as the great
[Page 241] Riuer Humber, entred into the eternall blisse of the kingdome on heauen. The yeare of our redemption 616. and in the 13 yeare after he had receiued the Christian faith. As I finde it in this old Manuscript.
Ethelbert cleped the hely king of Kent
[...]
In the yer of grace six hundryd and sixtene
Deide, and of Christendome the xxi y wene.
Six and fifty Wynter he had regnyd her
And aftur Edbald hys son regne gan ther.
He was buried on the North side of the Church, vpon whose Monument this Epitaph was engrauen.
Rex Ethelbertus hic clauditur in Polyandro,
Fana pians certe Christo meat absque Meand
[...].
King
Ethelbert lieth here closde in this Polyander,
For building Churches sure he goes to Christ without
Meander.
Berta his wife was here likewise interred,
[...] who was the daughter of
Chilperick, king of France, who was grandchilde to
Clouis, the first Christian king of that famous nation; this woman was conuerted to Christianity before she came out of her owne countrey, and before
Austins arriuall here in England,
Beda. lib. [...] 25.26. and was married to king
Ethelbert, with these conditions made by her parents. That it should be lawfull for her to keepe inuiolable the rites of her Religion, and enioy the presence and instructions of her learned Bishop
Luitharde, whom they appointed to assist and helpe her in matters of her faith. She was a woman of vertuous and holy inclination, spending much of her time in prayer, almes-deeds, and other workes of charitie; frequenting daily her Oratorie, within Saint
Martins, a Church built in former times by the beleeuing Romanes; wherein her reuerend assistant
Luitardus vsed also to instruct, and exhort the people to newnesse of life, and Religion: so that by her example, and his preaching, many of the Kentish Paynims were brought in, to beleeue the glad tydings of the Gospell. These proceedings with his wiues perswasions, wrought so effectually with good king
Ethelbert, that his heart was softned, and his eares already opened to receiue and embrace the doctrine of S.
Austine. Whereupon some do gather, that the happinesse of his, and his Subiects conuersion may as well be attributed to
Berta,Wil. Malmes. de gestis Rev, lib. 1.
ca. 1.
Speed. Hist. and her French attendants, as to
Austine and his fellow-disciples. Of which an old namelesse Rimer very ancient.
Whan Ethilbert hadde regned bot a yer,
Sent Awstyn hym to Cristen feyth conuert,
Thrughe goddys grase, as clerly dyd apere,
Who hadde to wyffe Berta, that was advert
To Cristen feyth, in Fraunce afore convert;
That helpt therto wyth all hur dylygens
As Awstyn dyd wythe all benyvolens.
She was likewise an earnest parswader, and a pertaker with her husband
[Page 242]Ethelbert in and for the propagating and erecting of Religion, and religious structures; as I obserue out of the same Authour.
Kynge Ethilbert wythe ryall gret expens
Gret Mynsters made of hyghe reuyrens
In Rochestre and eke in Canterbery
For Bysschoppys sees, that wer ful necessary▪
Atte London eke sent Pawles edyfyed,
In whyche so then shuld be the Bysschoppys Se,
Thus hely C
[...]yrch tha P
[...]yns ther fortyfyed
Wythe alle kynde thynge that was necessary,
For sustenauns of the Christyante.
So dydde hys wyff hur part wythe all hur myght,
To fortefy the cristen in th
[...]yr ryght.
This blessed Queene died before her husband, neare vnto whom he desired to be buried,
ann. 622. for whom this Distich was composed.
Moribus ornata iacet hic Regina beata
Berta, Deo grata fuit ac homini peramata.
Edbald king of Kent.Here sometime lay the body of
Edbald entombed, king of Kent, the sonne and heire of the before named
Ethelbert, by his Queene
Berta; who began his raigne as wickedly as his father ended his worthily: for hee refused to entertaine the doctrine of Christ,
Beda li. 2.
cap. 5. and polluted himselfe by the marriage of his mother in law, his owne fathers second wife: but at length being conuerted by Archbishop
Lawrence, from his idolatrie, and incestuous matrimonie, hee endeuoured by all meanes possible to propagate and maintaine the state of the Gospell.
The king of Kent Edbald his furst wyf forsoke
R
[...]b. Glocest.
And held hym to hys Christendom yat he furst toke.
And built a Chappell within this Monasterie, in honour of
Mary the blessed mother of God, endowing it with sufficient maintenance, wherein after the continuance of 24. yeares raigne,
Emma the wif
[...] of K.
Edbald hee was buried,
ann. 640. His wife
Emma the daughter of
Theodebert, king of Lorraine was buryed by him.
Ercombert kin
[...] of Kent, and
Sexburgh his wife.Here lieth
Ercombert the sonne of the said
Edbald, king of Kent, a religious king; who suppressed all the Temples of the heathen Idols, and commanded the fast of Lent to be obserued. His wife
Sexburgh, daughter of
Anna king of the East Angles was layed by him;
Beda. li. 2.
cap. 8 This King hauing raigned foure and twentie yeares and odde monethes, finished his dayes,
ann. 664.
Egbert king of Kent.Egbert succeeded his father
Ercombert; and if the murther of his two cosin-Germans had not much blemished his peaceable gouernment, he might well haue holden place with the worthiest of the Kentish kings.
Will. Malmes. de gest. Reg. Aug. Stow. Speed. He died in the tenth yeare of his raigne,
anno 673. and was buried here by his predecessours.
Mow. Annal.And so in like manner this Church was honoured with the sepulchres of
Lothaire, Withred, Edelbert and other Kentish kings, and also with the shrines of many English Saints, whose sacred Reliques (as they were then
[Page 243] esteemed) brought both great ve
[...]ration and bencht to this relig
[...]ou
[...] Structure.
The first man of eminencie that I finde to haue b
[...]ene e
[...]shrined in this Abbey,
[...] was Saint
Augustine, the first Archbishop of this See of Canterbury; a Romane borre, and a Monke of Saint
Benets order, who, with others, was sent hither out of Italie, by
Gregory the great, Pope of Rome, to preach the word of God to this our English nation;
[...] hee with his fellowes, to the number of fourty persons, landed in the Isle of Tenet within this County; where they were shortly after visited of king
Ethelbert But the story is frequent, and I shall be often touching vpon it by the way, and hi
[...] Legend is too long for my intended short discourse; therefore I hope the Reader will rest contented with this abbreuiation for both.
Whils
Ethelbert was reignyng kyng of Kent
[...]
Sainct
Austin sent by
Gregory of R. bishop
Landed in Tenet, with Clerkes of his assent,
And many Monkes to teache the saith I hope,
That clothed were vnder a blacke cope:
Whiche in Procession, with crosses and Bells came,
The Latinies syngyng in Iesus his name▪
In the yere of Chryst his incarnacion,
Fiue hundreth fourescore and sixtene;
King
Ethelbert had in his dominacion
Al
[...] Kent throughout, with greate ioy as was seen
Were baptised then in holy water clene,
To whome
Gregory sent
Mellito and
Iusto
With other Clerkes and Doctors many mo.
Gregory him made Archbishop of Canterbury,
Of all Englande hiest then Primate:
And had the
Pa
[...].
Paule with hiest legacye
By
Gregory sent to him and ordinate.
Fro London then thus was that tyme translate
To Canterbury, the sea Metropolitan
And London sette as for his suffrigan.
Saynt
Augustine then with helpe of
Ethelbert
Saynt
Augustines made, and Christes Church also
That Christes Church hight as it was adverte
And sacred so by hym, and halowed tho
For the chiefe Sea Metropolitan so
Of all England by
Gregory ordinate,
And Saynt
Augustine of all England Primate.
This man was of an exceeding tall stature, well fauoured, of a very amiable countenance, but of his learning, I finde little worthy of remembrance:
sine doctrina sana docebat (saith one)
ac sine perceptibili lingua ignotae praedicabat genti.Bal
[...]. Centur. prima. He died the 26. of May, in the thirteenth yeare of his first entrance into England, and was buried first without doores, neare to the
[Page 244] Church of this Monastery, because the Church was not finished: and afterwards his body was remoued into the North Porch of the said Church; in which place fiue of his Successours were likewise interred. Vpon the Tombe of this
Austine this Epitaph was insculped in Latine: thus translated.
Here resteth the body of
Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, that was sent into this Land by Saint
Gregory, Bishop of Rome, approued of God by working of miracles, and that brought
Ethelbert the king and his people from the worshipping of Idols, vnto the faith of Christ; the dayes of whose office being ended in peace, he deceased, May 26. the said king
Ethelbert yet raigning.
[...]But from the Porch his body was remoued into the Church, for in the yeare of our saluation 1221.5. Kalend.
Maij. Iohn de Marisco ▪ then Prior of this Monastery, with the rest of his Couent, being desirous to know the place where the body of this Archbishop their patron, was deposited (after fasting and prayer) caused a wall to be broken neare to Saint
Austins Altar, where they found a Tombe of stone, sealed and close sh
[...]t vp with
[...]on, and lead, hauing this Inscription.
Inclitus Anglorum Presul pius, et decus altum;
Hic Augustinus requiescit corpore sanctus.
And in the yeare 1300.3.
Kal. Augusti, Thomas Findon (then being Abbot) enshrined his reliques in a more sumptuous manner, adding another Distich to the former, expressing his affectionate loue to the said Saint
Austin his patron.
Inclitus Anglorum Presul pius, & decus altum;
Hic Augustinus requiescit corpore sanctus.
Ad tumulum landis Patris almi ductus amore,
Abbas hunc tumulum Thomas dictauit honore.
But for the continuance of this mans memory, this Monastery it selfe (howsoeuer demolished) surpasseth all funerall Monuments, Inscriptions, or Epitaphs; for in regard he was the procurer of the building thereof, the names of Saint
Peter and
Paul are now (and were many hundred yeares since, quite forgotten) and the whole fabricke called onely S.
Austins.
Austin a little before his death, consecrated his companion
Lawrence, Archbishop of this See, the next to succeed him in his gouernment, lest either by his owne death (as
Lambard obserues) or want of another fit man to fill the place, the chaire might happely bee carried to London, as
Gregory the Pope had appointed. Of which consecration my foresaid Manuscript.
Than Awstyn made Lawrence Archebysschop thar
Whyls that he was on lyve for he wold nowght
It vacond werk ne voyde whan he dede war,
So mykell than on yt he set hys thowght
Of covetyse of good, nothynge he rowght
Ne of Estate ne yet of dygnyte
But only of the Chyrche and cristente.
[Page 245]Lawrence (by allusion to his name cal
[...]ed
L
[...]urige
[...]) thus conse
[...]ceeded the said
Augustine, [...] & being archbishop,
[...] exhortation, by works of charitie, and
[...], and by
[...] a godly life, to continue and encrease the number of Christian
[...]. And like a true Pastour and Prelate, solicitously care
[...], not
[...]nely
[...] the Church of the Englishmen, but also for the old inhabitants of
[...], of Scotland, and Ireland, amongst whom the sparkles of Christianitie were alreadie kindled. The foundations of this Church being now well
[...] strongly layed, the maine thing that thwarted his religious designes▪
[...], that
Edbald king of Kent, would not with all his godl
[...] exhorta
[...]ons
[...] ing a vitious young man) be brought from his Paganisme, to beleeue in the onely euerliuing God. And that his people following the example o
[...] [...] king, returned
[...]ikewise to the filthie vomit of their abhominable Idola
[...]e.
Lawrence perceiuing at last, that neither his reprehensions nor faire words tooke any effect, but rather incited the King and the Subiect to a more des
[...]perate hatred of him, and of his Religion, determined to depart the kingdome, to follow Bishop
Iusto and
[...]ellite before banished, and to recommend the charge of his flocke to God, the carefull Shepherd of all mens soules But the night before the day of his intended departure (saith
Beda) Saint
Peter appeared vnto him in his sleepe,
Beda li. 2.
ca. 6 and reprehended him sharply, for purposing to runne away, and to leaue the sheepe of Iesus Christ, beset in the middest of so many Wolfes; hee challenged him with Apostolicall authoritie, argued with him a long while very vehemently, and, among all, scourged him naked so terriblie, as when he waked, finding it more then a dreame, all his body was gore bloud. Thus, well whipped, he went to the king, shewing him his stripes, and withall related vnto him the occasion of those so many fearefull lashes: which strucke such a terrour into the king, as by and by he renounced his Idolls, put away his incestuous wife, caused himselfe to be baptized. And for a further testimonie of his vnfained conuersion, built a Chappell in this Monasterie of Saint
Peter. Of which I haue spoken before Of which more succinctly thus in my namelesse Manuscrip
[...].
The folke of Estesex and of Kent
Aftyr the dethe so of kynge Ethilbert,
And kynge Segbert that was of Estesex gent
Whos sonnes thre, than exilde out full smert
The Crysten feythe and wox anon peruert
Susteynyng hole theyr old ydolatry
Mel
[...]te and Iuste had banyshte out for thy.
But Lawrence than Archebysschop and Prymate,
For wo of that to god full sore than prayde
Porposynge eke to leve all hys estate,
And follow Iuste and Mellet that wer strayde
Owt of the lond, so wer they both afrayde
But that same nyght as Lawrence was on slepe
Sent Peter so hym bett iyll that he wepe.
That all hys hyde of blod full fast gan renne
Sayeng to hym wh
[...] wyll thow now forsake
[Page 246]The floke that I the toke and dyd
[...]y s
[...]nne,
Among the wo
[...]es to ravyshe and to take,
Thou hast forgett, how I for gods sake
Sufferd be
[...]yng, pryson, and dethe at end
For hys serv
[...]nds that he had me commend.
Wherfor on morrow he came to Ethelbalde.
And shewyd hym all how sore that he was bett
In what wyse and by what wyght hym tolde
Wherfor yt was wythouten longer lett
For whyche the kynge was full of sorow sett
In hast dyd send for Iust and eke Melite
And them restoryd ther wher they were a
[...]yte.
To teche the feythe and voyd Idolatry,
To baptyse eke as was expedye
[...]t,
The whyche they did as was than necessary.
The Archebysschop dyed that hight Lawrence
The yere of Crist wyth good benyvolence.
Syx hundryd hole and ther withall nyntene
Levyng this world for heuens blyse I wene.
This
Laurence writ a learned booke of the obseruation of Easter, and some exhorta
[...]iue Epistles to the Bishops and Abbots of the Scottish, Irish, and Brittish Churches; beseeching, and praying them to receiue and keepe the societie of Catholicke obseruation, with that Church of Christ which is spread ouer the whole world. He died the same yeare that
Edbald became Christian, Februar. 3.
An. Dom. 619. and was buried in the Church Porch beside
Augustine his predecessour. For whom this Epitaph was composed.
Harps
[...]eld Hist. Angl. Eccles. Secul. 7.
ca 7.
Hic sacra Laurenti suut signa tui Monumenti,
Tu quoque iocundus Pater, Antistesque secundus.
Pro populo Christi scapulas do
[...] sumque dedisti
Artubus huc laceris multa Vibice mederis.
Mellitus, sometime an Abbot of Rome, succeeded
Laurence in this grace, and Ecclesiasticall dignitie,
Mellitus Archbishop. sent hither by Saint
Gregory, to assist
Augustine in the seruice of the Lord, by whom he was first consecrated Bishop of London; during his abode in that place, he conuerted vnto the faith of Christ,
Sebert king of the East Saxons. Of which this Stanza: out of
Harding.
Peter the first Abbot of Saint
Austin
[...].
Then
Austin made
Peter a clerke deuoute,
Of Saynt
Austines th'abbot religious,
And made
Mellito, as
Bede clerly hath note,
Of London then byshoppe full vertuous:
A Clerke that was then beneuolous,
Who then conuerted of Essex the king
Sebert,
And all his land baptised with holy herte.
But the wicked sonnes of this good King
Sebert expelled
Mellitus out of their dominions; from whence he trauelled into France, and there stayed
[Page] for a time,
Beda. li. 2
[...] vntill he was commanded by Archbishop
Laure
[...]ce to ret
[...]ne and looke to his flocke. He was a man noble by birth, but much more noble for the excellencie of his minde; an eloquent speaker; and therefore a
[...] siuely called of some, Mellifluous, exceeding carefull of his charge, despising the world, and neuer caring for any thing but heauen, and heauenly things:
Godwin. de P
[...]l. Ang. hauing beene sicke a long time of the Gowt; hee died Aprill 24.
ann. 624. and was buried beside his predecessour. Vpon whose Tombe this Epitaph was engrauen.
Summus Pontificum flos tertius et mel apricum;
Hac titulis clara redoles Mellite sub arca.
Laudibus eternis te predicat vrbs Dorouernis
Cui simul ardenti restas virtute potenti.
Presently vpon the death of
Mellitus,Iustus Archbishop.Iustus then Bishop of Rochester, was preferred to this Archbishopricke. He was a Romane borne, the disciple of
Gregory the great, by whom he was sent ouer into England, to preach the Gospell.
Ha
[...]p
[...]feld Hist. Aug. ca. 7. He was a Monke after the order of Saint
Benet: Vir tantae integritatis vi iusti nomine non tam gentilicio, quam propter virtatem honorandus censeretur. Which his vertue, as also his learning are both highly commended by Pope
Boniface the fourth,
Beda li. 2.
ca 8. to whom, as to his deared beloued Brother, he sendeth greeting. He died Nouemb. 10.
ann. 634. was buried by his predecessour,
Io. C
[...]ygraue. and canonized a Saint and Confessor. But heare his Epitaph.
Istud habet bustum meritis cognomine Iustum
Quarto iure datus cui cessit Pontificatus,
Pro meritis Iusti sancta grauitate venusti:
Gratia diuinam diuina dat his medicinam.
Honorius a reuerend learned man,
Honorius Archbishop. borne in the same Citie, brought vp vnder the same Master, and one of the same order with
Iustus, succeeded him in his pontificall Gouernment. During the time he sate, which was somewhat aboue twentie yeares,
Beda. li. [...].
ca 9. amongst other things, hee appointed diuers Bishops to diuers countries, and diuided his Prouince into Parishes, of which I haue spoken before, that so he might appoint particular Ministers or Priests, to particular congregations. In his time the Pelagian heresie began to spring vp againe in Scotland; but by his exhortatorie diuine Epistles to the Clergie of that kingdome, he so dealt, that the poysonous infection of that contagious heresie spread not farre, neither continued any long time. He died Februar. 28.
Ann. 653. and was laid with his predecessours. This was his Epitaph.
One
Frithona (famous for his learning and vertuous life) being elected Archbishop,
Deus dedit Archbishop. vpon the day of his consecration changed his name, for
Deus dedit, or
Adeodatus. He was the first Englishman that gouerned this See:
[Page 248] which charge he attended carefully the space of sixe yeares, and dyed Iuly
[...]4.
Ann. 664. being the very same day that
Ercombert the king of Kent dyed; he was the last Bishop buried in the Church-porch. Such was his Epitaph.
Alme Deus Dedit cui sexta v
[...]catio cedit,
Signas hunc lipidem, lapidi
[...] e
[...]dem
Prodit ab hac vrna
[...] a
[...]urna
Qu
[...] melioratur quic
[...] gra
[...]atur.
Theodore Archbishop.Theodore a Grecian, Saint
Pauls [...], borne in Tharsus, succeeded
Deus de
[...]it. He was sixt
[...]e sixe year
[...] of age before he vndertooke the charge of this Archbishopricke, in
[...] hee continued two yeares, three moneths, twenty seu
[...]n dayes, vntill
[...], which happened Sept. 29.
anno 690 A man hee was (to omit particulars) worthy of perpetuall remembrance for his singular vertues,
Bed
[...]. li. 5.
cap 8.
Edem
[...]ib. 4.
ca. 2. vnder whom the Church of England receiued much comfort and encrease in spirituall matters. Hee was excee
[...]dingly well learned, both in profane and holy literature: hee would often visit the countrey of the Englishmen all ouer, and teach them the waye
[...] and pathes of good life. Hee was the first Archbishop vnto whom all the whole Church of the English Nation did yeeld, and consent to submit themselues; Hee writ many learned bookes, mentioned by
B
[...]e; hee was the seuenth Archbishop, of whom these verses were written vpon the wall in Latine, now translated thus into English.
Seuen Patriarchs of England, Primates seuen,
Seuen Rectors, and seuen
Seuen starres in
Charles waine.
Babaurers in heven,
Seuen Cesterns pure of life, seuen Lamps of light
Seuen Palmes, and of this Realme seuen Crownes full bright,
Seuen Starres are here interr'd in vault below.
Harpsfe
[...]d. ca. 8
[...]. 7.These verses were common to a
[...]l these seuen pillars of the English Church, for so they are called; yet euery one, as you haue read, had his particular Epitaph, and this following went curiant for
Theodore, thus Englished by the Translatour of venerable
Bede.
Beda
[...]i. 5.
cap. 8.
A worthie Prelate lyeth here, fast closed in this graue,
To whom the name of
Theodore the Greekes most iustly gaue,
With title right the soueraigntie hauing of each degree.
Christs flock he fed with true doctrine, as all men do well see,
His soule was set at libertie (that lumpish lumpe of clay
Dissolued) when September had put nineteene dayes away.
And coueting their fellowship that liue a godly life,
Is companied with Angels high, voyd of all care and strife.
Brithwald Archbishop.Brithwald (called like others allusiuely Bright world) Abbot of Reculuer, some two yeares after the decease of
Theodore, was elected and consecrated Archbishop, by one
Godwin, Metropolitan of France. He was a man very well learned, both in Diuinitie and humanitie, and very skilfull both in Ecclesiasticall and Monasticall orders, censures, and disciplines, but farre
[Page] inferiour in all vnto his predecessour He continued Archbishop in this f
[...]med, seuen and thirtie yeares, sixe moneths, fourteene dayes: a longer time then euer any did either before or since; and dyed Ianuar. 9.
ann 731. and was buried in this Abbey Church: because the Porch was already filled with the dead bodies of his predecessours: for whom this Epitaph was
[...], and engrauen vpon his Monument.
Stat sua laus feretro Brithwaldus stat sua metro
Sed minor est metri laus omnis laude feretri.
Laude frequentandus, pater hic & glorificandus;
Si pr
[...]ce slectatur, dat ei qui danda precatur.
Tatwin a man very religious,
[...] and no lesse learned, succeeded
Brithwald; soone after whose consecration, great controuersie arose betweene him and the Archbishop of Yorke, about the Primacie: wherein
Tatwin preuailed. Who hauing sate onely three yeares, died Iuly the last day,
An. Dom. 735. and was buried here in the Church by his predecessour. To whose memory this Epitaph was cut vpon the stone coffin.
Pontificis glebe Ta
[...]wini Cantia prebe
[...]
Thura, decus, laudes, & cuius dogmate gandes▪
Hu
[...]us doctrina carnisti men
[...]e ferina;
Et per cu
[...] Christi pe
[...] tare iugum dedicis
[...]i▪
Here sometime lay interred the body of
Nothelme, [...] Archbishop, who for that he well and wisely gouerned his See, was called, Noble helme.
[...] was borne in London; and was one of the Priests of Saint
Pauls, a great louer of venerable antiquitie he was,
[...] and one to whom
Bede acknowledg
[...]th himselfe to be much beholding for diuers matters; which, vpon his
[...]port, he inserted into his Ecclesiasticall History. He died October 17.
An. 74
[...]. His Epitaph was after this manner.
Hac scrobe Nothelmus iacet Archiepiscopus almus.
[...]
Cuius vita bono non est indigna patrono.
Cunctis iste bonus par in bonitate Patronus
Protegit hic iustos vigili munimine Custos.
Cutbert Archbishop of Canterbury, not long before this time had procured of king
Eadbert, [...] that the bodies of all the Archbishops which were to succeed, should not bee buried at Saint
Augustines, as they had beene heretofore, but at Christ-Church; and so, according to his desire, the
[...]uneralls of himselfe, and his successour
Bregwin, were there solemnised, and their bodies therein interred. The Monkes of Saint
Austins tooke the matter hainously, to haue the buriall of their Archbishops discontinued, and began to make complaint vnto the Pope.
[...] But Christ-Church men were so farre from fearing the Pope (for the same Pope had confirmed their priuiledges but a little before at the sute of
Bregwin) that they chose one
Lambert, or
Iainbert, Abbot of Saint
Augustines for their Archbishop: assuring themselues he would be now as earnest a defender of their liberties, as heretofore he had beene an oppugner in the behalfe of Saint
Augustines. But they found it otherwise, for perceiuing his end to approach, he tooke order
[Page 250] to be buried in S
[...]nt
[...], but he was the last of all the Archbishops there in
[...] Archbishop
[...]7. yeares, and liued ninetie foure: his funeralls were
[...] pompe and celebritie, and his body honourablie entombed here in
[...] Chapter-house. Vpon which this Epitaph was engrauen.
Gemma Sacerdotum
[...] remotum,
Clauditur hac fossa
[...] &
[...]ssa.
Sub hac molecinis,
[...] [...]inis
Incola nunc celi populo
[...] [...]ideli.
I finde some Epitaphs to the memory of sundrie Abbots of this Monastery; and first,
Peter the first Abbot of S.
Austins. of the first Abbot, one
Peter a Priest, who was chosen to this place by Saint
Augustine, as I haue said before. This man was sent Legat into France, by king
Ethelbert, and in his returne for England, was drowned in a Crecke,
[...]. 1.
ca. 33. called Amflete; his body was taken vp, and buried after a homely manner of the inhabitants of that countrey; yet afterwards remoued from thence, and honourably interred in the Tow
[...]e of Bulley
[...]e. in a place of Saint
Maries Church conuenient for so worthy a person. For whom a Monument was erected within this Abbey, bearing this Inscription▪
Lib.
5. Aug. in bi
[...] Cot. Gul
[...]el Spina.
Quem notat hunc metrum meritis & nomine Petrum
Abbas egregius primus Laris extitit huius.
Dum semel hic transit mare ventus in vrbe remansit
Bolonia celebris virtutibus est i
[...]i crebris.
He was drowned about the yeare, 614. My old Anonimall Manuscrip speakes of this first Abbot to the like effect.
Than Austyn mad Peter the cheffe Prelat
Of an Abbey, now callyd seynt Aus
[...]yns
In Canterbery, of whiche denominat
He was Abbot, as sent Bede dyffyns,
Who aftar as he to Fraunce was sent fro thens
On embassyat, was drownyd on the se,
And beryed at Boleyne wyth solempnite.
Whar grete vertue God for hym shewyth
Full ofte, as ther playnly ys recordyd,
And to thys dey yet alwey renewyth:
So ho
[...]e he was wythe Crist myserecordyd,
And wyth his seynts trewly euer concordyd;
As sey
[...]t Bede seythe ryght in his dyaloge,
Amonge the seynts is put in Cathologe.
Iohn [...]e second AbbotIohn a monke of this house, and the third man of note which came ouer with
Austin, was elected Abbot of this house, and receiued benediction at the hands of Archbishop
Laurence. He died,
Ann. 618. and was buried here in our Ladies Chappell, and this was his Epitaph.
Omnibus est annis pietas recitanda Iohannis
[Page 251]Culmine celsa nimis p
[...]tribusque simillima primis.
Vir probus & mitis fu
[...] hic si fare velitis
Integer & mundus sap
[...]ens Abbasque secundus.
Ruffinian was here interred by his predecessour
Iohn,Ruffinian the third. who dyed,
Ann. 626.
Pausa patris sani patet istec Ruffiniani
Abbatis terni, quo frenditur hostis Auerni.
Gratiosus succeeded
Ruffinian in his holy gouernment:
Gratiosus the fourth. a man gracious, saith mine Author, with God and all good men. And so ended his worldly pilgrimage,
Ann. 640.
Hic Abbas quartus Gratiosus contulit artus,
Cuius adest pausa miti spiramine clausa.
Petronius was sacred to this Ecclesiasticall dignitie by Archbishop
Honorius,Petronius the fifth.Ann. 640. and died
Ann. 654.
Abbas Petronius bonitatis odore refertus.
Subiectos docuit, vitiorum sorde pianit.
Nathaniel vir probitate decoratus,Nathaniel t
[...]e sixth. and absolute in all perfections, was consecrated Abbot here in his owne Church, by Archbishop
Deus-dedit, which he laudably gouerned thirteene yeares, and died,
Ann. 667.
Spiritus in celis Abbatis Nathanielis,
Nos faciat memores Patres memorare v
[...]litis.
Adrian borne in Africa;
Adrian the seuenth. Abbot first of the Monastery of Niridia, neare vnto Naples: a man wondrous well learned in the holy Scriptures, throughly instructed both in Monasticall discipline, and Ecclesiasticall gouernment; very skilfull of the Greeke and Latine tongues, and withall very expert in the liberall Sciences of Astronomie, and Musicke: who, together with
[...]heodore,Singing first vsed in English Christian Churches.
Bed. lib. 4.
cap. 2. brought first of all in, the tunes and notes of singing in the Church, which for a little time was onely vsed and knowne here in Kent, but afterwards learned and practised through all the Churches of England, by the meanes of reuerend Bishop
Wilfride, who brought from Kent
Iames and
Stephen, two Musitians, the first Masters of song in the Churches of the kingdome of Northumberland. But to descend to more particulars. The Archbishopricke of Canterbury was offered to this
Adrian, by
Vit
[...]ll
[...] am the Pope (that excellent Musitian,
[...] pageant of Popes. who wrote the Ecclesiasticall Canon, and first brought singing and Organs into the Church) which hee refused to vndertake, preferring a Monke of his acquaintance, namely,
Theodore, (spoken of before) to the same place, in whose companie hee trauelled into England, and had the companie and helpe of this
Adrian, in all things hee went about to effect within England. Hee was consecrated Abbot of this Monastery by the said
Theodore, in the gouernment of which, he continued nine and thirtie yeares. In which time hee obtained many priuiledges of
Theodatus the Pope for his Abbey, as also of
Oswin king of the Deirians. He dyed
honae memoriae senex, a reuerend old man of good and perfect remembrance,
ann. 708. and was honourablie entombed here in our Ladies Chappell, with this Epitaph.
These seuen Abbots (aboue mentioned) were all outlandish men, sent hither either at the first to accompanie
Augustine, or afterwards
Mellitus and
Iustus in their iourney from Rome.
Albinus the eighth.Albinus the Scholler of
Adrian, and Abbot of this house, was here interred, who as he followed his Master in his office, so did he in all his good and godly wayes. And so died in the 24. yeare of his Abbotship, 732. and was buried by his Master.
Laus Patris Albini non est obnoxia fini
Gloria debetur sibi quam sita vitae meretur.
Multa quippe bonos faciens virtute patronos
Abbas efficitur bonus hic et honore petitur.
Nothbald the ninth.Shortly after the decease of
Albin, one
Nothbaldus a Monke of this fraternitie was chosen Abbot: in which office hee continued about sixteene yeares, died
ann. 748. and was buried neare his predecessours.
Nothbaldi mores rutilant inter Seniores,
Cuius erat vita subiectis norma polita.
Aldhume the tenth.Aldhumus was the next Abbot, in the time of whose gouernment the buriall of the Archbishops was taken away from the Church of this Monasterie, by the cunning sleight and ouerswaying authoritie of Archbishop
Cuthbert, as I haue partly touched: but howsoeuer, his holy brethren of this Couent did impute all the fault vnto the supine negligence of their Abbot, in that he did not more carefully defend this their common cause. Whereupon after his death, which happened,
ann: 760. some 12. yeares, they fastened this Epitaph vpon a pillar neare to the place of his buriall; bewraying the viperous malice of this Monkish broode to him their deceased father.
Fert memor Abbatis Aldhumi nil probitatis,
Pontificum Pausani cassat tutans male causam,
Prisca premens iura dum Cuthbertus tumulatur.
Fulta sepultura sanctis per eum
reprobatur[?].
Lambert the eleuenth.About a yeare
Lambert or
Ianibert (before remembred) was Abbot of this house, afterwards Archbishop. He procured six plough lands of ground to this Abbey, of king
Edbert, in little Mongham.
Ethelnothes, Guttardus,Cunred neare of kinne to
Nenulph the Mercian king.
Cunred and
Wernod procured 40. plough lands of groūd of the kings of Mercia and Kent to their Monasterie.
Vt in chartaCunredus; Wernodus, cosin to
Offa and
Cuthred kings of Mercia and Kent, of whom this
Wernode obtained many rich gifts for this his Monasterie:
Diernodus, Wintherus, Readmundus, Kimbert, Eta, Degmund, Alfred, Ceolbert, Bectane, Athelwold, Vlbert, Eadred, Alchmund, Sittulfe, Cadred, Luling, Beorline, Alfricke, who by his familiarity with king
Edmund, obtained two plough-land to his Monasterie.
Elsnoth, Siricius who was first a Monke in Glastonbury, then Abbot of this Monastery,
[Page] from hence preferred to the Bishopricke of Wiltshire, and thence remoued to this Primatship of Canterbury. A man much blamed in our ancient Histories, for perswading with his countreymen to buy their
peace[?] with the Danes (who had inuaded Kent and
[...]ss
[...]x) with the price of sixteene thousand pounds.
Wulfrike[?] Elmer, a man of great holinesse, from hence aduanced to the Bishopricke of Sherborne, and after some yeares (falling blinde) gaue ouer that gouernment returned to this Abbey, wherein all the rest of his dayes he led a priuate life.
[...]Elstan first Prior of the house, whom king
Knute would haue preferred to the Bishopricke of W
[...]nchester, which hee denyed, neither would hee haue taken this, but by the importunate sute of his brethren.
These Abbots (aboue named) some twenty eight in number, succeeded one another, of whom albeit we may beleeue that many memorable and good actions were performed: yet time, which weareth all things out of remembrance, hath left little of them remarkable to this age.
Wulfrike the second succeeded
Elstan, Vir probi consilij, and often employed vpon Embasies to the Pope. He translated the body of Saint
Mildred into another place of the Church: hee dyed suddenly,
ann. 1059. by the iust iudgement of God (saith the story) because he neglected the beautifying of our Ladies Chappell, being thereto commanded by S.
Dunstan who had conference in a vision with the blessed Virgin concerning that matter.
Vpon the death of
Wulfrike, [...] one
Egelfine succeeded, and receiued benediction from Archbishop
Stigand, about the yeare 1063. he was sent about I know not what Embasie to Pope
Alexander the second, to whom the Pope gaue this honour, That it should bee lawfull for him and his successours to vse the Mytre and Apostolike Sandall. But presently vpon his returne home, he fled ouer Seas into Denmarke, for feare of
William the new Conquerour. And being no sooner thus gone (without licence first obtained) his goods were confiscate to the King: and one
Scotland, by birth a Norman, inuested in his place.
This Abbot receiued many gracious fauours from the Conquerour.
[...] He recouered much land vniustly taken from his Monasterie, with diuers immunities. He was a great cause for the confirmation of the ancient Franchises and liberties of Kent; he built a great part of his Church anew, and remoued the bones of
Adrian, and other Abbots, with the bodies of foure Kentish kings, being but obscurely buried, and entombed them in the Quire of the Church vnder princely Monuments; hee dyed the third day of September,
ann. 1087. and was buried in a vault vnder the Quire in S.
Maries Chappell.
Abbas Scotlandus prudentibus est memorandus
......libertatis...... dare gratis
Actu magnificus, generosa stirpe creatus
Viribus enituit sanctis sancte quoque vixit.
One
Wido was the next Abbot,
Wido the 42. who repaired the Tombe or Shrine of Saint
Augustine: he dyed August 13.
ann. 1091. and was buried in a vault vnder S.
Richards Altar. Whose tombe-stone was thus inscribed.
Hugh de Flori 4
[...].One
Hugh de Flori, or
Floriaco, a Norman borne, neare a kinne to the Conquerour, vnder whom and his sonne
William Rufus (being a strenuous and an expert Souldier) hee had serued in the warres both of Normandie and England,
Guliel. Spina in bib. Cot. who comming with
William Rufus vpon a time to visit Saint
Austines Shryne, would needs be made a Brother of this Fraternitie; which being granted, he sold forthwith all his lands in Normandie (hauing neither wife nor childe) and tooke vpon him the Monasticall habite: This
Hugh had scarce continued one yeare of probation, when as the foresaid Abbot
Wido departed the world; vpon whose death the Monkes of Saint
Austines comming to
William Rufus to obtaine licence to elect a new Abbot, the king swore by
Lukes face that he would haue no election at all, for he intended to take all the spirituall liuings of England into his owne hands; Well, for this time they went away with each one a flea in his eare, yet afterwards it was decreed, that two circumspect graue Monkes, together with this
Hugh de Flori, should be sent to the king to procure his fauour for an election, either by petition, or price; when these presented themselues vnto his sight, and that he saw his cosin, who before had serued him in the brauerie of a Souldier, to bee now clothed in the habite of a Monke; he was so dismayed in minde, that gushing out with teares, hee said, I do grant you this Cosin of mine to be your Abbot, and at your petition I do giue him the gouernment of the Abbey of Saint
Augustine, neither do I permit you to choose any other, whom, vnlesse you do presently receiue, I will shortly burne your Abbey to ashes. Then the Monkes seeing no remedie, submitted themselues to the kings will in the premises. But the foresaid
Hugh refused the dignitie, saying, That he was a man in a manner vnlettered, and one that had very little skill, as well in religion, as in Ecclesiasticall ordinances; yet the king and the Monkes enforced him to accept of the honour offered, neither would the king suffer him to depart from the Court, before he was consecrated Abbot, which was solemnized in the kings Chappell at Westminster, by
Mauricius Bishop of London. I haue beene somewhat long in this narration, yet, I hope, nothing at all troublesome, or tediously impertinent. This illustrious Abbot did many laudable acts to the great commoditie of his Church; and distributed all his goods in workes of charitie. He dyed full of yeares as of goodnesse, the 26. of March,
ann. 1120. and was buried on the North side of the Chapter-house built by himselfe from the foundation: for whom this honourable remembrance was engrauen.
Abbas Eheu Floris specimen virtutis, honoris,
Hic iacet in tumulo, Presul peramabilis Hugo.
Floruit vt terris, Pater hic, pace & quoque guerris;
Floret nunc celo Christi pugil iste sereno.
Hugh the second 44.The next Abbot in succession was one
Hugh de Trottescline Chaplaine to King
Henry the first, at the time of whose election, great dissention, for small trifles, being betwixt the Monkes of Christ-Church, and those of
[Page] this Monastery,
William then Archbishop taking part with those angrie Votaries of his owne house, denyed Abbot
Hugh [...]enedict
[...]on which
[...] was glad to obtaine from
Seffria the first, Bishop of
[...]. This man brought in againe the old number of his Monkes, which were threescore profest,
[...] beside the Abbot. He founded an Hospitall neare to his owne Abbey, which he dedicated to the honour of
[...] and Saint
[...] to the maintenance whereof he giue
[...]ne Acres of ground, vpon which
[...] Hospitall was to be erected, and all the
[...]the of the Lordship of
[...] in this County, with other possessions,
[...] at the
[...] 7. s. 10. d. of yearely reuenue.
This Hosp
[...]tall was ordained and appointed especially for this
[...] if it should so happen that any protest Monke of this Monastery,
[...] infected with any contagious disease,
[...] but aboue a
[...] with the
[...] reason of which sicknesse, or infectious maladie, he could not
[...] the precincts of the Abbey, without preiud
[...]c
[...] and scandall to the
[...] [...]er
[...]tie, that then he should be prouided for in this Hospitall of a conue
[...]n
[...]ent ch
[...]mber, of meate, drinke, and apparell, in as full a measure as any one of his Br
[...]thr
[...]n liuing in the Monastery.
A
[...]so, if it should so happen, that the father, the mother, the sister, or brother, of a
[...]y Monke of this Monastery,
[...]hou
[...]d come to such great want and
[...]nd
[...]gencie as that (to the reproach of any of these
[...]r
[...]thren) he, or she▪ be forced to aske at the gates, the almes of the Fraternitie, that th
[...] such of them so asking, should be prouided for in this Hospit
[...]ll, of sufficient
[...]stentation, according to the abilitie of the house, by the aduise and consideration of the Abbot of Saint
Austins, and the Master of this Hospitall, for the time being, as further appeares by his Charter, confirmed by many of his Successours. This charitable Abbot dyed the yeare 1151. and was buried in the Chapter house by his Predecessour.
Siluester, [...] the Prior of this Monastery, being elected Abbot vpon the decease of
Hugh, was denyed Benediction of Archbishop
[...]heobald, obi
[...]ting against him, that he was a man defamed with many notorious offences but clearing himselfe before the Pope (by what m
[...]es or money I know n
[...]t) of all those enormous imputations laid to his charge, vpon the sight of the Popes letters, the Archbishop durst not but giue him admi
[...]ta
[...] This
Siluester instituted, that euery yeare during the time of Lent, so many poore people should be prouided for of meate and drinke sufficient, at
[...] and the charges of the Abbey, as there were Monkes in the Couent.
[...] dyed
ann
[...] 1161. and was buryed by his predecessour.
One
Clarembaldus (a lay man I thinke,
[...] for he neuer wore other then a secular habite) by the kings regall authoritie, d
[...]d now irregularly intrude vpon the possessions, goods, and gouernment of this Abbey, which by maine violence he extorted, and misapplyed for the space of 15. yeares, vntill he was elected: and one
Roger a Monke of Saint
Trinitie, and keeper of an Altar in Christ-Church, was elected to his place.
This
Roger within a short time came greatly into the kings fauour,
[...] who restored vnto him all the lands and possessions which
Clarembalde had wickedly wrested from his Monastery. He was consecrated by Pope
Alexander the third in his owne person at Tusculane, neare to Rome; to whom
[Page 256] and to his Church, the said Pope restored the vse of the Mytre, Sandalls, and crosier, which had beene neglected euer since the flight of Abbot
Egelfine, (who first obtained that honour) into Denmarke. This man indured many miseries the most part of his life-time, (which was very long) especially in the troublesome raigne of king
Iohn. And so to conclude with the words of mine Authour.
Will. Thorne, or
Gul. Spina, in bib. Cott.Anno Domini 1212.
obijt Sen
[...]x, & plenus dierum, qui diebus suis pro viribus multa adversae sustinuit, sed omnia Deo cooperante illesa custodiuit; & in capitulo sub lapide albo sepelitur. Cum tali Inscriptione.
Antistes iacet hic Rogerus in ordine primus,
Pastor deuotus, quondam, nunc nil nisi simus.
Mortu
[...]s in cista requiesci
[...] nunc semel ista;
Qui viuus mundo parum requieuit eundo.
Roger being dead, one
Alexander a Monke of this Monastery, and a most excellent Diuine,
Alexander surnamed
Cementari
[...] Theologus the 48. was elected Abbot, a man both in secular and Ecclesiasticall affaires well experienced, and of king
Iohn singularly beloued, yet for all his good parts and great friends, Archbishop
Langton absolute
[...]ly denyed him Benediction: for it was in that time when the king and the Bishop were at sore variance; so that he was constrayned to trauell to Rome, where he receiued consecration at the hands of Pope
Innocent the third.
Obijt Abbas iste Deo dilectus nocte, viz. Dominica 4.
Non. Octob. An. 1220
This Abbot was,
Vir corpore elegantissimus, facie venerabilis, & literarum plenitudine imbutus. And for taking part with his Soueraigne:
à summo honore in summam confusionem viliter praecipitatus erat, saith
Mat. Westminst. ad An. 1209.
Hugh the third the 49. Abbot.By the generall consent of the whole Couent, one
Hugh, Chamberlaine of this house, was elected, sworne, and blessed by the Popes Legate at Winchester, before the king and many of the Peeres of the kingdome. This Abbot was religious, honest, prouident, and with learning, and a godly life life greatly adorned; and so departed from all worldly employment, the third day of Nouember, 1224. and was buried by the Altar of the holy Crosse vnder a flat marble stone, thus engrauen.
Prosuit in populo Domini venerabilis Hugo,
Et tribuit sancte subiectis dogmata vite.
Robert de Bell
[...] the 50.A prouident and discreete Brother of this house succeeded
Hugh in the Abbotship, to whom in like manner as hee did to
Alexander, the Archbishop vtterly denyed benediction, and admittance; for which he was enforced to trauell to Rome, and there was sacred by the hands of
Patrick Bishop of Albania, and Cardinall, by the Popes commandement. This Abbots name was
Robert de Bello, & belle rexit, for the space of eleuen yeares.
Et obijt crastino sancti Mauri Abbatis, ann. 1252. His Epitaph.
Abbas Robertus virtutis odore refertus
Albis exutus iacet hic à carne solutus.
Roger the second 51.Roger of Cicester by way of comprimise succeeded
Robert, for whose admittance, or holy blessing, Pope
Innocent the fourth writ his powerfull
[Page 257] letters to
Boni
[...] ▪ then Archbishop of Canter
[...]ur
[...];
[...] but what
[...] tooke I do not finde. He founded the Church or Chappell of
[...] in this Countie, and sumptuously
[...]sh
[...]yned the reliques of Saint
[...] He dyed on Saint
[...] day, 1272. and was buried before S.
[...] Altar, vnder a marble-stone, with his po
[...]traiture engrauen thereupon, and this short Epitaph.
Prudens et verus iac
[...]t hac in
[...]robe Rogerus
Constans et lenis, pop
[...]li pastorque fid
[...]lis.
The next that enioyed this dignitie was,
[...]Nicholas de Spina, he was con
[...]secrated at Rome by the Bishop of Portua, by the commandement of Pope
Nicholas the third, of whom hee was approued to be,
Virum prudentem,
[...] us et doctrina multipliciter decoratum, in temporalibus et spiritualibus
[...] Who when hee had with great wisedome gouerned his
[...] the s
[...]a
[...]e of ten yeares, hee tooke his iourney, by the kings permission to the Pope, before whom he resigned his Abbotship to one
Thomas Fi
[...]on.
[...]Findon succeeding by way of resignation; bad benediction by the Popes appointment at
Ciutta Vecchia,Thomas Findon [...] not farre from Rome: he performed
[...] worthy actions for the good of his Church, and was euer ready with
[...], and armour, for the seruice of the king: With great care and cost
[...] the reliques of Saint
Austine, as I haue said before:
[...] had strenu
[...]usl
[...] gouerned his Church the space of 26. yeares,
[...] eternitatis vocatus erat die sancte Iuliane virginis, ann. 13
[...]9. and was buried in a little Chappell (wherein vsually euery day a Masse was
[...] for the whole Estate of the Church militant vpon earth) vnder a marble stone inla
[...]d with brasse after the manner of a Bishop. With this Epit
[...]ph.
En iacet hic Thomas, morum dulcedine tinctus,
Abbas egregius, equitatis tramite cinctus.
Firma columna Domus, in iudicio bene rectus,
Nec fuct hic Presul dono um turbine
[...]l
[...]xus.
In pietate pater, inopum damnis miseratus
Nec fraudes patiens curarum Presbyteratus
Iussu Pontificis summi .... capit isle
C
[...]tibus Angelicis nos Thome iungito Christe.
After the death of
Findon, one of this Fraternitie, called
Raph de Borne,Raph de Borne the 54. was elected. Who presently vpon his election, tooke his iourney to
Avi
[...] the Popes Court, where he was confirmed and consecrated by the Bishop of
Ho
[...]tia. Hauing laudablie gouerned this house 25. yeares, he dyed a venerable old man,
ann. 1334. and was here honourably entombed in the North-wall.
Pervigil in populo morum probitate decorus
Abbas hoc tumulo de Borne iacet ecce Radulphus,
Mille trecentenis triginta quater quoque plenis
In Februi Mense celo petebat inesse.
[Page 258]This man is commended by Pope
Clement the fifth (as I finde it in the redde booke of Canterbury) to haue beene
Abbatem Religionis feruidum,Mssan bib. Cot.Zelatorum morum, et etatis grauitate decorum, scientia preditum, in spiritualibus prouidum, et in temporalibus circumspectum.
Thomas Poucyn the 55.In the same yeare, the first of March,
Thomas Poucyn, Doctor of Diuinitie, was chosen Abbot of this Monasterie; he tooke his iourney for benediction, to the Popes Court, which then lay at
Auinion in France, the nine and twentieth of the same moneth of March, whither hee came vpon Saint
George his Eue following: hee had his admittance and blessing at the hands of Pope
Iohn the two and twentieth, the day after the feast of Saint
Barnabie; he stayed at
Auinion vntill the feast of S.
Lawrence, from whence taking his iourney for England, he landed at Douer vpon S.
Gregories day. Now if any man of his coat, dignitie, and reuenue, be desirous to know the expences of a iourney to
Auinion, here he may haue it, taken out of the red booke of Canterbury,
In bib. Cot. to a single halfe-pennie.
His expences from Douer to
Auinion, which hee performed in three weeks and three dayes, came to the summe of 21. l. 18. s. 2. d. his expences staying there, from S.
George his Eue, vntill the Eue of S.
Lawrence, 18. l. 4. s. 5. d. ob. and in his voyage backe to this Monasterie, his expences came to 28 l. 8. d. About some nine yeares after this trauell, he made an end of all his trauels by death, on the day of the translation of Saint
Augustine, ann. 1343. being all his time a carefull Shepherd ouer the flocke committed to his charge: he was entombed by his predecessour.
Est Abbas Thomas tumulo presente reclusus,
Qui vite tempus sanctos expendit in vsus.
Illustris senior, cui mundi gloria vilis.
L.V. à primo pastor suit huius o
[...]ilis.
William Drulege the
[...]6.The next that succeeded
Poucyn, was one
William Drulege, a man of stature, like little
Zacheus, but of a minde immense and vigorous; or like
Homers noble little Captaine
Tydeus, corpore paruus ingenio pugnax.
Maior in exiguo regnabat corpore virtus.
For to enlarge the reuenues of his Church, he was euer wondrous solicitous, and in defence of her liberties stout and magnanimous: persisting still as deuoute and watchfull in his Ecclesiasticall contemplations, as hee was wise and circumspect in his temporall employments.
Non quarendus quantus sit quisque seà qualis, neque quam procerus sed quam probus: A little man is as much a man as the greatest man of the Gard. But I may bee thought quickly to speake somewhat partially, being none of these high puissant pikemen: enough then of little men, if not a little too much. So to returne to this diminutiue Abbot
Drulege, who by the consent of the Couent, ordained the feasts of
Ianibert, Nothelm, Brithwold, and
Tatwin, Archbishops, to be celebrated twice in the yeare; But to conclude, when for the short time he sate, he had much aduanced his Monasterie, he dyed on the Vigils of Saint
Mauritius, which is the 11. of September, 1349. and was buried in the Chapter house, with this Epitaph vpon his Monument.
I finde little, or indeed nothing at all, of such Abbots as succeeded little
Drulege, sauing their names thus recorded.
Iohn Deueniche the 57.
Thomas Colwell 58.
Michaell Peckham 59.
William W
[...]ld 60.
Thomas Hunden 61.
Marcellus Dandlyon 62.
Iohn Hawlherst 63.
George Pensherst 64.
Iacob Seuenoke 65.
William Selling 66.
Iohn Dunster 67.
Iohn Dygon 68.
Thomas Hampton 69. and
Iohn Essex 70. So that by this account there hath beene more Archbishops of Christ-Church,
M
[...]re Archbishop, then Abbots by three. then Abbots of Saint
Austins by the number of three, reckoning those sixe Bishops which haue beene since the dissolution: The Abbot of this house was euer a Baron of the Parliament.
In S.
Anns Chappell within the Church of this Monastery,
Iulian Coun
[...]e
[...]e of H
[...]ntington. lay sometime buried the body of
Iulian the daughter and heire of Sir
Thomas L
[...]yborne, knight. The widow, saith
Vincent, of
Iohn Lord
Hastings of
Aburgaueny, and mother of
Lawrence Hasting,Catal. in Hunting. Earle of Pembroke▪ and after that, wife of
William de Clinton, Earle of Huntington, and Lord high Admirall of England, who dyed about the yeare 1350.
But of all these and thousands more here interred (whose names I cannot learne) not one bone at this time lies neare another, nor one stone almost of the whole fabricke stands vpon another: therefore I will take my leaue of this Abbey with these words of a late writer:
Io. Spe
[...]d.
[...]. This Monasterie (saith he) as all the rest did, came to her fatall period in the dayes of king
Henry the eight, whose vncouered walls stood so long languishing in time, and stormes of weather, that daily increased the aspect of her ruines, till now lastly, they are made subiect to other publicke vses, and the whole tract of that most goodly foundation in the same place no where appearing. Onely
Ethelberts Tower in memorie and honour of the man, as yet hath escaped the verdict and sentence of destruction; whose beauty, though much de faced and ouerworne, will witnesse to succeeding ages the magnificence of the whole, when all stood compleate in their glory together. The reuenues yearely of this house were in the Exchequer, 1412. l. 4. s. 7. d. ob. q. it was surrendred 4. Decemb. 29.
H. 8.
At Harbaldowne,
P
[...]iory of Ha
[...]baldowne. not farre from this Monastery, Archbishop
Lan
[...]rank built an Hosp
[...]tall, and dedicated the same to the honour of Saint
Iohn, to the which he annexed a Priorie of blacke Canons, valued both together at the dissolution to 266. l. 4 s. 5. d. ob. of yearely reuenue: it was ordained for the lame, and diseased; which as yet is not altogether suppressed, although much abated (as I heare) of her annuall possessions. In which house was reserued the vpper leather of an old shoe,
Lamb. peram in Harbaldowne. which had beene worne (as they gaue it out) by Saint
Thomas Becket: this shoe, as a sacred Relique, was offered to all passengers to kisse; faire set in copper, and christall.
Lora Countesse
[...] Leic
[...]ster.
[...] Catal.This Church in former times was honoured with the sepulture of
Lora, or
Lor
[...]atta, Countesse of Leicester, daughter of
William Lord
Brews of Brember in Suffex, and wife of
Robert de Be
[...]lemont, surnamed
Fitzp
[...]rnell, Earle of Leicester, and Lord high Steward of England; a most honourable Lady,
Ca
[...]den in Kent. who hauing abandoned all worldly pleasures, sequestred her selfe wholly from the world, to serue God deuoutly in this place: who dyed about the yeare 1219. The manor and Towne of
Elham was her inheritance.
Sir
Iohn Gower and Sir
Iohn De
[...]e Priests.Hic iacet Dominus Iohannes Gower, nuper Vicarius istius Ecclesie, qui obijt Decemb. 27. 1457.
Cuius an
[...]e.
Hic iacet Dominus Iohannes
[...]ne, quondam Vicarius istius Ecclesie, qui obijt 8.
Aug. 1457.
Cuius anime p
[...]pittetur altissimus.
Sir
Christopher Hales, and Sir
Roger Manwood, lie here fairely entom
[...]ed, of whom hereafter according to my method.
Sir
Roger Manwoods Almes-house. But I must not let passe seuen almes houses here built by the said Sir
Roger Manwood, chiefe Baron of the Exchequer,
ann. 1573. for aged honest poore folkes, which he endowed with a yearely allowance of foure pounds, in money, bread, and fewell, for euery one of those almes-men.
It was called S.
Stephens, f
[...]r that the image of Saint
Stephen (standing where the garden now is,
A pilgrimage
[...] [...] S.
Stephens [...]. belonging to Sir
Manwoods great house) was sought vnto by many pilgrimes.
Reculuer.
At the vpper end of the South isle in this Church, I saw a Monument of an antique forme, mounted with two spires. Wherein (as the Inhabitants haue it by tradition) the body of one
Ethelbert,Ethelbert the second king of
[...]nt. a Saxon king, who had his pallace royall here in Reculuer, lieth entombed, and the Anuals of Canterbury affirme as much: And true it is that
Ethelbert the first, and first Christian king, built here a Princely mansion for himselfe and his successours; wherein diuers of the Kentish kings sometimes kept their courtly residence. But whether he be this
Ethelbert the second, or
Ethelbert surnamed
Pren, that lieth here interred, it is not much materiall, for they both dyed without any memorable act, either of themselues, or their kingdomes affaires:
The end of the Kentish kingdome. and so dyed
Cuthred and
Baldred their next successours, and the last kings of Kent. Which kingdome erected by
Hengist, the yeare of mans happinesse 455. continued her gouernment 372. and ended her glory in the yeare 827. being made a Prouince to the West-saxons.
The found
[...] the Abbey at Reculuer.Egbert, or
Egbright (the seuenth king of Kent in succession, after
Hengist) gaue to one
Bassa an English Saxon, some land here in Reculuer, whereupon he built him a Minster, or a Monastery, whereof
Brightwald afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, was the first Abbot: so that of this man and the Minster the poore Townes men may make great vaunts.
[...]
Here lyeth .....
Sandwey, Esquire, and
[...]oane his wife, who dyed 1437.
Hen. sex. 16.
...
Sandwey &
[...] his wife. Sir
Thomas a Priest.
Here in this Church lyeth a Lady entombed in a Monument vpreared after a strange fashion,
[...]dila Lady
Thorne. inscribed with a Saxon-like character.
Ici gist Edile de Shornerepust Dame del espire.
I thinke her name was rather
Thorne, then
Shorne, one letter being mistaken for another in the engrauing. My reason is this, for that in this Parish there is a place called Thorne.
Neare vnto this Monument lie three flat Tombe-stones, vnder which (as I coniecture) by the effigies vpon them) three vailed Nunnes of the Saxon Nobilitie,
Thr
[...]e vailed Nunnes and of S.
Mildreds Monasterie lye interred, but the Inscriptions are gone.
Which Monasterie was founded vpon this occasion:
Egbert king of Kent aspiring to the Crowne,
The foundation of Minster Abbey. by the traiterous murder of his two young Nephewes,
Ethelred and
Ethelbert, to pacifie
Domneua, sister to the said murdered Princes, and immediate heire to the kingdome, promised with an oath to giue her whatsoeuer shee would demand. This deuoute Lady begged so much ground to build a religious house vpon,
Io.
Ca
[...]graue in v.
[...]a Dom. as a tame De
[...]re which she kept, would runne ouer at a breath: one
Thunnor, or
Thymur (one of his councell, and his assistant in the foresaid murder) standing by, blamed him of inconsideration, for that hee would vpon the vncertaine course of a Deere, depart to his certaine losse, with any part of so good a Soile. Which words he had no sooner spoken (saith the booke of Saint
Augustine) but that the earth immediately opened and swallowed him vp. Well, the King and the Lady proceeded in their bargaine, and the Hynde ranne ouer fourty and eight Plough
[...]lands, before she returned. This do nation the king confirmed by his Charters,
Mss
[...]a bib. Cot which I haue read in the booke of S.
Austins, to the infringers whereof he added this fearefull curse.
Si cui vero hec largicio displicet, vel si quis (quod absit) hanc donationem telo ductus Diaboli,A Maledicton.quoquo ingenio infringere temptauerit, Iram Dei & omnium Sanctorum maledicta incurrat, et subita morte intereat, sicut predictus Deo odibilis Thimur interijt, percutiatque cum Deus amentia, cecitate, ac furore m
[...]ntis, omnique tempore columpnam maledictionis Dei sustineat, non sit qui eum liberet, nisi penitus resipiscit & digna satisfactione satisfaciat. And further of this and the race of the Hynde, these lame rymes.
Dompneue letam Thanatos fert Insula metam
Seruet iter Cerue...... nesit .... proterue.
Cultor siue sator huius mete violator
Cum Thunor atra metit inde Barathra petit.
Hauing erected her Monasterie, which she dedicated to the blessed Virgine
Mary,The death of
Domneua. and to the name and honour of her two murdered Brethren, in which
[...]he placed seuentie veyled Nunnes: She departed out of this world about the yeare of our redemption, 765. and was buried in the Church of her owne foundation.
[Page 260]It is said by some, that when
Thunnor had giuen his wicked command to king
Egbert,The buriall of
Thunnor. [...] Dom. his horse
[...] present
[...]y a curuetin
[...] ▪ cast him off his backe, and broke his necke: and that be
[...], buried in the Isle of Tenet, vnder a great heape of stones, which the inhabitan
[...], to this day call
Thunniclan.
[...].
Mildred.Mildred the daughter of
Dom
[...]a, and
M
[...]rwald, a Prince of West-Mercia, succeeded in her mothers pl
[...] ▪
[...]n which shee continued a long time: dyed in the raigne of King
[...], was interred by her mother, and afterwards canonized a Saint
[...] the Mercian king, confirmed by his charter to this
Mildred and her Couent, the custome of the ships which arriued in the publicke Port of London, as appeares by his charter.
Ca
[...]utus king of England, gaue by his Charter the body of this
Mildred, with the lands belonging to this Priory, to the Abbey of S.
Austins, in these words.
Notum sit omnibus, &c. me dedisse Augustino, & fratribus eiusdem Monasterij, corpus beate Mildrede gloriose Virginis; cum t
[...]ta terra sua infra in sulam ac I
[...]anet, & extra, cum omnibus cons
[...]etudinibus suis.
[...] on of
Mildred.The yeare 10▪0 her body was translated by Abbot
Elstan, as I haue said before, and after that by his Successour
Wulfrike, to another place of the Church. Her reliques were laid in a leaden coffin, whereupon this Epitaph was insculped.
Clauditur hoc saxo Mildreda sacerrima virgo.
Cuius nos procibus adiuuet ipse Deus.
The bodies of the most esteemed godly in former ages, tooke the least rest in their graues, for they were still remoued, and their bodies clattered together from one place to another; as it doth, and will appeare, both by the premisses and sequele of this my Treatise. You haue read before how often the body of Saint
Augustine was tost from porch to pillar, and besides his Reliques were diuided, and subdiuided into certaine vessels. For the day after the solemnitie of Prior
Marisco (before remembred) vpon the finding out of his Stone-coffin, there was found, vnlooked for, a Lead of seuen foot long, hauing this Inscription.
[...]Hic habetur pars ossium & cineris beati Augustini Anglorum Apostoli, qui olim missus à beato Gregorio, gentem Anglicam ad fidem Christi conuertit, cuius preciosum capud, & ossa maiora, Guido Abbas honorifice transtulit, sicut tabula plumbea cum eisdem ossibus posita indicat.
But
Henry the eight made an end of all this vnnecessarie trouble, and charges, by remouing once for all, as well Reliques, as Religious houses. Now to returne.
[...].Ethelinga the third Prioresse of this house, seeing the Church builded by her predecessour
Domneua, not capable to containe so many holy Virgins; built another Temple farre more sumptuous then the first, which was consecrated by Archbishop
Cuthbert to the honour of S.
Peter and
Paul. She dyed
ann. 751. and was buried in her owne new Church.
[...]Sexburga (saith the booke of Saint
Augustine) the daughter of
Anna, king of the East Angles, the wife of
Ercombert, the mother of
Egbert, and
[...]othaire, all kings of Kent; after the death of her husband tooke vpon her the habite of a Nunne, and was admitted and consecrated Prioresse of this
[Page 263] place, by Archbishop
Cuthbert. In her time those furious Beare-whelps,
Hungar and
Hubba (
Nam vt fertur filij fuere cuiusdam vrsi,Hungar and
Hubba the sonnes of a Beare.
M
[...]ss
[...]in bib C
[...]t Caygraue i
[...]nia
[...] b.
[...]qui illos contra naturam de filia cuiusdam Regis generabat) two Danish Pagans with a fierce armie first inuaded this kingdome. She dyed about the yeare 797. and was buried in this new Church.
Capgraue saith at Ely.
Seberitha was the first Votarie admitted, and consecrated Lady Prioresse of this house, by
Ethelard Archbishop of Canterbury, who was no sooner well setled in her gouernment, then that the Danes came backe againe, and in their sauage furie ouerwhelmed the Island of Tenet, destroyed, and vtterly demolished this Monasterie; and her, with her holy Sisters, inclosed in secret caues for feare of the enemie; they found out, and burned them all to ashes.
Capgraue,Eadburgh [...] first English Nunne, surnamed
[...]. a Kentish man borne, reporteth that
Eadburgh the daughter of good king
Ethelbert, by his vertuous Queene
Berta, was brought vp a Nunne in this Monasterie, vnder the foundresse
Domneua, that she succeeded
Mildred in the Monasticall gouernment; that shee was buried here in this Church, and that long after, her reliques (the chiefe and most frequent way in those times to enrich any new built Church) were remoued by
Lanfrank, Archbishop of Canterbury, to the Church of
Harbaldowne of his owne foundation,
Camden in K. and there had in great veneration. But
Camden, to whom I must needs giue more credit, speaking of S.
Eadburghs Well at Liming in this Tract, will haue her to be the first veiled Nunne in all England. And that she liued here in a Monastery of her owne building, that here shee dyed,
Speed. Hist. and here at Lyming was buried, saith
Speed, that she was surnamed,
Tace, a fit name for a woman, and that she had beene the wife of
Edwin king of Northumberland.
Sandwich:
Before the generall suppression here, was a religious house of white Friers Carmelites,
The foundation of the white Friers, and of the old Hospitall. founded by one
Henry Cowfeld an Almaine,
Ann. 1272. and an Hospitall founded by
Thomas Rabyng, William Swanne, Clerkes,
Iohn Goddard and
Richard Long.
In a booke of this order of
Carmes, written by
Iohn Bale, of which I haue spoken in the prefixed discourse,
A Manuscript. I finde the Foundation of this Religious structure, as also certaine Epitaphs made to the memorie of diuers of the Fraternitie therein interred; in this manner following.
Anno Domini M.CC.LXXII. fundatus erat Conuentus Sandwici, per Henricum Cowfeld de Alemania.
Epitaphium Magistri Fratris Thome Legatt qui obijt, Anno Domini, M.CCCCIX.
Carmelita Thomas Legatt qui Theologie
Tho. Legatt.
Doctor erat quondam, conditur hoc lapide.
Epitaphium Fratris Thome Hadlow.
Hic Prior iste Hadlow nunc hoc sub marmore tectus,
Tho. Hadlow.
Turmas celicolas adeat nostra prece vectus.
[Page 264]M.C. quater, & X. sep
[...]eno transijt anno,
Huic deci
[...]o sexto Septembris lumina nexo.
Magister Frater Willelmus Becklee hic sepultus, cum hoc Epitaphio.
William Beckle
[...].
Nunc me petra tenet, saxoque includor in isto
Et lacerum vermes laniant nunc vndique corpus.
Quid mihi diuicie? quid alta palacia prosunt?
Cum mihi sufficiat paruo quo marmore claudor.
Quam fastus, quam pompa leuis, quam gloria mundi
Sit breuis, & fragilis humana potencia quam sit,
Collige ab exemplo, qui transis perlege posco.
Obijt Ann Dom. M.CCCC.XXXVIII.
Iohn Sandwich.Epitaphium Magistri Iohannis Sandwich, huius Conuentus Prioris perquam amabilis.
The foundation
[...]f the free Schoole.Ann. 1563. Sir
Roger Manwood before remembred, natiue of this place, founded here a free Schoole, which hee endowed with fourty pounds of yearely reuenue.
Richborow.Right famous in former times (saith
Camden) was the Citie of
Richborow, whereof now nothing remaines, saue certaine walls of a Castie of rough flint and Britane brickes, in forme of a Quadrant. Ouer the entrie whereof is the head of Queene
Berta (as some say) grauen in stone, the wife of King
Ethelbert, who here had a royall pallace. The Romanes had their Presidents or Prouosts who had the gouernment of this Citie, of which I finde but onely two to haue beene here interred, namely,
Flauius Sanctius, and
Claudius Contentus, the one ruling with all peace, the other liuing in all riches and prosperitie: whose memories are thus preserued by the Poet
[Page 265]Ausonius:
Militiam nullo qui turbine sedulus egit,
Praeside letatus quae Rhutupinus ager.
His martiall seruice he discharg'd with care, without all strife:
And
Rutupin reioyc'd in him, whilst there he was in life.
The same Authour setteth forth likewise in a lamentable funerall verse, in the praise of
Claudius Contentus, whom he calls Vnkle, who being ouertaken with death, left behinde him vnto strangers, a mighty great stocke of money, which he had put out to vsury among the Britaines, and increased by interest.
Et patruos Elegia meos reminiscere cantus
Contentum tellus quem Rhutupina tegit.
Claudius Contentus.
My dolefull Muse now call to minde the songs of Vnkle mine,
Contentus, who enterred lyes within mould
Rutupine.
Ca
[...]nd. Ken
[...].
Ashe-Church.
In this Church are many ancient Monuments of worthy Gentlemen,
Goshall. Leuerick. Septvau. S.
[...] Harslet
[...] namely, Sir ...
Goshalls, Sir ...
Leuericks, who lye crosse-legged, as knights of Ierusalem. One of the
Septvaus, with a collar of S S about his necke, his wifes portraiture vpon the same Tombe: diuers of the surname of Saint
Nicholas, of the
Harslets, and others, all without Inscriptions, sauing two, and those shamefully defaced.
Claus. 25.
Hen. 6.
Memb. 30. 1446.
Christian S.
Nicholas, Lady Prioresse of the Minories without Algate, was daughter and heire of
Nicholas, S.
Nicholas, of S.
Nicholas in Thanet, and
Thomas S.
Nicholas is named in the same Record▪
Hic iacet .... Clitherow Ar.Clitherow: ... Old
[...]stell.& ..... vxor eius silia Iohannis Oldcastell qui obijt .....
Pray for the sowle of
Ioane Keriell,
Ioane Keriell.
Ye frends all that forth ypasse;
In endlesse lyff perpetuall;
That god it grant mercy and grase,
Roger Clitherow her fader was.
Tho erth to erth of kynd returne,
Pray that her sowle to lyff may come.
The name of
Kiriell hath beene of great note and antiquity within this County:
Stow. Annal. Sir
Nicholas Kiriell flourished in the raigne of King
Richard the second, and Sir
Thomas Kiriell beheaded with the Lord
Bouvile the day after the second battell at Saint
Albons, in the raigne of King
Henry the sixth: or slaine in the battell according to
Iohn Harding.
In this Church are some ancient Monuments (but now without Inscriptions) erected to the memory of the
Philipots, or
Philpots, a familie which hath resided here a long time at Vpton Court, within this Parish; of which name and family was that renowned Lord Maior of London,
Sir
Iohn Philpot. knight, Lord Maior of London.Stow. Annal. Sir
Iohn Philpot, knighted in the field by King
Richard the second, together with Sir
William Wallworth, then Maior, and other Aldermen, for the good seruice they performed against
Watt Tylar and his complices, Rebels of Kent and Essex. This Sir
Iohn gaue to the City certaine lands for the finding of thirteene poore people for euer.
Stow. Suruay. It is likewise remembred of him, to his eternall honour, that
Ann. 2.
R. 2. he manned forth a Fleete, at his owne charges, to scoure the narrow Seas of such Scottish, French, and Spanish Pyrats, as had done much villany by their often incursions, to many of our English Ports▪ and Harbours; with which he not onely guarded both water and Land from their intollerable violences, but also tooke their prime Captaine,
Speed. Hist. 22.
Ric. 1▪ one
Iohn Mercer a Scot, with all his whole Nauie, consisting of fifteene Spanish ships, all being fraught with very rich commodities. Which memorable atchieuement, as it was right worthily applauded,
The Walsingham in vita Ric. 1. extolled, and admired of all the faithfull Commonaltie; so was it most wrongfully vnderualued, enuied, and drawne into question by some of the slothfull Nobilitie.
Ikham.
Sir
Thomas Ba knight.In this Church I saw an old Monument, vpon which onely these words are remaining:
Hic ..... Ba miles. And in the window vnder his armes in an old character written,
Thomas de Ba. Of which short surname I finde nothing related in writing, nor deliuered by word of mouth, either short or long.
Chiselherst.
Here is the buriall place of the
Walsinghams.
Monkton in the Isle of Tenet. At the West end of this Church are these verses to be read:
Insula rotunda Thanatos quam circuit vnda.
Fertilis & munda, nulli est in orbe secunda.
The Isle of Thanet which is round, and watered round about,
Doth passe the Isles in fruitfulnesse, that be the world throughout.
Wingham.
Wingham Colledge.Lamb peramb.Here sometime stood a Collegiate Church founded by
Iohn Peckham, Archbishop of Canterbury, about the yeare 1287. wherein hee placed Canons
[Page 267] regular, valued at the time of suppression, at fourescore and foure pounds of yearely reuenues.
Knowlton.
In this Church are buried some of
Ringleis, [...] one of them kneeling in compleate armour, his armes fixed on the Monument. It seemeth the
Langleys who liued here a long time, did either found or reedifie this Church: their armes being fixed ouer the doore vpon the fount, and in the windowes.
Monkton.
Blechendens
[...].
In this Church are buried the
Blechendens, and
Crisps, families of good respect in this County.
Saint
Laurence Church.
Here lieth
Tho. S.
Nicholas,Tho. S.
[...] and
Ioane [...] wife. who married
Ioane Manston .... dyed .... had issue
Tho. S.
Nicholas here entombed.
Roger Manston & Iulian sa Femme gisoinct icy,
Dieu de salmes eyt mercy. Amen.
These
Manstons dwelt at Manston, neare to this Parish, and seeme to be the founders of this Chappell, wherein many of the name lie entombed.
Barham Church.
Albina la Femme Rogeri Digge gist icy
Albina
the wife of [...].
Dieu de salme eit mercy. Amen.
In cineres stratus iacet hic Iohn Digge vocitatus
Iohn Digge
[...] Ioane
his wife.
Coniuge ..... grata Iohanna consociata.
Milicie nata, de stirpe suit memorata
Spiritibus quorum faueat Deus ipse Deorum,
....pax solamen reminiscunt verius:
Sir Iohn Digge
knight, and Ioane
his wife.
Amen.
Iohannes humilis pius & prudens tumulatus,
Marmore tantillo, qui solet esse potens.
Qui quinquagenos & tres perdit simul annos,
Nonis Decembris, vt cadit iste bonus.
Post anno quinto, sequitur sua sponsa Iohanna,
In festo magni Martyris alta petens.
Coniugium faciens iunxisti corpora quondam,
Christe, suas animas sac tibi celicolas.
This family for many descents, euen to these our dayes, hath beene of exemplarie note, and great respect in this countrey.
Douer.
In the Church within the Castle,
Sir Robert Ashton
knight, Lord Warden lyeth a knight, whose pourtraiture is inlaid with brasse vpon a marble stone, with this Inscription.
Hic iacet Robertus Asheton myles quondam Constabularius Castri Douorie, et custos quinque Portuum, qui obijt nono die Ianuar. Anno Domini millesimo
[Page 268] CCC. octogesimo quarto, cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen. Such was his patent for his office of Constable, and Lord Warden of the fiue ports.
[...]Rex omnibus, &c. Salutem. Concessimus post sursum reddicionem, Sol mundi comitis Cantabr. dilecto et fideli nostro Roberto de Ashton, Constabulariam Castri Douor, ac custodiam quinque Portuum, habend. et custodiend. cum omnibus et singulis, ad easdem Constabulariam et custodiam, qualitercunque spectantibus, siue pertinentibus, ad totam vitam ipsius Roberti, adeo plene et integre, sicut aliqui alij Constabularij, et custodes portuum eorundem Constabul. et custod. illas ante hec tempora ex concessione nostra habuerunt, seu tenuerunt. Percipi
[...]nd. pro Constabular. et custodia predictis, pro sustentacione sua nec non Capellanorum seruientium, et vigilium, ac vnius Carpentarij in dicto Castro Commorantium. CCC. l. per annum, iuxta ratam temporis: videlicet de Wardis. T. R. apud Westm. 1.
Feb. Ann. 4.
R. Re. Ric. 2.
pat. 2.
Memb. 28.
The rest of his offices and honours heaped vpon him at seuerall times; are likewise recorded in the Tower. Of which so much as tends to the purpose, I meane to the time and place of his preferments.
Admirall of a
[...]:First,
Robertus de Assheton constituitur Admirallus Flote nauium ab ore aque Thamasis versus partes occidentales quamdiu Regi placuerit, &c. Teste R. apud Westm. 28.
April. 1.
par. Pat. Ann. 43.
Ed. 3.
m. 15.
Chiefe Iustice of Ireland.Againe,
Robertus de Assheton constituitur Iusticiarius Hibernie, quandiu, &c. T. R. apud W. 13.
Aug. 2.
P. pat. Ann. 46.
Ed. 3.
M. 16.
Lord TreasurerRobertus de Assheton habet officium Thesaurarij Scaccarij, quamdiu, &c. T. R. apud W. 26.
Sept. 2.
P. pat. Ann. 49.
Ed. 3
m. 23.
Executor to K.
Edward the third.He was also one of the Executours to the last Will and Testament of king
Edward the third, as appeares in the Office.
He was descended from the
Asshetons, of Assheton vnderline, in the County of Lancaster, as I finde it in the pedegree of Sir
Ralph Assheton of Whalley, Baronet; descended from the same familie.
He gaue the great Bell of the Church within Douer Dastle, as appeares by this Inscription, cast in the mettall, about the circumference of the same.
Dominus Robertus de Ashetone miles me fecit fieri, Anno quarto Richardi secundi.
Foundation of the Castle Church.Lamb. peramb.Lucius, the first christened king of the Britaines, built this Church, to the name and seruice of Christ, endowing it with the Toll or custome of Douer.
The Priory of S.
Martins, or Gods-house in Douer.Eadbald, the sonne of
Ethelbert, king of Kent, to expiate his foule sinnes of incest, and infidelity, amongst other his pious actions, erected a Colledge within the walls of this Castle, which
Wightred (a successour of his) remoued into the Towne: stored it with two and twenty Chanons, and dedicated it to the name of Saint
Martine,Regist. eccl.
[...] in bib. Cot.Ann. 725. Which house was afterward new builded by king
Henry the first, or rather by
William Corbeil Archbishop, as I coniecture by these words:
Nouum opus Sancti Martini incipitur à Wilhelmo Corbuil, Ann. 1132. wherein
Theobald the successour of
Corbeil placed Benedictine Monks, and called it the new Worke at Douer, and was surrendred 16. Nouemb. 27.
Hen. 8. the value of this
[Page 269] foundation was yearely 232. l. 10. s. 5. d. ob. and was surrendred, 26. Nouemb. 27.
H. 8.
Henry the third,
[...] king of England, here founded an Hospitall for the Knights Templers, which he called,
Maison de Dieu, or Gods house: Valued at 159. l. 18. s. 6. d. ob. q.
per annum, at the dissolution.
Not farre from this Towne was a little Monastery called,
S.
[...] St.
Radegunds, on the hill, valued at 98. l. by yeare: founded by
Hugh the first Abbot of Saint
Austins.
Herne.
Hic iacet Anto. Louerick. Armig. et Constantia vxor eius, [...]qui obijt 10
Octob. 1511.
Hic iacet corpus Christiane dudum vxoris Mathei Philips Aurisab
[...], [...] Lond.Stow.
[...]ac Maioris Londinensis que obijt .... 1470.
pro cuius anime salute veluis Deum orare.
This Lord Maior was made knight of the Bath at the coronation of
Elizabeth, wife of king
Edward the fourth, together with Sir
Raph Ioccline, and Sir
Henry Weeuer, and after that with other Aldermen, was knighted in the field,
Ann. 1471.
Hic iacet Wilhelmus Fineux sil. et heres Iohannis Fineux,William
[...] the sonne of Iudge
Fineuxmilitis, qui obijt Regis Henrici 7. Others of that name lye here entombed, but without any inscription to preserue their memorie.
Braborne.
Hic iacet Wilhelmus Scot de Braborne A
[...]. qui obijt 5.
Febr. 1433.
cuius anime.Wil
[...]iam
Sis testis Christe quod non tacet hic Lapis iste
Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur.
Quisquis eris qui transieris sic perlege plora
Sum quod eris sucramque quod es pro me precor ora.
Hic iacet magnificus ac insignis miles Iohannes Scot quondam Regis domus,Sir
[...] the controuler of
[...]inuictissimi Principis Edwardi quarti, Controll. et nobilissima integerrimaque Agnes vxor eius. Qui quidem Iohannes obijt Ann. 1485.
die mens. Octob. 17.
This Sir
Iohn Scot was also of the priuy Councell, and knight Marshall of Caleis,
[...] who with others was sent vpon an Embasie,
Ann. Reg. Ed. 4.12. to the Dukes of Burgundy and Britaine, to bring backe againe the Earles of Pembroke, and Richmund, whose escape did much perplexe their kings suspitious thoughts.
Iohannes Scot miles cum CC. soldariis ex mandato Domini Regis apud Sandwicum pro salua custodia eiusdem inter Bund. Indent. de Guerra apud pelles. West.
Hic ... Wilhelmus Scot myles,Sir
William Scot knight.
Hollinshed.ob. 1350.
I take this man to be that
William Scot, who with others of eminent degree and qualitie, was knighted by
Edward the third, the tenth of his raigne vpon the creation of
Edward his sonne Earle of Chester, and Duke of Cornwall.
Of your ... Dame
Elisabeth Poynings,Elisabeth Lady
Poynings. late wife of Sir
Edward Poynings[Page 270] which Dame
Elisabeth deceased, Aug. 12. 1524.
Camden in KentThis
Elisabeth was the daughter of Sir
Iohn Scot, of
Scots Hall, where the family of these
Scots haue so long flourished in worshipfull estimation.
Is
[...]bell
Ladie [...].
Hac necis in cella iacet hic prudens Isabella
Que nulli nocuit, sed Domino placuit.
Sponsa fuit fata venerabilis, et peramata,
Clifton Geruasij militis egregij.
Ante fuit dicta Wilhelmi Scotti relicta,
Harbard vocata, vel Fynche certe scies.
Dicitur hic alias .... mille quater centum,
Petit L. cum septem ..., monumentum.
Nouembris deca bis hijs numerando dabis.
Ioane
the wife of Io. Digges.
Geruasium Clifton istam genuisse Iohannam;
Sta lege cui Iohn Digge sociatus erat.
Morte .... cadit corpus, sequitur cito mater.
Filia preuenit hanc cui solet esse sequax.
Christetuas famulas fac post te scandere celos,
Et post coniugia regna tenere tua.
Dionisia Finch. Vincent Harbard alias F
[...]nch
in the genealogie of the [...]of Nedde. fel
[...].
Subiacet hac Petra Dionisia nunc caro tetra;
Que fuerat nata Fynche aut Harbard vocitata;
Vincent Armigeri: cui parce Iesu mulieri.
Dormit non moritur licet hic terra sepelitur.
Qui bene pensetur qui credit non morietur
Anno milleno C. quater .... cape pleno
Bis quater appone .... celi iunge corone
..........
Cui sit saluamen Deus omnipotens precor. Amen.
Hic iacet expertus sub marmore miles opertus
Sir Robert Gower
knight
Gower Robertus anime sis Christe misertus.
From this familie
Iohn Gower the Poet was descended.
Pashley.One of the
Pasheleis lyeth here interred, the Lord of Halle and Mote in Sussex. From whom the Scots deriue a descent.
Ioane Pashley in the window.Iohanna Pashlee filia Iohannis de sole secunda vxor Edmundi Pashlee.
Folkston.
[...]mmati
[...]n of the
[...] at
[...]ol
[...]ton.A Towne famous in times past, and much frequented by the English Saxons for religion sake, by reason of a Monastery, which
Eauswide the daughter of
Eadbald, king of Kent, erected for religious women; of which, she became the first Prioresse. She dedicated her Church to the honour of Saint
Peter, and replenished her house with blacke Nunnes: she continued herein Abbesse a long time,
[...]. and so dyed a vailed Virgin, about the yeare 673. This foundation was long ago swallowed vp with the sea; and another built by
Iohn Segraue, [...]. and
Iulian his wife, the daughter and heire of
Iohn Sandwich, who was Lord of this Towne, together with
Iohn Clinton, in the raigne of king
Henry the third, who consecrated this their holy fabricke
[Page] to the honour of Saint
Peter, and S.
Eauswid. Whose reliques they translated, into their new built Church; there they were gloriously en
[...]rined, and she honoured for a Saint. Of whom the credulous common people did report many strange wonders: As that shee lengthened a bean
[...] of this her religious building three foot, when the Carpenters (missing their measure) had made it so much too short: That shee haled and drew water ouer the hills against nature:
[...] That shee forbad certaine rauenous birds the countrey, which before did much hurt thereabouts: That she restored the blinde, cast out the deuill, and healed innumerable folkes of their infirmities. And therefore after her death, she was by the policie of the Church of Rome, and the Popish Priests, canonized; and by the folly of the common people (saith
Lambard) honoured for a Saint.
[...]
And no maruell at all (saith hee) for it was vsuall amongst the Clergiemen in those dayes, not onely to magnifie their Benefactours of all sorts; but to deifie also so many of them (at the least) as were of noble parentage, knowing that thereby triple commoditie ensued; the first, for as much as by that meanes they assured many great Personages vnto them: secondly, they drew (by the awe of their example) infinite numbers of the common people after them: and lastly, they aduentured the more boldly (vnder those honourable and glorious names and titles) to publish their fained miracles. And this surely was the cause that
Sexburga in Shepie,
Mildred in Tanet,
Etheldred at Elye,
Edith at Wilton, and sundrie other such women of royall bloud in each quarter, were canonized Saints: for generally the Religious of those times were as thankfull to their Benefactours, as euer were the heathen nations to their first Kings and Founders. The one for sanctifying such as did either build them houses, or deuise them Orders; and the other deifying such, as had made them Cities, or prescribed them lawes and gouernment.
This was it that made
Saturne, Hercules, Romulus, and others moe, to haue place (in common opinion) with the Gods aboue the starres: and this caused
Dunstan, Edgar, Ethelwold, and others, first to bee shrined here in earth, and then to sit amongst the Saints in heauen. This Nunnery was valued at the fatall ouerthrow of all such edifices, at 63. l. 7. s.
per annum. It was surrendred 15. Nouemb. 27.
H. 8.
Lidde.
In this Church are the pictures of a man and his wife, inlayed in brasse vpon a goodly Monument: thus inscribed.
Hic iacet Thomas Godfray quondam de veteri Rumney qui obijt 5.
dic mens. Aug. Ann. Dom. 1430. a familie of knights,
[...]o. Godfra
[...] not farre from I
[...]dde, and neare vnto Stonend. In the beach is to bee seene an heape of great stones,
[...] which the neighbour inhabitants call S.
Crispins, and
Crispinians Tombe, whom they report to haue beene cast vpon this Shore by shipwracke, and from hence called into the glorious company of Saints. Looke
Iacobus de voragine, in the Legend of their liues, and you may beleeue (perhaps) as much as is here spoken: they were Shoomakers, and suffered martyrdome the tenth of the Kalends of Nouember. Which day is kept
[Page] holiday,
[...] to this day, by all our Shoomakers in London and elsewhere.
Begebury.
Hic iacet Iohannes filius Iohannis Begebure qui obijt die Sancti Bri
[...]ij, Ann. Dom. 1424.
This
Iohn was the last
Begebury of this house, whose daughter and heire was married to
Culpepper.
[...]Orate pro animabus Walteri Culpeper Ar. et Agnetis vxoris sue qui quidem Walterus erat filius Thome Culpeper militis, et predicta Agnes erat filia Edmundi Robar iuxta Cantuar. et predicta Agnes obiit 2.
die Decemb. Ann. Dom. 1457.
et predictus Walt. obiit 24.
Nouemb. 1462.
quorum animabus.
Sir
Iohn Cul
[...]peper kni
[...]ht, and
Agnes his wi
[...].Orate ... Iohannis Culpeper militis, et Agnes vxor eius qui quidem Iohannes obiit 22.
Decemb. 1480.
quorum.
Sir
Thomas Culpeper is remembred in our English Chronicles, for siding with
Thomas the great Earle of Lancaster, against his Soueraigne Lord King
Edward the second: and
Thomas Culpeper a gentlemen of the priuie-Chamber, is not forgotten, for being ouer familiar with his Lord and Master King
Henry the eighth: the one hanged, drawne, and quartered at Winchelsey, the other beheaded at Tyborne. The place fatall to both was Pontefract:
[...]den in Rut. a familie of exemplarie note, both here and sometime in the County of Rutland, by the marriage of Sir
Tho. Colepeper knight, to
Eleanor daughter and heire of
Nicholas Greene of Rutlandshire. The Church of Hed
[...]orne sounded by one of the
Culpepers.
[...]uechurch.
[...]Orate pro anima Henrici Atte Capella militis, et Iacobi Atte Capella militis: in fenestra. Now
Capells, an ancient name and familie in old Latine records written,
De Capella.
The Priory neare Rumney.
[...]The Priory of Regular Canons neare Rumney, was founded by
Iohn Mansell, Prouost of Beuerley, in the yeare that God tooke vpon him the forme of a Seruant, 1257. the 41. of king
Henry the third: of the which foundation,
[...] as also of the Founder, reade if you please these words out of
Mathew Paris. In the same yeare, saith he, Sir
Iohn Mansell Prouost of Beuerley, the Kings Chaplaine, and of his especiall Councell, a man prudent, circumspect, and rich, wisely considering, that the fauour of a king is not hereditarie, nor the prosperitie of the world alwayes permanent: founded a Religious house of Regular Canons, neare by Rumney, two miles from the sea, and endowed it with very ample reuenues, which he replenished with Canons, by the example of
Peter Chareport: who, as hee was enformed, not many dayes before, had piously and prosperously founded an house of the same order, that so passing by temporall goods, they might not loose eternall.
A Priory likewise built by the said
Iohn Maunsell,The P
[...]io
[...]y of
[...]. for King
Henry the third, and
Eleanor his wife, and dedicated to the blessed Virgine
Mary, wherein he placed blacke Canons; which was valued amongst the rest of the suppressed houses, at 8. l. 1. s. 6. d. of yearely commings in. This house was surrendred 19. Ianuar. 36.
H
[...]n. 8.
But to proceed a little further with this
Iohn Maunsell,Iohn Ma
[...]s
[...] p
[...]efe
[...]men
[...]s. his Ecclesiasticall and Temporall dignities; who besides being Prouost of Beuerley, was Treasurer of Yorke, Parson of Maidstone, in this County, and Parson of Wigan in Lanchishire, to whom king
Henry the third did grant that his Towne of Wigan should be a Burrow. Hee was chiefe Iustice of England, one of the priuie Councell to the said King,
[...] his Chaplaine, his Embassador into Spaine, a worthy Souldier,
In armis strenuus, & animo imperterritus. who with his owne hands, in a battell betwixt the English and the French, neare to Tailborge in France,
Hollins. An 1241. tooke Prisoner one
Peter Orige, a gentleman of eminent place and qualitie: He was crossed to go to Ierusalem. He feasted at his house in Tole-hill field, at one time, two kings, two Queenes, with their dependances, 700. messe of meate scarce seruing for the first dinner. About the 31. yeare of King
Henry the third, at the instance of the said king, he was first made keeper of the great Seale, as Vicechancellour. For, saith
Paris,Paris
[...]hinne.Custodiam Sigilli regij accepit Cancellarij vices acturus et officium: and afterwards Lord keeper in plenarie office and authoritie; yet for all this glorious pompe, and great promotions, I finde his end to be poore, wretched, and miserable, beyond Seas; but I finde no place of his death nor buriall:
Anon. in bib. Cott of all which, may it please you to reade thus much out of an old Manuscript in the fame language it was to me deliuered.
Ann. 1268.
obijt Iohannes Mansel in partibus transmarinis,Mansels death in
[...].
Ex Epit
[...]m. R
[...]geri Houeden, in
bib. Co
[...].in paupertate, et dolore maximo. Hic miser tot obtentus Ecclesiasticos habuit vt annuatim ex illis XVIII. millia Marcarum poterat expendere, vnde maiores Episco. Anglie recusauit, tum quia in pluralitate permultarum preditissimarum Ecclesiarū habundauit, tum quia lubricus erat. Hic ait de vna Ecclesia modici census,A Benefice for Dogges mea
[...]scilicet 20.
librarum. Ad canes nostros valet ista Ecclesia innuens per hoc, quod surfures, et farina, et alia canibus necessaria, ex prouentu istius Ecclesie deberent comparari: Hic autem cum essetEarle of Lei
[...]cester.
Mansel the cause of the warres betweene
Hen
[...]y the third and his Barons.Simonis aduersarius (scilicet Mounteforti) et consiliarius precipuus, suaset Regi vt iuramentum quod fecerat cum Baronibus, pro fidelitate Anglie seruanda omnino dimitteret, factumque est ita. Mittitur igitur ad curiam summi Pontificis pro absolutione petenda, ne Rex teneretur prestito Baronibus iuramento, obtinuitque mox regia supplicatio absolutionem petitam, vnde bellum de quo dictum est accepit, post illius absolutionis obtentum, &c.
Of this man so many times double beneficed,
Paris
[...]n 1252Mathew Paris doth thus descant.
Admirabantur autem cum stupore, qui ea quae Dei sunt sapiunt, hominem tam circumspectum,Charge of soules.tot animarum curam suscepisse non formidare, cum de omnibus coram summo Iudice, vt reddat rationem sihi se constiterit obligatum, sed vt verificetur. Multi multa sciunt seipsos penitus nescientes.
I haue seene a pedigree of the
Mansels, from
Philip de Mansel, who came in with the Conquerour, vntill these our times. Of this name and familie is that orthodoxall sound Diuine, and worthy Master of Queenes Colledge
[Page 274] in Cambridge,
Iohn Mansel, Doctor of Diuinitie, and a generall Scholler in all good literature.
Boughton vnder
Bleane.
[...]Orate pro anima Iohannis Colkin Ar▪ obijt
18. April
1405.
[...] Culkin
and [...]his wifeOrate pro anima Willelmi Colkin de Colkin et pro anima Agnetis vxoris eius, qui obierunt,
1460.
[...]and Ioane
his wife.Pray for the soule of Iohn Best
and Ioane
his wife, who deceased the 20. day of Iuly, 1408.
Swynfeeld.
A free S
[...]oleHere was a religious foundation called a Preceptorie. I should thinke it to haue beene a free-Schoole, howsoeuer her allowance is very large and Colledge-like: for her yearely reuenues did amount to 87. l. 3. s. 3. d. ob. according to the pricement at the suppression. Who should bee the Founder, I cannot finde.
Here is an ancient faire Monument, whereon the portraiture of an armed knight crosse legged is to bee seene, and onely
Hic iacet of an Inscription, tbe rest gone.
[...], and
[...] his sonne.Orate pro anima Willelmi Tonge, et Iohannis filij eius, qui hanc fenestrum fieri fecerunt.
Shelwich.
Sir
[...] knight, and Dennis
his wife.Hic iacet Dominus Richardus Atte-Leese milesac, domina Dionisia vx. eius qui quidem Richardus obii
[...], Ann.
1394.
Vpon an old Tombe, and in as old a character, these words:
Ric. L
[...]e to CelyIci gist Richard Lisla.
Hic iacet Iohannes Cely Ar. et Isabella vx. qui ob.
19. Octob.
1426.
[...]enal
[...] Deyre
Re
[...]ald de Deyre gist icy
Dien de salme eit mercy.
Wye.
Foundation of the Colledge o
[...] [...]The ruines of a Collegiate Church are here yet still to be seene; first built by
Iohn Kempe Archbishop of Canterbury, borne in this Towne; the sonne of
Thomas Kempe, and
Beatrice his wife, who were fairely entombed in this their sonnes foundation, with this Epitaph.
The Kempe and
Beatrice his wife.
Hic sistunt ossa Thome Kempe marmore fossa,
Cuius opus pronum se probat esse bonum.
Dum vixit letus, fuit, & bonitate repletus,
Munificus viguit, pauperibus tribuit.
Iungitur huic satrix virtutum sponsa Beatrix,
Que partitur opes, sponte iuuans inopes.
Ex his processit vt ramus ab arbore crescit,
Cleri Presidium, Dux sapiens ouium.
[Page 275]Christo Lectoris mens cunctis supplicet horis,
Vt Patris Deitas luminet has animas.
In this Colledge he placed secular Priests, to attend diuine Seruice, and to instruct the youth of the Parish, in Grammar, and other learning, according to his foundation, the gouernour of the Colledge was called a Prebendary. It was begun and finished in the raigne of King
Henry the sixth. The value of it at the suppression was, 93. l. 2. s. 6. ob.
per annum. There was (saith
Lambard) a Colledge in this place,
Lamb. peramb. wherein
Edward the second held the solemnitie of a whole Christmas.
Iohn Andrew a Pilgrime.
Hic iacet Iohn Andrew iustus Palmerque venustus.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Ashford.
Here is likewise a Collegiate Church of Priests founded by Sir
Ro. Fogge knight,
Foundation of the Colledge of
Ashford. wherein many of that ancient and noble Familie lye interred; there hang in the Quire the Achieuements of sixe of them that haue had their funerall obsequies (an honour to the dead now most shamefully neglected) attended with Heralds of Armes. But that which presenteth the greatest glory and antiquitie to this Church, is the Monument of the Countesse of Atholl in Scotland: whose Epitaph in old French, as also the Banners in her hands, shew her to be the daughter of the Lord
Ferrers.
Icy gist Elizabeth Comite D'athels la File Sign. de Ferrers .... Dieu asoil.Elisabeth Countesse of
Atholl.Que morust le 22.
iour D'october L'an de Grace, M.CCC.LXXV.
She was wife to
Dauid de Strabolgie, the fourth of that Christian name, Earle of Atholl, and the daughter of
Henry Lord
Ferrers of Groby, and being secondly married to
Iohn Maleweyn of this County, here dyed in this Towne.
Here lyeth Sir
Francis Fogge, who flourished
tempore Hen. 2. Sir
Anthony Fogge, a knight of the Rodes. Sir
Iohn, and Sir
Iohn Fogge with many more of the family.
Here are many goodly pourtraitures in the windowes. As of
Edward the third, of the blacke Prince,
Richard Duke of Glocester,
Richard Earle
Riuers, the Lord
Hastings, the Lord
Scales, Sir
William Hawte, Valoins, and his two wiues, the first the daughter of
Hawte, the second of
Fogge.
Feuersham.
The funerall Monuments of this Church are more carefully preserued, then in any other (that I haue seene) in all Kent.
Diligunt decorem Domus Domini.
Hic probus,
Semane Tong,
Baron of the fiue ports.
et dignus, vir honestus, amans, que benignus,
Vt vere scitur Semanus Tong sepelitur.
Hic vir oportunus, Baro de portubus vnus,
In Thrughleigh natus suit, in Feuershamque moratus.
Mortuus ipse die celsa fuit Epiphanie.
Anno milleno C. quater, quarto quoque deno,
[Page 276]Huius Semani sucrant quadraginta bis anni
Tempus in hac vita; sibi celica sit via scita. Amen.
Io.
[...] and his wife.Orate pro animabus Iohannis Wigmore gen. quondam de Grayes Inn.... Consortis sue & omnium filiarum, & Richardi filij, qui ob. Octob. 23.
Ann. 1492.
Viue memor Lethi.
Wil. Norton and
Elisabeth his wife.Hic iacet Willelmus Norton istius ville de Feuersham Ar. & Elisab. vx. or eius
[...]ilia Marci Hussey Ar. qui quidem Willelmus fuit istius ville ter Maior et obijt April 27. 1468.
Will. Thorne.
Hic iacet electus Willelmus Thorne, bene tectus,
Marmore deiectus heu mortis vi quoque rectus.
Aprilis dena luce cessit ab hacque Calendas
Anno milleno quatuor cent. bis quater addas,
Ex istis
[...]inis vicenis rexit & annis.
Cuius nos anime rogitemus cuncti potentem,
Vt precibus nostris nunc miserere velit.
Richard Norton and
Ioane his wife.Orate.:. Richardi gen. filii Willelmi Norton, Ar. et Iohanne consortis
[...]ue ac matris sue Elizabethe qui quidem Richardus suit istius ville Maior, ob. Decemb. 10. 1500.
Iohn
[...]st.Hic iacet Iohannes Rust Capellanus .... 1464.
Es testes Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste,
Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur.
Hem tu qui transis, magnus, medius, puer ansis
Pro me funde preces quia sic mihi fit venie spes.
Thomas Read.Hic iacet Iohannes Read sexies Maior istius ville de Feuersham qui obiit .... 1503.
Vermibus hic donor et sic discedere conor
Qualiter hic ponor ponitur omnis honor.
William Vpton.Hic iacet Willelmus Vpton; qui ob. Ian. 2. 1432.
Cuius.
Hic iacet Henricus Par Ar. qui obiit in crastino Annunciacionis beate Marie. Ann. 1419.
Vermibus hic esca iaceo, quam tu tibi sortem
Qui legis expecta, neque fas tibi fallere mortem.
Agnes FeuershamHic iacet Agneta vxor Iohannis Feuersham que obiit 16.
Septemb. 1427.
William Leedes.Hic iacet Willelmus Leedes qui obiit die Sabbati ante festum omnium Sanctorum. Ann. 1419.
Cuius anime propitietur altissimus.
Henry Hatcher and
Ioane his wife.Here lyeth
Henry Hatcher Merchant aduenturer, and
Ione his wife.... 1500.
Christopherus iacet hic Anna cum coniuge Finchus.
Richard Colwell.
Who so him bethoft inwardly and oft
How hard it were to flit from bed vnto the pitt,
From pitt vnto peyne, that nere shal cease certeyne
He wold not doe one sinn, all the world to winn.
These rimes are faire inlaid in brasse vpon a marble stone with this Inscription
[Page 277] following about the Verge.
Hic iacet Richardus Colwel quondam Maior istius ville de Feuersham, qui obiit .... 1533. And at euery corner of the stone this word
Col, with the liuely forme of a well,
Camden Remaine
[...]. expressing his name of
Colwell. An vsuall fashion in former times fetched from the French, which they call
rebus, or name-deuises: examples of the same are frequent.
Neare to this Church sometime stood that goodly Abbey,
Foundation of Feuers
[...]am Abbey. founded by
Stephen king of England, grandchilde to the Conquerour, dedicated to Saint
Sauiour, replenished with blacke Monkes of
Cluni; valued at the suppression to be well worth (according to the fauourable rate of such endowments in those dayes) 286. l. 12. s. 6. d. ob. yearely, such was the charter of his donation.
Stephanus Rex,Ex Arch Turris London.&c. Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, &c. salutem. Sciatis me pro salute anime mee, & Matildis Regine vxoris mee, & Eustachij filij mei, & aliorum puerorum meorum, & antecessorum Regum Anglie dedisse, &c. Manerium meum de Fauresham ad fundand. Abbatiam vnam ibidem ae ordine Monachorum Cluniacensium, &c.
Sciatis etiam quod dedimus ego et Matildis Regina mea Willelmo de Ipra, in Escambium pro eodem Manerio de Fauresham. Lillechire cum pertinencijs suis de hereditate Regine. Teste H. Episcopo Winton. fratre meo, Rogero Episcopo de London Richardo de Lucy, Hen. de Essex, &c.
This king died at Douer,
The death and buriall of King
Stephen. of an Iliack passion, mixed with his old disease, the Emrods, Octob. 25. 1154. hauing raigned 18. yeares, ten moneths, and odde dayes: and was buried in this Church of his owne foundation. Of which heare these ancient rimes.
Aftur king Harry euyn,
Addition to Rob. Gloc.
[...].
Then regnyd king Stevyn
The Erlys son Bloys he was truly:
He wedded Mold the doghter of Mary.
A good man he was bedeme,
I trow king Harry was his Eme;
He regnyd here XUIII yere
And to Feuersham in Kent men him bere
He deyed without issue truly,
Then regnyd his cosin Harry.
Stephen was a most worthy Souldier (saith one) and wanted nothing to haue made him an excellent king,
Paris An. 1154 but a iust title, but that was wanting.
The whiche he found,
Harding c. 12
[...].
whyles he was liuing so,
And reigned here, in much trouble and wo.
And had this Realme without any ryght,
Fro th'emprise
Maude that faire Lady bryght.
And this was the cause that he was driuen (perforce) to defend his vsur
[...]ped authoritie by the sword, which must needs procure him the hatred of many, who thus speake of him in old English:
King Stephen his luthenesse withdrew yers a fewe,
Rob. Glocest.
But er Uyer were goo he ganne to wex a shrewe.
[Page 278]For he wende aboute and robbyd the lond, and to grownd broght,
Then the toune of Wyrcester he brent all to noght.
S. Daniel.But to conclude with the words of a late writer. This
Stephen was a man so continually in motion (saith he) that we cannot take his dimension, but onely in passing, and that but on one side which was warre: on the other, we neuer saw but a glaunce on him, which yet for the most part, was such as shewed him to be a very worthy Prince for the gouernment. Hee kept his word with the State,
No subsidies in K
Stephens time concerning the relieuement of Tributes, and neuer had Subsidy that we finde.
But which is more remarkable, hauing his sword continually out, and so many defections, and rebellions against him, hee neuer put any great man to death. Besides it is noted, that notwithstanding all these miseries of war, there were more Abbeyes built in his raigne, then in an 100. yeares before: which shewes though the times were bad, they were not impious; the king himselfe being
mente piissimus, [...] [...]omp.
[...] in bib. Cot. Sp
[...]d. as he was
miles egregius.
His body rested here in quietnesse vntill the dissolution, when for the gaine of the lead wherein it was encoffined, it was taken vp and throwne into the next water. So vncertaine is man, yea greatest Princes, of any rest in this world, euen after buriall.
Maud the wife of K
StephenHere sometime likewise lay interred
Maud his wife, the daughter of
Eustace, Earle of Bulloigne, the brother of
Godfrey, and
Baldwin of Bulloigne, kings of Ierusalem, by her mother
Mary, sister to
Maud, Queene of England, wife of
Henry her predecessour, who dyed at Heueningham Castle in Essex, the third of May, 1151. Whose Epitaph I found in a namelesse Manuscript.
In bib. Cot.
Anno milleno C. quinquagenoque primo:
Quo sua non minuit, sed sibi nostra tulit.
M
[...]thildis selix coniux Stephani quoque Regis
Occidit, insignis moribus et titulis;
Cultrix vera Dei, cultrix et pauperiei,
Hic subnixa Deo quo frueretur eo.
Femina si qua Polos conscendere queque meretur,
Angelicis manibus diua hec Regina tenetur.
Eustace King
Stephens sonne.Eustace the sonne and heire apparant of
Stephen, and Queene
Maud, liued not long after his mother, for being highly displeased with the agreement betwixt his father, and
Henry Fitzempresse, afterwards king of England, by which he was made hopelesse euer to haue the Crowne as his fathers Successour: in a fury he departed the Court, purposing to raise himselfe by his owne meanes; and so marched along, destroying the countrey alwayes as he went,
[...]. Monk
[...] of Chester. vntill he came to Saint
Edmundsbury; where he was honourably receiued of the Monkes of that Monastery. But hee came not for meat but money: and thereupon (vngratefully) vrged them for a great summe to set forward his heady designes; yet the wiser amongst them, vnwilling to be wagers of new warres (which though ill for all sorts, yet proued euer worst for the Clargie mens possessions) denyed his request. Wherewith e
[...]raged be commanded his owne men to carry their corne and other prouision into his owne Castle,
[...] D
[...]rob. situated hard by. But being set at dinner, the very first
[Page 279] morsell he put into his mouth, draue him into a Frensie, whereof shortly after he dyed.
His death and buriall. His body was brought to this Abbey, and here interred by his mother. His death happened the tenth day of August, 1152. He was married to
Constance sister of
Lewis, the seuenth king of France, daughter of king
Lewis the Grosse, by whom he had no issue. In this Abbey (saith
Robert of Glocester)
is a pece of ye hely croys which Godfrey Boylon forkyndred had sent to king Stephene.Rob. Gloc.
Tunstall.
Hic iacet Margareta filia Iacobi Cromer militis,
Margaret Ri
[...] kill. vxor Iohannis Rycils heredis de Elsingham . . . . qui obiit ...
1496.
Sittingborne.
Here lyeth
Iohn Crowmer Esquire,
Io. Crowmer and
Ioane his wife. and
Ione his wife, who died
Ann. Dom. 1539 .... on whose soules.
A family of knightly descent and ample reuenues,
Will. Crowmer. one of which house, called
William Crowmer Esquire, sonne of Sir
William, Lord Maior of London, high Shiriffe of Kent, in the fury of
Iack Cade, and the Kentish and Essex rebells, was sacrificed at Mile-end, and cut shorter by the head; like as the day before they had serued Sir
Iames Fienes,Sir
Iames Fienes I.o. Treasurer Lord
Say, and
Sele, and Treasurer of England in Cheape-side, whose onely daughter this
Crowmer had married. Whose heads (giue me leaue to go a little further) pitched vpon high poles, were carried by the villaines through the Citie of London, who caused their trunklesse faces (in spight and mockerie) to kisse one the other at euery street-corner, as they marched along in this their damnable triumph, and hellish ouation. Which horrid act was committed the third of Iuly, 1450.
Pray for the soule of
Iohn Septvaus Esquire,
Iohn Septvaus and
Katherine his wife: of the Isle of Thanet, sonne of
Iohn Septvaus, of this Parish, Esquire, and for the soule of
Katherine his wife. Which
Iohn dyed Decemb. 18. 1458.
I was as yee be,
Elisabeth Poodd
now in dust and clay,
Haue mercy on my sowl yat bowght hit with yi bloodde,
For
Elisabeth of Gherite a
Pater-noster say,
Sumtymes I was the wyff of
Edmonde Poodde:
In gratia et miserecordia Iesu hic iacet Iacobus Bourne Ar.... 1400.
Iames Bourne.
Hic iacent Iohannes Garrard et Ioanna vxor eius ob. 1531.
Io. Gerard and
Ioane his wife.
Laurence Gerard and
Tho: his sonne.
Hic iacent Laurentius Garrard qui obiit 1493.
et Tho. Garrard eius filius, qui ob. 1487.
Lenham.
The first thing remarkable that the Sexton of this Church will shew you,Apuldorfeild. Clipeus honoris.is, the Armes of one Apuldorfeild,
which he wonne by his valiant seruice against the Turkes and Sarasins, in the holy Land, tempore R.
1. his chiefe seat was at Linsted.
[Page 278]Glouer, Somerset Herald.Thomas de Apuldorfeild Armig. per cartam suam datam
23. Ed.
3. dedit Willelmo de Linsted diuersas terras & tenementa in Doddington et Linsted.
Valentine Barret
and Sicili
[...]his wife.Hic iacet Valentine Barret Ar. qui obijt Nouemb.
10. 1440. et Cecilia vxor cius que obijt
2. Marcij
1440. quorum animabus.
[...]ll. Maries.Hic iacet Gulielmus Maries honorandus Armiger Hen.
5. deinde Armiger reuerendi in Christo Patris, ac Domini D. Hen. Cardinal. qui obiit vltimo die Aug. Ann.
1459.
Hic iacet Richardus Horne, filius Iohannis Horne, nuper de east Leuham Armig .... ob... Regis, Hen.
6.
Cornu eius exaltabitur.
Chaloke, a Church founded by the
Apuldorfeilds.
In this Church in each window are the armes of
Apuldorfeild: where in their coate armour they are figured.
The Mannor of
Otterpley which since by the
Moiles, came vnto the
Finches, was part of their possessions, as I haue it out of the collection of
Glouer, Somerset Herald.
Ospringe.
In this Church I saw little remarkable. In the Belfray I reade this verse insculpt or cast in the mettall, about the circumference of the Bell.
Hac in conclaue Gabriele tu pange suaue.
Chilham.
Smersoll.Orate Willelmi Smersoll de Smersholl ... et vxor eius, et pro anima Sander, goldsmith.
Neare to this village is a little hillock to be seene, wherein (as the inhabitants doe dreame) one
Iullaber (a Giant or a witch) lieth interred;
Iul-laber. but others of more exact iudgement, do imagine that
Iulius Cesar in his second voyage to this kingdome,
Camd. in Kent. was sharply encountred here by the Britaines, and that, among others, hee lost one
Laberius Durus, a Marshall of the field, who was the man here buried: and that from him this hillock became to be named
Iul-laber.
Tenham.
Io. Frogenhall. Will. Mareys, Ioane
and Ioane
his wife.Hic iacet Iohannes Frogenhall Ar. qui ob.
11. Nouemb.
1444.
Orate pro anima Willelmi Mareys Ioanne et Ioanne vxorum eius.
Vpchurch.
Woodokes.In the wall of this Church, I saw an old Monument, garnished about with Akornes and Oke-leaues, wherein the Parish Clerke told me (as hee had receiued it by tradition from his predecessours) that one
Wood
[...]okes an eminent man in this County should be entombed, which I can neither approue nor contradict.
A Priory,
The Priory
[...]Horton Mon
[...] but by whom founded I cannot reade, dedicated to the honour of Christ and his blessed Apostle S.
Iohn, filled with blacke Monkes
Cluniacks, so called from the sanctimonious puritie of one
Odo, Abbot of
Cluni beyond Seas,
The order
[...] a Benedictine Frier, who liued in the yeare of Grace, 913. This house was valued at the suppression, at 111. l. 16. s. 7. d. ob.
Bobbing.
Orate specialiter .... Alexandri Clifford Ar. et Margarete,
Alex Clifford
and [...]his wife▪ Visit
of Kent. Glouer. vxoris eius .... obijt — die—An.
1400. et Margareta obijt
19 Ian.
1488.
This Alexander,
as appeares by the pedegree, was the sonne of Sir Lewes Clifford
knight, and this Margaret
his wife the daughter of Walter Culpeper.
Orate specialiter pro animabus Arnoldi Sauage militis,
Sir Arnold Sauage
knigh
[...], and Ioane
his wife. qui obijt in vigil. Sancti Andree Apost. Ann.
1410. et Domine Ioanne vxor eius que fuit fil.....
the daughter of Eckingham
by the pedigree.
This Sauage
was the third Constable of Queeneborrow Castle.
Hic iacet Arnoldus Sauage Miles,
Sir Arnold Sa
[...]uage
knight. filius Arnoldi Sauage militis, qui obijt in Festo Natiuitatis beate Marie virginis, Ann. Dom.
1420.
Hic iacet in gratia et miserecordia dei,
Katherine
Lady Sauage. Katherina, que
[...]uit vxor Arnoldi Sauage militis, filia domini Rogeri Scales, que obijt
7. Nouemb.
1437. Cuius, &c.
I shall haue occasion to speake much of the Sauages,
when I come to that honourable familie of the Sauages
of Rock-Sauage,
vpon the Riuer of Weeuer in the County of Chester, whose ancestours lye entombed at Macclefeild in the same Tract.
Bradesoke.
A Monastery of white Canons dedicated to S.
Radegund,Foundation of
Bradesoke Ab
[...]bey. and built by the parents of
Henry de Wingham, Bishop of London, in the raigne of king
Henry the third, valued to be yearely worth 142. l. 8. s. 9. d.
Dauington, or
Daunton.
A Priory of blacke Nunnes,
E
[...] Arch
[...]. of which you may reade in the Record at the Tower,
Carte Antiq. lit. R.R.
Milton Church.
Hic iacet Iohannes Norwood Armig.:.. ob. 1400.
Iohn and
Iohn Norwood. Visit. Kent. Glouer.
Prey for the soule of
Iohn Norwood Esquire... 1496.
This latter
Iohn was Constable of Queeneborrow Castle, the first of
Edward the fourth. This family of the
Norwoods hath for a long time flourished in this County; they had their residence at a mansion of their owne name in this Parish, which is by a daughter and heire deuolued to the
Nortons, gentlemen of good account. Many faire Monuments of both these
[Page 282] families are in this Church, but the Epitaphs are all gone.
Thomas Alefe Esquir and
Margaret hys wyff,
Thomas Alefe and
Margaret his wife.
Ly vndir this playn ston;
God grant hem euirlastyng lyff,
To whom we hop thar gon:
He dyed as her ys to be sine,
On thowsand five hundryd thirty nine.
Who so that for ther sowles will pray,
God giue hem meede at Doomys day.
Sir
Iohn Norton knight, and
Ioane his wife.Pray for the soules of Sir
Iohn Norton, knight, and Dame
Ioane his wife, one of the daughters and heires of
Iohn Norwood Esquire, who dyed Febr. 8. 1534
Stow. Annal.This Sir
Iohn Norton was knighted by a forraine Prince vpon this occasion.
Margaret Duchesse of Sauoy, daughter of
Maximilian the Emperour, and Gouernesse of the Low-countries, for
Charles the young Prince of Castile, sent to king
Henry the eight, earnestly desiring to haue 1500. Archers to aide her against the Duke of Geldres, who did daily infest the young Princes Territories.
Sir
Edward P
[...]ynings. The king granting her request, appointed Sir
Edward Poynings of this County, knight Baneret (a valiant Gentleman, and an expert commander) to be Lieutenant, and leader of these troupes, who with other English Gentlemen vnder his conduction, performed such worthy exploits, as that for them they were highly commended, and Princely entertained at the Court of Burgoigne,
Sir
Iohn Norton Io. Fogge, Iohn Scot, Tho. Lynd, knights of the field. by the said Lady
Margaret, and the Prince of Castile, who at the same time and place, gaue the honor of knighthood to this
Iohn Norton, here entombed, to
Iohn Fogge, Iohn Scot, Thomas Lynde, Gentlemen of this countrey, and Souldiers of eminent performance in that seruice.
Inter Bundel. Indent
[...]e guerra apud pelles.Sampson Norton Armig. cum LXXXVII. sagittarijs in Seruitio Hen. 7.
Eastbridge.
Foundation of the Friary at Eastbridge.An Hospitall founded by king
Henry the first, or rather confirmed by him, and founded by one
Robert Bruce, for
Henry the first gaue for
William his father,
Quicquid Robertus Brus dederat Ecclesie de Esteburch et fratribus, ibidem regularibus, valued at the suppression to bee worth 23. l. 18. s. 6. d. ob. q.
per annum.
Graueney.
Iudge Martyn
and Anne
his wife. Visit. Kent. Iohn Martyn. Ioane Butler.Hic iacet Iohannes Marten Iusticiarius de communi Banco qui ob.
24. Octob.
1436. Et Anna vxor eius.
This Anne
was the daughter of Boteler,
brother to Boteler
Lord Baron of Wenime.
Orate ... Iohannis Martin Ar. qui ob. vltimo Octob.
1479.
Hic iacet Ioanna quondam vxor Iohannis Boteler de Graueney, fuit filia Richardi de Feuersham, quondam domini de Graueney: ob.
3. Nouemb.
1408. 1. Reg. H.
4. Cuius.
Orate ... Tho. Borgeris Ar. qui ob.
22. Nouemb.
1451.
[Page 283].... Pur Dame Iohanne de Feuersham et Ichan son filz.
Ioane Feuersham Tho. Feuersham
and Ioane
his wife.
Thomas Feuersham Iusticiarius, et Ioanna vxor eius.
West Langdon.
Here sometime was a Monastery, but by whom founded I cannot learne;
Found. of the Abbey. dedicated it was to the honour of Saint
Thomas the Martyr, and filled with white Canons premonstrates. Of the yearely value of 56. l. 6. s. 9. d. This house was surrendred 13. Nouemb.
Ann. 27.
Hen. Octaui.
Great Chart.
Orate pro ... Iohannis Toke de Godington in ista Parochia Armig. et Margarete & Anne vx.
Io. Toke, Margaret
and Anne
his wife. Margareta vxor prima erat filia Iohannis Waller de .... Com. Suffol. Anna filia Iohannis Engham de Singleton in ista Parochia: obijt Maij
20. Ann.
1513.Glouer alias SomersetI finde that foure of the Enghams
of Shinglton
succeeding one another as heires, liued 329. yeares, viz. Alen.
79. Richard
79. Robert
85. Moises
86.
Little Chart.
Hic iacet Iohannes filius .... Lancastri Heraldi Regis Armorum,
Lancaster
king of Armes. qui obiit
10. die Iunii An.
1441. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Orate pro animabus Stephani Norton Ar. qui me dedit.▪...
This Norton
was owner of Norton
place in this Parish,Stephen Norton.and a potent man in these parts, who built or repaired this Church as it seemes by the Inscription.
Minster in Shepey.
In this little Island,
Foundation of Minster Nunnery. containing some twenty miles in compasse, are the remaines of a ruinous little Monastery, now called
Minster, built by
Sexburgh the wife of
Ercombert, king of Kent,
Ann. 710. wherein shee placed Nunnes, which was valued at the fatall period of all such foundations, at 129. l. 7. s. 10. d. ob.
per annum. Some part of it is now conuerted into a Parish Church, in which are diuers funerall Monuments, which haue beene remoued (as I conceiue) out of the Chappell adioyning: some of which make a shew of wondrous great antiquitie. One of them is thus inscribed:
Hic iacent Rogerus Norwood,Roger Norwood, and
Bena his wife.et Boon vxor eius sepulti ante Conquestum.
The
Norwoods are a worthy ancient familie I confesse; and may very wel, for any thing that I know, haue flourished before the Conquest, but I am sure that the character of this Inscription is but of later times, making but little shew of any great Antiquitie.
In the most holy name of Iesu prey for ye sowl of
Iohn Soole,Io. Soole and
Margaret his wife. late of ye toun of Feuersham, Maire, and
Margaret his wyff,
Agnes, and
Elisabeth ther dawters, and for the sowls of
Richard Ware, and
Elisabeth fader and moder to the seyd
Margaret his wyff, and for all Christian sowls. The which
Iohn decessyd the day of ye decollation of S.
Iohn Baptist. 1521.
Here I saw some antique Monuments of the
Shurland
[...],Shurland: sometimes Lords
[Page 284] of the Mannor of Shurland, hereunto adioyning: of whom the inhabitants haue many strange relations not worth remembring. Sir
Robert Shurland flourished in the raigne of king
Edward the first.
[...]Hic iacet Dominus Thomas Cheyne inclitissimi ordinis Garterij Miles: Guardianus quinque Portuum, ac Thesaurarius Hospitij, Henrici octaui, ac Edwardi sexti, Regum: Reginaeque Mariae, ac Elisabethae, ac eorum in secretis Consiliarius, qui obijt .... mensis Decembris: Ann. Dom. M.D.LIX. ac Reg. Reginae Elisab. primo.
[...]This Sir
Thomas Cheyne was also Constable of Queene-borough Castle, a strong fortresse in this Isle, pleasant for sight, built by King
Edward the third; to the terrour of his enemies, and solace of his people; vnto which he adioyned a Burgh, and in the honour of
Philip the Queene his wife, called it Queene-borough, as one would say, the Queenes Burgh. This hath beene an office euer thought worthy of many great personages; as appeares by their Catalogue, which I copied out of the Collections of
Glouer, alias Somerset.
[...]Iohn Foxley was the first Constable:
Iohn of
Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the second:
Arnold Sauage knight, the third:
Thomas Arundell, Archbishop of Canterbury, the fourth:
Robert de Veere, Marquesse of Dublin, and Earle of Oxford, the fifth:
Iohn Cornwall, Baron Fanhope, the sixth:
Gilbert Vmfreuill the seuenth:
Will. le Scrope, sonne of the Lord
Scrope, the eighth:
Humphrey, Duke of Buckingham, the ninth:
Iohn Norwood, Esquire, the tenth:
George Duke of Clarence, the eleuenth: Sir
Thomas Wentworth the thirteenth: Sir
William Cheyneie the fourteenth: Sir
Francis Cheyneie the fifteenth: this Sir
Thomas Cheyneie the sixteenth: Sir
Richard Constable the seuenteenth: Sir
Edward Hoby the eighteenth:
Philip, Earle of Mountgomerie now liuing,
Ann. 1630. the nineteenth.
The Mannor of Shurland seated Eastward from hence, belonged to these
Cheyneies, and now to the said
Philip, Earle aforesaid, whom King
Iames created Baron
Herbert of Shurland, and Earle of Mountgomery, vpon one and the same day,
viz. the fourth day of May, 1605. And whom King
Charles, our dread Soueraigne, hath made Lord Chamberlaine of his Houshold. And to whom at this day, by the death of his thrice noble Brother,
William, Earle of Penbroke, are added the honours and titles of Earle of Penbroke, Baron
Herbert of Caerdiffe in Wales, Lord
Parre and
Roos of Kendall,
Marmion, and S.
Quintin.
Vlcombe.
[...]Here in this Parish was anciently the mansion house of the family
De Sancto Leodegario, S.
Leger, now commonly called
Sellenger: one of the owners whereof, namely, Sir
Thomas Sellenger, who married
Anne, Duchesse of Exceter, sister to king
Edward the fourth, lyeth here interred, (say the inhabitants) amongst his ancestours. But I finde him to bee entombed with his foresaid wife,
[...] in the Collegiate Church of Windsore.
[...]Here lyeth
Iohn S. Leger Esquire, and
Margerie his wife, sole daughter and heire of
Iames Donnet .... 1442...
Here lyeth
Raph S. Leger, Esquire, and
Anne his wife, who dyed 1470.
[Page 285]Here lyeth
William Maidston Esquire,
Inter Bundellas Indent. de guerra apud pel. who dyed 8. April... 1429.
Tho. Seint Leger seruir le Roy super salua custodia castri Rotten. cum quadraginta equitibus, per spatium triginta dierum, 11.
Ed. quarti.
Boniface of Sauoy,
Maidston. Archbishop of Canterbury, Vnckle to
Eleanor the wife of king
Henry the third, built (here at the confluence of the waters) a religious structure,
Found. of the Colledge first an Hospitall. to the honour of Saint
Peter, S.
Paul, and S
Thomas the Martyr, (as most call him) and endowed it with faire possessions, by the name of an Hospitall, but vsually called, The new Worke, which had not stood fully an hundred and fourty yeares, but that
William Courtney, one of his Successours in this See, pulled it downe, and erected it anew, after his owne pleasure; thereby gaining the name of a Founder; and called it a Colledge of secular Priests, which he consecrated to the holinesse of All Saints, which was valued at the suppression, at 139. l. 7. s. 6. d. of yearely reuenues.
This Archbishop
Courtney was sonne of
Hugh Courtney, the third of that Christian name, Earle of Deuonshire, by
Margaret his wife, daughter of
Humphrey de Bohun, Earle of Hereford, and Essex. And being thus honourablie descended, he was no sooner entred into Orders, but that he was loaden with spirituall preferments; as a Prebend in Wells, Exceter, and Canterbury, beside Benefices with Cure, more, I thinke, then he could well discharge. The first Bishopricke he had, was Hereford, which he enioyed fiue yeares, from thence he was remoued to London, which hee gouerned about sixe yeares (in which time, saith
Walsingham, he was aduanced to the dignity of Cardinal) from London to Canterbury; which gracious honour, hee enioyed 12. yeares lacking one moneth, euen vntill his death: which happened the last day of Iuly, 1396. He lyeth buried according to his will here in his owne Church, vnder a plaine graue-stone (a lowly Tombe for such an high borne Prelate) vpon which his pourtraiture is delineated, and this Epitaph inlaid with brasse about the Verge.
Nomine Willelmus en Courtnaius reuerendus,
William Courtney
Archbishop of Canterbury
Qui se post obitum legauerat hic tumulandum,
In presenti loco quem iam fundarat ab imo;
Omnibus & sanctis titulo sacrauit honoris.
Vltima lux Iulij fit vite terminus illi;
M. ter C. quinto decies nonoque sub anno,
Respice mortalis quis quondam, sed modo talis,
Quantus & iste fuit dum membra calentia gessie.
Hic Primas Patrum, Cleri Dux & genus altum.
Corpore valde decens, sensus & acumine clarens.
Filius hic comitis generosi Deuoniensis.
Legum Doctor erat celebris quem fama serenat.
Vrbs Herdfordensis, Polis inclita Londoniensis.
Ac Dorobernensis, sibi trine gloria sedis
Detur honor digno fit
Sure he meanes Cardinall, for I cannot finde him to be Chancellour.
Cancellarius ergo.
Sanctus vbique pater, prudens fuit ipse minister
Nam largus, letus, castus, pius atque pudicus,
Magnanimus, iustus, & egenis totus amicus.
[Page 286]Et quia Rex Christe Pastor bonus extitit iste,
Sumat solamen nunc tecum quesumus. Amen.
This Archbishop bestowed much in building and enlarging of his houses, especially vpon his Castle of Saltwood. Towards the reparation of his Church at Canterbury, he gaue 1000. Marks; hee gaue also vnto the same Church, a certaine image of siluer, weighing one hundred and threescore pounds, two vestments, and thirteene Copes of great value. Besides a number of bookes.
Sir
Iohn Wotton Priest, the first Master of this Colledge.Hic iacet Dominus Iohannes Wotton Rector Ecclesie Parochialis de Stapilhurst, Canonicus Cicestrensis, & primus Magister huius Collegij, qui obijt vltimo die Octobris, 1417.
On the North side of the Quire, stands an old Monument most shamefully defaced. Onely these words remayning of an old Inscription.
. . . . . ad bona non tardus vocitando
. . . . . namque Deo trino valefecit:
. . . . . . . December. . . .
Woodvill.
. . . . . Annomilleno C. quater X. ...
It is said that one
Woodvill lyeth herein entombed; who dwelt at Thamote within this Parish.
Chancery of MaidstonI finde, saith M.
Lambard, in a Record that
Thomas Arundell, Archbishop of Canterbury, the next Successour of
Courtney, founded a Chantrie at Maidston, which whether it be the same, that was sometime called the house of the Brothers, and but lately conuerted by the Townsmen into a freeschoole, or no, I will not boldly affirmed▪ but I thinke it rather so then otherwise.
Leedes.
There was a Priory in this Towne built, and amplie endowed by one Sir
Robert Creuequer,Leedes Priory. and
Adam his sonne and heire, who in ancient Records is named,
de Creuequer, or
de crepito corde (a Nobleman of Normandie, and knight to
William the Conquerour) in the yeare of our redemption 1107. or thereabouts,
E
[...] Arch
[...] London. which he consecrated to the honour of our alone Sauiour Iesus Christ, and Saint
Nicholas, and placed therein blacke Canons regular,
Augustines:
Rainham.
Io. and
William Bloor.In a Chappell of his owne foundation here in this Church, lyeth interred,
Iohn Bloor, and
William Bloor, Which
Iohn dyed 29. Decemb. 1520.
Iames Donet:Hic iacet Iacobus Donet Ar. qui ob. Viij. Kal. Feb. 1409.
The people of this place make a great vaunt of the best wheate in all Kent or Christendome.
Now here (gentle Reader) giue me leaue to speake a little more of the Priory of Leedes, though casually misplaced, because forgotten.
I finde (saith
Lambard) in a Heralds note (who belike made his coniecture by some coate of Armes lately apparant) that one
Leybourne, an Earle of Salisbury, was the founder of this Priory. And indeed it is to be seene in the Annalls of Saint
Augustines of Canterbury,
Mss
[...]n
[...]ib. Cot. that a Nobleman, called
Roger Leybourne, was sometime of great authoritie within this Shire, notwithstanding that, in his time he had tasted of both fortunes: for in the dayes of king
Henry the third, hee was first one of that coniuration, which was called the Barons warre; from which faction
Edward the kings sonne wonne him by faire meanes to his part, and made him the bearer of his priuie purse. Afterward they agreed not vpon the reckoning, so that the Prince (charging him with great arrerage of account) seised his liuing for satisfaction of the debt, by which occasion
Roger once more became of the Barons partie. But after the pacification made at Kenelworth, he was eft-soones receiued into fauour, and was made Warden of the fiue Ports, and Lieutenant of this whole Shire. Now though it cannot be true, that this man was the builder of this Priory (for the same Annals say, that it was erected long before) yet if hee did but marry the heire, he might truly bee termed the Patron or Founder thereof: for by that name, not onely the builders themselues, but their posterity also (to whom the glory of their deeds did descend) were wont to bee called Patrons and Founders as well as they.
It is obserued, by my Author, in this place speaking of the Priory; that in ancient time, the greatest Personages held Monkes, Friers and Nunnes, in such veneration and liking, that they thought no Citie in case to flourish, no house likely to haue long continuance, no Castle sufficiently defended, where was not an Abbey, Priory, or Nunnery, either placed within the walls, or situate at hand and neare adioyning.
And surely (omitting the residue of the Realme) hereof onely it came to passe, that Douer had Saint
Martins; Canterbury, Christ-Church; Rochester, Saint
Andrews; Tunbridge, the Friers; Maidstone, the Chanons; Greenwich, the Obseruants; and this our Leedes, her Priory of Chanons at hand.
About two hundred yeares since,
A quarrell betweene the Canons of Leedes and the Monkes of S.
Albans. the Prior of this House, with three of his Chanons, and others; layed violent hands vpon the body of a Monke of Saint
Albans, whereupon many more quarrels would haue ensued, if that
Boniface the ninth, Pope of Rome (hearing thereof) had not by his Bull authorised the Abbot of Saint
Edmundsbury to heare, examine, and determine all controuersies betwixt the two Houses, and to absolute the delinquents,
[Page 288] after competent satisfaction made to the wronged parties. Thus goes the Bull.
Bonifacius Episcopus seruus seruorum Dei; Dilecto filio Abbati Monasterij de Sancto Edmundo Norwicen. dioc. Salutem et Apostolic. ben. Conquesti sunt nobis Abbas et Conuentus de Sancto Albano Ordinis Sancti Benedicti Lincoln. Dioc. Quod Wilhelmus de verduno Prior Monasterij de Ledes ordinis Sancti Augustini. Thomas de Maydenston, Nicholaas Shirton, Iohannes de Reuham, dicti Monasterij de Ledes Canonici; Magistrum Hugo de Forsham clericus; Antonius Messager, Iohannes Frere, et Iohannes Linne laici Cantuar. Dioc. in Fratrem Iohannem de Stopeleya Monachum dicti Monasterii de Sancto Albano manus iniecerunt, Dei timore postposito temere violentas▪ Ideoque discretioni tue per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus si est ita, dictos sacrilegos tandiu appellatione remota, excōmunicatos publice nunties, et facias ab omnibus arctius euitari, donec super hiis satisfecerint competenter et iidem Clericus et Laici cum tuarum testimonio litterarum ad sedem venerint Apostolicam absoluendi. Canonici vero debite absolutionis beneficium assequantur.
Dat. Lateran.
xii. Kalend. Nouemb. Pontificatur nostri, Anno octauo.
I haue the rather inserted this Bull, for that it may bee the more plainly vnderstood; how the most of all causes in those times concerning the Clergie, were arbitrated not alwayes by the authority of the learned Bishops of this land, but by Commissions purchased from the Bishops of Rome.
This Priory was valued in the Records of the late suppression, at three hundred fourescore and two pounds of yearely reuenue.
Mottenden, or
Motindene.
Lambard speaking of
Motindene (which name hee deriues from two Saxon words,
Moo and
Dene, which is the proud valley, a name imposed as he thinkes for the fertilitie thereof) saith, That hee hath not heard, nor hitherto found any thing touching the Religious House of
Motindene in Hetcorne,
The Religious House at
Motinden. saue onely that the head thereof was called
Minister, and that the House it selfe was of the yearely value of sixty pounds. Neither would I (saith he) haue affoorded it so much as paper, or place here, but onely that you might vnderstand, with what number of buildings, variety of sects, and plenty of possessions, Popery was in old time prouided for, and furnished. No corner (almost) without some Religious house or other: Their sects and orders were hardly to be numbred; and as for their lands and reuenues, it was a world to behold them. I finde that the yearely extent of the cleare value of the Religious liuings within this Shire, amounted to fiue thousand pounds: Bishoprickes, Benefices, Friaries, Chaunteries, and Saints-offerings not accounted. Which thing also I do the rather note, to the end that you may see, how iust cause is giuen vs, both to wonder at the hote zeale of our ancestours in their spirituall fornication, and to lament the coldnesse of our owne charity, towards the maintenance of the true Spouse of Iesus Christ. For, if euer, now most truly is that verified, which the Poet long since said,
Probitas laudatur et alget.
William de Ipre (a Towne in Flanders) the base sonne of
Philip Viscount
de Ipre,Boxley Abbey. Lieutenant to king
Stephen, in the warres against
Maud the Empresse: for which seruice the king created him Earle of Kent, founded this Abbey,
Ann. 1146. which he consecrated to the blessed Virgine
Mary, and planted it with a Couent of white Monkes, of Saint
Barnards order, which he translated hither from
Claravall in Burgundie, which as good children, were to follow and obey the rules and ordinances of the Abbey of
Claravall in all things. These are the words in the institution.
Anno 1146.
fundata est Boxleia in Cancia,Cart. Ant. in Arch. Turris. London.filia Claravallis propria. And further,
Quod ipsa Abbathia sit subdita Abbathie de Claravalle, &c.
It was ordinarie both beyond Sea and here in England, for one religious house to beget another, as will appeare by the sequele; for not many yeares after her first foundation, this Abbey it selfe was the mother of Robertsbridge in Sussex. The yearely value of this house was esteemed at the suppression to be worth 218. l. 19. s. 10. d.
This Monastery in former times was famous for a woodden Roode,
The Roode of Grace at Boxley.
Lamb. peramb. by which the Priests for a long while deluded the common people, vntill their fraud and Legierdemain was detected.
Bocton Malherb.
At
Bocton Malherb,Camd. in Kent. saith learned
Clarentieux, hath dwelt a long time the familie of the
Wottons, out of which in our remembrance flourished both
Nicholas Wotton, Doctor of the Lawes, who being of the priuie Councell to king
Henry the eighth, King
Edward the sixth, Queene
Mary, and Queene
Elizabeth, sent in Embassage nine times to forraine Princes, and thrice chosen Committee about Peace betweene the English, French, and Scottish: liued a goodly time, and ranne a long race in this life with great commendation of pietie and wisedome: and also Sir
Edward Wotton, whom for his approued wisedome in weightie affaires, Queene
Elizabeth made Controller of her house, and King
Iames created Baron
Wotton of Merley. If you would know any more, reade
Hollinshead,Hollins. p. 1402.
An. Reg Elis. 27 who hath written a Treatise of this family from
Richard Wotton, who flourished in the raigne of King
Edward the first, vnto these
Wottons, who yet do liue in our memory.
This Church is honoured with the sepulture of many of this noble progenie, but I haue no inscription nor Epitaph for any, saue onely for him who was twice Lord Maior of London. The first time in the third yeare of king
Henry the fifth:
Nicholas Wotton Lord Maior of London. the second in the ninth of king
Henry the sixth.
Here lyeth
Nicholas Wotton Esquire. ...twice Lord Maior of London. ....who was borne the 26. of October, 1372. and dyed Septem. 14. 1448. ....being 76. yeares of age.
Newenden.
This Towne harboured the first Carmelite Friars that euer were in this kingdome,
Newenden Priory. The first Carmelite Friars in England.
Lamb: peramb. for about the midst of the raigne of king
Henry the third, this order came ouer the Sea, arriued in this land, and made their nest here at Newenden; which was at that time a wooddy and solitarie place, and therefore (in common opinion) the more fit for religious persons to inhabite;
[Page 290] they were called Carmelites, of a hill in Siria named
Carmelus, where at the first a sort of them liued solitarily, vntill by
Iohn, Patriarch of Ierusalem, they were drawne into companies. Now to giue these sanctimonious white Brethren (such meere strangers) the better entertainment, one Sir
Thomas Albuger knight, about the yeare 1241. built for them here a faire house, calling it the Friery, which he caused to bee hallowed to the honour of the Virgin
Mary; for that by
Honorius Quartus the Pope, they were appointed to a rule and order by the name of the Brothers of
Mary; which title liked themselues so well, that they procured of Pope
Vrban the sixth, three yeares pardon for all such as would so call them. But certaine merry fellows (saith mine Author) (seeing their vanity, and knowing how little they were of kinne to
Mary the blessed Virgine) called them the Brothers of
Mary Aegiptiaca the harlot.
Lambard. Whereat the Pope was so offended, that hee plainly pronounced them Heretickes for their labour.
He that was the Prouost or principall of this Fraternitie, was called the Prior of the house. One of which, namely,
William Starnefeld, writ a Treatise of the originall or beginning of this Order. What the value of this Priorie was at the suppression I cannot learned.
Combewell.
Combewell Abbey.In this village was a Monastery of blacke Canons, dedicated to S.
Mary Magdelene, and valued to be worth 80. l. 17. s. 5. d.
Romden.
One of the great family of the
Guilfords, here in this Church founded a Chappell,
Anno 1444.
Ossham.
Iohn Elys.Hic
[...]acet Iohannes Elys Armiger qui obijt
18. die mensis Septemb. An.
1467. cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Sir Nicholas Sandwich
PriestHic iacet Dominus Nich. de Sandwich, qui quondam fuit Rector istius Ecclesie de Ossham .... ob...
1370.
Visit. Kent.This man was Lord of the Mannor, and a younger sonne of the family of Sandwiches
of Sandwich.
Kennington.
Will. Brent
and Elisab.
his wife. Sir W. Walkesley
knight.Orate pro animabus Willelmi Brent, Ar. & Elisabethe vxoris eius filie Rise Madris.
Orate pro anima Willelmi Walkesley, militis.
Willisborough.
Tho. Elys and
Thomasin his wi
[...].In the East window of the South Isle of this Church, you may finde by an inscription that one
Tho. Elys Esquire, and
Thomazin his wife were here buried. And also one
William Barre,William B
[...]rre. the sonne of
George Barre, or
Barry of
Mote in Seuington Parish, who dyed
Ann. 1463.
[Page 291]An ancient familie euer since the raigne of king
Richard the first,
Glouer alias Somerset. in whose time, as also in the raignes of King
Iohn and
Henry the third, Sir
Iohn Barre knight, flourished in great reputation here in this County.
Bradgare.
Here was a Colledge founded by
Robert de Bradgare, Tho. Iocelin, Clerk, and
Robert de Vise.The Colledge of
Bradgare.
Narden.
Vpon the Tombe of Lady
Elisabeth Nevill, here interred, wife to Sir
Thomas Nevill, and daughter to the Lord
Dakers, and Dame
Anne Graistocke,Dame
Elisab. N
[...]vill. this old rime is engrauen.
O Lord my Sauiour and hevenly Maker,
Haue mercy on
Elisabeth Graistock and
Daker.
In what kings dayes this Lady might flourish, I haue not made much search; the character of the Inscription seemes to be ancient, and so are the families of the
Nevils, Dacres, and
Greystocks: as also of signall note, and exemplarie noblenesse in many parts of this kingdome; with the two first Surnames I do often meet. Thus much here then of
Greystocke out of
Camden, as followeth.
By
Peterill, beside
Petrianae (saith hee) standeth
Greystock, a Castle belonging, not long since, to an honourable house, which deriued their first descent from one
Ranulph Fitz-walter:Camd in Cumberland. of which line
William, called
de Greystock wedded
Mary, a daughter, and one of the coheires of Sir
Merley, Lord of Morpath: and hee had a sonne named
Iohn, who being childlesse, by licence of king
Edward the first, conueyed his inheritance to
Raph Granthorpe, the sonne of
William, and his Aunts sonne by the fathers side; whose male progenie flourished a long time in honour, with the title of Lord
Greistock: but about king
Henry the seuenth, his dayes expired, and came to an end, and so the inheritance came by marriage vnto the Barons of
Dacree: and the female heires generall of the last Baron
Dacre, were married vnto
Philip Earle of Arundell, and Lord
William Howard, sonnes of
Thomas Howard, late Duke of Norfolke.
Pluckley, anciently written Plokele.
This Towneship or Parish was by Archbishop
Lanfrancke (in the time of
William the Conquerour) giuen vnto one
Iohn de Cobham, whose posterity assuming a Surname from the place, did flourish here by the space of two hundred yeares, vntill the daughters of Sir
William of Pluckley knight, became the coheires of this Mannor. Amongst whom, shee that onely is knowne to haue had issue, was married vnto
Iohn de Surenden, alias Sarenden, who vpon the old seate, new founded the Mannor house, (a faire one at this day, and by the antiquitie thereof seemes to haue beene the like, or much fairer at her first building) which stands vpon the very forehead of that hill which from this place doth reach Westward into Surrey. A situation so elegant, that it compares with most that are, in rich pastures, healthfull aire, and plenty both of fewell and timber: but aboue all, in a very delicate
[Page 292] and various prospect. From the owner it then receiued, and still retaines, the name of
Surenden, although from that family it did immediatly by a daughter passe to the Noble and spreading house of
Haute, whose first childe, being daughter and coheire,
Christian, was married vnto
Iohn Dering, sonne of
Richard, sonne of Sir
Iohn Dering of Westbroke, knight. In the possession of which family, the name of
Surenden hath (by continuance) gotten its Masters Surname, to distinguish it from another of the same appellation within two miles, and so is knowne by the name of
So in this County,
Sutton Valence, Horton Kirby, and others, haue like distinctiue surnames.Surenden Dering. And through many descents (hauing beene at no time bought nor sold) the gift of
Lanfranke now resteth in person of Sir
Edward Dering, knight, and Baronet, Lieutenant of his Maiesties Castle of Douer, and of his Cinque ports; the third of that name and family of
Dering, which haue enioyed this Office, being a place of especiall trust, of honour and command.
In this Church, dedicated to S.
Nicholas, and in our Ladies Chappell there, now belonging to Sir
Antony Dering of
Surenden Dering knight, and founded by
Richard Dering Esquire, in the raigne of king
Henry the sixth, (as appeares by his Armes carued on the bottome of the Arches, which are Or, a Salter sables, and
Dering and
Haute quartered Or, a Salter sables, and Or, a crosse engraled
gules, thereon a cressant Argent) are seuerall grauestones very fairely figured, with pourtraitures in armour to the length; first one for
Iohn Dering of Surenden Esquire, who liued in the dayes of King
Richard the second,
Henry the fourth, and
Henry the fifth; some of the brasse is torne away, that which remaines is accordingly as followeth.
Iohn Dering.
HIC IACET
This riming Epitaph is inlaid with brasse about the Verge of this Monument.
Hic iacet in terra, solitus sed viuere guerra,
Vnde tulit vulnus quod dedit in de funus.
Nunc subijt manes fortisque piusque Iohannes;
Huius ergo dein dic miserere Dering.
An. quatuor C. milleno quinto atque viceno,
Dat mortale solo nunc superestque polo.
[Page 293]Next vnto him lyeth entombed his sonne
Richard Dering in this forme, to whose memory no Inscription is remaining.
Richard Der
[...]
[figure]
Richard Dering of
Surenden Dering, Esquire, gaue as I haue it by relation) the hangings of rich and faire cloth of Arras, which adorne the Quire of the Cathedrall Church in Canterbury, vpon the suite of his sonne
Richard Dering a Monke there; who, according to his Monkish Heraldry, hath figured in their seuerall bordures,
his Rebus, or Name deuises,
viz. a
Dere and a
Ring, in stead of Armes, although sixe embroydered Cushions, then giuen for the Priors seate, and since vsed in the Deanes Pewes, haue the Armes of
Dering embroydered on them, and empaled with
Bertyn and
Eyton his two wiues.
Richard Dering the Monke,
[...]ow. Annal. was one of the adherents to
Elisabeth Barton, the holy Maid of Kent, in her fained hypocrisie, and traiterous practises.
In the same Chappell lyeth
Iohn Dering,Iohn Dering. Esquire, who was great grandchilde to the foresaid
Richard Dering of
Surenden, whose Altar tombe is since laid flat. He dyed 1550. and hath there his figure in the wall, kneeling with his Surcote of Armes; with him is buried
Margaret his wife, sister and sole heire of
Thomas Brent, Esquire.
Vnderneath the figure of
Richard Dering,An Eschurchion. before remembred, is an Escocheon with eight coats quartered. First
Dering a Salter. 2.
Haute a Crosse ingraled with a cressant. 3
Brent, a wiuervolant. 4 a Fesse cotized. 5.
Surenden a Berid betweene two Cottesses nebuly on the outsides. 6.
Pluckley a Flower deluce. 7.
Barkley a Cheuoron betweene ten crosses forme within a border. 8
Dering againe.
At the foot of this Chappell, within the Church, vnder foure seuerall Grauestones, euery one inlaid with figures of brasse at length, the men lying in Armour, are buried as followeth.
[Page 294]Io. Dering and
Iulian his wife.Iohn Dering Esquire, who dyed
Ann. Dom. 1517. and
Iulian his wife, sister of Sir
Iohn Darrell knight, who dyed 1526.
Nic Dering and
[...] his wife.On their right hand lyeth
Nicholas Dering, Esquire, their eldest sonne, and
Alice his wife, the daughter and coheire of the eldest house of
Bettenham.
[...] Dering &
Bene
[...] his wife. On their left hand vnder an Arch, with the like pourtraiture in brasse at length, lyeth their second sonne,
Richard Dering Esquire, the Kings Lieutenant of Douer Castle, and the Cinque Ports, vnder fiue Lord Wardens. He dyed 1546. And with him is buried
Benet his wife, of the ancient family of
Brockholl.
Diuers others of this most ancient and right worthy progenie, lye here interred; of whom (their burials being but of later times) the order of my method will not giue me leaue to speake.
Hen. and
Rich. Malemaines.In the body of this Church are two Grauestones, vnder one of which lyeth the body of
Henry Malemaines, Esquire, and vnder the other (with his portraiture at length in brasse)
Richard Malemaines Esquire, who dyed 1440. their coate of Armes thereupon engrauen.
Ermyn a cheffe gules, three left hands Argent.
Bethersden vnder Pluckley hill.
In this Church are the Armes of
Surenden twice singly, and once empaled with Crouch, which
Surenden was there the principall Inhabitant in the time of
Edward the second, being owner of a place there called Surenden, which now belongeth to a right worthy gentleman
Edward Chute Esquire. And is seated with the view of the other Surenden, belonging as aforesaid to Sir
Edward Dering.
Charing.
In the yeare 1590. this Church was with fire consumed all but the very stones; which fire it caught from a peece discharged at a Pigeon then vpon the Church. The windowes and the Grauestones (wherein diuers of the ancient and worthy family of
Brent were memorized) at that time were defaced: yet on the outside of the Bellfree do remaine carued in stone, the badge of
Edward the fourth (being a Rose within the Sunne-beames) and a Wyuer being the Armes of
Hugh Brent Esquire; who in the raigne of
Edward the fourth, was the principall Founder of that Bellfree, which was before of wood. From the time of
Henry the sixth, the family of
Brent (being branched out of the ancient stocke of
Brent in Somersetshire, of which house Sir
Robert de Brent was a Baron of the Parliament in the time of
Edward the first) hath flourished here as the prime name of this Parish, vntill
Thomas Brent Esquire (the last male of this line) did remoue to Willisborough, where he dyed issuelesse.
On the South side of the Chancell here, and annexed to the Church, is a conuenient Chappell founded by
Amy Brent widow of
William Brent Esquire, who dyed in the raigne of
Ric. the third; this (with the Church) being fired, is now in the hands of workmen to bee repaired, by Sir
Edward Dering knight and Baronet, to whom the right of this Chappell is
[Page 295] deriued, as well in bloud from the
Brents, as by composition betweene him and M.
Brent Dering of
Charing, who now is the owner of the ancient house of the
Brents there, which is full stored with the Badges of
Edward the fourth, in euery quarry of glasse within the Hall-window. In which house also (as it goes by tradition)
Iohn Brent Esquire, feasted King
Henry the eight, as hee passed this way toward his then intended siege of Bullen. But this name of
Brent is for nothing more famous, then for the warlike exploits of that wilde madbraine
Falques, or
Falco de Brent;
Brent the Madbraine. who made it nothing to raise warre against kings; to besiege and take Castles, to spoile Abbeyes, pull downe Churches, ransacke all the adioyning territories, and where I write of such a touch of wickednesse? but more of him hereafter, what not which had English persons of especiall note, as haue beene interred in forraine nations.
Lyd.
Of Lyd I haue spoken a little in another place, yet here giue me leaue to speake a little more vpon further information.
Rich. Dering &
Tho. his sonne. In this Church of Lyd were two Grauestones of
Richard Dering, who dyed in the raigne of king
Richard the second, and
Thomas his sonne, one of them had faire portraitures with ornaments engrauen thereon: but the losse of some of the brasse, with the remote absence of his posterity, haue giuen occasion for another name to superscribe that stone; although at that time the best, if not the onely names of note and gentrie there, were
Septuanus and
Dering: at which time
Dering was here owner of Westbrooke, and of Deuge Marsh place, which name hath beene of great and ancient possessions in Lyd, Midley, Promhill, and old Rumney, whereof a part was the leuell of foure hundred Acres of land, called yet by the name of
Derings: and on the other side of Lyd aboue threescore Acres by the name of
Derings Droff. From hence
Iohn Dering Esquire, in the time of
Henry the seuenth, was taken out of his house and carried into France, from whence by ransome he freed himselfe.
Chart Magna.
Betweene the Chancell and the North Chappell of this Church, is an Altar-Tombe, round about the verge of which, is engrauen this Epitaph following in brasse, and betwixt euery word the figure of a well, alluding to the name of the parties there vnderneath interred.
Anime Willelmi de Goldwelle & Auicie vxoris sue per miserecordiam Dei in pace requiescant.Will. Goldwell and
Avice his wife.Qui quidem Willelmus septimo die mensis Maij, & dicta Avicia octauo die Aprilis, Litera Dominicalis. B. ab hac luce migrarunt. Ann. Domini M.CCCC.LXXXV. Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Iames Goldwell of this family, Bishop of Norwich, was a repairer of this Church, as appeares by this broken Inscription in the top crosse window.
..... Magistro Iacobo Goldwelle..... Ecclesie sancti Pauli London,Goldwell Bishop of Norw. a repairer of this Church.qui hoc opus repara......
And in the East window it is thus to be read in the glasse.
[Page 296]Memoriale reuerendi patris Domini Iacobi Goldwell Episcopi Norwicen.
In a North window of the North Chappell haue beene sixteene pourtraitures of men in glasse, all kneeling, whereof most remaine, whose names are as followeth.
The builders o
[...] founders of this Church.Iohannes Webbe, Iohannes Hosewyf, Thomas Wred, Iohannes Turlepyn, Willelmus Malemayne, Iohannes Litihey, Iohannes Bockon, Iohannes Chillinton, Iohannes Atte, Iohannes Yardherst. ..........
In midst of whom, as the Priests then are,
Dominus Richardus Medhurst, and
Dominus Walterus Wilcock.
Now, as it goes by tradition, from the father to the sonne, these were the builders of this Church.
In the middest of the East-window, in the South Chappell of this Church, is the picture of the foresaid Bishop
Goldwell, kneeling, and in euerie quarry a golden well or fountaine (his
Rebus or Name deuise) and crosse the window inscribed:
Bishop
Goldwel the founder of the South Chappell...... Iacobo Goldwelle Episcopo Norwicen. qui.....opus fundauit. Ann. Christi, M.CCCC.LXXVII. whereby it appeares that this Bishop was Founder of this Chappell.
The corner stone of the foundation of this Chappell on the outside, is made like a Graue-stone, with a Crosse cut thereupon.
Io. Tok
[...], Marg. and
Anne his wifes.Orate pro anima Iohannis Toke Armigeri, nuper de Goddington istius paroch Cuius corpus iacet hic tumulatum, ac pro animabus Margarete, et Anne vxorum suarum. Que quidem Margareta filia fuit naturalis dum vixit Iohannis Walworth, nuper in Comitatu Suff. & dicta Anna filia etiam naturalis, Iohannis Engeham Armigeri, nuper de Syngleton, istus paroch. Qui vero Iohannes Toke obijt vicesimo die Maij, Ann. Dom. M.CCCCC.XIII. Quorum animabus propitietur Deus Altissimus.
Tho. Twesden and
Benedict his wife.Hic iacent Thomas Twesden generosus, qui obijt 8.
die Decembris Ann. Dom. 1500.
et Benedicta vxor eius. Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Sancta Trinitas Deus miserere nobis.
Will. Sharpe and his fiue wiues.Hic iacet Willelmus Sharpe et eius quinque consortes, qui Willelmus obijt, 29.
die Septemb. Ann. Dom. 1499.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Seuington.
Margaret the wife of
Edward Barry.Hic iacet Margareta Barry, Quondam vxor Edwardi Barry Armiger. Que quidem Margareta obijt ..... mensis .... Ann. 1400.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Ioan Lady
Barry.Hic iacet Ioanna Barry quondam vxor Willelmi Barry militis, Pater de celis Deus miserere nobis. Fili Redemptor mundi Deus miserere nobis. Spiritus Sancte Deus miserere nobis. Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus miserere nobis.
Sir
Iohn Barry, knightOrate pro anima Iohannis Barry militis.
Isabell [...]dy
Barry.Orate pro anima Isabelle quondam vxor Willelmi Barry Militis, Pater de celis. As before about the verge of this and the other Grauestone.
Sir
[...]ill. Barry knight.Here is also a Monument, whereupon a man armed is pourtraied, the Inscription whereof is altogether perished; which in all likelihood was made to the memory of Sir
William Barry, knight, the husband of the fore-remembred
Isabell.
At the lower end of the Church, and neare to the Bellfree, lyeth the
[Page 297] body of one of these
Barryes pourtraied in compleat armour, about the Verge of his Monument this Inscription.
Hic iacet Vmfridus Barre Ar. Quondam Dominus istius ville et Patronus istius Ecclesie.Humfrey Barry.Qui obiit in die Sancte Marie Magdalene, An. Dom. 1431.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Camden in his Chorographicall description of Ireland, and in the County of Corke, writes greatly to the honour of this surname of
Barry. These are his words as followeth.
Beneath Corke (saith he) the riuer, parting in twaine, enuironeth a large and very pleasant Island, ouer against the principall dwelling house of that most ancient and noble family of the
Barries, which thereupon is called
Barry Court. For, that family is deriued from
Robert de Barry an English man, a personage of great worth, and renowned: who notwithstanding chose rather among the first to be chiefe indeed, then to seeme chiefe: who in the winning of Ireland,
Robert Barry the first in
[...] land that broughthawke to hand: receiued wounds and hurt: and the first man he was in Ireland that manned and brought the Hawke to hand. His posterity by their long approued loyaltie, and martiall prowesse, deserued to receiue of the kings of England, first the title of Baron
Barry, afterwards of Vicount
Butiphant, and for their great lands and wealth, gat among the people the surname of
Barry More, that is,
Barry the Great.
..... Iohannes Fynch Armiger, Qui obiit 19.
die Mensis Maij, Ann. Dom 1442.
Cuius.
This I conceiue to be some younger branch of the Nobly descended family of the
Finches, of whom there is mention made among the Monuments in Braborne Church before, where they are stiled
Herbert, vel Finch, not vnaptly thereby continuing the memory of their originall name and ancestry, as being lineally descended from
Hen. Fuz-Herbert, Chamberlaine to king
Henry the first, who married the daughter and heire to Sir
Robert Corbert:
Vide Vincent contra Brooke pag. 130. and had issue by her, a sonne named
Herbert, who likewise had issue a sonne, named
Herbert Fitz-Herbert. Who by his first wife
Luce, daughter and coheire of
Milo, Earle of Hereford, and high Constable of England, had issue a sonne, named
Peter Fitz Herbert (from whom the
Herberts Earles of Penbrooke are descended) and by
Matilda his second wife (after his death re-married to the Lord
Columbarij,) he had issue
M S. Tho Talbot. clerici Rotulorum in. um Lond. Mathew Paris pag 342
Selden in his Titles of Honour of Barons
Plota 18.
H 3.
apud Westm. Bracton de Exceptionibus li. 5.
cap. 9
pag. 5.
Supersedeas de An. 8.
Ed. 2.
in dorso.Mathew Fitz-Herbert, who was one of the
Magnates, or Barons at the making of
Magna Charta, and was likewise one of those potent Noblemen for the king, that made the accord betweene king
Iohn, and the Barons at Runnyng Mead, betweene Windsore and Stanes: his sonne likewise, called
Herbert Fitz Mathew, was the fourth Baron that is mentioned in the Rowl of the Parliament at Tewkesbury. The change of this name
Finch, seemeth to haue beene about the latter end of king
Hen. the third (at which time many other families suffered like alteration) as appeareth by a
supersedeas, Ann. 8.
E. 2. therein mentioning, that
Herbertus Filius Herberti dicti Finch, was a Ward, 28. E.
primi, and so could not personally serue with the king in his warres in Scotland, and therefore was released of his Escuage for all his lands in Kent and Sussex, which, together with some of the ancient patrimony and seuen knights sees at Nethersfield in the County of Sussex, are not yet alienated from this honorable family, who by their paternall Ancestors and Matches are descended from many honorable houses, and especially by Sir
Moyle Finches Lady,
Elizabeth, sole daughter and heire to Sir
Thomas Heneage, Vicechamberlaine and Councellor of Estate to Queene
Elizabeth, by whom she had many children: and in her widdowhood receiued from King
Iames the dignity of Vicecountesse of Maydestone; and by King
Charles was created Countesse of Winchelsey, to her and to her heires Males.
[...].
Austin Archbishop.ANd first to begin with the first, which was
Austin the Monke, famous for the many miracles which he wrought, if we may beleeue the Legend. Amongst which, this following is said to be one.
Saynt Austyn entryd into Dorsetshyr (giue me leaue to vse the character of my old Agon)
and came into a town wher as wer wycked peple, and refusyd hys doctryn and preching vtterly, and droof hym out of the town, castyng on hym the tayles of Thornback, or like fishes. Wherfor hee bysought almyghty God to shew hys Iudgement on them: And God sent to them a shameful token. For the chyldren that were borne after in that place had tayles, as it is said, tyl they repentyd them.
It is seyd comynly that this fill at Strode in Kent, but blessyd be God at thys day is no such deformyte.
The first of these fables is likewise written by
Alexander Esseby, saith
Lambard, and the later by
Polydore Virgil, who fathers it vpon
Thomas Becket (handling that hot contention betweene king
Henry the second, and
Thomas Becket) saith, that
Becket (being at the length reputed for the kings enemy) began to be so commonly neglected, contemned, and hated, that when as it happened him vpon a time to come to Stroude, the inhabitants thereabouts (being desirous to despite that good Father) sticked not to cut the taile from the horse on which he roade, binding themselues thereby with a perpetuall reproach: For afterwards (by the will of God) it so happened, that euery one which came of that kindred of men which had played that naughty pranke, were borne with tailes, euen as brute beasts be.
Thus
Polidore Virgils History (howsoeuer if you respect the stile, method, and matter, a good worke) is blemished with this, and other old wiues tales and follies.
[...]olidor. the Popes collectour. For as hee was by office a collectour of the Peterpence to the Popes gaine and lucre, so sheweth he himselfe throughout by practise, a couetous gatherer of lying fables, fained to aduance, not
Peters, but the Popes owne Religion, kingdome, and Miter, saith my foresaid Author.
The day of the Translation was anciently kept holy, the 26. day of May.
[...].
Honorius Archbishop.The next canonized Archbishop which I finde, was
Honorius, who was
vnus ex discipulis beati Pape Gregorij vir magne reuerentie, & in rebus Ecclesiasticis
[Page 298] sublimiter instructus: one of the Schollers of blessed Pope
Gregory, a man of great reuerence, and in Ecclesiasticall affaires, highly instructed; saith
Capgraue, in the life of the holy Saint.
Honorius propter virtutem et Euangelij predicandi studium,Hist. Eccl. Ang. Sex
[...]. sar. c. 8.honorandus plane et suspiciendus.
Honorius, for his vertue and studious endeuour of propagating the Gospell, throughly to be honoured and had in admiration, saith
Harpsfeld.
Many are the miracles attributed to his holinesse, which were performed before, vpon, and after the translation of his Reliques; which are needlesse to relate, being like the rest of that kinde, incredible.
The third Saint of this See in
Capgraues Calender,
S. Deodat Archbishop. is,
Deus-dedit, A deo datus, or
Deodat, for before his name was
Frithona, (so named after his election to this Archbishopricke) of which a late writer thus descants in his Canto of the Catalogue of ancient English Saints.
Of Canterbury here with those I will begin,
M Drayton, Polyol. 24▪
Song.
That first Archbishops See, on which there long hath bin
So many men deuout, as raisd that Church so high,
Much reuerence, and haue wonne their holy Hierarchy:
Of which the first that did with goodnesse so in flame
The hearts of the deuout (that from his proper name)
As one (euen) sent from God, the soules of men to saue,
The title vnto him of
Deodat they gaue.
Verus erat Dei cultor: vitiorum mortificator: Virtutum amator: verbi diuini non segnis sator, &c.
He was a true worshipper of the euerliuing God: a mortifier of vices: a louer of vertues: no slow vnprofitable sower of the diuine word; and so forth. In the like phrase much more is deliuered by
Capgraue, of this holy Bishop and Confessour. He writ a booke of the Bishops of Canterbury, his predecessour, as witnesseth
Pitseus.
That learned Priest
Theodore succeeded
Deodat,S. Theodore Archbishop. as in seat, so in Sainting. Vnto this man all the British Bishops, and generally all Britaine, yeelded obedience; first he was in his life, as also in his discipline, exercising the authoritie of his place wondrous seuerely. Neuer before his time had England so many happy dayes, nor so many learned men, as vnder him, and a little after. Much might be said of his sanctity, out of
Capgraue, and others: but I will make an end, with his end, out of an old Manuscript.
Theodor yat was of Cawnterbury,
Erchbysshcoppe than, and eke the hygh Prymat▪
Of fowrscor yer of age so than did dy,
That twenty yer and two held that estat,
To grete honore, and worschippe fortunat.
[Page 300]The yer of Crist syr hundryd forscore and ten,
Was, whan hys sowl fro fleshe was lesed clen.
[...]. Odo Archbishop.Odo, surnamed
Seuerus, the Confessour, for his singular austeritie of life, and many vertues, is reckoned in the new Legend amongst the Saints. Of whom the foresaid Author of
Polyalbion thus sings.
Then
Odo the
Seuere, who highly did adorne
That See (yet being of vnchristened Parents borne,
Whose countrey Denmarke was, but in East-England dwelt)
He being but a childe, in his cleare bosome felt
The most vndoubted truth, and yet vnbaptiz'd long;
But as he grew in yeares, in spirit so growing strong.
And as the Christian Faith this holy man had taught,
He likewise for that faith in sundry battels fought.
S. Dunstane Archbishop.Dunstan succeeded
Odo, whose miracles by him wrought, are said to be so many, and so farre beyond beleefe, that where to begin I know not, much lesse where to end; I will looke vpon him as I finde him lying on his death-bed; where hee saw many strange visions of heauenly ioyes were shewed vnto him for his great comfort.
And vpon holy Thursday (to vse the words of the old Legend)
he sente for alle hys brethren, and askyd of them foryeuenesse, and alsoo forgaue them all trespaces, and assoyled them of all theyr synnes, and the thyrd dey aftyr he passyd owt of this world to God, full of vertues, the yere of our Lord ix honderd lxxxviii, and hys sowle was borne vp to Heuen wyth mery song of aungels, all the peple hering that were at his deth: and his body lyeth at Cawnterbury in a worschipful shryne, wher as owr Lord sheweth for his Seruant S. Dunston many faire and grete myracles; wherfor owr Lord be pr
[...]ysed world wythouten end. Amen.
His reliques, saith
Capgraue, were remoued to Glastenbury, about foure and twenty yeares after his departure. And so it is very probable, for there he was first a Brother of the House, and afterwards Abbot: there the deuill came to him dancing, by which the deuils merriment,
Dunstan knew the instant time of the death of
Edmund, the Brother of
Athelstane slaine at Pucklechurch. Of which my old Rimer,
Rob. of Glocester.
Seynt Dunstone was atte Glastonbery tho the kyng yhurte was
And yut in the same
instant.
stound he wiste of this cas.
For the deuell befor hym cam dawncyng and lowgh,
And as hit wer pleying made game enowgh;
This
holy.
hely man wiste anon why his ioy was,
And that for the kyngs harme he made such solas.
Dunstone toward Pukelcherch dight hymself blive,
So that men tolde hym by the way the kyng was out of livs.
Capgraue.But at another time this merry deuill (or some other) came to him in
[Page 301] another moode, in likenesse of a Beare, and would haue handled with rough Mittins, as the prouerbe is, yet
Dunstane had the better in the conflict, being neuer abasht with such an hellish encounter, vpon which the foresaid Author of
Polyolbion doth thus comment.
—
Dunstan as the rest arose through many Sees,
Song. 1
[...].
To this Archtipe at last ascending by degrees,
There by his power confirmd, and strongly credit wonne,
To many wondrous things which he before had done,
To whom when (as they say) the Deuill once appear'd,
This man so full of faith not once at all afear'd,
Strong conflicts with him had, in Myracles most great.
The day consecrated to the memory of this Saint, was the 19. of May; more of him (if it be not needlesse) when I come to Glastonbury.
Elphege (of wom I haue spoken elsewhere) borne of great parentage,
S. Elphege Arch. Martyr. brought vp in all good learning at Derehirst, not farre from Glocester, a man of wonderfull abstinence, neuer eating, drinking, or sleeping, more then necessity compelled him, spending his time altogether either in prayer, study, or other necessarie businesse, was stoned to death (like another
Stephen) by the Danes at Greenwich, in the yeare 1012. canonized for a Saint, and allowed the 19. day of Aprill for celebration of his memory.
—suth ye yer of grace
A thowsand and twelf they ladde hym to a place
Rob. Glocest.
Wythowte the town of Grenewyche, and stened hym with stenes
As men did Seynt Stephenne, and all to bruysed his
benes[?]
This was doe the Ester weke in the Saterday,
As mor plenner in his lif se ther of men may.
Egelnoth surnamed
The Good, is likewise calendred amongst these Sainted Archbishops.
S. Egelnoth Archbishop▪ He was the sonne of an Earle, called
Agelmare, and is said to haue beene Deane of Christ-Church in Canterbury: which at that time was replenished for the most part with Canons, wearing the habite and garments of Monkes; but in profession and manner of life, differing much from them. Therefore when as in that same terrible tithing of the Danes (in the time of
Elphege) all the Monkes were slaine, except onely foure, the Canons that were now the greater number, gaue vnto their gouernour the name of Deane, from which place he was taken to bee Archbishop.
Going to Rome to fetch his Pall, he bought an arme of that blessed Father S.
Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, for an hundred talents of siluer, and a talent of gold,
Godwin. and bestowed it vpon the Church of Couentrie. Hee bestowed great paines and cost in repairing his Church and Monastery, destroyed
[Page 302] and burnt by the Danes, and by his good aduise, directed King
Knute (that fauoured him exceedingly) vnto many honourable enterprises. He dyed, Octob. 29.
Ann. 1038. hauing sat Archbishop seuenteene yeares, and vpward.
—
Egelno
[...]h againe much grac'd that sacred Seat,
[...]
Who for his godly deeds, surnamed was the Good,
Not boasting of his birth, though com'n of Royall bloud:
For that, nor at the first, a Monkes meane Cowle despis'd,
With winning men to God, who neuer was suffic'd.
—
Eadfine next ensues,
[...]. Ea
[...]e Archbishop.
To propagate the truth, no toyle that did refuse.
He was a secular Priest, and first Chaplaine vnto king
Harold, who preferred him to the Bishopricke of Winchester, from whence hee was remoued to this See of Canterbury. He departed this life Octob. 28.
An. 1050. after he had continued Archbishop twelue yeares almost: All which time he was much oppressed with sicknesse; he was interred in his owne Church, and at the place of his buriall, many miracles are said to haue beene wrought.
S. Lanfranke Archbishop▪Lanfranke (of whom I haue written before) is recorded by
Capgraue amongst our English Saints: who saith, that vpon his first entrance to this Metropoliticall gouernment, he found the Monkes of Canterbury,
sicut omnes fere tum temporis in Anglia secularibus similes: as all the rest were almost at that time in England, like to secular persons: for,
Venari, aucupari, et potibus indulgere consueuerunt: They accustomed to hunt, hawke, and giue their minde to excessiue drinking, which after a short time, by gentle perswasions, he reclaymed. He was a man affable, pleasant, and humble, skilfull in many Sciences, prudent in counsell, and gouernment of things, and for Religion and life most holy.
Meruit ergo inter Sanctos annumerari: Therefore he deserues to be numbred amongst the Saints.
S. Anselm Archbishop.Anselm for integritie of life, and depth of learning, euen admirable, in regard whereof, and of the many miracles which are said to be wrought by him liuing, and by his Reliques, he being dead; hee was canonized a Saint, about foure hundred yeares after his decease, at the great charges of
Iohn Moorton, one of his Successours in the Archbishopricke.
Out of his learned braine he brought forth into the world many profound works, at the least fiftie seuerall bookes or Treatises: many of which are still extant. The miracles likewise attributed to his holinesse, are many, mentioned by
Capgraue.
The next that comes into this Catalogue, is that farre famed Saint,
Thomas
[Page 303] Becket,S. Thomas commonly called
Thomas of Canterbury▪ of whom I haue already spoken enough in another place. Thus much then at this time out of
Polyolbion, as followeth.
Saint
Thomas Becket then, which Rome so much did
honourd.
hery,
As to his christned name it added Canterbury;
There to whose sumptuous Shrine the neere succeeding ages,
So mighty offerings sent, and made such pilgrimages,
Concerning whom, the world since then hath spent much breath,
And many questions made both of his life and death.
If he were truly iust, he hath his right, if no,
Those times were much to blame, that haue him reckon'd so.
Edmund (a man famous for his vertue and great learning) was borne at Abingdon in Barkeshire,
S.
Edmund Archbishop. being sonne to one
Edward Rich a Merchant, his mothers name was
Mabell. In their elder yeares they forsooke each other by mutuall consent, and betooke themselues to a Monasticall life.
Edmund their sonne they caused to bee brought vp in Vniuersity Colledge in Oxford. Hauing attained to reasonable perfection in the knowledge of Diuinitie (whereunto his study was chiefly addicted) hee applyed himselfe to preaching, wherein he tooke great paines, namely, in the Counties of Oxford, Glocester, and Worcester, vntill such time as hee was called to the Treasureship of Salisbury. From whence (little knowing of any such matter, and much against his minde) he was chosen (at the Popes request, to the Monkes of Christ-Church, being as then at Rome) to be Archbishop of this See, and consecrated at Canterbury, with all honour possible, by
Roger, Bishop of London, the fourth of the Nones of Aprill, about the yeare 1230. King
Henry the third, thirteene Bishops, one and fourty Lords and Earles, and others innumerable being there present; as it is thus recorded in the Annalls of the Monastery of Wauerley in Surrey.
Edmundus Thesaurarius Sarum,Miss. in bib. Cott.a Domino Rogero Episcopo London, consistentibus et congratulantibus XIII. Episcopis. Domingo Rege, et XLI. Comitibus, et ceteris in numeris communiter congregatis. In Ecclesia Cant. in Archiepiscopum honorifice consecratur. Dominica qua canitur Letare Iher
[...] salem. IIII. viz. Nonas Aprilis.
But howsoeuer he was thus solemnly consecrated, he presently fell into the kings displeasure, by opposing himselfe against the marriage of
Elianor the kings sister with
Simon Mountfort, Earle of Leicester, because vpon the death of the Earle Marshall, her first husband, she had vowed chastity. To haue this vow dispensed withall, the King procured the Pope to send a Legate into England, his name was
Otto a Cardinall. Him also this Archbishop offended, and that so grieuously, by reprehending his monstrous couetousnesse, his bribery and extortion, as euer after he sought to worke him all the mischiefe that he might. The Monkes of Rochester had presented vnto this Archbishop one
Richard de Wendouer, demanding of him consecration vnto the Bishopricke of their Church, which he vtterly denyed to affoord, knowing the presented, to bee a very vnlearned and vnsufficient
[Page 304] man. Hereupon the Monkes appealed to Rome, which the Archbishop vnderstanding of, hasted him thither also.
Otto the Legate endeauoured to stay him at home, and failing thereof, did his errand so well at Rome, as not onely in that suite, but another also which hee had against
Hugh Earle of Arundell in another cause of appeale, he was ouerthrowne, and condemned in a thousand Markes charges to his great disgrace and impouerishment. Being at Rome, hee had complained of many great abuses in England, and amongst the rest, of the long vacancie of Bishoprickes. The Pope seemed willing to redresse these things, and namely, concerning that matter, set downe this order,
[...] Popes absolute power. That if any Cathedrall Church continued voide aboue sixe moneths, it should be lawfull for the Archbishop to conferre it where he list,
[...] as well as any smaller Benefice. The procuring of this order cost him a great summe of money. Yet no sooner was his backe turned, but the Pope, at the kings request, reuoked the same. Being thus continually vexed, thwarted, and disgraced, hee departed into voluntary exile, and there bewayling the misery of his countrey,
H
[...]s ty
[...]nny spoyled and wasted by the tyranny of the Pope, spent the rest of his dayes in continuall teares. Through extreame griefe and sorrow, or (as some thinke) too much fasting, hee fell first into a Consumption, and after into a strange kinde of Ague. Whereupon he thought good to remoue from the Abbey of Pontiniac in France (where he had layen euer since his comming out of England) and there departed this life the sixteenth of the Kalends of December, 1242. His heart and entrailes were buried at Soissy, his body at Pontiniac.
[...]Sanctus Edmundus Cantuarie Archiepiscopus, plenus virtutibus, et san
[...]titate migrauit ab hoc seculo, XVI. Kal. Decemb. et apud Pontiniacum sepultus est; Cuius merita miracula testantur.
Hic erat Edmundus anima tum corpore mundus,
Quem non immundus poterat peruertere mundus:
Anglorum Genti faueas Edmunde petenti.
Within six yeares after his death he was canonized a Saint, by
Innocentius the fourth, who appointed the foresaid day of his death for euer to be kept holy in memory of him.
Lewes the French king caused his body to be translated to a more honourable Tombe then it was first laid in, and bestowed a sumptuous Shrine vpon him, couered with gold & siluer, and richly adorned with many pretious stones: where our Lord (saith his Legend) hath shewyd many a fayre myracle for his holy servaunt Saynte
Edmonde.
This
Edmund is the last Archbishop of Canterbury that I finde to haue beene canonized; howsoeuer I dare pronounce, that since his dayes to these present times, wherein we liue; we haue had many Archbishops both for life and learning, as worthy the honour of canonization, as was himselfe, or any of these by me before remembred.
Thus much of this Diocesse vntill I be further stored of funerall Monuments, or other matters therein according to my method, either by my selfe, or my friends; onely let me tell you for a conclusion, that the whole
[Page 305] Prouince of this Bishopricke of Canterbury:
The conclusion of this Diocesie. which first of all was apparelled by
Austin the Monke with the Archbishop of Londons Pall (as I haue in part touched before) was at the first diuided by
Theodore (seuenth Bishop) into fiue Diocesses onely; howbeit in processe of time, it grew to twentie and one,
The
[...] of
[...]. besides it selfe, leauing to Yorke (which by the first institution should haue had as many as it) but Durham, Carleil, and Chester onely (except you reckon the Isle of Man.) And whereas by the ordinance of Pope
Gregory, either of these Archbishops should haue vnder him twelue inferiour Bishops, and that neither of them should bee subiect, or of lesse grace and dignitie then other;
Lanfrancke (thinking it good reason that he should make a Conquest of the English Clergie, since his Master King
William had vanquished the whole Nation) contended (at Windsore) with
Thomas Norman (Archbishop of Yorke) for the Primacie, and there by iudgement before
Hugo the Popes Legate,
Conuention for the
[...]. recouered it from him; so that euer since the one is called,
Totius Angliae Primas: and the other,
Angliae Primas: without any further addition.
Moreouer, whereas before time, the place of this Archbishop in the generall Councell, was to sit next to the Bishop of Saint
Ruffines. Anselme (the successour of this
Lanfranke) (for recompence of the seruice hee had done in oppugning the marriage of Priests,
The Archbishops
[...] the generall
[...]. and resisting the king, for the inuestiture of Clerkes) was by Pope
Vrbane endowed with this accession of honour, that hee and his Successours, should from thenceforth haue place in all generall Councels, at the Popes right foote, who then said withall:
Includamus hunc in orbe nostro, tanquam alterius orbis Papam,
Let vs include this Bishop in our owne Orbe, as it were the Pope or Father of another world.
In former ages (saith
Camden in this tract) during the Romane Hierarchie, the Archbishops of Canterbury were Primates of all Britaine, Legates to the Pope, and as
Vrbane the second said, The Patriarkes, as it were, of another world.
And thus the Archbishops of Canterbury, by the fauour which
Austin had with
Gregory the Great, by the power of
Lanfranke, and by the industrie of
Anselme,Lambard were much exalted: but how much that was to the grieuous displeasure, and pining enuie of the Archbishops of Yorke, you shall perceiue by that which followeth.
King
Henry the first, kept vpon a time his stately Christmas at Windsore, where (the manner of our kings then being at certaine solemne times to weare their Crownes)
Thurstine of Yorke hauing his Crosse borne vp before him) offered to set the Crowne vpon the kings head. But
William of Canterbury withstood it stoutly, and so preuailed by the fauour of the King, and the helpe of the standers by, that
Thurstine was not onely disappointed of his purpose, but he (and his Crosse also) thrust quite out of the doores.
William of Yorke (the next in succession after
Thurstine, both in the See and Quarrell) perceiuing that the force of his Predecessour preuailed nothing, attempted by his owne humble meanes (first made to the king, and after to the Pope) to winne the Coronation of king
Henry the second, from
[Page 306]Theobald the next Archbishop of Canterbury: But when he had receiued repulse in that sort of suite also, and found no way left to make auengement vpon his enemy, he returned home all wroth, and (as it was suspected) wreaked the anger vpon himselfe.
After this another hurly burly hapned in a Synode assembled at Westminster, in the time of King
Henry the second, before Cardinall
Hugo (Pope
Alexanders Legate) betweene
Richard and
Roger, then Archbishops of these two Sees, vpon occasion, that
Roger of Yorke comming of purpose (as it should seeme) first to the assembly, had taken vp the place on the right hand of the Cardinall: Which when
Richard of Canterbury had espied, hee refused to sit downe in the second roome; complaining greatly of this preiudice done to his See. Whereupon after sundrie replyes of speech, the weaker in disputation (after the manner of Schoole-boyes in the streets) descended from hote words, to hastie blowes: in which encounter the Archbishop of Canterbury (through the multitude of his attendants) obtained the better. So that he not onely plucked the other out of his place, and all to rent his casule, Chimer, and Rochet, but also disturbed the holy Synode therewithall; in such wise, that the Cardinall, for feare, betooke him to his feete, the company departed, their businesse vndone, and the Bishops themselues moued suite at Rome, for the finishing of their controuersie. By these, and such other successes, on the one side, the Bishops of Canterbury following, tooke such courage, that from thenceforth they would not permit the Bishops of Yorke to beare vp the Crosse, either in their presence, or Prouince.
And on the other side, the Bishops of Yorke conceiued such griefe of heart, disdaine and offence, that from time to time they spared no occasion to attempt both the one and the other.
Whereupon, in the time of a Parliament holden at London, in the raigne of King
Henry the third,
Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury, interdicted the Londiners, because they had suffered the Bishop of Yorke to beare vp his Crosse whiles he was in the Citie. And much adoe there was (within a few yeares after) betweene
Robert Kilwarby of Canterby, and
William Giffard of Yorke, because he of Yorke aduanced his Crosse, as hee passed through Kent towards the generall Councell.
The like happened also, at two other seuerall times, betweene Frier
Peckham, Archbishop of Canterbury, and
William Wickwane, and
Iohn de Roma, Archbishops of Yorke, in the dayes of King
Edward the first. At the length, the matter being yet once more set on foote, betweene
Simon Islip (the Archbishop of this Prouince, and his aduersarie the incumbent of Yorke for that time) King
Edward the third,
The end of the strife for the Primacie. in whose raigne that variance was reuiued, resumed the matter into his owne hand, and made a finall composition betweene them. The which hee published vnder his broade Seale to this effect. First, that each of them should freely, and without impeachment of the other, beare vp his Crosse in the others Prouince; but yet so, that he of Yorke and his Successours for euer, in signe of subiection, should within two moneths after their inthronization, either bring, or send to Canterbury, the image of an Archbishop bearing a Crosse, or some other Iewell, wrought in fine gold, to the value of fourty
[Page 307] pounds, and offer it openly there vpon Saint
Thomas Beckets Shryne: then, that in all Synodes of the Clergie, and assemblies where the King should happen to bee present, hee of Canterbury should haue the right hand, and the other the left. Finally, that in broad streets, and high-wayes, their Crosse-bearers should go together, but that in narrow lanes, and in the entries of doores and gates, the Crosier of Canterbury should go before, and the other follow, and come behinde.
Thus (as you see) the Bishops of Canterbury euermore preuailing by fauour, or other meanes; they of Yorke were driuen in the end, to giue ouer in the plaine field.
ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE Diocesse of ROCHESTER.
THis Bishopricke is so ouershadowed by the nearnesse and greatnesse of the See of Canterbury, that it lookes but like a good Benefice, for one of his Graces Chaplaines; yet for antiquitie and dignitie of a long succession of reuerend Lord Bishops, it may equally compare with its neighbour of Canterbury. For they had both one Founder, to wit,
Ethelbert king of Kent, who built this Church to the honour of Saint
Andrew, and endowed it with certaine lands, which he called Priestfield, in token that Priests should bee sustained therewithall. Vnto which,
Iustus a Romane (of whom before) was consecrated Bishop by Saint
Augustine, Ethelbert assenting thereto by his presence.
Hardin
[...]. ca. 88
Austin then, made Clerke full well grounded
Iusto that hight, of Rochester full well bounded
The Bishop then to preache, and helpe
Austin
And to baptise the folke by his doctrine.
This Citie pent within so straight a roome, was called in the time of the Saxon Kings, the Kentishmens Castle, and at this day, shee and her little Diocesse, may make their vaunt, of their impregnable fortification by the Name Royall; the maine defence of Britaines great Monarchie, of the prowesse of their ancient Inhabitants, of the pleasant scituation of so many countrey▪ townes, and of the profits arising from the fruitfulnesse of the soile. Of all which reade, if you please, this Hexasticon.
[...].
Vrbs antiqua, ferox, bella est Rocestria situ,
Arx & finitimis imperiosa locis.
Hic Deus è ligno fabricauit maenia firma,
Quae sibi quaeque suis sunt modo tuta salus.
Laeta racemiferos passimque per oppida colles
Continet, ac culti iugera multa Soli.
This Diocesse (for the most part) is seuered from that of Canterbury by the riuer of Medway: it consists onely of foure distinct Deaneries, namely,
[Page 309] Rochester, Malling, Dartford, and Shorham. Yet Shorham is but a Peculiar to the Archbishop, who holds his prerogatiue wheresoeuer his lands do lie.
This Bishopricke is valued in the Exchequer at 358. l. 3. s. 7. d. farthing, and was wont to pay to the Pope for first-fruits 1300. ducates, and for Peter-pence, 5. l. 12. s.
Eightie Bishops and one haue sitten in this Chaire of Rochester, more in number by nine then in that of Canterbury.
His name that now gouerneth the Helme, is that right reuerend Father in God,
Iohn Bowles, Doctor of Diuinitie, brought vp in Trinitie Colledge in Cambridge.
In the whole numerous race of these Bishops,
Lamb. peramb. succeeding
Iustus, three amongst others lye here interred (howsoeuer no remembrance is now remaining of them, by any funerall Monument) most notable:
Paulinus, Gundulphus, and
Gilbertus. Of which, the first, after his death, was honoured for a Saint. The second was the best Benefactour that euer this Church found. The third was so hatefull and iniurious to the Monkes, that they neither esteemed him while he was liuing, nor wailed him at all, after that he was dead.
Paulinus,Paulinus Bishop of Rochester, and first of Yorke. a Romane borne, was first made Bishop of Yorke by
Iustus his predecessour in this place, as then Archbishop of Canterbury; about the 21. day of Iuly, in the yeare of our Lord, 625. and so he is reckoned to be the first Archbishop of that Prouince.
Beda. l. 2.
c. [...]. Yet I finde a Succession of British Archbishops of that place long before his time, euer since the yeare of Grace, one hundred and eightie, or thereabouts. Wherein
Lucius, king of the Britaines, receiued the Christian faith; the last of which race, was one
Tadiacus; who, at the comming in of the Saxons, was, with most of his countreymen, enforced to flie into the mountanous countries of Cornwall, and Wales,
Mss. in bib. Cot. and so consequently to forsake his pontificall Grace and Dignitie. Of all which may it please you reade these verses out of the collections of
Tho. Talbot, sometime keeper of Records in the Tower.
Turbatis rebus Archipresul Tadiacus,
Ecclesie sedem deserit et patriam.
Archipontificum Tadiacus sedis Eborum,
Vltimus ex Britonum gentibus ille fuit.
Corpora sanctorum simul omnia vasa sacrorum▪
Cunctas res reliquas transtulit ille sacras.
Expulsi Britones nomen patriamque relinquunt,
Dicti Wallenses nomine barbario.
But to returne againe to
Paulinus, from whom I am by occasion digressed, who, being now inuested in the sanctimonious robes of a Bishop: neuer rested a moment, but either instructed the people, that flocked about him, by preaching, or else imparted Christ vnto them by Baptisme, which he ministred in the open fields and Riuers (Churches, Oratories, Fonts, or places of Baptisme being not as yet builded) it is said that in the Riuer of Swale in Yorkeshire,
Bedal
[...]. [...]. hee christened in one day aboue ten thousand men,
[Page 310] besides women and little children; which said riuer was a long time after reputed sacred amongst the ancient English.
Camd. in Ric
[...]. He wonne miraculously
Edwin, king of Northumberland, vnto Christ: who with all the Nobilitie of his countrey, and most part of the Commons hauing receiued the true faith, came to the lauatorie of holy regeneration, the eleuenth yeare of his raigne, which was the yeare of our Lord, 627. Thus
Paulinus continued in the Prouince of Yorke,
B
[...]l. l. 2.
c. 2 preaching the word, and administring the blessed Sacraments, the space of seuen yeares, euen vntill the death of King
Edwin; presently vpon which, the State of his kingdome was so much infested with great slaughter, and cruell persecution; that no safetie could therein bee found, either for himselfe, or for the widow of King
Edwin, Queene
Edelburgh (both of them being Gods instruments for the conuersion of the Northumbrians to the embracement of Christian Religion) saue onely by flight. Whereupon he was constrayned to leaue his Bishopricke, and to accompanie the said Queene (with whom not long before hee came into that countrey) backe againe into this kingdome of Kent. But of
Paulinus his first admittance to Yorke, and his returne backe, thus much in old Latine rimes.
Hist. Archiepis. Ebor. in bib. Cot.
Benedicam Dominum mundi plasmatorem,
Regem Regum omnium nostrum Saluatorem.
Recolendo pariter stilo cum veraci,
Dignos Archipresules sedis Eboraci.
Anno sexcentesimo Christi incarnati
Quinto cum vicesimo sunt nouo creati.
Quorum Pastor nobilis primus est Paulinus;
Gregem pascit vtilis dum regnat Edwinus.
Septem annis regimen digne gubernauit,
Tunc ad Austrum redijt, dum Gens Regem strauit.
At his returne from Yorke, this See of Rochester was vacant: and at the offer of Archbishop
Honorius, and at the request of King
Edbald, he tooke vpon him that charge, which he right wisely and religiously gouerned the space of thirteene yeares; vntill, at his full and ripe age, he was called away by death, to receiue the glorious reward of his blessed labours. Which happened Octob. the tenth,
Ann. 644.19. yeares 2. moneths, and 21. dayes, after his first consecration: This
Paulinus (the third Bishop of this Diocesse) was first interred vnder a very seemely Monument, in the old Church of King
Ethelberts foundation; but about foure hundred and thirty yeares afterwards, being canonized for a Saint, his reliques were remoued, (enshrined in a coffin all of curious wrought siluer) into the body of the new built Church, by
Gundulphus one of his Successours: to the which (according to the manner of those times) much concourse of people came, with many rich oblations: such was his Epitaph.
Ex lib. Anon. in bib Cott.
Siste gradum clama qui perlegis hoc Epigramma
Paulinum plora quem substraxit breuis hora
Nobis per funus: de Presulibus fuit vnus,
Prudens, veridicus, constans, & firmus amicus
[Page 311]Anni sunt rati Domini super astra regentis,
Quadraginta dati quatuor cum sex quoque centis.
Paulinus being dead,
Honorius Archbishop of Canterbury, aduanced one
Ithamar,Ithamar Bishop of Rochester. a Kentishman borne, to his place, the first Englishman of this Nation that was a Bishop. A man nothing inferiour either in life or learning to
Paulinus, or any of his Italian predecessours. He departed this life about the yeare 656. Many miracles are said to be wrought by this religious
Ithamar, and great concourse of people frequented the place of his buriall, which was (at the first) in the body of the Church. But afterwards his reliques were remoued by Bishop
Gundulph,Cap. in vit. S. Ithamari. and enshrined; and after him by
Iohn Bishop of this Church: who by his prayers at his Shrine was cured,
ab acerrimo oculorum dolore, of a grieuous paine in his eyes. For this and many other signes and tokens of his sanctitie, hee was canonized (if we may beleeue
Capgraue) and the fourth of the Ides of Iune solemnized to his memory. Of whom a late writer, thus.
Of Rochester, we haue Saint
Ithamar, being then
In those first times,
M. Drai
[...]on▪ Polyol. 24.
Song
first of our natiue English men
Residing on that seate.
Before I come to
Gundulphus, I will take
Tobias by the way,
Tobias Bishop of Rochester. an Englishman, the ninth Bishop of this Diocesse: in whose commendations
Nicholas Harpsfeld, sometime Archdeacon of Canterbury, thus writeth. I will vse his owne language.
Tobias a Brithwaldo Archiepiscopo consecratus,Harps. Hi
[...] Eccles. Angl octa
[...]um Saecul c. [...].vir ampliore, & honoratiore sede (si locus hominem, et homo locum non commendaret) dignissimus, qui Theodori & Adriani discipulus fuit. Quantum vero sub his praeceptoribus profecerit: luculenter ostendit Beda, qui cum omnium humanarum, diuinarumque rerum scientissimum fuisse, & Latinam Graecamque linguam, tam accurate, atque maternam calluisse affirmat. Hee dyed about the yeare 726.
Here lyeth interred
Gundulphus,Gundulph Bishop of Rochester. a Norman by birth, the thirtieth Bishop of Rochester, a man not greatly learned, but very wise and industrious: for he handled the matter so, as hee procured not onely his Church to be new built, but also the reuenues to be encreased. He recouered diuers lands and possessions encroched vpon, and taken away in former times by
Odo, Earle of Kent.
Godwin de prae
[...]ul. Ang. And besides diuers summes of money, which hee contributed, he bought a certaine Mannor called Heddre, and gaue it to this his owne Church. In all these matters hee was much helped by
Lanfranke, Archbishop of Canterbury, who caused him to take into his Church, not secular Priests, as before had beene accustomed, but Monkes Benedictines.
Gundulph himselfe being a Monke of that order, vpon his first admittance to this See, he found onely sixe secular Priests in the Church, who were endowed scarcely with sufficient meanes to liue according to their place and callings. Before his death he encreased his Church-reuenues to that height, that it did and was able to maintaine fifty Monkes, some say threescore. The yearely value of this Monastery at the suppression amounted to 486. l. 5. s. The donations to this Monastery were confirmed by Pope
Vrban the second, in these words following.
[Page 312]Bulla Vrbani secundi in bib.
[...]im D'ewes Equit, aurat.Vrbanus Episcopus seruus seruorum Dei. Dilectis filijs Priori & capitulo Ecclesie Roffen. Ordinis sancti Benedicti Salutem, et Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum à nobis petitur quod iustum est et honestum, tam vigor equitatis, quam etiam ordo exigit rationis, vt id per solicitudinem officij nostri ad debitum perducatur effectum. Ea propter dilecti in Domino filij vestris iust is postulationibus grato concurrentes assensu, personas vestras et Ecclesiam Roffen, in qua diuino est is obsequio mancipati cum omnibus bonis que impresentiarum rationabiliter possidetis, aut in futurum iust is modis prestante domino poteritis adipisci sub beati Petri protectione suscipimus at que nostra. Specialiter autem, terras, decimas, domus, possessiones, vineas, prata, et alta bona vestra, sicut ea iuste et pacifice obtinetis vobis et per vos eidem Ecclesie auctoritate Apostolica confirmamus, et presentis scripti patrocinio communuimus: Salua in predictis decimis moderatione Concilij generalis. Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostre confirmationis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare presumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei et beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum eius, se nouerit incursurum. Dat. Ianu. III. Id. Ianuar. Pontificatus nostri, Anno octauo.
M ss. in bib. Cot.When as
William the Conquerour built the great white square Tower of London, hee appointed this Bishop to bee principall Surueyor of that worke: who was for that time lodged in the house of one
Edmere a Burgesse of London: as it is in the booke of the Bishops of Rochester in these words.
Gundulphus Episcopus mandato Willelmi Regis magni presuit operi magne Turris London, quo tempore hospitatus est apud quendam Edmerum Bargensem London.
The Hospitall of Chetham.This Bishop built a great part of the Castle of Rochester, namely, the great Tower which yet standeth. Hee founded an Hospitall in Chetham, which hee dedicated to the honour of Saint
Bartholomew, for the reliefe of such people as were infected with the foule disease of the Leprosie: hee endowed it with sufficient reuenues; which grant was confirmed by king
Henry the third, and discharged of all taxes, and tallages, by King
Ed. the third.
Malling Abbey.He founded the Abbey at Malling, which he consecrated to the blessed Virgine, and placed therein blacke Nunnes. Which Nunnery he gouerned himselfe during all his life time. And lying at the point of death, hee commended it to the charge of one
Auice,Lamb peramb. to whom notwithstanding he would not deliuer the Pastorall staffe, before shee had promised canonicall obedience, fidelitie, and subiection to the See of Rochester; and protested by oath, that there should neither Abbesse nor Nunne bee from thenceforth receiued into the house, without the consent and priuitie of him and his Successours. This Nunnery was valued at the suppression, at two hundred fourty fiue pounds, ten shillings two pence halfepeny of yearely reuenue. Ouer the Abbey gate yet standing, is the likenesse of a Pastorall staffe. This good Bishop dyed the seuenth of March, 1107. and was buried where you see the pourtraitures of certaine Bishops, sometimes artificially cut in stone and Alabaster, but now cut almost all in peeces, dismembred, and shamefully abused (as all other Monuments in this Church are, of any antiquity) so that neither reading, nor tradition can giue vs any true notice of their names.
[Page 313]Gilbert de Glanuil (before mentioned) a gentleman of an ancient family,
Gilbert de Glanvill Bishop of Rochester was consecrated to this Bishopricke, September 29.
Ann. 1185. Betweene this man and his Monkes of Rochester was long and continuall debate; by occasion whereof, hee tooke away from them all their moueable goods, all the ornaments of their Church, their writings and euidences, yea and a great part of their lands,
Godwin. possessions and priuiledges; wanting money to follow their suites against him, they were forced to coyne the siluer of Saint
Paulinus Shryne into money. These controuersies were ended no otherwise then by his death, which happened, Iune 24. 1214. hauing ruled his contentious charge 29. yeares. But the hatred of these Monkes against him was so dying with him, as they would afford him no manner of Obsequies, but buried him most obscurely, or rather basely, without either ringing, singing, or any other solemnitie; and furthermore abused him with such like rime-doggerell.
Glanvill Gilbert us nulla bonitate refertus
Hic iacet immitis & amator maxime litis;
Et quia sic litem, dum vixit, solet amare,
Nunc vbi pax nulla est, est aptior inhabitare.
These blacke Monkes (whom I thinke, if the matter were well examined,
The Hospitall in Strowd. would proue to be in the fouler fault) were too malitious to remember that this Bishop founded S.
Maries Hospitall at Strowd, neare adioyning to this Citie, called the New worke, and endowed it witha liuelihood of 52. l. of yearely profits, which it now enioyeth.
Here lyeth entombed the body of
Walter de Merton,Walterus Mer
[...]ton Bishop of Rochester. so surnamed of Merton, a village in Surrey, where he was borne, sometimes Lord Chancellour of England, Bishop of this See, and Founder of Merton Colledge in Oxford: To whose memory Sir
Henry Savill (that rare Grecian,
Sir
Hen. Sauill. and exact reuiuer of Antiquities, now deceased) late Warden of the said Colledge, and Prouost of Eaton, with the fellowes of the same, taking downe an old marble Tombe, haue erected another Monument ouer him of Touch and Alabaster, bearing this Inscription.
Waltero de Merton Cancellario Angliae sub Henrico tertio, Episcopo Roffensi sub Edwardo primo Rege, vnius exemplo, omnium quotquot extant Collegiorum Fundatori; maximorum Europae totius ingeniorum faelicissimo parenti: Custos & Scholares domus Scholarium de Merton in Vniuersitate de Oxon. communibus Collegij impensis debitum pietatis Monumentum posuere. Ann. Dom. 1598.
Henrico Savile Custode.
Obijt in vigilia Simonis & Iudae Ann. Dom. 1277.
Edwardi primi quinto. Inchoauerat Collegium Maldoniae in agro Surr. Ann. Dom. 1264.
Hen. tertij 48.
cui dein salubri consilio Oxonium. Anno 1270.
trans. extrema manus faelicissimis (vt credi par est) auspicijs accessit anno 1274.
ipsis Cal. Aug. anno Regni Regis Edwardi primi secundo.
Magne senex titulis, Musarum sede sacrata
Maior, Mertonidum maxime progenie:
Haec tibi gratantes post saecula sera nepotes,
En votiua locant marmora, sancte parens.
[Page 314]Haymo s.Haymo de Heath, or
Hythe, so named of Hithe, a Towne in this tract, where he was borne, lyeth buried by the North wall: he was Confessour to King
Edward the second. This man built much at his Mannor houses of Troscliffe and Hawling. In the Towne of Hithe before named, he founded the Hospitall of Saint
Bartholomew,S. Barthol. Hosp. in Hithe. for reliefe of ten poore people, endowing the same with twenty Markes of yearely reuenue. He resigned his Bishopricke into the Popes hands, of whom he had receiued consecration in the Court at Rome,
In bib. Cott.Ann. 1352. and liued about some six yeares after that a priuate life with the Monkes in this Priory. This Bishop (saith the booke of Rochester) bought a precious Miter which was
Thomas Beckets, of the Executours of the Bishop of Norwich, which hee offered at the high Altar, on S.
Pauls day, 1327.
Iohn de Shepey Bishop of Rochester, Lord Treasurer.Iohn de Shepey, so likewise surnamed from the place of his birth, vpon
Haymo his resignation, was by the Pope elected to this Bishoprick; hee was Lord Treasurer of England, in the two and thirtieth yeere of King
Edward the third, in which office he continued about three yeeres, euen vntill his death, which happened the nineteenth of October, 1360. His portraiture is in the wall ouer his place of Buriall.
Io. Lowe Bishop of Rochester.Here, ouer against Bishop
Merton, lieth buried, vnder a faire Marble Tombe, the body of
Iohn Lowe, Bishop of this Diocesse, borne in Worcestershire, and brought vp in Oxford, where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinitie. He liued for a time in the Abbey of the Friers Augustines in Worcester,
Bale Cent. 4. of which order he was Prouinciall;
Vir aetate sua ab omni parte doctus: So that in regard of his great learning, and painfulnes in preaching, he was preferred first to the Bishoprick of Saint Asaph,
Godwin. by King
Henry the sixt, and after that translated to this of Rochester; hee writ diuers learned works, and was a carefull searcher after good bookes, so as diuers copies of some ancient Fathers had vtterly perished but for his diligence. Hee died the yeere 1467. hauing gouerned the See of Saint Asaph foure yeeres, and and this of Rochester foure and twenty. The inscription vpon his Tombe is almost all gone, only these words remayning,
. . . . . . Iohannis Low Epis . . . . . .
. . . . . . miserere mei Domine.
Credo videre Dominum in terra viventium.
O quam breve spatium huius mundi sicomp. . . . .
Sic mundi gloria transit.
Sancte Andree & Augustine, orate prop nobis.
I doe not finde the certainty of any other of the Bishops of this Diocesse to haue bin buried in this Cathedrall Church; for most commonly in ancient times, as now, they departed from this place, before they departed from the world, this Ecclesiasticall preferment being but a step to some higher aduancement. A word therefore or two of Saint
William here enshrined, and the like of the Priory, and so I will take my leaue of this most ancient, and no lesse reuerend Episcopall Chaire; and goe to Gillingham; for the rest of the funerall Monuments in this Church, are of later times; which I reserue for another Volume.
This Priory erected by
Gundulph, and the number of her religious Votaries,
[Page 315] encreased by him from sixe secular Priests,
Priory of Rochester. to threescore blacke Canons or Monkes, with ample reuenues for their maintenance, was, within the compasse of one hundred yeares; what by casuall fire, what by the falling out of the Monkes, and Bishop
Glanvill, and what by the calamities it sustained in the warres of King
Iohn, brought to that ruine and pouerty, that the beauty of all her goodly buildings was altogether defaced, her Church burned, her sacred Vtensiles, by robbery and suites in law, embezelled, mispent, and consumed, and the whole Couent greatly indebted.
Anno,Lib. Rossen. in bib. Cott. 1179.3.
Id. Aprilis Rofensis Ecclesia cum omnibus officinis, & cum tota vrbe infra & extra muros combusta est, anno 97.
ex quo Monachi in eadem Ecclesia instituti sunt.
It was now therefore high time, saith Master
Lambard, to deuise some way whereby this Priory and Church of Rochester, might be, if not altogether, restored to the ancient wealth and estimation, yet at the least somewhat relieued from this penury, nakednesse, and abiection. Therefore
Laurence of Saint
Martins, Bishop of this Church, and Councellour of King
Henry the third, perceiuing the common people to bee somewhat drawne (by the fraud of the Monkes) to thinke reuerently of one
William,Lamb. per amb. that lay buried in the Church, and knowing well, that there was no one way, so compendious to gaine, as the aduancement of a Pilgramage, procured at the Popes Court, the canonization of the said
William,S.
William of Rochester. with Indulgence to all such as would offer at his Tombe, vnderpropping by meanes of this new Saint, some manner of reuerend opinion of the Church, which before (through the defacing of the old Bishop
Paulinus his Shrine) was declined to naught.
This Saint
William was by birth a Scot of Perthe,
Neua Legenda Capgraui
[...] ▪ by trade of life a Baker of bread; in charitie so abundant, that hee gaue to the poore the tenth loafe of his workmanship, in zeale so feruent, that in vow he promised, and in deed attempted to visit the holy Land, and the places where Christ was conuersant on earth. In which iourney, as he passed through Kent, he made Rochester his way, where after that he had rested two or three dayes, he departed toward Canterbury, but ere he had gone farre from the Citie, his seruant that waited on him, led him (of purpose) out of the high-way, and spoyled him both of his money and life. This done, the seruant escaped, and the Master (because he dyed in so holy a purpose of minde) was by the Monkes conueyed hither to Saint
Andrewes, laid in the Quire, and promoted by the Pope, as you haue heard, from a poore Baker to a blessed Martyr. Here (as they say) he shewed miracles very plentifully, which made people of all sorts offer vnto him wondrous liberally, euen vntill these latter times; insomuch, that with two yeares oblations at his Shrine, one
William de Hoo, a Sacrist, or keeper of the holy treasures, of this Church, built the whole Quire as it now stands.
Richard Walden a Monke and sacrist,
Lib. Rossen, in bib. Cot. built the South Isle,
Richard Eastgate, a Monke and Sacrist, began the North Isle of the new worke, towards Saint
Williams gate, which Frier
William de Axenham almost finished.
Geffery de Hadenham Prior, payed thirteene hundred pounds in one day, to certaine creditours, to whom this Church stood indebted, since the time of her troubles, the same man bought certaine lands in Banerkin, and
[Page 316] Darent, which he gaue to this House; and bequeathed to the same 300. l. in money vpon his decease. He built the Dorter in the Priory, and the Altar of Saint
Edmund in the Church. To which, or rather to the high Altar,
Haymo, Bishop of this Diocesse, offered vp a pretious Miter, which sometime belonged to Archbishop
Becket, and which hee bought of the Executours of
Iohn Bishop of Norwich. Thus by the gaines of
William, the Bakers Shrine, and by the pious endeauours and bounteous donations of diuers well disposed persons, this Monastery was in short time reedified, adorned, and aduanced to her former height, glory, wealth, and estimation. So that it was valued by the Commissioners of the late suppression, at foure hundred eightie sixe pounds, eleuen shillings, fiue pence, by yeare.
Gillingham.
In this Church are diuers faire Monuments fairely kept, of the
Beaufits, an ancient family, whose chiefe seate was at Grauch-court within this Parish, as I was enformed.
Io. Beaufits and
Isabel his wife.Ici gist Iehan Beaufits qi morust 25
iour Nouemb. l'an de dieu, 1427.
et Isabella sa feme que morust la 30.
iour de Decemb. 1419.
Iesu noster saueor de la grand pite
De lor almes eit mercie. Amen.
Io. Beaufits and
Alice his wife.Hic iacet Iohannes Beaufits, filius Iohannis Beaufits, Ar. et Alicia vxor eius, qui quidem Iohannes obiit 25.
Nouemb. Ann. Dom. 1433.
quorum, &c.
Rob. Beaufits &
Sara his wife.Hic iacet Robertus Beaufits, qui ob. 1381.
et Sara vxor eius, que obiit 1395
Cur nunc in puluere dormio.
Ioane Bamme &
Iohn Bamme her sonne.Here lyeth
Ioane Bamme, sometime the wife of Master
Richard Bamme Esquire, daughter of
Iohn Marten, sometime chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas, and mother of
Iohn Bamme, who lyeth on the North side of this Chappell. Which said
Ioane deceased in the yeare of grace, 1431. Here was a pilgrimage to our Lady of Gillingham.
Ailesford.
The
[...]iery.Richard, Lord
Grey of Codnor in Darbishire, in the yeare 1240. founded here a religious house of white Friers, Carmelites, where now is seene (saith
Camden) the faire habitation of Sir
William Sidley,Com. in
[...]en
[...]. a learned knight, painefully and expensfully studious of the common good of his countrey, as both his endowed house for the poore,
The Almeshouse o
[...] Hospitall. and the bridge here with the common voice dotestifie.
Not farre from this Towne of Ailesford, lye interred the bodies of
Catigern and
Horsa;
Catigern and
Horsa. who hand to hand, killed one the other in a set battell;
Catigern was the brother of
Vortimer king of the Britaines, and
Horsa brother of
Hengist the Saxon.
But this battell, as also their buriall, are the best set downe by
Camden, out of
Lambards perambulation. This Towne (saith hee) was named in the British tongue,
Saissenaeg haibail of the Saxons there vanquished, like
[Page 317] as others in the very same sense tearmed it
Anglesford. For
Guortimer the Britaine,
The battell of
Ailesford.Guortigerus sonne, did here set vpon
Hengist, and the English Saxons, whom being disrayed, and not able to abide a second charge, he put all to flight; so as they had beene vtterly defeited for euer, but that
Hengist, skilfull and prouident to preuent, and diuert danger, withdrew himselfe into the Isle of Tenet, vntill that the inuincible vigour and heate of the Britanes was allayed, and fresh supplies came to his succour out of Germany. In this battell were slaine the Generalls of both sides,
Catigern the Britaine, and
Horsa the Saxon, of whom the one buried at Horsted,
Horsted. not farre from hence, gaue name to the place: and
Catigern honoured with a stately and solemne funerall, is thought to haue beene interred neare vnto Ailisford, where vnder the side of an hill,
Catigern his sepulchre. I saw foure huge, rude, hard stones erected, two for the sides, one transuersall in the middest betweene them; and the hugest of all piled and layed ouer them, in manner of the British Monument, which is called Stonehenge, but not so artificially with Mortis and tenents. Verily the vnskilfull common people call it at this day, of the same
Catigern, Keiths or
Kits, Coty house. The like Monument was of
Horsa at Horsted, which stormes and time haue now deuoured. This battell was smitten in the yeare of Grace 457.
Addington.
Hic iacent Richardus Charles et Alicia vxor,
Ric: Charles
& Alice
his wife. qui quidem Ric. obiit, An. Dom.
1370. facile contemnit omnia......
Hic iacet Willelmus Suayth Ar. dominus de Addington,
Will Suayth
& Alice
his wife. ac vicecomes Cantie et Alicia vxor eius ob..:. Marcii Ann.
1464.
Bonis et mors et vita dulcis.
Hic iacet Robertus Watton,
Rob. Watton. Dominus et Patronus istius Ecclesie, qui obiit die Ascentionis Anno
1444.
Hic iacent Willelmus Watton,
Will. Watton, Benet
and Alice
his wiues. Ar. Dominus istius ville, Benedicta, et Anna, vxores eius, qui Willelmus obiit
29. Decemb.
1464.
Hic iacet Robertus Watton Ar. filius et heres Willelmi Watton Armigeri,
Rob. Watton
& Alice
his wife. et Alicia vxor eius filia Iohannis Clark vnius Baronum Scaccarii Regis, qui Robertus istius ville Dominus et Ecclesie verus Patronus ob.
4. Nouemb. anno
1470.
Hic iacet Iohannes Northwood,
Io. Norwood. Arm. filius et heres ..... Northwood ..... obiit
30. April,
1416.
Of this man. and of his Mannor of Northwood
or Norwood,
The Mannor of Norwood:thus much out of Lambard.
In the dayes of King Edward
the Confessour (saith hee) one hundred Burgesses of the Citie of Canterbury, ought their suite to the Mannor of Norwood;
the buildings are now demolished: but the Mannor was long time in the possession of certaine gentlemen of the same name: of which race, one was buried in the body of the Church at Addington, in the yeare 1416.
Otteham.
Hic iacet Iohannes Constenton Ar. qui ob. 2.
April 1426.
et Sara Conghurst vxor eius.Io. Constenton and
Sara his wife.
[Page 318]I finde by ancient deedes sans Date that one
Raph de Dene was the founder of a Religious house here at Otteham,
Otteham Abbey of Canons regular, confirmed in these words by the gifts of certaine lands from one
Raph de Iclesham: and some little rent,
William de Marci, and
Ela his wife.
Sciant, &c. quod ego Radulphus de Iclesham dedi et confirmaui, Deo & Ecclesie Sancti Laurencij de Oteham, terram in Oteham, &c. pro anima Radulphi de Dene Aui mei qui predictam Ecclesiam fundauit, &c.
Sciant presentes, &c. quod nos Willelmus de Marci et Ela vxar mea, dedimus et concessimus Deo et Sancto Laurentio de Oteham,In Archi
[...]is Turris London.et Canonicis ibidem Deo seruientibus, in liberam & perpetuam Eleemosinam, sex denarios quos predicti Canonici nobis annuatim soluebant de terra Roberti Rug. &c. Hij sex denarij sint ad emendacionem refectionis conuentus in die Sancti Laurencij.Sixe pence for exceedings vpon S.
Laurence day.Hanc que donationem pro salute animarum nostrarum, et Antecessorum nostrorum, & heredum nostrorum Sigillis nostris confirmauimus. Testibus, Radulfo Capellano. Ailfredo Capellano, Willelmo de Marci, &c.
But these Canons did not continue long at Otteham, the scituation of the place being vnfitting, and very chargeable for so many liuing together in a Couent; whereupon by the said
Ela, daughter and heire of the said
Raph Dene, and as then the widow of
Iordan de Sackvile (one of the Ancestors of that right honourable and no lesse ancient family of the
Sackviles, Earles of Dorset) they were remoued to Begam, a village in the South-west Verge of this County adioyning to Sussex: such was the Charter for their remouall.
In Arch. Tur. London.Sciant presentes, &c. quod ego Ela de Saukevil, filia Radulphi de Dene, in viduitate et legia potestate mea, diuine pietatis intuitu concessi Abbati et Canonicis de Otteham propter magnas et intollerabiles inedias loci de Otteham, quod transferant sedem Abbathie de Otteham, vsque ad Begeham qui dicitur Beulin, salua tenentia et dignitate aduocacionis, quam mihi et heredibus meis tam vita quam in morte tenentur. Preterea confirmaui omnes donaciones eisdem Canonicis quas pater meus eis dedit, et Robertus de Dene frater meus eis dedit.
Begham Priory.
Ela de Sackvile and Sir
Robert Turnham founders.The land whereupon this house was built, was giuen by one Sir
Robert de Turnham, a valiant knight, who flourished in the raigne of king
Richard the first, and went with him to the warres in the holy Land; as these old rimes do testifie.
Rob. Glocest.
King Richard wyth gud entent
To yat cite of Iafes went
On morne he sent aftur Sir Robart Sakevile
Sir William Wateruile
Sir Hubart and Sir Robart of Turnham.
Sir Bertram Brandes and Iohn de St Iohn.
And speaking further of this
Turnhams valour, he saith▪
Robart of Turnham with his Fauchion
Gan to crake many a croun.
But he was so busie in cracking the Sarasins Crownes,
The death of Sir
Robert Turnham. that hee tooke the lesse heed (I thinke) of his owne, for then and there he was slaine, together
[Page 319] with
Robert de Bellemont, surnamed
Blanchmaines, Earle of Leicester, with other noble warriours: whose great losse king
Richard doth thus lament.
Alas he seyd yat I was bore,
Rob. Glo
[...].
My gud Barons bith nigh forlore,
Aslaw is Robart of Lecestre,
That was my curteys Mastre,
Euery
haire.
her on him was worth a knight.
And Robart of Turnham that was wight,
William of Arsne, and Sire Gerard,
Sire Bertram, and Sire Pepard,
Thesbeth slaw and wel mo.
But to returne to
Ela de Sackvile, who hauing finished her religious fabricke, did dedicate it to the honour of the blessed Virgine
Mary, and gaue it the name of a Priory, which was valued at the suppression to 152. l. 19. s. 4. d. ob.
Sir
Thomas Sackuile knight,
Sir
Tho. Sackvile knight, sonne and heire of Sir
Andrew Sackuile, by his second wife
Ioane Burgese, who was Sheriffe of Sussex, and Surrey, the eight of King
Henry the fourth, was here interred in the Church of Beigham; as appeares by these words in his last Will, dated the first of December, 1432.
In the prerogatiue office.Ego Tho. Sakevile miles de Com. Sussex, volo me sepultum esse in Ecclesia de Beigeham. Item lego Edwardo
[...]ilio meo omnia vtensilia domus mee, &c. Hee dyed in the same yeare, the eleuenth of King
Henry the sixth.
Here sometime, in our Ladies Chappell, lay interred the body of
Richard Sackevile Esquire, who dyed
Ann. 1524.
This Church was, and that of Withiam in Sussex now is, greatly honoured by the funerall Monuments of the
Sackviles: of whom I shall haue more occasion to speake hereafter.
Pensherst.
Here in this Church vnder a marble Monument,
Sir
Stephen Pensherst knight. whereon is yet to be seene the pourtraiture of a knight compleatly armed, lyeth interred (as it is deliuered vnto me by tradition) the body of Sir
Stephen Pensherst, or
Stephen de Penchester, (for so also I finde him called) that famous Lord Warden of the Fiue Ports, who flourished in the raigne of King
Edward the first, as appeares by this Record following.
Rex scripsit Stephano de Penecestre Constabulario Castri de Douor. et custodi Quinque Portuum prouidere Naues et galeas sufficientes contra Regis aduentum in Angliam.Ex Arch. Turr
[...] London.Et meliores et fideliores Regis amicos portuum predict. secretius premuniat. Vt ipsi caute et sine strepitu preparent se ad veniend. in obuiam Regis in aduentu suo supradicto, &c. Dat. apud West. &c. 4.
Iulij. Claus. Anno 1.
Ed. primi, Cedul. pendent.
Here lye also interred diuers of that ancient and highly renowned Familie of the
Sidneys,Sidney▪ whose Monuments of any great antiquitie, together with their Inscriptions, are worne away with time. Who deriue their race
[Page 320] from
William de Sidney, Chamberlaine to king
Henry the second. Out of which came (saith
Camden) Sir
Henry Sidney, [...]amd in Ken
[...]. that renowned Lord Deputy of Ireland, who of the daughter of
Iohn Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and Earle of Warwicke,
[...] begat
Philip and
Robert, whom our late Soueraigne Lord King
Iames created Baron
Sidney of Penshert, Viscount Lisle, and Earle of Leicester. And to giue more lustre to these foresaid honours, he was elected knight and companion of the honourable Order of the Garter, at an extraordinarie Chapter holden at Greenwich, the day of May,
Ann. 1616. and enstalled at Windsor the seuenth of Iuly next following. This Earle dyed the day of ....
Ann.
Sir
Philip Sidney knight.But here I cannot passe ouer in silence Sir
Philip Sidney the elder brother, being (to vse
Camdens words) the glorious starre of this family, a liuely patterne of vertue, and the louely ioy of all the learned sort, fighting valiantly with the enemy before Zutphen in Gelderland, dyed manfully. This is that
Sidney, whom, as Gods will was, he should be therefore borne into the world, euen to shew vnto our age a sample of ancient vertues: so his good pleasure was, before any man looked for it, to call for him againe, and take him out of the world, as being more worthy of heauen then earth. Thus we may see, perfect vertue suddenly vanisheth out of sight, and the best men continue not long.
Seigneur Des Accords in his booke entituled,
Les Bigarrures (a miscellanie or hotch-potch of sundry collections) amongst many choice Epitaphs, hath one, selected out of the works of
Isaac du Bellay, the French Poet, excellently composed, to the memory of
Sieur de Boniuet, a great Commander in the warres; which by some English wit was happily imitated, and ingeniously applyed to the honour of this our worthy chiefetaine Sir
Philip; written vpon a Tablet, and fastened to a pillar in S.
Pauls Church London, the place of his buriall, as the sequele will more plainly shew.
The Epitaph for Mons. Boniuet:
La France, et le Piemont, les cieux, et les Arts,
Les Soldats, et le Mondeont fait comme six parts,
De ce grand Bonniuet: cor vne si grand chose,
Dedant vn seul tombeau ne pouuoit estre enclose.
La France en a le corps, que elle aurit esleue:
Le Piemont a le ceur, qu'il auoit esprouue:
Les cieux en ont l'esprit, et les Arts la memoire,
Les Soldats le regret, et le monde la gloire.
In English as followeth.
France, and Piemont, the Heauens, and the Arts,
The Souldiers and the world haue made sixe parts,
Of Great
Bonniuet: for who will suppose,
That onely one Tombe can this man enclose?
France hath his body, which she bred and well loued,
Piemont his heart, which his valour had proued.
The Heauens haue his soule, the Arts haue his Fame,
The Souldiers the griefe, the world his good name.
[Page 321]A briefe Epitaph vpon the death of that most valiant, and perfect honorable Gentleman, Sir
Philip Sidney, knight, late Gouernour of Flushing in Zealand, who receiued his deaths wound at a battell neare Zutphen in Gelderland, the 22. day of September, and dyed at Arnhem the 16. day of October, 86. Whose Funeralls were performed, and his body interred, within this Cathedrall Church of Saint
Paul in London, the 16. day of February next following in the yeare of our Lord God, 1586.
England,
[...].
Netherland, the Heauens, and the Arts,
The Souldiers and the world haue made sixe parts,
Of noble
Sidney: For who will suppose,
That a small heape of stones can
Sidney enclose?
England hath his body, for she it fed,
Netherland his bloud in her defence shed:
The Heauens haue his soule, the Arts haue his Fame,
The Souldiers the griefe, the world his good Name.
These Elegies also following, penned in the praise of the said
Philip, by our late Soueraigne Lord King
Iames, that sole Monarch of many Nations, giue a glorious lustre to his Heroicke actions.
In Philippi Sidnaei interitum, Illustrissimi Scotorum Regis Carmen.
Armipotens cui ius in fortia pectora Mauors,
Tu Dea quae cerebrum perrumpere digna Tonantis,
Tuque adeo biiugae proles Latonia r
[...]pis
Gloria, deciduae cingunt quam collibus artes,
Duc tecum, et querula Sidnai funera voce
Plangite, nam vester fuerat Sidnaeus alumnus.
Quid genus, et proauos, et spem, floremque iuuentae,
Immaturo obitu raptum sine fine retexo?
Heu frustra queror: heu rapuit Mors omnia secum▪
Et nihil ex tanto nunc est Heroe superstes,
Praeterquam decus, et nomen virtute paratum,
Doctaque Sidneas testantia Carmina laudes.
The same translated by the said King.
Thou mighty
Mars, the Lord of Souldiers braue,
And thou
Minerve, that dois in wit excell,
And thou
Apollo, who dois knowledge haue
Of euery art that from
Parnassus fell.
With all your Sisters that thaire on do dwell,
Lament for him, who duely seru'd you all:
Whome in you wisely all your arts did mell,
Bewaile (I say) his vnexpected fall.
I neede not in remembrance for to call
His race, his youth, the hope had of him ay,
Since that in him doth cruell Death appall
[Page 322]Both manhood, wit, and learning euery way:
But yet he doth in bed of Honor rest,
And euermore of him shall liue the best.
Eiusdem Regis in Eundem Hexasticon.
Vidit et exanimem tristis Cytheraea Philippum,
Fleuit, et hunc Martem credidit esse suum.
Eripuit digitis gemmas, colloque monile,
Mars iterum nunquam ceu placitura foret;
Mortuus humana qui lusit imagine Diuam,
Quid faceret iam, si viueret, ille, rogo.
In English.
When
Venus sad saw
Philip Sidney slaine,
She wept, supposing
Mars that he had bin:
From fingers Rings, and from her necke the chaine
She pluckt away, as if
Mars nere againe
She ment to please. In that forme he was in
Dead, and yet could a Goddesse thus beguile,
What had he done, if he had liu'd this while?
Tunbridge.
In this ruinous Church, which (like the Ca
[...]tle) carries with it a shew of venerable antiquitie, I finde no funerall Monument of elder times remarkable; in the north window onely are depicted the pourtraitures of the Lord
Hugh Stafford, kneeling in his coate-armour, and his Bow-bearer
Thomas Bradlaine by him, with this inscription.
Hugh Lord
Staff. and
Tho. Bradlaine his Bow-bearer.
Camd in Kent.Orate pro animabus Domini Hugonis Stafford, et Thome Bradlaine Arcuar.....
This
Hugh Lord
Stafford, afterwards Earle of Buckingham, was Lord of this Mannor of Tunbridge, by his grandmother
Margaret, the onely daughter and heire of Sir
Hugh Audley, Earle of Glocester; of whom hereafter, when I come to Stone in Staffordshire, the place of his buriall.
Priory of Tunbridge.Neare to the ruinous walls of the Cast
[...]stood a Priory pleasantly seated, which in the shipwracke of such religious structures, was dasht all a peeces: founded by
Richard de Clare, Earle of Gloucester, about the yeare 1241. for Canons of Saint
Augustines order, and consecrated to S.
Mary Magdalen: Which Priory was valued by the Commissioners at the suppression to be yearely worth 169. l. 10. s. 3. d.
Richard de Clare Earle of Gloucester.This
Richard the founder dyed at Emmersfield, in the Mannor-house of
Iohn Lord
Crioil here in Kent; 14. Iulij,
Ann. 1262. his bowels were buried at Canterbury, his body at Tewxbury, and his heart here in his owne Church at Tunbridge.
Lib. Theoles. Mss. Hee was
Vir nobilis et omni laude dignus: To whose euerlasting praise this Epitaph was composed.
Aeneas kinde, fierce
Hector, here ioyntly entombed lye.
Here sometime lay entombed the bodies of
Hugh de Audley,Hugh de Audley Earle of Glocester, and
Margaret his wife. second sonne of
Nicholas Lord
Audley of H
[...]leigh Castle, in the County of Stafford, who was created Earle of Gloucester by king
Edward the third; and by the marriage of
Margaret, second daughter of
Gilbert de Clare, Earle of Glocester, surnamed the red, and sister and coheire to
Gilbert the last Earle of that surname; Lord of Tunbridge. This
Hugh dyed the tenth of Nouember 1347.
Ann. 21.
Ed. 3. I finde little of him remarkable, saue his good fortunes,
Vincent Discouery of errors. being a younger brother to marry so great an inheritrix, and to be exalted to such titles of honour. His wife
Margaret (first married to
Pierce Gaueston Earle of Cornwall) dyed before him in the yeare of our Lord, 1342. the 13. day of Aprill. They were both together sumptuously entombed by
Margaret their daughter, the onely heire of her parents, wife to
Raph de Stafford, Earle of Stafford.
The said
Raph de Stafford and
Margaret his wife,
Raph Earle of Stafford, and
Margaret his wife. were here likewise entombed, at the feet of their father and mother; this
Raph, by the marriage of his wife
Margaret, writ himselfe in his Charters and deeds, Baron of Tunbridge. And a noble Baron he was; and the first Earle of Stafford, created by
Edward the third, the fifth of March, in the twentieth and fifth yeare of his raigne.
Mills in the Catalogue of Honour, sets downe this mans pedegree after this manner, drawne from
William the Conquerours time,
Bagot Baron of Stafford. still abiding in the male line.
Nicholas the sonne of
Robert, begot
Robert the second, whose daughter and heire married to
Henry de Bagot, he in the right of his wife was made Baron of Stafford; and hee begat another called
Heruey, who left the name of
Bagot, and tooke on him the name of
Stafford: and he begot
Robert the third, father to
Nicholas the second, father to
Edmund,Vincent. Dis. errours. who begot this first Earle of Stafford, all successiuely Barons and Lords of Stafford. Hee dyed the 31. of August, in the yeare 1372.
Margaret his wife dyed the seuenth of September, 1349. This Earle was knight of the honourable order of the Garter at the first foundation.
Andrew Iud (the sonne of
Iohn Iud of this Towne of Tonebridge) sometime Lord Maior of London,
The foundation of the free-Schoole at Tonbridge. erected here a faire free-Schoole, and an Almes-house nigh Saint
Helens Church in London, and left to the Skinners (of which company he was) lands, to the value of threescore pounds, three shillings and eight pence the yeare; for the which they bee bound to pay twenty pound to the Schoolemaster, eight pound to the Vsher yearely for euer, and foure shillings the weeke to the sixe Almes-people, and twenty fiue shillings foure pence the yeare in Coales, for euer.
This
Andrew was Lord Maior of London the yeare 1550. the fourth of King
Ed. the sixth. Dyed in the yeare following, and was buried at S.
Helens aforesaid, within Bishopsgate ward.
Senenoke.
Orate pro anima Edwardi Bowrgchier filij et heredis Thome Bowrgchier militi filii Iohannis Domini de Berners:Edward Bourchier, vulgo Bowser, and
Agnes his wife.et pro anima Domine Agnete vxoris
[Page 324] dicti Thome Bowrgchier, filie Thome Carleton militis, qui quidem Edwardus obijt 24.
Augusti, 1496.
Thomas Bourchier Archbishop of Canterbury, great Vnckle to this
Edward, bought of Sir
William Fienes, Lord
Say and
Sele, (and built anew) that stately house of
Knoll hereunto adioyning, which he left to his kindred, the cause of their residence in this countrey.
Haydok Haymund.
Ecce sub hoc premitur, de funere cuius
Curia Primatus Anglorum tota soluta est
In lachrymas; Haydok Haymundus vir preciosus
Moribus, eloquio dulcis Philologus ille,
Atque Theologicus clarus fuit ille, viarum
Rupta restaurauit, letus tribuebat egenis.
Non auri cupidus, non ambitiosus honoris
Extitit, extinctum Decembris luce secunda.
Quem mors abripuit Dominoque . . . . famulari
Iussit; is annus erat Domini quem C. quater M. que
LXX complectimur, hunc bone Christe
In te confisum bonis celestibus auge. Amen.
Robert Lawe Priest.Qui pro alijs orat pro seipso laborat. Orate pro anima Roberti Lawe Capellani capelle beate Marie istius Ecclesie . . . obijt . . . . 1400.
Cuius. . . .
Tho. Brooke and
Clemence his wife.Pray for the soules of
Thomas Brooke, and
Clemence Brooke his wife, which
Clemence Brooke dyed, 1510.24. Febr. On whose soule.
Tho. Gregby.Pray for the sowls of
Tho. Gregby, Alice and
Godliffe his wyfes, and for the sowls of his fader, and moder,
Richard Gregbye, Margaret and
Agnes his wyfs, which
Thomas deceysed 22. Aprill, 1515. On whos sowls.
Robert Totleherst.Pray for the sowl of
Robart Totleherst, sometym servant vnto the Lord Cardinall
Bourchier, who died..... 1512.
Iohn Yardly and
Ioane his wife.Pray for the sowls of
Iohn Yardley, Sergeant of Armes to our Souereygn Lord the king, and
Ioane Pette his wyf, whych
Iohn died,
An. 1522.
William Potkin and
Alexandra his wife.Hic iacent Willelmus Potkine & Alexandra vxor eius, qui quidem Willelmus obijt 1.
Ianuar. 1499.
et dicta Alexandra obijt 6.
Dec. 1501.
quorum.
Respicias Lector nostrum Epitaphium vt
[...]res pro nobis Deum.
The foundation of the Schoole and Almeshouse in
Sennock. Lamb. Peramb.About the latter end of the raigne of king
Edward the third (to vse M.
Lambards words) there was found, lying in the streets of Sennocke, a poore childe, whose parents were vnknowne, and he for the same cause named after the place where he was taken vp,
William Sennock. This orphan was, by the helpe of some charitable persons, brought vp and nourtured in such wise, that being made an Apprentice to a Grocer in London, he arose by degrees, in course of time, to bee Maior, and chiefe Magistrate of that Citie.
At which time, calling to his minde the goodnesse of Almighty God, and the fauour of the Townesmen extended towards him, he determined to make an euerlasting Monument of his thankfull minde for the same; and therefore in the yeare 1418. the yeare of his Maioroialtie, hee builded both an Hospitall for reliefe of the poore; and a free-Schoole for the education of youth within this Towne, endowing both the one and the other with
[Page 325] competent yearely liuing (as the dayes then suffered) towards their sustentation and maintenance. But since his time the Schoole was much amended by the liberalitie of one
Iohn Potkyn, which liued vnder the reigne of king
Henry the eighth, and now lately also in the raigne of Queene
Elizabeth of famous memory, through the honest trauell of diuers Towne-inhabitants; not onely the yearely stipend is much increased, and the former litigious possessions quietly established, but the Corporation also changed into the name of two Wardeins, and foure Assistants of the free-Schoole of Queene
Elizabeth in Sennocke.
Seale.
In this Church,
Tho. Brenten Bishop of Rochester. vpon a marble stone inlaid with brasse, I found the portraiture of a Bishop: and these words onely remaining:
Credo quod Redemptor meus viuit. And these figures, 1389. Vnder which (as I gather by the date of the yeare of Grace)
Thomas Brenton Bishop of Rochester,
Godwin. Catalogue of Bis. lyeth interred, who trauelled into many places beyond Seas: and comming to Rome, preached in Latine before the Pope many learned Sermons, which he left behinde him in writing. For which and other his rare parts, he was much admired, and became very famous. The Pope made him his Penitenciarie, and bestowed vpon him this Bishopricke of Rochester; he being before a Benedictine Monke of Norwich. He was Confessour vnto king
Ric. the second; and a singular Benefactour he was to the English Hospitall at Rome. He dyed as before,
Ann. 1389.
Hic iacet Dominus de Bryene miles quondam Dominus de Kemsing et Sele qui obijt 13.
Septemb. 1395.
Sir
Bruin knight.
The family of the
Bruins (which I take to bee all one with this name) was a long time famous,
C
[...]md. in Essex as well in Essex, as in this tract. The last I finde of exemplarie note,
Stow. Annal. was one
Thomas Bruine, high Sheriffe of Kent, who with the Lord
Scales and others, kept the Tower of London, for their Soueraigne Lord king
Henry the sixth, against the rebellious Earles,
Ann. 1460.
Reg. 38.
Wrotham.
De Strattone natus iacet hic Rogerus humatus,
Reg. Stratton
Parson.
De Wrotham Rector sacre pagineque Professor.
Credo quod redemptor meus viuit et . . . . .
Orate pro anima Iohannis Burgoine filij Iohannis Burgoine de Impington in Com. Cantab. . . . Cuius.
These
Burgoines were
[...]ometime Lords of Caxton in Cambridgeshire,
Camd. in Camb by whom it came to the
Iermins.
Orate pro anima Richardi Ieames .: . . . huic Ecclesie Benefac. . . . qui obiit 15.
Sept. 1501.
Rich. Ieames a Blacksmith.Cuius.
This man, say the Inhabitants, was a speciall Benefactor to this Church, a Tradesman and a Smith, as appeares by the picture of a paire of Pinsers vpon his Monument.
Marmoreo lapide Thomas Gawge subtumulatur,
Tho. Gawge.
[Page 326]Qui vero dum vixit residens Doctor Thelogie,
Sistebat; etiam tum Cancellarius ille
Prenobilis Ducisse fuit pariter Eboraci.
Quem Deus euexit nuper ad agamatha regni,
Octobris mensis X. bina dieque secunda.
M. Domini quater hiis addito septuagena.
Iames Peckham and
Margaret his wife.Hic iacet Iacobus Peckham Ar. et Margareta vxor eius filia Thome Burgoine de Impington in Com. Cant. Ar. qui ob. 28.
Febr. 1500.
et Margareta ob.—die—quorum.
Reynold Peckham and
Ioice his wifeOf yowr cherity pray for the sowls of
Reynald Peckham the elder, Squire for the body of the most excellent Prince king
Henry the eight, who decesed 27 Feb. 1525. and for the sowl of
Ioice Colepeper his wife which decesed 20. March, 1523.
Hic iacet Willelmus Peckham Ar.Cupbearer.
Will. Peckham and
Katherine his wife.Cironomon Tho. Bourchier Episcopi Cant. et Cardinalis, qui obiit 28.
Iunij 1491.
et Katherina vxor que obiit 23.
Aug. 1491.
Quorum animabus.
Tho Peckham and
Dorothie his wife.Hic iacet Thomas Peckham et Dorothea qui ob.... die .... An. Dom..... et Dorothea ob. 19.
Decemb. 1512.
quorum, &c.
Iames Peckham and
Agnes his wife.Of yowr.... of
Iames Peckham Esquire, and
Agnes his wife, the which
Iames decesed 5. Aug. 1532. on whos soule and al Christian souls, Iesu haue mercy.
Martin Peckhā and
Margerie his wife.Here are two tombes in the Church-yard, and neare to the Churchdoore, the one of which (saith
Francis Thinne Lancaster Herald) was erected to the memory of
Martin Peckham Esquire: the other to
Margerie Peckham his wife; by the marriage of which
Margerie ample reuenues came to the family of the
Peckhams, she being daughter and heire to
Yaldham, Lord of the Mannor of Yaldham.
Glouer Somerset Herald in his Collections saith, that
Iohn Peckham did hold the Mannor of West-Peckham, in the first of
Henry the third. But certaine it is that
Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury, in the raigne of
Edward the first, was the first man that aduanced his name to those great possessions, which his posteritie enioyed euen till these our times.
Chidingston.
Sir
Thomas Willoughby and
Bridget his wifeOrate pro animabus Thome Willughby militis, vnius Iusticiar. domini Regis de Banco, filij Christoferi Willughby militis, ac etiam Domini Willughby in Com. Suffolk. et domine Brigitte vxoris Thome Willughby predicti, vnius filiarum & heredum Roberti Read militis, ac primatis de communi loco Iusticiar. qui quidem Thomas obijt 28.
die Sept. Ann. 1545.
Iohn Loft Priest.Pray for the sowle of
Iohn Lofte, Master of Arts, Preest for my Lord
Read the .... of Aug. . . 1500. on whos sowl and all Christian sowls Iesu haue mercy, Amen.
Io. Alphegh and
Isabel his wife.Hic iacet Iohannes Alphegh . . . . Isabella filia . . . . qui quidem Iohannes obijt An. 1489.
& predicta Isabella obijt 23.
Sept. 1479.
quorum anima
[...]
Thinne Collect.This
Iohn Alphegh built Bore place here in Chidingston, which
[...]Robert Read enlarged, and after that it was enlarged by Sir
Thomas Willoughby[Page 327] knight, and then by
Thomas Willoughby now liuing, 1575.
Among the
Willoughbeis (saith learned
Clarentieux) one excelled all the rest, in the reigne of
Henry the fifth,
Camd. in
Lincol. Willoughby Earle of Vandosme. named Sir
Robert Willoughbey, who for his martiall prowesse was created Earle of Vandosme in France; and from these by the mothers side descended,
Peregrine Berti, Baron
Willoughby of Eres by, a man for his generous minde and militarie valour, renowned both in France and the Low-countreys. whose
Robert Berti Lord
Willoughby of Eresby, Earle of Lindsey, and Lord great Chamberlaine of England.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Wood Decretorum Baccalarij nuper Rectoris huius Ecclesie,Io. Wood.ac Prebendarii de Hastings qui ob. 7.
Maii 1487.
Orate pro anima Edmundi Read filii Roberti Read militis,Edmund Read.ac vnius Iusticiar. Domini Regis de Banco, qui quidem Edmundus obiit 10.
Iunii 1501.
Sir
Robert Read built the North Chappell of this Church,
S. Katherines Chappell.Ann. 1516.
in honorem Dei et Sancte Katherine: he was made chiefe Iustice 22. of
Henry the seuenth, and dyed about the tenth of
Henry the eight.
Itham or
Igtham.
Of your charity. .... of Sir
Richard Clement knight,
Sir
Ric. Clement knight, and
Anne his wife. and
Anne his wife, daughter of Sir
William Catesby of Northamptonshire knight, which
Anne decesed 3. Nouemb. 1528. and the said Sir
Richard decesed—day of—
Ann. Dom.—on whos sowls. ...
Of your cherite prey for the sowl of
Richard Astall,Ric. Astall. Master of Arte of Camb. and late Parson of Itame, and Cheuening, and Prebendarie of
Wingham. The which
Richard decesed 21. Aug. 1546. on whos.
Here is a Tombe of Marble which is supposed by most of the neare Inhabitants, to be made for Sir
Richard Hawte,Hawte: sometime owner and founder of the Mote, and Lieutenant of the Tower of London. Some say to Sir
Nicholas, some one knight of that name, some another: for an ancient family they were of knights degree,
Glouer. Somerset. and Lords of many faire Mannors; all which (by the marriage of
Iane and
Elizabeth, daughters and coheires of Sir
William Hawte knight, by
Mary his wife, the daughter of Sir
Richard Guilfora knight) came to be the inheritance of Sir
Thomas Wiat, and Sir
Tho. Culpepper: yet some more iudicious say, that this Monument was erected for one
Cawne, who was likewise owner of the Mote, who married with
Morrant Lord of
Morrants Court.
Cobham.
In this Church are many faire Monuments fouly defaced, vnder which the
Cobhams, and
Brookes, Lords and Barons of this Towne of Cobham, with many of their kindred, Allies and progenie lie interred; who for many descents did flourish in honourable reputation, euen vntill these our times.
Vous
(que) passericy . . . . pries pur l'alme le curteis . . . . . Iohan de Cobham,Ioane Lady
Cobham.auat a nom dieux luy fari verray. Pardon qe trespassa lendemayne de Seynt Mathy le passent oustre a demorer one lay, en l'an de Grace 1354.
Icy gist Margerie de Cobham iadis Femme a tresnoble cheualier .......Margery Lady
Cobham.Regni . . . . ordre . . . . que morust le IIII iour de Sept. l'an de Grace 1375.
de . . . . dieu et mercy.
[Page 328]To make this maymed inscription more perfectly to bee vnderstood, let me tell you that this
Margerie or
Margaret (for I can hardly discerne whether by the engrauement) was the wife of that braue warriour
Reynold Baron
Cobham, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, knight of the Garter, and Admirall of the Sea coasts from Thames mouth Westward;
Lib
[...] in hil. Cot. who dyed of the second Pestilence, in theraigne of king
Edward the third,
An. Dom. 1361.
Vous q par icy passer . . . . . Hen. de Cobham . . . . . qui morust ban de gra . . . . 1392.
Henry Lord
Cobham.
This
Henry de Cobham was sonne of the foresaid
Reynold, who also was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
Icy gist dame Margarete de Cobham iadis fille a noble Sir Counte de Deuonshire Femme de Sir de Cobham de ceste place qe morust le secound iour du mois de August l'an de grace 1385.
Margaret Lady
Cobham.L'alme de . . . . eit mercy. Amen.
This
Margaret was the daughter of
Hugh Courtney, the third of that Christian name, Earle of Deuonshire.
Ioane
Lady Cobham.
Dame Ione de Cobham gist icy
Dieu de salme aie mercy.
Qui pur le alme priera
Quarant iours de Pardon auera.
Tho. Lord
Cobham and
Maud his wife.Vous . . . . par icy passer . . . lalme Thome de Cobham pries qui trespassa la . . . . S. Thom . . . le Apostre . . . luy ottrye a demorier en companye le vostre en lan de grace 1367.
Le haut Trinyte luy soit defender d'inferne abisme. Et Icy gist dame Maude de Cobham qe fust le Femme de Sir Thomas Cobham que dellya 9.
iour de Auerillan de grace 13.... 3.
Ric. 2.
Iohn
Lord Cobham.
De terre fust fait et fourme
Est in terre . . . . retourne
Cobham founder de ceste place
Le Seint Trinyte mercy de mesme.
This
Iohn Lord
Cobham was the builder of Cowling Castle, and the founder of this Colledge:
Cobham Colledge. valued at the suppression, at one hundred eight and twenty pounds, ten shillings nine pence, halfe penny, by the yeare. He was the last Lord
Cobham of that surname; for he left but one onely daughter, wife to Sir
Iohn de la Pole knight. And shee likewise (howsoeuer she had many husbands) (of which number Sir
Iohn Oldcastle was one) had not any issue,
Sir
Iohn Oldcastle knight Lord
Cobham. but onely by Sir
Reygnold Braybroke, who dyed all young, excepting one daughter called
Ioane; who married with
Thomas Brooke of Somersetshire, to whom she brought both her mothers inheritance and honour; which these
Brookes did happily enioy for the space of sixe descents, being euer employed in offices of State, and matters of high consequence. Yet alwayes standing firme, both in the fauour of the Prince, and his people, vntill the last of these Lords, stumbling vpon a shallow-pated Treason, which was laid in his way; fell downe to the ground, together with his house, his inheritance, and all his additions of honour. But to returne to the rest of the Epitaphs.
Ioane Baronesse Cobham.Hic iacet Iohanna Domina de Cobham quondam vxor domini Reginaldi Braybroke militis que obiit in die Sancti Hilarii Episcopi Ann. Dom. 1433.
[Page 329]Cuius anime propitietur altissimus.
Hic iacet Dominus Reginaldus Braybroke miles,Sir
Reignold Braybroke knight, Lord
Cobham.ac maritus Domine Iohanne, Domine de Cobham, heredis Domini Iohannis de Cobham fundatoris istius Collegii: qui quidem Reginaldus obiit apud Midleborrow in Flandria, 20.
die mens. Septemb. Ann. 1405.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus.
Vpon the same marble these words are engrauen.
Hic iacet Reginaldus filius eorum. Hic iacet Robertus filius eorum:
Reignold and
Robert Braybroke Which were his and her children that dyed in their infancie.
This
Reignold (by the honour of his marriage stiled Lord
Cobham) was the sonne of
Gerard Braybroke,Lamb. p
[...]ramb who was the sonne of
Henry Braybroke, Lord Warden of the fiue Ports, in the raigne of king
Henry the third.
Hic iacet Nicholaus Hawberk quondam maritus Domine Iohanne,Nicholas Hawberke Lord
Cobham.Domine de Cobham, heredis Domini Iohannis de Cobham fundatoris istius Collegii, qui quidem Nicolaus obiit apud Castrum 9.
die Octobris, Ann. Dom. 1407.
Hic iacet Iohannes Broke miles ac Baro Baronie de Cobham ac domina Margareta vxor sua quondam silia nobilis viri Edouardi Nevil nuper Domini de Burgaueny,Io. Broke Lord
Cobham, and Lady
Margaret his wife.qui quidem Iohannes obiit . . . . die mens. Septemb. Ann. Dom. 1506.
quorumanimabus. Amen.
Orate pro anima Tho. Broke militis Domini de Cobham consanguinei et heredis Richardi Beauchampe militis, qui quidem Thomas cepit in vxorem Dorotheam,Tho. Lord
Cobham, and his three wiues.filiam Henrici Heydon militis; & habuerunt exitum inter eos, septem filios, & sex filias, & predicta Dorothea obiit . . . . et predictus Thomas cepit in vxorem Dorotheam Fowthewel viduam, que obiit sine exitu; & postea cepit in vxorem Elisabetham Harte & habuerunt nullum exitum inter eos. Qui quidem Thomas obiit 19.
Iulii 1529.
Raph de Cobham de Kent Esquier
Raph Cobham.
Qi morust le xx iour de Ianier
L'an de Grace mil cccc gist icy
Dieu des
[...]alme eyt mercy.
Hic iacet Iohannes Terrye quondam socius istius Collegii qui obiit 7.
Id. Iulii,Io. Terrye.Ann. Dom. 1417.
Hic iacet Iohannes Clauering quondam filius Rogeri Clauering, ciuis & pannarij de Ciuitate London.
Orate pro animabus predicti Iohannis Clauering,Io Clauering:Iuliane & Alicie vx eius, & predicti Rogeri Clauering, & Iohanne vx. eius, patris & matris predicti Iohannis Clauering, fratrum & sororum suorum, et siliorum eorum, ac etiam Anne Westbye et Matildis matris eius, et progenitorum nostrorum, et Iohannis de Brendward, Thome Legge, et Simonis filij eius, et pro animabus omnium Benefactorum nostrorum, et omnium fidelium defunctorum quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Such was the politike deuotion of religious houses in those dayes, thus publikely to remember, and pray for the soules of all their Benefactours: thereby to incite others to the like works of charity, by which they still encreased their Founders first endowments.
Shorne.
Neare to the high Altar of this Church, is a very faire Monument for
[Page 330] Sir
Henry de Cobham knight, Lord of Roundall, a Mannor within this Parish; where now scarce the ruines appeare,
[...]. to direct one where the house stood. Hee is buried crosselegged, with his coat-armes on his robe, about whose Tombe in an old Character thus much may be read.
Icy gift Sir Henri de Cobeham Sheualer Signeour de Roundall. Dieu de sa......
in bib. Cot.The Lieger booke of Feuersham makes mention of one
Henry Lord
Cobham, who liued in great honour in the raignes of
Edward the first, and
Edward the second: these are the words, but I thinke this is not the man which lyes here entombed.
Henry Lord
Cobham prime Iustice of England.
Stephen de Penchester, or
Pe
[...]shu
[...]st Lord Warden.
Ioane &
Alice his daughters and heires.
Ioane ma
[...]ned to the said
H. Lord
Cobham. Alice to
Philip de Columbars.Regnante Edwardo cius nominis primo etiamque secundo floruit Henricus Dominus de Cobham, primus totius Anglie Iusticiarius, nec non Dorentium Castrorum, Roucestrie ac Tunbridge Prefectus & quinque Portuum Gardianus, vxorem duxit Iohannam filiam & vnam Heredum Domini Stephani de Pynchester militis, qui vero Stephanus prius Castri Dorensis gubernationem ante Cobhamum tenuit. Alicia vero natu minor Stephani de Pynchester filia, & vna Heredum in virum accepit Dominum Philippum de Columbaris militem, ex qua duos suscepit filios, Stephanum & Thomam, qui sine herede Patrimonium omne à patre acceptum reliquit. Hiis testibus. Dom. Gualfrido Domino de Say, Ottone de Grandisono, Rogero de Hengham, Gulielmo de Cheynie, Gulielmo de Owre, Radulpho de Sauage militibus.
Thus haue you partly seene the honours and honourable marriages, the height and downfall of an eminent and right ancient family: Of which no more vntill I come to
Lingfield, and the Parish Church of Sterborrow in Surrey.
Io. Smith and
Margery his wife.Hic iacet Iohannes Smith, & Marioria vxor eius qui ob. 20.
Feb. 1457.
Another of one
Iohn Smith, qui ob. 18.
Marcii 1427.
Tho. Sharpe.Hic iacet Thomas Sharp legis peritus qui ob. 20.
die Aprilis, Ann. 9.
H. 7.
& Ann. Dom. 1493.
Cuius.
Of your charitie pray for the soule of
Iohn Herueden, who dyed on Saint
Nicholas day,
Ann. 1527. who had one daughter,
Elenor, married to
Edmond Page of Shorne.
Heigham.
The Nunnery at Heigham.Stephen king of England erected here in this Towne a Religious house, wherein he placed blacke veyled Nunnes, the valuation and dedication whereof, I cannot learne.
East-Malling.
Robert Ereby Ioane
and Ioane
his wiues.Hic iacet Robertus Ereby olim ciuis et Aurifaber de London, Ioanna & Ioanna vxores sui, qui quidem Robertus obiit
15. Aug. An. Dom.
1477.
Tho. Ereby
and [...]sode
his wife.Hic iacet Tho. Ereby filius Roberti Ereby & Isodia vxor eius qui ob.
1. Sept.
1478.
Mepham.
Simon de Mepham, Archbishop of Canterbury, who had both his name
[Page 331] and natiuitie of this Towne, built this Church for the vse of the poore,
Almeshouse. which
William Courtney (one of his Successours) repaired fourescore yeares after, and annexed thereunto foure new houses for the same end and purpose.
Shorham.
Orate pro bono statu Thome Buckland istius Capelle fundatoris,
Tho. Buckland. & . . . . . vxoris.
Codham.
Here lyeth beryed
Alyes Walleys,Alice Walleys. somtym wyff vnto
Waltyr Walleys of this Parysh, and syster vnto
Iohn Alegh of Adyngton in Surrey Squyer, Iustice of
Quorum. Whych
Alyes decessyd the second dey of Iuly. M.CCCCC.III. Whos sowl swete Iesu pardon.
Downe.
Hic iacet Richardus Downe Armiger & Margeria consors eius:
Ric Downe
and Margery
his wife. Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus.
Hic iacet Iohannes Bederenden quondam ciuis,
Io. Bederenden. & Pannarius, & Camerarius London, qui obiit
27. Septemb.
1445.
Hic iacent Thomas Petle & Isabella vxor eius.
Tho. Petle
and Isabell
his wife. In a window. Quorum animabus: . . . .
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Petle & Christiane vxoris eius: et Iohannis Petle, et Alicie, et Thome Philipot ac parentum meorum......
Aynsford.
Hic iacet Iohannes Donat generosus et Alicia vxor eius ille obiit .....:
Iohn Donat and
Alice his wife. 1455.
illa obiit . . . . S. Donate ora pro nobis. I neuer heard of such a Saint sauing at S.
Donats Castle in Glamorganshire; the faire habitation of the ancient and notable family of the
Stradlings.
Ici gis . . . . . la famme de la Roberg de Eckisford.Eckisford.
This is enrauen in the North Chappell of this Church, in a wondrous antique character.
Snothland.
Here in the Church porch lyeth buried
William Alisander,William Alisander. who gaue a weekly stipend of bread to the poore for euer: and dyeth 1469.
Here lyeth
Iohn Pole,Io. Pole. sonne of
Henry Pole of Hartington in the County of Darby, who deceased 1487.
Here lyeth . . . .
Palmer of Otford Esquire . . . . . this Epitaph ensuing I haue by relation of one of that surname.
Hic. Da
[...]master of the Iewell house.Hic in tumba requiescit corpus Richardi Dauy Ar. et Margeria vxor eius, quondam cuslos Iocalium Domini Regis Hen sexti obiit
15. Marcii
1491.
Pray for the sowl of
Mawd Dauy
Maryd Davy.
Whos corps here vndyr do ly
She was dawter of
William Dauy
On whos soul Iesu haue mercy.
I pray yow al for cherite
Say a
Pater-noster and an
Aue.
[...]Hic iacet Alicia quondam vxor Willelmi Wangdesord, que obiit die Lune prox. post diem dominicam in ramis Palmarum.
1421.
William Rikell
and Katherine
his wife.Hic sub pede anre alta
[...]e iacent Willelmus Rikhill Ar. filius Willelmi Rikhill militis primogenitus, et Katherina vxor cius que obiit
27. Aug.
1433. qui quidem Willelmus obiit .... die ....
1400. quorum.
Rikell
the father was one of the kings Iustices, an Irishman borne, the vehement vrger of accusations against Thomas
of Woodstocke,S
[...]ow. Annal.Duke of Glocester, and Thomas Arundell,
Archbishop of Canterbury, Ann. Reg. Regis, Ric.
2.21. 1397.
Sir Peter Lacy
Priest.Hic iacet Dominus Petrus Lacy, quondam Rector istius Ecclesie, & prebend. Preb. de Swerdes in Ecclesia Cathedrali Dublin ......
18. Octob.
1375 via vite mors.
Hic iacet Willelmus Lye Rector de Northfleete,
9. Ian.
1391.
Tho. Brendon
and Ioane
his wife.Here lyes Thomas Bredon
and Ioane
his wife . . . 1511.
Rich. Hunt
and Ioane
his wife.Here lyeth Richard Hunt,
late seruant to my Lord of Canterbury, William Warham,
and Ioane
his wife: which Richard
dyed . . . 1518. and Ioane
1531.
[...] Hesilt,
Baron of the Exchequer and Agnes
his wife.Hic iacet Willelmus Hesilt vnus Baronum de Scaccario Domini Regis, qui obiit
9. April
1425. et Agnes vxor eius, quorum, &c.
Chalk.
[...] Martyn &
[...] his wife.Hic iacet Willelmus Martyn Ar. et Isabella vxor eius qui quidem Willelmus obiit 26.
Maii Ann. 1416.
This
Martyn was a good Benefactour to this Church, as appeares in diuers places in the glasse, as also in the structure.
Here are two very ancient Monuments in the wall, but to whose memory they were made, I cannot learne.
Swanescombe.
S. Hildeferths.This Church in times past was much haunted by a mad company of Pilgrimes, who came hither for Saint
Hildeferths helpe (a Bishop by coniecture
[Page 333] of his picture, yet standing in the vpper window of the South Isle) to whom such as were distracted ranne for restitution of their wits. Which cure was performed by warmth, close keeping, and strict dyet. A cure no more miraculous (saith
Lambard) then is, at this day, the keepers of Bedlem.
Pray for the soul of
Nicholas Boneuant,Nicholas Boneuant and
Agnes his wife.
Reignold Thomas. and
Agnes his wife: which
Nicholas decessyd 20. Octob. 1516.
Hic iacet Reginaldus Thomas in Legibus Bacalareus Rector istius Ecclesie qui . . . . 1494.
Stone.
The whole Fabricke of this Church is vpholden in wondrous good repaire; her inside is neatly polisht, and the Monuments of the dead (which are ancient and many) very faire, and carefully preserued.
Preyeth for the sowl in wey of cheritie
Of
Richard Bontfant late Mercer of London.
Ric. Bon
[...]uant.
For the Brethren and Sisters of this Fraternitie,
Owner of the plas callyd Castle of the Ston:
Remembyr hym that is leyd vnder Ston.
For hys sowl, and al Christian to prey
To the merciful Iesew, a
Pater noster anon,
An
Aue to hys Moder, and mak no deley.
In March whych decessyd the xix dey.
In the yer of owr Lord God who kepe hym fro pyne
A thowsand fowr hundryd fyfty and nyne.
Hic iacet magister Iohannes Sorewell in Decretis honoratus,Io. Sorewell Priest.Rector istius Ecclesie, qui ob. penult. Decemb. 1439.
Hic iacet Dominus Iohannes Lumbard quondam Rector istius Ecclesie,Sir
Iohn Lumbard Priest.qui obijt 12.
Maij 1408.
Vpon a crosse of brasse layed in the marble, are curiously engrauen these words:
Credo quod redemptor meus viuit.
And vpon the basis of the same Crosse these obsolete Latine rimes.
Es test is Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste
Corpus vt ornetur sed Spiritus vt memoretur,
Hem tu qui transis, magnus, medius, puer an sis
Pro me funde preces quia sic mihi fit venie spes.
Hic iacet Matilda nuper vxer Willelmi Laken Seruiens ad Legem qui ob. 2.
die Decemb. 1408.
& iuxta eam ex parte australi Iohanna filia sepelitur que obijt 3.
die Octob. anno supradicto.Maud Laken and
Ioane her daughter.
O mercifull Iesew.
Sir
Io. Dew Priest.
Haue mercy on the sowl of Sir
Iohn Dew.
Here lye interred diuers of the
Chapmans, who were sometime owners of Stone-castle.
Swete Iesew grant to them and vs euerlastyng lyff.
Pray yow hertely for cheritie,
Say a
Pater Noster and an
Aue. 1400.
Sir
Io. Wilshyre knight, and
Margaret his wife.Here lyeth the bodyes of Sir
Iohn Wilshyre knight, and of Dame
Margaret his wife. Which Sir
Iohn dyed 28. Decemb. 1526. And
Margaret dyed ... of ....
Stow. Annal.This knight is entombed in a faire Chappell of his owne foundation; he was Controller of the Towne and Marches of Calleis,
Ann. 21.
Hen. 7. 1506. He had onely one daughter and heire, named
Bridget, married to Sir
Richard Wingfield. As I haue it in these words out of the Visitation booke of Huntingtonshire, by
Nicholas Charles Lancaster Herald.
Sir
Ric Wingseeld knight of the Garter, &
Bridget his wife.Sir
Richard Wingfield knight of the Garter, Chancellour of the Duchie of Lancaster, and of the Bed-chamber to King
Henry the eight; by his wife
Bridget, who was daughter and heire to Sir
Iohn Wilshyre knight; had Stone▪house, or Stone-castle in Kent neare Grauesend. To whom the king gaue Kimboulton Castle; he was of the priuie Councell, and died Embassadour in Spaine, and was buried at Toledo.
Dartford. Hic iacet Iohannes Hornley Theologie Baccal.:
Io Hornley. ▪qui obijt.
1477.
Si fterent Artes Hornley tacuisse Iohannem
Non possent ista qui tumulatur humo.
In septem fuerat liberalibus ille magister,
Prudens, & castus, maximus atque fide.
Doctrine sacre tunc Baccalareus ingens,
Oxonie cunctis semper amandus erat.
Consilio valuit, sermones pandere sacros
Nouerat, et doctos semper amare viros.
Pauperibus largus fuerat, quos nouerat aptos,
In studijs patiens sobrius atque fuit.
Moribus insignis cunctis virtute refulgens
Pro tantis meritis spiritus astra petit.
Katherine Burlton, and
Richard her husband.
O pytefull Creater concerning erthly sepulter,
Of
Katryn Burlton at x day wythin Iun.
Thousand IIII C. LXXXXVI yer
Occurrent wyth
Rychard Burlton Iantlman.
Spows to the
Katryn .....
Expired thousand .....
Throu the prayor of thes twein
Sal he be savyd fro endlysse pein.
The Priory of Dartford.King
Edward the third founded here a goodly faire Monastery, about the yeare of his raigne of England, the thirtieth, and of France the seuenteenth:
[Page 335] In which he placed women, religious Votaries, or white Nunnes. Which Nunnery at the generall dissolution, was found to bee well worth three hundred and eightie pounds by yeare. This Priory (for so it was called by the Founder) was taken (as all the rest) into the hands of king
Henry the eight: of which he made a fit dwelling place for himselfe, and his Successours, which remaines to this day, howsoeuer somewhat ruinous. But will it please you peruse this
Memorandum, not impertinent to this matter, in the visitation of Kent, and Sussex, made by
Clarentieux Beuolt, the 21. yeare of king
Henry the eight, Dame
Elizabeth Cresner being Lady Prioresse of Dartford at that time.
Memorand.Burials in this Prio
[...]y. that the said Lady doth witnesse, that king
Edward the third was first Founder of the said place: and the second Founder was king
Richard the second. And in the said place lieth buried the Lady
Bridget, daughter to king
Edward the fourth, a religious women in the same place. Also Dame
Ioane, daughter to the Lord
Scrope of Bolton, and Prioresse of the same place: and Dame
Margaret daughter of the Lord
Beaumont, also sometime Prioresse of the same place. And also there lyeth daughter and wife to Sir
Maurice Berkeley.
This Lady
Bridget here interred,
The birth and death of
Bridget Plantagine
[...]. was the fourth daughter of
Edward the fourth, by his wife Queene
Elizabeth, she was borne at Eltham, here by, the tenth of Nouember, 1480. She tooke the habite of Religion when she was young, and so spent her life in contemplation vnto the day of her death: which happened about the yeare 1517. the eight of King
Henry the eight.
Crayford.
Orate pro animabus Roberti Woodford,Rob. Woodford &
Ioane his wife.& Iohanne vxoris eius, qui Robertus obijt .... 1489.
Hic iacent Rogerus Apleton vnus Auditorum serenissimorum Regum Hen. quinti & Hen. sexti;Ro. Apleton and
Agnes his wife.ac Iohanne vxoris Hen. quarti; & Katherine vxoris Hen. sexti Reginarum Anglie, & Principatus totius Wallie, Ducatus Cornubie, & Com. Cestrie. qui ob.... 1400.
& Agnes vxor eius Domina de Holbury que ob. 1437.
Cum venerit dies Domini in miserecordia eius egrediemur.
Hic iacet Henricus Elham vnus Auditorum .... et Elisabetha vxor eius filia Rogeri Apleton ... ob. ... 1479.
Hic iacet Iohannes Elham vnus Auditorum.... 1481.
Vite probitas mortis despectio.
Erith.
In the vpper end of the South Isle of this Church stands a faire tombe, with this Inscription; left at the first imperfect.
Elisabeth second wife to
George late Earle of Shrewsbury,
Elisabeth Coū tesse of Shrewsbury. Lord Steward to king
Henry the seuenth, and to king
Henry the eight his Houshold, by whom she had issue,
Iohn dyed in his infancy.Iohn, and Lady
Anne, wife to
William Earle of Penbroke, Lord Steward of Queene
Elizabeths Houshold: which Lady
Anne[Page 336] had beene married before to M.
Peter Compton Esquire, by whom she had issue Sir
Henry Compton knight, now liuing.
This
Elizabeth Countesse of Shrewsbury, was daughter and one of the heires of Sir
Richard Walden knight, Lord of the Towne of Erith, whose body lyeth here likewise entombed.
Sir
Ric. Walden knight, and Dame
Margery his wife.Pray for the sowl of Syr
Richard Walden knight, and Lady
Margerie his wife, which Syr
Richard decessyd 25 of March, 1536. And
Margery decessyd, the sixth of May, 1528. whos sowls god pardon.
Richard Walde.Orate pro anima Richardi Walden Armig. & Elisabethe vxoris eius, que ob. 25.
Octob. 1496.
et Richardus obiit ... die ... mens... Ann. miles. quorum animabus.
Allin Atticor.
Ellin Atticor gist icy
Dieu de sa alme eit mercy.
Sir
Io. Stone Priest.Orate pro anima Domini Iohannis Stone quondam vicarij Ecclesie parochialis de Lesnes, alias Erith, qui ob. 13.
April 1475.
O vos omnes qui hic transitis, prome orate
Precibus vestris, qui fratres estis meque iurate.
Iohn Crioll.Hic iacet Radulphus Criel Ar. qui obiit 6.
Decemb. 1447.
Cuius anime propitietur altissimus.
Roger Sentcler.Hic iacet Rogerus Sentcler quondam seruiens Abbati et Conuentui de Lesnes, qui obiit primo die mensis Ianuarij, 1425.
Cuius anime.
Lesnes
Abbey.
Mathew Paris.In the yeare of our Lord 1178. the third of the Ides of Iune,
Richard Lucie a Councellour of State, and chiefe Iustice of the Realme, began the foundation of an Abbey,
Ric. de Lucie the founder. at
Lesnes or
Westwood, neare vnto this Towne of E
[...]th The extent of whose yearely reuenue (as it was prized by the Commissioners at the suppression) amounted to one hundred eighty sixe pounds and nine shillings. When this his goodly fabricke was in all parts finished, he presently forsooke and surrendred into the kings hands,
R
[...]g Heu
[...]den. An. 1179. all both his offices and honours; And betooke himselfe to the habite and profession of a Canon Regular in this house of his owne foundation; where, within a short while after, euen in the same yeare, to wit, the fourteenth of Iuly, 1479. he exchanged his Conuentuall blacke coole, for a glorious bright heauenly crowne.
And here in the Quire of his Church hee was sumptuously entombed, vpon whose Monument this Epitaph was engrauen.
Ex vet. Mss. in
[...]o Cot.
Rapitur in tenebras Richardus lux Luciorum
Iusticie pacis dilector & vrbis honorum
Christe sibi requies tecum sit sede piorum.
Iulia tunc orbi lux bis septena nitebat,
Mille annos C. nouem et septuaginta mouebat.
Now giue me leaue to go a little further with him and his heires, as I finde the words in the Collection of Englands Protectours, by
Francis Thinne Lancaster Herald.
Sir
Richard Lucie knight, chiefe Iustice of England (saith he) was Protectour
[Page 337] of England in the twelfth yeare of the raigne of king
Henry the second, in the absence of the king, when hee was in Normandie, and in the parts beyond the Seas. Which
Lucie in the thirteenth yeare of the same King, did valiantly resist, and politikely driue backe the Earle of Bolloigne, inuading this kingdome. He built the Abbey of Leosnes or Westwood in the Parish of Erith in Kent (and not in Southfleet as some haue written) in the yeare of Christ, 1178. and the Castle of Chipping Augre in Essex. He had issue
Godfrey, Bishop of Winchester, and three daughters; who, after the death of
Godfrey their brother, were his heires▪
Maude the eldest daughter was married to
Robert the first, called
Fitzwater. Aueline the second daughter was married to
Richard Riuers of
Stanford Riuers in Essex.
Rose the third daughter was married to
Richard de Warren, the naturall sonne of king
Iohn: as appeareth by a deed (belonging to my selfe, who had the Rectory of Leosnes) beginning thus.
Rosa de Douer quondam vxor venerabilis viri Richardi filij Regis de Chillam. And king
Iohn by his Charter grants to another
Rose her grandfathers lands, in these words:
Rex reddidit Roesie de Douerita totam terram suam cum pertenenc. qua eam contingit de heredit. Richardi de Lucy avi sui tenend. sibi & hered. &c. Cart. 24.
Reg. Iohannis, numero 37.
in Archi. Turris London.
The foresaid
Godfrey de Lucy was consecrated Bishop of Winchester,
Godfrey Lucy Bishop of Winchester. the first of Nouember 1189. And died
Ann. 1204 hauing gouerned that See fifteene yeares. He purchased of king
Richard the first, the Mannors of
Wergraue, and
Menes, which in times past had belonged to his Bishopricke: he was a great Benefactour to this Religious house of
Leosnes, founded by his father; wherein according to his will hee was enterred. To whose memory this Epitaph was engrauen vpon his Tombe.
Lux mea lux Christi, si terre ventre quiesco
Attamen in celo sanctorum luce lucesco.
Presul de Winton. fueram quondam Cathedratus
Multum resplendens, & alto sanguine natus.
Nunc id sum quod eris puluis, rota non retinenda
Voluitur, inuigila prudens nec differ agenda.
M. C. bis: quatuorque annos his insuper addas,
Carnis vincla dies soluit secunda Decembris,
Vos qui transitis ancillam poscite Christi,
Sit Dominus mitis pulso purgamine tristi.
Wolwich.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Colin et Mathilde vxoris eius:
Io. Colin
and Maud
his wife. qui Iohannes obiit
27. Ianuar..... & Mathilda
25. Octob.
1397.
Hic tacet Dominus Will. Prene quondam Rector huius Ecclesie,
Sir William Pr
[...]ne
Priest ▪ viz. tempore Regis Edwardi quarti, et postea Rector Ecclesie de Lymming, qui fieri fecit istam Capellam et Campanile huius Ecclesie, et in uita sua multa alia bona .... ob.
I. die Decemb.
1464.
Willelmus Prene me fecit in honorem sancte Trinitatis▪
Inser. vpon the great Bell.
Margery Roper.Pray for the sowl of Dame
Margerie Roper, late wyff of
Iohn Roper Suier, daughter and one of the heires of
Iohn Tattersall Suier, who dyed 2. Februar. 1518
Roper a name of eminent respect in this County, honoured with the title of Baron
Roper of Tenham, by our Soueraigne Lord
Iames, late King of England, giuen to
Iohn Lord
Roper now liuing.
Iohn Morton.Pray for the sowl of
Iohn Morton, sonne and heire of
Margaret Morton of
Asheby de la Zouch, in the County of Leicester, late wife to
Tho. Squier: who dyed 23. Aug.
Tho. Pierle.Prier pur l'alme Thomas Pierle qi morust le primer iour de Iuyl l'an de Grace, Mil. ccc.lxix.....
Here lyeth
Iohn Pasley yeoman, Porter to king
Henry the eighth, and
Agnes his wife: which
Iohn dyed .... 1509.
Hen. 8.1.
West Peckham.
Foundation of Peckham Schoole.Iohn Culpeper, one of the Iustices of the Common Pleas, in the raigne of king
Henry the fourth, founded here a Preceptorie or free-Schoole, which he endowed with threescore and three pounds sixe shillings eight pence of yearely allowance.
Bromley.
Richard B
[...]shop of Rochester.In the Church wall lyeth the pourtraiture, as I learne by tradition, of
Richard Wendouer, Bishop of Rochester, and Parson of this Towne. He was consecrated 1238. and dyed 1250. yet it is said, that his body was buried in Westminster by the kings speciall commandement, for that he was accounted a very holy and vertuous man: which I cannot much contradict.
Walter Hench Parson.
Icy gist Mestre Water de Henche,
Qi fut Persone de Bromleghe.
1360.
Lewsham.
George Hatteliffe.Hic iacet Georgius Hatecliffe Ar. Thesaurarius Domini Regis in Hibernia, ac vnus clericorum compoti Hospitii regis, obiit 1.
Aug. 1514.
The Priory of Lewsham.Iohn Norbury founded a Priory in this Towne of
Lewsham, which hee replenished with blacke Monkes Aliens, belonging to the Abbey of Gaunt in Flanders,
Priors Aliens. and thereupon called Aliens, because they were Celles to some Monastery or other beyond the Seas. The first foundation of these houses I do not finde; but in the raigne of king
Edward the third, they were encreased to the number of one hundred and ten in England, besides them in Ireland,
Their goods and lands consiscate. King
Edward surnamed
Longshanks did the like,
An. Reg. [...]3. vpon the like occasion. Aquitane, and Normandy. The goods of all which Priories, the said king
Ann. Reg. 12. (because of his warres with France) caused to be confiscated to his owne vse, letting out their houses to farme, with all their lands and tenements, for the space of three and twenty yeares. At the
end[?] of which Terme (Peace being concluded betweene the two Nations) he restored to the Priors Aliens their houses, lands, and tenements,
Ann. Reg.[Page 339] 35. as by his patents may appeare in effect as followeth.
Edward by the grace of God King of England,
Restitution of the
[...] Aliens. Lord of Ireland, and of Aquitaine, to all by these presents, &c. Although the Priory of Montacute in the County of Somerset (by reason of the warres betweene vs and France) with all the lands,
St
[...]w Annal. tenements, fees, aduowsons, together with the goods and cattels belonging to the same, hath beene of late taken into our hands, and by vs farmed and rented forth, as appeareth by diuers patents; Now therefore, since peace is betwixt vs, and the noble Prince, our most deare brother the king of France, we, for the honour of God, and holy Church, restore to the said Prior, the Priory with all the lands, tenements, fees, aduowsons, and whatsoeuer else belonging to the same, to hold the same in as free manner as they held it before. And withall, forgiue and release all arrerages of Rents, which might bee due vnto vs by reason of any former grants. In witnesse, &c. the sixth of February, the 35. yeare of our raigne.
The like letters of restitution all the rest of the houses of Aliens had through England;
The finall dissolu
[...] of P
[...] ories Aliens all which were cleane suppressed, and vtterly dissolued by king
Henry the fifth, and their lands giuen by him and his sonne
Henry the sixth, to Colledges of learned men, and to other Monasteries.
Greenwich.
This Parish Church is consecrated to the honour of Saint
Aelphege,Aelphege Archbishop of Canterbury. sometime Archbishop of Canterbury, who suffered martyrdome much-what about the same place where it now standeth. Which
Aelp
[...]ege (bo
[...]ne of great parentage, brought vp in good learning, preferred first to the Bishopricke of Winchester, then to this of Canterbury; a man admired for his strict manner of life, and holy exhortations, by both which hee con
[...]uerted many vnto Christ) was cruelly put to death by the Danish Pagans, with many exquisite torments, in the yeare of our Lord, a thousand and twelue. Of which, in
William Malmesbury, Camden, and the Catalogue of Bishops, you may reade more at large. It was long before these bloudy executioners would suffer his bodie to bee committed to the earth, after the manner of Christian decencie; yet at length that fauour was obtained, and his body here first buried; from whence within a short time after, his reliques were remoued to Saint
Pauls London, and from thence (at the commandement of king
Knute) to Canterbury. He was canonized; and the 19. day of Aprill allowed for celebration of his memory.
Some write,
Ca
[...]graut in vita Elphege. Ditma
[...]. Mar
[...] [...]. that like another
Stephen, he was stoned to death, that like him he prayed for his enemies; and that
Turkill (generall of those Danes) was conuerted to the faith, at the sight of his constant martyrdome.
Here sometime stood an house of obseruant Friers,
The Friery a
[...] Greenwich. which came hither about the latter end of the raigne of King
Edward the fourth, at whose hands they obtained a Chantrie, with a little Chappell of the holy Crosse, a place yet extant in the Towne;
Lamb. peramb. and king
Henry the seuenth builded for them an house adioyning to the Pallace, which is there yet to be seene.
Here in this Towne was another Monastery of Friers Minorites,
The Priory. and Aliens, founded by King
Edward the third, and the foresaid
Iohn Norbury:
[Page 340] which as
Lewsham did, belonged to the Abbot of Gaunt in Flaunders, vntill such time as King
Henry the fifth (seising into his hands (by occasion of warre) all the lands of the Priors Aliens) (as I haue touched before) bestowed this, together with the Mannor of
Lewsham, and many other lands also, vpon the Priory of Chartrehouse Monkes of Shene, which hee had then newly erected; to which it remayned, vntill the time of the raigne of king
Henry the eight, who annexed it to the Crowne.
Depeford.
Weeuer and
Ioane his wi
[...]e.Orate pro anima ..... Weuer ..... Mercatoris et Maioris Stapul. ville Calcis qui ob..... Februar. ... et pro .... Ioanne vx. eius, qui ob....
Martin the fifth Bishop of Rome, granted by this Bull to these Staple Merchants, in this
Weeuers Maioralty at their earnest request, an itinerarie or portable Aulter, which they were to take with them to what place soeuer they trauelled to make any time of aboad; and withall gaue them licence to elect a Priest, to say Masse, administer the Sacraments, to heare their confessions, to enioyne them penance, and to giue them absolution as the cause should require. The forme of which I hold it not much amisse here to set downe, as I found it in an old Manuscript, without name or date, in the Earle of Exceters Librarie.
Martinus Episcopus Seruus Seruorum Dei, dilectis filijs Maiori et eius locum tenenti,The Popes Bul to the Staple Merchants, for a portable Alt
[...]r and a Masse-priest.ac Constabulario ceterisque Principalibus Societatis Mercatorum lanarum Stapule Anglie Salutem, et Apostolicam benedictionem. Sincere deuotionis affectus quem ad nos et Romanam geritis Ecclesiam non indigne meretur, vt petitionibus vestris illis presertim quos ex deuotionis feruore prodire conspicimus, quantum cum Deo possumus fauorabiliter animamus. Hinc est quod nos vestris deuotis supplicationibus inclinati, vt liceat vobis et posteris vestris Maiori et eius locum tenenti, ac Constabulario, nec non Principalibus societatis Mercatorum lanarum Stapule Anglie, ac vestrum ac eorundem posterorum cuilibet habere Altare portatile, cum debita reuerentia et honore. Super quo in villa Calestie seu alibi etiam in transmarinis, seu cismarinis partibus, vbi pro tempore vos vel aliquem vestrum esse vel declinare, et huiusmodi Stapulum lanarum teneri contigerit, in locis ad hoc congru
[...]ntibus et honestis positis; per proprium vel alium Sacerdotem ydoneum Missas et alia diuina officia, sine iuris alieni preiudicio, in vestra et ipsorum ac aliorum Mercatorum dicte Societatis ibidem pro tempore presentium: Nec non vestrorum et eorundem Posterorum ac Mercatorum familiarium presentia facere celebrari vobis et predictis posteris tenore presentium indulgemus.
Nulli ergo omnino homini liceat hanc paginam nostre concessionis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare presumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei, et beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum eius se nouerit incursurum. Dat. Mant. 3.
Non. Nouemb. Pontificatus nostri, Ann. primo.
By another Bull dated the same yeare, and his Apostolicall authoritie, he giues them free election of their Confessour the Priest.
Their Priest & Confessour. The words are;
Aliquem ydoneum et discretum presbyterum eligere confessorem indulgemus,
[Page 341] qui quotiens vobis fuerit oportunum confessionibus vestris diligenter auditis, pro commissis debitam vobis absolutionem impendat et iniungat penitentiam salutarem; nisi forsan talia fuerint, &c. propter que sedes Apostolica, &c. Nulli ergo omnino hominum, &c. Dat. &c. In English.
We fauourably yeeld to your deuout and pious supplications, and we giue you leaue to choose a sufficient and discreete Priest for your Confessor; who so often, as to you it shall be thought conuenient, your confessions being attentiuely heard, may giue to each of you due absolution for your delinquencies committed, And appoint you sauing and comfortable penance: vnlesse the offences be of that nature, for which the Apostolicall chaire is to be sought to for remission.
Therefore let it not be lawfull for any man, in any wise, to infringe, or in a kind of foole-hardinesse rashly to contradict this Cartulary of our Concession: which indeed if any one presume to attempt, let him know for certaine, that he shall incurre the indignation of Almighty God, and of his blessed Apostles
Peter and
Paul. Giuen, &c.
Then followes a forme of Absolution, made in the Apostolicall Consistory with plenary Indulgence to be pronounced by the Priest, to any one of these Merchants whensoeuer they shall bee dangerously sicke, in these words,
Ego authoritate Dei omnipotentis & beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum eius,The forme of an Absolution.et Domini nostri Martini Pape Quinti mihi in hac parte specialiter commissa, secundum quod potestas mihi tradita se extendit, et quantum debeo et possum si ista vice moriaris te absolvo ab omnibus penis Purgatorii, que tibi in Purgatorio debentur propter culpas et offensas quas contra Deum commisisti; et te restituo illi innocentie in qua eras tempore quo baptizatus fuisti. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti. Amen.
I by the authority of Almighty God, and of his blessed Apostles
Peter and
Paul, and of our Lord and Master
Martin the fift Pope, to me especially committed in this behalfe, according, and in so much as the power to me giuen will extend it selfe, and how much of duty I owe, and how much I may or can; I absolue thee from all the paines of Purgatory which are due to be inflicted vpon thee in Purgatory, for those sinnes and offences which thou hast committed against God; and I restore thee to that innocencie in which thou liuedst, the same day, when thou hadst newly receiued Baptisme. In the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost.
Amen.
A word or two of these two words Merchant Staple, or Staple Merchant.
He is properly called a Marchant,
qui mare traijcit,The definition of a Merchant who passeth ouer the Seas,
et merces inde avehit, and from thence transports merchandise or wares into his owne warehouse; either bought for ready money, or had in exchange for other commodities which hee brings with him out of his owne Country. The diligence and industry of these Marchants is accuratly expressed by
Horace, Epist. lib. 1.
Ep. 1.
Impiger extremos curret Mercator ad Indos
Per mare pauperiem fugiens, per saxa, per ignes.
[Page 342]The ready Merchant runs to th'utmost Inde with speed.
By Sea, by rocks, by fire, to shun outragious need.
There are a company of notable Skanderouns which greatly desire to be stiled Merchants, and these are such as runne from house to house, from Market to Market,
What Pedlers are. such as haunt Faires and all publicke meetings; with packs and Fardels vpon their backes, filled with counterfeit and adulterate wares, with which they cheat, deceiue, and cosin the poore countrey-people: and these are called Pedlers,
Quod pedes iter conficiunt: because they go on foot.
Stapula inquit (Lud. Guiccia, est locus publicus quo principis auctoritate et priuilegio,Staple
whar[?].lanae, vina, coria, frumenta, aliaeque merces exotica vendendi causa conuchuntur. Staple is a publicke place (saith
Lud. Guiccia) to which by the Prince his authoritie and priuiledge, wooll, wine, Hides of beasts, corne or graine, and other exoticke or forraine merchandise are transferred, carried, or conueyed there to be sold, or set to sale. Or,
Staple signifieth this or that Towne or Citie, whither the Merchants of England, by common order or commandement, did carry their woolls, wooll-fels, clothes, lead, and Tinne, and such like commodities of our Land, for the vtterance of them by the great.
The word (saith
Mins. let. 5.) may probably bee taken two wayes, one from Stapel, which in the Saxon or old English language, signifieth the stay or hold of any thing. Or from the French word
Estape, id est, forum Vinarium: because to those places, whither our English Merchants brought their commodities, the French would also meete them with theirs, which most of all consisteth in wines.
Now, howsoeuer we most commonly finde the Staple to bee kept, and thereupon, as in this place, the Merchants thereof were stiled,
Mercatores Stapulae villae Calistiae, yet you may read of many other places appointed for the Staple in the Statutes of the Land, according as the Prince by his counsell thought good to alter them from the second yeare of
Edward the third,
cap 9. to the fifth of
Edward the sixth.
Officers belonging to these Staples, were Maiors, Constables, Manipernors, correctours, Porters, packers, winders, workers, and other labourers of woolls.
The Fees of the Maiors and Constables of the Staples in England, leuied out of 4. d. a Sacke of wooll, comming to euery Staple, were as followeth. The Maior of the Staple of Westminster had yearly, one hundred pounds, and euery of the Constables there ten markes. The Maiors of the Staples of Yorke, Kingstone vpon Hull, Norwich, and Winchester, euery of them twenty pounds, and euery of the Constables of the same places one hundred shillings. The Maiors of Newcastle vpon Tine, Chichester, and of Exceter, ten pounds; and euery of the Constables of those places fiue markes. And if any of the Maiors and Constables aboue named, refused the Office, hee was to pay to the company as much as his Fee should amount to. Of all which you may reade the Statute,
Ann. 27.
Ed. 3.
The Maior and Constables of the Staple had power to record Recognisances of debt taken before them, by vertue of a Statute, made the tenth of
Henry the sixth.
And here giue me leaue (curteous Reader) to turne backe to this Church situate neare Rochester, onely to set downe a strange buriall in this Churchyard, thus related by
Lambard in his perambulation of Kent.
Although (saith he) I haue not hitherto, at any time, reade any memorable thing recorded in History, touching
Chetham it selfe, yet, for so much as I haue often heard (and that constantly reported) a Popish illusion done at that place; and for that also it is as profitable to the keeping vnder of fained and superstitious religion, to renew to minde the Priestly practises of old time (which are declining to obliuion) as it is pleasant to retaine in memory the monuments and Antiquities of whatsoeuer of other kinde: I thinke it not amisse, to commit faithfully to writing, what I haue receiued credibly by hearing, concerning the Idols, sometime knowne by the names of our Lady, and the Roode of Chetham and Gillingham. It happened (say they) that the dead corps of a man (lost through shipwracke belike) was cast on land in the Parish of Chetham, & being there taken vp, was by some charitable persons committed to honest buriall within their Churchyard: which thing was no sooner done, but our Lady of Chetham finding her selfe offended therewith, arose by night, and went in person to the house of the Parish-Clerk (which then was in the street, a good distance from the Church) and making a noise at his window, awaked him. This man at the first (as commonly it fareth with men disturbed in their rest) demanded, somewhat roughly, who was there: But when he vnderstood by her owne answer, that it was the Lady of Chetham, he changed his note, and most mildly asked the cause of her comming. She told him, that there was lately buried neare to the place where she was honoured, a sinfull person, which so offended her eye with his gastly grinning, that, vnlesse he were remoued, she could not, but (to the great griefe of good people) withdraw her selfe from that place, and cease her wonted miraculous working in that place amongst them. And therefore she willed him to go with her, to the end that (by his helpe) she might take him vp and cast him againe into the Riuer. The Clerke obeyed, arose and waited on her toward the Church: but the good Lady (not wonted to walke) waxed weary of the labour, and therefore was enforced, for very want of breath, to sit downe in a bush by the way, and there to rest her. And this place (forsooth) as also the whole track of their iourney (remaining euer after a greene path) the Towne-dwellers were wont to shew. Now after a while, they go forward againe, and comming to the Churchyard, digged vp the body, and conueyed it to the waters side, where it was first found.
This done, our Lady shranke againe into her Shrine, and the Clerke packed home to patch vp his broken sleepe, but the corps now eftsoones floated vp and downe the Riuer, as it did before. Which thing being at length espied by them of Gillingham, it was once more taken vp and buried in their Church-yard. But see what followed vpon it, not onely the Roode of Gillingham (say they) that a while before was busie in bestowing miracles, was now depriued of all that his former vertue: but also the very earth and place, where this carcase was laid, did continually for euer after settle and sinke downeward.
[Page 344]This tale receiued by tradition (saith my foresaid Author) from the Elders, was long since both commonly reported, and faithfully credited of the vulgar sort, which although haply you shall not at this day learne at euery mans mouth (the Image being now many yeares sithence defaced) yet many of the aged number remember it well, and in the time of darknes,
Haec erat in toto notissima fabula mundo.
Otford.
Burialls at Otford.The fields about this Village are filled with the dead bodies of many braue Souldiers, here slaine in two famous set battels: whereof the one happened amongst the Saxons themselues, contending for glory and supreme Soueraigntie. The other betweene the Danes and Saxons, striuing for lands, liues, and libertie. In the first
Offa the king of Mercia (hauing already ioyned to his Dominion the most part of Westsex, and Northumberland, and seeking to haue added Kent also) preuailed against the Inhabitants of this countrey, not without great slaughter of his owne subiects.
Alrick the king of Kent was here slaine by the hands of
Offa himselfe. Whose ouerthrow was the lesse dishonourable, for that hee had the courage to withstand in single opposition,
Alrick king of Kent. so puissant and impugnable an enemy. This
Alrick was the last Kentish king that held the Scepter in a lineall succession; the rest that followed, both got and enioyed it by tyranny and vsurpation. Hee is said to haue raigned 34. yeares; and to haue beene thus vanquished in the yeare of Grace, 793. The place of his buriall, whether here with his discom
[...]ited souldiers, or at Canterbury with his royall Ancestours, is to me vncertaine.
In the second battell,
Edmund the Monarch of the Englishmen (surnamed for his great strength
Ironside) obtained against
Canutus the Dane, a most honourable victory, committing vpon the Danes such slaughter, and bloudy hauocke, that if they had not better trusted to their heeles then to their hands (flying toward the Isle of Shepey) hee had that day made an end of the whole Danish armie: and by all likelihood the warres had ceased betwixt those two Nations for euer. In this battell
Canute lost foure thousand and fiue hundred men; and king
Edmund onely six hundred. It was fought in the yeare, 1016.
Bartilmew the Saint at Otf
[...]rd and his offering.One
Bartilmew (saith
Lambard) a Saint, was holden in great veneration at this Towne of Otford. His feast day was kept solemnly here, both with a faire and good fare, euer vpon Saint
Bartholomewes day: he was much frequented (by the Parishioners and neighbours about) for a most rare and singular propertie that he professed. For the manner was, that if any woman (conceiued with childe) desired to bring forth a male, she should offer to Saint
Bartilmew a cocke-chicken: and if her wish were to be deliuered of a female, she should then present him with a Hen. This Saint questionlesse was a good Purueyor of Poultrie for the Parson of the Towne.
Saint
Thomas Becket likewise was holden in great esteeme and worship at this Towne; for it was said of the Inhabitants long since, and may
[Page 345] be as yet (perhaps) by some of them beleeued, that while
Thomas Becket lay at the old House here at Otford (which of long time belonged to the Archbishops of Canterbury,
A part of Saint
Tho Beckets [...]. and whereof some part is as yet remaining) and say that it wanted a fit spring to water it: that hee strake his staffe into the dry ground (in a place thereof at this day called Saint
Thomas Well) and that immediately water appeared; the which running plentifully serueth the Offices of the new House at this present time.
They say also that as he walked on a time in the old Parke (busie at his prayers) that he was much hindered in his deuotion, by the sweet note and melodie of a Nightingale, that sang in a Bush besides him, and that therefore (in the might of his holinesse) he inioyned that from thenceforth no bird of that kinde should be so bold as to sing thereabouts. Some men report likewise, that for as much as a Smith (then dwelling in the Towne) had prickt his horse in the shooting; he enacted by like authoritie, that after that time no Smith should thriue within the Parish. But I exspatiate too farre, and desire a fauourable construction.
Not farre from Otford,
Burials in
Holmes Dal
[...] in the same valley, called
Holmes Dale (that is to say, the Dale betweene the wooddie hills) many expert worthy Commanders, and valiant common souldiers lie interred: For here the people of Kent being encouraged by the prosperous successe of
Edward their king (the sonne of
Aelfred, and commonly surnamed the Elder) assemb
[...]ed themselues, and gaue to the Danes, that had many yeares before afflicted them, a most sharpe and fierce encounter, in the which after long fight they preuailed, and the Danes were ouerthrowne and vanquished, in the yeare of Grace, 904.
This victory (saith
Lambard) and the like euent in another battell giuen to the Danes at Otford, which also stands in the same valley, begat, as I gesse, the common by-word, vsed amongst the inhabitants of this vale euen till this present day, in which they vaunt after this manner.
The Vale of
Holmesdale,
Neuer wonne, ne neuer shall.
These and many other victories atchieued by the valour of these Kentish Inhabitants, giues me occasion to speake somewhat in generall of this flourishing countrey; and first I will begin with a late writer.
To Canterbury then as kindly he resorts,
His famous countrey thus he gloriously reports.
O noble Kent,
M. Drayton. Polyol. Song 18.
quoth he, this praise doth thee belong,
The hard'st to be controld, impatientest of wrong.
Who, when the Norman first with pride and horrour sway'd,
Threw'st off the seruile yoke vpon the English lay'd;
And with a high resolue, most brauely didst restore,
That libertie so long enioy'd by thee before.
Not suffering forraine Lawes should thy free customes binde,
Then onely showd'st thy selfe of th'ancient Saxon kinde.
[Page 346]Of all the English Shires be thou surnamd the free,
And formost euer plac't, when they shall reckoned bee.
And let this Towne, which chiefe of thy rich countrey is,
Of all the British Sees be still
Metropolis.
Of their throwing off the Norman yoke, his learned Illustrator
Selden thus speakes.
To explaine it, saith he, I thus English you a fragment of an old Monke: When the Norman Conquerour had the day, hee came to Douer Castle, that he might with the same subdue Kent also; wherefore
Stigand, Archbishop, and
Egelsin Abbot, as the chiefe of the Shire; obseruing that now whereas heretofore no Villeins (the Latine is,
Nullus fuerat seruus, and applying it to our Law phrase I translate it) had beene in England, they should bee now all in bondage to the Normans, they assembled all the County, and shewed the eminent dangers, the insolence of the Normans, and the hard condition of Villenage: they resoluing all rather to die then lose their freedome, purpose to encounter with the Duke for their countries liberties. Their Captaines are the Archbishop and the Abbot. Vpon an appointed day they meete all at Swanescombe, and harbouring themselues in the woods, with Boughs in euery mans hand, they incompasse his way. The next day, the Duke comming by Swanescombe, seemed to see with amazement, as it were a wood approaching towards him; the Kentish men at the sound of a Trumpet take themselues to Armes, when presently the Archbishop and Abbot were sent to the Duke, and saluted him with these words: Behold, Sir Duke, the Kentish come to meete you, willing to receiue you as their Liege Lord, vpon that condition, that they may for e
[...]er enioy their ancient Liberties and Lawes vsed among their Ancestors; otherwise, presently offering warre; being ready rather to die, then vndergo a voke of bondage, and loose their ancient Lawes▪ The Norman in this narrow pinch, not so willingly, as wisely, granted the desire: and hostages giuen on both sides, the Kentishmen direct the Normans to Rochester, and deliuer them the County and the Castle of Douer.
Io. Sari
[...]r. de Nugis Curial. li. 6
ca 18.Againe for this honour of the Kentish in hauing the foremost place in euery battell, he deliuers thus much out of an old Author, who writ in Latine about the time of
Henry the second. Which by him is likewise thus taught to speake English
What performance king
Cnut did among the Danes, and Norwegians by English valour, is apparant in that vntill this day, the Kentish men for their singular vertue then showne, haue prerogatiue alwayes to bee in the Vantgard: as Wiltshire, Deuonshire, and Cornwall in the Rere.
Camd. in Kent.And further for the prowesse of the Kentish men, will it please you reade a peece out of
Camden, the like in effect as before.
The same commendation of ciuilitie and curtesie (saith he) which
Caesar in old time gaue the Inhabitants of Kent, is yet of right due vnto them: that I may not speake of their warlike prowesse, whereas a certaine Monke hath written; How the Kentishmen so farre excelled, that when our armies are ready to ioyne battell, they of all Englishmen, are worthily placed in the front, as being reputed the most valiant and resolute souldiers. Which
[Page 347]Iohn of Salisbury verifieth also in his Polycraticon. For good desert (saith he) of that notable valour, which Kent shewed so puissantly, and patiently against the Danes, it retaineth still vnto these dayes, in all battels, the honour of the first and fore-ward, yea and of the first conflict with the enemy. In praise of whom
William of Malmesbury hath likewise written thus. The countrey people and Towne-dwellers of Kent, aboue all Englishmen retaine still the resent of their ancient worthinesse. And as they are more forward, and readier to giue honour and entertainment to others, so they are more slow to take reuenge vpon others.
Lambard in his perambulation speaking of the Estate of Kent, saith, The people of this countrey consisteth chiefly (as in other countries also) of the Gentrie and the Yeomanrie, of which the first be, for the most part, Gouernors, and the other altogether gouerned: whose possessions also were at the first distinguished, by the names of Knights fee, and Gauelkinde: that former being proper to the warriour, and this latter to the husbandman. But these tenures long since haue beene so indifferently mixed and confounded in the hands of each sort, that there is not now any note of difference to be gathered by them.
The reuenues of the Gentrie are greater here then any where else,
The Gentrie of Kent. which thing groweth not so much by the quantitie of their possession, or by the fertilitie of their soile, as by the benefit of the situation of the countrey it selfe. Which hath all that good neighbourhood, that
Marc. Cato, and other old Authors in husbandrie, require in a well placed Graunge, that is to say, the Sea, the Riuer, a populous Citie, and a well traded high-way, by the commodities whereof, the superfluous fruites of the ground be dearely sold, and consequently the land may yeeld a greater rent.
These Gentlemen bee all (for the most part) acquainted with good letters, and especially trained in the knowledge of the Lawes: They vse to manure some large portion of their territories, as well for the maintenance of their families, as also for their better increase in wealth. So that they be well employed, both in the publique seruice, and in their owne particular, and do vse hawking, hunting, and other disports, rather for their recreation, then for an occupation or pastime.
The Yeomanrie or common people (for so they be called of the Saxon word
gemen,The Yeomanry of Kent. which signifieth common) is no where more free and iolly then in this Shire: for besides that they themselues say in a clayme (made by them in the time of king
Edward the first) that the Communaltie of Kent was neuer vanquished by the Conquerour, but yeelded it selfe by composition: And besides
Geruasius Dorobernens. (or
Geruis a Monke in Canterbury, who flourished in the raigne of king
Henry the first) affirmeth that the fore-ward in all battels belongeth to them (by a certaine preheminence) in right of their manhood. And it is agreed by all men, that there were neuer any bondmen (or villaines as the law calleth them) in Kent. Neither bee they here so much bounden to the Gentrie by Copyhold, or customarie tenures, as the Inhabitants of the westerne Countries of the Realme be, nor at all indangered by the feeble hold of Tenant Right, (which is but a descent of a tenancie at will) as the Common people in the Northerne parts be: for Copyhold tenure is rare in Kent, and Tenant
[Page 348] Right not heard of at all. But in place of these, the custome of Gauelkinde, (that is, Giue all Kinne) preuailing euery where, in manner euery man is a Free-holder, and hath some part of his owne to liue vpon. And in this their estate, they please themselues, and ioy exceedingly; in so much, as a man may finde sundrie Yeomen (although otherwise for wealth comparable with many of the gentile sort) that will not yet for all that change their condition, nor desire to be apparrelled with the titles of Gentrie.
Neither is this any cause of disdaine, or of alienation of the good minds of the one sort from the other. For no where else in all this Realme, is the common people more willingly gouerned. To be short, they be most commonly ciuill, iust, and bountifull: so that the estate of the old Franklyns and Yeomen of England, either yet liueth in Kent, or else it is quite dead and departed out of the Realme for altogether. Thus farre in effect out of
Lambard. Briefly, saith
Selden, it had the first English King; in it was the first Christianity among the English, and Canterbury then honoured with the
Metropolitique See: all which giue note of Honourable Prerogatiue. But I will conclude this commendation of Kent with these verses following, taken out of the foresaid Author of
Polyolbion, in the same Song.
When as the pliant Muse, straight turning her about,
And comming to the Land as Medway goeth out,
Saluting the deare soyle, O famous Kent, quoth she,
What countrey hath this Isle that can compare with thee,
Which hast within thy selfe as much as thou canst wish?
Thy conies, Venson, Fruit, thy sorts of Fowle and Fish:
And what with strength comports, thy hay, thy corne, thy wood:
Nor any thing doth want, that any where is good.
Now here, before I take my leaue of this little See of Rochester, it shall not seeme impertinent (I hope) to shew,
The conclusion of this Diocesse. with what great courage and happinesse this Church hath euer vpholden her rights and priuiledges, not onely against the Monkes of Canterbury (which laboured much to bring it vnder) but also against the See it selfe of the Archbishops.
Lamb.For example, in the raigne of king
Henry the third, and after the death of
Benedict (the Bishop of Rochester) the Monkes made choise of one
Henry Sanford (that great wise Clerke, which preached at Sittingbourne, that such a day the soules of king
Richard the first,
Godwin.Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, and another Priest, were deliuered out of Purgatory, and no more soules that day, but onely they three, as God had reuealed it vnto him three seuerall times) whereof when the Monkes of Christ-Church had intelligence, they resisted the election, challenging that the Pastorall staffe or Crosyer of Rochester ought of very right to be brought to their house, after the decease of the Bishop, and that the election ought to be made in their Chapiter. The Monkes of Rochester maintained their owne choise, and so the matter waxing warme betweene them, it was at the length referred to the determination of the Archbishop: he againe posted it ouer to certaine Delegates, who hearing the parties, and weighing the
[Page 349] proofes, gaue sentence with the Monkes of Rochester, and yet lost (as they thought) good loue and amity among them. But (as the Poet saith)
Male sarta gratia, nequicquam coit, sed rescinditur: Fauour that is euill peeced, will not ioyne close, but falleth asunder. And therefore this their opinion failed them, and their cure proued but to be patched: for soone after, the sore brake out anew, and the Canterbury Monkes reuiued their displeasure with such a heat, that
Hubert of
Burgh, Earle of Kent, and chiefe Iustice of England, was driuen to come into the Chapter house and coole it, and to worke a second reconciliation betweene them. Neither for all that (as it may seeme) was that flame quite extinguished. For not long after,
viz. Ann. 1238. the Monkes of Christ-Church seeing that they themselues could not preuaile, intituled their Archbishop
Edmund, with whom also the Rochester Monkes waged law at Rome before the holy Father (as touching the election of
Richard Wendeouer, whom they would haue had Bishop) by the space of three whole yeares together: and at the length, either through the equitie of the cause, or the weight of their purse (saith my Author) ouerthrew him,
Lamb. vpon Saint
Cuthberts day, in ioy whereof, they returned home with all hast, and enacted in their Chapter house, that from thenceforth, for euer, Saint
Cuthberts feast (as a Trophey of their victory) should be holden double, both in their Church and Kitchin.
And not thus onely, but otherwise also, hath the See at Rochester well holden her owne: for during the whole succession of fourescore Bishops and one (as I haue said before) which in right line haue followed
Iustus, she hath continually maintained her chaire at this one place: whereas in most parts of the Realme besides, the Sees of the Bishops haue suffered sundrie translations, by reason that in the Conquerours time, order was taken, that such Bishops, as before had their Churches in countrey Townes and Villages, should forthwith remoue, and from thenceforth remaine in walled Townes and Cities: which ordinance could not by any meanes touch Rochester, that was a walled Citie long time before king
Williams gouernment.
ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE Diocesse of LONDON.
AS before I haue said somewhat of the Cities of Canterbury and Rochester; so giue me leaue to speak a little of this great Citie of London, collected out of as well ancient as moderne writers. And first I will borrow a few lines from
Iohn Iohnston, before remembred, sometimes Professour of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of S.
Andrewes in Scotland: who in a graue note and serious stile compiled certaine Latine verses in praise of this our Metropolis,
Camd. Midlesex or soueraigne Citie of this Island. Which I finde to be translated by
Philemon Holland, thus.
This Citie well
Augusta call'd, to which (a truth to say)
Aire, Land, Sea, and all Elements, shew fauour euery way,
The weather no where milder is, the ground most rich to see,
Doth yeeld all fruits of fertile soile, that neuer spent will be:
And Ocean, that with Tams streame his flowing tide doth blend
Conueyes to it commodities, all that the world can send.
The noble seat of Kings it is, for port and royalty,
Of all the Realme the fence, the heart, the life, and lightsome
[...]y,
The people ancient, valourous, expert in chiualry,
Enriched with all sorts and meanes of Art and Mystery.
Take heedfull view of euery thing, and then say thus in briefe,
This either is a world it selfe, or of the world the chiefe.
Sir
Robert Dallington knight, in his view of France; comparing the City of Paris with London, saith, That Paris is the greater, the fairer built, and the better scituate: London is the richer, the more populous, the more ancient, which is an honour as well to great Cities, as to great families. And more ancient it is then any true Record beareth witnesse, saith
Speed. Fabuled from
Brute Troynouant, from
Lud Ludstone; but by more credible writers;
Tacitus, Ptolemy, and
Antonine, Londinium; by
Amianus Marcellinus for her successiue prosperitie,
Augusta, the greatest title that can be giuen to any.
It was the first built Citie questionlesse of all in the kingdome. Of which my old Rimer
Robert of Glocester.
Ye furste lordes and maistres that in yis londe wer
And ye chyff tounes furst yey le
[...]e arer.
London and
Yorke.
Euerwyk, Lyncolne, and Leycestre,
Colchestre, and Canterbery, Bristo
[...], and Wercestre.
And many
Other.
oyer tounes mo in Engelond and in Walis.
This Citie,
Speed. Midlesex. in respect of all other Cities of this Island, doth shew as the Cedars among other trees, being the seat of the British kings, the Chamber of the English, the modell of the land, and the Mart of the world: for thither are brought the silke of Asia, the spices from Africa, the Balmes from Grecia, and the riches of both the Indies East and West. No citie standing so long in fame, nor any for diuine and politike gouernment may with her be compared.
It would ask,
In Midlesex. saith
Camd. a long time to discourse, particularly, of the good Lawes and orders, of the laudable gouernment, of the port and dignitie of the Maior and Aldermen, of their forward seruice and loyaltie to their Prince, of the Citizens curtesie, the faire building and costly furniture, the breed of excellent and choice wits, their gardens in the suburbs full of daintie Arbours, and banqueting roomes, stored also with strange herbes from forraine countries, of the multitude, strength, and furniture of their ships, the incredible store of all sorts of merchandise; and of the superabundance of all things which belong to the furniture or necessitie of mans life. According as
Hadrianus Iunius writes in his
Philippeis, thus turned into English.
Thicke built with houses London is, with riches stuffed full,
Proud (if we may so say) of men that therein liue and dwell,
Where in most plenteous wise abound all things that tongue can tel.
Will. Warner writing of the foundation and Founder of this renowned Citie, giues it the like attributes.
Now,
Albions England Chap. 14.
if the Conquerour, this Isle had Brutaine vnto name,
And with his Troians
Brute began manurage of the same.
For razed Troy to reare a Troy, fit place he searched then,
And viewes the mounting Northerne parts: These fit (quoth hee) for men,
That trust as much to flight as fight: our bulwarkes are our brests,
The next Arriuals here, perchance, will gladlier build their nests:
A Troians courage is to him a Fortresse of defence:
And leauing so where Scots be now, he South-ward maketh thence:
Whereas the earth more plenty gaue, and aire more temperature,
And nothing wanted that by wealth or pleasure might allure.
And more, the Lady Floud of Flouds, the Riuer Thamis, it
Did seeme to Brute against the foe, and with himselfe to fit.
Vpon whose fruitfull banks therefore, whose bounds are chiefly said,
The wantlesse Counties Essex, Kent, Surrey, and wealthy Glayde
Of Hartfordshire, for Cities store participating ayde,
Did
Brute build vp his Troy-nouant, in closing it with wall.
Which
Lud did after beautifie, and Luds-towne it did call,
[Page 352]That now is London euermore to rightfull Princes trew,
Yea Prince and people still to it, as to their store house drew,
For plenty and for populous, the like we no where view.
Howbeit many neighbour-Townes as much ere now could say;
But place for people, people, place, and all for sinne decay.
But of this matter many haue spoken much, and it is needlesse for me to say any more, especially considering that I shall haue occasion to say somewhat hereafter vpon the said subiect, when I come to the buriall of king
Brutus. In the meane time I will conclude with a Rime Dogerell in commendation of London, as the Authour himselfe calls it, who was
Robert Fabian (Alderman and Sheriffe of this honourable Citie, in the ninth yeare of king
Henry the seuenth) which you may reade in the Prologue to the second volume of his Chronicle of England and France.
The foundation of Saint
Pauls Church.As of the Cathedrall Churches in Canterbury and Rochester, so, I finde
Ethelbert, king of Kent, to be the Founder of this, here in London; dedicated to the honour of the euerliuing God, and Saint
Paul, Doctor of the Gentiles. These are the words of his Charter, preserued here in the Church.
Diploma Regis Ethelberti.In Christi nomine Aedelbertus Rex Deo inspirante, pro anime sue remedio, dedit Episcopo Melito terram que appellatur Tillingeham, ad Monasterij sui solatium, scilicet Sancti Pauli Apostoli Doctoris Gentium. Et ego Aedelbertus ita firmiter concedo tibi Presuli Melito potestatem eius habendi & possidendi, vt in perpetuum in Monasterij vtilitate permaneat. Si quis vero contradicere temptauerit hanc donationem, Anathema & excomunicatus sit ab omni societate Christiana, vsque ad satisfactionem. Qua de re ego Episcopus Melitus vna cum Rege Aedeberto Humfredum Episcopum subscribere rogaui.
Signum manus Humfredi Episcopi.
Signum manus Letharij Episcopi.
Signum manus Abbane.
Signum manus Aethelpaldi.
Signum manus Aespine & aliorum multorum.
Besides this his gift of Tillingham in Essex;
dedit viginti quatuor Hidas terre iuxta Londoniam (as the Lieger booke of this Church speakes) the
[Page 355] greatest part of which was afterwards diuided into Prebends, as More, Finnesbury, Oldstreet, Wenlocksborne, Hoxton, Newington, S.
Pancrace, Kentishtowne, Totenhall, Ragener, Holborne, Portpole, Iseldon, and there onely remained to the Deane and Chapter, Norton Folgate.
King
Athelstan at the request of Bishop
Theodred (surnamed the good) gaue
Monasterio Sancti Pauli in Londonia Ciuitate, &c. decem Mansas ad Sandonam cum Rode, & octo ad Eardlage (now
Yerdley)
cum Luffenhede, et decem ad Bylchampe cum Picham, et octo ad Lidwolditon (nunc Heybridge) et duodecim ad Runwellam, et triginta ad Edelfesnesam (now
Pauls soken in Essex)
et decem ad Breytane, et octo ad Berne; et decem ad Neoldune cum Pislesdune.
King
Edgar at the request of Bishop
Dunstan, and his third sonne (beautifull young
Ethelred)
pro sexaginta Mancis auri puri (which is threescore Markes of our English money)
dedit ad Monasterium Sancti Pauli viginti quinque Mansiones, in loco qui vocatur Nasinstocke: Which were confirmed by
Etheldred, and diuers succeeding kings.
Canutus or
Knute the Dane, king of England, not onely confirmes his predecessours gifts, but also founds and endowes the dignitie of the Deanry, with the Church of Lamborne (in Barkshire)
pro victu decani qui pro tempore fuerit, The first Deane whereof was
Leuegarus (as appeares by an ancient Catalogue of the Deanes amongst the Antiquities of this Church) whom succeeded
Godwynus, Syredus, Gulielmus, Elfwynus, Luiredus, and in the Conquerours time
Wolfmannus, after him
Radulphus de Diceto, that great and iudicious Antiquarie;
Qui velut alter Iosephus, aut Philo, (saith
Bale Cent. 2.)
suae gentis vetera Monumenta, atque inclita facta perpetuare studens, multa retroactis seculis incognita produxit in lucem.
Edward the Confessour confirmes the gift of
Wygaley (now West Lee in Essex) which one
Ediua a religious woman gaue,
Fratribus Sancti Pauli, and also giues himselfe
Monasterio Sancti Pauli, octo Mansas ad Berling, et quinque ad Cynford, now Chyngford in Essex.
Kensworth and Caddington, and diuers other lands were giuen to this Church before the Conquest,
In Arch. Turris Lond. Cartae antiqua A. all which the Conquerour confirmes by his Charter remaining amongst the Records in the Tower, adding thereunto many ample priuiledges and immunities.
Quia volo (saith he)
vt ista Ecclesia ita sit libera in omnibus, sicut volo esse animam meam in die iudicij. Moreouer, besides this confirmation, he gaue vnto this Church, and
Mauritius the Bishop, the Castle of Stortford or Storford in Hertfordshire, with all the appurtenances belonging thereunto, for euer: and namely, the land which
William the Deacon, and
Raph his brother held of the king.
William Rufus by his deed sealed, freeth the Canons of
Pauls from all works to the walls and Tower of London, and withall confirmes all his fathers donations and priuiledges. This deed was dated at Hereford.
Since which time, one
Peter Newport (of which name and family many lie entombed in burnt Pelham, within Hertfordshire) gaue vnto this Church two hundred acres of wood, in Hadley, and Thundersey, in Essex, and fourescore Acres of arable land with a Brewhouse; out of which the Deane and Chapter were to pay a certaine summe of money to a Priest to say Masse for his soule.
[Page 356]Sir
Philip Basset knight, gaue
Drayton to the Deane and Chapter, to the entent that they should pay 15. l. for euer to three Chapleynes, for the like seruice of saying Masse, and his Executours gaue
Hayrstead, out of which there was yearely spent fiue pounds for an
Obit.
The Executors of
Iohn of
Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, gaue to this Church the Mannors of Bowes, and Pecleshouse in Midlesex, for the maintenance of certaine Priests, to sing Masse for his soule. And of these Mannors the Church was possest vntill the latter end of king
Henry the eight.
The Churches of Willesdon, Sunbury, Brickesley, Rickling, and Aueley, were impropriated to the Deane, and Chapter, by diuers Bishops; the Impropriations whereof were theirs at that time.
Besides their lands and reuenues in the countrey, these Churchmen had diuers houses in the Citie, which were granted sometime
Deo et Sancto Paulo, sometime
Deo et Sancti Pauli seruientibus, sometime
Sancto Paulo et Canonicis. Of these I haue seene many deeds, among which one is most remarkable, dated in the yeare 1141. the sixth of king
Stephen, and fastened with a labell to the end of a sticke, of what wood I know not, howsoeuer it remaines to this day free from worme-holes, or any the least corruption, not so much as in the barke. Whereby one
Robert Fitz-Gousbert, for his soules health, giues vnto this Church a certaine parcell of land, or an house, containing eight foot in breadth, and sixe in length. Vpon which wood, or sticke, these words following are very faire written,
Per hoc lignum oblata est terra Roberti filij Gousberti super altare Sancti Pauli in festo omnium Sanctorum. Testibus, &c.
But to make an end of this discourse.
Primitiua Ecclosie Sancti Pauli London fundatio (saith the Lieger booke)
consistit in Episcopo, triginta maioribus Canonicis, duodecim minoribus, et triginta vicarijs: which differs from her present state, hauing at this time for her gouernours, a Bishop, a Deane, a Precentor, a Chancellour, a Treasurer, and fiue Archdeacons,
viz of London, Middlesex, Essex, Colchester, and S.
Albons, and thirty Prebendaries; and besides to furnish the Quire in diuine seruice, Pety-Canons twelue, Vicars Chorall six, and ten Queristers, &c.
This Bishopricke comprehends the Citie of London, with the counties of Middlesex, and Essex, and the Deanries of Saint
Albans, and Braughing in Hertfordshire. And is valued in the kings bookes at 1119. l. 8. s. 4. d. and yeelded the Pope from euery Bishop at his first entrance 3000. Florins, besides sixteene pounds ten shillings for Rome-scot, or Peter-pence. But now to the Monuments.
Sebba king of the East-SaxonsHic iacet Sebba Rex Orientalium Saxonum qui conuersus fuit ad fidem per S. Erkenwaldum Londinens. Episcopum, anno Christi 677.
Vir multum Deo deuotus, actibus religiosis, crebris precibus, & pijs eleemosynarum fructibus plurimum intentus; vitam priuatam et monasticam cunctis regni diuitijs & honoribus preferens. Qui cùm regnasset annis 30.
habitum religiosum accepit per benedictionem Waltheri Londinens.Lib. 4.
cap. 11.Antistitis qui prefato Erkenwaldo successit, de quo venerabilis Beda in Historia gentis Anglorum.
The same Author further affirmes, that he not onely relinquished his Princely robes, and put on the habite of a Monke (a thing vsuall (as you
[Page 357] haue heard before) with the Saxon kings in the infancie of Christian Religion) but also instigated his wife to leaue the momentanie pleasures of Courtly estate, and to follow him in his vertuous deuotions, which with much ado he obtained. Here he continued a Monke in this Monastery (for in his time, saith
Radulphus de Diceto, were Monkes in this Church) vntill the day of his death, which happened in the yeare 693.
Of this king
Sebba thus much out of a late writer,
Mich. Draiton, Polyol. Cant. 11.
Then
Sebba of his seed, that did them all surpasse,
Who fitter for a Shrine, then for a Scepter was.
(Aboue the power of flesh his appetite to sterue
That his desired Christ he strictly might obserue)
Euen in the height of life, in health, and body strong,
Perswaded with his Queene, a Lady faire and young:
To separate themselues, and in a sole estate,
After religious sort themselues to dedicate.
Hic iacet Etheldredus,Etheldred king of England, surnamed, The Vnready.Anglorum Rex, filius Edgari Regis, cui in die consecrationis post impositam Coronam, fertur S. Dunstanus Cantuar. Archiepiscopus dira predixisse his verbis. Quoniam aspirasti ad Regnum per mortem fratris tui, in cuius sanguine conspirauerunt Angli cum ignominiosa matre tua, non deficiet gladius de domo tua seuiens in te omnibus diebus vite tue, interficiens de semine tuo quousque regnum tuam transferatur in regnum alienum, cuius ritum et linguam gens cui presides non nouit; nec expiabitur nisi longa vindicta peccatum tuum, et peccatum matris tue, & peccata virorum qui interfuere concilio illius nequam. Que sicut à viro sancto predicta erant, euenerunt. Nam Etheldredus varijs prelijs per Swanum Danorum Regem, filium que suum Canutum fatigatus & fugatus ac tandem Londini arcta obsidione conclusus, misere diem obijt anno dominice incarnationis 1017.
postquam annis 36.
in magna tribulatione regnasset.
This
Etheldred being neither forward in action,
Will. Malms. nor fortunate in his proceedings, was commonly called, The vnready, an oppressour rather then a ruler of this kingdome, cruell in the beginning, wretched in the middle, and shamefull in the end. Of the calamities of these times by the Danish inuasion, will it please you heare my old Author.
Swan with his power to Engelond com,
Rob. Glocest.
In the xxv yer of Etheldreds kingdom,
And in the yer of grace a thowsand and thre
He cam and dude sorrow inogh no mor myght be
So thilke hii come that this londe they gan ouerfulle
As hit wer Emettes creeping fro hur hulle
they, i
Hii ne sparyd Prest, ne Clerk that hii ne slaw to grounde
Ne wemen wyth child wher so hii hem found.
Besides the prophesie of
Dunstan, here set downe in this Inscription, and thus ratified by the euent; the transferring of this kingdome to other Nations, was further likewise prophetically foretold by an holy Anchorite,
[Page 358] saith,
Hen. Hunting: Englished in these words by the Translatour of
Ranulph, Monke of Chester.
Lib 6
cap. [...]:
[...]ib. 1
[...]ca
[...]lt.
But among all Englyshemen medled togydres is so grete changyng and diuersyte of clothyng and array, and so many manner of diuerse shappes, that well nigh is ther ony man knowen by his clothyng and his array of whatsoeuer degre that he be. Therof prophezyed an holy Anker in K.
Etheldred.Egelfreds time in this manner.
Englyshmen for as much as they vse to dronkelewnes, to Treason, and to rechlesnes of Goddes hous, first by Danes, and then by Normans, and atte thirde time by Scottes they shall be ouercome.
Suauis victoria Amor populi. The loue of the people was a pleasant sweet Conquest (a Motto which I saw depicted vnder the Armes of our late Soueraigne Lord King
Iames, ouer one of the gates at Yorke, vpon his first auspicious entrance into that ancient Citie,
Ann. 1603.
die Aprilis 16.) Thus for a king to ouercome, was but to come, and to be welcome, to bee receiued of his Subiects in all places, with shouts and acclamations of ioy, demonstrations of truest loyaltie, loue, and obedience, and to be conducted and guarded with an admirable confluence of his Nobilitie, Gentrie, and Commons, vnto the Throne of his lawfull inheritance.
Erkenwald Bishop of Lond.Hoc in loco requiescit in domino Erconwaldus tertius post Anglosaxonum in Britannia ingressam Episcopus Londinensis, cuius in Episcopatu, & ante Episcopatum vita fuit sanctissima: ex nobili prosapia oriundus. Offe orientalium Saxonum Regis erat filius, ad fidem Christianam à Mellito primo Londini Episcopo An. Dom. 642.
conuersus.
Is priusquam Episcopus factus esset duo preclara construxit Monasteria sumptibus suis, de bonis que ture hereditario sibi obuenerunt. Vnum sibi in finibus Australium Saxonum loco qui Certesey vocatur: alterum Edelburge sorori sue femine laudatissime ad Berching in ditione Orientalium Saxonum.
In Episcopatum vero anno salutis, 675.
à Theodoro D
[...]robernensium siue Cantuarie Archiepiscopo sacratus est: Sebbam Orientalium Saxonum Regem ad Christi sidem conuertit, et salutari Baptismatis vnda suis manibus per fudit, qui statim mundo renuncians, se totum Deo addixit, & in hac ipsa Ecclesia archa marmorea (que ad nostra vsque tempora permanet) sepultus est. Idem Erconwaldus celeberrimum hoc S. Pauli templum nouis edificijs auxit, prouentibus locupletauit, et eidem immunitates nonnullas à Regibus impetrauit. Tandem circiter annum Domini 685.
spiritum Deo reddidit, postquam annis vndecim in pontificatu sedisset. Et magnifico sepulchro hic conditus est, quod nostra memoria circiter annum Domini, 1533.
hoc loco visebatur.
This carefull holy Bishop
Erconwald, not onely bestowed great paines and charges vpon the beautifying and enlarging his Church with faire new buildings,
De gestis Pontif. lib. 2. which he enricht with more ample reuenues; and many immunities obtained from diuers kings and Princes; but also procured from Pope
Agatho the first, sundry important priuiledges for the good of his Canons.
Habetur ergo Erkenwaldus (saith
Malmesbury)
Londonie maxime sanctus, & pro exauditionis celeritate, fauorem Canonicorum nonnihil emeritus.
Beda lib. 4.
ca. 6.Venerable
Bede, and the Annals of this Church (from whom the most) of this Inscription is borrowed) do attribute many miracles to the holinesse
[Page 359] of this man,
Harpsfeeld. Secul. 7.
cap. 13. in regard of which he was canonized, and his Reliques translated,
Anno salutis millesimo centesimo quadragesimo: and the fourteenth day of Nouember, appointed to be kept sacred to his memory. As in our Kalender may be seene.
Hic iacet Eustachius de Fauconberg quondam Episcopus huius Ecclesie qui multa bona contulit ministris Ecclesie S. Pauli.Eustace de Fauconbridge Bishop of Lond.
This Bishop, as appeares by an Inscription annexed to his Tombe, had beene one of the Kings Iustices, Lord Treasurer of England, and twice Embassadour into France. And dyed Octob. 31. 1228. hauing gouerned this See seuen yeares and sixe moneths. Of whom I haue read this Epitaph in an old Manuscript.
Hic iacet Eustachius,
In bib. Cott.
redolens vt Asyria nardus,
Virtutum multis floribus, & meritis.
Vir fuit hic magnus, & Episcopus ..... vt Agnus
Vita conspicuus, dogmate precipuus.
Pro quo qui transis supplex orare memor sis
Vt sit ei saties alma Dei facies.
The like Inscription and Table is to the memory of
Henry de Wingham (so named of Wingham in Kent the place of his birth) he had been Chamberlaine of
Gascoigne,Henry de Wingham Bishop of London. Deane of
Totenhall, and Saint
Martins, twice Embassadour into France,
Mat. Paris. and Lord Chancellour of England.
Rex enim de fidelitate Domini Henrici de Vuengham experta confisus, qui clericus eius et consiliarius extitisset specialis, commisit eidem custodiam Sigilli. He enioyed this Bishopricke but a short time, being taken away by death, Iuly 13. 1262. as appeares by this Epitaph.
De Wengham natus Henricus ad astra leuatus
Lib. Mon. de Wauerley in bib. Cott.
Hic nece prostratus iacet, anno Pontificatus,
Ter vix, & Domini, Mil. Sexagint. bis, que bis C.
Huic sis saluamen, Deus O, te deprecor. Amen.
Hic requiescit in Domino Rogerus cognomento Niger quondam Canonicus huius Ecclesie S. Pauli:Rager the black Bishop of London.ac deinde in Londinens. Episcopum consecratus, Anno salutis 1228.
vir in literatura profundus, moribus honestus, ac per omnia laudabilis, Christiane Religionis amator, ac defensor strenuus; Qui cum pastorale officium vigilanter & studiose rexisset; Annis 14.
diem suum clausit extremum apud Manerium suum de Stebunheath: 3.
Calend. Octob. Ann. Christi 1241.
regnante Rege Hen. 3.
Contigit his diebus, dum Episcopus iste Rogerus in hac Ecclesia ante maius Altare staret infulatus ad celebrandum diuina, quod tanta in aere facta est nubium densitas, vt vix alterum discernere possit, quam confestim sequnta est Tonitrui horribilis concussio, cum tanta fulminis coruscatione, ac fetore intollerabili, vt omnes qui aderant rapide fugientes nihil verius quam mortem expectarent. Solus Episcopus cum vno Diacono remansit intrepidus. Aere tandem purgato Episcopus residuum rei Diuine expleuit.
You may reade more of him, in
Mathew Paris, how stoutly hee withstood the Popes Nuntio, comming here into England with a proling deuise to scrape vp money for his Master. How this good Bishop cried out vpon the vnreasonable and shamelesse couetousnesse of the Court of Rome, and
[Page 360] how hee was the onely meanes of staying the course of such grieuous exactions.
There you may also reade the fearfull story of this Cymerian darknesse, and horrible thunderclap, which happened vpon the day of S.
Pauls conuersion, in this Cathedrall Church, the Bishop being then at Masse. Many miracles, saith the same Author, were wrought at his Tombe. But let vs heare his Epitaph.
Ecclesie quondam Presul presentis, in anno
M. bis C. quater X. iacet hic Rogerus humatus.
Huius erat manibus Domino locus iste dicatus:
Christe suis precibus veniam des, tolle reatus.
It was this Bishop
Roger, who excommunicated the
Caursini (a dangerous stout attempt in those dayes) called the Popes Merchants, but they were indeed most execrable Romane Vsurers, who had entangled the king himselfe, most of the Nobilitie, and all others that had to do with the Court of Rome, in their cunning snares. They were called
Caursini (saith
Paris)
quasi capientes vrsi: deuouring Beares.
Orate pro anima Roberti Brabroke ..... quondam Episcopi huius Ecclesie, cuius corpus hic tumulatur,Rob. Braybrooke Bishop of London.qui obijt 27.
Augusti 1405.
cum sedisset, Ann. 20.
This Bishop was aduanced to the honour of being Lord Chancellour, vpon Saint
Mathewes Eue, in the sixth yeare of king
Richard the second; which office he enioyed no longer then the March following, vpon some disagreement betwixt him and
Iohn of
Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. Of which you may reade more at large in
Tho. Walsingham, Hist. Angl.
Rob. Fitz-Hugh Bishop of London.Here lieth interred the body of
Robert Fitz-Hugh, Bishop of London, Doctor of Law, and sometimes Archdeacon of Northampton, who had beene twice Embassadour, once into Germany, and another time to Rome. Hee was elected Bishop of Ely, but died before his intended translation could be perfected, Septemb. 22.
Ann. 1435. To which effect thus speakes his Epitaph.
Nobilis Antistes Robertus Londoniensis,
Filius Hugonis, his requiescit honor
Doctorum, flos Pontificij quem contulit Ely,
Rome Basilie Regia facta refert.
Plangite eum Rex, grex, tria natio tota,
Extera gens, si qua nouerat vlla pium.
Gemma pudicitie, spectrum bonitatis, honoris,
Famaque Iusticie, formula iuris erat.
Mors violenta rapit viuentem vnde cui mors
Extitit, et moritur vita beata tulit.
Mille quadragentis triginta quinque sub annis
In festo Mauri celica regna petit.
Thomas Kempe Bishop of London.Infra capellam istam requiescit corpus Domini Thome Kemp, quondam Episcopi London fundatoris eiusdem, et vnius Cantarie perpetue in eadem: qui multa bona tempore vite sue Ecclesie Sancti Pauli, et stetit 39.
annis: 84.
[Page 361]diebus: Episcopus London: ac obijt 28.
die mens. Martij Ann. Dom. 1489.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
This
Thomas Kempe was Nephew to
Iohn Kempe, Archbishop of Canterbury, at whose hands hee receiued Consecration, at Yorke place, now called White hall,
Ann. 1449. Febr. 8. his Vnkle being as then Archbishop of Yorke. This Bishop, and not Duke
Vmphrey (as it is commonly beleeued by report) built,
Brian Twyn. Antiq. Acad. Ox. for the most part, the Diuinitie Schooles in Oxford, as they stood before
Bodleyes foundation; with walls, Arches, Vaults, doores, towers, and pinnacles, all of square, smooth, polisht stone, and artificially depainted the Doctors Chaire, to the liuely representation of the glorious frame of the celestiall globle. He built also
Pauls Crosse in forme as as it now standeth.
Here lieth
Iohn Stokesley Bishop of this Church,
Iohn Stokesley Bishop of London. brought vp at
Magdelene Colledge in Oxford, and here enthronized Iuly 19. 1530. Who died Septemb. 8. 1539. A part of his Epitaph as yet remaines inlaid in brasse, which approues him to haue beene a good Linguist, and a great Schollar.
Huius in obscuro tumuli interiore recessit,
Stokesley cineres ossaque tecta iacent.
Cuius fama patens, vite decus, ingenijque
Dexteritas .....luce tamen.
Iste Deo, Regique suo, populoque fideli
Viueret vt charus perpetuo studuit.
Exterius siquidem potuit regionibus ....
....................
Qui Latias lustrauit opes, intrauit hebreas;
Huic & grecorum palma parata fuit.
Artes quid memorem vanas ad quas penetrauit,
Quum
[...] auctus honore fuit.
..............
Virginis & matris cultori certa supremum,
Natalem Marie fata dedere diem.
I reade in the Catalogue of Bishops,
William Bishop of London. and other writers (for all the Inscriptions of any Antiquitie, made to the memory of other Bishops here interred, are altogether erazed or stolne away) that
William a Norman, who enioyed this Bishopricke in the Conquerours time, lieth here interred in the body of the Church. Vnto whom the City of London acknowledgeth it selfe greatly beholding, for that the king, by his meanes and instant suite, granted vnto them all kinde of liberties, in as ample manner as they enioyed them in the time of his predecessour
Ed. the Confessour. These are the words of the Conquerours grant, written in the Saxon tongue, and sealed with greene waxe.
Williem king grets
Williem Bisceop,
Charta London. and
Godfred Porterefan, and ealle ya Burghwarn binnen London Frencisce and Englise frendlice, and ickiden eoy, yeet ic wille yeet git ben ealra weera lagay weore, ye get weeran on Eadwards daege kings. And ic will yeet aelc child by his fader yrfnume, aefter his faders daege. And i
[...] nelle ge wolian yeet aenig man coy aenis
[Page 362] wrang beode God coy heald. Which in English is to this effect following.
William king greetes
William Bishop, and
Godfrey Portgraue, and all the
Burrow[?] of London, French and English friendly. And I make knowne to you, that ye be worthy to enioy all that Law and priuiledge which ye did in the dayes of King
Edward. And I will that euery childe bee his fathers heire after his fathers decease. And I will not suffer that any man doe vnto you any iniurie. God you keepe.
In thankfulnesse hereof, the Citizens caused to bee engrauen an Epitaph vpon his Tombe in Latine, thus Englished by
Iohn Stow.
To
William, a man famous in wisedome and holinesse of life, who first with Saint
Edward the king and Confessour being familiar, of late preferred to be Bishop of London, and not long after, for his prudencie and sincere fidelitie, admitted to be of Councell with the most victorious Prince
William king of England, of that name the first, who obtained of the same great and large priuiledges to this famous City. The Senate and Citizens of London, to him hauing well deserued, haue made this. Hee continued Bishop twenty yeares, and dyed in the yeare after Christ his natiuitie, 1070.
These marble Monuments to thee thy Citizens assigne,
Rewards (O father) farre vnfit to those deserts of thine.
Thee vnto them a faithfull friend, thy London people found,
And to this Towne, of no small weight, a stay both sure and sound.
Their liberties restorde to them, by meanes of thee haue beene,
Their publike weale by meanes of thee, large gifts haue felt and seene
Thy riches, stocke, and beauty braue, one houre hath them supprest,
Yet these thy vertues, and good deeds, with vs for euer rest.
But this Tombe was long since either destroyed by time, or taken away vpon some occasion: yet howsoeuer the Lord Maior of London, and the Aldermen his brethren, vpon those solemne dayes of their resort to
Pauls, do still vse to walke to the grauestone where this Bishop lyeth buried, in remembrance of their priuiledges by him obtained. And now of late yeares an Inscription fastened to the pillar next adioyning to his graue (called, The reuiuall of a most worthy Prelates remembrance, erected at the sole cost and charges of the right honourable and nobly affected Sir
Edward Barkham knight, Lord Maior of the Citie of London,
Ann. 1622.) thus speakes to the walkers in
Pauls:
[...]
Walkers, whosoere you be,
If it proue your chance to see,
Vpon a solemnes skarlet day,
The Citie Senate passe this way,
Their gratefull memory for to show
Which they the reuerend ashes owe
Of Bishop
Norman here inhum'd;
By whom this Citie hath assum'd
Large priuiledges. Those obtain'd
By him, when Conquerour
William raign'd.
This being by thankfull
Barkhams mynd renewd,
Call it the Monument of Gratitude.
[Page 363]Here lieth buried
Fulk Basset,Fulke Basset Bishop of London. Bishop of this Church, preferred hither from the Deanrie of Yorke, a Gentleman of an ancient great family, second brother of that
Gilbert Basset, who through the stumbling of his horse, fell in a certaine wood,
Mat.
[...] as hee went a hunting in the haruest time,
Ann. 1241. and brake so his bones and sinewes, that within a few dayes after he dyed: and shortly after, euen in the same moneth, the onely sonne of this
Gilbert, being a childe, died, whereby that lordlie inheritance came to this
Fulk Basset: who, as he was a man of great linage, and also of ample, both temporall, and Ecclesiasticall possessions, so was hee a Prelate of an inuincible high spirit; stout and couragious to resist those insupportable exactions which the Popes Legate
Rustandus,Paris. went about to lay vpon the Clergie, and at such a time when the Pope and the king, like the Shepheard and the Woolfe, ioyned both together to destroy the Sheepfold. Much what about which time, to the same effect, certaine rimes were scattered abroad, as I haue before set downe in the Diocesse of Canterbury.
Such were the Popes rapines and enormous proceedings in those dayes, all which this stout Bishop withstood to the vttermost of his power. Hee died of the plague here in London,
Ann. 1258. hauing gouerned this See 14. yeares odde moneths. A Monument was made to his eternall memory, whereupon this Distich was inlaid in brasse.
Prudens & fortis iacet hac Episcopus arca Bone Iesu.
In bib. Cott.
Bassettis ortus, cui parcas summe Hierarcha Bone Iesu.
Here lieth entombed in the North wall,
Iohn de Chishull,Io. Chishull Bishop of Lond. who sometimes had beene Deane of
Pauls, Archdeacon and Bishop of London, Lord Treasurer of England,
Mat. Westm. and twice Keeper of the great Seale. He was consecrated Aprill 29. 1274▪ and died the tenth, 1279.
Vpon the Monument of
Richard Newport,Rich. Newport Bishop of London. Bishop of this Church here buried, a little inscription not long since was to be read, expressing the day and yeare of his consecration, which was March 26. 1317. And the like of his death, which happened August 24. 1318. the yeare following.
Raph Baldocke,Raph Baldocke Bishop of London. Deane of this Church, was chosen Bishop vpon Saint
Mathias day, 1303. but was not consecrated till the yeare 1305. Ianuary 30. which he receiued at the hands of one
Petrus Hispanus, a Cardinall, Bishop of Alba, at Lions in France. He was a man very well learned, and amongst other things, writ an History or Chronicle of England, in the Latine tongue.
Godwin. Catal. In his life time he gaue two hundred Markes toward the building of the Chappell on the East end of this Church, now called, The Lady Chappell; wherein he lieth buried: and in his Will bequeathed much toward the finishing of the same. And here by the way, saith mine Author, it shall not bee amisse to note, that in digging the foundation of this building, there were found more then an hundred heads of cattell, as oxen, kine, stagges,
Stow. Annal. &c. which seeme to confirme the opinion of those that thinke the Temple of
Iupiter was scituate in that place before the planting of Christian Religion;
Fran. Thinne. tooke away those idolatrous sacrifices. This Bishop was chosen Lord Chancellour by king
Edward the first. Vpon whose death he sent the great Seale to king
Edward the second, as then lying at Carliell. This
Raph is mistaken by some writers for
Robert Baldock, Bishop of Norwich
[Page 364] (yet I finde no such Bishop of that See in the Catalogue) sometime Archdeacon of Midlesex, and Chancellour of England. Much what about that time, a man that liued in the hatred of most people, whom the old English Chronicle calleth a false peeld Priest:
Rob. Glocest. these are the words;
Robart Baldok his false pilide Chanceler (being as then Chancellour to
Edward the second) and in another place,
Ye pilide clerk Robart Baldok, ye fals Chanceler. Yet this pilide fals clerk was euer trew to the King his Lord and Master: for which he was taken and imprisoned in Newgate London, wherein he miserably ended his dayes. Of which thus writeth the Author of the booke of Durham.
[...].Robertus de Baldock Cancellarius 1325.
captus cum Hugonibus de despensers, quia Clericus fuit & Sacerdos in nona porta Londiniarum poni fecit Edwardus Princeps et Isabella mater eius, vbi pro nimia miseria mortuus fuit infra breue. But to returne to
Raph (for I haue somewhat digressed from the matter) Bishop of this Diocesse, who, when from his first confirmation by
Robert of Winchelsey, Bishop of Canterbury, he had sate about eight yeares, died on S.
Iames his Eue, 1313. at Stell.
Michaell Northbrooke Bishop of London.Here lyeth buried
Michaell Northbrooke, Bishop of this See, Doctor of Law, who had his election confirmed Iuly 7. 1355. and died of the plague, Septemb. 9. 1361. at Copford. This Bishop gaue a chest with a thousand Markes; which money was to bee lent to the poore vpon securitie: as appeares by his will.
In Arch. Turris Lond.Michael de Northburghe nuper Episcopus Lond. legauit in testamento suo, sic. Item lego ad faciend. vnam cistam que stabit in Thesauria Sancti Pauli mille Marcas in eadem includend. de quibus possit quilibet pauper & plebeus sub bona & excedenti pignore mutuo recipere decem libras, 1.
Pars. Pat. Ann. 49.
Ed. 3.
M. 30.
Rich. Clifford Bishop of London.Here lieth interred vnder a marble stone, neare to the Monument of Sir
Christopher Hatton, the body of
Richard Clifford, Archdeacon of Canterbury, from which dignitie he was preferred to the Bishopricke of Worcester, which he enioyed about six yeares; and from thence translated to this See of London, which hee laudably gouerned thirteene yeares, and some moneths:
Godwin. Catal. and died, August 20. 1421. This Bishop in the yeare 1414. trauelled to the Councell of
Constance, and preached in Latine before the Emperour, and other Estates there assembled. In this Councell the long schisme was ended, and
Martin the fifth, called before
Otho Columna, Cardinall of Saint
George, was chosen the sole Pope. The Councell thinking it meete that thirtie persons should be added to the Cardinals in this election; this our
Richard Clifford was one of that number. In which also there were some that named him to the Papacie. Himselfe was the first that named the Cardinall
Columna: who thereupon, the rest consenting, was immediately elected.
Betweene the two pillars, next vnto the Steeple, on the North side of the body of the Church, vnder a marble stone, ouer which was built a kind of Tombe,
Richard Fitz-Iames Bishop of London. or Chappell of wood, that by the burning of the steeple was consumed, and quite defaced; the body of
Rich. Fitz-Iames lieth interred. A gentleman of an ancient house, learned and vertuous: Doctor of Law, brought vp in Merton Colledge in Oxford, and sometimes Warden of the
[Page 365] same;
Godwin. de Praesul. Ang. from whence hee was aduanced to the Bishopricke of Rochester, from thence translated to Chichester, and from Chichester to London. He bestowed much money in repairing the Church of S.
Martins in Oxford, as also in adorning and beautifying this his owne Cathedrall Church. He died in the yeare 1521.
Hic in Domino obdormiuit Iohannes Gandauensis,Iohn of
Gaunt Duke of Lancaster.vulgo de Gaunt, à Gandauo Flandrie vrbe loco natali ita denominatus; Edwardi tercij Regis Anglie filius, à Patre comitis Richmondie titulo ornatus. Tres sibi vxores in matrimonio duxit, primam Blancham, filiam & heredem Henrici Ducis Lancastrie per quam amplissimam adijt hereditatem. Nec solum Dux Lancastrie, sed etiam Leicestrie, Lincolnie, & Derbie comes effectus. E cuius sobole Imperatores, Reges, Principes, & proceres propagati sunt plurimi. Alteram habuit vxorem Constantiam (que hic contumulatur) filiam & heredem Petri Regis Castillie et Legionis, cuius iure optimo titulo Regis Castillie et Legionis vsus est. Haec vnicam illi peperit filiam Catharinam, ex qua ab Henrico Reges Hispanie sunt propagati. Tertiam vero vxorem duxit Catharinam, ex Equestri familia, & eximia pulchritudine feminam, ex qua numero sam suscepit prolem: Vnde genus ex matre duxit Henricus 7.
Rex. Anglie prudentissimus. Cuius felicissimo coniugio cum Elisabetha, Edw. 4.
Regis filia, e stirpe Eboracensi Regie ille Lancastriensium et Eboracensium familie, ad exoptatissimam Anglie pacem coaluerunt.
Illustrissimus hic princeps Iohannes cognomento
Plantagenet, Rex Castillie & Legionis. Dux
Lancastrie, comes Richmondie, Leicestrie,
Lincolnie & Derbie, locum tenens Aquitanie,
Magnus Seneschallus Anglie obijt Ann.
22. Regni
Regis Ricardi
2. Annoque Domini.
1399.
His first wife
Blanch,Blanch Duchesse of Lancaster. here buried, died of the plague, saith
Io. Stow, Ann. 1369. She ordained for her husband and her selfe, a solemne Obit to bee kept yearely in this Church, where the Maior, being present at the Masse with the Sheriffes,
Fabian. Chamberlaine, and Swordbearer, should offer each of them a pennie, and the Maior to take vp twentie shillings: the Sheriffes either of them a Marke, the Chamberlaine ten shillings, and the Swordbearer sixe shillings eight pence, and euery other of the Maiors officers (there present) two and twenty pence a peece: the which Obyte, saith
Fabian, to this day is holden. She also founded foure Chantrees in this Church for the soules of her selfe and her husband; and was greatly beneficiall vnto the Deane and Canons.
His second wife
Constance died in the yeare 1395. whom hee solemnly and Princely interred by his first wife
Blanch.Constance Duchesse of Lancaster.
Vpodigma. Neust. She was (saith
Walsingham)
mulier super feminas innocens, & deuota: A Lady aboue Ladies, innocent, deuout, and zealous. Of his third wife
Katherine, when I come to Lincolne Minster, where she lieth entombed.
Henry Lacy,Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne. Earle of Lincolne, lieth here entombed in the new worke, which was of his owne foundation, vnder a goodly Monument, with his armed pourtraiture crosse-legged, as one that had professed his vttermost endeauour for defence of the holy Land. Hee was stiled Earle of Lincolne,
[Page 366] Baron of Halton, Constable of Chester, Lord of Pomfret, Blackburnshire,
Ros in Wales, and Rowennocke. Hee was Protectour of England whilest King
Edward the second was in Scotland, and Viceroy sometime in the Duchie of Aquitaine.
In bib. Cott.Vir illustris in consilio, strenuus in omni guerra & prelio, Princeps militie in Anglia, & in omni regno ornatissimus, saith the booke of
Dunmow. By his first wife
Margaret (daughter and heire of
William Longspee, grandchilde of
William Longspee Earle of Salisbury) he had two sonnes,
Edmund drowned in a Well in Denbeigh Castle; and
Iohn, who died young:
Vincent. Catal. both of them dead before their father. And one daughter named
Alice, married to
Thomas Plantaginet, Earle of Lancaster. He died at his house, now called Lincolnes Inne in Chancerie-lane London, Feb. the fifth, 1310. being threescore yeares of age, as I haue it out of the booke of
Whalley,Lib. Mo
[...]. de Whalley. in these words.
Iste Henricus Comes Lincol. obijt Anno etat is lx. Ann. Domini. M. CCC. X. in festo Sancte Agathe Martyris circa gallicinium.
Laurence Allerthorp Lord Treasurer.In the same Chappell, dedicated to S.
Dunstan, lieth
Laurence Allerthorp, sometimes Canon of this Church, and Lord Treasurer of England, with this Inscription.
Hic iacet Laurentius Allerthorp quondam Thesaurarius Anglie, Canonicus & Stagiarius istius Ecclesie, qui migrauit ex hoc seculo mens. Iulij die 21. 1406.
This
Allerthorp being a man of no more eminencie in the Church then a Canon resident, was neuer thought of, or not beleeued, by the
Francis Thinne Collector of the Lord Treasurers, to haue ascended to such an honour, so that he lies here in a darksome roome, as a sacrifice to obliuion; small notice taken of him, except by some few of the Churchmen. Now giue mee leaue to tell you, by way of digression, that howsoeuer this
Allerthorp was but one of the Canons resident, yet he was solely the one, and had most or all the reuenues of the rest in his hands; for (as the Records of this Church doe approue) those thirtie Canons vpon the primarie institution, called Canons Regular (because they led a regular life, and were perpetually resident) and afterwards liuing abroad, and neglecting the businesse of their Church, became to be called Canons secular, contenting themselues with the title of Canon, and some prebend assigned vnto them. Which annexing of lands to the Prebendarie was not till a long time after the first foundation: whereupon Pope
Lucius by his Bull ordained, that the Canons non-resident, should not partake of the profits of the lands assigned to the common affaires of the Church, but onely such as were resident (the diuision of the Churches lands hauing beene made before in the time of the Conquerour) and this
Laurence Allerthorp, at and before the time of his Treasurship, was
solus residentiarius, and had the whole reuenue of the rest at his owne disposing, by way of Option, as it is called in the Lieger booke. But of this enough, if not too much. Then to conclude, howsoeuer this
Allerthorp be altogether excluded out of the Treatise of the Treasurers, and Sir
Iohn Northberie, knight, keeper of the priuie Garderobe in the Tower, said to be Lord Treasurer in the first, second, and third of king
Henry the fourth: in which time the said
Allerthorp should enioy that office, or not at all. Yet these words in his Patent, together with this Epitaph, do approue him
[Page 367] to haue beene adorned with the honourable Office of a solicitous Lord Treasurer.
Laurentius de Allerthorp Clericus habet officium Thesaurarij Anglie,In Arch. Turris Lond.quamdiu T.R. apud W. 31.
Maij. 9.
pars. pat. 2.
Hen. 4.
membrana 14.
Hic requiescit Simon Burly Banerettus, quinque Portuum prefectus,Sir
Simon Burley knight of the Garter.Ordinis Garterij Miles, & Ricardo 2.
Consiliarius longe charissimus, connubio sibi coniunctas habuit ex amplissimis familijs duas vxores, alteram Staffordie, alteram Baronis de Roos filiam. Verum difficillimo illo tempore cum inter Anglie Proceres omnia sub iuuene Principe simultatibus agitarentur, in tantum nonnullorum odium incurrit, vt Parlamentaria authoritate capite plecteretur. Anno Dom. 1388.
Posteri autem eadem postea authoritate sub Rege Henrico quarto sunt restituti.
Edward the blacke Prince tooke such affection to this Sir
Simon Burley for his valour, wisedome, and true seruice, that he committed to his gouernance his onely sonne (then liuing)
Richard of
Burdeux; who, being afterwards king of England, by the name of
Richard the second, aduanced him to high honours, offices, and promotions: and nothing was done in matters of State without his appointment and direction. Thus hee continued alwayes loyall to his Soueraigne Lord the king; yet liued in the hatred of the Peeres of the Land, as also of the common people, for that he leaned to the partie of
Robert de Veere,Stow. Annal. Earle of Oxford, Duke of Ireland, and the kings fauorite, and was an oppressour of the poore Commons: insomuch that by the sentence of that Parliament, which wrought wonders,
An. 11.
Ric. secundi, hee was condemned of treason, and beheaded on the Tower hill; as in the Inscription.
He was first Vicechamberlaine to king
Richard, who made him Constable of Douer Castle, and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports; deliuering the keyes of the said Castle to the said
Simon in signe of possession: so much would he grace him with his presence, thus recorded.
Simon de Burley Miles subcamerarius Regis haebt officium Constabularij Castri Douer & custodie.In Arch. Turris Lond. 5.
Portuum ad totam vitam suam sicut Robertus de Assheton Chr. iam defunctus nuper habuit: & Rex super hoc ipso Simoni in dicto Castro in presenti existens claues tradidit in signum possessionis earundem. T.R. apud Douer 24.
Ian 2.
Pars. Pat. Ann. 7.
Ric. 2.
Per versus patet hos Anglorum quod iacet hic flos;
Sir
Raph Hengham chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench.
Legum qui tata dictauit vera statuta;
Ex Hengham dictus Radulphus vir benedictus.
This flower of our English Garden, this learned father of the Law, this blessed man (as this Epitaph would make him) was no better then a bribing Iudge; for, being a chiefe Commissioner for the gouernment of the kingdome, in the absence of
Edward the first, he, with many others of his profession, were, at the kings returne, found guiltie by act of Parliament, of manifest corruption,
Iudges fined for briberie and extortion. in their administration of Iustice, and deeply fined for such their intolerable extortions. First this Sir
Raph Hengham, chiefe Iustice of the higher Bench, was fined to pay to the king seuen thousand Markes.
Stow. Annal. Sir
Iohn Loueton Iustice of the lower Bench 3000. Markes. Sir
William Brompton Iustice, 6000. Markes. Sir
Salomon Rochester, 4000.
[Page 368] Markes. Sir
Richard Boyland 4000. Markes. Sir
Thomas Sodington 2000. Markes. Sir
Walter Hopton 2000. Markes. These foure last were Iustices Itinerants. Sir
William Saham 3000. Markes.
Robert Lithbury, Master of the Rolls, 1000. Markes.
Roger Leicester 1000. Markes.
Henry Bray Escheater, and Iudge for the Iewes, 1000. Markes.
Robert Preston 1000. Markes. But Sir
Adam Stratton, chiefe Baron of the Exchequer, was fined in thirty foure thousand Markes. And
Thomas Weyland (found the greatest delinquent, and of greatest substance) had all his goods, and whole estate confiscated to the king, and withall banished the kingdome.
This Sir
Raph Hengham was a Norfolke man borne, as I haue it out of an old Record; these are the words.
Radulphus de Hengham ex eadem ortus esse videtur familia, ex qua, Willielmus filius Ade de Hengham et Richardus de Hengham in Pago Norfolciens plerumque Thetfordie Iusticiarij ad Assisas capiendas, et ad Gaolam deliberandam sub initijs Hen. 3.
in Archiuis sepe memorantur, Rot. Parl. He flourished in the raignes of
Henry the third, and
Edward the first, and died in the first yeare of
Edward the second, 1308.
Fulke Louell Archdeacon of Colchester.Hic iacet Magister Fulco Louel, quondam Archidiaconus Colcestrie floruit sub Hen. 3.
Rege. I finde no more of this man then what I reade in this Inscription; but much more of his name,
Io. Boys, Nich. Rikkell, and
Isabell their wife. being both ancient and honourable.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis de Boys in Com. Essex, Ar. Nicholai Rikkil, Ar. & Domine Isabelle quondam vxor eorum que Isabella obiit 28.
Iulij, Ann. 1443.
quorum animabus propitietur altissimus.
It seemes by his armes vpon the pillars, that this
Boys was a great repairer of this Chappell,
William Worsley Deane of this Church. sacred to S▪
George, wherein he lyeth interred.
Orate pro anima Magistri Williel. Worsley, legum doctoris istius Ecclesie Sancti Pauli London Decani dum vixit....qui obiit 15.
die mens. Augusti, 1488.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus.
Vermibus hic ponor, & sic ostendere conor,
Hic veluti ponor, ponitur omnis honor.
And vpon the pillar adioyning to this Monument, these verses following are engrauen in brasse:
Vnde superbis Homo cuius conceptio culpa,
Nasci pena, labor vita, necesse mori.
Vana salus hominum, vanus labor, omnia vana;
Inter vana nichil vanius est homine.
Post hominem vermis, post vermem setor & horror,
Sic in non hominem vertitur omnis homo.
Mors venit absque mora, nescis cum venerit hora
Esto paratus ei cum venerit hora diei.
....
Ode
[...]y Canon of this Church.Orate pro.... Domini Rogeri Brabazon de O devy Iuris Canonici, Doctoris, & huius Ecclesie Cathedralis Residentarij qui obiit tertio die mens. Augusti, 1498.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Nunc Christe te petimus, Miserere quesumus, qui venisti redimere perditos, noli damnare redemptos.
Iohn Colet Deane of this Church.In memoriam venerabilis viri Iohannis Coleti sacre Theologiae Doctoris; ad Dinum Paulum Decani, & Scholae ibidem fundatoris.
Inclyta Ioannes Londini gloria gentis
Is tibi qui quondam Paule Decanus erat.
[Page 369]Qui toties magno resonabat pectore Christum,
Doctor & interpres fidus Euangelij.
Qui mores hominum multum sermone diserto
Formarat, vitae sed probitate magis.
Quique scholam struxit celebrem cognomine Ihesu;
Hac dormit tectus membra Coletus humo.
Floruit sub Henrico 7.
& Hen. 8.
Regibus, obijt Ann. Dom. 1519.
Disce mori mundo, vinere disce Deo.
Vnder his liuely pourtraiture, alluding to his artificiall Askelliton these words.
Istuc recidit gloria carnis. Loue and liue.
His Monument is lately reuiued by the Companie of the mystery of Mercers, to whose charge he committed the ouersight of S.
Pauls Schoole, with lands worth an hundred and twenty pounds or better, of yearely value: for the maintenance of a Master, an Vsher, and a Chaplaine; to teach and instruct one hundred fiftie and three poore mens children freely, without any reward. And (as I am told)
Vijs & modis, more comes to the Schoolemaster at this day, then the whole endowment.
Iohn Bale saith,
Cent. 5. that of twenty and two children which his father
Henry Collet (Mercer, and Lord Maior of London) had by
Christian his wife, he was the onely childe liuing at his fathers death▪ that he died of the sweating sicknesse, aged sixtie three yeares: that he was brought vp in Oxford, that he trauelled into France and Italie; that he disputed with the Sorbonists in Paris, from whose Tenets hee much dissented; that hee inuayed against Monkes which did not leade an Euangelicall life; and Bishops,
Qui pro Pastoribus lupos agebant: that he was
eruditione facundus; that he writ many Treatises left in loose papers, which, but by himselfe, could not bee made perfect: That hee taught in his Sermons that it was vnlawfull for a Clergie-man to accumulate riches, and for any man to worship Images: that by
Richard Fitz-Iames, then Bishop of London, and two Minorites,
Bricot and
Standish, he was accused of heresie, and that his corps had beene cast out of his Tombe and burnt, if an vnexpected accident had not preuented his enemies designes.
Gulielmo Lilio Paulinae Scholae olim perceptorio primario & Agnetae Coniugi, in sacratissimo huius templi Coemiterio,William Li
[...] the first Master of
Paul
[...] Schoole.hinc a tergo nunc destructo consepultis: Georgius Lillius huius Ecclesie canonicus Parentum memoriae pie consulens Tabellam hanc ab amicis conseruatam hic reponendam curauit.
Obijt ille G. L. Ann. Dom. 1522.
V. Calend. Mart. vixit annos 54.
This man,
Bale Cent. 5.integer vitae scelerisque purus, as
Bale saith, liued for a certaine time in the Isle of Rhodes, and some yeares in Italie, where hee instructed himselfe in all good literature, and made himselfe perfect in many languages: withall he was quicke, apprehensiue, and ingenious: and therefore entirely beloued of Sir
Thomas Moore. He writ diuers bookes, but he is best knowne by his Grammer. Hee was borne in the Towne of Odiham in Hampshire.
The Epitaph of
Agnes, the wife of
William Lily, as I found it in the Collections of Master
Camden.
Tho. Linak
[...]r phisition, and his vale.Thomas Linacrus Regis Henrici viii Medicus: vir et Grecè et Latine atque in re medica longe eruditissimus: multos aetate sua languentes, et qui iam animam desponderant, vitae restituit. Multa Galeni opera Latina lingua mira et singulari facundia vertit▪ Egregium opus de emendata structura Latini sermonis, amicorum rogatu paulo ante mortem edidit. Medicine studiosis Oxoniae publicas lectiones duas, Cantabrigiae vnam in perpetuum stabiliuit: In hac vrbe Collegium Medicorum sua industria fieri curauit. Cuius et Praesidens primus electus est; Fraudes dolosque mirè perosus, fidus amicis, omnibus ordinibus iuxta charus: aliquot annos antequam obierit Presbiter factus: plenus annis ex hac vita migrauit, multum desideratus. Ann. Dom. 1524.
die 7.
Octob.
Somewhat aboue the Tombe, in the wall, vnder the picture or pourtraiture of the Phoenix, this Inscription.
Viuit post funera virtus.
Thomae Linacro clarissimo medico Iohannes Caius posuit, ann. 1557.
This old Physitian, and young Priest,
Tho. Linaker, borne in the towne of Darby; was (like
William Lilie) for none of his works so famous, as for his rudiments or instructions, to the better vnderstanding of the Latine tongue.
Tho. de Eure Deane of Pauli.Hic infra iacet corpus magistri Thome de Eure, Legum Doctoris, istius Ecclesie, S. Pauli quondam Decani, qui die nono mens. Octobris. Ann. Dom. millesimo quadringentesimo, & sui Decanatus anno duodecimo diem suum clausit extremum. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Tho. Wynterburne Deane of Pauls▪Hic iacet Magister Thomas Wynterburne Legum Doctor, dum vixit Decanus huius Ecclesie S. Pauli, qui obijt 7.
die mens. Decemb. An. Dom. 1478.
Anime cuius sis Deus propitius. Amen.
Reymund Pilgrim. Canon.Hic iacet Magister Reymundus Pelegrim Canonicus huius Ecclesie, & Capellanus Commissalis Domini Pape, qui obijt xi die mens. Aug. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Rich. Ple
[...]ys Canon.Hic iacet Magister Richardus Plessys quondam Can.........ob. M. CCC.LX.I.
William Harington, Secretary Apostolicall.Gulielmus Harington Iurisconsultus, Protonotarius Apostolicus D. Pauli Canonicus, ex illis quos Residentiarios dicunt: Patria Eboracensis natus, in Pago qui Estryngton vocitatur. Patre Gulielmo Haringtono viro claro genere orto in pago commerlandie non ignobili, qui Neubyging nuncupatur: & Matre Iohanna filia Gulielmi Haske aliter Baliui dicti viri generosi in eodem pago Estryngton nata. Memor exitus vite, qui omnibus horis impendet, hoc sibi sepulchrum posuit. Anno salutis humane. 1523.
[Page 371]Here lieth buried in a Chappell built by himselfe, wherein he founded three Chaplaines, Sir
Iohn Poultney,Si
[...] [...] Lord
[...] foure times Lord Maior of London: who founded also a Colledge in the Parish Church of S.
Laurence, called
Poultney. He built also the parish Church, called little Alhallows in Thames street;
[...] and the Carmelite Friers Church in Couentrie: hee gaue reliefe to the prisoners in Newgate, and in the Fleet, and ten shillings the yeare to S.
Giles Hospitall by Oldborne (now Houlborne) for euer: and other Legacies too long to rehearse. And died in the yeare 1348.
Here lieth
Hamond Chickwell Pepperer,
[...]. who had beene Lord Maior of this Citie, sixe times within nine yeares. And died about the yeare 1328.
Here lieth the body of
Anne, daughter of
Iohn, Duke of Burgundie, the wife of
Iohn Plantaginet, third sonne of king
Henry the fourth, Duke of Bedford, Protector of the Realme of England, and head of the common weale. Who died the yeare 1433.
Here in a Monument,
[...] broken all a peeces, lieth entombed the body of
Iohn Neuill, Lord
Latimer: whose widow
Katherine Parre, daughter of Sir
Thomas Parre of Kendall, and sister to
William Lord
Parre, Marquesse of Northampton; was the sixth and last wife to king
Henry the eight. He died in the yeare 1542.
Sir
Iohn Beauchampe, [...] Constable of Douer Castle, Warden of the Cinque Ports, knight of the Garter, and Lord Admirall of England, the second sonne of
Guy Beauchampe, Earle of Warwicke; lieth buried here in the body of the Church, within a little Chappell. He died
Ann. 1360. 34.
Ed. 3.
He was also Constable of the Tower of London, as appeares by ancient Records.
Cum Rex nuper concesserit Iohanni Darcy de Knayth custodiam Turris London ad vitam suam,In Arch. Turr
[...] Lond.et idem Iohannes propter alia negotia intendere non possit eidem custodire; ex Regis assensu concessit custodiam predictam Iohanni de Bellocampo de Warwic. ad totam vitam predicti Iohannis Darcy &c. T. R. apud Mortelake 15.
Marcij, Ann. 26.
Ed. 3.1.
Pars. pat. M. 17.
Vpon some displeasure (vpon false suggestions) which the King had taken against him, he was put by this office, and to the same (the truth being tried) restored againe a little before his death. For proofe.
Cum Iohan. Darcy cui nuper Rex custodiā Turris London ad totā vita suā concesserit;In Arch. Turris Lond.ob affectionē quam habuit ad personā Ioh. de Bellocampo de Warwick, statū quem idem Ioh. Darcy in custodia Turris predicte habuit, prefato Ioh. de Bellocampo concesserit; et Rex illā concessionē confirmauit; post modū
(que) ob quendā rancorē quem Rex erga ipsū Ioh. de Bellocampo ex sinistra suggestione ipsi Regi facta concepisset; ipsum de custodia illa amoueri fecit, et
[...]andem custodiam primo Bartholomeo de Burghesse, & postmodum Roberto de Morle concessisset; Iamque ijdem Bartholomeus et Robertus viam vniuerse carnis ingressi sunt. Rex ad gratum et laudabile obsequium si
[...]i per dictum Iohannem diuersimodo impensum, et ad hoc quod suggestio predicta minus vera existit, sicut plenius Regi constat, consideracionem habens, ac volens ipsius proinde honori & commodo prospicere in hac parte,
[...]undem Iohannem ad dictam custodiam restituit, habendam ad totam vitam suam. Dat. apud Villam Sancti Georgij iuxta Castrum de Beauford in Francia. An. 34.
Ed. 3.
This deceased Nobleman (saith
Stow) by ignorant people,
Suruay. hath beene
[Page 372] erroniously mistearmed, and said to bee Duke
Humphrey, the good Duke of Glocester; who lieth honourably buried at S.
Albans in Hertfordshire. In Idle and friuolous opinion of whom, some men of late times, saith hee, haue made a solemne meeting at his Tombe, vpon Saint
Andrewes day in the morning, and concluded on a breakfast, or dinner, as assuming themselues to be seruants, and to hold diuersitie of Offices, vnder the said Duke
Humphrey.
On the South side of the same Tombe, is this Inscription in brasse.
Rich. Piriton Archdeacon of Colchester.Hic iacet Dominus Richardus de Piriton, quondam Archidiaconus Colcestrie, Canonicus et stagiarius huius Ecclesie, qui obijt 26.
Aug. Ann. Dom. 1387.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Vpon the wall ouer the little doore that entreth out of
Pauls into Saint
Faiths Church, is the image of Iesus, curiously painted, as also the pourtraiture of a Lady kneeling in her mantle of Armes, with some of her progeny. These words thereupon being most artificially pensild.
Iesus our God and Sauiour,
To vs and ours be gouernour.
Which imagerie or representation was made to the memory of
Margaret Countesse of Shrewsbury, who lieth buried in a Chappell within that doore dedicated to the name of Iesus, with this Inscription, which not long since was there to be read vpon a pillar.
Margaret Countesse of Shrewsbury.Here, before the Image of Iesu, lieth the worshipfull and right noble Ladie,
Margaret, Countesse of Shrewsbury, late wife of the true and victorious knight, and redoubtable warrior,
Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury: which worshipfull man died in Guien, for the right of this Land. She was the first daughter, and one of the heires of the right famous and renowned knight,
Richard Beauchamp, late Earle of Warwicke (which died in Roan) and of Dame
Elizabeth his wife. The which
Elizabeth was daughter and heire to
Thomas, late Lord
Berkeley, on his side, and on her mothers side, Ladie
Lisle and
Tyes. Which Countesse passed from this world the foureteenth day of Iune, in the yeare of our Lord, 1468. On whose soule Iesu haue mercy. Amen.
I haue seene a stone in the body of this Church thus inscribed, without any name; yet Armes were vpon the Monument.
Non hominem aspiciam vltra.
Obliuio.
This man yet willingly (saith learned
Camden) would not haue beene forgotten,
R
[...]maines. when he adioyned his Armes to continue his memory; not vnlike to Philosophers which prefixed their names before their Treatises of contemning glory.
Another, in the North Cloister now ruinated, without name, had this Inscription vpon his Graue-stone:
Vixi, peccaui, penitui, Nature cessi.
Which was as Christian (saith the same Author) as that was profane of the Romane:
Romaines.
Amici
Dum viuimus
Viuamus.
[Page 373]I haue read these rimes following, engrauen in brasse, vpon a marblestone, in the body of the Church, now stolne away.
Istuc qui graderis paulum te sistere queso
Et rogitans quid eris in me, nunc vermibus eso.
Esto memor mortis, meditare frequenter Ioua:
Mors latet in portis, non est euitabilis hora.
Effundens loculos, pro Christo despice mundum.
Clarificans oculos, vt cernas quo sit eundum.
Nam quod quisque serit presentis tempore vite,
Hoc sibi messis erit, cum dicitur, ite venite.
The sleight regard of the house of God, was a maine cause of this kingdomes subuersion, as I haue shewed before vpon the Epitaph of king
Etheldred; and it hath euer beene, and more especia
[...]ly is in these our times, an vse for beastly and vncleane persons, to pollute and beda
[...]be the doores and walls of the place where God is to be worshipped, with pisse, or some other more nastie excrements; against the like irreuerence to this goodly consecrated Edifice of Saint
Paul, diuers prohibitions vpon certaine penalties haue beene, and are daily, published in print, and pasted vp in
[...]iuers places, in and about the Church. And anciently this Atheisticall vncl
[...]nnesse (if I may so call it) was forbidden by a verse depicted at euery doore of this Church; some part of which at the great South doore is yet re
[...] ning, which in my time might perfectly be read. Thus it runnes.
Hic Locus his sacer est, hic nulli mingere fas est.
This house is holy here: vnlawfull ti's
For any one, here on her walls to pisse.
And strict orders were likewise published against Beggers, and bearers of burdens, in and thorow the Church: of the later sort these foure lines were sometimes fixed to a pillar, ouer an iron boxe for the poore.
All those that shall enter within the Church doore,
With burden or basket, must giue to the poore.
And if there be any aske what they must pay,
To this Box a penny, ere they passe away.
It could be wished, that walking in the middle Isle of Paules might be forborne in the time of Diuine seruice.
Richard the second,
The foundation
[...] Pe
[...]y Canons. king of England,
Ann. Reg. 8. made the pettie Canons here twelue in number, a Colledge, or fellowship daily to meete and diet together in one Hall; whereas for a long time before they liued dispersedly, and could not be so ready to serue the most Highest in their holy exercises. Hee appointed one
Iohn Linton for the first Warden of this Colledge, and gaue vnto the said Warden and Canons of the foresaid Fellowship, certaine lands here in London for their further endowment, and the supporting of diuine seruice. Charging them by his Charter to pray for his prosperous estate liuing, and for his soules health when he should depart this world: and for the soule of
Anne his wife, Queene of England: and
[Page 374] for the soules of his and her progenitors, parents, and ancestors, and of all the faithfull people deceased.
Polyol. 1.
Song.
[...]land. ad Cyg. Cant.Howsoeuer the Story of
Brute be denied by some learned Authors, or not permitted but by coniecture; as
Selden hath it in his Illustrations vpon this verse of
Michaell Drayton, which now the enuious world doth slander for a dreame.
Yet because I finde him, in our Annals, to haue beene buried here in this Citie, of his owne foundation, as both by reason and authority it is strongly argued by a most iudicious Antiquarie of the last age; I think it not amisse to speake somewhat of him (especially) in this place, as the truth of the storie is generally receiued.
Brute King of great Britaine.Brute (the sonne of
Siluius, the sonne of
Ascanius, who was the sonne of
Aeneas the warlike Troian) being deliuered from the long captiuitie vnder the Grecians, with his wife
Innogen and his people, departed from the coasts of Greece, and arriued in an Island, where they consulted with an Oracle, sacred to
Diana. Brute himselfe kneeling before the Idoll, and holding in his right hand a boule prepared for sacrifice full of wine, & the bloud of a white Hinde; made his imprecation to the Goddesse to this effect in English.
Gildas Cambrius
Thou Goddesse that doest rule the woods and forrests greene,
And chasest foaming boares that fly thine awfull sight:
Thou that mayest passe aloft in aerie skies so sheene;
And walke eke vnder earth in places voide of light:
Discouer earthly states, direct our course aright,
And shew where we shall dwell, according to thy will,
In seats of sure abode, where Temples we may dight
For Virgines that shall sound thy land with voices shrill.
After this prayer and ceremonie done, according to the Pagan rite and custome,
Brute abiding his answer, fell asleepe: in which sleepe appeared to him the said Goddesse vttering this answer.
Brute, farre by West beyond the Gallike land is found
An Isle, which with the ocean seas inclosed is about.
Where Giants dwelt sometime, but now is desart ground,
Most meet where thou maiest plant thy selfe with all thy rout.
Make thitherwards with speed; for there thou shalt finde out
An euer-during seat, and Troy shall rise anew,
Vnto thy race, of whom shall kings be borne, no doubt,
That with their mighty power the world shall whole subdew.
Brute was no sooner awaked then that he related this his dreame or vision to such of his companie, as he thought requisite to be acquainted with such a matter of importance; after great reioycing and ceremonious thanksgiuing, they ioyntly resolued to seeke out this fortunate Island, and so returned to their ships, with great ioy and gladnesse, as men put in comfort to finde out the wished seats for their firme and sure habitations, prophesied
[Page 375] and promised vnto them by the Oracle; not long after
Per varios casus per tot discrimina rerum.
Passing through many dangers, by sea, by land, 'mongst strangers:
They landed at Totnes in Deuonshire, about the yeare of the world, 2855. and before Christs natiuitie, 1108. Of which
M. Drayton Polyol. Song. 1.
Mye Britaine-sounding
Brute; when with his puissant fleete
At Totnesse first he toucht.
Brute hauing taken a view of this Island, and destroyed all such as stood against him, commanded that the Isle should be called Brutaine (which before was called Albion, peopled with gyants) and the inhabitants thereof Britaines, or Brutaines, allusiuely after his owne name. Within a short time after his arriuall, he laid the foundation of a Citie, which he named Troynouant, or new Troy (now London) vpon a plot of ground lying on the North side of the riuer of Thames, which he built in remembrance of that noble City of Troy, from whence hee and his people were descended, as also to bee the seat Royall, and chiefe Chamber of his imperiall kingdome. He also built a Temple to the honour of his Pagan Gods and Goddesses. Which stood (by coniecture) in the same place where now this Cathedrall Church of Saint
Paul is erected: in which idolatrous Archflamen he bequeathed his body to be buried. Here in his new Citie, when he had established certaine lawes, teaching his people to liue after a ciuill order and fashion; also to build townes and villages, to worship the Gods, to till and plow the earth, to weare apparrell, to anoint and trimme their bodies: and to be short, to liue after an humane manner, and had holden the regiment of this kingdome right nobly the space of twenty and foure yeares, hee departed the world. Hauing parted his dominions into three parts, amongst his three sonnes,
Locrine, Camber, and
Albanact: with condition, that the two younger brethren should hold of the eldest, and to him doe homage and fealtie.
Brute tooke shippe and arriued in Albion;
Hard. in vi
[...]. Bruti.
Where
Diane said, should been his habitation;
And when he came the coasts of it vpon,
He was full glad, and made great exultacion.
And afterwards vpon the alteration of the name of
Albion, the building of London, the establishing of his lawes, the diuision of his Empire, as also of his death and buriall, the same Author hath these verses.
Vnto the North for his dwellyng, and for his most repaire
Whiche is to saie in our language perfite
New Troy.
In whiche throughout his peace and law he sette,
Whiche been the floures of all regalite;
With out whiche, but if thei twoo be mette,
There may no Prince hold principalite,
Ne endure long in worthy dignite.
For if those twoo be nought vpholden than;
What is a kyng more worth then his liege man.
This kyng
Brute kepte well this Isle in peace;
And sette his lawes of Troye with orders, rites,
And consuetudes, that might the land encreace,
Such as in Troye was most profittes,
Vnto the folke, and the common profettes.
He made theim wryten for long rememory,
To rule the Isle by theim perpetually.
His menne he did rewarde full royally
With lands and rentes, that with hym suffred pain▪
And Troynouaunt he made full specially
An Archflaume, his sea Cathedrall certain,
A Temple thereof Apolyne to opteyne
By Troyane lawe of all such dignite
As Archbyshop hath now in his degre.
This kyng
Brutus made people faste to tylle
The land aboute, in places both farre and nere;
And sowe with sede, and get them corne full wele,
To liue vpon, and haue the sustenaunce clere,
And so in fields both farre and nere;
By his wysdome, and his sapience,
He sette the lande in all suffycience:
And as the fate of death doth assigne
That nedes he muste his ghoost awaye relees
To his goddas
Dyane he did resigne
His corps to be buryed withouten lees
In the Temple of
Apolline, to encreace
His soule amonge the goddes euerychone
After his merites tronized high in trone.
It is said (saith Sir
Edward Coke to the Reader of the third part of his Reports) that
Brutus the first king of this land, as soone as hee had setled himselfe in his kingdome, for the safe and peaceable gouernment of his people, wrote a booke in the Greeke tongue, calling it, The Lawes of the Britanes: and he collected the same out of the Lawes of the Troianes.
Brute[Page 377] died after the Creation, 2806. yeares, before the Incarnation, 1103.
Samuel then Iudge of Israel.
Robert of Glocester, my old Mss. hath these rimes touching some passages in this History of
Brute.
Brute wende
forth.
fory in
[...]he.
ye lond, and espied vp and doun
For to seche a fair plas to mak
an hau
[...].
[...]owne.
an heued toun.
He com and fond vpe Temese a place fair ynough,
A good contre and plenteuous, and
thither▪
yuder his herte drough:
Yat shippes out of eche londe myght bryng good ywys;
there.
Yer he rerd hys chefe toun yat London cleped ys,
Yet so ne cleped he it nought, but for honour and ioye
Yat he from Troie comen was, he cleped it new Troye.
Bruit yis ilke noble Prince, Sones had thre
By his wyff Ignogent, noble men and fre:
Locryn, and Camber, and Albanack also.
Atte last diede Brut. Yo thys was ydo
Aftur yat he com into Engelond ye xxiiii yere:
I buryed he was at London yat he lette furst arere.
Thus much of king
Brute, as the brute of him goes, and as the vulgar receiued opinion is, the maine points of his story being brought into que
[...]stion by many of our learned authenticall writers.
The Conquerour
William brought with him from Roane in Normandy certaine Iewes,
The body of a boy found in Saint
B
[...]n
[...]is Church-yard by Pauls Wha
[...]fe, enshrined afterwards in this Church, who was martyred by the Iewes.
Stow. Annal. whose posterity here inhabiting within the prime Cities of the kingdome, did vse sometimes to steale away, circumcise, crowne with thornes, whip, torture, and crucifie some one of their neighbours male children, in mockery, despite, scorne, and derision of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, crucified by the Iewes in Ierusalem.
In the yeare 1235. the 19. of
Hen. the third, seuen Iewes were brought before the king at Westminster, which at Norwich had stolne a boy, and kept him from the sight of Christian people, for the space of one whole yeare, and had circumcised him, minding also to haue crucified him at the solemnitie of Easter, as themselues confessed before the king; whereof they were conuicted, their bodies and goods remaining at the kings pleasure.
In the 39. of the said kings raigne, vpon the 22. day of Nouember; one hundred and two Iewes were brought from Lincolne to Westminster, and there accused, for the crucifying of a child of eight yeares old, named
Hugh: these Iewes were vpon examination sent to the Tower: the murther came out by the diligent search made by the mother of the childe; eighteene of them were hanged; the other remained long in prison.
In the seuenth of
Ed. the first, the Iewes at Northampton crucified a Christian boy vpon Goodfriday, but did not throughly kill him. For the which fact many Iewes at London after Easter, were drawne at horse tailes and hanged.
Not long after this, to wit, in the eighteenth yeare of this kings raigne, all the Iewes were banished out of England, the number of which so expulsed,
[Page 378] was fifteene thousand and threescore persons; to whom was giuen no more money, but onely to beare their charges, vntill they were out of the kingdome. The rest, both goods and lands, was seised vpon for the Kings vse.
But to returne backe againe to the story of the martyred boy, in derogation and despite of Christian Religion.
[...]. Paris.
[...]. codem.Vpon the day of the Kalends of August, 1223.
Ann. Reg. Hen. 3: the body of a young boy, in the Church-yard of S.
Benet at Paules-wharfe, was found buried, vnder whose paps certaine Hebrew letters were inscribed: vpon his body diuers prints, markes, cuts, and rents, caused by rods and whip-cords, besides many other signes of various torments, by the said boy sustained, were easie to be discerned. The name of the boy was found out by those Characters; and withall, how that hee was sold by his Christian parents: but by whom, or to which of the Iewes hee was sold, or to what end, could neuer be knowne. Howsoeuer it was concluded, that the buyers of the boy intended to haue had him crucified. Yet crucified he was not; in regard no print of the nailes, either in his hands or feet, or any wound in his side appeared. Many miracles were said to be wrought at the graue, and by the reliques of this young innocent Martyr. Whereupon the Canons of Saint
Pauls Church, tooke forcibly away the sacred remaines of this holy Martyr, out of the said Church-yard, and solemnly enshrined them in their owne Church, not farre from the high Altar.
Pardon Church-yard.
Thomas More Deane of
PaulsOn the North side of this Church was sometime a great Cloyster, inuironing a plot of ground, called, Pardon Church-yard, whereof
Thomas More, Deane of
Pauls, was either the first builder, or an especiall benefactor, and was therein buried.
In this Cloyster were buried many persons; some of worship, and some of honour. The Monuments of whom (saith
Stow in his suruay of London) in number and curious workmanship, passed all other that were in the great Church.
About the Cloyster, was artificially and richly painted the dance of Death,
Dance of
Pauls commonly called, the dance of
Pauls, the Picture of death leading all estates▪
Chappell in Pard
[...] Church yard.Gilbert Becket Portgraue of LondonIn the midst of this Pardon Church-yard, was a faire Chappell, first founded by
Gilbert Becket (Portgraue and principall Magistrate (as now the Lord Maior is) of this Citie, father of
Tho. Becket the Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury) who was therein buried; in the raigne of King
Stephen. Thomas More Deane of
Pauls, before mentioned, reedified, or new builded this Chappell, and founded three Chaplaines there in the raigne of
Henry the fifth.
Stow Sur. in
Faring. Ward:In the yeare 1549. on the tenth of Aprill, the said Chappell, by commandement of
Edward Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector, was begun to be pulled downe, with the whole Cloyster, the Tombes and Monuments: so that nothing of them was left, but the bare plot of ground, which is since conuerted into a garden, for the Petty Canons.
There was a Chappell at the North doore of
Pauls, founded by
Walter Sherington,Chappel at the North doore of
Paul
[...]. Chancellour of the Duchie of Lancaster, by licence of King
Henry the sixth, for two, three, or foure Chaplaines, indowed with fourty
[Page 379] pound by the yeare. This Chappell was also pulled downe, in the raigne of
Edward the sixth, at the commandement of the said Protector; and in place thereof an house builded.
There was on the North side of
Pauls Churchyard,
Charnell-house with our Ladies Chappell. a large charnell-house for the bones of the dead, and ouer it a Chappell, founded vpon this occasion as followeth.
In the yeare 1282. the tenth of
Edward the first, it was agreed, that
Henry Walleis, Maior, and the Citizens, for the cause of Shops by them builded, without the wall of the Church-yard, should assigne to God, and to the Church of Saint
Paul, ten Markes of rent by the yeare for euer, towards the new building of a Chappell of the blessed Virgine
Mary, and also to assigne fiue Markes of yearely rent to a Chaplaine to celebrate there.
And in the yeare 1430. the 8. of
Henry the sixth, licence was granted to
Ienken Carpenter, Towne-clerke of London (Executour to
Richard Whittington) to establish vpon the said Charnell, a Chaplaine to haue eight Markes by the yeare. There was also in this Chappell two Brotherhoods.
Sir
Henry Barton knight (the sonne of
Henry Barton of Mildenhall in Suffolcke) Lord Maior of London,
Sir
Hen. Barton Sir
George Mirfin knight
[...]Rob Barton in the yeare 1427.
Robert Barton, and Sir
Thomas Mirfin knight (sonne to
George Mirfin of Ely in Cambridgeshire) Lord Maior of this Citie, the yeare 1518. were entombed with their pourtraitures of Alabaster ouer them, grated, or coped about with iron, before the said Chappell; all which with many other Tombes ann Monuments of the dead, were pulled downe, together with the said Chappell; at the commandement likewise of the forenamed Duke of Somerset.
The bones of the dead couched vp in the Charnell-house, vnder the Chappell, were conuayed from thence into Finsbery field, amounting to more then a thousand cart load (saith
Stow) and there laid on a moorish ground; in short space after raised, by soilage of the Citie vpon them, to beare three Mills. The Chappell and charnell-house were conuerted to dwelling houses, warehouses, and sheds before them for Stationers in place of the Tombes.
Neare vnto this Chappell was a bell house with foure Bells,
Bell-house in
Pauls Churchyard. the greatest in London, they were called Iesus Bells, and belonged to Iesus Chappell, the same had a great spire of timber, couered with lead, with the image of Saint
Paul on the top; which was pulled downe by Sir
Miles Partridge knight, in the raigne of
Henry the eight. The common speech then was (saith
Stow) that this Sir
Miles Partridge did set an hundred pound vpon a cast at dice against it, and so wonne the said Bell-house and Bells of the King: and then caused the Bells to bee broken as they hung, and the rest pulled downe.
This Sir
Miles was hanged on the Tower-hill the 26. of February, in the sixth yeare of
Edward the sixth, for matters concerning the Duke of Somerset: howsoeuer guiltlesse of any offence, either against the king, or his Councell, as he tooke it vpon his death.
There was a faire Chappell of the holy Ghost, on the North side of
Pauls Church,
Holmes Colledge. founded in the yeare 1400. by
Roger Holmes, Chancellour and Prebendary of
Pauls, for seuen Chaplaines, and called
Holmes Colledge.
[Page 380] Their common Hall was in
Pauls Church-yard on the South side. This Colledge was suppressed in the raigne of
Ed. the sixth.
In this Chappell were buried
Adam de Bury, Alderman, and Lord Maior of London,
Adam de Bury Lord Maior
Anne Duchesse of Bedford. in the yeare 1364.
Anne, the daughter of
Iohn, Duke of Burgundy, the first wife of
Iohn Plantaginet (third sonne of king
Henry the fourth) Duke of Bedford, who died in the yeare 1433.
Poultneys Chappell.Sir
Iohn Poultney knight, foure times Maior of London, in the yeare 1337. builded a faire Chappell on the North side of
Pauls Church; wherein he was buried. He founded a Colledge in the Parish Church of Saint
Laurence,Sir
Iohn Poultney. called
Poultney. Hee builded the Parish Church of little Alhallowes in Thames street, and the Carmelite Friers Church in Couentrey. He gaue releefe in Newgate, and in the Fleet; and ten shillings a yeare to Saint
Giles Hospitall by Oldborne for euer. And other Legacies (saith
Stow, speaking of the Honour of Citizens) too long to rehearse. He died about the yeare 1348 But of him I haue spoken somewhat before.
Vnder the Quire of
Pauls, is a large Chappell, dedicated to the name of Iesu,
Iesus Chappell. by whom founded I do not know. But it was thus confirmed in the 37. of
Hen. the sixth, as appeareth by his patent thereof, dated at Crowdowne to this effect.
Sir
Alan Boxhul knight of the Garter.Many liege-men, and Christian people, hauing begun a Fraternitie, and Guild, to the honour of the most glorious name of Iesu Christ our Sauiour, in a place called the Crowds of the Cathedrall Church of
Pauls in London, which hath continued long time peaceably, till now of late. Whereupon they haue made request, and wee haue taken vpon vs the name and charge of the foundation, to the land of Almighty God, the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, and especially to the honour of Iesu, in whose honour the Fraternitie was begun, &c.
It was likewise confirmed by
Hen. the 7. the 22. of his raigne, and by
H. 8. the 27. of his raigne.
In this Chappell lieth buried,
Margaret the eldest daughter and coheire of
Richard Beauchampe, Earle of Warwicke, second wife of
Iohn, Lord
Talbot (the Terrour of France) first of that Surname, Earle of Shrewsbury: But of her I haue spoken before.
Many haue beene here interred, as
Iohn of London, vnder the Northroode, 1266.
Iohn Louell; Iohn of Saint
Olaue, and Sir
Allen Boxhul; with others, as you may reade in the Suruay of London. This Sir
Allen Boxhul was knight of the Garter, in
Edward the thirds dayes, and neare vpon the first foundation of that honourable order. He was Constable of the Tower,
custos of the Forest, and Parke of
Clarendon, the Forest of
Brokholt, Grouell, and
Melchet, a man highly in fauour with the said king
Edward. Hee was buried by Saint
Erkenwalds shrine; about the yeare 1380. And here I think it will not bee vnfitting to set downe the number of the Shrines sacred to the honour of diuers Saints in the Cathedrall Church, as they stood in the yeare 1245.
Shrines in S.
Pauls. Ex. Mss. in bib. Cot.First, the Shrine of S.
Erkenwald, which was very sumptuous, the fourth Bishop of this See, which stood in the East part of the Church aboue the high Altar.
[Page 381]The Shrine of S.
Mellitus, first Bishop of this Diocesse, afterwards of Canterbury.
The Shrine of
Richard Fitz-Neile, Bishop of London,
Ann. 1189.
The Shrine of
Egwolphe, or
Egtulphe here Bishop, all beset with precious stones, he was the seuenth Bishop of this Diocesse, as then called Bishop of the East Angles. He was a learned man, and so shewed himselfe in the Conuocation holden by
Cuthbert, Archbishop of Canterbury,
Ann. 747.
There was also a glorious Shrine,
super magnum Altare, but to whose holinesse dedicated I do not reade.
Here sometimes was a Shrine, with a portable coffin, in the same place where Sir
William Cockaines Tombe is erected; with an Altar, built to the honour of God, the blessed Virgine, S.
Laurence, and all Saints; by one
Roger Waltham, Precentour of the Church, as did appeare by this Inscription following, which was legible, though somewhat erazed, before the erection of the foresaid Monument.
Hoc Altare in honore Dei, & beate Virginis Marie Matris eius, ac Sancti Laurentij Martyris, & omnium Sanctorum construxit, & hanc Voltam cum adiacentibus picturis Martyris et Ymaginum in Septis ereis hic posuit: & cum duabus Caglarijs suis per perpetuum .... Dominus Rogerus Waltham, huius Ecclesie Precent........pro salute anime sue, et pro salute anime Regine ...... & omnium ........ Amen.
There was likewise a Chantrie with an Altar sacred to the blessed Virgine
Mary, contiguous to the Bishops pallace, and the body of the Church, founded by Sir
Gerard Braybroke knight,
Edmund Hamden, Iohn Boys, Esquires, and
Roger Albrighton, Clerke: for one Chantrie Priest daily to say Masse, and pray for the soule of
Robert Braybroke, Bishop of London, then liuing, and for his soule whensoeuer he should passe out of this world. For
[...]he soule of
Nicholas Braybroke, late Canon of this Church: and for the soules of all the faithfull departed. As may appeare by these Deeds following, copied out of the originals, vnder seale, in the custodie of Sir
Simonds Dewes, knight.
Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum peruenerit. Gerardus Braybrok iunior Miles, Edmundus Hampden Armig. Iohannes Boys Armiger, & Rogerus Albryghton Clericus, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Nouerit vniuersitas vestra quod nos Gerardus, Edmundus, Iohannes & Rogerus predict. de licentia speciali, excellentissimi Principis, & Domini nostri, Domini Henrici Dei gratia Regis Anglie, et Francie, ac Domini Hibernie illustris, per suas literas patentes, Sigillo suo magno in cera viridi impressato sigillatas pro se et heredibus suis nobis data et concessa vnam Cantariam de vno Capellano diuina ad Altare beate Marie infra Palacium, Episcopi Londonien in London naui Ecclesie Sancti Pauli contiguam, pro salubri statu venerabilis in Christo Patris, ac Domini, Domini Roberti Dei gratia Episcopi Londonien. dum vixerit, et pro anima sua cum ab hac luce migrauerit, ac anima Magistri Nicholai Braybrok nuper Canonici Ecclesie Pauli London, nec non animabus omnium fidelium defunctorum singulis diebus, iuxta ordinacionem ipsius Episcopi in hac parte faciendam celebraturo imperpetuum, fundamus, facimus et stabilimus iu xta vim formam et effectum
[Page 382] licencie regie antedicte, volentes insuper dictam Cantariam ad debitum effectum perducere, ac literis regijs antedictis debite obtemperare, vt tenemur ordinacioni et statutis venerabilis in Christo Patris ac Domini Roberti Episcopi Londonien. predicti de et super Cantaria huiusmodi et modo eidem deseruien
[...]i, Cantariamque ipsam post primam vacacionem eiusdem imperpetuum libere con
[...]erendi, capellanum que perpetuum eiusdem Cantarie et in ea instituendi & inducendi per eundem venerabilem Patrem Episcopium antedictum in hac parte faciend. pure sponte simpliciter libere et absolute in alto & in basso nos submittimus, et quilibet nostrum se submittit per presentes. promittentes nos & quilibet nostrum pro nobis & heredibus nostris ratum gratum & firmum perpetuo habeatur totum & quicquid per dictum venerabilem Patrem, ordinari statui et fieri contigerit in premissis. In quorum omnium testimonium sigilla nostra presentibus opposuimus. Dat. primo die Mensis Maij, An. Dom. Millesimo quadring entesimo quarto. Et regni Regis Henrici quarti post Conquestum quinto.
Then followes their first presentation to this Chantrie, in these words.
Reuerendo in Christo Patri, ac Domino Domino Roberto Dei gratia Londonien. Episcopo, vestri humiles & deuoti Gerardus Braybrok iunior Miles, Edmundus Hamden Armig. Iohannes Boys Armig. et Rogerus Albryghton Clericus, omnimodas reuerencias tanto Patri debitas cum honore. Ad Cantariam de vno Capellano diuina ad Altare beate Marie infra Palacium Episcopi Londonien. in London naui Ecclesie Sancti Pauli London continguam, pro salubri statu vestro, pater reuerende, dum vixeritis, & pro anima vestra cum ab hac luce migraueritis, ac anima Magistri Nich. Braybrok nuper Canonici Sancti Pauli London, nec non animabus omnium fidelium defunctorum singulis diebus iuxta ordinacionem vestram in hac parte faciendam celebraturo imperpetuum per nos de licentia speciali excellentissimi Principis & Domini nostri Domini Henrici Dei gratia Regis Angl. et Francie, et Domini Hibernie illustris, per suas literas patentes sigillo suo magno in cera viridi impressato sigillatas pro se & heredibus suis nobis. Dat. & concessa, iam nouiter fundatam factam et stabilitam, Dilectum nobis in Christo Dominum Thomam Kyng Capellanum vestre Londonien. Dioc. P. V. reuerende presentamus. Supplicantes humiliter et deuote quatenus ipsum Thomam ad Cantariam predictam admittere, et Capellanum perpetuum in eadem instituere; ceteraque peragere dignemini generose que vestro in hac parte incumbunt officio Pastorali. In cuius rei testimonium sigilla nostra presentibus apposuimus. Dat. London. quinto die Mensis Iulij, Ann▪ Dom. Millesimo quadringentesimo quarto.
I gather by the premisses, howsoeuer I may be mistaken, I confesse, that the Court of Delegates is kept at this day, in the very place of the old Chantrie.
Many Chantries, Chappels, Oratories, Altars and Shrines, more then I haue notice of, were erected, honoured and founded within the spacious vast Fabricke of this Episcopall Chaire: the beauty whereof is so magnificent (saith
Malmesbury) that it deserueth to be numbered in the ranke of most excellent Edifices.
Camd. in Mid. It containeth in length sixe hundred and ninetie foot; the breadth thereof is one hundred and thirtie foot; the height of the West arched roofe from the ground, carrieth an hundred and two foot:
[Page 383] and the new Fabricke from the ground is fourescore and eight foot high. The stone-worke of the Steeple from the plaine ground riseth in height two hundred and threescore foot: and the timber frame vpon the same is two hundred seuenty foure foot high, &c. It was no lesse then fiue hundred and foure and thirty foot high from the ground, before that in the yeare of our Lord, 1087. it was set on fire with lightning, and burnt with a great part of the Citie.
Nostre Dame, the Cathedrall Church in Paris, is much spoken of for her magnitude, whose dimensions are there engrauen to shew the greatnesse thereof, in these verses following.
Si tu veux scauoir comme est ample
De Nostre Dame le grand Temple:
Il a dans oeuure pour le seur;
Dix et sept toises de haulteur,
Sur la largeur de vingt quatre
[...]
Et soixante cinq sans rabattre,
A de long. Aux tours hault montee
[...]
Trente quatre sont bien comptees
Le tout fondé sur pilotis,
Ainsi vray que ie te le dis.
Thus, in effect, in English.
If you would know the greatnesse of the great Church of our Lady, the roofe thereof is seuenteene fathome high; it is twenty and foure fathome broad, sixtie and fiue fathome long; the two Steeples are thirtie and foure fathome high aboue the Church, and all founded vpon piles.
Now I leaue it to my Reader (taking a fathome for an Ell) to make the difference betwixt the ample extensure of these two religious structures.
Since the building and foundation of this Church and Bishopricke of London by King
Ethelbert (which is much-what about a thousand and twenty sixe yeares ago) eightie and nine Bishops haue succeeded one another in this Hierarchie or holy gouernance, which at this day is right worthily ruled, ouerseene, and guided by the right reuerend Father in God, and prudent States-man,
William La
[...]d, one of his Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell.
And thus I will take leaue of this sacred Edifice, and make a few steps downe into the Parish Church of Saint
Faith; commonly called, S.
Faiths vnder
Pauls; wherein I do no finde any ancient funerall Inscription much remarkable, excepting one engrauen vpon the marble, which couers the body of one
William West, a Canon of Saint
Pauls, a Cardinall of the same Church, a good companion, a man vniuersall, affable, and curteous, a Fellow of faire demeanour amongst his Brotherhood, as hee is here stiled to his great commendation.
Now a word or two before I set downe his Epitaph, of the title of Cardinall; Which is deriued from the Latine word
Cardo, the hooke or hing of a doore: for as the doore hangs and depends on the hinges, so the Church on the Cardinalls. Or
veluti Cardine regitur ostium, ita Ecclesia regitur bono eorum consilio: As the doore is ruled by its Hinges, so the Church is
[Page 384] gouerned by their good counsell. They are also accounted, by some, honourable increasers,
Dierius & alij. Rulers and preseruers of all such matters which conduce to Christian pietie, and the defence of the Bishops power and authoritie.
In the See of Rome, at this day, they haue the chiefest charge, and are diuided into three orders, that is to say, of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons: not that the Cardinals Priests be no Bishops, or that the Deacons be not Priests and Bishops, but for that their first institution was such, some to carrie the titles of Bishops, others of Priests, and some of Deacons.
The Cardinalls which are Bishops, sit neare vnto the Pope, when hee doth celebrate Festiuall dayes: The Cardinalls Priests assist him when he saith Masse: and the Deacons attire him, and serue him at the Altar.
They haue there their Colledge, whereof the Pope is head; the number of them hath not beene certaine in our dayes: at this time there are about sixty and eight; although we find that in former ages, they were but twelue, after the example of the Apostles: They assemble themselues together once or twice a weeke, as affaires of importance come to their considerations; and this their assemblie is called the Consistory; where they treat (or at least they ought to treat) of all things▪ which belong vnto the faith and Religion; to the peace of Christians, and to the preseruation of the temporall estate of the Church.
I finde nothing of Cardinalls vntill the dayes of
Gregory the Great.
Quo tempore Episcopi indifferenter Cardinales faciebant,Sir
Hen. Spelman. Gloss. li
[...]. C.et Papa Cardinales in Episcopos promouebat. Yet some are of opinion, that the first beginning of Cardinals was in the time of
Pontianus the Pope, which was
circa Ann. 231. and
Marcellus after him,
circa Ann. 304. ordained fifteene, or rather twenty fiue Cardinals in the Citie of Rome,
propter Baptismata et sepulturas hominum. And when as first these Cardinals were instituted in the Romane Church,
Pauperculi erant Romae in suis titulis habitantes. They were poore and necessitous, liuing at Rome in their owne titles.
And
Gregory the Great, in one of his Epistles to
Maximian the Bishop of Syracusa, writes the like of the pouertie of one
Felix, a Deacon Cardinall. For whose sustentation he thus prouides.
Regist. lib. 3.
Epist. 14.Sustentationem eius pietatis intuitu prouidentes, in tua Ecclesia Syracusana, eum prenidimus cardinandùm, &c. siue vt officium Diaconatus expleat, se certe vt solae eiusdem officij, pro sustentanda paupertate sua, commoda consequatur.
Howsoeuer then, that the Cardinals of Rome at this day doe abound in all affluence of riches; and like stately Cedars, looke ouer the smaller sprigs of the Clergie: yet considering the Primitiue times, our Cardinals of Saint
Pauls are not to be contemned for their meane competencie of liuely hood: hauing sufficient to maintaine their reuerent comportment. Of whom giue me leaue to speake a little out of the Records of the Church.
Cardinals of S.
Paul.The Church of Saint
Paul had before the time of the Conquerour, two Cardinalls, which office still continues.
They are chosen by the Deane and Chapter, out of the number of the twelue petty Canons, and are called
Cardinales chori: the Cardinals of the Quire.
[Page 385]Horum officium est circumspicere quotidie & notare omnia in choro delicta & peccata, [...] Church.&c.
Their office is to take notice of the absence or neglect of all the Quire, and weekely to render accompt thereof to the Deane and Chapter.
Hi duo etiam Cardinales Ministris Ecclesie & Seruis eorum
[...]um sanis t
[...]m egrotis Ecclesiastica ministrant Sacramenta.
These two Cardinals doe minister Ecclesiasticall Sacraments to the Ministers of the Church and their seruants, as well to the healthfull as to the sicke.
They heare Confessions, and appoint comfortable Penance: and lastly they commit the dead to conuenient Sepulture.
Not any Cathedrall Church in England hath Cardinals excepting this, neither doe I finde any beyond Seas, to be dignified with this title, sauing the Churches of Rome, Rauenna, Aquileia, Millaine, Pisa, Beneuentana, in Italy, and Compostella in Spaine.
These Cardinals haue the best preheminence in the Quire, aboue all, next to the Subdeane, and the best Stalls.
But at the length let me descend into Saint Faiths, and to the Graue-stone of my Canon and Cardinall
William West.
Saint Faiths Church.
Hic homo Catholicus Willelmus West tumulatur,
William W
[...]st
Canon and Cardinall.
Pauli Canonicus Minor Ecclesie vocitatur.
Qui fuerat Cardinalis, bonus atque sodalis;
M. Sexageno, quater & C. ter vno pleno,
Augusti denoque die ruit ille sereno.
Perpetuis annis memores estote Iohannis
Iohn Good
Chan
[...]er of the Bale.
Good Succentoris, Cardinalisque minoris.
Canonici cuius ope ..... huius.
Hic: ... & colitur per & hunc Elemosinatur
Distribui Tutor fuit & pueris, que minorum,
Collegij custos dum vixit canonicorum.
Hinc migrat M.C quater. L.X. que Decembris, eterna.
Virgo Dei mater, prestet sibi regna superna.
Willelmi Lili seruus Christique minister
William Lily.
Hic locus est illi fuit artibus ipse magister.
M. Domini C quater, semel L. ter & V▪ lege frater
X bis cum quinis M. Adar est bonus sibi finis.
Saint Martins Ludgate.
Our old English writers affirme,
Lud King of the Britaines. that
Lud King of the Britains (whom they make to be the repairer or new builder of London) was buried much what about this place, of which these rimes following.
By another Author, more ancient, it is thus exprest.
Rob. Glocest.
Walls he let make all aboute, and yates vp and doun,
And aftyr Lud that was his name he cluped it Ludstoun.
The heyest yat of ye toun yat yut stant ther and is,
He let hit clupie Ludgate, after his owe name iwis:
He let him tho he was ded burye at thulk yate,
Theruore yut after him men clupeth it Ludgate.
Cadwallo K. of the Britaines.The Britaines record that
Cadwallo called the Valiant, King of the Britaines, after he had raigned in great honour the space of 48 yeeres, died in peace the 12 of
Nouember, An. 677. and was buried in this place. Whose Image great and terrible,
Ge
[...]ay Mon. triumphantly riding on horse-backe, being artificially cast in brasse, the Britaines placed here vpon Ludgate, to the further feare and terrour of the Saxons; the greatnesse of which King is thus further exprest.
Harding.
King
Cadwall reyned full hele againe
In Britayne land, as prime without pere
Aboue English, as Lord Souerayne
Ouer Saxons, Scottes, and Peights clere
And English also as clere did appere.
A little more of this noble King
Cadwall, out of my old Author
Robert of
Gloucester.
When Cadewall kyng of Brutons nobly ynough
Had regnyd xlviii. yer, toward his deth he drogh.
He dede aftyr Martyn Masse euen the sixt dey.
The Brutons made deel ynough tho he ded ley,
[Page 387]Hii made a Kyngys toome, and hym al hol wyth ynne
Upon an horse ridyng of bras put al wyth gynne.
And vpon the west gate of London sette hit full hegh,
In token of hys noblesse that men hit fer segh.
A Chirch of Sent Martyn liuyng he let rere.
In whyche yat men shold goddys seruyse do,
And sing for his soul, and al Christene also.
Farewell my freyndes,
Iohn Benson and
Anne his wife.
the tyde abydeth no man,
We be departed fro hence, and so
[...]all yee:
But in this passage, the best song that we say can,
Is
Requiem eternam, now Iesu grant hit mee,
When wee haue endyd all our aduersitee,
Grant vs in Paradise to haue a mansion,
That sh
[...]ed his blood for our redemption▪
Therfore wee tendyrlie requier yee,
For the souls of
Iohn Benson,
And
Anne his wyff, of your charitie,
To say a Pater Noster and an Aue.
These verses following were engrauen in copper on the strong Quadrant of Ludgate, built by
Stephen Foster Lord Maior, and Dame
Agnes his wife, for the reliefe of the Prisoners.
Deuout souls that passe this way,
For
Stephen Foster late Maior hertely pray,
And Dame
Agnes his Spous, to God consecrate.
That this hous made for Londoners in Ludgate.
So that for lodging and water Prisoners here nought pay
As the kepers shall all ansqueare at dreadfull Doomys day.
Christ Church.
The chiefe Foundresse of this religious house is said to be Queene
Margaret,The foundation of Christ-Church or the Friers Minorites.Margaret the
[...] wife of King
Ed. 1. the second wife of
Edward the first, sister of
Philip the fourth, surnamed the
Faire, King of
France, and eldest daughter of King
Philip the
hardy, sonne of S.
Lewes. who died
An. 1317. and was buried here before the high Altar.
Iohn de Dreux, (second sonne of
Iohn Duke of Britaine, by
Beatrice his wife, daughter of King
Henry the third) Earle of Britaine and Richmond, gaue 300 l. to the building of some part of the Church; glased all the windowes on the south side, and also gaue many rich Iewels and ornaments to be vsed in the same, so that he is accounted as a second Founder.
Diuers other Noble men and worthy Citizens, gaue both lands and great summes of money towards the building and endowing of this religious Structure; which was finished within 21 yeeres, dedicated to the honour of God, and our alone Sauiour Iesu Christ, and replenished with grey Fryers Minorites; valued at the generall suppression but at 32 l. 19 s. 10 d.
[Page 388]This Abbey Church hath beene honoured with the sepulture of foure Queenes, foure Dutchesses, foure Countesses, one Duke, two Earles, eight Barons, and some thirty fiue Knights; whose names are set downe by
Stow in his Suruay of this honourable Citie;
[...]gist Frat. Mi
[...]. Mss. in bib C
[...]t. and in all, from the first foundation vnto the dissolution, sixe hundred sixtie and hree persons of Qualitie were here interred. In the Quire were nine Tombes of Alabaster and Marble, inuironed with barres or strikes of iron: one Tombe in the body of the Church coped also with iron, and seauenscore graue-stones of Marble in diuers places; all which were pulled downe, taken away, and sold for fiftie pounds or thereabouts, by Sir
Martin Bowes Maior of London,
An. 1545. The rest of the Monuments are now wholly defaced, not any one remaining at this day, saue such which are of later times.
The blacke Fryers.
The foundation of the
blacke
[...] in vita R K.
[...] chi
[...]piscopi.This House was founded by
Robert Kilwardby Archbishop of
Canterbury, and the Citizens of London,
An. Dom. 1276. This Archbishop, towards the latter end of his time, made a collection, saith
Godwin, for the building of a Monasterie for the Fryer Minors in London. Many contributed so largely thereunto, as he (hauing the helpe of a certaine old Tower which yeelded him stones without charge) finished the same with other mens money, and was able to affoord the foundation for another at
Salisbury. King
Edward the first and
Eleanor his wife, were great Benefactors to this worke. This was a large Church, richly furnished with ornaments, and honoured by the burials of many great Personages: diuers Parliaments and other great meetings haue beene holden in this Monasterie, which is now altogether demolished, and other new buildings erected in the same place. This order of blacke Fryers Predicants were remoued hither from Oldbourne, where they had continued 55 yeeres. The reuenewe of this house was valued at 104 l. 15 s. 5 d
per annum, being surrendred into the Kings hands, 12 of
Nouember, the 30 of
Henry the 8.
Suruey of London.Persons of kingly, princely, and noble descent, of eminent high place and qualitie, to the number of fiftie and vpwards are reckoned by
Io. Stow (out of the Register of this house) to haue bin here entombed, to whose relation I leaue my Reader, onely giue me leaue to speake of one.
Vpon a Table fastened to a pillar, this inscription was not long since here to be read, as I haue it out of the collections of
Tho. Talbot.
Elizabeth Countesse of Northampton.Here lyeth the body of the Lady
Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir
Bartholomew Balitismere, wife of
William Bohun, Earle of Northampton, and mother of the Earles of March and Northampton, and of
Elizabeth, Countesse of Arundell. She died 5
Id. of
Iune, Anno Christi 1378. She was interred before the high Altar.
Saint Andrewes Wardrobe.
Margaret Hatf
[...]eld.
Cernite sub Betra iacet hac Hatfeeld tumulata,
Et Margareta claris natalibus orta.
[Page 389]Anglica parte Patris fuerat, Normannaque Matris
Traxerat, ex ort ..... vterque parent ..... clara
Hec fuit & Domina Domine Salop Comitisse
Anno milleno C quater Lx quoque deno
Atque die deno Iunij decessit ameno
Eius prestet opem pius anime Deus. Amen.
Prey ......
Katherin Riplingham ..... died M. cccc ....▪
Katherine Riplingham.
This erazed Inscription is made more plaine by the last Will and Testament of the defunct, here interred of which this is a copie in effect.
I Dame
Katherin Riplingham widow of London,
Her Will. aduowes the xiij day of
Feuerer. M.cccc.lxx.iii.xiii
Ed. iiii. My soule to God, my body to be buried in the Chancell of Seynt
Andrew at
Baynards Castle, London. I bequeth to the Monastery of Westminster to prey for the souls of my Husbands;
William Southcote there beryed, &c. I will that my Feo
[...]ees performe the award of master
Iohn Wood Clerke, and
Nicholas Lathell indifferently chosen betwene me and
Richard Welden Squier, and
Elisabeth his wiff, my doghtyr, and
Thomas S.
Iohn Squier, and
Alice his wiff doghtyr of one
Richard Langham, to make a lawfull estate of all my lands in London to
Elisabeth Welden my doghter, the remaynder to the next heires of
William Southcote sometime my Husband, fader of the same
Elisabyth, &c. I will the remaynder of all my lands to the right heires of
Thomas Baysham my fader. I will to my doghtyrs doghtyr
Alys S
Iohn my gold ryng, also to my Doghtyrs son
Robart Welden my Maysor, which his moder heretofore gaue to me, also to my Lady Chamberlaine soiournyng with my brother
Lathell my Mantell, &c.
Saint Gregories by Pauls.
Here in this Church lyeth buried the body of
Thomas Riplingham,Tho. Riplingham. who was the husband of the foresaid
Katherine, who died
An. 1469. but he is better knowne by this his will and testament.
This xii day of
October,His Will. the ix of
Edward the fourth in the yeere of our Lord, M.cccc.lxix. aduowes first my soul to God, and my body to be beryed in S.
Gregories Church London. I will yat the same Church haue the two Challices, and a cupp pledged to me for x markes be restored to them frelie, and more to the same Church: I giue x markes to continually prey for my soul. I will that
Katherine my wyff haue all such goods, as she brought to me with her. I will that
Raph my Brother haue x.l, and
Iohn my Broder x.l, and euery of my Sisters one hundred shillings to prey for my soul. Also I will that
Richard my Broder haue my land in Riplingham to him and his heires for euer, and as for my land in Etton, I will that
Iohn my Broder haue it to him and his heires for euer, the remaynder in defaute to
Raufe my Broder, and to his heires, and for defaute of yssue to the right heires of the said
Richard: Item to
Richard Welden my best goune. Item to my dauter
Elisabyth a goune cloth; I will that
Ioan Welden my Goddauter haue x markes to her mariage. Item I will to the
[Page 390] Church of Rowley on hundryd shillings, to the grey Friers of Beuerley on hundryd shillings. Item to the white Friers of Sawburgh on hundryd shillings, to prey for my soul and my moders. Also I will yat a dozen Dishes, and as many Sawsers of siluer, ye which were my Lord
Vesseys, be deliuered to
William Rilston, and
Iohn Fereby, to be sold to my Lord Chamberlein, and to Sir
Thomas Burrow as we were agreed. Item I will the two Obligations of the statute of the Staple concerning the summes of xii c markes, and also a bagg of money conteyning cc markes be deliuered to the said
William and
Iohn. I will another bagg of gold conteyning the summe of on c.l. pertaining to the executors of
Iohn Heron be deliuered to
Nicolas Statham to be disposed for the soul of
Iohn Heron.
Saint Fosters.
Agnes Milborne.
Lord of thy infinit grase and pitee,
Haue mercy on me
Agnes sometym the wyf
Of
William Milborne, chamberlein of this citee,
Which toke my passage fro this wrechyd lyf,
The yere of grase, on thousand on hundryd and fyf,
The xii day of
Iuly no longer was my spase,
It plesyd then my Lord to call me to his grase:
Now ye that are liuing, and see this picture,
Prey for me here whyle ye haue time and spase,
That God of his goodnes wold me assure.
In his euerlasting Mansion to haue a plase.
Saint Peters Cheape.
......
pur l'ame Nicole de Farindone.... de son ..
Nicholas Faringdon Lord Maior.Vnder this old monument, as this maymed French Inscription would tell vs;
Nicholas Faringdon Goldsmith, foure times Lord Maior of this Citie, lieth intombed; he was the sonne of
William Faringdon Sheriffe of the same. Of which two Faringdons the two Wards within, and without, tooke their denominations. Hee liued after the first time of his Maioralitie which was
An. Dom. 1309. full three and fiftie yeeres.
Saint Martins.
The Foundation of S.
Martins.Nere vnto Aldersgate was sometime a faire and large Colledge, of a Deane and secular Canons, or Priests, consecrated to the honour of Saint
Martin, and called Saint
Martins le graund: founded by
Ingelricus, and
Edward his brother,
In Arch turris London. in the yeere of Christ 1056. and confirmed by
William the Conquerour, as appeareth by his charter dated 1068. This Colledge claimed great priuiledges of sanctuarie, and other Franchises, as appeareth in a booke written by a Notary of that house,
Lib. S. Martin.circa An. 1442. This Colledge was surrendred to King
Edward the sixt in the second of his raigne,
Stow Sur. and in the same yeere, the Colledge Church was pulled downe,
[Page 391] and a Wine-Tauerne built in the place, which continues to this day.
Saint Annes Aldersgate.
Orate deuote pro anima magistri Iohannis Pemberton,Iohn Pemberton.Vtriusque iuris Bachalarij, quondam Residentiar. Ecclesie Cathedralis de Rippon Ebor. Diocesis, huiusque etiam Eccles. Rectoris. qui obijt 12
di
[...] Septemb. An. Dom. 1499.
Qu an tris di c vul stra
Vpon a Table in the north Isle.
os guis ti ro um nere uit
H san chris mi t mu la.
Quos anguis tristi diro cum munere strauit
Hos sanguis Christi miro tum munere lauit.
Corda manus, oculos aures animosque levemus,
Et domino voces,
A Table in the Qui
[...]e.
sua sunt, & ei sua demus.
Vt tibi praeceptis mens conformetur honestis
Sex animo semper sunt repetenda tuo.
Principio,
Deus.
Deus est noster seruator, & author,
Hostis in opposita stat regione Sathan.
Diabolus:
Tertiares presens est vita similima ventis,
Vita.
Mors sequitur nobis quae prope semper adest.
Mors.
Ordine sunt quinto, Coeli Palatia summi:
Coelum.
Tartara sunt sexto constituenda loco
Inf
[...]rnum.
Haec animo tacite secum qui saepe reuoluit,
Miror in hoc vitij si quid inesse potest.
Gualterus Haddonus.
Saint Iohn Zacharies.
Hic iacet Ioanna vxor Tho. Thorp vnius Bar. de Scaccario domini Regis,Ioan the wife of Baron
Thorp.Prolocutoris Parliamenti tenti apud Reding, anno Regis Hen. sexti xxxi. Que Ioanna obijt xxiii Iun. An. Dom. M.ccccliii. cuius anime.
I finde this Baron
Thorp to haue beene a man of many good parts, and euer faithfull to his soueraigne Lord King
Henry the sixt, by whom hee was specially employed both in peace and warre, against the violence of his headstrong Lords.
Stow Annal. But in the end it was the hard happe of this vpright Exchequer man, to be beheaded at High-gate by the Commons of Kent, the 17 day of
February An. 1461.
Here lieth the body of
Iohn Sutton Citizen, Goldsmith and Alderman of London, who died 6
Iuly 1450.
This
Sutton was slaine in that blacke and dismall battell by night, vpon London Bridge, betweene
Iack Cade with his Kentish Rebels, and the Citizens of London.
Here lieth
William Breke-spere of London,
William Brecke-speare.
sometime Merchant,
Goldsmith and Alderman, the Common-wele attendant.
[Page 392]Wyth
Margaryt hys dawter, late wyff of
Suttoon,
And
Thomas hur sonn yet liuyng vndyr Goddys tuitioon,
The tenth of Iuyl he made hys transmigration.
She disissyd in the yer of grase of Chrysts incarnatioon,
A thowsand four hundryd threescor and oon.
God assoyl her sowls whos bodys lye vndyr this stoon.
Saint
Leonards Fosterlane.
Robbert Traps, Agnes and
Ioan his wiues.
When the bells be merely roung,
And the Masse deuoutly soung
And the meate merely eaten,
Then
[...]all
Robart Trappis his wyffs and his chyldren be forgetten. Thus farre
Stow.
Wherfor Iesu that of
Mary sproung
Set their soulys thy Saynts among,
Though it be vndeservyd on their syde
Yet good Lord let them euermor thy mercy abyde
And of yowr cheritie,
For their soulys say a
Pater Noster and an
Aue.
The pictures of
Robert, Agnes, and
Ioan, inlaid in brasse, seeme thus to speake.
Robert.
Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus miserere nobis.
Agnes.
Et Ancillis tuis sperantibus in te.
Ioan.
O mater Dei memento mei.
Iesu mercy, Lady help.
Robert Traps died the yeare 1526. this
Robert had a daughter by
Ioan his second wife, married to one
Frankland, whose name was
Iodoca (I thinke
Ioice) an especiall Benefactour to Brasen-nose Colledge in Oxford, as the principall, the Fellowes, and Schollars of that house, do thankfully acknowledge, by a faire Monument in the Northwall of the Chancell of this Church, thus inscribed.
Ioice Frankland.Felici, piae, et munificentissimae foeminae, Iodocae Frankland viduatae, filiae Roberti et Ioannae Trappes Londinensium: Gratitudinis hoc officij et pietatis Monumentum adoptione filij Principalis et Scholares Collegij de Brasennose apud Oxoniens. exhibuere.
Dilecti cineres, non sic requiescitis vrnae
In tenui, vt vobis sola haec monumenta parantur,
Quae tandem vel sera dies pessundare possit:
Aenea vos monumenta
[...]egunt, viuumque Trophaeum,
(Aeternum meruistis enim viuumque Trophaeum)
Vobis vestra dedit Iodoca, paerennius aere,
Nos etenim aeternumque omnes, quos postera nobis,
An Inscription
[...]nder the portraiture of Queene Elizabeth.
Secla dabunt voces sumus immortale Sepulchrum.
Nomen, Elisa, tuum fama super aethera notum
Ae
[...]ternum, magis atque magis post funera floret;
[Page 393]Vt Mater Patriae, vicinis gentibus hospes;
Hostibus infestis terror, pietatis Asylum:
Mitrati mastix Papae; celebraris vbique:
Semper erit Britones inter clarissima Elisa
Gloria dum Britonum atque Gens Angla vigebit.
Without this Church, on the East end is engrauen this name,
Iohn Brokeitwell,Io. Brokitwell. an especiall founder, or new builder of the same: and these rimes following:
Al yat wil gud warks wurch
Prey for yem yat help thys Church
Geuyng almys; for cherite;
Pater Noster and Aue▪
Saint
Margaret Moses.
Prey for ye sowlygs of
Michiel Forlace,Michael Forlace and
Mary his wife. and
Mary his wyf, and in ye worschypp of God and our Lady, for theyr Faders and Moders, wyth ye sowlygs of al Christen, of yowr cherite sey a
Pater Noster, and an
Ave Maria:
Body:
I
Mary Pawson ly below slepyng.
Mary Pawson.
Soule.
I
Mary Pawson sit aboue waking.
Both.
Wee hope to meete againe wyth glory clothed▪
Then
Mary Pawson for euer blessed.
Saint
Albons Woodstreet.
Here lyeth marmorate vndyr thys hepe of stoan
Syr
Harry Weuer Aldyrman,
Sir
Hen. We
[...]e
[...] knight, and his wife
Ioan.
and his Lady Dame
Ioan.
Thus worldly worschypp, and honor, wyth Fauour and fortun passyth day by day:
Who may wythstand deathys schorne when rych and por sche closyth in clay.
Wherfor to God hertelie we pray
To pardon vs of our misdeed,
And help vs now in our most need.
Hic iacet in requie Woodcock Ion vir generosus,
Sir Iohn Woodcocke
Lord Maior.
Maior Londonie, Mercerus valde morosus.
Miles qui fuerat.............
M. Domini mille centum quater ruit ille,
Cum x bis.
This
Iohn Woodcock was Lord Maior,
Ann. Dom. 1405. in which his office he caused all the Weres in the Riuer of Thames, from Stanes to the Riuer of Medway to be destroyed; and the Trinks to be burned.
Saint
Michaels Woodstreet.
Here lieth buried (saith
Stow) the head of
Iames the fourth, King of
[Page 394] Scots, whose body bowelled, rebollowed, embalmed and inclosed in lead, was conuayed from Flodden Field (where he was slaine in battell,
The head of
Iames the 4. king of Scotland.
Stow. Annal. the ninth of September being Friday, 1513.) by
Thomas Howard, Earle of Surry, Lieutenant Generall of the English Army, to this Citie of London, presented to Queene
Katherine, and from hence sent to the Monastery of Shine in Surrey, where it was regally interred. Since the dissolution of which house, in the dayes of king
Edward the sixth, I haue beene shewed (saith hee) the same body so wrapped in lead,
Suruay Lond. throwne into a waste roome, amongst old timber, stone, lead, and other rubble: and further (to shew the occasion of the buriall of his head, here in this Church) he declareth, that the seruants of
Lancelot Young, Glasier to the late Queene
Elizabeth, being at Shine, in new glasing the windowes, either vpon a foolish pleasure, or desire of the lead, cut the head from the rest; but smelling the sweete perfumes of the balmes, gaue it to their Master; who opening the head, found therein the head of a man retaining fauour; though the moysture were cleane dried vp, whose haire both of Head and Beard was red: which, after he had well viewed, and a while kept, he caused to bee buried in Saint
Michaels Woodstreet, London, the Church of the Parish wherein himselfe dwelled.
That the Head of this valorous King lieth here inhumed, wee must beleeue the words of the Relator; for I finde no Monument or outward apparance of it in the Church. That his body (not found till the day after the battell, and then not knowne or descried, because of his many wounds, saue onely by the Lord
Dacres) was interred amongst the Carthusians in the Priory of Shine at Richmond, I haue, out of an old Manuscript, the testimony of a man which saw his Sepulchre, the same yeare of his death in the said religious house: these are his words, out of the Lieger booke of Whalley Abbey.
Lib. Monasterij de Whalley in Com. Lanc.Anno Domini M.VC.XIII. Hoc anno Iacobus Scotie Rex in Borea triumphaliter ab Anglis (Rege Henrico valido exercitu contra Gallos vltra Mare debellante) interemptus est. Cuius corpus quom hec scripserim (quoniam membrum ab Ecclesia euulsum de hoc mundo abcesserit) huc vsque in domo Cartusiensium apud Rychmund mortalibus miserandum spectaculum inhumatum iacet.
Qui vidit testimonium perhibuit
Et verum est testimonium eius:
Yet notwithstanding all this,
Iohn Lesley,Io. Lesle in vil. Iac. 4. Bishop of Rosse, affirmeth that it was held for certaine, that the body thus found by the Lord
Dacres, was the body of the
Laird Bonehard, then slaine in the battell: and that King
Iames was seene aliue the same night at Kelso, whence he passed to Ierusalem, and there spent the rest of his dayes in holy contemplation. And another of later times also affirmeth the place of this kings buriall to bee as yet vnknowne.
Remaines, pa. 371. King
Henry the eight (saith hee) who subuerted so many Churches, Monuments and Tombes, lyeth inglorious at Windsor, and neuer had the honour, either of the Tombe which hee had prepared, or of any Epitaph that I now remember. But his Brother in law King
Iames the fourth of Scotland, slaine at Flodden, though the place of his buriall is vnknowne, yet had this honourable Epitaph.
And
Iohn Ionston in his Historicall Inscriptions of the Scottish Kings, confirmes the same opinion of the vncertaintie of the place of this Kings interrement. Reade, if you please, the verses of that worthy man (Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Saint
Andrewes Scotland) to the same effect; and greatly in this kings commendation.
Iacobus
4. Rex
105. Anno mundi,
5459.
An. Christi
1489. à conditu Regni.
1819.
1.
Tristia fata gemens genitoris, ferrea gestat
Baltea, & haec luctus dat monimenta sui.
Margaris Angla datur thalamis. Hinc Anglica sceptra
Debentur fatis Sexte Iacobe tuis.
Pax regnis redit, et pleno Bona copia cornu,
Et blandum adspirans aura secunda fauet.
Rursus ad arma vocat laetis sors invida rebus,
Tueda vbi
The mount of Flodden.
finitimam gurgite sulcat humum.
Flos Procerum, Patriaeque simul Pater optimus vna
Sorte ruunt. Heu sors semper acerba bonis;
Quod si animis orsisque tuis Sors aequa fuisset,
Imperij Fines vltima terra daret.
2.
Desine Pyramidum moles, ac Mausolea
Sollicitus
De corpore enim nondum compertum est.
vacuum surrigere ad tumulum,
Illum Fama vehens late circumsona Olympo
Aequat. Pro tumulo maximus orbis erit.
Much more might be said of this magnanimous and high-spirited king of Scotland, which I shall further enlarge when I come to Richmond; the place, no doubt, of his buriall.
Iohn Casy of this Parish whose dwelling was
Insc
[...]ipt
[...]. the wa
[...].
In the North corner house as to Lad-lane you pas.
For better knowledge, the name it hath now,
Is called and knowne by the name of the Plow.
Out of that house yeerely did geeve
Twenty shillings to the poore, their neede to releeue.
Which money the Tenant must yeerelie pay,
To the Parson and Church wardens on Saint
Thomas day.
The heire of that house,
Thomas Bowrman by name
Hath since by his deed confirmed the same.
Whose loue to the poore doth thereby appeare,
And after his death shall liue many a yeare.
Therefore in your life do good while yee may,
That when meagre death shall take yee away
[Page 396]You may liue like fam'd as
Casy and
Bowrman,
For he that doth well shall neuer be a poore man.
Saint
Mary Aldermanbury.
Shanke bone of 28. inches long.In the Cloister about this Churchyard, hanged and fastened to a post is the shanke-bone of a man, wondrous great, and large, in length 28. inches and a halfe, of assise: with the pourtraiture of a Giant-like person, vpon a Table, with this Inscription.
In wise mens sight I seeme not strange,
Although some friends of
Pan will scorne;
From time to time all shapes will change,
Full well appeares since the first-borne.
Deride not that which nought offends,
Let reason rule, strong men haue beene;
As
Sampson tall; loe death all ends:
In Stories past may well be seene.
Cam
[...]en in Cornwall.If you trust our Stories, you must beleeue that Giants, or men of vaste bodily composture, inhabited this our Island in former times. Of whom one
Hauillan a Poet, who flourished aboue foure hundred yeares since, wrote pleasantly in this wise, thus translated out of the Latine tongue.
In Cornwall
There Gyants whilome dwelt, whose clothes were skins of beasts,
Whose drinke was bloud; whose cups, to serue for vse at feasts,
Were made of hollow wood; whose beds were bushie thornes;
And Lodgings rockie caues, to shelter them from stormes.
Their chambers craggie rocks, their hunting found them meat.
To rauish and to kill, to them was pleasure great.
Their violence was rule, with rage and furie led,
They rusht into the fight, and fought hand ouer head.
Their bodies were interr'd behinde some bush or brake:
To beare such monstrous wights, the earth did grone and quake.
These pesterd most the Westerne tract: more feare made thee agast,
O Cornwall, vtmost doore that art to let in
Zephyrus blast.
And the vulgar receiued opinion is, that
Brute vpon his first arriuall in Kent, was encountred with diuers strong and mightie Giants. Of which an Author of reuerend good antiquitie thus writeth: as also of the wrastling betwixt
Corineus and
Gogmagog.
R
[...]b Glocest.
Ther was a Geant het Gogmagog, yat was gret and strong,
For aboute ane twenty fet men
saith.
seiy yat he was long:
A good oke he wolde braye a doun as hit small yerde were;
And bere hit forth in his hond ye folke all to a fere.
wi
[...]h.
He com wiy xx Geants and assayllede Brute faste,
Brut wiy his power hem slough echon atte laste,
Alle but Gogmagog, for hym ne slough he nought,
For he sholde wiy Corneus wrastle by hys thought.
[Page 397]In a word, my Author makes
Corineus to get the vpper hand of
Gogmagog, and to cast him headlong from one of the rocks not farre from Douer, which for a long time was called the fall or leape of
Gogmagog,Gogmagog the last Giant. and afterwards the fall of Douer. And this
Gogmagog, saith he, was the last of that monstrous generation.
Raph the Monke of Coggeshall who wrote aboue three hundred yeares ago, saith, that in king
Richards time, on the sea shore at a Village in Essex, called Eadulphnesse, were found two teeth of a certaine Giant, of such an huge bignesse, that two hundred such teeth, as men haue now a dayes, might be cut out of them. These saw I at Goggeshall (quoth he) and not without wondring. And such another Giant-like thing, I wot not what, saith
Camden,Camd. in Essex. was in the beginning of Queene
Elizabeths raigne, digged vp by
R. Candish, a Gentleman neare to this place. Vpon which thus he doth further comment.
I do not denie (saith he) but that there haue beene men, that for their huge bodies, and firme strength, were wondrous to behold; whom God, as Saint
Austin saith, would haue to liue vpon the earth: thereby to teach vs, that neither beauty of bodie, nor talenesse of stature, are to bee accounted simplie good things, seeing they be common, as well to Infidels, as to the godly. Yet may we very well thinke, that which
Suetonius hath written, namely, that the huge limmes of monstrous Sea-creatures elsewhere, and in this kingdome also, were commonly said and taken to haue beene Giants bones.
Another iudicious Antiquarie of these times doth also thus illustrate this point.
Selden in his Illu
[...]r
[...]tions, Polyol. Song 1. I could thinke, saith hee, that there now are some as great statures, as for the most part haue beene; and that Giants were but of a somewhat more then vulgar excellence in body, and martiall performance. If you obiect the finding of great bones, which measured by proportion largely exceed our times. I first answer, that in some singulars, as Monsters rather then naturall, such proofe hath beene; but that now and of ancient time, the eyes iudgement in such like hath beene, and is, subiect to much imposture, mistaking bones of huge beasts for humane.
Claudius brought ouer his Elephants hither, and perhaps
Iulius Cesar some (for I haue read that he terriblie frighted the Britons, with sight of one at Coway Stakes, when he passed ouer Thames) and so may you bee deceiued. But more of Giants hereafter.
Saint
Olaues Iewrie.
Thomas Morsted gist ici
Tho. Morsted.
Dieu de salme eit merci. Amen.
This man was Chirurgian to three kings;
Henry the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth, in the yeare 1436. He was Sheriffe of London, he built a faire new Isle to the enlargement of this Church, on the North side thereof; wherein he lieth buried. He died,
Ann. Dom. 1450.
Here lieth
Giles Dewes,Giles Dewes. who sometime was seruant to king
Henry the 7. and king
Hen. the 8. Clerke of their Libraries, and Schoolemaster for the French tongue to Prince
Arthur, and to the Lady
Mary. Who died, 1535.
He deceased in the yeere 1460. he was a great benefactor to the building of this Church, as appeareth by his marke placed throughout the whole roofe of the Quire, and middle Isle of the Church.
[...]holl Moore
Doctor of Law,
[...]nd Agnes
his brothers wife.
Huc ades atque tuis metire viator ocellis
Quam breuis inclusos illigat vrna duos.
Vt modo tu, vir fuit hic, hec & femina quondam,
Nunc gelidi pars est huius vterque soli.
Nomen Abel, More erat cognomen & Exoniensum
Cesarij Doctor iuris in vrbe fuit.
Agnes alterius nomen, coniuxque Iohannis
More fuit, huius Abel qui modo frater erat.
Vt cupis ergo tibi faciant post funera viui
Has modo tute breues quisquis es ede preces▪
Hic Abel primo hic Agnes releuetur ab Agno,
Qui prius agnino sanguine lauit oues.
Obijt Abel
1486. Agnes
1499. quorum animabus.
Saint Lawrence in the Iewrie.
Sir
Godfrey Bullen Lord Maior.Hic incineratur corpus quondam Gaulfridi Bulleyn ciuis, merceri, & Maioris London, qui ab hac luce migrauit. An. Dom. 1463.
cuius anime pax sit perpetua.
This Sir
Geffray (or
Godfrey)
Bullen Lord Maior of London, was the Sonne of
Geffrey Bullen of Salle or Saull in
Norfolke Esquire. Hee married
Anne the eldest daughter, and coheire of
Thomas Lord
Hoo and
Hastings, by whom he had issue Sir
William Bullen of
Blickling in
Norfolke Knight,
Catal. of honou
[...]. f
[...]ther to
Thomas Bullen, Viscount
Rochford, Earle of Wilshire, who was father to
Anne Bullen Marchionesse of Penbroke, the second wife of King
Henry the eight, and the happy mother of our late Soueraigne,
Elizabeth Queene of England, with all thankefulnesse euer to bee remembred. This Lord Maior gaue to poore house holders in London, 1000 l, and 200 l to the like vse in Norfolke: besides many liberall gifts to Prisons, Hospitals, and lazar houses.
Tho. Bullen.Hic iacet Thomas Bulleyn, de comitatu Norfolcie Armiger qui obijt vltimo die mensis Aprilis An. Dom. 147
[...].
cuius.
This Chappell or Colledge of our Lady,
The foundation of the Collegiate Chappell at Guildhall.Mary Magdalen, and of all Saints, was founded about the yeere 1299. by
Peter Fanclore, saith
Stow, Adam Francis, and
Henry Frowike, whose reuenew was much augmented by K.
Richard the second, K.
Henry the sixt, and diuers citizens of London; so that at the suppression it was endowed with sufficient maintenance, for a Custos, seauen Chaplaines, three Clarkes, and foure Quiristers, at which time it was valued at xii l xviij s ix d
per an. Here haue beene many Tombes, and marble stones inlaid with brasse; whose inscriptions and portraitures are all either worne out with time, torne out, or quite defaced, onely this Epitaph remaining.
En Thomas Frances, pius hic qui lustra per octo
Custos extiterat, iacet, & semper requiescat
ob. Mar.
4. 1488.
Ouer the doore of the Councell Chamber in Guild hall was, and yet is, as I thinke, this Distich.
Carolus, Henricus, Viuant, Defensor vterque
Henricus Fidei, Carolus Ecclesie.
Long prosperity
To
Charles and Henry,
Princes most puissant
The one of the Faith,
The other of the Church
Chosen defendant.
These verses were depicted,
Hollins. here and in other places about this Citie, the yeare 1514. when
Charles the fift Emperour was here in England; to shew in what golden bands of loue these two potent Monarches were enlinked; for that amongst other couenants (then concluded and confirmed betwixt them by corporall Oathes) one was, that the Emperour promised to stay for, and take to wife the young Princesse Lady
Mary, King
Henries then onely daughter, afterwards Queene of England.
Why the Titles,
Speed Hist. defender of the Church and Faith, were attributed vnto these two Princes, is vulgarlie knowne, because
Charles chosen Emperour,
[Page 400] to purchase the Popes fauour, directed forth a solemne Writ of Outlawry against
Martin Luther, who then had giuen a great blow to the Papall Crowne; And King
Henry likewise was renowned in Rome, for writing a booke against the said
Luther; vnderpropping the tottering or downe-cast countenance of the Popes Pardons, which
Luther shrewdly had shaken. The Pope therefore, to shew himselfe a kinde Father vnto these his sonnes, gaue them these Titles; which were in truth none other, then the same which they sware vnto, when the Crownes of their Empires were first set vpon their heads.
The Hospitall of Saint Tho. of Acars, or Mercers Chappell.
Foundation of Mercers Chappell.This Hospitall was founded by
Thomas Fitz-theobald de Heili, and
Agnes his wife, Sister to
Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, in the raigne of
Henry the second, and dedicated to Saint
Thomas of
Acon or
Acars in the holy land. They gaue to the Master and Brethren of this house, the lands with the appurtenances, that sometimes were
Gilbert Beckets, father to the said
Thomas, in the which he was born, there to make a Church. This Hospitall was valued at the suppression to dispend yeerely 277 l. 3 s. 4 d. it was surrendred the 30 of
Henry the 8. the 21 of
October, and was since purchased by the Mercers,
Stow. by meanes of Sir
Richard Gresham.
Iames Butler Earle of Ormond, and
Ioane his wife.
Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond.Here lyeth entombed
Iames Butler, Earle of Ormond, and Dame
Ioane his wife; he died
Anno Dom. 1428. and she 1430.
Hic iacet Thomas filius Iacobi comitis Ormundie ac fratris Iacobi comitis Wilts & Ormundie qui quidem Thomas obijt secundo die 1515
& anno regni Regis Henrici Octaui 37.
cuius.
Camden in the County of Tipperary. Ireland.The Ancestors of these Earles (saith learned
Camden) were in old time the Butlers (an honourable office) in Ireland, and from thence came this Surname
Le Boteler or
Butler imposed vpon them▪ and certaine it is that they were linked in most neere alliance vnto Saint
Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury (as who deriue their descent from his sister) (which was a great motiue to make them choose this place for their buriall) and that after he was murdered,
Becket was borne neere to this Church, here he had a shrine, and his picture ouer the Chappell dore. they were by King
Henry the second remoued into Ireland, who supposed that he should disburden himselfe of the worlds hatred, for that fact, in case hee aduanced the Kinsfolke and Allies of the said
Thomas to rich reuenues, and high honours.
The first Earle of Ormond (saith he) in this familie, was
Iames, sonne to
Edmund, Earle of Caricke, who wedded the daughter of
Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford, whom he had by a daughter of King
Edward the first. And here was his first step vnto this honour; hereupon
Iames his sonne by this marriage, came to be commonly named among the people, The noble Earle. The fifth Earle of these named
Iames (that I may not stand particularly vpon euere one) receiued at the hands of King
Henry the sixth, the title and honour of Earle of Wiltshire, to him and to the heires of his body, who being Lord Deputie of Ireland, as diuers others of this race, and Lord Treasurer of England; standing attainted by King
Edward the fourth, was streight waies apprehended and beheaded: but his brethren,
Iohn and
[Page 401]Thomas likewise proclaimed Traitors, kept themselues close out of the way.
Iohn died at Ierusalem without issue.
Thomas here entombed, through the speciall fauour of King
Henry the seuenth, was in the end restored to his bloud, who departed this life, (as before in his Epitaph.)
An. 1515. leauing behinde him two daughters,
Anne married to Sir
Iames de Sancto Leodegario, called commonly
Sellenger, and
Margaret vnto Sir
William Bullein, who bare vnto him Sir
Thomas Bollein, whom King
Henry the eight created first Viscount Rochford, afterwards Earle of Wiltshire and Ormund, the father of
Anne Bollein, as I haue written before.
Here lyeth .....
Iohn Riche .... the sonne of
Richard Riche Sheriffe .... 1469.
Iohn Rich.
Respice quid prodest presentis temporis euum
Omne quod est nihil est, preter amare deum.
Richard Rich one of the Sheriffes of London,
Stow Suruay.Anno 1442. and the father of this
Iohn, founded certaine Almes-houses at Hodsdon in Hertfordshire. He lieth buried in Saint
Laurence Church old Iewrie, with the like Distich vpon his monument.
Vndyr this ston lyeth in the holy plas
Ambros Cressacre:
Ambrose Cressacre.
...... he was
Late of Dedington in Huntington shyre
Passyd fro this world worshcipfull Esquyre
The yere of our Lord God M.cccc.lxxvii. it is
Iesu for his mercy grant his sowl bliss.
Iohn Peris,
Iohn Peris and
Margaret his wife.
and
Margaret his wyf,
The whych late departyd fro this present lyf
Here beryed, and ther sonn vndyr this ston,
And ther soulys to God ben passyd and gon:
To thee for help of mercy thou blessyd Saint
Ion
And to Saint
Margarite also I mak my mon.
Here lieth
Raph Tilney Grocer,
Raph Tilney and
Ioan his wife. sometyme Alderman and Sheriffe of this City; and
Ioan his wyff: who dyed 1503, and
Ioan died 1500 .... on whos soulys.
Clausa sub bac fossa pacis hic Yerford pronus ossa,
: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prudens pacificus & in omnes pacis amicus:
Yarford.
Vixit Mercerus, in promissis cuique verus:
Mors properata nimis, dum floruit, impia, primis
Annis vanescit, et à nobis sic
(que) recessit,
Anno milleno, quater & cccc. octuagen
[...]
Migrat ab hac vita sua spes succurre Maria.
Siste precorque legas,
Io. Allen
Lord Maior.
Alleyneia et e
[...]ce Iohannes
Londini quondam Pretor erat celebris.
Confilio Regis summa probitate probatus,
Inclytus et miles nobilitate valens
[Page 402]Quem Deus omnipotens secum dignetur Olympo
Et precor eternam donet ei requiem.
obijt An.
1544.
This Lord Maior, (who for his singular wisedome was made a Priuie Councellour to King
Henry the eight) built a beautifull Chappell here, wherein he was first buried,
Stow Suruay. but since, his Tombe is remoued thence into the body of the Hospitall Church, and his Chappell diuided into Shops. He gaue to the city a rich coller of gold, to be worne by the Maior; he gaue a stocke of 500 markes to be employed for the vse of the poore of London; besides the rents of certaine lands by him purchased of the King. To Prisons, Hospitals, and Lazer houses within, and two miles without the Citie, he was abundantly charitable.
Saint Mary Bow.
Iohn Couentrie
Lord Maior.
Magnificus, sed iustificus, mis
[...]ris et amicus,
Fabian. Stow Annal.This
Iohn was the sonne of
William Couentrie, of the Citie of
Couentrie in Warwickshire. He was Lord Maior of this Citie,
An. 1425, a man much commended he is, in our English Chronicles for his discreet carriage, in the debate betwixt
Humphrey Duke of Glocester, and
Henry Beaufort that wealthy Bishop of Winchester.
Stow Suruay.One
William Copeland Church-warden, gaue the great Bell which is rung nightly at nine of the clocke, which had this inscription cast in the mettall,
An. 1515.
Dudum fundabar Bowbel campana vocabar
Sexta sonat, bis sexta sonat, ter tertia pulsat.
Vnder the Statue of K.
Ed. the sixt vpon the Standard in Cheape.
This Lord Maior, with the Aldermen his brethren, began to new build the Guild Hall; he reedified this Church, gaue to the Grocers his house, neare vnto the same, for reliefe of the poore for euer, and caused water to be conuayed to the gate of Newgate, and Ludgate, for reliefe of the prisoners. He was Lord Maior
Ann. 1. of
Hen. the fourth, and againe
An. 12.
eiusdem Regis.
Thomas Knowles,Tho. Knowles. sonne of the foresaid
Thomas, a great benefactour to this Church, was buried here in the North Isle, by his father vnder a faire marble stone, thus sometimes engrauen, but now quite taken away for the gaine of the brasse.
Walter Lempster [...] of
[...].Vnder this black marbl ston, lyth the body of Master
Walter Lempster, Doctor of Phisick, and also Phisition to the high and mighty Prince
Hen. the vii, whych Master
Lempster gayve vnto this Chyrch too cheynes of fyne gold, weying xiiii ounces, and a quarter, for to make a certeyn ornament, to put on the blessyd body of our Sauiour Iesu. He died the ix of March, M.cccc.lxxx.vii. Whos soul god pardon.
Simon Street, &
Agnes his wife.
Such as I am, such sall ye be;
Grocer of London somtym was I:
The kings Weigher mor then yeres twenty.
Simon Street callyd in my plas,
And good Fellowshyp fayn wold tras.
Therfor in heuen euerlastyng lif
Iesu send me and
Agnes my wyf.
Kerli Merli my words were tho,
And
Deo gratias, I added therto,
I passyd to God in the yere of Grase,
A thousand four hundryd iust hit was.
Will. Goldhirst and
Margaret his wife.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Here lyth vndyr this litle spas,
The body of
William Goldhirst who somtym was
Skinner of London, and citinure,
Worshcipful til his endure;
And his wyf
Margaret also;
God haue mercy on theyr sowlys both two.
And departyd fro hence the xxv day
Of the Month of Septembyr, withoutyn nay.
The yere of our Lord Iesu,
On thowsand fyue hundryd eleuen ful true.
Vpon whos sowlys Iesu haue mercy,
That for vs say a
Pater Noster and an
Aue.
Saint
Michaels at
Queene-Hithe.
The Monuments in this Church are all defaced; onely I finde that
Stephen Spilman,Stephen Spilman Sheriffe of London. or
Spelman, as appeareth by his Will, was here buried directly against the high Altar, vnder a faire Monument, no Inscription thereupon now remaining. This
Stephens Armes are amongst the Maiors and Sheriffes of London, vpon a field sables, six besants, 2.1.1.2. betweene two slayks argent. Sometimes Mercer, Chamberlaine of London, then one of the Sheriffes, and Alderman of the said Citie, in the yeare, 1404. He deceased without issue, gaue his lands to his Familie, the
Spilmans, and his goods to the making or repairing of Bridges, and other like godly vses. He repaired this Church, and therein founded a Chantry. He died about the last yeare of the raigne of king
Henry the fifth.
Ric. Grey Sheriffe of London.
Richard Grey Iron-monger, one of the Sheriffes likewise of this Citie, in
[Page 405] the yeare, 1515. lieth here buried. He gaue 40. pound to the repairing of this Church.
Orate pro animabus Richardi Marloi quondam venerabilis Maioris Ciuitatis London,R. Marlow Lord Maior.& Agnetis consortis sue. Qui ....... ob......
This
Marlow was Lord Maior in the yeare 1409. in whose Maioraltie there was a Play at Skinners Hall,
Corpus Christi play. which lasted eight dayes (saith
Stow) to heare which, most of the greatest Estates of England were present. The Subiect of the play was the sacred Scriptures, from the creation of the world▪ They call this,
Corpus Christi Play in my countrey, which I haue seene acted at Preston, and Lancaster, and last of all at Kendall, in the beginning of the raigne of King
Iames; for which the Townesmen were sore troubled; and vpon good reasons the play finally supprest, not onely there, but in all other Townes of the kingdome.
Richardo Hill potentissimi Regis Henrici octaui,Ric. Hill, Master or Sergeant of the kings c
[...]ller.celle vinarie Prefectus. Elisabetha coniux mestissima facta iam, vndecimorum liberorum mater, Marito optimo; immatura tandem morte sublato. Quod solum potuit posteritati commendaturum cupiens hoc Monumentum posuit. Obijt. An. Dom. 1539.
die mens. Maij 12.
Saint
Mary Aldermary.
Here lieth buried,
Sir
Charles Blunt knight, Lord
Mountioy Sir
Charles Blount, or
Blunt, Baron
Mountioy, who died 1544. With this Epitaph made by himselfe a little before his death.
Wilingly haue I sought, and willingly haue I found,
The fatall end that wrought thither as dutie bound:
Discharg'd I am of that I ought to my countrey by honest wound.
My soule departyd Christ hath bought: the end of man is ground.
This familie of the
Blunts is noble and ancient,
Camd. in Shrop. surnamed so at the first of the yellow haire of their head;
Blunt signifying so in the Norman language; they greatly flourished at Kinlet in Shropshire, and by
Elwaston in Darbishire,
Camd. in Darbishire. where Sir
Raph Mountioy had lands in the time of
Edward the first: from whence came Sir
Walter Blunt, whom King
Edward the fourth aduanced to the honour of Baron
Mountioy, with a pension. Whose posteritie haue equalled the Nobilitie of their birth, with the ornaments of learning; and principally amongst them,
Charles late Earle of Deuonshire deceased; Baron
Mountioy, Lord Lieutenant generall of Ireland, and knight of the honourable order of the Garter: whose sonne
Mountioy Blunt enioyeth his lands: who by the speciall fauour of our late Soueraigne King
Iames was created Baron of Montioy in the North of Ireland. Here also lieth buried
William Blunt, Lord
Mountioy, who died but of later times.
Saint
Martius Vintrie.
Many faire marble stones inlaid with brasse, and well preserued, are in this Church; most of their inscriptions being perfectly to bee read. And the most of which are set downe in the Suruay of this Citie, I will onely touch some few of them.
Io▪ Micolt
and Ioan
his wife.Hic .... Micolt quondam ciuis & vinitarius London, & Ioanna vxor eius, ac pueri eorundem, qui quidem Iohannes obijt
17. die Aprilis, Ann. Dom.
1424. Quorum anime per Dei immensam miserecordiam in pace perpetua permaneant, ac requiem possideant.
Es testis Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste
Corpus vt ornetur, sed spiritus vt memoretur.
Heus tu qui transis, magnus, medius, puer an sis
Pro me funde preces quia sic mihi fit venie spes.
Raph Astry
Lord Maior, Margery
and Margaret
his wiues....... honorabilis viri Radulphi Astry militis nuper Maioris, ac Aldermanni, & Piscenarij Ciuitatis London: et preclarissimarum Domine Margarie, ac Margarete vxorum eius. Qui quidem Radulphus obijt
18. die Nouembris, Ann. Dom.
1494. & predicta Margeria obijt:.... die & dicta Margarita ab hoc seculo migrauit
10. die Marcij, Ann. Dom.
1492. Quorum animabus.
Raph Astry.Hic iacet Radulphus Astry generosus vnus filiorum Radulphi Astri militis quondam maioris Ciuitatis London. Qui quidem Radulphus filius in sua florida iuuentute, ab hoc seculo migrauit. Ann. Dom.
1501. 19. die mens. Septemb.
This Raph Astrie
Maior, was sonne to Geffery Astrie,
or Ostrich,
of Hitchin
in the County of Hertford. He new roofed this Church with timber, couered it with lead; and beautifully glased it.
Iohannem tegit hic cognomine Gray lapis iste,
Iohn Grey.
Mentem queso suam celo tene as tibi Christe.
Aspice mortalis quid sit nisi mors tua vita,
Vt modo sum talis breuiter quoque tu fies ita
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1424.
Debita qui teneri
[...] Nature soluit in annis,
Ipsorum prolis Iesu miserere Iohannis.
Tho. Cornwallis.Hic iacet Thomas Cornwaleis quondam ciuis London, qui obijt quarto die Ianuarij, Ann. Dom.
1384. Cuius.
This Thomas
was Sheriffe of London, Ann.
1378.
Henry Gisors.Henry Gisors gist yci, Deeu de sa Ame tien pite, e Iohn le filz a mercy.
Qui morust le veille de S. Katherine. En l'an de grace,
1343.
Here lieth also Sir
Iohn Gisors knight, who was Maior of this Citie,
An. 1311. the father of this
Henry.
Saint
Iames Garlickehyth.
[...] Lions.
Gemmarius Lion hic Richardus est tumulatus;
Qui fuit in rabie vulgi (ve) decapitatus.
Hic bonus extiterat cunctis; hospes egenorum;
[Page 407]Pacis et author erat, dilector et vrbis honorum.
Anno milleno tricenteno numerato
Sic octogeno currente cum simul vno,
Plebe rea perij ...... morte dolosa.
Basily festo dum regnat plebs furiosa.
This
Richard Lion here interred (whose corporall proportion is engrauen wondrous curiously vpon his Graue-stone) was a famous Wine-merchant, a skilfull Lapidarie, sometime Sheriffe of London. Hee was drawne and hailed out of his owne house by
Wat. Tyler and other Rebels, and by them beheaded in Cheape, the yeare 1381.
Not many yeares since, here stood a monument in the North wall, erected to the memory of Sir
George Stanley, Knight of the Garter, and Lord
Strange (in right of his wife
Ioan, daughter and heire of
Iohn Lord
Strange of Knocking) sonne and heire of
Thomas Stanley, Lord
Stanley of Lathum in Lancashire and Earle of Derby: which
George died before his Father at Derby house (now the Heralds Office)
Anno 1487. the third of
Henry the seuenth. And neere to the same place
Elianor his mother Countesse of Derby, the daughter of
Richard Neuill Earle of Salisbury, was likewise entombed. This Church was honoured with the monuments of many worthy personages, of which no mention is now remayning.
Saint Michaels Pater Noster in the Royall.
This Church was new builded,
The Foundation of Whittin
[...]on C
[...]lledge
[...]nd Hospitall. and made a Colledge of S.
Spirit and S.
Mary, founded by
Richard Whitington Mercer foure times Maior, for a Master, foure Fellowes, Masters of Art, Clarkes, Conducts, Quiristers, &c. and an Almes house, called Gods house, or Hospitall for thirteene poore men, one of them to be Tutor, and to haue xvi.d. the weeke, the other twelue, each of them to haue xiiij. d. the weeke for euer, with other necessary prouisions. These were bound to pray for the good estate of
Richard Whitington and
Alice his wife, their Founders, and for Sir
William Whitington Knight, and Dame
Ioan his wife, and for
Hugh Fitz-Warren, and Dame
Maud his wife, the Fathers and Mothers of the said
Richard Whitington, and
Alice his wife;
Stow Suruey. for King
Richard the second, and
Thomas of Woodstocke, Duke of Glocester, speciall Lords and promoters of the said
Richard Whitington. The licence for this foundation was granted by King
Henry the fourth, the eleuenth of his raigne, and confirmed by King
Henry the sixt, the third of his raigne. This
Richard Whitington (saith my Author
Stow) was three times buried in this his owne Church: first by his Executors vnder a faire monument, then in the raigne of
Edward the sixt; the Parson of the Church thinking some great riches (as hee said) to be buried with him,
Richard Whit
[...]ing thrice buried. caused his monument to be broken, his body to be spoyled of his leaden sheet, and againe the second time to be buried. And in the raigne of Queene
Mary, the Parishioners were forced to take him vp, to lap him in lead as afore, to bury him the third time, and to place his monument or the like ouer him againe: whereupon this Epitaph is engrauen, partly erazed and imperfect.
This
Whitington flourished in the raigne of King
Richard the second.
Henry the fourth,
Henry the fift, and died about the beginning of
Henry the sixt, hauing begun to build Newgate, and the Librarie of Gray Friers at Christ Church, London, with that at Guild hall; all which were finished by his Executors, with his goods. His Colledge here, was suppressed by the Statute of
Edward the sixt: the Almes houses, with the poore men, doe remaine to this day, and are paid by the Mercers.
Alhallowes the great.
William Lichfield
Doctor of Diuinity.
Willelmus dudum Lichfeeld quem mors fera pressit.
Ista post ludum mundi, sub rupe quiescit,
In Domini rure cultor, sator ac operosus.
Dum preciat ture, Pastor vigil et studiosus.
Hanc Edem rexit, ornauit et amplificauit,
Pignora prouexit ac sacro dogmate pauit.
Pauperibus carus, inopes in mente gerebat.
Consilio gnarus dubitantibus esse solebat.
Christe pugil fortis eius dissolue reatus,
Vt viuat mortis post morsum glorificatus.
Luce bis X quater. I. migrat octobris sine panno
E .... quater X quater V semel .... M, anno
1447.
This Doctor was a great student, and compiled many bookes both morall and diuine as well in verse as prose.
Sta precor interne, qui transis aspice, cerne,
Io. Brickles
and Isabell
his wife.
Non nitidis pannis sed
[...]lentibus ossa Iohannis
Brickles ista mei specus includit requiei.
Taliter indutus tumulabere tu resolutus.
Dormit in hac cella mea coniux ac Isabella.
Apollinaris .... vixit lux nece stratus
Et quater x ter. v. I bis et M. sociatis.
[Page 409]This
Brickles was a linnen Draper, a worthy benefactor to this Church, who gaue by his Testament certaine Tenements to the reliefe of the poore.
Alhallowes the lesse.
Iesu that sufferyd bitter passion and peyn,
In Chamberlai
[...]e, Agnes, and
Ioan his wiues.
Haue mercy on my sowl
Iohn Chamberleyn,
And my Wyfs too,
Agnes and
Ione also.
The seyd
Iohn deceised the sooth for to sey,
In the Monyth of Decembyr the fowrth dey;
The yere of owr Lord God reckond ful euin,
A thowsand fowr hundryd fowrscor and seuin.
Before this time that here yee haue seene,
Lyeth buried the body of
William Greene,
Barbor and Surgeon,
William Greene.
& late master of that company,
And Clark of this Church yeeres fiftie;
Which
William decesyd the truth for to say;
The month of December the fourth day.
The yere of our Lord God as by books doth appere,
On thowsand fyue hundryd and eighteen yere.
Inscriptions in the Stilliard, the house sometime of the German-Merchants.
Haec domus est laeta semper bonitate repleta
Hic Pax, hic requies hic gaudia semper honesta.
Item.
Aurum blanditiae pater est, natusque doloris,
Qui caret hoc maeret, qui tenet, hic metuit.
Item.
Qui bonis parere recusat, quasi vitato fumo in flammam incidit.
Saint Mary Bothaw.
.......... Chich .... vocitatus
..... Robertus omni bonitate refertus.
Robert Chichley
Lord Maior.
Bauperibus largus pius extitit ad mala tardus,
Moribus ornatus iacet istic intumulatus.
Corpore procerus his Maior & arte Grocerus
Anno milleno C quater x quater anno.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
This
Robert Chichley was Lord Maior
An. 1422. hee appointed by his Testament, that on his birth day, acompetent dinner should be ordained for 2400 poore men, housholders of this city, & euery man to haue two pence in money.
[...].Here lieth entombed in a Chappell of his owne foundation, Sir
William Walworth Knight, Lord Maior of London, whose manfull prowesse against that arch-Rebell
VVat Tyler and his confederates, is much commended in our English Chronicles: his monument was shamefully defaced in the raigne of King
Edward the sixt (as many others were) but since it was renewed by the Fishmongers, he died,
Anno 1383. as appeareth by this Epitaph.
Here vnder lyth a man of Fame,
William Walworth callyd by name,
Fishmonger he was in life time here,
And twise Lord Maior as in bookes appere,
Who with courage stout and manly might,
Slew
Wat Tyler in King
Richards sight.
For which act done and trew entent,
The King made him Knight incontinent.
And gaue him armes, as here you see,
To declare his fact and Chiualrie.
He left this life the yere of our God,
Thirteene hundryd fourescore and three od.
Iohn Philpot, Nicholas Brember, and
Robert Launde Aldermen, were knighted with him the same day; To this Maior, the King gaue 100 pound land yeerely, and to each of the other 40 pound land by yeare, to them and their heires for euer.
The Colledge of S.
Michael founded by
W. Walworth.He founded a Colledge to this parish Church, for a Master and nine Priests or Chaplaines.
Worthy
Iohn Louekin Stockfishmonger of London here is leyd,
Io Lo
[...]ekin, of
Losken, Lord Maior, founder of this Church.
Four times of this City Lord Maior hee was, if truth be seyd,
Twise he was by election of Citizens then being,
And twise by the commandment of his good Lord the King.
Cheef Founder of this Church in his life time was he,
Such louers of the common-welth too few ther be.
Of August the fourth, thirteene hundryth sixty and eyght,
His flesh to Erth, his soul to God went streyght.
Sir
William Walworth was an apprentice to this
Iohn Louekin.
Here lyeth wrapt in clay
William Wray.
The body of
William VVray,
I haue no more to say.
Saint Laurence Poultney.
This Church was increased with a Chappell of Iesus, by one
Thomas
[Page 411] Cole,The foundation of
Corpus Christi Colledge in Candlewickestreet for a Master and a Chaplaine; the which Chappell and Parish-Church was made a Colledge of Iesus, and of
Corpus Christi, for a Master and seuen Chaplaines, by
Iohn Poultney Maior, and was confirmed by
Edward the third, in the twentieth of his raigne. So that of him it was called, Saint
Laurence Poultney, in Candlewickstreet. This Colledge was valued at 79. l. 17. s. 11. d.
per ann. and surrendred in the raigne of
Ed. the sixth.
The thrice honourable Lord,
Robert Radcliffe,Rob. Radcliffe and his sonne
Henry Earles of Sussex. the first earle of Sussex of that name, and
Henry Radcliffe his sonne and heire, as of his possessions, so of his honours, were first interred in this Collegiate Church: whose relique were afterwards remoued to Boreham in Essex.
Saint
Mary Abchurch.
Hac gradiens fortis tua lingua precando laboret,
Esto memor mortis dum virtus vivida floret.
Gilbert Melits and
Christian his wife.
Dum vita fueris, quid agas circumspice mente,
Nam tu talis eris, qualis concido repente.
Corpora Gilberti Melites, celat lapis iste,
Eius & vxoris Christine, quos cape Christe.
Saint
Mary Colechurch.
So called of one
Cole,The fraternity of S.
Katherine. the builder thereof. King
Henry the fourth granted licence to
William Marshall and others, to found a brotherhood of S.
Katherine in this Church, to the helpe of Gods seruice; because
Thomas Becket and S.
Edmund, Archbishops of Canterbury, were baptised herein.
Alhallowes Barking.
On the North side of this Church was sometime builded a faire Chappell,
The foundation of our Ladies Chappell of Barking. founded by king
Richard the first, and much augmented by king
Edward the first.
Edward the fourth gaue licence to his cosin
Iohn, Lord
Tiptost, Earle of Worcester, to found here a Brotherhood for a Master and Brethren: And he gaue to the
Custos of that Fraternitie, the advowsion of the Parish Church of Stretham in Surrey, with all the members and appurtenances; the Priory of Totingbeck, and a part of the Priory of Okeborne in Wiltshire, both Priors Aliens, and appointed it to be called, the Kings Chantrie,
In Capella beate Marie de Barking, king
Richard the third founded herein a Colledge of Priests; and reedified the decayed structure. Great concourse of people came hither to our Lady of Barking a pilgrimage; vntill the Colledge was suppressed and pulled downe, in the second of
Edward the sixth, and the ground whereupon it stood, imployed as a Garden plot.
Many funerall Monuments are yet remaining in this Parish Church, which you may reade in the Suruay of this Citie.
Saint
Mary Wolnoth.
Here lieth Sir
Iohn Arundell knight of the Bath,
Sir
Io. Arundell knight. and knight Baneret, Receiuor
[Page 412] of the Duchy . . . . . . .
Grey, daughter to the Lord Marquese
Dorset, who died 8. Febr. the 36. of the reigne of king.
Hen. the 8.
This Sir
Iohn Arundell was of the house of
Lanherne in Cornwall, a family of great respect in that county. Of which I shall haue further occasion to speake when I come to Saint
Columbs, where this mans Ancestors lye entombed. The Christian name of his wife (with time worne, or torne out of the brasse) was,
Elianor, the third daughter of
Thomas Grey, Marquesse
Dorset (halfe brother by the mother to
Edward the fifth) by
Cicely,Vincent. Catal. daughter and heire of
William Bonvile, Lord
Harrington.
Quid caro letatur cum vermibus esca paratur,
Terre terra datur; Caro nascitur & moriatur.
Simon Eyre Lord Maior.Orate pro anima Simonis Eyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vnder this defaced Monument
Simon Eyre,The Foundation of Leaden Hall and the Chappell.
Stow Suruay. the sonne of
Iohn Eyre of Brandon in Suffolk, lieth interred. He was Lord Maior in the yeare 1445. Hee built Leaden Hall for a common Granary for the Citie, and a faire large Chappell on the East side of the Quadrant, ouer the Porch whereof was painted,
Dextra Domini exaltauit me. And on the North wall:
Honorandus famosus Mercator Symon Eyre huius operis Fundator. He gaue 5000. l. and aboue the poore Maids marriages; and did many other works of charitie. Hee died the 18. day of September, 1459.
Saint
Nicholas Acons.
O ye dere frendys whych sall here aftyr be,
Of yowr deuotion plese ye to remembyr
Ric. Payne and
Elisabeth his wife.
Me
Richard Payne, which of this noble cite,
Somtym whylst I liud, was Citizen and Drapier:
And now thro goddys grace buryd am I here,
For mercy to abyd aftyr this lif present;
Trestyng by preyer celestiall, Ioy to be my iudgment.
Wherfor o my Frendys dere, my soul ye like assist,
Sixteene children.
And eke
Elisabyth my wyf, and chyldren on by on,
And I sall prey God fro peyne yowr souls to resist,
The sooner by mediation of blessyd Sant
Albion.
On whos day in Iun on M.cccc.lx. and thrice on,
Then being the yere of God, as hit did him plese.
Out of this present world did I discese.
Here lieth Sir
Iohn Brug or
Bruges, knight, Lord Maior of this Citie, the sonne of
Thomas Brug, or
Bruges, of Dimmock in Glocestershire. Who executed that honourable and famous high office, the yeare 1520. the tweluth of king
Hen. the eight.
Be hit known to al men,
An Inscription vpon a table sometime chained in this Church. that the yeerys of owr Lord God an clxxix.
Lucius the fyrst christen kyng of this lond, then callyd Brytayne, fowndyd the fyrst chyrch in London, that is to sey, the Chyrch of Sent
Peter apon Cornhyl, and he fowndyd ther an Archbishoppys See, and made that Chirch the Metropolitant, and cheef Chirch of this kingdom, and so enduryd the space of cccc yeerys, and more; vnto the commyng of Sent
Austen, an Apostyl of Englond, the whych was sent into the lond, by Sent
Gregory, the Doctor of the Chirch, in the tym of king
Ethelbert, and then was the Archbishoppys See and Pol removyd from the aforeseyd Chirch of S.
Peters apon Cornhyl, vnto Derebernaum, that now ys callyd Canterbury, and ther yt remeynyth to this dey. And
Millet Monk whych cam in to this lond wyth Sent
Austen was made the fyrst Bishop of London, and hys See was made in Powllys Chyrch. And this
Lucius kyng was the fyrst Fowndyr of
Peters Chyrch apon Cornhyl. And he regnyd kyng in thys Ilond aftyr
Brut, M.cc.xl.v. yeerys. And the yeerys of owr Lord god a cxxiiii.
Lucius was crownyd kyng, and the yeerys of hys reygne lxxvii yeerys, and he was beryd aftyr sum cronekil at London, and aftyr sum cronekil, he was beryd at Glowcester, at that plase wher the ordyr of Sent
Francys standyth.
The truth of this Inscription is questioned in diuers points by some of the learned Senate of our Ecclesiasticall Historians, but I will adhere to the common receiued opinion, that
Lucius was the first Christian king of this
[Page 414] Island, and indeed of the world, that he founded an Archbishops See here in London:
Malmes. lib 1.
de Pont. 1.
Selden. after which time Christianitie was alwayes profest in some part of this kingdome, and especially in Wales. Of which, if it be not troublesome, reade these old rimes.
Rob Glocest.
Among ye Brutons in Walys was alway Christendom,
Sitthe hit furst thurghe Lucye Brutons king hit com:
And that was tofore Sent Austens tyme a cccc yer
And about xxiiii, as they writ of er.
Iocelin of Fournes seith, that one
Thean was the first Archbishop, and the first builder of this Church, by the helpe of one
Cyran, chiefe Butler vnto king
Lucius.
Eluanus was the second, who built a Librarie neare vnto his Church, and conuerted many of the British Druides (learned men in the Pagan law) to Christianitie. The rest vntill you come to
Restitutus, who was the 12. Archbishop, are but onely named in my Author.
Cadar.Restitutus (saith Bishop
Godwin) was at the Councell of
Arles in France, the yeare 326.
O
[...]i
[...]us. vnder
Constantius the sonne of
Constantine the great,
Conan. and subscribed vnto the Decrees of the same Councell,
Palladius. which he brought ouer with him.
Stephanus. One Decree amongst the rest was, that if a Deacon at the time of his ordering,
Il
[...]ut. did protest he intended to marrie,
Dedwin. it should be lawfull for him so to doe.
Thedred.Restitus himselfe was married. One
Kebius (the sonne of
Salomon,Hillary. a certaine Duke of Cornwall) Bishop of Anglesey in Wales,
Restitutus. Harpsfeeld Sex. prim. secul c. 16. flourished in his dayes, and trauelled with him into France; and afterwards, went himselfe into Ireland: where, by his good doctrine, he conuerted many of that Nation to Christianitie.
Gwitelin. or
Guitelnius.Guitelnius the thirteenth Archbishop, trauelled ouer Seas to the king of little Britaine, to craue his aide against the Scots and Picts, which mightily infested this kingdome, insomuch that the Romanes rather chose to remit the Britaines their tribute, then to afoard them any more aide. Of which, this Bishop made an oration to his countriemen a little before his departure, who at that time (like the Romanes) were wearied out with their often incursions, and altogether afraid to encounter with the enemie, that fierce valiant Scot.
Scots euer valiant. Imagine his words were wondrous old, from our times, and that they were deliuered in this Dialect.
Rob. Glocest.
Alle ye grete of this lond to London ycome
Therchbishop thus sede Gwithelin benome.
Our leue frendes of Rome her to speke to yough me bede,
But beter wille ich haue to wepe, then to do eny othur dede:
For pite hit is of this londe, and of our wretchede.
Aftur that Maximian our folk a wey gan lede,
Alle our knyghtes, and our Swayn, and much of our yong hede,
And othur londes storede therwyth, alas the deolfull dede.
And ye beth men bet ytaught to shouele, and to spade,
To cart, eke, and to plough, and to a fishyng wade;
To hamer, and to nedle, and othur craftes also.
Than with sper or with swerd battaile for to do.
[Page 415]Whan your enemyes cometh you ne kunneth but fle,
As shep before UUolues, hough myght more woo be
And the See biset yow al abowte, hough mowe ye than by thenche
Othur ligge a don and be a slawe, othur fle, and a drenche,
Help is ther nan with yow, but clenlich alle this londe,
Al the helpyng and lokyng is in othur mans honde.
And the Romaynes beth anoyed of hure traualle so sore,
Of perile of See and londe ek, hii wole come here no more.
Hii wolleth hure truage rather leue, that ye berith him a yere,
Be konne ye nought lerny thyng that ye dede neuer ere?
Applieth yowr hondes to the sper and to the swerd also,
For strongur men buth ther none, and ye wolde turne therto
Me seeth a bond mannes sone somtym a knyght bycome,
And of a grom a Squyer, and aftur knyghts some:
And such ye haueth the forme of men, beth men in alle wise,
And torneth yow to Manhede, and kepeth youre Franchise.
So it followes how this Bishop went into little Britaine, and entreated
Aldroennus the king there, to send ouer
Constantine his brother, with a certaine number of men, by whose helpe the enemie might bee expelled, which was granted, and performed accordingly.
Fastidius Priscus succeeded him in the gouernement of this See,
Fastidius Priscus 4.
cent. 1. who writ diuers bookes of diuine learning, mentioned by
Bale. Hee was a sincere expositor of the sacred Scriptures, and a painefull Preacher throughout the whole kingdome.
Cui abunde suppeditebant, cum perbenigno ingenio excellens memoria: morum integritas et vita incorrupta, quibus cumulatissime caeteros suae gentis praecedebat verbi Praecones. He flourished vnder
Honorius and
Theodosius Emperours,
Ternckine 15.
Lib. in bib. Cott. Mss. Vedinus 16. 420. By an old namelesse Chronicle which I haue read, one
Ternekine succeeded
Fastidius, a piercing wise Prelate into matters of state, and in speciall fauour with
Aurelius Ambrose King of great Britaine: but
Vodinus followeth next in the catalogue, a man of singular deuotion and good life, who for reprehending King
Vortigers vnlawfull marriage with
Rowenna, Hengists daughter (his lawfull wife being then liuing) was barbarously murdered by the said
Hengist, and with him many other Priests, and religious Persons,
circa an. 452.
After the comming of the Saxons,
Godwin de praeful. Ang. the succession of Archbishops was still continued in London for the space of many yeares (but secretly) euen vntill the time that S.
Gregorie sent
Augustine hither. I finde onely one of them named, to wit,
Theonus who with
Thadiocus or
Tadiacus (of which I haue spoken before in Rochester) Bishop of Yorke,
Theon the last Archbishop. taking their Clergie with them, got them into Wales and Cornewall, to the rest of their countrimen, whom the Saxons had lately driuen thither: this man did not write himselfe Archbishop, which is one cause of some controuersie amongst our Historiographers.
Robert Fabian Sheriffe.Here lyeth
Robert Fabian Alderman and Sheriffe of London, who composed a laborious Chronicle of England and France, with the monuments, and the succession of the Lord Maiors of London, and died
Anno Dom. 1511. for whom this Epitaph was made, now altogether defaced.
Like as the day his course doth consume,
And the new morrow springeth againe as fast,
So man and woman by Natures custome,
This life to passe, at last in earth are cast.
In ioy and sorrow, which here their time doe wast.
Neuer in one state, but in course transitorie,
So full of change is of this world the glory.
Hugh Dauset
Doctor of Diuinity.
Hic iacet in tumulo Doctor venerabilis Hugo
Dauset olim Rector, vere fideique protector
M C quater .x. ter ix sit et I sex
Aprilisque die ter I: V semel I migrat ille.
Robert Barnes.
Here vndyr was beryed
Robart Barnes by name,
Citizon of London, and Mercer of the same:
And this is written that others may remembyr,
How godly he departed the twentyth on of Nouembyr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iohn Bootes.
Here lyth the body of
Iohn Bootes wiff,
Dissoluyd by deth to her fyrst matter dust;
Who from the cares of this world departyd her liff,
The twenty third day of the monyth of August,
On thowsand fyue hundryd and seuen, beyng
threescore yeerys old iust.
Saint Benets Grasse Church.
Henry Denne and
Ioane his wife.Prey for the saulygs of
Henry Denne, and
Ioan his wyf, theyr fadyrs, theyr modyrs, Bredyrs, and good frendys, and of al Christian saulygs Iesu haue mercy, Amen, who departyd this lif.... M.cccc.lxxxxi.
Saint Bartholomewes exchange.
Tho. Pike Als
[...]rman.Vpon an old Tombe the defunct thus seemeth to pray.
[Page 417]This monument (by relation) was made to the memorie of
Thomas Pike, Alderman, who with the assistance of
Nicholas Yoo one of the Sheriffes of this Citie, about the yeare 1438. new builded this Church.
Hic ..... Willielmus Capel .... Maior Lon:
Sir William Capell
Lord Maior.
...fil Iohannis
Capel ... Neyland in com. ... ob. ...
1509.
Out of this broken Inscription I fynde this whole history how that Sir
Richard Empson Knight (a Sieue-makers sonne in Tocester) and
Edmund Dudley Esquire, both Lawiers, were two instruments for King
Henry the seuenth, to enrich his, and their owne coffers; and to empouer
[...]sh the subiects, by way of calling the richer sort into question, for breach of old, moth eaten, vnreuiued penall Lawes; amongst many others (whom they most treacherously abused, by a false packt Iurie) they scruzed from this Sir
William Capell aboue sixteene hundred pounds, and some twelue or thirteene yeeres after, they were at him againe afresh, for two thousand pounds more; which because he would not pay, he was commanded, by
Dudley, Prisoner to the Tower; but by the death of the said King (which happened the same yeere) he was released both of imprisonment and payment, in which yeere he also departed this world, in the loue of all good men, leauing a great inheritance, and an honourable remembrance to his posteritie; and not long after,
Empson and
Dudley (cater-pillers of the common-wealth, hatefull to all good people) were beheaded on the Tower hill the 17. of August 1510. leauing behinde them nothing they could dispose of for their heires, saue the staine of euerlasting infamie.
He lyeth here entombed in a Chappell of his owne Foundation; he was the sonne of
Iohn Capell of Stoke Neyland in the county of Suffolke.
Saint Bennets Finke.
O God the father of heauyn which art the euerlastyng lyght,
Haue mercy on the sowl of me,
Water Knyght.
poor
Water Knyght.
Who departyd this lyf the monyth of Ianuary,
In the yere of my Redemer on M .... and fifty.
Borne I was in Canterbery in the County of Kent,,
Sonne to on
Iohn Knyght and
Alyse his wife, this is verament.
And to be short, all worldly things to confound,
Of the Earth I was made, and to the Earth I am retournd.
Within this Parish was the Hospitall of Saint
Anthony,The foundation of Saint
Anthonies Hospitall. sometime a cell belonging to Saint
Anthonies of Vienna, founded by King
Henry the third, for a Master, two Priests, one Schoolemaster, and twelue poore men: the reuenewes of this house were much augmented, and the number of the houshold increased by King
Henry the sixt, and
Edward the fourth, to which
Iohn Tate Mercer was a right bountifull benefactor, who was here entombed vnder a faire monument, he died
Anno 1514. and so was
VVater Champion Sheriffe of London, 1529. who was here buried.
[Page 418]The lands, by yeare, of this Hospitall, were valued in the 37. yeare of
Henry the eight, to be 55 l. sixe shillings, 8 d.
Stow in his Suruay saith, that one
Iohnson, Schoole-master of this Hospitall, and Prebend of Windsor, spoiled both the Schoole and Hospitall, and the Quire of the Church, conuayed away the Plate and ornaments, then the Bels, and lastly put out the Almesmen from their houses, appointing them xii d. the weeke to each person. The Church of this Hospitall is now a preaching place for the French Nation.
Saint Martins Outwich.
Io. Breux.
Ecclesie Rector huius Iohn Breux tumulatus
Artibus & doctor vermibus esca datus.
Prebendam quondam cicestrensem retinebat
Quem Petronille lux tulit e medio.
M. C. quater, quinquageno nono sociato,
Sic predotatus vertitur in cinerem.
Augustine Fryers.
The foundation of the Augustine Friers.This religious house was founded (in the well meaning deuotion of former times) by
Humphrey Bohun the fift of that name, Earle of Hereford and Essex, 1253. and was afterward reedified by
Humphrey Bohun, the ninth of that name, Earle of Hereford and Essex, Lord of Brecknocke, and Constable of England, who died
Anno 1361. and was buried in the Quire of this Church. This Frierie (dedicated to the honour of Saint
Augustine) was valued vpon the surrender to King
Henry the eight, to 57 l. 4 s.
per annum.
Ri
[...]hard Earle of A
[...]undell.Here sometime did lie entombed the body of
Richard Fitz-Alan, the fourth of that name, Earle of Arundell and Surrey, who with
Thomas Duke of Glocester,
Thomas Earle of Warwicke,
Henry Earle of Derby, afterwards King of England, and others, combined and sware each to other, against
Robert Vere, Duke of Ireland, and
Michael de la Pole Duke of Suffolke, for abusing and misleading the King; for which and some other causes which
Richard the second obiected against them, some of them were banished, others condemned to perpetuall imprisonment: and this
Richard beheaded on the Tower hill, Septemb.
Anno 1397. the constancie of whose carriage at his arraignement, passage and execution (in all which he did not once discolour the honour of his bloud with any degenerous word, looke, or action) encreased the enuy of his death vpon his prosecutors.
Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford▪ and
Aubrey his sonne.Here likewise lay sumptuously interred,
Iohn Vere the xii. Earle of Oxford, and
Aubrey his eldest sonne, who with Sir
Thomas Tudensa knight, (who was also here buried) and others their Councellors (either through malice of their enemies, or some offence conceiued by King
Edward the fourth) were attainted by Act of Parliament,
anno primo Edward 4, and put to Execution vpon the Tower hill, the 26 of February, 1461.
[Page 419]William Lord
Berkeley of Berkeley Castle;
[...] his wife honoured with the t
[...]t
[...]es of Viscount, and Marquesse
Berkely, Earle of Nottingham, and Earle Marshall of England, was here inhumed; who died,
Ann. 1492.
This
William (as I had it from my deceased friend,
Mss.Aug. Vincent) by his deed dated the third of Nouember,
Ann. 6.
Hen. 7 gaue one hundre
[...] pounds to the Prior of this house, for two Masses to be said presently, and for euer, at the Altar of our Lady, and Saint
Iames. Betweene which Altars the body of his wife
Ioan (who liued but a few dayes with him, and is not at all mentioned in the Catalogues of Honour) was buried, who was the widow of Sir
William Willoughbie, before the marriage with the Marquesse. And to pray for the prosperous estate of the said Marquesse, and of
Anne his then wife, and of
Edward Willoughby, Richard Willoughby, Anne Beauchampe, and
Elisabeth Willoughbie, with all the issue of the said
William and
Ioane; and especially for the soules health of the said
Ioane, and of
Katherine her mother, Duchesse of Norfolke.
Here sometime lay sumptuously entombed,
[...] Duke
[...]. the body of
Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham; who by the sleights and practises of Cardinall
Wolsey, fell into displeasure with king
Henry the eight; and being condemned of high Treason, for that (among other matters) hee had consulted with a Monke (or wizard) about succession of the Crowne, was beheaded on the Tower hill, May the 17. 1521. He was a noble Gentleman, exceedingly much lamented of good men. Of whose death, when the Emperour
Charles the fifth heard, he said that a Butchers dogge (meaning the Cardinall, a Butchers sonne) had deuoured the fairest Buck (alluding to the name of Buckingham) in all England.
Here was interred the bodie of
Edward,Edward the eldest sonne of
Edward the black Prince the eldest sonne of
Edward the blacke Prince, by
Ioan his wife, surnamed the faire Maide of Kent; who was borne at Angolesme,
Ann. 1375. and died at 7. yeares of age.
Many of the Barons slaine at Barnet-field, vpon Easterday, 1471. were buried here in the bodie of the Church; but now their bodies, with these before remembred, and the bodies of an hundred more (mentioned by
Stow) of exemplarie note and knights degree, are not onely despoiled of all outward funerall ornaments, but digged vp out of their Requietories, and dwelling houses raised in the place, which was appointed for their eternall rest. Some part of this Church is at this day yet standing, but in that no monument of this kinde is remaining; for it is conuerted into a Church for the Duch-Inhabitants of this Citie: who, in that kinde, can hardly brooke any reuerend Antiquitie.
Saint
Botolphs Bishopsgate.
Hic iacet Cardina vxor Richardi Shoder militis,Cardina Shoder and
Ioan her daughter.& Iohanna filia eorundem ...... 14.
April, 1471.
Sub hoc marmore iacet corpus Iohannis Redman,Io. Redman Rector.quondam huius Ecclesie Rectoris benemerentissimi, qui ab hac luce migrauit, tertio die Iulij, Ann. Dom. 1523.
Neare to this gate (if wee giue credit to our owne ancient Chronicles)
Nennius the sonne of
Hely,Nennius Helius Duke of Loegria. and brother of
Lud and
Cassibelane, kings ouer
[Page 420] the warlike Britaines, was interred. A man of a magnanimous spirit, heroicall, and valiant. Who in the warres betweene
Iulius Cesar and the Britaines, sought couragiously in defence of his countrey, causing
Cesar to flie backe with the losse of his sword, which
Nennius tooke from him in single encounter,
[...]lores Hist. aetal. s. ca. 26. and with which he slew
Labienus Tribune of the Romane Nobilitie. But the fifteenth day after this single opposition, hee died of a wound receiued at the hands of
Cesar in the same conflict: the yeare of the worlds creation, 3913. before the birth of our alone Sauiour, 51. And here (as I haue said) was entombed with all funerall state and solemnitie: and with him the sword which he tooke from
Cesar the Emperour, as he himselfe commanded. Which sword was called Reddeath, or rather Readie-death; wherewith if any one had beene neuer so little wounded,
Cui nomen erat Cr
[...]a Mors, quia null
[...]s ab eo vulneratus vinus e
[...]adeba
[...]. Id. eod. he could neuer escape with life. Which you shall haue in such old verse as came to my hands.
Rob. Glocest.
At the north yate of London hii buriede this gud knyght,
And buriede in hys chest, the swerd that was so bryght,
That he wan of the Emperor wythe grete honor enough,
That Reddedeth was ycluped, whar with he hym slough,
I buriede wyth hym hit was, as in tokneyinge
Of hys Proesse, that he hit wan of on, so heigh a kyng.
I haue some other of the same subiect, but of later times, if you will reade them.
But
Neminus brother of
Cassybalayne
Io. Harding, c 44
Full manly fought on
Iulius tymes twayne.
With strokes sore, ayther on other bette,
But at the last this Prince syr
Iulius,
Crosea mors his swerde in shelde sette,
Of the manly worthy Sir
Neminus,
Whiche of manly force and myght vigorous,
The swerde he brought away oute of the felde,
As
Iulius it set faste in his shelde.
Through whiche stroke, Sir
Neminus then died,
And buried was at the North gate certayne,
Of London then, where now is edified
London Citee, royall of all Britayne.
Thus this worthy knyght in his graue befayne,
Crosea mors his swerde layd by his syde,
Whiche he brought from
Iulius that tyde.
Bale C
[...]nt primaBy the testimonie of
Iohn Bale, this his manly prowesse was embellisht, and adorned with all good literature, who affirmeth that he writ an excellent Historie of the originall, pedigree, and progresse of his owne Nation.
This was the Church to the Nunnerie,
The foundation of the Nunnery of S.
Helen. founded first by
William Basing, Deane of
Pauls (who lieth here buried) about the yeare 1212. and afterwards by another
William Basing (one of the Sheriffes of London, in the second yeare of
Edward the second) augmented both in building and reuenue. For which he is also holden to bee a Founder. This religious house was dedicated to the honour of Saint
Helen, and replenished with blacke Nunnes. There was a partition betwixt the Nunnes Church, and the Parish-Church, but now the whole Church belongeth to the Parish. It was surrendred the 25. of Nouember, the 30. of
Henry the 8. being valued at 314. l. 2. s. 6. d. of yearely reuenues.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Crosby Militis Ald. atque tempore vite Maioris Staple ville Caleis;Sir
Io. Crosby Maior of the Staple.& Agnetis vxoris sue, ac Thome, Richardi Iohannis, Iohannis, Margarete, & Iohanne liberorum eiusdem Iohannis Crosby militis ille obiit, 1475
& illa 1466.
quorum animabus propitietur Deus.
This
Crosby was Sheriffe of London, the yeare 1470. He was the builder of
Crosby house. He gaue fiue hundred Markes towards the reforming of this Church, which was bestowed (saith
Stow) with the better. As appeareth by his Armes both in the stone-worke, roofe of timber, and glasing; it is a fable said of him, to be named
Crosby, of being found by a Crosse.
Not long after the second foundation of this house, by
William Basing the second, I finde one
Henry Gloucester, Citizen and Goldsmith of London (descended by the mothers side from the second Founder) to be here interred, approued by his last Will and Testament, written in the Latine tongue (which was vsuall in former times) with which, for forme and Antiquities sake, I thinke it not much amisse to acquaint my Reader.
In nomine patris & silij & Spiritus sancti,Mss. in bib. CotAmen. Ego Henricus de Gloucestre, ciuis & Aurifaber London, condo Testamentum meum in hunc modum. Lego corpus meum ad sepeliendum apud Sanctam Elenam London; vbi priorissa et conuentus eiusdem domus ibidem eligere voluerint. Item lego Elisabeth filie mee, Moniali eiusdem domus, Sancte Elene, sex solid. Item lego Priorisse et Conuentui Sancte Elene vndecim Marcas Argenti annuatim ad inueniend. duos Capellanos Diuina celebrare in eadem Ecclesia Sancte Elene, pro anima mea, et anima Margarete quondam vxoris mee, ac pro animabus Wille
[...]mi patris mei, et Willelme matris mee, sil. Thome de Basings, fratris Willelmi de Basings Fundatoris, &c. Residuum vero lego ad sustentationem Iohannis filij mei. Et si idem Iohannes filius meus sine prole obierit, integre remaneat Iohanne filie mee et heredibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis. Item lego Elisabeth silie me duas Schopas ahenas. Item lego Iohanne Adynet nepte mee quinque solidos. Dat. et act. London. die Iouis prox. post festum Sancti Andree Apostoli, Ann. Dom. 1332.
Reg. Regis, Ed. 3.6.
Probatum fuit hoc presens Testamentum, xv. Kal. Ianuarij, Ann. Dom. 1332.
Ann. 6.
Ed. 3.
Saint
Trinities in Leaden-Hall.
This Chappell was first built by
Simon Eyre, before remembred, who
[Page 422] left liuelihood to the Drapers sufficient, and withall a charge, That they should within one yeare after his decease, establish perpetually a Master or Warden, fiue secular Priests, sixe Clarkes, and two Queristers, to sing daily diuine Seruice by note in the same for euer, which was neuer performed. Not long after this,
The Founda
[...]ion of a Brotherhood of
[...]. Priests in
[...]e
[...]den-Hall Chappell. in the yeare, 1466.
Ed. 4.6.
William Rouse, Iohn R
[...]sby, and
Thomas Ashby Priests, founded a Fraternitie in the same Chappell, dedicated to the blessed Trinitie, for threescore Priests; some of which, euery Market day in the forenoone, did celebrate diuine Seruice, to such Market people, as would repaire to prayer.
The Priory of Christ-Church by Aldgate.
The foundation of the Priory of Christ-Church Aldgate.This Priory was founded by
Matilda, Queene, wife to
Henry the first, the yeare 1108. for Canons Regular. The first Prior hereof was one
Norman, and he was the first Canon Regular in all England. This house was founded (saith
Stow) in the Parishes of
Mary Magdalene, S.
Michael, Saint
Katherine, and the holy Trinitie. All which are now but one Parish of Christ-Church, in old time called, Holy Roode Parish. She gaue vnto this Church, and those that serued God therein, the Port of Aldgate, and
[...]he Soke thereunto belonging, with two parts of her rent, which she receiued out of the Citie of Exceter. It became in processe of time rich in lands and ornaments, and passed all the Priories in London. This Priory was surrendred to the king in the moneth of Iuly, 1532. The Canons were sent to other houses of their owne order, and the said Priory with the appurtenances, King
Henry gaue to Sir
Thomas Audley, Baron
Audley of Walden, and Lord Chancellour of England: which came by marriage of the Lord
Audleies daughter, and heire vnto
Thomas, not long since, Duke of Norfolke, and was then called the Dukes place. The Monuments which sometimes were in this Church, are set downe by that laborious Antiquarie,
Io Stow, in his Suruay.
Saint Dunstans in the East.
Will. Payne.
Clausus in hoc tumulo Gulielmus Payne requiescit,
Quem sacer edituum fouerat iste locus.
Clarum cui virtus, Ars et cui Musica nomen
Edwardi quarti Regis in Ede dabat.
Si tibi sit pietas, Tumuli si cura, viator,
Hoc optesilli quod cupis ipse tibi.
Ob.
1508.
Clement Towne.Here lieth
Clement Towne . . . . 1540. . . . whos obiit shall for euer be observyd in this church, and his Masse alwayes vpon the day followyng, whos soul and his two wyfs souls,
Elisabeth and
Elisabeth, and al their chyldrens souls Iesus take to his glorious mercy. Amen.
What I gaue, that I haue, what I spent, that I had:
Thus I count all my cost, what I left, that I lost.
Within this parish was a Friery or Brotherhood founded by
Raph Hosiar and
William Sabernes,The foundation of the C
[...]ouc
[...]d Friers.Anno 1298. These Friers by their order were called
Fratres sanctae crucis, Brethren of the holy crosse, so denominated of wearing a Crosse (anciently called a Crouch) vpon their garments, and of bearing the crosse for the badge and Armes of their house. This house was valued at the suppression to 52 l. 13 s. 2 d. of annuall profits.
A Petition to Secretary
Cromwell against the Prior of this house, a little before the dissolution thereof.
Pleasethe it your honourable mastoreship to be aduertesid,
Ex quibusel. Collect. in sepe dict bib. Cot. that in the time of Lent last past, your continuall orator
Iohn Bartelote, with others, to the number of fiue persons of good conuersation, found the Priore of the Crossyd Friores in London,
The Priore of Crouched Friers found in bed with hi
[...] wench. at that time, being in bed with his whoore both naked about xi. of the clocke in the forenoone vpon a Friday; at which time the said Priore to the intent his misdemeanour and shamefull fact should not be knowne, whereby he should sustaine open shame, kneeled vpon his knees, and not onely desired your said orator and his company to keepe secret his said act, and not to disclose in any wife the same, but for the same intent freely, and of his owne motion, gaue amongst them about xxx l. which he then was possessed of; of the which summe your Orator had by the said gift about vii l. And also the said Priore promised to giue amongst the said company xxx l. more by a certaine day, and after by mediation of friends of the said Priore, the said xxx l. was released to the summe of vi l. which sixe pounds the said Priore bound himselfe to pay to the said Orator by his Bill obligatory at a certaine day in the same limeted: Yet this notwithstanding, for by cause your said Orator for non paiment of the said vi l. did arrest the said Priore, he hath so hainously informed the Lord Chancelour against your Orator, that he will onely put him to shewertie, making the premisses a hainous Robbery, saying openly that your Orator is worthy to be hanged but also will by his high authoritie, compell your Orator to repay agen to the said Priore the some of xxx l. vnlesse your most charetable goodnesse bee therein otherwise shewed. It may therefore plese your good Mastershipe of your abundant goodnesse to prouide that the premeses may be duly examined, according to equitie; for this is the very and
[Page 424] hole truth in the same. And your seid Oratore shall prey to God for your honor and preseruation long to endure.
By your humble Oratore to his power during his life, Iohn Bartelote.
Saint Katherines by the Tower:
Foundation of S.
Katherines Hospitall.This was the Church belonging to the Hospitall, dedicated to the honour of Saint
Katherine, founded by Queene
Maud, the wife of King
Stephen, and much augmented by
Eleanor the wife of King
Edward the first, and
Philip wife to King
Edward the third, who left to it sufficient liuelihood: for a Master, 3 Brethren, Chaplaines, and 3 Sisters, tenne poore women, and sixe poore Clarkes. This house was valued at the generall suppression, at 315 l. 14 s. 2 d.
per annum.
Iohn Holland Duke of Excester.Here vnder an Ancient monument
[...]ouly defaced, lieth entombed the body of
Iohn Holland, Duke of Exceter, Earle of Huntington, and of Iuory in Normandy, Lord of Sparre, Admirall of England, Ireland, and Aquitaine, Lieuetenant Generall of the Duchie of Aquitaine, Fellow of the honourable order of the Garter, and Constable of the Tower of London, as he writ in his stile;
Ca
[...]al. of honour.
[...]tow Annal. when
Henry the fift, in the fift of his raigne, was to goe ouer into Normandy, this puissant
Iohn Holland, as then but Earle of Huntington, was sent before to scoure the seas, who meeting with nine Carrickes of Genoa, which were going to aide the French King, fought with them, and sunke sixe of them, and tooke the other three, with great store of money and treasure, and brought them, with his prisoners, to the King. This battaile was fought nere Harflew vpon the fall of the Riuer Seyne into the narrow seas, of which an old versifier
Harding.
They faught full sore, afore the water of Sayn,
With Carrickes many, well stuffed and arayed,
And many other shippes great of Hispayn,
Barges Balyngers and Galleys vnfrayed,
Whiche proudly came vpon our Shippes vnprayed.
And by th'euen their sailes aualed were set,
Their enemies slaine in battayll, and sore bet.
And many dryent, were that daye in the Sea,
That as our flete rode there then alway,
Vnto the feast next of his Natiuitee,
The Bodies flete among our Shippes eche daye.
Full piteous was, and to see theim ay,
That thousandes were twenty, as they then told,
That taken were in that same batayll bold.
[Page 425]This valiant braue Duke died full of yeares the fift of August, in the 25. yeere of King
Henry the sixt,
Anno 1447.
Here lye entombed by him, his two wiues; the first was
Anne,Anne the first wife of
Iohn, Duke of Exceter. daughter of
Edmund, Earle Stafford by his wife
Anne, the heire of
Thomas of Woodstocke, Duke of Glocester, by whom hee had issue,
Henry Duke of Exceter. She had bin formerly married vnto
Edmund Mortimer Earle of March and Vlster. I cannot finde the time of her death.
His second wife here entombed was also
Anne,Anne the second wife of
Iohn, Duke of Exceter. daughter of
Io. Mountague, the third of that name, Earle of Salisbury, who formerly had bin twise married, to Sir
Richard Hanckford, & to Sir
Iohn Fitz-Lewis Knights. She died the 27 of Nouember, 1457.
Here lieth likewise entombed,
Constance, Dutchesse of Norfolke. the body of
Constance, sister of the foresaid
Iohn, Duke of Exceter, daughter of
Iohn Holland, first of that name, Duke of Exceter, married to
Thomas Lord
Mowbray, (the sonne of
Thomas, who died in banishment) Duke of Norfolke, Earle of Nottingham, and Earle Marshall of England, and remarried to Sir
Iohn Grey, Lord
Grey of Ruthin; she died the sixteenth of
Henry the sixt.
New Abbey in East-Smithfield.
Before the foundation of this Abbey,
Catal. of Hon.
Vincent.The foundation of East-minster to the honour of God and our Lady of Grace. there stood in the same place, a little Chappell within a Coemitorie or Church-yard dedicated to the honour of God, by
Raph Stratford Bishop of London, wherein were interred innumerable many of such persons as died in the first great Pestilence, the 23 of King
Edward the third. Now the said King liking well this plot of ground, (and hauing before in a tempest on the sea, and perill of drowning, made a vow to build a Monastery to the honour of God, and our Lady of Grace, (if God would grant him grace to come safe to land) builded here a Monastery, wherein he placed white Monkes of the Cistercian order;
Stow Suruay. which house at the generall suppression, was valued at 546 l. 10 d. yearely. The Kings store-house for victuall, and for baking of Biskets to serue his Maiesties Ships, is built in the same place where this Abbey stood.
The Minories.
Here was an Abbey of Nunnes,
The foundation of the Abbey of S.
Clare, Nunnes, called the Minories. of the order of Saint
Clare, founded by
Blanch, Queene of Nauarre, and her husband
Edmund, Earle of Lancaster, Leicester, and Darby, brother to King
Edward the first, in the yeere 1293. This house was valued to dispend yeerely 418 l. 8 s. 5 d. and was surrendred by Dame
Elizabeth Sauage, the last Abbesse there, vnto King
Henry the eight, in the 30 of his raigne.
Saint Botolphs Algate.
In this Church ouer a vault, is a faire tombe of Alabaster, curiously wrought, hauing these lines following engrauen thereon.
[Page 426]The buriall place of s
[...]me of the honourable family of the
Darcies.Here lyeth
Thomas Lord
Darcy, of the north, and sometime of the order of the Garter. Sir
Nicholas Carew knight, sometime of the Garter; Lady
Elizabeth Carew daughter to Sir
Francis Brian Knight, and Sir
Arthur Darcy Knight, yonger sonne to the aboue named Lord
Darcy, and Lady
Mary his deare wife, daughter to Sir
Nicholas Carew, knight, who had ten sonnes and fiue daughters: Here lye
Charles, William and
Philip, Mary and
Vrsula, sonnes and daughters to the said Sir
Arthur and
Mary his wife: whose soules God take to his infinite mercy,
Amen.
This
Thomas Lord
Darcy, and Sir
Nicholas Carew, (who was also master of the Kings Horse) were both beheaded on the Tower hill;
Stow. Annal. the first because he was one (howsoeuer constrained thereunto by the Rebels) of the commotion in Yorkeshire,
Anno 1536. the second, for being of councell with
Henry, Marquesse of Exceter, and
Henry Poole Lord
Mountague, who were indighted, and found guilty of high Treason, for deuising to maintaine, promote,
Cardinall
Poole. and aduance, one
Reginald Poole late Deane of Exceter, enemie to the King, beyond the sea, and to depriue the King,
Anno 1539.
Sir
Arthur Darcy here mentioned, was first buried in the new Abbey of Eastminster, wherein he deceased; Sir
Edward Darcy knight, sonne of Sir
Arthur, lieth with his noble Ancestors in the same vault; but hee died but lately.
Io Clerke Bishop of Bath and Welles.Hic iacet Iohannes Epis Bathon & Wellensis, qui cum plures insignes Legationes . . . . tandem obijt in Legatione Cleuensis . . . . Ianuar. M.ccccc.xl. cuius anime propitietur Altisimus.
Godwin Catal. of Bishops.This
Iohn Clerke, Doctor of Diuinitie and master of the Rolls, was brought vp in Cambridge, and consecrated to his Bishopricke, the yeare 1523. A man much imploy'd in Ambassages. He died as before, and was first buried in the Minories, being poysoned (as it was supposed) in Germany, when he went Embassadour to the Duke of Cleue, to render a reason of the Kings diuorce from the Lady
Anne of Cleue his sister.
The foundation of a Knightengild or Confrery without Aldgate.King
Edgar established here without Aldgate a Knightengield or Confrery, for thirteene knights or souldiers of good desert to him and the realme: the like by supposition saith
Verstegan, was in Knight-riders street, being the place where the residence or meeting of such Knights-riders with the King might be kept.
Saint Mary Bethlem.
The foundation of S.
Mary Bethlem.This Hospitall of Saint
Mary of Bethlem, was founded by
Simon Fitz-Mary, one of the Sheriffes of London, in the yeere 1246. He founded it to haue beene a Priorie of Canons, with Brethren and Sisters; it is now an Hospitall for distracted people, who are here receiued and kept, yet not without charges to their kindred, or friends:
Saint Mary Spitle.
This Hospitall was founded by
Walter Brune Mercer, and Sheriffe of
[Page 427] London,
The foundation of S.
Mary Spi
[...]le; and
Rosia his wife,
A.D. 1235. it was dedicated to the honour of Iesus Christ, and his mother the perpetuall Virgine
Mary, by the name of
Domus Dei, and
Beate Marie, extra Bishopsgate. This Hospitall surrendred to king
Henry the eight, was valued to dispend 478. l. 6. s. 8. d. wherein were found, besides ornaments of the Church, and other goods pertaining to the Hospitall, one hundred and fourescore Beds well furnished for receipt of the poore. This place is now best knowne by the Sermons there preached on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in Easter weeke.
Saint
Leonards Shordich.
So called of the Sordiches Lords thereof:
Sir
Io. Sordich Lord of Sordich.
Ex Mss. in
[...]ib Cott. one of which familie, namely, Sir
Iohn Sordich knight, flourished in the raigne of king
Edward the third; as appeares by this deed of grant to his Chaplaine
William Croston, here resident.
Sciant, &c. nos Ioh. de Sordich Miles et Elena vxor mea, et Nicholaus de Sordich dedimus Will. de Crostone Capellano, omnia illa Red. terr. que habuimus in Hackney, tam in Dominio quam in Seruitio, &c. Ann. Reg. Regis Edwardi tertij duodecimo. This knight serued in the warres vnder
Ed. the third in France; and is remembred in our Annals,
Ann. 14.
Ed. 3.
Orate pro animabus Humfredi Starky militis,Sir
Humphrey Starky knight, and
Isabell his wifenuper capitalis Baronis de Scaccario Domini Regis Henrici septimi et Isabelle vxoris eius, et omnium amicorum suorum, quorum, &c.
. . . . . . Erlington modo miles
Et Margareta coniux. . . . . . .
Sir Iohn Erlington
and Margaret
his wife.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sit pietate dei vita perhennis ei
M. C. quater x semel . . . . . . . . .
Vnder this defaced Monument, Sir
Iohn Erlington knight, with
Margaret his wife, daughter and heire to
Thomas Lord
Itchingham, widow to
William Blount, sonne and heire to
Walter Blount, the first Lord
Mountioy, lye entombed.
In this Church diuers honourable persons lie buried, of whom (because they dyed but in these later dayes) I shall speake hereafter. The plates with the Inscriptions of such Monuments as were of more Antiquitie, were all taken away for couetousnesse of the brasse, by one Doctor
Hanmer (as I haue it by relation of the Inhabitants) Vicar of this Church, which he conuerted into coine, and presently after (ashamed belike of such a detestable act) went ouer into Ireland, and there ignominiously ended his dayes.
The Priory of Holywell.
This was an house of blacke Nunnes,
The foundation of Holywell. anciently founded by a Bishop of London, and consecrated to the honour of God, S.
Iohn Baptist. Stephen Grauesend, Bishop of this Diocesse, about the yeare 1318. was hereunto a great benefactour. Sir
Thomas Louell knight of the Garter, in the raignes of King
Henry the seuenth, and of
Henry the eighth, with whom hee was of
[Page 428] Councell, was another benefactor, not onely in building a beautifull Chappell, wherein his body was interred, but in many other goodly buildings, and endowing the same with lands. In most of the glasse windowes of this house, these two verses following (not long since to be read) were curiously painted:
Sir
Thomas Louel
[...] Knight.
Al the Nunnes in Holywel,
Pray for the soul of Sir
Thomas Louel.
He died the 25. of May at Endfield,
Ann. 1524.
This Priory was valued at the suppression, to haue of Lands two hundred ninetie three pounds ten shillings three pence by yeare, which with the house were surrendred,
Ann. 1539. the one and thirtieth of
Henry the eight.
In
[...]ib. Cott.I finde in a pedegree of the right noble Lord
Francis, now Earle of Rutland, that Sir
George Mannors knight, Lord
Ros of Hamlake, being with King
Henry the eight, at the siege of Turney and Turwine, there tooke a grieuous sicknesse, whereupon he languished, in the same yeare of this their expedition into France; which was
Ann. Dom. 1513. And according to his will was here entombed in the Chappell, and neare to the high Altar of this Priory.
This Sir
George Mannors was the eldest sonne of Sir
Robert Mannors knight, by
Eleanor his wife, the daughter and heire of
Thomas Lord
Ros of Hamlake: hee married
Anne (the daughter and heire of Sir
Thomas, Saint
Leoger, or
Sellinger knight, begotten of his wife
Anne, Duchesse of Exceter, sister to king
Edward the fourth) by whom he had issue,
Thomas Mannors knight of the Garter, Lord
Ros of Hamelake, Belvoir, and Trusbut, and Earle of Rutland, the first of that Surname. As also
Oliuer, Anthony, Richard, Iohn, Elisabeth, Katherine, Eleanor, Cicely, or
Sisley, and
Anne.
This house, with a circuite of ground thereunto adioyning, tooke denomination of a certaine sweet, wholesome and cleare fountaine, or well, within the compasse thereof; which for the vertue of the water was amongst the common people reputed and called holy. It is now decayed, and indeed quite spoiled with soile, dung, and other filthinesse, purposely there laid, for the heighthening of the ground for garden plots.
The Priory of Clerkenwell.
This Priory was likewise so called of a Well not farre from the West end of the Church of the said Priory. Which Well tooke name of the Parish Clarkes in London, who of old time (saith
Stow in his Suruay of the said Citie) were accustomed there yearely to assemble, and to play some large history of holy Scripture.
This Priory was founded in the yeare of our redemption, one thousand one hundred, or thereabouts, by
Iordan Briset, a wealthy and deuout Baron, the sonne of
Rause, the sonne of
Brian Briset, who gaue foureteene acres of ground lying in the field neare vnto the said Clarkes well, to build thereupon an house for religious Votaries, blacke Nunnes. Which donation I haue read depensild vpon a table in the Church, which by the fall of the
[Page 429] Steeple (which tooke downe with it a great part of the Church) was battered all to peeces. The said
Iordan with
Muriell his wife (for shee is set downe to be co-foundresse with him) dedicated this their sacred structure to the honour of God, and the Assumption of the blessed Virgine
Mary.
Richard Beauveyes Bishop of London, about the yeare 1112. gaue certaine Lands at Muswell hill to the said Nunnery, now in the possession of Sir
Nicholas Roe knight,
Lib in lib. C
[...]ll confirmed by the Cartulary of king
Stephen; as it is in the Lieger booke of the said house.
Sciatis me confirmasse, &c. locum suum, &c. et quicquid Ricardus Episcopus London et Iordanus fil
[...]us Bricij, et alij Barones mei rationabiliter in Elemosinam dederunt. Henry the second, he confirmes the scite of the house and land thereunto adioyning, thus.
Sciatis me concessisse, &c. Ecclesie beate Marie de fonte Clericorum, et Monialibus ibidem deo seruientibus omnia subscripta, &c. scilicet ex dono Iordanis de Briseta et Murielis vxoris eius locum in quo habitant, infra ambitum muri earum, et terram quam extra habent circa muros earum in eodem campo, &c.
The names of the Prioresses of this house from the foundation vnto the dissolution, as they are set downe in the same booke, were these. First
Christiana. 2.
Ermegard. 3.
Hawisia. 4.
Eleonora. 5.
Alesia. 6.
Cecilia. 7.
Margerie Whatvile. 8.
Isabell. 9.
Alice Oxeney. 10.
Amice Marcy. 11
Denys Bras. 12.
Margery Bray. 13.
Ioan Lewkenor. 14.
Ioan Fulham. 15.
Katherine Braybroke. 16.
Luce Attewood. 17.
Ioan Viene. 18.
Margaret Bakwell. 19.
Isabell Wentworth. 20.
Margaret Bull. 21.
Agnes Clifford. 22.
Katherine Greene. 23.
Isabell Hussey. And the last Lady Prioresse of this house was
Isabell Sackvile, of the right honourable Familie of the
Sackviles, the Ancestors of Sir
Edward Sackvile, now Baron of Buckhurst, and Earle of Dorset. She lieth buried vnder a marble stone in the Church of the Nunnery neare vnto the high Altar, whereupon this Inscription, or Epitaph, is engrauen in brasse.
Hic iacet Isabella Sackvile,Isabell Sackvile Prioresse of S.
Maries Clerkenwell.quae fuit Priorissa nuper Prioratus de Clerkenwel, tempore dissolutionis eiusdem Prioratus, quae fuit 21.
Octobris, Ann. Dom. Millesimo quingentesimo septuagesimo: et Ann. Reg. Regin. Elisab. Dei gra. &c. duodecimo.
She made her last Will and Testament (as I finde it in the Prerogatiue office) the nineteenth day of February, in the said twelfth yeare of Queene
Elizabeth, wherein she bequeathes her body to be buried in Clarkenwell Church, and ordaines the right honourable the Lord of Buckhurst her Cosin, the ouerseer of this her Will, if it shall please his Lordship to take the paines:
She liued many yeares in the various dayes of diuers Princes: for I finde in the pedegree of the Earle of Dorset, that one
William Sackevyle, by his Will and Testament, dated the tenth day of August, in the 21. yeare of King
Henry the seuenth, gaue to his Neece
Isabell Sackvyle a certaine Legacie, she being as then a Nunne in the Priory of Clerkenwell.
Iordan Briset the foresaid Founder,
Iordan Briset &
Muriell his wife. died the 17. of September, about the yeare of our Lord, 1124. and
Muriell his wife, the first of May next following: they were buried both together in the Chapter-house of this Church, now called the old Vestrie.
[Page 430]In the
[...] the Chancell is a faire marble Tombe, with the
[...] of a dead man lying vpon his shroud:
[...]. the most artificially cut
[...]n stone that euer man beheld; all the plates of brasse are stolne away, onely some few peeces remaining, containing these words.
..... Hospitalitate inclytus, genere preclarus......
Hanc Vrnam offcij causa.......
Ecce quem cernis tuo nomini semper deuotum
Suscipe in sinum Virgo Maria tuum.
Spes me non fallat quam in te semper habebam
Virgo da facilem..........
This Monument was erected to the memory of Sir
William Weston knight, Lord Prior of Saint
Iohns Ierusalem, at the time of the dissolution of the said Priory, to whom
Henry the eight for his maintenance had allowed one thousand pound of yearely pension during his life. Of which summe he receiued neuer a penny: for so it fortuned, that vpon the seuenth day of May, 1540. being Ascention day, and the same day of the dissolution of the house, he was dissolued by death, which strooke him to the heart, at the first time when he heard of the dissolution of his order.
All the Funerall Monuments of Antiquitie in this Church (which were many) as you may reade in
Stowes Suruay, are quite defaced.
This Priory was valued at the suppression to be possest of 282. l. 16. s. 5. d. of yearely reuenues.
Within the close of this Nunnery is a faire spatious house, built of late by Sir
Thomas Challoner knight deceased: vpon the Frontispice whereof these verses were depensild, now altogether obliterated.
Casta fides superest, velatae tecta sorores
Ista relegatae desuruere licet:
Nam venerandus Hymen hic vota ingalia seruat
Vestalemque focum mente fouere studet.
The Nunnery (now the inheritance of the right honourable Sir
William Cauendish knight, Lord
Ogle, Viscount
Mansfield, and Earle of Newcastle) being opposite to this new braue building, ministred (belike) occasion and matter for the making of this said Inscription.
This Hexamiter following is painted vnder a Sunne diall in the entrance vnto the Nunnery.
Non aliter pereo species quam futilis Vmbrae.
The Priory of S. Iohn of Ierusalem.
Iordan Briset hauing first founded the Priory of Nunnes here by Clerkenwell, as aforesaid, bought of the said Nunnes ten Acres of ground, giuing them for the said ten Acres, twenty Acres of land in his Lordship of Willinghale, or Wellinghall in Kent. Vpon which ground (lying neare vnto the said Priory) hee laid the foundation of a religious structure for the knights Hospitalers of S.
Iohn of Ierusalem. These following are the words
[Page 431] out of the Register booke of the Deedes of the said house, written by one
Iohn Stilling-fleete, a brother of the house,
circa ann. 1434. to the end that their benefactors names being knowne,
Mss. in bib. Cot. they may be daily remembred in their prayers.
Iordanus Briset Baro tempore regis Hen. primi circa an. Dom. 110.
fundauit domum ac Hospitale S. Iohns de Clerkenwel: Hic etiam erat Fundator domus Monialium de Clerkenwel, ac ab eis emit decem acras terre, super quas dictum Hospitale ac domum fundauit: & pro illis decem acris terre, dedit illis Monialibus viginti acras terre in Dominico suo de Willinghale in com. Cant. &c.
In ye yere of Criste (as I haue the words out of an old Mss) 1185. ye vj. Ides of Merche,
In bib Cott. ye dominical lettre being
F, ye Chyrche of ye Hospitall of S:
Iohns Ierusalem, was dedicatyd to ye honor of S.
Iohn Baptiste by ye worschypfull fader
Araclius Patriarke, of ye resurrection of Christe, ye sam dey was dedycatyd ye hygh Altr
[...], and ye Altre of S.
Iohn Euangelist by ye sam Patryarke. The said
Heraclius in the same yeare, dedicated the Church of the new Temple, as hereafter is spoken.
Within a short time, this Hospitall began to flourish, for infinite were the donations of all sorts of people to this Fraternitie, as in the Beadroul of their benefactors is specified; but aboue all their Benefactors, they held themselues most bound to
Roger de Mowbray, whose liberalitie to their order was so great, that by a common consent in their chapiter, they made a decree, that himselfe might remit and pardon any of the Brotherhood whomsoeuer, in case he had trespassed against any of the statutes and ordinances of their order, confessing and acknowledging withall, his offence and errour. And also the knights of this order granted, in token of thankefulnesse to
Iohn de Mowbray, Lord of the Isle of Axholme, the successour of the foresaid
Roger, that himselfe and his successours, in euery of their couents & assemblies, as well in England, as beyond seas, should be receiued & entertained alwaies in the second place next to the King. Thus through the bounty both of Princes & priuate persons, they rose to so high an estate, and great riches, that after a sort (saith
Camden) they wallowed in wealth;
Camd. in A
[...]dl. for they had about the yeere of our Lord 1240. within christendome, nineteene thousand Lordships or Manours: like as the Templars nine thousand (the reuenewes and rents whereof fell afterwards also to these Hospitallers.) And this estate of theirs growne to so great an height, made way for them to as great honours; so as the Priore of this house was reputed the prime Baron of the land, being able with fulnesse & abundance of all things to maintaine an honourable port.
Robertus Botill Prior, Hospita
[...]u Sancti Iohan
[...] Ierusalem in Anglia: primus Baro regni Angliae & consiliarius Rog
[...] [...] Arch Turris London secund
[...] parspat A
[...]o 10. Ed 4
[...]. 13. And thus they flourished for many yeeres in Lordly pompe, vntill a Parliament begun the 18. of April, 1540.
Anno 32.
Henry 8. their corporation was vtterly dissolued, the King allowing to euery one of them, onely a certaine annuall pension during their liues; as you may reade in the Annals of England.
The value of this foundation in the Kings bookes, was 3385 l. 19 s. 8 d. of ancient yeerely rent.
This Priory Church and house was preserued from spoile, or downe pulling, so long as
Henry the 8 raigned, but in the 3 of King
Ed. the sixt, the Church for the most part, with the great Bell-tower (a most curious piece
[Page 432] of workemanship, grauen, gilt and enameld, to the great beautifying of the Citie, saith
Stow) was vndermined and blowne vp with Gun-powder; the stone whereof was imployed in building of the Lord Protectors house in in the Strand.
The Charter-house.
The foundation of
[...]he Charterhouse.Sir
Walter Manny Knight of the Garter, Lord of the towne of
Manny in the Dioces of Cambrey, beyond the seas; in that raging pestilence in the 23 of King
Ed. the 3. when Churches & Church-yards in London might not suffice to bury the dead, purchased a piece of ground in this place called
Spitle croft, containing 13 acres and a Rodd, and caused the same to bee enclosed for burials, and dedicated by
Raph Stratford Bishop of London; in which place, and in the same yeere, more then 50000 persons were buried, in regard of such a multitude here interred: he caused a Chappell here to be builded, wherein Offerings were made, and Masses said for the soules of so many Christians departed. And afterwards about the yeere 1371. he caused here to be founded, an house of Carthusian Monkes, which he called the
Salutation: which house at the dissolution, was valued to be yeerely worth, sixe hundred forty two pounds, foure pence halfe penny.
Stow Suruay.Iohn Stow saith, that he had read this Inscription following, fixed on a stone crosse, sometime standing in the Charter-house Church yard.
Anno Domini M.ccc.xl.ix. Regnante magna pestilentia, consecratum fuit hoc Cemiterium, in quo & infra septa presentis Monasterij, sepulta fuerunt mortuorum Corpora, plusquam quinquaginta millia, preter alia multa abhinc vsque ad presens, quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Ex Mss. in bib. Cot.This inscription vpon the foresaid Stone Crosse, as also the relation before, was taken out from the words of his charter, the substance whereof followeth.
Walterus Dns. de Many, &c. cum nuper pestilentia esset tam grandis & vi
[...]lenta in ciuitate London quod Cemiteria Ecclesiae ciuitatis non possunt sufficere pro sepultura a personarum in eadem pestilentia discedentia, nos moti pietate habentes respectum, &c. Purchased 13. acres of land without Smithfield Barres, in a place called Spitle croft, and now called new Church-Haw, for the buriall of the persons aforesaid, and haue caused the place to be blessed by
Raph then Bishop of London: in which place,
plus quam Quinquaginta millia personarum de dicta pestilentia morientium sepulti fuere. And there for our Ladies sake wee founded a Chappel, & of the holy order of the Cartusians, made there a Monastery, by consent of the Prior or Cartuse Maior in Sauoy, &c. for the health of King
Edward the third, and Dame
Margaret his wife:
Hijs Testibus. Iohn Hastings of Penbroke,
Humfrey Bohun of Hereford:
Edmund Mortymer of Mar
[...]h, and
William de Monteacuto of Sarum, Earles.
Iohn de Barnes Maior of London;
William de Walworth, and
Robert de Gayton Sheriffes.
Dat apud London 20
Martij, Anno Regni Reg. Ed. 3.45.
The death of the Founder.Sir
Walter Manny, or
de Manie, the foresaid Founder, was buried here in his owne Church, who deceased in the same yeere that he laid his foundation,
[Page 433] 137
[...]. His death was much lamented, by the King, the Nobilitie, and commons of all England; for, with singular commendations, hee had for a long time serued vnder
Edward the third in the French warres, and was employed by him vpon seuerall Embasies, and his truth and good councell was euer much auailable to the whole state of the kingdome. His obsequies were performed with great solemnity; King
Edward the third, and all his children, with the greatest Prelates, and Lord Barons of the kingdome, being there present.
Margaret, Lady
Many, and Du
[...]chesse of Norfolke. His wife
Margaret, was here entombed with him; by whom he had issue,
Thomas Manye, who in his youth was drowned in a Well at Detford in Kent, and
Anne, then his onely daughter, and heire, married to
Iohn, Lord
Hastings, Earle of Penbroke:
Margaret,Suruay.
[...] Lady
Manye, saith
Iohn Stow, here interred, (yet the Catalogue of Honour will haue her to be buried in the Minories) died the 24. of March, 1399. she was the onely daughter of
Thomas of Brotherton, Earle of Norfolke, and Marshall of England, second sonne of King
Edward the first, and her fathers onely heire after the death of her brother
Edward, which happened in the same yeare that his father departed the world. She was for the greatnesse of her birth, her large reuenewes and wealth, created Dutchesse of Norfolke for terme of life: she had beene first married to
Iohn Lord
Segraue,Vin
[...]e
[...]t C
[...]t
[...]l. Norf. and her last husband was the foresaid Sir
Walter Manny.
Here sometime was interred the body of
Philip Morgan, Doctor of Law,
Philip Morgan Bishop of Ely. Chancelour of Normandy, and Bishop of Ely; a very wise man, who with great commendations gouerned that See nine yeeres sixe moneths, and foure daies, and departed this life at Bishops-Hatfield, October 25. 1434.
Many funerall monuments were in this Church,
Suttons Hospitall. as you may finde them mentioned in the Suruay of London.
This religious house is now turned into an Hospitall, consisting of a Master, a Preacher, a Free-Schoole with a Master and an Vsher, fourescore decaied gentlemen Souldiers, and forty schollers, maintained with sufficient cloathing, meate, drinke, lodging, and wages; besides Officers and Ministers to attend vpon them all; so that the whole number now in the house with the attendants, is one hundred and fourescore. The greatest gift that euer at any time in England, no Abbey (at the first foundation thereof) excepted, or therewith to bee compared, being the gift of one man onely, whose name was
Thomas Sutton of Castle Campes, in the County of Cambridge Esquire, borne at Knaith in the County of Lincolne, who liued to the age of 79 yeares, and deceased the 12. day of December, 1611. somewhat before this his famous Foundation was fully accomplished.
Great Saint Bartholomewes.
This Priorie was founded by one
Rahere,The foundation of great Saint Bartholomewes. a pleasant conceited wittie gentleman, and a Courtier in the raigne of King
Henry the first, which he dedicated to the honour of God and Saint
Bartholomew, and placed therein blacke Canons, or Canons regular; himselfe became their first Prior; his foundation was confirmed in these words.
[Page 434] [...] Arch Tuvr
[...] London. Ca
[...]t. Ant. hier
[...], l.Henricus Rex, &c. Sciatis me concessisse, & presenti carta me confirmasse, Ecclesie beati Bartholomei London, que est Dominica Capella mea; et canonicis dominicis in ea Domino seruientibus, quod sint ab omni subiectione & terrena seruitute liberi; vt sic aliqua Ecclesia in tota Anglia magis libera, &c. dat. per manum nostram apud Winton, 15
Iunij, Anno reg. 37.
Here he died, and was here buried in a faire monument, renewed by Prior
Bolton, [...]illiam Bolton the last Prior of S Bartholomewes. which
Bolton was the last Prior of this house; a great builder and repairer of the Priorie, and the Parish Church, and of diuers lodgings belonging to the same: as also of new he builded the Mannor of Canonbury (now called Canbury) at Islington, which belonged to the Canons of this house. This
Bolton and the rest of his brethren were portraied vpon a Table sometimes hanging in this Church, now it is in Sir
Robert Cottons Librarie, holding vp their hands to the Crucifixe, vnder whom, these verses were depensi
[...]d.
Gulielmo Bolton precibus succurrite vestris
Qualis erat pater hic, Domus hec, & cetera monstrant.
He died at his Parsonage house at Harrow vpon the hill (as I haue it by relation) the fourth of
Edward the sixt, and was there interred.
He surrendred vp this his Priorie the 30 of
Henry the 8. which was then valued at 757 l. 8 s. 4 d. ob q. by yeere.
Roger Walden Bishop of London.Here sometime lay entombed the body of
Roger Walden, Bishop of London. Neuer had any man better experience of the variable vncertaintie of worldly felicity, then he; for from the estate of a very poore man, he was suddenly raised to be Treasurer of England (hauing beene first Secretarie to the King,
Godwin de praesulibus Angl. Deane of Yorke, and Treasurer of the towne of Calis) and then made Archbishop of Canterbury; which honour he enioyed not past two yeares, but was remoued from the same, and forced to leade a priuate life a long time. At last being once more lift vp to the honour of this Bishopricke of London; he left this present life within the compasse of the yeere following. Of this man thus writeth
Thomas Walsingham, who liued in those times, and much what to the same effect. I will vse his owne language.
Vpodigma Neustricae.Anno 1406.
Dominus Rogerus de Waldene debitum Naturae soluit, qui varia fortuna vectus expertus est sub breui tempore.
Quam sit inconstans, incerta, volubilis ipsa,
Errans, instabilis, vaga, quae dum stare putatur,
Occidit, et falso mutatur gaudia vultu.
Nempe ex pauperculo factus est Regni Thesaurarius; and so proceeds on forwards with his story. Vpon his monument this Epitaph was inlayd in brasse.
Hic iacet Rogerus de Walden Episcopus Londinens. qui cum in vtraque fortuna plurimū laborauit ex hac vita migrauit, 2
die Nouem. an. dom. 1406,
Vir, cultor verus Domini, iacet intra Rogerus
Walden: Fortuna cus nunquam steterat vna.
[Page 435]Nunc requiem tumuli Deus omnipotens dedit illi,
Gaudet et in celis plaudet vbi quisque fidelis.
He denied his preferment to the Bishoppricke of London,
2.
Pars. Pat. An. 6
H. 4.
M. 20. being preferred vnto him by the Pope, saying, that he would not accept of it from any but from the king. As I finde thus recorded in the Tower.
Cum summus Pontifex nuper prouidisset Rogero Walden de Ecclesia Cathedral. London, prefatus tamen Rogerus dominicum beneficium sine Regis assensu, et licentia acceptare noluit, nec vult ni presenti Rex concedit eidem Rogero licentiam quod ipse tanquam verus Pastor, et Episcopus dicte Ecclesie Cathedralis eandem ecclesiam capere valeat et acceptare T. R. apud W. 24.
Iunij.
Little Saint Bartholomewes.
This Hospitall for the poore and diseased,
The foundation of Saint
Bartl. Hospital. was founded by the forenamed
Rahere Prior of great Saint
Bartholomewes, to be gouerned by a Master, and eight Brethren, being Priests for the Church: and foure Sisters, to see the poore serued. It was valued at the suppression to 305. l. 6. s. 7. d. yearely. The Church remaineth a Parish to the Tenants dwelling in the precinct of the Hospitall; in which are many faire Funerall Monuments. Whose Inscriptions (or the most of them) are set downe in the Suruay of London, these following onely omitted.
Hic iacent Thomas Malefant Miles Baro de Winwore,Sir
Tho Malilant or
Neufant, &
Margaret his wi
[...]e.et Dominus de S. George, in Com. de Clamorgan, et Dominus de Okneton et Pile, in Com. de Penbroke in Wallia, qui obijt 8.
die Maij 1438.
et Domina Margareta vxor eius, filia Thome Asteley. Ar. Nep. de Domino de Asteley, et Henricus
[...]ilius
[...]orundem Tho. et Margarete. Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus. Amen.
The xiiiic yere of our Lord seventy and three,
Sir
Will. Knight Priest.
Passyd Sir
William Knyght to God Almightie;
The fiftenth dey of Iuil; Master of this place.
Iesu for his mercy reioyce hym with his grace.
The xiiiic yere of our Lord and eight,
Sir
Rob. Greuil Priest.
Passyd Sir
Robart Greuil to God Almight,
The xii dey of April: Broder of this place,
Iesu for his mercy reioice him with his grace.
Philip Lewis restyth vnder yis ston,
Philip Lewis &
Agnes his wife.
Yat in Iun deseisyd the dey six and twenty,
Wyth
Agnes hys wyf, yat were both on,
The xiiiic yere of our Lord and seuen and fifty.
Subiacet ecce pede Iohn Stafford mortis in ede
Io. Stafford.
Iustus, deuotus, discretus, et ad pia motus:
Qui bona plura loco dum vixit contulit isti:
Mille quater centum quater et sexto quoque Christi,
In this Church lyeth buried the body of that vnfortunate Lord,
Thomas Fi
[...]es, [...] Baron
Dacres of the South. Who was executed at Tiborne the 29. of Iune, 1541. for that hee with others going to hunt in Master
Pelhams Parke at Laughton in Sussex, and meeting with some companie, casually by the way, with whom and his confederates, ensued a quarrell: in which a priuate man,
[...]. Annal. one
Iohn Busbrig was slaine by the said Lord, or some of his associates, which were
Io. Mantell, Io. Frouds, and
George (all three executed for the same fact at Saint
Thomas Waterings) The death of this Lord was generally lamented, being an hopefull gentleman of 24. yeares of age. This happened in that bloudie yeare, when
Henry the eight vnsheathed his sword vpon the neckes of the Nobilitie.
[...]. Goodf
[...]llowes [...].Here lieth the heart of
Iohn Goodfellow, for his sowl and al yat died wyth hym, and al Christen sowls, I prey yow for cherite sey a
Pater Noster and an
Ave Mary.
Saint
Bridgets or
Brides.
Will.
[...]euer and
Elizabeth his wife.
Vndyr this ston
William Weuer doth ly
Cityzon, and
Elisabeth his wyf hym by
He died the viii and she the vii dey of September,
Leuing
Geffrey, Mary, and
Ellin thar children as I remember▪
Whos sowls God receyve to fauor and pease,
Wyth Ioyes to lyve that neuyr sal cease. 1409.
The White Friers.
The foundation of the white Friers Carmelites.These Friers were called
Fratres beatae Mariae de monte Carmeli: first founded by Sir
Richard Grey knight, ancestor to the Lord
Grey of Codnor, in the yeare 1241. King
Edward the first gaue to the Prior and brethren of that house, a plot of ground here in Fleetstreet, whereupon to build their house: which was afterwards new builded by
Hugh Courtney (the third of that Christian name Earle of Deuonshire) the yeare before he died, which was
Aun. 1350. Sir
Robert Knolles knight, was a great builder here also, in the raigne of
Richard the second,
Stow S
[...]uay. and of
Henry the fourth: who (being borne but of meane parentage in the County of Chester) was by his valiant behauiour aduanced from a common Souldier (in the French warres vnder
Edward the third) to a great Commander; and being sent Generall of an Armie into France, in despite of their power, he draue their people before him like Sheepe,
Lamb peramb. destroying Townes, Castles, and Cities, in such a manner and number, that long after in memory of this act, the sharpe points and gable ends of ouerthrowne houses and Minsters, were called
Knolles Miters. After which minding to make himselfe as welbeloued of his countrey, as he was feared of forraine nations, hee built the goodly faire Bridge at Rochester,
Lamb. peramb. ouer the Riuer of Medway, with a Chappell and a Chantrie at the East end thereof. He founded a Colledge, with an Hospitall adioyning thereunto; in the Towne of Pontefract in Yorkeshire, of which hereafter. He founded also an Hospitall in the Citie of Rome, for entertainment of
[Page 437] English trauellers, or pilgrimes, to that Citie, in place where
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, had builded a Chappell of the holy Trinity, which to this day retaines the name, and is a Seminarie for our English Fugitiues. He deceased at his Mannor of Scone Thorpe in Norfolke, was brought to London, and honourably buried by the Lady
Constance his wife, in the body of this Church; which he had newly builded.
Ann. 1407. the 15. of August. Of whom in his life, saith
Stow, were made verses in Latine, thus by him put into English.
O
Robert Knowles, most worthy of Fame,
By thy Prowesse France was made tame.
Thy manhood made the French to yeeld,
By dint of sword in towne and feeld.
Here sometime lay entombed in a goodly Monument of Alabaster, the body of
Robert Mascall,Rob Mascall Bishop of Hereford. Bishop of Hereford, a man for his good learning and good life admired, and beloued of all men: He was often employed by
Henry the fourth (to whom he was Confessor) vpon Embasies to forraine Princes; and in the yeare 1415. sent with two other Bishops to the Councell of
Constance. Hee built the Quier, Presbytery, and Steeple of this Church; and gaue many rich ornaments to this religious house, wherein he died, 22. Decemb. 1416.
William Lord
Montacute Earle of Salisbury,
Will. Montag
[...] Earle of Salisbury.
Ypod
[...]g
[...] and king of the Isle of Man, was here entombed. Whose noble Acts (saith
Walsingham) to write worthily were a commendable matter. He founded the Abbey of Bisham Montague in Barkshire, and died at a Iusts and Turney at Windsore, in the yeare 1343.
For the rest here interred, I referre my Reader to the Suruay of London.
This house was valued at 26. l. 7. s. 3. d. and was surrendred the tenth of Nouember, the 30. of king
Hen. the eight.
Since the writing of the premisses,
Penes
[...] T
[...]swell. I chanced to haue the perusall of a Manuscript, penned in the praise of this religious Order; out of which I collected diuers Epitaphs, which in times past had beene engrauen vpon the Sepulchers of certaine Carmelites, here in the Church of this Priory interred. And first,
Stephen Patrington Bishop of S.
Dauids. I finde that
Stephen Patrington, vir omnibus praestantioribus animi dotibus, omnibus virtutibus preditus, et multiplici doctrinae varietate instructus, was here buried in the body of the Quire. He was borne in the County of Yorke, and brought vp in the Vniuersitie of Oxford, where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinitie. He writ many learned bookes, and was an admirable Preacher, to whose Sermons alwayes came an incredible concurse of people, saith
Leland. Hee was for the space of fifteene yeares Prouinciall of the Carmelites: Confessor he was to king
Henry the fourth, and held of him in great estimation, as also to his Queene, and his eldest sonne
Henry Prince of Wales; who when he came to the Crowne, preferred him to the Bishopricke of Saint
Dauids in Wales. Being at the Councell of
Constance, he was, by the Pope, translated to Chichester; not long after which he departed this world: and as it is in the Records in the Tower before his translation could be perfected: in the yeare 1417. the 22.
[Page 438] of September. But I will come to the Inscription vpon his Tombe, in verse and prose as followeth.
Hic Frater Stephanus de Patrington requiescit,
Nomine reque fuit norma, corona, Pater.
Ens Carmelitis Rector Doctor Prior Anglis;
Confessor celebris Regis et ipse manens,
Henrici Quinti, Meneuensis quoque Presul
C
[...]ristus in aureolam pillea mutet ei.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Magister Frater Stephanus Patrington, sacre Theologie venerabilis Doctor et Prior Prouincialis Fratrum Carmelitarum in Prouincia Anglie annis xv. Confessor Domini Regis Henrici quinti. Episcopus Meneuens. et Postulatus Cicestriens. obijt Londonijs in Conuentu. Ann. Dom. M.cccc.xvij.xxij. die Mens. Septembris.
Hic varia scripsit opuscula vtilitati Studentium.
Nich. Kenton.Here somtime lay buried the bodie of
Nicholas Kenton; borne in Kenton a village in Suffolke, about ten miles from Ipsewich; he was matriculated and instructed in the rudiments of learning amongst the Carmelites at Ipswich. From whence he went to Cambridge, where he attained to the full perfection of all solide discipline. In poesie and Rhetoricke hee was exquisitely well exercised, an acute Philosopher he was, and a singular diuine. He writ many learned Comments vpon sundrie places of the Scripture; and many other workes mentioned by
Bale; He was Prouinciall of his order in England for the space of twelue yeares; and had vnder his gouernment aboue a thousand and fiue hundred Carmelites. Hee desired, not long before his death, to giue ouer his Prouinciallship, saying,
Se iam malle precibus et Deo liberè vacare, quam praxi attendere, parere potius deinceps velle quam preesse. Which was granted after much earnest suite made to all his Couents. He died in the Dormitorie of this house, the fourth day of September, in the yeare of our Lord, 1468. to whose honour this riming Epitaph was annexed to his funerall Monument.
Kenton Doctoris Carmilite Nicholai,
Sic Peccatricis anime miserens Adonai.
Carmeli gentis curam qui rexit in Anglis
Ipsa bis senis fungens summus Prior annis.
Huic sibi propitius veniam prestet pater almus;
Cuius spiramen scandens supra astra sit. Amen.
Io. Miluerton.Iohn Miluerton, a Carmelite Frier of Bristow, was here entombed; hee was Doctor of Diuinitie, and of the Chaire, in the Vniuersitie of Oxford; from whence he was sent for to Paris, by
Iohn Sorethe the Prouinciall of his Order, where by a generall Synode he was chosen Prouinciall of his order, through England, Scotland, and Ireland. At length (because he defended such of his order as preached against endowments of the Church with temporall possessions) hee was brought into trouble, committed to prison in Castle S.
Angelo in Rome, where he continued three yeares, and at length was deliuered through certaine of the Cardinals, that were appointed his
[Page 439] iudges; but in the meane time he lost the Bishopricke of Saint
Dauids, to which he was elected. He writ diuers learned workes before, after, and during the time of his imprisonment, which are mentioned by
Bale in his fift centurie. At the last, full of yeeres and cares, he here ended his life, the last day saue one of Ianuary in the yeare of our redemption, 1486. and was buried in the Quire of this monasterie, with these nicking Hexameters engrauen vpon his monument.
Clauditur hic subtus prudens veri reserator,
Carmeli cultor, Doctrine firmus amator.
Rite Iohannes Oxoniensis in ordine Doctor
Sic orthodoxe sidei validus releuator.
Post Prouinquecialis vixit pluribus annis,
Mirifice crebro vexatus tempore dampnis
Huic reus est sceleris annus magni tribulantis,
Gaudeat ob meritum constans robur patientis,
Ipsum turbauit vir fortis perniciose,
Tandem Catholice trusus superat speciose.
Aureolam Deus vt det Myluerton numerose,
Optemus, fuerat plexus licet inuidiose.
Iohn Loneye Doctor of Diuinity,
Iohn Loney. and a Carmelite Frier, was here interred in the cloister of the Church, to whose memory this distich was made.
Clauditur hoc claustro Frater Loneye Iohannes
Expertus mundo celo fruiturus vt heres.
This
Loney,Pits. de illust. Aug. Scriptoribus. saith a late writer, was
vir acu
[...]i ingenij, magnae doctrinae, multae lectionis, boni zeli, multae industriae: A man of an acute wit, excellent doctrine, much reading, ardent deuotion, great industrie. Hee with twelue other Doctors did condiscend to the decree (saith my
Mss) of Master
William Barton, Chancellour of the vniuersitie of Oxford, for the condemning of the sixteene Articles of
Iohn Wickliffe of the Sacrament of the Altar.
An Epitaph vpon
Iohn Palgraue, Prior sometimes of this house.
Huius confratris grauis est instantia, causa
Qua domus hec superest proceraque fabrica libris,
Et murus validus excludit Tamesis vndas.
Vestes dat sacras sibi det vestes Deus albas.
Of this Prior I finde no further; neither of any other of the Carmelites buried within this conuentuall Church.
Black Friers Church in Oldborne:
In old time about the yeere 1221. there was a religious house of Friers Predicants, without the Bars in Oldborne; to which order,
Hubert de Burgo[Page 440] Earle of Kent, was an especiall Benefactor: giuing vnto them that noble Pallace at Westminster, now called White Hall: Thus
Hubert was a faithfull seruant to King
Iohn, and to his sonne
Henry the third, a carefull Patriot of the State, and one who vnfainedly loued his Country, who when he had made triall of the variable changes of Fortune,
Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent. as being seldome, or neuer, but either highly in the Kings loue, or in the Subiects hatred, or in the Kings heauy displeasure, and the peoples generall applause; lastly, being full fraught with yeers, as he was with many eminent vertues, he died, in the fauour of God, the King, and all good men, at his Mannor of Bansted in Surrey, the Ides of May,
Anno 1243. Hee was first here intombed, but afterwards (as though he had beene fatally ordained to take no more rest in his graue, then quietnesse in his world
[...]y employments) his body was translated, at the same time when these Friers were remoued from Oldborne into London, to that house now called the blacke Friers, neere vnto Ludgate: where belike it takes no better rest, then others haue done so buried.
Saint Dunstans in the West.
Iohn Gyles, Clerke of the petit Bagge.Hic iacet Iohannes Gyles nuper vnius Clericorum parue Bage cancell. Dominorum H. Regum septimi et octaui, ac custos siue clericus Rotulorum et Recordorum in Turri London remanentium qui obijt vltimo die Feb. Anno 1523.
cuius.
Clericus paruae Bagiae or Clarke of the Petit Bagge, is an Officer in the Chancerie,
Cowell lit. c. of which sort there be three, and the Master of the Rolles is their chiefe. Their Office is to record the returne of all Inquisitions, out of euery Shire, all Liueries granted in the Court of Wards, all
ouster les maines, to make all Patents of Customers, Gawgers, Controllers and Aulnegers; all
Conge d'eslires for Bishops, all Liberateis vpon extent of Statute Staples; the recouery of Recognisances forfeited, and all Elegits vpon them; the summons of the Nobilitie, Clergie, and Burgesses of the Parliament, Commissions directed to Knights, and other of euery shire, for seassing of the Subsidies, Writs for the nomination of Collectors, and all trauerses vpon any Office, bill, or otherwise, and to receiue money duel to the King for the same.
This Officer is mentioned,
Anno 33.
Hen. 8.
cap. 22. and it is like hee had first this denomination and stile of Petie Bagges, because hauing to doe with so many Records of diuers kindes, as aboue mentioned, they were put in sundry leather Bagges, which were not so great as the Clarke of the Hamper now vseth, and therefore might be called Petits Bagges, small or little bagges.
This
Iohn Gyles was also keeper or Clerke of the Rolles and Records in the Tower of London; an Office generally well knowne throughout all England; the master whereof at this day is that learned Gentleman, Sir
Iohn Borrowes Knight; vnder whom my vnderstanding friend
Will. Collet, and my industrious country-man,
Will. Riley, alias Rouge-Rose, Pursiuant at Armes, doe officiate the place.
Lawrence Bartelet.Dona requiem miserecordissime Iesu anime famuli tui Laurentij Bartl
[...]t, nuper Registrarij Episcopi Lincol. qui obijt ... die octob. An. 1470.
The first Founder hereof is not certainely recorded,
The first Sanctuary. some hold that it was built by
Dunwallo Mulmutius, about the yeare of the worlds creation, 4748 the precincts whereof, he made a Sanctuary, or a place of refuge for any person therein to be assured of life, liberty, and limbs, of which I haue spoken elsewhere.
Besides these priuiledges vnto Temples, hee constituted diuers good lawes. Of which he writ two bookes, the one called
Statuta municipalia, the other
Leges iudiciariae, which is as much to say, as the statute Law, and the common Law.
Cooke Reports 3 part
ad Lect. out of
Bale cent. 1. Hauing reduced his Realme into one Monarchie, being before by ciuill warres and dissention,
The death and buriall of
Mu
[...] mu
[...]us Donwallo. seuered and brought into diuers dominions. Hee raigned 40. yeares, died the yeare of the worlds creation, 4768. and was buried in this place, with other of the British Kings. But it appeareth by this inscription following ouer the Church doore in the stone worke, that this holy Structure was newly founded of farre later times, and dedicated to the honour of the blessed Virgine: yet I thinke it is farre more ancient.
Anno ab incarnatione Domini M.C.lxxxv. dedicata hec Ecclesia in honorem beate Marie,
The Foundation of the Temple Church.
a Domino Eraclio dei gratia Sancte Resurrectionis Ecclesie Patriarcha,
11 Idus Februarij. Qui eam annatim petentibus de iniuncta sibi Penitentia lx. dies indulsit.
Knights Templers were the last Founders of this house, which at the first were certaine noble Souldiers religiously bent, who bound themselues by vow in the hands of the Patriarke of Ierusalem to serue Christ after the manner of Regular canons, in chastitie and obedience, and to defend Christian Religion, the holy land, and Pilgrimes going to visite the Lords Sepulchre, they flourished for a time in high reputation, for pietie and deuotion, but as they increased in wealth, so they fell to wickednesse; insomuch that in the yeere 1308. all the Templers in England, as also in other parts of Christendome, were apprehended and committed to diuers Prisons, and
[Page 442] in the yeare 1312. all their lands were giuen to the Knights Hospitalers of the order of Saint
Iohn Baptist, called Saint
Iohn of
Ierusalem, as I haue said elsewhere.
There are in this Temple many very ancient monuments of famous men, (for out of what respect I know not King
Henry the third, and many of the Nobility, desired much to be buried in this Church) shaped in marble, armed, their legges crosse, whose names are not to be gathered, by any inscriptions, for that time hath worne them out; vpon the vpper part of one of their portraitures,
Camden saith that hee hath read.
Comes Penbrochie, and vpon the side this verse.
Miles eram Martis Mars multos vicerat armis.
Cant. in Midlesex London.
Of
Mars I was a doughty knight,
Mars vanquisht many a man in fight.
William Marshall Earle of Penbroke.Vnder which monument lieth
William Marshall the elder, Earle of Penbroke, a most powerfull man in his time, being the Kings Marshall, Generall of his Armie, and Protector of the kingdome in the minority of King
Henry the third, vntill such time as he the said
William died, which was in the yeare 1219. 27
die Martij. This Epitaph following goes also currant for this glorious and triumphant Earle, as an Epitome of his noble vertues.
Sum quem Saturnum sibi sensit Hibernia, Solem
Anglia, Mercurium Normannia, Gallia Martem.
Irelands Saturne, Englands Sunne am I,
The
Mars of France, and Normans
Mercury: or thus.
Whom Ireland once a
Saturne found, England a Sunne to be,
Whom Normandy a
Mercury, and France
Mars, I am he.
This
William had fiue sonnes,
William, Richard, Gilbert, Walter, and
Anselme, all Earles of Penbroke, and Marshals of England.
William Marshall. the yonger, Earle of Penbroke.Here by his father vnder the like monument, lieth
William the eldest sonne, Earle of Penbroke, Lord of Strighull, Chepstow, Caerwent, Leigh (or Liege) Weshford, Kildare, Ossorie and Carlogh, who died the sixt of Aprill, 1231. as it is in the booke of
Wauerly, wherein this Epitaph is made to his memory.
Militis istius mortem dolet Anglia, ridet
Wallia, viuentis bella minasque timens.
England laments the death of this braue Knight,
Wales laughs, he liuing did her so affright.
The Annales of Ireland will haue him to be buried by his brother
Richard, in the Quire of the Friers Predicants in Kilkennie, of whom it was thus written.
Cuius sub fossa Kilkennia continet Ossa,
Whose bones bestowed in graue so deep,
Kilkenny Towne doth safely keep.
Wheresoeuer he was buried, a Martiall braue Earle he was, which hee
[Page 443] worthily shewed, when as he set vpon
Lehwellin Prince of Wales, who inuaded his Territories, in his absence whilst he was prosecuting the warres in Ireland, and returned from that battell a triumphant Conqu
[...]rour.
Vnder another Monument lieth the body of
Gilbert Marshall,G
[...]lbe
[...] Ma
[...]shall Earle of Penbroke. Earle of Penbroke, and Marshall of England: Lord of Longevile in Normandy, Leinster in Ireland, and of Chepstow, Strighull, and Caerwent in Wales. This Potent Peere of the Realme (saith
Mathew Paris, in
Ann. 1241.) proclaimed a Turnament (in scorne of the kings authoritie; whereby such disports were forbidden) to be holden at Hertford in the County of Hertford; to which place, when many both of the Nobilitie and Gentrie were assembled; it happened that himselfe running, by the flinging of his horse was cast out of his sadle; and the horse gaue him such a blow on the breast, that he died the same day, being the fifth of the Kalends of Iuly, 1241. as aforesaid.
Paris 1
[...]4
[...]. His bowels were interred in the Abbey Church in the Towne of Hertford, with the bowels of one Sir
Robert de Say knight, a gallant gentleman, slaine in the same exercise.
These kinde of Iusts or Turnaments were brought in with king
Stephen, and practised in many places of England, in such an outragious manner, and with such slaughter of Gentlemen,
Hastiludium. Paris. that to suppresse such an heathenish disport, it was decreed by Parliament, that whosoeuer therein were slaine, should want Christian buriall; and their heires be disinherited.
Hic requiescit
.....
R... Ep.... Quondam Visitator generalis ordinis Milicie Templi,Sir
Rob. Rosse knight.in Anglia & in Francia & in Italia.....
This was a fragment of a funeral
[...] Inscription insculped vpon one of these crosse-legged Monuments; as I found it amongst other Collections by one studious in Antiquities, in Sir
Robert Cottons voluminous Librarie: which he proues by the pedegree of the said Lord
Rosses, to haue beene made to the memory of one
Robert Rosse a Templer, who died about the yeare 1245. and gaue to the Templars his Mannor of Ribston.
William Plantaginet,Will. Plantaginet. the fifth sonne of king
Henry the third, lieth here interred; who died in his childhood, about the yeare 1256.
En Iacobus templo Bayle requiescit in isto,
Iames Bayle.
Qui fuerat gratus medio Templo sociatus,
Cui Deus esto pius eius miserando reatus.
Vitam mutauit in mensis fine secundi,
M. C. quater que dato Lxx quater annumerato
Cui sit solamen Christus dic protinus. Amen.
Robertus iacet hic Thorne quem Bristollia quondam
Rob. Thorne.
Pretoris merito legit ad officium.
Huic etinim semper magne Respublica cure;
Charior & cunctis Patria duitijs:
Ferre inopi auxilium, tristes componere lites,
Dulce huic consilio quosque iuuare fuit.
Qui pius exaudis miserorum vota precesque,
Christe, huic in celis des regione locum.
[Page 444]Ric. Wye.Orate pro anima Richardi Wye socij comititiui interioris Templi. ob. 9.
Mar. 1519.
Cuius anime.
Domine secundum delictum meum noli me iudicare,
Deprecor maiestatem tuam vt tu deleas iniquitatem meam.
Ecce quid eris.
Will. Langham Master of the Temple.Hic iacet Willelmus Langham quondam custos huius Templi qui obijt ......... 1437.
Tu prope qui transis, nec dicis aueto, resiste
Auribus et corde hec mea dicta tene.
Sum quod eris, quod es ipse fui, derisor amare
Mortis, dum licuit pace manente frui.
Sed veniente nece postquam sum raptus amicis
Atque meis famulis orba...... domus.
Me contexit humo, deplorauit que iacentem;
Inque meos cineres vltima dona dedit.
Vnde mei vultus corrosit terra nitorem
Queque fuit forme.........
Ergo, Deum pro me cum pura mente precare,
Vt mihi perpetua pace frui tribuat.
Et quicunque rogat pro me comportet in vnum
Vt mecum meneat in regione Poli.
Will. Burgh.
William Burgh iadis Clerk de Chancelleri
Gist icy Dieu de s'alme eyt mercy. Amen.
Saint
Clement Danes.
Harold king of England.So called because
Harold (surnamed
Harefoot, for his swift footmanship) king of England, of the Danish line, and other Danes, were here buried.
This Harold was the base sonne of king
Canut, by his concubine
Alice of Woluerhampton in Staffordshire, a Shoomakers daughter. His body was first buried at Westminster,
Stow Annal. but afterwards
Hardicanut, the lawfull sonne of
Canut being king, commanded his body to bee digged out of the earth, and to be throwne into the Thames, where it was by a Fisherman taken vp and buried in this Churchyard. He died at Oxford, 1040. hauing raigned three yeares and eight moneths.
Io. Arundel Bishop of Exceter.Hic iacet .... Iohannes Arundell .... Episcopus Exon. qui ob. die mens. Maij 15... 1503.
This maymed Inscription would tell vs thus much, that
Iohn Arundell (descended of the ancient and most worshipfull house of the
Arundels of Lanherne in Cornwall) Bishop of Exceter, lieth here vnder interred, who died March 15. 1503.
Io. Booth Bishop of Exceter.Hic iacet corpus venerabilis ....Io..... Booth Legum Bacalaureus. Episcopus Exon.....ob. primo April. 1478.
This Bishop gouerned his Church wondrous well, and builded (as some suppose) the Bishops See in the Quire, but being weary of the great troubles which were in his countrey, betweene king
Edward the fourth, and the
[Page 445] Earle of Warwicke, he remoued from thence to his house of Horsleigh in Hampshire, where he died.
Orate pro anima Willelmi Booth militis fratris Episcopi Exon. qui ob. 6.
April,Sir
Will. Booth knight. 1478.
Hic iacet Edmundus Arnold,
Ed. Arnold Parson.
postremus Aprilis
Quem, dolor heu, rapuit tristis atroxque dies.
Istius Ecclesie Rector meritissimus olim,
Et summus M
[...]dice Doctor in arte fuit.
Non Ipocrate minor erat, nec doctior vllus,
Non Opifex mirum vincit Apollo virum.
M. D. deme ter .x. semel v. Christi anno,
Cui vitam Medicus det sine sine Deus.
Sauoy.
So called of
Peter Earle of Sauoy,
The foundation of the Hospitall of Sauoy the first builder thereof, which being ouerthrowne by the Rebels of Kent, it was againe raised and beautifully rebuilded by king
Henry the seuenth for an Hospitall; and dedicated to the honour of Saint
Iohn Baptist: for which he purchased lands for the reliefe of an hundred poore people. Of which you may reade this Inscription engrauen ouer the Gate, towards the Street.
1505.
Hospitium hoc inopi Turbe Sauoia vocatum,
Septimus Henricus fundauit ab imo solo.
Henry the seuenth to his merite and honor,
This Hospitall foundyd, pore people to socor.
Many officers, ordinances, orders, and rules were appointed by the Founder;
Ex Mss. in bib. Cot. for the better gouernment of this Hospitall, some of which I haue read, briefly extracted out of the Grand Charter,
viz.
Per nomen Magistri et Capellanorum Hospitalis Henrici Regis Anglie septimi de Savoy.
Duo Presbiteri seculares conductitij.
Duo homines seculares honesti ac literati, quorum alter Subsacrista alter Subhospitalarius.
Quatuor homines honesti qui Alteriste vocentur.
Quinque alij honesti homines viz. 1.
Clericus Coquine. 2.
Panetarius. 3.
Coquus. 4.
Ortulanus. 5.
Ianitor.
Duo alij, alter subcoquus, alter subianitor.
Vna femina Matrona, & sub eadem duodecim alie femine.
Habeat etiam Magister ad sumptus Hospitalis duos homines honestos ad nutum & libitum suum in omnibus negotijs tam propriis, quam etiam in negotiis hospitalis sibi seruituros.
In iuramento Magistri.
Nullam que dispensationem aduersus aliquod statutum siue ordinationem Hospitalis predicti, siue aduersus hoc iuramentum meum, aut aliquam eius particulam impetrabo aut impetrari curabo, neque ab aliis impetratum vllo modo curabo, &c.
Hec omnia et singula in me recipio, & hec iureiurando promitto me fideliter
[Page 446] obseruaturum, sicut me Deus adiuuet et hec sacrosancta eius Euangelia.
Que omnia & singula N. Abbati Westmonast. Visitatori predicti Hospitalis spondeo, &c. & incentum libris sterlingorum ad vsum Hospitalis predicti meipsum firmiter obligo, &c.
Regule quedam obseruande.
Sit Magister continue residens in Hospitali predicto, nullumque officium, administrationem quarumcunque rerum, aut cuiuscunque rei, vel sub aliqua persona spirituali aut temporali cuiuscunque dignitatis aut conditionis fuerit, acceptabit aut geret, neque eiusdem Seruitor, Capellanus, Officiariusve.
Nec absit in Hospitalis negotiis vltra quadraginta in aliquo anno.
Pro singulis diebus necessarie sue absentie in Hospitalis causis habeat pro se & duobus sibi Servitoribus tantum tres solidos.
Magister Hospitalis pro tempore existens, habeat sibi vltra vnam Togam siue liberatam suam.
Pro expensis oris sui siue victus, proque vadijs suis, & quibuscunque alijs necessarijs habeat triginta libras annuatim soluendas per manus suas proprias, ad quatuor anni terminos vsuales per equales portiones.
Nec Magister nec alij portabunt vestes exteriores alterius coloris quam blanei anglice blew, interiores possunt esse alterius coloris, dummodo non sunt rubei, vel alterius leuis coloris.
Omnes, Conductijs exceptis, portabunt in dextra parte Pectoris vnam Rosam rubeam amplam ad sex polices in circuitu de filis cericis & aureis bene contextam, et compactam, cum Capicio eiusdem coloris.
There are diuers other the like ordinances, which I omit.
This Hospitall being valued to dispend 529. l. 15. s. 7. d. ob. by yeare, was suppressed the tenth of Iune, the seuenth of Edward
the sixth, a little before his death: the Beds, bedding, and other furniture belonging thereunto, with seuen hundred Markes of the said Lands by yeare, he gaue to the Citizens of London, with his house of Bridewell, to the furnishing thereof, and towards the furnishing of the Hospitall of S. Thomas
in Southwarke, lately suppressed.
The second foundation of Sauoy Hospitall.This Hospitall was againe new founded, erected, corporated and endowed with lands, by Queene Mary,
the third of Nouember, in the fourth of her raigne; the Ladies of the Court, and Maydens of Honor (a thing, saith Stow,
not to be forgotten) stored the same of new with beds, bedding, and other furniture, in very ample manner, and so it continues.
The Chappell of this Hospitall serueth now as a Parish Church to the Tenements thereof neare adioyning, and others. In which are diuers funerall Monuments, but few of any Antiquitie.
Tho. Halsal. Gowin Douglase
Bishops.Hic iacet Tho. Halsal
Leighuieng[?] Episcopus, in Basilica Sancti Petri Rome, Nationis Anglicorum Penitenciarius, summe probitatis vir, qui hoc solum post se reliquit. Vixit dum vixit bene, cui leuus conditor Goannes Douglas Scotus Dunkelheng. Presul, Patria sua exul.
1522. This Bishop translated Virgils
Aeneiads into the Scottish language:Hist. of Scot. Ann.
1521.compiled the palace of Honor, and diuers other Treatises; he fled into England for feare of being questioned in Parliament.
Humphrey Gosling.
Here lieth
Humphrey Gosling of London, Vintnor,
Of the whyt Hart of this Parish a neghbor,
[Page 447]Of vertuous behauiour, a very good Archer,
And of honest mirch, a good company keeper.
So well enclyned to poore and rich,
God send more Goslings to be si
[...]h.
Saint Martins in the fields.
O ye our frends yat here pas by,
We beseche yow vs to haue in memory.
Somtym we were as now be ye,
In tym to come ye shall be as we.
Edward Norrys and
Ioan his wyff,
These wer our names whyl we had lyff.
Of yowr charite for vs to pray,
A Pater Noster and an Aue to say.
Of your cherity pray for the soule of Sir
Humfrey Forster Knight,
Sir
[...]. whos body lyeth buried here in earth vndyr this marbl
[...]ston: which decessy
[...] the xviij day of the moneth of September, 1500......... on wh
[...]s soule Iesu haue mercy, Amen.
Hic iacet Thomas Barret prenobilis Armiger,Tho.
[...]qui quidem Thomas erat abstractus de Sanctuario beati Petri VVestmonasterij, et erudeliter intersectus per manus improrum contra leges Anglie, et totius vniuersalis Ecclesie priuilegia et iura, Anno Domini 1461.
Anno illustrissimi Regis Ed. Quarti post conqu
[...]stum primo. Sub eodem queque ma
[...]moreo lapide Iohannes Barret eiusdem Thome primogenitus sepelitur qui quidem Iohannes obiit...... die...... An.....
Of this eminent thrice noble Esquire, thus drawne and puld out of the Sanctuarie, and cruelly murthered by the hands of wicked people, against the Lawes of the land, and priuiledges of the holy Church, as appeares by this Inscription I haue read: thus much following out of a namelesse Manuscript.
Thomas Barryt Squyr to Kyng Harry the syxt. oftentyms im
[...]loyd in the French warrys, vndre the command of Iohn Duc of Bedford; as alsoo Iohn Duc of Norfok, beyng asw
[...]y trew
[...]ge man to hys Souereygne Lord the Kyng, hauyng taken Sanctury at Westmynstre to
[...]hon the fury of hys and the Kyngs enemys, was from thense hayld foorth, and lamentably hewy
[...] a p
[...]ees. Abut whilke rym, or a lityll before, the Lord Skales late in an euenyng entryng a wherry Bott wythe three persoons and wghyng toowards UUestmynstre, ther lykwys too haue takyn Sanctury, was descryed by a wooman, wher anon the wherry men fell on hym, murthered hym, and cast hys mangyld corps aloud by S
[...]ynt Mary Ouerys.
The Surname of
Barret is at this day of exemplarie note, and doth greatly resflourish by that worthy Gentleman, Sir
Edward Barret Knight, Lord Baron of Newburgh, Chancelour of the Dutchie of Lancaster, and one of his Maiesties most honourable priuy Councell.
The Hospitall of Saint
Mary Rounciuall.This was an Hospitall by Charing Crosse, and a cell to the Priorie, and couent of Rounciuall in Nauar, in Pampalone Diocesse, where a Fraternitie was founded in the 15 of
Edward the fourth.
Hospitall of Saint Iames.
Hospitall of Saint
Iames.This Hospitall was anciently founded by the Citizens of London, for fourteene Sisters maidens, that were leprous, liuing chastly and honestly. This Hospitall was surrendred to
Henry the eight, the 23 of his raigne: the Sisters being compounded withall, were allowed Pensions for the terme of their liues; and the King builded there a goodly mannor house annexing thereunto a Parke.
The Foundation of the religious house of Conuerts in Chancerie lane, (anciently called New-streete,) now knowne by the name of the Rolles.
Henry the third, about the twentieth yeare of his raigne, built this house for the Iewes, conuerted & to be conuerted to the faith of Christ: these are the words in his grant.
In Archiuis Turr
[...]s London.Rex Archiepiscopis, &c. Sciatis nos intuitu Dei, et pro salute anime nostre, et animarum antecessorum, et heredum meorum concessisse, et hac charia nostra consirmasse, pro nobis, et heredibus nostris, domum quam fundari fecimus in vico, qui vocatur New-streete, inter vetus Templum et nouum London, ad sustentationem Fratrum conuersorum, et conuertendorum, de Iudaismo, ad fidem catholicam, &c. hijs Testibus venerabilibus patribus. W. Kaerl: et W. exon episcopis. H. de Burgo Comite Kanti
[...], Radulpho filio Nicholai, Godfrido de Crancumbe. Iohanne filio Philip, Amaurico de sancto Aumundo Willielmo de Picheford, Galfrido de Cauz et alijs. dat per manum ve. P. R cicestrens. Cancellar. nostri, apud Westminst. 19.
die April.
But this Foundation did not continue long, for
Edward the first (his sonne) in the eighteenth yeare of his raigne, banished all the Iewes out of England, confiscating all their goods, and leauing them nothing but money (barely) to beare their charges. King
Edward the third appointed this house for the custody of the Rolles and Records of the Chancerie;
[...]des
[...]s Ca
[...]al. Cancell. per Fran
[...]iscum
[...]hin collect. giuing the same, by his charter, to one
William Burstall, as then master of that Office, and his Successors. In the Chappell of this house,
Iohn Yong, Doctor of both Lawes, and master of the Rolles, lieth entombed with this Inscription.
Iohn Yong, Master of the Rolles.Io. Yong. LL. Doctori sacror. scrinior. ac hius Domus custodi, Decano olin▪ Ebor: vita defuncto xxv Aprilis sui fideles Executores hoc posuerunt. M.D.xvj.
Besides which, vpon an old table hanging by, are written in text hand, these verses following.
Dominus firmamentum meum.
This was a religious Structure, first begun by King
Stephen,The foundation of S.
Stephens Chappell. and afterwards finished, and her reuenewes greatly augmented by King
Edward the third; in which he placed a Deane, twelue Canons secular, as many Vicars, and other Ministers, who had their lodgings in Canon Row, now the habitations of diuers Noblemen and Gentlemen. These are the words of King
Edwards Grant.
In dei nomine Amen.Charta Regis Ed. tetijs. ex Record turr
[...]s London.Edwardus dei gratia, &c. Salutem. Capellam quandam speciosam in Palatio nostro apud Westmonasterium situatam, in honorem beati Stephani Prothomartyris, per progenitores nostros nobiliter inchoatam, nostris sumptibus regijs fecimus consummari; in qua ad honorem omnipotentis dei, et specialiter beatissime Genetricis eius Marie, et dicti Martyris, ordinamus, volumus, constituimus, et aucthoritate nostra regia perpeiou stabilimus, Quod sint exeuntes Decanus vnus, et duodecim canonici seculares, cum tuum, Hospitium nostrum magnum in strata de Lumbard-street ciuitatis nostre London situatum, vna cum Patronatibus et aduocationibus Ecclesiarum Perochialium de Dewesburie et Wakefeeld. Ebor. Dioces. assignamus donemus, &c. Teste meipso, apud VVestmonaster. sexto die Augusti An. Regni nostri vicesimo secundo. Regni vero nostri Francie nono.
The reuenewes wherewith King
Edward endowed this couent, amounted to the value of fiue hundred pounds by yeare; and at the suppression, the whole foundation was rated to be yeerely worth, (as I haue it in the catalogue of Religious houses,) one thousand, fourescore, and fiue pound ten shillings, fiue pence. This Chappell serueth now for the lower house of Parliament.
The foundati
[...] West
[...]inster Abbey.CAmden out of
Sulcardus reporteth, that here sometime stood an Idoll Temple, dedicated to
Apollo; ouerthrowne by an earthquake, about the yeare of grace, 153. Of the ruines of which,
Sebert, King of the East Saxons, erected another Temple for the seruice of the liuing God, and consecrated the same to Saint
Peter, about the yeare 610. neere about the time of the building of
Paules, Mellitus as then being Bishop of London, and
Austin of Canterbury, which agrees with these words in the charter of
Edward the Confessor.
In Arch. turris London.Basilica sancti Petri VVestmon. edificata fuit antiquitus sub Mellito Londonie primo Episcopo socio et contemporaneo Sancti Augustini primi Cantuar. Archiepiscopi; et per ipsum beatum Petrum Angelico famulante seruicio, sancte crucis impressione et sacre Trinitatis perunctione dedicata: to which effect will it please you peruse these verses following.
King
Ethelbert, Sainct
Poules edefied:
Iohn Harding ca. 88.
And King
Sebert Westminster founded:
Mellito theim both halowed and blessified,
Austin then, made Clerke full well grounded.
Afterwards this Church being destroyed by the Danes;
Dunstan Bishop of London, reedified it about the yeare of Christ, 960. and made here a monastery for twelue Monkes. After him
Edward the confessor with the tenth penny of all his reuenewes, built it new for to be his owne Sepulture: and a Monastery for Benedictin Monkes, endowing it with liuings and
[...]ands, lying disperst in diuers parts of England. But, after an hundred and threescore yeeres, King
Henry the third subuerted this Fabricke of King
Edwards, and built from the very Foundation, a new Church of very faire workemanship, supported with sundry rowes of Pillars.
Rob. Glocest.
The new erke atte UUestmynster the Kyng tho gauune anon,
Aftur his coronyng and leyd the ferst ston.
which the Abbots enlarged very much toward the west end: and King
Henry the seauenth for the buriall onely of himselfe, his children, and their posterity, adioyned thereunto a Chappell, which in regard of the beauty, and curious contriued worke thereof, is called of
Leland, Orbis miraculum, the wonder of the world. The first stone of this admirable Structure, consecrated to the honour of the blessed Virgine, was laid by the hands of
Iohn Islip Abbot of this monastery, Sir
Reginald Bray, Knight of the Garter, and others, in the 18 yeare of his raigne, the 24 day of Ianuary, vpon which stone this Inscription was engrauen.
Illustrissimus Henricus Septimus Rex Anglie et Francie, et Dominus Hibernie, posuit hanc Petram in honore beate virginis Marie xxiiij. die Ian
[...]aarij, anno Domini M.ccccc 11:
et anno dicti Regis Henrici septimi decimo octauo.
[Page 451]Harpsfeeld,Hist. Ecclesiast. Angl. vnde
[...].
[...]aecul. ca. 16. sometime Archdeacon of Canterbury, writing of the Antiquitie and famous renowne of this Monastery, hath these words.
Vt Albanense, propter protomartyris nostri Albani nobile eo loci martyrium, sacrasque etiam ibi reconditas reliquias, coenobium reliquorum semper princeps habitum est, ita posterioribus seculis Westmonasteriense, post illud maxime eminebat.
It is likewise of especiall note and reuerend regard, by reason of the consecration, the inauguration, and vnction of our kings of England; of which two riming Hexameters are wrought in the cloth of Arras, which adorne the Quire.
Hanc Regum sedem sibi Petrus consecrat Edem;
Quam tu Papa regis, insignit & vnctio Regis.
This Church is also greatly honoured by the glorious Monuments of kings, Queenes, grand Peeres, and others of eminent place and qualitie here interred. And first of all,
Sebert the first founder;
Sebert king of the East Saxōs with his Queene
Aethelgoda. the sonne of
Sledda, and Queene
Ricula, the sister of
Ethelbert, king of Kent, with his wife
Ethelgoda lie here entombed; who died the last day of Iuly,
Ann. Dom. 616. hauing raigned 13. yeares. Som 692. yeares after their bodies were translated from their first place of buriall to the South side of the Communion Table, where they rest within a Tombe of lead, with this Epitaph.
Labilitas, breuitas mundane prosperitatis
Celica premia, gloria, gaudia danda beatis
Sebertum certum iure dedere satis.
Hic Rex Christicola ver
[...]x fuit hac regione,
Qui nunc celicola gaudet mercede corone.
Rex humilis, docilis, scius, & pius, inclytus iste
Sollicite, nitide, tacite, placide, bone christe
Vult servire tibi perficiendo sibi.
Ornat mores, spernit flores lucis auare,
Gliscens multum, christi cultum letificare.
Ecclesiam nimiam nimio studio fabricauit.
Hec illesa manus que fundamenta locauit;
Hic septingentis annisterra cumulatus,
Christi clementis instinctibus inde leuatus.
Isto sub lapide nunc iacet ipse, vide.
Atque domum Christo quia mundo fecit in isto,
Nunc pro mercede celi requiescit in ede.
Respice mortalis, promissio sit tibi talis.
Accipies si des, nil capies nisi des.
Es Christo qualis, Christus erit tibi talis,
Dapsilis esto sibi, largus eritque tibi.
Effectus non affectus si reddere possis,
Debet censeri; si nihil reddere possis,
Tunc bonus affectus pro facto debet haberi.
Sicut de lignis per aquam depellitur ignis.
[Page 452]Sic malo commissa fiunt donando remissa.
Reddet ad vsuram quod quis dat nomine Christi,
Nam vitam puram pro parvo dat Deus isti.
His wife
Aethelgoda died the 13. of September,
Ann. Dom. 615:
Vpon the wall by this Tombe, the image of Saint
Peter is depicted, speaking to king
Sebert in these verses.
Hic Rex Seberte pausas, mihi condita per te
Hec loca lustraui, demum lustrando dicaui.
Edward king of England, surnamed the Confessor.Here lieth honourably interred in a marble Tombe, checquered with variety of stones, of beautifull colours; the body of
Edward king of England, who for his singular pietie was numbred among the Confessors; a principall Founder of this Church. Thus commended by a late writer.
[...].
[...]arn
[...]r.
[...]lb. Engl.
Religious, chast, wise, fortunate, stout, franke, and milde was hee,
And from all taxes, wrongs, and foes, did set his kingdome free.
His Epitaph here inscribed consists of these three Hexameters.
Omnibus insignis virtutum landibus Heros,
Sanctus Edwardus Confessor, Rex venerandus;
Quinto die Iani moriens super Ethera scandit.
Sursum corda. Moritur Ann. Dom.
1065.
Serlo of Paris hath another Epitaph to his memory in these words.
Mss. in bib. Cot.
Edwardus probitate potens, pietate verendus,
Seque suosque regens rexerat egregius.
Formosam faciem procerum corpus habebat,
Leticiam vultus moribus exuperans.
Hic bello, sic pace suos exterruit hostes
Presumpsit pacem rumpere nemo suam.
Quinque dies anui reserebat ianua Iani,
Cum Rex egrediens carnea templa finit.
My old Author
Robert of Glocester goes more punctually to the period of his life, the yeares, moneths, weekes, and dayes of his raigne, and time of his buriall.
When Seynt Edward hadde thus told, he ganne to clos hys eyghe
The iiii dey of Ianuar then gan he deye,
In the yer of owr Lord M.lxvi. ryght
Aftur that owr swete Lord in hys moder alyght,
Kyng he was xxiiii yer, and ii monyethes therto,
And three wekes, and vi deyes,
[...]r his lyf was ido.
Al the Franchyse of Engelond, and al the ioy and blis,
Wyth hym faste i beryd was thulke tym I wis;
And that men fonde sone aftyrward wyth meny delful cas.
Atte Westmynster a twelfth dey this Godeman beryed was.
Rob. Glocest.He was for his simplenesse (saith the same Author)
i callyd Edward Simple, yet sothe our Lord noryshede hys symplenes, and yaf hym
[Page 453] grete grase that men shold be adradde of hym that courhe natte be wrothe, and though men trowed hym to be slow and sim
[...]le, he hadde such subiects vndyr hym that atte his hes
[...] dauntyd his enemyes as Syward Erle of Northumbyrlonde, and Leofricus Erle of Hereforde, that defendyd the kyng euer mor wyth ther manhode, and fauor ayenst the mantenors of Duc Godwy
[...]e. Questionle
[...], for sanctitie of life and sweete conuersation, he did farre excell all other Princes; and kings of that disposition are for the most part too soft and piiant (an imperfection in supreme authoritie) to command the turbulent spirits of an vnsetled kingdome; and their vnderstanding too shallow to d
[...]ue into the depth of their enemies designes.
This
Edward was the seuenth sonne of King
Etheldred, by
Emma his second wife, daughter of
Richard the second, Duke of Normandy; he was borne at Islip in the County of Oxford;
The first
[...]oure of the
[...]i
[...]gs
[...]. he was about fourty yeares of age when he was enthroned in the seat Imperiall. He was the first king of England that healed the disease, since called the kings Euill.
His wife
Editha lieth buried at the North si
[...]e of his Tombe,
[...] king
Edwards wife. who was the daughter of
Godwin, that treacherous Earle of Kent; a virgine most chast, whose breast was a schoolehouse of all liberall sciences, milde, modest, faithfull, innocent, and vnfainedly holy, no way sauouring of her fathers barbarousnesse, being neuer hurtfull to any. Whereupon this verse was applied vnto her, and her father.
Sicut Spina Rosam genuit Godwinus Editham:
From pricked stalke as sweetest Rose,
So
Edith faire from
Godwin growes.
Of which another writeth thus.
Godwyne Erle a dawghtyr he hadde,
Rob. Glocest.
that was of grete fame
And of clene lyf also, Edithe was her name.
And as the Roos of a brere spryngeth that kene is,
Also sprunge this holy mayd of liche kynd I wis.
She died in December, 1074. in the eight yeare of her widowhood, and in the eight yeare of the Conquerours raigne. Professing vpon her deathbed, that notwithstanding she had beene king
Edwards wife the space of eighteene yeares, yet she died a pure Virgine. For this, king
Edward (not without reason) is taxed, in that he vnder a godly pretext of Religion, and vowed virginitie, cast off all care of hauing issue, and exposed the kingdome to the prey of ambitious humours. Yet some, that would excuse him in this, affirme, that this holy king was not willing to beget any heires, that should succeed him out of a treacherous race.
Here lieth,
Maud wife to king
Henry the first. without any Tombe,
Maude, daughter to
Malcolm Camoir, king of Scots, and wife to king
Henry the first; who brought vnto him children,
William, Richard, and
Mary, which perished by shipwracke, and
Maud Empresse, who was wise to
Henry the fift Emperour. She died the first day of May:
Maij prima dies nostrorum nocte dierum, raptam perpetua fecit inesse die,Ex Mss. in bib. Cot. 1118. She had an excellent Epigram made to her commendation whereof these foure verses onely remaine.
She went euery day in the Lent time to this Church bare-foot, and bare-legd, wearing a garment of haire; she would wash and kisse the feet of the poorest people, and giue them bountifull Almes. For which being reprehended by a Courtier, shee gaue him a short answer, which I haue out of
Robert of Glocester.
The Courtiers speech.
Madame for Goddes love is this wel i doo
To handle sich vnclene
[...]ymmes, and to kisse so
Foule wolde the kyng thynk if that hit he wiste,
And ryght wel abyse hym er he your mouth kiste,
The Queenes answer.
Sur sur qd the Quene be stille why sayste thow so
Owr Lord hymself ensample yaf so for to do.
She founded (as I haue said before) the Priory of Christ-church within Aldgate, and the Hospitall of S.
Giles in the Fields. She builded the Bridges ouer the Riuer of Lea at Stratford Bow, and ouer the little Brooke called Chanelsebridge; shee gaue much likewise to the repairing of high-wayes. But I will take my leaue of her with these words of
Paris:Mat. Paris ad Ann. 1118.Obijt eodem anno Matildis Regina Anglorum cuius corpus apud Westmonasterium quietem sepulturae accepit, & anima eius se coelum possidere evidentibus signis et miraculis crebris ostendit.
King
Henry the third.Here lieth vnder a rich Monument of Porphery, adorned with precious stones, the body of
Henry the third, king of England. In the fifth yeare of whose raigne, and the Saturday next before his second time of Coronation, the New worke (the old being ruinous and pulled downe) of this Church of Westminster,
Mat. West. was begun. To which sacred Edifice this king was a perswader: he was the Founder, and laid the first stone in the ground-worke of the building.
Rob. Glocest.
The Newerke atte Westmynstre ye kyng tho ganne anone,
Aftyr hys coronyng and leyde the fyrst stone.
As if he meant the world should know, his intention was to consecrate his future actions to the glory of God. He gaue to this Church royall gifts of Copes, Iewels, and rich vessels: and for the holy Reliques of
Edward the
[Page 455] Confessor, he caused a coffin to be made of pure gold and pretious stones, and so artificially by the most cunning Goldsmiths that could be gotten; that although the matter it was made of, was of an inestimable valew,
tamen Materiam superabat opus, yet the workmanship excelled the matter, saith
Mathew Paris. A Prince he was, as our histories affirme, of greater deuotion then discretion, in permitting the depredation of himselfe and his subiects by papall ouerswayings. This King (saith
Robert of
Glocester)
as in worldlich doyng was not hald ful wyse, but mor deuout to spiritual things; he was euery dey woned to here thre Masses by note. Quante innocentie, quante patientie, quanteque deuotionis, et quanti meriti in vita sua erat apud Deum, testantur post ipsius mortem miracula subsecuta: Of how much integrity, of how much patience, of how much deuotion, and of how much merite he was in his life time before God, the miracles which followed after his death, doe testifie, saith the compendious chronicle of Canterbury.
He died the 16 of Nouember 1273. when he liued sixty fiue yeares,
Mss. in bib. Cot and raigned fiftie sixe yeares, and eighteene daies, this Epitaph following is annexed to his Tombe.
Tertius Henricus iacet hic pietatis amicus
Ecclesiam strauit istam, quam post renouauit
Reddet ei munus qui regnat trinus et vnus:
Tertius Henricus est Templi conditor huius. Dulce bellum inexpertis.
Which is thus Englished by
Robert Fabian.
The frende of pyte, and of almesse dede,
Henry the thyrde whylome of Englande Kyng,
Who thys Church brake, and after hys mede
Agayn renewed into this fayre buylding,
Now resteth in here, whiche did so great a thinge▪
He yelde his mede, that Lord in Deyite;
That as one God reygneth in persones thre.
Henry the thyrde is the buylder of thys Temple.
War is pleasant to those that haue not tryed it.
In the additions to
Robert of Glocester, a Manuscript in the Heralds Office, these rimes are written to his remembrance.
King
Edward the
[...].At the head of the foresaid King
Henry, his sonne
Edward, surnamed
Long-Shanks, lieth entombed; King of England, the first of that Christian name since the Conquest: and as he was the first of his name, so was he the first that setled the law and state,
Sir
Rob.
[...]. deseruing the stile of Englands
Iustinian, and freed this kingdome from the wardship of the Peeres; shewing himselfe in all his actions after, capable to command not the Realme onely, but the whole world.
At the time of his Fathers death, he was abroad in Palestine, pursuing his high desires for the Holy Warres, and after sixe yeares, from his first setting out, he returnes into England, receiues the Crowne (without which he had beene a King almost three yeares) at the hands of
Robert, Archbishop of Canterbury; and with him is
Eleanor his vertuous Queene, likewise crowned at Westminster. To the which their magnificent pompous Coronations, the presence of
Alexander, King of Scotland, (who had married
Margaret his eldest sister) was required, as appeares by this Record following.
Ex. Arch. Turr. Lond.Rex dilectis et fidelibus suis Iohanni Louetot et Galfrido de Newbald Custodibus Episcopatus Deunelm. Salutem. Mandamus vobis quod de primis denarijs prouenientibus de exitibus Episcopatus predicti, habere faciatis Alexandro Regi Scotie centum sexaginta et quindecim libras pro expensis suis per quinque Septimanas. viz. singulis diebus centum solidos in veniendo ad nos vsque Westmonaster. ad mandatum nostrum, et inde ad partes suas redeundo. Et nosea vobis ad Scaccarium nostrum saciemus allocari. Teste meipso apud Windesore 26
die Augusti. Anno Regni nostri 2.
Claus. An. 2.
Ed 1.
Memb. 44.
King
Ed. Coronation.The said King
Alexander comes accordingly to his Brothers Coronation (which was in September 1275) guarded with a goodly troupe of Knights and Gentlemen; at which solemnity also were present,
Iohn, Duke of Britaine, who had married
Beatrice his second sister;
Eleanor his mother, with multitudes of Peeres and others: and for the more royall celebration of this great Feast, and honour of so martiall a King, there were fiue hundreth great horses let loose, euery one to take them for his owne, who could. Of which, out of an old oreworne Manuscript, a piece as followeth.
King Edward was coronyd and anoyntyd as ryghte heyre of Engelond, withe moche honor and worsschyp. And aftur Masse, the Kyng went to hys Paleys for to holde a ryall feste, amonges them that hym had doon seruyse and worsschyp. And whanne he was set at hys mete, Kyng Alexandre of Scotland come to doo hym seruyse and worsschyp wyth a queyntyse, and an hondryd knyghtes with hym, horsed and arayd. And whanne they weren
[Page 457] lyght of theyr horse, they let theyr horse goon whether they wolde, and they that wolde take them, hadde them to their owne behofe, wythoute any chalange. And aftyr that come Syr Edmond King Edwardes Broder, a curtayse Knyght and a gentyll of ren
[...]on, and the Erle of Cornwayle, and the Erle of Glowcesire. And aftyr theym come the Erle of Penbroke, and the Erle of Warren, and eche of them ledde on theyr hondes be them selfe an hordryd knights, disgyse in their armes. And whan they weren alyght of their horse, they lete them goo whedyr they wolde, and they that cowde them take, hadde them stylle at theyr owne lyking. And whanne all this was doon, Kyng Edward dyd hys dyligens and hys myght to amende the Relme, and redresse the wronges in the best maner, to the honor of God, and profyte to the crowne, and to holy cherche, and to amende the anoyance of the comon peple. The worthiest knyght he was of alle the world of honor and worsschyp, for the grace of God was in hym, and euer hadde the vyctory of hys enemyes.
Expugnauit Saracenos,Chron. Compend. Cant. Mss. in bib. Cot.Francos, Scotos, Wallenses et perfidos christianos; et quicquid regale glorie et honori tam in actibus quam in moribus competit in ipso potuit reperiri. He vanquished the Sarasines, the French, the Scots, the Welsh, and perfidious Christians, and whatsoeuer appertained to Regall glory and honour, as well in actions as in condition, state, and princely deportment, was in him to be found.
Dum vi
[...]it Rex, et valuit sua magna potestas,
Fraus latuit, pax magna fuit, regnauit honestas.
Saith an old Latin Rimer of this King; which is thus translated into the like English.
While lyued thys Kynge,
By hys powre all thynge
Was in good plyghte
Fabian.
For gyle was hydde,
Great peace was
Kept.
kydde
And honeste had myghte.
Scotos Edward dum vixit suppeditauit
Tenuit, afflixit, depressit, dilaniauit.
Whilst
Edward liu'd, the Scots he still kept vnder,
Bridled, deprest, debased, rent asunder.
Yet here giue me leaue to tell my Reader, (maugre this our English Rimer) that the valiant Scots did not alwaies suffer King
Edward to scape scotfree; for hee laying siege to the strong Towne of Berwicke, they defended it manfully, bet the English men backe, and burnt some of the English Ships; vpon which their fortunate enterprise in derision of our King, they made this mockish rime doggerell.
This scornefull dittie came no sooner to king
Edwards eares, then that through his mighty strength, he passed dikes, assailed the Towne, and wan it with the death of fifteene thousand Scots,
S. Daniel. (our writers report more; but nothing is more vncertaine, then the number of the slaine in battaile) and after that the Castles of Dunbarre, Roxborough, Edenborough, Sterling, and Saint
Iohns Towne, wonne or yeelded vnto him; vpon the winning of the Castle of Dunbarre,
The battaile of Dunbarre. by a fierce and cruell battaile; some Ballad maker or other in the Armie, made these meeters in reproach of the Scots.
These scaterynge Scottes
We holde for sottes
Of wrenkes vnware
Erly in a morwenynge
In an euyll tymynge
Went they from Dunbarre.
The battaile of Foukirke.
Munster. Vniuers. Cosm. lib. 2.
Walsing Ypodig.Another bloudy battaile he had with the Scots at Foukirke, wherein are reported to be slaine, two hundred knights, and forty thousand foote of the Scots. Some haue threescore and ten thousand, some threescore thousand, the scottish footmen valorously fighting, as it were to the last man. Vpon these victories, king
Edward endeauours to extinguish, if it were possible, the very memory of the Nation: abolishing all their ancient lawes; traducing their Ecclesiasticall rites, to the custome of England: dispoiling them of their Histories; their instruments of State: their antique monuments, left either by the Romanes, or erected by themselues, transporting all their Bookes and Bookemen into England. Sending to Westminster the marble stone, wherein (as the vulgar were perswaded) the Fate of the kingdome consisted, of which will you please to take this Stanza out of
Harding ▪
Hard. cap. 162.
And as he came homewarde by Skone awaye,
The Regall thereof Scotlande then he brought,
And sent it forth to Westmynster for aye
To be there in a cheire clenely wrought
For a masse preast to sytte in when he ought▪
Whiche there was standyng besyde the shryne,
In a cheire of olde time made full fyne.
A litle more of this marble stone out of
Robert of Glocester.
—Scottes yc
[...]upyd wer
Aftur a woman that Scote hyghte, the dawter of Pharaon.
Yat broghte into Scotlond a whyte marble ston,
[Page 459]Yat was ordeyned for hure kyng, whan he coroned wer.
And for a grete Iewyll long hit was yholde ther,
Kyng Edward wyth the lang Shankes fro Scotland hit fette
Besyde the Shryne of Seynt Edward at Westminstre
[...] h
[...]te s
[...]tte.
Vpon the Chaire wherein the stone is inclosed, this famous propheticall Distichon is inscribed.
Ni fallat vatum Scoti hunc quocunque locatum
Invenient lapidem, regnare tenentur ibidem.
If Fates goe right where ere this stone is pight,
The Regall race of Scots shall rule that place.
Which, by whomsoeuer it was written, we, who now liue, finde it happily accomplished.
Of the worthinesse of this our matchlesse King, will it please you heare a little from a late Writer, namely,
M. Drayton, in the seuenteenth Song of
Polyolbion.
Henry the third.
This long-liu'd Prince expyr'd: the next succeeded; he
Of vs, that for a God might well related be.
Our Longshanks, Scotlands scourge, who to the Orcads taught
His Scepter, and with him from wilde
Albania brought,
The reliques of her Crowne (by him first placed here)
Henry the third.
The seate on which her Kings inaugurated were.
He tam'd the desperate Welsh, that out so long had stood,
And made them take a Prince sprong of the English blood.
This Isle from Sea to Sea, he generally controld,
And made the other parts of England both to hold.
The learned Antiquarie and Lawyer,
Iohn Selden, in his Illustrations vpon the said Song, giues vs this Glosse following vpon the Verse.
The seate on which our Kings inaugurated were.
This seate (saith he) is the Chaire and Stone at Westminster, whereon our Soueraignes are inaugurated. The Scottish Stories affirme, that the Stone was first in Gallicia of Spaine at Brigantia (whether that be
Compostella, as
Francis Tarapha wills, or
Coronna, as
Florian del Campo coniectures, or
Betansos according to
Mariana, I cannot determine) where
Gathel, king of Scots there, sate on it as his Throne. Thence was it brought into Ireland by
Simon Brech, first king of Scots, transplanted into that Isle, about seuen hundred yeares before Christ. Out of Ireland, King
Ferguze (in him by some is the beginning of the now continuing Scottish raigne) about three hundred and seuenty yeares afterward brought it into Scotland. King
Kenneth some eight hundred and fifty of the Incarnation, placed it at the Abbey of Scone (in the Shrifdome of Perth) where the Coronation of his Successours was vsuall, as of our Monarchs now at Westminster; and in the Saxon times at Kingston vpon Thames. This
Kenneth, some say, caused the Distich.
The fatall Marble.Ni fallat vatum, as before, to be engrauen vpon it. Whereupon it is called
Fatale Marmor in
Hector Boetius, and inclosed it in a wodden
[Page 460] Chaire. It is now at Westminster, and on it are the Coronations of our Soueraignes: Thither first brought (as the Author here speakes) among other spoiles, by
Edward Longshanks, after his warres and victories against King
Iohn Balliol, Ann. 1297.
Reg. Regis Ed. 1.24. Thus much of this potent king out of
Polyolbion.
But to returne, these high spirited Scots (then which no people in the world are more valiant) not minding to endure the tyranny of King
Edward, entred into England at seuerall times; and in Northumberland and Cumberland,
The cruelty of the Scots. slew the aged and impotent, women in childbed, and young children; spoiled the Abbey Church at Hexham, and got a great number of the Clergie, as well Monkes, Priests, as Schollers, whom they thrust into the Schoolehouse there,
Rich Southwell. Ho
[...]inshead. and closing vp the doores, set fire on the Schoole, and burned all them to ashes that were within it. They burned Churches, they forced women without respect of order, condition, or qualitie, as well the maids, widowes, and wiues, as Nunnes, that were reputed in those dayes consecrated to God, & when they had beene so abused, many of them were after murthered. So that the cruell and bloudy desolation whereof
Lucan speaketh in his second booke of the Pharsalian warres, may aptly be inferred here, as fitly describing the mercilesse murther of all states and sexes, without partiality, vnder the hand of the enemy. For, saith he,
Nobilitas cum plebe perit, lateque vagatur
Ensis, & a nullo revocatum est pectore ferrum,
Stat cruor in templis, multaque rubentia caede
Lubrica saxa madent, nulli iam prosuit aetas,
Non senis extremum piguit vergentibus annis
Praecipitasse diem, non primo in limine vitae
Infantis miseri nascentia rumpere fata.
Thus exquisitely translated into English.
Senatours with Plebeians lost their breath,
[...]ro. May.
The sword rag'd vncontrold: no brest was free:
The Temples stainde with bloud, and slippery
Were the red stones with slaughter: no age then
Was free: the neere spent time of aged men
They hastened on; nor sham'de with bloudy knife,
To cut the Infants new spunne thread of life.
Bloud worthy to haue beene shed on both sides, against another kinde of enemy, then Christians: the deformity of which effusions, may iustly represent vnto vs the blessed estate of our now setled Vnion.
Ranulph the Monke of Chester, speakes somewhat more succinctly of the warlike passages in those times, betwixt the puissant braue English, and the terrible neuer-tamed Scot on this manner; I will vse the old language of his Translatour
Treuisa, who flourished in the raigne of king
Henry the sixth.
Polychron. l. 7.
cap. 40.Iohn de Baillol (saith he) that was made kyng of Scotlond, aroos ayenst the kynge of Englonde, and ayenste his owne othe; and by the counseylle
[Page 461] of some men of Scotland, and namely of thabbot of M
[...]ros,
[...] was taken and dysheryted. Then the yere after
Willi
[...]m [...] of Scottes arayed werre ayenste kynge
Edwarde, but he was
[...] second yere after; Kynge
Edwarde slew
[...]x
[...] and Scottes
[...] on a
Mary Mawdelyn day. But the Scottes w
[...]x
[...]d stronger and stronger
[...]ty yeres togyder, vnto kyng
Edwardes tyme the thyrd after the
[...] and bete down Englyshemen of
[...], and Englysh places that were
[...] her Marches.
Some sayd that that myshappe fell for so
[...]nesse of the Englyshe men▪ And some said that it was goddis owne wer
[...]he as the
[...] That Englyshe men sholde be destroyed by Danes, by Fren
[...]he men,
[...] by Scottes.
Of this propheticall prediction I haue spoken elsewhere, which
[...] that of the marble stone) vpon the inauguration of our late Souer
[...] Lord King
Iames, of happie memory, in his Regall Chaire of Impe
[...] gouernment, had full accomplishment.
The period of the dayes, as also the character of this magnificent Monarch
Edward, [...] are thus deliuered by a late Writer.
In Iuly, 1307 although he found himselfe not well, he enter; Scotland with a fresh Army, which he led not
[...]arre; for falling into a Dissenterie, he dies at Borough vpon the sand
[...], as if to show on what foundation
[...] h
[...]d built all his glory in this world: hauing raigned thirty foure yeares, seuen moneths, aged sixty eight. A Prince of a generous spirit, wherein the fire held out euen to the very last: borne and bred for action and militarie af
[...]faires, which he mannaged with great iudgement: euer warie and prouident for his owne businesse: watchfull and eager to enlarge his power: and was more for the greatnesse of England, then the quiet thereof. And this we may iustly say of him, that neuer king before, or since, shed so much Christian bloud within this Isle of Britaine, as this C
[...]ristian warrior did
[...] his time, and was the cause of much more in that following.
By our great and iudicious Antiquary
Camden, [...] he is thus
[...], as followeth.
For no one thing was this little Burgh vpon Sands more famous, than, that King
Edward the first, that triumphant Conquerour of his enemies, was here taken out of the world by vntimely death A
[...]ight noble and worthy Prince, to whom God proportioned a most princely presence and personage, as a right worthy seat to entertaine so heroicall a minde For he not onely in regard of fortitude and wisedome, but also for a beautifull and personall presence was in all points answerable to the height of Royall Maiestie, whom fortune also in the very Prime and flower of his age, inured to many a warre, and exercised in most dangerous troubles of the state, whiles she framed and fitted him for the Empire of Britaine; which he, being once crowned King, mannaged and gouerned in such wise, that hauing subdued the Welsh, and vanquished the Scots, hee may most iustly bee counted a chiefe ornament and honour of Britaine.
Amongst other admonitions and precepts, which he gaue to his sonne
Edward (after him king of England) vpon his death bed he charged him,
[...] of
[...]a
[...]singham. that he should carry his Fathers bones about with him in some Coffin, till
[Page 460] [...][Page 461] [...][Page 462] he had marched through all Scotland, and subdued all his enemies, for that none should bee able to ouercome him while his Skeleton marched with him: thinking, belike, that the care to preserue them from enemies would make a Sonne fight nobly. Moreouer he commanded the said Prince, That whereas himselfe, by the continuall new attempts of
Bruce, king of Scotland, could not in person (according to his vow) make warre in the Holyland, therefore he should send his Heart thither, accompanied with seuenscore knights, and their retinues, for whose support he had prouided thirty and two thousand pounds of siluer. That his Heart being so by them conuayed, he did hope in God, that all things there would prosper with them. Lastly, That vpon paine of eternall damnation, the said money should not be expended vpon any other vses.
Walsing.Sed filius immorigerus patris mandata negligit: But the disobedient Sonne little regarded the commandement of his Father.
He died the seuenth of Iuly, the yeare aforesaid; his body was conuayed to this Abbey, and accompanied most of the way with the Popes Legate, the reuerend Bishops, and most of the English Nobilitie, where it was interred with that state as became the person of so potent a Prince;
The dead bodies of our English kings (anciently) preserued from corruption. And such was the care of his Successours, to keepe his body from corruption, as that the Searecloth wherein his embalmed body was enwrapt, was often renewed, as doth appeare vpon Record thus.
Rex Thesaurario & Camerarijs suis Salutem. Mandamus vobis quod Ceram existentem circa corpus celebris memorie Domini Edwardi nuper Regis Anglie progenitoris nostri filij Regis Henrici,Ex Arch. Turr. Lond.in Ecclesia beati Petri Westm. humatum, de denarijs nostris renovari facietis, prout hactenus fieri constituit. Teste Rege apud Westm. xi die Iulij. Claus. 1.
Ric. 2.
Memb. 41:
Certaine rimes or verses, are annexed to his Tombe as followeth.
Mors est inesta nimis magnos que iungit in imis,
Maxima mors minimis coniungens vltima primis;
Nullus in orbe fuit homo viuens nec valet esse
Qui non morte ruit: est hinc exire necesse.
Nobilis & fortis, tibi tu considere noli,
Omnia sunt mortis, sibi subdit singula soli,
De mundi medio magnum mors impia mouit,
Anglia pre tedio satis anxia plangere novit:
Corruit Edwardus vario veneratus honore,
Rex nuper vt Nardus fragrans virtutis odore,
Corde Leopardus, invictus & absque pauore,
Ad rixam tardus, discretus, & eucharis ore.
Viribus armorum quasi Gigas ardua gessit,
Colla superborum prudens per prelia pressit,
Inter Flandrenses fortuna sibi bene fauit,
Vt quoque Wallenses & Scotos suppeditauit.
Rex bonus absque pari strenue sua regna regebat.
Quod natura dari potuit bonitatis habebat.
Actio iustitie, pax regni, sanctio legis,
Et fuga nequitie premunt precordia Regis.
[Page 463]Gloria tota ruit, Regem capit hec modo fossa,
Rex quandoque fuit, nunc nil nisi puluis et ossa:
Filius ipse Dei quem corde colebat et ore,
Gaudia fecit ei nullo permista dolore.
The which verses (saith
Fabian) to the entent that they should be had in minde, and also that the reader might haue the more desire to ouer-reade them; I haue therefore set them out in Baladde Royall, after my rude making as followeth.
This sorrowfull deth which bryngeth great full low,
Fabians Ballad Royall.
And moost and leest he ioyneth into one,
Thys man to whome his pere was not y knowe
Hath now subdued, nat sparyng hym alone,
Whyche of all order thys world to ouergone,
None was to be spared, of so great equyte
As he, yf any, for noblesse spared shuld be.
Therfore thou noble or myghty, trust none oder grace,
But thou shalt pay to deth thy naturall dette;
And lyke as he from thys world did chace
Thys mighty Prynce, and from his frendys fette,
For whome all Englond loude mourned and grette:
So shalt thou and oder in deths snare fall,
None shall escape, to reckyn kyndes all.
Edward wyth many and dyuers graces endowed,
And like as
Nardus most sweetest of odoure,
In smellynge passyth, and moost he is allowed
Of all swete odours, so dyd this knyghtly floure
By vertuous artes surmounte in honoure,
All oder Prynces; whose hert was Lybar delyke,
And without fere, were he hole or syke.
Thys Prynce was slowe to all maner of stryfe,
Discrete, and wise, and trewe of his worde,
In armys a Geaunt, terme of all his lyfe,
Excelling actes doing by dynte of the sworde,
Subduyd the proud, of prudence he bore the horde,
Of Flaunders by fate he had great amyte,
And Walshe, and Scottes, by strength subduyd he.
This good King perelesse, his landes firmly gyded,
What nature might giue he failed in nothynge,
No parte of bounte from his was discided,
He was iustice, and peace, and of lawe stablishyng,
That whylom was a Kyng, now is but duste and bone,
All glory is fallen, and this pitte kepeth the kynge,
But he that yeldeth all thing by his one,
The Sonne of God, to whom aboue all thynge
With herte and mouth he did all worsshyppyng,
That Lord of his ioy perdurable to laste,
Graunt him sorrowlesse euermore to taste.
All Kings haue long hands, alluding to the extensure of their Regall gouernement, of which
Ouid in one of his Epistles: thus,
An nescis longas Regibus esse manus?
This King had also long legges, and,
a longis tibijs, surnamed hee was
Longshankes. But I stray beyond my limits, his vertues haue taken me prisoner, and detained me much longer then I expected; let me take liberty to conclude with these verses, in commendation of his valour, out of the fore-remembred additions to
Robert of Glocester.
Edward the furst reguyd than truly,
The son he was of Kyng Harry:
He conquered than all Scotlond,
Ano toke Irlond into hys hond.
And was callyd that tym Conqueror.
God yiue hys soul mych honor
In hys tym he made subiecte
Alwalys, and put them vndre
[...]
yecke,
He behedyd thilke sam tym
The Prynce of UUalys Lewellyn,
Iewes that tym withouten doute,
Of this lond wer clere put oute:
Atte Westmynstre he had hy burying
xxxv yere he reguyd kyng.
[...] Queen of England.Here lieth entombed,
Eleanor his first wife, Queene of England, who went with him into the holy land, in which voyage her husband was stabbed with a poysoned dagger by a Sarazen, the rankled wound whereof was iudged incurable by his Physitians, yet shee daily and nightly sucked out the ranke poison, and so by aduenturing her owne, saued her husbands life. She was the onely daughter of Ferdinando, the third King of Castile and Leons: she died at Herdby in Lincolnshire, 29 Nouember 1290. hauing beene King
Edwards wife 36 yeares, who erected to her honour those Crosses, as Statues, at Lincolne, Grantham, Stanford, Geddington, Northampton, Stony Stratford, Dunstable, (now destroyed) Saint Albans, Waltham, and Westminster, called Charing-Crosse, all adorned with the armes of Castile, Leon, and the Earldome or Countie of Ponthieu, which by her right was annexed to the Crowne of England. Moreouer the said King
Edward (so ardent was his affection to the memory of his deceased
Eleanor) gaue twelue Mannors, Lordships, and Hamlets, to
Walter then Abbot of Westminster, and his successors for euer, for the keeping of yeerely Obits
[Page 465] for his said Queene, and for money that should be geeuen to the poore, that came to the solemnization of the same. Her Epitaph.
Nobilis Hispani iacet hic soror inclita Regis,
Eximij consors Eleanora thori.
Edwardi primi Wallorum principis vxor,
Cui pater Henricus tertius Anglus erat.
Hanc ille vxorem gnato petit: omine princeps
Legati munus suscipit ipse bono,
Alfonso Fratri placuit felix Hymeneus,
Germanam Edwardo nec sine dote dedit.
Dos preclara fuit, nec tali indigna marito
Pontino Princeps munere diues erat.
Femina consilio prudens, pia, prole beata;
Auxit amicitijs, auxit honore virum.
Disce mori.
Here lieth gloriously entombed,
Edward the third King of England. the most mighty Monarch that euer ware the Crowne of England, who conquered Calis, recouered Aquitaine and Normandy, tooke
Iohn, King of France, and
Dauid King of Scots, prisoners; added the armes and title of France to his owne, declaring his claime in this kind of verse: thus,
Rex sum regnorum bina ratione duorum,
Remaines.
Anglorum Regno sum Rex ego iure paterno;
Matris iure quidem Francorum nuncupor idem.
Hinc est Armorum variatio facta meorum.
To which the French answered scornefully in verses to the same temper, but some what touching
Edward with ill grounded vanitie, pretending right to the Crown of France, by Queen
Isabell his mother: before whom, (if Daughters should succeed in the sacred Lillies of France) her eldest Sister must march, Madam
Margaret of France, wife to
Ferdinand, fourth of that name, King of Castille.
Praedo Regnorum qui diceris esse duorum,
Fauine
in the orders of England.
Francorum Regno priuaberis, atque Paterno.
Matris vbique nullum Ius Broles non habet vllum,
Iure Mariti carens alia est Mulier prior illa.
Succedunt Mares huic Regno non Mulieres.
Hinc est Armorum variatio stulta tuorum.
He excelled his Ancestors also in the victorious valour of his children; in their obedience to him, and loue among themselues; and one of his greatest felicities was, that he had a Lady to his wife (the fruitfull mother of a faire issue) of such excellent vertue and gouernement, as that then King
Edwards Fortunes seemed to fall into Eclipse when she was hidden in her Sepulchre. He was the sonne of
Edward the second by
Isabel, daughter to
Philip the Faire, King of France; his father being amoued from the kingdomes
[Page 466] gouernement, (against whom he had no guilty thought) he was by publike Sanction thereupon established in the royall Throne, being of the age of fourteene yeeres; and when he had raigned 50 yeeres, died at his Manor of Shine, Iune 21. 1377. these verses are annexed to his monument.
Hic decus Anglorum, flos Regum preteritorum
Forma futurorum, Rex clemens pax populorum
Tertius Edwardus, regni complens Iubileum
Inuictus Pardus, pollens bellis Machabeum.
Tertius Edwardus Fama super ethera notus
pugna pro patria.
Foure of these verses are thus translated by
Speed in his History of the said King, where, vpon the words
Pollens bellis Machabeum
he giues this marginall note, as followeth.
He meanes (saith he) more able in battaile, then
Machabeus; you must beare with the breaking of
Priscians head, for it is written of a King that vsed to breake many.
Here Englands grace, the flower of Princes past,
Patterne of future,
Edward the third is plaste,
Milde Monarch, Subiects peace, warres Machabee,
Victorious
Alluding to the
[...]eopard
[...] in the
[...]
Pard, his raigne a Iubilee.
Take with you, if you please, another translation of these Meters by one who liued neerer to those times.
Of English kynges here lyth the beauteous floure,
Of all before passed, and myrrour to them shall sue,
A mercifull kynge, of peace conseruatour,
The third
Edward. The deth of whom may rue
Alle Englyssh men, for he by knyghtehode due
Was Lyberd inuict, and by feate Marciall
To worthy Machabe in vertu peregall.
Cron. Compend. Cant. in bib. Col. His Character.Hic erat (saith an old Mss. speaking of this King)
flos mundane militie, sub quo militare erat regnare, proficisci proficere, confligere triumphare. Cui iure maternali linea recta descendente, Regnum cum corona Francie debetur. Pro cuius regni adipiscenda corona, que maris euasit pericula; quos bellorum deuicit impetus; quas Belligerorum struit audacias, scriptor enarrare desistit; sue relationis veritatem adulationis timens obumbrari velamine. Hic vero Edwardus quamuis in hostes terribilis extiterat, in subditos tamen mitissimus fuerat et gratiosus, pietate et miserecordia omnes pene suos precellens antecessores.
Sam. Daniel.A late writer saith, hee was a Prince the soonest a man, and the longest that held so, of any we reade; he was of personage comely, of an euen stature, gracefull, respectiuely affable, and well expressing himselfe. A Prince who loued Iustice, Order, and his people, the supreme vertues of a Soueraigne.
[Page 467] First his loue of Iustice,
His Iustice. was seene by the many Statutes hee made for the due execution thereof, and the most straight-binding oath, hee ordained to be ministred vnto his Iudges and Iusticiars: the punishment inflicted on them for corruption in their offices, causing some to be thrust out, and others grieuously fined. He bettered also that forme of publique Iustice which his Grandfather first began (and which remaines to this day) making also excellent Lawes for the same.
His regard of Order. His regard to the obseruation of Order among his people, so many Lawes do witnesse, as were made to restraine them from Excesses in all kinds. His loue to his Subiects,
His loue to his people. was exprest in the often easing of their grieuances, and his willingnesse to giue them all faire satisfaction, as appeares by the continuall granting of the due obseruation of their Charters in most of his Parliaments. And when (
Ann. Reg. 14.) they were iealous, vpon his assuming the title of the kingdome of France, lest England should thereby come to bee vnder the subiection of that Crowne, as being the greater, he to cleare them of that doubt, passed a Statute, in the firmest manner could bee deuised, that this kingdome should remaine intire as before, without any violation of the rights it had.
Prouident he was in all his actions,
His Prouidence. neuer vnder-taking any thing before he had first furnished himselfe with meanes to performe it.
For his gifts we finde them not such as either his owne fame and reputation, or any way distasted the State. To be short, hee was a Prince who knew his worke, and did it: and therefore was he better obeyed, better respected and serued, then any of his Predecessours.
His workes of Pietie were great and many,
His works of Pietie. as the founding of East-minster an Abbey (of the Cisteux order) neare the Tower. An Abbey for Nunnes at Dartford in Kent (of both which I haue already written) The Kings Hall in Cambridge for poore Schollers. An Hospitall for the poore at Calais. The building of Saint
Stephens Chappell at Westminster, with the endowment of three hundred pound,
per annum, to that Church. His augmenting the Chappell at Windsore, and prouisions there for Churchmen, and twenty foure poore knights,
His buildings. &c. These were his publique works, the best Monuments and most lasting to glorifie the memory of Princes. Besides these, his priuate buildings are great and many; as the Castle of Windsore, which he re-edified and enlarged.
His magnificence was shewed in Triumphs and Feasts, which were sumptuously celebrated, with all due rites and ceremonies, the preseruers of Reuerence and Maiestie: To conclude, he was a Prince, whose nature agreed with his office, as onely made for it.
On this manner, as he was in the strength of his yeares, and in the height of his vigorous actions, his character is exprest by many Authors. Now may it please you in this place to take a view of this the mighty great Monarch of England, France, and Ireland, as he was wrinkled with age, weakened with a sore lingring disease, and laid downe vpon his Deaths-bed.
When he had attained to the age of threescore and fiue yeares, or thereabouts, and wrastled with a sicknesse which gaue him the ouerthrow; lying in the bed, and at the point of death, his eyes darkened, his speech altered, and his naturall heate almost extinguished,
Walsing. in vit. Ed. 3. one, whom of all other he most entirely affected, tooke the rings from his fingers, which for the royaltie
[Page 468] of his Maiestie he was wont to weare, so bad him adiew; and withdrew herselfe into another roome (a woman she was,
inuerecunda p
[...]llex, as
Walsingham calls her, whose name was
Alice Piers) neither was hee left onely of her the said
Alice, but of other the knights and Esquires, who had serued him, allured more with his gifts then his loue. Amongst many there was onely present at that time a certaine Priest (other of his seruants applying the spoile of what they could lay hands on) who lamenting the kings miserie, and inwardly touched with griefe of heart, for that amongst so many Councellers which hee had, there was none that would minister vnto him the word of life, came boldly vnto him, and admonished him to lift vp the eyes as well of his body, as of his heart, vnto God, and with sighes to aske mercy of him, whose Maiestie he well knew he had grieuously offended. Whereupon the king listened to the words of the Priest, and although a little before he had wanted the vse of his tongue, yet then taking strength to him, hee seemed to speake what was in his minde. And then what for weaknesse of his body, contrition of his heart, and sobbing for his sinnes, his voice and speech failed him, and scarce halfe pronouncing this word Iesu, he gaue vp the Ghost, at his Mannour of Sheene (now Richmount) as aforesaid.
If you will heare any more of this Martiall king, you must haue the patience to trouble your selues in the reading of these obsolete old rimes.
Aftur
Add. Rob. Glocest.
hym reguyd hys son ful ryght
The iii Edward that dowtie knyght.
U. sones he hadde truly here,
That wer to hym leef and dere.
Furst yis kyng dude a grete maistry,
Atte Scluce he brend a gret Naby.
Atte Tresse he faught ayain,
The kyng of
Bohemia.
Beme ther was slayn,
And the kyng of France putte to flyght,
Non longor than durst he fyght.
A sege atte Calice he lede byfor,
That last xii months and mor:
And or he thens wold goo,
He wan Calice and touns moo.
Atte Batail of Poyters, by ordynance,
Was taken Iohn the kyng of France.
Atte Westmynstre he lyth ther
He regnyd almoost li yer
Byfor hym deyed Prynce Edward
Whych hadde a son that hight Rychard.
Philip Queene of England.Philippa (of whom I haue spoken before) Queene of England, wife of
Edward the third, daughter of
William of Bauaria, Earle of Henault, and Holland, by
Ioane sister of
Philip of Valoys, king of France, lyeth entombed at her husbands feet; She was a Lady of great vertue, and a constant true louer of our Nation; who when shee had beene king
Edwards[Page 469] wife fourty two yeares, she died August, 15. 1369. These verses are annexed to her Monument.
Gulielmi Hannonis sobeles postrema Philippa,
Hic roseo quondam pulchra decore iacet.
Tertius Edwardus Rex ista coninge letus
Materno suasu nobiliumque fuit.
Frater Iohannes Comes Mauortius heros,
Huic illam voluit consociare viro.
Hec iunxit Flandros coniunctio sanguinis Anglis:
In Francos venit hinc Gallica dira lues▪
Dotibus hec raris viguit Regina Philippa
Forma prestanti, Religione, fide.
Fecunda nata est proles numerosa parenti,
Insignes peperit magnanimosque duces.
Oxonij posuit studiosis optima nutrix
Regineas Edes, Palladiam scholam.
Coniux Edwardi iacet hic Regina Philippa.
Disce viuere.
Thus there Englished:
Faire
Philip William Hennaldes childe and youngest daughter deere,
Of roseat hue, and beautie bright, in tombe lies hilled heere.
Edward the third through mothers will, and Nobles good consent;
Tooke her to wife, and ioyfully with her his time he spent.
His brother
Iohn a Martiall man, and eke a valiant knight,
Did linke this woman to this king in bonds of marriage right.
This match and marriage thus in bloud, did binde the Flemings sure
To Englishmen, by which they did the Frenchmens wracke procure.
This
Philip flowr'd in gifts full rare, and treasures of the minde,
In beauty bright, Religion, Faith; to all and each most kinde,
A fruitfull Mother
Philip was, full many a sonne she bred,
And brought forth many a worthy knight, hardy, and full of dred.
A carefull Nurse to Students all, at Oxford she did found
Queenes Colledge, and Dame
Pallas Schoole, that did her fame resound.
The wife of
Edward, deere,
Queene
Philip lieth here:
Learne to liue.
She was the youngest of the fiue daughters of
William Earle of Henault aforesaid; especially chosen before any of her Sisters for king
Edwards wife, by a Bishop (of what See I am vncertaine) and other Lords temporall, sent thither, were sent as Embassadours, to treate of the marriage. Of which thus much out of
Harding. cap. 178. as followeth.
Now, what experience this Bishop had in womens conueniency of bringing forth children, I know not, but it so fell out, that she had issue by her said husband King
Edward, seuen sonnes, and fiue daughters, borne for the glory of our Nation.
1.
Edward Prince of Wales, borne at Woodstocke.
2.
William, borne at Hatfield, in the County of Hertford.
3.
Lionell, borne at the Citie of Antwerpe, Duke of Clarence.
4.
Iohn, borne at Gaunt, the chiefe Towne of Flanders, Duke of Lancaster.
5.
Edmond, surnamed of
Langley, Duke of Yorke.
6.
William, another of their Sonnes, surnamed of Windsore, where he was borne.
7.
Thomas, the youngest sonne of King
Edward and Queene
Philip, surnamed of Woodstocke, the place of his birth, Duke of Glocester.
Daughters.
1.
Isabell, the eldest Daughter, was married with great pompe at Windsore, to
Ingelram of Guisnes, Lord of Coucy, Earle of Soissoms, and after Archduke of Austria, whom king
Edward his Father in law created also Earle of Bedford.
2.
Ioane, desired in marriage by solemne Embassage from
Alphons, king of Castile and Leon, sonne of king
Ferdinando the fourth, was espoused by
Proxie, intituled Queene of Spaine, conueyed into that countrey, where she presently deceased of a great plague that then raigned.
3.
Blanch the third daughter, died young, and lieth buried in this Abbey Church.
4.
Mary the fourth daughter was married to
Iohn Montford, Duke of Britaine.
5.
Margaret their youngest daughter was the first wife of
Iohn de Hastings, Earle of Penbroke.
[Page 471]It is reported of this Queene (saith
Milles) that when she perceiued her life would en
[...], she requested to speake with the King her husband, who accordingly came to her in great heauinesse: being come, she tooke him by the hand, and after a few words of induction, shee prayed him that hee would in no wise deny her, in three requests. First, that all Merchants and others to whom she ought any debt, (whether on this side or beyond the seas) might be payd and discharged. Secondly, that all such promises as she had made to Churches, as well within the realme as without, might be performed. Thirdly, that hee would be pleased (whensoeuer God should call him,) to chuse none other Sepulchre, but that wherein her body should be layed: all which were performed, and so I leaue them both lying in one Graue, expecting a ioyfull resurrection.
Richard the second,
Richard the second, King of England. King of England and France, Lord of Ireland, sonne to
Edward, Prince of Wales, by
Ioane, daughter to the Earle of Kent, being depriued both of liuing and life, by that popular vsurper
Henry the
[...] by his commandement, obscurely buried at Langley in Hertfortshire, in the Church of the Friers Predicants; was by the appointment of
Henry the fift, remoued from thence with great honour, in a Chaire royall, himselfe and his nobilitie attending the sacred reliques of this annointed King: which he solemnly here enterred amongst his ancestors, and founded perpetually one day euery weeke, a Dirge, with nine Lessons and a morning masse to be celebrated for the soule of the said King
Richard,Ranulph, Monke of Chester.
Lib. vltimo. and vpon each of those daies, sixe shillings eight pence to be giuen to the poore people; and once euery yeare vpon the same day of his Anniuerse, twentie pounds in pence to be distributed to the most needfull: He made for him a glorious Tombe, and this glosing Epitaph deciphering the lineaments of his body, and qualities of mind; which to any, who knowes vpon what points he was put out of Maiestie and State, may seeme strange, if not ridiculous; thus it runnes.
Prudens et mundus Richardus iure secundus,
Per fatum victus, iacet hic sub marmore pictus.
Verax sermone, prudens suit et ratione.
Corpore procerus, animo prudens vt Homerus,
Ecclesie fauit, elatos suppeditauit.
Quemuis prostrauit Regalia qui violauit.
O bruit hereticos, et eorum strauit amicos.
O clemens christe tibi deuotus suit iste
Votis Baptiste, salues quem protulit iste.
Hic iacet immiti consumptus morte Richardus
fuisse felicem miserrimum.
Fabian who translated this Epitaph into English,
Folio 166. desirous, as it seemes, to extenuate the force of such palpable grosse flattery; annexeth this stanza.
But yet, alas, although this meter, or ryme,
Thus doth embellish this noble Princes fame;
And that some Clerke which fauored him somtyme,
[Page 472]L
[...]st by his cunnyng thus to enhanse his name,
Yet by his story appereth in him some blame.
Wherfore to Princes is surest memory,
Their lyues to exercyse in vertuous constancy.
But
Iohn Harding, speaking of the greatnesse of his houshold, and the pride and whoredome therein, as well amongst the Clergie as Laitie, is more inuectiue in his rimes, which to reade I hope will not be troublesome: thus he begins.
Truly I herd
Robert Ireleffe saye
[...]
Clerke of the Grenecloth; and that to the Houshold
Came euery daye, forthe most partie alwaye
Ten thousand folke, by his messis told,
That folowed the hous aye as thei wold.
And in the Kechin three hundred Seruitours,
And in eche office many occupiours.
And Ladies faire, with their gentlewomen,
Chamberers also and lauenders,
Three hundred of theim were occupied then.
There was greate pride emong the Officers.
And of all men far passyng their compeers,
Of rich araye, and much more costious,
Then was before, or sith, and more pretious.
In his Chappell, were Bishoppes then of
Bohemia.
Beame,
Some of Irelond, and some also of France;
Some of Englond, and clerkes of many a realme,
That litill connyng had or conisance.
In musike honorably God his seruice to auance
In the Chappell, or in holy Scripture
On mater of Goddis to refigure.
Lewed menne, thei were in clerkes clothyng,
Disguysed faire, in fourme of clerkes wise,
Their Perishyns full litill enfourmyng
In Lawe diuine, or else in God his seruise.
But right practyfe they were in couetise
Eche yere to make full greate collection
At home, in stede of soules correction.
Greate Lechery and fornication
Was in that house, and also greate aduoutree.
Of Paramours was great consolacion,
Of ech degre, well more of Prelacie
Then of the temporall, or of the chiualrie.
Greate taxe ay the kyng tooke through all the lond,
For whiche Commons him hated both free and bond.
[Page 473]Iohn Gower concludes his
cronica tripartita, [...] annexed to his booke entituled
Vox Clamantis, with these riming verses concerning the said King.
Cronica Richardi qui sceptra tulit Leopardi
Vt patet est dicta, populo sed non benedicta
Vt speculum mundi quo lux nequit vlla resundi,
Sic vacuus transit, sibi nil nisi culpa remansit,
Vnde superbus erat, modo si preconia querat.
Eius honor sordet, laus culpat, gloria mordet:
Hoc concernentes caueant qui sunt sapientes;
Nam male viuentes Deus odit in orbe regentes:
Est qui peccator non esse potest dominator,
Ricardo teste finis probat hoc manifeste:
Post sua demerita perijt sua pompa sopita
Qualis erat vita cronica stabit ita.
He was murdered at Pomfret Castle in the bloudie Tower, (so called from that time (vpon that bloudie act) to this day,) on Saint Valentines day, 1399. the first of
Henry the fourth, when hee had raigned 22 yeares. That beautifull picture of a King sighing, crowned in a chaire of estate, at the vpper end of the Quire in this Church, is said to be of him, which witnesseth how goodly a creature he was in outward lineaments: but I will conclude with these rimes out of my old Manuscript, the Addition to
Robert of Glocester.
This Rychard than regnyd sone
Aftur his
[...]
Belsire as was to done,
Atte x yere of age crownyd was he,
He was a man of grett beute.
In hys tym the Comynte of Kent
Up arysin and to London went;
And Sauoy the brent, that ilke plas,
The whych the Dukes of Lancastre was.
Thurgh euel councel was slayn ful
suel[?]
The Duke of Glocestre, and the erle of Arundel.
He regnyd xxii yer and mor,
And to Longeley was he bor.
But in the v King Herry is tym,
He was leyde at VVestmynstre by Anne the Quene.
Anne his first wife here entombed with him,
Anne, Queene of England. was the daughter of
Wenceslaus, King of Bohemia, and Emperour of the Germanes; she died in
Anno 1394. the seuenth of Iune, at Sheene in Surrey: whom her husband so feruently loued, yea,
vsque ad amentiam, euen to a kinde of madnesse, that for very griefe and anger,
Stow. Annal. (besides cursing the place wherein shee died) hee ouerthrew the whole house. Her Epitaph.
Sub petra lata nunc Annaiacet tumulata,
Dum vixit mundo Richardo nupta secundo:
[Page 474]Christo deuota fuit hec, facilis, bene nota;
Pauperibus prona semper sua reddere dona;
Iurgia sedauit, et pregnantes releuauit.
Corpore formosa, vultu mitis speciosa:
Prebens solamen viduis, egris medicamen.
Anno milleno, ter cent. quarto nonageno
Iulij septeno mensis migrauit ameno.
forma Fragilis.
Henry the fift King of England.Henry the fift, sonne of
Henry the fourth, King of England, and conquerour of France, died at Boyes de Viscenna, not farre from Paris, the last of August, 1422. hauing raigned 9 yeares, 5 moneths, and odde daies, from thence his body was conuaied to this Abbey; vpon whose Tombe,
Katherine his wife, caused a royall picture to be layed, couered all ouer with siluer plate gilded, the head whereof was all of massie siluer: all which (at the suppression, when the battering hammers of destruction, (as Master
Speed saith) did sound almost in euery Church) were sacrilegiously broken off, and by purloyning, transferred to farre prophaner vses, where at this day, the headlesse monument is to be seene, and these verses written vpon his Tombe.
Dux Normanorum, verus Conquestor eorum,
Heres Francorum; decessit et Hector eorum.
Here Normans Duke, so stil'd by conquest iust,
True heire of France; Great
Hector, lies in dust.
Gallorum mastix iacet hic Henricus in vrna
Domat omnia virtus.
So many vertues are attributed, by all writers, to this heroicall King
Henry, the renowne of England, and glory of Wales, that where to begin, or when to make an end in his deserued praise, I know not: so I will leaue him, amongst the many Monarchs of this most famous Empire, none more complete, relating onely a few rimes, which in some sort doth particularize his memorable exploits.
In Fraunce he departyd goodly thurgh Godd
[...]s grase,
And was broght into Engelond in short spase
Then was his Son Herry of age suerly
But only viii monyths wyth odde deyes truly,
His Eme Iohn Duc of Bedford as yow see
Is now Regent of Fraunce sykerly.
He regnyd x yer; in hevyn he hath reward
Lith at Westmynstre noght fer fro Seynt Edward.
Here lieth
Katherine,Katherine the wife of
Henry the fifth. Queene of England, wife to the foresaid King
Henry the fifth, in a chest or coffin with a loose couer to be seene and handled of any that will much desire it, and that by her owne appointment (as he that sheweth the Tombes will tell you by tradition) in regard of her disobedience to her husband for being deliuered of her Sonne
Henry the sixth at Windsore, the place which he forbad. But the truth is that she being first buried in our Ladies Chappell here in this Church, her corps were taken vp; when as
Henry the seuenth laid the foundation of that admirable structure his Chappell royall, which haue euer since so remained, and neuer reburied. She was the daughter to
Charles the sixth, king of France: she died at Bermondsey in Southwarke, the second of Ianuary,
Ann. Dom. 1437. Her Epitaph.
Hic Katherina iacet Francorum filia Regis,
Heres & Regni, Carole Sexte, tui.
Henrici quinti thalamo bis leta iugali
Nam sic vir duplici clarus honore fuit:
Iure suo Anglorum, Katherine iure triumphans
Francorum obtinuit ius, decus imperij.
Grata venit letis felix Regina Britannis
Perque dies celebrant quatuor ore Deum.
Edidit Henricum gemebunda puerpera Regem,
Cuius in imperio Francus & Anglus erat.
Non sibi sed Regno felici sidere natum;
Sed Patri & Matri Religione parem.
Post ex Owino Tiddero tertia proles,
Nobilis Edmundus te Katherina beat:
Septimus Henricus quo non prestantior alter,
Filius Edmundi, gemma Britanna fuit.
Felix ergo vxor, mater, ter filia felix,
Ast Auia hec felix terque quater que fuit.
[Page 476]Henry the seuenth king of England.Here lieth buried in one of the stateliest Monuments of Europe, both for the Chappell, and for the Sepulchre, the body of
Henry the seuenth, King of England, the first begotten Sonne of
Edmund, Earle of Richmond, by
Margaret, daughter and heire to
Iohn Duke of Somerset. This glorious rich Tombe is compassed about with verses, penned by that Poet
Laureat (as he stiles himselfe) and Kings Orator,
Iohn Skelton: I will take onely the shortest of his Epitaphs or Eulogiums, and most to the purpose,
Septimus hic situs est Henricus, gloria Regum
Cunctorum, ipsius qui tempestate fuerunt,
Ingenio atque opibus gestarum & nomine rerum,
Accessere quibus nature dona benigne:
Frontis honos, facies augusta, heroica forma,
Iunctaque ei suanis coniux perpulchra, pudica,
Et secunda fuit: felices prole parentes,
Henricum quibus octauum terra Anglia debes.
He deceased at Richmond the 22. of Aprill, 1509. when hee had raigned 23. yeares, and somewhat more then seuen moneths, and liued fifty two yeares. Whosoeuer would know further of this king, let him reade his History, wherein hee is delineated to the life, by the matchlesse and neuer enough admired penne of that famous, learned, and eloquent knight, Sir
Francis Bacon, not long since deceased, Lord
Verulam, and Viscount Saint
Alban.
Elizabeth the wife of king
Hen. the seuenth.Here lieth entombed by her Husband
Henry the seuenth,
Elizabeth, the first childe legitimate and eldest daughter of king
Edward the fourth; to whom she was married the eighteenth of Ianuary, 1488. whereby was vnited the long contending Families of Lancaster and Yorke, and the Roses red and white ioyned into one, to the great ioy of the English Subiects. She was his wife eighteene yeares and twenty foure dayes, and died in child-bed in the Tower of London, the eleuenth of February, euen the day of her owne Natiuitie, the eighteenth of her Husbands raigne, and yeare of our Saluation, 1503.
I haue an Epitaph of this good Queene (borne for Englands happinesse) which I transcribed out of a Manuscript in Sir
Robert Cottons Library.
Extinctum iacet hic genus a Plantagine ductum,
Et Rosa purpureis candida nupta Rosis.
Elisabet claris Anglorum Regibus orta,
Regina & Patrij gloria rara soli.
Edwardi soboles quarti, tibi septime coniux
Henrice, heu populi cura benigna tui.
Exemplex vite qua nec prestantior altra
Moribus, ingenio, nec probitate fuit.
Reginam Deus eterno dignetur honore
Et Regem hic annos viuere Nestoreos.
Margaret Coū tesse of Richmond.Here lieth magnificently entombed,
Margaret, Countesse of Richmond, and Darby, daughter and onely heire to
Iohn Duke of Somerset, by
Margaret,[Page 477] daughter to the Lord
Beauchampe of Powicke, first married to
Edmund the sonne of
Owen Tedder, who begat
Henry the seuenth, King of England, and afterwards to
Thomas Stanley, Earle of Derby. Two Colledges, namely, of Christ, and Saint
Iohn Baptist, she erected for Students in Cambridge. Shee instituted also two Diuinitie Lectures, one at Cambridge, and the other at Oxenford, who, hauing liued so long to see her Grandchilde,
Henry the eight, crowned King, died the twelfth of Iuly, 1509. in the first yeare of his raigne. Here is a long Elegie made to her memorie by the foresaid
Skelton, with this terrible curse to all those that shall tread, spoile, or take it away.
Qui lacerat, violatue, rapit presens Epitoma,
Hunc laceretque voret cerberus absque mora.
Hanc tecum statuas Dominam precor O Sator orbis,
Quo regnas rutilans Rex sine fine manens.
Here lieth
Margaret,Margaret the daughter of King
Ed. 4. one of the daughters of King
Edward the fourth, by
Elizabeth his royall Queene and wife. She died an Infant, the eleuenth of December, 1472.
Nobilitas & forma, decorque tenella inuentus
Insimul hic ista mortis sunt condita cista.
Vt genus, & nomen, sexum, tempus quoque mortis
Noseas; cuncta tibi manifestat margo Sepulchri.
Here lieth
Elizabeth,Elizab. the daughter of king
Hen. 7. the second daughter of King
Henry the seuenth, by his louing consort and Queene,
Elizabeth, who was borne the second day of Iuly, 1492. and died the 14. day of Nouember, 1495. Vpon her Tombe this Epitaph.
Hic post sata iacet proles regalis in isto
Sarcophago, inuenis, nobilis Elizabeth,
Princeps illustris, Hen. Sept. filia Regis
Qui bini regni florida sceptra tenet.
Atropos hanc rapuit seuissima nuntia mortis,
Sit super in celo vita perhennis ei.
Here lieth interred,
Anne Queene of England. without any Monument,
Anne, the second daughter and coheire to
Richard Nevil, the stout Earle of Warwicke, and Salisbury: who was first married to
Edward Prince of Wales, the sonne and onely childe of king
Henry the sixth, and after remarried to
Richard Duke of Gloucester (who at the battell of Tewxbury had stabbed her husband into the heart with his dagger) afterwards by vsurpation king of England, surnamed
Crook-backe. She died (not without suspition of being poysoned) the 16. of March, 1485.
Here lieth entombed
Edmund,Edmund Earle of Lancaster. the second sonne of King
Henry the third, Earle of Lancaster, Leicester, and Darby, surnamed
Crouch-backe, of his bowing in his backe, because he is neuer found (saith
Vincent in his discouery of
Brookes errours, title Lancaster) with any other addition, and indeed with no other Epithite then
Gibbosus; which signifieth crooked, crump-shouldred, or Camell-backed. But others say he was so denominated
[Page 478] of wearing the signe of the Crosse (anciently called a Crouch) vpon his backe, which was vsually worne of such as vowed voyages to Ierusalem; as he had done. Further confirming their opinions from the name of Crouched-Friers, that wore a Crosse vpon their garments. And
Io. Harding speaking of him and his elder Brother
Edward, afterwards king of England, and of their voyage to Ierusalem, hath these verses to the same effect.
Harding c. 147.
His brother
Edward and he associate
To Ierusalem, their voyage them avowed.
Two semely Princes, together adioynate,
In all the world was none them like alowed,
So large and faire thei were, eche man he bowed.
Edward aboue his menne was largely seen
By his shulders more hie and made full clene.
Edmond next hym the comeliest Prince aliue,
Not croke backed, ne in no wyse disfigured.
As some menne wrote, the right lyne to depriue,
Through great falsehed made it to be scriptured:
For cause it should alwaye bee refigured,
And mentioned well, his yssue to prevaile
Vnto the Crowne, by such a gouernaile.
I cannot let passe, although I do somewhat digresse, the cunning sleights and deuises the Popes of Rome vsed in these times, to empouerish this kingdome, and enrich their owne coffers.
Mat. Paris. First they combine and confederate with the king to the vtter vndoing of all his loyall Subiects. And now Pope
Alexander the fourth puts a tricke vpon the king himselfe (a Prince more pious then prudent) which exhausts his Treasure,
Pageant of Popes. and leaues him for a laughing-stocke to all other Nations. This Pope, forsooth, inuested this
Edmund his sonne, into the kingdomes of Sicilia and Apulia (
Conradus king thereof still liuing) by a ring; conditionally, that hee should sustaine the charges, and maintaine the warres that should happen thereupon. In which regard he suckt a masse of money from our credulous king
Henry, who had so deeply swallowed the gudgeon that (his heart being ouer-ioyed (saith
Mathew Paris) and raised euen to the height of exultation) hee swore by Saint
Edward, to make a present voyage to Apulia, and take possession of these dominions. But at length this counterfeit ring vpon the touch was discouered, and the good king knew himselfe deluded, his Exchequer emptied, and this Titulary-king his sonne
Edmund abused. Thus writes
Mathew Paris, the Monke of S.
Albans, who liued in those dayes; and deciphers the Legerdemaine, and iugling deuises of the Bishops of Rome to get money.
This
Edmund was Lord Steward of this kingdome, and Lieutenant of Gascoigne. Who being sent into Aquitaine with an armie, where he performed notable seruice, died at Bayon, in the yeare 1296. And within two moneths after his death, his body was honourably transported into England.
Aueline Countesse of Lancaster.Here lieth also entombed his first wife
Aveline, daughter and heire of
[Page 479]William de Fortibus, Earle of Albamarle, by whom he had no issue: who died the yeare 1269.
Here lieth buried in a most magnificent Tombe, befitting the greatnesse of his birth,
William de Valence Earle of Penbroke. and the worthinesse of his Of-spring,
William de valence, Earle of Penbroke, (so sirnamed of Valencia the place of his birth) sonne of
Hugh le Brun, Earle of the Marches of Aquitaine, and halfe brother by the mothers side,
Stow Annal. to King
Henry the third. This
William (saith
Stow) was slaine at Bayon by the French, in the yeare 1296. and with him,
Edmund Earle of Lancaster, of whom I lastly spoke, if wee may beleeue these verses of
Harding.
But erle
Edmond, the kynges brother dere,
With twenty and sixe baners proud and stout,
The fift daye of Iune was accompted clere,
Harding ca. [...]56
Of Christ his date a thousand yere all out,
Fourscore and sixteene, without doubt.
At Bayon faught, with the French menne certain,
Wher he in the feld that daye like a knyght was slain.
So was Sir
William Valence erle of Penbroke than,
Sir
Iohn Richmond, and many other Baron:
Sir
Iohn Saynct Iohn, right a full manly manne:
Thenglishe hoste felly ther was bore doune,
By a bushement, laied by colucion,
That brake on theim, sore fighting in the feld,
Out of a wode, in whiche that day were beld.
About the verge or side of his monument, these verses are inlayd with brasse.
Anglia tota doles, moritur quia regia proles,
Qua florere soles, quem continet infima moles,
Guilielmus nomen insigne Valentia prebet,
Celsum cognomen, nam tale dari sibi debet.
Qui valuit validus, vincens virtute valore.
E
[...] placuit placidus, sensus morumque vigore,
Dapsilis, et habilis, immotus, prelia sectans,
Vtilis, ac humilis, deuotus, premia spectans.
Milleque trecentis cum quatuor inde retentis,
In Maij mense, hunc mors proprio ferit ense.
Quique legis hec repete quam sit via plena timore,
Meque lege, te moriturum & inscius hore.
O clemens christe celos intret precor iste,
Nil videat triste, quia preculit omnibus hisce.
Here lyeth entombed the body of
Simon Langham,Simon Langham Archbishop of Canterbury. who was first a Monke of this Abbey, then Prior, and lastly Abbot, thence elected Bishop of London; from thence, before his consecration to London, aduanced to the Bishopricke of Ely, and from that place remoued to Canterbury: hee
[Page 480] held diuers liuings in
commendam, as the Archdeaconry and Treasureship of Wels, with others. He was both Treasurer and Chancelour of England at seuerall times: It is scarce credible (saith
Godwin now Bishop of Hereford in his catalogue
de presulibus Anglie) that is reported of his wonderfull bounty and liberality to this monastery. When hee was first made Abbot, he bestowed all that he had gathered together, being Monke and Prior, in paying the debt of the house, which was to the value of two thousand and two hundred markes; and discharged diuers other summes of money also, which particular Monkes did owe: he purchased good land which he gaue vnto them. When hee went out of England, hee left them bookes to the value of 830 pound, and Copes, Vestments, and other ornaments for the Church, worth 437. pound. At his death, he bequeathed vnto them, all his plate, prised at 2700. pound, and all his debts any where due, which amounted vnto 3954. pound, thirteene shillings and foure pence. He also sent vnto this Abbey, the summe of one thousand markes, to buy forty markes a yeare land, to encrease the portion of foure Monkes, that daily should say Masse for the soules of himselfe, and his Parents. The money that he bestowed vpon this Abbey one way or other, is reckoned by a Monke of the same, to be no lesse then 10800. pound; who thereupon compiled this Distich.
Res es de Langham tua Simon sunt data quondam,
Octingentena librarum millia dena.
But men of eminent place and authoritie, cannot haue their due praise of all sorts of people; nay rather in requitall of their best actions, they shall reape nothing but opprobrious language: for vpon his translation from Ely to Canterbury, these two rayling, riming Hexameters were made to his disgrace.
Letentur celi quia Simon transit ab Ely
Cuius in aduentum flent in Kent millia centum.
The Isle of Ely laught, when
Simon from her went:
But hundred thousands wept at's comming into Kent.
He sate Archbishop of Canterbury onely two yeares, for being made Cardinall of Saint
Sixtus by Pope
Vrban the fift, hee left his Archbishopricke, and went to Auinion, where shortly after he was made Bishop Cardinall of Preneste, by
Gregory the eleuenth; where he liued in great estimation about eight yeares, and died of a palsie, wherewith hee was suddenly taken, as he sate at dinner, Iuly 22. 1376. he was buried first in the Church of the Carthusians, which he himselfe had founded in the Citie of Auinion; but after three yeares, his bones (by his appointment while he liued) were taken vp and buried here a second time, vnder a goodly tombe of Alabaster, vpon which this Epitaph was sometime engrauen.
Simon de Langham sub petris hijs tumulatus,
Istius Ecclesie Monachus fuerat, Prior, Abbas;
Sede vacante fuit electus Londoniensis
[Page 481]Presul, et insignis Ely, sed postea primas
Totius Regni, magnus Regisque minister:
Nam Thesaurarius, et Cancellarius eius,
Ac Cardinalis in Roma Presbyter is
[...]e.
Postque Prenestinus est factus Episcopus, atque
Nuncius ex parte Pape transmittitur ist
[...]c.
Orbe dolente Pater, quem nunc reuocare nequimus
Magdalene festo, milleno septuageno,
Et ter centeno sexto Christi ruit anno.
Hunc Deus absoluat de cunctis que male gessit,
Et meritis Matris sibi celica gaudia donet.
Here lyeth
Robert Waldby,Robert Waldby Archbishop of Yorke. who being a yong man, followed
Edward the blacke Prince into France, where he continued long a Student, and profited so much, as no man in the Vniuersitie where he liued, might compared with him for all kinde of learning: he was a good linguist, very well seene in Philosophie, both naturall and morall, in Physicke, and the canon Law; very eloquent, an excellent Preacher; and esteemed so profound a Diuine, as he was thought meete to be the professour of Diuinity, or Doctor of the Chaire in the Vniuersitie of Tholouze. For these his good gifts hee was much fauoured of the blacke Prince, then of King
Richard his sonne, who preferred him to the Bishopricke of the Isle of Man, from that preferment he was translated to the Archbishopricke of Dublin in Ireland, thence to Chichester, and lastly to the Archbishopricke of Yorke; where he sate not fully three yeares, but died the 29. of May, 1397. His Epitaph is quite worne or torne away from his monument, yet I found it in a Manuscript, in Sir
Robert Cottons Librarie.
Hic fuit expertus in quouis iure Robertus
De Walbye dictus,
Ex Mss. in bib Cot.
nunc est sub marmore strictus.
Sacre Scripture Doctor fuit et geniture
Ingenuus medicus, & Plebis semper amicus
Presul
Sodorensis
B. of Man.
Adurensis post hec Archas Dublinensis.
Hinc Cicestrensis, tandem Primus Eborensis.
Quarto Kalend Iunij migrauit cur sibus anni
Milleni ter C. septem nonies: quoque deni.
Vos precor orate, quod sint sibi dona beate
Cum sanctis vite; requiescat et hic sine lite.
In an old riming Manuscript of the succession of the Archbishops of Yorke, I finde thus much of this man.
Tunc Robertus ordinis Fratris Augustini,
Ascendit in Cathedram Primatis Paulini,
In bib. Cot.
Lingua scientificus s
[...]rmonis Latini.
Anno primo proximat. vite sue fini.
De carnis ergastulo Presul euocatur
Gleba sui corporu Westminstre humatur.
[Page 482]Iohn Waltham Bishop of Salisbury. Ca
[...]al. of Bishops.Here vnder a marble stone in the Chappell royall, lyeth the body of
Iohn Waltham, Lord Bishop of Salisbury, who had beene master of the Rolles, keeper of the priuie Seale, and Treasurer of England: in which office he continued till his death, which happened in the yeare 1395. hauing sate bishop 7 yeares, and executed the Treasurorship foure yeares. King
Richard the second loued him entirely, and greatly bewailed his death. In token whereof hee commanded that hee should be buried here among the Kings:
In vita R 2.hoc anno, saith
Walshingham, viz. in the yeare 1395.
obijt Iohannes de Waltham Episcopus Sarum & regni Thesaurarius qui tantum Regi complacuerit, vt etiam (multis licet murmurantibus) apud monasterium inter Reges meruit sepulturam.
He lieth in the pauement vnder a flat marble stone, iust beside King
Edward the first, vpon which, his Epitaph was inlayd in brasse, with his portraiture in Episcopall robes; now defaced, and almost quite perished.
Richard Wendouer Bishop of R
[...]ch
[...]ster.Here lyeth another Bishop here buried (but not in so conspicuous and princely a place of the Church, as doth
Waltham) who was likewise by the Kings speciall commandement, here inhumed, for that he was accounted a very holy and vertuous man; namely, one
Richard de Wendouer, Parson of Bromley, and Bishop of Rochester, who died in the yeare, 1250. and in the raigne of King
Henry the third.
Sir
Humphrey Bourchier, Lord Cromwell.Here lieth interred, Sir
Humfrey Bourchier, Lord Cromwell, the sonne of
Henry Bourchier, Earle of Essex, by
Isabell, daughter of
Richard, Earle of Cambridge, and sister to
Richard, Duke of Yorke; who in aide of his kinsman King
Edward the fourth, was slaine at Barnet field vpon Easter day, 1471.
Sir
Humphrey Bourchier.And here lieth interred another
Humfrey Bourchier, who was the sonne and heire of
Iohn Bourchier, Lord Berners, who was also slaine at the same battaile; to whose memories this Epitaph yet remaines:
Hic Pugil ecce iacens Bernet fera bella cupiscens,
Certat vt Eacides, fit saucius vndique miles,
Vt cecidit vulnus, Mars porrigit arma cruore,
Sparsim tincta rubent, dolor en lachrimabilis hora,
Lumine nempe cadit, quo christus morte resurgit.
Bourchier Humfridus, clara propagine dictus.
Edwardi Regis qui tertius est vocitatus,
Iohn. Domini Berners proles, et paruulus heres,
Quartus et Edwardus belli tenet ecce triumphum,
Quo perit Humfridus, vt Regis vernula verus
Cup. bearer.
Cyronomon mense sponse Regis fuit iste,
Elisabeth, sibi sic sua virtus crescit honore.
Armis conspicuus quondam, charusque Britannis
Hic fuit: Vt celis viuat deposcite votis.
Tho. Milling Bishop of Hereford.Here lieth entombed in a slight monument in the wall,
Thomas Mylling, sometime Abbot of this Monastery; from whence he was preferred to the Bishopricke of Hereford, by King
Edward the fourth, vnder whom he was of the priuie Councell, and was Godfather to Prince
Edward his eldest
[Page 483] Sonne; He was a Monke of this house, being but a youth; and then went to Oxford, where he studied vntill hee proceeded Doctor of Diuinitie; in which time he attained good knowledge in the Greeke tongue; which in those dayes was geason, saith the reuerend Author of the Bishops Catalogue.
Godwin. He died in the yeare 1493.
Here in an obscure place of this Church,
Hugolin Chamberlaine to S.
Edward, king and Confessor. lieth the body of
Hugoline, Chamberlaine to King
Edward the Confessor, of whom this Storie is written in the life of the said
Edward. King
Edward one afternoone lying in his bed with his curtaines round about him drawne, a poore pilfering Courtier came into his Chamber, where finding the Kings Casket open, which
Hugolin had forgotten to shut, he tooke out so much money as hee could well carry, and went away; but insatiable desire brought him againe the second and third time for such a ready prey: vntill the King (who lay still all this while, and would not seeme to see) began to speake to him, and bade him speedily be packing, for he was well if he could see; for if
Hugoline came and tooke him there, he were not onely like to loose all that he had gotten, but also to stretch an halter. The fellow was no sooner gone, but
Hugoline came in, and finding the Casket open, and much money taken away, was greatly moued: But the king willed him not to be grieued. For (said he) he that hath it, hath more need of it then we haue.
This
Hugolin (saith M.
Camden) was buried in the old Chapter house of this Church.
Remaines. Vpon whose Monument these sillie verses were engrauen.
Qui ruis iniuste capit hic Hugoline locus te
Laude pia clares quia martyribus nece clare
[...].
For learning, in this kings dayes, was so low ebbed in England, that betweene Thames and Trent, there was scant one found which could vnderstand Latine.
This passage of the aforesaid pilfery is delineated, and wrought in the Hangings about the Quire, with the Portraitures of the king,
Hugolin, and the Theefe: vnder which are these verses.
Ecce nimis parca furis manus exit ab archa;
Celat opus furis, pietas, non regula iuris.
Tolle quod habes et fuge.
Hic iacet Willelmus Bedel Ar. et Cecilia vx. eius filia & heres Domini Roberti Grene militis,William Bedell and
Cicely his wife.ac etiam heres domini Iohannis Cley militis, qui quidem Willelmus, fuit Thesaurarius Hospitij excellentissimi Principis Margarete nuper Comitisse Richmondie, & Darbie, matris Regis Henrici septimi, nec non Thesaurarius Hospitij reuerendissimi Patris domini, & huius regni Cancellarij, titulo Sancte Cecilie trans Tiberim sacro sancte Romane Ecclesie Presbyteri Cardinalis ordinati. Qui quidem Willelmus ob. 3.
Iulij 1518.
Here is an Epitaph cut in Brasse vpon a marble stone, now almost worne out,
Rob. Haule. which was made to the memory of one
Robert Haule Esquire, murdered in this Church; the manner whereof our Chronicles doe thus briefely relate. In the battell of Nazers in Spaine, this
Robert Haule, or
Hawley, and
Iohn Schakell Esquires, tooke the Earle of Dene prisoner, who deliuered vnto them his sonne and heire, as a pledge for assurance of performances.
[Page 484] Not long after this, their Hostage was demanded by
Iohn Duke of Lancaster, in the Kings name, whom they denyed to deliuer, for which they were clapt in the Tower; from whence escaping, here they tooke Sanctuary; to whom Sir
Raph Ferreis, and Sir
Alan Buxhull, with fifty armed men, were secretly sent to doe this mischiefe; who finding them at high Masse; first drew
Schakell by a wile, out of the priuiledge of the Church, then offering to lay hands on
Hawley; he manfully resisting, with his short sword made them all flie off. But in the end he was slaine in the Chancell, commending himselfe,
[...] vit. R. 2 in his last words, to God, the reuenger of such iniuries, and to the liberty of our holy mother the Church. With him was slaine a seruant of his, thrust into the backe with a Iauelin; and a Monke who intreated for him in respect of the holinesse of the place. This wicked act was perpetrated; the 11. of August, 1378. the second of
Richard the second. These words following now onely remaining vpon his Monument.
Me dolus ira furor multorum; militis atque
...................
..... in hoc gladijs celebri pietatis asylo,
Dum leuita Dei sermonis legit ad aram:
Proh dolor ipse meo Monachorum sanguine vultus
Aspersi moriens, chorus est mihi testis in evum.
Et me nunc retinet sacer is locus Haule Robertum
Hic quia pestiferos male sensi primitus enses.
..................
Tho. Ruthall Bishop of Durham.Hic iacet Thomas Ruthal Episcopus Dunelmensis, & Regis Henrici septimi Secretarius, qui obijt 1524.
To this short Inscription,
Godwin in his Catalogue addeth a long story of the life and death of this Bishop. Who was borne in Cicester (saith he) in the County of Glocester, and brought vp in Cambridge, where he proceeded Doctor of Law. He was preferred to the Bishopricke of Durham by King
Henry the seuenth; after whose death hee was made one of the priuie Councell vnto the young King,
Henry the eight, who esteemed greatly of him, for his wisedome and learning; and imployed him often in ambassages, and other businesses of importance. Amongst the rest it pleased the king one time, to require him to set downe his iudgement in writing concerning the estate of his kingdome in generall, and particularly to enforme him in certaine things by him specified. This discourse the Bishop writ very carefully, and caused it to be bound in Velime gilt, and otherwise adorned in the best manner. Now you shall vnderstand, that it chanced himselfe about the same time, to set downe a note of his owne priuate estate, which, in goods and ready money, amounted to the summe of one hundred thousand pounds. This account was written in a paper booke of the same fashion and binding that the other was, which was prouided for the king. Whereby it happened that the king sending Cardinall
Wolsey for the other draught, which he had so long before required of him; the Bishop mistaking, deliuered that which contained an estimate of his owne infinite Treasure. This the Cardinall soone espying, and willing to doe the
[Page 485] Bishop a displeasure, deliuered it as he had receiued it vnto the King, shewing withall, how the Bishop had very happily mistaken himselfe; for now (quoth he) you see where you may at any time command a great masse of money, if you need it. As soone as the Bishop vnderstood his errour, the conceit thereof touched him so neare, that within a short spa
[...] after hee died, at his house here in the Strand. His intention was to haue repaired the Church of Cicester, to haue built Bridges, as he had begun that ouer the Riuer of Tyne, and to haue done many other deeds of charitie, if hee had not beene preuented by death.
Here lieth the body of Sir
William Trussell knight,
Sir
William Trussell knight. and speaker of that Parliament, wherein
Edward the second, king of England, resigned his Diad
[...]me, and all ensignes of Maiestie, to
Edward his eldest Sonne: This
Trussell (saith an ancient Author) was a Iudge,
Tho. dela More. who could fit the house with quirks of Law, to colour so lawlesse and treasonable an act, as the deposing of a lawfull king. And thereupon was chosen in the behalfe of the whole Realme, to renounce all homage and obedience to the Lord
Edward of Carnarvon,
Lib. 7.
cap. 43. his Soueraigne Lord and King. The forme of which renunciation was by him the said
Trussell pronounced at Kenelworth Castle the 20. of Ianuary, 1326. in these disgracefull words which you may finde in
Polychronicon.
I
William Trussel, in the name of al men of the lond of Engelond, and of the Parliament Prolocutor; resigne to the
Edward the homage that was made to the somtym, and from this tym forward now folowyng, I defye the, and priue the of al royal Powyr, and shal neuer be tendant to the as for Kyng aftyr this tyme. The time of this
Trussels death I cannot learne.
Here lieth interred before the Communion Table,
Rich. de Ware Abbot. the body of
Richard de Ware, or
Warren, Abbot of this Monastery, and sometime Lord Treasurer of England. Who going to Rome for his consecration, brought from thence certaine workmen, and rich Porphery stones; whereof and by whom hee made that curious singular rare pauement before the high Altar:
Francis Thinne. in Catal. Thes. Aug. in which are circulary written in letters of brasse these ten verses following, containing a discourse (as one saith) of the worlds continuance.
Si Lector posita prudenter cuncta reuoluat
Hic finem primi mobilis inveniet.
Sepes trina, canes, & equos, homines, super addas
Ceruos & coruos, aquilas, immania cete,
Mundi quodque sequens pereuntis triplicat annos,
Sphericus Archetypum globus hic monstrat Macrocosmum.
Christi milleno bis centeno duodeno;
Cum sexageno subductis quatuor anno,
Tertius Henricus Rex, vrbs, Odoricus & Abbas
Hos compegere Porphyreos lapides.
With these stones and workmen, he did also frame the Shrine of
Edward the Confessor, with these verses.
Anno milleno Domini cum septuageno,
Et bis centeno, cum completo quasi deno,
[Page 486]Hoc opus est factum quod Petrus duxit in actum
Romanus ciuis. Homo causam noscere si vis
Rex fuit Henricus Sancti presentis amicus.
This Abbot died the second day of December, 1283. after he had gouerned this Monastery, three and twenty yeares and more. Vpon whose grauestone this briefe Epitaph is engrauen.
Abbas Richardus de Wara qui requiescit,
Hic portat lapides, quos hic portauit ab vrbe.
Walter Wenlocke Abbot.After the death of
Richard de Ware, Walter Wenlocke was chosen Abbot, and preferred to the honour of Lord Treasurer by King
Edward the first. Hee was Abbot sixe and twenty yeares,
The Abbots of this house were Barons of the Parliament. lacking sixe dayes: died vpon Christmas day at night, in the yeare 1307. And lieth buried vnder a marble stone: whereupon this Epitaph, to his high commendation, is inlayed in brasse.
Abbas Walterus iacet hic sub marmore tectus,
Non fuit austerus, sed mitis, famine rectus.
Ric. de Barking Abbot.Here lieth
Richard de Barking, Abbot of this Monastery, who was an especiall Councellour to King
Henry the third, chiefe Baron of the Exchequer, and Treasurer of England. Who hauing beene Abbot 24. yeares, died the 23. day of Nouember, 1246. He was first buried in our Ladies Chappell in a Tombe of marble, which was pulled downe by Frier
Combe, a Sacrist of this house. Who layed a faire plaine marble stone ouer him, with this Epitaph thus inscribed.
Richardus Barking Prior est post inclytus Abbas,
Henrici Regis prudens fuit ille minister;
Huius erat prima laus, Insula rebus opima,
Altera laus eque Thorp, census, ocham, decimeque,
Tertia Mortone castrum simili ratione
Et Regis quarta de multis commoda charta.
Clementis festo mundo migrauit ab isto.
M. Domini C. bis: xl. sextoque sub anno.
Cui detur venia parte pia virgo Maria.
Gervaise de Bloys Abbot.Here in the Cloister vnder a flat stone of blacke marble, lie the remaines of
Gervais de Bloys, so called of the place or Earledome which his father possest in France: who was
Stephen Earle of Bloys and Champaigne; afterwards king of England. He was his base sonne, begotten of one
Dameta a gentlewoman of Normandy. He was brought into England by his father the fifth yeare of his raigne; and in the same yeare made Abbot of this place. In which gouernment he continued for the space of twenty yeares. He deceased the 26. of August, 1160. His Epitaph.
De Regem genere Pater hic Gervasius ecce
Monstrat de functus, mors rapit omne genus.
Euen father
Gervase borne of kings race;
Loe is dead, thus death all sorts doth deface.
[Page]Here lieth the body of
Nicholas Litlington, Abbot of this house, who in the time of his gouernement, which was for the space of
[...], yeares, built the Abbots hall, and the faire roome now called Ierusalem, the West and South part of the Cloister, and a Granary, now the Schollers long Bedchamber, with the Tower adioyning, as also the Water-Mill, and many other Edefices. He died
Anno 1386. I found his Epitaph in a namelesse Manuscript, in that neuer enough admired Librarie of Sir
Robert Cotton.
Hacce Domo Ductor Nicholaus erat quoque structor
Et sibi tunc sedem celo construxit & edem.
M. semel, C ter erat annus, sex octuagenus
Cum perit iste Abbas diuino flamine plenus.
Quinta dies, fit ei requies, in fine Nouembris.
Detur ei, pietate Dei, merces requici. Amen.
Here lieth in the Cloister, one
Vitalis,Vitalis Abbot. Abbot of this Couent, preferred thereunto by
William the Conquerour; in the 16. of whose raigne, 1082. he died: vpon whose Tombe this Epitaph was engrauen, alluding to his name, like as for
Laurence his successor.
Qui nomen traxit a vita, morte vocante
Abbas Vitalis transijt, hicque iacet.
Here lieth the body of one
Lawrence,Laurence the first m
[...]erd Abbot of West. Abbot of this Monastery, who obtained of
Alexander the third (that ambitious Bishop of Rome) to himselfe and his successors, the vse of the Miter, the Ring, and the Gloues; the Pastorall Staffe, before his time, being their onely comportment, as by the differing portraitures of the Abbots vpon their Tombestones may be easily discerned. He died,
Anno 1176. to whose memory, this allusiue Epitaph was made.
Clauditur hoc tumulo vir quondam clarus in orbe
Quo preclarus erat hic locus, est et erit.
Pro meritis vite dedit illi laurea nomen
Detur ei vite laurea pro meritis.
Here lieth
Gislebert Crispine,Gislebert Crispin Abbot. Abbot, who flourished in the raigne of King
Henry the first, and died in the yeare of our redemption, 1114. His picture is vpon the graue stone, inlaid with brasse, with his Pastoral staffe onely, without Miter, Ring, or other ornament, with these verses.
Hic Pater insignis, genus altum, virgo, senex que
Gisleberte iaces, lux, via, duxque tuis.
Mitis eras, iustus, prudens, fortis, moderatus,
Doctus quadriuio, nec minus in triuio.
Sic tamen ornatus nece sexta luce Decembris
Spiramen celo, reddis & ossa solo.
Here lieth interred, the body of
Edmund Kirton,Edmund Kirton Abbot. Abbot of this Monastery, Doctor of Diuinity, and a profound learned man: he adorned Saint
[Page 488]Andrewes Chappell, wherein he lieth buried, with the armes of many of the English Nobility. These verses are inscribed vpon his monument.
Pastor pacisicus, subiectis vir moderatus,
Hac sub marmorea Petra requiescit humatus,
Edmundus Kirton, hic quondam qui fuit Abbas,
Bis denis annis cum binis connumerandus;
Sacre Scripture doctor probus, immoprobatus,
Illustri stirpe de Cobildic generatus:
Coram Martino papa proposuit iste,
Ob quod multiplices laudes habuit & honores▪
Qui obijt tertio die mensis Octobris An. Dom. M.cccc.lx.vi.
Eleison Kyry curando morbida mundi.
Iohn Islip, Abbot.Iohn Islip, Abbot of Westminster, a man of great authoritie and speciall trust with King
Henry the seuenth, lieth here interred. He built the Deanes house as now it is, and repaired many other places in this Monasterie: in the windowes whereof (saith
Camden) he had a quadruple deuice for his single name;
Remaines. for somewhere he set vp an eye with a slip of a tree: in another place, one slipping boughes in a tree; in other places, an I with the said slip;
In bib Cot. and in some places, one slipping from a tree with the word, Islip. I cannot learne the time of his death by his Tombe, yet I finde in a Manuscript, (wherein are diuers funerall collections, and other Inscriptions of this Abbey, which were gathered about the time of the dissolution) that he died the second of Ianuary, in the yeare 1510. the second of
Henry the eight; and also that in the Chappell of Saint
Erasmus, where he lieth buried, vpon the wall ouer his Tombe, was the picture of our Sauiour Christ, hanging on the Crosse, seeming to call and to giue good councell vnto mankind in these rimes.
Aspice serue Dei sic me posuere Iudei.
Aspice deuote quoniam sic pendeo pro te.
Aspice mortalis pro te datur Hostia talis.
Introitum vite reddo tibi, redde mihi te.
In cruce sum prote, qui peccas desine pro me,
Desine, do veniam, dic culpam, corrige vitam.
Vnder this Crucifixe, was the picture of the Abbot, holding vp his hands, and praying thus in old Poetrie.
En cruce qui pendis Islip miserere Iohannis
Sanguine perfuso reparasti quem pretioso.
Raph Selby.Here lieth entombed, the body of
Raph Selby, descended from the ancient family of the
Selbies of Billesdun in the County of Northumberland, a Monke of this fraternitie, a learned Doctor in the ciuill and canon lawes, and one exceedingly beloued and fauoured of King
Henry the fourth, and
Henry the fift; in the eight yeare of whose raigne, hee departed this world,
Anno 1420. as by this Epitaph appeareth.
Not farre from this
Selby,Io Windsore. lieth buried vnder a marble stone, the body of
Iohn Windsore, one of the noble familie of the
Windsores, sometime residing at Stanwell in this County; a great commander in the warres of Ireland, vnder
Richard the second, and in the battaile of Shrewesbury, vnder King
Henry the fourth: who died in the second yeare of King
Henry the fift vpon Eester Eue, the seuenth of Aprill, 1414. as this Epitaph sheweth.
Est bis septenus M. Christi C quater. annus,
Vespera Paschalis dum septima lux fit Aprilis
Transijt a mundo Io. Windsore nomine notus,
Corde gemens mundo, confessus, crimine lotus:
Fecerat heredem Gulielmus auunculus istum.
Miles et Armigerum dignus de nomine dignum.
Dum iuuenilis erat bello multos perimebat:
Postea penituit & eorum vulnera fleuit.
Recumbens obijt, hic nunc in carcere quiescit:
Viuat in eternum Spiritus ante Deum.
But now I will conclude the funerall Monuments of this Abbey,
Geffrey Chaucer with the death and buriall of our most learned English Poet,
Geffery Chaucer, whose life is written at large, by
Thomas Speght, (who by old copies, reformed his workes) which the Reader may see a little before the beginning of his bookes. He departed out of this world, the 25. day of October, in the yeare of our Lord, 1400. after had liued 72. yeares. Thus writeth
Leland: Chaucer liued till he was an old man, and found old age to be grieuous: and whilest he followed his causes at London, he died, and was buried at Westminster. The old verses which were written on his graue at the first were these.
Galfridus Chaucer vates et fama Poesis
Materne, hac sacra sum tumulatus humo.
Thomas Occleue or
Okelefe, of the office of the priuie Seale, sometime
Chaucers scholler; for the loue he bare to the said
Geffray his master, caused his picture to be truely drawne in his booke
De Regimine Principis; dedicated to
Henry the fift; according to which, that his picture drawn vpon his Monument, was made, as also the Monument it selfe, at the cost and charges of
Nicholas Brigham gentleman,
Anno 1555. who buried his daughter
Rachell, a childe of foure yeares of age, neare to the Tombe of this old Poet, the 21. of Iune 1557. such was his loue to the Muses. But to returne againe to
Chaucers picture, to which these verses were added by the said
Occleue.
That they that of him haue lost thought and minde,
By this Peniture may againe him finde.
The Inscriptions vpon his Tombe at this day are after this manner.
Qui fuit Anglorum vates ter maximus olim
Galfridus Chaucer conditur hoc tumulo
Annum si quaeras Domini si tempora mortis
Ecce notae subsunt quae tibi cuncta notant:
25 Octobris,
1400.
Aerumnarum requies mors:
N Brigham hos fecit musarum nomine sumptus▪
About the ledge of the Tombe, these verses were written.
Si rogitas quis era
[...], forsan te fama docebit
Quod si Fama negat, mundi quia gloria transit
Haec monumenta lege.
Now it shall not be amisse to adde to these Epitaphs, the iudgements and reports of some learned men of this worthy and famous Poet: and first of all let vs heare his Scholler
Occleue; Vir tam bonis liter
[...]s, quam generis prosapia clarus: these are his lines of him in his foresaid booke
de regimine Principis.
Alas my worthy maister honourable,
This lands very treasure, and richesse,
Death by thy death hath harme irreperable
Vnto vs done: her vengeable duresse,
Dispoiled hath this land of the sweetnesse
Of Rhetorige: for vnto
Tullius,
Was neuer man so like among vs.
Also who was heire in Philosophy
To
Aristotle, in our tongue but thee?
The steppes of
Virgill in Poese
Thou suedst eken men know well inough:
What combre world that thee my master slough
Would I slaine were.
Iohn Lidgate, a Monke of Burie, in his Prologue of Bocchas, of the fall of Princes by him translated, saith thus in his commendation.
That excellent and learned Scottish Poet,
Gawyne Dowglas, Bishop of Dunkeld, in the Preface of
Virgils Aeneados, turned into Scottish verse, doth thus speake of
Chaucer.
Venerable
Chaucer, principall Poet without pere,
Heuenly trumpet, orloge, and regulere,
In eloquence, baulme, conduct, and dyall
Milkie fountaine, cleare strand, and rose ryall.
Of fresh endite through Albione Island brayed
In his legend of noble Ladies sayed.
Spenser in his Fairie Queene calleth his writings, The works of heauenly wit. Concluding his commendation in this manner.
Dan Chaucer, Well of English, vndefiled,
On Fames eternall beadrole worthy to be filed.
Sir
Philip Sidney likewise, and M.
Camden speake much in the deserued praise of this worthy Poet, whom I leaue to his eternall rest.
Vnder the Clocke in the Church, I haue read this Inscription.
Dic mihi quid prodest horas numerare fugaces
Cum cessant perdas quod numerare libet.
This Church hath had great priuiledge of Sanctuarie within the precinct thereof (as
Stow saith in his Suruay of London) to wit, the Church, Churchyard, Close, and all that which is still called the Sanctuarie. Which Priuiledge was first granted by
Sebert king of the East Saxons, the first Founder thereof. Since encreased by
Edgar King of the West Saxons, renewed and confirmed by King
Edward the Confessor, as appeareth by this his Charter following.
Edward by the grace of God, king of Englishmen: I make it to bee knowne to all generations of the world after me, that by especiall commandement of our holy Father Pope
Leo; I haue renewed, and honoured the holy Church of the blessed Apostle, Saint
Peter of Westminster; and I order and establish for euer, that what person, of what condition or estate soeuer he be, from whencesoeuer he come, or for what offence or cause it be, either for his refuge into the said holy place, he be assured of his life, liberty, and limbes. And ouer this I forbid (vnder the paine of euerlasting damnation) that no Minister of mine, or of my Successours, intermeddle them with any the goods, lands, or possessions of the said persons taking the said Sanctuary: for I haue taken their goods and liuelode into my speciall protection; and therefore I grant to euery each of them (in as much as my terrestriall power may suffice) all manner freedome of ioyous liberty, and whosoeuer presumes, or doth contrary to this my Grant: I will he lose his name, worship, dignitie and power. And that with the great traytor
Iudas, that betrayed our Sauiour, he be in the euerlasting fire of hell. And I will, and ordaine, that this my grant endure as long, as there remaineth in England, either loue, or dread of Christian name.
King
Edward the third built in the little Sanctuarie, a Clochard of stone and timber, and placed therein three bells, for the vse of Saint
Stephens[Page 492] Chappell. About the biggest Bell was engrauen, or cast in the mettall, these words:
King
Edward made mee thirtie thousand weight and three:
Take mee downe and wey mee, and more you shall fynd mee.
But these Bells being to be taken downe, in the raigne of King
Henry the eight, one writes vnderneath with a coale:
But
Henry the eight, will bait me of my weight.
In the Steeple of the great Church in the Citie of Roane in Normandy is one great Bell with the like Inscription.
Ie suis George de Ambios
Qui trente cinque mille pois
Mes lui qui me pesera
Trente six mill me trouera.
I am
George of
Ambois,
Thirtie five thousand in pois:
But he that shall weigh me,
Thirtie six thousand shall find mee.
One lately hauing taken view of the Sepulchres of so many Kings, Nobles, and other eminent persons interred in this Abbey of Westminster, made these rimes following, which he called
A
Memento for Mortalitie.
Mortalitie behold and feare,
What a change of flesh is here?
Thinke how many royall bones,
Sleepe within this heape of stones,
Hence remou'd from beds of ease,
Daintie
[...]are, and what might please,
Fretted roofes, and costlie showes,
To a roofe that flats the nose:
Which proclaimes all flesh is grasse,
How the worlds faire Glories passe:
That there is no trust in Health,
In youth, in age, in Greatnesse, wealth:
For if such could haue repriu'd,
Those had beene immortall liu'd.
Know from this the worlds a snare,
How that greatnesse is but care,
How all pleasures are but paine,
And how short they do remaine:
For here they lye had Realmes and Lands,
That now want strength to stirre their hands;
Where from their pulpits seel'd with dust
They preach. In Greatnesse is no trust.
Here's an Aker sowne indeed,
With the richest royall seed,
That the earth did ere sucke in,
Since the first man dy'd for sin,
Here the bones of birth haue cry'd,
[Page 493]Though Gods they were, as men haue dy'd.
Here are sands (ignoble things)
Dropt from the ruin'd sides of Kings;
With whom the poore mans earth being showne,
The difference is not easily knowne.
Her's a world of pompe and state,
Forgotten, dead, disconsolate;
Thinke then this Sithe that mowes downe kings,
Exempts no meaner mortall things.
Then bid the wanton Lady tread,
Amid these mazes of the dead.
And these truly vnderstood,
More shall coole and quench the blood,
Then her many sports a day,
And her nightly wanton play.
Bid her paint till day of doome,
To this fauour she must come.
Bid the Merchant gather wealth,
The vsurer exact by stealth.
The proud man beate it from his thought,
Yet to this shape all must be brought.
Chappell of our Lady in the Piew.
Neare vnto the Chappell of Saint
Stephen, was sometime a smaller Chappell, called our Lady of the Piew: but by whom first founded I cannot finde. To this Lady great offerings were vsed to be made.
Richard the second after the ouerthrow of
Wat. Tilar (as I haue read) and other the Rebels,
Ex Mss. in bib. Cot. in the fourth of his raigne, went to Westminster, and there giuing thankes to God for his victory, made his offering in this Chappell. By the negligence of a Scholler, forgetting to put forth the Lights of this Chappell, the Image of our Lady, richly decked with Iewels, precious stones, Pearles, and Rings, more then any Ieweller (saith he) could iudge the price, was, with all the apparell and ornaments belonging thereunto, as also the Chappell it selfe, burnt to ashes. It was againe reedified by
Antony Wid
[...]uile, Earle
Riuers, Lord
Scales, Vncle and Gouernour to the Prince of Wales, that should haue beene King
Edward the fifth Who was vniustly beheaded at Pomfret by the procurement of
Richard Crook-backe, Duke of Glocester, then Lord Protectour, the 13. of Iune, 1483.
Saint
Margaret in Westminster.
Adioyning on the North side of the Abbey, standeth Saint
Margarets, the Parish Church of the Citie of Westminster, reedified for the most in the raigne of King
Edward the fourth, especially the South Isle, from the piety of the Lady
Marye Billing, and her second husband Sir
Thomas Billing, chief Iustice of England in that Kings time. Whose Monument with that, to the memorie of her first husband
William Cotton, Esquire, I haue here expressed.
Here lieth Dame Mary Bylling, late wife to Sir Thomas Bylling, Knight, chiefe Iustice of England, and to William Coton, and Thomas Lacy: which Mary died the 14.day of March, in the yeare of our Lord God, 1499.
Blessed Lady, &c. haue mercy, &c.
Ant[?] Mary gratia plena
on me haue mercy
on me haue mercy
Ecce
ancila[?]dom Fiat
[...] secund: uerbu tuū
[...]
[...]
[Page 496]The inheritance of this Lady, was the Lordship of Connington in Huntingtonshire. The seate once of
Turketell, the Dane, Earle of the East Angles, who inuited ouer
Swain King of Denmarke, to inuade this kingdome. He exi
[...]'d with most of his Nation, by Saint
Edmond the Confessor. This his seate, with other his large possessions, were giuen by the same King to
Walth
[...]o
[...] Earle of Northumberland and Huntington, to whom the first
William gaue in marriage, the Lady
Iudithe, his sisters daughter. This Lordship with the Earledome of Huntington, by the marriage of
Mary that Earles daughter, to
Dauid the sonne of the first
Malcolme, King of Scots, and the holy
Margaret his wife, Neece to
Edward the King, Confessor, Grandchilde to
Edmond, surnamed
Ironside, King of the English Saxons, and sister and heire to
Edgar surnamed
Ethelinge, by which marriage, the Stemme Royall of the Saxons, became vnited into the bloud Royall of the Scottish Kings; in whose male lyne, that Earldome, and this Lordship continued vntill
Isabell, the daughter and heire of
Dauid Earle of Huntington, and brother to
Malcome, William, and
Alexander, successiue Kings of that kingdome, brought them both by her marriage to
Robert de Brus, into that family.
She leauing the iust clayme of the Crowne of Scotland, to
Robert her eldest sonne, whose sonne
Robert the third, thereof obtained full possession: in right from whom, our sacred soueraigne King
Charles is lineally to the same Crowne descended. And to her second sonne,
Bernard de Brus, shee gaue this Lordship of Connington, with other large possessions in England, which after foure descents in that Stemme, was by marriage of
Anne, the daughter and heire of Sir
Iohn de Brus, to Sir
Hugh Welengham, brought into that family, who after three descents by the marriage of
Mary, the daughter and heire of the last of that surname, it came to
William, second sonne of Sir
Richard Cotton of Ridware, in the County of Stafford. From whom Sir
Robert Cotton, Knight and Baronet, is lineally to that Lordship of Connyngton now descended.
Hereby appeareth the much mistaking of many, who hold that the first King of the Norman race, cancelled with his sword, all claime of Inheritances before his entrance, whereas in truth hee neither altered the fundamentall lawes or liberties of the Kingdome, or fortunes of any, but of those that sided with
Harrold against him in his claime. For the words of his owne great Charter vnder seale, made the day of his Coronation, are;
Deuicto Harraldo Rege cum suis complicibus in ore gladij: ouer whom onely he declareth his conquest, but his Tytle was
beneficio concessionis beati regis Edwardi cognati sui. And that he acknowledgeth as his right: And we cannot passe ouer a dutifull and thankefull remembrance vnto God, who in his diuine iustice, after the course of little more then 500. yeares, hath restored againe in the sacred person of King
Iames, of happy memory, the lyneall Royall race, and bloud of the Saxon Monarchie. In him vniting the Briton, Saxon, Norman, and Scottish Regall bloud, and by him restoring not onely the name, but the ancient dignity of the Britaine Empire: fulfilling that old presage of Aquila, recorded many hundred yeares agoe.
Regnabunt Britones Albani Gentis amici
Antiquum nomen Insula tota feret
[Page 497]Vt profert Aquila veteri de turre Loquta
Cum Scotis Britones regna paterna regent
Regnabunt pariter in prosperitate quieta
Hostibus expulsis Iudicis vsque diem.
Of which we haue a most happy assurance, by the now blessed issue of our most gratious and dread Soueraigne King
Charles, who hath crowned thereby this state with an eternall peace.
Vnder this stone lyeth here,
Iohn Bedel▪
Iohn Bedel Tallow Chandlere.
Who departyd the nynth day
Of this present month of May:
On thowsand fyue hundryd and fifteen,
As is here playn to be seen.
Such as thou art, such haue I bin somtym,
Such as I am, such salt thou be in tym▪
Therfor of thy cherite remembyr me,
Euen as in like case thou wouldst remembryd be.
I bese
[...]h on God in Trinite,
On my soul to haue mercy.
Here lyeth
Walter Garden,
Walter Garden.
come out of the west,
God geeu to the soul of hym good rest.
I prey you negbors euerich on,
Prey for me, for I am gon.
who died 26 April 1523.
Sancta Maria virgo virginum,
Ioan Pymichum.
Prey for the soul of
Ione Pymichum.
Here lyes vndyr this ston,
Iohn Den Barbor Surgeon,
Io. Den and
Agnes his wife.
And
Agnes his wyf, who to heuyn went,
M. ccccc. and x. that is verament.
For whos soul, of your cherite,
Sey a Pater Noster and an Aue Marie.
Iohannes Skeltonus vates Pierius hic situs est animamEijcit
[...] ▪egit, 21
Iunij 1529.
This
Iohn Skelton was that pleasant merry Poet (as his rimes yet extant doe testifie) who stiled himselfe
Iohannes Skeltonus Orator regius,Io. Skelton Poet Laureat▪Poeta laureatus. He flourished in the raignes of
Henry the seuenth, and
Henry the eight, by whom, in the Quire,
Thomas Churchyard, that old Court-Poet lieth interred, and not in the Church-Porch, as these rimes following would approue.
Come,
Alecto, and lend me thy Torch,
To fynde a Church yard in a Church porch.
Pouertie and Poetrie, this Tombe doth enclose,
Therefore Gentlemen, be merry in Prose.
[Page 498]I finde in the collections of Master
Camden, that there was some vnkinde passages betwixt this Poet laureat
Skelton, and
Lily our sole authenticke allowed Gramarian; in so much, that
Skelton carping against the verses of the said
Lily, is (bitterly) by him thus answered.
Lilij endecasillaba in Skeltonum
Eius carmina calumniantem.
Quid me Skeltone fronte sic aperta
Carpis vipereo potens veneno?
Quid versus trutina meos iniqua
Libras? dicere vera num licebit?
Doctrinae tibi dum parare famam,
Et doctus fieri studes Poeta;
Doctrinam nec habes, nec es Poeta.
Almes-houses of Henry the
7.
On the South side of the Gate-house, King
Henry the 7. founded an Almes-house for thirteene poore men, one of them to be a Priest▪ aged fiue and forty yeares, a good Gramarian: the other 12 to be aged fiftie yeares, without wiues: euery Saturday the Priest to receiue of the Abbot or Prior, foure pence by the day, and each other, two pence halfe penny by the day for euer, for their sustenance; and euery yeare to each one, a Gowne and a hood ready made. And to three women that dressed their meat, and kept them in their sicknesse, each to haue euery Saturday sixteene pence, and euery yeare a Gowne ready made. More to the thirteene poore men yeerely, fourescore quarters of Coales, and one thousand of good Fagots to their vse. In the Hall and Kitchin of their mansion, a discreet Monke to be ouerseer of them, and he to haue forty shillings by the yeare, &c. and hereunto was euery Abbot and Prior sworne.
An Almes-house founded by Margaret, Countesse of Richmond.
Westward from the Gate house, was an old Chappell of Saint
Anne, ouer against the which, the Lady
Margaret, Countesse of Richmond and Derby, and mother to King
Henry the seuenth, erected an Almes-house for poore women, which was afterwards turned into lodgings for the Singing men of the Colledge. the place wherein this Chappell and Almes-house stood, was called the Eleemosinary or Almory, now corruptly the Ambry, for that the almes of the Abbey was there distributed to the poore.
An Hospitall founded by Lady Anne Dacre.
At the entry into Totehill field, was sometimes an old building, called Stourton house, which
Giles, Lord
Dacre of the South, purchased and built new, whose Lady and wife
Anne, Sister to
Thomas Lord
Buckhurst, the first
[Page 499] of that Familie, Earle of Dorset, left money to her Executours, to build an Hospitall there for twenty poore women, and so many children to bee brought vp vnder them. For whose maintenance she assigned Lands, to the value of one hundred pounds by the yeare.
Almes-houses founded by Cornelius Van Dun.
In the same field, vpon Saint
Hermits hill, and neare vnto a Chappell of Saint
Mary Magdelen, now wholly ruinated;
Cornelius van Dun borne at Breda in Brabant, a Souldier with King
Henry the eight at Turney, yeoman of the Guard, and Vsher to the said King
Henry, Edward, Mary, and
Elizabeth, Kings and Queenes of famous memory: built certaine Almes-houses for twenty poore widowes to dwell in rent free. He died in September,
An. 1577. aged 94. yeares.
The Hermitage, Hospitall, and Free-Schoole at Highgate-hill.
In ancient times vpon the top of this hill was an Hermitage; one of the Hermites whereof, caused to bee made the Causway betweene Highgate and Islington, taking the grauell from the top of the hill, where now is a standing pond of water.
One
William Poole Yeoman of the Crowne, founded the Hospitall below on the hill, in the raigne of King
Edward the fourth.
The free Schoole was built by Sir
Roger Cholmundely, or
Cholmeley, knight,
Specul. Brit. sometime Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench; about the yeare 1564. the sixth of Queene
Elizabeth. The Pencion of the Master is vncertaine (saith
Norden) there is no Vsher, and the Schoole is in the disposition of sixe Gouernours, or Ouerseers.
Our Ladies Chappell of Muswell, or Mousewell hill.
Here was, in ancient times, a Chappell bearing the name of our Lady of Muswell; in the place whereof Alderman
Roe erected a faire house. The place taketh name of the Well, and of the Hill; for there is on the hill a spring of faire water, which is now within the compasse of Sir
Nicholas Roes Cellar, in the said house. Here was sometime an Image of our Lady of Muswell, whereunto was a continuall resort, in the way of pilgrimage, growing (as it goes by tradition from father to the sonne) in regard of a great cure, which was performed by this water, vpon a king of Scots, who being strangely diseased, was (by some diuine intelligence) aduised to take the water of a Well in England, called Muswell; which, after long scrutation and inquisition, this Well was found, and performed the cure. Absolutely to deny the cure (saith
Norden) I dare not, for that the high God hath giuen vertue vnto waters, to heale infirmities, as may appeare by the cure of
Naaman the Leper,
2. King. 1.14. Ioh.
[...].2. by washing himselfe seuen times in Iordan; and by the Poole Bethesda, which healed the next that stepped thereinto, after the water was moued by the Angell.
In the time of King
Henry the first,
Herbert Abbot of Westminster, by permission of
Gilbert Bishop of London, and by consent of the Couent, granted to three Maides the Hermitage of Kilbourne, with all the land of that place; which Hermitage one
Gorbone had builded long before.
The Hospitall of S. Giles in the Fields for Leprous people.
This Hospitall was founded by Queene
Maude, wife to king
Henry the first,
Stow Suruay. in the yeare 1117. and was a Cell belonging to Burton Lazers of Ierusalem, in the County of Leicester; as may appeare by a deed dated the 24. of
Hen. 7. in these words.
Thomas Norton knight, Master of Burton Lazers of Ierusalem in England, and the brethren of the same place, keepers of the Hospitall of Saint
Giles, without the Barres of the old Temple of London; haue sold to
Geffrey Kent, Citizen, and Draper of London, a messuage or house with two Sollars aboue, edified in the Parish of Alhallowes Hony-Jane in Westcheape, adioyning to the West part of a Tenement, called the Goate on the Hope, pertaining to the Drapers of London, for 31. l.
S.
Giles Bowle.At this Hospitall the prisoners, conueyed from the Citie of London towards Teyborne, there to be executed, were presented with a great Bowle of Ale, thereof to drinke at their pleasure.
The Hospitall of Saint Mary Bethlem, commonly called Bedlam.
In the yeare 1247.
Simon Fitzmary, one of the Sheriffes of London, founded this Hospitall for lame and indigent people, which afterwards was conuerted to that vse, which the Citie now makes of it, vpon this occasion.
In the Parish of Saint
Martins in the field, there was an house wherein sometime were distraught and Lunaticke people; of what antiquitie founded, by whom, or what time suppressed, saith
Stow, I haue not read. But it was said, that a King of England, not liking such a kinde of people to remaine so neare his Pallace, caused them to be remoued further off, to Bethlem without Bishopsgate of London, and to that Hospitall the said house by
[...]haring-crosse doth yet remaine.
S. Peters Chappell within the Tower.
Here lie interred the headlesse remaines of
Iohn Fisher Doctor of Diuinitie, sometime Bishop of Rochester, brought vp a Scholler in Cambridge; Master of our Colledge (I meane Queenes Colledge in Cambridge) and Chancellour of that Vniuersitie. He was made Cardinall
t t. S. Vitalis, the one and twentieth of May, which honour was to him
parum vitalis, for the Cardinals hat and his head neuer met together; he being beheaded on the Tower-hill the 22. of Iune following,
Ann. Dom. 1535. His bodie was first buried in Barking Church-yard, and afterwards vpon occasion as followeth, remoued to this place.
[Page 501]He was a man in great estimation with
Margaret Countesse of Richmond, by whose exhortation shee built and endowed two Colledges in Cambridge, S.
Iohns, and Christ Colledge; she made him one of her executours. He liued likewise a long time in great fauour with her Grandchild King
Henry the eight; euen vntill his marriage with
Anne Bullein; which he euer seemed to disallow. Whereupon he was suspected, and accused, to be of councell with
Elizabeth Barton (commonly called the holy Maide of Kent) a Nunne of Saint Sepulchres in Canterbury, who by sundrie suggestiue reuelations gaue out, that if the King proceeded in diuorce and second marriage, he should not raigne in his realme seuen moneths after, nor rest in Gods fauour the space of an houre. The story is frequent. Of which imputation he thus excused himselfe by his letters to the Kings Maiestie.
To the Kings most gracious Highnes.
Please it your graciouse Highenes benignely to heare this my most humble sute,
The Bishop of Rochester
[...] letter to
[...] S. amongst the letters
[...]In bib. Cotton. which I haue to make vnto your grace at this time, and to pardon me that I come not my selfe vnto your grace for the same. For in good faith I haue had so many periculouse diseases, oone after another, which began with me before Advent; and so by long continuance hath now brought my body into that weakenesse, that withouten perill of destruction of the same (which I darr saye your grace for your soueraigne goodnes wold not) I may not as yet take any traueyling vpon me. And soo I wrote to Maister
Cromwell your moost trustie Councellor,
Cromwell principal
[...] Secretary. beseeching him to obtayne your graciouse licence for me, to be absent from this Parliament, for that same cause, and he put me in comforthe soo to doo.
Now thus it is (most graciouse soueraygne Lord) that in your most high Court of Parliament is put in a bill against me, concerning the Nunne of Canterbury, and intending my condempnation for not reuelyng of such wordes as she hadde vnto me towchyng your Highnes. Wherein I moost humblie beseech your grace, that without displeasor I maye shew vnto you, the consideration that moued me so to doo; which when your moost ex
[...]cellent wisdome hath deaplye considered, I trust assuredlie, that your charitable goodnes will not impute any blame to me therfore.
A trowth it is, this Nunne was with me thries in commyng from London by Rochester, as I wrote to Master
Cromwell, and shewed vnto him the occasions of her commyng, and of my sendings vntyll hir againe.
The first tyme she came vnto my house, vnsent for of my partye, and then she tolde me that she hadde bene with your grace, and that she hadde shewed vnto you a reuelation which she hadde from Almighty God (your grace I hope will not be displeased with this my rehearsall thereof) She sayd that if your grace went forth with the purpose that ye intended, ye shold not be King of England seuen moneths after.
I conceaued not by theis wordes, I take it vpon my soule, that any malice or euill was intended or ment vnto your highnes, by any mor all man, butt oonly that thei were the threattes of God, as she than did affirme.
And though thei were feaned, that (as I wold be saued) was to me vnknowen. I neuer counsailled hir vnto that feanyng, not was privaye thervnto,
[Page 502] nor to any such purposes, as it is now sayd thei went aboute.
Neuerthelesse if she hadde told me this Reuelation, and hadde not alsoo told me, that she hadde reported the same vnto your grace, I hadde bene verylie farre to blame, and worthy extreame punyshment, for not disclosing the same vnto your highenes, or else to some of your counsaill; But sithen she did assure me therewith, that she hadde playnelye told vnto your grace the same thynge, I thought doubtlesse that your grace wold haue suspected me that I had commyn to renewe hir tale agayne vnto yow, rather for the confermyng of myn opinion, than for any other cause.
I beseech your highenes to take no displeasor with me for this that I will saye. It stykketh yet (moost graciouse Soueraygne) in my hart, to my no little heuynesse youre greeuous letters, and after that youre moost fearfull wordes, that your grace hadde vnto me for shewyng vnto yow my mynde and opinion in the same matter. Notwithstandyng that your highnesse hadde soo often and soo straytly commanded me to serch for the same before. And for this cause I was right loth to haue comyn vnto your grace agayne, with such a tale pertayning to that matter.
Meny other considerations I hadde, but this was the very cause why that I came not vnto your grace. For in good faith, I dradde lest I shold therby haue prouoked your grace to farther displeasor agaynste me.
My Lord of
[...]il. Warbam Canterbury also which was your great Counsaillor, told me that she hadde bene with your grace, and hadde shewed yow this same matter, and of hym (as I will answeare before God) I learned greatter thynges of her pretensed visions than she told me herselfe. And at that same tyme I shewede vnto hym, that she hadde bene with me, and told me as I haue written before.
I trust now that your excellent wisdome and learnynge seeth there ys in me no defawte, for not reuelynge of hir wordes vnto your grace; whan she hir selfe did affirme vnto me that she hadde soo done, and my Lord of Canterbury that then was, confermed alsoo the same.
Wherfore moost graciouse Soueraygne Lord, in my most humble wise I besech your highenes to dimisse me of this trouble, whereby I shall the more quietly serue God, and the more effectually pray for your grace; This, if there were a right great offence in me, shold be to your merite to pardon, but much rather taking the case as it is, I trust veryly yow will so doo.
Now my body is mvch weakened with meny diseases and infirmities, and my soule is much inquieted by this trouble, so that my harte is more withdrawen from God, and fro the deuotion of prayer than I wold. And veryly I thinke that my lyve may not long continewe. Wherfore estsoones I besech your moost gracious highenes, that by your charytable goodnes I may be deliuered of this besynesse, and onely to prepare my soule to God, and to make itt ready agaynst the commyng of death, and no moore to come abroode in the world. This mooste graciouse Soueraigne Lord, I besech your highenes, by all the singular and excellent endewments of your most noble bodie and sowle, and for the loue of Christ Iesu, that soo dearly with his moost preciouse bloode redeamed yowr and myn. And duryng my lyue I shall not cease (as I am bownden) and yett now the more
[Page 503] entearly to make my praier to God for the preseruation of your most royall Maiestie.
At Rochester,
the xxvii. day of February.
Your most humble Beadman and subiect, Io. Roffe.
He writ likewise to the high Court of Parliament (then sitting) to the same effect: but before this businesse was fully finished, another came vpon him,
In part Anno 2
[...]Hen. 8.
ca. 10. which was the oath of Supremacie; the refusing whereof, being tendered, was adiudged high treason. This oath, or some part of it, he denies, whereupon he is committed to the Tower, from whence he thus writes to
Cromwell.
After my most humble commendations,
Ex lit in Bib. Cotton. where as ye couet that I should write vnto the Kings Highnesse, in good faith, I dread mee that I cannot be soo circumspect in my writing, but that sum word shall escape me, wherwith his grace shall be moued to sum further displeasure against me, wherof I wold be veray sory: For, as I will answer by for God, I wold not in any manner of poynte offend his grace, my duty saued vnto God, whom I must in euery thyng prefer. And for this consideration, I am full loth and full of feare to wryte vnto his highnesse in this matter. Neuerthelesse sythen I conceyue that it is your mynd that I shall soo doo, I will endeuor mee to the best that I can. But first here I must beseech yow gode master Secretary, to call to yowr remembrance, that at my last being befor yow, and the other Commissioners, for taking of the othe concerning the Kings most noble succession, I was content to be sworne vnto that parcell concerning the succession. And there I did rehearse this reason, whiche I sade moued mee. I dowted not, but that the Prynce of eny Realme, with th' assent of his nobles and commons, myght appoynte for his succession Royall, such an order as was seen vnto his wysdom most accordyng. And for this reason, I sade, that I was content to be sworne vnto that parte of the othe as concernyng the succession. This is veray trowth, as God help my sowl at my most neede. Albeit I refused to swear to some other parcels, bycause that my conscience wold not serue me so to doo. Furthermor I byseche yow to be gode master vnto me in my necessitie, for I haue nether Shirt, nor Sute, nor yet other clothes that ar necessary for me to wear; but that bee ragged and torne to shamefully. Notwithstandyng I myghte easily suffer that, if thei wold keep my body warm. But my dyett allso, God knowes, how slender itt is att meny tymes. And now in myn age, my stomake may not away but with a few kynd of meats, which if I want, I decay forthwith, and fall into coffes and diseases of my body, and cannot keepe my self in health.
Robert Fisher. And, as our Lord knoweth, I haue nothing left vnto me for to prouyde any better, but as my Brother of his owne purse layeth out for me, to his great hynderance.
Wherfore, gode Master Secretary, estsones I byseche yow to haue som pittie vpon me, and latt me haue such thyngs as are necessary for mee in myn age; and especially for my health. And also that itt may please yow by yowr high wysdom, to moue the Kings highnesse to take me vnto his gracious fauor againe, and to restor me vnto my liberty, out of this cold and
[Page 504] painfull imprisonment; wherby ye shall bynd me to be yowr pore beadsman for euer vnto almighty God, who euer haue yow in his protection and custody.
Other twayne things I must also desyer vpon yow, first oon is, that itt may please yow that I may take som Preest within the Tower, by th' assignment of master Liuetenant, to hear my confession against this hooly tym.
That other is, that I may borrow some bookes to stir my deuocion mor effectually theis hooly dayes, for the comfortte of my sowl. This I byseche yow to grant me of yowr charite. And thus our Lord send yow a mery Christenmas, and a comfortable to yowr hearts desyer.
Att the Tower
this xxii. day of December.
Your poore Beadsman, Iohn Roffe.
Thus he lay imprisoned, in great misery, hungrie, cold, and comfortlesse, as the prisoners dittie in Newgate runs, vntill the time of his arraignment: during which time, as also before, being diuers times examined by the Lords of the priuie Councell,
Ex Mss. in bib. Cot. as also examined and sworne in
verbo Sacer docij, by
Thomas Bedyll, and
Richard Layton, Clerkes of the Kings Councell, in the presence of Sir
Edmond Walfingham, knight, Lieuetenant of the Tower, and others, to many Interrogatories, his answeres were euer agreeable in effect, with his letters.
He was arraigned onely for denying of the Supremacie (howsoeuer he was before attainted by Parliament, of misprision of Treason, for the matter of the holy Maid of Kent) as by this his Indictment appeares, of which so much as is materiall.
Quidem tamen Iohannes Fyssher nuper de ciuitate Roffen. in Com. Kanc. Clericus,The Tenor of Bishop
Fishers Indictment.alias dictus Iohannes Fyssher nuper de Rofen. Episcopus, deum pre oculis non habens, sed instigatione diabolica seductus, false maliciose et proditorie optans volens et desiderans, ac arte imaginans inuentans practitans et attemptans serenissimum dominum nostrum Henricum octauum dei gratia Angl. et Franc. Regem fidei defensorem & dominum Hibernie atque in terra supremum caput Ecclesie Anglicane de dignitate titulo & nomine status sui Regalis, videlicet de dignitate titulo et nomine eius in terra, supremi capitis Anglicane Ecclesie dicte imperiali corone sue vt premittit. annexis & vnitis depriuare, Septimo die Maij Anno regni eiusdem domini Regis vicessimo septimo apud Tarrim London in Com. Mid. contra legiancie sue debitum hec verba Anglicana sequent. diuersis dicti domini Regis veris subditis false maliciose & proditorie loquebatur et propalabat videlicet. The Kyng owre Soueraigne Lord is not supreme hedd yn erthe of the Cherche of England.
In dicti domini Regis immund. despect. et vilipendium manifest. ac in dictorum dignitatis, tituli et nominis status sui Regalis derogationem et preiudic non modicum, et contra formam dicti alterius Actus perdicti Anno xxvi. edit ac contra pacem prefati domini Regis, &c.
Of this Indictment being found guilty, he had iudgement, whereupon execution presently followed; which the more was hastened, as also his
[Page 505] arraignement, in regard of the rumour that a Cardinals hat was comming towards him from the Pope,
Ex Mss. in bib. Cotton. because he had stood so stoutly in his defence: which newes was so vnwelcome vnto him, that vpon the first report thereof comming to his eares, he said in the presence of some of the Lieuetenants seruants, that if the Cardinals hat were laid at his feet, he would not stoupe to take it vp, so little did he set by it: but let vs leaue him to his eternall rest, onely thus much out of the writers of his time, who say, that hee was
omnium Episcopalium Virtutum genere suffarcinatissimus,Eras.et singulari linguae gratia praeditus.
He was of many,
Vid. Bal. cent. 5. sore lamented, being a man of a very good life, and great learning, as his writings in diuers bookes did testifie. The common people had such a reuerend opinion of his holinesse, that they beleeued certaine miracles to be wrought by his head put vpon a Pole, and set vp vpon London Bridge.
Adrianus Iunius, and
Cornelius Musius, two German writers, of
Fisher thus,
Oputer. opus: Cronog. orbis Vniuersi pag. 477. in opposition.
Iunius.
Te niuei mores celebrem, et conscia virtus
E
[...]exit coelo, et relligionis amor.
Sed dum Romuleo nimium tibicine fultus
Perstas, nec causam Regis amare potes:
Mors properatatibi est, ceruice cruenta rescissa,
Munus vbi inselix purpura missa venit.
Musius.
Non ego purpureos ambi
[...]i indignus honores
Nec potui humanis fidere praesidijs.
Vnica cura fidem intrepide veramque tueri
Commissoque ouium pro grege cuncta pati.
Si quaeras ceruix igitur cur ense re scissa est?
Improba displicuit Regia caussa mihi.
Another.
Dum mihi martyrij donat Diadema securis
Quaeso meum teneas o bone trunce caput.
Another.
Vim sine vi patior, qualis qui carcere rupto
Cogitur e vinclis liber abire suis.
The sixt day of Iuly following the decollation of Bishop
Fisher,Sir.
Tho. Moore. Sir
Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, was likewise beheaded on the Tower hill, for the like deniall of the Kings Supremacie: he was first buried in this Chappell, and the body of his deare friend
Fisher was remoued out of Barking Church-yard, and buried with him in the same graue: for agreeing so vnanimously in their opinions liuing, it was (be like) thought
[Page 506] vnfitting to part them being dead; but how long they lay together in this their house of rest, I certainly know not: yet this is certaine, that
Margaret, the wife of Master
Roper, and daughter of the said Sir
Thomas More, remoted her fathers corps, not long after, to Chelsey; and whether she honouued the Bishop by another remoue to the place of her fathers buriall, or not, I know not; yet she might, by all probabilitie.
They were both accused to be of the adherents to
Elizabeth Barton in her counterfeite holinesse, hypocrisie, and traiterous intents; but their innocencie, and their often writing to the King and
Cromwell, in their owne excuse, acquitted them of that imputation.
In parl. Anno 26
Hen. 8.
ca. 2.In the Act for the surety of the succession of the Crowne of England, an oath was deuised for the maintenance and defence of the said Act, which was to be taken by all the Kings subiects; this oath being tendered to these two, they were content to bee sworne to the maine point, but not to the preamble of the said Oath, which I haue touched before; of which,
Cranmer Archbishop of Canterburie, thus deliuers his opinion by his letter to Secretarie
Cromwell: if I now digresse, I craue a fauourable construction.
Ex lit. in Bib. Cotton.Right worshipfull Maister
Cromwell, after most harty commendations, &c. I doubte not but you do right well remembre, that my Lord of Rochester, and master
More, were contented to bee sworne to the Actt of the Kings succession, but not to the preamble of the same: what was the cause of thair refusall thereof, I am vncertaine, and they wolde by no meanes expresse the same. Neuerthelesse it must nedis be, either the diminution of the authoritie of the Bishop of Rome, or ells the reprobation of the Kings first pretensed matrimony. But if they doe obstinately persiste in thair opinions of the preamble, yet me semeth it scholde not be refused, if thay will be sworne to the veray acte of succession; so that thay will be sworne to mayntene the same against all powers and Potentates. For hereby shall be a great occasion to satisfie the Princesse Dowager, and the Lady
Mary, which doe thinke that they sholde dampne thair sowles, if thay sholde abandon and relinquish thair astats. And not only it sholde stop the mouthes of thaym, but also of th'emperour, and other tha
[...]r friends, if thay giue as much credence to my Lord of Rochester, and master
More spekyng or doinge against thaym, as they hitherto haue done and thought, that all other sholde haue done whan they spake and did with thaym. And peraduenture it sholde be a good quietation to many other within this Realme, if such men sholde say that the succession comprised within the said acte is good, and according to Gods lawes. For than I thinke there is not one within this Reaulme that wolde ones reclaime against it. And where as diuers persones either of a wilfulnesse, will not, or of an indurate and inuertible conscience can not, altre from thair opinions of the Kings first pretensed marriage, (wherein they haue ones said their minds, and percase haue a perswasion in their heads, that if they sholde now vary therfrome, their fame and estimation were distained for euer) or else of the authoritie of the Busschope of Rome: yet if all the Reaulme with one accord wolde apprehend the said succession, in my iudgement it is a thing to be amplected and imbraced, which thing, although I trust surely in God, that it shall bee brought to passe, yet hereunto might not a little auaile the consent and othes of
[Page 507] theis two persones the Busshope of Rochester, and Maister
More with thair adherents, or rather confederats: And if the Kings pleasure so were, thair sayd othes myght be suppressed, but whan and where his highnes might take some commoditie by the publyshinge of the same. Thus our Lord haue you euer in his conseruation.
From my Maner at Croydon,
the xvii day of Aprill.
Your own assured euer,
Thomas Cantuar.
Here in this letter is to be seene the wisedome and policie of this prudent Archbishop, who could make such auaileable vse to the state, of the strong opinion, which most men conceiued, of the profound iudgement of these two persons.
This Sir
Thomas More was pregnant of wit,
Scrip. B
[...]t. Cent. 5.
De I
[...]ust. Angie Scriptoribus eloquent, wise, and learned, as by his bookes still extant doth appeare: and besides those mentioned by
Bale, which we haue in print. During the time of his imprisonment, which was foureteene moneths (saith
Pitseus) he writ an historicall exposition of the Passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, according to the foure Euangelists. Which I can hardly beleeue: for I finde, that when he was in prison, his bookes and all his papers were taken away from him. Whereupon he shut vp his Chamber-windowes, saying, When the wares are gone, and the tooles taken away, we must shut vp shop. Thus would he lose his light before he would lose his iest; for that he would neuer lose nor leaue off, vpon the least occasion offered, vntill he had lost his head.
He was twice married,
In Epist. ad Vldric. Huttenum de vita Mori. first, (saith
Erasmus his intimate deare friend)
Virginem daxit admodum puellam, claro genere natam; He married a Maide very young, borne of a noble Familie, whom he tooke care to haue instructed in all good literature, and to be expert in all sorts of Musicke; by her he had foure children; one Sonne named
Iohn, and three daughters:
Margaret, Alice, or
Aloysia, and
Cicely.
God (saith
Leland that reuerend Antiquarie, that liued in his dayes) extraordinarily blessed these his children, and namely, his three daughters, to whom he had giuen an admirable dexteritie, in the science of Songs and Arts: which he noteth in this his learned Epigram.
Desine facundas nimium laudare diserti
Io. Lelandi Moriades, siue charitaea cor
[...]na.
Natas Hortensi maxima Roma tui.
Candida tres charites nam Mori cura politi
Obscurant multis nomina vestra modis.
Non illis studium Milesia vellera dextra
Carpere, non facili ducere fila manu:
Sed innat eloquij crebro monumenta latini
Versare, & doctis pingere verba notis.
Nec minus authores Graecos euoluere, Homerum
Et quem dicendi gloria prima manet.
Vt nec Aristotelis dicam quo pectore libros
Scrutentur, sophiae mystica dona deae.
Turpe viris posthac erit ignorare Mineruae
Artes, grex adeo quas muliebris amet.
[Page 508] His second wife was a widow,
Camd. Remaines, in wise speeches. of whom he was wont to say, that she was,
nec bella nec puella. Who as she was a good huswife, so was she not voide of the fault that often followeth that vertue, somewhat shrewd to her seruants. Vpon a time Sir
Thomas found fault with her continuall chiding, saying, If that nothing would reclaime her, yet the consideration of the time (for it was Lent) should restraine her. Tush, tush, my Lord (said she) looke here is one steppe to heauen-ward, shewing him a Friers girdle. I feare me, said he, this one steppe will not bring you vp a steppe higher.
One day when she came from shrift, she said merrily to her husband; Be merry, Sir
Thomas, for this day was I well shriuen, I thanke God, and purpose now therefore to leaue off all my old shrewdnesse. Yea (quoth he) and to begin afresh.
This man thus much giuen to a certaine pleasure in harmlesse mirth, facetious iests, and present wittie answers, was wonderfull zealous in Religion, and deuout: in so much that diuers times in his Chancellourship, he would put on a Surplise, and helpe the Priest to say and sing diuine Seruice; for which being reprehended by
Thomas Duke of Norfolke, who told him that it was a dishonour to the King, that the Lord Chancellor of England should be a Parish Clerke. Hee thus answered, Now truly, my Lord, I thinke, and verily beleeue, that when the King shall heare of the care I haue both to serue his Master and mine, he will accept and take me for a faithfull Seruant. Which he might well say; for vpon his first comming to his seruice, the King gaue him this godly lesson: First looke vnto God, and then after vnto me. Vpon which religious and Princely lesson, he grounds a reason, and pleads a libertie, to vse his owne proper conscience in the Kings most weightie affaires; as you may perceiue by this part of a letter following written to
Cromwell.
Ex lit. in bib. Cott.Right worshipfull, &c. it pleased the Kyngs highnes to send me in the companie of my Lord of London, now of Duresme, in embassiate aboute the Peace that at our being there was concluded at Cameray, betwene his highnes, and themperour, and the French Kyng. And after my comyng home, his highnes of his onely goodnes (as far my vnworthy I was thereto) made me (as you well knowe) his Chauncelor of this Realme: sone after which time, his grace moued me agayne yit-eftsonys to loke and considre his great matter, and well and indifferently to pondre such things as I should fynde therin. And if it so were, that therevpon it shoulde happen me to se such things as sholde persuade me to that parte; hee wolde gladly vse me among other of his Counsailors in that matter; & neuerthelesse gracyousely declared vnto me, that he wolde in no wise that I sholde other thing do or say therin, than vpon that that I shold perceiue myn owne conscience shold serue me; and that I sholde fyrst loke vnto God, and after God vnto hym. Which moost gratiouse wordys was the fyrst lesson also that euer his grace gaue me at my fyrst comyng into his noble servyce. &c. This learned Chancellour with much labour and earnest suite to the King got leaue to leaue his office, before hee had continued therein fully three yeares.
Vpon his last speech to his three daughters, and to the people present at his decollation: thus one writes.
Libera mens superos repetet, neque seruiet vnquam,
In partem hanc quod agat nulla securis habet.
Tu quoque spectator, tranquillum si cupis ae
[...]um
Exigere, & letho fortior esse tuo.
Qui tibi membra cadan
[...] nullo in discrimine pone;
Quum sint naturae lege caduca suae.
Another of his death, by way of Dialogue: thus.
Hospes.
Quis iacet hic truncus? cuius caput ense rescissum est?
Quae natat in tetro sanguine canities:
Ciuis.
Hic est ille Thomas Morus, sic fata rependunt
Tristia multa bonis, & bona multa malis.
Hospes.
Quae circumsistunt Diuae lugubre cadauer?
Diua tenax veri, sancta Fides, Nemesis.
Ciuis.
Harum prima odij caussa, & fuit altera mortis
Vltrix iniustae, tertia caedis erat.
Anno Domini, M.D.XXXV.vi. Non. Iulij.
Thus much of Sir
Thomas More in this place; you may know more of him hereafter, by his Epitaph in Chelsey Church.
Cromwell,Tho. Cromwell Earle of Essex. surnamed the great, whom
Wolsey first raised from the forge to eminent good fortunes; whom
Henry the eight vsed as his instrument, to suppresse the Popes supremacie, and to dissolue religious Structures; whom he aduanced to the highest pitch of honour and authoritie:
Ex Mss. in bib. Cotton. whom he cast downe suddenly, and bereft both of life and dignitie, lies here interred.
He followed the same steps, to the same Stage, vpon the said Tower-hill, and acted there the same part, which his two friends,
More, and
Fisher, had done before him: and that within fiue yeares after.
This
Cromwell, this pillar of the State, was borne in Putney, a Village in Surrey, by Thames side, foure miles distant from London; hee was sonne to a Blacksmith, in his later dayes a Bruer. Whose mother, after his fathers decease, was remarried to a Shereman. Of whose birth a late writer thus sings.
Putney the place made blessed by my birth,
M. Drayton in the Legend of great
Cromwell.
Whose meanest cottage simply me did shrowd,
To me as dearest of the English Earth;
[Page 506]So of my bringing that poore village proud,
Though in a time when neuer lesse the dearth
Of happie wits, yet mine so well allow'd,
That with the best she boldlie durst prefer
Me, that my breath acknowledged from her.
He was a man of an actiue and forward ripenesse of nature, ready and pregnant of wit, discreet, and well aduised in iudgement, eloquent of tongue, faithfull and diligent in seruice, of an incomparable memory, of a reaching politicke head, and of a noble and vndaunted spirit. Whose good parts being perceiued by Cardinal
Wolsey, he took him straight into his seruice, made him his Sollicitor, and emploied him in matters of great importance: after whose fall, hee was presently aduanced to the Kings seruice; wherein he so industriously and wisely demeaned himselfe, as that he was thought worthie by the said King, to haue the ordering of all weightie affaires. Whereupon at seuerall times, he heaped these seuerall offices and honours vpon him; he made him Master of his Iewell-house; Baron
Cromwell of Okeham, principall Secretarie, Master of the Rolles, Chancellour of the Exchequer, Keeper of the priuie Seale, Iustice of the Forrests and Chases from the Riuer of Trent Northward, great Chamberlaine of England, Earle of Essex, Knight of the Garter, Vicegerent, or Vicar generall. Of which my fore remembred friend thus writes.
M. Drayton.
For first from knighthood rising in degree,
The Office of the Iewell-house my lot,
After the Rolles, he frankly gaue to me,
From whence a priuie Counsellor I got,
Then of the Garter; and then Earle to be
Of Essex: yet sufficient these were not:
But to the great Vicegerencie I grew,
Being a title as supreme as new.
Thus Fortune raised him a short time for a sudden fall; For vpon the eighteenth day of Aprill, 1540. hee was inuested with the honour of the Earledome of Essex, and high Chamberlainship of England; vpon which day the King also made his sonne
Gregory Lord
Cromwell. Vpon the ninth of Iuly, next and immediately following (being enuied of many for his honour and authoritie) he was suddenly arrested in the Councell-chamber, and committed to the Tower, vpon the nineteenth of the said moneth, he was attainted by Parliament, of heresie and high Treason; and vpon the 28. of the said moneth, hee was beheaded on the Tower-hill. More succinctly, thus, his precipitate downfall is versified.
And such bloudie ends most men haue, who are busie managers of the greatest matters.
He was condemned to death,
Some say, no such Act was deuised by him to cause his owne death.
Speed. chap. 21. and yet neuer came to his answere, by an act (as it is said) which he himselfe caused to be made; of which my foreremembred Author
M. Drayton.
Those lawes I made my selfe alone to please,
To giue me power more freely to my will,
Euen to my equals hurtfull sundrie waies,
(Forced to things that most doe say were ill)
Vpon me now as violently seize,
By which I lastly perish by my skill,
On mine owne necke returning (as my due)
That heauie yoke wherein by me they drew.
Thus whilst we striue, too suddenly to rise,
By flatt'ring Princes with a seruile tong;
And being soothers to their tirannies,
Worke our much woes, by what doth many wrong.
And vnto others tending iniuries,
Vnto our selues it hapning oft among.
In our owne snares vnluckily are caught,
Whilst our attempts fall instantly to naught.
Many lamented this great mans fall, but more reioiced, especially such as had beene religious men, or fauoured religious persons; of the Clergie he was much hated, for that he was an enemy to Poperie, and could neuer indure the snuffing pride of the Prelates. Thankefull hee was, and liberall, neuer forgetting former benefits, as appeares by his requitall of the kindenesse he had receiued from
Friscolald the Italian Merchant;
Iohn Fox. M. Drayton. carefull he was of his seruants, for whom hee had prouided a competencie of liuing, notwithstanding his sodaine fall: faithfull and forward hee was to doe his friends good, and amongst them
More and
Fisher, if we may beleeue their owne letters, of which some part.
Right worshipfull,
Sir
Tho. Moore, to Master
Cromwell, Ex lit. in bib. Cot▪ after my moost hartie commendations, it may please you to vnderstand that I haue perceiued by the relation of my Sonne
Rooper, (for which I beseche almightie God reward yow) your moost cheritable labour taken for me toward the Kings graciouse highnesse, in the procuring at his moost graciouse hand, the reliefe and comfort of this wofull heuinesse, in which myn harte standeth, &c. concluding in these words.
And thus good Master
Cromwell, I make an end of my long troublouse processe, beseching the blessed Trinitie, for the great goodnesse ye shew
[Page 512] me, and the great cumfort ye do me both bodelie and ghostlie to prospere yow, and in heauen to reward yow.
At Chelcith
the v. day of March, by
Your deepely bounden, Tho. More,
Knight.
Bishop
Fisher acknowledgeth the like kindenesse from him in many of his letters: And howsoeuer these two famous schollers, after some hard imprisonment, lost both their liues; yet was hee not wanting by his best endeuours, and his all-potencie with the King, to haue saued their neckes from the stroke of the Axe, which we may verily beleeue, when we consider that King
Henries command was a Law; of which
Cromwell had a triall, being conuicted and executed without triall.
Seruices done by the foresaid Cromwell vnto King Henry the eight, within a few yeares after his first comming into the fauour and seruice of the said King, copied out of the Originall, written with his owne hand, and now remaining in the Treasury of the Exchequer.
Imprimis, the King purchased Hampton Court.
Item, the King purchased the Manore of Moye.
Item, the King purchased Saint
Iameses in the fields, and all the grounds whereof the new Parke of Westminster is made.
Item, his highnesse hath purchased all the old Tenements in Westminstre, whereas now is builded the new garden, the Tenesplaies, and Cockfights.
Item, his highnesse hath purchased the Manore of Pisowe, of the Lord Scroope.
Item, his highnesse hath purchased the Manore of Weston Baldock.
Item, his highnesse hath purchased the Manore and Parke of Coppedhall.
Item, his Maiestie hath purchased lands to a great value, of the Earle of Northumberland.
Item, his Maiestie hath purchased certaine lands of
Thomas Robarts, the Auditore, lying besides Waltham.
Item, his Highnesse hath purchased of the Lord
Audley, the Mannor of Lanamuerye and Keymes in Walles.
Item, his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor, and certaine other lands in Chombham, whereof a Parke is made, of the Abbot of Chensey.
Item, his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor of Alderbrooke in the Forrest of Waltham, of one
Monoke.
Item, the King hath purchased the Mannor of Edmonton, in the Country of Middlesex.
Item, his Highnesse hath repaired the Tower of London, to his great charges.
Item, his Highnesse hath newly made the Ship, called the
Mary Rose,[Page 513] the
Peter, Pomgarnete, the
Lyon, the
Katherine Galley, the
Barke, the
Minione, the
Sweepestake.
Item, his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor of Cogeshall and Estorford, of master
Southwell.
Item, his highnesse hath purchased the woods besides Portesmouthe in Hampshire, sufficient for the new making of
Henry-grace a dieu, and the great Galley.
Item, his Highnesse hath bought and made within the Tower of new Bowes for a M. l.
Item, his Highnesse, with a great and chargeable traine, passed the Seas in his owne person to Callis and Bullen.
Item, his Highnesse hath newly builded Hampton Court.
Item, his Highnesse hath newly builded the place at Westminstre, with all the Tenesplaies and Cockfights, and walled in the Parke there with a sumptuous wall.
Item, he hath new builded Saint
Iameses in the fields, a magnificent and goodly house.
Item, his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannors of Dunmington, Ewelme, Hookenorton, and others, of the Duke of Suffolke.
Item, his Highnesse hath made a great deale of new Ordenance of brasse here in England.
Item, his Highnesse hath newly edified a great part of the walls of Calles.
Item, his Highnesse hath made a great quantitie of new Ordenance within the Towne of Calles.
Item, his Highnesse hath most costly warres in Scotland.
Item, he hath most costly warres in Ireland.
Item, he hath been at a most costly charge for the Coronation of Queen
Anne.
Item, his Highnesse hath maintained the great and sumptuous house of the Lady
Katherine Dowager.
Besides these, he did many other seruices for the King his master; but I will insist onely vpon two, by which he greatly enriched his Coffers.
The one was vpon the Coronation of Queene
Anne Bullen, against which solemnitie, the King sent writings to all Sheriffes, to certifie the names of men of fortie pounds lands, to receiue the order of Knighthood, or else to make fine for the same. The asseasement of which (saith my Author) was appointed to
Thomas Cromwell then master of the Kings Iewell-house, who so vsed the matter, that a great summe of money was leuied to the Kings vse by those fines.
The other was his paines and pollicie in the suppressing of Religious Foundations.
This great man gaue great reliefe to the poore;
Stow. Annal. two hundred poore people were serued at his gates twise euery day; with bread, meat, and drinke sufficient.
He had 220. men and aboue in checke roll; he gaue liueries garded with veluet to his Getlemen; and garded with the same cloth to his Yeomen, saith
Iohn Stow in the Suruay of London, in the chapter of orders and customes.
[Page 514]Queene
Anne Bullein.Within the Quire of this Chappell, lieth buried the body of
Anne Bollein, Marchionesse of Penbroke, eldest daughter and coheire of
Thomas Bollein, Viscount Rochford, Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond, second wife to King
Henry the eight, to whom shee bare into the world, that most renowned Princesse,
Elizabeth, our late Queene, who proued not onely the mirrour of the world, for vertue, wisedome, piety, and iustice, but also a patterne for gouernment to all the Princes in christendome.
Speed cap. 21. Another manchilde she bore also vnto the said King, though without life, vpon the 29. day of Ianuary, and the 27. yeare of his raigne, to the no little griefe of his mother, some dislike of the King, as the sequele of her accusation and death did shortly confirme: for vpon the 19. day of May next following, vpon the greene within the Tower, her head was cut off by the sword, and by the hands of the Hangman of Caleis; when shee had beene King
Henries wife three yeares, three moneths, and twenty fiue daies.
The bloud was scarse wipt off the blade, nor shee
[...] in her graue, (an argument that her life was sought after vpon fal
[...]e
[...]) before another Lady was possest of her bed; for, on the
[...] her beheading, the King her husband was married to that
[...] Princesse
Iane, the the daughter of
Iohn Seymor Knight, and sister to Lord
Edward Seymour, Earle of Hertford, and Duke of Somerset.
Here lieth buried in the said Chappell, the body of
George Bollein, Lord Rochford,
George Bullein, Lord Rochford. brother to the beheaded Queene, who (together with
Henry Norrice, Marke Smeton, William Brereton, and
Francis Weston, all of the Kings priuie Chamber) was beheaded on the Tower h
[...]ll, two daies before the death of his Sister, about matters concerning the said Queene: none of them all confessing the act whereupon they suffered death; onely
Smeton, contrarie to his conscience (saith one) confest some thing,
Speed cap. 21. in hope of life and preferment, which condemned both himselfe and the rest, of which,
Sleidan. com. l. 10. thus
Cromwell writ to the King. Many things haue beene obiected, but nothing confessed, onely some circumstances haue beene acknowledged by
Marke Smeton. This hee writ after the prisoners had beene throughly examined in the Tower.
This
Smeton, Brierton, Norrice, and
Weston, lie buried here in the Chappell-yard.
Queene
Katherine Howard.Here, and neere to the reliques of the said
Anne Bollein, lieth interred the body of
Katherine, the fift wife of King
Henry the eight, the daughter of
Edmond, and Neece vnto
Thomas Howard his brother, Duke of Norfolke; who hauing continued his wife but the space of one yeare, sixe moneths, and foure daies, was attainted by Parliament, and beheaded here in the Tower, vpon the 13. of February, 1541.
It is verily beleeued, and many strong reasons are giuen, both by English and forraine writers, to confirme that beliefe; that neither this Queene
Katherine, nor Queene
Anne, were any way guiltie of the breach of matrimony, whereof they were accused; but that King
Henry, vnconstant
[Page 515] and variable in his affections, and as vnstayed in religious resolutions, did cut them off vpon false suggestions, soone wearie of the old, and euer ayming at new Espousals.
Betweene these two Queenes,
Ed. and
Iohn Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland before the high Altar, lie buried two Dukes, to wit, the Duke of Somerset,
Edward Seymour, and the Duke of Northumberland,
Iohn Dudley. Of whom hereafter.
Here lieth
Henry Southworth,Hen. Southworth. borne at Halton Castle, in the Parish of Runkorne in Cheshire, Yeoman of the Crowne, and of the Guard, to king
Henry the seuenth, and
Henry the eight, Yeoman Bawier, and Surveiour in the Tower of London for the space of 33. yeares. Who died. . . . . . .
Here lieth
Gefferay Hewyt,Geff. Hewet &
Ioane his wife. and
Ione his wife, one of the Gonners in the Tower. . . .
Ione died... 1525.
There are some other Inscriptions in this Chappell, but they are of late times.
Burials of the dead in the fields, neare to the Citie of London.
These burials in the fields might better haue beene spoken of, in my prefixed discourse, where I write of the strange custome of interring, and preseruing of the bodies of the dead. But being forgotten there, it will not be amisse (I hope) that they may be remembred here.
In the fields on the North-East and East side of the suburbs,
In Mi
[...]lesex. whiles I was writing these matters (saith
Camden) there were gotten out of the ground many vrnes, funerall vessels, little Images, and earthen pots, wherein were small peeces of money coined by
Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, &c. Glasse vials also, and sundrie small earthen vessels, wherein some liquid substance remained, which I would thinke to be either of that sacred oblation of wine and milke, which the ancient Romanes vsed when they burnt the dead, or else those odoriferous liquors that
Statius mentioneth.
Pharijque liquores
Arsuram lavere Comam.
And liquid baulmes from Egypt-land that came
Did wash his haire that ready was for flame.
This place the Romanes appointed to burne and burie dead bodies, who according to the law of the twelue tables carried coarses out of their Cities, and interred them by the high-wayes side, to put passengers in minde that they are, as those were, subiect to mortalitie.
Stow speakes more fully of these,
Suruay in Bishopsgateward. and other kindes of funerall Monuments, found here in the fields.
About the yeare 1576. saith hee, Lolesworth-field, now called Spittlefield, was broken vp for clay to make Bricke. In the digging whereof, many earthen pots, called
Vrnae, were found full of Ashes, and burnt bones of men, to wit, of the Romanes, that inhabited here. For it was the custome
[Page 516] of the Romanes, to burne their dead, to put their Ashes in an Vrne, and then burie the same with certaine ceremonies, in some field appointed for that purpose, neare vnto their Citie.
Euery of these pots had in them (with the ashes of the dead) one peece of Copper-money, with the inscription of the Emperour then raigning; some of them were of
Claudius, some of
Vespasian, some of
Nero, some of
Antonius Pius, of
Traiane, and others. Besides those vrnes, many other pots were found in the same place, made of a white earth, with long neckes and handles, like to our stone Iugs: these were emptie, but seemed to be buried full of some liquid matter, long since consumed and soaked through. For there were found diuers vials, and other fashioned Glasses, some most cunningly wrought, such as I haue not seene the like, and some of Christall, all which had water in them, nothing differing in clearnesse, taste, or sauour, from common spring water, whatsoeuer it was at the first. Some of these Glasses had oyle in them very thicke, and earthy in sauour. Some were supposed to haue Balme in them, but had lost the vertue: Many of these pots and Glasses were broken in cutting of the clay, so that few were taken vp whole.
There were also found diuers Dishes and Cups, of a fine re
[...]de coloured earth, which shewed outwardly such a shining smoothnesse, as if they had beene of currall. Those had (in the bottomes) Romane letters printed; There were also Lampes of white earth and red, artificially wrought with diuers Antiques; about them, some three or foure Images, made of white earth, about a spanne long each of them. One, I remember, was of Pallas, the rest I haue forgotten. I my selfe haue reserued (amongst diuers of those Antiquities there) one vrne, with the ashes and bones, and one pot of white earth very small, not exceeding the quantitie of a wine pint, made in shape of a Hare squatted vpon her legges, and betweene her eares is the mouth of the pot.
There hath also beene found (in the same field) diuers coffins of stone, containing the bones of men: these I suppose to be the burials of some speciall persons, in time of the Brittaines, or Saxons. Moreouer, there were also found the sculls and bones of men without coffins, or rather whose coffines (being of great timber) were consumed. Diuers great Nailes of Iron were there found, such as are vsed in the wheeles of shod carts, being each of them as bigge as a mans finger, and a quarter of a yard, the heads two inches ouer. Those Nailes were more wondred at then the rest of the things there found; and many opinions of men were there vttered of them; namely that the men there buried, were murthered by driuing those Nailes into their heads, a thing vnlikely: for a smaller Naile would more aptly serue to so bad a purpose; and a more secret place would lightly be imployed for such buriall.
But to set downe what I obserued concerning this matter, I there beheld the bones of a man lying (as I noted) the head North, the feet South, and round about him (as thwart his head, along both his sides, and thwart his feet) such Nailes were found. Wherefore I coniectured them to be Nailes of his coffin. Which had beene a trough, cut out of some great tree, and the same couered with a planke of a great thicknesse, fastened with such Nailes,
[Page 517] and therefore I caused some of the Nailes to be reached vp to
[...] found vnder the broad heads of them, the old wood,
[...]eane turned into earth▪ but still retaining both the graine and proper colour. Of these Nailes (with the wood vnder the head thereof) I reserued one, as also the
[...]-bone of the man, the teeth being great, sound, and fixed, which (amongst many other Monuments there found) I haue yet to shew: but the nayle lying dry, is by scaling greatly wasted. And thus much of ancient Funerall Monuments in the fields.
Certaine Burials of British Kings in and about London, the places of their interments vncertaine.
And first to begin with
Guentoline, [...] the sonne of
Gurgunstus, King of Britaine, who flourished about the yeare of the world, 3614. Who was a wise Prince, graue in counsell, and sober in behauiour, and studied, with great care and diligence, to reforme anew, and to adorne with iustice, lawes, and good orders, the British commonwealth; by other Kings not so framed as stood with the greatnesse thereof. But as he was busie in hand herewith, death tooke him away from these worldly employments, when hee had raigned 27. yeares.
He had a wife named
Martia Proba, a woman of perfect beautie, and wisedome incomparable, as by her prudent gouernment, and equall administration of iustice, after her husbands decease, during her sonnes minoritie, it most manifestly appeared.
She was a woman expert and skilfull in diuers sciences, but chiefely, being admitted to the gouernment of the Realme, she studied to preserue the common wealth in good, quiet, and decent order; and therefore deuised, established, and writ a booke in the British tongue of profitable and conuenient Lawes, the which after her name were called
Martian Lawes. These Lawes afterwards
Gildas Cambrius, the Historicall Welch Poet, translated into Latine: and a long time after him,
Alured, King of the West Saxons, holding these lawes necessarie for the preseruation of the common wealth, put them into English Saxon speech, and then they were called after that translation,
Marchenclagh, that is to meane, the Lawes of
Martia; adding thereunto a Booke of his owne writing of the Lawes of England, which he called, A certaine Breuiarie extracted out of diuers Lawes of the Troians, Grecians, Britaines, Saxons, and Danes. She flourished before the birth of our Lord and Sauiour, 348. yeares, or thereabouts.
Her sonnes name was
Sicilius,Sicilius king of Britaine. who vpon the death of his Father was but young: for I reade that
Martia his mother, deliuered vp the gouernment of the kingdome to her sonne when he came to lawfull age, which she had right politiquely guided, and highly for her perpetuall renowne and commendation, the space of fourteene yeares. He died when hee had raigned seuen yeares, some say fifteene yeares.
Of
Bladud, king of Britaine, the sonne of
Lud hurdibras, many incredible passages are deliuered by our old British writers, and followed by sundrie Authors of succeeding ages, which say, that he was so well seene in the Sciences of Astronomie and Necromancie, that thereby hee made the hote
[Page 518] springs in the Citie of Bathe: that he built the Citie of Bathe: that he went to Athens and brought with him foure Philosophers, and by them instituted an Vniuersitie at Stanford in Lincolnshire. And further to shew his Art and cunning, that he tooke vpon him to flie into the aire; and that hee broke his necke by a fall from the Temple of
Apollo in Troynouant, before the incarnation of Christ 852. yeares, in the twentieth yeare of his raigne.
Geffrey of Monmouth, and
Mathew of Westminster would approue as much as here is spoken of him;
Song 3. And learned
Selden in his Illustrations vpon
Draytons Polyolbion, sets downe an ancient fragment of rimes, wherein these strange things of him are exprest.
Cap 25. But of him here in this place, will it please you take a peece out of
Harding, and you shall haue more hereafter.
Bladud his sonne after him did succede,
And reigned after then full xx. yere,
Cair Bladud so that now is Bath I rede,
He made anone the hote bathes there infere
When at Athens he had studied clere
He brought with hym iiii Philosophers wise
Schole to hold in Brytaine and exercyse.
Stanforde he made that Stanforde hight this daye
In which he made an Vniuersitee,
His Philosophers, as
Merlin doth saye
Had scholers fele of grete habilitee,
Studyng euer alwaye in vnitee,
In all the seuen liberall science,
For to purchase wysedome and sapience▪
In
Cair Bladim he made a temple right
And sette a Flamyne therein to gouerne,
And afterward a
a man decked in fe
[...]hers.
Fetherham he dight,
To flye with winges, as he could best discerne,
Aboue the aire nothyng him to werne,
He flyed on high to the temple
Apoline,
And ther brake his necke for all his grete doctrine.
Vo
[...]t
[...]mer king of Britaine.Likewise the vncertaine buriall of
Vortimer, that victorious British king, was in some part of this Citie; he was the eldest sonne of
Vortigern king of the Britaines, and raigned as king in his fathers dayes; who demeaned himselfe towards his sonne, then his Soueraigne, in all dutifull obedience and faithfull counsell; for the space of foure yeares, euen vntill
Vortimer was poysoned by the subtiltie of
Rowena the heathen, daughter of
Hengist the Saxon, the wife or concubine of his Brother, and the mother of the Britaines mischiefe, which happened about the yeare of Grace 464.
Speed. Hist. cap. 12.This
Vortimer was a man of great valour, which altogether he employed for the redresse of his countrey, according to the testimonie of
William Malmesbury, whose words are these.
Vortimer (saith he) thinking not good to dissemble the matter, for that he saw himselfe and countrey daily surprised by the craft of the Saxons, set
[Page 519] his full purpose to driue them out, and from the seuenth yeare after their first entrance, for twentie yeares continuance, fought many battailes with them, and foure of them with great puissance in the open field; in the first whereof, they departed with like fortune, and losse of the Generals brethren
Horsa and
Latigern: in the other three, the Britaines went away with victory, and so long, vntill
Vortimer was taken away by fatall death.
It is recorded of him,
Sigibert. that after he had vanquished the Saxons, and dispossessed them of all their footing in the Continent, yea, and often assailed them in the Isle of Tannet: the Church of Christianitie being ruinated by the Pagan marriage of
Rowena with his Brother, as aforesaid, that he restored the Christian Religion, as then sorely decaied, and new built the Churches that his enemies, the misbeleeuing Saxons had destroied.
It is also reported by
Nennius of Bangor, in the historie of his countrie, that after his last victorie ouer the Saxons, he caused his monument to be erected at the entrance into Tanet, and in the same place of that great ouerthrow, which by the said Author, is called
Lapis Tituli, of vs the Stonar; where for certaine, it seemes, hath beene an hauen. In this monument, hee commanded his body to be buried, to the further terror of the Saxons, that in beholding this his Trophie, their spirits might be daunted at the remembrance of their great ouerthrow. As
Scipio Africanus conceited the like, who commanded his Sepulchre to be so set, that it might ouerlooke Africa, supposing that his very Tombe would be a terror to the Carthaginians. But how that desire of
Vortimer was performed,
I Speed Hist. ca. xi. I finde not, saith a late writer: but rather the contrarie; for an old Manuscript I haue, that confidently affirmeth him to be buried in London, which agreeth with these old Rimes of my reuerend Monke of Glocester.
Rob Glocest.
Aftur his deth he badde anon his body yat
men taken.
me nome,
And bury hit at an hauene wher ye hethen men vp come,
In a Tombe swithe an heigh yat me myght hit fer yse,
That
they.
hii for drede of yat syght ayen hom sholde fle.
Hare was herte to hem whan he wolde hit hadde
Drede of his body dede as they aliue hadde.
Ther was deol and So
[...]we enogh, tho this man was ded,
As natheles me buryed him nought ther as yat he
commanded.
ked
For hit was but of a will, as hii hem bethoughte
In London wythe gret honor that body an erthe broughte.
The vncertaine buriall of Edward and Richard, the sonnes of King
Edward the fourth.
Edward, the eldest sonne of King
Edward the fourth, by Queene
Elizabeth his wife, say our English Writers, was borne in the Sanctuary at Westminster,
Videsis Speed. Hist. ca. 17. and
Vincent Catal. Chest
[...]r. the fourth of Nouember, and yeare of grace, 1470. being the tenth of his fathers raigne, at that time expulsed the Realme by the powerfull Earle of Warwicke; but fortune being changed, and the father restored, the sonne in Iuly following, the sixe and twentieth day, 1471. was created Prince of Wales, and Earle of Chester; and afterwards vpon the eight of Iuly, in the 19 yeare of his said fathers raign, he was by Letters Patents, dated at Esthamsted, further honoured with the Earledomes of Penbroke and March. He was proclaimed King, but neuer crowned, yet had not the ambitious hand of his Vncle beene defiled in his innocent bloud, hee might haue worne the Diadem many yeares, whereas he bare the title of King no longer then two moneths and eighteene daies.
Richard, surnamed of Shrewsbury, because he was there borne, the second sonne of
Edward the fourth, by his wife
Elizabeth, as aforesaid, was affianced in his infancie, to
Anne the onely daughter and heire of
Iohn Lord
Mowbray Duke of Norfolke; hee was honoured by the titles of Duke of Norfolke, Earle Warren, Earle Marshall, and Nottingham; also Lord Baron of Mowbray, Segraue, and of Gower, as
Milles will haue it;
Mill. Catal. Yorke. but inioying neither wife, title, or his owne life long, was with his brother, murthered in the Tower of London, and in the prison of that Tower, which, vpon that most sinfull deed, is euer since called the bloudy Tower, their bodies as yet vnknowne where to haue buriall. The storie of whose death, and supposed interment, extracted out of authenticall Authors, is thus deliuered by
Iohn Speed.
Speed Hist.
[...] [...]Prince
Edward and his brother (saith hee) were both shut vp in the Tower, and all attendants remoued from them, onely one called
Blacke-Will, or
William Slaughter excepted, who was set to serue them, and to see them sure. After which time the Prince neuer tied his points, nor cared for himselfe, but with that yong Babe his brother, lingred with thought and heauinesse, till their traiterous deaths deliuered them out of that wretchednesse: for the execution whereof, Sir
Iames Tirrill appointed
Miles Forrest, a fellow fleshed in murther before time: to whom he ioyned one
Iohn Dighton his horse-keeper, a bigge, broad, square knaue.
About midnight (all others being remoued from them) this
Miles Forrest, and
Iohn Dighton, came into the Chamber, and suddenly wrapped vp the sely children in the Bed-clothes where they lay, keeping, by force, the featherbed and pillowes hard vpon their mouthes, that they were therein smothered to death, and gaue vp to God their innocent soules, into the ioyes of heauen, leauing their bodies vnto the Tormentors, dead in the bed▪ which after these monstrous wretches perceiued, first by the strugling with the paines of death, and after long lying still to bee thorowly dispatched, they laid their bodies naked out vpon the bed, and then fetched Sir
Iames Tirrill their instigator, to see them, who caused these murtherers to
[Page 521] bury them at the staires foot, somewhat deepe in the ground, vnder a great heape of stones. Then ro
[...]e Sir
Iames in haste to the King, vnto whom he shewed the manner of their death, and place of buriall; which newes was so welcome to his wicked heart, as hee greatly reioyced, and with great thankes dubbed (as some hold) this his mercilesse Instrument, Knight. But the place of their buriall he liked not, saying, that vile corner should not containe the bodies of those Princes, his Nephewes, and commanded them a better place for buriall, because they were the Sons of a King. Whereupon the Priest of the Tower tooke vp their bodies, and secretly interred them in such a place, which by the occasion of his death, could neuer since come to light.
The continuer of
Iohn Harding tels vs from the report of others, that King
Richard caused Sir
Robert Brakenburies Priest to close their dead corpes in lead, and so to put them in a coffin full of holes, and hooked at the ends with two hookes of iron, and so to cast them into a place called the Blacke deepes at the Thames mouth, whereby they should neuer rise vp, or be any more seene.
To which effect I haue seene their Epitaph written by
Thomas Stanley, Bishop of Man, Parson of Winwicke, and Wigan in Lancashire, who
[...]lourished in the seuerall raignes of King
Henry the eight,
Edward the sixt, Queene
Mary, and Queene
Elizabeth ▪ thus it runs in his Lancashire rimes.
In Londons Toure in one plase or anoder
Interryd lay Kyng Edward and his Broder,
Who by there wicked
Vncle.
Eme were guyltles sleyne,
And basely beryd, yet tooke vp ageyne
And cast into the blacke deepes at Tems mouth.
Now whether wreckt, or tost from North to South,
Their reliques are, it recks not; ther soules rest
In Heu'n amangst Gods children euer blest.
They weren murdered in Iuly, 1483.
Edward being thirteene yeres old, and Richard about some two yeres yonger.
The iust iudgement of God seuerely reuenged the murther of these innocent Princes vpon the malefactors. For first to begin with the Ministers;
Miles Forrest at Saint
Martins, peece-meale rotted away; Sir
Iames Tirril
[...] died at Tower hill for treason committed against
Henry the seuenth;
Dighton indeed (saith my Author,
The Continuer of
Hardings Chronicle. who liued in those times) walketh on aliue, in good possibility to be hanged ere he die, liuing at Calleis, no lesse distained and hated, then pointed at of all. King
Richard himselfe was slaine in the field, hacked and hewed of his enemies hands, harried on a horse backe naked, being dead, his haire in despite torne and tugged like a curre dogge. And the mischiefe that he tooke, was within lesse then three yeares of the mischiefe that he did, and yet all the meane time spent in much paine and trouble outward, and much feare, anguish, and sorrow within. For I haue heard by credible report of his Chamberlaine,
The guilty conscience of King
Richard that after this abhominable deed done, he neuer was quiet in his minde: he neuer thought himselfe sure, for where he went abroad, his eyes euer whirled about, his body was priuily
[Page 522] fenced, his hand was euer on his dagger, his countenance and manner was like one euer ready to strike againe; he tooke ill rest a nights, lay long waking and musing, sore wearied with care and watch, rather slumbred, then slept, troubled with fearefull dreames, sodainly some times start vp, leapt out of his bed, and ran about the chambers; so was his restlesse heart continually tossed and tumbled, with the tedious impression and stormy remembrance of his execrable murthers.
Persius makes an imprecation to
Iupiter, that hee would punish Kings, committing such horride actions, with this horrour of conscience, thus.
Pers. Sat. 3.
trans. by
[...]erten Holyday.
Great Father of the gods: when cruell lust,
Touch'd with inflaming venome, moues th' vniust
Corrupted disposition of fierce Kings,
To act unworthy and vnkingly things:
Punish them onely thus. Let them but see
Faire vertue, and their lost felicitie.
Then shall their bowels yearne, and they shall crie
In secret, and waxe pale, and pine, and die.
But here enough of King
Richard, vntill I come to Leicester, and there to the place of his buriall.
Chelsey.
Sir
Thomas Moore Lord Chancelor.On the south side of the Quire of this Church, vnder a plaine Monument, lieth the body of Sir
Thomas More, Lord Chancelor of England, beheaded on the Tower hill, for denying of the Kings Supremacie, the sixt of Iuly, 1535. Ouer his Tombe is an Inscription vpon the wall, made by himselfe, a little after he gaue ouer his Office of being Chancelour, now hardly to be read.
Thomas Morus vrbe Londinensi, familia non celebri, sed honesta natus, in literis vtcumque versatus, quum & causas aliquot Iuuenis egisset in for
[...], et in vrbe sua pro Shyre
[...]o ius dixisset, ab inuictissimo Rege Henrico viii. (cui vni Regum omnium gloria prius inaudita contigit, vt Fidei defensor qualem et gladio et calamo se vere prestitit, merito vocaretur) adscitus in Aulam est, delectusque in concilium, et creatus Eques, Proquestor primum, post cancellarius Lancastrie, tandem Anglie miro principis fauore factus est. Sed interim in publico Regni Senatu lectus est Orator Populi, preterea Legatus Regis nonnunquam fuit, alias alibi, postremo vero Cameraci, comes & collega iunctus principi Legationis Cuthberto Tunstallo tum Londinensi, mox Dunelmensi Episcopo, quo viro vix habet orbis hodie quicquam eruditius, prudentius, melius. Ibi inter summos Christiani orbis Monarchas rursus refecta federa, redditamque mundo diu desideratam pacem, et letissimus vidit, et Legatus intersuit.
Quam superi Pacem firment, faxint que perennem. In hoc officiorum vel honorum cursu quum ita versaretur, vt neque Princeps optimus operam eius improbaret, neque nobilibus esset inuisus, neque iniucundus populo; furibus
[Page 523] autem, Homicidis Hereticisque molestus: Pater eius tandem Ioannes Morus Eques,
Sir Iohn More
the father of Sir Thomas,
his death. & in eum Iudicum ordinem a Principe cooptatus qui Regius Confessus vocatur, homo ciuilis, innocens, mitis, misericors, eq
[...]us & integer, annis quidem grauis, sed corpore plusquam pro etate viuido, postquam eo productam sibi vidit vitam, vt filium videret Anglie Cancellarium, satis in terra iam se moratum ratus lubens migrauit in celum. At filius defuncto patre, cui, quamdiu superarat, comparatus, & inuenis & ipse quoque sibi videbatur, amissam iam Patrem requirens & editos ex se liberos quatuor, ac nepotes vndecim respiciens apud animum suum cepit persenescere. Auxit hunc affectum animi, subsequuta velut adpetentis sen
[...] signum, pectoris valetudo deterior. Itaque mortalium harum rerum satur, quam rem à puero semper optauerat, vt vltimos vite sue annos obtineret liberos, quibus hu
[...]us vite negotijs paulatim se subducens, futuram posset immortalitatem meditari, eam rem tandem (sic ceptis annuat Deus) indulgentissimi Principis incomparabili beneficio resignatis honoribus impetrauit. Atque hoc Sepulchrum sibi, quod mortis eam nunquam cessantis adrepere commonefaceret, translatis huc prioris vx
[...] ris ossibus, extruendum curauit. Quod ne superstes frustra sibi secerit, neue ingruentem trepidus horreat, sed desiderio Christi lubens oppetat, mortemque vt sibi non omnino mortem, sed tanuam vite felicioris inveniat, precibus eum, Lector optime, spirantem, precor, defunctumque prosequere.
Sir
Thomas More, hauing remoued the body of his first wife
Ioane to this place intended for his owne buriall, composed this Epitaph to her memory; which I haue read.
Clara Thome iacet hic Ioanna vxorcula Mori,
Ioan
and Alice
the wiues of Sir Tho. Mor
[...]. in bib. Cot.
Qui tumulum Alicie hunc destino quoque tibi.
Vna mihi dedit hoc coniuncta virentibus unnis
Me vocet vt puer, & trina puella Patrem.
Altera priuignis (que gloria rara Nouerce est)
Tam pia quam gnatis vix fuit vlla suis.
Altera sic mecum vixit, sic altera viuit,
Charior incertum est, hec sit an hec fuerit.
O simul, O iuncti poteramus viuere nos tros
Quam bene si factum Religioque sinant.
Et societ tumulus, societ nos obsecro celum,
Sic mors non potuit quod dare vita dabit.
The Character of this ingenious and learned Lord Chancellour is deliuered at large by all our late English Historiographers, as also by many forraine writers. To whom, and to that which I haue spoken of him before, I referre my Reader.
Of your charitie pray for the soul of
Edward Bray,Edmund Lord
Bray. knight, Lord
Bray, cosin and heire to Sir
Reignold Bray, knight of the Garter......
His brother
Reignold Bray Esquire, lieth buried by him, but their Monuments are so defaced, that I can finde no further remembrance, neither of their liues, nor of the time of their death.
Philip Meawtis.Here vndyr lyeth
Phelip Meawtis, the sonn and heir of
Iohn Meawtis, oone of ye Secretaryes to the kyngs,
Hen. the seuenth, and
Hen. the eight; Clerk of hys Counsel, and oone of the knyghts of Wyndsor. Whych
Phelip decessyd the eight of Nouembre. M. D. X. on whoes soul Iesu have mercy. Amen.
Ric. Scardebrugh and
Elis. his wife.Hic iacent Robertus Rote & Elisab........ Richardus Scardebrugh & Elisabetha vxor eius, ac Robertus Scardebrugh filius eorundem Richardi et Elisabethe, qui quidem Richardus obiji xi. die Decemb. M.CCCC.liij. quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus.
Adwin Lauerocke.Here lyes
Adwin Lauerocke of Calis, Cosin to
Iohn Mewtas of Kensington, and the French Secretary to Kyng
Henry the seuenth. Which decessyd, on Seynt
Stephens dey. M.CCCC.lxxxxiii. on whos soul God have mercy. Amen.
In the worschip of God and our Ladie
Say for al Cristen souls a
Pater Noster and an
Avie.
Tho. Essex.Hic iacet Thomas Essex Armiger filius & heres Gulielmi Essex Armigeri, Rememoratoris Domini Regis Edwardi quarti in Scaccario, ac Vice thesarar. Anglie, qui obijt 10.
Nouemb. 1500.
Que sola virgineo nata laudamus honore,
Me protegens, Nato fundito vota tuo.
The office of Remembrancers.
D. Cowell. lic. R.Of the Office of Remembrancers, whereof
William the father of this
Thomas Essex here entombed, was one and the chiefe: giue mee leaue to speake a little out of the Interpreter.
Remembrancers of the Exchequer
(Rememoratores) bee three Officers or Clerks. One called the Kings Remembrancer,
Ann. 35.
Eli. cap. 5. The other the Lord Treasurers Remembrancer. Vpon whose charge it seemeth to lye, that they put all Iustices of that Court, as the Lord Treasurer, and the rest, in remembrance of such things as are to be called on, and dealt in for the Princes behoofe. The third is called the Remembrancer of the first-fruits. Of these you may reade something,
Ann. 5.
Ric. 2.
Stat. 1.
cap. 14. and 15. to the effect aboue specified. These
An 37.
Ed. 3.
cap. 4. be called Clerkes of the Remembrance. It seemeth that the name of the Officer is borrowed from the Civilians, who haue their
Memoriales, qui sunt notarij Cancellariae in regno subiecti officio Quaestoris. Lucas de Penna. C. lib. 10
tit. 12.
num. 7.
The Kings Remembrancer. The Kings Remembrancer entreth into his Office all Recognisances, taken before the Barons for any the Kings debts, for apparences, or for obseruing of orders. He taketh all bonds for any of the Kings debts, or for appearance, or for obseruing of orders, and maketh proces vpon them for the breach of them. He writeth proces against the Collectours of Customes, Subsedies, and Fiueteenths for their accounts. All informations vpon penall Statutes are entred in his Office. And all matters vpon English Bills in the Exchequer Chamber are remaining in his Office. Hee maketh
[Page 525] the Bills of compositions vpon penall Lawes, taketh the stalments debts, maketh a Record of a Certificate deliuered to him by the Clerkes of the Starre-Chamber of the Fines there set, and sendeth them to the Pipe. Hee hath deliuered to his Office all manner of Indentures, fines, and other Euidences whatsoeuer, that concerne the assuring of any lands to the Crowne. He yearely,
in Crastino Animarum, readeth in open Court the Statute for election of Sheriffes, and giueth those that choose them their oath. He readeth in open Court the oath of all the Officers of the Court, when they are admitted.
The Treasurers Remembrancer maketh Proces against all Sheriffes,
The Treasurers Remembrancer. Escheators, Receiuers, and Bayliffes, for their accounts. He maketh Proces of
Fieri Facias, and extent for any debts due to the King, either in the Pipe, or with the Auditors. He maketh Proces for all such reuenue as is due to the King by reason of his tenures. He maketh a Record, whereby it appeareth whether Sheriffes and other accountants keepe their dayes of prefixion. All extreats of fines, issues, and amerciaments set in any Courts of Westminster, or at the Assises, or Sessions, are certified into his Office; and are by him deliuered to the Clerke of Extreats to write Proces vpon them. He hath also brought into his Office all the accounts of Customers, Controullers, and other accomptants, to make thereof an entrie of Record.
The Remembrancer of the first-fruits taketh all Compositions for first-fruits and Tenths;
Remembrancer of the first-fruits. and maketh Proces against such as pay not the same.
Now to returne; these Essexes were Lords of this Towne (as I haue it by relation) which Towne, at this day, is much honoured by the Lord thereof, that noble Gentleman, Sir
Henry Rich, Captaine of his Maiesties Gaurd, and knight of the Garter, Baron
Kensington of Kensington, Earle of Holland, and one of his Maiesties most honourable priuie Counsell.
Fulham.
Hic iacet Iohannes Fischer,Io. Fisher.quondam Thesaurarius Domini Cardinalis Sancte Balbine, et postea Hostiensis et Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, qui obijt 27.
Aug. 1463.
Here lyeth buryed the body of Syr
Raufe Buts knight,
Sir
Raph But
[...] knight. and Phisitian to our Soueraigne Lord
Henry the viii. Who decessyd 1545. on whos sowl.
Quid Medicina valet, quid honos, quid gratia Regum?
Quid popularis amor mors vbi seua venit?
Sola valet Pietas, que structa est auspice Christo,
Sola in morte valet; cetera cuncta fluunt.
Ergo mihi in vita fuerit quando omnia Christus;
Mors mihi nunc lucrum vitaque Christus erit.
Pray for the sowls of
Iohn Long gentylman,
Iohn Long, Katherin, &
Alice his wiues.Katherin and
Alice his wyfs. Who died the x. of March, on thowsand fyve hundryd and three. On whos sowls and all Christen sowls Iesu haue mercy.
Fili redemptor mundi Deus miserere nobis.
[Page 526]Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus miserere nobis.
Spiritus Sanctus Deus miserere nobis.
Io. Sherburne.Hic iacet Iohannes Sherburne Bachalaureus vtriusque Legis, quondam Archidiaconus Essex: qui ob. 1434.
Sir
Sampson Norton, and
Elis. his wife.Of yowr cherite pray for the soul of Sir
Sampson Norton knyght, late Master of the Ordinance of warre with kyng
Henry the eyght, and for the soul of Dame
Elysabyth hys wyff. Whyche Syr
Sampson decessyd the eyght day of February on thowsand fyve hundryd and seuentene.
Master of the Ordnance.Master of the ordnance or Artillery is a great Officer, to whose care all the Kings ordnance and Artillery is committed: and most commonly that Office is executed by some eminent great man of the kingdome. His fee is 151. l. 11. s. 8. d.
per annum.
Io. Thorley.Orate pro anima Iohannis Thorley Armigeri, qui obiit penultimo die men. Febr. Ann. Dom. 1445.....
Will. Harvey.Hic iacet Magister Willelmus Harvy nuper vicarius istius Ecclesie qui ob. 5.
die Nouemb. 1471.....
George Chauncy.Hic iacet Georgius Chauncy quondam Receptor generalis Reuerendi Patris Domini Ric. Fitz-Iames London Episcopi, qui obiit decimo nono die Decembris, Ann. Dom. 1520.
Mar. Suanden.Hic iacet Domicilla Margareta Suanden nat. Gandauii Flandrii, que ex Magistro Gerardo Hornebolt Gandauensi Pretori nominatissmo peperit Domicillam Susannam vxorem Iohannis ParkerArcuarij, the Kings Bowyer.Arch. Regis, que obiit Ann. Dom. 1529. 26.
Nouembris.
Anne Sturton.Hic iacet Anna Sturton filia Iohannis Sturton Domini de Sturton, & Domine Katherine vxoris eius. Que quidem Anna obiit in Assumptionem beate Marie Virginis, Ann. Dom. 1533.
Lora Blunt.Hic iacet Lora filia Iohannis Blount militis Domini Mountioy, & Lore vxoris eius, que obiit 6.
die mens. Febr. Ann. Dom. 1480.
Cuius anime Deus sis propitius.
Lora is a name deriued from the Saxon word Lore, which signifies learning or vnderstanding. A word often vsed by
Chaucer in that sense to expresse learning. As in the Squiers Prologue:
I see well that ye learned men in lore
Can muckle good.
Or as
Camden doth coniecture, a name corrupted from
Laura, which is
Bay, and is agreeable to the Greeke name
Daphne.
Cheswicke.
Mawde
Lady Salueyne.Orate pro anima Mathildis Salueyne vxoris Richardi Salueyne Militis Thesaurar. Eccl..... que ob.
1432.
Will. Boydale.Hic iacet Will. Boydale principalis vicarius huius Ecclesie, et fundator Campanilis eiusdem, qui ob.
15. Octob.
1435.
Braineforde.
Christopher Carhill king at Armes.Here lyeth the body of
Christopher Carhill, alias Norrey, king at Armes, who died...... 1510.
Hen. Redman &
Ione his wife.
Here lyeth
Henry Redmane and
Ione his wife.... 1528.
Ric. Parker and
Marg. his wife.Here lyeth
Richard Parker seruant in the Botre to
Henry the seuenth,
[Page 527] and
Hen. the eight, and
Margery his wyf late.... to the Lady
Maryes Grace...... daughter to king
Henry the eight, by
Katherin his first wyf daughter of
Ferdinando the sixt king of Spayne. Which
Richard died ..... 1545.
Hic iacet Wilielmus Clauel,William Clauell.Agnes, et Clementia vx: eius: qui quidem Wilielmus obijt 1496.
The Monastery of Sion.
So named of the most holy Mount Sion,
The foundation of Sion. which King
Henry the fift, when he had expelled thence the Monkes Aliens, built for religious Virgins, to the honour of our Sauiour, the Virgin
Mary, and Saint
Bridget of Sion:
Nuns and Priests Augustines. In which house he appointed to the glory of God, so many Nunnes, Priests, and lay Brethren, as were in number equall to Christ his Apostles and Disciples; namely of Virgines sixtie, Priests thirteene, Deanes foure, and lay Brethren eight. These two Couents had but one Church in common, the Nunnes had their Church aloft in the roofe, and the brethren beneath vpon the ground; each Couent seuerally inclosed, and neuer allowed to come out, except by the Popes speciall licence. Vpon whom when this godly and glorious King had bestowed sufficient liuing (taken from the Priories Aliens, all which he vtterly suppressed) he prouided by a law, that contenting themselues therewith, they should take no more of any man, but what ouerplus soeuer remained of their yearely reuenue, they should bestow it vpon the poore. Their commings in were valued at the suppression, to be worth 1944 l. 11 s. 8 d. q. by yeare.
A Lettore certefyinge the incontynensye of the Nunnes of Syon with the Friores, and aftere the acte done, the Friores reconsile them to God.
Endorsed.
To the right honourable, Master Thomas Cromwell, chiefe Secretary to the Kyngs highnesse.
It maye plese your goodnesse to vnderstand that Bushope this daye preched and declared the Kynges tytelle very well,
Ex lit. in Bib. S.
Dewes. and hade a grete Audyense, the Chorche full of people, one of the
Focaces in his said declaration, openly called him false knaue, with other foolish words, it was that foolish fellow with the corled head that kneeled in your waye when you came foorth of the Confessores Chamber. I can noe lese doe, but set him in prisone,
vt pena eius sit metus alioram: yesterday I learned many enormeous things against Bushope, in the examinacion of the lay Brederen; first that Bushop perswaded towe of the Brederene to haue gone their wayes by night, and he himselfe with them, and to the accomplishment of that, they lacked but money to buy them seculere apparell: Forther, that Bushope would haue perswaded one of his laye Brederen a Smithe, to haue made a keaye for the doare, to haue in the night time receiued in Wenches for him and his fellowes, and specially a wyffe of Vxebridge, now dwelling not farre from the old Lady Derby, nigh Vxbridge: which wyffe his old customer hath byne many tymes here at the grates communyng with the
[Page 528] said, and
[...]e was desirous to haue her conuoyed in to him. The said Bushope also perswaded a Nunne, to whom he was Confessor,
Ad libidinem corporis perimplend. And thus he perswaded her in Confession, making her beleeue, that whensoeuer, and as ofte as they shold medle together, if she were, i
[...] mediately after, confessed by him, and tooke of him absolution, shee shold be cleere forgeuen of God, and it shold be none offence vnto her before God. And she writte diueres and sundrye lettores vnto him of such their foolishnesse and vnthri
[...]tynesse, and wold haue had his Broder the Smith to haue polled out a barre of iron of that window, whereas ye examyned the Ladye Abbas, that he might haue gone in to her by night. And that same window was their commoning place by night. He perswaded the Sextene that he wold be in his contemplacion in the Chorche by night, and by that meanes was many nightes in the Chorche talkyng with her at the said grate of the Nunnes Quire, and there was ther meeting place by night, besides their day communications, as in confession: it were too long to declare all things of him that I haue hard, which I suppos is true. This afternoone I intend to make forder serche, both of some of the Brederen, and some also of the Sisters for such like matteres; if I fynde any thing apparent to be true, I shall God wyllynge therof sertefy your Mastorshipe to morowe, by vii in the mornyng. And aftor this daye I suppos there will be no other things to be knowne as yet here; for I haue already examined all the Brederen, and many of them wold gladly departe hense, and be righte weary of their habbyte: such Religion and fained sancterye, God saue me froe. If Master
Bedle had byne here a Frior, and of Bushopes Counsell, hee wold right welle haue helped him to haue broghte his mattores to passe▪ without brekyng vppe of any grate or yet counterfettyng of keayes, such capassetye God hathe sent him.
From Syone
this sondaye xii. Decembere. By the speedy hand of your assured poore Preeste,
Richard Layton.
Ecclesia omnium Angetorum.Not farre from hence, was a fraternitie founded by
Iohn Somerset, Chancellor of the Exchequor, and the Kings Chaplaine, which he called
Ecclesia omnium Angelorum.
Thistleworth.
Al yow that doth this Epitaph rede or see,
Antony Sutton.
Of yowr mere goodnesse, and grete cheritie,
Prey for the sowl of Maister
Antony
Sutton, Bacher of Diuinity,
Who died in secundo die Augusti,
Annoque Domini,
M.ccccc.xl. and three.
Hen
[...]y Archer.Orate pro anima Henrici Archer, qui obijt 2
die Septemb. Anno Domini 480.
cuius anime......
[Page 529]If the date of this Inscription were true, this
Archer did line in the raigne of
Lucius, the first Christian King of this Monarchie, but questionlesse, this was the ouersight of him which inlaid the monument, leauing out the figure of one, which might haue made it right, 1480.
Here lyeth
Iohn Robinson,
With his wyfs
Katherin and
Ione,
Io Robinson, Katherine and
Ioane his wiues.
Who dyed M.ccccc. and three:
On whos sowls Iesu haue mercy.
Hic iacet Clemens Colyns de Isleworth Vicarius,Clement C
[...]lynsvtriusque iuris Doctor. qui obijt, 1498.
Prey for the sowls of
Iohn Holt,Io. Holt, Margery and
Elizab
[...]th his wiues.Margerie, and
Elizabeth his wyffs, and for the sowls of all his children, who died
Anno Dom. 1520.
In the yere of owr Lord God, M.ccccc. the fourth dey of December,
Margerie to God her sowl she did surrender;
Iesu full of mercy, on her sowl haue mercy,
For in thy mercy she trusted fully.
Pray for the sowl of
Audry the wyf of
Gedeon Aundesham,Audrie Aundesham. who dyed, 1502.
Here lyeth
Iohn Sampol yeoman,
Io. Sampoll. Vsher of the Kings Chamber, who dyed the yeare 1535.
Sampoll antiently called Saint
Paul, a familie of which name flourished at Melwood in Lincolnshire, of which hereafter.
Hic. Dominus Iohannes Payne Vicarius .....
1470.
Sir Io. Payne
Priest ▪
Quisquis eris, qui transieris, sta, perlege, plora▪
Sum quod eris, fueram quod es, pro me precor ora.
Hownslow Chappell.
Which belonged sometime to a Frierie thereunto adioyning,
The Friery of Hounslow▪ now a Chappell of ease for the Inhabitants, which are of two parishes, Heston, and Thistleworth: by whom this fraternitie was founded, I cannot learne, except by the Windsores, a familie of many descents, euer since the comming in of the Norman Conqueror, who had their habitation at Stanwell, not farre off; and chose this Friers Chappell for their place of buriall; which, together with the house, was, after the dissolution, giuen by exchange, to the Lord
Windsore, by King
Henry the eight.
Orate pro animabus Georgij Windsore filij Andree Windsore de Stanwell militis:George Windsoreet Vrsule vxoris eius .......... suorum et heredis apparentis .... Iohannis comitis Oxonie .....
Orate pro anima Willelmi Iacob qui dedit vnam clausuram vocatam Bushiheme ad inueniendam vnam Lampadem ....... qui ob ..... 1478.
William Iacob.
Vermibus hic donor et sic ostendere conor
Qualiter hic ponor ponitur omnis honor.
[Page 530]Quisquis ades, tu morte cades, sta, respice plora
Sum quod eris, quod es ipse fui pro me precor ora.
Vnder the picture of the blessed Virgine, these verses following were depainted, now almost quite worne out.
Virginis intacte cum veneris ante figuram,
Pretereundo caue ne fileatur Aue.
Stanes.
Stanes Priory.Here sometimes stood a Priorie, founded by
Raph, Lord
Stafford, some of which family (as noble and ancient as any) lye here interred, namely,
Nicholas, Baron
Stafford, who died 10. Kal. Nouemb. 1288. as I haue it out of an old Manuscript.
Ex Lib. Abbat. de Croxden in Bib Cotton.Obijt Nicholaus Baro Stafford, 1288.
et 10.
Kalend Nouembris, apud Stanes sepultus est.
Hellingdon great.
In this Church lieth buried vnder a Tombe, couered with a marble stone,
Iohn Lord
Strange of Knocking, vpon which this Inscription is ingrauen.
Iohn Lord
S
[...]ange.Sub hac Tumba iacet nobilis Iohannes Dominus le Strange, Dominus de Knocking, Mahun, Wasset, Warnell et Lacy, et Dominus de Colham, vna cum pictura Iagnette, quondam vxoris sue, que quidem Iagnetta suit s
[...]ror Elizabethe Regine Anglie, quondam vxoris Regis Edwardi quarii, qui quidem Iohannes obijt 15
die Octobris, Anno regni Regis Ed. quarti 17
quam quidem Tumbam Iohanna Dominale Strange, vna cum pictura lagnette ex sumptibus suis proprijs fieri fecit, 1509.
Camd. in Shrop.This race of
le Strange, continued for many descents in the dignity of Lord Barons, in latine Records, called
Extranei, for that they were Strangers, brought hither by King
Henry the second, the yeare 1148. This
Iohn Lord
Strange, here intombed, was the laft of that Surname, Baron of
Knocking: for Sir
George Stanley, sonne and heire of
Thomas, Lord
Stanley, Earle of Darby, the first of that name, married
Ioane, the sole daughter and heire of the aforesaid
Iohn Lord
Strange, here mentioned, who to her fathers memory, made this monument, with whom he had both her fathers honours, and ample inheritance; of which,
Thomas Stanley ▪ sometime Lord Bishop of Man, in his pedegree of the
Stanleyes, speaking of
Thomas, the first Earle, thus makes his rime,
a Mss.
George Lord
Strange.
He maried his first sonne
George, to no
Ferme, nor
Grange,
But honourably to the heire of the Lord
Strange:
Who liued in such loue, as no man els had:
For at the death of him, diuars went almost madd;
At an vngodly banquet (alas) he was poysoned,
And at London in Saint
Iames Garlikhith lyes buried.
[Page 531]The stile, title, and dignitie of Lord
Strange,Iames Lord
Strange.Iames Stanley, eldest sonne and heire of
William Earle of Darbie (a gentleman of laudable endowments both of minde and bodie) now at this day happily enioyeth.
Harrow on the Hill.
I finde diuers of the Surname of
Flamberds; of
Flamberds in this Parish (now the habitation of a worthy Gentleman, Sir
Gilbert Gerard, knight and Baronet) to be here interred. One of whose Tombes is thus inscribed.
Ion me do marmore numinis ordine slam tumulatur;
Io. Flambard.
Barde quoque verbere stigis è funere hic tucatur.
Edmund Flambard & Elisabeth gisont icy
Dieu de
[...]almes eyt mercy.
Edmund Flambard
and Elis.
his wife.
Amen.
Flambard Edmundus iacet hic tellure sepultus
Coniux addetur Elisabeth et societur.
Sta moriture vide docent te massa Iohannis
Io. Birkhed.
Birkhed, sub lapide trux necat Atropos annis,
M. Domini: C quater & X octo numeratis
Iungitur iste Pater; Cuthherge luce beatur.
Hunc charitas, grauitas, fides, prudentia morum,
Presulibus primus Regni fecere decorum▪
O Deus in celis tua nunc fouet alma maiestas,
Quem tantum terris morum perfecit honestas.
Acton.
Pray for the soul of Sir
Thomas Cornwal,Sir
Thomas Cornwall. Baron of Burford in the County of Salop knight, and Ba
[...]neret, which tooke to wyf
Anne, the dawghter of Sir
Richard Corbet of the same County; who departyd this lyf the xix of August, M.D.xxx.vii. on whos soul, &c.
Learned
Camden,Camden in Shropshire. speaking of the Ancestors of this actiue strong family of the
Cornwailes, hath these words. Vpon the riuer Temd (saith hee) is seene Burford, which from
Theodoricke Saie and his posteritie, came vnto
Robert Mortimer, and from his posteritie likewise, vnto Sir
Geffrey Cornwaile, who deriued his descent from
Richard Earle of Cornwall, and king of the Almaines: and his race euen to these dayes hath flourished vnder the name of Barons of Burford, but not in the dignitie of Parliamentarie Barons; whereas it is holden of the King, for to finde fiue men for the Armie of Wales, and by seruice of a Baronie. But more of these
Cornwalls when I come to the vsuall place of their buriall: for this Gentleman was casually here interred, dying here in this Towne, as hee passed from London into his owne countrey.
Here lyeth
Henry Gosse, and
Alice his wif..... 1485.
Aftyr a thowsand ccccc of owr Lords first commyng,
In erth me to redeme by sore peyne sufferyng:
And now I haue peyd the stipend of this lyff,
Yeldyng my flesh to wormes wythout eny stryff.
For my soul intercede that glory it may opteyne,
Where with the blessyd Trinity eternally it may reyne.
And for yow ageyn prey by whos cherite I am relevyd
To sweet Iesu with whos blood I am redemyd.
Hendon.
Io. Brent.Hic iacet Iohannes de Brent Armiger. . . . obiit. . . . An. Dom. 1467.
These
Brents were Gentlemen of ample possessions in this tract, whose chiefe residence was in Brentstreet,
Specul. Brit. hereunto adioyning; from whom (saith
Norden) that street tooke her denomination: As also the little Brooke of Brent, which giueth name to Brentford, now called Brainford.
Fowke de Brent.The most remarkable man of this Surname, was one
Falcatius, or
Falke, de Brent, who for his matchlesse prowesse, and all-daring forwardnesse, was so beloued of king
Iohn, that he gaue him in marriage
Margaret, the daughter of
Warrin Fitz-Gerald his Chamberlaine, late the wife of
Baldwin de Riuers, sonne of
William Earle of Deuon and Exceter. A match thought farre vnfit for such a man; but the King would haue it so. Whereupon this was written.
Mat Westminst.
Lex connectit cos, amor & concordia lecti,
Sed Lex qualis? amor qualis? concordia qualis?
Lex exlex, amor exosus, concordia discors.
This
Fowke liued in the like grace and fauour, with king
Hen. the third, for by his fierie valour the said king got the victorie at Lincolne, against
Lewis the sonne of the second
Philip king of France, and his owne rebellious Barons. But not long after, looking ouer much vpon the height of his Fortunes, and remembring too often his former good Seruices to the State, he (presuming vpon his Soueraignes lenitie) committed many horrible outrages, for which (after pardon of his life hardly obtained) he was adiudged to perpetuall banishment,
Mat. Pari
[...]. in which he ended his dayes at Rome in extreme miserie, and was there buried most ignobly,
Ann. 1226.
Tho. Iacob and
Ioan his wife.Hic iacet Thomas Iacob et Iohanna vxor eius, qui quidem Tho. ob. 1441.
& Iohanna .... 1400.
Io. Downmeer &
Ioan his wife.Here lyeth
Iohn Downmeer and
Ioan his wyf. Whos soulys Iesu pardon. . . . . 1515.
Peter Goldesbrough.Hic iacet Petrus Goldesbrough ciuis et Aurifaber London qui obijt 1422. .......
[Page 533]Sancte Petre Pastor pro me precor esto rogator.
Finchley.
Vpon the North wall of this Church the last Will and Testament of one
Thomas Sanny is hung vp; thus written in a table.
In Dei nomine Amen. Anno Domini
1509. primo anno
Henrici octaui; octauo die mens. Nouembris.
I
Thomas Sanny of the Estende in Finchley,
Tho. Sanny. in the County of Midlesex, whol in mynd, and sick of Body, do mak my last wyl and testament in form folowyng. First I bequeth my soul to almyghty God, to owr Lady, and to al the Seynts in hevyn. And my body to be buryd in the Churchyard of our Lady of Finchley.
Item, I wil after the deth of my wyff the hous callyd
Fordis, and Stockwoodfeeld shallen whyl the world lastyth, pay out of the seyd hous and lands forty shillyng yerly to Preests, to syng for my soul, my Moders soul, my wyffs soul, my chyldren, my kyndred soulys, and al Christian soulys: and a nobil to the reparacion of the seyd hous, and dispose to hygh ways and to pore peple, or in oder good dedes of cherite. And also I wil that the Chirch wardens fal yerly see this donne for euer.
Item. I wil that this be grauyn in a ston of Marbull that al men may see hit, as in my wil mor playnly doth appere.
Iesu mercy Lady help.
Here lieth entombed the body of Sir
Thomas Frowicke knight,
Sir
Tho. Frowicke knight. Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas. The circumscription about his Monument is defaced and gone. In the Catalogue I finde thus much:
Thomas Frowick miles constitutus erat Iusticiarius de Banco xxx. die mens. Septembris, Ann. xviii. Hen. vii. et obijt xvii die mens. Octobris, Anno M. CCCCC.VI. et XXII. Hen. VII.
Adioyning to this is another marble thus inscribed.
Ioan la Feme Thomas de Frowicke gist icy
Tho. Frowicke
& Ioane
his wife.
Et le dit Thomas Pense de giser aueque luy.
Hic iacet Thomas Aldenham Armig. et Chirurgus illustriss. Principis Henrici sexti: qui obiit. . . 1431.
Tho. Aldenham.
Hadley.
Of yowr. . . . pray. . . sowl of
Iohn Goodyere Esquyre and
Ione his wyff which. . . . died. . . 1504. whos sowls.
Io. Goodyere &
Ioane his wife.
To the honour of Sir
Henry Goodyer of Polesworth, a knight memorable for his vertues (saith
Camden) an affectionate friend of his made this Tetrastich.
[...] Lady
[...].. . . . .
Iocosa quondam silia et vna heredum. . . . Domini Powes, ac etiam silia et vna heredum Domine Marchie. . . . . et vxor famosissimo militi. . . . . . Tip
[...]ofte. . . . dic Septemb. . . . . . 1446.
Cuius anime et omnium fidelium defunctorum IHC pro sua sanctissima passione misereatur.
Hist of Wales.
[...].
[...]ord.To make this time-eaten Inscription somewhat more plaine: I finde this
Iocosa to haue beene the daughter and coheire of
Edward Charleton, Lord
Powys in Wales, married to
Iohn Lord
Tiptoft, father of
Iohn Lord
Tiptoft first of that surname,
Specul Britan. Norden. Earle of Worcester; who liued here at Enfield house, built by himselfe, or some of his Ancestors.
Harnsey.
Io. Skeuington.
Iesu Chryst
Maryes Sonn
Have mercy on the soul of
Iohn Skeuington.
An ancient familie resyding at Brumfield neare adioyning.
Edmundton.
Peter Fabell, the mer
[...]y deuil of Edmunton.Here lieth interred vnder a seemelie Tombe without Inscription the body of
Peter Fabell (as the report goes) vpon whom this fable was fathered, that he by his wittie deuises beguiled the deuill: belike he was some ingenious conceited gentleman, who did vse some sleightie trickes for his owne disports. He liued and died in the raigne of
Henry the seuenth, saith the booke of his merry pranks.
Tho. Carleton &
Elis. his wife.Hic iacent corpora Thome Carleton quondam Domini istius ville qui obiit 21.
Feb. 1447.
et Elisabethe vxoris eius silie Ade Francis Militis per quam habuit Dominium. . . . .
This Tombe, as most of the Monuments in this Church, is shamefully defaced: the Inhabitants deliuer by tradition, that this
Carleton was a man of great command in this Countie, and that Sir
Adam Francis, his father in law here nominated, was Lord Maior of London, about the yeare 1353. and one of the Founders of Guild Hall Chappell or Colledge to the said Hall adioyning.
[...].Adam et Elisabeth les Infants Mounsieur Adam Franceys iesent icy; Dieu de son almes eit mercy.
[...] and
Anne his wifeOf your cherite. . . . of
Iohn Kirton Esquyre, and
Iohn Kirton the sonne of
Iohn Kirton, and
Anne his wyf and all Christian sowlys. . . . .
Here lyeth one whose name is worne out of his Monument, his Tombe couered with a faire marble stone, his bodie figured in brasse armed, with a gorget of Maile; vnder his feet a Lion cowchant. His wife lieth portrayed by him; he is thought by some to haue beene one of that ancient and honourable familie of the
Mandeuills, by others to be one of that noble familie of the
Darcies. These verses remaining.
Erth goyth vpon erth as mold vpon mold
Erth goyth vpon erth al glysteryng in gold,
As thogh erth to erth ner turne shold▪
And yet must erth to erth soner then he wold.
[Page 535]Ista Sacerdotis Innocent est tumba Iohannis
Io. Innocent,
o
[...] Incent,
vnder Treasurer of England.
Vicerat Octobris quem nece quarta dies.
A Quadringentis vno quoque mille sub annis
Christi post ortum terra recepit eum.
Hunc bini Reges, Henricus et ante Richardus
Subthe saurarium Regni statuere sidelem
Donet Rex celi gaudia Christe sibi.
Here lyeth
Nicholas Borne,Nic. Borne and
Elis. his wife. and
Elizabeth his wyf. . . . . . . . .
Of death we haue tastyd the mortall rage,
Now lying both togeddir vndyr this ston;
That somtym wer knytt in bond of Maryage
For term of lyff, too bodys in on.
Therfor good peple to God in thron
Prey, from the on body too sowlys proceed,
The temporal maryage euerlastyng succeed.
Honor Altissimo.
Hic iacent Iohannes Daniel Ioanna et Alicia vxores eius. . . . . . . . . . . . .
1444.Io. Daniel. Ioan
and Alice
his wiues.
Newington:
Hic iacet Matilda vxor Iohannis Ekington quondam cofferarij Hospitij Domini Regis Ed. quarti que ob.
1473.Mawd Ekington.
Tottenham.
Here lieth entombed,
Tho. HeninghamThomas Hynningham Esquire, who died,
Anno 1499. on whos. . . . .
Here lieth
George Hynningham Esquire,
George Heningham. sometime seruant, and greatly fauoured of King
Henry the eight, who founded here an Hospitall, or Almes-house for three poore widdowes, and died,
Anno 1536.
Here lieth
Margaret Compton,Margaret Compton. late daughter of Sir
William Compton, Knight, who died 17 Iune, 1517. on whose. &c.
The noble and ancient family of the
Comptons, haue beene for a long time owners of the Mansion house here standing, not farre from the Church.
Pray for the soules of
Thomas Billington Esquire,
Tho. Billington. for his wiues soules
Agnes and
Margerie: which
Tho. died, 1539.
Orate pro . . . . . . Gredney . . . . . . .
These
Gredneyes held the Manour of Pembrocke here in Tottenham,
Grand Seargeant
[...]e. as of the honour of Huntingdon, by an honourable Tenure, which our Lawiers terme Grand▪ Sergeanty, namely to giue vnto the King a paire of
[Page 536] Spurs of siluer, gilded, when as the King should take vpon him the order of Knighthood.
Kilborne.
Kilborne Nunnery.Here sometime was a Nunnery dedicated to the blessed Virgin
Mary, but by whom founded I cannot learne, valued at the suppression to bee worth fourescore and sixe pounds, seuen shillings sixe pence by yeare.
Hackeney.
Hen. Lord
Percy Earle of Northumberland.Here lieth interred,
Henry Lord
Percy, Earle of Northumberland, Knight of the most honourable order of the Garter, who died in this Towne the last of lune, 1537. the 29 of
Hen. the 8.
I shall haue occasion hereafter to speake more fully of this thrice-noble family of the
Percies, when I come to the Abbey of Whitby in Yorkeshire, of which they were founders: for this time I will conclude with these words out of
Camden,Camd. in Surfex. concerning these high-borne Earles of Northumberland. A family (saith he) I assure you very ancient, and right noble, which deriueth their pedegree from
Charles the great, more directly, and with a race of Ancestors lesse interrupted, then either the Duke of Loraine or of Guise, that so highly vaunt themselues thereupon.
Alexander
a Sergeant at Law.
Dormit Alexander anne hic sub marmore magnus?
Dum vixit genio maior et ingenio
Maximus et merito; sacer Ecclesieque Deique
Cultor, et in populo pacificator erat.
Hun
[...] seruum Legis elegit septima Iulij Lux,
Octobris et hunc prima, deo rapuit.
Seno ter deno bis centeno quater anno
Milleno Domini qui pius assit ei.
Pro quo defunctisque fidelibus omnibus aue
Sit quicunque Pater Noster ait vel Aue.
It appeares by this Epitaph, (for I finde no further of him in any other writings) that this Lawier was a very honest man for those times, wherein Iudges, Sergeants, and many other eminent officers to the law, werefound guilty (and fined) of bribery and extortion.
Ioan Only.Here lyeth
Ione Only, the onely most faithfull wyf of
Iohn Only of Warwickeshire Esquire, to whose soule the onely Trinity be mercifull, Amen. she died the yeare 1525.
Alice Ryder a Milke-maid.
For the sowl of
Allis Ryder of your cherite,
Say a Pater Noster, and an Aue .... 1517.
Her portraiture is in brasse with a milke pale vpon her head; shee was (by relation) a liberall benefactor to this Church.
Here lieth entombed without any Inscription, the body of one ......
[Page 537]Heron,Heron the founder of Hackeney. Esquire, the founder of this Church as I take it, by the pictures of Herons engrauen in stone, vpon euery piller of the Church.
Subiacet hic strictus hoc marmore nunc homo pictus,
Thomas Hert dictus hic vicarius benedictus
Tho Hert
Vicar
O Cambrig per te fuit ille magister in Arte
C. quater et mille: sex x: quarto ruit ille
Et Iulij plena septena luce serena.
Here lyeth
Ione Curteys,Ione Curteys. the daughter of..... Shordyche.... 1399.
Here lyeth
Roger Ford,Roger Ford. 1453.
Here lieth
Iohn Butterfield ..... 1454.
Io. Butterfield.
Here lyeth
Thomas Symond,Tho. Symonds. who died xi. day of May... M.cccccxlii.
Here lyeth
Iohn Catcher,Io. Catcher. who died the ix. of May .... M.cccclxxxvii.
Here lyeth the body of
Henry Therket,Hen. Therket. .... M.ccccciii.
Here lyeth the body of
William Henneage,Will. Henneage. the sonne of
Robert Henneage, one of the Kings Auditors, who died the 5. day of August,
An. Dom. 1535. on whos soul....
Auditor in our Law (saith the Interpreter) signifieth an Officer of the King,
D. Cowell. lit.
[...]. or some other great personage, which yeerely by examining the Accompts of all vnder Officers Accomptable, make vp a generall Booke, that sheweth the difference betweene their receits and their allowances, commonly called (Allocations) as namely the Auditors of the Exchequer, take the account of those Receiuers which receiue the reuenues of the augmentation, as also of the Sheriffes, Escheators, and customers, and set them downe and perfect them. He that will know more hereof, may looke,
Stat. An. 33.
Hen. 8.
cap. 33.
Of your cherite prey for the soul of
Iohn Ienyngs,Io. Iennings. who dyed ....... M.cccc.xxiii.
Pray for the soul of
Iohn Elryngton,Io. Elrington. Fylycer of London, and keeper of the Records of the Common pleas, who departed .... 1504.
Fylycer or Filazer,
Cowell. lit. F. deriued from the French word Filace,
id est silum, is an Officer in the Common pleas, whereof there be fourteene in number. They make all originall Processe, as well reall as personall and mixt: and in actions meerely personall, where the defendants be returned or summoned, there goeth out the distresse
infinitè, vntill appearance; if he be returned
nihil, then Processe of
Capias infinitè, if the plaintiffe will, or after the third
Capias, the Plaintiffe may goe to the Exigenter of the Shire, where his originall is grounded, and haue an Exigent, and Proclamation made. And also the Filazer maketh forth all writs in view in causes where the view is placed. He is also allowed to enter the Imparlance, or the generall issue in common actions, where appearance is made with him, and also iudgement by confession in any of them before issue be ioyned: and to make out writs of Execution thereupon. But although they entred the issue, yet the Protonotarie must enter the iudgement, if it be after verdict. They also make Writs of Supersedeas, in case where the Defendant appeareth in their Officers after the
Capias awarded.
Here lyeth.....
William Lowthe,Will. Lowthe. Goldsmith of London .... 1528.
[Page 538] Prey for the soul of
Robert Walsingham,Rob. Walsingham. Clarke of the Spicery to King
Henry the eight, who dyed..... 1522.
Chr. Vrswicke the K. Almoner of Amuer.Here lieth vnder a faire monument, the body of
Christopher Vrswicke the Kings Almoner, his picture in brasse with this subscription.
Christopherus Vrswicus Regis Henrici septimi Eleemosinarius, vir sua etate clarus, summatibus, atque insimatibus iuxta charus. Ad exteros Reges vndecies pro patria Legatus; Deconatum Eboracensem, Archidiaconatum Richmundie, Decanatum Windesorie habitos viuens reliquit. Episcopatum Norwicensem oblatum recusauit: Magnos honores tota vita spreuit: frugali vita contentus, hic vinere, hic mori malnit, plenus annis obijt ab omnibus desideratus, funeris pompam, etiam Testamento vetuit: hic sepultus carnis resurrectionem, in aduentum Christi expectat. obijt Anno Domini. 1521. 24
Octob.
I haue not heard of many Clergie men, neither in his, nor these dayes, that would relinquish and refuse thus many ecclesiasticall honours and preferments, and content himselfe with a priuate Parsonage; but here let him rest as an example for all our great Prelates to admire; and for few or none to imitate.
Islington.
Io Fowler.Here....
Iohn Fowler....1538. on whos soule...
Alice Fowler.Here lieth
Alis Fowler the wyff of
Robart Fowler Esquire, who died ....1540.
Behold and se, thus as I am so sal ye be,
When ye be dead and laid in graue,
As ye haue done, so sal ye haue.
Diuers of this familie lie here interred, the ancestors of Sir
Thomas Fowler, Knight and Baronet, now liuing, 1630.
Tho. Sauill [...]Hic sepelitur Thomas Sauil silius et heres apparens Iohannis Sauil Armig. et Margarete vxoris eius, qui in primo limine vite immature mortis celeritate matrem preueniens, ex hac luce migrauit 14
die etatis sue, Anno Dom. 1546.
I preye the Christen man that hasts, go to se this,
Robert Middleton and his wife.
To preye for the soulys of thos that here beryed is.
And remember that in Chryst we be brether,
The which hath commanded erye man to preyer for other
This seyth
Robart Midleton, and his wyf here wrapped in cley.
Abyding the mercy of Almighty God till Doomys dey.
Which was seruant somtym to Sir
George Hastings Erle of Huntington.
And passed this transitory lyff as tis written hereupon
In the yere of owr Lord God on thowsand fyue hundryd and ten,
On whos soulys Almighty God haue mercy, Amen.
Katherine Mistelbrooke.Orate pro Wilielmo Mistelbroke Auditore, qui in seruitio Regis itinerans,
[Page 539] deo disponente apud Denby in Marchia Wallie: An. Dom. M.cccc.lxxxxij. Corpus suum sacre sepulture reddidit; & pro Catherina vxore sua, cuius corpus sub is
[...]o marmore tumulatum suit. Quorum anime in pace lesu Christi requiescant. Amen.
Saint Pancras.
In this old weather-beaten Church (standing all alone as vtterly forsaken,
....
Grey and his wife. which for antiquitie will not yeeld to Saint
Pauls in London) I finde a wondrous ancient Monument, which by tradition was made to the memorie of one of the right honourable familie of the
Greyes, and his Lady; whose pourtraitures are vpon the Tombe. Whose mansion house, say the Inhabitants, was in Port-Poole, or Greyes-Inne-lane, now an Inne of Court. But these are but suppositions: for by whom Greyes-Inne was first possessed,
Suruay Lond. builded, or begun, I haue not yet learned. Yet it seemeth, saith
Stow, to bee since
Edward the third his time. These following are all the words left vndefaced.
Holy Trinite on God have mercy on vs.
Hic iacent Robertus Eve et Lawrentia soror eius,
Rob. Eve
and Laurence
his sister.
filia Francisci Eve filii
Thome Eve clerici corone Cancellarie Anglie.... Quorum.......
Hospitall of Saint Giles in the Field.
This Hospitall was founded by
Mawde the Queene,
Hosp. of S.
Giles founded. wife to King
Henry the first, about the yeare one thousand one hundred and seaventeene, it was a Cell to
Burton Lazars (so called of Leprous persons) in Leicestershire. At this Hospitall, the prisoners conueyed from the Citie of London to Tyborne there to bee executed,
S.
Giles Bowle. were presented with a great Bowle of Ale; thereof to drinke at their pleasure, as to be their last refreshing in this life.
Stepney.
Here lieth
Henry Steward,Hen. Steward Lord
Darle. Lord
Darle, of the age of three quarters of a yeere, late sonne and heire of
Mathew Steward Erle of Lennoux, and Lady
Margaret his wife. Which
Henry deceased the xxviii day of Nouember, in the yeere of our Lord God. M.ccccc.xlv. Whose soule Iesus pardon.
This
Henryes second brother was likewise christened
Henry, and stiled Lord
Darle, or
Dernley, a noble Prince, and reputed for person one of the goodliest Gentlemen of Europe; who married
Mary Queene of Scotland, the royall parents of our late Soueraigne Lord
Iames the first, king of great Britaine, father of our most magnificent Monarch
Charles the first, now happily raigning.
Vndyr this ston closyde and marmorate
Lyeth
Iohn Kitte Londoner natyffe.
Io. Kitt, or
Kite Bishop of Carlell.
Encreasyng in vertues rose to high estate,
[Page 540]In the fourth
Edwards Chappell by his yong lyffe,
Prey, as ye wold be preyd for; for thus must ye lie.
Iesu mercy Lady help.
Sir
Hen. C
[...]lle
[...] Lord Ma
[...]r.Here lieth Sir
Henry Collet knight, twise Maior of London who died in the yere of our redemption, 1510.
This
H
[...]nry was sonne to
Robert Collet of Wendouer, in Buckinghamshire, and father to
Iohn Collet Deane of
Pauls, in the first time of his Maioraltie the Crosse in Cheape-side was new builded in that beautifull manner as it now standeth.
Richardus iacet hic venerabilis ille Decanus
Rich. Pa
[...]e
Dea
[...]e of S
[...] Pauls.
Qui fuit etatis doctus Apollo sue;
Eloquio, forma, ingenio, virtutibus, arte
Nobilis, eternum viuere dignus erat.
Consilio bonus, ingenio fuit vtilis acri,
Facunda eloquij dexteritate potens.
Non rigidus, non ore minax, affabilis omni
Tempore; seu puero seu loquerere sexi.
Nulli vnquam nocuit, multos adiuvit, & omnes
Officij studuit demeruisse bonos.
Tantus hic et talis, ne non deleatur ademptus
Flent Muse, et laceris mesta Minerua comis.
Obijt anno
1532. etat. circiter
40.
This
Pace succeeded
Collet in the Deanrie of
Pauls, a man highlie in fauour with king
Henry the eight, by whom he was employed as Embassadour to
Maximilian the Germane Emperour: as also to Rome in the behalfe of Cardinall
Wol
[...]ey, who stood in election for the Popedome. Hee writ diuers learned treatises yet extant.
Nam vir erat (saith
Bale)
viriusque literaturae peritia praeditus. Nemo ingenio candidior, aut humanitate amicitior: He was a right worthie man, and one that gaue in counsell faithfull adu
[...]ce; learned he was also, and indued with many excellent good gifts of nature,
Stow Annal. Cent. [...]. curteous▪ pleas
[...]nt, and delighting in Musicke, highlie in the Kingsfauour, and well heard in matters of weight.
To God be geeuen thanks if that I haue ought done.
That to his honowre, and to the bringing vp of youth,
And to the succowre of the Age; for sewerly this is soth.
By
Avise my wyff children were left me non
Which we both did take as God had it sent;
And fixed our myndes that ioyntly in on,
To releue the poore by mutuall consent.
Now mercifull Iesu which hast assystyd owre intent,
Have mercy on owre sowles, and as for the residew,
If it be thy will thou mayst owre Act continew.
Vpon the same marble these verses following:
The fyve and twentyth day of this monyth of Septembyr,
And of owre Lord God the fifteenth hundryd and fowrty yeere,
Master
Nicholas Gibson dyde as this tombe doth remembyr,
Whose wyff aftyr maryed the worschypful Esquier,
Master
William Kneuet, on of the kings privy chamber.
Much for his time also did he endeuer
To make this Act to continew for euer.
This pious act here mentioned in this Epitaph, is a free-Schoole, founded at Radcliffe in this Parish, by the said
Nicholas and
Avise for the instruction of threescore poore mens children, by a Schoolemaster and an Vsher; with an Almeshouse, for fourteene poore aged persons: and this Foundation continues to this day.
Saint Leonards in Stratford Bow.
This religious structure was sometime a Monasterie, replenished with white Monkes, dedicated to the honour of our alone Sauiour Iesus Christ and Saint
Leonard: founded by King
Henry the second, in the 23. yeare of his raigne. And valued at the suppression to be yearely worth an hundred one and twenty pounds sixteene shillings.
In this Abbey Church sometime lay entombed the body of
Iohn de Bohun,Iohn [...]le o
[...] Hereford. eldest sonne and heire of
Humfrey de Bohun, Earle of Hereford and Essex. Which
Iohn de Bohun (to vse the words of
Milles in his Catalogue of Hereford Earles) after the death of his father
Humfrey, was fifth Earle of Hereford, Constable of England, and Patron of the Abbey of
Lanthony, fourth Earle of Essex (of that Surname) and fifth Lord of Brecknock.
Because this Earle
Iohn in regard of his weaknesse of body, by a continuall sicknesse, was not able to performe this office of the Constableship of England,
Edward the third, at this Earles intreatie, did substitute
Edward Bohun, the Earles younger brother, Vice-Constable vnder him, for the tearme of his life. But Earle
Iohn died at Kirby Thore the 20. of Ianuary,
[Page 542] vpon Saint
Fabian and
Sebastians day, 1136. the tenth of
Edward the third leauing no issue: and was buried at Stratford Abbey not farre from London.
This
Iohn married first
Alice, the daughter of
Edmund Fitz-alan, Earle of Arundell, who died in childbed; and was buried at Walden with her Infant sonne after it was christened.
His second wife was
Margaret, daughter of
Raphe, Lord
Basset of Dr
[...]yton, a Baron of the best ranke in those dayes, by whom hee had no issue.
Hertfordshire.
For Ecclesiasticall gouernment onely, some part of this Shire belongeth to the Diocesse of London, the rest to the Bishopricke of Lincolne. Now because the Bishop of Lincolne hath so large a Territorie vnder his iurisdiction. I w
[...]ll be so bold as to borrow a few Funerall Inscriptions which I haue collected in this County, and within his charge, and imprint them with those which are properly for London Diocesse.
Alhallowes in the Towne of Hertford.
Sir
Io Chappalaine Priest.
Off yowr cherity prayeth to God and
Alhalwin hertely,
For Ser
Ion Chappilaine somtym of yis plas Vicary,
Almighty Iesu resseve his sowl to grase and mercy.
Isabell Newmarche.Icy gist Isabele Newmarche iadis Damosele a tres
[...]oble Dame Isabele Roigne d' Engletere.
Camd. in Somerset.This
Isabell Newmarch, or
de nouo Mercatu, (a name of great reputation in the raigne of King
Henry the third) was Maide of Honour to that
Isabell Queene of England, who was second wife to
Richard the second, daughter of
Charles the sixth, King of France.
Lewis B
[...]ysburyHic iacet Lodouicus Baysbury Capell. Henrici sexti, ac Prebend. Ecclesie Cathedral Lincoln.... M.ccccxxviii.
Wi
[...]l. Wa
[...]e and
Io
[...]ne his wife.
Here lyeth vndyr this ston
William Wake,
And by him
Ione his wyff and Make:
Somtym yeman of
Iohn Duc of Bedfords hors,
And lat Survayor wyth king
Henry the sixt he was:
Gentylman mad he was at the holy Grav,
On qwos sowls Almyghty God mercy hav.
Iohn Pre
[...]st.Hic iacet Iohannes Prest quondam Ianitor Hospitii Katherine nuper Regine Anglie.......
This Priest was Porter to that
Katherine Queene of England, who was the onely wife of that inuincible Conquerour of France,
Henry the fifth, and daughter of
Charles, the sonne of
Charles aforesaid King of France.
Saint Nicholas.
Alice
[...]Hic iacet Alicia Tymyslow quondam Dominella Domine Ducisse Lankastrie
[Page 543] que obiit 17
Septemb. 1396.
This faire yong waiting Chamber-maid (for so much the word imports,) was seruant to
Katherine Swinford, the third wife of
Iohn of
Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
Hic iacet Iohannes de Chandry quondam Nolettus Domini Ducis Lankastrie....Io. Chandry.
This mans office vnder the Duke of Lancaster, was to ring (as I take it) the Sance, or sacring Bell.
Hic iacet Richardus Pynere quondam Botelere cum Regina Anglie qui obitt xxii. Ianuar. M. cccc.xix.
A Flagon and a cuppe cut in brasse vpon his graue stone.
Hic iacet venerabilis Armiger Iohannes Ingylby,Io Ingleby.qui obiit festo Mathei Apostoli et Euangeliste, 1457.
This
Iohn was in especiall fauour, and did wonderfully flourish in the seruice of King
Henry the sixt. A familie of great antiquity in the Countie of Yorke.
By these Funerall Monuments it appeares, that diuers Princes of this Land, haue often made their residence in this Towne; by which meanes it hath beene in former times of great state, estimation, and beautie, but now for want of that generall conuention, the Castle (built before the Conquest, by
Edward the Elder) is greatly decayed, these Parish Churches much ruined, and the Towne neither greatly inhabited, nor much frequented.
Here in this Towne was a Priory of blacke Monkes, valued in the Exchequer,
Foundation of the Priory in Hert. to be yeerely worth fourescore and sixe pounds, fourteene shillings, eight pence. A Cell it was to Saint
Albans, founded by
Raph Limsey, a Nobleman, and dedicated to the Virgin
Mary, in the raigne of the Conquerour. I haue my authority out of the Collections of
Thomas Talbot, sometime keeper of the Records in the Tower, a great Genealogist; these are his words.
Raph Lord
Limsey buried in the Priorie of Hertford which he founded:
Raph Lord
Limsey, here bu
[...]ed. he came into England with the Conquerour, and was his sisters sonne, as the Monkes of the same house report.
Port Or: three Eagles heads gules.
One
Robert Sotingdon,Robert Saddington. or
Sadington, a man in great fauour with
Henry the third, and vnder him in honourable office, fell sicke in his iourney, being Iustice Itinerant in this towne, in the yeare 1257. and was here interred.
Mat Paris. One Sir
Robert Sadington Knight, was Lord Chancelour of England,
Anno 1345. and Sir
Richard Sadinton Lord Treasurer,
Francis Thinne. much what about the same time, as in the Catalogue of both you may read.
Ware.
Hic iacet Thomas Bourchier miles filius Henrici comitis Essex;Sir
Hen. Bourchier Knight.ac Isabella vxor eius nuper comitissa Deuon. filia et heres Iohannis Barry militis, qui obijt....1491....et Isabella ob. 1
die Marcij 1488.
quorum animabus.
This
Thomas Bourchier was the first sonne (saith
Vincent) of
Henry Bourchier,Discouery of
Brookes Errours. the first of that surname, Earle of Essex, and this
Isabell, the
[Page 544] daughter and heire of Sir
Iohn Barry Knight, was, when the said
Thomas married her, the widow of
Humfrey Lord
Stafford of Southwike, sonne of
William Stafford of Hooke, Esquire, created Earle of Deuon by King
Edward the fourth; to whom the said King gaue all the Honours, Mannors, Castles,
[...] &c. which were
Thomas Courtneys, the fourteenth Earle of Deuon: who, neuerthelesse, grew ingratefull to King
Edward his aduancer, in reuolting from him at the battaile of Banbury, for which cowardise (hee being apprehended) was without processe executed at Bridgewater, the seuenteenth of August,
anno 1469. hauing beene Earle but three moneths.
[...] Lord
Damory and
Eliz
[...]b
[...]th his wif
[...].Hic iacent Rogerus Damory Baro tempore Edwardi secundi, et Elizabetha tertia silia Gilberti Clare comitis Glocestrie et Iohanne vxoris eius filie Edwardi primi v. cate Iohann. de Acris.....
This
Roger Damory was Baron of Armoye in Ireland, and
Elizabeth his wife, the Founder of Clare Hall in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, of which more hereafter.
Iean Lucas gist icy
[...]
Dieu de salme eit mercy.
This is an ancient monument, so is the familie.
At the north end of this Towne was a Frierie, whose ruines, not altogether beaten downe,
[...] Essex.
[...] and
[...] his wife.
[...] and
Eliz. his wife. are to be seene at this day; founded by Baron
Wake, Lord of this Towne, about the raigne of King
Iohn, dedicated to Saint
Francis, and surrendred the 9 of May, 26
Henry 8. Here lieth
Thomas Heton &
Ione his wife, which
Thomas died xix. Aug. M.cccc.ix. and
Ioyce, ...
...
Will. Litlebury, and
Elizabeth his wife; he died xxii▪ of Iuly, M.cccc.
Watton.
[...] Philip
[...]Knight.Hic iacet corpus domini Philippi Butler militis quondam Domini de Woodhall, et hutus Ecclesie Patroni, qui obijt in festo Sancti Leonardi, Anno Domini M.cccc.xxi et Regis Henrici quinti post conquestum vltimo. Cuius anime propitietur Deus, Amen.
Camd.
in H
[...]r
[...].Camden
saith, that these Butlers
are branched from Sir Raph Butler,
Baron of Wem in Shropshire, and his wife, heire to William Pantulfe,
Lord of Wem, soone after the first entrie of the Normans.
Hunsdon.
In this Church are the right ancient and honourable familie of the
Caryes enterred, to whose memory I finde no monument saue one; vnder which
Iohn Cary Baron of Hunsdon lieth entombed; father to the right honourable Lord,
Camd. in Her
[...]Henry Cary, Lord Hunsdon, Viscount Rochford, and Earle of Douer, now liuing; Grandchild to
Henry, Baron of Hunsdon, Lord Chamberlaine, and Cosin german to Queene
Elizabeth; and descended from the royall familie of the Dukes of Somerset.
Sir
Francis
[...] knight.Francisco Poyno Equiti, literis, prudentia, armis fauore sui Principis, et pietate insigni.
Domina Iohanna pia et amans vxor
Charo marito posuit,
1520.
[Page 545]This name is ancient and honourable,
Camd. in Somers. Sir
Hugh Poynes, being one of the ranke of Parliamentarie Barons in the raigne of King
Edward the first.
Eppalets, or Hippolites, vulgarly Pallets.
This Church was dedicated,
S.
Eppalet. saith
Norden in his description of Hertfordshire, to a supposed Saint called
Eppalet, whose reliques lie buried about the high Altar. This man in his life time was a good tamer of Colts, and as good a Horse-leach: And for these qualities so deuoutly honoured after his death, that all passengers by that way on Horse-backe, thought themselues bound to bring their Steedes into the Church, euen vp to the high Altar, where this holy Horseman was shrined, and where a Priest continually attended, to bestow such fragments of Eppalets miracles, as would either tame yong horses, cure lame iades, or refresh old, wearied, and forworne Hackneyes: which did auaile so much the more or lesse, as the passengers were bountifull or hard-handed.
Baldock.
Here is an ancient Monument, and an old Inscription which I often meete with.
Farwel my frendys, the tydabidyth no man,
I am departed hens, and so sal ye
But in this pasage the best song I can
Is
Requiem Eternam, now Iesu grant it me.
When I haue ended all myn aduersity
Grant me in Paradys to hav a mansion
That shedst thy bloud for my redemption.
Prey for the sowlys of
William Crane,Will Crane, Ioan and
Marg. his wiues.Ioane and
Margaret his wyffs, ... which
William died ... 1483. ... on whos.
Orate pro... Wilielmi Vynter generosi et Margarete consortis sue,Will. Vynter and
Margaret his wife.qui quidem Wilielmus obij
[...] 2
Iunii 1416.
et Margareta ob ... Octob. 1411.
eorum animabus, parentum, amicorum, bene factorum suorum, Deus omnipotens pro sua magna miserecordia propitietur. Amen.
This French Epitaph following was not long since to be read, engraued vpon the monument of one of the Argentons.
Reignauld de Argentein ci gist
Que c
[...]st Chappell feire fist
Fu't cheualier sainct Mairie
Chescinipardon pour l'alme prie.
Englished.
Regnald de Argentyne, here is laid,
That caused this Chappell to be made:
[Page 546]He was a Knight of Seynt
Mary the Virgin,
Therfor prey pardon for his sin.
The foundation of the Priory of Wymley or Wymondley.
Within this ancient and famous Lordship of Wymley, (held by the most honourable tenure with vs saith
Camden,Camd. in Hert. which our Lawiers terme Grand Seargeanty, namely that the Lord thereof should serue vnto the Kings of England vpon their Coronation day, the first cup) one
Richard de Arg
[...]nton, (descended from
Dauid de Argenton, a Norman, and a martiall Knight, who vnder King
William the Conquerour, serued in the warres) Lord of this Mannor, (diuolued now by marriage to the
Alingtons:) Founded a Priorie for Canons regular, valued at the suppression, to to be yeerely worth, thirtie seuen pounds, ten shillings, sixe halfe penny.
Priory of Hitching.Within the Towne of Hitching was a little Priorie called New-bigging, valued to bee worth fifteene pounds, one shilling, eleuen pence, of yeerely reuenue.
Ashwell.
Elizabeth Anstell.Of yowr cheritie sey for the soul of
Elizabeth Annstell, a Pater Noster and an Aue....1511.
Presbiter egregius prostratus morte Radulphus
Raph Howell.
Howel, Grammaticus iacet hic sub marmore pressus:
Tullius ore fuit, Prisciani dicta resoluens,
Multos instruxit in Christo vota reuoluens.
Erat in Ecclesia pianumina semper honorans:
Mane, sero Bacchi sugiens loca, crimina plorans,
Dulcia frustrauit, & fercula plena fugauit.
Sepe ieiunauit, Christo mentem reperauit,
Mundum despexit, sic multa volumina scripsit,
Que regit & rexit, saluet Deus hunc rogo sic sit.
Anno Mil. C quater. octogeno quoque sumpto,
Monsis & Aprilis decessit ille secundo.
Io Hinxworth and
Martine his wife.Here in the north Isle,
Iohn Hinxworth and
Martina his wife, lie buried vnder a monument (defaced) which seemeth to be of great antiquitie.
Io
the sonne of Henry,
or Io. Harison.
Perpetuis annis memores estote Iohannis
Henrici dictus proles hic
[...]acet arbore strictus.
Bursa non strictus hoc Templo gessit amicus.
Et meritis morum fuerat ... sociorum,
Sic prece verborum scandet precor alta polorum.
M. C quater septenis ter tres minor vno,
Prima luce Iunij nunc vermibus hic requiescit.
[Page 547]Hic iacet magister Thomas Colby in Decretis Bachalarius,Tho. Colby.& istius Ecclesie nuper vicarius, qui ob. 19.
die mens. Septemb. Ann. 1489.
Cuius.
Orate pro.... Walteri Summoner .....
I reade that one
Walter Sumner (whether this here interred or no,
Walter Sumner I know not) held the Mannor of Ashwell of the King by pettie Sergeantie;
Pettie Sergeantie.viz. to finde the King Spits to rost his meate vpon the day of his Coronation. And
Iohn Sumner his Sonne held the same Mannor by Seruice to turne a Spit in the Kings Kitchin vpon the day of his Coronation.
Abstract. Reliuorin Scaccario.Ann. 6.
Ed. 2.
& Ann. 35.
Ed. tertij.
Hinxworth.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Lambard ciuis et Merceri,
Io. Lambard
& Anne
his wife. ac Aldermanni London, qui obiit
1487. et Anne vxoris sue que obiit.....
1400...quorum anime per miserecordiam dei in pace eterna requiescant. Amen.
Orate pro...Symonis Ward & Elene vxoris sue.
Simon Ward
and Ellin
his wife. Qui quidem Symon ob. xi Decemb.
1453. & Elena obiit
21. Augusti
1483. Quorum....
Orate pro anima Iohannis Ward Maioris London,
In a glasse window. qui istam fenestram....
This Ward
was Lord Maior in the second of Richard
the third;S
[...]ow Suruay.in which yeare were three Lord Maiors, and three Sheriffes of London, by reason of a sweating sicknesse, whereof they dyed. This Iohn Ward
was sonne to Richard Ward
of Holden, in the Countie of Yorke.
Barley.
Edward Chamberleine Clerk gist icy
Edward Chamberlaine.
Dieu de salme eit mercy Amen.
Qi morust en August le xxii Ior
M.ccc.lxxv. de nostre Seignor.
Orate pro salubri statu Domini Willelmi Warham Legum Doctoris,Will Warham Parson of Barley.& Pauli London Canonici, magistri Rotulorum, Cancellarii Regis ac Rectoris de Barley.
This
Warham (remembred here in the glasse window) was sometime Archbishop of Canterbury. Of whom I haue spoken before in Christchurch Canterbury, the place of his buriall.
Sum Rosa pulsata mundi Maria vocata.
Inscription vpon a B
[...]ll in the s
[...]eeple.
Roiston.
Rohesia the daughter of
Aubrey de Vere,The foundation of the Crosse, the Monasterie, and Towne of Roiston. chiefe Iustice of England vnder
Henry the first (sister to
Aubrey de Vere, the first Earle of Oxford: and wife to
Geffrey Magna-ville, or
Mandevill, the first Earle of Essex) erected (where now this Towne of Roiston standeth) a Crosse in the high-way, which was thought in that age a pious worke, to put passengers in minde of Christs passion: whereupon it was called,
Crux Rohesiae, before there was either Church or Towne. But afterwards (saith
Vincent out of the Records in the Tower) when
Eustach de Merch knight, Lord of Nauells in
[Page 548] this tract,
Rot chart an. 18
E. 2.12.7. had adioyned thereunto a little Monasterie of Canons regular in honor of S.
Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, then were Innes built here: So that in processe of time by little & little, it grew to be a Towne; which in stead of
Rohesiaes Crosse, was called
Rohesiaes Towne, and now contracted into Roiston. This Priory was augmented in her reuenues, and renewed by
Radulphus de Runcester, and others.
Richard the first giues and confirmes,
Monasterio Sancti Thome Martyris apud crucem Rohesie & Canonicis ibidem, locum ipsum in quo idem Monasterium fundatum est, cum pertinentiis suis, que Eustachius de Merc fundator ipsius Monasterii, & Radulphus de Roucester, et alii fideles rationabiliter dedere eis. Anno Reg. 1.
In Arch. Turris London. Cart. antiq. R. So that at the suppression, the same was valued at eightie nine pounds sixteene shillings. The Catalogue of Religious houses saith, one hundred sixe pound three shillings and a pennie.
In a ruinous wall of this decayed Priory, lies the proportion of a man cut in stone, which (say the Inhabitants) was made to the memorie of one of the Founders, who lieth thereby interred.
The HospitallHere in this Towne was also an Hospitall (by whom founded I cannot learne) dedicated to the honour of Saint
Iohn, and Saint
Iames Apostles, suppressed and valued but at 5. l. sixe shillings and ten pence by yeare.
Pelham Furnix.
Vpon an old Tombe wherein a Priest lieth interred.
Hic iacet elatum corpus maris fore reatum
Indignus Flamen, Christi matris posco leuamen.
Io. D
[...]niell and
Marg. his wifeOf yowr cherite pray for the sowl of
Iohn Daniell of Felsted Esquoyr, and
Margery his wife. Which
Iohn died the vii of October, M.ccccc.xix.
Io. Newport.Orate pro anima Iohannis Newport Armig. heredis Roberti Newport Ar. & Marie vxoris eius, vnius filiarum Iohannis Alington de Horsheth in Com. Cantab. Ar. qui quidem Iohannes Newport obiit primo die mensis Iunii, Ann. M.ccccc xxii.
Rob. Newport &
Mary his wife.Here lyth
Robert Newport Esqwyr, founder of this Chapel, and
Mary his wyff. Whych
Robert dyed xvii. of Nouember, M.ccccc.xviii.
Georg. Newport and
Marg. his wife.Orate pro anima Georgii Newport Ar. et Margarete vxoris eius, que Margareta obiit xx lanurii M.cccc.lxvii. et Georgius obiit xxviii Octob. M.cccc lxxxiiii.
These
Newports here very faire entombed, were gentlemen (as I was enformed) of ample reuenues, in these parts; whose inheritance came by marriage to the
Parkers, the Ancestors of the Lord
Morley.
Io. Lee and
Io
[...]ne his wife.....
Iohannes de Lee et Iohanna vxor..... The armes and date gone.
Sir
Walter at l
[...] knight.....Sir
Waltar at Lea, alias Sir
Walter at clay....
His wife lieth by him, the Monument is ancient, but fouly defaced.
Io. Barloe and
Ioane his wife.Hic iacent Iohannes Barloe et Iohanna vxor eius, qui quidem Iohannes obiit .... M.cccc.xx. et predicta Ioanna obiit xv Februar. M.cccc xix.
Hen Barloe and
Ka
[...]herine his wife.Hic iacent Henricus Barloe, Ar. qui obiit v. die Ianuarii M.cccc lxxv. et Katherina vxor eius que ob.... M.cccc lxiiii.
S
[...]ow Annal.An ancient and well allied familie, one of which house, namely
William, was in especiall fauour and trust with King
Henry the seuenth.
In the wall of this Church lieth a most ancient Monument: A stone wherein is figured a man, and about him an Eagle, a Lion, and a Bull, hauing all wings; and a fourth of the shape of an Angell, as if they should represent the foure Euangelists: vnder the feet of the man is a crosse Flourie; and vnder the Crosse, a Serpent. He is thought to haue beene sometime the Lord of an ancient decaied House, well moated, not farre from this place, called, O Piers Shoonkes. He flourished,
Ann. à conquestu vicesimo primo.
Sabridgworth vulgarly Sabsworth.
Hic iacent Iohannes Leuenthorp Ar. qui obijt xxvii mens. Maij,Io. Leuenthorp and
Katherine his wife.M.cccc.xxxiii. & Katherina vx eius, que obiit v. die Octob. M.cccc.xxxi. quorum...
This
Iohn was one of the Executours of the last Will and Testament of King
Henry the fifth.
Stow Annal.
Hic iacent Iohannes Leuenthorp Ar. qui obiit vltimo die mensis Maij,Io. Leuenthorp and
Ioane his wife.M.cccc.lxxxiiii. & Ioanna vxor eius, que obiit xxix. Augusti, M.cccc.xl viii.
En iacet hic puluis, putredo, vermis et esca;
Et Famulus mortis; nam vita iam caret ista.
Hic nil scit, nil habet, nec virtus inde relucet;
Cerne luto vilius, horror, terror, fetor orbis,
Opprobrium cunctis, ac est abiectio plebis,
Hic frater aspice te, spira suffragia pro me.
Hic iacet Isabella vxor Iohannis Leuenthorp de Sabridgworth in Com. Hart. quondam vxor Roberti Southwel de Thachint in eodem Com. et filia Iohannis Boys....Isabell Leuenthorp.in Com. Lincolne. que obiit xx. Iulij M.cccc.lxxxi. Cuius.
Hic iacet Agnes soror Iohannis Leuenthorp Ar. que obiit x die Decemb. M.cccc.xliiii.Agnes Leuenthorp.
In this Church are diuers other Monuments of later times,
Camd. in Hert. to the memorie of the
Leuenthorps; whose habitation is neare at Shingle-hall; which is honoured by her owners, being of such worth and ancient gentrie.
Hic iacent Iohannes Chancy Ar. filius et heres Iohannis Chancy Ar. filii & heredis Willelmi Chancy militis quondam Baronis de Shorpenbek in Com. Ebor. et Anna vxor eius vna filiarum Iohannis Leuenthorp.Io. Chancy and
Anne his wife.Ar. qui quidem Iohannes obiit vii Maii M.cccc.lxxix. et Anna ii Decembris, M: cccc.lxxvii. quorum animabus.
Of yowr cherite sey a
Pater Noster and an
Ave
For the sowl of
William Chancy,
Will. Chancy.
On whos sowl Iesu hav mercy.
Hic iacent Galfredus Ioslyne & Katherina,Geffrey Ioslyne.ac Ioanna vxor eius, qui obiit ii Ianuar. M.cccc lxx.
Orate pro anima Radulphi Ioslyne quondam militis,Sir
Raph Ioslyne knight, Lord Maior.et bis Maioratus Ciuitatis
[Page 550] London, qui obiit xxv. Octob. M.cccc.lxxviii.
Stow Annal, and
Su
[...]vay.This Sir
Raph Ioslyne, or
Iosceline, was the sonne of the foresaid
Geffrey Iosceline here interred. He was inuested knight of the Bath with Sir
Thomas Cooke, Sir
Mathew Philip, and Sir
Henry Weeuer, Citizens, at the Coronation of Queene
Elizabeth, the wife of King
Edward the fourth, in the yeare 1465. The first time of his Maioraltie was in the yeare 1464. the other not long before his death. He was a carefull corrector of the abuses vsed by Bakers and Victuallers of the Citie of London; and by his diligence the walls of the said Citie were repaired. This name (as I was told) doth still flourish in this tract.
Bishops Stortford.
So called because it belongs to the See of London, giuen vnto it by
William the Conquerour, in the time of
Mauritius Bishop of this Diocesse.
Tho. Fleming.Hic iacent Thomas Fleming....1436.
Io. the wife of
Tho Fleming.Hic iacet Ioanna Fleming vx. Tho. Fleming .... 1411.
Hist. of Wales.A familie whose numerous branches haue spread themselues through England, Scotland, and Wales, euer since the time of Sir
Iohn le Fleming knight, who flourished in the raigne of king
William Rufus.
Io. Algar and
Maud his wife.Hic iacent Iohannes Algar & Matilda vxor eius, qui quidem Iohannes obiit, Ann. M.cccc lxxxiiii... Matilda M.cccc lxxx.
Brawghing.
Orate pro anima Nicholai Coton filii et heredis Iohannis Coton quondma de Pantfeeld in Com. Essex qui ob. 25.
Aug. 1500.
Nich. Coton:
For whos sowl I pray yow of yowr cheritie, say a
Pater Noster and an
Ave.
Tho. Greene.Here lyeth
Thomas Greene the soonne of
Nicholas Greene, who dyed 2. March 1484.
Ioane Rustwin.Here lyth
Ioan lat wyff of
Thomas Rustwyne, and dawter of
Nicholas Greene, who dyed.... 1400.
Here are many Monuments of the
Greenes quite defaced.
Saint Margarets by Hodsden.
Io. Goldington.Hic.... Iohannes de Goldington Ar. filius Iohannis de Goldington Ar. filii Iohannis de Goldington militis filii .... M.cccc xix.
Here are many other funerall Monuments in this little Church, which haue beene inlayd and inscribed in brasse, with the pourtraitures, armes, and Epitaphs of this ancient familie of the
Goldingtons; now all defaced and gone.
Brocksbourne.
Elisabeth Lady
Say.Here lyth Dame
Elisabyth somtym wyff to Syr
Iohn Say knyght, dawter to
Lawrence Cheyne Esqwyr of Cambridg Shyre. A woman of nobyl
[Page 551] blode, and most nobyl in grace and mannors. She dyed xxv. Septem. M.cccc.lxxiii. and was enterryd in this parysh Church, abyding the body of her said Husband: whos sowls God bring to euerlastyng lyff.
Of yowr cheritie prey for the sowl of Sir
William Say knight,
Sir
William Say Knight. deceased, late Lord of the Mannour of Base, his fader and moder,
Geneuese and
Elisabyth his wyffs, who died iiii. Decemb. M.ccccc.xxix.xxi.
Hen. oclaui.
This Sir
William Say built the north Isle of this Church, as by an inscription in the glasse window may be gathered. This familie flourished here for many descents, euen vntill the death of this Sir
William, whose inheritance for want of heires male, was diuided amongst his daughters, of which hereafter.
Here lyeth
Iohn Borrell,Io. Borrell and
Eli
[...]. his wi
[...]e. Sergeant at Armes to
Henry the eight, and
Elizabyth his wyff, who dyed M.ccccc.xxxi.
Cheston.
Quem tegit iste lapis Radcliffe cognomine functus
Radcliffe.
.... et in cineres vertitur vnde fuit.
Icy gist Damoselle Iohanne clay,Ioan Clay.que trespassa l'an de Grace M.cccc.le xxii. iour Octobre, iour Saint M. lun Euesque.
Here sometime stood a little Nunnery, I know not by whom founded,
Foundation of Cheston Nunnery. but thus it is confirmed in the Catal. of religious houses.
Henr. Rex Anglie, Dominus Hibernie. Dux Normannie, Aquitanie, et comes Angedauie, &c. Shestrehunt Monial. totam terram Dom. ten. cum pertinentijs suts que canonicis de cathele &c. quos amoueri fecimus,Speed.dat. apud West. xi. Aug. Anno Regni nostri xxiiii.
This Nunnery was valued in the Exchequer to be yeerely worth, twenty seuen pound, sixe shillings eight pence.
This village is called in old Writings,
Des. of Hert. Chesthunte, Shestrehunte: and
Norden saith,
cur non Chestin, Castanetum, of Chesnut Trees.
Bishops Hatfield.
This Church is much honoured by the Sepulture of that prudent great Statesman,
Robert, Baron
Cecill, Earle of Salisbury, Lord Treasurer of England, father of
William Lord
Cecill, Earle of Salisbury, one of the honourable priuy Councell now liuing,
Anno 1630. and keeping royall hospitality at his Mansion house hereunto adioyning, which sometimes did belong to the Bishops of Ely, whereupon it was named Bishops Hatfield. Of
Robert this Earle here interred, I shall speake more when I come to let downe his Epitaph.
Harding.
Hic iacent Wilielmus Seabroke qui obijt.
Will. Seabrooke
and Ioan
his wife.2 April.
1462. et Ioana vxor eius...... quorum...
Orate pro animabus Mathei Cressy et Iohanne vxoris eius quondam filie Edmundi Peryent Ar.
Mat. Cressy, Ioan
and Anne
his wiues. et Anne dicti Mathei vxoris, quondam filie Thome
[Page 552] Vernon Armigeri, que Iohanna obijt xxix. Nouemb. M.cccc.lxxviii.
Will Anabull
and Isabell
his wife.Hic iacent Wilielmus Anabul, et Isabella vxor eius qui quidem Wilielmus obiit
4 die Octob.
1456.
Saint Albans Abbey.
[...]I thinke it not much amisse to speake a little of this Protomartyr of England, Saint
Alban, whose reliques lie here interred, to whose name, and for his eternall commemoration, both this Towne and Monastery wer
[...] built and consecrated.
He was a Citizen and a Knight of that famous Citie Verulam, (which stood hereby beyond the little riuer) who giuing entertainement at his own house, to
Amphibalus a Christian, and one of the Clergie, was by him his guest, conuerted from Paganisme, to the true profession of Iesus Christ: and when
Dioclesian (who made
Maximian his companion in the Empire) went about by exquisite torments, to wipe Christian Religion quite out of the memory of men, was the first in Britaine, that with inuincible constancie and resolution, suffered death for Christ his sake: of which persecution,
[...]s also of his Martyrdome, my often alledged Author,
Robert of Glocester, shall tell you in his old verse.
Two Emperors of Rome wer on Dioclesian,
And anoder hys felaw that het Maximian.
And wer both at on tym, the on in the Este ende,
The oder in the west of the world, alle cristendom to shende.
For the luther Maximian westwarde hider soughte,
And christen men that he fonde to strang deth he broughte.
Churchen he pulde a doun, ther ne moste non stonde,
And al the bokes that he myghte fynde in eny londe,
He wolde late berne echon, amydde the heygh strete,
And the christenmen asle, and non alyue lete.
Such God was yvor vpon cristendom.
Such persecucion as ther was hadde ther be non.
For yun
[...]a monethe ther wer seuentene thou send and mo,
I martred for our Lordes Loue: nas ther a grete wo?
Wyth oute oder grete halwen that hii heold longe in torment.
As Seynt Cristene, and Seynt Feye, and also Seynt Uincent,
The Emperour
Dioclesyan Into Britayne then sent
Maximian:Hardin cap. [...]7.
This
Maximian to surname
Hercelius,
A Tyraunte false that Christente anoyed,
Through all Britayne, of werke malicious,
The christoned folke felly and sore destroyed.
And thus the people with him foule accloyed,
Religyous men the Prests and Clerkes all▪
Wemen with chylde and bedred folkes all.
Chyldren soukyng vpon the mothers pappis,
The mothers also withouten any pytee,
And chyldren all in their mothers lappis
The crepyls eke and all the christentee,
He killed and slewe with full grete cruelte.
The Churches brent, all bokes or ornaments
Bellys, reliquys that to the Churche appendes,
He slew that tyme, and martyred Saint Albone.
Now when neither perswasions, nor cruell torments, could make him forsake the true faith,
Iacobus de
[...] ragine, translated. such was the sentence of his death, as I finde it in a legend of his passion and martyrdome, which to giue your palate variety, I will set downe in such English as I haue in the said Legend, or Agon.
In the tyme of the Emperoure Dioclesyan, Albone Lorde of Uerolamye, Prynce of Knyghts, and Stewarde of all Brutayne durynge his lif, hath despysydIupiter and
Apollo.Iubyter and Apollyn oure Goddes; and to them hath doo derogacyon and disworschyp, wherfor by the Lawe, he is iudged to be deed by the honde of somme knyght, and the body to be buried in the same place, where his heed shal be smyten of, and his sepulture to be made worshcipfully for thonoure of knyghthode wherof he was Prynce, and also the crosse whych he bare, andA Palmers Weed.Sklauin that he ware shold be buried wyth hym, and his body to be closyd in a Cheste of leed, and so layed in his sepulture: This sentence hath the Lawe ordeyned, by cause he hath renyed our principall Goddes.
His iudgement being giuen after this manner, he was brought from the Citie Veralam, to this his place of execution, which, as then, was an hill in a wood, called
Holme-hurst, where at one stroke his head was smitten off. But his Executioner, saith venerable
Bede,Bed lib. 1.
c. [...]. had short ioy of his wicked deede, for his eyes fell to the ground, with the head of the holy Martyr: of which will you heare another writer.
Thousands of torments when he had endur'd for Christ his sake,
Vid Camd. in Hert.
At length he died by dome thus giuen; his head away to take.
The Tortor proudly did the feat, but cleere he went not quit,
That holy Martyr lost his head, this cruell wretch his sight.
[Page 554]He suffered martyrdome in the yeare of Christ, saith
Stow, 293. the twentieth day of Iune, saith
Bede, howsoeuer the two and twentieth day of the same moneth▪ was appointed by the Church, to be kept holy to his memory, as we haue it in our English Calender.
Many Miracles are said to be wrought by this sacred Martyr, both liuing and dead, but I will leaue them, (for that they will be thought incredulous in this age) and come to the foundation of this Abbey.
The Sepulchres of holy Saints, the reliques of blessed Martyrs, and the very places of their martyrdome,
The foundation of S.
Albans Abbey. did kindle, in times past, no small heate of diuine charitie in the mindes of our first Christian Saxon Kings; which made
Offa the glorious King of the Mercians, to recall himselfe from the trace of bloudy warres, in great deuotion to goe to Rome, and to obtaine of Pope
Adrian the first, the canonyzation of this martyr
Alban; in honour of whom, the first to our Lord Iesus Christ, he founded this monastery, about the yeere 795. (the Church whereof still remaineth, which for bignesse, beautie, and antiquity, is to be had in admiration) in the very place where the foresaid
Alban suffered his martyrdome. He endowed this his g
[...]odly fabricke, with sufficient reuenues for the maintenance of one hundred blacke Monkes, Benedictins, and caused the reliques of his new Saint to be taken vp, and put in a shrine, adorned with gold and pretious stones of inestimable value; which was further enriched by his sonne
Egfrid, and many other succeeding Kings and Princes, but now at this day, nothing is remaining of this rich Shrine, saue a marble stone, to couer his sacred Ashes; ouer against which, on the wall, these verses are lately depicted, onely to tell vs that such a man there was, to whose memory a Shrine was erected.
Renowned
Alban knight, first Martyr of this land,
By
Dioclesian lost his life through bloudy hand.
Who made him soueraigne Lord, high Steward of this Isle,
And Prince of Britaine knights to dignifie his stile,
He veritie embrac't, and Verulam forsooke,
And in this very place his martyrdome he tooke.
Now hath he his reward, he liues with Christ aboue,
For he aboue all things, Christ and his truth did loue.
Here
Offa, Mercians King, did
Albans bones enshrine,
So all things were dispos'd by prouidence diuine.
Nought but this marble stone of
Albans Shrine is left,
The worke of all forme else, hath changing time bereft.
I haue read in an old Mss. in Sir
Robert Cottons Librarie, that this following, was anciently the Inscription vpon his Shrine.
Here lieth interred, the body of Saint
Alban, a Citizen of old Verulam, of whom this towne tooke denomination, and from the ruines of which Citie, this Towne did arise. He was the first Martyr of England, and suffered his martyrdome the xx. day of Iune, in the yeare of mans redemption, 293.
Vnder a curious and costly funerall monument here in the Quire, lyeth
[Page 555] interred the body of
Vmfrey Plantaginet,Vm
[...]hrey Duke of Glocester.
Milles Catal. surnamed the Good, fourth sonne of King
Henry the fourth. By the grace of God (for so begins his stile by Charter) sonne, brother, and vncle of Kings, Duke of Glocester, Earle of Henault, Holland, Zeland, and Pembroke, Lord of Friseland, great Chamberlaine of England, Protector and defender of the Church and kingdome of England. Thus great, thus glorious, by birth, creation, and marriage, was hee in his honourable titles and Princely attributes; but farre more great, and illustrious, in his vertuous endowments, and inward qualities: But in his praise, may it please you reade learned
Clarentieux, in his tract of Suffolke, where he writes of the Abbey of Bury: these are his words. That father of his countrey,
Vmfrey Duke of Glocester, a due obseruer of Iustice, and one who had furnished his noble wit, with the better and deeper kinde of Studies, after he had, vnder King
Henry the sixth, gouerned the kingdome fiue and twenty yeares with great commendations; so that neither good men had cause to complaine of, nor enuill to finde fault with, was here in Saint
Sauiours Hospitall brought to his
[...] by the spightfull enuie of
Margaret of Lorain, who was wife to
Hen
[...] the
[...]ix
[...]h his Nephew. But his death was the stroke of an euill Angell,
Speed. [...]ent to punish England, and to roote out all her Nobles.
Fidior in regno regi duce non
[...]uit is
[...]o,
Plusue fide stabilis, aut maior amator honoris.
Saith the Abbot of this house
Io. Whethamsted; yet for all this was he arrested of high Treason, in the yeare 1446. and within few dayes after strangled to death;
Stow. Annal. without any triall. Some say he died for sorrow, because hee might not come to his answer. Hee built the Diuinitie Schoole in Oxford, and was an especiall benefactour to this Abbey. Here is an Epitaph pensild on the wall neare to his Tombe, to the same effect; with an
Item of the miracle which he wrought vpon the blinde imposture. The story is frequent.
Hic iacet Vmphredus Duxille Glocestrius, olim
Henrici Regis Protector, fraudis ineptae
Detector; dum ficta notat miracula caeci.
Lumen erat Patriae, columen venerabile Regni:
Pacis amans, Musisque fauens, melioribus; vnde
Gratum opus Oxonio, quae nunc scola sacra refulget.
Invida sed mulier regno, Regi, sibi nequam
Abstulit hunc, humili vix hoc dignata Sepulchro.
Invidia rumpente tamen post funera viuit.
Vnder a large marble stone thus inscribed, lieth
Iohn Stoke,Io. Stoke Abbot an Abbot of This Church.
Hic iacet oblitus Stoke stans velut ardua quercus
Semper in adversis perstitit intrepidus.
Wallingford Prior hic gregis huius pastor, & Abbas,
Donet ei requiem celsa dei pietas.
Celica regna bone mihi dentur queso Patrone.
[Page 556]Penas compesse, requiem da virgula Iesse.
Me precor Amphibale soluens ad sidera sume.
Mss. in bib. CottThis Abbot (as it is in this Epitaph, and in the golden Register of this house) was a stout defender of the lands and liberties of his Church: hee adorned Duke
Vmfreys Tombe; hee gaue money, by his Will, to make a new bell, which after his owne name was called
Iohn; and also to new glase the Cloisters,
Sibi igitur (saith the booke)
ea sit merces, que dari solet illis qui ad honorem sue Ecclesie, laudabilia student opera in temporibus suis.
Vpon a Prior of this house.
Vir crucis & Christi tumulo iacet inclitus isti,
Carcere de tristi saluetur sanguine Christi.
Armacrucis sumpsit intrando Religionem;
Mundum contempsit propter celi regionem.
Hic studuit claustri Pondus sufferre laboris,
In stadio studij
a reward.
brauium percepit honoris:
Flatus fortune grandes patiens tolerabat,
Gaudia, tristitia, equalilance librabat.
Nil aduersa timens, nec multum prospera curans;
Se medio tenuit; per ferrea tempora durans.
Omni gestura constans nil triste timebat;
Omni pressura Christo laudes referebat.
Armis Iustitie cinctus deitatis amore
Hostibus Ecclesie restitit in facie.
Ad tumulum Proceres mors impia transferet omnes;
Vt puerilis amor defluit omnis honor.
I finde this Inscription following vpon a faire marble, vnder the pourtraiture of one of the Abbots, who modestly thus suppresseth his name.
Hic quidem terra tegitur
Peccato soluens debitum.
Cuius nomen non impositum,
In libro vitae sit inscriptum.
Michael AbbotHic iacet Dominus Michael quondam Abbas huius Monasterij Bachalaureus in Theol. qui obiit pridie Idus Aprilis Ann. M.ccc xlii.
Michael Abbas (saith the said booke of S.
Albans)
merito nomen Angelicum est sortitus, nam opera que ipse fecit, ostendunt qualis fuerit. Fuitque in omni vita tam pius suis fratribus & mansuetus, vt inter eos merito tanquam Angelus haberetur.
Gulielmus quartus opus hoc laudabile, cuius
Extitit, hic pausat, Christo sibi premia reddat.
This Abbots name was
William Wallingford, a man abundantly charitable to the poore, and munificent to the Church. His gifts to both did amount to the summe of eight thousand and threescore pounds seuen shillings and sixe pence (confirmed in the said booke) by
Thomas Ramridge then Prior, and the rest of the Couent, in the yeare 1484.
Die octauo mens. Augusti; concluding with these words:
Ex his igitur premissis manifestissime
[Page 557] cernere possumus, quam vtilis & quam carissimus suo olim Monasterio extiterit. Ea propter sinceris omnes cordilus, ad omnipotentem deum, pro eo precaturi dies ac noctes deuotissime sumus, vt sibi in celis mercedem suis factis dignissimam retribuere dignetur. Amen.
Hic iacet...Th
[...]mas Abbot.Thomas Abbas huins Monastery....
This is the last Abbot for whom I finde any Inscription, or Epitaph, and the last in my Catalogue: whose Surname was
Ramrige, Vir suis temporibus tam dilectus deo quam hominibus, propterque causas varias nomen in perpetua benedictione apud posteros habens ▪ saith the golden Register.
Here I may haue occasion to set downe the names of all the Abbots of this House,
In bib. Cott. from the first foundation to this man; and the rather because I haue certaine Epitaphs in some of their commendations, collected out of the Abbey booke, which sometime were engrauen vpon their Monuments: besides other passages are thereby discouered, not vnpleasing to the Reader.
When
Offa the Founder had built and endowed this Monasterie,
[...]illigod the first Abbot. with more then twenty Lordships and Mannors, and obtained for it all royall priuiledges, and pontificall ornaments: he made choice of one
Willigod, to haue the gouernment of these possessions and prerogatiues, as also of the religious persons by him to his Abbey promoted. This man did laudablie gouerne his charge for many yeares.
2.
Eadrick succeeded him, a seuere punisher of malefactours.
3. Then
Wulsigge.
4.
Wulnoth, in this Abbots time many miracles are said to be wrought at Saint
Albons Shrine.
5.
Eadfride: this Abbot gaue a massie cup of gold, or challice of inestimable value to the Shrine of Saint
Albon.
6.
Wulfine, a village of a few houses being here alreadie built neare to the Monastery, this Abbot procured a Market there to be kept; and called together people of other villages therin to inhabite. He built the Churches of Saint
Peter and Saint
Michael in this Towne, and a Chappell neare to S.
Germans Chappell, which he dedicated to Saint
Mary Magdalene.
7.
Alfricke, this Abbot for a great summe of money purchased a large and deepe pond, lying betwixt old Verulam and this village (an euill neighbour and hurtfull to his Church) which was called the Fish poole, appertaining to the kings: and the Kings officers and Fishers molested the Abbey, and burdened the Monkes thereby. Out of which Poole he the said Abbot in the end drained the water, and made it drie ground. The name of which Pond or Poole remaineth still here in a certaine street, called Fish-poole street.
9.
Ealdred, the Abbot in the raigne of king
Edgar, hauing searched for the ancient vaults vnder ground at Verulam, ouerthrew all, and stopped vp all the wayes with passages vnder ground; which were strongly and artificially arched ouer head: For they were the lurking holes of whores and theeues. Hee leuelled the ditches of the Citie, and certaine dennes, into which malefactours vse to flie, as vnto places of refuge. But the whole tiles and stones which he found fit for building, he laid aside; intending therewith to haue reedified his Church, but he was preuented by death.
[Page 558]9.
Eadmer his Successor went forward with the worke that
Ealfred began, and his pioners ouerthrew the foundations of a pallace in the midst of the old Citie: And in the hollow place of a wall, as it were in a little closet, they happened vpon bookes, couered with oaken boards, and silken strings at them: whereof one contained the life of Saint
Alban, written in the British tongue; the rest, the ceremonies of the Heathen. When they opened the ground deeper, they met with old tables of stone, with tiles also and pillars, likewise with pitchers and pots of earth, made by Potters and Turners worke: vessells moreouer of glasse, containing the ashes of the dead, &c. To conclude, out of these remaines of Verulam,
Eadmer built a new the most part of his Church and Monasterie; with a determination to haue finished all:
Sed tamen morte preuentus, saith the booke,
propositum suum non est assecutus.
10.
Leofricke was preferred to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury, who departing with the benediction of his brethren, left his Monastery abundantly rich. This man is omitted in the Catalogue of Bishops, or otherwise
Aluric
[...]us or
Alfricus is set in his place.
11. This
Alfricke or
Aluricke was the eleuenth Abbot, and brother by the mothers side to his predecessour
Leofricke; he compiled an Historie of the life and death of Saint
Alban, and hee, together with his brother, got and gaue nine villages to this Abbey.
12
Leofstane procured many great and important liberties to his Church, of
Edward the Counfessour, whose Chaplaine and Confessour the said Abbot was; and who, betwixt the King and his Queene
Editha, was
Casti consilij seminator.
13.
Fredericke the bold and rich Abbot of Saint
Albans (for so he was called) succeeded
Leofstane, descended from the Saxons noble bloud, as likewise from
Canutus the Dane: this man opposed the Conquerour
William in all his proceedings, plotted against him in diuers conspiracies, and told him stoutly to his face, that he had done nothing but the dutie of his birth and profession; and if others of his ranke had performed the like (as they well might and ought) it had not beene in his power to haue pierced the land so farre. But this, and other his ouer-bold answers, did so offend the King, that he tooke from him this Abbey of Saint
Albans, with all the lands and reuenues belonging thereunto, which lay betwixt Barnet and London stone. Whereupon, without delay, hee called a Chapter of his Brethren, shewing them their approaching dangers, and to auoide the present storme, went himselfe to Ely (where he desisted not from his wonted machinations against the Conquerour) and there ended his dayes,
in magna mentis amaritudine (saith mine Author)
postquam multis annis huic Ecclesie nobiliter prefuisset.
14.
Paul a Monke of
Cane, vpon his death, was made Abbot, who in short space by the counsell and aide of
Lanfranke, Archbishop of Canterbury, builded very sumptuously a new Church, with a Cloister here, with a
[...]l offices; and adorned the same Church with many good bookes, and rich ornaments. He procured his lands and reuenues backe againe from the Conquerour; and by himselfe, and his forcible perswasions with others, he did further enrich his Abbey with many faire possessions.
[Page 559]15
Richard succeeded him, who solemnly & magnificently did consecrate the Church, which his predecessour
Paul had finished, and built a Chappell of himselfe to the honour of Saint
Cuthbert, in which hee was entombed, with this Epitaph.
Abbas Richardus iacet hic, vt pistica nardus
Redolens virtutum floribus et merit is.
A quo fundatus locus est hic, edisicatus
Ingenti studio nec modico precio.
Quem nonas decimas Februo promente Kalendas,
Abslulit vltima sors, et rapuit cita mors.
16
Geffrey the Abbot gaue many rich ornaments to this his Monastery, with a Challice and a couer all of massie pure gold, which afterwards hee sent to Pope
Celestine the second,
vt ipsius sedaret auaritiam, volent is hanc Ecclesiam appropriare; that he might appease or mitigate the couetousnesse of his holy father of Rome, who was willing (and went about) to impropriate this Abbey.
Abbas Galfridus Papa cui fuit ipse molestus
Hic iacet innocuus, prudens, pius, atque modeslus.
17
Raph his successor, built anew the lodgings for the Abbots, and gaue diuers rich Copes and Vestments for the ornament of his Church.
18
Robert was the next Abbot who procured the Church of Luton to be annexed to this,
S. Albans exempre from the
[...] of Lincoln and deliuered his Monastery from the seruitude of the Bishop of Lincolne, which was a controuersie of long continuance, and in the end agreed vpon by composition; which agreement was confirmed by
Alexander the third, Bishop of Rome, about the yeare 1178. as by his Bull to that purpose appearent.
Bulla de compositione facta inter Lincoln. Ecclesiam et Ecclesiam beati Albani.
Alexander Episcopus seruus seruorū Dei. Dilecto filio Roberto Abbati monasterij Sancti Albani. Salutem et apostolicam ben. Ea que compositione seu concordia mediante rationabili prouidentia statuuntur, in sua debent stabilitate consistere: Et ne alicuius temeritate in posterum valeant immutari Apostolice sedis ea conuenit auctoritate muniri. Ea propter dilecte in Domino (fili Roberte) tuis postulationibus grato concurrentes assensu, compositionem que inter Lincoln. Ecclesiam et monasterium beati Albani super Processionibus de Herfordshira, de quibus inter vtramque Ecclesiam controuersia fuerat, sicut in instrumento exinde facto continetur vtriusque partis assensu rationabiliter facta est: tibi et prefate Ecclesie tue auctoritate Apostolica confirmamus, Statuentes vt nulli omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostre confirmationis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare presumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis dei, et beatorum Petrie et Pauli Apostolorum
[Page 560] eius se neuerit incursurum. Dat. Auagn. xi. Kal. Feb. pontificatus nostri, anno vij.
About twenty yeares afterwards, (vpon some new quarrels, belike, arising betweene the two foresaid Churches) this composition and transaction was againe confirmed by
Clemens the third, in these words.
Clemens Episcopus seruus seruorum dei; dilectis filijs Abbati et conuentui Sancti Albani, Salutem et Apostol
[...]cam ben. Cum inter vos ex vna parte et Ecclesiam Lincolnien. et Capitulum eius ex altera controuersia verteretur, super eo quod Capitulum ipsum Ecclesiam vestram proponebat Ecclesie Lincolnien▪ de iure esse subiectam, inter vos concordia de assensu partium intercesserit. Nos itaque volentes que super causarum litigijs concordia vel iuditio rationabiliter statuuntur firmitatem perpetuam optinere; et ne processu temporis in scrupulum recidue contentionis deuenia
[...]t, literarum amminutulis memorie commendare concordiamillam sicut rationabiliter facta est, et ab vtraque parte recepta, et in scripto autentico continetur, auctoritate Apostolica con
[...]irmamus, et presentis Scripti patrocinio communuimus. Statuentes vt nulli; as before.
Dat. Lateran. Id. Martij Pontisicatus nostri, Anno secundo.
19
Symon Abbot caused many bookes to be written for the vse of the Couent; in his time, one
Adam, Steward of the monastery, made the Kitchin much more large, and gaue both money and lands to the Couent and Monastery,
ideo (saith my Author)
ob preclara eius merita inter Abbates in capitulo sepulturam meruit optinere; therefore for his good deserts, hee deserued to be buried in the Chapter-house amongst the Abbots.
20
Carine caused a coffin and a Shrine to be new made, wherein he put the reliques of Saint
Amphibalus. Richard Cordelion, King of England, being taken prisoner by
Leopold Duke of Austria, and his ransome set at one hundred thousand pound; commandement was directed from his Iustices, that all Bishops, Prelates, Earles, Barons, Abbots, and Priors, should bring in the fourth part of their reuenues towards his deliuerance: at which time the shrines in the Churches were fleeced, and their Chalices coined into ready money, yet this Abbot
(quia Regi erat amicissimus) redeemed the Chalices, and all other the rich offerings to the glorious shrines within his Church, for two hundred markes. This
Carine was the first Abbot of this house, that was dignified with Miter and Croisier.
21
Iohn de Cella did many workes of piety, and purchased the Church of Saint
Stephen, with certaine lands thereunto adioyning, for one hundred and twenty markes, which he did assigne to the Officers of his Kitchin.
22
William, amongst many of his pious acts, reedified Saint
Cuthberts Chappell, being as then ruinous and ready to fall downe; which hee new made in the honour of Saint
Cuthbert, Saint
Iohn the Baptist, and Saint
Agnes the Virgine; vpon which dedication he caused these verses to be insculped ouer the high Altar.
Confessor Cuthberte Dei Baptista Iohannes,
Agnes virgo, tribus vobis hec ara sacratur.
23
Iohn of Hertford was a great benefactor to this Abbey.
[Page 561]24 His successor
Roger did wondrously loue the beautie of the house of God, which he euidently did demonstrate by the great cost and charges he bestowed vpon this his owne Church: besides, he caused to be made, three tunable Bels for the Steeple, two to the honour of Saint
Alban, and the third to Saint
Amphibalus, which he appointed to be rung at nine a clocke euery night; whereupon it was called the Corfue, or couer fire bell.
25 After
Roger, succeeded
Iohn of Berkamstede, of whom because hee did nothing memorable in his life time, nothing shall be spoken in this present page;
Sed taman Lectorem monemus (saith the Booke)
vt conuertatur ad pietatis opera, et omnipotenti deo pro eius anima preces fundat.
26
Iohn Marines gaue a Censer to his church, of a great price, besides many other necessaries.
27
Hugh his successor, inlarged the reuenues of his church with many faire possessions, and obtained of
Edward the second, diuers great gifts, with a crucifixe of gold, beset with precious stones; a cup of siluer of great value, gilt, diuers Scottish reliques. Timber to repaire the Quire, and one hundred pound in money.
Quid fuit, est, et erit, cur non homo discere querit?
Spuma fuit, fumus est: putrida fiet humus.
28 Abbot
Richard, endued with all kindes of learning, both morall and diuine, suffered great tribulation in his time, in the defence of the rights of his church. He gaue a clocke to the same, the like of it was not in England.
29 Of
Michael the Abbot I haue spoken before.
30 Vpon the death of
Michael, Thomas the Prior of Tinmouth was preferred to this monasterie: he sustained innumerable crosses and perturbations, during the time of his being at Tinmouth, as also here at Saint Albanes: yet brought all to a prosperous end, and adorned his church more richly, then any one of his Predecessors; the particular gifts that he gaue to the same, cost him aboue foure thousand pound.
Est Abbas Thomas, tumulo presente reclusus
Qui vite tempus sanctos expendit in vsus.
31 The next Abbot was
Iohn Moot, qui multa fecit diebus suis memoranda, saith my Author, of whom this Epitaph.
M. C. quater vint. quint. Claudis heic membra Ioannis,
Qui dignis laudibus veteranis occidit annis:
Intus confratres bene rexit, post fuit Abbas
Constans vt Iosua, Zelans legem vt H
[...]lias.
Simplicitas vite qua noscitur esse columbe.
Simonis et Iude (pie pastor) cras rapuit te.
Omnem patratum Christus purgando reatum,
Nobis sublatum te mun
[...]ret his sociatum.
32
William his next successour, was
vir suis in temporibus tam deo delectus
[Page 562] quam hominibus, and performed many great workes of pietie. Hee died about the yeare 1434. for whom I finde this Epitaph.
Conditus his recubat fatali sorte Guilelmus
Albani Pastor qui gregis aptus erat:
Reperit illustrem celesti munere famam,
Quam nequit in tanto mors abolere viro.
33 But now I come to
Iohn of Whethamstede, (a village in this shire, plentifull in wheate) (wherein the said
Iohn was borne, and thereupon had his denomination,) who was Abbot of this house, in the raigne of
Henry the sixt, a man much renowned for his due desert of learning, for his godly life and conuersation, for his pleasant disposition, and for the charges he was at, and the meanes he made, to adorne and enrich his Church and monastery. Out of a Manuscript in Sir
Robert Cot
[...]ons rich Librarie, intituled,
Gesta paucula Abbatis Iohannis Sexti, I collected thus much of his particular actions.
Iohn, the sixt Abbot of this house, of that christian name, that he might outwardly shew, saith the booke, how inwardly hee loued the beautie of the house of God, and how much he desired to decke and embellish the habitation of the most holy; first hee caused our Ladies chappell to bee new trimmed, and curiously depicted, with stories out of the sacred word: vpon the south side whereof, these verses were curiously depensed in gold.
Dulce pluit Manna partum dum protulit Anna,
Dulcius ancilla dum Christus creuit in illa.
Vpon the north side these.
Flos Campi dicta tibi questio ...... puella
Floris habens picta venerari fronde capella.
In the roofe about the picture of the Lambe.
Inter oues Aries regat vt sine cornibus agnus:
Vnder the picture of the Eagle.
Inter aues Aquila veluti sine felle columba.
He built a little Chappell in the south part of the Church for his owne buriall place, in which vnder certaine pictures in the windowes, he caused these verses to be inscribed.
Propicij Patres, compassiue quoque matres
Orat, vt oretis, sua quod sit pausa quietis
Vester adoptatus hic filius intumulatus.
The north part of his Church being somewhat darke, hee caused new windowes to be made, and glazed, to make it appeare more light and glorious; and in the glasse, vnder the images of certaine heathen Philosophers, which had testified of the incarnation of Iesus Christ; these Hexameters were inscribed.
Vnder the picture of
Ioseph of Arimathia in another window.
Ad Britones ivi postquam Christum sepeliui,
Glasconiam veni, Britones docui, requieui.
Vnder the pictures of the foure Doctors of the Church.
Bina per hec paria fidei quod gignit alumpna
Firma stat Ecclesia, quadra fulcita columpna.
And that he might further illuminate his Church, he caused a faire large window to be made anew in the West end of the said North Isle. Vpon the erection of which these rimes were composed.
In patria boree quo plus durabilis in se,
Fertur petra fore factor fuit ipse fenestre,
Que nunc erigitur in ea quoque parte locatur;
Totius Ecclesie que fertur clarior esse,
Eius & occiduam bene ditat lumine finem.
He made a reuerend kinde of imbroidered vesture, for himselfe and his successours, to vse when they were to enter into their
Sanctum Sanctorum: he made a new Miter, and a Pastorall staffe. Vpon which this metre was carued.
Postquam sex annis benedixit dextra Iohannis
Wethamsted, pepulum fecerat hunc baculum.
For the vse and honour of the holy Altar, he made a Chalice of pure gold, a paire of siluer censers; a paire of siluer Basons gilt. Vpon which were engrauen the similitudes of a Lambe and an Eagle, with these riming verses.
Peluis post latices vt lota manus veniales
Conficiat calices: prius annuat Agnus & Ales.
Vpon the pictures of Christ, the blessed Virgine, Saint
Alban, and the sacred Host, as they were to be carried in the Cloister, or into the Towne; he caused diuers verses to be written, to bring the people into a reuerend regard of the same.
Vt Iesus & mater, noster simul Prothomartyr
Acetu populi deberent plus venerari.
Instituit, varia quibus & veneratio dicta
Creuit, & Ecclesie cultus fuit amplior in se.
Of all his pious acts which he performed for the ornament of his Church, thus much is written (briefly) in the same booke.
In cappis, casulis, Albis, simul & tunicellis,
Inque bonis alijs varijs magis ac preciosis;
Precessit patres pater hic cunctos preeuntes.
Plus coluit que Deum, cur recolamus eum.
[Page 564]In like manner hee trimmed vp his Monasterie, with curious painted imageries and diuers inscriptions in golden letters.
In his owne lodgings.
Dote licet multa tua sit species bene culta,
Mos nisi nubat ei dos simplicis est speciei.
Ortus magnorum quamuis sis stirpe deorum;
Iunge tibi morem facis ortum nobiliorem.
Inter eos quos fama deos in honore leuavit;
Sors famulos, mors discipulos in sine probauit.
In the walke betwixt the Hall and the Abbots Chamber:
Hec in regnante duo sunt contraria valde,
Sedis apex primus, probitatis spiritus ymus.
Sis Dux munificus, sis prudens, sisque benignus,
Tresque Duces simul es Eneas, Titus, Vlixes.
Non bene concessum princeps regit ille Ducatum,
Concilio procerum qui non regitur sapientum.
Iudex quando sedes caneas ne iura supines
Iure quidem tradito. Plebs Rex est, Rex sine regno?
In the windowes of the Abbots Studie, or Librarie.
Cum studeas, videas, vt sit virtus & honestas;
Hic & vbique tibi finalis causa studendi.
Hec loca sceptrigere pudeat sacrate Sophie
Hoc ad opus trahere quod mandat Martha Marie.
Huius amore loci regimen postponere noli.
Quo minor esca gregi detur magis esurienti.
In the Chamber adioyning to his Studie.
Condere ne timeas quicquid persuadet honestas:
Gratia propositis semper respondet honestis.
He gaue a great Bason of siluer double gilt, to the Monasterie, which hee thus engraued about the Verge.
Dic quisquis fueris bene domi si memoreris
Quis fueratque dator, nunqui suus esse precator,
Siue prees ve subes, propter donum tenearis.
Si
[...]ic hortor te pro donatore precare;
Dicque perhennis e
[...] sit lux que locus requie
[...].
In a Chappell which he built for the Couent, these verses.
Turma senectutis, plebs egra, cohorsque salutis
[Page 565]In vestris precibus Are sacra cum celebratis;
Hanc propter fabricam sextum memorate Iohannem.
After this manner did he adorne, new build, and enrich both his Church and Abbey; and in all his new buildings or repairings, hee caused the pictures of a Lambe and an Eagle to be thereupon drawne or depicted with these verses following; which you may reade vpon the roofe or top of the Quire in the Abbey Church at this day.
Dic vbicunque vides sit pictus vt Agnus & Ales
Effigies operis, sexti sunt ista Iohannis
Parte vel in toto in visse, vel in faciendo
Est opus hoc vnum causauit eum faciendum.
He built much at his Mannor of Titten-Hanger not farre from hence, and in his Studie there inscribed these verses.
Ipse Iohannis amor Whethamslede vbique proclamor,
Eius & alter honor hic lucis in ange reponor.
In a Chappell there which he much enlarged, he caused to be painted vpon the walls the similitudes of all the Saints of his owne Christian name of
Iohn: with his owne picture, which seemingly thus prayeth.
Cum fero par nomen, par ferre precor simul omen;
Tum paribus que pari, licet impar, luce locari.
He repaired or rather built anew the Church of Redburne, and consecrated the altar againe: ouer which these verses were written vpon the wall.
M. semel x. terno C quater
[...] quoque querno
Ara resecrata, domus hec varijsque nouata.
Vpon the couering or roofe ouer the Chancell, vnder the pictures of the Lambe and Eagle, these.
Ecce pecus mundi to
[...]lens peccata rotundi.
En et auis, celi reserans arcana fideli.
En pecus en et auis, opus en sextique Iohannis.
He built a Librarie in the Monkes Colledge in Oxford, to which he gaue many bookes, in some of which he writ these verses.
Fratribus Oxonie datur in munus liber iste.
Per patrem pecorum Prothomartyris Angligenorum.
Quem siquis rapiat ad partem siue reponat.
Vel Iude laqueum, vel furcas sentiat Amen.
In other of the bookes which he gaue to the said Librarie, these.
Discior vt docti fieret noua regia plebi
Culta magisque Dee datur hic liber ara Minerue,
His qui dijs dictis libant holocausta ministris.
[Page 566]Et Cirre bibulam sitiunt pre Nectare lympham,
Estque librique loci, idem dator, actor et vnus.
He built also a Chappell adioyning to the Librarie, and in the principall window vnder the pictures of the Crucifix, the Virgine
Mary, and Saint
Iohn Baptist, he caused these deprecatory times to be put in the glasse.
He bestowed great charges vpon the Abbots lodging-house in London.
By his wisedome he did so mediate with
Vmfrey, Duke of Glocester, that he g
[...]ue to this Church (
ornatus vestimentorum) a suite of vestments worth three thousand markes; with the Mannour of Pembroke in South Wales, for that the Monkes should pray for his soule; and chose this Church for the place of his buriall. Vpon which, these rimes.
Vltraiam dicta, que sunt numero satis ampla,
Diues item cella Penbrok à plebe vocata:
Per patris media fuit Ecclesie propriata;
Ossa tegique sua legit, Propriator, in ipsa.
He gaue much to the Churches of Winslow and Newenham, and other Churches in London. He gaue a challice of pure gold and of great waight to the Priory of Tinmouth, where he was brought vp as a Scholler, a Challice to Wallingford, another to the Church of Worcester. An estimate of his charitable and pious deuotions to this and other Churches, you may see in these two lines, beside what money and goods he bequeathed vpon his death-bed.
Summa prius dicta si sit sine fraude quotata
Bister millenas fertur transcendere libras.
And,
preter gesta iam dicta, saith the booke,
fecit Abbas prefatus multa alia opera bona que non scripta in libro hoc. Hec antem scripta sunt vt glorificetur deus in omnibus, qui dedit servulo suo gratiam ad peragendum hec paucula in diebus suis. Et vt ea legant Fratres, atque legentes, vt ardentior
[...]m habeant appetitum ad orandum in specie pro anima eius.
He was a generall good scholler; some fourescore and odde seuerall Treatises are set downe in this booke of Saint
Albons, written by this Abbot. Before the names whereof these verses.
Nomina librorum cum contentis & eorum
Quos frumentalis domino pressante, Iohannes
Fecit vel scribi, fieri vel, vel renouaui.
Hic subscribuntur mentaliter vt teneantur.
[Page 567]He gaue ouer his charge for a time, and vndertooke it againe a little before his death, which happened in the raigne of
Edward the fourth. He was buried in his owne Chappell which he had prouided in his life time. To whose memory this Epitaph was made by one of the Monkes.
Contegit iste lapis venerabilis ossa Iohannis
Epit. Iohannis Whe
[...]hams
[...]ede.
Whethamstede, Abbas hic qui fuit eius in annis:
Ter doctus, doctos & amans, & eis miseratus.
Nec fraudes patiens curarum Presbyteratus.
In lubricos Phinees, in adulterijsque Iohannes
Extitit; ymo Petrusin omnes Symonianos.
Insuper in laceris domibus mansisque vetustis,
Sic reparator erat, sic reparando nouabat:
Quod sibi preteritus non sit compar Pater vllus.
Siue coequalis manet impar rebus in istis
Marcas millenas decies numero repetitas
Scripta ferunt post se que liquerat exposuisse:
Pro dilectoris anima tui dulciter ora
Albani sancti conventus qualibet hora:
His next successor was
Iohn Stoke, of whom, as also of all the rest in the Catalogue, I haue already spoken: and now I will returne backe againe to the rest of the Epitaphs and Inscriptions which I finde in the Church.
In a wall in the body of the Church ouer a vault.
Vir Domini verus iacet hic Heremita Rogerus
Roger
and one S
[...]gare
two Hermits.
Et sub eo clarus meritu Heremita Sigarus.
Memoriale Domini Thome Rutland quondam subprior is huius Monasterij qui ex luce migrauit M.ccccc.xxi. cuius anime propitietur altissimus.Tho. Rutland Sub-prio
[...].Amen.
Ecce sacerdos eram,
Rich S
[...]ondon
Priest.
iam factus vile cadauer,
Et cito puluis erit queso memento mei.
Siste gradum qui ad me venit hic, & funde, precator▪
Me deus vt leuet, & ducat ad vsque polum.
Vpon his brest on the portraiture, this English Distick is ingrauen.
Iesus Chryst, Marys son,
Hav mercy on the sowl of
Rychard Stondon.
This Towne vaunts her selfe very much of the birth and buriall of Sir
Iohn Mandeuill Knight,
Sir
Iohn Mandeuill knight. the famous Trauailer, who writ in Latine, French, and in the English tongue, his Itinerary of three and thirty yeares. And that you may beleeue the report of the Inhabitants to bee true, they haue lately pensild a rare piece of Poetry, or an Epitaph for him, vpon a piller; neere to which, they suppose his body to haue beene buried, which I thinke not much amisse to set downe; for although it will not bee worth the reading, yet doe but set it to some lofty tune, as to the Hunting of Antichrist,
[Page 568] or the like, I know it will be well worth the singing: marke how it runs.
All yee that passe, on this pillar cast eye,
This Epitaph read if you can;
'Twill tell you a Tombe on
[...]'t stood in this roome,
Of a braue spirited man.
Iohn Mandeuill by name, a knight of great fame,
Borne in this honoured Towne.
Before him was none that euer was knowne,
For trauaile of so high renowne.
As the Knights in the Temple, crosse-legged in marble,
In armour, with sword and with sheeld,
So was this Knight grac't, which time hath defac't,
That nothing but ruines doth yeeld.
His Trauailes being donne, he shines like the Sun,
In heauenly Canaan.
To which blessed place, O Lord of his grace,
Bring vs all man after man.
That he was borne here in this Towne I cannot much deny; but I am sure that within these few yeares, I saw his Tombe in the Citie of Leege, within the Church of the religious house of the
Guilliammits, with this Inscription vpon it, and the verses following hanging by on a table.
Hic iacet vir nobilis D. Ioannes de Mandevile, Al; D. ad Barbam miles; Dominus de Campdi: natus de Anglia, Medicine professor, deuotissimus orator; & bonorum largissimus pauperibus erogator qui toto quasi orbe lustrato. Leo .
[...]ij diem vite sue clausit extremum. Ann. Dom. M.CCC.lxxi. Mens. Nouemb. die xvi.
Aliud.
Hoc iacet in tumulo, cui totus patria viuo
Orbis erat; totum quem peragrasse ferunt.
Anglus Eques que fuit, nunc ille Britannus Vlysses
Dicatur, Graio clarus Vlysse magis.
Moribus, ingenio, candore, & sanguine clarus
Et vere cultor Relligionis erat.
Nomen si queras, est Mandevil; Indus Arabsque,
Sat notum dicet finibus esse suis.
The Church-men will shew you here his kniues, the furniture of his horse, and his spurres, which he vsed in his trauells.
Vpon the same marble, vnder the picture of the Crosse, these words are engrauen, which the foresaid
Smith seemes to speake.
By this tokyn of the holy cross,
Good Lord sav owr sowls from loss.
Elisabeth his wife these.
Cryst who dyed for vs on the Rood tree,
Sav the sowl of my Husbond, owr chyldren, and mee.
Here lieth ....
Raph Rowlat Citizen of London,
Raph Rowlat and
Ioane his wife. Merchant of the Staple, and
Ioan his wife. Which
Raph dyed, M.cccccxix. on whose.
This familie is now extinct, and the inheritance diuolued by marriage vnto the
Maynards, as appeareth by an Epitaph vpon the wall not long since made for on of the
Maynards, who married one of the heires of Sir
Raph Rowlat knight.
To the picture of Christ hanging on the Crosse, this inscription was lately to be read vpon one of the pillars in the Church.
Fly the falshode of the fiend for he wil fownd the,
Dread not my dreadful doomes for I dyed for the.
Cal on me thy Sauyour Chryst, I can chere the
My mercy is more than thy misse, I may amend the
See how my syde was perced for the, and I shal help the.
In this Abbey Church is a goodly Font of solid brasse, wherein the kings children of Scotland were wont to be baptized; which Font Sir
Richard Lea knight, Master of the Pioners, brought as a spoile out of the Scottish warres, and gaue it to this Church. As may appeare by this loftie and arrogant inscription about the same; as if the Font in it owne person did proclaime the knights act to all passengers in these words, lately Englished.
When Leeth a Towne of good account among the Scots, and Edinbrough their chiefe Citie were on a fire, Sir
Richard Lea knight, saued mee from burning, and brought mee into England. And I being mindfull of this so great a benefit, whereas before I was wont to serue for baptizing of none but Kings children, haue now willingly offered my seruice euen to the meanest of the English Nation.
Lea the Victour would haue it so. Farewell. In the yeare of our Lord, M.D.xliii. and of the raigne of King
Henry the eight xxxvi.
These already written are all the Epitaphs or inscriptions which I finde in this Abbey Church: howsoeuer it doth retaine the ashes of many a worthie man conquered by death,
Egfrid king of the Mercians. both before and since the Conquest▪ As of
Egfrid king of the Mercians, sonne to great
Offa the Founder, who added to those twenty Lordships or Mannors, wherewith his father at the first endowed this foundation:
Ex Reg dea
[...]r. S. Albani in saepe dict. bib: Cott.Terram quinque Maneriorum in loco dicto Pynefeld cum terminis suis antiquis; & manerium de Sauntridge et Tirefeld: Cartas que Patris sui benigne in suae serena concessione confirmauit; pro confirmatione
[Page 570] regni sui, & sua prosperitate, nec non pro salute paterne sueque anime, & antecessorum suorum; Ecclesiam suam per omnia salubriter protegendo: saith the golden Register of this Abbey.
The first businesse that this King vndertooke after hee came to the Crowne, was the restauration of ancient priuiledges to the Church, and great hope was conceiued of his further proceedings, had not God cut him off by vntimely death, the 17. day of September, in the yeare of our Lord God, 796. and in the first of his raigne hauing had neither wife nor issue. His bodie with all due obsequies was here Princely interred neare to the Shrine of S.
Alban.
Rob. Mowbray Earle of Northumberland, a Monke.This Abbey Church was likewise honoured with the Sepulture of
Robert Mowbray, Earle of Northumberland: whose storie out of many writers is in this manner extracted.
[...]ill Gemmet. Simon Daniel.This
Robert Mowbray, a most valiant Souldier, seeing his countrey destroyed, and ouerrunne euen vnto Alnewicke castle, by
Malcolme King of Scotland and his armie, made head against the said
Malcolme (not staying for directions from his King
William Rufus) and so sore and suddenly distressed his forces, that both king
Malcolme himselfe, and his sonne Prince
Edward were there slaine.
Mat. Paris.Hereupon this Earle growing proud, and greatly suspected by King
William, began to fortifie the Kings Castles, with munition for Armes against the like inuasion,
Speed ca [...]. and indeed against the Kings will; who sent him word somewhat roughly, to desist from his doings, and presently to repaire to his presence; which whilest he lingered and neglected to do, king
William sent his brother
Henry to spoile Northumberland, and immediately followed after himselfe, where without much adoe, he tooke the Earle, and committed him prisoner to Windsor Castle.
Hou in vit. Will. Rufi.Ypodig. Neust.This
Robert Mowbray and
William of Anco, with others, conspired to depriue the King both of Crowne and life, and to haue set vp
Stephen de Albamarle his Aunts sonne, as
Houeden and
Walsingham will haue it. But I reade in an old Manuscript that he fauouring the proceedings of
Anselme,Ex lib. Ab. de Newburgh. in bib. Cott. Archbishop of Canterbury,
Pro amore & bono Ecclesie innocentem vitam finiebat. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. As the words are.
Rex ipsum cum alijs decollari mandauit: The king commanded that he, with others, should be beheaded; his companion
Anco being punished with losse both of his eyes, and his virilitie.
Gemmelicensis lib. 7
ca 8.He died in prison, saith one writer,
In ipso Ergastulo deficiens mortuus est, regnante Henrico Rege. Whose Lands in Normandy, as also, for the most part, here in England, the said King
Henry gaue to
Nigell de Albeney, viro probo et illustri.
Ordorus vitatis. lib. 7.
pa. 649.Another writer tells vs, that he married
Maud, the daughter of
Richerius de Aquila, a potent man in the Conquerours dayes, and that after foure and thirtie yeares of imprisonment, hee died without issue: in these words.
Mathildis autem potenti viro Roberto de Molbraio Comiti Norbandum▪ brorum nupsit, qui eodem anno contra Willielmum Rufum Regem Anglorum rebellauit. Sed paulo post captus, fere 34.
annis in carcere praefati Regis, & Henrici fratris eius sine prole consenuit.
[Page 571]The same Author deliuers his marriage thus in another place.
Lib. 8.
pa. 703.
Robertus vt fines suos vndique dilataret, & ditissimis contubernalibus affinitate potentum sibi copulatis robustior ardua tentaret; Mathildem generosam virginem Richerij de Aquila duxit quae neptis erat Hugonis Cestrensis Comitis ex sorore nomine Iudith.
And in the said page, he sets downe his character, and the number of the Lordships which he possest here in England, with his great power and riches, thus.
Robertus Rogerij de Molbraio filius potentia diuitijsque admodum pollebat; audacia et militari feritate superbus pares despiciebat, & superioribus obtemperare, vana ventositate turgidus, indignum autumabat. Erat autem corpore magnus, niger et hispidus: audax & dolosus, vultu tristis ac seuerus. Plus meditari quam loqui studebat, et vix in confabulatione ridebat. Hic nimirum cclxxx. villas in Anglia possidebat.
This man of this high spirit and ample possessions, became in the end to bee a shorne Monke of this Monastery, as you may reade in the Catalogues of Honour; wherein hee died,
Ann. 1106. To whose memory a Monke of his order made this Epitaph. Which he caused to be engrauen vpon his Monument, vpon the North side of the Vestrie where he was interred.
Vir probus & fortis quem virtus nescia mortis
Ex vet. M ss. Anon. in saepe dict. bib. Cott.
Condecorat, cista iacet hic Robertus in ista;
Cui dat cognomen Moulbraia nobile nomen.
Norhandunbrorum comes fuit; hic Monachorum
Dux erat optatus, prudens, pius, & peramatus:
Hic Monachus fidus, hic Martisin agmine sidus,
Exijt è terris, huius mundi quoque guerris,
Anno milleno Domini centenoque seno
Quarta die Februi. Pax sit eique mihi. Amen.
Here sometimes was interred the bodie of
Alexander Necham,Alex. Necham. whose knowledge in good Arts made him famous throughout England, France, Italie, yea and the whole world; and that with such incredible admiration, that he was called
Miraculum ingenij, the wonder and miracle of wit and sapience. He was an exact Philosopher, an excellent Diuine, an accurate Rhetorician, and an admirable Poet. As did appeare by many his writings which he left to posteritie:
Cent. 2. some of which are mentioned by
Bale.
He was borne in this Towne,
Camd. in Hert. as appeares by a certaine passage in one of his Latine Poems, cited by
Camden, and thus englished by his Translator Doctor
Holland.
This is the place that knowledge tooke of my natiuitie,
My happie yeares, my dayes also of mirth and iollitie.
This place my childhood trained vp in all Arts liberall,
And laid the groundworke of my name, and skill Poeticall.
This place great and renowned Clerkes into the world hath sent:
For Martyr blest, for nation, for site, all excellent.
A troupe here of religious men serue Christ both night and day,
[Page 572]In holy warfare taking paines, duly to watch and pray.
Camden in his Allusions to names, tells vs that he, being desirous to enter into religion in this house, after he had signified his desire, writ thus to the Abbot Laconically.
Si vis, veniam, sin autem, tu autem.
Who answered as briefly, alluding to his name: thus.
Si bonus sis, venias, si nequam, nequaquam.
Whereupon, saith he, he changed his name to
Neckam.
A Monke of this house made this Hexamiter allusiuely to his name.
Dictus erat Nequam, vitam duxit tamen equam.
He is thought, by some, saith
Bale, to haue beene a Canon Regular, and to haue beene preferred to the Abbotship of Glocester: as another in this old language will haue it.
[...] Glocest.
And master Alisander that Chanon was er
I maked was of Gloucestre Abbot thulk yer.
viz.
7. Reg. Regis Iohannis.
But this may be vnderstood of
Alexander Theologus, of whom I haue spoken elsewhere, who was contemporarie with him: for I finde that this
Alexander was Abbot of Saint
Maries in Circester, or Cirencester. At the time of his death, which happened about foure hundred and thirteene yeares since.
Annales de
[...] M ss.
[...] bib. Cott.Alexander cognomento Nequam Abbas Cirecestrie literarum scientia clarus: obiit Ann. Dom. 1217.
lit. Dom. C. prid. Kal. Feb & sepultus erat apud Fanum S. Albani. cuius anime propitietur Altissimus. Amen.
Now if you be desirous further to know how this Abbey Church hath beene honoured by the Sepultures of many worthy persons; will it please you peruse these verses following, by which, both her foundation and fall is plainly deciphered.
Behold that goodly Fane which ruin'd now doth stand,
[...]. Drayton Poly
[...]. Song 16
To holy
Albon built, first Martyr of this Land,
Who in the faith of Christ from Rome to Britaine came,
And dying in this place resign'd his glorious name.
In memory of whom (as more then halfe Diuine)
Our English
Offa rear'd a rich and sumptuous Shrine;
And Monastery here: which our succeeding Kings,
From time to time endow'd with many goodly things.
And many a Christian Knight was buried here, before
The Norman set his foot vpon this conquered shore;
And after those braue spirits in all those balefull stowers,
That with Duke
Robert went against the Pagan powers.
And in their countries right, as Cressy those that stood,
And that at Poyters bath'd their bilbowes in French blood;
Their valiant Nephewes next at Agincourt that fought,
Whereas rebellious France vpon her knees was brought.
[Page 573]In this religious house at some of their returnes,
When nature claim'd her due, here plac't their hallowed vrnes:
Which now deuouring Time, in his so mighty waste,
Demollishing those walls, hath vtterly defac't.
So that the earth to feele the ruinous heapes of stones,
That with the burth'nous weight now presse their sacred bones,
Forbids this wicked brood, should by her fruits be fed;
As loathing her owne wombe, that such loose children bred.
But I will come to the quarrell of the houses of Yorke and Lancaster, which filled vp our Ladies Chappell here, with the dead bodies of the Nobilitie, slaine in and about this Towne of Saint
Albans; whose funerall Trophies are wasted with deuouring time, and seates or Pewes for the Townesmen made ouer their honorable remaines. Of these Lords here buried, thus writeth the old Poet,
Iohn Gower.
Quos mors, quos Martis sors saeua, suaeque sororis
Bella prostrarunt, villae medioque necarunt,
Mors sic occīsos tumulauerat hic simul ipsos,
Postque necem requiem causauit habere perennem
Et medium sine quo vult hic requiescere nemo;
Hic lis, hic pugna, mors est qui terminat arma,
Mors, sors, & Mauors qui strauerunt Dominos hos.
But amongst so many of the Nobilitie here interred, I finde few remembred, saue
Edmund Duke of Somerset,
Henry Earle of Northumberland, and
Iohn the valiant old Lord
Clifford.
The death of this
Edmund Duke of Somerset,
Edmund Duke of Somerset. grandchilde to
Iohn of
Gaunt, sore grieued King
Henry the sixth; because in him he had alwayes put great trust and confidence: being a chiefe Commander, and one who had long gouerned Normandy, beene Regent of France, and for his countries sake had alwayes right valiantly borne himselfe against the French. Yet his actions, whatsoeuer they were, did not please the common people; nor many other of ranke and qualitie in those times. For
Harding who liued in those dayes, thus writ of him.
Thei slewe the Duke
Edmond,
Hard. ca. 234.
then of Somerset,
For cause he had the realmes wele so lette.
He was slaine vnder the signe of the Castle in the Towne, being long before warned (as it is reported) to auoide all Castles.
Henry Lord
Percy,Henry Earle of Northumberland. Earle of Northumberland aforesaid, was the sonne of
Henry, surnamed
Hot-spurr, slaine at the battell of Shrewsbury by King
Henry the fourth. But his fathers offence, and his Grandfathers, being forgiuen him, he was restored to his Grandfathers dignities by
Henry the fifth, to whom, and to his sonne
Henry the sixth, he euer continued a loyall subiect, stoutly maintaining their right to the Crowne of England; in which quarrell he here lost his life.
The old Lord
Clifford here interred, is specially remembred in the battell,
[Page 574] for so valiantly defending and strongly keeping the Barre-yates and entrance in the Towne;
[...] insomuch that the Duke of Yorke had euer the repulse, vntill great
Warwicke brake in by a garden side, with a noise of Trumpets and voices, crying, A
Warwicke, a
Warwicke. Whereupon ensued that fierce and cruell battel in which this valourous old Lord manfully lost his life. Of these two last remembred, will you reade this Stanza.
[...]
Therle then of Northumberland was there
Of sodein chaunce drawen furth by the kyng
And slain vnknowne by any manne ther were
The Lord
Clifford ouer busie in werking
At the Barres them mette sore fightyng
Was slain that day vpon his owne assaute
As eche manne saied, it was his owne defaute.
This battell wherein they were slaine, was the first battell at Saint
Albans, which was fought in the yeare 1455. the Thursday before Pentecost.
Iohn Whethamsted, the fore remembred Abbot, made certaine Epitaphs for religious persons, and others here interred; as also in other Churches hereabouts. Which for the most part are now either taken away by time, or stolne away with the brasse from their Graue-stones; which, howsoeuer I know not well how to appropriate to the Persons for whom they were intended. Yet it will not be lost labour to take and imprint them out of the Manuscript,
[...] for that the Reader may see the rare compositions in that age.
1.
Duplex est vita, duplex mors, corporis vna;
Nominis
[...]
astch altra, miserorum mors ea dicta.
Non sic hic obijt, non sic hic nunc requiescit,
[...]mo mors prima fuit illi vita secunda.
Et si quod rapere voluit mors id tribuisse
Fertur, quasque dare tenebras has surripuisse
Estque lucet sic ei lux perpetue requiei.
Atque libro vite quo nunc inscribitur ipse,
Nomen eius legitur & cum sanctis numeratur.
2. Vpon a Prior of this house here buried, who was neuer beloued in his life time, yet much bewailed after his death.
Quem dens momordit liuoris dummodo vixit,
Linguaque detraxit, mors nunc bene glorificauit.
Nunc redeunt varia tumulata prius benefacta;
Famaque recrescit, liuor post facta quiescit.
Nunc acus invidie, lingue fel, serra loquele,
Carpere cessarunt: nunc aicere sic didicerunt.
Quando cadens obijt abijt pater hicque recessit;
Secum dapsilitas secum virtus & honestas.
Istius Ecclesie quasi plangentes abiere.
[Page 575]Secum claustrale frenum que iugum Monachale
Migrarunt eciam; claustro dederantque salutem.
Secum vera fides, bine secumque sorores,
Ibant ad puteum, dixere, locoque tuantem
Secum fertilitas, pietas, secumque facultas,
Que parcit miseris, sua que confert & egenis:
Secum Iusticia, pax, & lex, & policia.
In breuibus quicquia virtutem gignere possit,
Secum transiuit, abijt, secumque recessit
Cur Dominus secum, secum requies in idipsum.
3. Vpon a Monke buried in this Church.
Alter honestatis Sol serens & grauitatis,
Hesperus ac morum, lampas rutilans monachorum,
Nunc occultatur; hic sub modio tenebratur.
Nec tribuit lumen Claustro quod tribuit olim;
Mors eclipsari cansauerat & tenebrari:
Est tamen Eclipsis hee eius particularis.
Nam sua seu prima nunc vita latet tenebrata,
Altera sic lucet, sic nomen eique resplendet,
Quod per defectum nunquam patietur Eclipsim:
Nam per vim fame stat mortis vulnus inane;
Cur exoretur pro Patre pioque rogetur,
Lux quia vera fuit subiectis dummodo rexit
Semper perpes ei lux luceat, ac requici.
Pausa sit perpetue, vita vinat duplicique,
Nominis, ac anime, sic vinere vult meruitque.
4. Vpon a Monke of this Abbey here entombed.
Quem Natura mirum natu fecit generosum,
Grataque sors Dominum, mos atque patrem Monachorum,
Nunc abijt, sed non obijt, quia nomine viuit
Nec recubat, magis astch vigilat, quia fama superstes,
Vestitu Maurus, fuit, in victu Benedictus,
Pacomius monitis, Basilius & rudimentis:
Nec sibi defuerat ipsum decuit quod habere,
Impar nam steterat, & Pater absque pare.
Pro Pastore pecus, plebs pro domino gemit omnis,
Almaque Sponsa flet cecidisse virum.
Astra tamen ciuem letentur habere perhennem,
Exultatque Polus quod sit ei thalamus.
5. Vpon a Monke of this house here buried.
Qui lacrimans Lazarum revocasti quadraduanum,
Ad vitam Monachum reuoces sic hic tumulatum.
[Page 576]Fac tecumque frui requie cum luce perhenni:
Vendicat ex iure, vixit Monachaliter ipse.
6. Vpon another Brother of the Couent here interred.
Iste Pater, pater iste, pius, Pater hic tumulatus;
Et pater, & mater, Pedagogus eratque minister
Dum rexit, pecorum fuerat, cur quod tribuendum,
Quatuor hijs restat, nunc detur, eique reviuat,
In voto Fratrum quia tot fuit vnus eisdem.
Stoque vices que modos alternauit variantes
Morte premi talem culpat pietas pietatem.
7. Vpon
Iohn Cressy a young youth, of the ancient familie of the
Cressyes, hereby at
Harding.
Dum puer ipse fui, puer & libroque vacaui,
Mortis mole rui, moriens hic me sepeliui.
Heres magnus eram, preclara stirpe que natus;
Dumque superfueram Iohn Cressy rite vocatus.
Qui pretergrederis lege; pro me postque preceris.
8. Vpon another young boy, where buried I know not.
Que iuuenes que senes, pueros, que viros premit omnes
Mors sub mole tua, precor, in te, voce sub ista
Sit tibi posse breue; nunquam fatum puerile
Per te mutetur, sit canus cum morietur.
Vi
[...] vndennis eram morsu cum mortis obibam.
9.
Dum mater plorat, puer hic in morte laborat;
Dumque Petra tegitur rogat vt requies sibi detur.
Vt rogat ipsae sibi sit perpes pax requiei.
Sic nos clamemus, secum pariterque rogemus,
Vt sibi cum requie lux lucescat sine fine.
10. Vpon
Thomas Pakington slaine in the first battell, here in Saint
Albans, who was Sword-bearer to
Henry Lord
Percy, Earle of Northumberland, here also slaine, as I haue said before. He lies buried in Saint
Peters Church in this Towne, with an Epitaph vpon a marble-stone, to the same effect.
Me vis prostrauit, me post mortem tumulauit;
Hac sub mole petre; perij, seu sic periere
Tres magni Domini; fueram tunc scutifer vni
Portitor ac gladij: pax sit eique mihi.
Ipse Thomas dictus Pakington eramque vocatus.
11. Vpon
Margaret Biseworth a Maide.
[Page 577]Qui legis hec memora iacet hic quod femina clara,
Que Margareta fuerat Byesworth vocitata.
Hanc mors seua nimis, etas sibi dum iuuenilis
Infuit, intacto steterat dum corpore Virgo,
Peste sua strauit hic stratam & tumulauit.
M. semel: x querno: C quater, ter & I. sibi iuncto
V. que, die binamartis decies repetita
Transijt à seculo sibi propicius Deus esto.
12. Vpon
Iohn Dunstable an Astrologian, a Mathematician, a Musitian, and what not.
Musicus hic Michalus alter, nouus & Ptholomeus,
Iunior ac Athlas supportans robore celos,
Pausat sub cinere; melior vir de muliere
Nunquam natus erat; vicij quia labe carebat.
Et virtutis opes possedit vnicus omnes.
Cur exoptetur, sic optandoque precetur
Perpetuijs annis celebretur fama Iohannis
Dunstapil; in pace requiescat & hic sine fine.
13. Vpon one
Peter, buried in the lower part of this Quire.
Petrum petra tegit; qui post obitum sibi legit
Hic in fine chori se sub tellure reponi.
Petra fuit Petrus petree quia condicionis;
Substans & solidus quasi postis relligionis.
Hic sibi sub Petra sit pax & pausa quieta.
14. Vpon one
Peter Iones, a Doctor, and a Parson, a confabulatorie Epitaph.
In this Manuscript are diuers other Epitaphs of his making, which I shall meete withall by the way.
I had like to haue forgotten
Alan Strayler,Alan Strayler. the Painter or Limmer out of the pictures, in the golden Register, of all the Benefactours to this Abbey; who for such his paines (howsoeuer he was well payed) and for that
[Page 574] [...][Page 575] [...][Page 576] [...][Page 577] [...][Page 578] he forgaue three shillings foure pence of an old debt owing vnto him for colours; is thus remembred.
Nomen Pictoris Alanus Strayler habetur
Qui sine fine choris celeslibus associetur.
But it is high time to take leaue of the Abbey, which at the first (as you may perceiue by the premisses) was endowed with much land, and many large priuiledges, and daily augmented, and successiuely confirmed by the charters of many of our English and Saxon Kings and Princes; and much enlarged in all by sundrie Abbots, and other sincere well-affected persons. So that before the dissolution such were the priuiledges of this place, that the King could make no secular Officer ouer them but by their owne consent
[...] they were alone quite from paying that Apostolicall custome and
[...], which was called
[...] Rom-scot or Peter-pence: whereas neither King, Arch
[...]ishop, Bishop, Abbot, Prior, nor any one in the kingdome was freed from the payment thereof. The Abbot also (or Monke appointed Archde
[...]con vnder him) had pontificall iurisdiction ouer the Priests and Laymen, of all the possessions belonging to this Church, so as he yeelded sub
[...]tion to no Archbishop, Bishop, or Legate, saue onely to the Pope of
[...]. This Abbot had the fourth place among the Abbots, which sate as
[...]ons in the Parliament house. Howsoeuer Pope
Adrian the fourth,
[...]hose surname was
Breakespeare, borne hereby at Abbots Langley, grant
[...]d this indulgence to the Abbots of this Monasterie; that as Saint
Alban was distinctly knowne to be the first Martyr of the English Nation: so the
[...]bbot of his Monasterie should at all times among other Abbots of Eng
[...]nd, in degree of dignitie, be reputed first and principall. The Abbot and
[...] of this house were acquitted of all Toll through England. They made Iustices,
ad audiendum & terminandum, within themselues; and no other Iustice could call them for any matter out of their libertie. They made Bayliffes and Coroners: They had the execution, and returne of all Writs,
[...] goods of all out-lawes, with Gaole and Gaole deliuerie within themselues. And receiued to their owne proper vse the Rom-scot (before spoken of) throughout all the County of Hertford. This Abbey was surrendred vp by the Abbot and Monkes there; by deliuering the Couent seale into the hands of
[...]. Pope: D. Peter: Master
Cauendish, and other the Kings visitors, the fifth day of December, 1539. It was valued, at a farre vnder
[...]ate, to bee worth of yearely reuenue, two thousand fiue hundred and ten pound, sixe shillings, penny halfe penny, q:
Saint Peters Church in Saint Albans.
This Church and Churchyard was stuft full with the bodies of such as were slaine in the two battells,
[...] fought here at Saint
Albans. In which I finde a funerall Monument for my valiant countreyman, Sir
Bertin Entwisell, who fighting on the Kings partie, died of a wound receiued in the first battell. Vpon whose Tombe this Inscription, inlayd in brasse, is yet to be read.
Here lyth Syr
Bertin Entwisel knyght, which was borne in Lancaster
[Page 579] Shyre, and was Vicound and Baron of Brykbeke in Normandy, and Baliffe of Constantin. Who died the xxviii of May, M.cccc.lv. on whos sowl Iesu have mercy.
Of which Sir
Bertin, thus speaketh
Leland in his Commentaries. Ther is a Viscownt of Brykbek in Normandy, saith he, callyd
Bertyne, or
Berframe Cnitwesell, that cam into England, and was much on the factyon of kyng
Henry the sixth, and slayn at on of the Battels at Saint
Albons, and beryed in the Peroche Chyrch of Seynt
Peter, vnder the plase of the
Lectorium in the Quyre, wheras a memoriall of hym ther yet remeyneth. Ther was a dawghter of this Viscount callyd
Lucy, of whom Master
Bradene of Northamptonshyre is descendyd; and in the same Shyre is a mean gentylman of that name▪
These
Entwisells were gentlemen of good respect in our countrey in our fathers dayes, whose mansion house retaines the name of
Entwisell to this houre: The last heire of which house (as I haue it out of the collections of M.
Dalton, alias Norroy king of Armes) was one
Wilfred Entwisell, who sold the land that was left him, and serued as a Lance at Muselborrowfield, in the second yeare of the raigne of king
Edward the sixth; after that he serued the
Guyes in defence of
Meth. After that he was one of the foure Captaines of the Fort of Newhauen; where being infected with the plague, and shipped for England, was landed about Portsmouth, and being vncertaine of any house, died vnder a hedge, in September,
Ann. 1549.
Raph Bapthorpe the father,
Raphe Babthorpe and
Raphe his soone. and
Raphe the sonne, of
Bapthorpe in the Eastriding of Yorkeshire; which for many descents hath yeelded both name and habitation to that knightly familie; fighting in this Towne vnder the banner of King
Henry the sixth, lost their liues, and here lye buried together; with this Epitaph.
Cum Patre Radulpho Babthorp iacet ecce Radulphus
Filius, bot duro marmore pressus humo.
Henrici sexti Dapifer, Pater Armiger eius,
Mors satis id docuit, fidus vterque fuit.
C. Domini quater M. semel. L. semel V. semel anno
Hos necat haud solos mors truculenta duos.
Lux hijs postrema Maij vicena secunda;
Det Deus hijs lucem, des sine fine diem.
Behold where two
Raulph Babthorps, both the sonne and father lie,
Vnder a stone of marble hard, interr'd in this mould drie:
To
Henry sixth the Father Squire, the sonne he Sewer was,
Both true to Prince, and for his sake they both their life did passe.
The yeare one thousand and foure hundred fiftie five,
Grimme death, yet not alone, did them of breath depriue.
The last day of their light was th'twentith two of May:
God grant them light in heau'n, and without end a day.
In the yere of Crist on thowsand fowr hundryd ful trew wyth fowr and sixteen
Rich. Skipwith.
[
Rychard Skipwith gentylman in birth, late felow of new Inne.
[Page 580]In my age twenti on my sowl partyd from the body in August the sixtenth day,
And now I ly her abyding Gods mercy vndyr this ston in clay,
Desyring yow that this fal see, vnto the Meyden prey for mee
That bare both God and man.
Like as ye wold that oder for yee shold,
When ye ne may nor can.
[...]
Hic duo consortes Skipwith que Ioanna Ioannes
Compa
[...]sant vna, generosus & vnus, et alter:
Vt pariter pausant in pace precare quiescant,
Tu qui metra legis, fic quod requiescere possis.
Hic iacet Georgius S
[...]ipwith Ar.
In this Church are others of this familie interred, whose Monuments are quite defa
[...]ed; of which name, Gentlemen of ancient descent, faire possessions, and knightly degree, do at this day flourish at Cotes in the County of Leicester.
Hic iacet Edwardus Beulled Ar. quondam Magister Ludi venatici in
[...] Abbatis de Sancto Albano & Alicia vxor eius, [...]qui Edwardus
[...]. M.ccc.lxxv.
William Wittor and his wyff
Grase,
[...]
Vndyr this ston ben buryed her,
In hevyn good Lord grant them a plase;
As thow them boght with thy blood so der.
Which
William as her hit doth apper.
The ninth dey of March past this present lyff,
On thowsand fowr hundryd and six yer
Of Crist; whos grase be ther preservatyff.
[...]Hic iacet Edmundus Westby quondam Hundredarius Sancti Albani, &
[...] vxor eius silia & heres Ade Stonham et consanguinea, et heres Alicie
[...].... ob. vltimo di
[...] Iulii M.cccc.xlvii.
[...]Hic iacet Cecilia Westby vxor Bartholomei Westby, que obiit 2.
Iulii Ann. M.cccc.lxxxxv.
[...]Hic iacet Willelmus Westby quondam Hundredarius et Baliuus Libertatis.........
[...]Hic iacet Edmundus Westby Armiger. Iusticiar. pacis in Com. Hert. et Hundredarius ac Baliuus de Franchesia Sancti Albani, et Margareta vxor eius, qui Ed. obiit xviii Septemb. M.cccc.lxxv.
Henry the sixth was in this
Edmunds house (
Hundreder of S.
Albans) during the time of the first battell in the Towne.
[...]
[Page 581]Hic iacet Thomas Astry gener. filius Radulphi Astry militis,Tho. Astry and
Elis. his wifeet Elisabetha vxor eius
[...]ilia Willelmi Skipwith Armigeri, qui quidem Willel. ob..... M.ccccc.vii.
Hic iacet Richardus Raynshaw Armig. seruiens ad arma Regis Henrici octaui .........Rich. Raynshaw Sergeant at Armes.
Here lyth
Thomas Blake gentl. and
Maud his wife.
Tho.
[...]lake. Which
Tho. died the third of December, 1536. 38.
Hen. 8.
De Sudeley Domina natus Iohn Lind que vocatus,
Io. Lind,
Marshall of the Kings Hall.
Morte ruit stratus hic Armiger intumulatus.
Aula Mareschallum quem regia nobilitauit.
Egra lues rapuit, raptum cineri sociauit.
Supplico qui graderes seu in marmore lumina figes.
Ora, cum superis sit sibi pausa pijs.
ob.
3. Septemb. Ann.
1464.
Hic iacet Iohannes Bernwel de villa Sancti Albani in Com. Hert. gen. qui obiit....Io. Bernwell. 1400.
Dummodo vixisti quia spemque fidem tenuisti;
Ful
[...]or & Ecclesie, cultor fuerasque Marie.
Vita, salus, requies tibi cum deitate Iohannes
Sit Bernwel, prima mors, et tua vita secunda.
Hic iacet Symon Bernwel qui ob. 28.
Ian. Ann. 1455.
Simon Bernwel.
Hic iacet Reginaldus Bernwell qui ob. 12.
April. 1477.
Reinold Bernwel
Here lyeth
Brian Lockley, who died .... 1507...... and
Alice Lockley,Brian Lockley. Alice Lockley. who died.... 1546.
Here lyeth
Richard Lockley, Elisabeth and
Agnes his wyfs.
Rich. Lockley, Elis. and
Agnes his wiues. Whych
Richard dyed,
Ann. 1544. for their sowls and al Christian sowls of yowr cherite, say a
Pater Noster and an
Ave.
Vnder a marble stone in the Quire a religious man lieth interred, whose name is worne, or stolne out with the brasse; onely the forme of a Rose remaineth: and in the turnings of the leaues this Inscription.
Lo al that ere I spent, somtym had I.
Al that I gav to good intent, that now hav I.
That which I nether gav nor lent, that now aby I.
That I kept, til I went, that lost I.
An old translation from these Latine couplets following.
Quod expendi, habui.
Quod donani, habeo.
Quod negaui, punior.
Quod servaui, perdidi.
Hic iacet Dominus Edwardus Hill miles ordinis Sancti Iohannis Baptiste,Sir
Ed. Hill knight.qui obiit..... Ann... M.cccccxxxvi.
This knight was one of the Fraternitie of that religious order of S.
Iohns Ierusalem; an Hospitall. Of which I haue spoken in another place.
[...]Hic iacet Thomas Woluey (or
Woluen)
Latomus in Arte, nec non Armiger illustrissimi Principis Ric. secundi quondam Regis Anglie qui obijt Anno Dom. M.ccccxxx. in vigilia Sancti Thome Martyris. Cuius anime propiti
[...] tur Deus. Amen.
This man, as farre as I vnderstand by this Inscription, was the master Mason or Surueior of the kings stone-works; as also Esquire to the Kings person.
[...]Hic iacet Richardus Wolven, or
Woluey Lathonius filius Iohannis Woluen cum vx
[...] Agne
[...]e & Agnete, & cum octo
[...]iliis & decem filiabus suis, qui Richardus ob..... Ann. 1490.
quorum animabus.
[...]Priest.
Vertitur in cineres isto sub marmore corpus
Willelmi Lili, spiritus astra petit.
Quisquis es hoc facies, supplex pia numina poscas,
Vt sibi concedat regna beata poli.
Saint Stephens within Saint Albans.
[...] his wife.Hic iacent Willelmus Robins Armiger nuper Clericus Signeti Edwardi quarti nuper Regis Anglie; & Katherina vxor eiusdem Willelmi, qui quidem VVillielmus obijt iiij. die Mensis Nouembris, Ann. Dom. M.cccclxxxij.
[...] animabus.....
Clericus Signeti, or
Signetti, Clarke of the Signet, is an officer continually
[...] attendant on his Maiesties Secretarie, who alwayes hath the custodie of the priuie Signet, as well for sealing his Maiesties priuie letters, as also
[...] grants as passe his Maiesties hands by Bill assigned; Of these there be
[...] that attend in their course, and were vsed to haue their diet at the
[...] table. More largely you may reade of their Office in the Statute
[...]Ann. 27.
Hen. 8.
ca. 11.
[...]Here lyeth
Robert Turbervile Esquire, and
Dorothy his wife, whych
Robert died 26. Feb. 1529. and
Dorothy 7. Octob. 1521.
Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus miserere nobis.
[...]Here lyeth Sir
Iohn Turbervile Vicar of this Church, who died ..... 1536.....
[...]
Quos tegit hec petra iunxit thorus & domus vna,
Iam puluis factus, William Dauy nomine dictus,
Cum Margareta sponsali fedore iuncta:
Cum prece deuota qui transis sta, precor ora.
[...]Hic iacet Iohannes Gril, quondam Magister Sancti Iuliani, & Vicarius istius Ecclesie, qui ob..... 6.
die Decemb. 1449.
Cuius Anime propitietur altissimus.
About the yeare of the worlds redemption,
Camd. in
[...]. 429. when as the Pelagian heresie budded forth afresh in this Island, and so polluted the British Churches, as that to auerre and maintaine the truth, they sent for
German, Bishop of Auxerre, the place of his birth (a man of moche noble lygnage, taught and enformed wel in the Artes liberalle, lerned in the scyence of the Decretees droytes and lawe,
Iac. de voragine in vit. S. Ger. saith his Legend) and
Lupus Bishop of Troies out of France: who by refuting this heresie, gained vnto themselues a reuerent account among the Britains. but chiefly
German, who hath at this day thorowout all this Island many Churches dedicated to his memorie. Now, vnderstand, that neere to the walls of the old Citie Verulam, was, as then, a plot of consecrated ground, wherein the bodies of such as had professed Christianitie, and suffered martyrdome vnder the persecution of the Romane Emperours,
S.
Germans th
[...] buria
[...]l
[...] many
[...]. were interred. In which the said
German openly (out of the pulpit) preached Gods word to the people; where afterwards the beleeuing Christians built this Chappell, and dedicated it to his honour; for that by his doctrine, and other good meanes, hee had conuerted many thousands to the true profession of Christian Religion. This
German commanded the Sepulchre of Saint
Alban to be opened, and therein bestowed certaine reliques of Saints, that those whom one heauen had receiued, should also be in one Sepulchre together lodged.
Camd. in
[...] Thus much (saith
Camden) I note by the way, that ye may obserue and consider the fashions of that age. This Chappell, or rather the ruines of it, are remaining at this day, and put to a prophane and beastly vse.
The foundations of Sopwell, S. Iulians, and Saint Mary Pree.
About this Towne of Saint
Albons, the Abbots of the Monasterie in a pious and deuout intent erected a little Nunnery at Sopwell, valued but at threescore and eight pound eight shillings,
per annum.
Saint
Iulians Spittle for Lepers, and another named Saint
Mary de Pree, or Saint
Mary in the Medow,
Ger
[...]mbery. for diseased weemen. Neere vnto which they had a great Mannour, named
Gorombery: where Sir
Nicholas Bacon knight, Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England, a man of rare wit and deepe experience (father of Sir
Francis Bacon knight, Lord Verulam, Viscount Saint
Al
[...]an, Lord Chancellour of England, lately deceased, one that might iustly challenge, as his due, all the best attributes of learning) built an house beseeming his place and calling; and ouer the entrance into the Hall caused these verses to be engrauen.
Haec cum perfecit Nicholaus tecta Baconus
Inscriptions.
Elisabeth regni lustra fuere duo.
Factus Eques magni custos fuit ipse sigilli:
Gloria sit soli tota tributa Deo.
Mediocria firma.
Vpon the frontispice of a gate, entring into an Orchard with a garden and a wildernesse, ouer the statue of
Orpheus, these verses are depicted.
In the said Orchard is a little banquetting house most curiously adorned; round about which the liberall Artes are deciphered, with the pictures of some of those men which haue beene excellent in euery particular Art. And first he begins with the Art of Grammer. Thus.
Lex sum sermonis linguarum regula certa,
Qui me non didicit caetera nulla petat.
The pictures of
Donatus, Lily, Seruius, and
Priscian:
This Redborne in times past was a place renowned,
Amphibalus and resorted vnto, in regard of
Amphibalus the Martyrs reliques here found. Who instructed S.
Alban in the Christian faith (as I haue said before) and for Christs sake suffered death vnder
Dioclesian. He was surnamed
Deuanius; for that he was borne vpon the riuer of Dee in Wales, the sonne of a Prince, saith his Legend. A man (saith
Bale) both for learning and good life vnmatchable,
Bale Cent preaching (and that with happie successe) the glad tidings of the Gospell, throughout all the parts of Britaine. For, to escape the execution of the Edict of the Emperour, hee fled from Verulam (with a great number of such as he had conuerted) into the kingdome of Scotland, and into the Isle of Anglesey in Wales; whereof hee was made Bishop, preaching in all places the true and liuely word, disputing and writing against the worshippers of false Gods. But being afterwards apprehended, he was brought to the same place where his Scholler Saint
Alban suffered martyrdome, and whipped about a stake, whereat his intrailes were tied: so winding his bowels out of his body, was lastly stoned to death, like another
Stephen. For whose body some of the persecuted Christians got a stolne buriall here at Redborne; from whence it was remoued with all celebritie, and enshrined by the reliques of (his Scholler) Saint
Alban; in the yeare of Grace 1178. the 25. day of Iune.
[...]Nullum vnquam tam iucundum tam salutarem diem videt Verulamium (saith
Harpsfeeld)
occurrebat enim Martyr martyri, Magistro discipulus, hospes H. spiti, & caelestis cruis conciuicaelesti. The Couent of Saint
Albans had such a care that his reliques should bee deuoutly preserued, that a decree was made by
Thomas then Abbot; that a Prior and three Monkes should be appointed for so sacred an office; for which they were to receiue twenty pounds yearely allowance. Such was the price and estimation in those dayes, of the bones and ashes of religious persons, remarkable for their holinesse.
Cent. 1. This
Amphibalus was a rare Linguist, and a profound Diuine for those times. He writ a booke against the errours of the Gentiles, and certaine Homilies vpon the foure Euangelists, with other learned works mentioned by
Bale.
Sir
Richard Read knight, lieth here entombed. Of whom hereafter, according to my method.
Mergate.
Neare to this Village sometime was a little religious house of Nunnes, of which I neuer read nor heard further, then by an old petition in rime, which runnes by tradition from one traueller to another, as they passe along this thorrow fare. Vpon which I lately happened in a very ancient Manuscript in Sir
Robert Cottons Library: and thus it was deliuered in their English: the words are significant and modest, if you do not misinterpret.
Io. Oundeley.Hic iacet Iohannes Oundeley Rector istius Ecclesie, et de Barugby Lincoln. Dioces. & Canon in Eccles. Colleg. beate Marie de Warwick, & Camerarius ex parte comitis War. in Scaccario Domini Regis, qui obijt 7.
Maij, 1414.
Miserere miserator, quia vere sum peccator,
Vnde precor licet reus miserere mei Deus.
Here are in this Church three wondrous ancient Monuments, whose inscriptions are quite perisht, supposed by the Inhabitants to haue beene made for certaine Noblemen, Lords of this Mannor. Which may very well be true, by these words of our grand Antiquarie Master
Camden.
Somewhat aboue (saith hee) Flamsted sheweth it selfe vpon the hill, which in the time of King
Edward the Confessour,
Leosstane the Abbot of Saint
Albans gaue vnto three Knights,
Turnot, Waldefe, and
Turman, for to defend and secure the countrey thereby against theeues. But
William the Conquerour tooke it from them, and gaue it to
Roger Todeney, or
Tony, a noble Norman, whose possession it was, but by a daughter it was transferred at length to the
Beauchamps, Earles of Warwicke.
Hempstede.
Ro. Albin and
Marg. his wife.Vpon a faire Tombe of marble and Tuch, inlaid with brasse, with the pourtraiture of a man armed, of goodly lineaments, together with his wife, I reade this French Inscription.
Roberd Albyn gist icy
Et Margarete sa femme ouvike luy
Deiu de lez Almes eyt mercy.
Berkamsted.
In the body of this Church stands a stately Tombe, of an antique rich fabricke, strangely depainted, whereon the shape of a man in knightly habiliments, with his wife lying by him, are cut in Alabaster, and about the verge of a large marble thereunto adioyning, this Inscription engrauen in brasse.
Ric. Torington, and
Marg. his wife.Hic iacet Richardus Torynton & Margareta vxor eius, qui quidem Richardus obijt 4.
die Martij .... 1306.
& Margareta ob. 9.
Martii 13...
This
Torynton, as I haue it by relation, was the founder of this Church, a man in speciall fauour with
Edmond Plantaginet, Duke of Cornwall; who was sonne of
Richard Plantaginet, second sonne of king
Iohn, Earle of Cornwall, and king of the Romanes. Which
Richard full of honours and
[Page 587] yeares, ended his life here at his Castle of Berkamsted, but was buried at his Abbey of Hales. Of whom hereafter.
Here are diuers Tombes to the memory of the name of
Waterhouse, whose inscriptions of antiquitie are all taken away with the brasse, and the carefull preseruing of the rest altogether neglected.
Hic iacent Iohannes Waterhouse, & Margaret vxor eius.....
Ecce sub hoc tumulo coniux vxorque iacemus
Io. Waterhouse
and Marg.
his wife.
Eternam pacem donet vterque Deus.
Nil vnquam abstulimus, si quid benefecimus vlli,
Est qui pro meritis premia digna dabit.
Est tamen vna salus Christi miseratio, quam qui
Transis, ambobus sepe prec
[...]re Deum.
Hic iacet Richardus Westbroke qui obiit 29.
Septemb. 1485.
supplicans vobis,Ric. Westbroo
[...]ex charitate vestra, pro anima sua dicere Pater Noster & Ave.
Here lieth
Katherin the wyfe of
Robert Incent,Katherin [...] the father and mother to
Iohn Incent, Doctor of the Law; who hath done many benefytes, and ornaments to this Chappell of St.
Iohn Baptist ..... the twel
[...]th yeere of
Henry the eight.
This
Iohn Incent Doctor of the Law, was Deane of Saint
Paules London, who built in this Towne a free-Schoole, allowing to the Master a stipend of twenty pound
per annum. And to the Vsher ten pound, which was confirmed by Act of Parliament.
Here lyeth
Robert Incent,Robert
[...] late Servant to that noble Princesse
Cicely, Duchesse of Yorke, who dyed of the sweating sicknesse, the first yeere of
Henry the seuenth.
Hic iacet Edwardus de le hay....
Ed. Hay. 1510.
This is an ancient name, flourishing euer since the raigne of
Hen. the second.
Stow. Annal.
Hic iacet Margarita Briggs que ob. 17.
Aug. 1374.
Marg. Briggs.
Here is an ancient monument to the memory of one
Iohn Rauen Esquire,
Io. Rauen. who died in the yeere 1395.
Vnder the Armes of King
Edward the sixth, painted vpon a table, these verses.
Quid sextum dicis? nulli virtute secundus,
Ingenio nulli, nullus in arte prior:
Edwardi insignis sunt haec insignia? Iudi
[...].
In Signis illum deliniare nequis.
Vnder the cote and crest of Doctor
Incent, these Hexameters.
Mira cano, nondum denos compleuerat annos
Cum Pater est Patriae Edwardus, Musisque Patronus▪
So named of the Kings house thereunto adioyning, wherein
Edmund Plantaginet,Foundation
[...]. the fifth sonne of King
Edward the third, was borne; and thereupon surnamed
Edmund of Langley. Hereby was a religious House for preaching Friers, founded by
Roger the sonne of
Robert Helle, an English Baron,
Edmund Planginet Duke of Yorke,
Isabell his wife. valued to be yeerely worth at the suppression, one hundred and fifty pound fourteene shillings eight pence; in the Church of this monasterie the foresaid
Edmund was interred. He was Lord of Tindale, Earle of Cambridge, and Duke of Yorke. He married
Isabell, second daughter and one of the heires of
Peter, King of Castile and Leon, who died before him in the yeare 1393, and was buried in this Friery; by whom hee had issue
Edward Earle of Rutland, Duke of Albamarle and Yorke;
Richard Earle of Cambridge, and a daughter, whose name was
Constance. He had a second wife whose name was
Ioane, daughter of
Thomas Holland, Earle of Kent; who after his death was married to
William Lord
Willoughby of Eresby, to
Henry Lord
Scroope, and to
Henry Bromflet, Lord
Vescy. He is reckoned for one of the Knights of the Garter, and in the absence of his father in France, is said to be Protectour of the Realme of England. Hee is much commended for his affabilitie and gentle deportment, as also for his valour; of which will you heare my often alledged Author,
Io. Harding.
Cup 182▪ 18.4
Sir
Edmond Langley full of gentylnesse:
Sir
Thomas Woodstok full of corage.
For his valour in another Chapter thus.
At whiche battaill, duke
Iohn of Gaunt indede,
And his brother
Edmond then faught full sore:
Were neuer twoo better knightes then thei indede,
That better faught vpon a feld afore.
It was but grace that thei escaped thore.
Thei putte theimselfes so fer furth ay in prees
That wounded wer thei bothe full sore, no lees.
This renowned Duke deceased (saith
Stow) in the yeare 1402. the third of
Henry the fourth, and was here buried neare to his wife, with two of his brethren, who died young.
Pierce Gaueston Fade of Cornwall.Here sometime lay entombed the body of
Pierce Gaueston (a Gascoigne borne) Lord of the Isle of Man, and Earle of Cornwall. A man in such fauour with
Edward the second (hauing before ensnared his youth by the allurements of a corrupt life) that hee had from the said King whatsoeuer could be poured vpon him. For though it might seeme incredible (saith
Speed out of the booke of Dunstable) he both gaue him his Iewels and ancestors treasure, and euen the Crowne it selfe of his victorious father: not sticking to professe (if it lay in him) hee should succeed him in the kingdome. But his insolencie, and presumption vpon the kings fauour, made him so farre to forget himselfe, as that he scorned the best of the Nobilitie, as much as they hated him: miscalling and giuing them scoffes, with bitter iests; which left behinde them a sowre remembrance, and the sting of reuenge.
[Page 589] Of all which my old timer who flourished about those dayes, thus speaketh more seriously in Prose.
Rob. Glocest.
Perys went into the kyngys Tresorye in ye Abbey of Westminstre (saith he)
and yer toke away a tabil of gold wyth the tressel, andotheroyer ryche Iuwels, the whyche wer sumtym king Arthurys: and hem he toke to a merchant yat het Aymery of Friscomband, and bar hem ouer the see into Gascoigne, and yay wer neuer brought ayen, yat was gret harme to yet Reme. And this Sure Perys gretly despysyd the Lordys of ye londe, and atte yat tym Sure Peryscalled.clupyd Robard of Clare ye Erle of Gloucetre Hore sone and ye Erle of Penbrok, Ioseph ye Iew, and ye Erle ofLincolne.Nycol, Sure Henry de Lacy Brokbely, andGuy▪Gowy of Warwike Blak hound of Ardern, and also he clupyd ye nobi
[...] and gentyl Erle of Lancastreearle or chu
[...]le.Eherle, and oyer meny despytes he s
[...]yd to ye Lordys of Englonde wherfor yay weryn sore agreuyd. And so much agrieued they were, that they surprised him in the night at a viliage or mannour called Dathington, or Deddington, betweene Oxford and Warwick, from whence
Guy Earle of Warwick tooke him to his Castle of Warwicke, where in a place called Blacklow (afterward Gaueshead) his head was stricken off the nineteenth of Iune, 1311. at the commandement and in the presence of the Earles of Lancaster, Warwicke, and Hereford, as of one that had beene a subuerter of the Lawes, and an open Traitour to the kingdome. A violent and vnaduised part of these Lords, to put to death an Earle so dearly loued of the King, without any iudiciall proceeding by triall of his Peeres: which caused a lasting hatred betwixt the King and his Nobles, and was the beginning of the second ciuill warre of England. Some two yeares after this Tragedie, King
Edward caused the bodie of his
Gaueston to be transferred, with great pompe, from the place of his former buriall (which was among the Friers Preachers at Oxford) to this Friery of his owne foundation (saith
Stow.) Where he in person with the Archbishop of Canterbury, foure Bishops, many Abbots, and principall Churchmen did honour the Exequies, but few were present of the Nobilitie; whose great stomacks would not giue them leaue to attend. This was the end of that fatall great Fauourite
Gaueston, who, for that hee was the first
Priuado (saith
Sam. Danyel in the life of
Ed. the second) of this kinde euer noted in our History, and was aboue a King in his life, deserues to haue his character among Princes being dead. Which is thus deliuered.
Natiue he was of Gascoine,
Pierce Gaueston described. by birth a Gentlman; and for the great service his father had done to this Crowne, intertained and bred vp by king
Edward the first, in companie with his sonne this Prince, which was the meanes that inuested him into that high fauour of his; Hee was of a goodly personage, of an haughtie and vndauntable spirit, braue and hardie at Armes, as he shewed himselfe in that Turneament which he held at Wallingford, wherein he challenged the best of the Nobilitie, and is said to haue foiled them all; which inflamed the more their malice towards him. In Ireland where he was Lieutenant, during the short time of his banishment, he made a iourney into the mountaines of Dublin; brake and subdued the Rebels there, built Newcastle in the Kernes country, repayred
[Page 590] castle Keuin, and after passed vp into Munster and Thomond, performing euery where great seruice with much valour and worthinesse: Hee seemes to haue beene a Courtier, which could not fawne nor stoope to those he loued not, or put on any disguise vpon his Nature to temporize with his enemies. But presuming vpon his fortune (the misfortune of such men) grew in the end to that arrogancie as was intollerable; which the priuacie of a Kings fauour usually begets in their Minions;
[...] whose vnderstanding and iudgement being dazed therewith, as is their sight, who stand and looke downe from off high places, neuer discerne the ground from whence they ascended. And this extraordinarie fauour shewed to one, though he were the best of men, when it arises to an excesse, is like the predomination of one humour alone in the body, which endangers the health of the whole, and especially if it light vpon vnworthinesse, or where is no desert; and commonly Princes raise men rather for appetite, then merit: for that in the one they shew the freedome of their power, in the other they may seeme but to pay their debt. This old Latine rime was made in those dayes, vpon the death of this
Gaueston: by a Monke of S.
Maries Yorke.
[...]
Dum Petrus seuit propriam mortem sibi neuit
Nunc patet vt nevit, truncatus ense quieuit.
Besides his honours before remembred, he was Protector or Gardian of the Realme, during the Kings aboad in France, about his marriage with
Isabell, the daughter of
Philip the faire French King; which indeed was an office but of eighteene dayes continuance, as appeares by the sequele.
[...].
Turr. [...].Petrus de Gaueston comes Cornubie constituitur Custos Anglie quandiu Rex fuerit in partibus transmarinis, &c. Teste R. apud West. 26.
Decemb. Ann. 1.
Ed. 2.1
pars. pat.
Hic transfretauit Rex ad partes transmarinas, prout patet in rotulis clansarum & sinium, circa 20.
Ianuar. et redijt circa 8.
Feb. Ann. 1.
Ed. 2.
The same yeare he honoured him with the Lieutenancie of Ireland.
[...]Rex misit Petrum de Gaueston comitem Cornubie ad partes Hiber
[...]ie, & constituit ipsum Locumtenentem in partibus eiusdem, quamdiu, &c. Teste R. apud Redings, 16.
Iunij, Ann. 1.
Ed. 2.
To conclude then with a late writer.
.... Great men too well grac'd, much rigor vse,
S. Dan
[...]ll.
Presuming Fauorites mischiefe euer bring:
So that concluding I may boldly speake.
Minions too great argue a king too weake.
Richmansworth.
In the Chappell or buriall place of the ancestors of the
Ashbyes now liuing, this Inscription.
Anne Ashby.Here lieth
Anne Ashby wyf of
Iohn Ashby of Herfeld Esqwyre dawghter of
Thomas Peyton of Iselham Esqwyre; who dyed 22. Oct. 1503. on whos sowl Iesu have mercy. Amen.
Hic iacet Hugo de Holes miles,Sir
[...]ugh [...].
[...]night, and
Margaret his wife.I
[...]sticiarius Banci Regis tempore regui
[...] Ann. 1415.
Hic iacet Margareta que fuit vxor Hugonis Holes.....ob. 1416.5.
die Marcij.
Here lyeth
Iohn Heydon of the Groue Esquyre,
I
[...]hn Heydon▪ W
[...]ll
[...] He
[...]don and
[...] his mother who dyed ... 1400..
Here lyeth....
William Heydon of Newstreere Esquyre, and
Ioane his mother, who buylded the south Isle of this Church, and dyed,
Ann. 1505.
Here lyeth....
William Heydon.... 1500.
The rest of the inscriptions for these
Heydons are quite gone; a name of singular note and demerit in other parts of this kingdome: the losse of one of which name is at this houre much lamented, namely, of Sir
William Heydon knight, a worthy gentleman, a valiant Souldier, and an expert Enginer: who came vnfortunately to his end at the Isle of Rhee.
An. Dom. 1027.
Hic iacet Iohannes de Hakom & Matildis vxor eius qui obiit 4.
die Aug. Ann: 1365.
Ed. 3.39.
Io. de H
[...]kom and
A
[...] aud his wife.
In this Church are diuers funerall Monuments to the memorie of the much honoured families of the
Russels, and
Morisins. Of whom I shall haue occasion by order of method to speake hereafter.
Aldenham.
Here lyeth beried the body of
Iohn Long,Io. Long Alderman and
[...]ady
Margaret his wife. saltyr Cityzen, and Aldyrman of London, and Dame
Margaryt hys wyff: whych
Iohn dyed the vi dey of Iuly, M.Vc.xxxviii. Whos sowl Iesu pardon.
This man was Sheriffe of London in the yeare 1528. borne he was at Berkamsted in this County, being the sonne of
William Long, of the same, gentleman, anciently descended from the
Longs of Wilshire, and father he was to
Iohn Long of Holme Hall, in the County of Derby gentleman; who was father to
George Long Esquire, now liuing, Clerke of the office of Pleas in his Maiesties Court of Exchequer, and one of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the County of Midlesex. He liued after he was made free of London (which was in the eleuenth of
Hen. the seuent) 43. yeares.
Augusti,
Ed. Brooke.
ter quingeni, si dempseris vnum,
Et ter, tres, decies, vt erat verbum caro factum
Trux lux vndena; miseris subtraxit Asylum,
Patronum patrie; decus orbis, lampada morum.
Quem decorant Latria, sapientia, spesque fidesque.
Scilicet Edmund Brook: saluetur vt ipse precemur.
If you will take my construction of this intricate Epitaph, this man (here so much commended) died the eleuenth day of August, M.cccc. lxxxx.
[...]. Dentwell &
Christian his wife.Hic iacent Iohannes Dentwel....& Christiana vxor... 1388.
Here lyeth
William Warner and
Ioan his wyf. Whych
William dyed ....
Will. Warner &
Ioan his wife. 1531. and
Ioan 1588. on whos sowls:
Here vndyr this marble ston
Lyeth
Lucas Goodyer departyd and gon;
It pleasyd the Lord God in Octobre the tenth day,
She being in chyldbed decessyd withoutyn nay;
And
Edmond her liffe sonne lyeth her by,
On whos sowlys Iesu have mercy.
1547.
Raph Stepney.Here lyeth
Raph Stepney Esquyre, the first Lord of the Lordshyp of this Towne of Aldenham, and Patron of this Church. Who dyed 3. Decemb. 1544. on whos sowl Iesu haue mercy. Amen.
In the South wall of this Church the proportion of two weemen lye cut in stone, who (as I haue it by relation) were two Sisters here entombed, the builders of this Church, and coheires to this Lordship, which at their deaths gaue the said Lordship to the Abbey and Couent of Westminster.
Here is now the seate of that right honourable Lord, Sir
Edward Carey, knight, Baron of Falkland, lately Lord Deputie of Ireland. Some of which familie lie here fairely entombed.
South Mimmes.
A seat of a worshipfull familie of the
Coningesbies, saith
Camden, descended to them by
Frowick, from the
Knolles, ancient possessors thereof. In the Belfrey of this Church is a goodly marble stone inlay'd all ouer with brasse, vnder which one of the
Frowicks lieth interred. A gentleman who made his recreations for the good of his neighbours, as appeares by his Epitaph, composed by
Iohn Wethamsted, Abbot of S.
Albans aforesaid.
Hic iacet Thomas Frowick Armig. qui obiit 17.
Mens. Februar. 1448.
& Elisabetha vxor eius,The Frowick &
Elis. his wi
[...]e.que ob—1400—
ac pueri eorundem quorum animabus propitietur altissimus. Amen.
Qui iacet hic stratus Thomas Frowick vocitatus,
Moribus, et natu, victu, gestu, moderatu
Vir generosus erat, generosaque gesta colebat.
Nam quod amare solent generosi, plusque frequentant
In the Quire of this Church lieth entombed the body of Sir
Raph Sadleir,Sir
Raph Sadleir knight Banneret. the last knight Banneret of England; priuye Counsellor to three Princes. A man so aduanced (saith
Camden) for his great Seruices and stayed wisdome. Hee was brought vp vnder politicke great
Cromwell, Earle of Essex (as appeares by the prose and verse engrauen vpon his Monument) who, when he came to mans estate, employed him as his Secretary. But
Henry the eight conceiued so good an opinion of his discreet comportement, and ingenious pregnancie, that he tooke him from the seruice of the sayd
Cromwell about the twentie and sixt yeare of his raigne, made him his principall Secretary; and vsed his aduice in matters of greatest trust and importance, especially in the affaires and passages betwixt the two Realmes of England and Scotland. He continued his loue towards him to the end of his life; and for the speciall trust and confidence hee had in his approued wisedome and fidelitie, together with the Earle of Arundell, the Earle of Essex, and others, he made choise of him for the ayding and assisting of the Executors of his last Will and Testament; by which his last Will (the copie whereof I haue in my custody) he gaue him two hundred pounds as a Legacie.
In the first of
Edward the sixt hee was chosen Treasurer for the Armie sent into Scotland, vnder the conduct of
Edward Duke of Somerset, Protector, and
Iohn Earle of Warwicke; where, in the battell of Musselborrow, he shewed great manhood and prowesse.
His great diligence, saith
Hollinshead, in bringing the scattered troopes into order, and ready forwardnesse in the fray, did worthily merit no small commendacions; After which Battle he with Sir
Francis Brian, Captaine of the light horsemen, and Sir
Raph Vane, Captaine of all the horsemen, were honoured for their valiant good seruice, with the dignitie of Knights Bannerets.
In the tenth yeare of the raigne of Queene
Elisabeth hee was preferred, and aduanced by her, to the Chancellourship of the Dutchie of Lancaster. But his honours and offices are most succinctly engrauen vpon his goodly Tombe, in these Hexameters.
Radulphus Sadlier titulum sortitus Equestrem,
Principibus tribus arcanis, a sensibus vnus;
Auspiciis sum Cromwelli deductus in Aulam
Henrici octaui; quem Secretarius omni
Officio colui, Regique gregique fidelis.
Vexillarum Equitem me Musselburgia vidit;
[Page 594]Edwardus sextus Scotiam cum frangeret armis.
Ducatu Lancastrensi sublime Tribunal
Cancellarius ascendi, quod pondus honoris
Elisabetha meae posuit diadema senectae.
Explesset Natura suas & gloria partes
Maturus facili decerpor ab arbore fructus.
Obijt Ann. Dom.
1587. 29. Elis. aetatis
80.
His Motto.
Servire Deo sapere.
His sonne and heire Sir
Thomas Sadleir knight, lieth interred by him (of whom in another place, for I haue already come nearer to these times then I determined) the father of
Raph Sadleir Esquire, that bountifull good House-keeper now liuing,
Ann. 1630.
Neare vnto the faire builded mansion house of the said
Raph Sadleir some time stood a little religious fabricke of
Austine Friers, but by whom founded, or how endowed, I doe not finde. It was a cell to the Priory of
Clare in Suffolke, some part of which cell is standing at this day.
Sir
Will. Coffin knight.Here lyeth Syr
William Coffyn knyght, somtym of the privy Chamber to king
Henry the eight, and master of the Horse to Quene, hygh Steward of the liberty and Mannour of Stondon. Who dyed viii of December, M. cccccxxxviii.
Io. Iseley and
[...].Here lyeth
Iohn Iseley somtym Alderman of London. Who dyed .... M. cccclxxiiii, and
Iohn his sonn, who dyed the same yere.
Iohn Curteys.Here lyeth
Iohn Curteys Stockfishmonger of London. Who dyed the the xxiiii of September, M.cccclxv.
Philip Asteley & his wi
[...]es.Here lyeth
Phillep Astley Esquyre, who dyed the xiiii of Iuly, in the yere M.cccc....
He had foure wiues,
Lettis, Margaret, Elisab. and
Alice.
Digswell.
Io. Perient and
Ioane his wife.Hic iacent Iohannes Perient Armiger pro corpore Regis Richardi secundi: et Penerarius eiusdem Regis. Et Armiger Regis Henrici quarti. Et Armiger etiam Regis Henrici quinti; Et Magister Equitum Iohanne filie Regis Nauarr, et Regine Anglie qui obiit ........ et Iohanna vxor eius, quondam capitalis Domicilla...... que obijt xxiiij Aprilis. Ann. Domini, M ccccxv......
This Inscription here engrauen to the memory of such a remarkeable man, being Squire for the Body to three such potent Princes, Ensigne or Penon-bearer to one, and Master of the Horse to
Ioane, the second wife of King
Henry the fourth, giues me occasion to speake somewhat in particular of these his honours and offices. And first in generall of the signification and Etymology of the name of Esquire.
Next in degree after knights (saith
Camden in his treatise of Degrees of States in England) are Esquires, termed in Latine
Armigeri, that is, Costrels, or Bearers of Armes, the same that
Scutiferi, that is, Shield-bearers, and
Homines ad arma, Men at Armes: the Gothes called them
Schilpor,[Page 595] all, of carrying the Shield: as in old time among the Romanes, such as were named
Scularij, who tooke that name either of the Escutcheons of Armes which they bare as Ensignes of their descent, or because they were Armour-bearers to Princes, or to the better sort of Nobilitie.
Ranulph Earle of Chester, giues
Viello Armigero suo tenementum in Bruhello,Cart. Ranul. Com. cestrie. to
Viell his Esquire a Tenement in Bruhell. And so Archbishops, Bishops, Barons, knights,
& huiusmodi Magnates,Flesa. lib. 1.
ca. 27. and such sort of Peeres of the kingdome had their Esquiers.
In times past euery knight had two of these waiting vpon him: they carried his Morion and Shield; as inseparable companions they stucke close vnto him, because of the said knight their Lord, they held certaine Lands in Escuage, like as the knight himselfe of the king by Knights seruice.
The old
Gaulish knights (saith
Selden) sate at their round table attended by their Esquires.
Tit. of Honor.
Par. 2.
ca. 10.
The Germans called an Esquire Schild-knapa, or Shield-knaue, or knaue, a denotation of no ill qualitie in those dayes. For here note by the way, that
Iohannes de Temporibus, Iohn of the Times (so called for the sundrie times or ages he liued) was Shield-knaue vnto the Emperour
Charles the Great. Of whom he also was made knight, as
Verstegan affirmes in his Treatise of Honor and Offices.
The Interpreter out of
Hotoman,Io. Cowell. Dec. l. C.
lit. E. saith that these which the French men call Escuiers, wee Esquiers, were a militarie kind of vassall, hauing
ius Scuti, which is as much to say, as that they bare a Shield, and in it the Ensignes of their Familie, in token of their gentility or dignitie.
But these Esquires,
Fiue sorts of Esquires. of whom I haue already spoken, be now no more in any request; fiue distinct sorts are onely remaining of these at this day.
The principall Esquires are accounted those that are select Esquires for the Princes bodie, and such a one was
Perient here interred
Inter Armigeros qui f
[...]unt non nascuntur Primarij habentur quatuor illi Armigeri ad corpus Regis:Glossar. lit.
[...]. Amongst Esquires which are made so by their offices (not so borne) those foure Esquires to the kings bodie are chiefe and princiall, saith Sir
H. Spelman. The next vnto them be knights eldest sonnes: and such an Esquire was the knights sonne in
Chaucer, who attended his father on pilgrimage to
Thomas Beckets Shrine, as doth appeare by their characters in the Prologues to the Canterbury tales. Of which so much as tends to this purpose.
A Knyght ther was, and that a worthy man,
That fro the tyme that he first began
To riden out, he loued cheualrie,
Trouth, honour, freedome, and courtesie.
—he was late come fro his voyage,
And went for to done his pilgrimage.
With him there was his son a yong squire,
A louer, and a lusty Bachelere:
With his locks crull as they were laid in presse,
Of twenty yere of age he was as I gesse.
Curteys he was lowly and servisable,
[Page 596]And kerste before his Fader at the table.
In a third place are reputed younger sonnes of the eldest sonnes of Barons, and of other Nobles in higher estate; and when such heires males faile, together with them also the title faileth.
In a fourth ranke are reckoned those, vnto whom the King himselfe, together with a title, giueth Armes, or createth Esquires, by putting about their necke a siluer collar of
[...]S S, and (in former times) vpon their heeles a paire of white spurres siluered: whereupon at this day in the West parts of the kingdome, they be called
White-spurres, for distinction from knights, who are wont to weare gilt spurres: and to the first-begotten sonnes onely of these doth the title belong.
In the fifth and last place be those ranged, and taken for Esquires; whosoeuer haue any superiour publicke Office in the common weale, or serue the Prince in any worshipfull calling.
But this name of Esquire, which in ancient time was a name of charge and office onely, crept first among other titles of dignitie and worship (so farre as I could euer obserue, saith
Camden) in the raigne of
Richard the second.
In ancient deeds we finde little mention made of gentlemen or Esquires, but since the time of
Henry the fourth these additions to names haue beene vsually inserted in writings, by reason of the Statute of the first of
Henry the fifth,
cap. 5. that in all cases wherein Processe of Outlary lieth, additions shall be made of the estate, degree, or Misterie of which the parties sued are.
This
Perient is here stiled also
Penerarius, Ric. secundi, because (as I coniecture) he had the carriage of the Kings Penon. Which word signifieth a Banner or Ensigne carried in warre; or a little Streamer worne on the top of a lawnce by a Horseman. A word borrowed from France: for Penon in French signifieth the same thing.
Cowell.
[...].Master of the Horse (which office this deceased Gentleman enioyed vnder the Queene as aforesaid) is he that hath the rule and charge of the Kings or Queenes stable, being an office of high account.
Hitching.
[...]. Polter.Here lyeth
Willyam Polter Gentylman who dyed the xx day of May in the fyfth yere of kyng
Henry the eygth.
The
[...]rierie.Here adioyning to the Towne was a Priory of white Friers Carmelites, founded by king
Edward the second,
Iohn Blomvill, Adam Rouse, and
Iohn Cobham: and dedicated to the Honour of our alone Saviour, and the blessed Virgine; valued in the Kings books vpon the surrender thereof (which was vpon the ninth of May,
Ann. 26.
Hen. 8.) but at 4. l. 9. s. 4. d.
Kinesburne or Kinesbourgh.
Here lyeth the carkasse of an old Castle interred in her owne ruines; which in former times gaue entertainment to certaine obnoxious persons,
[Page 597] which called themselues the kings loyall good Subiects; and the chiefe preseruers of his peace throughout all the adiacent countries:
Mss in bib. cou▪ as it is in the golden Register of S.
Albans, as followeth.
Stephanus Rex ad petitionem Abbatis Roberti, & ob honorem Albani Martyr is permisit dirui castrum de Kynesbury, vbi antiquis temporibus latebant quidam Regales nequam homines Abbathie nimis infesti, & damnosi, dicentes se Regis esse fideles, et custodes pacis patrie, cum potius pacem & patriam perturbarent.
King
Stephen at the request of
Robert Abbot of Saint
Albans, and for the honour he bore to the holy Martyr S.
Alban, gaue commission for the pulling downe of the Castle of Kinesbury; wherein in ancient times, certaine imperious wicked persons, wondrous much offensiue and malicious to the Abbey, tooke vp their priuie lodgings; saying that they were the Kings faithfull seruants, and keepers of the peace of the countrie; when as to the contrary they rather ouerthrew and disquieted all peaceable gouernment, and the whole countrey.
Here end the Monuments in the Countie of Hartford.
Essex.
West Ham.
QVeene
Mawd,Foundation of the Abbey of West Ham.
Cart. Antiq. Litera
[...]. wife to king
Henry the first, passing ouer the riuer of Ley at Ouldford, hardly escaped danger of drowning: after which shee gaue order that a little beneath, at Stretford, there should be a bridge made ouer the water; going ouer which towards West Ham, I saw the remaines of a Monasterie, pleasantly watered about with seuerall streames, which
William Montfichet (a Lord of great name of the Norman race) built, in the yeare of our Lord, 1140. The reuenues of this house were much augmented and confirmed by king
Richard the second, in the tenth yeare of his raigne, as by his charter amongst the Records in the Tower appeareth. Dedicated it was to the honour of Christ, and
Mary his blessed mother, replenished with blacke Monkes. And valued at the suppression to be worth 573. l. 15. s. 6 d. ob. q.
Diuers other beside the founder endowed this religious Structure. Some of whose donations I finde to be confirmed by the said
William Montfichet in this manner.
Willelmus de Montefixo omnibus prepositis & ministris & hominibus suis tam Francis quam Anglis Salutem.In bib. Co
[...]t.Sciatis quod ego concedo et confirmo donationem quam fecerunt Ecclesie Sancte Marie de Ham; Matheus Geron, de tota terra sua de Cambridg cum pertinenciis absque omni servicio; & Geraldus de Hamma de vno prato per concessum Martini filia sui, & aliorum siliorum suorum. Donationem etiam quam fecit ergo Capellanus meus
[...]ecime Dominii mei, &c. Quod si quis hominum meorum Elemosinam de terra facere voluerit, quod de feodo meo sit, non concedo vt alibi det nisi ad Abbatiam meam de Ham. Et insuper si quis hominum meorum quicquam beneficii deinceps eidem Ecclesie facere voluerit in terra, prato vel quacanque re libere
[Page 598] donet, hec, omnia que et ego concedo confirmo Abbatic & Monachis de Ham
[...]perpetuum. Precor igitur omnes homines meos vt islam meam Elemosinam manuteneant et conseruant. Hiis testibus Margareta vxore mea, Richardo de Poylei, Humfrido filio Eustachii Willelmo filio Richardi Willelmo de Byron. The Seale of this deed is in blouddy waxe.
[...]amd in Essex.The Baronie or habitation of this familie
de Monte Fixo, or
Montfichet, was
Stansted in this County, from whom the Towne is called Stansted Montfichet to this day. They were reputed men of very great Nobilitie; vntill that their ample inheritance was diuided among three Sisters. One of which progenie, namely
Richard, was in the raignes of king
Iohn and
Henry the third famous for his high prowesse and chiualrie: Three the most forcible and valiant knights of England (saith
Stow) in those dayes were
Robert Fitz-water, Robert Fitz Roger, and
Rich. Mont-Fichet.
Io Hamerton Edub his wife, and
Rich. his brother.Here lieth
Iohn Hamerton Esquvr, Sergeant at Armes to kyng
Henry the eyght, and of
Edith his wife, and
Richard Hamerton his brother of the Parysh of Fedston in the County of Yorke. Which
Iohn and
Richard fell both sicke in an houre and died both in one houre,
Ann. Dom. M.ccccc.xii. on whose Sowles Iesu haue mercy. Amen.
H
[...]n. Ketleby.Hic iacet Henricus Ketleby quondam Serviens illustrissimi Principis Henrici filii metuendissimi Regis Hen. septimi qui obiit 8.
die Augusti, 1508.
Marg. Ketleby.Hic sub pede iacet Margareta quondam vxor Iohannis Ketleby de Com. Wigorn. Armig. que obiit 10.
die Iunii.....
Io. Eglesfeeld &
Edith
[...] his wife.Of your cheritie prey for the sowles of Io.
Eglesfeeld, who died 13. of August, 1504. and for the sowl of
Edith his wyf. Who died 22. of Iune 1533.
Walter Frost, &
Anne his wife.Of your cherite prey for the soul of
Walter Froste of West Ham, Esquyr, and Sewar to kyng
Harry the eyght, and of
Anne his wyff, doughter of ..... and widow of
Richard Caly Merchant of the Staple of Calis. Which
Anne died the xxiii of October 1527.
For the word Sewar, saith
Minshew, I haue heard of an old French book containing the Officers of the king of Englands Court, as it was anciently gouerned, that he whom in Court we now call Sewar, was called
Asseour, which commeth from the French
Asseoir, to set, setle, or place, wherein his Office in setting downe the meate is well expressed.
Or Sewar, saith he, is deriued perhaps from the French word Esquire,
id est, a Squire, because he goeth before the meat as a Squire or Gentleman Vsher. The Fees allowed to this Officer in the raigne of Queene
Elizabeth (as I haue it out of a generall collection of all the Offices of England in her dayes) was thirtie and three pounds thirteene shillings foure pence.
Val. Clark and
Elis. his wife.Orate pro anima Valentini Clerke & Elisabethe vxoris eius qui quidem Valentinus obiit 6.
die Iunii 1533.
et dicta Elisabetha.....
Waltham Stow.
Sir
George Monox Lord Ma
[...]or.Here lyeth Sir
Georg Monox knight, somtym Lord Maior of London, and Dame
Ann his wyfe, whych Sir
Georg dyed..... 1543. and Dame
Ann—1500.
This Lord Maior, reedified the decayed Steeple of this Church, and added thereunto the side Isle, with the Chappell wherein he lieth entombed.
[Page 599] He founded here a faire Almeshouse in the Churchyard, for an Almesse Priest, and thirteene poore Almesse people, which he endowed with competent reuenues. He also made a cawsey of timber for foot Trauellers ouer the marshes, from this Towne to Lock-bridge.
Ilford.
Hic iacet Thomas Heron filius & heres Iohannis Heron militis Thesaurar▪ Camere Domini Regis,Tho. Heron.qui obiit in Alderbroke, 18.
Martii 1517.
et Ann. Reg. Regis Henrici 8.
nono.
The valiant Familie of the
Herons,Camd. in Northumb. or
Heiruns, in foregoing ages, were the warlike possessors of very large reuenues in the County of Northumberland; parcels of whose Baronie, was
Chipches Tower, Swinborne and Foard Castles, belonging now to the houses of the
Woderingtons, and
Carrs.
Raynam.
Hic iacet Richardus Pasmer generosus,
Rich. Pasmer. quondam Scriba communis Thesauri, pro Magistro et conventu Rhodi in Prioratu Sancti Iohannis Ierusalem in Anglia, nec non Seneschallus Hospitii Sancti Iohannis, tempore reuerendi Patris fratris Willelmi Tournay Prioris; ac etiam Superuisoris omnium Maneriorum, terrarum et tenementorum infra regnum Anglie, ad Priorem dicti Prioratus pertinentium, tempore presati Prioris, ac tempore reuerendorum Patrum fratrum Io. Longstrother, Io. Weston: Io. Kendall.... obiit vii die Octob. Ann. Dom. M.ccccc.
Barking.
Here lyeth
Rychard Cheyney and
Ioane his wyf.
Rich▪ Cheney &
Ioane his wife. Whych
Rychard dyed 1514. on whos.
...
Iohn Scot and
Ioane his wyf...
Io. Scot and
Ioane his wife. 1519.
Vnder the picture of a Ship sailing in the haven, this Inscription.
Desiderata porta.
Inveni Portum,
Sub pictura Na
[...]is in portu navigan
[...]s.
spes, et fortuna valete;
Nil mihi vobiscum, ludite nunc alios.
Here are to be seene the ruines of the first Nunnery in England, built in the infancie of the Saxons conuersion to Christianitie,
Io. Ca
[...]graue in vit. Erken. by
Erkenwald Bishop of London; which he dedicated to the honour of Christ, and the blessed Virgine
Mary his mother, in which he placed blacke Nunnes▪ and made his Sister
Ethelburgh the first gouernesse or Abbesse ouer the rest.
S. Ethelburgh. Wherein she deuoutly spent her dayes, and died the 5. of the Ides of October, about the yeare 678.
Her next successor was
Hildetha,s. Hildetha. who gouerned her charge with great austeritie and strictnesse of life for many yeares, till being ouerladen with de
[...]epit old age, she laid aside the burthen of mortality, and entred into the
[Page 600] ioyes of heauen, the Ides of December, about the yeare 721. Many miracles (saith venerable
Bede) were wrought here in this Church (famous for the Sepulture of these and other Saints) at the Shrynes of these holy handmaidens of God,
Lib. 4
ca
[...] cum su
[...] pun
[...]i
[...]us. much confirming the doctrine of those dayes for which (in that most pregnant and fruitfull age of Saints) they were canonized, and their dayes kept holy. This house was valued at the suppression to be worth 1084. l. 6. s 2. d. ob. q.
In nomine Dei nostri et Saluatoris Iesu Christi. Ego Erkenwaldus Episcopus Prouincie Est Saxonum seruorum Dei seruus. Dilectissimis in Christo sororibus in Monasterio quod appellatur Berecing habitantibus quod deo auxiliante construxi. Concedo vt tam vos quam posteri vestri in perpetuum vt constructum est ita possideatis. Et ne quis Presul
[...]uiuslibet sit ordinis, vel qui in meum locum successerit, vllam in eodem Monasterio exerceat potestatem Nec sui iuris ditione,The charter of
Erkenwild to the Nunnes of Ba
[...]king.
Ex lib. Abb▪ de
[...]arking in bib. Co
[...]s.contra canonum decreta, inquietudines aliquas facere presumat. Ea vero tantum faciat in predicto Monasterio, que ad vtilitatem animarum pertinent; ordinationes Sacerdotum vel consecrationes Ancillarum Dei. Ipsa vero sancta congregatio que propter dei amorem ibidem deo laudes exhibet moriente Abbatissa ex seipsa sibi aliam eligat cum dei timore. Omnes terras que michi ex deuotionibus Regum sunt concesse, ad nomen eiusdem Monasterij quemadmodum donate sunt ex integro et quieto iure possideant, sicut chartule donationum continent, quas in presenti vobis tradidi. Et ne quis sorte improbus negator huius donationis erumpat, ideo sigillatim has terras in hac chartula enumerandas et nominandas optimum duxi. Quarum prima, &c.
Here he reckons vp all the Mannors, Lordships, and other donations to this his Monasterie in particular: concluding thus.
Si quis autem Episcoporum cuiuslibet dignitaris fuerit, velsi quis omnium secularium potestatum contra hanc chartulam canonice et regulariter a me constitutam contendere presumpserit, vel aliquid ex inde subtrahere; sit seperatus a consortio Sanctorum in hoc seculo omnium, et in futuro celestis Regni portas clausas contra se vndique inveniat a Sancto Petro clauiculario celestis Regni a quo michi licentia huius Priuilegij data et permissa fuerat, per os beatissimi Agathonis Apostolice sedis Presulis, cum Romam adij ante an. xviii. Ann. ab incarnatione Domini, DC. lxxvij. Chartula autem hec a medictata, confirmata in sua stabilitate nichilominus maneat.
✚
Ego Erkenwaldus Episcopus Donator pro confirmatione subscripsi.
✚
Ego Wilfridus Episcopus consensi et subscripsi.
✚
Ego Hedda Episcopus consensi et subscripsi.
✚
Ego Guda Presbyter et Abbas consentiens subscripsi.
✚
Ego Eghaldus Presbyter et Abbas consentiens subscripsi.
✚
Ego Hagona Presbyter et Abbas consentiens subscripsi.
✚
Ego Hooc Presbyter et Abbas consentiens subscripsi.
Hic iacet Richardus Treswel filius Iohaunis Treswel generosi qui obijt 18
Iulij 1509.
Richard Treswel.
Here lieth
Anne Barentine,Anne Lady
Barentine. wyf to Syr
William Barentine, who dyed 27 Decem. 1522. on whos.
Here lieth Sir
Thomas Vrswicke Knight.....
Sir
Tho. Vrswick Knight. Recorder of London, who died.....
By the meanes of this Recorder
Vrswick, (whose perswasions were forcible with the Citizens) King
Edward the fourth was receiued into London,
Stow. Annal. with generall applause,
Anno regni sui vndecimo; who, entring into the Bishop of London his Palace by a Posterne gate, there tooke King
Henry the sixt, and the Archbishop of Yorke,
George Neuill, Prisoners, and sent them both to the Tower on Maundy Thursday.
Here lieth
Elizabeth Fitz-Lewis,Elis. Lady
Fitz-Lewis. wyfe of Sir
Richard Fitz-Lewis, daughter of Sir
Raph Sheldon: she dyed the second of Ianuary, M.ccccc.xxii. vpon whos sowl.
Thorndon, not farre off, where now the Lord
Petre hath a goodly faire house,
Camd. in Essex. was in times past, (saith
Camden) the dwelling place of this worshipfull Familie of
Fitz-Lewis; the last of which name (if wee may beleeue the common report,) by occasion that the house happened to be set on fire in the time of his wedding feast, was piteously himselfe therein burnt to death.
Wennington.
In the Church of this little Parish which (as I am told) containes but twelue Mansion houses, are three ancient monuments, shamefully defaced, howsoeuer some fragments of their inscriptions remaining. ......
Gilderburgh ....l' an de grace... Mil. ccc.lxxxix. .....:
Ioanna & Ioanna Enfants Iohan et Mariore de Gildesburgh gisent icy.Gilders
[...]urgh.Dieu de lour almes eit Mercy. Amen. ..... Mariori qe fust la seme Iohan de Gildesburgh gist icy, Dieu des'alme eit mercy. Amen.
Aueloy.
Hic iacet Radulphus de Kneuynton,
Raph Kn
[...]uinton. obitus eius die Iouis ante sestum sancti Nicholai Anno Dom. M.ccc.lxxiii. Reg. Regis Ed. tertij xlvii. litera Dominicalis F.
Hic iacet Editha Pert, vxor Willelmi Pert, que in vita sua prudens fuit et fidelis ob. xxviii. Septemb. M.cccc.l.vii. cuius anime.
[...] Knight.Hic iacet Ingstramus Bruin miles quondam Dominus istius Ville et huius Ecclesie Patronus, qui obijt 12.
Aug. 1400.
One of the Ancestors of this
Bruin, (as I haue it out of a booke of the visitation of Essex in the Heralds office) was Chamberlaine to King
Edward the first, who gaue him the Mannor of Bekingham in Kent, who married
[...]sold, the sole heire of this Mannor of south Okenden, who serued Q.
Elianor, wife to the said King
Edward, which gaue to them diuers Lordships in Hampshire.
[...] [...]ssex. This Familie of
Bruin, saith
Camden, was in former ages, as famous as any one in this tract. Out of the two heires female whereof, being many times married to sundry husbands,
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolke, the
Tirels, Berners, Harlestons, Heueninghams, are descended, and of that house there be males yet remaining in Southamptonshire.
Coringham.
In bib. Co
[...].The Monuments in this Church, (which haue beene many) are quite defaced. I read in an old Manuscript, thus much of the
Baudes there buried, and in other places sometimes Lords of the Towne, and Patrons of the Church.
Anno Domini 1174. Sir
Symon de Baud or
Bauld, Knight, died in the holy land.
The worthy
[...] he
[...].Anno 1189.
Nich. Bauld Knight died in Gallicia in Spaine.
Anno 1216. Sir
Walter Bauld died at Coringham.
Anno 1270. Sir
William Bauld died at Coringham.
Anno 1310. Sir
Walter Bauld died at Coringham.
Anno 1343. Sir
William Bauld died at Coringham.
Anno 1346. Sir
Iohn le Bauld died in Gascoigne.
Anno 1375. Sir
William Bauld died at Hadham Parua.
Anno 1420. on the feast of Saint
Bartholomew, died
Thomas Bauld, or
Bawde, the first Esquire at little Hadham.
Anno 1449.
Tho. Bawde the second Esquier, died at little Hadham.
Anno 1500.
Mens. Iunij obijt Dominus Thomas Bawd miles, obijt apud London, cuius anime propitietur deus.
Anno 1550.
obijt Iohannes Baud Ar. apud Coringham.
This ancient familie of the
Bawdes, Stow saith, as he had read out of an ancient deed, gaue vnto the Deane and Chapter of Pauls, vpon the day of the conuersion of Saint
Paul, a good Doe; and vpon the feast of the commemoration of Saint
Paul, a fat Bucke; in consideration of twenty two Acres of land, by them granted, within their Mannor of Westley in Essex, to be inclosed into their Parke of Coringham. Sir
William Baud about the third of
Edward the first, was the first that granted this deed, which was confirmed by his sonne
Walter, and others of his line.
This Bucke and Doe were brought vpon the said festiuall daies, at the houres of Procession,
S
[...]ru
[...]y in
Far
[...]g ward
[...]. and thorow the Procession to the high Altar; the manner of it is reported by
Stow, who partly (as he saith) saw it, thus.
[Page 603]On the feast day of the commemoration of Saint
Paul, the Bucke being brought vp to the steps of the high Altar in
Pauls Church, at the houre of Procession, the Deane and Chapter being apparelled in Coapes and Vestments, with Garlands of Roses on their heads,
A Bucks head borne before the Procession at Pauls. they sent the body of the Bucke to baking, and had the head fixed on a Pole, borne before the Crosse in their Procession, vntill they issued out of the West dore; where the Keeper that brought it, blowed the death of the Bucke, and then the Horners that were about the Citie, presently answered him in like manner. For the which paines, they had each man of the Deane and Chapter, foure pence in money, and their dinner, and the Keeper that brought it, was allowed, during his abode there for that seruice, meate, drinke and lodging, at the Deane and Chapters charges, and fiue shillings in money, at his going away, together with a loafe of bread, hauing the picture of Saint
Paul vpon it, &c.
There was belonging to the Church of Saint
Paul, for both the daies, two speciall Sutes of Vestments, the one embrodered with Buckes, the other with Does, both giuen by the said
Bauds.
Baud is the surname (saith
Verstegan) of a worshipfull familie in England,
In our name
[...] of contempt. and of a Marquesse in Germany, anciently written
Bade, and the letter
D vsed of our Ancestors in composition, as
th: so the right name is
Bathe, and so this family (might be) tooke the name of some office belonging to the Bathe, at the time of the Coronation of some King, when as the Knights of the Bathe are wont to be made.
Ralegh.
Here is a monument in this Church which makes a shew of great antiquity, but who should be therein entombed, I could not certainly learne; some of the Inhabitants say, that one of the ancient house of the
Alens, other say, that it was made for one of the familie of the Essexes, who were Lords of this towne, and noble Barons of England, both before and since the Conquest:
Swein de Essex, the sonne of
Robert, who was the sonne of
Winmarke, Baron of Ralegh, built the ruined Castle in this towne, in the raigne of
Edward the Confessor, whom the King calleth Brother, in this his Charter to
Ranulph Peperking.
Iche
Edward Koning
Haue geuen of my Forest the keping:
The forme of an old deed of Gift.
Of the hundred of Chelmer and Dancing,
Camd. in Essex out of the Treasurie of the Exchequer
This forme of Grants was vsed both before and after this Kings time, for example.
I King
A
[...]helstane, geues to
Paullane,
Hollins. in the History of Scotland, pag. 248.
Odhiam and Rodhiam,
Als guid and als faire,
Als euyr yay myne waire,
And yarto witnes
Mawd my wyff.
And
William the Conquerour gaue certaine lands by the like deede, to one
Pauline Roydon, the coppie whereof was found in the Registers Office at Glocester, (which I had from my deare deceased friend,
Aug. Vincent,) which is almost all one with that, to the Norman Hunter, collected by
Iohn Stow out of an old Chronicle in the Librarie at Richmond.
I
William, Kyng, the thurd yere of my reigne,
Geue to the
Paulyn Roydon, Hope and Hopetowne,
With all the bounds both vp and downe.
From heuen to yerth, from yerth to hel,
For the and thyn ther to dwel.
As truly as this Kyng right is myn;
For a crossebow and an arrow,
When I sal com to hunt on Yarrow.
And in teken that this thing is sooth,
I bit the whyt wax with my tooth.
Befor
Megg, Mawd, and
Margery,
And my thurd Sonne
Herry.
Such was the good meaning of great men in those daies, that a few words did make a firme bargaine: but to returne from whence I haue digressed.
Will. Ta
[...]burgh.Orate pro anima Wilielmi Talburgh quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie, qui obijt apud London in Parochia Sancti Petri apud Cornhil. 5.
Decemb. 1420.
Es testis Christe, quod non iacet hic lapis iste,
Corpus vt ornetur, sed spiritus vt memoretur.
Hinc tu qui transis, magnus, medius, puer an sis,
Pro me sunde preces, quia sic mihi fit venie spes.
[Page 605]Orate pro anima venerabilis viri Richardi Lincolne,Rich. Lincoln
[...].Theologie professor is, & buius Ecclesie Rectoris qui obiit 29.
Iulii 1492.
Talis eris qui calce teris mea busta pedestris
Qualis ego iaceo vermiculosus homo.
Orate pro anima Willelmi Sutton nuper Valecti corone,Will. Sutton &
Ioane his wife.domini Regis & Iohanne vxoris eius, qui ob... 1428.
Valetti (saith learned
Selden) was vsed for young heires,
Titles of Honour.
[...].
p. [...].
ca. 9. or young gentlemen, or attendants. And
Valectus, or
Valettus, to tell you once for all (saith
Camden) was in those daies,
viz. tempore Ed. 3. an honourable title as well in France,
Camden in Yorkeshire. as in England, but afterward, applied vnto Seruants and Groomes: whereupon when the Gentrie reiected it, by changing the name, they began to be called Gentlemen of the Bedchamber.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Barrington,Ioh. and
Tho.
[...].et l homasine vxoris eius, qui quidem Iohannes obiit 8.
die mens. Nouemb. 1416.
et Thomasina obiit 15.
Septemb. 1420.
Quorum animabus.
Ryding from Ralegh towards Rochford, I happened to haue the good companie of a gentleman of this countrey,
[...] Court. who, by the way, shewed me a little hill, which he called the Kings Hill; and told me of a strange customarie Court, & of long continuance, there yearely kept, the next Wednesday after Michaelmas day, in the night, vpon the first cockcrowing without any kinde of light, saue such as the heauens will affoard: The Steward of the Court writes onely with coales, and calleth all such as are bound to appeare, with as low a voice as possiblie he may; giuing no notice when he goeth to execute his office. Howsoeuer he that giues not an answer is deeply amerced; which seruile attendance (said he) was imposed at the first, vpon certaine Tenants of diuers Mannors hereabouts, for conspiring in this place, at such an vnseasonable time, to raise a commotion. The title of the Entrie of the Court, hee had in memory, and writ it downe for me when we came to Rochford. Thus it runnes in obscure barbarous rimes.
Curia de Domino Rege dicta sine Lege,
Tenta est ibidem per eiusdem cons
[...]etudinem.
Anteortum solis luceat nisi polus:
Seneschallus solus scribit nisi colis.
Clamat clam pro Rege; in Curia sine lege.
Et qui non cito venerit citius penitebit.
Si venerit cum lumine, errat in regimine,
Et dum sunt sine lumine capti sunt in crimine.
Curia sine cura iurata de iniuria
Tenta die Mercurij prox. post festum Sancti Michaelis.
Thus much haue I spoken of a Lawlesse Court, for which I haue neither law nor reason. For I am sure that this discourse is impertinent, and quite from the subiect to which I haue tied my selfe to treat of. Yet I hope these lines will not seeme much vnpleasing for my Reader to peruse, when
[Page 606] his minde is ouercharged with dull, heauie, and vncomfortable Epitaphs.
Rochford.
I am looking for some Monument or other in this Church, to the memorie of some one of the Lords of ancient Nobilitie, to which this Towne gaue the Surname of Rochford (as now it giues the title of Viscount Rochford to that truly honourable and right worthie gentleman
Henry Cary, Lord
Hunsden, and Earle of Douer.
Anne SnokeshallPris pur Anne Snokeshall fille Iohn filol de Landmare, qe gist ici: Dieu de salme eit pite et mercy, qe ob iour de Seynt Valentin
[...]an I
[...]su crist, M.ccc.lxxxxvi.
Rose Crymvill.Of your cherite prey for the sowl of
Rose Crymvill, wyf of
Richard Crymvill. Which
Rose desesyd viii. April, M.cccccxxiiii. on her sowl Iesu haue mercy.
Hic iacet Maria Dilcock, que obiit xiiii die Decembris, Ann. Dom. M. Vc. Cuius anime. ....
The Tower and the Steeple of this Church was built from the ground, as the inhabitants by tradition affirme, by
Richard, Lord
Rich, Baron of Leez, and Chancellour of England. A most prudent and iudicious Statesman, a singular treasure and supporter of the kingdome: who for his great good deserts receiued the office of Chancellour of England at the hands of King
Edward the sixth.
Camden. Howsoeuer the Armes of the
Butlers, Earles of Ormond (whose inheritance this Towne was in times past) are cut in some places on the stone.
Hospitall at Rochford.Robert Lord
Rich, and Earle of Warwicke, lately deceased, founded here sixe Almes houses, for fiue poore impotent men, and an aged woman.
But here let me conclude what I haue spoken of this towne, with the words of
Camden.
More inward (saith he) is Rochford placed, that hath giuen name to this Hundred;
Camd. in Essex. now it belongeth to the (now Earles of Warwicke) Barons Rich, and in old time it had Lords of great nobility, surnamed thereof; whose inheritance came at length to
Butler, Earle of Ormond and Wiltshire, and from them to Sir
Thomas Bullen, whom King
Henry the eight created Viscount Rochford, and afterward Earle of Wiltshire; out of whose progenie sprung that most gratious Queene
Elizabeth, and the Barons of Hunsdon.
Pritlewell.
Foundation of the Priory.Swein de Essex (before remembred) built here a Priory for blacke Monkes, which he dedicated to the blessed Virgine
Mary. Which was much augmented by others, and holden to be a cell to the Priory of
Lewes: vntill the yeare 1518. when as a great contention arose betweene the two Houses: insomuch that
Iohn Prior de Pritlewel noluit soluere vnam Marcam Priori de Lewes nomine subiectionis.Lib. Mon. de Lewes. This house was valued at the suppression to be worth 194 l. 14. s. 3. d. ob. yearely.
Io.Lucas.Hic iacet Magister Iohannes Lucas, Theologie Bacchalaureus, quondam
[Page 607] vicarius istius Ecclesie Parochialis, qui ob. 16.
Ian. 1477.
Cuius anime.
Prey for the sowl of
Iohn Cock the younger,
Io. Cocke and
Margaret his wife. and
Margaret his wyff. Whych
Io. dyed......1522.
Her vndyr this Grauston lyth beryed
Richard Bowrd.Rich. Bowrd. ... Marchant of Callys.... dyed... 1432.
Vnder this inscription these words are engrauen in a trewe Loues knot.
Quod servaui perdidi; quod expendi habui;
Quod donaui habui, quod negaui perdidi.
Stangate.
Here sometime stood a small Priory built by the Predecessours of the Prior of
Lewes,Foundation of the Priory of Stansgate. about what time I cannot learne; valued to bee yearely worth 43. l. 8. s. 6. d.
Saint Osithes.
Whose ancient name was
Chich,Foundation of Saint
o
[...]bes. now growne out of vse by reason of
Osith the virgine of royall parentage; who being wholly deuoted to the seruice of God, was here stabbed to death by the Danish pyrates, in the yeare 653 in the moneth of October.
Io. Cap
[...]raue. And being by our Ancestours honoured for a Saint,
Richard de Beaveyes Bishop of London, in her memoriall, built here a religious house, of Regular Chanons, about the yeare 1120. in the raigne of King
Henry the first. His grant I haue read in the Records of the Tower,
Cart. Antiq, lit. beginning thus.
Richardus Dei gratia London Episcopus, &c. Salutem. Sciatis quod ego dedi Ecclesie Sancte Osithe virginis de Ciz. ecclesias de Sudemenestra et de Clachentona cum omnibus que ad illas pertinent, &c. King
Henry confirmes and augments this donation by his Charter dated at Roan in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne. And many others so added to the reuenues of this Monastery, that at the time of the suppression, it was valued at 758. pound, fiue shillings eight pence. This Bishop, the founder, was diuers times about to resigne his Bishopricke, that he might become a regular Canon in this his owne new built Monasterie; and that the rather, because being taken with an irrecouerable Palsie,
Godwin. de Prefisl. Angl. he well knew his time to be short. But he so long deferred the execution of this intent, that he was surprised by death before he could performe it, the sixteenth day of Ianuarie, 1127. He was Warden of the marches of Wales, and gouernour of the County of Salop, he sate Bishop twenty yeares, in which time (beside the building of this Monastery) he purchased diuers whole streets, and much housing neere to his Cathedrall Church of Saint
Pauls. All which he pulled downe, and leauing the ground vnbuilt for a Cemitery or Churchyard, enclosed the same with a wall, which for the most part remaineth; but at this day so couered with houses, as it can hardly be seene. The Canons of this house desired his body to be here buried: which they entombed vnder a marble Monument with this inscription.
Hic iacet Richardus Beauueis,Rich. Beauueis Bishop of London.
Mss. in bib. Cott.cognomine Rufus, London Episcopus, vir probus et grandeuus, per totam vitam laboriosus, Fundator noster religiosus,
[Page 608] et qui multa bona nobis et Ministris Ecclesie sue sancti pauli contulit, obijt xvi. Iaenuarij M.c.xx.vii. cuius anime propitietur altissimus.
Woodham waters.
In this Church I finde no monument of any great antiquity, howsoeuer here was the ancient seate of the Lords
Fitz-waters, who being nobly descended (saith
Camden) were of a most ancient race,
Camd in Essex deriued from
Robert, the yonger sonne of
Richard, sonne to
Gislebert of Clare, accounted Earle of Hertford; but in the age lately foregoing, translated by a daughter into the stocke of the
Radcliffes, the predecessors of the Earles of Sussex.
Woodham Mortimer.
I
[...]n Cokar and
C
[...]istian his
[...].Prey for the sowlys of
Iron Cokar and
Christian his wyf, which
Ion dyed the viii. of Octobre, on thowsand fowr hundryd seuenty and eight: and the seyd
Ion for the helth of his sowl, gaue by his Testament, and last Will to God and to his Church, a yeerely rent of xx. pens, and iii. schillyngs iiii. pens, for kepyng his obit in this Chirch, to bee takyn out of his croft callyd Windets yerly for euer.
Maldon.
Kimbaline, King of Britaine.In this towne stood the pallace royall of
Cunobeline or
Kimbaline, King of great Britaine, a Prince that spent his yonger yeares in the warres, vnder
Augustus Caesar, of whom he receiued the order of Knighthood, by whom he was so fauoured,
Camd. in Essex. that by his alone request, the peace of this kingdome was continued,
Speed Hist. without the payment of Romane Tribute, who hauing for a long time enioyed peace, in the vniuersall peace of the world, (for in the xiii. yeare of his raigne,
Fl
[...]es Histor. the God of peace our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, was borne of the blessed Virgin.) He trained vp his people in a more ciuill and peaceable kinde of gouernement, then that to which they had beene formerly accustomed,
Stow Annal and departed this world in peace, within this his Citie of Maldon, then the chamber of his kingdome; in the one and twentieth yeare of our redemption, when he had raigned thirty and fiue yeares, of whom thus writeth my Author
Io Harding, ca. xlv.
Kimb. the son of
T
[...]oman
[...]ius [...] Britaine.
Kymbaline, so was his sonne and heyre,
Noryshed at Rome, instruct with Cheualre,
That knyght was made wyth honor greate and
[...]ayer
By
Octauian, reigning then enterly,
Emperor then of Romes great Monarchy,
In whose time was both peace and all concord
Through all the worlde, and borne was Christ our Lorde.
He was buried in this his chiefe citie, some say at London.
[Page 609]Hic iacet Henricus Coggeshale filius et heres Thome Coggeshale filij Thome Coggeshale Armigeri,Richard Coggeshal
[...].qui obijt 9.
Ian. 1427.
cuius.
Quisquis eris quitransieris sta, perlege plora
Sum quod eris, fueramque quod es, pro me precor ora.
Orate pro anima Thome Darcy Ar. corporis Regum Edwardi quarti et Henrici sexti,Tho. Darcy and
Margaret his wife.et nuper vnius Iusticiar. ad pacem in com. Essex, ac filij et heredis Roberti Darcy militis, nec non pro anima Margarete consortis sue vnius filiarum et heredis Iohannis Harleton in com. Suffolk Ar. qui quidem Tho. obijt 25.
Mens. Septemb. 1485.
Hic iacet Rogerus Darcy Ar. filius et heres Tho. Darcy Ar. pro corpore illustrissimi Principis Henrici septimi Regis Anglie,Ro Darcy and
Elizabeth his wife.et Elizabetha vxor eius filia Henrici Wentworth militis qui obijt vltimo die Septemb. 1508.
Diuers other faire monuments (but shamefully defaced) are here erected to the memory of the
Darcies, a numerous familie, and for antiquity and noblenesse of birth, of great respect in many places of this kingdome.
Sir
Robert Darcy Knight, remembred in the former inscription, by his last will and testament, bequeathed his body to be buried in this Church; the substance whereof I haue read in an old Manuscript,
In bib. Cot. as followeth.
Robert Darcy Knight, made his Testament, the 5 of October,
Anno Domini,Sir
Robert Darcies Wil
[...]Ex Regist Episcopi Lon
[...]. Tho. Kem
[...]. 1469. his body he willed to be buried in all Hallowes Church of Maldon, before the Altar, in the Isle, where his father lieth in a Tombe of marble. Also he willed l▪ markes to be disposed for two thousand masses for him to be said, within sixe weekes next after his deceyse, iiii. d. for euery masse; and that they be charged for to prey for his soule, his wifs soul, his fathers and his mothers, and for all his sisters soules; and for all their husbands soules, and for all the soules that he is bound to prey for. Of which said l. markes, hee willed to haue somewhat euery Prist that dwelled in Penbroke hall in Cambridge. Also he willed that euery Fryer that was a Prist in Colchester, haue xx. d. and euery little Fryer vi. d. to say three dirgees, considering that he was a brother of that Order. And the house of Chennesford xl. s. the house of Clare xx. s. and each yong Frier vi. d. considering that hee was a brother of their Order. And he made his Executors,
Elizabeth his wife,
Io. Clopton Esquire,
Nicolas Saxton, and
Richard Astley, Clerkes. And the superuisors of this his Testament, my Lord of Essex, my Lord
Dinham, Thomas Mountgomery, and
Thomas Tirrill Knights; lowly beseeching the said Lord of Essex, the Lord
Dinham, Sir
Thomas Mountgomery, and Sir
Thomas Tirrill, to helpe his sonne
Thomas and all his children. Also hee willed that my Lord of Essex, and the Lord
Dinham, should each of them haue a But of Malmesey, and that Sir
Thomas Mountgomery, and Sir
Thomas Tirrill should each of them haue a pipe of red wine. Also he willed that his brother
Iohn Clopton, one of his Executors, should haue for his labour xx.l. Also he willed mistresse
Anne Darcy his brothers wife, to haue xx. markes. Yeuen at Danbury the day and yeare aboue said. This his will was proued,
quarto di
[...] mensis Maij, coram reuerendo in Christo Patre Domino Thoma Episcopo London; infra manerium suum de Wekeham, Anno Domini 1470.
[Page 610] [...]King a Butcher.One
King a Butcher, with his two wiues,
Alice and
Anne, lie here interred vnder a goodly marble, richly inlayd with brasse, his Axe for his Armes, with this Epitaph, who died 1415▪
Subiacet hic pictus, diues, durus, nece victus,
Nomine Rex dictus, non re, sed homo modo fictus.
De Maldon Carnifex, at Rex vir vocitatus,
Nostre fraternitatis pater et peramatus.
Mundi mense pleno Ianuarii die noueno
C. quater, mille, ter et v. tunc Rex ruit ille.
Sponse que fantur Alys, Ann secum tumulantur
Quibus solamen precor precamur & Amen.
Rich. Wood and
Ioane his wife.
Augusti vndena sumpta bis in hac requieuit
Petra Richardus Wood coninge cumque Iohanna.
Quorum sunt nati quinque, nate quoque sene,
Iesu cunctorum miserator sis precor horum.
Farwel you world, I tak leue for euer
I am cityd to appere I not where
Yen al yis world yis tym had I leuer,
A litl spase to mak a sith for fere
Of my trespace, broken is for sorrow
Myn hart, now be that sal not be to morrow.
Farwell frendys, ye tide bidyth no man;
I am tak fro hens, and so salye:
But to what passage tel you I ne can,
Ye yat be liuyng may prey wel ye be,
Nakyd I go, nakyd hider we cam
Prey ye for me,
Requiem eternam.
Orate pro animabus Tho. Drakes et Elisabethe vxoris eius quondam filia Iohannis Heydon Ar. et Alicie vxoris eius filie et vnius heredum Roberti Swynborne militis qui.... ob.Tho.
[...]rakes and
[...]lis. his wife. 26.
Iunii 1464.
Ri
[...]. Lion and
Katherine his wife.Orate pro animabus Richardi Lyon Shereman Fundatoris huius capelle et Katherine vxoris eius......
Quisquis ades, qui morte cades, sta, respice, plora,
Sum quod eris, modicum cineris, prome precor ora.
Foundation of the white
[...]iers.Here in this towne sometime stood a religious house of Carmelites or white Friers, founded by
Richard de Grauesend, Bishop of London, and one
Richard Iselham a Priest, about the yeare 1292. valued at the suppression at twentie sixe pounds, eight shillings: a poore Foundation for so great a Prelate, hauing the assistance and charitable contribution of another Priest.
Th
[...] Maldon.This little couent was honoured with diuers great schollers, which I finde to haue beene therein buried: and first
Thomas Maldon, so called of this towne, the place of his birth, brought vp of a boy in this house of the
[Page 611] Carmelites; from whence hee went to Cambridge, when hee attained to ripenesse of yeares, where he profited exceedingly in all kindes of learning; in so much that he was chosen to be the chiefe master or professor of Diuinity in that Vniuersity; he was, saith
Pits, de illustribus Anglie scriptoribus, from whom
Bale doth not much dissent,
subtilis disputator, elegans cōcionator, in omni concertatione scholastica promptus et expeditus, in dubiis explicandis clarus et dilucidus, in decernendis et diffiniendis rebus arduis constans et solidus.
He was called from Cambridge to take vpon him the gouernement of this Priorie; in which office he ended his daies, in the yeare 1404. and was interred in the Church of his Couent; vpon whose Tombe this Epitaph was engrauen, as I haue it in a Manuscript.
Carmeli Thomas decus hic iacet Ordinis almus
Bale de Carme mel
[...]t
[...] [...].
Presul, cui virtus tot bona iuncta dedit,
Ingenium, Formam, mores, linguamque disertam,
Post mortem et vitam: que manet vsque piis,
Obiit Anno Domini M.cccciiii.
Robert of Colchester a Carme and a good scholler,
Robert Colchester. was likewise here interred, with this Epitaph or inscription vpon his grauestone.
Orate pro anima Roberti de Colchester Fratris de monte Carmeli literatissimi, piissimique, ac quondam prioris huius Cenobii, Qui obiit in vigiliis S. Agathe virginis, Anno Domini M.cccc.lxv.
An Epitaph to the memory of Frier
William Horkisle here inhumed.
Carmelita pius iacet hic pro parte Wilhelmus,
Wiliam Horkesley.
Pars erat ad superos Horkisle postea tutus.
obiit Anno Dom.
1473.
Hic iacet Magister Frater Richardus Acton sacre pagine professor,Richard Actonhuinsque conuentus carmelitarum peruigilac versutus quondam Gubernator. Qui ex hac luce migrauit Anno Dom. M.cccc.xlvi. cuius anime propitietur altissimus.
Here sometime likewise one Frier
Tho. Hatfield was remembred with this Epitaph.
Tho. Hatfield.
In campo mortis Frater celeb
[...]rrimus Hatfelde
Conditur, eximium continet vrna virum.
Dogmate precipuus, nullique secundus amore,
Claruit ingenio, moribus, ore, stilo.
The Monument of another, namelesse, Carmelite was thus inscribed.
Hen. Bedford and
Alice his wife.Here lieth
Henry Bedford and
Alis his wyf. Whych
Alis died the 10. of August, 1592. they had xi sonnes and 6 daughters.
Geo. Willoughby and
Anastacia his wifeHere lyeth
Georg Willoughby, and
Anastacia his wyf, whych
Georg dyed 28 of May 1533.
Rob. Rockwood.Here lyeth
Robart Rockwood, and
Agnes his wyf, which
Robart dyed ...... 1497.
Within this Citie and the suburbes are contained ten Parish Churches; in all which I could collect no more Inscriptions of any antiquitie, saue these in Saint
Gyles Church. But howsoeuer her Churches at this day be no wayes beautified with the ancient funerall Trophies of any illustrious personages; yet her inhabitants may bragge of the buriall of
Coill, that braue British Prince, who built this their Towne of Colchester, about one hundred twenty and foure yeares after the birth of our Sauiour Christ. Wherein his sonne
Lucius, Helena, and
Constantine, the first Christian King, Empresse, and Emperour in the world, were borne: which made
Necham (saith
Speed) for
Constantine to sing as he did.
Speed in Essex.
From Colchester there rose a Starre,
The Rayes whereof gaue glorious light
Throughout the world, in climates farre;
Great
Constantine Romes Emperour bright.
This
Coilus was brought vp euen from his youth in Rome, and therefore fauouring the Romanes, payed them his tribute. He raigned fifty fiue yeares saith
Stow. Harding saith but eleuen. In whose commendations will it please you heare himselfe speake.
[...] Annal.
Coell ruled the Realme in Lawe and peacefull well
That for his wyt and vertuosite
[...]
Able he was as Chronycles could fele,
To haue ruled all the Emperalyte
For ryght wesnesse, manhode, and moralyte,
A doughter had he, and none other heyre,
Elyne that hyght, farre passing good and fayre.
Buryed at Care colune he was his owne cytee
Greatly commended, well famed, and laudifee,
Both on this syde and beyond the See
Eleuen yere regnyd in great dignitee.
Another of him (more ancient) thus.
Rob. Glocest.
Coel was a noble man, and much power hadde an honde
Erle he was of Colchestre, here in his londe,
And aftur his name Colchestre is cluped as iche vnderstond.
Our Lord amongs othur things hym send a faire sonde,
That he gat a fair doughter at Colchestre in this londe
Seynt Helyne was cluped hee is, the holy croys hee fonde
Constance for her heritage this mayde to wyve nom
And nam wyth hur al this londe, and the kyngdom
[Page 613]And let hym crouny to kyng, that goodde knyght was and fyn
And on hur begat one Sone, men cluped Constantyn▪
Without the walls of this Towne,
The foundation of S.
Iohns. stood a large and stately Monastery, which
Eudo Sewar to king
Henry the firs
[...], founded and consecrated to the honour of Christ and Saint
Iohn Baptist, wherein he placed blacke Monkes. The Ancestors of the right honourable Sir
Edward Sackvile, knight of the Bath, and Earle of Dorset, were great benefactours, or rather cofounders of this religious structure. For in the booke of the Abbey of Colchester I haue read,
In Lib. Colt. Iordan and
Robert Sackvile. that
Iordanus de Saukevil miles et Baro de Bergholt Saukevil, filius & heres Roberti Saukevil, superstes tempore Stephani Regis, & Henrici secundi confirmavit Ecclesie Sancti Iohannis de Colecestria in perpetuam Eleemosinam, manerium de Wicham (or
Witham)
quod pater s
[...]us Robertus eidem Ecclesie donauerat.
The foresaid
Eudo founded likewise in this Towne an Hospitall for people infected with the contagious disease of Leprosie,
Foundation of the Hospitall for Lep
[...]s. which he dedicated to Saint
Mary Magdalen.
Here was another religious house wherein were placed brethren of the holy Crosse,
Foundation of the Friery of the holy Crosse but by whom founded I cannot finde. Valued at the suppression to 7. l. 7.5.8. d.
per annum.
Robert Lord
Fitzwater in the yeare 1309.
Foundation of the Minories. founded here an Abbey for Friers
Minors, into whose order and House he entred himselfe in the yeare 1325. and then and there tooke vpon him the habite of a religious Votary, wherein he spent the rest of his dayes,
In bib. Cott.Ann. M.ccc.ix. (saith the booke of
Dunmow)
Robertus filius Walteri custos de Essex fundamentum posuit Ecclesie Fratrum Minorum de Colcestria. And in the Catalogue of such Emperours, Kings, Princes, and other potent personages, which from the beginning haue entred into this religious order. This
Robert is reckoned for one. These are the words.
Frater Dominus Robertus Fitzwater Baro fundator Conventus Colcestrie intrauit ibidem ordinem.Mss. in bib. Cot
[...].Ann. Domini Milesimo tricentesimo vicesimo quinto.
This house was valued at the suppression at 113. l. 12. s 8. d. of yearely reuenewes.
Earles Colne.
So called of the Sepulture of the Earles of Oxford,
Camd. in Oxford. which deriue their descent (saith
Camden) from the Earles of Guines in France, and haue the surname of
Vere from
Vere a Towne in Zeland. In this parish Church are two Monuments of this familie of the
Veres, the one lieth crosse-legd, with a Sarasins head vpon his tombe, which Sarasin (say the Inhabitants) this Earle slew in the holy Land. The other of them with his wife, lieth entombed; at her feet is the Talbot, at his feet the Boare: they are both shamefully defaced. They were remooued out of the Priory neare adioining at the suppression, as I was told.
This Priorie was first founded by
Aubrey de Vere soone after the Conquest,
The foundation of Colne Prio
[...]ie. which he dedicated to the honour of God and Saint
Andrew; and
[Page 614] placed therein black Monks, translated from Abingdon, to which Abbey he made this Priory to be subiect vpon this occasion,
In Rib. Cott. as I haue it out of the booke of Abingdon.
Godfrey de Vere the sonne and heire of the foresaid
Aubrey by
Beatrice his wife, dying in his fathers life time, was buried in the Monastery of Abingdon, to which he had beene a benefactor, whereupon, saith the Story,
Aubrey his father and
Beatrice his mother were determined to choose Abingdon for their buriall place, in respect of the tender affection they bore to their child. But their Lands lying here in Essex farre off, they procured a Grant from King
Henry the first to build a religious House at Colne in Essex, for their soules health, their Sonnes, and others, as also for their Sepultures;
et hanc domum Sancto Andr
[...]e Apostolo dedicatam, subiectam et coher
[...]ntem Ecclesie Abingdonen si faciebant. Not long after the finishing of this worke, and a little before his death,
Aubrey the Founder tooke vpon him the habite of Religion in this his owne house, wherein hee died, and was here buried by a younger sonne of his, named
William, in whose remembrance this Epitaph was engrauen vpon their Monument.
Cedunt a vita votis animisque cupita,
Aubrey de Vere
and William
his sonne.
Barbarus, et Scita, Gentilis, et lsraelita:
Has pariter metas habet omnis sexus et et aes,
En puer, en senior, Pater alter, filius alter,
Legem, fortunam, terram venere sub unam
Non iuvenie
[...]ote quas epotavit Athene
Non v
[...]tulo vote vires velopes valuere.
Sed valuere fides, et predia quae memoramus.
Vt valeant, valeant per secula cuncta precamus.
M
[...]. in bib. Co
[...] ▪For the said
Aubrey de Vere and
Beatrice his wife, I found this Inscription to be engrauen vpon their Monument, in the booke of Colne Priory.
Here lyeth
Aulbery de Veer, the first Erle of Guisnes, the sonne of
Alphonsus de Veer, the whyche
Aulbery was the fownder of this place, and
Bettrys hys wyf syster of kyng
Wylliam the Conquerour.
This Priorie was valued at the fatall ouerthrow of such like buildings to be yearely worth 175. l. 14. s. 8▪ d ob. The house is standing at this day, conuerted into a priuate dwelling place, as also the old Chappell to it, wherein are diuers Monuments, vnder which lie buried many of this thrice honourable Familie of the
Veres, but they are all gone to decay, and their Inscriptions by time and stealth quite taken away. Vpon one Tombe of Alabaster which is thought to bee the ancientest, is the pourtraiture of a man lying in his armour, crosse-legged, but what was carued at his feet cannot be discerned. Vpon another, is one lying armed wtih the blew Bore vnder his head, which was also crosse-legged, as I was informed; but now is nothing remaining from the middle downeward. A third of wood armed crosse-legged, on his Target the Armes of the house of Oxford; and there lieth by him a woman made of wood, which is thought to haue beene his Lady, and Countesse. Here are two more likewise in wood armed, and crosse-legged, the one hath an Hound or Talbot vnder his feet: the cote
[Page 615] Armour of the other is quite broken away with his Target. Here is one in Alabaster not crosse-legged, the Garter about one of his legges; what is vnder his feet cannot be discerned. A woman pourtrayed in Alabaster with a Falcon vnder her feet, and a little Monument of Alabaster, vpon which is the image of one in a Gowne, with a purse hanging at his girdle: hee is in length about foure foot. But I will shew the Reader the names of such Earles and others of this house which by supposition and certainty are said to haue beene heere interred; which may giue some light to the further knowledge of these, in this manner intombed.
Aubrey de Vere the sonne of
Aubrey,Aubrey de Vere the first Earle of Oxford, surnamed the grimme. Chamberlaine vnder King
Henry the first, or
Camerarius Anglie, as I finde it in old Cartularies, hauing lost this his Office of great Chamberlaine, and other dignities, in the turmoiles betweene King
Stephen and
Maude the Empresse, was by the said Empresse and
Henry the second (as you may haue it more fully in
Vincents discouery of errours) restored to all his former honours, and withall created Earle of Oxford. He died in the yeare 1194. the sixth of king
Richard the first, and was here buried by his father.
Lib. Alb. de Colne. His wife
Agnes or
Adeliza lieth buried by him, who was the daughter of
Henry of Essex, Baron of Ralegh, the Kings Constable.
Such was the Epitaph or inscription vpon his Tombe, as it is in the book of Colne Priory.
Aubrey de Vere the second Earle of Oxford.
Hic iacet Albericus de Vere, silius Alberici de Veer, Comes de Guisney & primus Comes Oxonie magnus Camerarius Anglie qui propter summam audatiam, & effrenatam prauitatem Grymme Aubrey vocabatur, obiit 26.
die Decembris, anno Christi, 1194.
Richardi [...].
sexto.
Aubrey de Vere, the sonne of the foresaid
Aubrey, succeeded his father in all his dignities; I finde little written of him in our Histories, saue that out of his Christian pietie he did confirme the gift of
septem librat. terre which
Aubrey his father gaue to the Chanons of Saint
O sith here in Essex, adding thereto something of his owne. He dyed in the yeare of our Lord, 1214. and sleepeth now in the same Bed, with three other
Aubreyes his Ancestors. To whom this Epitaph vpon
Conrad the Emperour at Spires in Germany may be fitly applied.
Filius hic, Pater hic, Auus hic, Proauus iacet istie.
The great Belsire, the Grandsire, Sire, and Sonne
Lie here interred vnder this Grauestone.
Hugh de Vere the sonne of
Robert the first of that Christian name,
Hugh de Vere Earle of Oxford. Earle of Oxford, and Lord great Chamberlaine of England, was here entombed with his Ancestors, who died in the yeare 1263. He had the title of Lord
Bolebeck, which came by his mother
Isabell de Bolebeck, daughter and heire of
Hugh de Bolebeck, a Baron, who was Lord of Bolebeck Castle in Whitechurch within Buckinghamshire, and of Swaffam Bolebeck in Cambridgeshire. Hee had to wife
Hawisia the daughter of
Saier de Quincy, Earle of Winchester, as appeares by this Inscription sometime insculpt vpon their Tombe.
Hic iacent Hugo de Veer eius nominis primus: Comes Oxonie quartus, magnus Camerarius Anglie, filius & heres Roberti Comitis, & Hawisua
[Page 616] vxor cius, filia Saeri de Quincy comitis Wintonie, qui quidem Hugo obiit 1263.
Quorum animabus propitietur altissimus.
Robert de Vere [...] of Oxford.Robert de Vere, the sonne of
Hugh aforesaid, Earle of Oxford, who enioyed his fathers inheritances and honours the space of thirtie and two yeares, lieth here entombed with his ancestours: who died in the yeare 1295.
Alice his wife, the daughter and heire of
Gilbert Lord
Samford, Lord of Hormead in Hertfordshire was interred by him, who died at Caufeld house neare Dunmow, the ninth day of September, 1312.
Robert de Vere the sonne of
Robert Earle of Oxford.Here lieth buried the body of
Robert de Vere, sonne and successour to the foresaid
Robert, whose gouernment both in peace and warre was so prudent, his hospitalitie and other workes of charitie so wisely abundant; and his Temperance with a religious zeale so admirablie conioyned, that he was of all surnamed the good Earle of Oxford; and the vulgar esteemed him as a Saint. He died the 19. of Aprill, 1331.
Robert de Vere Earle of Oxford, and Duke of IrelandHere lyeth entombed
Robert de Vere, Richard the seconds Mignion; who to adde to his honours created him Marquesse of Dublin, a title not knowne before that time in England, and in the yeare following Duke of Ireland, with commission to execute most inseparable prerogatiues royall. These Stiles were of too high a nature, and therefore infinitely subiected to enuy. Whereupon, like a second
Gaueston, he was hated of the Nobilitie; especially for that he was a man
nec prudentia, caeteris proceribus, nec armis valentior, as
Walsingham saith, 9.
R. 2. But it was not long before he was banished England by the Barons, for abusing the Kings eare to the hurt of the State. He had to wife a young, faire, and noble Lady, and the Kings neare kinswoman (for she was grandchilde to King
Edward by his daughter
Isabell) he put her away, and tooke one of Queene
Annes women, a Bohemian of base birth,
Sellarij filia, saith
Walsingham, a Sadlers daughter, some say a Ioyners, an act full of wickednesse and indignitie. Yet this intollerable villanie offered to the bloud-royall,
Speed in vita R. 2. King
Richard did not encounter, neither had the power, some say, who deemed that by witchcrafts and forceries (practised vpon him by one of the Dukes followers) his iudgement was so seduced and captiuated, that he could not see what was honest or si
[...] to doe. But where Princes are wilfull or slothfull, and their Fauorites flatterers or time-seruers, there needs no other enchantments to infatuate, yea and ruinate the greatest Monarch. Vpon his banishment he went into France, where he liued about fiue yeares, and there being a hunting, he was slaine by a wilde Boare, in the yeare 1392. King
Richard hearing thereof, out of his loue, caused his body to be brought into England, and to be apparrelled in Princely ornaments and robes, and put about his neck a chaine of gold, and Rings vpon his fingers, and so was buried in this Priory; the King being there present, and wearing blackes.
Aubrey de Vere Earle of Oxford.After the death of
Robert Duke of Ireland, who died without issue, his Nephew
Aubrey de Vere succeeded him in the Earledome of Oxford; he enioyed his honours not passing eight yeares, but dyed
die Veneris in festo Sancti Georgij, Ann. primo Hen. quarti, 1400. and lieth here entombed with his worthie Ancestors.
Iohn de Vere Earle of Oxford.Here lieth buried in this Priorie
Iohn de Vere, the third of that Christian name, and the thirteenth Earle of Oxford, Lord Bolebecke, Samford, and
[Page 617] Scales, great Chamberlaine, and Lord high Admirall of England. Who died the fourth of
Henry the eight, 1512. hauing beene Earle of Oxford full fifty yeares; a long time to tugge out, in the troublesome raignes of so many kings, especially for men of eminent places and high spirits, euer apt to take any occasion to shew their manly prowesse: which fire of honour flamed in this Earles breast, at Barnet field, where (in a mist) the great Earle of Warwickes men, not able to distinguish betwixt the Sun with streames vpon King
Edwards liuery, and the Starre with streames on this Earles liuery, shot at this Earles followers; and by that misprision the battell was lost. After which he fled into Cornwall, and seized vpon Saint
Michaels Mount. But
Edward the fourth got him in his power, and committed him prisoner to the Castle of Hames beyond the Seas, where he remained for the space of twelue yeares, vntill the first of King
Henry the seuenth, with whom he came into England, and by whom he was made Captaine of the Archers at Bosworth-field, where after a short resistance hee discomfited the Foreward of King
Richard, whereof a great number were slaine in the chase, and no small number fell vnder the victors sword. This Earle gaue a great contribution to the finishing of Saint
Maries Church in Cambridge; His hospitalitie, and the great port he carried here in his country, may be gathered out of a discourse, in that exquisite History of
Henry the seuenth, penned by that learned and iudicious Statesman, Sir
Francis Bacon, Viscount Saint
Alban, lately deceased.
The last Earle that I finde to be here entombed of ancient times,
Io de Vere E. of Oxford. is
Iohn de Vere, the fourth of that christian name, Earle of Oxford, Lord Bulbeck Samford and Scales, Lord great Chamberlaine of England, and Knight of the Garter; he was commonly called little
Iohn of Campes, Castle Campes, in Cambridgeshire, being the ancient seate of the
Veres, where this Earle vsed much to reside; He married
Anne, daughter of
Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke, and died without issue the 14 of July, 1526.
I finde in a booke of
Dunmow,Maud, Countesse of Oxfordin bib. Cot. that
Maud, the wife of
Iohn de Vere the seuenth Earle of Oxford, lyeth here intombed: shee was the daughter of
Bartholomew, Lord Badelismere, Baron of Leedes in Kent; and one of the heires of
Giles Lord Badelismere her brother. She was first married to
Robert, sonne of
Robert Fitz-Paine. She outliued her later husband some few yeares, and died the 24. of May, 1365.
... Coggeshall.
.......
Coggeshale ...... mil. .... M. ccc. ..... For which of the name, this broken inscription should be engrauen, I cannot learne; but I finde that these
Coggeshals in foregoing ages, were Gentlemen of exemplarie regard and knightly degree, whose ancient habitation was in this Towne; one of which familie was knighted by King
Edward the third, the same day that hee created
Edward his eldest sonne Earle of Chester, and Duke of Cornwall,
Anno 1336.
Hic iacet Thomas Paycocke quondam Carnifex de Coggeshal qui obijt 21
Maij,Tho. Paycock Butcher, and
Christian his wife. 1461.
et Christiana vxor eius, quorum animabus.
[Page 618]Prey for the sowl of
Robert Paycock of Coggeshale cloth-maker, for
Elizabeth and
Ioan his wyfs,
Robert Paycock, Elis and
Ioan his wiues. who died 21. Octob. 1520. on whos soul.
Here lyeth
Thomas Paycock cloth-worker,
Margaret and
Ann his wyfs: which
Tho. died the 4. of September,
Tho. Paycock, Marg and
Anne his wiues. 1518.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Paycock et Iohanne vxoris eius, qui quidem Iohannes obijt 2
Aprilis 1533.
Iohn Paycock and
Ioan his wife. The Creede in Latine is all curiously inlaid with brasse, round about the Tombestone,
Credo in Deum patrem, &c.
Io. Kebull, Isabel and
Ioan his wiuesOrate pro animabus Iohannis Kebulet Isabelle et Iohanne vx. eius Quorum, &c.
About the verge of the stone in brasse, a
Pater noster inlaid.
Pater Noster qui es in celis sanctificetur nomen tuum, and so to the end of the praier.
Vpon the middest of the marble this
Aue Maria.
Aue Maria, gratia plena; Dominus tecum: Benedicta tu: in mulieribus; et benedictus sit fructus ventris tui. Iesus Amen.
[...] Goldwyre, Isabel and
Christian his wife.I haue not seene such rich monuments, for so meane persons.
Orate pro anima Gulielmi Goldwyre, et Isabelle et Christiane vxorum, qui quidem Gulielmus obijt.... 1514.
Mary Moder mayden clere
Prey for me
William Goldwyre.
And for me
Isabel his wyf.
Lady for thy Ioyes fyf.
Hav mercy on
Christian his second wyf,
Swete Iesu for thy wowndys fyf.
Foundation of Coggeshall Abbey.
[...] in bib. CottHere in this towne of Cogshal was sometime an Abbey built, and endowed by King
Stephen, and
Maud his Queene, in the yeare 1140. the fift of his raigne, according to the booke of Saint
Austins in Canterbury,
Anno M. c. xl. facta est Abbathia de Cogeshal a Rege Stephano et Matilde Regina, qui primo fundauerunt Abbathiam de Furnesse, Abbatiam de Longeleyrs, et postea Abbathiam de Feuersham, &c. this house was dedicated to the blessed Virgin
Mary, wherein were placed white Monkes
[...]luniackes; the reuenues of which were valued to be yearely worth 298. l. 8. s. it was surrendred the 18. of March, 29.
Hen. 8.
Adioyning to the Rode called Coccill-way, which to this towne leadeth, was lately found an arched Vault of bricke, and therein a burning lampe of glasse couered with a Romane Tyle some 14 inches square, and one Vrne with ashes and bones, besides two sacrificing dishes of smooth and pollished red earth, hauing the bottome of one of them with faire Romane letters inscribed, COCCILLI.M. I may probably coniecture this to haue beene the sepulchrall monument of the Lord of this towne, who liued about the time of
Antoninus Pius, (as by the coyne there likewise found appeareth) the affinitie betweene his and the now townes name being almost one and the same. These remaine in the custody of that iudicious great Statesman Sir
Richard Weston Knight, Baron
Weston of Nealand, Lord Treasurer of England, and of the most honourable Order of the Garter companion. Who for his approued vertues and industrie, both
[Page 619] vnder father and sonne, doth to the publique good fully answere the place and dignity.
Before these times, in a place called Westfield, three quarters of a mile distant from this towne, and belonging to the Abbey there, was found by touching of a plough,
Camd. in Essex a great brasen pot: The ploughmen supposing to haue beene hid treasure, sent for the Abbot of Cogeshall to see the taking vp of it; and he going thither, met with Sir
Clement Harleston, and desired him also to accompany him thither. The mouth of the pot was closed with a white substance, like past or clay, as hard as burned bricke: when that by force was remoued, there was found within it another pot, but that was of earth; that being opened, there was found in it a lesser pot of earth, of the quantity of a gallon, couered with a matter like Veluet, and fastened at the mouth with a silke lace; in it they found some whole bones, and many pieces of small bones wrapped vp in fine silke, of fresh colour, which the Abbot tooke for the reliques of some Saints, and laid vp in his Vestuary.
Bocking Dorewards.
So denominated of the
Dorewardes sometimes Lords of this towne, and Patrons of this fat Parsonage, which is xxxv.l. x. s. in the Kings bookes▪ as I am perswaded by relation, and these Inscriptions vpon ancient Tombes.
Hic iacet Iohannes Doreward Armig. filius Willelmi Doreward mil.... qui obijt .... 1420.
et Isabella vxor eius ....:
Io. Doreward and
Isab. his wife.
Hic iacet Iohannes Doreward Armiger qui obiit xxx.die Ianuar. Anno Dom. Mil. cccc. lxv. et Blancha vxor eius que obiit ... die mens. .... An Dom. Mil. cccc.lx. quorum animabus propitietur dens. Amen.
Clauiger Ethereus nobis sis Ianitor almus.
Haulsteed.
The Lordship of Stansteed within this Parish, was the ancient inheritance of the noble family of the
Bourchiers, in which they had a mansion house; many of which surname, lie here entombed; to continue whose remembrance in the south side of the Quire is a Chappell, which to this day is called Bowsers Chappell, wherein they lie interred; the inscriptions which were vpon their monuments, are quite gone, this one following excepted.
Hic iacet Bartholomeus quondam Dominus de Bourgchier,Bartholomew Lord
Bourchier, Marg. and
Idonea his wiues.
Rob. Bourchier Lo Chancelor
Camd. in Essexqui obiit viii. die mens. Maii Anno Dom. M.cccc.ix. et Margereta Sutton ac Idonea Louey vxores eius. Quorum animabus propitietur Deu S. Amen.
Vnder another of these monuments, lieth the body of
Robert Bourchier, Lord Chancelor of England, in the fourteenth yeare of King
Edward the third, from whom (saith the light of great Britaine,
Clarentie
[...]x) sprang a most honourable progenie of Earles, and Barons of that name.
Here stands a monument, vnder which one of the right honourable familie of the
Veres lieth interred, it is much defaced ....
Georgio Vere filio Georgii Vere .... militis ....... 1498.
Here lyeth Dame
Agnes Gate, the wyf of Sir
Geffrey Gate knight, the which Sir
Geffrey was six yeares Captane of the Isle of Wyght,
Agnes Lady Gate. and after, Marshal of Caleys, and there kept with the Pykards worschipul warrys, and euyr entendyd as a good Knyght, to please the Kyng in the partyes of Normandy wyth al his myght: which
Agnes dyed the ix. of Decembyr. M.cccc.lxxxvii. on whos soul Iesu haue mercy, Amen.
Prey for the sowl al ye that liue in sight,
Of Sir
Geffrey Gate, the curtesse knight,
Whos wyff is beryed here by Goddys might.
He bowght the Manor of Garnets by right
Of
Koppeden gentylman, so he behight
Of this Witnesses his wyff and Executors.
This yer ...... delihowrs.
xxii. Ian. M. cccc. lxxvii.
Pater de celis Deus miserere nobis:
Fili redemptor mundi Deus miserere nobis.
Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus miserere nobis.
This Manour of Garnets here mentioned, and all his other inheritance (as I haue it by relation from the Inhabitants) about fourescore yeares after the death of this Sir
Geffray, was forfeited to the Crowne, by the attaindour of Sir
Iohn Gate Knight, beheaded on the Tower hill, with
Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland, and Sir
Thomas Palmer Knight, for that they had endeuoured to haue made Lady
Iane, (the daughter of
Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolke, by
Frances his wife, who was the daughter of
Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke, by
Mary his wife, second sister to King
Henry the eight, and the wife of
Guilford Dudley, the fourth sonne of the said Duke of Northumberland) Queene of England, the xxii. of August, M. ccccc. 53. the first of Queene
Mary.
Barmiston.
Peter Wood.
Of your cherite prey for the sowl of
Peter Wood,
Who died the thirtyth dey of May,
Vnto hym that was crucified on the rood,
To send hym ioyes for ay.
Castle Heningham.
Io. Vere Earle of Oxford.Here lieth interred vnder a Tombe of marble and Tuch now ruinous,
Iohn de Vere the fift of that Christian name, Earle of Oxford, Lord Bulbeck, Samford and Scales, and great Chamberlaine of England. Vpon which monument I finde nothing engrauen, but the names of his children which he had by his wife
Elizabeth, daughter & heire of
Edward Trussell[Page 621] of Staffordshire knight Banneret. Which were three sonnes and three daughters, namely,
Iohn de Vere, the sixth of that Christian name, Earle of Oxford;
In the Catalogue of honour.Brooke.Aubrey de Vere second sonne;
Geffrey Vere the third sonne (Father of
Iohn Vere of Kirbey Hall, of Sir
Francis Vere knight, the great Leader in the Low countries, and of that renowned Souldier, Sir
Horatio Vere knight, Lord Baron of Tilbery in this County)
Elizabeth, married to
Thomas Lord
Darcy of Chich:
Anne wife to
Edmund Lord
Sheffield, and
Francis, married to
Henry Howard Earle of Surrey. This Earle
Iohn was knight of the Garter, and Councellour of State to king
Henry the eight. Who died here in his Castle at Heueningham the 19. of March, 1539.
Prey for the soul of
Dorethy Scroop,Dorothie Scroope. dawghter of
Richard Scroop, brother to the Lord
Scroop of Bolton.... who.... 1491.
This
Dorothie was sister of
Elisabeth (the widow of
William Lord
Beaumont, and daughter of
Richard Scroope knight) the second wife of
Iohn de Vere, the third of that Christian name, Earle of Oxford.
In a parchment Roll without date,
The foundation of a Priorie in Heueningham. belonging to the Earle of Oxford, I find that one
Lucia (belike some one of that right honourable house) founded a Priory in this Parish for blacke veyled Nunnes: Which she dedicated to the holy Grosse, and the blessed Virgine
Mary. Of which religious foundation she her selfe was the first Prioresse: whose death was wondrously lamented by
Agnes, who did next succeed her in that office, and the rest of the Couent: who desire the prayers and suffrages of all the religious houses in England, for her soules health. The forme whereof to transcribe, cannot seeme much impertinent to the subiect I haue in hand, nor tedious to the iudicious Reader.
Anima domine Lucie, prime & Fundatricis Ecclesie Sancte Crucis et Sancte Marie de Heningham,
Lucie
Lady Prioresse of Heningham.
et anime Ricardi et Sare, Galfridi et Dametre, et Helene, et anime omnium defunctorum per miserecordiam Dei requiescant in pace. Amen.
Vniuersis sancte Matris Ecclesie filiis ad quos presens scriptum peruenerit: Agnes Ecclesie sancte crucis, & Sancte Marie de Henigeham humilis Ministra; eiusdemque loci conuentus eternam in Domino salutem. Post imbres lacrimarum, et fletuum innundacionem quam in transitu karissime Matris nostre venerande Lucie prime Priorisse ac fundatricis Domus nostre fudimus: que vocante Domino tertio Idus Iulij, viam vniuerse carnis ingressa, terre debitum humani generis persoluit: manum misimus ad calamum vniuersitati vestre scripto denunciantes calamitatem quam patimur: subtracta enim tam felici matre, in hac valle miserie simul & cor nostrum dereliquit nos.ec mirum, cum eadem tot virtutum polleret moribus; tantis gratiarum rutilaret honoribus; tot meritorum fragaret odoribus: vt merito illi congruat hoc nomen Lucia, quod est lucis scientia. Recte ideo Lucia dicta, quia nomen beate virginis Lucie sortita, illius pro viribus imitabatur exempla. Illa meritis & precibus fluxum sanguinis in Matre deleuit. Ista in se omnis motus concupiscentie carnalis restringens, fluxum in aliis incontinentie & contaminationis per ariditatem sancte conuersationis & sobrie vite radicitus extirpauit. Illa sponso suo carnalem copulam nutu diuino subtraxit. Ista vt nouimus vinculo Matrimonij septies constricta, consortii virilis ignara; incontaminata semper & illesa permansit, & ita de laqueo venantium temporaliter
[Page 622] est erepta. Et hoc fecit diuina prudentia, vt nullum preter eum admitteret amatorem. Ista etiam discreta fuit in silentio vtilis in verbo, verecundia grauis, pudore venerabilis, singulis compassione proxima, pre cunctis contemplatione suspensa; sicque studuit bene agentibus esse per humilitatem socia vt per zelum iusticie delinquentium corrigeret errata. Vnde in titillatione carnis ex ea didicimus habere prudentiam, in aduersitate fortitudinem; in tribulatione patientiam, in desperatione solatium; in periculo refugium, in estu refrigerium, in asperitate lenitatem. Et suit nobis ipsius exemplo lectio fr
[...]quentior, oratio pinguior, & feruentior affectus. Quid multa, tanta efflor
[...] in hac benignissima virgine, & pia matre nostra virtus abstinentie, tanta ieiuniorum & vigiliarum nec non & vestimentorum asperitate, disciplinarum que assiduitate corpus suum extenuauit vt fere simul cum Iob sanctissimo, pelli sue consumptis carnibus os suum adhereret. Et hec talis tantaque sublata est, et hec omnia simul. Migrauit autem ad illum qui sibi fructuum decimas persolui voluit, qui etiam Decalogum constituit mandatorum. Miseremini igitur nostri, miseremini nostri saltem vos amici nostri; et vobis miseris compatiamini fluentes lacrimas per orationum suffragia desiccantes: quia pium est & saluberrimum pro defunctis exorare vt à peccatis solvantur. Subuenite igitur benigni Monachi, subuenite venerabiles Canonici, & vos sancte virgines, in conspectu Altissimi preces & bostias offerentes, vt ipsius pie misercatur qui abstergit omnem lacrimam ab oculis Sanctorum, quatenus que ei macule de terrenis contagijs adheserunt, remissionis eius remedio deleantur. Amen.
To this Supplication the religious of all houses answer in this forme.
Titulus Ecclesie Apostolorum Petri & Pauli & sancte Osithe Virginis & Matris de Chich. Anima Domine Lucie Priorisse de Hengeham et anime omnium sidelium defunctorum per Dei miserecordiam requiescant in pace. Amen. Concedimus ei commune beneficium Ecclesie nostre. Oranimus pro vestris, orate pro nostris. Some againe do answer thus:
Preter autem commune beneficium et orationes communes Ecclesie nostre, concedimus ei ab vnoquoque Sacerdote vnam Missam, inferioris ordinis vnum Psalterium, et diem ipsius obitus in Martyrilogio nostro annotari fecimus. All concluding euer with
Oranimus pro vestris, orate pro nostris.
Vnder the picture of the Crucifix, the blessed Virgine, and vpon her portraiture drawne vpon her Tombe, these nicking, nice, allusiue verses were cut and engrauen.
Vpon the Crucifi
[...]e.
Crux bona crux digna lignum super omnia ligna.
Me tibi consigna redimens a peste maligna.
Vpon the vergine Mary.
Stella Maris, candoris ebur speculum Paradysi
Fons venie, vite ianua, Virgo vale.
Vpon the image of Lucie.
Hec Virgo vite mitis super astra locatur.
Et sic Lucie lux sine fine datur.
Transijt ad superos venerabilis hec Monialis.
Vix succedit ei virtutum munere talis.
Luci lucie prece lux mediente Marie
Luceat eterna, quia floruit vt rosa verna.
[Page 623]Ad lucem Lucia venit sine fine manentem.
Et sic quem coluit patrem videt omnipotentem.
Tres tibi gemmate lucent Lucia coron
[...].
Insuper aurate dic lector qua ration
[...].
Mater virgo tamen Martir fuit, ergo inu Amen.
Cernat ad examen districti Iudicis Amen.
Subueniant anime Lucie celica queque
Ad quorum laudes dapsilis vrna f
[...]it.
Sible Heueningham.
In this Parish Church sometime stood a Tombe, arched ouer, and engrauen to the likenesse of Hawkes flying in a wood, which was raised to the remembrance of Sir
Iohn Hawkewood knight,
Sir
Io. Hawkewood knight. borne in this village, the sonne of
Gilbert Hawkewood Tanner, bound an apprentice to a Tailor in the Citie of London;
Stow Annal. from whence he was prest in the seruice of King
Edward the third, in the warres of France. Of whom for his admired valour, he was honoured with the order of knighthood; and in the like regard of his notable demerits,
Barnabie the warlicke brother of
Galeasius, Lord of Millaine (father to
Iohn the first, Duke of Millaine) gaue him his daughter
Domnia in marriage: by whom he had a sonne named
Iohn, borne in Italie, made knight, and naturalized in the seuenth yeare of King
Hon. the fourth; as I haue it out of a Manuscript in these words.
In bib Cot & in Arch Tu
[...] Lon
[...]. 1
Pars
[...]. Ann. 8.
H. 4.
m. [...]0.Iohannes silius Iohannis Haukewood Miles, natus in partibus Italie factus indigena Ann. viii. Hen. iiij. mater eius nata in partibus transmarinis.
The Florentines in testimony of his surpassing valour, and singular faithfull seruice to their state, adorned him with the statue of a man of armes, and a sumptuous Monument, wherein his ashes remaine honoured at this present day. The Italian writers, both
Paul. Io
[...]us in E
[...]g. Historians and
Camd. in Essex Poets, resound his worthie acts with full mouth. But for my part (to vse M.
Camdens words) it may suffice to adde vnto the rest these foure verses of
Iulius Feroldus.
Hawkwood Anglorum decus, et decus addite genti
Italicae, Italico praesidiumque solo.
Vt tumuli quondam Florentia, sic simulacri,
Virtutem Iouius donat honore tuam.
The glorie prime of Englishmen, then of Italians bold,
O
Hawkwood, and to Italie a sure defensiue hold:
Thy vertue
Florence honored sometime with costly Graue,
And
Iouius adornes the same now with a Statue braue.
He died an aged man, in the yeare of our redemption, 1394. and in the eighteenth of King
Richard the second. His friends here in England, who erected for him the foresaid Monument in this Church (which were
Robert Rokeden senior,
Stow Annal.Robert Rokeden iunior, and
Iohn Coe) founded here also for him a Chantrie, and another in the Priorie of Heningham Castle,
[Page 624] to pray for his soule, and the soules of
Iohn Oliuer, and
Thomas Newenton Esquires, his militarie companions.
Chesterford.
William Holden and
Agnes his wife.Here ly the bodyes of
William Holden, and
Agnes his wyf, whych
William dyed. . . 1532. on whos sowlys and al Christian sowlys. ...
Here ly
William Holden and
Katherin his wyf. . . . . . 1524.
This familie (as I was told) is now extinct, here is an old ruinous house still remaining, called
Holdens.
Saffron Walden.
So called of the great plentie of Saffron growing in the fields round about the Towne, a commoditie brought into England in the time of King
Edward the third. But I digresse, and am quite off my Subiect; being out of the Parish Church wherein Sir
Thomas Audley, knight of the Garter, Baron
Audley of this Towne, sometime Sergeant at Law, Attourney of the Duchie of Lancaster, and Lord Chancellour of England, lieth entombed; with this seeli Epitaph.
Tho. Lord
Audley.
The stroke of deaths ineuitable dart;
Hath now, alas, of life bereft the hart,
Of Sir
Thomas Audley, of the Garter knight:
Later Chancellor of England vnder our Prince of might.
Henry the eight, worthie of high renowne,
And made by him Lord
Audley of this Towne.
Obijt vltimo Aprilu, Ann. Dom. 1544.
Henrici 36.
Cancelleriatus sui 13.
aetatis 56.
Tho. Holden.
Haue mercy good Lord on the soul of
Thomas Holden,
That hit may rest wyth God good neyghbors say Amen.
He gave the new Organs wheron hys name is set;
For bycause only yee shold not hym forget;
In yowr good preyers: to God he took hys wey,
On thowsand fyve hundryd and eleuin, in Nouembyr the fourth dey.
Hic iacet his stratus West Matheus tumulatus,
Mathew West.
Priest Rector
Qui fuit hic gratus vicarius ciueque natus.
M. Dominiter C . . . . terris sit remeatus
Huic . . . . . .: existit propiciatus.
Io. Nichols and his foure wiuesOf yowr cherite prey for the soulys of
Ion Nichols, Alys, Ione, Alys, and
Ione his wyfs.
Ioanna. Sancta dei genetrix, virgo virginum, miserere nobis.
Here lieth interred vnder an ancient monument very ruinous, the body of one
Leche, a great benefactor to this Church, as appeareth by this his broken Epitaph.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quo non est,
Lechec.
nec erit, nec clarior extitit vllus;
.... clausum hoc marmore .... habet
Huic Lech nomen erat, diuine legis amator
Huius quem Templi curam habuisse palam est.
Iste huic multa dabat sacro donaria Fano
Inceptique operis sedulus Author erat.
Pauperibus fuit inde pius, pauit miserosque,
Et me qui temere hec carmina composui.
Sit Huius ergo anima ..... celum .... vt altum
Huc quiades instanti pectore funde preces.
Prey for the soul of
Katerin Semar, Walter Coke, Roger Pirke, and
Thomas Semar, husband to the seyd
Katerin, principall founder of the preest which singeth before the Trinity. For thees soulys sey a
Pater noster and an
Aue of cherite.
Who so hym bethoft,
The like before in Feuersham.
ful inwardly and oft.
How hard tis to flit, from bed to the pit.
From pit vnto peyne, which sal neuer end certeyne,
He wold not do on sin, al the world to win.
Orate .... Hugonis Price Abbatis Monasterij de Conwey Cicestrens. ordinis,Hugh Price Abbot.Assauens. Dioces, qui ab hac vita migrauit ad Christum viii. Iulij M.ccccc.xx.viii.
Conditur hoc tumulo corpus Chynt ecce Iohannis,
Io. Chynt
Priest Rector.
Doctrine speculum plebi qui fulfit in annis.
Istius Ecclesie regimen contraxerat ipse,
Atque cacumine Doctorali vixit ille.
M. C quater anno sexagenoque secundo,
Martini festo decessit ab orbe molesto.
Autor Sophie suffragia facta Marie
Per te Magdelena sint mihi remedia.
Vicarius gratus Robertus Wylde vocitatus▪
Robert Wyld
Priest, Rector.
Hic iacet, et mundus, prudens fuit, atque facundus▪
Pacem seruauit, et oues proprias bene pauit,
Et residens annis bis denis plus quoque trinis;
Anno milleno sic C quater octuageno
Quarto, lux dena septena fuit sibi pena.
Ianuar. . . . . cuius celo sit amena.
[Page 626]This Towne was famous in times past, (saith
Clarentieux) for a Castle of the
Magnauilles (which now is almost all vanished out of sight) and an Abbey adioyning,
The foundation of Walden Abbey. founded in a place very commodious, in the yeare 1136. wherein the
Magnauilles, founders thereof, were buried. The principall and first founder hereof, was
Geffrey Magnauile, or
Mandeuill the first Earle of Essex, with
Rohesia or
Rose his wife, daughter of
Aubrey de Vere, chiefe Iustice of England, who consecrated this their religious Structure to the honour of God, the blessed Virgin
Mary, and Saint
Iames the Apostle, endowed it with large reuenues, and placed therein blacke Monkes; to which effect will it please you reade a few words out of his deed of Grant.
In Arch. Tu
[...]r.
[...].Gaufridus de Mandeuilla comes Essex, &c. salutem. Ad vniuersitatis vesire noticiam volo peruenire me fundasse quoddam monasterium in vsus Monachorum apud Waldenam, in honore Dei, et sancte Marie et beati Iacobi Apostoti, pro salute anime mee et omnium parentum, antecessorum & successsorum meorum, &c. To which by the same deed hee giueth the Churches of Walden, Waltham, Estrene, Sabridgworth, Thorley and others. This house was valued at the suppression, to be yearely worth, foure hundred sixe pounds, fifteene shillings and eleuen pence.
This place is now called Audley End, of Sir
Thomas Audley Lord Chancelour, (of whom I haue spoken before) who changed the Abbey into his owne dwelling house; whose sole daughter and heire
Margaret, was second wife to
Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke, and mother of
Thomas Lord
Howard of Walden, Earle of Suffolke, lately deceased, who liued to finish here a most magnificent building, belonging at this present to that worthy gentleman
Theophilus his sonne and heire, Lord Walden and Earle of Suffolke.
Geffrey de Mandeuill the founder aforesaid, a man both mighty and martiall, was shot into the head with an arrow,
a quodam pedite vilissimo, saith
Houeden, out of the Castle of Burwell in Cambridgeshire; of which wound, after certaine daies hee died, being at that time excommunicated. Lying at the point of death, ready to giue his last gaspe,
Camd. in
[...] (saith
Camden out of the Register booke of Walden) there came by chance certaine Knights Templars, who laid vpon him the habit of their religious profession, signed with a red crosse, and afterwards when he was full dead, taking him vp with them, enclosed him within a coffin of lead, and hung him vpon a tree in the Orchard of the old Temple at London, in the yeare 1144. for in a reuerend awe of the Church, they durst not bury him, because he died excommunicated, so fearefull in those daies was the sentence of excommunication: a violent inuader he was of other mens lands, and possessions, and therefore iustly incurred (saith the same Author) the worlds censure, and this heauy doome of the Church: but I must leaue him, where buried, or where not buried, God knowes.
As the Church of this monasterie was honoured with the funerall monuments of the
Mandeuills, so was it with those of the
Bohuns, Earles of Hereford and Essex, of which you may reade in the Catalogues of Nobility.
It was also honoured with the Sepulture of
Humfrey Plantaginet, Earle of
[Page 627] Buckingham,
[...] (the onely sonne of
Thomas Earle of Buckingham, and Duke of Glocester, commonly called
Thomas of Woodstocke, the yongest sonne of King
Edward the third) who (after the vntimely death of his father) was banished into Ireland by King
Richard the second, and being recalled backed againe by King
Henry the fourth, in the first yeare of his raigne, in his returne died of the plague in Chester, from whence, his mother
Elianor daughter and coheire of
Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford, Essex, and Northampton, caused his body to be conueyed to this Abbey, which shee sumptuously here interred, amongst his and her noble progenitors; his mother, the said
Elianor, liued not long after him, but died the third of October in the same yeare, as in a French Inscription vpon her monument in Westminster you may reade; and scarce two yeares after the murder of her husband at Callis; of whose deaths thus writeth that old Poet Sir
Iohn Gower Knight, in his booke intituled
Vox Clamantis.
Interea transit moriens nec in orbe remansit,
Humfredus dictus redit ille Deo benedictus.
Defuncto nato cito post de fine beato
Mater transiuit, dum nati funera sciuit.
Primo decessit
The Duke of Glocester, because the Swan was his cognisance.
Cignus dolor vnder repressit:
Matrem cum pullo sibi mors nec parcit in ullo.
Liston.
Hic iacet ..... Liston de Ouerhal .... que ob ....
All that I can make of this maimed inscription is, that
Ioane, the wife of
William Liston, held the Mannor of Ouerhall in this parish by grand Sergeantie, namely by the seruice of paying for,
Abstract
[...] An 41.
Ed. 3. bringing in, and placing of fiue Wafers before the King, as he sits at dinner vpon the day of his coronation: and whether this be she here buried or not I know not.
Richard Lions held the said Mannor after her,
An [...]Rich. 2. by the seruice of making Wafers, vpon the day of the Kings Coronation, and of seruing the King with the same Wafers as he sits at dinner the same day.
Leez Abbey.
This Abbey of old time was founded by the
Gernons; now it is the seate of the Right Honourable,
Leez Abbey. and one right worthy of all his due honours,
Robert Lord
Rich, Baron Leez, and Earle of Warwicke now liuing,
An. 1631. This Abbey or Priory, was valued at the time of the suppression, as it is in the catalogue of Religious houses, to be yearely worth one hundred forty one pound, fourteene shillings eight pence.
Rickling.
Humfrey Waldene le premer gist icy
Humfrey Waiden
Dieu de salme eit mercy. Amen.
[Page 628]Hen Langley and
Mar. his wife.Hic iacet Henricus Langley Armig. qui obijt xx. Sept. M.cccc.lviii. et Margareta vxor cius vna filiarum et heredum Iohannis Waldene Armigeri, que obijt v. Martii, M.cccc.liii.
Tho. Langley.Hic tacet Thomas Langley Ar. qui obijt 1
Mar. M.cccc.lii.
Hen Langley and Lady
Katherine his wife.Here lyth
Henry Langley Esquyr, and Dame
Katherin his wyff, whych
Henry departyd this lyff, 11 April, M.cccc, lxxx.viii. and Dame
Katherine died ..... the yere of our Lord God, M. ..... on whos.
Vpon this last marble stone are the portraitures in brasse, of the three daughters of
Henry Langley, amongst whom his inheritance was diuided, as I haue it by tradition, as
Waldens was before: whose chiefe seate was at Langley Wilbores in this parish.
Thaxted.
This Church is spatious, beautifull, and built Cathedrall-like; but neither in this Church, in Braintrie, nor scarcely in any other Church seated within a Market Towne, shall you finde either Monument or Inscription: onely some two or three Inscriptions are here remaining.
Ric. Dammary and
Alice his wife.Her lyth
Rychard Dammary and
Alys his wyff, and
Rychard Dammary his sonn,
Ione, Elizabyth, and
Ann, on whos soulys God hau mercy. Which
Rychard the yongyrgawe a Meide callyd
Abel Meide, for a perpetual mynd yerly to be kept for ther soulys and al christen soulys.
Sir Walter Clarke
Priest.
Syr Walter Clerk gist icy
Dieu de s'alme eit mercy.
Rich. Large and
Alice his wife.Orate pro animabus Richardi Large et Alicie vxoris eius, qui quidem Richardus obijt 27.
Martij 1458.
The Inhabitants say, that this
Richard Large was brother to a certaine Lord Maior of London, named
Large, who at his death bestowed wondrous largely vpon the poore, and the repairing of high waies; which I take to haue beene
Robert Large, Maior of London,
Anno 1440. who gaue 120. l. to poore prisoners, and euery yeare for fiue yeare, 403. Shirts and Smockes, 40. paire of Sheetes, and one hundred and fifty Gownes of good Frize, to poore people. To poore Maids marriages, one hundred markes; to repairing high waies, one hundred markes; to fiue hundred poore people in London, euery one sixe shillings viii.d. the rest of his bountifull charitie you may reade in
Stow Suruay.
Little Easton.
Will. Bourchier
[...], Earle of Ewe.Here is a goodly Tombe of marble on the north side of the Chancell,
[...]nder which saith
Brooke, in his Catalogue of Nobility,
William Bourchier Earle of Ewe in Normandy lyeth interred; but
Vincent, (whom I rather beleeue) (in his discouery of
Brookes Errors) approues this Earle, as also his wife
Anne (the daughter of
Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester) to be buried in the Abbey of Lanthonie by Gloucester. If this monument
[Page 629] could speake like others by her inscription, it might haply decide the controuersie: but all the words vpon it are,
Fili Dei miserere mei, Mater Dei miserere mei. Which seemingly commeth by a labell from a man, and a woman thereupon pourtraied. Of this Earle more when I come to Lanthony.
Betweene the Chancell and the Bowsers Isle or Chappell,
Hen. Bourchier E. of Essex. is a very costly arched Tombe of polished marble, inlaid with brasse, the picture of a man and a woman, and in diuers places of the foresaid Arch, on the womans side, is the Fetter lock and Bowsers knot, but without inscription. By supposition made to the memorie of
Henry Bourchier (sonne of
William Bourchier aforesaid, Earle of Essex and
Ewe; and
Isabell his wife, daughter of
Richard Earle of Cambridge, and sister of
Richard Duke of Yorke. Which
Henry died
quarto Aprilis, 1483. a valiant and worthie Nobleman he was, fortunate in Martiall enterprises; and in matters of peace so learned, wise, and politicke, that he was thought fit by
Edward the fourth to be Lord Chancellour of England.
In the same Chappell,
Hen. Bourchier E. of Essex. on the North side, remaineth a very faire Altar Tombe of marble, within the which lyeth the body of
Henry Lord
Bourchier and
Louaine, and Earle of Essex, Sonne and heire of
William Bourchier, that died before his father, and grandchilde to
Henry Earle of Essex, next before mentioned: ouer his Tombe hangeth as yet part of his achieuements, as the cote of his Armes, Helme, Crest, and sword. This Earle brake his necke by a fall from his horse, the twelfth day of March, in the one and thirtieth yeare of the raigne of King
Henry the eight, 1539. His horse was young, saith
Stow,Stow Annal. and he the oldest Earle in England: for if you will reckon the yeares from the death of his Grandfather, who liued after his sonne, the father of this
Henry (as I haue said before) vntill the yeare of this his fatall misfortune, you shall finde them to be fifty sixe; and what age he was at his Grandfathers death you may imagine:
In the Hall of the Mannor house of Newton,
Out of certaine ancient collections in Essex. in the Parish of little Dunmowe, remaineth in old painting two postures; the one for an ancestor of the
Bourchiers, combatant with another, being a Pagan king, for the truth of Christ; whom the said Englishman ouercame, and in memory thereof his descendants haue euer since borne the head of the said Infidell, as also vsed the surname of
Bourchier or
Bowser.
Here are foure wondrous ancient Monuments of the
Louaines, all the Inscriptions of them are worne out, these few words excepted.
Sire Thomas Louaine ici gist Margarie la file Moun....
Sir Tho. Lovaine
knight.
This noble familie of the
Lovaines in former ages did here inhabite, by the name of
Fitz-Gilbert,Camd. in Essex one of which house, namely,
Maurice Fitz-Gilbert, was surnamed
de Louaine, as descended from
Godfrey of
Louaine, brother to
Henry the sixth of that name, Duke of Brabant. Who being sent hither to keepe the honor of Eye his posterity flourished among the Peeres of this Realme, to the time of
Edward the third: when the heire generall was married to the house of
Bourchier.
This
Bowsers Chappell (for it is so commonly called) is now the buriall place for the noble familie of the
Maynards.
In the windowPropitietur Deus Benefactoribus omnibus Ecclesie pauperis huius.
The treble Bell in the steeple of this Church is called the Bowsers Bell, on which is cast a peece of coine of siluer, of King
Edward the fourth; it was giuen by one of the Countesses of Essex, as one may partly gather by an old Inscription; vpon it is the
Bowsers knot.
Tiltey.
The foundation of Tiltey Abbey.Here sometime stood a Monastery founded by
Maurice Fitz-Gilbert, before remembred, not long after the Conquest, which he dedicated to the honour of the Virgine
Mary, and therein placed white Monkes of the Cistertian order.
The donations to this religious house are confirmed in the Records of the Tower,
Cart. Antiq. lit. S.
The valuation of it at the suppression was 177. l. 9: s. 4. d.
This Monasterie is not altogether ruinous, in the little Church whereof I found these Funerall Inscriptions following.
Des. Leicest. lit. B.Bruntingthorpe neare to Leicester hath long beene the habitation of the ancient familie of
Dannet, saith Master
Burton, who beareth sable Guttee Argent a Canton Ermine, one of which familie lieth here interred, with this Epitaph.
Gerard Dannet
[...] Mary his wife:Hic iacet sepultus, cum coniuge Maria Gerardus Dannet de Bruntingthorp in Com Lecestr. Ar. & serenissimi Regis Henrici octaui Consiliarius, qui obijt Anno Christi M.ccccc.xx. mensis Maij quarto. The armes afore blazoned are ouer the Monument of this Councellour to king
Henry.
Tho de Thakley
Abbot.
Abbas famosus, bonus, & viuendo probatus,
In Thakley natus, qui iacet hic tumulatus:
Thomas dictatus, qui Christo sit sociatus:
Rite gubernauit, istumque locum peramauit.
Great Easton.
Orate.... Willelmi Moigne Ar....qui obiit. .... M.ccc.v.
Will. Moigne. Ann 2
[...].
Ed. 1.This
William Moigne (or Monke) held this Mannor of Easton
ad montem (for so it was anciently called) with Winterborne and Maston in the Countie of Wilts, by seruice; of being Clarke of the Kings Kitchin, and keeper of his Lardarie,
tempore Coronationis.
Hatfield Brad-oke.
The foundation of the Priorie.So called (saith
Camden) of a broad spread Oake, in which Towne
Robert de Vere, the third Earle of Oxford, and great Chamberlaine of England,
[Page 631] founded a Priorie for blacke Monkes. About the beginning of the raigne of King
Henry the third, valued at the suppression at 157. l. 3. s. 2. d. ob.
per annum: which Priory
Aubrey de Vere (the third of that Christian name, Earle of Oxford) enfeoffed with the Tithes of this Towne, and to the instrument of his donation, he affixed, by a harpe string (as a labell to the bottome of the parchment) a short blacke hafted knife, like vnto an old halfe penny whitle, instead of a Seale. These are the words in his Grant.
Per istum cultellum Albericus de Vere tertius feoffauit Prioratum et Conventum de Hatfeeld Regis,Ex
Mss. in bib. Colt.alas Brodoke, cum omnibus decimis in villa predicta: Habend. &c. a festo Assumptionis beate Marie virginis in puram & perpetuam Eleemosinam, &c.
Of this old manner of signing and sealing of deeds, you may read
Lambard in his perambulation of Kent, pag. 318.
This
Robert was first entombed in the Church of his owne foundation, and at the dissolution remoued into the Quire of this Parish Church, where he lieth crosse-legged, with this inscription now almost worne out.
Sire Robert de Veer le premier, count de Oxenford le tierz git ci, Dieux del alme si luy plest sace merci. Oi pur lame priera, xl iors de pardonn anera.Robert de Vere Earle of Oxford.Pater Noster.
Sir
Robert Vere the first, and third Earle of Oxford, lieth here. God if he please have mercy of his soule; whosoeuer shall pray for his soule, shall obtaine fourty dayes Pardon. He died in the yeare 1221.
Hic iacent Thomas Barington Ar. & Anna vxor eius,Tho. Barington and
Anne has wife.qui quidem Thomas obijt v. Aprilis M.cccc lxxij. & Anna obiit proximo die sequenti. Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus.
At Barington Hall (within this Parish) (saith that learned delineator of Great Britaine M.
Camden) dwelleth that right ancient familie of the
Baringtons,Camd. in Essex which in the raigne of King
Stephen, the Barons of Montfitchet inriched with faire possessions, since which time this house is much enobled by the marriage of Sir
Thomas Barington knight, with
Winifred the daughter and coheire of Sir
Henry Pole knight,
Miiles Catal. Lord
Montague, sonne of
Margaret Plantaginet, Countesse of Salisbury, descended of the bloud royall, being the daughter of
George Duke of Clarence.
Great Dunmow.
Exoretis miserecordiam Dei pro anima Walteri Bigod Armigeri qui obijt 17.
die mens. Mar. 1397.
Walter Bigod
Simon de Regham iadis Parson de Dunmow gist icy,Simon ReghamDieu de son alme eit mercy. Amen.
Of yowr cherite prey for the sowls of
Iohn Ienone Esquyr,
Io. Ienone and
Alice his wife. somtym on of the Common Pleas of Westmynstre, and
Alys his wyff. Whych
Iohn dyed xvii Septembyr, M.Vc.xlii.
Little Dunmow.
Iuga the wife of one
Baynard,The foundation of the Priory of Dunmow. a Nobleman, that came in with the Conquerour; the builder of
Baynards Castle in London, founded the Priority in
[Page 632] this village, in the beginning of the raigne of
Henry Beauclerke, and entreated
Mauricius,Out of an abstract of the Chronicle of Dunmow,
in b
[...]b. Cott. Bishop of London, to dedicate the Church to the honour of the virgine
Mary, to which, the same day, she gaue halfe a Hide of land. Her sonne and heire
Geffrey Baynard placed blacke Chanons therein, by the consent of
Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury. This house was valued at the suppression to be yearely worth 173. l. 2. s. 4. d.
Matilda surnamed the faire.The Church of this monastery is as yet standing, in the Quire whereof, betweene two pillars, lieth the body of
Matilda the faire entombed, who was the daughter of
Robert Fitz-water, the most valiant knight of England. About the yeare 1213. saith the booke of
Dunmow, there arose a great discord betwixt king
Iohn and his Barons, because of
Matilda surnamed the faire, daughter of
Robert Fitz-water, whom the King vnlawfully loued, but could not obtaine her, nor her fathers consent thereunto. Whereupon, and for other like causes, ensued warre through the whole Realme. The king banished the said
Fitz-water amongst other, and caused his Castle, called
Baynard, and other his houses to be spoiled. Which being done, he sent a messenger vnto
Matilda the faire,
Ex predict. lib Dunmow.Stow Annal. about his old Suit in Loue,
Et quia noluit consentire toxicauit eam. And because she would not agree to his wicked motion, the messenger poisoned a boiled, or potched Egge, against she was hungrie, and gaue it vnto her, whereof she died, the yeare 1213.
In the yeare following after her death, her banished father was restored to the kings fauour, vpon this occasion. It happened in the yeare 1214. king
Iohn being then in France,
Stow. Annal. with a great armie, that a truce was taken betwixt the two Kings of England and France, for the terme of fiue yeares: and a riuer or arme of the Sea, being betwixt either host, there was a knight in the English host, that cried to them of the other side, willing some one of their knights, to come and iust a course or two with him. Wherupon without stay
Robert Fitz-water, being on the French part, made himselfe ready, ferried ouer, & got on horseback, and shewed himself ready to the face of his challenger, whom at the first course, he stroke so hard with his great speare, that horse and man fell to the ground; and when his Speare was broken, he went backe againe to the king of France. Which king
Iohn seeing, by Gods tooth, quoth he, (such was his vsuall oath) hee were a King indeed, that had such a knight. The friends of
Robert hearing these his words, kneeled downe, and said, O king he is your knight, it is
Robert Fitz-water;
Sir
Rob. Fitz-water knight. whereupon the next day he was sent for, and restored to the kings fauour. By which meanes peace was concluded, and he receiued his liuings, and had licence to repaire his Castle of Baynard, and all his other Castles. After which, this strenuous knight, this
Mars of men, this Marshall of Gods Armie and holy Church (for so he was enstiled, by the common multitude) liued in all affluence of riches and honour, the space of sixteene yeares; deceased in the yeare 1234. and lieth here entombed by his daughter. Thus saith the booke,
Extract. lib. Dunmow. in saepe dict. bib. Cott.Ann. 1234.
Obijt nobilis vir Robertus filius Walteri Patronus Ecclesie Dunmow, qui tumulatur iuxta maius Altare in suo Monasterio, & succedit Walterus filius eius in heriditatem.
Walter of Clare or
Walter Fitz-Robert.In the middest of the Quire, vnder a goodly marble stone, lyeth the body of
Walter, the father of the foresaid
Robert Fitz-water, and sonne of
Robert, the sonne of
Richard, who was the sonne of
Gilbert of Clare. This
[Page 633]Walter tooke to wife
Maud de Bocham, and after her decea
[...]e,
Matilda or
Maud, the daughter and coheire of
Richard de Lucy, on whom he begate
Robert the valiant, before remembred; he died in the yeare
[...]8. as I haue it in my old Author,
Anno vero Domini M.c.lxxxxviii. obiit Walterus filius Roberti Patroni Ecclesie de Dunmow, qui iacet intumulatus in medio cho
[...]i Ecclesie sue, et succedit Robertus filius Walteri miles stren
[...]s.
Now will it please you heare a little further of this noble family, and of their deuotions to this Priory, out of an old Gartularie,
sans date in my cu
[...]stody.
Robertus filius Richardi et Mathilda vxor eius Episcopo London et omnibus hominibus, et Amicis suis et cunctis Ecclesie fidelibus salutem. Scialis quia concedimus et canonice hac carta confirmauimus, Quod Ecclesia sancte Marie de Donmowe, et fratres ibidem Deo seruientes teneant ita quiete el pacifice, et libere omnes illas Elemosinas quas tenuerunt die qua Rex Henricus mihi Roberto filio Richardi terram dedit. Sicut vnquam quiecius et ho
[...]norificentius et liberius tenuerunt, scilicet in terris, in hominibus, in pratis, in bosco, et plano, et in omni Decima nostra et omnium hominum nostrorum eiusdem ville, & in decima Prati et Pannagij nostri et in decima molendinorum nostrorum, et in omni pastura eiusdem Ville: Preteria sci
[...]tis quia concedimus et confirmamus quod predicta Ecclesia et fratres eiusdem Ecclesie teneant incrementa que nos eidem Ecclesie concessimus et dedimus. Scilicet duas partes decime Dominij nostri de Henham; duas partes decime Dominij nostri de Northon; duas partes decime Dominij nostri de Styston, et decimam de Passfeld. Et decimam de terra que fuit Ernaldi le Blache in Beruston; Et decimam de Pachesham; et Essertum de Leffwyfewode, Et Essertum de Acho, et turbariam de Esteye. Hanc donationem predicte Ecclesie donauimus et confirmauimus pro dei dilectione, et sancte genetricis Marie, et pro fidelibus defunctis.
Robertus erat noster primus Fundator et erat silius Richardi et est sepultus in monasterio,Extract lib. de D
[...] perd
[...]ct.S. Neoti. Walterus erat silius eius et est sepulius apud nos in tumba marmorea in medio chori. Robertus filius Walteri predicti de est tumulatus ante summum Altare.
Anno Dom. 1501.
decimo die mens. Augusti campane in Campanile.The
[...] of
[...] Dunmowe now cast and christen
[...]dEcclesie beate Marie de Dunmow nouiter facte et baptisate fuere.
Prima in honore sancti Michaelis Archangeli.
Secunda in honore. S. Iohannis Euangeliste.
Tertia in honore S. Iohannis Baptiste.
Quarta in honore Assumptionis beate Marie.
Quinta in honore sancte trinitatis, et omnium Sanctorum.
In the Quire of the Church,
Io Blakemore Prior. vnder a goodly faire monument, the body of
Iohn Blakemore, Prior of this dissolued house of Dunmow, as I finde it in an abstract of the Chronicle of this monasterie, lieth interred; for whom this Epitaph following was composed.
Subtus hic, hoc tumulo recubat Prior ecce Iohannes
De Blakemor dictus vir probus, atque pius.
[Page 634]Peruigil implebat quod lex diuina iubebat,
Eius consilium que fuit et studium.
Debilibus, dubijs, cecis, claudis, peregrinis,
Tectum, pes, oculi, consilium, baculu
[...],
Vespere et absconso Machuti sole Nouembris
Quindecimo hic moritur, viuere vt incipiat.
Ergo preces cineri dones quicumque viator,
Ista preces tantum flebilis vrna petit.
His death happened in the yeare of our sauing health, one thousand fiue hundred and eighteene, as by the humble petition of the Subprior and his brethren to their Patron Sir
Robert Radcliffe Knight,
Radcliffe Patron of the Priory of little Dunmow. Lord
Fitz-water (afterwards Earle of Sussex) for the speedy election of another Prior may appeare, the forme whereof, transcribed out of the originall, I thought good here to insert, being a president not commonly knowne in these daies.
Egregio et prenobili viro Domino Roberto Radclif militi, Domino Fitz-water; vestri humiles et deuoti silij Galfridus Shether Supprior et presidens Domus siue Prioratus beate Marie Virginis de Dunmowe ordinis sancti Augustini London Dioc. vestre fundationis et patronatus; et eiusdem loci conuentus, omnimod. Reuerencias cum honore, orationumque suffragia, et quicquid dulcius de latere Crucifixi hauriri poterit: vestre reuerencie innotescimus et certificamus per presentes: Quod bone memorie Dominus Iohannes Blakemore noster iamdudum et dicte domus nostre Prior, quinto decimo die instantis mensis Nouembris viam est vniuerse carnis ingressus, et sequent. prox. ex tunc die ipsius corpus Ecclesiastice traditum est sepulturex; Sicque sumus et est dicta domus siue prioratus Prioris et pas
[...]oris solatio et regimine destitut. Ne igitur ex diurna eiusdem vacatione grauia nobis proueniant incommoda; vestre reuerencie humiliter et deuote supplicamus; quatinus cum sitis noster et dicte Domus siue prioratus fundator, et patronus vt prefertur, vestram vt moris est ad noui seu futuri prioris & pastoris electionem procedend. ac iuxta canonicas sanctiones dei presidio celebrand. patronalem licenciam nobis concedere dignemini cum fauore. Prosperitatemque vestram conseruet Altissimus per tempora longiora. Dat. in domo nostra Capitulari, nostro sub sigillo xvij. die predicti mens. Nouemb. Anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo decimo nono.
Newton HallIn the hall of the Mannor house of Newton Hall, in this Parish, remaineth in old painting, two postures, th'one for an Ancestor of the
Bourchiers combatant with another, being a pagan king, for the truth of Christ, whom the said Englishman ouercame, and in memory thereof, his descendants haue euer since borne the head of the said Infidell, as also vsed the surname of
Bowser, as I had it out of the collections of
Augustine Vincent, Windsore Herald, deceased.
Boreham.
The inheritance and honours of this famous, and right noble race of the
Fitz-waters, came at length by mariage into the stocke of the
Radcliffes,[Page 635] for (in the pedegree of Sir
Alexander Radcliffe of Ordsall in the county of Lancaster, knight of the Bath; descended, as the Earle of Sussex is, from the
Radcliffes, anciently of Radcliffe in the said County; the sonne of that valiant and generally beloued Gentleman, Sir
Iohn Radcliffe, Lieuetenant Colonell, slaine, fighting against the French, in the Isle of Rhee, the 29. day of October, in the yeare of our Lord, one thousand sixe hundred, twenty and seuen) I finde that Sir
Iohn Radcliffe Knight, (sonne of Sir
Iohn Radcliffe knight, who married
Katherine, the daughter and heire of
Edward Lord
Burnell of Acton Burnell in the county of Salop) married
Elizabeth, the daughter and heire of
Walter, Lord
Fitz-water, of Woodham, a Baron of great riches, as of ancient nobility, the father of
Iohn, who was Father of
Robert Radcliffe, the first of that sirname, Earle of Sussex, Viscount
Fitz-water, Lord
Egremont and
Burnell, who with other two Earles, his Sonne and Grandchilde, lie here interred vnder a sumptuous monument, as appeareth by their seuerall inscriptions and liuely portraitures. To the memory of the first Earle (for I am tied by my method onely to his at this time) these funerall lines following are engrauen.
Robertus Radcliffe miles Dominus Fitz-water,Ro. Radcliffe Earle of SussexEgremond et Burnel, Vicecomes Fitz-water (magnus Camerarius, Anglie) Camerarius Hospitij Regis Henrici octaui, ac eidem a consilijs Prelijs in Gallia commissis aliquoties inter primos ductores honoratus, in alijs belii pacisque consultationibus non inter postremos habitus, aequitatis, Institiae, constantiae, magnum aetatis suae columen, obijt xxvii. die Nouemb. Anno Dom. M.ccccc.xlii. aetat.
This Earle had three wiues, whose portraitures are cut here vpon the Tombe, by all of which he had issue. By his first wife
Elizabeth, who was the daughter of
Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham; hee had
Henry, after him Earle of Sussex, here intombed;
George Radcliffe, and Sir
Humfrey Ratcliffe of Elnestow. By
Margaret his second wife, daughter of
Thomas Lord
Stanley, Earle of Darby, he had
Anne, married to
Thomas Lord
Wharton, who lieth here buried by her father, and
Iane maried to Sir
Antony Browne, Knight, Viscount
Mountague. By his third wife, the daughter of Sir
Iohn Arundell of Lanherne in Cornwall, Knight; he had issue, Sir
Iohn Radcliffe, Knight, who died without issue, in the yeare 1566. and lieth buried in Saint
Olaues Hart-streete, London.
Henry Radcliffe, Earle of Sussex, sonne of this
Robert as aforesaid, was one of the priuie Councell to Queene
Mary, as I finde it in her Grant of liberty made vnto him for the wearing of Coyfes or Cappes in her presence, which I coppied out of the Originall amongst the Euidences of
Robert late Earle of Sussex deceased; expressed in these words following.
Mary the Queene.
Mary,Shee tooke the title of Supremacy vpon her in the beginning of her raigne, which she relinquished before her death. by the grace of God, Quene of Englonde, France, and Irelonde, defendor of the Feythe, and in Earthe, of the Church of Englonde and Irelonde supreme Hede. To all to whom this present wryting shall come, sendeth greting in our Lord euerlasting. Know ye that wee do gyue and pardon to our welbeloued and trusty Cosen, & one of oure priuey Counsell,
Henry Earle of Sussex, Viscount
Fitz-water, Lord
Egremond and
Burnell,[Page 636] liberty, licens and pardon, to were his Cappe, Coyf, or night Cappe, or twoo of them at his pleasor, as well in oure presens, as in the presens of any other person or persons within this our Relme, or any other place of our dominion wheresoeuer during his life. And these oure lettres shall be his sufficient warrant in this behalfe. Yeuen vndre oure Signe Manuell, at oure Palaes of Westminstre the second dey of October, in the first yere of oure Reigne.
Her Seale with the Garter about it is fixed to this Grant with a labell of silke, and so are the Armes of the Kings of England: and
E. R. the Seale manuell of
Edward the sixt, not altered.
This
Henry, departed this life at Sir
Henry Sidneyes house in Chanon Row at Westminster, on wednesday morning, the 17. of February, betweene fiue and sixe a clocke, in the third and fourth yeare of
Philip and
Mary, Anno 1556. as
Vincent in his Discouerie of
Brookes Errors verifieth by a certificate thereof in the booke of Burials in the Office of Armes, Fol. 225.
He was buried first by his Father, in Saint
Laurence Poultney Church in London, from whence their remaines were remoued hither, as you shall vnderstand by the present sequele.
That braue-spirited politicke-wise Lord,
Thomas Earle of Sussex, Lord Chamberlaine of the Houshold to Queene
Elizabeth of famous memory, built, or began to build a Chappell in this Church, wherein this glorious Tombe is erected, as a place of buriall for himselfe and his worthy progeny; and commanded by his last Will and Testament (as I was told) that the honourable remaines of his Father, and Grandfather
Henry, and the foresaid
Robert, Earles of Sussex, should be remoued from the parish Church of Saint
Laurence Poultney London, where their bodies lay buried, to this his Chapbell at Boreham, wherein hee desired to be entombed: all which was accordingly performed. This Tombe was made by one
Richard Stephens, an outlandish man, and finished with all furniture, as gilding, colouring, and the like, thereunto belonging, the xxviii. of May, M.D. lxxxxix. the whole charge thereof amounting to the summe of cclxxxxii.l. xii. s. viii. d. as appeares by the account which I haue seene. This
Thomas, Earle of Sussex, saith
Camden, was a most worthy and honourable personage, in whose minde were seated ioyntly both politicke wisedome, and martiall prowesse, as England and Ireland acknowledged; but more of him hereafter. These Earles of Sussex of this sirname, from
Robert the first, to
Robert the last, who died
An. Dom. 1629. haue euer beene Knights of the Garter.
Tho. Coggeshall and
Ioane his wife.Hic iacet Thomas Coggeshale Ar. filius Thome Coggeshale Armigeri & Iohanna vxor eius que quidem Iohanna obijt xvii. Iulij M.ccc.xv. Thomas obiit. .....
Here sometime stood an hospitall in this Towne,
The Hospitall in Newport. by whom founded I cannot reade. Valued at the fatall destruction of all such houses, at 23. l. 10. s. 8. d.
per annum.
Pleshy.
This Collegiate Church was founded by
Thomas of Woodstocke,
The Foundation of the Colledge at
[...] Duke of Glocester, for Canons regular: which was valued in the Kings bookes to be yearely worth one hundred thirty nine pounds three shillings ten pence. The vpper part of which Church, within these few yeares, was taken downe; and as I was told in the Towne, the Parishioners (being either vnwilling or vnable to repaire the decayes) carried away the materials which were employed to other vses. This part of the Church was adorned and beautified with diuers rich funerall Monuments, which were hammered a peeces, bestowed, and diuided, according to the discretion of the Inhabitants. Vpon one of the parts of a dismembred Monument, carelesly cast here and there in the body of the Church, I found these words.
Here lyeth
Iohn Holland,Io. Holland Earle of Exceter. Erle of Exceter, Erle of Huntington, and Chamberleyne of England. Who dyed.......
This
Iohn was halfe brother to King
Richard the second, and Duke of Exceter. From which dignitie he was deposed, by Act of Parliament in the first yeare of King
Henry the fourth, whose sister he had married: and in the same yeare beheaded in this Towne for a seditious conspiracie (saith
Camden) and in the very place where the Duke of Glocester was arrested by King
Richard,Camd. in Essex. which was in the base court of the Castle of Pleshie (now quite ruined) that he might seeme (saith he) to haue beene iustly punished by way of satisfaction, for the foresaid Duke of Glocester; of whose death he was thought to be the principall procurer. He was beheaded the third day after the Epiphanie, 1399. 1.
Hen. 4.
Vpon a broken peece of a faire marble stone, reared to the side of a pillar, whereupon were the pictures in brasse of an armed knight and his Lady, this ensuing disticke was engrauen.
Militis o miserere tui,
Sir
Ed. Holland Earle of Mortaigne and his wife.
miserere Parentum,
Alme deus regnis gaudeat ille tuis.
Vnder this stone (if Tradition may go for truth) Sir
Edward Holland, Earle of Mortaigne, sonne of the foresaid
Iohn Holland, beheaded; with his Lady were entombed.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Scot,Io. Scot the first Master of this Colledge:primi Magistri huius Collegij, qui obijt primo die Ianuar. M.cccc.x.
Qui me psalmasti miserere mei
[Page 638]Qui me pretioso tuo sanguine redimisti miserere mei.
Qui me ad Christianitatem vocasti miserere mei.
Robert Freuyt.
Here lyeth
Robert Frevyt, a man letterd sowndyt
For hys sowl and for all christine, sey a
Pater Noster and an
Ave.
Tho. Plantagines Duke of Glocester.But I shall forget the Founder
Thomas of Woodstocke, the sixth sonne of King
Edward the third, and Vncle to King
Richard, who was taken by force from this his Castle of Plessy, by
Thomas Mowbray, Earle Marshall, and conuayed to Callis, where he was smothered vnder a Featherbed, 1397. His body was afterwards conueyed with all funerall pompe into England, and buried here in this Church of his owne foundation,
Hollins. p. 489. in a goodly sepulchre prouided by himselfe in his life time. Whose reliques were afterwards remoued and laid vnder a marble, inlaid with brasse, in the Kings Chappell at Westminster. In which Church
Elianor his wife (of whom I haue spoken before) lieth entombed,
Catal. of Hon.
Brooke. with this French inscription, who after the death of her husband became a Nunne in the Abbey of Barking within this County.
Cy gist Aleonore de Bohun aysue fille et vn des heirs l'hounrable seignour Mons. Humfrey de Bohun Counte de Hereford d'Essex et de Northampton et Constable d'Engleterre;Elianor Duchesse of Gloucester.Femme a puissant et noble prince Tho. de Woodstock Fitz a tresexcellent et tre puisant seignour Edward Roi d'Engleterre puis le Conquest tiers. Duc de Glocestre, Counte d'Essexie et de Buchingham et Constable d'Engleterre, quemorust le tierz iour a'October, ban du grace 1399.
de gi aisme Dieux face mercy, Amen,
But againe to returne to the Duke her husband, touching whose life and death, with the manner thereof, thus writeth
Gower in his booke called
Vox clamantis.
O quam Fortuna stabilis non permanet una,
Exemplum cujus stat in ordine carminis hujus
Rex agit, et
Cronie. tripart. in bib. Cot. The Swanne the Duke of Gloc. cognisance.
Cygnus patitur de Corde benignus,
Ille prostratus non est de Rege levatus,
Ad Plessye captus tunc est velut Hostia raptus
Rex jubet arma geri, nec eo voluit misereri;
Cum Sponsa nati lugent quasi morti gravati;
Plusque Lupo sevit Rex dummodo Femina flevit.
Nil pietas munit quem tunc manus invida punit,
Rex stetit obliquus nec erat tunc unus amicus.
O Regale genus, Princeps quasi pauper egenus,
Turpiter attractus jacet et sine iure subactus.
Sunt ibi Fautores Regis de sorte Priores
Qui Cygnum pendent, vbi captum ducere tendent,
Sic ducendo ducem, perdit sine lumine lucem.
Anglia que tota tenebrescit luce remota;
Trans mare natavit, regnum qui semper amavit;
Flent centum mille quia Cygnus preterit ille,
Calisij portus petit unde dolus latet ortus,
Error quem Regis genuit putredine legis
[Page 639]Carcere conclusus subito fuit ille reclusus,
Nescit quo fine, sit vite, sive ruine
Tunc Rex elatum sumpsit quasi Falco volatum,
Vnde suas gentes perdit Custode carentes.
A little after follow these verses, touching the deniall of buriall to bee granted vnto him among the rest of his honourable and royall Ancestors.
Sic nece devictum, sic corpus ab hoste relictum,
Clam de conclavi susceperat Anglia navi,
Per mare regreditur, corpus nec adhuc sepelitur,
Namque sepulturam, defendit Rex sibi puram;
Desuper a latere patris loca justa tenere,
Dummodo quesivit vix bassa sepulchra subivit.
Of the manner of his death these three verses following.
Hen quam tortorum quidam de sorte malorum,
Sic Ducis electi plumarum pondere lecti,
Corpus quassatum jugulant que necant jugulatum.
Such was the end of this royall Prince, sonne to a King, and vncle to a King: who by our writers is discommended in this, that he was euer repining against the King in all things whatsoeuer he wished to haue forward:
Histor Ang. l. 20.Erat enim vir ferocissimus & precipitis ingenij (as
Polidor censures him) a most fierce man, and of an headlong wit; who thinking still that those times, wherein he had mastred the King, were nothing changed, though the King was aboue thirty yeeares old, forbare not, roughlie, not so much to admonish, as to check and schoole his Soueraigne.
Hatfield Peuerell.
So denominated of one
Randolph Peuerell the owner thereof, to whom
Edward the Confessor was very munificent for that hee had married his kinswoman,
Camd. in Essex the daughter of
Ingelrick, a man of great Nobilitie among the English Saxons. A Lady of that admirable beautie, that with her lookes she conquered the Conquerour
William, who desired nothing more then to be her prisoner in Armes, which to effect, hee begins to expresse a kinde of loue to the remembrance of her deceased father
Ingelrick, enriching the Colledge of Saint
Martins le grand in London, first founded by him and her vncle
Edward, hee honours and aduanceth her two brethren,
William Peuerell Castellane or Keeper of Douer Castle, and
Payne Peuerell Baron of Bourne or Brun, in Cambridgeshire, the founder of Barnwell Abbey; Standard bearer to
Robert Duke of Normandy in the holy warre against Infidels. He prefers her kindred and friends, he sollicites her by the messengers of the Deuils Bedchamber, his slie enchanting Bawdes, and comes sometimes himselfe like
Iupiter in a golden shower. Thus by these forcible demonstrations of his loue, and vnauoidable allurements (especially from a King) shee was brought at length to his vnlawfull bed, vnto whom shee
[Page 640] bare a sonne named
William, who was Lord of Nottingham, the founder of Lenton Abbey. His mother (toucht with remorse of conscience for her sinnes) to expiate her guilt (for such was the doctrine taught in those daies) founded a Colledge here in this village of Hatfield,
The foundation
[...] Hatfield Colledge. which shee consecrated to the honour of God, and S.
Mary Magdelen; wherein, setting apart all worldlie employments, she spent the remainder of her dayes, and here departed her life about the yeere 1100. sixteene yeeres after the death of the Conquerour. Here she lieth buried, and her image or portraiture cut in stone is to be seene at this present day in the Church window. This house was a Cell to Saint
Albons, valued to be yeerely worth 83. l. 19▪ s. 7. d.
Harlow.
[...]ob. Symond.Hic iacet Robertus Symond quondam Auditor principalis Regis Henrici septimi in Ducatu suo Lancastrie..... qui ob......... Erumnarum portus meta viarum, mors.
.......Iohn Drunkeston..........
Vulnera quinque Dei sint medicina mei.
Scilicet,
Pia mors & Passio Christi.
Danbury.
[...]era
[...] Braybroke and his wife.Hic iacet Gerardus quondam filius & heres Gerardi Braybroke militis qui obijt xxix. Marcij M.cccc.xxii.
Icy gist perne Femme a Gerard Braybroke, fille a Monsieur Reynold de Grey Seignour de wilton, que morust viii. jour d'aueril, l'an de grace M.cccc.xiiii. a qua Dieu fait mercy.
I shall haue occasion to speake of the
Braibrokes, when I come to Braibroke in Northamptonshire, of which they were Lords.
Here lie two men armed in their portraitures, and crosse legged, which were (as it goes by relation from father to the sonne) of the familie of the
Darcies,Darcies. who for a time had here their habitation.
Although it be somewhat from my purpose, yet I hold it not much amisse to ammuse my Reader with a short story.
Hollins.
[...] Annal The Deuill of Danbury. Vpon
Corpus Christi day, in the yeare 1402. the third of
Henry the fourth, at Euensong time, the Deuill entred into this Church, in the likenesse of a Gray Frier, and raged horribly, playing his parts like a Deuill indeed, to the great astonishment and feare of the parishioners: and the same houre with a tempest of whirlewind and thunder, the top of the Steeple was broken downe, and halfe of the Chancell scattered abroad.
Great Baddow.
Ro. Tendering.Hic iacet Robertus Tendering nuper Firmarius Manerij de magna Baddow
[Page 641] qui obijt xx Octob M.ccccc.xxxvii. Anno Hen. viii xxix.
This prayer following is inlaid in brasse vpon the marble.
✚ Omnipotens & misericors Deus, i
[...] cujus potestate humana conditio consistit: animam famuli tui Roberti, queso ab omnibus absolve peccatis; ut penitentie fructum quem voluntas ejus optabit, preventus morte non perdat. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum. Amen.
Hic tumulantur Thomas Kille, & Margeria uxor ejus,
Tho.
[...]ille
and Marg
[...]ry
his wife. qui quidem Thomas erat Pincerna quondam cum illustri Principe Tho. Woodsloke, Duc
[...] dudum Glocestrie; deinde cum nobilissima Domina Comitissa Hereford, & postea cum Christianissmo Principe, & invictissimo Henrico quinto, ultimo cum honore dignissimo Katherina Regina & ejusdem Domini Regis consorte: nove Cantarie Sancte Trinitatis in Capella istius Ecclesie Fundator; qui quidem Thomas plenus annorum obijt xvii. Decemb. M.cccc.xlix. & dicta Margeria penultimo die Februarij M.cccc.lxi.ex hac luce migravit.
Principibus placuisse viris non ultima laus est.
Orate .......... Badewe ........ Ed.
3.
I read that one Edmund Badewe
did hold certaine Tenements in this Towne by Sergeantie:Abstract
[...]e
[...]. in Scaccar. viz.
to keepe and conuey one of the Kings Palfreyes for the space of twentie daies at the Kings charges when hee shall happen to come into these parts. Anno
5. Ed.
3.
Chensford.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Biglon nuper Carnificis istius ville,Iohn Biglon Butcher, and
Florance his wife.& Florentie uxoris eius, qui quidem Iohannes obiit ..... die .... An. Dom. 1500.
et dicta Florencia obijt 1.
Nouemb: 1509.
Quorum animabus.
This marble Monument is faire inlaid with brasse, besitting the corps of a more eminent man then a Butcher. From a labell of brasse these words seeme to proceed out of his mouth:
Ostende mihi Domine miserecordiam tuam. From hers these:
Et salutare tuum da nobis.
This Church was reedified about some hundred thirtie and seuen yeares since, as appeareth by a broken inscription on the out side of the South wall.
Prey for the good estat of the Townshyp of Chelmsford that hath bin willying and prompt of helpys, to.... this Chirch, and for all them that be..... M.cccc.lxxxix.
Here stood a small religious house, built by
Malcolme king of Scots, for Friers Preachers: valued at 9. l. 6. s. 5. d.
per annum.
Engerston.
Hic iacet Iohannes Rocheford Ar. filius Domini Radulphi Rocheford militis,Io. Rochford.qui obiit decimo die Nouemb. 1444.
et anno Regis Henrici sexti, 24.
Of this surname I haue spoken before in Rocheford.
Hic iacet Gertrudis filia Iohannis Terrel de Warley equitis aurati,Gertrude Lady
Petre.& coniux prenobilis viri Gulielmi Petri Equitis aurati, quae obiit 28.
Maii. 1541.
[Page 642]Her said Husband that graue Councellour, and Secretary of State to king
Henry the eight,
Edward, Queene
Mary, and
Elizabeth; lieth likewise here interred. Who liued some thirtie sixe yeares after the death of this
Gertrude his first wife, euen to these later times; whose Epitaph (according to my method) I reserue for another part of these my funerall Monuments.
Vnder the picture of Christ in one of the windowes are these two words,
Petra nostra.
Waltham Abbey.
This Abbey was founded by a King of England, who of all other raigned least and lost most.
The foundation of Waltham Abbey. For within the compasse of a yeare, hee lost both his life and his kingdome, at one cast, and both of them to a Stranger; I meane
Harold the second, the sonne of Earle
Godwin. Who hauing built and sufficiently endowed this his Foundation, for a Deane, and eleuen secular blacke Canons, he caused it to bee consecrated, to the honour of a certaine holy Crosse,
Waltham Crosse. found farre Westward, and brought hither by miracle. King
Henry the second new builded this Monastery, and placed therein Regular Canons; augmenting their number to foure and twenty, and also their reuenues.
Richard Cordelion his sonne confirmes the gift and exchange of the Canons made by his father, by his Charter to be read in the Tower, in these words.
Richardus Dei gratia, &c. Inde est, quod sicut Pater noster mutationem Canonicorum secularium,Cart. Ant. Litur. R.R.& institutionem Canonicorum regularium fecit in Ecclesia de Waltham, & eis quasdam non as possessiones, et veteres concessit, & confirmauit: Sic nos laudabiliter virorum commutationem in prefata Ecclesia factam, nostra autem approbamus. Et pro salute predicti Patris nostri, et Matris nostre, et Fratrum nostrorum, et pro salute omnium fidelium, constitutionem Canonicorum Regularium in eadem Ecclesia factam, & donationes, & possessiones nouas, que a Patre nostro eis facte sunt presenti carta nostra confirmamus. Dat. &c.
Henry the third encreased much their reuenues with Faires and Markets; a Faire here for seuen dayes; and at Epping a Market euery Monday, and a Faire for three dayes. So by the munificence of these Kings, their Successours, and Subiects, this Abbey at the generall suruey, and surrender, was valued (at
Robin Hoods pennieworths) to dispend yearely 900. pounds foure shillings and foure pence.
Stow Annal. speed. The Catalogue of religious houses saith, 1079. l. 12. s. and a pennie.
The death of king
Harold.The Church of this Monastery hath escaped the hammers of destruction, and with a venerable aspect, sheweth vnto vs the magnitude of the rest of this religious Structure. Herein
Harold made his vowes, and prayers, for victorie when hee marched against the Norman Conquerour. In which battell by the shot of an arrow through the left eye into his braines, he was slaine the 14. of October, being Saturday, 1066. hauing raigned nine moneths and odde dayes: whose body by the mediation of his mother
Githa, and two religious men of this Abbey, being obtained of the Conquerour (howsoeuer at the first by him denyed, affirming that buriall was not fit for him, whose ambition had beene the cause of so many funeralls) was
[Page 643] conueyed (with great lamentation) by his said mother
Githa,The buriall of King
Harold. and a small deiected remainder of the English Nobilitie, to this his owne Church, and herein solemnly interred, vpon whose Monument this Epitaph was engrauen.
Heu cadis hosle sero, Rex, a Duce Rege sutaro
Par paris gladio, milite & valido.
Firmini iusti lux est tibi, luce Calixti;
Pronior hinc superas, hinc superatus eras.
Ergo tibi requiem deposcat vtrumque perennem:
Sicque precetur eum, quod colit omne Deum.
A fierce foe thee slew, thou a King, he king in view,
Both Peeres, both Peerelesse, both fear'd, and both fearlesse;
That sad day was mixt, by Firmin and Calixt.
Th'one helpt thee to vanquish, t'other made thee languish,
Both now for thee pray, and thy Requiem say;
So let good men all, to God for the call.
Girth and
Leofwin his two brethren lost their liues likewise vnder
Harolds Banner
(which was brondet (saith
Robert of Glocester)
with sygur of a man fyghtyng biset al about wyth gold and preciosse stons,Girth and
Leo
[...] win King
Harolds brethren.which Baner aftur the Bataile Duc William sent to the Pope in tokne of the victory.) Whose bodyes were in like manner brought to this Church, and here entombed.
It is said that
Girthe, not holding it best to hazard the Kindome of England at one cast,
Camd Remaines. signified to the King, that the successe of warre was doubtfull, that victory was rather swayed by fortune then by valour, that aduised delay was most important in martiall affaires;
Sir
Io. Hayward in vita Will. 1. and if so bee brother (said hee) you haue plighted your faith to the Duke, retire your selfe, for no force can serue against a mans owne conscience; God will reuenge the violation of an oath: you may reserue your selfe to giue them a new encounter, which will be more to their terrour. As for me, if you will commit the charge to me, I will performe both the part of a kinde brother, and a couragious Leader. For being cleare in conscience, I shall sell my life, or discomfit your enemy with more felicitie.
But the King not liking his speech, answered, I will neuer turne my back, with dishonour, to the Norman, neither can I in any sort digest the reproach of a base minde: well then be it so (said some discontented of the company) let him beare the brunt that hath giuen the occasion.
This
Harold is much commended for his courteous affabilitie,
The Charter of K.
Harold. gentle deportment, Iustice, and warlike prowesse, in nothing blame worthy, saue that in the opinion of his owne valour, he addicted himselfe wholly to his owne resolutions, neglecting the wise deliberations of his best friends and Councellors. And that his courage could neuer stoope to be lower then a King. For which he is taxed to be an impious man, falsely aspiring to the Crowne by vsurpation. Of which my old Author, with whom I will conclude, hath these rimes.
Harold the falls Erle, tho Sent Edward ded ley
Rob. Glocest.
[Page 644]Hym selue let corone King, thulk self dey
Falsliche.
Richard the first, king of England, for his matchlesse valour surnamed
Cordelion, or
Lions-heart, is, by some of our old English writers, said to haue slaine a Lion, and by the pulling out of his heart, to haue gained that attribute or denomination;
Hugh Nevill cheefe Forrester of England.
Mat
[...] ad an 12
[...]0. the truth is, that
Hugh Nevill a gentleman of noble linage, one of King
Richards speciall familiars, is recorded to haue slaine a Lion in the holy Land, driuing first an arrow into his breast, and then running him thorow with his sword, whereupon this Hexameter was made.
Viribus Hugonis vires periere Leonis.
The strength of
Hugh a Lion slue.
Which atchiuement belike was transferred from the man to the master, and the story applied to the by-name of K.
Richard.
[...] eodem an. [...]This
Hugh was high Iustice, Gardian, or Prothoforester of England. He died about the sixt of King
Henry the third, being full of yeeres,
& corpus eius, saith
Paris, in Ecclesia de Waltam nobili Sarchophago marmoreo et in sculpto traditur sepulturae; and his body was buried in this Church of Waltham vnder a noble engrauen marble Sepulchre.
Paris ad an. 1145.Iohn Nevill his sonne
(non ultimus inter Angliae nobiles patris sui pedetentim sequens vestigia) and the sonne and heire as well of his vertues as reuenues and offices,
Iohn Nevill. being accused by one
Robert Passelew, (a man of eminent authoritie vnder King
Henry the third) of diuers transgressions, or omissions in the Forrest Lawes, committed by him, by his conniuencie, or sufferance, in this Forrest of Waltham, and other the Kings Forrests, Parks, and Chaces, was adiudged to pay a Fine of two thousand markes, and ignominiouslie to be cast out of his offices, which he tooke so to heart, that (not long after languishing away with sorrow) he breathed out his afflicted spirit in Iuly 1245. at his Mannor of Whelperfield, from whence he was conueyed to this Abbey, and here honourably entombed by his father.
I finde,
in Registro Cartarum Abbatie de Waltam, that these two
Nevils were great benefactors to this Monasterie, to which
Hugh Nevill aforesaid, gaue by his deed the Mannor of Thorndon, in these words,
Omnibus ad quos, &c. Hugo de Nevil, salutem. Noveritis quod ego pro salute anime mee,In bib Col.et Iohanne uxoris mee, per consensum & bonam voluntatem Iohannis filij mei et heredis concessi Ecclesie de Waltham in liberam Ele
[...]mosinam totum manerium meum de Thorndon, &c.
Robert PasselewRobert Passelew before remembred, was here likewise interred, who was one of the Kings instruments for gathering vp money, in which his office be vsed such rigor, as multitudes of people were vtterlie vndone; so vnsafe are priuate mens estates, where Princes fall into great wants. He was Archdeacon of Lewes,
Dannil. in vil. Hen 3. and for his good seruice in this businesse (Kings haue euer such seruants to expresse their pleasures in what course soeuer they take) he should haue bin preferred to the Bishoprick of Chichester; but the Bishops withstanding the King therein, his election was disanuld in
[Page 645] the yeare 1234. being (with other) called to a strict account for the Kings Treasure ill spent,
Paris. or worse employed, he was constrained to take Sanctuarie, and seeke odde corners for his safety; yet afterwards (an argument of the Kings lenitie) he was receiued into grace and fauour: at the length leauing the troubles which attend the Court, hee liued priuately at his parsonage of Derham in Norfolke, but died at his house here in Waltham vpon the sixt day of Iune, in the yeare 1252. of whom will it please you heare
Mathew Paris speake in his owne language.
Archidiaconus Lewensis,Paris eod an.Robertus Passeleue, eodem quoque anno, octauo Idus Iunij obijt apud Waltham, de quo multa praescribuntur. Hic Robertus Clericus et praelatus, non est veritus Regi adhaerendo multos multiformiter depauperare, vt Regem impinguaret. Opera autem sua sequuntur eum.
In the Sun-shine of his fortune hee was flattered (as all Kings Fauorites are) by this allusion to his name
Pass-le-eau as surpassing the pure water,
Remaines pa. 16. the most excellent element of all, if you beleeue
Pindar. whereupon these verses were written not the worst in that age, if you pardon a little improprietie. Out of the collections of
Camden, Mss. in Bib. Cot.
Robertus transgressor aquae, nec enim quia transit,
Sed precellit aquam, cognomine credo notari.
Est aqua lenis, & est aqua dulcis, et est aqua clara,
Mulcens, albiciens, emundans omnia, lenis
Languenti, dulcis gustanti, clara videnti;
Tu praecellis aquam, nam leni lenior es tu,
Dulci dulcior es tu, clara clarior estu,
Mente quidem lenis, re dulcis, sanguine clarus:
In tribus his excellis aquam, nam murmure lenis
Est aqua, tu mente, gustu dulciflua, tu re,
Limpiditate nitens tu sanguine: quodlibet horum
Est magis intensum procul in te quam sit in ipsa.
Here lyeth
Ion and
Ione Cressy,
On whos sowlys Iesu hav mercy. Amen.
Of yowr cherite for vs and al Christian sowlys,
Say a Pater Noster and an Aue.
On lyue when we wer God sent vs spase,
Iohn and
Ioan Cressy.
To yink on hym and of his grete grase,
For as we be both body and fase,
So both mor and less must be in lik case.
In piteous aray as now yow see,
It is no nay, so sal ye be.
Your self mak mon, or ye bin gon, and prey for vs,
Wythout deley, past is the dey, we may not prey for yow; its thus.
Whylst yat yow mey, both nyght and dey, look yat yow prey
Iesu of grase,
When ye bin gon, help is ther non, wherfor yink on;
Whylye hav spase.
Sir
Edward Denny knight and
Ioan his wife.
Here stands a faire monument to the memory of Sir
Edward Denny,[Page 646] (sonne of the right honourable Sir
Antony Denny, Counsellor of Estate and one of the executors of King
Henry the eight) and of
Ioane Champernoun his wife; of whom more hereafter.
This Monasterie is now one of the mansion houses of that honourable Lord, Sir
Edward Denny Knight, Baron
Denny of Waltham, and Earle of Norwich.
I found since I writ the premisses, that
Edward the Confessour was the prime cause of this religious foundation, for that he gaue to
Harold certaine Lands here conditionally that hee should thereupon build a Monasterie, and furnish it with all necessaries, as appeares by his Charter of that donation amongst the Records in the Tower.
Cart. Antiq. li
[...]. M.Ego Edwardus Dei dono Anglorum Rex, &c. Haraldo Comiti meo quandam terram antiquitus ab incolis istius loci Waltham nuncupatam, cum omnibus ad se pertinentijs
[...]ampis, pratis, sylvis, aquis, &c. sub conditione quod in prescripto loco Monasterium edificet, in memoriam mei et conjugis mee Eadithe. Et insuper ornet diversis Sanctorum martyrum et reliquijs et libris, Anglicisque vestibus et alijs ornamentis congruentibus: IbiqueA little Couent of Friers subiect to the Chanons and their Rules.Catervulam quorundam Fratrum Canonice Regule subjectam constituet. Plurimeque terre ut donentur in Monasterij illius extruendi usum, et alimentum, ipsius etiam Haraldi cure et fidei commisi, &c.
Here he names the lands in particular, which are many.
Et hec omnia (saith he)
ad diluenda mea et Antecessorum meorum peccata collata sunt.
Quod si quis meorum successorum aliquam partem illius terre subtrahat, vel subtrahi proinde requisitus emendare noluerit. Ei Dominus justus judex Regnum pariter ac Coronam auferat, &c.
Preterea volo et promitto, quod omnia in Monasterij illius opem data vel danda sint semper libera, et a Sherifs, et a hundredis, et extra Curiam sancte Crucis omnibus placitis Geldis, &c.
Scriptum est autem istud privilegium Ann. Dominice incarnationis M.lxii. Indictionibus terquinis, Epactis Septembris concurrentibus. Hijs testibus, Ego Edwardus Anglorum Basileus, confirmo et corrobero. Ego Editha divini numine Christi Regina hec eadem confirmando testimonium do. Ego Stigandus Archiepiscopus Dorobernens. eadem affirmo. Ego Ealdredus Ebor. Archiepiscopus hec consollido: cum multis alijs Episcopis et Abbatibus.
Horne-Church.
Named in times past (saith M.
Camden)
Cornutum Monasterium, the Horned Minster, for that there shoot out at the end of the Church certaine points of Lead fashioned like hotnes. To the brethren
de monte Iovis, or Mountioy;
Priorie de cornuto. Stow Suruay. or Priory
de cornuto by Hauering at the Bower (saith
Stow) the house of Savoy in the Strand did sometime belong, which
Eleanor wife to King
Henry the third, purchased of the said Fraternitie or Brotherhood, for her sonne
Edmond Earle of Lancaster. The inhabitants of this parish say (by tradition) that this Church was built by a female conuertite, to expiate and make satisfaction for her former sinnes; and that it was called Hore-Church at the first,
Hore-Church. vntill by a certaine King, but by what King they
[Page 647] are vncertaine, which came riding that way, it was called, The Horned-Church, who caused those Hornes to be put out at the East end of the same, in remembrance of so remarkable a Foundation.
But to leaue these coniectures and returne to the Grauestones which I finde thus inscribed.
Hic iacet Henricus filius Domini Richardi Arundel militis,Hen. Arundellqui obiit ..... 1412
anno etatis primo. Cuius anime propitietur Deus.
I will borrow an Epitaph for this Infant which I reade in Rome in the Church, bearing the title of S.
Maria in Aracaeli.
Blandidulus nitidus, dulcissimas, vnicus Infans
Matris delitia delitiaeque patris.
Hic tegitur raptus teneris Henricus in annis
Vt Rosa quae subitis imbribus icta cadit.
Of yowr cheritie a
Pater Noster and an
Ave for the sowl of
William Ailiff gentlman owner of the Mannowr of Bret-Howse who died 1517.
Will. Ailiffe.
Here lyeth
Iulian Roche wyf of Sir
William Roche Alderman of London,
Iulian Lady
Roche. who died....1526. and
Elisabeth Roche wyf to Sir
Iohn Roche, sonne of
William, and dawghter of Sir
William Forman knyght and Alderman. .....
Sir
William Roche, here mentioned, the sonne of
Iohn Roche of Wixley in Yorkshire,
Suruay. was Lord Maior of London, in the yeare 1540. In which yeare (saith
Stow) the Bible was openly read in English.
Here lyeth
Katherin,Katherine Fermor. the dawghter of Sir
William Powlet knyght, wyf of
William Fermor, Clarke of the Crown. Who died 26 May the second of
Henry the eight.
Orate pro anima Tho. Seargile Armig. ... 1475.
et pro anima Elisabethe vxoris eius.Tho. Seargill &
Elis. his wife
Romford.
In the East window of the South Isle of this Church, I finde these words vnder the pictures of
Edward the Confessour, and two pilgrims,
Iohannes per peregrinos misit Regi Edwardo....the rest broken out with the glasse. Vpon which words hangs an old Tale; that at Hauering, hereunto adioyning, certaine Pilgrims came to King
Edward the Confessour from Ierusalem, and gaue him a ring; which ring he had secretly before giuen to a poore man that asked his charitie in the name of God, and Saint
Iohn the Euanglist: and that these Pilgrims gaue the said
Edward notice of his owne death, according to these old rimes.
Seynt Edward wiste of his dethe ex he hennes wende
Rob. Glocest.
For Seynt Iohn the Euangeliste tokne to hym sende
As men may in his Legend see els war
And than to
poore.
pour he delte his goode, and made hymself
readie for God.
yar.
This Story is likewise wrought in the Hangings in the Quire of Westminster Abbey, explayned by these verses following vnder the pourtraitures of Saint
Iohn Euangelist and king
Edward.
But enough of this, and more perhaps then will be beleeued. Now to the Funerall Monuments.
Auery Cornburgh, Beatrice his wife, and Doctor
Crowland.
The mortall corses buryed here behold,
Of
Avery Cornburgh and
Beatrice his wyff,
Sqwire for the body in worschip manyfold,
With
Henry and
Edward kings in this lyff;
And vndertreasurer with king
Henry the seuenth full blyff.
Till deth him raft the world as yow may se,
And of Master
Iohn Crowland Doctor of Diuinitie.
Within this Church to sing perpetuell,
They stablysh a Doctor, or Bacheler of Diuinitie,
Or a Master of Art, for nede continuell,
Ten pound for his Salerie and chamber fee,
And thre pound more, there as yow may se:
Yerlie xxs. the liuelode to repare,
For euery yere an
Obit, the residue is fare.
Of Preests xii, and Clerks vi, alsoo,
Six pens the Preest, and fowr pens euery Clerk,
For brede, chese, and Ale in mony there must goo:
To poor folk xl.d. fulfilling this werk:
The Baylie and Wardens of this Church must herk:
To levy the lyvelode, dispose, and employ;
And ech of them yerly for their labour shall xl.d. enioy:
Moreouer this call to yowr remembrance anon,
That in the beadroll of vsage euery Sonday redd;
The sowls of this
Avery, Beatrice, and
Iohn,
Be prayed for in speciall; se that owr will be spedd,
And that the Curate of this Church curtesly be ledd
And for his labor have in reding of that Roll
Forty pens to prey for them and euery Christian sowl.
The Chantrie Preest in this Church shall bynd him preching,
And in other when he is disposyd Soul helth to avans:
Namely at South Okendon, Hornchurch, Dagenham, and Barking;
At euery of them twise a yere, or moo to Goddys pleasans,
And at two times seuerall this is sufficians.
Forty days in the yere he shall haue to disport,
If his disposition require such comfort.
The Baylie and Wardens of the same town;
This chantre Preest shall puruay and prouyd,
Within six wekes by ther own election,
[Page 649]But aftyr such seyson if it shall betyd,
To stand lenger vacant, thei shall it not hyd,
The Bishop of London, and the Archdekon,
As is owr will for that on tym shall haue ther election.
But aftyr six wekes a moneth of vacation,
Not elet by them twein, depriuyth ther liberte.
For then shall the King ha gift and nomination,
Namely for that on tym; we will that so it be.
A chest in the Church with euidenses se,
Concerning the liuelode with Indenture tripartite;
Remeyning with the Bishop, and Herres of Auery:
The third with the Wardens trowth to Annuity.
Now Iesu for thy bitter passion,
Reward the sowls with euerlasting blis
Of them, which caused this Foundation;
And of thy mercy let them neuer mis.
And Virgin
Mary shew thy grace in this,
Eternally, that they may liue with the,
Amen, Amen, Amen, for cherite.
It seemeth that this Tombe was made by himselfe in his life time, and that he trusted to his Executors to set downe the yeare and day of his departure, his wiues, and Doctor
Crowlands. For the verge of the monument is thus inscribed, making one date for all: ......yere of owr Lord 1480....and
Beatrice his wyf which decessid the—day of—the yere of owr Lord God 1480—and of Maister
Iohn Crowland..... who decessid the day—of the yere of owr Lord God, 1480. on whos souls Iesu haue mercy.
Vpon the same monument this Epitaph following is inlaid with brasse.
Her lyeth
Elisabyth Hannys,Elis. Hannys. sister to Master
Auery Cornburgh Sqwire
Farwel my frendys, the Tyde abydeth no man;
I am departyd fro hens, and so sall ye,
But in my pasage the best song I can,
Is
Requiem eternam: now Iesu grant it me,
When I haue endyd all my auersite;
Grant me in Paradys to haue a mansion,
That shed thy blood for my redemption.
Isto sub lapide...... Christ
[...] Taleworth:Taleworth..... qui migrauid ad dominum.....
I know not what to make of this broken Inscription,
Ab. Rel. in Scac. onely I finde that one
Nicholas Taleworth held a Tenement in Hauering (hereby) by Seargeantie, to giue the King a paire of Hare-skin gloues euery Christmas day,
pat. 31.
Ed. 3.
Most glorious Trinity on God and persons thre
Rich. Ballard and
Margerie his wife.
Haue mercy on the sowlys of
Richard Ballard, and his wyf
Margery,
[Page 650]Whos bodyes her befor yow lyn closyd in cley.
Euery man and woman of yowr cheritie do yow prey:
That to the blis of heuen sweet Iesu do their soulys bring,
Vnto the plas celestial befor owr heuenly King.
Richard deseysed the iiii. of August, M.ccccc.xxvii. and
Margerie—M.ccccc. . .—
[...]. his wife.
Her vndyr this ston lyes
Piers Ion,
And
Elisabyth his wyff, lyeth him hard by.
On whos sowlys Iesu haue mercy,
Besech yow for cherite,
Sey a Pater Noster and an Aue.
The whych decessyd the on and twentyth of Septembre,
In the yer of owr Lord God, on thowsand four hundred seuenty and thre.
[...] wife.
Her lye
Iohn Outred, and
Ione his wyff,
Who liuyd long togeddyr withoutyn stryff.
Iohn left this world, and passyd to heuen
On thowsand fyue hundryd yere and eleuen:
This Church is beautified with a sumptuous funerall Monument, wherin diuers of the familie of the
Cookes lie entombed: whose habitation was at Giddy-Hall hereunto adioyning, which house was built for the most part by Sir
Thomas Cooke Lord Maior of London, and knight of the Bath, at the Coronation of
Elizabeth, wife to King
Edward the fourth: vpon the Frontispice of which, these verses were engrauen of later times.
[...]-
Hall
Aedibus his frontem Proauns Thomas dedit olim
Addidit Antoni caetera sera manus,
1568.
Aedes quisque suas; Domini sed maenia pauci
Aedisicant; leuior cura minora decet.
Vpmenster.
This towne of Vpmenster or Vpminster, as it is diuersly written, lying three miles from Rumpford, requireth some large remembrance from mee, in respect that it hath enioyed within little more then the space of three hundred yeares, diuers eminent families, who haue beene Lords of the same, or at least of the Mannor of Gains, called also the Mannor of Vpmenster, lying within the same; to which mannor, as long tradition hath left to posteritie, there is a little Isle or Chappell, standing on the north side of the Chancell of the same Church, belonging, and time out of minde, appendant to the Mannor of Gains aforesaid, and appropriated to the Lords of the same for their particular place of buriall for themselues and their issue.
The first familie (of whose posteritie I can dilate) which I finde to haue beene Lords of the said mannor of Gains,
alias Vpmenster, was that most
[Page 651] ancient sirname of
Engaine (whether thence drawne or no, I leaue to others to coniecture) and it is warranted by a long tradition that Sir
Iohn Engain Knight, the sonne of
Vitalis Engayn being
Ex Autographo eiusdem carie dat an. 2
E
[...] 1.
penes Radulphum Lathum A
[...]m
[...]g dominum Mancrie eiusdem. Lord of the said mannor, did build the before mentioned Chappell, which since hath receiued its denomination from the blessed Virgin. This familie ended in the male line, when Sir
Thomas Engayne Knight, sonne of
Iohn Engayne Esquire, and grandchilde to the former Sir
Iohn, left his three daughters, his coheirs, of whom
Iocosa the eldest was wife of
Iohn de Goldington. Elizabeth the second, was married to Sir
Lawrence de Pakenham knight: &
Mary the third daughter & coheire,
Escaetr. de. a. 41. E. 3. was wife of Sir
William de Barnake knight. There is no Tombe or grauestone left of this familie, but onely their Coatarmour in the East window of the aforesaid Chappell.
This Mannor of Gains,
alias Vpmenster, was afterwards seuerally in the possession of
Symon de Hauering (
Ex Autographo eiusdem cartae dat. 10.
Iulij, a. 15. E. 1.
penes R. L. praedictum. who I conceiue was but the Feoffe in trust of Sir
Iohn the sonne and heire of
Iohn Engayne) of
Alice de Perrers,Rot Pat. de a. 3.
R. 2.
parte 3. afterwards attainted by Act of Parliament in
a. 1.
R. 2. and of
Henry de la Felde, whose further mention leauing the first two in silence, serueth onely to this present Narration.
The said
Henry de la Felde did by his Deede indented,
a. 9.
H 4. entaile the said mannour vpon
Richard,Penes Rad. Lath, praedict.Walter, and
Iohn his sonnes, each after other vpon the default of issue; and lastly, vpon
Iohn Deincourt and
Elizabeth his wife, the daughter of the said
Henry de la Felde, in whose right afterwards it should seeme he came to be Lord thereof; and there lieth buried together, with his wife, vnder a faire Tombe, placed iust vnder the Arch which diuideth the said north Chappell or Isle from the Chancell of Vpmenster Church.
Es testis Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste
Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur.
And about the tombe, though somewhat mutilated is written this Epitaph.
Sancte deus sancte fortis sancte miserecors saluator miserere: Animabus Rogeri Dencourt Armigeri & Elizabeth consortis sue quorum corpora sub isto lapide marmoreo tumulantur ac etiam orateIn this place tis probable the words to be supplied are
Pro animabus filiorum suorum et.:::::::::::: Filiarum suarum qui quidem Rogerus obijt vicesimo :::::::: An. Domini Millesimo cccclv. Nec non orate pro animabus omnium ::::::::: defunctorum hic & vbique in Christo quiescencium:
The next owner of this mannor of a new sirname, I finde to haue beene
Nicholas Wayte, of whom or his familie, I can say little; onely by his sale it came to be the inheritance of
Ralph Lathum Esquire, a lyneall descendant in the male line, from a yonger branch of the ancient familie of
Lathom of Lancashire, who were Lords of that place in the said Countie (as all the receiued descents of that familie warrant) from the time of King
R. 1. vntill the latter end of
E. 3. when
Isabel the sole daughter and heire of Sir
Thomas Lathom Knight, was married to Sir
Iohn Stanlye knight, from whom the now earle of Darbie is lineally descended, and (as I conceiue) is from the right of this intermarriage, Lord of the Mannor of Lathom at this day.
[Page 652]The Epitaph of this aboue said
Ralph Lathom, is placed in brasse, set into a faire marble stone, couering his tombe, and is as followeth.
Here lieth buried
Rayff Lathum esquire, late Lord of Vpmistre, and
She was the daughter of Sir
Wi
[...]liam Roche Knight.Elizabeth his wife, which
Rayffe deceased the xix. day of Iuly,
An. M.ccccc.Lvii. whose soule and all christen soules Iesus haue mercy.
The next familie to whom by the sale of
William Lathom, sonne and heire of the aforesaid
Ralfe Lathom, the before mentioned Mannor of Gains did appertaine, was the familie of
D'Ewes, (from whom also it was again at last repurchased by
Lathom) for
Adrian D'Ewes being descended of the ancient stem of
Des Ewes, Dynasts or Lords of the Dition of Kessell in the Dutchie of Gelderland, setling and marrying in England not many yeares after the beginning of the raigne of King
H. 8. had issue,
Gerardt D'Ewes his sonne and heire, who hauing purchased the said Mannor of Gains as aforesaid, was after his death, according to the former vsage, buried in the said Chappell, appendant to the said Mannor, as other Lords of the same had beene, whose Epitaph, because it is replenished with many particulars touching the antiquity and ensignes of this familie. I haue beene more exact in the full delineation thereof in the figure following.
ANTIQVA INSIGNIA FAMI\LIAE DES EWES DYNASTARVM DE KESSEL.INSIGNIA GESTA AB EORVM POSTERIS.
Ad memoriam aeternam Geerardt D'Ewes Filij Primogeniti Adriani D'Ewes ex Illustri & perantiqua Familia Des Ewes Dynastarum ditionis de Kessel in ducatu Gelriae oriundi & Aliciae Rauenscroft coniugis suae viri singularis sub hoc marmore tumulati qui obiit die xii. Aprilis, Anno Domini CI
[...]DXCI. Vnico relicto sui ipsius & Graciae Hind primae suae coniugis Filio & haeredae Paulo D'Ewes Armigero (qui duxit in vxorem Sissiliam Filiam vnicam & Haeredem Richardi Simonds de Coxden in Pago Dorsetensi Armigeri) & vnicâ filiâ Aliciâ nupta Gulielmo Lathum de Vpmenster in Comitatu Essex Armigero.
[Page 654][blazon or coat of arms][blazon or coat of arms]
Egregiâ natus Geerardt de stirpe propinquûm
Gueldrorum hic foelix ossa regenda tegit.
Scilice
[...] invidia fatorum ipse ante sepultus
Quam vitâ orbatus, mors ita sacra quies.
Stémata nam
(que) Deus modo deprimit et modo
Ne nobis coeli gaudia terra ferat.
Fundamenta tamen proli struxisse regaudec ditat
Primaevū ut poterint cōmemorare DECVS.
Hinc proavos superans claros virtute ferendi
Non fit ONVS sed erit posteritatis HONOS.
Arkesden:
Here lieth
Anne the daughter and heire of
Richard Fox, and the wife of
Thamas Langley Esquire,.....1467.
William Cook &
Elis. his wife.Orate pro anima Willi Cook generosi filij Thome Cook militis & Elizabethe uxoris ejus, qui obijt, 1500.
et Elizabetha 1503.
Tho. Alderton and
Alice his wife.Pray for the sowls of
Thomas Alderton Stockfishmonger of London, and
Alis his wyff, which
Alis decessyd on Saint
George his Eue 1513.
This Inscription following is vpon the North Wall of this Church.
Thomas Alderton was a goodd benefactor to this Chirch, as by his last Wil and Testament, remeyning in this Chirch, mor pleynly it doth appere. He gave certeyne lands towards the sustentatyon of a Chantre Prest, to sing at the Awter, and to help devyn Servis at the sam, on the Holiday, He built this Isle from the north dor hitherto, on whos sowl Iesu haue mercy. Amen.
Stansted Mont-fichet:
Camd. in EssexThe habitation in times past of the familie
de Monte Fixo, commonly Mont-fitchet, whereupon the towne had that denomination.
Rog. Lancaster. In his Crono. descrip. of Essex, a Mss.In the Church lieth buried
Roger of Lancaster, who married
Philip daughter and heire of
Hugh de Bulbeck, the second, saith
Norden, and lieth crosse legged in an ancient tombe of white stone, vpon which no inscription remaineth. He was, in her right, Lord of Stansted, the said mannor afterward came vnto
Hugo de Playze, by marriage of the yongest daughter of
Richard Mont-fitchet, of whom came
Elizabeth Countesse of Oxford, who was daughter to
Iohn Howard knight, by whom the land came to the Earle of Oxford.
South Church.
In this Church are some old Monuments of the
Bruins, which haue
[Page 655] beene old inhabitants there, and descended, saith
Norden, as hee thinks, from
Iordan le Brune,Iordan le Brune. a knight, Lord of Hacwell in
Henry the thirds time.
Here is an old mannor wherein the old knights which surnamed themselues of the towne,
Chirche,Rich. Chirche inhabited, whereof one Sir
Richard in
Henry the thirds time, was one of the kings Iustices for Gaole deliuery. He gaue the greatest part of his land to Christs Church in Canterbury, mooued thereunto for want of heires males.
Shopland.
In Shopland is an ancient mannor called Butlers,
Butler of a race of knights, and gentlemen that dwelt there, and gaue three couered Cups, as appeareth in the Church window, there is one most beautifull Monument in the Church, made to the memory of one
Staple,Staple a Sergeant at Armes, to King
Ed. the third, which gaue in his Shield a Salter mixt with Staples: which in colours with other Scutcheons remaine in the North windowes. His tombe is thus inscribed.
Tho. Stapel iadis Seriant d'armes nostre Seigneus le Roi, qi morust le secunde iour de Mars, l'an de Gras Mil. ccclxxi gist ici. Dieu de s'alme eit mercy. Amen.
Canewdon.
A great parish, so called from King
Canutus the Dane, who kept his Court here;
unde Canuti domus. The Mannor house hath beene double trenched, and fensed after the oldest fashion. In the same are other Mannors exceeding ancient: as that of Clarendon Hall, the old seat of the
Chanceux,Sir
Giles Chanceux many of them were knights; as Sir
Giles Chanceux, in
Edward the first his time; many of them lie buryed in the Church, with their Pictures, Scutcheons, and French Poesies all defaced. Another Mannor called Breamstons, or rather Beanstons, honoured by knights, descended of
Bartholomew a yonger sonne to the Earle of Ewe in Normandy; it hath beene inhabited by a knight or more of the name of
Scot.Scot Another Mannor called Apton Hall, and another called Piuersey Hall, whereof Sir
Iohn Greyton was Lord in
Edward the first his time.
Sir
Io. Greyton One of the best called Lamberne Hall,
Lamberne whereof one
Lamberne vnder
Swaine was Lord in the Conquest time, and so continued till
Richard the second, at which time his daughter
Thamasin carried all to Toteham, and from thence to Barington, and from thence to
Lumsford a Squire of Sussex, that being better planted in his natiue Country, vseth this for a Farme: as I thinke it was in
Lambernes time.
So many Lordships in the parish haue caused so many of their owners to honour this Church with their Sepultures, but to whose memory, in particular, any one of these monuments were erected, cannot bee discerned, they are all so shamefully abused.
Sir
Lucas T
[...]anye.Here was the inheritance and sepulture of a wariike crew of Knights called
Tanye, or
Thanye, one of which named
Lucas Tanye, a knight, and an expert warriour, at the taking of the Isle of Anglesey and Castle of Oxe in Wales,
S
[...]ow.
[...]alsing. was with Sir
William Lindsey, William de Audley, Roger Clifford and twelue other of the Kings chiefest Captaines and Knights, besides seuenteene young Gentlemen, and two hundred common souldiers slaine, by
Dauid Lord of Denbigh, brother to
Lhewelin Prince of Wales, and his band of fierce Welshmen, in the tenth yeare of the raigne of King
Edward the first.
History of Wales. This famous knight was Steward of Gascoyn.
Writle.
Thomasia, Tho.
[...] and
[...] He
[...]ngham.Hic iacet Thomasia filia et heres Tho. Heueningham iunioris Ar. filij & heredis Tho. Heueningham senioris Ar. & Tomasie consortis sue, que quidem Thomasia dicta filia & heres primo nupta suit Tho. Berdefield, secundo Iohanni Bedel, & vltimo Waltero Thomas gen. et obiit die Martis 21.
Iunij 1513
et qui Tho. Heueningham senior, & Thomasia Consors eius, ac Tho. Heueningham iunior, iacent partem sub isto lapide, & partem magis directe coram imagine. S. Trinitatis. Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus.
Tho. Fige.Here lieth
Thomas Fige, and
Margaret his wife, one of the two daughters, and heires of
Raffe Toppesfeld Esquire. He deceased in April 1513. and had issue one sonne and two daughters.
Ioan Wyborne.Here lieth
Iohane somtym wyff of
William Wyborne, daughter and heire of
Thomas Hyde. Who died....1487.
Iohn Pinchon and
Ioan his wife.Here lieth
Iohn Pinchon Esquire, who died:....with
Ione his wyff, daughter to Sir
Richard Empson beheaded. Of whom I haue spoken before.
Out of the collections of the right honourable
Thomas Lord
Brudnell of Stouton, as followeth.
Margaret Barners.Margaret daughter of
Richard Vere of Addington
magna in Com. Northampton. Esq. by his wife
Isabell, sister and heire of Sir
Henry Greene of Drayton in the said County: which
Margaret was sister to Sir
Henry Vere, whose eldest daughter and coheire
Elisabeth, was wife of
Iohn first Lord
Mordant, lieth here buried with her husband
Iohn Barners.
Iohn BarnersIohn Barners of Writle in Essex Esquire, Lord of a place there called
Turges or
Cassus; was gentleman Vsher to Princesse
Elizabeth, eldest daughter to King
Edward the fourth, after Sewer to King
Edward the fifth, as appeareth by his Monument in Writle where he lieth buried.
Constance Barners.Constance daughter of Sir
Robert Pakenham of Streetham in Surrey, was his second wife; she is likewise buried by her husband at Writle,
ob. 1522.
Finchingfeeld.
Io. Barners and
Elis. his wife.Iohn Barners of Peches in Finchingfeeld Parish
Esq died,
Ann. Dom.[Page 657] 1500. and there lieth buried by him, his first wife
Elisabeth, daughter of
Symon Wiseman.....
Debden or Depondon.
Here lieth buried
Nicholas Barners,Nic. Barners &
Marg his wife. with his wife
Margaret, one of the daughters and coheires of
Iohn Swyndon Esquire, who died...1441.....
Of this name thus much as followeth. Sir
Iames Barners,Catal. of Honour, title Essex. or
Berners (for it is written both wayes) (saith
Mils) was so great in fauour with
Richard the second, that it cost him his head, though he were restord in bloud by Act of Parliament, the one and twentieth yeare of the said King
Richard, was the onely off-spring of so many knights of the
Berners of Berners Roding in Essex. This Sir
Iames Berners had three sonnes: Sir
Richard Berners of Westhorsley in Surry, whose daughter and heire
Margerie was married to
Iohn Bourchier, created Lord
Berners. From whom Sir
Tho. Knyvet of Ashulthorp in Norfolke knight.
Tho. whose Grandchild
Iohn Berners Esquire, Sewer to Prince
Edward the fifth, was great Grandfather of
William Berners of Tharfield in Hartfordshire: And
William, of whom are come the
Berners of Finchingfield in Essex.
Great Thorndon.
Hic....heres Iohannis Eton Ar.... que quidem Isabella sedere matrimoniali nupsit Roberto Tyrell Armig. vni filiorum.....Isabell Tyrell.
Voluitur in terra magne virtutis alumpna
Elis. Tyrell.
Elisbet que Tyrell generoso sanguine clara,
.............vxor veneranda marito,
.................amica deo.
........oro vobis dignetur vt miserere
Vt gratiamque Dei sic famuletur ei.
Hic iacet humata Alicia filia Willelmi Cogeshale militis & Antiochie consortis sue quondam vxor Iohannis Tyrell militis,Sir
Io T
[...]rell. and
Alice his wife.qui quidem Iohannes & Alicia habuerunt inter se exitum, filios & filias, quorum nomina sunt scripta ex viraque parte istius lapidis.... M. cccc.xxii. Filii.
1.
Walterus.Their children. 2.
Thomas. 3.
Willelmus senior. 4.
Iohannes. 5.
Willelmus iunior. 6.
Iohannes Tyrell Clericus. Filie. 1.
Alicia. 2.
Elizabetha. 3.
Alionora. 4. Another whose name is worne out of the Tombestone.
Here lyeth
Thomas Tyrell,Tho. Tirell. sonne and heire of
Iohn Tyrell knyht, and Dame
Anne his wyff, doughter to Syr
William Marney knyght, which
Thomas deceysyd the xxii of March in the yeare of.....
In the glasse of the East window.
....
Tyrell knyth and Dame......and for al the soulys schuld be preyd for.
Prey for the welfar of the seyd
Thomas Tyrell knyth, of
Iohn Tyrell knyth,
Alyce hys wyffe, and for al christen souls.
[Page 658]....The wellfar of the seyd dame
Anne....ter of
William Marney knyth, and....and....
bet hys wyffe, and for all christen souls.
There be other funerall Monuments in this Church, erected to the honour of this familie; but their Inscriptions are all torne or worne out, and their Sepulchers, like all the rest, foulie defaced: These
Tirells (me thinks) hauing beene gentlemen, for so many reuolutions of yeares, of exemplarie note, and principall regard, in this Countrey, might haue preserued these houses of rest for their Ancestors, from such violation. But the Monuments are answerable to the Church, both ruinous.
This Surname hath euer beene as remarkable as ancient, since
Walter Tirrell the French knight slue his cosin king
William Rufus. Of whom thus much out of the Norman History.
Gualter Tirrell a knight of Normandy, cosin to
William Rufus (and the killer of the said
William) after the vnfortunate death of the said
William departed into Normandy, where he liued long in the Castle of Chawmont, and there deceased.
The place where he swomme the water, vpon the sudden death of his Soueraigne, is called
Tirrells Foard to this day.
Willingale.
Catherine TirrellHic iacet Domina Catherina filia Domini Rogeri Beauchamp militis de Com. Bedsord, nuper vxor Thome Torell Armig. que obiit vi die Nouemb. Ann. Dom.
1436. et Ann. Regni R. Hen. vi post conquest......
Stanbridge.
Edward Mackwilliams Esq. and
Henry his Sonne, with
Anne Spelman, wife of the said
Henry lye here buried in the Chancell vnder a faire Tombe, whereupon this Epitaph following is engrauen or inlaid in brasse.
Edward Mackwilliams, his sonne
Henry and
Anne his wife.
Remember all yee that by this toune be to pass,
And groundly revolue in yowr rememberance,
Both the world is frayle and britle as glass,
The end is death of euerye mans chance:
All worldly peple must lerne to foot his dance;
As
Edward Mackwilliham that lith vndre this stonn,
Out of this transytorye liff is past and gonn:
Harry Mackwilliham, his sonn, lith here also,
with
Ann Mackwilliham his lovyng wiff and dere,
Thes thre persons togidder and no mo,
Vndre this Tombe interred they be here.
Prey for their souls, I prey yow, with harte inteere,
A Pater Noster an Ave, and a Creede,
And iii hundryd deyes of pardon yow have for yowr meede.
This
Anne is figured on the Tombe kneeling, with the
Spelmans Armes of plates all ouer her gowne, and so in the great East-window of the Chancell.
In the south Isle of this Church, and in the south window thereof, there are seene three seuerall
Cloptons kneeling in their compleat Armour, with their seuerall Escurchions of Armes vpon their breasts, (being S. a bend
Or,Sir
Wil. Clopton. betweene 2 cotizes dauncitee
Or) of which three the first is sir
William Clopton Knight, there mentioned to haue died in the fifth yeare of King
Edward the third.
Sir
Tho. Clopton The second Sir
Thomas Clopton Knight mentioned to haue died the second yeare of the raigne of King
Richard the second, and the third
Edmund Clopton,Ed. Clopton. the yeare of whose decease is there set downe to haue beene the thirteenth yeare of the said King
Richard. And it is very likely the said
Edmund lieth there buried vnder the Window: for Sir
William de Clopton of Clopton, the father of these three, and of other brethren buying the Mannor of Newenham, lying for the most part in this parish, of
Iohn de Lacy, the brother and heire of Sir
Henry de Lacy Knight, in
anno 2.
E. 3. (of which I haue seene the originall deed) left to the said
Edmund his second sonne by
Iuetta the daughter of
William de Gray,Penes Simonds D
[...]Ewes Equit. aurat. his first wife, his said Mannor, from whom it descending to
William Clopton his sonne and heire, and he dying without issue (as did also Sir
William Clopton, the sonne of the aboue mentioned Sir
William.Autographum vidi, penes S. D'
Ewes Eq. aurat.) The said Mannor of Newenham passed by Conueyance, dated at Ashdon: 6.
die Iunij an. 13.
Hen. 4. as did most of all the other large possessions of the
Cloptons in Suffolke and Cambridgeshire, to
William Clopton of Melford, the sonne and heire of Sir
Thomas Clopton Knight, who lyeth buried with his wife, the daughter and heire of
Mylde, vnder a faire Tombe in the north Isle of the said Church of Melford, called the
Cloptons Isle, as doth also the said
William Clopton his sonne lie buried vnder the same Tombe,
William Clopton. and
Margery his wife, the daughter and heire of
Elias Francis Esquire, in the same Isle, whose Epitaph is there found on her Graue-stone, as followeth.
Hic iacet Margeria Clopton,Margery Clopton.nuper vxor Willielmi Clopton Armig. filia▪ et heres Elie Francis Armigeri que obijt.......Iunij Anno Dom. M. cccciiii. euius anime propitietur Deus.
And on this grauestone is there an Escutcheon of
Clopton, with an Ermine on the bend, empaled with the Armes of
Francis, being gules, a Salteire betweene foure crosses
formie Patees, Or, from which said
William and
Margerie, haue the three seuerall Families of
Cloptons of
Kentwell, Castelins and
Liston descended, and the first beene much enobled by the marriage of the daughter and heire of
Roydon, descended likewise from the seuerall heires or coheires of
Knyuet, Belhous, Fitz-warren, Basset of Welledon, and diuers other ancient families, as was that familie of
Lyston, by the marriage of the daughter and heire of
Say, whose ancestors had beene long owners of that mannor,
Abstract. Releuior. de Scaccar. Regis termino. Hill a. 37.
Ed. 3. and held it in
Capite, as
Clopton now doth, by the seruice of making Wafers at the Kings Coronation.
And because these foresaid three Families of
Clopton, did descend, as I haue alreadie noted, and were at once branched forth from Sir
William Clopton of Lutons in the Countie of Suffolke Knight: it shall not be impertinent to set downe his Epitaph, as it is now to bee seene on his grauestone
[Page 660] in the North Isle of the said Chappell of Melford Church, amongst diuers others of his Ancestors, being as followeth.
Sir
Will. Clopton Knight, and
Ioane his wife.Orate pro animabus Willielmi Clopton militis et Iohanne Consortis sue, Qui quidem Willielmus, obijt vicesimo die Febrarij Anno Dom. millesimo quingentesimo tricesimo quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
And on the grauestone aboue this Epitaph, is the
Cloptons coate before mentioned, empaled with Marrow, which is Azure
a fesse nebulee, inter three Maydens heads
coupes, by the Shoulders
Ar, the periwiggs,
Or.
Thus much of the
Cloptons I had from that studious learned gentleman Sir
Simond D'Ewes Knight, of which much more when I come to Melford and Tallo-wratting Church in Suffolke.
Here lyth
Nicholas Inglefield Esquyr, sometime Controler of the hous to King
Rychard the second, who dyed the first of April in the yere of Grase, M.cccc.xv. whos soul Iesu perdon, Amen, Amen, Amen.
Additions, or certaine Epitaphs and Inscriptions vpon Tombes and Grauestones within certaine Churches in the Citie of London: Collected by my selfe and others not many yeares agoe, of which, few or none, of any Antiquity, are remaining in the said Churches at this present day; such is the despight not so much of Time, as of maleuolent people to all Antiquities, especially of this kind.
In Saint Pauls.
IN this Cathedrall Church, and neere vnto Sir
Iohn Beauchamps Tomb, (commonly called Duke
Vmfreys) vpon a faire marble stone, inlaid all ouer with brasse, (of all which, nothing but the heads of a few brazen nailes are at this day visible) and engrauen with the representation and cote-Armes of the party defunct. Thus much of a mangled funerall Inscription was of late time perspicuous to be read, as followeth.
Hic iacet Paganus Roet miles Guyenne Rex Armorum Pater Catherine Ducisse Lancastrie ......
Sir
Payne Roet King of Armes.
This Sir
Payne Roet had issue, the aforesaid Dutchesse, and
Anne who was married to
Geffrey Chaucer,Geffrey Chaucer Brother in Law by marriage to
Iohn, Duke of Lancaster. our famous English Poet, who by her had issue. Sir
Thomas Chaucer, whose daughter
Alice was married to
Thomas Montacute, Earle of Salisbury, by whom she had no issue, and after to
William de la Pole Duke of Suffolke, and by him had
Iohn Duke of Suffolke and others.
The abouesaid
Katherine, eldest daughter of this King of Armes, was first married to Sir
Otes Swynford Knight, and after to
Iohn of Gaunt the great Duke of Lancaster; of whose issue by her is obserued to be descended a most royall and illustrious of spring;
videlicet, Eight Kings, foure Queenes, and fiue Princes of England; Sixe Kings, and three Queenes of Scotland; two Cardinals, aboue twenty Dukes, and almost as many Dutches of the kingdome of England; diuers Dukes of Scotland, and most of all the now ancient Nobilitie of both these Kingdomes, besides many other potent Princes, and eminent nobility of forraigne parts.
Saint Giles Criplegate.
Here vnder a large marble stone (whereupon no Inscription is at this day remaining, neither any Effigies of the deceased left; both of which were inlaid and engrauen vpon the monument as I was credibly informed) lieth interred the body of Sir
Iohn Wriothesley Knight,
alias, Garter, principall King at Armes, Father of
William Wriothesley, Yorke Herald; who had issue,
Thomas Wriothesley, Knight of the Garter, Lord Chancellor of England, and the first of that sirname, Earle of Southampton.
[Page 662]His creation was the eighteenth yeare of the raigne of King
Ed. 4. as appeares by this his Patent following.
Pat. 18.
Ed. 4.
m. 28.
part 2.
Ex Arch. Turr. Lond.Rex omnnibus ad quos &c. Salutem. Sciatis quod cum non sit no
[...]ū, set iam diu ab antiquis tēporibus vsitatū, quod inter ceteros Officiales & Ministros quos Principū lateribus pro corū magnificencia at
(que) gloria, adherere decet eorū officij Armorū cura cōmittitur copiā habere debeat, vt nec tēpus bellorū quibus ne
(que) pacis sine cōuenientibus & aptis Ministris debeat preteriri. Nos igitur cōsiderationis actē in laudabilia seruicia que delectus nobis Iohannes
Wryothesley. Wrythe, alias nuper dictus Norrey, Rex Armorū parciū Borialiū Regni nostri Anglie, in hijs que ad officium illud spectare intelliguntur, exercuit, dirigentes eund. propterea, & non minus ob solerciam et sagacitatem quas in eo satis habemus exploratas, in principalem Haraldum & Officiarium incliti nostri Ordinis Garterij, Armorumque Regem Anglicorum, ex gracia nostra speciali ereximus, fecimus, constituimus, ordinauimus, creauimus, et coronauimus; ac per presentes erigimus, facimus, constituimus, ordinamus, creamus, & coronamus, ac ei officium illud, nec non nomen le Garter, Stilum titulum libertates & preeminencias, huiusmodi officio conueniencia et concordancia, ac ab antiquo consueta, damus et concedimus, ac ipsum in eisdem realiter inuestimus. Habend. occupand. et exercend. Officium illud, ac nomen, stilum, titulum & preeminencias predict. eidem Iohanni pro termino vise sue, cum omnibus iuribus, proficuis, commoditatibus & emolumentis eidem officio qualiter cumque debit pertinen, siue spectan. Et vlterius concessimus et per presentes concedimus prefato Iohanni in Regem Armorum Anglicorum vt prefertur erect. Quadraginta libras per annum racione et causa officij illius. Percipiend. eidem Iohanni singullis annis durante vita sua, pro vadijs, & feodis officij predicti, de parua customa nostra, in portu ciuitatis nostre London, per manus custumariorum siue collectorum custuine predicte, in portu predicto pro tempore existen. ad terminos Sancti Michaelis et Pasche per equales porciones, vna cum tali Liberatura Vesture, qualem, et eisdem modo et forma prout aliquis alius huiusmodi Rex Armorum siue principalis Haraldus tempore Domini Edwardi nuper Regis Anglie teroij progenitoris nostri habuit et percepit. Habend & percipiend▪ annuatim Liberaturam huiusmodi, eidem Iohanni singulis annis ad terminum vite sue ad magnam Garderobam nostram per manus custodis eiusdem pro tempore existentis. Eo quod expressa mencio de vero valore annuo premissorum, seu alicuius eorum, aut de alijs donis siue concessionibus eidem Iohanni per nos ante hec tempora fact▪ in presentibus minime fact. existit. Aut aliquo Statuto, actu, ordinacione, prouisione, seu restrictione in contrarium fact. edit. ordinat seu prouis. Aut aliqua alia re, causa vel materia quacumque non astant: In cuius, &c. Teste R. apud Westm. sexto die Iulij per ipsum Regem & de data predict.
Now here I haue iust occasiō giuen me, to set down the manner of the creation or crowning of Garter, principal K. of Arms, & of
Clarentieux &
Norroy, Prouinciall Kings of Armes; as also the creation of Heralds, & Pursuiuants of Armes: which anciently was done by the King, but of later times is performed by the Earle Marshall, hauing an especiall Commission therefore
[Page 663] signed by the King for euery particular Creation. And first I will begin with Garter, and shew what necessaries are to be prouided for him, at the time he shall be crowned, which are these following.
A Booke and a Sword to be sworne vpon.
A Crowne guilt.
A Collar of Esses▪
A Bowle of wine, which Bowle is fee to the new created King.
And a Coat of Armes of veluet richly enbroydered.
The creation or crowning of Garter, as well anciently as in these daies, was, and is on this manner. I will instance with Sir
Gilbert Dethick knight, who was created Garter principall king of Armes, on Sunday the twentieth day of Aprill, in the fourth of
Ed. the sixt.
First, the said Garter kneeled downe before the Kings maiestie, and the Kings Sword was holden on a booke, and the said Garter laid his hand vpon the booke, and also vpon the sword, whiles
Clarentieux, king of armes, read the oath. And when the oath was red, and the said Garter had kissed the booke and the sword, then the said
Clarentieux read the letters patents of his office; (which were dated the 29. of April in the yeare aforesaid) In the reading whereof, as the words doe follow in order, so did the Kings maiestie first take the cup of wine, and pouring it on his head, named him Garter. After that, his Maiestie put on him his coat of Armes, and the collar of SS about his neck, and lastly the crowne vpon his head, and so finished the ceremony.
The oath of Garter principall King of armes at a Chapter holden at Greenwich in the
28 yeare of King
Henry the eight.
Ye shall take the oath that ye shall obey first of all the supreme head of this most noble Order, and after him, the other knights of the same, namely, in such things as shall belong to your office, and shall bee found reasonable. And because ye be taken in here, as to be priuie of counsell here to bee taken. Ye shall sweare that ye shall be a man of silence, true and faithfull in all things here to be done, and shall in no wise disclose any part thereof.
Ye shall sweare also, that yee shall faithfully and diligently, fulfill performe and execute such things as shall be committed, put in credit, or charge vnto you. And ye shall diligently enquire of all noble and notable acts of any, and of euery of the Knights of this most noble Order; and yee shall certifie the Register thereof, that he may the better describe and commend the same to memory.
Moreouer, if any Knight of this order die, yee shall incontinent vpon knowledge thereof, cause the Soueraigne, and after him the other Knights, then aliue, to be ascertayned thereof.
And finally, ye shall sweare, that ye shall truly and faithfully, vse and exercise this same your office. So God you helpe, and this holy Euangely.
The creation of the Prouinciall Kings of Armes, viz. Clarencieux and Norroy, for which are to be prouided.
First, his Letters Patents.
Item, a Booke to take his oath vpon.
Item, a Sword, which is to be drawne, and laid crosse on the booke.
Item, a Crowne, which must be set on his head.
Item, a Collar of SS about his neck.
Item, a Bowle of wine, which must bee poured on his head, and that Bowle is fee to the new created King.
Item, a Coat of Armes of Veluet richly embrodered.
The manner of the creation of a Prouinciall King of Armes.
He shall be brought into the presence of the King, or his Earle Marshall, or the Earle Marshals Deputie, by the two other Kings, all the Heralds and Pursuiuants following. Then he kneeleth downe, while Garter readeth the articles of his oath, holding his hand vpon a booke and sword. That done, he kisseth the booke, and hilts of the sword. Then his patent is read by an Herald, and as the words following bee read, his Coat is first put on by the King, his Marshall or Deputy, then the Collar of SS put aabout his necke, then the Crowne on his head, and lastly the Bowle of wine poured on his head, calling him by his name, as
Clarencieux, or
Norroy.
1
Investimus—tunica Armorum.
2
Erigimus—Collari.
3
Coronamus—appositione Corone.
4
Et nomen ei imponimus N.
The Oath of the King of Armes at the time when he shall be crowned.
Ye shall sweare by the Oath that ye receiued when yee were created Herald, and by the faith that ye owe vnto the King our Soueraigne Lord, whose Armes you beare, that you shall truly keepe such things as bene comprised in these articles following.
First, whensoeuer the King shall command you to doe any message to any other King, Prince, Estate, or any other person out of this Realme; or to any person, of what Estate, degree, or condition he bee of within the same, that ye shall doe it as honourablie and truly as your wit and reason can serue you; And as greatly to the aduentage of our Soueraigne Lord the King, and this his Realme, and true report bring againe to his Highnesse
[Page 665] of your messages, and as neere to the charge to you committed, in word, and in substance, as your said reason may attaine vnto. Alway keeping your selfe secret for any manner of motion, saue to such persons as ye be commanded to vtter your charge vnto.
Secondly, ye shall doe your true deuoir euery day to be more cunning then other in the office of Armes, so that ye may bee the better furnished to teach other in the office of Armes vnder you, and execute with more wisdome and eloquence, such charges as our Soueraigne Lord, or any Nobleman of his Realme, shall lay vnto you, by vertue of the office the which his Highnesse will elect you to at this time. Discouering in no wise that ye are charged to keepe close, vnlesse it be preiudiciall vnto the King our Soueraigne Lord, and to his Realme.
Thirdly, ye shall doe your full diligence to haue knowledge of all the Noble Gentlemen within your Marches, which should beare coates in the field, in the seruice of our Soueraigne Lord, his Liuetenants, Officers, or Commissioners, and them with their Issues truly to register, and such Armes as they beare with their differences due in Armes to bee giuen, and to enquire if any of them hold by any seruice, as by Knights Fee, whereby they should doe the King our Soueraigne Lord seruice in the defence of this his Realme, which also ye shall truly and indifferently note and register.
Fourthly, ye shall not be strange to teach Pursuiuants or Heralds, ne to ease them in such doubts concerning the office of Armes as they shall moue you vnto, and such as cannot be eased by you, ye shall shew to the Constable or Marshall; or if any Pursuiuant aske any doubt of you, yee shall aske him first whether he haue desired any of the Heralds to instruct him in the same; and if hee say nay, ye shall limit him to one of them, or ease him if you can. And if you cannot, to moue the said cause at the next Chapter, and if the said doubt be not there determined, by the said Chapter, then to shew it to the Constable or Marshall. Also ye shall keepe duly in your Marches (if ye be present in the precincts thereof) your Chapters, to the encrease of cunning in the office of Armes, and the doubts that there cannot bee eased, ye shall moue vnto the Constable or Marshall.
Fiftly, ye shall obserue and keepe to your cunnning and power, all such Oathes as ye made when ye were created Herald, to the honour and worship of Nobles, and integritie of liuing. Namely, in eschuing of dislandered places and persons reproached, and to bee more ready to excuse then to blame any Noble person, vnlesse ye be charged to say the sooth by the King, Constable, or Marshall, in place Iudiciall. And also yee shall promise truly to register all acts of honour in manner and forme as they bee done, as farre forth as your cunning and power may extend. So help you God and the holy Euangeles, and by the crosse of this Sword, that longeth to Knighthode.
Necessaries to be prouided for the Creation of an Herald of Armes.
First, a Booke, whereon he must take his oath:
Item, a Sword, which must be drawne.
Item, his Letters Patents, which must be read by an Officer.
Item, a Collar of SS of siluer, to put about his neck.
Item, a Bowle of wine to poure vpon his head, which Bowle the new Herald is to haue.
Item, his Coat of Armes, which must be Satten embroydered, and enriched with gold.
The manner of the Heralds creation.
The Herald of Armes is brought into the presence of the King or his Earle Marshall, or the Earle Marshals Deputy, by two of the eldest Heralds, the Kings of Armes going before them, and all the Heralds and Pursuiuants following, all making their due reuerence. Then hee kneeleth downe, and his oath being read by Garter, he sweareth to the contens by kissing both the Booke and crosse of the Sword hilt. The Patent is read by one of the Heralds, and at
Investimus, the king or the Earle Marshall turneth the Coat Sleeues to the sides, and putteth the Collar of SS about his neck, whereby he is created an Esquire; but of late times the Coate is carried in by an Herald of Armes, and after by him presented to the Earle Marshall, who immediatly inuesteth the new Herald therewith; and at
Nomen imponimus, he poureth the wine vpon his head, and calleth him by his name, as Lancaster, or otherwise, as his office doth require.
The Oath of the Herald at the time of his creation before his Soueraigne.
First, ye shall sweare that ye shall be true to the most high and mighty Prince the King, our Soueraigne Lord. And if you haue any knowledge, or heare any imagination of treason, or language, or words that might sound to the derogation or hurt of his estate and highnesse (which God defend) ye shall in that case as hastily, and as soone as it is to you possible, discouer and shew it vnto his highnesse, or to his noble and discreet Councell: and to conceale it in no wise.
Also, ye shall promise and sweare that ye shall bee conuersant, and seruiceable to all Gentlemen, to doe their commands to their worship and knighthood, by your good counsell that God hath sent you, and euer ready to offer your seruice vnto them.
Also ye shall promise and sweare to be secret, and to keepe the secrets of
[Page 667] Knights, Esquires, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as a confessour of armes; and not to discouer them in any wise, except it bee for treason, as it is before said.
Also ye shall promise and sweare, if fortune fall you in diuers Lands and Countries wherein you goe or ride, that you finde any gentleman of name, and of armes, that hath lost his goods in worship and knighthood, in the Kings seruice, or in any other place of worship, and is fallen into pouertie, ye shall aide, support, and succour him in that ye may, and if he aske you of your good to his sustenance, ye shall giue him part of such good as God hath sent you, to your power, and as you may beare.
Also ye shall promise and sweare, if you be in any place, that you heare any language betweene party and party, that is not worshipfull, profitable, nor vertuous, that you keepe your mouth close, and report it not forth, but to their worship, and the best.
Also ye shall promise and sweare, if so be you be in any place, that you heare any debate or language dishonest betweene gentleman and gentlewoman, the which ye be priuy to, if so be ye be required by Prince, Iudge, or any othere to beare witnesse, vnlesse that the law will needs compell you so to doe: you shall not without licence of both parties; and when yee haue leaue, ye shall not for any fauour, loue, or awe, but say the sooth to your knowledge.
Also ye shall promise and sweare, to be true and secret to all gentlewomen, widdowes, and maydens, and in case that any man would doe them wrong, or force them, or disinherite them of their Liuelyhood, and they haue no good to pursue them for their right to Princes, or Iudges: if they require you of supportation, ye shall support them, with your good wisedome and counsell to Princes and Iudges.
Also ye shall promise and sweare, that you shall forsake all places of dishonesty, the play of Hazardy, and the common haunt of going vnto Tauernes, and other places of debates, eschuing vices, and taking you to vertues to your power. This article, and all other articles aboue said, ye shall truly keepe, so God you helpe, and holydoome, and by this Booke, and Crosse of this Sword, that belongeth to Knighthood.
Things necessarie to be prouided for the Creation of a Pursuiuant at Armes.
First a Booke, whereon he must take his Oath.
Item, his Letters Patents which must be read by an Officer.
Item, His coat of Armes of Dammaske embroydered.
Item, a Bowle of wine to be poured on his head, and that Bowle is to be taken by the new Pursuiuant of Armes.
The manner of the Pursuiuants Creation.
The Pursuiuant of armes shall be brought into the presence of the King, (or his Earle Marshall, or the Earle Marshals Deputy) betweene two of
[Page 668] the eldest Pursuiuants, and kneele downe before him, laying his hand vpon the booke, Garter principall King of armes reads the oath vnder written; and so hee kisseth the booke. Then his letters Paten
[...]s shall bee read by an Herald, and when he saith
Creamus, the King or the Earle Marshall putteth on his Coat of armes, with the sleeue before. And when he saith
Nec non nomen vulgariter &c. the King or the Earle Marshall poureth the Bowle of wine vpon his head, calling him by his name, as Portcullis, or otherwise as his office requireth.
The aduertisment and oath of a Pursuiuant of Armes at the time of his creation.
First ye shall sweare that ye shall be true to the most high, most mighty, and most excellent Prince the King, our Soueraigne Lord. And if you haue any knowledge, or heare any imagination of treason, or language, or word, that shall sound to the derogation or hurt of his Estate and Highnesse (which God defend) ye shall in that case as hastily, and as soone, as it is to you possible, discouer and shew it to his Highnesse, or to his noble and discreet Counsell.
Also ye shall dispose you to be lowly, humble, and seruiceable to all Estates vniuersall that Christian bene, not lying in waite to blame, ne hurt none of the said Estates in any thing that may touch their honours.
Also ye shall dispose you to bee secret and sober in your port, and not too busie in language, ready to commend, and loath to blame; and diligent in your seruice, eschuing from vices, and taking you to vertues, and true in your reports, and so to exercise, while ye be in the Office of a Pursuiuant, that your merits may cause your more preferring in the Office of Armes in time comming.
All such Articles and things as belongeth to a Pursuiuant of Armes to keepe, you shall well and truly obserue and keepe. So helpe you God, and Holydome, and by this Booke.
A Catalogue shewing what Kings of Armes were in former Ages, and now out of vse in this Realme: as also the Succession of the Kings Heraulds, and Pursuiuants of Armes haue from ancient times to this present day succeeded one another.
And first, The Succession of the principall Kings of Armes.
GArter is the principall King of Armes (as I haue written before) and goeth first as the onely ring-leader of them all:
Garter principall King of Armes. not so much for the antiquitie of his Creation, as for the supereminence of the Order of the Garter: for he was but instituted by King
Henry the fifth. His peculiar Office is (which partly you may reade in his oath) with all dutifull seruice to attend vpon the Knights of the Garter at their Solemnities: To aduertise them which are chosen of their new election, to call them to bee enstaulled at Windsore; To cause their Armes to be hanged vp vpon their Seates, and to marshall the Funerall Rites and Ceremonies of them, as also of the greater Nobilitie, as of Princes, Dukes, Marquesses, Earles, Viscounts, and Barons: and to do many other seruices vnto the King and State.
The priuiledges of
Garter King of Armes, his goods and Seruants as appeareth in the Black▪booke of the most honourable Order of the Garter. Whereof this ancient institution following is enregistred.
Hij tres hujus ordinis officiales Scriba, videlicet, Garterus Rex Armorum, & Hostiarius ab atra virga nuncupatus; ipsi cum suis tam rebus quam ministris in suis officijs permanentibus sub perpetua supremi protectione ac propugnaculo securè durabunt. Vnde si quaevis injuria seu violentia ipsis inferatur, vel ab eis qui supremo subjecti sunt, vel externis quoties causas suas arbitrio supremi submittent, ipse cū Sodalibus exhibebit eis iusticiam aut exhibē dam ex aequo et congruo procurabit. Si vero pars aduersa causam suam supremo submittere detractabit ipse cum Commilitonibus eum erga Officiales hos animum habebit, vt ipsorum causam quoad iustum at que aequum erit cum debito fauore tueri velit.
Sir
William Brugge or
Brugges knight,
In Arch. Turr. Lond. was the first King of the name
Garter, in the raigne of
Henry the fifth, as aforesaid; His Patent was confirmed by
Henry the sixth in the foure and twentieth yeare of his raigne, as it is in the Patent Rolls of that yeare, the eleuenth membrane.
Iohn Smert succeeded Sir
William Brugge in the said Office Patent,
Ann. 39.
Hen. 6.
Member 14. In the fourteenth of
Edward the fourth, he was imployed with a defiance to the French King
Lewis the eleuenth; The which no little abashed the said King. Yet neuerthelesse following the said Officer of Armes directions, obtained by that meanes a Peace which he much coueted. And
Edward the fourth as willingly assented, because he was deceiued by the Duke of Burgundy and the Constable of France, who failed him in their promised aides. The French King gaue vnto the said King of Armes vpon his returne three hundred French Crownes, and a peece of Veluet of thirty yard
[...] long.
[Page 660]The next was Sir
Iohn Wrythe or
Wriothesley, here interred, and created as aforesaid.
This Sir
Iohn Wriothesley, Ann. 23.
Edwardi quarti, was imployed into Scotland, and with him Northumberland Herauld, with letters of procuracie signed, and sealed by the King his master to redemand diuers great summes of money which had beene disbursed to
Iames the third, King of Scots, vpon a promise of marriage entended to haue beene made betweene the Prince of Scotland, and Lady
Cicily, daughter of King
Edw. the fourth, who in that Treatie hauing the libertie of refusall, thereupon redemanded the foresaid summes by his said procuratours.
Next to him Sir
Thomas Wriothesley created in the time of
Henry the seuenth.
This Sir
Tho. Wriothesley in the 19. of
H. 8. was ioyned Embassadour with Viscount
Lisle (the naturall sonne to King
Edward the fourth) and others which carried the Garter to the French King
Francis the first.
He that succeeded him was Sir
Thomas Wall, Knight, created
Ann. 26.
Hen. 8.
Sir
Christopher Baker Knight of the Bathe created Garter,
Ann. 28.
Hen. 8. 1536.
Sir
Gilbert Dethick Knight, was preferred to the Office of Garter, the fourth of
Edward the sixth. He died in the yeare 1584.
This Sir
Gilbert Dethick was ioyned Embassadour with the Marquesse of Northampton, to carry the Garter to the French King
Henry the second,
Ann. 5.
E. 6. And the like for the same purpose to the Prince of Pymont, with
Edward Lord
Clynton; And also with the Lord
Hunsden to the French King
Charles the ninth: and with the Earle of Sussex) to the Emperour
Maximilian; and likewise with the Lord
Willoughby to
Fredericke King of Denmarke.
Sir
William Dethick Knight, was crowned Garter in the eight and twentieth yeare of Queene
Elizabeth; he was deposed the first yeare of King
Iames. This Sir
William Dethick lieth buried in
Pauls, neare vnto Sir
Payne Roet, vnder a large marble-stone. Whereupon this Inscription following is engrauen.
Hic.....in Domino, Gulielmus Dethick Eques Auratus filius & heres Gilberti Dethick Equitis aurati. Qui ambo fuerunt Garterij Principales Reges Armorum Anglicorum. Hic Anno 1584.
aetat. 84.
Ille anno 1612.
etat. suae 70.
in Domino obdormierunt.
And after his deposing Sir
William Segar Knight (now liuing,
Ann. 1631.) was created Garter: he hath written a learned booke called
Honour Militarie and Ciuill.
A Succession of the Prouinciall Kings of Armes.
Prouinciall Kings of Armes are, at this day, onely two,
Clarentieux, and
Norrey. Clarentieux was ordained by
Edward the fourth: for he obtaining the Dukedome of Clarence by the death of
George his brother, who was secretly murdered in the Tower of London, made the Herauld which properly belonged to the Duke of Clarence, a King at Armes, and called him
[Page 671]Clarentius, or
Clarentieux: but in whose time, or vpon what occasion this name, and Office of
Clarencieux began, I do not finde, saith Sir
Henry Spelman, Glosslit H. but certainly it was of greater Antiquitie then from
Edward the fourth, and might be called South-Roy, of his Prouince of South, as North-Roy or
Norroy of the North parts. His proper Office is to Marshall and dispose the Funeralls of all the lesser Nobilitie, as Knights and Esquires, thorow the Realme on the South side of Trent.
The office of
Norrey (the time nor the reason of his Creation and Title I do not know) is the same on the North side of Trent, that
Clarentieux hath on this side, as may well appeare by his name, signifying the Northerne King, or King of the North parts.
These two (saith
Milles) haue by Charter power to visite the Noblemens Families, to set downe their Pedegrees, to distinguish their Armes, and in the open Market place to reproue such as falsely take vpon them Nobilitie or Gentrie. And to order euery mans Exequies and Funeralls, according to their dignitie, and to appoint vnto them their Armes or Ensignes.
The names, surnames, and seuerall adiuncts of these Kings of Armes, according to the foresaid Catalogue beginning at Edward the first, and continued to these times.
Iaques Hedingley in the time of King
Ed. the first, was King of Armes by the name of
Guyon.
Sir
Payne Rowet in the raigne of
Edward the third, was King of Armes by the name of
Guyon.
Iohn March was King of Armes by the name of
Norroy, 2.
pars pat. An. 9.
R. 2.
Membr. 21.
Richard del Brugge, otherwise called
Lancaster, was King of Armes for the North in the time of
Henry the fourth, and in the first of
Henry the fifth.
William Tyndall in the time of the foresaid
Henry the fourth, was King of Armes by the name of
Lancaster.
..... in the time of
Henry the fifth, was King of Armes by the name of
Agincourt.Kings of Armes in the raigne of King H. the 5.
Officio Heraldi Regis Armorum partium Borialium Regni Anglie perresignationem Iohannis Wrythe, alias dicti Gartere vacante Rex constituit Iohannem More ac dictum Windesore, Heraldum Regem que Armorum partium Borialium Regni Anglie, & imponit ei nomen vulgare Norrey pro termino vite sue Teste Rege apud W. 9.
Iulii. 2.
pars pat: Ann. 18.
E. 4.
Membr. 4.
Richard Ashwell, Ireland.
William Ballare, March.
In
Edward the fifths time no Officers were Created.
Ri
[...]h. the third.
Richard Champney, Gloucester. 1.
Ric. 3.
Walter Belling Ireland.
Kings in the raigne of
Hen. the seuenth.
Roger Macado, Clarencieux.
Thomas Tonge, Norroy.
William Carlile, Norroy.
Iohn Young, Norroy.
Thomas Tong Clarencieux.
Thomas Beuolt, Norroy.
Hen. the eight.
Thomas Wall, Norroy.
Thomas Beuolt Clarenciuex, who in the fourteenth of
Henry the eight, was imployed to defie the French King; And in the 19. of
Henry the eight, to defie the Emperor
Charles the fifth: which he performed with great grace, as may appeare in the Spanish Story, and receiued liberall gifts:
Robert Cooke Clarencieux, 1566. Hee was imployed with the Earle of Darby for carrying of the Garter to the French King
Henry the third,
an. 1584.
ob
[...]jt anno 1592.
Edmund Knight Norroy, 1592.
obijt 1593.
Richard Legh Clarencieux, 1594.
obiit 1597.
Sept. 23.
William Camden Clarencieux, 39.
Queene Elizabeth, 1597. who died the 9. of Nouember, 1623. aged 74. as appeares by this Inscription following vpon his Funerall Monument in the Abbey of Westminster, where he lieth buried.
Qui fide Antiqua, et opera assidua Britannicam
Antiquitatem indagauit,
Simplicitatem innatam honestis studijs excoluit.
Animi solertiam candore illustrauit
Gulielmus Camdenus ab Elizabetha R:
ad Regis Armorum Clarentij titulo
dignitatem euocatus.
Hic spe certa resurgendi in Christo S E
Obijt Anno Domini
1623. 9 Nouembris Etatis suae
74.
I haue read this Ogdoasticon following, penned (but by whom I know not) to the honour of our Antiquarie
Camden, & in the praise of his Book.
Londinum Camdene tibi dedit aethera et auram,
Ingenij cultum praebuit Oxonium.
Historicum Occidiui, delubra monastica templa
Reddunt, materies terra Britanna fuit
Londinum, Oxonium, delubra, et terra Britannae
Camdeni pulchro nobilitata libro.
Postque magisque ergo; delubra, & terra Britannae
Claret Londinum claret & Oxonium.
This learned reuiuer of Antiquities writ a Chorographicall Description of the most flourishing Kingdomes of England Scotland & Ireland, & the Ilands adioyning, out of the depth of Antiquitie. As also the famous history of Queene
Elizabeth, the mirrour of all Princes of the world. There is likewise another booke said to be of his penning, called
Remaines, concerning Britaine, but especially England, and the inhabitants thereof.
Sir
Richard Saint
George,In the raigne of King
Iames. Knight,
Norroy.
[Page 674]Sir
Richard Saint
George, Knight,
Clarencieux, a Gentleman euer ready to giue me his best furtherance in this worke. Created the 23. of December, 1623 and now liuing, 1631.
Sir
Iohn Borough Knight, a learned Gentleman, created
Norroy, the foresaid 23. of December, 1623.
Heralds of Armes, their Names, Sirnames, and Additions from former times to this present yeare,
1631.
These Heralds at this day are onely sixe, which by the names of their additions, Lancaster, Richmond, Chester, Somerset, Yorke, Windesor. These are created to attend Dukes in Marshall executions, and in all things endeauour themselues for the defence of their societie.
[...].First I finde a Herald by his addition called
Wales, 15.
Iulij 2
pars pat. an 17.
R. 2.
m. 13. And afterwards he was called
Percy Herald, 6.
Augusti Anno 2.
Hen. 4. As also one
Bardolfe, Herald of Armes,
anno 22.
R. 2. And Windsore Herald confirmed
an. 3.
Rich. 2.
Heralds in the raigne of King Henry the Fift.
William Brugges, alias Chester, afterwards
Garter.
William Horsley, alias Leopard, afterwards
Ireland:
Iohn Wrexworth, alias, Exceter, afterwards
Guyon.
Nicholas Serby, alias Leopard.
Iohn Hoswell, alias Clarence.
William Boys, alias Exceter.
Giles Waster, alias Mowbray.
Iohn Ashwell, alias Leopard, afterward
Lancaster, King of Armes.
Heralds in the raigne of King Henry the sixt.
Thomas More, alias, Windesore, afterward
Guyonne.
Roger Legh, Chester, afterwards
Clarencieux.
Iohn Wrythe, or
Wriothesley, Leopard Herald, and afterward
Garter, as aforesaid
Gilbert Dethick, Richmond, afterward
Norroy, then
Garter.
VVilliam Haruey Somerset, afterwards
Clarentieux.
VVilliam Flower, Chester, (afterwards
Norroy.)
This
Chester attended the Embassage sent by the Marquesse of Northhampton, when he carried the Garter to the French King
Henry the second,
Anno 5.
Edwardi sexti.
In the time of Edward the Sixt.
Lawrence Dalton, Richmond, afterward
Norroy.
Edmond Atkinson, Somerset.
In Queene Maries raigne.
Martin Marolfe, Yorke, 1. of her raigne,
obijt 1563. the 5. of
Elizabeth.
Nicholas Tubman, Lancaster.
Nicholas Narboone, Richmond, afterward
Vlster.
Heralds created in the happy Raigne of Queene Elizabeth.
Iohn Cocke, Lancaster, 1.
Eliz. 1558. imployed to attend the Earle of Leycester, Lieutenant and Gouernour generall of Queene
Elizabeths forces in the Lowe Countries.
Robert Cooke, Chester, 4.
Eliz. 1562. and next,
Clarentieux.
Richard Turpyne, Windsore, 7.
Eliz. 1564:
William Colborne Yorke, 7.
Eliz. 1564.
Hugh Cotgraue, Richmond, 9.
Eliz. 1566.
Iohn Hart, Chester Herald, 9.
Eliz. who writ a booke of the Reformation of the English Orthographie, imprinted,
Ann. Dom. 15.
Raph Langman, Yorke, 10.
Eliz. 1567:
William Dethick, Yorke, 12.
Eliz. 1569. and next of all
Gar
[...]er, 28.
Eliz. 1586. In the time of his being Yorke Herauld, he was imployed to attend the Embassage sent by the Earle of Sussex to carry the Garter to the Emperour
Maximilian. And afterwards was ioyned Embassadour with the Earle of Shrewsbury to carry the Garter to the French King
Henry.
Robert Glouer, Somerset. 14.
Eliz. 1571. A man he was of infinite industrie, and incredible paines, a man of an excellent wit, and learning: witnesse
[Page 677] that Catalogue of Honour begun by himselfe in Latine, and finished by his kinsman
Thomas Milles, in which he vndertooke to cleare the D
[...]s
[...]cents, and Royall pedegrees of our Kings and Nobilitie, he attended the Embassage sent by the Earle of Darby, which carried the Garter to the French King
Henry the third: And was Princely rewarded. He died 10 of Aprill, 1588. aged 45. yeares, and lieth buried in S.
Giles Church, Cri
[...]plegate: to whose memory a Monument is there erected, whose inscription you may reade in
Stowes Suruay.
Edmund Knight, Chester, 17.
Eliz. 1574 afterwards
Norroy. Ann. 34.
Eliz. 1592. as before.
Nicholas Dethicke Windsore, 26.
Eliz. 1583.
obijt Ianuar. 1596.
Richard Lee, Richmond, 27.
Eliz. 1584. afterwards
Clarentieux.
William Segar, Somerset, 31.
Eliz. 1588. afterwards
Norroy, then Garter,
vt supra.
Iames Thomas, Chester, 34.
Eliz. 1592. March 26.
Raph Brooke, Yorke, 34.
Eliz. 1592. March 16.
William Camden, Richmond, afterward
Clarencieux, vt supra.
Iohn Rauen, Richmond.
Thomas Lant, Windsor.
Robert Treswell, Somerset, was imployed to attend vpon the embassage sent by the Earle of Nottingham, to
Philip the third, King of Spaine, to receiue his Oath for the Peace in
anno 1604.
Richard St. George, Windsor, then
Norroy, and now
Clarentieux.
Francis Thinne, Lancaster, a Gentleman, painfull and well deseruing in his office whilest he liued.
William Penson, Chester, 1.
Iacobi 1602:
Samuell Thompson, Windsor.
Ingenious
Nicholas Charles (as
Milles calls him) whose iudicious knowledge in Pedegrees and Armes shewed learning to liue in Herauldrie.
William Penson, Lancaster, 10.
Decemb. 1613.
Thomas Knight, Chester.
Sir
Henry St. George, Richmond, was sent ioynt Embassadour with the Lord
Spence, and Sir
Peter Young, to inuest the now King of Sweden with the Order of the Garter, who honoured him with the degree of Knighthood: and granted an honourable augmentation vnto his Armes, being the three Crownes of Sweden. He was also imployed into France, and from thence attending our now Queene when she came ouer, in the first yeare of his Maiesties Raigne.
Henry Chitting, Chester 1618.
Iohn Borough Mowbray, extraordinarie, 23.
Dec. 1623. and created the same day
Norroy.
Augustine Vincent, Windsor, who died the... of ... 1625: Of whom I haue spoken elsewhere, and whose losse I doe still lament; He left to future posteritie a Booke which he called,
A Discouery of Errors, published by
Raph Brooke, Yorke Herald.
William le Neue, aforesaid Yorke. This
William le Neue Yorke Herauld, was imployed into France the first yeare of his Maiestie, and from thence attended our Queene into England; who, with Sir
Henry St. George, Richmond Herald, were royally rewarded by her Maiestie, with the gift of a thousand French Crownes. He was also employed to attend vpon his Maiesties Embassage which was sent in the yeare 1629. vnto the French king
Lewis the thirteenth, and at the Ceremonies done thereat, he there performed his office in his Coat of Armes, as appeareth in a French relation lately printed; at his returne from thence the King rewarded him with a Chaine of gold of good value, and a Medalle of his pourtraiture: And further gaue him his Royall letters Mandatory, vnto all his Officers and Subiects therein, signifying that (let me vse part of the Kings owne words)
le Sieur Guillaum
[...] le Neue Escuyer Herault Darmes du Roy de la grand Bretagne (nostre tr
[...]scher, et tresamè bon frere et beau frere) par luy envoyè vers nous pour faire sa dicte charge D'Herault D'armes aux Ceremonies du serment de la paix faicte entre nous & nostre dict frere, de la quelle il sest dignement acquit
[...] a nostre contentement, seu retournant vers son Maistre. Nous voulo
[...]s, nous mandons et tresexpressement enioignons par an presents signees de nostre main, &c. Commanding by the said Instrument all his said Officers and Subiects to giue the said Herauld all manner of aide, and assistance in his returne, or not to molest or trouble him in his free passage or transportation of any of his goods. And therein also prayed, and required all Princes and States to do the like, as a due vnto Heraulds so imployed: And as they would haue him to doe the like at their request. But no earthly powers can command the mercilesse ragings of the Sea. For the said Herauld in his returne was ship-wracked vpon the coast of Douer, and very dangerously escaped with the losse of most part of his goods; excepting the foresaid Chaine and Medalle which after two dayes remaining in the sea was washed vp on shore, euen in view of the place where he then remained.
In this Catalogue I obserue that
Thomas Holinsworth, Yorke Herauld, and
William Wriothesley, Yorke Herauld, (sonne of the foresaid Sir
Iohn Wriothesley Garter) and others are omitted, which with all other omissions in this particular discourse, I referre to the iudicious reformation of the Colledge of Heraulds.
Pursuiuants of Armes, their names, sirnames, and additions, from the first of Henry the fift, to this present time, with their aduancements, from Pursuiuants Extraordinary, to Ordinary, from Ordinary, to Heraulds, from Heraulds to Kings of Armes, or otherwise:
Iohn Wrexworth, first
Antilope Extraordinary, secondly,
Blewmantle, thirdly,
Exceter, fourthly
Guyon, King of Armes.
Nicholas Serby, Falcon Ext. Rouge-Croix Leopard, Herald of Armes:
Iohn Haswell, Wallingford, Blewmantle, Clarence.
William Boys, Antelope extr. Rouge-Croix, Exceter.
Richard Turpin, first
Blewmantle, secondly,
Windsor.
Raph Langman, Portcullis, Yorke.
Robert Cooke, Rose blanch, Chester, Clarencieux.
Iohn Hart, Chester.
Nicholas Dethicke, Blewmantle, Windsore, obijt Ian. 1596.
Edmund Knight Rouge Dragon, Chester, Norroy.
William Dethick Rougecroix, Yorke, Garter.
Robert Glouer Portcullis, Somerset.
Thomas Dawes Rougecroix obijt.
Richard Lee Portcullis, Richmond, Clarencieux.
Nicholas Paddy Rougedragon, Lancaster.
Rafe Brooke Rougecroix, Yorke.
Humfrey Hales, Blewmantle, Yorke.
William Segar Portcullis, Somerset, Norroy, Garter and Knight. This Sir
William Segar being Portcullis Pursuiuant of Armes in the yeare 1586. was imployed by Queene
Elizabeth to attend the Earle of Leicester, being her Lieuetenant, and gouernour Generall of her forces in the Low Countries. And being Somerset Herald was imploied to attend the Embassage sent by the Earle of Shrewesbury to the French King,
Henry the Fourth, to receiue his Oath, and to inuest him with the order of the Garter. And afterwards being
Norroy was ioynd Embassador with
Roger, Earle of Rutland, to carry the Garter to
Christian, the fourth King of Denmarke. As also being Garter, he was imploied in the like seruice, to
Morice, the last Prince of Orenge, deceased. And lately ioynd Embassadour with the now Viscount Dorchester, to carry the Garter to
Henry, Prince of Orenge: In all which seruices, he hath worthily demeaned himselfe.
Iames Thomas, Blewmantle, Chester:
Iohn Rauen, Rouge Dragon, Richmond.
Thomas Lant, Portcullis, Windsor.
Robert Treswell, Blewmantle, Somerset.
Thomas Knight, Rougecroix, Chester.
William Smith, Rougedragon.
Samuel Thompson, Portcullis, Windsor.
Mercury Patten, Blewmantle.
Philip Holland, Rose, extraordinary,
Portcullis.
Pursuiuants of Armes, created in the raigne of our late dread Soueraigne Lord, King Iames, viz.
Philip Holland, Portcullis.
Iohn Guillam, Portesmouth, extr. Secondly,
Rougecroix: This man is best knowne by an excellent Booke which he writ, called
The Display of Heraldrie.
Henry Saint
George, Rougerose, ext. Blewmantle, Richmond.
In the raigne of our Soueraigne Lord and King now liuing, these.
Thomas Preston, Portcullis. Who in the yeare 1630. vpon the birth of the right excellent Prince
Charles, was by his Maiestie imployed to the Lords Iustices of the kingdome of Ireland with his Maiesties most gracious letters (according to the ancient custome) signifying to that Realme that most happy newes. Vpon whose arriuall, the State there made great and large expressions of their ioyfull hearts for such welcome tidings, worthily receiuing and bountifully rewarding the said Officer of Armes.
George Owen, Rougecroix.
William Ryley, Rouge-Rose, extr. Created 31. Iulij 1630.
Noblemen and Peeres of this Land, in ancient time had their Heralds peculiar vnto themselues, saith
Milles. For Chester the Herauld, and
Falco the Pursuiuant, liued at the command of the Prince of Wales, and serued him:
Humfrey Duke of Glocester, and Earle of Penbroke, had the Herald
Penbrooke, his domesticall Seruant.
Richard also Duke of Glocester, hauing now obtained the kingdome, would needs haue his Herauld
Glocester to be called King of Armes for all Wales.
Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke, retained Suffolke Herauld, and
Marleon Pursuiuant. The Marquesse of Dorcester, kept
Groby Herauld. The Earle of Northumberland, Northumberland Herauld, and
Esperance Pursuiuant.
Arthur Plantaginet Viscount Lisle, tooke vnto himselfe
Lisle Pursuiuant, and Baron
Hastings, Hasting Pursuiuant. But the condition of the Seruant is made better by the dignitie of his Lord and Master, so these forenamed Heraulds liued not with like authoritie or priuiledges with the Kings.
And here now giue me leaue to speake a little more of the Aetymologie, Antiquitie, and dignitie of Heraulds in generall.
Herald,
The Aetymologie, Antiquity, and Dignity of Heralds. Herold, or Herault,
dicitur quasi Herus altus, a high Maister: For this Officer was of great authoritie amongst the Romanes, who plurally called them
Feciales, a faciendo, quod belli pacisque faciendae penes cos ius erat, or
Fediales a faedere faciendo. And so with vs the word signifieth an Officer at Armes, whose function is to denounce warre, to proclaime peace, or otherwise to be employed by the King, in martiall messages, or other businesse; and so they are called
Internuncij vel pacis, vel belli ferendi. Messengers to carrie and offer either warre or peace.
Heralt, saith
Verstegan, in the Title of Honours and Offices, is meerely a Teutonic or Duytch word, and in that tongue and no other, the true Aetymologie thereof is onely to be found.
To begin then with the first syllable thereof, which is
Here, though in composition abridged to
Her, it is the true and ancient Teutonic word for an Armie, the same that
Exercitus is in Latine; and in that sence it is yet
[Page 684] vsed in Germany. And whereas the Germanes doe now vse
Here also for Lord, yet anciently they so vsed it not. And although the Teutonic be more mixed with other strange languages; yet this word
Here, as they vse it for Lord or master, hath crept into their language from
Herus in Latine, after that the Latine tongue became knowne vnto them.
A Healt in the Teutonick, is a most couragious person, a champion, or an especiall challenger to a fight or combat, of the weapon that such sometime most vsed, called a Healtbard, because it was borne by a Healt, we yet, though corruptly, retaine the name of Holbard, and the Netherlands make it Heilbard.
Here-healt by abbreuiation Heralt, as also Herald, doth rightly signifie, the Champion of the armie. And (growing to be a name of Office) he that hath in the armie the especiall charge to challenge vnto battell or combat: in which sense our name of Herald doth nearest approach vnto
Fecialis in Latine, as I haue touched before.
Heralds Priests
Rosinus Ant. Rom. li. 3.
c. 21.The
Feciales amongst the Romanes, saith one, were Priests. For
Numa Pompilius (who flourished
circa ann. mundi 3283.) the second King of the Romanes, diuided the institution of diuine honour into eight parts, and so instituted and ordained eight seuerall orders of Priests; and endowed the Colledge of these Feciales or Heralds with the seuenth part of this his sacred constitution. Their Colledge at Rome was composed of twenty Heraulds, chosen out of ancient and eminent families, the chiefe whereof (for excellence) was called
Pater Patratus, because by being chiefe of that companie, he ought to haue children, and his owne Father yet liuing. Their chiefe office was, To take care that the Romanes did not commence, and make vniust warre against any confederate Citie, and that if any such a city had committed any thing against the conditions of the confederacie, truce, and entercourse, then they were to go as Embassadours, first to challenge their right in milde words; which if denyed, then to proclaime warre,
Neque iustum aliquod bellum fore censebatur, nisi id per Feciales esset indictum: Neither was any warre thought to be iust and lawfull, but that which was denounced by these Feciales, or Heralds.
Heralds of France of noble descent.In France (saith
Andrew Favine) Heralds haue euer beene in high esteeme, and not onely the King of Armes,
Mont-ioy, S. Denis, but also the other Heralds, and Pursuiuants, were of noble extraction: and
Mont-ioy could not be admitted without making proofe of his Noblenesse by three races, as well of his Fathers stocke, as by his mothers side. There was two thousand pounds of rents in Lands and free tenure, allowed for the said
Mont-ioy particularly, and a thousand pounds of annuall pension, besides other rights. As for the other Heralds, they haue a thousand pounds in pension, with other rights and priuiledges.
Now for such rights and priuiledges as were granted to kings of Armes and Heralds, some doe ascribe them to the King and Emperour
Charlemaigne: others to
Alexander the Great of Macedon, and others to the Emperour of Germany,
Charles king of Bohemia, fourth of that name, nourished from his youth in the Court of the Father of Cheualrie,
Philip de Valoys, king of France, sixth and last of that name, as here followeth the tenure in these words.
The Priuiledges granted to Kings, and Heralds of Armes, translated out of the French in the Theater of Honour.
My Souldiers, you are and shall bee called Heralds, Companions for kings, and Iudges of crimes committed by Noblemen; and arbitratours of their quarrels and differences. You must liue hereafter exempted from going any more to warre, or militarie factions. Councell kings for the best, the benefit of the weale publique, and for their Honour and Royall dignitie. Correct all matters vile and dishonest: fauour widowes, succour orphanes, and defend them from all violence. Assist with your counsell such Princes and Lords in whose Courts you shall abide, and freely and without feare, demand of them whatsoeuer is needfull for you, as food, rayment, and defrayings. If any one of them shall deny you, let him bee infamous, without glory or honour, and reputed as criminall of high treason. In like manner also, haue you an especiall care, to keepe your selues from vilifying your noble exercise, and the Honour wherewith you ought to come neare vs at all times. See there be no entrance into Princes Courts, either of drunkennesse, ill speaking, flattery, babling indiscreetly, ianglery, buffonnerie, and such other vices, which soyle and shame the reputation of men. Giue good example euery where, maintaine equitie, and repaire the wrongs done by great men to their inferiours. Remember what priuiledges we haue granted you, in recompence of the painfull trauells in warre, which you endured with vs. And let not the Honours which we haue bestowed on you, bee conuerted to blame and infamie by dishonest liuing: the punishment whereof we reserue to our selfe, and to the Kings of France our Successours.
Seuen Danish Kings, besides some of Norway, and Sweden, haue had for their proper appellation the name of Herald, or Harold, which is all one with Heralt, saith
Verstegan. So honourable was it accounted of in old time, that so many Kings thereby were called, in regard as it appeareth, that themselues might be honoured and respected as the most couragious of the armie.
Heralds (saith
Stow) (out of an old History,
Stow in the life of
Brute. written aboue sixe hundred yeares since, which he found in the Reuestrie or Treasurie of Saint
Pauls Church) be they which our Elders were wont to call
Heroes, that is to say, those which were greater, or surpassing all men in Maiestie, and yet inferiour to the Gods. For, whom the people of antiquitie did perceiue to be notable, and surmounting all others in his acts and feates, renowned in vertues, and friendly or gracious vnto them; him would they magnifie, and exalt in the highest degree, and as it were, with their good words make him cosin to
Iove the omnipotent. Placing such amongst the Gods, if it so were, that they had wrought some miraculous feate aboue the common course of Nature. But if there were no such miraculous or wonderfull deeds, but that through their vertues they seemed wonderfull and honourable, then thought they to call such persons, not altogether Gods, nor yet simplie men, but inuented out a meane word and name for them, calling them
Heroes, as it were halfe-gods, and of this word
Heroes, or
Heros, groweth by corruption of vse this name Herald.
In the same place he proues that Heralds here in England were as ancient
[Page 686] as the dayes of
Brute (who flourished aboue eleuen hundred yeares before the birth of Christ) who bare (saith hee) Gules, two Lions rampant, endorsed Or, according to this peece out of
Hardings Chronicle.
The Armes of
Brute.
He bare of Goulis twoo liones of golde
Countre Rampant, with golde only crouned,
Which kings of Troy in bataill barefull bold.
Neither can it be iustly said, for all this, that Heralds were not knowne nor in request in this kingdome, but since the time of
Brute. For euen from the instant, that the descendants of
Adam were distinguished into Nobles and Yeomen; there haue beene combats, battells, and encounters, and consequently Heralds, deriued from the body of Nobilitie.
Now at the length let me turne backe to the foresaid defunct Sir
Iohn Wriothesley, to whom, and to the rest of the Kings Heralds and Pursuiuants of Armes; king
Richard the third in the first yeare of his raigne, granted and gaue by his letters Patents,
Cold Harber the Heralds Colledge. all that messuage with the appurtenances called Cold-Harber, in the Parish of All Saints the little in London; freeing them
à Subsidijs, theolonijs, & omnibus Reipub. muneribus: Dated at Westminster the second of March, without fine or fee. How the said Heralds departed therewith (saith
Stow) I haue not read: but in the raigne of
Henry the eight, the Bishop of Durhams house, neare Charing Crosse, being taken into the Kings hand;
Cuthbert Tunstall, Bishop of Durham, was lodged in this Cold-Harber.
But in my iudgement I still digresse, or at leastwise driue off my Reader ouer long from the knowledge of the time of this mans death; which I cannot set downe neither certainly: yet I gather by circumstances, that it should be about the latter end of the raigne of king
Hen. the seuenth.
Eleanor Lady
Wriothesley.Here lyeth buried by her husband,
Eleanor, the second wife of the foresaid Sir
Iohn Wriothesley.
Ioan Wriothesley.Here lieth buried
Ioan wyfe to
Thomas Wriothesley, sonne to the said Sir
Iohn Wriothesley.
Io. Wriothesley.Here lyeth
Iohn Wriothesley the younger, sonne to Sir
Iohn Wriothesly and
Eleanor, with others of that familie, mentioned by
Stow in his Suruay of London.
Sir
Hen. Grey Reginald Lord
Grey, Earle of Kent.This Church is likewise much honoured by the Sepultures of Sir
Henry Grey knight, sonne and heire to
George Grey, Earle of Kent: as also by
Reginald Grey, Earle of Kent. Of which (their Funeralls being so neare these times) in another place.
S. Benet Pauls Wharfe.
Sir
Will. Cheyney and
Margaret his wife.In this Church lie entombed the bodyes of Sir
William Cheyney knight, and Dame
Margaret his wife, which Sir
William Cheyney deceased,
Ann. 1422.
In this Parish and partly (as I take it) in Saint
Peters the little, is a faire house, sometime (belonging to the
Stanleys; vpon the outward wall whereof are embossed the Armes, or rather, if you will, the legges of the Isle of
[Page 687] Man; for that the
Stanleys, honoured with the title of Earles of Darby, were commonly called Kings of Man. This house was built by
Thomas Stanley, first of that sirname, Earle of Darby, and so for a long time it was called Darbie House, but at length it being in the tenure of Sir
Richard Sackuile knight, fallen by morgage vnto him, for which morgage,
Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke, out of his affection to the office of Armes, satisfied the said Sir
Richard; who thereupon past it ouer to Q.
Mary, and at the instant request of the said Duke, she by her Charter granted it to Sir
Gilbert Dethicke, as then Garter, principall King of Armes, who lieth buried in this Church;
Thomas Hauley, Clarencieux, king of Armes of the south parts,
William Haruey, Norroy, king of Armes of the north parts; and to the other Heralds and Pursuiuants of Armes (expressing their titles and order)
qui pro tempore fuerint,The Heralds Office.in perpetuum; vt essent vnum corpus corporatum in re, facto, & nomine: habeantque successionem perpetuam, nec non quoddam sigillum commune. To the end that the said King of Armes, Heralds, and Pursuiuants of Armes,
The body corporate of the Heralds. and their successors might (at their liking) dwell together, and at conuenient times, meete together, speake, conferre, and agree among themselues, for the good gouernement of their faculty, and their Records might be more safely kept, &c.
Dated the 18. day of Iuly, 1555.
Philip and
Mary, the first and third yeare.
This Corporation consists of thirteene in number, whose names and titles at this time,
viz. Anno 1631. are as followeth.
Sir
William Segar Knight, Garter, Principall King of Armes.
Sir
Richard S.
George, Knight,
Clarencieux.
Sir
Iohn Borough Knight.
Norroy, Prouinciall Kings:
William Penson, Lancaster,
Sir
Henry S.
George, Knight, Richmond.
Henry Chitting, Chester,
Iohn Philipot Somerset.
William le Neue, Yorke.
Iohn Bradshaw, Windsore. Heralds.
These sixe Heralds,
Henry Spelman. Gloss lit. H.non ab Officiorum praestantia, sed è creationis cuiusque antiquitate locos obtinet: not from the excellencie of their office, but according to the prioritie of their creation, take preheminence.
And to make vp the number, there are foure Pursuiuants in this Colledge, helpers and furtherers (likewise) in matters of Heraldry, although of an inferiour Classe,
viz.
Rouge-crosse, so called of the red crosse, by which Saint
George the Tutelar Saint of all Englishmen is famozed.
Blewmantle, so called of a skie-coloured coate of Armes,
Francica maiestatis, of a French-like Maiesty assumed by K.
Edward the third.
Rouge-Dragon, of a red Dragon sustaining the Shield Roiall of the English, instituted by King
Henry the seuenth.
Port cullis, of the Port cullis which the said
Henry the seuenth vsed in his Cognisance:
If you would know more of this Colledge, may it please you peruse Sir
Henry Spilmans Glossarie,
litera. H.
Here lieth interred the body of
Iohn Leland, or
Leyland, Natiue of this honourable Citie of London,
Iohn Leland the Antiquary brought vp in the Vniuersities of England and France, where he greatly profited in all good learning and languages: Keeper of the Libraries he was to King
Henry the Eight, in which Office he chiefly applied himselfe to the study of Antiquities; wherein he was so laborious and exquisite, that few, or none, either before or since, may bee with him compared: which will best appeare by his New yeares gift to the said King
Henry, written in Latine, and translated into English by his contemporarie companion,
Iohn Bale, and by him intituled.
The loboryouse Iourney and serche of Iohan Leylande, for Englandes Antiquitees,
Lelandi Strena,
[...]lands
New yeares gift. giuen of him as a New yeares gift to Kynge Henry the Eyghte in the thirty seuenth yeere of his Reygne.
The study of Antiquity in
Hen. the eight.Vbi tuae celsit udini visum fuit, &c. so it begins in Latine. Where as it pleased youre hyghnesse vpon very iust consideratyons to encourage mee, by the authoryte of youre moste graciouse Commyssion, to peruse and dyligently to serche all the Libraries of Monasteries and Collegies of this youre noble Realme, to the entent that the Monuments of auncyent Wryters, as well of other Nacyons, as of your owne Prouynce, myghte be brought out of deadly darkenesse, to lyuely lyght, and to receiue lyke thankes of their posteryte, as they hoped for at such time, as they employed their long and great studies to the publique wealthe.
The ca
[...]e King
Hen had of Religion.Yea, and furthermore, that the holy scripture of God might both be sincerely taught and learned, all maner of supersticion and crafty coloured doctrine of a rowte of romane Bishops totally expelled oute of this your most Catholique realme. I thinke it now no lesse, than my very dewtie, breuely to declare to your Maiestie, what frutes haue spronge of my laboriouse iourney and costly enterprise, both roted vpon your infinite goodnesse and liberalite, qualitees, right highly to be estemed in al Princes, and most specially in yow, as naturally your owne wele knowne proprietes.
The workes of ancient Writers saued and conserued.First I haue conserued many good authors, the which otherwise had ben like to haue perished, to no small incommodite of good letters. Of the which, parte remaine in the most magnificent libraries of your royall Palaces. Part also remaine in my custodie, whereby I trust right shortly, so to describe your most noble Realme, and to publish the Maiestie of the excellent actes of youre progenitors,
The Kings Libraries augmented. hitherto sore obscured, bothe for lacke of emprinting of such workes as lay secretly in corners.
And also because men of eloquence hath not enterprised to set them forth in a florishing stile, in some times past not commonly vsed in England of Writers,
The plaine
[...]le and forme of
[...]uncient Writers. otherwise wele learned, and now in such estimacion, that except truth be delicately clothed in purpure, her written veritees can scant finde a Reader. That all the world shall euidently perceiue, that no particular region, may iustly be more extolled, than yours for true nobilitie and vertues at all points renoumed.
[Page 689]Farther, more part of the exemplaries, curiously sought by me, and fortunately found in sundry places of this your dominion, hath bene emprinted in Germany, and now be in the presses chefely of
Frobenus, that not alonly the Germaines, but also the Italianes themselfe, that count as the Grekes ded full arrogantly, all other Nacions to be barbarouse and vnlettered, sauing their owne, shall haue a direct occasion openly of force to say: That
Britannia prima fuit parens,Britaine, the Mother of worthy men, and excellent wits.altrix (addo hoc etiam & iure quidem optimo) conseruatrix cùm virorum magnorum tum maxime ingeniorum: Britaine was a mother, a nurse, and a maintainer, not onely of worthy men, but also of most excellent wits.
And that profite hath risen by the aforesaid iourney, in bringing full many things to light, as concerning the vsurped autorite of the Bishop of Rome and his complices, to the manifest and violent derogation of Kingly dignite: I referre my selfe most humbly to your most prudent, learned, and high iudgement,
This volume he called
Antiphilachia, written against the ambitious Empire, or vsurped authoritie Reiall of the Bishop of Rome.Albertus Pighius, a Canon sometime in the Cathedrall Church of Vtrecht in the Low Countries. to discerne my diligence in the long Volume, wherein I haue made answer for the defence of your supreme dignitie, al only lening to the strong pillor of holy scripture, against the whole Colledge of the Romanists, cloking their crafty affections and arguments, vnder the name of one poore
Pighius of Vltraiect in Germany, and standing to them as to their onely anker, hold against tempests that they know will arise, if truth may be by licens lette in to haue a voyce in the generall counsell.
Yet herin only I haue not pytched the supreme worke of my labour, wherunto your grace, most like a kinglye Patron of all good lernyng, ded animate me. But also considering and expending with my selfe, how great a number of excellent godly wittes and writers, lerned with the best, as the times serued, hath bene in this your region; Not onely at such times as the Romane Emperors had recourse to it, but also in those daies that the Saxons preuailed of the Britaines,
Lelands affection toward his Country. and the Normans of the Saxons, could not but with a feruent zele, and honest corage, commend them to memory Els, alas, like to haue bene perpetually obscured, or to haue lightly remembred as vncertaine shaddowes.
Wherfor I knowing by infinite varietie of bookes, and assiduouse reading of them,
Four Bookes of illustrious men, or of the British writers. who hath bene lerned, and who hath written from time to time in this realme, haue digested into four bokes, the names of them, with their liues and monuments of lerning. And to them added this title.
De viris illustribus, folowing the profitable example of
Hierome, Gannadie, Cassiodore, Seuerayne, and
Trittemie, a late Writer. But alway so handling the matter, that I haue more exspaciated in this campe, then they ded, as in a thing that desired to be somewhat at large, and to haue ornature. The first boke beginning at the Druides, is deducted vnto the time of the comming of S.
Augustine into England. The second is from the time of
Augustine, vnto the aduente of the Normans. The third from the Normans, to the end of the moste honourable reigne of the mightie, famouse, and prudent Prince,
Henry the seuenth your Father. The fourth beginneth with the name of your Maieste, whose glory in lerning, is to the world so clerely knowne, that though emonge the liues of other lerned men, I haue accurately celebrated the names of
Bladud,Learned Princes.Mulmutius, Constantinus Magnus, Sigebert, Alfridus, Alfridus magnus, Athelsta
[...]e, and
Henry the first,
[Page 690] Kings, and your progenitors. And also
Ethelward, second sonne to
Alfride the great,
Humfryde, Duke of Glocester, and
Tipetote Earle of Worcestre, yet conferred with your grace, they serue as small lights (if I may freely say my iudgement, your high modesty not offended) in respect of the daye starre.
The wits of the British and English writers exercised in all kinds of good literature.Now farther to insinuate to your grace, of what matters the Writers, whose liues I haue congested into foure bookes, hath treated of. I may right boldly say; that beside the cognicion of the foure tongues, in the which, par
[...] of them hath excelled, that there is no kinde of liberall science, or any feate concerning learning, in the which they haue not shewed certaine arguments o
[...] great felicitie of witte. Yea, and concerning the interpretation of holy Scripture, both after the ancient forme, and sens the scholasticall trade, they haue reigned as in a certaine excellency.
A wonderfull great number of Historiographers of British affaires.And as touching historicall knowledge, there hath bene to the number of a full hundreth or mo, that from time to time hath with great diligence, and no lesse faith, wolde to God with like eloquence, perscribed the actes of your noble predecessors, and the fortunes of this your Realme, so incredibly great, that hee that hath not seane, and throughly redde their workes, can litle pronounce in this parte.
Wherfor, after that I had perpended the honest and profitable studies of these Historiographers, I was totally enflamed with a loue, to see throughly all those partes of this your opulent and ample realme,
Lelands laborious iourney throughout all England. that I had redde of in the aforsaid Writers. In so much that, all my other occupacions intermitted, I haue so traueled in your dominions, both by the see coastes and the middle parts, sparing neither labour nor costs, by the space of these sixe yeeres past, that there is almost neither cape nor baye, hauen, creke, or pere, riuer, or confluence of riuers, breches, washes, lakes, meres, fenny waters, mountaines, vallies, mores, hethes, forestes, woodes, cities, burges, castels, principall manor places, monasteries, and colleges; but I haue seane them, and noted in so doing a whole world of things very memorable.
Thus instructed, I trust shortly to see the time, that like as
Carolus Magnus had among his treasures, three large notable tables of siluer, richly enameled; one of the site and description of Constantinople,
The description of all England in a quadrate table of siluer. another of the site and figure of the magnificente Citee of Rome, and the third of descrypcyon of the world. So shall your Maiestie haue this your world and impery of Englande, so set forth in a quadrate table of siluer, if God send me life to accomplish my beginning, that your Grace shall haue ready knowledge at the first sight of many right delectable, fruitfull, and necessary pleasures, by contemplacion thereof, as often as occasion shall moue you to the sight of it.
And because that it may be more permanent, and farther knowne, then to haue it engraued in siluer or brasse;
A Booke of the Topographie of England. I entend by the leaue of God, within the space of twelue moneths following, such a description to make of your realme in writing, that it shall be no mastery after, for the Grauer or Painter to make the like by a perfect example.
Yea, and to wade farther in this matter, where as now almost no man can wele gesse at the shadow of the ancient names of hauens, riuers, promontories,
[Page 691] hilles,
The names of seuerall nations, Cities, and great townes, &c. of Britaine in old time, such as
Cesar, Tacitus, Ptolimey, & other Authors haue made mention of, restored together with the later and moderne names. woods, Cities, Townes, Castles, and varyete of kyndes of people, that
Cesar, Liui, Strabo, Diodorus, Fabius, Pictor, Pomponius Mela, Plinius, Cornelius Tacitus, Ptolomeus, Sextus Rufus, Ammianus Marcellinus, Solinus, Antoninus, and diuerse other make mencyon of. I trust so to open this wyndow, that the lyght shall be seene, so long, that is to say, by the space of a whole thousand yeeres stopped vp, and the old glory of your renowned Britayne to reflorish through the worlde.
This done, I haue matter of plenty, already prepared for this purpose, that is to say, to write an History, to the which I entend to ascribe this title,
De Antiquitate Britannica, or else
Civilis Historia. And this worke I entend to diuide into so many bookes, as there be Shyres in England, and shires and great dominions in Wales. So that I esteeme that this Volume will enclude a fifty bookes,
Of the Antiquitie of Britaine, or of Ciuile History fiftie Bookes. whereof each one seuerally shall containe the beginnings, encreases, and memorable acts of the chiefe Townes and Castles of the Prouince allotted to it.
Then I entend to distribute into sixe bookes, such matter as I haue already collected,
Sixe Bookes of the Islands adiacent to England. concerning the Isles adiacent to your noble realme, and vndre your subieccyon. Wherof three shall be of these Isles,
Vecta, Mona, and
Menavia, somtime kyngedomes.
And to superadde a worke as an ornament and a right comely garlande to the enterprises aforesaid, I haue selected stuffe to be distributed into three bookes,
Three bookes of the Nobility of Britaine. the which I purpose thus to entitle,
De Nobilitate Britannica. Wherof the first shall declare the names of Kynges and Quenes, with their children, Dukes, Earles, Lordes, Capitaynes and rulers in this realme to the commynge of the Saxons and theyr Conquest. The seconde shall be of the Saxons. The thirde from the Normans to the reygne of your most noble grace, descending lineally of the Brytayne, Saxon, and Norman kynges. So that all noble men shall clerely perceyve their lyneall parentele.
Now,
His conclusion
a delectabili & vtili. if it shall be the pleasure of Almighty God, that I may lyve to performe these things that be already begonne, and in a great forwardnesse, I trust that this your realme shall so wele be knowne, ones paynted wyth his native colours, that the renowne thereof shall geue place to the glory of no other region. And my great labours and costes, procedynge from the most habundant fountayne of your infinite goodnesse towards me your pore scholar and most humble servaunt, shall be euydently seane to have not only pleased, but also profyted the studyouse, gentill, and equall reders. This is the briefe declaracyon of my laboriouse iourney, taken by mocyon of your hyghnesse, so much studying at all houres, aboute the frutefull preferment of good letters, and auncyent vertues.
Christ contynue your most royall estate and the prosperyte,
Commune vo
[...] wyth successyon in kyngely dignite, of your deere and worthylye beloued sonne Prynce
Edward, grauntynge you a numbre of Pryncely sonnes, by the most gracyouse, benygne, and modest Lady your Quene
Cataryne.
Iohannes Leylandus Antiquarius.
Iohn Bale, in his declaration vpon this Treatise, saith that the next yeare after that
Leyland presented this New-yeares Gift to king
Henry, the said king deceased, and
Leyland by a most pitifull accident fell besides his wits;
[Page 692] which was the cause (belike) that these his workes were neuer imprinted; howsoeuer at this day, the written copies thereof are in some priuate mens custody; which learned
Camden saw, as he himselfe acknowledgeth, when hee compiled that matchlesse Chorographicall description of Great Britaine.
But those learned Authors which
Leyland gathered together in his iourney, and which hee conserued to augment the Kings Libraries and his owne; are, I doubt, by the iniquitie of times, quite lost and perished. And here I might take occasion to speake of the great spoile of old Bookes, and all other reuerend Antiquities at and vpon the suppression of Abbeyes, and reformation of Religion. As also of the due praise belonging to such men in these dayes, who like Sir
Robert Cotton with labour and charges,
Sir
Rob. Cotton knight and Baronet. collect, and safely preserue these ancient Monuments of learning for the publique good and commodity of the whole kingdome. But of this when I come to that inestimable rich Treasurie,
Sir
Tho. Bodley knights. that famous and renowned Library in the Vniuersitie of Oxford, whose principall Founder was Sir
Thomas Bodley knight, deceased.
To returne then to our Antiquarie
Leyland; Many other workes, (saith
Bale, in the foresaid declaration) hath
Leyland written, of whom some are emprinted, as the Assertion of king
Arthure, the Birth of Prince
Edward, the Song of the Swanne, the decease of Sir
Thomas Wiet, the winning of Bullein, and the commendation of Peace. Some are not yet printed, as his Colleccyons of the Byshoppes of Brytayne, of the Vniuersytees of the same, of the orygynoll and increase of good learnynges there: Of his Epigrammes and Epitaphs, and the lyfe of kynge
Sygebert, with many other more.
He died franticke the 18. day of Aprill,
Anno redemptionis humanae, 1552. Of whom this Ogdoasticke following was composed, either by himselfe, as the stile sheweth, or by some other in his name, saith
Pitseus.
Pit. Aetas
16.
Quantum Rhenano debet Germania docto,
Tantum debebit terra Britanna mihi.
Ille suae gentis ritus, & nomina prisca,
Aestiuo fecit lucidiora die.
Ipse antiquarum rerum quoque magnus amator,
Ornabo patriae lumina clara meae.
Quae cum prodierint niueis inscripta tabellis,
Tum testes nostrae sedulitatis erunt:
These verses were annexed to his Monument, as I haue it by tradition.
Io. Leland the Elder.This our
Leland is called by writers
Lelandus iunior, in regard of another
Iohn Leland, who flourished in the time of king
Henry the sixth; taught a Schoole in Oxford, and writ certaine Treatises of the Art of Grammer. Which
Leland, saith
Pits, was
tum in versu, tum in prosa multo elegantior, & in omni Latinitate purior, tersior, nitidior, quam ferebat illius at at is communis consuetudo: As well in verse as prose, much more elegant, and in all the Latine tongue more pure, polisht, and neate, then the custome of that
[Page 693] age did commonly affoard. Whereupon this riming Hexameter was made to his commendation.
Vt Rosa slos slorum, sic Leland Grammaticorum.
But to take my leaue of both these
Lelands, and go forward to what ancient Inscriptions I haue sometime found in this Church.
Blessyd Lady moder and Virgyn,
Elis. West. have mercy and pety on ye soul of yowr powere mayd
Elisabyth West, yat here lyeth beryed, ye whych decessyd ye yere of owr Lord, M.ccccc.vii. ye vii of Octobre.
O mater Dei miserere mei. Amen.
Hic.....Rogerus Woodcocke ciuis et Hat. London,Rog. Woodcocke and
Ioane his wife.& Ioanna vxor eius .... M.ccccxxii.
Qui venisti redimere perditos, noli dampnare redemptos.
Epitaphs and Inscriptions within certaine Churches of this Cittie, col
[...]cted about some thirtie seuen yeares since, by
Robert Treswell Esquire, somerset Herald, lately deceased. Of which few or none are to be found at this present time.
Saint Botolphs Aldersgate.
Hic iacet Katherina Cauendish quondam vxor Thome Cauendishe,Catherine Cauendish.nuper de Cauendish in Com. Suffolke Armig. que obijt xv. die Septemb. Anno Dom. M.cccc.lxxxxix. Cuius anima requiescat in pace.
Hic iacet Alicia nuper vxor Thome Cauendish de Cauendish et de Scaccario excellentissimi Principis Domini Henrici viij. que quidem obijt xij Nouemb. Ann. Dom. M.ccccc.xv. Cuius anime propitietur Altissimus.Alice CavendishAmen.
Here lyeth buried vnder this Stone
Margaret Cauendish,Marg Cavendish late wife of
William Cauendish, which
William was one of the sonnes of the aboue named
Alice Cauendish. Which
Margaret dyed the xvi day of Iune, in the yeare of our Lord God, M.cccccxl. whossoul Iesu pardon. Amen.
Heuen blis be here mede
Yat for the sing prey or rede.
Cauendish is a Towne or Village in Suffolke, wherein that valiant Gentleman
Iohn Cauendish Esquire, who slew that Arch-Rebell
Watt Tyler, Anno Reg. Regis, Ric: 2.4. was borne;
Lib. Esiens. in bib. Cott. which fact was not long vnreuenged, for in the same yeare, the Rebels of Norfolke and Suffolke, vnder the conduct of their Captaine, Sir
Iohn Wraw (a detestable Priest) tooke Sir
Iohn Cauendish knight, cosin to the foresaid
Iohn, chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench, and beheaded him, together with Sir
Iohn of Cambridge, Prior of Saint
Edmundsbury, whose heads they set on the Pillory in the Market place.
Here restyth the body of
William Burd Esquyr,
Will. Burd Clarke of the Pipe. late Clark of the Pipe and Priuy Seale, whych payd the generall tribute of Nature, deuyded from
[Page 694] the mundane vexations by naturall death the xv day of August, the xxi yere of kyng
Henry the eyght.
Cowell. lit. C.Clarke of the Pipe (saith the Interpreter) is an Officer in the Kings Exchequer, who hauing all accounts and debts due vnto the king, deliuered, and drawne downe out of the Remembrancers Offices, chargeth them downe into the great Roll. Who also writeth summons vnto the Shiriffe to leuie the said debts, vpon the goods and chattels of the said debtors: and if they haue no goods, then doth he draw them downe to the Lord Treasurers Remembrancer, to write Extreats against their Land. The ancient Reuenew of the Crowne remayneth in charge before him, and he seeth the same answered by the Fermers and Shiriffes to the king. He maketh a charge to all Shiriffes of their summons of the Pipe and Greenewax, and seeth it answered vpon their accounts. He hath the ingrossing of all Leasses of the Kings lands: and it is likely that it was at the first called, and still hath denomination of Pipe, and Clarke of the Pipe, and Pipe Office, because their Records that are registred in their smallest Rolles, are altogether like Organe Pipes: but their great Roll called the Great Roll,
Ann. 37.
Ed. 3.
ca. 4. is of another forme.
Clarke of the Priuie Seale.Clericus Priuati Sigilii, or Clarke of the priuie Seale, is an Officer (whereof there be foure in number) that attendeth the Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale, or if there be none such, vpon the principall Secretarie, writing and making out all things, that be sent by warrant from the Signet to the Priuie Seale, and are to be passed to the Great Seale; as also to make out (as they are tearmed) Priuie Seales, vpon any especiall occasion of his Maiesties affaires, for loane or lending of money, or such like. Of this Officer and his function, you may reade the Statute,
Ann. 27.
Hen. 8.
cap. 11.
Io. Hartishorne Sergeant at Armes, and
Agnes his wife.Hic iacet Iohannes Hartishorne, quondam Seruiens Domini Regis ad Arma qui obijt viij die Martij Ann. Dom. M.ccccxxix. & Agnes vxor eius, que obiit ..... M.cccc.
The office of Sergeants at Armes is to attend the person of the King, to arrest Traitors, or great men that do or are like to contemne messengers of ordinarie condition for other causes; and to attend the Lord high Steward of England,
The office of Sergeant at Armes.
Cowell lit. [...]. sitting in Iudgement vpon any Traitor, and such like. Of these by the Statute
Ann. 13.
Ric. 2.
cap. 6. there may not be aboue thirtie in the Realme. There be also two of these Sergeants of the Parliament, one of the vpper, and another of the lower house, whose office seemeth for the execution of such commandements, especially touching the apprehension of any offender, as either house shall thinke good to enioyne them. There is one Sergeant at Armes that belongeth to the Chancerie, who is called Sergeant of the Mace, as the rest may be, because they carrie Maces by their office: He of the Chancerie attendeth the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper in that Court. Another in like manner attends the Lord Treasurer.
George..::▪ Lord Maior,
Ioan and
Marg. his wiues.Of your cherite prey for the souls of
George. ... Maior of London, and
Iohan and
Margaret his wyffs, which .... decessyd ..:. M.ccccc.xxxvi on whos sowls.....
By the computation of yeares I finde no such man by the Christian name of
George, to haue beene Lord Maior about this time, excepting
George Monox; who lieth buried at Waltham Stow.
[Page 695]Hic iacet Iohannes Kirkham nuper Ciuis & Attornatus London,Iohn Kirkham and
Elis. his wife.& Elisabetha vxor eius qui quidem Iohannes obijt primo die Septembris .... M.cccc.xxvij. quorum animabus...
Here lyeth
Iohn Mynne Esquyr,
Iohn Mynne, late mastyr of the Kyngs wooddys of his new granted Court of Generall Surueyours of his Londes, and Auditour of diuers and sundry Reuenews of the same Courts which desessyd the xv. dey of Decemb. M.ccccc.xlii. on whos soul, Iesu haue mercy.
Diuers other Inscriptions hee collected of persons here interred about the beginning of Queene
Elizabeths raigne, which are not as now visible.
In this Church was sometime (saith
Stow) a Brotherhood of Saint
Fabian and
Sebastian, founded in the yeare 1377. the 51. of
Edward the third, and confirmed by
Henry the fourth, in the sixt of his raigne.
Henry the sixt in the 24. of his raigne,
The foundation of the Brotherhood in S. Botolp
[...]s. to the honour of the Trinitie, gaue licence to Dame
Ioan Astley, sometime his Nurse, to
Robert Cawood (Clarke of the Pipe, who lieth buried in this Church, but of whom no remembrance is remaining) and
Thomas Smith, to found the same a Fraternitie, perpetually to haue a Master and two Custos with Brethren and Sisters, &c. This Botherhood was endowed with lands, more then thirtie pound by the yeere, and was suppressed,
Edward the sixt.
Saint Mary Magdalens Milkestreete.
Of your charity, pray for the soul of
Edward Murell ...
Edward Murell and
Martha his wife. and
Martha his wyff, which
Edward decessyd the ... day of ...
Of your cherite, prey for the souls of
William Campion,William Campion and
Anne his wife. Citizen and Grocer of London, sometime one of the Masters of the Bridghouse, and
Alys and
Anne his wyffes.
The which
William decessyd the xvii. of December, M.ccccc.xxxi.
Anne the .... day of M.ccccc.xx. on whos souls Iesu haue pitte. Amen.
Prey for the soul of
Henry Cantlow,Henry Cantlow. Mercer, Merchant of the Staple at Callys, the builder of this Chappell, wherein hee lyeth buried, M.cccc.lxxxxv.
Here lieth also buried in this Church, Sir
William Cantlow Knight,
Sir
William Cantlow, knight and Sheriffe of London, in the yeare, 1448. who died in the yeare, 1462.
Cantlow, siue de Cantelupo, an ancient Familie, of great repute in many places of this Kingdome, of which hereafter.
Hic iacet Iohannes Olney quondam ciuis et Mercerus,Iohn Olney, Lord Maior▪Aldermannus & Maior Ciuitatis London qui obijt die Martis xxiiij. die octobris M cccc.liiij. cuius anime propitietur Deus.
This
Iohn was the sonne of
Iohn Olney of the Citie of Couentrie, saith
Stowes Suruay.
Orate pro animabus Thome Muschampe ........Tho. Muschampe This
Thomas Muschampe was Sheriffe of this Citie in the yeare, 1463.
Saint Michaell Bashishaw.
Sir William Yerford,
Lord Maior, and Elis.
his wife.
Here vndyr lieth buried, the bodies of Sir
Iames Yerford, Knight, Mercer,
[Page 696] and somtym Maior of this Citie of London, and of Dame
Elisabeth his wyfe; the which Sir
Iames decessyd the xxii. day of Iune, M.ccccc.xxvi. and the said
Elis. decessyd the viii. day of August, M.ccccc. xlviii. on whos souls. ....
He was Lord Maior,
Anno 1519. from his time onward (saith
Stow) the Maiors of London (for the most part) were knighted by the curtesie of the Kings, and not otherwise. He was the sonne of
William Yarford of Kidwelley in Wales: He with his Lady lie buried vnder a faire Tombe, kept well in repaire, in a Chappell on the north side of the Quire, built by himselfe: but this you may reade in
Stow, and it might haue bin very well here omitted.
Sir
Roger Ree [...]night, and
Rose his wife.Hic iacet Rogerus Ree (or
Roe)
miles et Rosa vxor eius qui quidem Rogerus obijt xviij. die mensis Ianuarij, Anno. Dom. M.cccc.lxxix. cuius anime ....
Tho. Bromflit.Hic iacet Thomas Bromfleet Armiger. qui obijt xix. die Maij, M.cccc.vi. cuius anime ....
Andrew Chyett.Hic iacet Andreas Chyett quondam Sementarius istius ciuitatis qui obijt xiiij. die Iulij ..... M.cccc.lxxxxviij. cuius anime propitietur Altissimus. Amen.
Hic iacet Thomas Battayl Armiger iunior qui obijt xi. die mensis Maij, M.cccc.xxxiiij. cuius anime. ...
Iohn Martin, Lord Maior, and
[...]atherine his wife.Here lyeth the body of
Iohn Martyn, late Citizen, and Maior of the Cite of London, and
Katherin his wyff, whos children with their here bin fixed. The which
Iohn Martyn departyd out of this present life, the last day of December, in the yeare of our Lord, M.cccc.lxxi. and the said
Katherin, the xx. day of August, in the yeare of our Lord God, M.cccc.lxxxvii. on whos souls Iesus haue mercy.
[Page 797]There remaineth in one of the windowes of this Church, a beautifull representation of a man in his compleate armour, with his coat armour on his brest, and his wiues portraiture on the other side, with her owne honorarie ensignes, also in nature of an empalement with his: which by the inscription well answering to the exoticke forme of their attiring, appeareth to haue beene set vp in memorie of
Adrian D'Ewes, a lineall descendant of the ancient familie of
Des Ewes, Dynasts or Lords of the dition of Kessell in the Dutchie of Gelderland, who came first thence into England in the time of King
H. 8. (when that Dutchie had beene much ruined, wasted, and depopulated by the intestine warres there raised, and continued betweene
Charles,Eliae Reusneri Basil. Geneal. Auctuarium edit. Francosurt 1592
pag. 102. Historie generall of the Netherlands,
lib. 5
pag 227.
impr an Dom. 1609. Duke thereof, and
Philip the Arch-duke, and
Charles the 5. his sonne) which said
Adrian brought ouer with him, and so preserued to his posteritie a iust series in the Latine tongue, of three of his ascendant Auncestors, recorded in Parchment, with a curious and antique depiction of their coat armours, with those of their seuerall wiues,) of which I haue seene the
ectypum) as also a very ancient seale in siluer, with his coat-armour vpon it (still remaining with this
Penes Simonds D'
Ewes Equitem auratum ab
[...]epotem dicti A
[...]rini familie) bearing the teste of that age as may be gathered from the very exoticknesse of the workemanship. The last will or testament of this very
Adrian, is extant vpon
In Registro Curiae Dum. Archidiaconi Lond. Libr. 4.
sol. 34.
a & b. record, in which not onely
Alice his wife (who lastly married one
William Ramsey) is mentioned, but his foure sonnes also,
viz. Geerardt (misnamed there
Garret)
Iames, Peter and
Andrew, are all nominated. And as touching
Gee the said
Geerardt (whose posteritie in the male line is now seated at Stow-Hall in the Countie of Suffolke) his inquisition taken after his death, is likewise
Escaety de a. 34.
Eliz. parte 1.
n. 11.
Essex in Archiuis. recorded, and his Epitaph with the forme of his grauestone, fully delineated, page 653. foregoing. The portraitures themselues which I finde in this window, with the succinct and pithie inscription vnder them, cannot without iniurie to this familie, bee omitted (each of the persons there represented, hauing liued in the times of
H. 7. and
H. 8.) which therefore I haue exposed to the view of the more iudicious reader in this insuing exact draught and delineation of them both.
Andrianus D'Ewes exillustri faminis de Kessel in Ducatu Gelriae progdiarum pertoesus in Angliam Alienige
H. 8. recessit: foeminamque An-Rauenscroftorum familiâ oriundam in nuit silios,
Geerardt, Iacobum, Petrum, sudore Anglico mense Iulij
Ann. 5.
E. sacratae terrae huius Ecclesiae inhumaperuixit annis xxviii & vltimum natu-
Dom. MDLXXIX. & tumulatur nestrâ, postquam viderat quatuor Re-
Philippum & ix. Reginas regni eiusdē Regis,
H. 8.
[figure]
l
[...]â Des Ewes olim Dynastarum ditionatus, intestinarum patriae suae discor genarum asylum sceptrum tenente Reglicam nomine
Aliciam ex perantiquâ vxorem duxit, et quatuor de eâ ge.
& Andream. Obijt iste
Adrianus de 6.
Ann. Dom. 1551. & infra limites tur. Dicta autem
Alicia maritum surae debitum persoluit mense Iulij,
An. in hac Ecclesiâ non procul ab istâ feges Angliae, viz.
H. 7.
H. 8.
E. 6. & viz. Matrem, vi. vxores & duas filias.
Orate pro animabus Thome Pigot Armigeri,
Tho. Pigot. Richard Sutton. & Richardi Sutton Piscinarij et Iohanne vxoris corundem; qui quidem Thomas obijt xiii. die Decembris Anno Dom. M.cccc.lxxxv. & praedict. Richard. obijt ix. die Maii, An. Dom. M.cccc. lxxxi. quorum animabus propicietur Deus.
Of your cherite,W. Holland
and Margaret
his wife.pray for the souls of William Holland
Citison and Goldsmith of London, and Margaret
his wyff, which William
decessyd the v. of May, in the yere of owr saluacion, M.ccccc. xxv. on whos souls.
Saint Nicholas Cold Abbey.
Of your cherite pray for the souls of
Richard Story,Rich▪ Story, and
Ioan his wife. Fishmonger of London, and
Ione his wife, which
Richard decessyd the xx. of August, M ccccc. xxxii. and the said
Ione ....
Here lieth
Richard Fernefold sometime Citison and .... London,
Peter Fernefold sonne of
Peter Fernefold, sometime of Stenning, in the County of Suslex, Gentylman, and
Margaret his wife, which
Rychard decessyd the xxv. of March, .... M.ccccc. xxv. and the said
Margaret the xvi. of August, M.ccccc.vi. on whos souls ....
Hic iacet humatus Walterus Turke vocitatus
Walter Turke,
Lord Maior.
..... famosus pulcher ciuis animosus
Pauperibus .... Piscinarius Vicecomes.
Maior ciuitatis suerat Londoniarumque.
Anno milleno tricentessimo .... pleno
Octobris obijt tricesimoque die.
Pray for the souls of
Thomas Padyngton,Tho. Padington, Marg. and
Anne his wiues. sometime Citison and Fishmonger of London,
Margaret and
Anne his wifes: which said
Thomas deceassyd the v. of March, .... M.cccc lxxxiii.
Hic iacet Willelmus Coggeshall nuper ciuis & piscenarius London cum Elisabetha vx. eius & octo liberis eorundem qui Willielmus obijt vii. die mens. Feb. An. Dom. M.cccc.xxvi. cuius.Will. Cogshall and
Elis. his wife.
Hic iacet Nicolaus Wolbergh ciuis & piscenarius London & Margareta xvor eius cum filijs & filiabus suis,Nich. Wolbergh and
Mar. his wife.qui Nicolaus obijt v. die mens. Nouembris, An. Dom. M.cccc.vii quorum animabus ....
Pray for the soul of
Roger Hunning,Rog. Hunning, and
Margaret his wife. Fishmonger, somtime porueyor of Seafish to our Soueraigne Lord King
Henry the eight, and
Margaret his wyff, the which
Roger, decessyd the third day of May,
An. Dom. M.ccccc. xli. whos soul Iesu pardon, Amen.
Orate pro anima I home Paynard alias dict. Thome Aylwood quondam Secretarii cum Radulpho
[...]uper Domino Cromwell ac nuper Secretarij cum Willelmo Domino Beaumont,Tho. Paynardet postea Secretarii cum Willelmo Domino Hastyngs, qui quidem Thomas obijt xxii. die Nouembris Anno Dom. M.cccc.lxxiii.
[Page 700]Raph Lord
Cromwell, here mentioned, was Lord Treasurer of England,
Anno 1444.
William Lord
Beaumont was the sonne and heire of
Iohn Lord Viscount
Beaumont,Vincent Catal. of Viscounts the first Viscount that we certainly know to haue beene in England: howsoeuer, it is said, that
Iohn Robsert Captaine of Saint
Samers in France, sonne of Sir
Lewis Robsert, knight of the Garter, was Viscount
Robsert, in king
Henry the fifts time.
William Lord
Hastings, created by king
Edward the fourth, to whom he was Lord Chamberlaine.
Ioan Coppinger.Hic iacet Ioanna Coppinger vidua quondam vxor Willelmi Coppinger Armigeri & postea nupt. Richardo Darland gen. qui quidem Ioanna obijt xviii die Martij ... Mcccclxxxxii.
Saint Michaels Pater Noster in the old Royall.
Tho. Wandesford and
Idonea his wife.Hic iacet Thomas Wandesford ciuis et Aldermannus London, & Idonea vxor eius, qui quidem Thomas obijt xiii die Octobris, An. Dom. M.ccccxlviii Quorum animabus.
Will.
[...]oyli
[...] Lord Maior, and
Catherine his wife.Gulielmo Bayly militi ciui et Pannario London; fide integritate vite insigni, qui huius vrbis Preturam tanta ingenij dexteritate, tanta animi promptitudine, & verborum comitate gessit, vt omnium Senatorum et populi merito nuncupetur delitie. Lites mire perosus, Pauperum Patronus, delictorum corrector, omnibus ordinibus iuxta charus, et numerosa sobole beatus fuit. Cantariam, vt vocant, in hoc templo perpetuo stabiliuit. ..... Domina Katherina vnica coniux coniugi charissimo et bene merenti et Robertus Leessis Executores fidelissimi posuere 5.
Kalend. Nouemb. 1532. He had by his wife
Catherin sixteene children, as did sometime appeare by their pourtraitures on the Tombe-stone. He was the sonne of
Iohn Bayly of Thacksted in Essex.
Glanvile.
Glanvile sub glebe tegit hic lapis ossa Iohannis,
Obsequio Regis subijt se plurimis annis.
Sci ..... quos viuens ... moriens suos ad vos.
..............
Spiritus aspiret ferte iunamen ei.
Agnes Cheyney.Prey of yowr cherete for the souls of
Agnes Cheyney, wydow, late wyff vnto
William Cheyney, somtym Esquyr for the Body vnto kyng
Harry the seuenth. Whyche
Agnes dyed the fyfteenth day of Iuly in the yere of our Lord God on thowsand four hundryd eyghty and seuen And for the souls of
William Cheyney, Robart Molyneux, and
Robert Sheryngton, her husbands, and all Cristen souls.
Io. Rayning.Hic iacet Iohannes Rayning generosus qui obijt 22.
die Iunij, Ann. Domini 1469.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus.
Will Porter and
Elis. his wife.Of yowr charite pray for the soul of
William Porter, late Clarke of the Crowne, and
Elisabeth his wife, the which departyd the 4 of March, 1521. on whose souls....
Cowell lit. C.Clarke of the Crowne, is a Clarke or Officer in the Kings Bench, whose function is to frame, reade, and record all Indictments against Traitors, Felons, and other offenders, there arraigned, vpon any publike crime. He is otherwise called Clarke of the Crowne office. And
Ann. 2.
Hen. 4.
cap. 10.
[Page 701] he is called Clarke of the Crowne of the Kings Bench. The reason of his denomination is because he reads and records Indictments against Traitors, Felons, &c. which are against the Kings Crowne and dignitie.
Saint Nicholas Olaue.
Here lyeth the body of
William Fyloll,Will.
[...]. sonn and heyr apparaunt to
William Fyloll of Woodlond in the county of Dorset knyght, and to Dame
Dorothy hys wyff dawter and heyr to
Iohn Ifeyld of Stondon, in the Shyre of Hertford Esquyr. Whych
William the sonn dyed in the lyff of his fade
[...] wythowt yssue the iiii day of Septembyr, in the yere of owr redemption, M.cccccix. and in the yere of his age the syxteenth. Whos soul God pardon. Amen.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Westcliff & Ioanne vxoris sue,Io. Westcliff
[...] &
Ioan his wife.qui quidem Iohannes quondam fuit Maior ville Sandwici & obijt 19.
Decemb. 1473.
quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Ici gist William Newport iadis Citizen & pessamere de Londre & Massie sa femme,Will. Newport and
Moss
[...]s his wife.& leur enfens de ens engendre: Dieu de lour alues eit pitye. Amen. Amen.
This
Newport was one of the Sheriffes of London in the yeare 1375.
Hic iacet Willelmus Read Ciuis & Piscenarius London qui obiit .... & Margeria vxor eius,Will Read and
Ma
[...]g. his wife.que obiit sexto die Iunij, Anno Domini Millesimo quadringentesimo quadragesimo septimo.
Vpon the same marble stone as followeth.
Who that passyth by this way,
Qui pro alijs orat, pro se laborat.
For mercy of God, behold, and pray
Qui pro alijs orat, pro se laborat.
For all souls cristen, and for vs
Qui pro alijs orat, pro se laborat.
On
Pater Noster, and an
Ave. Qui pro alijs orat, pro se laborat.
To the blessyd Saynts, and owr blessyd Lady,
Qui pro alijs orat, pro se laborat.
Saynt
Mary to pray for vs.
Qui pro alijs orat, pro se laborat.
Many Monuments of the Dead in Churches in and about this Citie of London, as also in some places of the countrey, are couered with seates or pewes, made high and easie for the Parishioners to sit or sleepe in, a fashion of no long continuance, and worthy of reformation.
Of the Diocesse of London, the Battels therein fought, and of the Burialls of the Dead slaine in those terrible conflicts.
NOw as I haue before spoken somewhat of the Bishoprickes of Cant. and Rochester, so let me here speake a little of this Diocesse of London, which extendeth so farre in circuit, as the Site of the East or Middle Saxons kingdome anciently comprised; which was bounded on the East with the Ocean; on the South with the Thames, on the West with the Colne, and on the North with the Riuer Stowre; within the limits whereof, Midlesex, Essex, and a part of Hertfordshire are contained. The glory of which Diocesse is principally Midlesex, in regard of the far-famed City of London, the Metropolis of England (of which I haue spoken before) and the chiefe seat of her sacred Bishops: as also in regard of the Riuer of Thames, the king of all our Riuers. Of whom, and of the rare prospects he views in his passage betweene Windsore and London Bridge, a late Poet thus versifies.
M. Drayton, Pol. 17.
Song.
But now this mighty Flood, vpon his voiage prest
(That found how with his strength, his beauties still increast,
From where, braue Windsore stood on tiptoe to behold
The faire and goodly Thames, so farre as ere he could,
With kingly houses crownd, of more then earthly pride,
Vpon his either Bankes as he along doth glide)
With wonderfull delight, doth his long course pursue,
Where Otlands, Hampton Court, and Richmond he doth view.
Then Westminster the next great Tames doth entertaine,
That vaunts her Pallace large, and her most sumptuous Fane:
The Lands tribunall seate that challengeth for hers,
The crowning of our kings, their famous Sepulchres.
Then goes he on along by that more beautious Strand,
Expressing both the wealth and brauery of the Land.
(So many sumptuous Bowres, within so little space
The All-beholding Sunne scarse sees in all his race)
And on by London leads, which like a Crescent lies,
London lying like a halfe moone.
Whose windowes seeme to mocke the Star-befreckled skies.
Besides her rising Spyres, so thicke themselues that show,
As doe the bristling reedes, within her bankes that grow.
There sees his crouded Wharfes, and people-pestred shores,
London Bridge the Crowne of Tames.
His bosome ouerspread with shoales of labouring ores:
With that most costly Bridge, that doth him most renowne,
By which he cleerely puts all other Riuers downe.
Camd. in Mid.Midlesex (saith
Camden) is for aire passing temperate, and for soile fertile, with sumptuous houses, and prety Townes on all sides pleasantly beautified: and euery where offereth to the view many things memorable: Whereupon a Germane Poet thus versified.
So many fields, and pleasant woods, so many Princely Bowres,
And Pallaces we saw besides, so many stately towres,
So many Gardens trimly drest by curious hand which are,
That now with Romane
Tiberis, the Tames may well compare.
This County is comprised within short bounds, being in length, where it is the longest, not passing twenty miles, and in the narrowest place not passing twelue miles.
The length thereof (saith
Speed) extended from Stratford in the East,
Speed of Mi
[...]. to Morehall vpon Colne in the West, is by measure nineteene English miles; and from South Mims in the North to his Maiesties Mannour of Hampton Court in the South, are little aboue sixteene miles: the whole circumference extending to ninety.
In forme it is almost square, for aire passing temperate, for soile abundantly fertile; and for pasturage and graine of all kindes, yeelding the best, so that the wheat of this County hath serued a long time for the Manchet to our Princes table.
It lieth seated in a vale, most wholsome and rich, hauing some hills also, and them of good ascent; from whose tops the prospect of the whole is seene like vnto Zoar in Egypt,
Gen 14.10. or rather like a Paradise and Garden of God.
Fiue Princely houses inheritable to the English Crowne, are seated in this Shire, which are, Enfield, Hanworth, Whitehall, S
Iames, and Hampton Court,
Hampton Court. a City rather in shew, then the Pallace of a Prince: and for stately port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe.
A worke of admirable magnificence (saith
Camden) built out of the ground by
Thomas Wolsey Cardinall,
Camd in Mid. in ostentation of his riches, when for very pride, being otherwise a most prudent man, he was not able to manage his minde. But it was made an Honor, enlarged and finished by king
Henry the eight so amply, as it containeth within it fiue seuerall inner Courts, passing large, enuironed with very faire buildings wrought right curiously, and goodly to behold. Of which
Leyland writeth thus.
Est locus insolito rerum splendore superbus,
Alluiturque vaga Tamisini fluminis vnda,
Nomine ab antiquo iam tempore dictus Avona.
Hic Rex Henricus taleis Octauius aedes
Erexit, qualeis toto Sol aureus orbe
Non vidit.
A stately place for rare and glorious shew,
There is which Tames with wandring streame doth dowsse;
Times past, by name of
Avon men it knew:
Heere
Henry th'Eight of that name built an house
So sumptuous, as that on such an one
(Seeke through the world) the bright Sunne neuer shone.
[Page 704]And another in the Nuptiall Poeme of Tame and Isis.
Alluit Hamptonum celebrem quae laxior vrbis
Mentitur formam spacijs, hanc condidit Aulam
Purpureus pater ille grauis, grauis ille Sacerdos
Wolsaeus, fortuna sauos cui felle repletos
Obtulit heu tandem fortunae dona dolores.
He runs by Hampton, which, for spatious seat
Seemes Citie-like: Of this faire courtly Hall
First founder was a Priest and Prelate great
Wolsey, that graue and glorious Cardinall.
Fortune on him had pour'd her gifts full fast,
But Fortunes Blisse, Alas, prou'd Bale at last.
C
[...]sar. Comm
[...]nt. lib. 5.The ancient Inhabitants of Middlesex, as also of Essex, were called by
Caesar, the Trinobantes, whom hee nameth to be the most puissant in the Land, with whom he and his armie had many bloudie bickerings nere and vpon the bankes of the riuer of Tames,
Burials neere Stanes. wherein many were slaine on either side, which lie interred in the fields twixt Shepperton and Stanes.
Spec. Brit.Some affirme Stanes (saith
Norden) to be so called of the Stakes, called Goway Stakes, which were fixed in the Thames by the Britons, to preuent
Iulius Caesar of passing his armie through the riuer.
Lib. 1.
cap. 2. Of which, and of the conflicts and skirmishes betwixt the Britaines and Romanes, thus venerable
Bede writes.
Caesars Horsemen at the first encounter, were ouerthrowne of the Britaines, and
Labienus one of his Colonels slaine. At the second encounter, with great losse of his Army, he put the Britaines to flight. From thence he went vnto the riuer of Tames, which men say cannot bee waded ouer, but in one place: where on the farther side, a great number of the Britaines warded the bankes, vnder
Cassibelan their Captaine, who had stucke the bottome of the riuer, and the bankes also thicke of great stakes, whereof certaine remnants vnto this day are to be seene, of Piles, of the bignesse of a mans thigh, couered with lead, sticking fast in the bottome of the riuer; which when the Romanes had espied, and escaped, the Britaines, not able to withstand the violence of the Roman Legions, hid themselues in the woods, out of the which they often breaking forth, greatly endamaged the Army of the Romanes.
Burials neere Brainford.In and about Brainford or Brentford, the bodies of many a warlike Commander and expert Souldier lie inhumed, which were slaine in that fierce and terrible battaile, betwixt
Edmund Ironside, and the Danes, which he had driuen from the siege of London; at a place now called Turnham Greene, thereunto adioyning; in which battaile he gaue the Danes a bloudy ouerthrow, losing few of his armie, saue such as were drowned in the riner of Tames as they passed ouer.
In the yeare, 7141. and the day being the Paschall, whereon Christ rose from death, (which with due reuerence is celebrated in all the Christian world) vpon Gladmore heath, halfe a mile from Barnet, was foughten a
[Page 705] most fierce and cruell Battaile, betwixt King
Edward the fourth, and
Richard Neuill the great Earle of Warwicke, (the
Mars and Make-King of England) contending to reestablish that holy, and yet vnfortunate, King
Henry the sixt in his regall authoritie.
In this battaile vpon King
Edwards part were slaine,
Burials of the dead slaine at Barnet field.Humfrey Bourchier Lord
Cromwell, Henry Bourchier, sonne and heire to the Lord
Barners, both buried at Westminster. In the quarrell of King
Henry, were slaine the foresaid
Richard Neuill Earle of Warwicke, and
Iohn Neuill, Marquesse
Montacute his brother, both buried at Bisham Abbey in Barkeshire; the bodies of many others of the Nobilitie and Gentrie, on both parties which perished in this vnnaturall conflict, had Christian buriall in the Frier
Augustines Church London. The common Souldiers, as also many Commanders, were buried vpon the same Plaine where the foresaid battaile was strucken: to whose memory a Chappell was built vpon the said Plaine, and a Priest appointed to say Masse for their soules, as the doctrine went in those daies.
Vpon both sides of common Souldiers, there died that holy Easter day, as then the 14. of Aprill, saith
Ed. Hall, ten thousand: foure thousand, saith
Io. Stow, and
Rob. Fabian saith, (farre lesse) fifteene hundred, so vncertaine, as I haue said before, is the number of the dead slaine in battaile.
Howsoeuer a part onely of Hertfordshire is comprised within this Diocesse, yet giue me leaue to say somewhat in this place,
Camd. in Hert. of the whole County: A rich Countrie (saith
Clarencieux) in corne Fields, Pastures, Medowes, Woods, Groues, and cleere riuerets. And for ancient townes it may contend with the neighbours, euen for the best. For, there is scarcely another in all England that can shew more good townes in so small a compasse; the whole circumference of the Shire being but about an hundred and thirtie miles.
In this County, and in the towne of S. Albans, two mortall and bloudy battels of Englands ciuill dissentions,
The first battel of S. Albans. haue beene fought. The first whereof chanced the 24. of May,
Anno 1455. by
Richard, Duke of Yorke, with his associates, the Earles of Warwicke and Salisbury, and Lords of Fawconbridge, and Cobham, against King
Henry the sixt. In whose defence,
Edmund, Duke of Somerset,
Henry, Earle of Northumberland, and
Iohn, Lord
Clifford, with fiue thousand more, lost their liues, the King himselfe was wounded in the necke with an arrow, the Duke of Buckingham, and Lord
Sudley, in their faces;
Humfrey Earle Stafford in his right hand, and the Earle Dorset almost slaine. On the Dukes part, onely sixe hundred were slaine. Of which battell, and of the timerous flight of the Souldiers on the Kings partie, the learned Abbot of Saint Albans,
Iohn Wheathamstead, who liued in those daies, writes thus.
[Page 706]Dux que duo comites Warwici et Sarsburiensis
Venerunt, media fit grandis pugna platea.
In qua corruerant qui nobilitate vigebant
De patria Boree comes insignis Dominusque.
Corruit ac ipse qui belli causa fuisse
Fertur, Dux magnus de Somercethe vocitatus:
Ac alij plures, satis asperasors fuit ipsis.
Multi fugerunt, aliter se non properarunt
Quin faciunt trepide visum fugiendo Columbe.
Insultum ve Canis, Damus, Lepus ac fera queuis
Dum fugiunt nemora pecierunt siue Frutecta;
In quibus vt pueri virgam metuendo magistri
Se pudet id ferre vecorditer occoluere.
Qui fuerant nostra proprius penetralia tecta
Ad nos fugerunt sub Stallis et latuerunt,
Aut infra latebras; timor ingens duxerat ipsos.
Sic imbecillis tergum dedit hostibus hostis;
Non sine dedecore, nec nominis absque rubore.
Mors est non vita sub turpi viuere fama.
Et patet in paucis sors belli que fuit huius,
Qualis & euentus Domini Ducis et comitatus:
Ter deno trino Domini Regis fuit anno
Henrici sexti, facies hec obuia celi,
In Maio mense bis dena bis quoque luce.
M. semel. x quino, C quater fuit, I quoque quino,
In Maio mense bis dena bis quoque luce.
Hic strages procerum conflatus & hic populorum.
The second battell of S. Albans.The second battell fought in this towne of Saint Albans, was by Queene
Margaret, against the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke, the Earles of Warwicke and Arundell, that by force kept with them, the King her husband, with whom by constraint he held, and on their side fought vntill the field was lost, and Lords fled, when with great ioy he was receiued by his Queene, and yong sonne Prince
Edward. This battell sell the 17. of February▪ being Shrouesunday.
Of this towne, and of these two battels, thus
Camden writes in a more succinct and serious stile.
Camd. in Hert.As Antiquity consecrated this place (saith he) to be an Altar of Religion: so
Mars also may seeme to haue destined it for the very plot of bloudy battaile For, to let other particulars goe by, when England vnder the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke, bereft, as it were, of vitall breath, was ready through a ciuill warre to sinke downe and fall in a swoune: the chiefe Captaines on both sides ioyned battaile twise with reciprocall varietie of fortune in the very towne. First,
Richard Duke of Yorke gaue the Lancastrians here a sore ouerthrow, tooke King
Henry the sixt captiue, and slew many honourable personages. Foure yeares after, the Lancastrians vnder the conduct of Queene
Margaret, wonne here the field, put the house
[Page 707] of Yorke to flight, and restored the King to his former liberty.
The bodies of such of the Nobility,
Burials of the dead slaine in the battels at S. Albans. and others of eminent ranke and qualitie which lost their liues in these mortall contentions, were buried in the Abbey Church, (as I haue partly touched before) in Saint
Peters, and in other religious Structures, accordingly as they were befriended; the common Souldiers were buried in Church-yards, and vpon a little greene at the Townes end, called
No mans land, which lies betwixt the two waies (as I take it) leading to Luton, and Sandridge.
Nere vnto the roade high way (saith
Camden in this tract) betweene Stenenhaugh and Knebworth (the seat of the worshipfull house of the
Littons,Burials of the dead betwixt Stenenhaugh, and Knebworth. descended from
Litton in Darbishire) I saw certaine round hils cast vp by mans hands, such as the old Romans were wont to reare for Souldi
[...]ers slaine in the wars, of which the Captaine himselfe laid the first turse: and now for Essex.
Essex is a country large in compasse,
Camd. in Essex. (the circumference thereof being one hundred forty sixe miles) fruitfull of woods, plentifull of Saffron, and very wealthy.
A late writer hauing reckoned vp the commodities which this County doth affoard,
M.
Drayton. Song 19. concludes on this manner.
If you esteeme not these, as things aboue the ground,
Looke vnder,
Roman burials, and the bones of Gyant-like found in Essex.
where the Vrnes of ancient times are found:
The Roman Emp
[...]rours Coynes, oft digd out of the dust,
And warlike weapons, now consum'd with cankring rust,
And huge and massy bones of mighty fearefull men,
To tell the worlds full strength, what creatures liued then,
When in her height of youth, the lustie fruitfull earth
Brought forth her big-lim'd brood, euen Gyants in their birth.
Neere to Showbery,
Burials neere Showbery. in Rochford Hundred, are certaine hils, in which the bodies of the Danes there discomfited, and slaine in the raigne of
Edmund Ironside, lie buried in Essex.
What way (saith
Camden in Essex) this country looketh toward Cambridgeshire, Barklow sheweth itselfe, well knowne now, by reason of foure little hils or Burries cast vp by mans hand: such as in old time were wont to be raised,
Burials neere Barklow. as Tombes for Souldiers slaine, whose reliques were not easie to be found. But when a fifth and sixth of them were not long since digged downe,
Ancient Tombes. three troughes of stone were found, and in them, broken bones of men, as I was informed. The country people say, that they were reared after a field there fought against the Danes, for, Dane wort, which with bloud-red berries, commeth vp here plenteously, they still call by no other name, then Danes-bloud, of the number of Danes that there were slaine, verily beleeuing that it bloometh from their bloud.
The parish Church of Ashdown, or Assandun, giues buriall to the slaughtered bodies of many braue English Souldiers:
Danes-bloud. Burials of the dead, in, and about Ashdown for
Edmund, sirnamed
Ironside, King of England, hauing fought sixe battels with the Danes, within the compasse of one yeare, in which at the beginning hee had the better, putting them euer to rout, plaied here in this place his last prize,
[Page 708] where he was so defeyted (by the meanes of false
Edrick his counsell) that he lost the flower of the English Nobilitie. In memoriall of which Battell, king
Canutus the Danish Conquerour built this Church at such time, when as vpon remorse and repentance for the bloud which he had shed, he erected Chappels in what part soeuer he had foughten any field, and shed Christian bloud. Of which my old Rimer
Robert of Glocester.
Knute moche louyd Eng
[...]ysshmen, and the loud thertoo,
And holy Chyrche susteyned as hym ought to doo.
And restoryd Abbeyes stroyed that wer befor
And Chyrches lette arere that allwer
[...]inous
forlor
And Chyrches now he lette arere in
places
stedests most thar
Where he had Battayles doo, and men yslaw ar
As vpon Asshedonne and about ther
Al for the
soules.
soulygs of hem that sleyne ther were.
Certaine small hillocks are remayning neare to this Church at this day, out of which haue beene digged the bones of men; Armour, and the water chaines of horse bridles; as the Inhabitants told me.
Claudius the Emperour (saith S
Danyel) had the honour of taking the whole Isle of Britaine to the Romane Empire,
Battels and burialls of the dead,
[...] and about
[...]he ancient Ba
[...]hg of Maldon. which though thus wonne, was not, till a long time after, ouercome. For now the Britaines (vnderstanding the misery of their dissociation: how their submission brought but the more oppression) colleague themselues against the Romanes, taking their occasion vpon the outrages, committed on the person and state of Queene
Vaodicia, or
Boudicea, widow of
Prasutagus king of the Icenians, (the Inhabitants of Norfolke, Suffolke, Cambridge, and Huntingtonshires) a great and rich Prince, who (at his death) had left
Nero his heire, and two daughters, hoping thereby to free his house from iniuries. But it fell out contrary; for, no sooner was he dead, but his kingdome was spoiled by the Cen
[...]urions, his house ransackt by slaues, his wife beaten, and his daughters rauished. Besides the chiefe men of the Icenians (as if all the region had beene giuen in prey) were rest of their goods, and the kings kinsmen esteemed as captiues: with which contumely, and feare of greater mischiefe, they conspire with the Trinobants (the Inhabitants of Midlesex and Essex) and others (not yet inured to seruitude) to resume their liberty. And first set vpon the Garrisons of the Veteran Souldiers (whom they most hated) defeited the ninth Legion, whereof they slew all the foote, forced
Cercalis the Legat, and leader to flight, and put to the sword seuenty thousand Romanes and associates, inhabiting this municipall Towne Comolodunum, now Maldon, as also London and Verulam; before
Suetonius the Gouernour of the Prouince could assemble the rest of the dispersed forces, to make head against their armie, conducted by
Vaodicia, who, (with her two daughter▪ brought into the field to moue compassion and reuenge) incites them to that noble and manly worke of liberty. Which to recouer, she protests to hold her selfe there but as one of the vulgar (without weighing her great honour and birth) resolued to winne, or dye. Many of their wiues were likewise there to be spectatours and incouragers of their husbands valour.
[Page] But in the end
Suetonius got the victory with the slaughter of fourescore thousand Britaines: of the Romanes onely foure hundred were slaine, and not many moe hurt, saith
Tacitus, lib. Annal. 14.
ca. 11.
Vaodicia seeing the ouerthrow of her Army, was notwithstanding vnuanquished in her owne Noble Spirit, and scorning to be a spectacle in their Triumphs, or a vassall to their wills, after the example of
Cleopatra, she made an end of her miseries and life by poyson: She was affoarded honorable buriall, and so were the rest of her vanquished Armie there slaine according to their qualitie, neare vnto the places where the battell was strucken.
[...] London.MEllitus the first Bishop of this See, after the remouall of the Archbishopricke to Canterbury, had a shrine erected to his honour in this Church, as I haue touched before. In his time, and partly by his instigation, this Cathedrall Church was built by
Ethelbert King of Kent. He was consecrated Bishop of London by Saint
Austin, Archbishop of Canterbury, the yeare 604. In the gouernment whereof hee continued nineteene yeares; in which time and about the fourth yeare of his consecration, he went to Rome to conferre with
Boniface the Pope about diuers things, and was by him honourably entertained. A yeare or two after his returne, died both
Ethelbert King of Kent, as also
Sebert of the East Angles, whom he had conuerted to the Christian Faith.
G
[...]dwin.King
Sebert left behinde him three wicked sonnes, that being neuer baptized, came notwithstanding one day into the Church at Communion time, and asked the Bishop what hee meant that hee deliuered not of that same fi
[...]e bread vnto them as he was wont to their father
Sebert, and did yet vnto the rest of the people. He answered, that if they would be washed in the water of life, as he was, and the rest of the people there present; then would he deliuer vnto them of this bread also: but otherwise, neither was it lawfull for him to deliuer, nor them to receiue it. This notwithstanding they would haue enforced him, and when they could not preuaile, were so enraged, as they expelled him their dominions, hardly holding their hands from doing him violence at that time. Hee, being thus exiled, went first vnto
Laurence Archbishop of Canterbury, and finding him in little better case then himselfe was at London, departed into France, together with
Iustus Bishop of Rochester. Being sent for soone after by
Laurence, it happened the same yeare that the same
Laurence died, and hee was appointed to succeed him: where he sate about fiue yeares, euen vntill the day of his exspiration. Of which an old Anonimall Manuscript, thus.
To whome Melite than playnly gan succede,
That fyve yere so rulyd the Chirche in ryght.
And than this erthe forsoke for heuens mede
And went to blyss wher God wolde of his myght
The yere of Crystes nativite by ryght
Six hundryd full twenty and fowre accountyd
Whan erthe hys corps had hyd and surmowntyd.
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, writ to
Mellitus concerning the purifying (but not the pulling downe) of Idolatrous Churches within these kingdomes; An Epistle well worthy the obseruation, which I haue read in
Gotcelinus the Monke, who writes of the life and actions of Saint
Austin,[Page 711] of other Bishops of the See of Canterbury, as also of diuers Saints in those primitiue times: and dedicates his workes to
Anselme, Archbishop of Canterbury; Such was the letter of
Gregory as followeth.
Post discessionem Congregationis nostre que tecum est, valde sumus suspensi redditi, quia nichil de prosperitate vestri itineris audisse nos contigit. Cum ergo Deus omnipotens vos ad reuerendissimum fratrem nostrum Augustinum Episcopum perduxerit, dicite ei quid diu mecum de causa Anglorum cogitans tractaui, videlicet quia Fana Idolorum destrui in eadem gente minime debeant, sed ipsa que in eis sunt Idola destruantur. Aqua benedicta in eisdem Fanis aspergatur, Altaria construantur Reliquie componantur, quia si Fana eadem bene constructa sunt, necesse est vt a cultu Demonum in obsequium veri Dei debeant commutari, vt dum gens ipsa eadem Fana sua novidet destrui, de corde erroren
[...] deponat, & Dominum verum cognoscens et adorans, ad loca que consuevit familiarius concurrat. Et quia Boues solent in sacrificio Demonum multos occidere, debet eis eciam de re hac aliqua solemnitas iramutari, vt die dedicationis vel natalicijs sanctorum Martyrum quorum illic reliquie ponuntur, tabernacula sibi circa easdem Ecclesias que ex Fanis commutate sunt de ramis arborum faciant, & religiosis conuiuijs solemnitatem celebrent Nec animalia immolent, sed ad laudem Dei in vsum suum animalia occidant, et Donatori omnium de sacietate sua gracias referent; vt dum eis aliqua externis gaudia res exuantur, ad interiora gaudia consentire facilius valeant. Nam duris mentibus simul omnia abscidere impossibile esse non dubiam est, quia et is qui summum locum ascendere nititur, gradibus vel passibus non autem saltibus eleuatur. Sic Israheletico populo in Egypto Dominus siquidem innotuit, sed tamen eis sacrificiorum vsum quem Diabolo solebat exibere in cultu proprio reseruauit, vt eis in suo sacrificio animalia immolare preciperet, quatinus cor mutantes aliud de sacrificio ammitterent, aliud retinerens Vt et si ipsa essent
[...]nimalia que offerre consueuerant, vero tamen Deo hec et non ydolis immolantes iam sacrificia ipsa non essent.
Hec igitur dilectionem tuam predicto Fratri necesse est dicere, vt ipse in presenti i
[...]ic positus perpendat qualiter omnia debeat dispensare. Deus te incolumem custodiat dilectissime fili. Data die quinto decimo Kalendarum Augustarum, imperante nostro Mauritio Tyberio pijssimo Augusto anno nono decimo: post Consulatus eiusdem Domini, anno octauo decimo; Indictione quarta.
Hereby we may see the pious aduise and great pollicie of this learned Father of the Church, for the conuerting of the misbeleeuing Pagans, or heathen people of this kingdome from Idolatrie, to the true worship of the euerliuing God.
My forenamed Author
Gotceline in the 53. Chapter of his first Booke, tells me that the names of the prime pillars of the English Church, and the especiall propagators of the Gospell, in these times, were engrauen vpon the Tarpeyan Rocke at Rome, of which number this my
Mellitus is one of the principall. As appeares by these Latine Rimes following, sometime likewise engrauen or cut in the foresaid Rocke vnder each seuerall name to their further glory.
Deus dedit est sextus cui dat sua munera Christus.
Theodorus iuxta fert sabbata septimus alma.
His septem ducibus viget Anglia totque diebus.
Additur octauus Monachorum Dux Adrianus.
Anglorum stella Mildretha refert sua mella.
Octo Patres Rome reliqui comitantur honore.
Ex Anglis nati meritis horum sociati.
Hinc manat diuis Euangelii via riuis▪
Hi sunt Brithpaldus. Tatynnus vosque Nothelme:
Et Iamberte patres: primos proceres imitantes.
Tot simul Ecclesie cingunt frontem pictate.
[...] lib. 2
ca. 7.It is written of
Mellitus, that when vpon a certaine time the Citie of Canterbury was by negligence set on fire, and began to waste and consume away by much increasing of the flames, so that no helpe of man, nor casting of water thereon, was able to quench or stay the same, the greatest part of the citie being at length almost burnt, and the furious flashes extending themselues euen vnto the Bishops place: this good Bishop seeing mans helpe now to faile, and trusting onely in the aide and succour of almighty God, commanded that he might be carried out of his house, and set against these fierce flames of fire, piercing and flying all round about.
Now where the greatest rage of this burning was; there was the place of Martyrdome of the foure holy crowned Saints. Whan then the Bishop by his seruants was brought forth, and set in this place, here he began with prayer (sicke as he was, for he was often troubled with infirmities of body, and much grieued with the Gowte,
Mellitu
[...] quenched by his prayer, the fire burning the Citie of Canterbury. notwithstanding euer whole and sound of minde) to driue away the perill of the fire: which the stout strength of strong men with much labour could not before bring to passe. And behold the winde that blew from the South, whereby this fire was first kindled and blasted abroad (now suddenly bent against the South) first tempered his blasts; for feare of hurting the places right ouer in the other side, and after quite quenching the flames, ceasing and extinguishing the fire, made all calme and well againe. And truly this good man of God which did feruently alway burne with the fire of inward charity, and was wont with his often prayers and holy exhortations to driue from himselfe, and all his, the danger of ghostly temptations, and trouble by spirits of the aire, might now iustly preuaile against the winde, and easily cease these temporall flames, and obtaine that they should neuer hurt him nor his.
See more of him before in Canterbury.
S. Ceada or
Cedda.After the death of
Mellitus, the Church of London was long without a Pastor, euen vntill that
Segebert the sonne of
Segebert (surnamed the
[Page 713] little) obtaining the Kingdome of the East Saxons, by the perswasion of
Oswin, King of Northumberland, became a Christian, and procured
Ceada a vertuous and godly Priest, to be consecrate Bishop of his country: which was done in the holy Iland,
[...] 3.
c. 2
[...] neere to Barwicke, by
Finan, Bishop of Durham, from whence he returned to this his Diocesse, and began with more authoritie to perfect the worke hee had already begun, erecting in diuers places, Churches, making Priests and Deacons, who in preaching & baptising▪ might assist him,
[...] Tilbu
[...]y, Cities. especially in the Cities of Ithancester & Tileburg, the one standing vpon the Thames, the other vpon a branch thereof, called Pant, in which two places diuers newly assembling together christened, he instructed them after the rules of religious persons, as farre as their tender capacity could then conceiue.
And hereby way of digression, let me speake somewhat of this small hamlet of Tilbury, in ancient time the seat of the Bishops of London; and no question in those daies, when as Bishop
Cedda by baptisme ingra
[...]ted the East Saxons in the Church of Christ, a prettie faire citie, howsoeuer it consisteth now onely of a few cottages, much honoured by that famous, religious,
Sir
Horace V
[...]e Ba
[...]on of Tilbury. and fortunate great Commander in the warres, Sir
Horace Vere Knight, Lord
Vere of Tilbury. Of whom, and of his elder brother, Sir
Francis Vere Knight, deceased, and honourably buried, like (as hee was) an expert and valiant warriour; in the Abbey of Westminster; a late Poet hath thus written.
Then liu'd those valiant
Veres, both men of great command,
In our imployments long:
Sir
Francis, and si
[...]Ho
[...]ace Vere▪ M.
[...]. Song [...]
whose either Marshall hand
Reacht at the highest wreath, it from the top to get,
Which on the proudest head, Fame yet had euer set
But to returne: this man of God
Cedda, hauing, at first and last, continued a long time in these countries, preaching the word of life, by which hee made a great haruest vnto Christ: went downe into his owne countrie of Northumberland, (which he oftentimes vsed to visite) where he builded a Monasterie at Lestinghen, wherein he died, and was buried, of whom no more, vntill I come to speake of that Foundation, saue onely these verses following:
....... Now London place doth take
Which had those of whom time Saints worthily did make▪
S. Chad Bishop of Lichfield.
As
Cedda (Brother to that reuerend Bishop
Chad,
At Lichfield, in those times, his famous seat that had)
Is Sainted for that See amongst our reuerend men,
From London though at length remoou'd to Lestingen
A Monastery, which then richly he had begun▪
Erconwald,S. Erconwald. the sonne of
Offa King of the East Saxons, and the fourth Bishop of this Diocesse, was likewise (as I haue already spoken) canonized; of whom venerable
Bede thus writes.
[Page 714]Bed. lib. 4
ca. 6.At that time (saith he) when
Sebba and
Sigher ruled the East Saxons, the Archbishop (which was
Theodore) appointed ouer them,
Erconwald to be their Bishop in the Citie of London: the life and conuersation of which man, both before he was Bishop, and after, was reported and taken for most holy, as also euen yet the signes and tokens of heauenly vertues and miracles doe well declare.
Cures by Saint
Erconwald, Horse-licter. For vntill this day, his Horse-licter being kept and reserued by his Schollers, wherein he was wont to be carried when hee was sicke and weake, doth daily cure such as haue agues, or are diseased any otherwise. And not onely the sicke persons that are put vnder, or laid by the Horse-licter to be so healed; but also the chippes and pieces that are cut off from it, and brought to sicke folkes, are wont to bring them speedie remedie. This and many other the miracles wrought by him (if wee may beleeue
Capgraue) was the cause of his canonization: questionlesse he was a deuout and vertuous man, and bestowed his patrimony in the building of two Monasteries, one for Monkes at Chertsey in Surrey, another for Nunnes at Barking in Essex, of which before. Thus much then here for a conclusion as followeth.
Him
Erkenwald ensues th'East English
Offa's sonne,
His Fathers Kingly Court who for a Crosiar fled,
Whose workes such fame him wonne for holinesse that dead,
Time him enshrin'd in
Pauls (the mother of that See)
Which with reuenues large, and priuiledges he
Had wondrously endow'd: to goodnesse so affected,
That he those Abbeyes great from his owne power erected,
At Chertsey neere to Thames, and Barking famous long.
S. Theodred.Theodred, Bishop of the Diocesse, may challenge a place in this my Kalender, for that he was sirnamed the
Good, pro praerogatiua virtutum, for the preheminence of his vertues, saith
Malmesbury, lib. 2.
de Pontif. Anglor. he flourished about the yeare, 900. he was buried vnder a high tombe by the window of the vault going downe into S.
Faiths Church.
S. Egwulfe.Of
Egwulfe and his Shrine, I haue already written all that I know.
S. Richard.Richard Fitz-neale had his Shrine in S.
Pauls Church, but vpon what ground, or for what reason he was thus much honoured, I doe not learne. He was the sonne of
Nigellus, or
Neale, Bishop of Ely; and was made Treasurer of England by the purchase of his father the foresaid
Nigellus.Ex lib. Elien. in bib. Co
[...].Richardus filius Nigelli Episcopi Eliens. pro quo Nigellus pater emit officium Thesaurij a Rege auaro pro Quadragint. Marcis, pro quibus pecunijs Nigellus pater spoliauit Ecclesiam Eliens. Thesauro suo et ornamentis. This purchase was made when as the King,
Henry the second, went to the wars of Tolous.
It is further written in the booke of Ely, that this
Richard Fitz-neale, after the buriall of
Nigellus his father (being also an enemy to the Church
[Page 715] of Ely as his father had beene before) made hast to passe ouer the Seas to King
Henry the second, fearing that some euill would be prepared against him, if the Church should haue sent any thither before him: At whose comming to the King, he accused the Monkes of Ely of many things, and did therewith so edge the King against them, that the King sending into England, charged by
Wunnecus, one of his Chaplaines, that the Prior of Ely should be deposed, and the Monkes with all their goods to be proscribed and banished.
This man being Treasurer to King
Henry the second, the treasure of the said
Henry the second at his death, came vnto one hundred thousand markes; notwithstanding the excessiue charges of the King many waies.
This
Richard (being Bishop of London, by the name of
Richard the third, and the Kings Treasurer) was chosen for the gouernement of this See in the yeare of our redemption, one thousand, one hundred, eighty and nine, being the first yeare of King
Richard the first, and was consecrated Bishop at Lambeth, by
Baldwine, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the yeare of Christ, one thousand, one hundred, ninety: he died the fourth of the Ides of September, in the yeare of grace, one thousand, one hundred, ninety and eight, being the ninth yeare of King
Richard the first, as I haue it out of the Catalogue of Treasurers of England, collected by
Francis Thinne.
He bestowed much vpon the building of his Church, S.
Pauls, as also vpon other Edifices belonging to his See, which was the cause, I coniecture, wherefore the Shrine was erected to his memory.
Many miracles (saith
Mat. Paris) were wrought at the tombe of
Roger,S. Roger. sirnamed the
Blacke, the foure and fortieth Bishop of this Diocesse, who lieth buried neere to the preaching place in Saint
Pauls Church, vnder a monument of grey marble, of which, as also of him, I haue partly spoken before.
Godwin, Bishop of Hereford, out of the foresaid
M. Paris saith, that this
Roger was a reuerend man, religious, learned, painfull in preaching, eloquent, a great House-keeper, and of very gentle and curteous behauiour: whereunto he might haue added (as it is in my Author) that hee was also stout and couragious. For,
Rustandus the Popes Nuntio being earnest in a conuocation for setting forward a certaine prolling deuise to scrape vp money for his master, he not onely withstood him openly, but cried out vpon the vnreasonable and shamelesse couetousnesse of the Court of Rome, and was the onely means of staying the course of that exaction. For reuenge hereof, not long after they began to frame an accusatiō against him at Rome, alledging matters altogether false and friuolous. It forced him to trauell thither, and cost him great summes of money before he could rid his hands of that brable.
The yeare 1233.
Walter Mauclerke, Bishop of Carlile, taking ship to passe ouer the seas, was hindered by some of the Kings Officers, for that he had no licence to depart the Realme. These Officers for so doing, hee excommunicated, and riding straight vnto the Court, certified the King what he had done, and there renewed the same sentence againe.
[Page 716]About the same time, the King gaue commandement for the apprehending of
Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent, who hauing sodaine notice thereof at midnight, got him vp, and fled into a Church in Essex. They to whom the businesse was committed, finding him vpon his knees before the high Altar, with the Sacrament in one hand, and a crosse in the other, carried him away neuerthelesse vnto the Tower of London. The Bishop taking this to bee a great violence and wrong offered to holy Church, would neuer leaue the King (which was
Henry the third, a King indeed very re
[...]igious) vntill he had caused the Earle to bee carried vnto the place from whence he was fetcht; which was thought to bee a meanes of sauing the Earles life. For though order was taken he should not scape thence, yet it gaue the Kings wrath a time to coole, and himselfe leisure to make proofe of his innocency. By reason whereof, he was afterward restored to the Kings fauour and former places of honour.
But the story here followeth, which is also annexed to his tombe, that aboue all others giues the truest testimony of his religious, vigerous, and vndaunted masculine spirit,
Mat. Paris, an. 1230.Vpon the day of the conuersion of Saint
Paul, while
Roger, Bishop of London was at high Masse within the Church of Saint
Paul in London, a sudden darknesse ouershadowed the Quire, and therewith came such a tempest of thunder and lightning,
A strange Tempest. that the people there assembled, thought verily the Church and Steeple had come downe vpon their heads. There came moreouer such a filthy sauour and stinke withall, that partly for feare, and partly for that they might not abide the sauour, they voyded the Church, falling on heapes one vpon another, as they sought to get out of the same. The Vicars and Canons forsooke their Deskes, so that the Bishop remained there onely with one Deacon that serued him at Masse. Afterward when the aire began to clear vp, the people returned into the Church, and the Bishop,
qui remansit intrepidus, who remained all the time nothing at all abashed, went forward and finished the Masse.
M. D.
Polyol. Song. 24.
Thus
Roger hath a roome in this our Sainted throng,
Who by his words and workes, so taught the way to heauen
As that great name to him, sure vainely was not giuen.
Now for a conclusion, if you desire greatly to know the greatnesse of this christian name of
Roger, as the Poet here in this place seemes to call it, consult with
Verstegan in his Etymologies of the ancient Saxon proper names of men and women, and he will tell you that
Roger was at the first,
Rugard or
Rougard, and afterwards
Rugar, and with vs lastly
Roger. Rou or
Ru is our ancient word for rest, repose, or quietnesse,
gard, to keepe, or conserue, so as
Rugard (now
Roger) is a keeper or conseruer of rest and quietnesse.
Such a keeper, such a conseruer of peace and quietnesse, was this our Bishop
Roger, whom I leaue to his eternall rest and repose, and so take my leaue of this sometime his Diocesse.
ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE Diocesse of NORVVICH.
In Suffolke.
Dunwich.
THE first seate of the Bishops of this Diocesse was at Dunwich in Suffolke,
Felix the first Bishop of Dunwich, or Dunmok.
Harding. ca: 91. and the first Bishop thereof was
Felix, a Burgundian.
At Dunmok than was
Felix fyrst Byshop Of Estangle, and taught the Chrysten
[...]ayth, That is full hye in heuen I hope.
His happie comming into this kingdome, happened vpon this occasion, as followeth.
Sebert, or
Sigebert, king of the East Angles, a man in all points learned, and most Christian, who whilest his brother was yet liuing, being himselfe banished into France by his father
Redwald,Beda lib. 2.
ca. 15
Hist. Eccl. was there baptised and instructed in the Faith; of which faith he laboured to make all his Realme partakers, as soone as he came vnto the Crowne. Whose good endeuour herein, the foresaid
Felix did most earnestly fauour, and with great praise applie himselfe. Who when he came from Burgundy (where he was borne, and tooke holy orders) into Britaine to
Honorius the Archbishop, vnto whom hee opened his desire and purpose, which was, to preach the word of God vnto the foresaid East Angles. The Archbishop gladly gaue him licence, and sent him forth to sow the seed of eternall saluation, in the misbeleeuing hearts of the people of that countrey. His zeale and vertuous desire proued not in vaine: For, this holy husbandman, and happie tiller of the spirituall field, found in that Nation plentifulnesse of fruite, and increase of people that beleeued him. For he brought all that Prouince (being now deliuered by his helpe from their long iniquitie and vnhappinesse) vnto the faith and workes of Iustice, and in the end to the reward of perpetuall blisse and happinesse for euer, according to the good abodement of his
[Page 718] name, which in latine is called
Felix, and in our English tongue, soundeth Happy. He was made Bishop about the yeare of our redemption, 630. and chose Dunwich for his Episcopall Chaire; being a Citie in foregoing ages, spacious, much frequented, and well peopled with inhabitants. Famous also for a Mint therein, some men of the towne can yet shew of the coines, which are sterling pence, with this inscription,
Ciuitatis Dunwic.
But now by a certaine peculiar spite and enuy of Nature, that suffereth the greedy sea to haue what it will, and encroch still without all end, the greatest part thereof is violently carried away with the waues, and it lieth (as it were) desolate.
The common fame and report of the Inhabitants is, that before the towne came to decay,
Two and fifty religious st
[...]ctures, as many windmil
[...], and as many toppe ships in Dunwich.
Recorda Dun. there belonged thereunto, two and fifty religious houses, as parish Churches, Priories, Hospitals, and Chappels; as many Windmils, and as many toppe Ships. But certaine it is, as appeareth by manifest and sound Record which I haue seene (saith
Stow) that euen of late time, there was within the said towne, sixe parish Churches, two houses of Friers, an house which had beene of Templars, two Hospitals, and three Chappels: foure of these parish Churches are now of late swallowed vp in the Sea, and but two of them remaining on the land, to wit, Saint
Peters, and
All Saints. The Inhabitants of Dunwich desiring succour for their Towne, against the rage of the Sea, affirme that a great piece of a Forrest, sometime thereby, is deuoured and turned to the vse of the Sea.
Camd. in Suss.In the raigne of
William the Conquerour (saith
Camden) Dunwich had in it two hundred and sixe and thirty Burgesses, an hundred poore people: it was valued at fiftie pounds, and threescore thousand Herings of gift, for so we reade in Domesday booke.
In the raigne of
Henry the second, as
William of Newborough writeth, It was a towne of good note, and full stored with sundry kindes of riches.
At which time when England was all on a light fire with new stirres and broiles, this towne was so fortified, that it made
Robert, Earle of Leicester afraid, who with his armie ouer-ranne all the parts thereabout at his pleasure.
But to draw neerer to these our times, I haue read and copied out a large Treatise of Dunwich, (now in the custody of Sir
Simonds D'Ewes Knight) of which so much in this place as I finde to bee any way pertinent to the premisses, and my purpose. This treatise or relation of Dunwich, was written in the raigne of Queene
Mary, and sent to one Master
Dey, from a friend of his, whose name is there concealed.
The state of Dunwich since the foregoing time. Six parish Churches.Sir, &c. Sixe parish Churches were anciently in Dunwich, the first was Saint
Leonards, now drowned in the sea; the second, Saint
Peters, now standing; the third, Saint
Iohns, likewise swallowed vp of the Sea; the fourth, Saint
Martins, now lying vnder the waues; the fift, Saint
Nicholas, now altogether shipwrackt; and the sixt, the Parish of
All Saints, now standing and remaining.
Two houses of Friers. Also there was two houses of Friers, very faire Churches and building, walled round about with a stone wall, with diuers faire gates, as yet there may be seene; the which grey Friers was of the order of Saint
Francis, and called the Friers Minors: and the blacke Friers were of
[Page 719] the order of Saint
Dominicke, (and were called the Friers Preachers.
Also there was in the said Towne,
One house of Templa
[...]s. an ancient and very old Church, called the Temple of our Lady; the which Church, by report, was in the Iewes time, and was valted ouer. And the roofe of the same Church, and also the Isles, were leaded all ouer. And it was a Church of great priuiledge and pardon in those daies, and was indowed with diuers Rents, Tenements, Houses, Lands, and other profits and commodities, both free and coppie: as well in Donwiche, Westelton, Dyngle, &c. as also in diuers other places, &c. And commonly there was kept a Court, called Donwiche Temple Court, on the day of All Soules, for the leuying and gathering vp of the yeerely reuenue of the same.
Also there is in the said Towne,
Two Hospitals two Hospitals, the one is called Saint
Iames, which Church is a great one, and a faire large one after the old fashion, and diuers tenements, houses, and lands to the same belonging, to the vse of the poore, sicke, and impotent people there. But now lately, greatly decaied and hindred by euill Masters of the said Hospitall, and other euilly disposed couetous persons, which did sell away diuers lands and rents from the said Hospitall, to the great hinderance of the poore people of the said Hospitall, as plainely it is to be proued.
The other Hospitall was of the holy Trinitie,
The couetou
[...] nesse of the Masters and Officers. The destruction of both Hospitals. and was, and is, called the
Mason Dieu, whereof the Church is now pulled downe, and decaied by the meanes of such euill Masters and couetous persons, as decayed the other Hospitall. But there is yet diuers tenements, houses, lands, and rents, remaining to the vse of the poore of the same Hospitall. The which
Mason Dien was an house of great priuiledge, and a place exempt, and there was a very little proper house, and a proper lodging for the Masters of the same, for the time being to dwell in. As there hath beene masters of the same
Mason Dieu, in times past that hath beene worshipfull,
viz. one there was of late daies, a Master of Arte, and another that was a Squyre, and such like, &c. I would to God these iniuries and wrongs done to these two poore Hospitals might be restored, and reformed againe to their former estate. For, surely, whosoeuer shall doe it, shall doe a good worke before God; I pray God bring it to passe, Amen.
Also there was in the said Towne of Donwiche,
Three Chappel
[...] ▪ three Chappels, wherof one was of Saint
Antony, another of Saint
Francis, and a third was of Saint
Katherine. The which three Chappels were put downe, when all the houses of Religion were put downe.
But you shall further vnderstand, that the common fame of a great number of credible persons is, and hath beene for a long time past, that there hath beene in the Towne of Donwiche before any decay came vnto it, fiftie and two parish Churches, houses of Religion, Hospitals and Chappels, and other such like; as many wind-mils, and as many toppe Ships.
Also I thinke you doe remember the manner, forme, and fashion of the building and making of Saint
Iohns Church, and Saint
Nicholas Church, how they were close sled both North and south, and the steeples in the middest like Cathedrall Churches now vsed, and as it seemeth, as the old manner of Cathedrall Churches then was. And most likest so was the Church of Saint
Felix: for certainly one of these three Churches, was the
[Page 720] Bishops seat of Donwiche,
The Cathedral Church vncertaine. if one of them were not after another, as the Sea drowned them.
And further you shall certainly vnderstand, that when Saint
Iohns Church was taken downe,
A strange and ancient buriall of a Bishop. there lay a very plaine faire Grauestone in the Chancell; and when it was raised and taken vp, next vnder the same Grauestone was a great hollow stone, hollowed after the fashion of a man, for a man to lye in: and therein a man lying with a paire of Bootes vpon his legges, the forepart of the feete of them peicked, after a strange fashion, and a paire of Challices of course mettall lying vpon his breast, the which was thought to be one of the Bishops of Donwiche, but when they touched and stirred the same dead body, it fell, and went all to powder and dust.
And although these aforesaid three old Churches were not sumptuous, great, & very faire, after the manner & fashion of Cathedral Churches now vsed, yet it seemeth they might serue in those daies very well; for it plainely appeareth in the book of the description of England, and in the title of Bishoprickes and their Sees, the thirteenth chapter, whereas these words following are said.
Bishops Seats anciently what they were.Take heede, for in the beginning of holy Church in England, Bishops ordained, and had their Sees in low places and simple, that were conueniable and meete for contemplation and deuotion, &c. But in King
William the Conquerours time by doome of Law Canon, it was otherwise ordained, that Bishops should remoue, and come out of small townes, and to haue their Sees in great Cities. By meanes whereof, it seemeth that the towne of Donwiche being then greatly decayed, and also then likely more and more to decay (as it hath done indeed) from a great citie (as some doe say) or at the least from a very great ancient Towne, to a little small Towne, the Bishops seat of Donwich, was remoued from Donwich to Elmham, and Thetford, and afterward to the Citie of Norwich, whereas it yet remaineth.
A Mint in Dunwich.There was a Mint in Dunwich; for, one Master
Holliday told mee that he had a grote, whose superscription on the one side, was
Ciuitas Donwic. Diuers other things he told me of to make it a citie. The Treatise is much longer, but enough is already deliuered.
The succession of the Bishops of Dunwich, is set downe by Bishop
Godwin, to which I refer my Reader.
The foundation of the Blacke Friers in Dunwich.
This religious Structure was founded by Sir
Roger de Holishe, Knight, of the order you haue heard before, of the time, dedication, value, or surrender, I finde not any thing. Persons of note buried in the Church of this Monastery, were as followeth:
Burials in the blacke Friers at Dunwich.Sir
Roger de Holishe, Knight, the foresaid founder▪ Sir
Raufe Vfford, and Dame
Ione his wife. Sir
Henry Laxiffeld Knight. Dame
Ione de Har
[...]ile. Dame
Ada Crauene. Dame
Ione Weyland, Sister of the Earle of Suffolke.
Iohn Weyland, and
Ione his wife.
Thomas, sonne of
Richard Brews, Knight. Dame
Alice, wife of Sir
Walter Hardishall. Sir
Walkin Hardesfield. Austin Valeyus, Raph Wingfeld, Knight.
Richard Bokyll of Leston, and
Alice,[Page 721] and
Alice his wiues. Sir
Henry Harnold Knight and Fryer.
The grey Friers of Dunwich was founded first by
Richard Fitz-Iohn and
Alice his wife,
[...] in the blacke Friers of Dunwich. and after by King
Henry the third: of which I haue no further knowledge.
Herein lay interred the bodies of Sir
Robert Valence, the Heart of Dame
Hawise Ponyngs. Dame
Ideu of Ylketishall. Sir
Peter Mellis, and Dame
Anne his wife. Dame
Dunne his mother.
Iohn Francans, and
Margaret his wife. Dame
Bert of Furniuall . . . .
Austin of Cales, and
Ione his wife.
Iohn Falley
[...], and
Beatrix his wife,
Augustine his sonne . . . .
Wilex
[...]es. Sir
Hubert Dernford. Katherine, wife of
William Phellip, Margaret, wife of
Richard Phellip. Peter Codum.
I had the notes of these buried in these Monasteries, as also of diuers other Monasteries in Suffolke and Norfolke, out of the painefull collections of
William le Neue Esquire, Yorke Herauld, truely copied out of the ancient originals thereof, remaining in his custody.
Bury Saint Edmunds, or Saint Edmundsbury.
This Town seemeth (saith
Camden) to haue been of famous memory, considering that▪ when Christian Religion began to spring vp in this tract, king
Sigebert here founded a Church,
The foundation of the first Church in Bury.The first foundation of the Abbey by the common people. and it was called
Villam Regiam, that is, a royall towne. But after that the people had translated hither the body of
Edmund, that most christian King, whom the Danes with exquisite torments had put to death, and built in honour of him, a very great Church, wrought with a wonderfull frame of timber: it began to be called
Edmundi Burgus, commonly Saint
Edmundsbury, and more shortly,
Bury. But especially since that King
Canutus, for to expiate the sacrilegious impietie of his Father
Suenus against this Church, being often affrighted with a vision of the seeming-ghost of Saint
Edmund,The second by K
Can
[...]e. built it againe of a new worke, enriched it, offered his owne Crowne vnto the holy Martyr, brought vnto it, Monkes with their Abbot, and gaue vnto it many faire and large Mannors, and among other things, the Towne it selfe full and whole: ouer which, the Monkes themselues by their Seneschall had rule and iurisdiction. Thus
Knuts Charter began.
In nomine Poliarchie Iesu Christi saluatoris.Ex Arch Turr. Lend.Ego Knut Rex totius Albionis Insule aliarumque nationum plurimarum, in Cathedra regali promotus, cum concilio & decreto Archiepiscoporum, Episcoporum, Abbatum, Comitum, aliorumque omnium fidelium meorum, elegisanciendum & perpeti stabilimento ab omnibus confirmandum, vt Monasterium quodBederics Court, Farme, or mansion house.Budrices Yurthe nuncupatur sit per omne euum Monachorum gregibus deputatum ad inhabitandum, &c.
After a long recitall of his many donations, corroborations, priuiledges, and confirmations of former grants, he ends with an Additament, of fish and fishing.
Huic libertati concedo additamentum, scilicet maritimos pisces qui mihi contingere debent annualiter per Thelonei lucrum, et Piscationem quam Vlskitel habuit in Pilla. et omnia iura, &c.
[Page 722]These gifts, to this Abbey, as to the most of all others, were finally concluded with a fearefull curse to the infringers thereof, and a blessing to all such that did any way better her ample endowments: the Charter is signed with the marke, which is the crosse, and the consent of thirty and fiue witnesses, of which a few, as followeth.
✚
Ego Knut Rex, &c. hoc priuilegium iussi componere, & compositum cum signo Dominice crucis confirmando impressi.
✚
Ego Aelgifa Regina omni alacritate mentis hoc confirmaui.
✚
Ego Wuls
[...]anus Archiepiscopus consensi.
✚
Ego Adelnodus confirma
[...]i &c.
Camd. in Suss.After
Knut, one
Haruey, the Sacrist comming of the Norman bloud, compassed the Burgh round about with a wall, whereof there remaine still some few reliques, and Abbot
Newport walled the Abbey. The Bishop of Rome endowed it with very great immunities, and among other things granted, That the said place should be subiect to no Bishop in any matter, and in matters lawfull to depend vpon the pleasure and direction of the Archbishop, which is yet obserued at this day.
And now by this time the Monkes abounding in wealth, erected a new Church, of a sumptuous and stately building, enlarging it euery day more then other with new workes, and whiles they laid the Foundation of a new Chappell, in the raigne of
Edward the first, There were found (as
Euersden a Monke of this place writeth) the walles of a certaine old Church,
Euersden. built round, so, as that the Altar stood (as it were) in the mids, and we verily thinke, saith he, it was that which was first built to Saint seruice.
But what manner of towne this was, and how great the Abbey was while it stood,
Leland. heare
Leland speake, who saw it standing. The Sunne, saith he, hath not seene either a Citie more finely seated, (so delicately standeth it vpon the easie ascent, or hanging of an hill, and a little riuer runneth downe on the East side thereof) or a goodlier Abbey; whether a man indifferently consider, either the endowment with reuenues, or the largenesse, or the incomparable magnificence thereof. A man that saw the Abbey would say verily it were a Citie: so many gates there are in it, and some of brasse, so many Towers, & a most stately Church: vpon which, attend
Now but two. three others also standing gloriously in one and the same Church yard; all of passing fine and curious workmanship.
If you demand how great the wealth of this Abbey was, a man could hardly tell, & namely how many gifts and oblations were hung vpon the tombe alone of Saint
Edmund: and besides, there came in, out of lands and reuenue
[...], a thousand, fiue hundred and threescore pounds of old rent by the yeare.
The Abbot and Couent of the Monasterie, gouerned the Townesmen and all within Banna Leuca, within the bounds of a mile from the towne, by their Steward, who euer gaue the oath to the new elect Alderman: which was deliuered in these words following: copied out of a Lieger booke sometimes belonging to the said Abbey.
The oath of the Alderman of Bury.Ye schall swere that ye schall bere yow trewly and fethfully in the Office of the Aldermanscipe of this Town of Bury; ayens the Abbot and the Couent of this place, and all her mynistris: ye scall
[Page 723] bere, kepe and maintaine Pees to yowre powere, and ye schall nor thyng appropre, nor accroche that longyth to the said Abbot and Couent▪ nor take vpon the thyngis that long on to the Office of the Baylishchipp of the seyd Town. Alsoo that ye schall not procure be yow, nor be noon othir, priuyly, nor openly ony thyng vnlawfull, that myght be harme or damage onto the seyd Abbot and Couent, nor suffre to be don, but that ye schall be redy to meynteyn and defende them and here mynystris yn all the ryghtis and customs that of dew long on to them, inasmoche as ye mey leyfully do. Thees artycles and poyntis ye schall obserue and kepe the tym that ye stand in this office. So help yow God, and all hys Seynts, and be this Boke.
Notwithstanding this oath,
The broile betweene the Townesmen, the Abbot, and Couent of Bury. the Townesmen, now and then, fell so foule vpon the Abbot and Couent, that they imprisoned the Abbot, strucke the Monkes with the Bailiffes and Officers belonging to the Abbey, assaulted the Abbey gates, set fire on them, and burned them with diuers houses neere adioyning, that belonged to the Monasterie. They burnt a Mannor of the Abbots, called Holdernesse Barne; with two other Mannors, called the Almoners barne, and Haberdone, also the Granges that stood without the South-gate, and the Mannor of Westlie, in which places they burnt in corne and graine, to the value of a thousand pounds. They entred into the Abbey court, and burnt all the houses on the north side; as Stables, Brewhouses, Garners, and other such necessary houses: They burned the Mote hall, and Bradford hall, with the new hall, and diuers Chambers and Sollers to the same halls annexed, with the Chappell of Saint
Laurence, at the end of the Hospitall hall; also the Mannor of Eldhall, the Mannor of Horninger, with all the corne and graine within and about the same.
Assembling themselues together in warlike order and aray, they assaulted the said Abbey, brake downe the gates, windowes, and dores, entred the house by force, and assailing certaine Monkes and seruants that belonged to the Abbot, did beat, wound, and euill intreat them; brake open a number of chests, coffers, and forssets, tooke out Chalices of gold and siluer, bookes, vestments, and other ornaments of the Church, beside a great quantity of rich plate, and other furniture of household apparell, armour, and other things, beside fiue hundred pounds in ready coyne, and also three thousand Florens of gold. All these things they tooke and carried away, together with diuers Charters, Writings, and Miniments; as three Charters of King
Knute, foure Charters of King
Hardicanute, one Charter of King
Edward the Confessor, two Charters of King
Henry the first, and other two Charters of King
Henry the third; which Charters concerned as well the Foundation of the same Abbey, as the grants and confirmations of the possessions and liberties thereunto belonging.
Many more are the outrages committed at seuerall times by the Townesmen, against these cloistered brethren; which are recorded in the foresaid Lieger booke of S. Edmunds bury: all which to relate, would seeme incredible, and make this my digression, I confesse, too much ouerlong and troublesome, thus then to returne.
The Dedication, the Foundation, the time, and the Founders, and the
[Page 724] value of this Religious structure may be partly gathered by the premisses; it was replenished with Monkes Benedictines, or as some say, Cluniacks: it was surrendred into the Kings hands the fourth of Nouember, in the one and thirtith yeare of
Henry the eight.
Reliques in the Abbey Church, out of a booke called
Compend. Com. pertorum, in the treasurie of the Exchequer.Amongst other Reliques, the Monkes of this Church had Saint
Edmunds shirt; certaine drops of Saint
Stephens bloud which sprung from him at such time as he was stoned, and some of the coles with which Saint
Laurence was broiled.
They had certaine parings of the flesh of diuers holy Virgins, and a sinew of Saint
Edmund laid vp in boxes.
They had some Skuls of ancient Saints and Martyrs, amongst which was one of Saint
Petronill, or
Pernell, which the country people were taught to lay to their heads, thereby to be cured of all kinde of agues. They had the bootes of Saint
Thomas of
Canterbury, and the sword of Saint
Edmund.
Aniles Fabulae.It was in vse here amongst the Monkes, as often as they desired raine, to carry with them, in their Processions, a coffin wherein the bones of Saint
Botolph were inclosed, hoping thereby the sooner to haue pleasant shoures to refresh the drie parched earth.
They had certaine waxe candles, which euer and onely they vsed to light in wheat-seeding; these they likewise carried about their wheat grounds, beleeuing verily that hereby neither Darnell, Tares, nor any other noisome weedes would grow that yeere amongst the good corne.
These Reliques they had, and many more, which wrought many strange effects, by their owne relation. The Abbots of this house were Barons of the Parliament.
But now to come to the burials of certaine worthy personages in this Abbey Church of Bury, and first.
S.
Edmund, King and Martyr.Here lay sometimes enshrined, the sacred Remaines of
Edmund, King of the East Angles, and Martyr; who was the sonne of one
Alkmund, a Prince of great power in these parts. In the raigne of this King
Edmund, Hungar, &
Hubba, two Danish Captaines, with an innumerable multitude of Heathen Danes, entred the Land at the mouth of Humber, and from thence inuaded Nottingham, Yorke and Northumberland, where (without respect of age or sexe) they laid all wast,
Speed Hist ca. 11 and left the Land, whence they departed, like to a desolate wildernesse. From thence they came with the like furie into
Edmunds territories, and sacked Thetford, a frequent citie in those daies: but hee not able to withstand their violence, fled into
[...]his Castle at Framingham, wherein he was of them besieged, and lastly taken in a village, then called
now Hoxon. Heglisdune, of a wood bearing the same name, or rather yeelded himselfe to their torments, to saue more christian bloud; for it is recorded, that because of his most constant Faith and profession, those Pagans first beat him with bats, then scourged him with whips, he still calling vpon the name of Iesus: for rage whereof, they bound to a stake, and with their arrowes shot him to death; and cutting off his head, contemptuously threw it into a bush, after he had raigned ouer the East Angles the space of sixteene yeares.
Camden, out of
Abbo Floriacensis, saith, that the bloudy Danes hauing
[Page 725] bound this most christian King to a tree, for that he would not renounce christianity, shot him with sharpe arrowes all his body ouer, augmenting the paines of his torment, with continuall piercing him with arrow after arrow, and thus inflicted wound vpon wound, so long as one arrow could stand by another, as a Poet of midle time versified of him:
I am loca vulneribus desunt, nec dum furiofis
Tela, sed hyberna grandine plura volant.
Though now no place was left for wound, yet arrowes did not faile,
These surious wretches, still they flie thicker then winter haile.
His body and head, after the Danes were departed, were buried at the same royall Towne, as
Abbo termes it, where
Sigebert the East Anglean King, and one of his predecessors at his establishing of Christianity, built a Church, and where afterwards (in honour of him) was built another most spatious, and of a wonderfull frame of Timber, and the name of the Towne vpon that occasion of his buriall, called vnto this day, Saint Edmundsbury: This Church and place, (to speake more fully to that which I haue written before)
Suenus the Pagan Danish King, in impiety and fury, burned to ashes. But when his sonne
Canute, or
Knute, had made conquest of this Land, and gotten possession of the English Crowne, terrified and afrighted (as saith the Legend) with a vision of the seeming Saint
Edmund, in a religious deuotion to expiate his Fathers sacriledge, built it anew most sumptuously, enriched this place with Charters and Gifts, and offered his owne Crowne vpon the Martyrs Tombe; of whom for a conclusion, take these verses following.
Vtque cruore suo Gallos Dionisius ornat
Ex lib. Abb. de Russ. in bib. Col.
Grecos Demetrius; gloria quisque sui
[...]:
Sic nos Edmundus nulli virtute secundus;
Lux patet & patrie gloria magna sue.
Sceptra manum, Diadema capud, sua purpura corpus,
Ornat ei sed plus vincula, mucro, cruor.
The 20. day of Nouember,
S.
Robert Martyr, ex lib. Abb. de chateris in bib Cot. in our Calender, was kept holy in remembrance of this King and Martyr.
Puer Robertus apud Sanctum Edmundum a Iudeis fuit Martirazatus, 4.
Id. Iunij An. 1179.
et illic sepultus.
Alanus Comes Britannie obijt An. 1093.
& his iacet ad hostium australe Sancti Edmundi:Alan, Earle of Britaine and Kichmond.
Milles Catal. Rich.ex eod, lib. de chateris.
This
Allan here buried (or as some will haue it in the monastery of Rhedon) sirnamed the
Red, or
Fergaunt, was the sonne of
Eudo, Earle of Britaine, and entred England with
William the Conquerour (his Father in Law.) To whom the said Conquerour gaue the honour and County of Edwyn, within the County and Prouince of Yorke, by his Charter in these words: I
William, (sirnamed
Bastard, King of England) giue and grant to thee my Nephew
Allan, Earle of Britaine, and to thy heyres for euer, all those Villages, Townes, and Lands which were late in possession of Earle
[Page 726]Edwin in Yorkeshire, with knights fees, Churches, and other liberties and customes, as freely and honourably as the said
Edwyn held them. Giuen at the siege before Yorke.
Alban being a man of an high spirit, and desirous to gouerne the Prouince entirely which he had receiued,
The building of Richmond Castle. built a strong Castle by Gillingham (a village which he possessed) by which he might defend himselfe, not onely against the English, who were spoiled of their goods and lands, but also against the fury and inuasions of the Danes. When the worke was finished, he gaue it the name of Richmond, of purpose, either for the greatnesse and magnificence of the place, or for some Castle in little Britaine of the same name.
Tho. Plantaginet Earle of Norfolke.Here sometimes, vnder a goodly Monument in the Quire of this Abbey Church, lay interred the body of
Thomas, surnamed of
Brotherton, the place of his birth, the fifth sonne of
Edward the first, after the Conquest, king of England, by
Margaret his second wife, the eldest daughter of
Philip king of France, surnamed the Hardy.
Vincent. Catal. Norf.He was created Earle of Norfolke, and made Earle Marshall of England, by his halfe brother King
Edward the second, which Earledomes
Roger Bigod (the last of that surname Earle of Norfolke, and Earle Marshall) leauing no issue, left to the disposition of the king his Father. This Earle died in the yeare of our redemption 1338.
Here lay buried the body of
Thomas Beauford (sonne of
Iohn of
Gaunt, begotten of the Lady
Katherine Swyneford his third wife) who by King
Henry the fourth was made Admirall,
Tho. Beauford Duke of Exceter. then Captaine of Calis, and afterwards Lord Chancellour of England. He was created by the said King Earle of Perch in Normandy, and Earle of Dorlet in England. And lastly in the fourth yeare of King
Henry the fifth, he was created Duke of Exceter, and made knight of the order of the Garter. He had the leading of the Rereward at the battell of Agincourt, and the gouernment of king
Henry the sixth, appointed to that office by the foresaid
Henry the fifth on his death-bed. He valiantly defended Harflew in Normandy (whereof he was gouernour) against the Frenchmen, and in a pitched field encountring the Earle of Armiguar put him to flight. He died at his House of East Greenwich in Kent, vpon Newyeares day the fifth of
Henry the sixth: for whom all England mourned, saith
Milles:
Mary Queene of France.The body of
Mary Queene of France, widow of
Lewis the twelfth: daugh
[...]er of King
Henry the 7. and sister to king
Henry the eight, was here in this Abbey Church entombed. After the death of
Lewis (with whom she liued not long) shee married that Martiall and pompous Gentleman,
Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke. She died on Midsomer Eeue, 1533.
Iohn Boon Abbot of Bury.Iohn Boon, Abbot of this Monasterie, had his tombe and interrement here in this Church; who died in the beginning of February, in the ninth yeare of the raigne of king
Edward the fourth, as appeares by the said kings Conged'eslire or permission royall to the Prior and Couent of this House to make choise of another Abbot, as followeth.
Out of a Lieger booke of the Abbey.Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Anglie, Francie, & Dominus Hibernie, dilect is sibi in Christo Priori & Conuentui Monasterij de Bury Sancti Edmundi, Salutem. Ex parte vestra nobis est humiliter supplicatum vt cum Monasterium vestrum predict. per mortem bone memorie Iohannis Boon nuper Abbatis
[Page 727] ibidem, Pastoris solacio sit destitut. alium vobis eligendi in Abbatem & Pastorem eiusdem Monasterij licenciam vobis concedere dignaremus. Nos precibus vestris in hac parte fauorabiliter inclinati, licenciam illam vobis tenore presencium duximus concedend. Mondantes quod talem vobis eligatis in Abbatem & Pastorem, qui Deo deuotus, Ecclesie vestre predict. necessarius, nobisque regno nostro vtilis et fidelis existat. In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Westmonast. nono die Februarij, Anno regni nostri nono.
Per breue de Priuato Sigillo, & de dat. predict. auctoritate Parliamenti.
Fryston.
Now heare a word or two of the word
Conged'eslire out of the Interpreter.
Cowell lit. C.
Conged'eslire,Conged'eslire.id est, venia eligendi, leaue to chuse: is a meere French word, and signifieth in our Common Law, the Kings permission royall to a Deane and Chapter in time of vacation to chuse a Bishop; or to an Abbey or Priorie to chuse their Abbot or Prior.
Fitz. nat. br. fol. 169.
B. 170.
B C, &c. Touching this matter
M. Gwin in the Preface to his Readings saith, That the king of England, as Soueraigne Patron of all Archbishoprickes, Bishoprickes, and other Ecclesiasticall Benefices, had of ancient time free appointment of all Ecclesiasticall Dignities, whensoeuer they chanced to be voide, inuesting them
per Baculum et Annulum, id est, with a Staffe and a Ring, and afterward by his Letters Patents: And that in processe of time he made the election ouer to others, vnder certaine formes and conditions: as namely, that they should at euery vacation, before they chuse, demand of the king
Gonged'eslire, that is, licence and leaue to proceed to election; and then after the election, to craue his royall assent, &c. And further, he affirmeth by good proofe out of Common Law bookes, that king
Iohn was the first that granted this, and that it was afterward confirmed by
Westm. pri. cap. which Statute was made
Anno 3.
Ed. primi. And againe by the Statute
Articuli Clerica. 2. which was ordained
Anno 25.
Ed. 3.
Statuto tertio.
Sir
William Elmham, Sir
William Spencer, Sir
William Fresill, qui obijt Anno 1357.
William Lee Esquire, and his wife, daughter of
Harlestone; lay here interred.
The famous Poet, and the most learned Monke of this monasterie, was here interred. I meane
Iohn Lidgate, so called of a small village not farre off where he was borne.
Iohn Lidgate Monke. A village (saith
Camden) though small, yet in this respect, not to be passed ouer in silence, because it brought into the world,
Iohn Lidgate the Monke, whose wit may seeme to haue beene framed and shapen by the very muses themselues: so brightly reshine in his English verses, all the pleasant graces and elegancie of speech, according to that age, hauing trauelled through France and Italy, to learne the languages and Arts.
Erat autem non solum elegans Poeta, et Rhetor disertus, verum etiam Mathematicus expertus, Philosophus acutus, et Theologus non contemnendus: For he was not onely an elegant Poet, and an eloquent Rhetorician, but also an expert Mathematician, an acute Philosopher, and no meane Diuine, saith
Pitseus; you may know further of him in his Prologue to
[Page 728] the storie of Thebes; a Tale, as his fiction is) which (or some other) hee was constrained to tell, at the command of mine Host of the Tabard in Southwarke, whom he found in Canterbury, with the rest of the Pilgrims which went to visite Saint
Thomas Shrine.
This story was first written in Latine by
Geffrey Chaucer, and translated by
Lidgate into English verse: but of the Prologue, of his owne making, so much as concernes himselfe, thus.
....... while that the pilgrimes ley
At Canterbury, well lodged one and all
I know not.
I not in sooth what I may it call,
Hap or Fortune, in conclusioun,
That me befell to enter into the toun.
The holy Sainct plainely to visite,
After my sicknesse, vowes to acquite.
In a cope of blacke, and not of greene,
On a Palfrey slender, long, and lene,
With rusty bridle, made not for the sale,
My man to forne with a voyd male,
That by Fortune tooke mine Inne anone
Where the Pilgrimes were lodged euerichone.
The same time her gouernour the host
Stonding in Hall, full of wind and bost,
Liche to a man wonder sterne and fers,
Which spake to me, and saied anon dan Pers,
Dan Dominicke dan Godfray, or Clement
Ye be welcome newly into Kent:
Thogh your bridle haue nother boos ne bell;
Beseeching you that ye will tell
First of your name, and what cuntre
Without more shortly that ye be,
That looke so pale, all deuoid of bloud,
Vpon your head a wonder thredbare hood,
Well arrayed for to ride late:
I answered my name was
Lidgate,
Monke of Bury, me fifty yeare of age,
Come to this toune to do my pilgrimage
As I haue
Promised.
hight, I haue thereof no shame:
Dan Iohn (qd he) well brouke ye your name,
Thogh ye be sole, beeth right glad and light,
Praying you to soupe with vs this night;
And ye shall haue made at your deuis,
A great pudding, or a round hagis
A franche
A dish made of marrow and grated bread.
moile, a tanse, or a
A Pancake.
froise,
To been a Monke slender is your
Couuremnet
coise
Ye haue beene sicke I dare mine head assure,
Or let feed in a faint pasture:
Lift vp your head, be glad, take no sorrow,
[Page 729]And ye should home ride with vs to morrow
I say, when ye rested haue your fill.
After supper, sleepe will doen none ill,
Wrap well your head, clothes round about,
Strong
Nappy Ale.
nottie ale will make a man to rout,
Take a pillow that ye lye not low,
If need be, spare not to blow,
To hold wind by mine opinion,
Will engender colles passion,
And make men to greuen on her
Gu
[...]
rops
When they haue filled her mawes and her crops.
But toward night, eat some Fennell rede,
Annis, Commin, or Coriander sede,
And like as I haue power and might,
I charge you, rise not at midnight,
Thogh it be so the Moone shine clere,
I will my selfe be your
Clocke:
Orlogere,
To morrow earely when I see my time,
For we will forth parcell afore prime.
Accompanie
Verely.
parde shall doe you good.
Thus, when the Host had cheared vp
Lidgate with these faire promises and wholesome admonitions for his health, hee laies his commands vpon him in these termes following.
What, looke vp Monke, for by Cockes bloud
Thou shalt be merry, who so that say nay,
For to morrow anone as it is day,
And that it ginne in the East to daw,
Thou shalt be bound to a new law,
At going out of Canterbury toun,
And lien aside thy professioun,
Thou shalt not chese, nor thy selfe withdraw,
If any mirth be found in thy maw,
Like the custome of this company,
For none so proud that dare me deny,
Knight
Nor Squire.
nor Knaue, Chanon, Priest, ne Nonne
To tell a tale plainely as they conne,
When I assigne, and see time oportune;
And for that we our purpose will contune,
We will homeward the same custome vse,
And thou shalt not plainely thee excuse:
Be now well ware, study well to night,
But for all that, be thou of heart light,
Thy wit shall be the sharper and the bet.
But I runne too farre with these rimes, it is time to returne.
[Page 730]Scripsit partim Anglicè partim Latinè, partim prosa partim versu libros numero plures, eruditione politissimos. He writ partly English, partly Latine, partly in prose, & partly in verse; many exquisite learned books saith
Pitseus, which are mentioned by him and
Bale, as also in the latter end of
Chaucers workes the last edition. He flourished in the raigne of
Henry the sixt, and departed this world, (aged about threescore yeares)
circiter An. 1440. vpon whose tombe this Epitaph following is said to haue beene engrauen.
Mortuus seclo, superis superstes,
Hic iacet Lidgat tumulatus vrna:
Qui fuit quondam celebru Britanne
Fama Poësis.
These and infinite many other worthy personages here, in this Abbey Church entombed, were by King
Henry the eight, vtterly ouerthrowne; what time, as at one clap he suppressed all monasteries, perswaded thereto by such as vnder a goodly pretense of reforming Religion, preferred their priuate respects, and their owne enriching, before the honour of Prince and Countrie, yea, and before the glory of God himselfe.
Saint Maries Church in the Abbey yard.
This Parish Church is wondrous ancient, built in the very infancie of christian Religion, in the daies of
Felix the first Bishop of the East-Angles, as I haue it out of a Lieger booke sometimes belonging to the Abbey, in these words.
The antiquity of S.
Maries.Arbitror quod parochia ville a tempore antiquo in memoria Sancte Marie Virginis fuerit constructa: videlicet, ab initio prime Christianitatis istius prouincie, et a tempore primi predicatoris felicis memorie, & sanctissimi Episcopi Felicis Orientalium Saxonum.
The funerall monuments in this Church are almost all defaced, especially such as are of any antiquitie. Vpon one Tombe there remaineth onely these few words, for the memory of
Roger Drury, Esquire, and
Agnes his wife, he died 1472. and she, 1445.
Drury and
Agnes his wife.
. . . . . . . . Drury . . . . . . .
Such as ye be, sometym were wee,
Such as we ar, such sall ye be.
At Ikesworth, at Haulsteed, neere to Rougham, and else where the familie of
Drury, (which signifieth in old English, a Pretious Iewell) hath beene of great respect and good note, especially since they married with the heires of
Fressill, and
Saxam, faith
Camden in this tract.
Sir
William Drury.This name is much honoured by Sir
William Drury Knight, Lord President of Munster, and Lord chiefe Iustice of all Ireland, as you may reade in the continuation of the Irish Cronicle, penned by
Iohn Vowell, alias Hooker, where his valiant good seruices at Muttrell, Bulloigne, and Callais
[Page 731] in France: at the commotion in Deuonshire, at Barwicke being Prouost Marshall, and at the besieging and taking of Edenborrough Castle, where he was generall of the Armie, are set downe at large: this man lieth buried at Dublin in Ireland.
Sir
Robert Drury Knight,
Sir
Robert, and Sir
William Drury. here lieth entombed, who deceased in the yeare, 1520. as appeareth on his monument.
Sir
William Drury Knight, deceased the 27. of Iuly, in the yeare 1525. as aforesaid appeareth.
Roger Drury Esquire,
obijt an. 1472.
Agnes, wife of
Roger Drury, obijt an. 1445. Dame
Iane, wife of ...
Drury. Sir
Edmond Wancy Knight,
obijt an. 1372. Dame
Ela Stanley, obijt an. 1457.
William Atte Lee Esquire.
Robert Peyton, Esquire,
obijt an. ... Iohn Smith, Esquire.
Orate pro ..... Willelmi Carew,Sir
William Carew Knight, and
Margaret his wife.militis & Margarete consortis sue, ..... ille obijt 26.
Maij, 1501.
illa. .... 1525. ....
Iohn Carew Armig. & Margareta .... 1425.
Carew Castle in Penbrokeshire gaue both name and originall to the notable familie
de Carew,Io. Carew, and
Marg. his wife.
Videsis Camd. in Penbrokeshire saith
Camden, who auouch themselues to haue beene called aforetime
de Montgomery, and haue beene perswaded that they are descended from that
Arnolph de Montgomery, who wonne Penbrokeshire; who, by some, is reckoned amongst the Earles of that County.
Of this ancient sirname (rightly honoured by the King in creating
George Carew, Earle of Totnes, Lord Baron of Clopton) I shall haue occasion to speake in diuers other places.
Buria quem Dominum ac Abbatem nouerit olim,
Illius hic recubant osso sepulta viro.
Suffolce Melfor da nomen nato Iohannem
Io. Kemis Abbot of Bury the last.
Dixerunt Kemis, progenie, atque pater.
Magnanimus, prudens, doctus suit atque benignus,
Integer, et Voti Religionis amans.
Regni qui cum Henrici Octaui viderat annum
Ter decimum ac primum Martius atque dies.
Vnum terque decem.... flamine terras
Occidit. O anime parce benigne Deus.
1540.
Within the compasse of an heart in brasse vnder the Communion table these words onely remaining.
Orate pro .... Elis. Shantlow...
1457.
Elis. Shantlow.
IHVS.
Here is an old Monument vnder which (as I was told) one
Ienkin Smith Esquire,
Io. Smith. lieth enterred: a great Benefactour to this Church.
Subiacet hic stratus Iohn Finers sic vocitatus
Io. Fi
[...]er
[...]
... Diaconus quondam Subburie factus.
Further I finde these persons following to haue beene here interred.
Sir
Edmond Wancy knight,
obijt ann. 1372. Dame
Ela Stanley obiit an. 1457. Dame
Iane wife of ....
Drury Robert Peyton Esquire,
obijt an.... William Attelee Esquire.
The Chatter of Ed.
4. for the Foundation. Ex lib. Abbatie de Bury.Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Anglie & Francie, et Dominus Hibernie, omnibus ad quos presentes litere peruenerint. Salutem. Sciatis quod nos de gratia nostra speciali, & obsinceram deuotionem quam ad sanctam & indiuiduam T
[...]initatem, ac dulcissimum nomen Iesu, gloriosissimamque Dei genitricem Mariam, nec non omnes sanctos gerimus, et habemus; concessimus, & licentiam dedimus, ac per presentes concedimus et licentiam damus, pro nohis et heredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, dilectis nobis Henrico Hardman Clerico, Thome Ampe Clerico, Richardo Taxleo, Willelmo Thewts, Clementi Clerk, Ade Newhawe, et Radulpho Duke quod ipsi, aut eorum aliquis, vel aliqui executores et assignati sui seu eorum alicuius, ad laudem gloriam & Honorem Dei ac dicti dulcissimi nominis Iesu, quandam Cantariam ac Gildam perpetuam de vno custode & societate Capellanorum, ac Fratribus et Sororibus de Gilda illa esse volentibus diuina singulis diebus in villa de Bury Sancti Edmundi in Com. Suff. ad specialiter exorand. pro salubri statu nostro, et preclarissime consortis nostre Elisabethe Regine Anglie, et precarissimorum filiorum nostrorum Edwardi primogeniti Principis Wallie et Richardi Ducis Ebor. ceterorumque liberorum nostrorum, nec non dictorum Henrici Thome, Richardi, Willelmi, Clementis, Ade, et Radulphi, dum vixerimus, et pro animabus nostris cum ab hac luce migrauerimus; ac pro animabus Willelmi Cote clerici, Iohannis Smyth nuper de Bury Sancti Edmundi Armigeri, et Anne vxoris eius: ac pro animabus parentum, benefactorum, et quorumcunque Fratrum, et Sororum de Gilda predicta existencium seu esse volencium, et successorum suorum, et animabus omnium fidelium defunctorum imperpetuum celebratur. aliaque pietatis et miserecordie opera, iuxta ordinationes, stabilimenta, et constitutiones per presentes, Hen. Tho. Rich. Will. Clem. Adam, et Radulph. seu eorum aliquem heredes, execusiue assignatos suos predict. seu corumaliquos, vel aliquem in hac parte faciend. factur. ac subitur. ac quandam mansionem pro eisdem custode et Capellanis infra dictam villam de Bury Sancti Edmundi facere, fund
[...]re, erigere, creare, et stabilire possint. Et quod Canteria et Gilda ille, cum sic sacte fundate, erecte,
This Colledge dedicated to the honour & name of Iesus. create et stabilite fuerint Cantaria et Gilda dulcissimi nominis Iesu infra villam de Bury Sancti Edmundi in Com. Suff. perpetuis suturis temporibus nuncupentur, et appellentur. Et quod custo set Societas Capellanorum ac fratres et sorores Cantarie et Gildae predict. et successores sui, custos et societas Capellanorum, ac fratres et sorores Cantarie et Gilde dulcissimi nominis Iesu infra villam de Bury Sancti Edmundi in perpetuum vocentur, habeantque successionem perpetuam, ac commune Sigillum sibi et successoribus suit custodibus et societati Capellanorum ac fratribus et sororibus Cantarie et Gilde predictarum, &c.
The Foundere.He giues liberty to the foresaid
Henry, Thomas, Richard, William, Clement, Adam, and
Raph, to endow the said Colledge with lands,
The value. to the value of twenty pounds
per annum, vltra reprisas, and such lands as were not holden of the king in
Capite.
The time of the foundationHe also grants many priuiledges and immunities to the said Colledge, too long here to rehearse.
In cuius rei Testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. T. me
[Page 733] ipso apud Westmonasterium, quinto die Nouembris. Anno Regni nostri vicesimo primo. Per ipsum Regem et de dat. predict. auctoritate Parliamenti, et pro sexaginta et vndecim libris solicitis in Hanapario.
Mortonus.
This religious Foundation,
The definition of a Chantrie and of a Guild. as it is in the Charter, was called a Chantrie, and a Guild.
Cantaria est Aedes sacra: ideo instituta et dotata praedijs, vt Missa ibidem Cantaretur pro anima fundatoris, et propinquorum eius, saith Sir
Hen. Spelman, Glossar. lit. C. A Chantrie is a sacred Edifice, therefore instituted and endowed with possessions, that Masse might there bee song for the soule of the Founder, and his kindred.
Gilda est societas quorundam,Id. Hen. Spelman lit. G.pura charitatis, religionis, vel mercaturae gratia confaederatorum. A Gild is a societie of certaine persons confederated or liuing together, for the onely pure cause of charitie, Religion, or for the trade of Merchandise.
It is a Colledge, a sodalitie, or fellowship; a brotherhood, or companie incorporate: or it is an adunation, or a commonaltie of men gathered into one combination, supporting their common charge by a mutuall consent.
In the yeare and on the day of the moneth of a great part of this Towne of Bury was burnt downe to the ground. Vpon the rebuilding whereof on the Frontispice of one of the Houses this distich following is in golden letters.
Vt Prior illa domus violento corruit igne,
Haec stet, dum flammis terra polusque flagrent.
1609.
Kediton, or
Kedington.
In the South window of this Church is to be seene a
Barnardiston kneeling in his compleate armour, his coat-armour on his breast, and behinde him seuen sonnes. In the next pane of the glasse is
Elisabeth the daughter of
Newport, kneeling with her coat-armour likewise on her breast, and seuen daughters behinde her▪ and vnder it is thus written, now much defaced.
Orate pro animabus Thome Barnardiston militis, et Elisabethe vxoris eius, qui istam fenestram fieri fecerunt, Anno Domini M.ccccc.... anima ..... Deus, Amen.
Ouer against the said South window, vnder the second Arch of the said South side of the Church, is the Monument of the said Sir
Thomas Barnardiston in stone at length, in his compleat armour, and the said Dame
Elisabeth his wife by him. And in a table of stone, vnder their coat-armours, this Epitaph or Inscription.
This is the Monument of Sir
Thomas Barnardiston knight,
Sir
Tho. Barnardiston and
Elis. his wife. beying buried in Corys in the Countie of Lincolne, and of Dame
Elisabeth his wyffe buryd vndre this tombe: whych Sir
Thomas by his last will gaue certen londis in the towne callyd Brokholes, of the yerly value of vii markis towardys the mantenens of a Cantrie in this Church: and the seid Dame
[Page 734]Elisabeth aftyr his deth optened lyeens to a mortyse the seid Cantrie perpetually, and made the possessions therof, to the yerly value of xii markis, and besids buylt the Church roif new, and coueryd it with lede. Whych Dame
Elysabeth dyed the .... day of. ...
Anno Domini M.cccccxx....
On the North side of the said Church is a very faire Monument or tombe, with the pourtraiture of another Sir
Thomas Barnardiston, and his Lady
Elisabeth, who died not long since.
Barnardiston. In the second window of the North side of this Church is to be seene a
Barnardiston kneeling in his compleat armour, and his coat-armour on his breast, and vpon both his shoulders, the writing vnder him is wholly-perished: ouer him is written....
Non Peccata nostra .... nobis...... This seemes to be very ancient.
Ixworth, or
Ikesworth.
The foundation of Ikesworth Priory.Here sometimes stood an ancient Priory founded by
Gilbert Blund, a man of great Nobilitie, and Lord of Ikesworth, whose issue male, by the right line, ended in
William, that in king
Henry the third his dayes, was slaine in the battell at Lewis, and left two sisters his heires,
Agnes wife to
William de Creketot,Cam. in Suff. and
Roise wedded to
Robert de Valonijs, saith
Camden. This Priory was valued to be yearely worth two hundred and fourescore pounds, nine shillings fiue pence.
Clare.
Here stood a religious House of
Augustine Friers, whose Foundation may be gathered out of certaine rythmicall lines, which not many yeares since, I copied out of an ancient Roll, as then in the custody of my deare deceased Friend,
Aug. Vincent, Windsore Herald; the Rubricke, or the Title in red letters, of this Roll, is as followeth.
This Dialoge betwix a seculer askyng, and a Frere answering, at the graue of Dame
Iohan of
Acres; sheweth the lineall descent of the Lordis of the honoure of
Clare, fro the tyme of the fundation of the Freeris in the same honoure, the yere of our Lord a M.ccxlviii. vnto the first of May, the yere, a M.cccclx.
The Pictures of the Secular Priest and the Friere are curiously limmed vpon the Parchment. The verses are both in Latine and English, and being in both good, I thinke it good to emprint them in both languages.
Questio. Quis iacet hic? Respons. Nullus. Q. Quid tunc? R. est femina. Q. Cuiu.
Filia tu michi dic. R. Ed. pri. post Con. mihi fert sic
Cronica, si memorem dedit huic Hispania matrem.
Q. Cognomen mihi das? R. de Acris sic dicta Iohanna.
Q. Cur sic declara? R. quoniam fuit hec ibi nata.
Hinc in honore tuo Vincenti pectore puro
Qua cubat hanc bellam fundauerat ipse Capellam.
Q. Nupta fuit nec ne? R. suit imo. Q. Cui? R. michi crede
[Page 735]Gilberto Comiti Gloucester. Q. Quis pater illi?
R. Nobilis et nardus redolens fuit iste Richardus,
Qui quos dilexit Heremitas trans mare vexit
Ordinis egregij, doctoris nomen et illi
Augustinus erat, quos Princeps ipse fouebat,
Ob merita Egidij dulcisque amore libelli,
Quem de Regimine Procerum composuit ipse,
Vt suus in regno nouiter successeret ordo
Anglor. hinc sit ei summe merces requiei.
Q. Sedprecor ex latere fuit vxor que michi pande
Istius eximij quem effers sic laude Ricardi?
R. Hec fuit iliustris Domina et recolenda Matildis,
Que postquam sponsum mors strauit seua Ricardum
Particulis nostrum varijs prius vndique structum
Auxit fundamen. hinc merces ei detur. Amen.
Q. Et que Gilberti fuit vxor dic michi primi
Istorum heredis? R. Preclaris si mihi credis
Ex Vlstris nata, fuit ipsa Matilda vocata;
Vt monstrant arma maiori picta fenestra
Ecclesie istius; fabricam de puluere cuius
Munere magnifico fundarunt hij duo primo.
Q. Num sterilis Domina fuerat prefata Iohanna?
R. Non set femineo ditata est germine claro.
Q. Nomen da que michi. R. fuit Elisabeth. Q. fuit illi
Num Sponsus quisquans. R. fuit imo. Q. dicito quis nam.
R. Ex Vlstris heres dictus de Burgo Iohannes
Duxerat, hinc iuncta qua sunt Vl. Glou. simul arma,
Vt patet in multis vitratis ecce fenestris,
Capituli, Dormitorij, Refectorij que.
Que loca trina suis fundauit sumptibus hec. Q. quis
Muris adiecit tectum? R. sola omnia fecit.
Q. Sanguinis egregij num rinulus affluit illis
Affluit hinc clara fuit Elisabeth sibi nata
Altera que egregio post .... Leonello.
Ed. ter innato, post fataque sic tumulato
Vt vides exigua pro tanto principe tumba
Inque chori medio. Q. sednum tam clara propago
Liquerat heredem? R. sic. Q quam dicas mihi prolem?
R. Femineam. Q. quota fuit ipsa vocata. R. Philippa;
Que comiti Edwardo le March data virgo marito,
Rogerum genuit, hic Edmundum generauit,
Edmundus sterilis obijt sine semine. Q. Iuris
Ergo cui titulus huius cessit dominatus?
R. Rogeri Nate. Q. Cuius dic nominis. R. Anne
De Cambrigg Comiti nupsit quoque. Q. filius illi
Num fuit? R. vt nardus redolens..... imo Ricardus
Huic nascebatur, patris qui iure vocatur
Dux Eboracensis, cuius prefulgerat ensis
[Page 736]Bellorum titulis, gl
[...]riosis atque triumphis:
Cuique natura donauit munera plura;
Et fortuna suis hunc pinxit dotibus amplis:
Gratia succurrat quoque longo tempore vinat
Felici vita, virtutibus et redimita:
Q. Coniugis aut solus extat Dux hic honorandus
R. Absit vt hic tantus princeps sine coniuge solus
Esset, nam nephas foret.
Q. Ergo michi rogo dicas
Quam duxit?
R. Dominam te scire volo graciosam,
Q. Nomen des huius:
R. extat Cecilia.
Q. cuius
Filia declares fuerat?
R. reor vltima proles
Westmorlond comitis, sexus saltem muliebris.
Quo non obstante, diuino munere dante,
Cunctis prelata sit honore sororibus ipsa.
Q. Num sunt hijs soboles alique?
R. sunt.
Q. dic michi quales?
R. Bis sene proles.
Q. harum in nomine dones,
Quomodo satate quo sint et in ordinenate
R. Post annos steriles multos fit primula proles
Anna decora satis, sed post hanc stirps probitatis
Nascitur Henricus, cito quem virtutis amicus
Cristus in arce poli fecit regnart perhenni.
Prodiit Edwardus post hunc heres que futurus.
Edmundus sequitur, hinc Elisabeth generatur.
Post Margareta, Willelmus postera meta
Fit pro presenti, donec sua minnera a ventri
Det Deus hinc matris solite signum pietatis.
Margret post proles hinc Willelmus que Iohannes
Quos raptus seculo statuit Deus almus Olympo,
Inde Georgius est natus, Thomas que Ricardus.
Thomas in fata successit sorte beata.
Vltima iam matris proles fuit Vrsula, regis
Que summi voto celesti iungitur agno.
Q. Optime naturam pinxisti, pande futuram
Si scis fortunam. R. Dux Excester t
[...]net Annam
Vxorem, que comes March est Edward patris beres,
Rotlonde Edmundus comes existit vocitatus.
Tres reliquas proles solita pietate parentes
Tempore condigno titulabunt nomine digno.
Istam progeniem soboles & vtrumque parentem
Omnipotens firmet, ast incolumes rogo seruet
Temporibus longis, et secum viuere celis
Prestet post faeta ducens ad galmata grata.
Conferat hoc flamen pater et proles precor. Amen.
The translation of these latine Numbers, into English Stanzaes, as followeth, seemeth to haue beene composed at one and the same time, as appeares by the Character.
[Page 739]A. Sole; God forbede it were grete pite.
Q. Who hath he wedded? A. A gracious Lady.
Q. What is hir name I the prey telle me?
A. Dame Cecile Sir.
Q. Whos doughter was she?
A. Of the Erle of UUestmrelonde I trowe the yengest,
And yet grase her fortuned to be the hyest.
Q. Is ther ony frute betwix hem twoo?
A. Yea sir, thonks be God ful glorious.
Q. Male or female? A. Sir bothe too,
Q. The nombir of this progeny gracious,
And the names to know I am desyrous,
The ordre eke of byrth telle yf thou kan,
And I wil euir be euen thyn owen man?
A. Sir aftir the tyme of long bareynes
God first sent Anne which signyfyeth grase,
In token that al her hertis heuynes,
He, as for bareynes wold from hem chase.
Harry, Edward and Edmond ech in his plase
Succedid, and aftir tweyn doughtris cam
Elisabeth and Margarete, and afterwards William.
Iohn aftir UUilliam nexte borne was,
UUhiche be passid to goddis grase.
George was nexte, and aftir Thomas
Borne was; which sone aftir did pase
By the path of deth; to the heuenly plase
Richard liueth yit, but the laste of all
Was Ursula to hym whom God liste calle.
To the Duke of Excestre Anne maried is
In hir tendre youthe: but my Lord Herry,
God chosen hath to enherite heuen blis,
And lefte Edward to succede temporally
Now Erle of Marche, & Edmond of Rutlond sotheley
Conute, bith fortunabil to right hygh mariage:
The othir foure stond yit in their pupillage.
Longe mote he liuen to goddis pleasaunce,
This hygh and myghty Prynce in prosperite
With vertue and vyctory god him auaunce
Of al hys enemyes, and graunte that he,
And the noble Princes his wyff may see
Hir childres children or thei hens wende
And aftir this outelary the ioye that neuer shal ende.
Amen.
[Page 740]Ioan of Acres Countesse of Glocester and Herdord.The body of
Ioan of
Acres was here entombed, as you haue already read: She was the second daughter of king
Edward the first, and Queene
Eleanor, borne in the first yeare of her fathers raigne, at a City in the Holy Land, sometime named
Ptolomais, commonly called
Acon, Aker, or
Acres, where her mother remained during the warres that her father had with the Saracens. She was married at eighteene yeares of age, and outliuing her first husband (nominated in the Roll) she degenerated so farre in the election of another, as that she made choise of one
Raph de Monte-hermer sometimes her husbands and her seruant. She died here at her Mannour of Clare the tenth of May, in the yeare 1305.
Edward Mont-hermer.Here likewise in the
Austine Friars by his mother was interred the body of
Edward Mont-hermer, eldest sonne of the foresaid
Raph Mount-hermer (who hauing obtained the kings fauour, had the title of Earle of Glocester and Hertford) and
Ioan of
Acres. Hee died without issue, the time vncertaine.
Lionell Duke of Clarence, &
Elis. his wife.Lionell, or
Leonell Duke of Clarence, and Earle of Vlster in Ireland, was buried in the Chancell of this Priorie Church, together with his first wife
Elisabeth, daughter and heire of
William de Burgh, Earle of Vlster aforesaid, as appeareth in the parchment Roll. She departed this world in the yeare 1363. And hee about fiue yeares afterwards, as I shall hereafter shew.
This
Lionell, surnamed of Antwerpe, the place of his birth, was the third sonne of king
Edward the third;
Harding c. 187.
In all the world was then no Prince hym like
Of hie stature, and of all semelinesse
The character of
Leonell Duke of Clarence.
Aboue all men within his hole kyngrike
By the shulders, he might be seene doutlesse;
As a mayde in halle of gentilnesse,
And in all places sonne to Retorike,
And in the feld a Lyon marmorike.
Not long after the death of his wife
Elisabeth, hee was remarried vnto
Violenta the sister of
Iohn Galeas, Duke of Milain, with whom hee was to receiue a wondrous great Dowrie; and in that regard he made a iourney to Millain, attended with a chosen companie of the English Nobilitie, where in most royall manner he espoused the said Lady. Of which his iourney, and marriage, may it please you reade these following measures.
The kyng his soonne sir
Leonell create
Hard. ca 186.187.
Duke of Clarence, and to Melayn him sent
With chiualrie of fame well ordinate,
And squyers fresh, galaunt and sufficient
With officers and yomen as appent.
This Duke royall of Clarence excellent,
At Melayne wedded was then in royall wise
With that lady faire and beneuolent
Full royally, as to such a Prince should suffice,
[Page 741]And all the rule he had by councell wise,
Fro mount Godard, vnto the citee of Florence
And well beloued was for his sapience.
In citees all he held well vnitees,
Greate Iustes ay, and ioyous tournements
Of Lords and knightes,
Leonell in election to be king of Italy.
he made great assemblees
Through all the lande, by his wise regimentes.
They purposed hole by their common assentes
To croune hym kyng of all great Italy,
Within halfe a yere, for his good gouernaly.
But
Stow,Stow Annal. out of
Paulus Iouius, writes more fully of this marriage.
In the moneth of Aprill, saith he,
Leonell Duke of Clarence, with a chosen companie of the English Nobilitie went towards Millaine, there to marrie with
Violentis the daughter of
Galeasius the second of that name, Duke of Millaine, at whose comming to Millaine, such abundance of treasure was in most bounteous manner spent, in making most sumptuous feasts, setting forth stately sights, and honouring with rare gifts aboue two hundred Englishmen, which accompanied his sonne in law, as it seemed to surpasse the greatnesse of most wealthie Princes; for in the banquet whereat
Francis Petrarch was present,
A most sumptuous feast. Costly gifts giuen. amongst the chiefest guests, there were aboue thirtie courses of seruice at the table, and betwixt euery course, as many presents of wondrous price intermixed, all which,
Iohn Galeasius, chiefe of the choise youth, bringing to the table, did offer to
Leonell.
There were in one onely course seuenty goodly horses, adorned with silke and siluer furniture: and in the other siluer vessells, Falcons, hounds, armour for horses, costly coates of mayle, breast plates glistering of massie steele, helmets and corselets decked with costly crestes, apparell distinct with costly Iewells, souldiers girdles: and lastly, certaine gemmes, by curious Art set in gold, and of purple, and cloth of gold for mens apparell in great abundance.
Fragments of a feast s
[...]fficient to serue ten thousand men And such was the sumptuousnesse of that banquet, that the meates which were brought from the table, would sufficiently haue serued ten thousand men But not long after,
Leonell liuing with his new wife, whilest after the manner of his owne countrey, as forgetting or not regarding his change of ayre, he addicted himselfe ouer-much to vntimely banquetings, spent and consumed with a lingring sicknesse, died, at
Alba Pompeia, called also
Languvill, in the Marquisat of Mont-ferrat in Piemont, on the Vigill of Saint
Luke the Euangelist, 1368. in the two and fortieth yeare of his fathers raigne. First he was buried, saith
Camden in the Annalls of Ireland, in the Citie of Papie, hard by Saint
Augustine the Doctor: and afterward enterred at Clare in the Couent Church of
Austin Friers in England. He had issue onely by his first wife one daughter, named
Philip. Of which you may reade before in the printed copie of the parchment Roll: and in the Chronicle of
Iohn Harding, as followeth.
His wife was dedde,
Cap. 186.
and at Clare was buried,
And none heire he had, but his doughter faire,
Philip that hight, as Cronicles specified,
[Page 742]Whom quene
Philip cristened for his heire:
Tharchbishop of Yorke for his compeire;
Hir godmother also of Warwyk the countesse
A Lady was of all greate worthynes.
And in another place.
Cap. 187.
Chyldren had he noone, but
Philip heire
By
Elizabeth his first wyfe, which the kyng
Edward maryed to
Edmond Mortymer,
Therle of Marche, that was his warde full yyng,
Who gate on hir
Roger their derelynge.
Catal. of Honour.Philip, the onely daughter of
Leonel Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, saith
Milles (agreeing with the former, yet going a little further) was married vnto
Edmund Mortimer, Earle of March; vpon whom the said
Edmund begot
Roger; and
Roger, Anne: who being married vnto
Richard Earle of Cambridge, thereby transported the right of the kingdome vnto the House of Yorke.
I finde in my notes of Burialls in Monasteries, that these persons following were also interred in this Priory Church.
Richard, Earl of Clare, whom some will haue to bee Founder: Dame
Alice Spencer: Sir
Iohn Beauchamp knight:
Iohn Newborne Esquire: who, amongst others, brought the body of the foresaid
Leonell, Duke of Clarence, into England▪
Iohn Wiborough: William Golderich▪ William Capell: and
Eleanor his wife. The Lady
Margaret Scroope, daughter of ....
Westmerland. Iohn Kempe Esquire.
Robert Butterwyke Esquire.
Ione Candishe, daughter of
Clopton, Dame
Eleanor Wynkepery.
Stoke Clare.
The foundation of Stoke Colledge.Here at Stoke, adioyning to Clare, was a Colledge founded by one of the
Mortimers, Earle of March, valued in the kings bookes to bee yearely worth three hundred twenty foure pounds, foure shillings, penny, halfe penny.
Sir
Edmund Mortimer Earle of March. In this Colledge was entombed the body of Sir
Edmund Mortimer the last Earle of March and Vlster of that house, Lord of Wigmore, Trim, Clare, and Conaught; the Grandchilde of that
Edmund Earle of March, who married the daughter and onely heire of
Leonell, Duke of Clarence, as it is in the Roll.
Camd. in Radnorshire.This
Edmund, saith
Camden, in regard of his royall bloud, and right to the Crowne, stood greatly suspected to
Henry the fourth, who had vsurped the kingdome; and by him was first exposed vnto dangers, in so much as he was taken (in a battell fought at Pelale in Wales) by
Owen Glendowr a Rebell, and afterward whereas the
Percies purposed to aduance his right, he was conueyed into Ireland, kept almost twenty yeares prisoner in the Castle of Trim, suffering all miseries incident to Princes of the bloud while they lye open to euery suspicion; and there through extreame griefe ended his dayes, the nineteenth day of Ianuary, 1424. in the third yeare of the raigne of
Henry the sixth.
[Page 743]Of the foresaid battell, his taking and miserable imprisonment, thus much out of
Harding, as followeth.
Syr
Edmonde then
Mortimer warred sore
Hard. cap. 201.
Vpon
Owen, and did hym mekyll tene,
But at laste,
Owen laye hym before,
Where in batell they faught, as well was sene,
Where
Owen toke hym prisoner, as then full kene,
With mekell folke on eyther syde slayne.
And set
Edmonde in prysone and great payne.
He wrote vnto the kyng for great socoure,
For he had made with
Owen his fynaunce,
To whom the kyng wold graunt then no fauoure
Ne nought he wold then make him cheuesaunce
For to comforte his foes disobeysaunce,
Wherfore he laye in fetters and sore prisone
For none payment of his great raunsone.
Here also lay buried the bodies of Sir
Thomas Grey knight, and his first wife.
Luce the wife of
Walter Clopton: Sir
Thomas Clopton, and
Ade his wife.
Sudbury. Saint Gregories.
In this Church I saw a marble stone,
Simon Archbishop of Canterbury. some foure yards long, and two broad, sometimes inlayd all ouer with brasse; vnder which, the Inhabitants say, that
Simon Theobold, alias Sudbury, lyeth interred; which may bee true, for howsoeuer he hath his Tombe in the Cathedrall Church at Canterbury, of which he was Archbishop (as I haue written before) yet that may be, perhaps, onely his Cenotaph or honorarie funerall Monument.
This
Simon built, whilest hee was Bishop of London, the Chappell or vpper end of the Church, where this spatious Grauestone lies couched. As appeares by this Inscription in the glasse window.
Orate pro Domino Symone Thepold,The foundatiō of All Soules Chappell.alias Sudbury, qui istam Capellam fundauit, Anno Domini M.cccclxv. in commemoracione omnium animarum dedicat, dat, consecrat.
In the place where his Fathers house stood,
The foundation of Sudbury Colledge. he founded a goodly Colledge, which he furnished with secular Clarks, and other Ministers, which at the time of the suppression thereof, was valued at one hundred twenty two pounds eighteene shillings, lands by the yeare. Thus writes
Godwin in the life of this Archbishop. And I finde in the Catalogue of Religious Houses, collected by
Speed, that this
Simon, together with one
Iohn Chartsey, founded also the Priory of
Augustine Friers in this Towne;
The foundation of the Friers. howsoeuer I haue a Manuscript tells me, that one
Baldwin de Shipling, or
Simperling, and
Chabill his wife, were the sole Founders who lie buried in the Chancell of the Priory Church. Besides in the said Church lie buried (as I haue
[Page 744] it in the notes of burials, from
William le Neue, Yorke Heraldy the bodies of
Robert, the sonne of Sir
William Simperling knight. Sir
Robert Carbonell, and Sir
Iohn his sonne, Knights; Sir
William Grey, Knight. Sir
Peter Giffard, Knight, and
Iulian his wife. Sir
Thomas Giffard his sonne, Knight, Sir
William Giffard, Knight. Sir
William Cranuile, Knight. Sir
Thomas, sonne of Sir
William Cranuile, and
Maude his wife. Sir
Gilbert of Greymonde, and
Gunnora his wife. Dame
Agnes de Bello Campo. Dame
Alice de Insula, wife of Sir
Robert Fitzwater, Knight. Dame
Katherine Hengraue. Sir
Iohn Culthorp, and
Alice his wife. The heart of Sir
Thomas Weyland. Sir
Iohn Giffard Knight.
Robert Giffard, William Giffard. Sir
Iohn Goldingham Knight, and Dame
Hillazia his wife.
Thomas Giffard de Finchingfeld. Iohn Liggon. Sir
Thomas Lotun Knight. Sir
William Tendering Knight,
qui obijt 1375. and
Margaret his wife,
que obijt 1394. Dame
Ione Shelton. Dame
Ione Walgraue. Iohn Cressenor. Maud Cressenor, Margaret Fuller, daughter of
Iohn Cressenor. Iohn Walgraue. William Cressenor. Thomas Cressenor. Maud Haukedon, daughter of Sir
Thomas Lacy Knight.
William Walgraue. Iohn Drury, sonne of
William Drury. Robert Cressenor, and
Christian his wife. Walter Cressenor. William Cressenor, qui obijt 1454. and
Margaret his wife,
que obijt 1461.
William West. Emme West. Maud, wife of
Robert de Bello Campo▪ Henry, father of
Robert Saint
Quintyn. Philip Saint
Quintin. Ione, daughter of...
Cressenor, wife of
Richard Walgraue: Alexander and
Iohn Cressenor. Thomas West.
This sacred structure was dedicated to the honour of our alone Sauiour, and Saint
Bartholomew; valued at 222 l. 18 s. 3 d. and surrendred the 9. of December,
Anno Regni Regis Hen. octaui 36.
The education of Archbishop
Simon.But to returne backe againe to the supposed Founder of this Monasterie,
Simon, Archbishop as aforesaid; who from his childhood was euer brought vp at the Schoole, and being yet very yong, was sent by his father beyond the Seas to study the Canon Law,
His preferments. and hauing proceeded Doctor of that faculty, became houshold Chaplaine to Pope
Innocent the sixt, and one of the Iudges or Auditors of his Rota. The said Pope by way of prouision, thrust him into the Chancellorship of Salisbury, and then afterward, into the Bishopricke of London.
Ex Arch. Turris Lond. Thus
Simon de Sudbury per Papam ad Episcopat. London vacant. per mortem Michaelis vltimi Episcopi prouisus, &c. habet, &c. Teste R apud West. 15.
Maij, 1
pars pat. Anno 36
Ed. 3.
Memb. 9. hauing sate there Bishop about fifteene yeeres, he was likewise by the Popes prouisorie▪ Bulles, translated to Canterbury: Two Synods were held in his time, at both which, he preached in Latine, in his owne person, hauing laudably gouerned this See (as I haue partly touched before) sixe yeeres,
His death. one moneth, and ten daies; he was most vnworthily slaine, or rather wickedly murthered, by a company of villanous Rebels, whose death or martyrdome is comparatiuely set downe, with that of Saint
Thomas Becket, by
Iohn Gower in his booke called
Vox Clamantis, lib. 1.
cap. 14. thus.
And so he goes on, exclaiming against the sauage barbarousnesse of the Rebels, and this their execrable horrid act.
Sir
Robert Hales,Sir
Robert Hales. Lord Prior of Saint
Iohns Ierusalem, neere Clerkenwell, and a great many of others, that day tasted of the same cup and the Archbishop had done. The chiefe leaders of this damned crew, were
Wat Tyler of Maidstone in Kent, whom
Wals. cals the Idoll of Clownes;
Iohn Wraw, a Priest,
Iack Straw, Iohn Littistar a Dier in Norwich, who tooke vpon him at Norwalsham in Norfolke, the name of the King of the Commons,
Robert Westborne, who did the like in Suffolke, &c. and these had a Chaplaine as gracelesse as themselues, one
Iohn Ball, an excommunicated Priest, who with his wicked doctrine nourished in them their seditious furies.
This rebellious insurrection is exactly, and to the life exprest, by my forenamed Author
Io. Gower, in the foresaid booke, the eleuenth chapter, where in a vision he faignes to haue seene and heard certaine spirits of their Pseudo Prophet
Ball (personating hereby these and all other Rebels) calling one vpon another to rise vp in commotion, as followeth.
The readie pronenesse of the common people to rebellion.
Watte vocat, cui Thome venit, neque Symme retardat,
Betteque Gibbe simul Hykke venire iubent.
Colle furit, quem Gibbe iuuat nocumenta parantes,
Cum quibus ad dampnum Wille coire vouet.
The cruelty and pride of the baser sort of people.
Grigge rapit, dum Dawe strepit, comes est quibus Hobbe
Lorkin et in medio non minor esse putat.
Hudde ferit quos Iudde terit, dum Tebbe iuuatur
Iakke domos que viros vellit, & ense necat,
Hogge suam pompam vibrat, dum se putat omni
Maiorem Rege nobilitate fore.
Balle Propheta docet quem spiritus ante malignus
Edocuitque sua tunc fuit alta schola.
Talia, que plures furias per nomina noui,
Que fuerant alia pauca recordor ego.
Sepius exclamant monstrorum vocibus altis
Atque modis varijs dant variare tonos.
The horrible strange tones and vociferations of Balles
roaring boyes, these Rebels.
Quidam sternutant Asynorum more ferino;
Mugitus quidam personuere boum.
Quidam porcorum grunnitus horridiores
Emittunt que, suo murmure terra tremit.
Frendet Aper spumans magnos facit atque tumultus,
Et queritat verres auget et ipse sonos.
Latratus que ferus vrbis compresserat auras
Dum Canum discors vox suribunda volat.
Vulpis egens vlulat lupus et versutus in altum
Conclamat, que suos conuocat ipse pares.
Nec minus in sonitu concussit garrulus Anser
Aurc
[...], que subito fossa dolore pauent.
Rombuant vaspe, sonus est horrendus eorum,
Nullus et examen dinumerare potest.
Conclamant pariter hir suti more leonis,
Omne que fit peius quod fuit ante malum.
Ecce rudis clangor, sonus altus, fedaque rixa,
Vox ita terribilis non fuit vlla prius.
Murmure saxa sonant, sonitumque reuerberat aer,
Responsumque soni vendicat Eccho sibi.
Inde fragore grauis strepitus loca propria terret,
Quo timet euentum quisquis adire malum.
Terruerat magnas nimio pre turbine gentes
Feare and distraction caused by commotion.
Graculus a cuius nomine terra tremit.
Rumor it, et proceres sermonibus occupat omnes
Consilium sapiens nec sapientis erat.
Casus inauditus stupefactas ponderat aures
Et venit ad sensus dures ab aure pauor▪
Attemptant medicare sed immedicabile dampnum
Absque manu medici cura que cessit ibi.
But I haue bin too long detained by these Rebels, whose infernall attempts
[Page 747] had condigne punishment by so little of so much, which here is written, we may cleerely behold the hideous face of Anarchie, or gouernment without Prince or ruler, as also the distorted visage of Plebeian fury.
All Saints in Sudbury or Allhallowes.
Here .......
Iohn Duke,Io Duke, and
[...]ne his wife.
Iohn Waldegraue. and
Ione his wife.... 1503....
Hic iacet Iohannes Waldergraue Ar. filius & heres Edwardi Waldegraue &Isabelle vxoris sue qui quidem Iohannes ob. 6.
Octob... 1514.
cuius anime....
Orate pro animabus Georgij Waldegraue Ar. filij et heredis Willelmi Waldegraue militis,George Waldgraue and
Anne his wifeet Anne vxoris ipsius Georgij vnius filiarum Roberti Drury militis, qui Georgius obiit 8.
die Iulii anno 1528.
Quorum animabus propitietur.....
Of your cherity prey for the soul of Sir
William Waldegraue,Sir
Wil. Waldgraue Knight, buried at Callis. Knight of Buers Saint
Mary in
Com. Suff. who died 12. December ... and left behynd, one son and four doughters, on whos souls Iesu haue mercy. The said Sir
William Waldegraue died at Callys in France, where his body is buried in Saint
Maries Church there.
Here lye buried, (as I haue it by relation) Sir
Thomas Eden Knight, and
Thomas Eden, Clerke of the starre Chamber, both vnder one monument.
I read,
Stow Annal. Hollins. that
Alexander Eden, Esquire, Sheriffe of Kent, tooke
Iacke Cade, Captaine of the Rebels, in the 29. of
Henry the Sixt, prisoner, for which, and for other his good seruices against the said Rebels, he was made Custos or keeper of the Castle at Rochester.
Of this sirname is that learned Doctor of the Lawes,
Thomas Eden,Tho. Eden Doctor of the Lawes. one of the masters of the Chancerie, and master of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; of whose Familie I shall haue occasion to speake in another place. And so I will take my leaue of this Towne, with the words of
Camden in this Country.
Stour, the riuer, passeth on, and commeth to Sudbury (saith he) that is to say, the South Burgh, and runneth in manner round about it, which men suppose to haue beene in old time, the chiefe towne of this Shire, and to haue taken this name in regard of Norwich, that is, the Northern Towne. Neither would it take it well at this day to be counted much inferiour to the Townes adioyning: for, it is populous and wealthy, by reason of clothing there, and hath for the chiefe Magistrate, a Maior, who euery yeare is chosen out of seuen Aldermen.
Long Melford.
Vpon the outside of this Church, these words following are engrauen.
Pray for the souls of
Iohn Clopton, and
Richard Boteler, of whos gooddys this Chappell was built.
In the said Chappell, many of the ancient family of the
Cloptons lie entombed.
[Page 748]Will. Clopton &
Marg. his wife.
Mar. and
Tho. Clopton.Hic.... Dominus Willelmus Clopton.... qui obijt.... ante festum Sancti Thome 1416.
& Margeria vxor Willelmi.... que obijt..... 1424.
Ora.... Marg.... & Thome fil.... eiusdem Willelmi et Marg.... 1420.
Francis Clopton.
Franciscus Clopton.....
Aspice quid prodest presentis temporis euum,
Omne quod est, nihil, preter amare Deum.
..... Alicia Harleston, vxor Iohannis Haliston filia Will. Clopton:...
Of this worthy family I haue spoken somewhat before, and shall haue occasion to speake more hereafter.
Sir
Will. Cordal knight.Here lieth vnder a goodly Tombe the body of Sir
William Cordall knight, Master of the Rolls; A good man, as
Camden calls him, who built an Almes-house in this Towne. You may know more of him by this his Epitaph.
Hic Gulielmus habet requiem, Cordellus, avito
Stemmate vir clarus, clarior ingenio.
Hic studijs primos consumpsit fortiter annos,
Mox & causarum strenuus actor erat.
Tanta illi doctrina inerat, facundia, tanta,
Vt Parlamenti publica lingua foret.
Postea factus Eques Reginae arcana Mariae
Consilia, & patriae grande subibat opus.
Factus est & custos Rotulorum; vrgente senecta
In Christo moriens, cepit ad astra viam.
Pauperibus largus, victum, vestemque ministrans
Insuper Hospitij condidit ille domum.
Butley.
The foundation of the Priory at Butley.Here sometime stood a Priory of blacke Canons
Augustines, founded by
Raph de Glanvile, dedicated to the blessed Virgine
Mary. Valued in the Kings bookes at three hundred eighteene pounds seuenteene shillings two pence halfe penny farthing, and surrendred the first of March, in the nine and twentieth yeare of the raigne of king
Henry the eight.
Mic. de la Pole E. of Suffolke.In this Priory Church was interred the body of
Michael de la Pole, the third of that name, Lord
Wingfield, and Earle of Suffolke. Who was slaine at the battell of Agincourt, with
Edward Plantagenet, Duke of Yorke.
On our side, was the duke of Yorke ther slain,
Therle also of Suffolke worshipfully.
This battell was strucken on the 25. day of October,
Ann. 1415.
Hadley.
Gurmond king of Denmarke.Here in this Church, as the Inhabitants say,
Gurmond, or
Gurthrun, a Danish King lieth interred: and this their assertion is confirmed by the
[Page 749] most of our ancient Historians; yet the Tombe which they shew for his funerall Monument beares not that face of Antiquitie, as to be of seuen hundred yeares and more continuance; if any Monument remaine here to his memory, in my vnderstanding, it is one of these in the North or South wall. This Pagan king of Denmarke, after he had for many yeares infested and harried this kingdome, and driuen
Alfred our king to strange extremities; was in the end ouercome by
Alfred in battell: presently vpon which he was washed in the lauer of Baptisme;
Gurmound christened. (which was one of the conditions of peace at his ouerthrow)
Alfred receiued him for his godsonne by the name of
Athelstane, and gaue him in free gift this countrey of East Angels; and in the same fountaine of Grace (saith
Simon of Durham) thirtie of the chiefe Danish Nobilitie were initiated, vpon whom the true Christian King bestowed many rich gifts. Of all which my old ryming Cronicler.
Gutron the king of Denmarke that was tho,
Hard ca. 109.
In Westsex werred full sore and brent the lond,
Wyth whych the kyng so marryd was wyth wo,
He wyst not well whether to ride or stond,
But to Ethelingay anone he tooke on hond
To ryde, where then he hyd hym in a place,
For drede of Danes, such was hys hap and grace.
Where then hys Lordes and knyghtes in good araye,
Came to him then wyth hooste and greate powre,
Where than the kyng vpon
Gutron that day,
In batayle strong wyth corage fresh and clere
Fought sore, and tooke
Gutron prisonere,
And thyrtye dukes wyth hym in compaye
Vnchrysten were, they all of panymrye.
And had the felde wyth all the vyctorye
And of Danes many thousand slewe.
He baptyzed than as made is memorye
Thys kyng
Gutron, that after was full trewe
And named was
Athylstan all anewe
To whome the kyng gaue than all Estenglond
As
Edmond had to holde of hym that lond.
And all hys dukes were also there baptyzed
And chrysten menne bycame for goddys loue
The yere of Chryste viii C. thenne compeysed
Seuente and viii as Flores doth approue.
This Battell, and the baptising of
Gutron and his Lords, I haue also out of an ancient namelesse Manuscript in my owne custody, thus deliuered.
Hadley the Kings
[...]ear.
S
[...]ow. Camd.After he had gouerned these counties of Suffolke and Norfolke (keeping his residence here in this Towne) the space of twelue yeares complete, he died and was buried in the kings towne, called Headlega (so Hadley is called in the Saxons language) in Suffolke among the East English, in the yeare 889.
Ipswich in times past Gipswich.
Had Ipswich (the onely eye of this Shire) beene as fortunate in her surname, as she is blessed with commerce and buildings, shee might well haue borne the title of a Citie; neither ranked in the lowest row: whose trade, circuit, and seate, doth equall most places of the land besides. It is adorned with twelue or fourteene Churches; in all which, I finde not any funerall Monument of Antiquitie, saue one which came to light not long since vpon the remouall of a Pewe in Saint
Laurence Church (and so like wise in other Churches many Monuments are buried) vnder which the Founder of the said Church was interred, as appeares by this Epitaph engrauen vpon the Stone.
Io. Bottold.
Subiacet hic lapide Iohn Bottold vir probus ipse
Istius Ecclesie primus Inceptor fuit iste.
Cuius anime Domine misereris tu bone Criste.
Obijt M.ccccxxxi. litera dominicalis G.
Since then that so few funerall Monuments are remaining at this day in the Parish Churches of this Corporation, I will take a view of the sites of the Religious Houses in and about this Towne now ouerturned. Of which, and such persons as I finde to haue beene therein inhumed, as followeth.
The Priory of Saint Trinity.
This Priory was founded by
Norman, the sonne of
Enott, and
Iohn de Oxenford, Bishop of Norwich,
tempore Hen. 2. replenished with blacke Canons
Augustines: and valued to bee yearely worth fourescore and eight pounds sixe shillings nine pence.
Burials. Herein lay buried
Norman the Founder, and
Langeline his wife, and Dame
Ioane Filian.
The Friars Preachers.
This Monastery was founded by
Henry de Manesby, Henry Redred, and
[Page 750]Henry de Londham,The foundation of the Fri
[...] Preachers. Bu
[...]ialls. saith the Catalogue of Religious Houses, to whose honour consecrated I doe not learne: neither doe I know any thing of the value or surrender. Bodies which I finde to haue beene herein buried, were Dame
Maud Boerell: Edmond Saxham Esquire:
Iohn Fostolph, and
Agnes his wife,
Gilbert Rouldge, Ione Charles. Edmond Charleton Esquire.
The white Friers Carmelites.
This Religious Edifice was founded by Sir
Thomas de Londham,The foundation of the Friers Carmelites. saith one, howsoeuer I finde in the Catalogue of Religious Foundations aforesaid in
Speed, that the Lord
Bardesley, Sir
Geffrey Hadley, and Sir
Robert Norton knights, were the Founders about the yeare 1279.
Herein (for of the dedication,
Burialls. value, or surrender, I finde nothing) were buried, Sir
Thomas, and Sir
Thomas de Londham knights,
Iohn Londham Esquire,
Margaret Colevile, Gilbert Denham Esquire, and
Margaret his wife, daughter of
Edward Hastings. And in a Manuscript penned by
Iohn Bale, I finde these Carmelites following to haue beene here sometimes inhumed.
Iohannes Hawle ob. 1433.
Maij 15.
Richardus Hadley, ob. 1461.
Aprilis primo. Iohannes Wylbe, ob. 1335. 2.
Decemb. Iohannes Barmyngham vir doctissimus. Oxonia diu studuit & Parisijs intex Sorbonicos; he was a man very learned; he studied a long time in Oxford, and at Paris amongst the Sorbons. He writ diuers bookes mentioned by
Pitseus; and died a wondrous old man (being as then Prior of this Fraternitie) the two and twentieth day of Ianuary,
Anno reparationis humana 1448.
Iohannes Balsham Episcopus Archiliens. hic sepultus ob. 1530.
The Grey Friers.
Founded by the Lord
Tiptoth.Foundation of the Grey Friers. Burialls. In which lay buried (for I finde no further of it then the Foundation) Sir
Robert Tiptoth knight, and Dame
Vna his wife. The heart of Sir
Robert V
[...]ere the elder:
Margaret Countesse of Oxenford, wife of Sir
Robert Veere the younger, Earle of Oxenford▪ Dame
Elisabeth, wife of Sir
Thomas Vfford, daughter of the Earle of Warwicke. Sir
Robert Tiptoth the younger.
Margaret wife of Sir
Iohn Tiptoth. Robert Tiptoth Esquire.
Elisabeth Vfford. Elisabeth Lady
Spenser, wedded to Sir
Phellip Spenser, daughter of
Robert Tiptoth. Phellip, George, Elisabeth children of Sir
Phellip Spenser. Ione daughter of Sir
Hugh Spenser. Sir
Robert Warhesham, and Dame
Ione his wife.
Iohn sonne of
William Claydon. Sir
Thomas Hardell knight. Dame
Elisabeth wife of Sir
Walter Clopton of Hadley: Sir
William Laynham. Sir
Hugh Peach, and Sir
Hugh Peach, Sir
Iohn Loueloch knights.
Item the Heart of Dame
Petronill Vfford. Dame
Beatrix Botiler. Dame
Aueline Quatefeld. Dame
Margery, Aunte of Sir
Robert Vfford. Dame
Alice wydow of Sir
Iohn Holbrok.
The Blacke Friers.
Of this House I onely finde that one
Iohn Hares gaue ground to build
[Page 752] it larger. These personages following I finde to haue beene registred in the Martirologe of this house.
Persons Registred. The Lord
Roger Bigot, Earle Marshall. Sir
Iohn Sutton Knight. Lady
Margaret Plays. Sir
Richard Plays. Sir
Robert Vfford Earle of Suffolke.
Wolsey Colledge.
Cardinall
Wolsey borne in this towne, whose vast minde alwaies reached at things, began here to build a most magnificent and sumptuous Colledge, in the place where sometime stood a small monastery of blacke Canons, founded by
Thomas de Lacy, and
Alice his wife, and dedicated to the honour of Saint
Peter and Saint
Paul.
Woodbridge.
Iohn Albred, and
Agnes his wife.Hic iacet Iohannes Albred quondam Tweleweuer istius ville.... ob. primo die Maij.... 1400.
et Agnes vxor cius..:
This
Tweleweuer, with
Agnes his wife, were at the charges (people of all degrees being as then forward to beautifie the house of God) to cut, gild, and paint, a Rood Loft or a partition betwixt the body of the Church and the Quire: whereupon the pictures of the Crosse, and Crucifixe, the Virgin
Mary, of Angels, Archangels, Saints, and Martyrs, are figured to the life: which how glorious it was when it was all standing, may be discerned by that which remaineth. This their worke of pietie was depensild vpon the fabricke; of which so much as is left:
Orate..... Iohannis Albrede et Agnetis......... soluerunt pro pictura totius huius operis superne .:... videlicet crucis crucifixi, Marie, Archangelorum et totius candelab.......
The names of some of the Saints portraied vpon the worke, and yet remaining, are these, S.
Paul, S.
Edward, S.
Kenelme, S.
Oswald, S.
Cuthbert, S.
Blase, S.
Quintin. S.
Leodegare, S.
Barnaby, S.
Iherome.
Io Kempe and his three wiuesOrate... Iohannis Kempe, qui obijt 3
Iulij 1459.
et pro animabus Margarete ac Iohanne & Margarete vxorum....
Pray for... of
Robert Partrich, Botcher... who dyed on Midsommer day,
Rob. Partrich and his wiues. M.cccccxxxiii.
Mariory and
Alis his wyffs...
Mariory the vi. of
Henry the viii.
Alis.... on their souls, their children souls, and all cristen souls, almighty Iesu hane mercy.
The Foundation of the Priory of S.
Mary of Woodbridge.Here in this Towne was sometime a monastery consecrated to the honour of the blessed Virgin
Mary, founded by Sir
Hugh Rous, Knight; valued at fiftie pounds, three shillings, fiue pence halfe penny
per annum.
The bodies buried in this Priorie Church, were these which follow:
Ex Regist. Prior de Woodbridge.Sir
Hugh Rous, or
Rufus, the Founder, and Dame
Alice his wife. Sir
William Rous, and Dame
Isabell his wife. Sir
Arnold Rous, and Dame
Elisabeth his wife. Sir
Giles Rous. Sir
Arnold Rous, and Dame
Isabell his wife, Sir
Richard Brews, and Dame
Alice his wife. Sir
Iohn Brews, and Dame
Eue his wife. Sir
Iohn Brews, and Dame
Agnes his wife. Sir
Richard Brews[Page 753] Lord of Stradbroke. Sir
Giles Brews. Sir
Robert Brews, and Dame
Ela his wife. Sir
Thomas Brews, and Dame
Ione and
Elizabeth his wiues. Sir
Nicholas Weyland, and Dame
Beatrix his wife. Sir
Thomas Weyland. Sir
Robert Weyland. Sir
Herbert Weyland. William Brews Esquire.
William Melton Richard Feningle. Muriell Gouncill. Seuall Woodbridge. Edmond Woodbridge. Sir
Iohn Shandlow, and Dame
Elizabeth his wife.
The names of certaine persons registred in this Monastery in a Table, for whose soules the Prior and Couent were bound to pray and say Masse.
Sir
Hugh Rous, or
Red, the Founder, and sixe other Knights of the same sirname. Sir
Richard Brews, knight, Lord of Stradburgh, or Stradbrooke, Patron of the Church, with seuen other Knights of the same sirname, and their wiues. Sir
Robert de Vfford, and Dame
Cecily his wife.
Robert de Vfford Earle of Suffolke, and Dame
Margaret his wife.
This
Robert,Sir
Robert Vfford, Earle of Suffolke. who was also Knight of the Garter, Lord of Eay and Framlingham. He and
William Montague, Earle of Salisbury, were Generals of King
Edward the thirds Army in Flanders, when he went to make his claime to the Crowne of France. He serued vnder the blacke Prince, at the battaile of Poictow,
Milles. where
Iohn the French king was taken prisoner. He died in the fortieth and third yeare of the raigne of King
Edward the third, on the sunday after All Saints.
Sir
William Vfford,Sir
William Vfford, Earle of Suffolke. second Earle of Suffolke of that sirname, and
Isabell his wife.
This Earle built the Church at Parham in this County: he died sodainly in the Parliament house at Westminster, speaking for the Commons, the 15. day of February, 1382. and in the fift yeare of the raigne of
Richard the second.
Dame
Maud Henand, Countesse of.... Sir
William de Londham knight.
Robert Rendlesham, Austin Philip. Ione saint
Philbert, daughter of the Earle of Suffolke.
Isabell de Braham, and
Edward the sonne of sir
Thomas of Braderton.
Vfford.
This is the most neatly polisht little Church (that I haue looked into) within this Diocesse. The roofe whereof, and other parts of the Quire, being curiously engrauen with sundry kindes of workes and pictures, all burnisht and gilt with gold. The Organ case, whereupon these words,
Soli Deo Honor & Gloria, are carued, and gilt ouer; is garnished and adorned in most costly manner. The Font, and the Couer of the same, is without compare, being of a great height, cut and gloriously depicted with many Imageries consonant to the representation of the holy Sacrament of Baptisme, as also with the Armes of the
Vffords, Earles of Suffolke, whose principall habitation was in this Towne.
It is said by the Inhabitants, the foresaid Earles of Suffolke, lie here
[Page 754] interred, but I finde no shew of it in the Church; as also the bowels of
Raph de Vfford,Raph de Vfford Lord chiefe
[...]ustice o
[...] Ireland. Lord chiefe Iustice of Ireland: of whom the Annales of Ireland speake thus as followeth. Vpon the 13. day of Iuly, 1343, the Lord
Ralph Vfford, with his wife, the Countesse of Vlster, came Lord chiefe Iustice of Ireland: vpon whose entring, the faire weather changed sodainly into a distemperature of the aire,
[...]. Annal Hi
[...]era. and from that time there ensued great store of raine, with much abundance of tempestuous stormes, vntill his dying day. None of this Predecessors in the times past was, (with griefe be it spoken) comparable vnto him.
A wicked chiefe Iustice. For, this Iusticer bearing the Office of Iusticeship, became an oppressor of the people of Ireland, a robber of the goods both of the Clergie and Laitie, of rich and poore alike: a defrauder of many vnder the colour of doing good: not obseruing the rights of the Church, nor keeping the law of the Kingdome: offering wrongs to the naturall inhabitants: ministring iustice to few or none, and altogether distrusting (some few onely excepted) the inborne dwellers in the land. These things did he still, and attempted the like, misled by the counsell and perswasion of his wife.
Thus he continued his rigorous gouernement for the space almost of three yeares: and vpon Palme sunday, 1346. which fell out to be the ninth day of Aprill, went the way of all flesh. For whose departure, his owne dependants, together with his wife, sorrowed not a little: for whose death also the loyall subiects of Ireland reioyce no lesse: the Clergy and people both of the Land,
Ioy vpon the death of the Iustice. for ioy of his departure out of this life, with merry hearts doe leape, and celebrate a solemne feast at Easter. At whose death, the flouds ceased, and the distemperature of the aire had an end, and in one word, the common sort truely and heartily praise the onely sonne of God. Well, when this Iustice, (now dead) was once fast folded within a sheet and Coffin of lead, the foresaid Countesse (with his treasure not worthy to be bestowed among such holy reliques) in horrible griefe of heart, conueied him ouer into England, there to be enterred.
Orate pro... Roberti Lambe, & Alicie Lambe......
Rob. Lambe
and Alice
his wife.
..... Lambe......
...
Lambe.These
Lambes haue beene speciall benefactors to this Church, being sometimes men of faire possessions in this parish, as I was told; their names with the pictures of Lambes are depensild in many places of the woodworke and feeling of the Church.
Symon Brooke and his wiues.Hic iacent Symon Brooke et Emota, Margareta et Alicia vxores eius, qui quidem Symon obijt 12.
octob. 1488.
An ancient Familie these
Brookes, were in this parish, now extinct, as I haue it by relation.
Christopher Willoughby and his wife.Orate pro bono statu Christopheri Willoughby Armigeri & Margerie vxoris eius: this is in a glasse window of the Church.
Campsey or
Camesey.
The Nunnery of Campsey.This was a Nunnery not farre from Vfford, founded by one
Theobald,[Page 755] and consecrated to the honour of the Virgin
Mary, which was valued at the suppression, to be yearely worth in Lands, one hundred eighty and two pounds, nine shillings fiue pence. These Nunnes were of the order of
S. Clare, and called Minoresses.
Maud,The foundation of a Chantrie in the Priory Church at Campsey. who was first married to
William Lord
Burgh, Earle of Vlster, and after, to
Raph de Vfford, chiefe Iustice of Ireland, repenting her selfe (belike) of her own and her last husbands delinquences committed in Ireland, of which I haue spoken before, obtained licence of King
Edward the third, by the procuration of her brother
Henry, Earle of Lancaster, to found a Chantrie in this monastery, of fiue Chaplaines, secular Priests, to pray and sing Masse for the soules of the said
William de Burgh, and
Raph de Vfford, whose body was here interred: such is the Charter of the Foundation.
Edwardus,King
Edwards Charter.
In Arch. Turris to Lond.&c. Sciatis quod 16
die Octobris Anno regni nostri 21.
ad requisitionem dilecti consanguinei et fidelis nostri Hen. Com. Lancastrie, nec non Matildis comitisse Vltonie consanguinee sororis eiusdem comitis, &c. dederimus et consesserimus prefate comitisse, quod ipsa quondam cantariam quinque capellanorum, quorum vnum custodem eiusdem cantarie duxerit nominand. in capella virginis gloriose, infra Ecclesiam Monasterij siue prioratus monialium de campese diuina celebrar. ad laudem Dei,Raph de Vfford here buried in our Ladies Chappell.& dicte virginis matris eius: pro salute que Willelmi de Burgh▪ quondam comitis Vltonie primi, ac Radulphi de Vfford secundi et virorum suorum. Cuius quidem Radulphi corpus in eadem capella quiescit humatum, &c. Test. meipso apud West. &c.
Letheringham.
In the parish Church, and in the Church of the little Priory adioyning, are diuers Tombes and grauestones to the memory of that noble and ancient Family of the
Wingfields, all of which are fouly defaced. This Priory was founded by sir
Iohn Boynet,The Priory of Letheringham of the dedication order or time, I am altogether ignorant, it was valued at twenty sixe pounds, eighteene shillings, fiue pence, of yearely commings in. The
Wingfelds here buried, were these.
Sir
Robert Wingfeld, Lord of Letheringham. Sir
Robert Wingfeld and
Elizabeth Gousall his wife, Sir
Iohn Wingfeld, and
Elisabeth his wife. Sir
Thomas Wingfeld. Sir
Robert Wingfeld, and
Elisabeth Russell his wife,
obijt Robertus, 1409.
Thomas Wingfeld and
Margaret his wife:
Richard Wingfeld, Anne, and
Mary.
Inscriptions vpon the monuments of the
Wingfelds, partly remaining, are these which follow.
Hic iacet tumulatus Dominus Willelmus Wingfeld,Sir
Will. Wingfield Knight.Miles Dominus istius ville & patronus istius Ecclesie qui ob. primo die Iulij 1398.
Cuius anime propitietur Deus, Amen.
Hic iacet Willelmus VVingfeld,Will. Wingfield.Armig. et Katherina vxor eius.... Dominus et patronus Quorum....
Hic iacet Dominus Robertus VVingfeld,Sir
Rob. Wingfield Knight.miles et Elisabetha vxor eius,
[Page 756] qui quidem Robertus obijt 3.
die Maij 1409.
Quorum animabus.... Amen.
Wi
[...]field knight.Hic iacet Dominus...... Wingfild miles quondam Dominus de Letheringham.
Here is also an ancient faire Tombe very fouly defaced, whereupon this fragment of an Inscription following is onely remaining.
.....Elizabethe Arundel Ducisse Norfol. & Iohannis Paulet militis, qui quidem Iohannes obijt x Maij M. cccclxxxi...... ac Domina Elizabetha Wingfeld vxor predicti Iohannis filia.....
Sir
Antony Wingfield knight of the Ga
[...]or.Sir
Antony Wingfield of Letheringham Knight, sonne and heire of Sir
Iohn, liued in the raignes of King
Henry the eight, and
Edward the sixth, in the 31. of
Hen. the 8. he was Captaine of the Guard. He was Controller of
Edward the sixth his House, and of the priuie Councell to King
Henry the eight, and
Edward the sixth: and Knight of the Garter. Hee died..... he married
Elisabeth, daughter and coheire of Sir
George Veere Knight, and of
Margaret his wife, the daughter of Sir
William Stafford. Hee was Vice-chamberlaine to King
Henry the eight: and, together with the Earles of Arundell and Essex, and others, appointed to be ayding and assisting with his aduise and counsell, the Executours of the said Kings last Will and Testament: A copie whereof I haue in my custody. By which his will he giues to the said Sir
Antony two hundred pounds.
In the Priorie Church here at Letheringham, diuers of the ancient familie of the
Nantons lie buried.
Naunton. Of whom out of their pedegree, I haue these notes following.
Master
William Smart affirmeth that he hath seene
[...]n ancient Euidence, dated before the Conquest of England, wherein the
Nantons are named, who saith they were written by the name of
Nawnton.
Roger Awston reporteth that
Nawnton came in with the Conquerour, and that he hath seene Records of the same, who for seruice done had then giuen him in marriage a great inheritrix.
It is reported that
Nawntons lands were at that time 700. markes,
per annum.
These
Nauntons are Patrons of the Church of Alderton in this County, as appeares by this Epitaph there.
Here lieth
Henry Naunton Esquire, late Patron of this Church, and
Tristram Naunton,H
[...]n. Naunton, Tristram, Elisabeth. both sonnes of
William Naunton Esquire, and of
Elisabeth his wife; and
Elisabeth wife to the said
Henry, daughter of
Euerard Asheby Esquire, and
Elisabeth daughter to the said
Henry Naunton, and
Elisabeth Asheby.
This is likewise in the Prioty Church here at Letheringham.
Patruus ignotus, Genetrix vix nota, sororque,
Occumbunt sequeris tu mihi sancte Pater.
Chara Domus terras fugitis neque sic me fugitis
Vos sequar in caelos.....
Patri, Patruo, Matri, Sororulae charissimis
Posui, fleuique Robertus Naunton.
1600.
Sir
Rob Naunton Master of the Court of Wards.Now Sir
Robert Naunton knight, one of his Maiesties most Honourable priuie Councell, and master of the Court of Wardes and Liueries. Of which Office, will it please reade thus much out of the Interpreter, as followeth.
[Page 757]Master of the Court of Wards and Liueries,
D. Cowell. lit. M. saith he, is the chiefe and principall Officer of the Court of Wards and Liueries, named and assigned by the King, to whose custody the Seale of Court is committed. He at the entring vpon his Office, taketh an Oath before the Lord Chancellour of England, well and truly to serue the king in his Office, to minister equall Iustice to rich and to poore, to the best of his cunning, wit, and power, diligently to procure all things which may honestly and iustly be to the kings aduantage and profit, and to the augmentation of the right and prerogatiue of the Crowne, truly to vse the Kings Seale appointed to his office, to endeuour to the vttermost of his power, to see the King iustly answered of all such profits, rents, reuenues and issues, as shall yearely rise, grow, or be due to the King in his office, from time to time, to deliuer with speed such as haue to doe before him, not to take or receiue of any person any gift or reward in any case or matter depending before him, or wherein the King shall be partie, whereby any preiudice, losse, hinderance, or disherison, shall be or grow to the King.
Ann. 33.
Hen. 8.
cap. 33.
Buers.
Hic iacet Andreas de Buers,Sir
Andrew Buers knight, and
Robert his sonne.& Robertus de Buers filius eiusdem Andree militis, qui Andreas obijt 12.
die Aprilis, Anno Dom. 1360.
et dictus Robertus obijt 7.
die mens. Octob. Ann. Dom. 1361.
quorum animabus.
Hic iacet Richardus Waldegraue miles qui obijt 2.
die Maij,Sir
Rich. Waldgraue knight, and
Ioan his Lady.Anno Dom. 1400.
& Ioanna vxor eius que obijt 10.
Iunij, 1406.
Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Qui pro alijs oras, pro se laborat.
Hic iacet Richardus Waldegraue miles qui obijt 2.
Maij An. Dom. 1434.
Sir
Rich. Waldgraue knight, and
Ioane his wife.& Iohanna vxor eius filia Thome deMountche
[...]sie. Sir
Tho. Waldgraue knight, and
Eliz. his wife.Montecamisij militis, que obijt in festo Sancti Dionisij, Anno Dom. 1450.
Quorum animabus. Amen.
Hic iacet Thomas Waldergraue miles, & Elisabetha vxor eius prima filia & vna beredum Iohannis Fraye militis nuper capitalis Baronis Scaccarij qui quidem Thomas obijt 28.
die...: 1500.
Of your cherite prey for the souls of
Edward Waldergraue,Ed. Waldgraue and
Mabell his wife. and
Mabell his wyff, doughter and heyre of
Iohn Cheney of Pynehoo in Deuonshyre, and one of the heyres of
Iohn Hill of Spaxton in the County of Somerset. The which
Edward decessyd the yere of our Lord God, 1506. and the said
Mabell...... on whose souls Iesu haue mercy. Amen.
Orate pro animabus Willelmi Waldegraue militis,Sir
Will. Waldegraue knight, and
Margerie his wife.& Margerie consortis sue, qui quidem Willelmus obijt...:
This Church of Buers is very neatly kept▪
Out of the pedegree of the
Waldegraues, this story following was collected by
Iohn Rauen, Richmond Herald.
On a time a Gentleman of Northampton being at the signe of the Growne in Sudbury,
The Antiquity of the
Waldg
[...]aues. and hauing conference with master
Edward Waldgraue of Bilston, in
Com. Suss. Esquire, did make vnto him a very credible report of one
Waldegraue in Northamptonshire, affirming that he heard it reported of old time, that these
Waldgraues were of a very ancient antiquitie
[Page 758] before
William the Conquerours raigne, and that his name should be
Iohn: who hauing one onely daughter, and meeting with one
Waldgraue which came out of Germany, and was employed in the Conquerors seruices, the said Germane
Waldgraue related with
Waldgraue of Northamptonshire, concerning the marriage of his said daughter; & told him that if he would giue his consent that he might haue his daughter in marriage, that then he would procure him a pardon from the Conquerour, for the quiet enioying of his lands and liuings. By which meanes he obtained the Conquerours grant, with his owne hand and Seale, for confirmation of all his lands vnto him and his posterity. The which Pardon and grant remayneth to be seene at this day, 1612. in the French tongue, and is in the possession of the Lords of that Mannour.
Iohn Rauen
Richmond Herald.
Thebarton.
Sir Will. Iermey
[...], and [...]his wife.Hic iacet Willelmus Iermey miles, vnus Iusticiar. Domini Regis de Banco suo, et Elisabeth vxor eius, qui quidem Willelmus obijt xxiij die Decembris, Anno Domini M.cccclxxxiij. Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Wingfield.
Wingfield Colledge.Here sometimes stood a Colledge or Chantrie, by whom founded I haue not yet found out. But the
de la Poles, Earles of Suffolke, were the Patrons of it. Valued it was at the dissolution to amount to fifty pounds three shillings fiue pence halfe penny, of yearely reuenues. Surrendred 36
H. 8.
Will. de la Pole [...] of Suf
[...]olke.In this Colledge was buried the body of
William de la Pole, Lord
Wingfield, Earle, Marquesse, and Duke of Suffolke, as also Earle of Penbroke. After all these honours giuen him, he was banished England for fiue yeares, for being too familiar with Queene
Margaret, priuy and consenting to the yeelding and losse of Aniou and Mayne (as also to appease the murmuring of the people for the murthering of the Duke of Glocester) and as he was
[...]aking of ship to passe for France, he was surprised and taken on the sea, by a ship of warre, called the
Nicholas, belonging to the Duke of Exceter, then Constable of the Tower of London, and there presently beheaded, and his body cast into the sea, which was after found, and taken vp againe at Douer, brought to this Colledge, and here honourably interred, saith
Hall, as also the Catalogue of Honour by
Brooke. This happened in the yeare 1450.
[...] de la P
[...]le [...] of Suf
[...]lke.Iohn de la Pole sonne and heire of
William aforesaid, after the death of his Father Duke of Suffolke, was likewise buried here at Wingfield. Of which he was Lord and owner. He died in the yeare 1491.
In the Parish Church are these Inscriptions or Epitaphs.
Rich. dela Pole.Hic iacet Richardus de la Pole filius Domini Michaelis de la Pole, nuper Comitus Suff. qui obijt 18.
die Decembris, Ann. Dom. 1403.
Cuius anime propritietur Deus.
[Page 759]Hic iacet Magister Iohannes de la Pole, silius Domini Michaelis de la Pole,Iohn de la Pole.quondam Comitis Suffolcie Baccalaureus vtriusque iuris, Canonicus in Ecclesia Cathedrali Ebor. ac in Ecclesia Collegiata de Beuerley, qui ob. 4.
die mens. Februarij, Anno Dom. 1415.
Hen. 54.
These two were the sonne of
Michaell de la Pole, the first Earle of Suffolke of that surname.
Hic iacet Dominus Wingfild,Wingfield of Letheringham
Camd. in Sus
[...]de Letheringham....... Cuius anime.
This towne of Wingfield hath giuen name to a familie in this tract, that is spread into a number of branches, and is besides for knighthood and ancient gentilitie renowned: and thereof it was the principall seat.
Donnington.
Hic iacet tumulatus Dominus Willelmus Wingfeld miles Dominus istius ville,
Sir Will. Wingfield
knight. ac patronus istius Ecclesie qui obijt
1 Iunij, Ann. Dom.
1398. Cuius anime propitietur Deus.
Hic iacet Willelmus Wingfeld Armiger & Katherina vxor eius,
Will. Wingfield
and Katherine
his wife. Dominus et Patronus istius ville. Quorum animabus, obijt ille......
Hic iacet Dominus Robertus Wingfeeld miles et Elisabetha vxor eius,
Sir Rob. Wingfield
and Elis.
his wife. qui quidem Robertus obijt tertio die Maij
1409. Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus.
Waldingfield magna.
...... Iohn Appulton
of Waldingfeeld magna.....
Io. Appulton. ob. anno
14. of Hen.
4. 1416. Three Aples, Gules, leaues and stalkes vert.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Appulton et Margarete vnxoris eius,
Ioh. Appulton
and Margaret
his wife. quidem Iohannes obijt
9. die Aprilis, Anno Domini
1481. et predicta Margareta obijt
4. die Iulij Anno Dom.
1468. quorum.....
Orate pro anima Thome Appulton de Waldingfeeld magna qui Thomas ab hoc luce migrauit,
Tho. Appulton.4. die Octob. ann. Dom.
1507.
Orate pro anima Margerie Appulton,
Margerie Appulton. que obijt
4. die Nouemb▪ anno Dom.
1504. Cuius anime propitietur altissimus. Amen.
Orate pro animabus Roberti Appulton generosi,
Rob. Appulton
and Mary
his wife. et Marie vxoris eius, qui quidem Robertus obiit
27. Augusti
1526. Quorum..... Amen.
Barton magna.
Hic iacet corpus Alicie Harpley quondam vxoris Ricardi Harpley......Alice Harpley.que quidem Alicia....
Hic.... Cotton.....Cotton.
Of these
Cottons I haue read as followeth.
In the pedegree of
Edmund Cotton Esquire now liuing, 1631. The ancient seat of the
Cottons in Cambridgeshire is, Lanwade Hall: many descents were higher, and before the father, to the elder, Sir
Iohn Cotton knight, who died neare the beginning of Queene
Elisabeth. This Sir
Iohn (being the elder) had three brothers, whereof
Edmund Cotton was the third from Sir
Iohn aforesaid, and sisters they had, &c. This elder Sir
Iohn Cotton had one sonne called
[Page 760] by his fathers name, sir
Iohn Cotton Knight, who dying in the time of King
Iames, left to inherite his estate, one onely Sonne (begotten of his wife
Anne, eldest daughter of sir
Richard Hoghton, of Hoghton Tower in the county of Lancaster, Knight and Baronet) now in being: whose name is likewise
Iohn.
Edmund Cotton, the third brother aforesaid, married
Ela Coniers, the daughter and heyre of
Iohn Coaniers, the onely sonne of
Robert Coniers Knight, of neere allyance to the Lord
Coniers of Hornby Castell in Richmondshire, who liued in the seuerall raignes of
Ed. 2. and
Ed. 3. A sister of the forenamed
Robert Coniers, Knight, was married in that time to Sir
Richard Harpley knight, & now lieth interred in the Chancell of Barton
magna, vnder a monument, inscribed as before:
Hic iacet corpus Alicie, &c.
Edmund Cotton, aforesaid, by
Ela his wife, had diuers children;
George was his eldest sonne, and
Audery, a daughter of his, vailed her selfe a Nunne.
George had issue, many children, and
Edmund was his eldest sonne and heire.
Edmund Cotton in like manner, had issue, diuers sonnes and daughters, and his eldest sonne and heire is
Edmund Cotton, now in being. The ancient seat left vnto him, amongst other lands, was called by the name of Coniers,
alias Necton Hall in Bramble Barton,
alias Barton
magna iuxta Bury S. Edmonds.
Debenham.
Here lyeth
Iohn Farmingham, who died .... 1424. and
Margaret his wife.
Robert Cheake, and
Rose his wife.
George Neuill, and ... his wife.
Iohn Neuill. Iohn Cheake, who died, 1490.
Babewell.
The foundation of Babewell Priory.Here sometimes stood a Monasterie of Grey Friers, first founded by master
Adam de Lincolne, who gaue the Foundership to the honour of
Clare. Here lay buried, Sir
Walter Trumpinton, and Dame
Anne his wife.
Nicholas Drury, and
Iane his wife, which died the seuenth of MArch, in the seuenth yeare of King
Richard the second.
Margaret Peyton.
Blithborrow.
[...]nna, King of the East Angles, and
Ferminus his son.This little Towne is memorable, for that
Anna, King of the East Angles, together with his eldest sonne and heire apparent
Ferminus, were here buried, both slaine in a bloudie fierce battaile, by
Penda the Mercian King, a Pagan: of which my old Manuscript.
Anna was a man of great vertue,
Lib.
[...] Hist. 3.
cap. 18. and the father of a blessed issue, saith
Bede, which were many, and those of great holinesse and sanctitie of life. First,
Ferminus, slaine in the same battaile with his father, as I haue said before; here buried, but afterwards remoued to S. Edmundsbury. His other sonne was
Erkenwald,Anna his issue. Abbot of Chertseie, and Bishop of London, of whom before. His daughters were these.
Etheldred,Etheldred, Abbesse of
[...]ly. the eldest, was first married vnto a Noble man, whom
Bede nameth
Tombert Gouernour of the Fenny Countries of Norfolke, Huntington, Lincolne, and Cambridge shires. And after his death, remaining a virgin, she was married to
Egfrid, King of Northumberland, with whom likewise she liued in perfect virginitie, the space of twelue yeares, notwithstanding his entreaty and allurements to the contrary. From whom lastly she was released, and had licence to depart his Court, vnto the Abbey of Coldingham, where first shee was vailed a Nunne vnder Abbesse
Ebba, and thence departing, she liued at Ely, and became her selfe Abbesse thereof; wherein lastly she died, and was interred; remembred vnto posterities by the name of S.
Audrie, of whom, more hereafter.
His second daughter was
Sexburgh,S
[...]burgh Abbesse
[...]f
[...]ly. who married
Ercombert, King of Kent, vnto whom she bare two sons, and two daughters; after whose death, she tooke the habit of a Nunne, and succeeded her Sister
Etheldrid, Abbesse of Ely,
Whitgith a Mench
[...]on. wherein she died, and was interred. And their yongest sister
Withgith, was likewise a Menchion with them in the same monastery, and all of them canonized for Saints.
Ethilburghe,Ethilburge Abbesse of Be
[...]king.
Bed
[...]. his third daughter, was made Abbesse of Berking in Essex, built by her brother Bishop
Erkinwald, wherein she liued, and lastly died, as I haue said before.
A naturall daughter likewise he had, whose name was
Edelburgh,Edelburge, Abbesse
[...] B
[...]igges in France.
Bede. that with
Sedrido, the daughter of his wife, were both of them professed Nuns, and succeeded each other Abbesses in the Monastery of S. Brigges in France. Such a reputed holinesse was it held in those daies, not onely to be separated from the accompanying with men,
Speed cap. 11. but also to abandon the countrie of their natiuity, and as strangers in forraine lands, to spend the continuance of their liues.
Orate pro anima VVillelmi Colet qu
[...]ndam Mercatoris de Blyburgh siue istius ville qui obijt 16
die Ianuar. An. Domini 1503.
Will. C
[...]lle
[...].Cuius anima per gratiam Dei requiescat in pace. Amen.
Orate pro anima Iohanne Baret nuper vxoris Iohannis Baret qui obijt xiiii. die Ianuarij anno M.D.xx. ...Ioan Baret.
Orate pro anima Iohanne Ranyngham quondam vxoris Iohannis Ranyngham,Ione Ranyngham.qui obijt quarto die mensis Maii, anno M.D..... cuius anime propitietur Deus.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Ranyngham alias Loman qui obiit xi. die mensis Decembris anno Domini M. cccc lxxxxiiii.Io. Ranyngham
Orate pro animabus Simonis Todyng et Iohanne vxoris eius qui quidem Iohannes obiit xx. die Decemb. anno Domini M.cccc.lxxxxii. Quorum ....Sim. Todyng, and
Ione his wife.
[Page 762]Roger Boreham and
Ka
[...] his wifeIn gratia et miserecordia Dei hic iacet Rogerus Boreham qui obiit xxvii. die Nouembris anno Domini M.cccc.xlii. et Katherina vxor eius que ... Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
The founda
[...]ion of the Priory of blacke Canon
[...].This Towne was beautified by King
Henry the first, with a colledge of blacke Canons, who granted the same as a cell to the Canons of Saint Osiths in Essex: Her reuenues were augmented by
Richard Beauveys Bishop of London, who is reckoned as a cofounder with the said King: the value of it was 48 pounds, 8 shillings, 9. pence.
Mettingham.
[...] Me
[...]ingham ColledgeSir
Iohn, sirnamed
de Norwich, Lord of this place, built here a foure square Castle, and a Colledge or Chantrie within it, which he dedicated to the honour of God, and the blessed Virgin
Mary, which was valued at the suppression to bee yearely worth in lands, two hundred, two pounds, seuen shillings fiue pence halfe penny, which was surrendred the 8 of Aprill, 33
Hen. the eight.
Brusyerd.
Bursyerd or Brusyerd a Nunnery.A Monastery of Nunnes, dedicated to the blessed Virgin, by whom
[...]ounded, or in whose time, I haue not learned: valued it was at 56 pound two shillings and a penny,
per annum, and surrendred the 17. of February, in the thirtith yeare of King
Henry the eight.
VVangford.
[...] found
[...]ti
[...]n of Wangford P
[...]o
[...]y.Here sometimes stood a Priory or a Cell of blacke Monkes Cluniakes, dedicated to the honour of the Virgin
Mary, founded by one
Ansered of France, valued at the suppression, to be worth thirty pounds, nine shillings, fiue pence by yeare, and surrendred the sixteenth of February, 32
Hen. 8.
Bungey.
The foundation of the Nunnery of Bunge
[...].Here was a Nunnery founded by
Roger Glanuil and
Gundreda his wife, or as others say, by the Ancestors of
Thomas de Brotherton Earle of Norfolke: valued at the downefall of religious houses, at sixtie two pounds, two shillings, and a penny, and of it I know no further.
Sotterley.
Towards the vppermost end of the Chancell of this Church, lieth a large Grauestone, with two full proportioned pictures in brasse, and this Inscription at the feete of them.
The Playsere [...]nd
Anne his wi
[...]e.
Orate pro animabus Thome Playsers Armigeri, nuper huius Ecclesie Patroni,
[Page 763] et Anne vxoris eius et sororis et heredis Rogeri Henays nuper de Tadington Armigeri, qui quidem Thomas obijt xxi. die mensis Septembris, anno M.cccc.lxxix. et predicta Anna obijt x. die mensis Octobris ex tunc prox. sequent. Quorum animabus propitietur Deus, Amen.
In the same Chancell is a Tombe of free stone, couered with a faire marble, with this following Inscription in brasse about it.
Here lyeth buried, the body of
VVilliam Playfers Esquire,
Will. Play
[...]ers▪ sonne and heire to
Thomas and
Anne his wife, who married
Iane, daughter of sir of Knots Hall, Knight; by whom hee had issue, diuers children, and dyed the xi. day of Nouember,
anno M.D.xii.
Adioyning to this, is another Tombe, with the Effigies of a man cut in brasse, and this Inscription at his feete.
Here vnder lyeth buried, the body of
Christopher Playfers Esquire,
Christopher Playfers. true Patron of this Church, sonne and heire to
VVilliam and
Iane his wife, who had two wiues:
videlicet, Dorothy, one of the daughters and heires of
VVilliam Aselak, of Carrow in the County of Norfolke Esquire, by whom he had issue,
Thomas; and by
Anne, daughter to
VVilliam Read of Becles Esquire; he had issue, seuen sonnes and foure daughters, and he dyed in the yeare of our Lord God, M.D.xlvii,
Here likewise lye buried, the bodies of
Thomas Playfers Esquire,
Tho. and
Will. Playfers. and of
VVilliam Playfers Esquire, Patrons of this Church; but they dyed but of late yeares.
Thomas died the 19 of September, 1572. and
VVilliam, the first day of Iune, 1584.
Orate pro anima Roberti Bumpsted generosi, qui obijt xv. die mensis Aprilis, anno Domini, M.cccc.lxxxii.
Eay, or Eye.
Where was a Monastery of blacke Monkes,The foundation of the Monastery of Eye.consecrated to Saint Peter,
and founded by Robert Malet,
a Norman Baron, Lord of the Iland of Eye, so called, because it is watered on euery side with brookes, where are to bee seene,Camd. in Suf
[...].the rubbish, ruines, and decaied walles of an old Castle that belonged to the said Robert Malet:
whose donations which were many and great, were confirmed by King Stephens
Charter; of which thus much as followeth out of Selden
in his History of Tithes, cap.
11. which hee had from the originall.
Quoniam,
King Stephens
Charter of confirmation. diuina miserecordia prouidente, cognonimus esse dispositum, et longè lateque predicante Ecclesia, sonat omnium auribus diuulgatum; Quod Eleemosynarum largitione possunt absolui vincula peccatorum, et adquiri celestium premia gaudiorum. Ego ✚ Stephanus Dei gratia Anglorum Rex, partem habere volens cum illis qui felici commercio celestia pro terrenis commutant, Dei amore compunctus, et pro salute anime mee ✚ et patris mei, matrisque mee, et omnium parentum meorum ✚ et antecessorum meorum Regum ✚ VVillielmi scilicet Regis Aui mei. ✚ et VVillielmi Regis Avunculi mei ✚ et Henrici Regis Auunculi mei ✚ et Roberti Malet, et concilio Baronum meorum. Concedo Deo, et Ecclesie Sancti Petri de Eia, et Monachis ibidem in Dei seruitio congregatis, vt habeant omnes res suas quetas et
[Page 764] liberas ah omni exactione, et teneant eas in terris, in Decimis, in Ecclesiis, in omnibus possessionibus, sicut vnquam melius, & honorabilius tenuerunt tempore Roberti Malet, et tempore meo antequam Rex essem cum Soca et Soca, et Tol et Tiem et Infanganathief.
[...] precipio etiam vt teneant de quocunque tenehant (et non mittantur in placitum) sicut tenebant die quam Henricus Rex fuit viuus et mortuus et die qua ad Regni coronam perveni, &c. Dat. Anno ab Incarnatione Domini, M.C.xxxvii. apud Eia secundo Anno Regni mei, in tempore Ebrardi Episcopi Norwicensis, et Gausleni Prioris Eie.
[...] of his
[...]te
[...].Quicunque aliquid de his que in hac carta continentur, auferre aut minuere, aut disturbare scienter voluerit autoritate Domini Omnipotentis patris, et Filii et Spiritus Sancti, et Sanctorum Apostolorum, et omnium Sanctorum sit excomunicatus, Anathematizatus, et a consortio Domini, et liminibus Sancte Ecclesie sequestratus donec resipiscat, et Regie potestati xxx libras auri persoluat. Fiat. Fiat. Fiat. Amen. Amen. Amen.
This Foundation in Lands, Tithes, and Churches, was rated to bee yearely worth one hundred fourescore and foure pounds nine shillings seuen pence halfe pennie, qua.
Ockley or Okeley.
At the East end of the Chancell lyeth a Grauestone, with this Inscription.
Will. Cornwalleis.Orate pro animabus Willelmi Cornwalleis, et Elisabethe vxoris sue, qui quidem Willelmus obiit anno Domini M.D.xx. Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Rob. Bucton.Hic iacet Robertus Bucton Armiger Dominus & Patronus istius ville qui obiit xvii die mensis Decembris, anno Domini M.ccccviii. cuius anime propitietur Deus.
In the heart of the Chancell lieth a Tombestone with this Inscription.
Sir Iohn Dennys
Priest.Orate pro anima Domini Iohannis Dennis, quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie, qui obiit vltimo die Iulii, anno Domini, M.D.xxix. Cuius anime propitietur Deus.
Brome.
In the Chancell of this Church is erected a marble Tombe some foure foot high, vpon which lie the figures of Sir
Iohn Cornwalleis knight, in Armour, with a white staffe in his hand,
Sir
Iohn Cornwalleis knight, and
Mary his wife. and a greyhound at his feet, and
Mary his wife, with a Hound at her feet. Which Tombe beares this Inscription.
Iohannes Cornwalleis miles Willelmi Cornwalleis Armigeri filius, in Domo Principis Edowardi Oeconomus, et vxor eiusdem Maria Edwardi Sulliard de Essex Filia. Qui quidem Iohannes xxiij Aprilis, Anno Dom. M.D.xliiii. obiit Astrugie in Comitatu Buckingham, cum ibidem Princeps Edwardus versaretur.
Sir
Tho. Cornwalleis knight, and
Anne his wife.On the North side of the Isle neare vnto the former monument standeth a marble Tombe, vpon which lie the pourtraitures of Sir
Thomas Cornwalleis knight, in Armour, and
Anne his wife.....
[Page 765]Of these two, and of the familie of
Cornwalleis, thus
Camden writes,
Camd. in Su
[...]. concurring with the words in these Inscriptions. At Brome, saith he, dwelt a long time the Familie of
Cornwalleis, of knights degree: of whom Sir
Iohn Cornwalleis was Steward of
Edward the sixth his houshold, while he was Prince: and his sonne Sir
Thomas, for his wisedome and faithfulnesse became one of the priuie Councell to Queene
Mary, and Controllour of her royall House.
Here also in the said Isle is a Monument,
Hen. Cornwalleis whereupon is the Effigies of
Henry Cornwalleis Esquire, in Armour kneeling thus vnder written.
Hac conditione intraui vt exirem.
Cui nasci contigit mori restat.
In the said Chancell lieth a Tombestone with this Inscription.
Orate pro anima Edwardi Cornwalleis Armigeri, qui obijt iiii die Septembris, anno Domini, M.D.x. cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Vnder this is the forme of an heart ioyning to it, streaming forth these sentences. Within the circumference of the Heart this word
Credidi. From the Heart, these lines.
Redemptor meus viuit.
In nouissimo die super terram stabit.
In carne mea videbo Deum Saluatorem.
Helmingham.
In the Chancell floore vpon a Tombestone this Inscription in French.
William Ioce & Katerine sa femme gysont ycy
Will. Ioice
and Katherine
his wife.
Dieu de lor almes eyt mercy: amen.
There are diuers other Tombestones in this Chancell flore without either Inscriptions or Armes, which haue beene on them all, but are taken out.
Hintlesham.
In the middle of the Chancell a faire blew marble stone, thereon in brasse the proportion of a man in compleat Armour, vnder his head a Helme, thereon on a wreath his Creast. And on his left hand the pourtraict of a woman in brasse, a little hownd lying at her feete: vnder both these this Inscription.
Hic iacent venerabilis vir Iohannes Tymperley,Io. Timperley &
Marg. his wife.Armiger heres & Dominus de Hyntylsham, & Margareta vxor eius. Qui quidem Iohannes obijt... die mensis: Anno Domini M.cccc. Quorum animabus propitietur altissimus.
On another marble stone, a man in compleat Armour in brasse, sans Helme, with this Inscription.
Of your cherite prey for the soul of
William Temperley,Will. Timperley. whych dyed the x. day of March in the yere of our Lord God M.D.xxvii. on whos soul
[Page 766] and all crystyn Iesu have mercy. Amen.
On a Tombe of Alabaster on the South side of the Chancell wall, these Inscriptions.
Tho. Timperley and
Etheldred his wife.Hic iacent Thomas Tymperley Armiger qui obijt xiiii die Ian. M.D. et Etheldreda vxor eius, prima filia Nicholai Hare .... et Katherine vxor cius.
Hic iacent Nicholaus Timperley Armiger qui obiit .... et Anna vxor eius filia et heres Gulielmi Markham Armigeri....
Flixton.
Or
Felixton (so named of
Felix, the first Bishop of these parts, like as many other places in this Shire) had in times past a Monastery of Nunnes, of whose Foundation I haue read in a namelesse Manuscript, as followeth.
The foundation of Flixton Nunnery.Margery de Creke daughter to
Galfride Hanes, the widow of
Bartholomew Creke, gaue her whole Mannour of Flixton, with all the appurtenances, which came to her by Inheritance, to haue a Religious house of Nuns erected, which should professe the Rule of Saint
Austin. Simon de Wanton at that time Bishop of Norwich, Sir
William Blunde, Robert de Valines, William de Medef
[...]nd, being witnesses of her donation and gift: which was in the raigne of King
Henry the third; for I finde that in his time these witnesses did flourish. It was valued at the generall ouerthrow of such houses, at twenty three pounds foure shillings, pennie, halfe penny qua.
Walton or Waletune.
The Priory of Walton.A Priory dedicated to Saint
Felix the Bishop before remembred; wherein were placed blacke Monkes Benedictines. And this is all I finde of this Foundation, saue that the
Bigots or
Bigods Earles of Norfolke, were great benefactours to this religious building; if not the sole Founders of the same. As will appeare by this peece of a Record following.
E
[...] Arch. Turris Lon
[...]. Cart. antiq. li
[...]. R R.—Rogerus Bigod comes Norfolcie pro salute anime mee, &c. dedi et concessi Ecclesie Sancti Felicis de Waletune et Monachis ibidem Deo servientibus omnes donationes sicut antecessores mei, &c. sans date.
Edwardstow.
The Monastery of Edwardstow.A Monastery was here founded by
Peter de la Roche, or
Petrus de Rupibus, that rich Bishop of Winchester, in the raigne of King
Iohn.
Heringfleet.
The foundation of Heringfleete Abbey.Here sometimes was a Religious Monastery of Canons Regular, dedicated to the honour of Saint
Olaue, founded by
Roger the sonne of
Osbert. Valued at fourty nine pounds eleuen shillings, seuen pence.
Here was Priory of blacke Canons consecrated to Saint
Leonard.
Leyston, or
Laiston.
The Priory of Leyston,
The foundation of the Priory at Leiston. saith my Manuscript, replenished with blacke Monkes Premonstratenses was first founded by
Ranulph de Glanvill, about the yeare 1183. renewed and new builded by Sir
Robert de Vfford, Earle of Suffolke,
Anno 1363. it was dedicated to the mother of Iesus, that blessed Virgine
Mary. And vpon the destruction of all such Edifices, valued farre vnder rate to haue annuall commings in, one hundred eighty one pound, seuenteene shillings, penny, halfe pennie.
Hicham.
Hoc tegitur saxo Iohannes Spring,
Io. Spring. qui quidem Iohannes obijt duodecimo die mens. Augusti, Anno a Christo nato, M.D.xlvii. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Laneham.
Here lyeth buried the body of
Thomas Spring of Laneham,
Tho. Spring the rich Clothier. surnamed the Rich Clothier, who died .... in the yeare of our Lord God M.D.x. His Monument is in the carued Chappell of Wainscot, in the North side of the Chancell which he built himselfe; as also he built the great Chappell on the South side of the Chancell.
Here lieth buried another
Thomas Spring of Laneham,
Tho. Spring Clothier. Clothier, who built the Vestrie of the said Church. He died the seuenth day of September, M.cccclxxxvi. the first of
Henry the seuenth.
Orate pro anima Iacobi Spring,Iames Spring.qui obiit iii die Augusti, M.cccclxxxiiii. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Cnobersburg or Burgh Castell.
Which as
Camden saith out of venerable
Bede, was a most pleasant Castle, by reason of the woods and sea together, wherein a Monastery was built by
Furseus a holy Scot;
Sigebert king of the East-Angles a Monke. His death. by whose perswasions
Sigebert king of the East Angles became a Monke, and resigned vp his kingdome: who afterwards being drawne against his will out of this Monastery, to encourage his people in battell against the Mercians, together with his company, lost his life. In that place now there are onely ruinous walls, in forme as it were foure square, built of flint stone and British bricke. But the story of the Foundation of this Abbey will best appeare in the life of
Furseus, written by
Bede, and followed by
Capgraue. Bede lib 3.
cap. 19.
Capgraue lit. F. folio 153 as followeth.
In the time that
Sigebert yet gouerned the East parts of England, a holy
[Page 768] man,
The f
[...]unda
[...]on of the M
[...] nasterie of
[...]. called
Furseus, came thither out of Ireland, a man notable both for his sayings and doings, of great vertue, and much desiring to wander and trauell in Gods quarrell, wheresoever occasion serued. Comming therefore to the east coasts of England, hee was reuerently receiued of the said King, where pursuing his godly desire of Preaching the word of God, hee both conuerted many Infidels, and confirmed the faithfull in the faith and loue of Christ, by his painefull Preaching, and vertuous examples. Where falling into sicknesses, hee had from God a vision by the ministery of Angels, wherein he was warned to goe forward cheerefully in his painefull Preaching of the Gospell, and to perseuere in his accustomed watching and praying, because his end and death was certaine, though the houre thereof was most vncertaine, according to the saying of our Lord.
Watch therefore, ye know not the day nor the houre. With this vision being much confirmed and encouraged, he hastened with all speed to build vp the Monasterie in the place king
Sigebert had giuen vnto him, and to instruct it with regular discipline. This Monastery was pleasantly situated for the Woods and Sea adioyning, being erected in the village of Gnobersburg, and enriched afterwards by
Anna, King of that prouince, and many other Noble men, with sundry faire houses, and other ornaments. This Monastery was founded about the yeare of our Lord, 636. and demolished long before the violent deluge of such buildings, which happened in the raigne of King
Henry the eight.
Gorlston.
Gorl
[...]oe Fri
[...]Here I saw, saith
Camden, the tower steeple of a small suppressed Friery, which standeth the Sailers in good steed for a marke: of which Friery I neuer marked further.
Lestoffe.
Tho Scroop
[...], a Bishop in Ireland.Here lieth buried the body of
Thomas Scroope, otherwise sirnamed
Bradley, of the towne wherein he was borne, descended of the noble family of the
Scroopes, Qui claritatem generis literis et virtutibus plurimum illustrabat: who very much adorned the honour of his birth, by his learning and vertues. He was first a Monke
ordinis Sancti Benedicti, of the order of Saint
Benet: after that,
ad maiorem aspirans perfectionem, aspiring to a greater perfection of life, hee tooke vpon him the profession and rule of a Dominican, and after that, he submitted himselfe to the discipline of the Carmelites, (of whose Institution he writ a learned Treatise) and preached the Gospell in haire and sackcloth round about the Countrie. Then hee withdrew himselfe againe to his house of Carmelites in Norwich, and there remained twenty yeares, leading the life of an Anchorite, but yet after that time, he came abroad, and was aduanced by the Pope to a Bishopricke in Ireland, called
Dromorensis Episcopatus, the said Pope (which was
Eugenius the fourth) sent him in embassage to the Ile of Rhodes (of which he writ a booke) from whence being returned, he left Ireland and his Bishopricke,
[Page 769] came into the East countries, wherein hee went vp and downe barefooted, teaching in townes abroad, the ten commandements, and preaching the glad tidings of the Gospell.
Quicquid autem vel ex suis reditibus percepit, vel alias a ditioribus lucrari poterat, id totum aut pauperibus distribuit aut in alios pios vsus erogauit: whatsoeuer hee tooke, either of his owne yearely profits, or what he could procure from the richer sort of people; he distributed it all to the poore, or employed it to pious vses. At the length,
Anno aetatis suae plus minus centesimo in Leistoft Suffolciencis comitatus oppido viuendi finem fecit, in the yeare of his age, one hundred or thereabouts: he died in this towne of Lestoffe, the fifteenth day of Ianuary, in the yeare of our Lord, 1491. the seuenth of
Henry the seuenth. Here he was buried,
cum Epitaphio Elegiaco, with an Elegiacall or sorrowfull Epitaph, engrauen vpon his monument: two of the last verses of which, are these two verses following.
Venit ad occasum morbo confectus amoro;
Spiritus alta petit, pondere corpus humum.
If you would know more of this learned Irish Bishop, reade
Bale and
Pitseus in his life.
Somerley.
The habitation in ancient times of
Fitz-Osbert, from whom it is come lineally to the worshipfull ancient Familie of the
Iernegans, Knights of high esteeme in these parts, saith
Camden in this tract.
Vpon an ancient Knight (saith the same Author in his Remaines) Sir
Iernegan, buried crosse legd at Somerley in Suffolke, some hundred yeares since is written.
Iesus Christ, both God and man,
Saue thy seruant
Iernegan.
Sir
Iernegon or
Ierningham.
This Knight, as I gather by computation of yeares, was Sir
Richard Ierningham or
Iernegan, who for his staid wisedome, was chosen to be one of the priuie Chamber to King
Henry the eight, vpon this occasion following.
Certaine Gentlemen of the priuy Chamber,
Stow Annal. An. reg. Hen. 8.10. which through the Kings lenitie, in bearing with their lewdnesse, forgetting themselues, and their duty towards his grace, in being too familiar with him, not hauing due respect to his estate and degree, were remoued, by order taken from the Councell, vnto whom the King had giuen authoritie to vse their discretions in that behalfe, and then were foure sad and ancient Knights put into the Kings priuy Chamber,
Ric. Wingfield. Ric. Ierningham Ric. Weston. Will. Kingstone, Knights. whose names were Sir
Richard Wingfield, Sir
Richard Ierningham, Sir
Richard Weston, and Sir
William Kingstone.
Or it may be, Sir
Robert Ierningham, knighted by the Duke of Suffolke,
Charles Brandon, at the battaile, and yeelding vp of Mont de dier, a towne in France.
[Page 770]But which of the Family soeuer he was, the name hath beene of exemplarie note before the Conquest; if you will beleeue thus much as followeth, taken out of the Pedegree of the
Ierninghams, by a iudicious gentleman.
Anno M.xxx. Canute, King of Denmarke, and of England after his returne from Rome, brought diuers Captaines and Souldiers from Denmarke, whereof the greatest part were christened here in England,
Ierningham. and began to settle themselues here, of whom,
Iernegan, or
Iernengham, and
Iennihingho, now
Iennings,Iennings. were of the most esteeme with
Canute, who gaue vnto the said
Ierningham, certaine royalties, and at a Parliament held at Oxford, the said King
Canute did giue vnto the said
Ierningham, certaine Mannors in Norfolke, and to
Iennings, certain Mannors lying vpon the seaside neere Horwich in Suffolke, in regard of their former seruices done to his Father
Swenus King of Denmarke.
Snape.
The foundation of Snape P
[...]ry.A Priory of blacke Monkes, and a Cell to Colchester, founded in the yeare, 1099. the twelfth of
William Rufus, by
William Martill, and
Albreda his wife, and
Geffrey Martill their sonne and heire, dedicated to the Virgin
Mary, and valued in the Kings bookes to be yearely worth, ninety nine pounds, one shilling, eleuen pence halfe penny.
Hoxon.
The
[...] of H
[...]on.In times past called Hegilsdon, and much ennobled by reason of the Martyrdome in this place of
Edmund, King of the East Angles, enshrined sometimes in the Abbey of Bury, as I haue spoken before, honoured by his name, to whose holinesse, a Monasterie was erected in this place.
Wykes.
This was a Monastery of Nuns, dedicated to the Virgin
Mary, founded by King
Henry the third,
The foundation of Wykes Monastery. or at least wise by him confirmed, as it is in the Records in the Tower: valued at fourescore and twelue pounds, twelue shillings, three pence halfe penny of yearely commings in.
Neyland.
The manufacture of Clothing in this County, hath bin much greater, and those of that trade farre richer, I perswade my selfe, heretofore then in these times, or else, the heires and executors of the deceased, were more carefull that the Testators dead corps should bee interred in more decent manner, then they are now a daies; otherwise I should not finde so many marbles richly inlaid with brasse, to the memory of Clothiers in foregoing
[Page 771] ages, and not one in these latter seasons. All the monuments in this Church which beare any face of comelinesse or antiquity, are erected to the memorie of Clothiers, and such as belong to the mystery.
Hic iacet Iohannes Ewel,Iohn Ewell and
Agnes his wife.quondam Fuller istius ville et Agnes vxor eius qui quidem Iohannes obijt vi. Octobris anno Dom. M.cccc.xxxvi. litera Dominicalis G.
Orate.... Georgij Hamund Textoris de Barby qui obiit,George Hamundanno Domini M.D.xxx.
I beseche you as to say oon
Pater Noster and an
Aue,Lady
Thomasin Hamund. for the soul of Dame
Thomasin Hamund:.... worker .... M.D.xlviii.
One
Abell a Cloth worker, built the Porche of this Church, which is a very faire one,
Abell. in the wall whereof he hath a funerall monument, and to signifie his name, as also to make vp his cote Armour, is the letter A. and the picture of a Bell cast vpon the Monument.
This Church is highly honoured by the Sepulture of diuers of the illustrious Familie of the
Howards.
PASSIO:ΞΡῙ:CONFORTA:NOS.IESV:MISERERE:NOBIS:
In the East Window of the South part in the Church are these portraitures of Sir
Iohn Howard Knight, and Dame
Alice his wife, daughter and heire of Sir
William Tendring Knight, with the subscription following.
Sir
Iohn Howard and Lady
Alice his wife.Orate pro animabus Domini Iohannis Howard, & Dominae Aliciae vxo ris eius.
Vpon a faire marble, though much defaced, in the Quire.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Howard militis, qui obijt.... 1400.
et Alicie vxoris eius, que obijt in festo Sancte Luce Euangeliste, 1426.
Vpon the Pauement before the high Aultar lyeth an auncient Grauestone, hauing thereon the figure of a Knight in compleat Armour, resting his Head vpon his Gauntlet, with this circumscription.
Sir
Will. Tendring knight, and
Katherin his wife.Hic iacent Tumulati, Dominus Willelmus Tendring, miles, & Katherina Clapton vxor eiusdem: obierunt anno Domini 1408.
Ioan Redmeld...... Domina Iohanna Redmeld quondam sponsa Willelmi Redmeld militis, ac filia recolende memorie Domine Margarete Howard Ducisse Norfolcie hic superius tumulate obijt .▪.... xx Febr. M.D.
[Page 773]Neare vnto the same, vpon the pauement, is also another Monument with the circumscription, as here vnder appeareth, the Brasses of the Figures, and some of the Armes thereof, are most impiously stolne away, and so is the Brasse of the Inscriptions, Armes, and Images of three other faire stones lying there neare.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Howard Militis: qui obiit Ann. 14. et Allicie vxoris eius: que obiit in festo Sancti Luce Evangeliste: Ann. 1426. quorum animabus proprietur Deus.
HONI: SOIT: QVI: MAL: Y: PENSE:Under this Stone is buried the body of the right honorable woman and Ladie, sometime wife vnto the right high and mighty Prince Lord Iohn Howard Duke of Norfolke, and mother vnto the right noble and puissant Prince, Lord Thomas Howard, Duke also of Norfolke. Which Lady departed this present life, Ann. Dom. 1452.
In the South part of the said Church betweene the high Altar and the Quier is a monument (with this similitude and subscription, aforementioned) of the right honourable Lady
Katherine, daughter of
William[Page 775] Lord
Molins, the first wife of
Iohn Howard Duke of Norfolke, who was the sonne of Sir
Robert Howard, and of
Margaret his wife, daughter and co-heire of
Tho. Mowbray, Duke of Norfolke, sonne of
Iohn Lord
Mowbray, and
Elisabeth his wife, daughter and heire of
Iohn Lord
Segraue, and
Margaret, Dutchesse of Norfolke, the daughter and heire of
Tho. of Brotherton, the fifth sonne of King
Edward the first, the which he had by
Margaret his second wife, the daughter of the French King
Phelip the Third.
Tendringhall Chappell, in the Parish of Stoke iuxta Neyland.
[figure]
In the East window of the priuate Chappell of Tendring Hall in the said Parish of Stoke
iuxta Neyland, is the effigies aboue shewed, which is supposed (by reason of the quarterings in his Coate of Armes) to be made for
Iohn Lord
Howard (after created Duke of Norfolke) In which (and in the foresaid Monument) is to be obserued that according to the auncient rule, the Coate Armour of the Bloud-Royall is placed in the first quarter before the Paternall Coate.
[Page 776]Katherin de Tenderyng. Lady
Windsore.Hic .... Katerina de Tenderyng quondam vxor Thome Clopton que obijt die Veneris ante festum Pentecostes. M.ccccii.
... Lady
Windsore .... doughter of Sir
William Walgraue.
At the vpper end in the North side of this Church, next to the Chancell,
Iohn de Peyton,Iohn Peyton. the sonne of
Reginald, lieth interred vnder a marble stone. About the verge whereof these few French words following are onely remayning.
.... Iena de Peytona .... Mercye ... lame Crist....
Sir
Io. Peyton Knight.Vnder another marble stone adioyning, his sonne Sir
Iohn Peyton knight, lieth inhumed with this French Inscription.
Vous qe par ici passet,
Pur l'ame Sire Iehan de Peytona priet.
Le cours de oi ici gist;
L'ame receyue Ihu crist. Amen.
Camd. in Cambridgeshire.These
Peytons had their mansion at Peyton Hall in Boxford not farre hence. Of which and of them
Camden. Wicken came to the familie of the
Peytons, saith he, by a daughter and coheire of the
Gernons about
Edward the thirds time, as afterward
Isleham descended to them by a coheire of
Bernard in
Henry the sixth his time: which knightly familie of
Peytons flowred out of the same male-stocke, whence the
Vffords Earles of Suffolke descended, as appeareth by their coat-armour, albeit they assumed the surname of
Peyton, according to the vse of that age, from their Mannour of Peyton Hall in Boxford in the County of Suffolke.
Dodnash.
The foundation of the Monastery of Dodnath.A Monastery dedicated to the honour of our alone Sauiour Christ, and the blessed Virgine his mother; founded by some of the Ancestours of the Earles or Dukes of Norfolke. Valued at fourty two pounds eighteene shillings eight pence halfe pennie.
Sibbeton, or
Sibton.
[...] founda
[...] of Sibton.
[...]ey.William Cheney, or
William de Casineto, who held the Baronie of Horsford in the County of Norfolke, erected an Abbey here at Sibton, which he dedicated to the Virgine
Mary, and therein placed blacke Monkes Cistertians; which was valued at the suppression to bee yearely worth two hundred fifty pounds, fifteene shillings, seuen pence, halfe pennie.
Redlingfield.
The Foundation of the Priory of Relingfield.In this Parish was a religious House of blacke Nunnes, dedicated likewise to the Virgine
Mary, and founded by one
Manasses de Guies. Valued at fourescore and one pound two shillings, fiue pence halfe pennie.
Howsoeuer there be no Inscriptions here vpon any of the Grauestones in the Church,
Rendlesham a Towne of great note in former times. yet questionlesse in former times it hath beene beautified with the Funerall Monuments of many worthie Personages. For, here
Redwald king of the East Angles kept vsually his Court, who was the first of all his Nation that was baptised, and receiued Christianity: but afterwards seduced by his wife,
Beda li. 2.
ca. 25. he had in the selfe same Church, as saith
Bede, one Altar for Chirsts Religion,
Camd. in Suff and another for sacrifices vnto Deuills. In this place also
Swidelm a king of these East-Angles was likewise afterwards baptised by
Cedda Bishop of London.
Redwald hauing raigned king of the East-Angles one and thirty yeares,
Speed ca 19.
Redwald, Swid
[...]lm, kings of the East Angles. and Monarch of the Englishmen eight yeares, died in the yeare of our saluation six hundred twenty three. And (by supposition) he as also
Swid
[...]lme lye buried at this place.
Ratisford.
An Hospitall dedicated to Saint
Iohn,Ratisford Hospitall. valued at thirty three pounds ten shillings. Of which I haue read no further.
Rombuth, or Rombrughe.
A Priory of blacke Monkes dedicated to Saint
Michaell.Rombrughe.
Saint Genouefa Fernham.
This village is in this regard memorable,
Camd. in
[...]Iohn Textor. for that
Richard Lucy Lord chiefe Iustice of England, and Protectour of the kingdome in the absence of king
Henry the second, tooke prisoner here in a pight field,
Robert surnamed
Blanchmame, Earle of Leicester, together with his Amazonian proud Countesse,
Burialls at Fernham.Petronell, or
Pernell; and withall put to the sword aboue ten thousand Flemmings, which the said
Robert had leuied and sent forth to the depopulation of his countrey: all, or the most, of which number, were buried in and about this the foresaid village of Fernham, in the yeare of our redemption, 1173. in the twentith of
Henry the second.
Of the valourous atcheeuements and pious actions of this worthie Knight, and religious Votarie, I haue related somewhat before within the Diocesse of Rochester, where I write of the dissolued monastery of Lesnes, an Abbey of his Foundation, where in the place where the Church thereof sometime stood (which had laine a long time buried in her owne ruines, and growne ouer with Oke, Elme, and Ashe-trees) certaine workemen appointed, by the owner of the mannour, Sir
Iohn Epsley knight, to digge amongst the rubbish of the decayed Fabricke for stones, happened vpon a goodly Funerall monument,
Sir
Rich. Lucie found buried in the Abbey of Lesnes.
Ann. 1030. the full proportion of a man, in his coate armour cut all in freestone; his sword hanging at his side by a broad belt, vpon which the Flower de luce was engrauen in many places (being as I take it the
Rebus or name-deuise of the
Lucies) this his representation or
[Page 778] picture lay vpon a flat marble stone; that stone vpon a trough or coffin of white smooth hewen Ashele
[...] stone, in that coffin, and in a sheet of lead,
[...] both being made fit for the dimension of a dead body;) the remaines of an
[...]h
[...]e drie carkasse, lay enwrapped, whole and vndisioynted, and vpon the head, some haire, or a
simile quiddam of haire appeared: they found likewise other statues of men, in like manner proportioned, as also of a woman in her attire and abiliments, with many grauestones and bones of the deceased; to see all which, great confluence of people resorted, amongst which number, I was not the hindmost.
Certaine Church collections within this County, taken by
William Haruey Clarencieux, King of Armes, now in the hands of
William le Neue, Yorke Herald.
George Mannoke, dysseased the xxii. day of August,
Anno Domini M.ccccc xli. [...] Gregories Church in
[...]lbury.
In Allhalowes at Sudbury.Iohn Walgraue, Esquire, sonne and heire of
Edward Walgraue, which dysseased the vi. of Octobre,
an. M.ccccc.xliii.
Robart Crane of Stonam
parua, and Lady
Anne his wyefe, doughter of Sir
Andro Egard, knight,
de Buckingham ad castrum, which dysceased xxiii. of Octob.
an. Dom. M.D.
In the Cherche of Chylton.Georg Crane, son and heyre of
Robart Crane, Esquyer, and Lady
Anne his mother, dysceased, M.cccc.lxxxxi.
Sir
Raffe Butle, Lord of Sudley, and
Alyce his wyef, doughter of
Daynecourte, in a glasse wyndoo there founde.
Andro Bures, and
Robert his sonne, knight, were buried,
Andro the xii. of Apryl,
an. M.ccclx. and
Robard died the vii. of October.
an. M.ccc.lxi.
Also there lyeth buried in the North Ile of the same Cherch,
Robart de Bures, crose leged.
In the Church of Acton.Alyce de Bryan, doughter and heyre of
Robart de Bures, knight, and wyef to Sir
Edmond Bryan, the yonger knight.
In the Cherc
[...] of IkelinghamWilliam Geddynge dyed the iiii. of Nouember,
an. Dom. M.cccc.lvij.
In S.
Maryes Cherche at Bery.Sir
Robart Drewry dysceased,
an. Dom. M.D.
xx. as appeareth vpon his tombe there.
[Page 779]Sir
William Drewry dysceased, xxvii. of Iuly,
an. Dom. M.D.
xxv. as aforesaid apereth.
Thomas Lewcas was seruant and Secretory, and one of the Counsell to
Iesper, Duke of Bedford, and Erle of Penbroke, as apereth in a Wyndow in the North side of the same Cherche, dated in the yere of our Lord, M.D.xxviii. in whiche Wyndoo,
In the Cherch of
Saxam parua he and his wyef kneeleth in their cote Armor.
In the said Cherch, in the North side, lieth buried,
Margery, doughter and heyre of
Robart Geddynge, with this Scrypture foloinge:
Orate pro animabus Margerie nuper vxoris Iesper filii et heredis Thome Lewcas Armigeri, filie et heredis Gilberti Peche militis.
Iohannes Aspall Armiger, qui obiit xxi. die Sept. M.D.
xv.
Henry Torner Esquyer, and
Margaret his wyef, and
Ione Torner, wife to the said
Henry,In the Cherch of Hauerell. and
Iohn Torner, son to the said
Henry, lyeth buried in the quire, in
anno Dom. M.cccc.lxiiij.
In a wyndoo in the foresaid quire, is
William Gyfford and his wife, and
Iohn Gyfford and
Alyce his wife.
Iohn Hynkley esquier dysceased the xxiii. of Ianuary,
In the Cherch of Thurloo
magna.an. Dom. M.cccc.xxxii. and
Margaret his wife, the xxiii. of Nouember, M.cccc.xlii.
Iohn Bladwell Esquire, and
Anne his wife, which
Iohn dysceased the xxix. of September,
an. MD.
xxxiiii.
Thomas Knighton gent. and
Ales his wife, which
Thomas died the xxiij. of Aprill,
an. M.D.
xxxii.
Thomas Vnderell Esquire, and
Anne his wife lieth buried in a Tombe in the quire, who dysceased the xi. of February,
an. M.D.
viii.
Thomas Stoteuyle,In Dallam Cherch. Patron of the foresaid Cherche,
Matylda and
Iane his wiues, which
Thomas dysceased, M.cccclx.
Thomas Stoteuyle Esquier, and
Edyth his wife, which
Thomas died, M.cccc.xlvii.
Anne, wife of
Iohn Terell of Gepynge Esquier, of the doughters of Sir
Iohn Sulyarde, knight, dysceased the xxiii. of February, M.D.lviii.
Elisabeth,In the Cherch of Wetherden. wife to
Iohn Sulyard Esquier, doughter to Sir
Iohn Ierningeham, knight, dysceased xix. of Ianuary,
an. M.D.
xviii.
Margaret, wife to
Iohn Sulyard Esquier, dysceased laste of August, M.D.xxi.
[Page 780]Margaret, wife of
Andro Sulyard Esquire, dysceased 1 of April,
an. M.D.
xxi.
Andro Sulyard Esquire. dysceased xxi. of October, M.cccc.xliii.
Iohn Sulyard Esquire, dysceased the viii. of Merche,
anno Dom. M.D.xxxviii.
Dame
Anne, first married to Sir
Iohn Sulyard Knight, and aftyr to Sir
Thomas Bansher knight, who dyed the xxv. of Iuly,
anno Dom. M.D.xx.
Sir
Iohn Sulyard, Iustice of the Kings Benche, first husband of the foresaid
Anne, dyed in
an. M.D.
vi.
William Sulyard, the sonne of
Iohn Sulyard, Knight, ....
Iohn Copynger Esquire, Lord and Patron,
Anne and
Iane his wiues, who had vii. children, and dysceased
an. M.D.xvii.
In the Cherch of Bucsall.Nycholas Tymperley Esquire, who dysceased the xx. of May.
M.cccc.lxxxix.
Water Copynger gent. which died the x. of Merche,
an. M.D.xxxii. and
Beatryx his wife, the second of February,
M.D.xii.
In the Cherch of Cretynge.Robart Roydon Gentylman, dyed the xxiii. of Aprill,
an. M.D.v.
Symon Powley gent. and
Margery his wife, the doughter of
Edmond Alcokes, which dyed the xiii. of October, M.cccc.lxxx.v.
Edmond Alcock gent. Lord of the towne of Badley,
Beatrix and
Izabell his wiues, which
Edmond dyed the v. of February, Mcccc.lxxxxi.
In the Cherch of Badley.Edward Powley, gent. which dyed the xxv. of Ianuary, M.D.iiii. and
Iane his wife.
Elizabeth Garnes, wedow, late wife of
Iohn Garnes Esquire, of Kenton, which died the second of April,
an. M.D.xxxix.
In the Cherch W
[...]thering
[...]t.Robart Hamond Esquire, and
Alyce his wife, who had iiii. sons and ix. doughters.
Iohn Sulyard, the son of
Iohn Sulyard Esquire, and
Ales his wife, the doughter of
Iohn Barington, Esquire of Essex, which
Ales dyed the xxi. of December
an. M.cccc.lxviii.
Iohn Batysford Esquire, and
Margery his wife; which
Iohn, dyed the vi. of February,
In the Cherch of Eye. in
an. M.cccc.vi. and
Margaret, in
an. M.cccc. ....
Iohn Yaxley, otherwise called
Iohn Herberd of Melles, Sergeant at Law, which died the xix,
In the Cherch of Yaxley. of Iuly, M.D.v, and in the xx. yeare of
Henry the vij. and also
Elizabeth Yaxley, doughter of
Richard Brome, Esquire, being late wife of the foresaid
Iohn Yaxley, which dyed, M.D.
Rychard Floyde Esquire, which died the xvi. of Ianuary, M.D.xxi.
[Page 781]Robert Bucton Esquire,
In the Cherch of Ockley. Lord and Patron of the towne of Ockley, which died the xvii. of December, M.cccc.viii:
William Cornwalleys, and
Elizabeth his wife, which
William died M.D.xx.
Elizabeth,In the Cherch of Th
[...]endeston. wife to
William Cornwalleyes Esquire, who died the first of Aprill M.D.xxxvij.
Robart Southwell Esquire, Sergeant at Law, and Iustyce of peace, and
Cecyll his wife,
In the Cherch of Battam. doughter of
Thomas Sherington Esquire, which died the xxvii. of September, M.D.xiiii.
Catheren Bouth, late wife of
Rychard Bouth of Suss. Esquire, which dyed the xiii. of Iuly, M.cccc.xlvi.
Edmond Iermy Esquire,
In Codnam Cherche. which died the last of September,
an. M.D.vi.
Thomas Barnaby, a Priest that bare Armes, dyed the iii. of Aprill, M.cccc.lxxxix.
Thomas Sackford Esquire,
In the Cherch of Belyngs
magna.Elizabeth and
Margaret his wiues, which
Thomas dyed xxiii. of Nouemb.
[...]an. M.D.v.
Thomas Sampson Esquire, dyed the v. of February, M.D.vii.
Iohn Walworth, gent. dyed the x. of Aprill,
an. M.cccc.lxxxviij.
Clemencia Walworth,In S.
[...]a
[...]ance Cherche as Ipsewyche. wedow, dyed in
an. M.cccc.lxxxvij.
Margaret, late wife of
William Walworth, late of Ipsewich gent. which dyed the first of April, M.cccclx.
Augustine Stratton,Shotley Cherche. and
Margaret his wife.
Margaret late wife of
Iohn Goldyngham, Knight, died in
an. M.ccccxiii.
Iohn Goldingham Esquire,
Ione and
Thomasyn his wiues, which
Iohn dyed in
an. M.D.xviii.
Iohn Goldingham Esquire,
In the Cherch of Belstede. son to
Iohn, dyed in
an. M.cccc.xx.
Elyzabeth, late wife of
Iohn Goldingham Esquire, died in
anno M.cccc.xxix.
Iohn Broke of Eston,
Eston Cherch. dyed in
anno M.cccc.xxvi.
Robart Wyngfelde Knight, and
Elizabeth his wife, which
Robart dyed the first of May, M.cccc.ix.
[Page 782]Sir
William Boyvile Lord of Letheringham, and Patron of the cherche......
Lady
Anne Russell late wyef to Sir
Iohn Russell of Woostershyr....
Margaret Wyngefelde sometyme wyef to Sir
Iohn Wyngefelde knight...
[...]Sir
Iohn Wyngefelde knight, late Lord of Letheringham.
Thomas Wyngefelde knight,
Rychard Wyngefelde, and
William Wyngefelde Esquyers, sons of Sir
Robart Wyngefelde knight, and
Elysabeth his wyef syster to the Duke of Norfolke.....
William VVyngefelde Esquyer sometyme Sewer to our Souereigne Lord
Henry the eight, and the son of Sir
Iohn VVyngefelde knight, and Dame
Elizabeth his wyef, which
VVilliam dyed the iiii day of December, M.cccclxxxi.
[...]Nicholas Fastalff late son to
Thomas Fastalff esquyer, which dyed in
[...]o M.cccclxxix.
[...]chard Fastalff late son to
Thomas Fastalff Esquyer dyed,
Anno M.
[...]lxxix.
[...]Iohn
[...]lemham esquyer,
Anne and
Elenor his wyves, the which
Iohn dyed in
anno M.cccc. Anne in anno M.cccclxvi. and Lady
Elenor M.cccc.iiij.
[...]VVilliam VVyngefelde knight, Lord of the Towne of Donyngton, and
[...]on of the cherche died in
Anno M.ccclxxxviii.
William Wyngfelde and
Kateren his wyef, Lord and Patron of the said Towne.
William Wyngfelde and
Ione his wyef.
Raynold Rowsse son and heyre of
Robart Rowsse, and
Elizabeth Denston his wyef, which dyed in
Anno M.cccclxiiii.
[...]Henry de Bello monte, son and heyre of
Iohn Viscount
Beaumont, and
Elizabeth his wyef, doughter and heyre of
William Phelippe, Lord
Bardolff, and heyre to the third parte of Orpingham. Whych dyed, M.ccccxlii.
William Phelippe esquyer dyed M.ccccvii, and
Iulyan his wyef in
anno M.ccccxiiii.
[...]Robart Dowe and
Elizabeth his wyef, doughter of
Iohn Fremyngham esquyer.
Iohn Shelton the son of
Raff Shelton esquyer dyed in
anno M.cccclxv.
[...]Mabell Bellamy late wyef of
Rychard Bellamy of London gent. and one of the doughters and heyres of
Thomas Boyse of Harrow of the hyll in the
[...]ou
[...]y of Medelsex, which
Mabell dyed in
anno M.D.xxxiiii.
[Page 783]Iohn Iermy and
Izabell his wyef,
In M
[...]tle
[...]d
[...] Cherch. one of the doughters of
Iohn Hapton Esquyer, which
Iohn dyed the xii of Ianuary M.D iiii.
Iohn Wyngfeld and
Margaret his wyef, in the glase wyndoo.
Iohn Rowsse and
Iane his wyef,
In Lackefelde Cherch.Robart Rowsse and
Kateren his wyef, and for
Iohn and
Iohn, Robart, Rychard, and
Iohn, Agnes, and
Iane chyldren to the said
Robart. Pray for the souls.
Ioh. Fremyngham dyed the xii of Iune,
anno Dom. M.ccccxxv.
Robart Cheke, and
Rose his wyef.
Iohn Cheke gent.
In Debnam Cherch. which dyed M.ccccxl.
Iohn Neuell and
Agnes his wyef.
Iohn Hervy and
Margaret his wyef, the doughter of
Robart Deladowne esquyer, late the wyef of
Raffe Cheke.
Iohn Garneis Esquyer,
Kenton Cherch. and
Elizabeth, the doughter of
Iohn Sulyard, his wyef, which
Iohn dyed the xi of Iune,
M.D.xxiiii. who had issue vi sons, and ix doughters.
Robart Garneis esquyer, and
Margaret his wyef, which dyed the xxiiii of Marche,
M.ccccxlviii.
Iohn Falstaff and
Elenor his wyef, which
Elenor dyed,
M.D.xxxiiii.
Iohn Felbrydge and
Margery his wyef in the glasse wyndoo.
Playford Cherche.
Thomas Sampson esquyer, which dyed in
Anno M.ccccxxxix. and
Margery his wyef.
Iohn Ienney Esquyer,
Knotfall Cherch.Matylda doughter of
Iohn Bokell esquyer, and
Margery his wyves: which
Iohn dyed
M.cccclx.
Etheldred Ienny, doughter of
Robart Cleere knight, which dyed in
anno M.D.ii.
Iohn Hopton Esquyer, and
Margaret his wyef.
Iohn Hopton, Agnes and
Margaret his wyves.
Iohn Norwiche esquyer dyed the xv of Apryll, in
anno M.ccccxxviii. and
Matylda his wyef the xx of September, in
anno M.ccccxviii.
Elizabeth Kneuet doughter of
Thomas Hopton,In the Cherche of Walderswyke. late wyefe to
Thomas Kneves esquyer, whych dyed in
anno M.cccclxxi.
Thomasyn Tendering late wyef of
William Tendering esquyer, on of the doughters of
VVilliam Sidney, and
Thomasyn Baryngton, which
Thomasyn dyed in
anno M.cccclxxxv.
[Page 784]Robart Garneis esquyer, which dyed the xiiii of May,
M.ccccxi. and
Kateren his wyef,
M.ccccv.
In Beckelles Cherche.Thomas Garneis esquyer dyed in
anno M.D.xxvii.
Peter Garneis esquyer dyed in
anno M.cccc.xiii.
Edward Garneis Esquyer dyed the third of May, in
anno M.cccclxxxv. and
Elizabeth his wyef.
Iohn Rede Mayre of Norwyche, dyed the xi of Nouember, in
Anno M.D.ii. and
Ione his wyef, which had viii sons and iiii doughters. Which
Ione dyed in
anno M.D.iii.
More in Beckelles.William Rede of Beckelles and
Margaret his wyef, which
Margaret dyed in
anno M.D.xl. and had v sons, and vii doughters.
Isabell Bowes doughter of
Iohn Bowes gent. and
Anne his wyef. . . . . dyed the xx of Ianuary, in
anno M.D.xxx.
Coue Cherche.Thomas Saint
Gebon dyed in
anno M.cccclxxxviii.
Margery Barney late wyef of
Iohn Barney, esquyer, which dyed in
anno M.D.xlviii.
Leysto
[...]t. Cherche.Robart Inglosse esquyer, which dyed in
anno M.cccclxv.
Somerleton or Somorley Cherche.Margaret Iernegan the wyef of
Edward Iernegan esquyer, doughter of Sir
Edward Bedingfelde knight, which
Margaret dyed the xxiiii of Marche in
anno M.D.iiii.
Humfrey the son of
Iohn Iernegan esquyer of Somerleton, dyed in
ann. M.ccccxlvi.
Olton CherchIohn Falstaff esquyer dyed
M.ccccxlv. and
Kateren his wyef, doughter of . . . . . .
Bedingfelde, M.cccclxxviii.
William Bedyngfelde nuper Rectoris istius Ecclesie obijt in anno M.D.iii.
Iohn Bomsted gent. dyed the vii of Apryll, in
anno M.cccclxxix.
Ales Bomsted late wyef of
William Bomsted.
William Plafers esquyer, and
Ione his wyef, which
William dyed the iii of February in
anno M.D.xvi.
Soterley Cherche
[...]Thomas Plafers esquyer, late Patron of the cherche, and
Anne his wyef, syster and heyre of
Roger Denneis, late of Tauingto esquyer, which
Thomas dyed the xxi of September,
M.cccclxxix.
Sir
Robart Ty knight, which dyed the viii of October, in
anno M.ccccxv.
Monsieur Quier de Welyngton est Dame Hawes sa femme. . . . .
Here endeth the Funerall Monuments within the County of Suffolke.
BIsus the fourth Bishop of the East-Angles,
The diuision of the Diocesse of the East-Angles. waxing old and sickly, diuided his Diocesse into two parts; whereof the one hee appointed to bee the Iurisdiction of a Bishop that should haue his See at North Elmham in Norfolke: in the other at Dunwich aforesaid he continued himselfe, as also did others of his Successours, to the number of eleuen.
Elmham pagus obscurus et ignobilis:Elmham the Bishops
[...]eate.
Baldwin the first Bishop. an obscure little village, and of no estimation, saith
Harpsfield, Saecul. 8.
cap. 9. was thus honoured and enriched with the residence of many reuerend holy Bishops, successiuely from
Baldwin who was the first, vntill by reason of the great troubles of those times in the Danish warres, this See, as also the other at Dunwich, stood voide almost an hundred yeares, vntill King
Edwy, the twentie ninth Monarch of the Englishmen, about the yeare 955. preferred one
Athulfe to this Bishopricke of the East Angles, who gouerned the whole Diocesse alone, and constantly kept his abode here at Elmham aforesaid; after whom succeeded
Alfrid,Godwin. Catal.Theodred, and
Theodred, Athelstan, Algar, Alwyn, Alfricke, and
Alfrey, after him
Stigand, who enioying the place but a short time, was depriued; the like happened to
Grinketell his successour, who being conuicted to haue vsed vnlawfull meanes in obtaining this Dignitie, was likewise depriued, and
Stigand restored to it againe. From whence he was aduanced to the See of Winchester, and after to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury; and being so preferred, hee found the meanes to procure this Bishopricke of the East-Angles, vnto
Egelmare his brother. All these Bishops vntill the time of
William the Conquerour, had their Sees here at Elmham.
The said Conquerour substituted his Chaplaine
Arfastus in the place of
Egelmare,The
[...]ford the Bishops seate.
Arfastus the first Bishop. by whose aduice the See was translated from Elmham to Thetford, a man very vnlearned, and of no extraordinary parts at all: being Chaplaine to the Conquerour, who was then but Duke of Normandy, he would needs make a iourney to Becco in Normandy, where
Lanfranke (afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury) was then Abbot, as also where
Arfastus had beene a Monke, and well esteemed of for his learning, because that before
Lanfranks comming, he was
Luscus inter Strabones amongst a number of drones meerely vnlearned,
Godwin out of
Ma
[...]msbury. onely a little smattering of learning he had, with which he made a faire shew. But now by this time, by
Lanfranks meanes, the monastery of Becco was become euen a very Vniuersity, flourishing with all knowledge of good letters.
Hither
Arfastus coming, after a pompous and bragging manner, attended with a great troupe:
Lanfranke, who by and by at the first blush espied
Arfastus his ignorance, caused an Abcee to be laid before him,
ferociam hominis Italica facetia illudens, mocking the pride of the man with an Italian wittie ieast: which ieast or ieering scoffe,
Arfastus so tooke to heart, as hee neuer lynne till he had caused the Duke to banish
Lanfranke out of Normandy. Howbeit when
Lanfranke came to take his leaue of the Duke,
[Page 786] hapning to ride on a lame iade, the Duke fell into such a laughter, at the halting of his horse, as in that merry mood, by meanes of some friends, hee was quickly reconciled to him againe. This Bishop died about the beginning of the raigne of King
William Rufus.
William, the
[...]st Bishop of Thetford, and the first of Norwich.Vpon the death of
Arfastus, one
William Herbert, sirnamed
Galfagus, for the summe of a thousand and nine hundred pounds, obtained of the said King
William Rufus, this Bishopricke for himselfe, and the Abbacy of Winchester for his father: for satisfaction of which Simony, this penance was enioyned him by Pope
Paschalis the second, that he should build certaine Churches and Monasteries, which hee religiously performed. This Towne of Thetford hauing bin first sacked by
Suenus the Dane, who in a rage set it on fire, in the yeare 1004. and sixe yeares after, spoiled againe by the furious Danes, so that it had lost all the beautie and dignitie that formerly it had; this Bishop did all he could to adorne and set it out; but being vnable belike, to doe so much as he intended, hee remoued his Seate from hence to Norwich, being a citie as then very faire built, spatious, and eminent, where he first erected a Cathedrall Church at his owne charges, as doth appeare by the sequele.
HErebertus dictus Losinga, Abbas quondam Rameseie,The foundation of the Bishops See at Norwich.qui sedem Thedford a Rege Willelmo emerat in Anglia magnus fuit Simonie
[...]omes hic postquam erroneum inuentutis impetum deste
[...]issit, Romam iuit ac rediens sedem suam vsque Norwicum transtulit, vbi et celebre fundauit Monasterium de rebus quidem proprijs non Episcopalibus: sed et apud Tedford Monachos cluniacenses instituit, hic septus dicere consueuit. Erranimus inuenes. Emendemus senes: thus much out of an old Manuscript of the Abbey of Euesham, anciently put into English by the Translator of
Polychronicon, as followeth.
Abowte that time,Herbert, the first Bishop of NorwichHerbert Losange that had ben somtyme Abbot of Ramsay, and was thenne Byshop of Tedford, was a grete noury for Simony, for he had boughte the Bysshopryche of the Kynge. But after warde he was sory, and bywept the vnskylfull rest of his youth. And toke the waye to Rome▪ and came home agayne, and chaunged and torned his See from Tedford to Norwyche. And he founded a solempne Abbaye wyth his owne catayle, and not wyth the catayle of his Bysshopryche. But at Tedford he ordained Monkes of Cluny that were ryche in the world, and clere of Religion to Godward: And had ofte in mynde the worde of Iherom, That sayd, we erryd in our yougth, amende We vs in our age. His repentance doth also appeare by the context of his Charter, beggining thus.
In nomine Patris et
[...]ilij & Spiritus sancti, Amen. Herbertus Episcopus,Cart. Antiq. in Arch. Turris Lond.infirmitatis & impuritatis proprie conscius, ante iustum & clementem Iudicem Deum, mores & vitam expono meam, ei reuelans Inuentut is mee ignorantias, &c. Igitur pro redemptione vite mee, meorumque omnium peccatorum absolutione, apud Norwicum in honore et nomine sancte & indiuidue Trinitatis Ecclesiam primum edificaui quam caput et matrem Ecclesiam omnium Ecclesiarum de Northfolke et Suthfolke constitui et consecraui Preceptis igitur & consessionibus Willelmi Regis et Henrici Regis fratris sui, & consilio Anselmi Cant. Archiepiscopi, et omnium Episcoporum et Primatum totius Regni Anglie, in Ecclesia eadem Monachos ordinaui, &c.
His donations to this his mother Church of Norfolke and Suffolke, follow, which are many and great, for he endowed it with as much lands, as might sufficiently maintaine threescore Monkes, who had their faire and spatious Cloisters. But after they were thrust out by King
Henry the eight, there were substituted for them, a Deane, sixe Prebendaries, and others.
Witnesses to this his Charter, were King
Henry the first, and
Maud his Queene; eleuen Bishops, and foure and twenty Earles, Lords, and Abbots: to euery name, the signe of the crosse.
Facta est hec donatio Anno Domini M.C. ordinatione Gregorii Episcopi Rom. apud Wyndressores.
[Page 788]The first stone of this religous Structure, was laid by
Herbert himselfe, in the yeare after Christs natiuitie, one thousand ninetie sixe: with this inscription.
Dominus Herbertus posuit primum Lapidem,
In nomine Patris, Filij, et Spiritus Sancti.
Amen.
That is.
Lord [Bishop] Herbert, laid The First Ston
In The Name of The Father, The Sonne,
And holy Ghost. Amen.
Godwin de
[...] Ang. Ma
[...]s de gest. Regum Ang. lib. 4.This Bishop was borne at Orford in Suffolke, his Fathers name was
Robert de Losing. Hee was Prior of the monasterie of Fiscane in Normandie, and came backe into England at the request of
William Rufus, and liuing in the Court for a time, behaued himselfe in such sort, that hee was much fauoured of the King, and obtained diuers great preferments at his hands, whereby it came to passe, that within the space of three yeares, hee had so feathered his nest, as he could buy for his Father, the Abbacy of Winchester, and for himselfe, the Bishopricke of Thetford, which I haue partly touched here, and in another place.
Hauing finished this pious Fabricke, according to his minde, hee then determined to build an house for himselfe (for as yet he had none in Norwich, the See being so lately remoued from Thetford) and therefore on the north side of the Church, hee founded a stately palace. And more (such was his repentance for his Simony committed) hee built fiue Churches; one ouer against the Cathedrall Church, on the other side of the riuer, called S.
Leonards, another in this Citie also, another at Elmham, a fourth at Linne, and a fift at Yarmouth. He was an excellent Scholler for those times, and writ many learned Treatises, mentioned by
Pitsaeus, in his booke
de illustribus Anglie Scriptoribus Aetat. duodecima: where he cals him,
vir omnium virtutum, et bonarum literarum studijs impensè deditus, mitis, affabilis, corpore venusto, vultu decoro, moribus candidus, vita integer.
A man earnestly addicted to the studies of all vertues and good learning; milde, affable, comely of personage, gracefull of countenance, blamelesse in his carriage, pure, innocent, and sincere in the course of his life. The Monkes of Norwich made great meanes and sute to haue this
Herbert a canonised Saint, but such impediments were alwaies in the way, that it could not be obtained.
He departed this life the two and twentith of Iuly, in the yeare of grace, one thousand, one hundred and twenty, and was buried in this Church of his owne Foundation, by the High Altar, to whose memory, these verses following were engrauen vpon his monument.
Inclytus Herbertus iacet hic vt pistica nardus
[...] vet. Mss in bib. Cot.
Virtutum redolens floribus et meritis.
A quo fundatus locus est hic, edificatus
Ingenti studio, nec modico precio.
[Page 789]Vir fuit hic magnus probitate su
[...]uis vt agnus,
Vita conspicuus, dogmate precipuus.
Sobrius et castus prudens et Episcopus almus
Pollens Concilio, clarus in officio.
Qu
[...]m .... vndecimas Iulio promente Kalendas
Abstulit vltima sors, et rapuit cita mors.
Pro quo qui transis supplex orare memor sis
Vt sit ei saties, alma Dei facies.
One
Euerard,Euerard, Bishop of Norwich. who next succeeded
Herbert, lieth here interred; who although, saith
Godwin, he enioyed this Bishopricke for a long space, yet time the deuorer of all things, hath left nothing of him to our remembrance, but that when he had gouerned his Church 29 yeares, hee ended this life, Octob. 15. 1150.
Here in the Presbyterie lay buried the body of Bishop
Turbus,Will. Turbus, Bishop of Norwich. a Norman by birth, being in his youth, a Monke, and afterwards Prior of this monasterie. In his time, this Cathedrall Church was burned by casuall fire, he died in the 25. yeare of his consecration, the 17. of Ianuarie.
Neere vnto the high Altar,
Io. Oxford, Bishop of Norwich. lieth buried the body of
Iohn of Oxford, sometimes Deane of Salisbury, and Bishop of this Diocesse. This man finished the Church which
Herbert (being preuented by death) had left vnperfected, and repaired that, which by fire was lately defaced. He built diuers Hospitals for impotent and diseased people. Hee founded Trinitie Church in Ipswich, and reedified diuers houses which were by fire decaied. He was chaplaine to King
Henry the second, and with him, in especiall fauour, euer firmely adhering to his partie against
Thomas Becket, who had stubbornely opposed himselfe against his said Soueraigne Lord and Master. He was employed in diuers Embasies, as to Rome, to Seines in France, and to Sicily, about the marriage of
Ioane, the third and yongest daughter of the said King
Henry, to
William, the second of that name, King of Sicill, Duke of Apulia, and Prince of Capua. In the soliditie of good doctrine, in the maturitie of iudgement, and in all the graces of rhetoricall speech, hee did wondrously abound. He was quicke and dexterous in the managing, and prosperous in the dispatching of waightie affaires.
Pits. aetat. 13. He writ a History of the Kings of Britaine, as also a Booke,
Pro Rege Henrico contra S. Tho mam Cantuariensem, for King
Henry against S.
Thomas of Canterbury, besides, a treatise of his iourney into Sicily, and certaine Orations and Epistles to
Richard, Archbishop of Canterbury.
He died the 26 yeare of his consecration, the second of Iune, in the second yeare of King
Iohn.
Iohn de Grey,Io. Grey, Bishop of Norwich. entirely beloued of King
Iohn, who preferred him to this Bishopricke, was here entombed: in whose commendations,
Bale and
Pitseus doe in effect, thus agree.
Vir erat foelici et faceto ingenio, eruditione insignis, consilio expeditus, et quantumuis in dictis facetus, in factis tamen, vbi res postulabat, senerus, virtutum omnium amator et cultor, omnium vitiorum osor et exterminator. Iohanni Anglorum Regi gratissimus, in magna semper authoritate apud ipsum remansit, splendidis functionibus ornatus.
A man he was of a pleasant and facetious wit, in the knowledge of all
[Page 790] good literature excellent, in counsell ready and intelligent, and howsoeuer in his words merrie and iocond; yet in his actions, as occasion did require, he was seuere and rigorous: a louer and reuerencer hee was of all vertues, and a despiser and rooter out of all vices.
He was a gracious Fauourite to King
Iohn, euer vnder him in great authoritie, and honoured with offices of especiall trust and confidence.
Na
[...] cum Rex rebelles Hibernos compescuisset, eorumque vires fregisset, hunc Gra
[...]ium tanquam virum strenuum magnae prudentiae, fidelitatis exploratae, reliquit ibi supremum Presidem, vt eos auctoritate sua in officio contineret. For when the King, had repressed the rebellious Irish, broken & dispersed then forces; he left this
Grey as an hardie able man, of singular wisedome, and tried fidelitie,
Prorex or Lord Deputie of Ireland, that by such his power and commission, he might keepe that stiffe-necked nation in obedience.
He was well seene in the lawes of the Realme, saith
Godwin, wise and of great integritie;
De praesul. Angl. in regard whereof the King was very desirous to haue made him Archbishop of Canterbury (of which I haue spoken somewhat before) to which Grace indeed he was solemnly elected, and his election published in the Church before the King, and an infinite number of people: But by the exorbitant authoritie of the Pope, this election was disanulled, whereupon much mischiefe ensued. He built that goodly Hall at Gay wood neare Linne in Norfolke, and the rest of the Fabricke adioyning. Hauing sate about fourteene yeares, hee died neare Poytiers in his returne from Rome:
Obijt eodem anno quo Rex Iohannes, saith
Bale, in the same yeare in which King
Iohn deceased, the first of Nouember. Whose body was conueyed to this his owne Church. He was an Historiographer, and writ a booke which he called
Schalecronicon, as also other workes mentioned by
Bale in his Centuries.
Walter de Sufield Bishop of Norw.Die vero Sancti Vlstani decimo tertio Calendas Iunij, obijt Episcopus Norwicensis Vualterus cognomento de Sufeld apud Colecestriam, & del
[...]tum est corpus eius ad Norwicensem Ecclesiam suam Cathedralem, honorificè tumulandus, ad cuius tumbam miracula dicebantur coruscate. Hic namque in vsus pauperum, instante tempore famis, omnia vasa sua, & coclearia cum toto thesauro suo pauperibus erogauerat. Mat. Paris, Ann. 1257.
Vpon the Feast day of Saint
Wolstan, the thirteenth of the Calends of Iune,
Walter surnamed
de Sufield, Bishop of Norwich departed this world at Colchester, from whence his body was conueyed to this Cathedrall Church, here to be honourably interred. At whose Tombe many miracles are reported to be wrought, which are ascribed to his holinesse; For it is remembred of him, that in a time of extreme famine hee sold all his plate, and distributed it to the poore euery pennyworth. He lieth buried in our Ladies Chappell, which was of his owne building. He founded the Hospitall of Saint
Giles here in the Citie,
The foundation of Saint
Giles Hospitall. endowing it with faire possessions, insomuch that it was valued at the suppression to be yearely worth fourescore and ten pounds twelue shillings.
Si. de Wanton Bishop of Norw.Simon de Wanton, sometimes the Kings Chaplaine, one of his Iustices, and Bishop of this Diocesse, was here interred by his predecessour,
Walter de Sufield. He died about the yeare 1265. hauing sate eight yeares, and obtained of the Pope licence to hold all his former liuings
in Commendam for foure yeares.
[Page 791]In the same Chappell, as I take it,
Roger de Sherwyng was entombed, who died about Michaelmas,
Rog.
[...] Bishop of Norw. 1278. hauing sate thirteene yeares. Of whom I finde little remarkable; yet he is memorable, for that in his time by an incendiarie outrage, the Citizens set fire on the Priorie Church. The story is thus deliuered by our late writers, taken out of
Rishanger, the Continuer of
Mathew Paris his History, in the last yeare of King
Henry the third.
About the moneth of Iune, in a Faire that was kept before the gates of the Priory, there fell great debate and discord betwixt the Monkes of Norwich and the Citizens there; which increased so farre, that at length the Citizens with great violence assaulted the Monastery, fired the gates, and forced the fire so with reed and drie wood, that the Church with the books and all other ornaments of the same, and all houses of Office belonging to that Abbey were cleane burned, wasted, and destroyed, so that nothing was preserued except one little Chappell. The King hearing of this detestable and sacrilegious deuastation, rode to Norwich, where beholding the deformed ruines, he could hardly refraine from teares: and caused enquirie to be made of the fact; whereupon thirty young men of the Citie, as also a woman that first carried fire to the gates, were condemned, hanged, and burnt.
It is thought, saith
Hollinshead, that the Prior of the house, whose name was
William de Brunham, was the occasion of all this mischiefe, who had got together armed men, and tooke vpon to keepe the Belfray and Church by force of armes; but the Prior was well enough borne out and defended by this his Bishop. The Monkes for their part appealed to Rome, and so handled the matter, that they not onely escaped punishment, but also forced the Citizens to pay them three thousand Markes, after fiue hundred Markes a yeare toward the reparation of their Church, besides they were adiudged to giue to the vse of the Church,
Vnam cuppam de pondere decem librarum auri, & valore centum librarum argenti, A Cuppe weighing ten pounds in gold, and worth an hundred pounds of money. Whereby you may note, saith
Speed, the proportion then betweene the value of gold and siluer. This end was made by King
Edward the first (his Father being now dead) at the request and solicitation of this Bishop.
His next successour
William Midleton was also interred in this Church.
[...] He reedified the same, being so destroyed and profaned as you haue heard before, and hallowed or consecrated the whole Fabricke anew in the presence of King
Edward the first, and many of his Nobles. He departed this life the last of August,
Ann. 1288. in the eleuenth yeare of his Consecration.
Iohn Salmon,Iohn Salmon Bishop of Norw. placed in this See of Norwich by the Pope, was here entombed; he was Lord Chancellour of England for the space of foure yeares. This Bishop built the great Hall, and the Chappell in the Bishops pallace, and a Chappell at the West end of the Church, in which he ordained foure Priests to sing Masse continually. He died Iuly the sixth 1325.
William Ayermin likewise by the Popes authority was preferred to this Bishopricke,
Will. Ayremin Bishop of Norw. as appeares by the sequele.
Cum summus Pontifex nuper Willelmum tunc Canonicum London in Episcopum Norwicens. prefecisset. sicut per literas bullatas ipsius summi Pontisicis
[Page 792] Regi inde directas satis constabat, [...]ac Rex nono die Nouembris, prox. preteri
[...]o per literas suas patentes sub Testimonio Edwardi filij sui primogeniti tunc custodis Regni Anglie, Rege extra Regnum existente, prefectionem ipsam gratiose acceptans; cepit fidelitatemipsius Episcopi, & restituit ei temporalia. Nunc Rex ratificans prefectionem & receptionem predict. mandat restituere ei Temporalia. Teste Rege apud Kenelworth, 13.
Decemb. Pat. 20.
E
[...] 2.
In the yeare 1319. saith
F. Thinne, in his Catalogue of Englands Chancellours, and out of an old anonimall Latine Chronicler, this
Will. Ayremin was keeper of the great Seale, and that he was taken prisoner by the Scots: the words of his Author are in effect thus in English.
The Countie of Yorke and the countrie adiacent hauing receiued inestimable damages by the Scots,
William de Melton, Archbishop of Yorke,
Iohn Hotham, Bishop of Ely and Treasurer, the Abbot of Saint
Maries Yorke, Sir
William Ayremin Priest, Chancellour of England, Deane of Yorke, the Abbot of Selbie, and Sir
Iohn Pabeham knight, assembled together an armie of eight thousand to represse the violence of the enemie; this armie consisted of Clerkes, Monkes, Canons, and other spirituall men of the Church, with Citizens, and Husbandmen, and such other vnapt people for the warres. With these, the Archbishop came forth against the Scots, and incountred with them at a place called Mitton, a little village vpon the Riuer of Swale. Ouer which Riuer the Englishmen were no sooner passed, but that the expert warlike Scots came vpon them with a wing in good order of battell, in fashion like to a Shield, eagerly assayling their enemies, who for lacke of good gouernment were easily beaten downe and discomfited, without shewing any great resistance.
Corruerunt ex nostris tam in ore gladij quam aquarum scopulis suffocati plusquam quatuor mille hominum; there were slaine by the sword and drowned in the Riuer of our partie aboue foure thousand persons, saith the Manuscript, and the residue shamefully put to flight.
The Archbishop, the Bishop of Ely, the Abbot of Selbie, and diuers other, with helpe of their swift horses, escaped. The Mayor of Yorke named,
Nicholas Fleming was slaine.
Et capti sunt Domini, Iohannes de Pab
[...]ham miles, & Dominus Willelmus de Airemin, Canc. and Sir
Iohn de Pabeham, and Sir
William Ayremin Priest, were taken prisoners.
Iohn Harding who seldome giues condigne praise to the valiant doughtie Scot; thus writes of this battell.
C
[...]p [...]3.
. . . . . . in Myton medowe nere
To Swale water, lay then with great power
Walter Warren among the haycockes bushed,
Vpon the byshop sodenly with Scots yssued
And xv hundreth Englyshe there he slewe
And home he went with kyng
Robart full glad,
With prisoners many, mo then men knewe
The Byshop fled fro the felde full woo bestad
With his Clerkes, that then were full mad.
This was called the white Battell, for that it consisted of so many Clergie men.
[Page 793]This Bishop died March the 17. hauing sate almost eleuen yeares, at Sharing neare London, whose body was conueyed for buriall to this his owne Church. He gaue two hundred pound for order to be taken that two Monkes (the Cellerers of the Couent) should alwayes sing Masse for his soule.
Thomas Piercy was here interred,
Tho. Piercy Bishop of
[...] a gentleman, howsoeuer right honorably descended, and highly befriended, yet constrayned to admit of this Bishopricke, by the Popes Prouisorie Bull, as followeth.
Cum summus Pontifex nuper vacante Ecclesia Norwicen. per mortem Willelmi vltimi Episcopi ibidem, [...]qui apud sedem Apostolicam diem clausit extremum, eidem Ecclesie de venerabili viro Thoma Percy prouiderit, & ipsum Thomam in Episcopum loci illius presecerat. Rex cepit sidelitatem ipsius Thome, & Temporalia ei restituit. Teste Rege apud West. 14.
April. Pat. Ann. 29.
Ed. 3.
Memb. 14.
This Bishop gaue vnto the repairing of this Church (which in his time was greatly defaced with a violent tempest) the summe of foure hundred markes, and obtained of the rest of the Clergie a great summe to the same purpose. He bequeathed to the Chaunter of this his Church, an house and certaine lands lying within the Lordship of Kimerle, Gaeriton, Fowrhow, Granthorpe, and Wychelwood, vpon condition he should procure Masse daily to be said for his soule. He died at Blofield not farre off, the eight of August, 1369.
Vpon the death of Bishop
Percy one
Henry Despenser,Hen. Spenser Bishop of
[...]. Canon of Salisbury, was preferred by the Pope to this Bishopricke: as I finde it thus recorded in the Tower.
Henricus Despenser Canonicus Saresburien per Papam ad Episcopatum Norwicen. vacantem per mortem Thome vltimi Episcopi ibidem prefectus; fecit regi fidelitate, & habuit restitutionē Temporalium. T.R. apud Clarendon 14.
Aug. 2.
Par. Pat. Anno 44.
Ed. 3.
Memb. 6.
This man was called the warlike Bishop of Norwich, for that in his youth he had beene a Souldier with a brother of his, one
Spenser a gentleman, greatly esteemed for his valour, being a chiefe Commander in the Popes warres: by whose meanes this
Henry obtained this dignitie; and hauing changed his vesture but not his conditions, in what manner of life he spent his youth, in the same he most delighted, euen in his waxing yeares. For in the yeare 1381. most memorable was the seruice of this stout Bishop against the rebellious bondmen and Pesants of Norfolke, whom he draue out of their Trenches, slew diuers, and caused their mushrom king
Iohn Littestar to be hanged, drawne, and headed; and also caused all others that were the chiefe agents in that rebellion to be put vnto death, and so by that meanes quieted the whole countrey: an action (howsoeuer some will say perhaps, not agreeable to his calling) worthie of eternall honour and remembrance.
Not long afterwards,
viz. 1383. he had another occasion to shew his martiall prowesse: for being drawne on by Pope
Vrban the sixt, to preach the Crusado, and to be generall against
Clement the seuenth (whom sundry Cardinals and great Prelates,
Tho. Walsing. in vita R. 2. had also elected Pope) hauing a Fifteenth granted to him for that purpose by Parliament, (after strong opposition of
[Page 794] almost all the Nobles, who resisted this businesse of the Crosse) went with forces into Flanders, to support the cause of
Vrban, against the Antipape
Clement, from whence after he had performed many exploits very happily, taken Graueling, Burbrough, Dunkerke, and Newport, by assault, and bin victor in a set Battell against thirty thousand abettours of
Clements claime; he was enforced to returne, as destitute of those further succours which were expected out of England. But the King, vpon pretence that he had not obeyed his royall Mandate, by which he required him, (before he transported) to returne, for a while seised vpon all his Temporalities; to which he found grace with the King to be restored, at the speciall sute of
Thomas Arundell, as then Bishop of Ely. The which Seisin and Restitution is thus in effect recorded.
[...] Arch. Turris
[...].Hen. Episcopus Norwicens. in Parliamento apud West. Anno huius Regis 7.
fuit impetitus de diuersis articulis misprisionū vnde Temporalia Episcopatus sui seisita suerant in manum Regis, &c. Rex nunc restituit ei Temporalia predicta, T. R. apud West. 24.
octob. 1.
par. pat. an. 9
Ric. 2.
M. 27.
There was great contention betweene this Bishop and his Monkes, for the space of fifteene yeares; but they being too weake for him (as you see all his opposites were) at last were glad to giue him foure hundred markes to enioy their priuiledges in like sort as heretofore they had done. He sate Bishop well neere 37. yeers, and died August 23. 1406. as appeares by this mangled Epitaph vpon his monument.
Henricus natus le del spenser miles amatus
Presul sacratus, hic Norwicensis humatus
Florens progenie . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
M. Quadringeno Vigili sex Bartholomei
Christo sereno Regi peregrat requiei.
Alexander, Bishop of NorwichAfter him, the next succeeded one
Alexander, Prior of Norwich, was elected Bishop by the Monkes, which election the King so misliked, as hee not onely kept him from his temporalties, but also imprisoned him almost a whole yeare at Windsor.
[...] Arch. Tur.
[...].Thomas Beaufort miles habuit custodiam Temporalium Episcopatus Norwicen. a tempore mortis Henrici nuper Episcopi ibidem quamdiu in manibus Regis existerent, ac fuit custos eorum a vigilia Sancti Bartholomei, an no. 7.
Hen. 4.
vsque ad 23
diem Octob. proxi. preterit. per vnum annum integrum, 8
Septimanas, et 6
dies. T.R. apud West. 9
Iunij 2
pars pat. an. 9.
Hen. 4.
M. 19.
Io. Wakering, Bishop of Norwich.Before the Altar of Saint
George, the body of Bishop
Wakering lyeth buried, who for his life, learning, and wisedome, was highly esteemed: in regard whereof, (before he was aduanced hither to Norwich) King
Henry the 4. made him Lord Keeper of the priuy Seale, and so consequently, he was of his priuy Councell, in the yeare 1414. hee was sent to the generall Councell holden at Constance in Heluetia,
Hollins. A. 2.
H. 5. with
Richard, Earle of Warwicke, the Bishops of Salisbury, Bath, and Hereford, the Abbot of Westminster, and the Prior of Worcester, with diuers other Doctors and learned
[Page 795] men of the spiritualtie, besides Knights and Esquires, in number all, eight hundred horses, so well appointed and furnished, as well the men, as horses, that all nations meruailed to see such an honourable companie come from a Countrie so farre distant: in this Counsell hee so behaued himselfe, that for learning and wisedome, hee obtained the generall applause of all the assemblie; shortly after his returne, he was consecrated Bishop,
viz. the last of May, 1416. and hauing his charge with great praise about nine yeares, he died the ninth of Aprill, one thousand, foure hundred, twentie and fiue. He built the Cloister which is to be seene at this day in the Bishops Pallace, pauing the same with stones of diuers colours.
Vpon the dore vnder the Rood loft, I finde this maymed Epitaph following, inlaid in brasse.
Hic iacet absconsus sub marmore Presul honestus
Walter Lyghart,
Bishop of Nor
[...]wich.
Seclo desunctus, olim pastor quoque sponsus
Istius Ecclesie, cum digno culmine morum
Prefuit egregie . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dictus Walterus Lyghert cognomine notus
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Euellens acriter mala germina fructus acerbi
Dispersit pariter diuini semina verbi,
Anno milleno C. quater septuageno
Annexis binis instabit ei prope finis.
Septima cum decima lux Maij sit numerata
Ipsius est anima de corpore tunc separata.
Fili Christe Dei, fons vite, spes medicine,
Propitieris ei donans requiem sine fine.
This man in the catalogue of Bishops is called
Walter Hart. In his predecessors daies, the Citizens here of Norwich harbouring in their mindes their old grudge, attempted many things against the Church, but such was the singular wisedome and courage of the said Bishop, whose name was
Thomas Browne, that all their enterprises tooke little effect: and now by the policie and discretion of this
Lighert, or
Hart, the malitious humours of these malecontented Townesmen, before reasonable well allaied, was altogether extinguished. He paued the Church, and during his life, maintained twelue students at Cambridge, with all things necessary for them at his owne charges. He departed this life the first of May, 1472. as appeares by his Epitaph in the twentie and sixt yeare of his consecration, and lieth buried neere vnto the Rood loft, which he himselfe erected.
Here lieth buried the body of
Iames Goldwell,Ia. Goldwel, Bishop of Norwich. sometimes Deane of Salisbury, Secretarie to King
Edward the fourth, and Bishop of this Diocesse, who died in February, M.cccc.lxxxxviii.
This Bishop was a great repairer or new builder of great Chart Church in Kent, where (as it is said) he was borne.
Here lieth buried the body of
Thomas Ian,Tho. Ian. Bishop of Norwich. who died the first yeare of his consecration,
viz. anno 1499.
[Page 796] [...] of Norwich.After the decease of
Ian, Richard Nix succeeded, of whom I finde little worth the rehearsing (saith
Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops) hee hath the report of a vicious and dissolute liuer; was blinde long before his death, sate 36 yeares, and died,
An. 1536.
It is reported yet, that this Bishop built the north crosse Ile of this Church, and guilded the roofe of the same, vpon which his cote of Armes is to be seene.
In the Chapter House was a goodly monument to the memory of Sir
Thomas Windham knight, with this (now maymed) Inscription.
[...]Orat ... Tho. Wyndham militis et Elisabethe vxoris eius ... vnus constabul ... Domini Regis Hen. 8.
ac vn ... militum pro corpore ...
This Knight, with others, went with Sir
Edward Howard, Admirall, into Bi
[...]cay, the fourth of King
Henry the eight.
Here lieth Dame
Elisabeth Calthrop, wife of Sir
Francis Calthrop, and after, of
Iohn Culpeper Esquire ...
[...]Cal
[...]hrops, sometime a familie of great account in these parts.
Here lieth buried the body of
Ione, the wise of Sir
Thomas Erpingham, Knight of the Garter, as appeareth by her Will made by licence of her husband, the last of May, 1404 and proued 14 of Iuly next following.
Orate pro animabus Thome Windham militis, Eleanore et domine Elisabethe vxorum eius. [...]Qui quidem Thomas fuit unus consiliariorum Domini Regis He
[...]rici octau
[...], ac vnus militum pro corpore eiusdem Domini Regis,
[...] non vice admirallus . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This Knight lieth buried in the Chapter house vnder a goodly faire monument, if it were not so much defaced. He receiued the order of knighthood from the hands of Sir
Edward Howard, [...] Lord Admirall of England the fourth of King
Henry the eight, at Croiton Bay in France. He did good seruice at the winning of Turney and Turwin, as also in other places; this hath beene a name of exemplarie note and knights degree at Cowtherke in this Tract for many descent.
Richard Brome.Hic iacet Richardus Brome Armiger cuius anime propitietur Deus.
On the wall by him is a monument with his atchieuement, cut, with helme, coate, mantle and creast: his Creast is a bonch of broome greene, with golden flowers on a wreath.
Next him, lies vnder an arched monument, the body of one
Bosuile, or
Boswell, [...]Boswell. sometime Prior of this Church, with this Inscription on the vpper part of the Arch.
O tu qui transis, vir, aut mulier, puer an sis
Respice picturas, apices lege, cerne figuras:
Et memor esto tui; sic bene disce mori.
Vnder it, are three pictures of dead mens skuls, one with teeth, another without an vpper chappe, and onely two teeth in the nether; and the third without either chaps or teeth, betweene each of which is written,
O morieris. O morieris. O morieris.
The Familie of
Bosvile is very ancient, farre branched, and of knightly
[Page 797] degree, as it will appeare in many places of these my ensuing labours:
The
[...]amilie of
Bosvile o
[...]Boswell. of which in this place, and vpon this occasion, I will onely giue a little touch.
In the Church of Seuenoke, within the County of Kent, remaine the achiuements and Funerall rights of
Raphe Bosvile of Bradburne in the said Parish of Seuenok, Esquire, Clerk of her late Maiesties Court of Wards and Liueries, Grandsier of Sir
Raphe Bosvile, now of Bradburne, and Sir
Henry Bosvile, of Eynsford in the foresaid County, Knights, descended lineally from the
Bosviles of Erdsley, and Newhall in the County of Yorke.
The inhabitants of Seuenoke say, that whilst the said
Raph Boswell liued, being employed vpon many occasions for the publique; hee deserued and had the reputation of a most worthie Patriot, and out of his particular to their Towne, hee procured of Queene
Elizabeth a Charter of Incorporation, for the setling and gouernment of Lands formerly giuen for the maintenance of a Free-schoole, and thirteene Almes-people in the said Parish. For the more entire establishment whereof, Sir
Raph his Grandchilde, cooperating with other noble friends in so charitable a suite, obtained an Act of Parliament in the 39. of Queene
Elizabeth, besides other benefites procured by him in behalfe of this Corporation and Parish. Whereupon a well wishing versifier alluding to the Creste of this Familie, which is an Oxe comming out of a Groue of Oakes, tooke occasion to expresse his affection in this Distich.
Dij tibi dent Bosville boues villasque Radulphe,
Nec Villâ careat Bosue, vel Illa boùe.
Here lieth vnder a faire marble stone, one of the ancient Familie of the
Cleres,Clere and his wife. and his wife, as appeares by their Armes thereupon engrauen, for the brasse is quite taken away. Of which worthy Familie I speake hereafter.
Pray for the soule of
Elisabeth Waters,Elis. Waters. and
Iohn Waters Alderman, and for the soule of
Iohn Waminge Alderman and Maior of Norwich, and husbands vnto the said
Elisabeth.....
Vpon the wall of a Chappell next to the Chapter house this Inscription.
In honore beate Marie Virginis,Beauchamp
[...] Chappell. His buriall.& omnium Sanctorum Willelmus Beauchampe Capellam hanc ordinauit, & ex proprijs sumptibus construxit. Herein he lies buried vnder the Arch in the wall richly gilt, as also the roofe.
Orate pro anima Fratris Symonis Folkard nuper Prioris Lenne .... qui obijt ... M.ccccci.Simon Folkarde
Vnder a monument in the South Crosse Isle lieth one
Baconthorp a Prior of this Church,
Baconthorpe Prior. the Inscription is worne or torne out of the stone.
I will not say that this Prior was
Iohn Baconthorp,Io. Baconthorpe the resolute little Doctor. the Resolute Doctor who flourished in the raigne of King
Edward the third. For I finde that he was buried amongst the Carmelites at London; howsoeuer he was borne at Blackney in this County, brought vp at Oxford and Paris in France; and so exceeding deeply learned he was as well in Diuinitie, as in both the Ciuill and Canon Lawes, that he proceeded Doctor in either faculty, in both the said Vniuersities, and got the surname
Doctoris resoluti, or Resolute or Resoluing Doctor;
Nemo doctius consundebat Iudaos; nemo neruosius
[Page 798] consutabat Turcos, vel quoscunque infideles; nemo falicius ex pugnabat haereticos; nemo solidiùs Christi veritatem dilucidabat; nemo manifestius Antichrists falsitatem & imposturas detegebat, suisque coloribus deping
[...]bat; nemo subtiliùs difficiles nodos soluebat; nemo clariùs obscura sacrae scripturae loca explanabat, & sensus reconditos & arcana mysteria dilucidius apperiebat.
No man more learnedly confounded the Iewes; no man more pithilie confuted the Turkes, or any other Infidels; no man more prosperously conuinced the Heretickes; no man more solidly declared the truth of Christ; no man more manifestly discouered the deceits and iuglings of Antichrist, nor so painted him out in his proper colours; No man more subtilly resolued hard questions; and neuer any man more clearly expounded, explaned, or laid more apertly open, the hidden sense, the secret mysteries, and the obscure places of the sacred Scripture,
Pit. Ann 1346. saith
Pitseus.
Baconthorpe a Dwarfe.He was like another
Zacheus, little of stature, but immense in wit and vnderstanding, insomuch as it was a wonder to know so many vertues inhabite together in so small a mansion. He writ so many exact learned Volumes, that his bodie could not beare what his wit brought forth.
Nam, si moles librorum cius, composita sarcina, auctoris humeris imposita fuisset, homulum sine dubio comprimere suffecisset. For, if the bulke or pile of the bookes which he writ, had beene put into a bagge, and laid vpon his shoulders, questionlesse it would haue prest the slender short dwarfe to death, saith my foresaid Author.
Much more might bee said of this little-great man, but I am called for my selfe to the Presse; and to speake more then I haue done in the praise of little men, I may be thought to flatter my selfe.
He died in the yeare 1346. in the twentieth of the raigne of King
Edward the third, I read in a booke of the order of Carmelites (of which Fraternitie he was one, as also Prouinciall of them all throughout all England) penned by
Iohn Bale before his conuersion, a part of an Eulogium composed to the memory of this
Baconthorpe, which may serue for an Epitaph. Thus.
Iohannes de Bachonethorpe Doctor resolutus Carmelita.
Hic Bachone fuit Iohannes natus in vrbe
Mss. in custod. And. Treswell.
Anglica, quo felix terra priore fuit.
Parisio dulces hausit de fonte liquores,
Post tamenin patrio claruit ipse solo.
Exposuit libros Petri, sed sanccius esse
Est ratus in quartum peruigilare librum.
Fecit Aristotelem clarum, inclitumque legenti
Dans Testamentum clarius omne navum.
. . . . . . . . . .
Vpon a faire marble stone in the Quire this Inscription following is engrauen in brasse.
Sir
William Bolen knight of the Bath.Hic iaces corpus Willelmi Boleyn militis, qui obijt x. Octobris, Anno Dom. M.ccccc.v. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
[Page 799]Let it be the greatest honour to this noble deceased Knight, for that he was great Grandfather to the most renowned and victorious Princesse
Elizabeth, late Queene of England, which will best appeare by the Light of Great Britaine, learned
Camden, in his Introduction to the History which he writ of her long and prosperous raigne: beginning as followeth.
The Linage and descent of
Elizabeth Queene of England (saith he) was by her Fathers side truly Royall: for daughter she was to King
Henry the eight, grand daughter to
Henry the seuenth, and great grand-daughter to
Ed▪ the fourth. By the Mothers side her descent was not so high: howbeit noble it was, and spread abroad by many and great Alliances throughout England and Ireland. Her great grand-fathers father was,
Ieffrey Bolen, a man of Noble birth in Norfolke, Lord Maior of the Citie of London, in the yeare 1457. and at the same time honoured with the dignitie of Knighthood. An vpright honest man, of such estimation, that
Thomas Lord
Hoo, and
Hastings, Knight of the Order of Saint
George, gaue him his daughter, and one of his heires, to wife; and of such wealth, as he matched his daughters into the Noble houses of the
Cheineys, Heydons, and
Fortescues, left his sonne a goodly inheritance, and bequeathed a thousand pounds of English money to bee bestowed vpon the poore in the Citie of London, and two hundred in Norfolke. This mans sonne
William Bolen was chosen amongst eighteene most choice Knights of the Bath at the Coronation of King
Richard the third: to whom
Thomas Earle of Ormond (who was in such fauour with the Kings of England, that hee alone of all the Nobleman of Ireland, had his place and voice in the Parliaments of England, and aboue the Barons of England also) gaue his daughter and one of his heires in marriage. By her (besides daughters married to
Shelton, Calthorp, Clere, and
Sackvill, men of great wealth and noble descent, and other children) hee begat
Thomas Bolen, whom being a young man,
Thomas Howard Earle of Surry, who was afterward Duke of Norfolke, a man much renowned for his worthie seruice, and atchiuements in the warres, chose to be his sonne in law, giuing vnto him his daughter
Elizabeth in marriage: and
Henry the eight, after he had performed one or two very honourable Embasies, made him first Treasurer of his Houshold; Knight of the Order of Saint
George, and Viscount Rochford, and afterwards Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond, and made him Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale. This
Thomas, among other children, begat
Anne Bolen, who in her tender yeares being sent into France, attended on
Mary of England, wife to
Lewis the twelfth; and then on
Claudia of Britaine, wife to
Francis the first; and after she was dead, on
Margaret of Alencon, who with the first fauoured the Protestants Religion springing vp in France. Being returned into England, and admitted amongst the Queenes Maides of Honour, and being twenty two yeares of age, King
Henry in the thirtie eight yeare of his age, did for her modestie,
[...]empered with French pleasantnesse, fall deeply in loue with, and tooke her to wife, by whom he had issue
Elizabeth aforesaid Queene of England.
S.
Peters picture.Vnder the picture of Saint
Peter, is portraied the Sea, a Ship, Nets, and Fishes, with this distichon.
Ecclesiam pro naue rego mihi climata mundi
Sunt mare, Scripture, Retia, piscis, homo.
The figures of the Sunne and Moone are painted here vpon the Frontispiece of the Clocke; to whom the Clocke comparatiuely seemes to speake in this Hexastich vpon the same place likewise depicted.
The bragge of the clocke.
Horas significo cunctas quas Phebe diebus
Quas solet atque tua pallida nocte Soror
Nec magis errarem Rector mihi si foret idem,
Vos qui et queque regit motibus astra suis.
Tempora nam recte designo, si mihi doctus
Custos assiduam conferat artis opem.
In English.
Phoebus I tell all th'houres, and all as right
As thou, or thy pale Sister, day and night,
Nor I no more then you in ought should erre
If he ruld mee, who guides you, and each starre.
For times I rightly tell, to me of's Art,
If my learnd keeper will his helpe impart.
Tho. Scot, Philo.In imitation of this, it may bee that
Thomas Scot, in his Philomythie, makes a Clocke to compare with a Diall, and the difference to be partly decided by the Wethercocke: of which a little, although not much to the purpose I confesse.
Vpon a Church, or steeples side neere hand,
A goodly Clocke of curious worke did stand;
Which ouerpaysde with lead, or out of frame,
Did time miscall, and euery houre misname.
The Diall hearing this, aloud gan crye,
Kind neighbour Clocke, your glib tongue tels a lye.
[Page 801]Reforme your errour, for my Gnomon saith
You gad too fast, and misse an houres faith.
Foole (quoth the Clocke,) reforme thy selfe by me,
The fault may rather in thy Gnomon be.
Had'st thou told euer truth, to what end then,
Was I plac'd here, by th'art of cunning men?
The Weathercocke vpon the steeple standing,
And with his sharpe eye, all about commanding,
Heard their contention, wild them to appeale
To him the chiefe of all that common weale.
Told them that he was set to ouersee,
And to appease, to guide, and to agree,
All difference in that place; and whatsoere
He setteth downe, from iustice cannot erre.
This my ingenious Author doth vayle vnder the Clocke, the teaching part of the militant Church, which consists of the Clergie. Vnder the Diall, the written word, and vnder the Weathercocke, the Pope of Rome.
Saint Peters in Norwich.
Of mistrys
Ann Flints soul,
Anne Flint.
Iesu mercy haue,
Whych was the Dowter of
Willyam London,
Whos body died, and was beryed her in
thi
[...]
yis graue,
The xi. dey of Iun, by recourse and computatyon
XV.C. and xxix yer of our Lordys incarnatyon,
And to al
them
yem
that
yat for her thus do pray,
Iesus grant yem Heuyn at ther dethys day.
Here be diuers Funerall Monuments of the
Osbornes,Osbornes. for whom I haue not any Inscription.
Elisabeth sponsa Willelmi Elys generosi
Elis. Ellis.
In qua forma decor, & virtus floruit, isto
Marmore clausa iacet: et eam lux septima Marci
E medio tulit, anno Christi mil. quater et C
I simul, V. ter. et X requies cui sit fine fine.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Mers Auditoris Episcopi Lincoln. et pro quibus idem Iohannes nece tenetur orare ..... anno Domini M.ccccc.vii.Iohn Mers.
Prudens Mercator, et nobilis istius vrbis
Ter Maior Thomas Elys hic iacet et sua sponsa
Tho. Ellis
Maior of Norwich, and Marg.
his wife.
Margareta simul: .... viginti
Coniugio soboles, et sic in honore per annos
Quatuor et quinquagenos vixere, salutis
Anno Milleno Quadringeno decas octo
[Page 802]Septeno, quinta Septembris luce sic ipse
Decessit, requies et lux sit vtrique perhennis.
Henry Wilton, and
Mar. his wife.
Here lieth
Henry Wylton, sumtym Alderman of this Citte,
And
Margaret my wyff whech leuid in this ward in felicite,
And now lyue here vndyr thir marbyll ston in mortalite,
Wherfor we prey you of your Cherite,
That yow will prey for vs that we may
Cum to liue in ward celestiall, with a Pater noster and an Aue.
obijt Henricus xii Decemb.... M.ccccc.vij. Margareta ... M.ccccc.
Rich. Ailmer
and Ioan
his wife.
Aylmer Ricardus procerum de stipite natus,
Is quondam Maior vrbis iacet hic tumulatus.
Natis ... suis ... consorte Iohanna
Moribus ornatus bonis omnibus atque benignus.
Anno milleno D. bino cum duodeno,
Idus Septembris trino migrauit ab orbe.
O bone Criste Iesu fons vite, spes medicine,
Votis inclina te quesumus aure benigna
Vt sibi sit requies, celo viuat sine fine.
Here is a stately Funerall Monument erected to the memory of
Francis Windham,,
Judge
Windam. from his middle, in his Iudges robes, with a blacke cap on his head, his right hand leaning on a deaths head, and in the left hand, a booke: within an Arche supported vp with pillers or pillasters, ouer his head, his cote and Crest on the top of the Arch. I finde no Inscription.
Ioan London.Orate pro anima Iohanne London filie Willelmi London Armigeri .... cuius anime ...
Izod Read.Of your cherite pray for the soul of
Izod Read, late wyffe of
Edward Read, Alderman of this Citty of Norwich, which died the xiii. of September, in the yere of our Lord, M.ccccc xxiiii. on whos soul, Iesus haue mercy.
In the south Ile of this Church is a monument for the continuall remembrance of that valiant Souldier and Commander,
Peter Read, who was knighted by
Charles, the fift Emperour, at the winning of Tunis, in the yeare of our Lord God, 1538. as appeares by this Inscription following vpon his Tombe.
Sir
Peter Read knighted by
Charles the fift Emperour.Here vnder lieth the corps of
Peter Read Esquire, who hath worthily serued, not onely his Prince and Country, but also the Emperour,
Charles the fift, both at the conquest of Barbary, and at the siege of Tunis, as also in other places, who had giuen him by the said Emperour, for his valiant deeds, the Order of Barbary; who died the 29 day of December, 1566.
Anno milleno, C quater: totque ad et X quoque bino:
Altari summo tabulam prebet ex Alabastro,
De precio magno, cupiens laus hinc fore Christo.
Occidui parte fenestram fecit honeste,
Ordinis Angelici nec non ter nomine trini.
As I am, so sall yee all be,
Prey for
Margery Hore of cherite.
Margery Hore.
Now heare a word or two of the name
Hore.Verst. in our english names of contempt. I finde, saith
Verstegan, this anciently written
Hure, and I finde
Hure, to bee also vsed and written for the word hire; and because that such incontinent women doe commonly let their bodies to hire, this name was therefore aptly applied vnto them.
It is in the Netherlands written
Hoer, but pronounced
Hoor, as wee yet pronounce it, though in our later English Ortography (I know not with reason) some write it Whore.
I finde many of this sirname of good note, and speciall regard in many places of this kingdome.
Pray for the Sowl of
Robart Thorp gentilman,
Rob. Thorpe. Citezen and Alderman of Norwich, founder of this Chappyll and Ile, with a Chantrie Prest; hee to sing perpetually for the Sowl of
Robart Thorp, the Sowls of
Elyzabeth, Emme, and
Agnes Sowls his wyffs, the Sowl of
Iohn Thorp, his kindryd Sowls, frends Sowls, and al cristen Sowls: The which
Robart ... th ... yer, M.cccc ...
Good Frendys pray for
Thomas Warnys,Tho. Warnys Priest. here the second Chantry Prest, who departed this world on Saint
Michaels Euyn, M.ccccc.viii.
Saint
Lawrence, Norwich.
Sis testis criste quod non iacet hic lapis iste
Io. Asker,
o
[...] Alger,
Maior.
Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur.
Queris quisiacet hic? Iohn Asker marmore strictus:
Sit precor hic illic vbi semper sit benedictus.
Quondam Brugensis fuerat mercator onustus;
Post Norwicensis Maior moderamine iustus.
[Page 804]Hunc
[...]ulit a
[...]erris Febru penultima mensis,
Anno milleno C. quater, ter & x. quoque seno.
[...] his vpon the same marble inlaid with brasse.
Qui me conspicitis, pro certo scire potestis
Quod sum vos critis, olim fueram velut estis.
Vt metear veniam precibus me queso iuuetis,
Ad vos non veniam, sed vos ad me vinietis▪
Parce meis Domine delictis, vel miserere
Ne possim flere sed letari sine fine.
Da requiem cunctis Deus & vbicunque sepultis,
Vt sin
[...] in requie, propter tua vulnera quinque.
[...]Here lieth buried also
Robert Asker Merchant, who died
Anno 1420.
Religious Houses in and about the Citie of Norwich.
[...] [...] Hospitall dedicated to Saint
Giles, valued at the suppression at foure
[...] and ten pounds, twelue shillings.
[...]The
Austine Friers founded by one
Remigius, or by the King, but by what King, or to what Saint dedicated, or to what value it amounted, I do not know: Others say it was founded by one
Roger Mynyoth.
The bodies which I finde to haue beene herein buried, are these which follow.
[...]Elizabeth daughter of Sir
Tirru Rosabart: Elisabeth wife of
William Garueys ..... sonne of Sir
Raphe Pigott. Sir
Edmond Hengrane, and Dame
Alyce his wife, daughter of
Iohn Lile. Margaret Howard, 1416. Sir
Iohn
[...]owell Knight. Sir
Robert Vfford. Sir
Iohn Geney, and Dame
Alice his wife,
obijt 1454. Dame
Margery wife of Sir
Edward Hastings, and of Sir
Iohn Wyndham, daughter of
Robert Clyfton, 1456. Dame
Katherin Ferris wife of Sir
Iohn Radclyffe, 1452.
Iohn Bacun sonne of Sir
Roger, 1461. and
Maude his wife, 1456.
Iohn sonne of
Iohn Bacun, obijt 1462. and
Margaret his wife.
Ione wife of
Robert Boys, daughter of ....
Wychingham, 1400
Edmond Wychingham Esquier, who died 1472. Sir
Thomas Lord
Morley, obijt in Calleis. Sir
Robert Morley, and Dame
Anne his wife:
Iohn Morley Esquire. Sir
Thomas Soterley Esquire, and
Elisabeth his wife:
obieerunt 1477.
Thomas Wedderby, Alderman.
[...]Amongst many other of this Fraternitie, I finde that one
Benedictus Icenus, or
Benet of Norfolke, a Brother of this House, and of this Order of Saint
Augustine, was likewise here buried in the Chapter house: who died in the yeare of our saluation, 1340.
Vir pius, prudens, facundus, omni serentiarum genere nobiliter instructus, et cum primis sui temporis Theologis meritò conferendus. [...] A man godly, wise, fluent of speech, in all kindes of Sciences nobly instructed, and right deseruingly to be compared with the prime Diuines of his dayes. For his singular grace in preaching, and his
[Page 805] able power in perswading, he was so beloued of
Antony Becke, the Bishop of this Diocesse, as that he made him Suffragane, or as it were Copartner with him in his Episcopall function.
The Grey Friers was founded by one
Iohn Heslynford,The G
[...]ey Frie
[...]s. and of this Foundation I finde no further.
Some say that the Blacke Friers was founded by King
Edward the second, which,
The Bl
[...]ke Friers. I confesse, I cannot contradict. For I finde no otherwise neither of the Foundation, the time, dedication, order, nor value, onely my Notes from Master
Le Neue tell me, that these persons following were in the same interred.
William Manteley. Iohn Debenham. Margaret Harpington, Ione wife of
Richard Wychingham, [...] daughter of
Fastolfe, obijt 1459.
Thomas Yugham obijt 1455. Sir
Simond Felbrigge, obiit 1442. and Dame
Katherin his wife,
obiit 1449. Dame
Margaret first wedded to Sir
Gilber Talbot, afterward to
Constantyne Clyfton, obijt 1434. Dame
Alice wife of Sir
Roger H
[...]rsik, 1458.
Iohn Pagraue Esquire, 1467.
Iohn Berney Esquire, and
Ione his w
[...]e.
Iohn Howldiche 1487.
Iohn
[...]illys 1490.
Edmond sonne of
Iohn Hastings, 1487 and
Eleanor his wife, daughter of Sir
Edward Woodhowse Knight.
The religious Monastery of the white Friers or Carmelites was founded by
Philip Cowgate,The
[...] a rich Merchant and Maior of this Citie,
Ann. Dom. 1268. who, when he had made an end of the Fabricke thereof, which he endowed with faire possessions, tooke vpon him the habite and order of a Carmelite, and entred the house, wherein he ended his dayes. In the Church of this religious structure was buried.
Sir
Oliuer Ingham Knight,
obijt 1292. Dame
Lo.... Argentein. Dame
Eleanor Boteler.Burialls in the wh
[...]te Friers Carmeli
[...]s. Dame
Alice Boyland. Sir
Bartholomew Somerton knight, and Dame
Katherin his wife. Sir
Will. Crongthorp, and Dame
Alice his wife. Sir
Oliuer Gros Knight.
Iohn father of Sir
Raph Benhall. Dame
Ione, wife of Sir
Thomas Morley. Robert Banyard, Esquire. Sir
Oliuer Wigth, Sir
Peter Tye, Knights.
Marg. Pulham. Dame
Elizabeth Hetersete. Dame
Katherin, wife of Sir
Nich. Borne. Ione wife of
Iohn Fastolphe. Thomas Crunthorp, and
Alice his wife. Dame
Alice Euerard, 1321. Dame
Alice Withe, 1361. Sir
Walter Cotet. Sir
Thomas Gerbrigge 1430. Dame
Eliz. his third wife, first married to Sir
Iohn Berry, and daughter of Sir
Robert Wachesham, obijt, 1402. Sir
Edmond Berry, 1433. And Dame
Alice his wife, daughter of Sir
Thomas Gerbrigge. Elizabeth first wife of
William Calthorpe, daughter of Sir
Reignold, Lord
Hastings, Waysford, and
Ruthin, which died 1437.
Haukin fil .... de Com. Lanc. Clement Paston obijt 14 ....
Richard, 1479. children of Sir
William Calthorp.
George 1479. children of Sir
William Calthorp.
Cecily. children of Sir
William Calthorp.
Iohn 1400. children of Sir
William Calthorp.
Thomas 1400. children of Sir
William Calthorp.
Iohn Deugayne, gent.
obiit 1488.
Robert Smart Esquire,
abijt 1488. Sir
[Page 806]William Calthorp obijt 1494. Dame
Margery, wife of Sir
Iohn Paston; daughter of Sir
Thomas Brews, 1495.
Iohn sonne of Sir
William Stoarer, 1495.
Margaret, wife of Sir
Thomas Pigott, 1498.
In the Manuscript of this Religious Order (before remembred) written by
Iohn Bale, these Carmelites following are registred to haue beene buried in this Monastery: I will vse his Latine.
Hi
[...] sunt viri illustres qui sepeliuntur in Conventu
Carmelitarum Norwici.
Frater Gilbertus de Norwico Episcopus Hamensis, obijt Anno Dom. 1287. 9.
die Octobris.
Frater Iohannes Leycester Archiepiscopus Smirnanensis, obijt Anno Domini 1424. 6.
Nouembris.
Frater Vmfridus Necton, obijt, 1303.
Vmphrey Necton.This
Necton was Doctor of Diuinitie in Cambridge, and Professour.
Erat vi
[...] solidè doctus, disputator subtilis, Concionator vehemens: He was a man solidly learned, a subtle disputant, a very earnest Preacher, saith
Pitseus; Of whom
Leland hath left this Distichon.
Laudibus Humfredum meritis super astra feramus,
Cui data Grantenae laurea prima scholae.
He writ diuers bookes mentioned by
Bale, as also by
Pitseus.
Frater Andreas Felmingham.
Frater Robertus Walsingham, obijt 1310.
Ro.
[...]alsyngham.This
Walsingham, saith
Pitseus, was
Vir acuti ingenij, solidi iudicij, bonae vitae, magnae doctrinae: A man of an acute wit, a sound iudgement, a good life, of great learning. And
Bale speaking of him, saith, He was a man of great repute in the Vniuersitie of Oxford for his
Quodlibets, ordinary questions, and his Interpretations of the sacred Scriptures, which he made manifest to the world.
Frater Galfridus Stalham.
Frater Galfridus Mylsam obijt anno Dom. 1346. 5.
Ianuar.
Frater Adam Saxlingham.
Frater Iohannes Folsham Prior Prouincialis Anglie, obijt 1348.
April 8.
[...]. Folsham.This
Folsham proceeded Doctor of Diuinity in Cambridge;
Pitseus giues him his praise in a graue stile,
Bale (ironically) saith, that indeed he was a Doctor, and none of the meanest: for, by his chopping of Logicke hee could turne blacke into white, men into Asses, and Schoole-diuinitie into naturall Philosophie. He writ many learned workes.
Frater Ricardus Euges ob. 4.
die Iulij 1361.
Frater Willelmus de Sancta fide ob. 25.
April, 1372.
Frater Thomas Ziburgh obijt 24.
Iulij 1382.
Frater Robertus Pulham.
Frater Walterus Disse Legatus Apostolicus ob. 22.
Aug. 1404.
Frater Adam Hawling ob. 25.
Feb. 1408.
Frater Thomas Keming obijt 26
Aug. 1421.
Frater Robertus Rose, obijt 16.
Decemb. 1420.
[Page 807]This Carmelite was Doctor of Diuinitie in Oxford, of whom that Vniuersitie had such an opinion for his learning,
Rob. Rose. that they honoured him with the title of supreme Master. He writ much, yet neuer offended the
VVickleuists, he liued long, and enricht his Monastery, many as well in estate, as with diuers kindes of Sciences.
Frater Iohannes Thorpe, Doctor ingeniosus, obijt 12
Augusti, 1440.
This
Thorpe writ many bookes, as well Diuine as humane: but for one he was most remarkable, which he entituled, The Laborinth of Logicke, wherein he shewed so exquisitely the subtle Elenchs of that Art, that thereby he gained the surname of Ingenious Doctor. Which with his Epitaph was engrauen vpon his Tombe.
Frater Henricus Wychingham, obijt 14.
Marcij 1447.
Frater Iohannes Kynynghale Prior Prouincialis Anglie, obijt 28.
Aprilis, 1451.
Frater Iohannes Tauerham obiit 19.
Septemb. 1451.
Frater Petrus de Sancta fide 8.
die Nouemb. 1452.
Frater Nicolaus Grey obiit 7.
Aprilis 1458.
Frater Adam Berton.
Frater Galfridus Bee obiit 13.
Octobris 1492.
Frater Thomas Martirxet obiit 18.
Iunii 1508.
Frater Robertus Loue Prior Prouincialis Anglie 1517.
Frater Willelmus Wroxham obiit in Conventu Calisie 23.
Augusti 1383.
Frater Willelmus Raymund obiit 1.
Augusti 1386.
Frater Henricus Mylebam.
Frater Ricardus Water obiit 5.
Marcii 1485.
Frater Willelmus Worsted obiit 11
Septemb. 1494.
Frater Thomas Penyman.
Frater Iohannes VVhytyng obiit 24.
Iunii 1524:
Frater Symon Pykerynge obiit 24.
Februar. 1525.
Frater Robertus Browne 1525.
Domina Emma Carmelita reclusa & Soror in Religione obijt 2.
Decemb. 1422.
Lady
Emma 2 Recluse or Anchoresse, and of this order
Frater Hugo de Vuedale miles,Sir
Hugo Vuedal knight.ante ingressum ordinis, obijt 10.
Aprilis, 1390.
Frater Willelmus Crongethorpe miles ante ingressum ordinis,Sir
Will. Crongethorpe knight.obijt 12.
Aprilis 1332.
Frater Philippus Cowgate magnus Mercator,Philip Cowgate the Founder.primus Fundator Conventus ante ingressum ordinis, obijt 23.
Aprilis, 1283.
In the yeares 1348. from the first of Ianuary,
A grieuous great plague in Norwich. to thē first of Iuly, there died in this Citie of Norwich fifty seuen thousand one hundred and foure persons, besides religious Votaries. Whereupon the Prior and Couent of this house, deuised a Prayer for the deliuerance of certaine Carmelites out of Purgatory, which died in that contagious sicknesse, as followeth.
Deus immense bonitatis,A prayer for the deliuerāce of certaine Carmes out of Purgatory.
Ex Mss. Balei de Carmelitis.ac sempiterne clementie, pietatis affectu pro alijs rogare cogimar, qui pro nostris peccatis nequaquam sufficimus; confisi tamen de tua gratuita benignitate humiliter deprecamur, vt per meritum passionis vnigenitiatque dilecti filij tui Iesu Christi, & per merita piissime matris eius, ac omnium Sanctorum, atque Sanctarum, animas Fratrum nostrorum, &
[Page 808] omnium fidelium defunctorum, a penis liberare digneris, qui liberasti tres pueros de Camino ignis ardentis, et de manu Regis iniqui. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Now here to make an end of the Funerall Monuments which I finde in this famous Citie, as also to take my leaue of the same, may it please you runne ouer these verses of
Iohn Ionston a Scottish Britan, penned in the praise of the foresaid Citie of Norwich.
The praise of Norwich. Vide Camden.
Vrbs speciosa situ, nitidis pulcherrima tectis,
Grata peregrinis, delitiosa suis.
Bellorum sedes, trepido turbante tumultu,
Tristia Neustriaco sub duce damna tulit.
Victis dissidijs, postquam caput ardua coelo
Extulit, immensis creuit opima opibus.
Cultus vincit opes, et cultum gratia rerum,
Quam benè, si luxus non comitetur opes
Omnia sic adeò sola haec sibi sufficit, vt si
Fors regno desit, haec caput esse queat.
Thus translated by
Philemon Holland, Doctor of Physicke.
A Citie seated daintily, most faire built she is knowne,
Pleasing and kinde to strangers all, delightfull to her owne.
The seat of war, whiles ciuill stirs, and tumults yet remaind,
In
William the Normans daies, she grieuous losse sustaind.
These broiles and iars once past her head aloft againe
She bare, in richnesse infinite, and wealth, she grew amaine.
Her port exceeds that wealth, and things all superfine, this port
How happy were it, if excesse with such wealth did not sort.
So alsufficient in her selfe, and so compleate is she,
That if neede were, of all the Realme, the Mistresse she might be.
Attilborrough.
The foundation of the Colledge of Attilborrough.The Booke of Woodbridge saith, that Sir
William Mortimer Knight, Lord of this Mannor, here founded a Chappell of the holy Crosse, who died on Tuesday the 12 of Nouember, 1297. and was buried in this his owne Chappell: others say that Sir
Robert Mortimer, and
Margery his wife, were the founders of a Colledge here, which they likewise consecrated to the honour of the holy Crosse, valued in the Kings bookes, at twenty one pounds, sixteene shillings, halfe pennie.
Burials at Attilborrough.Burials in the Chappell of this Colledge, were as followeth. Sir
William Mortimer, as before: Sir
Robert Mortimer, who died at Attilburgh, the 25 of September, 1387. Sir
Thomas Mortimer: Mary Falstalph, who was wife to Sir
Thomas Mortimer, who died the second of May, 1406.
Sibill Mortimer died the 9 of Nouember, 1334.
Margery Falstalphe, daughter of ... died 24. of October, 1341.
Constantine Mortimer, Father to
Constantine,[Page 809] who died 12 Nouember, 1334. Sir
Iohn Radcliffe, knight of the Garter, in the raigne of
Henry the sixt:
Roger his brother, and
Philip his wife:
Thomas Brampton, Robert Wetnall. Alice Warner. Elisabeth, wife of
Thomas Garret, Esquire.
Of this Village, and the foundation of the Colledge, thus
Camden writes. Attilborrough, saith he, the seat of the
Mortimers, an ancient family, who being different from those of
Wigmore, bare for their Armes, a shield
Or, Seme de floures de Lyz Sables, and founded here a Collegiat Church, where there is little now to be seene: the Inheritance of these
Mortim
[...]rs, hath by marriage long since accrued to the
Radcliffes,Sir
Alex. Radcliffe of Ordsall now owner of Attilborro
[...]Anu. 1031. now Earles of Sussex, to the Familie of
Fitz-Ralph, and to Sir
Ralph Bigot: it is the inheritance at this day of Sir
Alexander Radcliffe of Ordsall, in the County of Lancaster, knight of the Bath.
Windham.
William d Albiny,The foundation of the Priory of
[...]Ex
[...]. Lond. Butler to King
Henry the first, founded here a Priory, of which, thus much out of his Charter, as followeth.
Notum sit. &c. quod Ego Willelmus de Alben
[...]yo Pincerna Domini Regis Henrici primido concedo, &c. Priori et conuentui de Wymundeham in liberam, puram, et perpetuam eleemosinam pro salute anime mee, et vxoris mee patris mei & matris mee, et omnium parentum meorum totam Ecclesiam de Wymundeham cum omnibus pertinencijs, &c. Test. Rog. Bygoth, et filij eius, &c.
He endowed this his religious edifice, with faire possessions, consecrated it to the blessed Virgin
Mary, placed blacke Monkes therein, and gaue it to the Abbey of Saint Albans for a Cell: it was valued in the Exchequer, to be yearely worth seuentie two pounds, fiue shillings, foure pence.
From a Cell to Saint Albans,
The Priory made an Abbey. it was aduanced to an Abbey, vpon the occasion following set downe by
Iohn Wheathamstead.
Iohn, the seuenth of that Christian name, Abbot of Saint Albans, could not endure a certaine Monke of the house, whom hee had made Archdeacon, whose name was
Stephen London, because hee would tell him sometimes of his faults.
Ordine septenus dum rexit ouile Iohannes,
Et baculum gessit,
Io. Whe
[...]onssea
[...] Mss. in b
[...]b. C
[...]t.
cetumque gregis benedixit,
Nunquam pacifico bene cernere sciuit ocello
Quend
[...]m confratrem quem fecerat Archileuitam.
Therefore to be rid of his company, whose lookes and admonishments were so distastfull, the Abbot perswades the Archleuite or Archdeacon to take vpon him the charge of this Priory of Windham, as then void of a Gouernour, in these or the like words.
Ecce Prioratus Wymundam nomine dictus,
Iam vacat absque patre, vacans stat et absque Priore:
Huic te prefecimus, in prepositumque creamus,
[Page 810]Cur se disponas
[...]ilec cito quoque pergas,
Est lacus insignis apud et nos grandis honoris.
The Archdeacon
Stephen accepts of this promotion, which is thus in
[...]he said Manuscript exprest.
Aduertens Frater quod erat sibi victricus alter,
Pastor et ille sibi quasi prenignus stomachanti,
Censuit expediens per tempus vt absoret absens,
Quam m
[...]l
[...] sub curuo sic viuere semper ocello,
Illius in plac
[...]um necflexum cernere vultum;
Pergere consensit elluc properans et adiuit.
This
Stephen pleased both his flocke and Founder, wondrous well, but displeased his Father the foresaid Abbot,
Iohn of S. Albans, who within the yeare, sent expresse commandement to discharge him of his Priorship, which was hainously taken both by himselfe and his Patron or Founder, whose name,
[...] saith my Author, was one
Andrew Ogard.
Miles preualidus, miles locuplesque peritus.
In so much, that they ioyned in petition to the Pope, that it would
[...] Holinesse, that the Abbey of S. Albans might haue no iurisdiction
[...] the Priory of Windham, that the Priory might be altered into an Ab
[...], and that the Prior thereof might euer after be honoured with the title
[...] Abbot; which was granted, as you may reade in these subsequent verses.
Optinuit tandem Prior Abbas vt sit ibidem
Ac Abbathia que cella prius fuit vna,
Istius Eccelesie, sic migrauit sine fine
Non sine dedecote dicti Patris que rubore.
The time of this alteration was in the beginning of the raigne of
Henry the fourth, as it is explained thus by the said
Whethamstead.
M. semel, quinus, C quater tune fuit annus,
De tanto demptis numero tantummodo binis,
Cum fuerant facta iam dicta priusque peracta,
Ista modo celle retractio pre recitate;
Tunc exeunte septeno Patre Iohanne
Et Fundatore famoso milite valde
Ogard Andreas fuerat qui nomine dictus;
Stephanus et London Abbas qui primus ibidem.
Burials at
[...].But now at length (for I haue beene too long holden in this brable) to come to the burials in this Abbey Church.
First, the Founder,
William de Albeney, Earle of Arundell, vpon whose Monument, this Epitaph was engrauen.
William de Albeney, sonne of the said
William, Earle of Arundell, he died at Wauerley in Surrey, the fourth of the Ides of October, 1176.
VVillelmus comes de Arundel senior obijt apud VVauerley 4
I
[...]. Octobris 1176.
VVilliam Albeny, the third Earle of Arundell and Sussex, who went with
Richard the first into the Holy Land, and remained with him in Almania all the time of his imprisonment, and being full of yeares, died presently vpon his returne with K.
Richard, the day before the Nones of May, 1196.
Hoc anno 1193.
obijt VVillelmus comes iunior de Arundel in vigilia Natiuitatis Christi,Ex Annal. de Wauerley, in bib. Cot. say the Annals of Wauerley aforesaid.
VVilliam de Albeny, the fourth Earle of Arundell, and second of Sussex, the inheritor of his fathers honours and vertues, who together with
Ranulph Earle of Chester,
Sayer de Quincy, Earle of Winchester,
VVilliam Earle
Ferrers, Robert Lord
Fitz
[...]water, Iohn Constable of Chester, and
VVilliam Harecourt, with a great traine, tooke his iourney to the Holy Land, and after the winning of Damieta in Palestine in his returne home wards, died the yeare 1221. at a little towne beyond Rome▪ called Kame
[...]VVillelmus comes de Arundel rediens de ciuitate Damiet moritur vlera Romam, [...].apud quoddam oppidulum Kamel nomine. Cuius corpus membratim diuisum, ex ipsius iussione, in Anglia transportatum est, et apud Wymuna ham sepultum anno 1221.
Hugh de Albeney, brother and heire of the foresaid
VVilliam, who died without issue, in the yeare, 1243. the 28 of King
Henry the third. Sir
Andrew Ogard Knight, and Patron of the Priory. Sir
Iohn Clifton, Knight, 1447. and Dame
Ione his wife. Dame
Margaret, daughter of Sir
Iohn Clifton, and wife to Sir
Andrew Ogard.Romaines.Ione, daughter of
Iohn Lonell. Izo
[...] ▪ Arderne. A gentleman called
None, who because hee gaue nothing to the Religious of this house, had this nicking Distich made to his memory.
Hic situs est Nullus, quia nullo nullior iste;
[...]pon
[...]None.
Et quia Nullus erat de nullo nil tibi christe.
Here lyeth
None, one worse then none for euer thought,
And because
None, of none to thee O Christ, giues nought,
I haue read another Epitaph of this sirname, but not so well rimed.
Hic recubat Nullus, nullo de sanguine cretus:
Nullus apud viuos, Nullus apud Superos.
None lieth here, of linage none descended
Amongst men None, None mongst the Saints befrended.
Reynham East.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Towneshend silij Rogeri,Io. Townsend.et Elianore qui
[Page 812] obijt iiii die Octobris, Ann. Dom. M.cccclxv.
Sir
Rog Towneshead knight.There is also a very faire Tombe of the sonne (as it seemeth) of the said
Iohn and
Elenor; for vpon it are the same coates quartered as vpon the other. It hath no Inscription, but in likelyhood it is the Tombe of Sir
Roger Towneshead, one of the Iudges of the Common Pleas in the time of King
Henry the seuenth.
Stratton▪
Bardolfe.On the North side of this Church there lieth one buried in the wall vnder a marble, vpon which is the resemblance of a man crosse-legged, all in male armour, his belt by his side, and other accoutrements of great antiquitie: some gesse him to haue beene one of the
Bardolfes. Barons of great Nobilitie in this Tract, who flourished a long time in honourable estate.
Thornage.
Anne Lady
Higham.Here is a faire Tombe vnder which lieth buried
Anne Lady and wife of Sir
Clement Heigham knight, who died ....
aetatis 84.
Higham a Towne in Suffolke, which giues name to this worthy very ancient family of
Higham.
Lib. 2.
cap. 16.Michael Lord
Montaigne in his Essay of Glory, writes that his Ancestors haue beene surnamed
Higham; I haue no name, saith he, that is sufficiently mine: Of two I haue, the one is common to all my race, yea and also to others. There is a family at Paris, and another at Montpellier, called
Montaigne, another in Brittany, and one in Zantoigne, surnamed
de la Montaigne.Lord
Montaigne surnamed
Higham. The remouing of one only sillable may so confound our webbe, as I shall haue a share in their glory, and they perhaps a part of my shame. And my Ancestors haue heretofore beene surnamed
Heigham, or
Hyquem, a surname which also belongs to a house well knowne in England.
Sir
William Butts knight, and his Lady.Here is another Tombe on the South side of the Chancell, vpon which is the pourtraiture of Sir
VVilliam Butts, in his complete armour kneeling, his sword by his side, his spurres, his helmet at his feet. His Lady by him kneeling, hauing her coat-armour.
Here are the coats of
Butts and
Bacon quartered vpon the Tombe;
Arwerton, saith
Camden in Suffolke, the house long since of the Family of the
Baco
[...]s who held this Mannor and Brome, by conducting all the footmen of Suffolke and Norfolke from S. Edmunds-dike in the warres of Wales. These
Bacons haue at this day their residence at Culfurth in Suffolke,
Sir
Nicholas Bacon knight and Baronet. a goodly house erected by Sir
Nicholas Bacon knight, the first Baronet, sonne vnto that Sir
Nicholas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England;
Sir
Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper. who for his singular wisedome and most sound iudgement, was right worthily esteemed one of the two supporters of this kingdome in his time. Who lieth entombed in S.
Pauls with his two wiues. Who died
An. 1578. You may reade this Inscription vpon the said Monument.
No lesse worthie of praise,
Sir
Francis Bacon Lord Chancellour. for his many excellent good parts, was his sonne, who followed the fathers steps; I meane Sir
Francis Bacon knight, Lord Verulam, Viscount Saint
Alban, and Lord Chancellour of England, lately deceased.
Snoring.
Here vnder a faire Tombe lieth the daughter of Sir
Iohn Heydon, who married one of the
Heninghams. These
Heydons are an ancient race of Knights degree.
Orate pro animabus Radulphi Shelton militis,Sir
Raph Shelton and
Alice his wife.& Domine Alicie vxoris eius filie Thome de Vnedal Militis, qui quidem Radulphus obiit xxv. die Aprilis, Anno M.ccccxxiiii.
Blackney.
A famous religious house of Carmelite Friers in this late age aforegoing,
The foundation of Blackney Priory. built and endowed by Sir
Robert de Roos, or
Rosse, Sir
Robert Bacon, and Sir
Iohn Bret Knights, about the yeare 1321. out of which came
Iohn Baconthorpe, of whom I haue spoken somewhat before. And now here giue me leaue to speake a little more, which I had omitted, our of
Camden.Camd in Norf. A man, saith he, in that age of such varietie and depth withall, of excellent learning, that he was had in exceeding great admiration among the Italians, and commonly called the Resolute Doctor.
The Resolute Doctor. Whence it is, that
Paulus Pansa thus writeth of him.
If thy minde stand to enter into the secret power of the Almighty and most mercifull God, no man hath written of his Essence more exactly. If any man desireth to learne the causes of things, or the effects of Nature; if he wish to know the sundrie motions of heauen, and the contrary qualities of the Elements, this man offereth himselfe as a storehouse to furnish him. The armour of Christian Religion, of better proofe and defence then those of
Vulcans making against the Iewes, this resolute Doctor alone hath deliuered.
Iohn Vnct
[...]n.Orate pro anima Henrici Vnton qui obijt Anno Millesimo cccxx.
Statton Saint Michaels.
Iohn C
[...]ll.Orate pro anima Iohannis Cowal, quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie, quiistam Cancellam de nouo fieri fecit, Anno Domini, M.cccclxxxvii. & pro quibus tenetur orare....
Stratton Saint Mary.
Iohn Bocher
and Marg.
his wife.Orate pro animabus Iohannis Bocher & Margarete vxoris eius, quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Tho. Drake.Orate pro anima Thome Drake, qui obijt Anno Domini
1490.
Io. Waith
and Marg.
his wife.Orate pro animabus Iohannis Waith & Margerie vxoris eius, qui Iohannes obijt xviii die mensis Februar. Anno Domini M.cccclxxxx. Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
Bunwell.
Io. Darosse and his wife.Of your charity pray for the soul of
Iohn Darosse, and
Margaret his wyffe, on whos souls Ihesu haue mercy. Amen.
Tybenham.
Io Avelyn
Vicar.Orate pro anima Iohannis Avelyn, quondam vicarij istius Ecclesie, qui obijt xxviii die Decembris anno M.cccccvii. Cuius.....
Io. Glouer
Vicar.Orate pro anima Iacobi Glouer quondam Vicarii istius Ecclesie. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Orate pro animabus Roberti Buxton, Cristiane & Agnetis vxorum eius, qui quidem Robertus obiit anno Domini M.cccccxxviii. Quorum animabus propitietur altissimus.
Here lieth likewise vnder a faire Grauestone Iohn Buxton,
sonne and heire of Robert
aforesaid, who married Margaret Warner,
by whom he had issue two sonnes and two daughters. Annos spirauit octoginta quatuor,
euen to our times. Of whom more hereafter.
North Walsham.
Willi
[...]m Roys.Orate pro anima Willelmi Roys qui obiit x. die Kalend. Martii, M.cccc.
Ashwelthorp.
Isabell Tilney.Hic iacet Isabella que fuit vxor Philippi Tylney Armigeri, vna filiarum & heredum Edmundi Thorp Militis, & Domine Iohanne quondam Domine de Scales consortis sue que obiit decimo die mensis Nouembris, anno Domini, M.ccccxxxvi. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Alwayes keping howse where rich and pore were fedd.
Gentell, iust, quyet, voyd of debate and stryfe;
Euer doying good: Lo thus she ledd her life,
Euen to the Graue, where Erth on Erth doth ly:
On whos soul God graunt of his abundant mercy.
The xvii of February, M.D.lxi.
Spikesworth or Spixford.
Orate pro animabus Iohannis Styward et Margarete vxoris eius.
Io. Styward
& Marg.
his wife.
Orate pro anima Georgii Linsted,
George Linsted. qui obiit in festo Assumptionis beate Marie, anno Domini, M.D.xvii.
Orate pro anima Willelmi Davy quondam Ciuis Norwic. Vinter. et huins Ecclesie spiritualis benefactor.
Will. Davy.
Orate pro anima Margarete Thorne nuper vxoris Thome Thorne,
Marg. Thorne. que obiit tertio die Septembris,
1544.
South-acre.
In the Chancell vnder the South wall lieth entombed Sir
Roger Harsicke Knight,
Sir
Roger Harsicke knight. the sonne and heire of
Iohn, who liued in the eight yeare of King
Henry the fifth, and in the twenty ninth of
Henry the sixth, in whom the issue male ended, leauing his inheritance to his two daughters.
Sir
Alexander Harsick released to the Monkes of Castell-acre, the lands granted by his Ancestours in the three and thirtieth of King
Henry the third, and of his owne good will to the increasing of it, he gaue the Sand pits, and for the confirmation of the same grant he put to the Seale of his armes, hanging at the parchment by a silke string: which manner of sealing was vsuall in those dayes.
Castell-acre.
In the raigne of King
William Rufus,The foundation of the Abbey of Castle Acre.William Warren the second Earle of Surrey, founded here a Monastery of blacke Monkes Cluniakes, to the honour of God, and our blessed Lady, Saint
Mary of Acre, and the holy Apostles
Peter and
Paul,, and for the Monkes of Saint
Pancrace there seruing. Which Abbey afterwards his sonne, and his sonnes sonne, both named
Williams, and Earles of Surrey, confirmed, ratified, and augmented. Witnesses to the first Charter,
Will. Braunch, Waukelin de Rosew, Robert de Mortuo mare, or
Mortimer, &c. To the second Charter
Raph de Pauliaco, &c. To the third,
William Bishop of Norwich, who dedicated the Church, and many others. Of which Charters, take a little touch out of authenticall Records.
[Page 816] [...]am presentibus quam futuris quod ego Willelmus comes de
[...] pro salute anime mee, et patris mei, et matris mee, et heredum me
[...], dedi et presenti Charta confirmaui deo et Sancte Marie de Acra, et Mo
[...]is ibidem Deo seruientibus Ecclesiam de Acra. [...]
Nouerint &c. concedo Deo et sancte Marie de Acra et sanctis Apostolis Pe
[...]o et Paulo, et Monachis de sancto Pancratio ibidem deo seruientibus in ipsa Accra, duas carucatas terre, quas eidem Ecclesie pater meus et mater mea dederunt, &c.
Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Willelmus, &c. quando feci dedicare Ecclesiam Sancte Marie de Acra dedi Monachis ibidem, &c. omnes donatio
[...]es quas antecessores mei, scilicet Auus meus et pater meus et Barones sui eidem Ecclesie dederunt, &c. et duas solidatas terre, &c. Hijs Tes
[...]ibus. Will. Norwicen. Episcopo qui eandem Ecclesiam dedicauit, &c.
This foundation was valued at the suppression, at three hundred twenty foure pounds, seuenteene shillings, fiue pence, halfe penny, qua▪ surrendred the 2
[...] of Nouember, 29
Hen. 8.
West-acre.
[...]Radulphe de Torneio founded the Monastery of Canons in Westacre, which did professe to lead a godly life after the example of the Apostles, as
[...] mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, where it is said, that the number of
[...]he
[...] [...]hat did beleeue, were all of one heart and one minde; and none of them said that any thing which he had was his owne, but they had all things in common, and because (as in the Charter of his gift) he declareth that the holy Fathers did call this the canonicall rule; affirming, that whosoeuer did leade such a life, was thereby made a companion and Citizen with the Apostles. Therefore hee pronounceth in his said Charter, that whosoeuer did infringe this his donation, or alter, or change it into Monkes, or into any other Order or Rule, should be held accursed, &c.
[...]Oliuet Sacerdos de Acra, Galterusque suus filius cum magna sanctitate
[...] W
[...]slacram, huic canonice norme cum omnibus
[...]uis rebus se tradiderunt
[...] territorio Radulphi de Torneio. Ego Radulphus de Torneio cum vxore mea Aclit, omnibus que meis pueris Rogerio Radulpho, pro nobis, et animabus an
[...]cessorum nostrorum concedimus et confirmamus Ecclesie omnium Sanctorum de Acra, [...]et Oliueti Sacerdoti, et Gualterio suo filio, omnibus canonicis ibi manen
[...]ibus, suisque posteris deo ibidem seruientibus Feodum quod Oliuet Sace
[...]dos sub me tenuit, &c.
Huius confirmationis sunt testes Gislebertus Blondus Willel▪ de Portis Willel. de Lira, Rogerus Gros. Galterus Capellanus, &c.
The valuation of this religious structure, at the suppression, was three hundred eight pounds, nineteene shillings, eleuen pence, halfe penny qua.
Catton.
Pray for the soul of
Iohn Bronde, and
Agnes his wyffe, which
Iohn dye
[...] 26 Ianuary,
[...] Br
[...]d, and
Agnes his wi
[...]. 1542.
[Page 817]Orate pro anima Agnet is Wrongey .... [...]
Reuerendus in Christo Pater Robertus Bronde Prior Norwicen.In a gl
[...]e Window.Ecclesie me vitriari fecit, anno Christi, 1538.
Frettenham, or
Frekenham.
Hic iacet Margareta filia Iohannes White,Margaret White▪filij secundi Iohannis White militis vxor Egidij Seyntlowe a
[...]mig. domini de Mayston, filij Alicie, filie et heredis Roberti Burnham de Lynne, et vxoris Iohannis White secundi predicti. Que obijt in vigilia Natalis Domini, anno Dom. M.D.xxxii.
O Crist Iesu, pity and mercy haue
On
Alis Burnham, that whylom was the wyff
Of
Gyles Thorndon,
Alice Burnham
which lyeth here in graue,
And her defend from wars of Fendish stryff.
Make her pertaker of eternall lyff
By the merits of thy passioun,
Whych with thy blood madest our redemptioun.
Snitterton, or
Snisterton.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Bokenham Armigeri nuper filij Hugonis Bokenham de Lyuermer magna,
Io. Bokenham▪ nec non Nepotis et heredis Edmundi Bokenham de Snisterton, qui obijt xv. die Mensis octobris anno Domini M.cccc.lxxxiiii. et pro animabus Anne et Iohanne .... quorum animabus ....
Orate pro anima Georgij Bokenham armigeri de Snisterton, filii et heredis Iohannis Bokenham,
George Bokenham. qui obiit xxi. die octobris anno M.D.xxiii. Cuius anime ...
Ingham, or
Hyngham.
Vnder a faire Tombe of free-stone very curiously wrought,
Sir
Oliuer Ingham, knight lieth the body of Sir
Oliuer Ingham, with his resemblance in his coate Armour, his belt, gilt spurs, and the blew Garter about his leg; his Creast, the Owle out of the Iuie bush, with a crowne on the head thereof: He being a great trauailer, lyeth vpon a Rocke, beholding the Sunne, and Moone, and starres, all very siue
[...]y set forth in mettall, beholding the face of the earth: about the Tombe, twenty and foure mourne
[...]s.
Sir
Oliuer Ingham,Stow Annal. Hollins. knight, whom the yong Duke,
Edward, had made keeper of Aquitaine, gathered a great army, and inuaded the Prince of Aniou (which the French King, contrary to couenants, did with hold) and brought it wholly to the dominion of England,
anno Reg. Regis, Ed. secundi 19.
Burdeaux (the capitall citie of Aquitaine,
Sp
[...]ed. cap. 1
[...]. and then English) gaue an excellent testimony of her loyalty, nor lesse of martiall wit and valour. For the French Army comming before her, she to abuse their hope, set open her
[Page 818] gates, and displayed vpon her Powers, the golden Lillies, as if shee were theirs: but the French, which securely entred, found little good hospitality. Sir
Oliuer de Ingham was Captaine, and Lord Warden there for King
Edward, who with his Garrison-Souldiers, and aide of the Inhabitants, slew of them, great multitudes, and preserued Burdeaux,
anno Reg. Regis Ed. 3.13.
Hickeling.
The buriall place of the worthy familie of the
Woodhouses, wherein a monument remaineth to the memory of Sir
William Woodhouse knight.
Sir
Will. Woodhouse.
Here sometime was a Priory dedicated to the honour of Saint
Austin, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, founded by one
Theobald de Vallencia,The foundation of Hickling Priory. as some say, others by
William de Albeny, the second of that name, Earle of Arundell; valued at one hundred thirty seuen pounds, pennie, halfe penny, qua.
Wallpoole.
Rochfords....: Radulphus Rochford miles ....
Willelmus filius Domini Iohannis de Rochford Constabularii castri de VVisbiche ....
Tirrington.
Thomas Sutton.Hic iacet Thomas Sutton, filius Thome Sutton nuper de Milton, filii Domini Iohannis Sutton Domini de Dudley .....
Hic iacet Elizabeth Sutton filia Roberti Goddard .....: que obiit .....
Hic iacet Robertus Goddard armiger qui obiit anno Dom. M.cccc.xlviii.
Rob. Goddard. Ric. Zorke.Hic iacet Ricardus Zorke, quondam Burgeni ville Berwic super Tweed ......
I reade in
Hackluits first volume of Voyages, that Sir
Fredericke Tilney, a great Commander in the holy warres, was interred in this Church of Tirrington: take it as he sets it downe.
A note out of a Booke in the hands of
Thomas Tilney Esquire, touching Sir
Fredericke Tilney his ancestor, knighted at Acon in the Holy Land, by King Richard the first.
Sir
Fredericke T
[...]lney, knight, a man of high stature. Sixteene knights of the
Tilneys, successiuely.Pertinuit iste liber prius Frederico Tylney de Boston in Com. Lincoln. militi facto apud Acon in terra sancta, anno Regis Richardi primi tertio. Vir erat iste magnae staturae, et potens corpore, qui cum patribus suis dormit apud Tirrington iuxta villam sui nominis Tylney in Mershland, cuius altitudo in salua custodia permanet ibidem vsque in hunc diem: Et post eius obitum sexdecem Militibus eius nominis Tylney haereditas illa successiue obuenit, quorum
[Page 819] vnus post alium semper habitabat apud Boston praedict. dum fratris senioris haereditas haeredi generali deuoluta est,Tilneys inheritance deuolued to the
Howards by marriage.quae nupta est Thome Duci Norsolciae. Eorum miles vltimus suit Philippus Tylney nuper de Shelleigh in Com. Suff pater et genitor Thomae Tylney de Hadleigh in Com. praedict. Armigeri, cui modo attinet iste liber anno aetatis 64.1556.
Fincham. S. Martins.
Orate pro anima Iohannis filii et heredis Iohannis Fincham,
Io. Fincham. filii Symonis Fincham, qui obiit vltimo die Aprilis, M.cccc lxxxxix.
Orate pro anima Elizabethe quondam vxoris Symonis Fincham Armigeri,
Eliz. Fincham. et vnius filiarum et heredum Iohannis Tendering de Brokedyn in Com. Suff. Ar. que quidem Elizabetha obiit: ... M.cccc.lxiiii.
Orate pro anima Iohannis Fincham filii et heredis Symonis Fincham de Fincham Ar. qui obiit vi. die Septembris anno Domini M.cccc.lxxxxvi.
Io. Fincham.
Saint Benets in the Holme.
The foundation of this religious structure is thus set downe by learned
Camden in his chorographicall description of this County.
Then passeth the riuer Thirn,
The foundation of S
Benets in the Holme. saith hee, neere the great decayed Abbey, called Saint
Benet in the Holme: which
Knute the Dane built, & the Monks afterward so strengthened with most strong wals and bulwarkes, that it seemed rather a castell then a Cloister. In so much that
William the Conquerour could not winne it by assault, vntill a Monke betraied it into his hands, vpon this condition, that himselfe might be made Abbot thereof, which was done accordingly:
An Abbot of Holme hanged. but forth with this new Abbot for being a traitour (as the inhabitants make report) was hanged vp by the Kings commandement, and so iustly punished for his treason.
After the first foundation of this Abbey by King
Knute, her reuenues were greatly augmented, and her building enlarged by
Edward the Confessor, and
Editha his Queene, with the consent of fiue Dukes, and of all, or the most of the Lords spirituall and temporall within his kingdome, as it appeares by his Charter
in Arch Turris Lond. Cart. Ant.
It was dedicated to the honour of Christ and Saint
Benedict, replenished with blacke Monkes Benedictines, and valued in the Exchequer, at sixe hundred seuenty seuen pounds, nine shillings, eight pence, qua.
Clipesby.
Not farre from the foresaid Abbey,
Camd. in Norf. is the Parish and Lordship of Clipesby, which gaue name, saith
Camden, to a familie of ancient note in this tract, whereof there hath beene diuers Knights; where after it had passed in the names of
Algar, Elfled, and
Odberd, all sirnamed
de Clipesby, as appeareth by many vndated Deedes, which I haue seene; it came about the first of King
Iohn, to
Iohn de Clipesby,Iohn Clipesby. and from him lineally to the last
[Page 820]Iohn heire male of that line. On whose Monument in this Church of Clipesby are empaled the Armes of
Ierningham,Iohn Clipesby.Woodhouse, Spelman, Paston, all Knightly families of that countrey, with whom the
Clipesbies had formerly matched.
By
Iulian a daughter and coheire of this last
Iohn, married to Sir
Randall Crewe, of Crewe in the County of Chester Knight, after Lord chiefe Iustice of England, the old surname of the Lord of this Mannor was changed, but not the bloud. For, she left, besides a daughter, two sonnes; the eldest her heire christened with the name of her paternall familie;
Clipesby, now Sir
Clipesby Crew Knight. She the said
Iulian died at Kewe in the County of Surrey, in the yeare 1603. and was in the Chancell of the Church of Richmond, decently interred, with this Inscription vpon her Monument.
Antiqua fuit orta domo, pia viuit, iniuit
Virgo pudica Thorum, Sponsa pudica polum.
In this Church are diuers other Funerall Monuments for the
Clipesbies, but so defaced as neither Inscription nor coate-armes are remaining vpon them, to giue me any further light.
Oby.
Catherine Clipesby.Orate pro anima Katerine filie Iohannis Spelman Armigeri quondam vxoris Clipesby Armigeri, postea vxoris Edmundi Paston Armigeri, que obijt xviii die Aprilis, anno Domini M.cccclxxxxi. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Elingham.
Hen Spelman.Orate pro anima Henrici Spelman Armigeri filij et heredis Thome Spelman Armigeri, qui obiit primo die mensis Martii, anno Dom M.cccccxxv. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
The Armes of Spelman
and Mortimer
of Attilborough.
Narborough.
Hen.
[...]pelman and
Ela his
[...]e.Orate pro animabus Henrici Spelman Legis periti ac Recordatoris ciuitatis Norw. & Ele vxoris eius; qui quidem Henricus obiit xxiii die Septembris anno Domini M.cccclxxxxvi.
Vpon this Monument are his Armes and his two wiues,
Christian, daughter and coheire of
Thomas Manning Esquire, and of
Elisabeth his wife, daughter and coheire of Sir
Thomas Ienny Knight. The second
Ela daughter and coheire of
William Narburgh, of Narburgh Esquire, a family of great antiquitie, that bare gules, a chiefe Ermin.
Sir
Iohn Spelman knight, &
Elis. his wife.Here vndre lieth buried▪ the body of Sir
Iohn Spelman knyght, and Secundary Iustice of the Kyngs Bench, and Dame
Elis. his wyffe, whych had xiii sonnes, and vii doughters of theire bodyes betwene them begottyn. The which Sir
Iohn decessed the xxvi day of February, in the yere of our
[Page 821] Lord God, M.cccccxliv. and the said Dame
Elizabeth decessed the v day of Nouembre, the yere of our Lord, M.ccccclvi. on whos souls Iesu haue mercy. Amen.
This
Elisabeth was the daughter and coheire of Sir
Henry Frowick, of Gonwelsbury in the County of Midlesex Knight, who lieth entombed in Eling Church in the said County; Grandmother to that learned Gentleman and iudicious Antiquarie, Sir
Henry Spelman Knight,
Sir
Hen. Spelman knight. now lining,
Anno 1631. and great Grandmother to Sir
Clement Spelman Knight, deceased, who succeeded in that inheritance.
Here lyeth
Iohn Spelman Esquyre (sonne and heire apparent to Sir
Iohn Spelman Knyghte,
Io Spelman and
Marg. his wife. one of the Iustyces at the Pleas before the kyng to bee holden, and Dame
Elisabeth his wyffe) which
Iohn married
Margaret (one of the doughters to Sir
Thomas Blennerhasset knyght, and Dame
Margaret his wyffe) and had issue by the said
Margaret, too sonnes and too doughters liuing at the day of his death; and decessed the xxvii day of December, in the yere of our Lord God, M.cccccxlv. on whos soul Iesu have mercy. Amen.
Stow.
William Spelman Esquire,
Will. Spelman. who died in the raigne of
Henry the seuenth, lay buried vnder a faire Tombe in this Church of Stow by Watton; and the Vicar and Churchwardens here, about eight yeares agoe, making a Raile about the Communion table, pulled downe the Tombe, to make roome for the Raile and Communicants.
Others of the ancient Family of the
Spelmans lie interred here and at Narborrow: whose names I will onely set downe being so neare these times. As
Iohn Spelman Esquire, who married
Iudeth one of the daughters of Sir
Clement Higham knight, who died 28 April,
anno 1581. Sir
Clement Spelman knight, high Sheriffe of this County,
anno 1599. who died 24. Septemb. 1607.
Ierome Spelman Esquire, the twelfth sonne of Sir
Iohn Spelman.
Rougham.
Here is a Tombe of Sir
William Yeluerton Knight,
Sir
Will. Yeluerton knight, and
Iohn his sonne. one of the Iustices of the Kings Bench in the time of King
Henry the sixth; and a Monument of his sonne, who is mentioned vpon it to bee Esquire to King
Edward the fourth.
Orate pro animabus Willelmi Yeluerton Militis et quondum Iustic. Domini Regis de suo banco et Dominae Agnetis vx. sue qui quidem Willelmus obijt 27
die Martis, &c.
Another stone in the Chancell with two portraitures inscribed.
Obijt Io. Yeluerton 1505.
Obijt Rogerus Yeluerton, 1510.
Orate pro anima Domini Io. Swaffham quondam Vicar huius Ecclesie qui obijt Anno Domini 1409.
cuius Anime propitietur Deus.
Sandringham.
Prey pur le alme
Du Richard Fitz Iean
Iadis Patron
De ceste Maison.
Holme iuxta mare.
Hen. Nottingham and his wife.
Herry Notynham and hys wyfe lyne her,
that made.
Yat madden thys Chyrche Stepull and
Quire.
Quer;
Too Vestyments and Bells yei madden alsoo;
Crist hem sav therfor fro woo.
And to bryng her souls to blis of hevyn
Seyth Pater and Ave wyth myld
Stephyn.
Hunstanton.
Here the noble ancient familie of
Le Strange lie buried vnder faire Monuments.
Hen. Le Strange.Orate pro anima Henrici Le Strange Armigeri, & Katherine vxoris eius, pro benefactoribus .... & pro fidelibus defunctis. Qui quidem Henricus obijt vicesimo quinto die mensis Nouembris. An. Domini M.cccclxxv. quorum animabus propitietur Deus:
Vpon the side of a Tombe (the names of
Roger Le Strange, and others of the name about the Verge of the said Tombe, being inlaid with brasse) this Genealogicall Inscription is to be read.
Sir
Roger Le Strange, knight for the body to
[...]ing
Henry the
[...]enth.Orate pro anima prenominati Rogeri le Strange Militis, pro corpore illustrissimi nuper Regis Anglie Henrici septimi, ac fil. et hered. prefati Henrici le Strange Armigeri, Fratris et heredis Iohannis le Strange, filij & heredis tam Iohannis le Strange, quam Alicie Beamont consanguinee et heredis Iohannis Pike, et Iohannis Rushbroke. Et dictus Iohannes le Strange fuit filius et heres tam Iohannis le Strange militis, quam Elianore fil. et hered. tam Richardi Walkefare Militis, quam consanguinee et heredis Thome Morieux Militis. Et dictus Iohannes le Strange miles, fuit fil. et her. Hamonis le Strange Armigeri, et Katherine fil. Domini Iohannis de Camois, et dictus
[Page 823] Hamo le Strange fuit fil. et heres Hamonis le Strange Militis et Margarite Vernon de Motton consanguinee et hered. Magistri Richardi Vernon: et dictus Hamo le Strange miles, fuit frater Domini Iohannis le Strange de Knocking et Mohun. Qui quidem Rogerus le Strange miles obiit xxvii. die Octobris anno Domini M.cccccvi. et nuper Regis dicti vice simo primo. Cuius anime, ac animabus antecessorum benefactorum suorum, nec non anime Iohannis le Strange de Masingham parua Armigeri fratris et executoris prerecitati Rogeri le Strange Militis Deus propitietur. Amen.
Hunstanton, saith
Camden,Camd. in Norf. is to bee remembred in this regard, if there were nothing else, for that it hath beene the habitation of the Familie of
Le Strange, Knights by degree, euer since that in the raigne of
Edward the second,
Iohn Baron Le Strange of Knocking, gaue the same vnto
Hamon his younger brother.
Hamon Le Strange the elder,
Stow Annal. performed great and good seruice for his Lord and Soueraigne
Henry the third, against
Simond de Montford Earle of Leicester, and his complices the 48. yeare of the said Kings raigne. Hee tooke vpon him a voiage to the holy Land, as I finde it thus recorded.
Hamo extraneus diu antequam iter arripuit versus terram sanctam.Ex Arch. Turris London.Feosauit Rogerum Extraneum fratrem suum de Manerijs de Colouere et Henton, que idem Hamo tenuit de Petro de Monteforti. Fines Anno 2.
Ed. 1.
Memb. 26.
Penteney.
A Monastery founded by
Reginald de Warren,The foundation of Penteney Abbey. brother of
William de Warren, the second Earle of Surrey, in which he placed blacke Canons; it was dedicated to Saint
Mary Magdalene: and valued vpon the dissolution thereof at two hundred and fifteene pounds eight shillings eight pence.
This Abbey, saith
Camden, was the ordinary buriall place in ancient time of the Noblemen and Gentlemen in this tract.
Anno Domini 1326.
obijt Domina Petronilla de Neirford & iacet apud Penteney.Ex. lib. Abb. de Langley.
Dominus Iohannes de Neirford obijt .... et iacet in Ecclesia Prioratus de Penteney. These are all I haue as yet found to haue beene here interred.
Fornset Saint Peters.
Hic iacet Richardus Baxter qui per Isabellam vxorem eius habuit duos filios,Ric. Baxter cowardly slain.et duas filias, et postea ignaue vulneratus inde obijt vltimo die Maij, anno Domini M.cccclxxxiiii. Cuius anime propitietur Deus:
Orate pro anima Thome Baxter qui duxit Margaretam filiam Willelmi Drake generosi,Tho. Baxter.et habuit exitum quatuor filios, et vnam filiam, et obijt 27.
Aprilis, 1535.
Orate pro animabus Thome Drake, et Elisabethe vxoris eius ....
All cristian peple that walk by thys Tomb erly or late,
Tho. Drake and
Elis. his wife.
Of your cheriry say a
Pater Noster for the soul of
Tho. Drake.
The foundation of Wendling Priory.Here was a Priory of Augustine Friers, founded by Sir
William de Wendling Priest, valued at fiftie fiue pounds, eighteene shillings, foure pence, halfe pennie qua.
Elingham neere Bungay.
Orate pro anima Willelmi Ellingham.... et consortis sue...
Orate pro anima Ricardi Billington...
Petrus Lyng Rector istius Ecclesie....
Orate pro anima Roberti Bonefelow...
These Inscriptions aboue written are depensild in the glasse windowes.
Here lyeth buried one
More of Norwich, to whose memory, some wit of those times, (but the time of his death I doe not know) playing and making dalliance with his name, made this Epitaph following.
More had I once, More would I haue,
More is not to be had;
The first I .... the next is vaine,
The third is too too bad.
If I had vs
[...]d with More regard,
The More that I did giue,
I might haue made more vse and fruit
Of
More while he did liue.
But time will be recald no more,
More since are gone in briefe.
Too late repentance yeelds no more
Saue onely paine and griefe.
My comfort is, that God hath More
Such
Mores to send at will,
In hope whereof I sigh no more,
But rest vpon him still.
Hempton.
A Priory of blacke Canons founded by one
Richard Ward, who tooke vpon him holy Orders, and liued in this house of his owne foundation, which he consecrated to the honour of God, our blessed Lady, and Saint
Stephen; it was valued at the suppression, at thirty nine pounds, nine shillings.
Here is an ancient monument in this Church to the memory of one of the
Shornborns or
Shernburns,Shernburne. but so fouly defaced, as nothing remaines to know the man who lies vnder it, sauing a Vulture splaid, which is the Crest of the
Shernborns. Many other Crests and Coate Armes are there also,
Shernb
[...]rn, the second Christian Church of
[...]i is Country
[...] by
[...]. which I meddle little withall; yet to vse
Camdens words, I doe not see how this Church could haue bin omitted, for that
Foelix the Burgundian, (Bishop of this Diocesse) who first brought the East-Englishmen to the Christian faith, and state of perpetuall felicitie, built in this place, the second Church of Christians in this Country, for the first he founded at Babingley where he landed.
Langley.
The Booke of the Carmelites in Couentrie, saith that Sir
Roger Helke, Baron,
The foundation of the Monastery of Langley. who married
Elianor, daughter to the Earle of Oxford; of whom came
Robert Clauering, father to
Iohn, father to
Robert that married the daughter of the Lord
Alan Zouch, was the first founder of this Monastery.
The Catalogue of Religious houses, (which is very imperfect) saith that the Ancestor of the wife of Sir
Francis Bigot Knight, together with her sisters, were the Founders.
Another tels me, that Sir
Roger Kell, Knight, was the first founder, and that the Patronage thereof, came to the
Vffords, and
Dacres by marriage; but of this name there is a Religious house in Lecestershire, another in the County of Hertford, and so there may be a mistake. A Nunnery it was, valued at one hundred twenty eight pounds, nineteene shillings, nine pence, halfe penny. The persons of remarkable account interred in this Abbey Church, were these.
Sir
Roger Kell the Founder,
Out of
[...] of Annal
[...] belonging to this Priory▪
[...]Coll
[...]s. Sir
Robert, sonne of Sir
Roger; Sir
Iohn, sonne of Sir
Robert: Sir
Roger, sonne of sir
Robert. Sir
Robert sonne of
Kell, knights.
Sir
Iohn Clauering, Anno Domini 1332.
obijt Iohannes de Clauering a
[...]pud Heyno aduocatus Ecclesie de Langeley in octabis die Epiphanie et sepelitur in presbiterio in conuentuali eiusdem Ecclesie ex parte aquilonari, eodem anno obijt Domina Iohanna de Burgh, et hic sepeliri meruit.
Sir
Robert Thurkeby. Sir
Thomas Roscelyn. Sir
Peter Roscelyn. Sir
Hugh Gurnage. Sir
Geffrey Saye. Sir
Henry Lymesey. Sir
Fulco Cardeston or
Kerdeston. Sir
William Kerdeston. Sir
Roger Kerdeston, knights.
Anno Domini, 1328.
obijt Margareta quondam vxor Domini Willelmi filii Rogeri de Kerdeston militis, et iacet in Ecclesia Abbathie Langeley, ante Altare Crucis, iuxta Dominum Thomam de Kerdeston Archidiaconum Norf. ex parte aquilonari. Qui Thomas obiit anno 1270.
Anno Domini 1337.
obiit Dominus Rogerus de Kerdeston miles et sepelitur in Ecclesia Abbathie de Langeley iuxta matrem suam ex parte Australi.
Sir
Peter Egfend: sir
Iohn Lodnes: sir
Iohn Dunham: sir
Charles Charleton: sir
Ely Norfolke: sir
Charles de Ierninta: sir
Robert de Grys: sir
Robert
[Page 826] Helington: sir
Iohn Vfford: sir
Robert Vfford: sir
Thomas Vfford: sir
Hugh Gurney: sir
William Redham: sir
Philip Weston▪ sir
Robert de Vallibus: sir
Iohn Saye: Symond Grys: sir
Iames Awdley: sir
William de Poole, knights.
Dame
Marian de Zouche. Mother of sir
Robert, sonne of sir
Roger Zouche, knights. Dame
Ione, wife of
Robert Benhale. Dame
Agnes, wife of
Fulc... Dame
Ione, wife of
Iohn Dunham. Dame
Agnes Clauering Dame
Margaret Benhall. Dame
Eue Audeley. Dame
Agnes, wife of sir
Simond Grys. Dame
Ione, daughter of sir
Robert Vfford, vxor Willelmi Bowet. Dame
Denys Ynglos, wife of sir
Henry Ynglos: Dame
Alice, wife of
Thomas Charles, Ladies.
Stiskey.
Io.
[...] and
Alice his wife.In the north side of this Church, lie entombed,
Iohn Calthorpe, Esquire, and
Alice Ermingland his wife: the monument defaced, vpon which is their portraicts in coate Armor.
Cockthorpe.
Christopher Calthorpe.In the Chancell vnder a faire Tombe, lieth the body of
Christopher Calthorpe, Esquire: no inscription is remaining: a familie sometime of great account in these parts, saith
Camden.
Cley iuxta mare.
Io. Symonds and
Agnes his wife.In this Church are some defaced monuments to the memory of the
Symonds. Iohn Symonds and
Agnes his wife, lye buried in the south Chappell.
Symonds. Anne and
Margaret his wiues.Another of the
Symonds with his two wiues,
Anne and
Margaret.
Plumsted.
Io.
[...]umstedHere vnder a faire Grauestone, lieth buried
Iohn Plumsted, Esquire, Receiuer generall of the Dutchie of Lancaster.
Hunworth.
Ed. Braunche, and
Anne his wife.Vnder a faire Grauestone here in the Chancell, lie buried
Edmund Braunche, and
Anne Calthorpe, his wife, with their coates impaled.
Burrughmagna.
Henry Berney and
Alice his wife.In the south Chappell of the Chancell,
Henry Berney, Esquire lieth buried: which
Henry married the daughter of ....
Appleton of Essex, named
[Page 827]Alice, by whom he had issue,
Thomas, Henry, Iohn, Edward, and
Richard, and three daughters,
Io. Berney and his wiues. as appeareth by the pictures vpon the defaced Tombe.
Vnder another Tombe,
Another
Iohn Berney and his wiues. lieth
Iohn Berney, Esquire, who married first the daughter of
Read, and afterwards the daughter of
Sydnor.
Here lieth
Iohn. Berney, grandfather to
Henry Berney, who had to his first wife,:... the daughter of
Southwell, to his second, the daughter of
Wentworth.
Vnder a faire Grauestone lieth inhumed, the body of
Iohn Berney Esquire,
Io Berney. the great Grandfather of
Henry, who married the daughter of
Henningham.
Another
Iohn Berney Esquire,
Io. Berney. lieth here also vnder a large stone; the inscription whereof is altogether almost erazed.
Thetford.
In the parish Church of Saint
Maries, a faire monument thus inscribed.
In memoriam Radulphi Fulmerston Equitis aurati,Sir
Raph
[...] Fulmerston and
Alice his Lady.Dominiceque Alicie vxoris eius... Edwardus Clere Armiger hunc Tumulum erexit...
Transit sicut Fulmerston gloria mundi,
Propitietur Deus animabus Mortuorum.
Saint Peters.
Hic iacet Willelmus Knighton:Will. Knigton. Peter Larke and his wife.... M.cccc.lxix.
....
Peter Larke and
Elisabeth his wyff, on whos souls sweet Iesu haue pite.
Saint Cuthberts.
...... Iohannes Bernard et Elis..... M.ccccc.xi.
Here in this towne was a Religious house of Friers Preachers,
The foundation of the Friers Preachers dedicated to the holy Trinitie, and Saint
Mary, which
Arfast, Bishop of the East-Angles, made his Episcopall chaire. Afterwards,
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, made it a societie of Friers Preachers; it was valued at thirty nine pounds,
Arfastus, Bishop of Thetford. sixe shillings, nine pence.
Arfast, who died
circa annum, 1092. was herein buried, with this Epitaph vpon his monument.
Hic Arfaste pie pater optime et Arca Sophie
Ex Mss An
[...]n. in bib. Cot.
Viuis per merita virtutum laude perita:
Vos qui transitis hic omnes atque reditis
Dicite quod Christi pietas sit promptior isti.
[Page 828] [...] [...] [...]ers Augustines in this I owne was founded by
Iohn of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and
Blanch his wife: others say, by
Henry Earle of Lancaster and Leicester. It was valued at three hundred twelue pounds, foureteene shillings foure pence. Here lye buried Dame
Margery Todenham, Dame
Elisabeth, wife of Sir
Thomas H
[...]ngraue, daughter of Sir
Iohn Harling, with many other, you may imagine, whose names I haue not.
[...]The blacke Friers here was founded by Sir
Edmond Gonvile, Lord of
[...]ir
[...]ingford in this County, Parson of Terington, and Steward with
Iohn E
[...]e Warren, and with
Henry Duke of Lancaster. It was dedicated to S.
Sepulchre, The value I haue not learned. Buried in the Church of this mon
[...]ster
[...] were, Sir
Iohn Bret
[...] knight, Dame
Agnes Honell, Dame
Maud Tal
[...]e, wife of
Peter Lord of Rickinghill, Dame
Anastisia, wife of Sir
Richard Walsingham.
[...]A Priory of blacke Canons dedicated to Saint
Mary, and Saint
Iohn was here founded by one of the
Bigods, or
Bigots, Earle of Norfolke. Valued at fourty nine pounds eighteene shillings and a penny. Surrendred the 16. of February, 31.
Hen. 8.
[...]Here was a religious structure for blacke Nunnes, consecrated to the honour of God and Saint
Gregory, but by whom sounded I do not know; It was valued in the Exchequer at fifty pound nine shillings eight pence.
I
[...] Colledge
[...] Thetford.Here sometimes stood a Colledge or gild dedicated to the blessed Virgine
Mary: valued at the suppression to be yearely worth one hundred nine pounds seuen shillings.
The foundatiō of the
[...] Monastery at Thetford.Hugh Bigod or
Bigot, Steward of the House to King
Henry the first, built, and endowed a religious House here, for blacke Monkes Benedictines or Cluniacks. These words following are in the Instrument of his Foundation.
Ca
[...]d. in Norf.I
Hugh Bigod Steward to King
Henry, by his grant, and by the aduice of
He
[...]bert Bishop of Norwich, haue ordained Monkes of the Order of Cluny, in the Church of S.
Mary, which was the Episcopall seate of Thetford, which I gaue vnto them, and afterwards founded another more meet for their vse, without the Towne. This Monastery was found at the suppression to be in the Kings bookes, foure hundred eighteene pounds sixe shillings, three pence halfe penny, of yearely reuenues.
This
Hugh the Founder was created Earle of Norfolke by King
Stephen in the first yeare of his raigne. He died very aged in the 24. yeare of King
Henry the second, and was buried in this Priory of his owne foundation, to whose memory this Inscription was engrauen vpon his Funerall Monument.
[Page 829]Orate pro anima religiosissimi viri Hugonis Bigod Fundatoris huius Monasterij,Hugh Bigot Earle of Norf.Seneschalli Hospitij prepotentissimo Principi Henrico Conquestoris filio Anglie Regi, et Comitis Norfolcie, qui quidem Hugo obiit pridie Kalend. Martii anno milesimo centesimo septuagesimo octauo. Propter miserecordiam Iesu requiescat in pace.
Anno 1107.
Optimates Angliae Richardus de Radvarijs,Orderie. Vital. Vtic. Ecclesiast. Hist. lib. 11.
Roger Bigot Sewer to king
Hen. the
[...].& Rogerius cognomento Bigotus, mortui sunt, & in Monasteriis Monachorum sepulti sunt, quae in propriis possessionibus ipsi condiderunt. Rogerius autem apud Thetfordum in Anglia, Richardus vero tumulatus apud Montisburgum in Normannia. Super Rogerium Cluniacenses Alonax di tale scripserunt Epitaphium.
Clauderis exiguo Rogere Bigote sepulchro
Et rerum cedit portio parva tibi.
Diuitiae, sanguis, facundia, gratia Regum
Intereunt, mortem fallere nemo potest.
Diuitiae mentes subuertunt, erigat ergo
Te pietas, virtus, consiliumque Dei.
Soli moerebat virgo ter noctibus octo,
Cùm soluis morti debita morte tua.
It should seeme by the premisses that this
Roger Bigot, who was Sewer to King
Henry the first, and Father of the foresaid
Hugh: was the first founder of this religious Edifice, or at least wise of some other in this Towne, for Monkes of the order of
Cluny. And
Stow in his Annalls agrees with my Author
Ordericus.
This yeare,
Stow [...] saith he,
Maurice Bishop of London,
Robert Fitzhamon, Roger Bigot, founder of the Monastery of Monkes at Thetford,
Richard Redvers Councellours to the King,
Milo Crispen, and many other Noblemen of England deceased.
Roger Bigot,Roger Bigot Earle of Norf. the second of that surname, Earle of the East Angles, or Norfolke. He died about the yeare 1218. and was here interred.
Hugh Bigot,Hugh Bigot Earle of Norf. sonne of the foresaid
Roger, Earle of Norfolke, lay here buried, who died the ninth of
Henry the third, 1225:
Roger Bigot sonne and heire of
Hugh aforesaid,
Roger Bigot Earle of Norf. Marshall of England. Earle of Norfolke, and first Marshall of England of that Family was here entombed, if his last will and Testament was performed. Of which so much as tends to that purpose.
In Nomine Patris,His Will out of
Camdens collections,
in bib. Ce
[...].et Filij, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. Ego Rogerus Bigot Comes Norfolcie et Mareschallus Anglie in bona prosperitate constitutus condo Testamentum meum sub hac forma. Inprimis, commendo animam meam Christo, &c. et corpus meum in Ecclesia beate Marie Thetfordie sepeliendum. Postea lego, &c. Huius Testamenti Executores constituo, Dominum Symonem de Monteforti Com. Lecestren. Dominum Richardum de Clara Com. Glouern. & Hertford. Dominum Willelmum Malberbe Dominum Thomam Denebanke. Dominum Hugonem de Tudeham, &c. Dat. apud Cestreford die Mercurij proximo ante festum Sancti Barnabe Apostoli, anno Domini, M.cclviii. He died about eleuen yeares after the making of his will, without issue, of a bruise running at Tilt,
anno 1269.
[Page 830]Roger Bigot the last of that Familie, Earle of Norfolke, and Marshall of England,
Roger Bigot Earle of Norf. and Marshall of England the last, and
Alina his wife. was here buried, together with his first wife
Alina, Alyva, or
Adeliza, daughter of
Philip Lord
Basset, and widow of
Hugh de Spenser, Iustice of England: she died in Aprill, in the ninth yeare of
Edward the first, and he in the 35. of the said Kings raigne.
Io Mowbray Duke of Norfolke, and
Eleanor his wife.Iohn Lord
Mowbray, Duke of Norfolke, Earle Marshall of England, Earle of Nottingham, Lord and Baron of Segraue, and of Gower, sonne and successour of
Iohn, the first Duke of Norfolke in the dignities aforesaid, was here entombed with his wife
Elianor, daughter of
William Lord
Bourchier, and sister of
Henry Bourchier, Earle of Essex. He died in the first yeare of King
Edward the fourth.
Iohn Lord
Mowbray Duke of Norfolke.Iohn Mowbray sonne of
Iohn aforesaid, who in his Fathers dayes was created Earle Warren and Surrey: and hauing enioyed these and his fathers Honours for the space, dyed without issue at his Castle of Framingham in Suffolke, in the fifteenth yeare of King
Edward the fourth, and was here entombed.
Iohn Lord
Howard Duke of Norfolke.Sir
Iohn Howard knight, (sonne of Sir
Robert Howard knight, and of
Margaret his wife, daughter and coheire of
Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke) first made Baron by king
Edward the fourth, 1461.
Quia postea constituit eum Capitaneum Armate potentie super mare,Ex Arch▪ Turr. Lond.Test. Rege apud West. Pat. anno 10.
Ed. 4.
M. 13. was here interred, as I finde in the Collections of
Francis Thinne Lancaster Herald. In the yeare 1483. he was created Duke of Norfolke by King
Richard the third, in whose aide he was slaine at Bosworth field on Monday the two and twentieth of Aug. 1485. He was warned by diuers to refraine from the field, insomuch that the night before he should set forward toward the King, one wrote this rime vpon his gate:
Hollins. pa. 759.
Iack of Norffolk be not too bold
For Dikon thy Master is boght and sold.
Yet all this, notwithstanding, he regarding more his oath, his honour, and promise made to King
Richard, like a gentleman, and as a faithfull subiect to his Prince, absented not himselfe from his master, but as he faithfully liued vnder him, so he manfully died with him, to his great fame and laud. And therefore though his seruice was ill employed in aide of a Tyrant (whom it had beene more honourable to haue suppressed then supported) yet because he had vpon his fealtie vndertaken to fight in his quarrell, he thought it lesse losse of life and liuing, then of glory and honour; so that he might haue said in respect of his loyaltie, and promised truth testified with constancie to the death;
Est mihi supplicium causa fuisse pium.
This passage is wondrously well deliuered to vs in verse, by an honourable late writer, thus.
Sir
Iohn Beaumont Baronet deceased, in his Poeme of Bosworth field.
Long since the King had thought it time to send
For trustie Norfolke, his vndaunted friend,
Who hasting from the place of his abode,
[Page 831]Found at the doore a world of papers strow'd;
Some would affright him from the Tyrants aide,
Affirming that his Master was betraide;
Some laid before him all those bloudy deeds,
From which a line of sharpe reuenge proceeds
With much compassion, that so braue a Knight
Should serue a Lord, against whom Angels fight;
And others put suspitions in his minde,
That
Richard most obseru'd, was most vnkinde.
The Duke a while these cautious words reuolues
With serious thoughts, and thus at last resolues.
If all the Campe proue traytors to my Lord,
Shall spotlesse Norfolke falsifie his word;
Mine oath is past, I swore t'vphold his Crowne,
And that shall swimme, or I with it will drowne.
It is too late now to dispute the right,
Dare any tongue since Yorke spread forth his light,
Nort
[...]umberland, or Buckingham defame,
Two valiant
Cliffords, Roos, or
Beaumonts name,
Because they in the weaker quarrell die?
They had the King with them, and so haue I.
But euery eye the face of
Richard shunnes
For that foule murder of his brothers sonnes:
Yet lawes of Knighthood gaue me not a sword
To strike at him; whom all with ioynt accord
Haue made my Prince, to whom I tribute bring▪
I hate his vices, but adore the King.
Victorious
Edward, if thy soule can heare
Thy seruant
Howard, I deuoutly sweare,
That to haue sau'd thy children from that day,
My hopes on earth should willingly decay;
Would Glouster then my perfect faith had tried,
And made two graues, when Noble
Hastings died.
This said, his troopes he into order brings.
A little after he giues vs a touch of the Dukes valour, and deciphers the manner of his death, in these matchlesse numbers which follow:
Here valiant Oxford and fierce Norfolke meete,
And with their speares each other rudely greete;
About the aire the shiuer'd peeces play,
Then on their swords their Noble hands they lay,
And Norfolke first a blow directly guides
To Oxfords head, which from his helmet slides
Vpon his arme, and biting through the steele,
Inflicts a wound, which
Vere disdaines to feele,
He lifts his Fauchion with a threatning grace,
And hewes the Beuer off from
Howards face▪
[Page 832]This being done, he with compassion charm'd
Retires, asham'd to strike a man disarm'd:
But straight a deadly shaft, sent from a bow,
(Whose master, though far off, the Duke could know)
Vntimely brought this combat to an end,
And pierc'd the braine of
Richards constant friend.
When Oxford saw him sinke, his noble soule
Was full of griefe, which made him thus condole.
Farewell true Knight, to whom no costly graue
Can giue due honour: would my teares might saue
Those streames of blood, deseruing to be spilt
In better seruice: had not Richards guilt
Such heauie weight vpon his fortune laid
Thy glorious vertues had his sinnes outwaighd.
Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolke.Sir
Thomas Howard, Knight of the Garter, Earle of Surrey, and Duke of Norfolke, sonne and heire of the foresaid
Iohn, thus slaine, was here likewise entombed: who died in the sixteenth yeare of the raigne of King
Henry the eight, 1524.
This
Thomas was with his father in the forefront of the foresaid Battell, where he had the leading of the Archers, which King
Richard so placed, as a bulwarke to defend the rest. The martiall prowesse of this Earle in the pight field, and his resolute braue carriage being taken prisoner, are delineated to the life by my said Author Sir
Iohn Beaumont, the particulars wherof, if they may seeme as pleasing to you in the reading, as they were to me in the writing, cannot be any way tedious here to set downe: for they are sinnewy strong liues, and will draw you, no doubt, with them along.
Couragious
Talbot, had with
Surrey met,
And after many blowes begins to fret,
That one so yong in Armes, should thus vnmoou'd,
Resist his strength, so oft in warre approou'd.
And now the Earle beholds his fathers fall,
Whose death like horrid darkenesse frighted all:
Some giue themselues as captiues, others flie;
But this yong Lion casts his gen'rous eye
On
Mowbrayes Lion, painted in his shield,
And with that King of beasts, repines to yeeld
The field (saith he) in which the Lyon stands,
Is blood, and blood I offer to the hands
Of daring foes; but neuer shall my flight
Dye blacke my Lyon, which as yet is white.
His enemies (like cunning Huntsmen) striue,
In binding snares to take their prey aliue,
While he desires t'expose his naked brest,
And thinkes the sword that deepest strikes, is best.
As burnes in thee (braue youth) where thou hast err'd,
It was thy fathers
[...]ault, since he preferr'd
A Tyrants Crowne, before the iuster side.
The Earle still mindfull of his birth, replide.
I Wonder
Talbot, that thy noble heart
Insults on ruines of the vanquisht part:
Wee had the right, if now to you it flow,
The fortune of your swords hath made it so:
I neuer will my lucklesse choyce repent,
Nor can it staine mine honour or descent,
Set Englands Royall wreath vpon a stake,
There will I fight, and not the place forsake.
And if the will of God hath so dispos'd,
That
Richmonds brow be with the Crowne inclos'd,
I shall to him or his, giue doubtlesse signes,
That duty in my thoughts, not faction, shines:
Which he proued to be true in the whole course of his life, which was depensild vpon a Table, and fixed here to his funerall monument; a copie whereof it was my hap to haue out of the originall, of which, so much as concernes the subiect I here speake of: in the same Character:
FOr as moche as it is wryttyn in the Epitaphe aboute the Tombe here present, of the high and myghty Prynce, Thomas, late Duke of Norffolk after his discent from his noble antecessours, declared in the same in wrytyng, whyche is also set out in armes about the same Tombe. That who will se farther of the manner of his lyuyng and seruyce doon by hym to hys Pryncis; And of hys honorable depertyng out of this world, schall resorte and loke in thys Table.
Fyrst you schall know the seid Duke was in hys yong age, after he had been a sufficient season at the gramer schole, Hencheman to Kyng Edward the iiii. and was than callyd Thomas Howard, Son and heire to Sir Iohn Howard Knight, after, Lord Howard, and after that, Duke of Norffolke of right enheritance; and the seid Thomas Howard whan he was at mannes age, was wyth dyuers other Gentlemen of Englond, sent to Charles, Duke of Burg
[...]n in the begynnyng of the warres betwixt Kynge Lewes of Fraunce, and the seid Duke Charles, and ther contynued vnto thende of the seid warres, to hys greate prayse and thankys. As well of Kyng Edward hys own souerayn Lord, as of the seid Duke Charles. And after the warres doon betwyxt the seid Kynge Lewes, and the seid Duke Charles, Than the seid Thomas Howard returned in to Englond, vn to Kynge Edward hys souerayn Lord: And he made hym immedyatly Esquyer for his body. And he was aboute hym at hys makynge redy bothe euenyng and mornyng. And afterward he made hym Knyghte at the maryage of the Duke of Yorke, Kynge Edward hys seconde son. And so he was with the seid Kynge Edward in all hys busynes, aswell at Lyncolne Shire feld, & at the tyme of Banberyfeld, as at all other hys busynes And also at suche tyme as the same Kynge was takyn by the Erle of Warwyke at Warwyke befor hys escape and departynge in to Flaunders.
And after the Kyngys depertynge in to Flaunders, for that the Coostis of Englond were so sett ffor depertynge of any other his seruauntis and frendis, the seid Thomas Howard was dryuyn of fforce to take Sayntwary of Seynt Ioannes in Colchester for the true seruyce he bare vn to Kynge Edward; and at the seid Kyngys retourne out of Flaunders, the seid Sir Thomas Howard resortyd vn to hym and went wyth hym to Barnet Feld, and ther was sore hurte.
And after whan Kyng Edward went into Fraunce wyth hys Army Ryall, he sent thether before, dyuers gentylmen, And for that the seid Sir Thomas Howard had good experyence aswell in hys beynge wyth Charles Duke of Burgon, as in dyuers Feldys and busynesses witthe seid Kynge Edward, he had therfor Commaundement to go ouer wyth them, For his aduyse and counsell tyll the seyd Kynge came ouer, And whan Kyng Edward and Kyng Lewes mette at the Barriars vpon the Ryuer of Som, the seid Sir Thomas Howard was wyth kynge Edward at the
[Page 835] Barriars by the kyngis commaundement and no mo Men saue only the Chaunceller of Englond, the Chaunceller of Fraunce, and Sir Iohn Cheney.
And after the kyngis comyng home into Englond, the seid Sir Thomas Howard obteyned lycence of the kynge to lye in Norffolk at an howsse which he had in the righte of my Lady hys wyffe, called Asshewelthorpe, and ther he laye and kepte an honorable howsse, in the fauor of the hoole Shire, duryng the lyffe of the seid kynge Edward, and at that tyme and long after my Lord hys father was alyue.
And after kynge Edward was ded, and kynge Edward the fyfte his Son; than kyng Rychard was kyng, And than the forseid Sir Thomas Howard was hys Subgette, And for that the yonge Duches of Norffolk whiche was very heire therunto, was ded withoute yssue; And the Lord Howard, Father to the seid Sir Thomas Howard, was rightefull heire to the same off former discent, was creatt Duke of Norffolk, and he creatt Erle of Surrey: And so they both serued the seid kynge Rychard truly as his Subgettis durynge his lyff, lyeng at home in their owne Countries and kepyng honorable howsses. And they went with hym to Bosworthe felde, where the seid kynge Rychard was slayne, and also the seid Duke of Norffolk, And thafforseid Erle hurte, and takyn vpon the Feld, and put in the Tower of London, by kynge Henry the vii, and ther contynued thre yeerys and an halfe. In whiche tyme of his beyng in the Tower, the same kynge Henry had a felde wyth the Erle of Lyncolne in Notyngham Shire besydys Newarke, and the leeffetenant of the Tower came to the seid Erle, and proferred to hym the keyes to goo out at his plesure; and he answered hym ageyne, that he wolde not deperte thens, vn to suche tyme as he that commaunded hym thether, shuld commaunde hym out ageyn, whiche was kynge Henry the vii. but charged the leffetenant vpon hys alligeaunce yf the kynge war on lyue to bryng hym ther, as the kynge was, to the
[...]tente he myght do his Grace seruyce, and after that for the true and feithfull seruyce that the seid kynge Henry herd of him doon to his other Prynce; and also that he sawe hymselfe, he dide on Bosworth feld, and for the grete preyse and truth that he herd of hym whills he was prisoner, and that he wold nat, thoughe he had liberty, come out of the Tower at the Erle of Lyncolnes feld, he toke hym out to his presence, and to be aboute his own person.
And wythin x. wekes after hys comyng out of the Towre, ther was an Insurrection in the Northe by whom the Erle of Northombrelond was sleyne in the feld, and also the Citee of Yorke won
[...]e with a saw
[...]e by force; And for the subduyng of those Rebells, the kynge assembled a grete hoste of hys subgettis, and toke his iourney towards them from the Castell of Hertford; and the seid Erle of Surrey made chief captayn of his voward, and apoynted vnder him in the seid voward, the Erle of Shrewesbury,
[Page 836] the Lord Hastyngs, Sir William Stanley, than beyng the kyngs Chambrelayn, Sir Rice ap Thomas, Sir Thomas Bowser, Sir Iohn Sauage, Sir Iohn Ryseley, and dyvers other, And whan this Iorney was doon the Capiteynes of these Rebelles, and many other of them were put to execucion, And for the syngul
[...]r truste that the kynge had to the seid Erle, and the activyte that he saw in hym, he lefte hym in the North, and made hym hys Lyve
[...]enaunt generall from Trent Northward, and Warden of the Est and myddle Marches of Englond, ageynst Scotlond, and Iustice of the Forests from Trent Northward, and there he contynued x yeres; and kepte the countrey in peace with policy▪ and many paynes takyng withoute which yt wold nat have been, for that the countrey had ben so lately ponyss
[...]ed, and nat withoute desert, And thus he dide the hoole tyme of x yere, savyng in the second yere of his beyng, ther was an Insurrexion in the West part of the countrey with whome the seid Erle with the helpe of the kyngs true subgetts fought in the feld, and subdued them at Akworth besides Pomfrett; And besides dyvers of them that were s
[...]ayne in the feld he toke the Capytaynes and put them to execucion▪ and the residue he sued to the kyngs highnes for ther Pardones whiche he obteyned, and wanne therby the fauor of the countrey. And in the same yere the kyng went ouer the see, and laid seege to Bolayn, the seid Erle than remaynyng ther, not withstondyng that he was apoynted to have gone with the kyng, and h
[...]d gone▪ but for the lightnes of the pepule ther, wherfor he was left behynd both for the sauegard of the countrey, and for defendyng of the Realme for the synguler truste that he had vnto hym.
And sone after ther was warre with the Scottis, and for that the seid Erle wold be in a redynes to defende them, he went to Annwyke, and ther laye to the defence of the borders: And in his own persone made a wynter Rood into Tyvydale, and ther brent ther howsses, and ther corne to the greatest losse and empouerysshement of the countrey, that was doon ther in an hundreth yere before; And after that, the kyng of Scott's in his owne person, and one Par
[...]yn with hym invaded this Realme of Englond, with a greatre power▪ and laid seege to Northam Castell. And assone as he
[...]erde that the seid Erle was comyng towardis hym he deperted and fled into Scotlond with all the spede he myght. And in the same Somer after, the seid Erle made another Rood in to Scotlond, and laid seege to the Castell of Heyton, and dide race and pull downe the seid Castell, the kyng of Scottis with the puyssaunce of his Realme lokyng vpon it; and the Erle had nat than past viii or ix thowsand men with hym. And than the kyng of Scottis sent vnto the seid Erle, Lyon his Herrold for to requyre batayle▪ which was graunted by the seid Erle, saying vnto the seid Herrold that forasmoche as he was an Officer of Armes sent from the kyng his Master to requyre bataile, and he Lyvetenaunt to the kyng his Master, graunted thervnto. And said it was a contracte
[Page 837] and a full bargayn whiche cowde not be brokyn, but in the defawte of oon of them. And promysed by the faith that he bare to God, and to Seynt George, and to the kyng his Master, he wold fulfill his promesse. And yf the kyng hys Master brake, yt shuld be asmoche to his dishonor and reproche as euer had Prynce. And whan the Harrold had herd this answere, and sawe weall the said Erle was clerely determined to fight; he said vnto hym, Sir the kyng my master sendeth you word, that for eschewyng of effusion of Gristen blode, he wilbe contented to fight with you hande to hande for the Towne of Berwike, and the Fisshegarthis on the West marches: yf he wynne you in bataile, and yf ye wynne hym in bataile you to have a kyngis Raunsom. Whervnto the said Erle made answere, that he thanked his Grace that he wolde put hym to so moche honour, that he beyng a kyng anoynted wold fight hande to hande with so poore a man as he, how be yt he seid he wold nat dysceyve his Grace, for he said though he wanne hym in in bataile, he was neuer the nerer Berwike, ner of Fisshegarthys, for, he had no suche comyssyon so to do: his Comyssyon was to do the kyng of Scottis his Master all the harme he coude, and so he had don, and wold do, &c. And bad hym shewe vnto the kyng hys Master that whan the Iorney was don, he wolde fyght wyth hym on Horsback or on fote at hys plesur, at any place he wold indifferently appoynt, yf the kyng hys Master wold gyff hym leue, &c.
And whan the warre was doon and
[...]ended witthe Scottis, and the North part of Englond in good reste and peace, than the kyngs Highnes sent for the seid Erle to be agayn about his parson, and made hym Tresourar of Englond, and of his priuye Counsayll.
And after that the kyng sent hym into Scotland as chief Com
[...]myssyoner withe Lady Margarett hys doughter, to be maryed to the foresaid kyng of Scottis, whiche kyng att the tyme of the seid Erlys beyng ther, entreteyned hym as thankfully and fauourably as coude be thought. Notwithstondyng anye dyspleasures doon to hym by the seid Erle in the warres before. And also the seid kyng said than vn to hym, that he loued hym the better for suche servyce as he had doon before to the kyng his father kyng of Englond, thoughe the hurte war doon to hym, and to his Realme, and he gave to hym then at his depertyng greatt gyfts. And at the comyng home agayn of the seid Erle for the truste that the kyng our souerayn Lord had to hym, hys Grace made hym one of hys Executours.
And after the dethe of kyng Henry the vii, kyng Henry theyght made hym lyke wyse of hys prevay counsayll, and styll contynued Tresourer of Englond, and made hym highe Marshall of the same: And for the syngler truste that the kyng had aswell to his truthe, as to hys wysdome and actyvytte, at his goyng in to Fraunce with his puyssaunce, havyng with hys hyghnes the moste parte of his Nobles of this Realme, lefte the said Erle with a certeyn power in the Northe partys, and made hym Lyvetenaunte
[Page 838] generall from Trent Northward, to defend the Realme agaynste the kyng of Scottys, whom his hyghnes had no truste vnto for cause of the leeg betwyxt Fraunce and them: in case the s
[...]d kyng wold invade thys hys Realme, whiche he dide in deede, contrary to hys oth and promyse, with the hoole power of the Realme of Scotlond: Whiche when the seid Erle hard of, he made as greatt haste towardis hym as he coude with the kyngs power of the North partys. And toke hys lodgyng in the Campe or playn ca
[...]yd Wollar haugh in the Countie of Northumbrelond which was in the
[...]ight of the kyng of Scottis, and of all hys army then
[...]ying on Floddon hyll, a ground more lyke a campe or forteres, than any meete ground to gyve batayle on, contrary to hys promes made to Roge
[...]ras Purseuaunte at armys, before sent vnto hym from the seid Erle with message, that the said Erle with the Lord Howard then Admerall of Englond hys Son, And the no
[...] men of the North partis, with other the kyngs Subgettis of the same North partis, was come thedir to represse and resiste hys Invasyons of hys souerayn Lordis Realme; desyryng the said kyng of Scottis to gyve hym bataile, which his message the same kyng of Scottis toke very thankfully and ioyusly, promysyng hym to abide ther on the same grounde, wher he than was; whiche hys promys he brake as is aforesaid, and tooke Floddon hil
[...]ys, a ground unprengnable, and shot at hym hys great Ordenaunce, where as he lay like one mynded to kepe it like a forteres, And whan the said Erle dide perceyve that he had brokyn hys promys, and takyn so stronge
[...] grounde as Floddon hillys, he than the said Erle remoued all his Batail vnto a playn besydis Barmer wood to thentente to get betwene hym and hys owne Realme of Scotlond, and ther leygeed but one nyght, and on the next mornyng to
[...]e hys passage ouer the water of at Twyfull forthe, and than he marched the said kyng and hys oste in suche maner, as he gat betwene hym and hys aune reame of Scotlond be force wherof the said kyng was fayn to leue his Campe, and to prepare hymself to bataile witthe seid Erle, on a hyll besydis Bramston in Northumbrelond very neer vnto Sandyford. Wher the said Erle witthe good assistauns of the Nobull men, and the power of the said North partys fought witthe said kyng and hym
[...]anqu
[...]sshed, and slewe in playn bataile derectely before his owne Standard. In which bataile ware slayne on the Scottysshe parte ii Bysshoppes, xi E
[...]lys, xvii Barons, CCCC knyghtis besydys other Gentilmen, with xvii M in nombre, which ware nombred asweel by Scottysshe men as by them that dyd bury the moste parte of them. And of trouth dyvers Gentylmen and others aswell of the said Erlys servantys, as of the North partyes, and of Chesshir and Lankasshir war ther slayne, for hard it ys and half impossible in suche a conflicte and bataile to be wonne without losse of men, whoys deth may be ioyed among ther frendis to dye in so hygh a servys doon to ther Prynce. And this noble acte was don
[Page 839] by the helpe of almyghty God to the highe honour of the kyngis hyghnes. Honor and prays to the said Erle and to all other Noble men, and otheres the kyngs Subgettis that war ther with hym at the bataile the ix daye of Septembir in the v yeer of our souerayn Lord kyng Henry the viii.
And this doon the said Erle went to Barwyke, to establysshe all thyngys well and in good order: And sent for the dede body of the kyng of Scottis to Barwyke, And whan the Ordenaunce of the kyng of Scottis was brouth of the feld, and put in good suertie and all other thyngys in good order. Than the seid Erle toke hys Iorney toward Yorke, and ther abode duryng the kyngis pleasur, and caryed with hym the dede body of thafforesaid kyng of Scottis. And ther laye vnto suche tyme as the kyngis hygh
[...]es cam from beyond the See, after his wynnyng of Tyrwyn and Tomey. And than hys highnes sent for the seid Erle to mete hym at Rychemond▪ and so he dide, and ther delyvered vnto his highnes the dede body of the kyng of Scottis, whiche de
[...] bodye was delyuered in to the Charter hous ther, and ther to abide duryng the kyngs plesur.
And for the servyce that the seid Erle dide, he was honorably restored vnto his right name of Duke of Norffolk, and also had geuen vnto hym greatt possessyons by the kyngis highnes.
And whan the warre betwixt the kyng our souerayn Lord and the Frenche Kyng was eended: than the said Duke was sent into Fraunce as chieff Commyssyoner with Lady Marye the Kyngis Suster, to be maryed vnto the Frenche Kyng Lewes.
And after when the kyng and the Quene were both out of the Reame to mete witthe Frenche kyng Frauncys at Guynes, and the Prynces remaynyng in the Reame beyng a childe, the said Duke was left behynde as protector and defender to mynyster Iustice, and to see good Rule and Gouernaunce in the Reame, in the absence of the kyngis highnes, and so contynued aboute the kyng, and of his preuye Counsayle tyll he w
[...]s of age of fourescore yeeris, and then the kyngis highnes was content that the said Duke shulde go home, in to hys owne countrey vnto the Castell of Framlyngham, wher he contynued and kepte an honorable howse vnto the houre of his deth. And ther he dyed lyke a good Cristen Prynce I now to wytnes. Whose sowle Iesu pardon.
And at his depertyng out of Framlyngham Castell toward hys buryall he coude nat be asked one grote for his dette, nor for restitucion to any person, and so was had to this present Abbay of Thetford with moche honor; Accompanyed with many greatt Lordis, and the Noble men of both Schires of Norffolk and Suffolk.
Leuyng then lyuyng these his children herafter named; that is to seye, his son and heyre the Lord Thomas Duke of Norffolk, the Lord Edmond Howard, the Lord Willyam Howard, and the Lord Thomas Howard, witthe Ladye Elysabeth wiffe to the Uicount
[Page 840] Rocheford: the Lady Agnes Countes of Oxenford, the Lady Kateryne espoused to the heyre of Sir Rice app Thomas of Walys: the Lady Elysabeth espoused vnto the Uicount Fitzwaters son and heyr. And the Lady Dorathie then beyng not maryed, but lefte for hir Right, good substance to marry hyrwyth.
Henry Fitz Roy Duke of Richmond.Henry Fitz-Roy the naturall sonne of King
Henry the eight (begotten of the Lady
Talboys, daughter of Sir
Iohn Blount knight) Duke of Richmond was here interred, as
Graston, Stow, Hollinshed, and other writers affirme: howsoeuer some will haue him to bee buried at Framingham in Suffolke. Hee married
Mary daughter of the foreremembred
Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke, Earle Marshall, and Lord high Treasurer of England, with whom he liued not long, but dyed at Saint
Iames by Westminster the 22. of Iuly, in the yeare of Christ Iesus, 1536.
He was a Prince very forward in Martiall actiuities, of good literature and knowledge in the tongues; vnto whom the learned Antiquarie
Leland dedicated a booke; as appeareth by this Hexastichon following, which is to be found amongst the said
Lelands written Epigrams.
Ad illustrissimum Henricum Ducem Richmontanum.
Quo Romana modo maiuscula littera pingi,
Pingi quo possit littera parua modo,
Hic liber ecce tibi signis monstrabit apertis
Princeps, Aonij sp
[...]s et alumne gregis:
Qui tibi si placeat (quod certe spero futurum)
Maxima proparuo munere dona dabis.
[Page 841]Now for that I haue here found such ample relation of the worthy atchieuements of the
Howards, I will goe forwards with that illustrious family as I finde them in this tract, either intombed or otherwise remembred in Churches.
Middleton.
Although no Subscription now remaineth vnder this portraiture, yet by the impalement of the Armes of
Howard, and
Scales on the side thereof, it is manifest that this was made for
Robert Lord
Scales, whose daughter and Co-heire
Margaret, was married vnto Sir
Robert Howard, Knight, eldest sonne of Sir
Iohn Howard, Knight, who in the one and twentieth of
Edward the Third, was made Admirall
ab ore Aquae Thamesis versus partes Boriales quamdiu Regi placuerit. And this Sir
Robert was great Grandfather to
Iohn Howard Duke of Norfolke.
On the South side of the Chancell of East-Winch Church, is an ancient Chappell, called
Howards Chappell, in which are these Monuments following.
In the South Wall of the said Chappell, this enarched Monument, as it is here set forth, diuers of the Escocheons being decaied (which are left blanke) and onely this inscription now remaining thereon. .....
animabus Domini Roberti Howard militis et Margerie vxoris sue .....
[Page 844]On the Pauement of the said Chappell, be these two stones as they are here defigured, whose inscriptions through time are decayed, or rather stolne away by some sacrilegious persons, a crime (as I haue said elsewhere) too frequent, and too little punished; but without doubt these Monuments were here placed for some of the Ancestors of this most honourable family, this being their peculiar Chappell and place of Buriall.
[figure][figure]
[Page 845]In the East Window of the foresaid Chappell, this ancient effigies of late was perfectly to be seene, (the portraiture of the same being exactly taken by the learned Gent. Sir
Henry Spelman, the memory thereof (as of diuers other Monuments) an by him preserued) in relation to which, this worthy Knight writ these verses.
[Page 847]This ancient Chappell of the
Howards, hath of late yeeres beene most irreligiously defaced by vncouering the same; taking off the Lead, and committing it to sale, whereby these ancient Monuments haue layne open to ruine: But now in repairing by the order of the most Honourable preseruer of Antiquities (as well in generall, as in his owne particular)
Thomas Earle of Arundell and Surrey, Earle Marshall of England, and the Chiefe of that most Honourable family.
To this I also offer in obseruation, both that the Posture, fashion of the Armour, and coate of Armes (wherwith it is habited) denotes great antiquitie: and it should seeme by the Banner-fashiond Shield, that this was the portraiture of some Banneret, Ancestor of this Illustrious family; for that Banners, and the manner of this bearing of Armes was onely proper to Bannerets, Knights of the Garter, Barons, and higher nobility.
[Page 848]In this Church of East Winch is a very faire Font of ancient times, erected by some of this family, as appeareth by their Armes being disposed in diuers places of the same; the which for the curiosity of the work, considering the antiquity, giues me occasion here to present the true forme of one part thereof vnto your view.
In the South Window of the Church of Weeting S.
Maries, is this portraiture following, the which by the Armes doth seeme to be the picture of Sir
Iohn Howard Knight, made in the time that he was married to
Margaret, the daughter and heire of Sir
Iohn Plays.
In the East Window of the South part of this Church, is the resemblance of one of the most noble Family of the
Howards, as appeareth by his Coate of Armes; but the subscription being wanting, obscures the meanes to discouer which of them he was.
Howsoeuer this Towne stands in Suffolke, yet (I hope) it comes not in impertinently in this place. Vnder a goodly rich Monument in this Parish Church lye interred the honourable remaines of
Henry Howard Earle of Surrey, and knight of the Garter, the sonne of
Thomas Duke of Norfolke, as also of
Frances his wife, the daughter of
Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford, as appeares by the Inscription thereupon engrauen, as followeth.
Henry Howard Earle of Surrey and
Frances his wife.Henrico Howardo Thomae secundi Ducis Norfolciae filio primogenito, Thomae tertij Patri, Comiti Surriae, et Georgiani ordinis Equiti
[...]urato, immature anno salutis, 1546.
abrepto. Et Franciscae vxori eius, fil
[...]ae Iohannis Comitis Oxoniae. Henricus Howardus Comes Northamptoniae filius secundo genitus, hoc supremum pietatis in Parentes monumentum posuit. A.D. 1614.
Camd. in Norf.This
Henry Earle of Surrey, saith
Camden, was the first of our English Nobilitie, that did illustrate his high birth with the beauty of learning, and his learning with the knowledge of diuers languages, which hee attained vnto by his trauells into forraine Nations.
Pit. de illust. Ang. scriptoribus pag. 923. He was a man,
elegantis ingenij politaeque doctrinae, saith
Pitseus. He writ diuers workes both diuine and humane; he was exquisite as well in Latine as in English verse. Of his English take this Essay, being an Epitaph which he made to the memory of Sir
Anthony Denny Knight, a Gentleman whom King
Henry the eight greatly affected.
Vpon the death of Sir
Anthony Denny.
Hen. How. Poem.
Death and the King did, as it were, contend
Sir
Anthony Denny.
Which of them two bare
Denny greatest loue:
The King to shew his loue gan farre extend:
Did him aduance his betters farre aboue:
Nere place, much wealth, great honour eke him gaue,
To make it knowne what power great Princes haue.
But when death came with his triumphant gift,
From worldly carke he quit his wearied ghost,
Free from the corpes, and straight to heauen it lift.
Now deme that can who did for
Denny most;
The King gaue welth, but fading and vnsure,
Death brought him blisse that euer shall endure.
Leland our English Antiquary speaking much in the praise of Sir
Thomas Wiat the elder, as well for his learning as other his excellent qualities meete for a man of his calling; calls this Nobleman, the conscript enrolled heire of the said Sir
Thomas Wiat, being one delighted in the like Studies with the said Sir
Thomas Wiat. As it is in his
Naeniae or Funerall Songs as followeth.
Le
[...]and
[...]n suis N
[...]ij
[...].
Bella suum meritò iactet Florentia Dantem,
Regia Petrarchae carmina Roma probet.
Hi
[...] non inferior patrio sermone Viattus,
Eloquij secum qui decus omne tulit.
[Page 853]Transtulit in nostram Dauidis carmina linguam,
Et numeros magna reddidit arte pares.
Non morietur opus tersum, spectabile, sacrum,
Clarior hac fama parte Viattus
[...]rit.
Vna dies geminos Phaenices non dedit orbi,
Mors erit vnius, vita sed alterius.
Rara auis in terris confectus morte Viattus,
Houerdum baeredem scripserat ante suum.
Dicere nemo potest recte perijsse Viattum,
Ingenij cuius tot monimenta vigent.
In another place to the said Lord
Henry Howard thus.
Accipe Regnorum Comes illustrissime carmen,
Quo mea Musa tuum laudavit maesta Viattum.
Againe.
Perge Houerde tuum virtute referre Viattum,
Dicerisque tuae clarissima gloria stirpis.
This Sir
Thomas Wiat, the Translatour of
Dauids Psalmes into English, died of the pestilence in the West countrey,
The death of Sir
Tho. Wiat. being on his iourney into Spaine, whither he was sent Embassadour from the King vnto the Emperour, in the yeare 1541.
But to returne, this Earle had, together with his learning, wisedome, fortitude, munificence, and affabilitie; yet all these good and excellent parts were no protections against the Kings displeasure. For, vpon the twelfth of December,
Annal. Stow. Hollin
[...] Hali. Speed. H
[...]. the last of King
Henry the eight, he with his Father
Thomas Duke of Norfolke, vpon certaine surmises of Treason, were committed to the Tower of London, the one by water, the other by land, so that the one knew not of the others apprehension; The fifteenth day of Ianuary next following, hee was arraigned at Guild Hall London, where the greatest matter alledged against him, was, for bearing certaine Armes, that were said belonged to the King and Prince; the bearing whereof hee iustified. To be short (for so they were with him) hee was found guilty by twelue common Iuriars, had iudgement of death, and vpon the nineteenth day of the same moneth (nine dayes before the death of the said King
Henry the eight) was beheaded at Tower Hill. He was first interred in the Chappell of the Tower, and afterwards,
viz. in the raigne of our late drad Soueraigne King
Iames, of famous memory, his remainders of ashes and bones were remoued to this place, by his second sonne
Henry Earle of Northampton: as appeares by the foresaid Inscription.
Many more goodly Tombes and Grauestones (but without Inscriptions) are in this Church, made for the remembrance of this Heroicall Progenie of the
Howards and their Matches (who haue here a faire and beautifull Castle, fortified with a banke, ditch, and walls of great thicknesse; wherein are thirteene Towers, inwardly furnished with buildings right commodious and necessarie) the resemblances and figures whereof had been cut and deline
[...]ted, if the hastinesse of the Presse would haue permitted.
Of this surname of
Howard, thus
Verstegan writes, in his treatise, Of
[Page 854] our ancient English Titles of Honour, Dignities, and Offices. And of the word
Holdward.
This ancient and honourable name of Office, saith he, hath receiued the in
[...]ury of time,
[...]. which hath worne it out of vse and memory. The l and d, being for easinesse of sound omitted in the pronunciation (as in sundrie other words the like is seene) it became of
Holdward which signifieth the gouernour or keeper of a Castle, fort, or hold of warre, to be
Howard.
Which name of Office albeit we haue long since lost, yet retaineth our Realme, to the high honour and illustrious ornament thereof, the great and
[...]gh
[...] noble familie vnto whom it is now the surname, and it is like that at first it so became to be, vpon the bearing of such a warlike honourable Office and charge.
[...]Orate pro animabus Iohannis Plomer et Margerie vxoris eius, qui istum font
[...] f
[...]ciebant.
Keteringham.
[...]Here lyeth
Henry Grey, the Son of Syr
Thomas Grey knyght of Heton, and
Ione hys wyffe that was Syster to the Duc of Norffolk, who dyed at Venys: and
Emme the wyffe of thaforseyd
Henry Grey, the doughter of
Willyam Apleyard of the seyd County of Norffolk Esquyer....
[...]Orate pro anima Thome Heueningham Armigeri, filij et heredis Iohannis Heueningham militis, et Baronetti. Qui obijt vltimo die Ianuarij,
[...]nno Domini M.cccclxxxxix.
[...]Orate pro anima Anne nuper vxoris Thome Heueningham Armigeri, filie & heredis Thome Yard Armigeri, que obijt anno Domini M.cccccviii.
The Tombe for
Thomas her husband is arched, whereupon the pictures of himselfe and his wife are grauen in brasse, himselfe hauing fyve sonnes likewise engrauen in brasse, behynd him, and she six doughters.
[...]There is another Tombe erected to the memory of Sir
Anthony Heveningham knight, without Inscription.
This Towne is now the place of residence of the most ancient Familie of the
Heueninghams, which hath beene very honourably matched, and with whom few families in England doth parallel for a Knightly descent. Of which I haue read this note, out of certaine Antiquities collected by Master
Howldiche.
[...]Ann Dom 1020. in the raigne of King
Canutus Gualfride de Heueningham, was Lord of Heueningham in the County of Suffolke, of which house hath beene 25. Knights, with Sir
Io. Heueningham now liuing.
An. 1610.
[...]Their originall indeed is from that Towne of Heueningham in Suffolk, which is possessed by them to this day. Where, in a particular Chappell, adioyning vnto the Parish Church, lie three statues cut out of the heart of Oke, of their Ancestours, of great antiquitie, in their full postures. Two of them representing men, the other a woman, which doth appeare to haue beene very curiously painted and gilt.
West Dereham, or
Derham.
Hubert Deane of Yorke afterwards Bishop of Salisbury, and from
[Page 855] thence translated to Canterbury) was Founded of a Monastery in this Towne,
[...] where he was borne, in the raigne of King
Henry the second, for his owne soules health, and for the soules health of his Father and Mother, and of
Ranulph de Glanvile and
Bertha his wife, who brought him vp. He bought the land whereupon this Monastery was built of one
Geffrey Fitz. Geffrey of Derham. He placed therein Regular Canons of the order of Premontre, vpon the dedication thereof to God and the most glorious virgine
Mary: but the particulars of the Foundation will best appeare by his Charter thus recorded.
Omnibus sancte Matris Ecclesie filijs presentibus et futuris Hubertus dei gracia Eboracensis Ecclesie Decan
[...]s eternam in domino salutem. [...]Prudentis est hijs que saluti anime proficiunt dum potest intendere, & transitorijs eterna commutare. Quod quidem intelligentes in Honore Dei, et gloriose Virginis Marie Matris eius, quoddam Cenobium Premonstratensis ordinis in feudo nostro apud Dereham fundauimus, pro salute anime nostre, et patris et matris nostre et Domini Ranulph de Glanvile, et Domine Berte vxoris eius, qui nos nutrierunt, et pro salute fratrum, sororum, consanguineorum, Familiarium, et omnium amicorum nostrorum, et pre
[...]ate Domui et Canonicis dedimus et concessimus, et presenti charta nostra confirmavimus totum tenementum in eadem villa cum pertinentijs, quod de Galfrido filio Galfridi emeramus, &c.
Witnesses to this his Foundation were
Iohn Bishop of Norwich,
Ranulph de Glanvile, Lord chiefe Iustice of England,
Walter Fitz.-Robert, Geffrey Fitz-Peter, Richard de Derham, Parson of the Church,
Nicholas de Derham and
Elias de Derham, brethren. Which
Elias was one of the Executors of the last Will and Testament of the said Archbishop
Hubert, Ann. 7.
Iohannis Regis: from which
Nicholas de Derham descended.
Tho. Derham of Crimplesham Esquire,
Ann. 3.
H. 5. that married
Elisabeth, daughter and heire of
Baldwin de Vere of Denuere in this County, Esquire (yonger brother to
Robert de Vere of Addington Esquire) from whom Sir
Thomas Derham knight, now Lord of West Derham aforesaid, is descended.
Buckenham New.
Hic iacet Alicia quondam vxor Willelmi Knyvet Armigeri.
Alice
[...]. Que erat filia Iohannis Grey filij Reginaldi Grey Domini de Rythyn, que obiit quarto die mensis Aprilis, Anno Domini M.cccclxxiiii.....
Hic iacet Thomas Ivy Capellanus qui obijt xix di
[...] mensis Septembris,
[...]. ann. Domini M.cccclxxxiii. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Hic iacet Robertus Seman Capellanus qui obijt nono die Iunij,
Rob. Seman. ann. Dom. M.cccclxv. Cuius anime. ...
Orate pro anima Willelmi Pyllys qui obijt xxv. die Decembris,
Will. Pyllis. Anno Domini M.cccccxxxi. Cuius anime propitietur Deus. Amen.
Here are many old Monuments all without Inscriptions;Kneuet
[...].vnder which diuers of the Familie of the Knevets
lie buried.Camd. in Nors.An ancient house and renowned, saith Camden,
euer since Sir Iohn Kneuet
was Lord Chancellour of England vnder King Edward
the third, and also honourably allied by great marriages. For, ouer and besides these of Buckenham, now Baronets, from hence sprang those right worshipfull Knights, Sir Thomas Kneuet,
[Page 856]Lord Kneuet,
Sir Henry Kneuet
of Wiltshire, and Sir Thomas Kneuet
of A
[...]hewell Thorp and others.
Buckenham old.
Vpon a Grauestone in the south side of the Church (ouer which stone there now are Pewes built) there is in brasse portraied a Crane, from whose heke is a scrowle with these two words,
Deo gratias, and vpon a piece of brasse ouerthwart this inscription.
Tho. Browne. [...]uckenham
[...]riory.Orate pro anima Thome Browne, cuius anime propitietur Deus, Amen.
Here was a religious Foundation of blacke Canons, dedicated to Saint
Iames, valued at one hundred, one and thirty pounds, eleuen shillings of yearely commings in.
Erpingham.
Sir
Iohn Er
[...]ham, KnightVnder a goodly faire Grauestone lieth the body Sir
Iohn Erpingham knight, he is figured vpon the stone in complete armour, and the monument is bordered with this inscription▪
Hic iacet Iohannes de Erpingham miles quis multa bona fecit tempore vite sue ...
At each corner of the marble, a Doue siluer crowned, holding a Mase or Scepter in her pounce.
Sir
Thomas Erpingham was knight of the Garter in the raigne of
Henry the fourth.
Cromer.
[...]Here lyeth the body of Sir
Simon Felbrigge, or
Felbridge, knight of the Garter, in the raigne of
Henry the fift. He lieth in complete Armour, on both his Emerases the Crosse of Saint
George, holding in his right hand a Penon of Armes, his Belt bossed and gilt, his Hanger by his side, his Spurs gilt, the blew Garter about his right legge, his feet resting on a Lyon, all ingrauen in brasse; his wife by his side (on like manner in brasse) very sumptuously garnished with bracelets, Iewels, and her attire according to those times. I haue no inscription to know any further.
Carow.
[...]undation of the Nunnery.A religious house of blacke Nunnes, consecrated to the holinesse and honour of the blessed Virgin
Mary, founded by King
Stephen, (the founder of many such sacred Edifices) valued in the Kings bookes to be yearely worth fourescore and foure pounds, twelue shillings, penny, halfe penny qua.
Gregory the tenth (as I take it) granted by his Bull this priuiledge, inhibition following, to the Nunnes of this Priory.
[Page 857]Gregorious Episcopus Seruus Seruorum Dei, [...]dilectis in Christo fili
[...]bus Priorisse et conuentui de Carrone Norwicen: Dioc. Salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem. Exposita nobis ex parte vestra petitio ... quod vos ad i
[...] stantiam precum quorundam Nobilium Anglie quibus propter suam potentiam resistere non valeatis, tot iam recepisti in Monasterio vestro Moniales, quod vix potestis domus redditibus congrue sustentari. Quare auctorit
[...] presentium vobis inhibemus, vt nullam recipiatis in grauamen Monasterij vestri de cetero in Monacham vel Sororem. Dat. Perusii xij. Kalend. Septembris Pontificatus nostri anno tertio.
East Harling.
I find by certaine notes of burials sent vnto me from my friend master
Taylor, of Fleetstreete, London, these persons following to haue beene interred in this parish Church.
Sir
William Chamberleyn,Sir
Will. Chamberlaine, knight of the Garter. Knight of the Garter, and Dame
Anne his wife, daughter of Sir
Robert Harling, Knight.
He was graced with this high Order in the raigne of
Edward the fourth.
Sir
Robert Harling Knight,
Elisabeth Trussell, sister of sir
William Chamberleyn. Sir
Iohn Harling knight.
Debenham.
Here (by the foresaid Notes) lie buried
Iohn Farmingham, qui obijt anno M.cccc.xxiiij. and
Margaret his wife.
Robert Cheak, and
Rose his wife.
George Neuill and his wife;
Iohn Neuill; Iohn Cheake, qui obiit, M.cccc.lxxxx.
Suffield▪
Here lyeth buried vnder a faire Tombe, the bodies of
Iohn Symonds, gentleman, and
Margaret his wife, daughter of
Francis Moundeford, Esquire . . .
Bromholme.
William Glanuile founded the Church of Saint
Andrew,The foundation of S.
Andrewes at Bromholme. at Bromholme in the Diocesse of Norwich in the yeare 1113. saith an old Anonimall
Mss. which I haue.
In the Pedegree of the right honourable,
Edward, Earle of Dorset, I finde this note following.
Beatrix, daughter and coheire of
William Sakeuile, Lord of Bracksted, Nayland, and mount Bures in Essex, and brother to
Iordan Sakeuile, married to
William de Glaunuile, Lord of Bromholme, and founder of the Church of Bromholme,
anno 17.
Hen. primi, a house it was of Benedictines,
[Page 858] valued to be yearely worth an hundred pounds, fiue shillings, fiue pence.
Here was also sometime a Priorie of blacke Monkes Cluniacks dedicated to Saint
Sepulchre, founded by
G. Glanuile, and valued at one hundred forty foure pounds,
[...]. nineteene shillings, halfe penny, qua.
Bromholme, sometime a Priory, saith
Camden, founded and enriched by
G. Glanuill, and seated on the sharpe top of an hill, the crosse whereof our ancestors had in holy reuerence, I know not for what miracles.
[...]Thomas Rudhorne, Bishop of S.
Dauids, who flourished in the raigne of
Henry the fourth, hath (in his history) these words to the same effect.
The holy Crosse of Bromholme.Capulanus quidam portauit quandam crucem ligneam in Angliam, quam affirmauit esse de ligno in quo pependit Christus et Monachis de Bromholme ob
[...]ulit et postea locus coruscabat miraculis.
A certaine Priest, brought ouer with him, saith he, a woodden Crosse into England, which he affirmed to be the Crosse whereupon our Sauiour Christ was crucified; which he deliuered to the Monkes of Bromholme, after which the place did shine gloriously with miracles.
Capgraue in the life of
S. Ed
[...]d King and
[...].But the story of this holy Crosse is more fully deliuered by
Capgraue on this manner. Saint
Helene, saith he, hauing found the Crosse, did diuide it into nine parts, according to the nine Orders of the Angels: of one part thereof (which was most besprinckled with Christs bloud, his hands and feete being thereto nailed) she made a little crosse, which she inclosed in a boxe of gold, beset with precious stones, and gaue it to her sonne
Constantine the Emperour, which went successiuely from one Emperour to another, vntill it came to
Baldwin, who kept a Chaplaine to say daily masse before this sacred Relique; the said Chaplaine being dead, one
Hugh a Priest, borne here in Norfolke, was preferred to his place.
Baldwin, so long as he carried this Crosse with him to battaile, had euer the vpper hand of his enemies, but forgetting it, hee was forthwith slaine, vpon which his Chaplaine
Hugh stole secretly away with the said Boxe and Crosse, came to this Monastery of Bromholme, and bestowed them both here vpon the Monkes, for which so inestimable a gift, he with his two sonnes (which he had by his wife before he entred into holy orders) were kept of the Monkes with all things necessary, vntill the death of
Hugh the father, and the preferment of both his sonnes. By the vertue of this holy Crosse,
Cooperante Domino, God assisting, thirty and nine persons, were raised from death to life; and ninteene which were blinde, receiued their sight, besides many other miracles which it wrought, if you will beleeue my Author.
[...] compertorum.Hic apparuit multa superstitio circa crucem quae vocatur, the holy Crosse of Bromholme,
et dicunt illic se habere Zonam beate marie et lac eiusdem, et fragmenta crucis sancti petri et sancte Andree, saith a booke in the treasury of the Exchequer of the visitation of Abbeys.
Here appeareth great superstition about a Crosse, which is called the Holy Crosse of Bromholme; and here they say they haue the girdle and milke of the blessed Virgin, and a fragment of the Crosse of Saint
Peter, and of Saint
Andrew.
I finde that the Founder
G. Glanuill, was here buried. A name, as you may reade in that which I haue already written, of great account for many ages in diuers parts of this kingdome.
[Page]There be of the later writer, saith
Camden, speaking of the Earles of Suffolke, who report,
Camd. [...] that the
Glanuils in times past, were honoured with this title; But seeing they ground vpon no certaine authoritie, where as men may easily mistake, and I haue found nothing of them in the publike records of the kingdome, they must pardon me if I beleeue them not, vntill they produce more certainty, yet the meane while I confesse, that the Familie of the
Glanuils in this tract, was of right good note, and high reputation.
Antingham.
Vnder a faire marble lie buried
Richard Calthorpe Esquire,
[...] and
Anne his wife, daughter of
Edmund Hastings, by whom he had issue, xix. sonnes and daughters, as appeares in that which remaines of the brasse.
Here lieth
Iohn Cudden, [...] the sonne of
George Cudden Esquire, who maried
Anne Berney.
Here lieth
Rafe Berney, [...]aphe
[...] who married Sir
William Fromers sister. This is a name of exemplarie note, and Baronets degree in this tract.
Ringland.
On a flat Grauestone in the said Church, is this Inscription.
Hic iacet Robertus Neue filius et heres Iohannis tertio geniti Roberti le Neue de Tytetishal generosi,Robert
[...] N
[...].qui quidem Robertus le Neue obijt anno Domini M.ccccc.lviii.
Beston.
A faire Tombe whereon is engrauen in brasse, the names of
Iohn Deynes,Io Deynes, and
Katherine his wife. and
Katherine his wife, and these two words,
Respice, Respice. Here was a Priory of Nuns, yerely worth seuenty sixe pounds, three shillings, nine pence halfe penny.
Kinningall.
Here lieth
Iohn Shildgate,Io. Shildgate. Prior sometime of Windam, who built the Chancell of this Church, as appeares by his Tombe.
Here is a faire Tombe for
George Lord
Awdley,George Lord
Audley. and his wife, the daughter of the E. of Bath, as I haue it out of master
Howldiche his collection.
Orate pro anima Rogery Dennys Seneschalli: castal. . . .
Walsingham.
One
Richold a Widdow,
The foundation of the Chappell and Priory at Walsingham, out of a
[...] increasing Librarie of Sir
[...] dwelling in the Towne of Walsingsame, was the first founder of the Chappell there in the yeare of our Lord God, 1061.
[Page 860] which she dedicated to our blessed Lady, and founded the same in all points, like to the Chappell of our Lady at Nazareth, in that place where she was saluted by the Angell
Gabriel. It was made a Priory of blacke Canons, by
Edmond Earle of March, and
Elisabeth de Burgo, in the raigne of
Edward the Third; and valued at the suppression thereof, (which happened the fourth of August, in the thirtieth yeare of the raign of K.
Henry the Eight) after the rate of those times, to haue of yearely reuenues, foure hundred forty sixe pounds, fourteene shillings, foure pence, halfe penny, qua.
Camd. in Norf.This village was much renowned throughout all England for a Pilgrimage to our Lady, the Virgin Mary: whom he who had not in that former age visited, and presented with offerings, was reputed irreligious. But this shall
Erasmus, an eye witnesse, describe in his owne very words.
Erasmus of the pilgrimage to W
[...]lsingham.Not farre from the Sea, saith he, about foure miles, there standeth a Town, liuing almost of nothing else but vpon the resort of Pilgrimes. There is a Colledge of Canons, yet such, as vnto whom the Latinists haue giuen the addition of Regulares; a middle kinde, betwixt Monkes and those Canons, whom they terme Secular: This Colledge hath scarse any other reuenues, than from the liberality of the said Virgin. For, certaine of the greater Presents and Oblations are laid vp and preserued. But if there be any money offered, or ought else, of small value, that goeth vnto maintenance of the Couent, and their Head or President, whom they call Prior. The Church is faire and neat: yet in it the Virgin dwelleth not: that honour, forsooth, shee hath done vnto her Sonne: she hath her Church by her selfe, but so, as that she may be on the right hand of her Sonne. Neither doth she dwell here for all this, for why, the building is not yet finished, and the place hath a through light and ayre on all sides, with open dores, and wide open windowes; the Ocean Sea withall the father and foster of all winds is hard by. In that Church which I said was vnfinished, there is a small Chappell, but all of wood, whereunto on either side at a narrow and little dore, are such admitted, as come with their deuotions and offerings. Small light there is in it, and none other in manner, but by Tapers or waxe Candles, yeelding a most deynty and pleasant smell. Nay, if you looke into it, you would say it were the habitation of heauenly Saints indeed; so bright shining it is all ouer with precious stones, with gold and siluer.
But within the memory of our fathers, saith
Camden in the same place, when King
Henry the eight had set his minde and eye both, vpon the riches and possessions of Churches, all this vanished quite away.
Rising Castle.
So denominated of a Castle sometime there standing, (the seat anciently of the
Albineys, the
Monthaults, and the
Mowbrays) which now after long languishing, as it were, by reason of old age, hath giuen vp the ghost.
In the Porch of this Parish Church, is a Grauestone, vnder which, say the inhabitants (which I haue heard sworne by others)
Isabell, Queene of England, the wife of
Edward the Second, lieth interred; vpon the Grauestone, are two words onely remaining, which make the country people so
[Page 861] thinke of the matter,
Queene
Isabels seruant. which are ....
Isabelle Regine .... now by these, the case is made plaine, to any than can distinguish between the Cases Nominatiue, and Genitiue, that this stone was laid to perpetuate the remembrance of some one of that Queenes seruants.
Flytham.
This was a Nunnery,
Flytham Priory. and a Cell to Walsingham, of yearely value, threescore and two pound, ten shillings, sixe pence, halfe penny.
Yngham.
This was a Priory of blacke Monkes Benedictines,
The Foundation of the Priory of Yngham. a Cell to Saint Albans, founded by the Ancestours of Sir
Oliuer Yngham knight, consecrated to the honour of the blessed Virgin
Mary, valued at seuenty foure pounds, two shillings, seuen pence halfe penny.
Herein lay buried Sir
Miles Stapleton,Burials in the Priory Church. and
Ione his wife, the daughter and heire of Sir
Oliuer Yngham. Sir
Miles, sonne of the said
Miles, and
Ela his wife, the daughter of
Vfford ▪ Sir
Brian Stapleton, sonne of the second sir
Miles, and his wife, daughter of the Lord
Bardolfe. Sir
Miles, sonne of sir
Brian, and Dame
Katherin his wife, daughter of sir
Pots, and after married to sir
Thomas Sackuile, which are likewise here buried. Dame
Ione Plase, daughter of sir
Miles Stapleton. Dame
Ela Perpoint, which had two husbands....
Edmond Stapleton, and his wife, daughter of
Clyfton. Sir
Roger Boys, and his wife.
Linne.
Linne, saith
Leland, sometimes a famous Hauen; there, as the Church stands now,
Leland, in his Commentaries. was anciently without faile, an Abbey, for the graues of many religious persons as yet appeare in the Church; and the lodgings of the Abbey are now conuerted into the Archdeacons house. This Monastery I imagine to haue beene the house of the Carmelites, founded by the Lord
Bardolfe,The foundation of the Friers Carmelites Lord
Scales, and Sir
Iohn Wingenhall, Anno 1269. the dedication nor the value thereof, I doe not finde.
The blacke Friers was founded by
Thomas Gedney,The blacke and white Friers in Linne. and the white Friers by
Thomas de Feltsham,: and thus much is the little of them which I haue learned.
Here was an Hospitall,
S.
Iohns Hospitall. dedicated to Saint
Iohn, valued at seuen pounds, sixe shillings, and eleuen pence.
Here I haue no Inscriptions of antiquitie.
Loddon.
This Church was built by
Iames Hobart, knight, one of the priuie
[Page 860] [...][Page 861] [...][Page 862] Councell to King
Henry the Seuenth,
Sir
Iames Hobart knight, the builder of this Church. who lieth here buried, as I haue it by relation, of whom, and of the Familie, will it please you reade what learned
Camden writes.
The riuer Yare, saith he, receiueth a brooke which passeth by nothing memorable, but Halles-hall, and that onely memorable for his ancient owner, Sir Iames Hobart,
Atturney generall, and of the pri
[...]ie Councell to King Henry the seuenth, by him dubbed knight at such time as he created Henry his sonne, Prince of Wales) who by building from the ground, the faire Church at Loddon, being his parish Church, Saint Oliues bridge ouer Waueney, that diuideth Norfolke and Suffolke, the Cawsey thereby, and other workes of piety, deserued well of the Church, his country, and the common weale, and planted three houses of his owne issue, out of the second wherof, Sir Henry Hobart
likewise Atturney Generall to King Iames,
is lineally descended. The foresaid Sir
Henry Hobart, knight and Baronet, was aduanced by the said King, the sixteenth of October, in the eleuenth yeare of his raigne, to be Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common pleas, in which office hee died, the twenty sixt day of December, the first yeare of the raigne of our gracious Soueraigne King
Charles, [...]. lit. I.magna Reipub. iactura, a great losse to the weale publike, as Sir
Henry Spelman writes.
Margaret, La
[...]Hobart.Here lieth
Margaret, the wife of Sir
Iames Hobart, who died
Anno 1494. as I haue it out of certaine funerall Notes.
Yarmouth.
Bishop
Herbert, the builder of the Church.This Towne is beautified with a spatious faire Church, hauing a wondrous high Spire Steeple, built by
Herbert the first Bishop of Norwich, in the raigne of
William Rufus. All the funerall Monuments of antiquitie in this Church, are vtterly defaced; Inscription nor Epitaph now remaining, except that this may passe current for one.
Elin
[...] [...]ker.
Elyn Benaker, mercy dooth craue,
God on her Sowl mercy more haue.
In the three and twentieth yeare of King
Edward the Third, happened a most grieuous and lamentable Plague in this Towne, which brought (within the compasse of one yeare) seauen thousand,
Stow Annal. ex lib. priorat. de Tur. fiftie, and two persons, to their graues: the which is witnessed by an ancient Latin Chronographicall Table, hanging vp in the Church. The Parsonage which was yearely worth before the sicknesse, seuen hundred Markes, was afterwards scarse worth forty pound by yeare.
Burials of such as
[...]ed of the plague.The bodies of all the dead were buried in the Church and Churchyard, and in such and such places of the same, as the Townesmen can shew you at this day.
The Priory of Carmelites or white Friers.
The white Friers.Was Founded by King
Edward the first,
Anno Domini 1278. herein lay buried Dame
Maud, wife of Sir
Laurence Huntingdon, who died, 1300.
[Page 863] Sir
Iohn de Monte Acuto obijt 1392.
Nicholas Castle Esquire, who died 1309. and
Elisabeth his wife, these are all I finde here to haue beene buried, and this is all that I can speake of this religious house.
The blacke Friers was founded by
Godfrey Pelegren,The Blacke Friers. and
Thomas Falstolfe.
The Grey Friers by
William Gerbrigge.The Grey Friers.
Neare to this Towne was a Colledge of Saint
Iohn Baptist, first founded by
Robert de Castre;
The Colledge of S.
Iohn Baptist.Sir
Iohn Falstolfe knight of the Garter. after by
Iohn Falstolfe Esquire, Father to Sir
Iohn Falstolfe that Martiall Knight, who had a faire seat at Caster, and who was Knight of the Garter, in the raigne of
Henry the sixth.
Thomas Talbot sometimees keeper of the Records in the Tower did collect out of an old Calender in a Missale the names of certaine eminent persons; for the soules of whom the Religious Votaries in and about Yarmouth were bound to pray: the most of which number were buried in the Parish Church, and in their Monasteries, as followeth.
Margaret the wife of Sir
Iohn Falstolfe,Burials and persons to be prayed for in religious houses in & about Yarmouth. daughter of Sir
Iohn Holbroke knight,
Iohn Fastolfe and
Ione his wife.
Richard, Alexander, William, Thomas, Robert Fastolfs, Clarence Fastolfe, the wife of Sir
Robert Ilketishale Knight, who dyed 1393.
William Ilketishale their sonne, Parson of Hesingham, who dyed the Ides of December 1412.
Iohn Falstolfe Doctor of Diuinitie, a Frier Preacher:
Richard Falstolfe, an Augustine Frier, with many more of that ancient and noble Familie.
Godfrey Pelegren aforesaid and his wife,
Thomas the sonne of Sir
Thomas Bowet Knight▪
Ione the daughter of
Iohn Wilshire, wife to
Robert Cromer.
Registred and buried in the Augustine Friers these.
William de Vfford, Earle of Suffolke,
Ed. de Hengraue a renowned Lawyer. who dyed 15. Feb. 1382.
Michaell and
Michaell de la Pole, Earles of Suffolke: Sir
Thomas Hengraue Knight, of Hengraue in Suffolke (of which Familie, and the owner of which Lordship, was that renowned Lawyer
Edmund de Hengraue, who flourished in the raigne of
Edward the first) who died the 23. of May, 1349. Sir
Robert Bacon. Richard Earle of Clare:
Roger Fitz. Osbert. Lady
Katherin his wife, Sir
Henry Bacon: Sir
Robert Bacon Knights: Lady
Sabina the wife of ...
Bacon, Iohn Bacon his sonne, and nine other children.
Ione of Acris, Countesse of Glocester.
William Woderow and
Margaret his wife, Founders of this Monasterie of Augustine Friers; as I haue it in my notes from
William Le Neue. Sir
Henry Bacon of Garleston, or Garneston,
obiit 1335. Dame
Alice Lunston, obijt 1341. Dame
Elianor wife of Sir
Thomas Gerbrigge of Wickhampton
obijt 1353. Dame
Elianor .... Dame
Ione Caxton obijt 1364. Dame
Sibill Mortimer, wife of Sir
Raphe Pygott of Gelston,
obijt 1385. Sir
Iohn Laune of Flixtonforth, and
Mary his wife.
Iohn Haukin Esquire,
obijt 1385.
Iohn Belhowse Esquire,
obijt 1399.
Alexander Falstolfe. William March Esquire,
obijt 1412.
Iohn Pulham gent.
obijt 1481.
Snoring.
Orate pro animabus Radulphi Shelton Militis,Sir
Raph Shalton knight, and
Alice his wife.& Domine Alicie vxoris eius filie Thome de Vuedal militis, qui quidem Radulphus obijt M.ccccxxiiii.
[Page 864]The Rector of this Church at this time (as I am informed) is that reuerend learned Diuine and bountifull house-keeper,
[...]Robert Pearson, Doctor of Diuinitie, Archdeacon of Suffolke, sometimes Fellow of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge; To whom I am bound to acknowledge all thankfulnesse, he being in the same Colledge my Tutor.
Shelton.
[...] Lady.Pries pour l'ame du Mounsieur Rauf Shelton Maistres istius ville qui morust le 18.
Nouemb. L'an de grace M.ccclxxiii ...... pour la femme fil. du Mounsieur Plays. ...
[...]Vnder a faire Grauestone lieth the body of Sir
Iohn Shelton, who married the daughter of Sir
William Bullein; this Inscription remaining.
Hic sum sepultus Iohannes de Shelton Miles.
[...] Io
[...] ▪ Shelton
[...].Here is a Tombe vnfinished of Sir
Iohn Shelton knight, who married
Margaret the daughter of the Lord
Morley, and had issue, Sir
Raph Shelton knight, and three daughters:
Anne, married to .... Sir
Iohn Goosalue knight:
Alice, married to the heire of Sir
Thomas Ieselyn knight: and
Mary, married to Sir
Iames Skudamor knight.
Sir
Raph SheltonHere is also another Tombe vnfinished of Sir
Raphe Shelton knight, who married to his first wife,
Mary, the daughter of Sir
William Woodhouse knight, and had issue
Thomas, his sonne and heire, who married the daughter of Baron
Flowerdew. Sir
Iohn who married the daughter of the Lord
Cromwell. Raph vnmarried.
Edward who dyed young.
Audrie Shelton married to ....
Walsingham in Kent. By his second wife the daughter of Master
Barrow, he had issue
Henry Shelton, and two daughters....
How neare these times these come I doe not know, for I haue no further instructions, but from an imperfect Funerall Monument. Neither had he, I meane Master
Howldich, who first collected these Inscriptions.
Marham.
Here was a religious little house of white Nunnes, valued at thirteene pounds,
[...] [...]unnery. sixe shillings, pennie halfe penny. The first Founder hereof was
Isabell Countesse of Arundell in her widowhood, the wife of
Hugh de Albeney, Earle of Arundell and Sussex: as by these words following extracted out of the booke of
Wauerley in Surrey will appeare.
In bib. Cott.Isabella Comitissa Arundell, morum quidem grauitate non mediocriter adornata, circa salutem anime sue diligens & sollicita, divina vt creditur inspiratione preuenita; Abbatiam Monialium ordinis Cistercen. Marham vocatam cum summa devotione hoc anno, viz. 1252.
construxit. Cuius rei causa Abbatem nostrum duxit consulendum, ac permissione Domini ipsius domum nostram intrauit, societatem ordinis in capitulo nostro deuote petiit et obtinuit. Quatuor Marcas & vnum Dolium vini Conventui ad pitancias donauit. And thus religious orders were enricht, and made great feasts by the admittance of lay persons into their Fraternities and Sisterhoods, as I haue touched before in
[Page 865] my discourse,
Mss. in bib.
[...]monds
[...] Eq. aur
[...]t.cap. I finde that
William, Bishop of Norwich, gaue vnto the Abbey of Nunnes in Marham the appropriation and patronage of the Parish Church of Saint
Peter in Rockland, within the Diocesse of Norwich,
Anno Christi 1349.
Shouldham.
A Priory consecrated to the holy Crosse and the blessed Virgin,
Shuld
[...] [...] Priory of Nunnes. replenished likewise with white Nunnes Gilbertines. The valuation of whose endowments amounted to bee yearely worth an hundred seuenty and one pound six shillings 8. pence. It may very well be that
Robert de Monte alto or
Monthault was the Founder: for I finde in the Abbey booke of Langeley that he lieth here buried. An honorable Familie anciently in this tract, and in diuers other places of the kingdome.
Chappell in the field.
Founded by
Iohn Brome,The foundatiō of the Chappell in the Field. or his Ancestours, for a Deane and seuen Prebends; in which lye buried besides the Founder,
Williom Rees Esquire, and
Margerie his wife.
Edmond Bokenham Esquire, and
Dionisia his wife.
Iohn Strange, Elisabeth wiffe of
Iohn Ienny, daughter and heire of
Io. Wedyrlye.
Raueningham.
Sir Iohn
of Norwich knight,The foundatiō of Raueningham Colledge.founded a Colledge here at Raueningham; the Kings licence and Antonyes
Bishop of Norwich thereunto first obtained, for a Master and eight brethren, Priests. Anno
24. Ed.
3. which will best appeare by his Charter which followes.
Vniuersis, &c. Iohannes de Norwico miles, Salutem. Illud Apostoli frequenter in animo revoluens;
Ex Arch.
[...]u
[...]r. Lond. Cart. Ant
[...]q Qualia seminaverit homo talia & metet, &c. ad mei meriti et Margarete consortis mee, &c. ad honorem Dei Genetricisque sue. Sancti Andree Apostoli omniumque sanctorum Collegium ex Magistro et octo confratribus Presbyteris in Ecclesia de Raueningham diuina perpetuis temporibus celebratur, duxi peritorum consilio ordinand. Quod Collegium domus Sancte Marie de Raveningham nominari dispono. Dat. apud Thorpe iuxta Norwic. die xxv. Iulij Anno Domini M.cccl.
Tomeston, or Thonston.
Sir
Thomas de Skardelow knight, and
Iohn his brother, founded here a Chantrie of six Chapleines to pray for the soules of the said
Thomas,The foundatiō of a Chantrie at Tomeston.Iohn, and
Agnes his wife, and their parents soules. The donation beares date the 8. of Feb. 1349. the 23. of
Ed. the third. Valued it was at fiftie two pounds fifteene shillings seuen pence halfe penie.
The foundatiō of the Priory of Cockford.Anno 1243. the Priory of blacke Canons Reguler at Cockford, or Cokesford was founded by Sir
Iohn de Canneto, id est, Cheney knight. After him the Lord
Say, and after that the Lord
Clinton were Patrons, as I haue it out of a Manuscript. Which Foundation was rated, as others were, at a low value, to be of yearely reuenues one hundred fiftie three pounds, seuen shillings and a pennie.
Tylney Smeeth.
[...]en Sp
[...]hmanni
[...] aurat.
[...]nia.So called of a smooth plaine or Common thereunto adioyning, some two miles in extensure:
Pinguis adeo & luxurians vt Paduana pascua videatur superasse: So abundantly fertile, that in fatnesse of soile it doth exceed the pastures about Padua in Italy. For, it serues, and that sufficiently, for the grazing of all the greater sort of cattell of seuen Towneships, to the same neare scituated, besides the feeding of thirtie thousand sheepe.
In the Churchyard is a ridg'd Altar, Tombe or Sepulchre of a wondrous antique fashion, vpon which an Axell-tree and a cart-wheele are insculped; Vnder this Funerall Monument, the Towne-dwellers say that one
Hikifricke lies interred; of whom (as it hath gone by tradition from Father to the Sonne) they thus likewise report:
[...]he story of
Hikifrick, here
[...] How that vpon a time (no man knowes how long since) there happened a great quarrell betwixt the Lord of this land or ground, and the Inhabitants of the foresaid seuen villages, about the meere-markes, limits, or bondaries of this fruitfull feeding place; the matter came to a battell or skirmish, in which the said Inhabitants being not able to resist the Landlord and his forces, began to giue backe;
Hikifricke, driuing his cart along, and perceiuing that his neighbours were faint-hearted, and ready to take flight, he shooke the Axell-tree from the cart, which he vsed in stead of a sword,
The strange &
[...] of
[...] and tooke one of the cart-wheeles which he held as a buckler; with these weapons (in a furious rage, you must imagine) he set vpon the Common aduersaries, or aduersaries of the Common, encouraged his neighbours to go forward, and fight valiantly in defence of their liberties; who being animated by his manly prowesse, they tooke heart to grasse, as the prouerbe is, insomuch that they chased the Landlord and his companie, to the vtmost verge of the said Common; which from that time they haue quietly enioyed to this very day.
The Axell-tree and cart-wheele are cut and figured in diuers places of the Church, and Church windowes, which makes the story, you must needs say, more probable.
[...].This relation doth in many parts parallell with that of one
Hay, a strong braue spirited Scottish Plowman, who vpon a set battell of Scots against the Danes, being working at the same time in the next field, and seeing some of his countreymen to flie from that hote encounter, caught vp an oxe yoke, (
Boethius saith, a Plough-beame) with which (after some exhortation that they should not bee faint-hearted) hee beate the said straglers backe againe to the maine Army, where he with his two sonnes (who tooke likewise such weapons as came next to their hands) renewed the charge so
[Page 867] furiously that they quite discomfited the enemy, obtaining the glory of the day and victory, for their drad Lord and Soueraigne
Kenneth the third, King of Scotland: and this happened in the yeare 942. the second of the said kings raigne.
This you may reade at large in the History of Scotland, thus abridged by
Camden as followeth.
Where
Tay now growen bigger enlargeth himselfe (saith he) there appeareth ouer it Arrol,
Cam
[...]. in Perth Hay
[...]s. Earles of Arrol or E
[...]tol. the habitation of the noble Earles of Arrol, who euer since the
Bruises dayes, haue beene by inheritance the Constables of Scotland: and verily they deduce an ancient pedegree from one
Hay, a man of exceeding strength and excellent courage: who together with his two sonnes, in a dangerous battell of Scots against the Danes at Longcarty, caught vp an oxe yoke, and so valiantly and fortunately withall, what with frighting, and what with exhorting, reenforced the Scots at the point to shrinke and recule, that they had the day of the Danes, and the King with the States of the kingdome ascribed the victory and their owne safety vnto his valour and prowesse. Whereupon in this place, the most battle and fruitfull grounds were assigned vnto him and his heires, who in testimony hereof, haue set ouer their coat a yoke for their Creast.
Of which memorable exploite, to the further honour of this ancient and Princely great Family,
Iohn Ionston of Aberdon, that ingenious learned Diuine and Poet hath written, as followeth.
Haius Pater cum duobus filijs.
Io. Ionston. Heroes Sco
[...].
Armatus aratri iugo, suorum fugientium agmen stitit. Danorum exercitum victorem repulit. Salutem patriae, sibi posterisque rem & decus immortale peperit, in memorabili ad Loncartem vicum pugna; quae incidit in annum secundum Kennethi iii. Anno Christi
942. Ab hoc cepit initium illustris Comitum Erroliae domus, quae et agros Scotiae fertilissimos, et insignia in victoriae praemia hisce data adhuc tenet.
The Succession, names and number of the right reuerend Fathers in God, Lords and Bishops of Dunwich, Elmham, and Norwich, and of such of them as I finde to haue beene reputed Saints.
OF the Bishops of Dunwich and Elmham, I haue already written; of which number,
Felix the first Bishop was the first Saint.
In the yere vi. hundreth thyrty and two
[...].
Kynge
Edwyne, by holy doctryne,
Of Saynt
Felix, an holy Preste that was tho,
And preachyng of the holy archbyshop
Paulyn,
Of Chrystes worde, and verteous discyplyne
Conuerted
Edordwolde, of Estangle the kyng,
And all the realme, where
Felix was dwelling.
[...]a
[...]gra
[...]e in vi
[...] [...] confessoria.This sacred Bishop
Felix was borne, brought vp, and sublimated with an Episcopall Mitre, in the parts of Burgundy; which worldly pompe and honour, together with his owne Countrie, hee forsooke, onely to propagate the Gospell, and came into England to preach the word of God, in the daies of
Honorius Bishop of Rome,
Honorius being as then Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a man euery way learned, & what he daily taught, hee carefully put in practise by his holy conuersation, and charitable good workes. He deliuered the word with great mildnesse and pleasant elocution, whereby the more easily he subiugated his Auditors to the yoke of
[...]esus Christ. Hauing gouerned the East Angles 17 yeares, he died at Dunwich, his Seat,
S.
[...]. his
[...] places. the eight of the Ides of March,
Anno 647. where in the Church of his owne Foundation, he was first buried; but after a time, his bones were taken vp and conuaied to Some in Cambridgeshire, and there solemnly encoffined in the Chancell of the Church there, which hee likewise built. And afterwards, in the raigne of King
Canute, his sacred reliques were remoued from thence to the Abbey-Church of Ramsey in Huntingdonshire, by the procurement of Ethelstan, at that time Abbot of the said Monastery.
The next Bishop that I finde, was
Humbyrct, or
Humbert, who kept his See at Elmham,
[...]. and being reputed holy, was reckoned for a Saint, of which a late writer.
[...].
The See at Norwich, now establisht (long not stird)
At Eltham planted first, to Norwich then transferd,
Into our bed-roule here, her
Humbert in doth bring,
(A Counsellour that was to that most martyred king
Saint
Edmund) who in their rude massacre then slaine,
The title of a Saint, his Martyrdome doth gaine.
Now to come to Norwich, the first Bishop of Norwich was
William Herbert: the second,
Euerard: the third,
William Turbus: the fourth,
Iohn of Oxford: the fift,
Iohn de Grey: of these I haue written before.
[Page 869]The sixt, was
Pandulfus, the Popes Legate, hee was consecrated at Rome, by
Honorius the Third, Bishop of Rome, and died the fift yeare of his consecration, 1227.
The seuenth was
Thomas de Blundeuill, an officer of the Exchequer, preferred thereunto by
Hubert de Burgo, the famous chiefe Iustice of England: he died, August 16. 1236.
The eight,
Radulph, who died,
An. 1236.
The ninth was
William de Raleigh, who was remoued to Winchester.
The tenth was
Walter de Sufield; the eleuenth,
Simon de Wanton; the twelfth,
Roger de Sherwyng; the thirteenth,
William Middleton, of whom before.
The fourteenth was
Raph de Walpoole, translated to Ely. The fifteenth was
Iohn Salmon; the sixteenth was
William Ayermin, of whom before.
The seuenteenth was
Antony de Becke, Doctor of Diuinitie, a retainer to the Court of Rome,
Godwin de presul. Aug. and made Bishop by the Popes Prouisorie Bull. Hee had much to doe with the Monkes of his Church, whom it seemeth hee vsed too rigorously. He also withstood
Robert Winchelsey, Archbishop of Canterbury, in his visitation, appealing from him to Rome. This boisterous vnquiet humour, it seemes, was his death; for it is said, that hee was poisoned by his owne seruants.
The eighteenth Bishop was
William Bateman, who died at Auinion, in the yeare 1354. and was there buried, of whom hereafter.
The ninteenth was
Thomas Piercy: The twentieth was
Henry Spencer: The one and twentieth was
Alexander, of whom before.
The two and twentieth was
Richard Courtney, Chancellour of the Vniuersitie of Oxford, a man famous for his excellent knowledge in both lawes. A man of great linage, great learning, and great vertue, and no lesse beloued among the common people. He died of a Fluxe in Normandy, at the siege of Harflew, Septemb. 14. 1415. in the second yeare after his consecration. His body being brought into England, was honourably interred at Westminster.
The three and twentieth, was
Iohn Wakering, of whom I haue spoken before.
The foure and twentieth was
William Alnwick, translated to Lincolne, of whom hereafter in his place of buriall.
The fiue and twentieth was
Thomas Browne, Bishop of Rochester, who being at the Councell of
Basill, had this Bishopricke cast vpon him, before euer he vnderstood of any such intent toward him. In his time, the Citizens of Norwich (vpon an old grudge) attempted many things against the Church: but such was the singuler wisedome and courage of this Bishop, that all their enterprises came to none effect; he sate nine yeares, and died
anno 1445. where buried, I doe not finde.
The sixe and twentieth was
Gualter Hart, or
Lyghart. The seauen and twentieth was
Iames Goldwell. The eight and twentieth was
Thomas Ian. The nine and twentieth was
Richard Nyx, of whom before.
The thirtieth, was
William Rugge, alias Reps, a Doctor of Diuinitie in Cambridge. He sate 14 yeares, and deceased
anno 1550.
The one and thirtieth was
Thyrlhey, a Doctor of Law of Cambridge, the
[Page 870] first and last Bishop of Westminster, translated to Ely.
The two and thirtieth was
Iohn Hopton, a Doctor of Diuinity of Oxford, and houshold Chaplaine to Queene
Mary, elected to this Bishopricke in King
Edwards daies. He sate 4 yeares, and died in the same yeare that Queene Mary did, for griefe as it was supposed.
The three and thirtieth, was
Iohn Parkhurst, who lieth buried in his Cathedrall Church, vnder a faire Tombe, with this Inscription.
Iohannes Parkhurstus Theol. professor, Gilford: natus, Oxon. educatus. Temporibus Mariae Reginae pro tuenda conscientia vixit exul voluntarius: postea Presul factus sanctissime hanc rexit Ecclesiam, per. 16.
An. ob. 1574.
aetat 63.
Vivo bono, docto, ac pio Iohanni Parkhursto Episcopo vigilentissimo, Georgius Gardmer posuit hoc monumentum.
The foure and thirtieth was
Edmund Freake, Doctor of Diuinity, who was remoued from hence to Worcester.
The fiue and thirtieth was
Edmund Scambler, houshold Chaplaine for a time to the Archbishop of Canterbury: hee was consecrated Bishop of Peterborough, Ianuary 16.
anno 1560. and vpon the translation of Bishop
Freake, preferred to this See, where hee lieth buried vnder a faire monument, hauing this Inscription or Epitaph.
Edmundi Scambleri, viri reuerendissimi, et in ampliss. dignitatis gradu dum inter homines ageret locati corpus in hoc tegitur tumulo, obijt Non. Maij anno 1594.
Viuo tibi, moriorque tibi, tibi Christe resurgam,
Te quia iustifica Christe prebendo fide.
Huic abeat mortis terror, tibi viuo redemptor,
Mors mihi lucrum est, tu pie Christe salus.
The sixe and thirtieth was
William Redman, Archdeacon of Canterbury, consecrated Ianuary 12.
an. 1594. He was sometime fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, and bestowed 100. markes vpon wainscotting of the Library there. Hee died a few daies before Michaelmas,
Anno 1602.
The seauen and thirtieth, was
Iohn Iegon, Doctor of Diuinity, and Deane of Norwich, fellow sometimes of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge, and afterwards master of Bennet Colledge: of the time of his death, or how long he enioyed this high dignitie, I haue not learned.
The eight and thirtieth was
Iohn Ouerall Doctor of Diuinitie, sometimes Fellow of Trinitie Colledge, Master of Katherine Hall, and the Kings Professor in Cambridge; afterwards, Deane of S.
Pauls, a learned great Schooleman, as any was in all the kingdome: how long hee sate, or when he died, I doe not certainly know.
Samuel Harsenet, Doctor of Diuinity, sometime Master of Penbroke Hall in Cambridge, Bishop of Chichester, and now graced with the metropoliticall dignity of the Archbishoprick of Yorke, was the nine and thirtieth Bishop of this Diocesse. Which at this time is gouerned by the right reuerend Father in God;
[Page 871]Francis White, Doctor of Diuinitie, the Kings Almone
[...], sometimes Deane, as also Bishop of Carlile, an excellent learned man, as his workes now extant doe testifie.
Now it here followes that I should say somewhat of the scituation, circuit, commodities, and other particulars of this Diocesse, like as I haue done of London, but that is already most exactly performed, and to the full, by that learned and iudicious Knight, and great Antiquary, Sir
Henry Spelman, in his booke (before mentioned) called
Icenia: a Manuscript much desired to come to the open view of the world.
Here endeth the Ancient Funerall Monuments within the Diocesse of Norwich; and this Booke.