Your own assured
Tromas CANTUAR.
To my especial and singular good friend,
Mr Crumwell
[crown of this realm mentioned and contained, and tion of the same, or of any thing therein contained.]
[not to any other within this realm, nor foreign au- And this ye shall do against all manner of persons,]
[thority or potentate. And in case any oath be of what estate, dignity, degree, or condition soever]
[made, or hath been made by you, to any person or they be; and in no wise to do or attempt, nor to]
[persons, that then ye to repute the same as vain and your power suffer to be done or attempted, directly]
[annihilate. And that to your cunning, wit, and or indirectly, any thing or things, privily or apartly,]
[uttermost of your power, without guile, fraud, or to the let, hinderance, damage, or derogation there-]
[other undue means, ye shall observe, keep, main- of, or of any part of the same, by any manner of]
[tain, and defend the said act of succession, and all means, or for any manner of pretence. So help you]
[acts and statutes made in confirmation, or for execu- Burnet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol. 1. pp. 294——297.]]
Cvh. To Crumwell
Ruaur worshipful Mr Crumwell, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. Likewise praying you to have in your good remembrance such suit as I heretofore, as well by mouth as writing, made unto you for my kinsman Henry Hatfilde, surveyor of my lands. So it is that, by agreement lately taken between him and the prebendar[ies] of Southwell, he shall exchange certain lands of his for certain lands in mortmain belonging to the said prebendaries. And amongst other things of the said agreement it is condescended, that the same my kinsman shall procure the said lands, which the said prebendaries shall have of him, to be mortmained by a certain day, for the same lands which he shall have of the said prebendaries out of mortmain. Wherefore I heartily pray you, that my said kinsman may have your favourable expedition as soon as it may be: for surely, unless the same lands which the said prebendaries shall have of my said kinsman may be mortmained afore the day shall be expired, the said agreement shall stand void, and much inquietness shall continue in these parties, as have continued already there this hundred years; whereof hath grown great occasion of manslaughter divers times, as well to my said kinsman’s grandfather of his father’s side, as to his grandfather of his mother’s side, and to divers other: and it is to be feared, unless this agreement take effect now, that the same variance shall continue still, which God forbid. Wherefore I pray you to be his good master for the expedition of his suit, as my special trust is in you.
Mr Roodd hath also been with me at Croydon, and there hath subscribed the book of the king’s grace’s succession, and also the conclusion “quod Romanus Episcopus non habet majorem. auctoritatem a Deo sibi collatam in hoc regno Anglie quam quivis alius externus episcopus;” and hath promised me, that he will at all times hereafter so conform himself as shall be always to the king’s grace’s contentation, and that he will at no time hereafter preach in any doubtful case, but that he will first counsel with me therein. Wherefore, if it may stand with the king’s graces pleasure, I would that he might have licence again to preach; wherein I pray you to know the king’s grace’s pleasure. From Croydon the 28th day of April.
Your assured ever
THoMAS CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my very loving
friend, master Crumwell, of the king’s
graces most honourable council.
CVIII. To
IN my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And forasmuch as I [am7] credibly informed by this bearer, John Hutton, that the same hath a certain suit unto you; to whom for many considerations, as my friend, I owe as special favour as to any man else of his like state and degree; I heartily require you therefore, that he may for my sake obtain your lawful favour in such his said suits and requests, as in that behalf at this time shall be by him declared unto you: for the which, when it shall lie in me, I will likewise be ready to requite and recompense the same unto you accordingly.
[[! Dr Jenkyns thinks that the mention of sub- that in this case the evidence for the date derived]
[scribing the book of the king’s succession, proves that from the address clearly fails; and has therefore]
[this letter could not have been written earlier than disregarded it, as he has done in some other letters,]
[1534. Yet Crumwell,” he says, is not addressed where, in his opinion, there are reasons, though not]
[as secretary, though he was appointed to that office so conclusive as in the present instance, for sus-]
[before the 12th of April of this year. See Note to pecting it. Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I.]
[State Papers, Vol. I. p. 425.” He therefore supposes p. 104. n. q.]]
CIX. To
Ix my hearty wise I commend me unto you. And so likewise desire you to be good to this bearer A. B. my friend, in all those his suits and requests as he hath now to do with you. He is the man. whom for many considerations I do much favour, and would the best that lieth in me his preferment. Wherefore I heartily require you, at this mine instance the rather, to tender his said pursuits, and shew unto him such your lawful favour in this behalf as you would use towards me, in case I myself had the same now to practise with you.
To
I cowwEND me unto you. And where this bearer, Richard S., hath complained
43.:: pes:: unto me, how that ye withhold from him an Enchiridion in English, supposing the same to be of no good authority or privilege; I will that, forasmuch as the king and his council doth indifferently permit the said book to be read of all and singular his subjects, ye, without any farther let or perturbation to the said Richard, do either deliver unto him his said book, or else that ye repair unto me immediately after the sight hereof, to declare unto me some cause why you should thus detain from him the said Enchiridion, and so manifestly deny the authority of the same. For inhibiting of Enchiridion.
CXI. To the Vicar of Charing
I comMEND me unto you, &c. And where I am advertised by this bearer, W. S.,
43.:: d j: that ye have a suit against him in my commissary’s court at Canterbury for a matter of defamation, the circumstances whereof he hath declared unto me; so it is that I perceive, as well by his behaviour as by his sorrowful words, that he is right repentant in misusing any such slanderous reports towards you, and so hath sued unto me for to instance you in like wise not to pursue any farther herein, to his no little damage and undoing, but charitably to remit his offence, and that the rather at this my request. I therefore advise you and also require you to be contented herewith, considering he is so willing to submit himself to you accordingly. Whereunto I do exhort you, for divers considerations, to cease all rigorous suit in the law, specially in this cumbrous time, and to receive him friendly unto you, forgiving all displeasure and grudges hitherto past; as according to the rule of charity ye be bound one to another. Which end no doubt shall both please greatly Almighty God, and also be very meritorious to you in accomplishing the same.
To the Vicar of Charyng.
CXII. To Dr Cocks? his Chancellor
IN my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas the bearer hereof 5 - hath been suspended, and, as he thinketh, further process made against him for a suit
[[! This might have been Tyndale’s translation archbishop left the discovery of mischief intended]
[of Erasmus’ Enchiridion Militis Christiani. Vid. against him by his enemies, (A.D. 1543) to Cocks]
[Jortin’s Life of Erasmus, Vol. II. p. 178. Ed. and Hussey; “but being secret favourers of the]
[1758—60. Ames, Typogr. Antiq. Dibdin, Vol. II. papists, they handled the matter so, that nothing]
[p.235. Ed. Lond. 1810—19.] would be disclosed and espied, but every thing [2 John Cocks, the Archbishop’s Auditor of colorably was hid.”’—Strype, Mem. of Abp. Cran-]
[the Audience, and Vicar-Generalin spirituals, The mer, Vol. I. pp. 27, 130, 170, 172.]]
of certain tithe that you demand of him before my commissary at Canterbury; and, as he reporteth unto me, hath been always conformable to agree with your deputies and farmer at Egerton, for such his duties as hath been customably required of him and other aforetime, until now of late, for certain things as meseemeth of small value, hath been sued at the law, whereby so constrained by rigour of the same, he sueth unto me for a more quiet and charitable end in this behalf: I therefore advise you and thereunto exhort you, considering such towardness in him, that, specially in this cumbrous world, ye do entreat and handle as well him as other your parishioners and neighbours after some other more charitable means, avoiding as much as in you is the obloquy of such enormities, wherewith the whole clergy is daily reproached and slandered; and rather that some charitable end should now seem to come of you, than he thus to be enforced to seek for the same.
To doctor Cokes, my chancellor.
CXII
I ΟΟΜΜΕῈΝΡ me unto you. And where at the late parliament there was a bill:::: s promoted into the parliament house concerning certain exactions of tithes within Rum-ney marsh and other certain grounds, as I now remember, by cause that, as in the said bill was pretended, the inhabitants there do pay not only tithes for all things that do renew there, but also over and besides the same do pay iiid. for every acre, contrary to all law, reason, and conscience; which said bill I restrained at that [time], promising to see a reformation in the same: I will therefore, inasmuch as ye partly know the very circumstances hereof, that accordingly ye do farther so ensearch the verity herein, that thereby, against such time as I shall have the examination thereof, ye may make me ready and ripe in that behalf; and that herein you do your endeavour with all speed and celerity. First day of May. [1534.]
CXIV. To a Preacher at Paul’s Cross
I commEND me unto you. Signifying to the same, that I do not a little marvel why you should leave a note with John Blag my grocer in writing, to preach at Paul’s Cross on the third Sunday after Trinity Sunday; when, contrary to the same, at your own request to me made, you desired that ye might be there the first Sunday after Trinity Sunday, whereunto ye were accordingly appointed and named. And therefore I will, that ye in any condition fail not to be at the Cross on the said first Sunday, whatsoever other appointment or determination ye have made with yourself to the contrary, according to such expectation, trust, and confidence as I have in you for the accomplishment of the same. And of your mind in this behalf I will that you send me word by this bearer, to the intent I may thereby be in full surety hereof. At Croydon, the vi. day of May.
To one that was appointed to preach
at Paul’s Cross.
CXV. To Crumwll
Rigor worshipful master Crumwell, I desire you, at this my instance, to be good master to sir Edward Mowll, priest, bearer hereof, and favourably to tender his suit
[5 A bill concerning tithes in Romney Marsh, March, 1534, and then appears to have been drop- Ja IT.]
[having been brought up from the commons, was ped.”— Lords! Journals; Jenkyns’ Remains of]
[read the first time in the house of lords the 24th of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 107, ». u.] 19 [crANMER, τι.]
which he shall make unto you. He was chaplain to Dr Benet! at the time of his decease, and continued with him in service as long as he was the king’s ambassador in Italy. The said chaplain hath lain sick at Pyemount, at Susa, by the space of six months; by reason whereof he is so far in debt, that he is like all his life to be in danger of his creditors, and to live in great poverty, unless some provision, by mean of spiritual promotion or otherwise by your good industry and counsel, be made for him, whereby he may be relieved, and in process of time able to satisfy his creditors. Wherefore, inasmuch as the man hath incurred many adversities, partly by sickness and chiefly by the loss of his special good master, Dr Benet, and is also a very honest man and worthy of better fortune; I do heartily require you, at this my instance, to be as good master to him as you may conveniently, and you shall bind me for this and other your manifold kindness exhibit unto me, to do you such pleasure as shall lie in my power. Written at my house at Croydon the seventh day of May, [1534.]
Your assured evr
Tuomas CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful master Crom-
well be this letter delivered.
CXVI. To
My Lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you, &c. So it is, that I am —credibly informed and certified by this bearer, sir Thomas Donkester, subprior of Newes-ham?, that my suffragan, late abbot of the same house, is departed out of this miserable world, of whose soul Jesus have mercy; and forasmuch as the said late suffragan in his life so favour[ed] this bearer, and oftentimes so commended him unto me, that he (as I perceived) intended to have preferred him to be his successor in that room and office in the said house, (as ye, I suppose, do know right well); and because likewise I of mine own knowledge and experience can record and testify of his good life, providence, and other right commendable qualities meet for an head and ruler of that house, in whom heretofore the chief order, administration, provision, and husbandry of the same have only consist: I therefore right heartily pray you to be good lord unto him for my sake, and accepting these my letters in like stead and effect as though I had written the same unto you for myself in such a like matter; and to bear towards him your favour and assistance for his preferment to the said abbacy and office, as I may, for your goodness therein, be in your danger, which I would right thankfully requite, whensoever it shall lie in me to shew to you pleasure for yourself or for your friend; trusting now, at this mine attemptation, ye will do that you may for the acceleration of the election, under such both expedition and condition, that this my friend shall obtain thereby the benefit thereof accordingly.
And albeit I may, if I would, obtain the king’s grace’s favourable letters, and the queen’s grace’s also, for the furtherances and accomplishment of this request; yet forasmuch as I do well know that it consisteth in you to shew me this pleasure, without further suit, I therefore do make this request only to you, praying the same to be as good and favourable herein for this man my friend, as ye promised me to have been to my said suffragan in the other matter. And think [not], my lord, but that I (if God grant me life) will so thankfully remember and recompense your favour and gratuity herein, (if it shall please you the same to shew unto me,) as ye shall have good cause to rejoice thus to have done for me: which thing, if ye intend to satisfy my request, must be speedily done with all celerity, lest, by delay taken therein, ye may be stayed and restrained from that pleasure and liberty to do for your friend, which you may do in case ye so will; [! Vid. Letter LV III. p. 261.] land, which maintained, at the dissolution, an abbot [? A monastery of Premonstratensians in Lin- and eleven canons. Tanner’s Notit. Monast. Lin-
[colnshire, the first of that order established in Eng- coln. lvi. Ed. Camb. 1787.]]
eftsoons praying you to have the premises in your good remembrance, and no less to esteem the same than ye would in case I had so spoken the same unto you in my own personage. From my manor at, &c.
CXVII. To the Convent of Newesham
IN my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, and likewise to everich of you. And where it hath pleased Almighty God to call your father and abbot, which was my suffragan, to his mercy, by whose decease ye be now destitute of a governor and ruler: I therefore pray you, and every one of you, to bear your favours and good minds to my friend of old acquaintance sir Thomas Donkester, your brother and prior, that he, by your favourable means and assistance, may be preferred to that vacant room for my sake afore any other: which thing if you can be contented to do at this mine instance, ye shall be well assured to have me to be hereafter not alonely a right special friend to you and your house, to the most of my power, at such time as I may shew any gratuity and pleasure again for his sake, but also shall have such succour and comfort of him at all times hereafter, as ye shall have cause to be glad to have preferred him for my sake. Thus fare you well. From my manor at Lameheth, the xviii. day of May.
To the Convent.
CXVIII. To
My lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto your good lordship. And whereas I am credibly informed, that at your commandment one sir Thomas Mownte-forde, priest, is committed to the Fleet for certain words (as is reported) by him spoken against me, which now he utterly refuseth, and thereto offereth himself to prove the contrary in that behalf by divers that were there present when the said words should have been spoken of me: I most heartily desire your lordship, at this mine instance and request, ye will discharge him for [the] time of this his trouble and vexation: for surely of all sorts of men I am daily informed that priests report the worse of me; and therefore so to be reported of a priest it should very little grieve me, although he had confessed 1t; much less now would I then this his trouble for the same, he himself reporting the contrary. Wherefore eftsoons I require you to be good lord unto him herein, and that the rather at this mine instance.
Furthermore, touching my commission to take oaths of the king’s subjects for his highness’ succession?, I am by your last letters well instructed, saving that I know not how I shall order them that cannot subscribe by writing: hitherto I have caused one of my secretaries to subscr[ible for such persons, and made them to write their shepe mark, or some other mark, as they can. scribble. Now would I know, whether I shall, instead of subscription, take their seals.
Also, where you have sent forth commissions to justices of peace to take the same oath, I pray you send me word, whether you have given them commission to take oaths as well of priests as of other. And if so, then I trust my labours be abbreviate, for in a short time the oaths (hereby) shall be take[n] through all England; which seemeth to me very expedient so to be; trusting this expedition shall discharge your
[[? See the preceding Letter.] that it was written to the Lord Chancellor Audeley,]
[[^ Dr Jenkyns offers the following observations who was one of the commissioners appointed to]
[upon this letter:— Strype, in his manuscript copy tender the oath.” He founds this opinion upon the]
[of this letter (Lands. MSS. 1045.) supposesittohave statement of Strype, that secretary Crumwell was]
[been addressed to Crumwell. But the questions one of the king’s commissioners. Mem. of Abp.]
[respecting the oath of succession prove its date tobe Cranmer, Vol. I. p.36. Ed. Oxon. 1840.]]
[1534, when Crumwell had attained no higher rank [^ See Letter CV.]]
[than that of secretary of state, It is not unlikely 19—2]
lordship, me, and other of much travail in this behalf: but yet I would gladly know who shall take the oaths at the religious of Syon’, which is specially to be observed, and also the charter houses, and observants, and other religious exempt. I beseech your good lordship, that I may have answers herein by writing with all celerity.
CXIX. To Archdeacon Thirlby
Master archdeacon, I commend me unto you: signifying to you, that I have received your letters with a billet^ from the king’s highness in them inclosed, whereby, amongst other things I perceive your ambitious mind in seeking your own glory and advancement of your name, and that unjustly without your deserts, in that you desire to have me confess by writing your diligence, laying to my charge, that heretofore I have been a testimony of your negligence. If you have hitherto been accounted negligent, there is nothing (as meseemeth) as yet commenced and done on your behalf, whereby you do not declare yourself in deed the same man that I spake in word; although ye have changed the kind of negligence, from a slow negligence to a rash negligence: for so negligently you have run of heed in this matter, that you have advertised me never a word of those things which I desire to know the king’s pleasure in.
For there be three places specially noted in the said bill, one in the margin of the first leaf, another in the third, where be divers words to be inserted within the process, of the which I would you should know his gracious pleasure, whether he would allow those words there or no. The third place is on the second side in the fourteenth line, whereof I would have known likewise if the king’s grace would have left out miracles,” which all the bishops do think good to be left out. And for the same purpose the selfsame place in the book of parchment is void.
Of the king’s grace’s advertisement in these three points I would you had declared your diligence. But for to obtain the said bill of his grace, the premises never the more declared, was rather after mine opinion a rash negligence, than worthy to be reputed and taken for any manner of diligence. And therefore according to your
[[ Dr Jenkyns gives the following note from the orders, offered great opposition to the reformation]
[State Papers, Vol. I. p. 422, extracted from along and to the proceedings adopted by Henry VIII.,]
[and interesting letter from Bedyll to Crumwell, and that many of them also gave credence to the]
[dated the 28th of August, 1524; in which he la- sayings of Elizabeth Barton, called the holy maid]
[meuts the foolishness and obstinacy of divers of Kent. Vid. Confutation of unwritten Verities,]
[religious men, so addicted to the bishop of Rome pp. 65, 66, also Letters LXX XI. CXLIII. pp. 271,]
[and his usurped power, that they contemn all coun- 303. Strype’s Eccl. Mem. Vol. I. pp. 299, 300, 427.]
[sel, and likewise the jeopardy of their bodies and Ed. Oxon. 1822. Burnet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I.]
[souls, and the suppression of their houses.” Nine pp. 306, 336, 704. Ed. Oxon. 1829.]]
[of the friars of Sion, be says, as soon as the preacher [? Thirlby succeeded Hawkyns in the arch-]
[began to declare the king’s title of supreme head, deaconry of Ely, 1534. Le Neve’s Fasti, p. 74.]
[departed from the sermon, contrary to the rule of Ed. Lond. 1716.]]
[their religion, to the great slander of all the audience. [ Mr Todd places this billet,” or letter, as]
[.And it is doubted that some of them will attempt written A. D. 1536, and as applicable to the articles]
[to escape out of their cloister; and if they so did, so of that year. Life of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. 159—]
[men should never hear tidings of them, neither 161. Dr Jenkyns suggests that it may have been]
[know where they became, it were no great loss.” the ‘“order for preaching and bidding of the beads ᾿]
[He states, however, that the confessor there, and in all sermons,” issued, according to Strype, (Mem.]
[some other of the wisest of his brethren, the abbess of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. 1. p. 35. Ed. Oxon. 1840.)]
[and all her religious sisters, like good, wise, and in June, 1534, which he gives in his Appendix,]
[faithful ladies to our sovereign lord, be well contented No. iii. Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. IV. p.]
[with the king’s grace’s said title;” and that there 252, and evidently thinks, as the copy-book from]
[was good likelihood that the Carthusians of London which the letter is taken seems to contain no articles]
[“would be brought to good conformity according to of so late a date, and as in that case also Shaxton,]
[their duty,” But these hopes, at least in part, were who was consecrated the 11th of April, 1535, would]
[disappointed. See Strype, Memorials, Vol. I. pp. probably have been styled “my lord of Sarum,”]
[195 277. “Vid. Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. that the authority of Strype is preferable to that of]
[p. 113. 2, e. Burnet and Strype state that the nuns Todd. Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 113,]
[and friars of Sion, with several others of the religious m. g.]]
deserts, where you were in time past esteemed but negligent in delaying, now you shall obtain a more ample name, and be called also negligent by imprudency and precipitation in your most expedition. N otwithstanding, forasmuch as you would fain obtain some other better name, to prove again your diligence I have sent the said billet again to you, to the intent, when ye shall know [the] king’s pleasure in the premises, ye may advertise me thereof, after such manner as in that behalf ye may deserve to have your name changed, and not augmented, as it is now. And where I wrote not to you before so amply as I do now, is not to be imputed to my negligence, but to yours, by cause you did not consult with doctor Shaxton, or doctor Buttes, fully in this matter. Nor yet I have not instructed you by these letters all things, but some you must learn by mouth of doctor Shaxton, who knoweth all my whole mind herein.
And where you write, that the king’s grace supposeth that I have these articles in parchment, subseribed with hands of the council; surely at what time I was last at Lambeth, master Crumwell sent to me for it in the king’s name, and since as yet I hear nothing thereof. Wherefore I think it convenient that you inquire thereof, by cause it may be forthcoming, and not required of me, where it is not as it is thought to be.
Furthermore, ye may shew master vice-chancellor? of Cambridge, that I have lost his bill of Paul’s Cross, and therefore I look for him these holydays to bring me another, not doubting but that you will bear him company; at which your resort we shall commune of the preferment of your diligence; and if you lack horse, you shall have of me, at such time as you shall appoint by this bearer. Thus fare you well. From Croydon, the xxiv. day of May.
To doctor Thrylby, archdeacon of Ely.
CXX. To the Recorder of London
Master recorder, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And where heretofore I wrote unto my lord mayor of London, in the favour and preferment of one mistress Pachette, widow, for a house belonging unto the chamber of London, which gladly she desireth to hold and occupy for her commodity and ease, in case she might the same attain with favour of my said lord and his brethren; and forasmuch as I am credibly informed, that by reason of such your good testimony, discretion, and wisdom, wherein ye be in credit with my said lord and his brethren, in such matters and affairs as passeth from them by their grants: I most heartily require you therefore, the rather at this mine instance and request, ye will bear towards the said mistress Pachette such your favour and assistance for her preferment towards the said bouse, as I may for your benevolence herein be in your danger for the same, in the accomplishing your like requests of me either for yourself or for your friends. Thus fare you well. From Croydon, the xxv. day of May.
To master Baker, recorder of London.
Shaxton was taken by Anne Boleyn to be her Strype’s Eccl. Mem. Vol. 111. Part I. p. 570.
[chaplain and almoner, having been preferred with [^ Dr Butts was one of the physicians to Henry]
[Latimer to the former office by Crumwell, A.D. VIIL, and shewed many acts of kindness to Abp.]
[1534, and was soon after promoted by her to the Cranmer. Burnet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I. pp.]
[bishoprick of Salisbury, A pril 11, 1535, (Vid. supra, 561, 687.]]
[n 3.) to which he had been elected Feb. 22, 1535. [5 John Craiford, ‘ gladiator melior quam Pro-]
[Latimer was consecrated bishop of Worcester in cancellarius.” Fuller’s History of Cambridge, p.]
[September of the same year. Vid. Letter CLII. p. 159. Ed. Lond. 1840.]
[309 Dumet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I. p. 347.]
CXXI. To the Duchess of Norfolk
My most singular good lady, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto your den ladyship. And where your servant and mine ally, Thomas Cade, hath obtained a certain office in Calice to the value of vid. a day, which would be both for his preferment and commodity, in case he might enjoy the same without check, and that he is contented to supply and discharge all manner usages and customs to the said office belonging by his sufficient deputy, as herein divers and many doth likewise use the same manner there; in consideration hereof, the said Thomas intending to sue unto the king’s highness for a licence to be had in that behalf, hath made a supplication unto his said grace for the obtaining of the same, the which I myself would gladly have promoted for him, unless of late I had not been very importune unto his highness for sundry matters concerning myself, whereby even now I am the more unapt to sue in this behalf: I most heartily desire your good ladyship, therefore, (for this time,) at this mine instance and request, you will cause some of your special friends nigh about the king’s highness to promote this his said suit, according to the supplication made in that behalf; wherein your good ladyship shall deserve of me such pleasure as I may, and bind him both to owe unto you such his fidelity and service as he can, and also to be your daily beadsman for the same. Thus our Lord long preserve your good ladyship, to his most pleasure and your hearts ease.
To the right honourable and mine
especial good lady, my lady
duchess of Northfolke.
CXXII. To Crumwell’
Ricmr worshipful master Crumwell, in my right hearty wise I commend me to you. So jt is, that upon Tuesday next ensuing I intend (God willing) to be at Rochester Hen in my visitation, where if ye have any special matters to be inquired of, I will be glad Td (o do my endeavour in the same, in case it may please vou to advertise me thereof at this side Sunday next ensuing. Furthermore, I heartily thank you for your favours and goodness shewed to my secretary, Jamys Barnarde, this bearer, in such his suits as he hath lately had unto you, for the reformation of such persons as lately committed robbery upon his father; and likewise pray you to continue the same unto him, and specially to take further pains to examine in your own personage the said misdoers and offenders; whereby I trust (if it shall please you so to do) many things yet concealed and kept secret shall manifestly appear unto you by their own confession: for if they once look you in the face, they shall have no power to conceal any thing from you. From Croydon, the third day of June.
Your own assured ever
Tuomas CANTUAR.
Cnxiil to Crumwell
RiGnr worshipful master Crumwell, in my right hearty wise I commend me to you. So it is, that this bearer, which is master of my mint at Canterbury, hath divers times. ot,.:.. informed me, that the provost of the king’s grace’s mint in the tower will not suffer him to have for his wages and money such coiners of the tower as is lawful for him to have by the king’s graces grant under his graces great seal; because the same provost, as I am informed, endeavoureth, as much as in him lieth, to discourage the merchants to have any access or resort to my said mint, for lack of speedy coinage. And albeit the
[[Π This letter and the next are endorsed, My Lord of Canterbury,” but by what hand is un-]
[certain.]
said master of my mint may, by the king’s grace’s said grant, take in all places, as well exempt as not exempt, such workmen and as many of them as he would have; yet he would (if it may stand with your favour and pleasure) have none other but such as do belong unto the said tower, because they be men of true dealing and of good honesty. Wherefore I pray you to be good master unto him, and for my sake to speak unto the said provost, that he may have for his wages at all times such persons of the said tower and as many of them to work with him, as he shall hereafter desire. For unless it may please you thus to do, my said mint and master of the same shall be unoccupied; which thing the said provost, as far as I can perceive, doth most covet and desire. From Croydon, the 6th day of June.
Your own ever assured
Tomas CANTUAR. To the right worshipful and my very loving friend master Crumaeell, of the king’s graces most honourable council.
CXXIV. To Crumwell
Your own evr assured
Tuowas CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my very loving
friend master Crumwell, of the king’s
graces most honourable council.
CXXV. To Crumwell
Rien worshipful master Crumwell, in my right hearty wise I commend me to you. So it is, that the provincial of the friars Austyns hath of late constituted and ordained one friar Olyver, prior of the black friars in Cambridge, which is not only a man of very small learning, sinister behaviour, ill qualities, and of suspected conversation of living, (as by the letters of divers well learned personages of the said university, whereof I have sent you one, I have been credibly informed;) but is also the very same man which of all other most indiscreetly preached against the king’s grace’s great cause, and most defended the authority of the bishop of Rome, and of all men most unapt to bear any rule in so noble a university, by whom also a great number of the best learned in the same is much offended: wherefore I pray you to be a mean, that he may be amoved from that office, and that Dr Hilsey or some other worshipful man may have it. “There
[[^ Amongst the places where king John in his or how the archbishop lost or left off his mintage]
[letters makes mention of mints kept in England, here, I do no where find.” Somner’s Antiq. of]
[Canterbury is one, and had been so, I suppose, for Canterbury, p. 123, Ed. Lond. 1640. The privi-]
[many ages. King Athelstane appointing out the lege was lost in the reign of Stephen.” Jenkyns’]
[places for mints, and thenumber of minters through- Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 118, ».1.]]
[out the kingdom, begins with Canterbury, to which [? This letter is endorsed, ’ Canterbury,” and]
[he allowed seven minters: a greater number than to the next, (CXXV.) My Lord of Canterbury,”]
[any other place in the kingdom, except London, in the same handas Letters CXXII.and CXXIII.]]
[which was allowed to have eight. Of these seven, [ John Hilsey, a friar of the order of preachers,]
[four were for the king, two for the archbishop, and first of Bristol, afterwards of Oxford, was conse-]
[the seventh for the abbot of St Augustin’s.When crated bishop of Rochester, (Oct. A.D. 1535) next]
be in the same house of the black friars men of good study, living, learning, and judgment; and pity it were but that they should have such a head and ruler as is of like qualities. And 1 delivered unto you about Easter last passed, or else afore, a certain billet containing such matter as the same friar Olyver preached in the last Lent; which bill if ye had remembered, I doubt not but that ye would have provided for the same friar afore this time; albeit (if it may please you now to remember him) there is no time yet lost, but that the same may be renewed again. From Croydon, the viith day of June.
Your own ever assured
70. the right worshipful and my very loving
friend master Crumwell, of the king’s
grace’s most honourable council.
CXXVI to Crumwell!’
Rich worshipful Mr Crumwell, in my right hearty wise I commend me to you. And where the county Palantyne amonges all other pleasures doth much esteem the pastime of hunting with great greyhounds, and specially with great mastiffs, which in those parties be had in great price and value: these therefore be to pray you to advertise the king’s highness to send unto the said county a couple or two of great greyhounds, and as many of great mastiffs: the same shall be as well accepted to him as though it had pleased his grace to have sent him a precious jewel or reward; which thing shall be no great charge to his grace, and yet nevertheless shall be highly esteemed with the receiver of the same. And therefore I pray you to have this thing in your special remembrance, when ye shall have convenient time. From Otford, the xth day of June.
Your own ever assured
TuowAs CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my very loving
friend master Crumwell, of the king’s
graces most honourable council.
CXXVII. To Latymer
IN my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And where that in April last ix past, upon certain urgent grounds and causes reasonably thereto moving, both I, and other the bishops within my province, caused an inhibition? to be had for preaching in every of our dioceses, specially to the intent that the malignity of divers preachers might not have place in the minds of the common people; which intending then as well to hinder the kings graces just cause of matrimony, as also to deprave the acts and statutes made by the parliament, it did appear that in their sermons they rather preached sedition than edification; whereupon it was amonges us concluded, that from thenceforward no bishop, ne bishop’s officer, should license any to preach without special injunction in that behalf first to them declared in such manner, that is to wit, that all such as shall take on them
[after John Fisher, executed for treason.” He was [? Lewis the Pacific, elector palatine. ]]
[a learned man, and a great assistant to archbishop [? See Letter C. p. 203. ]]
[Cranmer, and died A. D. 1538.” Strype’s Cranmer, [^ Dr Jenkyns thinks that Cranmer probably]
[p.97. Dr Jenkyns adds, ’ It does not appear that here alludes to the acts For the submission of the]
[he obtained the appointment to which he was now clergy to the king’s majesty,” For restraining the]
[recommended; but he afterwards became prior of payment of annates,” For the exoneration from]
[the Dominicans in London.” Remains of Abp. exactions paid to the see of Rome,” “For the]
[Cranmer, Vol. I. pp. 119, 20.] establishment of the king’s succession,” all passed]
[[! This letter is endorsed,” My Lord of Can- in the early part of 1534. Remains of Abp. Cran-]
[terbury,” but in a different hand from the endorse- mer, Vol. I. p. 121, n. p.]]
[ment of the former letters. ]]
. the office of preaching should neither preach any thing which might seem prejudicial to the said matrimony, whereby the king’s issue might come into question and doubt amongst the vulgar people, nor likewise reprehend in their sermons any such ordinances, acts, or statutes, heretofore made, or by the said high court of parliament hereafter to be ordained: Therefore, inasmuch as at your instance and request I have licensed divers to preach within my province, to whom I have neither given such injunctions accordingly as is before specified, nor yet (though I minded so to do) conveniently I could not without their intolerable charges and expenses in resorting so far unto me for the same; I will that you for my discharge herein, in my name and for my behalf, do take upon you the administration of these said injunctions for all such as hath already had or hereafter shall have my said licence to preach at your said request and instance. Wherein I would ye were right circumspect that they may be well observed, or else to send me such my licences again, of whom ye doubt for the observation hereof. Thus fare you well. [1534.]
To master Latymer, parson of Weste
Kynton, in Wiltshire.
CXXVIII. To Crumwell
Ruaur worshipful master secretary, in my right hearty wise I commend me to you. So it is, I intend to prefer my servant John Brice, this bearer, to the king’s grace’s service, if I may the same obtain for him; but I being discouraged thus to do, because of late I heard you reprove him very sore, for causes you then moving and yet unknown unto me; being also very loath to do or attempt any thing concerning his said preferment, unless it may first please you to stand good master unto him; [I] am moved of very charity and pity to desire you to be good master unto him, and for my sake (remitting all old matters and occasions of displeasure) to bear towards him your favour and good will, the rather at this my instance; without which he recogniseth neither to be able to enjoy the said preferment quietly in case it were granted, neither yet by any other promotion to joy of himself. Wherefore I heartily pray you, good master secretary, to be good unto him, and in this matter to make unto me or to him such comfortable answer as may satisfy my expectation, and quiet his mind: assuring you, that I have many times noted such pensiveness in him, conceived by your said reproving words, as I do think him very penitent and sorrowful for your displeasure towards him. And therefore I pray you to forgive and pardon him, as he may be your daily beadsman. From Knoll, the 26. day of December.
Your own ever assured
Tomas CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my very loving
friend, master secretary to the king’s
highness.
CXXIX. To Crumwell
Ricut worshipful master secretary, I commend me heartily to you. And these be to desire you to be good master unto my servant Nevell, this bearer, which hath been a suitor long time, to his great loss, hinderance, and utter undoing, in the matter of Wilton Abbey, unless your charitable favour may be to liim shewed. And as far as I can perceive, the matter again him surmised was done of malice and of no just cause: wherefore I am the more desirous to write unto you in his favour, trusting that you will be the better unto him at this my desire; and that he may have your favourable letters unto the abbess? there, whereby he may be restored unto his office according to his
[5 Cecil Bedenham. See Letter XLIX. p. 258.]]
patent, without any further suit in the law, And he shall be at all times ready to stand to all such order as please you to take therein. From Knoll, 15th day of January.
Your own ever assured
TuoMAs CANTUAR. To the worshipful and my very loving friend
master secretary to the king’s grace.
CXXX. To Crumwell
Your own assured ever
Tuowas CANTUAR. To the worshipful and my very loving
friend. master Crumacell, secretary
to the king’s most noble grace.
CXXXI. To Lord Lisle
AFTER due recommendations unto your lordship, this shall be to give unto you hearty thanks for this bearer, Mr Hoore!, your chaplain, whom at this time I have sent unto you to be a preacher this time of Lent within the town of Calice, beseeching you, as you have ever been good lord unto him, so to continue. Over this that I may be most heartily commended unto my good lady your wife, with thanks unto her for the said Mr Hoore. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well. At Croydon the 4th day of February.
Your assured
TuoMAS CANTUAR. To my very loving lord, my lord Lisle,
lord deputy of the town of Calice.
[[!^ Arthur Plantagenet, natural son of king Ed- night following, March 3, 1541, of excessive joy.]
[ward 1V having married Elizabeth (widow of His lordship was knight of the most noble order]
[Edmund Dudley, so well known with his colleague ofthe garter. Vid. Buswell’s Knights of the Garter,]
[Richard Empson as the rapacious minister of Henry Burke’s Peerages extinct, dormant and in abeyance;]
[VIII.) daughter and heiress of Edward Grey, third Sir Harris Nicholas’ Synopsis of the Peerage of]
[viscount De L’Isle, of Kingston L’Isle, co. Berks, England. Art. De Lisle.]
[was created, in 1533, lord viscount De L’Isle, He This and several letters, which will follow, have]
[served on board the fleet, was afterwards ambassa- never been before printed, and have been found]
[dor to the king of France, and in 24 Henry VIII. amongst the Lisle papers, preserved in the State]
[(AD 1533) was constituted lieutenant of Calais. Paper office. It is difficult to determine the date of]
[Sometime after, incurring suspicion of being privy this letter, but it seems probable that it may have]
[to a plot to deliver up the garrison to the French, he been written in the year 1535, from the archbishop’s]
[was recalled and committed to the tower of London: signature, as well as from reference to the sub-]
[but his innocence appearing manifest upon investi- ject in the previous letter. There are two letters]
[gation, the king not only gave immediate orders for from Hore, in the eleventh volume of the Lisle]
[his release, but sent him a diamond ring and a most papers, signed Ri. Hore, to lady Lisle, but neither]
[gracious message; which made such impression throws any light on the above.]]
[upon the sensitive nobleman, that he died the]
CXXXII. To
IN my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas I understand, that
iar
the prior of the charter house within the isle of Axholme hath a certain suit unto you, I heartily desire you, ye will, the rather at this my request, shew unto him your convenient favour in all such his affairs and suits as he now hath with you. And for to recompense the same, I will be ready at all times to shew unto you like pleasure accordingly.
CXXXIII. To
Ix my right hearty manner I commend me unto you. And whereas you have always heretofore exhibited and shewed favourable and special friend unto your poor tenant Jackson, and now of late, for that the said Jackson being oppressed with poverty and by divers casualties fallen into decay, is grown much in your debt, ye have distrained the goods of the said Jackson, and made reenter again into your farm, which is not alonely to the utter destruction and undoing of the said poor man, but also great let and hinderance to you in the obtaining a full satisfaction and payment of your duty: this shall be heartily to desire and pray you, that at the contemplation of these my letters ye will be contented not alonely to give and grant unto the said Jackson, (finding you sufficient sureties, as well for the payment of your yearly rent, as also for the payment of five pounds yearly over and above the said yearly rent, until the arrearages be fully satisfied and paid,) according to the tenor of the old lease, the occupying of his farm for the terms of xxiv. years, but also permit and suffer him to have now at Candlemas the sale of his corn, and other profits which be risen of the said farm; and thus shall you not alonely do for me a right singular pleasure and gratuity, which I would be glad to requite hereafter at all times accordingly, but also bind the poor man, his wife, and children to pray for you during their lives. And thus fare you well.
CXXXIV. To
WELLBELOVED, I commend me heartily unto you all. Likewise praying you to be good masters unto John Jackson your farmer, that he may have a new lease of your farm for xxiv. years, to him and his assigns, according to the tenor of your former lease in all points and clauses. And for such debts as he oweth unto you, he shall and will find sufficient surcties to pay you at days, after the rate of five pounds a year, until the same whole debts be fully contented and paid, over and above the yearly rent for the farm. If it may please you thus to do for my sake, the poor man shall not alonely pray for you, but find such surety as well for the payment of the old debts as for the yearly farm, as shall be à good mean to you for the recovery of all that which is owing; and how ye shall be minded herein, I pray you ascertain me by your letters. From Lambeth.
CXXXV. To a Prior
BnornER prior, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And where this bearer, Thomas Hogeson, my servant, hath certain business and affairs to be done in those your parties, I require you for my sake that, if he shall need of your favour herein, he may have recourse unto you for the same; for the which at all times I will be ready to requite it unto you.
CXXXVI. To
IN my right hearty wise I commend me unto you: likewise desiring you for my sake, 7 that you will bear such your favour unto this bearer, Tho. HI. my servant, as thereby he may the rather bring to pass such his business and affairs, as at this time he hath to do in your parties; and for the same I will be ready at any time to shew you like pleasure accordingly.
CXXXVII. To
I cowwENp me unto you. And where certain of your parochians were lately afore
CXXXVIII. To Crumwll
Ricur worshipful master secretary, I commend me heartily to you. And where for is-. 2;: the honesty and good service of my servant Thomas Barthelet I do tender his prefer-
Hen. ment, and cannot, as I would gladly, do for him unless he were disposed to be a secular, Third… TET.. which, as I perceive, he intendeth not; I therefore, minding to do for him otherwise by my friends as I may, being also now, as oftentimes heretofore, bold upon you to desire you to supply my necessities when I cannot compass the same myself, do by these my letters commend and present him unto you, with no less good heart and mind than ye presented him unto me, praying you heartily to accept him to your service at my hand, and for my sake to set him to such beneficial exercise as ye shall think meet for him, as he and his may pray for you: wherein I trust he shall do such service as shall always be acceptable, and to the contentation of your mind. And how ye shall be minded herein, I pray you to declare to the bearer hereof. From Knoll, the first day of March.
Your own ever assured
Tuomas CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my very loving
friend, master secretary to the king’s
highness.
CXXXIX. To Crumwell
Ricur worshipful master secretary, in most hearty wise I commend me unto you. ι5-. ΕΙΣ And as I understand ye have sent for Dr Benger? of Wingham, so it is, that yesterday, Heh. er e FM RECUERDE Third
[᾿ As Sunday fell on the last day of February in [? Under the prosecutions, which subsequently 1535, Dr Jenkyns therefore assumes it to be the took place upon the Six Articles, Dr Benger was
[year in which this letter was written. Nicolas’ sent to the tower; and he is probably the person]
[Notitia Historica. Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. to whom the archbishop refers. Vid. Burnet’s]
[I. p. 129.] Hist. of Reformat. Vol. III. p. 289, Ed. Oxon. [? See Letter LXXVIII.] 1829.]]
the 13th day of March, I received a letter from my brother, the archdeacon of Canterbury“, concerning the said doctor Benger, which I thought expedient to send unto you with speed: the words of the letter were these:
“Upon St Matthew’s even last past the said doctor Benger, being at my table, affirmed the authority of the bishop of Rome; and after many arguments and reasons he said, These new laws may be suffered for a season, but in time to come it will cost broken heads, and set men together by the ears:’ and then I said, Master doctor, take heed what you say, for I am sworn to the king’s grace, and neither may nor will conceal any thing contrary to his majesty:’ who answered again, and said, “1 mean not here, but somewhere else out of this realm.”
These words the archdeacon writeth, but who was else present and heard the same he writeth not: wherefore I have sent unto him for the whole process of their communi- “cation to be sent in writing, with the seals of them that were present.
This day my lord of Wilshire, my lord of Burgavenny, and my lord Cobham, were with me at Knoll, to counsel together of the king’s commissions concerning the subsidy, directed unto us with many other; and we have appointed the Tuesday after Palm Sunday for all the commissioners to meet at Maidstone, at nine of the clock in the morning. And forasmuch as the same persons be in another commission, concerning the valuation of the tenth and first-fruits of the clergy, except eight that be altered, I have therefore sent for those eight to be also at Maidstone the same time appointed, that under one journey we may finish two labours: and because that ye be in both the commissions, I pray you that I may know your pleasure, whether ye will be there, as I suppose ye cannot; or else, if you have any thing to advertise us of, that you would have done there. Thus our Lord preserve you. At Knoll the 14th day of March. [1535.]
Your own assured ever
TuowaAs CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my very
special friend, master secretary.
Depositions Against Dr Benger
Office.
Jhus. 1535
Testymonye or wytnesse upon certen wordes spoken by Doctor Benger to Mr Provost of Wyngham.
Syr Thomas Shellmore, Curate of Wyngham, testefyeth that Doctor Benger sayed that with as good reason he myght denye the authoritye of Paule and of all scrypture as we myght the authoryte of the Pope of Rome.
Per me Thomam Shellmorum, praedictum.
Edward Lacy, master Provostes servant, wytnesseth the same.
Wylliam Nores testefyeth that Doctor Benger sayed that the Pope hath authority to make lawes. And when it was answered that it was agaynst the law of God so to doo, he sayed furthermore that this new lernyng had set men togyther by the eares allredy, and though it wer suffered for a season, yet in tyme commyng it wolld set men togyther by the eares and cause broken heads; but he, reproved for so saying of Mr Provost, qualefyed his wordes sayeng, I mene not here but some where elles; and admonished of his othe, sayed, he knew it well inowgh. Moreover he sayed that by what authorytie we denyed the Pope, by the same authoryte he wolld denye the Scripture, and saye that Chryst is not yet borne, sayeng that he wolld abyde by the same.
Mr Attfelld wytnessethe that Doctor Benger sayed that this new learnyng wyll sett men togyther by the eares.
Thomas Lawney’s Deposition
These be the wordys of Doctyr Benger in mastyr Archedeacon’s howse. He cam in to the parlor sodenly, where in I with certayne other wear; and as son as he cam in he began to pyke a mater, no man sayynge any thynge to hym, takynge hys purpose apon a fyer that was ther, and thus began: “Thys fyer, Mastyrs, ys goode for to rost, and to seythe, and to warme, but not to burne no men, Sir Thomas, I trow,” sayd he:
[[^ Edmund Cranmer, archdeacon of Canterbury, (26 Hen. VIII. c. 3.) were both passed in the ses.]
[and provost of Wingham, See Letter LXXV. p. sion which began the 3rd of Nov. 1534. See]
[268 n. 1.] Statutes of the Realm. Strype’s Eccl. Mem. Vol. [^ The act for the subsidy, (26 Hen. VIIL c. I. p. 325, et sqq. Ed Oxon. 1822, Burnet’s Hist,]
[19,) and the act for the valuation of the tenths, &c. of Reformat. Vol. I. p. 320.]]
and I sayd agen, Whom wolde you have burnt?” and he sayd, I wolde have al thys new lernyd men burnt.” And one that stode by, a merchant man, whom 1 am not vere well aqueyntyd with, sayd, “Whom thynke you new lernyd men? they that speakythe agenst the Poope or any other?” And the Doctyr sayd, “They wer no good men that wold speake agenst hym.” And I then sayd, Take heade, master Doctyr, what ye say, for ye are bounde by your othe to speake agenst hym.” And he sayd he was sworne to the - Chyrche. “Ye,” sayd 1, “ye are sworn to the Chyrche, but yt ys the Chyrche of Inglonde and not of Rome.” And he sayde agayne he wolde nevyr speake agenst the Chyrche off Rome whyle he lyvyd, nor no mor wold any good man,” sayd he. And thus partyd in a fume.
Per me Thomas Lawney.
Also Frear Brencheley aftyr many raylynge wordys in hys sermone sayd, Mastyrs, take heade, we have now adayse many new lawyse, I trow we shall have a newe God schortely,” sayde he. Also the next preachynge after cam a Doctyr of the monkys of Cantyrbere ther prayynge for the kynge, but namyde hym not Head of the Chyrche; and after thys browt in a story of a kynge whyche by covetusnes reservyd godys to hymselfe that he toke frome certayne transgresorse, wherfor he lost hys kyngdom and nevyr recoveryd yt agene: and thus left yt ondeclaryd; by the which many gether opynyon that he ment yt by the kyng, to move the commonse to insurrectyon. From the whyche help us. Amen.
CXL. To
SISTER, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you: signifying to you, that I “have appointed one mistress Creke’ to come to you within these three or four days,; late wife unto one of my servants deceased. And forasmuch as she was left very bare, and in great necessity and need, void now of all aid, succour, and friendship, and also hitherto brought up both wealthily and after an honest sort and manner, and so the rather unmeet either to serve or labour for her living; I am minded to see her to have both an honest living, and honestly bestowed: wherefore I require you, that with all favour you will entreat and entertain her when she shall resort unto you, and I myself will see you contented for her board. Over this, you must be content to forbear your chaplain Mr Rix. My lord of Wilteshere, notwithstanding my many persuasions to the contrary, is so importunate for him, that he will not have no nay; insomuch that his mind is, that he come to-morrow sennight, which is Tuesday, unto Maidstone, and so thence to depart with him home for altogethers. I pray you therefore that you will discharge him against the same day, so that he shall not need to rejourney again to you.
CXLI to Mr Rix
I cowwENp me to you. These be to signify to you, that my lord of Wilteshere is fully determined, notwithstanding any manner suit or insinuation to the contrary, to have you abide with him in his household; insomuch that he willed me on Passion Sunday last to send you word, that you fail not to meet with him at Maidstone on Tuesday come sennight, from whence you must depart with him; and therefore against that time see that you be in such a readiness, as you need not rejourney again, but to accomplish his mind and pleasure with all your endeavour accordingly.
Cxlh. To Crumwell
[State Paper Tuam worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me to you. And whereas]
[sellancous [ am informed, that upon suit to you made you have of late directed your letters to the]
[Temp. Hen.]
[VIH. Third Sc RT ΤΞ]
[series.]
[SO IE. [’! This might have been the widow of John XVIII. p. 248, XXXVII. p. 205, LXXV. p. 268,]
[Creke, who was servant to the archbishop. Letters LXXX. p. 270.]]
master and fellows of Jesus college of Cambridge, moving them, forasmuch as you were informed that certain seditious persons should trouble the quiet possession of a farmer of theirs, lately having interest in a certain farm belonging to the said college, to signify to you their names, to the intent you might see a reformation in that behalf: I most heartily require you, that in this matter you will suspend your judgment, and repel all manner information and suit made to you herein, until such time that I myself shall farther commune with you for the same; which, God willing, I intend shall be shortly, as well to have communication with you of St Stephen’s, as also to do my duty to the king’s highness and the queen, whom of long I have not seen. Thus our Lord long preserve you in health! At Otford, the 6th day of April.
Your own ever assured
Tuowas CANTUAR.
To my singular! and. especial good
friend, master secretary.
CXLIII. To Crumwell
Rar. worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas I understand, that amongst other persons attainted of high treason the prior of Axholme, named Webster, and master Raynold of Syon be judged according to the law, for offending against the late act! of parliament made for the suppressing of the usurped power of the bishop of Rome; surely I do much marvel of them both, specially of Mr Raynold, having such sight in scriptures and doctors, and also of the other, which promised me that he would never meddle for the defence of that opinion; much pitying me that such men should suffer with so ignorant judgments, and if there be none other offence laid against them than this one, it will be much more for the conversion of all the fautors hereof, after mine opinion, that their consciences may be clearly averted from the same by communication of sincere doctrine, and so they to publish it likewise to the world, than by the justice of the law to suffer in such ignorance. And if it would please the king’s highness to send them unto me, I suppose I could do very much with them in this behalf. Now whether this mine advertisement shall make as well for our sovereign lord the king’s safeguard, and the weal of this his realm, as this justice, I remit it to your discretion and wisdom. Thus our Lord preserve you in health! At Otford, the xxx. day of April. [1535.7]
Your own ever assured
Tuomas CANTUAR. To my very singular and especial
friend, master secretary.
[[? Vid. Letter XVI. p. 247.] not passed till 1536. “The act therefore to which]
[[? For an account of Augustine Webster, prior Cranmer here alludes must be 26 Hen. VIII. c. 13,]
[of the Charter House in the isle of Axholme, Ri- For the expositions of certain treasons;’ by which]
[chard Raynold, a monk of Sion, John Houghton, it was made treason to practise to deprive the king]
[prior of the Charter House, London, Robert Law- of the dignity, title, or name of his royal estate.’]
[rence, prior of Beauvale, and John Haile, vicar of As one of his titles by a former statute, 26 Hen,]
[Thistleworth, who were condemned for treason, VIII. c. l, was supreme head,’ all who denied]
[April 29, 1535; Vid. Strype’s Eccl. Mem. Vol. I. his supremacy were indictable for treason. See]
[p.302 et sqq. Burnet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I, Statutes of the Realm. The ordinary report among]
[p.704. Stow’s Annals, p. 570, Ed. Lond. 1615.] the common people was, that these men had com-]
[[ The statute 28 Hen. VIII. c. 10, for the bined together to kill the king.” Jenkyns’ Re.]
[extirpation of the bishop of Rome’s authority,” was mains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 134, m. g.]]
CXLIV. To Crumwell
Rianr worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereasI - eis understand by this bearer, that you hitherto hath borne unto the same your favour; it will like you now, the rather for my sake, both to continue the same, and also to shew ^ Wim your more ample favour in such things as now he hath to do with you, for I suppose the man intendeth well; and in so doing I will be always ready to accomplish your like requests. Thus our Lord preserve you in health! At Otford, the 6th day of May.
Your own ever assured
TuoMAS CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my very singular
good friend, master. secretary. Cxly. To Crumwell
First, as concerning my style, wherein I am named ‘Totius Anglie Primas,” I suppose, that to make his cause good, (which else in deed were naught,) he doth mix it with the king’s cause, (as ye know the man lacketh neither learning in the law, neither witty invention, ne craft to set forth his matters to the best,) that he might appear not to maintain his own cause, but the king’s; against whose highness, he knoweth right well, that I will maintain no cause, but give place, and lay both my cause and myself at my princes feet. But to be plain what I think of the bishop of Winchester, I cannot persuade with myself that he so much tendercth the king’s cause as he doth his own, that I should not visit him: and that appeareth by the very time. For if he cast no farther but the defence of the king’s grace’s authority, or if he intended that at all, why moved he not the matter, before he received my monition for my visitation; which was within four miles of Winchester delivered unto him the 20” day of April last, as he came up to the court? Moreover, I do not a little marvel, why he should now find fault, rather than he did before’, when he took the bishop of Rome as chief head: for though the bishop of Rome was taken for supreme head, notwithstanding that, he had a great number of primates under him; and by having his primates under him his supreme authority was not less esteemed, but much the more. Why then may not the king’s highness, being supreme head, have primates under him, without any diminishing, but with the augmenting, of his said supreme authority? — And of this I doubt not at all, but that the bishop of Winchester knoweth as well as any man living, that in case this said style or title, had been in any point impediment or hinderance to the bishop [! Vid. Strype’s Mem. of Abp. Cranmer, p. 46, the title of «legate of the apostolic see,” he was to Ed. Oxon. 1840. Burnet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol. be designed metropolitan, and primate.” This last III. p. 209.] was one of his ancient titles.” DBurnet’s Hist, of [2 Stat. 26 Hen. VIII. c. 3. Session of Parlia- Reformat. Vol. III. p. 199. The proceedings of ment. See Letter CX XXIX. p. 301. n. 5.] the convocation are given in Wilkins’ Concilia, Vol.
? The archbishop of Canterbury’s title was III. p. 769.
[also in convocation ordered to be altered: instead of]
ο of Rome’s usurped authority, it would not have so long been unreformed as it hath been. For I doubt not but all the bishops of England would ever gladly have had the archbishop’s both authority and title taken away, that they might have been equal together: which well appeareth by the many contentions against the archbishops for jurisdiction in the court of Rome; which had been easily brought to pass, if the bishops of Rome had thought the archbishop’s titles and styles to be any derogation to their supreme authority.
All this notwithstanding, if the bishops of this realm pass no more of their names, styles, and titles, than I do of mine, the king’s highness shall soon order the matter between us all. And if I saw that my style were against the king’s authority, (whereunto I am specially sworn,) I would sue myself unto his grace, that I might leave it; and so would have done before this time. For I pray God never be merciful unto me at the genera] judgment, if I perceive in my heart that I set more by any title, name, or style that I write, than I do by the paring of an apple, farther than it shall be to the setting forth of God’s word and will Yet I will not utterly excuse me herein; for God must be judge, who knoweth the bottom of my heart, and so do not I myself: but I speak for so much as I do feel in my heart; for many evil affections lie lurking there, and will not lightly be espied. But yet I would not gladly leave any just thing at the pleasure and suit of the bishop of Winchester, be being none otherwise affectionate unto me than he is. Even at the beginning first of Christ’s profession, Diotrephes desired gerere primatum in ecclesia, as saith St John in his last epistle: and since, he hath had more successors than all the apostles had, of whom have come all these glorious titles, styles, and pomps into the church. But I would that I, and all my brethren the bishops, would leave all our styles, and write the style of our offices, calling ourselves apostolos Jesw Christi: so that we took not upon us the name vainly, but were so even indeed; so that we might order our diocese in such sort, that neither paper, parchment, lead, nor wax, but the very christian conversation of the people might be the letters and seals of our offices, as the Corinthians were unto Paul, to whom he said: Litera nostro et signa apostolatus nostri vos estis.
Now for the second. Where the bishop of Winchester allegeth the visitation of my predecessor, and the tenth part now to be paid to the king; truth it is, that my predecessor visited the diocese of Winchester after the decease of my lord cardinal? as he did all other dioceses, sede vacante; but else I think it was not visited by none of my predecessors this forty years. And notwithstanding that, he himself, not considering their charges at that time, charged them with a new visitation within less than half a year after; and that against all right, as doctor Incent hath reported to my chancellor; the clergy at that time? paying to the king half of their benefices in five years, which is the tenth part every year, as they paid before, and have paid since, and shall pay still for ever by the last act. But I am very glad that he hath now some compassion of his diocese, although at that time he had very small, when he did visit them the same year that my predecessor did visit. And also other bishops, whose course is to visit this year, keep their visitation, where I did visit the last year, notwithstanding the tenth part to be paid to the king’s grace. Howbeit I do not so in Winchester diocese; for it is now the third year since that diocese was visited by any man, so that he hath the least cause to complain of any bishop, for it is longer since his diocese was visited than the other. Therefore where he layeth, to aggravate the matter, the charges of the late act granted, it is no more against me, than against all other bishops that do visit this year, nor maketh no more against me this year, than it made against me the last year, and shall do every year hereafter. For if they were true men, in accompting and paying the king’s subsidy, they are no more charged by this new act than they were for the space of ten years past,
[[^ And the title taken away. Burnet.] act contained a protestation, that this grant was new [^ Beginning of Christ’s. Strype.] and unusual, occasioned by their special regard for [7 Cardinal [Wolsey]. Strype.] his majesty, and not to be drawn into a precedent.” [7 “The convocation of 1523 granted to the Wilkins’ Concilia, Vol. III. p. 699. Jenkyns’ Re-]
[king mediam partem valoris omnium fructuum, mains of Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 138, ». e.]]
[&c.intra quinque annos levandam.” But the [CcRANMER. τᾶ Z0]
and shall be charged ever hereafter. And thus to conclude; if my said lord of Win-chesters objections should be allowed this year, he might by such arguments both disallow all manner visitations that hath be done these ten years past, and that shall be done hereafter. Now I pray you, good master secretary, of your advice, whether I shall need to write unto the king’s highness herein. And thus our Lord have ever in his preservation! At Otford, the xii. day of May. [1535.]
Your own ever assured
Tromas CANTUAR.
CXLVI. To Crumwell
MasTER secretary, in most hearty wise I commend me unto you: and so send unto you here inclosed such thing as were noticed unto me this present Tuesday’, which cannot (observing my fidelity) keep undisclosed. Wherefore I require you to open same unto the king’s highness, to the intent his grace’s pleasure may be known hercin. inal…:. ed ᾿ς;. TU” And as touching sir John, the parish priest of Wytesham, he is in prison at Maidstone until such time as I shall hear word from you what shall be done in this behalf. Thus our Lord preserve you in prosperity! At Otford, the xxv. day of May. [1535.]
Your assured evr
Tomas CANTUAR. To the right worshipful and my singular
good. friend, master secretary.
CXLVII. To Crumwell
Ricur worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas this bearer, Mr Roode of Grayes Inn, hath a certain suit for title of land depending in 1a… B… chancery’, wherein he hath divers that beareth against him; I desire you to be so good and favourable unto him at this my request and instance, that he may have right with expedition; wherein you shall do a right good deed, and have my hearty thanks for same. “Thus our Lord preserve [you]. At Otford, the xxvii. day of May. [1535.]
Your own assured ever
Tomas CANTUAR. To my singular and especial friend,.
Mr Secretary. CXLVIII. To Crumwell”
[Cort MSS Ricur worshipful master secretary, in my right hearty wise I commend me to you.]
[355 — ‘lhese shall be to advertise you, that this fourth day of June I have received the king’s]
[Museum.]
[Original. an RENT ΤΣ]
[[ The 25th of May, 1535, fell on a Tuesday, supremacy the last year, so the king now required]
[and thus determines the date of this letter.” Jen- them, by his letters, to publish and declare as much]
[kyns’ Cranmer, Vol. 1. p. 139, n. m.] in their own cathedral churches, and to set forth the]
[2 John Hastings was parson of Wyttrisham king’s title of supreme head, under God, of the]
[near Tenterden in 1535. Valor. Eccles. ] Church of England;’ and to see the people in their]
[[? If this letter is rightly placed in 1535, Crum- respective dioceses effectually instructed in this point]
[well was now master of the rolls, having succeeded by the clergy in their parishes. “These letters bear]
[Dr Taylor in that office in Oct. 1534. He resigned date in the beginning of June this year. Which,]
[it on being appointed lord privy seal, the 2nd of with a declaration to be read to the people, were]
[July 1536.” Jenkyns’ Remains of Abp. Cranmer, sent by Crumwell to all the archbishops and]
[Vol. I. p. 140, n.0.]. bishops.” Strype’s Eccl. Mem. Vol, 1, p, 285, Ed.]
^ As the bishops had subscribed to the king’s Oxon. 1822.
Your assured ever,: Cantuarien. CXLIX. To Crumwell
Rianr worshipful, in my right hearty wise I commend me to you. And so here send unto you as well the priest, which in reading of the act concerning the tenth part of the spiritualty bid avengeance on the king, and all those that assented to the making of that act; as also the woman which said, that since this new queen was made, there was never so much pilling and polling in this realm, asking avengeance also upon her. Thus fare you well. At Lambeth, the 7th day of June. [1535.]
Your own assured ever
Tuowas CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my very
singular and especial friend,
master secretary.
To Crumwell
Ricur worshipful master secretary, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And where I have sued unto the king’s highness, and obtained of the same his graces letters unto the mayor of London, in the favour of a servant of mine named James Arnold, for his preferment unto the room of the swordbearership of London, when it shall happen next to be vacant; I most heartily desire you, (insomuch as my said servant hath in the parties beyond the seas taken great pains, both with me, Mr Aliote^, and with master Hethe? in the king’s service) that you will not alonely be good master unto him, in the despatching of the king’s grace’s said letters, but also at this my request and instance, to write your favourable letters unto my said lord mayor of London”, for the better furtherance of his suit. Wherein ye shall not alonely shew unto me singular pleasure, but also bind my said servant thereby, to be both at your
^ “The act meant seems to be Stat. 26 Hen. [7 See Letter LXXXVIII. p. 276.
[VILI. c. 3, for giving the first-fruits and tenths to [? See Letter CLXXXI. p. 332; “from which]
[the king, which was passed in the session beginning it appears that the person applied to was Sir John]
[the 3rd of Nov. 1534. If so, this letter must have Champneis, lord mayor, A. D. 1534. Nothing seems]
[been written in 1535, and not, as Mr Todd places it, to be recorded of him, excepting that he builded in]
[in 1534.” (Life of Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 109.) Jen- his house an high tower of brick, the first that ever]
[kyns’ Remains of Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 141, n. g.] I heard of in any private man’s house, to overlook [^ Probably Sir Thomas Elyot, one of the am- his neighbours in this city. But this delight of his]
[bassadors to the pope, a. p. 1532. See Letter eye was punished with blindness some years before]
[CLXXXI. p. 332; Strype’s Eccl. Mem. Vol. I. his death ” Stow’s Survey of London, pp. 137,]
[p 222, &c.] 581, Ed. Lond. 1615.] 20—2]
commandment, and also to pray for your long prosperity. Thus our Lord have you in his preservation! At Otford, the last day of June. [1535.]
Your own assured
Tomas CANTUAR.
To the right worshipful and my singular
good friend, master secretary.
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