CLI. To
I couwEND me unto you, &c. These be to certify you of the king’s pleasure, how Mu that his grace is contented that ye shall be admitted to preach on all the Wednesdays of this next Lent before him. Whereupon I thought it very expedient, for divers considerations reasonably me moving thereto, to admonish you of certain things in no wise to be neglect and omitted on your behalf in time of your preaching; which to observe and follow according to mine advice hereafter to you prescribed, shall at the length redound to your no little laud and praise.
First, therefore, take this order, (if ye will,) reading over the book ye take for your purpose some processes of scripture, the gospel, pistill, or any other part of scripture in the bible, and the same to expound and declare according to the pure sense and meaning thereof: wherein, above all things, it will be most convenient, that ye do not at all persuade for the defence of your own causes and matters lately in controversy; but that ye rather do seem utterly [to pass over] those your accusations, than now in that place any sparkle or suspicion of grudge should appear to remain in you for the same. This done, that likewise ye be very circumspect to overpass and omit all manner speech, either apertly or suspiciously sounding against any special man’s facts, acts, manners, or sayings, to the intent your audience have none occasion thereby namely to slander your adversaries; which would seem to many that you were void of charity, and so much the more unworthy to occupy that room. Nevertheless, if such occasion be given by the word of God, let none offence or superstition be unreprehended, specially if it be generally spoken, without affection.
Furthermore, I would ye should so study to comprehend your matters, that in any condition you stand no longer in the pulpit than an hour, or an hour and an half at the most; for by long expense of time the king and the queen shall peradventure wax so weary at the beginning, that they shall have small delight to continue throughout with you to the end. “Therefore let the effect of the premises take no place in your mind, specially before this circumspect audience, to the intent that you in so doing need not to have any other declaration hereafter against the misreports of your adversaries. And for your further instruction in this behalf, I would ye should the sooner come up to London, here to prepare all things in a readiness, according to such expectation as is had in you.
To the same.
[[! This letter has no address affixed, but as but the mayor (permitting laymen to preach) caused]
[it follows in the MSS. the letter to Latimer, divers priests to be apprehended and cast into New-]
[CX XVII. p. 296, it was most probably addressed gate, with bolts upon them, and divers other ran]
[to him.] away and lost their livings, rather than come to the]
[[? “During this parliament [A.D. 1534], every mayor’s handling.” Stow’s Annals, p. 570, Ed.]
[Sunday at Paul’s Cross preached a bishop, de- Lond. 1615. Vid. Strype’s Eccl. Mem. Vol. I. p.]
[claring the pope not to be supreme head of the 245, Ed. Oxon. 1822, who places these events as]
[church. Also in other places of the realm great occurring A.D. 1533; also Letters of Latimer.]
[troubles were raised about preaching, namely at Foxe’s Acts and Monuments, p. 1741, Ed. 1583.]
[Bristow, where master Latimer preached, and there Also Wilkins’ Concilia, Vol. IIl. p. 760, for]
[preached against him one Hobberton and Dr Powell, Stokesley’s inhibition of master Hugh Latymer]
[so that there was great part-takings on both sides: from preaching within the diocese of London, dated]
[insomuch that divers priests and other set up bills the 2nd of October, 1533.”]]
[against the mayor, and against master Latimer;]
CLII. To the Dean of the Chapel Royal
MasTER dean, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas master Latymer, a man of singular learning, virtuous example of living, and sincere preaching the word of God, hath lately been endangered, and suffered great obloquy; and also I myself, for justly licensing him to preach within the precincts and limits of my province, have been likewise misreported; I intending evermore the furtherance of the truth and the pure dispensation of the word of God, in consideration of my discharge, declaration of master Latymer, and satisfaction of such misreporters, have most humbly desired and sued unto the king’s highness, to grant unto the said master Latymer licence to preach before his grace all the Wednesdays of this next Lent ensuing. Therefore these shall be to desire and require you, upon the king’s pleasure thus known, for to discharge the assignment already appointed, or hereafter to be, to any person in that behalf, and require him (if any such be) to be contented with the same; for I, upon the king’s pleasure thus willing, have already admonished the said master Latymer to provide therefore.
Furthermore, these shall be heartily to desire you also, that my old acquainted friend, master Shaxton’, the queen’s grace’s almoner, may be assigned likewise to preach the third Sunday in Lent before the king’s grace; and that you will forthwith, upon the sight hereof, ascertain me in your letters by this bearer, accordingly to the king’s grace’s said pleasure and my request. For thus doing you shall have me ready to accomplish condignly your requests, and shew unto you like pleasure from time to time. At Otford, the ixth day of July”.
CLIII. To Crumwell
Ricur worshipful, in most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And forasmuch as at my late request you were content to accept Mr Newman” into your service; I here send him unto you now, for his further advertisement of your pleasure in that behalf, not doubting but that you shall be sure both to have of him a right honest and faithful servant, and also no less diligent service. And therefore I beseech you, and that the rather at this mine instance, to be his special good master. Thus heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the 12th day of July.
Your own assured everT. Cantuarien
To the right worshipful and my singular
good friend, master secretary.
CLIV. To Crumwell
Ricur worshipful master secretary, most heartily I have me commended unto you: and by this bearer I have sent you herewith inclosed two letters, one superscribed unto my lord of Wiltshire, and the other unto me; which letters I have sent with expedition unto you, because they concern as well you as words of treason unto the king, which
[[? See Letter CLI. p. 308.] says the point is exceedingly doubtful, for if Strype [^ See Letter CX1X. p. 293.] is correct, these two letters were probably written in [^ Dr Jenkyns thinks that this may be a January 1534. Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I.]
[clerical error for January, and in arranging this and pp. 125, 6.]]
[the preceding letter he has preferred Stow’s date of [ Vid. Letters IV., LXIIL, LXXVIL pp.]
[the controversy at Bristol to that of Strype; but he 237, 263, 269.]]
treason I pray you to detect unto the king’s highness, which I am most sure you would do, although I required you to the contrary. Moreover I understand the priory of Worcester shall be shortly void; which if it so be, I pray you be good master unto Mr Holbech, doctor of divinity, of the house of Crowlande, or else to Dane Richard Gorton, bachelor of divinity, of the house of Burton-upon-Trent. And if the priorship of Worcester shall not be vacant, yet I pray you be good master unto these two, when you shall find places meet for them; for I know no religious men in England of that habit, that be of better learning, judgment, conversation, and all qualities meet for an head and master of an house. “Thus our Lord have you ever in his preservation. From Otford, upon the day of the assumption of ourlady. [15 Aug. 1535.]
Your own ever assured, Cantuarien
To mine especial good friend, master
secretary unto the king’s high-
ness.
CLV. To Crumwell
Ricur worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas among other of the king’s dominions, within this his realm, there is no part (in my opinion) that more needeth good instruction of the word of God, or aid of learned
In consideration hereof, and inasmuch as I am advertised that the parsonage of St Peters besides Calice is like shortly to be void, and in the king’s grace’s disposition, I beseech you either to obtain the same for master Garret?, whose learning and conversation is known to be right good and honest, or else for some other as is so able and willing to discharge the same as he is. Wherein I assure you that you shall
[[! Henry Holbech, called sometimes Henry Letters CXXVII. CXLIII. CXLVIII. CXLIX.]
[Rands of Holbech in Lincolnshire, was a true pp. 296, 303, 307. Burnet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol.]
[favourer of the gospel, and made much use of in I. pp. 291, 318, Ed. Oxon. 1829.]]
[the reforming and settling of the church.” Strype’s [? Thomas Garret, or Garrerd, was persecuted]
[Eccl. Mem. Vol. 11. p. ii. pp. 167, 8, Ed. Oxon. and burnt at Smithfield with Barnes, and Hierome,]
[1822. He was appointed prior of Worcester, March vicar of Stepney, for heresy: they had been amongst]
[13 1536; suffragan bishop of Bristol, March 24, the earliest converts to Luther’s doctrine, and were]
[1538; dean of Worcester, January 18, 1540; bishop prosecuted under the act of the Six Articles, Three]
[of Rochester, May 3, 1544, and bishop of Lincoln, papists, Powell, Fatherstone, and Abell were exe-]
[August 9, 1547. Vid. Willis” Hist. of Abbeys, cuted at the same time and day, and in the same]
[Vol. I. p. 311. Ed. Lond. 1718. Le Neve’s Fasti, place, for denying the king’s supremacy. Vid.]
[pp. 141,250. Ed. Lond. 1716.] Foxe’s Acts and Monuments, pp. 1194—1201. Ed. ^ These were probably the acts which were Lond. 1583; Burnet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I.]
[passed against the authority of the pope, in the p. 590.]]
[sessions, of January and of November 1534. Vid.]
accomplish a right meritorious deed before God, and deserve condign thanks hereafter of your prince for promoting of so great a commodity for his realm.
And whereas I am informed, that the curate of St Mary’s within Calice intendeth to make suit unto you for the said benefice; I pray you not to regard his suit, for I know that he is nothing meet for that room, specially in this world of reformation.
Over this I beseech you to be good master unto this bearer, Henry Turney; for, as I perceive, his matters be so grievously taken and borne against him, that without your only aid and help he is like to lose his living. Surely I do much marvel of his uncharitable handling, if it be none other than it is reported. Wherefore 1f you can try out the truth, and find him not so culpable as it is pretended, you shall do a right good deed for many considerations to restore him to his room and living again. Thus our Lord have you in his blessed tuition! At Otford, the viiith day of October. [1535.] 5T have written to the queen’s grace to obtain the gift of two the first benefices that shall fall within the marches of Calice. 1 pray you commune with the queen’s grace therein, and help thereunto.
Your own ever assured, Cantuarien
To the right worshipful and my singular
good friend, Myr Secretary. CLVI. To Crumwell
Ric worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas this bearer informeth me, that you are advertised how that I should complain of him unto the king’s council for his preaching; surely I do not a little marvel that you will think in me such lightness to complain of him, by whom I know no fault. This is true, that when I was at the court, there were some persons which complained unto me of him, to whom I gave less credence, by cause that afore time I heard good report of him by many honest, sober, and discreet men; which thing made me say these words unto the complainers: That forsomuch as I heard divers times so many of both parties, some laud and some dispraise him, I could not tell to whom to give credence.” And now again, since I came unto Kent, I have had complaints of him by divers, and of them that should seem honest and credible; and nevertheless divers other very honest men and of good judgments, which both heard and understood him, doth report contrary, testifying that he is nothing culpable of the things laid against him: wherefore, the matter standing in this controversy, I am enforced rather to believe them which report well by him than the other; for in mine opinion the other commonly be such persons as little regard the promoting of the gospel, but be rather papistical and superstitious. I therefore require you, for nothing that either hath been reported unto me of him, or for any thing that the uncertain fame hath conceived without due proof of him, you will thereby withdraw your favour from him; for if you should do so, it should be a great discourage for learned men which favoureth the truth, to take any pains on them in setting forth of the same; whose labours and endeavours were never more need to be had and esteemed than now at this season. Thus our Lord have you in his tuition! At Wingham, 12. day of October. [1535.]
Your assured everT. Cantuarien
To mine especial and singular friend,
master secretary
[ Henry Tourney was a sufferer in the persecu- fined till the death of Crumwell. Vid. Foxe’s Acts tions at Calais, against heretics, with Damplip and and Monuments, pp. 1223, 1227, 8.]
[others, and was sent to England, where he was con- [ The postscript is in the Archbishop’s hand. ]]
CLVII. To Crumwell
Ricur worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas the priors of Davyngton did hold of the bishops of Canterbury for the time being thirty-five acres of wood, parcel of Okenfold wood, and nineteen acres of land in Davyngton aforesaid, and eight acres in Tenam, within the county of Kent; which, by reason that the said house is dissolved’, ought of right to escheat to me, as in the right of the see of Canterbury, as this bearer shall declare unto you more at large; 1 therefore right heartily desire you, that the said parcels may not be put ne specified within the office to be found for the king, so that by your lawful favour in this behalf I may the better come to the trial of my right: wherein you shall bind me to shew unto you such pleasure as lieth in me to do accordingly. “Thus our Lord have you in his tuition! At Ford, the 17. day of October. [ 1535.]
Your assured everT. Cantuarien
To the right worshipful and my singular
good friend, master secretary.
CLVIII. To Crumwell
Rianr worshipful master secretary, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you: ^ even so praying you to be good master for my sake unto doctor Thornidon, warden of the manors of Christ Church in Canterbury, and to the cellerar of the same. And first, as touching my suit for the said warden of the manors; I beseech you heartily that he may continue in the said office, like as you have granted unto the warden of the manors of St Swythin in Winchester.
And as concerning the said cellerar, which I assure you is a right honest man, and of such dexterity and wisdom, as none is like unto him in that house, to whom at your request I gave the office of the cellerarship; I beseech you therefore, at my request, to grant him some liberty to be taken at some times in the said office for continuance of his health: for surely he is corpulent, full of gross humours, and much sickly; and if he should still continue within the house, where is no manner walk at all or good air, his life should not only be abridged, but the said monastery should also lack many commodities, which daily do grow and increase by his policy and wisdom by his provision abroad; for he is the only jewel and housewife of that house. Wherefore, good Mr Secretary, I beseech you to tender my suit, as well concerning
[[’ Vid. Letter CLX. p. 313.] share with him, (and surely need enough,) in the [? In the General Injunctions issued by Crum- managing of this burthensome office and weighty]
[well, A. Ὁ. 1535, “on the king’s highness behalf in province. Hehad alarge part of principal housing]
[all monasteries and other houses, or whatsoever order allotted him, all contiguous to the convent hall and]
[or religion they be,” it was enjoined that no monk kitchen, (the sphere wherein he chiefly moved,)]
[or brother of this monastery by any means go namely, his hall and his lodgings, as they were called.]
[forth of the precinct of the same.” Burnet’s Hist. His hall, that which is now the archbishop’s for the]
[of Reformat. App. Vol. I. Part. 11. Book iii. No.2. keeping of his temporal courts.. Hislodgings lay on]
[p. 218.] the west side or quarter of the cloister, into which it [? Of this hall and the provision for the same had a double door, having in the windows the name,]
[and the ordering thereof, the chief care and over- coat of arms, and rebus or name device of Richard]
[sight was entrusted to the cellerar, one of the four Dering the monk, one of them that conspired with]
[great obedientiarii (or officers) of the monastery;. the Holy Maid of Kent in Henry VIII’s days, and]
[the sacrista, camerarius, and thesaurarius being the saluted Tyburn for his pains, who in his time was]
[other three.. The cellerar, no doubt, was a cellerar to the church.” Somner’s Antiquities of]
[great man in the college.The office was in- Canterbury, pp. 201, 3, 4, 5. Ed. Lond. 1640.]
[deed so exceeding great and troublesome, that, like: John Cross was cellerar at the dissolution.” Jen-]
[as the prior had his sub-prior,. so had thisour kyns’ Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 149,]
[cellerar his sub-cellerarius to assist him and bear a n. e.]]
the doctor as the said cellerar, as I may deserve it unto you. And thus fare ye heartily well. At Forde, the 26th day of October. [1535.]
Your own assured everT. Cantuarien
To the right worshipful and my singular
good friend, Master Crumwell.
CLIX. To Crumwell
Riaur worshipful, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. These be to desire you to be good master unto this bearer, Henry Turney. For notwithstanding your other two favourable letters in his behalf, he is never the better regarded: wherefore if you be not otherwise his only aid and help, so that he may by your means obtain the king’s graces letters according to the tenor herein inclosed, or in such like manner, he is like to be utterly cast away; which for many considerations in mine opinion would (specially in this corrupt world) be no good precedent in setting forth of the truth. I therefore pray you to continue good master unto him, as you have hitherto done; wherein you shall do a charitable deed worthy to be rewarded of God; who preserve you in long health! At Dover, the 27 day of October. [1535.]
Your assured everT. Cantuarien
To the right worshipful and my singular
good. friend, Mr Secretary. CLX. To Crumwell
ArrER most hearty commendations: this shall be to advertise you, that lately I received a letter from you, whereby I understand that you have been advertised, that I, pretending title to certain woods in Okenfold and to certain lands in Denham lately belonging to the house of Davyngton?, and my brother^ in like manner to the benefice sometime impropried to the same, have lately by our friends and servants stayed the verdict that should have been given by the inquest charged for the king upon the same.
First, as touching my brother; of whomsoever you had the same information, it is utterly untrue; for he stayed no verdict that should” [have been] given for the king by the inquest, nor yet made [claim] unto any tithes to the inquest: but he said to Antony Ager your servant privately, that he thought it was his right to have the tithes, and desired him to inform you of the truth. Nevertheless, Antony Ager carried the tithes away, without any let or interruption on my brothers behalf. Notwithstanding, my brother trusteth that you will be so good unto him as to suffer him to have the tithes, if it be his right, according to the tenor of your letter.
And as touching mine own self, I never went about to stay the verdict, but
[[ Vid. Letter CLV. p. 311.] Thomas Cheney. Hasted’s History of Kent, Vol. [5 Davington or Daunton, a benedictine nun- 1I. p. 726.” Ed. Canter. 1778—99. Vid. Letter]
[nery near Feversham, was deserted from the poverty CLVII. p. 312. Jenkyns’ Remains of Abp. Cran-]
[of the house, and escheated to the crown «tanquam mer, Vol. I. p. 150, n. g.]]
[locum profanum et dissolutum,’ 27 Hen. VIII. i. e. [6 Vid. Letter LXXV. p. 268.]]
[between April 1535 and April 1536. This letter [7 This letter is here torn, and it is defaced in]
[therefore was written in Nov. 1535. The priory other places from damp. ]]
[with its property was granted 35 Hen. VIII. to Sir]
would have been as glad that the quest should have passed according to their consciences, as they would themselves. Only, being informed by every man that I heard speak, which were of learning and experience, that I had a just title, I made my claim, and caused the quest to be informed of my title, neither staying the true verdict, (as you were informed,) nor by any means procuring that the quest should otherwise do than their consciences should judge right. And where you do write unto me very friendly, that you would be sorry it should come to the king’s highness knowledge that I should weigh in any matter against him, I would you saw the very bottom of my heart herein; for I trust that I have so conceived justice into my heart, that I shall not for so small a matter, nor yet for any other worldly thing, be it never so great, weigh in any wise contrary to right against the poorest subject within the king’s highness realm. And I am assured the king’s graces mind is, not to do wrong unto any subject he hath; and if I knew that it were his grace’s pleasure to have my title in the said lands, I would be more desirous to give it unto his highness, than he can be to have it. But forsomuch as I know not but his grace would that I should have it, if my title be good, I must needs make my claim and declare my title; else I must lose it, be it never so just.
The bishop of Worcester lately wrote unto me in your name, that I looked upon the king’s business through my fingers, doing nothing in that matter wherefore we were sent for unto Winchester; and I marvel not that you do so think, which knoweth not what I have done. For first, the day before we took our leave of the king’s highness to depart home, I. drew certain articles touching the bishop of Rome, to give only occasion unto preachers that had no great exercise in that matter, what they might say, and what titles they might study for to declare. They that have excellent learning cannot lack matter abundant of their own inventions; but such as be of mean learning, have need of some matter to be ministered unto them, whereof they may take occasion to search their books. There is not one article of those which I have drawn [but would supp ]editate sufficient occasion for a whole sermon, and some of them. will minister matter sufficient for four or five sermons, if that [they] be searched to the bottom. Moreover at the same day I wrote certain doubts to be moved in the council; and because the council sat no more before our departure, my labour therein came to none. effect, saving that I delivered a copy of my articles to certain of the bishops that were then present, thinking it good that they should procure them to be preached within their dioceses; which I, with all my chaplains, be doing here in my diocese with all diligence: a copy of the which, as well articles as doubts, I have herewith sent unto you, to the intent that if you think it good, you may add other and take away what you please, or else make other articles all new; so that when they shall be devised exactly and with all diligence, you may cause them to be sent into every diocese, to be preached throughout all the whole realm. And when the articles shall be with all deliberation absolved, if they were then read once or more every quarter in every parish church throughout the realm by the bishop’s authority, I think it should do as much good to persuade the people as many sermons.
Thus fare you well, good Mr Secretary; and where at our last being together you willed me to prove your friendship towards me, which I never doubted of, yet I heartily pray you to declare part of it in my friend Hutton, for whom whatsoever you shall do, I shall impute it done unto myself. I would no more desire, but that he were so well acquainted with you as he is with me, and that you knew him as
[[ Hugh Latimer, consecrated bishop of Wor- the regal authority, and to explain to the people]
[cester, Sept. A. D. 1535.] the reason of excluding the pope from all jurisdic- [3 The king, resolving to vindicate his own tion in these realms.” Strype’s Mem. of Abp. Cran-]
[right of supremacy against the encroachments of mer, p. 42. Ed. Oxon. 1840. In Letter CLX XVII.]
[popes in his dominions, especially now the Parli- pp. 326, et sqq., addressed by the archbishop to]
[ament had restored it to him, being at Winchester, Henry VIII. dated August 26, 1536, he makes]
[sent for his bishops thither about Michaelmas, especial mention of his own sermons against the]
[ordering them to go down to their respective dio- authority of the bishop of Rome.]]
[ceses, and there in their own persons to preach up]
I do. Again fare you well, and Almighty God long preserve you to his gospel, and the wealth of our prince and his realm! At Ford, the 2d day of November. [1535.7]
Your own ever assured, Cantuarien
?Read further.
I thank you heartily for that you be so good master unto Dr Peter’, as I am informed that you be. I was fully minded that he should have been the dean of mine arches, which yet he shall have, if you think it good, and that he may therewith serve you in that room whereunto you have appointed him. Herein I pray you that I may be advertised of your mind by this bearer; for if it be your pleasure, I shall make him dean before the next term. I know no man so meet for it.
4
To the right worshipful and my singular
friend, master secretary. CLXI. To Crumwell
Ricar worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And albeit
i
that many times heretofore I have been fully purposed and minded most effectually and earnestly to write unto you in the favour of this bearer, my friend Sir John Markham, touching his business and suits now depending before my Lord Chancellor; yet inasmuch as he hath always testified unto me that you were much better unto him than he could wish or desire, I have deferred the same hitherto, right heartily desiring and praying you, as you have always been his special good master and friend, so you will, the rather at this my request, continue; and specially now touching this his suit before my lord chancellor, so that by your favourable word he may be the more indifferently heard, and have the sooner an end in the same: for I assure you he is the gentleman, whom, amongst all other, I never knew none that hath ordered himself so uprightly in quietness amongs his neighbours within his country, as he hath ever done, or that is universally better beloved, saving that he is only hated of him whom no man can favour or love. I therefore eftsoons beseech you to help that he be discharged of this his unquiet vexation and trouble, none otherways but as it shall seem to you just so to do; wherein you shall not alonely shew unto me no small pleasure, but also be sure to do for a right honest gentleman. Thus our Lord preserve you. At Ford, the iii. day of November. [1535.]
[ have known the good conversation and indifferency of Sir John Markham in his country above thirty years, and that causeth me the bolder to write in his favour; for else I love not to intermeddle myself in other men’s causes. Also Sir William
[[? The postscript is in the archbishop’s hand.] a member of Edward VIth’s privy council. He [^ This was Sir William Petre, a master of signed Edward VIth’s limitation of the crown, as]
[chancery, whom Crumwell appointed to visit the well as the letter to Mary, acquainting her that]
[monasteries with Leighton, Legh, and Loudon as the lady Jane Grey had been proclaimed sovereign]
[his deputies, Oct. 1535, and who with Cranmer according to the ancient laws of the land;” but with]
[and others had been appointed to draw up a bill the other members of the council afterwards de-]
[for the enactment of the Six Articles (A.D. 1539), clared for queen Mary, and, A. Ὁ. 1556, was ap-]
[which was not adopted. He was a great friend of pointed one of the select committee for regulating]
[the archbishop, was made secretary of state, and in the affairs of the kingdom during the absence of]
[conjunction with the queen, Cranmer, lord Wrio- Philip, queen Mary’s husband, and became one of]
[thesley, (the newly appointed lord chancellor,) and queen Klizabeth’s first privy councillors Vid.]
[the earl of Hartford, had the government of the Strype’s Mem. of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I p 50;]
[kingdom entrusted to him by the king, when he Burnet’s Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I. pp. 517, 663;]
[departed for France, A.D. 1544. In 1545 he was Vol. IL pp. 7, 36, 471, 478-9, 752; Vol IIL pp.]
[sent as ambassador to Germany. He was also one 317, 490, Part 11. pp. 281, 342. Ed. Oxon. 1829.]]
[of the privy council appointed by Henry VIIIth’s [^ The postscript is in the archbishop’s hand. ]]
[will to assist his exccutors, and afterwards became]
Merynge hath desired me to write unto you in his favour, whose letter I have sent unto you, commending his cause also unto you; for I know. his impotency this five or six years. Meseemeth it is a strange thing that the king’s justices of peace should be handled as the adversaries of these men pretend, unless some manifest and evident cause were against them. I am informed that the baily of Newark boasteth, that Sir John Markham shall be committed unto ward before he make his answer.
Your assured everT. Cantuarien
To mane especial good friend, master
secretary, this be delivered.
CLXII. To Lord Lisle?
ArrER my right hearty commendations to your lordship. This shall be to yield
unto the same my hearty thanks for your pains taken with my loving friend Sir Edward Kyngisley in provision of such wines as are sent unto Canterbury for me against this time; wherein you have shewed unto me no small pleasure: requiring your lordship of your like assistance in the provision of the rest, for the which I have written my mind unto the said Sir Edward Kyngisley. And if there be any pleasure here that I may shew unto you or any of yours, I pray you to be as bold of me; beseeching you, my lord, that I may be heartily commended unto my lady your wife. Thus, my lord, most heartily fare you well. At Croydon, the 17th day of November. [1535.]
Your lordship’s Cantuarien
To my very loving lord, my lord
deputy of Calais
[[ The following is a copy of Sir W. Merynge’s die this hour, I would take it death as I would an-]
[letter: swer before God. Thus, my own most singular good]
[State Paner Most reverend and honourable father in God lord, I beseech your lordship to be good and gra-]
[Office. Mis and my mostsingular good lord, in my most humble cious lord to me, and to shew my lord chancellor]
[gellang “5 and lowliest manner I recommend me unto your and master secretary what case 1 am in, and to re-]
[Temp He good lordship: most humbly beseeching your grace quire them to be good lord and master to me, and to]
[series. Vol. to be good and gracious lord to me now; for so it the poor town of Newark, which without your and]
[1X Copy is, that my lord the bishop of Lincoln [John Long- their good lordships and mastership the poor town]
[land] and his ungracious servant Foster, his baily of Newark is and shall be utterly destroyed and]
[of Newark, hath delivered me a subpoena, to ap- undone for ever; for such bribery and such poll-]
[pear in the chancery quindena Michelis next coming, ing as is there, is not within any town in England]
[upon pain of an cli.; and God knoweth, if I should this day. And if they can prove that ever I did]
[lose all the land and goods that I have in the world, to Foster, or caused to be done, contrary to the]
[I may neither ride nor go but with two staveslike king’slaws, then let me be punished to the example]
[two crutches: and farther do I not labour, but in of all others. Thus I can no more, but to my little]
[my poor house to my chapel and to my garden; power I am and ever shall be during my life natural]
[and when I go in my wagon to Newark to do your true beadman, as knoweth the Holy Trinity,]
[my duty in serving the king’s most noble grace at who ever preserve your good lordship. From Mo-]
[his sessions there; and God he knoweth what pain rynge, the 6th day of October, by the hand of your]
[that is tome. I suppose, of my conscience, no poor old beadman, William Morynge.]
[wretch in this world doth labour with such pain “To his most reverend and honourable]
[as I do; and now to have a subpena, to answer father in God, and my most singular]
[unto such matters as I never offended in, nor never good lord, my lord archbishop of —.]
[gave cause unto the bishop of Lincoln, nor unto Canterbury’s good grace.”]]
[Foster his baily, nor never did them any manner [? This letter has never been before printed: the]
[of displeasure, but that I did my duty in serving date is doubtful, but upon examination of the other]
[the king’s most noble grace at his sessions, without letters of the archbishop, it seems probable that it]
[that at ever I did or caused thing to be done there was written in this year.]]
[contrary to the king’s laws; and that if I should]
CLXIIL to Crumwell
Rianr worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. These shall be to signify unto you, that at my being at Christ’s church in Canterbury this last week, I was desired to interpretate one article of the late injunctions, giving in the king’s grace’s visitation, which concerneth the dimission, as well of such as were professed under twenty years of age, as also other that be now under twenty-four. And although the words be so plain, that (in mine opinion) there needeth no interpretation, yet forasmuch as doubts be made therein, I will not take upon me to make any exposition herein but such as you shall make, by whose authority the injunctions were given.
The article is this?: Item, quod nullus deinceps permittatur profiteri regularem observantiam, aut vestem suscipere religionis per confratres hujus domus gestari solitam, nisi vicesimum sua ztatis annum compleverit. Et si qui Jam sub vicesimo anno completo in veste hujusmodi intra hanc domum jam inducti sunt, et si qui alii sub vicesimo quarto anno existentes discedere velint, illam quamprimum se exuant; et magister hujus domus suo sumptu vestibus secularibus et honestis ad prasens ornet, et ad amicos suos clariores cum viaticis competentibus transmittendos curet.”
The first doubt is this, whether such persons only shall be dimissed of their religion as were professed under twenty year of age, and be now under twenty-four; or else both they that be now under twenty-four, though they were professed after twenty, and also they that were professed under twenty, though they be now above twentyfour. The second doubt is, where the prior is commanded to apparel those that shall be dimissed in secular habits, and to send them unto their chief friends upon his proper costs and charges; whether he shall take from them their wages, and such money and stuff as they have given them by their friends, or spared of their wages, or that he shall take all manner of things from them, and send them to their friends with only their apparel and necessary expenses. Whatsoever interpretation you shall give hereunto, I shall see it put in execution, desiring you that I may be certified of your mind by this bearer. Thus our Lord preserve you in health. At Canterbury, the 18th day of November. [1535.]
Your assured evr, Cantuarien
To the right worshipful and my special
friend, master secretary. CLXIV. To Crumwll
ArrEn most hearty commendations: this shall be to signify unto you, that my servant Kylligrewe shewed me that your mind was, I should send unto you one of
my servants whom I trusted as myself, by whom you might communicate unto me your mind in certain things which you have to say unto me. And to satisfy your mind herein I have sent unto you my chaplain, master Champion, who hath a head able to receive all that you put into it; and he is of that trust, that whatsoever you [? The only article which appears in the Gene- entice nor allure no man with suasions and blandishral injunctions to be given on the king’s highness’s ments to take the religion upon him.” (p. 222.) At
[behalf in all monasteries and other houses,” printed the end of the injunctions is the following passage:]
[by Burnet, (Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I. Part 11. pp. ” Other spiritual injunctions may be added by the]
[217—223,) from Cotton MSS. Cleop. E. 4. fol. 21, visitor, as the place and nature of the comperts shall]
[now preserved in the British Museum, is the follow- require after his discretion.” The original word is]
[ing: Also, that no man be suffered to profess, or jurisdictions,” which Burnet suggests is evidently]
[to wear the habit of religion in this house, ere he be meant for injunctions.” ]]
[twenty-four years of age complete; and that they [^ Vid. Letter CXLV. p. 304.]]
shall say unto him, you may impute it said only unto myself. By him also I have sent letters to be delivered unto the king’s highness by you or by him, as you shall think good. Thus Almighty God have you alway in his preservation! From Ford, the 22nd day of November. [1535.]
Your assured everT. Cantuarien
To mine especial good friend, master
Crumawell, chief secretary unto
the king’s highness.
CLXV. To Lord Lisle”
My very good lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto your lordship. And where that upon credible report I understand that there is one Thomas King now abiding in the town of Calice, which heretofore was married unto one Elynour Saygrave, whose company and conversation he hath left, and liveth now incontinently with another woman, denying his former marriage; and to the intent that his both offence and ungodly example be not unto other an occasion of evil, I have sent unto my commissary commanding him to see them both punished according to the law. Wherein I desire you, my lord, to be assistant unto him in this behalf, so that by your favour and aid the same may be more earnestly accomplished as justice shall require therein. Over this I beseech you, my lord, (inasmuch as I hear say that there is good provision of wines with you,) that you will send me word if it be so, and then to help me therein when I shall send to your lordship for the same; wherein you shall do unto me a singular pleasure. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well, beseeching your lordship to have me most heartily commended unto my good lady: I am her own for her goodness shewed unto my chaplains. At Ford, the 20th day of December. [1535.]
Your own assured, Cantuarien
To my very singular good lord,
my lord Lisle, lord deputy
of Calice.
CLXVI. To Crumwell
Riaur worshipful, in my right hearty manner I commend me unto you: likewise: 9:. fol thanking you for the good favour which ye bear to this bearer doctor Mallet?, my chaplain, declaring your benevolence to him in his preferment unto the mastership of ^ Mychel House in Cambridge; for the which your goodness, as I well perceive, he is right sorry that he is not of ability partly to recompense the same: howbeit I beseech
[[! This letter has never before been printed: the tion, the articles of A. p. 1562. Vid. Fuller’s Hist.]
[date is not easily to be determined, but as the arch- of Cambridge, pp. 169, 70. Ed. Lond. 1840.]
[bishop was at Ford, Nov. 22, it may have followed Strype’s Eccl. Mem. Vol. II. Part 1. pp. 46, 447,]
[in that year.] 452; Vol. III. Part 11. p. 136. Ed. Oxon. 1822. [53 Francis Mallet was the successor of Nicholas Annals, Vol. I. Part τ. p. 490; Vol. IV. p. 613.]
[Wilson, in the mastership of Michael-house, Cam- Life of Abp. Parker, Vol. I. p. 65. Lamb’s Hist.]
[bridge, A. D. 1533. He was twice Vice-chancellor of Account of xxxix. Articles, p. 21.]]
[this university, and was chaplain to the princess [? A.D. 1546, Hen. VIII. “seized Michael-]
[Mary: he was indicted for saying mass in the reign house into his hands,.and King’s-hall, the best]
[of Edward VI., and sent to the tower: Parker, landed foundation in the university. Also he took]
[afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, being spoil- Fistewick’s-hostle, (a house unendowed.). Of]
[ed” of the deanery of Lincoln, May 21, A.D. 1554, these three he compounded one fair college, dedi-]
[it was conferred upon Mallet by queen Mary, who cating it to the holy and undivided Trinity, and]
[intended to have made him bishop of Salisbury. endowing it with plentiful revenues.” Fuller’s]
[He subscribed, by proxy, as a member of convoca- Hist, of Cambridge, pp. 173, 4.]]
you therein to accept his good mind and heart, which I know he beareth to you unfeignedly, reknowledging thankfully your favourable mind declared effectuously to his preferment.
And where it is appointed by the king’s grace’s visitation, that he should bring up to you or yours all manner statutes, muniments, and writings, that appertaineth unto his college and to the foundation thereof, before Candlemas next; I pray you, inasmuch as I have occupied him here in preaching within my diocese all this quarter last past, and have appointed him to preach at Paul’s Cross the Sunday immediately before Candlemas, that you will give him liberty till a fortnight after Candlemas-day. And by that time he shall be ready to accomplish his injunction in that behalf. Over this, I heartily desire you to be so good unto him, as to hear him and favour his reasonable request, in a matter concerning not only his college but also the quietness of the whole university; which thing if you stay not, he fears shall turn both to the hinderance of that good order which he hath already set in his own house, and also to the disquietness of the university. Thus heartily fare ye well. At Knolle, the xviiith day of Januarii. [ 1536.]
Your own assured everT. Cantuarien. CLXVII. To King Henry VIII
PrLEAsE it your most noble grace to be advertised, that upon Friday last passed one called John Milles of Chevenyng opened a book in the church, wherein he.. ile.. found this schedule which I send now unto your grace herein inclosed, in the which.. ον Ὡς ^.. is written Rex tanquam Tyrannus opprimit populum suum.” Then the said John Milles called two or three of his neighbours unto him, and consulted whose hand the said writing should be of, but they could not divine who did write it: howbeit they suspect one Sir Thomas Baschurche, priest, sometime secretary unto the bishop of Canterbury my predecessor, whom I suppose your grace doth know. This same day in the morning the said Sir Thomas of his own mind came unto the foresaid John Milles, and confessed the same schedule to be of his making and writing.
Here I have shewed unto your grace the said Sir Thomas’ fact and his confession, according as by mine allegiance and oath I am bounden. If it please the same to hear also some of his qualities, I shall inform your grace, partly as I know, and partly as I am informed.
At April next coming it shall be three years since the said Sir Thomas fell into despair, and thereby into a sickness, so that he was in peril of death. Of his sickness within a quarter of a year after he recovered; but of his despair he never yet recovered, but saith he is assured that he shall be perpetually damned. My chaplains and divers other learned men have reasoned with him, but no man can bring him in other opinion, but that he, like unto Esau, was created unto damnation; and hath divers times and sundry ways attempted to kill himself, but by diligent looking unto he hath hitherto been preserved. A little before Christmas last, as I am credibly informed by honest men of the same parish, a priest deceived him of twenty nobles, and ever since he hath been much worse than ever he was before; so that upon St Thomas day in Christmas he had almost hanged himself with his own tippet, and
[[ Dr Legh, or Lee, who had been appointed went up to London and delivered them to secre-]
[with Leighton and Loudon to visit the monasteries tary Crumwell, chancellor of the university.” In]
[by Crumwell, was at Cambridge, Oct. 22, 1535. his custody the records slept well-nigh a whole]
[In obedience to Dr Legh’s injunctions, the whole year,” when it was thought fit to restore them]
[university before Candlemas-day next ensuing sur- again, without the loss of a shoe-latchet.” Fuller’s]
[rendered to the king all their charters, donations, Hist.of Cambridge, pp. 166, 7, 169. Vid. Burnet’s]
[statutes, popes’ bulls, and papistical muniments, Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I. p. 369.]]
[with an exact rental of their lands, and inventory of [5 Vid. Letter XXXVII. p. 255.]]
[their goods. The Vice-chancellor and senior proctor]
said to certain persons the same day, as soon as high mass was done, he would proclaim your grace a traitor, which nevertheless he did not. And within this ten or twelve days he had almost slain himself with a pen-knife. And this same day in the morning when he confessed the foresaid schedule to be made and written by him, John Milles said unto him, that he supposed your grace would pardon his offence, considering what case he was in. Then he in a rage said, “If I cannot be rid this way, I shall be rid another way.”
Now have I declared unto your grace as well the fact, as the state and condition of the said Sir Thomas Baschurche, that your grace may order him after your most gracious pleasure, whereof I beseech your grace that I may be ascertained by this bearer my chaplain.
I was purposed this week according to my duties to have waited upon your grace; but I am so vexed with a catarrh and a rheum in my head, that not only it should be dangerous unto me, but also noisome unto your grace by reason of extreme coughing and excreations which I cannot eschew. As soon as I shall be delivered hereof, I shall attend upon your highness, by the grace of Almighty God; who ever have your most noble grace in his most blessed tuition and guidance. From Knoll, the xviith day of January. [1530.]
Your graces most humble beadsman and chaplain
Unto the king’s most noble grace. T. CANTUARIEN.
CLXVIII. To Lord Lisle”
My very loving lord, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto your lordship. Vol. And so, according to your desire and request, I send here unto you your own man, 75 master Ioore, whom, forasmuch as the last Lent you liked so well, I have appointed again to preach with you, now accompanied with a very honest, discreet, and well learned man, named master Nycols; beseeching your lordship with the rest of the council, to aid and assist them in the doctrine of the gospel, and in the promoting of the truth; wherein no doubt you shall not alonely do acceptable service unto God, worthy to be condignly rewarded, but also deserve of our prince thanks for the same. Over this I pray you, my lord, to have me most heartily commended unto my good lady. Thus, my lord, heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the 4th day of March. [1536.]
Your ever assured, Cantuarien
To my very loving lord, my lord
Lyle, lord. deputy of the town
of Calice.
CLXIX. To Lord Lisle
Riamr worshipful and my very loving lord, in my right hearty wise I commend Nob me to your lordship; likewise thanking the same for the good cheer which ye made to my suffragan at his late being with you in these parts. So it is that a poor widow, of the town of Calise, named Elizabeth Beston, have offered unto me her supplication, which I send unto you herein inclosed; whereby she complaineth of injury done unto her (as she pretendeth) by one William Berdiseley of the same town. Forasmuch as it is meritorious to help and succour poor widows and such other as be comfortless and oppressed with injury, I therefore pray your lordship to take some pains to hear the same matter, and the same so to order as your lordship shall think to stand with equity and justice, and with the true meaning of a certain will and
[1 This and the following letter have not appeared in any previous collection.]]
testament which she shall exhibit and shew unto you for the proof and trial of her claim and interest, as she pretendeth. For thus doing she shall pray for you. And as these be further to desire you to move, monish, and advertise my commissary there to do his duty and office at such times as ye shall see him remiss or negligent in the same, (albeit I have good confidence that he will diligently attend thereunto, and in the same minister justice indifferently;) so in like wise I pray you to aid and assist him in all his lawful and sincere proceedings, specially at such times as he shall fear to do justice for displeasure of worshipful and noble personages. From Lamhith, the 16th day of March. [1536.]
Your own assured, Cantuar
To the right worshipful and my very
loving lord, my lord Lisle, deputy
of Calise. ‘:
CLXX. To Crumwell
Rigar worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto you: and, as one that is bold many times to trouble you with suits both for myself and my friends, which naturally, yea, and by the law of God, I am bound to do, in my right heartiest wise desire you to be so good master unto this bearer my brother-in-law? who is
now the clerk of my kitchen, and for whom I spake unto you yesterday at the court, as to get him the farm or lease of the priory of Shelford, or of some other house of religion in Nottinghamshire, where his native country is, which now are by the act of Parliament suppressed; and he shall find the king’s grace sufficient sureties for the payment of the rents and revenues thereto belonging. Thus right heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the 25 day of March. [1536].
^] pray you let not this suit be prejudicial to my servant Francis Basset, who would gladly be your servant, but that I may also continue a suitor unto you for him.
Your own assured everT. Cantuarien
To the right worshipful master secretary
unto the king’s highness. CLXXI. To Crumwell
Ricar worshipful, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. These shall be to desire you to give credence unto this bearer Mr Champion, my chaplain, touching
such things as he shall open and declare unto you; and that you will signify unto me by him part of your mind in that behalf. “Thus heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the 29 day of March. [1536.]
Your own ever assured, Cantuarien
To the right honourable and my
singular good friend, master
secretary.
[[ Probably, as Dr Jenkyns suggests, the Harold ford came under this act, which possessed the annual]
[Rosell addressed in Letter XLI.] income of £151.14s. Vid. Speed’s History of Great [ The great business of this session ( Feb. 1536) Britain, Catalogue of Religious Houses, p. 1005. 2.]
[S^ the suppressing the lesser monasteries.. Ed. Lond. 1632. Vid. Tanner’s Notit. Monast.]
[whereupon 10 was enacted, that all houses, which Nottinghamshire. XVII. Shelford. Ed. Camb.]
[might spend yearly £200. or within it, should be 1787.]]
[suppressed, and their revenues converted to better [ The postscript is in the archbishop’s hand. ]]
[uses,” &c. Bumet’s Hist. of Reformat, Vol. I. [^ Vid. Letters CXLV. CLXIV. pp. 304, 317.]]
[pp. 388, 9. Ed. Oxon. 1829. The priory of Shel- [crANMER, 1.7 21]
a CLXXII. To Crumwell
ALas, master secretary! you forget master Smyth of the exchequer, who is near consumed with thought and pensiveness: even pity moveth me to rue the man, if I could, for his son’s sake chiefly, and also for his own. I would give a great part of that I have to help him; and where I cannot myself, I make all my friends for him: so importune I am upon my friends from my friend his cause, I suppose more than I would be for mine own, or ever was: ruth and importunity of my friend maketh me so vehement against mine own nature. I have sent this bearer only to wait upon you until you have an answer of the king, and to put you in continual remembrance; for much business maketh you to forget many things, and yet I wonder that you remember so many things as you do. I was ever hitherto cold, but now I am in a heat with the cause of religion, which goeth all contráry to mine expectation, if it be as the fame goeth; wherein I would wonder fain break my mind unto you, and if you please, I will come to such place as you shall appoint for the same purpose. Thus he that made you ever keep you! From Knoll, the 22 day of April. [1530. ]
Your own assured everT. Cantuarien
To my very loving friend, Mr
Secretary. CLXXIII. To Lord Lisle
My Lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me to you, and in like wise to my Yo. good lady your wife, thanking you both for the well and gentle entreating of my chaplains’ which of late were with you at Calice. And where you wrote unto me, that you have been noted a papist by some of my house (as you be informed), and that unworthily, inasmuch as you have every where spoken against the acts and living of the pope, and thereby the less have deserved to be accounted his fautour; my lord, it is not the person of the bishop of Rome, which usurpeth the name of the pope, that is so much to be detested, but the very papacy and the see of Rome, which hath by their laws suppressed Christ, and set up the bishop of that see as a God of this world. And where the word of God was adversary and against his authority, pomp, covetousness, idolatry, and superstitious doctrine, he spying this became adversary unto the word of God, falsifying it, extorting it out of the true sense, and (as much as he might) suppressing it by policy, craft, bye-laws and doctrines, contrary to the word of God, by power of himself and aid of other princes, and by divers other ways and means. And this is the chief thing to be detested in that see, that it hath brought the professors of Christ into such an ignorance of Christ. And besides this he hath consumed and wasted innumerable goods of all Christendom for the maintenance of that estate, to the intolerable impoverishment of all christian realms. Which said dominion and power, with other corrupt doctrines by them invented, is the thing rather to be abhorred than the person; yea, and the person also, if he prosecute to
[[! “This may perhaps have been John Smith, March 4, [A.D. 1536.] In that year Easter fell on]
[father of the celebrated Sir Thomas Smith, who the 16th April, and Ash Wednesday on the lst]
[about this time was distinguishing himself by his March; and this letter was evidently forwarded on]
[lectures on Greek at Cambridge. See Strype’s Life their return. In the preceding year, 1535, Easter]
[of Smith.” Jenkyns’ Remains of Abp. Cranmer, fell on 28th March, and Hore was dispatched over]
[Vol. I. p. 162, n. d.] to Calais a month earlier. The year in which this? This Letter has not appeared in any previous letter was sent to Lord Lisle was therefore, in all]
[collection. probability, 1536. Vid. Letters CXXXI. CLXVIII.]
[3 Hore and Nycols were sent as Lent preachers, pp. 298, 320. ]]
maintain the same. Therefore, albeit that some peradventure have partly suspected you to have favoured this his said usurped power by ignorance; yet nevertheless, inasmuch as I perceive that both you, of your gentle nature and the great towardness of that your good lady, be so inclined to promote the word of God, that shall from henceforth enforce me from time to time to stand in this behalf for your defence, as well to the king’s highness and his most honourable council, as to other; requiring your lordship, as you do now favour the word of God, so to persevere to the end; whereby you shall not alonely deserve of God immortal reward for the same, but also be sure of me to do unto you such pleasure as I may. And as touching my commissary, I require you to be his good lord: he is the man of whom I never heard evil word spoken by you; I trust you shall both find him a plain and an honest man. Over this I give unto your lordship most hearty thanks for the pains which you have taken in my cousin Barton’s cause. If there be any causes whereby I may take such pains for you or yours, I will be at all times ready to accomplish the same. And thus to make an end, I pray you to have me most heartily commended unto my good lady. Thus our Lord preserve you both in prosperity. At Otford, the 28 day of April. [1536.]
Your loving friend
(Signed) Trnomas CANTUAR. To my very singular good lord and my
especial friend my lord Lyall, deputy
of our sovereign lord the king wn the
town of Calice.
CLXXIV. To King Henry Viii-
I cannot deny but your grace hath great causes many ways of lamentable heaviness; and also, that in the wrongful estimation of the world your graces honour of every part is so highly touched, (whether the things that commonly be spoken of be true, or not,) that I remember not that ever Almighty God sent unto your grace any like occasion to try your grace’s constancy throughout, whether your highness can be content to take of God’s hand as well things displeasant as pleasant. And if he find in your noble heart such an obedience unto his will, that your grace, without murmuration and overmuch heaviness, do accept all adversities, not less thanking him than when all things succeeded after your graces will and pleasure, nor less procuring his glory and honour; then I suppose your grace did never thing more acceptable unto him, since your first governance of this your realm: and moreover, your grace shall give unto him occasion to multiply and increase his graces and benefits unto your highness, as he did unto his most faithful servant Job; unto whom, after his [ « For the circumstances under which this letter “4lst. of Engl. Vol. II. pp. 436, 442, 8vo.: Mackin-was written, and for some of the discordant judg- =~ tosh, Hist. of Engl. in Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclo-ments which have been passed on it, see Burnet’s pzdia, Vol. II. p. 194.” Jenkyns.— The original Hist. of Reformat. Vol. I. p. 402; Lingard, Hist. letter is much injured by fire: the sentences wanting of Engl. Vol. VI. p. 319. 8vo.; Turner, Modern are supplied from Burnet.];
2]—29
great calamities and heaviness, for his obedient heart and willing acceptation of God’s scourge and rod, “addidit ei Dominus cuncta duplicia.”
And if it be true, that is openly reported of the queen’s grace; if men had a right estimation of things, they should not esteem any part of your grace’s honour to be touched thereby, but her honour only to be clearly disparaged. And I am in such a perplexity, that my mind is clean amazed; for I never had better opinion in woman, than I had in her; which maketh me to think, that she should not be culpable. And again, I think your highness would not have gone so far, except she had surely been culpable. Now I think that your grace best knoweth, that next unto your grace I was most bound unto her of all creatures living. Wherefore I most humbly beseech your grace to suffer me in that, which both God’s law, nature, and also her kindness, bindeth me unto; that is, that I may with your grace’s favour wish and pray for her, that she may declare herself inculpable and innocent. And if she be found culpable, considering your graces goodness towards her, and from what condition your grace of your only mere goodness took her and set the crown upon her head; I repute him not your grace faithful servant and subject, nor true unto the realm, that would not desire the offence without mercy to be punished to the example of all other. And as I loved her not a little for the love which I judged her to bear towards God and his gospel; so, if she be proved culpable, there is not one that loveth God and his gospel that ever will favour her, but must hate her above all other; and the more they favour the gospel, the more they will hate her: for then there was never creature in our time that so much slandered the gospel; and God hath sent her this punishment, for that she feignedly hath professed his gospel in her mouth, and not in heart and deed.
And though she have offended so, that she hath deserved never to be reconciled unto your graces favour; yet Almighty God hath manifoldly declared his goodness towards your grace, and never offended you. But your grace, I am sure, knowledgeth that you have offended him. Wherefore I trust that your grace will bear no less entire favour unto the truth of the gospel, than you did before; forsomuch as your graces favour to the gospel was not led by affection unto her, but by zeal unto the truth. And thus I beseech Almighty God, whose gospel he hath ordained your grace to be defender of, ever to preserve your grace from all evil, and give you at the end the promise of his gospel. From Lambeth, the third day of May. [1536.]
After I had written this letter unto you grace, my lord chancellor, my lord of Oxford, my lord of Sussex, and my lord chamberlain of your grace’s house, sent for me to come unto the star-chamber; and there declared unto me such things as your graces pleasure was they should make me privy unto. For the which I am most bounden unto your grace. And what communication we had together, I doubt not but they will make the true report thereof unto your grace. I am exceeding sorry that such faults can be proved by the queen, as I heard of their relation. But I am, and ever shall be, your faithful subject.
Your grace’s most humble subject and chaplain, Cantuariensis. CLXXV. To Lord Lisle
Mv very singular good lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto vour Lisle i “Nl «e., v Yor lordship. This be to signify unto the same, that I am very much beholding to your lordship, for that it liked you to send this bearer your servant by me in his recourse to Calice. And as now I have nothing unto your said lordship, saving that I may be most heartily commended unto my good lady, to whom eftsoons, as also to you, I give condign thanks for the well entreating of my chaplains at their late being at Calice. And if there be any pleasure in these parties, wherein I may do any thing
! This letter has not appeared in any previous collection.
for you, from time to time, I will be ready to accomplish the same. Thus our Lord preserve you both in prosperity. At Otford, the 8 day of May. [1536.]
Your lordship’s assured
TuoMaAs CANTUAR. To my very singular good lord, my lord Lyle, deputy unto our sovereign lord the king at the town of Calice.
CLXXVI. To Crumwell
My very singular good lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto lordship. And whereas the bearer hereof, Mr Hambleton, upon no consideration (as I understand) is put from his lands and possession in Scotland, but for that favoureth the truth of God’s word; and is, besides his birth, a man of right living and honest conversation, and of gentill behaviour, by whom the word of in this his exile hath no slander, but is the rather to be had in price and esteemed of other, considering that he so willingly hath borne his adversity: these shall be desire you, my lord, to be a mediator unto the king’s highness for him, that, being of this good judgment, he may have of his grace some competent living for his degree. Which, in mine opinion, shall not only be a good and an acceptable deed unto but also much redound to the king’s grace’s honour, so to consider the necessity a gentleman for God’s quarrel; and besides this, your lordship for your part cannot be unrewarded of God for the same. Thus Almighty God have your good lordship in his blessed tuition. At Aldington, the 9th day of August. [1530.]
Your own ever assured, Cantuarien
To the right honourable and my
singular good lord, my lord
privy seal.
CLXXVII. To King Henry VIII
[PLEASETH ὃ is: e’s special cott. Mss. SETH 1t your grace to be advertised, that where, as well by your graces sp C AS f. 232. -------- e ec Original: holograph. [? Probably James Hamilton, brother of Patrick exchanged by Henry VIIL, “as he found them British]
[Hamilton the first martyr of the reformation in dispersed in Philpot’s book of Kent;” amongst eg]
[Scotland, [A.D 1527.] Foxe gives a narrative of which Aldington (near Ashford) is named, where Mc of Abp.]
[the execution of Patrick Hamilton at St Andrew’s, was a seat for the archbishop, a park, and a chase (dpi 13]
[A.D. 1528. Acts and Monuments, pp. 973, et seq. for deer, called Aldington Frith.” Strype’s Mem. Vol. II. pP.]
[Ed. Lond. 1583… James Hamilton was accused of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. pp. 404, 5. Ed. Oxon μας ea:]
[as one that maintained the opinion of master Patrick 1840.]]
[his brother. To whom the king gave counsel to [5 Dr Jenkyns has fixed the date of this letter.]
[depart, and not to appear; for in case he appeared, A.D. 1536, and gives the following note to establish]
[he could not help him, because the bishops had his opinion:— Some writers have named 1534 as]
[persuaded him that the cause of heresy did in no the date of this letter. Strype (Mem. of Abp. Cran-]
[wise appertain unto him. And so James fled, and mer, p. 32) and Mr Todd (Life of Cranmer, Vol.]
[was condemned as an heretic, and all his goods and I. p. 110) fix 1535. But the Michaelmas men-]
[lands confiscate, and disposed unto others.” Ibid. tioned in the first sentence, as might be supposed]
[p. 982.] from the context, and as is proved beyond question]
[l [ This allusion to Mr Hambleton’s birth, by Letter CLX. (pp. 313, 14, of this edition,) was]
[agrees well with the supposition that he was the the Michaelmas of 1535; and the letter there-]
[James Hamilton mentioned ín the foregoing note, fore must have been written in 1536. There can]
[who. was nearly related to the king of Scot- also be no doubt respecting the time, when the]
[land.” Jenkyns’ Remains of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. kingsent his order to the bishops to preach against]
[I. p. 166.] the papal supremacy; for this order is here posi- [ Strype gives a list of the several manors, &c. tively stated to have been dated the third of]
letters, dated the third day of June in the xxviith year of your grace’s most noble reign, as also by mouth in Winchester at Michaelmas last past, your grace commanded all the prelates of your realm, that they with all acceleration and expedition should do their diligence every one in his diocese, fully to persuade your people of the bishop of Rome his authority, that it is but a false and unjust usurpation, and that your grace, of very right and by God’s law, is the supreme head of this church of England, next immediately unto God; I, to accomplish your graces commandment, incontinent upon my return from Winchester, (knowing that all the country about Otford and Knoll, where my most abode was, were sufficiently instructed in those matters already,) came up into these parts of East Kent, only by preaching to persuade the people in the said two articles: and in mine own church at Canterbury, because I was informed that that town in those two points was least persuaded of all my diocese, I preached there two sermons myself; and, as it then chanced, Dr Leighton was present at my first sermon, being then your grace’s visitor’. Of whom, if it so please your grace, you may hear the report, what I preached.
The scope and effect of both my sermons stood in three things. First, I declared that the bishop of Rome was not God’s vicar in earth, as he was taken: and although it was so taught these three or four hundreth years, yet it was done by means of the bishop of Rome, who compelled men by oaths so to teach, to the maintenance of his authority, contrary to God’s word. And here I declared by what means and craft the bishops of Rome obtained such usurped authonty.
Second, because the see of Rome was called sancta sedes Romana,” and the bishop was called sanctissimus papa;” and men’s consciences peradventure could not be quiet to be separated from so holy a place, and from God’s most holy vicar; I shewed the people that this thing ought nothing to move them, for it was but a holiness in name; for indeed there was no such holiness at Rome. And hereupon I took occasion to declare the glory and pomp of Rome, the covetousness, the unchaste living, and the maintenance of all vices.
Third, I spake against the bishop of Rome his laws; which he calleth divinas leges,” and ‘sacros canones,” and maketh them equal with God’s law. And here I declared that many of his laws were contrary to God’s laws. And some of them which were good and laudable, yet they were not of such holiness as he would make them; that is, to be taken as God’s laws, or to have remission of sins by observing of them. And here I said, that so many of his laws as were good, men ought not to contemn and despise them, and wilfully to break them; for those that be good your grace had received as laws of your realm, until such time as others should be made. And therefore as laws of your realm they must be observed, and not contemned.
And here I spake as well of the ceremonies of the church as of the foresaid laws; that they ought neither to be rejected or despised, nor yet to be observed with this opinion, that they of themselves make men holy, or that they remit sin. For seeing that our sins be remitted by the death of our Saviour Christ Jesus, I said it was too much injury to Christ to impute the remission of our sins to any laws or ceremonies of man’s making: nor the laws and ceremonies of the church at their first making were ordained for that intent. But as the common laws of your grace’s realm be not made to remit sin, nor no man doth observe them for that intent, but for a common commoJune, 27 Hen. VIII. i.e. 1535. Yet both of the Thomas More, who suffered on the 22d of June, above-named writers, together with Wilkins, have 1535. See Burnet, Hist. of Reformat. Vol. III. p. supposed a proclamation of the 9th of June, which 188, and Append. Book ii. No. 32.” (Vol. III. refers to it, to have been issued in 1534. Strype’s Part 11. p. 100. Ed. Oxon. 1829.) Mem. Eccl. Vol. I. p. 168. (Vol. I. p. 259. Ed. [! Vid. Letter CXLVIII. pp. 306, 7.]
[Oxon. 1822.) Todd’s Life of Cranmer, Vol. I. [2 Vid. Letter CLX. p. 314, n. 2.]]
[p. 110. Wilkins’ Concilia, Vol. III. p. 772. This [? ‘T’his again confirms the dates given above;]
[is the more extraordinary, as a document of the for it was in Oct. 1535, that Leighton was first]
[29th of June, of a similar character, printed by employed as visitor of monasteries. Burnet’s Hist.]
[Burnet, contains in itself evidence of its date in an of Reformat. Vol. I. p. 369.” Jenkyns’ Remains]
[allusion to the deaths of bishop Fisher and Sir of Abp. Cranmer, Vol. I. p. 168, n. n.]]
dity, and for a good order and quietness to be observed among your subjects; even so were the laws and ceremonies first instituted in the church for a good order, and remembrances of many good things, but not for remission of our sins. And though it be good to observe them well for that intent they were first ordained; yet it is not good, but a contumely unto Christ, to observe them with this opinion, that they remit sin; or that the very bare observation of them in itself is a holiness before God: although they be remembrances of many holy things, or a disposition unto goodness. And even so do the laws of your grace’s realm dispose men unto justice, to peace, and other true and perfect holiness. Wherefore I did conclude for a general rule, that the people ought to observe them, as they do the laws of your graces realm, and with no more opinion of holiness, or remission of sin, than the other common laws of your graces realm.
Though my two sermons were long, yet I have written briefly unto your highness the sum of them both. And I was informed by sundry reports, that the people were glad that they heard so much as they did; until such time as the prior of the black friars at Canterbury preached a sermon, as it was thought and reported, clean contrary unto all the three things which I had preached before.
For as touching the first part, where I had preached against the erroneous doctrine of the bishop of Rome his power; which error was, that by God’s law he should be God’s vicar here in earth; the prior would not name the bishop of Rome, but under colour spake generally, that the church of Christ never erred.
And as touching the second part, where I spake of the vices of the bishops of Rome and their see; the prior said that he would not slander the bishops of Rome. And he said openly to me in a good audience, that he knew no vices by none of the bishops of Rome. And he said also openly, that I preached uncharitably, when I said that these many years I had daily prayed unto God that I might see the power of Rome destroyed; and that I thanked God that I had now seen it in this realm. And yet in my sermon I declared the cause wherefore I so prayed. For I said, that I perceived the see of Rome work so many things contrary to God’s honour and the wealth of this realm, and I saw no hope of amendment so long as that see reigned over us; and for this cause only I had prayed unto God continually, that we might be separated from that see; and for no private malice or displeasure that I had either to the bishop or see of Rome. But this seemed an uncharitable prayer to the said prior, that the power of Rome should be destroyed.
And as for the third part, where I preached against the laws of the bishop of Rome; that they ought not to be taken as God’s laws, nor to be esteemed so highly as he would have them; the prior, craftily leaving out the name of the bishop of Rome, preached, that the laws of the church be equal with God’s laws. These things he preached, as it is proved both by sufficient witness and also by his own confession.
I leave the judgment hereof unto your grace and to your council, whether this were a defence of the bishop of Rome, or not. And I only, according to my bounden duty, have reported the truth of the fact. But in mine opinion, if he had spoken nothing else, yet whosoever saith that the church never erred, maintaineth the bishop of Rome his power. For if that were not erroneous that was taught of his power, That he is Christ’s vicar in earth, and by God’s law head of all the world, spiritual and temporal; and that all people must believe that de necessitate salutis;” and that whosoever doeth any thing against the see of Rome is an heretic; and that he hath authority also in purgatory; with such other many false things, which were taught in times past to be articles of our faith: if these things were not erroneous, yea, and
[[ They were called dominican, black, preach- white coat; dominican, because St Dominic was]
[ing friars: preaching, because they were the their founder.” Somner’s Antiq. of Cant. p. 106,]
[only preachers of all the friars; black, because of Ed. Lond. 1610.]]
[their habit, which was a black cope and cowl over a [ To the bishops, Strype.]]
errors in the faith, then must needs your grace’s laws be erroneous, that pronounce the bishop of Rome to be of no more power by God’s law than other bishops, and them to be traitors that defend the contrary. This is certain, that whosoever saith that the church never erred, must either deny that the church ever taught any such errors of the bishop of Rome his power, and then they speak against that which all the world knoweth, and all books written of that matter these three or four hundreth years do testify; or else they must say, that the said errors be none errors, but truths. And then it is both treason and heresy.
At my first examination of him, which was before Christmas, he said, that he preached not against me, nor that I had preached any thing amiss. But now he saith, that I preached amiss in very many things, and that he purposely preached against me?; and this he reporteth openly: by which words I am marvellously slandered in these parts. And for this cause I beseech your grace, that I may not have the judgment of the cause, forsomuch as he taketh me for a party; but that your grace would commit the hearing hereof unto my lord privy seal, or else to associate unto me some other person at your graces pleasure, that we may hear the case jointly together.
If this man, who hath so highly offended your grace, and preached against me openly, being ordinary and metropolitan of this province; and that in such matters as concern the authority, misliving, and the laws of the bishop of Rome; and that also within mine own church; if he, I say, be not looked upon, I leave unto your grace’s prudence to expend, what example this may be unto others with like colour to maintain the bishop of Rome his authority; and also, of what estimation I shall be reputed hereafter, and what credence shall be given unto my preaching, whatsoever I shall say hereafter.
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