Search York

then. Rent reserved, 4Z. 9.S. Sob. and 18/. 7^. 9ob.

rnd^ChaATr ^he same date. To the Dean and Chapter of the col-
of Tiiorn- legiatc church of Thornton in Lincolnshire, in consideration

ton. ^

OF KING EDWARD VI. 121
of the manor of Carleton in the moor land, in the county CHAP,

of Lincoln, and divers other lands and tenements in the ^'

same county, were granted the advowson of the rectory of Anno 1547.

Flamsted in the county of Hertford, and the advowson of

the rectory of Holme in Spalding, in the county of York.

Nov. 5. For the erection or founding of the deanery The church

and chapter of Norwich, was granted the scite of the late^^^^ f™^_

cathedral church of Norwich, with all its ancient privileges, ed.

and all the jewels and implements of the said church.

Nov. 9. To the Dean and Chapter of the church of the To the Dean

Holy Trinity in Norwich were granted in perpetual alms ^'^^^J^^^;^^;^^';

the manors of Hindoleston, Newton, Catton, Pookethorp,

Eaton, Taverham, Aldeby, Ambringale, Worsted, Dylla-

ham, and divers other manors, lands, and tenements, in the

counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, York, Lincoln, Norwich, Kent.

And the time of the issues was from the time of the disso-

lution of the cathedral church of Norwich. Rent reserved

was 89?. 11^. 5ob.
For it may be here marked, that this church of Norwich How this

continued a monastery of prior and monks to the second ^^^"^^^^ ^e

day of May, ami. Reg. Henrici VIII. xxx^. At which time founded by

the said King Henry translated them from a prior and

convent into a dean and chapter, as by his letters patents

appear. By virtue of which letters patents they continued

a dean and chapter, and held all the lands to the late prior

and convent belonging, till the 3d of June, anno 1 Reg.

Edw. VI. At which day and time the said dean and chap-

ter, for certain causes them moving, did surrender into the

hands of the said King Edward all their said church, and

all and singular their lands and rights whatsoever. Where-

upon the said King, in the month of November aforesaid,

did anew erect and found the said church, by the name of

Ecclesice Sanctcs et Indivichcce Trinitatis Norwici ex fun-

datione Reg. Edward VI. and did endow it with all and

singular the lands, &c. aforesaid ; reserving to himself the

rent above mentioned. Which Queen Elizabeth by letters

patents remitted, saving 50/. by year. The reason the Dean

and Chapter thus surrendered their church seemed to have

122 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL

BOOK been, because they doubted of the title of their settlement

^- by King Henry ; the Bishop of the diocese, who was the

Anno 1547. founder of the priory in succession, not having given his

consent to tlie translation of the said priory into a dean and

chapter. Which flaw afterwards caused great trouble to

this church under queen Elizabeth.

78 At Christmas I find the King's uncle. Sir Thomas Sei-

The Lord j^Qur, Lord Admiral, the Queen Katharin Par being at En-

gratifies field, gratified Mr. Cheke, the King's careful instructor,

c^^^^^- y^[([^ a gratuity of twenty pounds, giving him also twenty

more for the King, to dispose among his servants that good

time. Though Cheke, knowing probably the ambitious and

designing nature of the Admiral, was very loath to take his

gift, but he pressed it upon him.

The King The Lent following, Latimer preached before the King,

toTat?mer. and his Majesty, being minded to bestow some royal gift

upon the preacher, sent to his said uncle for money, and

for his direction what he should give him. Whereupon he

sent the King forty pounds, with advice to bestow half

thereof upon Latimer, and the other half as gratuities

among his servants.

Treaty con- That whicli was done abroad this year was the securing

Fr'lfncVr^^' of a good understanding with the King's neighbours. Thus

a treaty was entered between King Edward and King Fran-

cis of France, for taking away all occasions of strife and

contention about the limits of the new conquests of Boloign

and Boloignois. Which treaty was agreed, sealed, and de-

livered by the commissioners on both sides. And imme-

diately after, that King died. And Henry II. his son, suc-

ceeded ; who soon violated that treaty ; as shall be seen

hereafter.

And the There was also a treaty of peace, sealed Jan. ult. be-

Emperor. ^^^^^ King Edward and Charles V. Emperor of Rome : to

whose care and friendship King Henry his father, on his

deathbed, recommended his son, the said King Edward.

The King's In this first year of the King, the courtiers got away

first year, from him a great number of fair lordships and manors, on

pretence either of services, or for making good King Henry

OF KING EDWARD VI. 123

his father^s last will, or by way of purchase for dispropor- CHAP.

tionable sums of money, made in consideration of former

services, and in compliment of the deceased King^s will. Anno 1547.

These lands thus given and granted were for the most part

such as had belonged to monasteries and religious founda-

tions, or bishoprics. In this manner were these persons fol- Book of

lowing gratified; Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, the

Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Warwick, the Lord Rich,

Marquis of Northampton, Earl of Southampton, Lord

St. John, Lord Russel, Lord Clynton and Say, the Lord

Seimour, Gertrude Lady Courtney, Sir William Paget,

Sir William Herbert, Sir Thomas Pope, Sir John Bridges,

Sir Rafe Sadleir, Sir Thomas Cawarden, Sir John Gates.

Sir Richard Lee, Sir Rafe Fane, Sir Richard Mannours,

Sir Thomas Palmer, Sir Francis Brian, Sir Anthony Denny,

Sir Anthony Brown, Sir Philip Hoby, Knights ; Thomas

Denton, John Harrington, Richard Cotton, Edward Wald-

grave, Tho. Paston, Henry Thompson, Ger. Harmond,

Richard Cecyl, Esquires, and others. It would be too long

to set down what lands and estates were passed over to each

of them particularly. Which otherwise might be done.
I find divers outlandish learned and godly men this year The begin-

at Canterbury: among the rest there was John Utenho-"^'"^^"^^.^^^^

vius, a person of honourable rank and quality, afterwards church at

elder and assistant to John a Lasco's church in London. " ^^ ^^^'

Here was also Valerandus Pollanus, and one Franciscus ;

and the year after, Bucer was here. Now, I conjecture,

were the beginnings of the foreigners' church planted in

Canterbury, by the countenance and influence of Arch- 79

bishop Cranmer. There was a loving correspondence held

between the said Utenhovius here, and P. Martyr now at

Lambeth. In one of his letters wrote to him this year, he E Bibiioth.

had desired Martyr to let him know the state of religion, ^^^^j ^^'^*

how it stood at that time in the land ; about which, in the

winter of the year 1547, there being then a Parliament and

a Convocation, both were mainly employed. Martyr wrote

him an answer, by a letter dated Jan. 15, and superscribed

Nobili Viro D, Utenhovio; " That as yet he knew nothing

124 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL

BOOK " determined, but that all the most knowing men bid us be

^- " of good heart, and give hopes that the matter will suc-

Anno 1547. " ceed very well. God grant, added he, that it may so

" happen speedily and quietly. Reverendissimus noster et

" strenue et maxima cum laude honorum^ pugnat f that

is, " Our most reverend friend and father the Archbishop

" contends for it strenuously, and with the greatest praise

" of good men.'" And whereas Utenhovius had writ to

Martyr, that they had at Canterbury condones intra pa-

rietes, et conventus pios ; i. e. "sermons and godly meet-

" ings within their own walls ;'' Martyr makes only this re-

mark thereupon, that he doubted not, the Devil envied these

beginnings.
In the year after this, viz. 1548, P. Martyr wrote an-

other letter, dated Sept. 21, from Oxford to Utenhovius at

Canterbury, with the Archbishop there, removed thither

for the plague that then was in or about London. In this

letter there was not much besides a friendly correspondence,

and the signification that he had wrote a letter to Dr. Ponet,

the Archbishop's chaplain, about the business Utenhovius

had desired him. With this letter Martyr told him he had

sent three French crowns in gold borrowed of him : (which,

I suppose, he did upon his first coming to Canterbury

after his arrival in England.) And concluded, wishing him,

and all the holy brethren with him, health and welfare in

the Lord.

The Couu- Images in churches had been so grossly abused, and

ArJhbu^ such idolatry and superstition committed by the means of

shop, for them, that it was in the King'*s Injunctions commanded to

away^' the visitors to remove them every where, wheresoever they

images. j,ad been abused by pilgrimages, censings, and offerings.

Which was yet not so fully done, but that still they re-

mained in many places, there being great strife and conten-

tion about them. For the old priests were loath to part with

these their figures painted and dressed : and many were de-

sirous to retain all, how grossly soever they had been

abused. In some places where they were taken down, they

were set up again, after the visitors were gone away. The

OF KING EDWARD VI. 125

great pretence of those that were so tender of these images CHAP.
was, that some of them had not been abused, and that such ^'
and such had not been offered unto nor censed. And such Anno 1547.

stir was made about them, that tumults were hkely to arise.

And it was observed, where images were left, there was

most contest, and most peace where they were all sheer

pulled down, as they were in some places. Therefore in

the month of February the Council wrote to the Archbi-

shop, " that the lively images of Christ might not contend

" for dead images, which were things not necessary, and

" without which the Church of Christ continued most

" godly many years." Therefore they signified to him,

that it was the King''s pleasure, with the consent and ad-

vice of his Council, that all images should be removed out

of churches and chapels in his diocese ; and that he should 80

signify the same to be done, vmto all the Bishops within his

province. This was dated from Somerset place, and signed

by the Lord Protector, the Lord Russel, the Lord Arun-

del, Sir Thomas Seimour, Sir Anthony Wyngfeld, and Sir

William Paget. And accordingly the Archbishop (who no

question moved for it) sent a copy of this letter, with his

own command thereupon, speedily issued out, to Edmund

Bishop of London. I do not here transcribe the Council's

letter, as it is in Cranmer's register, because it is done al-

ready in Bishop Burnet's History.

CHAP. XL

Sundry wholesome orders of the King for religion. For

the Communion. For Lent. Innovation forhid. The Book

of Common Prayer drawn up : enacted. The Psalms in

metre. The good progress of the Reformation. The re-

venues of the Church struck at.
W E shall now shew some farther cares of the young King Anno i548.

and his uncle, the Protector, for the good estate of religion,

and for keeping the heady people of both persuasions from

running into exorbitances.

126 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL

BOOK There were not a few, who, towards the dechning of

^' this year, did, more openly and commonly than before,

Anno 1548. speak of the holy Sacrament with much contempt. Which,

Unseemly to speak the truth, the former idolatrous and superstitious

dtl^ute'^of doctrines thereof had given great occasion to : so that men

the Sacra- condemned in their hearts and speech the whole thing, and

ment for- ^.^^g^j^^^ unrevercntly of that high mystery : and in their

sermons, or readings, or communication, called it by vile

and unseemly terms. They made rhymes, and plays, and

jests of it. And this occasioned chiefly by the misuse of it :

as it is expressed in the act of Parhament of the first of Ed-

ward VI. cap. 1. Therefore was that act of Parliament

made, being the very first act of this King. And to back

this act, especially when these contemptuous dealings with

the Sacrament continued still, and ceased not, the King

sent forth a severe proclamation, December 27, against these

irreverent talkers of the Sacrament. Which I believe Arch-

bishop Cranmer and Dr. Ridley between them were the

composers of. This proclamation mentions the foresaid act,

calling it a good and godly act^ and that it most pru-

dently declared, by the words and terms of Scripture,

what is to be believed and spoken of the said Sacrament.

With which words and phrases of Scripture the King re-

quired all his subjects to acquiesce. And to put a stop to

those frequent and common disputes and wranglings con-

cerning the manner, nature, or ways, the possibility or im-

8 1 possibility of those matters, and those superfluous ques-

tions and inquiries that many made ; as, " Whether the

" body and blood of Christ was there really or figuratively,

" locally or circumscriptly, and having quantity and great-

" ness, or but substantial and by substance only, or else but

" in a figure and manner of speaking ? Whether his blessed

" body be there, head, legs, arms, toes, nails, or in any

" other shape or manner, naked or clothed ? Whether he be

" broken or chewed, or he be always whole ? Whether the

" bread be there, as we see, or how it departeth ? Whether

" the flesh be there alone and the blood, or part, or each

" in other, or in the one both, in the other but only blood ;

C6

OF KING EDWARD VI. 127
and what blood ? that only which did flow out of his side, CHAP,

or that which remained.'^"' Beiiif^ not contented reve- . ^^'

rently to accept and beheve the said Sacrament, according Anno 1548.

to the saying of St. Paul, The bread is the communion, or

partaking, of the body of Christ, and the wine, likewise^ the

partaking of the blood of Christ : and that the body and

blood of Christ is there. Which is our comfort, thanksgiv-

ing, and love-token of Christ's love towards us.
Therefore the King, by this proclamation, did strictly

forbid any such contemptuous talking of this mystery, or

openly to argue, preach, or affirm any more terms of the

Sacrament than be expressed in the holy Scriptures, and

mentioned in the foresaid act ; until the King, with the ad-

vice of his Council and Clergy of the realm, should set

forth an open doctrine thereof, and what terms and words

may justly be spoken thereby. But that in the mean time

his subjects should take the holy bread to be Christ's body,

and the cup, the cup of his blood, according to the purport

of the holy Scripture. And yet the King declared, that he

allowed the ignorant to learn quietly and privately, and to

demand of such as knew more, farther instruction in the

said blessed Sacrament : so it were done not in contention,

nor in open audience, nor with a company gathered toge-

ther. Nor did he prohibit any man hereby quietly, de-

voutly, and reverently to teach and instruct the weak and

unlearned, according to the better talent by God given to

him.
And finally, the Justices were to apprehend and take all

such as did contentiously and tumultuously, with com-

panies or routs, dispute, argue, or reason, maintain or define

the questions before mentioned. This is the sum of this not-

able proclamation. Vide the Repository. M.
This sort of men, that thus disrespectfully carried them- The King

selves towards the Sacrament, had as little opinion of Lent, th^k^eepfng

and the keeping of it, supposing it to be a papal encroach- of Lent.

ment upon the liberty of Christians, to whom all meats

were lawful. But the King, as he required the strict ob-

servation of this ancient ecclesiastical custom, and other

128 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL

BOOK fasting times, by a proclamation dated Jan. 16, so therein,

^' to satisfy all persons, was shewed the lawfulness and con-^

Anno 1548. veniency thereof to be observed in his realm. It is well

drawn up, and by the pen, I suppose, of the Archbishop,

or some of his divines. In the preface it is expressed,

" hoAv the King had the only cure and charge of his

" realms, not only as a king, but as a Christian king, and

" was supreme Head of the Church of England and Ire-

" land. That he had a desire and will to lead his people in

" such rites, ways, and customs, as might be acceptable to

" God, and the farther increase of good hving. That his

" subjects now had a more perfect and clear light of the

" Gospel, through the infinite clemency and mercy of God,

82 " by the means of his Majesty and his most noble father:

" and should therefore in all good works increase, and be

" more forward, as in fasting, prayer, and almsdeeds, in

" love, charity, and obedience, and such like good works

" commanded in Scripture : but that alate, more than be-

" fore, a great part of his subjects did break and con-

" temn that abstinence, which of long time had been used

" in this realm upon Fridays and Saturdays, and the

" time of Lent and other accustomed times. That the

" King therefore was constrained to see a convenient order

" therein. He minded not that his subjects should think

" there were any difference in days or meats, or that the

" one should be to God more holy and pure than the other.

" For all days and meats were of equal purity : and in and

" by them we should live to the glory of God. That for all

" times and meats we should give glory to him : of which

" none can defile us at any time, or make us unclean, being

" Christian men. To whom all things be holy and pure :

" so that they be not used in disobedience and vice. But

" notwithstanding the King allowed and approved these

*' days and times before accustomed, to be still kept in the

" Church of England, that men should on these days ab-

" stain from their pleasure and meats wherein they had

" more delight, to subdue the body unto the soul and

" spirit. And also for worldly and civil policy, to spare

OF KING EDWARD VI. 129

" flesh and use fish, for the benefit of the commonwealth; CHAP.

'' where many be fishers, and use the trade of Uving. And ^^'

" that the nourishment of the land might be increased by Anno 1548.

" saving flesh ; and especially at spring time, when Lent

^' doth commonly fall, and when the most common plente-

" ous breeding of flesh is. And that divers of the King's

" subjects had good livings and riches in uttering and sell-

" ing such meat as the sea and waters did minister to us.

" And that therefore the realm had more plenty of ships

" and boats for the following that trade of living. Besides,

" that men of their own minds did not give themselves so

" oft as they should do to fasting and abstinence. And

" upon these considerations, the King commanded all per-

*' sons, of whatsoever state and degree, to observe and keep

" from henceforth such fasting-days, and the time of Lent,

" as had been heretofore used in the realm. But the King,

" as the King his father had done, did upon weighty con-

" siderations give licence to his subjects to eat white meats

" in the time of Lent, that is, butter, eggs, cheese, Sec."'

The Parliament that sat the next year converted this or-

der for observation of the fasting-days into a law, which

contains the very words of this proclamation. Which is

inserted in the Repository. N.
But notwithstanding these orders for the keeping of Large li-
T T 1 I • 1 . T cences dis-
Lent, 1 cannot but take notice what extravagant licences „si„g

were granted sometimes by the King's patents for dispens- ^'i^^ Lent,

ing with the observation of it. As in the year 1551,

Jan. 10, a licence was granted to the Lord Admiral Clin-

ton to eat flesh, cum quibuscunque cum eo ad suam men-

sam convescentihus, omnihus diehus jejunalibus quibuscun-

que: " and all others that should eat at his table with him,

" on all fasting days whatsoever." Another licence under the

King's seal, dated Feb. 24, 1551, was granted to John

Samford of the city of Gloucester, draper, that he with

two of his guests at his table might eat flesh and white

meats, during all the Lent, and all other fasting-days in

the year; and this licence was during his life. And the

next Lent, viz. in the year 1552, a patent was granted to 83

VOL. IT. K

130 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL

BOOK Gregory Rail ton, one of the Clerks of the Signet, to eat

^' flesh with four in his company during his life. Another

Anno 1548. licence for the Lord Treasurer, the Marquis of Winchester,

and Elizabeth his wife, and to their family and friends,

coming to the said Lord Marquis's house, not exceeding

the number of twelve guests, during his and his wives na-

tural lives in the times of Lent and other fasting days ; to

eat flesh or white meats, notwithstanding the statute of

abstinence from flesh ; as the licence ran, dated March the

19th. And another, dated March 11, was granted to John

a Lasco, superintendent of the church of strangers within

the city of London, and to every one else whom he should

invite to his table for society sake ; that to him and every

of them, during his life, in Lent and other fasting times, it

might be lawful to eat flesh and white meats freely, and

without punishment, at their own will, any statute to the

contrary notwithstanding.

Innovation Now Several preachers and laymen, lovers of the Gospel,

fngSout^^^ labourers after a reformation of the old superstitions,

licence for- had of themselves begun changes in their parish churches ;