in you exciteth and serueth you till the vsurped poure of that man of Rome be clene abolished and put out of the hartes of the kyngs subiects And I shall with all my diligence applie my self to thaccomplishment of this his so godly commandement by Goddes grace And for as moche as I haue taken my leue of the Kyng and Quene and tarry for noothing now but only for the instrument called Custodias temporalium I eftsones beseche your mastirship to haue that in your remembraunce whan ye shall next repaire vnto the Court together with a discharge for takyng of any othe of the residentiaries of Sarum which suyrly they will exact of me oneles I bryng some thyng outher from the Kyng his highnes or elles from you his chefe Counsellor for to stopp their mouthes And as for seallyng of new obligacions if itt like you to commande your servaunt to send me them to morow by this brynger I shall seale them and send them to you without any tariaunce by the grace of God who preserue you and prosper you in all your godly purposes and interprises Murtelack the iiii daye of Iuin Yorn owne to comaunde Nic. Sarum But howsoeuer the honour of this act as also of the dissolution of Abbeys be principally attributed to Cromwell and his complotments yet at the same time there was others of the priuie Councell as forward and as able for their singular endowments to conclude a matter of that consequence as euer was Cromwell I meane Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury whose zeale and abilities are generally knowne to all that euer heard of the booke of Martyrs Sir Thomas Audley Knight speaker of the Parliament for his demerits created by Henry the eighth Baron Audley of Walden and also aduanced to the honour of the Chancellorship of England Sir William Pawlet Knight Comptroller of the Kings house who for his wisedome the said King created Lord S. Iohn of Basing and Knight of the Garter whom Edward the sixt made great Master of his houshold President of his Councell and Lord Treasurer of England whom he created Earle of Wiltshire and Marquesse of Winchester to whom Queene Elizabeth committed the keeping of the great Seale Who liued to see one hundred and three persons issue out of his loynes who died at Basing in Hampshire the tenth of March 1571. where hee was honourablie buried when he had liued eightie seuen yeares Another pillar of the State at that time was that wise and iudicious gentleman Sir Richard Rich Lord Chancellour of England vnder King Edward the sixth who in the first yeare of his raigne aduanced him to this office and created him Baron Rich of Leez in Essex These and other more of the Nobilitie had both their hands and heads in this businesse yet Cromwell Audley and Rich were thought to be the onely men who for their religious paines ranne into great obloquie with the common people insomuch that the Commons of Lincolnshire finding themselues fore troubled with this strange alteration and rising in rebellion presented diuers articles of aggrieuances to the Kings Maiestie Amongst the said Articles and demands of Robert Askâ— and his rebellious crew the Commons of Yorkeshire Cumberland Westmerland Northumberland and the countries adiacent at the conference holden at Doncaster betwixt Thomas Duke of Norfolke Generall of the Kings Armie and certaine Commissioners on the partie of the said Captaine Aske and his fellow rebels Thus it was propounded by their Speaker Sir Thomas Hylton Knight The fowrt that Thomas Cromwell nor any of his bande or secte be not at our metinge at Doncastre but abcent themselfe from the Councell Also to haue the Lord Cromwell the Lord Chancellor and Sir Ryc Rich to haue condigne punyshment as subuerters of the gud lawes of the â—eame and ouetemers of the slese secte of theys fals Heretykes first inuenters and brengers of them Likewise Doctor Leyton and Doctor Leâ— who had bene loyned in commission with Cromwell for the visitation of religious Foundations of which hereafter were maliciouslye detracted by this demand of the Commons in the foresaid conference Also that Doctor Lee and Doctor Leyton may haue condigne punyshment for theyr extortions in time of visitation in brybes of some religyous houses x. lib. xx lib. and for other summes besyde horsys vowsens leases vndre Couent Seallys by them taken and other abomynable acts by them committed and done I might haue occasion here to speake of the abrogation of the Popes authoritie of the subuersion of religious foundations of the suppression of religious Votaries and of the reformation of Religion in that neuer-conquered Nation of Scotland where at this time Religion is double refined pure and spotlesse without ceremonie and plaine as a pike staffe without a surplise But I will reserue this narration till I come to speake of the conuersion of Scotland to the Christian faith As also of the Funerall Monuments which are there to be found which will be but a few if Sir Robert Cottons Librarie do not helpe me for by my owne obseruation in the famous maiden-citie of Edenborough and in the Parish Churches of other Townes the Sepulchres of the dead are shamefully abused or quite taken away yea and the Churches themselues with religious houses and other holy places violated demolished or defaced CHAP. XV. The policie vsed by the King and his Councell for the dissolution and extirpation of Religious Foundations and Religious Orders within this Realme of England and Wales The reformation of Religion of Inscriptions in Churches The Kings warrant of the surrender of Religious Houses An information made to Queene Elizabeth of the seuerall abuses done vnto the State generall and Crowne by the corruption of such as were imployed by her Father vpon the suppression of Abbeyes HEnry the eighth hauing as ye haue heard thus setled the Supremacy where he would haue it either by the aduise of politick Cromwell or by the example of proud Wolsey or else of himselfe hee being nothing so scrupulous in conscience nor so stayed in sacred resolutions as was Henry the fourth vpon a greedie desire to enrich his coffers began now to lay plots deuises and proiects for the vtter subuersion of all Abbeyes Priories Nunneries and other religious foundations within this his kingdome of England and Wales and first for an induction to the businesse He put in Commission his seruant Cromwell Thomas Lee and Richard Laiton Doctors of the Ciuill Law Thomas Bedell Deane of Cornwall Thomas Bartlet publike Notarie and others to visit all the foresaid religious Houses and to make inquirie of their Orders Founders values debenters reliques pilgrimages and other Queres but most especially they were to make diligent scrutinie and to learne vijs modis omnibus by all manner of meanes the wicked abuses of those times practised amongst the Fraternitie and Sisterhood of each seuerall Couent Which with their Commission they returned making a shamefull discoueriâ— of the bestiall sensualitie of Monasticke profession This
aboue mentioned is 8803. Here ends the Discourse ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE Diocesse of Canterbury The Foundation of Christ-Church in Canterbury CHristian Religion of which I haue spoken before which presently after our blessed Sauiours passion was both preached and planted in this Island by Ioseph of Arimathea and his associates and after that aduanced and increased by Lucius King of the Britaines and his famous Clerkes being darkened ouerclouded and almost totally eclipsed with the contagious smoke arising from such abhominable sacrifices as were offered here vnto strange Idols was againe illumined and recomforted with the glorious beames of religious light by Augustine the Monke and his fellow-labourers in Christs vineyard Which Augustine sent hither from Rome by Gregory the great when he had found such fauour in the sight of King Ethelbert that he might freely preach the Gospell in this his countrey hee chose for assemblie and prayer an old Church in the East part of this Citie which was a long time before builded by the Romanes and hee made thereof by licence of the King a Church for himselfe and his successours dedicating the same to the name of our blessed Sauiour Christ whereof it was alwayes afterward called Christ-Church And by the meanes of the said Pope Gregory hee translated the Metropolitan See from London the Cathedrall Church being then at Saint Peters in Cornhill to this his newly consecrated Church here in Canterbury whereof he was the first Archbishop By these proceedings the prophesie of Merlin was fulfilled which foretold that Christianity should faile and then reuiue againe when the See of London did adorne Canterbury Of which out of an old Manuscript these following Rimes Erchebysshop furste of alle Seynt Austyn was ther But ye Erchcbysshops Se at London was er Tho camme Merlynes word to sothe atten ende Yat ye dignyte of London to Canterbery sholde wende Anothur chyrche in Cantyrbery he lete rere Yat is clupyd Christ Chyrche and now the Se is there Since which time this sacred structure by the pious and exceeding charges of succeeding Archbishops by the deuotion of those dayes made willing to disburse great summes is so raised aloft saith learned Camden to that maiestie and statelinesse that it striketh a sensible impression of Religion in the hearts and mindes of the beholders of which as also of the Citie will it please you reade this Ogdoasticon out of a Manuscript penned by Iohn Iohnston of Aberden sometimes the Kings professour of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of S. Andrewes in Scotland Quae minima in paruo regno pars ante fuisti Facta es Cantiadum regia prima Ducum Quae modica in magno imperio pars ante fuisti Maiorem fecit Pontificalis honor Alterius cum iura locitecum inde tulisti Facta es finitimis imperiosa locis Sponsa tibi Christi si tot cumulauit honores Non iterum huic par sit reddere velle suos To this his Church Austine adioyned a Monastery and dedicated the same to the blessed Trinitie into which Laurence his next Successour brought Benedictine Monkes the head whereof was called a Prior. Which word saith Lambard in his perambulation of Kent howsoeuer it soundeth was indeed but the name of a second Officer because the Bishop himselfe was accounted the very Abbot for in old time the Bishops were for the most part chosen out of such Monasteries and therefore most commonly had their palaces neare adioyning and gouerned there as Abbots By meanes whereof it came to passe that such Abbeyes were greatly enriched and endowed with wealth and possessions insomuch that this Priory at the dissolution being valued at Robin Hoods peniworths was found to be yearly worth besides iurisdiction ouer diueâ—s hundreds as you may finde in the Exchequer booke called Nomina Villarum two thousand foure hundred eightie nine pounds foure shillings nine pence But Henry the eighth saith Camden scattered this wealth heaped vp together in so many ages and dispersed these Monks in lieu of whom he placed in this Church a Deane an Archdeacon Prebendaries twelue and sixe Preachers who in places adioyning round about should teach and preach the word of God The Archbishoprick at this day whose Prouince containeth twentie two Bishoprickes and Diocesse the greatest part of Kent being but valued in the Kings bookes at two thousand eight hundred sixteene pounds seuenteene shillings nine pence Howsoeuer in former times the Archbishop was wont to pay to the Pope at euery income for his first-fruits ten thousand Ducats or Florens and for his Pall fiue thousand euery Ducate being of our Sterling money foure shillings sixe pence And as I finde it in an old Manuscript for Rom-scot or Peter-pence seuen pounds seuenteene shillings Seuentie three Archbishops in a continued traine of Succession haue sitten in this glorious chaire which at this present doth adde grace and honour to George Abbot Doctor of Diuinity sometime Deane of Winchester Master of the Vniuersitie Colledge in Oxford Bishop of Couentry and Lichfield from whence hee was remoued to London and from thence translated to this Metropoliticall seate of Canterbury Who hath bestowed great summes of money in building and endowing of an Hospitall at Guildford in Surrey the Towne wherein he was borne But now to come within the Cathedrall Church which hath beene and still is honoured with the funerall Monuments of many renowned Princes of which although it may iustly vaunt yet was it for nothing else so famous as for the life death sepulcure and Shrine of Thomas Beckâ—t Archbishop of this See by which her estimation was aduanced beyond all reason measure and wonder This Thomas Becket was borne in London his fathers name was Gilbert a Merchant his mothers Mâ—tilda a stranger borne in Syria He was first taught and brought vp by the Prior of Mercon Abbey in Surrey and from thence sent to the Vniuersities of Oxford Paris and Bononia to study the Canon Law vpon his returne he proceeded Doctor of that faculty in Oxford after which as you may haue it in the History of his life written by the right reuerend Father in God Francis Godwin now Bishop of Hereford in short time he was preferred by Theobald Archbishop of this See vnto the Archdeaconry of Canterbury the Prouostship of Beuerley and the Parsonages of Bromfeeld and Saint Mary Hill a Prebend in Paules and another in the Church of Lincolne and withall commended by him so effectually to King Henry the second that he receiued him into the number of his Chaplaines aduanced him to the honour of Lord Chancellour of England and after the death of the said Theobald to this Grace and Primaâ—ie of Canterbury presently after his consecration being yet scarcely warme in his seate vnder colour of defending the rights of his Church hee stubbornly opposed himselfe against his Lord and Soueraigne in all his royall proceedings insomuch that he was constrained to exile him the kingdome Of which you shall
aut per me aut per meum nuntium nisi Apostoliâ—a absoluat licenâ—ia Possessiones vero ad mensam mei Archiepiscopatus pertinentes non vendam neque donabo neque impignerabo neque de nouo insendabo vel aliquo modo alienabo inconsulto Rom. Pontifice sicut me Deus adiuuet c. The crosse was deliuered vnto him by a Monke of this his Church in these words Reuerend Father I am the messenger of the great King that doth require and command you to take on you the gouernment of his Church and to loue and defend the same in token whereof I deliuer you this his ensigne But I doubt I am tedious I will draw to his end which happened August 23. 1532. after hee had continued Archbishop eight and twentie yeares and was buried without any great funerall pompe mourning clothes being giuen onely to the poore Hee purchased much land for his kindred and bestowed very much in repairing and beautifying his houses with faire buildings euen to the value of thirtie thousand pounds as hee professeth for which cause hee prayed his Successours to forbeare sute for dilapidations His motto I finde in many places of the pallace which was Auxilium meum à Domino I finde no more Archbishops to bee here buried saue Cardinall Poole whom I reserue for another booke Here sometimes was a monument erected to the memory of that valiant Knight Sir William Molyneux of Seston in Lanchishire who at the battell of Nauarret in Spaine was made knight Banneret by Edward the black Prince Anno 1367. vnder whose command he serued in those warres as also for a long time in the warres of France From whence returning homewards he died here at Canterbury Anno 1372. Whose Epitaph I haue out of the pedegree of that honourable worthy gentleman Sir Richard Molyneux of Seston Knight and Baronet and Viscount Marybourgh in Ireland now liuing who from the said Sir William is lineally descended Miles honorificus Molyneus subiacet intus Tertius Edwardus dilexit hunc vt amicus Fortia qui gessit Gallos Nauar osque repressit Hic cum recessit morte feriente decessit Anno milleno trecento septuageno Atque his iunge duo sic perit omnis home Icy gist Gulian Septvaus cheualier qui morust le dernier iour D'aust â—an de Grace M. CCCC.VII de quele alme Deux eit pite et mercy Amen This Sir William serued in the warres of France vnder Edward the third as I haue it in the Pell office Sub hoc marmore iacent corpora Wilhelmi Septvans militis qui obijt 4. die mens Mar. Ann. Dom. 1448. et Elizabethe vxoris eius silie Iohannis Peche militiâ— que obijt 28. Mar. Sequenti quoruÌ„ animabus propitietur Deus Sum quod eris volui quod vis credes quasi credis Viuere forte diu mox ruo morte specu Cessis quo nescis nee quomodo quando sequeris Hinc simul in celis vt simus queso preceris Hic iacet Odomarus Hengham Ar. qui obijt 4. April Ann. Dom. 1411. he dwelt at Gowsted in Stokebury Hic iacet expectans miserecordiam Dei prenobilis vir Iohannes Guilâ—eford miles vnus consiliariorum illustrissimi Regis Hen. 7. qui quidem Iohannes obijt 19. die mens Iuly 8. Hen. 7. Ann. 1493. Cuius anime proâ—â—tetur altissimus Iesu filius Dei miserere mei Camden tells vs that this familie of the Guildfords is very ancient but most eminent euer since this Sir Iohn Guilford here interred was Controuler to the house to King Edward the fourth whose sonne and heire Sir Richard was by King Henry the seuenth made Knight of the Garter of his sonnes againe Sir Edward Guilford was Marshall of Callais Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports and Master of the Ordnance father to Iâ—ne Dutches of Northumberland wife to Sir Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland mother of the late Earles of Waâ—wick and Leicester of Guilford Dudley beheaded with his wife the Lady Iane and of fiue sonnes and eight daughters besides and Sir Henry was chosen Knight of the Garter by King Henry the eight and had his armes ennobled with a Canton of Granado by Ferdinando King of Spaine for his worthy seruice in that kingdome when it was recouered from the Moores and Edward liued in great esteeme in his countrey To be briefe from this Sir Iohn Guilford are issued by females immediatly the Darells Gages Brewâ—es Walsinghams Cromers Isaacs and Iselcies families of prime and principall note in these parts But I digresse and I craue pardon Onely let me tell you that Sir Richard Guilford aforesaid serued King Henry the seuenth sâ—pra mare cum 550. Nautis et Soldarijs pre duos menses 5. Hen. 7. Thomas Fogge iacet hic iacet hic sua sponsa Iohanna Sint celo ciues per te Deus hos O sanna Regni protector Francos Britones superauit Nobilium Rector sicuti Leo castra predauit Et quoque militiam sic pro patria per amauit Ad summam patriam Deus hic ab agone vocauit Fogge a name both of antiquitie and eminencie one of which familie namely Sir Iohn Fogge was of the priuie Councell to King Edward the fourth and sate with the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Warwicke and the Lord Riuers in iudgement vpon Sir Thomas Cooke of Giddie-Hall in Essex And I finde one Sir Iohn Fogge a warriour in the beginning of the raigne of King Henry the eight But this great conquering Knight did flourish long before he was the sonne of Sir Thomas Fogge knight buried at Glastenbury by his wife the Countesse of Ioyeux in France And this Ioane his wife here buried was the daughter and heire of Valons or Valance Hic iacent Wilhelmus Bruchelle siue Brenchley miles quondam Iusticiarius Domini Regis de communi Banco qui obijt in Holborne in suburbo London 20. Maij 1406. et Ioanna vxor eius que obijt 1453. Aug. 8. Here lieth Edmund Hawte Esquire ..... 1488. Hic iacet Iohannes Fyneux miles et Elisabetha vxor eius filia ..... Paston ..... the rest gone This Fyneux was Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas the â—â— of Henry the seuenth Hic iacet Iohannes Fynch de Winchelsey quond â—n prior huius Ecâ—lssie 〈◊〉 obijt ..... 9 die Ianuar ...... edificta constructa plura alia collata bona .... cuius anime .... Hic iacet reuerendus pater Thomas Goldstone huius sacrosancte Ecclesie Prior ac sacre pagine Prosessor 〈…〉 Ecclesiam per annos 24.8 mens et dies 16. optime 〈…〉 migrauit ad dominum 16. Septemb. Ann. Dom. 1517. Cuius animâ— Plangite vos Cythâ—ram plangentes carmine mole Hic iacet occulta Religionis honos 〈◊〉 Doctor Thomas Goldston vocitatus Moles quem presâ—ns saxea magna tenet O â—os spectantes huius â—um fureâ— a patris Nunc est is memores fundite que so preces Hic
they caused to bee brought vp in Vniuersity Colledge in Oxford Hauing attained to reasonable perfection in the knowledge of Diuinitie whereunto his study was chiefly addicted hee applyed himselfe to preaching wherein he tooke great paines namely in the Counties of Oxford Glocester and Worcester vntill such time as hee was called to the Treasureship of Salisbury From whence little knowing of any such matter and much against his minde he was chosen at the Popes request to the Monkes of Christ-Church being as then at Rome to be Archbishop of this See and consecrated at Canterbury with all honour possible by Roger Bishop of London the fourth of the Nones of Aprill about the yeare 1230. King Henry the third thirteene Bishops one and fourty Lords and Earles and others innumerable being there present as it is thus recorded in the Annalls of the Monastery of Wauerley in Surrey Edmundus Thesaurarius Sarum a Domino Rogero Episcopo London consistentibus et congratulantibus XIII Episcopis Domingo Rege et XLI Comitibus et ceteris in numeris communiter congregatis In Ecclesia Cant. in Archiepiscopum honorifice consecratur Dominica qua canitur Letare Iherâ—salem IIII. viz. Nonas Aprilis But howsoeuer he was thus solemnly consecrated he presently fell into the kings displeasure by opposing himselfe against the marriage of Elianor the kings sister with Simon Mountfort Earle of Leicester because vpon the death of the Earle Marshall her first husband she had vowed chastity To haue this vow dispensed withall the King procured the Pope to send a Legate into England his name was Otto a Cardinall Him also this Archbishop offended and that so grieuously by reprehending his monstrous couetousnesse his bribery and extortion as euer after he sought to worke him all the mischiefe that he might The Monkes of Rochester had presented vnto this Archbishop one Richard de Wendouer demanding of him consecration vnto the Bishopricke of their Church which he vtterly denyed to affoord knowing the presented to bee a very vnlearned and vnsufficient man Hereupon the Monkes appealed to Rome which the Archbishop vnderstanding of hasted him thither also Otto the Legate endeauoured to stay him at home and failing thereof did his errand so well at Rome as not onely in that suite but another also which hee had against Hugh Earle of Arundell in another cause of appeale he was ouerthrowne and condemned in a thousand Markes charges to his great disgrace and impouerishment Being at Rome hee had complained of many great abuses in England and amongst the rest of the long vacancie of Bishoprickes The Pope seemed willing to redresse these things and namely concerning that matter set downe this order That if any Cathedrall Church continued voide aboue sixe moneths it should be lawfull for the Archbishop to conferre it where he list as well as any smaller Benefice The procuring of this order cost him a great summe of money Yet no sooner was his backe turned but the Pope at the kings request reuoked the same Being thus continually vexed thwarted and disgraced hee departed into voluntary exile and there bewayling the misery of his countrey spoyled and wasted by the tyranny of the Pope spent the rest of his dayes in continuall teares Through extreame griefe and sorrow or as some thinke too much fasting hee fell first into a Consumption and after into a strange kinde of Ague Whereupon he thought good to remoue from the Abbey of Pontiniac in France where he had layen euer since his comming out of England and there departed this life the sixteenth of the Kalends of December 1242. His heart and entrailes were buried at Soissy his body at Pontiniac Sanctus Edmundus Cantuarie Archiepiscopus plenus virtutibus et sanâ—titate migrauit ab hoc seculo XVI Kal. Decemb. et apud Pontiniacum sepultus est Cuius merita miracula testantur Hic erat Edmundus anima tum corpore mundus Quem non immundus poterat peruertere mundus Anglorum Genti faueas Edmunde petenti Within six yeares after his death he was canonized a Saint by Innocentius the fourth who appointed the foresaid day of his death for euer to be kept holy in memory of him Lewes the French king caused his body to be translated to a more honourable Tombe then it was first laid in and bestowed a sumptuous Shrine vpon him couered with gold siluer and richly adorned with many pretious stones where our Lord saith his Legend hath shewyd many a fayre myracle for his holy servaunt Saynte Edmonde This Edmund is the last Archbishop of Canterbury that I finde to haue beene canonized howsoeuer I dare pronounce that since his dayes to these present times wherein we liue we haue had many Archbishops both for life and learning as worthy the honour of canonization as was himselfe or any of these by me before remembred Thus much of this Diocesse vntill I be further stored of funerall Monuments or other matters therein according to my method either by my selfe or my friends onely let me tell you for a conclusion that the whole Prouince of this Bishopricke of Canterbury which first of all was apparelled by Austin the Monke with the Archbishop of Londons Pall as I haue in part touched before was at the first diuided by Theodore seuenth Bishop into fiue Diocesses onely howbeit in processe of time it grew to twentie and one besides it selfe leauing to Yorke which by the first institution should haue had as many as it but Durham Carleil and Chester onely except you reckon the Isle of Man And whereas by the ordinance of Pope Gregory either of these Archbishops should haue vnder him twelue inferiour Bishops and that neither of them should bee subiect or of lesse grace and dignitie then other Lanfrancke thinking it good reason that he should make a Conquest of the English Clergie since his Master King William had vanquished the whole Nation contended at Windsore with Thomas Norman Archbishop of Yorke for the Primacie and there by iudgement before Hugo the Popes Legate recouered it from him so that euer since the one is called Totius Angliae Primas and the other Angliae Primas without any further addition Moreouer whereas before time the place of this Archbishop in the generall Councell was to sit next to the Bishop of Saint Ruffines Anselme the successour of this Lanfranke for recompence of the seruice hee had done in oppugning the marriage of Priests and resisting the king for the inuestiture of Clerkes was by Pope Vrbane endowed with this accession of honour that hee and his Successours should from thenceforth haue place in all generall Councels at the Popes right foote who then said withall Includamus hunc in orbe nostro tanquam alterius orbis Papam Let vs include this Bishop in our owne Orbe as it were the Pope or Father of another world In former ages saith Camden in this tract during the Romane Hierarchie the Archbishops of Canterbury were
Primates of all Britaine Legates to the Pope and as Vrbane the second said The Patriarkes as it were of another world And thus the Archbishops of Canterbury by the fauour which Austin had with Gregory the Great by the power of Lanfranke and by the industrie of Anselme were much exalted but how much that was to the grieuous displeasure and pining enuie of the Archbishops of Yorke you shall perceiue by that which followeth King Henry the first kept vpon a time his stately Christmas at Windsore where the manner of our kings then being at certaine solemne times to weare their Crownes Thurstine of Yorke hauing his Crosse borne vp before him offered to set the Crowne vpon the kings head But William of Canterbury withstood it stoutly and so preuailed by the fauour of the King and the helpe of the standers by that Thurstine was not onely disappointed of his purpose but he and his Crosse also thrust quite out of the doores William of Yorke the next in succession after Thurstine both in the See and Quarrell perceiuing that the force of his Predecessour preuailed nothing attempted by his owne humble meanes first made to the king and after to the Pope to winne the Coronation of king Henry the second from Theobald the next Archbishop of Canterbury But when he had receiued repulse in that sort of suite also and found no way left to make auengement vpon his enemy he returned home all wroth and as it was suspected wreaked the anger vpon himselfe After this another hurly burly hapned in a Synode assembled at Westminster in the time of King Henry the second before Cardinall Hugo Pope Alexanders Legate betweene Richard and Roger then Archbishops of these two Sees vpon occasion that Roger of Yorke comming of purpose as it should seeme first to the assembly had taken vp the place on the right hand of the Cardinall Which when Richard of Canterbury had espied hee refused to sit downe in the second roome complaining greatly of this preiudice done to his See Whereupon after sundrie replyes of speech the weaker in disputation after the manner of Schoole-boyes in the streets descended from hote words to hastie blowes in which encounter the Archbishop of Canterbury through the multitude of his attendants obtained the better So that he not onely plucked the other out of his place and all to rent his casule Chimer and Rochet but also disturbed the holy Synode therewithall in such wise that the Cardinall for feare betooke him to his feete the company departed their businesse vndone and the Bishops themselues moued suite at Rome for the finishing of their controuersie By these and such other successes on the one side the Bishops of Canterbury following tooke such courage that from thenceforth they would not permit the Bishops of Yorke to beare vp the Crosse either in their presence or Prouince And on the other side the Bishops of Yorke conceiued such griefe of heart disdaine and offence that from time to time they spared no occasion to attempt both the one and the other Whereupon in the time of a Parliament holden at London in the raigne of King Henry the third Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury interdicted the Londiners because they had suffered the Bishop of Yorke to beare vp his Crosse whiles he was in the Citie And much adoe there was within a few yeares after betweene Robert Kilwarby of Canterby and William Giffard of Yorke because he of Yorke aduanced his Crosse as hee passed through Kent towards the generall Councell The like happened also at two other seuerall times betweene Frier Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury and William Wickwane and Iohn de Roma Archbishops of Yorke in the dayes of King Edward the first At the length the matter being yet once more set on foote betweene Simon Islip the Archbishop of this Prouince and his aduersarie the incumbent of Yorke for that time King Edward the third in whose raigne that variance was reuiued resumed the matter into his owne hand and made a finall composition betweene them The which hee published vnder his broade Seale to this effect First that each of them should freely and without impeachment of the other beare vp his Crosse in the others Prouince but yet so that he of Yorke and his Successours for euer in signe of subiection should within two moneths after their inthronization either bring or send to Canterbury the image of an Archbishop bearing a Crosse or some other Iewell wrought in fine gold to the value of fourty pounds and offer it openly there vpon Saint Thomas Beckets Shryne then that in all Synodes of the Clergie and assemblies where the King should happen to bee present hee of Canterbury should haue the right hand and the other the left Finally that in broad streets and high-wayes their Crosse-bearers should go together but that in narrow lanes and in the entries of doores and gates the Crosier of Canterbury should go before and the other follow and come behinde Thus as you see the Bishops of Canterbury euermore preuailing by fauour or other meanes they of Yorke were driuen in the end to giue ouer in the plaine field Here endeth the Diocesse of Canterbury ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE Diocesse of ROCHESTER THis Bishopricke is so ouershadowed by the nearnesse and greatnesse of the See of Canterbury that it lookes but like a good Benefice for one of his Graces Chaplaines yet for antiquitie and dignitie of a long succession of reuerend Lord Bishops it may equally compare with its neighbour of Canterbury For they had both one Founder to wit Ethelbert king of Kent who built this Church to the honour of Saint Andrew and endowed it with certaine lands which he called Priestfield in token that Priests should bee sustained therewithall Vnto which Iustus a Romane of whom before was consecrated Bishop by Saint Augustine Ethelbert assenting thereto by his presence Austin then made Clerke full well grounded Iusto that hight of Rochester full well bounded The Bishop then to preache and helpe Austin And to baptise the folke by his doctrine This Citie pent within so straight a roome was called in the time of the Saxon Kings the Kentishmens Castle and at this day shee and her little Diocesse may make their vaunt of their impregnable fortification by the Name Royall the maine defence of Britaines great Monarchie of the prowesse of their ancient Inhabitants of the pleasant scituation of so many countrey townes and of the profits arising from the fruitfulnesse of the soile Of all which reade if you please this Hexasticon Vrbs antiqua ferox bella est Rocestria situ Arx finitimis imperiosa locis Hic Deus è ligno fabricauit maenia firma Quae sibi quaeque suis sunt modo tuta salus Laeta racemiferos passimque per oppida colles Continet ac culti iugera multa Soli. This Diocesse for the most part is seuered from that of Canterbury by the riuer of Medway it consists onely of
you be desirous further to know how this Abbey Church hath beene honoured by the Sepultures of many worthy persons will it please you peruse these verses following by which both her foundation and fall is plainly deciphered Behold that goodly Fane which ruin'd now doth stand To holy Albon built first Martyr of this Land Who in the faith of Christ from Rome to Britaine came And dying in this place resign'd his glorious name In memory of whom as more then halfe Diuine Our English Offa rear'd a rich and sumptuous Shrine And Monastery here which our succeeding Kings From time to time endow'd with many goodly things And many a Christian Knight was buried here before The Norman set his foot vpon this conquered shore And after those braue spirits in all those balefull stowers That with Duke Robert went against the Pagan powers And in their countries right as Cressy those that stood And that at Poyters bath'd their bilbowes in French blood Their valiant Nephewes next at Agincourt that fought Whereas rebellious France vpon her knees was brought In this religious house at some of their returnes When nature claim'd her due here plac't their hallowed vrnes Which now deuouring Time in his so mighty waste Demollishing those walls hath vtterly defac't So that the earth to feele the ruinous heapes of stones That with the burth'nous weight now presse their sacred bones Forbids this wicked brood should by her fruits be fed As loathing her owne wombe that such loose children bred But I will come to the quarrell of the houses of Yorke and Lancaster which filled vp our Ladies Chappell here with the dead bodies of the Nobilitie slaine in and about this Towne of Saint Albans whose funerall Trophies are wasted with deuouring time and seates or Pewes for the Townesmen made ouer their honorable remaines Of these Lords here buried thus writeth the old Poet Iohn Gower Quos mors quos Martis sors saeua suaeque sororis Bella prostrarunt villae medioque necarunt Mors sic occiÌ„sos tumulauerat hic simul ipsos Postque necem requiem causauit habere perennem Et medium sine quo vult hic requiescere nemo Hic lis hic pugna mors est qui terminat arma Mors sors Mauors qui strauerunt Dominos hos But amongst so many of the Nobilitie here interred I finde few remembred saue Edmund Duke of Somerset Henry Earle of Northumberland and Iohn the valiant old Lord Clifford The death of this Edmund Duke of Somerset grandchilde to Iohn of Gaunt sore grieued King Henry the sixth because in him he had alwayes put great trust and confidence being a chiefe Commander and one who had long gouerned Normandy beene Regent of France and for his countries sake had alwayes right valiantly borne himselfe against the French Yet his actions whatsoeuer they were did not please the common people nor many other of ranke and qualitie in those times For Harding who liued in those dayes thus writ of him Thei slewe the Duke Edmond then of Somerset For cause he had the realmes we le so lette He was slaine vnder the signe of the Castle in the Towne being long before warned as it is reported to auoide all Castles Henry Lord Percy Earle of Northumberland aforesaid was the sonne of Henry surnamed Hot-spurr slaine at the battell of Shrewsbury by King Henry the fourth But his fathers offence and his Grandfathers being forgiuen him he was restored to his Grandfathers dignities by Henry the fifth to whom and to his sonne Henry the sixth he euer continued a loyall subiect stoutly maintaining their right to the Crowne of England in which quarrell he here lost his life The old Lord Clifford here interred is specially remembred in the battell for so valiantly defending and strongly keeping the Barre-yates and entrance in the Towne insomuch that the Duke of Yorke had euer the repulse vntill great Warwicke brake in by a garden side with a noise of Trumpets and voices crying A Warwicke a Warwicke Whereupon ensued that fierce and cruell battel in which this valourous old Lord manfully lost his life Of these two last remembred will you reade this Stanza Th erle then of Northumberland was there Of sodein chaunce drawen furth by the kyng And slain vnknowne by any manne ther were The Lord Clifford ouer busie in werking At the Barres them mette sore fightyng Was slain that day vpon his owne assaute As eche manne saied it was his owne defaute This battell wherein they were slaine was the first battell at Saint Albans which was fought in the yeare 1455. the Thursday before Pentecost Iohn Whethamsted the fore remembred Abbot made certaine Epitaphs for religious persons and others here interred as also in other Churches hereabouts Which for the most part are now either taken away by time or stolne away with the brasse from their Graue-stones which howsoeuer I know not well how to appropriate to the Persons for whom they were intended Yet it will not be lost labour to take and imprint them out of the Manuscript for that the Reader may see the rare compositions in that age 1. Duplex est vita duplex mors corporis vna Nominis astch altra miserorum mors ea dicta Non sic hic obijt non sic hic nunc requiescit â—mo mors prima fuit illi vita secunda Et si quod rapere voluit mors id tribuisse Fertur quasque dare tenebras has surripuisse Estque lucet sic ei lux perpetue requiei Atque libro vite quo nunc inscribitur ipse Nomen eius legitur cum sanctis numeratur 2. Vpon a Prior of this house here buried who was neuer beloued in his life time yet much bewailed after his death Quem dens momordit liuoris dummodo vixit Linguaque detraxit mors nunc bene glorificauit Nunc redeunt varia tumulata prius benefacta Famaque recrescit liuor post facta quiescit Nunc acus invidie lingue fel serra loquele Carpere cessarunt nunc aicere sic didicerunt Quando cadens obijt abijt pater hicque recessit Secum dapsilitas secum virtus honestas Istius Ecclesie quasi plangentes abiere Secum claustrale frenum que iugum Monachale Migrarunt eciam claustro dederantque salutem Secum vera fides bine secumque sorores Ibant ad puteum dixere locoque tuantem Secum fertilitas pietas secumque facultas Que parcit miseris sua que confert egenis Secum Iusticia pax lex policia In breuibus quicquia virtutem gignere possit Secum transiuit abijt secumque recessit Cur Dominus secum secum requies in idipsum 3. Vpon a Monke buried in this Church Alter honestatis Sol serens grauitatis Hesperus ac morum lampas rutilans monachorum Nunc occultatur hic sub modio tenebratur Nec tribuit lumen Claustro quod tribuit olim Mors eclipsari cansauerat tenebrari Est tamen
restored to all his former honours and withall created Earle of Oxford He died in the yeare 1194. the sixth of king Richard the first and was here buried by his father His wife Agnes or Adeliza lieth buried by him who was the daughter of Henry of Essex Baron of Ralegh the Kings Constable Such was the Epitaph or inscription vpon his Tombe as it is in the book of Colne Priory Hic iacet Albericus de Vere silius Alberici de Veer Comes de Guisney primus Comes Oxonie magnus Camerarius Anglie qui propter summam audatiam effrenatam prauitatem Grymme Aubrey vocabatur obiit 26. die Decembris anno Christi 1194. Richardi â— sexto Aubrey de Vere the sonne of the foresaid Aubrey succeeded his father in all his dignities I finde little written of him in our Histories saue that out of his Christian pietie he did confirme the gift of septem librat terre which Aubrey his father gaue to the Chanons of Saint O sith here in Essex adding thereto something of his owne He dyed in the yeare of our Lord 1214. and sleepeth now in the same Bed with three other Aubreyes his Ancestors To whom this Epitaph vpon Conrad the Emperour at Spires in Germany may be fitly applied Filius hic Pater hic Auus hic Proauus iacet istie The great Belsire the Grandsire Sire and Sonne Lie here interred vnder this Grauestone Hugh de Vere the sonne of Robert the first of that Christian name Earle of Oxford and Lord great Chamberlaine of England was here entombed with his Ancestors who died in the yeare 1263. He had the title of Lord Bolebeck which came by his mother Isabell de Bolebeck daughter and heire of Hugh de Bolebeck a Baron who was Lord of Bolebeck Castle in Whitechurch within Buckinghamshire and of Swaffam Bolebeck in Cambridgeshire Hee had to wife Hawisia the daughter of Saier de Quincy Earle of Winchester as appeares by this Inscription sometime insculpt vpon their Tombe Hic iacent Hugo de Veer eius nominis primus Comes Oxonie quartus magnus Camerarius Anglie filius heres Roberti Comitis Hawisua vxor cius filia Saeri de Quincy comitis Wintonie qui quidem Hugo obiit 1263. Quorum animabus propitietur altissimus Robert de Vere the sonne of Hugh aforesaid Earle of Oxford who enioyed his fathers inheritances and honours the space of thirtie and two yeares lieth here entombed with his ancestours who died in the yeare 1295. Alice his wife the daughter and heire of Gilbert Lord Samford Lord of Hormead in Hertfordshire was interred by him who died at Caufeld house neare Dunmow the ninth day of September 1312. Here lieth buried the body of Robert de Vere sonne and successour to the foresaid Robert whose gouernment both in peace and warre was so prudent his hospitalitie and other workes of charitie so wisely abundant and his Temperance with a religious zeale so admirablie conioyned that he was of all surnamed the good Earle of Oxford and the vulgar esteemed him as a Saint He died the 19. of Aprill 1331. Here lyeth entombed Robert de Vere Richard the seconds Mignion who to adde to his honours created him Marquesse of Dublin a title not knowne before that time in England and in the yeare following Duke of Ireland with commission to execute most inseparable prerogatiues royall These Stiles were of too high a nature and therefore infinitely subiected to enuy Whereupon like a second Gaueston he was hated of the Nobilitie especially for that he was a man nec prudentia caeteris proceribus nec armis valentior as Walsingham saith 9. R. 2. But it was not long before he was banished England by the Barons for abusing the Kings eare to the hurt of the State He had to wife a young faire and noble Lady and the Kings neare kinswoman for she was grandchilde to King Edward by his daughter Isabell he put her away and tooke one of Queene Annes women a Bohemian of base birth Sellarij filia saith Walsingham a Sadlers daughter some say a Ioyners an act full of wickednesse and indignitie Yet this intollerable villanie offered to the bloud-royall King Richard did not encounter neither had the power some say who deemed that by witchcrafts and forceries practised vpon him by one of the Dukes followers his iudgement was so seduced and captiuated that he could not see what was honest or siâ— to doe But where Princes are wilfull or slothfull and their Fauorites flatterers or time-seruers there needs no other enchantments to infatuate yea and ruinate the greatest Monarch Vpon his banishment he went into France where he liued about fiue yeares and there being a hunting he was slaine by a wilde Boare in the yeare 1392. King Richard hearing thereof out of his loue caused his body to be brought into England and to be apparrelled in Princely ornaments and robes and put about his neck a chaine of gold and Rings vpon his fingers and so was buried in this Priory the King being there present and wearing blackes After the death of Robert Duke of Ireland who died without issue his Nephew Aubrey de Vere succeeded him in the Earledome of Oxford he enioyed his honours not passing eight yeares but dyed die Veneris in festo Sancti Georgij Ann. primo Hen. quarti 1400. and lieth here entombed with his worthie Ancestors Here lieth buried in this Priorie Iohn de Vere the third of that Christian name and the thirteenth Earle of Oxford Lord Bolebecke Samford and Scales great Chamberlaine and Lord high Admirall of England Who died the fourth of Henry the eight 1512. hauing beene Earle of Oxford full fifty yeares a long time to tugge out in the troublesome raignes of so many kings especially for men of eminent places and high spirits euer apt to take any occasion to shew their manly prowesse which fire of honour flamed in this Earles breast at Barnet field where in a mist the great Earle of Warwickes men not able to distinguish betwixt the Sun with streames vpon King Edwards liuery and the Starre with streames on this Earles liuery shot at this Earles followers and by that misprision the battell was lost After which he fled into Cornwall and seized vpon Saint Michaels Mount But Edward the fourth got him in his power and committed him prisoner to the Castle of Hames beyond the Seas where he remained for the space of twelue yeares vntill the first of King Henry the seuenth with whom he came into England and by whom he was made Captaine of the Archers at Bosworth-field where after a short resistance hee discomfited the Foreward of King Richard whereof a great number were slaine in the chase and no small number fell vnder the victors sword This Earle gaue a great contribution to the finishing of Saint Maries Church in Cambridge His hospitalitie and the great port he carried here in his country may be gathered out of a
ghost would giue ouer walking as though all the dues of funerall had beene really performed to him at his death as in Ausonius Voce ciere animas funeris instar habet And agaâ—ne Ille etiam moesti cui defuit vrna sepulchri Nomine ter dicto paene sepultus erit Aeneas saluted the soule of Deiphobus the sonne of old Priam at his Cenotaph after the same manner The rumour went How in the night extreme of Greekish slaughters wearie spent Thou headlong threw'st thy selfe on mixed heape of enemies slaine Then I my selfe to thee an emptie Tombe on Rheta plaine Aduancing vp did build and thrice thy soule saluted cleere Thy name and armes that place preserues but thee O friend so deare Could I not see that in thy countrey-ground I might interre Then Deiphobus said Nothing sweet friend can I require All duties done thou hast nor more my ghost can thee desire You haue the manner of sacrificing about these Cenotaphs expressed in Virgil lib. 3. Aen. where Andromache celebrates the Anniuersary of her slaine husband arme-puissant Hector thus Great sacrifice by chance that time and gifts with heauie minde Before the Towne in greenwood shade by Simois water side Andromache to Hectors dust with seruice did prouide And dainties great of meat she brought and on his soule she cride At Hectors Tombe that greene with grasse and turfs stood her beside And causes more to mourne thereby two Altars had she set The solemnitie of Polydores obit at his emptie hearse is described in the said booke much what after the same manner Anon therefore to Polydore an Hearse we gan prepare And huge in height his Tombe we reare all Altars hanged are With weeds of mourning hewes and cypres trees and blacke deuise And Troian wiues with haire disclosde as is their guise Great fomy boules of milke we threw luke-warme on him to fall And holy bloud in basons brought we poure and last of all We shrikt and on his soule our last with great outcries we call And much what to the same purpose are these verses in Ouids Metam lib. 6. fab 7. Progne her royall ornaments reiects And puts on blacke an emptie Tombe erects To her imagin'd ghost oblations burnes Her sisters fate not as she should she mournes To the memory of the Grecians slaine in the warres of Troy a Cenotaph was set vp at Corinth In the expedition of Cyrus an emptie sepulchre was built for the slaine and mangled souldiers whose reliques could not be found The Romanes sixe yeares after the slaughter made by Arminius of so many of their Legions erected a Cenotaph or couered with earth the remaines of their friends and kindred howsoeuer it was vncertaine whether they buried the stranger or friend And Caesar to shew a gratefull memory of the dead and himselfe to be partaker of their griefe with his owne hands put the first turfe on their Tombes The Primitiue Christians did exhibite a religious honour to the Cenotaphs of holy men to whose memory many in those dayes were erected which for the profession of the Gospell had suffered martyrdome or vndergone those variety of torments which were as then inflicted vpon the faithfull as you may reade in Theodoret. lib. de Martyr and in these Saphicks of Aurelius Prudentius Nonne Vincenti peregre necatus Martyr his terris tenui notasti Sanguinis rore speciem futuri morte propinqua Hoc colunt ciues velut ipsa membra Cespes includat suus paterno Seruet amplectens tumulo beati Martyris ossa It was and is the vse in most countries to inscribe these emptie monuments as reall sepulchres with the names and titles of the defunct to whose honour they were intended As in Ouid. Meta lib. 11. fab 10. Seas fright me with their tragicall aspect Of late I saw them on the shore eiect Their scattered wracks and often I haue read Sad names on Sepulchres that want their dead And a little after in the same fable where Alcyone mournes for her drownd husband Ceix thus would I with thee Had put to sea a happie fate for me Then both together all the time assignd For life had liu'd nor in our death disioynd Now here I perisht there on that profound Poore I was wrackt yet thou without me drownd O I then flouds more cruell should I striue To lengthen life and such a griefe suruiue Nor will I nor forsake thee nor deferre Though one vrne hold not both one Sepulchre Shall ioyne our titles though thy bones from mine The seas disseuer yet our names shall ioyne Death choakt the rest Our Ancients accustomed likewise to garnish decke and adorne these cenotaphs as other tombes or sepulchres and that with all kinde of reuerence and whosoeuer did deface or breake downe any of these Honorarie void Monuments exemplarie punishment was inflicted vpon the partie so offending as vpon your Tumboruchoi or graue-diggers But I will conclude this chapter with this difference of Sepulchres and Cenotaphs as I finde it recorded by Scipio Gentilis Sepulchrorum sanctitas saith he in ipso solo est quod nulla vi moueri neque deleri potest Cenotaphiorum vero in ipsa religione reuerentia viuorum quae mutari deleri potest CHAP. VIII Of the sanctity ascribed sometimes to ancient Funerall monuments and of the ardent desire most men haue and euer had to visit the Tombes and Sepulchres of eminent worthy persons FVnerall Monuments especially of the godly and religious haue euer beene accounted sacred Batti veteris sacrum Sepulchrum The sacred Sepulchre Of old Bat loe is here saith Catullus To which effect Quintilian Declam 10. Sacratos morte lapides etiam ossa cineres ossa religiosè quiescentia fracta sparsisset vrna And they were accounted the more sacred by how much they were of more continuance Sepulchra sanctiora sunt vetustate saith Vlpian And as in the Seâ—pulchres themselues there was euer holden to bee a kinde of sanctiâ—ie so there was holden to bee the like or more holinesse in the soile whereupon these sepulchres were made and erected And such a holinesse as I haue said before quod nulla vi moueri neque deleri potest and more especially in that ground wherein the bodies of Christians were interred by reason of the sanctified corps that it receiued It is an vse in some parts of Ireland as yet not altogether abolished for children to sweare by their forefathers hand or by their Lords hand And in the countrey where I was borne the vulgar sort especially doe most commonly sweare by the crosse of their owne Parish Kirke as they call it and in ancient times children vsed to sweare by the Sepulchres of their parents Others by the sepulchres of such persons who in their life time were reputed honourable amongst them either in regard of the worthinesse of their person or of the eminence of place of gouernment which they held in the weale publike And by these oathes the things
extreamely vitious Whereupon one Robert Abbot of Molesme a Towne in Burgundy peâ—ceiuing that the Benedictines Monkes of his owne house as of all other Monasterâ—es had almost quite left and forsaken the ancient rule and discipâ—iâ—e that Benet had giuen them he left his owne house taking with him one aâ—d twenty of the honestest Monkes he could finde to a solitarie stupendiouâ— and neuer inhabited place called Cisteux or Cistercium neare to â—â—â—gres in the said Duchie of Burgundy where hee erected a new Abbey for his new companions whom hee called Cistercians of the place where the Abbey was scituated The liberties immunities and priuiledges of this Order was generally confirmed by Alexander the fourth Bishop of Rome circa An 1258. Bulla Pape Alexandri quarti de Confirmatione omnium libertatum immunitatum priuilegiorum c. ordinis Cisterciensis Alexander Episcopus seruus seruorum Dei. Dilectis filijs Abbati Cistercij eiusque coahbitibus et conventibus vniuersis Cisterciensis ordinis Salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem Solet annuere sedes Apostolica pijs votis et honestis pâ—tentium precibus fauorem beneuolum impertiri Ea propter dilecti in Domino filij vestris iustis postulationibus grato concurrentes assensis omnes libertates et immunitates à predecessoribus nostris Romanis Pontificibus siue per priuilegia seu alias Indulgentias ordini vestro concessas nec non libertates et exemptiones secularium exactionum à Reâ—ibus et principibus vel alijs Christianâ— sidelibus rationabiliter vobis indultas auctoritate Apostolica confirmamus et presentis scripti patrocinio communuimus Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostre confirmationis infringere vel ei ausu temerario contraâ—re Si quis autem hoc attemptare presumpserit indignationem omnipotentis Dei et beatorum Petriet Pauli Apostolorum eius se nouerit incursurum Dat. Lateran X. Kal. Martij Pontificatus nostri Anno secundo This Cistercian Brotherhood was first established here in England by one Walter Espeke who founded the first Abbey of the said Order at Riuaux or Rivall in Yorkeshire about the yeare 1131. according to this old Distich sometimes depicted vpon the wall at the entrance into the said Abbey Anglia Millesimo centes Anno quoque et vno Christi et tricesimo micuit Cistercius Ordo Some fifteene yeares after this foundation and about the yeare 1098. S. Bernard surnamed the Mellifluous a man noblely descended borne at the Castle of Fountenay in Burgundy with thirtie of his companions amongst which three were his owne brethren became religious men in this Monasterie This Bernard in short time became very famous as well for his learning of which his diuine writings full of sweetnesse beare witnesse as for the holinesse of his life in regard of which hee was sent by his superiour to lay the foundation of that great and famous Abbey of Clareuaux or Claravallensis neare to the riuer Aulbe about Langâ—es which Abbey a Nobleman of the countrey had then lately built and thus began the Monkes of the Order of Saint Bernard which is all one with the Cistercian Monkes sauing a little difference in the habit both of them obseruing the rule of Saint Benet This good man Saint Benet came to the Abbey of Cisteux when he was eighteene yeares old at the age of 25 he was consecrated Abbot of Claravall Et diuino magis instinctu quam humana industria legem Domini didicit quam tanta doctrinae munificentia et eloquij suavitatâ— enarrauit vt communi Doctorum consersu Mellistui Doctoris cognomen sit adeptus saith Opmer The Archbishoprickes of Genua and Millan hee refused and onely contented himselfe with the gouernment of this Abbey of Claravall in the which he continued 38. yeares Hee died the fifth of Nouember about the yeare of Grace 1160. and was buried in his owne Monasterie when he had liued 63 yeares He built the Monasterie of Saint Vincent and Anastasius in Rome to the gouernment of which he preferred one Peter Bernard his Scholler who was afterward Pope of Rome by the name of Eugenius the thâ—rd In his time by himselfe and his meanes one hundred and sixe Abbeyes of this Order were built and reestablished vpon the forefront or some other places within these Abbeyes this sentence is most commonly depensild grauen or painted taken out of Saint Bernard Bonum est nos hic esse quia homo viuit puriùs cadit rariùs â—urgit vâ—lociùs incedit cautiùs quiescit securiùs moritur felicâ—ùs purgatur 〈◊〉 praemiatur copiosius Amongst many Epitaphs made to the immortall memorie of this Mellifluons Doctor these following may suffice Ecce latet clare vallis clarissimus Abbas Qui summis summus qui sibi parvus erat Relligionis apex lux mundi laus Monachorum Vox verbi pacis sanctio iuris amor Instructus velox sublimis pauper abundaâ—s Artibus ingenio sanguine veste bonis Laudis eget titulo cuius laus non sit ad omnes Cuius honor cuius crescere fama fuit Nunc vero quem plangit adhuc quem predicat orbis Si laudare velim laus mea laude caret Dura malum cunctos tulit horruit ediâ—icauit Vana Deum requiem spreuit amauit habet Another alluding to the name of Claravall Sunt clare valles sed claris vallibus Abbas Clarior hijs clarum nomen habere dâ—dit Clarus auis clarus meritis et clarus honore Clarier eloquio Relligione magis Mors est clara cinis clarus clarumque sepulchrum Clarior exultaâ— spiritus ante Deum Another vpon his owne name Ardens Bernardus aut ardens aut bona nardus Iure vocatur propter quod nunc celebratur Ardens feruore vita sublimis odore Nardus que vere virtutis signa fuere Iste fuit per quem patuit doctrina sophie Preco Dei Doctor fidei Cytarista Marie It is said by one that approaching neare to his end he spoke thus to his brethren Tria vobis obseruanda relinquo que in stadio presentis vite quo cucurrimemini me pro viribus observasse Nemini scandalum facere volui si aliquando accidit sedaui vt potui Minus semper sensui meo quam alterius credidi Lesus de ledente nunquam vindict im expetij Three things I require you to keepe and obserue which I remember to haue kept to my power as long as I haue been in this present life I haue not willed to slander any person and if any haue fallen I haue hid it as much as I might I haue euer lesse trusted to my owne wit and vnderstanding then to any others If I were at any time hurt harmed or annoyed I neuer craued vengeance of the partie which so wronged me Which is thus more succinctly set downe by another who hath written the life of the said Bernard Beati Bernardi metricum Testamentum Et primo sui Prioris interrogatio Que vite forma qui
as is conteyned in thes Articles following Furst ower soueraigne Lorde Kyng Herry the seuenth with all his progeny all Archebusschoppes Busschoppes Abbotts Dukes Erles Barons Knygtes Squyers Gentillmen yomen cetezines and Strangers and all oder cristen peple both men and women what oder degre or condicyon soeuer thei be of spyrituall or temporall seculer or reguler dwellyng or for a tyme abydyng within the Relme of Englond Irelond Wales Gernesey or Garnsey or any oder place vndre the rewle or dominacion of our sayd soueraigne Lorde the Knyge which att any time after the publycation herof to the last Euensong of the Octaues of Ester next commynge truely confessyd and contryte visite soche Chorches as shall be assigned to be vesited by the ryght reuerent Fader in God Gasper Powe Prothonotarie and Doctor of Diuinite of our sayd holy Fader the Popes Imbassator and in this holy Iubeley Commissarie or by oder by hym substituted or deputed and ther put into the chest for th entent ordeyned soche somme or quantite of money gold or siluer as is lymytted and taxed here folowyng in the last end of this paper to be spent for the defence of ower feithe shall have the same Indulgence Pardon and Grace with remissyon of all ther sinnes whiche thei shuld have had if thei had gone personally to Rome in the yere of Grace and ther vesited all the Chorches assigned for that entent both within the cite and without and alsoo done all oder things required to have be done ther for the obteyning of the said grace of the â—ubeley Also our said holy Fader hath gevyn full power and auctorite to his said Commissarie and his Deputis to cheâ—e and assigne Confessours and Penitenciers seculer and reguler in all soche places as shall please the said Commissarie or his Deputies to here the confessions of all soche as are desposed to receyue the Pardon of this holy Iubeley The which confessours and Penitenciers shall have the same auctorite and power in euery behalfe whiche the Penitenciers of Rome had at Rome in the yere of Grace That is to saye thei shall absolue them of all manner of crimes trespasses trangressyons and synnes what so euer thei be though the absolutyon ther of be reserved to the Courte of Rome or to the Pope himselfe nothyng except but soche as was except to the Petenciers of Rome and that was only the absolucyon of Conspiratours in the person of the holy Fader the Pope or in the state of the See of Rome And also the falsaries of the Popes Bulls and of oder wrytings passing from the Courte of Rome of the sellers or conveyers of Harneys or oder things prohibited to the hethen peple And of thes that laieth violente bondes on Busschoppes or oder Prelates of the Chirche which be above Busschoppes And the said Confessours shall haue power to geue and graunte to all the said persones confessyd and contrite clene and full remission whiche is called A pena et culpa Also the said Confessours and Penitenciers shall have power and auctorite to dispence and change all manner of vowes into almâ—sdede for the defence of our Feith none except though itt be to Rome to Iherusalem or to Seint Iames. Also our said holy Fader willing no man to be excluded from this grete Grace and Indulgence hath graunted that all soche as be seke and impotente or oderwyse deseased so that * yei may not easly visitte the Chorches assigned to be visetted shall have for them and all ther howsholde the sayd Indulgence Remissyon and Grace as well as if they did visitte the sayd Chorches Furst compownding effectually with the sayd Commissarie or his Deputies for the same Also itt ys graunted by our sayd holy Fader that all thos that were at Rome this last yere of Grace shal be parteable and capax of this sayd Grace and Pardon yt thei will receive itt Also our sayd holy Fader hath graunted to his said Commissarie and his substitutes full power to interpretate and declare all soche doubts as may be fownde or be moved in thies his graunts or in the execucion of the same or any parte ther of willyng and commandyng that ther interpretatyon shall effectually be taken and stond Also our said holy Fader hath straitly commanded in the vertue of obedience and vndre the payne of cursyng the sentence in that behalfe gevin of the whiche they may nott be assoyled but of the Pope himself furst satisfaccion made with the sayd Commissarie or his Depute after the qualite of the trespas That none ordinary seculer or reguler or any oder persones seculer or reguler lett his Bulles or any oder writyngs made for declaracion her of to be published in their Chorches Citees or Diocesses wher or whan itt shal be nedefull nor that thei shall aske or receyve though itt be offered any money or oder reward for the publicacion or sufferance therof or any otherwyse lett or hynder thexpedicion therof and goodspeede of the seid Indulgence or persuade directly or indirectly any person to withdrawe their good mynd or porpose in that behalfe Also our seid holy Fader chargeth and commandeth all prechers of the word of God whate condicion so euer thi be as well men or Religyon as oder that thei shall publishe and effectually declare in ther prechings and oder places whan thei shall be required by the seid Commissarie or his Deputees the seid Indulgence and Pardon vndre the peyne specifyed Also our seid holye Fader hath suspended and disanulled all manner of Pardons and graunts graunted or to be graunted notwithstondyng any specyall clause that thei shulde not be revolted without specyall mentyon made de verbo in verbum The Tax what euery man shall put into the Chest that woll receyve this grete grace of this Iubeley Furst euery man and woman what degre condicioun or state soeuer thei be yf it be an Archebusschoppe Duke or of any oder dignite spirituall or temporall havyng londes to the yerely valour of M. M. l. or aboue must pay or cause to be payed to this holy enrent and effecte for defence of our Feithe agaynst the most grete and cruell enemy of the same the Turke yf thei will receiue this grete indulgence and Grace of this Iubeley for themselfs and their wyfes and their children not maryed and effectually without disseyte put into the Chest ordeyned for that entent of trew and lawfull money in that countrie wher thei be iii. l. vii s. viii d. Also euery man and woman havyng tenementes and rentes to the yerely value of one M. l. or aboue to the summe of ii M. l. exclusive must pay for themselfs and their wyfes xl s. Item all thos that hath londes and Rentes c. to the yerely valour of ccccl. or aboue to the summe of a M. l. exclusive must pay for themselfes and their wyfes xxvi s. viii d. Item all thos that hath londes and rentes c. to the yerely valour of ccl or
and 〈…〉 was for integritie euen admirable and so was his learning as his works â—et exâ—ant do testifie Now because his Epitaph is either worne out or was euer wanting I will be so bold as borrow one for him from one of his owne name which I haue read vpon a Monument in Parma in Italie Hic iacet Anselmus post mortem viuere certus Cantuar. Archiepus que omni bonitate refertus Vir sobrius castus vir vitans vndique fastus Vir gremijs plenis largus largitor egenis Vir bene politus sagax doctus ernditus Dogmata maturusque inter contagia purus An Domini Mil. cent que nono que die quoque meâ—sis April vicesimo vno Mortis hunc enecat ensis In the south part of Saint Thomas Chappell in a marble Tombe ioyning to the wall lieth the body of Theobald Archbishop of this See Who was chosen to that Grace by the Suffragan Bishops of his owne Prouince in a Conuocation held at London he was a Benedictine Monke and Abbot of Becco a man of no great learning but of so gentle and sweet behauiour being very wise withall as hee was greatly esteemed of high and low Kings Nobles and Commons yet howsoeuer he was of an affable milde nature and faire demeanure his patience was so greatly moned vpon good occasion that he interposed the Popes authoritie with whom the King was made a partie so farre as that his goods and Temporalties were twice confiscate seised into the Kingâ— hands and himselfe once banished the kingdome which so netled him that like a tall fellow Nam laesa patientia fit furor he interdicted King Stephen and the whole Realme and taking aduantage of the time which was wondrous troublesome came home and liued in Norfolke till by the intercession of certaine Bishops hee was restored After which hee grew into great fauour with the said King and was the chiefe meanes of concluding that finall peace at Wallingford betweene him and Maud the Empresse Shortly after which King Stephen died and Henry surnamed Fitz empresse sonne of Geffrey Plantaginet and Maud the Empresse succeeded him in the Regalitie vnder whom this Bishop passed the rest of his dayes quietly in great fauour and estimation and died Ann. 1160. when he had sat Archbishop 22. yeares Perceiuing his end to approach he made his Will and gaue all his goods to the poore or other like good vses Of whom this Epitaph was made Hic iacet Theobaldus Cantuar. Archiepiscopus ob morum placabilitatem at que constantiam Hen. 2. valde gratiosus affabilis veridicus prudens amicus sirmus in omnes liberalis in pauperes munificus Qui sue tandem senectut is languide vite pertesus anteactam vitam morti persoluit Ann. Dom. 1160. cum 22. annis sedisset Anima eius requiescat in pace Amen I finde one Richard for I finde no further of his name Archbishop of this chaire to be here interred in our Ladies Chappell sometime a Benedictine Monkâ— Prior of the Monasterie of Saint Martins in Douer a man very liberaâ—l gentle and wise for hee so handled the matter that in all his time he neuer was at odds or out either with the Pope or King The Pope he entertained with often gifts and money the Kings fauour he retained by yeelding and conforming himselfe to his pleasure This man continued in his gouernment about the space of ten or eleuen yeares In all which time there happened not any thing of him worthie of memorie except the controuersie stirre and tumult betweene him and the Archbishop of Yorke for primacie and the ordaining of three Archdeacons for his Diocesse which euer before his time was content with one An ill husband hee was for his Church if wee may beleeue this my old Authour This Richard saith he was a man of great Religion and also of great wit in his temporall gouernance but in defending of his freedome of holy Church and punishment of excesse and misbeleeuers to simple and slow which is partly approued by the sequele if the report of his end and death may passe for current truth how that being a sleepe at his Manor of Wrotham there seemed to come vnto him a certaine terrible Personage demanding of him who he was whereunto when for feare the Archbishop answered nothing Thou art he said the other that hast destroyed the goods of the Church and I will destroy thee from off the face of the earth which hauing said he vanished away In the morning the Bishop taking his iourney toward Rochester related this fearfull vision unto a friend of his by the way which he had no sooner told then that hee was taken suddenly with a great cold and stiffenesse in his limbes so that they had much adoe to get him so farre as Halling a house belonging to the Bishop of Rochester where he tooke his bed and being horribly tormented with the Chollick and other griefes gaue vp the ghost the next night following saue one the 16. of Feb. Ann. 1184. obijs saith one 14. Kal. Martij feria sexta necte Ann. 11. ab electione sua cuius corpus in Ecclesia Christi Cant. in oratorio sancte Marie 22. Kal. Martij die Sabbati est honorifice Sepultus In the South wall of this Church lieth the body of Hubert Walter or Walter Hubert for such a transmutation of the name I finde to bee vsed who was borne at West-Derham in Norfolke and brought vp vnder Raynulph de Glanfeld chiefe Iustice of England The first preferment hee obtained was the Deanrie of Yorke thence hee was called by King Richard the first vnto the Bishopricke of Salisbury Whom he attended in all that long and dangerous voyage into the holy Land as a Commander or Colonell of some English forces by whose valour and his owne he performed admirable seruice at the siege and surrender of Acon and other fortified places for which and for his discreete handling the matter in procuring 250000. Markes of the Clergie for the ransome of his Master King Richard the said King knew not how to heape honours sufficient vpon him so that at one time he was Archbishop the Popes Legate Lord Chancelor Lord chiefe Iustice and high immediate Gouernour vnder him of all his Dominions both in Wales and England he was much blamed and peraduenture not vnworthily for vndertaking so many great offices For Pluribus intentus minor est ad singula sensus howsoeuer neuer any man vsed his authoritie and power more moderately faithfull and loyall he was euer to his Prince louing and very careâ—uâ—l of his countrey in which he caused many excellent Decrees and Lawes to be established His house keeping was such as the expence thereof was thought to be little inferiour to the Kings hee built a Monasterie at Durham the place of his birth began another at Wulferhampton encompâ—ssed the Tower of
which onely these words are remaining Hic ..... Ba miles And in the window vnder his armes in an old character written Thomas de Ba. Of which short surname I finde nothing related in writing nor deliuered by word of mouth either short or long Chiselherst Here is the buriall place of the Walsinghams Monkton in the Isle of Tenet At the West end of this Church are these verses to be read Insula rotunda Thanatos quam circuit vnda Fertilis munda nulli est in orbe secunda The Isle of Thanet which is round and watered round about Doth passe the Isles in fruitfulnesse that be the world throughout Wingham Here sometime stood a Collegiate Church founded by Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury about the yeare 1287. wherein hee placed Canons regular valued at the time of suppression at fourescore and foure pounds of yearely reuenues Knowlton In this Church are buried some of Ringleis one of them kneeling in compleate armour his armes fixed on the Monument It seemeth the Langleys who liued here a long time did either found or reedifie this Church their armes being fixed ouer the doore vpon the fount and in the windowes Monkton In this Church are buried the Blechendens and Crisps families of good respect in this County Saint Laurence Church Here lieth Tho. S. Nicholas who married Ioane Manston .... dyed .... had issue Tho. S. Nicholas here entombed Roger Manston Iulian sa Femme gisoinct icy Dieu de salmes eyt mercy Amen These Manstons dwelt at Manston neare to this Parish and seeme to be the founders of this Chappell wherein many of the name lie entombed Barham Church Albina la Femme Rogeri Digge gist icy Dieu de salme eit mercy Amen In cineres stratus iacet hic Iohn Digge vocitatus Coniuge ..... grata Iohanna consociata Milicie nata de stirpe suit memorata Spiritibus quorum faueat Deus ipse Deorum .... pax solamen reminiscunt verius Amen Iohannes humilis pius prudens tumulatus Marmore tantillo qui solet esse potens Qui quinquagenos tres perdit simul annos Nonis Decembris vt cadit iste bonus Post anno quinto sequitur sua sponsa Iohanna In festo magni Martyris alta petens Coniugium faciens iunxisti corpora quondam Christe suas animas sac tibi celicolas This family for many descents euen to these our dayes hath beene of exemplarie note and great respect in this countrey Douer In the Church within the Castle lyeth a knight whose pourtraiture is inlaid with brasse vpon a marble stone with this Inscription Hic iacet Robertus Asheton myles quondam Constabularius Castri Douorie et custos quinque Portuum qui obijt nono die Ianuar. Anno Domini millesimo CCC octogesimo quarto cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Such was his patent for his office of Constable and Lord Warden of the fiue ports Rex omnibus c. Salutem Concessimus post sursum reddicionem Sol mundi comitis Cantabr dilecto et fideli nostro Roberto de Ashton Constabulariam Castri Douor ac custodiam quinque Portuum habend et custodiend cum omnibus et singulis ad easdem Constabulariam et custodiam qualitercunque spectantibus siue pertinentibus ad totam vitam ipsius Roberti adeo plene et integre sicut aliqui alij Constabularij et custodes portuum eorundem Constabul et custod illas ante hec tempora ex concessione nostra habuerunt seu tenuerunt Percipiâ—nd pro Constabular et custodia predictis pro sustentacione sua nec non Capellanorum seruientium et vigilium ac vnius Carpentarij in dicto Castro Commorantium CCC l. per annum iuxta ratam temporis videlicet de Wardis T. R. apud Westm. 1. Feb. Ann. 4. R. Re. Ric. 2. pat 2. Memb. 28. The rest of his offices and honours heaped vpon him at seuerall times are likewise recorded in the Tower Of which so much as tends to the purpose I meane to the time and place of his preferments First Robertus de Assheton constituitur Admirallus Flote nauium ab ore aque Thamasis versus partes occidentales quamdiu Regi placuerit c. Teste R. apud Westm. 28. April 1. par Pat. Ann. 43. Ed. 3. m. 15. Againe Robertus de Assheton constituitur Iusticiarius Hibernie quandiu c. T. R. apud W. 13. Aug. 2. P. pat Ann. 46. Ed. 3. M. 16. Robertus de Assheton habet officium Thesaurarij Scaccarij quamdiu c. T. R. apud W. 26. Sept. 2. P. pat Ann. 49. Ed. 3 m. 23. He was also one of the Executours to the last Will and Testament of king Edward the third as appeares in the Office He was descended from the Asshetons of Assheton vnderline in the County of Lancaster as I finde it in the pedegree of Sir Ralph Assheton of Whalley Baronet descended from the same familie He gaue the great Bell of the Church within Douer Dastle as appeares by this Inscription cast in the mettall about the circumference of the same Dominus Robertus de Ashetone miles me fecit fieri Anno quarto Richardi secundi Lucius the first christened king of the Britaines built this Church to the name and seruice of Christ endowing it with the Toll or custome of Douer Eadbald the sonne of Ethelbert king of Kent to expiate his foule sinnes of incest and infidelity amongst other his pious actions erected a Colledge within the walls of this Castle which Wightred a successour of his remoued into the Towne stored it with two and twenty Chanons and dedicated it to the name of Saint Martine Ann. 725. Which house was afterward new builded by king Henry the first or rather by William Corbeil Archbishop as I coniecture by these words Nouum opus Sancti Martini incipitur à Wilhelmo Corbuil Ann. 1132. wherein Theobald the successour of Corbeil placed Benedictine Monks and called it the new Worke at Douer and was surrendred 16. Nouemb. 27. Hen. 8. the value of this foundation was yearely 232. l. 10. s. 5. d. ob and was surrendred 26. Nouemb 27. H. 8. Henry the third king of England here founded an Hospitall for the Knights Templers which he called Maison de Dieu or Gods house Valued at 159. l. 18. s. 6. d. ob q. per annum at the dissolution Not farre from this Towne was a little Monastery called St. Radegunds on the hill valued at 98. l. by yeare founded by Hugh the first Abbot of Saint Austins Herne Hic iacet Anto. Louerick Armig. et Constantia vxor eius qui obijt 10 Octob. 1511. Hic iacet corpus Christiane dudum vxoris Mathei Philips Aurisabâ—â— ac Maioris Londinensis que obijt .... 1470. pro cuius anime salute veluis Deum orare This Lord Maior was made knight of the Bath at the coronation of Elizabeth wife of king Edward the fourth together
mother this Raph by the marriage of his wife Margaret writ himselfe in his Charters and deeds Baron of Tunbridge And a noble Baron he was and the first Earle of Stafford created by Edward the third the fifth of March in the twentieth and fifth yeare of his raigne Mills in the Catalogue of Honour sets downe this mans pedegree after this manner drawne from William the Conquerours time still abiding in the male line Nicholas the sonne of Robert begot Robert the second whose daughter and heire married to Henry de Bagot he in the right of his wife was made Baron of Stafford and hee begat another called Heruey who left the name of Bagot and tooke on him the name of Stafford and he begot Robert the third father to Nicholas the second father to Edmund who begot this first Earle of Stafford all successiuely Barons and Lords of Stafford Hee dyed the 31. of August in the yeare 1372. Margaret his wife dyed the seuenth of September 1349. This Earle was knight of the honourable order of the Garter at the first foundation Andrew Iud the sonne of Iohn Iud of this Towne of Tonebridge sometime Lord Maior of London erected here a faire free-Schoole and an Almes-house nigh Saint Helens Church in London and left to the Skinners of which company he was lands to the value of threescore pounds three shillings and eight pence the yeare for the which they bee bound to pay twenty pound to the Schoolemaster eight pound to the Vsher yearely for euer and foure shillings the weeke to the sixe Almes-people and twenty fiue shillings foure pence the yeare in Coales for euer This Andrew was Lord Maior of London the yeare 1550. the fourth of King Ed. the sixth Dyed in the yeare following and was buried at S. Helens aforesaid within Bishopsgate ward Senenoke Orate pro anima Edwardi Bowrgchier filij et heredis Thome Bowrgchier militi filii Iohannis Domini de Berners et pro anima Domine Agnete vxoris dicti Thome Bowrgchier filie Thome Carleton militis qui quidem Edwardus obijt 24. Augusti 1496. Thomas Bourchier Archbishop of Canterbury great Vnckle to this Edward bought of Sir William Fienes Lord Say and Sele and built anew that stately house of Knoll hereunto adioyning which he left to his kindred the cause of their residence in this countrey Ecce sub hoc premitur de funere cuius Curia Primatus Anglorum tota soluta est In lachrymas Haydok Haymundus vir preciosus Moribus eloquio dulcis Philologus ille Atque Theologicus clarus fuit ille viarum Rupta restaurauit letus tribuebat egenis Non auri cupidus non ambitiosus honoris Extitit extinctum Decembris luce secunda Quem mors abripuit Dominoque .... famulari Iussit is annus erat Domini quem C. quater M. que LXX complectimur hunc bone Christe In te confisum bonis celestibus auge Amen Qui pro alijs orat pro seipso laborat Orate pro anima Roberti Lawe Capellani capelle beate Marie istius Ecclesie ... obijt .... 1400. Cuius ... Pray for the soules of Thomas Brooke and Clemence Brooke his wife which Clemence Brooke dyed 1510.24 Febr. On whose soule Pray for the sowls of Tho. Gregby Alice and Godliffe his wyfes and for the sowls of his fader and moder Richard Gregbye Margaret and Agnes his wyfs which Thomas deceysed 22. Aprill 1515. On whos sowls Pray for the sowl of Robart Totleherst sometym servant vnto the Lord Cardinall Bourchier who died ..... 1512. Pray for the sowls of Iohn Yardley Sergeant of Armes to our Souereygn Lord the king and Ioane Pette his wyf whych Iohn died An. 1522. Hic iacent Willelmus Potkine Alexandra vxor eius qui quidem Willelmus obijt 1. Ianuar. 1499. et dicta Alexandra obijt 6. Dec. 1501. quorum Respicias Lector nostrum Epitaphium vt â—res pro nobis Deum About the latter end of the raigne of king Edward the third to vse M. Lambards words there was found lying in the streets of Sennocke a poore childe whose parents were vnknowne and he for the same cause named after the place where he was taken vp William Sennock This orphan was by the helpe of some charitable persons brought vp and nourtured in such wise that being made an Apprentice to a Grocer in London he arose by degrees in course of time to bee Maior and chiefe Magistrate of that Citie At which time calling to his minde the goodnesse of Almighty God and the fauour of the Townesmen extended towards him he determined to make an euerlasting Monument of his thankfull minde for the same and therefore in the yeare 1418. the yeare of his Maioroialtie hee builded both an Hospitall for reliefe of the poore and a free-Schoole for the education of youth within this Towne endowing both the one and the other with competent yearely liuing as the dayes then suffered towards their sustentation and maintenance But since his time the Schoole was much amended by the liberalitie of one Iohn Potkyn which liued vnder the reigne of king Henry the eighth and now lately also in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth of famous memory through the honest trauell of diuers Towne-inhabitants not onely the yearely stipend is much increased and the former litigious possessions quietly established but the Corporation also changed into the name of two Wardeins and foure Assistants of the free-Schoole of Queene Elizabeth in Sennocke Seale In this Church vpon a marble stone inlaid with brasse I found the portraiture of a Bishop and these words onely remaining Credo quod Redemptor meus viuit And these figures 1389. Vnder which as I gather by the date of the yeare of Grace Thomas Brenton Bishop of Rochester lyeth interred who trauelled into many places beyond Seas and comming to Rome preached in Latine before the Pope many learned Sermons which he left behinde him in writing For which and other his rare parts he was much admired and became very famous The Pope made him his Penitenciarie and bestowed vpon him this Bishopricke of Rochester he being before a Benedictine Monke of Norwich He was Confessour vnto king Ric. the second and a singular Benefactour he was to the English Hospitall at Rome He dyed as before Ann. 1389. Hic iacet Dominus de Bryene miles quondam Dominus de Kemsing et Sele qui obijt 13. Septemb. 1395. The family of the Bruins which I take to bee all one with this name was a long time famous as well in Essex as in this tract The last I finde of exemplarie note was one Thomas Bruine high Sheriffe of Kent who with the Lord Scales and others kept the Tower of London for their Soueraigne Lord king Henry the sixth against the rebellious Earles Ann. 1460. Reg. 38. Wrotham De Strattone natus iacet hic Rogerus humatus De Wrotham Rector sacre pagineque Professor
encounter in the which after long fight they preuailed and the Danes were ouerthrowne and vanquished in the yeare of Grace 904. This victory saith Lambard and the like euent in another battell giuen to the Danes at Otford which also stands in the same valley begat as I gesse the common by-word vsed amongst the inhabitants of this vale euen till this present day in which they vaunt after this manner The Vale of Holmesdale Neuer wonne ne neuer shall These and many other victories atchieued by the valour of these Kentish Inhabitants giues me occasion to speake somewhat in generall of this flourishing countrey and first I will begin with a late writer To Canterbury then as kindly he resorts His famous countrey thus he gloriously reports O noble Kent quoth he this praise doth thee belong The hard'st to be controld impatientest of wrong Who when the Norman first with pride and horrour sway'd Threw'st off the seruile yoke vpon the English lay'd And with a high resolue most brauely didst restore That libertie so long enioy'd by thee before Not suffering forraine Lawes should thy free customes binde Then onely showd'st thy selfe of th' ancient Saxon kinde Of all the English Shires be thou surnamd the free And formost euer plac't when they shall reckoned bee And let this Towne which chiefe of thy rich countrey is Of all the British Sees be still Metropolis Of their throwing off the Norman yoke his learned Illustrator Selden thus speakes To explaine it saith he I thus English you a fragment of an old Monke When the Norman Conquerour had the day hee came to Douer Castle that he might with the same subdue Kent also wherefore Stigand Archbishop and Egelsin Abbot as the chiefe of the Shire obseruing that now whereas heretofore no Villeins the Latine is Nullus fuerat seruus and applying it to our Law phrase I translate it had beene in England they should bee now all in bondage to the Normans they assembled all the County and shewed the eminent dangers the insolence of the Normans and the hard condition of Villenage they resoluing all rather to die then lose their freedome purpose to encounter with the Duke for their countries liberties Their Captaines are the Archbishop and the Abbot Vpon an appointed day they meete all at Swanescombe and harbouring themselues in the woods with Boughs in euery mans hand they incompasse his way The next day the Duke comming by Swanescombe seemed to see with amazement as it were a wood approaching towards him the Kentish men at the sound of a Trumpet take themselues to Armes when presently the Archbishop and Abbot were sent to the Duke and saluted him with these words Behold Sir Duke the Kentish come to meete you willing to receiue you as their Liege Lord vpon that condition that they may for eâ—er enioy their ancient Liberties and Lawes vsed among their Ancestors otherwise presently offering warre being ready rather to die then vndergo a voke of bondage and loose their ancient Lawes The Norman in this narrow pinch not so willingly as wisely granted the desire and hostages giuen on both sides the Kentishmen direct the Normans to Rochester and deliuer them the County and the Castle of Douer Againe for this honour of the Kentish in hauing the foremost place in euery battell he deliuers thus much out of an old Author who writ in Latine about the time of Henry the second Which by him is likewise thus taught to speake English What performance king Cnut did among the Danes and Norwegians by English valour is apparant in that vntill this day the Kentish men for their singular vertue then showne haue prerogatiue alwayes to bee in the Vantgard as Wiltshire Deuonshire and Cornwall in the Rere And further for the prowesse of the Kentish men will it please you reade a peece out of Camden the like in effect as before The same commendation of ciuilitie and curtesie saith he which Caesar in old time gaue the Inhabitants of Kent is yet of right due vnto them that I may not speake of their warlike prowesse whereas a certaine Monke hath written How the Kentishmen so farre excelled that when our armies are ready to ioyne battell they of all Englishmen are worthily placed in the front as being reputed the most valiant and resolute souldiers Which Iohn of Salisbury verifieth also in his Polycraticon For good desert saith he of that notable valour which Kent shewed so puissantly and patiently against the Danes it retaineth still vnto these dayes in all battels the honour of the first and fore-ward yea and of the first conflict with the enemy In praise of whom William of Malmesbury hath likewise written thus The countrey people and Towne-dwellers of Kent aboue all Englishmen retaine still the resent of their ancient worthinesse And as they are more forward and readier to giue honour and entertainment to others so they are more slow to take reuenge vpon others Lambard in his perambulation speaking of the Estate of Kent saith The people of this countrey consisteth chiefly as in other countries also of the Gentrie and the Yeomanrie of which the first be for the most part Gouernors and the other altogether gouerned whose possessions also were at the first distinguished by the names of Knights fee and Gauelkinde that former being proper to the warriour and this latter to the husbandman But these tenures long since haue beene so indifferently mixed and confounded in the hands of each sort that there is not now any note of difference to be gathered by them The reuenues of the Gentrie are greater here then any where else which thing groweth not so much by the quantitie of their possession or by the fertilitie of their soile as by the benefit of the situation of the countrey it selfe Which hath all that good neighbourhood that Marc. Cato and other old Authors in husbandrie require in a well placed Graunge that is to say the Sea the Riuer a populous Citie and a well traded high-way by the commodities whereof the superfluous fruites of the ground be dearely sold and consequently the land may yeeld a greater rent These Gentlemen bee all for the most part acquainted with good letters and especially trained in the knowledge of the Lawes They vse to manure some large portion of their territories as well for the maintenance of their families as also for their better increase in wealth So that they be well employed both in the publique seruice and in their owne particular and do vse hawking hunting and other disports rather for their recreation then for an occupation or pastime The Yeomanrie or common people for so they be called of the Saxon word gemen which signifieth common is no where more free and iolly then in this Shire for besides that they themselues say in a clayme made by them in the time of king Edward the first that the Communaltie of Kent was neuer vanquished by the Conquerour but yeelded it selfe by composition
prey yee For owr soulys Pater Noster and Aue The sooner of owr peyne lessid to be Grant vs thy holy Trinite Amen Here vndyr rests this marble ston Ione Spenser both flesh and bon Wyff to Ion Spenser certen Taylor of London and Citizen Dawter she was whylst she was here Vnto Richard Wetiuen Squier And to Elisabeth his wyf Whych Ione departyd this lif The tweluth dey of September As many one do yet remember In the yere of owr Lord God ful euen A thowsand four hundryd and seuen Vnder this black marbl ston lyth the body of Master Walter Lempster Doctor of Phisick and also Phisition to the high and mighty Prince Hen. the vii whych Master Lempster gayve vnto this Chyrch too cheynes of fyne gold weying xiiii ounces and a quarter for to make a certeyn ornament to put on the blessyd body of our Sauiour Iesu. He died the ix of March M. cccc.lxxx.vii Who 's soul god pardon Such as I am such sall ye be Grocer of London somtym was I The kings Weigher mor then yeres twenty Simon Street callyd in my plas And good Fellowshyp fayn wold tras Therfor in heuen euerlastyng lif Iesu send me and Agnes my wyf Kerli Merli my words were tho And Deo gratias I added therto I passyd to God in the yere of Grase A thousand four hundryd iust hit was ................. Here lyth vndyr this litle spas The body of William Goldhirst who somtym was Skinner of London and citinure Worshcipful til his endure And his wyf Margaret also God haue mercy on theyr sowlys both two And departyd fro hence the xxv day Of the Month of Septembyr withoutyn nay The yere of our Lord Iesu On thowsand fyue hundryd eleuen ful true Vpon whos sowlys Iesu haue mercy That for vs say a Pater Noster and an Aue. Saint Michaels at Queene-Hithe The Monuments in this Church are all defaced onely I finde that Stephen Spilman or Spelman as appeareth by his Will was here buried directly against the high Altar vnder a faire Monument no Inscription thereupon now remaining This Stephens Armes are amongst the Maiors and Sheriffes of London vpon a field sables six besants 2.1.1.2 betweene two slayks argent Sometimes Mercer Chamberlaine of London then one of the Sheriffes and Alderman of the said Citie in the yeare 1404. He deceased without issue gaue his lands to his Familie the Spilmans and his goods to the making or repairing of Bridges and other like godly vses He repaired this Church and therein founded a Chantry He died about the last yeare of the raigne of king Henry the fifth Richard Grey Iron-monger one of the Sheriffes likewise of this Citie in the yeare 1515. lieth here buried He gaue 40. pound to the repairing of this Church Orate pro animabus Richardi Marloi quondam venerabilis Maioris Ciuitatis London Agnetis consortis sue Qui ....... ob ..... This Marlow was Lord Maior in the yeare 1409. in whose Maioraltie there was a Play at Skinners Hall which lasted eight dayes saith Stow to heare which most of the greatest Estates of England were present The Subiect of the play was the sacred Scriptures from the creation of the world They call this Corpus Christi Play in my countrey which I haue seene acted at Preston and Lancaster and last of all at Kendall in the beginning of the raigne of King Iames for which the Townesmen were sore troubled and vpon good reasons the play finally supprest not onely there but in all other Townes of the kingdome Richardo Hill potentissimi Regis Henrici octaui celle vinarie Prefectus Elisabetha coniux mestissima facta iam vndecimorum liberorum mater Marito optimo immatura tandem morte sublato Quod solum potuit posteritati commendaturum cupiens hoc Monumentum posuit Obijt An. Dom. 1539. die mens Maij 12. Saint Mary Aldermary Here lieth buried Sir Charles Blount or Blunt Baron Mountioy who died 1544. With this Epitaph made by himselfe a little before his death Wilingly haue I sought and willingly haue I found The fatall end that wrought thither as dutie bound Discharg'd I am of that I ought to my countrey by honest wound My soule departyd Christ hath bought the end of man is ground This familie of the Blunts is noble and ancient surnamed so at the first of the yellow haire of their head Blunt signifying so in the Norman language they greatly flourished at Kinlet in Shropshire and by Elwaston in Darbishire where Sir Raph Mountioy had lands in the time of Edward the first from whence came Sir Walter Blunt whom King Edward the fourth aduanced to the honour of Baron Mountioy with a pension Whose posteritie haue equalled the Nobilitie of their birth with the ornaments of learning and principally amongst them Charles late Earle of Deuonshire deceased Baron Mountioy Lord Lieutenant generall of Ireland and knight of the honourable order of the Garter whose sonne Mountioy Blunt enioyeth his lands who by the speciall fauour of our late Soueraigne King Iames was created Baron of Montioy in the North of Ireland Here also lieth buried William Blunt Lord Mountioy who died but of later times Saint Martius Vintrie Many faire marble stones inlaid with brasse and well preserued are in this Church most of their inscriptions being perfectly to bee read And the most of which are set downe in the Suruay of this Citie I will onely touch some few of them As flowers in feeld thus passyth lif Nakyd then clothyd feble in the end If sheweth by Robart Daluss and Alyson his wyf Chryst yem saue fro the power of the Fiend ob 1469. Hic .... Micolt quondam ciuis vinitarius London Ioanna vxor eius ac pueri eorundem qui quidem Iohannes obijt 17. die Aprilis Ann. Dom. 1424. Quorum anime per Dei immensam miserecordiam in pace perpetua permaneant ac requiem possideant Es testis Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur Heus tu qui transis magnus medius puer an sis Pro me funde preces quia sic mihi fit venie spes ...... honorabilis viri Radulphi Astry militis nuper Maioris ac Aldermanni Piscenarij Ciuitatis London et preclarissimarum Domine Margarie ac Margarete vxorum eius Qui quidem Radulphus obijt 18. die Nouembris Ann. Dom. 1494. predicta Margeria obijt .... die dicta Margarita ab hoc seculo migrauit 10. die Marcij Ann. Dom. 1492. Quorum animabus Hic iacet Radulphus Astry generosus vnus filiorum Radulphi Astri militis quondam maioris Ciuitatis London Qui quidem Radulphus filius in sua florida iuuentute ab hoc seculo migrauit Ann. Dom. 1501. 19. die mens Septemb. This Raph Astrie Maior was sonne to Geffery Astrie or Ostrich of Hitchin in the County of Hertford He new roofed this
who inuaded his Territories in his absence whilst he was prosecuting the warres in Ireland and returned from that battell a triumphant Conquâ—rour Vnder another Monument lieth the body of Gilbert Marshall Earle of Penbroke and Marshall of England Lord of Longevile in Normandy Leinster in Ireland and of Chepstow Strighull and Caerwent in Wales This Potent Peere of the Realme saith Mathew Paris in Ann. 1241. proclaimed a Turnament in scorne of the kings authoritie whereby such disports were forbidden to be holden at Hertford in the County of Hertford to which place when many both of the Nobilitie and Gentrie were assembled it happened that himselfe running by the flinging of his horse was cast out of his sadle and the horse gaue him such a blow on the breast that he died the same day being the fifth of the Kalends of Iuly 1241. as aforesaid His bowels were interred in the Abbey Church in the Towne of Hertford with the bowels of one Sir Robert de Say knight a gallant gentleman slaine in the same exercise These kinde of Iusts or Turnaments were brought in with king Stephen and practised in many places of England in such an outragious manner and with such slaughter of Gentlemen that to suppresse such an heathenish disport it was decreed by Parliament that whosoeuer therein were slaine should want Christian buriall and their heires be disinherited Hic requiescit ..... R ... Ep .... Quondam Visitator generalis ordinis Milicie Templi in Anglia in Francia in Italia .... This was a fragment of a funeralâ— Inscription insculped vpon one of these crosse-legged Monuments as I found it amongst other Collections by one studious in Antiquities in Sir Robert Cottons voluminous Librarie which he proues by the pedegree of the said Lord Rosses to haue beene made to the memory of one Robert Rosse a Templer who died about the yeare 1245. and gaue to the Templars his Mannor of Ribston William Plantaginet the fifth sonne of king Henry the third lieth here interred who died in his childhood about the yeare 1256. En Iacobus templo Bayle requiescit in isto Qui fuerat gratus medio Templo sociatus Cui Deus esto pius eius miserando reatus Vitam mutauit in mensis fine secundi M. C. quater que dato Lxx quater annumerato Cui sit solamen Christus dic protinus Amen Robertus iacet hic Thorne quem Bristollia quondam Pretoris merito legit ad officium Huic etinim semper magne Respublica cure Charior cunctis Patria duitijs Ferre inopi auxilium tristes componere lites Dulce huic consilio quosque iuuare fuit Qui pius exaudis miserorum vota precesque Christe huic in celis des regione locum Orate pro anima Richardi Wye socij comititiui interioris Templi ob 9. Mar. 1519. Cuius anime Domine secundum delictum meum noli me iudicare Deprecor maiestatem tuam vt tu deleas iniquitatem meam Ecce quid eris Hic iacet Willelmus Langham quondam custos huius Templi qui obijt ......... 1437. Tu prope qui transis nec dicis aueto resiste Auribus et corde hec mea dicta tene Sum quod eris quod es ipse fui derisor amare Mortis dum licuit pace manente frui Sed veniente nece postquam sum raptus amicis Atque meis famulis orba ...... domus Me contexit humo deplorauit que iacentem Inque meos cineres vltima dona dedit Vnde mei vultus corrosit terra nitorem Queque fuit forme ......... Ergo Deum pro me cum pura mente precare Vt mihi perpetua pace frui tribuat Et quicunque rogat pro me comportet in vnum Vt mecum meneat in regione Poli. William Burgh iadis Clerk de Chancelleri Gist icy Dieu de s'alme eyt mercy Amen Saint Clement Danes So called because Harold surnamed Harefoot for his swift footmanship king of England of the Danish line and other Danes were here buried This Harold was the base sonne of king Canut by his concubine Alice of Woluerhampton in Staffordshire a Shoomakers daughter His body was first buried at Westminster but afterwards Hardicanut the lawfull sonne of Canut being king commanded his body to bee digged out of the earth and to be throwne into the Thames where it was by a Fisherman taken vp and buried in this Churchyard He died at Oxford 1040. hauing raigned three yeares and eight moneths Hic iacet .... Iohannes Arundell .... Episcopus Exon. qui ob die mens Maij 15 ... 1503. This maymed Inscription would tell vs thus much that Iohn Arundell descended of the ancient and most worshipfull house of the Arundels of Lanherne in Cornwall Bishop of Exceter lieth here vnder interred who died March 15. 1503. Hic iacet corpus venerabilis .... Io ..... Booth Legum Bacalaureus Episcopus Exon ..... ob primo April 1478. This Bishop gouerned his Church wondrous well and builded as some suppose the Bishops See in the Quire but being weary of the great troubles which were in his countrey betweene king Edward the fourth and the Earle of Warwicke he remoued from thence to his house of Horsleigh in Hampshire where he died Orate pro anima Willelmi Booth militis fratris Episcopi Exon. qui ob 6. April 1478. Hic iacet Edmundus Arnold postremus Aprilis Quem dolor heu rapuit tristis atroxque dies Istius Ecclesie Rector meritissimus olim Et summus Mâ—dice Doctor in arte fuit Non Ipocrate minor erat nec doctior vllus Non Opifex mirum vincit Apollo virum M. D. deme ter .x. semel v. Christi anno Cui vitam Medicus det sine sine Deus Sauoy So called of Peter Earle of Sauoy the first builder thereof which being ouerthrowne by the Rebels of Kent it was againe raised and beautifully rebuilded by king Henry the seuenth for an Hospitall and dedicated to the honour of Saint Iohn Baptist for which he purchased lands for the reliefe of an hundred poore people Of which you may reade this Inscription engrauen ouer the Gate towards the Street 1505. Hospitium hoc inopi Turbe Sauoia vocatum Septimus Henricus fundauit ab imo solo Henry the seuenth to his merite and honor This Hospitall foundyd pore people to socor Many officers ordinances orders and rules were appointed by the Founder for the better gouernment of this Hospitall some of which I haue read briefly extracted out of the Grand Charter viz. Per nomen Magistri et Capellanorum Hospitalis Henrici Regis Anglie septimi de Savoy Duo Presbiteri seculares conductitij Duo homines seculares honesti ac literati quorum alter Subsacrista alter Subhospitalarius Quatuor homines honesti qui Alteriste vocentur Quinque alij honesti homines viz. 1. Clericus Coquine 2. Panetarius 3. Coquus 4. Ortulanus 5. Ianitor Duo alij alter subcoquus
of the pot There hath also beene found in the same field diuers coffins of stone containing the bones of men these I suppose to be the burials of some speciall persons in time of the Brittaines or Saxons Moreouer there were also found the sculls and bones of men without coffins or rather whose coffines being of great timber were consumed Diuers great Nailes of Iron were there found such as are vsed in the wheeles of shod carts being each of them as bigge as a mans finger and a quarter of a yard the heads two inches ouer Those Nailes were more wondred at then the rest of the things there found and many opinions of men were there vttered of them namely that the men there buried were murthered by driuing those Nailes into their heads a thing vnlikely for a smaller Naile would more aptly serue to so bad a purpose and a more secret place would lightly be imployed for such buriall But to set downe what I obserued concerning this matter I there beheld the bones of a man lying as I noted the head North the feet South and round about him as thwart his head along both his sides and thwart his feet such Nailes were found Wherefore I coniectured them to be Nailes of his coffin Which had beene a trough cut out of some great tree and the same couered with a planke of a great thicknesse fastened with such Nailes and therefore I caused some of the Nailes to be reached vp to 〈◊〉 found vnder the broad heads of them the old wood â—eane turned into earth but still retaining both the graine and proper colour Of these Nailes with the wood vnder the head thereof I reserued one as also the 〈◊〉 bone of the man the teeth being great sound and fixed which amongst many other Monuments there found I haue yet to shew but the nayle lying dry is by scaling greatly wasted And thus much of ancient Funerall Monuments in the fields Certaine Burials of British Kings in and about London the places of their interments vncertaine And first to begin with Guentoline the sonne of Gurgunstus King of Britaine who flourished about the yeare of the world 3614. Who was a wise Prince graue in counsell and sober in behauiour and studied with great care and diligence to reforme anew and to adorne with iustice lawes and good orders the British commonwealth by other Kings not so framed as stood with the greatnesse thereof But as he was busie in hand herewith death tooke him away from these worldly employments when hee had raigned 27. yeares He had a wife named Martia Proba a woman of perfect beautie and wisedome incomparable as by her prudent gouernment and equall administration of iustice after her husbands decease during her sonnes minoritie it most manifestly appeared She was a woman expert and skilfull in diuers sciences but chiefely being admitted to the gouernment of the Realme she studied to preserue the common wealth in good quiet and decent order and therefore deuised established and writ a booke in the British tongue of profitable and conuenient Lawes the which after her name were called Martian Lawes These Lawes afterwards Gildas Cambrius the Historicall Welch Poet translated into Latine and a long time after him Alured King of the West Saxons holding these lawes necessarie for the preseruation of the common wealth put them into English Saxon speech and then they were called after that translation Marchenclagh that is to meane the Lawes of Martia adding thereunto a Booke of his owne writing of the Lawes of England which he called A certaine Breuiarie extracted out of diuers Lawes of the Troians Grecians Britaines Saxons and Danes She flourished before the birth of our Lord and Sauiour 348. yeares or thereabouts Her sonnes name was Sicilius who vpon the death of his Father was but young for I reade that Martia his mother deliuered vp the gouernment of the kingdome to her sonne when he came to lawfull age which she had right politiquely guided and highly for her perpetuall renowne and commendation the space of fourteene yeares He died when hee had raigned seuen yeares some say fifteene yeares Of Bladud king of Britaine the sonne of Lud hurdibras many incredible passages are deliuered by our old British writers and followed by sundrie Authors of succeeding ages which say that he was so well seene in the Sciences of Astronomie and Necromancie that thereby hee made the hote springs in the Citie of Bathe that he built the Citie of Bathe that he went to Athens and brought with him foure Philosophers and by them instituted an Vniuersitie at Stanford in Lincolnshire And further to shew his Art and cunning that he tooke vpon him to flie into the aire and that hee broke his necke by a fall from the Temple of Apollo in Troynouant before the incarnation of Christ 852. yeares in the twentieth yeare of his raigne Geffrey of Monmouth and Mathew of Westminster would approue as much as here is spoken of him And learned Selden in his Illustrations vpon Draytons Polyolbion sets downe an ancient fragment of rimes wherein these strange things of him are exprest But of him here in this place will it please you take a peece out of Harding and you shall haue more hereafter Bladud his sonne after him did succede And reigned after then full xx yere Cair Bladud so that now is Bath I rede He made anone the hote bathes there infere When at Athens he had studied clere He brought with hym iiii Philosophers wise Schole to hold in Brytaine and exercyse Stanforde he made that Stanforde hight this daye In which he made an Vniuersitee His Philosophers as Merlin doth saye Had scholers fele of grete habilitee Studyng euer alwaye in vnitee In all the seuen liberall science For to purchase wysedome and sapience In Cair Bladim he made a temple right And sette a Flamyne therein to gouerne And afterward a Fetherham he dight To flye with winges as he could best discerne Aboue the aire nothyng him to werne He flyed on high to the temple Apoline And ther brake his necke for all his grete doctrine Likewise the vncertaine buriall of Vortimer that victorious British king was in some part of this Citie he was the eldest sonne of Vortigern king of the Britaines and raigned as king in his fathers dayes who demeaned himselfe towards his sonne then his Soueraigne in all dutifull obedience and faithfull counsell for the space of foure yeares euen vntill Vortimer was poysoned by the subtiltie of Rowena the heathen daughter of Hengist the Saxon the wife or concubine of his Brother and the mother of the Britaines mischiefe which happened about the yeare of Grace 464. This Vortimer was a man of great valour which altogether he employed for the redresse of his countrey according to the testimonie of William Malmesbury whose words are these Vortimer saith he thinking not good to dissemble the matter for that he saw himselfe and countrey daily
holy Saints the reliques of blessed Martyrs and the very places of their martyrdome did kindle in times past no small heate of diuine charitie in the mindes of our first Christian Saxon Kings which made Offa the glorious King of the Mercians to recall himselfe from the trace of bloudy warres in great deuotion to goe to Rome and to obtaine of Pope Adrian the first the canonyzation of this martyr Alban in honour of whom the first to our Lord Iesus Christ he founded this monastery about the yeere 795. the Church whereof still remaineth which for bignesse beautie and antiquity is to be had in admiration in the very place where the foresaid Alban suffered his martyrdome He endowed this his gâ—odly fabricke with sufficient reuenues for the maintenance of one hundred blacke Monkes Benedictins and caused the reliques of his new Saint to be taken vp and put in a shrine adorned with gold and pretious stones of inestimable value which was further enriched by his sonne Egfrid and many other succeeding Kings and Princes but now at this day nothing is remaining of this rich Shrine saue a marble stone to couer his sacred Ashes ouer against which on the wall these verses are lately depicted onely to tell vs that such a man there was to whose memory a Shrine was erected Renowned Alban knight first Martyr of this land By Dioclesian lost his life through bloudy hand Who made him soueraigne Lord high Steward of this Isle And Prince of Britaine knights to dignifie his stile He veritie embrac't and Verulam forsooke And in this very place his martyrdome he tooke Now hath he his reward he liues with Christ aboue For he aboue all things Christ and his truth did loue Here Offa Mercians King did Albans bones enshrine So all things were dispos'd by prouidence diuine Nought but this marble stone of Albans Shrine is left The worke of all forme else hath changing time bereft I haue read in an old Mss. in Sir Robert Cottons Librarie that this following was anciently the Inscription vpon his Shrine Here lieth interred the body of Saint Alban a Citizen of old Verulam of whom this towne tooke denomination and from the ruines of which Citie this Towne did arise He was the first Martyr of England and suffered his martyrdome the xx day of Iune in the yeare of mans redemption 293. Vnder a curious and costly funerall monument here in the Quire lyeth interred the body of Vmfrey Plantaginet surnamed the Good fourth sonne of King Henry the fourth By the grace of God for so begins his stile by Charter sonne brother and vncle of Kings Duke of Glocester Earle of Henault Holland Zeland and Pembroke Lord of Friseland great Chamberlaine of England Protector and defender of the Church and kingdome of England Thus great thus glorious by birth creation and marriage was hee in his honourable titles and Princely attributes but farre more great and illustrious in his vertuous endowments and inward qualities But in his praise may it please you reade learned Clarentieux in his tract of Suffolke where he writes of the Abbey of Bury these are his words That father of his countrey Vmfrey Duke of Glocester a due obseruer of Iustice and one who had furnished his noble wit with the better and deeper kinde of Studies after he had vnder King Henry the sixth gouerned the kingdome fiue and twenty yeares with great commendations so that neither good men had cause to complaine of nor enuill to finde fault with was here in Saint Sauiours Hospitall brought to his 〈◊〉 by the spightfull enuie of Margaret of Lorain who was wife to Henâ—â— the â—ixâ—h his Nephew But his death was the stroke of an euill Angell 〈…〉 ent to punish England and to roote out all her Nobles Fidior in regno regi duce non â—uit isâ—o Plusue fide stabilis aut maior amator honoris Saith the Abbot of this house Io. Whethamsted yet for all this was he arrested of high Treason in the yeare 1446. and within few dayes after strangled to death without any triall Some say he died for sorrow because hee might not come to his answer Hee built the Diuinitie Schoole in Oxford and was an especiall benefactour to this Abbey Here is an Epitaph pensild on the wall neare to his Tombe to the same effect with an Item of the miracle which he wrought vpon the blinde imposture The story is frequent Hic iacet Vmphredus Duxille Glocestrius olim Henrici Regis Protector fraudis ineptae Detector dum ficta notat miracula caeci Lumen erat Patriae columen venerabile Regni Pacis amans Musisque fauens melioribus vnde Gratum opus Oxonio quae nunc scola sacra refulget Invida sed mulier regno Regi sibi nequam Abstulit hunc humili vix hoc dignata Sepulchro Invidia rumpente tamen post funera viuit Vnder a large marble stone thus inscribed lieth Iohn Stoke an Abbot of This Church Hic iacet oblitus Stoke stans velut ardua quercus Semper in adversis perstitit intrepidus Wallingford Prior hic gregis huius pastor Abbas Donet ei requiem celsa dei pietas Celica regna bone mihi dentur queso Patrone Penas compesse requiem da virgula Iesse Me precor Amphibale soluens ad sidera sume This Abbot as it is in this Epitaph and in the golden Register of this house was a stout defender of the lands and liberties of his Church hee adorned Duke Vmfreys Tombe hee gaue money by his Will to make a new bell which after his owne name was called Iohn and also to new glase the Cloisters Sibi igitur saith the booke ea sit merces que dari solet illis qui ad honorem sue Ecclesie laudabilia student opera in temporibus suis. Vir crucis Christi tumulo iacet inclitus isti Carcere de tristi saluetur sanguine Christi Armacrucis sumpsit intrando Religionem Mundum contempsit propter celi regionem Hic studuit claustri Pondus sufferre laboris In stadio studij brauium percepit honoris Flatus fortune grandes patiens tolerabat Gaudia tristitia equalilance librabat Nil aduersa timens nec multum prospera curans Se medio tenuit per ferrea tempora durans Omni gestura constans nil triste timebat Omni pressura Christo laudes referebat Armis Iustitie cinctus deitatis amore Hostibus Ecclesie restitit in facie Ad tumulum Proceres mors impia transferet omnes Vt puerilis amor defluit omnis honor I finde this Inscription following vpon a faire marble vnder the pourtraiture of one of the Abbots who modestly thus suppresseth his name Hic quidem terra tegitur Peccato soluens debitum Cuius nomen non impositum In libro vitae sit inscriptum Hic iacet Dominus Michael quondam Abbas huius Monasterij Bachalaureus in Theol. qui obiit pridie Idus Aprilis Ann. M.ccc xlii Michael Abbas
body of Robert Bourchier Lord Chancelor of England in the fourteenth yeare of King Edward the third from whom saith the light of great Britaine Clarentieâ—x sprang a most honourable progenie of Earles and Barons of that name Here stands a monument vnder which one of the right honourable familie of the Veres lieth interred it is much defaced .... Georgio Vere filio Georgii Vere .... militis ....... 1498. High Esterne Here lyeth Dame Agnes Gate the wyf of Sir Geffrey Gate knight the which Sir Geffrey was six yeares Captane of the Isle of Wyght and after Marshal of Caleys and there kept with the Pykards worschipul warrys and euyr entendyd as a good Knyght to please the Kyng in the partyes of Normandy wyth al his myght which Agnes dyed the ix of Decembyr M. cccc.lxxxvii on whos soul Iesu haue mercy Amen Prey for the sowl al ye that liue in sight Of Sir Geffrey Gate the curtesse knight Who 's wyff is beryed here by Goddys might He bowght the Manor of Garnets by right Of Koppeden gentylman so he behight Of this Witnesses his wyff and Executors This yer ...... delihowrs xxii Ian. M. cccc lxxvii Pater de celis Deus miserere nobis Fili redemptor mundi Deus miserere nobis Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus miserere nobis This Manour of Garnets here mentioned and all his other inheritance as I haue it by relation from the Inhabitants about fourescore yeares after the death of this Sir Geffray was forfeited to the Crowne by the attaindour of Sir Iohn Gate Knight beheaded on the Tower hill with Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland and Sir Thomas Palmer Knight for that they had endeuoured to haue made Lady Iane the daughter of Henry Grey Duke of Suffolke by Frances his wife who was the daughter of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke by Mary his wife second sister to King Henry the eight and the wife of Guilford Dudley the fourth sonne of the said Duke of Northumberland Queene of England the xxii of August M. ccccc 53. the first of Queene Mary Barmiston Of your cherite prey for the sowl of Peter Wood Who died the thirtyth dey of May Vnto hym that was crucified on the rood To send hym ioyes for ay Castle Heningham Here lieth interred vnder a Tombe of marble and Tuch now ruinous Iohn de Vere the fift of that Christian name Earle of Oxford Lord Bulbeck Samford and Scales and great Chamberlaine of England Vpon which monument I finde nothing engrauen but the names of his children which he had by his wife Elizabeth daughter heire of Edward Trussell of Staffordshire knight Banneret Which were three sonnes and three daughters namely Iohn de Vere the sixth of that Christian name Earle of Oxford Aubrey de Vere second sonne Geffrey Vere the third sonne Father of Iohn Vere of Kirbey Hall of Sir Francis Vere knight the great Leader in the Low countries and of that renowned Souldier Sir Horatio Vere knight Lord Baron of Tilbery in this County Elizabeth married to Thomas Lord Darcy of Chich Anne wife to Edmund Lord Sheffield and Francis married to Henry Howard Earle of Surrey This Earle Iohn was knight of the Garter and Councellour of State to king Henry the eight Who died here in his Castle at Heueningham the 19. of March 1539. Prey for the soul of Dorethy Scroop dawghter of Richard Scroop brother to the Lord Scroop of Bolton .... who .... 1491. This Dorothie was sister of Elisabeth the widow of William Lord Beaumont and daughter of Richard Scroope knight the second wife of Iohn de Vere the third of that Christian name Earle of Oxford In a parchment Roll without date belonging to the Earle of Oxford I find that one Lucia belike some one of that right honourable house founded a Priory in this Parish for blacke veyled Nunnes Which she dedicated to the holy Grosse and the blessed Virgine Mary Of which religious foundation she her selfe was the first Prioresse whose death was wondrously lamented by Agnes who did next succeed her in that office and the rest of the Couent who desire the prayers and suffrages of all the religious houses in England for her soules health The forme whereof to transcribe cannot seeme much impertinent to the subiect I haue in hand nor tedious to the iudicious Reader Anima domine Lucie prime Fundatricis Ecclesie Sancte Crucis et Sancte Marie de Heningham et anime Ricardi et Sare Galfridi et Dametre et Helene et anime omnium defunctorum per miserecordiam Dei requiescant in pace Amen Vniuersis sancte Matris Ecclesie filiis ad quos presens scriptum peruenerit Agnes Ecclesie sancte crucis Sancte Marie de Henigeham humilis Ministra eiusdemque loci conuentus eternam in Domino salutem Post imbres lacrimarum et fletuum innundacionem quam in transitu karissime Matris nostre venerande Lucie prime Priorisse ac fundatricis Domus nostre fudimus que vocante Domino tertio Idus Iulij viam vniuerse carnis ingressa terre debitum humani generis persoluit manum misimus ad calamum vniuersitati vestre scripto denunciantes calamitatem quam patimur subtracta enim tam felici matre in hac valle miserie simul cor nostrum dereliquit nos ec mirum cum eadem tot virtutum polleret moribus tantis gratiarum rutilaret honoribus tot meritorum fragaret odoribus vt merito illi congruat hoc nomen Lucia quod est lucis scientia Recte ideo Lucia dicta quia nomen beate virginis Lucie sortita illius pro viribus imitabatur exempla Illa meritis precibus fluxum sanguinis in Matre deleuit Ista in se omnis motus concupiscentie carnalis restringens fluxum in aliis incontinentie contaminationis per ariditatem sancte conuersationis sobrie vite radicitus extirpauit Illa sponso suo carnalem copulam nutu diuino subtraxit Ista vt nouimus vinculo Matrimonij septies constricta consortii virilis ignara incontaminata semper illesa permansit ita de laqueo venantium temporaliter est erepta Et hoc fecit diuina prudentia vt nullum preter eum admitteret amatorem Ista etiam discreta fuit in silentio vtilis in verbo verecundia grauis pudore venerabilis singulis compassione proxima pre cunctis contemplatione suspensa sicque studuit bene agentibus esse per humilitatem socia vt per zelum iusticie delinquentium corrigeret errata Vnde in titillatione carnis ex ea didicimus habere prudentiam in aduersitate fortitudinem in tribulatione patientiam in desperatione solatium in periculo refugium in estu refrigerium in asperitate lenitatem Et suit nobis ipsius exemplo lectio frâ—quentior oratio pinguior feruentior affectus Quid multa tanta efflorâ—â—â— in hac benignissima virgine pia matre nostra virtus abstinentie tanta ieiuniorum vigiliarum nec non
of Frobenus that not alonly the Germaines but also the Italianes themselfe that count as the Grekes ded full arrogantly all other Nacions to be barbarouse and vnlettered sauing their owne shall haue a direct occasion openly of force to say That Britannia prima fuit parens altrix addo hoc etiam iure quidem optimo conseruatrix cùm virorum magnorum tum maxime ingeniorum Britaine was a mother a nurse and a maintainer not onely of worthy men but also of most excellent wits And that profite hath risen by the aforesaid iourney in bringing full many things to light as concerning the vsurped autorite of the Bishop of Rome and his complices to the manifest and violent derogation of Kingly dignite I referre my selfe most humbly to your most prudent learned and high iudgement to discerne my diligence in the long Volume wherein I haue made answer for the defence of your supreme dignitie al only lening to the strong pillor of holy scripture against the whole Colledge of the Romanists cloking their crafty affections and arguments vnder the name of one poore Pighius of Vltraiect in Germany and standing to them as to their onely anker hold against tempests that they know will arise if truth may be by licens lette in to haue a voyce in the generall counsell Yet herin only I haue not pytched the supreme worke of my labour wherunto your grace most like a kinglye Patron of all good lernyng ded animate me But also considering and expending with my selfe how great a number of excellent godly wittes and writers lerned with the best as the times serued hath bene in this your region Not onely at such times as the Romane Emperors had recourse to it but also in those daies that the Saxons preuailed of the Britaines and the Normans of the Saxons could not but with a feruent zele and honest corage commend them to memory Els alas like to haue bene perpetually obscured or to haue lightly remembred as vncertaine shaddowes Wherfor I knowing by infinite varietie of bookes and assiduouse reading of them who hath bene lerned and who hath written from time to time in this realme haue digested into four bokes the names of them with their liues and monuments of lerning And to them added this title De viris illustribus folowing the profitable example of Hierome Gannadie Cassiodore Seuerayne and Trittemie a late Writer But alway so handling the matter that I haue more exspaciated in this campe then they ded as in a thing that desired to be somewhat at large and to haue ornature The first boke beginning at the Druides is deducted vnto the time of the comming of S. Augustine into England The second is from the time of Augustine vnto the aduente of the Normans The third from the Normans to the end of the moste honourable reigne of the mightie famouse and prudent Prince Henry the seuenth your Father The fourth beginneth with the name of your Maieste whose glory in lerning is to the world so clerely knowne that though emonge the liues of other lerned men I haue accurately celebrated the names of Bladud Mulmutius Constantinus Magnus Sigebert Alfridus Alfridus magnus Athelstaâ—e and Henry the first Kings and your progenitors And also Ethelward second sonne to Alfride the great Humfryde Duke of Glocester and Tipetote Earle of Worcestre yet conferred with your grace they serue as small lights if I may freely say my iudgement your high modesty not offended in respect of the daye starre Now farther to insinuate to your grace of what matters the Writers whose liues I haue congested into foure bookes hath treated of I may right boldly say that beside the cognicion of the foure tongues in the which parâ— of them hath excelled that there is no kinde of liberall science or any feate concerning learning in the which they haue not shewed certaine arguments oâ— great felicitie of witte Yea and concerning the interpretation of holy Scripture both after the ancient forme and sens the scholasticall trade they haue reigned as in a certaine excellency And as touching historicall knowledge there hath bene to the number of a full hundreth or mo that from time to time hath with great diligence and no lesse faith wolde to God with like eloquence perscribed the actes of your noble predecessors and the fortunes of this your Realme so incredibly great that hee that hath not seane and throughly redde their workes can litle pronounce in this parte Wherfor after that I had perpended the honest and profitable studies of these Historiographers I was totally enflamed with a loue to see throughly all those partes of this your opulent and ample realme that I had redde of in the aforsaid Writers In so much that all my other occupacions intermitted I haue so traueled in your dominions both by the see coastes and the middle parts sparing neither labour nor costs by the space of these sixe yeeres past that there is almost neither cape nor baye hauen creke or pere riuer or confluence of riuers breches washes lakes meres fenny waters mountaines vallies mores hethes forestes woodes cities burges castels principall manor places monasteries and colleges but I haue seane them and noted in so doing a whole world of things very memorable Thus instructed I trust shortly to see the time that like as Carolus Magnus had among his treasures three large notable tables of siluer richly enameled one of the site and description of Constantinople another of the site and figure of the magnificente Citee of Rome and the third of descrypcyon of the world So shall your Maiestie haue this your world and impery of Englande so set forth in a quadrate table of siluer if God send me life to accomplish my beginning that your Grace shall haue ready knowledge at the first sight of many right delectable fruitfull and necessary pleasures by contemplacion thereof as often as occasion shall moue you to the sight of it And because that it may be more permanent and farther knowne then to haue it engraued in siluer or brasse I entend by the leaue of God within the space of twelue moneths following such a description to make of your realme in writing that it shall be no mastery after for the Grauer or Painter to make the like by a perfect example Yea and to wade farther in this matter where as now almost no man can wele gesse at the shadow of the ancient names of hauens riuers promontories hilles woods Cities Townes Castles and varyete of kyndes of people that Cesar Liui Strabo Diodorus Fabius Pictor Pomponius Mela Plinius Cornelius Tacitus Ptolomeus Sextus Rufus Ammianus Marcellinus Solinus Antoninus and diuerse other make mencyon of I trust so to open this wyndow that the lyght shall be seene so long that is to say by the space of a whole thousand yeeres stopped vp and the old glory of your renowned Britayne to reflorish through
iustly preuaile against the winde and easily cease these temporall flames and obtaine that they should neuer hurt him nor his See more of him before in Canterbury After the death of Mellitus the Church of London was long without a Pastor euen vntill that Segebert the sonne of Segebert surnamed the little obtaining the Kingdome of the East Saxons by the perswasion of Oswin King of Northumberland became a Christian and procured Ceada a vertuous and godly Priest to be consecrate Bishop of his country which was done in the holy Iland neere to Barwicke by Finan Bishop of Durham from whence he returned to this his Diocesse and began with more authoritie to perfect the worke hee had already begun erecting in diuers places Churches making Priests and Deacons who in preaching baptising might assist him especially in the Cities of Ithancester Tileburg the one standing vpon the Thames the other vpon a branch thereof called Pant in which two places diuers newly assembling together christened he instructed them after the rules of religious persons as farre as their tender capacity could then conceiue And hereby way of digression let me speake somewhat of this small hamlet of Tilbury in ancient time the seat of the Bishops of London and no question in those daies when as Bishop Cedda by baptisme ingraâ—ted the East Saxons in the Church of Christ a prettie faire citie howsoeuer it consisteth now onely of a few cottages much honoured by that famous religious and fortunate great Commander in the warres Sir Horace Vere Knight Lord Vere of Tilbury Of whom and of his elder brother Sir Francis Vere Knight deceased and honourably buried like as hee was an expert and valiant warriour in the Abbey of Westminster a late Poet hath thus written Then liu'd those valiant Veres both men of great command In our imployments long whose either Marshall hand Reacht at the highest wreath it from the top to get Which on the proudest head Fame yet had euer set But to returne this man of God Cedda hauing at first and last continued a long time in these countries preaching the word of life by which hee made a great haruest vnto Christ went downe into his owne countrie of Northumberland which he oftentimes vsed to visite where he builded a Monasterie at Lestinghen wherein he died and was buried of whom no more vntill I come to speake of that Foundation saue onely these verses following ....... Now London place doth take Which had those of whom time Saints worthily did make As Cedda Brother to that reuerend Bishop Chad At Lichfield in those times his famous seat that had Is Sainted for that See amongst our reuerend men From London though at length remoou'd to Lestingen A Monastery which then richly he had begun Erconwald the sonne of Offa King of the East Saxons and the fourth Bishop of this Diocesse was likewise as I haue already spoken canonized of whom venerable Bede thus writes At that time saith he when Sebba and Sigher ruled the East Saxons the Archbishop which was Theodore appointed ouer them Erconwald to be their Bishop in the Citie of London the life and conuersation of which man both before he was Bishop and after was reported and taken for most holy as also euen yet the signes and tokens of heauenly vertues and miracles doe well declare For vntill this day his Horse-licter being kept and reserued by his Schollers wherein he was wont to be carried when hee was sicke and weake doth daily cure such as haue agues or are diseased any otherwise And not onely the sicke persons that are put vnder or laid by the Horse-licter to be so healed but also the chippes and pieces that are cut off from it and brought to sicke folkes are wont to bring them speedie remedie This and many other the miracles wrought by him if wee may beleeue Capgraue was the cause of his canonization questionlesse he was a deuout and vertuous man and bestowed his patrimony in the building of two Monasteries one for Monkes at Chertsey in Surrey another for Nunnes at Barking in Essex of which before Thus much then here for a conclusion as followeth Him Erkenwald ensues th' East English Offa's sonne His Fathers Kingly Court who for a Crosiar fled Whose workes such fame him wonne for holinesse that dead Time him enshrin'd in Pauls the mother of that See Which with reuenues large and priuiledges he Had wondrously endow'd to goodnesse so affected That he those Abbeyes great from his owne power erected At Chertsey neere to Thames and Barking famous long Theodred Bishop of the Diocesse may challenge a place in this my Kalender for that he was sirnamed the Good pro praerogatiua virtutum for the preheminence of his vertues saith Malmesbury lib. 2. de Pontif. Anglor he flourished about the yeare 900. he was buried vnder a high tombe by the window of the vault going downe into S. Faiths Church Of Egwulfe and his Shrine I haue already written all that I know Richard Fitz-neale had his Shrine in S. Pauls Church but vpon what ground or for what reason he was thus much honoured I doe not learne He was the sonne of Nigellus or Neale Bishop of Ely and was made Treasurer of England by the purchase of his father the foresaid Nigellus Richardus filius Nigelli Episcopi Eliens pro quo Nigellus pater emit officium Thesaurij a Rege auaro pro Quadragint Marcis pro quibus pecunijs Nigellus pater spoliauit Ecclesiam Eliens Thesauro suo et ornamentis This purchase was made when as the King Henry the second went to the wars of Tolous It is further written in the booke of Ely that this Richard Fitz-neale after the buriall of Nigellus his father being also an enemy to the Church of Ely as his father had beene before made hast to passe ouer the Seas to King Henry the second fearing that some euill would be prepared against him if the Church should haue sent any thither before him At whose comming to the King he accused the Monkes of Ely of many things and did therewith so edge the King against them that the King sending into England charged by Wunnecus one of his Chaplaines that the Prior of Ely should be deposed and the Monkes with all their goods to be proscribed and banished This man being Treasurer to King Henry the second the treasure of the said Henry the second at his death came vnto one hundred thousand markes notwithstanding the excessiue charges of the King many waies This Richard being Bishop of London by the name of Richard the third and the Kings Treasurer was chosen for the gouernement of this See in the yeare of our redemption one thousand one hundred eighty and nine being the first yeare of King Richard the first and was consecrated Bishop at Lambeth by Baldwine Archbishop of Canterbury in the yeare of Christ one thousand one hundred ninety he died the
for his sapience In citees all he held well vnitees Greate Iustes ay and ioyous tournements Of Lords and knightes he made great assemblees Through all the lande by his wise regimentes They purposed hole by their common assentes To croune hym kyng of all great Italy Within halfe a yere for his good gouernaly But Stow out of Paulus Iouius writes more fully of this marriage In the moneth of Aprill saith he Leonell Duke of Clarence with a chosen companie of the English Nobilitie went towards Millaine there to marrie with Violentis the daughter of Galeasius the second of that name Duke of Millaine at whose comming to Millaine such abundance of treasure was in most bounteous manner spent in making most sumptuous feasts setting forth stately sights and honouring with rare gifts aboue two hundred Englishmen which accompanied his sonne in law as it seemed to surpasse the greatnesse of most wealthie Princes for in the banquet whereat Francis Petrarch was present amongst the chiefest guests there were aboue thirtie courses of seruice at the table and betwixt euery course as many presents of wondrous price intermixed all which Iohn Galeasius chiefe of the choise youth bringing to the table did offer to Leonell There were in one onely course seuenty goodly horses adorned with silke and siluer furniture and in the other siluer vessells Falcons hounds armour for horses costly coates of mayle breast plates glistering of massie steele helmets and corselets decked with costly crestes apparell distinct with costly Iewells souldiers girdles and lastly certaine gemmes by curious Art set in gold and of purple and cloth of gold for mens apparell in great abundance And such was the sumptuousnesse of that banquet that the meates which were brought from the table would sufficiently haue serued ten thousand men But not long after Leonell liuing with his new wife whilest after the manner of his owne countrey as forgetting or not regarding his change of ayre he addicted himselfe ouer-much to vntimely banquetings spent and consumed with a lingring sicknesse died at Alba Pompeia called also Languvill in the Marquisat of Mont-ferrat in Piemont on the Vigill of Saint Luke the Euangelist 1368. in the two and fortieth yeare of his fathers raigne First he was buried saith Camden in the Annalls of Ireland in the Citie of Papie hard by Saint Augustine the Doctor and afterward enterred at Clare in the Couent Church of Austin Friers in England He had issue onely by his first wife one daughter named Philip. Of which you may reade before in the printed copie of the parchment Roll and in the Chronicle of Iohn Harding as followeth His wife was dedde and at Clare was buried And none heire he had but his doughter faire Philip that hight as Cronicles specified Whom quene Philip cristened for his heire Tharchbishop of Yorke for his compeire Hir godmother also of Warwyk the countesse A Lady was of all greate worthynes And in another place Chyldren had he noone but Philip heire By Elizabeth his first wyfe which the kyng Edward maryed to Edmond Mortymer Th erle of Marche that was his warde full yyng Who gate on hir Roger their derelynge Philip the onely daughter of Leonel Plantagenet Duke of Clarence saith Milles agreeing with the former yet going a little further was married vnto Edmund Mortimer Earle of March vpon whom the said Edmund begot Roger and Roger Anne who being married vnto Richard Earle of Cambridge thereby transported the right of the kingdome vnto the House of Yorke I finde in my notes of Burialls in Monasteries that these persons following were also interred in this Priory Church Richard Earl of Clare whom some will haue to bee Founder Dame Alice Spencer Sir Iohn Beauchamp knight Iohn Newborne Esquire who amongst others brought the body of the foresaid Leonell Duke of Clarence into England Iohn Wiborough William Golderich William Capell and Eleanor his wife The Lady Margaret Scroope daughter of .... Westmerland Iohn Kempe Esquire Robert Butterwyke Esquire Ione Candishe daughter of Clopton Dame Eleanor Wynkepery Stoke Clare Here at Stoke adioyning to Clare was a Colledge founded by one of the Mortimers Earle of March valued in the kings bookes to bee yearely worth three hundred twenty foure pounds foure shillings penny halfe penny In this Colledge was entombed the body of Sir Edmund Mortimer the last Earle of March and Vlster of that house Lord of Wigmore Trim Clare and Conaught the Grandchilde of that Edmund Earle of March who married the daughter and onely heire of Leonell Duke of Clarence as it is in the Roll. This Edmund saith Camden in regard of his royall bloud and right to the Crowne stood greatly suspected to Henry the fourth who had vsurped the kingdome and by him was first exposed vnto dangers in so much as he was taken in a battell fought at Pelale in Wales by Owen Glendowr a Rebell and afterward whereas the Percies purposed to aduance his right he was conueyed into Ireland kept almost twenty yeares prisoner in the Castle of Trim suffering all miseries incident to Princes of the bloud while they lye open to euery suspicion and there through extreame griefe ended his dayes the nineteenth day of Ianuary 1424. in the third yeare of the raigne of Henry the sixth Of the foresaid battell his taking and miserable imprisonment thus much out of Harding as followeth Syr Edmonde then Mortimer warred sore Vpon Owen and did hym mekyll tene But at laste Owen laye hym before Where in batell they faught as well was sene Where Owen toke hym prisoner as then full kene With mekell folke on eyther syde slayne And set Edmonde in prysone and great payne He wrote vnto the kyng for great socoure For he had made with Owen his fynaunce To whom the kyng wold graunt then no fauoure Ne nought he wold then make him cheuesaunce For to comforte his foes disobeysaunce Wherfore he laye in fetters and sore prisone For none payment of his great raunsone Here also lay buried the bodies of Sir Thomas Grey knight and his first wife Luce the wife of Walter Clopton Sir Thomas Clopton and Ade his wife Sudbury Saint Gregories In this Church I saw a marble stone some foure yards long and two broad sometimes inlayd all ouer with brasse vnder which the Inhabitants say that Simon Theobold alias Sudbury lyeth interred which may bee true for howsoeuer he hath his Tombe in the Cathedrall Church at Canterbury of which he was Archbishop as I haue written before yet that may be perhaps onely his Cenotaph or honorarie funerall Monument This Simon built whilest hee was Bishop of London the Chappell or vpper end of the Church where this spatious Grauestone lies couched As appeares by this Inscription in the glasse window Orate pro Domino Symone Thepold alias Sudbury qui istam Capellam fundauit Anno Domini M. cccclxv in commemoracione omnium animarum dedicat dat consecrat In
and sea together wherein a Monastery was built by Furseus a holy Scot by whose perswasions Sigebert king of the East Angles became a Monke and resigned vp his kingdome who afterwards being drawne against his will out of this Monastery to encourage his people in battell against the Mercians together with his company lost his life In that place now there are onely ruinous walls in forme as it were foure square built of flint stone and British bricke But the story of the Foundation of this Abbey will best appeare in the life of Furseus written by Bede and followed by Capgraue Bede lib 3. cap. 19. Capgraue lit F. folio 153 as followeth In the time that Sigebert yet gouerned the East parts of England a holy man called Furseus came thither out of Ireland a man notable both for his sayings and doings of great vertue and much desiring to wander and trauell in Gods quarrell wheresoever occasion serued Comming therefore to the east coasts of England hee was reuerently receiued of the said King where pursuing his godly desire of Preaching the word of God hee both conuerted many Infidels and confirmed the faithfull in the faith and loue of Christ by his painefull Preaching and vertuous examples Where falling into sicknesses hee had from God a vision by the ministery of Angels wherein he was warned to goe forward cheerefully in his painefull Preaching of the Gospell and to perseuere in his accustomed watching and praying because his end and death was certaine though the houre thereof was most vncertaine according to the saying of our Lord. Watch therefore ye know not the day nor the houre With this vision being much confirmed and encouraged he hastened with all speed to build vp the Monasterie in the place king Sigebert had giuen vnto him and to instruct it with regular discipline This Monastery was pleasantly situated for the Woods and Sea adioyning being erected in the village of Gnobersburg and enriched afterwards by Anna King of that prouince and many other Noble men with sundry faire houses and other ornaments This Monastery was founded about the yeare of our Lord 636. and demolished long before the violent deluge of such buildings which happened in the raigne of King Henry the eight Gorlston Here I saw saith Camden the tower steeple of a small suppressed Friery which standeth the Sailers in good steed for a marke of which Friery I neuer marked further Lestoffe Here lieth buried the body of Thomas Scroope otherwise sirnamed Bradley of the towne wherein he was borne descended of the noble family of the Scroopes Qui claritatem generis literis et virtutibus plurimum illustrabat who very much adorned the honour of his birth by his learning and vertues He was first a Monke ordinis Sancti Benedicti of the order of Saint Benet after that ad maiorem aspirans perfectionem aspiring to a greater perfection of life hee tooke vpon him the profession and rule of a Dominican and after that he submitted himselfe to the discipline of the Carmelites of whose Institution he writ a learned Treatise and preached the Gospell in haire and sackcloth round about the Countrie Then hee withdrew himselfe againe to his house of Carmelites in Norwich and there remained twenty yeares leading the life of an Anchorite but yet after that time he came abroad and was aduanced by the Pope to a Bishopricke in Ireland called Dromorensis Episcopatus the said Pope which was Eugenius the fourth sent him in embassage to the I le of Rhodes of which he writ a booke from whence being returned he left Ireland and his Bishopricke came into the East countries wherein hee went vp and downe barefooted teaching in townes abroad the ten commandements and preaching the glad tidings of the Gospell Quicquid autem vel ex suis reditibus percepit vel alias a ditioribus lucrari poterat id totum aut pauperibus distribuit aut in alios pios vsus erogauit whatsoeuer hee tooke either of his owne yearely profits or what he could procure from the richer sort of people he distributed it all to the poore or employed it to pious vses At the length Anno aetatis suae plus minus centesimo in Leistoft Suffolciencis comitatus oppido viuendi finem fecit in the yeare of his age one hundred or thereabouts he died in this towne of Lestoffe the fifteenth day of Ianuary in the yeare of our Lord 1491. the seuenth of Henry the seuenth Here he was buried cum Epitaphio Elegiaco with an Elegiacall or sorrowfull Epitaph engrauen vpon his monument two of the last verses of which are these two verses following Venit ad occasum morbo confectus amoro Spiritus alta petit pondere corpus humum If you would know more of this learned Irish Bishop reade Bale and Pitseus in his life Somerley The habitation in ancient times of Fitz-Osbert from whom it is come lineally to the worshipfull ancient Familie of the Iernegans Knights of high esteeme in these parts saith Camden in this tract Vpon an ancient Knight saith the same Author in his Remaines Sir Iernegan buried crosse legd at Somerley in Suffolke some hundred yeares since is written Iesus Christ both God and man Saue thy seruant Iernegan This Knight as I gather by computation of yeares was Sir Richard Ierningham or Iernegan who for his staid wisedome was chosen to be one of the priuie Chamber to King Henry the eight vpon this occasion following Certaine Gentlemen of the priuy Chamber which through the Kings lenitie in bearing with their lewdnesse forgetting themselues and their duty towards his grace in being too familiar with him not hauing due respect to his estate and degree were remoued by order taken from the Councell vnto whom the King had giuen authoritie to vse their discretions in that behalfe and then were foure sad and ancient Knights put into the Kings priuy Chamber whose names were Sir Richard Wingfield Sir Richard Ierningham Sir Richard Weston and Sir William Kingstone Or it may be Sir Robert Ierningham knighted by the Duke of Suffolke Charles Brandon at the battaile and yeelding vp of Mont de dier a towne in France But which of the Family soeuer he was the name hath beene of exemplarie note before the Conquest if you will beleeue thus much as followeth taken out of the Pedegree of the Ierninghams by a iudicious gentleman Anno M.xxx. Canute King of Denmarke and of England after his returne from Rome brought diuers Captaines and Souldiers from Denmarke whereof the greatest part were christened here in England and began to settle themselues here of whom Iernegan or Iernengham and Iennihingho now Iennings were of the most esteeme with Canute who gaue vnto the said Ierningham certaine royalties and at a Parliament held at Oxford the said King Canute did giue vnto the said Ierningham certaine Mannors in Norfolke and to Iennings certain Mannors lying vpon the sea-side neere Horwich in Suffolke in
Citizens to pay them three thousand Markes after fiue hundred Markes a yeare toward the reparation of their Church besides they were adiudged to giue to the vse of the Church Vnam cuppam de pondere decem librarum auri valore centum librarum argenti A Cuppe weighing ten pounds in gold and worth an hundred pounds of money Whereby you may note saith Speed the proportion then betweene the value of gold and siluer This end was made by King Edward the first his Father being now dead at the request and solicitation of this Bishop His next successour William Midleton was also interred in this Church He reedified the same being so destroyed and profaned as you haue heard before and hallowed or consecrated the whole Fabricke anew in the presence of King Edward the first and many of his Nobles He departed this life the last of August Ann. 1288. in the eleuenth yeare of his Consecration Iohn Salmon placed in this See of Norwich by the Pope was here entombed he was Lord Chancellour of England for the space of foure yeares This Bishop built the great Hall and the Chappell in the Bishops pallace and a Chappell at the West end of the Church in which he ordained foure Priests to sing Masse continually He died Iuly the sixth 1325. William Ayermin likewise by the Popes authority was preferred to this Bishopricke as appeares by the sequele Cum summus Pontifex nuper Willelmum tunc Canonicum London in Episcopum Norwicens prefecisset sicut per literas bullatas ipsius summi Pontisicis Regi inde directas satis constabat ac Rex nono die Nouembris prox preteriâ—o per literas suas patentes sub Testimonio Edwardi filij sui primogeniti tunc custodis Regni Anglie Rege extra Regnum existente prefectionem ipsam gratiose acceptans cepit fidelitatemipsius Episcopi restituit ei temporalia Nunc Rex ratificans prefectionem receptionem predict mandat restituere ei Temporalia Teste Rege apud Kenelworth 13. Decemb. Pat. 20. Eâ—â— 2. In the yeare 1319. saith F. Thinne in his Catalogue of Englands Chancellours and out of an old anonimall Latine Chronicler this Will. Ayremin was keeper of the great Seale and that he was taken prisoner by the Scots the words of his Author are in effect thus in English The Countie of Yorke and the countrie adiacent hauing receiued inestimable damages by the Scots William de Melton Archbishop of Yorke Iohn Hotham Bishop of Ely and Treasurer the Abbot of Saint Maries Yorke Sir William Ayremin Priest Chancellour of England Deane of Yorke the Abbot of Selbie and Sir Iohn Pabeham knight assembled together an armie of eight thousand to represse the violence of the enemie this armie consisted of Clerkes Monkes Canons and other spirituall men of the Church with Citizens and Husbandmen and such other vnapt people for the warres With these the Archbishop came forth against the Scots and incountred with them at a place called Mitton a little village vpon the Riuer of Swale Ouer which Riuer the Englishmen were no sooner passed but that the expert warlike Scots came vpon them with a wing in good order of battell in fashion like to a Shield eagerly assayling their enemies who for lacke of good gouernment were easily beaten downe and discomfited without shewing any great resistance Corruerunt ex nostris tam in ore gladij quam aquarum scopulis suffocati plusquam quatuor mille hominum there were slaine by the sword and drowned in the Riuer of our partie aboue foure thousand persons saith the Manuscript and the residue shamefully put to flight The Archbishop the Bishop of Ely the Abbot of Selbie and diuers other with helpe of their swift horses escaped The Mayor of Yorke named Nicholas Fleming was slaine Et capti sunt Domini Iohannes de Pabâ—ham miles Dominus Willelmus de Airemin Canc. and Sir Iohn de Pabeham and Sir William Ayremin Priest were taken prisoners Iohn Harding who seldome giues condigne praise to the valiant doughtie Scot thus writes of this battell ...... in Myton medowe nere To Swale water lay then with great power Walter Warren among the haycockes bushed Vpon the byshop sodenly with Scots yssued And xv hundreth Englyshe there he slewe And home he went with kyng Robart full glad With prisoners many mo then men knewe The Byshop fled fro the felde full woo bestad With his Clerkes that then were full mad This was called the white Battell for that it consisted of so many Clergie men This Bishop died March the 17. hauing sate almost eleuen yeares at Sharing neare London whose body was conueyed for buriall to this his owne Church He gaue two hundred pound for order to be taken that two Monkes the Cellerers of the Couent should alwayes sing Masse for his soule Thomas Piercy was here interred a gentleman howsoeuer right honorably descended and highly befriended yet constrayned to admit of this Bishopricke by the Popes Prouisorie Bull as followeth Cum summus Pontifex nuper vacante Ecclesia Norwicen per mortem Willelmi vltimi Episcopi ibidem qui apud sedem Apostolicam diem clausit extremum eidem Ecclesie de venerabili viro Thoma Percy prouiderit ipsum Thomam in Episcopum loci illius presecerat Rex cepit sidelitatem ipsius Thome Temporalia ei restituit Teste Rege apud West 14. April Pat. Ann. 29. Ed. 3. Memb. 14. This Bishop gaue vnto the repairing of this Church which in his time was greatly defaced with a violent tempest the summe of foure hundred markes and obtained of the rest of the Clergie a great summe to the same purpose He bequeathed to the Chaunter of this his Church an house and certaine lands lying within the Lordship of Kimerle Gaeriton Fowrhow Granthorpe and Wychelwood vpon condition he should procure Masse daily to be said for his soule He died at Blofield not farre off the eight of August 1369. Vpon the death of Bishop Percy one Henry Despenser Canon of Salisbury was preferred by the Pope to this Bishopricke as I finde it thus recorded in the Tower Henricus Despenser Canonicus Saresburien per Papam ad Episcopatum Norwicen vacantem per mortem Thome vltimi Episcopi ibidem prefectus fecit regi fidelitate habuit restitutioneÌ„ Temporalium T.R. apud Clarendon 14. Aug. 2. Par. Pat. Anno 44. Ed. 3. Memb. 6. This man was called the warlike Bishop of Norwich for that in his youth he had beene a Souldier with a brother of his one Spenser a gentleman greatly esteemed for his valour being a chiefe Commander in the Popes warres by whose meanes this Henry obtained this dignitie and hauing changed his vesture but not his conditions in what manner of life he spent his youth in the same he most delighted euen in his waxing yeares For in the yeare 1381. most memorable was the seruice of this stout Bishop against the rebellious bondmen and Pesants of Norfolke whom he draue
ther was an Insurrection in the Northe by whom the Erle of Northombrelond was sleyne in the feld and also the Citee of Yorke wonâ—e with a sawâ—e by force And for the subduyng of those Rebells the kynge assembled a grete hoste of hys subgettis and toke his iourney towards them from the Castell of Hertford and the seid Erle of Surrey made chief captayn of his voward and apoynted vnder him in the seid voward the Erle of Shrewesbury the Lord Hastyngs Sir William Stanley than beyng the kyngs Chambrelayn Sir Rice ap Thomas Sir Thomas Bowser Sir Iohn Sauage Sir Iohn Ryseley and dyvers other And whan this Iorney was doon the Capiteynes of these Rebelles and many other of them were put to execucion And for the syngulâ—r truste that the kynge had to the seid Erle and the activyte that he saw in hym he lefte hym in the North and made hym hys Lyveâ—enaunt generall from Trent Northward and Warden of the Est and myddle Marches of Englond ageynst Scotlond and Iustice of the Forests from Trent Northward and there he contynued x yeres and kepte the countrey in peace with policy and many paynes takyng withoute which yt wold nat have been for that the countrey had ben so lately ponyssâ—ed and nat withoute desert And thus he dide the hoole tyme of x yere savyng in the second yere of his beyng ther was an Insurrexion in the West part of the countrey with whome the seid Erle with the helpe of the kyngs true subgetts fought in the feld and subdued them at Akworth besides Pomfrett And besides dyvers of them that were sâ—ayne in the feld he toke the Capytaynes and put them to execucion and the residue he sued to the kyngs highnes for ther Pardones whiche he obteyned and wanne therby the fauor of the countrey And in the same yere the kyng went ouer the see and laid seege to Bolayn the seid Erle than remaynyng ther not withstondyng that he was apoynted to have gone with the kyng and hâ—d gone but for the lightnes of the pepule ther wherfor he was left behynd both for the sauegard of the countrey and for defendyng of the Realme for the synguler truste that he had vnto hym And sone after ther was warre with the Scottis and for that the seid Erle wold be in a redynes to defende them he went to Annwyke and ther laye to the defence of the borders And in his own persone made a wynter Rood into Tyvydale and ther brent ther howsses and ther corne to the greatest losse and empouerysshement of the countrey that was doon ther in an hundreth yere before And after that the kyng of Scott's in his owne person and one Parâ—yn with hym invaded this Realme of Englond with a greatre power and laid seege to Northam Castell And assone as he â—erde that the seid Erle was comyng towardis hym he deperted and fled into Scotlond with all the spede he myght And in the same Somer after the seid Erle made another Rood in to Scotlond and laid seege to the Castell of Heyton and dide race and pull downe the seid Castell the kyng of Scottis with the puyssaunce of his Realme lokyng vpon it and the Erle had nat than past viii or ix thowsand men with hym And than the kyng of Scottis sent vnto the seid Erle Lyon his Herrold for to requyre batayle which was graunted by the seid Erle saying vnto the seid Herrold that forasmoche as he was an Officer of Armes sent from the kyng his Master to requyre bataile and he Lyvetenaunt to the kyng his Master graunted thervnto And said it was a contracte and a full bargayn whiche cowde not be brokyn but in the defawte of oon of them And promysed by the faith that he bare to God and to Seynt George and to the kyng his Master he wold fulfill his promesse And yf the kyng hys Master brake yt shuld be asmoche to his dishonor and reproche as euer had Prynce And whan the Harrold had herd this answere and sawe weall the said Erle was clerely determined to fight he said vnto hym Sir the kyng my master sendeth you word that for eschewyng of effusion of Gristen blode he wil be contented to fight with you hande to hande for the Towne of Berwike and the Fisshegarthis on the West marches yf he wynne you in bataile and yf ye wynne hym in bataile you to have a kyngis Raunsom Whervnto the said Erle made answere that he thanked his Grace that he wolde put hym to so moche honour that he beyng a kyng anoynted wold fight hande to hande with so poore a man as he how be yt he seid he wold nat dysceyve his Grace for he said though he wanne hym in in bataile he was neuer the nerer Berwike ner of Fisshegarthys for he had no suche comyssyon so to do his Comyssyon was to do the kyng of Scottis his Master all the harme he coude and so he had don and wold do c. And bad hym shewe vnto the kyng hys Master that whan the Iorney was don he wolde fyght wyth hym on Horsback or on fote at hys plesur at any place he wold indifferently appoynt yf the kyng hys Master wold gyff hym leue c. And whan the warre was doon and â—ended witthe Scottis and the North part of Englond in good reste and peace than the kyngs Highnes sent for the seid Erle to be agayn about his parson and made hym Tresourar of Englond and of his priuye Counsayll And after that the kyng sent hym into Scotland as chief Comâ—myssyoner withe Lady Margarett hys doughter to be maryed to the foresaid kyng of Scottis whiche kyng att the tyme of the seid Erlys beyng ther entreteyned hym as thankfully and fauourably as coude be thought Notwithstondyng anye dyspleasures doon to hym by the seid Erle in the warres before And also the seid kyng said than vn to hym that he loued hym the better for suche servyce as he had doon before to the kyng his father kyng of Englond thoughe the hurte war doon to hym and to his Realme and he gave to hym then at his depertyng greatt gyfts And at the comyng home agayn of the seid Erle for the truste that the kyng our souerayn Lord had to hym hys Grace made hym one of hys Executours And after the dethe of kyng Henry the vii kyng Henry theyght made hym lyke wyse of hys prevay counsayll and styll contynued Tresourer of Englond and made hym highe Marshall of the same And for the syngler truste that the kyng had aswell to his truthe as to hys wysdome and actyvytte at his goyng in to Fraunce with his puyssaunce havyng with hys hyghnes the moste parte of his Nobles of this Realme lefte the said Erle with a certeyn power in the Northe partys and made hym Lyvetenaunte generall from Trent Northward to defend the Realme agaynste the kyng of Scottys whom his hyghnes had no truste vnto for cause of the leeg betwyxt Fraunce