fiue thousand pounds and one Herbert Prior of Fiscane in Normandy bought for his father whose name was Losinge the Abbacie of Winchester and for himselfe the Bishopricke of Norwich Whereupon a versiâ—ier of that age made these rythmes Surgit in Ecclesia monstrum genitore Losinga Symonidum secta Canonum virtute resecta Petre nimis tardas nam Symon ad ardua tentat Si praesens esses non Symon ad alta volaret Proh dolor Ecclesiae nummis venduntur aere Filius est Praesul pater Abbas Symon vterque Quid non speremus si nummos possideamus Omnia nummus habet quid vult facit addit aufert Res nimis iniusta nummis sit Praesul Abba Thus translated by Bale in his Votaries A monster is vp the sonne of Losinga Whiles the law seeketh Simony to flea Peter thou sleepest whiles Simon taketh time If thou wert present Simon should not clime Churches are prised for syluer and gold The sonne a Bishop the father an Abbot old What is not gotten if we haue richesse Money obteineth in euery businesse In Herberts way yet it is a foule blot That he by Simony is Bishop and Abbot But Simonie was not so common now as other sinnes for the Clergie in generall gaue themselues strangely to worldly pleasures and pompous vanities they wore gay rich garments gilt spurres embroidered girdles and bushie locks The Monkes of Canterbury as well nigh all other Monkes in England were not vnlike to secular men they vsed hawking and hunting playing at dice and great drinking thou wouldest haue taken them to haue beene great Magnificoes rather then Monkes they had so many seruants and attendance of goodly aray and dignity Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury by the permission of King Henry the first assembled a great Councell of the Clergie at Westminster wherein he depriued many great Prelates of their promotions for their seuerall offences and many Abbots for other enormities forbidding the farming out of Church dignities In the raigne of King Henry the second the abuses of Church-men were growne to a dangerous height saith well the Monke of Newborough lib. 2. cap. 16. for it was declared saith he in the Kings presence that Clergie men had committed aboue an hundred murthers in his raigne Of which nine yeares were as then scarcely expired And in the 23 of his raigne the Nunnes of Amesbury were thrust out of their house because of their incontinent liuing Rog. Houed Richard Cordelion king of England being told by a certaine Priest called Fulco a Frenchman that he kept with him three daughters namely pride couetousnesse and lechery which would procure him the wrath of God if he did not shortly rid himselfe of them answered That he would presently bestow his three daughters in marriage the Knights Templers said he shall haue my eldest daughter Pride the white Monkes of the Cisâ—â—ux order Couetousnesse and my third daughter Lechery I commit to the Prelates of the Church who therein take most pleasure and felicitie And there you haue my daughters bestowed among you In the raigne of Henry the third the Templars in London being in great glory entertained the Nobilitie forraine Embassadours and the Prince himselfe very often insomuch that Matthew Paris Monke of Saint Albans who liued in those dayes cried out vpon them for their pride who being at the first so poore as they had but one horse to serue two of them in token whereof they gaue in their seales two men vpon one horsebacke yet suddenly they waxed so insolent that they disdained other orders and sorted themselues with Noblemen But this their insulting pride had a quicke period for shortly after to wit in the beginning of King Edward the seconds raigne in the Councell at Vienna this their so highly esteemed order was vpon cleare proofe of their generall odious abhominable sins and incredible Atheisticall impieties by them practised vtterly abolished throughout all Christendome And by the consent of all Christian Kings depoâ—ed all in one day taken all and committed to safe custody And thus being politâ—kely apprehended their lands and goods were seised vpon the heires of the Donours here in England and such as had endowed these Templars with lands entred vpon those parts of their ancient patrimonies after this dissolution and detained them vntill not long after they were by Parliament wholly transferred vnto the Knights of the Rhodes or of S. Iohn of Ierusalem A littâ—e before the vniuersall extinguishment of this order of the Templars Philip the French King caused 54. of that Order with their great Master to be burnt at Paris for their hainous vngodlinesse In the raigne of Edward the third the Clergie of England exceeded all other Nations in the heaping vp together of many Benefices and other spirituall promotions besides at that time they held the principall places both of trust and command in the kingdome Some of them had twenty Benefices with cure and some more and some of them had twenty Prebends besides other great dignities William Wickham at the death of William Edington Bishop of Winchester was made generall Administratour of spirituall and temporall things pertaining to that Bishopricke and the next yeare was made Bishop of Winchester This Wickham besides the Archdeaconry of Lincolne and Prouostship of Welles and the Parsonage of Manihant in Deuonshire had twelue Prebends Simon Langham was Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancelour of England Iohn Barnet Bishop of Bath and Treasurer of England The foresaid Wickham Keeper of the priuie Seale Master of the Wards and Treasurer of the Kings reuenues in France Dauid Wellar Parson of Somersham Master of the Rolles seruing King Edward in the Chancery fortie yeares and more Ten beneficed Priests Ciuilians and Masters of the Chancery William Muâ—se Deane of S. Martins le Grand chiefe Chamberlaine of the Exchequer Receiuer and Keeper of the Kings Treasure and Iewels William Ashby Archdeacon of Northampton Chancellour of the Exchequer William Dighton Prebendary of Saint Martins Clerke of the priuie Seale Richard Chesterfield Prebendary of S. Stephens Treasurer of the Kings house Henry Snatch Parson of Oundall Master of the Kings Wardrobe Iohn Newenham Parson of Fenistanton one of the Chamberlaines of the Exchequer and keeper of the Kings Treasurie and Iewels Iohn Rouceby Parson of Hardwicke Surueior and Controuler of the Kings works Thomas Britingham Parson of Ashby Treasurer to the King for the parts of Guisnes and the marches of Caleis Iohn Troys Treasurer of Ireland diuers wayes beneficed in Ireland Pope Vrban the first made a decree against the heaping together of many Benefices or spirituall promotions by one man for the execution whereof he sent commandement to the Archbishop of Canterbury and by him to all his Suffragans to certifie in writing the names number and qualities of euery Clerke Benefices or liuings within their seuerall Diocesse Whereupon this or the like certificate was brought in I finde inter Breuiâ—
passed a Statute in the firmest manner could bee deuised that this kingdome should remaine intire as before without any violation of the rights it had Prouident he was in all his actions neuer vnder-taking any thing before he had first furnished himselfe with meanes to performe it For his gifts we finde them not such as either his owne fame and reputation or any way distasted the State To be short hee was a Prince who knew his worke and did it and therefore was he better obeyed better respected and serued then any of his Predecessours His workes of Pietie were great and many as the founding of East-minster an Abbey of the Cisteux order neare the Tower An Abbey for Nunnes at Dartford in Kent of both which I haue already written The Kings Hall in Cambridge for poore Schollers An Hospitall for the poore at Calais The building of Saint Stephens Chappell at Westminster with the endowment of three hundred pound per annum to that Church His augmenting the Chappell at Windsore and prouisions there for Church-men and twenty foure poore knights c. These were his publique works the best Monuments and most lasting to glorifie the memory of Princes Besides these his priuate buildings are great and many as the Castle of Windsore which he re-edified and enlarged His magnificence was shewed in Triumphs and Feasts which were sumptuously celebrated with all due rites and ceremonies the preseruers of Reuerence and Maiestie To conclude he was a Prince whose nature agreed with his office as onely made for it On this manner as he was in the strength of his yeares and in the height of his vigorous actions his character is exprest by many Authors Now may it please you in this place to take a view of this the mighty great Monarch of England France and Ireland as he was wrinkled with age weakened with a sore lingring disease and laid downe vpon his Deaths-bed When he had attained to the age of threescore and fiue yeares or thereabouts and wrastled with a sicknesse which gaue him the ouerthrow lying in the bed and at the point of death his eyes darkened his speech altered and his naturall heate almost extinguished one whom of all other he most entirely affected tooke the rings from his fingers which for the royaltie of his Maiestie he was wont to weare so bad him adiew and withdrew herselfe into another roome a woman she was inuerecunda pâ—llex as Walsingham calls her whose name was Alice Piers neither was hee left onely of her the said Alice but of other the knights and Esquires who had serued him allured more with his gifts then his loue Amongst many there was onely present at that time a certaine Priest other of his seruants applying the spoile of what they could lay hands on who lamenting the kings miserie and inwardly touched with griefe of heart for that amongst so many Councellers which hee had there was none that would minister vnto him the word of life came boldly vnto him and admonished him to lift vp the eyes as well of his body as of his heart vnto God and with sighes to aske mercy of him whose Maiestie he well knew he had grieuously offended Whereupon the king listened to the words of the Priest and although a little before he had wanted the vse of his tongue yet then taking strength to him hee seemed to speake what was in his minde And then what for weaknesse of his body contrition of his heart and sobbing for his sinnes his voice and speech failed him and scarce halfe pronouncing this word Iesu he gaue vp the Ghost at his Mannour of Sheene now Richmount as aforesaid If you will heare any more of this Martiall king you must haue the patience to trouble your selues in the reading of these obsolete old rimes Aftur hym reguyd hys son ful ryght The iii Edward that dowtie knyght U. sones he hadde truly here That wer to hym leef and dere Furst yis kyng dude a grete maistry Atte Scluce he brend a gret Naby Atte Tresse he faught ayain The kyng of Beme ther was slayn And the kyng of France putte to flyght Non longor than durst he fyght A sege atte Calice he lede byfor That last xii months and mor And or he thens wold goo He wan Calice and touns moo Atte Batail of Poyters by ordynance Was taken Iohn the kyng of France Atte Westmynstre he lyth ther He regnyd almoost li yer Byfor hym deyed Prynce Edward Whych hadde a son that hight Rychard Philippa of whom I haue spoken before Queene of England wife of Edward the third daughter of William of Bauaria Earle of Henault and Holland by Ioane sister of Philip of Valoys king of France lyeth entombed at her husbands feet She was a Lady of great vertue and a constant true louer of our Nation who when shee had beene king Edwards wife fourty two yeares she died August 15. 1369. These verses are annexed to her Monument Gulielmi Hannonis sobeles postrema Philippa Hic roseo quondam pulchra decore iacet Tertius Edwardus Rex ista coninge letus Materno suasu nobiliumque fuit Frater Iohannes Comes Mauortius heros Huic illam voluit consociare viro Hec iunxit Flandros coniunctio sanguinis Anglis In Francos venit hinc Gallica dira lues Dotibus hec raris viguit Regina Philippa Forma prestanti Religione fide Fecunda nata est proles numerosa parenti Insignes peperit magnanimosque duces Oxonij posuit studiosis optima nutrix Regineas Edes Palladiam scholam Coniux Edwardi iacet hic Regina Philippa Disce viuere Thus there Englished Faire Philip William Hennaldes childe and youngest daughter deere Of roseat hue and beautie bright in tombe lies hilled heere Edward the third through mothers will and Nobles good consent Tooke her to wife and ioyfully with her his time he spent His brother Iohn a Martiall man and eke a valiant knight Did linke this woman to this king in bonds of marriage right This match and marriage thus in bloud did binde the Flemings sure To Englishmen by which they did the Frenchmens wracke procure This Philip flowr'd in gifts full rare and treasures of the minde In beauty bright Religion Faith to all and each most kinde A fruitfull Mother Philip was full many a sonne she bred And brought forth many a worthy knight hardy and full of dred A carefull Nurse to Students all at Oxford she did found Queenes Colledge and Dame Pallas Schoole that did her fame resound The wife of Edward deere Queene Philip lieth here Learne to liue She was the youngest of the fiue daughters of William Earle of Henault aforesaid especially chosen before any of her Sisters for king Edwards wife by a Bishop of what See I am vncertaine and other Lords temporall sent thither were sent as Embassadours to treate of the marriage Of which thus much out of Harding cap. 178. as followeth He sent furth
and spreders abrode of suche brutes tydings and rumors touching vs in honor or suretie of the state of our Realme or any matacion of the lawes or customes therof or any other thing which might cause any sedicion And the same with ther setters forthe maintenors counsaylors and fautors with all dilygence to apprehend and commytt to warde and prison without bayle or maynprise till vpon euidence to be geuen against them at tharriuall of our Iustices in that cuntrey or otherwise vpon yowr advertisement to vs or our Counsaill to be geuen and our further pleaser knowen they may be punyshed for their seditious demerites accordyng to the law to the fearfull example of all other Imploying and endeuoring yowr selfes therunto so ernestly and with soche dexterite as we may haue cause to thinke that ye be the men which aboue all things desyre the punyshment of evill doers and offendors And will lett for no trauaile to sett forthe all things for the commen peace quiet and tranquillite of this our Realme And like as the daunger is imminent no lesse to your self and your neighbours then to other so ye of yowr owne mynd shuld procure and see with celerite our Iniunctions lawes and Proclamations aswell touching the Sacramentaries and Anabaptists as other to be sett forthe to the good instruction and conservacion of our people and to the confusion of those which wold so craftely vndermine our common welth and at the last destroye bothe yow and all other our louing subgiects although we shuld geue vnto yow no such admonicion Therfore faile ye not to follow the â—ffect admonicion and commaundement both in our said letters and in these presents conteyned and to communicate the hole tenor of these our letters with soche Iustices of our Peace your neighbors and other in that shire and to geue vnto them the trewe copye thereof exhorting them like as by these presents we desyre and pray them and neuerthelesse straytly charge and commaund them and euery of them that they will shew their diligence towardnes and good inclinacion to ioyne with you and other of your sorte And that euery of yow for his own parte see the same put in execucion accordingly as ye and they tendre our pleasur and will deserue our condigne thankes Y euen vndre our Signet at our Manor of Hampton Corte the day of December CHAP. XIIII Of the policie vsed by King Henry the eighth and his Councell in the expelling of the Popes authoritie out of his Dominions THus you haue seene the abrogation and extinguishment of the Popes vsurped authoritie here in England the establishment of that power in the Crowne imperiall which was not rashly attempted by his Maiestie but vndertaken vpon mature deliberation and proceeded in by the aduise consultation and iudgement of the most great and famous Clerkes in Christendome amongst which number was that pure Orator and learned diuine Philip Melanchton whose presence here in England after his opinion the king much desired as by this letter following sent to Secretarie Cromwell from the Duke of Norfolke and Viscount Rocheford appeareth Master Secretary after our most harty commendacions ye shall vnderstand that hauing receyued the letters sent vnto yow from Sir Iohn Wallop and shewed the same vnto the Kings Maiestie his pleasure therevpon was that we should dispatch these owr letters incontynently vnto youe concernyng thaccomplishment and doing of these things ensuing First his graces pleasure is that youe shall immediatly vpon the receipt hereof dispatch Barnes in Post with Deryk in his company into Germany commanding him to vse such diligence in his iournay that he may and it be possible mete with Melanchton before his arryuall in France and in case he shall so mete with him not onely to disuade his going thither declaring how extremely the French king doth persecute all those that will not grant vnto the Bishop of Romes vsurped power and iurisdiction vsyng in this parte all persuasions reasons and meanes that he canne deuise to empeach and let his said iornay thither layeng vnto him how moche it shuld be to his shame and reproche to vary and goo nowe from that true opinnion wherein he hath so long continued But also on thother side to persuade him all that he may to conuert his said iournay hither shewing aswell the conformity of his opinnion and doctrine here as the nobilitie and vertues of the Kings Maiestie with the good entretaynement which no doubt he shall haue here at his grace hand And if percase the said Barnes shall not meetâ— with him before his arriuall in France thenne the said Barnes proceding himselfe forth in his Iournay towards the Prynces of Germany shall with all diligence returne in post to the Kings highness the said Derik with the advertisement of the certainty of Melanchtons commyng into France and such other occurrants as he shall then knowe And if the said Derik be not now redy to go with him the Kings pleasure is you shall in his stede appoint and sende suche onn other with the said Barnes as you shall thinke mete for that purpose And when the said Barnes shall arriue with the said Princes of Germany the Kings pleasure is he shall on his grace behaulfe aswell persuade them to persist and continue in their former good opinion concerning the denyall of the Bishop of Romes vsurped authoritie declaring their owne honor reputacion and surety to depend thereon and that they nowe may better mayntain their said iust opinion therein then euer they might having the kings Maiestie oon of the moost noble and puissant Princes of the world of like opinion and iudgement with them who having proceeded therein by great aduise deliberacion consultacion and iudgement of the most parte of the greate and famous Clerkes in Christendome will in no wise relent vary or alter in that behalfe as the said Barnes may declare and shew vnto them by a booke made by the Deane of the Chappell and as many of the Bishops Sermons as ye haue whiche booke ye shall receyue herwith the copies wherof and of the said Sermons ye must deliuer vnto the said Barnes at his departure for his better remembrance and instruction To whom also his graces pleasure is ye shall shew as moche of Sir Iohn Wallops letter which we send you also again as ye shall see drawne and merkt with a penne in the mergent of the same As also exhorte and moue them in any wise to beware howe they commyt any of their affayres to thorder direction or determinacion of the French King consideryng he and his counsail be altogether Papist and addict and bent to the mayntenance and confirmacion of the Bishop of Romes pretended authoritie Furthermore the Kings pleasure is ye shall vpon the receipt herof immediatly cause Master Haynes and Christofer Mount in post to repaire into France to Sir Iohn Wallop in as secrete maner as they canne as cummyng like his friends to visite him and not as sent by
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
ordeyne and mak him my Executor of my Testament foreseyd kalling to him soche as him thinkyth in his discrecion that can and will labor to the sonrest spede of my will comprehended in this myn Testament And to fulfill trwly all things foresaid y charge my foreseyd Son vpon my blessyng Wetnessyng my welbelouyd Cousins Thomas Erchbyshop of Caunterbury foreseyde and Edward Duke of Yorke Thomas Bishchop of Duresme Richard the Lord Grey my Chamberlaine Iohn Tiptost myn Treasuror of Englond Iohn Prophete Wardeine of my priuie seale Thomas Erpingham Iohn Norbery Robert Waterton and meny oder being present In witnessyng wherof my priuy Seele be my commaundement is set to this my Testament I yeue at my manere of Grenwich the xxi dey of the moneth of Ianuer the yere of owr Lord M. CCCC.VIII and of our Reigne the tenth He departed this world the twentieth of March as aforesaid some three yeares and odde moneths after the making of this his last Will and Testament in a Chamber belonging to the Abbot of Westminster called Ierusalem hauing beene prophetically foretold that hee should die in Ierusalem The words saith Harding that the King said at his death were of high complaint but nought of repentance of vsurpement of the Realme ne of restorement of right heires to the Crowne Which he thus versifies O Lorde he sayd O God omnipotent Now se I well thy Godhede loueth me That suffered neuer my foes to haue their entent Of myne person in myne aduersitie Ne in myne sicknesse ne in myne infyrmyte But ay hast kept it fro theyr maleuolence And chastised me by thy beneuolence Lorde I thanke the with all my herte With all my soule and my spirites clere This wormes mete this caryon full vnquerte That some tyme thought in world it had no pere This face so foule that leprous doth appere That here afoâ—e I haue had such a pryde To purtray oft in many place full wide Of which right now the porest of this lande Except onâ—y of their benignite Wolde lothe to â—â—oke vpon I vnderstande Of which good Lorde that thou so visyte me A thousande tymes the Lord in Trinyte With all my herte I thanke the and commende Into thyne handes my soule withouten ende And dyed so in fayth and hole creance At Cauntorbury buryed with great reuerence As a kyng shulde be with all kynde of circumstance Besyde the Prynce Edward with grete expence His funerall Exequies were solemnised here in all pompe and state his Sonne Henry the fifth and his Nobilitie being present vpon Trinitie Sonday next following the day of his death The reason as I take it wherefore King Henry made choice of this Church for his buriall place was for that his first wife the Lady Mary one of the daughters and coheires of Vmphrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton was here entombed who died before hee came to the Crowne Ann. Dom. 1394. leauing behinde her a glorious and faire renowned issue of children to the comfort of her husband and good of the common-wealth viz. Henry afterwards King of England Thomas Duke of Clarence Iohn Duke of Bedford Humphrey Duke of Glocester Blanch married to William Duke of Bauaria and Emperour and Philip married to Iohn King of Denmarke and Norway Here in the same Sepulchre lies the body of Ioane his second wife daughter of Charles the fifth King of Nauarre who died without issue at Hauering in the bower in the County of Essex the tenth of Iuly Anno Dom. 1437. Reg. H. 6.15 hauing continued widow 24. yeares This Queene endured some troubles in the raigne of her Stepsonne King Henry the fift being charged that shee should by witchcraft or sorcerie seeke the Kings death a capitall offence indeed if the accusation was true vpon which furmise her goods and lands were forfeited by Act of Parliament and shee committed to safe keeping in the Castle of Leedes in Kent and from thence to Pemsey attended onely with nine of her seruants but belike her innocency within a little time deliuered her from imprisonment and she liued a long time after in all princely prosperitie Here betweene her two husbands Iohn Beaufort Marquesse Dorset and Thomas Plantaginet Duke of Clarence Margaret daughter of Thomas and sister and one of the heires to Edmond Holland Earles of Kent lieth gloriously entombed by her first husband she had issue Henry Earle of Somerset Thomas Earle of Perth Iohn and Edmund both Dukes of Somerset Ioane Queene of Scots and Margaret Countesse of Deuonshire she died full of yeares the last of December Ann. Dom. 1440. Iohn her first husband lieth on her left side as appeares by his armes and portraiture for I finde no inscription at all vpon the Monument who was the eldest sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by his last wife Katherine Swinford and surnamed Beaufort of Beaufort a Castle in Aniou where he was borne He was created first Earle of Somerset and after Marquesse Dorset by Richard the second being but of small meanes to support such a swelling title He made therle of Somerset Marques Of Dorset then Sir Iohn Beaufort that hight Of poore liuelode that was that tyme doubtles But hee was depriued of this title of Marquesse Dorset by Act of Parliament in the first of Henry the fourth his halfe brother for whom afterwards the Commons became earnest petitioners in Parliament for his restitution But he himselfe was altogether vnwilling to be restored to this kinde of newly inuented honour being but begun in the ninth yeare of this Kings raigne and giuen to Robert de Vere his mignion the first stiled Marquesse of England as it is obserued by that most learned Antiquarie and Lawyer Io. Selden Esquire I finde little of him remarkable being belike sore weakened both in power and spirit by the foresaid Parliament whereby with others of the Nobilitie he was reduced to the same estate of honour and fortune which was but weake in which he stood when first Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester was arrested and besides it was not lawfull for him nor any of the rest to giue liueries to retainers or keepe any about him but necessarie seruants Hee died on Palmesonday the 16. of March Ann. Dom. 1409. On her right side is the pourtraiture of her second husband Thomas Duke of Clarence second soune of King Henry the fourth Lord high Steward of England Constable of the Kings Host and Lieutenant Generall of his Armie in France who after his many fortunate euents in warre was the first man that was slaine in the battell of Baugy vpon Easter Eue An. Do. 1420. by one Iohn Swinton a Scot who wounded him in the face with his Launce as he was remounting hauing giuen singular demonstration of his great valour and so threw him to the ground And with him that day were slaine many of exemplarie note besides 4500. common Souldiers This Duke had borne forth his youth
arriuall here in England and was married to king Ethelbert with these conditions made by her parents That it should be lawfull for her to keepe inuiolable the rites of her Religion and enioy the presence and instructions of her learned Bishop Luitharde whom they appointed to assist and helpe her in matters of her faith She was a woman of vertuous and holy inclination spending much of her time in prayer almes-deeds and other workes of charitie frequenting daily her Oratorie within Saint Martins a Church built in former times by the beleeuing Romanes wherein her reuerend assistant Luitardus vsed also to instruct and exhort the people to newnesse of life and Religion so that by her example and his preaching many of the Kentish Paynims were brought in to beleeue the glad tydings of the Gospell These proceedings with his wiues perswasions wrought so effectually with good king Ethelbert that his heart was softned and his eares already opened to receiue and embrace the doctrine of S. Austine Whereupon some do gather that the happinesse of his and his Subiects conuersion may as well be attributed to Berta and her French attendants as to Austine and his fellow-disciples Of which an old namelesse Rimer very ancient Whan Ethilbert hadde regned bot a yer Sent Awstyn hym to Cristen feyth conuert Thrughe goddys grase as clerly dyd apere Who hadde to wyffe Berta that was advert To Cristen feyth in Fraunce afore convert That helpt therto wyth all hur dylygens As Awstyn dyd wythe all benyvolens She was likewise an earnest parswader and a pertaker with her husband Ethelbert in and for the propagating and erecting of Religion and religious structures as I obserue out of the same Authour Kynge Ethilbert wythe ryall gret expens Gret Mynsters made of hyghe reuyrens In Rochestre and eke in Canterbery For Bysschoppys sees that wer ful necessary Atte London eke sent Pawles edyfyed In whyche so then shuld be the Bysschoppys Se Thus hely Câ—yrch tha Pâ—yns ther fortyfyed Wythe alle kynde thynge that was necessary For sustenauns of the Christyante So dydde hys wyff hur part wythe all hur myght To fortefy the cristen in thâ—yr ryght This blessed Queene died before her husband neare vnto whom he desired to be buried ann 622. for whom this Distich was composed Moribus ornata iacet hic Regina beata Berta Deo grata fuit ac homini peramata Here sometime lay the body of Edbald entombed king of Kent the sonne and heire of the before named Ethelbert by his Queene Berta who began his raigne as wickedly as his father ended his worthily for hee refused to entertaine the doctrine of Christ and polluted himselfe by the marriage of his mother in law his owne fathers second wife but at length being conuerted by Archbishop Lawrence from his idolatrie and incestuous matrimonie hee endeuoured by all meanes possible to propagate and maintaine the state of the Gospell The king of Kent Edbald his furst wyf forsoke And held hym to hys Christendom yat he furst toke And built a Chappell within this Monasterie in honour of Mary the blessed mother of God endowing it with sufficient maintenance wherein after the continuance of 24. yeares raigne hee was buried ann 640. His wife Emma the daughter of Theodebert king of Lorraine was buryed by him Here lieth Ercombert the sonne of the said Edbald king of Kent a religious king who suppressed all the Temples of the heathen Idols and commanded the fast of Lent to be obserued His wife Sexburgh daughter of Anna king of the East Angles was layed by him This King hauing raigned foure and twentie yeares and odde monethes finished his dayes ann 664. Egbert succeeded his father Ercombert and if the murther of his two cosin-Germans had not much blemished his peaceable gouernment he might well haue holden place with the worthiest of the Kentish kings He died in the tenth yeare of his raigne anno 673. and was buried here by his predecessours And so in like manner this Church was honoured with the sepulchres of Lothaire Withred Edelbert and other Kentish kings and also with the shrines of many English Saints whose sacred Reliques as they were then esteemed brought both great veâ—â—ration and bencht to this religâ—ouâ— Structure The first man of eminencie that I finde to haue bâ—ene eâ—shrined in this Abbey was Saint Augustine the first Archbishop of this See of Canterbury a Romane borre and a Monke of Saint Benets order who with others was sent hither out of Italie by Gregory the great Pope of Rome to preach the word of God to this our English nation hee with his fellowes to the number of fourty persons landed in the Isle of Tenet within this County where they were shortly after visited of king Ethelbert But the story is frequent and I shall be often touching vpon it by the way and hiâ— Legend is too long for my intended short discourse therefore I hope the Reader will rest contented with this abbreuiation for both Whils Ethelbert was reignyng kyng of Kent Sainct Austin sent by Gregory of R. bishop Landed in Tenet with Clerkes of his assent And many Monkes to teache the saith I hope That clothed were vnder a blacke cope Whiche in Procession with crosses and Bells came The Latinies syngyng in Iesus his name In the yere of Chryst his incarnacion Fiue hundreth fourescore and sixtene King Ethelbert had in his dominacion Alâ— Kent throughout with greate ioy as was seen Were baptised then in holy water clene To whome Gregory sent Mellito and Iusto With other Clerkes and Doctors many mo Gregory him made Archbishop of Canterbury Of all Englande hiest then Primate And had the Paule with hiest legacye By Gregory sent to him and ordinate Fro London then thus was that tyme translate To Canterbury the sea Metropolitan And London sette as for his suffrigan Saynt Augustine then with helpe of Ethelbert Saynt Augustines made and Christes Church also That Christes Church hight as it was adverte And sacred so by hym and halowed tho For the chiefe Sea Metropolitan so Of all England by Gregory ordinate And Saynt Augustine of all England Primate This man was of an exceeding tall stature well fauoured of a very amiable countenance but of his learning I finde little worthy of remembrance sine doctrina sana docebat saith one ac sine perceptibili lingua ignotae praedicabat genti He died the 26. of May in the thirteenth yeare of his first entrance into England and was buried first without doores neare to the Church of this Monastery because the Church was not finished and afterwards his body was remoued into the North Porch of the said Church in which place fiue of his Successours were likewise interred Vpon the Tombe of this Austine this Epitaph was insculped in Latine thus translated Here resteth the body of Augustine the first Archbishop of Canterbury that was sent into this Land by Saint
fashion in former times fetched from the French which they call rebus or name-deuises examples of the same are frequent Neare to this Church sometime stood that goodly Abbey founded by Stephen king of England grandchilde to the Conquerour dedicated to Saint Sauiour replenished with blacke Monkes of Cluni valued at the suppression to be well worth according to the fauourable rate of such endowments in those dayes 286. l. 12. s. 6. d. ob yearely such was the charter of his donation Stephanus Rex c. Archiepiscopis Episcopis c. salutem Sciatis me pro salute anime mee Matildis Regine vxoris mee Eustachij filij mei aliorum puerorum meorum antecessorum Regum Anglie dedisse c. Manerium meum de Fauresham ad fundand Abbatiam vnam ibidem ae ordine Monachorum Cluniacensium c. Sciatis etiam quod dedimus ego et Matildis Regina mea Willelmo de Ipra in Escambium pro eodem Manerio de Fauresham Lillechire cum pertinencijs suis de hereditate Regine Teste H. Episcopo Winton fratre meo Rogero Episcopo de London Richardo de Lucy Hen. de Essex c. This king died at Douer of an Iliack passion mixed with his old disease the Emrods Octob. 25. 1154. hauing raigned 18. yeares ten moneths and odde dayes and was buried in this Church of his owne foundation Of which heare these ancient rimes Aftur king Harry euyn Then regnyd king Stevyn The Erlys son Bloys he was truly He wedded Mold the doghter of Mary A good man he was bedeme I trow king Harry was his Eme He regnyd here XUIII yere And to Feuersham in Kent men him bere He deyed without issue truly Then regnyd his cosin Harry Stephen was a most worthy Souldier saith one and wanted nothing to haue made him an excellent king but a iust title but that was wanting The whiche he found whyles he was liuing so And reigned here in much trouble and wo. And had this Realme without any ryght Fro th'emprise Maude that faire Lady bryght And this was the cause that he was driuen perforce to defend his vsurâ—ped authoritie by the sword which must needs procure him the hatred of many who thus speake of him in old English King Stephen his luthenesse withdrew yers a fewe But er Uyer were goo he ganne to wex a shrewe For he wende aboute and robbyd the lond and to grownd broght Then the toune of Wyrcester he brent all to noght But to conclude with the words of a late writer This Stephen was a man so continually in motion saith he that we cannot take his dimension but onely in passing and that but on one side which was warre on the other we neuer saw but a glaunce on him which yet for the most part was such as shewed him to be a very worthy Prince for the gouernment Hee kept his word with the State concerning the relieuement of Tributes and neuer had Subsidy that we finde But which is more remarkable hauing his sword continually out and so many defections and rebellions against him hee neuer put any great man to death Besides it is noted that notwithstanding all these miseries of war there were more Abbeyes built in his raigne then in an 100. yeares before which shewes though the times were bad they were not impious the king himselfe being mente piissimus as he was miles egregius His body rested here in quietnesse vntill the dissolution when for the gaine of the lead wherein it was encoffined it was taken vp and throwne into the next water So vncertaine is man yea greatest Princes of any rest in this world euen after buriall Here sometime likewise lay interred Maud his wife the daughter of Eustace Earle of Bulloigne the brother of Godfrey and Baldwin of Bulloigne kings of Ierusalem by her mother Mary sister to Maud Queene of England wife of Henry her predecessour who dyed at Heueningham Castle in Essex the third of May 1151. Whose Epitaph I found in a namelesse Manuscript Anno milleno C. quinquagenoque primo Quo sua non minuit sed sibi nostra tulit Mâ—thildis selix coniux Stephani quoque Regis Occidit insignis moribus et titulis Cultrix vera Dei cultrix et pauperiei Hic subnixa Deo quo frueretur eo Femina si qua Polos conscendere queque meretur Angelicis manibus diua hec Regina tenetur Eustace the sonne and heire apparant of Stephen and Queene Maud liued not long after his mother for being highly displeased with the agreement betwixt his father and Henry Fitzempresse afterwards king of England by which he was made hopelesse euer to haue the Crowne as his fathers Successour in a fury he departed the Court purposing to raise himselfe by his owne meanes and so marched along destroying the countrey alwayes as he went vntill he came to Saint Edmundsbury where he was honourably receiued of the Monkes of that Monastery But hee came not for meat but money and thereupon vngratefully vrged them for a great summe to set forward his heady designes yet the wiser amongst them vnwilling to be wagers of new warres which though ill for all sorts yet proued euer worst for the Clargie mens possessions denyed his request Wherewith eâ—raged be commanded his owne men to carry their corne and other prouision into his owne Castle situated hard by But being set at dinner the very first morsell he put into his mouth draue him into a Frensie whereof shortly after he dyed His body was brought to this Abbey and here interred by his mother His death happened the tenth day of August 1152. He was married to Constance sister of Lewis the seuenth king of France daughter of king Lewis the Grosse by whom he had no issue In this Abbey saith Robert of Glocester is a pece of ye hely croys which Godfrey Boylon forkyndred had sent to king Stephene Tunstall Hic iacet Margareta filia Iacobi Cromer militis vxor Iohannis Rycils heredis de Elsingham .... qui obiit ... 1496. Sittingborne Here lyeth Iohn Crowmer Esquire and Ione his wife who died Ann. Dom. 1539 .... on whose soules A family of knightly descent and ample reuenues one of which house called William Crowmer Esquire sonne of Sir William Lord Maior of London high Shiriffe of Kent in the fury of Iack Cade and the Kentish and Essex rebells was sacrificed at Mile-end and cut shorter by the head like as the day before they had serued Sir Iames Fienes Lord Say and Sele and Treasurer of England in Cheape-side whose onely daughter this Crowmer had married Whose heads giue me leaue to go a little further pitched vpon high poles were carried by the villaines through the Citie of London who caused their trunklesse faces in spight and mockerie to kisse one the other at euery street-corner as they marched along in this their damnable triumph and
great Commander in the warres which by some English wit was happily imitated and ingeniously applyed to the honour of this our worthy chiefetaine Sir Philip written vpon a Tablet and fastened to a pillar in S. Pauls Church London the place of his buriall as the sequele will more plainly shew La France et le Piemont les cieux et les Arts Les Soldats et le Mondeont fait comme six parts De ce grand Bonniuet cor vne si grand chose Dedant vn seul tombeau ne pouuoit estre enclose La France en a le corps que elle aurit esleue Le Piemont a le ceur qu'il auoit esprouue Les cieux en ont l'esprit et les Arts la memoire Les Soldats le regret et le monde la gloire In English as followeth France and Piemont the Heauens and the Arts The Souldiers and the world haue made sixe parts Of Great Bonniuet for who will suppose That onely one Tombe can this man enclose France hath his body which she bred and well loued Piemont his heart which his valour had proued The Heauens haue his soule the Arts haue his Fame The Souldiers the griefe the world his good name A briefe Epitaph vpon the death of that most valiant and perfect honorable Gentleman Sir Philip Sidney knight late Gouernour of Flushing in Zealand who receiued his deaths wound at a battell neare Zutphen in Gelderland the 22. day of September and dyed at Arnhem the 16. day of October 86. Whose Funeralls were performed and his body interred within this Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul in London the 16. day of February next following in the yeare of our Lord God 1586. England Netherland the Heauens and the Arts The Souldiers and the world haue made sixe parts Of noble Sidney For who will suppose That a small heape of stones can Sidney enclose England hath his body for she it fed Netherland his bloud in her defence shed The Heauens haue his soule the Arts haue his Fame The Souldiers the griefe the world his good Name These Elegies also following penned in the praise of the said Philip by our late Soueraigne Lord King Iames that sole Monarch of many Nations giue a glorious lustre to his Heroicke actions In Philippi Sidnaei interitum Illustrissimi Scotorum Regis Carmen Armipotens cui ius in fortia pectora Mauors Tu Dea quae cerebrum perrumpere digna Tonantis Tuque adeo biiugae proles Latonia râ—pis Gloria deciduae cingunt quam collibus artes Duc tecum et querula Sidnai funera voce Plangite nam vester fuerat Sidnaeus alumnus Quid genus et proauos et spem floremque iuuentae Immaturo obitu raptum sine fine retexo Heu frustra queror heu rapuit Mors omnia secum Et nihil ex tanto nunc est Heroe superstes Praeterquam decus et nomen virtute paratum Doctaque Sidneas testantia Carmina laudes The same translated by the said King Thou mighty Mars the Lord of Souldiers braue And thou Minerve that dois in wit excell And thou Apollo who dois knowledge haue Of euery art that from Parnassus fell With all your Sisters that th aire on do dwell Lament for him who duely seru'd you all Whome in you wisely all your arts did mell Bewaile I say his vnexpected fall I neede not in remembrance for to call His race his youth the hope had of him ay Since that in him doth cruell Death appall Both manhood wit and learning euery way But yet he doth in bed of Honor rest And euermore of him shall liue the best Eiusdem Regis in Eundem Hexasticon Vidit et exanimem tristis Cytheraea Philippum Fleuit et hunc Martem credidit esse suum Eripuit digitis gemmas colloque monile Mars iterum nunquam ceu placitura foret Mortuus humana qui lusit imagine Diuam Quid faceret iam si viueret ille rogo In English When Venus sad saw Philip Sidney slaine She wept supposing Mars that he had bin From fingers Rings and from her necke the chaine She pluckt away as if Mars nere againe She ment to please In that forme he was in Dead and yet could a Goddesse thus beguile What had he done if he had liu'd this while Tunbridge In this ruinous Church which like the Caâ—tle carries with it a shew of venerable antiquitie I finde no funerall Monument of elder times remarkable in the north window onely are depicted the pourtraitures of the Lord Hugh Stafford kneeling in his coate-armour and his Bow-bearer Thomas Bradlaine by him with this inscription Orate pro animabus Domini Hugonis Stafford et Thome Bradlaine Arcuar .... This Hugh Lord Stafford afterwards Earle of Buckingham was Lord of this Mannor of Tunbridge by his grandmother Margaret the onely daughter and heire of Sir Hugh Audley Earle of Glocester of whom hereafter when I come to Stone in Staffordshire the place of his buriall Neare to the ruinous walls of the Castâ—â—â—stood a Priory pleasantly seated which in the shipwracke of such religious structures was dasht all a peeces founded by Richard de Clare Earle of Gloucester about the yeare 1241. for Canons of Saint Augustines order and consecrated to S. Mary Magdalen Which Priory was valued by the Commissioners at the suppression to be yearely worth 169. l. 10. s. 3. d. This Richard the founder dyed at Emmersfield in the Mannor-house of Iohn Lord Crioil here in Kent 14. Iulij Ann. 1262. his bowels were buried at Canterbury his body at Tewxbury and his heart here in his owne Church at Tunbridge Hee was Vir nobilis et omni laude dignus To whose euerlasting praise this Epitaph was composed Hic pudor Hippoliti Paridis gena sensus Vlissis Aeneae pietas Hectoris ira iacet Chaste Hippolite and Paris faire Vlisses wise and slie Aeneas kinde fierce Hector here ioyntly entombed lye Here sometime lay entombed the bodies of Hugh de Audley second sonne of Nicholas Lord Audley of Hâ—leigh Castle in the County of Stafford who was created Earle of Gloucester by king Edward the third and by the marriage of Margaret second daughter of Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester surnamed the red and sister and coheire to Gilbert the last Earle of that surname Lord of Tunbridge This Hugh dyed the tenth of Nouember 1347. Ann. 21. Ed. 3. I finde little of him remarkable saue his good fortunes being a younger brother to marry so great an inheritrix and to be exalted to such titles of honour His wife Margaret first married to Pierce Gaueston Earle of Cornwall dyed before him in the yeare of our Lord 1342. the 13. day of Aprill They were both together sumptuously entombed by Margaret their daughter the onely heire of her parents wife to Raph de Stafford Earle of Stafford The said Raph de Stafford and Margaret his wife were here likewise entombed at the feet of their father and
North wall Iohn de Chishull who sometimes had beene Deane of Pauls Archdeacon and Bishop of London Lord Treasurer of England and twice Keeper of the great Seale He was consecrated Aprill 29. 1274 and died the tenth 1279. Vpon the Monument of Richard Newport Bishop of this Church here buried a little inscription not long since was to be read expressing the day and yeare of his consecration which was March 26. 1317. And the like of his death which happened August 24. 1318. the yeare following Raph Baldocke Deane of this Church was chosen Bishop vpon Saint Mathias day 1303. but was not consecrated till the yeare 1305. Ianuary 30. which he receiued at the hands of one Petrus Hispanus a Cardinall Bishop of Alba at Lions in France He was a man very well learned and amongst other things writ an History or Chronicle of England in the Latine tongue In his life time he gaue two hundred Markes toward the building of the Chappell on the East end of this Church now called The Lady Chappell wherein he lieth buried and in his Will bequeathed much toward the finishing of the same And here by the way saith mine Author it shall not bee amisse to note that in digging the foundation of this building there were found more then an hundred heads of cattell as oxen kine stagges c. which seeme to confirme the opinion of those that thinke the Temple of Iupiter was scituate in that place before the planting of Christian Religion tooke away those idolatrous sacrifices This Bishop was chosen Lord Chancellour by king Edward the first Vpon whose death he sent the great Seale to king Edward the second as then lying at Carliell This Raph is mistaken by some writers for Robert Baldock Bishop of Norwich yet I finde no such Bishop of that See in the Catalogue sometime Archdeacon of Midlesex and Chancellour of England Much what about that time a man that liued in the hatred of most people whom the old English Chronicle calleth a false peeld Priest these are the words Robart Baldok his false pilide Chanceler being as then Chancellour to Edward the second and in another place Ye pilide clerk Robart Baldok ye fals Chanceler Yet this pilide fals clerk was euer trew to the King his Lord and Master for which he was taken and imprisoned in Newgate London wherein he miserably ended his dayes Of which thus writeth the Author of the booke of Durham Robertus de Baldock Cancellarius 1325. captus cum Hugonibus de despensers quia Clericus fuit Sacerdos in nona porta Londiniarum poni fecit Edwardus Princeps et Isabella mater eius vbi pro nimia miseria mortuus fuit infra breue But to returne to Raph for I haue somewhat digressed from the matter Bishop of this Diocesse who when from his first confirmation by Robert of Winchelsey Bishop of Canterbury he had sate about eight yeares died on S. Iames his Eue 1313. at Stell Here lyeth buried Michaell Northbrooke Bishop of this See Doctor of Law who had his election confirmed Iuly 7. 1355. and died of the plague Septemb. 9. 1361. at Copford This Bishop gaue a chest with a thousand Markes which money was to bee lent to the poore vpon securitie as appeares by his will Michael de Northburghe nuper Episcopus Lond. legauit in testamento suo sic Item lego ad faciend vnam cistam que stabit in Thesauria Sancti Pauli mille Marcas in eadem includend de quibus possit quilibet pauper plebeus sub bona excedenti pignore mutuo recipere decem libras 1. Pars. Pat. Ann. 49. Ed. 3. M. 30. Here lieth interred vnder a marble stone neare to the Monument of Sir Christopher Hatton the body of Richard Clifford Archdeacon of Canterbury from which dignitie he was preferred to the Bishopricke of Worcester which he enioyed about six yeares and from thence translated to this See of London which hee laudably gouerned thirteene yeares and some moneths and died August 20. 1421. This Bishop in the yeare 1414. trauelled to the Councell of Constance and preached in Latine before the Emperour and other Estates there assembled In this Councell the long schisme was ended and Martin the fifth called before Otho Columna Cardinall of Saint George was chosen the sole Pope The Councell thinking it meete that thirtie persons should be added to the Cardinals in this election this our Richard Clifford was one of that number In which also there were some that named him to the Papacie Himselfe was the first that named the Cardinall Columna who thereupon the rest consenting was immediately elected Betweene the two pillars next vnto the Steeple on the North side of the body of the Church vnder a marble stone ouer which was built a kind of Tombe or Chappell of wood that by the burning of the steeple was consumed and quite defaced the body of Rich. Fitz-Iames lieth interred A gentleman of an ancient house learned and vertuous Doctor of Law brought vp in Merton Colledge in Oxford and sometimes Warden of the same from whence hee was aduanced to the Bishopricke of Rochester from thence translated to Chichester and from Chichester to London He bestowed much money in repairing the Church of S. Martins in Oxford as also in adorning and beautifying this his owne Cathedrall Church He died in the yeare 1521. Hic in Domino obdormiuit Iohannes Gandauensis vulgo de Gaunt à Gandauo Flandrie vrbe loco natali ita denominatus Edwardi tercij Regis Anglie filius à Patre comitis Richmondie titulo ornatus Tres sibi vxores in matrimonio duxit primam Blancham filiam heredem Henrici Ducis Lancastrie per quam amplissimam adijt hereditatem Nec solum Dux Lancastrie sed etiam Leicestrie Lincolnie Derbie comes effectus E cuius sobole Imperatores Reges Principes proceres propagati sunt plurimi Alteram habuit vxorem Constantiam que hic contumulatur filiam heredem Petri Regis Castillie et Legionis cuius iure optimo titulo Regis Castillie et Legionis vsus est Haec vnicam illi peperit filiam Catharinam ex qua ab Henrico Reges Hispanie sunt propagati Tertiam vero vxorem duxit Catharinam ex Equestri familia eximia pulchritudine feminam ex qua numero sam suscepit prolem Vnde genus ex matre duxit Henricus 7. Rex Anglie prudentissimus Cuius felicissimo coniugio cum Elisabetha Edw. 4. Regis filia e stirpe Eboracensi Regie ille Lancastriensium et Eboracensium familie ad exoptatissimam Anglie pacem coaluerunt Illustrissimus hic princeps Iohannes cognomento Plantagenet Rex Castillie Legionis Dux Lancastrie comes Richmondie Leicestrie Lincolnie Derbie locum tenens Aquitanie Magnus Seneschallus Anglie obijt Ann. 22. Regni Regis Ricardi 2. Annoque Domini 1399. His first wife Blanch here buried died of the plague saith
Iordan Briset hauing first founded the Priory of Nunnes here by Clerkenwell as aforesaid bought of the said Nunnes ten Acres of ground giuing them for the said ten Acres twenty Acres of land in his Lordship of Willinghale or Wellinghall in Kent Vpon which ground lying neare vnto the said Priory hee laid the foundation of a religious structure for the knights Hospitalers of S. Iohn of Ierusalem These following are the words out of the Register booke of the Deedes of the said house written by one Iohn Stilling-fleete a brother of the house circa ann 1434. to the end that their benefactors names being knowne they may be daily remembred in their prayers Iordanus Briset Baro tempore regis Hen. primi circa an Dom. 110. fundauit domum ac Hospitale S. Iohns de Clerkenwel Hic etiam erat Fundator domus Monialium de Clerkenwel ac ab eis emit decem acras terre super quas dictum Hospitale ac domum fundauit pro illis decem acris terre dedit illis Monialibus viginti acras terre in Dominico suo de Willinghale in com Cant. c. In ye yere of Criste as I haue the words out of an old Mss 1185. ye vj. Ides of Merche ye dominical lettre being F ye Chyrche of ye Hospitall of S Iohns Ierusalem was dedicatyd to ye honor of S. Iohn Baptiste by ye worschypfull fader Araclius Patriarke of ye resurrection of Christe ye sam dey was dedycatyd ye hygh Altrâ— and ye Altre of S. Iohn Euangelist by ye sam Patryarke The said Heraclius in the same yeare dedicated the Church of the new Temple as hereafter is spoken Within a short time this Hospitall began to flourish for infinite were the donations of all sorts of people to this Fraternitie as in the Beadroul of their benefactors is specified but aboue all their Benefactors they held themselues most bound to Roger de Mowbray whose liberalitie to their order was so great that by a common consent in their chapiter they made a decree that himselfe might remit and pardon any of the Brotherhood whomsoeuer in case he had trespassed against any of the statutes and ordinances of their order confessing and acknowledging withall his offence and errour And also the knights of this order granted in token of thankefulnesse to Iohn de Mowbray Lord of the Isle of Axholme the successour of the foresaid Roger that himselfe and his successours in euery of their couents assemblies as well in England as beyond seas should be receiued entertained alwaies in the second place next to the King Thus through the bounty both of Princes priuate persons they rose to so high an estate and great riches that after a sort saith Camden they wallowed in wealth for they had about the yeere of our Lord 1240. within christendome nineteene thousand Lordships or Manours like as the Templars nine thousand the reuenewes and rents whereof fell afterwards also to these Hospitallers And this estate of theirs growne to so great an height made way for them to as great honours so as the Priore of this house was reputed the prime Baron of the land being able with fulnesse abundance of all things to maintaine an honourable port And thus they flourished for many yeeres in Lordly pompe vntill a Parliament begun the 18. of April 1540. Anno 32. Henry 8. their corporation was vtterly dissolued the King allowing to euery one of them onely a certaine annuall pension during their liues as you may reade in the Annals of England The value of this foundation in the Kings bookes was 3385 l. 19 s. 8 d. of ancient yeerely rent This Priory Church and house was preserued from spoile or downe pulling so long as Henry the 8 raigned but in the 3 of King Ed. the sixt the Church for the most part with the great Bell-tower a most curious piece of workemanship grauen gilt and enameld to the great beautifying of the Citie saith Stow was vndermined and blowne vp with Gun-powder the stone whereof was imployed in building of the Lord Protectors house in in the Strand The Charter-house Sir Walter Manny Knight of the Garter Lord of the towne of Manny in the Dioces of Cambrey beyond the seas in that raging pestilence in the 23 of King Ed. the 3. when Churches Church-yards in London might not suffice to bury the dead purchased a piece of ground in this place called Spitle croft containing 13 acres and a Rodd and caused the same to bee enclosed for burials and dedicated by Raph Stratford Bishop of London in which place and in the same yeere more then 50000 persons were buried in regard of such a multitude here interred he caused a Chappell here to be builded wherein Offerings were made and Masses said for the soules of so many Christians departed And afterwards about the yeere 1371. he caused here to be founded an house of Carthusian Monkes which he called the Salutation which house at the dissolution was valued to be yeerely worth sixe hundred forty two pounds foure pence halfe penny Iohn Stow saith that he had read this Inscription following fixed on a stone crosse sometime standing in the Charter-house Church yard Anno Domini M. ccc.xl.ix Regnante magna pestilentia consecratum fuit hoc Cemiterium in quo infra septa presentis Monasterij sepulta fuerunt mortuorum Corpora plusquam quinquaginta millia preter alia multa abhinc vsque ad presens quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen This inscription vpon the foresaid Stone Crosse as also the relation before was taken out from the words of his charter the substance whereof followeth Walterus Dns. de Many c. cum nuper pestilentia esset tam grandis viâ—lenta in ciuitate London quod Cemiteria Ecclesiae ciuitatis non possunt sufficere pro sepultura a personarum in eadem pestilentia discedentia nos moti pietate habentes respectum c. Purchased 13. acres of land without Smithfield Barres in a place called Spitle croft and now called new Church-Haw for the buriall of the persons aforesaid and haue caused the place to be blessed by Raph then Bishop of London in which place plus quam Quinquaginta millia personarum de dicta pestilentia morientium sepulti fuere And there for our Ladies sake wee founded a Chappel of the holy order of the Cartusians made there a Monastery by consent of the Prior or Cartuse Maior in Sauoy c. for the health of King Edward the third and Dame Margaret his wife Hijs Testibus Iohn Hastings of Penbroke Humfrey Bohun of Hereford Edmund Mortymer of Marâ—h and William de Monteacuto of Sarum Earles Iohn de Barnes Maior of London William de Walworth and Robert de Gayton Sheriffes Dat apud London 20 Martij Anno Regni Reg. Ed. 3.45 Sir Walter Manny or de Manie the foresaid Founder was buried here in his owne Church who deceased in the same yeere that he
For whiche Commons him hated both free and bond Iohn Gower concludes his cronica tripartita annexed to his booke entituled Vox Clamantis with these riming verses concerning the said King Cronica Richardi qui sceptra tulit Leopardi Vt patet est dicta populo sed non benedicta Vt speculum mundi quo lux nequit vlla resundi Sic vacuus transit sibi nil nisi culpa remansit Vnde superbus erat modo si preconia querat Eius honor sordet laus culpat gloria mordet Hoc concernentes caueant qui sunt sapientes Nam male viuentes Deus odit in orbe regentes Est qui peccator non esse potest dominator Ricardo teste finis probat hoc manifeste Post sua demerita perijt sua pompa sopita Qualis erat vita cronica stabit ita He was murdered at Pomfret Castle in the bloudie Tower so called from that time vpon that bloudie act to this day on Saint Valentines day 1399. the first of Henry the fourth when hee had raigned 22 yeares That beautifull picture of a King sighing crowned in a chaire of estate at the vpper end of the Quire in this Church is said to be of him which witnesseth how goodly a creature he was in outward lineaments but I will conclude with these rimes out of my old Manuscript the Addition to Robert of Glocester This Rychard than regnyd sone Aftur his Belsire as was to done Atte x yere of age crownyd was he He was a man of grett beute In hys tym the Comynte of Kent Up arysin and to London went And Sauoy the brent that ilke plas The whych the Dukes of Lancastre was Thurgh euel councel was slayn ful suel The Duke of Glocestre and the erle of Arundel He regnyd xxii yer and mor And to Longeley was he bor But in the v King Herry is tym He was leyde at VVestmynstre by Anne the Quene Anne his first wife here entombed with him was the daughter of Wenceslaus King of Bohemia and Emperour of the Germanes she died in Anno 1394. the seuenth of Iune at Sheene in Surrey whom her husband so feruently loued yea vsque ad amentiam euen to a kinde of madnesse that for very griefe and anger besides cursing the place wherein shee died hee ouerthrew the whole house Her Epitaph Sub petra lata nunc Annaiacet tumulata Dum vixit mundo Richardo nupta secundo Christo deuota fuit hec facilis bene nota Pauperibus prona semper sua reddere dona Iurgia sedauit et pregnantes releuauit Corpore formosa vultu mitis speciosa Prebens solamen viduis egris medicamen Anno milleno ter cent quarto nonageno Iulij septeno mensis migrauit ameno forma Fragilis Henry the fift sonne of Henry the fourth King of England and conquerour of France died at Boyes de Viscenna not farre from Paris the last of August 1422. hauing raigned 9 yeares 5 moneths and odde daies from thence his body was conuaied to this Abbey vpon whose Tombe Katherine his wife caused a royall picture to be layed couered all ouer with siluer plate gilded the head whereof was all of massie siluer all which at the suppression when the battering hammers of destruction as Master Speed saith did sound almost in euery Church were sacrilegiously broken off and by purloyning transferred to farre prophaner vses where at this day the headlesse monument is to be seene and these verses written vpon his Tombe Dux Normanorum verus Conquestor eorum Heres Francorum decessit et Hector eorum Here Normans Duke so stil'd by conquest iust True heire of France Great Hector lies in dust Gallorum mastix iacet hic Henricus in vrna Domat omnia virtus So many vertues are attributed by all writers to this heroicall King Henry the renowne of England and glory of Wales that where to begin or when to make an end in his deserued praise I know not so I will leaue him amongst the many Monarchs of this most famous Empire none more complete relating onely a few rimes which in some sort doth particularize his memorable exploits Aftur hym regnyd his son than The v Herry truly a gracious man Atte his begynnyng verament He stroyd Loliers and thei wer brent Aftur he made Relygyous at Shene Sion Ierusalem and eke Bedlem The thurd yer he went truly And gat Hartlett in Normandy Atte Egyncourt he hadde a batayle ywis Hamwardys and ther had the prys He tooke ther the Duc of Orleaunce The Duc of Burbon and meny of Fraunce And aftur that he wan Lane toun Rone and al Normandy as was to don Also he wan Parys worschypfully And meny mo tounes wyth Meaux in Bry. Ther he took to hys Quene Katterin the kyng dawghtyr shene He hadde a Son of hur y bore That ys callyd Herry of Wyndsore In Fraunce he departyd goodly thurgh Goddâ—s grase And was broght into Engelond in short spase Then was his Son Herry of age suerly But only viii monyths wyth odde deyes truly His Eme Iohn Duc of Bedford as yow see Is now Regent of Fraunce sykerly He regnyd x yer in hevyn he hath reward Lith at Westmynstre noght fer fro Seynt Edward Here lieth Katherine Queene of England wife to the foresaid King Henry the fifth in a chest or coffin with a loose couer to be seene and handled of any that will much desire it and that by her owne appointment as he that sheweth the Tombes will tell you by tradition in regard of her disobedience to her husband for being deliuered of her Sonne Henry the sixth at Windsore the place which he forbad But the truth is that she being first buried in our Ladies Chappell here in this Church her corps were taken vp when as Henry the seuenth laid the foundation of that admirable structure his Chappell royall which haue euer since so remained and neuer reburied She was the daughter to Charles the sixth king of France she died at Bermondsey in Southwarke the second of Ianuary Ann. Dom. 1437. Her Epitaph Hic Katherina iacet Francorum filia Regis Heres Regni Carole Sexte tui Henrici quinti thalamo bis leta iugali Nam sic vir duplici clarus honore fuit Iure suo Anglorum Katherine iure triumphans Francorum obtinuit ius decus imperij Grata venit letis felix Regina Britannis Perque dies celebrant quatuor ore Deum Edidit Henricum gemebunda puerpera Regem Cuius in imperio Francus Anglus erat Non sibi sed Regno felici sidere natum Sed Patri Matri Religione parem Post ex Owino Tiddero tertia proles Nobilis Edmundus te Katherina beat Septimus Henricus quo non prestantior alter Filius Edmundi gemma Britanna fuit Felix ergo vxor mater ter filia felix Ast Auia hec felix terque quater que fuit Here lieth buried in one of the stateliest Monuments of Europe both for the
aged 94. yeares The Hermitage Hospitall and Free-Schoole at Highgate-hill In ancient times vpon the top of this hill was an Hermitage one of the Hermites whereof caused to bee made the Causway betweene Highgate and Islington taking the grauell from the top of the hill where now is a standing pond of water One William Poole Yeoman of the Crowne founded the Hospitall below on the hill in the raigne of King Edward the fourth The free Schoole was built by Sir Roger Cholmundely or Cholmeley knight sometime Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench about the yeare 1564. the sixth of Queene Elizabeth The Pencion of the Master is vncertaine saith Norden there is no Vsher and the Schoole is in the disposition of sixe Gouernours or Ouerseers Our Ladies Chappell of Muswell or Mousewell hill Here was in ancient times a Chappell bearing the name of our Lady of Muswell in the place whereof Alderman Roe erected a faire house The place taketh name of the Well and of the Hill for there is on the hill a spring of faire water which is now within the compasse of Sir Nicholas Roes Cellar in the said house Here was sometime an Image of our Lady of Muswell whereunto was a continuall resort in the way of pilgrimage growing as it goes by tradition from father to the sonne in regard of a great cure which was performed by this water vpon a king of Scots who being strangely diseased was by some diuine intelligence aduised to take the water of a Well in England called Muswell which after long scrutation and inquisition this Well was found and performed the cure Absolutely to deny the cure saith Norden I dare not for that the high God hath giuen vertue vnto waters to heale infirmities as may appeare by the cure of Naaman the Leper by washing himselfe seuen times in Iordan and by the Poole Bethesda which healed the next that stepped thereinto after the water was moued by the Angell The Hermitage at Kilbourne In the time of King Henry the first Herbert Abbot of Westminster by permission of Gilbert Bishop of London and by consent of the Couent granted to three Maides the Hermitage of Kilbourne with all the land of that place which Hermitage one Gorbone had builded long before The Hospitall of S. Giles in the Fields for Leprous people This Hospitall was founded by Queene Maude wife to king Henry the first in the yeare 1117. and was a Cell belonging to Burton Lazers of Ierusalem in the County of Leicester as may appeare by a deed dated the 24. of Hen. 7. in these words Thomas Norton knight Master of Burton Lazers of Ierusalem in England and the brethren of the same place keepers of the Hospitall of Saint Giles without the Barres of the old Temple of London haue sold to Geffrey Kent Citizen and Draper of London a messuage or house with two Sollars aboue edified in the Parish of Alhallowes Hony-Jane in Westcheape adioyning to the West part of a Tenement called the Goate on the Hope pertaining to the Drapers of London for 31. l. At this Hospitall the prisoners conueyed from the Citie of London towards Teyborne there to be executed were presented with a great Bowle of Ale thereof to drinke at their pleasure The Hospitall of Saint Mary Bethlem commonly called Bedlam In the yeare 1247. Simon Fitzmary one of the Sheriffes of London founded this Hospitall for lame and indigent people which afterwards was conuerted to that vse which the Citie now makes of it vpon this occasion In the Parish of Saint Martins in the field there was an house wherein sometime were distraught and Lunaticke people of what antiquitie founded by whom or what time suppressed saith Stow I haue not read But it was said that a King of England not liking such a kinde of people to remaine so neare his Pallace caused them to be remoued further off to Bethlem without Bishopsgate of London and to that Hospitall the said house by â—haring-crosse doth yet remaine S. Peters Chappell within the Tower Here lie interred the headlesse remaines of Iohn Fisher Doctor of Diuinitie sometime Bishop of Rochester brought vp a Scholler in Cambridge Master of our Colledge I meane Queenes Colledge in Cambridge and Chancellour of that Vniuersitie He was made Cardinall t t. S. Vitalis the one and twentieth of May which honour was to him parum vitalis for the Cardinals hat and his head neuer met together he being beheaded on the Tower-hill the 22. of Iune following Ann. Dom. 1535. His bodie was first buried in Barking Church-yard and afterwards vpon occasion as followeth remoued to this place He was a man in great estimation with Margaret Countesse of Richmond by whose exhortation shee built and endowed two Colledges in Cambridge S. Iohns and Christ Colledge she made him one of her executours He liued likewise a long time in great fauour with her Grandchild King Henry the eight euen vntill his marriage with Anne Bullein which he euer seemed to disallow Whereupon he was suspected and accused to be of councell with Elizabeth Barton commonly called the holy Maide of Kent a Nunne of Saint Sepulchres in Canterbury who by sundrie suggestiue reuelations gaue out that if the King proceeded in diuorce and second marriage he should not raigne in his realme seuen moneths after nor rest in Gods fauour the space of an houre The story is frequent Of which imputation he thus excused himselfe by his letters to the Kings Maiestie To the Kings most gracious Highnes Please it your graciouse Highenes benignely to heare this my most humble sute which I haue to make vnto your grace at this time and to pardon me that I come not my selfe vnto your grace for the same For in good faith I haue had so many periculouse diseases oone after another which began with me before Advent and so by long continuance hath now brought my body into that weakenesse that withouten perill of destruction of the same which I darr saye your grace for your soueraigne goodnes wold not I may not as yet take any traueyling vpon me And soo I wrote to Maister Cromwell your moost trustie Councellor beseeching him to obtayne your graciouse licence for me to be absent from this Parliament for that same cause and he put me in comforthe soo to doo Now thus it is most graciouse soueraygne Lord that in your most high Court of Parliament is put in a bill against me concerning the Nunne of Canterbury and intending my condempnation for not reuelyng of such wordes as she hadde vnto me towchyng your Highnes Wherein I moost humblie beseech your grace that without displeasor I maye shew vnto you the consideration that moued me so to doo which when your moost exâ—cellent wisdome hath deaplye considered I trust assuredlie that your charitable goodnes will not impute any blame to me therfore A trowth it is this Nunne was with me thries in commyng from London by Rochester as I wrote to Master
Prynces in pease most amate In Grece Archbyshop elected worthely And last of Carlyel rulyng pastorally Kepyng nobyl Houshold wyth grete Hospitality On thowsand fyve hundryd thirty and sevyn Invyterate wyth pastoral carys consumyd wyth age The nintenth of Iun reckonyd ful evyn Passyd to hevyn from worldly pylgrâ—mage Of whos soul good pepul of cherite Prey as ye wold be preyd for for thus must ye lie Iesu mercy Lady help Here lieth Sir Henry Collet knight twise Maior of London who died in the yere of our redemption 1510. This Hâ—nry was sonne to Robert Collet of Wendouer in Buckinghamshire and father to Iohn Collet Deane of Pauls in the first time of his Maioraltie the Crosse in Cheape-side was new builded in that beautifull manner as it now standeth Richardus iacet hic venerabilis ille Decanus Qui fuit etatis doctus Apollo sue Eloquio forma ingenio virtutibus arte Nobilis eternum viuere dignus erat Consilio bonus ingenio fuit vtilis acri Facunda eloquij dexteritate potens Non rigidus non ore minax affabilis omni Tempore seu puero seu loquerere sexi Nulli vnquam nocuit multos adiuvit omnes Officij studuit demeruisse bonos Tantus hic et talis ne non deleatur ademptus Flent Muse et laceris mesta Minerua comis Obijt anno 1532. etat circiter 40. This Pace succeeded Collet in the Deanrie of Pauls a man highlie in fauour with king Henry the eight by whom he was employed as Embassadour to Maximilian the Germane Emperour as also to Rome in the behalfe of Cardinall Wolâ—ey who stood in election for the Popedome Hee writ diuers learned treatises yet extant Nam vir erat saith Bale viriusque literaturae peritia praeditus Nemo ingenio candidior aut humanitate amicitior He was a right worthie man and one that gaue in counsell faithfull aduâ—ce learned he was also and indued with many excellent good gifts of nature curteous pleasâ—nt and delighting in Musicke highlie in the Kingsfauour and well heard in matters of weight Here was I borne and here I make myne end Though I was Citizen and Grocer of London And to the office of Schrevalty did ascend But things transitorie passe and vanische sone To God be geeuen thanks if that I haue ought done That to his honowre and to the bringing vp of youth And to the succowre of the Age for sewerly this is soth By Avise my wyff children were left me non Which we both did take as God had it sent And fixed our myndes that ioyntly in on To releue the poore by mutuall consent Now mercifull Iesu which hast assystyd owre intent Have mercy on owre sowles and as for the residew If it be thy will thou mayst owre Act continew Vpon the same marble these verses following The fyve and twentyth day of this monyth of Septembyr And of owre Lord God the fifteenth hundryd and fowrty yeere Master Nicholas Gibson dyde as this tombe doth remembyr Whose wyff aftyr maryed the worschypful Esquier Master William Kneuet on of the kings privy chamber Much for his time also did he endeuer To make this Act to continew for euer This pious act here mentioned in this Epitaph is a free-Schoole founded at Radcliffe in this Parish by the said Nicholas and Avise for the instruction of threescore poore mens children by a Schoolemaster and an Vsher with an Almeshouse for fourteene poore aged persons and this Foundation continues to this day Saint Leonards in Stratford Bow This religious structure was sometime a Monasterie replenished with white Monkes dedicated to the honour of our alone Sauiour Iesus Christ and Saint Leonard founded by King Henry the second in the 23. yeare of his raigne And valued at the suppression to be yearely worth an hundred one and twenty pounds sixteene shillings In this Abbey Church sometime lay entombed the body of Iohn de Bohun eldest sonne and heire of Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex Which Iohn de Bohun to vse the words of Milles in his Catalogue of Hereford Earles after the death of his father Humfrey was fifth Earle of Hereford Constable of England and Patron of the Abbey of Lanthony fourth Earle of Essex of that Surname and fifth Lord of Brecknock Because this Earle Iohn in regard of his weaknesse of body by a continuall sicknesse was not able to performe this office of the Constableship of England Edward the third at this Earles intreatie did substitute Edward Bohun the Earles younger brother Vice-Constable vnder him for the tearme of his life But Earle Iohn died at Kirby Thore the 20. of Ianuary vpon Saint Fabian and Sebastians day 1136. the tenth of Edward the third leauing no issue and was buried at Stratford Abbey not farre from London This Iohn married first Alice the daughter of Edmund Fitz-alan Earle of Arundell who died in childbed and was buried at Walden with her Infant sonne after it was christened His second wife was Margaret daughter of Raphe Lord Basset of Drâ—yton a Baron of the best ranke in those dayes by whom hee had no issue Hertfordshire For Ecclesiasticall gouernment onely some part of this Shire belongeth to the Diocesse of London the rest to the Bishopricke of Lincolne Now because the Bishop of Lincolne hath so large a Territorie vnder his iurisdiction I wâ—ll be so bold as to borrow a few Funerall Inscriptions which I haue collected in this County and within his charge and imprint them with those which are properly for London Diocesse Alhallowes in the Towne of Hertford Off yowr cherity prayeth to God and Alhalwin hertely For Ser Ion Chappilaine somtym of yis plas Vicary Almighty Iesu resseve his sowl to grase and mercy Icy gist Isabele Newmarche iadis Damosele a tresâ—oble Dame Isabele Roigne d' Engletere This Isabell Newmarch or de nouo Mercatu a name of great reputation in the raigne of King Henry the third was Maide of Honour to that Isabell Queene of England who was second wife to Richard the second daughter of Charles the sixth King of France Hic iacet Lodouicus Baysbury Capell Henrici sexti ac Prebend Ecclesie Cathedral Lincoln .... M. ccccxxviii Here lyeth vndyr this ston William Wake And by him Ione his wyff and Make Somtym yeman of Iohn Duc of Bedfords hors And lat Survayor wyth king Henry the sixt he was Gentylman mad he was at the holy Grav On qwos sowls Almyghty God mercy hav Hic iacet Iohannes Prest quondam Ianitor Hospitii Katherine nuper Regine Anglie ....... This Priest was Porter to that Katherine Queene of England who was the onely wife of that inuincible Conquerour of France Henry the fifth and daughter of Charles the sonne of Charles aforesaid King of France Saint Nicholas Hic iacet Alicia Tymyslow quondam Dominella Domine Ducisse Lankastrie que obiit 17 Septemb. 1396. This faire yong waiting Chamber-maid for so much the word
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
imperious wicked persons wondrous much offensiue and malicious to the Abbey tooke vp their priuie lodgings saying that they were the Kings faithfull seruants and keepers of the peace of the countrie when as to the contrary they rather ouerthrew and disquieted all peaceable gouernment and the whole countrey Here end the Monuments in the Countie of Hartford Essex West Ham. QVeene Mawd wife to king Henry the first passing ouer the riuer of Ley at Ouldford hardly escaped danger of drowning after which shee gaue order that a little beneath at Stretford there should be a bridge made ouer the water going ouer which towards West Ham I saw the remaines of a Monasterie pleasantly watered about with seuerall streames which William Montfichet a Lord of great name of the Norman race built in the yeare of our Lord 1140. The reuenues of this house were much augmented and confirmed by king Richard the second in the tenth yeare of his raigne as by his charter amongst the Records in the Tower appeareth Dedicated it was to the honour of Christ and Mary his blessed mother replenished with blacke Monkes And valued at the suppression to be worth 573. l. 15. s. 6 d. ob q. Diuers other beside the founder endowed this religious Structure Some of whose donations I finde to be confirmed by the said William Montfichet in this manner Willelmus de Montefixo omnibus prepositis ministris hominibus suis tam Francis quam Anglis Salutem Sciatis quod ego concedo et confirmo donationem quam fecerunt Ecclesie Sancte Marie de Ham Matheus Geron de tota terra sua de Cambridg cum pertinenciis absque omni servicio Geraldus de Hamma de vno prato per concessum Martini filia sui aliorum siliorum suorum Donationem etiam quam fecit ergo Capellanus meus â—ecime Dominii mei c. Quod si quis hominum meorum Elemosinam de terra facere voluerit quod de feodo meo sit non concedo vt alibi det nisi ad Abbatiam meam de Ham. Et insuper si quis hominum meorum quicquam beneficii deinceps eidem Ecclesie facere voluerit in terra prato vel quacanque re libere donet hec omnia que et ego concedo confirmo Abbatic Monachis de Ham â—â—perpetuum Precor igitur omnes homines meos vt islam meam Elemosinam manuteneant et conseruant Hiis testibus Margareta vxore mea Richardo de Poylei Humfrido filio Eustachii Willelmo filio Richardi Willelmo de Byron The Seale of this deed is in blouddy waxe The Baronie or habitation of this familie de Monte Fixo or Montfichet was Stansted in this County from whom the Towne is called Stansted Montfichet to this day They were reputed men of very great Nobilitie vntill that their ample inheritance was diuided among three Sisters One of which progenie namely Richard was in the raignes of king Iohn and Henry the third famous for his high prowesse and chiualrie Three the most forcible and valiant knights of England saith Stow in those dayes were Robert Fitz-water Robert Fitz Roger and Rich. Mont-Fichet Here lieth Iohn Hamerton Esquvr Sergeant at Armes to kyng Henry the eyght and of Edith his wife and Richard Hamerton his brother of the Parysh of Fedston in the County of Yorke Which Iohn and Richard fell both sicke in an houre and died both in one houre Ann. Dom. M. ccccc.xii on whose Sowles Iesu haue mercy Amen Hic iacet Henricus Ketleby quondam Serviens illustrissimi Principis Henrici filii metuendissimi Regis Hen. septimi qui obiit 8. die Augusti 1508. Hic sub pede iacet Margareta quondam vxor Iohannis Ketleby de Com. Wigorn. Armig. que obiit 10. die Iunii .... Of your cheritie prey for the sowles of Io. Eglesfeeld who died 13. of August 1504. and for the sowl of Edith his wyf Who died 22. of Iune 1533. Of your cherite prey for the soul of Walter Froste of West Ham Esquyr and Sewar to kyng Harry the eyght and of Anne his wyff doughter of ..... and widow of Richard Caly Merchant of the Staple of Calis Which Anne died the xxiii of October 1527. For the word Sewar saith Minshew I haue heard of an old French book containing the Officers of the king of Englands Court as it was anciently gouerned that he whom in Court we now call Sewar was called Asseour which commeth from the French Asseoir to set setle or place wherein his Office in setting downe the meate is well expressed Or Sewar saith he is deriued perhaps from the French word Esquire id est a Squire because he goeth before the meat as a Squire or Gentleman Vsher. The Fees allowed to this Officer in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth as I haue it out of a generall collection of all the Offices of England in her dayes was thirtie and three pounds thirteene shillings foure pence Orate pro anima Valentini Clerke Elisabethe vxoris eius qui quidem Valentinus obiit 6. die Iunii 1533. et dicta Elisabetha .... Waltham Stow. Here lyeth Sir Georg Monox knight somtym Lord Maior of London and Dame Ann his wyfe whych Sir Georg dyed ..... 1543. and Dame Ann 1500. This Lord Maior reedified the decayed Steeple of this Church and added thereunto the side Isle with the Chappell wherein he lieth entombed He founded here a faire Almeshouse in the Churchyard for an Almesse Priest and thirteene poore Almesse people which he endowed with competent reuenues He also made a cawsey of timber for foot Trauellers ouer the marshes from this Towne to Lock-bridge Ilford Hic iacet Thomas Heron filius heres Iohannis Heron militis Thesaurar Camere Domini Regis qui obiit in Alderbroke 18. Martii 1517. et Ann. Reg. Regis Henrici 8. nono The valiant Familie of the Herons or Heiruns in foregoing ages were the warlike possessors of very large reuenues in the County of Northumberland parcels of whose Baronie was Chipches Tower Swinborne and Foard Castles belonging now to the houses of the Woderingtons and Carrs Raynam Hic iacet Richardus Pasmer generosus quondam Scriba communis Thesauri pro Magistro et conventu Rhodi in Prioratu Sancti Iohannis Ierusalem in Anglia nec non Seneschallus Hospitii Sancti Iohannis tempore reuerendi Patris fratris Willelmi Tournay Prioris ac etiam Superuisoris omnium Maneriorum terrarum et tenementorum infra regnum Anglie ad Priorem dicti Prioratus pertinentium tempore presati Prioris ac tempore reuerendorum Patrum fratrum Io. Longstrother Io. Weston Io. Kendall .... obiit vii die Octob. Ann. Dom. M. ccccc Barking Here lyeth Rychard Cheyney and Ioane his wyf Whych Rychard dyed 1514. on whos ... Iohn Scot and Ioane his wyf ... 1519. Vnder the picture of a Ship sailing in the haven this Inscription Desiderata porta Inveni Portum spes et
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
Bell on which is cast a peece of coine of siluer of King Edward the fourth it was giuen by one of the Countesses of Essex as one may partly gather by an old Inscription vpon it is the Bowsers knot Tiltey Here sometime stood a Monastery founded by Maurice Fitz-Gilbert before remembred not long after the Conquest which he dedicated to the honour of the Virgine Mary and therein placed white Monkes of the Cistertian order The donations to this religious house are confirmed in the Records of the Tower Cart. Antiq. lit S. The valuation of it at the suppression was 177. l. 9 s. 4. d. This Monasterie is not altogether ruinous in the little Church whereof I found these Funerall Inscriptions following Bruntingthorpe neare to Leicester hath long beene the habitation of the ancient familie of Dannet saith Master Burton who beareth sable Guttee Argent a Canton Ermine one of which familie lieth here interred with this Epitaph Hic iacet sepultus cum coniuge Maria Gerardus Dannet de Bruntingthorp in Com Lecestr Ar. serenissimi Regis Henrici octaui Consiliarius qui obijt Anno Christi M. ccccc.xx mensis Maij quarto The armes afore blazoned are ouer the Monument of this Councellour to king Henry Abbas famosus bonus viuendo probatus In Thakley natus qui iacet hic tumulatus Thomas dictatus qui Christo sit sociatus Rite gubernauit istumque locum peramauit Great Easton Orate .... Willelmi Moigne Ar .... qui obiit .... M.ccc.v This William Moigne or Monke held this Mannor of Easton ad montem for so it was anciently called with Winterborne and Maston in the Countie of Wilts by seruice of being Clarke of the Kings Kitchin and keeper of his Lardarie tempore Coronationis Hatfield Brad-oke So called saith Camden of a broad spread Oake in which Towne Robert de Vere the third Earle of Oxford and great Chamberlaine of England founded a Priorie for blacke Monkes About the beginning of the raigne of King Henry the third valued at the suppression at 157. l. 3. s. 2. d. ob per annum which Priory Aubrey de Vere the third of that Christian name Earle of Oxford enfeoffed with the Tithes of this Towne and to the instrument of his donation he affixed by a harpe string as a labell to the bottome of the parchment a short blacke hafted knife like vnto an old halfe penny whitle instead of a Seale These are the words in his Grant Per istum cultellum Albericus de Vere tertius feoffauit Prioratum et Conventum de Hatfeeld Regis alas Brodoke cum omnibus decimis in villa predicta Habend c. a festo Assumptionis beate Marie virginis in puram perpetuam Eleemosinam c. Of this old manner of signing and sealing of deeds you may read Lambard in his perambulation of Kent pag. 318. This Robert was first entombed in the Church of his owne foundation and at the dissolution remoued into the Quire of this Parish Church where he lieth crosse-legged with this inscription now almost worne out Sire Robert de Veer le premier count de Oxenford le tierz git ci Dieux del alme si luy plest sace merci Oi pur lame priera xl iors de pardonn anera Pater Noster Sir Robert Vere the first and third Earle of Oxford lieth here God if he please have mercy of his soule whosoeuer shall pray for his soule shall obtaine fourty dayes Pardon He died in the yeare 1221. Hic iacent Thomas Barington Ar. Anna vxor eius qui quidem Thomas obijt v. Aprilis M. cccc lxxij Anna obiit proximo die sequenti Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus At Barington Hall within this Parish saith that learned delineator of Great Britaine M. Camden dwelleth that right ancient familie of the Baringtons which in the raigne of King Stephen the Barons of Montfitchet inriched with faire possessions since which time this house is much enobled by the marriage of Sir Thomas Barington knight with Winifred the daughter and coheire of Sir Henry Pole knight Lord Montague sonne of Margaret Plantaginet Countesse of Salisbury descended of the bloud royall being the daughter of George Duke of Clarence Great Dunmow Exoretis miserecordiam Dei pro anima Walteri Bigod Armigeri qui obijt 17. die mens Mar. 1397. Simon de Regham iadis Parson de Dunmow gist icy Dieu de son alme eit mercy Amen Of yowr cherite prey for the sowls of Iohn Ienone Esquyr somtym on of the Common Pleas of Westmynstre and Alys his wyff Whych Iohn dyed xvii Septembyr M. Vc.xlii Little Dunmow Iuga the wife of one Baynard a Nobleman that came in with the Conquerour the builder of Baynards Castle in London founded the Priority in this village in the beginning of the raigne of Henry Beauclerke and entreated Mauricius Bishop of London to dedicate the Church to the honour of the virgine Mary to which the same day she gaue halfe a Hide of land Her sonne and heire Geffrey Baynard placed blacke Chanons therein by the consent of Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury This house was valued at the suppression to be yearely worth 173. l. 2. s. 4. d. The Church of this monastery is as yet standing in the Quire whereof betweene two pillars lieth the body of Matilda the faire entombed who was the daughter of Robert Fitz-water the most valiant knight of England About the yeare 1213. saith the booke of Dunmow there arose a great discord betwixt king Iohn and his Barons because of Matilda surnamed the faire daughter of Robert Fitz-water whom the King vnlawfully loued but could not obtaine her nor her fathers consent thereunto Whereupon and for other like causes ensued warre through the whole Realme The king banished the said Fitz-water amongst other and caused his Castle called Baynard and other his houses to be spoiled Which being done he sent a messenger vnto Matilda the faire about his old Suit in Loue Et quia noluit consentire toxicauit eam And because she would not agree to his wicked motion the messenger poisoned a boiled or potched Egge against she was hungrie and gaue it vnto her whereof she died the yeare 1213. In the yeare following after her death her banished father was restored to the kings fauour vpon this occasion It happened in the yeare 1214. king Iohn being then in France with a great armie that a truce was taken betwixt the two Kings of England and France for the terme of fiue yeares and a riuer or arme of the Sea being betwixt either host there was a knight in the English host that cried to them of the other side willing some one of their knights to come and iust a course or two with him Wherupon without stay Robert Fitz-water being on the French part made himselfe ready ferried ouer got on horseback and shewed himself ready to the face of
it descending to William Clopton his sonne and heire and he dying without issue as did also Sir William Clopton the sonne of the aboue mentioned Sir William The said Mannor of Newenham passed by Conueyance dated at Ashdon 6. die Iunij an 13. Hen. 4. as did most of all the other large possessions of the Cloptons in Suffolke and Cambridgeshire to William Clopton of Melford the sonne and heire of Sir Thomas Clopton Knight who lyeth buried with his wife the daughter and heire of Mylde vnder a faire Tombe in the north Isle of the said Church of Melford called the Cloptons Isle as doth also the said William Clopton his sonne lie buried vnder the same Tombe and Margery his wife the daughter and heire of Elias Francis Esquire in the same Isle whose Epitaph is there found on her Graue-stone as followeth Hic iacet Margeria Clopton nuper vxor Willielmi Clopton Armig. filia et heres Elie Francis Armigeri que obijt ....... Iunij Anno Dom. M. cccciiii euius anime propitietur Deus And on this grauestone is there an Escutcheon of Clopton with an Ermine on the bend empaled with the Armes of Francis being gules a Salteire betweene foure crosses formie Patees Or from which said William and Margerie haue the three seuerall Families of Cloptons of Kentwell Castelins and Liston descended and the first beene much enobled by the marriage of the daughter and heire of Roydon descended likewise from the seuerall heires or coheires of Knyuet Belhous Fitz-warren Basset of Welledon and diuers other ancient families as was that familie of Lyston by the marriage of the daughter and heire of Say whose ancestors had beene long owners of that mannor and held it in Capite as Clopton now doth by the seruice of making Wafers at the Kings Coronation And because these foresaid three Families of Clopton did descend as I haue alreadie noted and were at once branched forth from Sir William Clopton of Lutons in the Countie of Suffolke Knight it shall not be impertinent to set downe his Epitaph as it is now to bee seene on his grauestone in the North Isle of the said Chappell of Melford Church amongst diuers others of his Ancestors being as followeth Orate pro animabus Willielmi Clopton militis et Iohanne Consortis sue Qui quidem Willielmus obijt vicesimo die Febrarij Anno Dom. millesimo quingentesimo tricesimo quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen And on the grauestone aboue this Epitaph is the Cloptons coate before mentioned empaled with Marrow which is Azure a fesse nebulee inter three Maydens heads coupes by the Shoulders Ar the periwiggs Or. Thus much of the Cloptons I had from that studious learned gentleman Sir Simond D'Ewes Knight of which much more when I come to Melford and Tallo-wratting Church in Suffolke Here lyth Nicholas Inglefield Esquyr sometime Controler of the hous to King Rychard the second who dyed the first of April in the yere of Grase M. cccc.xv whos soul Iesu perdon Amen Amen Amen Here end the Monuments in the Countie of Essex Additions or certaine Epitaphs and Inscriptions vpon Tombes and Grauestones within certaine Churches in the Citie of London Collected by my selfe and others not many yeares agoe of which few or none of any Antiquity are remaining in the said Churches at this present day such is the despight not so much of Time as of maleuolent people to all Antiquities especially of this kind In Saint Pauls IN this Cathedrall Church and neere vnto Sir Iohn Beauchamps Tomb commonly called Duke Vmfreys vpon a faire marble stone inlaid all ouer with brasse of all which nothing but the heads of a few brazen nailes are at this day visible and engrauen with the representation and cote-Armes of the party defunct Thus much of a mangled funerall Inscription was of late time perspicuous to be read as followeth Hic iacet Paganus Roet miles Guyenne Rex Armorum Pater Catherine Ducisse Lancastrie ...... This Sir Payne Roet had issue the aforesaid Dutchesse and Anne who was married to Geffrey Chaucer our famous English Poet who by her had issue Sir Thomas Chaucer whose daughter Alice was married to Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury by whom she had no issue and after to William de la Pole Duke of Suffolke and by him had Iohn Duke of Suffolke and others The abouesaid Katherine eldest daughter of this King of Armes was first married to Sir Otes Swynford Knight and after to Iohn of Gaunt the great Duke of Lancaster of whose issue by her is obserued to be descended a most royall and illustrious of spring videlicet Eight Kings foure Queenes and fiue Princes of England Sixe Kings and three Queenes of Scotland two Cardinals aboue twenty Dukes and almost as many Dutches of the kingdome of England diuers Dukes of Scotland and most of all the now ancient Nobilitie of both these Kingdomes besides many other potent Princes and eminent nobility of forraigne parts Saint Giles Criplegate Here vnder a large marble stone whereupon no Inscription is at this day remaining neither any Effigies of the deceased left both of which were inlaid and engrauen vpon the monument as I was credibly informed lieth interred the body of Sir Iohn Wriothesley Knight alias Garter principall King at Armes Father of William Wriothesley Yorke Herald who had issue Thomas Wriothesley Knight of the Garter Lord Chancellor of England and the first of that sirname Earle of Southampton His creation was the eighteenth yeare of the raigne of King Ed. 4. as appeares by this his Patent following Pat. 18. Ed. 4. m. 28. part 2. Rex omnnibus ad quos c. Salutem Sciatis quod cum non sit noâ—uÌ„ set iam diu ab antiquis teÌ„poribus vsitatuÌ„ quod inter ceteros Officiales Ministros quos PrincipuÌ„ lateribus pro coruÌ„ magnificencia atque gloria adherere decet eoruÌ„ officij ArmoruÌ„ cura coÌ„mittitur copiaÌ„ habere debeat vt nec teÌ„pus belloruÌ„ quibus neque pacis sine coÌ„uenientibus aptis Ministris debeat preteriri Nos igitur coÌ„siderationis acteÌ„ in laudabilia seruicia que delectus nobis Iohannes Wrythe alias nuper dictus Norrey Rex ArmoruÌ„ parciuÌ„ BorialiuÌ„ Regni nostri Anglie in hijs que ad officium illud spectare intelliguntur exercuit dirigentes eund propterea non minus ob solerciam et sagacitatem quas in eo satis habemus exploratas in principalem Haraldum Officiarium incliti nostri Ordinis Garterij Armorumque Regem Anglicorum ex gracia nostra speciali ereximus fecimus constituimus ordinauimus creauimus et coronauimus ac per presentes erigimus facimus constituimus ordinamus creamus coronamus ac ei officium illud nec non nomen le Garter Stilum titulum libertates preeminencias huiusmodi officio conueniencia et concordancia ac ab antiquo consueta damus et concedimus ac ipsum in eisdem realiter
Cauendish late wife of William Cauendish which William was one of the sonnes of the aboue named Alice Cauendish Which Margaret dyed the xvi day of Iune in the yeare of our Lord God M. cccccxl whossoul Iesu pardon Amen Heuen blis be here mede Yat for the sing prey or rede Cauendish is a Towne or Village in Suffolke wherein that valiant Gentleman Iohn Cauendish Esquire who slew that Arch-Rebell Watt Tyler Anno Reg. Regis Ric 2.4 was borne which fact was not long vnreuenged for in the same yeare the Rebels of Norfolke and Suffolke vnder the conduct of their Captaine Sir Iohn Wraw a detestable Priest tooke Sir Iohn Cauendish knight cosin to the foresaid Iohn chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench and beheaded him together with Sir Iohn of Cambridge Prior of Saint Edmundsbury whose heads they set on the Pillory in the Market place Here restyth the body of William Burd Esquyr late Clark of the Pipe and Priuy Seale whych payd the generall tribute of Nature deuyded from the mundane vexations by naturall death the xv day of August the xxi yere of kyng Henry the eyght Clarke of the Pipe saith the Interpreter is an Officer in the Kings Exchequer who hauing all accounts and debts due vnto the king deliuered and drawne downe out of the Remembrancers Offices chargeth them downe into the great Roll. Who also writeth summons vnto the Shiriffe to leuie the said debts vpon the goods and chattels of the said debtors and if they haue no goods then doth he draw them downe to the Lord Treasurers Remembrancer to write Extreats against their Land The ancient Reuenew of the Crowne remayneth in charge before him and he seeth the same answered by the Fermers and Shiriffes to the king He maketh a charge to all Shiriffes of their summons of the Pipe and Greenewax and seeth it answered vpon their accounts He hath the ingrossing of all Leasses of the Kings lands and it is likely that it was at the first called and still hath denomination of Pipe and Clarke of the Pipe and Pipe Office because their Records that are registred in their smallest Rolles are altogether like Organe Pipes but their great Roll called the Great Roll Ann. 37. Ed. 3. ca. 4. is of another forme Clericus Priuati Sigilii or Clarke of the priuie Seale is an Officer whereof there be foure in number that attendeth the Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale or if there be none such vpon the principall Secretarie writing and making out all things that be sent by warrant from the Signet to the Priuie Seale and are to be passed to the Great Seale as also to make out as they are tearmed Priuie Seales vpon any especiall occasion of his Maiesties affaires for loane or lending of money or such like Of this Officer and his function you may reade the Statute Ann. 27. Hen. 8. cap. 11. Hic iacet Iohannes Hartishorne quondam Seruiens Domini Regis ad Arma qui obijt viij die Martij Ann. Dom. M. ccccxxix Agnes vxor eius que obiit ..... M. cccc The office of Sergeants at Armes is to attend the person of the King to arrest Traitors or great men that do or are like to contemne messengers of ordinarie condition for other causes and to attend the Lord high Steward of England sitting in Iudgement vpon any Traitor and such like Of these by the Statute Ann. 13. Ric. 2. cap. 6. there may not be aboue thirtie in the Realme There be also two of these Sergeants of the Parliament one of the vpper and another of the lower house whose office seemeth for the execution of such commandements especially touching the apprehension of any offender as either house shall thinke good to enioyne them There is one Sergeant at Armes that belongeth to the Chancerie who is called Sergeant of the Mace as the rest may be because they carrie Maces by their office He of the Chancerie attendeth the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper in that Court Another in like manner attends the Lord Treasurer Of your cherite prey for the souls of George ... Maior of London and Iohan and Margaret his wyffs which .... decessyd M. ccccc.xxxvi on whos sowls ..... By the computation of yeares I finde no such man by the Christian name of George to haue beene Lord Maior about this time excepting George Monox who lieth buried at Waltham Stow. Hic iacet Iohannes Kirkham nuper Ciuis Attornatus London Elisabetha vxor eius qui quidem Iohannes obijt primo die Septembris .... M. cccc.xxvij quorum animabus ... Here lyeth Iohn Mynne Esquyr late mastyr of the Kyngs wooddys of his new granted Court of Generall Surueyours of his Londes and Auditour of diuers and sundry Reuenews of the same Courts which desessyd the xv dey of Decemb. M. ccccc.xlii on whos soul Iesu haue mercy Diuers other Inscriptions hee collected of persons here interred about the beginning of Queene Elizabeths raigne which are not as now visible In this Church was sometime saith Stow a Brotherhood of Saint Fabian and Sebastian founded in the yeare 1377. the 51. of Edward the third and confirmed by Henry the fourth in the sixt of his raigne Henry the sixt in the 24. of his raigne to the honour of the Trinitie gaue licence to Dame Ioan Astley sometime his Nurse to Robert Cawood Clarke of the Pipe who lieth buried in this Church but of whom no remembrance is remaining and Thomas Smith to found the same a Fraternitie perpetually to haue a Master and two Custos with Brethren and Sisters c. This Botherhood was endowed with lands more then thirtie pound by the yeere and was suppressed Edward the sixt Saint Mary Magdalens Milkestreete Of your charity pray for the soul of Edward Murell ... and Martha his wyff which Edward decessyd the ... day of ... Of your cherite prey for the souls of William Campion Citizen and Grocer of London sometime one of the Masters of the Bridghouse and Alys and Anne his wyffes The which William decessyd the xvii of December M. ccccc.xxxi Anne the .... day of M. ccccc.xx on whos souls Iesu haue pitte Amen Prey for the soul of Henry Cantlow Mercer Merchant of the Staple at Callys the builder of this Chappell wherein hee lyeth buried M. cccc.lxxxxv Here lieth also buried in this Church Sir William Cantlow Knight and Sheriffe of London in the yeare 1448. who died in the yeare 1462. Cantlow siue de Cantelupo an ancient Familie of great repute in many places of this Kingdome of which hereafter Hic iacet Iohannes Olney quondam ciuis et Mercerus Aldermannus Maior Ciuitatis London qui obijt die Martis xxiiij die octobris M cccc liiij cuius anime propitietur Deus This Iohn was the sonne of Iohn Olney of the Citie of Couentrie saith Stowes Suruay Orate pro animabus Thome Muschampe ........ This Thomas Muschampe was Sheriffe
of this Citie in the yeare 1463. Saint Michaell Bashishaw Here vndyr lieth buried the bodies of Sir Iames Yerford Knight Mercer and somtym Maior of this Citie of London and of Dame Elisabeth his wyfe the which Sir Iames decessyd the xxii day of Iune M. ccccc.xxvi and the said Elis. decessyd the viii day of August M. ccccc xlviii on whos souls .... He was Lord Maior Anno 1519. from his time onward saith Stow the Maiors of London for the most part were knighted by the curtesie of the Kings and not otherwise He was the sonne of William Yarford of Kidwelley in Wales He with his Lady lie buried vnder a faire Tombe kept well in repaire in a Chappell on the north side of the Quire built by himselfe but this you may reade in Stow and it might haue bin very well here omitted Hic iacet Rogerus Ree or Roe miles et Rosa vxor eius qui quidem Rogerus obijt xviij die mensis Ianuarij Anno. Dom. M. cccc.lxxix cuius anime .... Hic iacet Thomas Bromfleet Armiger qui obijt xix die Maij M. cccc.vi cuius anime .... Hic iacet Andreas Chyett quondam Sementarius istius ciuitatis qui obijt xiiij die Iulij ..... M. cccc.lxxxxviij cuius anime propitietur Altissimus Amen Hic iacet Thomas Battayl Armiger iunior qui obijt xi die mensis Maij M. cccc.xxxiiij cuius anime ... Here lyeth the body of Iohn Martyn late Citizen and Maior of the Cite of London and Katherin his wyff whos children with their here bin fixed The which Iohn Martyn departyd out of this present life the last day of December in the yeare of our Lord M. cccc.lxxi and the said Katherin the xx day of August in the yeare of our Lord God M. cccc.lxxxvii on whos souls Iesus haue mercy The names of his Children Hugh Reignold Lyonell Francis William Iohn Austin Richard Iohn Angelet Elisabeth There remaineth in one of the windowes of this Church a beautifull representation of a man in his compleate armour with his coat armour on his brest and his wiues portraiture on the other side with her owne honorarie ensignes also in nature of an empalement with his which by the inscription well answering to the exoticke forme of their attiring appeareth to haue beene set vp in memorie of Adrian D'Ewes a lineall descendant of the ancient familie of Des Ewes Dynasts or Lords of the dition of Kessell in the Dutchie of Gelderland who came first thence into England in the time of King H. 8. when that Dutchie had beene much ruined wasted and depopulated by the intestine warres there raised and continued betweene Charles Duke thereof and Philip the Arch-duke and Charles the 5. his sonne which said Adrian brought ouer with him and so preserued to his posteritie a iust series in the Latine tongue of three of his ascendant Auncestors recorded in Parchment with a curious and antique depiction of their coat armours with those of their seuerall wiues of which I haue seene the ectypum as also a very ancient seale in siluer with his coat-armour vpon it still remaining with this familie bearing the teste of that age as may be gathered from the very exoticknesse of the workemanship The last will or testament of this very Adrian is extant vpon record in which not onely Alice his wife who lastly married one William Ramsey is mentioned but his foure sonnes also viz. Geerardt misnamed there Garret Iames Peter and Andrew are all nominated And as touching Gee the said Geerardt whose posteritie in the male line is now seated at Stow-Hall in the Countie of Suffolke his inquisition taken after his death is likewise recorded and his Epitaph with the forme of his grauestone fully delineated page 653. foregoing The portraitures themselues which I finde in this window with the succinct and pithie inscription vnder them cannot without iniurie to this familie bee omitted each of the persons there represented hauing liued in the times of H. 7. and H. 8. which therefore I haue exposed to the view of the more iudicious reader in this insuing exact draught and delineation of them both Andrianus D'Ewes exillustri faminis de Kessel in Ducatu Gelriae progdiarum pertoesus in Angliam Alienige H. 8. recessit foeminamque An-Rauenscroftorum familiâ oriundam in nuit silios Geerardt Iacobum Petrum sudore Anglico mense Iulij Ann. 5. E. sacratae terrae huius Ecclesiae inhumaperuixit annis xxviii vltimum natu Dom. MDLXXIX tumulatur nestrâ postquam viderat quatuor Re Philippum ix Reginas regni eiusdeÌ„ Regis H. 8. lâ—â Des Ewes olim Dynastarum ditionatus intestinarum patriae suae discor genarum asylum sceptrum tenente Reglicam nomine Aliciam ex perantiquâ vxorem duxit et quatuor de eâ ge Andream Obijt iste Adrianus de 6. Ann. Dom. 1551. infra limites tur Dicta autem Alicia maritum surae debitum persoluit mense Iulij An. in hac Ecclesiâ non procul ab istâ feges Angliae viz. H. 7. H. 8. E. 6. viz. Matrem vi vxores duas filias Saint Mary Magdalen in old Fish-streete Orate pro animabus Thome Pigot Armigeri Richardi Sutton Piscinarij et Iohanne vxoris corundem qui quidem Thomas obijt xiii die Decembris Anno Dom. M. cccc.lxxxv praedict Richard obijt ix die Maii An. Dom. M. cccc lxxxi quorum animabus propicietur Deus Of your cherite pray for the souls of William Holland Citison and Goldsmith of London and Margaret his wyff which William decessyd the v. of May in the yere of owr saluacion M. ccccc xxv on whos souls Saint Nicholas Cold Abbey Of your cherite pray for the souls of Richard Story Fishmonger of London and Ione his wife which Richard decessyd the xx of August M ccccc xxxii and the said Ione .... Here lieth Richard Fernefold sometime Citison and .... London sonne of Peter Fernefold sometime of Stenning in the County of Suslex Gentylman and Margaret his wife which Rychard decessyd the xxv of March .... M. ccccc xxv and the said Margaret the xvi of August M. ccccc.vi on whos souls .... Hic iacet humatus Walterus Turke vocitatus ..... famosus pulcher ciuis animosus Pauperibus .... Piscinarius Vicecomes Maior ciuitatis suerat Londoniarumque Anno milleno tricentessimo .... pleno Octobris obijt tricesimoque die Pray for the souls of Thomas Padyngton sometime Citison and Fishmonger of London Margaret and Anne his wifes which said Thomas deceassyd the v. of March .... M. cccc lxxxiii Hic iacet Willelmus Coggeshall nuper ciuis piscenarius London cum Elisabetha vx eius octo liberis eorundem qui Willielmus obijt vii die mens Feb. An. Dom. M. cccc.xxvi cuius Hic iacet Nicolaus Wolbergh ciuis piscenarius London Margareta xvor eius cum filijs
and goodly Thames so farre as ere he could With kingly houses crownd of more then earthly pride Vpon his either Bankes as he along doth glide With wonderfull delight doth his long course pursue Where Otlands Hampton Court and Richmond he doth view Then Westminster the next great Tames doth entertaine That vaunts her Pallace large and her most sumptuous Fane The Lands tribunall seate that challengeth for hers The crowning of our kings their famous Sepulchres Then goes he on along by that more beautious Strand Expressing both the wealth and brauery of the Land So many sumptuous Bowres within so little space The All-beholding Sunne scarse sees in all his race And on by London leads which like a Crescent lies Whose windowes seeme to mocke the Star-befreckled skies Besides her rising Spyres so thicke themselues that show As doe the bristling reedes within her bankes that grow There sees his crouded Wharfes and people-pestred shores His bosome ouerspread with shoales of labouring ores With that most costly Bridge that doth him most renowne By which he cleerely puts all other Riuers downe Midlesex saith Camden is for aire passing temperate and for soile fertile with sumptuous houses and prety Townes on all sides pleasantly beautified and euery where offereth to the view many things memorable Whereupon a Germane Poet thus versified Tot campos syluas tot regia tecta tot hortos Artifici dextrâ excultos tot vidimus arces Vt nunc Ansonio Tamisis cum Tibride certet So many fields and pleasant woods so many Princely Bowres And Pallaces we saw besides so many stately towres So many Gardens trimly drest by curious hand which are That now with Romane Tiberis the Tames may well compare This County is comprised within short bounds being in length where it is the longest not passing twenty miles and in the narrowest place not passing twelue miles The length thereof saith Speed extended from Stratford in the East to Morehall vpon Colne in the West is by measure nineteene English miles and from South Mims in the North to his Maiesties Mannour of Hampton Court in the South are little aboue sixteene miles the whole circumference extending to ninety In forme it is almost square for aire passing temperate for soile abundantly fertile and for pasturage and graine of all kindes yeelding the best so that the wheat of this County hath serued a long time for the Manchet to our Princes table It lieth seated in a vale most wholsome and rich hauing some hills also and them of good ascent from whose tops the prospect of the whole is seene like vnto Zoar in Egypt or rather like a Paradise and Garden of God Fiue Princely houses inheritable to the English Crowne are seated in this Shire which are Enfield Hanworth Whitehall S Iames and Hampton Court a City rather in shew then the Pallace of a Prince and for stately port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe A worke of admirable magnificence saith Camden built out of the ground by Thomas Wolsey Cardinall in ostentation of his riches when for very pride being otherwise a most prudent man he was not able to manage his minde But it was made an Honor enlarged and finished by king Henry the eight so amply as it containeth within it fiue seuerall inner Courts passing large enuironed with very faire buildings wrought right curiously and goodly to behold Of which Leyland writeth thus Est locus insolito rerum splendore superbus Alluiturque vaga Tamisini fluminis vnda Nomine ab antiquo iam tempore dictus Avona Hic Rex Henricus taleis Octauius aedes Erexit qualeis toto Sol aureus orbe Non vidit A stately place for rare and glorious shew There is which Tames with wandring streame doth dowsse Times past by name of Avon men it knew Heere Henry th' Eight of that name built an house So sumptuous as that on such an one Seeke through the world the bright Sunne neuer shone And another in the Nuptiall Poeme of Tame and Isis. Alluit Hamptonum celebrem quae laxior vrbis Mentitur formam spacijs hanc condidit Aulam Purpureus pater ille grauis grauis ille Sacerdos Wolsaeus fortuna sauos cui felle repletos Obtulit heu tandem fortunae dona dolores He runs by Hampton which for spatious seat Seemes Citie-like Of this faire courtly Hall First founder was a Priest and Prelate great Wolsey that graue and glorious Cardinall Fortune on him had pour'd her gifts full fast But Fortunes Blisse Alas prou'd Bale at last The ancient Inhabitants of Middlesex as also of Essex were called by Caesar the Trinobantes whom hee nameth to be the most puissant in the Land with whom he and his armie had many bloudie bickerings nere and vpon the bankes of the riuer of Tames wherein many were slaine on either side which lie interred in the fields twixt Shepperton and Stanes Some affirme Stanes saith Norden to be so called of the Stakes called Goway Stakes which were fixed in the Thames by the Britons to preuent Iulius Caesar of passing his armie through the riuer Of which and of the conflicts and skirmishes betwixt the Britaines and Romanes thus venerable Bede writes Caesars Horsemen at the first encounter were ouerthrowne of the Britaines and Labienus one of his Colonels slaine At the second encounter with great losse of his Army he put the Britaine 's to flight From thence he went vnto the riuer of Tames which men say cannot bee waded ouer but in one place where on the farther side a great number of the Britaine 's warded the bankes vnder Cassibelan their Captaine who had stucke the bottome of the riuer and the bankes also thicke of great stakes whereof certaine remnants vnto this day are to be seene of Piles of the bignesse of a mans thigh couered with lead sticking fast in the bottome of the riuer which when the Romanes had espied and escaped the Britaines not able to withstand the violence of the Roman Legions hid themselues in the woods out of the which they often breaking forth greatly endamaged the Army of the Romanes In and about Brainford or Brentford the bodies of many a warlike Commander and expert Souldier lie inhumed which were slaine in that fierce and terrible battaile betwixt Edmund Ironside and the Danes which he had driuen from the siege of London at a place now called Turnham Greene thereunto adioyning in which battaile he gaue the Danes a bloudy ouerthrow losing few of his armie saue such as were drowned in the riner of Tames as they passed ouer In the yeare 7141. and the day being the Paschall whereon Christ rose from death which with due reuerence is celebrated in all the Christian world vpon Gladmore heath halfe a mile from Barnet was foughten a most fierce and cruell Battaile betwixt King Edward the fourth and Richard Neuill the great Earle of Warwicke the Mars and make-Make-King of England contending
Nottingham Yorke and Northumberland where without respect of age or sexe they laid all wast and left the Land whence they departed like to a desolate wildernesse From thence they came with the like furie into Edmunds territories and sacked Thetford a frequent citie in those daies but hee not able to withstand their violence fled into â—his Castle at Framingham wherein he was of them besieged and lastly taken in a village then called Heglisdune of a wood bearing the same name or rather yeelded himselfe to their torments to saue more christian bloud for it is recorded that because of his most constant Faith and profession those Pagans first beat him with bats then scourged him with whips he still calling vpon the name of Iesus for rage whereof they bound to a stake and with their arrowes shot him to death and cutting off his head contemptuously threw it into a bush after he had raigned ouer the East Angles the space of sixteene yeares Camden out of Abbo Floriacensis saith that the bloudy Danes hauing bound this most christian King to a tree for that he would not renounce christianity shot him with sharpe arrowes all his body ouer augmenting the paines of his torment with continuall piercing him with arrow after arrow and thus inflicted wound vpon wound so long as one arrow could stand by another as a Poet of midle time versified of him I am loca vulneribus desunt nec dum furiofis Tela sed hyberna grandine plura volant Though now no place was left for wound yet arrowes did not faile These surious wretches still they flie thicker then winter haile His body and head after the Danes were departed were buried at the same royall Towne as Abbo termes it where Sigebert the East Anglean King and one of his predecessors at his establishing of Christianity built a Church and where afterwards in honour of him was built another most spatious and of a wonderfull frame of Timber and the name of the Towne vpon that occasion of his buriall called vnto this day Saint Edmundsbury This Church and place to speake more fully to that which I haue written before Suenus the Pagan Danish King in impiety and fury burned to ashes But when his sonne Canute or Knute had made conquest of this Land and gotten possession of the English Crowne terrified and afrighted as saith the Legend with a vision of the seeming Saint Edmund in a religious deuotion to expiate his Fathers sacriledge built it anew most sumptuously enriched this place with Charters and Gifts and offered his owne Crowne vpon the Martyrs Tombe of whom for a conclusion take these verses following Vtque cruore suo Gallos Dionisius ornat Grecos Demetrius gloria quisque suiâ— Sic nos Edmundus nulli virtute secundus Lux patet patrie gloria magna sue Sceptra manum Diadema capud sua purpura corpus Ornat ei sed plus vincula mucro cruor The 20. day of Nouember in our Calender was kept holy in remembrance of this King and Martyr Puer Robertus apud Sanctum Edmundum a Iudeis fuit Martirazatus 4. Id. Iunij An. 1179. et illic sepultus Alanus Comes Britannie obijt An. 1093. his iacet ad hostium australe Sancti Edmundi ex eod lib. de chateris This Allan here buried or as some will haue it in the monastery of Rhedon sirnamed the Red or Fergaunt was the sonne of Eudo Earle of Britaine and entred England with William the Conquerour his Father in Law To whom the said Conquerour gaue the honour and County of Edwyn within the County and Prouince of Yorke by his Charter in these words I William sirnamed Bastard King of England giue and grant to thee my Nephew Allan Earle of Britaine and to thy heyres for euer all those Villages Townes and Lands which were late in possession of Earle Edwin in Yorkeshire with knights fees Churches and other liberties and customes as freely and honourably as the said Edwyn held them Giuen at the siege before Yorke Alban being a man of an high spirit and desirous to gouerne the Prouince entirely which he had receiued built a strong Castle by Gillingham a village which he possessed by which he might defend himselfe not onely against the English who were spoiled of their goods and lands but also against the fury and inuasions of the Danes When the worke was finished he gaue it the name of Richmond of purpose either for the greatnesse and magnificence of the place or for some Castle in little Britaine of the same name Here sometimes vnder a goodly Monument in the Quire of this Abbey Church lay interred the body of Thomas surnamed of Brotherton the place of his birth the fifth sonne of Edward the first after the Conquest king of England by Margaret his second wife the eldest daughter of Philip king of France surnamed the Hardy He was created Earle of Norfolke and made Earle Marshall of England by his halfe brother King Edward the second which Earledomes Roger Bigod the last of that surname Earle of Norfolke and Earle Marshall leauing no issue left to the disposition of the king his Father This Earle died in the yeare of our redemption 1338. Here lay buried the body of Thomas Beauford sonne of Iohn of Gaunt begotten of the Lady Katherine Swyneford his third wife who by King Henry the fourth was made Admirall then Captaine of Calis and afterwards Lord Chancellour of England He was created by the said King Earle of Perch in Normandy and Earle of Dorlet in England And lastly in the fourth yeare of King Henry the fifth he was created Duke of Exceter and made knight of the order of the Garter He had the leading of the Rereward at the battell of Agincourt and the gouernment of king Henry the sixth appointed to that office by the foresaid Henry the fifth on his death-bed He valiantly defended Harflew in Normandy whereof he was gouernour against the Frenchmen and in a pitched field encountring the Earle of Armiguar put him to flight He died at his House of East Greenwich in Kent vpon Newyeares day the fifth of Henry the sixth for whom all England mourned saith Milles The body of Mary Queene of France widow of Lewis the twelfth daughâ—er of King Henry the 7. and sister to king Henry the eight was here in this Abbey Church entombed After the death of Lewis with whom she liued not long shee married that Martiall and pompous Gentleman Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke She died on Midsomer Eeue 1533. Iohn Boon Abbot of this Monasterie had his tombe and interrement here in this Church who died in the beginning of February in the ninth yeare of the raigne of king Edward the fourth as appeares by the said kings Conged'eslire or permission royall to the Prior and Couent of this House to make choise of another Abbot as followeth Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Anglie Francie
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
dwarfe to death saith my foresaid Author Much more might bee said of this little-great man but I am called for my selfe to the Presse and to speake more then I haue done in the praise of little men I may be thought to flatter my selfe He died in the yeare 1346. in the twentieth of the raigne of King Edward the third I read in a booke of the order of Carmelites of which Fraternitie he was one as also Prouinciall of them all throughout all England penned by Iohn Bale before his conuersion a part of an Eulogium composed to the memory of this Baconthorpe which may serue for an Epitaph Thus. Iohannes de Bachonethorpe Doctor resolutus Carmelita Hic Bachone fuit Iohannes natus in vrbe Anglica quo felix terra priore fuit Parisio dulces hausit de fonte liquores Post tamenin patrio claruit ipse solo Exposuit libros Petri sed sanccius esse Est ratus in quartum peruigilare librum Fecit Aristotelem clarum inclitumque legenti Dans Testamentum clarius omne navum .......... Vpon a faire marble stone in the Quire this Inscription following is engrauen in brasse Hic iaces corpus Willelmi Boleyn militis qui obijt x. Octobris Anno Dom. M. ccccc.v Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Let it be the greatest honour to this noble deceased Knight for that he was great Grandfather to the most renowned and victorious Princesse Elizabeth late Queene of England which will best appeare by the Light of Great Britaine learned Camden in his Introduction to the History which he writ of her long and prosperous raigne beginning as followeth The Linage and descent of Elizabeth Queene of England saith he was by her Fathers side truly Royall for daughter she was to King Henry the eight grand daughter to Henry the seuenth and great grand-daughter to Ed the fourth By the Mothers side her descent was not so high howbeit noble it was and spread abroad by many and great Alliances throughout England and Ireland Her great grand-fathers father was Ieffrey Bolen a man of Noble birth in Norfolke Lord Maior of the Citie of London in the yeare 1457. and at the same time honoured with the dignitie of Knighthood An vpright honest man of such estimation that Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings Knight of the Order of Saint George gaue him his daughter and one of his heires to wife and of such wealth as he matched his daughters into the Noble houses of the Cheineys Heydons and Fortescues left his sonne a goodly inheritance and bequeathed a thousand pounds of English money to bee bestowed vpon the poore in the Citie of London and two hundred in Norfolke This mans sonne William Bolen was chosen amongst eighteene most choice Knights of the Bath at the Coronation of King Richard the third to whom Thomas Earle of Ormond who was in such fauour with the Kings of England that hee alone of all the Nobleman of Ireland had his place and voice in the Parliaments of England and aboue the Barons of England also gaue his daughter and one of his heires in marriage By her besides daughters married to Shelton Calthorp Clere and Sackvill men of great wealth and noble descent and other children hee begat Thomas Bolen whom being a young man Thomas Howard Earle of Surry who was afterward Duke of Norfolke a man much renowned for his worthie seruice and atchiuements in the warres chose to be his sonne in law giuing vnto him his daughter Elizabeth in marriage and Henry the eight after he had performed one or two very honourable Embasies made him first Treasurer of his Houshold Knight of the Order of Saint George and Viscount Rochford and afterwards Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond and made him Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale This Thomas among other children begat Anne Bolen who in her tender yeares being sent into France attended on Mary of England wife to Lewis the twelfth and then on Claudia of Britaine wife to Francis the first and after she was dead on Margaret of Alencon who with the first fauoured the Protestants Religion springing vp in France Being returned into England and admitted amongst the Queenes Maides of Honour and being twenty two yeares of age King Henry in the thirtie eight yeare of his age did for her modestie â—empered with French pleasantnesse fall deeply in loue with and tooke her to wife by whom he had issue Elizabeth aforesaid Queene of England Thome Presbyteri ..... lapis iste retentum Funus habet .... qui sumptu dedit hoc pauimentum Anno milleno quater et C septuageno Octauo Stephani liquit terrestria festo Vt celi detur requies sibi quisque precetur En iacet hic stratus Helby Thomas vocitatus Saluet eum Christus tribuens sibi gaudia lucis Vnder this ston Ligs Iohn Knapton Who died iust The twenty eight of August M. ... xc and on Of thys Chyrch Peti-Canon Vnder the picture of Saint Peter is portraied the Sea a Ship Nets and Fishes with this distichon Ecclesiam pro naue rego mihi climata mundi Sunt mare Scripture Retia piscis homo The figures of the Sunne and Moone are painted here vpon the Frontispiece of the Clocke to whom the Clocke comparatiuely seemes to speake in this Hexastich vpon the same place likewise depicted Horas significo cunctas quas Phebe diebus Quas solet atque tua pallida nocte Soror Nec magis errarem Rector mihi si foret idem Vos qui et queque regit motibus astra suis. Tempora nam recte designo si mihi doctus Custos assiduam conferat artis opem In English Phoebus I tell all th' houres and all as right As thou or thy pale Sister day and night Nor I no more then you in ought should erre If he ruld mee who guides you and each starre For times I rightly tell to me of 's Art If my learnd keeper will his helpe impart In imitation of this it may bee that Thomas Scot in his Philomythie makes a Clocke to compare with a Diall and the difference to be partly decided by the Wethercocke of which a little although not much to the purpose I confesse Vpon a Church or steeples side neere hand A goodly Clocke of curious worke did stand Which ouerpaysde with lead or out of frame Did time miscall and euery houre misname The Diall hearing this aloud gan crye Kind neighbour Clocke your glib tongue tels a lye Reforme your errour for my Gnomon saith You gad too fast and misse an houres faith Foole quoth the Clocke reforme thy selfe by me The fault may rather in thy Gnomon be Had'st thou told euer truth to what end then Was I plac'd here by th' art of cunning men The Weathercocke vpon the steeple standing And with his sharpe eye all about commanding Heard their contention wild them to appeale To him the chiefe of all that common weale Told them that he was
released to the Monkes of Castell-acre the lands granted by his Ancestours in the three and thirtieth of King Henry the third and of his owne good will to the increasing of it he gaue the Sand pits and for the confirmation of the same grant he put to the Seale of his armes hanging at the parchment by a silke string which manner of sealing was vsuall in those dayes Castell-acre In the raigne of King William Rufus William Warren the second Earle of Surrey founded here a Monastery of blacke Monkes Cluniakes to the honour of God and our blessed Lady Saint Mary of Acre and the holy Apostles Peter and Paul and for the Monkes of Saint Pancrace there seruing Which Abbey afterwards his sonne and his sonnes sonne both named Williams and Earles of Surrey confirmed ratified and augmented Witnesses to the first Charter Will. Braunch Waukelin de Rosew Robert de Mortuo mare or Mortimer c. To the second Charter Raph de Pauliaco c. To the third William Bishop of Norwich who dedicated the Church and many others Of which Charters take a little touch out of authenticall Records 〈…〉 am presentibus quam futuris quod ego Willelmus comes de 〈…〉 pro salute anime mee et patris mei et matris mee et heredum meâ—â—â— dedi et presenti Charta confirmaui deo et Sancte Marie de Acra et Moâ—â—â—â—is ibidem Deo seruientibus Ecclesiam de Acra Nouerint c. concedo Deo et sancte Marie de Acra et sanctis Apostolis Peâ—â—o et Paulo et Monachis de sancto Pancratio ibidem deo seruientibus in ipsa Accra duas carucatas terre quas eidem Ecclesie pater meus et mater mea dederunt c. Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Willelmus c. quando feci dedicare Ecclesiam Sancte Marie de Acra dedi Monachis ibidem c. omnes donatioâ—es quas antecessores mei scilicet Auus meus et pater meus et Barones sui eidem Ecclesie dederunt c. et duas solidatas terre c. Hijs Tesâ—ibus Will. Norwicen Episcopo qui eandem Ecclesiam dedicauit c. This foundation was valued at the suppression at three hundred twenty foure pounds seuenteene shillings fiue pence halfe penny qua surrendred the 2â— of Nouember 29 Hen. 8. West-acre Radulphe de Torneio founded the Monastery of Canons in Westacre which did professe to lead a godly life after the example of the Apostles as 〈◊〉 mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles where it is said that the number of â—heâ—â—hat did beleeue were all of one heart and one minde and none of them said that any thing which he had was his owne but they had all things in common and because as in the Charter of his gift he declareth that the holy Fathers did call this the canonicall rule affirming that whosoeuer did leade such a life was thereby made a companion and Citizen with the Apostles Therefore hee pronounceth in his said Charter that whosoeuer did infringe this his donation or alter or change it into Monkes or into any other Order or Rule should be held accursed c. Oliuet Sacerdos de Acra Galterusque suus filius cum magna sanctitate 〈◊〉 Wâ—slacram huic canonice norme cum omnibus â—uis rebus se tradiderunt 〈◊〉 territorio Radulphi de Torneio Ego Radulphus de Torneio cum vxore mea Aclit omnibus que meis pueris Rogerio Radulpho pro nobis et animabus anâ—â—cessorum nostrorum concedimus et confirmamus Ecclesie omnium Sanctorum de Acra et Oliueti Sacerdoti et Gualterio suo filio omnibus canonicis ibi manenâ—ibus suisque posteris deo ibidem seruientibus Feodum quod Oliuet Saceâ—dos sub me tenuit c. Huius confirmationis sunt testes Gislebertus Blondus Willel de Portis Willel de Lira Rogerus Gros. Galterus Capellanus c. The valuation of this religious structure at the suppression was three hundred eight pounds nineteene shillings eleuen pence halfe penny qua Catton Pray for the soul of Iohn Bronde and Agnes his wyffe which Iohn dyeâ— 26 Ianuary 1542. Orate pro anima Agnet is Wrongey .... Reuerendus in Christo Pater Robertus Bronde Prior Norwicen Ecclesie me vitriari fecit anno Christi 1538. Frettenham or Frekenham Hic iacet Margareta filia Iohannes White filij secundi Iohannis White militis vxor Egidij Seyntlowe aâ—mig domini de Mayston filij Alicie filie et heredis Roberti Burnham de Lynne et vxoris Iohannis White secundi predicti Que obijt in vigilia Natalis Domini anno Dom. M.D.xxxii O Crist Iesu pity and mercy haue On Alis Burnham that whylom was the wyff Of Gyles Thorndon which lyeth here in graue And her defend from wars of Fendish stryff Make her pertaker of eternall lyff By the merits of thy passioun Whych with thy blood madest our redemptioun Snitterton or Snisterton Orate pro anima Iohannis Bokenham Armigeri nuper filij Hugonis Bokenham de Lyuermer magna nec non Nepotis et heredis Edmundi Bokenham de Snisterton qui obijt xv die Mensis octobris anno Domini M. cccc.lxxxiiii et pro animabus Anne et Iohanne .... quorum animabus .... Orate pro anima Georgij Bokenham armigeri de Snisterton filii et heredis Iohannis Bokenham qui obiit xxi die octobris anno M.D.xxiii Cuius anime ... Ingham or Hyngham Vnder a faire Tombe of free-stone very curiously wrought lieth the body of Sir Oliuer Ingham with his resemblance in his coate Armour his belt gilt spurs and the blew Garter about his leg his Creast the Owle out of the Iuie bush with a crowne on the head thereof He being a great trauailer lyeth vpon a Rocke beholding the Sunne and Moone and starres all very siueâ—y set forth in mettall beholding the face of the earth about the Tombe twenty and foure mourneâ—s Sir Oliuer Ingham knight whom the yong Duke Edward had made keeper of Aquitaine gathered a great army and inuaded the Prince of Aniou which the French King contrary to couenants did with hold and brought it wholly to the dominion of England anno Reg. Regis Ed. secundi 19. Burdeaux the capitall citie of Aquitaine and then English gaue an excellent testimony of her loyalty nor lesse of martiall wit and valour For the French Army comming before her she to abuse their hope set open her gates and displayed vpon her Powers the golden Lillies as if shee were theirs but the French which securely entred found little good hospitality Sir Oliuer de Ingham was Captaine and Lord Warden there for King Edward who with his Garrison-Souldiers and aide of the Inhabitants slew of them great multitudes and preserued Burdeaux anno Reg. Regis Ed. 3.13 Hickeling The buriall place of the worthy familie of the Woodhouses wherein a monument remaineth to the memory of Sir William Woodhouse knight Here sometime
erexit ... Transit sicut Fulmerston gloria mundi Propitietur Deus animabus Mortuorum Saint Peters Hic iacet Willelmus Knighton ... M. cccc.lxix .... Peter Larke and Elisabeth his wyff on whos souls sweet Iesu haue pite Saint Cuthberts ...... Iohannes Bernard et Elis ..... M. ccccc.xi Here in this towne was a Religious house of Friers Preachers dedicated to the holy Trinitie and Saint Mary which Arfast Bishop of the East-Angles made his Episcopall chaire Afterwards Henry Duke of Lancaster made it a societie of Friers Preachers it was valued at thirty nine pounds sixe shillings nine pence Arfast who died circa annum 1092. was herein buried with this Epitaph vpon his monument Hic Arfaste pie pater optime et Arca Sophie Viuis per merita virtutum laude perita Vos qui transitis hic omnes atque reditis Dicite quod Christi pietas sit promptior isti 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ers Augustines in this I owne was founded by Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Blanch his wife others say by Henry Earle of Lancaster and Leicester It was valued at three hundred twelue pounds foureteene shillings foure pence Here lye buried Dame Margery Todenham Dame Elisabeth wife of Sir Thomas Hâ—ngraue daughter of Sir Iohn Harling with many other you may imagine whose names I haue not The blacke Friers here was founded by Sir Edmond Gonvile Lord of â—irâ—ingford in this County Parson of Terington and Steward with Iohn Eâ—â—e Warren and with Henry Duke of Lancaster It was dedicated to S. Sepulchre The value I haue not learned Buried in the Church of this monâ—sterâ— were Sir Iohn Bretâ— knight Dame Agnes Honell Dame Maud Talâ—â—e wife of Peter Lord of Rickinghill Dame Anastisia wife of Sir Richard Walsingham A Priory of blacke Canons dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Iohn was here founded by one of the Bigods or Bigots Earle of Norfolke Valued at fourty nine pounds eighteene shillings and a penny Surrendred the 16. of February 31. Hen. 8. Here was a religious structure for blacke Nunnes consecrated to the honour of God and Saint Gregory but by whom sounded I do not know It was valued in the Exchequer at fifty pound nine shillings eight pence Here sometimes stood a Colledge or gild dedicated to the blessed Virgine Mary valued at the suppression to be yearely worth one hundred nine pounds seuen shillings Hugh Bigod or Bigot Steward of the House to King Henry the first built and endowed a religious House here for blacke Monkes Benedictines or Cluniacks These words following are in the Instrument of his Foundation I Hugh Bigod Steward to King Henry by his grant and by the aduice of Heâ—bert Bishop of Norwich haue ordained Monkes of the Order of Cluny in the Church of S. Mary which was the Episcopall seate of Thetford which I gaue vnto them and afterwards founded another more meet for their vse without the Towne This Monastery was found at the suppression to be in the Kings bookes foure hundred eighteene pounds sixe shillings three pence halfe penny of yearely reuenues This Hugh the Founder was created Earle of Norfolke by King Stephen in the first yeare of his raigne He died very aged in the 24. yeare of King Henry the second and was buried in this Priory of his owne foundation to whose memory this Inscription was engrauen vpon his Funerall Monument Orate pro anima religiosissimi viri Hugonis Bigod Fundatoris huius Monasterij Seneschalli Hospitij prepotentissimo Principi Henrico Conquestoris filio Anglie Regi et Comitis Norfolcie qui quidem Hugo obiit pridie Kalend. Martii anno milesimo centesimo septuagesimo octauo Propter miserecordiam Iesu requiescat in pace Anno 1107. Optimates Angliae Richardus de Radvarijs Rogerius cognomento Bigotus mortui sunt in Monasteriis Monachorum sepulti sunt quae in propriis possessionibus ipsi condiderunt Rogerius autem apud Thetfordum in Anglia Richardus vero tumulatus apud Montisburgum in Normannia Super Rogerium Cluniacenses Alonax di tale scripserunt Epitaphium Clauderis exiguo Rogere Bigote sepulchro Et rerum cedit portio parva tibi Diuitiae sanguis facundia gratia Regum Intereunt mortem fallere nemo potest Diuitiae mentes subuertunt erigat ergo Te pietas virtus consiliumque Dei Soli moerebat virgo ter noctibus octo Cùm soluis morti debita morte tua It should seeme by the premisses that this Roger Bigot who was Sewer to King Henry the first and Father of the foresaid Hugh was the first founder of this religious Edifice or at least wise of some other in this Towne for Monkes of the order of Cluny And Stow in his Annalls agrees with my Author Ordericus This yeare saith he Maurice Bishop of London Robert Fitzhamon Roger Bigot founder of the Monastery of Monkes at Thetford Richard Redvers Councellours to the King Milo Crispen and many other Noblemen of England deceased Roger Bigot the second of that surname Earle of the East Angles or Norfolke He died about the yeare 1218. and was here interred Hugh Bigot sonne of the foresaid Roger Earle of Norfolke lay here buried who died the ninth of Henry the third 1225 Roger Bigot sonne and heire of Hugh aforesaid Earle of Norfolke and first Marshall of England of that Family was here entombed if his last will and Testament was performed Of which so much as tends to that purpose In Nomine Patris et Filij et Spiritus Sancti Amen Ego Rogerus Bigot Comes Norfolcie et Mareschallus Anglie in bona prosperitate constitutus condo Testamentum meum sub hac forma Inprimis commendo animam meam Christo c. et corpus meum in Ecclesia beate Marie Thetfordie sepeliendum Postea lego c. Huius Testamenti Executores constituo Dominum Symonem de Monteforti Com. Lecestren Dominum Richardum de Clara Com. Glouern Hertford Dominum Willelmum Malberbe Dominum Thomam Denebanke Dominum Hugonem de Tudeham c. Dat. apud Cestreford die Mercurij proximo ante festum Sancti Barnabe Apostoli anno Domini M.cclviii He died about eleuen yeares after the making of his will without issue of a bruise running at Tilt anno 1269. Roger Bigot the last of that Familie Earle of Norfolke and Marshall of England was here buried together with his first wife Alina Alyva or Adeliza daughter of Philip Lord Basset and widow of Hugh de Spenser Iustice of England she died in Aprill in the ninth yeare of Edward the first and he in the 35. of the said Kings raigne Iohn Lord Mowbray Duke of Norfolke Earle Marshall of England Earle of Nottingham Lord and Baron of Segraue and of Gower sonne and successour of Iohn the first Duke of Norfolke in the dignities aforesaid was here entombed with his wife Elianor daughter of William Lord Bourchier and sister of Henry Bourchier Earle of
reedification of the thing broken as to the said Iustices shall seeme meete vsing therein the aduise of the Ordinary and if neede shall bee the aduise also of her Maiesties Councell in her Starre-chamber And for such as bee already spoiled in any Church or Chappell now standing Her Maiestie chargeth and commandeth all Archbishops Bishops and other Ordinaries or Ecclesiasticall persons which haue authoritie to visit the Churches or Chappels to inquire by presentments of the Curates Churchwardens and certaine of the Parishoners what manner of spoiles haue beene made sithens the beginning of her Maiesties raigne of such Monuments and by whom and if the persons be liuing how able they be to repaire and reedifie the same and thereupon to conuent the same persons and to enioyne them vnder paine of Excommunication to repaire the same by a conuenient day or otherwise as the cause shall further require to notifie the same to her Maiesties Councell in the Starre-chamber at Westminster And if any such shall be found and conuicted thereof noâ— able to repaire the same that then they bee enioyned to doe open peâ—ance two or three times in the Church as to the qualitie of the crime and partâ—â— belongeth vnder like paine of Excommunication And if the partie that offended bee dead and the executours of the Will left hauing sufficient in their hands vnadministred and the offence notorious The Ordinary of the place shall also enioyne them to repaire or reedifie the same vpon like or any other conuenient paine to bee deuised by the said Ordinary And when the offendour cannot be presented if it be in any Cathedrall or Collegiate Church which hath any reuenue belonging to it that is not particularly allotted to the sustentation of any person certaine or otherwise but that it may remaine in discretion of the gouernour thereof to bestow the same vpon any other charitable deed as mending of high-wayes or such like her Maiestie enioyneth and straightly chargeth the gouernours and companies of euery such Church to employ such parcels of the said sums of any as any wise may be spared vpon the speedy repaire or reedification of money such Monuments so defaced or spoiled as agreeable to the originall as the same conueniently may be And where the couetousnesse of certaine persons is such that as Patrons of Churches or owners of the personages impropriated or by some other colour or pretence they do perswade with the Parson and Parishioners to take or throw downe the Bels of Churches and Chappels and the lead of the same conuerting the same to their priuate gaine and to the spoiles of the said places and make such like alterations as thereby they seeke a slanderous desolation of the places of prayer Her Maiestie to whom in the right of the Crowne by the ordinance of Almighty God and by the Lawes of this Realme the defence and protection of the Church 〈◊〉 this Realme belongeth doth expresly forbid any manner of person to taâ—e away any Bels or lead of any Church or Chappell vnder paine of imprisonment during her Maiesties pleasure and such further fine for the contempt as shall be thought meete And her Maiestie chargeth all Bishops and Ordinaries to enquire of all such contempts done from the beginning of her Maiesties raigne and to enioyne the persons offending to repaire the same within a conuenient time And of their doings in this behalfe to certifie her Maiesties priuie Councell or the Councell in the Starre-chamber at Westminster that order may be taken herein Yeuen at Windsor the xix of September the second yeare of her Maiesties raigne God saue the Queene Imprinted at London in Pauls Churchyard by Richard Iugge and Iohn Cawood Printers to the Queenes Maiestie Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis This Proclamation was seconded by another to the same purpose in the fourteenth yeare of her Maiesties raigne charging the Iustices of her Assise to prouide seuere remedie both for the punishment and reformation thereof But these Proclamations tooke small effect for much what about this time there sprung vp a contagious broode of Scismatickes who if they might haue had their wills would not onely haue robbed our Churches of all their ornaments and riches but also haue laid them lâ—uell with the ground choosing rather to exercise their deuotions and publish their erronious doctrines in some emptie barne in the woods or common fields then in these Churches which they held to be polluted with the abhominations of the whore of Babylon Besides about that time these foresaid wilfull Sectaries did penne print and spread abroad certaine seditious Pamphlets as still they doe against our booke of Common Prayer against all Ecclesiasticall gouernment and against all the rites and ceremonies vsed in this our orthodoxall Church of England inuenting out of their owne corkie braines a new certaine noâ—orme of Liturgie to themselues thereby to bring into the Church all disorder and confusion These Renegadoes are at this day diuided and subdiuided into as many seuerall Sects as there be seuerall Trades in the greatest Market-towne As into Brownists Barowists Martinists Prophesiers Solifidians Famelists rigid Precisians Disciplinarians Iudaicall Thraskists c. and into a rable numberlesse In the three and thirtieth yeare of Queene Elizabeth the sixteenth day of Iuly in the morning Edmund Coppinger and Henry Arthington repaired to one Walkers house neare vnto Broken warfe of London where conferring with one of their Sect named William Hacket of Owndale in the County of Northampton Yeoman they offered to anoint him king But Hacket taking Coppinger by the hand said You shall not need for I haue beene already anointed in heauen by the holy Ghost himselfe Then Coppinger asked him what his pleasure was to be done Go your way both said he and tell them in the citie that Christ Iesus is come with his fanne in his hand to iudge the earth And if any man aske you where he is tell them he lies at Walkers house by Broken-wharfe and if they will not beleeue it let them come and kill me if they can for as truely as Christ Iesus is in heauen so truely is he come to iudge the world Then Coppinger said it should be done forthwith and thereupon went forward and Arthington followed but ere he could get downe the staires Coppinger â—ad begun below in the house to proclaime newes from heauen of exceeding great mercy that Christ Iesus was come c. with whom Arthiâ—â—â—on also cried the same words aloude following him along the streets from thence by Warling-street and Old Change toward Cheape they both adding beyond their commission Repent England repent After they had both thus come with a mightie concourse of common multituâ—e with an vniforme cry into Cheape neare vnto the Grosse and there finding the throng and prease of people to increase about them in such sort aâ— they could not well passe further nor be conueniently heard of them all as they desired they got them vp into an emptie pease cart
repaire to â—ee instructed in good literature and in the Catholicke faith lest that any thing in the English Church might be sinâ—steâ—ly expounded contrary to the vniuersall vnitie and so being established in the orthodoxall and right receiued Faith they might returne backe againe into their owne countrey For the doctrine and Schooles of the English Nation since the time of Archbishop Austin had beene interdicted by diuers Romish Bishops for certaine heresies which daily appeared after the comming in of the Saxons into Britaine by reason of the commixture of the misbeleeuing wicked Pagans with the Christians of holy conuersation Hee also caused a Church to be erected neare to the foresaid house or Colledge which he dedicated to the honour of the blessed Virgine Mary in which such of the English as came to Rome might celebrate dâ—uine Seruice and that therein if any of the said English there happened to depart this world they might be inâ—erred And all these that they might for euer be more firmly corroborated it was ordained by a generall decree throughout all the kingdome of the West-Saxons that in euerie familie one pennie should be yearely collected and sent ouer to blessed Saint Peter and the Church of Rome which in English Saxons was called Romescot that the English there abiding migâ—t by that meane haue sufficient to liue vpon Thus â—aâ—re Mathew of Westminsteâ— surnamed the Flower-gatherer The which in substance is thus deliuerâ—d by a late writer yet in a different manner He meaning Ina instituted also a certaine yearely payment to the See of Rome enioyning euery one of his Subiects that possesâ—ed in his house of one kinde of goods to the value of twentie pence that he should pay a pâ—ny to the Pope yearely vpon Lammas day which at that time was contributed vnder the name of the Kings Almes but afterwards was called and challenged by the name of Peter-pence Another of the same gift by the said King hath these times He gaue to Rome eche yere The Rome pence thorrow West sex all about Perpetually to be well payd and clere For vnto Rome he went without all doubt After the example and with the like zeale of Ina Offa the most magnificent king of the Mercias in great deuotion went also to Rome and made euery house within his territories subiect to this payment of Romescot Ossa gaue through Mers the Rome penny Vnto the Church of Rome Afterwards about the yeare eight hundred and fiftie this tribute was confirmed and made further payable throughout all England For Ethelwolfe as then being sole Monarch of the Englishmen hauing beene sometimes for certaine yeares as Haneden and Brampton write Bishop of Winchester remembring his Ecclesiasticke profession and ordaining first that tithes and lands due to holy Church should be free from all tributes and Regall seruices in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne with the like deuotion of the two former kings went in pilgrimage taking with him his youngest sonne Alfred or Elfred to the foresaid chiefe Citie of the Romanes where he was both honourablie receiued and entertained by the Bishop of Rome and the whole Senate for the space of one yeare and vpwards in which time he rebuilt the English Schoole before remembred which lately had beene almost quite consumed with fire And in lieu of his kinde entertainment confirmed the former grant of Peter-pence causing it to bee payed throughout all his Dominions and further couenanted to pay yearely to Rome three hundred Markes thus to be employed one hundred to Saint Peters Church another hundred to Saint Pauls light and the third to the Pope a Saint that euermore will haue his share to the entent saith one that no Englishmen should doe penance in bounds as he saw some do before his face This Athilwolfe to Rome toke his way In pilgramage with him his sonne Aelfrede To Peter and Pole he graunted infenitife The Rome pence of all Englond As Flores saith as I con vnderstond Saith Harding cap. 105. And further to confirme the premisses may it please you to trouble your patience in the reading of these following hard rimes transcribed out of a namelesse old Author Adelwolfe his sonne att Chester his cite For al hys kyngs and Barons of estate Sent forth anone at hys parlament to be Whycheatte Chester was than preordynate To whyche al cam both Kyngs Duks and Prelat And odar al of honor or Empryse Hym for to do obeysaunce and servysse anon to Roome he went In pylgrymage wythe hooly good entent Wher he was so abydyng full too yer In hooly lyff and full perfactyon In ryall wyse as to a pryns afer And to the Pope wythe ful affectyon Hys comonyng ay had at hys electyon He gaue to Peter lyght And to Sent Poule whaâ— is ful gret repayr Too thowsand mark of Venyse gold ful ryght For sustenaunce of the Chyrches ryght He Busschopp was in hys Fadars day And for defaut of heyr was crownyd kyng Wharfor whan he hys lond in good aray Fre of servysse had set above all thyng He grauntyd tythe of all hys lond ofspryng Tyll thre persones dwelling in vnyte Why charr on God dwellyng in Trynite And Roome pens he graunte vnto the Pope Perpetuelly to haue of al Englond So perfytt was hys mynd who couth hit grope In al goodnes growndyd I vndyrstond Thrugh al hys myght in al hys noble lond The Pece he kepte and in his Se iudicyall The common Law among hys peple all Edgar king of England made sharpe constitutions for the payment of this Tribute And it was one of the lawes of Edward the Confessour that euery householder which had triginta denariatas viuae pecuniae in domo sua de proprio suo Thirtie pence of ready money or of any kinde of cattell in his house of his owne proper should by the Law of the English giue a pennie to Saint Peter and by the Law of the Danes halfe a marke which pennie was to be demanded at or vpon the feast of Saint Peter and Paul and to be collected before the feast of Saint Peter ad vincula and not to be deferred to any further day And if any withheld the payment thereof any longer time complaint was to be made to the Kings Officers for that this penny was the Kings Almes And that the partie so offending should hee constrained by iustice to make payment thereof on paine of forfeiting his goods Now if any man had more dwelling houses then one hee was to pay onely for that house where he should happen to be resiant at the said feast of Saint Peter and Paul Henry the second vpon his conquest of Ireland imposed this tribute vpon that kingdome onely to curry fauour with the Pope who as then was Adrian the fourth called before his inthronization Nicholas Breakespeare borne at Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire For hee saith Speed in the life of the said Henry knowing how great and dangerous tumults the Popes had
his Master he entred into orders yet before he came to bee a Clergie man he serued in the warres which is not vnlikely saith mine Authour for after he was Bishop he was thrice in the field and did his Prince notable seruice He was first preferred to the Bishopricke of Wilshire whose See was then seated at Ramsbury by the speciall fauour of King Athelstan who being dead his brother Edmund who succeeded him in his kingdome louing him no lesse procured him to be chosen Archbishop In which pastorall charge hee continued many yeares in great fauour and authoritie vnder diuers Princes till towards the latter end of his time that Edwin a young King was sore exasperated against him for that this Bishop had caused him to be diuorced from his Queene for consanguinitie or some other reasons and excommunicated his Concubines causing one of them whom the king doted vpon to be fetcht out of the court by violence to bee burnt in the forehead with an hote iron and banished into Ireland But not long after he was taken away by death from the Kings displeasure in the yeare of our redemption 958. hauing sate Archbishop 25. yeares or thereabouts He writ diuers Tractates both in verse and prose mentioned by Bale and Capgraue will haue him in the Kalender of our English Saints and Confessours But to conclude such was his Epitaph Stemmate serenus iacet hic sacer Odo Seuerus Moribus excellens acriter peccata refellens Presul at indulgens omni pictate refulgens Ecclesie Christi Pugil inuictissimus isti O bone nunc Christe quia sic tibi seruijt iste Celi solamen sibi des te deprecor Amen The life and death of this Archbishop Lanfranck is set downe at large by William Malmsbury Io. Capgraue Nicholas Harpsfeild Archdeacon of Canterbury Mathew Parker Archbishop with others and out of them all by Francis Godwin now Bishop of Hereford Yet for method sake thus much because I find his body by a Table inscribed which hangs vpon his Tombe to be here interred He was borne in Italy at Pauia some twenty miles from Myllaine brought vp in the Monasterie of Becco in Normandie vnder Herlewin the learned Abbot of that house of which he became Prior from whence in regard of his singular wisedome and great knowledge in all good literature he was called by William the Duke of Normandie to be Abbot of Saint Stephens in Cane a Monasterie that the said Duke had founded And in the fifth yeare after his conquest of England he promoted him to this Archbishopricke which he laudablie gouerned the space of eighteene yeares It is said an action which much obscured all his former praises that he perswaded the Conquerour to leaue the kingdome of England to his younger sonne William Rufus which they said William thus requited the Bishop as the King thought being somewhat too busie in reprehending his manifold vices and exhorting him to godlinesse and vertue he so bitterly fell out with him that he banished him the Realme the poore old bishop trauelled to Rome and wandred vp and downe many countries till by intercession of friends hee was suffered to returne home and soone after died of an ague according to his owne desire Solebat enim Deum rogare vt velex dissenteria vel ex febri diem suum obiret propterea quod hi morbi nec memoriam nec loquelam auferant He would often desire God that he might take his end either by a fluxe or an ague for that in those kinde of infirmities men are wont to haue the vse both of speech and memorie to the last cast His death happened the 24. of May Ann. Dom. 1089. He bestowed much vpon the fabricke of this Church and the housing of the Monkes he built in a manner all the Archbishops pallace hee founded two Hospitals adioyning to this Citie hee gaue great summes of money and also a Mannor toward the building of the Cathedrall Church of Rochester and did much for the Abbey of Saint Albons Hee encreased the number of the Monkes of this Church from thirty to fourty restored the dignities and offices of old belonging to the Monasterie and recouered vnto the same 25. Manors that had beene taken from it wrongfully in times past by Odo Bishop of Bayon and Earle of Kent Hee was a profound Scholler for those times he writ the noble acts of the Conquerour he made learned Comments and Expositions of many parts of the Bible and tooke great paines in reforming the same the copies whereof were much corrupted throughout all England by the negligent ouer-sight of the writers To his memorie this Epitaph was composed Vixisti venerande Pater sapienter egens Vixisti vivens mors quoque vita tibi Inter diuitias pauper Lanfrance fuisti Diuitijs manans pauperum amator eras Per te florentes artes valuere latine Grecia sis nobis ecce triumphat ouans Tu Laios ortu Gallosque docendo leuasti Te sibi Primatem cardo Britannus habet In terra degens celestia regna petebas Exemptus terra sider a liber adis Sol geminos denis obsiderat igne diebus Promsit Luna diem nocte solutus abis Here is the Tombe of Archbishop Anselme borne in Augusta a Citie of Burgundie who followed his predecessours steps almost foot by foot First he came to Becco vpon the like errand as Lanfrank had done which was to obtaine knowledge in all good learning Lanfrancke being called away to Cane he was made Prior of Becco in his place and afterwards Abbot in which he continued 15. yeares vntill at the request of Hugh Earle of Chester he came ouer into England and had this Bishopricke bestowed vpon him some foure yeares after the decease of Lanfrancke for so long the king pursed vp the profits thereof by William Rufus who presently after his consecration fell out with his new Bishop and banished him the kingdome in which he trauelled vp and downe as an exile during the Kings life vntill by his brother King Henry the first he was called home and restored to all his former dignities But not long after he was likewise banished the Realme by the said Henry falling out with him concerning the disposing of Bishoprickes at the Kings pleasure giuing inuestiture and possession of them by the staffe and the ring within three yeares by the meanes and mediation of Adela or Alice Countesse of Blois the Kings sister he was restored not onely to his place but to all his goods and fruits gathered in the time of his absence Some two yeares after this his last returne falling sicke of a languishing disease hee died Aprill 21. Ann. Dom. 1109. in the sixteenth yeare of his gouernment Some 400. yeares after by the procurement of Iohn Morton one of his Successours he was canonized a Saint and one as worthy that honour as any that euer since his 〈◊〉 was canonized by the Pope for as his life
non est mihi crede tacendum Anglorum Primas sub primo culmine primas Qui tennit sedes melius dum sperat in edes Hunc Rex compellit eum de sede repellit Dum Simon Rome supplantat federa Thome Hic Thomas natus Comitis fuit intitulatus Clericus aptatus Doctor de iure creatus Legibus ornatus facundus moringeratus Cam Christo gratus in plebe que magnisicatus O quam preclarus tam purus immaculatus Ad Regale latus tandem fuit illaqueatus Tramite subtili latitans plus vulpe senili Rex studet in sine Thomam prostrare ruine De tribus audistis cum Rex scelus intulit istis Presul adiutor fuit hijs quodammodo tutor Non contra legem sed ab ira flectere Regem Nomine pastoris temptauerat omnibus horis Semper erat talis restat dum spes aliqualis Sicanira mortem poterat saluasse cohortem Rex â—â—lit hoc triste quod Cancellarius iste Tempore quo stabat hos tres constanter amabat Sic procurator pius extitit Mediator Cartas quod Regis habuerunt munere legis Pontificis more summi pro Regis amore Sic pacem mittit mortis gladiumque remittit Hec ita fecisset pactum si Rex tenuisset Sed que iurauit hodie cras verba negauit Cernite pro quali culpa magis in speciali Pontiâ—ici tali sine causa materiali Rex fuit iratus sed altera causa reatus Est plus secreta tunc Rome quando moneta Simonis ex parte Papam concludit in aâ—tâ— Ecce per has causas sub Regis pectore clausas Hec scelus obiecit Thome qui nil male secit Regis fautores super hoc tunc anteriores Fraudibus obtentum concludunt Parliamentum Sic de finali Rex pondere iudiciali Exilio demit Thomam nee amore redemit Sic Pater absque pare quem Rex spoliauit auare Partes ignotas tunc querit habere remotas Sic pius Antistes casus pro tempore tristes Sustinet curam sperat reuocare futuram Christus eum ducat saluet que salute reducat Si vt vterque status sit ei cum laude beatus Vpon his restauration to this his Bishopricke by Henry the fourth Duke of Lancaster the same Author thus writes Iustos laudauit iniustos vituperauit Hos confirmauit hos deprimit hos releuauis Regni primatem crudelem per feritatem Quem Rex explantat Dux ex pietate replantat Henry Chichley Bishop of this See lies here on the North side of the Presbitery in a Tombe built by himselfe in his life time hee was borne at Highamâ—errys in Northamptonshire where he began the foundation of a goodly Colledge and an Hospitall which were finished by his two brethren his Executours Hee was brought vp in New Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Doctor of Law and where he founded two Colledges one called Bernard Colledge renewed by Sir Thomas White and named Saint Iohns Colledge and all Soules Colledge which yet continueth in the same estate he left it one of the fairest in that Vniuersitie Hee was employed much in embassages by King Henry the fourth who preferred him to the Bishopricke of Saint Dauids where he sate fiue yeares and was then translated hither by his sonne King Henry the fifth He was a man happie enioying alwayes his Princes fauour wealth honour and all kinde of prosperity many yeares wise in gouerning his See worthily bountifull in bestowing his goods to the behoofe of the common-wealth And lastly stout and seuere in due administration of iustice When hee had gouerned this Sec. 29. yeares a longer time then euer any did in fiue hundred yeares before him he died April 12. Ann. 1443. Vpon whose Monument I finde this Epitaph Hic iacet Hen Chicheley L. Doctor quondam Cancellarius Sarum â—ui anno 7. Hen. 4. Regis ad Gregorium Papam 12. in Ambassiata transmissus in Ciuitate Senensi per manus eiusdem Pape in Episcopum Meneuensâ—m consecratus est Hic etiam Henricus anno 2. Hen. 5. Regis in hac sancta Ecclesia in Archiepiscopum postulatus à Ioanne Papa 23. ad eandem translatus qui obijâ— anno Dom. 1443. Mensâ—â— Apr. deâ— 12. Cetus sanctorâ—m 〈…〉 iste precetur Vt Deus ipsorum merâ—â—â—s â—â—bâ— propictetur I finde another more vnlearned Epitaph of him by which he is but little honoured being such an especiall furtherer of learning Pauper eram natus post Primas hic â—â—euatus â—am sum prostratus vermiâ—â—◠〈◊〉 paraius Ecce meum tumulum M. CCCC.XLIII Here lies interred in the Martyrdome an Archbishop very noble and no lesse learned one of the honourable familie of the Staffords sonne saith the Catalogue of Bishops vnto the Earle of Stafford but I finde no such thing in all the Catalogues of Honour a man much fauoured by King Henry the fifth wo preferred him first to the Deanrie of Wells gaue him a Prebend in the Church of Salisbury made him one of his priuie Councell and in the end Treasurer of England And then although this renowned King was taken away by vntimely death yet hee still went forward in the way of promotion and obtained the Bishopricke of Bath and Welles which with great wisedome hee gouerned eighteene yeares from whence he was remoued to this of Canterbury in which he sate almost nine yeares and in the meane time was made Lord Chancellour of England which office hee held eighteene yeares which you shall hardly finde any other man to haue done vntill waxing wearie of so painfull a place he voluntarily resigned it ouer into the Kings hands And about three yeares after that died at Maidstone Iuly 6. Ann. 1452. Vpon a flat marble stone ouer him I finde this consabulatorie Epitaph Quis fuit enuclees quem celas saxeâ— moles Stafford Antistes fuerat dictusque Iohannes Qua sedit sede marmor queso simul ede Pridem Bathonie Regni totius inde Primas egregius Pro presule funde precatus Aureolam gratus huic det de Virgine natus Much more may be read of this Bishop in the booke called Antiquitates Britannicae penned by Mathew Parker Archbishop of this place and in the Catalogue of Bishops by Francis Godwin Bishop of Hereford as also in the Catalogues of the Lords Chancellours and Treasurers of England collected by Francis Thinne In a decent Monument on the South side of the Presbitery Iohn Kempe Archbishop of this See lieth interred who was borne at Wye in this County of Kent brought vp at Oxford in Merton Colledge where hee proceeded Doctor of Law Hee was made first Archdeacon of Durham then Deane of the Arches and Vicar generall vnto the Archbishop Stafford Not long after he was aduanced to the Bishopricke of Rochester remoued thence to Chichester from Chichester to London from London to Yorke from Yorke to Canterbury he was first Cardinall of the title of Saint Balbine
that place he conuerted vnto the faith of Christ Sebert king of the East Saxons Of which this Stanza out of Harding Then Austin made Peter a clerke deuoute Of Saynt Austines th'abbot religious And made Mellito as Bede clerly hath note Of London then byshoppe full vertuous A Clerke that was then beneuolous Who then conuerted of Essex the king Sebert And all his land baptised with holy herte But the wicked sonnes of this good King Sebert expelled Mellitus out of their dominions from whence he trauelled into France and there stayed for a time vntill he was commanded by Archbishop Laureâ—ce to retâ—â—ne and looke to his flocke He was a man noble by birth but much more noble for the excellencie of his minde an eloquent speaker and therefore aâ—â—siuely called of some Mellifluous exceeding carefull of his charge despising the world and neuer caring for any thing but heauen and heauenly things hauing beene sicke a long time of the Gowt hee died Aprill 24. ann 624. and was buried beside his predecessour Vpon whose Tombe this Epitaph was engrauen Summus Pontificum flos tertius et mel apricum Hac titulis clara redoles Mellite sub arca Laudibus eternis te predicat vrbs Dorouernis Cui simul ardenti restas virtute potenti Presently vpon the death of Mellitus Iustus then Bishop of Rochester was preferred to this Archbishopricke He was a Romane borne the disciple of Gregory the great by whom he was sent ouer into England to preach the Gospell He was a Monke after the order of Saint Benet Vir tantae integritatis vi iusti nomine non tam gentilicio quam propter virtatem honorandus censeretur Which his vertue as also his learning are both highly commended by Pope Boniface the fourth to whom as to his deared beloued Brother he sendeth greeting He died Nouemb. 10. ann 634. was buried by his predecessour and canonized a Saint and Confessor But heare his Epitaph Istud habet bustum meritis cognomine Iustum Quarto iure datus cui cessit Pontificatus Pro meritis Iusti sancta grauitate venusti Gratia diuinam diuina dat his medicinam Honorius a reuerend learned man borne in the same Citie brought vp vnder the same Master and one of the same order with Iustus succeeded him in his pontificall Gouernment During the time he sate which was somewhat aboue twentie yeares amongst other things hee appointed diuers Bishops to diuers countries and diuided his Prouince into Parishes of which I haue spoken before that so he might appoint particular Ministers or Priests to particular congregations In his time the Pelagian heresie began to spring vp againe in Scotland but by his exhortatorie diuine Epistles to the Clergie of that kingdome he so dealt that the poysonous infection of that contagious heresie spread not farre neither continued any long time He died Februar 28. Ann. 653. and was laid with his predecessours This was his Epitaph Quintus honor memori versu memoraris Honori Digna sepultura quam non teret vlla Litura Ardet in obscuro tua lux vibramine puro Hec scelus omne premit fugat vmbras nubila demit One Frithona famous for his learning and vertuous life being elected Archbishop vpon the day of his consecration changed his name for Deus dedit or Adeodatus He was the first Englishman that gouerned this See which charge he attended carefully the space of sixe yeares and dyed Iuly â—4 Ann. 664. being the very same day that Ercombert the king of Kent dyed he was the last Bishop buried in the Church-porch Such was his Epitaph Alme Deus Dedit cui sexta vâ—catio cedit Signas hunc lipidem lapidi 〈…〉 eâ—dem Prodit ab hac vrna 〈…〉 aâ—urna Quâ— melioratur quic 〈…〉 graâ—atur Theodore a Grecian Saint Pauls 〈…〉 borne in Tharsus succeeded Deus deâ—it He was sixtâ—e sixe yearâ—â— of age before he vndertooke the charge of this Archbishopricke in 〈◊〉 hee continued two yeares three moneths twenty seuâ—n dayes vntill 〈…〉 which happened Sept. 29. anno 690 A man hee was to omit particulars worthy of perpetuall remembrance for his singular vertues vnder whom the Church of England receiued much comfort and encrease in spirituall matters Hee was exceeâ—dingly well learned both in profane and holy literature hee would often visit the countrey of the Englishmen all ouer and teach them the wayeâ— and pathes of good life Hee was the first Archbishop vnto whom all the whole Church of the English Nation did yeeld and consent to submit themselues Hee writ many learned bookes mentioned by Bâ—â—e hee was the seuenth Archbishop of whom these verses were written vpon the wall in Latine now translated thus into English Seuen Patriarchs of England Primates seuen Seuen Rectors and seuen Babaurers in heven Seuen Cesterns pure of life seuen Lamps of light Seuen Palmes and of this Realme seuen Crownes full bright Seuen Starres are here interr'd in vault below These verses were common to aâ—l these seuen pillars of the English Church for so they are called yet euery one as you haue read had his particular Epitaph and this following went curiant for Theodore thus Englished by the Translatour of venerable Bede A worthie Prelate lyeth here fast closed in this graue To whom the name of Theodore the Greekes most iustly gaue With title right the soueraigntie hauing of each degree Christs flock he fed with true doctrine as all men do well see His soule was set at libertie that lumpish lumpe of clay Dissolued when September had put nineteene dayes away And coueting their fellowship that liue a godly life Is companied with Angels high voyd of all care and strife Brithwald called like others allusiuely Bright world Abbot of Reculuer some two yeares after the decease of Theodore was elected and consecrated Archbishop by one Godwin Metropolitan of France He was a man very well learned both in Diuinitie and humanitie and very skilfull both in Ecclesiasticall and Monasticall orders censures and disciplines but farre inferiour in all vnto his predecessour He continued Archbishop in this fâ—â—med seuen and thirtie yeares sixe moneths fourteene dayes a longer time then euer any did either before or since and dyed Ianuar. 9. ann 731. and was buried in this Abbey Church because the Porch was already filled with the dead bodies of his predecessours for whom this Epitaph was 〈◊〉 and engrauen vpon his Monument Stat sua laus feretro Brithwaldus stat sua metro Sed minor est metri laus omnis laude feretri Laude frequentandus pater hic glorificandus Si prâ—ce slectatur dat ei qui danda precatur Tatwin a man very religious and no lesse learned succeeded Brithwald soone after whose consecration great controuersie arose betweene him and the Archbishop of Yorke about the Primacie wherein Tatwin preuailed Who hauing sate onely three yeares died Iuly the last day An. Dom. 735. and
and immediate heire to the kingdome promised with an oath to giue her whatsoeuer shee would demand This deuoute Lady begged so much ground to build a religious house vpon as a tame Deâ—re which she kept would runne ouer at a breath one Thunnor or Thymur one of his councell and his assistant in the foresaid murder standing by blamed him of inconsideration for that hee would vpon the vncertaine course of a Deere depart to his certaine losse with any part of so good a Soile Which words he had no sooner spoken saith the booke of Saint Augustine but that the earth immediately opened and swallowed him vp Well the King and the Lady proceeded in their bargaine and the Hynde ranne ouer fourty and eight Ploughâ—lands before she returned This do nation the king confirmed by his Charters which I haue read in the booke of S. Austins to the infringers whereof he added this fearefull curse Si cui vero hec largicio displicet vel si quis quod absit hanc donationem telo ductus Diaboli quoquo ingenio infringere temptauerit Iram Dei omnium Sanctorum maledicta incurrat et subita morte intereat sicut predictus Deo odibilis Thimur interijt percutiatque cum Deus amentia cecitate ac furore mâ—ntis omnique tempore columpnam maledictionis Dei sustineat non sit qui eum liberet nisi penitus resipiscit digna satisfactione satisfaciat And further of this and the race of the Hynde these lame rymes Dompneue letam Thanatos fert Insula metam Seruet iter Cerue ...... nesit .... proterue Cultor siue sator huius mete violator Cum Thunor atra metit inde Barathra petit Hauing erected her Monasterie which she dedicated to the blessed Virgine Mary and to the name and honour of her two murdered Brethren in which â—he placed seuentie veyled Nunnes She departed out of this world about the yeare of our redemption 765. and was buried in the Church of her owne foundation It is said by some that when Thunnor had giuen his wicked command to king Egbert his horse 〈◊〉 presentâ—y a curuetinâ— cast him off his backe and broke his necke and that be 〈◊〉 buried in the Isle of Tenet vnder a great heape of stones which the inhabitanâ—â— to this day call Thunniclan Mildred the daughter of Domâ—â—â—a and Mâ—rwald a Prince of West-Mercia succeeded in her mothers plâ—â—â— â—n which shee continued a long time dyed in the raigne of King 〈◊〉 was interred by her mother and afterwards canonized a Saint 〈◊〉 the Mercian king confirmed by his charter to this Mildred and her Couent the custome of the ships which arriued in the publicke Port of London as appeares by his charter Caâ—utus king of England gaue by his Charter the body of this Mildred with the lands belonging to this Priory to the Abbey of S. Austins in these words Notum sit omnibus c. me dedisse Augustino fratribus eiusdem Monasterij corpus beate Mildrede gloriose Virginis cum tâ—ta terra sua infra in sulam ac Iâ—anet extra cum omnibus consâ—etudinibus suis. The yeare 10 0 her body was translated by Abbot Elstan as I haue said before and after that by his Successour Wulfrike to another place of the Church Her reliques were laid in a leaden coffin whereupon this Epitaph was insculped Clauditur hoc saxo Mildreda sacerrima virgo Cuius nos procibus adiuuet ipse Deus The bodies of the most esteemed godly in former ages tooke the least rest in their graues for they were still remoued and their bodies clattered together from one place to another as it doth and will appeare both by the premisses and sequele of this my Treatise You haue read before how often the body of Saint Augustine was tost from porch to pillar and besides his Reliques were diuided and subdiuided into certaine vessels For the day after the solemnitie of Prior Marisco before remembred vpon the finding out of his Stone-coffin there was found vnlooked for a Lead of seuen foot long hauing this Inscription Hic habetur pars ossium cineris beati Augustini Anglorum Apostoli qui olim missus à beato Gregorio gentem Anglicam ad fidem Christi conuertit cuius preciosum capud ossa maiora Guido Abbas honorifice transtulit sicut tabula plumbea cum eisdem ossibus posita indicat But Henry the eight made an end of all this vnnecessarie trouble and charges by remouing once for all as well Reliques as Religious houses Now to returne Ethelinga the third Prioresse of this house seeing the Church builded by her predecessour Domneua not capable to containe so many holy Virgins built another Temple farre more sumptuous then the first which was consecrated by Archbishop Cuthbert to the honour of S. Peter and Paul She dyed ann 751. and was buried in her owne new Church Sexburga saith the booke of Saint Augustine the daughter of Anna king of the East Angles the wife of Ercombert the mother of Egbert and â—othaire all kings of Kent after the death of her husband tooke vpon her the habite of a Nunne and was admitted and consecrated Prioresse of this place by Archbishop Cuthbert In her time those furious Beare-whelps Hungar and Hubba Nam vt fertur filij fuere cuiusdam vrsi qui illos contra naturam de filia cuiusdam Regis generabat two Danish Pagans with a fierce armie first inuaded this kingdome She dyed about the yeare 797. and was buried in this new Church Capgraue saith at Ely Seberitha was the first Votarie admitted and consecrated Lady Prioresse of this house by Ethelard Archbishop of Canterbury who was no sooner well setled in her gouernment then that the Danes came backe againe and in their sauage furie ouerwhelmed the Island of Tenet destroyed and vtterly demolished this Monasterie and her with her holy Sisters inclosed in secret caues for feare of the enemie they found out and burned them all to ashes Capgraue a Kentish man borne reporteth that Eadburgh the daughter of good king Ethelbert by his vertuous Queene Berta was brought vp a Nunne in this Monasterie vnder the foundresse Domneua that she succeeded Mildred in the Monasticall gouernment that shee was buried here in this Church and that long after her reliques the chiefe and most frequent way in those times to enrich any new built Church were remoued by Lanfrank Archbishop of Canterbury to the Church of Harbaldowne of his owne foundation and there had in great veneration But Camden to whom I must needs giue more credit speaking of S. Eadburghs Well at Liming in this Tract will haue her to be the first veiled Nunne in all England And that she liued here in a Monastery of her owne building that here shee dyed and here at Lyming was buried saith Speed that she was surnamed Tace a fit name for a woman and that she had beene the wife of
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
Credo quod redemptor meus viuit et ..... Orate pro anima Iohannis Burgoine filij Iohannis Burgoine de Impington in Com. Cantab. ... Cuius These Burgoines were â—ometime Lords of Caxton in Cambridgeshire by whom it came to the Iermins Orate pro anima Richardi Ieames ... huic Ecclesie Benefac .... qui obiit 15. Sept. 1501. Cuius This man say the Inhabitants was a speciall Benefactor to this Church a Tradesman and a Smith as appeares by the picture of a paire of Pinsers vpon his Monument Marmoreo lapide Thomas Gawge subtumulatur Qui vero dum vixit residens Doctor Thelogie Sistebat etiam tum Cancellarius ille Prenobilis Ducisse fuit pariter Eboraci Quem Deus euexit nuper ad agamatha regni Octobris mensis X. bina dieque secunda M. Domini quater hiis addito septuagena Hic iacet Iacobus Peckham Ar. et Margareta vxor eius filia Thome Burgoine de Impington in Com. Cant. Ar. qui ob 28. Febr. 1500. et Margareta ob die quorum Of yowr cherity pray for the sowls of Reynald Peckham the elder Squire for the body of the most excellent Prince king Henry the eight who decesed 27 Feb. 1525. and for the sowl of Ioice Colepeper his wife which decesed 20. March 1523. Hic iacet Willelmus Peckham Ar. Cironomon Tho. Bourchier Episcopi Cant. et Cardinalis qui obiit 28. Iunij 1491. et Katherina vxor que obiit 23. Aug. 1491. Quorum animabus Hic iacet Thomas Peckham et Dorothea qui ob .... die .... An. Dom ..... et Dorothea ob 19. Decemb. 1512. quorum c. Of yowr .... of Iames Peckham Esquire and Agnes his wife the which Iames decesed 5. Aug. 1532. on whos soule and al Christian souls Iesu haue mercy Here are two tombes in the Church-yard and neare to the Church-doore the one of which saith Francis Thinne Lancaster Herald was erected to the memory of Martin Peckham Esquire the other to Margerie Peckham his wife by the marriage of which Margerie ample reuenues came to the family of the Peckhams she being daughter and heire to Yaldham Lord of the Mannor of Yaldham Glouer Somerset Herald in his Collections saith that Iohn Peckham did hold the Mannor of West-Peckham in the first of Henry the third But certaine it is that Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury in the raigne of Edward the first was the first man that aduanced his name to those great possessions which his posteritie enioyed euen till these our times Chidingston Orate pro animabus Thome Willughby militis vnius Iusticiar domini Regis de Banco filij Christoferi Willughby militis ac etiam Domini Willughby in Com. Suffolk et domine Brigitte vxoris Thome Willughby predicti vnius filiarum heredum Roberti Read militis ac primatis de communi loco Iusticiar qui quidem Thomas obijt 28. die Sept. Ann. 1545. Pray for the sowle of Iohn Lofte Master of Arts Preest for my Lord Read the .... of Aug. 1500. on whos sowl and all Christian sowls Iesu haue mercy Amen Hic iacet Iohannes Alphegh .... Isabella filia .... qui quidem Iohannes obijt An. 1489. predicta Isabella obijt 23. Sept. 1479. quorum animaâ—â—â— This Iohn Alphegh built Bore place here in Chidingston which 〈◊〉 Robert Read enlarged and after that it was enlarged by Sir Thomas Willoughby knight and then by Thomas Willoughby now liuing 1575. Among the Willoughbeis saith learned Clarentieux one excelled all the rest in the reigne of Henry the fifth named Sir Robert Willoughbey who for his martiall prowesse was created Earle of Vandosme in France and from these by the mothers side descended Peregrine Berti Baron Willoughby of Ere 's by a man for his generous minde and militarie valour renowned both in France and the Low-countreys whos 's Robert Berti Lord Willoughby of Eresby Earle of Lindsey and Lord great Chamberlaine of England Orate pro anima Iohannis Wood Decretorum Baccalarij nuper Rectoris huius Ecclesie ac Prebendarii de Hastings qui ob 7. Maii 1487. Orate pro anima Edmundi Read filii Roberti Read militis ac vnius Iusticiar Domini Regis de Banco qui quidem Edmundus obiit 10. Iunii 1501. Sir Robert Read built the North Chappell of this Church Ann. 1516. in honorem Dei et Sancte Katherine he was made chiefe Iustice 22. of Henry the seuenth and dyed about the tenth of Henry the eight Itham or Igtham Of your charity .... of Sir Richard Clement knight and Anne his wife daughter of Sir William Catesby of Northamptonshire knight which Anne decesed 3. Nouemb. 1528. and the said Sir Richard decesed day of Ann. Dom. on whos sowls ... Of your cherite prey for the sowl of Richard Astall Master of Arte of Camb. and late Parson of Itame and Cheuening and Prebendarie of Wingham The which Richard decesed 21. Aug. 1546. on whos Here is a Tombe of Marble which is supposed by most of the neare Inhabitants to be made for Sir Richard Hawte sometime owner and founder of the Mote and Lieutenant of the Tower of London Some say to Sir Nicholas some one knight of that name some another for an ancient family they were of knights degree and Lords of many faire Mannors all which by the marriage of Iane and Elizabeth daughters and coheires of Sir William Hawte knight by Mary his wife the daughter of Sir Richard Guilfora knight came to be the inheritance of Sir Thomas Wiat and Sir Tho. Culpepper yet some more iudicious say that this Monument was erected for one Cawne who was likewise owner of the Mote who married with Morrant Lord of Morrants Court Cobham In this Church are many faire Monuments fouly defaced vnder which the Cobhams and Brookes Lords and Barons of this Towne of Cobham with many of their kindred Allies and progenie lie interred who for many descents did flourish in honourable reputation euen vntill these our times Vousque passericy .... pries pur l'alme le curteis ..... Iohan de Cobham auat a nom dieux luy fari verray Pardon qe trespassa lendemayne de Seynt Mathy le passent oustre a demorer one lay en l'an de Grace 1354. Icy gist Margerie de Cobham iadis Femme a tresnoble cheualier ....... Regni .... ordre .... que morust le IIII iour de Sept. l'an de Grace 1375. de .... dieu et mercy To make this maymed inscription more perfectly to bee vnderstood let me tell you that this Margerie or Margaret for I can hardly discerne whether by the engrauement was the wife of that braue warriour Reynold Baron Cobham Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports knight of the Garter and Admirall of the Sea coasts from Thames mouth Westward who dyed of the second Pestilence in theraigne of king Edward the third An. Dom. 1361. Vous q par icy
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
laid his foundation 137â— His death was much lamented by the King the Nobilitie and commons of all England for with singular commendations hee had for a long time serued vnder Edward the third in the French warres and was employed by him vpon seuerall Embasies and his truth and good councell was euer much auailable to the whole state of the kingdome His obsequies were performed with great solemnity King Edward the third and all his children with the greatest Prelates and Lord Barons of the kingdome being there present His wife Margaret was here entombed with him by whom he had issue Thomas Manye who in his youth was drowned in a Well at Detford in Kent and Anne then his onely daughter and heire married to Iohn Lord Hastings Earle of Penbroke Margaret Lady Manye saith Iohn Stow here interred yet the Catalogue of Honour will haue her to be buried in the Minories died the 24. of March 1399. she was the onely daughter of Thomas of Brotherton Earle of Norfolke and Marshall of England second sonne of King Edward the first and her fathers onely heire after the death of her brother Edward which happened in the same yeare that his father departed the world She was for the greatnesse of her birth her large reuenewes and wealth created Dutchesse of Norfolke for terme of life she had beene first married to Iohn Lord Segraue and her last husband was the foresaid Sir Walter Manny Here sometime was interred the body of Philip Morgan Doctor of Law Chancelour of Normandy and Bishop of Ely a very wise man who with great commendations gouerned that See nine yeeres sixe moneths and foure daies and departed this life at Bishops-Hatfield October 25. 1434. Many funerall monuments were in this Church as you may finde them mentioned in the Suruay of London This religious house is now turned into an Hospitall consisting of a Master a Preacher a Free-Schoole with a Master and an Vsher fourescore decaied gentlemen Souldiers and forty schollers maintained with sufficient cloathing meate drinke lodging and wages besides Officers and Ministers to attend vpon them all so that the whole number now in the house with the attendants is one hundred and fourescore The greatest gift that euer at any time in England no Abbey at the first foundation thereof excepted or therewith to bee compared being the gift of one man onely whose name was Thomas Sutton of Castle Campes in the County of Cambridge Esquire borne at Knaith in the County of Lincolne who liued to the age of 79 yeares and deceased the 12. day of December 1611. somewhat before this his famous Foundation was fully accomplished Great Saint Bartholomewes This Priorie was founded by one Rahere a pleasant conceited wittie gentleman and a Courtier in the raigne of King Henry the first which he dedicated to the honour of God and Saint Bartholomew and placed therein blacke Canons or Canons regular himselfe became their first Prior his foundation was confirmed in these words Henricus Rex c. Sciatis me concessisse presenti carta me confirmasse Ecclesie beati Bartholomei London que est Dominica Capella mea et canonicis dominicis in ea Domino seruientibus quod sint ab omni subiectione terrena seruitute liberi vt sic aliqua Ecclesia in tota Anglia magis libera c. dat per manum nostram apud Winton 15 Iunij Anno reg 37. Here he died and was here buried in a faire monument renewed by Prior Bolton which Bolton was the last Prior of this house a great builder and repairer of the Priorie and the Parish Church and of diuers lodgings belonging to the same as also of new he builded the Mannor of Canonbury now called Canbury at Islington which belonged to the Canons of this house This Bolton and the rest of his brethren were portraied vpon a Table sometimes hanging in this Church now it is in Sir Robert Cottons Librarie holding vp their hands to the Crucifixe vnder whom these verses were depensiâ—d Gulielmo Bolton precibus succurrite vestris Qualis erat pater hic Domus hec cetera monstrant He died at his Parsonage house at Harrow vpon the hill as I haue it by relation the fourth of Edward the sixt and was there interred He surrendred vp this his Priorie the 30 of Henry the 8. which was then valued at 757 l. 8 s. 4 d. ob q. by yeere Here sometime lay entombed the body of Roger Walden Bishop of London Neuer had any man better experience of the variable vncertaintie of worldly felicity then he for from the estate of a very poore man he was suddenly raised to be Treasurer of England hauing beene first Secretarie to the King Deane of Yorke and Treasurer of the towne of Calis and then made Archbishop of Canterbury which honour he enioyed not past two yeares but was remoued from the same and forced to leade a priuate life a long time At last being once more lift vp to the honour of this Bishopricke of London he left this present life within the compasse of the yeere following Of this man thus writeth Thomas Walsingham who liued in those times and much what to the same effect I will vse his owne language Anno 1406. Dominus Rogerus de Waldene debitum Naturae soluit qui varia fortuna vectus expertus est sub breui tempore Quam sit inconstans incerta volubilis ipsa Errans instabilis vaga quae dum stare putatur Occidit et falso mutatur gaudia vultu Nempe ex pauperculo factus est Regni Thesaurarius and so proceeds on forwards with his story Vpon his monument this Epitaph was inlayd in brasse Hic iacet Rogerus de Walden Episcopus Londinens qui cum in vtraque fortuna plurimuÌ„ laborauit ex hac vita migrauit 2 die Nouem an dom 1406 Vir cultor verus Domini iacet intra Rogerus Walden Fortuna cus nunquam steterat vna Nunc requiem tumuli Deus omnipotens dedit illi Gaudet et in celis plaudet vbi quisque fidelis He denied his preferment to the Bishoppricke of London being preferred vnto him by the Pope saying that he would not accept of it from any but from the king As I finde thus recorded in the Tower Cum summus Pontifex nuper prouidisset Rogero Walden de Ecclesia Cathedral London prefatus tamen Rogerus dominicum beneficium sine Regis assensu et licentia acceptare noluit nec vult ni presenti Rex concedit eidem Rogero licentiam quod ipse tanquam verus Pastor et Episcopus dicte Ecclesie Cathedralis eandem ecclesiam capere valeat et acceptare T. R. apud W. 24. Iunij Little Saint Bartholomewes This Hospitall for the poore and diseased was founded by the forenamed Rahere Prior of great Saint Bartholomewes to be gouerned by a Master and eight Brethren being Priests for the Church and foure Sisters to see the poore
Rotulorum et Recordorum in Turri London remanentium qui obijt vltimo die Feb. Anno 1523. cuius Clericus paruae Bagiae or Clarke of the Petit Bagge is an Officer in the Chancerie of which sort there be three and the Master of the Rolles is their chiefe Their Office is to record the returne of all Inquisitions out of euery Shire all Liueries granted in the Court of Wards all ouster les maines to make all Patents of Customers Gawgers Controllers and Aulnegers all Conge d'eslires for Bishops all Liberateis vpon extent of Statute Staples the recouery of Recognisances forfeited and all Elegits vpon them the summons of the Nobilitie Clergie and Burgesses of the Parliament Commissions directed to Knights and other of euery shire for seassing of the Subsidies Writs for the nomination of Collectors and all trauerses vpon any Office bill or otherwise and to receiue money duel to the King for the same This Officer is mentioned Anno 33. Hen. 8. cap. 22. and it is like hee had first this denomination and stile of Petie Bagges because hauing to doe with so many Records of diuers kindes as aboue mentioned they were put in sundry leather Bagges which were not so great as the Clarke of the Hamper now vseth and therefore might be called Petits Bagges small or little bagges This Iohn Gyles was also keeper or Clerke of the Rolles and Records in the Tower of London an Office generally well knowne throughout all England the master whereof at this day is that learned Gentleman Sir Iohn Borrowes Knight vnder whom my vnderstanding friend Will. Collet and my industrious country-man Will. Riley alias Rouge-Rose Pursiuant at Armes doe officiate the place Dona requiem miserecordissime Iesu anime famuli tui Laurentij Bartlâ—t nuper Registrarij Episcopi Lincol. qui obijt ... die octob An. 1470. Quisquis ades vultumque vides sta perlege plora Iuditij memor esto tui tua nam venit hora Sum quod eris fueramque quod es tua posteriora Commemorans miseris miserans pro me precor ora Te mediante tuus viuam post funera seruus Qui te dilexi Michael bene dummodo vixi Non Homo leteris tibi copia si fluat eris Hic non semper eris memor esto quod morieris Corpus putrebit quod habes alter habebit Es euanebit quod agis tecum remanebit The Temple Church The first Founder hereof is not certainely recorded some hold that it was built by Dunwallo Mulmutius about the yeare of the worlds creation 4748 the precincts whereof he made a Sanctuary or a place of refuge for any person therein to be assured of life liberty and limbs of which I haue spoken elsewhere Besides these priuiledges vnto Temples hee constituted diuers good lawes Of which he writ two bookes the one called Statuta municipalia the other Leges iudiciariae which is as much to say as the statute Law and the common Law Cooke Reports 3 part ad Lect. out of Bale cent 1. Hauing reduced his Realme into one Monarchie being before by ciuill warres and dissention seuered and brought into diuers dominions Hee raigned 40. yeares died the yeare of the worlds creation 4768. and was buried in this place with other of the British Kings But it appeareth by this inscription following ouer the Church doore in the stone worke that this holy Structure was newly founded of farre later times and dedicated to the honour of the blessed Virgine yet I thinke it is farre more ancient Anno ab incarnatione Domini M.C.lxxxv dedicata hec Ecclesia in honorem beate Marie a Domino Eraclio dei gratia Sancte Resurrectionis Ecclesie Patriarcha 11 Idus Februarij Qui eam annatim petentibus de iniuncta sibi Penitentia lx dies indulsit Knights Templers were the last Founders of this house which at the first were certaine noble Souldiers religiously bent who bound themselues by vow in the hands of the Patriarke of Ierusalem to serue Christ after the manner of Regular canons in chastitie and obedience and to defend Christian Religion the holy land and Pilgrimes going to visite the Lords Sepulchre they flourished for a time in high reputation for pietie and deuotion but as they increased in wealth so they fell to wickednesse insomuch that in the yeere 1308. all the Templers in England as also in other parts of Christendome were apprehended and committed to diuers Prisons and in the yeare 1312. all their lands were giuen to the Knights Hospitalers of the order of Saint Iohn Baptist called Saint Iohn of Ierusalem as I haue said elsewhere There are in this Temple many very ancient monuments of famous men for out of what respect I know not King Henry the third and many of the Nobility desired much to be buried in this Church shaped in marble armed their legges crosse whose names are not to be gathered by any inscriptions for that time hath worne them out vpon the vpper part of one of their portraitures Camden saith that hee hath read Comes Penbrochie and vpon the side this verse Miles eram Martis Mars multos vicerat armis Of Mars I was a doughty knight Mars vanquisht many a man in fight Vnder which monument lieth William Marshall the elder Earle of Penbroke a most powerfull man in his time being the Kings Marshall Generall of his Armie and Protector of the kingdome in the minority of King Henry the third vntill such time as he the said William died which was in the yeare 1219. 27 die Martij This Epitaph following goes also currant for this glorious and triumphant Earle as an Epitome of his noble vertues Sum quem Saturnum sibi sensit Hibernia Solem Anglia Mercurium Normannia Gallia Martem Irelands Saturne Englands Sunne am I The Mars of France and Normans Mercury or thus Whom Ireland once a Saturne found England a Sunne to be Whom Normandy a Mercury and France Mars I am he This William had fiue sonnes William Richard Gilbert Walter and Anselme all Earles of Penbroke and Marshals of England Here by his father vnder the like monument lieth William the eldest sonne Earle of Penbroke Lord of Strighull Chepstow Caerwent Leigh or Liege Weshford Kildare Ossorie and Carlogh who died the sixt of Aprill 1231. as it is in the booke of Wauerly wherein this Epitaph is made to his memory Militis istius mortem dolet Anglia ridet Wallia viuentis bella minasque timens England laments the death of this braue Knight Wales laughs he liuing did her so affright The Annales of Ireland will haue him to be buried by his brother Richard in the Quire of the Friers Predicants in Kilkennie of whom it was thus written Cuius sub fossa Kilkennia continet Ossa Whose bones bestowed in graue so deep Kilkenny Towne doth safely keep Wheresoeuer he was buried a Martiall braue Earle he was which hee worthily shewed when as he set vpon Lehwellin Prince of Wales
wilde Albania brought The reliques of her Crowne by him first placed here The seate on which her Kings inaugurated were He tam'd the desperate Welsh that out so long had stood And made them take a Prince sprong of the English blood This Isle from Sea to Sea he generally controld And made the other parts of England both to hold The learned Antiquarie and Lawyer Iohn Selden in his Illustrations vpon the said Song giues vs this Glosse following vpon the Verse The seate on which our Kings inaugurated were This seate saith he is the Chaire and Stone at Westminster whereon our Soueraignes are inaugurated The Scottish Stories affirme that the Stone was first in Gallicia of Spaine at Brigantia whether that be Compostella as Francis Tarapha wills or Coronna as Florian del Campo coniectures or Betansos according to Mariana I cannot determine where Gathel king of Scots there sate on it as his Throne Thence was it brought into Ireland by Simon Brech first king of Scots transplanted into that Isle about seuen hundred yeares before Christ. Out of Ireland King Ferguze in him by some is the beginning of the now continuing Scottish raigne about three hundred and seuenty yeares afterward brought it into Scotland King Kenneth some eight hundred and fifty of the Incarnation placed it at the Abbey of Scone in the Shrifdome of Perth where the Coronation of his Successours was vsuall as of our Monarchs now at Westminster and in the Saxon times at Kingston vpon Thames This Kenneth some say caused the Distich Ni fallat vatum as before to be engrauen vpon it Whereupon it is called Fatale Marmor in Hector Boetius and inclosed it in a wodden Chaire It is now at Westminster and on it are the Coronations of our Soueraignes Thither first brought as the Author here speakes among other spoiles by Edward Longshanks after his warres and victories against King Iohn Balliol Ann. 1297. Reg. Regis Ed. 1.24 Thus much of this potent king out of Polyolbion But to returne these high spirited Scots then which no people in the world are more valiant not minding to endure the tyranny of King Edward entred into England at seuerall times and in Northumberland and Cumberland slew the aged and impotent women in childbed and young children spoiled the Abbey Church at Hexham and got a great number of the Clergie as well Monkes Priests as Schollers whom they thrust into the Schoolehouse there and closing vp the doores set fire on the Schoole and burned all them to ashes that were within it They burned Churches they forced women without respect of order condition or qualitie as well the maids widowes and wiues as Nunnes that were reputed in those dayes consecrated to God when they had beene so abused many of them were after murthered So that the cruell and bloudy desolation whereof Lucan speaketh in his second booke of the Pharsalian warres may aptly be inferred here as fitly describing the mercilesse murther of all states and sexes without partiality vnder the hand of the enemy For saith he Nobilitas cum plebe perit lateque vagatur Ensis a nullo revocatum est pectore ferrum Stat cruor in templis multaque rubentia caede Lubrica saxa madent nulli iam prosuit aetas Non senis extremum piguit vergentibus annis Praecipitasse diem non primo in limine vitae Infantis miseri nascentia rumpere fata Thus exquisitely translated into English Senatours with Plebeians lost their breath The sword rag'd vncontrold no brest was free The Temples stainde with bloud and slippery Were the red stones with slaughter no age then Was free the neere spent time of aged men They hastened on nor sham'de with bloudy knife To cut the Infants new spunne thread of life Bloud worthy to haue beene shed on both sides against another kinde of enemy then Christians the deformity of which effusions may iustly represent vnto vs the blessed estate of our now setled Vnion Ranulph the Monke of Chester speakes somewhat more succinctly of the warlike passages in those times betwixt the puissant braue English and the terrible neuer-tamed Scot on this manner I will vse the old language of his Translatour Treuisa who flourished in the raigne of king Henry the sixth Iohn de Baillol saith he that was made kyng of Scotlond aroos ayenst the kynge of Englonde and ayenste his owne othe and by the counseylle of some men of Scotland and namely of thabbot of Mâ—â—ros 〈◊〉 was taken and dysheryted Then the yere after Williâ—m 〈…〉 of Scottes arayed werre ayenste kynge Edwarde but he was 〈…〉 second yere after Kynge Edwarde slewâ—â—x 〈◊〉 and Scottes 〈…〉 on a Mary Mawdelyn day But the Scottes wâ—xâ—d stronger and stronger 〈◊〉 ty yeres togyder vnto kyng Edwardes tyme the thyrd after the 〈◊〉 and bete down Englyshemen ofâ— and Englysh places that were 〈…〉 her Marches Some sayd that that myshappe fell for soâ—â—nesse of the Englyshe men And some said that it was goddis owne werâ—he as the 〈…〉 That Englyshe men sholde be destroyed by Danes by Frenâ—he men 〈◊〉 by Scottes Of this propheticall prediction I haue spoken elsewhere which 〈◊〉 that of the marble stone vpon the inauguration of our late Souerâ—â—â—â—â— Lord King Iames of happie memory in his Regall Chaire of Impeâ—â—â—â—â— gouernment had full accomplishment The period of the dayes as also the character of this magnificent Monarch Edward are thus deliuered by a late Writer In Iuly 1307 although he found himselfe not well he enter Scotland with a fresh Army which he led not â—arre for falling into a Dissenterie he dies at Borough vpon the sandâ— as if to show on what foundation 〈◊〉 hâ—d built all his glory in this world hauing raigned thirty foure yeares seuen moneths aged sixty eight A Prince of a generous spirit wherein the fire held out euen to the very last borne and bred for action and militarie afâ—faires which he mannaged with great iudgement euer warie and prouident for his owne businesse watchfull and eager to enlarge his power and was more for the greatnesse of England then the quiet thereof And this we may iustly say of him that neuer king before or since shed so much Christian bloud within this Isle of Britaine as this Câ—ristian warrior did 〈◊〉 his time and was the cause of much more in that following By our great and iudicious Antiquary Camden he is thus 〈◊〉 as followeth For no one thing was this little Burgh vpon Sands more famous than that King Edward the first that triumphant Conquerour of his enemies was here taken out of the world by vntimely death A â—ight noble and worthy Prince to whom God proportioned a most princely presence and personage as a right worthy seat to entertaine so heroicall a minde For he not onely in regard of fortitude and wisedome but also for a beautifull and personall presence was in all points answerable to the height of Royall Maiestie whom fortune also in
whencesoeuer he come or for what offence or cause it be either for his refuge into the said holy place he be assured of his life liberty and limbes And ouer this I forbid vnder the paine of euerlasting damnation that no Minister of mine or of my Successours intermeddle them with any the goods lands or possessions of the said persons taking the said Sanctuary for I haue taken their goods and liuelode into my speciall protection and therefore I grant to euery each of them in as much as my terrestriall power may suffice all manner freedome of ioyous liberty and whosoeuer presumes or doth contrary to this my Grant I will he lose his name worship dignitie and power And that with the great traytor Iudas that betrayed our Sauiour he be in the euerlasting fire of hell And I will and ordaine that this my grant endure as long as there remaineth in England either loue or dread of Christian name King Edward the third built in the little Sanctuarie a Clochard of stone and timber and placed therein three bells for the vse of Saint Stephens Chappell About the biggest Bell was engrauen or cast in the mettall these words King Edward made mee thirtie thousand weight and three Take mee downe and wey mee and more you shall fynd mee But these Bells being to be taken downe in the raigne of King Henry the eight one writes vnderneath with a coale But Henry the eight will bait me of my weight In the Steeple of the great Church in the Citie of Roane in Normandy is one great Bell with the like Inscription Ie suis George de Ambios Qui trente cinque mille pois Mes lui qui me pesera Trente six mill me trouera I am George of Ambois Thirtie five thousand in pois But he that shall weigh me Thirtie six thousand shall find mee One lately hauing taken view of the Sepulchres of so many Kings Nobles and other eminent persons interred in this Abbey of Westminster made these rimes following which he called A Memento for Mortalitie Mortalitie behold and feare What a change of flesh is here Thinke how many royall bones Sleepe within this heape of stones Hence remou'd from beds of ease Daintie â—are and what might please Fretted roofes and costlie showes To a roofe that flats the nose Which proclaimes all flesh is grasse How the worlds faire Glories passe That there is no trust in Health In youth in age in Greatnesse wealth For if such could haue repriu'd Those had beene immortall liu'd Know from this the worlds a snare How that greatnesse is but care How all pleasures are but paine And how short they do remaine For here they lye had Realmes and Lands That now want strength to stirre their hands Where from their pulpits seel'd with dust They preach In Greatnesse is no trust Here 's an Aker sowne indeed With the richest royall seed That the earth did ere sucke in Since the first man dy'd for sin Here the bones of birth haue cry'd Though Gods they were as men haue dy'd Here are sands ignoble things Dropt from the ruin'd sides of Kings With whom the poore mans earth being showne The difference is not easily knowne Her 's a world of pompe and state Forgotten dead disconsolate Thinke then this Sithe that mowes downe kings Exempts no meaner mortall things Then bid the wanton Lady tread Amid these mazes of the dead And these truly vnderstood More shall coole and quench the blood Then her many sports a day And her nightly wanton play Bid her paint till day of doome To this fauour she must come Bid the Merchant gather wealth The vsurer exact by stealth The proud man beate it from his thought Yet to this shape all must be brought Chappell of our Lady in the Piew Neare vnto the Chappell of Saint Stephen was sometime a smaller Chappell called our Lady of the Piew but by whom first founded I cannot finde To this Lady great offerings were vsed to be made Richard the second after the ouerthrow of Wat. Tilar as I haue read and other the Rebels in the fourth of his raigne went to Westminster and there giuing thankes to God for his victory made his offering in this Chappell By the negligence of a Scholler forgetting to put forth the Lights of this Chappell the Image of our Lady richly decked with Iewels precious stones Pearles and Rings more then any Ieweller saith he could iudge the price was with all the apparell and ornaments belonging thereunto as also the Chappell it selfe burnt to ashes It was againe reedified by Antony Widâ—uile Earle Riuers Lord Scales Vncle and Gouernour to the Prince of Wales that should haue beene King Edward the fifth Who was vniustly beheaded at Pomfret by the procurement of Richard Crook-backe Duke of Glocester then Lord Protectour the 13. of Iune 1483. Saint Margaret in Westminster Adioyning on the North side of the Abbey standeth Saint Margarets the Parish Church of the Citie of Westminster reedified for the most in the raigne of King Edward the fourth especially the South Isle from the piety of the Lady Marye Billing and her second husband Sir Thomas Billing chief Iustice of England in that Kings time Whose Monument with that to the memorie of her first husband William Cotton Esquire I haue here expressed Here lieth Dame Mary Bylling late wife to Sir Thomas Bylling Knight chiefe Iustice of England and to William Coton and Thomas Lacy which Mary died the 14 day of March in the yeare of our Lord God 1499. Blessed Lady c. haue mercy c. Ant Mary gratia plena on me haue mercy on me haue mercy Ecce ancila dom Fiat 〈…〉 secund uerbu tuuÌ„ 〈…〉 〈…〉 The inheritance of this Lady was the Lordship of Connington in Huntingtonshire The seate once of Turketell the Dane Earle of the East Angles who inuited ouer Swain King of Denmarke to inuade this kingdome He exiâ—'d with most of his Nation by Saint Edmond the Confessor This his seate with other his large possessions were giuen by the same King to Walthâ—oâ— Earle of Northumberland and Huntington to whom the first William gaue in marriage the Lady Iudithe his sisters daughter This Lordship with the Earledome of Huntington by the marriage of Mary that Earles daughter to Dauid the sonne of the first Malcolme King of Scots and the holy Margaret his wife Neece to Edward the King Confessor Grandchilde to Edmond surnamed Ironside King of the English Saxons and sister and heire to Edgar surnamed Ethelinge by which marriage the Stemme Royall of the Saxons became vnited into the bloud Royall of the Scottish Kings in whose male lyne that Earldome and this Lordship continued vntill Isabell the daughter and heire of Dauid Earle of Huntington and brother to Malcome William and Alexander successiue Kings of that kingdome brought them both by her marriage to Robert de Brus into that family She leauing the iust clayme of the Crowne of Scotland to Robert her eldest sonne whose sonne
God and then after vnto me Vpon which religious and Princely lesson he grounds a reason and pleads a libertie to vse his owne proper conscience in the Kings most weightie affaires as you may perceiue by this part of a letter following written to Cromwell Right worshipfull c. it pleased the Kyngs highnes to send me in the companie of my Lord of London now of Duresme in embassiate aboute the Peace that at our being there was concluded at Cameray betwene his highnes and themperour and the French Kyng And after my comyng home his highnes of his onely goodnes as far my vnworthy I was thereto made me as you well knowe his Chauncelor of this Realme sone after which time his grace moued me agayne yit-eftsonys to loke and considre his great matter and well and indifferently to pondre such things as I should fynde therin And if it so were that therevpon it shoulde happen me to se such things as sholde persuade me to that parte hee wolde gladly vse me among other of his Counsailors in that matter neuerthelesse gracyousely declared vnto me that he wolde in no wise that I sholde other thing do or say therin than vpon that that I shold perceiue myn owne conscience shold serue me and that I sholde fyrst loke vnto God and after God vnto hym Which moost gratiouse wordys was the fyrst lesson also that euer his grace gaue me at my fyrst comyng into his noble servyce c. This learned Chancellour with much labour and earnest suite to the King got leaue to leaue his office before hee had continued therein fully three yeares Vpon his last speech to his three daughters and to the people present at his decollation thus one writes Ne lugete meo confusae funere natae Ipse ego mutari non mea fata velim Truncum terra teget si Rex non abnuet vrnam Et mea iam terris nomina nota volant Libera mens superos repetet neque seruiet vnquam In partem hanc quod agat nulla securis habet Tu quoque spectator tranquillum si cupis aeâ—um Exigere letho fortior esse tuo Qui tibi membra cadanâ— nullo in discrimine pone Quum sint naturae lege caduca suae Another of his death by way of Dialogue thus Hospes Quis iacet hic truncus cuius caput ense rescissum est Quae natat in tetro sanguine canities Ciuis Hic est ille Thomas Morus sic fata rependunt Tristia multa bonis bona multa malis Hospes Quae circumsistunt Diuae lugubre cadauer Diua tenax veri sancta Fides Nemesis Ciuis Harum prima odij caussa fuit altera mortis Vltrix iniustae tertia caedis erat Anno Domini M. D.XXXV.vi Non. Iulij Thus much of Sir Thomas More in this place you may know more of him hereafter by his Epitaph in Chelsey Church Cromwell surnamed the great whom Wolsey first raised from the forge to eminent good fortunes whom Henry the eight vsed as his instrument to suppresse the Popes supremacie and to dissolue religious Structures whom he aduanced to the highest pitch of honour and authoritie whom he cast downe suddenly and bereft both of life and dignitie lies here interred He followed the same steps to the same Stage vpon the said Tower-hill and acted there the same part which his two friends More and Fisher had done before him and that within fiue yeares after This Cromwell this pillar of the State was borne in Putney a Village in Surrey by Thames side foure miles distant from London hee was sonne to a Blacksmith in his later dayes a Bruer Whose mother after his fathers decease was remarried to a Shereman Of whose birth a late writer thus sings Putney the place made blessed by my birth Whose meanest cottage simply me did shrowd To me as dearest of the English Earth So of my bringing that poore village proud Though in a time when neuer lesse the dearth Of happie wits yet mine so well allow'd That with the best she boldlie durst prefer Me that my breath acknowledged from her He was a man of an actiue and forward ripenesse of nature ready and pregnant of wit discreet and well aduised in iudgement eloquent of tongue faithfull and diligent in seruice of an incomparable memory of a reaching politicke head and of a noble and vndaunted spirit Whose good parts being perceiued by Cardinal Wolsey he took him straight into his seruice made him his Sollicitor and emploied him in matters of great importance after whose fall hee was presently aduanced to the Kings seruice wherein he so industriously and wisely demeaned himselfe as that he was thought worthie by the said King to haue the ordering of all weightie affaires Whereupon at seuerall times he heaped these seuerall offices and honours vpon him he made him Master of his Iewell-house Baron Cromwell of Okeham principall Secretarie Master of the Rolles Chancellour of the Exchequer Keeper of the priuie Seale Iustice of the Forrests and Chases from the Riuer of Trent Northward great Chamberlaine of England Earle of Essex Knight of the Garter Vicegerent or Vicar generall Of which my fore remembred friend thus writes For first from knighthood rising in degree The Office of the Iewell-house my lot After the Rolles he frankly gaue to me From whence a priuie Counsellor I got Then of the Garter and then Earle to be Of Essex yet sufficient these were not But to the great Vicegerencie I grew Being a title as supreme as new Thus Fortune raised him a short time for a sudden fall For vpon the eighteenth day of Aprill 1540. hee was inuested with the honour of the Earledome of Essex and high Chamberlainship of England vpon which day the King also made his sonne Gregory Lord Cromwell Vpon the ninth of Iuly next and immediately following being enuied of many for his honour and authoritie he was suddenly arrested in the Councell-chamber and committed to the Tower vpon the nineteenth of the said moneth he was attainted by Parliament of heresie and high Treason and vpon the 28. of the said moneth hee was beheaded on the Tower-hill More succinctly thus his precipitate downfall is versified The Councell-chamber place of my arrest Where chiefe I was when greatest was the store And had my speeches noted of the best That did them as high Oracles adore A Parliament was lastly my Enquest That was my selfe a Parliament before The Tower hill Scaffold last I did ascend Thus the great'st man of England made his end And such bloudie ends most men haue who are busie managers of the greatest matters He was condemned to death and yet neuer came to his answere by an act as it is said which he himselfe caused to be made of which my fore-remembred Author M. Drayton Those lawes I made my selfe alone to please To giue me power more freely to my will Euen to my equals hurtfull sundrie waies Forced
to things that most doe say were ill Vpon me now as violently seize By which I lastly perish by my skill On mine owne necke returning as my due That heauie yoke wherein by me they drew Thus whilst we striue too suddenly to rise By flatt'ring Princes with a seruile tong And being soothers to their tirannies Worke our much woes by what doth many wrong And vnto others tending iniuries Vnto our selues it hapning oft among In our owne snares vnluckily are caught Whilst our attempts fall instantly to naught Many lamented this great mans fall but more reioiced especially such as had beene religious men or fauoured religious persons of the Clergie he was much hated for that he was an enemy to Poperie and could neuer indure the snuffing pride of the Prelates Thankefull hee was and liberall neuer forgetting former benefits as appeares by his requitall of the kindenesse he had receiued from Friscolald the Italian Merchant carefull he was of his seruants for whom hee had prouided a competencie of liuing notwithstanding his sodaine fall faithfull and forward hee was to doe his friends good and amongst them More and Fisher if we may beleeue their owne letters of which some part Right worshipfull after my moost hartie commendations it may please you to vnderstand that I haue perceiued by the relation of my Sonne Rooper for which I beseche almightie God reward yow your moost cheritable labour taken for me toward the Kings graciouse highnesse in the procuring at his moost graciouse hand the reliefe and comfort of this wofull heuinesse in which myn harte standeth c. concluding in these words And thus good Master Cromwell I make an end of my long troublouse processe beseching the blessed Trinitie for the great goodnesse ye shew me and the great cumfort ye do me both bodelie and ghostlie to prospere yow and in heauen to reward yow At Chelcith the v. day of March by Your deepely bounden Tho. More Knight Bishop Fisher acknowledgeth the like kindenesse from him in many of his letters And howsoeuer these two famous schollers after some hard imprisonment lost both their liues yet was hee not wanting by his best endeuours and his all-potencie with the King to haue saued their neckes from the stroke of the Axe which we may verily beleeue when we consider that King Henries command was a Law of which Cromwell had a triall being conuicted and executed without triall Seruices done by the foresaid Cromwell vnto King Henry the eight within a few yeares after his first comming into the fauour and seruice of the said King copied out of the Originall written with his owne hand and now remaining in the Treasury of the Exchequer Imprimis the King purchased Hampton Court Item the King purchased the Manore of Moye Item the King purchased Saint Iameses in the fields and all the grounds whereof the new Parke of Westminster is made Item his highnesse hath purchased all the old Tenements in Westminstre whereas now is builded the new garden the Tenesplaies and Cock-fights Item his highnesse hath purchased the Manore of Pisowe of the Lord Scroope Item his highnesse hath purchased the Manore of Weston Baldock Item his highnesse hath purchased the Manore and Parke of Copped-hall Item his Maiestie hath purchased lands to a great value of the Earle of Northumberland Item his Maiestie hath purchased certaine lands of Thomas Robarts the Auditore lying besides Waltham Item his Highnesse hath purchased of the Lord Audley the Mannor of Lanamuerye and Keymes in Walles Item his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor and certaine other lands in Chombham whereof a Parke is made of the Abbot of Chensey Item his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor of Alderbrooke in the Forrest of Waltham of one Monoke Item the King hath purchased the Mannor of Edmonton in the Country of Middlesex Item his Highnesse hath repaired the Tower of London to his great charges Item his Highnesse hath newly made the Ship called the Mary Rose the Peter Pomgarnete the Lyon the Katherine Galley the Barke the Minione the Sweepestake Item his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor of Cogeshall and Estorford of master Southwell Item his highnesse hath purchased the woods besides Portesmouthe in Hampshire sufficient for the new making of Henry-grace a dieu and the great Galley Item his Highnesse hath bought and made within the Tower of new Bowes for a M. l. Item his Highnesse with a great and chargeable traine passed the Seas in his owne person to Callis and Bullen Item his Highnesse hath newly builded Hampton Court Item his Highnesse hath newly builded the place at Westminstre with all the Tenesplaies and Cockfights and walled in the Parke there with a sumptuous wall Item he hath new builded Saint Iameses in the fields a magnificent and goodly house Item his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannors of Dunmington Ewelme Hookenorton and others of the Duke of Suffolke Item his Highnesse hath made a great deale of new Ordenance of brasse here in England Item his Highnesse hath newly edified a great part of the walls of Calles Item his Highnesse hath made a great quantitie of new Ordenance within the Towne of Calles Item his Highnesse hath most costly warres in Scotland Item he hath most costly warres in Ireland Item he hath been at a most costly charge for the Coronation of Queen Anne Item his Highnesse hath maintained the great and sumptuous house of the Lady Katherine Dowager Besides these he did many other seruices for the King his master but I will insist onely vpon two by which he greatly enriched his Coffers The one was vpon the Coronation of Queene Anne Bullen against which solemnitie the King sent writings to all Sheriffes to certifie the names of men of fortie pounds lands to receiue the order of Knighthood or else to make fine for the same The asseasement of which saith my Author was appointed to Thomas Cromwell then master of the Kings Iewell-house who so vsed the matter that a great summe of money was leuied to the Kings vse by those fines The other was his paines and pollicie in the suppressing of Religious Foundations This great man gaue great reliefe to the poore two hundred poore people were serued at his gates twise euery day with bread meat and drinke sufficient He had 220. men and aboue in checke roll he gaue liueries garded with veluet to his Getlemen and garded with the same cloth to his Yeomen saith Iohn Stow in the Suruay of London in the chapter of orders and customes Within the Quire of this Chappell lieth buried the body of Anne Bollein Marchionesse of Penbroke eldest daughter and coheire of Thomas Bollein Viscount Rochford Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond second wife to King Henry the eight to whom shee bare into the world that most renowned Princesse Elizabeth our late Queene who proued not onely the mirrour of the world for vertue wisedome piety and iustice but also a patterne for gouernment to all the Princes in
imports was seruant to Katherine Swinford the third wife of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Hic iacet Iohannes de Chandry quondam Nolettus Domini Ducis Lankastrie .... This mans office vnder the Duke of Lancaster was to ring as I take it the Sance or sacring Bell. Hic iacet Richardus Pynere quondam Botelere cum Regina Anglie qui obitt xxii Ianuar. M. cccc xix A Flagon and a cuppe cut in brasse vpon his graue stone Hic iacet venerabilis Armiger Iohannes Ingylby qui obiit festo Mathei Apostoli et Euangeliste 1457. This Iohn was in especiall fauour and did wonderfully flourish in the seruice of King Henry the sixt A familie of great antiquity in the Countie of Yorke By these Funerall Monuments it appeares that diuers Princes of this Land haue often made their residence in this Towne by which meanes it hath beene in former times of great state estimation and beautie but now for want of that generall conuention the Castle built before the Conquest by Edward the Elder is greatly decayed these Parish Churches much ruined and the Towne neither greatly inhabited nor much frequented Here in this Towne was a Priory of blacke Monkes valued in the Exchequer to be yeerely worth fourescore and sixe pounds fourteene shillings eight pence A Cell it was to Saint Albans founded by Raph Limsey a Nobleman and dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the raigne of the Conquerour I haue my authority out of the Collections of Thomas Talbot sometime keeper of the Records in the Tower a great Genealogist these are his words Raph Lord Limsey buried in the Priorie of Hertford which he founded he came into England with the Conquerour and was his sisters sonne as the Monkes of the same house report Port Or three Eagles heads gules One Robert Sotingdon or Sadington a man in great fauour with Henry the third and vnder him in honourable office fell sicke in his iourney being Iustice Itinerant in this towne in the yeare 1257. and was here interred One Sir Robert Sadington Knight was Lord Chancelour of England Anno 1345. and Sir Richard Sadinton Lord Treasurer much what about the same time as in the Catalogue of both you may read Ware Hic iacet Thomas Bourchier miles filius Henrici comitis Essex ac Isabella vxor eius nuper comitissa Deuon filia et heres Iohannis Barry militis qui obijt .... 1491 .... et Isabella ob 1 die Marcij 1488. quorum animabus This Thomas Bourchier was the first sonne saith Vincent of Henry Bourchier the first of that surname Earle of Essex and this Isabell the daughter and heire of Sir Iohn Barry Knight was when the said Thomas married her the widow of Humfrey Lord Stafford of Southwike sonne of William Stafford of Hooke Esquire created Earle of Deuon by King Edward the fourth to whom the said King gaue all the Honours Mannors Castles c. which were Thomas Courtneys the fourteenth Earle of Deuon who neuerthelesse grew ingratefull to King Edward his aduancer in reuolting from him at the battaile of Banbury for which cowardise hee being apprehended was without processe executed at Bridgewater the seuenteenth of August anno 1469. hauing beene Earle but three moneths Hic iacent Rogerus Damory Baro tempore Edwardi secundi et Elizabetha tertia silia Gilberti Clare comitis Glocestrie et Iohanne vxoris eius filie Edwardi primi v. cate Iohann de Acris ..... This Roger Damory was Baron of Armoye in Ireland and Elizabeth his wife the Founder of Clare Hall in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge of which more hereafter Iean Lucas gist icy Dieu de salme eit mercy This is an ancient monument so is the familie At the north end of this Towne was a Frierie whose ruines not altogether beaten downe are to be seene at this day founded by Baron Wake Lord of this Towne about the raigne of King Iohn dedicated to Saint Francis and surrendred the 9 of May 26 Henry 8. Here lieth Thomas Heton Ione his wife which Thomas died xix Aug. M. cccc.ix and Ioyce ... ... Will. Litlebury and Elizabeth his wife he died xxii of Iuly M. cccc Watton Hic iacet corpus domini Philippi Butler militis quondam Domini de Woodhall et hutus Ecclesie Patroni qui obijt in festo Sancti Leonardi Anno Domini M. cccc.xxi et Regis Henrici quinti post conquestum vltimo Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Camden saith that these Butlers are branched from Sir Raph Butler Baron of Wem in Shropshire and his wife heire to William Pantulfe Lord of Wem soone after the first entrie of the Normans Hunsdon In this Church are the right ancient and honourable familie of the Caryes enterred to whose memory I finde no monument saue one vnder which Iohn Cary Baron of Hunsdon lieth entombed father to the right honourable Lord Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon Viscount Rochford and Earle of Douer now liuing Grandchild to Henry Baron of Hunsdon Lord Chamberlaine and Cosin german to Queene Elizabeth and descended from the royall familie of the Dukes of Somerset Francisco Poyno Equiti literis prudentia armis fauore sui Principis et pietate insigni Domina Iohanna pia et amans vxor Charo marito posuit 1520. This name is ancient and honourable Sir Hugh Poynes being one of the ranke of Parliamentarie Barons in the raigne of King Edward the first Eppalets or Hippolites vulgarly Pallets This Church was dedicated saith Norden in his description of Hertfordshire to a supposed Saint called Eppalet whose reliques lie buried about the high Altar This man in his life time was a good tamer of Colts and as good a Horse-leach And for these qualities so deuoutly honoured after his death that all passengers by that way on Horse-backe thought themselues bound to bring their Steedes into the Church euen vp to the high Altar where this holy Horseman was shrined and where a Priest continually attended to bestow such fragments of Eppalets miracles as would either tame yong horses cure lame iades or refresh old wearied and forworne Hackneyes which did auaile so much the more or lesse as the passengers were bountifull or hard-handed Baldock Here is an ancient Monument and an old Inscription which I often meete with Farwel my frendys the tydabidyth no man I am departed hens and so sal ye But in this pasage the best song I can Is Requiem Eternam now Iesu grant it me When I haue ended all myn aduersity Grant me in Paradys to hav a mansion That shedst thy bloud for my redemption Prey for the sowlys of William Crane Ioane and Margaret his wyffs ... which William died ... 1483. ... on whos Orate pro ... Wilielmi Vynter generosi et Margarete consortis sue qui quidem Wilielmus obijâ— 2 Iunii 1416. et Margareta ob ... Octob. 1411. eorum animabus parentum amicorum bene factorum
dyed M. ccccc.xxxi Cheston Quem tegit iste lapis Radcliffe cognomine functus .... et in cineres vertitur vnde fuit Icy gist Damoselle Iohanne clay que trespassa l'an de Grace M. cccc.le xxii iour Octobre iour Saint M. lun Euesque Here sometime stood a little Nunnery I know not by whom founded but thus it is confirmed in the Catal. of religious houses Henr. Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie Dux Normannie Aquitanie et comes Angedauie c. Shestrehunt Monial totam terram Dom. ten cum pertinentijs suts que canonicis de cathele c. quos amoueri fecimus dat apud West xi Aug. Anno Regni nostri xxiiii This Nunnery was valued in the Exchequer to be yeerely worth twenty seuen pound sixe shillings eight pence This village is called in old Writings Chesthunte Shestrehunte and Norden saith cur non Chestin Castanetum of Chesnut Trees Bishops Hatfield This Church is much honoured by the Sepulture of that prudent great Statesman Robert Baron Cecill Earle of Salisbury Lord Treasurer of England father of William Lord Cecill Earle of Salisbury one of the honourable priuy Councell now liuing Anno 1630. and keeping royall hospitality at his Mansion house hereunto adioyning which sometimes did belong to the Bishops of Ely whereupon it was named Bishops Hatfield Of Robert this Earle here interred I shall speake more when I come to let downe his Epitaph Harding Hic iacent Wilielmus Seabroke qui obijt 2 April 1462. et Ioana vxor eius ...... quorum ... Orate pro animabus Mathei Cressy et Iohanne vxoris eius quondam filie Edmundi Peryent Ar. et Anne dicti Mathei vxoris quondam filie Thome Vernon Armigeri que Iohanna obijt xxix Nouemb. M. cccc.lxxviii Hic iacent Wilielmus Anabul et Isabella vxor eius qui quidem Wilielmus obiit 4 die Octob. 1456. Saint Albans Abbey I thinke it not much amisse to speake a little of this Protomartyr of England Saint Alban whose reliques lie here interred to whose name and for his eternall commemoration both this Towne and Monastery werâ— built and consecrated He was a Citizen and a Knight of that famous Citie Verulam which stood hereby beyond the little riuer who giuing entertainement at his own house to Amphibalus a Christian and one of the Clergie was by him his guest conuerted from Paganisme to the true profession of Iesus Christ and when Dioclesian who made Maximian his companion in the Empire went about by exquisite torments to wipe Christian Religion quite out of the memory of men was the first in Britaine that with inuincible constancie and resolution suffered death for Christ his sake of which persecution â—s also of his Martyrdome my often alledged Author Robert of Glocester shall tell you in his old verse Two Emperors of Rome wer on Dioclesian And anoder hys felaw that het Maximian And wer both at on tym the on in the Este ende The oder in the west of the world alle cristendom to shende For the luther Maximian westwarde hider soughte And christen men that he fonde to strang deth he broughte Churchen he pulde a doun ther ne moste non stonde And al the bokes that he myghte fynde in eny londe He wolde late berne echon amydde the heygh strete And the christenmen asle and non alyue lete Such God was yvor vpon cristendom Such persecucion as ther was hadde ther be non For yunâ—a monethe ther wer seuentene thou send and mo I martred for our Lordes Loue nas ther a grete wo Wyth oute oder grete halwen that hii heold longe in torment As Seynt Cristene and Seynt Feye and also Seynt Uincent Fabian and Sebastian and othur as men rede That heold faste in the fey and hadde non drede And among men of this londe ther wer many on I martred at thulke tym Seint Albon was on He was the furste Martir of Brutayn that com Muche was the shome men dude in Christendom Undyr this Luther Emperor Another not so ancient hath it thus The Emperour Dioclesyan Into Britayne then sent Maximian This Maximian to surname Hercelius A Tyraunte false that Christente anoyed Through all Britayne of werke malicious The christoned folke felly and sore destroyed And thus the people with him foule accloyed Religyous men the Prests and Clerkes all Wemen with chylde and bedred folkes all Chyldren soukyng vpon the mothers pappis The mothers also withouten any pytee And chyldren all in their mothers lappis The crepyls eke and all the christentee He killed and slewe with full grete cruelte The Churches brent all bokes or ornaments Bellys reliquys that to the Churche appendes He slew that tyme and martyred Saint Albone Now when neither perswasions nor cruell torments could make him forsake the true faith such was the sentence of his death as I finde it in a legend of his passion and martyrdome which to giue your palate variety I will set downe in such English as I haue in the said Legend or Agon In the tyme of the Emperoure Dioclesyan Albone Lorde of Uerolamye Prynce of Knyghts and Stewarde of all Brutayne durynge his lif hath despysyd Iubyter and Apollyn oure Goddes and to them hath doo derogacyon and disworschyp wherfor by the Lawe he is iudged to be deed by the honde of somme knyght and the body to be buried in the same place where his heed shal be smyten of and his sepulture to be made worshcipfully for thonoure of knyghthode wherof he was Prynce and also the crosse whych he bare and Sklauin that he ware shold be buried wyth hym and his body to be closyd in a Cheste of leed and so layed in his sepulture This sentence hath the Lawe ordeyned by cause he hath renyed our principall Goddes His iudgement being giuen after this manner he was brought from the Citie Veralam to this his place of execution which as then was an hill in a wood called Holme-hurst where at one stroke his head was smitten off But his Executioner saith venerable Bede had short ioy of his wicked deede for his eyes fell to the ground with the head of the holy Martyr of which will you heare another writer Thousands of torments when he had endur'd for Christ his sake At length he died by dome thus giuen his head away to take The Tortor proudly did the feat but cleere he went not quit That holy Martyr lost his head this cruell wretch his sight He suffered martyrdome in the yeare of Christ saith Stow 293. the twentieth day of Iune saith Bede howsoeuer the two and twentieth day of the same moneth was appointed by the Church to be kept holy to his memory as we haue it in our English Calender Many Miracles are said to be wrought by this sacred Martyr both liuing and dead but I will leaue them for that they will be thought incredulous in this age and come to the foundation of this Abbey The Sepulchres of
siluer of great value gilt diuers Scottish reliques Timber to repaire the Quire and one hundred pound in money Quid fuit est et erit cur non homo discere querit Spuma fuit fumus est putrida fiet humus 28 Abbot Richard endued with all kindes of learning both morall and diuine suffered great tribulation in his time in the defence of the rights of his church He gaue a clocke to the same the like of it was not in England 29 Of Michael the Abbot I haue spoken before 30 Vpon the death of Michael Thomas the Prior of Tinmouth was preferred to this monasterie he sustained innumerable crosses and perturbations during the time of his being at Tinmouth as also here at Saint Albanes yet brought all to a prosperous end and adorned his church more richly then any one of his Predecessors the particular gifts that he gaue to the same cost him aboue foure thousand pound Est Abbas Thomas tumulo presente reclusus Qui vite tempus sanctos expendit in vsus 31 The next Abbot was Iohn Moot qui multa fecit diebus suis memoranda saith my Author of whom this Epitaph M. C. quater vint quint. Claudis heic membra Ioannis Qui dignis laudibus veteranis occidit annis Intus confratres bene rexit post fuit Abbas Constans vt Iosua Zelans legem vt Hâ—lias Simplicitas vite qua noscitur esse columbe Simonis et Iude pie pastor cras rapuit te Omnem patratum Christus purgando reatum Nobis sublatum te munâ—ret his sociatum 32 William his next successour was vir suis in temporibus tam deo delectus quam hominibus and performed many great workes of pietie Hee died about the yeare 1434. for whom I finde this Epitaph Conditus his recubat fatali sorte Guilelmus Albani Pastor qui gregis aptus erat Reperit illustrem celesti munere famam Quam nequit in tanto mors abolere viro 33 But now I come to Iohn of Whethamstede a village in this shire plentifull in wheate wherein the said Iohn was borne and thereupon had his denomination who was Abbot of this house in the raigne of Henry the sixt a man much renowned for his due desert of learning for his godly life and conuersation for his pleasant disposition and for the charges he was at and the meanes he made to adorne and enrich his Church and monastery Out of a Manuscript in Sir Robert Cotâ—ons rich Librarie intituled Gesta paucula Abbatis Iohannis Sexti I collected thus much of his particular actions Iohn the sixt Abbot of this house of that christian name that he might outwardly shew saith the booke how inwardly hee loued the beautie of the house of God and how much he desired to decke and embellish the habitation of the most holy first hee caused our Ladies chappell to bee new trimmed and curiously depicted with stories out of the sacred word vpon the south side whereof these verses were curiously depensed in gold Dulce pluit Manna partum dum protulit Anna Dulcius ancilla dum Christus creuit in illa Vpon the north side these Flos Campi dicta tibi questio ...... puella Floris habens picta venerari fronde capella In the roofe about the picture of the Lambe Inter oues Aries regat vt sine cornibus agnus Vnder the picture of the Eagle Inter aues Aquila veluti sine felle columba He built a little Chappell in the south part of the Church for his owne buriall place in which vnder certaine pictures in the windowes he caused these verses to be inscribed Propicij Patres compassiue quoque matres Orat vt oretis sua quod sit pausa quietis Vester adoptatus hic filius intumulatus The north part of his Church being somewhat darke hee caused new windowes to be made and glazed to make it appeare more light and glorious and in the glasse vnder the images of certaine heathen Philosophers which had testified of the incarnation of Iesus Christ these Hexameters were inscribed Istac qui graderis hos testes si memoreris Credere vim poteris proles Deus est mulieris Vnder the picture of Ioseph of Arimathia in another window Ad Britones ivi postquam Christum sepeliui Glasconiam veni Britones docui requieui Vnder the pictures of the foure Doctors of the Church Bina per hec paria fidei quod gignit alumpna Firma stat Ecclesia quadra fulcita columpna And that he might further illuminate his Church he caused a faire large window to be made anew in the West end of the said North Isle Vpon the erection of which these rimes were composed In patria boree quo plus durabilis in se Fertur petra fore factor fuit ipse fenestre Que nunc erigitur in ea quoque parte locatur Totius Ecclesie que fertur clarior esse Eius occiduam bene ditat lumine finem He made a reuerend kinde of imbroidered vesture for himselfe and his successours to vse when they were to enter into their Sanctum Sanctorum he made a new Miter and a Pastorall staffe Vpon which this metre was carued Postquam sex annis benedixit dextra Iohannis Wethamsted pepulum fecerat hunc baculum For the vse and honour of the holy Altar he made a Chalice of pure gold a paire of siluer censers a paire of siluer Basons gilt Vpon which were engrauen the similitudes of a Lambe and an Eagle with these riming verses Peluis post latices vt lota manus veniales Conficiat calices prius annuat Agnus Ales. Vpon the pictures of Christ the blessed Virgine Saint Alban and the sacred Host as they were to be carried in the Cloister or into the Towne he caused diuers verses to be written to bring the people into a reuerend regard of the same Vt Iesus mater noster simul Prothomartyr Acetu populi deberent plus venerari Instituit varia quibus veneratio dicta Creuit Ecclesie cultus fuit amplior in se. Of all his pious acts which he performed for the ornament of his Church thus much is written briefly in the same booke In cappis casulis Albis simul tunicellis Inque bonis alijs varijs magis ac preciosis Precessit patres pater hic cunctos preeuntes Plus coluit que Deum cur recolamus eum In like manner hee trimmed vp his Monasterie with curious painted imageries and diuers inscriptions in golden letters In his owne lodgings Dote licet multa tua sit species bene culta Mos nisi nubat ei dos simplicis est speciei Ortus magnorum quamuis sis stirpe deorum Iunge tibi morem facis ortum nobiliorem Inter eos quos fama deos in honore leuavit Sors famulos mors discipulos in sine probauit In the walke betwixt the Hall and the Abbots Chamber Hec in regnante duo sunt contraria valde Sedis apex primus probitatis spiritus ymus Sis Dux munificus sis prudens
and Maud his wife Which Tho. died the third of December 1536. 38. Hen. 8. De Sudeley Domina natus Iohn Lind que vocatus Morte ruit stratus hic Armiger intumulatus Aula Mareschallum quem regia nobilitauit Egra lues rapuit raptum cineri sociauit Supplico qui graderes seu in marmore lumina figes Ora cum superis sit sibi pausa pijs ob 3. Septemb. Ann. 1464. Hic iacet Iohannes Bernwel de villa Sancti Albani in Com. Hert. gen qui obiit .... 1400. Dummodo vixisti quia spemque fidem tenuisti Fulâ—or Ecclesie cultor fuerasque Marie Vita salus requies tibi cum deitate Iohannes Sit Bernwel prima mors et tua vita secunda Hic iacet Symon Bernwel qui ob 28. Ian. Ann. 1455. Hic iacet Reginaldus Bernwell qui ob 12. April 1477. Here lyeth Brian Lockley who died .... 1507 ...... and Alice Lockley who died .... 1546. Here lyeth Richard Lockley Elisabeth and Agnes his wyfs Whych Richard dyed Ann. 1544. for their sowls and al Christian sowls of yowr cherite say a Pater Noster and an Ave. Vnder a marble stone in the Quire a religious man lieth interred whose name is worne or stolne out with the brasse onely the forme of a Rose remaineth and in the turnings of the leaues this Inscription Lo al that ere I spent somtym had I. Al that I gav to good intent that now hav I. That which I nether gav nor lent that now aby I. That I kept til I went that lost I. An old translation from these Latine couplets following Quod expendi habui Quod donani habeo Quod negaui punior Quod servaui perdidi Hic iacet Dominus Edwardus Hill miles ordinis Sancti Iohannis Baptiste qui obiit ..... Ann ... M. cccccxxxvi This knight was one of the Fraternitie of that religious order of S. Iohns Ierusalem an Hospitall Of which I haue spoken in another place Saint Michaels within Saint Albans Iohn Pecock et Mawd sa â—emme gisoâ—â—icy E Dieu de sont almes eit mercy Amen Hic iacet Thomas Woluey or Woluen Latomus in Arte nec non Armiger illustrissimi Principis Ric. secundi quondam Regis Anglie qui obijt Anno Dom. M. ccccxxx in vigilia Sancti Thome Martyris Cuius anime propitiâ—tur Deus Amen This man as farre as I vnderstand by this Inscription was the master Mason or Surueior of the kings stone-works as also Esquire to the Kings person Hic iacet Richardus Wolven or Woluey Lathonius filius Iohannis Woluen cum vx 〈…〉 Agneâ—e Agnete cum octo â—iliis decem filiabus suis qui Richardus ob ..... Ann. 1490. quorum animabus Vertitur in cineres isto sub marmore corpus Willelmi Lili spiritus astra petit Quisquis es hoc facies supplex pia numina poscas Vt sibi concedat regna beata poli Saint Stephens within Saint Albans Hic iacent Willelmus Robins Armiger nuper Clericus Signeti Edwardi quarti nuper Regis Anglie Katherina vxor eiusdem Willelmi qui quidem VVillielmus obijt iiij die Mensis Nouembris Ann. Dom. M. cccclxxxij 〈◊〉 animabus ..... Clericus Signeti or Signetti Clarke of the Signet is an officer continually 〈◊〉 attendant on his Maiesties Secretarie who alwayes hath the custodie of the priuie Signet as well for sealing his Maiesties priuie letters as also 〈◊〉 grants as passe his Maiesties hands by Bill assigned Of these there be 〈◊〉 that attend in their course and were vsed to haue their diet at the 〈◊〉 table More largely you may reade of their Office in the Statute 〈◊〉 Ann. 27. Hen. 8. ca. 11. Here lyeth Robert Turbervile Esquire and Dorothy his wife whych Robert died 26. Feb. 1529. and Dorothy 7. Octob. 1521. Sancta Trinitas vnus Deus miserere nobis Here lyeth Sir Iohn Turbervile Vicar of this Church who died ..... 1536 ..... Quos tegit hec petra iunxit thorus domus vna Iam puluis factus William Dauy nomine dictus Cum Margareta sponsali fedore iuncta Cum prece deuota qui transis sta precor ora Hic iacet Iohannes Gril quondam Magister Sancti Iuliani Vicarius istius Ecclesie qui ob ..... 6. die Decemb. 1449. Cuius Anime propitietur altissimus Saint Germans About the yeare of the worlds redemption 429. when as the Pelagian heresie budded forth afresh in this Island and so polluted the British Churches as that to auerre and maintaine the truth they sent for German Bishop of Auxerre the place of his birth a man of moche noble lygnage taught and enformed wel in the Artes liberalle lerned in the scyence of the Decretees droytes and lawe saith his Legend and Lupus Bishop of Troies out of France who by refuting this heresie gained vnto themselues a reuerent account among the Britains but chiefly German who hath at this day thorowout all this Island many Churches dedicated to his memorie Now vnderstand that neere to the walls of the old Citie Verulam was as then a plot of consecrated ground wherein the bodies of such as had professed Christianitie and suffered martyrdome vnder the persecution of the Romane Emperours were interred In which the said German openly out of the pulpit preached Gods word to the people where afterwards the beleeuing Christians built this Chappell and dedicated it to his honour for that by his doctrine and other good meanes hee had conuerted many thousands to the true profession of Christian Religion This German commanded the Sepulchre of Saint Alban to be opened and therein bestowed certaine reliques of Saints that those whom one heauen had receiued should also be in one Sepulchre together lodged Thus much saith Camden I note by the way that ye may obserue and consider the fashions of that age This Chappell or rather the ruines of it are remaining at this day and put to a prophane and beastly vse The foundations of Sopwell S. Iulians and Saint Mary Pree About this Towne of Saint Albons the Abbots of the Monasterie in a pious and deuout intent erected a little Nunnery at Sopwell valued but at threescore and eight pound eight shillings per annum Saint Iulians Spittle for Lepers and another named Saint Mary de Pree or Saint Mary in the Medow for diseased weemen Neere vnto which they had a great Mannour named Gorombery where Sir Nicholas Bacon knight Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England a man of rare wit and deepe experience father of Sir Francis Bacon knight Lord Verulam Viscount Saint Alâ—an Lord Chancellour of England lately deceased one that might iustly challenge as his due all the best attributes of learning built an house beseeming his place and calling and ouer the entrance into the Hall caused these verses to be engrauen Haec cum perfecit Nicholaus tecta Baconus Elisabeth regni lustra fuere
in hys lusty age Owr Lord list cal to hys mercy and grase Benign and curteys free withoutyn rage And Sqwire with the Duc of Clarence he was The eyghtenth dey of Iun deth did him embrase The yer from Crists incarnatioon A thowsand fowr hundryd seuenty and oon Hic iacent Iohannes Dentwel .... Christiana vxor ... 1388. Here lyeth William Warner and Ioan his wyf Whych William dyed .... 1531. and Ioan 1588. on whos sowls Here vndyr this marble ston Lyeth Lucas Goodyer departyd and gon It pleasyd the Lord God in Octobre the tenth day She being in chyldbed decessyd withoutyn nay And Edmond her liffe sonne lyeth her by On whos sowlys Iesu have mercy 1547. Here lyeth Raph Stepney Esquyre the first Lord of the Lordshyp of this Towne of Aldenham and Patron of this Church Who dyed 3. Decemb. 1544. on whos sowl Iesu haue mercy Amen In the South wall of this Church the proportion of two weemen lye cut in stone who as I haue it by relation were two Sisters here entombed the builders of this Church and coheires to this Lordship which at their deaths gaue the said Lordship to the Abbey and Couent of Westminster Here is now the seate of that right honourable Lord Sir Edward Carey knight Baron of Falkland lately Lord Deputie of Ireland Some of which familie lie here fairely entombed South Mimmes A seat of a worshipfull familie of the Coningesbies saith Camden descended to them by Frowick from the Knolles ancient possessors thereof In the Belfrey of this Church is a goodly marble stone inlay'd all ouer with brasse vnder which one of the Frowicks lieth interred A gentleman who made his recreations for the good of his neighbours as appeares by his Epitaph composed by Iohn Wethamsted Abbot of S. Albans aforesaid Hic iacet Thomas Frowick Armig. qui obiit 17. Mens Februar 1448. Elisabetha vxor eius que ob 1400 ac pueri eorundem quorum animabus propitietur altissimus Amen Qui iacet hic stratus Thomas Frowick vocitatus Moribus et natu victu gestu moderatu Vir generosus erat generosaque gesta colebat Nam quod amare solent generosi plusque frequentant Aucupium volucrum venaticumque serarum Mâ—ltum dilexit vulpes foueis spoliauit Ax Taxos caueis breuiter quecunque propinquis Intulerant dampâ—a pro posse fugauerat ipsa Inter eos etiam si litis cerneret vnquam Accendi faculas medians extinxâ—rat ipsas Fecerat et pacem Cur nunc pacis sibi pausam Det Deus et requiem que semper permanet Amen Standon In the Quire of this Church lieth entombed the body of Sir Raph Sadleir the last knight Banneret of England priuye Counsellor to three Princes A man so aduanced saith Camden for his great Seruices and stayed wisdome Hee was brought vp vnder politicke great Cromwell Earle of Essex as appeares by the prose and verse engrauen vpon his Monument who when he came to mans estate employed him as his Secretary But Henry the eight conceiued so good an opinion of his discreet comportement and ingenious pregnancie that he tooke him from the seruice of the sayd Cromwell about the twentie and sixt yeare of his raigne made him his principall Secretary and vsed his aduice in matters of greatest trust and importance especially in the affaires and passages betwixt the two Realmes of England and Scotland He continued his loue towards him to the end of his life and for the speciall trust and confidence hee had in his approued wisedome and fidelitie together with the Earle of Arundell the Earle of Essex and others he made choise of him for the ayding and assisting of the Executors of his last Will and Testament by which his last Will the copie whereof I haue in my custody he gaue him two hundred pounds as a Legacie In the first of Edward the sixt hee was chosen Treasurer for the Armie sent into Scotland vnder the conduct of Edward Duke of Somerset Protector and Iohn Earle of Warwicke where in the battell of Musselborrow he shewed great manhood and prowesse His great diligence saith Hollinshead in bringing the scattered troopes into order and ready forwardnesse in the fray did worthily merit no small commendacions After which Battle he with Sir Francis Brian Captaine of the light horsemen and Sir Raph Vane Captaine of all the horsemen were honoured for their valiant good seruice with the dignitie of Knights Bannerets In the tenth yeare of the raigne of Queene Elisabeth hee was preferred and aduanced by her to the Chancellourship of the Dutchie of Lancaster But his honours and offices are most succinctly engrauen vpon his goodly Tombe in these Hexameters Radulphus Sadlier titulum sortitus Equestrem Principibus tribus arcanis a sensibus vnus Auspiciis sum Cromwelli deductus in Aulam Henrici octaui quem Secretarius omni Officio colui Regique gregique fidelis Vexillarum Equitem me Musselburgia vidit Edwardus sextus Scotiam cum frangeret armis Ducatu Lancastrensi sublime Tribunal Cancellarius ascendi quod pondus honoris Elisabetha meae posuit diadema senectae Explesset Natura suas gloria partes Maturus facili decerpor ab arbore fructus Obijt Ann. Dom. 1587. 29. Elis. aetatis 80. His Motto Servire Deo sapere His sonne and heire Sir Thomas Sadleir knight lieth interred by him of whom in another place for I haue already come nearer to these times then I determined the father of Raph Sadleir Esquire that bountifull good House-keeper now liuing Ann. 1630. Neare vnto the faire builded mansion house of the said Raph Sadleir some time stood a little religious fabricke of Austine Friers but by whom founded or how endowed I doe not finde It was a cell to the Priory of Clare in Suffolke some part of which cell is standing at this day Here lyeth Syr William Coffyn knyght somtym of the privy Chamber to king Henry the eight and master of the Horse to Quene hygh Steward of the liberty and Mannour of Stondon Who dyed viii of December M. cccccxxxviii Here lyeth Iohn Iseley somtym Alderman of London Who dyed .... M. cccclxxiiii and Iohn his sonn who dyed the same yere Here lyeth Iohn Curteys Stockfishmonger of London Who dyed the the xxiiii of September M. cccclxv Here lyeth Phillep Astley Esquyre who dyed the xiiii of Iuly in the yere M. cccc .... He had foure wiues Lettis Margaret Elisab and Alice Digswell Hic iacent Iohannes Perient Armiger pro corpore Regis Richardi secundi et Penerarius eiusdem Regis Et Armiger Regis Henrici quarti Et Armiger etiam Regis Henrici quinti Et Magister Equitum Iohanne filie Regis Nauarr et Regine Anglie qui obiit ........ et Iohanna vxor eius quondam capitalis Domicilla ...... que obijt xxiiij Aprilis Ann. Domini M ccccxv ...... This Inscription here engrauen to the memory of such a remarkeable man being Squire for the Body
are quite defaced I read in an old Manuscript thus much of the Baudes there buried and in other places sometimes Lords of the Towne and Patrons of the Church Anno Domini 1174. Sir Symon de Baud or Bauld Knight died in the holy land Anno 1189. Nich. Bauld Knight died in Gallicia in Spaine Anno 1216. Sir Walter Bauld died at Coringham Anno 1270. Sir William Bauld died at Coringham Anno 1310. Sir Walter Bauld died at Coringham Anno 1343. Sir William Bauld died at Coringham Anno 1346. Sir Iohn le Bauld died in Gascoigne Anno 1375. Sir William Bauld died at Hadham Parua Anno 1420. on the feast of Saint Bartholomew died Thomas Bauld or Bawde the first Esquire at little Hadham Anno 1449. Tho. Bawde the second Esquier died at little Hadham Anno 1500. Mens Iunij obijt Dominus Thomas Bawd miles obijt apud London cuius anime propitietur deus Anno 1550. obijt Iohannes Baud Ar. apud Coringham This ancient familie of the Bawdes Stow saith as he had read out of an ancient deed gaue vnto the Deane and Chapter of Pauls vpon the day of the conuersion of Saint Paul a good Doe and vpon the feast of the commemoration of Saint Paul a fat Bucke in consideration of twenty two Acres of land by them granted within their Mannor of Westley in Essex to be inclosed into their Parke of Coringham Sir William Baud about the third of Edward the first was the first that granted this deed which was confirmed by his sonne Walter and others of his line This Bucke and Doe were brought vpon the said festiuall daies at the houres of Procession and thorow the Procession to the high Altar the manner of it is reported by Stow who partly as he saith saw it thus On the feast day of the commemoration of Saint Paul the Bucke being brought vp to the steps of the high Altar in Pauls Church at the houre of Procession the Deane and Chapter being apparelled in Coapes and Vestments with Garlands of Roses on their heads they sent the body of the Bucke to baking and had the head fixed on a Pole borne before the Crosse in their Procession vntill they issued out of the West dore where the Keeper that brought it blowed the death of the Bucke and then the Horners that were about the Citie presently answered him in like manner For the which paines they had each man of the Deane and Chapter foure pence in money and their dinner and the Keeper that brought it was allowed during his abode there for that seruice meate drinke and lodging at the Deane and Chapters charges and fiue shillings in money at his going away together with a loafe of bread hauing the picture of Saint Paul vpon it c. There was belonging to the Church of Saint Paul for both the daies two speciall Sutes of Vestments the one embrodered with Buckes the other with Does both giuen by the said Bauds Baud is the surname saith Verstegan of a worshipfull familie in England and of a Marquesse in Germany anciently written Bade and the letter D vsed of our Ancestors in composition as th so the right name is Bathe and so this family might be tooke the name of some office belonging to the Bathe at the time of the Coronation of some King when as the Knights of the Bathe are wont to be made Ralegh Here is a monument in this Church which makes a shew of great antiquity but who should be therein entombed I could not certainly learne some of the Inhabitants say that one of the ancient house of the Alens other say that it was made for one of the familie of the Essexes who were Lords of this towne and noble Barons of England both before and since the Conquest Swein de Essex the sonne of Robert who was the sonne of Winmarke Baron of Ralegh built the ruined Castle in this towne in the raigne of Edward the Confessor whom the King calleth Brother in this his Charter to Ranulph Peperking Iche Edward Koning Haue geuen of my Forest the keping Of the hundred of Chelmer and Dancing To Randolph Peperking and to his kindling Wyth Heorte and Hynde Doe and Bocke Hare and Foxe Catt and Brocke Wylde fowel with his flocke Partrich Fesant hen and Fesant cocke With greene and wylde stob and stocke To kepen and to yemen by al her might Both by day and eke by night And hounds for to hold Good and swift and bolde Foure Greyhounds and sixe Racches For Hare and Foxe and wilde Cattes And therefore iche made him my booke Witnes the Bishop Wolston And booke ylered many on And Swein of Essex our brother And teken him many other And owr steward Howelin That by sought me for him This forme of Grants was vsed both before and after this Kings time for example I King Aâ—helstane geues to Paullane Odhiam and Rodhiam Al 's guid and al 's faire Al 's euyr yay myne waire And yarto witnes Mawd my wyff And William the Conquerour gaue certaine lands by the like deede to one Pauline Roydon the coppie whereof was found in the Registers Office at Glocester which I had from my deare deceased friend Aug. Vincent which is almost all one with that to the Norman Hunter collected by Iohn Stow out of an old Chronicle in the Librarie at Richmond I William Kyng the thurd yere of my reigne Geue to the Paulyn Roydon Hope and Hopetowne With all the bounds both vp and downe From heuen to yerth from yerth to hel For the and thyn ther to dwel As truly as this Kyng right is myn For a crossebow and an arrow When I sal com to hunt on Yarrow And in teken that this thing is sooth I bit the whyt wax with my tooth Befor Megg Mawd and Margery And my thurd Sonne Herry Such was the good meaning of great men in those daies that a few words did make a firme bargaine but to returne from whence I haue digressed Orate pro anima Wilielmi Talburgh quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie qui obijt apud London in Parochia Sancti Petri apud Cornhil 5. Decemb. 1420. Es testis Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur Hinc tu qui transis magnus medius puer an sis Pro me sunde preces quia sic mihi fit venie spes Orate pro anima venerabilis viri Richardi Lincolne Theologie professor is buius Ecclesie Rectoris qui obiit 29. Iulii 1492. Talis eris qui calce teris mea busta pedestris Qualis ego iaceo vermiculosus homo Orate pro anima Willelmi Sutton nuper Valecti corone domini Regis Iohanne vxoris eius qui ob 1428. Valetti saith learned Selden was vsed for young heires or young gentlemen or attendants And Valectus or Valettus to tell you once for all saith Camden was in those daies viz.
tempore Ed. 3. an honourable title as well in France as in England but afterward applied vnto Seruants and Groomes whereupon when the Gentrie reiected it by changing the name they began to be called Gentlemen of the Bedchamber Orate pro animabus Iohannis Barrington et l homasine vxoris eius qui quidem Iohannes obiit 8. die mens Nouemb. 1416. et Thomasina obiit 15. Septemb. 1420. Quorum animabus Ryding from Ralegh towards Rochford I happened to haue the good companie of a gentleman of this countrey who by the way shewed me a little hill which he called the Kings Hill and told me of a strange customarie Court of long continuance there yearely kept the next Wednesday after Michaelmas day in the night vpon the first cockcrowing without any kinde of light saue such as the heauens will affoard The Steward of the Court writes onely with coales and calleth all such as are bound to appeare with as low a voice as possiblie he may giuing no notice when he goeth to execute his office Howsoeuer he that giues not an answer is deeply amerced which seruile attendance said he was imposed at the first vpon certaine Tenants of diuers Mannors hereabouts for conspiring in this place at such an vnseasonable time to raise a commotion The title of the Entrie of the Court hee had in memory and writ it downe for me when we came to Rochford Thus it runnes in obscure barbarous rimes Curia de Domino Rege dicta sine Lege Tenta est ibidem per eiusdem consâ—etudinem Anteortum solis luceat nisi polus Seneschallus solus scribit nisi colis Clamat clam pro Rege in Curia sine lege Et qui non cito venerit citius penitebit Si venerit cum lumine errat in regimine Et dum sunt sine lumine capti sunt in crimine Curia sine cura iurata de iniuria Tenta die Mercurij prox post festum Sancti Michaelis Thus much haue I spoken of a Lawlesse Court for which I haue neither law nor reason For I am sure that this discourse is impertinent and quite from the subiect to which I haue tied my selfe to treat of Yet I hope these lines will not seeme much vnpleasing for my Reader to peruse when his minde is ouercharged with dull heauie and vncomfortable Epitaphs Rochford I am looking for some Monument or other in this Church to the memorie of some one of the Lords of ancient Nobilitie to which this Towne gaue the Surname of Rochford as now it giues the title of Viscount Rochford to that truly honourable and right worthie gentleman Henry Cary Lord Hunsden and Earle of Douer Pris pur Anne Snokeshall fille Iohn filol de Landmare qe gist ici Dieu de salme eit pite et mercy qe ob iour de Seynt Valentin â—an Iâ—su crist M. ccc.lxxxxvi Of your cherite prey for the sowl of Rose Crymvill wyf of Richard Crymvill Which Rose desesyd viii April M. cccccxxiiii on her sowl Iesu haue mercy Hic iacet Maria Dilcock que obiit xiiii die Decembris Ann. Dom. M. Vc. Cuius anime .... The Tower and the Steeple of this Church was built from the ground as the inhabitants by tradition affirme by Richard Lord Rich Baron of Leez and Chancellour of England A most prudent and iudicious Statesman a singular treasure and supporter of the kingdome who for his great good deserts receiued the office of Chancellour of England at the hands of King Edward the sixth Howsoeuer the Armes of the Butlers Earles of Ormond whose inheritance this Towne was in times past are cut in some places on the stone Robert Lord Rich and Earle of Warwicke lately deceased founded here sixe Almes houses for fiue poore impotent men and an aged woman But here let me conclude what I haue spoken of this towne with the words of Camden More inward saith he is Rochford placed that hath giuen name to this Hundred now it belongeth to the now Earles of Warwicke Barons Rich and in old time it had Lords of great nobility surnamed thereof whose inheritance came at length to Butler Earle of Ormond and Wiltshire and from them to Sir Thomas Bullen whom King Henry the eight created Viscount Rochford and afterward Earle of Wiltshire out of whose progenie sprung that most gratious Queene Elizabeth and the Barons of Hunsdon Pritlewell Swein de Essex before remembred built here a Priory for blacke Monkes which he dedicated to the blessed Virgine Mary Which was much augmented by others and holden to be a cell to the Priory of Lewes vntill the yeare 1518. when as a great contention arose betweene the two Houses insomuch that Iohn Prior de Pritlewel noluit soluere vnam Marcam Priori de Lewes nomine subiectionis This house was valued at the suppression to be worth 194 l. 14. s. 3. d. ob yearely Hic iacet Magister Iohannes Lucas Theologie Bacchalaureus quondam vicarius istius Ecclesie Parochialis qui ob 16. Ian. 1477. Cuius anime Prey for the sowl of Iohn Cock the younger and Margaret his wyff Whych Io. dyed ...... 1522. Her vndyr this Grauston lyth beryed Richard Bowrd ... Marchant of Callys .... dyed ... 1432. Vnder this inscription these words are engrauen in a trewe Loues knot Quod servaui perdidi quod expendi habui Quod donaui habui quod negaui perdidi Stangate Here sometime stood a small Priory built by the Predecessours of the Prior of Lewes about what time I cannot learne valued to bee yearely worth 43. l. 8. s. 6. d. Saint Osithes Whose ancient name was Chich now growne out of vse by reason of Osith the virgine of royall parentage who being wholly deuoted to the seruice of God was here stabbed to death by the Danish pyrates in the yeare 653 in the moneth of October And being by our Ancestours honoured for a Saint Richard de Beaveyes Bishop of London in her memoriall built here a religious house of Regular Chanons about the yeare 1120. in the raigne of King Henry the first His grant I haue read in the Records of the Tower beginning thus Richardus Dei gratia London Episcopus c. Salutem Sciatis quod ego dedi Ecclesie Sancte Osithe virginis de Ciz ecclesias de Sudemenestra et de Clachentona cum omnibus que ad illas pertinent c. King Henry confirmes and augments this donation by his Charter dated at Roan in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne And many others so added to the reuenues of this Monastery that at the time of the suppression it was valued at 758. pound fiue shillings eight pence This Bishop the founder was diuers times about to resigne his Bishopricke that he might become a regular Canon in this his owne new built Monasterie and that the rather because being taken with an irrecouerable Palsie he well knew his time to be
discourse in that exquisite History of Henry the seuenth penned by that learned and iudicious Statesman Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Alban lately deceased The last Earle that I finde to be here entombed of ancient times is Iohn de Vere the fourth of that christian name Earle of Oxford Lord Bulbeck Samford and Scales Lord great Chamberlaine of England and Knight of the Garter he was commonly called little Iohn of Campes Castle Campes in Cambridgeshire being the ancient seate of the Veres where this Earle vsed much to reside He married Anne daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke and died without issue the 14 of July 1526. I finde in a booke of Dunmow in bib Cot. that Maud the wife of Iohn de Vere the seuenth Earle of Oxford lyeth here intombed shee was the daughter of Bartholomew Lord Badelismere Baron of Leedes in Kent and one of the heires of Giles Lord Badelismere her brother She was first married to Robert sonne of Robert Fitz-Paine She outliued her later husband some few yeares and died the 24. of May 1365. ... Coggeshall ....... Coggeshale ...... mil. .... M. ccc ..... For which of the name this broken inscription should be engrauen I cannot learne but I finde that these Coggeshals in foregoing ages were Gentlemen of exemplarie regard and knightly degree whose ancient habitation was in this Towne one of which familie was knighted by King Edward the third the same day that hee created Edward his eldest sonne Earle of Chester and Duke of Cornwall Anno 1336. Hic iacet Thomas Paycocke quondam Carnifex de Coggeshal qui obijt 21 Maij 1461. et Christiana vxor eius quorum animabus Prey for the sowl of Robert Paycock of Coggeshale cloth-maker for Elizabeth and Ioan his wyfs who died 21. Octob. 1520. on whos soul. Here lyeth Thomas Paycock cloth-worker Margaret and Ann his wyfs which Tho. died the 4. of September 1518. Orate pro anima Iohannis Paycock et Iohanne vxoris eius qui quidem Iohannes obijt 2 Aprilis 1533. The Creede in Latine is all curiously inlaid with brasse round about the Tombestone Credo in Deum patrem c. Orate pro animabus Iohannis Kebulet Isabelle et Iohanne vx eius Quorum c. About the verge of the stone in brasse a Pater noster inlaid Pater Noster qui es in celis sanctificetur nomen tuum and so to the end of the praier Vpon the middest of the marble this Aue Maria. Aue Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum Benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus sit fructus ventris tui Iesus Amen I haue not seene such rich monuments for so meane persons Orate pro anima Gulielmi Goldwyre et Isabelle et Christiane vxorum qui quidem Gulielmus obijt ... 1514. Mary Moder mayden clere Prey for me William Goldwyre And for me Isabel his wyf Lady for thy Ioyes fyf Hav mercy on Christian his second wyf Swete Iesu for thy wowndys fyf Here in this towne of Cogshal was sometime an Abbey built and endowed by King Stephen and Maud his Queene in the yeare 1140. the fift of his raigne according to the booke of Saint Austins in Canterbury Anno M. c. xl facta est Abbathia de Cogeshal a Rege Stephano et Matilde Regina qui primo fundauerunt Abbathiam de Furnesse Abbatiam de Longeleyrs et postea Abbathiam de Feuersham c. this house was dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary wherein were placed white Monkes â—luniackes the reuenues of which were valued to be yearely worth 298. l. 8. s. it was surrendred the 18. of March 29. Hen. 8. Adioyning to the Rode called Coccill-way which to this towne leadeth was lately found an arched Vault of bricke and therein a burning lampe of glasse couered with a Romane Tyle some 14 inches square and one Vrne with ashes and bones besides two sacrificing dishes of smooth and pollished red earth hauing the bottome of one of them with faire Romane letters inscribed COCCILLI M I may probably coniecture this to haue beene the sepulchrall monument of the Lord of this towne who liued about the time of Antoninus Pius as by the coyne there likewise found appeareth the affinitie betweene his and the now townes name being almost one and the same These remaine in the custody of that iudicious great Statesman Sir Richard Weston Knight Baron Weston of Nealand Lord Treasurer of England and of the most honourable Order of the Garter companion Who for his approued vertues and industrie both vnder father and sonne doth to the publique good fully answere the place and dignity Before these times in a place called Westfield three quarters of a mile distant from this towne and belonging to the Abbey there was found by touching of a plough a great brasen pot The ploughmen supposing to haue beene hid treasure sent for the Abbot of Cogeshall to see the taking vp of it and he going thither met with Sir Clement Harleston and desired him also to accompany him thither The mouth of the pot was closed with a white substance like past or clay as hard as burned bricke when that by force was remoued there was found within it another pot but that was of earth that being opened there was found in it a lesser pot of earth of the quantity of a gallon couered with a matter like Veluet and fastened at the mouth with a silke lace in it they found some whole bones and many pieces of small bones wrapped vp in fine silke of fresh colour which the Abbot tooke for the reliques of some Saints and laid vp in his Vestuary Bocking Dorewards So denominated of the Dorewardes sometimes Lords of this towne and Patrons of this fat Parsonage which is xxxv l x. s. in the Kings bookes as I am perswaded by relation and these Inscriptions vpon ancient Tombes Hic iacet Iohannes Doreward Armig. filius Willelmi Doreward mil .... qui obijt .... 1420. et Isabella vxor eius .... Hic iacet Iohannes Doreward Armiger qui obiit xxx die Ianuar. Anno Dom. Mil. cccc lxv et Blancha vxor eius que obiit ... die mens .... An Dom. Mil. cccc lx quorum animabus propitietur dens Amen Clauiger Ethereus nobis sis Ianitor almus Haulsteed The Lordship of Stansteed within this Parish was the ancient inheritance of the noble family of the Bourchiers in which they had a mansion house many of which surname lie here entombed to continue whose remembrance in the south side of the Quire is a Chappell which to this day is called Bowsers Chappell wherein they lie interred the inscriptions which were vpon their monuments are quite gone this one following excepted Hic iacet Bartholomeus quondam Dominus de Bourgchier qui obiit viii die mens Maii Anno Dom. M. cccc.ix et Margereta Sutton ac Idonea Louey vxores eius Quorum animabus propitietur Deu S. Amen Vnder another of these monuments lieth the
body of Robert Bourchier Lord Chancelor of England in the fourteenth yeare of King Edward the third from whom saith the light of great Britaine 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
vestimentorum asperitate disciplinarum que assiduitate corpus suum extenuauit vt fere simul cum Iob sanctissimo pelli sue consumptis carnibus os suum adhereret Et hec talis tantaque sublata est et hec omnia simul Migrauit autem ad illum qui sibi fructuum decimas persolui voluit qui etiam Decalogum constituit mandatorum Miseremini igitur nostri miseremini nostri saltem vos amici nostri et vobis miseris compatiamini fluentes lacrimas per orationum suffragia desiccantes quia pium est saluberrimum pro defunctis exorare vt à peccatis solvantur Subuenite igitur benigni Monachi subuenite venerabiles Canonici vos sancte virgines in conspectu Altissimi preces bostias offerentes vt ipsius pie misercatur qui abstergit omnem lacrimam ab oculis Sanctorum quatenus que ei macule de terrenis contagijs adheserunt remissionis eius remedio deleantur Amen To this Supplication the religious of all houses answer in this forme Titulus Ecclesie Apostolorum Petri Pauli sancte Osithe Virginis Matris de Chich. Anima Domine Lucie Priorisse de Hengeham et anime omnium sidelium defunctorum per Dei miserecordiam requiescant in pace Amen Concedimus ei commune beneficium Ecclesie nostre Oranimus pro vestris orate pro nostris Some againe do answer thus Preter autem commune beneficium et orationes communes Ecclesie nostre concedimus ei ab vnoquoque Sacerdote vnam Missam inferioris ordinis vnum Psalterium et diem ipsius obitus in Martyrilogio nostro annotari fecimus All concluding euer with Oranimus pro vestris orate pro nostris Vnder the picture of the Crucifix the blessed Virgine and vpon her portraiture drawne vpon her Tombe these nicking nice allusiue verses were cut and engrauen Crux bona crux digna lignum super omnia ligna Me tibi consigna redimens a peste maligna Stella Maris candoris ebur speculum Paradysi Fons venie vite ianua Virgo vale Hec Virgo vite mitis super astra locatur Et sic Lucie lux sine fine datur Transijt ad superos venerabilis hec Monialis Vix succedit ei virtutum munere talis Luci lucie prece lux mediente Marie Luceat eterna quia floruit vt rosa verna Ad lucem Lucia venit sine fine manentem Et sic quem coluit patrem videt omnipotentem Tres tibi gemmate lucent Lucia coronâ— Insuper aurate dic lector qua rationâ— Mater virgo tamen Martir fuit ergo inu Amen Cernat ad examen districti Iudicis Amen Subueniant anime Lucie celica queque Ad quorum laudes dapsilis vrna fâ—it Sible Heueningham In this Parish Church sometime stood a Tombe arched ouer and engrauen to the likenesse of Hawkes flying in a wood which was raised to the remembrance of Sir Iohn Hawkewood knight borne in this village the sonne of Gilbert Hawkewood Tanner bound an apprentice to a Tailor in the Citie of London from whence he was prest in the seruice of King Edward the third in the warres of France Of whom for his admired valour he was honoured with the order of knighthood and in the like regard of his notable demerits Barnabie the warlicke brother of Galeasius Lord of Millaine father to Iohn the first Duke of Millaine gaue him his daughter Domnia in marriage by whom he had a sonne named Iohn borne in Italie made knight and naturalized in the seuenth yeare of King Hon. the fourth as I haue it out of a Manuscript in these words Iohannes silius Iohannis Haukewood Miles natus in partibus Italie factus indigena Ann. viii Hen. iiij mater eius nata in partibus transmarinis The Florentines in testimony of his surpassing valour and singular faithfull seruice to their state adorned him with the statue of a man of armes and a sumptuous Monument wherein his ashes remaine honoured at this present day The Italian writers both Historians and Poets resound his worthie acts with full mouth But for my part to vse M. Camdens words it may suffice to adde vnto the rest these foure verses of Iulius Feroldus Hawkwood Anglorum decus et decus addite genti Italicae Italico praesidiumque solo Vt tumuli quondam Florentia sic simulacri Virtutem Iouius donat honore tuam The glorie prime of Englishmen then of Italians bold O Hawkwood and to Italie a sure defensiue hold Thy vertue Florence honored sometime with costly Graue And Iouius adornes the same now with a Statue braue He died an aged man in the yeare of our redemption 1394. and in the eighteenth of King Richard the second His friends here in England who erected for him the foresaid Monument in this Church which were Robert Rokeden senior Robert Rokeden iunior and Iohn Coe founded here also for him a Chantrie and another in the Priorie of Heningham Castle to pray for his soule and the soules of Iohn Oliuer and Thomas Newenton Esquires his militarie companions Chesterford Here ly the bodyes of William Holden and Agnes his wyf whych William dyed ... 1532. on whos sowlys and al Christian sowlys ... Here ly William Holden and Katherin his wyf ...... 1524. This familie as I was told is now extinct here is an old ruinous house still remaining called Holdens Saffron Walden So called of the great plentie of Saffron growing in the fields round about the Towne a commoditie brought into England in the time of King Edward the third But I digresse and am quite off my Subiect being out of the Parish Church wherein Sir Thomas Audley knight of the Garter Baron Audley of this Towne sometime Sergeant at Law Attourney of the Duchie of Lancaster and Lord Chancellour of England lieth entombed with this seeli Epitaph The stroke of deaths ineuitable dart Hath now alas of life bereft the hart Of Sir Thomas Audley of the Garter knight Later Chancellor of England vnder our Prince of might Henry the eight worthie of high renowne And made by him Lord Audley of this Towne Obijt vltimo Aprilu Ann. Dom. 1544. Henrici 36. Cancelleriatus sui 13. aetatis 56. Haue mercy good Lord on the soul of Thomas Holden That hit may rest wyth God good neyghbors say Amen He gave the new Organs wheron hys name is set For bycause only yee shold not hym forget In yowr good preyers to God he took hys wey On thowsand fyve hundryd and eleuin in Nouembyr the fourth dey Hic iacet his stratus West Matheus tumulatus Qui fuit hic gratus vicarius ciueque natus M. Dominiter C .... terris sit remeatus Huic ...... existit propiciatus Of yowr cherite prey for the soulys of Ion Nichols Alys Ione Alys and Ione his wyfs Iohannes Pater Noster miserere nobis Alisia Fili redemptor mundi miserere nobis Ioanna Spiritus sancte miserere nobis Alisia Sancta
quingentesimo decimo nono In the hall of the Mannor house of Newton Hall in this Parish remaineth in old painting two postures th' one for an Ancestor of the Bourchiers combatant with another being a pagan king for the truth of Christ whom the said Englishman ouercame and in memory thereof his descendants haue euer since borne the head of the said Infidell as also vsed the surname of Bowser as I had it out of the collections of Augustine Vincent Windsore Herald deceased Boreham The inheritance and honours of this famous and right noble race of the Fitz-waters came at length by mariage into the stocke of the Radcliffes for in the pedegree of Sir Alexander Radcliffe of Ordsall in the county of Lancaster knight of the Bath descended as the Earle of Sussex is from the Radcliffes anciently of Radcliffe in the said County the sonne of that valiant and generally beloued Gentleman Sir Iohn Radcliffe Lieuetenant Colonell slaine fighting against the French in the Isle of Rhee the 29. day of October in the yeare of our Lord one thousand sixe hundred twenty and seuen I finde that Sir Iohn Radcliffe Knight sonne of Sir Iohn Radcliffe knight who married Katherine the daughter and heire of Edward Lord Burnell of Acton Burnell in the county of Salop married Elizabeth the daughter and heire of Walter Lord Fitz-water of Woodham a Baron of great riches as of ancient nobility the father of Iohn who was Father of Robert Radcliffe the first of that sirname Earle of Sussex Viscount Fitz-water Lord Egremont and Burnell who with other two Earles his Sonne and Grandchilde lie here interred vnder a sumptuous monument as appeareth by their seuerall inscriptions and liuely portraitures To the memory of the first Earle for I am tied by my method onely to his at this time these funerall lines following are engrauen Robertus Radcliffe miles Dominus Fitz-water Egremond et Burnel Vicecomes Fitz-water magnus Camerarius Anglie Camerarius Hospitij Regis Henrici octaui ac eidem a consilijs Prelijs in Gallia commissis aliquoties inter primos ductores honoratus in alijs belii pacisque consultationibus non inter postremos habitus aequitatis Institiae constantiae magnum aetatis suae columen obijt xxvii die Nouemb. Anno Dom. M. ccccc.xlii aetat This Earle had three wiues whose portraitures are cut here vpon the Tombe by all of which he had issue By his first wife Elizabeth who was the daughter of Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham hee had Henry after him Earle of Sussex here intombed George Radcliffe and Sir Humfrey Ratcliffe of Elnestow By Margaret his second wife daughter of Thomas Lord Stanley Earle of Darby he had Anne married to Thomas Lord Wharton who lieth here buried by her father and Iane maried to Sir Antony Browne Knight Viscount Mountague By his third wife the daughter of Sir Iohn Arundell of Lanherne in Cornwall Knight he had issue Sir Iohn Radcliffe Knight who died without issue in the yeare 1566. and lieth buried in Saint Olaues Hart-streete London Henry Radcliffe Earle of Sussex sonne of this Robert as aforesaid was one of the priuie Councell to Queene Mary as I finde it in her Grant of liberty made vnto him for the wearing of Coyfes or Cappes in her presence which I coppied out of the Originall amongst the Euidences of Robert late Earle of Sussex deceased expressed in these words following Mary the Queene Mary by the grace of God Quene of Englonde France and Irelonde defendor of the Feythe and in Earthe of the Church of Englonde and Irelonde supreme Hede. To all to whom this present wryting shall come sendeth greting in our Lord euerlasting Know ye that wee do gyue and pardon to our welbeloued and trusty Cosen one of oure priuey Counsell Henry Earle of Sussex Viscount Fitz-water Lord Egremond and Burnell liberty licens and pardon to were his Cappe Coyf or night Cappe or twoo of them at his pleasor as well in oure presens as in the presens of any other person or persons within this our Relme or any other place of our dominion wheresoeuer during his life And these oure lettres shall be his sufficient warrant in this behalfe Yeuen vndre oure Signe Manuell at oure Palaes of Westminstre the second dey of October in the first yere of oure Reigne Her Seale with the Garter about it is fixed to this Grant with a labell of silke and so are the Armes of the Kings of England and E. R. the Seale manuell of Edward the sixt not altered This Henry departed this life at Sir Henry Sidneyes house in Chanon Row at Westminster on wednesday morning the 17. of February betweene fiue and sixe a clocke in the third and fourth yeare of Philip and Mary Anno 1556. as Vincent in his Discouerie of Brookes Errors verifieth by a certificate thereof in the booke of Burials in the Office of Armes Fol. 225. He was buried first by his Father in Saint Laurence Poultney Church in London from whence their remaines were remoued hither as you shall vnderstand by the present sequele That braue-spirited politicke-wise Lord Thomas Earle of Sussex Lord Chamberlaine of the Houshold to Queene Elizabeth of famous memory built or began to build a Chappell in this Church wherein this glorious Tombe is erected as a place of buriall for himselfe and his worthy progeny and commanded by his last Will and Testament as I was told that the honourable remaines of his Father and Grandfather Henry and the foresaid Robert Earles of Sussex should be remoued from the parish Church of Saint Laurence Poultney London where their bodies lay buried to this his Chapbell at Boreham wherein hee desired to be entombed all which was accordingly performed This Tombe was made by one Richard Stephens an outlandish man and finished with all furniture as gilding colouring and the like thereunto belonging the xxviii of May M.D. lxxxxix the whole charge thereof amounting to the summe of cclxxxxii l xii s. viii d. as appeares by the account which I haue seene This Thomas Earle of Sussex saith Camden was a most worthy and honourable personage in whose minde were seated ioyntly both politicke wisedome and martiall prowesse as England and Ireland acknowledged but more of him hereafter These Earles of Sussex of this sirname from Robert the first to Robert the last who died An. Dom. 1629. haue euer beene Knights of the Garter Hic iacet Thomas Coggeshale Ar. filius Thome Coggeshale Armigeri Iohanna vxor eius que quidem Iohanna obijt xvii Iulij M.ccc.xv Thomas obiit ..... Newport Her lyeth Thomas Brown Who 's sowl God pardown ......... M. ccccc.xv Her vndyr this marble ston Lyeth the body of master Ion Heynes Bacheler of Law And somtym Vycar of this Chirch I traw Who passyd out .......... ...... M. cccc Here sometime stood an hospitall in this Towne by whom founded I cannot reade Valued at the fatall destruction of all such houses at 23.
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
peicked after a strange fashion and a paire of Challices of course mettall lying vpon his breast the which was thought to be one of the Bishops of Donwiche but when they touched and stirred the same dead body it fell and went all to powder and dust And although these aforesaid three old Churches were not sumptuous great very faire after the manner fashion of Cathedral Churches now vsed yet it seemeth they might serue in those daies very well for it plainely appeareth in the book of the description of England and in the title of Bishoprickes and their Sees the thirteenth chapter whereas these words following are said Take heede for in the beginning of holy Church in England Bishops ordained and had their Sees in low places and simple that were conueniable and meete for contemplation and deuotion c. But in King William the Conquerours time by doome of Law Canon it was otherwise ordained that Bishops should remoue and come out of small townes and to haue their Sees in great Cities By meanes whereof it seemeth that the towne of Donwiche being then greatly decayed and also then likely more and more to decay as it hath done indeed from a great citie as some doe say or at the least from a very great ancient Towne to a little small Towne the Bishops seat of Donwich was remoued from Donwich to Elmham and Thetford and afterward to the Citie of Norwich whereas it yet remaineth There was a Mint in Dunwich for one Master Holliday told mee that he had a grote whose superscription on the one side was Ciuitas Donwic Diuers other things he told me of to make it a citie The Treatise is much longer but enough is already deliuered The succession of the Bishops of Dunwich is set downe by Bishop Godwin to which I refer my Reader The foundation of the Blacke Friers in Dunwich This religious Structure was founded by Sir Roger de Holishe Knight of the order you haue heard before of the time dedication value or surrender I finde not any thing Persons of note buried in the Church of this Monastery were as followeth Sir Roger de Holishe Knight the foresaid founder Sir Raufe Vfford and Dame Ione his wife Sir Henry Laxiffeld Knight Dame Ione de Harâ—ile Dame Ada Crauene Dame Ione Weyland Sister of the Earle of Suffolke Iohn Weyland and Ione his wife Thomas sonne of Richard Brews Knight Dame Alice wife of Sir Walter Hardishall Sir Walkin Hardesfield Austin Valeyus Raph Wingfeld Knight Richard Bokyll of Leston and Alice and Alice his wiues Sir Henry Harnold Knight and Fryer The grey Friers of Dunwich was founded first by Richard Fitz-Iohn and Alice his wife and after by King Henry the third of which I haue no further knowledge Herein lay interred the bodies of Sir Robert Valence the Heart of Dame Hawise Ponyngs Dame Ideu of Ylketishall Sir Peter Mellis and Dame Anne his wife Dame Dunne his mother Iohn Francans and Margaret his wife Dame Bert of Furniuall .... Austin of Cales and Ione his wife Iohn Falleyâ— and Beatrix his wife Augustine his sonne .... Wilexâ—es Sir Hubert Dernford Katherine wife of William Phellip Margaret wife of Richard Phellip Peter Codum I had the notes of these buried in these Monasteries as also of diuers other Monasteries in Suffolke and Norfolke out of the painefull collections of William le Neue Esquire Yorke Herauld truely copied out of the ancient originals thereof remaining in his custody Bury Saint Edmunds or Saint Edmundsbury This Town seemeth saith Camden to haue been of famous memory considering that when Christian Religion began to spring vp in this tract king Sigebert here founded a Church and it was called Villam Regiam that is a royall towne But after that the people had translated hither the body of Edmund that most christian King whom the Danes with exquisite torments had put to death and built in honour of him a very great Church wrought with a wonderfull frame of timber it began to be called Edmundi Burgus commonly Saint Edmundsbury and more shortly Bury But especially since that King Canutus for to expiate the sacrilegious impietie of his Father Suenus against this Church being often affrighted with a vision of the seeming-ghost of Saint Edmund built it againe of a new worke enriched it offered his owne Crowne vnto the holy Martyr brought vnto it Monkes with their Abbot and gaue vnto it many faire and large Mannors and among other things the Towne it selfe full and whole ouer which the Monkes themselues by their Seneschall had rule and iurisdiction Thus Knuts Charter began In nomine Poliarchie Iesu Christi saluatoris Ego Knut Rex totius Albionis Insule aliarumque nationum plurimarum in Cathedra regali promotus cum concilio decreto Archiepiscoporum Episcoporum Abbatum Comitum aliorumque omnium fidelium meorum elegisanciendum perpeti stabilimento ab omnibus confirmandum vt Monasterium quod Budrices Yurthe nuncupatur sit per omne euum Monachorum gregibus deputatum ad inhabitandum c. After a long recitall of his many donations corroborations priuiledges and confirmations of former grants he ends with an Additament of fish and fishing Huic libertati concedo additamentum scilicet maritimos pisces qui mihi contingere debent annualiter per Thelonei lucrum et Piscationem quam Vlskitel habuit in Pilla et omnia iura c. These gifts to this Abbey as to the most of all others were finally concluded with a fearefull curse to the infringers thereof and a blessing to all such that did any way better her ample endowments the Charter is signed with the marke which is the crosse and the consent of thirty and fiue witnesses of which a few as followeth ✚ Ego Knut Rex c. hoc priuilegium iussi componere compositum cum signo Dominice crucis confirmando impressi ✚ Ego Aelgifa Regina omni alacritate mentis hoc confirmaui ✚ Ego Wulsâ—anus Archiepiscopus consensi ✚ Ego Adelnodus confirmaâ—i c. After Knut one Haruey the Sacrist comming of the Norman bloud compassed the Burgh round about with a wall whereof there remaine still some few reliques and Abbot Newport walled the Abbey The Bishop of Rome endowed it with very great immunities and among other things granted That the said place should be subiect to no Bishop in any matter and in matters lawfull to depend vpon the pleasure and direction of the Archbishop which is yet obserued at this day And now by this time the Monkes abounding in wealth erected a new Church of a sumptuous and stately building enlarging it euery day more then other with new workes and whiles they laid the Foundation of a new Chappell in the raigne of Edward the first There were found as Euersden a Monke of this place writeth the walles of a certaine old Church built round so as that the Altar stood as it were in the mids
he that is sufficiently mine Of two I haue the one is common to all my race yea and also to others There is a family at Paris and another at Montpellier called Montaigne another in Brittany and one in Zantoigne surnamed de la Montaigne The remouing of one only sillable may so confound our webbe as I shall haue a share in their glory and they perhaps a part of my shame And my Ancestors haue heretofore beene surnamed Heigham or Hyquem a surname which also belongs to a house well knowne in England Here is another Tombe on the South side of the Chancell vpon which is the pourtraiture of Sir VVilliam Butts in his complete armour kneeling his sword by his side his spurres his helmet at his feet His Lady by him kneeling hauing her coat-armour Here are the coats of Butts and Bacon quartered vpon the Tombe Arwerton saith Camden in Suffolke the house long since of the Family of the Bacoâ—s who held this Mannor and Brome by conducting all the footmen of Suffolke and Norfolke from S. Edmunds-dike in the warres of Wales These Bacons haue at this day their residence at Culfurth in Suffolke a goodly house erected by Sir Nicholas Bacon knight the first Baronet sonne vnto that Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England who for his singular wisedome and most sound iudgement was right worthily esteemed one of the two supporters of this kingdome in his time Who lieth entombed in S. Pauls with his two wiues Who died An. 1578. You may reade this Inscription vpon the said Monument Hic Nicolaum ne Baconem conditum Existima illum tam diu Britannici Regni secundum columen exitium Malis Bonis Asylum caeca quem non extulit Ad hunc honorem sors sed aequitas fides Doctrina pietas vnica prudentia Neu morte raptum crede quia vnica breui Vita perennes emerit duas agit Vitam secundam caelites inter animus Fama implet orbem vita quae illi tertia est Hac positum in Ara est corpus olim animi domus Ara dicata sempiternae Memoriae No lesse worthie of praise for his many excellent good parts was his sonne who followed the fathers steps I meane Sir Francis Bacon knight Lord Verulam Viscount Saint Alban and Lord Chancellour of England lately deceased Snoring Here vnder a faire Tombe lieth the daughter of Sir Iohn Heydon who married one of the Heninghams These Heydons are an ancient race of Knights degree Orate pro animabus Radulphi Shelton militis Domine Alicie vxoris eius filie Thome de Vnedal Militis qui quidem Radulphus obiit xxv die Aprilis Anno M. ccccxxiiii Blackney A famous religious house of Carmelite Friers in this late age aforegoing built and endowed by Sir Robert de Roos or Rosse Sir Robert Bacon and Sir Iohn Bret Knights about the yeare 1321. out of which came Iohn Baconthorpe of whom I haue spoken somewhat before And now here giue me leaue to speake a little more which I had omitted our of Camden A man saith he in that age of such varietie and depth withall of excellent learning that he was had in exceeding great admiration among the Italians and commonly called the Resolute Doctor Whence it is that Paulus Pansa thus writeth of him If thy minde stand to enter into the secret power of the Almighty and most mercifull God no man hath written of his Essence more exactly If any man desireth to learne the causes of things or the effects of Nature if he wish to know the sundrie motions of heauen and the contrary qualities of the Elements this man offereth himselfe as a storehouse to furnish him The armour of Christian Religion of better proofe and defence then those of Vulcans making against the Iewes this resolute Doctor alone hath deliuered Sculthorpe Orate pro anima Henrici Vnton qui obijt Anno Millesimo cccxx Statton Saint Michaels Orate pro anima Iohannis Cowal quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie quiistam Cancellam de nouo fieri fecit Anno Domini M. cccclxxxvii pro quibus tenetur orare .... Stratton Saint Mary Orate pro animabus Iohannis Bocher Margarete vxoris eius quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen Orate pro anima Thome Drake qui obijt Anno Domini 1490. Orate pro animabus Iohannis Waith Margerie vxoris eius qui Iohannes obijt xviii die mensis Februar Anno Domini M. cccclxxxx Quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen Bunwell Of your charity pray for the soul of Iohn Darosse and Margaret his wyffe on whos souls Ihesu haue mercy Amen Tybenham Orate pro anima Iohannis Avelyn quondam vicarij istius Ecclesie qui obijt xxviii die Decembris anno M. cccccvii Cuius ..... Orate pro anima Iacobi Glouer quondam Vicarii istius Ecclesie Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Orate pro animabus Roberti Buxton Cristiane Agnetis vxorum eius qui quidem Robertus obiit anno Domini M. cccccxxviii Quorum animabus propitietur altissimus Here lieth likewise vnder a faire Grauestone Iohn Buxton sonne and heire of Robert aforesaid who married Margaret Warner by whom he had issue two sonnes and two daughters Annos spirauit octoginta quatuor euen to our times Of whom more hereafter North Walsham Orate pro anima Willelmi Roys qui obiit x. die Kalend. Martii M. cccc Ashwelthorp Hic iacet Isabella que fuit vxor Philippi Tylney Armigeri vna filiarum heredum Edmundi Thorp Militis Domine Iohanne quondam Domine de Scales consortis sue que obiit decimo die mensis Nouembris anno Domini M. ccccxxxvi Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Iane Knyvet resteth here the only heire by right Of the Lord Berners that Sir Iohn Bourcher hight Twenty yeres and thre a wydoos life she ledd Alwayes keping howse where rich and pore were fedd Gentell iust quyet voyd of debate and stryfe Euer doying good Lo thus she ledd her life Euen to the Graue where Erth on Erth doth ly On whos soul God graunt of his abundant mercy The xvii of February M.D.lxi. Spikesworth or Spixford Orate pro animabus Iohannis Styward et Margarete vxoris eius Orate pro anima Georgii Linsted qui obiit in festo Assumptionis beate Marie anno Domini M.D.xvii Orate pro anima Willelmi Davy quondam Ciuis Norwic. Vinter et huins Ecclesie spiritualis benefactor Orate pro anima Margarete Thorne nuper vxoris Thome Thorne que obiit tertio die Septembris 1544. South-acre In the Chancell vnder the South wall lieth entombed Sir Roger Harsicke Knight the sonne and heire of Iohn who liued in the eight yeare of King Henry the fifth and in the twenty ninth of Henry the sixth in whom the issue male ended leauing his inheritance to his two daughters Sir Alexander Harsick
to that most martyred king Saint Edmund who in their rude massacre then slaine The title of a Saint his Martyrdome doth gaine Now to come to Norwich the first Bishop of Norwich was William Herbert the second Euerard the third William Turbus the fourth Iohn of Oxford the fift Iohn de Grey of these I haue written before The sixt was Pandulfus the Popes Legate hee was consecrated at Rome by Honorius the Third Bishop of Rome and died the fift yeare of his consecration 1227. The seuenth was Thomas de Blundeuill an officer of the Exchequer preferred thereunto by Hubert de Burgo the famous chiefe Iustice of England he died August 16. 1236. The eight Radulph who died An. 1236. The ninth was William de Raleigh who was remoued to Winchester The tenth was Walter de Sufield the eleuenth Simon de Wanton the twelfth Roger de Sherwyng the thirteenth William Middleton of whom before The fourteenth was Raph de Walpoole translated to Ely The fifteenth was Iohn Salmon the sixteenth was William Ayermin of whom before The seuenteenth was Antony de Becke Doctor of Diuinitie a retainer to the Court of Rome and made Bishop by the Popes Prouisorie Bull. Hee had much to doe with the Monkes of his Church whom it seemeth hee vsed too rigorously He also withstood Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury in his visitation appealing from him to Rome This boisterous vnquiet humour it seemes was his death for it is said that hee was poisoned by his owne seruants The eighteenth Bishop was William Bateman who died at Auinion in the yeare 1354. and was there buried of whom hereafter The ninteenth was Thomas Piercy The twentieth was Henry Spencer The one and twentieth was Alexander of whom before The two and twentieth was Richard Courtney Chancellour of the Vniuersitie of Oxford a man famous for his excellent knowledge in both lawes A man of great linage great learning and great vertue and no lesse beloued among the common people He died of a Fluxe in Normandy at the siege of Harflew Septemb. 14. 1415. in the second yeare after his consecration His body being brought into England was honourably interred at Westminster The three and twentieth was Iohn Wakering of whom I haue spoken before The foure and twentieth was William Alnwick translated to Lincolne of whom hereafter in his place of buriall The fiue and twentieth was Thomas Browne Bishop of Rochester who being at the Councell of Basill had this Bishopricke cast vpon him before euer he vnderstood of any such intent toward him In his time the Citizens of Norwich vpon an old grudge attempted many things against the Church but such was the singuler wisedome and courage of this Bishop that all their enterprises came to none effect he sate nine yeares and died anno 1445. where buried I doe not finde The sixe and twentieth was Gualter Hart or Lyghart The seauen and twentieth was Iames Goldwell The eight and twentieth was Thomas Ian. The nine and twentieth was Richard Nyx of whom before The thirtieth was William Rugge alias Reps a Doctor of Diuinitie in Cambridge He sate 14 yeares and deceased anno 1550. The one and thirtieth was Thyrlhey a Doctor of Law of Cambridge the first and last Bishop of Westminster translated to Ely The two and thirtieth was Iohn Hopton a Doctor of Diuinity of Oxford and houshold Chaplaine to Queene Mary elected to this Bishopricke in King Edwards daies He sate 4 yeares and died in the same yeare that Queene Mary did for griefe as it was supposed The three and thirtieth was Iohn Parkhurst who lieth buried in his Cathedrall Church vnder a faire Tombe with this Inscription Iohannes Parkhurstus Theol. professor Gilford natus Oxon. educatus Temporibus Mariae Reginae pro tuenda conscientia vixit exul voluntarius postea Presul factus sanctissime hanc rexit Ecclesiam per. 16. An. ob 1574. aetat 63. Vivo bono docto ac pio Iohanni Parkhursto Episcopo vigilentissimo Georgius Gardmer posuit hoc monumentum The foure and thirtieth was Edmund Freake Doctor of Diuinity who was remoued from hence to Worcester The fiue and thirtieth was Edmund Scambler houshold Chaplaine for a time to the Archbishop of Canterbury hee was consecrated Bishop of Peterborough Ianuary 16. anno 1560. and vpon the translation of Bishop Freake preferred to this See where hee lieth buried vnder a faire monument hauing this Inscription or Epitaph Edmundi Scambleri viri reuerendissimi et in ampliss dignitatis gradu dum inter homines ageret locati corpus in hoc tegitur tumulo obijt Non. Maij anno 1594. Viuo tibi moriorque tibi tibi Christe resurgam Te quia iustifica Christe prebendo fide Huic abeat mortis terror tibi viuo redemptor Mors mihi lucrum est tu pie Christe salus The sixe and thirtieth was William Redman Archdeacon of Canterbury consecrated Ianuary 12. an 1594. He was sometime fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and bestowed 100. markes vpon wainscotting of the Library there Hee died a few daies before Michaelmas Anno 1602. The seauen and thirtieth was Iohn Iegon Doctor of Diuinity and Deane of Norwich fellow sometimes of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards master of Bennet Colledge of the time of his death or how long he enioyed this high dignitie I haue not learned The eight and thirtieth was Iohn Ouerall Doctor of Diuinitie sometimes Fellow of Trinitie Colledge Master of Katherine Hall and the Kings Professor in Cambridge afterwards Deane of S. Pauls a learned great Schooleman as any was in all the kingdome how long hee sate or when he died I doe not certainly know Samuel Harsenet Doctor of Diuinity sometime Master of Penbroke Hall in Cambridge Bishop of Chichester and now graced with the metropoliticall dignity of the Archbishoprick of Yorke was the nine and thirtieth Bishop of this Diocesse Which at this time is gouerned by the right reuerend Father in God Francis White Doctor of Diuinitie the Kings Almoneâ— sometimes Deane as also Bishop of Carlile an excellent learned man as his workes now extant doe testifie Now it here followes that I should say somewhat of the scituation circuit commodities and other particulars of this Diocesse like as I haue done of London but that is already most exactly performed and to the full by that learned and iudicious Knight and great Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman in his booke before mentioned called Icenia a Manuscript much desired to come to the open view of the world Here endeth the Ancient Funerall Monuments within the Diocesse of Norwich and this Booke FINIS A funerall Elegie vpon the death of Sir Robert Cotton Knight and Baronet Lib. 8. ep 3. Lib. 10. Epig. 11. In conclu li. vlt. 1. Siluester Transl. Properâ— lib. 3. El. 2. Ruines of Time M. â—rayton Pâ—l Song xvi Scipio Gentilis lib. Orig. sing Panuinius in lideritu sepeliend mortuos Râ—maines Camd. Remaines Aeneâ—◠〈◊〉 Trump 〈…〉 Inuen 〈◊〉 Rosin de Autin Romano 〈…〉 l. â— cap. 59. Gen. 1â— 2. Sam.
of Edward Barry Ioan Lady Barry Sir Iohn Barry knight Isabell â—â—dy Barry Sir â—ill Barry knight Humfrey Barry Robert Barry the first in 〈◊〉 land that broughthawke to hand Vide Vincent contra Brooke pag. 130. * M S. Tho Talbot clerici Rotulorum in um Lond. Mathew Paris pag 342 Selden in his Titles of Honour of Barons Plota 18. H 3. apud Westm. Bracton de Exceptionibus li. 5. cap. 9 pag. 5. Supersedeas de An. 8. Ed. 2. in dorso â— Austin Archbishop â—olidor the Popes collectour â— Honorius Archbishop Hist. Eccl. Ang. Sexâ— sar c. 8. S. Deodat Archbishop M Drayton Polyol 24 Song S. Theodore Archbishop â— Odo Archbishop S. Dunstane Archbishop * instant * holy Capgraue Song 1â— S. Elphege Arch. Martyr Rob. Glocest. S. Egelnoth Archbishop Godwin â— Eaâ—â—â—â—e Archbishop S. Lanfranke Archbishop S. Anselm Archbishop S. Thomas commonly called Thomas of Canterbury * honourd S. Edmund Archbishop Miss in bib Cott. 〈◊〉 Popes absolute power Hâ—s tyâ—â—nny The conclusion of this Diocesie The 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 Conuention for the 〈◊〉 The Archbishops 〈◊〉 the generall 〈◊〉 Lambard The end of the strife for the Primacie Hardinâ— ca. 88 Lamb. peramb. Paulinus Bishop of Rochester and first of Yorke Beda l. 2. c. â— Mss. in bib Cot. Bedal 〈◊〉 â— Camd. in Ricâ— Bâ—l. l. 2. c. 2 Hist. Archiepis Ebor. in bib Cot. Ex lib. Anon. in bib Cott. Ithamar Bishop of Rochester Cap. in vit S. Ithamari M. Draiâ—on Polyol 24. Song Tobias Bishop of Rochester Harps Hiâ—â— Eccles Angl octaâ—um Saecul c. â— Gundulph Bishop of Rochester Godwin de praeâ—ul Ang. Bulla Vrbani secundi in bib â—im D'ewes Equit aurat M ss in bib Cot. The Hospitall of Chetham Malling Abbey Lamb peramb. Gilbert de Glanvill Bishop of Rochester Godwin The Hospitall in Strowd Walterus Merâ—ton Bishop of Rochester Sir Hen. Sauill Haymo s. S. Barthol Hosp. in Hithe In bib Cott. Iohn de Shepey Bishop of Rochester Lord Treasurer Io. Lowe Bishop of Rochester Bale Cent. 4. Godwin Priory of Rochester Lib. Rossen in bib Cott. Lamb. per amb S. William of Rochester Neua Legenda Capgrauiâ— Lib. Rossen in bib Cot. Io. Beaufits and Isabel his wife Io. Beaufits and Alice his wife Rob. Beaufits Sara his wife Will. Beaufits Ioane Bamme Iohn Bamme her sonne The â—â—iery Com. in â—enâ— The Almes-house oâ— Hospitall Catigern and Horsa The battell of Ailesford Horsted Catigern his sepulchre Ric Charles Alice his wife Will Suayth Alice his wife Rob. Watton Will. Watton Benet and Alice his wiues Rob. Watton Alice his wife Io. Norwood The Mannor of Norwood Io. Constenton and Sara his wife Otteham Abbey In Archiâ—is Turris London Sixe pence for exceedings vpon S. Laurence day In Arch. Tur. London Begham Priory Ela de Sackvile and Sir Robert Turnham founders Rob. Glocest. The death of Sir Robert Turnham Rob. Gloâ— * haire Sir Tho. Sackvile knight In the prerogatiue office Sir Stephen Pensherst knight Ex Arch. Turrâ—â— London Sidney â—amd in Kenâ— Sir Philip Sidney knight The Epitaph for Mons. Boniuet Hugh Lord Staff and Tho. Bradlaine his Bow-bearer Camd in Kent Priory of Tunbridge Richard de Clare Earle of Gloucester Lib. Theoles Mss. Camd. Remaines Hugh de Audley Earle of Glocester and Margaret his wife Vincent Discouery of errors Raph Earle of Stafford and Margaret his wife Bagot Baron of Stafford Vincent Dis. errours The foundation of the free-Schoole at Tonbridge Edward Bourchier vulgo Bowser and Agnes his wife Haydok Haymund Robert Lawe Priest Tho. Brooke and Clemence his wife Tho. Gregby Robert Totleherst Iohn Yardly and Ioane his wife William Potkin and Alexandra his wife The foundation of the Schoole and Almeshouse in Sennock Lamb. Peramb Tho. Brenten Bishop of Rochester Godwin Catalogue of Bis. Sir Bruin knight Câ—md in Essex Stow. Annal. Reg. Stratton Parson Camd. in Camb Rich. Ieames a Blacksmith Tho. Gawge Iames Peckham and Margaret his wife Reynold Peckham and Ioice his wife * Cupbearer Will. Peckham and Katherine his wife Tho Peckham and Dorothie his wife Iames Peckham and Agnes his wife Martin PeckhaÌ„ and Margerie his wife Sir Thomas Willoughby and Bridget his wife Iohn Loft Priest Io. Alphegh and Isabel his wife Thinne Collect. Camd. in Lincol. Willoughby Earle of Vandosme Io. Wood. Edmund Read S. Katherines Chappell Sir Ric. Clement knight and Anne his wife Ric. Astall Hawte Glouer Somerset Ioane Lady Cobham Margery Lady Cobham Lib 〈◊〉 in hil Cot. Henry Lord Cobham Margaret Lady Cobham Ioane Lady Cobham Tho. Lord Cobham and Maud his wife Iohn Lord Cobham Cobham Colledge Sir Iohn Oldcastle knight Lord Cobham Ioane Baronesse Cobham Sir Reignold Braybroke knight Lord Cobham Reignold and Robert Braybroke Lamb. pâ—ramb Nicholas Hawberke Lord Cobham Io. Broke Lord Cobham and Lady Margaret his wife Tho. Lord Cobham and his three wiues Raph Cobham Io. Terrye Io Clauering in bib Cot. Henry Lord Cobham prime Iustice of England Stephen de Penchester or Peâ—shuâ—st Lord Warden Ioane Alice his daughters and heires Ioane maâ—ned to the said H. Lord Cobham Alice to Philip de Columbars Io. Smith and Margery his wife Tho. Sharpe The Nunnery at Heigham Robert Ereby Ioane and Ioane his wiues Tho. Ereby and â—sode his wife Almeshouse Tho. Buckland Alice Walleys Ric Downe and Margery his wife Io. Bederenden Tho. Petle and Isabell his wife In a window Iohn Donat and Alice his wife Eckisford William Alisander Io. Pole Palme Hic Daâ—â— master of the Iewell house Maryd Davy William Rikell and Katherine his wife Sâ—ow Annal. Sir Peter Lacy Priest Tho. Brendon and Ioane his wife Rich. Hunt and Ioane his wife 〈◊〉 Hesilt Baron of the Exchequer and Agnes his wife 〈◊〉 Martyn 〈◊〉 his wife S. Hildeferths Nicholas Boneuant and Agnes his wife Reignold Thomas Ric. Bonâ—uant Io. Sorewell Priest Sir Iohn Lumbard Priest Maud Laken and Ioane her daughter Sir Io. Dew Priest Roger Payname Will Banknot Anne his wife Sir Io. Wilshyre knight and Margaret his wife Stow. Annal. Sir Ric Wingseeld knight of the Garter Bridget his wife Io Hornley Katherine Burlton and Richard her husband The Priory of Dartford Burials in this Prioâ—y The birth and death of Bridget Plantagineâ— Rob. Woodford Ioane his wife Ro. Apleton and Agnes his wife Elisabeth CouÌ„tesse of Shrewsbury * Iohn dyed in his infancy Sir Ric. Walden knight and Dame Margery his wife Richard Walde Allin Atticor Sir Io. Stone Priest Iohn Crioll Roger Sentcler Mathew Paris Ric. de Lucie the founder Râ—g Heuâ—den An. 1179. Ex vet Mss. in â—o Cot. Godfrey Lucy Bishop of Winchester Io. Colin and Maud his wife Sir William Prâ—ne Priest Inser vpon the great Bell. Margery Roper Iohn Morton Tho. Pierle Foundation of Peckham Schoole Richard Bâ—shop of Rochester Walter Hench Parson George Hatteliffe The Priory of Lewsham Priors Aliens Their goods and lands consiscate King Edward surnamed Longshanks did the like An. Reg. â—3 vpon the like occasion Restitution of the 〈◊〉 Aliens
raigne of Hen. the seuenth Hen. the eight In the raigne of Ed. the sixt In the raigne of Q Mary In the raigne of Q Elizabeth In the raigne of King Iames. The Aetymologie Antiquity and Dignity of Heralds Heralds Priests Rosinus Ant. Rom. li. 3. c. 21. Heralds of France of noble descent Stow in the life of Brute The Armes of Brute Cold Harber the Heralds Colledge Eleanor Lady Wriothesley Ioan Wriothesley Io. Wriothesley Sir Hen. Grey Reginald Lord Grey Earle of Kent Sir Will. Cheyney and Margaret his wife The Heralds Office The body corporate of the Heralds Henry Spelman Gloss lit H. Iohn Leland the Antiquary Lelandi Strena â—â—lands New yeares gift The study of Antiquity in Hen. the eight The caâ—e King Hen had of Religion The workes of ancient Writers saued and conserued The Kings Libraries augmented The plaine â—â—le and forme of â—uncient Writers Britaine the Mother of worthy men and excellent wits This volume he called Antiphilachia written against the ambitious Empire or vsurped authoritie Reiall of the Bishop of Rome Albertus Pighius a Canon sometime in the Cathedrall Church of Vtrecht in the Low Countries Lelands affection toward his Country Four Bookes of illustrious men or of the British writers Learned Princes The wits of the British and English writers exercised in all kinds of good literature A wonderfull great number of Historiographers of British affaires Lelands laborious iourney throughout all England The description of all England in a quadrate table of siluer A Booke of the Topographie of England The names of seuerall nations Cities and great townes c. of Britaine in old time such as Cesar Tacitus Ptolimey other Authors haue made mention of restored together with the later and moderne names Of the Antiquitie of Britaine or of Ciuile History fiftie Bookes Sixe Bookes of the Islands adiacent to England Three bookes of the Nobility of Britaine His conclusion a delectabili vtili Commune voâ—â—â— Sir Rob. Cotton knight and Baronet Sir Tho. Bodley knights Pit Aetas 16. Io. Leland the Elder Elis. West Rog. Woodcocke and Ioane his wife Catherine Cauendish Alice Cavendish Marg Cavendish Lib. Esiens in bib Cott. Will. Burd Clarke of the Pipe Cowell lit C. Clarke of the Priuie Seale Io. Hartishorne Sergeant at Armes and Agnes his wife The office of Sergeant at Armes Cowell lit â— George Lord Maior Ioan and Marg. his wiues Iohn Kirkham and Elis. his wife Iohn Mynne The foundation of the Brotherhood in S. Botolpâ—s Edward Murell and Martha his wife William Campion and Anne his wife Henry Cantlow Sir William Cantlow knight Iohn Olney Lord Maior Tho. Muschampe Sir William Yerford Lord Maior and Elis. his wife Sir Roger Ree â—night and Rose his wife Tho. Bromflit Andrew Chyett Iohn Martin Lord Maior and â—atherine his wife * Eliae Reusneri Basil. Geneal Auctuarium edit Francosurt 1592 pag. 102. Historie generall of the Netherlands lib. 5 pag 227. impr an Dom. 1609. * Penes Simonds D' Ewes Equitem auratum abâ—epotem dicti Aâ—rini * In Registro Curiae Dum. Archidiaconi Lond. Libr. 4. sol 34. a b. * Escaety de a. 34. Eliz. parte 1. n. 11. Essex in Archiuis Tho. Pigot Richard Sutton W. Holland and Margaret his wife Rich Story and Ioan his wife Peter Fernefold Walter Turke Lord Maior Tho. Padington Marg. and Anne his wiues Will. Cogshall and Elis. his wife Nich. Wolbergh and Mar. his wife Rog. Hunning and Margaret his wife Tho. Paynard Vincent Catal. of Viscounts Ioan Coppinger Tho. Wandesford and Idonea his wife Will. â—oyliâ— Lord Maior and Catherine his wife Glanvile Agnes Cheyney Io. Rayning Will Porter and Elis. his wife Cowell lit C. Will. 〈◊〉 Io. Westcliffâ— Ioan his wife Will. Newport and Mossâ—s his wife Will Read and Maâ—g his wife M. Drayton Pol. 17. Song London lying like a halfe moone London Bridge the Crowne of Tames Camd. in Mid. Speed of Miâ— Gen 14.10 Hampton Court Camd in Mid. Câ—sar Commâ—nt lib. 5. Burials neere Stanes Spec. Brit. Lib. 1. cap. 2. Burials neere Brainford Burials of the dead slaine at Barnet field Camd. in Hert. The first battel of S. Albans Mss In bib Coâ— The second battell of S. Albans Camd. in Hert. Burials of the dead slaine in the battels at S. Albans Burials of the dead betwixt Stenenhaugh and Knebworth Camd. in Essex M. Drayton Song 19. Roman burials and the bones of Gyant-like found in Essex Burials neere Showbery Burials neere Barklow Ancient Tombes Danes-bloud Burials of the dead in and about Ashdown * â—â—â—inous * places * soules Battels and burialls of the dead â—â— and about â—he ancient Baâ—hg of Maldon 〈…〉 London Gâ—dwin Mss in lib. Sim. 〈…〉 aurat 〈◊〉 lib. 2 ca. 7. Mellituâ— quenched by his prayer the fire burning the Citie of Canterbury S. Ceada or Cedda 〈…〉 3. c. 2◠〈…〉 Tilbuâ—y Cities Sir Horace Vâ—â—e Baâ—on of Tilbury Sir Francis and siâ— Hoâ—ace Vere M. 〈…〉 Song 〈◊〉 S. Chad Bishop of Lichfield S. Erconwald Bed lib. 4 ca. 6. Cures by Saint Erconwald Horse-licter S. Theodred S. Egwulfe S. Richard Ex lib. Elien in bib Coâ— S. Roger. Mat. Paris an 1230. A strange Tempest M. D. Polyol Song 24. Felix the first Bishop of Dunwich or Dunmok Harding ca 91. Beda lib. 2. ca. 15 Hist. Eccl. Two and fifty religious stâ—â—ctures as many windmilâ— and as many toppe ships in Dunwich Recorda Dun. Camd. in Suss. The state of Dunwich since the foregoing time Six parish Churches Two houses of Friers One house of Templaâ—s Two Hospitals The couetouâ—nesse of the Masters and Officers The destruction of both Hospitals Three Chappelâ— The Cathedral Church vncertaine A strange and ancient buriall of a Bishop Bishops Seats anciently what they were A Mint in Dunwich Burials in the blacke Friers at Dunwich 〈◊〉 in the blacke Friers of Dunwich The foundation of the first Church in Bury The first foundation of the Abbey by the common people The second by K Canâ—â—e Ex Arch Turr. Lend * Bederics Court Farme or mansion house Camd. in Suss. Euersden Leland * Now but two The oath of the Alderman of Bury The broile betweene the Townesmen the Abbot and Couent of Bury Reliques in the Abbey Church out of a booke called Compend Com. pertorum in the treasurie of the Exchequer Aniles Fabulae S. Edmund King and Martyr Speed Hist ca. 11 * now Hoxon Ex lib. Abb. de Russ. in bib Col. S. Robert Martyr ex lib. Abb. de chateris in bib Cot. Alan Earle of Britaine and Kichmond Milles Catal. Rich. The building of Richmond Castle Tho. Plantaginet Earle of Norfolke Vincent Catal. Norf. Tho. Beauford Duke of Exceter Mary Queene of France Iohn Boon Abbot of Bury Out of a Lieger booke of the Abbey Cowell lit C. Conged'eslire Iohn Lidgate Monke * I know not * Promised * A dish made of marrow and grated bread * A Pancake * Couuremnet * Nappy Ale * Guâ—â—â— * Clocke * Verely * Nor Squire
to reestablish that holy and yet vnfortunate King Henry the sixt in his regall authoritie In this battaile vpon King Edwards part were slaine Humfrey Bourchier Lord Cromwell Henry Bourchier sonne and heire to the Lord Barners both buried at Westminster In the quarrell of King Henry were slaine the foresaid Richard Neuill Earle of Warwicke and Iohn Neuill Marquesse Montacute his brother both buried at Bisham Abbey in Barkeshire the bodies of many others of the Nobilitie and Gentrie on both parties which perished in this vnnaturall conflict had Christian buriall in the Frier Augustines Church London The common Souldiers as also many Commanders were buried vpon the same Plaine where the foresaid battaile was strucken to whose memory a Chappell was built vpon the said Plaine and a Priest appointed to say Masse for their soules as the doctrine went in those daies Vpon both sides of common Souldiers there died that holy Easter day as then the 14. of Aprill saith Ed. Hall ten thousand foure thousand saith Io. Stow and Rob. Fabian saith farre lesse fifteene hundred so vncertaine as I haue said before is the number of the dead slaine in battaile Howsoeuer a part onely of Hertfordshire is comprised within this Diocesse yet giue me leaue to say somewhat in this place of the whole County A rich Countrie saith Clarencieux in corne Fields Pastures Medowes Woods Groues and cleere riuerets And for ancient townes it may contend with the neighbours euen for the best For there is scarcely another in all England that can shew more good townes in so small a compasse the whole circumference of the Shire being but about an hundred and thirtie miles In this County and in the towne of S. Albans two mortall and bloudy battels of Englands ciuill dissentions haue beene fought The first whereof chanced the 24. of May Anno 1455. by Richard Duke of Yorke with his associates the Earles of Warwicke and Salisbury and Lords of Fawconbridge and Cobham against King Henry the sixt In whose defence Edmund Duke of Somerset Henry Earle of Northumberland and Iohn Lord Clifford with fiue thousand more lost their liues the King himselfe was wounded in the necke with an arrow the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Sudley in their faces Humfrey Earle Stafford in his right hand and the Earle Dorset almost slaine On the Dukes part onely sixe hundred were slaine Of which battell and of the timerous flight of the Souldiers on the Kings partie the learned Abbot of Saint Albans Iohn Wheathamstead who liued in those daies writes thus Marcia splendiferum regerent cum sydera celum Aspicerentque feros toruis aspectibus Anglâ—s Albani Villam tranquilla pace vigentem Fedarunt multo violenter sanguine fuso Rex aderat presens secumque cohors satis ingent De Dominis Regni contrarius hijs Eboraci Dux que duo comites Warwici et Sarsburiensis Venerunt media fit grandis pugna platea In qua corruerant qui nobilitate vigebant De patria Boree comes insignis Dominusque Corruit ac ipse qui belli causa fuisse Fertur Dux magnus de Somercethe vocitatus Ac alij plures satis asperasors fuit ipsis Multi fugerunt aliter se non properarunt Quin faciunt trepide visum fugiendo Columbe Insultum ve Canis Damus Lepus ac fera queuis Dum fugiunt nemora pecierunt siue Frutecta In quibus vt pueri virgam metuendo magistri Se pudet id ferre vecorditer occoluere Qui fuerant nostra proprius penetralia tecta Ad nos fugerunt sub Stallis et latuerunt Aut infra latebras timor ingens duxerat ipsos Sic imbecillis tergum dedit hostibus hostis Non sine dedecore nec nominis absque rubore Mors est non vita sub turpi viuere fama Et patet in paucis sors belli que fuit huius Qualis euentus Domini Ducis et comitatus Ter deno trino Domini Regis fuit anno Henrici sexti facies hec obuia celi In Maio mense bis dena bis quoque luce M. semel x quino C quater fuit I quoque quino In Maio mense bis dena bis quoque luce Hic strages procerum conflatus hic populorum The second battell fought in this towne of Saint Albans was by Queene Margaret against the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke the Earles of Warwicke and Arundell that by force kept with them the King her husband with whom by constraint he held and on their side fought vntill the field was lost and Lords fled when with great ioy he was receiued by his Queene and yong sonne Prince Edward This battell sell the 17. of February being Shrouesunday Of this towne and of these two battels thus Camden writes in a more succinct and serious stile As Antiquity consecrated this place saith he to be an Altar of Religion so Mars also may seeme to haue destined it for the very plot of bloudy battaile For to let other particulars goe by when England vnder the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke bereft as it were of vitall breath was ready through a ciuill warre to sinke downe and fall in a swoune the chiefe Captaines on both sides ioyned battaile twise with reciprocall varietie of fortune in the very towne First Richard Duke of Yorke gaue the Lancastrians here a sore ouerthrow tooke King Henry the sixt captiue and slew many honourable personages Foure yeares after the Lancastrians vnder the conduct of Queene Margaret wonne here the field put the house of Yorke to flight and restored the King to his former liberty The bodies of such of the Nobility and others of eminent ranke and qualitie which lost their liues in these mortall contentions were buried in the Abbey Church as I haue partly touched before in Saint Peters and in other religious Structures accordingly as they were befriended the common Souldiers were buried in Church-yards and vpon a little greene at the Townes end called No mans land which lies betwixt the two waies as I take it leading to Luton and Sandridge Nere vnto the roade high way saith Camden in this tract betweene Stenenhaugh and Knebworth the seat of the worshipfull house of the Littons descended from Litton in Darbishire I saw certaine round hils cast vp by mans hands such as the old Romans were wont to reare for Souldiâ—ers slaine in the wars of which the Captaine himselfe laid the first turse and now for Essex Essex is a country large in compasse the circumference thereof being one hundred forty sixe miles fruitfull of woods plentifull of Saffron and very wealthy A late writer hauing reckoned vp the commodities which this County doth affoard concludes on this manner If you esteeme not these as things aboue the ground Looke vnder where the Vrnes of ancient times are found The Roman Empâ—rours Coynes oft digd out of the dust And warlike weapons now consum'd with cankring rust And huge and massy bones of mighty fearefull