possible proof of their right Whereupon the Pope sent his Apostolical Letters to the Priors of Deeping and St. Leonard in Stamford and to the Dean of Stamford that they should hear and examine such Witnesses as the Abbot and Convent could produce and cause their testimony to be Recorded and to make a publick Instrument thereof Datum Laterani 7. Kaland. April Pontif. nostri Anno 7. And here it may be fit to mention the Council of Laterane unto which there was a general citation saith Swapham thoughout Christendom in so much that there were assembled 400. Bishops above 800. Abbots and Priors and Procurators without number So John Abbot MCCXV Romae Concili um Lateranense secundum celebratum est ubi Episcopi CCCC Abbates Priores DCCC ultra Procuratorum non erat numerus Here it was provided among other things that all Convents of Monks should fast that is eat no Suppers from the Feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross till Easter Which order the Abbot when he returned from this Council prevail'd with his Convent to observe as they did at Rome But not without many intreaties for it had been the custom not only here at Burgh but in other places for the Monks to eat two meals a day at certain times for instance from the exaltation of Holy Cross till the first of October from the Nativity till the Octaves of the Epiphany and many other days within that compass of time forementioned on which the Convent was wont to have one dish at Supper with Cheese And therefore propter integrita tem Eleemosynae that their constant allowance might not be diminished the Abbot ordained that what was wont to be provided for their Supper they should have at Dinner While the Abbot was at Rome King John demanded the whole military service of the Abbot Whose Attorneys complaining that they could not justitiare milites libertatis Burgi make these men do their duty the King commanded their fees to be destrained Which when the Attorneys said they could not do the King gave away the Land of Nic. de Bassingburn to Baldwinus de Gynes and the Land of Roger de Torpel to Will. Blome and the Land that was Rad. de Dyve in Vpton to Rob. de Nevile of Scottone and the Land of Richard de Watervile to Will. de Palmes and the Land of Will. Andegavensis in Chirchefeild to Ade Furneis and the Land of Hugo Wac in Deeping with the appurtenances to Will. de Bruere and so he disposed of the rest of the Lands And commanded Will. de Aundres Constable of Rockingham that he should destrain all the military feods and that he should not meddle with the demesne of the Abbot but let it be undisturbed utpote liberam Eleemosynam Domini Regis These feods I suppose were restored upon their submission for I find in a Marginal Note Swaph fol. CCLXX. that Rog. de Torpel refused to serve unless the Abbot paid his expences upon which his Estate he held of the Abbot being ordered to be seised he scarcely obtained the favour to serve upon his own proper charges Before his time there had been great discord and murmuring contention and envy frequently happened among the Brethren propter minutionem about blood-letting which was very necessary some time to those sedentary people who were subject to repletion And no wonder because no body could accipere minutionem be let blood without an Order from the Prior who let some have it oftner others more rarely some after five weeks others after 6. and others not till after 8. or 10. or 15. or perhaps half a year To take away therefore all trouble out of their minds about this matter this Abbot ordered that the Convent should be divided into six parts and upon the day of letting blood he that was the Senior of that part whose turn it was to have the benefit of it should ask licentiam minuendi and that under his hand for his Brethren from the Prior. In the Margin of the Book there is this Note That in Abbot Walter 's time this mode of minution was thus far altered that they should be divided into five parts and then minuerentur modo supradicto For Robert Grosteste Bishop of Lincoln in his Visitation had forbidden the eating of flesh altogether unto the Monks every where except only in the Infirmary or in the Abbots Chamber which was accounted by them an unsupportable burden It is further also noted that the Convent in former times had liberty at three seasons in the year to eat as much flesh as they pleased in a house deputed for that purpose and in the domus Hospitum house where they entertained Strangers and in all places where they eat out of the Refectory they might eat flesh Which liberty was quite taken away by the above named Inhibition of the Bishop They who were minuti let blood were formerly refreshed in the Refectory three times a day with a regular diet as appears by the antient Customary of this Church Swapham observes that he found LXXII Monks here when he came to the Convent and so many I have noted before King Henr. I. found here when he took an account of all belonging to the Monastery upon the death of John de Sais And therefore what is said of Akarius his taking in XXII Monks must be understood I think of supernumeraries whom he maintained for his time at his own charges ex intuitu pietatis as the words there are For the maintenance of these the Lands in Alwalton and Flettun had been given by Andreas but were not sufficient to supply the Kitchin with provisions though it had other Rents besides which are all distinctly mentioned in a Charter of his Swaph fol. CV wherein he gives those Mannors intirely to the Celerary with all that had been reserved out of them to the Abbot at the Feast of St. Michael This Abbot Robert therefore gave other Revenues not only for the recreation as the word is of those 72 Monks but for the increment of eight Monks more whereby the whole Number was made LXXX And particularly Belasise as Mr. G. observes to find those 8. with Bread and Beer Which Corn and Malt was afterward changed into money in Abbot Walters time because the Celerarius of the Abbot and his Servants would receive none but the very best which was the occasion of great quarrels In the Charter wherein he settles those Lands he makes mention of the observation of his own Anniversary the expences of which were to be born out of them Andreas I noted before began this custome as far as I can find assigning an annual Pension for the celebrating of the Anniversary of Benedict his Predecessor After which I find no mention of it till this Abbots time who took care not only of his own but both of Andreas his and of his Successors Akarius For after the Constitution of Akarius directing how the sour Stone of Wax from Croyland should be imployed
Richard enough is delivered by Roger Bird his Register telling us that they were Benedictine Monks or Monks of the black Order and lived under that rule but when this rule was first received here I cannot positively say though probably it was from the beginning In the time of this Richard strict inquisition began to be made into Discipline how the Monks of this Order observed the rules of their Founder for which purpose the Bishop of Lincoln sometimes visited the Abby of Peterburgh and sometimes the Abbots of this Order visited one anothers Monasteries according to articles agreed upon in their General Chapter which was commonly held at Northampton As the Abbot of Eyneshame in Oxfordshire sent his summons to the Abbot of Peterburgh Johannes permissione divina Abbas Mon. de Eyneshame Ordinis Sancti Benedicti Lincoln Dioc. ad visitanda omnia singula Monasteria nigrorum monachorum dicti Lincoln Dioces In Capitulo generali ejusdem Ordinis apud Northampton c. And so the Abbots of Peterburgh Bardney Thorney Ramsey Trinity Monastery in Norwich the Priory of S. Ethelreda in Ely did mutually visit each other as occasion served Many Corrodies were granted by this Abbot Richard but the Abby for diet got their Lands or other Benevolences Two were remarkable the first of John Delaber Bishop of S. Davids Bird Fol. 45. who was much affected towards this Monastery and for bestowing upon them his Mitre Cross Dalmaticks Sandals Sabbatines Gloves and Mass Book he received a Corrody which he might take at his own choice either at Peterburgh or at the Abbots Mannor of Eyebury with a yearly pension of 32l to be received during his life out of the Abbots Mannor of Kettering in consideration of a great summ of Money which the Abby had borrowed of him and he forgave it The other Corrody was to Alice Garton Widow which I thought fit to mention in regard the pavement of the Church Bird Fol. 63. doth still retain the memory of her and her family which lieth buried in the Body of the Church over against the Cloister door On the first stone are engraven these verses Hic duo sunt nati Thomae Garton tumulati Thomas quinquennis fuit Agnes feretriennis On the second these This Tho. Garton beautified some of the Windows in the Western Cloister with painted glass Corpus sub Lapide Thomae Garton jacet arte Conjugis Aliciaeque suae dextra sibi parte Quorum nunc animae coelesti luce requiescant On the third these Conjugis Aliciae Thomae Garton miserere O pater egregie quiat tecum residere Mantello teste viduali vixit honeste Brigge Fair. Vid. Chartam in App. In the 2 year of this Abbot Richard 1439. King Henry 6 by his Charter bearing date July 14 and the 17 of his Reign granted to the Abbot and Convent of Peterburgh the keeping of a Fair for three days viz. on S. Matthew's day the day before and the day after and that they should hold the said Fair as well in Huntingdonshire as Northamptonshire which Fair is now commonly known by the name of Brigge Fair. And in regard that a Fair was formerly granted to be kept the same day at Northolm in the time of Abbot Godfrey as hath been said 't is probable that the Fair there either by reason of discontinuance or some other inconvenience was setled here at Peterburgh Bird Fol. 14. This Abbot Richard was summoned to sit in Parliament at Westminster and being unable to undertake such a journey he delegated William Tresham and John Kirkby Clerk of the Parliament to sit in his place and to act for him and in his name as if himself were present as appeareth by his Letter to the King dated Febr. 12. 1444. He was summoned again to a Parliament at Coventry where he took the Oath of Allegiance to King Henry in manner and form as followeth Bird Fol. 49. I Richard Ashton Th'abbot of Peterburgh knowledge you most high and mighty and most Crysten Prince King Henry the Sixth to be my most redoubted Severayn Lord and rightwessly by succession born to Reign upon me and all your lege People Whereupon y voluntarily without cohertion promitte and oblish me by the Faith and Trouth that y owe unto God and by the Faith and Trouth and ligeance that y owe unto you my most redoubted Soveraign Lord that I shall be without eny variance True Faithful humble and obeysaunt Subjet and Liegeman unto you my most redoubted Soveraign Lord And that y shall be unto my lifes end at all times and places redy and attending in my most harty wise and maner as eny Liegeman oweth to be unto his Soveraign Lord putting me in my true undelayed Devoir to do all that that may be unto the we le and suerty of your most Royal Person of your most noble Estate And the way conservation and continuance of your most high Autority preheminence and Prerogatyf to the we le suerte and preserving of the Person of the most high and benigne Pryncesse Margaret the Queen my Soveraign Lady and of her most noble Estate she being your wife And also to the we le suerte and honour of the Person of the right high and mighty Prince Edward my right redoubted Lord the Prince your first begotten Sonn And of the right high and noble Estate of the same And faithfully truly and obeysantly in my most humble wise and Maner Honour serve obey and bear mind Allegeance unto my most redoubted Soveraign Lord during your lyfe wich God Fadir of mercy for my most singular recomfort preserve long in prosperity to endure And if God of his infinite power take you from this transitory life me bering lif here in this World that than y shall accept my said redoubted Lord the Prince Edward your said first begotten Sonn for my Soveraign Lord and bere my trouth Feith and Legiaunce unto him as my natural born Soveraign Lord. And aftre him unto his Succession of his Body lawfully begotten And in defaute of his Succession wiche God deffend unto eny other succession of your Body lawfully commyng And that y shall never at eny time for eny manner occasyon colour affinite or cause consent gyf aide assistance or favour or agree to eny thing that y may understond or know by eny meane that may be prejudicial or contrary to the premisses or eny of theym but that y shall as soon as y may so have knowlege put me in my dewe undelayed devoir in my most hearty and effectuous wyse and manner without colour or fayntise with my body goods myght pouer counsell and advertisement to resist withstond and subdue all theym that would in eny wyse presume to do contrary to the premisses or eny of them So God me help and those holy Evangelists In witness whereof y set to these presents my Seal and my Sign Manuel After that Richard had been Abbot here about thirty three years he surrendred his Government
say January 16. being the year of our Lord 1560. What he was for Learning and integrity of Religion in the now reformed Church of England wherein he was a Bishop may appear by these Doctrinal Articles which in his first Episcopal Visitation he prescribed to the Dean and Prebendaries of his Church requiring their subscription thereunto For as yet the general Articles of the Church of England were not formed until about two years after Jan. 29. 1562. B. Scamblers Articles were these 1 Sacra Scriptura in se continet omnem doctrinam pietatis ex qua sufficienter error convinci possit veritas stabiliri 2 Symbolum Nicaenum Athanasii quod communiter Apostolorum dicitur continent brevissime articulos fidei nostrae sparsim in Scripturis ostensos qui istis non crediderint inter veros Catholicos non sunt recipiendi 3 Ecclesia Christi est in qua purum Dei verbum praedicatur sacramenta juxta Christi ordinationem administrantur in qua clavium autoritas retinetur 4 Quaevis Ecclesia particularis autoritatem habet instituendi mutandi abrogandi caeremonias ritus Ecclesiasticos modo ad decorem ordinem aedificationem fiat 5 Christus tantum duo sacramenta expresse nobis commendat Baptisma Eucharistiam quae conferunt gratiam rite sumentibus etiamsi malus sit Minister non prosunt indigne sumentibus quamvis bonus sit Minister 6 Laudandus est Ecclesiae mos baptizandi parvulos retinendus 7 Coena Dominica non est tantum Symbolum benevolentiae Christianorum interse sed magis Symbolum est nostrae redemptionis per Christi mortem nostrae conjunctionis cum Christo ubi fidelibus vere datur exhibetur Communio corporis sanguinis Domini 8 Sacramentum Eucharistiae ex usu Primitivae Ecclesiae neque servabatur vel elevabatur vel adorabatur 9 Missa quae consuevit a sacerdotibus dici non erat a Christo constituta sed a multis Romanis Pontificibus confirmata nec est Eucharistia ex se sacrificium propitiatorium sed recordatio sacrificii semel peracti 10 Scholastica transubstantiatio panis vini in corpus sanguinem Christi probari non potest ex sacris literis 11 Non omne peccatum mortale seu voluntariò perpetratum post baptismum est irremissibile peccatum in Spiritum Sanctum 12 Post acceptum Spiritum potest homo peccare ac denuo resipiscere neque sine peccato vivit quamvis regeneratio in Christo imputetur 13 Justificatio ex sola fide est certissima doctrina Christianorum 14 Elizabetha Regina Angliae est unicus supremus gubernator hujus regni omnium dominiorum regionum suarum quarumcunque in rebus causis Ecclesiasticis quam temporalibus 15 Verbum Dei non prohibet foeminarum regimen cui obediendum est juxta ordinationem Dei 16 Romanus Pontifex nullam habet jurisdictionem in hoc regno Angliae nec alia quaecunque potestas extranea 17 Leges civiles possunt Christianos propter flagitia morte punire 18 Christianis licet ex jussu Principis bella gerere ex justa causa propria possidere 19 Doctrina scholasticorum de Purgatorio invocatione Divinorum nullum habet fundamentum ex verbo Dei 20 Praeceptum Dei est ut quae leguntur in Ecclesia illa lingua proferantur quae ab Ecclesia intelligatur 21 Absque externa legitima vocatione non licet cuiquam sese ingerere in aliquod ministerium Ecclesiasticum vel seculare 22 Matrimonium inter Christianos legitime juxta verbum Dei initum contractum est indissolubile nec per traditiones hominum unquam vellendum 23 Coelibatus nulli hominum statui praecipitur neque injungitur ministris Ecclesiae ex verbo Dei Haec omnia vera esse publice docenda profiteor eaque juxta datam mihi facultatem eruditionem tuebor docebo Hancque meam confessionem manus meae subscriptione testificor contrariamque doctrinam abolendam esse judico detestor By these Articles it may appear that Bishop Scambler was no friend to the Church of Rome nor they to him and whether it was for these Articles or some other Book which he published I find him recorded in the Roman Index of Books prohibited and branded with the Title of Pseudoëpiscopus But his name and memory are the more honourable by that name of Infamy which the Papists might cast upon the Worthies of our English Church Scambler having been Bishop here the space of twenty three years was translated to Norwich whither he that would know the residue of his life end burial or Epitaph must follow him it being without the Climate of our story But whilst he was at Peterburgh he empaired the honour priviledges and revenues of his Bishoprick passing quite away the Hundred of Nassaburgh with the whole Liberties thereof The Goal The Mannor of Thirlby The Mannor of Southorpe c. to the Queen from whom the Earls of Exeter enjoy them to this day As if King Henry had not taken away enough the Bishop himself would pass away more Scambler being translated to Norwich there succeeded 48 RICHARD HOWLAND Who was Master of S. John's Colledge in Cambridge and made Bishop here March 16. 1584. being the 27 year of Queen Elizabeth We have not much to say of him his parts or actions but shall enlarge this Paragraph of his being Bishop here with the story of Mary Queen of Scotts her death at Fotheringhay Castle and burial in the Cathedral Church of Peterburgh The whole progress of her life and actions from her first arrival in England May 16. 1568. to her coming to Fotheringhay with her several places of removal and several keepers is so largely related by Mr. Vdal Mr. Saunderson and others who have wrote her story that I shall remit the Reader to them and content my self with her death and burial Upon the seventh day of February 1586. eighteen years from her first arrival The Commissioners for her execution came to Fotheringhay the Earls of Shrewsbury Kent c. and Thomas The Earl of Shrewsbury was George Talbot and E. Marshal of England The Earl of Kent was Henry Grey Andrews of Sheriff of Northamptonshire for that year By these the Queen of Scotts understanding that the Lease of her life was not long to last only one day longer she seemed not dismayed with the Message but told the Commissioners she did not think that Queen Elizabeth would have consented to her death but since it was so she would most gladly embrace it and in order thereunto desired of the Commissioners the benefit of her Clergy that her Confessor might come to her which the Commissioners denying propounded the Bishop or Dean of Peterburgh which the Queen of Scotts refused The Commissioners being departed she gave order for her Supper at the time whereof she drank to her servants and comforted them because she saw them much
there follows immediately a Statute of this Abbot Robert ordaining that upon the Anniversaries of Andreas and Akarius the Celerarius should provide four good dishes of meat for the Convent together with Wine if it could be had or else good Beer and that the Eleemosynary should distribute to the Poor that came on those dayes a convenient portion of Bread and Ale What the Religious part of the observation of these days was in this Church I have not yet found but in other Churches it appears to have been very solemn and great Particularly in that of Westminster where they were of the same Order with the Monks of this Church Anniversaries were about this time kept in all regards very magnificently For example Abbot Walter who dyed not long before Rob. Lyndsey's days An. 1191. gave the Mannor of Padington to that Church and totally deputed it to this use for the celebration of his Anniversary on the Feast of St. Cosmas and Damianus On which day he requires the Almoner to provide for the whole Convent Simnella Gastella Canastella Brachinella and Wafras and to every one of the Brethren one Galon of Wine cum tribus bonis pitanciis with three good dishes of Meat called pitancias from the word Piety and thence also called Misericordias now called in the Colledges exceedings and also good Ale in abundance before the Brethren at all the Tables as upon other Feasts and Anniversaries it was wont to be found by the Celerarius in the great Tankard of five and twenty Galons For the ordinary guests who should that day dine in the Refectory he requires him to provide two dishes of Meat with Bread and Wine and Ale honourably and abundantly and for the more honourable persons make the same provision as for the Convent And besides find for all comers whatsoever from the hour that the Table concerning the Anniversary was read in the Chapterhouse untill the Completorium of the next day both in Meat and Drink Hay and Oats all things necessary nor was entrance to be denyed to any person whether Footman or Horseman He was to make provision also for the Nuns of Holborn for the Servants of the Monastery and for three hundred poor every one of which was to have a loaf of Bread of the same weight with the Bread of the Convent and a pott of Ale and they who had no Vessels might drink pro voluntate as much as they pleased And to omit the rest there was after all Mede to be provided for the Convent ad potum charitatis As for the Religious part of the Ceremony it was after this manner On the vigils of the forenamed day the Prior and the Convent sang Placebo and Dirige with three lessons as on other principal Anniversaries they were wont with ringing of Bells two Wax-Candles burning continually at his Tomb which was on the South side of the Cloyster from the said Vigils to the end of the Mass da Requem which was sung the next day On the Anniversary of Richard de Crokesley who dyed as long after this time as the other did before it 1258. there was a far greater solemnity for which he gave the Mannors of Hampestede and of Stoke with other Rents It began with ringing of Bells the evening before for which they received xiii s. iiii d. and the next day after Mass there were Alms given to a thousand poor people and for six days following to five hundred every day to every body a peny c. And he ordained that four Monks should every of those days say Mass for his Soul at four several Altars four Wax Candles burning at his Tomb during the Mass if he was buried in the Monastery if without it then two of the Candles were to burn at the Altar of the Holy Trinity the other two at the Altar of Edward the Confessor Provided that upon his Anniversary four Wax-Candles should burn all day about his Tomb or before the Altars now named for which he assigned three pound c. This was agreed in the Chapterhouse on the Friday after the Feast of St. Barnaby 1256. and he got a confirmation of it from Alexander 4. But ten year after his death they obtained a Modification of this Anniversary from Pope Clement IV. according as the Abbot of Waltham and other Delegates appointed for this business should think fit to moderate it I omit many others which are in a MS. History of that Church written by John Fleete a Monk of that Church which he collected out of better writers than himself After some such manner no doubt Anniversaries were observed in this Church of Burgh for I find that in Akarius his time Hugo de Longo Campo Son of Henry de Longo Campo out of respect to God and the Salvation of his Soul granted all his Land in Eyliswurthe viz. quadraginta sex solidatas terrae in liberam puram ac perpetuam Eleemosynam for the making of his Anniversary cum debita ac solita solemnitate with due and with usual solemnity Which Charter of his was afterward confirmed by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury Swaph fol. XC Immediately after that Statute about the forenamed Anniversaries there follows a Constitution which I suppose therefore was made by this same Abbot Robert directing what was to be done when any part of the Body or Blood of our Lord in the Sacrament by negligence fell upon the Ibid. Fol. CCLXIII Ground or upon a Matt Carpet or the like Concerning which two other Constitutions follow with verses comprehending the sense of them which I have transcribed and put in the Appendix This Abbot lived in evil days which makes the many good things he did besides these the more commendable there having been great discord as Swapham observes between the King and the Church insomuch that the Kingdom was interdicted for above six years after which followed cruel and most shameful Wars between the King and his Nobles in which Charches were broken down and destroyed and what was in them was pillaged and carried away After he had governed Nine year and ten months he dyed in the Feast of Crispinus and Crispinianus It should be eight year for he began to govern in the year 1214. and all agree he dyed in the year 1222. So the MS. Chron. Johan Abbatis An. MCCXXII obiit Rob. de Lyndesey Abbas Burgi cui successit Alexander Abbas And so Swapham himself In which year I find in the same Chronicon there was a Council held at Oxford in the Church of Osney by Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury where the Bishops and other Prelates being generally present some of the Institution made in the forenamed Council of Lateran with some additions for the reformation of the Clergy and people were recited Two of the most Noble of which as he calls them he sets down The first concerning the Prelates that all of them both Bishops and Abbots should be bound to change every year those that waited on them in their
The Abbot sends a messenger to the King intimating the danger of such a donation The King resenting the business and how it would redound to the damage of that and other Churches whereof he was Patron and Defender and detesting the secret snares and covetousness of the Roman Court strictly forbade such an horrid donation Thus far Matthew Paris Page 657. How this refusal of the Popes demand by the Abbot of Peterburgh was resented at Rome may appear by the same Author in another place where he writes thus But the Abbot of Peterburgh a man without exception who had more especially resisted the Pope's Mandate being arrived at the Roman Court was accused by Martin the Popes Agent then resident in England for that he would not conferr a Church upon a man fitting for the place to the use of the Popes kinsman So that the Abbot appearing in the Popes Court the Pope rebuked him in very opprobrious terms and commanded that he should be expelled the Court which was done so shamefully and irreverently that the poor Abbot taking it to heart fell into an incurable disease and the same year died to the great detriment of his Church which he had prudently governed And in another place the same Author recites it again telling us the name of the Abbot The same year on the eleventh of the Calends of Page 690. January after many vexations and tribulations which he suffered by the Court of Rome and an infirmity which himself had contracted to the great loss of his Church died Walter Abbot of Burgh This story makes good the Etymology that some of the Romanists themselves give of Rome Roma quasi Rodens Manus Johan Bononiensis in Decretab Bonif. 8. Fol. 32. Col. 4. One like it is given by another Radix Omnium Malorum Avaritia Waldens cit per Alexandrum Theologum in Destr vit part 6. cap. 33. Roma manus rodit quos rodere non valet odit Rome gnaweth hands as dainty Cates And whom it cannot gnaw it hates This by the way Walters Library was copious in comparison of his Predecessors consisting of these Books Decretale Aurora Claustrum animae Biblia Hexaëmeron S. Cantuariae versificé Rabanas de naturis rerum interpretationes Hebraicorum nominum in uno volumine Versus M. W. de Montibus Psalterium gloss Summa Magistri J. de Cantia de poenitentia Templum Domini cum arte confessionum Regula S. Benedicti Psalterium cum hympnario Item duo Psalteria Duo Missalia Duo Gradualia Liber Evangeliorum Liber orationum ad magnum altare 29. WILLIELMVS de Hotot William of Hotot or Hotoft why so called I know not for Wittlesey saith he was born at Carlton near Cottingham in the County of Northampton being a Monk of this place was chosen Abbot the sixth of February Anno 1246. the 31. of King Henry Fair at Oxeney 3. He procured from the King a Charter for a Fair to be kept at Oxeney to begin on the Eve of the Nativity of Mary and to continue for the space of eight days He made many orders in favour of his Monks as that he would not let any of his Abby Lands or do any thing of himself as Abbot without their consent When he had held his Abby about the space of three years he voluntarily gave it up on S. Nicolas day Anno 1249. And there was assigned unto him the Mannor of Collingham where he abode for a time until he was called thence by John his Successor who appointed him his abode at Oxeney allowing him the portion of four Monks Then William died and was brought to the Church of Peterburgh and buried before the Altar of S. Benedict Thus writes Wittlesey not naming the occasion of his reoess which Matthew Paris supplies In the year saith he 1249. there arose great dissension betwixt William Abbot of Page 769. Peterburgh and his Convent concerning dilapidations for that the Abbot had enriched his Kindred whereof he had great multitudes swarming about him to the great detriment of his Church but William being reproved would not reform this errour whereupon the Monks appealed to the Bishop of Lincoln and complained of the Abbots extravagancies who being convicted thereof and foreseeing the danger of his being deposed of his own accord resigned his place into the Bishops hand and there was assigned unto him a Mannor for his livelyhood So that having been Abbot only three years he surceased Perhaps he had not time enough to gather more Books than these into his Library Antissiodorensis abbreviatus Tractatus super Canonem Missae Templum Domini cum aliis rebus Libellus de diversis rebus Missale ad altare Michaelis As to the first book he wrote certain Collations which is in the Catalogue at the End T. XI but I find no mention of him any where else as a Writer See the Catalogue T. XI 30. JOHANNES de Caleto Page 895. So called from the place of his birth in Normandy He was of noble extraction and being made a Monk at the age of sevenyears was brought into England and placed in the Church of S. Swithune in Winchester for his education where growing in piety and wisdom as he did in years he was made Prior of Winchester and upon the recess of Abbot Will. elected Abbot of Peterburgh Anno 1249. which was the 33 of K. Henry 3. He was allied to Q. Elianor wife of K. Henry and such a ray of favour shined upon him through that relation that he was made one of the Kings Chief Justices and rode in the Circuit to execute Justice in the Kingdom At which though Matthew Paris seems to be much aggrieved as that which was not allowed by the rule of S. Benedict the first mention that I find of this Order in this Monastery whereof more hereafter in Richard Ashton and besides was prejudicial to his Church by reason of his absence yet Wittlesey saith that the Church suffered no damage thereby for he no ways neglected that but appointed Robert Sutton his Deputy by whom all things were as well managed as if Abbot John had himself been present And moreover Abbot John did often visit the Church himself to see how things were ordered how the Lands and Rents were bestowed how the Monks were governed and how the poor were relieved to whom he gave Alms with his own hand as oft as he came thither He was careful in adding to the buildings of the Monastery and built that goodly building called the Infirmary commonly the Farmary lately pulled down and at the The Farmary West end of the Chappel of S. Laurence This he appointed for sick and impotent Folk providing for them out of the Church demesns He was also liberal to his Convent giving for every day to the Monk that should sit President in the Refectory a gallon of Wine and half a gallon to the rest of the Society and to the Monk that celebrated high Mass a gallon of
and long contest with Sir Nicolas de Ry and the Abbot of Swinestead for Lands recovered from the Sea to his Mannor of Gosberchirch in Linconshire the story whereof Mr. Dugdale hath set down at large from a Peterburgh Manuscript Hist of Imb. and Draining page 235. Henry being dead was buried betwixt the Quire and the great Altar near unto his Predecessor Adam His grave being in the year 1648. Jan. 11. opened to receive the body of John Towers late Lord Bishop of this place there was found a Seal of Lead the instrument wholly consumed having on the one side these Letters thus inscribed SPA SPE over their several Effigies on the reverse Clemens P P vi 'T is probable that the instrument was some indulgence gotten at the Jubilee which was but three years before I must not here pass by a mistake of Pitseus who in his book of English Writers pag. 448. makes mention of one Johannes Petroburgensis who as he saith was first a Monk and afterwards Abbot of Peterburgh and lived about the year 1340. that he was a very learned man and wrote Annales Anglorum which he might do But for his being Abbot here at this time sure I am there was none such And Possevine in his Apparatus making mention of one Johannes Burgensis who wrote such a Book saith that he lived Anno 1200. but is not able to distinguish betwixt this and an other John mentioned in the life of Henry of Overton although Pitseus makes them two distinct Johns Vossius contradicts Possevine concerning the time of this supposed John but neither doth he agree with our account Henry being dead there succeeded 37. ROBERTVS Ramsey And all that we can say of him is that he succeeded Henry and was Abbot here the space of 8 years and that these books were the materials of his study Prima pars 2 Hostiensis in Decreta in 2. Vol. Hostiensis in Summa Speculum judiciale Decretale Derivationes Hugutionis Prima pars 2 Hostiensis in Decreta His next Successor was 38. HENRICVS de Overton Heu de Pightesly Who was made Abbot Anno 1361. or as some say a year after being the 36 of King Edward 3. No memorable act of his is extant upon any Record that I have seen Only that he instituted a yearly solemnity for the Soul of William Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury of Mary Courtney his Mother and of Hugh Courtney her Husband Earl of Devon and for the Souls of the Brethren and Sisters of the said Archbishop And likewise for the Souls of the Abbots of Peterburgh his Predecessors and Successors For which annual solemnity he appointed by his Charter bearing date 1390 the summ of 15l out of the Mannor of Thulby and some other Lands But why Abbot Henry should have the house of Courtney in so high esteem I find not In his time great Commotions were raised against the Church in several places which as Richardus Knighton Canon of Leicester relates in the year 1381. reached to the Church of Peterburgh where the Countreymen and Tenants arose against the Abby with intention to have destroyed it but by the hand of God they were prevented What the cause of these commotions was or the manner of their pacification as yet I do not find About this time flourished a very learned man one Johannes de Burgo who wrote certain Books Of the Sacraments and a Book known to this day by the name of Pupilla oculi He was Pastor of the Church of Collingham in the County of Nottingham then belonging to the Monastey of Peterburgh Afterwards he was chosen Chancellor of the University of Cambridg which at length he relinquished and returned to Collingham where he died Anno 1386. as Pitseus and others write Page 542. Henry was Abbot here 29 years compleat and died in his thirtieth year Anno 1391. which might be the 14 or 15 of King Richard 2. His Library was but small only these Books Decretale Johannes de Deo Breviarium novum Catholicon Breviarum in two Vol. Innocentius Liber de vita moribus Tartarorum Henry being dead there succeeded 39. NICOLAVS Whom H. of Pightesly sirnames Elmstow Being made Abbot 1391. he continued so the space of five years I have little to say of him only I find in the accompt of his Celerarius for his second year of his being Abbot wherein the daily expences of his Table are recorded that his provision for that year all entertainments of strangers being also considered amounted to no more then 79 l. 0 s. 11 d. His Library had in it these Books Digestum vetus Digestum novum Codex Justiniani Liber azonis Raymundus Liber Poenitentiale Parvum volumen Digestum infortiatum Instituta Quaterna de lege Vnus lib. de fisica Alius Liber de lege Psalterium pulchrum Psalterium Latine Gallice scriptum Now although the private Libraries of these Abbots were thus small yet was there a publick Library for the whole Monastery stored with above 1700 Books or Tractates as by an antient Matriculary of that Library may appear in an Appendix to this our story Nicolas dying in his 5. year 1396. the 19. or 20. of 2 King Rich. 2. there came in his place 40. WILLIHELMVS GENGE Who was the first mitred Abbot of Peterburgh and continued in his Government here the space of 12 years both which his Epitath will demonstrate He was buried betwixt the Quire and high Altar the brass of his Monument participating of the same fate with the rest in the late devasting or devesting of Monuments Anno 1643. His Epitaph must now live in paper and it was this Prudens praelatus Wilihelmus Genge vocitatus Primus mitratus Abbas jacet hic tumulatus Summe vivebat claustrum summeque regebat Mundum spernebat quae fecerat illa docebat Vixer at ornatus virtutibus immaculatus Tunsus quadratus tentatus igne probatus Annis bissenis Burgum rexit bene plenis Vt careat poenis precibus potiamur amoenis 41. JOHANNES DEEPING Was made Abbot in the year 1408. being the 10 of King Henry 4. When he had been Abbot the space of 30 years he resigned his place accepting of a Corrodie for his life which was but one year more He lieth buried at the upper end of the Quire at the left hand of his predecessors Godfrey of Croyland and William Genge The brass of his Monument fared as other Monuments did in the year 1643. the Inscription was this Orate pro anima Johannis Deeping quondam Abbatis hujus Monasterii qui obiit 5 die Decembris 1439. 42. RICHARDVS ASHTON Was upon the resignation of John made Abbot 1438. the 17 year of King Henry 6. and continued therein about 33 years Throughout the whole succession of the former Abbots I find but small or no discovery what order the Monks of Peterburgh were of or under what rule they lived saving the forementioned in Johannes de Caleto but in the time of this
for the same which being done by him we require you that he may have the Pall to be used for the purpose aforesaid Given under our Signet at our Honour of Hampton Court the eight and twentieth day of Septemb. in the tenth year of our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the six and fortieth In obedience to this Letter the Body of the Queen of Scots was taken up the eleventh of October following in the year of our Lord 1612. and translated to Westminster where we shall leave Her and return to our succession of the Bishops of Peterburgh Howland having been Bishop here the space of 15 years died at Castor and was buried in his own Cathedral at the upper end of the Quire And there succeeded 49. THOMAS DOVE Who was Dean of Norwich and Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth who had so good esteem of him for his excellency in preaching reverend aspect and deportment that she was wont to call him The Dove with silver wings He entred upon his Bishoprick in the year 1600. and continued therein the space of 30 years During which time he was like S. Paul's Bishop a lover of Hospitality keeping a very free house and having always a numerous Family yet was he so careful of posterity that he left a fair estate to his Heirs He died upon the 30 of August 1630. in the 75 year of his age and lieth buried in the North cross Isle of the Church Over his body was erected a very comely Monument of a long quadrangular form having four corner pilasters supporting a fair Table of black Marble and within the pourtraiture of the Bishop lying in his Episcopal habit At the feet on the outside were these Inscriptions Si quaeras viator quo hospite glorietur elegans haec mortis domus ipsa prose loquetur ipsa pro illo quae ideo loqui didicit ut sciant illi qui eò ingratitudinis inhumaniter obriguerunt ut in manes in urnas saevire studeant non defuturam saxis linguam quae doceat de mortuis bene loqui Vindex hoc pium marmor sacros cineres tegit sanctiorem memoriam protegit Charissimum utrumque pignus redituri Domini Reverendissimi in Christo Patris Thomae Dove quem novit Waldenum Ecclesiasten doctissimum Nordovicum Decanum vigilantissimum haec ipsa Ecclesia Episcopum piissimum cui postquam trigint a annis magno cum honore praefuisset ad magnum illum animarum Episcopum transmigravit Bonus pastor translatus ab ovibus in terris ad Agnum in coelis quocum regnabit in secula Hoc me loqui voluit Gulielmus Dove Equ Aur. Optimi hujus patris filius natu-maximus honoris pietatis ergo Carmine non pous est sat sat praestabit abunde Si sat flere potest officiosus amor Vixt Epitaphium sibi Te sprevisse Poeta Quam facile poterit qui bene vixit Abi. Atque abeo durum est numeris aptare dolorem Atque aequo lachrymas currere posse pede Me muto tibi non poterunt monumenta deesse Vivum quem soboles tam numerosa refert Hoc addam Hic illa est senio argentata Columba Davidis coelos hinc petit ille suos Dixi Musa loquax tanto non apta dolori Si non flere satis nostra silere potest But this Monument was in the year 1643. levelled with the ground so that Bishop Dove's Epitaph in stead of Marble must now live in paper 50. WILLIAM PEIRSE Being Canon of Christs Church in Oxford and Dean of Peterburgh was made Bishop after the death of Dove and installed Nov. 14. A man of excellent parts both in Divinity and knowledge of the Laws very vigilant and active he was for the good both of the Ecclesiastical and Civil State and had he continued longer in this See he would have rectified many things then amiss But he was translated to the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells after two years presidency at Peterburgh 51. AVGVSTINE LINDSELL Was Dean of Lichfield and upon the translation of Peirse made Bishop of this Diocess being elected December 22. 1632. and installed by Proxy Febr. 25. following He was a man of very great learning and gave sufficient evidence thereof to the Church by setting forth that excellent edition of Theophylact upon S. Paul's Epistles which work will make his name worth live be honoured among all learned Divines Foreign and Domestick In his time the Parsonage of Castor was annexed to the Bishoprick to be held in Commendam which was effected by W. Laud Archbishop of Canterbury as he left recorded in his Diary When he had been Bishop here the space of two years he was translated to Hereford and shortly after ended his life to the greatloss of the Church of England 52. FRANCIS d ee Was taken from his Deanry of Chichester and made Bishop here being elected April 9. 1634. and in May 28. following installed by Proxy He was a man of very pious life and affable behaviour After he had with much diligence and honesty meekness and hospitality gloriously shined in his Ecclesiastical Orb here the space of four years and six months he died much lamented October 8. 1638. bequeathing by his will towards the reparation of his Cathedral Church the summ of an hundred pounds and lieth buried in the upper part of the Quire near to his Episcopal Seat 53. JOHN TOWERS Being Dean of this Church ascended the other step and was made Bishop after the death of Dee being installed March. 8. 1638. He enjoyed his Bishoprick in peace a very little while for presently great dissensions arose betwixt the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland which occasioned the Bishops attendance upon the King both in the North at York and at London in time of Parliaments that which was convened April 13. 1640. and dissolved May 5. following the Convocation sitting by the Kings express Commission until May 29 wherein the new Canons were made and that also which began the same year November 3. and was of a far longer continuance On August 5. this year the great Commission for draining the Fenns began to be holden at Peterburgh the Commissioners sitting in the Bishops great Hall until the 11. of the same month the determinations therein being since known by the name of Peterburgh Law On the third of November following a new Parliament began to sit Bishop Towers according to his place giving attendance there In the year following arose great opposition against Bishops as to their Office and power in having Votes in Parliament insomuch that many of them apprehending their insecurity in attending upon the House much opposition meeting them in the way some of them to the number of twelve drew up a Protestation against all such Laws Orders Votes Resolutions and determinations as in themselves null and of none effect which in their absence from December 27. 1641. had passed or should afterwards pass during the time of their forced absence from
Richard Kay B. D. Thurstane Murry Nicolas Brown B. D. Henry Williamson B. D. Thomas Dove M. A. Archdeacon of Northampton Henry Smith D. D. Mr. of Magd. Coll. Cambr. William Halls M. A. In the sixth PREBEND Richard White A Monk of the place Isham M. A. William Binsley Robert Johnson B. D. Richard Smith B. D. John Aungier L. D. Robert Summer M. A. now Parson of Northburgh John Wyldbore M. A. Parson of Wittering Thomas Lany B. D. John Whitehall I have now no more to do to the body of our story but to present the Reader with a relation of some few Monuments with their Inscriptions not yet mentioned and then the story of this Church will arrive at its period But before I give the relation of the Monuments of this Church I shall let the Reader know when and by whom they were destroyed In the year 1643. the Town of Croyland was by the inhabitants thereof made a Garrison for the King which they had great reason to do not only to shew themselves good Subjects but good Tenants they holding their Lands of him In the month of April on the 18 day came the Parliament-Forces to Peterburgh in order to the besieging of Croyland and here having settled themselves in their Quarters they fell to execute their fury upon the Cathedral destroying all things as the malicious Eye of each Sectarian Varlet prompted him to do mischief beating down the Windows defacing the Monuments tearing the Brass from Grave-stones plundering of Vestments Records and whatsoever else came to hand which nothing could resist Their Commanders of whom Cromwel was one if not acting yet not restraining the Souldiers in this heat of their fury But some two or three days after a finger of divine vengeance touched Cromwel although his rabble and he would not see it For being at that time quartered in the house of Mr. Cervington commonly called the Vineyard at the East end of the Cathedral out of the Court of which dwelling there was a passage into the Churchyard which since is mured up ascending by 3 or 4 Stone-steps Cromwel as others did riding up those steps his Horse fell under him and rising suddenly under the lintels of the door dashed his head against the lintels so that he fell to the ground as dead was so carried into the house and it was about a fortnight ere he could be recovered those who were eye-witnesses affirmed that the blow raised splinters in his Scalp near a fingers length But yet the siege of Croyland went on and on the 28 of April the Town was taken on the 5 of May. Cromwel with his Forces marched to Stamford and other places leaving the abomination of desolation in this Church behind them And now I shall give an accompt of such Monuments as were in the Church before their coming and have been added since I shall begin at the Nave or body of the Church where I shall omit such as are broken and worn out as not to be compleatly rendered Many also as bear only names and dates of burial which will give but little content to any that should read them As you enter into the Church high above on the left hand stands the figure of R. Scarlet once a Sexton of this Church one that was famous in his generation as may be collected by what is under written You see old Scarlet 's picture stand on high But at your feet there doth his body lye His gravestone doth his age and death time show His Office by these tokens you may know Second to none for strength and sturdie Limme A scare-babe mighty voice with visage grimm He had interr'd two Queens within this place And this towns Housholders in his live space Twice over But at length his own turn came What he for others did for him the same Was done No doubt his Soul doth live for ay In Heaven though here his body clad in clay Joyning to a Pillar on the Northside stood a comely Font the water whereof though it purged many yet it could not purge this Vessel in the opinion of those that brake it down 1643. Against the Cloister door are some antient Inscriptions only this perfect besides that of Garton formerly mentioned in Abbot Richard Ashton Aswalton natus jacet hic Henricus humatus Presbiter ornatus cui solvas Christe reatus Something beyond towards the upper end lieth a fair marble of late adorned with the figure of the deceased in Brass and on a Edward 3. Anno 46. Plate round about Hic jacet tumulatus Robertus de Thorp Miles There was one Sir W. Thorpe L. Chief Justice of the Kings Bench who for Bribery was condemned to be hanged Anno Edw. 3. 24. 22. y. before this Robert quondam Cancellarius Domini Regis Angliae qui obiit vicesimo nono die Junii Anno Domini Millesimo trecentesimo septuagesimo secundo Cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen By his side is another fair Marble which carried this Inscription Hic jacet tumulatus miles filius Domini Willielmi de Thorpe qui moriebatur apud Tou'ton Wat'vyle die Jovis xo. die Augusti Anno Domini Millesimo trecentesimo LXXV Cujus animae propitietur Deus On the left hand is a Marble bearing the figure of a cross legg'd Knight after the manner of the Templers with a dog at his feet lately the Brass was divorced from the Marble and Senour Gascelin de Marham stripped of his Monumental bravery A little above Here lieth the Body of William Leafield sometimes Edwardi 3. Anno 49. Inhabitant of this City who departed this life January 22. Anno Domini 1625. Near unto lieth one that was taken away in his budding his name and quality may be seen in the Inscription Robertus Carrier Subter Supra Anno Dom. 1651. Aetat 19. Grad Bacc. 1. Novemb. 24. Not far from this is one later who may be mentioned as another Siphrah both in function and piety Here lieth the Body of Jane Parker the wife of Valentine Parker She departed this life Sept. 19. day 1653. Here lieth a Midwife brought to bed Deliveresse delivered Her body being churched heere Her Soul thanks gives in yonder Spheer A little higher lieth a fair Marble which acts the second part of Niobe weeping for many figures of Brass which it hath lately forgone if the Inscription may be thought worth the weeping for Siste gradum mortale meum speculare Sepulchrum Hic ego qui jaceo sum genus ecce tuum Frater Willimi Ramsey venerabilis olim Istius Abbatis hic in honore loci Petriburgh Bayly Killire vocor ipse Johannes Mecum sponsa jacet ecce Johanna mea Tot mihi sunt nati mihi sunt nataeque puellae Willimus Thomas Willimus ipse Johannes Walt'rus Richardus Thomas Agnes mihi Marga Grata fit proles ac Katherina mihi Orate precor nos omnes ut Deus ipse Salvet ab inferno Pactus fuit en lapis iste 1489. April 19. The
till the last year of his Reign DCLXXV Where his words are Wlferus Rex Merciorum omnium Ydolorum cultum ex regione fugavit Leaving these things therefore in uncertainty let us pass to what follows that Wulferus dying Anno 675. as Bede saith in his Epitome after he had reigned 17 years left his Kingdom to his Brother Etheldred or as he calls him Edilredus who Reigning longer had more time to add what was wanting to the perfecting of this Monastery To which he was the more inclined because he loved this kind of life so much as to exchange his Crown for a Cowl So Mr. G. hath observed out of Malmsbury and I find the same in the Chron. Joh. Abbatis An. DCCIIII Ethelredus Rex Merciorum factus Monachus apud Bardeney When he was made Abbot of that place it doth not appear but he tells us that he dyed Abbot the same year that Ethebald came to the Crown Anno DCCXVI Ethelredus quondam Rex Abbas de Bardeney obiit But he that contributed the most towards the beginning and perfection of this Monastery and indeed towards the introduction of Christianity into these parts was that Noble person who became the first Abbot of it SAXVLFVS Venerable Bede calls him Sexuulfus but most other Writers Saxulfus or Saxulphus who was so far assisting to Peada in the foundation of this Monastery which Hugo saith he began to build per Saxulphum virum potentissimum that he is commonly called by all ancient Writers constructor the Builder or at least Co-founder of it In this stile the Chronicon Litchfeldense speaks of him Hic erat constructor Abbas Monasterii de Medamstede quod nunc Petrusburgh And Radulphus de Diceto ad An. 680. speaking of the deposition of Wilfrid Bishop of the Mercians saith that Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury ordained in his place Saxulphum constructorem Abbatem Monasterii quod dicitur Burch in regione Girviorum A great many others speak the same Language and they all have it out of Bede L. IV. Histor Eccles c. 6. where treating of the same matter viz. Sexuulfus his ordination to be Bishop he gives this character of him Qui erat Constructor Abbas quod dicitur Medeshamstedi c. And this memory of him continued after the Monastery was burnt by the Danes till the time of King Edgar who restored it For when Hugo speaks of Athelwold's repairing of Thornei he saith he was moved to it because it had been founded and built by Saxulf who was primus Abbas constructor Medeshamstede The meaning of all which is explained in King Wulphere's Charter where he saith this House Studio venerabilis Saxulphi gloriose est condita was built gloriously by the Care and Study of Saxulf Who excited these Kings to this Work and lookt after it with such diligence and perhaps procured the charitable Contributions of well disposed People towards it that he might in some sort be accounted the Founder of it And in those terms Leland speaks of him in his Collections de Fundadatoribus Monasteriorum where he saith Ecclesia S. Petri de Burgo à Saxulfo fundata est But Saxulf himself shews this is not to be understood as if it was built at his Charge but by his care in managing the Royal Bounty For when he subscribes his Name to the Priviledges granted to this Church by Pope Agatho approved by Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury and confirmed by King Ethelred he doth it in these terms ✚ Ego humilis Saxulfus regali beneficio ejusdem Monasterii fundator ita coroborare gaudeo But that which is most for the Honour of this Noble person is that he was a great Instrument in bringing the Christian Religion it self into the Kingdom of Mercia As appears from the relation of Hedda who lived in or immediately after those times which show also what hand he had in the erection of this Monastery ' For having told us how Peada was converted and Baptized in the Northern parts and brought with him hither the four Preachers I before mentioned he adds His accessit Comes Cooperator illustris Saxulphus vir praepotens seculo religione Regiq Ecclesiae acceptissimus c. To these joyned himself as a Companion and Co-worker Saxulf a very powerfull man every way both in Secular and Religious affairs being no less gracious with the King than acceptable to the Church Who desiring to inlarge the new Plantation of Christianity by the favour of God and the benevolence of the King molitus est Monasterium nobile quod Medeshamstede dicitur c. built that noble Monastery which is called Medeshamstede in the Country of the Girvii which he consecrated to St. Peter by whom the Lord built his Church tanquam Ecclesiae primitias as the first-fruits of the Church In this place having got together a numerous society of Brethren he sat Abbot and Doctor of the Middle-Angles and Mercians till he was advanced to be a Bishop instructing Unbelievers baptizing those that believed having religious Monks his Disciples within doors and without Masters for the propagating of the Faith Insomuch that he built suffragan Covents and other Churches as Daughters of this fruitful Mother ' Of what Order these Monks were and under what rule this Monastery was founded I believe no body now can determine For it doth not follow that because they were Benedictines in after ages they were so at the beginning Nay it is certain as I shall show in its due place the Rule of St. Bennet was not heard of in England till after the foundation of this Monastery The Benedictine Monks indeed pretend for the honour of their Order that Austin the Monk and his Brethren who came into England between fifty and sixty years before this An. 597 were Benedictines But no such thing appears from any Records but rather the contrary for all agree Austin was of the same Order with him that sent him viz. Gregory the great and no less man than Cardinal Baronius denies that he was a Benedictine It is not certain indeed what Order he was of for there had been so many rules in the World for a long time before him that Cassianus saith about the year 450 we see almost as many types and rules used as there are Monasteries and Cells In Italy it might be easily shown there were several Orders at that very time when Austin came hither and had been so a good while before that Out of which great variety they afterward formed the Regulares Consuetudines which were in such high esteem that they always had regard to them in the reformations which in process of time were made in Monastical Orders as shall appear hereafter All that is proper for this place is to inquire what Rule was observed by the Monks in the North from whence he came who converted Peada and sent Preachers to convert the Mercians Which would prove so long a business and yet leave us in such uncertainty that
his History de gestis Regum Angl. where he calls him Adulphus and speaking of Oswald saith cui Venerabilis Medeshamstudensis Abbas Adulphus successit And in that See he sat till the year 1003. Which John Abbot concludes thus Adulphus Archiep Eborac quondam Abbas Burgi obiit In the year before which 1002 as I find in the Chron. of Mailros he took up the Bones of St. Oswald out of his Tomb and honourably placed them in a Shrine Of which there is a larger account given by Thomas Stubbs in his Act. Pontif. Eboracens which explains also what Mr. G. saith about his being translated to Worcester and therefore I shall transcribe some of it Vicesimus Eboracensis Ecclesiae Archiepiscopus fuit Venerabilis Abbas Medeshamstedensis i. e. Burg Adulphus c. Who by the favour of King Adelredus held the Bishoprick of Worcester in his hand as his Predecessor St. Oswald had done Whom he honoured so much that in the 12th year of his Episcopacy his Brethren the Bishops with the Abbots and many other Religious men being gathered together he took up the Bones of St. Oswald out of his Tomb Anno Regis Agelredi XXV VII Kalend. Maii feria quarta and placed them in a Shrine which he had prepared honourably for them And not long after dyed himself 2 Nonarum Maii and was buried in the Church of St. Mary at Worcester Symeon Dunelmensis saith the same ad An. 1002. only he makes this to have been done not the VII but the XVII Kal. Maii. And there is a mistake also in the year for it should not be the 12th but the 10th year of his Episcopacy And here now it may be fit to note that in all probability the Monks of this Church were brought under the rule of St. Benedict when it was restored as hath been said by King Edgar and put under the government of Adulphus and not till then For though there was a famous regulation of Monastical Orders made before this time under Cutbert Archbishop of Canterbury An. 747. in concilio Clovishoviae in which some things were mended in the Manners and Habits of Monks yet there is not the least mention made of the Rule of St. Bennet though there was a very fair occasion for it nor is there one word of it in Venerable Bede It is true Wilfrid who was ordained 10 or 14 years after the foundation of this Monastery An. 664. as the Chron. of John Abbot affirms was imployed by Wulfere King of the Mercians to settle Monasteries as the Author of his life tells which is in MS. in Sir J. Cotton's library whom Malmsbury calls Stephanus Presbyter viz. Stephanus Heddius as he is named by Bede And after the death of Deusdedit was sent for by Ecbert King of Kent where he went up and down through his Country saith the same Author C. 14. Et cum regula Benedicti instituta Ecclesiarum benè melioravit and very much improved the Orders of the Churches by the Rule of Benedict which he had learnt beyond Sea being so much addicted to foreign customs that he refused to be consecrated by our Bishops and desired to be consecrated in France when he was to succeed Colman This passage is much to be observed for it appears thereby the Churches he visited were already under Rules and Institutions before he came to them who only bettered them by this Rule of St. Bennet but did not bring those Churches under it And as this was all he did so what he did was in the Kingdom of Kent alone not all England over And so as the Chronologia Augustinensis is to be understood in these words Inter Decem Scriptores p. 2232. Wilfridus Episcopus regulam Sancti Benedicti fecit in Anglia observari ad An. 666. that is in these parts of England for in the midland parts it was little known for several years after As appears by the Bull of Pope Constantine An. DCCIX the very year wherein Wilfrid died to Kenred King of the Mercians Offa his Son and Egwin Bishop of Worcester for the Monastery of Evesham which saith the Monks were to live under the rule Patris Benedicti quae minus in illis partibus adhuc habetur And so it continued to be little known for above two hundred years For Oswald whom Adulphus succeeded in the See of York who had been Bishop of Worcester before he went to York was the man who brought it hither from the Abby of Fleury in France where he had been a Monk So W. of Malmsbury expresly testifies in his Third Book de gestis Pontif. Angl. where not far from the beginning he saith that Oswald being Nephew to Odo the Archbishop was bred up in his Youth apud Floriacum in Gallia taking upon him the habit of a Monk as the custom of that time was for all that were piously disposed in the Benedictine Convent A quo viz. Oswald Religionis hujus manavit exordium as his words are in the MS. Copy in Sir J. Cotton's Library Which are the more remarkable because the very same W. of Malmsbury had a little before mentioned Wilfrid bragging that he was the first who commanded the rule of St. Bennet to be observed by the Monks But after all this there was no general Constitution for our Monasteries till the Second Reformation of the ancient English Monkery which was in the Council of Winchester An. 965. under King Edgar the great restorer as hath been said of Monasteries When there was framed a general Constitution partly out of the Rule of St. Bennet and partly out of the antient customs before mentioned which was called Regularis Concordia Anglicae Nationis and may be found in Mr. Selden's Spicilegium to Eadmerus both in Saxon and in Latin This Rule thus composed was called Oswald's Law as Sir H. Spelman observes he being then Bishop of Worcester to which he was promoted at the instance of St. Dunstan An. 960 Chron. Mailros p. 149. and translated to York not till 971. and had not long before as I have said brought the Rule of St. Bennet from Fleury From which Monastery of Fleury several Monks also were called and advised withal in the drawing up of the Constitutions of this Regularis Concordia So King Edgar himself tells in his Preface to it where he relates how that upon his Exhortation to all under his care to come under the same Rule which many Abbots and Abbatisses with the Colledges of Brethren and Sisters subject unto them had taken upon them to observe that so there might not be divers usages in one and the same Country thereupon the Bishops the Abbots and Abbatisses being wonderfully thankful that God had bestowed upon them such a Doctor who is there called Pastor Pastorum such was the language of those times concerning Kings lift up their hands to Heaven and consented to what he proposed And immediatly sent for some Monks of Fleury and from Gent to advise withal about this matter who as Bees suck
ably with his Countrymen and Friends dyedin peace after he had lived many Years Other Writers say he having taken Ivo Talbois in Battle would not deliver him until the King to have his Nephew preserved promised by Oath unto Hereward Reconciliation Pardon his former dignity with full restitution of all that had been his Which was done in the year 1076. Until which time from the death of Brando not only this Monastery but others also suffered very much For in the year 1070. many Abbots as well as Bishops by the Kings procurement were deposed or ejected upon slight surmises that the English might be deprived of all dignities So John Abbot who after he had related how Stigandus was deposed to make way for Lanfranc adds Plures eo anno tam Episcopi quam Abbates vel nullis vel levibus suspitionibus deponuntur aut ejiciuntr procurante Rege ut Angli nullis dignitatibus potirentur In the year 1072 the Monks of Eli were Outlawed having afforded succour to some Great men who were in Rebellion against the King I suppose to those who in the year before were in that Isle and in that Church in open rebellion with Hereward So Abbot John MLXXI Hereward le Wake Ecclesia intra paludes Heliensi cum multis aliis Anglis exlegatis resistit And then it follows An. MLXXII Monachi Helienses quibusdam Angliae Magnatibus contra Regem rebellantibus succursum praebentes exlegati sunt Et multi Monachi Anglici per totam Angliam malè tractati plurimum vexati Multa Monasteria tam de propriis pecuniis quam de aliorum apud ipsos depositis ad quadrantem ultimum spoliata Walsingham Hypodigm Neustriae p. 418. writes much to the same purpose telling us the Conqueror made all the Abbeys in England to be searched and caused all the money which the Richer people had there deposited to be brought into his Coffers only he places this in the year 1070. In the year MLXXV. Comes Northampt. Sanctus Walterus apud Wynton decollatus as the same Abbot John writes Which was done he saith notwithstanding that Lansranc pronounced him innocent and that if he was put to death he would be a Martyr And accordingly he was honoured by Wlfketulus Abbot of Croyland who gave him an honourable Burial and thereupon was violently deposed As indeed all the Bishops and Abbots were if they were Angligenae as he again repeats it introductis in eorum sedes Normannis Which I the rather mention because this Wlfketulus had been bred up in this Church of Burgh as we learn from what follows For that Coronicle saith that Ingulphus succeeding Wlfketulus for though he was an Englishman born he had lived long among the Normans interceeded with the King for his predecessor that he might come from Glastonbury where he was shut up in the Cloyster ad Ecclesiam suam de Burgo Which was granted ubi post paucos dies morbo correpto in Domino requievit Ingulphus P. 78 79. Oxon. Edit himself saith he was taken with a Palsy and that having been kept ten Year at Glastonbury he dyed 1085 after he had been not a few days but four Months at Burgh While he was here Ingulphus had frequent conversation with him for he procured leave that Wlfketulus might come from Burgh to Croyland as often as he thought good to call him Who informed Ingulphus of the Estate of the Church of Croyland and brought back to it many rich things but some he saith still remained at Burgh He was the more acceptable because there were Lands concealed from that Monastery in the discovery of which he thought Wlfketulus might assist him For one Alsford Bailiff of the Church of Croyland had been notoriously guilty of it and was called to an account for it by Ingulphus presently after he entred upon his Government But as he was in the way to appear before the King's Justices at Stamford he broke his neck by a fall off from his Horse and was carried to be buried at Burgh according to the order he had taken about it in his life time They that delight to read wonderful things may look into Ingulphus Pag. 77. and find a story he tells of a miraculous cloud about the Sun as they were carrying his body thither But it is time to return to Turoldus who as Hugo writes was a mischief to this Church eight and twenty years Which is not to be understood so rigorously as if he did no good for first as he gave away much Land so he got some back again particularly the Mannors that had been granted to Ivo Talbois which he was perswaded to restore to the Monks in his life time so that after his decease they should return ad dominium Sancti Petri. This I find in a Charter of William Rufus which runs thus Gulielmus Rex Anglorum Roberto Lincolniensi Episcopo by this it appears this was William the second for he made Robert Bishop of Linc. in the 6th year of his Reign 1092 Oswino vicecomite omnibus Baronibus suis fidelibus salutem Sciatis me concessisse Sancto Petro de Burgo Thuroldo Abbati Monachis ejusdem Ecclesiae ad victum eorum terras illas quas Ivo Talbois de praedicto Abbate tenuit ipse idem Yvo eisdem Monachis in vita sua reddidit ita sc ut post decessum ejus ad dominium Sancti Petri redirent Testante Cyrographo ab eodem Yvone Thuroldo Abbate conscripto Haec autem sunt terrarum nomina scil Scotere Walcote cum omnibus appendiciis c. And secondly all these Soldiers who had feods given them out of the Estate of the Church for its defence were bound by the original grant to serve the King also when there was occasion in his Wars This I understand out of a description of all the feoda militum still remaining in the Book called Swapham Fol. CCLXX. where this account is given why they were granted Quia omnes milites praedicti pro defensione domus facienda in exercitu Domini Regis alibi cum necesse esset de dominico Abbatis conventus feodati fuerant There also it appears how they sewed in King John's time and before that in Henry the seconds nay from the time of their first Infeoffement So the words are Et ante tempus ejusdem Henrici postquam feodati fuerunt à tempore dicti regis usque ad praesens hac ratione quia c. And Thirdly He and his Souldiers not only built Towns in those wast places which Adulphus had cleared from Wood and let the Lands out to Farm at a certain Rent c. some of which Towns were called by their names and remain to this day as Gunthorp Melton Walton Barnak c. but also Churches and Chappels the profits of which the Monastery received intirely for many years till the time of Ernulphus So the words are Ibid. fol. CCXCV. eodem vero tempore construebatur
and Testament petitioning King Richard the II. that it might be fulfilled and representing how she had obtained a new Bull from Pope Vrban directed to the Archdeacon of London for that purpose the King thereupon granted his Licence quod ipse Archidiaconus ad erectionem hujusmodi Collegii faciendam procedere valeat juxta vim formam effectum dictarum literarum Apostolicarum For which licence she gave the King 20 Marks as is expressed in the Letters Patents V. Monast Anglicanum 3. Tom. De Ecclesiis Collegiatis p. 108. There are some Acts of this Abbot mentioned in a MS. Register formerly belonging to this Church now in Sir John Cotton's Library and others in our Records at the end of Swapham in the 18 19 and 21. of Edward III. to which I cannot be allowed to give a place in this History without wrong to the Undertaker I can find no memory of him in the Kalendar of the Church though there is of his Successor because it is likely he left nothing for the celebrating of his Anniversary as several foregoing Abbots did ROBERTVS RAMSEY There is a memorial of him as I said in the Kalendar which tells us he dyed upon the sixth of October which was Depositio Roberti de Ramsey Abbatis fratris Thomae de Burgo And a Memorandum of a gift bestowed upon the Church in the first year of his Government by the Heir of William Everard de Dodestorp but so defaced by time that it cannot all be read I suppose it was written in his time sor it follows after an account of the years that every Abbot from John de Caleto till his time lived in the government of this place but saith nothing how long he continued Abbas Johan de Caleto vixit annis 13. Abbas Robert de Sutton an 12. Abbas Ric. de London an 22. Abbas Willielmus de Wodeford an 4. Abbas Godefrid de Croyland an 22. Abbas Adam de Boyeby an 17. Abbas Henricus de Morkote an 14. HENRY de Overton Born I suppose at Overton now called Orton on the other side of the River Neen and made Abbot here in the year 1360. As appears by an old record of a Fine paid by William Cole Nativus Domini Abbatis de Burgo for a licence in his Court at Thurleby in the forty seventh year of Edward the Third that is 1373 which is said to be in the Thirteenth year of this Abbot In his second year the 37. of Edw. III. 1369. all the Monks of the black Order held a General Chapter at Northampton where Thomas Abbot of St. Alban presided in which it was decreed among other things that they should make a perpetual and continual memory throughout their whole Order for the Quick and the Dead every hour of the day and night as Walsingham P. 180. informs us in his History of these times Who also tells us that in the year 1379 which was the 2. of Rich. II. there was a great Tax laid upon the whole Clergy wherein every Mitred Abbot paid as much as an Earl viz. six Marks and a Noble moreover pro singlis capitibus Monachorum Pole money for every Monk in his Monastery Of which he complains heavily as an unreasonable thing that the poorest of them should pay as much as the richest Earl or Bishop and over and above for his Friers Ib. p. 221. I have give an account already in the life of Martine de vecti of the Insurrection in the fourth year of King Rich. 1381. Which the said Walsingham ascribes to the sins of men of all sorts not excepting the Mendicant Friers who contrary to their profession he faith were grown such flaterers and deceivers that it was thought as good an argument both for matter and form to say This is a Frier therefore he is a Lyar as to say This is White therefore it hath a Colour P. 302. Two years after 1383. The King and his Queen spent their time in visiting the Abbeys of the Kingdom which the same Historian saith was no small burden to them because they came with an excessive number of attendants non offerre sed auferre not to offer but to carry away I do not find whether they were here or no but he mentions the Abbey of St. Edmunds-Bury with which this was in a confederacy where they were entertained ten days which cost the Monastery eight hundred Marks There is no memory of this Abbot nor of any that follow in the Kalendar I have often mentioned they living not long before it was written and in those tumultuous times that insued having no power its likely to do more than preserve what their ancestors had acquired and scarcely that neither for in Rich. Ashton's time when the Kalendar was written I find but 64. Monks NICOLAVS It is not known where this Abbot was born or bred and there is very little to be found either of what he did or what was done in his time The only thing I meet with besides that which Mr. G. mentions is an ordinance of his about the observation of the Feast of St. Kyneburgh in the last year of his Abbotship 1396. Which Feast it appears by the Kalendar was on the 7. of March whereon was Translatio Sanctorum Kyneburgh and Kyneswith Whom Malmsbury L. IV. de gestis Pontif. Angl. calls Kinedreda and Kines wida the Daughters of King Penda the Reliques of whose Ashes he saith were here kept and worshipped who both of them having dedicated themselves to God in their Infancy preserved their noble purpose till old age The younger of them also not being content with her own resolution prevailed with Offa King of the East Aagles who courted her in marriage to consecrate himself to Virginity They were first buried in Ecclesia Kyneburgensis Castri called now Castre as I suppose which being very ruinous in the time of Elfinus Abbot the Monks of Ramsey as Hugo tells us indeavoured with all their might night and day to carry their bodies away to that Monastery But it was neither the will of the Lord nor their pleasure as his words are to rest any where but under the power of St. Peter sub Clavigeri potestate who brought them to Christianity And therefore they heard the prayers as he goes on of Leof winus Sacrist of Burch who was a devout Servant of theirs and earnestly beseeched them to have their bodies lye in this Church promising to do them the greatest honour as is more fully declared in Translatione earum in the Narative of their Translation which was too long he saith to set down in every particular After the like manner also the same Abbot with Leofwinus his assistance translated the most pious Virgin Tibba de riale Burgi She herself commanding it and by great miracles showing that she desired to rest there among her holy Friends Upon which occasion Hugo relates not only all the Reliques in this Church as hath been before shown but tells also where the bodies of
the end of it The Hall was as fair a Room as most in England and another call'd the Green-Chamber not much inferior to it These all were then pull'd down and destroyed and the materials Lead Timber and Stone exposed to Sale for any that would buy them But some of the Bargains proved not very prosperous The Lead especially that came off the Palace was as fatal as the Gold of Tholouse for to my knowledge The Merchant that bought it lost it all and the Ship which carried it in her Voyage to Holland And thus the Church continued ruined and desolate and without all divine Offices for a time till at length by the favour of a great Person in the Neighbourhood it was repaired and restored to some degrees of decency again and out of the ashes of a late Cathedral grew up into a new Parochial Church in which way it was employ'd and used ever after untill the Kings happy Restauration For Mr. Oliver St. John Chief Justice then of the Common Pleas being sent on an Embassy into Holland by the Powers that govern'd then requested this Boon of them at his Return that they would give him the ruin'd Church or Minster at Peterburgh this they did accordingly and he gave it to the Town of Peterburgh for their use to be employ'd as a Parochial Church their own Parish-Church being then very ruinous and gone to decay Now the the Town considering the largeness of the Building and the greatness to the charge to repair it which of themselves they were not able to defray they all agree to pull down the Ladies Chapel as it was then called an additional Building to the North side of the Minster being then ruinous and ready to fall and to expose the materials thereof Lead Timber and Stone to Sale and to convert the mony that was made of them towards the Repairs of the great Fabrick All this they did and appointed certain persons to oversee the Work and expended several summs thus in Repairs mending the Leads securing the Roof Glazing several Windows and then fitting up the Quire and making it pretty decent for the Congregation to meet in And this they did by taking the Painted Boards that came off from the Roof of the Ladies Chapel and placing them all along at the back of the Quire in such manner as they continue to this day When the Place was thus fitted up and the Devastations which the Souldiers had made in some measure repaired one Mr. Samuel Wilson School Master of the Charter-house in London was sent down by the Committee of Plundred Ministers as they were then called to be Preacher with a Sallary of 160 l. per an in which employment he continued untill the Kings Return Then Dr. Cosin the antient Dean of the Church after almost 20 years Exile in France return'd and re-assumed his Right again in the year 1660 about the end of July He then after so long an Interval renew'd the antient usage and read divine Service first himself and caused it to be read every day afterward according to the old Laudable use and Custome and setled the Church and Quire in that order wherein it now continues But though the Church was thus delivered from publick Robbers and Spoilers yet it was not safe from the injuries of private hands For some ten or twelve years after certain Thieves in the dead of the Night broke into the Church and stole away all the Plate they could find viz. a fair Silver Bason gilt and the Virgers two Silver Rods and a Linnen Table-Cloth to wrap them in which were never heard of to this day This was the same Bason that had been plunder'd by the Souldiers and recovered again but irrecoverably lost now Yet both these losses were soon repaired one by Dr. Henshaw Bishop then of the Place who gave a fair new Silver Bason gilt the other made up by Dr. Duport then Dean who furnisht the Virgers again with the Ensigns of their Office by buying two new Silver Maces for the Churches use And thus is this History brought down at length within our own knowledge and remembrance where we have seen what various fortunes this Antient Church has had which now reckons at least 1000 years from its first Foundation It has been often ruinated and as often reedified Once it was destroyed by Danes twice consumed by Fire It escaped the general downfal of Abbies in Hen. the Eighth's time though not without the loss of some of her fairest Mannors And yet what that King took away in revenues he added to it in Dignity by converting it from an Abbey into a Cathedral Church But the worst mischief that ever befel it was that in the late Rebellious times when the Church it self was miserably defaced and spoiled and all the Lands for the maintenance thereof quite alienated and sold And yet through Gods especial goodness and favour we have lived to see the one repaired the others restored and the Church it self recovering her ancient beauty and lustre again And that it may long thus continue flourish and prosper and be a Nursery for vertue a Seminary for true Religion and Piety a constant Preserver of Gods publick worship and service and free from all Sacrilegious hands is the earnest and hearty Prayer wherewith I shall conclude this Discourse Ex Libro Memorandor Oliv. Sutton Episc Lincoln Anno Pontificatus sui XI A. D. 1290. OLiv c. Archidiacono Oxon. c. Ad Audientiam nostram nuper certa relatione pervenit Quod nonnulli juxta suarum mentium inconstantiam quasi vento agitati a cultu fidei temere deviantes locum quendam in campo juxta Ecclesiam Sancti Clementis extra Municipium Oxon. fontem beati Edmundi vulgariter nuncupatum veluti locum sacrum venerari illumque sub simulatione sacrorum Miraculorum quae perpetrata confingunt ibidem causa devotionis erroneae frequentare ac populum non modicum illuc attrahendo hujusmodi figmentis dampnatis decipere imo pervertere noviter presumpserint errorem Gentilium inter Christicolas introducere superstitiose conando Nos vero hujusmodi incredulitatis perfidiam veluti contra fidem Ecclesiae Doctrinam Apostolicam ne corda renatorum caligine haereticae pravitatis obducat temporis per processum si forte radicari germinare zizania permittatur tortuose serpente virus sui cautius ministrante fomentum eliminare prorsus amputare deo propitio volentes Vobis firmiter injungendo mandamus quatenus in singulis Ecclesiis intra Missarum folempnia locis aliis Archidiaconatus vestri in quibus videritis expedire per vos alios firmiter inhibeatis ne quis ad dictum locum causa venerationis ejusdem de cetero convenire illum superstitiose frequentare presumat sub pena Excommuncationis Maj. omnes singulos contra hujus inhibitionem scienter temere venientes dicta sententia comminata solempniter in genere innodantes donec de culpa contriti