Life of Matthew Parker (Strype, 1821)/Book I/Chapter IV
This is the enhanced reading edition of Chapter IV, prepared according to the AnglicanWiki Editorial Guidelines for Historical Texts. It adds descriptive section headings, English translations of Latin passages (with the original preserved), verified internal links, and editorial notes clearly distinguished from Strype's text.
Parker created Doctor of Divinity. Parker's good statutes for Stoke college: the Duke of Norfolk sends to him for them. His preferments. Elected Master of Bene't college, by the King's letters recommendatory. His good services to that house. The Bishop of Ely's letter to him, to preach the supremacy. Bishop Boner's letter to him, to procure preachers for Paul's Cross. Benefices conferred on him. IN the year 1538, July 1, Parker was created Doctor in Divinity: and the next year he was sent for into Prince Edward's Court, to give him a sermon: and the next, viz. 1540, he preached before the Lady Elizabeth at Hatfield. The good statutes mentioned before, which this our Dean of Stoke college had framed for it, added to the original ones, made this a very good and useful foundation. And the fame of it was so great, that about the year 1540, the old most noble and illustrious Duke of Norfolk sent a letter to our Dean, that he would send him the original foundation of that his college of secular priests, being founded, as he heard, of an honest sort; and that he would but detain it, till he had caused it to be written out, or had taken some notes out of it. Because the monastery of Thetford, being now the King's, upon the Act for Dissolution of Religious Houses,
Prebend of Ely
having been founded by a Duke of Norfolk, the King had granted it back to this Duke, to turn it into a college of secular priests; and so he should have occasion to furnish it with good statutes. Here his father and other his ancestors lay, and here he intended himself also to be buried, as he wrote the Dean. In October 1541 he was installed in the second prebend in the church of Ely, by the collation of his gracious master King Henry.
Rector of Ashen
Thus Dr. Parker continued discharging his duty, sometimes in his colleges, sometimes in his attendances at Court, and not seldom in the pulpit, having no cure of souls as yet, till the year 1542, when he was presented to the rectory of Ashen in Essex; so conveniently situated both for Cambridge and Stoke, in respect of the easy distance from either, that he might the more frequently be upon his living, and take the better care of his flock. December the 4th, 1544, by the King's letters commendatory to the college, dated November 3, he was, in the room of the last Master of Bene't, named Sowde, or Sowode, made Head of the said house, and was the fourteenth Master from the first foundation, to the great honour as well as benefit of it. In the said letter, the King styled him his beloved Chaplain, and declared to the Fellows of the house, "that it was for the zeal and love he bore to the advancement of good letters, that he desired to see them furnished MSS. Cant. with such a governor, as in all points might seem worthy C. C. C. C. " of that room. And that therefore he commended the said " Dr. Parker unto them, both for his approved learning, " wisdom, and honesty, as for his singular grace and indus" try, in bringing up youth in virtue and learning. And " that he was so apt for the exercise of the said place, that " he thought hard to find his like in all respects. And that " therefore his trust was, that at the contemplation of him, they would with one assent elect him for their Head, whom " he judged worthy for that office; and finally, that he " doubted not they would have cause to think themselves " furnished with such a Master, as appertained."
But the
whole letter of the King may be found in the Appendix. Upon the foresaid letters he was elected immediately, and received by the Fellows with all the greatest alacrity and readiness possible, as knowing well his merits. And to this Numb. V. his college he was ever after an extraordinary friend and benefactor and even when he was Archbishop, took as much care of it as though the members thereof were his own children.
Reforming Bene't College
As soon as Parker became Master of the college, he began 14 to think of doing good service to it. So he with the Fellows had a serious meeting together, to consult for the good of it. And on the 15th of December, he and the rest of the Fellows made certain acts concerning Billingford hutch, Makes acts which were entered down and subscribed accordingly by for ford hutch, him and the Fellows. They began thus: Quoniam ratio dict at, &c. i. e. in English, " Since reason dictates, and ho66 nesty persuades, that what any one hath received from 66 ancestors, he deliver again in as good measure to posterity; " and whereas it is commanded by the sentences of the wise, " in matter of giving and receiving, that he that hath given " a benefit should forget that he gave it, but he that receiveth ought always to remember it: moved with these reasons, we, Matthew Parker, Master of the college of Corpus “ Christi and St. Mary in Cambridge, and the Fellows of " the same, treating seriously among ourselves of the affairs " of our college, by unanimous consent have thought fit, that 66 some deeds of our ancestors should be called to mind, that "those things may be for the time to come more diligently " observed by us and our successors, which our ancestors " have ordained for our profit; we have therefore caused to " be ratified and established certain statutes which follow, for " us and our successors, &c." The particulars of which statutes were, That whereas Ric. Billingford S. Th. P. formerly Master of the college, had left a chest in the college, in which he would have 207. to be kept for the aid of the college; and that his appointment, how he would have the same sum be kept and disposed, was wanting; they by conjecture of the will of the said
Richard, thought convenient to make this order: that every -year after the accounts of the college were despatched, there should be chosen keepers of the said chest or hutch; to whom two keys should be delivered. And that the said sum should by them be left whole and entire to the following custodes, or keepers. And that so suitable a distribution be made of it among the Fellows, that all might be partakers, as much as might be, of the same aid. It was furthermore appointed, that if any debtor to the foresaid chest should depart from the college before he had given some suitable pledge of his goods to the keepers of that year, and found some convenient sureties for the restoring of what was taken out and borrowed thence, then that they or either of them might distrain on his goods for pawn: and the keepers to be answerable to the college. It was appointed, that in the laying out and calling in of money, and in renewing the register, that form of counsel be always observed that was described by them in a certain new book by them made for that purpose. That whosoever should hereafter borrow money out ofthe
Reforming the College Accounts
said chest, presently upon the opening of the chest, say with Gratefully the keepers that verse, Adoramus te Christe, and the Pater to remember him, noster, with some other pious and grateful remembrance of the worshipful name of Richard Billingford, the founder of that chest. And Eliza That whereas the Lady Elizabeth, sometime Duchess of beth Duch-Norfolk, had been munificent to their college out of her ess of Norfolk. goods, and those of her sister Eleonore Butler, as appeared more largely in some of their orders; that the memory thereof might be also preserved gratefully, it was ordered, that whensoever any Fellow or Bible-Clerk was to be admitted, presently after his admission, the foresaid ordinance be read, and a copy thereof to be always left with him who last should be admitted into the fellowship of their house. That whereas Peter Nobis, S. Th. P. formerly Master of Care to be taken of the college, among other his charitable gifts to the college, books given by Nobis. gave a great number of books, as appeared more fully in the register; of which books many were chained, but others scattered about in the library without any safe keeping, not without danger of losing: therefore they appointed, that the keepers of the said Billingford hutch should diligently over- see that library, to be kept safe and clean: and that if by chance any chains of the books were broke, or any other damage happened there, it should be made good at the cost of the college. And the said keepers were to take care that none should carry home any of those books that were chained. That whatever goods belonged to the college should be 15 inscribed into inventories: wherein should be most exactly written the qualities and quantities of all the moveables: the copy whereof to be kept in the common chest and from three years to three years to be overseen and renewed by the Master and Fellows. That the yearly Steward answer for the things committed to his trust and that the butcher and other servants, in their admission, swear to keep safely and without fraud, all things which should be delivered to them. These orders were signed by Matt. Parker the Master, and John Pory, Tho. Cob, Edmund Flaunce, Ri. Lusher, Ri. Maddi, Andrew Peers on, Fellows. So carefully, discreetly, and so much to the good estate of the college, did Dr. Parker begin his government. Likewise in the first year of his Mastership, he reformed The further the accounts of the college; wherein was such confusion, good services he the col that the society could not come to know the true state of it, did lege. Hist. Fund at. relating things de knowledge of the by reason of their want of to it. Add, that the particular receipts and expenses were Coll. wont to be committed to writing only in their books, whose office it was to give in their accounts. Whence this inconvenience fell out, that when any such, or any bursar of the college died, or by chance was called away elsewhere, oftentimes the college was at a loss to know the state of their accounts; and so sustained damage thereby, when there was nothing left to direct them for arrears of rent, or other debts due. For the remedying of this, he devised a way advantageous to the college, whereby the accounts of the house should be fully and completely rendered: as might be seen
in a form (perhaps yet extant) which he first wrote with his 1. own hand, with the engrossing of the same in parchment to be made every year. So that by comparing the rentals, the particular receipts and expenses, with the arrearages of the whole year, might clearly appear to every eye. He also writ out with his own pen all the rentals of the college, and expressed the nature of the rents of the farms, and the times of payment. All which he signed by the letters of the alphabet set to them. He also recovered divers rents (before denied) in Cambridge, in Landbeach (where he was parson), in Ovir, and Histon. And for the better preserving the remembrance of the foundation and history of his college, and the Masters thereof, he appointed a book to be made, and compiled out of divers writings and monuments of the college. Which is still preserved in the college; and was some years ago favourably lent me to peruse, by the reverend Dr. Spencer, late Dean of Ely, then Master of that college; out of which I have collected divers things already, and more that shall be hereafter written: it is entitled, Historia Historiola. de Fundatione et Statu Collegii Corporis Christi; or, Historiola: and reacheth to the year 1569. A good pattern for those of that foundation to continue the history of their ancient college. And great pity it is, that there are not such histories composed of all the rest of the colleges in that University of Cambridge, and in that of Oxford too. And it seems to lie as a great blot upon University-men, and to be charged on them as a piece of sloth and ingratitude, that persons, who by the favour of their founders enjoy so much learned ease and leisure, should bestow none of their spare hours in preserving the antiquities of their colleges, and in framing some brief history of their foundations, benefactors, heads, and learned men, and the accidents of remark that have befallen their respective houses. A platform But to proceed in our relation of the good deserts of this of the college-rents Master towards his college. When King Henry VIII. comby him dered. or missioned him, about the year 1544 or 1545, being then Vice-Chancellor, together with Dr. Redman and Dr. May, that they should diligently make a view of the state and condition of the University, and all the particular colleges, and were ordered to see it accurately written down; at that time he caused to be committed to writing briefly, the whole state of the rents ofthe college, and the order of the same. In King Edward's reign, he put the college book of sta-Compiles a new book tutes in that form wherein it appeared long after, under of statutes Queen Elizabeth, being drawn for the most part out of the for the college. old statutes; using herein the help of William May aforesaid, a pious and learned civilian, and at that time one of the said King's visitors for the University. And for the greater 16 confirmation and authority of the said statutes, Dr. May, and the others joint commissioners with him, (whereof Dr. Parker himself was one, ) subscribed their hands thereunto. While he was Master of the college, one that farmed the Easeth the rectory of Grantchester did endeavour to defraud the colcollege of a payment to lege, by putting upon it the burden of a rent of six and the Crown. twenty shillings and eight pence, for a portion of the monastery of St. Neot's, (now payable to the King by reason of the dissolution thereof, ) which by right the farmer ought to have paid, because he farmed of the college all the tithes of that portion of St. Neot's, besides the rectory of Grantchester. But the Master finding at last the cheat, made the farmer, as right and justice was, to pay the rent, and eased the college of the charge of it for the future. Many other good services he did for his college, while he was Archbishop, and at his death was a great benefactor to it, as we shall see in due place.
The Bishop of Ely on the Supremacy
Near about this time (as I conjecture) the King, being reThe Bishop of Ely sends solved to maintain his supremacy against the Pope, (who was to Dr. Par now stirring up the neighbouring potentates against him,) ker to gave command to his Bishops, as they had lately themselves the King's signed a declaration against the Pope's pretensions, that they supremacy. should enjoin all the Clergy in their respective dioceses, to preach up the supreme power of the King in his own dominions; and that all incumbents of livings, on Sundays and holydays, should make conscience to preach the word of God sincerely to the people, and declare their just renunciation of that pretended jurisdiction of the Roman Bishop in this
kingdom; that the people might be truly informed in this matter: and that sermons should be made to the same pur pose in the Universities. Accordingly, Goodrich, Bishop of Ely, sent a letter to Dr. Parker, to take this order for his college; and particularly, that he and his Fellows, having a parish church in Cambridge, (perhaps St. Benet's by the college, ) should observe the same order there. For thus did the said Bishop write to him from Somersham, June 27:
Epist.Illust. Viror. in C. c. c. c.
" Mr. Doctor, " In my most harty wise I comm
end me unto you. These " be to signify unto you, that I have receive the King's d " most honoura ble letters, commanding me to charge all " Parsons, Vicars, and Curate, and other ecclesia s stical per66 sons, abiding within the precinc of my diocese, to preach t every Sunday and solemn feast the very sincere and true " word of God; and to set forth his title, dignity, and stile " of Suprem Head; as the truth thereo may be thoro f wly e " shewn, and appear to his people and subject: and to des " clare also unto the same his just renunci ation of the Bishop " of Rome's usurped author it, and all other foreign poteny ❝tates.
" I therefore do charge you, on the King's behalf, as you " wol aunswere unto his Hyghness for the same, not only to 66 preach in proper person, but also to commaund the Fel" lows of your house to do the same, in order, every Sun" day and solemne feast, in your parish church in Cam" bridge; so that the parishoners thereof may have, every " of the said festival days, the word of God, and the other things abovementioned, either by you or by any of your " Fellows, shewed unto them. Thus the Lord keep you. " From Somershome, the 27th of June.
Bishop Boner Seeks Preachers
" Thomas Eley." Bishop BoThe University was now grown very backward in somenerwrites to Dr. Parker thing, which in former time was more commonly practised; for Preachers to sup and that was, in sending up their most florid and learned ply Paul's men to preach at Paul's Cross. Cross.
But now few cared for that
office, upon what account I know not; whether it were occasioned by the great decay of the University, which upon the late spoiling of the Church and religious houses decl in- ed much, or because they bore little affection to Boner the Bishop, or by reason of the danger that might incur, if they should, in those public sermons, chance to say any thing that might give exception in those ticklish times. But here-17 by the Bishop seemed to be under some straits in procuring Preachers for the Cross. Whereupon he addressed a letter to Dr. Parker, in the month of October, without date of year; but I suppose, it being of a public concern, was while he was Vice-Chancellor; viz. anno 1543, or 1544: in which letter he complained of the scarcity of Cambridge men to supply that audience, and wondered thereat; and incited him very earnestly to move the learned Preachers to spend their pains at the Cross sometimes, as heretofore they used, both for God's honour and the advancement of the Gospel for about this time politic Boner gave out himself for a favourer of the Gospel, and got his preferment by that means. The Bishop's letter ran to this tenor:
Right Worshipful, " In my very harty manner I commend me unto you: The Bishop's let" and where, contrary to the accustomed usage of your Uniter. Ms. C. " versity, there of late hath not been many here at Paul's C. C. c. Epist. " Cross to preach the word of God, to the edifying of the Princip. &c. " King's subjects, and the honour of the said University, " beside the exercise of themselves, and demonstration of "their learning; whereof I greatly marvel, and suppose the " same rather to proceed for that they have not been spe66 cially incited thereunto; either else for that their zeal is not 66 now as heretofore it hath been, to the commendation of "the University: I thought it good for the honest love " particularly I bear to you for your good qualities, besides "the love I bear to you for your brother's sake, and also " for the very harty affection I bear to your University, to “ write unto you hereby, that ye will exhort such as ye " know apt and meet for that purpose; being both of good NOL. I.
" learning, virtue, and good discretion, both in your name " and also in mine, and especially for God's honour and the ❝ advancement of his Gospel, to take the pains to come and " preach here, as heretofore hath been accustomed. And in " their so doing, they shall do both honour to the Univer66 sity and themselves, and also unto me thankful pleasure, "to be recompensed unto the best and utmost of my power. " I promise you, I take it strangely that they have not ❝heretofore more often come. And if they object the fault " unto me not desiring them, I now provoke them by you " and these my letters, to do the thing which many ways is “ honourable. And thus ye will very effectually set these things forth with the Heads of your University, making my very harty, and most harty commendations unto them " all; and certifying me of your gentleness and their to" wardness herein, with the conformity of others, I very " hartily desire you. Thus committing you to God, as well " to fare as mine own self. London, the 9th of October, ' by the running hand of, Al-hartily your own, " Edmond London.”
Further Preferments
Presented Having now held the rectory of Ashen not full two years, resigned it on the 30th of April: and the next day took he to Birling ham. the rectory of Birlingham St. Andrew's, in his own country of Norfolk, being presented thereunto May 1. Chosen January 25 he was first chosen to the office of Vice-ChanVice-Chancellor of the University. cell or. September the 22d, in the year 1545, he obtained the Becomes Rector of rectory of Landbeach in Cambridgeshire; a living whereof Landbeach. the college was patron; the manor of which place being also in the college, he made a terrier of all the lands therein with his own hand, described in various distinct tables or plats, for the use and benefit of the said college: that in no times after, any part or portion thereof might be lost from the lordship.
He did also recover divers rents in the said parish of Landbeach, formerly denied: taking all occasions to render himself useful.
To this living of Landbeach he was presented by John Pory, Clerk, one of the Fellows of Bene't college; and John Mere, Gent. one of the University Beadles, if I mistake not; the college granting them the advowson for that turn; and 18 he was admitted Rector there by the Bishop of Ely, Decem-Regist. Elien. ber 1, in which church of Ely he had now some time been Prebendary.
Notes
Editorial Notes
Source: John Strype, The Life and Acts of Matthew Parker, the First Archbishop of Canterbury in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1821), Vol. I. Enhanced reading edition per the AnglicanWiki Editorial Guidelines for Historical Texts.