Life of Matthew Parker (Strype, 1821)/Book II/Chapter VII

This is the enhanced reading edition of Chapter VII (Book II), 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. Strype's wording, historical spelling, and substance are preserved.

The Archbishop's doings in his diocese. Restores Eastbridge hospital. Certifies the schools and hospitals in his diocese. Continues his metropolitical visitation. Eton college visited by the Archbishop, and others: and Magdalen college, Oxon. A complaint against the Bishop of Chester; committed to him.

The Declaration Published in the Diocese

Now let us turn our eyes to Canterbury, and observe the care the most reverend Diocesan took about his church and diocese. Being at Lambeth with the ecclesiastical Commissioners, ordering the affairs of the Church, August 4. he sent to the Archdeacon the Declaration of certain points of religion, lately set forth by the order of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, with the rest of the Bishops, whereof mention was made before, and to see the same by his officers published in the diocese of Canterbury, at such time and in such order as he should think most convenient: so that the same might be effectually executed and observed. Willing him further to see the same read and declared at times therein mentioned by all such clerks as it did concern: assuring him of his assistance against the contemners thereof.

Hospitals Visited

September 8. following, his Grace sent a commission, (the old instructions in parchment still remaining in the MS. library at Lambeth,) authorizing Stephen Nevinson, LL. D. Andrew Peerson, B. D. and John Butler, Clerk, (which last is entitled Canon and Prebendary of the cathedral church,) to visit the hospital of Eastbridge in Canterbury, and three hospitals in Sandwich, and one more in Saltwood. And again, September 18. he sent a commission to Stephen Nevinson, Thomas Becon, and John Butler, Prebendaries of Canterbury, to visit the hospital of Eastbridge only. The commission ran to this purport: "That because he was busy and necessarily detained, they to visit it, as well in the head as members, concerning the lives, manners, conversation, and doctrines of the Master, or Custos, as of all the persons; to punish and correct the culpable, and to examine and try their course of life, as much as they could; and to require and take their foundations, ordinations, dotations, charities, accounts, statutes, registers, and the rest, all and singular the muniments, belonging to the hospital; and them diligently to examine and consider on Monday the 26th of October, betwixt the hours of eight and ten in the morning, and so by adjournment; and to certify him of this their visitation."

Eastbridge Hospital Restored

This hospital, called the hospital of Eastbridge, or St. Thomas in the city of Canterbury, being founded by Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was in the year 1557. visited by Cardinal Pole. Then it was found, that they of the said hospital were bound to receive wayfaring and hurt men. But though it stood in Queen Mary's days, yet now, it being by law dissolved, the Archbishop restored it, and preserved the revenues thereof. It was founded for the entertainment of poor pilgrims. The former statutes by change of time became of no use, and were not capable of observing. And the revenue began to fall into private hands. When he out of his singular and pious care made new statutes and ordinations: whereby the revenues of the hospital were applied to charitable uses; such as in those days seemed necessary and proper; viz. First, in time of peace, every Friday, thirty pennies were distributed to thirty poor people at the door of the hospital. Secondly, in time of war, this money was spent in lodging and maintaining such sick and wounded soldiers as passed through Canterbury to and from France. Thirdly, he appointed exhibitions for two Scholars in Bene't college, Cambridge, six pound six shillings and eight pence per annum, continued to this day. Fourthly, he appointed a schoolmaster to teach twenty poor children gratis, to read, write, and sing, and to be furnished with books, pen, ink, and paper, at the cost of the hospital; which also is continued to this day. But this was done not before the year 1569; when we shall have occasion to say more of this hospital.

The Queen's Certificate of Schools and Hospitals

The Queen wrote to the Archbishop a letter, dated February 12. in the fourth year of her reign, that for certain causes he should certify to the Barons of her Exchequer how many hospitals and schools there were within this diocese and jurisdiction of Canterbury; and by what names those hospitals and schools were called, and in what counties, villages, and parishes they were situate. And what hospitals of them were separately founded and used, and the possessions whereof expended for the help and sustentation of the poor. And of them what schools or possessions and revenues of them were sustained and maintained, with their names. And that he should search his register, and other archives; and to certify the bearing thereof in parchment faithfully written. Whereupon the Archbishop wrote to Nevynson, Commissary of the city and diocese of Canterbury, to whom he sent the copy of the Queen's letter; willing and requiring him, for the better accomplishment of her Majesty's pleasure, within one month at the farthest to certify him distinctly in writing, how many several hospitals and schools were within the diocese of Canterbury, and the peculiar jurisdictions within the same; and by what names the same hospitals and schools were called, according to the tenor and effect of the said writ. It was dated March 21. Which bearing a date so long after that of the Queen's, one may guess the matter thereof was not over acceptable to the Archbishop. For this command of her Majesty looked as though she were put on by some, who designed these hospitals and schools for themselves, upon pretence of some former Acts, whereby colleges and chantries were given to the Crown. The Archbishop sent another letter to this effect to Dr. Weston, Dean of the deanery of the Arches, Shoram and Croyden. Another to Mr. Weston, Dean of South Malling, Terring and Pagham. Another to Mr. Cole, Dean of Bocking. What accounts were given into the Exchequer of these schools and hospitals, we shall see under the next year.

The Metropolitical Visitation Continues

The Archbishop's metropolitical visitation still continued on in this year; and divers commissions were issued out for that purpose. As, a commission May 30. to William, Bishop of Exeter, to visit the church, city, and diocese of Exeter. Another commission dated April 24. to Dr. Yale, Vicar General and Principal Official, and to Walter Wright, LL.D. Archdeacon of Oxon, and Canon of Christ's Church, to visit the church, city, and diocese of Oxon. Which last also died this year. Another to Edwin, Bishop of Worcester, and John, Bishop of Hereford, to visit the church of Hereford, dated July 14. Another commission of the same date to John, Bishop of Hereford, to visit the city and diocese of Hereford. We may observe the Bishop of Worcester is joined with the Bishop of Hereford for visiting the cathedral church of Hereford, lest the Dean and Chapter might make opposition to the Bishop, if he visited alone, as infringing their privileges; as above was said in the visitation of Sarum. And lastly, the Archbishop sent another commission to the said Edwin, Bishop of Worcester, dated February 18, to visit the church, city, and diocese of Wigorn. All these commissions ran jure metropolitico ("by metropolitan right"). And in them all, John Incent, notary public and primary register to the Archbishop, or his deputy, was appointed to go along with the respective visitors, and to perform his office in the visitations.

Eton College Visited

This year was Eton college visited. For the Queen sent her letters August 22. to the Archbishop to visit that society: to which were joined as visitors the Bishop of Winton and Sir Anthony Cook. The occasion whereof was, as the Queen's letters imported, that one was preferred to be Provost there, of whom very ill reports were heard. And several of the Fellows were Papists. This college and the state thereof she empowered the Archbishop to visit, and to reduce the orders thereof to the best: as being a member of her college in the University of Cambridge, [i. e. King's college,] of which he and the others had a commission the year before to visit; and still continued. The said Provost (named Bruerne, of Oxford) was chosen without the Queen's pleasure, and without her consent had therein; and the election not legal, nor according to laudable usage. The Queen's letter will be found in the Appendix. And accordingly this visitation began September 9, and was finished in two days. Mr. Rich. Bruerne, the Provost, first desired to see their commission: it being shewn him, he boggled at it, as though it were expired, having been granted a year before. But the Queen's letter mentioned the continuance of that commission. Yet Bruerne appeared, with his Vice-Provost, three Fellows, two schoolmasters, five chaplains, four clerks or singing-men, and a notary public. They were sworn to answer to certain interrogatories. But Kirton, Ashbrook, and Prat, Fellows, and Leg, a Conduct, not appearing, were pronounced guilty of contumacy, and suspended from all profits. Afterwards the oath of supremacy being tendered to Smith and Durston, two of the appearing Fellows, the former took it, Durston refused. And finally he, together with the other non-appearing Fellows and the Conduct, were expelled, and deprived of their places. The Provost resigned.

The Visitations's Account

But for a more particular account of this visitation, let the Archbishop himself, and his fellow Commissioners, declare it in their letter to the Secretary, dated from Eton. "That being there, they travelled to understand as well the state of the house in every particularity, as also they had examined the late elected Provost. And that they had presently found by overmuch record of witnesses and other circumstances, that the said election was begun by disorder, seemingly without consideration of law or congruence; and so disorderly packed up, that they with full deliberation could no less do, but extend their service to the displacing of him. Which intent suspected by him, he prevented by his voluntary resignation. And that if his friends would desire to see what had been by search found out, the most partial of them would think that he had therein taken the best way for himself; as the records of the examination, remaining with them the Commissioners, might sufficiently declare. And then, as for some of the society, who had utterly denied or refused to agnize their duty to the Prince, and to accept the order of prayer now established, those they had deprived. And some others there were, that had frowardly absented themselves at this time; these, for this and other misdemeanors, by decree they had suspended from all commodities of the house: but notwithstanding had left sufficient persons of the society to oversee the state of the house, till it should be restored up again. And the sooner, they said, the better."

Advice for a New Provost

The grave advice the Archbishop and the rest gave, for the supplying the Provost's place, was, "That the office being void, and he, the late Provost, not meet for it, as they thought, they wished the Queen so to bestow it, that that princely foundation might be so preserved, that it might tend to the flourishing of the realm; and not serve some private men's affections or commodity." Whereby also the better report might follow of their doing therein.

Report to the Secretary

The Archbishop the next day being returned home to Lambeth, did more particularly impart to the Secretary the circumstances of that college, as he found them, and mentioned to him some Clergymen, whom he judged fit to be preferred to that weighty and honourable place: telling him, that the causes of removing the Provost Bruerne were so many and so apparent, as well by his own deserts, as upon the contumelious doings of the electors, besides the fond transgressions against the statutes, and other necessary points omitted, required by law; that if it should have come to be revealed, they all would have been further chargeable than they the visitors had ordered them. That they had left three Fellows there, for the necessary preservation of the statutes of the college, till the rooms were supplied. Three that were contumeliously absent they had by decree suspended from all interest in that house, not proceeding yet to the flat sentence of deprivation, upon policy and law. And one recusant was after Michaelmas fully deprived.

Candidates for the Provostship

What the Archbishop's thoughts were concerning a new Provost, he thus expressed; "That it were pity the college should be abused by any ambitious Head, that would advance the port of the living there above the constituted allowance, which was worshipful. That the whole health and wealth of the King's college in Cambridge did depend on such as must only come from Eton. And therefore he trusted, the Secretary would help to move the Queen's Majesty to prefer a meet man, and some expert ecclesiastical ordered man. That he, the Secretary, once put him in mind of Mr. Cheny, a good, grave, priestly man," [who was afterwards Bishop of Gloucester.] "Besides him, he mentioned to the said Secretary another; namely, his almoner Andrew Pierson, one of his own family. And if it were in his disposition, he would, he said, name him. In whom he knew so much sincerity, and dexterity in governance, with honest learning, that he durst warrant his credit upon him. He added, that these two men were both Bachelors in Divinity, both unmarried, [which were qualities apt to take with the Queen;] and, but that neither of them had been in Germany, and peradventure by a frailty had been at mass in Queen Mary's time, and therefore perhaps non ultra omnes exceptiones digni ("not beyond all exceptions worthy"); he durst compare them with some Protestants, whom he heard say laboured to have it. But for persons, whatsoever they were, which should have it, doing their duty in that office, he assured the Secretary he was indifferent. But that if the Queen would have a married Minister, none comparable to Mr. Nowel."

The Bishop of London Consulted

But the Secretary, to have a greater choice of worthy men for this dignity to offer to the Queen, therefore sent to the Bishop of London, out of respect likewise to his judgment, to nominate to him some that might be fit to be preferred to that Provostship: but still to make a distinction of married and unmarried persons; as knowing how inclined the Queen was to the single Clergy in the disposing of her preferments. The said Bishop sent him this short letter thereupon, and the names of several reverend persons subjoined: "Sir, I send you certain names according to your request. It is possible, that upon this sodeyn I may overslip some meet men: but of this number there is very good choice. God keep you. Decemb. 1561. Yours in Christ, Edm. London."

Names Proposed

Mr. Nowel, Dean of Paul's, Mr. Mulleyns, Mr. Wattes, (these two, though they be my Chapleyns, are sober, honest, and learned men,) Mr. Elmer, Mr. Cheney, Mr. Robinson (Chapleyn to my Lord of Canterbury, and who made a very good sermon yesterday at the Cross): all married. Mr. Daye of Cambridge, Mr. Calfhille (both eligible by the statutes): unmarried. Mr. Reve, Mr. Renuiger, Mr. Rytie of Windsor, Mr. Overton of Winton: all married. I need not put you in remembrance of Mr. D. Haddon, Mr. Hen. Knolles.

Day Made Provost

Of all these the Queen made her choice of one of the unmarried Divines, namely, Mr. Day. And so it remains in a memorial of the Provosts of Eton, viz. Mr. Guliel. Daye, S. Theol. Bac. 5o. die Januar. 1562. dictus est ad praeposituram, et stetit annos 34. Conjugatus fuit, ut Dominus Tho. Smith. ("Mr. William Day, Bachelor of Sacred Theology, was appointed to the provostship on the 5th day of January 1562, and stood 34 years. He was married, as was Sir Thomas Smith.") So that though he was unmarried when he came in Provost, yet he married afterwards.

New Statutes for Eton

The Archbishop, with the Bishop of Winchester and Sir Anthony Cook, was framing new statutes for this college of Eton; and in apology for some alterations of the old, he thus addressed to the Secretary; viz. That he sent him a copy of the qualification of the Provosts by the Founder's statutes: not that either that statute grounded upon Act of Parliament, or any other, should prejudice better order than was therein devised: as some injunctions which they should devise for their order should not peradventure be agreeable to the old statutes; but yet he trusted such as he, the Secretary, should allow. Thus was our Archbishop usefully employing himself in rectifying those foundations of learning and religion, now degenerated by the abuse of the times into superstition and corruption.

Magdalen College, Oxford, Visited

Magdalen college also in Oxford was visited now by the Bishop of Winchester, the proper Visitor thereof. The President thereof, Mr. Coveney, was, it seems, addicted to the Popish superstitions: however many of the Fellows were well affected to religion: and under King Edward had procured Walter Haddon, LL. D. of Cambridge for their President; and under Queen Mary fled abroad. At this visitation in September, Coveney was deprived. But he made his appeal in Chancery. And upon his appeal, commission was granted thence to A. Browne and Weston, two Judges. Who, upon conferences with other Justices and Civilians, resolved, that the appeal did not lie, nor that there was any other remedy for the appellant. We shall hear who succeeded in the next chapter.

Complaint Against the Bishop of Chester

There was also in the month of February another business committed to the Archbishop, to whom, as associates, were joined the Bishops of Winton, Ely, and Wigorn. There had some complaint been made to the Queen's Council against Downhame, Bishop of Chester. The matter of the complaint doth not appear; but (if I may have leave in a thing so obscure to conjecture) it seems to have been in relation to some neglect in furthering religion in his diocese, and winking at Popish Priests continuing in their livings, without the public declaration of their faith in the articles of true religion; who did too boldly vent their unsound doctrines and superstitious opinions. And the Council also directed the Archbishop, that an uniformity of doctrine might be prescribed for all to observe and acquiesce in, for the maintaining of peace and good order. It was looked upon as a favour by the Archbishop, that this Bishop was not judged by the Privy Council themselves, but that his case was committed to the examination of those of his own function.

A Synod Desired

And matters of doctrine being not yet settled in the Church, for want of a Convocation, the Archbishop took this occasion to remind the Council of such a Synod, when the Parliament should come together; wherein the points of religion, and affairs of the Church, might be regularly debated, and brought to some good conclusion; to which all the Clergy might submit, and whereby the professed doctrine of the Reformed Church of England might be better known. For to this purport did our Archprelate address himself to the Lords of the Council: "Giving them hearty thanks, that it pleased them to remember that old order in all ages, that the accusation of such parties should be examined by their brethren or their peers. And yet that they meant not hereby to use any private respect, but as might stand with the glory of God, and the due examination and reformation of things amiss, if they should find any such. And whereas they understood that the Queen shortly intended a Parliament, and so consequently a Convocation was to be continued by the state of the Clergy, for reformation and establishment in matters of religion, trusting that in the same they might be bold to represent unto their Lordships both their meanings and doings; so they had intended, after some hearing of accusations and answerings, to defer this matter [of the Bishop of Chester] to that opportunity, when they should be all met together; as also to their conference with some other persons, with whom they were to commune, to reduce the godly points of our religion to more certainty, if it should please God and the Queen's Majesty, with their, the Council's, honourable assistance, to help them in the same; to establish them in an uniformity. And so certifying their Honours thus much, according to the direction of their letters, they heartily committed their Lordships to the grace of Almighty God, and to the good guidance of his Holy Spirit." The Bishops that signed this letter with the Archbishop, were Robert, Bishop of Winton, Richard, Bishop of Ely, and Nicolas, Bishop of Lincoln.

Editorial Notes

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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: section headings, Latin translations, verified internal links, and editorial notes added per the AnglicanWiki Editorial Guidelines for Historical Texts. Strype's text faithfully transcribed from the Google Books scan; spelling and substance as in the original.