Life of Matthew Parker (Strype, 1821)/Book III/Chapter XVII

This is an enhanced reading edition of John Strype's The Life and Acts of Matthew Parker (1821), Vol. I, Book III, Chapter XVII. The text has been proofread against the 1821 Clarendon Press scan, with section headings, Latin translations, and editorial notes added. Strype's substance, chronology, claims, and quotations are preserved; his spelling and grammar are retained. See the AnglicanWiki Editorial Guidelines for Historical Texts.

CHAP. XVII. The Archbishop visits Norwich diocese. His commissions, and Articles of Inquiry. The disorders there. The Archbishop's endeavours to rectify them. Blames the Bishop of Norwich. The Archbishop will not dispense with an order for three Priests in Merton college. A conspiracy in that college, against the Archbishop, dispersed. He founds scholarships in Norwich: and sermons anniversary. His ordinances for them.

The Visitation of Norwich Diocese

Now did the Archbishop intend to visit the diocese of Norwich, where he had understood many things to have been out of order, and the Bishop himself not without his imperfections. For which place he had a more special love and tender concern, being born and bred there, mentioning this in his commission to have been a particular cause of his visitation. In order to this, May 8, he issued out an inhibition to John, Bishop of Norwich, from visiting the church, city, and diocese. And a mandate came forth, dated May the 16th, from him to the said Bishop, for his summoning all persons concerned, to appear at the said visitation, having this preamble; viz.

The Mandate to the Bishop of Norwich

Mattheus permissione Divina Cantuarien. Archiepisc. totius Angliæ Primas et Metropolitanus, venerabili confratri nostro Dno. Johann. ead. permissione Norwicen. Episc. salutem. et fraternam in Dom. charitatem. Suscepti cura regiminis, &c. i. e. "The care of government undertaken by us, compels us, that, by rooting out vices, and planting virtues, we endeavour to fulfil the duty of our office, as much as with God's help we may. Hence it is, that we purpose and intend, ere long, God assisting, to visit your cathedral church, and city, and diocese of Norwich, of our province of Canterbury; as well in the head as in the members; and the Clergy and people living and residing in the same, by our metropolitical right; and to correct the defects found there, lacking necessary correction and reformation; and, according to our power, to restore them to their due state."

"Wherefore he [the Archbishop] committed to and commanded his brotherhood [the Bishop of Norwich] to take order, that the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral church, and all and singular Archdeacons, Canons Choral, Choristers, and other Ministers of the said church; and all and singular Rectors, Proprietaries, Vicars, &c. and all others exercising any ecclesiastical function, appear before him, or his Vicar General in spirituals, or his Commissary, the days, hours, and places, that should be appointed and specified in a schedule annexed to these presents; and humbly to undergo his metropolitical visitation, to be exercised in that behalf: and further to do, receive, and hear such things, as on his part were to be declared and ministered to them: premonishing the Dean and Chapter, Archdeacons, Canons, &c. of the said cathedral church, to exhibit and produce their foundations, dotations, charters, grants, statutes, ordinances, and all other their muniments, &c. and to cause all executors of the deceased, and the widows and kindred of such as are departed intestate, living within the city and diocese of Norwich, to appear, and produce the testaments and last wills of the said defuncts. He also cited the Bishop of Norwich himself to appear, by his Proctor lawfully constituted, before him or his Vicar General in spirituals, on the 18th day of July, in the chapter-house of his cathedral of Norwich, between the hours of eight and ten in the morning: then and there to undergo this metropolitical visitation: and to do and receive that which the nature and quality of the same his visitation did of itself exact and require: and what he should do or cause to be done in the premises, to certify by his letters patents: and by a schedule to notify all the names and surnames of all and singular so cited and summoned; and the names of their benefices and promotions."

"Dated as above from his manor of Lamehith"

"Jo. Incent, Register."

The Articles of Inquiry

The Archbishop also sent articles to be inquired of in this cathedral church, being the same for all the rest of the cathedral and collegiate churches in his provinces; and were nine in number. The first concerned the residence and behaviour of the Dean, Archdeacons, and Dignitaries of the church. The second concerning the Prebendaries and their residence; their livings; their apparel; their preaching. The third concerning the using of divine service and sacraments in their church, according to the Queen's laws and injunctions; and concerning communicating thrice a year. The fourth, concerning the well ordering of their grammar-school and the children in it; and concerning the keeping of the statutes and ordinances of it. The fifth concerned all their other ministers and officers, doing their duties in all points obediently; and concerning stewards and receivers making a true account. The sixth was concerning the doctrine and judgment of the head and members of their church; and concerning any of them preaching unwholesome, erroneous doctrine, or moving any not to conform to the orders of religion reformed and restored. Particularly, if any affirmed the Queen not to be head and chief governor of her people or Church of England; or that it is not lawful for a particular church to alter its rites and ceremonies for better edification; or to affirm, that any man might by his private authority do the same; or that such are to be borne with that extol superstitious religion, relics, pilgrimages, lighting of candles, &c. ducking to images, praying in a tongue unknown, &c. or other Anabaptistical errors, [which it seems were already crept into this Church:] as, maintaining that infants should not be baptized: that every article in the Creed was not to be believed of necessity: or that mortal sins committed after baptism were not remissible: or that man, after he have received the Holy Ghost, cannot sin: or that afterwards he cannot rise again to repentance: or that any liveth without sin: or that it is not lawful to swear in some cases: or that the civil magistrate cannot punish a man with death: or that any man may take upon him any ministry in Christ's Church: or that the word of God did condemn the government of women, &c. The seventh was concerning the names and surnames of all and singular the members of the said Church: and of any of them attaining their places by simony, and whether any of them were swearers, adulterers, fornicators, &c. The eighth was concerning having necessary ornaments and books for the Church; and concerning the reparation of it. The ninth, to present whatsoever they should think necessary and profitable for the Church.

The Answers to the Inquiries

To these articles of inquiry were distinct answers made by George Gardiner, one of the Prebendaries. Which with the articles at large may be read in the Appendix. Some particulars whereof were, that one Wenden, one of the Archdeacons and a Prebendary, did not reside, and went not in priestly apparel, but in a cloak with a Spanish cape, and a rapier by his side; was no Priest, and lived at Lovain. That Smith, another of their Prebendaries, kept at Swineshead in Lincolnshire, and was neither Priest nor Preacher. That there were but two preachers among the Prebendaries. That the communion was ministered in a chalice, contrary to the Queen's advertisements. That they had no grammar-school, but they allowed twenty marks a year to one that taught a grammar-school in the city; and he received such scholars as they sent him. To the article concerning preaching or holding errors, the answer only was, that he knew no offender, because he knew no man's conscience, and openly he could accuse no man.

The master of the choristers suspected, for carrying tales between gentlemen, and by that means caused unquietness. Toller, one of the Canons, was a great brawler, and kept another man's wife. To the last article, that he desired service might be sung more deliberately, with Psalms at the beginning and end of the service, according to the Injunctions. That the chalice might be turned into a decent communion cup. That a divinity lecture might be read, according to their foundation. That their Prebendaries might be all Priests, and resident. And some provision might be made against spoiling their woods.

The Commission to Dr. Yale and Others

But now to go a little back, and to give some particulars of this visitation. June the 28th, a commission was signed to Dr. Yale, the Archbishop's officer; Dr. Thomas Godwin, Dean of Christ's church, Canterbury; and Dr. Drury, Advocate of his Court of Arches, and Commissary of his Faculties; James Gervis, an Advocate of the said Court; and Thomas Bickley, B. D. his Chaplain, to visit the said church, city, and diocese. The Archbishop began his commission with these words, Suscepti muneris solicitudo et cura nos imprimis movet, movere et potest natalis patriæ charitas, excitat officium, ut in civitate et dioc. Norwicen. unde orti et enutriti sumus, juxta Apostoli præscriptum, &c.

Norwich was a large diocese, and the report was come to the Archbishop's ears, that it was greatly gone into disorder, partly by Papists, and partly by Puritans; by livings also simonically disposed of, and many unsupplied. And that which contributed to these irregularities was, that the Bishop had not visited in seven years, according to an evil custom, which prevailed in that diocese, which that Bishop himself complained of, but could not help; and his late Chancellor, Dr. Gascoin, had greatly neglected his duty. So that the Bishop was very glad of this archiepiscopal visitation; but yet believed it would not be found so bad as was reported, as he signified to the Archbishop. Towards the latter end of July, the said Bishop of Norwich wrote to the Archbishop's Commissioners, who had now made a good progress in their visitation, "rendering unto them his hearty thanks, for their painful diligence taken about the reformation of his diocese. Wherein, as they had supplied, as he said, the defaults of his officers, upon whom he might justly lay the burden of such things as were amiss, so his trust was, there should follow thereupon such speedy redress as he had always desired." He gave them again his thanks for their pains, and wished unto them all as well as to himself, and so concluded his letter, dated from Ludham, July 27.

The Bishop of Norwich's Letter

The Bishop also wrote now an account of the state of his diocese, which, with his letter to the Archbishop, he prayed the Commissioners to deliver to his Grace. His letter was as followeth:

"My duty in humble wise remembered. These are to render thanks to your good Grace, that it hath pleased you to have so fatherly a care of the state of this diocese, as to appoint such grave and learned persons to visit the same, for the reformation of such things as are amiss. I have, as my duty is, received them. And my trust is, there shall not appear unto them so many disorders, as unto your Grace hath been reported. And yet such as shall be found, I may in part excuse me of, for that I can visit but once in seven years, (as the custom hath been;) but I see no reason thereto; and being now almost seven years since I did last visit with an unexpert Chancellor. Since which time committing the order and reformation of such cases unto my late Chancellor Dr. Gascoin, and my other officers, they have not in all parts so trustily behaved themselves as my desire and their duties required. Which as your Grace in some part can witness with me, so my trust is, you will consider thereof accordingly.

"I signified unto your Grace a year past of one Leonard Elston, a schoolmaster of Worsted, procured thither by Dr. Gascoin; who having written a fond work against the state of true religion, now used, and sending the same to a friend of his, I chanced in the way to light upon that book, which as at that time I thought not meet to trouble your Grace withal, being in every part unworthy the reading; so now hearing him to be apprehended, and in the gatehouse at Westminster, I think it not amiss, together with these letters, to send the same unto your Grace; that having sufficiently wherewith to charge him, he may have that to him belongeth, and others by his example warned not to offend in the like, &c.

"Your, &c. Joh. Norwic."

The Reason for the Visitation

The good Archbishop's reason therefore for this visitation appears to have been certain scandalous doings here. Which I will set down from a letter by him wrote to the Lady Bacon not long after, in the month of February, choosing rather to use his words than my own.

"Of late I sent my visitors to Norwich diocese; his [the Lord Bacon's] country and mine, to set order, and know the state of the country. Whereof I hear in that country, that Quid vultis mihi dare had so much prevailed there among the Simoneans, that now to sell and to buy benefices, to fleece parsonages and vicarages [was come to pass,] that omnia erant venalia. And I am informed, the best of the country, not under the degree of Knights, were infected with this sore: so far, that some one Knight had four or five, others seven or eight benefices clouted together; fleecing them, and defrauding the Queen's subjects of their duty of prayers. Some were for setting boys and servingmen to bear the names of such livings. Understanding this enormity, how the Gospel was thus pinched, to the discouraging of all good labourers in God's harvest, I mean to inquire of it. In such inquisition was presented at Norwich, that my Lord [Bishop of Norwich] hath set a servingman, not ordered, a mere laybody, in the face of the whole city, to be a Prebendary of his church there. And that he had at home at his house another Prebendary. And bearing them great under my Lord's authority, despised mine, to be at the church's visitation. This matter had been long tossed among the people, of the two places thus used. Whom I knew not of, till my visitors came home again."

The good Archbishop, when his visitors came home, inquiring of them first of the cathedral church, was informed of this by them. He at his next opportunity told the Bishop of Norwich of it, and what was talked; but the Bishop seeming not to remember their names, the Archbishop ceased further talk of it then. But the Archbishop seemed not well content that they should have neglected to do their duties to his Commissioners, in not appearing upon summons. But the said Commissioners for this absence had charged the Dean and Chapter, unknown to the Archbishop, to pay them no rent of their prebends, till they had shewed good cause to the Archbishop of their non-appearance.

The Affair of Smith's Prebend

One of them, whose name was Smith, came thither soon after for his money, and was denied it. And after, he resorted to the Archbishop for a letter of release, whereby he might have the Archbishop's allowance to receive his money. When his Grace perceived what he was, and withal that he had honest learning, moved him to enter into Orders, to avoid the speech of the world, and not to live so contrary to laws, and so to honest, as he said, that small number of the Church besides, being but six Prebendaries, who though they were all at home, one could hardly be spared, as they might be in churches where were forty or fifty prebends. But this man, after many words, answered the Archbishop, that though he had been brought up in some profane learning, yet in Scripture he had no knowledge, and therefore he would not enter into the ministry. And then he further asked the Archbishop's counsel. Who told him, he thought it best for him, for the necessity of life, after his service spent with my Lord [Bishop of Norwich,] reserving some pension, to resign the prebend to such an one as were able to do good service in that church. He told the Archbishop, that there were some that had offered him well, but he liked not their judgments; and in fine, he thought good, to gratify the whole city [of Norwich,] to resign it to one Mr. Walker, who was desired for the gift of his preaching to continue there. And so to be out of the danger of non-residency from a little benefice he had in the country, whither he must be fain else to go, and leave the city destitute of his labours. The Archbishop, for the compassing so good a design, gave Smith his letters of release to the Dean, to receive his payment, after what time he should resign his prebend upon a pension of five pounds assured by the church. Upon this supposed vacation, the Duke of Norfolk [a personage very well disposed to religion, and out of his kindness to the city of Norwich, and being, as it is like, moved thereto by the Archbishop] writ to the Bishop of Norwich, (now, as it seems, at London,) in the aforesaid Walker's behalf, [who came up with these letters to the Bishop.] But notwithstanding Walker could not be admitted. And the cause was, that Smith was bound to the Bishop of Norwich to pay five pounds pension out of his prebend, to a sister's son of the Bishop's, studying at Cambridge. And this was the answer the Bishop himself gave Walker.

The Bishop of Norwich Blamed

Which when he had told the Archbishop, he was sorry to hear it of him, qui foenum habet in cornu, as he expressed himself, [meaning, I suppose, being so well to pass in wealth.] As he thought it would be in the Greenyard, a common place where sermons were made. But the Archbishop excused it as well as he could to Walker. Who told his Grace, that this kind of doing was common in all the country, and he marvelled that they which favoured the Gospel should so practise, with divers words to that effect. Whereby the Archbishop, as he said, gathered the sequel, what was like to follow this repulse; [namely, the scandal and reproach of it to light upon the Bishop.]

And immediately in that very article of time, while he retained Walker at dinner in his house on purpose, the Archbishop writ to the Bishop, to put the matter to his wisdom and consideration, without mentioning any of the hard circumstances of the cause, how it was like to be taken. But he signified what a pleasure it would have been to my Lord of Norfolk, who he was sure would have taken it thankfully, to have sped; and so being made known among his friends in the city, would have, he doubted not, promoted the credit of the Gospel, for his Grace to be the mover, and bringer into the Church and into the city such a preacher, had Walker sped at the said Duke's request. This was the contents of the Archbishop's letter to the Bishop of Norwich. But it would not serve for Walker, who was the messenger that carried it.

This five pound pension was the stop and let. But the answer he sent to the Duke's Grace was, that Walker, for whom he requested, should be sure of the next vacant room, when it chanced there. Which being told the Archbishop, he made this reflection; "I pray God send my Lord many joyful years to continue both in life and in office till that day and time; but I think this offer would have been taken in time. And I wish I had borne this five pound pension of my own purse, that the common slanderous speech might have been stayed, where I fear it will by this doing be farther wondered at. But it may be said, Let such as talk of it, remedy it, if they can. O Madam, God is the rewarder of all good doings, and reformer of all disorders. I see this country so much without remorse of conscience in this outrage, [of robbing Ministers of what is allotted to them,] that the stones will speak of it, if it be not reformed." Such was the zeal and honesty of this good overseer of the Church against these abuses and wrongs done to the Clergy, and through them unto all the people, by putting their revenues into the hands of laymen, that did nothing for it.

The Archbishop and Merton College

He was in the month of June at Croydon, labouring under a severe fit of the stone, to which disease he was very subject. Hither the Queen's Attorney writ to him for a favour towards Merton college, (Man, the Warden, being now Ambassador in Spain;) but the Archbishop granted not his suit; yet gave him so good a reason for his denial, that he could not take it amiss. In a former visitation of that college, the Archbishop had, among other Injunctions, enjoined, that there should be three Priests at least in the college. But the young men of the house were so addicted to pleasure and sloth, that this injunction was too hard for them, and they obtained of Mr. Attorney, to desire the Archbishop to dispense with it. But one of the wise and godly Archbishop's main maxims for the Church's good was herein so much opposed, namely, the furnishing the Church with ministers and preachers, which it then much wanted, that he would by no means comply with a request of that nature. But take the reason of the Archbishop's denial from his own letter to the said Attorney.

The Archbishop's Letter to the Attorney General

"I marvel much that the Fellows of Merton college should be so much grieved with one order we made for three only Priests to be within the college: whereunto they be all sworn by statute: and among the number of twenty of them, that not three are disposed to serve the realm in the holy ministry, but would in idle pleasure wear out their lives. I cannot of conscience favour them therein. And of late hearing of a by-statute they had, that none of the younger Fellows might be Priests, I dispensed with them in that statute, whereby they might the better come to the number of three. They ought all to be — and so the nigher to be Divines. There is one physician among them, tolerated for the reading of Linacre's lesson within their house; which else would be to the more shame of the house, if outward students should read it. I am sorry that Latham should deceive mine expectation, to abhor the ministry, being one of the ancients to give good example to the house. But because I hear their Warden shall shortly come home, he shall take order among them. — And I am sorry, that this matter being of this congruence, I cannot pleasure your request, as else I would. Surely, Mr. Attorney, if there be no preachers to maintain Christ's religion, to move the subjects' hearts, in persuasion of obedience to the Prince, and the tenants to their landlords, neither Westminster Hall will long continue, nor outward force will rule the matter. In which consideration, methinks their Founders have bestowed their cost to bring them up that way, to deceive God and the world, I think it not reasonable. And thus pinched at this time with a shrewd fit of stone, I wish you God's grace and health, as to myself. From my house at Croydon, June 21.

"Your loving friend,

"Matt. Cant."

This college, as the Archbishop had once at least before visited it, so now again in August he issued out orders, for the appeasing (as the words in the register ran) of certain controversies lately risen in Merton college in Oxford, between the Fellows of the same college, about the calling of certain Bachelor Fellows of the said college to the degree of Masters of Art. First it was ordered by the said most reverend Father, that before Saturday next coming, or at the furthest, at the first coming home of the Vice-Warden of the said college, the said Vice-Warden shall call the company of the Fellows and Scholars of the said college together, and before the same company so gathered shall open and declare the calling of Sir Tatam and Sir Borne to the degree of Masters, made by the Vice-Warden, and the consent of the five seniors, to be orderly and lawfully done, and so to be reputed and taken." Some other orders followed, which I shall not here insert, being of no great concern.

A Conspiracy at Merton College

But it was not long after, the Archbishop had much more trouble with this turbulent college. For some of the Fellows, namely, Wanton, Fletcher, and Row, entered into a conspiracy, written by the hand of one of them, and secretly devised by the oath of the said parties, (as they themselves confessed,) to wage law against the Archbishop, for his patronage and jurisdiction of the said college: as also for borrowing of money, and for the lease and sale of Ibston-wood; to maintain their quarrel against his Grace; and also for the maintaining of their expulsion of R. Latham, whom the Archbishop had restored, and for restoring to their fellowships such persons as the Archbishop had expelled or suspended; and also for the satisfaction of the losses of the said parties so suspended by the Archbishop. These had got several others of the same college to their party, namely, J. H. F. W. E. F. C. A. and others.

The Archbishop was so tender of the reputation of these hot-headed blades, notwithstanding their malice against him, that he would not have their names written at length in his register. For so it is inserted in the margin of the register. The Archbishop gave order, that in the register their names should be spared by reason of danger and slander.

The combination was this, to which they subscribed their names:

"Whereas doubtful things ask judgment to discern, and weighty matters strength to wield their sway; we, and every of us, the sooner to avoid the doubtful danger whereunto we are brought, and the better to wield the weighty affairs we presently take in hand, do our power, strength, policy, and wit, to the uttermost we may do them; that is to wit, concerning jus patronatus, Latham's expulsion, Wanton's and Jessop's admission; the reducing of them, with Mr. Heming, to their full and former state in their fellowships. For that it toucheth us, and every of us, our estate, assurance, liberty, and authority, for our being in the house, to do so far for them, both jointly and severally, every one, whose names be here subscribed, as right and honesty may require, or law and reason can permit; to our comfort in trouble, and in quietness to our joy, and to all our profits, if we prevail."

"God send the ship full safe to lay,

"That bears his sails full low."

"John Heminge, Christopher Atkinson, "Tho. Wanton, Henry Savyl, "James Whitehead, John Whetcomb, "Robert Fletcher, John Wintley." "Will. Row,

The Decrees Against the Conspirators

This dangerous and bold attempt, after it was discovered, was examined and sifted, and finally dispersed, by the prudence and care of the Archbishop and others, by virtue either of the ecclesiastical or some special commission. Some of the decrees were these: "That two of them should remain in the city of London, for this Lent, and not return back to the college. That Mr. H. having the words of the said purposed conspiracy written in a paper, and in presence of four Fellows of the college, whose names are there, shall subscribe his hand to this recognition, saying thus; 'I N. do utterly renounce this seditious conspiracy, tending to the subversion of the estate of the college, whereof I am Fellow: and promise, by this my writing and subscription, never hereafter to attempt the like. And also, I promise from henceforth, to be faithful to the wealth and worship of my said college, to my uttermost powers, by the grace of God.' And he ordained, that the three chief conspirators, and for contempt, should within ten days remove themselves out of the company and circuit of the same college, and so remain until the day of St. John Baptist next following, except upon the repentance and unfeigned submission of them, or any of them, it shall be thought meet by the Commissioners to release, or obviate any of the orders concerning any of the persons afore-named. But one was ordained to be actually expelled. That whereas the Founder decreed, that there should be in the college always three at least in order of priesthood, and none, not one, now was; he decreed that henceforth there should be always three at the least in holy Orders. And that within this day and the day of St. John Baptist, they dispose themselves to be within the same Orders according to their oath. That the three senior residents shall take Orders, or else to avoid their fellowships. And then the next three seniors to take Orders, except some of the juniors will take the same. That the Vice-Warden for the time being, and the seven seniors with him, shall not at any time, in the absence of the Warden, or without his consent, suffer any thing to pass by their common seal, either lease for term of years, either advowson, annuity, &c. that may tend to the hurt of the possessions of the college; and before that, the Archbishop of Canterbury, for the time being, be informed by them thereof, to expend how reasonable it may be. That neither the Sub-Warden nor any of the fellowship shall hereafter attempt to alienate or spoil the lands, the moveable goods or woods of the same college, of their private authority, during the time that their Warden, Mr. John Man, abideth Ambassador to the Queen's Majesty in Spain, nor shall do any thing contrary to the right and interest of the same college. That Latham be reputed and taken in all constructions to enjoy his fellowship and right of the same, as he hath enjoyed it in times past. And that the late sentence, unjustly passed against him, be revoked, and utterly frustrated, being contrary to law and good conscience, as by the judgment of certain learned men appeared, with the subscription of their hands."

These and other decrees, dated March 8, were made and subscribed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of London, Sir Gilb. Gerard, the Queen's Attorney General, Dr. Tho. Yale, and Dr. Will. Drury. And so this storm was allayed for this time.

Three Scholarships Founded at Norwich

At this time did the good Archbishop express also his kindness and peculiar love towards the city of Norwich, together with some other neighbouring places in that county, by founding three scholars to be sent thence to Bene't college, and for preaching certain sermons. For by an indenture, dated the 24th of June, in the 9th of the Queen, he gave 200l. to that city. For which they were to grant an annuity of 10l. to the said college: and the Master and Fellows thereof were to bestow 8l. of the said 10l. to these uses, and none other; that is, towards the use and exhibition of three grammar scholars, to be found within the said college: to be from time to time nominated and appointed by the Mayor and his successors, with the assent of the most part of the Aldermen, out of the schools at or in the city of Norwich, or Alesham in Norfolk.

And the Mayor of the city, and his successors, to employ the forty shillings parcel of the said annuity after this manner, that is to say, to a preacher to be sent or appointed by the said Master and Fellows of Bene't college, to preach or declare one sermon at the town of Thetford in Norfolk, 6s. 8d. Also, to a preacher that shall preach a sermon at Windham, in the said county, 6s. 8d. And for a sermon to be preached in the Greenyard of the city of Norwich, 6s. 8d. And for a sermon in the parish church of St. Clement, by Fribrig, [where the Archbishop was born,] 10s. And the 10s. remaining, to the persons and officers under named: to the Mayor, being at the sermon at the parish church of St Clement's, 12d. To the two Sheriffs, being at the sermon, 16d. To the Parson or Curate of the parish of St. Clement, present at the sermon, 8d. To the Town-clerk, being at the same sermon, 6d. To the Sword-bearer of the same city, being at the sermon, 6d. To four of the Mayor's officers, or Sergeants at the mace, being present, 16d. To the Clerk of the parish church, 4d.; and to the same Clerk yearly, for overseeing the tomb of William Parker and Alice his wife, set within the churchyard of the parish of St. Clement, that it be not misused to the decay thereof, 12d. To the poor of that parish, 20d. To the prisoners of the gaol of the city, 20d. And the portion of such persons aforementioned, as should be absent from the sermon in St. Clement's parish church, to be distributed to and among the poor of the said parish, and the prisoners. And as often as the said 10l. or any part thereof shall be behind, and unpaid, or not distributed, so often the said Mayor and Sheriffs shall pay unto the Master and Fellows of Bene't college 4l. of good English money, in the name of a pain: and then it shall be lawful for the said college to enter and distrain.

The lands out of which this annuity was to be paid was the manor and farm of Hethehilde, with the appertenances, in the county of Norfolk.

The Ordinances for the Scholars

The Archbishop also made ordinances for these his three scholars, abovesaid, and for the said sermons. Which were, that the scholars were to be sent to the college from the Mayor and Aldermen of Norwich. That without all favour and affection and partiality, as they would answer to Almighty God for doing the contrary, they should name and appoint for scholars, such as should be born within the city, and being between the age of fourteen and twenty, well instructed in their grammar, able to write and sing, and, if it might be, to make a verse; and such as should be of honest parents, and brought up in the fear of God, and disposed to enter by God's grace, in time to come, into the ministry, and in that vocation to serve God and his Church. And that the said scholars, for the time being, should direct their studies to that end and effect. And that if, after the term of three years' continuance in their studies, the Master and Fellows should perceive, by sufficient proof, that the said scholars, or any of them, were not disposed that way, then they should give notice thereof to the Mayor and Aldermen, to provide some other to supply the room of such indisposed persons, as also of such others as should depart out of this present life in the time of their exhibition. The scholars to have the said exhibition continued for six years, from the first day of their admission. No scholar's room to be longer vacant than six weeks. No scholar to absent himself out of the college in visiting his friends, more than one month at the most in the year.

The Anniversary Sermons

The first sermon to be made at the town of Thetford, the Sunday going before Rogation-week. The second sermon at Windham, on Monday in Rogation-week. The third to be made at St. Clement's, in Fybridge, on Ascension-day following, in the forenoon or afternoon, by the appointment of the Mayor. The fourth sermon in the Greenyard, or other such common place in Norwich, to be preached the Sunday following the said Ascension-day. That if the said Master and Fellows should neglect or forget to send out of their college, or out of some other college of the University, such preacher, to perform the said sermons, then the Mayor to nominate and assign them.

The first sermon of this foundation was made in the Greenyard, on Sunday, July the 20th, 1567, by Tho. Godwine, S. Th. P. Dean of Christ's Church, Canterbury: present, the Commissioners of the most reverend Father in God, Matthew, Archbishop of Canterbury; (they with the said Dean then, jure metropolitico, visiting the city and diocese of Norwich;) present also the Duke of Norfolk, and other worshipful persons, and John the Bishop of Norwich, with his people, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city. The same day and year, in the afternoon, the said Godwine preached in the churchyard of St. Clement, next Fybridg, under the great oak there. The same year, July the 25th, John Pory, S. Th. P. Master of Corpus Christi college, made a sermon at Wimondham, or Windham; and July the 27th at Thetford. These sermons were preached somewhat out of the order prescribed, occasioned, I suppose, by the visitation. But the next year, viz. 1568, all was performed regularly. For May the 23d Dr. John Pory preached at Thetford; the 24th at Wyndham; the 27th at Norwich, in the parish of St. Clement's, before noon; and the 30th in the Greenyard. And anno 1571, May the 20th, being Rogation Sunday, Tho. Aldrich, Master of Corpus Christi, preached at Thetford. May the 21st, being Rogation Monday, he preached at Wymondham. May the 22d, being Tuesday in Rogation-week, he preached at Mattishal in Norfolk, [the Archbishop's wife's native town,] and saw the first distribution made among the poor of the same town, according to an order made then by the Archbishop. May the 24th, the same person preached at Norwich, being Ascension-day, in the parish of St. Clement's: and there saw a distribution made according to the said Archbishop's order. And the next Lord's day, being May the 27th, he preached publicly in the Greenyard, before the Mayor and citizens. And in the year 1573, April 6, &c. the same sermons were preached by Robert Norgate, M. A. then Master of the said college.

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, Book III. 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.