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

This is the enhanced reading edition of Book III, Chapter XX of John Strype's The Life and Acts of Matthew Parker (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1821), Vol. I. It has been proofread against the original printed pages, and is presented with descriptive section headings, Strype's Latin passages translated, editorial notes, and Strype's footnotes preserved as references. Strype's own words, chronology, claims, and spelling are retained; editorial additions are clearly distinguished.

Corpus Christi college, Oxon, visited by the Bishop of Winton: and more effectually, by commission from the Queen. The Archbishop of Canterbury's privilege to visit Oxford. The Commissioners Ecclesiastical appoint a visitation of Corpus Christi in Cambridge. The University refuse their visitation on account of their privileges. The Commissioners call the College up to Lambeth. The Archbishop satisfieth the Chancellor of Cambridge of their doings. Papists banished the Court. Some in the diocese of Gloucester officiate without orders. The Archbishop pacifieth differences in Corpus Christi college, Cambridge. The Queen's appointment of Latin prayers disobeyed in most colleges. The Archbishop's advice to the Chancellor hereupon. Procures new statutes for Corpus Christi college. Gives the advowson of Abb church, London, to the college. His advice for a Bishop of Chichester. Appoints Lent Preachers for the Queen. Tremellius and Corranus apply to him. His brother Mayor of Norwich.

A President Placed in Corpus Christi, Oxford

A NOTABLE visitation of Corpus Christi college in Oxford happened this year. The occasion was this: upon the avoidance of the presidentship of that house, the Queen sent letters to the Fellows, recommending William Cole to their choice to supply that place, a sober and religious man, who had been an exile under Queen Mary.

But notwithstanding, being well affected towards Popery, they rejected the Queen's letter, and chose for their President one Robert Harrison, formerly of that house, but gone from thence for his favour to the Romish religion. The Queen hearing this, pronounced their election void, as being made amiss, and against the statutes; and again commanded them to elect Cole. But they still refused, urging, that their former election was done according to their consciences and their oaths. Soon after, Horn, Bishop of Winchester, their visitor, was sent down to place Cole, which he did; but first was fain to force the college gates, being shut against him.

The Ill Behaviour of the Fellows Towards Their Visitor

There being such a nest of Popish Fellows here, and the rude carriage the college had shown the Bishop, their Visitor, considered, he intended a farther visitation for them. But upon other intervening business, it was deferred by him: which made the Fellows triumph. But some other Fellows were here of a better inclination; as Hooker, and his learned and ingenious pupil George Cranmer, nephew to the late Archbishop of that name. This man last mentioned, in this juncture wrote a letter to the Bishop of Winchester; who the last time he was at the college adjourned his visitation till another time, and afterward, as report went, laid it wholly aside. This rumour, Cranmer told him, brake all the hopes of the good men, and begat the triumphs of the bad. These talked abusively of the Bishop, that he would come when there was hope of gain, viz. ten mark. But now, being no hopes of that, he would not trouble himself to take the pains. Cranmer told him, moreover, how they spake against him, and boasted how well it succeeded, that they had resisted him, [as though he were afraid to come again to them.] He urged also to the Bishop, that he would do well to purge the New college and Winchester school, wherein were harboured many popishly affected.

This letter came into the hands of Arehbishop Parker, sent to him by the Bishop aforesaid; who prayed him, that care might be taken about these irregularities by the ecclesiastical Commission, rather than by him as Visitor. The Archbishop sent the letter to the Bishop of London, who approved of some speedy course to be taken for redress.

The College Visited by Commissioners

What was done with the colleges of Winchester and New college, I know not; but Corpus Christi was procured by the Archbishop to be this year visited by commission from the Queen to the said Bishop of Winton, Secretary Cecyll, Cooper, and Humfrey, Doctors of Divinity, and George Ackworth, LL. D. an officer of the Archbishop's. Where lighter punishments were inflicted upon lesser crimes, and three notorious Papists expelled, whose names were Reynolds, Windsor, and Napier.

The Archbishops of Canterbury Might Visit Oxford

The Archbishop had lately met with an old writing taken out of the rolls of Parliament, anno 1411, and of the 13. Regis Henrici IV. wherein was expressed the power of the Archbishops of Canterbury to visit the University of Oxford. It began, Memorandum quod memorabilis in Christo Pater, Thomas Archiep. Cantuar. in præsenti Parl. nostro exhibuit quandam petitionem, &c. It was concerning his right of visiting that University; and it was confirmed by that Parliament. The aforesaid writing is very large. This the Archbishop ordered to be put into his register, as appears by this note subjoined, "Memorandum, That the copy of the act of Parliament above mentioned, touching the University of Oxford, was delivered to me John Incent, the xix February, A. D. 1568. by the most reverend Father in God, Matthew, Archbishop of Canterbury, and commandment to me given by him to register the same in manner and form above specified." As for this prerogative of the Archbishops of Cant. I find by the notes of Dr. Yale, preserved in the Cotton library, that the scholars of Oxon submitted themselves to the Archbishop of Canterbury, et nequeunt sese exceptos. And in the same Cotton volume I find this prerogative declared and ratified by King Richard II. in these words: Declaratio Regis per literas suas patentes, quod jus visitandi Cancellarium et Universitatem Oxon. pertinet et pertinere debet, ac in perpetuum pertinebit ad Archiepiscopum Cantuar. et Ecclesiam suam, et non ad ipsum regem. This happened upon some contest and debate moved between Thomas, Archbishop of Cant. on the one part, and the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and some others of that University, on the other, upon the use and exercise of jurisdiction and visitation of the said University; the Chancellor and the rest saying, that the visitation belonged to the King alone. This was dated at Westminster, June 1, in the 20th year of King Richard II.

The Commissioners Ecclesiastical Receive Information Against Bene't College

This year I meet with an instance of the Archbishop's great love and good-will to his old college of Corpus Christi in Cambridge, where he was educated, and whereof he was once governor, and ever after a loving patron. The present Master, Dr. Pory, was aged, and often absent, and government and good order was greatly wanting in the college. The Archbishop, the Bishop of London, Dr. Yale, Dr. Drury, and Dr. Watts, were now some of the Queen's Commissioners. To these information was lately brought of divers misdemeanors, as well in manners as in doctrine, of which this society was guilty. I make no question this information was brought by the Archbishop's means: who, finding no other way so convenient to remedy the abuses grown in that house, thought good to attempt the doing of it by the Commission. The method therefore taken was this. Upon this information they directed their letters of commission to the Vice-Chancellor, and some other Heads of the University, to examine and inquire into these matters, and to return them an account thereof.

The University Decline Their Jurisdiction

But they to whom this commission was directed made some stop thereat, delaying the execution thereof, fearing, as they said, to prejudice their privileges, if they should advance the ecclesiastical Commission in the University. And hereupon the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Young, sent letters by the University beadle to Sir William Cecyll, their Chancellor.

The Judgment of the Archbishop and Others Herein

Upon the receipt of which, the said Chancellor desired their opinion who were the Commissioners, and had sent this commission to his Vice-Chancellor. They signified accordingly their opinion in a letter that ran thus:

"It may please you to be advertised, that our opinion is, that the Queen's Majesty's commission for causes ecclesiastical doth extend, and may be executed, upon persons resiant within either of the Universities, or within any other privileged place within the realm, by virtue of the words, 'in places as well exempt as not exempt:' and that the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, and others which are joined with him in commission, from the Commissioners here, may safely, without prejudice of the liberties of the same University, proceed to the execution of the said commission. Yet notwithstanding, we think it not amiss, for avoiding all scruples, that the said Vice-Chancellor, and the other associates with him, do declare by protestation, that their meaning, in executing of the said commission, is not to prejudice any the liberties of the said University, but only to shew their obedience unto the authority of the Queen's Highness, committed to the said Commissioners.

"From Lambeth, the 4th of January, 1568.

"Matth. Cantuar. "Edmund London. "Tho. Yale. "Tho. Wattes."

The Contest Between the University and the Commissioners

This letter, as the resolution of the point, the Chancellor returned to the Vice-Chancellor, by the same beadle that had been sent to him a little before. But the Queen's Commissioners had intelligence, that the Vice-Chancellor, notwithstanding this, proceeded not to the execution of the commission which they had sent. Whereupon they revoked their said commission, and advocated the said cause to their own examination: to the debating whereof the most part of the said society, being parties to the said matters, voluntarily appeared at Lambeth, and submitted themselves to be ordered. But one Stallard, Bachelor of Arts, and principal party in the business, remained still at Cambridge. Him they sent for by their letters and commandment. The execution of which the Vice-Chancellor stayed; commanding the said Stallard not to appear before them: and withal withstood a search of suspected books, by the Commissioners decreed to be made in the said college; removing such as they had appointed to do the same; and causing a search to be by such, and in such manner, as he, the Vice-Chancellor, devised, unsealing the door, which they for that purpose caused to be sealed. For which doings, the Vice-Chancellor answered by his letters; alleging, that it was never heard that any extraordinary or foreign authority had intermeddled to call any from the University.

The Commissioners' Letter to the Chancellor

Though this did somewhat provoke the Queen's Commissioners, yet before they would do any thing more, they thought it convenient to signify the whole matter to the Chancellor, for that the Vice-Chancellor was his deputy. So they writ to him, and made him privy to all their proceedings, before they called him in question; expecting the Chancellor's further mind herein at their next meeting. They let him know, "That they marvelled not a little at what the Vice-Chancellor wrote and did, having in fresh memory their own continual proceedings in this commission, since the first time of it. And that they had from time to time called, as occasion served, out of both the Universities, and had always to that present, appearance humbly, without any denial or contradiction; and had done therein, as they trusted, good service to God, the Queen, and the realm; removing by authority of their said commission, out of both Universities, divers stubborn Papists, and head adversaries of God's true religion, to the number of forty and more; and some of them such as had been sent to the Commissioners by order of the Privy Council, as might appear by their records. The denial of which authority now, after so long a time, they took too much to prejudice the credit of their said former doings, and to derogate the authority of the Queen's Highness commission, committed unto them by act of Parliament." What further issue this business had, I find not. But the college seeming to want a stirring resident Master, the present being seldom there, and grown old, as was said before, the Archbishop at last prevailed with him to resign, as we shall see the next year.

Papists Banished the Court

The nation was now very sensible of Papists, who had flocked about the Court, and sheltered themselves in the houses of persons of the best quality and reputation. The Queen now issued out her command to her Counsellors, that all Papists should be banished her Court, which was done; and the true Protestants took great joy thereat. And the Archbishop himself, by a command, turned out of his family some persons that were discovered to be so disposed. Whereof I suppose one was Dr. John Caius, who was sometime entertained by the Archbishop for his learning. Now also were the Doctors of the Arches examined, as was reported; and some of them refused to subscribe to the supreme authority of the Queen.

Two Scandalous Ministers

Under the Clergy of the reformed Church, here did some unworthy men also now shelter themselves. Two such the Bishop of Gloucester had discovered in his diocese; notice whereof he sent to the Archbishop in the month of October; viz. that they had administered the Communion, christened infants, and married people, and done other spiritual offices in the Church; and yet never took holy Orders. One of these had counterfeited that Bishop's seal; and the other was perjured. The said Bishop writ also the same intelligence to the Secretary, that such wretches, and scandals to religion, might be detected; and due punishment taken upon them.

Contest in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge

The Archbishop now had a new trouble created him, from his own abovementioned college, as he had not long before from one or two colleges in the other University; declaring himself much vexed at the frowardness of some parties there. The contentions there chiefly arose from the diversity of religion: whereupon one party spited the other. For the allaying of this contest, the Archbishop used privately the assistance of Dr. Pern and Dr. Leeds. Whereby he at present compounded the matter between them, and brought them to a quietness. But it was not so firm, but a difference broke out soon after into further trouble: which again the good Archbishop, as an affectionate father to this college, laboured to pacify, partly by the authority of the Queen's Council, and partly by the help of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Pern, and Dr. Whitgift.

Offence at Latin Prayers in Cambridge

But it is worth the knowing the main ground of these dissensions. It was a late order of the Queen's, for Latin prayers to be said in the colleges, for the better accustoming of the scholars to the learned language. For whereas she had devised a Latin book of prayers for the Latin colleges, certain in this college would have none of them. And so it was, not only in this, but in most of the colleges besides: where they had overthrown the Queen's authority, in respect of this order. But the Archbishop had counselled the Master of Gonvil hall, and charged him of Corpus Christi college, to keep the said order, and to regard the Queen's authority. Which thing, because these colleges only did, the adverse party in each college were much offended. Insomuch, that some of the fellowship of Bene't college went contemptuously from the Latin prayers, the Master being the Minister then that read the same. And some of them said, that Latin service was the Pope's dregs: and further, some of this number said grace at the common table in English. These and such other disorders, the Archbishop was now about reforming.

The Archbishop Moves the Chancellor Herein

But he knew what need there was of the assistance of Sir William Cecyl, the University's Chancellor; and therefore applied to him in the beginning of January, letting him know, "that the authority of chancellorship must interpose: and warned him, that, if it should not set a stroke in this cause, he might peradventure hear worse of the whole University hereafter: adding, that, when his Honour should be rightly informed, that little company was able to shew what the whole University meant. And that for his part, he had done uprightly, and intended so to do."

The Archbishop was minded to bring the University to some uniformity in this matter: and for that intent soon after thought to wait upon the Chancellor at the Court, (but his health would not permit, as he wrote to him,) to talk with him, what were best to be done in this Cambridge contention; whether to suffer by silence the commandment of the Latin service to be overthwarted, or to urge it still; which was, as he said, the chief ground of the distastes among them. And that if he, as Chancellor of that University, would resolve it, he knew most of the Heads would rather follow it. He pressed this matter again in the month of February unto the Chancellor; having forborne a while, because of urgent business of state, that the Archbishop knew then lay upon him. Now he offered it again to his consideration, to resolve the doubt, which was looked for at his hands from Cambridge; that is, for their order in private chapel prayers. The Archbishop reminded him, how it made variance, which soon might be appeased. And added, that he had no other charge in the matter, but to wish well to that body. And that, as he understood, their beadle was then with him, so he would please, if his leisure could so serve, to transmit his advice: and so wished his Honour well to fare in God.

I am sorry I cannot go on to acquaint the reader what was further done in this matter, for the use of the Latin prayers in the colleges; but by what hath been said, we see the Archbishop's zeal to have the Queen's orders uniformly observed; and his judgment to have sedition timely checked, for fear of greater inconvenience.

New Statutes for Corpus Christi College

Now also, in the month of February, the Archbishop applied himself to Secretary Cecil, about new statutes for his said college of Corpus Christi in Cambridge. In King Edward's days, when he was Head of that college, he moved the King's visitors for the renovation of the statutes of the said college. Whereupon they granted, that Dr. Mey and himself should finish them, which he then caused to be written fair, and procured the visitors' subscriptions. At the visitation that happened under Queen Mary, these statutes were abolished; and they returned to their old ones. Upon the coming of Queen Elizabeth to the crown, was another visitation of the University appointed; where the Archbishop, Secretary Cecil, and some others, were in commission. And those statutes of King Edward were revived again. But upon pretence of some imperfection in the manner of doing it, some of the college thought themselves not bound by them: and because the Master of the college went down that week to the audit, the Archbishop thought good to have the new statutes recognized; and where some things necessary of the old statutes were omitted in the former book, he had them now inserted; and so to offer them to the house to be received. This copy of the new statutes, therefore, he sent by his servant to the Secretary, praying him, for the more authority, to put his name to them, as he had desired the hands of some others of the visitors, who were, (beside himself,) the Bishop of Winton, Sir Anthony Cook, and Dr. Walter Haddon.

The Advowson of Abchurch, London

Another good turn the Archbishop did this year for the said college. For the better and more flourishing state of it, he yielded and made over the rectory of Penshurst in Kent unto the Queen, confirmed by Goodwin, Dean of Christ's church, Canterbury; in lieu of her grant of the perpetual advowson, donation, and presentation of the rectory of the church of the blessed Mary the Virgin, Abchurch, London, to Bene't college. This charter of the Queen, whereby she granted this church to the college, was dated the 7th of July, 10 Eliz. which patent cost the Archbishop 20l. 9s. 8d. viz.

The Great Seal		8	9	0
The writing and enrolling,		2	6	8
The Signet and Privy Seal,		4	13	4
The vellum book,		0	10	0
The wax and examination,		0	4	0
To the learned Counsel about the same conveyance from the Archbishop to the Queen		1	0	0
		20	9	8

The Archbishop did intend this living for the Masters of the college, for the time being, that some more gain might accrue to them by this addition to their mastership. But Fellows of that house have commonly been incumbents there.

Bishop Barlow Dies

Barlow, Bishop of Chichester, deceased this year, August the 13th, whereof Dr. Overton of that church had given notice to the Secretary the next day; and withal mentioned Day, Provost of Eton, as a good man to succeed, both in regard of his learning and piety: and three or four days after, the Archbishop suggested to him, that when it was the Queen's pleasure to appoint another Bishop there, that she would remember her Chaplain, Mr. Courteis, giving him the character of an honest learned man; that he was of age competent, and among other qualifications, he added, that he was poor, and wanted living. But he trusted, that he would supply the office to God's honour and the Queen's contentation. And as the Archbishop recommended one, so he endeavoured to prevent another, namely, Cheny, Bishop of Gloucester, whose unsound principles were well known both to the Archbishop and the rest of the Bishops. His doctrines gave great offence to the people of his diocese, and created such disagreements between them, both in Gloucester and Bristow, (which he held in commendam,) that that Bishop had wished he might be discharged of the burden of his bishopric. But the Archbishop told the Secretary, that he pretended this, but meant another thing, intending rather a remove than a discharge. And, "that they the Bishops knew by experience what rule Gloucester made among his people. That he would bring them to his contemplation; which he laboured to do, but spied that he should never, and thereupon wished that he were discharged." Which he pretended a long time, but meant something else. Nor truly was he a proper man to be translated to this diocese, abounding so much with Papists and Papism. The person the Archbishop named succeeded, but it was almost two years after this vacancy.

Lent Preachers Nominated

One thing more I find the Archbishop doing about the latter end of the year, (which he seemed yearly to have done,) and that was, drawing out a list of such preachers as were to come up before the Queen the Lent following; which he sent the 19th of January to the Secretary to review, for his judgment, how he liked them. That so none might preach before her Majesty, but whom she should have a pleasure or content to hear; which the Secretary best knew.

Tremellius and Corranus

Two learned foreigners did this year make their addresses to the Archbishop: Emanuel Tremelius, (who was one of the learned exiles under King Edward, entertained by Bishop Cranmer, and then Parker's acquaintance in the University, where he was Public Professor of the Hebrew tongue,) paying him his respects in a letter, and therein in his wife's, as well as his own name, saluting optimam Dominam una cum utroque filio; meaning the Archbishop's wife and his two sons: and Anthony Corranus, a learned Spaniard, and preacher to the Spanish congregation in London, lately come from Antwerp, having been preacher in French to a congregation there, whither he had fled from his own country, for the profession of true religion. This Corranus, understanding these children of the Archbishop learned French, (as they were brought up in all good literature,) with a letter addressed to his Grace, sent them two French books, writ by himself, for the use of the church at Antwerp; in which church he first began to perform the office of a pastor, as he wrote to the Archbishop. One of these books was a confession of his faith: which he afterward set forth in Latin and English. This learned man wrote also certain tables concerning the works of God; which appeared abroad in four languages, Latin, French, Dutch, and English. Wherein he endeavoured to comprehend, as it were in propositions, the holy doctrine of both the Testaments. Intending thereby to set forth the true and right meaning and pure truth of the Christian religion, drawn out of the fountains of holy Scripture: and that in orderly method and apparent plainness. But this writing of his gave offence to some in those days, who charged it with Pelagianism. For which therefore he met with much trouble, and was fain afterward to write articles of his faith, printed by Tho. Purfoot, anno 1574. We may hear more of this man hereafter.

The Archbishop's Brother Mayor of Norwich

And this year, the Archbishop's brother, Thomas Parker, was Mayor of Norwich. And Allen, his Grace's Chaplain, if I mistake not, being now at Norwich, in a letter to his Grace from thence, delivered his brother the Mayor's commendations to him. And I meet with a certificate signed by the Bishop of Norwich, and Thomas Parker, Mayor, dated in August, whereby he and the said Bishop constituted one Simon Warner, to be guider and keeper of the house, or hospital, of our blessed Lady and St. Clement, without St. Austin's gate, in Norwich: putting out John Bradley thence, and from any manner of collection by him any more to be made for the poor in the said hospital.

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.