Life of Matthew Parker (Strype, 1821)/Book III/Chapter XXII
This is an enhanced reading edition of John Strype's The Life and Acts of Matthew Parker (1821), Vol. I, Book III, Chapter XXII. Section headings, Latin translations, internal links, and editorial notes have been added per the AnglicanWiki:Editorial Guidelines for Historical Texts. Strype's text has been proofread against the 1821 scan; spelling and substance are as in the original.
Sherborn house in disorder. Lever's application to the Archbishop for redress thereof. Persons nominated for vacant bishoprics. Consulted with about them. His judgment of Ælmer; Bishop Grindal; Curteis. Stands up for his Courts. His excellent letter to the Secretary about dispensations. Favours Binneman the printer.
Sherborn House in Disorder
We return now to give account of more of our holy Prelate's cares and counsels, in the emergencies of the remaining part of this year. Mr. Thomas Lever, that truly pious and learned man, (of whom mention was made before,) was now Master of Sherborn house, an hospital near Durham. But though a good man were the governor of it, yet in regard of religion there were great disorders, and little obedience in it: its members, I suppose, were favourers of the old superstition, and too negligent of the worship of God, according to the prescription of the reformed religion. And being not able to remedy these things himself, he had sought for redress of them from the Bishop of Durham, who then was Doctor Pilkington. But whether out of fear of that party, who were very strong in those northern parts, and this year made a great rebellion;[ed 1] or out of some prejudice to Lever himself, he did but coldly proceed to do any thing for the correcting and bettering of these things. Lever was come to Town in May this year, and made the Archbishop a visit, when he shewed him at large his grief for the evil ordering of the house; adding, that the Bishop considered it not, though he had complained to him. But our Archbishop thought this was not a matter to be neglected, though the misdemeanors were so far northly: but the rather, he reckoned consultation ought to be had for religion in those parts where it most wanted. This made him recommend the matter to the Secretary; telling him, it were pity that the Church, being so far off, should yet be out of good order.
The Church of Durham Out of Order
There was no good understanding in this church of Durham between this Bishop and his Canons. Whereof this Lever and his brother or relation, Ralph Lever, who was afterwards Dean, were two. The latter whereof, was one of those that had drawn up articles against Whittingham, the present Dean, whom the Bishop favoured. The feud in this church grew high, and lasted long. Insomuch, that in the year 1577, the year in which Bishop Pilkington died, a commission was sent from the Queen to Sandys, Archbishop of York, and the Dean of that church, and others, to inquire into that church of Durham and the disorders there. And it may be to these home discords might be imputed the negligence of the Bishop, in Lever's business, before mentioned. Thus do private prejudices oftentimes hinder much public good.
Persons Nominated for Vacant Bishoprics
There were now some sees vacant, three at least, York, Chichester, and Oxon. Which having remained so for some time, the Queen intended now in June, before her progress, to fill. This, when the Secretary wrote him word of to Croyden, where his Grace now was, he was glad to hear. For he liked not to have the bishoprics empty: knowing the inconveniences that were apt to accrue to a diocese, sede vacante,[ed 2] both as to the revenues, which were then especially made a prey of, and to the inferior Clergy too, for want of a careful inspector into their doctrine and manners; and being not ignorant what advantages the secret Popish missionaries might have upon the flock, being without a shepherd: therefore he told the Secretary, "that in his opinion the Queen had done graciously to purpose to furnish the places then vacant of watchmen, the times, as he said, being then dangerous, and requiring prudent, speedy, and vigilant foresight." This indeed the Queen was sensible of; and therefore, before she filled these vacancies, did use to consult with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and take his judgment.
The Secretary, as from the Queen, had felt him, as to his opinion for the removal of Grindal, of London, to York; and who was fittest to succeed in that see of London. Among others, Aylmer and Curteis were much talked of. The Secretary desired the Archbishop's thoughts of these men. To whom he returned this answer, that once he had at Hampton Court, when the Queen was there, told the Earl of Leicester, at his request, whom he judged fit to occupy the vacant sees. Wherein he tituled to him his fantasie, as the Archbishop expressed himself. He then mentioned, among others, Aylmer for London: but doubting withal how he would be accepted of by the Queen, being no more then but Archdeacon of Lincoln; [though famous for his being tutor to the Lady Jane;] and so he passed him then over.
The Character He Gave Him
But when the Secretary had now again brought up his name, he was glad of it, knowing Aylmer's learning, and thorough-paced obedience to the discipline of the Church, and therefore was very willing that he should succeed Grindal, now in nomination for the see of York. The Archbishop therefore gave the Secretary this character of him, that he thought certainly that the Queen's Highness should have "a good, fast, earnest servitor" at London, of him, and, he doubted not, fit for that busy governance; especially as these times be, said he, when Papists, the Queen's mortal enemies, pretend what they will, [of duty, love, and loyalty,] have gotten such courage.[ed 3]
And of the Bishop of London
And as to my Lord of London, he thought him as fit for York, "a heady and stout people; witty, but yet able to be dealt with by good governance, as long as laws can be executed, and men backed." There were, it seems, some frivolous objections made by some of the courtiers against these men to the Queen. To which the Archbishop gave this general answer, "That if the Queen's Highness, and her realms, will be well served, she must bear with some manners of men. Men, said he, cannot be angels, and yet, I trust, disciplinable, and soon reformed, (I speak of our sort,) if they be reasonably considered of in themselves, and not by others' gay reports, [made to the Queen,] for the most part unanswered, [when if others, that thoroughly knew them, had been present, they might have given sufficient answers to control such reports.] If it were sufficient to accuse, added he, who should be innocent?"[ed 4]
And of Curteis
He forbore to give his judgment of the rest of the persons that were mentioned by the Secretary, and whom he himself had, it seems, recommended before for the vacant sees: saying, it would be too long to discourse particularly the cause of his judgment towards them, but generally, that he thought them meet in such considerations as moved him; but he left all to her Majesty, according as she should allow in them all.
But particularly as to Curteis, who was the Queen's Chaplain, and a noted preacher; for whose advancement to York, there were some endeavours at Court; and for the keeping Grindal still at London; a thing the Archbishop inwardly perhaps liked not of, being desirous of his removal from London, though he thought convenient not openly so to declare himself: therefore he told the Secretary concerning Curteis, that he might do better to be nigher to serve the Court, than, as yet, to be removed far. And that it was thought hardly of, that there should be so mean Chaplains towards the Prince, as, it seems, many of them now were. So that it seemed convenient in his opinion, for the Prince's reputation, to retain Curteis her Chaplain yet longer, who was a famed Court preacher. Nor when he was Bishop did he lose that fame; preaching then not seldom at the Court, and at other assemblies of great solemnity: and some of his Court sermons, and other public ones, were printed in the years 1584 and 86; namely, these following. There was one preached at Greenwich, in the year 1573; on Eccles. xii. the seven first verses, Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, &c. — Then shall the dust return to the dust as it was: and the spirit shall return to God that gave it.
Another was preached at Richmond, in the year 1575, on Judges i. and the first thirteen verses. Now after the death of Joshua, &c. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. Another at Paul's Cross, 1576, upon Revelations xii. the first nine verses. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, &c. — And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Another at Westminster, 1576, on Acts xx. verse 28—31. which seemed to be a Convocation sermon. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, &c. — Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.[ed 5]
How the Bishoprics Were Bestowed
But to return to the thread of our history; the conclusion this came to was, that Grindal was removed, though not before the next year, to York, and Curteis made Bishop of Chichester, and Sandys, Bishop of Worcester, succeeded Grindal in London. And Aylmer, missing all, must be contented to stay five or six years more, and then he shall be advanced to that diocese, which the Archbishop so earnestly wished him in, and where he would have been glad to have seen him placed before his death. But in all probability he was opposed by the Earl of Leicester, who began now to be acted very much by puritanical counsels. Oxon yet remained unfilled.[ed 6]
Stands Up for His Courts
In the month of June happened a case at the Arches, wherein the Archbishop shewed his stoutness, in standing up for the privileges of his Courts, in relation to the granting of dispensations; though he thereby were under some danger of incurring the displeasure of his good friend the Secretary, nay, and the Queen herself. There was one Mr. Tilney, that was to be dispensed with in some matter or other as to marriage. This case came before the Arches, where were present the Archbishop, the Lord Keeper, and the Secretary. A question was then moved, whether this gentleman might be dispensed with, and if so, doubt was made who might do it.
The Secretary said, that the Queen might do it, (and probably had done it already,) for she might do, he said, as much as the Pope; and said farther, that the Archbishop might do it, and why not the Queen? This the Archbishop not liking, and being a man not of many words in public, gave some blunt answer to the Secretary; as at that sudden occasion, wanting time and place to have opened his mind further. But soon after he wrote him his mind more at large; that he might prevent incurring any displeasure, either from the Queen or him.[ed 7]
His Judgment as to the Prince's Dispensation
He bade him, "not to mistake his words, for that he intended not to arrogate to himself above his measure, or to derogate the Queen's authority; which in all respects, as God and laws might bear, he would as well have defended, as he would wish his own life regarded. Whereupon he thought good to put to the Secretary's consideration, privately, some of his cogitations.
He would not, he said, dispute of the Queen's absolute power, or prerogative royal, how far her Highness might do in following the Roman authority. But he yet doubted, that if any dispensation should pass from her authority to any subject, not advouchable by laws of her realm, made and established by herself, and her three estates, whether that subject be in surety at all times afterwards: specially seeing there be Parliament laws, precisely determining cases of dispensations. Wherein, as he had heard say, King Henry himself did use that authority in some of his own private causes. The Prince, he said, might dispense in omnibus casibus insolitis;[ed 8] where the Archbishop's authority is shut up by the words of the statute. If these cases had their right course, the Prince might grant them; but yet by a warrant to the Office of Faculties, under that law, to pass. And whereas somebody may say, that the Bishop of Canterbury can dispense; I think for myself, said he, I take some heed not to extend my sleeve beyond my arm, nor to use much ready talk, in medio magnatum.[ed 9] Which made him to sit sometime mute, and hear out. And yet he thought to this day, he had not absolutely granted any casus insolitos,[ed 10] if they were weighed, but left them to his Prince, as he ought. It was one thing to discuss what is done in order, or out of order, and commonly hand over hand; and what is safely and surely done by warrant of law. During the Prince's life, who will doubt of any thing that may pass from that authority? But the question is, what will stand sure in all times, by the judgment of the best learned? And here I am offended, added he, with some lawyers, who make the injunctions of a Prince in her own life not to be of such force as they make a Roman law, written in the same or like case. Exempli causa;[ed 11] I urge the Injunctions upon all Ministers, when their case comes in question; whether they be capable of any ecclesiastical living, if they marry not in such due form, as yet I think is godly prescribed; especially, if the words of the Injunction be regarded; which were once a disjunctive, but by the printer made a copulative; viz. that the parties marriable, must be so allowed by two Justices of the peace, or (and) by the Ordinary. It is said to me, that the omission or contempt of this maketh them not incapable. Marry, if there be any Roman law that forceth deprivation, then is the danger seen, but not before. Sir, I think these lawyers keep but their old trade, and not regard much the imperial laws of the Prince: and yet these new cases of marrying have no other direction in law before times, but by Injunction for this present time. But this he saw led him into a sea of perplexities; and so proceeded no further; but praying the Secretary to take in good part, and plain sense, that he did bluntly speak the other day to him before the Lord Keeper. And that in such narrow points to tread in, he professed himself ready to be informed to judge otherwise, if he might see reason and learning to lead him."
Urges the Filling the Vacant Bishoprics
The Queen used not to be very forward in filling up the vacancies of the sees. But the Archbishop was as industrious to perform his office in calling upon her, and those about her, to do it. The bishoprics before spoken of being yet void in August, he sent word to the Secretary, "that there could not be too many watchmen, which Latimer, said he, was wont to speak; and that there was one diligent watchman ever resident, which never ceaseth to walk about for his prey."[ed 12] But for all this, the sees remained as they did, till the next year. And then they were filled, as before was said.
Favours Binneman the Printer
As he was a great patron and promoter of good learning, so he took care of giving encouragement to printing, a great instrument of the increase thereof. This made him a suitor to the Secretary in the behalf of one Binneman, a diligent printer in those days, that he might have the Queen's privilege for printing a few usual Latin books, for the use of grammarians, as Terence, Virgil, Tully's Offices, &c. a thing not done here in England before, or very rarely. The said printer had brought the Archbishop a little piece of his workmanship, as a proof: which, upon his desire, the Archbishop sent to the Secretary, to see the form and order of his print.
The Archbishop said, he thought he might do this amply enough, and better cheap, than they might be brought from beyond the seas, standing the paper and goodness of his print. Adding, that it were not amiss to set our own countrymen on work, so they would be diligent, and take good characters.[ed 13]
Notes
Editorial Notes
- ↑ The Northern Rebellion of 1569 — the rising of the northern earls (Northumberland and Westmorland) in November 1569, in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots.
- ↑ "The see being vacant."
- ↑ John Aylmer (1521–1594) — scholar and churchman, tutor to Lady Jane Grey; Archdeacon of Lincoln at this time; he would become Bishop of London in 1577.
- ↑ Edmund Grindal (c. 1519–1583) — Bishop of London 1559–1570, translated to York in 1570 and to Canterbury in 1575.
- ↑ Richard Curteis (1532?–1582) — Queen's chaplain and noted preacher; made Bishop of Chichester in 1570.
- ↑ Edwin Sandys (1519–1588) — Bishop of Worcester 1559–1570, translated to London 1570 and to York 1576. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532–1588), was increasingly sympathetic to puritan counsels at this time.
- ↑ The Court of Arches — the ecclesiastical court of appeal of the province of Canterbury, sitting in London. Dispensations (exemptions from the ordinary operation of canon law, e.g. in marriage cases) were granted through the Archbishop's Office of Faculties.
- ↑ "In all unwonted (i.e. extraordinary) cases."
- ↑ "In the midst of the great men."
- ↑ "Unwonted (extraordinary) cases."
- ↑ "For example."
- ↑ A saying of Hugh Latimer (c. 1487–1555), the reformer and martyr, on the need of vigilant bishops; the "diligent watchman" that never ceases to walk about is the devil (1 Pet. v. 8).
- ↑ Henry Binneman (d. 1575) — London printer; Parker's patronage helped establish English printing of the Latin classics.
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.