Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright, Volume 1 · Book 6

Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright · Volume 1 · Book 6

p. 354The ſixt Booke.

HEnry the ſixt ſuccéeded his Father, Anno 1422. 1442In the firſt yéere of his raigne,The ſixt part of the Section. W. Taylor. was burned a conſtant witneſſe of Chriſtes truth, William Taylor a Prieſt, vnderunder Henry Chicheſly Archbiſhop of Canterburie. Hée was firſt apprehended in the dayes of Thomas Arundell, and abiured afterward in the daies of Henry Chicheſly, Anno 1421. which was the yéere before his burning. The ſaid William Taylor appéered againe in the conuocation before the Archbiſhop, being brought by the Biſhop of Worceſter, hauing béene complayned of, to hauehave taught at Briſtow theſe articles following.

Articles.That whoſoeuer hangeth any Scripture about his neck diſhonoreth God, and giueth it to the Diuell. That God onelyonly is to be adored. That Saints are not to be worſhipped nor inuocated.

Theſe Articles hée denied that hée preached of, but onelyonly communed of the ſame: eſpecially vppon the ſecond and third, onelyonly in way of reaſoning, and ſo brought out of his boſome a Paper, conteyning certaine Articles, with teſtimonies of the Doctors alledged, and exhibited the ſame vntounto the Archbiſhop: who deliuered it vntounto Maiſter Iohn Caſtell, and Rikinghale, the two Vicechancellours of Oxford and Cambridge, and to Iohn Langdon Moonke of Canterburie, who the Munday following, preſented the ſaid articles to the Archbiſhop and Prelates as erronious: Wherevpon William Taylor beyng called,Recant. in concluſion was content to reuoke the ſame, and for his penaunce was condemned to perpetuall pryſon: whereof notwithſtanding, through fauour, hée was alſo releaſed, putting in p. 355ſufficient ſureties in the Kings Chauncery, and ſwearing that he would neuer hold, or fauour any ſuch opinions after that. And ſo he being abſolued, and taking his oath, hée was committed to the B. of Worceſter, to be releaſed vponupon conditions aforeſaid: yet ſo, that hee ſhould appeare at the next Conuocation, whenſoeuer it ſhould be before the Archb.

In the mean time, while William Taylor was in the cuſtody of Worceſter, there paſſed certaine writings betwéen him, & one Tho. Smith, prieſt of Briſtow: in the which writings, William Tailor replying againſt the ſaid Thomas, cō cerning the queſtions of worſhipping of Saints: which being brought to the hands of the B. of Worceſter, William Taylor began anew to be troubled ann. 1422. the xj. of February, & being brought before the cōuocation, his writings were brought before him, which he would not denie.

The Archb. cauſed it to bee deliuered to the 4. orders of friers in Londō, to be examined: who found out theſe 4. hereticall points in them.Foure hereticall points. 1. EueryEvery prayer, which is a petition of ſome ſupernaturall gift, or frée gift, is to be directed onelyonly to God. 2. That praier is to be directed to God alone. 3. To pray to any creature, is to commit idolatry. 4. Much like the reſt, but to fill the number of their orders, they made a fourth.

When the Saterday was come, which was the 20 day of March, the orders of Friers hauing declared their cenſure in the Chapter houſe of Paules, touching Taylors articles: hée was vponupon the ſame, forthwith condemned as a relapſe:Taylor condē ned & burned. firſt to bée diſgraded, and after burned: who being had to Smithfield, the firſt day of March, did finiſh his martirdom, Anno 1422.

Anno 1424. Iohn Florence Ioh. Florence.a Turner, appeared before William Bernam, Chancellour to William, B. of Norwich, for theſe articles. 1. That the Pope, & Cardinals,Articles. hauehave no power to conſtitute lawes. 2. That onelyonly the Sunday is to bee kept holie. 3. That men ought onelyonly to faſt p. 356the quatuor temporum. 4. That Images are not to be worſhipped. 5. That Curats ought not to exact tithes. 6. That al they that ſweare by their life and power, ſhalbe damned, except they repent.Submiſſion. But béeing threatned, he ſubmitted himſelfe,Penance. and abiured, and was enioyned this penance.: three Sundaies in a ſolemne proceſſion in the cathedrall Church of Norwich he ſhoulde be diſplaied before all the people, The like alſo ſhoulde bée done about his pariſh Churche, of Shelton, thrée other ſeuerall Sundayes, he béeing bareheaded, barefoote, and barenecked, after the manner of a publike penitentiarie, his bodie béeing couered with a canuaſe ſhirt, and bréeches, carrying in his hand a taper of a pound weight.

Ann. 1424. Richard Belward Rich. Belward. 1424of Eriſam, abiured theſe articles before the B. of Norwich, the 24. of Iuly, & purged himſelfe by his neighbours, and ſware that he would neither teache, nor aſſiſt any againſt the church of Rome. His articles were theſe.Articles. 1. That eccleſiaſtical miniſters hauehave no power to excommunicate. 2. That he held the opinions of ſir Ioh. Oldcaſtle. 3. That mē ought not to go on pilgrimage. 4. That the Curats ſel God on Eaſter day, when they receiue offerings. 5. That he gaue counſel againſt offerings for the dead, & for women that were purified. 6. That ſaints ought not to be praied vntounto, &c. He denied theſe Articles, and purged himſelfe by thrée of his neighbours: yet becauſe the biſhop greatly ſuſpected him of Lollardy, he ſware him, that he ſhould neuer teach any thing againſt the Romiſh Church, and ſo diſmiſſed him.

In like manner, was Iohn God de Sel, Iohn God de Sell.of Dichingham, Parchment maker, for the ſame articles, faine to purge himſelf, and ſweare, and ſo was ſet at liberty, til ann. 1428. Sir Hugh Pie, Sir Hugh Pie.alſo Chaplaine of Ludney, in the dioces of Norwich, was accuſed before the Biſhop, ann. 1424. for holding theſe points: firſt againſt pilgrimages: Itē, that almes is only to be giuen to the néedy beggers at their doors. p. 357That no Image is to be worſhipped. And that he caſt the croſſe of Bromehold into the fire. Theſe articles he denied, purged himſelfe by witneſſe of 3. Lay men, and 3. Prieſtes: was ſworne, and ſo diſmiſſed.

Anno 1428. 1428King Henrie the ſixt ſent downe moſt cruel letters of Commiſſion vntounto Iohn Exetor, and Iacolet Germain, kéeper of the caſtle of Colcheſter, for the apprehending of ſir William White, Prieſt,W. White, Prieſt. and others, ſuſpected of hereſie. By vertue of which commiſſion, it is found in olde Monuments, that within ſhort ſpace after, Iohn Exetor, who was appointed one of the Commiſſioners, attached ſixe perſons, in the towne of Bongay, in the Dioces of Norwich, & committed them to William Day, and William Row, conſtables of Bongay, to be ſent within tenne dayes following, vnderunder ſafeconduct, to the caſtle of Norwich: where by reaſon of the antiquitie of the record, theſe names remaine only to be read: Iohn Wadden of Tenderden, in the Countie of Kent, Bartholmew Monke of Erſham, in the Countie of Norfolk, Cornleader, a married man, William Skuttes. Theſe thrée were in the cuſtodie of the Duke of Norfolke, in his Caſtle of Fremingham.

Beſides theſe, there are found in old monuments, in the dioces of Norfolk and Suffolke, eſpeciallie in the townes of Beckles, Erſham, and Ludney, a great number, both of men and women, to hauehave béene caſte into priſon, and after their abiuration, brought to open ſhame, in Churches, and Markets, by the Biſhop of Norwich, named William, and his Chanceller, William Bernham, Iohn Exetor being Regiſter: So that within the ſpace of thrée or foure yeres,Great vexation for the trueth of Chriſt. that is, from the yere 1428. vntounto 1431. about y^e number of 120. men and women, were examined, and ſuffered great vexation for the profeſſion of Chriſtian faith. Of whome, ſome were taken onelyonly vponupon ſuſpition for eating of meates forbidden, vponupon Vigill dayes: Who, (after their purgation made) eſcaped more eaſilie away. Whoſe names followe p. 358here ſubſcribed.

Robert Skirring of Harleſtone, William Skirring, Iohn Terry of Erſham, Iohn Aibre of Erſham, Iohn Middleton of Haluergate, Iohn Warde of Erſham, Richard Clark of Sething, Thomas VVhite of Bedingham, Maſter Robert Beert of Berrie, and Richard Page of Clepſlie.

The other were more cruellie handled, and ſome of them burned: among whome ſpeciall mention is made of theſe 3. Father Abraham, Father Abraham, William White prieſt, I. Wad prieſt, burned.of Colcheſter, VVilliam VVhite, Prieſt, and Iohn VVaddon, Prieſt: The reſidue abiured, and ſuffered penance: as, Iohn Beuerley, I. VVardon, Io. Middleton, Iohn Baker, I. Knight, Margerie Baxter, Iohn Skillie, Iohn Godhold, Tomas Albeck, Iohn Pierce, Nicholas Canon, of Ey. Thomas Pie, Iohn Mendham, Io. Middleton, Thomas Chatris, Thomas VVade, VVilliam Taylour, Iohn Capper, Vicar of Tunſtall, with thrée ſcore and two other.

The articles which they held, were theſe. Againſt auricular confeſſion. That there remayneth bread and wine after the wordes of conſecration, and that no prieſt can make the bodie of Chriſt. That eueryevery true Chriſtian is a Prieſt to God.Articles. That no man is bound to Lent, or any dayes prohibited by the Church of Rome. That the pope is Antichriſt. That (neceſſitie vrging) it is lawfull to doe bodilie labour on holie-daies, That Prieſtes may marrie. That Eccleſiaſticall cenſures of the Prelates, are not to be regarded. Againſt ſwearing in priuate cauſes. Againſt Pilgrimage. Againſt honouring of Images. Againſt holy water. That the death of Becket was neither holy, nor meritorious. That Relikes ought not to be worſhipped. That prayers in all places are acceptable vntounto God. That no Saint is to bée prayed vntounto. That Bel-ringing was ordeyned to fill Prieſtes purſes. That it is no ſinne, to withſtand the Eccleſiaſticall proceſſes. That the Catholike Church is only the congregation of Gods elect.

p. 359In theſe articles they all agréed, and it ſéemeth,Williā White ſcholler to Wickliffe. they had the doctrine from William White, who was ſcholer and follower of Iohn Wickliffe.

This William White gaue ouer his prieſthood & benefice, 1428and tooke vntounto him a godly woman to his wife, named Ione: yet ceaſſed not he from his dutie of teaching, but preached continually, wrote, and inſtructed the people at Canterbury. Before time, he had recanted theſe points: That men ſhould ſéeke for the forgiuenes of ſinnes onelyonly at Gods hands. That the wicked liuing of the pope and his holy ones is a diueliſh and heauy yooke of Antichriſt. That men ought not to worſhip images, nor holy men after they be dead. That the Romiſh church is the fig trée which Chriſt accurſed. That ſuch as weare coules, or be annointed, or ſhorne, are the launceknights of Lucifer, &c. Which articles he abiured An. 1424. before Henry Chicheſly at Canterb. but now being ſtronger in the truth, endured to the end, & was condemned of 30. White burned in Norwich.articles, & was burned at Norwich, in the monethmonth of September 1428. hauing labored diligently before in teaching the people of Norfolke. He was a man very godly, & deuout, in ſomuch that all the people had him in great reuerence: & were woont to deſire him to pray for them. When he was come vntounto the ſtake, thinking to open his mouth to ſpeake vntounto the people, to exhort and cōfirme them in the truth, one of the Biſhops ſeruāts ſtroke him on the mouth,Crueltie. thereby to force him to kéepe ſilence: and ſo there patiently he ended his courſe, being made a witnes of Chriſt Ieſus. His wife Ione followed her huſbands footeſteps, and confirmed many in the truth: and therefore ſuffered much trouble, & puniſhment at the Biſhops handes, the ſame yéere.

About the ſame time alſo, ſuffered by burning father Abraham of Colcheſter, and Iohn Waddon prieſt, for the like articles.

Iohn Beuerly, alias Batild was enioyned that the Friday and Saturday, next after his diſmiſſion he ſhould faſt p. 360bread, and water, and vppon the Saturday to be whipped from the Palace of Norwich, goyng round about by the Tomlands, and by S. Michaels Church, by Cottell Row, and about the market, hauing in his hand a waxe candle of two pence, to offer to the Image of the Trinitie, after hée had doone his penance, &c. and this doone, hée ſhould depart out of the Dioces, and neuer come there any more. Beſides, the ſame yéere diuerſe did penaunce and abiured: and the yéere following, 1429. 1429diuerſe did the like penance, to the number of 16. or 17.

An. 1430. 1430R. Houedon Rich. Houedō.a woolwinder & citizen of Lōdon, was burnt at the Towrehill, for the doctrine of Wickliffe.

Anno 1431. 1431Thomas Bagley Thom. Bagley.a Prieſt, vicar of Monenden beſide Malden, beyng a valiant diſciple of Wickliffe, was condemned of Hereſie by the Biſhops at London, about the midſt of Lent: was diſgraded and burned in Smithfield.

The ſame yéere alſo Paule Craw Paule Crawe.a Bohemian, was takē at S. Andrewes, by the Biſhop Henry, & deliuered ouer to the ſecular power to be burnt, for holding againſt the faith of Rome, touching the ſacrament of the Lords ſupper, worſhipping of Saints, auricular confeſſion, with other of Wickliffes opinions.

Tho. Rhedon at Rome.An. 1436. 1436Th. Rhedon a Frenchman, and a Carmelite frier, was burned at Rome for theſe articles, which notwithſtanding they gathered falſly againſt him. That the church lacketh reformation, and that it ſhall be puniſhed and reformed.Articles. That Infidels, Iewes, Turkes, and Mores, ſhall be cōuerted vntounto Chriſt in the later daies. That abominations are vſed at Rome. That the vniuſt excommunication of the Pope is not to be feared. Eugenius at this time was Pope,Eugenius Pope. and ſuccéeded Pope Martin a litle before. After ſundry torments he was condemned for an heretike and was burned. He was accuſed by William of Roan cardinall of S. Martins in the mount, vicechancellor of the court of Rome.

p. 361About the ſame time,Perſecution about Germany diuers other ſuffered in the places about Germany, as Henry Grunfelder, prieſt of Ratiſpone, ann. 1420. Henry Rodgeber, prieſt in the ſame citie, anno 1423. Ioh. Draendorf a prieſt, & of noble birth, at Wormes ann. 1424. Peter Thraw, at Spire. ann. 1426. 1426Mathew Hager alſo ſuffered at Berline, in Germany, not long after. Ex Baſilei Centur. ſept.

After the death of pope Martine, who reigned 14. yéeres: ſuccéeded Eugenius the fourth. about the yeere 1431. 1431He began firſt to celebrate the Councel at Baſill:Eugenius beginneth the Councel at Baſill. which Councel Martine had before intended.

In the 39. ſeſſion of the councel of Conſtance, it was decréed, & prouided,Order for the times of general councels. concerning the orders and times of ſuch general councels, as ſhold after folow, The firſt that ſhold next enſue, to be kept the 5. yere after y^e councel of Cōſtance. The 2. 7. yeres after that, & ſo orderly al other to folow ſucceſſiuely frō x. yere, to x. yere. Wherfore, according to this decrée, followed a general councel 5. yeres after the Councell of Conſtāce holden at Sene, vnderunder pope Martin, an. 1424. 1424but that ſoon brake vp. 7 yeres after another Councel was holden at Baſill, ann. 1431. which was the moſt troubleſome Councell, that euer was: and continued 17. yéers.The troubleſome Councell at Baſill continued 17. yeres. Wherin it was concluded (as before at Conſtance) that the general councels were aboue the Pope.

When pope Martin the 5. had appointed Iulian, Cardinall of S. Angell, to hold a general councel at Baſill, for rooting out of Hereſies, he died: and Eugenius 4. ſuccéeded: who confirmed the ſame authoritie to the Cardinal Iulian. VntoUnto this Councell, came the Emperour Sigiſmund, and during his life, protected the ſame.

After his death, Pope Eugenius altering his mind & purpoſe, would tranſport the Councel vntounto Bonony: & thereby hindred the ſucceſſe of the councel of Baſill: and firſt he held a contrary Councell, at Ferraria, and afterward at Florence. Eugenius the Pope pretended that the Gréeks, who p. 362ſhould come to y^e councel, wold not paſſe the Alpes: & that he himſelf could not go ſo long a iourney, & that y^e Germanes in their own countrey,Contention betwixt the P. and the fathers of the Coūcell. would be ſo vntractable, that nothing could there be attēpted for their reformation. Whervpon he cited the fathers of the councel vp to Bonony, vpō great perill. They againe cited the pope, that either he ſhould come himſelfe, or ſend his ambaſſadors, vnderunder great penaltie.

For the appeaſing of this diſſention, the Ambaſſadors of Albert, king of the Romans, & of the other princes of Germany, aſſembled together; firſt, at Norimberg, where they could determine nothing; and againe at Frankford, to appeaſe the diſſention betwéen the Councel and the Pope. In the meane time, the Emperours Ambaſſadors, and the Ambaſſadors of the electors, went to Baſil, and conferring with the Ambaſſadours of other Princes, there they earneſtly deſired the fathers of the Councell, that they would tranſport the councel to another place (the which only thing pope Eugenius ſéemed alwaies to ſéeke and deſire) that either hée might therby deuide the fathers of the Councel, or take away their liberties. Notwithſtanding, the Synode thought good, neither to deny the princes requeſt, neither graunt that which Pope Eugenius deſired. During this doubt, the Emperours Embaſſadors, and the B. of Patauia, and Auguſta, (being much required therevnto) appointed a noble Baron, named Conrade Weinſperg, by the K. commādement, to be the protector of the Councel, & the fathers: but by means of a great peſtilence, which beganne to grow, the aſſembly that ſhould hauehave béen holden at Frankford, was tranſported vntounto Mentz. The Ambaſſadors of the Princes thought good alſo to go thither, if by any meanes they might finde vnity. The aſſēbly was very famous: for there were preſent, the Archb. of Mentz, Collen, and Treuers, electors of the ſacred empire: and al the Embaſſadors of the other Electors. Notwithſtanding, the Archb. of Collen was the chiefe fauourer of the Councel in this aſſembly. The ſacred Synode p. 363alſo thought good to ſend thether their Embaſſadour the patriarch of Aquileia, the Biſhoppe of Venice, and the Biſhop of Argen, diuines: Iohn Segonius, and Thomas de Corcellis, with diuerſe others. There was no mā there preſent that would name himſelfe the Embaſſadour of Eugenius. But the chiefe Hercules of the Eugenians was Nicolaus Caſnanus, Nicholaus Caſnanus.a man ſingularly well learned, and of great experience.

After diuerſe conſulatations had, the electors of the Empire, and the Embaſſadours of the other Princes of Germanie thought good, to giuegive forth commaundement through out their whole countrie and natiō, that the decrées of the councell of Baſill ſhould receiued and obſerued.

While theſe thinges were thus debated at Mentz, there roſe vp a doubtful queſtion among the diuines, which remained at Baſil, whether Eugenius might be called an heritike, who ſo rebelliouſly contemned the commaundement of the Church. Among theſe diuines, the chiefeſt both in learning, and authoritie, was the Biſhop of Ebrium, Ambaſſadour to the king of Caſtile, and a certaine Scottiſh abbot: to whoſe reaſons, the reſt did conſent or giuegive place: and ſo Eugenius was pronounced both an heretike, and a relapſe.Eugenius pronounced an heretike & relapſe Eyght concluſions were there determined, and allowed amongſt them, which they called verities: the copie wherof they did diuulgate thorough al Chriſtendome.

The verities were theſe. That the Councell hath authoritie aboue the Pope. That the Pope cannot tranſport, nor proroge the general Councell, lawfully aſſembled,8. Verities. without the conſent of the whole. That he that reſiſteth thoſe verities, is to be counted an heretike. That Eugenius the fourth had reſiſted thoſe verities. That Eugenius, being admoniſhed by the ſacred Councel, did recant the errors repugnant to thoſe verities. That the diſſolution, or tranſlation of the Councell, attempted the ſecond time by Eugenius, is againſt the foreſaide verities. That Eugenius, in going p. 364about to diſſolue and tranſport the councell againe, is fallen into his firſt reuoked errours. That Eugenius beyng warned by the councell to giuegive ouer, and notwithſtanding perſeuering and erecting a councell at Ferraria, ſhewed himſelfe thereby obſtinate.

When the Embaſſadors of the councell were returned from Mentz, and that certaine report was made of the allowing of their decrées, the Fathers of the councell thought good to diſcuſſe the concluſions and verities of the diuines more at large: wherevpon by commaundement of the deputies, all the Maiſters and Doctors of the clergie, with the reſidue of the Prelates, were called together into the chapterhouſe of the great Church, there openly to diſpute and diſcuſſe the hereſie of Eugenius.

A diſputation of 6. daies againſt Pope Eugenius. Panormitane a defender of Eugenius.This diſputation continued 6. daies, both forenoone, and after noone. Among whom, Cardinall Ludouicus Archb. Arelatenſis was the iudge of the whole diſputation. They cō cluded according to the former verities, and all in a maner allowed them, except Panormitane, Archbiſhop, who much diſputed againſt them. Likewiſe did the biſhop of Burgen, the king of Aragons Almoner: yet did they not gainſay the 3. firſt concluſions, but only thoſe wherein Pope Eugenius was touched. Panormitane greatly contending with the B. of Argens, Iohn Segonius, and Francis de Felix, Diuines that Eugenius was not relapſed, wrought ſo, that the worde Relapſe, was taken out of the Concluſions, and in ſteade thereof, the word Prolapſe put in. Neither durſt Panormitane himſelfe altogether excuſe Eugenius of hereſie, but defended more the firſt reſolution, than the ſecond: yet departed he not without anſwere, for Iohn Segonius, I. Segonius.an expert Diuine, fullie anſwered him, and ſcarſe could finiſh his oration without interruption: for, Panormitane oftentimes interrupting him, went about (diſorderly) to confute, now this, and now that reaſon.

Whereupon, the B. of Argen interrupted Panormitan, p. 365in his arguments, and put him from his purpoſe. Yet they paſſed ſo farre, that that they did not abſtain from opprobrious taunts: & when y^e B. of Argen ſaid, that the pope ought to be the miniſter of the Church, Panormitan could not ſuffer that, but ſo farre forgat himſelfe, that he ſaide, the Pope was Lord ouer the Church. Segonius, on the contrary part,Panormitane wil hauehave the P. Lord of the Church. Seruant of ſeruants, the P. honorableſt title. anſwered, y^t it was y^e moſt honorable title the P. had, to bée called the ſeruant of the ſeruants of God: and alleaged why they ought not to ſéeke after forraine Lordſhippe, becauſe Chriſt himſelfe came not to be miniſtred vntounto, but to miniſter, &c. With whoſe anſweres, he being ſomewhat diſquieted, the Councel brake vp, and departed.

The next day after dinner, they returned all againe, where the Archb. of Lions, the Kings Orator, requeſted to ſpeake his minde. After he had by diuers reaſons prooued Eugenius to be an Heretike, he bitterly complayned, deteteſting the negligence, and ſlouthfulneſſe of thoſe, which had preferred ſuch a man to the Papacie: and ſo moued all their hearts that were preſent, that they al with him,The Councel aboue the P. did bewaile the calamitie of the vniuerſal church.

The Biſhop of Bruxels, Ambaſſador for the King of Spaine, did excellently proue, that the Councell was aboue the Pope: yet doubted hee whether they were verities of faith. The K. of Arragons Almoſiner (being a craftie, and ſubtile man) did not directly diſpute vponupon the concluſions, but picking out here and there, certaine arguments, ſought to hinder the Councell: againſt whom, an Abbot of Scotland and Tho. de Corcellis, did largely diſpute in defence of the Concluſions.

When the Diſputation was ended, and a finall concluſion of thoſe matters euen at hand, the Archbiſhops of Millaine, and Panormitane, armed themſelues to let the matter, and exhorted all men of their faction, to withſtande it. And firſt of all, as ſoone as the congregation was aſſembled, the Biſhop of Burgen exhorted them to deferre the concluſion, p. 366and to tarie for the Ambaſſadors of other Princes, who would ſhortly returne from Mentz.

After him Panormitane ſpake alſo to the ſame end, and ſo did Ludouicus the Prothonotarie of Rome. But Ludouicus, the Cardinall Arelatenſis, Ludouicus. Cardinal Arelatenſis.made an eloquent, and pithie Oration; and perſwaded them to conſtancie, and to the maintenance of the concluſions.

And when he had made an end of his Oration there was a great noiſe, crying out, and brauling eueryevery where. Which when Ludouicus the Patriarche of Aquileia perceiued, hee ſaide vntounto Panormitane, and vntounto Ludouicus Prothonotarie: doe not thinke the matter ſhall ſo paſſe, you knowe not yet the manners of the Germanes: for if you goe foorth on this faſhion, it will not be lawfull for you to departe out of this countrey with whole heads.

But Iohn, Earle of Dierſten, (who then ſupplyed the Protectors place) and the Citizens of Baſill, gaue aſſurance of ſafetie, and the Earle willed them to bee of good cheare: who, neuer diſcouraged at the Patriarches wordes, and by an Interpretor declared, that his minde was not to threaten, but to nouriſh the Fathers: they ſhould foreſée, that they ſhould not depart from the councel, nothing being done, and furthermore, deſired pardon, if his wordes had offended the Councel, Panormitane, or any man. Yet for al this the noyſes and cries, could not be ſtayed: for, as often as mention was made of reading the Concordatum, great noyſe, and rumors were ſtill made to ſtoppe the ſame: ſo that Amideus Archbiſhop of Lyons, and Primate of all Fraunce, a man of great reuerence and authority, was moued to ſpeake in the behalfe of the Concluſions, and to admoniſh them, not to geue eare vntounto the diſturbers of concord. In the end, the Concordatum of the xij. men, concerning the articles, were required to bee read by the Cardinall Arelatenſis, many whiſpering him in the eare, that he ſhould goe forward, and not alter his purpoſe.

p. 367Then Panormitane, aſſoone as the concordatum began to be read, riſing vp with his companions, & the Aragons, cried out with a lowde voice, ſaying: you Fathers do contemne our requeſts, & deſpiſe prelates: you would conclude, but it is not your part to conclude: we are the greater part of the prelates: we make the councell, and it is our part to conclude. And I in the name of the reſt do cōclude, that this is to be deferred and delayed. With this word there ſprang ſuch a noiſe and rumour in the councell,Great diſſentiō in the councell. as is accuſtomed to be in battle when two armies ioyne: ſome curſing that which Panormitane went about: other ſome allowing the ſame.

Then Nicholas Amici, Nicholas Amici.a diuine of Paris, according vntounto his office, ſaid: Panormitane, I appeale from this your concluſion, to the iudgement of the Councel here preſent, neither doe I affirme any thing ratified, which you hauehave done, as I am redy to proue, if it ſhall ſéem good. The cōtrary part ſéemed now in better place, for they had already concluded. The other part, neither had concluded, neither was it ſéene how they could conclude among ſo great cries and vprores. Notwithſtanding, amongſt all theſe troublous noyſes, Ioh. Sigonius, a ſingular diuine, of the Vniuerſitie of Salamentine, had audience, and reproued Panormitane, in that hée had concluded, without deciding of the Deputies, and without examination of twelue men, or any rite, or order: and ſo procéeded to exhort them to conſtancie, & not to depart without finall concluſion.

In the meane time,Panormitan is obſtinate. many graue men exhorted Panormitane, to geue ouer his concluſion: but neither was he minded ſo to doe, nor the Fathers determined to depart without a concluſion. All things were diſturbed, neither did the prelates ſit in their ſeates: but as affection led them, ſome went to the Cardinall Arelatenſis, ſome to Panormitane. Then Arelatenſis ſéeing the matter to be in danger, and that there was no readie way to make a concluſion, thought to vſe ſome policie to appeaſe the multitude: and tolde them all, p. 368he had newes to declare them,A policie of Arelatenſis. wherewith they were maruellous attentiue, and kept great ſilence. Eugenius meſſengers (ſaith he) hath filled all Fraunce, preaching a new doctrine, extolling the authoritie of the Biſhop of Rome aboue the ſacred councell, and therefore the Councell muſt of neceſſitie prouide remedy: and to conclude, at the leaſt vppon the three firſt verities, which the Fathers had doone, euen as I alſo (ſaith he) doo here conclude, in the name of the Father, Sonne, and Holy ghoſt. And when he had finiſhed his oration,Arelatenſis concludeth. with a chéerefull and mery countenance, riſing vp he departed: ſome of thē kiſſed him, ſome of them kiſſed the ſkirtes of his garments, and commended his wiſedome.

It is reported, that Panormitane, when he came to his lodging, and was gone to his chamber, complained with teares, that hee had both wittingly and willingly impugned the trueth.

After this, there was a great conſultation among the Eugenians, what was beſt to doe in this matter. Some thought to leaue the Councel, other ſome to tarry, & to reſiſt, that nothing ſhould farther be done againſt Eugenius: and this opinion remained among them.

The next day after, being the 25. of Aprill, the Archb. of Lyons, and the Biſhoppe of Burgen calling together the Prelates into the Chapter houſe of the great Church, began many things as touching peace. The Biſhop of Burgen perſwaded, that there ſhould be deputations appointed that day, vntounto whom, the Archbiſhop of Lions ſhould geue power to make an agréement. VntoUnto whom it was ſaid, there could be no agréemēt, before the aduerſaries confeſſed their fault, and deſired pardon therefore. Anon after, the Fathers of the Councel had drawen out a forme of a decrée vponupon the former concluſions, and had approued the ſame in the ſacred deputations. By this time the Princes Orators were returned from the aſſemblie at Mentz: and holding a Councel among them ſelues, they had determined to let the decrée.

p. 369The 9. day of May, there was a generall conuocation holden, wherevnto all men reſorted. The princes Embaſſadors were called by the B. of Lubecke, & Conrade de Winſperg the proctor, into the quire, and there kept: where they tarried ſo long, that (the forme of the decree beyng appointed to be concluded that day) the Cardinall perceiuing the cōgregation to be full, and that the twelue men had agréed, and that there was great expectation with ſilence, thought good not to delay it for feare of tumult, but commaunded by and by the publike Concordances to be read. Wherein this was alſo contained, that the Cardinall Arelatenſis might appoint a Seſſion, whenſoeuer he would: which hauing read, and beyng deſired by the promoters, concluded as the manner and cuſtome is.

Whereof when the Princes Embaſſadors which were in the quire vnderſtood, they brake of their talke, and beyng much vexed, they imputed all to the B. of Lubecke,The Biſhop of Lubecke. which of purpoſe had kept them in the quire, and protracted the time. Wherevpon they entring into the congregation, filled the houſe full of cōplaints, & greatly blamed Arelatenſis: which diuerſe others did alſo, eſpecially the biſhop of Millane, railing vponupon him, calling him another Catiline, vntounto whom all deſperate and naughty perſons had refuge.

To whom after Arelatenſis had made anſwere, he commaunded the forme of the decree to be read. Then Panormitane and thoſe that were of his part, would needes hauehave a certaine proteſtation firſt to be read. There was great contention on eueryevery ſide: notwithſtanding, at the laſt, Arelatenſis preuailed, and the forme of the decrée was read vntounto this word Decernimus, that is, we decrée. Then Panormitane riſing vp, would not ſuffer it to be read any further, and the Biſhop of Patauia ſaid, that it was vncomely, that Arelatenſis with a few Biſhops by name, ſhould conclude the matter: the like did alſo all they that fauoured Panormitane. The Cardinall of Terraconia alſo did grieuouſly p. 370rebuke his partakers, that they did not reade the proteſtation: and commaunded one of his familiars to read it. But the fathers of the Councell would not giuegive place to the reading of the proteſtation. Which when Albinganēſis did conſider, hée commaunded the writing to be giuen vntounto him, and as he began to ſpeake, ſuddēly Arelatenſis roſe vp, with a great number of the Fathers to depart: but by the means of George the Prothonotary of Bardaxina, the multitude which were departing, were called backe againe, and the Cardinall and the Patriarch were required to ſit downe againe, and that they ſhould not leaue the church void & quiet for the aduerſaries: wherevpon ſuddenly all the whole multitude ſat downe, and the gates were ſhut againe.

In the meane time Matthaeus Albinganenſis a B. read the proteſtation, to none elſe but to himſelfe alone, for it could not be heard for noiſe: which being ended, the Lumbards and Cathelans confirmed the proteſtation: and afterward by reaſon the Cardinall of Terraconia ſaid, he agréed to that diſſention, becauſe the Embaſſadors of his king diſſented from them, with him almoſt all the Arragons, Lombards, & Cathelans departed: all the other taried ſtill. So Arelatenſis ſeing the cōgregation quiet, willed the cōcluſions & forme of the decrée to be read againe (There remained in the congregation the Embaſſadours of the Empyre, and of France, talking together of their affaires) Notwithſtanding the B. of Turnon heard mention made of the concluſions, & turning himſelfe to the B. of Lubecke, ſaid: Lo the matters of faith are now in hand againe, let vsus go hence I pray you, that we be not offence to others, or that we be not ſaid to diſſent from the Embaſſadors: the B. of Lubecke anſwered tary father,The Biſhop of Lubecke fauoreth the truth. tary here: are not the concluſions moſt true? why, are you afraid to be here for the truth?

Arelatenſis after all things were read, which he thought neceſſarie, at the requeſt of the deputies concluded: and ſo making an end, diſmiſſed the congregation.

p. 371After this, it was determined betwéene the Lombards, & Arragons, to abſtaine from the deputations for a certayne time. Which they did not long obſerue: notwithſtanding the deputations were holden very quietly for a certaine ſpace, neither was there any thing done worthy of remembrance, vntill the 15. day of May. During which time, al means poſſible was ſought to ſet a concord betwixt the fathers, but it would not be. Then Nicholas Amici required Arelatenſis, to appoint a Seſſion againſt the morrow after: which he did according to his motion. The B. of Lubecke made proteſtation in his owne name, and in the name of his protector, that he would not conſent, that there ſhould be any ſeſſion, if it ſhould in any part derogate frō the agréement had at Mentz. George Miles alſo, his fellow Ambaſſador, conſented to this proteſtation: but the protector of the Councell would in no caſe conſent vntounto the proteſtation of the B. of Lubecke, and ſaide, that hee did not know any thing of their doinges at Mentz.

After the other, the Biſhop of Concenſe made his proteſtation, and after him followed Panormitane, who reproued the promoter of the faith, becauſe he required the prelates to hauehave a ſeſſion, and inſtantly required, there might be no ſeſſſon as yet holden.

VntoUnto whom, Arelatenſis anſwered: that the promoter of the faith,The promoter of the faith. ought by his office to call the prelates to determine a matter of faith; eſpecially, for ſo much as the deputation of the faith and the whole Councell had ſo giuen him in commaundement: and further, confuted Panormitane, and required him to conſider, in this ſtanding for Eugenius, whether he ſpake according to his conſcience, or not: for (ſaith he) y^e concluſiōs which now ſhalbe decréed, are moſt general, neither is there any mētion in them of the pope, & moreouer, the veritie of faith is contained in them, againſt the which, if Eugenius did contend, it were more méete, that the pope ſhould be corrected, then the veritie omitted. And thus hée p. 372making an end, all were warned to come the next day to the Seſſion.

When the 16. day of May was come, all they whom the Seſſion pleaſed, aſſembled at the houre: the Ambaſſadors alſo of the princes were come together into the Church quire, to attempt further what they could doe: and ſending the Biſhops of Lubeck, and Concenſe, and the Deane of Turnon, an excellent learned learned man, they offered themſelues to be preſent at the Seſſion, if the depoſition of Eugenius might be deferred yet 4. moneths: who when they had receiued a gētle anſwere of Arelatenſis, and the other principals, returning againe, the Ambaſſadours would hauehave onelyonly the firſt concluſion decréed: and therevpon ſent againe vntounto Arelatenſis, vntounto whom anſwere was made, that the chiefe force did conſiſt in the two other concluſions,, and that the Councell would ſpecially determine vponupon them: with which anſwere they departed, and the Seſſion began to be celebrated, and Arelatenſis cauſed prayers and lamentations to be made,Praiers with teares. with lamentations and teares, that God would direct them. Although there were not many Biſhops, yet all the ſeates were filled, with Biſhops, Proctors, Archdeacōs, Preſidents, Priors, &c. to the number of 400. or more, all in great peace, exhorting one another to the profeſſion of the faith. The B. of Maſſilia, a Noble man, read the decrée, which was attentiuely hearkened vntounto, and not one worde interrupted: when it was ended, Te Deum laudamus was ſong, with great ioy and gladnes: and ſo the ſeſſion diſſolued, which was the 33. Seſſion; and amongſt all the reſt, moſt quiet and peaceable.The 33. ſeſſion moſt quiet.

The day following béeing the 22. of May, the Princes Ambaſſadours,The Princes Ambaſſadours yeelded. without al mens expectatiōs (it was thought béeing touched with remorſe of conſcience, euen now to deteſt, and abhorre that which they had done before) came vntounto the generall congregation, and excuſed themſelues of their abſence: namely, the Biſhoppe of Lubecke, and p. 373the Biſhop of Turnon: who, after he had made an end, Cardinall Arelatenſis gaue thankes to God, that had ſo defended his Church, &c.Eugenius depoſed. Hauing declared the neceſſitie of the decrée, he roſe vp, and the Congregation was diſſolued.

Now, after that Gabriel Condulmarius, called Eugenius the fourth, was depoſed from the Biſhopricke of Rome, by the aduiſe of Iohn Segonius, they ſtayed two monethes, before they procéeded to elect another Pope. In the meane time, Letters were ſent to the Princes, to declare the depoſing of Eugenius, by the Sinode: & to publiſh it abroade.

During this time, many died of the peſtilence,Death of the peſtilence at the Councel. at the coū cell: as, Ludouicus, the Prothonotarie, Ludouicus, the Patriarch of Aquileia, the Abbot of Doxa.

About the ſame time, died alſo the K. of Arragons Almoſiner, in Switzerland, the Abbot of Virgilia, at Spire, and Iohn, the B. of Lubeck, betwéene Vienna and Buda. Yet, Arelatenſis would not depart, but kept conſtant, and helde out the Councel. And after that the time of the decrée was paſſed, and Gabriel depoſed, the Fathers procéeded to the election of another P. And firſt of all, they nominated thoſe that (together with the Cardinals) ſhould elect the Pope.

The firſt, and principall of the Electors, was Cardinal Arelatenſis: the reſt of the Electors were choſen out of the Italian, French, Germaine, and Spaniſh Nations.

The next day after there was a Seſſion holden, wherein Marcus, a famous Diuine, made an Oration, and reckoned vp the manifolde vices of Gabriel, and deſcribed what kinde of man he ought to be that ſhould ſuccéede: euen one quite contrarie vntounto him in all reſpects. The Electors receaued the Communion together, and afterwarde tooke their oath,Thoe ath that the Electors of the Pope take. and the Cardinall Arelatenſis (opening the booke of Decrées) read the forme of the oath in the audience of all men, and firſt of all tooke the oath himſelfe: which was, that hee woulde onelyonly hauehave reſpect to the ſaluation of Chriſtes people, and profite of the vniuerſal church: and after him, in p. 374like manner, all the other Electors did take their oath: then they went with great ſolemnitie vntounto their conclaue, where they remayned ſeuen dayes.

The manner of their election was on this ſort. Before the Cardinals ſeate was ſet a deſke, wherein there ſtoode a Baſon of ſiluer.The manner of electing the pope. Into the which Baſon, all the Electors did caſt their Schedules: which the Cardinall receiuing, read one by one, and foure other of the Electors wrote as he did reade them.

The tenure of the Schedule was in this manner.

I George, Biſhoppe of Vienna, doe chooſe ſuch a one, or ſuch a one, for Biſhoppe of Rome, and peraduenture named two. EueryEvery one of the Electors ſubſcribed his name vntounto the Schedule, that he might thereby know his owne, and ſay nay, if it were contrarie to that which was ſpoken: whereby all deceit was vtterly excluded.

The firſt ſcrutinie thus ended, 17. of diuers nations were nominated: notwithſtanding, Amideus, D. of Sauoy (who had béene married, a man of ſingular vertue) ſurmounted them all: for in the firſt ſcrutinie he had the voice of 16. Electors. In the next ſcrutinie, which was holden in y^e nones of Nouember, he had 21. voices, and ſo likewiſe in the 3. and 4. ſcrutinies. And foraſmuch as there was none in all the ſcrutinie, found to hauehave two partes, all the other Schedules were burnt. And, becauſe there lacked but one voice to the election of the high B. they fell to prayer, deſiring God, that he would direct their mindes to the vnitie of the Church.

Amideus, duke of Sauoy.The next ſcrutinie the matter was ended, and when the ſcrutiny was opened, it was found, that Amideus, the moſt deuout Duke of Sauoy, was choſen Pope.

Then the Cardinall Arelatenſis publiſhed vntounto them the name of the elect Biſhop. After this, they gaue thanks in the great Church, and declared the election again to the people, and hauing ſong an himne, departed.

Amideus thus being elected about Nouember, was called p. 375Felix v. and was crowned in the citie of Baſil, the monethmonth of Iuly. And thus much hetherto touching the councell of Baſill, which endured 17. yéeres.

About the 6. yéere of the councell, Sigiſmund the Emp. died:Emp. Sigiſmund dieth. after him ſuccéeded his ſon in law, Albert ſecond duke of Auſtrich, a ſore aduerſary of the Bohemiās: he was made Emp. an. 1438. 1438and raigned Emperour but 2. yéeres. After whom ſuccéeded his brother Frederick 3. duke of Auſtrich.

Now to returne to the Embaſſadors of the Bohemians, who came to the councell of Baſill, the ninth of Ianuary, to whom when cardinall Iulian had made an vnpleaſant oration, Rochezanus one of the Bohemians made alſo an oration, and required to hauehave a day appoynted to be heard, which was appointed the ſixtenth day of the ſame monethmonth, VponUpon which day Iohn Rochezanus Rochezanus.hauing made his Preface, began to propound the firſt Article, touching the Communion to be miniſtred in both kindes,Diſputation vponupon the Bohemians articles. and diſputed vppon the ſame thrée daies, alwaies afore noone.

Then Vincelaus Vincelaus.the Thaborite, diſputed vponupon the ſecond article, touching the correction and puniſhment of ſinne, by the ſpace of two daies. After whom Vldericus Vldericus.Prieſt of the Orphanes diſputed vppon the third Article two dayes, touching the frée preaching of the word of God. Laſt of all Peter Pain Peter Paine.diſputed thrée daies, touching the ciuill dominion of the clergy, which was the 4. article. And afterward gaue copies of their diſputations vntounto the Councell in writing, with hartie thanks, that they were heard. The thrée laſt did ſomewhat inueigh againſt the councell, cōmending I. Huſſe, and I. Wickliffe for their doctrine.Rhaguſius. The Bohemians offended. Wherto Iohn Rhaguſius a Dalmatian, & a diuine, did ſo reply, that the Bohemians would néeds depart from Baſill, & could ſcarſly be appeaſed. Certaine of y^e Bohemiās would not heare Rhaguſius finiſh his diſputation, which endured vponupon the firſt article 8. Popiſh diſputers, againſt the Bohemiās.daies in the forenoone. After him Egidius Carlerius anſwered vntounto the ſecond article by the ſpace of foure daies.

p. 376To the third article anſwered one Henricus, ſurnamed Frigidum Ferrum, thrée daies together. Laſt of all, one Iohannes Pollomarius, maſter of the requeſtes of the Palace, anſwered vntounto the fourth article thrée daies together: ſo that the long time, which they vſed in their diſputations, ſéemed tedious to the Bohemians.

Notwithſtanding this anſwere, the Bohemians ſtill defended their articles, and eſpecially the firſt: in ſo much that Iohn Rochezanus did ſtrōgly impugne Raguſinus anſwere by the ſpace of 6. daies. But for ſo much as one diſputation bred another, & it was not perceiued, how that means could make concord, the protector of the councell, William duke of Bauaria, attēpted to bring the matter to a friēdly debating: but agréement could there be none, for the Embaſſadors of y^e Bohemians ſaid: they came to propoūd thoſe foure articles in the name of the whole kingdome of Boheme, & to ſpeake no more. Wherevpon William the protector of the councell, found means that the councell decréed, to ſend a famous ambaſſade with the Embaſſadours of Boheme vntounto Prage, whereas the people ſhould aſſemble vponupon the Sunday. And vpō 14. Embaſſadors from the councell to Prage.day of April, there were 10. choſen out of the councell, to go with the Bohemian Embaſſadors vntounto Prage.

After the cōming of theſe Embaſſadors much contention began to riſe betwixt the parties. The Bohemians ſtanding to their 4. articles, & refuſing to yéeld, except they were firſt accepted of, or iuſtly reproued: which when y^e Embaſſadors ſaw, they deſired to hauehave theſe articles deliuered vntounto them in a certaine forme, which they ſent vntounto the councell by 3. Bohemian Embaſſadors. Afterward the councell ſent a declaration into Boheme, to publiſh vntounto y^e people in the common aſſemblies of the kingdome, by the embaſſadors which were commaunded to report vntounto the Bohemians in the name of the councell, that if they would receiue the declaration of thoſe thrée articles, and the vnitie of the church, there ſhould be a meane found, whereby the matter touching the p. 377fourth article, of the communion vnderunder both kindes, ſhould be paſſed with peace and quietnes.

After the Bohemians had taken deliberation vponupon theſe declarations, they ſaid, they would giuegive no anſwere vntounto the premiſſes, before they vnderſtood what ſhould be offred them touching the communion: wherto the councel: declared that licence ſhould be giuen vntounto the Bohemians, to cōmunicate vntounto the people vnderunder both kinds,Licence to the Bohemians to cōmunicat vnderunder both kinds to ſuch as bee of lawfull yéers, & diſcretion: this alwaies obſerued, that the miniſters ſhal ſay vntounto thoſe that communicate, that they ought firmly to beleue, not the fleſh only to be conteined vnderunder the forme of bread, & the blood onelyonly vnderunder the forme of wine, but vnderunder ech kind, the whole & perfect Chriſt. Moreouer, other doubts were ſo anſwered by the councel, that after much communication had to and fro, at laſt a concord was concluded, & confirmed by ſentence of their handes. The Bohemians promiſed to receiue the peace, & vnitie of the church, and the declaration of the 3. articles. This was done, ann. 1438. 1438about the feaſt of S. Martin.

It was afterward agréed both by the Ambaſſadors of the Councel, and of the Bohemes, that whatſoeuer remained, ſhould be determined, firſt at Ratiſpona, afterward, at Brugain, in the dioces of Olymintus, then at Alba in Hungarie, before the Emp. Sigiſmund: Concord betwixt the Bohemians and the Councel.but the matter coulde bee ended in no place. At laſt, y^e concord was concluded by writing, with their ſeales at Inglania, a citie of Morania: the 5. day of Iuly in the preſence of the Emperour.

Anno 1438. in the monethmonth of Nouember, the Bohemians put vp certain petitions to the Councel that it might be frée for al in Boheme, and the marqueſdom of Morania, to communicate vnderunder both kinds. That they might hauehave good paſtors. That the Goſpels & Epiſtles, and Creed, might bée ſong in the vulgar tongue. That the Vniuerſity of Prage might be increaſed by Prebends,The Vniuerſity to be increaſed with Prebends, &c. and certaine Benefices of cathedrall churches. That they would prouide for the reformation p. 378of the Churches of Boheme. To theſe demaundes, anſweres were made ready by the Councell, but were kept backe, it was not knowne wherefore.

At this Councel of Baſil the 36. ſeſſion holden the 17. day of September, ann. 1439. 1439the feaſt of the conception of our Lady, was ordained to bee holden, and celebrated yeerely. Likewiſe, in the 44. The feaſt of the conception of the virgin.Seſſion of the ſame Councell, holden the firſt of Iuly, ann. 1441. 1441was ordained the feaſt of the viſitation of our Lady, to be celebrated yeerely in the monethmonth of Iulie.

The feaſt of the viſitation. Good lawes ordained in the councel of Baſill.This Councel did ordaine diuers wholeſome lawes for the Church, as, that méet miniſters might be appointed in eueryevery church to ſhine in vertue & knowledge: wherto expectatiue graces of benefices were an hinderance: and ſo tooke thē away, that no actions of controuerſie ſhould be brought to Rome, beyond 4. daies iourney from thence, & that no friuolous appeales ſhould be made to the Pope. That the Cardinalles ſhould not be of kinne to the pope, and not excéed the number of 24. 24. Cardinals. Iewes to be conuerted. Stipend for the tongues.That the firſt fruites ſhould no more be paid to the Pope. That meanes ſhould be prouided for y^e conuerſion of the Iewes. That the Hebrue, Gréeke & Latin tōgues might be mainteined, & ſtipends prouided for the teachers of them. Againſt prieſts kéeping of Concubines.

During the life of Sigiſmund the Emperour, no man reſiſted this Councell, alſo during the time of Charles the ſeuenth, the Frenche King, the Councell of Baſill was fully and wholly receiued through all Fraunce.

After the death of Sigiſmund, when Eugenius was depoſed, and Felix Duke of Sauoy elected Pope, greate diſcordes aroſe, and much practiſe was wrought, but eſpecially, on Eugenius part: who béeyng nowe excommunicate, by the Councell of Baſill, to make his part more ſtrong,18. new Cardinals. made eightéen newe Cardinalles. Then hée ſent his Oratours vntounto the Germanes, labouring by all meanes to diſſolue the Councell of Baſill.

p. 379The Germans were at that time ſo deuided, that ſome of them did hold with Felix, & the coūcell of Baſill, others with Eugenius & the councell of Ferraria, & ſome were neuters.

After this the French K. being dead, which was Charles the 7. about the yéere 1444. the Pope began to ſtirre vp the Dolphin of Fraunce by force of armes, to diſſipate that councell collected againſt him. Who leading an armie of fiftéene thouſand men into Alſatia,The Dolphin of France againſt the coū cell of Baſill is vanquiſhed. did cruelly waſt & ſpoile the countrie: after that laid ſiege vntounto Baſill, to expell and driue out the Prelates of the Councell. But the Heluetians with a ſmall power did vanquiſh the Frenchmen, and put them to flight. Although Baſill by the valiātnes of the Heluetians was thus defended: yet the Councel could not continue, by reaſon of the Princes Ambaſſadors, which ſhronke away, & would not tarie: ſo that at length Eugenius brought to paſſe, partly through the helpe of Fredericke, labouring for the empire, and partly by his Orators (in the number of whom, was Eneas Siluius) among the Germanes, that they were content to giuegive ouer both the Councel of Baſill, and their neutralitie.

This Frederick of Auſtrich, being toward the Empire, brought alſo to paſſe, that Felix, which was choſen of the councel of Baſil to be Pope, was contented to renounce, and reſigne his papacy to Pope Nicholas, the 5. Pope Nicholas the 5.ſucceſſor to Eugenius. Of the which Nicholaus, Frederike was confirmed at Rome to be Emperor, and there crowned, an. 1451.

As theſe things were doing in Baſil, in the mean ſeaſon Eugenius brought to paſſe in his Conuocation at Florence, that the Emperour, and Patriarch of Conſtantinople, with the reſt of the Grecians then preſent, were perſwaded to receiue the ſentence of the church of Rome,The Greekes abhorre the Romanes. concerning the procéeding of the holy Ghoſt. Alſo, to receaue the communion in vnleauened bread, to admitte Purgatorie, and to yeld themſelues to the authorttie of the Romiſh Church. Wherunto (notw^tſtāding) y^e other churches of Grecia would in no p. 380wiſe conſent at their comming home. In ſo much that with a publike execration they did condemne afterward all thoſe Legates that had conſented to thoſe articles, that none of them ſhould be buried in Chriſtian buriall: which was Anno 1439. Ex Gaſ. Pencer.

11. battels wonne by the Proteſtants againſt the Papiſts.Thus much concerning the councell of Conſtance, Baſill, and the Bohemians, who in the quarrell of Iohn Huſſe, and Hierome of Prage, fighting vnderunder Ziſca their captaine, had eleuen battels with the popes ſide, and euer went away victors, Ex paral. Abb. Vrſp. in Epitap. Ioh. Ziſc.

Moreouer in the hiſtory of Pencer, it is teſtified that Pope Martin the 5. ſending for the Biſhop of Wincheſter the Cardinal, had leuied thrée maine armies, intending to ouercome all the Bohemians: one armie of th Saxons, vnderunder the Prince elector. The ſecond of the Francons, vnderunder the Marques of Brandenburg. The third, of Renates, Bauarians, and Swechers, vnderunder Otto Archbiſhop of Treuers.

With theſe, Sigiſmund alſo the Emperour, and Cardinall Iulian, the Popes Legate (who at laſt was ſlaine in warre: and béeyng ſpoyled of all his attire, was left naked in the fielde) ioyned all their force, who ioyning together fiue times (ſayth the ſtorie) with fiue ſundrie battailes, inuaded the Bohemians. At eueryevery which battel 5. times, the ſaid aduerſaries (daunted with a ſodain feare) ran away out of the field, before any ſtroke was geuē.Fiue times the papiſts ran away before any ſtroke was geuen. Gaſp. Peucer. lib. 5.

And ſo they continued inuincible during the life of Ziſca, and Procopius: after whoſe death, Maynardus, a captaine, and a traytor to the Bohemians, found meanes, by a Proclamation, made as though hee would warre againſt other Countreys of their enemies, bordering about them, craftely to traine all them which were diſpoſed to take wages,Crueltie, and treaſon againſt the Bohemians. into certaine barnes, and houels, prepared for the ſame purpoſe: and ſo ſhutting the dores vponupon them, ſet fire to them, and p. 381burnt of them diuers thouſandes, and ſo brought the reſt by that meanes, vnderunder the ſubiection of the Emperor, during his life time: which laſted not long. Ex Aen. Sil.

About the yere 1439. 1439the eightéene yere of the reigne of Henrie the ſixt, one Richard Wiche, R. Wich.Prieſt, was burned at Tower hill. It is teſtified of him, that he, before his death, prophecied that the Poſterne of the Tower ſhoulde ſinke: which afterwarde came to paſſe. In ſo much, that the people counted him for an holie man, and made their prayers to him after he was dead, and reared a great heap of ſtones, and ſet vp a croſſe there by night: ſo that a great clamor ran vponupon thoſe that put him to death. For appeaſing of which rumor, the king gaue commandement to puniſh all ſuch as went thether on Pilgrimage. And by that meanes, the concourſe of people was ſtayed. He was burnt about the MonethMonth of Iune.

In the ſame yere about Nouember, Henrie, archbiſhop of Canterburie, called a Conuocation: wherein, the Prelates tooke aduiſement to make a Supplication to the king, for aboliſhing the law of Premunire facias.

To which ſupplication the king made anſwer, he would pauſe vponupon the matter, and in the meane time, hee woulde ſend to all his Officers, and Miniſters in the Realm, that no ſuch brief of Premunire ſhould paſſe againſt any of them, til the next Parlement, an. 1439.

About the yere 1440. 1440Eleanor Cobham, Dutcheſſe of Gloceſter, and Roger Only, Prieſt, were condemned: the one to perpetuall Priſon,Duches of Gloceſt. condemned to perpetuall priſon. R. Only burned. Articles of D. Humfrey againſt the Cardinall. (which was the Ducheſſe) for the profeſſion of the trueth: and the other vntounto death, (although treaſon were pretended againſt thē, of practiſing the kings death, which was not likelie: but rather, their profeſſion, and the malice which the Cardinal of Wincheſter bare vntounto the good Duke Humfrey, Duke of Gloceſter, who complayned of the Cardinal to the K. in 23. articles, as alſo, of the archb. of Yorke. That Wincheſter preſumed to be Cardinall p. 382againſt the mind of K. Henrie the fift. That he was in danger of Premunire, for bringing a Bul from Rome, to hold his Biſhoprike though he were a Cardinal. That he entended himſelf to be the Kings gouernor. That hee defrauded y^e King of his iewels, &c.

The hearing of which accuſations the K. committed vntounto his Councel, whereof the moſt part were ſpirituall perſons,The deſtructiō of D. Hūfrey. ſo that nothing was ſaid thereto. But vponupon the necke of this, enſued the condemnation of the Ducheſſe, and within ſix yeres after, the deſtruction of the Duke himſelfe.

Anno 1445. 1445H. Chicheſly, Archb. of Canterbury, died, by whom the Ladie Eleanor the Ducheſſe, was condemned in S. Steuens Chappel at Weſtminſter,Pennance. for penāce, to beare a taper through Chepeſyde thrée ſundry times, and afterward outlawed to the Ile of Man, vnderunder the cuſtodie of Sir Iohn Standley knight.

This Henrie Chicheleſley builded in his time 2. Colledges in Oxford the one called Alſoln colledge,Alſoln, and Bernard Colledge of Oxford. and the other called Bernard colledge. About the yeare 1447. 1447Henry Bewford Cardinall, and William de la poole duke of Suffolke with the Quéen, conſpired duke Humfreyes death, & deuiſed how to trappe him: and for the more ſpeedy furtherance thereof a parliament was ſommoned to be kept at Berry, far from the citizens of London: whither reſorted all the Péeres of the Realme, and amongeſt them the Duke of Gloceſter, who on the ſecond day of the Seſſion was by the Lord Beumond high conſtable of England being accompanied with the duke of Buckingham, and others areſted, apprehended,Duke Humf. impriſoned. and put in priſon, and vponupon the ſame, all his ſeruauntes put from him: of whom 32 of the principall being alſo vnderunder the arreſt were diſperſed into diuers priſons. After this arreſt thus done, and the duke put into ward: the night after (ſaith Hall) ſixe nightes (ſaith Fabian and Polychronicon) he was found dead in his bedde the twenty fourth of February,D. Humfrey found dead in priſon. and his Bodie ſhewed vntounto the p. 383Lordes and commons, as though hée had béene taken naturally with ſome ſuddaine diſeaſe. This was the end of the good Duke, after he had politikely by the ſpace of 25. Good Duke Humfrey.yéeres gouerned this realme.

The next day after, the Cardinall died, an. 1448. 1448in great impatiencie, ſaying, fie, will not death be hyred, nor will mony doo nothing? &c.The deſperate Cardinall. Mary Magdalens colledge in Oxford.

After the Cardinall ſuccéeded William Wainfleet, in the Biſhopricke of Wincheſter, who founded the colledge of Mary Magdalene in Oxford.

Anno 1450. William de la Poole, beyng accuſed of treaſon to the land, and indeuouring to flie into Fraunce, was encountred with a ſhip of warre, belonging to the tower: whereby hée was taken, and was brought into Douer rode, and there on the ſide of a ſhipboat, one ſtrake off his head: and this ende had the other of the good Dukes enimies.

The yéere 1450. 1450printing was firſt inuented, by one Ioh. Fauſtus, a goldſmith, dwelling firſt at Argentine, afterward a Citizen of Mentz:Printing inuented. who perceiuing the inuention to come wel to paſſe, made one Iohn Guttemberg, & Peter Scafford of his counſell: binding them by oath to kéepe ſilence for a while. After fiue yéeres, Iohn Guttemberg Copartner with Fauſtus, beganne then firſt to broch the matter at Straſborough, Vlricus Han, in Latin called Gallus, firſt brought it to Rome.

This printing was after the inuention of gunnes, which were inuented in Germanie, an. 1380. 130. yeres.Printing later then gunnes 130. yeres.

Anno 1453. 1453Conſtantinus Paleologus being Emperour of Conſtantinople, the great Citie of Conſtantinople was taken by the Turke Mahumet, after the ſiege of 54. dayes: which ſiege began in the beginning of Aprill. Within the citie (beſide the Citizens) were but onelyonly 6000. Conſtantinople taken by the Turkes.reſcuers of the Gréekes, and 3000 of the Venetians, & Genowayes. Againſt theſe, Mahumet broght an army of 400000. collected p. 384out of the Countries and places adioyning néere about: as out of Grecia, Illyrica, Wallachia, Dardanis, Triballis, Bulgaris, out of Bithinia, Galatia, Lidia, Cicilia, and ſuch other: which places had yet the names of Chriſtians: thus one neyghbour for luker ſake helped to deſtroy another.One neighbor deſtroyeth an other for gayne The Emperour Palaeologus ſéeing no way but to flée, making toward the gate, either was ſlayne or troden downe with multitude. The citie beyng thus got, the Turkes ſacking and ranging about the ſtreetes houſes, and corners, did put to the ſword moſt vnmercifully whoſoeuer they found,Cruelty of the Turkes. both aged, and yoong, matrons, virgins, children, and infants, ſparing none: the Noble matrons & virgins, were horribly rauiſhed, the goods of the citie, and treaſures in houſes, the ornaments in Churches, were all ſacked and ſpoyled, the pictures of Chriſt opprobriouſly handled, in deſpite of Chriſt. The ſpoile and hauocke of the citie laſted thrée dais together. Theſe things thus being done, and the tumult ceaſſed, after thrée daies, Mahumetes the Turke entereth into the Citie, and firſt calling for the heads and ancients of the Citie, ſuch as he found to be left aliue, he cōmanded to be mangled and cut in pieces. It is alſo ſaide (as the authour reporteth) that in the feaſts of the Turkes, honeſt matrones and virgins, and ſuch as were of the kings ſtocke, after other contumelies, were hewen and cutte in pieces for their diſport.

This end had the noble Citie Conſtantinople, which continued before flouriſhing equallie with Rome, 1120. yeres. Ex. Hiſt. Wittenberg. Peucer.

After the death of Henrie Chicheſley, next ſuccéeded Ioh. Stafford, an. 1445. 1445who continued 8. yeres. After him came Iohn Kemp, anno 1453. 1453who ſate but thrée yeres. Then ſuccéeded Thomas Burſther.

In the time of which archbiſhop, Raynolde Peacock, biſhop of Chicheſley, was afflicted by the Popes Prelates, for his faith, and profeſſion of the Goſpel: and being cited vp to p. 385Lambeth was cauſed to recant theſe points. That we are not bound by neceſſitie of Faith, to beléeue that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt after his death deſcended into hell. That it is not neceſſarie to ſaluation, to beléeue in the catholike church. That it is not neceſſarie to ſaluation, to beléeue the communion of Saints. That it is not neceſſary to ſaluation, to affirme the body materially in the Sacrament. That the vniuerſall Church may erre in matters which pertaine to faith. That it is not neceſſary for the Church, to hold that which eueryevery generall councell ſhall ordaine. With this Pecocke, were diuerſe mo condemned for heretikes: and notwithſtanding his recantation, he was deteyned ſtill in pryſon, where ſome ſay, he was priuily made away by death.

Pope Nicholas 5. made Felix, who renounced his Popedome vntounto him, a cardinall: & crowned Fredericke for working the feat, and confirmed him to be full Emperour:The Emp. not Emp. but king of the Romans before the pope confirmed him. for before they be confirmed by the Popes, they are not Emperours, but are called kings of the Romanes.

This Pope for to get great ſummes of mony, appointed a IubileA Iubile. in the yéere 1450. 1450Alſo in his time one Math. Palmerius wrote a booke De Angelis, in defending whereof hée was condemned by the Pope, and burned at Crona, Anno 1448. 1448Ex Tritemio.

After him ſuccéeded Calixtus 3. P. Calixtus.who amongſt diuers other things, ordained both at noone & at euening the bel to toll the Auies, as it was vſed in y^e popiſh time, to helpe the ſouldiers that fought againſt the Turkes:Auies doth helpe thē that fought againſt the Turkes. for which cauſe he ordained the feaſt of the tranſfiguration of the Lord,The feaſt of tranſfiguratiō. ſolēniſing it with like pardons and Indulgences as was Corpus Chriſti day. Alſo, this pope procéeding contrary to the councels of Conſtance and Baſil, decréed that no man ſhould appeale from the Pope to any Councell: by whom alſo S. Edmund of Canterbury, with diuers others were made Saints.S. Edmund of Canterbury made Saint.

Next vntounto Calixtus, ſuccéeded Pius Secundus, Pius Secūdus Pope.otherwiſe called Aeneas Siluius, who wrote the 2. bookes of cōmentaries, p. 386vpō the councell of Baſill, This Aeneas at the writing of theſe his bookes, ſéemed to be a man of indifferent & tollerable iudgement and doctrine, from the which afterward being Pope, he ſéemed to decline and ſwarue, ſéeking by all meanes poſſible, to aboliſh the bookes which before he had written: & wheras before he preferred generall councels before the P. now being P. he did decrée,Pope Pius altered his former iudgemēt. that no mā ſhould appeale from the B. of Rome to any councels: & likewiſe for prieſts mariages, whereas before he thought it beſt to hauehave their wiues reſtored, yet afterward he altered his mind otherwiſe. There was great diſcord betwixt this P. & Dorotheus archb. of Mentz: & vpō the ſame betwene Frederike the Palatine, & the duke of Wittenberg, with others: by occaſion wherof,Mentz looſeth his freedome. beſides y^e ſlaughter of many, the citie of Mentz which was before frée, loſt the fréedome & became ſeruile.

The cauſes of the diſcord betwixt Pius and Dorotheus, Diſcord betwixt P. Pius & Dorotheus.were theſe: 1. Becauſe that Dorotheus would not conſent vntounto him in the impoſitiō of certaine tallages & taxes within his countrie. 2. For that Dorotheus would not be bound vntounto him, requiring that the ſaid Dorotheus being prince elector, ſhould not call the electors together without his licenſe. 3. Becauſe hée would not permit vntounto the Popes legates, to conuocate his Clergie together after his owne luſt. This Pius began, Anno 1458.

After Pius 2. ſuccéeded Paulus Secundus, a pope wholy ſet vponupon his belly,Paulus Secundus Pope. and ambition, and a hater of all learned men.

This Paulus had a daughter begotten in fornication, whom becauſe he ſaw her to be therefore hated, began (as the ſtories report) to repent him of the lawe of the ſingle life of Prieſtes,The pope for mariages of Prieſtes. Pope Sixtus 4. Stewes at Rome. The yeere of Iubile altered once againe. and went about to reforme the ſame. Ex Staniſl. Rutheo.

After this Paulus, came Sixtus the 4. which builded vp in Rome a ſtewes for both kinds, getting thereby no ſmal rēts & reuenewes. This pope among other his acts, reduced the yéere of Iubile, from the 50. to the 25. He alſo inſtituted p. 287the feaſt of the conception, and of the preſentation of Marie, and Anna her mother, and Ioſeph: alſo he canonized Bonauenture and S. Francis, for Saints.

By this pope alſo were brought in beades,Beades & Ladies Pſalter. and he inſtituted to make our ladies pſalter, through the occaſion of one Alanus, and his order: who were wont (by putting beades vponupon a ſtring to number their praiers.

This pope made 32. Cardinals in his time: of whom Petrus Renerius was the firſt: who,A prodigall Cardinall. for the time he was Cardinal (which was but 2. yéers) ſpēt in luxurious riot 200000 Florens, and was left 4000. in debt.

Weſelius Groningenſis, in a certaine treatiſe of his, de indulgentijs Papalibus, writeth of this pope Sixtus: that at the requeſt of this Peter Cardinal, and of Hierom his brother, he graunted vntounto the whole family of the Cardinal S. Lucy, in the 3. hot moneths, Iune, Iuly, & Auguſt,Liberty for Sodomitry. frée liberty to vſe Sodomitry: with this clauſe, Fiat vt petitur. That is, Be it as it is aſked.

Next after this Sixtus, came Innocentius the eight,Innocentius 8. Pope. a man verie rude, and farre from all learning. Amongeſt the noble actes of this Pope, this was one, that in the towne of Paulus Equicolus, hée cauſed 8. men, and 6. women, with the Lord of the place, to be apprehended, and iudged for heretikes, becauſe they ſaid that none of them were the Vicars of Chriſt, which came after Peter, but onelyonly they which followed the pouerty of Chriſt.

Alſo he condemned of hereſie, George, the K. of Boheme,King of Boheme condemned of the P. and depriued him of his kingdome, and procured his whole ſtocke, to be vtterly reiected: giuing his kingdom to Matthias king of Pannonia.

Anno 1461. 1461king Henry the 6. was depoſed by Edward the 4. after he had raigned 38. yéeres and an halfe.

Henry the 6. founded the colledge of Eaton,Colledge of Eaton. and another houſe, hauing then the title of S. Nicholas in Cambridge, and now called the kings Colledge. Ex ſcala mundi.

p. 388This king Henrie reiected the popes buls; which graunted to Lewes, Archb. of Roane, the profites of the Biſhopricke of Ely, after the death of the Biſhop, by the name of the adminiſtration of the ſaid biſhopricke.

Anno 1461. (Henry the 6. being depoſed) Edward the 4. was crowned king.

An. 1471. 1471VponUpon the aſſentiō eue, K. Henry being priſoner in the tower, departed this life, & was brought by Thames, in a bote to the abbey of Chertſey, & there buried. Polydor after he had deſcribed the vertues of this king, recordeth that king Henry the 7. did afterward tranſlate the corpes of him from Chertſey, to Windſore: and addeth moreouer, that by him certaine miracles were wrought:Henry the 6. to be canonized a Saint, for ſucceſſiue change. for the which cauſe, Henry the 7. laboured with pope Iulius, to hauehave him canonized for a Saint: but the death of the king was the let. Edward Hall writing of this matter, declareth, that the cauſe of the let, was the exceſſiue fées, which were ſo great, of canonizing a king aboue any prelat, that the king thought beſt to kéepe his money in his cheſt.

About the yéere, 1465. 1465There was here in England, a Frier Carmelite, who preached in Michalemas terme at Paules croſſe, in London: that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt was in pouertie, and did begge in the world. Which queſtion was ſo ſtirred here, that it came to the Popes eares, Paulus 2. the next yere following: who eftſoons ſent downe his bul, ſignifying to the Prelates, that this hereſie, that peſtiferouſly doth affirme,An hereſie to hold y^e Chriſt was a begger. that Chriſt did openly begge, was condemned of old time by the Biſhop of Rome, and his Councels: and that the ſame ought to be declared in al places for a dangerous doctrine, and worthy to be troden downe vnderunder all mens féete.

Anno 1473. 1473in Auguſt, one Iohn Gooſe, or Huſſe was condemned, and burned for the trueth, at Tower hil: ſo that, ſince the time of Richard the 2. Iohn Gooſe martyr.there was no king hitherto, in whoſe raigne, ſome godly man or other had not ſuffered p. 389the paines of fire, for the teſtimonie of Chriſt. This godlie man being entertained in the Sherifes houſe, before he wēt to execution, deſired ſome meate: and (eating) he ſaid to thoſe about him: I eat now a good and competent dinner, for I ſhall paſſe a little ſharpe ſhower, before I go to ſupper. And hauing dined, he gaue thanks, and requeſted that he might ſhortly be led to the place where he ſhould yelde his ſpirit to God. Ex Polychro.

Anno 1437. 1437died Sigiſmund the Emperor, in Morania, after whom ſuccéeded Albert, D. of Auſtrich, who in the ſecond yere of his reigne died. After whom ſuccéeded Fredericus 3. Duke of Auſtria, an. 1440.

After Fred. (vntounto whome the Germanes complayned in vain of y^e oppreſſions of y^e P.) ſuccéeded his ſonne Maximiliā.

An. 1476. the B, of Herbipolis, condemned, and burned for an heretike, one Iohn, a neat-heard,I. a neat-heard. becauſe he held y^t the life of the clergie was abhominable before God. Ex Munſt.

An. 1479. 1479one Ioh. de Weſalia, was forced to reuoke theſe articles, being greatly hated by the Thomiſtes.I. de Weſalia recanteth. That men he ſaued fréelie thorough méere grace, by faith in Chriſt. That frée will is nothing. That only the word of God is to be beléeued, and not the gloſſe of any man, or fathers. That the word of God is to be expounded, by comparing, & weying one place with another. That Prelates hauehave no power geuen them to expound Scriptures by any peculiar right, more than another. That mens traditions, as, faſtings, pardons, feaſts, &c. are to be reiected. That extreme vnctiō, & cō firmatiō, are to be reiected. That confeſſiō with ſatiſfaction is to be reprehended. That the primacie of y^e P. is vaine, &c.

He was complained of by the Thomiſtes (who were reals, and greatly hated the nominals) vntounto Diethrus, Nominais, Reals.archb. of Mentz. His articles being examined by the Diuines of Heydelberge, and Colen, were condemned, and he compelled to recant, Ex Oſt. Grat.

An. 1484. died P. Sixtus the fourth, 1454a very monſter of nature: p. 390of whom writeth Platina, that vniuſtlie he vexed all Italie with warre and diſſention. Agrippa wryting of him, ſaith, that among all the Baudes of theſe other later dayes, which were buylders of Brothelhouſes, this Sixtus 4. ſurmounted all other: who at Rome erected Stewes of double abhomination, not only of women, but alſo &c.

Whereupon, no ſmall gaine redounded to his cofers, for eueryevery ſuch common harlotte in Rome, paid to him a Iulie péece,Reuenes of the Pope from the ſtewes of Rome. the ſum wherof grew in the yere ſomewhile to 20000 at length to 40000. duckets. He was a man rather borne to war, then to religion, as ſaith Carion, for he warred againſt Vitelius Tiphernates, againſt the Florentines, & Venetiās, whom he excommunicated, and abſolued not till he died. Alſo, againſt Colonienſes, againſt Ferdinandus, K. of Apulia, and Duke of Calabria: alſo, againſt other nations and princes. Ex Ioh. Laziardo.

This Sixtus was a ſpeciall Patrone of begging Friers,Begging friers. granting them to enioy reuenewes in this world, and in the world to come euerlaſting life. Among which Friers, there was one named Alanus de Rupe, Alanus de Rupe.a black frier, which made the Roſarie of our Ladies Pſalter,The Roſarie of our Ladies Pſalter. and erected a new fraternitie vponupon the ſame, called Fraternitas Coronariorum, Fraternitas coronariorumpertayning to the order of the Dominikes: of which order, Iacobus Sprenger, one of the condemners of Iohannes de Weſalia, was a great aduauncer: and eſpecially this Sixtus the fourth, who gaue vntounto the ſaide Fraternitie large Priuiledges.

Concerning the inſtitution of this Roſarie, there was a booke ſet forth, about the yere 1480. 1480In y^e beginning whereof it is declared,The inſtitution of the Roſarie. that the bleſſed virgin entered into the Cell of Alanus, and was ſo familiar with him, that ſhe did there eſpouſe him for her huſbande, and kiſſed him with her heauenly mouth: opened vntounto him her Pappes, and poured great plentie of her owne milke into his mouth. For the confirmation whereof, the ſaide Alanus did ſweare déepelie, p. 391curſing himſelfe, if it were not, thus as he had made relation. This booke being in Latine, & printed, beareth this title: Roſareae Auguſtiſsimae Chriſtiferae Mariae Corona. And in the front it ſheweth the name of Iodocus Biſſelenis, a noble man of Aquine.

After y^t this pope Sixtus had vnderſtanding, that Hercules Eſtenſis duke of Ferraria, had ioined peace with Venetians againſt his will, he was ſo gréeued thereat,Sixtus dieth for anger. Platina a ſhamefull flatterer of the Popes. that for rancor of mind, within fiue daies after he died. About which time alſo died Platina, a ſhameful flatterer, and bearer with the wicked liues of the Popes.

Anno 1483. Edward 4. died, after he had raigned two and twentie yéeres, whom ſuccéeded Edward 5. who with his brother Richard was ſlaine, by one Iames Tyrell. Iohn Dighton and Miles Foreſt, Richard 3. the vſurper.by the ſuborning of Richard the third, vſurper, who proclaimed himſelfe King, Anno 1483. 1483in the monethmonth of Iune, & the ſixt of Iuly was crowned. Richard raigned but two yéeres and two moneths, being ouerthrowne of Henry 7. who ſuccéeded him, an. 1485. 1485Henry 7. king.and raigned 23. yéeres and eight moneths.

Anno 1494. 1494died Frederike, who had raigned 53. yéeres, after whom ſuccéeded Maximilian his ſonne, who raigned ſeuen yéeres wit his father Frederike.

This Maximilian ſet vp the vniuerſitie of Wittemberg,Maximilian the founder of the vniuerſitie of Wittēberg. and was excellently well learned himſelfe, & was the cauſe why diuerſe gaue themſelues to learning, namely to ſearching out of Hiſtories, whereto the Emperor was giuen himſelfe, & wrote diligently in the Latine toonge his owne acts, as did Iulius Caeſar. The men who floriſhed by his meanes, were: Cuſpinianus, Nauclerus, Cōradus, Pentingerus, Learned men flouriſhed in Maximilianus time.Mā tius, & others. In that age alſo excelled Baptiſta mantuanus, Angel. Politianus, Hermolaus Barbarus, Picus Mirandula, and Franciſcus his coſin: Rodulphus Agricola, Pontanus Philippus, Beroaldus, Marſilius Ficinus, Volaterranus, Georgius Valla, with infinite other.

p. 392Amongſt whom alſo is to be numbred Veſelus Groningenſis, otherwiſe named Baſilius, who was not long after Iohn de Weſalia: both much about one time, and both great fréends together. This Veſelus died, anno 1490. 1490he was ſo notable and ſo worthy a man, that of the people he was called Lux mundi, Veſelus a learned man called Lux Mundithe light of the world: he did diſallow the popiſh doctrine, of confeſſion and ſatiſfaction, in the matter of repentance: likewiſe he did diſproue both at Rome, and at Paris, purgatorie, ſupererogation of workes, and pardons, and Popes Indulgences: hée diſalowed Maſſes and praying for the dead, and ſupremacie of the Pope: hée held that the Pope might erre: hée diſalowed the great riches of the Clergie: that the Popes keyes doo not open, but ſhut heauen gates, &c.

Not long after the death of this Weſelus an. 1494. 1494and the 9. yéere of Henry the 7. the 28. of Aprill, was burned a very old woman,Ione Boughtō martyr. named Ione Boughton widdow, and mother to the Lady Young: which Lady was alſo ſuſpected to be of the ſame opinion that her mother was. Her mother was foure ſcore yéeres of age, and held eight of Wickliffes opinions, for the which ſhe was burned in Smithfield. The night following that ſhe was burnt, the moſt of her aſhes were had away, of ſuch as had louelove vntounto the doctrine for the which ſhe ſuffered.

An. 1497: 1497the 17. of Ianuary beyng Sunday, two men one called Richard Milderall, and the other Iames Sturdy, bare faggots before the proceſſion of Paules,Fagots borne. and after ſtood before the preacher in the time of his Sermon.

And the Sunday following ſtood other 2. men at Paules croſſe, all the ſermon time, one garniſhed with painted, and written papers, the other hauing a faggot on his necke.

After that in Lent ſeaſon, vppon Paſſion Sunday, one Hugh Glouer bare a faggot before the proceſſiō of Paules, and after-with the faggot ſtood before the preacher all the Sermon while.

p. 293And on the next ſunday following, foure men ſtood, & did their open penance at Pauls, and many of their books were burnt before them at the croſſe.

Anno 1498. in the beginning of May, 1298the king béeing then at Canterburie, there was a Prieſt burnt,A prieſt burnt. which was ſo ſtrong in his opinion, that all the Clearks, and Doctours, béeing there preſent, could not remoue him from his faith: whereof the King béeing informed, cauſed the prieſt to be brought before his preſence: who, by his perſwaſions, coulde not cauſe him to reuoke, and ſo he was burnt immediatly.

Anno 1499. 1499a certaine godly man, and conſtant martir of Chriſt, named Babram, Babram martyr.was burnt in Norfolke, in the monethmonth of Iuly, as Fabian reporteth: yet the printed Fabian reporteth it to be the yéere, 1500. 1500In the yéere next folowing, the 20. day of Iuly, was an olde man, burnt in Smithfield,An old man burnt. Sauanorola burnt.

This yéere, Hieronimus Sauanorola, a monke in Italy, with two other Friers, named Dominicke and Silueſter, which fauoured Sauanorolas learning, were condemned to death at Florence: the articles wherefore they ſuffred, were theſe. 1. Frée iuſtification by faith. 2. Articles.The communion vnderunder both kinds. 3. Indulgences & pardons of the pope, are of no effect. 4. For preaching againſt the filthie life of the cleargy. 5. For denying the Popes ſupremacie. 6. The Pope Antichriſt.The keies were not giuen to Peter alone, but vntounto the vniuerſall Church. 7. That the Pope was Antichriſt, becauſe he did attribute more to his own indulgences, and pardons, then to Chriſts merites. 8. That the Popes excommunication is not to be feared. 9. That auricular confeſſion is not neceſſary. 10. That he had moued the citie to vprore. 11. That he contēned the Popes citation. 12. That he had ſlandered the Pope. 13 That he ſaid, Italy muſt be cleanſed with Gods ſcourge, for the manifold wickednes of the Princes and Cleargy. They were firſt hanged vp openly in the market place, and after p. 394burnt to aſhes, and the aſhes caſt into the riuer of Arum, the 25. day of May, Ex Catalogo, teſtium Illirici.

Spirit of prophecy in Sauanorola.This Ierome Sauanorola had the ſpirit of prophecie, and foreſhewed many things to come, which fel out accordingly. He ſuffered vnderunder pope Alexander 6.

About this time, was one Philip Norice, Philip Norice.an Iriſhman, profeſſor at Oxford, long vexed and troubled for his profeſſion of the trueth.

The Germanes had twiſe before ſued to Fredericke the Emperour,Suite of the Germans to y^e Emperour againſt y^e church of Rome. to be a meanes to eaſe them of their manifolde grieuances, from the Church of Rome, and were repulſed: & now againe, made the ſame ſuite to Maximilian his ſonne: vntounto whom they deliuered x. grieuances,Ten grieuances. whereby y^e Germanes had béen long oppreſſed: ſhewing alſo remedies againſt the ſame, with certaine aduiſements, how the Emp. might auoide the popes ſubtleties. The grieuances were theſe: 1. That the Biſhops of Rome, do at the requeſt of eueryevery vile perſon, withſtand the couenants of their predeceſſors buls, priuiledges, &c. 2. That elections of Prelates are oftentimes put backe. 3. That election of Preſidentſhips are withſtood, notwithſtanding the graunts hauehave béene purchaſed before, to the Chapter houſes. 4. That greateſt eccleſiaſtical dignities, are reſerued for Cardinals, and head Notaries. 5. That expectatiue graces, called Vowſons, are graunted without number. 6. That yéerely reuenewes are exacted without delay, or mercy: and oftentimes more extorted then ought to be. 7. That rule of Churches is giuen at Rome, to ſuch as are more fitte to kéepe mules, then to gouerne and inſtruct men. 8 That new pardons, with reuocation of the olde, are granted to ſcrape money. 9. That tēths are exacted, vnderunder pretence of making warre againſt the Turkes, when as no expedition doeth followe therevppon. 10. That cauſes, which might be determined in Germanie, are indiſtinctly carried to the Court of Rome. After theſe grieuances propounded, they ſubſcribed the p. 395remedies, and aduertiſementes to the Emperour, wherevppon the Emperour ſet foorth an Edict againſt certaine abuſes of the Clergie.Edicts of the Emperour againſt certaine abuſes of the Clergy. That none ſhould hauehave two Canonſhips, &c. Againſt the couetouſneſſe of the Clergie: concerning which reformation the Emperour required (as it ſéemeth) aduiſe of Iacobus Seleſtadienſis, Iacobus Seleſtadienſis.who wrote vntounto him concerning the matter.

After Innocetius 8. ſuccéeded Alexander 6. Pope Alexander 6.which Alexander among other horrible things, when he was cōpelled to ſend Gemes or Demes, brother to Baiazetes the great Turke, to Lewes 11. the French king for a pledge, becauſe the Frēch king ſhould not procure the great Turkes fauour by ſending his brother Gemes to him to be ſlaine,Pope hyred by the Turke to poiſon his brother. The P. procured the Turke to fight againſt the French K. he béeing hired by the Turke, cauſed the ſame Gemes to be poiſoned: who in his iourney, going toward the French king, died at Terracina, Ex Hieronymo Marciſ. And the ſame Alexander the 6. taking diſpleaſure with Lewes the French king, about the winning of Naples, ſent to Baiazetes the Turk, to fight againſt Lewes. Ex eodem.

Moreouer, this pope cauſed Antonius Mancinellus hāds, and tongue to be cut off, becauſe he wrote an eloquent oration againſt his horrible life. At length, as he was ſitting at Rome with his Cardinalles, and other rich Senatours, of Rome,The P. and his Cardinals poiſoned. his ſeruaunts at vnwares brought to him a wrong bottle, whereby both he was poyſoned, and his cardinals about him.

After this Pope ſuccéeded next Pius 3. P. Pius 3. Pope caſteth away Peters keyes.about the yere 1503. After whom came next Iulius 2. a man more abhominable then all his felowes: who on a time when he wēt to warre, caſt the keies of S. Peter into Tibris, ſaying, that for as much as the keyes of Saint Peter woulde not ſerue him to his purpoſe, he would take to himſelfe the ſworde of S. Paul.

Of this Pope Iulius it is certainly reported, that, partlie with his warres, and partlie with his curſinges, within p. 396the ſpace of ſeuen yéeres,200000. Chriſtians ſlaine by the Popes meanes. as good as 200000. Chriſtians were deſtroyed: firſt he beſieged Rauenna againſt the Venetians, then Seruia, Imola, Fauentia, Foroliuinum, Bononia, and other cities, which he gat out of princes handes, not without great bloudſhed. This Iulius tooke an oth when he was made Pope (as Iohn Sleidan maketh mention) that he would hauehave a coūcell within two yéeres: which becauſe he did not performe, nine of his Cardinals departed from him, and came to Millan, and there appointed a councell at Poyſe:A councell at Poyſe. among whom the chiefe were Bernardinus Crucenis, Guilielmus Preneſtinus, Franciſcus Conſtantinus, with diuerſe others: among them alſo were the procurators of the Emperour Maximilian, and of Lodouike the French king. So the Councell was appointed, anno 1511. 1511to begin in the kalēds of September. They called this councel to accuſe the Pope for certain crimes, and to depoſe him: whereof Iulius hearing, giuetn out contrary commandemēt, vnderunder great paine, no man to obey them: and calleth himſelf another councel againſt the next yéere, to bee begun the 19. day of Aprill.

The French king vnderſtanding, Pope Iulius to ioyne with the Venetians, and ſo to take their part againſt him, conuented a Councell at Thurim, in the monethmonth of Septē ber. In which Councell, theſe queſtions were propounded. 1 Whether it were lawfull for the Pope to moue warre againſt any Prince without a cauſe.Queſtions againſt the P. 2. Whether any prince (in defending himſelf) might inuade his aduerſarie, and denie his obedience. To which queſtions it was anſwered, both to be lawfull, and that the pragmatical functionPragamatical function. was to be obſerued throughout all France.

After this, the king ſent vntounto Iulius the anſwere of this Councell, requiring him, either to agrée to peace, or to appoynt a generall Councell, where this matter might bee more fullie decided.

Pope curſeth the french K.Iulius would neither of theſe, but forthwith accurſed Ludouike p. 397the french king: and after much bloudſhed,P. dieth. and mortall warre, the pope died, an. 1513. 1513Februarie 21.

A note touching the miſerable perſecution, ſlaughter, and captiuitie of the Chriſtians, vnderunder the Turkes.

THe beaſtly tirannie of the Turkes,Perſecution vnderunder y^e Turke aboue al the reſt incomparablie, ſurmounteth all the afflictions, and cruell ſlaughters that euer were in any age, or read in any hiſtorie: eſpeciallie by y^e ſpace of theſe latter 300. yeres. Whoſe crueltie hath béene ſuch, that there is no place almoſt where they vanquiſhed, that they did not, either ſlay all the inhabitants thereof, or leade away the moſt part into ſuch captiuitie, that they continued not long aliue: or els ſo liued, that death had béene vntounto them more tollerable.

And as in the time of the firſt peſecutions of the Roman Emperours, the ſaying was, that no man could ſteppe with his foote in Rome, but ſhould treade vponupon a Martyr: ſo it may be ſaid, that almoſt there is not a Towne, Citie, or village, in all Aſia, Grecia, and alſo in a great part of Europa, and Affrica, whoſe ſtréetes hauehave not flowed with bloud of the Chriſtians, whom the cruell Turkes hauehave murthered. Of whom are to be ſéene in hiſtories, heapes of Souldiers ſlaine: of men and women, cut in péeces: of children, ſticked vponupon poles, and ſtakes: whom theſe deteſtable Turkes moſt ſpitefullie (and that in the ſight of their parents) vſe to gore to death. Some they drag at horſe tailes, & famiſh to death: ſome they teare in péeces, tying their armes and legges to foure horſes: other ſome they make markes to ſhoote at: vponupon ſome they trie their ſwordes, how déepe they can cut and flaſh: the aged, and féeble they tread vnderunder their horſes: women with childe, they rip their bodies, and caſt the infantes into the fire, or otherwiſe deſtroy them. In their promiſes there is no trueth.

p. 398After the Citizens of Croya had yeelded, and were promiſed their liues, yet were they deſtroyed, & that horrible. In Moſia, after thee king had geuen himſelfe to the Turkes hand, hauing promiſe of life, Mahumet ſlue him with his owne handes. The Princes of Raſia had both their eyes put out, with baſins redde hote ſet before them. Theodoſia, otherwiſe called Caphum, hauing had promiſe of ſafetie, being ſurrendred, was likewiſe deſtroyed. At the yelding of Leſbos, a number of young men and children, were put vponupon ſharpe ſtakes, and poles. At the winning of Hidruntum, a Citie in Apulia, the olde were troden vnderunder horſes, matrones, and virgins rauiſhed, women with childe, cutte, and rent in péeces. The Archbiſhop of that Citie, an aged man, was cut in ſunder with a woodden ſaw, &c.

At the taking of Nigropontus otherwiſe called Calcides, anno 1471. the Turke (contrarie to his promiſe) moſt cruellie cauſed all the youth of Italie to be pricked vponupon ſharpe ſtakes, ſome to bee daſhed vponupon harde ſtones, and other ſome to be cutte in ſunder in the middeſt, and other mo, with other kindes of death to be conſumed. In ſo much, that all the ſtréetes of Chalcides did flowe with the bloud of them that were ſlaine. At the winning of Conſtantinople, the Turke neuer roſe from dinner, but he cauſed eueryevery (day for his diſport) thrée hundred Chriſtian Captiues of the nobles of that Citie, to be ſlain before his face. So in Methone (after his Captaine Omardo had ſent vntounto him at Conſtantinople, 500. priſoners of the Chriſtians) he commanded them all to be cut, and deuided in the middle, and ſo being ſlayn, to be throwen out into the fieldes: Omares hauing likewiſe ſlaine all the Towneſmen.

In Seruia, the Prince of the Countrey being ſent for, vnderunder faire pretence of wordes, and promiſes, to come and ſpeake with the Turke, after he was come of his owne gentleneſſe, was apprehended, and had his ſkinne fleane off, and ſo was put to death. His Brother and Siſter brought p. 399to Conſtantinople in a triumph, and all the Nobles of his Country (as Faber addeth) had their eyes put out: and this was the manner of their cruelties towarde thoſe they put to death.

Other ſome he carieth into miſerable captiuitie, for the Turke neuer cōmeth into Europe, to war againſt the chriſtiās, but there followeth after his army a great number of brokers and merchants, ſuch as buy men, and children, and ſell them againe, bringing with them long chaines, in the them againe, bringing with them long chaines, in the which they linke them, by fiftie or thrée ſcore together, ſuch as remaine vnderſtroied by the ſword: whome they buy of them that ſpoile and robbe the chriſtian countries, which is lawfull for any of the Turkes army to do: ſo that the tenth of the ſpoyle be reſerued for the great Turke.

Of ſuch as remaine for tithe, if they bee aged, (of whom very few be kept aliue, becauſe little profit comes of them) they be ſolde to the vſe of huſbandry, and kéeping of beaſtes. If they be young men or women, they be ſent to certayne places there to be inſtructed in their languages, and artes, as ſhalbe moſt profitable for their aduantage, and ſuch are called in their tongue Saris. Saris.And the firſt care of the Turks is this, to make them deny Chriſt, and to bee circumciſed: and after that they are ſet, and appointed, eueryevery man as he ſéemeth moſt apt, either to the learning of their lawes, or the feates of warre. Some are brought vp to be placed in the number of the Ianizaries,Ianizaries. who are the Turkes Champions. And if any of the young men, or children, ſhall appeare to excell in beautie, him they ſo cutte, that no parte of that which Nature geueth, or man, remayneth to be ſéene in all his bodie, whereby (during the freſhnes of his age) he is compelled to ſerue their abhomination: and when age cō meth, then they ſerue in ſtead of Eunuches to wayte vponupon Matrones, or to kéepe horſes and mules, or els to be ſculliās and drudges in their kitchens.

Such as be young maydens, and beutifull, are deputed for p. 400concubines: they whiche bée of meane beautie, ſerue for to doo their drudgery worke in their houſes, and chambers: or els to ſpinne, or ſuch other labours: but ſo as it is not lawfull for them either to profeſſe Chriſtians religion, or euer to hauehave any libertie: and thus are they vſed which fall to the Turke by tithe.

The other which are bought and ſold among priuate ſubiects, firſt are allured with faire wordes, & promiſes, to take circumciſion: which if they will doo, they are more fauourably intreated, but all hope is taken away from them, of returning into their country: which if they but attempt, the paine thereof is burning. And if ſuch come at length to libertie, & will marrie, they may: but then their children remaine bond to the Lord, for him to ſel at his pleaſure: & therfore few marry, of ſuch as are wiſe, among them. They y^e refuſe to be circumciſed, are miſerably handled amont them. Such captiues as be expert in any manuall art, or occupation, can better ſhift for themſelues: but they which hauehave no handicraft to liue vponupon, are in worſe caſe: and therfore ſuch as hauehave béene brought vp in learning, or be noble men, and ſuch other, whoſe tender education can abide no hardnes, are the leaſt reputed of by him which hath the ſale and kéeping of them: and no coſt is beſtowed vponupon them, but they are caried about barehead, and barefooted, both ſommer, and Winter, in froſt and ſnow: and if any be faint, or ſick in the way, there is no reſting for him in any Inne, but firſt he is driuē forward with whippes: and if that will not ſerue, he is ſette peraduenture vponupon ſome horſe: and if his weaknes be ſuch, that he cannot ſitte, then is hee laide ouerthwart the horſebacke, on his bellie like a calfe: and if he chaunce to die, they take of his garments, ſuch as he hath and throw him into a ditch.

Beſide, in the way, they are all manicled by the hands, leaſt they ſhoulde harme their leaders. For many times x. perſons hauehave the leading of fiftie captiues: and when y^e night p. 401commeth, their féet alſo are fettered, ſo that they lodge in no houſe, but lie vponupon the ground all night.

The yoong women hauehave a little more gentleneſſe ſhewed them, beyng carried in paniards on the day time: but when the night commeth, pittie it is, ſo heare the miſerable crying out, by reaſon of the filthy iniuries they ſuffer by their carriers, in ſo much that the yoong tender age of ſix or ſeuen yéeres, as well of the one ſex as of the other, can not ſaue them from the filthy villanie of the beaſtly Turkes. When the morning commeth, they are brought foorth to the market to ſale: where the byer (if he be diſpoſed) plucking of their garments, veweth all the bones and ioyntes in their bodies. And if hée like them, he giueth his price, and carrieth them away into miſerable ſeruitude; in ſo much that ſome Chriſtian captiues hauehave béene yooked like Oxen to draw the plough. The mayde ſeruaunts likewiſe are kept in perpetuall toyle, in cloſe places, where neyther they come in ſight of any man, neither be they permitted to hauehave any talke with their fellowes ſeruaunts. Such as are committed to kéepe beaſtes, lie abroad both day and night in the wild fieldes, and at ſpare houres are employed alſo in handy laboures.

Out of theſe miſeries there is no way for them to flée, eſpecially they that are carried into Aſia beyond the ſeas:How the chriſtian captiues vſe to flee from their maiſters. or if any doo attempt ſo to doo, hée taketh his time chiefly about harueſt, when he may hide himſelfe all day in the corne, or in the woods, or mariſhes, and find food: and n the night onelyonly hée fleeth, and had rather bée deuoured of Wolues, then to returne againe to his Maiſter. In their flying they vſe to take with them an hatchet, and cordes: that when they come to the ſea ſide, they may cut downe trées, and bind together the endes of them, and ſo where the ſea Helleſpontus is narroweſt, about Seſtos and Abidos they take the Sea, ſitting vppon trées: where if the winde and tyde doo ſerue luckely, they may cut ouer in foure or fiue houres, p. 402but the moſt part eyther priſh in the floudes, or are driuen backe againe vponupon the coaſt of Aſia, or elſe be deuoured with wild beaſtes in the woods, or periſh with hunger and famine.

If any eſcape ouer the Seas into Europe, by the way they enter into no towne, but wander vponupon the mountains, following onelyonly the North ſtarre for their guide.

As touching ſuch townes and prouinces, as are wonne by the Turkes, & wherein Chriſtians are ſuffred to liue vnderunder tribute: Firſt of all nobilities there they kill, & make away the churchmen and clergy: hardly they ſpare the churches;How y^e Turke vſeth the churches of chriſtians vnderunder his ſubiection. but bels and all the furniture thereof, either they caſt downe, or els turne to their blaſphemous religion, leauing to y^e chriſtians certaine blind old chappels, which when they decay, it is permitted to repaire them again, for great ſums of mony giuē to the Turke: neither be they permitted to vſe any open preaching, or miniſtration, but onelyonly in ſilence, & by ſtealth to frequēt together. Neither is it lawfull for any chriſtian to beare office within the citie or country, nor to beare weapon, nor to weare any garment like the Turkes: and whatſoeuer blaſphemy be ſpoken againſt Chriſt, it muſt be borne with ſilence: or if one ſpeake a word againſt the Turkes religion, he ſhall be forced to be circumciſed, and then if he ſpeake one word againſt Mahomet, he ſhall be burned. And if a Chriſtian being on horſebacke, doo méete or paſſe by a Maſſelman, that is a turkiſh Prieſt, he muſt light from his horſe, and with a lowly looke doo reuerence to him: or if he doo not, he is beaten downe from his horſe with clubbes and ſtaues.

Tribute payed of Chriſtians to the Turke.For their tribute they pay the fourth part of their ſubſtance & gaine to the Turke, beſide the ordinarie tribute of the chriſtians, which is to pay for eueryevery head within his familie a ducket vntounto the Turke: which if the parents cā not do, they are cōpelled to ſell their childrē into bondage: others not able to pay, go chayned in fetters from dore to dore p. 403begging, to make vp their paiment, els muſt they lie in perpetuall priſon: and yet notwithſtanding, when the Chriſtians hauehave paide all dueties, it remaineth frée for the Turkes to take vp, among the Chriſtians children, whom they beſt like, and them to circumciſe, and to carry them away, being yong, from the ſight of their parents, into farre places, to be brought vp in the popes warres: ſo that they may not returne to them againe, but firſt are taught to forget Chriſt, & then their parents. And albeit, the ſame children doe afterward greatly degenerate from the faith of Chriſt, yet many of them hauehave priuily about them, the goſpel of S. Iohn written: In principio erat verbum, &c. in Gréeke and Arabicke, for a remembrance. And thus much touching the miſery vnderunder the Turkes, and their cruelties.

In the yéere 1499. 1499in the time of one Perſeuell, manie were taken for heretikes in Kent,Fagots borne. and at Paules Croſſe they bare fagottes, and were abiured: and ſhortly after the ſame yéere, there went thirtéene Lollardes afore the proceſſion in Paules, and there were of them eight women, and a young ladde, and the laddes mother was one of the eight; and all the thirtéene bare fagots on their necks before the proceſſion.

Ann. 1506, 1506in the dioces of Lincolne, in Buckinghāſhire, William Smith being B. of the ſame dioces) one William Tilſeley was burned at Amerſham, in a cloſe,William Tilſeley a martyr. called Stanely: at which time, one Ioan Clark, a married woman, which was the onelyonly daughter of the ſaid Tilſeley, Cruelty againſt nature.& a faithful woman, was compelled with her owne hands to ſet fire to her father. And at the ſame time, her huſband Ioh. Clarke, did penance at her fathers burning, and bare a fagot, as did alſo 20. mo: which afterward were compelled to weare certain badges, & went abrode to do penance,Penance. as to Buckinghā,William Page burned in the cheeke. Ayleſbury, & other townes nigh: and alſo diuers of theſe men were afterward burned in the chéeke: as William Page, &c.

Some report, that ſixtie were put to beare fagots for p. 404their penance: of whom diuers were inioyned to beare, and to weare fagots at Lincolne, 7. yéeres together, &c. In which number, was alſo, one Robert Bartlet, a rich man: who for his profeſſion ſake, was put from his Farme and goods, and was condemned to bee kept in the monaſtery of Aſhrige, where he ware on his right ſléeue, a ſquare péece of cloth, 7. yeeres together.

About the ſame time, of the burning of William Tilſeley, (as the Amerſham men doe ſay, or the next day after, was one father Roberts burnedFather Roberts burnt. at Buckingham. He was a miller, and dwelled at Miſſenden: and at his burning, there was aboue twenty perſons,Fagots borne. that were cōpelled to beare fagots, and to do ſuch penāce, as the wicked phariſées did compell them.

After that, by the ſpace of two or thrée yéeres, was burned at Amerſham, Thomas Barnard, Thomas Barnard.a huſbandmā, & Iames Morden, Iames Mordena labourer: they two were burned at one fire. And there was William Littlepage, burned in the right chéeks, & Father Rogers, and Father Reuer, aliâs Reiue, which after was burned. Alſo, there were 30. mo, that were burned in their chéekes, and bare fagots at the ſame time. Father Rogers was in the Biſhoppes priſon, fourtéene wéekes together, night and day: and was ſo cruelly handled with colde, hunger, & yron, that after his comming out of priſon, he was ſo lame in his backe, that he could neuer go vpright, as long as he liued.

Anno 1506. 1506Thomas Chaſt Tho. Chaſt.of Amerſham, was (after other great afflictions) ſtrangled in the Biſhoppes priſon, in Wooburn, vnderunder W. Smith, B. of Lincolne, and was buried of the wicked wretches, in y^e wood, called Norland wood, in the high way betwixt Wooburn and litle Marlow: to the intent he ſhould not be taken vp to be ſéene.

Tho. Norice martyr.Anno 1507. 1507one Thomas Norice was burnt, for the teſtimonie of the trueth, at Norwich, being condemned by the B. the laſt day of March.

p. 405Anno 1508. 1508Elizabeth Samſon, of the Pariſh of Aldermanburie, was compelled to abiure, before Maſter William Horſey, Chaunceller to the Biſhop of London. Shee ſpake againſt pilgrimages, worſhipping of Images, and the Reall preſence.

About this time was burned Laurence Gleſt, L. Gleſt. martir.at Saliſburie, after they had kepte him in priſon two yeres, for the matter of the Sacrament. At whoſe burning, William Ruſſell was burned in the chéeke.

After this, there was a godly woman burnt at Chipping Sudburie, by the Chaunceller Doctor Whittington: who,A woman burnt. after ſhe was burned, and the people returning homeward, a Bull brake looſe from a Butcher, that was in hande to hauehave ſlaine him, ſingled out Doctor Whittington from all the people, and (hurting neither olde nor young) tooke him alone, gored him thorough and thorough, carrying his guts,Gods iudgement. and trayning them with his hornes all the ſtréetes ouer, to the great admiration of all the people. This is teſtified by diuers credible witneſſes.

An. 1485. 1485The ix. of March, amongeſt other good men in Couentrie, theſe nine hereunder named, were examined, before Iohn, biſhop of Couentrie and Lichfield, in S. Michaels church, and recanted.

Iohn Blumſton, for holding againſt purgatorie, & images.

Robert Crowther, for the matter of the Sacrament, the authoritie of the keyes, and Images.

Iohn Smith, for the Lords prayer, & Créed in Engliſh.

Robert Brown, for images, fleſh-eating in Lent, purgatorie, auricular confeſſion, and ſatiſfaction.

Thomas Butler, for purgatorie, and merites.

Iohn Falkes, for images, and that he did eate Cowmilke the firſt ſunday in Lent, &c.

Richard Hilman, for the ſcripture in Engliſh; for the matter of the ſacrament, &c.

In the yere of our Lord 1488. 1488the thirde of April, Margerie p. 406Goit, wife of Iames Goit, was conſtrayned by Iohn, B. of Couentrie and Lichfield, to recant concerning the reall preſence.

In the raigne of K. Henrie 7. liued Iohannes Picus, earle of Mirandula. He comming to Rome, booted and ſpurred, ſet vp 90. Picus Mirand.to diſpute in the ſame with any in Chriſtendome, whoſoeuer would come againſt him. Of the which, diuers were touching the matter of the Sacrament: againſt whom, none in all Europe was found to diſpute. But the Prelates (appointed by the Pope) conſulted to enquire vponupon his Concluſions.90. Concluſiōs to be diſputed on by Picus. Whereupon they did articulate againſt him, for ſuſpition of hereſie. He died, being of the age of 32. of great learning. In his ſicknes Charles the eight French king, (moued with the fame of his learning,) came to viſit him.The furniture of Mirandulas Studie. The furniture of his bokes coſt him 7000 Florens. A little before his death he was minded to geue al away, and to take a Coule, to goe about and preach. With two Popes, that is, with Pope Innocent, and Alexander 6. he had much vexation.

The names of the Archbiſhops of Canterbury, in this ſixt booke continuing.

62 Iohn Stratford, eight yeres. 63 Iohn Kemp, thrée. 64 Thomas Burchier, thirty thrée. 65 Iohn Morton, fourtéene. 66 Thomas Langton ws elected Archbiſhop, and died before he was confirmed. 67 Henrie Dene, two. 68. William Warrham, twenty eight.

A briefe note of Eccleſiaſtical Lawes, ordeyned by certaine auncient kings of this land, for gouernment of the church, before the Conqueſt.

Lawes of K. Iuas, or Iua.

That Miniſters ſhould frame their conuerſation according to the forme in lawes preſcribed.

p. 407That Infants ſhould be baptiſed within thirtie dayes. That no man ſhould labour on the Sunday. Alſo hée eſtabliſhed immunitie of Churches and Sancturarie, and tooke order for the true payment of Church duties, and of the firſt fruites of all that was ſowen, to be paid at the day of S. Martin. Anno 712.

Lawes of king Alured or Alfred.

He enlarged the priuilege of Sanctuarie: hée laid double paine vppon ſuch as committed offences in the ſolemnities of certaine feaſtes: alſo againſt them that committed Sacriledge: hée made a law againſt Prieſtes committing murder: alſo he made a law againſt whoredome, adultery, and fornication:he appointed daies of faſting, and ceaſing from labour. Item, he ſet order for making and kéeping of vowes.

Eccleſiaſticall lawes of king Edward the Elder, and Githine the Dane king.

They agréed vponupon the ſanctuary: they forbad paganiſme: they laid puniſhment vponupon the Clergie, committing theft, periurie, or murder, fornication, or any capitall crimee: they made a law againſt all buying ſelling, and labour vponupon the Saboth. Item, that no execution be doone on the Sunday: alſo againſt witches, and ſorcerers.

Lawes of king Ethelſtane. Anno 924.

He commaunded that eueryevery village of his owne, ſhould giuegive a mōthly Corrody to a poore perſon. That 50. pſalmes ſhould be ſoong daily for the king, &c. He alſo ordained puniſhment for witches, and ſorcerers, &c.

Lawes of king Edmund. Anno 94.

He prouided lawes againſt y^e vnchaſt liuing of churchmē: p. 408He made lawes cōcerning tithes, firſt fruites of eueryevery mans crop, and almeſſe mony duely to be paid: that Biſhops of their owne charges ſhould repayre churches, and admoniſh kings for furniſhing of the ſame. For periurie alſo, and fighting within the Church.

Lawes of King Edgar. Anno 959.

He ordained that Sunday ſhould be kept holy, from Saterday at noone till Munday morning: alſo concerning fréedome and liberties of the Church tithes, firſt fruits of corne, and paying of Peter pence. For holydaies and faſtingdaies. That Synodes ſhould be kept twiſe eueryevery yéere, whereat as well the Biſhop of the Dioces, as the ciuill magiſtrate ſhould be preſent.

King Canutus. 1016.

That eccleſiaſticall perſons beyng accuſed of fighting, murder, or any other offence, ſhould anſwere to their purgation therein. That Prieſtes ſhould be diſgraded for periurie, and put in ſureties of good behauiour: hée limited the degrées of marriage: he commaunded touching the Sabbath day, that which Edgar did before: he commaunded eueryevery chriſtian to come to the houſell thriſe eueryevery yéere at leaſt. That they inquire and ſearch after Gods lawe and commaundementes. That euerie Chriſtian vnderſtand the points of his faith: at leaſt that he learne perfectly the Lords prayer, and Créede, els to be excluded from the Euchariſt, and vndertaking for others at Baptiſme. That Biſhops and Prieſtes ſhould doo their duties. That at the court of eueryevery ſhire the Biſhop of the Dioces ſhall be preſent with the Sheriffe, and that the one ſhall teach them Gods lawe, and the other mans.