The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy, Part 1 · Chapter 2 – Chapter 3

The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy · Part 1 · Chapter 2 – Chapter 3

p. 179CHAP. II. OF THE SEVERALL Treasons, Conspiracies, Rebellions, Seditions, State-schismes, Contempts, and Disloyalties of the Arch-Bishops of YORKE, against their Soveraignes, and of the Warres, Tumults, and Civill Dissentions caused by them

I Have thus as briefly as I could with convenience, given you an Epitome of the Arch-Bishops of Canterburtes Arch-Treasons, Rebellions, Trecheries, Seditions, Disloyalties, State-Schismes, Disturbances and oppositions to our Lawes, more at large related in our Historians; I shall now proceed in order, to those of the Arch-Bishops of Yorke, which will almost equall them, as well in heinousnesse, as in number; both of them being Primates p. 180and Metropolitanes in all these prodigious villanies and crimes, as well as in Episcopall Jurisdiction.

11WILFRID.**Will: Mal…sb. de Gest…s Pontif. l. 3. p. 260. to 266. Antiqu…t. Ecc…s: Brit. p. 14. to 19. Godwin. p 560, 561, 562. Math, Westm. Anno 672. Florentius Wigorniensis, An. 677.6…5. Holinshed hist. of Brit. l. 5. c 34.35, 36. l 6 c. 2. Henrici Spelm. Concil Tom. 1. p. 146, 147, 149, 157.161, 162, 163, 178, 179, 200, to 206.VVilfrid the third Arch-Bishop of Yorke, about the yeare of our Lord 678. went about to p…rswade King Egfr…dus Queene to forsake her husband, and betake her selfe to a Monastery, without the Kings privitie or consent; the King much displeased with him for it (by the advice of Theodore Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, who maligned the greatnesse of his Diocesse) first sought to diminish his Authoritie by dividing his Diocesse into 3. Bishoprickes… and then exhibited divers complaints against him to the Pope to have him deprived, causing him to be condemned in two severall Councels; and thereupon thrust him from his Bishopricke, which Theodore divided into foure Diocesses. After ten yeares exile, Egfrid dying, Alfrid his Successour restored VVilfrid; but five yeares after, this King likwise fell out with him, and forced him to Rome, where though the Pope restored him, yet the King would never admit him to his See during his life: What the true cause of these displeasures was, the Historians of those times (who favoured VVilfrid) are sparing to relate: belike it was some notorious offences against these Kings, else they would not be so unjust, as without cause to keepe him from his Bishopricke, and to imprison him in chaines, as one of them did. Antiqu Ecc…es. Brit p 47.Some record, that it was because hee favoured and aided the Rebellious Danes, which is most probable. Malmesbury, and others out of him, say, it was onelyonly the malice of Queene Ermenburga, who envied him, for that hee had many Abbots and Abbies under him, was served with Gold and Silver plate, had a great traine of followers, and was very gorgeous in his Pontificall Robes, and because hee would never yeeld to have his Diocesse divided into three mote Bishopricks, though it were sufficient to maintaine foure Bishops beside himselfe, of which there was need. And some impute it to the envie and malice of Theodore Arch-Bishop of Canterbury. The first of these could not be the sole cause for that ended upon VVilfrids exile and the Kings death. p. 181The second is as unlikely, since VVilf…id himselfe,**Matth Wes…m. Anno 673. Henri…i Spelm. Co…cil. Tom. 1. p. 153. with all the Bishops of that time, and the Councell of Hertford, Can. 9. Anno 677. decreed, that the number of …eleevers increasing, more Bishops and Bishoprickes should bee made and erected. Whereupon Acca and Bo…win were made Bishops instead of Bosa, and his Bishopricke divided into foure parts, to which partition VVilf…id had good reason to consent, it being the Kings expresse pleasure, and the Councels decree, to which himselfe subscribed. The envie of Theodore was in likelihood a partiall, but not principall cause of his first Troubles onelyonly. Hee was therefore, in all likelihood, an aider and assister of the Rebellious Danes, and a great opposite and Rebell against these two Kings; yea, and against Edulfus their successour, who all three successively refused to restore him, notwithstanding the Popes Letters and Command; which then it seemes were of little force. Many Councels were assembled about this VVilfrid, and the whole Church and Kingdome much disquietted and vexed with the many Schismes and contentions concerning him, too tedious to relate.

Anno 872. **Matb. Westm. An 872. Godwin. p. 566.Vlferus, 22VLFERUS.Arch-Bishop of Yorke, was by his Diocesans driven out of the Countrey: for what cause is not expressed, and therefore likely for some notorious offence, because the Monkes conceale it out of favour to him.

Anno 952. Malmsb. de Gestis Pontif. l. 3. p 269. Godwin, p 567. Holin…hed Hist. of England. l. 6. c. 23. p. 158. Math. W…stm. Ann. 951.953.VVolstan Arch-Bishop of Yorke, 33WOLSTAN.was convict of an hainous crime, who forgetting that dutifull affection hee ought to beare unto Edred his King, if for no other cause, yet for Athelstane his Brothers sake, who preferred him; forgetting his Oath and Allegeance unto the same King being his naturall Prince, yea forgetting that hee was either an English man or a Christian, was not ashamed to revolt from King Edred, and cleave to the Danes and favour them, an Heathen people, and such as sought not onelyonly to destroy p. 182his Countrey, but also to root out Christian Religion. For which Treason, and for setting up E…ric…us King in Edreds stead, though hee deserved a thousand deaths he was onelyonly deprived, committed to Prison and one yeare after enlarged again, because he was a Bishop; whereas for this cause as his Treason was the more hainous and execrable, so h…s punishment should have beene the greater: But hee being released upon his repentance, grew so angry with himselfe that hee was thus pardoned against right and justice… that v…t…m e…ve…tigio exuit, hee presently made away himselfe, being his owne executioner. **Math. Westm. Hov…den & Florentius Wigorni…sis, An. 951, 952, 953.Some say, that hee was thus imprisoned, for killing divers Citizens of Thetford in revenge of the death of one Anselme an Abbot, whom they had slaine without cause; belike hee was guiltie of both those crimes, and punished for both in this mild manner, after divers complaints.

Anno 975. **Holinshed hist. of England, l. 6. c. 25. p. 162.Oswald Arch-Bishop of Yorke assisted Dunstan of Canterb…ry, 44OSVVALD.and the other Bishops, to put Egelred the right Heire from the Crowne, and to set up Edward an Usurper, whom they crowned as more fit for their behoofe and ends.

Elfricke Arch-Bishop of Yorke, 55ELFRICK.surnamed Puttoc, was reputed detestable for two barbarous Acts: He caused Harde…nute the King… Malmsb. de Gestis Pontif. p 270, 271. Godwin, p 570. Florentius Wigo…niensis, An. 1040, 1041. Math Westm. An 1040 Holinsheds Hist. of England. l. 7. c 15. p. 185. Speed, p. 407…to command the dead body of his Brother King Harold to be digged up out of his Grave, after that to be beheaded and cast into the Thames, as an infamous example to men. And not content with this crueltie towards the dead he perswaded the same King by way of revenge on VVorcester men (because they would not suffer him to hold that See in commendam with Yorke, as three of his predecessours had done before him) to fire that goodly Citie, and seize on all the Citizens goods, pretending that they had stubbornely resisted those who collected the Kings tributes: And as if this were not sufficient revenge to kill all the men and waste the whole Countrey, which was most… p. 183cruelly executed… hee likewise caused this King to thrust the living Bishop of VVorceter out of his See and to bestow it on himselfe; and incensed this King so farre against Earle Godwin, that hee was enforced to buy his peace of the King with the gift of the richest and costliest Shippe that wee reade of in that Age.

Aldredus his Successour,66ALDREDUS (who gat that See by Symonie, and held VVorcester in commendam with it, and was one of the first who distinguished the Clergie from the Laitie in their externall habits) **Will: Malmsb. de Gest…s Pontif. l. 3. p. 271. Godwin. p. 571. to 574. Speed, p. 419. Polichro…. l. 7. c. 27, 28. l. 7. c. 1. Math. W…stm. Ann. 1071. Wig…rniensis, An. 106…. Holinshed, …ist. of England, l 8. c. 8. p. 196.crowned Harold, invading the Dignitie Royall, no way due unto him. After which, though hee purposed …o Crowne Edgar the right Heire King, to whom he and the Nobilitie had first adhered, yet like a wily Bishop siding with the strongest, he altered his purpose and crowned VVilliam the Conquerour King, requiring first an Oath of him to d…fend the Church, to minister justice, and te vse Englishmen as favourable as Normans. This Oath it seemed to Aldred, that the King had broken by laying heavie taxes on the people, of which he admonished the King, who was very angry at it. He therefore (like a couragious Prelate but like a disloyall Subject) thundered out an Excommunication against him, saying… That now worthily he had cursed, whom once unworthily hee had blessed. This bold pranke being reported to the King, incensed him very much at first, but thinking better of it, hee determined to give him good words a while, and so sent some to intreat for his absolution. The Messengers came too late, for the Bishop being troubled much in mind after the performance of that Action, and either amazed with feare of what might happen after it, or overcome with griefe and repentance for what he had done, never could be merry after, but dyed of griefe before they came. In his time Vrsus Earle of Worceter had built a Castle at Worceter to some prejudice of the Monkes, the Ditch of p. 184which Castle trenched somewhat upon the Church-yard, and adjoyned too neere to the Monastery. Aldred went unto the Earle, and having demanded of him whether it were done by his appointment, which h…e could not deny, looking stedfastly on him, used these insolent and uncharitable words, Hightest thou Vrse? Have thou Gods curse, adding, yea and mine too, and the curse of all hollowed heads, unlesse thou take away this Castle, and know thou assuredly that thy posterity shall not inherit the Lands of Saint Mary: which curse the Monkes say was shortly after accomplished, Vrsus dying soone after, and Roger his sonne flying the Realme.

77THURSTAN**Polichron. l. 7. c. 15. Malmsb… de Gestis Ponti. l. 3. p. 274, 275. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 112, 113. Eadmerus hist. Novorum, l 5, 6. p. 117. to 138. Godwin p. 579.580.981. Walfingh. and Holtnshed, p. 41, 42, 49.Thurstan Arch-Bishop of …orke, about the yeare of our Lord, 1100. contrary to the Kings expresse command, and his owne faithfull Oath and promise to Henry the first, received his Consecration from the Pope at the Councell of Rheemes; whereupon the King banished him the Realme, neither could he in five yeares space be entreated to restore him. At last the Pope, by his procurement, writ a very sharpe Letter to the King, signifying, that he would Excommunicate both him, and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury also, if Thurstan were any longer kept from his See, and some say, he actually Excommunicated them both, and interdicted as well the Province of Yorke, as of Canterbury from the use of all manner of Sacraments, and from the Baptisme of Infants. Upon which the King, to be out of trouble, contrary to his solemne vow, yeelded that he should be called home, and soone after he was reconciled unto the King. This Arch-Bishop, Anno 1148. when as David, King of Scots, entred our borders, and spoiled the Countrey as farre as the River of Teyse, gathered together such a power as hee was able to raise on a sudden, met them at Alverton, slew 1200. of them; after which hee cast off his Rochet, and turned Monke at Pontfrast, where hee dyed,

p. 185Henry Murdac Arch-Bishop of Yorke, 88MURDAC:thrust into that See by the Pope, against King Stephens good liking,**Nenbrig…nsis hist. l. 1. c. 17. Godw. p. 582. who commended his Kinsman, William thereto; refused to sweare fealtie to the King; who thereupon was so displeased with him, that the Townsmen of …ork, by his good liking, shut Murdac out of the Citie, and refused to receive him. Murdac suspended them for this affront, Eustace the Kings Sonne commanded Divine Service to be said notwithstanding, as at other times; hereupon divers tumults and seditions were raised in the Citie, wherein an Arch-Deacon, a great Friend of the Arch-Bishops, was slaine: two or three yeares these stirres continued, till at last the Arch-Bishop submitted and reconciled himselfe to the King.

Geffrey Plantagenet, 99PLANTAGINETHenry the second his base Sonne, after the Arch-Bishopricke of Yorke had beene tenne yeares void, and kept so long in the Kings hands, was commended to that See by Richard the first, and consecrated by the Arch-Bishop of Towers. **Godw. p. 587, 588 Neubrig. l. 4. c. 17. Mat… Paris hist Maior, p. 146.157, 134, 212, 222, Holinshed, p. 143, 147, 163 170.He tooke an oath to king Richard his Brother, then going to the Holy Land, not to set foot in England within 3. yeares space; yet presently after he hied him over into England; but upon his arrivall, he was there arrested and imprisoned in a barbarous manner by William Bishop of Ely, Lord Chancellour of England, being drawne by the heeles from the very Altar of Saint Martins Church in Dover. All the time of king Richard he had many contests with the Commons of Yorke, who oft complained of him both to the king and Pope. Richard dying, king Iohn and this Bishop had many contentions one with the other. Anno 1194. by the kings permission, many grievous complaints were exhibited in Parliament against this Arch-Bishop, for extortion and unjust vexations hee had practised, but he passed so little thereof, that he made no answer to their Bills. Moreover, in the second yeare of his raigne, he commanded p. 186the Sheriffe of Yorkeshire to seize upon all th… Arch-Bishops goods and Lands, and to returne them into the Exchequer, for hindring the kings Officers in gathering a kinde of taxe throughout his Diocesse, and refusing to saile into No…mandy with him, to make a marriage for his Neece, and to conclude a league with the French king; which command the Sheriffe executing, the Arch-Bishop thereupon **Matth. Westm. Anno 1207.excommunicated, not onelyonly the Sheriffe that had done him this violence, but all those in generall, who were the Authors of the same, and that had beene any meanes to stirre up the kings indignation against him. The King hereupon suspends him from his Bishoprick, to whom at last he was glad to pay 1000. pound for his restitution. **Holinshed, p 147.Holinsh… writes that whereas this Arch-Bishop of Yorke had offended king Richard, he pardoned and received him againe into favour: Whereupon the Arch-Bishop waxed so proud, that using the king reproachfully, hee lost his Arch-Bishopricke, the rule of Yorkeshire, which he had in government as Sheriffe, the favour of his Soveraigne, and which was the greatest losse of all, the love of God. Anno 1207. this fire of contention raked up in ashes, brake out againe. King Iohn being at Winchester required such of the Nobilitie and Clergie as were there present, that payment should be made unto him of the third part of all the moveable goods in England; this motion no man gaine-sa…d but Geffrey the Arch-Bishop, who openly contradicted it. After this, whether it were, he were guiltie of some greater attempt, or that hee understood his Brother was grievously offended with him, secretly hee avoided the Realme… excommunicating before his departure, such of his Jurisdiction, as either had already paid, or should hereafter presume to pay the said taxe; whereupon hee was banished the Realme, and lived five yeares in exile till his death.

p. 187Godfrey de Kinton his Successour,1010GODFREY DE KINTON. though he had no bickerings with the king, that I read of, yet he fell out with the whole Citie of Yorke, Godwin p. 594.interdicting it in the beginning of Lent, and not restoring it till the third of May following.

**Godw p. 596. See 21. Ed. 1. …n the Fleas of the Parliament, plac. 17. & Dors…clauso, p. 21. E. 1. m. 3.Iohn Roman Arch-Bishop of Yorke, 1111IOHN ROMAN.Anno 1294. excommunicated Anthony Beake Bishop of Durham (or rather two of the Bishops servants) being one of the kings Councell, and at that time beyond the Seas in the kings Service. Whereat the king being highly displeased, the Arch-Bishop thought it best to put himselfe to his MercieMercy, hee did so, and was fain to redeeme the kings favour with 4000. Markes (being fined so much by the whole Parliament for this his offence;) the griefe whereof strucke him into an incurable disease, whereof he dyed.

**Godw. p. 597.598.Thomas de Corbridge, 1212THOMAS DE CORBRIDGE.his Successour, Anno 1299. upon the Popes Commendatory Letters, bestowed his Canons place of Yorke and Custoseship of the Parish of Saint Sepulcher on one Gilbert Segrave, notwithstanding the King had formerly written earnestly to him in the behalfe of one Iohn Bush his Secretary; which affront in preferring the Popes Clerke before him and his Secretary, the King tooke so hainously, that hee seized on three Mannors or Barronies belonging to his See, and retained them during the Arch-Bishops life, which was not long, hee either out of griefe, or Gods just J…dgement, being soone taken away. It falling out for the most part (as Bishop Godwin observes in his life) that those Bishops which have presumed most in opposing themselves against their Princes, have least time endured, and ever quickly beene taken away.

Anno Dom. 1329. Walsing… hist. Angliae p… 110, 111. Holinsh. 348.William de Melton 1313WILLIAM DE MELTONArch-Bishop of Yorke (successively Treasurer and Chancellour of England) upon the Examination of Edmund, Earle of Ken…, (whom this Prelate and the Bishop of London p. 188had drawne into a conspiracie and rebellion against King Edward the third) was accused of High Treason, for reporting that King Edward the second was still alive after his death, (and that upon the credit of a preaching Fryer of London, who had raised up a Devill, which certainly informed him thereof as a truth:) For writing a Letter of Fidelitie to this Earle… which hee sent by his owne Chaplaine Acyn, for sending him 500. men in Armes, and ptomising to send him as many more as hee could possibly raise; and sending Richard de Pomfret to him both to Reusington and Arundle, to further the said Rebellion. The Poore Earle was found guiltie of high Treason, and beheaded: The Bishop of London, and Arch-Bishop, the chiefe plotters of this Treason and Conspirac…e, were suffered to goe at libertie under fureties, taken of them for their good demeanour and forth-comming; and the Fryer who had raised the Spirit, to know whether the Kings Father were living or not, was onelyonly committed to prison, where he dyed. An. 1319. **Holinsh…d hist. of Scot. p. 222.this William Melton Arch-Bishop of Yorke and the Bishop of Ely, with the Citizens of Yorke, not making them of the Countrey once privie to their designes, having in their companie a great company of Priests and men of Religion, gave battell unto the Scots neere Melton upon Swale. But for as much as most of the English were unexpert in the feates of Warre (the Bishops being their Captaines) and came not in any orderly way of Battell, they were easily put to flight by the Scots, who slew about 4000. of them, sparing neither Religious person nor other. So ill is it for Prelates to turne Warriers, and that rashly without taking good advice.

1414ALEXANDER NEVEL.**Godwin. p. 601, 602, Grafton, p. 375. Holi…shed, p. 458, 460, 463, 464. Walsingh. hist Ang p 354, 368. Speeds p. 748, 749.Alexander Nevell Arch-Bishop of Yorke, in great favour with King Richard the second, was amongst others conuicted by Parliament, for abusing the Kings youth by flattery and exciting and stirring him against p. 189the Nobilitie and Lords, whom hee falsely accused of Treason to the King (to the great prejudice of the King and Realme) by whispering tales day and night against them, and for anulling Acts of Parliament: for which causes hee was condemned in Parliament of high Treason, and then adjudged to perpetuall imprisonment in the Castle of Roches…er. Hee foreseeing the Temp…st that grew toward him, fled out of the Realme. Vrbane the Fifth for his securitie translated him (being both a **Alexan. Nevel …roditor… & …usur…one translato ad… Episcopatum S. Andr…ae in Scotia, Hist. Ang. p. 368.Traytor and whisperer, writes Walsingham) from Yorke to Saint Andrewes in Scotland, which Kingdome at that time refused to acknowledge Vrbane for Pope, yeelding obedience to the Antipope, by mean…s whereof, Vrbanes gift was insufficient to invest him in Saint Andrewes; yet good to void him quite from Yorke; whereby hee being stript of both Arch-Bishoprickes, and enjoying the benefit of neither, for very want was forced to become a Parish Priest at Lovaine, and so lived three yeares till his death.

Thomas Arundel his Successour,1515THOMAS ARUNDEL. to prejudice the Londoners and benefit those of Yorke, Godwin, p. 603… Gra…ton, p. 382. Wals…gh. hist. Ang. p 386, 392, 393. Y…dig. Na…st. p. 151.removed all the Kings Courts from Westminster to Yorke, to the great prejudice and grievance of the Lond…ners and Subjects in the West and South parts of England, and the no little disturbance of the Realme. His pretence was, that hee did it onelyonly to punish the pride and presumption of the Londoners, who were then in great disgrace with the King… by reason of a fray made upon the Bishop of Salisburyes Man… who abused a Baker, and brake his head with a Dagger, without any just cause; for which the Citizens assaulted the Bishops House to have Justice done upon his Man, who had done the wrong; but the Bishops bolstering him out… no Justice could be had, and instead thereof, their Liberties were seized on, and the p. 190Terme removed to Yorke, to vex them the more: The Arch-Bishop not long after, was attainted of Treason in Parliament immediately upon his Translati…n from Yorke to Canterbury. And good reason: for he conspired **Holinshed, p 488.with the Duke of Gloucester, the Abbot of Saint Albanes, and the Prior of Westminster (both which Religious persons declared to the Duke, that they had severall Visions, That the Kingdome should bee destroyed through the misgovernment of Richard the second; by which they animated the Duke to conspire with them and others, against their Soveraigne; who meeting together at drundel Castle, about the 20. yeare of King Richards Raigne, they sware each to other… to bee assistant one to another in all such matters as they should determine, and therewith received the Sacrament from this Arch-Bishop, who celebrated Masse before them the morrow after; which done, they withdrew themselves into a chamber, and concluded, to take King Richard, the Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke, and to commit them to Prison; and to hang and draw all the other Lords of the Kings Councell; all which they intended to accomplish in August following, had not their plot been discovered and prevented by Earle Marshall. This Prelate after his attainder for this Treason, was the chiefe **Holinshed, p. 503.Actor in effecting King Richards involuntary Resignation, in the instrument whereof he is first named. I shall say no more of this Arundel, but what William Harrison hath recorded of him in his Description of England, l. 2. … c. 1. p. 134. And even no lesse unquietnesse had another of our Princes with Thomas Arundel (than King Stephen had with his Predecessours, and Robert de S…gillo Bishop of London) who fled to Rome for feare of his head, and caused the Pope to write an ambitious and contumelious Letter unto his Soveraigne about his restitution. But when by the Kings Letters yet extant and beginning thus, Thomas PRODITIONIS p. 191non expers, nostrae Regiae Majestati insidias fabricavit; the Pope understood the bottome of the matter, hee was contented that Thomas should be deprived, and another Arch-Bishop chosen in his stead. But of this and him you may reade more before, pag. 75, 76, &c.

**Godwin, p. 604, 605, 606. Polychron, lib 8. c. 10. f 326. Walsingh. Ypodigm, N…ust. A…. 1405… f. 168.170. Caxton, pars 7. H…n 4. p. 430. Stow, Martin, Fabian An. 6. Hen. 4. Speeds Hist. l 9. c. 14. p. 775. sect. 43. Halls Chron. par. 1. An. 6. H. 4. f. 25. Walsingh. hist. Angliae, p. 416, 417. Holinshed, p. 522.529, 530.Richard Scroope Arch-Bishop of …orke, 1616RICHARD SCROOPE.Brother to William Scroope Earle of Wil…shire, Ann. 1403. and 1405. joyned with the Earle of Northumberland, the Earle Marshall, the Lord Bardolp… and others, in a Conspiracie and Rebellion against King Henry the fourth, gathering what forces hee could against him. The Percies to make their part seeme good, devised certaine Articles by the devise of this Arch-Bishop, which they shewed to divers Noble-men and other States of the Realme, and moved them so farre to promote their purpose by this meanes, that they did not onelyonly promise them ayde and succour by words, but also by their writings and seales confirmed the same. After this, Anno 1405. This Arch-Bishop conspiring with the Earle of Northumberland and others aforesaid, devised like Articles as before, of such matters as was supposed not onelyonly the Commonaltie of the Realme, but the Nobilitie found themselves grieved with; which Articles he and his Confederates first shewed to such of their adherents as were neere about them, and after sent them abroad to their friends further off; assuring them, that for redresse of such oppressions they would shed the last drop of bloud in their bodies, if need were: Whereupon great multitudes flocking to the Arch-Bishop to Yorke, to take his part in this quarrell, hee not meaning to stay, after hee saw himselfe so well accompanied with so great number of men, forthwith discovered his enterprise, causing the Articles aforsaid to be set up in the publicke streets of the Citie of Yorke, and upon the gates of the Monasteries, that each man might understand the causes that moved him to rise in p. 192Armes against the King, the reforcing whereof did not yet appertaine unto him. Hereupon the Knights, Esqui…es, Gentlemen, Yeomen, and others of the the Commons as well of the Citie, as of the Townes and Countries about, being allured for desire to see a Reformation of the things mentioned in the Articles, assembled in great number, and the Arch-Bishop comming forth amongst them clad in armour, encouraged… exhorted, and (by all meanes he could) pricked them forth to take the enterprise in hand, and manfully to continue in their begun purpose; promising forgivenesse of sinnes to all them whose hap it was to dye in the quarrell. And indeed the respect men had of the Arch-Bishop caused them to like better of the cause, since the gravitie of his age, integritie of his life… incomperable learning… and reverent aspect of his personage, moved all men to have him in no small estimation. The Earle of Westmerland and Duke of Lan…aster, the Kings sonne, being in those parts with the Kings Forces, inquired of them in a peaceable manner, What their intent should be in taking Armes? The Arch-Bishop answered, That hee meant nothing but the good of the Realme, as hee would gladly certifie them if hee might have secure and safe conduct to them, and thereupon shewed a writing containing certaine Articles which hee had devised; wherein he charged King Henry with treason against his Soveraigne King Richard; oppression of the Church and Common-weale, whose Liberties hee had sworne to defend, Tyrannie and cruelty, in putting to death th… said King, many of the Nobilitie, and great numbers of the Commons: with impietie and sacriledge, in defrauding the Church of Rome of her Rights; and lastly, with …vill government, perfidiousnesse, perjury, and divers other like hainous crimes, for which hee pronounced the King excommunicate, requiring all men to joyne with that company, whose endeavour p. 193should bee, but to reforme what was amisse, to seate and settle in the kingdome… the right Heire, to establish peace in Wales and Ireland, and to free the whole Realme from the great and intollerable burthen of exactions, no longer to be endured. The Earle of Westmerland having read this writing (containing sundry treasons and conlumelies with a witnesse, and fit for an Arch-Bishop to publish) professed to allow of the Enterprise, and praised it for honest and reasonable; insomuch as meeting with the trayterous Arch-Bishop at a parley, after a very few speeches they seemed to become friends, shaking hands together, and drinking to each other in the sight of both their Armies. The Arch-Bishop now doubting of nothing, suffered his men to disperse them for a time: But the Earle contrary-wise waxing stronger and stronger, and seeing him selfe able to deale with the Bishop, came upon him suddenly and arrested him, little thinking of any such matter. The King by this time was come North, and as farre as Pomfret: Thither the Arch-Bishop with other prisoners, arrested with him, were brought, and carryed with the King to Yorke; or as some say, to Thorpe; where Sir William Fulford, a Knight learned in the Law, and another Justice called Gascoine sitting on an high Stage in the Hall, condemned the Arch-Bishop to be beheaded, without being judged by his Peeres; Bishops being (as Stamford Plecs of the Crowne, l. 3. c. 1. f. 153. a Cromptons I… risdiction of Courts… f. 12. b.some say) properly no Peeres of the Realme, and so not to be judged by their Peeres; who certainely would have acquitted, or saved his life had they beene Bishops, they ever using to boulster out their fellow Bishops, in their treasons, and to save them from the Gibbet. Presently after this judgement given, the Arch-Bishop was set upon an ill favoured Jade, his face toward the Horse taile, and carried with great scorne and shame to a Field hard p. 194by, where his head at last was chopped off by a fellow that did his office very ill, not being able to dispatch him with lesse then five strokes. Pag. 430.Grafton writes, that Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury (as great a Traytor as hee) came to the King and said, Sir if the Bishop of Yorke have offended you so greatly as it is said, yet I pray you consider, that I am your Ghostly Father, and the second Peere in your Realme, and that you ought not to hearken to any mans voyce before me, wherefore I counsell to reserve the paine and punishment of the said Bishop to the Popes judgement, and hee will take such order as yee shall be pleased. And if ye will not so doe, yet let him be ref…rred to the Parliament, and keep your hands defiled from his bloud; (a sweet Counsellour.) Then the King answered, I may not stay him, for the rumour of the people; whereupon the Arch-Bishop called for a Notary, to make an instrument of the Kings answer, that if need were it might be shewed to the Pope… but the King would not stay, but caused execution to be done. Though many of our Arch-Bishops and Bishops before him, had beene desperate Traytors, yet he is the first Bishop (the more the pittie, for that made them so presumptuous in their Treasons) that was put to death by order of Law. This just execution on such a Traytorly Rebell, so unwontedly and extraordinarily performed on an Arch-Prelate, in this contumelious (though deserved) manner, without any preceding degradation, was so distastefull to his fellow Prelates (none of the best Subjects,) and so dangerous a president for the future, that they accounted this Arch-Traytor, no lesse then a Martyr, ascribing many miracles to have beene done by vertu… of his holinesse both at his Tombe, and at the place where he was beheaded: (pittie that more of them had not been so served, that wee might have had more such Holy Saints and wonderous Miracles of this kind.) They reported abroad, That the Bishop at the time of his Execution, desired the Executioner to have five strokes, in remembrance of the five p. 195wounds of Christ, that the King at the same time, sitting at dinner, had five strok…s in his necke by a person invisible, and that the King himselfe, presently after his death, was stricken with a Leprosie, a manifest lye. They likewise reported, That a strange judgement hapned upon the Iudges who gave sentence against him: Which fabulous lying Legends, must not onelyonly be generally bruited abroad (to cheate the people, justifie the Traytor, disparage this honorable Act of Justice slander the King and Judges, and all to secure the Bishops in their Treasons and Rebellions, that this Act might never bee made a president to punish them capitally for such like offences in future times;) but likewise chronicled, to delude posterity, and animate all succeeding Prelates, under hopes of impunitie to attempt any Treasons, Trecheries or insurrections against their Soveraignes without feare. And to make the thing more odious, and the Prelates more presumptuous in this kinde, the **Walsingh hist. & Ypodigm. An. 1406. p. 170.Pope himselfe excommunicates tbe Authors of his death, and those that had any hand in his condemnation or execution, who must all earnestly entreat for absolution before it would be granted. Loe here the quintessence of all Traiterous, Rebellious spirits, and disloyall practises combined, and infused into our Prelates, in canonizing this Arch-Traytor, scandalizing the very sentence of Justice pronounced and executed upon him, with the King and Judges that were the Authors of it, and making it a matter worthy an Anathema, to condemne and execute a Traytor, a Rebell too in the Suparlative degree. What confidence can any Princes repose, or what fidelitie can they expect from such a desperate generation of Vipers as these, who cannot be content to plot, to execute Treasons and Conspiracies, but thus boldly to justifie them and the Traytors to, when they are committed? I shall therefore close this story with the words of **An 6. H…. 4. f. 25.Edward Hall, our Chronicler: What shall a man say of such foolish and fantasticall persons, who have p. 196written, of such erroneous Hypocrites and seditious Asses who have indited, of such superstitious Fryers and malicious Monkes, who have declared and divulged both contrary to Gods Doctrine, the honour of their Prince and common knowne verity… such manifest lyes as the fore-cited miracles and reports concerning this Arch-Bishops death? What shall men thinke of such beastly persons which regarding not their bounden d…tie and …be…sance to their Prince and Soveraigne Lord env…ed the punishment of Traytors and torment of offendors? But what shall all men conjecture of such which favouring their owne worldly Dignitie, their owne private authority, and their owne peculiar profit, will thus juggle, rayle, and imagine fantasies against their Soveraigne Lord and Prince, and put them in memory as a miracle to his dishonour and perpetuall infamy… well, let just men judge what I have said. So …all.

1717IOHN KEMP.Iohn Kemp Arch-Bishop of Yorke, was Holinsh…d, p. 620… to 627.a great opposer of the good Duke of Glocester, a Traytor and evill instrument to King Henry the Sixth and the Kingdome, and the meanes of the Duke of Gloucesters murther, whose death was a most incomparable losse to the Realme; of which more at large in Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, with whom he confederated against the Duke.

1818GEORGE NEVILL.George Nevill Arch-Bishop of Yorke Godwin, p. 609, 610, 611, Halls Chron. An. 8 & 12. Ed. 4. f. 201, 202, 223, 224. Grafton, 8. & 12. Ed. 4. f. 678.714. Speeds Hist. l. 9. c. 17. p. 887. sect 88. Holinshed, p. 683.693.conspired with his Brother Henry Nevill Earle of Warwicke, against King Edward the Fourth, after hee had raigned almost nine yeares… to pull him from his Throne; and being his hap to take King Edward Prisoner at Ownely in Northamptonshire, hee carryed the King with him Prisoner, first to Warwicke Castle, then to Midleham Castle in Yorkeshire; from whence the King at last, having liberty to ride abroad an hunting escaped, being rescued by his Friends: and within halfe a yeare after so handled the matter, as comming to London p. 197suddenly, and entring this Arch-Bishops Palace by a Posterne Gate, hee surprized at once King H…nry and the Arch-Bishop, that had not long before taken him. Holinshed and some others relate, that the Arch-Bishop being l…ft by his Brother the Earle of Warwicke to keepe the Citie of London for King Henry against Edward the Fourth; hee perceiving the affections of the people to incline to King Edward, and how the most part of the Citie were much addicted to him, sent forth secretly a Messenger to him, beseeching King Edward to receive him againe into his former favour, promising to bee to him in time to come, and to acquit this good turn… heereafter with some singular benefit and service. That the King upon good considerations was hereupon content to receive him againe into his favour; of which the Arch-Bishop being assured… greatly rejoyced, and well and truely acquitting him of his promise in that behalfe made… admitted him into the Citie; where the king comming to the Arch-Bishops Palace, he… pr…sented himselfe unto him, and having king He…ry by the hand, delivered him treacherously to king Edw…rd… custodie; who being seized of his pe…s…n, we…t to Pauls from Westminster, where hee gave God heartie thankes for his safe returne and good successe. Thereupon they were both sent to the Tower… where king Henry was pittifully murthered… but the Arch-Bishop the fourth of Iune …ollowing… was set at Libertie. About a yeare after his Enlargement, hee chanced to bee hunting at …ore with the king, and upon occasion of some spo…t th… …ad seene there, hee made relation to …e king of some extraordinary kinde of G…me, wherewith hee was wont to solace himse… at … hous… hee had built and furnished very sumptuously, called the Moore, in Hartfordshire: p. 198The King seeming desirous to be partaker of this sport, appointed a day, when hee would come thither to hunt and make merry with him: Hereupon the Arch-Bishop taking his leave, got him home; and thinking to entertaine the King in the best manner it was possible, sent for much Plate that hee had hid during the Warres between his Brethren and the King, and borrowed also much of his Friends. The Dea…e which the King hunted being thus brought into the toyle, the day before his appointed time, hee sent for the Arch-Bishop, commanding him, all excuses set apart, to repaire presently to him, being at Windsore. As soone as he came hee was arrested of High-Treason, all his Plate, money and other moveable goods (to the value of 20000. l.) were seized on for the King, and himselfe a long space after kept prisoner at Calis and Guisues; during which time the King tooke to himselfe the profits and temporalties of his Bishopricke. Amongst other things that were taken from him, was a Miter of inestimable value, by reason of many rich stones wherewith it was adorned: that, the King brake and made thereof a Crowne for himselfe: This calamitie hapned to him, Anno 1472. Foure yeares after, with much entreatie, he obtained his Libertie, but dyed of griefe shortly after. This proud Pontifician made so great a feast at his installment, that neither our age, nor any other before it ever heard or saw the like; the particulars whereof you may read in Godwin, too tedious here to recite.

1919THOMAS ROTHERAM.Thomas Rotheram Arch-Bishop of Yorke being Lord Chancellour in Edward the fourth his Raigne, upon his death Godwin. p. 616. Speeds hist. l 9. c 19. p 929.946.resigned his place, and delivered up his Seale to the Queene without the Councels consent, from whom he received it not, she having no right to require it: For which cause hee was committed to the Tower by the Lord Protectour, Richard Duke of Yorke; who afterwards usurping the Crowne, released p. 199the Arch-Bishop out of prison; who thereupon sided and was ve…y inward with this Usurper, and at last dyed of the Plague, May 29. 1500.

I read nothing of Thomas Savage … 2020THOMAS SAVAGE.his next successour, but this, Godwin, p. 617.That he was not preferred to this See for any extraordinary great learning: that he spent his time in a manner altogether (as our Prelates doe now) either in Temporall affaires… being a great Courtier, or else in hunting; wherewith hee was unreasonably delighted, keeping a great number of tall Fellowes about him to attend his person: But of his preaching, or maintaining Ministers to instruct the people, I read not one word. It is likely his tall fellowes occasioned many a quarrell, and sometimes would take a purse for a need.

Christopher Bambridge his Successor,2121CHRISTOPHER BAMBRIDGE. being Embassadour from King Henry the 8. to the Pope and Lewis the 12. of France, Godwin, p. 617.618, Holinsh…d p. 835.perswaded King Henry to take the Popes part, and proclaime Warre against Lewis, ingageing his Soveraigne in a needlesse Warre, only to pleasure his Lord and Master the Pope: who for this good service, made him a Cardinall; he was at last poysoned by Raynaldo de Modena an Italian Priest, his Steward, upon malice and displeasure conceived for a blow this Bishop gave him (when as a Bishop should be no striker, 1 Tim. 3.3.) as Goodwin relates out of Paulus Iovius.

Thomas Wolsie (or Wolfesie, 2222THOMAS WOLSIE.as Mr. Tyndall oft times stiles him) an Arch-Traytor, and most insolent domineering Prelate, succeeded him in that See, Antiqu Eccles. Brit. p 355… to 374. Godw. p. 620. to 623. Mr. Tyndalls Practise of Popish Prelates, p. 369. to 377. Hall, Graf…on, Holinshed, Stow How in the life of Henry the 8. Speed hist. p. 1004, 1005. to 1027. Fox Acts and Monuments, p. 899. to 9…9. See Holinshed, p. 835. to 930.holding likewise the Bishopricke of Bath and Wells first, and after that of Ely, Winchester, Worcester and Hereford, together with the Abbey of Saint Albanes, and divers other Ecclesiasticall Livings besides his Temporall Offices, in Commenda… with it. This proud imperious Prelate, when he was once Arch-Bishop, studied day and night how to be a Cardinall, and caused King p. 200Henry the Eighth and the French King to write to Rome for him, and at their request he obtained his purpose: Hee grew so into exceeding pride, that hee thought himselfe equall with the King; and when he said Masse (which hee did oftner to shew his pride then devotion) hee made Dukes and Earles to serve him with Wine, with **He was afraid of poysoning, it should seeme.assay taken, and to hold to him the Bason and the Lavatory. His pride and excesse in dyet, apparell, furniture and attendance… and his pompe in going to Westminster Hall were intollerable, and more then Royall or Papall: Hee was much offended with the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, because he stiled him Brother, in a Letter, as though he had done him great injury by that Title. Hee quite altered the state of the Kings house, putting out and in what Officers he pleased. Hee oppressed and vexed the Citizens of London, causing divers of them to be executed; siding with strangers (both Merchants and Artificers) against them. Confederating with the French King, he procured King Henry to permit him to redeeme Tornaye, on his owne Termes: Hee procured a meeting of the King of England and France to their infinite expence, onelyonly that he might be seene in his owne vaine pompe, and shew of Dignitie, himselfe drawing up the instrument and termes of their meeting in his owne name, which began thus: Thomas Arch-Bispop of Yorke, &c. Hee committed the Earle of Northumberland, and wrought the Duke of Buckingham out of the Kings favour, and at last cut off the Dukes head, for opposing his pride and unjust proceedings. Hee began his Letters to forraigne Princes and the Pope, for the most part, in this manner… …go & Rex meus, I, and my King, putting himselfe before his Soveraigne, making him but his underling and Pupill, swaying him like a Schoole-boy at his pleasure. Hee set his Armes likewise above the Kings over Christ-Church Colledge-gate in Oxford, which he founded: Hee stamped his Cardinalls p. 201Cap on the kings Coyne (as our Bishops doe now their Armes and Miters on their Proces… **See 1. …. 6 c. 2, and the Brevia…e of the …relates Encroachments.instead of the Kings Seale and Armes:) Hee set up a Legan…ne Court here in England by Commission from the Pope, to which hee drew the Conusans of all Ecclesiasticall Causes; and when the king had summoned a Convocation at Pauls in London by vertue of his Writ, hee came most insolently into the Convocation House, and by his power Legantine, dissolved the Convocation, summoning them all to appeare before him at Saint Peter… in Westminster the Monday following, there to celebrate the Synod under him; which power Legantine brought him and all the Clergi… into a Premunire, to his overthrow and their cost, they being enforced to grant the king an hundred thousand pounds, to acknowledge him on earth supreme Head of the Church of England, and to renounce the Popes Supremacie, to buy their peace. He dissolved 40. Monasteries of good worth, converting all their goods and moveables into his own Coffers, which were so stuffed with Treasure, that 12. Barrels… full o… Gold and Silver, were laid aside to serve the Pope in his Warres, emptying the Land also of twelve score thousand pounds which he forced from the king; all which he sent to relieve and ransome the Pope then in prison, to the great impoverishing of his Majesties Coffers and the Realm: His revenues one way or other… were equall to the kings; he had no lesse then 1200. Hor…e for his retinue, 80. waggons for his carriage, and 60. Mules for sumpter horses when he went into France. Hee carried the Great Seale of England with him in his Embassie without the kings consent, so that no Writs nor Patents could be sealed, nor busines of the kingdom dispatched in the interim. He proclaimed warres against the Emperor without the kings consent, stirred up the French king to warre against him, ayding him with Monies p. 202without the Kings privity, and contrary to his likeing, he demanded …he 5. part of the true value of every mans goods, by way of loane, toward the maintenance of the Warrs in France, putting men to confesse upon their Oathes, the true estimate of their Estates, without the Kings privitie, which caused many insurrections and mutinies in the Kingdome, the people rising up and denying to pay it: at which the King being very angry, released the loane as an intollerable oppression, sore against this Prelates will… yet the Cardinall, the sole cause and urger thereof, would needs lay the odium of it on the King, to alienate the hearts of his Subjects from him… and take the sole praise of the release of it to himselfe, as if hee with much suite and danger had obtained it. **Richard Stanihurst his Continuation of the Chronicles of Ireland, in Holinshed, Vol. 2. p. 85. to …8.Hee falsely prosecuted and imprisoned the Earle of Kildare, accusing him before the Counsell to take away his life, where hee pressed him so deeply with disloyalty, that the presumption (as the Cardinall did force it) being vehement, the Treason odious, the King suspicious, the enemies eager, the friends saint (which were sufficient grounds to overthrow an innocent person) the Earle was reprived to the Tower, whither on a night suddenly came a Mandate to the Lieutenant from the Cardinall, to execute Kildare on the morrow, before any judgement given, and without the kings privitie: who being acquainted by the Lieutenant therewith at midnight, the king controlling the sawcinesse of the Priest, delivered the Lieutenant his Signet in token of countermand; which when the Cardinall had seene, he began to breath out unseasonable Language, which the Lieutenant was loth to heare, and so left him pattering and chanting the Devils Pater noster. Hee oppressed and and disquietted the whole Realme and Christian world all his time, endeavoured to set up the Popes power, all hee might, with prejudice to the kings, aspiring to the Papacie himselfe, and sending much p. 203mony to Rome to bribe the Cardinals to elect him, though hee failed in that project: Hee was so proud, that hee had divers Lords, Earles and Knights attending on him… and was served on the knee when hee went Embassadour into Germany: Hee was exceeding treacherous, false, and perfidious to the King, who trusted him with the government of the Realme, seeking onelyonly his owne ends and advancements: Hee caused him to breake off his firme League with the Emperour, and to make w…rre upon him and side with France; stirring up likewise the French King against the Emperour, onelyonly to wrecke his private spleene upon him, denouncing warres against him by an Herauld without the Kings knowledge; Hee set England, France, Germany, Flanders and Italy together by the eares; Hee bare such a hand upon the controversies which ran betweene the King, the Emperour, the King of France, and other Princes, as all the world might acknowledge the resolution and expectation of all affaires to depend on him and his authoritie: Hee exceedingly abused and deluded the King about the matter of his Divorce, which himselfe first put him upon to spite the Emperour, delaying him from time to time, to his no small cost and vexation, and writing likewise secret Letters to Pope Clement to hinder the Divorce all hee might, which Letters an English Gentleman then at Rome got into his hands, by meanes of one of the Popes Concubines. **Holinshed, p. 908.The Queene most grievously accused Cardinall Wolsie in the presence of the whole Court of untruth, deceit, wickednesse, and malice, which had sowne dissention betwixt her and her husband the King; and therefore openly protested, that shee did utterly abhorre, refuse, and forsake such a Judge, as was not onelyonly a most malicious enemie to her, but also a manifest adversary to all Right and Justice. Hee did many things when he was Embassadour without the Kings privitie, and held correspondencie p. 204with his enemies. **Practise of Popish Prelates, p. 368. to 373.Mr. Tyndall (who notably descries and layes open his treacheries) writes That he calculated the Kings Nativitie (which is a common Practise of Prelates in all Lands) whereby hee saw whereunto the Kings Grace should be enclined all his Life, and what should bee like to chance him at all times; and (as he then heard …t spoken of divers) hee made by craft of Necromancie graven imagery to beare upon him, wherewith hee bewitched the Kings minde, and the King to doat upon him… more then ever he did on any Lady or Gentlewoman (a tricke of the Devils suggestion usuall among Court Prelates and Priests) so that now the Kings Grace followed him as he followed the King. And then what he said, that was wisdome, what he praised, that was honourable onelyonly. Moreover, in the meane time hee Note this ensuing Policie which our Prelates now practise.spied out the natures and dispositions of the Kings play-fellowes, and of all that were great, and whom hee spied meet for his purpose, him hee flattered, and him hee made faithfull with great promises, and to him hee sware, and of him hee tooke an oath againe, that the one should helpe the other, for without a secret Oath hee admitted no man unto any part of his privities. And ever as he grew in promotions and dignitie, so gathered he unto him of the most subtile witted, and of them that were drunke in the de…ire of honour, most like unto himselfe. And after they were sworne hee promoted them… and with great promises made them in falsehood faithfull, and of them ever presented unto the kings Grace and put them into his service; saying… this is a man meet for your Grace. And by these spies, if any thing were spoken or done in Court against the Cardinall, of that hee had word within an houre or two. And then came the Cardinall to Court with all his Magicke to pleade to the con…rary. If any in the Court had spoken against the p. 205Cardinall, and the same not great in the kings favour, the Cardinall bade him walke a Villaine, and thrust him out of the Court head-long: If hee were in conceit with the kings Grace, then hee flattered, and perswaded, and corrupted some with gifts, and sent some Embassadours, and some hee made Captaine at Calice, Hammes, Gynes, Iarnsie and Gernsie, or sent them to Ireland, or into the North, and so occupied them till the king had forgot them, or other were in their roomes, or hee sped what hee intended. And in like manner plaid h…e with the Ladies and Gentlewoman, whosoever of them was great, with her was hee familiar, and to her gave hee gifts. Yea, and where Saint Thomas of Canterbury was wont to come after, Thomas Cardinall went oft before preventing his Prince, and perverted the order of that holy man. If any were subtile witted and meet for his purpose, her made he sworn (O trechery) to betray the Queene likewise, and to tell what shee said or did. I knew one that departed the Court for no other cause, then that shee would no longer betray her Mistresse. And after the same example hee furnished the Court Note this policie wh…ch Cant…rbury of late imitated.with Chaplaines of his owne sworne Disciples and Children of his owne bringing up, to bee alwayes present, and to dispute of vanities, and to water whatsoever the Cardinall had planted. If among those Cormorants any yet began to bee much in favour with the King, and to bee somewhat busie in the Court, and to draw any other way then as my Lord Cardinall had appointed, that the Plough should goe, anone hee was sent to Italy or to Spaine, or some quarrell was picked against him, and so was thrust out of the Court as Stokesley was. Hee promoted the Bishop of Lincolne that now is, his most faithful… Friend and Old Companion, and made him Confessour: to whom of whatsoever p. 206the Kings Grace shrove himselfe, thinke ye not that hee spake so loud that the Cardinall heard it? and not unright, for as Gods Creatures ought to obey God and serve his honour, so ought the Popes creatures to obey the Pope and serve his Majestie. Finally, Thomas Wolsie became what hee would, even partner of Heaven, so that no man could enter into promotion but through him. Being thus advanced hee begins to act his part like a sworne Vassall to the Pope, and a Traytor to his Prince, which **Practise of Popish Prelates, p. 369. to 373.Mr. Tyndall, who lived at that time, thus relates. About the beginning of the Kings Grace that now in France was mighty, so that I suppose it was not mightier this five hundred yeares. King Lewis of France had won Naples and had taken Bonony from Saint Peters See… wherefore Pope Iuly was wroth, and cast how to bring the French men down; yet soberly, lest while he brought him lower, hee should give an occasion to lift up the Emperour higher. Our first Voyage into Spaine was to bring the French men lower; for our meynye were set in the Fore-front and borders of Spaine toward Gascoine; partly to keepe those parties, and partly to feare the Gascoynes, and to keepe them at home, while in the meane time the Spaniards wan Naverne. When Naverns was wan, our men came to lose as many as dyed not there, and brought all their mony with them home againe, save that they spent there. Howbeit, for all the losse of Naverne, the French men were yet able enough to match Spaine, the Venetians, and the Pope, with all the Souchenars that he could make; so that there was yet no remedie but wee must set on the French men also, if they should be brought out of Italy. Then Pope Iuly wrote unto his deare Sonne Thomas Wolsie, that hee would be as good, as loving, and as helping to Holy Church, as ever any Thomas was, seeing he was as able; then the new Thomas as glorious as the old, tooke the matter in hand, and perswaded the Kings Grace. p. 207And then the Kings Grace tooke a Dispensation for his Oath made upon the appointment of peace between him and the French King, and promised to helpe the Holy Seate, wherein Pope Peter never …ate. But the Emperour Maximilian might in no wi…e stand still, le…t the French men should money him, and get aide of him, since the Almaines refuse not mony whensoever it be proffered; then quoth Thomas Wolsie, O ho, and like your Grace, what an honour should it be unto your Grace, if the Emperour were your Souldier; so great honour never chanced any King christened; it should be spoken of while the World stood; the glory and honour shall hide and darken the cost that it shall never be seene, though it should cost your Realme. Dixit, & factum est. It was even so. And then a Parliament, and then pay, and then upon the French Dogs, with cleane remission of all his sinnes, that slew one of them; or if hee be slaine (for the pardons have no strength to save in this life, but in the life to come only) then to Heaven straight, without feeling of the paines of Purgatory. Then came our King with all his might by Sea and by Land, and the Emperour with a strong, Armie, and the Spaniards, and the Pope, and the Venetians all at once against King Lewis of France. As soon as the Pope had that he desired in Italy, then peace immediately; and French men were christen men… and pitty, yea and great sinne also were it to shed their bloud, and the French king was the most Christian king again. And thus was peace concluded, our Englishmen, or rather Sheep, came home against Winter, and left their Fleeces behinde them: wherefore no …mall number of them while they sought them better rayment at home, were hanged for their labour. When this peace was made, our holy Cardinals… and Bishops (as their old guise is to calke and cast 40. yea an hundred year before, what is like to chance unto their kingdome) considered how the Emperour p. 208that now is, was most like to be chosen Emperour after his Grandfather Maximilian; for Maximilian had already obtained of divers of the Electours that it should so bee. They considered also how mighty hee should bee: First, King of Spaine, with all that pertaineth thereto, which was wont to be 6. or 7. Kingdomes… then Duke of Burgaine, Earle of Flanders, of Holland, Zeland, and Braband, with all that pertaine thereto, then Emperour, and his Brother Duke of Austria, and his sister Queene of Hungarie; wherefore thought our Prelates, if wee take not heed betimes, our Kingdome is like to be troubled, and wee to be brought under the feet; for this man shall be so mighty, that he shall with power take out of the French Kings hands, out of the hands of the Venetians, and from the Pope also, whatsoever pertaineth unto the Empire, and whatsoever belongeth unto his other kingdomes and Dominions thereto, and then will hee come to Rome, and be crowned there; and so shall hee overlooke our Holy Father, and see what he doth, and then shall the old Heretickes rise up againe and say, that the Pope is Antichrist, and stirre up againe and bring to light that we have hid and brought asleepe with much cost, paine, and bloud-shedding more than this hundred yeares long. Considered also that his Aunt is Queene of England, and his wife the King of Englands Si…ter; considered the old amitie betweene the House of Burgaine, and the old Kings of England, so that they could never doe ought in France without their helpe; and last of all, considered the course of Marchandize that England hath in those parts, and also the naturall hate that Englishmen beare to Frenchmen: wherefore if we will use our old practise, and set the French King against him; then he shall lightly obtain the favour of the King of England, by the meanes of his Ant and his wife, and aid-with men and mony: wherefore wee must take heed betimes and breake this p. 209amitie: which thing we may by this our old cra… easily bring to passe: Let us take a Dispensation, and breake this Marriage, and turne the Kings Sister unto the French King: If the French King get a Male of her, then wee shall lightly make our King protectour of France; and so shall England and France be coupled together: and as for the Queene of England, wee shall trim her well enough, and occupie the king with strange love, and keepe her that shee shall beare no rule. And as the Gods had spoken so it came to passe. Our faire young Daughter was sent to the old pockie king of France … that yeare before our mortall enemie, and a Miscreant worse then a Turke, and disobedient unto our Holy Father, and no more obedient then hee was compelled to bee against his will. In short space thereafter Thomas Wolsie now Cardinall and Legate a latere, and greatly desirous to be Pope also, thought it exceeding expedient for his many secret purposes to bring our king, and the king of France that now is, together; both to make a perpetuall peace and amitie betweene them, and that while the two kings and their Lords dalied together, the great Cardinalls and Bishops of both parties might betray them both, and the Emperour and all Christian kings thereto. Then he made a journey of Gentlemen arrayed altogether in silke, so much as their very shooes, and lining of their Bootes, more like their Mothers then men of warre; yea, I am sure that many of their Mothers would have beene ashamed of so nice and wanton array. Howbeit they went not to make warres, but peace for ever and a day longer. But to speake of the pompous apparells of my Lord himselfe, and of his Chaplaines, it passeth the Twelve Apostles. I dare sweare that if Peter and Paul had seene them suddenly and at a blush, they would have been harder in beliefe that they or any such should bee their successours, then Thomas Didimus was to beleeve that Christ was risen againe p. 210from death. When all was concluded betweene the king of France and ours, that Thomas Wolsie had devised, and when the Prelates of both parties had cast their penny-worths against all chances, and devised remedies for all mischiefes; then the right Reverend Father in God Thomas Cardinall and Legate, would goe see the young Emperour newly chosen to the roome, and have a certaine secret communication with some of his Prelates also: And gat him to Bridges in Flanders, where hee was received with great solemnitie as might belong to so great a pillar of Christs Church, and was saluted at the entring into the Towne of a merry Fellow, which said, Salve Rex Regis tuì, atque Regni sui; Hayle both King of thy King, and of his Realme. Nota.And though there were never so great strife betweene the Emperour and the French king, yet my Lord Cardinall jugled him favour of them both, and finally brought the Emperour to Cales to the kings Grace, where was great triumph and great love and amitie shewed on both parties; insomuch, that a certaine man marvelling at it, asked the old Bishop of Durham, How it might be that we were so great with the Emperor so shortly, upon so strong and everlasting a peace made betweene us and the French men, the Emperour and the king of France being so mortall enemies? My Lord answered, That it might be well enough if hee wist all; but there was a certaine secret (said hee) whereof all men knew not: yea verily, they have had Note this.secrets this 800. yeares, which though all the Laymen have felt them, yet few have spied them, save a few Judases, which for lucre have beene confederate with them to betray their owne kings and all other. Then were wee indifferent, and stood still, and the Emperour and the French king wrastled together; and Ferdinandus the Emperours Brother wan Millaine of the Frenchmen; and the Emperour Turnay our great Conquest, which yet after so great cost in buil… p. 211a Castle we delivered up againe unto the Frenchmen, in earnest and hope o a marriage betweene the Dolphine and our Princesse. After that …e Emperour would into Spaine, and came through England, where hee was received with great honour, and with all that pertaineth to love and amitie. The Kings Grace lent him Monie, and promised him more; and the Emperour should tarry a certaine time and marry our Princesse; not that the Card…nall intended; that, thou maist be sure; for it was not profitable for their Kingdome; but his minde was to dally with the Emperour, and to keepe him without a wife (insomuch as hee was young and lustie) hee might have beene nozeled and entangled with Whores, (which is their nurturing of Kings) and made so effeminate and beastly, that hee should never have beene able to lift up his heart to any goodnesse or vertue; that Cardinalls and Bishops might have administred his Dominions in the meane time, unto our Holy Fathers profit. The King of France hearing the favour that was shewed unto the Emperour sent immediately a Defiance unto our King, not without our Cardinals and Bishops counsell thou mayst well witt. For Frenchmen are not so foolish to have done it so unadvisedly and so rashly, seeing they had too many in their tops already. Then our King spake many great words, that he would drive the French King out of his Realm, or else the French King should drive him out of his: But had he added as the Legate Pandulph taught King Io…n, with the Popes License, his words had sounded much better: For there can no vow stand in effect, except the Holy Father confirmed it. Wee sent out our Souldiers two Summers against the French men,Note this unto whose chiefe Captaines the Cardinall had appointed how farre they should goe, and what they should doe; and therefore the French king was nothing a…raid, but brought all his power against the p. 212Emperour in other places; and so hee was ever betrayed: And thus the Cardinall was the Empero…rs Friend openly and the French Kings secretly. For at the meeting with the French King beside Ca…es hee utterly betrayed the Emperour, yet for no love that h…e had to France, but to help the Pope, and to have beene Pope happily, and to save their Kingdome; which treason, though all the World smelled it, y… brake not out openly to the eye, till the …ge of …. And the Cardinall lent the Emperour much money openly, and gave the French King more secretly. Hee plaid with both hands to serve their secret that all men know not as the Bish. of Durham said. But whatsoever the Frenchmen did they had ever the worse notwithstanding the secret working of our holy Prelates on their side. Finally, unto the siege of Pavia, came the French king personally with 60. thousand men of warre, of which 12. thousand were horse-men, and with monie enough. And the Emperours host was under 20. thousand, of which were but 3. thousand Horse-men, with no money at all: For hee trusted unto the Pope for aide of men, and unto our Cardinall for Money. But the Pope kept backe his men till the French-men had given them a field; and our Cardinall kept backe his money for the same purpose. And thus was the silly Emperour betrayed, as all his predecessours have beene this 8. hundred yeares. Howbeit there bee that say, that the Emperours Souldiers so threatned Stace the kings Graces Embassadour, that he was faine to make chevisance with Merchants for money in the kings name, to pay the Souldiers withall; Wherefore the Cardinall tooke from him all his promotions, and played the Tormentor with him, when he came home, because hee presumed to doe one jot more then was in his Commission. But howsoever it was, the Emperours men in tarrying for helpe had spent all their Victualls: Whereupon Burbon the p. 213chiefe Captaine of the Emperour, said unto his under Captaines; Yee see, helpe commeth not, and that our victuals are spent: wherefore there is no remedy but to fight, though wee bee unequally matched. If wee winne, wee shall finde meate enough; if wee lose, wee shall lose no more then wee must lose with hunger, though we fight not. And so they concluded to set upon the French-men by night. The King of France and his Lords supposing that the Moon would sooner have fallen out of the skie, then that the Emperours host durst have fought with them, were somewhat negligent, and went the same night a mumming that Burbon set upon them. The Emperours Hoste therefore, with their sodaine coming upon them, amazed the Frenchmen, and drave them upon heapes together, one on another, so that they never could come in array againe, and tooke the King,Note this and divers of his Lords, and slew many, and wanne the field. And there came out all the Cardinals privy treason. For in the French-Kings Tent (say men) were Letters found, and beside that in the French-kings Treasure, and in all the Hoast among the Souldiers were English Shippes found innumerable, which had come sayling a thousand miles by Land. But what wonder? Shippes be made to sayle over the Sea, and wings to flye into farre Countries, and to mount to the toppe of High hills. When the French King was taken, wee sang, Te Deum. But for all that singing, wee made peace with French-men. And the Pope, the Venetians, France and England were knit together, least the Emperours Army should doe any hurt in France: whereby you may conjecture of what minde the Pope and the Cardinall were toward the Emperour, and with what heart our spiritualty with their invisible secrets, sang Te Deum. p. 214And from that time hitherto, the Emperour and our Cardinall have beene twaine, After that, when the King of France was delivered home againe, and his Sonnes left in pledge, many wayes were sought to bring home the sonnes also; but in vaine except the French King would make good that which hee had promised the Emperour. For the bringing home of these children no man more busied his wits then the Cardinall: Hee would in any wise the Emperour should have sent them home, and it had beene but for our Kings pleasure for the great kindnesse that he shewed him in times past. Hee would have married the Kings Daughter our Princesse unto the Dolphine againe, or as the voyce went among many, unto the second Brother, and hee should have beene Prince in England, and King in time to come; so that he sought alwayes to plucke us from the Emperour, and joyne us unto France, to make France strong enough to match the Emperour, and to keepe him downe that the Pope might raigne a God alone and doe what pleaseth him, without controlling of any over-seer. And for the same purpose hee left nothing unprovided to bring the Mart from Anwerpe to Cales. But at that time, the Pope taking part with the French King had warre with the Emperour: And at the last the Pope was taken, which when the Cardinall heard, hee wrote unto the Emperour, that he should make him Pope: And when hee had gotten an answer that pleased him not, but according unto his deservings toward the Emperour, then hee waxed furious mad, and sough all meanes to displease the Emperour, and imagined the divorcement betweene the King and the Queene, and wrote sharply unto the Emperour with manacing Letters, that if hee would not make him Pope, hee would make such ruffling betweene Christian Princes as was not this hundred yeares, to make the Emperour repent; yea, though it should cost the whole Realme of England, p. 215The Lord Jesus be our shield, what a fierce wrath of God is this upon us, that a mishapen Monster should spring out of a Dunghill into such an height, that the dread of God and man laid apart, he should be so malepert not onelyonly to defie utterly the Majestie of so mightie an Emperour, whose Authoritie both Christ and all his Apostles obeyed… and taught all other to obey, threatning damnation to them that would not: But should also set so little by the whole Realme of England which hath bestowed so great cost and shed so much bloud to exalt and mainetaine such proud, churlish, and unthankfull Hypocrites that hee should not care to destroy it utterly, for satisfying of his villanous lusts. Godly Master Tyndall was so farre affected with the treacherous practises of this Cardinall, that hee laid them open in two severall Discourses; the one entituled, The Ohedience of a Christian man; the other, The Practise of Popish Prelates. In the last whereof after the recitall of these his perfidious actions, he breakes out into this Patheticke Supplication: **Pag. 375. Note this.I beseech the Kings most Noble Grace therefore, to consider all the wayes by which the Cardinall and our holy Bishops have led him, since hee was first King, and to see whereunto all the pride, pompe, and vaine boast of the Cardinal is come, and how God hath resisted him and our Prelates in all their wiles; we who have nothing to doe at all have medled yet in all matters, and have spent for our Prelats causes more then al Christendom, even unto the utter beggering of our selves, and have gotten nothing but rebuke, and shame, and hate among all Nations, and a mocke and a scorne thereto, of them whom wee have most holpen. For the French men (as the saying is) of late dayes made a play or a disguising at Paris, in which the Emperour danced with the Pope and the French king, and wearied them, the king of England sitting on a high bench and looking on. And when it was asked, why hee danced not, it p. 216was answered, that he …ate there, but to pay the Minstrels their wages only. As who shoald say, we payd for all mens dancing, we monyed the Emperour only, and gave the Frenchmen double, and treble secretly, and to the Pope also. Yea and though Fardinandu… had money sent him openly to blind the world withall, yet the saying is throughout all Duchland, that we sent money to the King of Pole, and to the Turke also, and that by helpe of our money Fardinandus was driven out of Hungary: which thing, though it were not true, yet it will breed us a scab at the last, and get us with our medling more hate than we shall be able to beare, if a chance come, unl…sse that wee waxe wiser betime. And I beseech his Grace also to have mercy of his owne soule, and not to suffer Christ and his holy Testament to be persecuted under his name any longer, that the sword of the wrath of God may be put up againe, which for that cause no doubt is most chiefely drawne. And I beseech his Grace to have compassion on his poore subjects, which have ever b…ene unto his Grace, both obedient, loving and kinde, that the Realm utterly perish not with the wicked Counsell of our pestilent Prelats. So Tyndall. After this the Cardinall was attainted in a**Halls Chron. 21. H. 8. f. 184, 185, 189, 190. praemunire, wherupon the King seised on all his goods, tooke away the great Seale of England from him, thrust him from the Court, yet left him the Arch-Bishopricke of Yorke and the Bishopricke of Winchester. The Parliament exhibited sundry Articles of High-Treason against him. As, that hee had exercised a Legantine power here in England, derived from the Pope without the Kings License, contrary to the Lawes of the Realme, that in all his Letters to the Pope and other …orragne Princes he put himselfe before the King in these words, I, and my King: that he carried the Great Seale of England over into the Low-countries with him, when hee went Embassadour to the Emperour: That hee proclaimed open p. 217warre by an Herauld against the Emperour without the Kings privitie; that he had sent Gregory of Cassido a Knight, into Italy, to make a new League betwene the King and the Duke of Farrar without the kings knowledge; That being almost rotten with the French Pox he pre…umed to breathe with his stinking and rotten mouth in the kings face; That he set his Cardinalls Hat on the kings Coyne; and that he exported an infinite Masse of Money out of the kingdome into Italy, that he might most impudently compasse the Papacie, with other particulars fore-cited.. All which, together with the Cardinalls attainder in the Praemunire (Mr. **Practise of Popish Prelates, p. 373.Tyndall) saith, were done only in policie by the Cardinall, to bleare the eyes of the World withall, because nought worthy a Traytor was done unto him, it being seldome heard or read, that so great a Traytor was so easily put to death or punished; because Sir Thomas Moore his chiefest Secretary, one nothing inferiour to his Master in lying, faining, and bearing two faces in one hood, and the chiefest stale wherewith the Cardinall caught the kings Grace, whom he called to the confirmation of all that hee intended to perswade, was made Chancellour in his place; because his Bishopricke of Durham was bestowed on one of his old Chaplaines and chiefe Secretaries his fast friends; and because as soone as the Parliament brake up, the Cardinall had his Charter of pardon and got him home, and all Bishops got them every Fox to his hole, leaving their Attournies yet behinde them, thinking to come again themselves as soon as the constellation was some what over-run, whereof they were afraid. But however it were either in policie only or earnest, it turned to reality at last: For the Cardinall thus put from the Court, and his Chancellorship, nothing abating his pride or spirit to beard the king & flater the people, appointed to be installed at York in great pomp, inviting all the lords and Gentlemen in the countrey, to accompany him from Cawood to Yorke; complaining likewise by degrees p. 218to many of the great injuries the king had done him to stirre up the people to sedition; inveighing likewise very bitterly in his Letters to the Pope and other Forraigners against the king; which railing Letters and reproaches of his, comming to the kings Embassadors eares they acquainted the king therewith: **Holinshed, p. 915, 916.The king acquaint…d with these his Seditious and disloyall practises, and understanding of his intended pompous installment at Yorke, commanded the Earle of Northumberland to arrest him at Cawood of High-Treason, which hee did about the beginning of November, 1536. The Cardinall wondering at this sudden arrest, stood first upon his termes of contest with the Earle, telling him that hee was a Cardinall, a Member of the Court of Rome, and the Popes Legate, not subject to any mans or Princes arrest, on whom to lay violent hands was a great wickednesse; but at last, fearing the successe and the Earles power, submitted himselfe against his will. The Earle hereupon removed his followers… seized on all his plate and goods, brought him to Sheffield Castle, where he delivered him to the High Sheriffe of Shropshire to be conveyed to London. Thither the Captaine of the Guard, and Lieutenant of the Tower with certaine Yeomen of the Guard, were sent to fetch him to the Tower, at which the Cardinall was sore astonied, and fearing the worst grew sicke upon it, whereupon he willingly tooke so much quantitie of a strong purgation that his nature was not able to beare it, and thereof dyed at Leicester Abbey the 27. day of November, his body lying dead was blacke as pitch, and so heavie that sixe could scarce beare it; Furthermore, it did so stinke above the ground, that they were constrained to hasten the buriall of it in the night season, before it was day. At the which buriall, such a tempest, with such a stinke there arose, that all the Torches went out, and so he was throwne into the Tombe, and there left. By the ambitious pride and p. 219excessive worldly wealth of this one Cardinall (writes Master Fox) all men may easily understand and judge what the state and condition of all the rest of the same Order (whom we call Spirituall men) was in those dayes, as well in all other places of Christendome as specially here in England; whereas the Princely possessions and great pride of the Clergie, did not onelyonly farre surpasse and exceed the common measure and order of Subjects, but also surmounted over kings and Princes, and all other Estates, as may well appeare by h…s doings and order of his Story above described, In which I have beene the more prolix, because it notably paints out unto us the ambitious, trecherous, …lye practises and designes of our Prelates, with the ordinary wayes whereby they creepe into Princes favours; as likewise their insolent behaviour and strange perfidiousnesse when they are growne great; and is a lively patterne of the Bishops practises in our age, who tread in these his foot-steps, and follow them to an haires breadth: I would therefore advise them to remember his last words (as well as imitate his Actions) with which I shall close up his Story, **Holinshed, p. 917.Godwin, p. 621.If I had served God as diligently as I have done the King, he would not have given me over in my gray haires. But this is the just reward that I must receive for the paines and study that I have had, to doe him service, not regarding my service to God, so much as the satisfying of his pleasure.

Speed hist. l. 9. c. 21. p. 1034. to 1043. Grafton, An 27. H. 8. p. 1233. to 1237.Edward Lee, 2323EDWARD LEE.who succeeded him in his Arch Bishopricke, in the great Rebellion of the North, An. 1535. and 1536. joyned with the Rebels against his Prince; some say, it was against his wil, but certain it is, that the Abbots, priests, and Clergi-men were the chief cause & ring-leaders in this Rebellion, the principall pretence wherof, was the reformation of religion, the abolishing of the heresies of Luther, Zuinglius, Wicklif, and other Protestant Writers the removing of Cranmer & other hereticall Bishops and Privie Counsellors, the restoring of p. 220and Priori…s… and all points of Popery formerly maintained… with the confirmation of the priviledges of this in speciall, that Priests might not suffer for any treason or felony, unlesse they were first degraded. Now the Abbots, Priests, Monkes and Clergie, being the stirrers up and chiefe Captaines of this Rebellion upon these points of Religion and priviledge of the Church, which mainely concerned the Clergie, it is likely the Arch-Bishop was as forward as any of the rest in this Insurrection, and that he accompanied and encouraged the Rebels not out of … or constraint, as hee afterwards pretended, but willingly, though …he King pardoned him, as he did all the other wilfull Rebels. Some of them making a new insurrection, were af…erwards taken and executed as Traytors to the Crowne; among which number, Pa…law Abbot of Whaley in Lincolnshire, Iohn Castlegate and William Haydocke Monkes of the same house, Robert Hobs Abbot of Woborne in Bedfordshire, Adam Sudbury Abbot of Germany with Astbeed a Monke of that House, the Abbot of Sawly in Lan…ash…re, and the Prior of the same, William W…ld Prior of Birlingto…, the Parson of Padington, 5. priests of Lincolnshire, Doctor Markerell, who stiled himselfe Captaine Cobler, and Iohn Allen Priests (the chiefe fire-brands in this Rebellion) were hanged for Rebellion, as they well deserved, though they named their enterprise an holy blessed Pilgrimage, and had certaine Banners in the field, wherein was planted Christ hanging on the Crosse on the one side, and a Chalice with a painted Cake in it, on the other side.

2424ROBERT HOLGATE.For other Arch-Bishops since, I finde not much concerning them; onelyonly I reade, that Godwin, p. 624.Robert Holgate his next Successour, was committed prisoner to the Tower in the first yeare of Queene Mary, where he lay an yeare and halfe; and that Edwin Sands another of his Successours, was long impri…oned by Queene p. 221Mary: **Fox Acts and Monuments, p. 1891. to 1894. Godwin. p. 625.he being Vice-chancellour of Cambridge when the Lady Iane was proclaimed Queene… preached a Sermon upon that oc…sion, which was like to cost him his life.

Samuel Harsnet 2525HARSN…T…the last Archbish. but one being made a Privie Councellour by our present Sover…igne King Charles, was such a furious Hildebrand, that like Davus in the Comedie, he perturbed all things where ever he came; insomuch, that the Lords and Court growing wearie of him and his domineering outrage, caused him to be sent from Court to his Arch-Bishopricke, and there to keepe residence till he should be sent for: Where having no other imployment, hee falls by the eares with Doctor Howson Bishop of Durham, whom he excommunicated, for refusing to admit him to visit in his Diocesse as his Metropolitane, he being a Count Palatine in his Bishopricke; and withall falling to persecute the godly Ministers of his Diocesse, he was smitten mortally with a dangerous disease, whereof he died the very night before he resolved to suspend and silence some good men summoned to appeare before him the next morning. This furious Arch-Prelate was such an enemie to the Lawes and Liberties of the subject, that in the case of Mr. Walter Long, censured in Star-chamber about 4. Caroli, for comming up to the Parliament House, whereof he was a member, whil…s he was Sheriffe of Wiltshire, contrary to his Oath, (as was pretended) when as his Counsell produced divers ancient Records and Presidents touching the Priviledges of Parliaments and the members of it, to exempt him from the Jurisdiction and sentence of that Court; this Arch-Bishop checked his counsell for troubling them with Moth-Eaten Records, saying, That they sate there not to be guided by Presidents, but to make Presidents; and so proceeded to censure in the cause. In a word, I may conclud of him… as Saint Epist. 237. f. 233.Bernard long before, did of one of his predecessors: Nonne Eboracensis ipse est cui p. 222te praes…nte, fratres tui restiterunt in faciem, eo quod reprehensibilis erat? sed speravit in multitudine divitiarum suarum, & praevalu…t in vanitate sua: Cert…m est tamen quod non intravit per ostium in ouile ovium, sed ascendit aliunde. Si Paston fui…set, diligendus erat; si mercenarius, tolerandus; Nunc autem cavendus et repellendus utpote fur & latro.

2626RICHARD NEALE.Richard Neale the last Arch-bishop of York, before his comming to that See, about the 13 yeare of King Iames not long after hee was created a Bishop, was highly questioned in Parliment for seditious speeches against the Commons House, for which he had suffered condigne punishment, had he not beene an active instrument to dissolve that Parliament, to avoid the censure of it. Since that he had a hand in dissolving other Parliaments, to the prejudice of the King and Kingdome. In the Remonstrance of the Commons House of Parliament, presented to King Charles our Soveraigne in the 3. yeare of his Raigne; hee was by name complained against as one of the chiefe heads of the popish and Arminian Factions, which disquietted both our Church and State; and as a persecuter of good Ministers, and suppressour of Lectures. How many godly Ministers he prosecuted, silenced, suspended, deprived, both in the High Commission, and all the Diocesse under his Jurisdiction, whiles hee continued in favour at the Court, is so well knowne to all, that I need not relate it: And his disfavour at Court (as most conjecture) was the cause of his unexpected Clemencie to the Ministers of the province of York some few years before his death. He was the first advancer of William Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury, of Doctor Cousins, with sundry other Incendiaries and Innovators both in Church and State, who were entertained by him for his Chaplaines… and then promoted by his meanes… to the ruine almost of our Religion and Kingdome. He was a great enemy to Parliaments. Prohibitions, the Liberties of the Subject, and Lawes of the Land: Hee p. 223seldome or never preached himselfe, and therefore could not endure frequent preaching in others: Hee was a great furtherer of the Booke for sports on the Lords day, and an enemy to puritie, Puritans, and the sincere practise of pietie. Hee had a hand in ratifying the late Canons and Oath, in affront of his Majesties Prerogative, the Parliament, Lawes, and Liberties of the Subject; And no doubt he had a finger in the late Scottish Warres and Combustions; whereupon hee burnt all his Letters concerning Church and State-affaires, as soone as he heard the Scots had entred into England, for feare they should have beene surprized and his fellow-Prelates machinations against the Scots by their surprisall discovered. He had a chiefe hand and influence in the unjust and bloudy sentences against Dr. Layton and Mr. Pryn in the Star-chamber; against Mr. Smart … Dr. Bastwicke, Mr. Huntly, and sundry others in the High Comission; in the vexatious and most exorbitant proceedings against Calvin Bruen, Peter Lee, Mr. Inch, and sundry others of Chester, See a new discovery of the Prelates Tyranny, p. 92. to 108.for visiting M. Pryn in his passage through that Citie towards Carnarvan Castle … and by 2. Orders under the high Commission Seale of Yorke, signed with his owne and other Commissioners hands, bearing date the 10. Novem. and 4. Decem. 1637. commanded 5. Pictures of the Portraiture of M. Pryn to be defaced, and then burnt at the high Crosse in Chester, before the Maior, Alderman, and Citizens… out of an hatred to Mr. Prynnes person (which no doubt hee would have burned to, as well as his picture, had it bin in his power.) This Arch-Prelate by the aide of his quondam Chaplain Canterbury, incroached much on the liberties of the Lord Maior and Citizens of Yorke, with whom he had many contests; and procured a Mandate to the Lord Maior, not to carry his sword before him within the Close and Cathedrall at Yorke, though his Predecessours had ever used to do it from K. Richard the 2. his daies, who gave them this priviledge by a Charter, and yet the Deane and Prebends of Yorke in the meane p. 224have intruded themselves (contrary to divers Charters) into the civill Government of the Citie of Yorke, which no wayes appertaine unto them. The Maior of Yorke is the Kings Lieutenant there, and his Sword of Justice the Kings, not his owne. Therefore the Arch-Bishops putting downe of his Sword within the Precincts of the Close, is a direct incroachment upon his Majesties Prerogative Royall, and a denying of his Supremacie and Jurisdiction over him, or his Cathedrall at Yorke. This Prelate being scarce Parliament proofe, to prevent all questioning; at the approach of this present Parliamentary Assembly fell sicke and dyed, being now gone to answer all his Episcopall extravagancies before a greater Tribunall. For my part, I meddle not with him as he was a man… but onelyonly as he was a Prelate; not to defame his person, or posteritie, but to discover the evill effects of his Prelacie: His See continueth yet void since his death… And for ever may it so remaine, unlesse his Successours prove more loyall to their Soveraignes, more profitable to our Church and State, then hee and his fore-mentioned Predecessours have beene.

p. 225CHAP. III. Comprising the severall Treasons, Conspiracies, Rebellions, Contumacies, Disloyalties, Warres, Dissentions, and State-Schismes of the Bishops of London, Winchester, Durham, Salisbury, and Lincolne.

HAving thus presented you with the History of the Treasons, Conspiracies, &c. of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and Yorke, I shall now proceed to those of our inferiour Prelates of London, Winchester, Durham, Salisbury and Lincolne; who, as the old Cockes of Canterbury and Yorke did crow in this behalfe, so the young Cockrels of these and other Sees did imitate their demeanour, (as In his Description of England, l. 2 c. 1. p. 133.William Harrison well observeth) which may appeare by these ensuing Examples and Histories of their lives.