The life of Sir Thomas Pope: founder of Trinity College Oxford. Chiefly compiled from original evidences. With an appendix of papers, never before printed. The second edition, corrected and enlarged. By Thomas Warton, ...

SECT. I.

THOMAS POPE was born at Dedington in Oxfordshire, about the year 1508a 1.1, and at the end of the reign of king Henry the seventh.

His parents were William and Margaret Popeb 1.2, who lived at Dedingtonc 1.3: but the family, which seems at least to have been that

of a gentleman, was originally seated in Kent, before the reign of Edward the thirdd 1.4. Wil|liam appears to have been married to a former wife, named Julian Edmondese 1.5. His second wife, Margaret, mother of THOMAS POPE, was the daughter of Edmund Yate, of Stan|lake in Oxfordshiref 1.6: and after the death of

William Pope, she was again married, to John Bustarde of Adderbury in the same countyg 1.7. Beside the abovementioned THOMAS, the principal subject of these papers, the said Wil|liam and Margaret had one son, John; and three daughters, Elisabeth, Julian, and Aliceh 1.8: concerning all which I shall speak more at large hereafter.

William and Margaret Pope seem to have lived in a decent and creditable condition, as may be collected from the bequests of Wil|liam's will; which also partly shews the cir|cumstances in which his eldesti 1.9 son was left. He bequeathes his land to be divided between

his wife and his son THOMASk 1.10: one hundred pounds to the said THOMAS, and forty pounds to each daughter: a stipend to a priest to sing for his soul one year in the church of Deding|ton, in which he directs his body to be buri|ed: three shillings and four-pence, respective|ly, to the torches, the bells, Saint Thomas's beam, and our Lady's beam, in the said church: six shillings and four-pence to Clifton chapel near Dedington: three shillings and four-pence to the mother church of Lincoln; and to each of his god-children a sheep. He died in the year 1523l 1.11. By an inquisition taken after his death, it appears, that he pos|sessed estates, at Whitehill and Hooknorton in Oxfordshire, of the yearly value of six poundsm 1.12. Margaret has wife survived him many years, and died on the twenty-fifth day of August, 1557n 1.13, at Wroxton, in Oxford|shire,

where she seems to have lived during the latter part of her life with her younger son, Johno 1.14; her second husband, John Bus|tarde, dying in the year 1534p 1.15.

Their son THOMAS received the first rudi|ments of grammatical learning at the public school of the neighbouring town of Banbury; at that time a celebrated school, and kept by Thomas Stanbridge of Ma dalen college in Oxford, an eminent instructor of youthq 1.16, bro|ther of John Stanbridge, who compiled a fa|mous grammar, called Stanbridge-grammarr 1.17.

From hence he was removed to Eton colleges 1.18: but I do not find that he completed his educa|tion at either of our universities.

It seems most probable, that he was imme|diately sent from Eton school to some of the inns of court. I believe, to Gray's-inn. That he was bred to the law is certain; and there is undoubted evidence that he was employed, while very young, in some of the inferior offices of the court of chanceryt 1.19. And that he was originally destined, and regularly train|ed, to this profession, may be conjectured from his hand-writing; many specimens of which remain in his college at Oxford. Nor is it improbable, that he might be placed in his youth, for some time at least, under the super|intendence and instruction of some skilful practitioner in the law, perhaps a master in chancery; as in his will he bequeathes to his old master's son, master Crokeu 1.20, his black sattin

gown faced with Luserne-spotsw 1.21. This Croke or Crooke, his supposed Master, seems to have been the chief of the six clerks in chancery who was ordered by Sir Thomas More, for the satisfaction of the judges, and his own justifi|cation, to make a docquet of all the Injunc|tions which he had given to the law courts during the time of his chancellorshipx 1.22.

But whatever was our young adventurer's situation in early life, it is remarkable that a person of his obscure family and inconsiderable fortune, should so soon recommend himself to public notice, and gain access even to the royal favour. Vigorous abilities, and an active mind, easily surmounted all obstacles; and he quickly became a successful candidate in the pursuit of riches and honour.

What was the first step to his advance|ment in life, and whether it arose from the friendship of some private patron, from any distinguished merit in his profession, a peculiar cast for business in general, or a lucky con|currence of all these causes, cannot be precisely determined, although from what follows it may be partly conjectured. He was not much more than twenty-seven years of age, when he had sufficient address or interest to procure an appointment to offices, which seem to have been alternately bestowed upon Henry's most eminent favourites, and the most popular cha|racters of those timesy 1.23.

Having been early initiated, as I before ob|served, in the business of chancery, on the fifth day October, 1533, he was constituted by let|ters patent of Henry the eighth, clerk of the briefs in the star-chamber at Westminsterz 1.24, On the fifteenth day of October in the same year, he received by letters patent of the same king, a reversionary grant of the office of clerk

of the crown in chancery. Of this post, very soon afterwards, he became actually possessed; with an annual fee of twenty pounds from the hanaper, and also a robe with fur at the feasts of Christmas and Pentecost from the king's great wardrobea 1.25.

On the thirteenth day of November 1535, he was constituted, by the king's letters patent, warden of the mint, exchange, and coinage, in the tower of London, on the voluntary re|signation, in his favour, of John Coppynger, page of the great wardrobeb 1.26. How long he continued in this office I have not learned. It seems, however, that he had quitted it within eight years, and, as I suppose, for some more valuable considerationc 1.27. On the twenty-third day of December, 1536, he was likewise by letters patent appointed, to exercise jointly with William Smythe, the office of clerk of all the briefs in the star-chamber at West|minsterd 1.28.

On February the twenty-eighth, 1538, he obtained, at his own instance, a new royal li|cence for exercising the office of clerk of the crown in conjunction with John Lucase 1.29, who was afterwards, in the reign of Edward the sixth, an eminent crown-lawyer, and employ|ed by that prince in many important commis|sionsf 1.30. The first of these grants he perhaps obtained by the recommendation of Sir Tho|mas More; who presiding as Lord Chancellor in the court above-mentioned, where Sir Tho|mas Pope was employed when a young man, might have taken particular notice of his pro|mising diligence and abilities; and from which circumstance, a lasting friendship and intimacy between them both, as will be shewn here|after, seems to have originally commenced. Although there is equal reason to suppose, as it will likewise appear in its proper place, that he was in no less favour and esteem with Sir Thomas More's successor, the Lord Chancellor Thomas lord Audley; under whose immediate inspection and authority he exercised the office of clerk of the crown, and clerk of the briefs in the star-chamber: and to both of which

departments, as I presume, he must have been appointed by Lord Chancellor Audley's nomi|nationg 1.31.

But these appointments were soon succeeded by one of much greater consequence. For in the year 1536, he was constituted, by the king, Treasurer of the Court of augmentations of the king's revenue, on its first establishment by act of parliamenth 1.32.

The principal design of this court was for estimating the lands of the dissolved mona|steries, vested in the Crown, and for receiving their revenues. It had moreover full power and authority to sell the monastic possessions for the king's servicei 1.33. It was so called from the encrease which the royal revenue received,

by this new acquisition of property. All per|sons holding leases and pensions, by former grants, from any convent, exhibited their titles before this court, and their pretensions were allowed in proportion to their validity. And although the governors of the religious houses, foreseein their fate, often contrived immedi|ately before the dissolution of their respective societies, to forge new contracts or indentures in favour of their friends or kindred, few frauds of this kind took effect. For the court seems to have been very vigilant in preventing and exposing such specious imposturesk 1.34.

The officers of this court were a Chancel|lor, it's superior, a Treasurer abovementioned, who was the second officer, a sollicitor, ten auditors, seventeen recievers, with others, be|longing to the inferior departments. It was a court of record, and possessed of two sealsl 1.35.

The Treasurer's office appears to have been a post of considerable profit and distinction, and of equal trust and importance. He was ranked with the principal officers of state in the reign of Henry the eighth. For by statute of the same, he was privileged, together with

the chancellor of the said court, the chancellor of the dutchy of Lancaster, the treasurer of the king's chamber, the chancellor of the court of first Fruits and Tenths, the master of the king's wards and liveries, the groom of the stole, the warden of the cinque ports, and other honourable personages, respectively, to retain in his house one chaplain having a bene|fice with cure of souls, who should not be compelled to residencem 1.36. The Treasurer was allowed a limited annual salary for the exercise of his office; as also perquisites for such sums of money as he paid to the patentees of any office, fee, or annuity, granted under the seal of the court: and also, for such disbursements as he made to any other persons, by virtue of the king's warrant or bill assigned, or by bill assigned and subscribed by the chancellor, and one other officer.

These fees were regulated according to the practice of the court of the dutchy of Lancas|tern 1.37. The allowance of Sir John Williams, afterwards Lord Williams of Tame, Treasurer of this court in the reign of Edward the sixth, was 320 l. A sum, which I presume, was

then the full value of this placeo 1.38: but which, although very considerable, was much inferi|or to the emoluments of the same office, when in the possession of Sir Thomas Pope.

The Treasurer at his admission was sworn before the chancellor, that he would reasonably and honestly procure the king's profit, admi|nister justice to the poor as well as the rich, faithfully keep and expend the king's treasure, and exhibit a true declaration of it without concealment. The receivers were ordered to pay into his hands the whole rents of all the dissolved monasteries: concerning which he accounted annually before the chancellor and two auditors. The chaneellor, Treasurer, at|torney, and sollicitor, or any two of them were entrusted with power or licence to act without the king's warrantp 1.39.

On the dissolution of any greater abbey, some of the auditors, who were employed in riding to survey the manors and lands of the court, repaired thither, and were lodged and

accommodated in the houseq 1.40; for the purpose of acquiring intelligence, and of transacting the necessary business relating to the several estates, with more convenience and certainty. The first chancellor of this court was Sir Richard Rich, afterwards lord Rich, and lord high chancellor of Englandr 1.41.

Sir Thomas Pope held the treasurership of this court about five years, and was succeeded by Sir Edward Norths 1.42, privy counsellor and executor to Henry the eighth, and created a baron by queen Mary. About the same time he was appointed master, or treasurer, of the jewel-house in the towert 1.43. The yearly sti|pend of this office, when in the possession of Thomas lord Cromwell, about five years be|fore, was fifty poundsu 1.44.

It would have broken the thread of my narrative, if I had before observed, that in 1535, June the twenty-sixth, beginning now to rise in the world, he received from Barker, otherwise garter king at arms, a patent for a new coat of arms, to be borne by him and his posterityw 1.45; which are the same that are now borne by Trinity college in Oxford: viz. Party per pale, or and azure, on a cheveron between three gryphons heads erased, four fleur de lys, all counterchargedx 1.46. To which it may be add|ed here, that in the latter end of the following year, viz. 1536, on the fifteenth day of Octo|ber, he was knighted by Henry eighthy 1.47, amid the solemnities attending the creations of the earl of Southampton, and the gallant Edward Seymour, earl of Hertford, afterwards the

famous duke of Somerset. At which time Henry Howard, afterwards the celebrated and unfortunate earl of Surrey, also received the honor of knighthoodz 1.48.

A few years after the erection of the court of augmentations above-mentioned, the king perceiving that his exigencies required more expeditious returns of money than the annual revenues of the dissolved monasteries could pro|duce, was necessitated to sell by one extensive commission a very considerable part of their lands, for the purpose of raising present supplies. By this step the court of augmentations was soon diminished. The causes depending in it became few and inconsiderable, and the crown|profits arising from thence decreased; it's offi|cers were numerous, and their pensions ample. On these considerations he was induced to dis|solve it; which he did by letters patent only: and on the second of January, 1546, created by the same letters patent, a new court of augmentations, on a different and more con|fined plan.

In an original rough draught of this new establishmenta 1.49, Sir Thomas Pope is nominated, by the king, master of the woods of the court

on this side the river Trent, and Sir John Wil|liams, Treasurer. The other principal patent|officers, recited in the instrument, are Sir Ed|ward North, who is appointed chancellor, Sir Walter Mildmay, and Sir Thomas Moyle, ge|neral surveyors, Robert Henneage master of the woods beyond Trent, Richard Goodricke, attorney, and John Gosnold, sollicitor. The rest are Geoffry Gates, and John Arnscott, sur|veyors of the woods on each side Trent, and Richard Duke. The two masters of the woods on each side Trent, are styled the fourth offi|cers. At this time Sir Thomas Pope was one of the king's privy-counsellorsb 1.50 The total sum of yearly fees belonging to this court, on its second reduced establishmemt, amounted to 7249l. 10s. 3d.c 1.51.

In the year 1553, the last of the reign of Ed|ward the sixth, the first effort was made for the actual abolition of this court, which by degrees was become burthensome, and at length super|fluous. Accordingly, the same year, at Mary's

accessiond 1.52 it was incorporated into the exche|quere 1.53. Soon afterwards followed a grand sale of lands, which formerly came within the cog|nisance of this court, and continued in possession of the crown, under the conduct of commissio|ners; one of which was the chancellor of the exchequer. This appears from three valuable manuscript volumes in the British Museumf 1.54, which the learned and accurate Wanley sup|posed to have belonged to the court of aug|mentations. But this could not be the case, as the first of them was made and begins so late as the year 1557, four years after the abo|lition of that court. They were however com|piled in consequence of that institution, and may be considered among the last remains of its recordsg 1.55.

It is commonly supposed, and it has been said in general terms, that Sir Thomas Pope was appointed one of the commissioners, or vi|sitors, under Cromwell, for dissolving the reli|gious houses. It is indeed true, that he was one of those, into whose hands the seal of the magnificent and opulent abbey of Saint Alban's was surrendered on the fifth day of December, 1539, by the last abbot, Richard Stevenacheh 1.56. This however is the only instance I can find, that he was ever concerned in this sort of bu|siness. His name does not appear among the persons specially appointed by Cromwell for this purpose; whose names are recited by Dug|dalei 1.57 from an authentic manuscript in the

Cotton Library. Nor does his name occur in the private commissions, which, after a dili|gent search, I have seen relating to this matter; nor in any instruments of resignation, letters of advice to the visitor general, memorials, or other authentic papers, concerning the visitati|on or suppression of any monastery. My opi|nion is therefore, that he was only occasionally employed at Saint Alban's, as being one of the principal officers in the court of augmentations, as the place was in the neighbourhood of Lon|don, and as the surrender of so famous an ab|bey was an affair of some importance. Thus we find that the priory, now the dean and chapter, of Canterbury, was not dissolved in the ordi|nary way; it being thought necessary, that the archbishop of Canterbury, the master of the rolls, Walter Henley attorney and Nicholas Bacon sollicitor of the augmentation-court with four others, should be sent thither, to take the resignation of the prior and monksk 1.58. However, if it can be proved, that he was ever engaged on other occasions in these violent proceedings of an avaricious and arbitrary prince, it may at the same time be fairly presumed, that in an em|ployment which afforded so many obvious temptations to fraud, oppression and rapacity,

he behaved with singular decency, moderation, and honour. Of this we have the impartial evidence of a prejudiced historian. For Fuller, who is remarkably severe on the visitors in general, and who is seldom sparing of his invectives, wherever he can discover the slightest foundation for abuse, mentioning Sir Thomas Pope as an agent in these af|fairs, immediately subjoins:

"However, by all the printed books of that age, he ap|peareth one of a candid carriage; and in this respect stands sole and single by himself. That of the abbey-lands which he received, he refunded a considerable proportion for the building and endowing Trinity college in Oxfordl 1.59."

And in another place, he mentions him with honour on the same subject.

"But the most pleasant object to entertain us at this time in England, is the beholding of two fair and fresh foundations in Oxford; the one Trinity college, built by Sir Thomas Pope, principal visitor at the dissolution of abbiesm 1.60. Now as none were losers employed in that service, so we find few refunding back to charitable uses; and perchance this man alone the thankful Samaritane who made a publick acknowledgementn 1.61."

At the surren|der

of Saint Alban's Abbey, he preserved by his interest, and particular application to the king, the noble conventual church now stand|ing, and made parochialo 1.62: one of the earliest and most venerable monuments of Norman architecture remaining in Englandp 1.63.

On the whole, the circumstance of his hav|ing received grants of the lands of the monaste|ries, seems to have occasioned the mistaken sup|position that he was frequently and professedly concerned as a Commissioner in the dissolution of their foundations. That his prodigious pro|perty was accumulated in consequence of the destruction of the religious houses, is not deni|ed: and the lucky oportunity of raising an es|tate from this grand harvest of riches which now lay open before him, seems to have divert|ed his thoughts from making a fortune by the law; a profession which he most probably would have otherwise continued to cultivate with the greatest success, and in which he might have undoubtedly claimed the most opu|lent and distinguished stations. I could give a minute detail, from the most authentic evi|dences, of the grants of abbey-land, which he

recieved during the reign of Henry the eighth; but it may suffice to observe in more general terms, that before the year 1556, he appears to have been actually possessed of more than thirty manors in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, War|wickshire, Derbyshire, Bedfordshire, Hereford|shire, and Kent; beside other considerable es|tates, and several advowsons. Some of these possessions were given him by Henry the eighth; but the greatest part was acquired by purchase while he was connected with the court of augmentationsq 1.64. Many of his estates were bought of Queen Maryr 1.65.

But let us suppose, what indeed cannot be proved, that Sir Thomas Pope was one of Cromwell's visitors in the affair of the monas|teries. For although I have insinuated above, that these visitors were not on all occasions en|tirely justifiable in their proceedings, I am yet

inclined to think, that their conduct and be|haviour were in general less blameable than has been commonly represented.

It is no wonder, that the monks should load those whom they esteemed the instruments of their ruin with many calumnies; all which were studiously propagated and heightened by their advocates of the catholic persuasion. And it should at the same time be remembered, that the king's injunctions, under which they acted, were extremely severe; insomuch, that many fraternities desired their houses might be rather entirely suppressed, than reformed under such rigorous conditions.

With regard to the vices and disorderss 1.66, which they pretended to have detected in the

monasteries, their reports sometimes perhaps deserve credit, as those enormities are too natu|rally and unavoidably connected with the mo|nastic institution. In this, as in all other cases of that sort, mutual opposition produced mu|tual obloquy.

Nor should it be forgotten, that the visitors gave a favorable report of some houses. They interceded earnestly for the nunnery of God-stowe in Oxfordshire: declaring that the nuns were strict in their lives; and alledging that the suppression of this house would prove an irre|parable inconvenience, as most of the young ladies of the best families of that county were sent thither for educationt 1.67. From the abbey of

saint Edmondsbury in Suffolk they wrote to Cromwell, that they could find nothing scan|dalous in the Abbot or any member of the con|ventu 1.68. After surveying the stately and ancient abbey of Glastonbury, they recommended it to the Lord Privy seal, that the buildings, at least, might be suffered to remain undemolish|ed; representing, that the structure in general of this monastery was so magnificent, that it might very properly be spared, and easily be converted into a palace for the kingw 1.69. Gyffard, in particular, one of the visitors, petitioned in the strongest terms for the absolute continuance of the monastery of Woolstrope in Lincoln|shire. I will insert the words of his letter to Cromwell; not only because they contain an unexpected instance of candour, compassion, and honesty, but as they preserve a curious picture of a well-regulated religious house, of the se|cond magnitude, at that period.

"The gover|nor thereof [Woolstrope] is a verie good husbande for the howse, and well beloved of all the inhabitants thereunto adjoyn|ynge:—a right honest man, having ryghte religious persones, being prests of ryght good conversacion, and lyvynge relygiously: having such qualities of vertue as we have

not found the lyke in no place. For ther is not one religious person ther, but that he can and doth use, either embrotheryng, writinge bokes with verie fair hande, mak|yng their owne garments, carving, paynting, or graffing [graving]. The howse wythout eny slaunder or ill fame, and standinge verie solitarie: keepinge such hospitalitie, that, except singular good provysion, it could not be manytened with half so much land more as they may spend. Such a number of the pore inhabitants nigh thereunto daily reliev|ed, that we have not seene the lyke, havinge no more lands than they have. God be even my judge, as I do wryte unto yow the troth. Which verie pitie causeth me to write. The premises considered, I beseche yow to be a meane to the king's majestie, for the stand|inge of the sayde Wolstropex 1.70."

The same

commissioner, with three others of his associ|ates in the visitation, pleaded in the same be|nevolent strain for the nunnery of Catesby in Northamptonshire.

"This house we found in very perfett order. The priores a sure, wise, discreet, and very relygious woman; with ix nunnys under her obedyence, as relygious and devout, and with as good obedyence as we have in time paste seen, or belyke shall see. The seid howse standyth in such a quarter much to the releff of the king's peo|ple, and his grace's pore subjects their [there] likewyse moo relieved.—Wherefore yf yt shuld please the kyng's highnes to have eny remorse, that eny such religious howse shall stande; we think his grace cannot appointe eny howse more mete to shewe his most gra|cious charitie and pitey over than on the saide howse of Catesbyy 1.71."

I find also Gyf|fard interceding in the same manner for the nunnery of Polesworth in Warwickshire.

"Wherein is an abbes namyd dame Alice Fitzherbert, of the age of lx yeares, a very sadde, discreate, and religyous woman:—and in the same howse, under her rule, are xii vertuous and religyous nonnes, and of good conversation.—Wherefore ye myght do a ryght good and merytorious dede, to be medyatour to the kyng's highnes for the said howse to stande and remayne unsuppres|sed.—And in the town of Polesworth are xliv tenements, and never a plough but onez 1.72: the resydue be artifycers, laborers, and victellers, and live in effect by the said howse, and the repayre and resorte that ys made to the gentylmens children and stu|diountes, that ther do lyf, to the nombre sometyme of xxx and sometyme xl and more; that their be ryght vertuously brought upp, &c. Written at Maxstocke beside Co|ventree the xxviii day of Julya 1.73."

[1537.] Many others of the commissioners also shewed a compassionate concern for the religious at their expulsion, in providing them proper pen|sions,

according to their age, infirmities, or other circumstances of distressb 1.74.

In the reign of Henry the eighth, Sir Tho|mas Pope was employed in various services and attendances about the court. He was appoint|edc 1.75, April 21, 1544, together with Sir Ed|ward North, afterwards Lord North, to con|vey the great seal of England, being resigned by the lord chancellor Audley then indisposed, to the king at his new palace of Westminster, who delivered it into the custody of Sir Tho|mas Wriothesseyd 1.76. There is a circumstance

relating to this resignation which is not men|tioned by any of our historians. For the king committed the seal to Sir Thomas Wriothesley, with the title of keeper, only during the indis|position of lord Audley; with the reservation of reinstating him in the chancellorship on his recoverye 1.77. In 1547, he seems to have been summoned and examined by the privy council, concerning certain treasonable expressions which had dropped from Thomas duke of Norfolk, afterwards condemned with lord Surrey but not executed, in reference to the Act of Usesf 1.78. He was a singular and most intimate friend of sir Thomas More, who seems to have taken early notice of him, as I before hinted, when a young man in the court of chancery; and was sent by the king, to notify to that illustrious sufferer in the cause of mis|taken conscience, the hour appointed for his execution.

As the interview between these two friends, on this important occasion, is memorable and interesting, I shall insert it at length.

On the fifth day of Julyg 1.79, 1535, he waited on sir Thomas More, then under condemnation in the Tower, early in the morning; and ac|quainted him that he came by command of the king and council, to bring his unfortunate friend the melancholy news, that he must suf|fer death before nine of the clock the same morning, and that therefore he should imme|diately begin to prepare himself for that awe|ful event. Upon this message, More, without the least surprize or emotion, chearfully repli|ed;

"Master Pope, I most heartily thank you for your good tidings. I have been much bound to the king's highness for the benefits of his honors that he hath most bountifully bestowed upon me; yet am I more bound to his grace, I assure you, for putting me here, where I have had convenient time and space to have remembrance of my end. And so help me god. Most of all am I bound unto him, that it hath pleased his majesty so shortly to rid me out of the miseries of this wicked world."

Then Pope subjoined, that

it was the king's pleasure that at the place of execution he should not use many words. To this More answered, that he was ready to sub|mit to the king's commands; and added,

"I beseech you good Mr. Pope, to gett the king to suffer my daughter Margaret to be present at my burial."

Pope assured him that he would use his utmost interest with the king for this purpose: and having now finished his disagreeable commission, he solemnly took leave of his dying friend, and burst into tears. More perceiving his concern, said with his usual composure;

"Quiet yourself, good Mr. Pope, and be not discomforted; for I trust that we shall one day in heaven see each other full merrily, where we shall be sure to live and love together in joyful bliss eternal|lyh 1.80."

But this method of consolation prov|ing ineffectual, More to divert the melancholy of his friend, and to dismiss him in better spirits, called for a glass; and applying it as an urinal, he held it up to the light, and with the prophetic air of a sagacious physician gravely declared,

"This man might have lived longer if it had pleased the kingi 1.81."

In consequence of sir Thomas Pope's in|tercession with the king, agreeably to More's earnest and dying request, his favorite daugh|ter, Margaret Roper, and others of his family were permitted to be present at his interment, which was performed immediately after the execution in the chapel of the Tower. But Margaret afterwards, and probably by the same interest, begged the body of the king, and deposited it on the south-side of the choir of the church of Chelsea, where a monu|ment, with an inscription written by himself, had been erected some time before. This affectionate daughter, whose resolution equals her pity, also found means to procure her father's head, after it had remained, igno|miniously stuck on a pole, on London bridge, for fourteen days. For this daring fact she was apprehended and imprisoned; but declar|ing in her defence before the privy coun|cil, that she had bought it that it might not in the end become food for fishes in the Thames, she was dischargedk 1.82. However she carefully preserved it for some time in a leaden box, till an opportunity offered of con|veying

it to Canterbury, where she placed it in a vault belonging to her husband's family, under a chapel adjoining to saint Dunstan's church in that cityl 1.83.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Computed from his age at the year of his death.
• b 1.2

  E Statut. coll. Trin. Oxon. cap. xiii.

  "Majestatem tuam oramus, O beata Trinitas, ut animarum Margarete uxoris Fundatoris nostri, et Gulielmi et Margarete parentum ejus|dem, &c."
• c 1.3

  Visitation of Oxfordshire, by Ric. Lee, Portcullis Marshall to Clarencieux King at Arms, A.D. 1570. MSS. in Mus. Ashmol. Oxon. Codd. A. Wood. 4to. 8522. 60. pag. 32.
• d 1.4

  Ex stemmate Pope, MSS. in rotulo praegrandi pergamen. penes honoratiss. Francisc. com. de Guildford. By which it likewise appears, that the said William Pope was the only son of John, second son of Thomas Pope, and Grace Sampson his wife.
• e 1.5

  Lee's MS. visitation ut supr. ibid. And MS. pedigree of Pope, manu A. Wood, inter MSS. Rawlins. bibl. Bodl. Com|pared with evidence occurring hereafter. One John Edmondes of Dedington, is mentioned in Ashmole's Berkshire, who, as I collect, was her uncle. iii. 285. As also in Lee's MSS. ut supr. pag. 41. Her father was probably Robert Edmondes, one of the executors of William Pope's will. Append. Numb. I. John Edmondes is also a subscribing witness to an Instrument, Ap|pend. No. XXII. John Edmondes, the elder, is mentioned in an indenture of lands between Sir T. Pope, and Trinity col|lege, Oxon. dat. Jun. 26. 1558. In registr. prim. fol. 20.
• f 1.6

  From Lee's MS. visitation, ut supr. pag. 51. Compared with pedigr. MSS. Rawlins. According to Lee, Edmund Yate of Stanlake was third son and heir of Richard Yate of Charney, co. Berks. He married Margaret, daughter of John Cornwall of Stanlake. See the pedigree of Yate of Charney, which is not altogether exact, in Ashmole's Berkshire, iii. 321.

  Wood says, that Margaret Pope, in the text, was the daugh|ter of — Yate of Stanford in Wootton-hundred in Oxford|shire. Hist. Antiq. univ. Oxon. ii. 301. But no such place occurs in that hundred. Ashmole, Berks. iii. 295. mentions Yate of Stanford, Berks; which place Wood seems to have confounded with Sandford, a village in Wootton-hundred. Many of the family of Yate appear to have lived in, and about, the villages of Charney, Buckland, and Stanford, Berks, and Stanlake, Oxfordshire; places all of the same neighbourhood. What still further confirms my supposition, that Wood is mis|taken, and that the said Edmund Yate, of Stanlake, was Mar|garet Pope's father, is; that Peter Yate of Stanlake, whom Sir Thomas Pope in a letter, dat. 1557, calls his cousin, appears to have been a tenant to Trinity college, Oxford. In indentur. dat. Jul. 3. 1556. I find likewise one Barthol. Yate, co. Berks, who I presume was of some of the places abovementioned, or from that neighbourhood, elected scholar of the said college, in 1569. Ex registr. prim. dicti coll. fol. 34. But it would be needless, end trifling, to multiply proofs.
• g 1.7

  Ex epitaph. infra citat.
• h 1.8

  Lee's MSS. visitat. ut supr. 32. And from evidences oc|curring hereafter.
• i 1.9

  See Append. I.
• k 1.10

  I find that Sir Thomas Pope sold the manor of Dedington, with other possessions in the neighbourhood, to K. Henry viii. by indent. dat. Mar. 21. an. reg. 36. But the premisses were no-paternal estate of the Popes; having been granted to Sir Thomas Pope, but a few years before, as parcel of the priory of Bicester, viz. Pat. 28. Hen. viii. Test. Feb. 11. par. 5.
• l 1.11

  From the probate of his will, Append. No. I.
• m 1.12

  See Append. No. *XII.*
• n 1.13

  She is buried in the chancel of Wroxton church, with this epitaph on a brass plate:

  Here lyeth under this stone buryed Margart Bustarde, widowe, sometyme the wif of William Pope of Deding|ton in the county of Oxford, Gent. and afterward married to John Bustarde, Gent. dwellinge at Atterbury in the said county: which William and Margaret were father and mother to Sir Thomas Pope Knight, and John Pope, Esquire. And the said Margaret departed out of this worlde the xxv day of August an. dni. 1557, and hopeth to ryse and lyve agayne with Christe eternally.
• o 1.14

  Ex indentura quadam quadripartit. in Thesauriario Coll. Trin. Oxon.
• p 1.15

  From his monument at Adderbury, Co. Oxon. See Ap|pend. No. XXVI.
• q 1.16

  He died 1522. Wood Ath. Oxon. Vol. 1. f. p. 26. col. 2. Ed. ii. and p. 18. col. 1
• r 1.17

  Hugh Oldham, Bishop of Exeter, about the year 1518, founded a school at Manchester, and appointed the masters to teach grammar after the use, manner, and form, of the school at Banbury in Oxfordshire; where Thomas Stanbridge taught the grammar composed by John Stanbridge. ibid. Oxford Bishops, p. 658. col. 1. And Wood's School-Notes, MSS. Mus. Ashmol. 8518, 56. Manchester.
• s 1.18

  For this we have his own testimony, in the statutes of his college at Oxford.

  "Ex scholis Etonensi, vel Banburiensi, in quibus Ipse olim in grammaticae rudimentis educatus eram."

  Cap. vii.
• t 1.19

  Apud Lit. pat. Hen. vii. an reg. 29. inf. citat. viz.

  "Grandes labores, laudabiliaque obsequia, quae dilectus nobis THOMAS POPE, attendens negociis nostris in Cancellaria nos|tra predicta multipliciter impendebat, indiesque impendere intendebat, merito contemplantes, &c."

  See Append. No. V.
• u 1.20

  One Richard Croke is made comptroller and supervisor of the hanaper, in 1529, with a yearly fee of x. l. Bill. signat. Hen. viii. anno reg. 20. Sep. 19. He has also more grants in the law, under other years of the same king.
• w 1.21

  The spotted fur of a Russian animal, called a Lucern, antiently much in use and esteem. I find it mentioned in the will of Sir John Wallop, an eminent captain and statesman in the reign of Henry viii. May 22. 1551.

  "To the Sergeant of the kinges herthoundes my gowne furrid with lucernes."

  Registr. Buck. qu. 24. cur. Praer. Cant. It is specified in our ancient statutes. See the word in Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. ii. p. 399.
• x 1.22

  More's Life, by M. T. M. p. 218. 4to.
• y 1.23

  Fuller in his quaint manner, observes concerning him,

  "I behold him as fortunae suae fabrum; the smith, who by God's blessing, hammered out his own fortune without any patrimonial advantage."

  Worthies of England, Article London, p. 223. edit. 1662.
• z 1.24

  See Append. No. IV.
• a 1.25

  Pat. 29. Hen. viii. par. 5. See Append. No. V.
• b 1.26

  Pat. 26. Hen. viii. par. 2. See Append. No. III. See more of John Coppynger, ibid. in the Notes.
• c 1.27

  For in the British Museum, there is,

  "Compotus Johan|nis Browne, custodis Cambii, &c. a primo die Jul. an. reg. Hen. viii. 34.".

  MSS. Harl. 698.—12.
• d 1.28

  Pat. 26. Hen. viii. par. 1. Append. No. IV.
• e 1.29

  Pat. 29. Hen. viii. ut supr.
• f 1.30

  Strype, Eccl. Mem. ii. 498. And ibid. B. ii. Ch. xxix. pass.
• g 1.31

  Lord Audley was appointed Lord Keeper, May 20, 1532, on the resignation of Sir T. More: And Lord Chancellor, Jan. 26, 1533. Rym. Foed. xiv. 435, 446. Dugd. Chron. Ser. pag. 82. Both offices, I apprehend, were in the appointment of the Chancellor, as the clerk of the crown is at present: although they passed in the king's name. The star-chamber was a branch of chancery. Among Tanner's manuscripts there is an instru|ment, without date, but while Audley was chancellor, relating to the monastery of Furness, in Sir T. Pope's hand-writing. MSS. TANNER. 164. f. 44. Bibl. Bodl.
• h 1.32

  Statut. Hen. viii. An. 27. Cap. xxvii. See STATUTES by Berthelette, in two vol. Lond. 1543. See vol. ii. ibid. 1551. fol. xli. b.
• i 1.33

  From the act.
• k 1.34

  Fuller Ch, Hist. B. vi. p. 349.
• l 1.35

  From the Act of parl. ut sup.
• m 1.36

  Statut. Hen. viii. an. 33. c. xxviii. And 21. xiii.
• n 1.37

  Ex Statut. ut supr.
• o 1.38

  Fuller Ch. Hist. b. vi. p. 348. edit. 1651. In lieu of this salary, queen Mary granted Sir J. Williams a pension of the same value, when he quitted the treasurership. Dugd. Bar. ii. 393. edit. 1675.
• p 1.39

  Ex Statut. ut supr.
• q 1.40

  Thus at the abbey of Evesham, some of the principal lodgings are ordered to be

  "reserved for the king's officers of the court of augmentations when they shall repair thither, &c."

  Stevens, Monast. i. 402.
• r 1.41

  Dugd. Bar. ii. 387. Sir Edward North appears to have been chancellor of that court in 1545. From the dedication of Sir Thomas Elliot's book, entitled, Preservative against Death. Lond. 1545. 12mo.
• s 1.42

  Dugd. Ibid. p. 394.
• t 1.43

  English Baronett. iv. 666. edit. 1741. From the informa|tion of Sir Henry Pope-Blount, cited in the margin. But this does not appear by the patents.
• u 1.44

  Dugd. ut supr. p. 370.
• w 1.45

  Penes honoratis. Francisc. com. de Guildford. See Ap|pend. No. II.
• x 1.46

  He ordered them to be placed in painted glass, twice in the hall, and twice in the President's lodgings, of that college. These escocheons were done by James Nicholson, glass-painter of London, each, at 6s. 8d. From a Loose Paper, in Thesaur. Coll. Trin. Oxon. I presume they were destroyed under the ad|ministration of the presbyterians.
• y 1.47

  In an instrument, in Thesaurar. coll. Trin. Oxon. dated 20 Dec. 1539. 31. Hen. viii. he is styled,

  "Egregius vir ma|gister Thomas Pope, Thesaurarius cur. augment. &c."

  In another, ibid. dated 28 Jan. 34. Hen. viii. he is called miles. But Dugdale styles him knight, in 1539. Warw. p. 416. b.
• z 1.48

  Brit. Mus. MSS. Cotton Claudius. C. 3. fol. 127. b.
• a 1.49

  In the British Museum. MSS. Harl. 600. 1.
• b 1.50

  He is styled in the said instrument,

  "our trustie and well belovyd counsaillor."

  fol. 18. b. The first notice I have found of his being a privy counsellor, occurs in Pat. 36. Hen. viii. par. 11. Test. Mar. xxi. This was in 1545. Where he is called,

  "dilectus et fidelis consliarius noster."
• c 1.51

  Fuller, Ch. hist. vi. p. 349.
• d 1.52

  Statut. Mar. i. cap. x. But I find a renewal of Sir Richard Sackville's patent to the chancellorship of this court on queen Mary's accession. Pat. 1. Mar. Test. Jan. xx. par. 2. Sackville was chancellor at the death of Edward vi. He was constituted pat. 1. Edw. vi. Test. Aug. ii. par. 2. on North's resignation.
• e 1.53

  See Statut, Edw. vi. 7. C. ii.
• f 1.54

  Viz. liber primus de lez rates ann. 2, 3. Phil. Mar. fol. And the two following volumes, fol. MSS. Harl. 606, 607, 608. They are the originals.
• g 1.55

  The CHAMBER of the court of augmentations was afterwards converted into the chamber of the court of wards, now long since dissolved. Edward vi. at his coronation, when he came from York-Place, is said to have robed himself in the chamber of the court of augmentations,

  "now called the court of wards,"

  before he went into Westminster-hall. TIME's STORE-HOUSE, B. 5. ch. xix. pag. 502. fol. 1619. The chamber near the Ex|chequer, where the augmentation-records are at present reposit|ed, is not the same. Which was the court of wards, and con|sequently, which was the augmentation court, will appear, by comparing the following passage of Stowe, who wrote in the reign of queen Elisabeth.

  "At the upper end of the great [Westminster] hall by the King's Bench, is a going up to a great chamber called the Whitehall, wherein is now kept the court of wards and liveries, and adjoining thereto is the court of requests."

  Survey Lond. p. 892. edit. 1616. The chamber therefore within or adjoining to Westminster-hall, at the upper end, and called the Whitehall, was the COURT OF AUGMEN|TATIONS.
• h 1.56

  Stevens's Monasticon, i. 264. Weever's Fun. mon. p. 112. edit. 1631.
• i 1.57

  Warwickshire, p. 800, seq.
• k 1.58

  Somner's CANTERBURY, by Batteley, Append. p. 118. It was 31. Hen. viii.
• l 1.59

  Worthies. London, p. 223.
• m 1.60

  This is a mistake, as we have before seen.
• n 1.61

  Church-Hist. B. viii. p. 39.
• o 1.62

  From the information of the late Sir Harry Pope-Blount, of Tittenhanger in Hertfordshire.
• p 1.63

  It was built by Paulin, the fourteenth abbot, a Norman, about the Year 1080.
• q 1.64

  See Dugdale's Warwickshire. And from the patents.
• r 1.65

  Ex muniment. coll. praedict. And lib. prim. lez rates, ann. 3, 4. Phil. Mar. MSS. Harl. 606. 257. fol. 114. In the British Museum, ut supr. And lib. secund. 607. 1. fol. 1.—13. fol. 7. b. ibid. In the charter of foundation for his college at Ox|ford, dat. Mar. iv. 1554, are recited twenty-seven manors and thirteen advowsons: beside impropriations and pensions. With all which he is licensed to enfeoff the college. Two years after|wards, viz. May 1, 1556, in the statutes of the college, he re|cites thirty-five manors. Cap. vi. Afterwards he made other acquisitions.
• s 1.66

  Even in the Nunneries, where, among the softer sex, some degree of delicacy, at least of decorum, might have justly been expected, the lowest vices, not to insist on the more criminal irregularities, were too often practised. In the Benedictine con|vent of Rumsey, in Hamshire, at a visitation by Bishop Fox, held in the year 1506, Joyce Rows the abbess is accused of im|moderate Drinking, especially

  "tempore nocturno;"

  and of inviting the nuns to her chamber every evening, for the purpose of these excesses,

  "post completorium."

  The nuns are also for|bidden to have such frequent and familiar access, at undue times, to the house of the bailiff or chief hind of the monastery, whence unfavourable suspicions have arisen; and the said bailiff himself is ordered, no more to frequent the chambers of the abbess or nuns. Some of them are enjoined to abstain

  "a so|cietate sacerdotum;"

  and the abbess in particular is com|manded to avoid all communications with Seculars; especially with some whose names are expressly mentioned, and who are known to have

  "accessum et recursum ad Eam."

  One of the injunctions to the nuns in general is,

  "Quòa sint sobriae, et se ab|stineant a potu post Completcrium."

  Apud Registr. Fox, Episc. Wint. Lib. i. fol. 42. b. This was a rich convent, and filled with ladies of the best families.
• t 1.67

  Burnet. Reformat. i. 238. This was common in other nun|neries. Tanner, from the accounts of the cellaress of Carhow near Norwich, gives us a curious specimen of what was received

  "pro perhendinationibus"

  or the board of young ladies, and their servants, for education.

  "Rec. de dom. Margeria Weder|ley perhendinant. ibid. xi septimanas, xiii. s. iv. d. Pro mensa unius famulae dictae Margeriae per iii. septimanas, viii. d. per sept. &c."

  NOT. MON. fol. pref. p. xxxii. [Ex orig. Rot. nunc in Bibl. Bodl. MSS. Tanner.]
• u 1.68

  Burnet, ibid. 236.
• w 1.69

  Willis's Mitr. Abb. i. 109.
• x 1.70

  Strype Eccl. Mem. i. 255. From the former part of this letter, not printed by Strype, it appears, that the king had been disgusted at the favorable representation made by Gyf|fard and his associates, of this and other monasteries: but that his Majesty's displeasure did not prevent him from telling the truth.

  "And forasmuch as of late my fellowes and I wright untoo Mr. Chancellor of the augmentacions, in the favour of thabbey of seynt James, and the nunnerie of Catesbie in Northamptonshire: which letters be shewed unto the kynge's highnes in the favour of those howses, where the kyngis highnes was displeased, as he sayd to my servaunt, sayinge, that it was like that we had receyved rewards, which caused us to wright as we dyd; which myght putt mee in feare to wright: notwithstanding the sure knowledge that I have had allway in your indifferens, gyveth me boldness to wright to you in the favour of the house of Woolstrope. The Governor thereof, &c."

  Dat. Jun. xix. 1537. Brit. Mus. MSS. Cott. Glaud. E. iv. fol. 213. The letter about Catesby will be cited below.
• y 1.71

  Strype ibid. who has printed it incorrectly from Bibl. Cot|ton, MSS. Cl. iv. fol. 209. Brit. Mus. see other letters of the like kind in Collier, Eccl. hist. p. 2. b. iii. pag. 156.
• z 1.72

  Nor was it likely there should be another, while the nun|nery remained. The truth is, wherever there was a monastery, idleness was encouraged, and the usual incitements to labour and industry were superseded.
• a 1.73

  MSS. Cotton. Claud. E. iv. ut supr. fol. 210. b.
• b 1.74

  Strype, ubi supr. seq. Willis Mitr. Abb. &c. Dr. London, one of the visitors, thus writes to lord Cromwell about the mo|nastery of De La Pre near Northampton.

  "Besechinge your lordship to be gude lorde unto herre [the abbess] and to herre poor sisters in their pensions."

  MSS. Cotton. ut supr. fol. 208.
• c 1.75

  Perhaps as clerk of the crown.
• d 1.76

  "Memorandum, quod die Lunae, viz. vicesimo primo die Aprilis, anno regni Domini nostri Henrici octavi, dei gratia, Angliae, &c, tricesimo quinto: Thomas Audeley miles, domi|nus Audeley de Walden, tunc Cancellarius Angliae, infirmitate corporis debilitatus, magnum sigillum . . . . praefato domino re|gi, per Edvardum North militem, et Thomam Pope militem, misit; qui quidem Edvardus, et Thomas Pope, sigillum illud, in quâdam bagâ de albo corio inclusum, et sigillo dicti Dom. cancellarii munitum, regiae magestati apud Palatium suum no|vum Westmonasteriense, in camerâ suâ privatâ . . . . in presen|tiâ Thomae Henneage militis, et Antonii Denny armigeri, prae|sentarunt et obtulerunt: humiliter supplicantes . . . . eandem regiam magestatem, quatenus idem D. rex sigillum suum prae|dictum recipere et acceptare dignetur. Super quo dictus D. rex sigillum illud, per manus ipsorum Edvardi et Thomae Pope, recepit et acceptavit, &c. &c."

  Rymer, Foed. Tom. xv. p. 20. Super deliberatione magni sigilli.
• e 1.77

  Rymer, ibid.
• f 1.78

  Herbert's Hist. Hen. viii. p. 564. edit. 1649. The historian says,

  "One Thomas Pope informed the council, &c."

  It may therefore be doubted whether he means sir Thomas Pope. But it is the same in Masters's Text of this history, in Jesus college library. MSS. No. 2098. 79. vol. 3.
• g 1.79

  See More's WORKES. fol. 1537. pag. 1457.
• h 1.80

  Roper's Life of More, by T. Hearne, 4. 57.
• i 1.81

  Thomae Mori Vita et Exitus: by J. H. gent. Lond. 1652. pag. 127.
• k 1.82

  Weever Fun. Mon. 505, 506, 522. Biograp. Brit. MORE. pag. 3165.
• l 1.83

  Wood, Ath. Oxon. i. 39.