Ancient funerall monuments within the vnited monarchie of Great Britaine, Ireland, and the islands adiacent with the dissolued monasteries therein contained: their founders, and what eminent persons haue beene in the same interred. As also the death and buriall of certaine of the bloud royall; the nobilitie and gentrie of these kingdomes entombed in forraine nations. A worke reuiuing the dead memory of the royall progenie, the nobilitie, gentrie, and communaltie, of these his Maiesties dominions. Intermixed and illustrated with variety of historicall obseruations, annotations, and briefe notes, extracted out of approued authors ... Whereunto is prefixed a discourse of funerall monuments ... Composed by the studie and trauels of Iohn Weeuer.

CHAP. XVII. Of the sundrie wayes and meanes by which Religious Votaries, and others of the Clergie, enriched themselues, and other Churches Of Pardons, Pilgrimages, and Romescot.

AL•• Churches are either Cathedrall, Conuentuall, or Parochiall. Ca∣thedrall, is that Church, where there is a Bishop seated, so called, à Ca∣thedra, the chaire or seat. Conuentuall, consisteth of regular Clerkes, pro∣fessing some order of Religion, or of Deane and Chapter, or other Colledge of spirituall men. Parochiall, is that which is instituted for the saying of Diuine Seruice, and ministring the holy Sacraments to the people dwelling within a certaine compasse of ground neare vnto it. Of which more in the next Chapter. I will begin with Conuentuall Churches.

As the number of Religious Orders increased, and as Religious houses were daily more and more replenished, insomuch that the donations of their Founders were not thought (by themselues) sufficient, they deuised other meanes to increase their liuelihood; and the better to maintaine their high state and comportement; and one was, by the admittance of lay peo∣ple into their Fraternities: the forme whereof was after this manner follow∣ing, as I haue it out of the collections of Nicholas Charles Lancaster Herald, deceased.

Frater Iohannes,* 1.1 Minister domus Sanct. Radegundis de Theldsord, Wi∣gor. Dioc. ordinis Sanct. Trinitatis & redemptionis Captiuorum, qui sunt incarcerati pro fide Iesu Christi à Paganis. Dilecto nobis in Christo Wil¦lelmo Beyvill Salutem in Deo per quem omnium peccatorum plena fit remis∣sio. Cum plurima priuilegia nobis et ordini nostro gratiose fuerint ab artiquo concessa; et de nouo per sanctissimum Papam Alexadrum sextum. Et nes¦etiam Minister predictus, & Conuentus eiusdem loci de nostra speciali gratia concedimus, vt post eorumdem decessum, et suarum literarum exhibitionem, in nostro Conuentuali Capitulo, cadem pro illis siet commendatio, que pro no∣bis ibidem fieri consueuit; & per presentes in nostram sanctam confraterni∣tatem vos deuote admittimus. Dat. sub Sigillo nostre confraternitatis pre∣dicte. Ann. Dom. M.CCCCLXXXXIIII.

In dorso.

Auctoritate Dei Patris omnipotentis & beatorum Petriet Pauli Aposto∣lorum eius▪ ac auctoritate mihi commissa, et tibi concessa. Ego absoluo te ab omnibus peccatis tuis mihi per te vere et contrite confessis; nec non de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de quibus velles confiteri si tue occurrerent memorie; et concedo tibi plenariam absolutionem, et remissionem omnium peccatorum tuorum, in quantum claues Ecclesie se extundunt in hac parte.

In nomine Patris, et Filij et Spiritus sancti.

Amen.

I finde in the golden Register of Saint Albans (a Manuscript in Sir Robert Cottons Librarie) aboue two thousand men, women, and children, lay-per∣sons of the Nobilitie and Gentrie of this kingdome, to haue beene thus ad∣mitted into that one Monasterie: all of which gaue either lands, goods,

iewels, plate, copes, vestments, or some ornament or other to the Church and Couent.

The religious Votaries likewise, either by themselues, or their friends, gaue somewhat or other vpon their first admittance into any of these Mo∣nasteries: of which I could giue many examples, but in place take one for all,* 1.2 which I haue read in the Lieger booke of Saint Maries the Nunnery at Clerkenwell. Where Sir William de Sancto Georgio, or Saint George knight (one of the Ancestors of Sir Richard, S. George Clarentieux now li∣uing) giues to the Prioresse and her Sisters of the foresaid Saint Maries Cler∣kenwell; with Mabell his daughter, vpon her admittance into their Nun∣nery, halfe a Verge of land in Kingstone in Cambridgeshire. Test. Willelmo de Baus. Roberto de S. Georgio. Roberto de Hasselingtonfeld, &c. a deed sans date.

And by another deed the said Sir William Saint George giues to the said Priorie of Clerkenwell, for the soules health of himselfe, his father, his mo∣ther, and his wife; and with Albreda his sister, who was to be a Nunne of the said house, his land in Hasselingfeld, within the foresaid Countie of Cambridge, which Robert Russis held in pratis in pascuis, &c. Test. Eustac. de Bancis, Willelmo de Bancis, Roberto de Sancto Georgio, &c.

And many others having large portions in their owne possessions, out of zeale and deuotion, would giue all, with themselues, to some Cloister or other, and therein take vpon them the habite of Religion. As many English doe in these dayes vpon their admission into religious Orders beyond Seas.

They were wondrously enriched by the burials of great personages, for in regard of buriall, Abbeyes were most commonly preferred before other Churches whatsoeuer: and he that was buried therein in a Friers habite, if you will beleeue it, neuer came into hell.

Vpon their visiting and confessing of the sicke, they euer vsed some per∣swasiue argument or other, that it would please the sicke person to bestow somewhat more or lesse (according to his or her abilitie) towards the main∣tenance of their Fraternities, or the repairing of their Monasteries; and that he would bequeath his bodie to be interred in the Church of their Couent, with a promise that they would daily say prayers and make intercession for his soule. They got likewise by confessing such as were in perfect health, giuing them absolution, and enioyning them penance, according as they re∣ceiued gratuities. Of all which, will it please you reade these passages fol∣lowing, copied out of the Author of Piers Plowman, and Geffrey Chaucer. And

First Piers the Plowman, Passus vndecimus, speaking how Friers couet to burie men for their goods.

Go confesse to some Frier, and shewe him thy synnes, For while Fortune is thy frend Friers will the loue, And fetch the to their Fraternitie, and for the beseche To her Prior Prouinciall, a Pardon to haue; And pray for the pole by pole, if thou be pecuniosus. Sed pena pecuniaria non sufficit, pro spiritualibus delictis.

I sayd I nolde Be buried at their house, but at my Parish Church: For I hard once, how conscience it tolde: That kind wold men be buried wher thei wer christined. Or wher that he were Parishen that ther he sholde be grauen. And for I said thus to Friers, a fole thei me helden, And loued me the lesse, for my lely speche. And yet I cried on my confessour that helde himselfe cunnynge. That none wolde wed widowes but for to weld her goods, Right so by the Rode * rought you neuer Where my body wer buried, by so ye had my siluer. I haue much marvaill of you, and so hath many other Why your Couent coueteth to confesse and bury, Rather than to baptise Barnes that be catechislinges.

And Passus decimus tertius.

Friers folowed folke that wer riche And folke that wer pore at litle price they set. And no cors in hir kyrkeyard, nor kyrke was buried, But quick he bequeth hem ought, or quit part of his dets.

The Frier, in Chaucer, perswading with the sicke farmer, to make his confession to him, rather to his Parish Priest, hauing his hand vpon his halfepennie,* 2.1 makes this request to the bed-rid man lying vpon his couch.

Yeue me then of thy gold to make our cloister, * 2.2 Quod he, for many a muskle and many an oister, When other men have been full well at ease, Hath been our food; our cloister for to rease. And yet, God wot, vnneath the foundament Performed is, ne of our pauement Is not a tile yet within our wones By God we owen fourty pound for stones.

The same Author in the Prologues to his Canterbury tales, and in the character of the Frier, thus speakes of the absolution and easie penance they gaue to men in health, where they thought some commoditie would thereby accrew to themselues and their Couent.

Full sweetly heard he confession, And pleasant was his absolution. He was an easie man to giue penaunce, There as he wist to have a good pitaunce, For vnto a poore Order for to give, Is a signe that a man is well yshryve: For if he gaue ought he durst make avaunt, He wist well that a man was repentant: For many a man is so hard of hert, That he may not weepe although him smert: Therefore in stede of weeping and prayeres,

Men mote giue siluer to the poore Freeres.

The Priests likewise in general as well of Cathedrall, Parochiall, as of these Conuentuall Churches got much by saying of Masses;* 2.3 as it is intima∣ted to vs by Plowman in these few lines following.

If pryestes were perfite they would no siluer take For Masses, ne for Mattens, ne her meates of vsurers, Ne nether kirtle ne cote though thei for cold shold die.

But that which brought most riches to all the foresaid Churches, was the Shrines, Images, and Reliques, of this or that Saint, in this or that Church especially honoured and preserued; to the Visiters whereof (who with great cost and labour did vndertake so holy and deuout resolution) great Indulgences and Pardons were granted by seuerall Popes (as will appeare by the sequele) and so semblablie to their sacred Altars and other holy places: and such like Indulgences and Pardons they were, as were anciently granted to the Churches in Rome; which will not seeme imper∣tinent (I hope) here to set downe, as I haue them out of an old booke in broken English, which crept into the world in the minoritie of Printing, and is commonly called, The Customes of London. But, before I go any further, let me tell you, that Reliques were euer holden in most reuerend regard, amongst all sorts of people, insomuch that in the taking of any so∣lemne oath, they vsed to lay their hand vpon certaine Reliques, as they did vpon the holy Euangelists; For I heard that King Henrie the second being to cleare himselfe of Archbishop Beckets death,* 2.4 at a generall assemblie hol∣den within the Citie of Auranches, in the Church of the Apostle Saint Andrew, before the two Cardinals, Theodinus and Albertus, the Popes Le∣gates, and a great number of Bishops, and other people, made his purga∣tion in receiuing an oath vpon the holy reliques of the Saints; and vpon the sacred Euangelists, that he neither willed, nor commanded the said Arch∣bishop to be murdered.

The hoole Pardon of Rome graunted by diuers Popes.

* 3.1In the cite of Rome ben iiii chirches in which is Masse daily don, but ther ben vii of the same priuileged aboue all the other with gret holines and Pardon, as is here aftir shewid.

The furst is called Saint Peters Chirch th'appostell, and is set vpon the fot of an hill, and men goo vpward thertoo a steyer of xxix steppes high, and as oft as a man gooth vp and downe that steyer, he is relesid of the se∣uenth part of penaunce inioyned and graunted by Pope Alysander.

Item, as ye come before the Chirch ther the well sporingeth, so may ye see aboue the dore an Image of our Lord, and betwene his feete stondith oun of the pence that God was sold for, and as ofte as ye looke vpon that peny ye haue xiiii C. yerys of Pardon.

Item, in the same Chirche on the ryght side is a pilour that was some∣tyme off Salamons temple, at whiche pilour our Lord was wonte to rest him whan he preched to the people, at which pylour if ther any be frentyk, or madd, or trobled with spyritts, they be deliueryd and made hoole.

And in that Chirge be xi aulters, and at euery aulter is xlviii yere of Par∣don, and as many Lentes or Karynes: and vii of thoo aulters ben seuerally priuelegyth with grace and Pardon. At the furst aulter is the vysage of our Lord; who loketh vpon that hath vii. c. yere of Pardon.

Item, at the same aulter is the spere that Crist was parced with, whych was broght from Constantynenople, sent from the gret Turke to Pope In∣nocent the Viii.

The second aulter is of saint Andrew there ye haue V. C. yere of Pardon.

The forth aulter is of owr Lady, there is Vii. C. yere of Pardon.

The v. aulter is of Saint Leoo, there he receyuid the absolucion in his Masse fro hevyn, and there is Vii. C. yere of Pardon.

The vi aulter of all Souls and there is V. C. yere of Pardon: and euery hygh fest an soul out of Purgatory.

The vii aulter is of Saint Simond and Iude, there is Vi. C. yere of Par∣don.

And befor the Quyer dore stond two yruen crosses, who kysseth thoo crosses hath V. C. yere of Pardon.

Item, vpon our Lady day in Lente is hanged afore the quyer a cloth that our Lady made her self, and it hangeth still till our Lady day assumpcion, and as many tymes as a man beholdith it he hath iiii C. yere of Pardon.

Alsoo as many tymes as a man gothe thorow the Croudes at Saint Pe∣ters Chirche he hathe iiii c yere of pardon.

And as often as a man folowith the Sacrament to the syke bodyes he hath xiiii c. yere of Pardon.

Also Pope Siluester grauntid to all thym that dayly gothe to the Chirch of saint Peter the iii parte of all his synnes relesyd, and all advowes and pro∣myse relesyd, and all synnes forgeten relesyd and forgeuen, except leynge hondes vpon fader and moder vyolently, and aboue this is grauntid xxviii c yere of pardon, and the merytis of as many Lentis or Karyns. The know∣lege of a karyn ye shall fynd in the end of this bo••ke.

And in the fest of Saint Peter a M. yere of pardon, and as many Karyns and the * 3.2 threddendell of penaunce enioyned relesyd.

And from thassencion day of our Lorde into the assumpcion of our Lady ye haue xiiii yere of pardon and as many karyns, and foryefenes of the iii parte of all Synnes.

And vpon the one syde of saint Peters Chirch lyeth a Chirchyard, and that is callyd Godys felde, and there be the beryed poore Pylgryms and none other and it is the lande that was bought with xxx pens that our Lord was solde fore, as oft as a man gothe vpon that grounde he hath xv c. yere of Pardon.

Item, in the Chirche of saint Poule wythout the walls ye haue xlvii M. yeare of pardon.

Item, in the day of his conuersyon i c yere of pardon.

Item, on Childermasse day iii M. yere of pardon.

Item, on the * 3.3 Vtas of saint Martin whan the Chirche was holowyd xiiii M. yere of pardon, and as many karyns and the third parte of all synnes relesyd.

Also whoo that visite the Chirche of saint Poule two sondayes doth as

moche as he went to * 3.4 Saint Iames and come geyne.

Item, in the Chirch of Saint Laurence wythout the walles there lyeth the body of Saint Laurence and of Saint Stephan, and at the hygh aulter ye haue xciii M. yere of pardon and as many Karyns.

And who that vysite the other aulters hathe at eche aulter vii M. and as many karyns.

Also the Pope Pelagius grauntid there at iiii festis of the yere at eche feste vii c yere of pardon, and as many karyns, and who that goth thether euery Wednesday, he delyuered a soul out of Purgatory, and himself quytt of all synnes.

Item, in the Chirche of saint Crucis there is a chambre or a chappell with∣in, that Pope Siluestre named Iherusalem, there is the bonde that Cryste was led with to his crucifyeng, and ther ben ii sausers, the one is full of Ihs bloode, and the other is full of our Ladyes mylke and the sponge wherin was mengyd eysell and galle.

And one of the nayles that Iesus was wyth on the crosse, and a parte of the blocke that saynt Iohn his hed was smeten off vpon, and two armes the one of Saint Peter, the oder of saint Poule.

Item ther stondyd a cheir in which Pope * 3.5 Accensius was martred and to all theym that sitte in that eitheir is graunted an C M. yere of pardon and as many karyns, and euery sonday a soul out of Purgatory and the tredden∣dell of all synnes relesyd.

Item, in the same Chirche is a grete parte of one of the crosses that one of the theuis was put on that was crucifyed with Cryste.

Item, in the same Churche is the tytell of Cryste whiche that was in la∣tyn, Ebrew, and greke, whiche was found in the tyme of Pope Innocent, to the whiche the same Pope hath graunted gret pardon.

Item, in the Chirche of saint Mari Mayor there stondyth on the hygh auter the hed of saynt Iheronimus, and there ye have xiiii M. yere of pardon and as many karyns.

And on the oder auter on the ryght honde ther is the cradle that▪ Iesus lay in, and of our Ladyes mylke, and a grete parte of the holy crosse, and of many oder bodyes Seintis, and there ye have xix M. yere of pardon, and as many karynes.

And Pope Nicholas the iiii, and saint Gregory, eche of theym graunted therto X M. yere of pardon, and as many karynes.

And from thassencyon of our Lorde into crystmas, ye haue there xiiii M. yere of pardon, and as many karyns, and the thred parte of all synnes relesyd.

Item, in the Chirche of saint Sebastian wythout the Towne there in a plase that Pope Calixt named Tolund, as there the Aungell appered and spack to Gregory the Pope. In that place is foryefenes of all synnes and all penaunce.

At the high auter is graunted xxviii c yere of pardon, and as many ka∣rynes; and who so cometh to the furst auter that stondith in the Chirche hath xiiii c. yere of pardon, and there is a sellare or a vaute wherin lyeth bu∣ryed xlix Popes that deyed all Martyrs, whoo so cometh fyrste into that place delyueryth viii soules out of Purgatory of soche as he moste desyreth,

and as moche pardon therto that all the worlde can not nombre ne reken, and euery sonday ye delyuer a soul out of Purgatory. And in that sellare stondith a pytt, there saint Peter and saint Poule were hyd in ccl. yere that noo man wyst where thei were be com; and who that puttyth his hed into that pytte and takyth it out ageyne is clene of all synne.

Pope Gregory and Siluester, and Pope Nicholas, and Pope Pelagius, and Pope Honorius, eche of theym graunted to the same place one M. yere of pardon and as many karyns. And there lyeth the bodys of dyvers oder ho∣ly persones which were too long to write off. And so the grace that is at Saint Sebastians is groundyd that it can not be taken away.

Item, in the Chirche of saynt Mary Mayor afore writen, afore the quyer is the ymage of our lady whiche seint Luke did peynt; which ymage seynt Gregory dyd bere from Mary Mayor to Saint Peters th'apostle, also comyng afore the castell of Saint Aungell, he see an Aungell in the hyght of the ca∣stell, havyng in his honde a burninge sworde, and with hym a gret multy∣tude of Aungels, whiche songe afore that ymage▪

Regina celi letare, &c.

answering saynt Gregory.

Ora pro nobis Deum Alleluia.

Item, in the Chirche of saint Iohn Latryneus, the Pope Siluestre yas therto as many yere of pardon, as it reyned droppes of water the day that halowed the Chirche.

And that tyme it reyned so sore, that noo man had seen a greater rayne before that day.

And whan he had graunted this, he thought in hym selfe whedyr he had so much power or not.

Then ther came a voyce from heuen, and sayd Siluestre thou hast power inough to yeue that pardon and god graunted thus moche therto; That and a man had made a vowe too Iherusalem and lacked good to doo his pilgramage yf he go from saint Peters Chirch to saint Iohn Latrynes he shal be discharged and haue absolucyon of that promise.

And ony tyme that a man cometh to saint Iohn Latrynes, he is quitt of all synnes and of all penaunce, with that, that he be penitent for his synnes.

Blyssed is the moder that bereth the chylde that heryth Masse on Satur∣dayes at saint Iohn Latrynes, for he delyvaryd all theym that he desyreth out of Purgatory too the nombre of lxxvii soules.

Item, vpon the tour of the Chirch stondyth a double crosse that was made of the swerde that saint Iohn was beheded with, and at euery tyme that a man beholdith that crosse he hath xiiii M. yere of pardon, and as ma∣ny karynes of all penaunce.

And at the high auter ye haue remishion of all sinnes, and of all penance and innumerable pardon more then he nedeth for hymselfe.

There ys the graue that seynt Iohn layd hym selfe in whan he had sayd masse, and than come a gret lyght ouer the graue, and whan that light was goon than funde they noo tynge there but hevynly bred. In that graue co∣meth euery good Fryday in the night ye holy creame and oyle, and he that putteth therein his hed hath an CM. yere of pardon, and as many karyns.

And behynde the high auter stondith a cheyr which God sat in, and whoo that sitteth therein hath the iii parte of alle hys synnes relesyd.

And who that visite the alle the odir aulters hath at eche auter xliiii C. yere of pardon, and as many karynes; and on the oon side of the Chirche ther is a sacryfice that is at Seynt Iohn Baptist aulter, and there is the table that our Lord ete att vpon Mandy Thurrysday. And also the tables of stone with the x Commandementys that our Lorde yaf to Moyses vpon the mount of Synai; And ther ys a iiii square of the v barley loues and of the twoo fishes, and also there is our ladyes keuyrchef.

Item, in that same Chirche on the hygh aulter be the hedys of seynt Pe∣ter and Poule, and the hed of Zacharie the Prophet, fader of S. Iohn Baptist wyth dyuers odyr reliquys.

Item, in the same Chirchyard stondith a chapel that ys callid Sanctum Sanctorum, there is the face of our Lord; there may ye haue xiiii M. yere of pardon, and as many karynes.

Whan the Emperour Constantyne was christened tho spake he to Pope Siluestre: In that, that I have geuen my hous to the wurschip of god, graunt you mekely his grace to all them that willingly come to this towne. Thoo answerd Pope Siluestre, our Lord Ihu Criste that by his gret mercy hath purged you of your gret lazarye he mut purge alle them that visityth this Chyrch of all her synne and of all other penance.

He that woll not beleue this may goo to seynt Latrynes before the quyer dore, and there he may see in a marbill all that is wryten here.

From seynt Iohns day vnto Scrouetyd all this pardon is doubled, and fro Scrouetide vnto Ester the pardon is threfolde double; Blessyd is he that may deserve to have this pardon. And in the same chapel abouesaid may come noo weemen.

Item, aboue that chapel on the lefre syde ar stoppys which sometyme ware at Iherusalem; and who so goth op tho steppys on his knees, he deli∣uerith o soul out of Purgatory.

Item, in the Chirch of Seynt Eustace you may have relyse and pardon of all synne.

And he that is shreuen and repentant of his sinne he hath a M. yere par∣don, and as many karynes.

My Author hauing spoken of the Indulgences and priuiledges granted to these principall Churches, and the great benefit which deuout pilgrimes receiue which come to visit these sacred structures, and highly reuerence the holy reliques therein contained, he proceeds in this place (according to his promise) to giue his Reader knowledge what a karyne is.

A karyne (saith he) is too goo wulward vii yere. Item to fasten bred and watter the Fryday vii yere. Item, in vii yere not too slepe oon nyght there he slepith a nother. Item, in vii yere not to com vndir noo couered place, but yf it bee to here Masse in the Chirch dore or porche. Item in vii yere nott to ete nor drynke out of noo vessel, but in the same that he made hys avow in. Item, he that fulfillyth all thes poyntis vii yere duryng; doth and wynnethe a karyne, that ys to sey a Lentdum.

Thus may a man haue at Rome (as he concludes) gret pardon and Soul helth; blessyd ben thoos pepull and yn good tyme borne that reslayyeth

thes graces, and well kepith them. Of the which pardon and grace, our Lord Ihesu Cryst mot grant to euery good Crysten man. Amen.

Then follow the Indulgences granted to other lower Churches in Rome: but by these you may imagine the rest. And by both iudge of the Pardons granted by seuerall Popes to the Cathedrall, Conuentuall, and Pa∣rochiall Churches of England. And thinke what concourse of pilgrimes and other people daily visited the foresaid Churches; which will hereafter appeare within each seuerall Diocesse.

And here giue me leaue a little to speake of a certaine generall Pardon or Indulgence granted by Alexander the sixth, Bishop of Rome, to this Realme of England. By which he enriched himselfe, and the Church-Mi∣nisters, and emptied the purses of many of the Kings subiects.

Towards the latter end of the yeare, one thousand fiue hundred, being the yeare of Iubile (so called, for that it is the yeare of ioy or deliuerance) the foresaid Bishop of Rome sent hither to King Henry the seuenth, one Iasper Powe or Pons,* 3.6 a Spaniard, a man of excellent learning, and most ciuill behauiour, to distribute the Heauenly Grace (as hee termed it) to all such as (letted by any forcible impediment) could not come to Rome that yeare to the Iubile which was there celebrated. The Articles contained in the Bul of this great Pardon, or Heauenly Grace, were as followeth.

The Articles of the Bulle of the holy Iubiley of full remissyon,* 3.7 and gret ioy graunted to the Relme of Englond, Wales, Irelond, Gernesey, and Garnesey, and other places vndre the subiection of oure Soueraygne Lord King Henry the seuenth to be distributyd accordyng to the trew meanyng of our holy Fader vnto the Kyngs Subiects.

Ower most holye Fader the Pope, Goddes Vicar in erthe, of hys holye and gracyous disposycion, faderla beholdyng the hole flok of christen peple comitted to hys cure and charge, daylie studyeth diligently the helth and welfar of yowr sowles: And in as moche as in his holynes prouydeth for all soche perelles and ieoperdies as may fall to the same, by grauntyng of gret Indulgence, and remishyon of synnes and trespasses.

Where as the holye yere of grace now of late passyd, that ys to say, the yere of remishyon of all synnes, ye yere of ioye and gladnes, was celebrate devowtely, and solenly keped, by grete and infenite nombre of Cristen pe∣pull in the Cowrte of Rome. Ower saide most holie Fader the Pope, as well consideryng the infenite nombre of cristen peple bothe spyrituall and tem∣porall which was desirous to haue had the sayd remishyon and Grace, and wold haue visetted the sayd Cowrte of Rome, saue only that they were lette, eyther by sikenesse, feblenesse, pouerte, long distance, and gret ieoperdie; or besines and charges of spirituall or temporall occupacions, or at that tyme purposed not to optaine and perchase the sayd Grace, and now be in will and desire to haue the same. As willyng, and effectually desiring to pro∣uyde and withstond the most cruell purpose, and infenyte malice of our most cruell enemyes of our cristen feithe the Turks whiche continually stu∣dieth, and gretely inforceth hymselfe with alle hys myght and strenght to subuert and vtterly destroye the holye Religion of our Souerayne Criste. As it is nott vnknowen how now of late, the sayd most cruell enemy hath opteyned and goten with grete myght and power many and dyuers grete

citees and castles; As Modon, Neopo••ton, and Corona, with many oder Townes and possessions which was than in the dominatyon and possession of cristen peple. And most cruelly hath sleyne and ••estroyed infenite nom∣bre of cristen peple withowt mercy or pite, bothe by water and by londe. Seeyng and consideryng his Holynes, that he of hymselfe is not sufficyent, ne of power to resiste, and withstonde the forsayd gret malyces, and porpo∣ses, without the ayde and helpe of cristen peple; Hath statu••ed, ordeyned, and graunted of his Pastorall power, as is conteyned in thes Articles fol∣lowing.

Furst ower soueraigne Lorde Kyng Herry the seuenth, with all his pro∣geny; all Archebusschoppes, Busschoppes, Abbotts, Dukes, Erles, Barons, Knygtes, Squyers, Gentillmen, yomen, cetezines, and Strangers▪ and all oder cristen peple, both men and women, what oder degre, or condicyon soeuer thei be, of spyrituall or temporall, seculer, or reguler, dwellyng, or for a tyme abydyng within the Relme of Englond, Irelond, Wales, Gernesey or Garn∣sey, or any oder place vndre the rewle or dominacion of our sayd soueraigne Lorde the Knyge, which att any time after the publycation herof, to the last Euensong of the Octaues of Ester next commynge, truely confessyd and contryte visite soche Chorches as shall be assigned to be vesited; by the ryght reuerent Fader in God Gasper Powe Prothonotarie, and Doctor of Diuinite, of our sayd holy Fader, the Popes Imbassator, and in this holy Iu∣beley Commissarie, or by oder by hym substituted or deputed; and ther put into the chest for thentent ordeyned, soche somme or quantite of money, gold, or siluer, as is lymytted and taxed here folowyng in the last end of this paper; to be spent for the defence of ower feithe; shall have the same Indul∣gence, Pardon, and Grace with remissyon of all ther sinnes, whiche thei shuld have had, if thei had gone personally to Rome in the yere of Grace, and ther vesited all the Chorches assigned for that entent, both within the cite and without, and alsoo done all oder things required to have be done ther for the obteyning of the said grace of the ••ubeley.

Also our said holy Fader hath gevyn full power and auctorite to his said Commissarie and his Deputis to che••e and assigne Confessours and Peni∣tenciers seculer and reguler in all soche places as shall please the said Com∣missarie or his Deputies; to here the confessions of all soche as are desposed to receyue the Pardon of this holy Iubeley. The which confessours and Penitenciers shall have the same auctorite and power in euery behalfe whiche the Penitenciers of Rome had at Rome in the yere of Grace. That is to saye, thei shall absolue them of all manner of crimes, trespasses, tran∣gressyons, and synnes what so euer thei be, though the absolutyon ther of be reserved to the Courte of Rome; or to the Pope himselfe; nothyng ex∣cept, but soche as was except to the Petenciers of Rome: and that was only the absolucyon of Conspiratours in the person of the holy Fader the Pope, or in the state of the See of Rome. And also the falsaries of the Popes Bulls, and of oder wrytings passing from the Courte of Rome: of the sellers or conveyers of Harneys, or oder things prohibited to the hethen peple. And of thes that laieth violente bondes on Busschoppes, or oder Prelates of the Chirche, which be above Busschoppes. And the said Confessours shall haue power to geue and graunte to all the said persones confessyd and contrite,

clene and full remission whiche is called, A pena et culpa.

Also the said Confessours and Penitenciers shall have power and aucto¦rite to dispence and change all manner of vowes into alm••sdede for the de∣fence of our Feith, none except, though itt be to Rome, to Iherusalem, or to Seint Iames.

Also our said holy Fader willing no man to be excluded from this grete Grace and Indulgence, hath graunted, that all soche as be seke and impo∣tente, or oderwyse deseased so that * yei may not easly visitte the Chorches assigned to be visetted, shall have for them and all ther howsholde the sayd Indulgence, Remissyon and Grace, as well as if they did visitte the sayd Chorches. Furst compownding effectually with the sayd Commissarie, or his Deputies for the same.

Also itt ys graunted by our sayd holy Fader that all thos that were at Rome this last yere of Grace shalbe parteable and capax of this sayd Grace and Pardon, yt thei will receive itt.

Also our sayd holy Fader hath graunted to his said Commissarie, and his substitutes full power to interpretate, and declare, all soche doubts as may be fownde, or be moved in thies his graunts, or in the execucion of the same, or any parte ther of, willyng and commandyng that ther interpreta∣tyon shall effectually be taken and stond.

Also our said holy Fader hath straitly commanded, in the vertue of obe∣dience, and vndre the payne of cursyng, the sentence in that behalfe gevin; of the whiche they may nott be assoyled, but of the Pope himself, furst sa∣tisfaccion made with the sayd Commissarie, or his Depute after the qualite of the trespas. That none ordinary seculer, or reguler, or any oder persones seculer or reguler, lett his Bulles or any oder writyngs made for declaracion her of, to be published in their Chorches, Citees, or Diocesses, wher or whan itt shalbe nedefull; nor that thei shall aske or receyve though itt be offered any money or oder reward, for the publicacion or sufferance therof, or any otherwyse lett or hynder thexpedicion therof, and goodspeede of the seid Indulgence; or persuade directly or indirectly any person to with∣drawe their good mynd or porpose in that behalfe.

Also our seid holy Fader chargeth and commandeth all prechers of the word of God, whate condicion so euer thi be, as well men or Religyon as oder; that thei shall publishe, and effectually declare in ther prechings, and oder places whan thei shall be required by the seid Commissarie, or his De∣putees the seid Indulgence and Pardon vndre the peyne specifyed.

Also our seid holye Fader hath suspended and disanulled all manner of Pardons and graunts, graunted or to be graunted, notwithstondyng any specyall clause that thei shulde not be revolted without specyall mentyon made de verbo in verbum.

The Tax what euery man shall put into the Chest that woll receyve this grete grace of this Iubeley.

Furst euery man and woman, what degre, condicioun or state soeuer thei be, yf it be an Archebusschoppe, Duke, or of any oder dignite spiritu∣all or temporall, havyng londes to the yerely valour of M. M. l. or aboue,

must pay or cause to be payed to this holy enrent, and effecte, for defence of our Feithe, agaynst the most grete and cruell enemy of the same the Turke, yf thei will receiue this grete indulgence and Grace of this Iubeley; for themselfs and their wyfes and their children not maryed, and effectually without disseyte put into the Chest ordeyned for that entent of trew and lawfull money in that countrie wher thei be iii. l. vii s. viii d.

Also euery man and woman havyng tenementes and rentes to the yere∣ly value of one M. l. or aboue▪ to the summe of ii M. l. exclusive must pay for themselfs and their wyfes xl s.

Item, all thos that hath londes and Rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of ccccl. or aboue to the summe of a M. l. exclusive must pay for themselfes and their wyfes xxvi s. viii d.

Item, all thos that hath londes and rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of ccl. or aboue, to the summe of ccccl. exclusive must pay for themselfs, &c. xiii s. iiii d.

Item, all thos that haue londes and rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of one cl. or aboue, to the yerely valour of ccl. exclusiue must pay for themse••fs, &c. vi s. viii d.

Item, all thos that haue londes and rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of xl. l. or aboue to the summe of one cl. exclusive must pay for themselfs, &c. ii s. vi d.

Item, all thos that haue londes and rentes, &c. to the yerely valour of xx l. or above to the summe of xl l. exclusive must pay for themselfs, &c. xvi. d.

Item, men of Religion havyng londes, Rents, and Tenements to the yerely valour of ii M. l. or aboue, must pay for themselfs and their Couent, xl.

Item, thos that hath londes and rents, &c. to the yerely valour of one M. l. or aboue to the yerely valour exclusive must pay for themselfs and their Couent, vl. iiii s.

Item, all thos that have londes and rentes, &c to the yerely valour of cccccl. or aboue, to the valour of one M. l. exclusive must pay for them and their Couent iii l. vi s. viii d.

Item, all thos that hath londes and rentes to the yerely valour of iicl. or aboue, to the summe of ccccl. exclusive, must pay for themselfs and their Couent, xx s.

Item, thos that hath londes and rents to the yerely valour of xl l. and aboue, to the summe of on cl. must pay for themselfs and their Couent, x s.

Item, seculer men and wemen which hath londes and rents to the yerely valour of xl l. or vndre, whose mouable goodes extendyth to the valour of on M l. must pay for themselfs and their wyfes, xl s.

Item, thos whos goodes mouable extendyth to ccccl. or aboue, to the summe of one M. l. exclusive, must pay for themselfs and their wyfes, vi s. viii d.

Item, thos whos goods mouable extendyth to the valour of ccl. or aboue to the summe of ccccl. must pay for themselfs and ther wyfes vii s. vi d.

Item, thos whos goodes mouable be within the valour of ccl. and not

vndre xx l. must pay for themselfs ther wyfes and children not married, xii d.

Item, thos whos goodes mouable extendyth nott to the valour of xx l shall pay for themselfs ther wyfes and children as it shall please them of their devocyon.

The Articles of the Bull of dispensacyon with Simony, Vsury, and of goodes wrongfully keped; reserued to the Commissary only.

Moreouer ower seid holy Fader the Pope willynge more largely to pro∣uide for the helth and welfar of the sowles of all cristen pepull dwellyng or abyding in the Relme and places aboue written; hath geuen, and graunted, full auctorite, and power, to the sayd Venerable Fader in God, Gaspar Pow•• his Orator and Commissary, to absolue, and dispence with all manner of persones, dwellyng or abidyng within the seyd Relme, or places aboue re∣hersyd, men or wemen, of what degre or condicyon so euer thei be, spiry∣tuall or temporall, seculer or reguler, whiche hath commytted Symony, in gevyng or recevyng holy Orders, or Benefices spiritual or any other wai••s; that thei may, notwithstondyng the seyd Simony so commyttid ministre in the orders so receyved: And the Benefices so obteyned lawfully kepe and occupye, and the frutes or to be receyved, occupie and despose at their plesure. And yf the seyd persones by reason therof have runne into irregu∣larite; as ther apon syngyng Masse, or oder wyse ministryng the holy Sa∣cramentys of the Chirche: The seyd Commissary hath full power to des∣pence with that irregularite; and to take away all infamye and vnablenes whiche thei be in by reason of the same. Alway prouyded that the seyd persones make a composytyon herof with the seyd Commissarie, and soche money as thei compownd for, effectually to pay to the seyd Commissarie, to be spent in this holy vse for the relefe and defence of our feith.

Also the seyd Commissarie hath power to compownd, absolue, and dis∣pence with all thos that occupye evill goten goods; all vsurers, and all soche that wrongfully and vnlefully occupieth or witholdeth oder mennys goods by fyndyng; or goods hidde not knowyng, or dowtyng who be the owners of the seyd goods, or to whom thei shulde mak restitucyon, that thei lefully kepe, and occupie the same goods. Furst makyng composycyon for the same with the seyd Commyssarie, of some certeyne summe of mo∣ney to be spent in the foreseyd holy vse, that is to sey, for the relefe and de∣fence of ower Feith, ayenst the most cruell and bitter enemys of the same, the Turkes.

Also yf ther be any willing to be created Doctour in both Lawes, or in one of them; the seyd Commissarie hath power to doe it, as well as if he were created in any Vniuersitie: And so of oder degrees, &c.

Also this Pope by his Buls imparted this his blessing and benefit of the Iubeley to all other kingdomes and territories vnder his spirituall Iuris••i∣ction and obeysance, and to all in like manner, and vpon the like condicions. By which you may gather, that this beneuolent liberalitie of pardon and

heauenly Grace, was not altogether freely giuen by the Pope; neither was that masse of money, thus co••gested together, spent in any warres against the Turkes, as he promised; but conueied to Rome, and there laid vp in his owne Treasurie: whilest the enemies of the faith did greatly infest the Chri∣stians. But this Pope of all other, in my iudgement, had the most shamefull and cunning shif••s to get money withall, and was more opprobrious in all his actions then any other either before or since. But as he liued wickedly, so hee died miserably, being poysoned with the same bane which hee had prepared for another. Actius Sannazarius, and other writers of that age made certaine Epitaphs of him to his eternall in••amie. Which I finde thus translated into English, out of Io. Bale in his Pageant of Popes.

Perhaps whose Tombe this is (my friend) ye do not know, Then pause a while if that ye haue no haste to go. Though Alexanders name vpon the stone be grauen, Tis not that great, but he that late was Prelate shorne and shauen. Who thirsting after bloud, deuour'd so many a noble Towne, Who tost and turn'd the ruthfull states of kingdomes vpside downe. Who to enrich his sonnes, so many Nobles slew, And wast the world with fire and sword and spoyling to him drew. Defying lawes of earth and heauen, and God himselfe erewhile, So that the sinfull Father did the Daughters bed defile. And could not from the bands of wicked wedlock once refrayne, And yet this pestilent Prelate did in Rome tenne yeeres remaine. Now friend remember Nero, or els Caligula his vice; Or Heliogabalus: enough: the rest ye may surmise, For shame I dare not vtter all. Away, my friend, with this.

Another.

The Spaniard liethe here that did all honestie defie, To speake it briefely: in this Tombe all villanie doth lie.

Another.

Lest Alexanders noble name, my friend, should thee beguile, Away: for here both treachery doth lurke, and mischiefe vile.

Another.

Though Alexander after death did vomit matter blacke, Yet maruell not: he dranke the same, and could not cause it packe.

Vpon the yeare of Iubelie aforesayd kept by this Pope Alexander▪

The Romane Priest that promised both heauen and starres to sell, By treacherie and murtherings hath made a gap to hell.

This Alexander before (by deuillish meanes) he obtained the Papacie, was called Rodericus Borgia, a Spaniard borne in Valentia. But of him enough, except it tended more to the matter. Now may it please you reade certaine blanke verses taken out of my fore remembred Author, Piers Plow man, who speakes in his language of the Pope and Cardinals, Pardons and pilgrimages effectually to this purpose. Passus 19.

God amend the Pope, that pilleth holy Kirke And claymeth before the Kyng to be kept of Christen* 4.1 And counteth not though cristen be killed and robbed And fynd folke to fight, and christen folk to spill. Agayne the old law and new law as Paule therof wytnesseth. Non occides, mihi vindictam, &c. I ne knew neuer Cardinall that he ne come fro the Pope, And we Clarks when they come for her Commens payen,* 4.2 For her pelures, and palfreis, and pilors that hem folow. The Commune clamat quotidie eche a man to other, The contrey is the curseder that Cardinals commen in. And there they lig, and leng more lechery there raigneth Therfor, quod this victory, by very god I would That no Cardinals ne come among the commen peple, But in her holines helden hem styl At Avion among the Iewes; cum sancto sanctus eris, Or in Rome as their rule wyl the relikes to kepe.

In the seuenth passage he deliuers his opinion of the Popes Pardons, in these words.

The Prieste preued no pardon to do well,* 4.3 And demed that Dowell Indulgence passed Biennales and Triennales, and Byshops letters And how Dowell at the day of dome is * 4.4 dignely vndersongen, And passed all the Pardon of S. Peters Church.

A little after in the same passage, thus.

Soules that haue sinned seuen * 4.5 sythes deadly And to trust to these Trentals truely me thynketh Is not so * 4.6 siker for the soule as to do well. Therfore I * 4.7 red you * 4.8 renkes that rich be on this erth Apon trust of treasure Trientales to have Be ye neuer the bolder to breake the * 4.9 ten hestes And namely ye Maisters, Mayres, and Iudges That haue the welth of this world, and for wise men be holden To purchase you Pardons, and the Popes Buls: At the dreadfull dome whan the dead shall arise And commen all tofore Christ accounts for to yeue How thou leadest thy lyfe here, and his lawes kepest And how thou didest day by day the dome wil reherse. A poke full of Pardons there, ne prouinciall letters, Though ye be founden in the fraternitie of the iiii Orders And haue Indulgence an hundryd fold, but if Dowell you helpe I beset your patents and your pardons at a pyes hele. Therfore I counsell all christen to crye god mercy, And make Christ our meane that hath made amends. That God give vs grace here, or we go hence Such workes to worke while we ben here

That after our deathes day, Dowell reherse At the day of Dome we did as he * 4.10 highte.

The same Author shewing what true pilgrimage is,* 4.11 breathes forth these blanke verses following.

Nay by my soule health, quoth Piers, and gan for to sweare, I nolde * 4.12 fang a ferthyng for Saynt Thomas shryne. * 4.13Truth wold loue me the lesse long tyme therfor after, And if ye wyll to wend well this his the way thither. Ye must go thorow mekenes both men and wyues Tyll ye come into conscience, that Christ wit soch That ye louen our Lord God, * 4.14 leuest of all thynges, And that your neighbours next; In no wy••e appeire Otherwise than thou woldist he wrought to thy selfe.

In the same passage.

Ye that seke S. Iames, and Saintes at Rome Seke saint Truth, for he may saue you all.

In another place. Pass. 12.

He doth well withoute doute, that doth as * 4.15 beuti techeth That is if thou be man maryed, thy make thou loue, And lyue forth as law wyll, whyle ye lyuen both. Right so if thou be religious, ren thou neuerfurther, To Rome nor Roch Madon, but as thy rule techeth, And hold the vnder obedience, that high way is to heuen. And yf thou be mayden to mary, and myght well continewe, Seke neuer no saint further for thy soules health.

* 4.16Pilgrimage, is called of the Latines, Peregrinatio, quasi peregre abitio, a going into a strange countrey; for a short pilgramage is not worth a pin: neither is that Image in so much honour or respect in that countrey where it is, as in farre countries. For example, the Italians, yea those that dwell neare Rome, will mocke and scoffe at our English (and other) pilgrims that go to Rome to see the Popes holinesse, and Saint Peters chaire, and yet they themselues will runne to see the Reliques of Saint Iames of Compostella in the kingdome of Galicia in Spaine, which is aboue twelue hundred English miles. And so the Spaniards hold Rome to be a very holy place, and there∣fore spare no cost or labour to go thither. And so of other pilgrimages.

Pilgrimage was also called Romeria, quia Romam vt plurimum peregri∣nationes, because pilgrimages forth most part were made to Rome.

Now hauing acquainted my Reader (omitting many particulars, I con∣fesse, which will more plainly appeare in the sequele) by what deuises and meanes, the Religious Votaries and others of the Clergie within this king∣dome, as also the Bishop of Rome (who most commonly went away with the best share) augmented their reuenues, and deceiued the poore Com∣mons. I am here to speake of a yearely tribute paied onely to the See of Rome (which many times I obuiously meete withall) from the payment

whereof, neither the King nor the Clergie, nor any housholder 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in England or Ireland were priuiledged, and this was called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which is a Saxon word compounded of Rome and Scot, as you wou••d say, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bute due to Rome,* 4.17 or an Apostolicall custome, or the see of 〈…〉〈…〉 penning, or Denarij Sancti Petri, Peter pence: From which payment 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mathew the Monke of Westminster, neither the King, nor the Archbi∣shop, Bishop, Abbot, nor Prior, were exempted. I he first ••ounder of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tribute was Inas, or Ina, king of the West-saxons. Of which the foresaid Mathew thus writes.

Ina the pious and potent king of the West Saxons, lea••ing his tempo¦rall kingdome (thereby to gaine an eternall) to the gouernment of his kins∣man Ethelard,* 4.18 trauel••ed on pilgrimage to Rome, where in the said Citie by the permission of Gregory the second, hee built an house which he called, The English Schoole; vnto which, the kings of England, and the Regall Image, as also Bishops, Priests, Clerkes, and others might repaire, to ••ee instructed in good literature, and in the Catholicke faith; lest that any thing in the English Church might be sin••ste••ly expounded contrary to the vni∣uersall vnitie, and so, being established in the orthodoxall and right recei∣ued Faith, they might returne backe againe into their owne countrey. For the doctrine and Schooles of the English Nation since the time of Arch¦bishop Austin, had beene interdicted by diuers Romish Bishops, for cer∣taine heresies which daily appeared after the comming in of the Saxons in∣to Britaine, by reason of the commixture of the misbeleeuing wicked Pa¦gans, with the Christians of holy conuersation. Hee also caused a Church to be erected neare to the foresaid house or Colledge, which he dedicated to the honour of the blessed Virgine Mary; in which such of the English as came to Rome might celebrate d••uine Seruice, and that therein, if any of the said English there happened to depart this world, they might be in••er∣red. And all these, that they might for euer be more firmly corroborated, it was ordained by a generall decree, throughout all the kingdome of the West-Saxons, that in euerie familie one pennie should be yearely collected and sent ouer to blessed Saint Peter and the Church of Rome, which in Eng¦lish Saxons was called Romescot; that the English there abiding mig••t by that meane haue sufficient to liue vpon. Thus ••a••re Mathew of Westminste•• surnamed the Flower-gatherer. The which in substance is thus deliuer••d by a late writer, yet in a different manner.

He (meaning Ina) instituted also a certaine yearely payment to the See of Rome,* 4.19 enioyning euery one of his Subiects that posses••ed in his house of one kinde of goods to the value of twentie pence, that he should pay a p••ny to the Pope yearely vpon Lammas day; which at that time was contributed vnder the name of the Kings Almes, but afterwards was called and chal∣lenged by the name of Peter-pence.

Another of the same gift by the said King hath these times.

He gaue to Rome eche yere* 4.20 The Rome pence thorrow West sex all about Perpetually to be well payd and clere, For vnto Rome he went without all doubt.

After the example, and with the like zeale of Ina, Offa the most magnifi∣cent

king of the Mercias, in great deuotion went also to Rome, and made euery house within his territories subiect to this payment of Romescot;

* 4.21Ossa gaue through Mers the Rome penny Vnto the Church of Rome.

Afterwards about the yeare eight hundred and fiftie, this tribute was confirmed, and made further payable throughout all England; For Ethel∣wolfe (as then being sole Monarch of the Englishmen; (hauing beene some∣times for certaine yeares (as Haneden and Brampton write) Bishop of Win∣chester) remembring his Ecclesiasticke profession; and ordaining first that tithes and lands due to holy Church should be free from all tributes and Regall seruices; in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne, with the like deuotion of the two former kings, went in pilgrimage, taking with him his youngest sonne Alfred, or Elfred, to the foresaid chiefe Citie of the Romanes; where he was both honourablie receiued and entertained by the Bishop of Rome and the whole Senate, for the space of one yeare and vpwards: in which time he rebuilt the English Schoole before remembred, which lately had beene almost quite consumed with fire.* 4.22 And in lieu of his kinde entertain∣ment, confirmed the former grant of Peter-pence, causing it to bee payed throughout all his Dominions; and further couenanted to pay yearely to Rome three hundred Markes, thus to be employed; one hundred to Saint Peters Church, another hundred to Saint Pauls light, and the third to the Pope (a Saint that euermore will haue his share) to the entent, saith one, that no Englishmen should doe penance in bounds, as he saw some do be∣fore his face.

This Athilwolfe to Rome toke his way In pilgramage with him his sonne Aelfrede, To Peter and Pole he graunted infenitife The Rome pence of all Englond. As Flores saith as I con vnderstond.

Saith Harding, cap. 105.

And further to confirme the premisses, may it please you to trouble your patience in the reading of these following hard rimes transcribed out of a namelesse old Author.

* 4.23Adelwolfe his sonne att Chester his cite For al hys kyngs and Barons of estate Sent forth anone at hys parlament to be Whycheatte Chester was than preordynate To whyche al cam, both Kyngs, Duks, and Prelat And odar al of honor or Empryse Hym for to do obeysaunce and servysse. anon to Roome he went In pylgrymage wythe hooly good entent. Wher he was so abydyng full too yer In hooly lyff and full perfactyon. In ryall wyse as to a pryns afer And to the Pope wythe ful affectyon Hys comonyng ay had at hys electyon.

He gaue to Peter lyght And to Sent Poule, wha•• is ful gret repayr Too thowsand mark of Venyse gold ful ryght For sustenaunce of the Chyrches ryght. He Busschopp was in hys Fadars day And for defaut of heyr was crownyd kyng Wharfor whan he hys lond in good aray Fre of servysse had set above all thyng He grauntyd tythe of all hys lond ofspryng Tyll thre persones dwelling in vnyte Why charr on God dwellyng in Trynite. And Roome pens he graunte vnto the Pope Perpetuelly to haue of al Englond. So perfytt was hys mynd who couth hit grope In al goodnes growndyd I vndyrstond. Thrugh al hys myght in al hys noble lond, The Pece he kepte, and in his Se iudicyall The common Law among hys peple all.

Edgar king of England made sharpe constitutions for the payment of this Tribute.

And it was one of the lawes of Edward the Confessour,* 4.24 that euery house∣holder which had triginta denariatas viuae pecuniae in domo sua de proprio suo, Thirtie pence of ready money, or of any kinde of cattell in his house of his owne proper, should by the Law of the English giue a pennie to Saint Peter, and by the Law of the Danes halfe a marke; which pennie was to be demanded at or vpon the feast of Saint Peter and Paul, and to be collect∣ed before the feast of Saint Peter * 4.25 ad vincula, and not to be deferred to any further day: And if any withheld the payment thereof any longer time, complaint was to be made to the Kings Officers, for that this penny was the Kings Almes. And that the partie so offending, should hee constrained by iustice to make payment thereof, on paine of forfeiting his goods. Now if any man had more dwelling houses then one, hee was to pay onely for that house where he should happen to be resiant, at the said feast of Saint Peter and Paul.

Henry the second vpon his conquest of Ireland, imposed this tribute vpon that kingdome, onely to curry fauour with the Pope, who as then was Adrian the fourth, called before his inthronization, Nicholas Breake∣speare, borne at Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire. For hee (saith Speed in the life of the said Henry) knowing how great and dangerous tumults the Popes had raised vpon small occasions, thought his way would bee much easier,* 4.26 if he went onward with the Popes good fauour, which he easily ob∣tained for a fee, viz. a penny yearely to bee payed to Saint Peter of euerie house in Ireland.

Edward the third in the 39. yeare of his raigne (saith Treuisa the Con¦tinuer of Polychronicon) ordained, that this Tribute of Peter pence, should not be from thenceforth any more gathered within this Realme, nor any such payment made at Rome. But howsoeuer (saith Hollinshed in the said

yeare) this payment was abrogated at this time, by King Edward, it was after rene••ed againe by the Pope, and the money was gathered in certaine Shires of this Realme, vntill the dayes of king Henry the eighth.

Parsons, and Impropriators of Churches, at this day in many places of England, are payed this pennie vnder the name of a Smoke pennie.

This Chapter is growne much longer then I expected. Of which an end.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.2

  I•• bib. Cot.
• * 2.1

  In the So••p¦ners tale.
• * 2.2

  q••oth.
• * 2.3

  Passus vndeci∣mus.
• * 2.4

  S. Danyel in vit. H. 2.
• * 3.1

  Videsis Onu∣phrium de septē santioribus vr∣bis Romae Ec∣clesijs.
• * 3.2

  third parte.
• * 3.3

  on the eight day.
• * 3.4

  S. Iames of Compostela in Spaine.
• * 3.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 3.6

  The great par∣don, or Hea¦uenly Grace.
• * 3.7

  Copied out of an old Roll, now in the cu∣stody of Sir Sy∣mon D'Ewes Knight.
• * 4.1

  Of the Pope.
• * 4.2

  Of the Car∣dinal••
• * 4.3

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.4

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.5

  times.
• * 4.6

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.7

  a ••••ise
• * 4.8

  ••••lers.
• * 4.9

  ten Com∣ma••dements.
• * 4.10

  •••• he was named.
• * 4.11

  Of pilgrimages ••ad. ••.
• * 4.12

  take
• * 4.13

  The way to Truths dwel∣ling place.
• * 4.14

  the best.
• * 4.15

  ••an.
• * 4.16

  Pilgrimage what it is.
• * 4.17

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.18

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.19

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.20

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.21

  Hand. cap. 133.
• * 4.22

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.23

  A Manuscript in the Library of Edmond Cot¦ton ••••pti••e.
• * 4.24

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.25

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 4.26

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉