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.

Saint Albans Abbey.

I thinke it not much amisse to speake a little of this Protomartyr of En∣gland, Saint Alban, whose reliques lie here interred, to whose name, and for his eternall commemoration, both this Towne and Monastery wer•• built and consecrated.

He was a Citizen and a Knight of that famous Citie Verulam, (which stood hereby beyond the little riuer) who giuing entertainement at his own house, to Amphibalus a Christian, and one of the Clergie, was by him his guest, conuerted from Paganisme, to the true profession of Iesus Christ: and when Dioclesian (who made Maximian his companion in the Empire) went about by exquisite torments, to wipe Christian Religion quite out of the memory of men, was the first in Britaine, that with inuincible constan∣cie and resolution, suffered death for Christ his sake: of which persecution, ••s also of his Martyrdome, my often alledged Author, Robert of Glocester, shall tell you in his old verse.

Two Emperors of Rome wer on Dioclesian, And anoder hys felaw that het Maximian. And wer both at on tym, the on in the Este ende, The oder in the west of the world, alle cristendom to shende. For the luther Maximian westwarde hider soughte, And christen men that he fonde to strang deth he broughte. Churchen he pulde a doun, ther ne moste non stonde, And al the bokes that he myghte fynde in eny londe, He wolde late berne echon, amydde the heygh strete, And the christenmen asle, and non alyue lete. Such God was yvor vpon cristendom. Such persecucion as ther was hadde ther be non. For yun••a monethe ther wer seuentene thou send and mo, I martred for our Lordes Loue: nas ther a grete wo? Wyth oute oder grete halwen that hii heold longe in torment. As Seynt Cristene, and Seynt Feye, and also Seynt Uincent, Fabian and Sebastian, and othur as men rede, That heold faste in the fey, and hadde non drede, And among men of this londe ther wer many on I martred at thulke tym, Seint Albon was on: He was the furste Martir of Brutayn that com Muche was the shome men dude in Christendom, Undyr this Luther Emperor.

Another not so ancient, hath it thus.

The Emperour Dioclesyan Into Britayne then sent Maximian:

This Maximian to surname Hercelius, A Tyraunte false that Christente anoyed, Through all Britayne, of werke malicious, The christoned folke felly and sore destroyed. And thus the people with him foule accloyed, Religyous men the Prests and Clerkes all▪ Wemen with chylde and bedred folkes all.

Chyldren soukyng vpon the mothers pappis, The mothers also withouten any pytee, And chyldren all in their mothers lappis The crepyls eke and all the christentee, He killed and slewe with full grete cruelte. The Churches brent, all bokes or ornaments Bellys, reliquys that to the Churche appendes,

He slew that tyme, and martyred Saint Albone.

Now when neither perswasions, nor cruell torments, could make him forsake the true faith, such was the sentence of his death, as I finde it in a legend of his passion and martyrdome, which to giue your palate variety, I will set downe in such English as I haue in the said Legend, or Agon.

In the tyme of the Emperoure Dioclesyan, Albone Lorde of Uerolamye, Prynce of Knyghts, and Stewarde of all Brutayne durynge his lif, hath despysyd Iubyter and Apollyn oure Goddes; and to them hath doo derogacyon and disworschyp, wherfor by the Lawe, he is iudged to be deed by the honde of somme knyght, and the body to be buried in the same place, where his heed shal be smyten of, and his sepulture to be made worshcip∣fully for thonoure of knyghthode wherof he was Prynce, and also the crosse whych he bare, and Sklauin that he ware shold be bu∣ried wyth hym, and his body to be closyd in a Cheste of leed, and so layed in his sepulture: This sentence hath the Lawe ordeyned, by cause he hath renyed our principall Goddes.

His iudgement being giuen after this manner, he was brought from the Citie Veralam, to this his place of execution, which, as then, was an hill in a wood, called Holme-hurst, where at one stroke his head was smitten off. But his Executioner, saith venerable Bede, had short ioy of his wicked deede, for his eyes fell to the ground, with the head of the holy Martyr: of which will you heare another writer.

Thousands of torments when he had endur'd for Christ his sake, At length he died by dome thus giuen; his head away to take. The Tortor proudly did the feat, but cleere he went not quit, That holy Martyr lost his head, this cruell wretch his sight.

He suffered martyrdome in the yeare of Christ, saith Stow, 293. the twentieth day of Iune, saith Bede, howsoeuer the two and twentieth day of the same moneth▪ was appointed by the Church, to be kept holy to his memory, as we haue it in our English Calender.

Many Miracles are said to be wrought by this sacred Martyr, both li∣uing and dead, but I will leaue them, (for that they will be thought incre∣dulous in this age) and come to the foundation of this Abbey.

The Sepulchres of holy Saints, the reliques of blessed Martyrs, and the very places of their martyrdome, did kindle, in times past, no small heate of diuine charitie in the mindes of our first Christian Saxon Kings; which made Offa the glorious King of the Mercians, to recall himselfe from the trace of bloudy warres, in great deuotion to goe to Rome, and to obtaine of Pope Adrian the first, the canonyzation of this martyr Alban; in honour of whom, the first to our Lord Iesus Christ, he founded this monastery, a∣bout the yeere 795. (the Church whereof still remaineth, which for big∣nesse, beautie, and antiquity, is to be had in admiration) in the very place where the foresaid Alban suffered his martyrdome. He endowed this his g••odly fabricke, with sufficient reuenues for the maintenance of one hun∣dred blacke Monkes, Benedictins, and caused the reliques of his new Saint to be taken vp, and put in a shrine, adorned with gold and pretious stones of inestimable value; which was further enriched by his sonne Egfrid, and many other succeeding Kings and Princes, but now at this day, nothing is remaining of this rich Shrine, saue a marble stone, to couer his sacred Ashes; ouer against which, on the wall, these verses are lately depicted, onely to tell vs that such a man there was, to whose memory a Shrine was erected.

Renowned Alban knight, first Martyr of this land, By Dioclesian lost his life through bloudy hand. Who made him soueraigne Lord, high Steward of this Isle, And Prince of Britaine knights to dignifie his stile, He veritie embrac't, and Verulam forsooke, And in this very place his martyrdome he tooke. Now hath he his reward, he liues with Christ aboue, For he aboue all things, Christ and his truth did loue. Here Offa, Mercians King, did Albans bones enshrine, So all things were dispos'd by prouidence diuine. Nought but this marble stone of Albans Shrine is left, The worke of all forme else, hath changing time bereft.

I haue read in an old Mss. in Sir Robert Cottons Librarie, that this fol∣lowing, was anciently the Inscription vpon his Shrine.

Here lieth interred, the body of Saint Alban, a Citizen of old Verulam, of whom this towne tooke denomination, and from the ruines of which Citie, this Towne did arise. He was the first Martyr of England, and suffe∣red his martyrdome the xx. day of Iune, in the yeare of mans redemption, 293.

Vnder a curious and costly funerall monument here in the Quire, lyeth

interred the body of Vmfrey Plantaginet, surnamed the Good, fourth sonne of King Henry the fourth. By the grace of God (for so begins his stile by Charter) sonne, brother, and vncle of Kings, Duke of Glocester, Earle of Henault, Holland, Zeland, and Pembroke, Lord of Friseland, great Cham∣berlaine of England, Protector and defender of the Church and kingdome of England. Thus great, thus glorious, by birth, creation, and marriage, was hee in his honourable titles and Princely attributes; but farre more great, and illustrious, in his vertuous endowments, and inward qualities: But in his praise, may it please you reade learned Clarentieux, in his tract of Suffolke, where he writes of the Abbey of Bury: these are his words. That father of his countrey, Vmfrey Duke of Glocester, a due obseruer of Iustice, and one who had furnished his noble wit, with the better and deeper kinde of Studies, after he had, vnder King Henry the sixth, gouerned the king∣dome fiue and twenty yeares with great commendations; so that neither good men had cause to complaine of, nor enuill to finde fault with, was here in Saint Sauiours Hospitall brought to his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the spightfull enuie of Margaret of Lorain, who was wife to Hen•••• the ••ix••h his Nephew. But his death was the stroke of an euill Angell, 〈…〉〈…〉ent to punish Eng∣land, and to roote out all her Nobles.

Fidior in regno regi duce non ••uit is••o, Plusue fide stabilis, aut maior amator honoris.

Saith the Abbot of this house Io. Whethamsted; yet for all this was he ar∣rested of high Treason, in the yeare 1446. and within few dayes after strang∣led to death; without any triall. Some say he died for sorrow, because hee might not come to his answer. Hee built the Diuinitie Schoole in Oxford, and was an especiall benefactour to this Abbey. Here is an Epitaph pensild on the wall neare to his Tombe, to the same effect; with an Item of the mi∣racle which he wrought vpon the blinde imposture. The story is frequent.

Hic iacet Vmphredus Duxille Glocestrius, olim Henrici Regis Protector, fraudis ineptae Detector; dum ficta notat miracula caeci. Lumen erat Patriae, columen venerabile Regni: Pacis amans, Musisque fauens, melioribus; vnde Gratum opus Oxonio, quae nunc scola sacra refulget. Invida sed mulier regno, Regi, sibi nequam Abstulit hunc, humili vix hoc dignata Sepulchro. Invidia rumpente tamen post funera viuit.

Vnder a large marble stone thus inscribed, lieth Iohn Stoke, an Abbot of This Church.

Hic iacet oblitus Stoke stans velut ardua quercus Semper in adversis perstitit intrepidus. Wallingford Prior hic gregis huius pastor, & Abbas, Donet ei requiem celsa dei pietas. Celica regna bone mihi dentur queso Patrone.

Penas compesse, requiem da virgula Iesse. Me precor Amphibale soluens ad sidera sume.

This Abbot (as it is in this Epitaph, and in the golden Register of this house) was a stout defender of the lands and liberties of his Church: hee adorned Duke Vmfreys Tombe; hee gaue money, by his Will, to make a new bell, which after his owne name was called Iohn; and also to new glase the Cloisters, Sibi igitur (saith the booke) ea sit merces, que dari solet illis qui ad honorem sue Ecclesie, laudabilia student opera in temporibus suis.

Vir crucis & Christi tumulo iacet inclitus isti, Carcere de tristi saluetur sanguine Christi. Armacrucis sumpsit intrando Religionem; Mundum contempsit propter celi regionem. Hic studuit claustri Pondus sufferre laboris, In stadio studij brauium percepit honoris: Flatus fortune grandes patiens tolerabat, Gaudia, tristitia, equalilance librabat. Nil aduersa timens, nec multum prospera curans; Se medio tenuit; per ferrea tempora durans. Omni gestura constans nil triste timebat; Omni pressura Christo laudes referebat. Armis Iustitie cinctus deitatis amore Hostibus Ecclesie restitit in facie. Ad tumulum Proceres mors impia transferet omnes; Vt puerilis amor defluit omnis honor.

I finde this Inscription following vpon a faire marble, vnder the pour∣traiture of one of the Abbots, who modestly thus suppresseth his name.

Hic quidem terra tegitur Peccato soluens debitum. Cuius nomen non impositum, In libro vitae sit inscriptum.

Hic iacet Dominus Michael quondam Abbas huius Monasterij Bacha∣laureus in Theol. qui obiit pridie Idus Aprilis Ann. M.ccc xlii.

Michael Abbas (saith the said booke of S. Albans) merito nomen Ange∣licum est sortitus, nam opera que ipse fecit, ostendunt qualis fuerit. Fuitque in omni vita tam pius suis fratribus & mansuetus, vt inter eos merito tan∣quam Angelus haberetur.

Gulielmus quartus opus hoc laudabile, cuius Extitit, hic pausat, Christo sibi premia reddat.

This Abbots name was William Wallingford, a man abundantly cha∣ritable to the poore, and munificent to the Church. His gifts to both did amount to the summe of eight thousand and threescore pounds seuen shil∣lings and sixe pence (confirmed in the said booke) by Thomas Ramridge then Prior, and the rest of the Couent, in the yeare 1484. Die octauo mens. Augusti; concluding with these words: Ex his igitur premissis manifestis∣sime

cernere possumus, quam vtilis & quam carissimus suo olim Monasterio extiterit. Ea propter sinceris omnes cordilus, ad omnipotentem deum, pro eo precaturi dies ac noctes deuotissime sumus, vt sibi in celis mercedem suis fa∣ctis dignissimam retribuere dignetur. Amen.

Hic iacet... Thomas Abbas huins Monastery....

This is the last Abbot for whom I finde any Inscription, or Epitaph, and the last in my Catalogue: whose Surname was Ramrige, Vir suis tempori∣bus tam dilectus deo quam hominibus, propterque causas varias nomen in per∣petua benedictione apud posteros habens▪ saith the golden Register.

Here I may haue occasion to set downe the names of all the Abbots of this House, from the first foundation to this man; and the rather because I haue certaine Epitaphs in some of their commendations, collected out of the Abbey booke, which sometime were engrauen vpon their Monuments: besides other passages are thereby discouered, not vnpleasing to the Reader.

When Offa the Founder had built and endowed this Monasterie, with more then twenty Lordships and Mannors, and obtained for it all royall priuiledges, and pontificall ornaments: he made choice of one Willigod, to haue the gouernment of these possessions and prerogatiues, as also of the re∣ligious persons by him to his Abbey promoted. This man did laudablie gouerne his charge for many yeares.

2. Eadrick succeeded him, a seuere punisher of malefactours.

3. Then Wulsigge.

4. Wulnoth, in this Abbots time many miracles are said to be wrought at Saint Albons Shrine.

5. Eadfride: this Abbot gaue a massie cup of gold, or challice of inesti∣mable value to the Shrine of Saint Albon.

6. Wulfine, a village of a few houses being here alreadie built neare to the Monastery, this Abbot procured a Market there to be kept; and called together people of other villages therin to inhabite. He built the Churches of Saint Peter and Saint Michael in this Towne, and a Chappell neare to S. Germans Chappell, which he dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene.

7. Alfricke, this Abbot for a great summe of money purchased a large and deepe pond, lying betwixt old Verulam and this village (an euill neigh∣bour and hurtfull to his Church) which was called the Fish poole, apper∣taining to the kings: and the Kings officers and Fishers molested the Ab∣bey, and burdened the Monkes thereby. Out of which Poole he the said Abbot in the end drained the water, and made it drie ground. The name of which Pond or Poole remaineth still here in a certaine street, called Fish-poole street.

9. Ealdred, the Abbot in the raigne of king Edgar, hauing searched for the ancient vaults vnder ground at Verulam, ouerthrew all, and stopped vp all the wayes with passages vnder ground; which were strongly and artificial∣ly arched ouer head: For they were the lurking holes of whores and theeues. Hee leuelled the ditches of the Citie, and certaine dennes, into which malefactours vse to flie, as vnto places of refuge. But the whole tiles and stones which he found fit for building, he laid aside; intending there∣with to haue reedified his Church, but he was preuented by death.

9. Eadmer his Successor went forward with the worke that Ealfred be∣gan, and his pioners ouerthrew the foundations of a pallace in the midst of the old Citie: And in the hollow place of a wall, as it were in a little closet, they happened vpon bookes, couered with oaken boards, and silken strings at them: whereof one contained the life of Saint Alban, written in the Bri∣tish tongue; the rest, the ceremonies of the Heathen. When they opened the ground deeper, they met with old tables of stone, with tiles also and pillars, likewise with pitchers and pots of earth, made by Potters and Tur∣ners worke: vessells moreouer of glasse, containing the ashes of the dead, &c. To conclude, out of these remaines of Verulam, Eadmer built a new the most part of his Church and Monasterie; with a determination to haue finished all: Sed tamen morte preuentus, saith the booke, propositum suum non est assecutus.

10. Leofricke was preferred to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury, who departing with the benediction of his brethren, left his Monastery abun∣dantly rich. This man is omitted in the Catalogue of Bishops, or otherwise Aluric••us or Alfricus is set in his place.

11. This Alfricke or Aluricke was the eleuenth Abbot, and brother by the mothers side to his predecessour Leofricke; he compiled an Historie of the life and death of Saint Alban, and hee, together with his brother, got and gaue nine villages to this Abbey.

12 Leofstane procured many great and important liberties to his Church, of Edward the Counfessour, whose Chaplaine and Confessour the said Ab∣bot was; and who, betwixt the King and his Queene Editha, was Casti consilij seminator.

13. Fredericke the bold and rich Abbot of Saint Albans (for so he was called) succeeded Leofstane, descended from the Saxons noble bloud, as likewise from Canutus the Dane: this man opposed the Conquerour Willi∣am in all his proceedings, plotted against him in diuers conspiracies, and told him stoutly to his face, that he had done nothing but the dutie of his birth and profession; and if others of his ranke had performed the like (as they well might and ought) it had not beene in his power to haue pierced the land so farre. But this, and other his ouer-bold answers, did so offend the King, that he tooke from him this Abbey of Saint Albans, with all the lands and reuenues belonging thereunto, which lay betwixt Barnet and London stone. Whereupon, without delay, hee called a Chapter of his Brethren, shewing them their approaching dangers, and to auoide the pre∣sent storme, went himselfe to Ely (where he desisted not from his wonted machinations against the Conquerour) and there ended his dayes, in mag∣na mentis amaritudine (saith mine Author) postquam multis annis huic Ec∣clesie nobiliter prefuisset.

14. Paul a Monke of Cane, vpon his death, was made Abbot, who in short space by the counsell and aide of Lanfranke, Archbishop of Canter∣bury, builded very sumptuously a new Church, with a Cloister here, with a••l offices; and adorned the same Church with many good bookes, and rich ornaments. He procured his lands and reuenues backe againe from the Con∣querour; and by himselfe, and his forcible perswasions with others, he did further enrich his Abbey with many faire possessions.

15 Richard succeeded him, who solemnly & magnificently did consecrate the Church, which his predecessour Paul had finished, and built a Chap∣pell of himselfe to the honour of Saint Cuthbert, in which hee was entom∣bed, with this Epitaph.

Abbas Richardus iacet hic, vt pistica nardus Redolens virtutum floribus et merit is. A quo fundatus locus est hic, edisicatus Ingenti studio nec modico precio. Quem nonas decimas Februo promente Kalendas, Abslulit vltima sors, et rapuit cita mors.

16 Geffrey the Abbot gaue many rich ornaments to this his Monastery, with a Challice and a couer all of massie pure gold, which afterwards hee sent to Pope Celestine the second, vt ipsius sedaret auaritiam, volent is hanc Ecclesiam appropriare; that he might appease or mitigate the couetousnesse of his holy father of Rome, who was willing (and went about) to impro∣priate this Abbey.

Abbas Galfridus Papa cui fuit ipse molestus Hic iacet innocuus, prudens, pius, atque modeslus.

17 Raph his successor, built anew the lodgings for the Abbots, and gaue diuers rich Copes and Vestments for the ornament of his Church.

18 Robert was the next Abbot who procured the Church of Luton to be annexed to this, and deliuered his Monastery from the seruitude of the Bishop of Lincolne, which was a controuersie of long continuance, and in the end agreed vpon by composition; which agreement was confirmed by Alexander the third, Bishop of Rome, about the yeare 1178. as by his Bull to that purpose appearent.

Bulla de compositione facta inter Lincoln. Ecclesiam et Ecclesiam beati Albani.

Alexander Episcopus seruus seruorū Dei. Dilecto filio Roberto Abbati mona∣sterij Sancti Albani. Salutem et apostolicam ben. Ea que compositione seu con∣cordia mediante rationabili prouidentia statuuntur, in sua debent stabilitate consistere: Et ne alicuius temeritate in posterum valeant immutari Apostolice sedis ea conuenit auctoritate muniri. Ea propter dilecte in Domino (fili Rober∣te) tuis postulationibus grato concurrentes assensu, compositionem que inter Lincoln. Ecclesiam et monasterium beati Albani super Processionibus de Her∣fordshira, de quibus inter vtramque Ecclesiam controuersia fuerat, sicut in instrumento exinde facto continetur vtriusque partis assensu rationabiliter facta est: tibi et prefate Ecclesie tue auctoritate Apo∣stolica confirmamus, Sta∣tuentes vt nulli omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostre confirmationis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare pre∣sumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis dei, et beatorum Petrie et Pauli Apo∣stolorum

eius se neuerit incursurum. Dat. Auagn. xi. Kal. Feb. pontificatus nostri, anno vij.

About twenty yeares afterwards, (vpon some new quarrels, belike, ari∣sing betweene the two foresaid Churches) this composition and transaction was againe confirmed by Clemens the third, in these words.

Clemens Episcopus seruus seruorum dei; dilectis filijs Abbati et conuentui Sancti Albani, Salutem et Apostol••cam ben. Cum inter vos ex vna parte et Ecclesiam Lincolnien. et Capitulum eius ex altera controuersia verteretur, super eo quod Capitulum ipsum Ecclesiam vestram proponebat Ecclesie Lin∣colnien▪ de iure esse subiectam, inter vos concordia de assensu partium inter∣cesserit. Nos itaque volentes que super causarum litigijs concordia vel iuditio rationabiliter statuuntur firmitatem perpetuam optinere; et ne processu tem∣poris in scrupulum recidue contentionis deuenia••t, literarum amminutulis memorie commendare concordiamillam sicut rationabiliter facta est, et ab v∣traque parte recepta, et in scripto autentico continetur, auctoritate Apostoli∣ca con••irmamus, et presentis Scripti patrocinio communuimus. Statuentes vt nulli; as before. Dat. Lateran. Id. Martij Pontisicatus nostri, Anno se∣cundo.

19 Symon Abbot caused many bookes to be written for the vse of the Couent; in his time, one Adam, Steward of the monastery, made the Kit¦chin much more large, and gaue both money and lands to the Couent and Monastery, ideo (saith my Author) ob preclara eius merita inter Abbates in capitulo sepulturam meruit optinere; therefore for his good deserts, hee deserued to be buried in the Chapter-house amongst the Abbots.

20 Carine caused a coffin and a Shrine to be new made, wherein he put the reliques of Saint Amphibalus. Richard Cordelion, King of England, be∣ing taken prisoner by Leopold Duke of Austria, and his ransome set at one hundred thousand pound; commandement was directed from his Iustices, that all Bishops, Prelates, Earles, Barons, Abbots, and Priors, should bring in the fourth part of their reuenues towards his deliuerance: at which time the shrines in the Churches were fleeced, and their Chalices coined into ready money, yet this Abbot (quia Regi erat amicissimus) redeemed the Chalices, and all other the rich offerings to the glorious shrines within his Church, for two hundred markes. This Carine was the first Abbot of this house, that was dignified with Miter and Croisier.

21 Iohn de Cella did many workes of piety, and purchased the Church of Saint Stephen, with certaine lands thereunto adioyning, for one hundred and twenty markes, which he did assigne to the Officers of his Kitchin.

22 William, amongst many of his pious acts, reedified Saint Cuthberts Chappell, being as then ruinous and ready to fall downe; which hee new made in the honour of Saint Cuthbert, Saint Iohn the Baptist, and Saint Agnes the Virgine; vpon which dedication he caused these verses to be in∣sculped ouer the high Altar.

Confessor Cuthberte Dei Baptista Iohannes, Agnes virgo, tribus vobis hec ara sacratur.

23 Iohn of Hertford was a great benefactor to this Abbey.

24 His successor Roger did wondrously loue the beautie of the house of God, which he euidently did demonstrate by the great cost and charges he bestowed vpon this his owne Church: besides, he caused to be made, three tunable Bels for the Steeple, two to the honour of Saint Alban, and the third to Saint Amphibalus, which he appointed to be rung at nine a clocke euery night; whereupon it was called the Corfue, or couer fire bell.

25 After Roger, succeeded Iohn of Berkamstede, of whom because hee did nothing memorable in his life time, nothing shall be spoken in this pre∣sent page; Sed taman Lectorem monemus (saith the Booke) vt conuertatur ad pietatis opera, et omnipotenti deo pro eius anima preces fundat.

26 Iohn Marines gaue a Censer to his church, of a great price, besides many other necessaries.

27 Hugh his successor, inlarged the reuenues of his church with many faire possessions, and obtained of Edward the second, diuers great gifts, with a crucifixe of gold, beset with precious stones; a cup of siluer of great value, gilt, diuers Scottish reliques. Timber to repaire the Quire, and one hundred pound in money.

Quid fuit, est, et erit, cur non homo discere querit? Spuma fuit, fumus est: putrida fiet humus.

28 Abbot Richard, endued with all kindes of learning, both morall and diuine, suffered great tribulation in his time, in the defence of the rights of his church. He gaue a clocke to the same, the like of it was not in England.

29 Of Michael the Abbot I haue spoken before.

30 Vpon the death of Michael, Thomas the Prior of Tinmouth was preferred to this monasterie: he sustained innumerable crosses and pertur∣bations, during the time of his being at Tinmouth, as also here at Saint Albanes: yet brought all to a prosperous end, and adorned his church more richly, then any one of his Predecessors; the particular gifts that he gaue to the same, cost him aboue foure thousand pound.

Est Abbas Thomas, tumulo presente reclusus Qui vite tempus sanctos expendit in vsus.

31 The next Abbot was Iohn Moot, qui multa fecit diebus suis memoran∣da, saith my Author, of whom this Epitaph.

M. C. quater vint. quint. Claudis heic membra Ioannis, Qui dignis laudibus veteranis occidit annis: Intus confratres bene rexit, post fuit Abbas Constans vt Iosua, Zelans legem vt H••lias. Simplicitas vite qua noscitur esse columbe. Simonis et Iude (pie pastor) cras rapuit te. Omnem patratum Christus purgando reatum, Nobis sublatum te mun••ret his sociatum.

32 William his next successour, was vir suis in temporibus tam deo delectus

quam hominibus, and performed many great workes of pietie. Hee died about the yeare 1434. for whom I finde this Epitaph.

Conditus his recubat fatali sorte Guilelmus Albani Pastor qui gregis aptus erat: Reperit illustrem celesti munere famam, Quam nequit in tanto mors abolere viro.

33 But now I come to Iohn of Whethamstede, (a village in this shire, plentifull in wheate) (wherein the said Iohn was borne, and thereupon had his denomination,) who was Abbot of this house, in the raigne of Henry the sixt, a man much renowned for his due desert of learning, for his god∣ly life and conuersation, for his pleasant disposition, and for the charges he was at, and the meanes he made, to adorne and enrich his Church and mo∣nastery. Out of a Manuscript in Sir Robert Cot••ons rich Librarie, intituled, Gesta paucula Abbatis Iohannis Sexti, I collected thus much of his particu∣lar actions.

Iohn, the sixt Abbot of this house, of that christian name, that he might outwardly shew, saith the booke, how inwardly hee loued the beautie of the house of God, and how much he desired to decke and embellish the ha∣bitation of the most holy; first hee caused our Ladies chappell to bee new trimmed, and curiously depicted, with stories out of the sacred word: vp∣on the south side whereof, these verses were curiously depensed in gold.

Dulce pluit Manna partum dum protulit Anna, Dulcius ancilla dum Christus creuit in illa.

Vpon the north side these.

Flos Campi dicta tibi questio ...... puella Floris habens picta venerari fronde capella.

In the roofe about the picture of the Lambe.

Inter oues Aries regat vt sine cornibus agnus:

Vnder the picture of the Eagle.

Inter aues Aquila veluti sine felle columba.

He built a little Chappell in the south part of the Church for his owne buriall place, in which vnder certaine pictures in the windowes, he caused these verses to be inscribed.

Propicij Patres, compassiue quoque matres Orat, vt oretis, sua quod sit pausa quietis Vester adoptatus hic filius intumulatus.

The north part of his Church being somewhat darke, hee caused new windowes to be made, and glazed, to make it appeare more light and glo∣rious; and in the glasse, vnder the images of certaine heathen Philosophers, which had testified of the incarnation of Iesus Christ; these Hexameters were inscribed.

Istac qui graderis hos testes si memoreris: Credere vim poteris proles Deus est mulieris.

Vnder the picture of Ioseph of Arimathia in another window.

Ad Britones ivi postquam Christum sepeliui, Glasconiam veni, Britones docui, requieui.

Vnder the pictures of the foure Doctors of the Church.

Bina per hec paria fidei quod gignit alumpna Firma stat Ecclesia, quadra fulcita columpna.

And that he might further illuminate his Church, he caused a faire large window to be made anew in the West end of the said North Isle. Vpon the erection of which these rimes were composed.

In patria boree quo plus durabilis in se, Fertur petra fore factor fuit ipse fenestre, Que nunc erigitur in ea quoque parte locatur; Totius Ecclesie que fertur clarior esse, Eius & occiduam bene ditat lumine finem.

He made a reuerend kinde of imbroidered vesture, for himselfe and his suc∣cessours, to vse when they were to enter into their Sanctum Sanctorum: he made a new Miter, and a Pastorall staffe. Vpon which this metre was carued.

Postquam sex annis benedixit dextra Iohannis Wethamsted, pepulum fecerat hunc baculum.

For the vse and honour of the holy Altar, he made a Chalice of pure gold, a paire of siluer censers; a paire of siluer Basons gilt. Vpon which were en∣grauen the similitudes of a Lambe and an Eagle, with these riming verses.

Peluis post latices vt lota manus veniales Conficiat calices: prius annuat Agnus & Ales.

Vpon the pictures of Christ, the blessed Virgine, Saint Alban, and the sacred Host, as they were to be carried in the Cloister, or into the Towne; he caused diuers verses to be written, to bring the people into a reuerend re∣gard of the same.

Vt Iesus & mater, noster simul Prothomartyr Acetu populi deberent plus venerari. Instituit, varia quibus & veneratio dicta Creuit, & Ecclesie cultus fuit amplior in se.

Of all his pious acts which he performed for the ornament of his Church, thus much is written (briefly) in the same booke.

In cappis, casulis, Albis, simul & tunicellis, Inque bonis alijs varijs magis ac preciosis; Precessit patres pater hic cunctos preeuntes. Plus coluit que Deum, cur recolamus eum.

In like manner hee trimmed vp his Monasterie, with curious painted imageries and diuers inscriptions in golden letters.

In his owne lodgings.

Dote licet multa tua sit species bene culta, Mos nisi nubat ei dos simplicis est speciei.

Ortus magnorum quamuis sis stirpe deorum; Iunge tibi morem facis ortum nobiliorem.

Inter eos quos fama deos in honore leuavit; Sors famulos, mors discipulos in sine probauit.

In the walke betwixt the Hall and the Abbots Chamber:

Hec in regnante duo sunt contraria valde, Sedis apex primus, probitatis spiritus ymus. Sis Dux munificus, sis prudens, sisque benignus, Tresque Duces simul es Eneas, Titus, Vlixes.

Non bene concessum princeps regit ille Ducatum, Concilio procerum qui non regitur sapientum.

Iudex quando sedes caneas ne iura supines Iure quidem tradito. Plebs Rex est, Rex sine regno?

In the windowes of the Abbots Studie, or Librarie.

Cum studeas, videas, vt sit virtus & honestas; Hic & vbique tibi finalis causa studendi.

Hec loca sceptrigere pudeat sacrate Sophie Hoc ad opus trahere quod mandat Martha Marie.

Huius amore loci regimen postponere noli. Quo minor esca gregi detur magis esurienti.

In the Chamber adioyning to his Studie.

Condere ne timeas quicquid persuadet honestas: Gratia propositis semper respondet honestis.

He gaue a great Bason of siluer double gilt, to the Monasterie, which hee thus engraued about the Verge.

Dic quisquis fueris bene domi si memoreris Quis fueratque dator, nunqui suus esse precator, Siue prees ve subes, propter donum tenearis. Si ••ic hortor te pro donatore precare; Dicque perhennis e•• sit lux que locus requie••.

In a Chappell which he built for the Couent, these verses.

Turma senectutis, plebs egra, cohorsque salutis

In vestris precibus Are sacra cum celebratis; Hanc propter fabricam sextum memorate Iohannem.

After this manner did he adorne, new build, and enrich both his Church and Abbey; and in all his new buildings or repairings, hee caused the pi∣ctures of a Lambe and an Eagle to be thereupon drawne or depicted with these verses following; which you may reade vpon the roofe or top of the Quire in the Abbey Church at this day.

Dic vbicunque vides sit pictus vt Agnus & Ales Effigies operis, sexti sunt ista Iohannis Parte vel in toto in visse, vel in faciendo Est opus hoc vnum causauit eum faciendum.

He built much at his Mannor of Titten-Hanger not farre from hence, and in his Studie there inscribed these verses.

Ipse Iohannis amor Whethamslede vbique proclamor, Eius & alter honor hic lucis in ange reponor.

In a Chappell there which he much enlarged, he caused to be painted vpon the walls the similitudes of all the Saints of his owne Christian name of Iohn: with his owne picture, which seemingly thus prayeth.

Cum fero par nomen, par ferre precor simul omen; Tum paribus que pari, licet impar, luce locari.

He repaired or rather built anew the Church of Redburne, and consecrated the altar againe: ouer which these verses were written vpon the wall.

M. semel x. terno C quater •• quoque querno Ara resecrata, domus hec varijsque nouata.

Vpon the couering or roofe ouer the Chancell, vnder the pictures of the Lambe and Eagle, these.

Ecce pecus mundi to••lens peccata rotundi. En et auis, celi reserans arcana fideli. En pecus en et auis, opus en sextique Iohannis.

He built a Librarie in the Monkes Colledge in Oxford, to which he gaue many bookes, in some of which he writ these verses.

Fratribus Oxonie datur in munus liber iste. Per patrem pecorum Prothomartyris Angligenorum. Quem siquis rapiat ad partem siue reponat. Vel Iude laqueum, vel furcas sentiat Amen.

In other of the bookes which he gaue to the said Librarie, these.

Discior vt docti fieret noua regia plebi Culta magisque Dee datur hic liber ara Minerue, His qui dijs dictis libant holocausta ministris.

Et Cirre bibulam sitiunt pre Nectare lympham, Estque librique loci, idem dator, actor et vnus.

He built also a Chappell adioyning to the Librarie, and in the principall window vnder the pictures of the Crucifix, the Virgine Mary, and Saint Iohn Baptist, he caused these deprecatory times to be put in the glasse.

Mors medicina necis; via vite, pax populatus, Sis spes prompta precis, lex cure, laus Monachatus.

Ma••ris mesticia, mors prolis, vulnera quina, Sint m••a leticia fati pulsante ruina.

Virginis imbutor, fidei fortiss••me tutor, Nominis vt reputor seror omnis oro secutor.

He bestowed great charges vpon the Abbots lodging-house in London.

By his wisedome he did so mediate with Vmfrey, Duke of Glocester, that he g••ue to this Church (ornatus vestimentorum) a suite of vestments worth three thousand markes; with the Mannour of Pembroke in South Wales, for that the Monkes should pray for his soule; and chose this Church for the place of his buriall. Vpon which, these rimes.

Vltraiam dicta, que sunt numero satis ampla, Diues item cella Penbrok à plebe vocata: Per patris media fuit Ecclesie propriata; Ossa tegique sua legit, Propriator, in ipsa.

He gaue much to the Churches of Winslow and Newenham, and other Churches in London. He gaue a challice of pure gold and of great waight to the Priory of Tinmouth, where he was brought vp as a Scholler, a Chal∣lice to Wallingford, another to the Church of Worcester. An estimate of his charitable and pious deuotions to this and other Churches, you may see in these two lines, beside what money and goods he bequeathed vpon his death-bed.

Summa prius dicta si sit sine fraude quotata Bister millenas fertur transcendere libras.

And, preter gesta iam dicta, saith the booke, fecit Abbas prefatus multa alia opera bona que non scripta in libro hoc. Hec antem scripta sunt vt glori∣ficetur deus in omnibus, qui dedit servulo suo gratiam ad peragendum hec paucula in diebus suis. Et vt ea legant Fratres, atque legentes, vt ardentio∣r••m habeant appetitum ad orandum in specie pro anima eius.

He was a generall good scholler; some fourescore and odde seuerall Trea∣tises are set downe in this booke of Saint Albons, written by this Abbot. Be∣fore the names whereof these verses.

Nomina librorum cum contentis & eorum Quos frumentalis domino pressante, Iohannes Fecit vel scribi, fieri vel, vel renouaui. Hic subscribuntur mentaliter vt teneantur.

He gaue ouer his charge for a time, and vndertooke it againe a little be∣fore his death, which happened in the raigne of Edward the fourth. He was buried in his owne Chappell which he had prouided in his life time. To whose memory this Epitaph was made by one of the Monkes.

Contegit iste lapis venerabilis ossa Iohannis Whethamstede, Abbas hic qui fuit eius in annis: Ter doctus, doctos & amans, & eis miseratus. Nec fraudes patiens curarum Presbyteratus. In lubricos Phinees, in adulterijsque Iohannes Extitit; ymo Petrusin omnes Symonianos. Insuper in laceris domibus mansisque vetustis, Sic reparator erat, sic reparando nouabat: Quod sibi preteritus non sit compar Pater vllus. Siue coequalis manet impar rebus in istis Marcas millenas decies numero repetitas Scripta ferunt post se que liquerat exposuisse: Pro dilectoris anima tui dulciter ora Albani sancti conventus qualibet hora:

His next successor was Iohn Stoke, of whom, as also of all the rest in the Catalogue, I haue already spoken: and now I will returne backe againe to the rest of the Epitaphs and Inscriptions which I finde in the Church.

In a wall in the body of the Church ouer a vault.

Vir Domini verus iacet hic Heremita Rogerus Et sub eo clarus meritu Heremita Sigarus.

Memoriale Domini Thome Rutland quondam subprior is huius Monaste∣rij qui ex luce migrauit M.ccccc.xxi. cuius anime propitietur altissimus. Amen.

Ecce sacerdos eram, iam factus vile cadauer, Et cito puluis erit queso memento mei. Siste gradum qui ad me venit hic, & funde, precator▪ Me deus vt leuet, & ducat ad vsque polum.

Vpon his brest on the portraiture, this English Distick is ingrauen.

Iesus Chryst, Marys son, Hav mercy on the sowl of Rychard Stondon.

This Towne vaunts her selfe very much of the birth and buriall of Sir Iohn Mandeuill Knight, the famous Trauailer, who writ in Latine, French, and in the English tongue, his Itinerary of three and thirty yeares. And that you may beleeue the report of the Inhabitants to bee true, they haue lately pensild a rare piece of Poetry, or an Epitaph for him, vpon a piller; neere to which, they suppose his body to haue beene buried, which I thinke not much amisse to set downe; for although it will not bee worth the reading, yet doe but set it to some lofty tune, as to the Hunting of An¦tichrist,

or the like, I know it will be well worth the singing: marke how it runs.

All yee that passe, on this pillar cast eye, This Epitaph read if you can; 'Twill tell you a Tombe on••'t stood in this roome, Of a braue spirited man. Iohn Mandeuill by name, a knight of great fame, Borne in this honoured Towne. Before him was none that euer was knowne, For trauaile of so high renowne. As the Knights in the Temple, crosse-legged in marble, In armour, with sword and with sheeld, So was this Knight grac't, which time hath defac't, That nothing but ruines doth yeeld. His Trauailes being donne, he shines like the Sun, In heauenly Canaan. To which blessed place, O Lord of his grace, Bring vs all man after man.

That he was borne here in this Towne I cannot much deny; but I am sure that within these few yeares, I saw his Tombe in the Citie of Leege, with∣in the Church of the religious house of the Guilliammits, with this Inscrip∣tion vpon it, and the verses following hanging by on a table.

Hic iacet vir nobilis D. Ioannes de Mandevile, Al; D. ad Barbam miles; Dominus de Campdi: natus de Anglia, Medicine professor, deuotissimus ora∣tor; & bonorum largissimus pauperibus erogator qui toto quasi orbe lustrato. Leo .••ij diem vite sue clausit extremum. Ann. Dom. M.CCC.lxxi. Mens. Nouemb. die xvi.

Notes

• 〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• Hardin cap. ••7.
• Iacobus de ••••∣ragine, transla∣ted.
• Iupiter and A∣pollo.
• A Palmers Weed.
• Bed lib. 1. c. ••.
• Vid Camd. in Hert.
• The foundati∣on of S. Albans Abbey.
• Vm••hrey Duke of Glocester. Milles Catal.
• Speed.
• Stow. Annal.
• Io. Stoke Abbot
• Mss. in bib. Cott
• Vpon a Prior of this house.
• a reward.
• Michael Abbot
• Th••mas Abbot.
• In bib. Cott.
• ••illigod the first Abbot.
• S. Albans ex∣empre from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Lincoln
• Epit. Iohannis Whe••hams••ede.
• Roger and one S••gare two Her∣mits.
• Tho. Rutland Sub-prio••.
• Rich S••ondon Priest.
• Sir Iohn Man∣deuill knight.