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.

Waltham Abbey.

This Abbey was founded by a King of England, who of all other raigned least and lost most.* 1.1 For within the compasse of a yeare, hee lost both his life and his kingdome, at one cast, and both of them to a Stranger; I meane Harold the second, the sonne of Earle Godwin. Who hauing built and sufficiently endowed this his Foundation, for a Deane, and eleuen secu∣lar blacke Canons, he caused it to bee consecrated, to the honour of a cer∣taine holy Crosse,* 1.2 found farre Westward, and brought hither by miracle. King Henry the second new builded this Monastery, and placed therein Regular Canons; augmenting their number to foure and twenty, and also their reuenues. Richard Cordelion his sonne confirmes the gift and ex∣change of the Canons made by his father, by his Charter to be read in the Tower, in these words.

Richardus Dei gratia, &c. Inde est, quod sicut Pater noster mutationem Canonicorum secularium,* 1.3 & institutionem Canonicorum regularium fecit in Ecclesia de Waltham, & eis quasdam non as possessiones, et veteres concessit, & confirmauit: Sic nos laudabiliter virorum commutationem in prefata Ecclesia factam, nostra autem approbamus. Et pro salute predicti Patris no∣stri, et Matris nostre, et Fratrum nostrorum, et pro salute omnium fidelium, constitutionem Canonicorum Regularium in eadem Ecclesia factam, & dona∣tiones, & possessiones nouas, que a Patre nostro eis facte sunt presenti carta no∣stra confirmamus. Dat. &c.

Henry the third encreased much their reuenues with Faires and Mar∣kets; a Faire here for seuen dayes; and at Epping a Market euery Monday, and a Faire for three dayes. So by the munificence of these Kings, their Successours, and Subiects, this Abbey at the generall suruey, and surrender, was valued (at Robin Hoods pennieworths) to dispend yearely 900. pounds foure shillings and foure pence.* 1.4 The Catalogue of religious houses saith, 1079. l. 12. s. and a pennie.

* 1.5The Church of this Monastery hath escaped the hammers of destruction, and with a venerable aspect, sheweth vnto vs the magnitude of the rest of this religious Structure. Herein Harold made his vowes, and prayers, for victorie when hee marched against the Norman Conquerour. In which battell by the shot of an arrow through the left eye into his braines, he was slaine the 14. of October, being Saturday, 1066. hauing raigned nine moneths and odde dayes: whose body by the mediation of his mother Gi∣tha, and two religious men of this Abbey, being obtained of the Conque∣rour (howsoeuer at the first by him denyed, affirming that buriall was not fit for him, whose ambition had beene the cause of so many funeralls) was

conueyed (with great lamentation) by his said mother Githa,* 1.6 and a small deiected remainder of the English Nobilitie, to this his owne Church, and herein solemnly interred, vpon whose Monument this Epitaph was en∣grauen.

Heu cadis hosle sero, Rex, a Duce Rege sutaro Par paris gladio, milite & valido. Firmini iusti lux est tibi, luce Calixti; Pronior hinc superas, hinc superatus eras. Ergo tibi requiem deposcat vtrumque perennem: Sicque precetur eum, quod colit omne Deum.

A fierce foe thee slew, thou a King, he king in view, Both Peeres, both Peerelesse, both fear'd, and both fearlesse; That sad day was mixt, by Firmin and Calixt. Th'one helpt thee to vanquish, t'other made thee languish, Both now for thee pray, and thy Requiem say; So let good men all, to God for the call.

Girth and Leofwin his two brethren lost their liues likewise vnder Ha∣rolds Banner (which was brondet (saith Robert of Glocester) with sy∣gur of a man fyghtyng biset al about wyth gold and preciosse stons,* 1.7 which Baner aftur the Bataile Duc William sent to the Pope in tokne of the victory.) Whose bodyes were in like manner brought to this Church, and here entombed.

It is said that Girthe, not holding it best to hazard the Kindome of England at one cast,* 1.8 signified to the King, that the successe of warre was doubtfull, that victory was rather swayed by fortune then by valour, that aduised delay was most important in martiall affaires;* 1.9 and if so bee bro∣ther (said hee) you haue plighted your faith to the Duke, retire your selfe, for no force can serue against a mans owne conscience; God will re∣uenge the violation of an oath: you may reserue your selfe to giue them a new encounter, which will be more to their terrour. As for me, if you will commit the charge to me, I will performe both the part of a kinde brother, and a couragious Leader. For being cleare in conscience, I shall sell my life, or discomfit your enemy with more felicitie.

But the King not liking his speech, answered, I will neuer turne my back, with dishonour, to the Norman, neither can I in any sort digest the reproach of a base minde: well then be it so (said some discontented of the company) let him beare the brunt that hath giuen the occasion.

This Harold is much commended for his courteous affabilitie,* 1.10 gentle deportment, Iustice, and warlike prowesse, in nothing blame worthy, saue that in the opinion of his owne valour, he addicted himselfe wholly to his owne resolutions, neglecting the wise deliberations of his best friends and Councellors. And that his courage could neuer stoope to be lower then a King. For which he is taxed to be an impious man, falsely aspiring to the Crowne by vsurpation. Of which my old Author, with whom I will con∣clude, hath these rimes.

Harold the falls Erle, tho Sent Edward ded ley* 1.11

Hym selue let corone King, thulk self dey Falsliche.

Richard the first, king of England, for his matchlesse valour surnamed Cordelion, or Lions-heart, is, by some of our old English writers, said to haue slaine a Lion, and by the pulling out of his heart, to haue gained that attribute or denomination;* 1.12 the truth is, that Hugh Nevill a gentleman of noble linage, one of King Richards speciall familiars, is recorded to haue slaine a Lion in the holy Land, driuing first an arrow into his breast, and then running him thorow with his sword, whereupon this Hexameter was made.

Viribus Hugonis vires periere Leonis. The strength of Hugh a Lion slue.

Which atchiuement belike was transferred from the man to the master, and the story applied to the by-name of K. Richard.

* 1.13This Hugh was high Iustice, Gardian, or Prothoforester of England. He died about the sixt of King Henry the third, being full of yeeres, & cor∣pus eius, saith Paris, in Ecclesia de Waltam nobili Sarchophago marmoreo et in sculpto traditur sepulturae; and his body was buried in this Church of Waltham vnder a noble engrauen marble Sepulchre.

* 1.14Iohn Nevill his sonne (non ultimus inter Angliae nobiles patris sui pede∣tentim sequens vestigia) and the sonne and heire as well of his vertues as re∣uenues and offices,* 1.15 being accused by one Robert Passelew, (a man of emi∣nent authoritie vnder King Henry the third) of diuers transgressions, or o∣missions in the Forrest Lawes, committed by him, by his conniuencie, or sufferance, in this Forrest of Waltham, and other the Kings Forrests, Parks, and Chaces, was adiudged to pay a Fine of two thousand markes, and ignominiouslie to be cast out of his offices, which he tooke so to heart, that (not long after languishing away with sorrow) he breathed out his af∣flicted spirit in Iuly 1245. at his Mannor of Whelperfield, from whence he was conueyed to this Abbey, and here honourably entombed by his father.

I finde, in Registro Cartarum Abbatie de Waltam, that these two Nevils were great benefactors to this Monasterie, to which Hugh Nevill afore∣said, gaue by his deed the Mannor of Thorndon, in these words,

Omnibus ad quos, &c. Hugo de Nevil, salutem. Noveritis quod ego pro salute anime mee,* 1.16 et Iohanne uxoris mee, per consensum & bonam volunta∣tem Iohannis filij mei et heredis concessi Ecclesie de Waltham in liberam Ele∣••mosinam totum manerium meum de Thorndon, &c.

* 1.17Robert Passelew before remembred, was here likewise interred, who was one of the Kings instruments for gathering vp money, in which his office be vsed such rigor, as multitudes of people were vtterlie vndone; so vnsafe are priuate mens estates, where Princes fall into great wants. He was Arch∣deacon of Lewes,* 1.18 and for his good seruice in this businesse (Kings haue e∣uer such seruants to expresse their pleasures in what course soeuer they take) he should haue bin preferred to the Bishoprick of Chichester; but the Bishops withstanding the King therein, his election was disanuld in

the yeare 1234. being (with other) called to a strict account for the Kings Treasure ill spent,* 1.19 or worse employed, he was constrained to take Sanctu∣arie, and seeke odde corners for his safety; yet afterwards (an argument of the Kings lenitie) he was receiued into grace and fauour: at the length lea∣uing the troubles which attend the Court, hee liued priuately at his parso∣nage of Derham in Norfolke, but died at his house here in Waltham vpon the sixt day of Iune, in the yeare 1252. of whom will it please you heare Mathew Paris speake in his owne language.

Archidiaconus Lewensis,* 1.20 Robertus Passeleue, eodem quoque anno, octa∣uo Idus Iunij obijt apud Waltham, de quo multa praescribuntur. Hic Robertus Clericus et praelatus, non est veritus Regi adhaerendo multos multiformiter depauperare, vt Regem impinguaret. Opera autem sua sequuntur eum.

In the Sun-shine of his fortune hee was flattered (as all Kings Fauorites are) by this allusion to his name Pass-le-eau as surpassing the pure water,* 1.21 the most excellent element of all, if you beleeue Pindar. whereupon these verses were written not the worst in that age, if you pardon a little impro∣prietie. Out of the collections of Camden, Mss. in Bib. Cot.

Robertus transgressor aquae, nec enim quia transit, Sed precellit aquam, cognomine credo notari. Est aqua lenis, & est aqua dulcis, et est aqua clara, Mulcens, albiciens, emundans omnia, lenis Languenti, dulcis gustanti, clara videnti; Tu praecellis aquam, nam leni lenior es tu, Dulci dulcior es tu, clara clarior estu, Mente quidem lenis, re dulcis, sanguine clarus: In tribus his excellis aquam, nam murmure lenis Est aqua, tu mente, gustu dulciflua, tu re, Limpiditate nitens tu sanguine: quodlibet horum Est magis intensum procul in te quam sit in ipsa.

Here lyeth Ion and Ione Cressy, On whos sowlys Iesu hav mercy. Amen. Of yowr cherite for vs and al Christian sowlys, Say a Pater Noster and an Aue.

On lyue when we wer God sent vs spase,* 1.22 To yink on hym and of his grete grase, For as we be both body and fase, So both mor and less must be in lik case. In piteous aray as now yow see, It is no nay, so sal ye be. Your self mak mon, or ye bin gon, and prey for vs, Wythout deley, past is the dey, we may not prey for yow; its thus. Whylst yat yow mey, both nyght and dey, look yat yow prey Iesu of grase, When ye bin gon, help is ther non, wherfor yink on; Whylye hav spase.* 1.23

Here stands a faire monument to the memory of Sir Edward Denny,

(sonne of the right honourable Sir Antony Denny, Counsellor of Estate and one of the executors of King Henry the eight) and of Ioane Champer∣noun his wife; of whom more hereafter.

This Monasterie is now one of the mansion houses of that honourable Lord, Sir Edward Denny Knight, Baron Denny of Waltham, and Earle of Norwich.

I found since I writ the premisses, that Edward the Confessour was the prime cause of this religious foundation, for that he gaue to Harold certaine Lands here conditionally that hee should thereupon build a Monasterie, and furnish it with all necessaries, as appeares by his Charter of that dona∣tion amongst the Records in the Tower.

* 1.24Ego Edwardus Dei dono Anglorum Rex, &c. Haraldo Comiti meo quan∣dam terram antiquitus ab incolis istius loci Waltham nuncupatam, cum omnibus ad se pertinentijs ••ampis, pratis, sylvis, aquis, &c. sub conditione quod in prescripto loco Monasterium edificet, in memoriam mei et conjugis mee Eadithe. Et insuper ornet diversis Sanctorum martyrum et reliquijs et li∣bris, Anglicisque vestibus et alijs ornamentis congruentibus: Ibique * 1.25 Ca∣tervulam quorundam Fratrum Canonice Regule subjectam constituet. Plu∣rimeque terre ut donentur in Monasterij illius extruendi usum, et alimentum, ipsius etiam Haraldi cure et fidei commisi, &c.

Here he names the lands in particular, which are many. Et hec omnia (saith he) ad diluenda mea et Antecessorum meorum peccata collata sunt.

Quod si quis meorum successorum aliquam partem illius terre subtrahat, vel subtrahi proinde requisitus emendare noluerit. Ei Dominus justus judex Regnum pariter ac Coronam auferat, &c.

Preterea volo et promitto, quod omnia in Monasterij illius opem data vel danda sint semper libera, et a Sherifs, et a hundredis, et extra Curiam sancte Crucis omnibus placitis Geldis, &c.

Scriptum est autem istud privilegium Ann. Dominice incarnationis M.lxii. Indictionibus terquinis, Epactis Septembris concurrentibus. Hijs testi∣bus, Ego Edwardus Anglorum Basileus, confirmo et corrobero. Ego Editha divini numine Christi Regina hec eadem confirmando testimonium do. Ego Stigandus Archiepiscopus Dorobernens. eadem affirmo. Ego Ealdredus E∣bor. Archiepiscopus hec consollido: cum multis alijs Episcopis et Abba∣tibus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The foundati∣on of Wal∣tham Abbey.
• * 1.2

  Waltham Crosse.
• * 1.3

  Cart. Ant. Litur. R.R.
• * 1.4

  Stow Annal. speed.
• * 1.5

  The death of king Harold.
• * 1.6

  The buriall of King Harold.
• * 1.7

  Girth and Leo••∣win King Ha∣rolds brethren.
• * 1.8

  Camd Re∣maines.
• * 1.9

  Sir Io. Hayward in vita Will. 1.
• * 1.10

  The Charter of K. Harold.
• * 1.11

  Rob. Glocest.
• * 1.12

  Hugh Nevill cheefe For∣rester of Eng∣land. Mat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ad an 12••0.
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 eodem an. 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.14

  Paris ad an. 1145.
• * 1.15

  Iohn Nevill.
• * 1.16

  In bib Col.
• * 1.17

  Robert Passelew
• * 1.18

  Dannil. in vil. Hen 3.
• * 1.19

  Paris.
• * 1.20

  Paris eod an.
• * 1.21

  Remaines pa. 16.
• * 1.22

  Iohn and Ioan Cressy.
• * 1.23

  Sir Edward Denny knight and Ioan his wife.
• * 1.24

  Cart. Antiq. li••. M.
• * 1.25

  A little Co∣uent of Friers subiect to the Chanons and their Rules.