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IN eleven full years, viz. from the last of King Henry the Eighth, Anno 1547. till the first of Queen Elizabeth, 1558. this Church found four changes in Religion; Papist, and Protestant; Papist, and Protestant again. The last turn will appear by the Wardens following accounts.
Imprimis, For the taking down of the Rood-lost, three shillings two pence.] If then; there living and able, I hope I should have lent an helping hand to so good a work, as now I bestow, my prayers, that the like may never in England be set up again.
Item, Received for a suite of Vestments, being of blew velvvet, and another suite of Damask, and an Altar-cloth, four pound.
Item, For three Corporasses, whereof two white silk, and one blew velvet, two pound thirteen shillings four pence.
Item, For two suits of Vestments, and an Altar-cloth, three pound.] Now was the superstitious Ward-robe dispersed, and that (no doubt) sold for shillings which cost pounds. They were beheld as the garments spotted with sin, and therefore the less pity to part with them. But see what followeth.
Item, For a cloth of Buckeram for the Communion-Table, and the making, four shillings.] Having fold so much could they not afford a better Carpet? Is there no mean betwixt painting a face, and not washing it? He must have a fixt aim, and strong hand, who hits decency, and misseth gaudiness and sluttery, But there is a generation of people who over-do in the spirit of opposition: such conceive that a tressel is good enough for Gods Table, and sucn a Table, Covering enough for it self.
Item, For Lattices for the Church-windows, fifteen shillings.] Fain would I for the credit of our Church by Lattices understand Casements, if the word would bear it. Yet surely it was not for covetousness wholly to spare gla∣zing, but thrift to preserve the glass, that these Lattices did fence them on the outside.
Item, Paid for a Bay Nagge given to Mr Henry Denny for the Abby wall, three pound seventeen shillings.] This Nagge was rather a thankful acknow∣ledgment of Mr Denny his propriety, then a just valuation of what the Pa∣rish received from him, for it followeth.
Item, To Labourers which did undermine, the said wall, fourty five shil∣lings nine pence.] What then may the materials of that wall be presumed worth in themselves? I conceive this was a building which ranged East be∣yond the old Steeple, the demolishing whereof brought much profit to, the Parish, whole Wardens for some years drave a great trade in the sale Lead; Stone, and Timber, all devoured in the roofing, flooring, and finishing of their Steeple,
Imprimis, For an old house in the: old Market-place, thirteen pound six shil∣lings eight pence.] This Tenement low-rented yielded annually nine shillings. Now the Parish sold it, (and another house in West-street) outright, letting Leases also of their other Church-lands for twenty one years, such bargains made a Feast for the present age; and a Famine for posterity.
Item, For the old timber in the little Vestiary of St Georges Chappel; fifteen shillings.] In vain have I enquired for the scituation hereof, long since de∣molished,c 1.1 and no wonder if St George his Chapple cannot be found, when St George himself is affirmed by a some as one never existent, in rerum natura.
Item Received Mr Denny for one Cope of Cloth of gold, three, pound six shillings eight pence.
Item, For two Altar-Cloaths of Velvet and silk, two pound.] It seemeth the Parish did not part with all their gallantry at once, but made several stakes thereof, and parcelled them out as their necessities did require.
Item, Received of Mr Tamworth twenty loads of timber ready hewed, which he gave to the Parish.] This Gentleman by his bounty to the Publick seems bet∣ter known to God then to me, having neither heard nor read of any of his name living in or near to Waltham.
Item, For taking down the stairs in the Abby, seven shilling eight pence.] This was part of the Nag-purchase, whereby we collect that a large structure Was by this bargain conveyed to the Parish.
Item, For taking down the Lead from the Charnel-house, and covering the Steeple, eighteen shillings.] The Steeple was conceived above the Charnel-house as in height so in honour. Wherefore now the Lead taken from it was translated to the covering of the Steeple.* 1.2 Call this removing of this metal from on part of the Church to another, onely the borrowing of St Peter to lend to St Paul.
Item, For the Arch-Deacons man coming for a Record of all the Inhabitants of the Parish, four pence.] I know not on what Canon this was founded. It may be her Majestie in those dangerous times desired (not out of Pride, but necessary Policy) to know the number of her Subjects, and might enjoyn the Arch-Deacons in their respective Visitations, to make this inquiry.
But Day begins to dawn, and the light of our Age to appear, matters coming within the memory of many alive. We will therefore break off, Waltham since affording no peculiar observables. Onely will add that St Edward (Grand-childe to St Anthony) Denny, was created by King James,a 1.3 Baron of Waltham, and since made by King Charles, Earl of Norwich. A Noble person,* 1.4 who setled on the Curate of Waltham (to whom before a bare Stipend of Eight pound did belong) one hundred pound per annum, with some other considerable ac∣commodations, tying good Land for the true performance thereof.
The Abby is now the Inheritance of this Earls Grand-childe, by Honorw his daughter) James Hay Earl of Carlile, who Married Margaret, Daughter to Francis, Earl of Bedford, by whom as yet he hath no Issue,* 1.5 for the continu∣ance of whole happiness my prayers shall never be wanting.
The Reader may justly expect from me a Catalogue of all the Abbots of this Monastery. But to do it falsly, I dare not; lamely, I would not; perfect∣ly, I cannot; and therefore must crave to be excused. Onely let me observe, That Nicholas, Abbot of Waltham was most triumphant in power, of any in his place; he flourished in the Reign of King Richard the second, and wasb 1.6 one of the fourteen Commissioners, chosen by Parliament, to examine the miscari∣ages in that Kings Reign since the death of his Grand-father.
Amongst the Natives of Waltham for Stutes-men John de Waltham bears away the bell. He was keeper of the Privy Seal in the Reign of King Richard the second, being the third in number, chosen amongst the fourteen Commis∣sioners aforesaid,* 1.7 impowred to examine all misdemeanours of State. And now was not Waltham highly honoured with more then a single share, when amongst those fourteen, two were her Gremials,c 1.8 the forenamed Nicholas living in Waltham, and this John, having his name thence, because birth therein.
But amongst Scholars in our Town, Roger Waltham must not be forgotten; Canon of St Patils in London; and a great favourite to Fulk Busset, Bishop there∣of. He wrote many learned books, whereof two especially (one called d 1.9 Compendium Morale, the other Imagines Oratorum) commond his parts and pains to posterity.
Pase we from those who were Born, to eminent persons Buried therein. Here we first meet with Hugh Nevile, a Minton of King Richard the first, he Was Interred in Waltham Church, saith my* 1.10 Author, in Nobili Sarcophago Mar∣moreo & insculpto, in a Noble Coffin of Marble engrav'd. If a Coffin be call'd Sarcophagus (from consuming the Corps) surely Sacriledg may be named Sar∣cophago-phagus,
which at this day hath devoured that Coffin, and all belong∣ing thereunto.
We spoil all, if we forget Robert Passellew, who was Dominus fac totum, in the midle, and fac nihil, towards the end of the Reign of Henry the third. Some Parasites extolled him by allusion to his name, Pass-le-eau, (that is, passing the pure water) the Wits of those dayes thus descanting upon him;
f 1.11 Est aqua lenis, & est aqua dulcis, & est aqua clara, Tu praecellis aquam, nam leni lenior es tu, Dulci dulcior es tu, clara clarior es tu, Mente quidem lenis, re dulcis, sanguine clarus.But such who flattered him the fastest, whilest, in favour, mocked him the most in misery, and at last he died in his own House in Waltham, and wasg 1.12 bu∣ried in the Abby-Church therein.
And now because we have so often cited Matthew Paris, I never met with more difficulties in six lines, then what I finde in him; which because nearly relating to this present subject, I thought fit to exemplifie.
| Eodem{que} Anno, videlicet in crastino Sti Michaelis dedicata est Ecclesia con∣ventualis Canonicorum de Waltham, ab Episcopo Norwicensi Willielmo, solem∣niter valde, assistibus aliis plurimis Episcopis, Praelatis, & Magnatibus ve∣nerabilibus, statim post dedicationem Ecclesiae sancti Pauli Londinensis, ut peregrinantes hinc inde, indistanter re∣mearent. | And in the same year, namely the morrow after St. Michaels day, the conventual Church of the Canons at Waltham, was dedicated by Wil∣liam, Bishop of Norwich very so∣lemnly, many other Bishops, Pre∣lates, and venerable Peers assisting him: presently after the dedication of St Pauls in London, that Pilgrims and Travellers up and down might indistantly return. |
It is clear our Church of Waltham Abby is intended herein,a 1.13 England affording no other Conventual Church.
This being granted, how comes Waltham Church (built by Harold two, hundred years before) now to be first Dedicated, that Age accounting it as faulty and fatal, to defer the Consecration of Churches, as the Christning of Chil∣dren? 2. What made the Bishop of Norwich to meddle therewith? an Office more proper for the Bishop of London to perform, Waltham being (though not under) in his jurisdiction. 3. What is meant by the Barbarous word indi∣stanter? and what benefit accrewed to Travellers thereby? I will not so much as conjecture, as unwilling to draw my bow, where I despair to hit the mark, but leave all to the judgment of others. But I grow tedious, and will therefore conclude.
Anno 1641. King CHARLES came the last time to Waltham, and went (as he was wont, where any thing remarkable) to see the Church, the Earl of Carlile attending him; His Majestie told him, that he divided his Cathe∣dral Churches,* 1.14 as he did his Royal ships, into three ranks, accounting St Pauls in London, York, Lincoln, Winchester, &c. of the first form; Chichester, Lichfield, &c. of the second; the Welch Cathedrals of the third, with which Waltham Church may be well compared, especially if the Roof thereof, was taken lower and Leaded.
The Earl moved His Majestie,* 1.15 that seeing this Ancient Church, (Founded by king Harold his Predecessor) was fallen into such decay, that the repair
was too heavy for the Parish, he would be pleased to grant a moderate Tole of Cattle coming over the Bridg, (with their great Driftss, doing much da∣mage to the High-wayes) and therewith both the Town might be Paved, and the Church repaired. The King graciously granted it, provided, it were done with the privity and cons ent of a great Prelate,(not so safe to be named as easie to be guessed) with whom he consulted in all Church-matters.
But when the foresaid Prelate was informed,* 1.16 that the Earl had applied to His Majestie before addresses to himself, he dashed the design, so that poor Waltham Church, must still be contented, with their weak walls, and worse Roof, till Providence, procure her some better Benefactors. As for the Armes of Wal∣tham Abby, being loath to set them alone, I have joyned them in the follow∣ing draught, with the Armes of the other Mitred Abbies, as far as my indu∣stry could recover them.
Philipp••l Melan〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apologia Ar∣ticule 21. con∣fessions Augu∣stane.
Which is now but tiled
Candens Brit. in Eslex.
High time to knock off.
James Earle of Carlile pre∣sent owner of Waltham. Nicholas the most civinent Abbot of Waltham.
Hen de Knigbton de eventibus Angl. lib. v. pag 2687.
John de Waltham.
Hen Knigh. ton ut prius. Pag. 2685. Roger Waltham a lear∣ned writer
Bale de seript. Brit. cent. 4 pag. 302.
Mat. Paris in Anno 1222. page 315. and also Ro∣bert Passe lew.
Collect. of Mr. Camb. M. S. in Sr. Tho. Cottons Librd∣ry.
Matt. Paris Anno 1252. A heap of difficulties cast together.
See speed his Caralogue of religiious houses. Queries on queries.
K. Charls his last coming to Waltham.
Conditionally granteth the repairing of the Church
But it misarcrieth.