The church-history of Britain from the birth of Jesus Christ until the year M.DC.XLVIII endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Of such Abbots who attained to be Parliamentary Barons.

THE highest Civil honour the English Abbots arrived at,* 1.1 was, that some were selected to be Barons in Parliament, and called to be Assistants to the King in His Great Councell. To begin at the Reign of King Henry the third, (before whose time the footsteps of solemn summons to Parliament are almost worn out) in His time all Abbots and Priors of quality were summoned thither. Alas! this King lived a long time on Abbeys (the Patron sed by His Chaplains) the most of His maintenance issuing out of the purses of Priories. It was but fitting therefore they should be consulted with, who were so much con∣cerned in all publick payments. In the forty ninth of His Regin, no lesse than sixty foura 1.2 Abbots, and thirty six Priors, (a jolly number) with the Master of the Temple, were voluntary summoniti, out of the King's free will and pleasure (no right that they could claim themselves) summoned to Parliament.

2. But in after Parliaments the number of Abbots summoned thither,* 1.3 was fluctuating, and uncertain, sometimes forty, as the twenty seventh of Edward the first; sometimes seventy five, as the twenty eight of the same King; fifty six in the first of Edward the second; and yet but fifteen in the second of His Reign. In∣deed, when Parliaments proved frequent, some Priories farre from the place where they were summoned, the way long, the weather (especially in winter) te∣dious, travelling on the way costly, living at London chargeable: Some Priors were so poor they could not, more so covetous they would not put themselves to needlesse expences: All so lazie, and loving their ease, that they were loath to take long journeys, which made them afterwards desire to be eased of their Ho∣nourable but Trouble some attendance in Parliament.

3. At last,* 1.4 King Edward the third resolved, to fix on a set number of Abbots, and Priors, not so many as with their numerousnesse might be burdensome to His Councell; yet not so few but that they should be a sufficient representation of all Orders therein concerned, which being twenty six in number are generally thus reckoned up:

• 1. St. Albans.
• 2. Glassenbury.
• 3. St. Austins Cant.
• 4. Westminster.
• 5. Edmunds-bury.
• 6. Peterborough.
• 7. Colchester.
• 8. Evesham.
• 9. Winchelcombe.
• 10. Crowland.
• 11. Battaile.
• 12. Reading.
• 13. Abington.
• 14. Waltham.
• 15. Shrewsbury.
• 16. Glocester.
• 17. Bardney.
• 18. Bennet in the Holme.
• 19. Thorney.
• 20. Ramsey.
• 21. Hide.
• 22. Malmsbury.
• 23. Cirencester.
• 24. St. Mary Yorke.
• 25. Selbye.
• 26. VVith the Prior of St. Johns of Jerusalem, first & chief Ba••on of England.

None of these held of mean Lords by franke almonage, but all of the King in ca∣pite per Baroniam, having an intire Baronie, to which thirteen Knights sees at least did belong.

4. Yet even after this fixation of Parliamentary Abbots in a set number the same was estsoons subject to variety.* 1.5 The Prior of Coventry played at in and out, and declined his appearance there. So did the Abbot of Lester, who may seem to have worn but half a Mitre on his head. So also the Abbot of St. James by North∣hampton may be said to sit but on one hip in Parliament, he appears so in the twi∣light betwixt a Baron, and no Baron, in the summons thereunto. But afterwards the first of these three was confirmed in his place, the two last on their earnest request obtained a discharge. Partly, because they were summoned onely inter∣polatis vicibus, and nor constantly; Partly, because they made it to appear, that they held not of the king a whole Barony in chief.

5. To these twenty six regular Barons,* 1.6 King Henry the eighth added one more for a casting voice; viz: the Abbot of Tavistocke in Devon-shire, on this token, that being created in the eighth of His Reigne he enjoyed not his Baronie full twenty years, and acted so short a part on the stage of Parliament, that with Cato he might seem onely ingredi ut exiret, to come in that he might go out. And, because some may be curious to know the manner of his creation, take here the form thereof:

HENRICUS, &c.b 1.7 Sciatis quod certis considerationibus nos specialitèr mo∣ventibus & ob specialem devotionem, quam ad beatam Virginem Mariam matrem Christi, Sanctumque Rumonum in quorum Honore Abbatia de Tavistoke, quae de fundatione nobillium progenitorum nostroum, quondam Regum Angliae & nostro patro natu dedicata existit, gerimus & habemus, hinc est quod de gratia nostra spe∣ciall ac ex certa scientia, & mero motu nostris, volumus eandem Abbatiam, sive Mo∣nasterium nostrum gaudere honore, privilegio, ac libertatibus spirtualium Domi∣norum Parliamenti nostri Haredem, & successorum nostrorum, ideo concessimus, & per prasentes concedimus pro nobis Haeredibus, & sucessoribus nostris quantum in nobis est, dilecto nobis in Christi, Richardo Banham Abbati de Tavistocke pradicto & successoribus suis, ut corum quilibet qui pro tempore ibidem fuerit Abbas, sit & erit unus de spiritualibus, & religiosis Dominis Parliamenti nostri Haeredem & suc∣cessorum nostrorum, gandendo honore, privilegio ac libertatibus ejusdem; Et insuper, de uberiori gratia nostra, affectando utilitatem, dicti nostri Monasterii, considerando ejus distantiam, ita quod si contingat aliquam Abbatem qui pro tempore fuerit, sore velesse absentem propter praedicti Monasterii utilitatem in non veniendo ad Par∣liamentum praedictum Haeredem, vel successorum nostrorum, quam quidem absentiam eidem Abbati perdonamus per praesentes; Ita tamen quod tunc solvet pro hujusmodi absentia cujuslibet Parliamenti integri in nostro Saccario, suum per attornatum quinque Marcas nobis haeredibus sive successoribus nostris, toties, quoties, hoc in fu∣turum contigerit. In cujus, &c. Teste &c. Vicesimo tertio die Januarii, &c.

Whereas this Charter affirmeth Tavistocke founded by King Henry's noble Pro∣genitors; Some will wonder thereat, and the rather, becausec 1.8 Ordulph, the son of Ordgare, Earl of Devon-shire is notoriously known for the Founder of this Mo∣nastery before the Conquest, and no English King appeareth eminently a Bene∣factour thereunto. Yet because the English Kings successively confirmed the Charters thereof, they were in a loyall complement, acknowledge as the interpre¦tative Founders of that Abbey. And as little children, whose parents decease in their infancie, innocently own their Fathers and Mothers-in-laws, for their na∣turall parents: So many Monasteries, whose first Founders, were in a manner for∣gotten as time out of minde, applied themselves to the present Kings (though but the Favourers) as to the Founders of their Corporations.

6. Know that besides these Abbots,* 1.9 there were four Abbesses, viz: of Shafts∣bury, Barking in Essex, St. Marys in Winchester, and Wilton, who held from the King an intire Baronry, yet never were summoned as Baronesses to Parlia∣ment; because that honour (frequent in Lay-persons) was never conferred on

any Ecclestastical Female. Yet were they (and almost all other Abbesses of any quality) saluted Ladies, as Earls Daughters are, by the courtesie of England, which custome hath made such a right, that they are beheld not onely as unmannerly, but unjust, who in common discourse deny the same. However the aforesaid four Abbessos, though not called to Parliament, were solemnlyd 1.10 summoned by special Writs ad habendum servitium suum, that is, to have their full number of Knights in time of warre, where the Ladies personal presence was not expected, but their effe∣ctual appearance by the proxies or their purses to supply the King's occasions.

7. Of all these,* 1.11 the Prior of S. Johns in Jerusalem, took the precedencie, being generally of Noble extraction, and a Military person. Yea, not content to take place of all regular Barons, Primus Angliae Baro haberi voluit, saith mye 1.12 Au∣thour: He would be counted [simply] and [absolutely] the first, and chief Baron in England; though the expression, speaks rather his affectation, than peaceable possession of such priority.

8. Next him,* 1.13 the Abbot of S. Albans took place above all of his Order, to the no small grief and grudge of Glassenbury, seeing Joseph of Arimathea was two hundred years senior to S. Albans. But, who shall deny the Patriarckf 1.14 Jacob the priviledge of crossing his own hands, to preferre the younger before the elder? The same power (but on what pretence, let others enquire) the Pope assumeth to himself, whereby Adrian the fourth (once a Monk of S. Albans) gave that Convent the precedencie.

9. As for the remaining Abbots,* 1.15 we may observe a kinde of a carelesse order observed in their summoning to (and consequently their sitting in) Parliament. Now seeing it will not enter into a rationall belief, that their methodizing was meerly managed by the will of the Clerk of the Writs, it must descend on the disposall of the King, calling them in what order He pleaseth.

10. Sure I am,* 1.16 these Abbots were not summoned according to their personall seniorities of their severall instalments, nor according to the antiquity of their respective foundations: For, Waltham Abbot being ante-penultimus, as but founded by King Herold, is commonly fourteenth or fifteenth in the summons. Battaile Abbey, which in this body of Abbeys, should be beneath the ancle, (as last of all save Selbye) is commonly about the breast, the eight or ninth in number.

11. Nor are they ranked according to the richnesse of their annuall Revenues;* 1.17 for then (according to their Valuations at the Dissolution) they should be mar∣tialled according to the method here insuing, when first I have premised a Note concerning the Abbey of Teuxbury in Glocester-shire.

12. This Abbot appeareth Parliamentary neither in any summons exhibited * 1.18 byg 1.19 Master Selden, most curious in this point; nor yet in the Catalogue of them presented byh 1.20 Master Cambden; and reverence to these worthy Authors hath pre∣vailed with me so much that durst not insert him. However, since I am con∣vinced in my judgement, he must be entred in the list; Partly, moved by the greatnesse of Revenues; Partly, because I finde him registred byi 1.21 Bishop God. win, no lesse Criticall than the former in Historicall matters. Yet to please all parties, we will onely adde him in the Margine, and not enter him in the body of the Catalogue.

	lib.	s.	d.	ob.	q.
1. S. Peters, Westminster.	3977	6	4	1	1
2. Glassenbury, Somerset-shire.	3508	13	4	1	1
3. S. Albans, Hertford-shire.	2510	6	1	1	1
4. S. Johns of Jerusalem, Middlesex.	2385	19	8	0	0
5. S. Edmunds-Bury, Suffolke.	2336	16	0	0	0
6. Reading, Berk-shire.	2116	3	9	0	1
7. S. Maryes nigh Yorke.	2085	1	5	1	1
8. Abington, Berk-shire.	2042	2	8	1	1
9.* 1.22 Ramsey, Huntingdon shire.	1983	15	3	0	1
10. Peterborough, Northampton-shire.	1972	7	0	1	1
11. Gloucester.	1550	4	5	1	0
12. S. Austines, Canterbury.	1412	4	7	1	1
13. Evesham, Worcester-shire.	1268	9	9	0	0
14. Crewland, Lincoln-shire.	1217	5	11	0	0
15. Wealtham, Effex.	1079	12	1	0	0
16. Cirencester, Glocester-shire.	1051	7	1	0	0
17. Battaile, Suffex.	987	0	11	1	1
18. Tavystoke, Devonshire.	902	5	7	1	1
19. Hide, nigh Winchester.	865	1	6	1	1
20. Selby, York-shire.	819	2	6	0	0
21. Malinsbury, Wilts-shire.	803	17	7	0	0
22. Wivelscombe, Glocester-shire.	756	11	9	0	0
23. Middleton, Dorset-shire.	720	4	1	0	0
24. S. Bennet Hulm. Morthfolke.	677	9	8	0	1
25. Shrewsbury.	615	4	3	1	0
26. Thorny,* 1.23 Cambridge-shire.	508	2	5	0	0
27. Bardney, Lincoln-shire.	429	7	0	0	0

The valuations of Coventry & Colchester, I cannot finde; and in all these sums we have trusted Harps-field, and Speed, both subject to many mistakes, those stan∣ding on stippery ground, who in point of computation, tread onely on figures, and not on numbers at length. The Auditors in these accounts pretend to much exact∣nesse, descending to the fractions of half-pence and farthings, though much par∣tiality was used therein, many of the Raters at the dissolution, being Ranters for the present, proved Purchasers for the future, of the lands. The Abbey of Ram∣sey, commonly calledl 1.24 the RICH, is here but the ninth in number, according to the wealth thereof, whereby it plainly appears, that much favour was used in the undervaluing of that foundation.

13. We must know there were other Abbeys,* 1.25 who, though not so high in Di∣gnity, were richer in Indowments, than many of these Parliamentary Barons, viz:

	lib.	s.	d.	ob.	q.
1. Fountains, Richmond-shire.	1173	0	7	1	0
2. Lewes, Suffex.	1691	9	6	0	1
3. S. Werburghs, Cheshire.	1073	17	7	1	0
4. Leicester.	1062	0	4	1	1
5. Marton, Surrey.	1039	5	3	0	0
6. Fournance, Richmond-shire.	969	7	1	0	0

These had more Lands, at best were more highly valued, though not so Ho∣nourable a tenure, as holding of mean Landlords in frank almonage, And pro∣bably the Parliamentary Barons had more old rents, though these (as later foun∣dations) greater incomes by improved demeans.

14. There also were Nunneries corrivall in revenues with Parliamentary Ab∣beys, * 1.26 whereof Shafts-bury the chiefest, valued at—1329 li.—21 s.—3d. So that the Countrey-people had a Proverb, That if the Abbot of Glassenbury might marry the Abbesse of Shafts-bury, their Heire would have more land than the King of England. Barkeing in Essex, and Sion in Middlesex, fell not much short of Shafts-bury, being severally endowed with above a 1000 li. per annum.

15. Of all Counties in England, Glocester-shire was most pestered with Monks, having four mitred Abbeys, beside S. Austines in Bristoll (who sometimes passed for a Baron) within the compasse thereof, viz: Glocester, Teuxbury, Ciren-cester, and Wevelscome. Hence the topical wicked Proverb, deserving to be banisht out of that Countrey,* 1.27 being the prophane childe of superstitious parents: As sure as God is in Glocester-shire. As if so many Convents had certainly fastned his graci∣ous presence to that place.

16. As Glocester-shire was the fullest of,* 1.28 so Westmoreland the freest from Mo∣nasteries. It seemeth the Monks did not much care for that cold Countrey, nestling themselves but in one place, called Sharp, which they found so answer∣ing the name, that they sought warmer places elswhere. As for the boasting of the men of the Isle of Wight, That they never hadm 1.29 hooded Monks therein, were it so (their soyl being so fruitfull, and pleasant) it would merit more wonder, than that Ireland hath no Venemous creatures therein.* 1.30 But their brag hath more of Mirth than Truth in it, seeing the Priorie at Caris-brook, and Nunnery at Quarre evidence them sufficiently stockt with such Cattell.

17. I have done with this subject of Mitred Abbeys when we have observed that they were called ABBOTS GENERALL, aliàs ABBOTSn 1.31 SOVE∣REIGNE, as acknowledging in a sort no Superiour, because exempted from the Jurisdiction of any Diocezan, having Episcopall power in themselves. And here I would be thankfull to any who would inform me, that seeing all these Abbots were thus priviledged, how it came to passe that Four of them were especially termed ABBOTSo 1.32 EXEMPTI, viz: Bury, Waltham, S. Albans, and Evesham. I say seeing these were so called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, EXEMPT, as it were, out of the EX∣EMPTED, I would willingly be satisfied, what extraordinary Priviledges these enjoyed by themselves above others of their own Order.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Numerous Ab∣bots summoned to Parliament.
• a 1.2

  Dors. Glause 49 Hen. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11. in scedula
• * 1.3

  Who after∣wards decline their trouble∣some service.
• * 1.4

  Their number contracted to twenty six.
• * 1.5

  Doubtfull Ba∣rons amongst the Abbots.
• * 1.6

  A short-lived Baroney made by K. Henry the eighth.
• b 1.7

  Pat. 5. Hen 8. part. 2. in. 22.
• c 1.8

  Combdens Br. in Devon-shire:
• * 1.9

  Abbesses no Baronesses, though hold∣ing Baronies.
• d 1.10

  Pat. 5. Ed. 1. Dors. in. 11. Rot. Scutagii ejusd. an. in. 7.
• * 1.11

  Prior of Ierusa∣lem chief Baton.
• e 1.12

  Cambd. Brit. pag. 123.
• * 1.13

  Next the Ab∣bot of S. Al∣bans.
• f 1.14

  Gen. 48. 14.
• * 1.15

  The carelesse order of the rest.
• * 1.16

  Seniority not observed in the summons.
• * 1.17

  Not ranked by their wealth.
• * 1.18

  Teuxbury to be added to the Catalogue.
• g 1.19

  Titles of borror, p. 728.
• h 1.20

  Brit. p. 170.
• i 1.21

  In his Annall of K. Hen. 8. An. 1539.
• * 1.22

  Teuxbury va¦lued at 1598 ••. ••. 3d.
• * 1.23

  All these va∣luations are taken out of Speed's Cata∣logue of religi∣ous Houses, pag 787.
• l 1.24

  Sir Rob. Cotton (under due name of Speed) in the descripti∣on of Hunting∣don∣shire.
• * 1.25

  Some Abbots, not Barons, richer than those that were.
• * 1.26

  Shafts-bury the richest Nun∣nery.
• * 1.27

  A prophane proverb.
• * 1.28

  No Countrey free from Monks.
• m 1.29

  Cambd. Brit. in the Isle of Wight.
• * 1.30

  Quare what meant by four Abbots pecu∣liarly exempt.
• n 1.31

  Sir. H. Spelman in Glossario ver∣bo Abbas.
• o 1.32

  Titles of ho∣nour, pag. 727.