JOHN CHAMBERS.
There is this traditional story goes, concerning the preservation of this Church at the dissolution of Abbeys; that a little after Queen Katherine's Interment here (which Mr. G. mentions) some Courtiers suggesting to the King, how well it would become his Greatness, to erect a fair Monu∣ment for her; he answered, Yes, he would leave her one of the goodliest Monuments in Christendom; meaning this Church, for he had then in his thoughts the demolishing of Abbeys, which shortly after followed.
John Chambers also preserved himself in favour, by making a Resignation of his Abbey, as many did, under the common Seal, into the Kings hands. Which though I cannot find in the Augmentation Office, yet there is a Grant there made by King Henry to Abbot Chambers, which confirms me in this opinion. It bears date 1 March, An. 31 Hen. 8. which was 1540. (before the Bishoprick was erected) by which it is expressed, that the Monastery of Peterburgh being dissolved, the King out of his Grace and Favour did grant to the said late Abbot Chambers Two hundred and sixty pound, thirteen shillings and four pence per annum, during his life: with an hundred Load of Wood, out of the Woods called, Eastwood, and Westwood.
There were Letters (which are now lost) sent from the Duke of Somer∣set and others of the Council 1548. to examine the matter in Controversie between the Bishop of Peterburgh, and one Acton; concerning words pre∣tended to be spoken against the Sacrament; and concerning Images in the Church undefaced, with Plate sold out of the Town-Church. How it ended I cannot find: nor have I any thing to add about David Pool, who was made Bishop in Queen Mary's time.
Of Bishop SCAMBLER I might say much more than is in Mr. G. but have not room for it. For before those Articles mentioned by Mr. G. there were Injunctions or Ordinations given to the Dean and Chapter by Thomas Yale Dr. of Law, and Edward Leeds Licentiate, and John Porey, Dr. in Divinity, being Visitors and Commissaries authorized by the Arch∣bishop of Canterbury to exercise his Metropolitical Visitation, &c. They were in number, Nine, publicatae & traditae octavo die Januarii 1560. in domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Petriburg. The Injunctions also, and Articles of Inquiry in several Triennial Visitations of Bishop Scambler are still re∣maining in the years 1561, 1564, 1567. (in which year I find 21 Injunctions of his to the Dean and Chapter and other Ministers) and 1570.
In the next Visitation 1573. he delivered no Articles to be enquired of, nor more Injunctions, but only commanded them to keep their Statutes, which were not against the Queens Majesty's Proceedings, nor her Visi¦tors, &c. In the last of these Visitations but one, it was that the Taber∣nacles were taken down in the Ladies Chappel, which was not done till the 12. of Elizabeth.
How this Bishop passed away the Lands of the Bishoprick, wherewith King Henry had indowed it, Mr. G. hath related in part. Others have told us more; and that he obtained his Translation to Norwich as a Re∣ward of one of these Grants to a great man at Court.