Memorials of the Most Reverend Father in God, Thomas Cranmer sometime Lord Archbishop of Canterbury wherein the history of the Church, and the reformation of it, during the primacy of the said archbishop, are greatly illustrated : and many singular matters relating thereunto : now first published in three books : collected chiefly from records, registers, authentick letters, and other original manuscripts / by John Strype ...

CHAP. XIX. Troubles of Bishop Gardiner.

IN this Year 1550, the Council and our Arch-bishop had much trouble, with some other Bishops also, of a quite different Judg∣ment from the above-spoken of; I mean Gardiner Bishop of Win∣chester, Nicolas Bishop of Worcester, and Day Bishop of Chichester. Of whom what I shall here briefly set down, are for the most part Extractions out of an old Council-Book, and K. Edward's Journal.

At Greenwich, June 8. was this Order of Council concerning Bishop Gardiner,

Considering the long Imprisonment that the Bishop of Winchester hath sustained, it was now thought time he should be spoken withal; and agreed, that if he repented his former Ob∣stinacy, and would henceforth apply himself to advance the King's Majesty's Proceedings, His Highness in this Case would be his good Lord, and remit all his Errors passed. Otherwise his Ma∣jesty was resolved to proceed against him as his Obstinacy and Contempt required. For the Declaration whereof, the Duke of Somerset, the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Privy-Seal, the Lord great Chamberlain, and Mr. Secretary Petre, were appointed the next Day [i. e. Iune 9.] to repair unto him. Signed by E. Somerset. T. Cant. W. Wilts. I. Bedford. E. Clynton. T. Ely. A. Wyngfeld. W. Herbert. W. Petre. Edw. North.

Accordingly, Iune 9. The Duke of Somerset, the Marquess of Northampton, the Lord Treasu∣rer, the Earl of Bedford, and Secretary Petre, went to the Bishop of Winchester, to know what he would stick to; Whether to conform to, and promote the King's Laws, or no? He answered,

That he would obey and set forth all things set forth by the King and Par∣liament. And if he were troubled in Conscience, he would reveal it to the Council, and not reason openly against it.

And then he desired to see the King's Book of Proceedings. At Greenwich, Iune 10. Report was made by the Duke of Somerset and the rest, sent to the Bishop of Winchester, that he desired to see the said Book. The next day were the Books sent to him, and delivered to him by the Lieutenant of the Tower, as the Council appointed, to see if he would set his Hand to them, and promise to set them forth to the People. At Greenwich, Iune 13. the Lieutenant of the Tower, de∣clared unto the Council, that the Bishop, having perused the Books

of the Proceedings, said unto him. He could make no direct answer, unless he were at Liberty, and so being, he would say his Conscience. On the 14th Day, the Duke of Somerset, and five more of the Coun∣cil again repaired to the Bishop, to whom he made this Answer;

I have deliberately seen the Book of Common-Prayer. Altho I would not have made it so my self, yet I find such things in it, as satisfy my Conscience. And therefore I will both execute it my self, and also see others my Parishioners to do it.

And this the Councellors testified under their Hands, as his Saying.

Iuly the 9th. There were certain Articles drawn up, signed by King and Council, for the Bishop to subscribe; which contained the Confession of his Fault, the Supremacy of the King and his Succes∣sors; the establishing of Holy Days, or dispensing with them to be in the King; the Service-Book to be Godly and Christian; the acknowledgment of the King to be Supream Head, and to submit to him and his Laws under Age; the abolishing the Six Articles; and the King's Power of correcting and reforming the Church. These Articles, together with a Letter from the King, the Earl of Warwick Lord great Master, the Lord S. Iohn Lord Treasurer, Sir William Herbert Master of the Horse, and Secretary Petre, carried to the Bishop, requiring him to sign them. Which he did, only making exception to the first.

Iuly 10. The said Lords made report unto the Council, that they had delivered the King's Letter unto the Bishop, together with the Articles. Unto all which Articles he subscribed thus with his own Hand, Stev. Winton, saving the first. Against which he wrote in the Margin these words, I cannot in my Conscience confess the Preface, knowing my self to be of that sort I am indeed, and ever have been. To which Articles, thus subscribed by the Bishop, these of the Council wrote their Names, E. Somers. W. Wilts, I. Warwick, I. Bedford, W. Northampton, E. Clynton, G. Cobham, William Paget, W. Herbert, W. Petre, Edw. North.

Iuly 11. at Westminster, This was brought to the Council. And his boggling in this manner at the Confession displeased the King, that being the principal Point. But to the intent he should have no just cause to say he was not mercifully handled, it was agreed, that Sir VVilliam Herbert and the Secretary should go the next day to him to tell him, that the King marvelled he refused to put his Hand to the Confession. And that if the words thereof seemed too sore, then to refer it to himself, in what sort, and with what words he should devise to submit himself; That upon the acknowledg∣ment of his Fault, the King might extend his Mercy towards him, as was determined.

Iuly 13. Sir VVilliam Herbert and the Secretary reported, that the Bishop stood precisely in his own Justification. He said,

That he could not subscribe to the Confession, because he was Innocent, and also because the Confession was but the preface to the Articles.

Upon this it was agreed by the Council, that a new Book of Ar∣ticles, and a new Submission should be devised for the Bishop to sub∣scribe. And the Bishop of London, Secretary Petre, Mr. Cecyl, and Goodrick, a Common Lawyer, were commanded to make these

Articles according to Law. And then for the more authentick pro∣ceeding with the Bishop, the two former Persons were again to re∣sort to him with the new Draught, and to take with them a Di∣vine, which was the Bishop of London, and a Lawyer which was Goodrick. These Articles were 22 in Number, and to this Tenor,

That King Henry VIII. had justly supprest Monasteries; That persons may Marry, who are not prohibited to contract Matri∣mony by the Levitical Law, without the Bishop of Rome's Di∣spensation. That vowing or going Pilgrimages were justly abolished; the Conterfeyting S. Nicholas, St. Clement, &c. was mere Mockery. That it is convenient that the Scriptures should be in English. That the Late King, and the present, did upon just ground, take into their Hands Chauntries, which were for main∣tenance of private Masses. That private Masses were justly taken away by the Statutes of the Realm, and the Communion placed instead thereof, is very Godly. That it is convenient, that the Sacrament should be received in both Kinds. That the Mass, where the Priest doth only receive, and others look on, is but the Invention of Man. That it was upon good and Godly Conside∣ration ordered in the Book, that the Sacrament should not be lifted up, and shewed to the People to be adored. That it is politickly and godly done, that Images in Churches, and Mass-Books were enacted to be abolished. That Bishops, Priests and Deacons have no Commandment in the Law of God to vow Cha∣stity, or abstain from Marriage. And that all Canons and Con∣stitutions which do prohibit Marriage to the Clergy, be justly taken away by Parliament. That the Homilies and the Forms set forth of making Arch-bishops, Bishops, Priests and Deacons, are Godly and wholsome, and ought to be received. That the Orders of Subdeacon, Benet and Colet, &c. be not necessary, and justly left out in the Book of Orders. That the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all Doctrines necessary to Salvation. That upon good and godly Consideration it was injoined that Erasmus's Paraphrases should be set up in Churches. And that it was the King's Pleasure, that the Bishop should affirm these Articles by Subscription of his Hand, and declare himself willing to publish and preach the same.

These Articles were brought to the Bishop by the Master of the Horse, and Secretary Petre, with the Bishop of London and Goodrick. To whom the Bishop answered,

That he would not consent to the Article of Submission; Praying to be brought to his Trial, and desired nothing but Justice. And for the rest of the Articles, when he was at Liberty, then it should appear what he would do in them, it not being reasonable he should subscribe them in Prison.

This being reported to the Council, Iuly 15, it was agreed, that he should be sent for before the whole Council, and examined, Whe∣ther he would stand at this Point? Which if he did, then to de∣nounce the Sequestration of his Benefice for three Months, with intimation, if he reformed not in that space, to deprive him. This Order was Signed by Somerset, Wilts, Bedford, Clynton, Paget, Wyngfield, Herbert.

Iuly 19. The Bishop of VVynton was brought before the Coun∣cil; and there the Articles before mentioned were read unto him distinctly. Whereunto he refused either to subscribe or consent: Answering in these words,

That in all things his Majesty would command him, he was willing and most ready to obey; but foras∣much as there were divers things required of him, which his Conscience would not bear, therefore he prayed them to have him excused.

And thereupon Secretary Petre, by the Council's Or∣der proceeded to read the Sequestration. Thus fairly and calmly was this Bishop dealt with by the King and his Council, from Iune 8. to Iuly 19. And notwithstanding this Sentence, the Council favo∣rably ordered, that the Bishop's House and Servants should be maintained in their present State, until the expiration of the three Months; and that the Matter in the mean time should be kept secret.

The three Months expired Octob. 19. but with such Clemency was he used, that it was November 23, before his Business was re∣newed. And then, considering the time of his Intimation was long sithence expired, it was agreed, that the Bishop of Ely, Mr. Secre∣tary Petre, Dr. May and Dr. Glynne, all Learned in the Civil Law, should substantially confer upon the Matter: and upon Tuesday next, the 26th day of this present, to certify unto the Council, what was to be done duly by order of the Law in this Case. And now the Arch-bishop of Canterbury began to be concerned in this troublesome Business. A Commission, dated Decemb. 12, was issued out from the King, to the said Arch-bishop, and to the Bishops of London, Ely, Lincoln, to Sir VVilliam Petre, Sir Iames Hales, and some other Lawyers, to call the said Bishop of VVinchester before them, and, continuing in his Contempt, to proceed to deprive him.

December 14. The Lieutenant of the Tower was ordered to bring the Bishop on Monday next to Lambeth before my Lord of Canterbu∣ry, and other Commissioners, upon his Cause: and likewise upon their Appointment to bring him thither from day to day, at times by them prefixed.

December 15, was the day of VVinchester's first Appearance. The Business done this Session, was the opening and reading the Com∣mission, and after that, divers Articles against the Bishop. Who then made a Speech. Wherein first, He protested against these his Judges, and excepted against their Commission; and required this his Protestation to be entred into the Acts of the Court. Then de∣siring a Copy of the Commission, it was granted him, together with that of the Articles too, to make his Answers to. Next, the Archbishop gave him his Oath to make true Answer. Which he took still with his Protestation. Then the Bishop desiring Counsel, the Arch-bishop and the rest not only granted his Request, but allowed him whomsoever he should name. Which was the next Day allowed also by an Order of Council. Certain honourable Persons were deposed, and sworn for Witnesses, as Sir Anthony Wing∣field Controller of the Houshold, Sir William Cecyl Secretary, Sir Rafe Sadleir, Sir Edward North, Dr. Cox Almoner, and others. The Bishop also protested against them, and the Swearing of them.

At this first Sessions he had also said, in the hearing of a great Mul∣titude present, concerning the Duke of Somerset and some other Privy-Counsellors, sent to him in the Tower,

That they had made an end with him before, for all the matters for which he was committed. In so much that he verily thought he should never have heard any more of it.

This, coming soon to the Ears of these Nobles, highly offended them, as reporting falsely of them. So that to justify themselves in as publick a manner, the next Sessions they sent their Letter, dated December 17, signed by the Duke of Somerset, the Earls of Wiltshire and Bedford, and Sir Edward North: wherein they denied any such Matter; saying,

That the Bishop defended his Cause with Untruths, and that upon their Fidelities and Honours, his Tale was false and untrue; For that their coming to him in the Tower was to do their endeavour to reclaim him. And they prayed the Commissioners, that for their Vindication, they would cause this their Letter to be publickly read.

Which was accord∣ingly done; though the Bishop, thinking how this would reflect up∣on him, under his former Protestation, laboured hard that he might first be heard, and that he had something to propose, why it should not be read. Which notwithstanding they would not grant.

Ianuary 19. The Council sitting at Greenwich, the Bishop's Ser∣vants came and desired, that certain of them might be sworn upon certain Articles for Witness on his behalf. And if they might not be sworn, that upon their Honours, as they would answer before God, they would witness truly according to their Conscience, and as effectually as if they were sworn upon a Book. And they were allowed.

The Bishop to make his Cause the more plausible, as though he were the publick Defender of the Roman Catholick-Church in Eng∣land at this time, laboured to make it believed, that he fell into all this Trouble for the Defence of the Real Presence in the Sacrament, and for maintaining the Catholick Doctrine in a Sermon before the King; and that he made his Book to vindicate himself therein. And therefore in one of his Appearances before the Commissioners, openly in the Court delivered them his Book against Arch-bishop Cranmer, printed in France: and to make it suit the better, he had altered some lines in the beginning of his Book, so as to make it to relate to his present Case. But in truth Gardiner had wrote, and finished his Book before. This Cranmer unvailed in his Answer to this Book of Gardiner's: Saying there,

That he made his Book, before he was called before the Commissioners, as he could prove by a Book under his own Hand-writing; and that he was called before the Commissioners by his own Suit and Procure∣ment, and as it were inforcing the Matter. But indeed the true Cause was, That he was called to Justice for his manifest Con∣tempt and continual Disobedience from time to time, or rather Rebellion against the King's Majesty; and was deprived of his State for the same.

In short, after a greal deal of Pains and Patience, the Bishop was by the Arch-bishop and the rest of the Commissioners deprived, after no less then two and twenty Sessions, held at divers places, that is, from the 15th of December to the 14th of February: though Stow falsely nameth but seven. The Bishop when he saw the Sen∣tence Definitive ready to be pronounced, made an Appeal from them to the King. For his doing which he produced these Reasons. For that these his pretended Judges were not indifferent, but prejudi∣ced against him. That my Lord of Canterbury had caused him to be sent to Prison, (whereas the Arch-bishop was only present at the Council when he was by them ordered to the Tower). And so had Hales, Goodrick and Gosnold counselled to send him thither. Also, that the Arch-bishop and the Bishops of London and Lincoln, did contrary to the Laws Ecclesiastical, and taught and set forth ma∣nifest condemned Errors against the Presence in the Sacrament. And because the Bishop, as well in his Writings, as otherwise, did set forth the Catholick Faith of the very Presence of Christ's Body and Blood: therefore they shewed themselves unduly affected to∣wards him. That Sir William Petre decreed the Fruits of his Bishoprick to be sequestred de facto, sed non de jure, and now was Judg in his own Cause. But notwithstanding this Appeal, the Arch-bishop with the rest of the Commissioners pronounced him Deprived, and his Bishoprick void. After this was done, the Bishop appealed again to the King, instantly, more instantly, most instant∣ly, from their Sentence as Injust, and of no effect in Law; and asked of them Letters Dimissory to be granted to him, and a Copy of the Judgment. But the Judges declared they would first know the pleasure of the King and his Council therein. And so this last Session brake up.

The day after, being the 15th of February, the Council sitting at VVestminster, upon debating the Bishop of VVinton's Case;

Foras∣much as it appeared, he had at all times, before the Judges of his Cause, used himself unreverently to the King's Majesty, and slan∣derfully towards his Council; and especially Yesterday, being the Day of his Judgment given against him, he called his Judges He∣reticks and Sacramentaries, they being there the King's Commissio∣ners, and of his Highness's Council; it was therefore concluded, by the whole Board, that he should be removed from the Lodging he hath now in the Tower, to a meaner Lodging, and none to wait upon him but one, by the Lieutenant's Appointment, in such sort as by the resort of any Man to him, he have not the liberty to send out to any Man, or to hear from any Man. And likewise that his Books and Papers be taken from him, and seen; and that from henceforth he have neither Pen, Ink, nor Paper, to write his dete∣stable Purposes, but be sequestred from all Conferences, and from all means that may serve him to practise any way.

March 8. at VVestminster. This day, by the King's Majesty's own Appointment, Dr. Poynet Bishop of Rochester, was chosen Bishop of VVinchester. And the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had given him 266 l. 13 s. 4 d. (i. e. 400 Marks) for his Pains and Charges about the Bishop of VVinchester. And thus I have, from very Authentick

Authority, gathered together these Memorials of this turbulent haughty Man; who was now so seasonably laid aside in this King's Reign, till we hear of him loudly in the next; when he sufficiently wracked his Revenge against our good Arch-bishop and the true Re∣ligion.

Notes

• Divers great Lords repair to Gardiner.
• The Council's proceedings with him.
• Articles pro∣pounded to him to sub∣scribe.
• Winchester Se∣questred for three Months.
• The Sequestra∣tion expires.
• Council-Book.
• The Commis∣sioners sit to examine him.
• A Letter of some Noble∣men, whom he had belied.
• Gardiner offers his Book against Cran∣mer to the Commissio∣ners.
• Page 2.
• He is deprived.
• The Council's order for his strait Confine∣ment.
• Council-Book.
• Poynet made Bp of Winton.