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. XXXI. Arch-bishop Cranmer preserved the Revenues of his See.

AND here I must answer for my Lord Cranmer against certain Objections, which are in divers Mens Heads, That by his Means all the Preferments, Offices and Farmes, are so given and let out, that his Successors have nothing to give or bestow upon their Friends and Servants; nor that such Hospitality can be kept by reason of his Fault, in letting go such things as should have maintained Provisions of Household. But to answer this in a few words, before I descend to any particular Declaration. It is most true, that if he had not well behaved himself towards his Prince, and the World, his Successors should not been cumbred with any piece of Temporal Revenues; either Lands, Woods, or other Revenues. And I pray God they may maintain, in this mild and quiet Time, that which he in a most dangerous World did uphold, and left to his Successors. Yet for better declaration, in answer∣ing to those Objections, it is to be considered, that when he en∣tred upon his Dignity, every Man about the King made means to get some Reversion of Farmes, or of other Office of him. In so much, that the King himself made means to him for one or two things, before he was Consecrated: as for the Farm of Wingham-Barton. Which was granted unto Sir Edward Bainton Kt. for fourscore and nineteen Years. When my Lord perceived, that in such Suits as he granted to the King and Queen, Men would needs have an hundred Years save one, he wrote to the Chapter of Christ-Church, and willed them in any Condition, not to confirm any more of his Grants of Leases, which were above one and twen∣ty Years. By this means much Suit was stopped. So that in very deed he gave out his Leases but for one and twenty Years. Which would not satisfy the greedy Appetites of some Men: And therefore they found a Provision for it. For when my Lord had let out certain goodly Farmes, at Pinner, Heyes, Harrow on the Hill, Mortlake, &c. to the number of ten or twelve Farmes, for one and twenty Years, taking no manner of Fine for them; all these Farmes by and by were put into an Exchange for the King. And the King had them not in Possession six Days, but they were my Lord North's and other Mens. And they were not past one Year in their Possessions, but that the Reversion of every of them was sold for more Years: some for an hundred Pounds, and some for more, and some for less, making Sweepstakes of al∣togethers.

And so was my Lord used in all things almost that he did let out for one and twenty Years.

By means whereof Justice Hales, and other of his Counsel learned in the Laws, advised him to let out his Farmes for many Years, which might be a mean, that they should not be so much desired in Exchanges as they were. For those Farmes, which came to my Lord, came with Years enough upon their Backs. And so upon this Conclusion my Lord was fain to alter his Purpose in letting of his Farmes. Whereupon he did let S. Gregories in Canterbury to Mr. Nevyl, the Priory of Dover, Chislet-Park, and Curleswood-Park, with others, for so many Years as he did, on purpose to stay them, or else he had gone without them one time or other. And as I heard say, since your Grace was Elect, Cur∣leswood-Park was in Exchange, and the Rent thereof paid for one half Year unto the Queen's Use. But so soon as they understood there were so many Years to come, it was reversed to the Arch-bishoprick again. So that hereby partly may be perceived in what State my Lord Cranmer stood with his Lands.

And as touching the diminishing of his Rents, Houses and other Commodities, for the Provision of his Hospitality; if all things be well pondered, he had left the same in better State than he found it. For as touching his Exchanges Men ought to con∣sider with whom he had to do: especially with such a Prince, as would not be bridled, nor be gain-said in any of his Requests, unless Men would danger altogethers. I was by, when Otford and Knol were given him. My Lord, minded to have retained Knol unto himself, said, That it was too small an House for his Ma∣jesty. Mary, said the King, I had rather have it, than this House, meaning Otford; for it standeth on a better Soil. This House standeth low, and is Rheumatick, like unto Croiden, where I could never be without Sickness. And as for Knol, it standeth on a sound, perfect, wholesome Ground. And if I should make abode here, as I do surely mind to do now and then, I will live at Knol, and most of my House shall live at Otford. And so by this means both those Houses were delivered up into the King's Hands. And as for Otford, it is a notable great and ample House: Whose Reparations yearly cost my Lord more than Men would think. And so likewise did Maidstone, which had no manner of Commodity to belong unto it. And I am sure that after certain Exchanges past between the King and him, there were an hundred Marks a Year, or thereabouts, allowed unto him in his last Ex∣changes, for Recompence of Parks and Chases. And yet those Parks and Chases, beside the Provision of his Venison, stood him yearly in much more, by the reason of the Patents and Fees belonging unto them, than he by any means else got by them.

For as for Curleswood, it stood him in twenty Nobles a Year Fee. And yet there was no Gain in it, but only Conies: which the Keeper had also in his Patent. So that the Arch-bishop by suppressing of that, and raising that small Rent it payeth, may spend thereby seven Pounds a Year more than it was accustomed to pay towards the Arch-bishoprick.

And touching Chislet-Park, it came to my Lord in Exchange for eight Pounds a Year. And the Farmer payeth ten Pounds. So that thereby is gained forty Shillings a Year. Wherefore it can∣not be indifferently gathered, that my Lord, in preferring his Friends unto these things, hath any whit hindred the Revenues of the Bishoprick.

And as touching Pasture and Meddow for the Provision of his House, both at Croyden, and about Canterbury, Ford and Chislet, there is thrice so much Meddow, Pasture, and Mersh as was left unto him.

And as for the Sale of his Woods, like as he was driven to ex∣change them, and sell them for to maintain his Hospitality, espe∣cially having almost twenty Years together Learned Men conti∣nually sitting with him in Commission; for the trying out, and setting forth of the Religion received, and for the discussing of other Matters in Controversy. Some of them daily in Diet with him, and some evermore living in his House. So provided he again like Woods, more commodious for his Houses; As the Blene-Woods, belonging to S. Austins; and Pyne-Wood, and others, which be known well enough.

And as touching Provision for Corn out of Chislet-Court, and in other Places, it is incredible what a Business he had and adoe with Sir Christopher Hales, for that Farm and Corn; who chal∣lenged it of the King by Promise; and so would have defeated my Lord thereof, had not the King very benignely stood on his Side. And it is no small Revenue to have yearly so much Corn, both Wheat, Malt and Oats, at so mean a Price.

And therefore let Men leave off that Report of him, that he was not beneficial to his Successors. Other Bishops, some of them lost whole Manors and Lordships, without any Exchange at all. Thus much my Conscience hath compelled me to say, in defence of my Lord and Master his good Name: Whom I knew to take as much Care for his Successors in that Bishoprick, as ever did Arch-bishop, or shall. And would have as much advanced the same, if the Iniquity of the World would have permitted him.

Now finally, concerning his Behaviour towards his Family: I think there was never such a Master among Men, both feared and intirely beloved. For as he was a Man of most gentle Nature, void of all crabbid and churlish Conditions, so he could abide no such Quality in any of his Servants. But if any such Outragious∣ness were in any of his Men or Family, the correction of those Enor∣mities he always left to the ordering of his Officers: who weekly kept a Counting-house. And if any thing universally were to be reformed or talked of; on that Day, which commonly was Friday, the same was put to Admonition. And if it were a Fault of any particular Man, he was called forth before the Company: To whom warning was given, That if he so used himself after three Monitions, he should lose his Service.

There was an Infamy of him, that he should have been an Host∣ler. Which the ignorant Popish Priests, for very M••••ice had published against him. Saying, That he had no manner of L••••rn∣ing

at all, more than Hostlers are wont to have. And this Ru∣mour sprang of that, that when he had married his first Wife, be∣ing Reader then of Buckingham-College, he did put his Wife to Board in an Inn at Cambridg; and he resorting thither unto her in the Inn, some ignorant Priests named him to be the Hostler, and his Wife the Tapster. This Bruit then began, but it much more was quickned when he was Arch-bishop than before. Insomuch that a Priest far North, about Scarborough, sitting among his Neigh∣bours at the Ale-house, and talking of Arch-bishop Cranmer, di∣vers Men there commending him: What, said the Priest, make ye so much of him? He was but an Hostler, and hath as much Learning as the Goslings of the Green that go yonder. Upon which words, the honest Men of the Parish which heard him, gave Information to my Lord Crumwel of those his slanderous Words. The Priest was sent for before the Council, and cast in∣to the Fleet; my Lord Cranmer not being that Day ••mong the Council, nor hearing no manner of word of the Priest••s Accusa∣tion. It chanced the Priest to lie in the Fleet eight or nine Weeks, and nothing said unto him. He then made Suit by one, named Chersey, (a Grocer dwelling within Ludgate, now yet alive, and Unkle, as I suppose, to the Priest) unto my Lord Cranmer for his Deliverance. This Chersey brought the Copy of the Priest's Ac∣cusation from my Lord Crumwel's House. Whereby plainly ap∣peared, there was nothing laid unto the Priest but those Words against my L. Cranmer. And therefore he besought him to help him out of Prison; for it had put him to great Charges living there, and he had a Benefice which was unserved in his Absence; and said, That he was very sorry he had so unhonestly abused himself towards his Grace. Whereupon my Lord Cranmer sent to the Fleet for the Priest. When he came before my Lord, said my Lord Cranmer to him, It is told me, that you be Prisoner in the Fleet, for calling me an Hostler, and reporting that I have no more Learning than a Gosling. Did you ever see me before this Day? No, forsooth, quoth the Priest. What meant you then to call me an Hostler; and so to deface me among your Neighbours? The Priest made his Excuse, and said, that he was overseen with Drink. Well, said my Lord's Grace, now ye be come, you may oppose me to know what Learning I have. Begin in Grammar, if you will, or else in Philosophy, or other Sciences, or Divinity. I beseech your Grace pardon me, said the Priest, I have no manner of Learning in the Latin Tongue, but altogether in English. Well then, said my Lord, if you will not oppose me, I will oppose you. Are you not wont to read the Bible, quoth my Lord? Yes, that we do dai∣ly, said the Priest. I pray you tell me, quoth my Lord, then, who was David's Father? The Priest stood still, and said, I can∣not surely tell your Lordship. Then said my Lord again, if you cannot tell me that, yet declare unto me who was Solomon's Father? Surely, quoth the Priest, I am nothing at all seen in those Genea∣logies. Then I perceive, quoth my Lord, however you have re∣ported of me, that I had no Learning, I can now bear you Wit∣ness, that you have none at all. There are such a sort of you in

this Realm, that know nothing, nor will know nothing, but sit upon your Ale-bench, and slander all Honest and Learned Men. If you had but common Reason in your Heads, you that have named me an Hostler; you might well know, that the King having in hand one of the hardest Questions that was moved out of the Scripture this many Years, would not send an Hostler unto the Bi∣shop of Rome, and the Emperor's Council, and other Princes, to answer and dispute in that so hard a Question; even among the whole College of Cardinals, and the Rout of Rome. By all like∣lihood the King lacked much the help of Learned Men, that was thus driven to send an Hostler on such a Voyage: Or else the King hath many idle Priests, without Wit or Reason, that can so judg of the Prince and his Council, and of the weighty Matters of the Realm. God amend you, said he, and get ye Home to your Cure, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hence-forth learn to be an honest Man, or at least a rea∣sona 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

〈…〉〈…〉 lamenting his Folly, went his way into his Country; and my Lord Cranmer discharged him out of the Fleet, because there was no Matter against him, but that which only concerned my Lord. My Lord Crumwel within four Days after came to my Lord Cranmer, and sware a great Oath, That the Popish Knaves should pick out his Eyes, and cut his Throat, before he would any more rebuke them for slandering him. I had thought that the Knave Priest, which you have discharged and sent Home, should have recanted at Pauls-Cross on Sunday next. Yea, mary, quoth my Lord Cranmer, you would have all the World know by that mean, that I was an Hostler indeed. What manner of Block∣heads would so think, quoth my Lord Crumwel? Too many Pa∣pists, quoth my Lord Cranmer. Howbeit, quoth he, you have caused the poor Priest to spend all that he hath in Prison; and would you now put him to open Shame too? He is not the first, not by five-hundred of them, that hath called me so; and there∣fore I will not now begin to use Extremity against this Priest: I perceive he is sorry for it. Well, quoth my Lord Crumwel, if you not care for it, no more do I: But I warrant you one Day, if they may, they will make you and me both as vile as Hostlers. This I repeat to declare his Lenity, and Promptness to remit notable Of∣fences; howbeit it should have been placed before if I had re∣membred it.

Thus I have hastily penned such Things as came to my Memo∣ry, since Saturday last: Beseeching your Grace to take it in good part, being certainly assured, that I have declared nothing of mine Head, as concerning the very Matters.

Notes

• The preserv∣ing the Bishops Revenues ow∣ing to the ABp.
• The ABp vin∣dicated about his Leases.
• By long Leases he saved the Revenues.
• Justified from diminishing the Rents of the See.
• Otford & Knol.
• Curleswood▪
• Chislet-Park.
• Pasture and Meddow.
• Woods.
• Corn.
• The best Ma∣ster towards his Servants.
• An Infamy that he was an Hostler.