Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

The history of Reynold Peeocke Byshop of Chichester, afflicted and imprisoned for the Gospell of Christ.

* 1.1AFter the death of Henry Chichisley before mentioned, pag. 657. next succeeded Iohn Stafford. an. 1445. who continued 8. yeares. After hym came Iohn Kempe. ann. 1453. who sate but three yeares. Then succeeded Thomas Burschere. In the time of which Archbishop, fell the trou∣ble of Reynold Pecocke, Bishop of Chichester, afflicted by the Popes Prelates for hys fayth and profession of the Gospell. Of this Byshoppe, Halle also in his Chronology toucheth a little mention, declaring that an ouerthwart iudgement (as he termeth it) was geuen by the Fathers of the spiritualty agaynst him. Thys man (sayth he) beganne to moue questions not priuatly, but openly in the Uniuer∣sityes, concerning the Annates, Peter pence, and other iu∣risdictions and authorities perteyning to the sea of Rome, and not onely put forth the questiōs, but declared his mind and opinion in the same: wherefore he was for thys cause absured at Paules Crosse. Thus muche of hym wryteth Hall. Of whom also recordeth Polychronycon, but in few wordes. This bishop, first of S. Assaphe, then of Chiche∣ster, so long as Duke Humfrey lyued (by whome he was promoted and much made of) was quiet and safe, and also bolde to dispute and to write hys mynde, and wrote (as Leland recordeth) diuers bookes and treatises. But after that good Duke was thus (as ye haue heard) made away, this good man lacking his backstay, was open to his ene∣mies, and matter soone found agaynst hym. Wherupon he being complayned of, and accused by priuy and malignant promoters vnto the Archbishop, letters first were directed downe from the Archbishop, to cite al men to appeare that could say any thing agaynst hym. The forme of which cita∣tion here ensueth.

The copy of the Citation sent by the Archbyshoppe.

* 2.1THomas by the permission of God, Archb. of Canterbury, pri∣mate of all England and Legate of the Apostolicke Sea, to all and singuler Parsons, Vicares, Chaplaynes, Curates, & not Cu∣rates, Clerkes and learned men, whatsoeuer they be, constitute & ordeined in any place throughout our prouince of Caunterbury, health, grace and benediction.

We haue receiued a greeuous complaint of our reuerend fe∣low brother, Reynold Pecocke Byshop of Chichester, conteyning in it, that albeit our sayd reuerend felow brother, the Byshop, deli∣uered vnto vs certayne bookes written by him in the English ton∣gue, by vs and our authority to be examined, corrected reformed and allowed: notwithstanding many (the examination and refor∣mation of the sayde bookes depending and remayning before vs vndiscussed) haue openly preached and taught at Paules crosse in London, and in diuers other places of our prouince of Canterbu∣ry, that our sayd felow brother the Byshop, hath propoūded, made and written, or caused to be writen in the sayde bookes, certayne conclusions repugnaunt to the true fayth, and that he doth obsty∣nately hold and defend the same.

By the pretence of which preaching and teaching, the state & good name and fame of the sayd Lord Reynolde the Byshoppe; are greeuously offended and hurt, and he and his opinion maruellou∣sly burdened. Wherefore we charge you all together, and seuerally apart do commaund you, firmely enioyning you, that openly and generally you doe warne or cause to bee warned, all and singular such persons, whiche will obiect any thing contrary and agaynst the conclusions of our sayd reuerēd felow brother the Bishop, had or conteined in his bookes or writings: that the 20. day after such monition or warning had, they do freely of theyr own accord ap∣peare before vs and our Commissaryes in this behalfe appoynted wheresoeuer we shall then be in our Citty, Dioces, or prouince of Canterbury, to speake, propound, alledge, and affirme fully & suf∣ficiently in writinge, whatsoeuer hereticall or erroneous matter they wil speak, propound, or obiect agaynst the sayde conclusions conteyned in his sayde bookes: and both to satisfye and receiue, whatsoeuer shall seeme meete and right in this behalfe by the ho∣ly institutions and ordinaunces.

And for so muche as this matter depending yet vndetermined and vndiscussed, nothing ought to be attempted or renewed: we charge you that by this our authority, you inhibite and forbid all and euery one so to preach and teach hereafter. Vnto whom also we by the the tenour of these presents, do likewise forbid, that du∣ring the examination of the conclusions and bookes aforesayde, depending before vs and our Commissaryes vndiscussed, they do not presume by any meanes, without good aduise and iudgemēt, to preach, iudge, and affirme any thing to the preiudice or offēce of the sayd Lord Reynold the Byshop and if so be, you do finde a∣ny in this behalfe gayne saying or not obeying this our inhibitiō, that you do cite or cause thē peremptorily to be cited, to appeare before vs or our Commissaryes, in this behalfe appoynted, the 10 day after theyr citation, if it be a courte day or els the next courte day following, wheresoeuer we shall then be, in our City, Dioces, or prouince of Canterbury, to make further declaration by form of law of the cause of their disobediēce & to receiue such punish∣ment as iustice and equity shall determine in that behalfe: & that by your leters you do duely certify vs or our Commissaries, what you haue done in the premisses at the day and place aforesayd: or that he which hath so executed our commaundement, do so certi∣fie vs by his letters. Dated at our Manour of Lambeth the xxij. day of October. an. 1457 and in the 4. yeare of our translation.

This citation being directed, the Byshop vpon the sū∣mon thereof,* 2.2 was brought, or rather came before y^e iudges and Bishops, vnto Lambeth, where the foresaid Thomas the Archbishop, with his doctors and Lawyers, were ga∣thered together in the Archbishops Court. In which con∣uention also the Duke of Buckingham was present, accō∣panyed with the Bishop of Rochester, and of Lyncolne. What were the opiniōs and articles agaynst him obiected, after in his reuocatiou shall be specified. In his answering for himselfe in such a company of the Popes frendes, albeit he coulde not preuayle, notwithstanding he stoutly defen∣ding himselfe declared many thinges worthye great com∣mendation of learning, if learning agaynste power coulde haue preuayled.

But they on the contrary part,* 2.3 with all labor and tra∣uel, extended themselues, either to reduce him, or els to cō∣found him. As here lacked no blustring wordes of terrour and threatning: so also many fayre flattering wordes and gentle persuasions, were admixt with al. Briefely, to make a short narration of a long and busy trauers, here was no stone lefte vnturned, no wayes vnprooued, eyther by fayre meanes to entreat him, or by terrible manasses to terrifye his mind, till at the length, he being vanquished and ouer∣come by the bishops, began to faynt and gaue ouer. Wher∣upon, by & by a recantation was put vnto him by the By∣shops, which he should declare before the people. The copy of which his recantation here foloweth.

¶ The forme and maner of the retracta∣tion of Reynold Pecocke.

IN the name of God Amen.* 3.1 Before you, the most reuered Father in Christ and Lorde, the Lorde Thomas, by the grace of God, Archbishop of Canterbury, priuate of Eng∣land and Legate of the Apostolicke sea, I Reynolde Pe∣cock, vnworthy Bishop of Chichester, do purely, willyng∣ly, simply, and absolutely, cōfesse and acknowledge, that I in times past, that is to say, by the space of these 20. yeares last past and more, haue otherwise conceiued, holdē, taught and written, as touching the Sacramentes and the Arti∣cles of y^e fayth, then the holy Church of Rome and vniuer∣sall Church:* 3.2 and also that I haue made, written, published and set forth many & diuers pernitious doctrines, bookes, workes, writings, heresyes, contrary and agaynst the true Catholicke, and Apostolicke fayth, contayning in them, er∣rours cōtrary to the Catholicke fayth, & especially these er∣rours and heresies here vnder written.

• 1. First of all,* 3.3 that we are not bounde by the necessitye of fayth, to beleue that our Lord Iesus Christ after his death descended into hell.
• 2. Item, that it is not necessarye to saluation to beleeue in the holy Catholicke Church.
• 3. Item, that it is not necessary to saluation, to beleue the

• communion of Sayntes.
• 4. Item, that it is not necessary to saluation, to affirme the body materially in the Sacrament.
• 5. Item that the vniuersall Churche may erre in matters which perteyne vnto fayth.
• 6. Item, that it is not necessary vnto saluation, to beleue, that that, which euery generall Councell doth vniuersally ordeine, approue, or determine, should necessaryly, for the helpe of our fayth, and the saluation of soules, be approued and holden of all faythfull Christians.

Wherfore I Reynold Pecocke wretched sinner, which haue long walked in darckenesse, and now by the merciful disposition and ordinaunce of God, am reduced & brought agayne vnto the light and way of truth, and restored vnto the vnity of our holy mother the Church: renoūce and for∣sake all errors and heresyes aforesayd.

Notwithstanding (godly reader) it is not to be beleued that Pecocke did so geue ouer these opinions, howsoeuer the wordes of the recantation pretend. For it is a pollicy & play of the bishops that when they do subdue or ouercome any mā, they cary him whither they list, as it were a yoūg Stere by the nose, and frame out his words for him before hand, as it were for a Parate, what he should speake vnto the people: not according to his owne will, but after theyr lust and fantasy. Neither is it to be doubted, but that thys Bishop repented him afterward of his recantation: which may easely be iudged hereby, because he was committed a∣gayn into prison, & deteined captiue, where as it is vncer∣taine, whether he was oppressed with priuy and secret ty∣ranny, and there obteined the crown of Martyrdom, or no.

The Dictionary of Thomas Gascoigne, I haue not in my handes present. But if credite be to be geuen to such as haue to vs alledged the booke,* 3.4 this we may finde in the 8. Century of Iohn Bale. chapter 19. that the sayd Thomas Gascoigne in his third part of his sayd dictionary, writing of Reinold Pecocke, maketh declaration of his articles cō∣teining in them matter of sore heresy. First (saith he) Rey∣nold Pecock, at Paules crosse preached openly, that the of∣fice of a Christen Prelate, chiefly aboue all other things is, to preach the word of God. That mans reason is not to be preferred before the Scriptures of the old and new Testa∣ment. That the vse of Sacraments, as they be now hand∣led, is worse, then the vse of the lawe of nature. That By∣shops which buy theyr admissions of the Bishop of Rome do sinne. That no man is bound to beleue and obey the de∣termination of the Churche of Rome. Also that the riches of Bishops, by inheritage, are the goods of the poore. Item that the Apostles themselues personally were not the ma∣kers of the Creed, & that in the same Creede, once was not the Article he went downe to hell. Item, that of the foure senses of the Scripture, none is to be taken, but the very first and proper sense. Also, that he gaue litle estimation in some poyntes, to the authority of the olde Doctors. Item, that he condemned the wilfull begging of the Friers, as a thing idle and needles. This out of Thomas Gascoigne. Leland also adding this moreouer, sayth: that he, not con∣tented to folow the Catholicke sentence of the Churche in interpreting of the Scripture, did not thinke soundly (as he iudged it) of the holy Eucharist.

At length, for these and suche other Articles, the sayde Reynold Pecocke was condemned for an hereticke by the Archbishops, and Bishops of Rosse. Lyncolne and Win¦chester, with other diuines moe. Wherupon he being driuē to his recantation,* 3.5 was notwithstanding deteyned still in prison. Where some say, that he was priuily made away by death.

Halle addeth that some say, his opinions to bee, that spirituall persons by Gods lawe, ought to haue no tem∣porall possessions. Other write that he sayde, that perso∣nall tithes were not due by Gods lawe. But whatsoe∣uer the cause was, he was caused at Paules Crosse to abiure, and all his bookes brent, and he himselfe kepte in his owne house, during his naturall life. I maruell that Polydore, of this extremity of the Bishops handling, and of his Articles,* 3.6 in his history, maketh no memoriall. Be∣like it made but little for the honestye of his great maister the Pope.

From persecution & burning in England, now out of the way, to digresse a little, to speake of forraine matters of the church of Rome: you remēber before, in y^e latter end of the Councell of Basill,* 3.7 howe Eugenius was deposed. Of whose conditiōs and martiall affayres, how he made war agaynst Sfortia a famous Captaine of Italy, and what o∣ther warres he raised beside, not onely in Italy, but also in Germany, agaynst the City and Councell of Basill, I shal not need to make any long rehearsall. After his depositiō, ye heard also how Foelix duke of Sauoy was elected pope. Wherupō another great schisme folowed in the church du∣ring all the life of Eugenius.* 3.8

After his death,* 3.9 his next successor was pope Nicholas the fift, who (as you before haue heard) brought so to passe with the Emperour Fredericke the third that Foelix was contented to renounce and resigne his papacy to Nicolas, and was therfore of him afterward receiued to the rowme of a Cardinall, for his submission: & Friderick for his wor∣king, was confirmed at Rome to be full Emperor,* 3.10 & there crowned. an. 1451. For Emperors before they be cōfirmed & crowned by the pope, are no Emperors, but onely called kinges of Romaynes.

This Pope Nicholas here mentioned, for to get & ga∣ther great sūmes of mony, appoynted a Iubile in the yeare of our Lorde 1450. at whiche time there resorted a greater number of people vnto Rome, thē hath at any time before bene seene.* 3.11 At which time, we reade in the story of Platina to haue happened, that I thought here not vnworthy to be noted for the example of the thing. As there was a great concourse of people resorting vp to the mount Uaticane to behold the Image of our Sauior, which there they had to shew to Pilgrimes,* 3.12 the people being thicke going to & fro betwene the mount & the City, by chaunce a certayn Mule of the Cardinals of saynt Marke came by the way, by rea∣son whereof the people not being able to auoyde the way, one or two falling vpon the Mule, there was such a prease and throng vpon that occasion on the bridge, that to the nū¦der of two hundred bodyes of men, and three horses, were there strangled,* 3.13 and on each side of the bridge many besides fell ouer into the water and were drowned.

By meanes of which occasiō, the Pope afterward cau∣sed the smal houses to be plucked downe, to make the way broder. And this is the fruite that commeth by Idolatrye. Ex Platin.

In the time of this Pope,* 3.14 one Mat. Palmerius wrote a booke De Angelis, in defending whereof, he was condem∣ned by the Pope, and burned at Corna. an. 1448 Ex Trite∣mio.

After him succeeded Calixtus the thyrd, who amongest diuers other things ordeined both at noone and at euening the bell to tole the Aues,* 3.15 as it was vsed in the popish time, to helpe the souldiours that fought agaynst the Turkes: for which cause also he ordeined the feast of the transfigura∣tion of the Lord, solemnising it with like pardons and in∣dulges, as was Corpus Christi day.

Also this Pope proceding contrary to the Councels of Constance and Basill,* 3.16 decreed that no man should appeale from the Pope to any Councell. By whome also Sayncte Edmunde of Caunterbury with diuers other, were made Sayntes.

Next after this Calixtus,* 3.17 succeeded Pius secundus, o∣therwise called Aeneas Syluius, who wrote the two bookes of Commentaries vpon the Councell of Basill before mē∣tioned. This Aeneas, at the time of the writing of those hys bookes, seemed to be a man of an indifferent and tollerable iudgement and doctrine,* 3.18 from the which he afterward be∣ing Pope, seemed to decline and swarue, seeking by all meanes possible, how to deface & abolish the bookes which heretofore he had written.

¶ Sentences attributed vnto this Pius.

THe diuine nature of God may rather be comprehended by fayth,* 4.1 then by disputation.

Christian fayth is to be considered, not by what reason it is proued, but from whom it proceedeth.

Neyther can a couetous man be satisfied with money, nor a learned man with knowledge.

Learning ought to be to poore men, in stead of siluer, to noble men in stead of golde, and to Princes in stead of pre∣cious stones.

An artificiall oratiō moueth fooles, but not wise men.

Suters in the Lawe, bee as Byrdes, the Courte is the bayte, the Iudges be the nettes, and the Lawyers be the Foulers.

Men are to bee geuen to dignityes, and not dignityes to men.

The office of a Byshoppe is heauy, but it is blessed to him that doth wel beare it.

A Bishop without learning may be likened to an Asse.

An euill Phisition destroyth bodies, but an vnlearned Priest destroyeth soules.

Mariage was taken from Priestes,* 4.2 not without great reason, but with muche greater reason it ought to be resto∣red agayne.

The like sentence to this he vttereth in his second book of the Councell of Basil before specified, saying, peraduen∣ture it were not the worst, that the most part of priestes had theyr wiues: for many shoulde be saued in Priestly mari∣age, whiche nowe in vnmaryed Priesthoode are damned. The same Pius also, as Celius reporteth, dissolued cer∣tayne orders of Nunnes, of the order of S. Briget and S. Clare, bidding them to depart out, that they should burne no more, nor couer a Harlotte vnder the vesture of Reli∣gion.

This Pius, if he had brought so much piety and god∣linesse, as he brought learning vnto his Popedome, had excelled many Popes that went before him.

It shall not be impertinent here to touch, what the said Eneas called Pius, the Pope, writeth touchinge the peace of the church, vnto Gaspee Schlick, the Emperors Chaū∣cellor, in his 54. Epistle.

All men do abhorre and detest schisme. The way to remedye this euill Charles the French king hath shewed vs both safe and briefe,* 4.3 which is, that princes or their Oratours should conuent &c assemble together in some cōmon place, where they may cōclude vpon matters amongest themselues. To bring this to passe, it were needfull, writinges to be sent agayne to all Kynges and Princes, to send theyr Oratours to Strawes borow, or to Constance, with theyr full authority: there to entreate of matters appertayning to the peace of the Church.* 4.4 Neyther woulde it require so great ex∣penses: Forasmuch as we see the yeare before 300. gildernes to be sufficient. Constantine the Emperour bestowed not muche more in the congregation of the Councell of Nice. And this way could not be stopped: neyther could the Pope or the Councell withstād it, or make excuse: as though this might not easily be done with∣out them. For why? the secular princes may conuent and assemble together, will they, nill they: and yet notwithstanding, vnity may there be concluded:* 4.5 For he should be an vndoubted Pope, whom all Princes would obey. Neyther do I see any of the clergy so con∣stant to death, which wil suffer Martirdom either for the one part or the other. Al we lightly hold that faith which our princes hold, which if they would worship Idols, we would also do the same, & not onely deny the Pope, but God also, if the secular power strayn vs thereunto, for charitye is waxed colde, and all fayth is gone. Howsoeuer it be, let vs all desire and seeke for peace, the whiche peace, whether it come by a councell, or by assemblye of Princes, call it what you will, I care not: for we stand not vpon the terme, but vpon the matter. Call breade if you will, a stone, so you geue me to asswage my hunger. Whether you call it a Councell or a conuenticle, or an assembly or a congregation, or a synagogue, that is no matter, so that schisme may be excluded and peace esta∣blished.

Thus much out of the Epistle of Pius.

* 4.6By this may it appeare, of what sentence and minde this Pius was in y^e time of the Councell of Basill, before he was made Pope. But as our common prouerbe sayth, honors chaungeth maners, so it happeneth with this Pi∣us, who after he came once to be Pope, was much altered from that he was before. For where as before he preferred generall Councels before the Pope, nowe being Pope, he did decree that no man should appeale from the high By∣shop of Rome: to any generall Councell.

And likewise for priestes mariage, where as before he thought it best to haue theyr wiues restored,* 4.7 yet afterward he altered his mind otherwise: In so much that in his book intreating of Germany, and there speaking of the noble ci∣ty of August, by occasion he inueyed agaynst a certayne E∣pistle of Hulderike once bishop of the sayd City, written a∣gaynst the constitution of the single life of priests. Wherby it appeareth how the minde of this Pius was altered frō that it was before. This Epistle of Hulderick is before ex∣pressed at large in the pag. 137.

Here also might I touch something concerning the di∣scord betwixt this Aeneas Syluius and Diotherus, Archbish. of Mentz, and what discorde was styrred vp in Germany vpon the same betwene Frederick the Palatine, and duke of Wittenberge, with others, by the occasion whereof, be∣sides the slaughter of many, the City of Mentz, which was free before, lost theyr freedome, and became seruile.

The causes of the discord betwixt Pope Pius and Di∣otherus, were these.

First, because that Diotherus would not consent vnto him in the imposition of certaine tallages and taxes, with∣in his country.

Secondly, for that Diotherus would not be boūd vn∣to him, requiring that the said Diotherus being prince E∣lectour, should not call the other Electors together, wyth∣out hys licence that is, without the licence of the Bishop of Rome.

And thirdly, because Diotherus would not permit to the Popes Legates, to conuocate his Clergy together af∣ter theyr owne lust.* 4.8 This Pope Pius began his lea, about the yere of our Lord. 1458.

After this Pius secundus, succeded Paulus secūdus, a pope wholy set vpon his belly and ambition, and not so muche voyd of all learning,* 4.9 as the hater of all learned men. Thys Paulus had a daughter begotten in fornication, which be∣cause he sawe her to be had in reproch, for that she was got ten in fornication, began (as the storyes reporte) to repent him of the law of the single life of priestes, and went aboute to reforme the same, had not death preuented him. Ex Sta∣nislao Rutheno.

After this Paulus, came Sixtus the fourth, whiche builded vp in Rome a stewes of both kindes, getting ther∣by no small reuenues and rents vnto the church of Rome. This Pope amongest his other actes,* 4.10 reduced the yeare of Iubely from the 50. vnto the 25. He also instituted the feast of the Conception, and of the presentation of Mary & of Anna her mother, and Ioseph. Also he canonised Bona∣uenture, and S. Fraunces for Sayntes.

By this Sixtus also, beades were brought in, and in∣stituted to make our Ladyes Psalter, thorowe the occasi∣on of one Alanus and his order, whome Baptista ma∣keth mention of in thys verse. Hi filo insertis numerant sua murmura baccis. That is, these menne putting theyr beades vpon a string number theyr prayers. This Sixtus the Pope made xxxij. Cardinals in his time, whom Petrus Ru∣erius, was the first,* 4.11 who for that time that he was Cardi∣nall, which was but two yeares, spent in luxurious ryot, wasted and consumed, 2, hundred thousand Floreines and was left 60000. in debt. Wesellus Groningensis, in a certayne Treatise of his, de In dulgentijs papalibus, writing of thys Pope Sixtus, reporteth this, that at the requeste of the foresayde Peter Cardinall, and of Ierome his brother the sayd Pope Sixtus permitted and graunted vnto the whole family of the Cardinall of S. Lucy, in the iij. hoate monethes of sommer, Iune, Iuly, and August (a horrible thing to be spoken) free leaue and liberty to vse Sodomi∣try, with this clause, Fiat vt petitur: That is, be it as it is asked.

Next after this Sixtus,* 4.12 came Innocentius the eight as rude and as farre from all learning, as his predecessor was before him. Amongest the noble factes of this Pope, this was one,* 4.13 that in the towne of Polus apud Aequicolos, he caused 8. men and 6. women, with the Lord of the place to be apprehended and taken, and iudged for hereticks, be∣cause they sayd that none of them was the vicare of Christ which came after Peter, but they which folowed onely the pouerty of Christ.* 4.14 Also he condemned of heresy, George the king of Boheme, and depriued him of his dignity, and also of his kingdome, and procured his whole stocke to be vtterly reiected and put downe, geuing his kyngdome to Mathias king of Panonia.

Now from the Popes to descend to other estates, it re∣mayneth likewise somewhat to write of the Emperours incident to this time, with matters and greuaunces of the Germaynes, as also of other princes, first beginning with our troubles & mutations here at home, perteining to the ouerthrow of this King Henry and of his seate nowe fol∣lowing, to be shewed. And briefly to cōtract long proces of much tumult and busines,* 4.15 into a short narration, here is it to be remēbred, which partly before was signified, how af¦ter y^e death of the Duke of Glocester, mischiefes came in by heapes vpon the king and his realm. For after the geuing away of Angeow,* 4.16 and Mayne to the Frenchmen, by y^e vn∣fortunate mariage of Queen Margaret aboue mentioned, the sayd frenchmen perceiuing now by the death of y^e duke of Glocester, the stay and piller of this common wealth to be decayed, and seing moreouer the harts of the nobility, a∣mōg themselues to be deuided, foreslacked no time, hauing such an open way into Normandy, that in short time they recouered the same, & also gate Gascoigne, so that no more now remayned to Englād, of al the parts beyond y^e sea but onely Calice. Neither yet did all the calamity of y^e realme onely rest in this: For the king now hauing lost his frend∣ly vncle,* 4.17 as the stay & staffe of his age, whiche had brought him vp so faythfully from his youth, was now therby the more open to his enemies, & they more emboldened, so set vpon him: As appeared first by Iacke Cade, the Kentishe Captayne, who encamping first in Blackheath, afterward aspired to Londō, and had the spoyle therof, the king being driuen into Warwickshyre. After the suppressing of Cade, ensued not long after the duke of York, who being accom∣panied with 3. Erles, set vpon the king next to S. Albons where the king was taken in the field captiue, & the Duke of York was by Parliamēt declared protector, which was

in the yeare of our Lord 1453. After this folowed long diui¦sion and mortal warre betwene the two houses of Lanca∣star and Yorke, continuing many yeares. At length about the yeare of our Lord 1459.* 4.18 the Duke of Yorke was slayne in battell by the Queene, neare to the towne of Wakefield, and with him also his sonne Earle of Rutlande. By the which Queene also shortly after, in y^e same yeare, were dis∣comfited the Earle of Warwicke and Duke of Northfolk, to whom the keeping of the king was committed by the Duke of Yorke, and so the Queene agayne deliuered her husband.

* 4.19After this victory obteined, the Northren men aduaū∣ced not a litle in pride and courage, began to take vpon thē great attemptes, not onely to spoyle and robbe Churches, and religious houses, & villages, but also were fully entē∣ded partly by themselues, partly by the inducemēt of theyr Lords and Captaynes, to sacke, waste, and vtterly to sub∣uert the City of London, and to take the spoyle therof: and no doubt (••ayth my history) woulde haue proceeded in thyr cōceiued gredy intēt,* 4.20 had not y^e oportune fauor of God pro∣uided a speedy remedy. For as these mischiefes were in bru¦ing, sodenly commeth the noble Prince Edward vnto Lō∣don, w^t a mighty army,* 4.21 the 27. day of February, who was the sonne and heire to duke of Yorke aboue mentioned, ac∣companyed with the Earle of Warwicke, and diuers moe. King Henry in the meane time, with his victory, went vp to York: when as Edward being at London, caused there to be proclaymed certayn articles concerning his title to y^e crowne of England, which was the 2. day of March.

* 4.22Wherupon, the next day following, the Lords both tē∣porall & spirituall being assēbled together, the sayd articles were propoūded, and also well approued. The fourth day of the sayd moneth of March, after a solemne generall pro∣cession (according to the blinde superstition of those dayes) the Bishop of Exceter made a Sermon at Paules Crosse,* 4.23 wherin he commended and proued by manifold euidēces, the title of Prince Edward to be iust and lawfull, aunswe∣ring in the same, to all obiections whiche might be to the contrary.

* 4.24This matter being thus discussed, Prince Edward ac∣companied with the Lordes spirituall & temporall, & with much concourse of people, rode y^e same day to Westminster Hall, and there by the full consent, as well of the Lordes, as also by the voyce of all the Commons, tooke his posses∣sion of the Crowne, & was called K. Edward the fourth.

These thinges thus accomplished at London, as to such a matter apperteined, and preparation of money suffi∣ciently being ministred of the people and commons, wyth most ready and willing mindes, for the necessary furniture of his warres: he with the Duke of Northfolke, and Earle of Warwicke; and Lord Fauconbrige, in all speedy wise, tooke his iourney toward king Henry: who being now at Yorke, and forsaken of the Londoners, had all his refuge onely reposed in the Northren men.

When king Edward with his army had past ouer the Riuer of Trent and was commē nere to Ferebrig: where also the host of king Henry was not far of,* 4.25 vpō Palm son∣day, betwene Ferebrig and Tadcaster, both the armyes of the Southren and Northren men, ioyned together battell. And althoughe at the first beginning, diuers horsemen of king Edwardes side, turned theyr backes, and spoyled the king of cariage & victuals, yet the couragious prince, with his Captaynes little discouraged therewith, fiercely and manfully set on theyr aduersaryes. The whiche battell on both sides was so cruelly fought, that in the same conflict were slayne to y^e nūber, as is reported, beside men of name, of 30000. of the poore commons. Notwithstanding, the cō∣quest fell on king Edwardes part,* 4.26 so that king Henry ha∣uing lost all, was forced to flye into Scotland, where also he gaue vp to the Scottes, the towne of Barwicke after he had raigned 38. yeares and a halfe.

The clayme and title of the Duke of Yorke, and after him,* 4.27 of Edward his sonne, put vp to the Lords & cōmons, wherby they chalenged the crowne to the house of York, is thus in the story of Scala mundi, word for word, as hereun∣der is conteyned.

The title of the house of Yorke to the crowne of England.

EDward the 3. right king of Englande, had issue first prince Ed∣ward the 2. W. Hatfield. 3. Lionell, 4. Iohn of Gaunt. &c. Prince Edward had Richard the 2. which dyed without issue,* 5.1 W. Hatfielde dyed without issue. Lionel duke of Clarence, had issue lawfully be∣got, Phillip his onely daughter and heyre, the which was lawfully coupled to Edmund Mortimer, Earle of March, and had issue law fully begotte, Roger Mortimer Eare of March and heyre: Whych Roger had issue Edmund Earle of March, Roger, Anne, and Alie∣nor, Edmund and Alienor died without issue, and the sayd Anne by lawfull matrimonye was coupled vnto Richard Earle of Cam∣bridge, the sonne of Edmund of Lāgley,* 5.2 who had issue & lawfully bare Richard Plantagenet now Duke of Yorke, Iohn of Gaunte gate Henry, which vnrightfully entreated king Richard: then be∣ing aliue Edmund Mortimer Earle of Marche, sonne of the sayde Philip, daughter to Lionell To the which Richard duke of Yorke, and sonne to Anne, daughter to Roger Mortimer Earle of March, sonne and heyre to the sayde Philip daughter and heyre to the sayd Lionel, the 3. sonne of king Edward the 3. the right & dig∣nity of the crowne apperteyned & belonged, afore any issue of the sayd Iohn of Gaunt. Notwithstanding the sayd title of dignity of the sayde Richard of Yorke, the sayd Richard desiring the wealth, rest, and prosperity of England, agreeth and consenteth that king Henry 6. should be had and taken for king of England, during his naturall life from thys time without hurt of his title.

Wherefore the king vnderstanding the sayd title of the sayde duke to be iust, lawfull, true and sufficient, by the aduise and assent of the Lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons in the Parliament, and by the authoritye of the same Parliament decla∣reth, approueth, ratifieth, confirmeth, accepteth the sayde title for iust, good, lawfull and true, and there unto geueth his assent and agreement of his free will and liberty. And ouer that, by the sayde aduise and authority, declareth, calleth, stablisheth, affirmeth and reputeth the sayd Richard of Yorke very true and rightfull heyre to the crowne of England and Fraunce: and that all other statutes and acts made by any of the Henryes late, contrary to this aduise, be annulled, repelled, damned, cancelled, voyd, and of no force or effect. The king agreed and consented, that the sayd Duke and hys heyres shall after his naturall life enioy the crowne. &c. Also, that all sayinges and doinges agaynst the duke of Yorke shall be hygh treason, and all actes of Parliamentes contrary to this principall act, be voyd and of none effect. &c.

And thus much for the reign of king Henry the 6.* 5.3 Who now lacked his vncle and protector, Duke of Glocester, a∣bout him. But commonly the lacke of such frendes, is ne∣uer felt before they be missed.

In the time of this king was builded the house in Lō∣don called Leadē hall,* 5.4 foūded by one Simon Eyre, Maior once of the sayd City of London. an. 1445.

Also the standard in cheape builded by Iohn Wels, an. 1442. the Conduite in Fleetstreet by William Castfield. an 1438. Item, Newgate builded by goods of Rich. Whitting∣ton, an. 1422.

Moreouer the sayde Henry 6. founded the Colledge of Eton, and another house hauing then the title of S. Nico∣las in Cambridge, now called the kinges Colege. Ex Scal. mundi.

In the reigne of this Henry 6. it is not be passed ouer in silence which we finde noted in the Parliament rolles how that Lewes Archbishop of Rhoen, after the death of the late Bishop of Eley, had graūted vnto him by y^e popes Bulles, during his life, all y^e profites of the sayd bishoprick by the name of the administratour of the said Bishopricke, Lewes the foresayde Archbishop sheweth his Buls to the king, who vtterly reiected his Bulles. Notwithstanding for his seruice done in Fraunce, the king graunted to hym the administration aforesaid, the which to all intents at the petition of the sayd Lewes, should be affirmed to bee of as great force as though he were bishop, touching profits, li∣berties and hability.

Neither agayn is here to be ouerpast a certayn tra gi∣call Acte done betweene Easter and Whitsontide of a false Britone,* 5.5 an. 1427. Which murdered a good widdow in her bed (who had brought him vp of almes, without Algate in the suburbes of London) and bare away all that she had, & afterward he tooke succor of holy church at S. Georges in Southwarke: but at the last he tooke the crosse & forswore the kings land. And as he went his way, it happened him to come by the same place where he had done that cursed deed, and women of the same parish, came out with stones and cannell dong, and there made an end of him in the hye streete, so that he went no further, notwithstandinge the Constables and other men also which had hym vnder go∣uernaunce to conduct him forwarde: for there was a great company of them,* 5.6 so that they were not able to withstande them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The story of Reinold Pecocke.
• * 2.1

  The citatiō of the Arch. Tho. Bowcher, alias Bour∣••chet.
• * 2.2

  Pecocke appea∣reth at Lambeth before the Archb.
• * 2.3

  Great labour, to reduce Pecocke from his opiniōs
• * 3.1

  The retractation of B. Pecocke.
• * 3.2

  Ex regist.
• * 3.3

  His Articles.
• * 3.4

  The articles of Reynolde Pe∣cocke mentio∣ned by Thomas Gascoigne. Ex Tho. Gas∣coig. lib. De Dictionario. Theolog part. 3.
• * 3.5

  B. Pecocke de∣teyned in prison
• * 3.6

  Polydo••e noted.
• * 3.7

  Eugenius war∣red against S••ortia and di∣uers other.
• * 3.8

  Pope F••••••x
• * 3.9

  Pope Ni∣cholas 5.
• * 3.10

  Emperours are but kin∣ges of Ro∣maines, be∣fore they be crowned by the Pope.
• * 3.11

  Ex Platina de vitis.
• * 3.12

  The exam∣ple of Ido∣latrie puni∣shed.
• * 3.13

  The fruit of Idolatry.
• * 3.14

  Mat. Pal∣merius, a Florentine. martyr.
• * 3.15

  Toling of Aues.
• * 3.16

  S. Edmund of Cant. ca∣nonised.
• * 3.17

  Pope Pius. 2.
• * 3.18

  Promotion choketh re∣ligion.
• * 4.1

  The Pro∣uerbes of Pius.
• * 4.2

  Mariage of priestes al∣lowed by Aeneas Syl∣uius.
• * 4.3

  Ex epist. 54. Pii. s••cund. ad Gaspa∣rum Schlick.
• * 4.4

  The way to exclude schisme, is concord of princ••s.
• * 4.5

  The Popes Clergie wil not abyde the fyre, ey∣ther for prince or pope.
• * 4.6

  The breath of this pesti∣lent seate corrupteth all that sit in it, what∣soeuer they were before
• * 4.7

  Aeneas Syl∣uius now puffed vp with world∣ly pompe and glorie, impugneth the trueth whiche he did be∣fore both know and professe. D••scord be∣twene Pope Pius & the Archbishop of Mentz.
• * 4.8

  Anno. 1458. Pope Paulus. 2.
• * 4.9

  Ex Stanislao Rutheno. Vide Cent. 8. Bal.
• * 4.10

  The feast of the conception and presentation of our Lady. Beades brought in.
• * 4.11

  Wesellus Gro∣ningensis. The pope licen∣seth the whole familie of a cer∣taine Cardinall, to play the So∣domites three monethes in the yeare.
• * 4.12

  Pope Innocen∣tius. 8.
• * 4.13

  8. men and 6. we men con∣demned of here∣sie by Pope In∣nocentius. 8.
• * 4.14

  George king of Boheme con∣demned of he∣resie.
• * 4.15

  Mischieues to England, after the death of the Duke of Gloce∣ster.
• * 4.16

  Angeow, Main, Normandy, and Gascoyne, reco∣ue••ed of the Frenchmen. Iacke Cade.
• * 4.17

  The Duke of Yorke aga••••st kyng Henry.
• * 4.18

  Anno. 1459.
• * 4.19

  The Northern men intended the subuersion of London.
• * 4.20

  Ex historia ma∣nuscripta, cui titulus Scala mundi.
• * 4.21

  London rescued by prince Edw.
• * 4.22

  Anno. 1461.
• * 4.23

  The title of Ed∣ward, to the crowne proued at Paules crosse.
• * 4.24

  K. Edward ta∣keth possession of the crown.
• * 4.25

  The fierce and cruell battaile betweene king Henry. 6. & K. Edward. 4.
• * 4.26

  King Henry. 6. conquered.
• * 4.27

  Barwicke geuen to the Scottes by K. Henry. 6.
• * 5.1

  The title of the house of Yorke.
• * 5.2

  Rich. Plan∣tagenet.
• * 5.3

  Ex Scala mundi.
• * 5.4

  Leaden Hall bilded. The Stan∣dard in Chepe. The Con∣duite in Fletstrete. New gate builded. The Col∣ledge of E∣ton, and the kings Col∣ledge in Cambridge founded. The king re∣iecteth the popes Bulles.
• * 5.5

  Ex Getuslo codic. cu•• i∣nitium, No∣m••na custo∣dum. &c. et ex Fabi∣ano
• * 5.6

  Example of Gods rodde and iudge∣ment.