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IN primis. viz: That there ought none aduauntage to be taken agaynst the sayde Byshoppe, of the contentes of the sayd pretensed information, for the causes particularly folowing. And first, where as it is obiected agaynst the sayde Byshoppe, in the Fyrste, Seconde, and Fyft ar∣ticles of the same information, and that hee contrarye to the Kynges Highnesse Lawes and Statutes, and in the derogation of hys Hyghnesse Supremacy, passed a cer∣tayne Commission, Institutions, and Collacions to be∣nefices, in his owne name, making no mention of the Kynges Highnesse authority, where as of trueth the sayd Byshop if he had passed out the Commission, Instituti∣ons, and Collacions in his owne name, and without the Kynges Maiestie hys Style, as is surmised (as hee did not) yet had he not offended neither Lawes nor Sta∣tutes of this Realme therein,* 1.1 as doth and may appeare e∣uidently by the same statutes and Lawes to the which he referreth himselfe.
Item, whereas it is deduced in the Thyrde Article of the sayd pretensed information, that the Chauncellour of the sayde Byshop dyd admitte and institute Iohn Gough into the Rectorye of Haskarde, and gaue a Mandate for the induction of the sayd Iohn▪ vnder the Kynges Ma∣iestyes Seale Ecclesiasticall, for the Diocesse of Sayncte Dauids with the Teste of the sayd Byshoppe, and Sub∣scription of the sayd Chauncellour, which thing so dedu∣ced, if it be true, yet the sayd Byshoppe cannot be wor∣thely blamed therof. But the Chauntour, then his Chaun∣cellour vnworthy, shewed himselfe therein verye igno∣raunt of the Kynges Statutes of Parliament,* 1.2 wherein it is expressely prouided, that in suche cases the Ordinarye ought to passe all suche Institutions and Inductions in his owne name, and vnder his owne Seale, and not in the Kynges Maiestyes name, nor vnder his Seale. And further of very trueth the sayd Chauncellour in admitting and instituting the sayd Clerke to the sayd benefice, with∣out the knowledge and consent of the sayd Byshop, dyd exceed his Commission, forasmuch as the sayd Byshop at the graunting of his Commission of his Chauncellour∣shyppe vnto the sayd Chauntour, had restrayned him ex∣pressely from the admitting and instituting of any Clerke to any Benefice within the sayde Diocesse, except the same Clerke were first examined, found worthy, and admitted by the sayd Byshop himselfe to the same benefice.
Itē, wheras in the 4. Article of the sayd information it is conteined, that the sayd Bishop, after the admitting and instituting of the sayd Iohn Gough, as is aforesayd, obie∣cted articles agaynst him, amongest the which it was con∣teined in effect.
* 1.3Item, interrogetur quo titulo tenet rectoriam de Haskarde: True it is that the sayde Byshop, without molestation of the sayd Gough, otherwise then Law did permitte, and without takyng vppon hym the cognition of tytle of the sayd fruites and patronage of the sayd benefice, in contēpt of the Kinges Maiesties regall Crowne and dignity, and without any derogation of the Kinges Maiesties lawes and statutes of this realme, did interrogate the sayd Iohn Gough, how he held the sayd Benefice, being admitted and instituted to the same, without his knowledge or con∣sent, as he might lawfully do, and as it is meet euery Or∣dinary should know how Pastours are admitted to anye cure within theyr Dioces.
Item, touching the contentes of the Sixt article of the sayd information, the sayd Byshop aleadgeth that the vi∣caredge of Pembrin, in the Dioces of Saynt Dauids be∣ing voyde, he as Patrone thereof to hys knowledge con∣ferred it to Iohn Euans Clarke, wyth Letters of institu∣tion and induction, and after when the Kynges presenta∣tion came to him for one Dauid Ienken Clerke, he desi∣red xiiij. dayes respite at that day, eyther to shewe aunci∣ent recorde for his right, and then the matter to stand to the determination of the Lawe, or els if hee shewed not, both he and his Clerke to geue place to the Kynges clerk: which condition was by Syr Thomas Ioanes Knyght, Doctour Merike, and the sayd Dauid Ienkin receyued, and an institution with an induction was made conditi∣onally, to be put into the handes of Syr Thomas Ioanes Knyght, for safe custodye for the Kinges Clerke his be∣houe, after the xiiij. dayes to be executed at the handes of the sayd Byshoppe if he fayled to shewe, within whyche tyme the sayde Byshoppe did shewe an olde auncient re∣corde, declaring the full right of Patronage on the sayde Byshoppes behalfe, and so that institution and inducti∣on was neuer put in execution by the sayde Byshop. Ne∣uerthelesse the sayd Dauid Ienkin (contrarye to his pro∣mise and othe, geuyng thereupon his right hand to Syr Thomas Ioanes Knyght) tooke aduauntage by the said writing without knowledge of the sayde Byshoppe, af∣ter whiche time the Lorde Chauncellour by hys Letters written to the sayde Byshoppe, aduertised hym to admit one Iohn ap Howell Clerke, pretensed by vertue of a vowson whiche the Lorde Chauncelloure iudged to bee good, and so to be admitted, notwithstanding his former presentation whereby hee woulde not abarre the other mannes right: And so the sayd Byshoppe made one col∣lation, two institutions and three Mandates, doing no wrong thereby to hys knowledge. And further there was no businesse nor vnquietnesse about the possession of the sayd Uicarage. But the sayd bishop geuing place, was cō∣tent to lose his right for that time.
Item, whereas Syr Thomas Ioanes aduertised the sayd Byshop that Thomas Pricharde Clarke, had cele∣brated Matrimony in a priuate house, betwixt a certayne Prieste and a Woman whose Syster had refused the same (as it is deduced in the xi. Article of the surmised Articles layd in agaynst the sayd Byshop) the sayde Prichard lea∣uing his owne cure vnserued, that Sonday, he did putte the sayd Thomas Prichard to penaunce for suche his mis∣doinges, and the sayde Pricharde did suche penaunce as was enioyned him to doe. And whereas the sayd Byshop made the same Thomas Prichard (who is Bachelour of law) his commissary, it was for the respect of his learning in the law, therby faythfully to execute his office according to iustice, and none otherwise.
Item, in the xiiij. Article of the sayde surmised Infor∣mation it is vntruely declared that through the vnlawfull sequestration of the fruites of the Benefices of Langatok and Lanuihangell Cundy, and the vndiscreete handlyng of the sayd Byshoppe, there were raysed a great number of people, to the great daunger of the Inhabitantes ther∣aboutes. Trueth it is that the sayd Byshoppe vpon good and Lawefull considerations, and specially for that the Kynges Maiestye should be truely aunswered of his first fruites, and Tenthes of the sayd Benefices, he did law∣fully (and as he was bounde to doe) sequester the sayde fruites in the Kinges Maiestyes name, and by his autho∣rity, and committed the custodye thereof for a time vnto two honest men, to the effect aforesaid, and none otherwise without any occasion of tumult or gathering of the people through his default or folly.
Item, whereas it is alleadged in the xix. article of the information, that the Byshop did celebrate Matrimonye in his owne person, without receiuing or Ministryng the Communion to the persons maryed, it is true, for that the sayd Byshop had trauayled xiiij. long wealche myles, and not able to celebrate the holye Communion fasting, and for other reasonable and lawefull causes him mo∣uing, did in a Chappell within the house of Syr Tho∣mas Ioanes Knighte (one of the Kinges honourable Counsell of the Marches of Wales) solemnise Matrimo∣ny betwixt Mayster Griffith Ryce, and the Daughter of the sayd Syr Thomas Ioanes, without either receiuing the holy Communion hymselfe or Ministring the same to the persons maried, being as then not disposed so to do it, lawfully and godly without any such superstitious knoc∣kinges or blessinges or other vncomely gestures as is de∣duced in that article.
Item, touching the contentes of the residue of all the sayd articles, conteined in the sayde information, the sayde Bishop, partly for the auoyding of tediousnes, and partly for that some of them be vntrue and mere false, some other generall, obscure, friuolous, vayne, and of none effect, but of malice and euill will, contrary to truth conceaued, lea∣ueth them particularly vnaunswered vnto.
Item, the sayd Bishop alledgeth that he hath not by al the time that he hath bene Byshop vsed any superstitions or Papistry as it is vntruelye surmised agaynst him, but hath and doth to the vttermost of his power, witte, and cunning, set forth, maynteine, preach, and teache the true doctrine of the Gospell, and such laudable doctrine as hee ought to do by the kinges Lawes, Iniunctions and pro∣ceedinges, and for such a teacher he hath bene and is com∣monly knowne, named, reputed, taken, and accepted noto∣riously.
And where the sayde Chauntour and George percey∣ued theyr depositions to be insufficient, they required, and hadde Commission into the Countrey to examine further Witnesses, which they executed very parcially, and vn∣lawfully, as is alleadged in the Byshops exceptions, a∣boue mentioned. And whereas to the sayd Raulins & Lee were awarded two seuerall Commissions, they by fauour