The fryer, or, An historical treatise wherein the idle lives, vitiousness, malice, folly, and cruelty of the fryers is described : in two parts, tragical and comical : collected out of sundry authors, and several languages, and caused to be translated into English / by James Salgado ...

A Certain Prior and a great Re∣former of Nunns, under the Cloak of Hypocrisy trieth all possible means to beguil and in∣tice a Religious Nunn, but at length his Wickedness is made manifest.

THere was in the City of Pa∣ris a Prior of of St. Mar∣•••• in the Fields, whose Life e∣••••n unto the fiftieth year of his ••••ge, was so very austere, that

the fame of his Sanctity, over∣spread the whole Kingdom of France, in so much that there was neither Prince nor Princess, who did not entertain him with singular respect and Honour, when ever he came to visit them: Neither was there any Reforma∣tion made in any Religion, Mo∣nastery or Abby; but he had al∣ways the chief hand in it, for he was commonly called the Father of true Religion, he was Elected Visiter of the great Abby of the Nunns, of Frontinaux the which did so extreamly dread them, that whensoever he came into any of their Monasteries all the Nunns did even tremble for fear, and to the end that they might induce him to mitigate some what of his Severities he imposed upon them,

••hey did Treat and Entertain him ••s nobly and splendidly as if he ••ad been the King himself, which ••umptuous Entertainment he at ••rst did seem absolutely to refuse, ••ut at last being come to the fif∣•••• fifth year of his Age, he be∣••an very well to relish the Regals ••nd Magnifick Treatments, which ••e had formerly despised, so that ••e thinking that the publick good ••f all Religious Order did depend ••n his Person, he resolved to be ••ore careful of his Health, than ••eretofore he had been, so that ••though according to the Di∣••••ates of his Order, he was to ab∣••ain from all Flesh Meat, he fairly ••nd freely gave himself a Dis∣••ensation, the which he never ••ranted to any other Person, say∣••••g that the whole burden of the

Regular Order did rely upon him So that he feasted his Carkass 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well, that from a lean Monk, h•• in a little time became as fat as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Frier, and having changed h•••• manner of Livning, he soo•• changed his manners, and bega•• to look and fix his Eyes upon such Faces which his Conscienc•• did not formerly permit him t•• look upon, in so much that ca∣sting his Eyes upon such Beau∣ties which through Vails a•• magnified and become more de∣sirable, he began to lust after them, and in order thereunt•• to satisfie his base lust, he con∣trived and used the most craft•• ways which lust and malice ca•• suggest, and so disrobing himsel•• of the nature of a true Pastour, h•• putteth on the nature of a Rave∣nous

Wolf, in so much that in ••any considerable Abbys if he ••und any Nunn simplish, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a pliant nature, he would not ••il to invegle her, and catch ••er by the Busk. But after that ••e had long continued in this de∣••stable course of Life, Gods in∣••ite bounty Compassionating ••ese poor wandring Sheep, did ••••t permit him to raign and glo∣•• in wickedness, as shall appear 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this following Narration. ••nce as he was going to visit a ••onvent hard by Paris called ••••if, it came to pass, that as he ••as hearing all the Nunns in ••onfession, he observed one a∣••ongst them, whose name was ••••ary Herauvet, whose Speech ••as so sweet and so agreeable, ••at he did not question but that

her Face and Heart would corre•••• pond to it, wherefore by only ha∣ving heard her, he was seize, with a violent lustful passion, f••∣exceeding any he had had to∣wards the other Nunns, so that in speaking to her he stoope•• himself very low to look o•• her, and having perceived he Coral Lips, he could not contain himself from lifting up her Vai•• that he might see whether he Eyes did answer proportionably the fair Symmetry of her Face and having found them so, he wa•• presently possessed with such a su∣rious Passion, that he could nei∣ther eat nor drink, and his Coun∣tenance was greatly altered, an•• being returned to his Priory, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could find no rest, but passe. Night and Day restless and fu••••

••f eare how he might compass his desire, and deal with her as ••e had done with many others, ••he which he knew right well was a hard thing to effect, because ••he was a Person of a singular Wisdom and acute Wit, and on ••he other side knowing himself so difform'd and so old, he resolved with himself not to sollicit her to it, but rather to make her yield by fear, wherefore he soon after went again to the said Monaste∣ry of Gif, at which time and place he shewed himself more se∣vere than ever, being angry at all the Nunns, reproving this be∣cause her Vail was not low enough, and chiding that be∣cause she lifted her head up too high, and checking the other be∣cause she did not make her cour∣tesies

as became a Religiou•• Nunn, and in all these P••ncti∣lioes, he did shew himself so sti•••• and severe, that all the Nunn•• dreaded him as much as Chil∣dren do their Bug-bears. And he who was troubled with the Gout, did toil so much in visi∣ting all the places of the Mona∣stery, that about the time of Evening Prayers (a time appoin∣ted by him) he came to the Dormitory. The Abbess told him, Reverend Father, it is time to sing Evening Song, to whom he replied and said, goe Mo∣ther, go to Church and sing it, for my part I am so weary, that I must stay here, not so much to rest my self as for to give a Check to Sister Mary Herovet, concern∣ing whom I have heard a very ill

fame, for I have been told that ••he tattles and prattles like any ••ain worldling. The Prioress who was Aunt to the said Nunns Mother, prayed him to check ••ersmartly, and left her all alone with him, excepting a young Monk who was come with him, ••s soon as he perceived himself all alone with Sister Mary, he be∣••g••n to lift up her Vail, and to command her she should look upon him, she did answer that according to the Rules of her Or∣der she was prohibited casting her Eyes upon any Man. Well said Daughter, replied he, but you must not repute us Religious Persons as Men. Wherefore the said Sister Mary fearing to Sin against the vow of her Obedi∣ence, did look him in the Face,

but she perceived him so ugly and deform'd; that she thought she had undergone a greater Penance, than committed Sin, in looking him in the Face this Holy Father after that he had displayed the best Flowers of his Rhetorick in declaring his great respects and Cordial Affections towards her, he presently clapt his hand upon her Breast, but she according to her duty thrusted him back, and he being in a great fume Exclaim∣ed against her saying, What? must a Religious Nunn know that she hath Teats, she forth∣with replyed, Yea I know that I have them, and also that you, and such as you are ought not to lay hands on them, for I am not so young nor ignorant, but that I know right well what is a sin,

and what is not; but he well perceiving that he could not win the place by such Stratagems, he resolved to turn over a new leaf, in telling her, Alas, dear Sister, I must needs declare to you my great extremity; and the case is this, I am troubled with a Di∣stemper which all Physicians do judge incurable, unless I take some pastime with a Woman that I love very well; as for me I do not esteem my life so much but that I would rather chuse to dye than to commit a mortal sin, but if the business did proceed so far, it is well known that the simple sin of Fornication is no way to be parallell'd with the sin of Murder; wherefore if you love my life it is in your power to save it, and together to free

your Conscience from an ex∣treme Cruelty. But she, reply∣ing, asked him what kind of Pa∣stime he meant to take; he an∣swered her, that she might very well repose her Conscience upon his, and that he would do no∣thing that could any way turn to the prejudice of either of them, and to shew her a prelude of that pastime he required, he pre∣sently embracing her, did endea∣vour with all his strength to cast her upon the Bed; but she by this time perceiving his wicked intent, what by words and what by deeds did defend her self so well, that notwithstanding all his bustle and chafing he had power to touch nothing but her Cloaths. Now when he saw that all his endeavours and in∣ventions

were but in vain, as an enraged man, and one that had put off all sense of Conscience and of Natural Reason, clapt his hand under her Coats, and so f••r as he could touch, scratch∣ed her so cruelly, that the poor N••n shrieking out fell down her full height on the ground in a swoon. Now the Abbess having heard her out-cry, forthwith en∣tred the Dormitory where she was, and remembring that she had left her Neece all alone with that good Father, and smitten in her Conscience, did thrust the door which the young Monk held fast. Now this holy Prior hearing that the Abbess her self was at the door, caused it to be opened, and shewing her her Neece on the ground in a swoon, told her; Certainly, Madam,

you are very much to blame that you never informed me of the dispositions of Sister Mary, for I being altogether ignorant of the weak disposition of her bo∣dy, caused her to stand all the while I was checking of her, and so as you see she is fallen into a swoon. They did with Vine∣gar, and other fit things, at last recover her out of her swoon, and found that by her fall she had got a hurt in her head. Now being come to her self, the Prior fearing lest she should declare to the Abbess, who was her Aunt, the Cause of her illness, told her secretly by her self, Daughter I forbid you upon pain of Disobe∣dience and of eternal Damnati∣on, from ever speaking or re∣vealing any thing that I have

done to you in this place; for you must know that the extreme affection I have towards you hath constrained me to it, but ••eeing I perceive you are unwil∣••ing to grant your consent, I will never mention it any more but this time. I assure you that in case you be pleased to correspond with my love I shall cause you to be elected Abbess of one of the most famous Abbies of this King∣dom. But she answered him, that she would rather chuse to dye in a stinking Dungeon, ra∣ther than take any other Lover besides him who suffered death for her upon the Cross, with whom she would rather suffer all the indignities and torments which the World and the Devil could inflict on her, than with∣out

him enjoy all worldly plea∣sure and treasure: And withall she desired him to forbear men∣tioning such discourse any more, or else the would declare all to the Abbess; but if he did so, she promised she would be silent.

After this manner was this wicked Pastour, or rather rave∣nous Woolf, defeated of his prey who notwithstanding that he might longer enjoy the sight of her whom he lusted after, he in an Hypocri••ical manner went to the Abbets and prayed her to command her Nanns to sing a Salve Regina, to the honour of that Virgin, on whom he relyed all his h••pes, which was done accordingly, but all the time of their singing this crafty Ruffian, shed abundance of tears, not out

of any devotion towards the blessed Virgin Mary, but out of regreat and sorrow that he had conceived, in not having en∣joyed his sweet Mary the Nun; as for the Religious Nuns, think∣ing he did it for the Love he had for the blessed Virgin Mary, they had him in great Veneration and esteemed him as a very holy Person, but as for Sister Mary, who knew his abominable hypo∣crisy, prayed to GOd in her heart that he would confound him who made so light of the Pearl of Chastity. So this execrable Hypocrite, went his way to his Pr••••ry of Saint Martins, in which place the fire of his base Lust was not extinct, but rather kind∣led every day more, and more and he left no stone unturned,

that he might compass his wic∣ked enterprize, and because he chiefly feared the Abbess who was a vertuous Lady; he con∣trived a way how he might remove her from that Monastery, and for that purpose he went to∣wards Madam of Vendosme, who then did live at a place called La••fere, where she had Erected and founded a Convent of Nuns, by the name of Mount Olivet, And he as he was the chief Refor∣mer made her understand that the Abbess of the said Mount O∣livet, was not sufficient to Go∣vern so great a Congregation, upon which words, the good Lady prayed him to name her one who was more able and more worthy of that Office, but he who required nothing else,

Counselled her to take, and make ••hoice of the Abbess of Gif, she being the most vertuous and the ••est able in all the Kingdom of France. Madam de Vendosme, ••id forth with send for her, and ••ommitted to her the Govern∣ment of her Monastery of Mount Olivet. This Prior of St. Mar∣••ins, who could command the ••otes of all the Convent of Gif, ••aused her to be elected Abbess whom he liked best. Now af∣••••er this Election, he again went ••o the said Monastery to try once more, whether he by intreaty could gain the Love of Sister Mary Herovet, but seeing that ••here was no hope, returned desperate to his priory of St. Mar∣••in, in which place, partly ••o compass his end, and partly

to revenge himself of her cruel∣ty, and also least his filthiness should be detected, he c••used the Relicks of the said Convent to be stollen in the night, and char'd the Confessour of Gist, a very honest old man, as if he had stole them, and for that sent him to Prison, to S. Mar∣tins; in the while he had kept him Prisoner, he did subourn two Witnesses which ignorant∣ly subscribed to all the Dictates of the Prior of S. Martins which were these: That in a certain Garden they had seen the said Confessour with Sister Mary, in an obscene act, the which he en∣deavoured to make the old Monk to confess: But he who knew right well all the mad pranks of his Prior, intreaded him he

might have the liberty to plead his cause before a Congregation of all the Monks, and that in the presence of them all he would declare the long and the short of all he knew, but the Prior well knowing that the justificati∣on of the said Confessour would prove his Condemnation would by no means condescend to his request; but finding him firm and stiff in his purpose, did use him so severely and barbariously in Prison, that some say he died there, others that he forced him to abandon his order, and to∣transport himself out of the King∣dom of France; however it be, he never was seen any more. When this Prior thought he had got such an advantage over Si∣ster Mary he went to the Mo∣nastery,

where the Abbess be∣ing at his beck, durst con∣tradict him in no kind of thing, and then he began to exercise his Authority of Visitour, he there∣fore caused all the Nunns to be brought before him one after an∣other, that he might hear their depositions and confessions, but the turn of Sister Mary being come, who had lost her good Aunt, he began to tell her, Sister Mary, you know the crime whereof you are accused, and that your fair pretences, as i•• you was a singular model o•• Chastity, did avail you nothing, for it is evident enough, you are far from being that you would be reputed to be, but Sister Mary, with an undaunted courage answered him, let him that hath accused

me be brought before me, and you shall see whither he shall dare to persist in his accusation, but he presenely replying, said: That there was no need of any more Testimonies, seeing the Con∣fessour himself had already been convicted. Sister Mary answer∣ed him: I do repute him to be so honest a man, that I think he would not wrong his Consci∣ence, and the truth so far as to confess such a wickedness, and lye against me, but suppose the Case it was so, let him be brought before me, and I do un∣dertake to prove the contraty to his Face. The Prior perceiving he could no way fright her, told her: I am your Father, and for this cause I desire to save, your reputation; wherefore I remit

the whole business to your Con∣science; but one thing I will ask you, and I conjure you upon pain of a mortal sin, to tell me ingeniously the truth, my questi∣on is whither you was a Virgin, when you was brought hither at first, she answered him again Father, when I came hither first, I was but five years of age, that age is a sufficient Testimony of my Virginity.

Well said Daughter, said he, since that time have you not lost that pretious Jewel? She pro∣tested she had not and that she ne∣ver had any enticement but by him, but he said that he could not believe her, and that the bu∣siness must be put to Tryal. What Tryal said she are you pleased to make of it? Even the same Try∣all

that I used upon others said ••he, for I am not constituted a ••isitour of the Souls only, but of the Bodies also, most of your Abbesses and Prioresses did fall in∣to my hands, if you be a Virgin indeed, you need not be asham∣ed of the Tryal of your Virgini∣ty, the Tryal of the Pudding is by the cut, and therefore lay your self upon the Bed, and turn all your Cloaths over your Face, but Sister Mary full of pas∣sion answered him, yov have en∣tertained me with so many filthy talks concerning the foolish af∣fection you had for me, that I have reason to believe you rather intend to snatch away the Flow∣er of my Virginity than to try it; wherefore I will have you know that I will never consent to your

Tryal, he then told her, that sh•• was really excommunicated for refusing such obedience, which she was bound to yeeld accor∣ding to the Rules of her Order, and that unless she would con∣sent, he would disgrace her o∣penly before the whole Congre∣gation, and declare all the wick∣ed filthiness which had been committed between her and the Confessor- but she with an un∣daunted countenance answered him, He that tryeth the Reins and and the hearts of his Servants, will render me more honour be∣fore him than you can take away from me before Men, wherefore seeing your wickedness is come s•• far, I will rather chuse you should satiate your malice against me, than you should fulfill your wicked intent

upon me. For I know full well that God is a just judge, and tha•• he will avenge the cause of the op∣pressed in his blessed time. He ••t that very time caused the Bell to be rung in order to gather together all the Congregation of the Religious Nuns, and ci∣ted her to appear before him, and Sister Mary being come, was commanded to kneel down be∣fore him, to whom he in a won∣derful rage and spight said. Si∣ster Mary, you grieved me in my beart, that all the good admoniti∣ons I have hitherto given you, pro∣ved fruitless and to no purpose, so that against my Nature I am forced to impose a penance upon you, for having carefully exami∣ned your Confessor about some crimes whereof he was lawfully

accused, he hath plainly confes•• before me that he had carnally a∣bused your Person in the same place mentioned by the witnesses, who testified they saw the crime com∣mitted there. Wherefore from that honourable degree wherein I had out of my good esteem consti∣tuted you, from the overseer and Mristress of the Novices, I ordain that you shall be removed the last of them all, and moreover, that you shall be fed with Bread and Water on the bare ground before all the Nunns, untill that time your Crimes be expiated by true Repentance, your contrition may call for favour and mercy.

Now Sister Mary had been forewarned by one of the Nuns, who was her intimate Friend, and one who understood all the

Intrigue, that in case she plead∣ed for her self, and should cast out any word that should distaste the said Prior, that he would pre∣sently cause her to be thrown in pace, that is to say, into a perpe∣tual Dungeon, she therefore pa∣tiently suffered this sentence, and lifting up her hands and eyes to Heaven, earnestly prayed to God the avenger of the innocent, be∣seeching him that as he had been her safeguard, and had hitherto afforded her grace to resist all the allurements unto sin, so he would be pleased to arm her with a Christian patience in her great tribulation. Moreover this Wor∣shipful Prior commanded, that she within the term of three years ensuing, should not be per∣mitted to speak to any of her

Parents or Kindred, if at any time they came to visit her, and that she should write no Letters but before the whole Congrega∣tion of Nuns: So that after this wicked wretch had fulfilled his rage against this innocent Maid, he went his way, and never came more there. This poor Nun was left a very long time in the disgrace and distress above mentioned; but her Mother, who loved her even above all her other Children, seeing she heard no more of her, was in a great perplexity, and told one of her Sons, who was a wise and discreet Gentleman, that she be∣lieved her Daughter was dead, and that the Nuns, to the end they might still receive her year∣ly Pension, did conceal her death;

and withall intreated and com∣manded him to try all possible means whereby he might know what was become of his Sister, who forthwith repaired to the said Convent, and having que∣stioned some of the Nuns con∣cerning her, he was answered that his Sister was sick, and had kept her Bed three years, but he being a young man of an acute wit and quick parts, did not take their excuses for currant money, but swore presently, that if he did not see her, he would forthwith scale the Walls and force his passage through the Convent, at which words they were much affrighted, and in a peck of troubles, and therefore thought it their best way to bring her to the Grate, but the Abbess

did accompany her, and stood so near that she could reveal no∣thing of her mind to her Brother, but she being wise and discreet had well foreseen that, and there∣fore had secretly committed to writing all the passages before mentioned, and a thousand other stratatagems which the said Pri∣or had used on purpose to inveigle her, the which because they would be too long and too tedi∣dious to rehearse, for brevity sake I will omit; but I must not forget mentioning that whilest her Aunt was yet Abbess, he thinking he had suffered a repulse because of his deformity, he caus∣ed a young and beautiful Monk to intice this chast Nunn to wick∣edness, hoping, that if by Love she should yield to that young

Monk, he could afterwards win her by fear: This young Monk, entertained her with so vile dis∣courses, and so obscene actions, in a Garden where he was with her, that I think my self obliged to spare chast Ears, seeing I can∣not relate them without a blush, insomuch, that this honest poor Nun was forced to jump and run but of the Garden to the Abbess, who was then speaking with that Prior, and with a great out∣cry, told her, Dear Mother, they that come to visit our Con∣vent are Devils under Religious Monks Couls. But then the Prior fearing lest his Roguery should be discovered, began a ••ew Tale, and smiling, told the Abbess, Certainly, dear Mother, Sister Marie's complaint is very

just and reasonable, and taking Sister Mary by the hand, told her before the Abbess: I have long ago been informed that Si∣ster Maries Clapper was hung exceedingly well, and that she had her neat speech so much at command, that she was reputed ••ain and worldly; wherefore, for that very reason, I forced my self against my natural inclinati∣on to entertain her with such vain discourses, wherewith worldlings are wont to intice their Peramours (which discour∣ses I have read in Books, for by experience I am as igno∣rant of them, as I was in my Cradle,) and thinking that my old age together with my defor∣mity did extort from her those vertuous expressions of hers, I

did command my young Monk; he should entertain her with the same idle and vain discourses; the which notwithstanding she hath as you see, vigorously withstood, and therefore reputing her a ve∣ry vertuous and discreet person, it is my will and desire, that henceforth she may enjoy the first place of Honour after you, and be constituted Mistress over all the younger Nuns; to the end, that by this encouragment her vertuous disposition may increase more and more, until it grow∣eth to a perfect habit of Vertue. This act and many other pranks, did that reverend Ghostly Father play, during the space of three ••ears in which he lusted after his chast Virgin, the which (as ••s mentioned before) gave her

Brother through the Grate, the whole content of this doleful Narration, but her Brother ha∣ving delivered it to her Mother, she being almost distracted, and almost desperate, came to Paris, and went presently to the Queen of Navar, the Kings only Sister, to whom she shewed this Tragi∣cal Narrative, and told her, Ma∣dam, repose no more your Trust upon such vile Hypocrites, I did believe I had plac'd my Daugh∣ter in the way to Heaven, but now I think I had brought her to the pit of Hell, in the hands of them that are worse than the worst of Devils that can be there, for the Devils can do no more than to tempt and intice us into sin, but these will draw us by force, if peradventure they by

allurements cannot Captivate ••ur affections. The Queen of Navarre was exceedingly trou∣bled, for she reposed her whole trust upon that Prior of Saint Martins, to whom she had com∣mitted the whole charge and o∣versight of the Abbesses of Mon∣••ivillier and of Caules, who were ••isters in Law. On the other ••••de she detested the vileness of ••he fact with such aversion, that ••he undertook to vindicate the ••nnocency of that poor distres∣ed Maid, and upon that account ••eclared the whole business to ••he Kings Chancellour (who was ••t that time Legate in France) who sent for the said Prior, who ••eing come could plead nothing ••or himself, but that he was ••hreescore and ten years of age,

and addressing himself to the Queen of Navarre, he earnest∣ly intreated by all the Love she e∣ver had for him, and for a recom∣pence of all his former services to her, she would be pleased to stop all the proceedings in Law against him, and that he was ready to confess openly that Si∣ster Mary Herovet was a pearl of honour, and a singular pattern of Heroick Chastity. The Queen having heard him, was so ama∣zed that it was not in her Power to speak a word with him, but went her way and left him, but the wicked wretch confounded and covered with shame withdrew himself to his Monastery, where he would be seen of no body, and survived this shame but one year after.