The Popes brief: or Romes inquiry after the death of their Catholiques here in England, during these times of warre

A CATALOGVE OF The Vicars Generall and Arch-Deacons in ENGLAND, under the Bishop of CALCEDON.

Vicars Generall constituted, by the most Reverend RICHARD Lord Bishop of CALCE∣DON, By the Letters dated the first of JUNE, 1625.

MAster John Colleton Episcopall Vicar in the eleven Provinces under-written, Essex, Suf∣folk, Norfolk, Cambridge, and the Isle of Elv, Bedford, Buckingham, Middlesex, and Hartford, The City of London, and the Suburbs, and the City of Westminster.

To Master John Colleton, being disabled through old age, is added, as a Coadjutor, Master Gregory Fisher, alias Muscot, Arch-Deacon of Surrey and Middlesex, by the letters bearing date the tenth of February, 1626. by the most Reverend Richard Lord Bishop of Cal∣cedon.

2. Edward Bennet Episcopall Vicar in the sixteen Provinces under written, viz. Walesboth South and North parts, the Isle of Anglesey, Hereford, Shrop∣shire, and Chester.

3. Master John Bostile. Doctor of Divinity, Epis∣copall Vicar in the five Provinces under-written, Ox∣ford, Warwick, Northampton, Stafford, & Worcester.

4. Master Broughton, Episcopall Vicar in the seven Provinces under-written, Huntington, Rutland, Lin∣coln, Leicester, Nottingham, Darby, and York.

5. Master Iohn Iackson, Episcopall Vicar in the six Provinces under-written. Dorcester, Wiltshire, Glou∣cester Somerset-shire, Devonshire and Cornwall.

6. Mr. Cuthbert Trollop, Epicopall Vicar in the five Provinces under-written. Lancaster, Northumber∣land, Cumberland, Westmerland, and the Bishopricke of Durham.

7. Master Be••iamin Norton Episcopall Vcar in the five Provinces under-written. Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Barkshire.

Arch-Deacons and their Provinces.

1. Master Iohn Colleton Arch Deacon in the County of Kent.

2. Master Arthur Pits Arch-Deacon of the Cities of London, Westminster, and the Suburbs.

3. Master Iohn Bostile, Doctor of Divinity, Arch-Deacon in the Counties of Warwick and Leicester.

4. Mr. Edward Bennet Arch-Deacon in the Counties of Buckingham and Bedford.

5. Mr. Thomas wright Doctor of Divinity, Arch-Deacon in the Counties of Norfolk, Cambridge, and the Isle of Ely.

To Doctor Thomas Wright, now resident in the parts beyond Sea, is constituted as a coadjutor, Master Elisha Brabant, by the Letter of the most Reverend Lord, Ri∣chard Bishop of Calcedon, dared the 11. of Febr. 1626.

6. Master Richard Broughton Arch-Deacon in the counties of Huntington, Rutland, Lincolne.

7. Master Iohn Iackson Arch-Deacon in the coun∣ties of Wiltshire and Hampshire.

8. Master Cuthbert Trollop Arch-Deacon in the coun∣ties of Northumberland and Bishoprick of Durham.

9. Master Roger Strickland Arch-Deacon in the county of York.

10. Master Iohn Mitchell Arch-Deacon in the coun∣ty of Lancaster.

To Master Iohn Mitchel, weak through old age, is con∣stituted as a coadjutor, Master Iohn Redman, by the Let∣ters of the most Reverend Richard Lord Bishop of Cal∣cedon, dated the tenth of February, 16.26.

11. Ioseph Heynes Arch-Deacon in the county of Essex, and Suffolk. To which Heynes. Master Iohn Southcot Doctor of Divinity is coadjutor.

12. Richard Button Arch-Deacon in the counties of Stafford and Chester.

13. Humphrey Hanmer Arch-Deacon in the counties of South-Wales and Hereford. To whom succeeded Mr. Guin.

14. Matthew Britton Doctor of Divinitie Archdeacon in the Counties of Westmerland and Cumberland.

15. Master George Fisher Archdeacon in the Counties of Midlesex and Surrey.

16. Master Humphrey Hughes Archdeacon in the County of North-Wales.

17. Master Thomas Moore Archdeacon in the Coun∣ties of Hartford and Northampton.

18. Master Thomas Morton Archdeacon in the Coun∣ties of Devonshire, Cornwall, and Gloucester.

19. Master William Shilley Archdeacon in the Coun∣ty of Sussex.

To him succeeded M. Lane.

20. Master Anthony Teuchnor Archdeacon in the Counties of (Oxford and Barkeshire).

21. Master John Merricke Archdeacon in the Coun∣ties of (Shropshire and Worcester).

To him succeeded M. Hyde.

22. Master Thomas Manger Archdeacon in the Coun∣ties of (Sommerset and Dorset-shire).

23. Master Thomas Worthington Archdeacon in the Counties of (Notingham and Darbie).

The new division of the Provinces, of the Vicaries and of the Archdeacons, with the number of the Arch∣deaconries, contained in every one of the Vicarships.

1. The first Vicarship containes seaven Counties or Provinces, viz. Cornwall, Devonshire, Somersetshire, Wilt∣shire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, and it hath under it, three Archdeaconries.

• 1. Cornwall Devonshire
• 2. Somersetshire Dorsetshire
• 3. Wiltshire Gloucestershire Hampshire

2. The second Vicariate containes seven Counties, Viz. Midlesex with the City of London and City of VVestminster, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Barkeshire, Essex, and Hartfordshire, and it hath foure Archdeaconries,

• 1. London Middlesex
• 2. Surrey Barkeshire
• 3. Kent Sussex
• 4. Essex and Hartford

3. The third Vicariate containes five Counties, viz. Bedfordshire, Huntingtonshire, Cambridgeshire with the Isle of Ely and with the part of the Province of Lincolnshire which is called Holland and Norfolke and out of that part which is called Marshland and Suffolke; And it hath three Archdeaconries.

• 1. Bedford Huntington
• 2. Suffolke Norfolke
• 3. Cābridge with the Isle of Ely, Holland, & Marshland.

4. The fourth Vicariate containes eight Counties,

viz. Oxford, Buckingham, Northampton, Leicester, Stafford, Warwicke, worcester and Chester, and hath foure Arch-deaconries.

• 1. Oxford Buckingham
• 2. Northampton Leicester.
• 3. VVorcester. Warwicke.
• 4. Stafford Chester.

5. The fifth Vicariate containes fiveteen Counties, viz. North-Wales, South-VVales with the Isle of Angle∣sey, Hartford, and Shropshire, and it hath three Archdea∣conries.

1. North-Wales with the Isle of Anglesey, Mountgome∣rie, Merioneth, Denbigh, Flint, Carnarvan.

2. Monmouth, Clamorgan, Radnar, Cardigan, Carmar. then, and Pembrooke.

3. Hereford and Shropshire.

6. The sixth Vicariate containes five Counties, viz.

• 1. Yorkeshire.
• 2. Darbishire Nottingham
• 3. Lincolne Rutland

7. The seaventh Vicariate containes five Counties Lancashire, Westmerland, Cumberland, Northumberland, and the Bishopricke of Durham, and it hath three Arch. deaconries.

• 1. Lancashire.
• 2. Westmerland Cumberland
• 3. Northumberland & the Bishoprick of Durham

According to the present division there are seaven Vi∣carships and three and twenty Archdeaconries, viz. Two more then there were heretofore ordained. That if it

doth not seeme good to multiply the number of the Archdeacons, the present division may be so ordained that Cheshire and Staffordshire shall be taken from the fourth Vicarship, and the Archdeanerie of Worcester, and Warwickeshire, shall be added thereunto, and Cheshire shall be ioyned to the Archdeanerie of North-Wales or Lan∣cashire, and so shall belong to the fifth or seaventh Vi∣carship.

A Committee of Parliament sitting at Rochester, inter∣cepted the foresaid Catalogue and divers other letters and papers herewith printed, as they were carrying to the Bishop of Chalcedon, for the nominating such per∣sons to fill up vacant places in England as his Lordship shall thinke fit.

SIR,

I Send you all the inclosed open, that ere you deliver them to my Lord, you may if you please take Copies of them, or at least be able to suggest unto his Lordship the ordering of his Secretary to copy out, and keepe safe such Records as we are in danger here to lose, and cannot misse without great prejudice to our Clergy.

You have herein what light and assistance we can give you to∣wards filling up the Chapter, in case you persist in that resolution in these confused times, which perhaps considering my Lords age were not amisse to dispatch, if not before, at least as soone after the election of a Coadjutor as may be, lest his Lordship die before it be done, for we were better have it done lesse compleatly before his Lordships death then not at all, and this cogitation hath ac∣curred since I writ the former Papers, wherein was some doubt made about the point, especially in the long Letter I had written to you before this setting downe the present state of your Chapter, and certifying who are living thereof, who Dead, wherein are some things necessary perhaps to shew my Lord what ere the whole Letter it selfe be, which I referre unto your discretion, be∣cause I had no notice from his Lordship of filling up all the vacant Places in the Chapter, only of adding some more Canons there∣unto.

As I had written thus farre, I received yours of this weeke, and by good fortune Master Herbert was actually with Master Webster at the same time; so after he had read your Letter to him, and heard how earnestly Mr. Webster moved not to resist his Brethrens Election, in case your selfe may not comply with the place, hee at last consented to submit to what his Brethren should finally con∣clude upon, desiring first, that they advise againe about your selfe, if there be any probabilitie with you to comply with the Place, if not, you see by his consent our businesse is at an end, for he hath (in case you faile) all the Votes there, and here of those that are to Vote herein; as also he hath Master Bensons of Doway, and doubt∣lesse will have most, if not all, of our Brethren in the Countries, who are not yet consulted about this affaire, but shall be speedily.

The said News of Mr. Montague being taken at Rochester, and

preparation for him in the Tower doth much afflict his friend•• and will be as unwelcome to you, as to any man living. This night the Count de Harecourt is expected in Towne; I beseech you excuse me at this time to Master Clifton, you see I have been over∣charged with the inclosed, and pray tell my Lord I had not time to write faire those Lights I send him for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Chapter be∣sides they are not so perfect as were requisite if we had more time, but if his Lordship will give longer time, he shall have it more ex∣act. The ninth Canon now I perceive was Master Herbert; excuse, if what I writ before in that be obscure or lesse exact, for I have no time to rectifie it, you may easily mend all Errours therein by what is written otherwise about this businesse of the Chapter.

SIR,

ACcording to your desire, and my promise, I now send you the state of our present Chapter, together with such Patents as will be necessary for the filling up thereof, with a parti∣cular of how many thereof are dead, and with such a note (as up on so short a warning could be gotten) of names to fill it up a∣gaine, as have been by those of the Chapter in London reflected on, for such was your desire.

The Copies of the Patents are such as Master Lovell left me, and I snall desire that you will cause them to be kept there in safetie, lest those I have here should in these troublesome times miscarry. I could wish you had also there other Copies of things most ne∣cessary, which I find here handsomely recorded in Bookes by Ma∣ster Lovell, God rest his soule; but truly I am so ill, I cannot my selfe transcribe them, and to trust them out of my hands in the•••• times to Scribes, I dare not, and spare the Booke I cannot, so I must hope God will protect them and us his servants, whom they concerne.

You will perceive by the Copie of the Catalogues of Vicars and Archdeacons which Master Lovell left, as I now send them to you transcribed, that there have bin two divisions of the Counties, in the first there appeare 55. in the last but 53, Counties of 〈◊〉〈◊〉

distributed unto the care of 7. Vicars Generall, and of 23. Arch∣deacons out of which number of Archdeacons you must deduct but 7. forasmuch as the 7. Vicars Generall not being (as Vicars) of the Chapter were made each of them Archdeacons purposely to render them Chapter men also, so that how are the number of Archdeacons be 23. yet deducting 7. out of that number, as ap∣propriate to the 7. Vicars you will find remaining only 16. Arch∣deacons, I meane such as are purely Archdeacons, and not Vicars to boote; And yet by the Note of Master Lovells at the end of the new Division, me thinkes there was an intention to have only 22. Archdeacons in all, or to speake perhaps more properly to the Bi∣shops intention, but 22. Chapter-men. Yet I find that either you must increase the former districts of some Archdeacons, of else you will not exhaust the Counties in the distribution thereof, for you shall not find the Counties of Nottingham nor Darby appropria∣ted to any Archdeacon, unlesse you resolve the number of 23. shall stand good. An perhaps that number was reduced to 22. only in the last Division upon reflection that the seventh Vicar viz. Ma∣ster Norton was not made Archdeacon, that I can find upon any Record, and I send you all I have of this nature, so that my Lord and you of the Chapter there, must please to resolve whether there shall be any Vicar Generall without the Title of Archdeacon, and so let the first number of 23. Archdeacons stand good, or whether all the seven Vicars shall be Archdeacons, and then the last Divisi∣on of Archdeacons into 22. to remaine. It seemes here most con∣sonant to reason, to make each Vicar Generall an Archdeacon, but what you there resolve will be here allowed of, but you shall doe well to appropriate such Counties to each Vicar and Archdeacon, as may be most convenient for them to repaire unto, which will be ahard matter to determine in these unsetled times.

And hence you will perceive that by the Addition of Canons to the Chapter, which you know were added but lately, that with∣out filling up the places of the old Chapter-men deceased, you will have as great a number almost of Chapter men now living to choose a Coadjutor to the Deane (which is the present affaire in agitation) as would have been if all the dead persons vacant pla∣ces were filled up before the Election of this Coadjutor, so that if

the desire of filling the Chapter proceed out of a feare that there will want a competent number of Chapter-men to make this Ele∣ction, considering the late Addition of Canons to the Chapter with power of voting in all affaires of the Clergy, there will be no want of almost as full a number as ever were of the Chapter since it was first erected.

For you see there never were above two or three and twenty at most of the Chapter, and albeit most of them that were Vicars and Archdeacons be dead; neverthelesse those that are living to∣gether with the Canons lately added thereunto, amount to the number of twentie, as I wrote you word last weeke; onely I for∣got then to tell you, that one of the six whom I reckoned upon to be in Paris, viz. Master Laborne, is neither of the Chapter in ver∣tue of Vicar, Archdeacon, or Canon, that I can find upon any Record, but this I impute to an Accident of his being out of the way at Tame when the Canons were made, and so I reckon upon him as if he were a Chapter-man, the rather because he was, and is still one of his Lordships Consult, which may perhaps ipso facto, give him that quality, in regard the whole Chapter hath the na∣ture of his Lordships Counsell.

But now to come unto the particulars, who are dead of the Chapter, and who now living thereof, that so you may see cleerely in the particulars what I tell you of our Chapter in generall, you may please to understand, that of the Vicars Generall who were at most in number but seven, there are five dead, viz. Master Colleton, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Boswill, Mr. Broughton, Mr. Norton, so that you must thinke of Constituting five Vicars, for however Master Muscot was made coadjutor to Master Colleton, yet he is now in a charge by the Popes command incompatible with that office of Vicar Generall in Master Broughtons place, whose resi∣dence he possesseth, yet I doe not conceive that hee was ever made Vicar Generall by Patent.

Now for the Vicars actually living, you will easily see they are but two, viz. Master Iackson, and Master Trollop, who had need of a Coadjutor, being himself grown unable to travell as you all know,

As for the Archdeacons, there are dead five in the five Vicars, and of such as were purely Archdeacons and no more, there are

dead besides Master Muscot (whose place is vacant though he bee living) ten, viz. Master Pits, Doctor Wright and his successor Brabant, Master Strickland, Master Heines and his successor Doctor Lovell, Master Hanmer and his successor Mr. Guin, as also the in∣tended successor to him, Master Robert Hughes lately, Doctor Brit∣ton, Master More, Master Martine, Mr. Tushenor and his succes∣sor Mr. Aston, and Mr. Worthington.

I doe not accompt Mr. Shellyes, nor Mr. Merricks places va∣cant, by reason Mr. Lane and Mr. Hide (surviving both) doe sup∣ply them, but whether by Patents created Archdeacons or not I cannot say, or whether by Deputation only they execute the same, which in effect I account is all one.

So that here are undoubtedly to be de novo, created ten Arch∣deacons to fill up the places vacant by death, and more to supply Mr. Muscots place yet living as abovesaid.

Now for the living Archdeacons they are in number two, in the two Vicars above, and foure that are purely Archdeacons by Pa∣tents undoubted, viz. Master Redman, Master Button, Mr. Hughes, and Master Manger, whereunto if you adde the suppliants (at least) living, Master Hide and Master Lane, then are there six Archdea∣cons living.

As for Canons there were Created (as I remember) nine at the first, and they are all living still, viz. Master Blaclo, Master Har∣rington, Master Holden, Mr. Fitton, Master Clifford, Master Morgan, Master Curtes, Master Gage, and Mr. Herbert; for I have now no convenience to come at such Records as doe shew this, perhaps your memory will tell you this better then mine, or else then Ma∣ster Hide was made Canon, and not Master of which you shall know the certaintie ere long; but however thus you see what with two Vicars living, six Archdeacons, and nine Canons, and the Deane, there are eighteen persons of the Chapter now li∣ving; or take the Deane and at least five Archdeacons, and nine pure Canons, supposing Master Hide to be no Archdeacon, they will in all amount to the number of seventeen persons, whereunto adding the three Suppliants for Archdeacons, who have as vet ne∣ver had Patents viz, Master Barlo in Warwickshire, and Master Stevens in Hertford, and Master Thomas Greene in Suffolke, by the

old Division Norff. by new; you see we may accompt upon just nineteene or twenty Chapter-men now actually living, whereas at first Erection of the Chapter there were never more (as you see) then twenty two or twenty three at most: And thus you have the exact account of the Chapter as now it stands, wherewith if you rest not satisfied, but desire either to make more Canons (as my Lord seemes to doe) or to fill up the number of those that ale dead, Wee can suggest unto you for the present only these that follow for that purpose, because we cannot have an exact accompt from all the Shires what men are now residing therein, much lesse can we make any probable conjecture how to six any one man in any one County of England, as times now stand, to officiate therein, and so we should not at this time have thought of filling up the vacant places yet because you there have that cogitation, and desire to know whom we here in towne thinke fitting for that purpose, wee have reflected on these under-written.

For Vicars Generall.

Master Blaclo Mr. Holden, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Fitton, Mr. Her∣bert, Mr. Hide, Mr. Drury Mr. Clifford, Mr. Laborne, Mr. Barquer.

For Archdeacons.

Master Iohn Berrington, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Barlo, Mr. Edward Hughes. Mr Green, Mr. Coffin, Mr. Sands, Mr. Laurence, Mr. Bru∣arton, Doctor Bloudston, Mr. Faulconer, Mr. Ireland, Mr. Iennings, Mr. Curtes, Mr. Cattericke, Mr. Clampit, Mr. Woodward, Master Cheake.

For Canons.

Master Carleton, Mr. Everard, Mr. More, Mr. Knightley, Master Warham Mr. Polewheele, Mr. Carre, Mr. Todhill, Mr. Bradshawe, Lassels, Mr. Warnford, Mr. Hall, Mr. Worthington, Mr. Marten, Mr. Lutlo, Mr. Turbervile, Mr. Ellice, Mr. Weekes, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Page, Mr. Skinner, Mr. Sale, Mr. Totty, Mr. Tustall.

Above all things you must recommend secrecie if you resolve upon Master Herbert, that his Lady come not to the notice of his being chosen into any Office that will require resort to him, or his going abroad.

Master Carre however not in England, is a man so considerable, that above all others not already of the Chapter, it were fit he were made one thereof, and however I put him amongst Canons only, yet if his continuall absence admit of higher place, surely his mer∣rits will claime it.

CONSIDERATIONS.

COnsiderations about filling up the Chapter.

The maine to appoint such Of∣ficers in such Divisions, as pro∣bably shall reside therein, or at least conveniently may once a yeare repaire thereto to comply with their Officers.

Then persisting in the last Di∣vision, which you will find ta∣ken out of Master Records.

The first Vicar is Master Ham∣mon in Cornwall.

Note that he is also Archdea∣con of the Shires, Hunt. and Wiltshire; now to keep the forme of this last Division, you must either adde Gloucester shire to his Archdeaconate, or else incurre a greater confusion in altering the whole frame of this Divi∣sion.

And here I may not omit to let you know, that master Ham. hath often desired to resigne up his Archdeaconate in the two Shires above said, for what cause I know not; but admit hee may be intreated to keepe them, and to accept of Glocester shire there∣unto;

Yet you must cast for two Archdeacons more, viz. of So∣merset, Dorset. Cornwall and Devon.

For however master Manger is living Archdeacon of Somerset and Dorset shire yet now a bedrid man in Wales, hee had need of a Coadjutor at least. The men living in, or at least acquainted, & frequenting those parts are,

Master Victor, Mr. Martine, Mr. Woodward, the two Brothers Warhams, Mr. White Mr. Hames, Mr. Browne, Mr. Newman.

The said Vicar according to this last Division, of London, Etcae't; will be the man of most consideration in this affaire, as being (being neere to the Dean) hee through whose hands the greatest part of the Clergies af∣faires will run, both for recei∣ving the Priests new commers,

and dealing With Persons of greatost ranke about the Towne. This was Mr. Lahetans charge, and since Mr. Muscots, and is now (by his absence, and being in a charge incompatible there∣with) vacant.

If you thinke of fixing in this place any of the Chapter-men now about the Towne, you will finde few to afford you choyce, for Mr. Herbert is already sup∣pliant to the sixth Vicariate, and happily may bee changed into the fifth, as being the onely Brit∣ton that we can thinke of except Master Humphrey Hughes, to be Vicar Generall of Wales Etcae't, Mr. Hamman you see is already fixed, Mr. Webster is Deane, here onely remaine of Chapter-men Mr. Curtes, and Mr. Hoard now about the Towne. so that you must in this point goe I believe by ghesse who is likely of all those learned and grave Chap∣termen now at Paris or Doway to fixe in Towne when times come favourable, and those men you know are Master Blacklo, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Barquer Mr. Holden, Mr. Filton, Mr. Hide, Mr. Clifford, Mr. Laborne, Master Drury.

Now admit you fixe upon one of these abroad, for the Vicar Generall about London;

You are then to finde him three Archdeacons more, for by this last division there are foure Archdeacons belonging to this Vicurate, so that making the Vi∣car one of these foure Archdea∣cons, as is supposed you will, there remaine three Archdeacons to be chosen under him.

With whom they shall be most serviceable for the cómon good, as being most upon the eye of the world, and stay of our com∣mon affaires, you must resolve.

The Priests about the towne are now so few, that they scarce make a number, especially those that are Chapter-men, and not already deputed otherwaies, viz. Master Curles Mr. Howard.

The Priests abroad you know. The Priests (not Chaptermen) in towne to bee thought on for this charge are sew or none, one∣ly Mr. Worthington, though hee was one moved to bee made of the Chapter, and it was refused, because hee was as servant to Doway being Procurator, and so not to governe.

Note, that of the three Arch∣deacons, Master Lane must bee one, for he hath a long time sup∣plyed Mr. Theli••s place as Arch∣deacon of Sussex, and so to keep Order of this second Division, must have added unto his di∣strict

Kent also; so his Patent must run Archdeacon of Sussex and Kent.

The third Vicar of Bedford, Huntington Elect, is in vertue al∣ready, and in repute, M. Herbert, and consequently Archdeacon of two Counties therunto belōging.

So then you must provide for him two Archdeacons more out of these Priests following (you will take such as live in those parts) they are Master Thomas Greene, Mr. Weekes, Mr. Everard, Mr. Carleton, Mr. Henry Black∣lo.

In Norfolke and Suffolke.

In Cambridge elect, Elie, Hoh, Marchland, or thereabouts, none at all.

The fourth Vicar of Oxford Buckingham. Elect, which was Doctor Bosvile, and now must be supplyed by whom you think good, either of those named in an other paper for Vicars, or of some of these following Priests living in that Division and hath under him foure Archdeacons, but himselfe being to be one of the foure, you must cast for three more, and if you take the Priests living in those Counties they are these that follow.

Master, Button Archdeacon al∣ready of Stafford and Cheshire, but so old, that he had need of a Coadjutor, with power to suc∣ceed him.

Master Barlo, Mr. Bruerton, Mr. Venables, Mr. Lawrence, Ma∣ster Suttlo, Mr. Turbervill, Ma∣ster Iennings, designed one for a Reader, a very able man, but young; Master Humphrey Hattlo, Mr. William Ellis.

These are in Worcester Warwick Stafford, Cheshire: in Northton & Leicester shire are Mr. Faulconer, Mr. Cheeke, Mr. Edward Hughes.

Oxford and Bucks are the Counties perhaps most fit for these Vicars district as hee is Archdeacon.

The fist Vicar, who is he of Wells Elect, hath under him three one∣ly Archdeacons, whereof him∣selfe standing for one, you are to thinke onely of two Archdeacons more for that Division.

For the Vicar himselfe there occurres none fitter then either Mr. Herbert, (if he be not depu∣ted Vicar in Huntington Elect) or Mr. Humphrey Hughes now Archdeacon of North-Wales.

For two Archdeacons under him, besides, if you choose them out of Priests in those parts, they are these following.

Master Stevens living in Hert∣ford,

Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Stephen Pue, Mr. Permane, Mr. Williams, Mr. Iohn Barrington, Master Iohn Powell, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Thomas Street, Mr. Iohn Holland Remble, Master Barnes Lay, Mr. William Pue, Mr. Francis Greene, chiefe man, Master Elliets, Mr. Morris, Mr. Prises, two of them.

Master Stevens and Mr. Bar∣rington held the two fittest.

The sixth Vicar, who is of Yorke, Darby, Nottingham, Lin∣colne, and Rutland, and whose place is vacant, hath under him only two Archdeacons, whereof himselfe being one, you are to thinke of one more onely for that Division.

The men fit to be thought on for this Vicariate, if you take the Priests living in those parts are, Master Falconer, Mr. Coffine.

The Archdeacon may bee one of those names in the foure Vi∣cars district, Mr. French, Mr. Ar∣nold, Mr. Fathering, Mr. Edward Hughes, Mr. Iackson, Mr. Wor∣••hington.

The seventh Vicar who is hee•• of Lancashire, Northumberland, &c. Master Trollop still living, but so old, as he had need of a Coadjutor with power to suc∣ceed him, which whether it may not be Mr. Holden considering who is of those parts, or master Lab. who is likewise of the same you may there advise.

This Vicar hath under him three Archdeacons, himselfe be∣ing one; you are to appoint one more onely, Mr. Redman being Archdeacon in Lancashire al∣ready.

The Priests in the Countrey most considerable, for Vicars or Archdeacons, are these that fol∣low.

In Northumberland and the York-shire district.

Mr. Catricke, Mr. Walker, Do∣ctor Blunderston, Master Wivell, Mr. Nearby, Mr. Iohn Lassells, Master H. Greene, Mr. William Constable, Mr. Hodgeson, Master Strickland; one his name Prebend of Yorke Minster.

In Lancashire, there is already Archdeacons, Master Redman; too besides him are, Master Sands principally, Mr. Totty, Mr. Sale, Mr. Thomas Worthington, Master Tunstall.

Right Reverend my very good Lord,

Isend you now according to my promise last week such Copies of Patents as you desired of Canons; and such other of Vicars and Archdeacons, and Rurall Deanes as you may have need of for compleating the Chapter with such light into that affaire as in these darke and confused times I could procure.

I must not omit to certifie your Lordship, that I have inserted Mr. Peter Warnefords name amongst those who are suggested here to be made Canons, and I should humbly desire he may be made such for one maine reason above others, that I have a probable hope hereby to secure the Chapter of the holy Thorne after his decease: and that is a Jewell which I am sure your Lordship values at a high rate, as also doe all others that know thereof.

If the light I have given in the choice of such men as may com∣pleat the Chapter be sufficient to satisfy your Lordship of the me∣rits of the men suggested: Perhaps it may not be a misse to thinke of even in these uncertaine times, if for no other reason then to pre∣vent mortality, and that the Chapter might have the fuller power in its compleatnesse in case your Lordship should dy; as we that are many yeares younger cannot say but wee may dye very suddenly, and truly but for this only reason perhaps it were better deferre the filling up the Chapter till wee better times expected; yet since I writ those inclosed Papers I have refle∣cted that perhaps it may not bee amisse to compleat the Chap∣ter with all speed that may be, for however we cannot suggest unto your Lordship all our men in every County, yet I am confident we have named those that are fittest for such places in each Coun∣ty, and such as are persoually best known I beleive to your Lord∣ship for the most part of them.

As I wrote last weeke that Mr. Fittons repaire to England would not be necessary though he be chosen Coadjutor to Mr. Webster, cum jure missionis, so I write againe now upon better grounds, for God be thanked Mr. Webster mends in his health: but admit he should fall back and dy, yet even in that case per∣haps Mr. Fitton would most probably get our Chapter confirmed in his person of Deane, and this not onely through his being

knowne and liked well of in Rome, but farther through his per∣ticular relation with Lord _____ _____ who perhaps would con∣duce much towards confirming our Chapter, and Mr. Fittons per∣son and the Confirmation of our Chap: being the main thing we ayme at, moves many to thinke, that we were better choose Mr. Fitton Coadjutor then a stronger man; because if in his per∣son we get the Chapter confirmed, we can easily choose a Coad∣jutor to him in case he should not grow strong; And so by this means we effect our greatest affaire and desire. The rest is that I am, my Lord,

Your most humble servant, F: H:

Mr. Herbert upon sight of these last Letters from being moved by Mr. Webster to accept of the place makes answer, that if Mr. Fitton cannot supply the place, rather then give offence unto his Brethren, he is content to conforme to the Votes of his Brethren.

Notes

• Two moneths after nis Ma∣jesty came to the Crowne.
• Mr. Montague
• The whole Chapter in the nature of a Counsell to Doctor Rich. Smith titular Bishop of Chalcedon and Ordinarie of England and Scotland by Commission from the Pope.
• A pretious Re∣lique.