Item, For two Altar-Cloaths of Velvet and silk, two pound.] It seemeth the Parish did not part with all their gallantry at once, but made several stakes thereof, and parcelled them out as their necessities did require.
Item, Received of Mr Tamworth twenty loads of timber ready hewed, which he gave to the Parish.] This Gentleman by his bounty to the Publick seems bet∣ter known to God then to me, having neither heard nor read of any of his name living in or near to Waltham.
Item, For taking down the stairs in the Abby, seven shillings eight pence.] This was part of the Nag-purchase, whereby we collect that a large structure was by this bargain conveyed to the Parish.
Item, For taking down the Lead from the Charnel-house, and covering the Steeple, eighteen shillings.] The Steeple was conceived above the Charnel-house as in height so in honour. Wherefore now the Lead taken from it b was translated to the covering of the Steeple. Call this removing of this metal from one part of the Church to another, onely the borrowing of St Peter to lend to St Paul.
Item, For the Arch-Deacons man coming for a Record of all the Inhabitants of the Parish, four pence.] I know not on what Canon this was founded. It may be her Majestie in those dangerous times desired (not out of Pride, but necessary Policy) to know the number of her Subjects, and might enjoyn the Arch-Deacons in their respective Visitations, to make this inquiry.
But Day begins to dawn, and the light of our Age to appear, matters coming within the memory of many alive. We will therefore break off, Waltham since affording no peculiar observables. Onely will add that Sr Edward (Grand-childe to Sr Anthony) Denny, was created by King James, Baron of Waltham, and since made by King Charles, Earl of Norwich. A Noble person, who setled on the Curate of Waltham (to whom before a bare Stipend of Eight pound did belong) one hundrod pound per annum, with some other considerable ac∣commodations, tying good Land for the true performance thereof.
The Abby is now the Inheritance of this Earls Grand-childe, by Honora his daughter) James Hay Earl of Carlile, who Married Margaret, Daughter to Francis, Earl of Bedford, by whom as yet he hath no Issue, for the continu∣ance of whose happiness my prayers shall never be wanting.
The Reader may justly expect from me a Catalogue of all the Abbots of this Monastery. But to do it falsly, I dare not; lamely, I would not; perfect∣ly, I cannot; and therefore must crave to be excused. Onely let me observe, that Nicholas, Abbot of Waltham was most triumphant in power, of any in his place; he flourished in the Reign of King Richard the second, and was one of the fourteen Commissioners, chosen by Parliament, to examine the miscari∣ages in that Kings Reign since the death of his Grand-father.
Amongst the Natives of Waltham for States-men, John de Waltham bears away the bell. He was keeper of the Privy Seal in the Reign of King Richard the second, being the third in number, chosen amongst the fourteen Commis∣sioners aforesaid, impowred to examine all misdemeanours of State. And now was not Waltham highly honoured with more then a single share, when amongst those fourteen, two were her Gremials, the forenamed Nicholas living in Waltham, and this John, having his name thence, because birth therein.
But amongst Scholars in our Town, Roger Waltham must not be forgotten, Canon of St Pauls in London, and a great favourite to Fulk Basset, Bishop there∣of. He wrote many learned books, whereof two especially (one called Compendium Morale, the other Imagines Oratorum) commend his parts and pains to posterity.
Pass we from those who were Born, to eminent persons Buried therein. Here we first meet with Hugh Nevile, a Minion of King Richard the first, he was Interred in Waltham Church, saith my Author, in Nobili Sarcophago Mar∣moreo & insculpto, in a Noble Coffin of Marble engrav'd. If a Coffin be call'd Sarcophagus (from consuming the Corps) surely Sacriledg may be named Sar∣cophago-phagus,