wel, to be the visitors of the religious houses; where very CHAP. much irreligion was found among those that professed reli- XXXIV. gion there, according to the accounts brought in by them. Anno 1536. Insomuch that a final dissolution of those places, all the or- The irreligious lives ders there being so corrupted, was thought on: for to let of the reliin some light into the lives and practices of these, both gious. men and women: thus one that lived in those times tells the world in a book written in Italian, that it might be the better known even in Rome; thus translated: "That you Pelerine by may understand what was the just occasion of the King's mas "suppression of them: when his Highness had found out "the falseness of these jugglers, [the monks,] who led the people to this idolatry of worshipping saints, believing "of miracles, and going on pilgrimage here and there, "as unto this hour you see it used here in Italy, being "persuaded, &c. that these abominable Friars were the 66 66 Will. Tho very false prophets (Matthew vii.) and ravening wolves, "whom Christ prophesied in the Gospel, should come un"der the apparel of lambs, to devour the flock of true "Christians; his Majesty, for the better discovery of these "hypocrites, sent forth Commissioners into all provinces of "the realm, to examine the manner of living that those ri"balds used. And here came the matter fully to light. "For when the Commissioners had taken upon them the "charge of this examination, and began by one and one to "examine those friars, monks, and nuns, upon their oaths, "sworn upon the Evangelists, there were discovered hypocrisies, murders, idolatries, [false] miracles, sodomies, "adulteries, fornications, pride, envy, &c. And not seven, "but more than seven hundred thousand deadly sins. "Alack! my heart maketh all my members to tremble “with another manner of fear than is the quartan, when 250 "I remember the abominations that there were tried out. O "Lord God, (speaking under correction,) what canst thou "answer to the five cities, confounded with celestial fire, "when they shall allege before thee the iniquities of those "religious whom thou hast so long supported! Note well "these few words, said I, and I shall tell you. In the dark 66 CHAP. "and sharp prisons, there were found dead so many of XXXIV. « their brethren, that it is a wonder. Some crucified with Anno 1586. "more torments than ever were heard of. And some fa"mished unto death, only for breaking their superstitious 66 silence, or some like trifles. And especially, in some children, there was used a cruelty, not to be spoken with human tongue. "There was of the Heremits some one, that, under the "colour of confession, had used carnally with mo than two "or three hundred gentlewomen, women of reputation; "whose names, enrolled by commandment, they shewed "unto the Commissioners. Insomuch that some of the self "same Commissioners found of their own wives, titled among the rest. With what conscience, I report me unto "you, there was working of wonders. The friars and "nuns were as whore and thief in the open stews. And "there were saints that made the barren women bring forth "children. Unto whom there wanted no resort from all parts of the realm. Alas! alas! what should I say, when "Ptolomy's discourse, Pliny's memory, and Augustin's pen, joined in one man, should not suffice to make him "an apt author of so detestable an history as this abomina❝tion requireth! પર "Well, to my purpose; in conclusion, upon the return "of these Commissioners, when the King was fully in"formed of the cause, incontinently he called his Parlia"ment. But or ever the Counsellors of the same could as"semble together, here came that Abbot, and that Prior: "now came that Abbess, and then came that Friar, from "all parts of the realm, unto the King, offering their mo"nasteries into his hands; beseeching him to pardon them "their sins, de pœna only, and not de culpa. Insomuch "that his Majesty accepted of them, and pardoned them "all, except a few only of the most notable ribalds; “whom, for the others' example, he caused to suffer death, "in divers wise, as their horrible causes diversely merited. "And thereupon followed the said Parliament: in the “which all these matters were not only published, but also XXXIV. "confessed by the false religious persons, brought openly CHAP. "in judgment; it was concluded both by the Barons, and "also by the Commons of the said Parliament, that these Anno 1536. "monasteries should be extirped, and the goods and re❝venues thereof disposed, as the King and his Council "should think it expedient." These were their crimes, and these their own acknowledgments; and these therefore the just proceedings against them. But Mr. Thomas, for these and such like his free discoveries of them thus in print, however he was honoured and esteemed in the next reign by King Edward himself, he was not forgotten in the succeeding, when popery prevailed again, being put to death as a traitor; how truly, I cannot say. Of this man we shall say more, under the reign of King Edward. religious To which add, what another very grave and worthy 251 writer, not long after the former, shewed concerning the first foundations of these monasteries, and what the visitors detected of them. "Truth it is," saith he, "that the founda- The wicked"tions of abbeys and chauntries, pro redemptione animarum ness of those "fundatorum suorum, et progenitorum ipsorum, &c. as in founda "the said foundations appeareth more at large, were so "unsure and weak, or rather wicked, that they could no 66 longer bear such huge superstructions and buildings as proof, fol. "were laid upon them. For the idolatry, superstition, hy- 14. pocrisy, and wickedness of monks, nuns, and priests them"selves, were grown so great and so heavy now, heavy now, that no "foundations, though sure and good, were able any longer "to bear and abide them. Let the horrible history of their "dark, dreadful, and most devilish doings, notified to "King Henry VIII. and after to the Parliament House, by "the report of the visitors, returning from their visitations "of abbeys; and the monks and nuns themselves in their "own confessions, subscribed with their own hands, be a "proof thereof. Which being registered in a black book, "might more justly be called Doomsday, than any record "this day remaining in England; revealing such matters "as they thought should have remained hid, until the great tions, the cause of their ruin. Noel's Re XXXIV. CHAP. " day of revelation of all secrets, if ever they looked for it. "No, truly, the monstrous lives of monks, friars, and nuns, Anno 1536. have destroyed their monasteries and churches, and not 66 we. These be the true causes of such horrible destruc❝tions and desolations as have in our time come upon mo"nasteries and other houses and churches." tors' letters CHAP. XXXV. A visitation of the religious houses. Visitors appointed by the Lord Crumwel. Their instructions and commissions. Many surrender their houses. The visitors' divers letters, giving accounts of the monasteries; viz. of Reading, Glastenbury, Maiden Bradley, Bruton, Ferley; relics in those places. Leicester. Wolstrope, a pious monastery. Nunneries of Catesby, Stixwold. Monasteries in Litchfield diocese; in Kent, Folkston, &c. Pensions allowed the Monks, &c. Suitors for some religious houses. Sir Richard Gresham, Lord Mayor, for the Spitals. Ramsey abbey. Fountains and Rivax. Papers preparatory to a suppression. Value taken of all monasteries and benefices ecclesiastical. NOR are these horrible deeds the relations only of some private persons, and depend upon their credit; but one may see abundance of the sinful state of those monasteries, 252 and them that inhabited there, by the testimonials those viThe visi- sitors sent up, which are very many; and are still remainof the vile ing under their hands, in our repositories of MSS. and arstate of the chives: where we may see in what condition they found those ries, extant. houses; what superstitions were there used by the relics, and the numbers of them kept within their walls, and the cheats put upon the people by the means of them. And of the voluntary surrenders the superiors of those places made. Gray Friars of Reading, I will specify some from the originals. monaste their sur render. London, one of the visitors, sent up this letter following Cleopatra, to the Lord Crumwel; shewing the surrender of the abbey E. 4. of Reading, with an inventory of their relics, and of the CHÁP. discharge of the friars. "In my most hearty manner I XXXV. "have me commended unto your good Lordship, with my Anno 1536. "assured prayer and service. I have sent up to your Lord"ship the surrender of the Gray Friars of Reading, with "their plate, such as it is. I have inwardly defaced the "church and dorter. The residue of the house I have left "whole, till I know your further pleasure; and clearly despatched all the friars out of the doors in their secular ap"parel; and have given to every one of them money in their "purses, and have clearly paid their debts. This is a town ❝ of much poor people. And they fall to stealing so fast in 66 every corner of the house, that I have been fain to tarry "a whole week here, to set every thing in due order. And "have and shall receive to the King's Grace, as I trust, "above 401. in the mansion wholly reserved. 66 "I have sent up the principal relics of idolatry within "this realm. An angel with one wing is brought to Caver"sham. "The spear-head that pierced our Saviour's side upon "the cross. It was conveyed home to Notly. But I sent my "servant purposely for it. "I have also three coats of the image, with such things " as I found upon them: with the dagger, which they say "slew King Henry VI.; and the knife that killed King Ed"ward: with many other like holy things. "I have defaced the chapel inward. And have sent home "the Canons to the Master to Notley. "I have required of my Lord Abbot [of Reading] the "relics of his house; which he shewed unto me with good "will. I have taken an inventory of them; and have locked "them up behind their high altar; and have the key in "my keeping: and they all ready at your Lordship's com"mandment. They have a good lecture in Scripture daily "read in their chapitre-house, both in English and Latin. "To the which is good resort: and the Abbot is at it him"self. In any other thing I can do your Lordship service, Relics of idolatry sent up. |