Biography of Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London 1500-1569
1533 Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
1540 Marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine Howard
Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London educated Broadgates Hall.
Around 1500 Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London was born.
Letters and Papers 1533. 10 May 1533. 465. The King's marriage was celebrated, as it is reported, on the day of the Conversion of St. Paul; and because at that time Dr. Bonner (age 33) had returned from Rome, and the Nuncio of the Pope was frequently at Court, some suspect that the Pope had given a tacit consent which I cannot believe. It is true that from that time the said Nuncio did not go very frankly into business; and although before the said statute I had solicited him according to the charge he had from his Holiness, and to the promise he had made me, when I presented your Majesty's letters to him, to put the brief in execution against the Archbishop, or that he would assist me in it, he has done nothing about it, and I fear that, "à la sourde," he has not always done his duty. The duke of Norfolk's mission to France is only founded on the Pope's journey to Nice, as I lately wrote. He came eight days ago, accompanied by the King's physician, to visit the French ambassador, who is ill of a tertian fever; and being there at dinner, some one asked if he was not going to Rome as reported; to which he replied, either for brag or to disguise his going to the Pope, that he would never go to Rome except with lance on thigh.
Letters 1536. 28 Apr 1536. R. O. 748. Thomas Warley to Lord Lisle (age 71).
I thank you for the warrant you sent, whereby I did my friend a singular pleasure, and also for the letter you were good enough to write to Sir Francis Brian (age 46) for expedition of my suit. Sir Francis had departed into Buckinghamshire before it arrived. Dr. Bonner (age 36) came to Court yesterday, and asked heartily after you and my Lady. The Queen (age 35) expects my Lady to meet her at Dover, as Mrs. Margery Horsman informed me, and on Tuesday next the King and Queen will lie at Rochester. On Monday I intend to leave for Dover or Sandwich, to await the coming of your Lordship and my Lady. The Council has sat every day at Greenwich upon certain letters brought by the French ambassador, who was at Court yesterday and divers other times. On Monday in Easter week1, the Emperor's ambassador was at Court. Many ships laden with wheat have come to London. London, 28 April.
Note 1. April 17 in 1536. But from Chapuys's own despatch it appears to have been on Tuesday the 18th. See No.
In 1539 Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 39) was appointed Bishop of London.
On 28 Jul 1540 Henry VIII (age 49) and Catherine Howard (age 17) were married at Oatlands Palace [Map] by Bishop of London Edmund Bonner (age 40). She by marriage Queen Consort England. The difference in their ages was 31 years. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England.
Catherine Carey (age 16) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 45) were appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 17).
Hall's Chronicle 1540. Dec 1540. In this yere was burned in Smithfeld [Map], a child named Richard Mekins, this child passed not the age of fifteen years, and somewhat as he had heard some other folks talk, chanced to speak against the Sacrament of the Altar. This boy was accused to Edmond Boner (age 40) Bishop of London, who so diligently followed the accusation, that he first found the means to indite him, and then arraigned him, and after burned him. And at the time he was brought to the stake, he was taught to speak much good, of the Bishop of London, and of the great charity, that he showed him and that he defied all heresies, and cursed the time that ever he knew Doctor Barnes, for of him had he learned that heresy, which he died for. The poor boy would for the safeguard of his life have gladly said that the twelve Apostles taught it him, for he had not cared of whom he had named it, such was his childish innocence and fear. But for this deed many spoke and said, that it was great shame for the Bishop, who they said ought rather to have laboured to have saved his life, then to procure that terrible execution, seeing that he was such an ignorant soul, as knew not what the affirming of an heresy was.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 08 Feb 1544. The viij day of Feybruarij was commondyd by the quene (age 27) and the bysshope of London (age 44) that Powlles and evere parryche that thay shuld syng Te Deum Laudamus, and ryngyng for the good vyctory that the quen('s) (age 27) grace had aganst Wyatt (age 23) and the rebellyous of Kent, the wyche wher over-come, thankes be unto God, with lytyll blud-shed, and the reseduw taken and had to presun, and after wher dyvers of them putt to deth in dyvers places in Londun and Kent, and prossessyon evere wher that day for joy.
On 14 Feb 1546 Bishop Henry Man was consecrated Bishop of Sodor and Man at St Paul's Cathedral [Map] by Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 46), Bishop Thomas Chetham and Bishop John Hodgkins.
In 1553 Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 53) was appointed Bishop of London.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 05 Aug 1553. The sam day cam out of the Marsalsay [Map] the old bysshop of London, Bonar (age 53), and dyvers bysshopes bryng hym home unto ys plasse at Powlles; and doctur Cokes (age 60) whent to the sam plasse in the Marselsay [Map] that the bysshope was in.
In Jan 1554 John Rogers (age 49) he was imprisoned at Newgate Prison, London [Map] on the orders of Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 54).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 01 Apr 1554. [The first day of April my lord chancellor (age 54) did consecrate six new bishops at St. Mary Overy's [Map], before the high altar; and a goodly mass was said. And when all] was done thay yede unto my lord ch[ancellor's,] for ther was as grett a dener as youe ha[ve seen.] Thes be the bysshopes names that wher consecrated, [doctor] Whyt (age 44), warden of Wynchastur, the bysshope of Ly[ncoln]; doctur Borne, bysshope of Bathe; doctur Morgan, bishop of sant Davys; doctur Brokes (age 41), bysshope of Gloss [ter]; doctur Cottes, bysshope of Westtchastur; bysshope of sant Asse changyd to be bysshope of Arfford; master [Griffith] (age 47) parsun of sant Magnus bysshope of Rochastur.
On 01 Apr 1554 the Lord Chancellor Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 54), assisted by Bishop Stephen Gardiner (age 71), Bishop Nicholas Ridley (age 54) and Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall (age 80), consecrated seven bishops at Southwark Cathedral [Map]:
Bishop George Cotes was consecrated Bishop of Chester.
Bishop Gilbert Bourne was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Bishop James Brooks (age 41) was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester.
Bishop Maurice Griffiths (age 47) was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.
Bishop Henry Morgan was consecrated Bishop of St David's.
Bishop John White (age 44) was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln.
Bishop Robert Parfew aka Warton was consecrated Bishop of Hereford.
Wriothesley's Chronicle 01 Apr 1554. 01 Apr 1554. The first day of Aprill was consecrated at St. Marye Overies churche [Map] in Southwerke vi new Bishopps after the olde sorte, the Lord Chauncellor (age 54) and Bishop of Winchester (age 71) singinge the masse, the Bishop of London (age 54) and the Bishop of Durham (age 80) assistinge him.
Wriothesley's Chronicle 18 Aug 1554. 18 Aug 1554. Saterdaye the 18 of August, in the after-noone, the King (age 27) and Queenes (age 38) Majesties rode throughe Sowthwerke, over the bridge [Map], and so throughe London; where they were with great provision receaved of the citizens, pageants in places accustomed, the crosse in Cheape [Map] new gilte, &c.
Memorandum: In the moneth of September the Duke of Norfolke (age 81) died at Framlingham [Map] in Norfolke, and there was honorablye buried [Map] amongst his auncestors.
Allso this moneth the Bishop of London (age 54) visited all his dioces, and had sermons in everie parishe and place where he satt, and sett owt divers goodlye articles in print for the true religion.
Allso he commaunded that the feast of everie saynte that was patrone of the churche, called Festum loci in everie parishe, should be kept holiedaye in everie parishe throughe his diocesse as a principall feast used in olde tyme, after the custome of the churche.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 13 Nov 1554. The xiij day of November was commondyd by the bysshope of London (age 54) to all clarkes in the dyoses [dioceses] of London for to have sant Necolas and to go a-brod, as mony as wold have ytt.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29 Nov 1554. The xxix day of November was commondyd by the byshope of London (age 54), thrughe ys dyosesse, that thay shuld say the masse of the Holy-gost (with) prossessyon, and to syng Te Deum, and ryng yng, [and to] pray to God to gyffe hym thankes of owr [gracious] quen (age 38) of her qwyckenyng with chyld, and to pray.
Note. Thanks for the queen's quickening. "The 28. of November the lord maior of London, with the aldermen in scarlet, and the commons in their liveries, assembled in Paul's church at nine of the clocke in the forenoone, where doctor Chadsey one of the prebends preached in the quire in the presence of the bishop of London and nine other bishops, and read a letter from the queen's councel, the tenor wherof was, that the bishop of London should cause Te Deum to bee sung in all the churches of his diocesse, with continual prayers for the queenes majestie, which was quickened with child. The letter being read, he began his sermon with this anthetime, Ne timeas Maria, invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum. His sermon being ended, Te Deum was sung; and solemne procession was made of Salve festa dies all the circuit of the church." (Stowe.) The letter of the privy council to the bishop here mentioned is printed in Fox, and in the Gentleman's Magazine for Dec. 1841, p. 596, taken from the broadside issued at the time by John Cawode the queen's printer. In the same article is also reprinted a ballad circulated on this occasion, accompanied by various other particulars of this disappointment of the unhappy queen. See also sir F. Madden's introduction to her Privy-Purse book.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 04 Feb 1555. The iiij day (of) Feybruary the bysshope of London (age 55) went into Nugatt [Map], and odur docturs, to dysgratt [degrade] Hoper (age 60), and Rogers (age 50) sumtyme vycker of sant Polkers.
Note. P. 82. Burning of bishop Hooper. The letter from the queen to lord Chandos directing him to repair to Gloucester and assist at the execution of bishop Hooper, has been published in Miss Wood's Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies, iii. 284.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 04 Feb 1555. The fourth day of February, the year above mentioned, in the chapel in Newgate [Map], the bishop of London (age 55) there sitting with his notary and certain other witnesses, came Alexander Andrew, the gaoler, bringing with him Master Hooper (age 60) and Master Rogers (age 50), being condemned before by the chancellor (age 72); where the said bishop of London (age 55), at the request of the aforesaid Winchester (age 72), proceeded to the degradation of the parties above mentioned, Master Hooper and Master Rogers, after this form and manner: first, he put upon him all the vestures and ornaments belonging to a priest, with all other things to the same order appertaining, as though (being revested) they should solemnly execute their office. Thus they, being apparelled and invested, the bishop beginneth to pluck off, first the uttermost vesture; and so, by degree and order, coming down to the lowest vesture, which they had only in taking Benet and Collet; and so, being stript and deposed, he deprived them of all order, benefit, and privilege belonging to the clergy; and consequently, that being done, pronounced, decreed, and declared the said parties so degraded, to be given personally to the secular power, as the sheriffs being for that year, Master Davy Woodroofe, and Master William Chester; who, receiving first the said Master Rogers at the hands of the bishop, had him away with them, bringing him to the place of execution where he suffered. The witnesses there present were Master Harpsfield, archdeacon of London; Robert Cosin, and Robert Willerton, canons of Paul's; Thomas Mountague, and George How, clerks; Tristram Swadock, and Richard Cloney, the sumner, &c.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 04 Feb 1555. The fourth of February suffered the constant martyr of God, Master John Rogers (age 50), concerning whose life, examinations, and suffering, here followeth in order set forth. And first touching his life and bringing up.
John Rogers, brought up in the university of Cambridge, where he profitably travailed in good learning, at length was chosen and called by the merchant adventurers to be their chaplain at Antwerp in Brabant, whom he served to their good contentation many years. It chanced him there to fall in company with that worthy servant and martyr of God William Tyndale, and with Miles Coverdale (age 67), who both, for the hatred they bare to popish superstition and idolatry, and love to true religion, had forsaken their native country. In conferring with them the Scriptures, he came to great knowledge in the gospel of God, insomuch that he cast off the heavy yoke of popery, perceiving it to be impure and filthy idolatry, and joined himself with them two in that painful and most profitable labour of translating the Bible into the English tongue, which is entitled, The Translation of Thomas Matthewe. He, knowing by the Scriptures, that unlawful vows may lawfully be broken, and that matrimony is both honest and honourable among all men, joined himself in lawful matrimony, and so went to Wittenberg in Saxony, where he, with much soberness of living, did not only greatly increase in all good and godly learning, but also so much profited in the knowledge of the Dutch tongue, that the charge of a congregation was orderly committed to his cure.
In which ministry he diligently and faithfully served many years, until such time as it pleased God, by the faithful travail of his chosen and dear servant, King Edward the Sixth, utterly to banish all popery forth of England, and to receive in true religion, setting God's gospel at liberty. He then, being orderly called, having both a conscience, and a ready good will to help forward the work of the Lord in his native country, left such honest and certain conditions as he had in Saxony, and came into England to preach the gospel, without certainty of any condition. In which office, after he had a space diligently and faithfully travailed, Nicholas Ridley, then bishop of London, gave him a prebend in the cathedral church of Paul; and the dean and the chapter chose him to be the reader of the divinity-lesson there; wherein he diligently travailed, until such time, as Queen Mary, obtaining the crown, banished the gospel and true religion, and brought in the antichrist of Rome, with his idolatry and superstition
After the queen was come to the Tower of London, he, being orderly called thereunto, made a godly and vehement sermon at Paul's Cross, confirming such true doctrine as he and others had there taught in King Edward's days, exhorting the people constantly to remain in the same, and to beware of all pestilent popery, idolatry, and superstition. The council, being then overmatched with popish and bloody bishops, called him to account for his sermon: to whom he made a stout, witty, and godly answer; and yet in such sort handled himself, that at that time he was clearly dismissed. But after that proclamation was set forth by the queen to prohibit true preaching, he was called again before the council; for the bishops thirsted after his blood. The council quarrelled with him concerning his doctrine, and in conclusion commanded him as prisoner to keep his own house; and so he did; although by flying, he might easily have escaped their cruel hands, and many things there were which might have moved him thereunto. He did see the recovery of religion in England, for that present, desperate; he knew he could not want a living in Germany; and he could not forget his wife and ten children, and to seek means to succour them. But all these things set apart, after he was called to answer in Christ's cause, he would not depart, but stoutly stood in defence of the same, and for the trial of that truth, was content to hazard his life.
Thus he remained in his own house as prisoner a long time, till at length, through the uncharitable procurement of Bonner (age 55), bishop of London, who could not abide such honest neighbours to dwell by him, he was removed from his own house to the prison called Newgate, where he was lodged among thieves and murderers for a great space; during which time, what business he had with the adversaries of Christ, all is not known, neither yet any certainty of his examinations, further than he himself did leave in writing; which God would not to be lost, but to remain for a perpetual testimony in the cause of God's truth, as here followeth recorded and testified by his own writing.
Description of the examination by Lord Chancellor Bishop Stephen Gardiner (age 72).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 09 Feb 1555. The ix day of Feybruary was raynyd at Powlles, a-for my lord mayre and the shreyffes and the bysshope of London (age 55) and dyvers docturs and of the conselle, vj heretykes [of] Essex and Suffoke, to be brent in dyvers places.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Apr 1555. The xvij day of Aprell was a commandment [from the bishop of London (age 55) that every] parryche in London should have the sam day, and the morowe, durge and masse and ryngyng for pope Jully [the third] of that name, and for all crystyn solles.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Apr 1555. The xx day of Aprell was raynyd at Powlles a-for the bysshope of London (age 55) and many odur and my lord cheyffe justys and my lord mayre and the shreyffes; ys name was (master Fowler, alias Branch ); he was a monke of Ely; and ther was a goodly sermon, and after he was cast and condemnyd to have ys hand that hurt the prest cut off or he shuld suffer, and after dysgracyd, and after cared to Nuwgatt [Map]ss.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 09 Aug 1555. The ix day of August was a generall prossessyon at London with all the chylderyn of skolles in London; and all sextens, and all clarkes, and all prestes; and the bysshope of London (age 55), and my lord mayre, in ther leveray, from Powlles done Chepesyd, and thrugh Bokelars-bere and Walbroke, and up Watlyng-stret to Powlles.
On 04 Sep 1555 Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 55) consecrated an Archbishop and two Bishops at St Paul's Cathedral [Map]:
Archbishop Hugh Curwen (age 55) was consecrated Archbishop of Dublin.
Bishop James Turbeville was consecrated Bishop of Exeter.
Bishop William Glynne (age 51) was consecrated Bishop of Bangor.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 14 Nov 1555. The xiiij day of November be-gane the knyll for the most ryght reverent father in God my lord chaunseler of England, doctur Sthevyn Gardener (deceased), byshope of Wynchastur, and of the preve consell with kyng Henry the viijth and unto quen Mare quen of England (age 39); and with a hersse of iiij branchys, with gylt candyllstykes, and ij whytt branchys and iij dosen of stayffes-torchys, and all the qwyre hangyd with blake and armes, and a durge songe; and the morow masse of requiem, and alle bysshoppes and lordes and knyghtes and gentyllmen; and my lord bysshope Bonar (age 55) of London did syng masse of requiem, and doctur Whyt (age 45) bysshope of Lynkolne dyd pryche at the sam masse; and after all they whent to his plasse to dener.
Note. P. 97. Funeral of lord chancellor Gardiner. The ceremonial of this is preserved in the Coll. Arm. I. 11. 121–124, and a second copy in pp. 127–133.—Machyn's extraordinary word "inowlle" is converted by Strype into "jewels:" and in my marginal note I have suggested "enamel." Both explanations are wrong: as no doubt our painter meant that the banners were painted with images of saints in oil and "with fine gold."
Henry Machyn's Diary. 21 Nov 1555. The xxj day of November at none be-gane the knyll for my lord chanseler (deceased), for then was the body browt to the chyrche of sant Mare Overes [Map], with grett compene of prestes and clarkes, and alle the bysshopes; and my lord of London (age 55) dyd exsecute the offes, and ware ys myter; and ther wher ij goodly whyt branchys bornyng, and the harsse with armes and (tapers) bornyng, and iiij dosen of stayffes; and all the qwyre with blake, and ys armes; and afor the corse the kyng of haroldes with ys cot, and with v baners of ys armes, and iiij of emages wrothe with fyne gold and inowlle [enamel]; and the morowe-masse iij masse, one of the Trenete, on of owre Lade, and (the) iij of requiem for ys solle; and after to dener; and so he was put in a hersse tyll a day that he shall be taken up and cared unto Wynchaster to be bered ther.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25 Mar 1556. The xxv day of Marche was owre Lady day, the Annunsyasyon, at Bow chyrche in London was hangyd with cloth of gold, and with ryche hares [arras] and cossens for the commyng of my lord cardenall Polle (age 56); ther dyd the bysshope of Vosseter dyd synge he masse mytyred; and ther wher dyver bysshopes, as the bysshope of Ely (age 50), bysshope of London (age 56), and bysshope of Lynkkolne (age 46), and the yerle of Penbroke (age 55), and ser Edward Hastynges (age 35), the master of horsse, and dyvers odur nobuls, and after masse done to my lord (unfinished).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 21 Mar 1557. The sam day at after-non cam downe that evere chyrche shuld in London syng Te Deum laudamus by the commondement of my lord bysshope of London (age 57), and rynggyng alle that whylle, to ryng with grett presse [praise] to God; and ther cam iij huwysse [hoys] of Spaneards the sam day to London.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 01 Aug 1557. The first day of August was the nones [nuns] of Syon [Map] was closyd in by my lorde bysshope of London (age 57) and my lord abbott of Westmynster (age 42), and serten of the consell, and serten frers of that order, of shepe coler as the shepe bereth; and thay had as grett a charge of ther leyfvyng [living], and never to goo forth as longe as they do lyffe, but ever ...
Note. P. 145. Inclosing of the nuns of Syon. This royal foundation was one of the few that queen Mary was able to reinstate. Of this transaction see Aungier's History of Syon Monastery, 8vo. 1840, p. 96.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 03 Aug 1557. The iij day of August my lade Anne of Cleyff (deceased), sumtyme wyff unto kyng Henry the viijth cam from Chelsey to be [buried] unto Westmynster, with all the chylderyn of Westmynster and [many] prest and clarkes, and then the gray ames of Powlles and iij crosses, and the monkes of Westmynster, and my lord bysshope of Lo[ndon] (age 57) and my lord abbott of Westmynster (age 42) rod together next the monkes, and then the ij sekturs [executors] ser Edmond Peckham (age 62) and ser (Robert) Freston (age 57), cofferer to the quen of England; and then my lord admerall (age 47), my (lord) Darce of Essex (age 60), and mony knyghts and gentyllmen; and a-for her servandes, and after her baner of armes; and then her gentyllmen and here hed offesers; and then here charett with viij baners of armes of dyvers armes, and iiij baners of emages of whytt taffata, wroght with fyne gold and her armes; and so by sant James, and so to Charyingcrosse [Map], with a C. torchys bornyng, her servandes beyrying them, and the xij bed-men of Westmynster had new blake gownes; and they had xij torchys bornyng, and iiij whyt branchys with armes; and then ladies and gentyll-women all in blake, and horsses; and a viij haroldes of armes in blake, and ther horses; and armes sad a-bowt the herse behynd and be-for; and iiij haroldes barying the iiij whyt baners; and at (the) chyrche dore all dyd a-lyght and ther dyd reseyvyd the good lade my lord of London (age 57) and my lord abbott (age 42) in ther myteres and copes, sensyng her, and ther men dyd bere her with a canepe of blake welvett, with iiij blake stayffes, and so browth in-to the herse and ther tared durge, and so ther all nyght with lyght bornyng.
Note. Ibid. Funeral of the lady Anne of Cleves. A very particular narrative of this solemnity, from MSS. in the College of Arms, will be found in the Excerpta Historica, 1831, together with the Will of the deceased. The body of the queen was buried, as Stowe says, "at the head of king Sebert," where "she lyeth in a tomb not yet finished." Engravings of what was erected of this tomb will be found in the Vetusta Monumenta, vol. ii. pl. 35, as well as in Dart and the other histories of Westminster Abbey. In p. 145, for sir Robert Freston read Richard; and in p. 146, for William duke of Cleves read John.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 04 Aug 1557. The iiij day of August was the masse of requiem for my lade prenses of Cleyff (deceased), and dowther to [William] duke of Cleyff [Note. Anne of Cleves was daughter to John La Marck III Duke Cleves]; and ther my lord abbott of Westmynster (age 42) mad a godly sermon as ever was mad, and [then] ... the byshope of London (age 57) song masse in ys myter; [and after] masse my lord byshope and my lord abbott (age 42) mytered dyd [cense] the corsse; and afterward she was caried to her tomb, [where] she leys with a herse-cloth of gold, the wyche lyys [over her]; and ther alle her hed offesers brake ther stayffes, [and all] her hussears [ushers] brake ther rodes, and all they cast them in-to her tombe; the wyche was covered her co[rps] with blake, and all the lordes and lades and knyghtes and gentyllmen and gentell-women dyd offer, and after masse agrett [dinner] at my lord (abbat's); and my lade of Wynchester was the cheyff [mourner,] and my lord admeroll (age 47) and my lord Darce (age 60) whent of ether syde of my lade of Wynchester, and so they whent in order to dinner.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 19 Aug 1557. The xviiij day of August was the hers for the kyng of Denmarke fenysshed, with wax, the wyche was never sen shyche on [seen such a one] in England of that fassyon, of sqware tapurs, and xxj baners and baners rolles of all ther leneges and mareges in baner-rolles. The sam nyght was the durge, my lord tresorer cheyff morner; and after that my lord Darcy (age 60), ser Robart Uxinbryge (age 49), ser Edmond Peckam (age 62), ser [Robert] Freston (age 57), cofferer to the quen (age 41), and ser Recherd Sowthwell (age 54), ser Arthur Darcy (age 62), and mony nobull men and gentyllmen alle in blake; and my lord of London (age 57) begane the durge, with ys myter [on] alle the durge wylle; and after the durge alle the haroldes and the lordes whent to the bysshope of London('s) plasse and dronke; and iiij goodly whytt branchys, and vj dosen torchys, and the qwer hangyd with blake and armes; and vj pilers covered with velvet, and a goodly hers-cloth of tensell, the crosse of cloth of selver; and the morow masse, and a goodly sermon, and after to my lord('s) of London to dener for the kyng of Denmarke('s) obseque and fenerall, and a mageste and valans fryng of gold, and x dosen pensels, and x dosen skochyns of armes.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 01 Sep 1557. The furst day of September at after-none be[ried the] yonge duches of Northfoke (deceased), and the chyrche and the plasse and the strett [hangyd with black] and armes; and be iij of the cloke she was browth to [the church with] a c morners; and her grasse [grace] had a canepe [canopy] of blake [velvet, with] iiij stayffes, borne ower her; and many baners, and baner[-rolls borne ab]owt here; and the byshope of London (age 57) in ys cope and ys myter [on his head,] and all the qwyre of Powlles; and with ij grett whytt branchys, and xij dosen stayffes torchys; and viij haroldes of armes; and my [lady Lumley (age 20)] the cheyff morner, and mony lordes and knyghtes, and gentyll lades and gentyll-women.
Note. P. 149. Death of the duchess of Norfolk. She had not recovered from the birth of her first and only child. "This Mary duches of Norffolk, late wyff to the right highe and myghty prynce Thomas duke of Norffolk, erl of Surrey and Waren, lord Mowbray, Segrave and Brusse, and erl marshall of England, departed on Wensday the 25. of August at th'erl of Arundell her father's howsse, called Arundell place in St. Clementes parishe called the Danes withowt temple barre in London, 1557, in the 4. and 5. of kyng Phelyp and queen Mary, and was beryed the fyrst of Septembre next foloing in the parish churche of St. Clementes the Danes." (MS. Harl. 897, f. 79.) A long narrative of her funeral is in the College of Arms, I. 14, 95–99, and I. 15, 256–261.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 27 Oct 1557. The xxvij day of October my lade was browth to the chyrche, with the byshope of London (age 57) and Powlles qwyre and the master and clarkes of London, and then cam the corse with v baners of armes borne; then cam iiij harolds in ther cotes of armes, and bare iiij banars of emages at the iiij corners; and then cam the chyff mornars, my lade of Wossetur, and my lade Lumley (age 20), and my lord North (age 27), and ser Antony Selenger. [Then came a hundred mourners of men, and after as many ladies and gentlemen, all in black; and a great many poor women in black and rails, and] xxiiij pore men in blake beyryng of torchys, and mony of her servandes in blake cotes beyryng of torchys.
Note. P. 155. Funeral of the countess of Arundel. A full account of this funeral is preserved in the College of Arms, I. 15, ff. 266 et seq. The lady was previously countess of Sussex, and a letter written under that signature in 1537 has been published in Miss Wood's Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies, vol. ii. p. 306. "This Mary, doter of sir John Arundell of the West [and widow of Robert earl of Sussex, who died in 1542,] departed this lyff on Wensday the 20. of October 1557, in the 4. and 5. yeres of king Phelyp and quene Mary in the said erl of Arundelles place in St. Clementes parishe called the Danes withowt temple barre in London, and was beryed the xxviij. of October next folowinge." (MS. Harl. 897, f. 79.) The same authority supplies the following record of the earl of Arundel's former wife: "The lady Kateren Maltravers, doter of the lord marquis Dorset, departed owt of this world the fyrst day of May in the xxiiijth. yere of H. 8, (1532,) and lyeth beryed at St. Bartylmewes the lyttell within sir Gyles Capell('s) chapell." (p. 13b.)
Henry Machyn's Diary. 28 Oct 1557. The xxviij day of October was the masse of requiem song, and a goodly sermon; and after masse her grasse was bered; and all her hed offesers with whytt stayffes in ther handes, and all the haroldes waytyng abowt her in ther cott armurs, and my lord abbott of Westmynster (age 42) [was the] precher, a godly sarman; and my lord of London (age 57) song the masse, and the byshope of (blank) song the masse of the (blank), and ther was a (blank) masse sayd; and after to my lordes plase to dener, for ther was a gret dener.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 21 Mar 1558. The sam day of Marche wher browth in-to the (blank) afor the bysshope of London (age 58) and odur lernyd men of the temporolte iij men, the wyche ther openions wher shyche that they wher juged and condemnyd to suffer deth by fyre; one man was a hossear [hosier] dwellyng in Wodstret, ys nam ys (blank).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 23 May 1559. The xxiij day of May cam from be-yonde the see out of France and landyd at Towr-warff, and cam thrugh London, and unto my lord bysshope of London docthur Benard (age 59), monser Memeranse (age 66) ij [2] sunes [Note. Francis Montmorency (age 28) visited in May 1559. It isn't known whether his brother Henri I de Montmorency (age 24) visited at the same time], and ... unto ys palles to ly; and mony lord(s) and nobull men browth them to their logying.... attes and mony mo for serten Frenche-men.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29 May 1559. The xxix day of May was depreved of ys byshopepryke of London doctur Boner (age 59), and in ys plasse master Gryndall (age 40); and [Nowell] (age 42) electyd dene of Powlles, and the old dene depreved, master [Cole] (age 59).
On 05 Sep 1569 Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 69) died.
Chronicle of Greyfriars. Meanwhile, on the 3rd of January, being the first Sunday in the new year, as related in our Chronicle, the church that was sometime the Grey Friars' was again set open, and mass said at the altars—it will be recollected that no English service had hitherto been established—by divers priests. 30 On the same day, as Stowe tells us, doctor Ridley, then bishop of Rochester—and who, only a few months after, succeeded Bonner in the see of London—preached at Paul's Cross, declaring the king's gift, how that he had bestowed, for the relief of the poor, the hospital of Saint Bartholomew in Smithfield, lately valued at 305l. 6s. 7d., and for the maintenance of the new Friars, valued at 32l. 19s. 7d., and the church of the Grey parish church of Christ church had assigned lands valued at five hundred marks.
Note 30. See p. 53.
Ecclesia Restauranta Queen Elizabeth Year 2. 4. For so it was, that some sticklers for the Church of Rome, having been told of the dinner which was made at the Nag's Head Tavern at such time as the election of the new Archbishop was confirmed in the Arches, raised a report that the Nag's-head Tavern was the place of the consecration. And this report was countenanced by another slander, causing it to be noised abroad and published in some seditious pamphlets, that the persons designed by the Queen for the several Bishopricks, being met at a tavern, did then and there lay hands upon one another, without form or order. The first calumny fathered on one Neale1 once Hebrew Reader in the University of Oxford, and Chaplain unto Bishop Bonner ; which last relation were sufficient to discredit the whole tale, if there were no other evidence to disprove the same. And yet the silence of all Popish writers concerning this Nag's-head consecration during the vvhole reign of Queen Elizabeth, when it had been most material for them to insist upon it, as much discrediteth the whole figment as the author of it. The other published by Dr Nicholas Sanders, (never more truly Dr Slanders2 than in that particular), in his pestilent and seditious book entitled "De Schismate Anglicano3" whose frequent falsehoods make him no fit author to be built upon in any matter of importance. Yet on the credit of these two4, but on the first especially, the tale of the Nag's-head consecration, being once taken up, was generally exposed to sale as one of the most vendible commodities in the writings of some Romish Priests and Jesuits, as Champneys, Fitzsimons, Parson5, Kellison, &c. They knew right well that nothing did more justify the Church of England in the eye of the world than that it did preserve a succession of Bishops, and consequently of all other sacred orders, in the ministration. Without which, as they would not grant it to be a Church, so could they prove it to be none by no stronger argument than that the Bishops (or the pretended Bishops rather, in their opinion) were either not consecrated at all, or not canonically consecrated as they ought to be. And for the gaining of this point, they stood most pertinaciously on the fiction of the Nag's-head Tavern, which if it could be proved, or at least believed, there was an end of the episcopal succession in the Church of England, and consequently also of the Church itself.
Note 1. Edd. 1, 2. "Keale." Ed. 3. "Weak."
Note 2. Fuller styles him, "lying Slanders," iii. 235 ; but it is not probable that this so obvious and so well deserved variation on the name remained for Fuller to discover.
Note 3. It ought to be observed that the account of the reign of Elizabeth is not by Sanders, but by a worthy continuator, Rishton.
Note 4. This might lead us to suppose that Sanders (or Rishton) asserted the Nags Head consecration; whicti is not the case. The form which the falsehood bears in the book De Schismate Anglicano is, that after an imprisoned Irish archbishop had in vain been urged to consecrate, the Protestant Bishops entered on their office without any consecration whatever (29B). It is shewn in Bramhall, iii. 47, that there was no Romish archbishop of Ireland with whom there could have been a negociation ; and that, if necessary, consecrators could readily have been procured from the Irish Church.
Note 5. Parsons did not maintain the story in print, although it is possible that he may have privately expressed a belief in it, as he lived six years after it had been first published by Holywood (or Sacrobosco) at Antwerp, in 1604. Note in Bramhall, iii. 39.