Biography of Archbishop Nicholas Heath 1501-1578
Around 1501 Archbishop Nicholas Heath was born.
Around 1513 Archbishop Nicholas Heath (age 12) educated at Christ's College, Cambridge University [Map].
Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1553. 22 Aug 1553. And when he [John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 49)] came apon the scaffolde, first, he put of his gowne of crane-colored damaske, and then he leaned apon the raile towarde the est, and saide to the people, allmost in every poynt as he had saide in the chapella, saving that when he came to the confession of his belife tie saide, I trust, my lorde the bushopeb here will beare me witnes hereof." At the last he put of his jerkyn and doblet, and then saide his prayers; after which tyme the hangman reched to him a kerchef, which he dyd knit himself about his ees, and then layd him downe, and so was behedded.
Note a. "This present daye the duke of Northumberlande, sir John Gates, and master Palmere, came to executione, and suffered deathe. The duke's confessyon was in effecte but lytle, as I hard saye; hee confessed himselfe worthie to dye, and that he was a greate helper in of this religion which is false, thearfore God had punished us with the lose of kinge Henry 8, and also with the lose of king Edward 6, then with rebellione, and aftere with the swetinge sicknes, and yet we would not turne. Requiringe them all that weare presente to remember the ould learninge, thankinge God that he would vutsafe to call him nowe to be a Christyane, for this 16 yeares he had byne non. Theare weare a greate nomber turned with his words. He wished every man not to be covetous, for that was a greate parte of his distruction. He was asked further yf he had any thinge moare to saye, and he said nothinge but that he was worthie to dye, and so was moe than he, but he cam to dye, and not to accuse any mane. And thus bouldly he spak, tyll he layd his head on the block." (Letter of William Dalby, as before cited.) Another account of the duke of Northumberland's confession, from the MS. Harl. 284, is printed in Bayley's History of the Tower of London, Appx. p. xlviii.; and by Tytler, vol. ii. p. 230, who refers to others in MS. Cotton, Titus, B II. in MS. Reg. 12 A 26 (in Latin), and an abstract in MS. Harl. 2194.
Note b. Nicholas Heath (age 52), bishop of Worcester.
In 1555 Archbishop Nicholas Heath (age 54) was appointed Archbishop of York.
In 1555 Archbishop Nicholas Heath (age 54) was appointed Lord Chancellor.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 01 Dec 1555. The furst day of December was reseyvyd with pressessyon my lord cardenall Pole (age 55) into Westmynster abbay [Map]; and ther mett hym x[viij bishops,] and the bysshope of Yorke (age 54) dyd menyster with ys myter; [and they] whent a pressessyon a-bowt the chyrche and the cloyster.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 02 Jun 1556. The ij day of June was bered at sant Magnus [Map] at London bryge ser Recherd Morgayn knyght, a juge and on of the preve consell unto the nobull quen Mare, with a harold of armes bayryng ys cott armur, and with a standard and a penon of armes and elmett, sword, and targatt; and iiij dosen of skochyons, and ij whytt branchys and xij torchys and iiij gret tapurs, and xxiiij pore men in mantyll ffrysse gownes, and mony in blake; and master chansseler (age 55) of London dyd pryche.
Note. P. 106. Funeral of sir Richard Morgan, chief justice of the common pleas. The following anecdote is recorded with regard to the death of this person, after describing the execution of lady Jane Grey: "Judge Morgan, that gave the sentence against hir, shortly after fell mad, and in hys raving cryed continuallye to have the ladie Jane taken away from him, and so ended his life." Holinshed, first edit. 1577, p. 1733; and Foxe, vol. iii. p. 37.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29 Nov 1556. The xxix day of November was my lord abbott (age 41) consecratyd at Westmynster abbay; and ther was grett compene, and he was mad abbott, and dyd wher a myter; and my lord cardenall (age 56) was ther, and mony byshopes, and my lord chanseler (age 55) dyd syng masse, and the abbott mad the sermon, and my lord tressore (age 73) was [there].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 21 Mar 1557. The xxj day of Marche the Kyng (age 29) and the Quen (age 41) [went] thrugh the galere unto ther closett, and ther thay [heard mass]; and ther was ij swordes borne a-for them, on by lord Cobham (age 60), and the thodur (by) my lord admerall (age 47); [and from] ther closett bake to dener, boyth the Kyng and the Quen together, and ther my lord chanseler (age 56) was ther and dyvers [other lords.]
Henry Machyn's Diary. 02 Jul 1557. The ij day of July the duke of Norfoke('s) (age 21) sun was crystened at Whytt-hall at after-non, and the kyng (age 30) and my lord chanseler (age 56) was the godfathers, and my old lade the duches of North-foke (age 60) [Note. Assumed to be the dowager duchess of Norfolk since referred to as 'old lade' rather than the current Duchess of Norfolk Elizabeth Leybourne Duchess Norfolk (age 21)] was the god-mother, and ther wher iiijxx storchys bornyng.
Note. P. 141. Christening of the duke of Norfolk's son. Philip earl of Surrey, as he was called in his infancy, and afterwards the distinguished earl of Arundel of that name, was "borne at Arundell place in London 28. of July [June] 1557." (MS. Harl. 897, f. 79.) Stowe also has recorded his christening "in the queenes chapell at Westminster, in a font of gold." The king and lord chancellor stood godfathers "in proper person."
On 15 Aug 1557 Bishop Thomas Watson (age 42) was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln by Archbishop Nicholas Heath (age 56).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 16 Mar 1558. The xvj day of Marche my lord mare and the althermen wher commondyd unto Yeld-halle [Map], for thay had a commondement by the qwyen (age 42) that thay shuld lend the quen a (blank) of H.; for ther sat my lord stresorer (age 75), my lord preve-saylle (age 52), and the bysshope of Elly (age 52) as commyssyonars, and my lord chanseler (age 57), with odur of the conselle.... with ij whyt branchys and xij torchys .... great tapurs, and after a grett dener within the ....
Henry Machyn's Diary. 22 Mar 1558. The xxij day of Marche my lord mayre and the althermen whent unto Yeld-Halle [Map], and ther the quen('s) consell cam theder, furst my lord chanseler (age 57), my lord treysorer (age 75), my lord of preve-selle (age 52), the bysshope of Ele (age 52), and ser John Baker, secretore Peter, and mony more, and after whent to my lord mare to dener.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 14 Dec 1558. The xiiij day of Desember [was] the quen('s) (deceased) masse; and [all the lords] and lades, knyghtes and gentyll women, dyd offer. [And there was] a man of armes and horse offered; and her cotarmur, and sword, and targett, and baner of armes, and iij [standards]; and all the haroldes abowt her; and ther my lord bysshope of Wynchester (age 48) mad the sermon; and ther was offered cloth of gold and welvet, holle pesses, and odur thynges. [After the] masse all done, her grace was cared up [to the chapel [Map]] the kyng Henry the vij byldyd, with bysshopes [mitred;] and all the offesers whent to the grayffe [grave], and after [they] brake ther stayffes, and cast them in-to the grayffe; in the mayn tyme the pepull pluckt [down] the cloth, evere man a pesse that cold caycth [catch] [it,] rond a-bowt the cherche, and the armes. And after[wards,] my lord bysshope of Yorke (age 57), after her grace was [buried,] he declaryd an colasyon [collation], and as sone as he had made an end, all the trumpetes bluw a blast, and so the cheyff morners and the lords and knyghtes, and the bysshopes, with [the] abbott (age 43), whent in-to the abbay to dener, and all the offesers of the quen('s) cott [court].
On 15 Jan 1559 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 25) was crowned I Queen England by Bishop Owen Oglethorpe (age 52) at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk (age 19) carried the train. Archbishop Nicholas Heath (age 58) censed. Edward Dymoke (age 51) attended as the Queen's Champion. Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk (age 22), Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 59), Henry Fitzalan 19th Earl of Arundel (age 46), Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter (age 16) and William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 58) attended.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 05 Jul 1559. The v day of July was deposyd of ther byshopeprykes the archebyshope of Yorke doctur Heth (age 58), and the bysshope of Ely docthur Thurlbe (age 53), at my lord treysorer('s) (age 76) plasse at Frers Augustyne.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 10 Jun 1560. The sam day was had to the Towre [Map] the (arch-)byshope of (York) docthur Heth (age 59), latt chanseler of Engeland by quen Mare('s) days, and part by quen Elesabeth('s) days.
Henry Machyn's Diary. Feb 1561. [The day of February was excommunicated Hethe (age 60),] latt chanseler of England and [arch] byshope of Yorke, he lyung in the Towre [Map].
On 01 Jan 1562 the New Years Gift Giving was held. Those who gave gifts provide an interesting who's who of the Elizabethan Court soon after Elizabeth I's Coronation. Queen Elizabeth (age 28) was present since a number are described as "With the Qene her Majestie."
For 'dimy' read 'demi' ie half-sovereigns.
Neweeyeur's Gyftes gevon to the Quene her Majestie by those Parsons whose Names hereafter ensue, the first of January, the Yere above wrytten.
By the Lady Margaret Strainge (age 22), a little round mounte of golde to conteyne a pomaunder in it. With the Qene her Majestie. Note. Lady Margaret Strange married Henry Stanley Lord Strange (age 30) on 07 Feb 1555. In 1561 he had not succeeded to Earldom of Derby and was known by the courtesy title Lord Strange. She is listed first since she was one of the few remaining direct descendants of Henry VII, being a great-granddaughter by his daughter Mary Tudor. Margaret Clifford was first in line to succeed in 1568 but died in 1596 before Elizabeth I.
Dukes, Marquises and Earls.
By the Duke of Norfolke (age 25), in a purse of purple silke and golde knit, in sundry coynes of golde £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Winchester (age 79), High Threasourer of Englande, in a purse of crymsen satten, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Northampton (age 50), in a purse of crymsen silke and gold knit, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Arundell (age 49), Lord Steward, in a paper, in angels, £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Shrewesburye (age 34), in a red silke purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Darbye (age 52), in a purse of crymsen satten, embraudered with golde, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Pembroke (age 61), in a purse of black silk and silver knit, in new angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Bedforde (age 35), in a purse of black silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Rutlande (age 35), in a purse of red silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraigns and angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Huntingdon, in a red silk purse, in angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Westmerlande (age 37), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Oxforde (age 46), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Northumberlande (age 34), in a purse of black silke and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d. With the Quene her Highness.
By the Earle of Warwike (age 32), a smocke wrought with black silk, a peire of slevis, and a partelett wrought with gold, silver, and black silke. Delivered to the Baroness Cobham (age 23).
By the Viscounte Mountague (age 33), in a purse of cloth of golde, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Bishops. The list of Bishops ends with "With her said Majestie"; unclear whether this refers to all the Bishops listed.
By the Archbusshop of Caunterbury (age 57), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £40 0s 0d.
By the Archbusshop of York (age 61), in soveraigns £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Duresme (age 42), in a purse of crymson silk and gold knytt, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Ely (age 69), in a red vellat purse, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Wynchester (age 52), in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt and set with pearles, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of London (age 43), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Salisbury (age 39), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Worcester (age 43), in a black vellat purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lyncoln (age 42), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chychester (age 64), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Norwich (age 50), in a blew silk purse £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Hereforde (age 52), in a green silk purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lychfield and Coventry (age 48), in a red satten purse, in angells £13 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Rochester (age 48), in a red purse, in gold £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Saint Davies (age 55), in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Bathe, in a purse of red silk, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Exetour, in a blew silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Peterborowe, in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chester, in a red purse, in angells and soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Duchesses and Countesses.
By the Duchess of Norfolke (age 22), in a prse of crymsen silk and gold knyt, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Duchess of Somerset (age 65), in a purse of silver and black silk, in royalls and ducketts £14 0s 0d. Probably the Dowager Duchess of Somerset since her husband Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset had been executed in 1552, and their children disinherited as a result.
By the Countess of Surrey, in a purse of tawny silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Dowager since her husband Henry Howard 1516-1547, by courtesy Earl Surrey, had been executed in 1547.
By the Countess of Pembroke (age 38), in a cherry bag of crymsen satten, in new angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Bedford (age 36), in a purse of crymsen silk and silver knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Darby (age 51), in a purse of crymson sattin embrodred with gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Oxford (age 36), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury, Dowager (age 62), in a purse of black silk knytt, in dimy soveraignes £12 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury (age 37), in a red silk purse knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon, Dowager (age 51), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon (age 24), in a red purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Northumberland (age 24), in a purse of black silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Rutland (age 29), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
Viscountesses.
By the Vicountess Hereford, Dowager (age 42), six hankercheffes edged with gold delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Vicountess Mountague (age 24), in a purse of cloth of gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Lordes.
By the Lorde Keeper of the Great Seale, Bacon (age 51), in a purse of silver knytt, in angells £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde William Howard, Lord Chamberlen (age 52), in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Pagett (age 56), in a greene purse in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Clynton, Lord Admyrall (age 50), in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Riche (age 65), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde North (age 66), in a purse of purple silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Lumley (age 29), in a paper, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Hastings of Loughboro (age 41), in a red silk purse, in French crowns £13 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Stafford (age 60), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Windsor (age 30), in a purse of crymsn silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
by Lorde John Graye (age 38), a haunce pott of allabaster garnished with silver gilt. Delivered in charge to John Asteley, Esq Master and Threasourer of her Highnes Jewels and Plate. Lord John Grey assumed to be a courtesy title his father being Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset.
By the Lorde Barkeley (age 27), in a red purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Mountejoye (age 29), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Abergavennye (age 36), in a purse of red silke, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Scrowpe (age 28), in a purse of blak silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Caree of Hundesdon (age 35), in a purse of crymsen silk, in double ducketts £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Strainge, in a purse of red silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Lord Strange being the courtesy title for the Earldom of Derby. He wouldn't inherit until 1572.
By the Lorde Darcey of Chichey (age 30), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes, £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shefild (age 24), in a red silk purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shandowes (age 40), in a blak silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Ladyes.
By the Baroness Howarde (age 47), in a purse of crymsen silk and knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Clinton (age 35), a peire of sleevis of gold, pulled out with lawne. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Baroness Genevillet, in gold £6 13s 4d.
By the Lady Barkeley (age 24), Lord Barkeley's wife, in gold £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Mountejoye (age 30), in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Abergavenny, in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Caree of Hundesdon (age 33), in a blak purse knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Taylboyes, Sir Peter Carewe's (age 48) wyfe, in a purse of blak silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Cobham, a partelett and a peire of sleeves of sypers wrought with silver and blak silke. Re-delivered to herself.
By the Lady Dakers (age 21), a warming ball of gold, per oz. 3 oz. dim. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shefilde (age 20), a paire of sleeves wrought with fringe of blak silk and lozeng of gold. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Margaret Baroness Scrope (age 18), in a purse of blak silk and silver, in angells £7 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shandowes (age 38), a peire of sleeves and a partlett of gold and silver knytt, cawle fashion. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Lady Knowlles (age 38), a feyne carpett of needleworke, theverende frienged and buttoned with gold and silk. Delivered to John Torneworth, Groom of the Privy Chamber.
By the Lady Butler, in a little white purse, in French crowns £6 0s 0d. With her said Majestie. Unclear as to who Lady Butler refers to.
By the Lady Raclyef, a peire of sleeves of cameryk, all over sett with purle, and two sweet bags. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
In 1578 Archbishop Nicholas Heath (age 77) died.
Strype Ecclesiastical Memorials Volume 1 Part 1 Chapter XXXVI. This year, [1536,] in the month of May, Queen Anne Boleyn was beheaded : a great friend and patroness of the reformed religion.
She was very nobly charitable, and expended largely in all manner of acts of liberality, according to her high quality. And among the rest of her ways of shewing this Christian virtue, she being a favourer of learning, together with her father, the Lord Wiltshire, and the Lord Rochford her brother, maintained divers ingenious men at the Universities. Among the rest were these men of note; Dr. Hethe, afterward Archbishop of York, and Lord Chancellor; Dr. Thirlby, afterward Bishop of Ely; and Mr. Paget, afterward Lord Paget, and Secretary of State: all which in her time were favourers of the Gospel, though afterwards they relapsed. Of Paget one hath observed, that he was a most earnest Protestant, and being in Cambridge, gave unto one Reynold West, Luther's book, and other books of the Germans, as Franciscus Lamhertus de Sectis : and that at that time he read Melancthon's Rhetoric openly in Trinity hall; and was a maintainer of Dr. Barnes, and all the Protestants then in Cambridge, and helped many religious persons out of their cowles.