made by the Prior of St. Andrews in Northampton, the Preamble whereof is printed by Fuller, and is at large printed by Weaver, is yet preserved in the Augmentation-Office. There are some few more also extant, six of these I have seen, one of them follows. FORASMUCH as we Richard Green, Abbot of our Monastery of our Blessed Lady St. Mary of Betlesden, and the Convent of the said Monastery, do profoundly consider, That the whole manner and trade of living, which we and our pretende ! Religion have practised, and used many days, does most principally consist in certain dumb Ceremonies, and other certain Constitutions of the Bishops of Rome, and other Forinsecal Potentates, as the Abbot of Cistins, and therein only noseled, and not taught in the true knowledg of God's Laws, procuring always Exemptions of the Bishops of Rome from our Ordinaries and Diocesans submitting our selves principally to Forinsecal Potentates and Powers, which never came here to reform such disorders of living and abuses, as now have been found to have reigned amongst us. And therefore now assuredly knowing, that the most perfect way of living, is most principally and sufficiently declared unto us by our Master Christ, his Evangelists and Apostles, and that it is most expedient for us to be governed and ordered by our Supream Head, under God, the King's most noble Grace, with our mutual assent and consent, submit our selves, and every one of us, to the most benign Mercy of the King's Majesty; and by these presents do surrender, &c. The Surrender follows in common form, Signed by the Abbot, Subprior and 9 Monks, 25. Septemb. Regni 30. There are others to the same purpose Signed by the Guardian and seven Franciscans at Alisbury, the 1st of October. By the Franciscans at Bedford the 3d of October. The Franciscans in Coventry the 5th of October. And the Franciscans in Stamford the 8th of October. And the Carmelites in Stamford on the same day, which I shall also insert, the former four agreeing to it. Head, under God, on Earth, the King's Majesty; and not to follow henceforth, the superstitious Traditions of any Forinsecal Potentate or Power, with mutual assent and consent, do submit our selves unto the Mercy of our said Sovereign Lord, and with the like mutual assent and consent do surrender, &c. Signed by the Prior and 6 Friers. SECT. V.-Of the manner of suppressing the Monasteries after they were Surrendered. THE Reader will best understand this by the following account of the Suppression of the Monastery of Teuksbury, copied from a Book that is in the Augmentation-Office, which begins thus: THE Certificate of Robert Southwell Esquire, William Petre, Edward Kairne, and John London, Doctors of Law; John Ap-rice, John Kingsman, Richard Paulet, and William Bernars, Esquires, Commissioners assigned by the King's Majesty, to take the Surrenders of divers Monasteries, by force of his Grace s Commission to them, 6, 5, 4, or 3 of them, in that behalf directed; bearing date at his Highness's Palace, of Westminster, the 7th day of Novemb. in the 31 year of the Reign of our most dread Sovereign Lord Henry the Eighth, by the Grace of God, King of England, and of France, Defender of the Faith, Lord of Ireland, and in Earth immediately under Christ Supreme Head of the Church of England, of all and singular their Proceedings, as well in and of these Monasteries others to be dissolved, according to the tenour, by his Majesty appointed to be altered, as of purport, and effect of his Graces said Commission; with Instructions to them likewise delivered, as hereafter ensueth. Teuk. bury late Monastery. FORASMUCH as we the Prior and Friers of this House of Carmelites in Stamford, commonly called the White Friers in Stamford, in the County of Lincoln, do profoundly consider that the perfection of Christian living doth not consist in some Ceremonies, wearing of a white Coat, disguising our selves after strange fashions, dockying and becking, The clear wearing Scapulars and Hoods, and other-like yearly vaPapistical Ceremonies, wherein we have been lue of all most principally practised and noseled in the Postimes past; but the very true way to pleaseGod, sessions and to live a true Christian Man, without all belonging hypocrisy and feigned dissimulation, is sin- to said cerely declared to us by our Master Christ, late Mohis Evangelists, and Apostles; being minded nastery. hereafter to follow the same, conforming our self to the Will and Pleasure of our Supream Houses and Buildings assigned to remain unde faced. Leads re main. ing Monastery Remains in the Treasury there under the Custody of John Whittington Kt. the Keys whereof being delivered to R. Paulet Receiver. Deem ed to be superfluous. The Church, with Chappels, Cloister, Chapterhouse, Misericord, the the two Dormitories, the Infirmary, with Chappels and Lodgings within the same; the Workbay, with another House adjoining to the same, the Covent-Kitching, the Library, the old Hostery, the Chamberers Lodging, the new-Hall, the old Parlor adjoining to the Abbot's Lodging; the Cellarers Lodging, the Poultry-house, the Gardner, the Almary, and all other Houses and Lodgings not above reserved. J Com mitted to the custo dy of John Whit ting (The Lodging called the Newark, leading from the Gate of the late Abbot's Lodging, with Buttery, Pantry, Cellar, Kitching, Larder, and Pastry thereto adjoining. The late Abbot's Lodging, the Hostery, the great Gate entering into the Court, with the Lodging over the same; the Abbot's Stable, Bakehouse, Brewhouse and Slaughterhouse, the Almry, Barn, Derryhouse, the the great Barn next Aven, the Maltinghouse, with the Garners in the same, the Oxhouse in the Barton, the Barton-gate, and the Lodging over the same. TheQuire, Iles, and Chap-Y pels annext the Cloister Chapter house, Frater, St. Michaels Chappel, Foder. Halls, Fermory, and Gate-house, esteemed to ton Kt. 180 (To 38 late Religious Persons of the said late Monastery of the King's Mat. reward. To an 144 late Servants of the said late Mo nastery, their Committed as abovesaid. l. s.d. 19480 80 13 4 75 10 0 for Wages and Liveries (To divers Per-) sons for Victuals and Neces. saries of them had to the use of the said Monastery, with 101. paied to the late Abbot there, for and in full paiment of 1241. 5s. 4d. by him to be paid to certain Creditors of the said late Monastery, by Co. venants made with the afore- I said Commissioners. 18 12 0 And so remains clear-19 12 8 Jewels reserved to the use of the King's Majesty. Plate of Miters garnished with 329 ounces. Silver re served to the same Silver gilt use. Ornaments reserved to the said use. One Cope of Silver Tissue, 1431 I at any time so far forget my self in my Exaltation, or received Queenship, but that I 2. always looked for such an alteration as now I find; for the ground of my preferment being on no surer Foundation than your Grace's Fancy, the least alteration, I knew, was fit and sufficient to draw that Fancy to some other Subject. You have chosen me, from a low estate, to be your Queen and Companion, far beyond my desert or desire. If then you found me worthy of such honour, Good your Grace let not any light Fancy, or bad counsel of mine Enemies, withdraw your Princely Favour from me; neither let that Stain, that unworthy stain of a disloyal heart towards your good Grace, ever cast so foul a blot on your most dutiful Wife, and the Infant-Princess your Daughter: Try me. good King, but let me have a lawful Trial, and let not my sworn Enemies sit as my Accusers and Judges; yea, let me receive an open Trial, for my Truth shall fear no open shame; then shall you see, either mine innocency cleared, your suspicion and Conscience satisfied, the ignominy and slander of the World stopped, or my guilt openly declared. So that whatsoever God or you may determine of me, Five Parsonages and 1 your Grace may be freed from an open cenVicarage. with one Cles. and two Then follows a List of some small Debts owing to and by the said Monastery. Then follows a List of the Livings in their Gift. Com. Glocest. Com. Wigorn. Com. Warwic. Com. Wilts. Four Parsonages and 10 Two Parsonages and 2 Two Parsonages. 2 Vicar. One Pars, and 2 Vicar, Four Pars. and Vicar. Com. Sommers. Three Pars. Com. Devon. Com. Cornub. Com. Glamorg and Morgan. 1 Vicar. In all 21 Parsonages and 27 Vicarages. YOUR Grace's displeasure, and my Imprisonment, are things so strange unto me, as what to write, or what to excuse, I am altogether ignorant. Whereas you send unto me (willing to confess a Truth, and to obtain your favour) by such an one whom you know to be mine ancient professed Enemy. I no sooner received this Message by him, than I rightly conceived your meaning; and if, as you say, confessing a Truth indeed may procure my safety, I shall with all willingness and duty perform your Command. But let not your Grace ever imagine that your poor Wife will ever be brought to ackrowledg a Fault, where not so much as a thought thereof proceeded. And to speak a Truth, never Prince had Wife more loyal in all duty, and in all true affection, than you have ever found in Ann Boleyn, with which Name and Place I could willingly have contented my self, if God, and your Grace's pleasure had been so pleased. Neither did sure and mine Offence being so lawfully proved, your Grace is at liberty, both before God and Man, not only to execute worthy punishment on me as an unlawful Wife, but to follow your Affection, already settled, on that Party, for whose sake I am now as I am, whose Name I could some good while since have pointed unto: your Grace being not ignorant of my suspicion therein. But if you have already determined of me, and that not only my Death, but an infamous slander must bring you the enjoying of your desired happiness; then I desire of God, that he will pardon your great sin therein, and likewise mine Enemies, the Instruments thereof; and that he will not call you to a strict account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me, at his General Judgment Seat, where both you and my self must shortly appear, and in whose Judgment I doubt not (whatsoever the World may think of me) mine Innocence shall be openly known and sufficiently cleared. My last and only request shall be. That my self may only bear the burthen of your Grace's displeasure, and that it may not touch the innocent Souls of those poor Gentlemen, who (as I understand) are likewise in strait Imprisonment for my sake. If ever I have found favour in your sight, if ever the Name of Ann Boleyn hath been pleasing in your ears, then let me obtain this request; and I will so leave to trouble your Grace any further, with mine earnest Prayers to the Trinity to have your Grace in his good keeping, and to direct you in all your actions. From my doleful Prison in the Tower this 6th of May. Your Most Loyal and ever Faithful Wifs, V.-The Judgment of the Convocation concerning General-Councils. Published by the L. Herbert from the Original. As concerning General-Councils, like as we (taught by long experience) do perfectly know that there never was, nor is, any thing devised, invented, or instituted by our ForeFathers, more expedient or more necessary for the establishment of our faith, for the extirpation of Heresies, and the abolishing of Sects and Schisms: and finally, for the reducing of Christ's People unto one perfect unity and concord in his Religion, than by the having of General Councils. So that the same be lawfully had and congregated in Spiritu Sancto, and be also conform and agreeable, as well concerning the surety and indifferency of the Places, as all other Points requisite and necessary for the same, unto that wholesome and godly Institution and usage, for the which they were at first devised and used in the Primitive Church. Even so on the other side, taught by like experience, we esteem, repute, and judg, That there is, ne can be any thing in the World more pestilent and pernicious to the Common-weal of Christendom, or whereby the Truth of God's Word hath in times past, or hereafter may be sooner defaced or subverted, or whereof hath and may ensue more contention, more discord and other devilish effects, than when such General Councils have or shall be assembled, not christianly nor charitably, but for and upon private malice and ambition, or other worldly and carnal Respects, and Considerations, according to the saying of Gregory Nazianzenus, in his Epistle to one Procopius, wherein he writeth this sentence following; Sic sentio, si verum scribendum est, omnes Conventus Episcoporum fugiendos esse, quia nullius Synodi finem vidi bonum, neque habentem magis solutionem malorum, quam incrementum: Nam cupiditates contentionum, et gloria (sed ne putes me odiosum ista scribentem) vincunt rationem. That is to say; "I think this, if I should write truly, That all General Councils be to be eschewed, for I never saw that they produced any good End or Effect, nor that any Provision or Remedy, but rather increase of Mischiefs proceeded of them. For the desire of maintenance of Men's Opinions aud ambition of Glory (but reckon not that I write this of malice) hath always in them overcomed reason Wherefore we think that Christian Princes, especially and above all things, ought and must, with all their wills, power, and diligence, foresee and provide; Ne Sanctissima hac in parte majorum Instituta, ad improbissimos ambitionis aut malitiæ effectus explendos, diversissimo suo fine et sceleratissimo pervertantur: Neve ad alium prætextum possint valere, et longe diversum effectum orbi producere quam Sanctissima rei facies pra se ferat. Tha: is to say, "Lest the most noble wholesome Institutions of our Elders in this behalf be perverted to a most contrary and most wicked end and effect; that is to say, to fulfil and satisfy the wicked affections of Men's Ambition and Malice; or, lest they might prevail for any other colour, or bring forth any other effect than their most vertuous and laudable countenance doth outwardly to the World shew or pretend." And first of all we think that they ought principally to consider who hath the Authority to call together a General Council. Secondly, Whether the Causes alledged be so weighty and so urgent, that necessarily they require a General Council, nor can otherwise be remedied. Thirdly, Who ought to be Judges in the General Council. Fourthly, What order of proceeding is to be observed in the same, and how the Opinions or Judgments of the Fathers are to be consulted or asked. Fifthly, What Doctrines are to be allowed or defended, with diverse other things which in General Councils ought of reason and equity to be observed. And as unto the first Point, We think that neither the Bishop of Rome, nor any one Prince, of what estate, degree, or preheminence soever he be, may by his own Authority, call, indite, or summon any General Council without the express consent, assent, and agreement of the residue of Christian Princes, and especially such as have within their own Realms and Seigniories, Imperium merum, that is to say, of such as have the whole, intire, and supream Government and Authority over all their Subjects, without knowledging or recognizing of any other supream Power or Authority. And this to be true, we be induced to think, by many and sundry, as well examples as great Reasons and Authority. The which, forasmuch as it should be over-long and tedious to express here particularly, we have thought good to omit the same for this present. And in witness that this is our plain and determinate Sentence, Opinion, and Judgment, touching the Premisses, we the Prelates and Clergy underwritten, being congregate together in the Convocation of the Province of Canterbury, and representing the whole Clergy of the same, have to these Presents subscribed our Names the 20th of July, in the Year of our Lord, 1536. 28. Hen. 8. Signed by Thomas Cromwel, Thomas Cantuariensis, Johannes London, with 13 Bishops, and of Abbots, Priors, Arch-Deacons, Deans, Proctors, Clerks, and other Ministers 49. There were then but 17 Bishops in the Province of Canterbury, and Rochester being vacant, of the other 16, 14 did sign this. VI.-Instructions for the King's Commissioners, last past; and what debts the House doth for a new survey, and an Inventory to be owe, and to what Person; and what Debts made of all the Demesnes, Lands, Goods, and be owing to them, and by whom. Chattels appertaining to any House of Religion of Monks, Cannons, and Nuns within their Commission, according to the Articles hereafter following. The number of which Houses in every County limited in their Commission, being annexed to the said Commission. An Original. [Ex MSS. Nob. D. G. Pierpoint] HENRY R. FIRST; After the Division made, one Auditor, one particular Receiver, one Clerk of the Register of the last Visitation, with three other discreet Persons to be named by the King in every County where any such Houses be; after their repair to such House, shall declare to the Governour, and Religious persons of the same, the Statute of Dissolution, the Commission, and the cause and purpose of their repair for that time. Item; That after the Declaration made, the said Commissioners shall swear the Governors of the Houses, or such other the Officers of the same House, or other, as ye shall think can best declare the state and plight of the same, to make declaration and answer to the Articles there under-written. Item; Of what Order, Rule, or Religion, the same House is, and whether it be a Cell or not; and if it be a Cell, then the Commissioners to deliver to the Governors of the House a Privy Seal, and also to injoin him, in the King's Name, under a great pain, to appear without delay before the Chancellor of the Augmentations of the Revenues of the King's Crown and the Council; and in the mean time not to meddle with the same Cell, till the King's pleasure be further known. Item; What number of Persons of Religion be in the same, and the conversation of their lives, and how many of them be Priests, and how many of them will go to other Houses of that Religion; or how many will take Capacities; and how many Servants or Hinds the same House keepeth commonly, and what other Persons have their living in the same House. Item; To survey the quantity or value of the Lead and Bells of the same House, as near as they can, with the ruin, decay, state, and plight of the same. Item; Incontinently to call for the Covent-Seal, with all Writings and Charters, Evidences and Muniments concerning any of the Possessions to be delivered to them, and put the same in sure keeping, and to take a just Inventory betwixt them and the Governour, or other Head-Officer, by Indenture, of the Ornaments, Plate, Jewels, Chattels, ready Mony, Stuff of Houshold, Coin, as well signed as not signed, Stock and Store in the Farmer's hands, and the value thereof, as near as they can, which were appertaining to the same Houses the first day of March Item; After, to cause the Covent, or Common-Seal, the Plate, Jewels, and ready Mony, to be put in safe keeping, and the residue of the Particulars specified in the Inventory, to be left in the keeping of the Governor, or some other Head-Officer, without wasting or consumption of the same, unless it be for necessary expence of the House. Item; That they command the Governor, or other receiver of the same House, to receive no Rents of their Farms until they know further of the King's pleasure, except such Rents as must needs be had for their necessary Food or Sustenance, or for payment of their Servants Wages. Item; To survey discreetly the Demesnes of the same House; that is to say, such as have not been commonly used to be letten out, and to certifie the clear yearly value thereof. Item; To examine the true yearly value of all the Farms of the same House, deducting thereof Rents reserved, Pensions and Portions paied out of the same, Synodals, and proxies; Bailiffs, Receivers, Stewards, and Auditors Fees, and the Names of them to whom they be paied and due, and to none other. item; What Leases hath been made to any Farmer, of the Farms pertaining to the same House; and what Rent they reserved, and to whom, and for how many years, and a Copy of the Indenture if they can get it, or else the Counter-pane. Item; To search and enquire what Woods, Parks, Forests, Commons, or other Profit be longing to any of the Possessions of the same Houses, the Number of the Acres, the Age and Value, as near as they can. Item; What Grants, Bargains, Sales, Gifts, Alienations, Leases of any Lands, Tenements, Woods, or Offices, hath been made by any the said Governors, of any of the said Houses, within one Year next before the 4th day of February last past, and of what things, or to what value, and to whom, and for what estate. Item; If there be any House of the Religion aforesaid omitted and not certified in the Exchequer, then the said Commissioners to survey the same, and to make Certificate accordingly. Item; That they straitly command every Governor of every such House limited in their Commission, to Sow and Till their Grounds as they have done before, till the King's pleasure be further known. Item; If there be any House given by the King to any Person, in any of the said several Limits of the said Commission, the Names whereof shall be declared to the said Commissioners, Then the said Commissioners shall immediately take the Covent from the Governor, and take an Inventory indented of |