yet have I no knowledge whether you will set him at liberty or not; but I think that your weighty affairs at that time was the let and cause ye did not write, for else I doubt not but ye would have answered me. Wherefore not being satisfied, and understanding ye would gladly pleasure me, I thought good eftsoons to desire you that my said chaplain may have his liberty, wherein I assure you ye shall much gratify me, being not a little troubled, that he is so long in prison without just cause, secing the matter of his imprisonment is discharged by the promise made to the emperor's majesty, as in my late letter I declared unto you. Wherefore my lords, I pray you let me have knowledge by this bearer, how ye will use me in this matter; wherein if ye do pleasure me accordingly, then shall it well appear that ye regard the aforesaid promise, and I will not forget your gentleness therein, God willing, but requite it to my power. And thus with my hearty commendations to you all, I bid you farewel. From Beaulien the 21st of June. Your assured friend to my power, MARY." The Council to the Lady Mary the 24th of June, 1551. "After our humble commendations to your grace, we have received your grace's letter of the one and twentieth hereof, wherein is received the same request that in your former letters hath been made for the release of doctor Mallet, and therein also your grace seemeth to have looked for the same answer of your former letter, the which indeed partly was omitted (as your grace conjectureth) by the reason of the king's majesty's affairs, wherewith we be thoroughly occupied; partly for that we had no other thing to answer, than you had heretofore heard in the same matter. And therefore where your grace desireth a resolute answer, we assure the same we be right sorry for the matter, and that it should be your grace's chance to move it, sith we cannot with our duties to the king's majesty accomplish your desire. So necessary a thing it is to see the laws of the realm executed indifferently in all manner of persons, and in these cases of contempt of the ecclesiastical orders of this church of England, that the same may not, without the great displeasure of God, and the slander of the state, be neglected: and therefore your grace may please to understand, that we have not only punished your chaplain, but all such others whom we find in like case to have disobeyed the laws of the king's majesy. And touching the excuse your grace oftentimes useth, of a promise made, we assure your grace, none of us all, nor any other of the council, as your grace hath been certified, hath ever been privy to any such promise, otherwise than hath been written. And in that matter your grace had plain answer both by us of the king's majesty's council, at your being last in his majesty's presence; and therein also your grace might perceive his majesty's determination; whereunto we beseech your grace not only to incline yourself, but also to judge well of as that do addict ourselves to do our duties. And so also shall we be ready to do, with all our hearts, our due reverence toward your grace, whose preservation we commend to Almighty God with our prayer.” The Lady Mary's Letter to the King's Majesty. My duty most humbly remembered to your majesty; it may please the same to be advertised, that I have received by my servants your most honourable letters, the contents whereof do not a little trouble me, and so much the more, for that any of my said servants should move or attempt me in matters touching my soul, which I think the meanest subject within your highness realin could evil bear at their servants hands, having for my part utterly refused heretofore to talk with them in such matters, and of all other persons least regarded them therein, to whom I have declared what I think, as she which trusted that your majesty would have suffered me your poor sister and beadwoman to have used the accustomed mass, which decessors did evermore use. the king your father and mine with all his preWherein also have been brought up from my youth. And thereunto my conscience doth not only bind me, which by no means will suffer me to think one thing, and do another, but also the promise made to the emperor by your majesties council was an assurance to me, that in so doing I should not offend the laws, although they seem now to quality and deny the thing. And at my last waiting upon your majesty, I was so bold to declare my mind and conscience to the same, and desired your highness, rather than you should constrain me to leave mass, to take away my life, whereunto your majesty made me a very gentle answer. And now I most humbly beseech your highness to give me leave to write what I think touching your majesty's letters. Indeed, they be signed with your own hand, and nevertheless (in mine opinion) not your majesty's in effect, because it is well known (as heretofore I have declared in the presence of your highness)that although,our Lord be praised, your majesty bath far more knowledge and greater gifts than other of your years, yet it is not possible that your highness can at these years be a judge in matters of Religion: and therefore I take it that the matter in your letters proceedeth from such as do wish those things to take place which be most agreeable to themselves, by whose doings, your majesty not of fended, I intend not to rule my conscience. And thus without molesting your highness any further, I humbly beseech the same, even for God's sake, to bear with me as you have done, and not to think that by my doings or example any inconvenience might grow to your majesty or your realin: for I use it not after such sort, putting no doubt but in time to come, whether I live or die, your majesty shall perceive that mine intent is grounded upon a true love towards you, whose royal estate I beseech Almighty God long to continue, which is and shall 549] STATE TRIALS, 5 Eow. VI. 1551.-Non-Conformity of the King's Sister. [550 be my daily prayer according to my duty. | And after pardon craved of your majesty for these rude and bold letters, if neither at my humble suit, nor for the regard of the promise made to the emperor, your highness will suffer and bear with me as you have done, till your maje-ty may be a judge herein yourself, and rightly understand their proceedings, (of which your goodness yet I despair not :) otherwise rather than to offend God and my conscience, I offer my body at your will, and death shall be more welcome than life with a troubled conscience; most humbly beseeching your majesty to pardon my slowness in answering your letters. For mine old disease would not suffer And thus I pray Alme to write any sooner. mighty God to keep your majesty in all virtue and honour, with good health and long life to his pleasure. From my poor house at Copped Hall the 19th of August. Your majesty's most humble sister, MARY." realm, should both be indeed and also shew her- The King's Letters to the Lady Mary. "Right dear and right entirely beloved sister, we greet you well, and let you know that it grieveth us much to perceive no amendment in you, of that which we for God's cause, your soul's health, our conscience, and the common tranquillity of our realm, have so long desired: assuring you that our sufferance hath much more demonstration of natural love, than con tentation of our conscience, and foresight of our safety. Wherefore although you give us occasion, as much almost as in you is, to diminish our natural love; yet we be loth to feel it decay, and mean not to be so careless of you as we be provoked.-And therefore meaning your weal, and therewith joining a care not to be found guilty in our conscience to God, having cause to require forgiveness that we have omitted 30 long for respect of love toward our bounden duty, we send at this present our right trusty and right well-beloved counselloring any. the lord Rich chancellor of England, and our trusty and right well-beloved counsellors, sir Anthony Wingfield, knight, controller of our houshold, and sir Wm. Paget, knight, one of our principal secretarics, in message to you, touching the order of your house, willing you to give them firm credit in those things they shall say to you from us, and do there in our Given under our signet at our castle of Windsor, the 24th of August, in the first year of our reign." Dame. you Wherein the king's majesty perceiveth upon their own report, being returned to the court, how negligently, and indeed how falsely, they have executed their commandment and charge, contrary to the duty of good subjects, and to the manifest contempt of his majesty. Insomuch as manifestly they have before his majesty's council refused to do that which pertaineth to every true faithful subject, to the offence so far of his majesty and derogation of his authority, that in no wise the punishment of them could be forborn: and yet in the manner of the punishinent of them, his majesty and his council bath such conside The King's Instructions given to the said Lord Chancellor, sir R. Wingfield, and sir Wm.ration and respect of her person, being his sister, that without doubt his majesty could not with Paget, knights, &c. 24th of August, 1551. "First you the said lord chancellor and your honour have had the like consideration or favour colleagues shall make your immediate repair in the punishment of the dearest counsellor he to the said lady Mary, giving to her his majes-hath, if any of them had so offended: and ty's hearty commendations, and shew the cause of your coming to be as followeth.-Although bis majesty hath long time, as well by his majesty's own mouth and writing, as by his council, travelled that the said lady being his sister, and a principal subject and member of his therefore his majesty hath sent you three not only to declare to her grace the causes of their sending thither of late his officers in message, but also the causes of their absence now presently. And further, in the default of the said officers, to take order, as well with her chap lains, as with the whole household, that his | with her grace, as for the declarations of the inajesty's laws may be there observed. And in the communication with her, you shall take causes of your coming, ye shall then cause to occasion to answer in his majesty's name cerbe called afore you the chaplains, and all the tain points of her Letter, sent now lately to his king's majesty's name most straitly forbid the rest of the houshold there present, and in the majesty. The copy of which letter is now also chaplains either to say or use any mass or sent you to peruse, for your better instruction kind of service, other than by the law is authohow to proceed therein. First, her allegation of rised; and likewise ye shall forbid all the rest the promise made to the emperor must be so answered, as the truth of the matter serveth, whereof the company to be present at any such proof every of you have heard sufficient testimony punished, as worthily falling into the danger of hibited service, upon pain to be most straitly divers times in the council. For her offering of the king's indignation, and alike charge to them her body at the king's will, rather than to all, that if any such offence shall be openly or change her conscience, it grieveth his majesty secretly committed, they shall advertise some much, that her conscience is so settled in error, and yet no such thing is meant of his majesty, ye shall use the reasons of their natural duty of his majesty's council. In the which clause nor of any one of his council once to hurt, or will evil to her body, but even from the bottom and allegiance that they owe as subjects to of their heart they wish to her Mentem sanam their sovereign lord, which derogateth all other in corpore sano. And therefore ye shall do very earthly duties.-Item, if you shall find either well to persuade her grace, that this proceed- dient to this order, ye shall commit thein forthany of the priests, or any other person, disobeing cometh only of the conscience the king with to prison, as ye shall think convenient.hath to avoid the offence of God, and of necessary counsel and wisdom to see his laws in so Item, forasmuch as ye were privy to the deterweighty causes executed. Item, because it is mination at Richmond, and there understood thought that Rochester had the care and conhow necessary it was to have reformation heresideration of her grace's provision of household, hath in your wisdom and uprightness, remitteth in; his majesty upon the great confidence he and by his absence the same might either be disordered or disfurnished; his majesty hathing herein, if any thing shall chance to arise to your discretion the manner of the proceedsent a trusty skilful man of his own houshold, to serve her grace for the time. Who also is sufficiently instructed of Rochester of the state of her things of houshold. And if there shall be any thing lacking in the same, his majesty's pleasure is, that his servant shall advertise his own chief officers of houshold, to the inteut if the same may be supplied of any store here or other where helped conveniently, her grace shall not lack.-Item, having thus proceeded there that in your opinions might otherwise 44. Proceedings against STEPHEN GARDINER, bishop of Winchester, for opposing the Reformation of Religion, and disobeying the King's Orders and Injunctions respecting the same: VI. A. D. 1551. [Fox's Acts and Monum. 711.] 5 Edw. FIRST we will set before the reader the copy of a certain Writ or Evidence against the said Bishop, wherein, as in a brief sum, generally is described the whole order and manner of his misordered demeanour, copied out of the pub-governance and quiet of the realm, were (as lic Records in manner as followeth : The Writ or Evidence touching the Order and Manner of the Misdemeanor of Winchester, with Declaration of the Faults wherewith he was justly charged. appointed certain orders or injunctions to be generally observed; which being such as in abuses, and in other parts concerned the good some part touched the reformation of many "Whereas the king's majesty, by the advice of the Lord Protector and the rest of his highness's privy council, thinking requisite for sundry urgent considerations to have a general visitation throughout the whole realm, did about ten months past address forth Commissioners, and by the advice of sundry bishops and other the best learned men of the realm, reason would) of all men of all sorts obediently received, and reverently observed and executed, saving only of the bishop of Winchester, who protestation and letters also, shewed such a willas well by conference with other, as by open quickly espied, might have bred much unquietful disobedience therein, as if it had not beenness and trouble: upon the knowledge thereof laid to his charge, in the presence of the whole he being sent for, and his lewd proceedings council, so used himself, (as well in denying to receive the said Orders and Injunctions, as otherwise) as he was thought worthy most sharp punishment: and yet considering the place he had been in, he was only sequestered to the Fleet, where after he had remained a certain time, as much at his ease as if he had been at his own house, upon his promise of conformity he was both set at liberty again, and also licensed to repair to and remain in his diocese at his pleasure. Where when he was, forget ting his duty, and what promise he had made, he began forthwith to set forth such matters, as bred again more strife, variance, and contention in that one small city and shire, than was almost in the whole realm after. Besides that, the lord protector's grace and the council were informed, that, to withstand such as he thought to have been sent from their grace and lordships into those parts, he had caused all his servants to be secretly armed and harnessed, and moreover when such preachers, as being men of godly life and learning, were sent into that diocese by his grace and lordships to preach the word of God, had appointed to preach, the bishop, to disappoint and disgrace them, and to hinder his majesty's proceedings, did occupy the pulpit himself, not fearing in his sermon to warn the people to beware of such new preachers, and to embrace none other doctrine but that which he had taught them, (than the which words none could have been spoken more perilous and seditious.) Whereupon, being eftsoons sent for, and their grace and lordships objecting to him many particular matters, wherewith they had just cause to charge him, they did in the end upon his second promise leave him at liberty, only willing him to remain at his house at London, because they thought it most meet to sequester him from his diocese for a time; and being come to his house, he began afresh to ruffle and meddle in matters, wherein he had neither commission nor authority; part whereof touched the king's majesty. Whereof being yet once again admonished by his grace and their lordships, he did not only promise to conform himself in all things like a good subject, but also because he understood that he was diversly reported of, and many were also offended with him, he offered to declare to the world his conformity, and promised in an open sermon so to open his mind in sundry articles agreed upon, that such as had been offended, should have no more cause to be offended, but well satisfied in all things. Declaring further, that as his own conscience was well satisfied, and liked well the king's proceedings within this realm, so would he utter his conscience abroad, to the satisfaction and good quiet of others. And yet all this notwithstanding, at the day appointed, he did not only most arrogantly and disobediently, and that in the presence of his majesty, their grace and lordships, and of such an audience as the like whereof hath not lightly been seen, speak of certain matters contrary to an express commandment given to him on his majesty's behalf, both by mouth and by letters, but also in the rest of the articles whereunto he had agreed before, used such a matter of utterance as was very like even there presently, to have stirred a great tumult, and in certain great matters touching the policy of the realm, handled himself so colourably, as therein he showed himself an open great offender, and a very seditious man: forsomuch as these his proceedings were of such sort, as being suffered to escape unpunished might breed innumerable inconveniences, and that the clemencies shewed to him afore, by their grace and lordships, did work in him no good effect, but rather a pride and boldness to demean himself more and more disobediently against his majesty's and his grace's proceedings, it was determined by their grace and lordships, that he should be committed to the Tower, and be conveyed thither by sir Anthony Wingfield, and that at the time of his committing, sir Ralph Sadler and William Hunnings, clerk of the council, should seal up the doors of such places in his house as they should think meet; all which was done accordingly."-By this evidence abovementioned, first here is of the reader to be noted, how lewdly and disobediently the said Stephen Gardiner misused himself in the king's general visitation, in denying to receive such orders and injunctions, as for the which he justly deserved much more severe punishment, albeit the king with his uncle the lord protector, more gently proceeding with him, were contented only to make him taste the Fleet. In the which house, as his durance was not long, so his intreating and ordering was very easy. Out of the which Fleet, divers and sundry letters he wrote to the lord protector and other of the council, certain also to the archbishop of Canterbury, and some to thaster Ridley bishop of London; the particulars were too long here to rehearse, considering how this book is overcharged as ye see already; and especially seeing the same to be notified in our first edition sufficiently, as is aforesaid. Wherefore, omitting the rehearsal of these said letters, and referring the reader to the book aforesaid, I will only repeat one letter of the said bishop, with the answers of the lord protector unto the same; the contents whereof be these as follow. A Letter of Winchester to Master Vaughan. "Master Vaughan, after my right hearty commendations: In my last letters to my lord protector, signifying, according to the general commandment by letters given to all justices of peace, the state of this shire, I declared (as I supposed true) the shire to be in good order, quiet, and conformity, for I had not then heard of any alteration in this shire, which the said letters of commandment did forbid. Now of late within these two days, I have heard of a great and detestable (if it be true that is told me) innovation in the town of Portsmouth, where the images of Christ and his saints have teen most contemptuously pulled down, and spitefully handled. Herein I thought good both to write to you and the mayor, the king's majesty's chief ministers, as well to know the truth, as to consult with you for the reformation of it, to the intent I may be seen to discharge my duty, and discharging it indeed both to God clouts and pitch, whereof and whereupon our and to the king's majesty, under whom I am books be made, such as few can skill of, and here appointed to have cure, and care to re- not the hundredth part of the realm? and if we lieve such as be by any ways fallen, and pre- a few that can read, because we read in one sort serve the rest that stand from like danger. Ye of letters, so privileged as they have many reare a gentleman with whom I have bad ac- liefs, shall pull away the books of the rest, and quaintance, and whom I know to be wise, and would have our letters only in estimation, and esteem to have more knowledge, wisdom, and blind all them, shall not they have just cause discretion, than to allow any such enormities, to mistrust what is meant? And if the cross and therefore I do the more willingly consult be a truth, and if it be true that Christ sufferwith you herein, with request friendly to know ed, why may we not have a writing thereof, of you the very truth in the matter, who be the such as all can read, that is to say an image? doers, and the circumstances of it, and whe- If this opinion should proceed, when the king's ther you think the matter so far gone with the majesty hereafter should shew his person, his multitude, and whether the reproof and dis- lively image, the honour due by God's law among proving of the deed, might without a further such might continue; but as for the king's danger be enterprised in the pulpit, or not, standards, his banners, his arms should hardly minding, if it may so be, to send one thither continue in their due reverence for fear of Loifor that purpose upon Sunday next coming. I lards idolatry, which they gather upon scripture would use preaching as it should not be occa- beastly, not only untruely. The scripture resion of any further folly where a folly is begun, proveth false images made of stocks and stones, and to a multitude, persuaded in the opinion and so it doth false men made of flesh and bones. of destruction of images, I would never preach. For (as Scripture willeth us) we should cast no precious stones before hogs. Such as be infected with that opinion, they be hogs and worse than bogs, if there be any grosser beasts than hogs be, and have been ever so taken, and in England they are called Lollards, who denying images, thought therewithal the crafts of painting and graving to be generally superfluous and naught, and against God's laws. In Ger- | many, such as maintained that opinion of destroying of images, were accounted the dregs cast out by Luther after he had tunned all his brewings in Christ's religion, and so taken as hogs meat. For the reproof of whom Luther wrote a book specially, and I have with mine | eyes seen the images standing in all churches, where Luther was had in estimation. For the destruction of images containeth an enterprise to subvert religion and the state of the world with it, and especially the nobility, who by images set forth and spread abroad to be read of all people, their lineage, parentage, with remembrance of their state and acts; and the pursuivant carrieth not on his breast the king's name written with such letters as a few can speil, but such as all can read, be they never so rude, being great known letters in images of three lions, and three flowers de luce, and other beasts holding those arms. And he that cannot read the scripture written about the king's great seal, yet he can read saint George on horseback on the one side, and the king sitting in his majesty on the other side, and readeth so much written in those images, as if he be an honest man, he will put off his cap, and although if the seal were broken by chance, he would and might make a candle of it, yet he would not be noted to have broken the seal for that purpose, or to call it a piece of wax only whilst it continueth whole. And if by reviling of stocks and stones, in which matter images be graven, the setting of the truth to be read in them of all men shall be contemned; how shall such writing continue in honour as is comprised in When the emperor's money was shewed to Christ, wherein was the image of the emperor, Christ condemned not that image calling it an idol, nor noted that money to be against God's law, because it had an image in it, as though it were against the precept of God, Thou shalt have no graven image; but taught them good civility, in calling it the emperor's image, and bid them use the money as it was ordered to be used in his right use. ----There is no scripture that reproveth truth, and all scripture reproveth falsehood. False writings, false books, false images and false men, all be nought, to be contemned and despised; as for paper, ink, parchment, stones, wood, bones, A. B. of the Chancery hand, and A. B. of the Secretary hand, a letter of Germany fashion, or of any other form, they be all of one estimation, and may be, of man inclining to the devil, used for falsehood, or applying to God's gracious calling, used to set forth truth. It is a terrible matter to think, that this false opinion conceived against images should trouble any man's head : and such as I have known vexed with that devil (as I have known some) be nevertheless wonderously obstinate in it: and if they can find one that can spell Latin to help forth their madness, they be more obdurate than ever were the Jews, and slander whatsoever is said to them for their relief. Of this sort I know them to be, and therefore if I wish there were many of that sort with you, I would not irritate them by preaching without fruit, but labour for reformation to my Lord Protector. But if you thought there might be other ways used first to a good effect, I would follow your advice, and proceeding with you and the mayor, with both your helps to do that may lie in me to the redress of the matter; which I take to be such an enterprise against Christ's religion, as there cannot be a greater by man excogitate with the devil's instigation, and at this time nuch hurtful to the common state, as ye can of your wis dom consider. Whom I heartily desire and pray to send me answer by this bearer to these |