"thereof for a time, lest thereby prejudice might come to CHAP. "some that had leases there, of things usually letten, that X. "the now Archbishop of York called in question: and see- Anno 1579. ing the now Archbishop of Canterbury, after the taking 66 66 "of his said lease, and long before his remove from York, "did among other things demise the said demeans, not only in more beneficial manner divers ways than any for"mer lease thereof was made, but also with such sure pro"vision for his successors, viz. that the lease is to become "forfeit, if all the said fourscore acres of demeans be not 66 upon warning left quietly to every Archbishop, when he "shall be either at his house at Battersea, or within sixty "miles thereof; I hope it may most reasonably be thought, "that the said now Archbishop of Canterbury was not for "the premises to be ill, but well thought of, in making so "reasonable and beneficial a lease for the succession, to the "lessees, which were to deal in a doubtful title for the " evicting of the old troublesome tenant's lease; the suit "whereof (howsoever the title fell out) was like to be very chargeable; and so it hath proved." 66 This is so largely related, to shew how well he deserved of his see, by preserving the rights and revenues of it. Prayers and CHAP. XI. The Archbishop calls his diocese to prayers and humiliations, occasioned by an earthquake. The Council orders the same prayers throughout all the dioceses. He decides a difference in Merton college; and in the University of Cambridge, between the Doctors and Heads. Sends articles of inquiry for backsliders. Popish emissaries multiply. Some Bishops consecrated. Goes on with his metropolitical visitation. A Convocation. What was done therein. They petition the Queen for the Archbishop. He devises a form of penance to be used. Anno 1580. THE beginning of this year 1580 was thought fit (espedevotions cially a terrible earthquake happening) to be set apart for enjoined devotion and prayer, repentance and alms. Therefore the by the Archbishop. Archbishop was minded, that all his diocese should be ex 248 horted and stirred up to these points of devotion, resorting publicly to the church, and at night each family privately to pray together. And Redman, his Archdeacon, and Lawse, his Commissary, had this letter and charge in order thereunto, for the peculiars in London, from his officer Dr. Aubrey. "After my hearty commendations premised; My Lord, Grind. Reg." his Grace's pleasure is, that with all convenient speed you "shall give order to every Parson, Vicar, and Curate of “the peculiar jurisdiction of the deanery of the Arches in London, that they exhort their parishioners to resort "devoutly to their churches upon Wednesdays and Fri 66 days, to hear some short exhortations to repentance, "either by preaching or homilies, with other service of the "day. And that they do of their own accord, without "constraint of law, spare those days one meal, converting "the same, or some part thereof, to the relief of the poor. "Calling also their households together at night, to make "hearty prayer to God, to shew mercy to us who have de"served his anger. And that with the Litany they join XI. "such Psalms and prayers as they shall choose, or devise, CHAP. "fit for that purpose. And thus I bid you heartily well. "to fare. London, April 12, 1580." The like order he Anno 1580. gave forth for his whole diocese. History of zabeth sub anno 1580. The earthquake before mentioned was of that violence, A great that it affected all with a great consternation. Nor do I earthquake. think it amiss to relate what Camden writ of it. "The Queen Eli"sixth day of April, at six of the clock in the evening, the ann "air being clear and calm, England on this side York, "and the Netherlands almost as high as Colen, in a mo"ment as it were fell a trembling in such a manner, that in "some places stones fell down from buildings, the bells "in steeples struck against the clappers, and the very sea, "which as then was very calm, was vehemently tost and "moved to and fro. The night following, the ground in "Kent trembled two or three times: and the like again on "the first of May in the dead time of the night." This earthquake and the abovesaid injunction was taken notice of by the Lords of the Council, April 23. And whereas the Archbishop had upon this account directed an order for prayers and humble devotion, and composed a prayer for families throughout his diocese, they authorized the same by their allowance and approbation; and moreover required him to enjoin the observation of it in all other dioceses, by this letter of theirs directed to him: 66 "After our very hearty commendations to your Lordship. The CounConsidering the state of this time, wherein it hath pleased cil to the "the Most Highest, for the amendment of all sorts of for prayers. "people, to visit the most parts of this realm with the late "terrible earthquake, as an extraordinary token of his "wrath against them, and fatherly admonition to turn "from their offences, and contempt of his holy word, as "also of his infinite goodness and mercy to deal more fa"vourable with us therein, than he hath dealt with other "nations in the like case; in that we (thanks be unto "his majesty) have received no great hurt thereby, in comparison of that they have had sundry times hereto"fore by the like occasion; whereby not only their houses 66 B b BOOK II. Anno 1580. 66 249. Decides a difference college. 66 66 your "and cities have been overthrown and destroyed, but also W. Burghley, F. Knollys, "T. Bromely, Canc. W. "R. Leicester, J. Croftes, C. Hatton, "T. Sussex, F. Bedford, F. Walsingham, "T. Wylson, W. Mildmay." According to the tenor whereof the Archbishop sent out his orders. In this month of April, the Archbishop was concerned in Merton in deciding a difference in Merton college Oxon, where he was visitor. It was between the Warden and Fellows on one part, and Will. Wilks, a Fellow there, on the other, who had taken the vicarage of St. Peter's in Oxford. Where, by the statutes of the house, for the value of it, he was adjudged by the house to have lost his fellowship. He on the other hand reckoning himself wronged, appealed to the Privy Council. They remitted him and his cause to the Archbishop; who, after due consideration of the statute, decreed the matter in favour of Wilks. The decree Grind. Reg. began, Edmundus Dei Providentia Cant. Archiepiscopus— dilecto nobis in Christo custodi-sociis et scholaribus col XI. legii sive aula de Merton, &c. Dated April 22, 1580. CHAP. The English letter that accompanied it will explain to us the contents thereof; which was as followeth : 66 Anno 1580. them. "Where I have [am] given to understand, that there is Writes to "a question and doubt made amongst you, whether Mr. "Will. Wilks, this bearer, one of the Fellows of your col"lege, should by the statutes lose his place there, for that " he hath accepted the vicarage of St. Peter's in the East, "within the city of Oxford; and being moved by letters "from certain of her Majesty's Privy Council, and other"wise, to decide the controversy: I have thought good "therefore to certify you, that I have considered of the place of that statute that giveth the occasion of the "doubt, and also of the value of that vicarage, by such "means as for that time I could inform myself. And there"fore I have under the seal of my office sent unto you my "order, which I require you hereby quietly to observe and "allow, until you, according to the true tenor thereof, "shall prove some further matter otherwise to move me. 250 "And so I commit you all to the tuition and government "of the Almighty." Observe here the Archbishop acteth in his own name. But to this order they were disobedient, as we shall hear hereafter. in a contro the Univer Soon after, in the month of June, his experience and Employed wisdom was required and made use of in a controversy versy hap arisen in the other University, viz. that of Cambridge; pening in where a contention arose between the Vice-Chancellor and sity of CamDoctors of the town on the one part, and the Masters and bridge. Heads of the colleges on the other, touching two graces lately propounded by the late Vice-Chancellor in favour of the Doctors of the town and others. Wherewith the Doctors being Heads found themselves aggrieved, for that such graces should be propounded and proceeded in without their privity, as they pretended, against the late statutes and ordinances of her Majesty. Hereupon the Lord Burghley, Chancellor of that University, earnestly prayed our Archbishop, for that either party had sent up one, viz. for the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Barrow; and for the Heads |