The History of Waltham Abby in Essex

Anno 1542. the 34 ^th of HENRY the 8 ^th .

Imprimjs. For watching the Sepulcher, a groat.] This constantly returns in every yearly account, though what meant thereby, I know not. I could suspect some Ceremony on Easter-eve, (in imitation of the Soldiers watching Christ's grave) but am loath to charge that Age with more superstition then it was clearly guilty of.

Item, Paid to the Ringers at the coming of the Kings Grace, six pence.] Yet Waltham Bells told no tales every time King Henry came hither, having a small house in Rome-land to which he is said oft privately to retire, for his pleasure.

Item, Paid unto two men of Law for their counsel about the Churchleases, six shillings eight pence.

Item, Paid the Attorney for his Fee, twenty pence.

Item, Paid for Ringing at the Prince his coming, a penny.

Anno 1543. the 35 ^th of HENRY the 8 ^th .

Imprimis, Received of the Executors of S ^r Robert Fuller, given by the said S ^r Robert to the Church, ten pounds.

How is this man degraded from the Right Honorable the Lord Abbot of Waltham (the last in that place) to become a poor S ^r Robert, the title of the meanest Priest in that age. Yet such his charity in his poverty, that, besides this legacy, he bequeathed to the Church a Chalice silver and gilt, which they afterwards sold for seven pounds.

Anno 1544. the 36. of HENRY the 8 ^th .

Imprimis, Received of Adam Tanner the overplus of the money which was gathered for the purchase of the Bells, two pound four shillings and eleven pence.] It seems the Kings Officers sold, and the Parish then purchased the five Bells being great and tunable (who, as they gave bountifully, so I presume they bought reasonably) and the surplusage of the money was delivered.

Item, Received of Richard Tanner for eight Stoles, three shillings.] A Stole was a vestment which the Priest used. Surely these were much worn, and very rags of Popery, as sold for four pence half penny a piece. It seems the Church-wardens were not so charitable to give away, nor so superstitious to burn, but so thrifty as to make profit by sale of these decayed vestments.

Item, Paid for mending the hand-bell, two pence.] This was not fixed as the rest in any place of Church or Steeple, but (being a Diminutive of the Saints-bell) was carried in the Sextons hands at the circumgestation of the Sacrament, the visitation of the sick, and such like occasions.

Item, Paid to Philip Wright, Carpenter, for making a frame in the Belfry, eighteen shillings four pence.] The Bels being bought by the Parishioners, were taken down out of the decayed Steeple, and we shall afterwards see what became thereof. Mean time a timber-frame was made (which the aged of the last generation easily remembered) in the South-East end of the Church-yard, where now two Yew-trees stand, and a shift made for some years to hang the Bells thereon.

Anno 1546. the 38. of HENRY the 8 ^th .

Item, For clasps to hold up the Banners in the body of the Church, eight pence.] By these, I understand, not Pennons with Arms hanging over the Graves of interred Gentlemen, but rather some superstitious Sireamers, usually carried about in Procession.

Item, Paid to John Boston for mending the Organs, twenty pence.

Anno 1549. the 3 ^d . of EDWARD the Sixth.

Imprimis, Sold the Silver plate which was on the desk in the Charnel, weighing five ounces for twenty five shillings.] Guess the gallantry of our Church by this (presuming all the rest in proportionable equipage) when the desk, whereon the Priest read, was inlaid with plate of silver.

Item, Sold a rod of iron which the curtain run upon before the Rood, nine pence.] The Rood was an Image of Christ on the Cross, made generally of wood, and erected in a loft for that purpose, just over the passage out of the Church into the Chancel. And, wot you what spiritual mystery was couched in this position thereof? The Church (forsooth) typified the Church Militant, the Chancel represents the Church Triumphant; and all, who will pass out of the former into the latter, must go under the Rood-loft; that is, carry the cross and be acquainted with affliction. I add this the rather, because Harpsfield, that great Scholar (who might be presumed knowing in his own art of Superstition) confesseth himself ignorant of the reason of the Rood-situation.

Item, Sold so much Wax as amounted to twenty six shillings.] So thrifty the Wardens, that they bought not candles and tapers ready made, but bought the wax at the best hand, and paid poor people for the making of them. Now they sold their Magazine of wax as useless. Under the Reformation more light and fewer candles.

Item, Paid for half of the Book called Paraphrase, five shillings.] By the seventh Injunction of King Edward, each Parish was to procure the Paraphrase of Erasmus, namely, the first part thereof on the Gospels, and the same to be set up in some convenient place in the Church.

Item, Spent in the Visitation at Chelmsford amongst the Wardens and other honest men, fourteen shillings four pence.] A round sum I assure you in those days. This was the first Visitation (kept by Nicholas Ridley newly Bishop of London) whereat Waltham-Wardens ever appeared out of their own Town, whose Abbot formerly had Episcopal Jurisdiction.

Anno 1551 the 5 ^th of EDWARD the 6 ^th .

Imprimis, Received for a Knell of a servant to the Lady Mary her Grace, ten pence.] Copt-Hall in this Parish being then in the Crown, the Lady (afterwards Queen) Mary, came thither sometimes to take the air probably, during whose residence there this her servant died.

Item, Lost forty six shillings by reason of the fall of money by Proclamation.] King Henry much debased the English Coyn, to his own gain and the Lands loss (if Sovereigns may be said to get by the damage of their Subjects) yet all would not do to pay his debts. His Son Edward endeavored to reduce the Coyn to its true standard, decrying bad money by his Proclamation, to the intrinsic value thereof. But, prevented by death, he effected not this difficult design (Adultery in Men, and Adulterateness in Money, both hardly reclaimed) which was afterwards completed by the care of Queen Elizabeth.

Item, Received for two hundred seventy one ounces of Plate, sold at several times for the best advantage, sixty seven pound fourteen shillings and nine pence.] Now was the Brotherhood in the Church dissolved, consisting as formerly of three Priests, three Choristers, and two Sextons; and the rich plate belonging to them was sold for the good of the Parish. It may seem strange the Kings Commissioners deputed for that purpose, seised not on it, from whose hands Waltham found some favor (befriended by the Lord Rich their Country-man) the rather because of their intentions to build their decayed Steeple.

Anno 1554. Mariae primo.

Imprimis, For a Cross with a foot copper and gilt, twenty five shillings.

Item, For a Cross-staff copper and gilt, nine shillings and four pence.

Item, For a Pax copper and gilt, five shillings.] Greet one another, saith S ^t Paul, with an holy kiss, on which words of the Apostle the Pax had its original. This Ceremony performed in the Primitive times, and Eastern Countries, was afterwards (to prevent wantonness, & to make the more expedition) commuted into a new custom, viz. A piece of wood, or metal (with Christ's picture thereon) was made, and solemnly tendered to all people to kiss. This was called the Pax, or Peace, to show the unity and amity of all there assembled, who (though not immediately) by the Proxy of the Pax kissed one another.

Item, For a pair of Censers copper and gilt, nine shillings and eight pence.] These were pots in the which frankincense was burned, perfuming the Church during Divine Service.

Item, For a Stock of brass for the Holy-water, seven shillings.] Which by the Canon must be of marble, or metal, and in no case of brick, lest the sacred liquor be sucked up by the spunginess thereof.

Item, For a Chrismatory of pewter, three shillings four pence.] This was a vessel in which the consecrated oil, used in Baptism, Confirmation, and Extreme Unction, was deposited.

Item, For a yard of silver Sarcenet for a cloth for the Sacrament, seven shillings eight pence.] Here some Silkman or Mercer must satisfy us what this was. The price seems too low for Sarcenet inwoven with silver, and too high for plain Sarcenet of a silver color.

Item, For a Pix of Pewter, two shillings.] This was a Box wherein the Host, or consecrated wafer, was put and preserved.

Item, For Mary and John that stand in the Rood-loft, twenty six shillings eight pence.] Christ on the Cross saw his Mother, and the Disciple whom he loved standing by. In apish imitation whereof the Rood (when perfectly made with all the appurtenances thereof) was attended with these two images.

Item, For washing eleven Aubes and as many Head-clothes, six pence.] An Aube, or Albe, was a Priests garment of white linen down to their feet, girded about his middle. The thin matter denoted simplicity; color, purity; length, (deep Divinity) perseverance: and the cincture thereof signified the person wearing it prompt and prepared for God's service. Their head-clothes were like our Sergeants Coifes, but close, and not turned up.

Item, For watching the Sepulcher, eight pence.] Thus the price of that service (but a groat in King Henries days) was doubled. However, though Popery was restored to its kind, yet was it not re-estated in its former degree, in the short Reign of Queen Mary, for we find no mention of the former six Obits anniversarily performed, the lands for whose maintenance were alienated in the Reign of King Edward, and the Vicar of the Parish not so charitable as to celebrate these Obits gratis without any reward for the same.

Item, For a Processioner, and a Manual, twenty pence.

Item, For a Corporas-cloth, twelve pence.] This was a linen cloth laid over or under the consecrated Host.

Item, To the Apparitor for the Bishops Book of Articles at the Visit •• ion, six pence.] This Bishop was bloody Bonner, that corpulent Tyrant, full (as one said) of guts and empty of bowels; who visited his Diccess before it was sick, and made it sick with his Visitation. His Articles were in number thirty seven, and John Bale wrote a book against them. The Bishops chief care herein was the setting up of complete Roods, commonly called (but when without his ear-reach) Bonners Block-almighty. If any refused to provide such blocks for him, let them expect he would procure fagots for them.

Anno 1556. Mariae tertio.

Imprimis, For coles to undermine a piece of the Steeple which stood after the first fall, two shillings.] This Steeple formerly stood in the middle (now East end) of the Church; and, being ruined past possibility of repair, fell down of itself, only a remaining part was blown up by underminers. How quickly can a few destroy what required the age and industry of many in long time to raise and advance?

It soundeth not a little to the praise of this Parish, that neither burthensome nor beholding to the Vicinage for a collection, they re-built the Steeple at the West end of the Church, on their own proper cost, enabled thereunto, partly by their stock in the Church-box, arising from the sale (as is aforesaid) of the goods of the Brotherhood, and partly by the voluntary contribution of the Parishioners. This Tower-Steeple is eighty six foot high from the foundation to the battlements, each foot whereof (besides the materials preprovided) costing thirty three shillings four pence the building. Three years passed from the founding to the finishing thereof (every years work discernible by the discolouration of the stones) and the Parish was forced, for the perfecting of the building, to sell their Bells, hanging before in a wooden frame in the Church-yard; so that Waltham, which formerly had Steeple-less-Bells, now had for some years a Bell-less-Steeple.

Anno 1558. Elizabethae's primo.

Imprimis, For the taking down of the Rood-loft, three shillings two pence.] If then, there living and able, I hope I should have lent an helping hand to so good a work, as now I bestow my prayers, that the like may never in England be set up again.

Item, Received for a suite of Vestments, being of blew velvet, and another suite of Damask, and an Altar -cloth, four pound.

Item, For three Corporasses, whereof two white silk, and one blew velvet, two pound thirteen shillings four pence.

Item, For two suits of Vestments, and an Altar-cloth, three pound.] Now was the superstitious Ward-robe dispersed, and that (no doubt) sold for shillings which cost pounds. They were beheld as the garments spotted with sin, and therefore the less pity to part with them. But see what followeth.

Anno 1562. Elizabethae quinto.

Item, For a cloth of Buckeram for the Communion-Table, and the making, four shillings.] Having sold so much could they not afford a better Carpet? Is there no mean betwixt painting a face, and not washing it? He must have a fixed aim and strong hand, who hits decency, and misseth gaudiness and sluttery, But there is a generation of people who over-do in the spirit of opposition: such conceive that a tressel is good enough for God's Table, and such a Table, Covering enough for itself.

Item, For Lattices for the Church-windows, fifteen shillings.] Fain would I for the credit of our Church by Lattices understand Casements, if the word would bear it. Yet surely it was not for covetousness wholly to spare glazing, but thrift to preserve the glass, that these Lattices did fence them on the outside.

Item, Paid for a Bay Nagge given to M ^r Henry Denny for the Abby wall, three pound seventeen shillings.] This Nagge was rather a thankful acknowledgment of M ^r . Denny his propriety, then a just valuation of what the Parish received from him, for it followeth.

Item, To Laborers which did undermine the said wall, forty five shillings nine pence.] What then may the materials of that wall be presumed worth in themselves? I conceive this was a building which ranged East beyond the old Steeple, the demolishing whereof brought much profit to the Parish, whose Wardens for some years drave a great trade in the sale of Lead, Stone, and Timber, all devoured in the roofing, flooring, and finishing of their Steeple.

Anno 1563. Eliz. 6 ^to .

Imprimis, For an old house in the old Market-place, thirteen pound six shillings eight pence.] This Tenement low-rented yielded annually nine shillings. Now the Parish sold it, (and another house in West-street) outright, letting Leases also of their other Church-lands for twenty one years, such bargains made a Feast for the present age, and a Famine for posterity.

Item, For the old timber in the little Vestiary of S ^t Georges Chapel, fifteen shillings.] In vain have I inquired for the situation hereof, long since demolished, and no wonder if S ^t George his Chapel cannot be found, when St George himself is affirmed by some as one never existent, in rerum natura.

Item, Received of M ^r Denny for one Cope of Cloth of gold, three pound six shillings eight pence.

Item, For two Altar-Cloaths of Velvet and silk, two pound.] It seemeth the Parish did not part with all their gallantry at once, but made several stakes thereof, and parcelled them out as their necessities did require.

Item, Received of M ^r Tamworth twenty loads of timber ready hewed, which he gave to the Parish.] This Gentleman by his bounty to the Public seems better known to God then to me, having neither heard nor read of any of his name living in or near to Waltham.

Item, For taking down the stairs in the Abby, seven shillings eight pence.] This was part of the Nag-purchase, whereby we collect that a large structure was by this bargain conveyed to the Parish.

Item, For taking down the Lead from the Charnel-house, and covering the Steeple, eighteen shillings.] The Steeple was conceived above the Charnel-house as in height so in honor. Wherefore now the Lead taken from it ^b was translated to the covering of the Steeple. Call this removing of this metal from one part of the Church to another, only the borrowing of S ^t Peter to lend to S ^t Paul.

Item, For the Arch-Deacons man coming for a Record of all the Inhabitants of the Parish, four pence.] I know not on what Canon this was founded. It may be her Majesty in those dangerous times desired (not out of Pride, but necessary Policy) to know the number of her Subjects, and might enjoin the Arch-Deacons in their respective Visitations, to make this inquiry.

But Day begins to dawn, and the light of our Age to appear, matters coming within the memory of many alive. We will therefore break off, Waltham since affording no peculiar observables. Only will add that S ^r Edward (Grand-child to S ^r Anthony) Denny, was created by King James, Baron of Waltham, and since made by King Charles, Earl of Norwich. A Noble person, who settled on the Curate of Waltham (to whom before a bare Stipend of Eight pound did belong) one hundrod pound per annum, with some other considerable accommodations, tying good Land for the true performance thereof.

The Abby is now the Inheritance of this Earls Grand-child, by Honora his daughter) James Hay Earl of Carlisle, who Married Margaret, Daughter to Francis, Earl of Bedford, by whom as yet he hath no Issue, for the continuance of whose happiness my prayers shall never be wanting.

The Reader may justly expect from me a Catalogue of all the Abbots of this Monastery. But to do it falsely, I dare not; lamely, I would not; perfectly, I cannot; and therefore must crave to be excused. Only let me observe, that Nicholas, Abbot of Waltham was most triumphant in power, of any in his place; he flourished in the Reign of King Richard the second, and was one of the fourteen Commissioners, chosen by Parliament, to examine the miscarriages in that Kings Reign since the death of his Grand-father.

Amongst the Natives of Waltham for States-men, John de Waltham bears away the bell. He was keeper of the Privy Seal in the Reign of King Richard the second, being the third in number, chosen amongst the fourteen Commissioners aforesaid, empowered to examine all misdemeanors of State. And now was not Waltham highly honored with more then a single share, when amongst those fourteen, two were her Gremials, the forenamed Nicholas living in Waltham, and this John, having his name thence, because birth therein.

But amongst Scholars in our Town, Roger Waltham must not be forgotten, Canon of S ^t Paul's in London, and a great favourite to Fulk Basset, Bishop thereof. He wrote many learned books, whereof two especially (one called Compendium Morale, the other Imagines Oratorum) commend his parts and pains to posterity.

Pass we from those who were Born, to eminent persons Buried therein. Here we first meet with Hugh Nevile, a Minion of King Richard the first, he was Interred in Waltham Church, saith my Author, in Nobili Sarcophago Marmoreo & insculpto, in a Noble Coffin of Marble engrav'd. If a Coffin be called Sarcophagus (from consuming the Corps) surely Sacrilege may be named Sarcophago-phagus, which at this day hath devoured that Coffin, and all belonging thereunto.

We spoil all, if we forget, Robert Passellew, who was Dominus fac totum, in the middle, and fac nihil, towards the end of the Reign of Henry the third. Some Parasites extolled him by allusion to his name; P • ss • le-eau, (that is, passing the pure water) the Wits of those days thus descanting upon him;

But such who flattered him the fastest, whilst in favor, mocked him the most in misery, and at last he died in his own House in Waltham, and was buried in the Abby-Church therein.

And now because we have so often cited Matthew Paris, I never met with more difficulties in six lines, then what I find in him; which because nearly relating to this present subject, I thought fit to exemplify • .

It is clear our Church of Waltham Abby is intended herein, England affording no other Conventual Church.

This being granted, how comes Waltham Church (built by Harold two hundred years before) now to be first Dedicated, that Age accounting it as faulty and fatal, to defer the Consecration of Churches, as the Christening of Children? 2. What made the Bishop of Norwich to meddle therewith? an Office more proper for the Bishop of London to perform, Waltham being (though not under) in his jurisdiction. 3. What is meant by the Barbarous word indistanter? and what benefit accrued to Travelers thereby? I will not so much as conjecture, as unwilling to draw my bow, where I despair to hit the mark, but leave all to the judgment of others. But I grow tedious, and will therefore conclude.

Anno 1641. King CHARLES came the last time to Waltham, and went (as he was wont, where anything remarkable) to see the Church, the Earl of Carlisle attending him; His Majesty told him, that he divided his Cathedral Churches, as he did his Royal Ships, into three ranks, accounting S ^t Paul's in London, York, Lincoln, Winchester, &c. of the first form; Chichester Lichfield, &c. of the second; the Welch Cathedrals of the third, with which Waltham Church may be well compared, especially if the Roof thereof, was taken lower and Leaded.

The Earl moved His Majesty, that seeing this Ancient Church, (Founded by King Harold his Predecessor) was fallen into such decay, that the repair was too heavy for the Parish, he would be pleased to grant a moderate Tole of Cattle coming over the Bridge, (with their great Driftss, doing much damage to the High-ways) and therewith both the Town might be Paved, and the Church repaired. The King graciously granted it, provided, it were done with the privity and consent of a great Prelate, (not so safe to be named as easy to be guessed) with whom he consulted in all Church-matters.

But when the foresaid Prelate was informed, that the Earl had applied to His Majesty before addresses to himself, he dashed the design, so that poor Waltham Church, must still be contented, with their weak walls, and worse Roof, till Providence, procure her some better Benefactors. As for the Arms of Waltham Abby, being loath to set them alone, I have joined them in the following draught, with the Arms of the other Mitred Abbeys, as far as my industry could recover them.