Church History of Britain
24. A grave Divine, preaching before the University, at S. Mary's, had this passage in his Sermon, that, As at the Olympian Games he was counted the Conqueror, who could drive his Chariot-wheels nearest the mark, yet so as not to hinder his running, or to stick thereon,
25. Mr. Bernard, a Discontinuer, and Lecturer of S. Sepulchers in London, preached at S. Mary's in the afternoon; his Text, 1 Sam. 4. 21. The glory is departed from Israel &c. In handling whereof, he let fall some passages, which gave distaste to a prevalent party in the University; as for saying, 1. God's Ordinances, when blended and adulterated with innovations of men, cease to be God, Ordinances, and he owneth them no longer. 2. That its impossible any should be saved living and dying without repentance in the doctrine of Rome, as the Tridentine Council hath decreed it. 3. That Treason is not limited to the Blood Royal, but that he is a Traytour against a Nation, that depriveth it of God's Ordinances. 4. That some shamefully symbolize in Pelagian errors, and superstitious ceremonies with the Church of Rome. Let us pray such to their conversion, or to their destruction, &c.
26. Dr. Cumber, Vice-Chancellor, gave speedy notice hereof to Dr. Laud Bishop of London, though he (so quick his University intelligence) had information thereof before. Hereupon he was brought into the High Commission, and a Recantation tendered unto him, which he refused to subscribe, though professing his sincere sorrow and penitency, in his Petitions and Letters to the Bishop, for any oversights and unbeseeming expressions in his Sermon. Hereupon he was sent back to the new Prison, where he died. If he was miserably abused therein by the Keepers (as some have reported) to the shortening of his life, He that maketh inquisition for blood, either hath, or will be a revenger thereof.
27. Now began the University to be much beautified in buildings, every College either casting its skin with the Snake, or renewing its bill with the Eagle, having their Courts, or at leastwise their fronts, and Gate-houses repaired and adorned. But the greatest alteration was in their Chapels, most of them being graced with the accession of Organs. And, seeing Music is one of the Liberal Arts, how could it be quarelled at in an University, if they sang with understanding both of the matter and manner thereof? Yet some took great distant thereat as attendancie to superstition.
At this time I discontinued my living in the University, and therefore crave leave here to break off my History, finding it difficult to attain to certain intelligence. However, because I meet with much printed matter about the visitation of Cambridge in these trouble sometimes though after some years interval) I shall for a conclusion adventure to give posterity an impartial relation thereof.
28. Richard Holdesworth being Vice-Chancellor. —
The Masters and Fellows of all Colleges send their plate (or money in lieu thereof) to the King to York, many wishing that every ounce thereof were a pound for His sake, conceiving it unfitting that they should have superfluities to spare, whilst their Sovereign wanted necessaries to spend.
29. This was beheld by the Parliament as an Act unjust in itself, and dangerous in the consequence thereof: for, the present Masters and Fellowes were only Fiduciaries, not Proprietaries of the Plate, to keep and use it, not to dispose thereof. Was not this obliterating the Records of Gentlemens bounty, who had conferred those costly Utensils on the Colleges? Besides, this was interpreted a somenting of the Civil War, thereby encouraging and enabling the King against His Subjects.
30. In vain did the Heads plead for themselves, that they affrighted at the plundering of the House of the Countess of Rivers at Long-Melford (the first-fruits of Rapine in our Age) did suspect the like violence. Plunderers have long Arms, and can quickly reach out of Suffolk into Cambridge shire. For prevention whereof they thought good to secure some of their Plate in a safe hand, and could not find a fitter than His Majesty's, Heir to His Ancestors the Founders paramount of all Houses. Besides, though the clouds look black with a louring complexion, yet did it not rain war downright betwixt King and Parliament, it being some days before the erecting of His Standard at Nottingham.
31. Dr. Beale, Dr. Martin, and Dr. Stern, Masters of S. Johns, Queens, and Jesus Coll: are carried to London, and imprisoned in the Tower, for their activity in the Plate-business. And Cambridge is made the Seat of the Committee for the Eastern Association, which escaped the best of all parts in this Civil War, the smoke thereof only offending those Counties, whilst the fire was felt in other places.
32. Richard Holdesworth Vicecan. Before his year expired, he was seized on, and imprisoned, first in Eli-house, then in the Tower, for executting His Majesty's command in printing at Cambridge such His Declarations as were formerly printed at York.
33. The Vice Chancellor and Heads of Houses solemnly assembled in the Consitory, were demanded to contribute to the Parliament, so to redeem their forwardness in supplying the King. Which performed by them would (notwithstanding their former crooked carriage in the Cause) bolster them, upright in the Parliaments esteem. But they persisted in the Negative, that such contributing was against true Religion and a good conscience: for which, some of them were afterwards imprisoned in S. John's College.
34. Amongst these was Doctor Samuel Ward Master of Sidney College, and Divinity Professor, Lady Margaret's, or the Kings (shall I say) in the University? For, though the former by his Foundation, he may seem the later by his resolution. Yet was he a Moses (not only for slowness of speech, but) otherwise meekness of nature. Indeed, when in my private thoughts I have beheld him and Dr. Collins, (disputable whether more different or more eminent in their endowments ) I could not but remember the running of Peter and John to the place where Christ was buried. In which race John came first as the youngest and swiftest, but Peter first entered into the Grave. Doctor Collins had much the speed of him in quickness of parts, but let me say (nor doth the relation of a Pupil misguide me) the other pierced the deeper into under-ground and profound points of Divinity. Now as high winds bring some men the sooner into sleep, so I conceive the storms and tempests of these distracted times invited this good old man the sooner to his long rest, where we fairly leave him, and quietly draw the curtains about him.
35. Now approached the general Doom of Malignant Members (so termed) in the University, the Earl of Manchester, with his two Chaplains, Mr. Ash, and Mr. Good, coming thither to effect a Reformation. In preparation whereunto, I read how an oath of Discovery was tendered to many, and universally refused, as against all Law and conscience, as being thereby made to accuse their nearest and dearest Friends, Benefactors, Tutors and Masters, and betray the Members and Acts of their several Societies, contrary to their peaceable Statutes, viz: Non revelabis aliquod secretum Collegii, nec malum aut damnum inferes cuilibet Sociorum. Whereupon, this Oath was generally denied.
36. To be satisfied in the truth hereof, I wrote to Mr. Ash (whose face I had never seen) requesting him to inform me, such proceedings seeming very strange to my apprehension. But hear his Answer.
TRuly Sir, I am so great a stranger to that Oath of Discovery which you mention, that I cannot call to mind the moving of any such matter, by the Lord of Manchester, or any who attended him. And as for myself, having been a Sufferer upon the dislike of the Oath Ex Officio, I have all along my life been very tender in appearing as an instrument in any such matter. Sir, I may be under mistakes through forget fullness, but I hope there is a principle within me which will not suffer me to suggest an untruth willingly.
London, July the 10th, 1654.
Your loving Friend, Simon Ash.
Here we see what he writes, and what others print. If there was any such Oath, it seems it had the happiness of a short Part, and sensible of its own ill acting therein, it sneaked down so quickly into the Tireing house, that it hopes not to be remembered ever to have come upon the Stage. But if Mr. Ash was active herein, I see stripes are not so soon forgotten by those that bear them, as by those that lay them on. For my own part I am satisfied no such Oath was tendered by him, charitably believing that he would not cross his own doctrine, when preaching to the Parliament 1640, on Psal. 9. 9. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed: he complained of the strictness of University Oaths.
37. Not long after warning was given, that all Students should come in within twelve days and take, the Covenant. This seemed a strange summons, and the two Chaplains (to whom the Earl of Manchester most mild in his self, chiefly remitted the managing of these matters) were challenged for injustice herein: For, though Divines, they were presumed to have so much of Civil Law, yea, of the Law of Nature, as to know, Nemo tenetur ad impossibilia, No man is tied to impossibilities; whereas many Scholars being absent more scores of miles than they had days allowed them, (besides the danger of Armies interposed) could not if receiving warning repair at the time appointed; but because many of them were suspected to be in the Kings Army, twelve days were conceived for them as much as twelve months, no time being too short for those who were willing, and none long enough for such who were unwilling to take the Covenant.
38. This Covenant being offered, was generally refused; whereupon, the Recusants were ordered without any delay to pack out of the University three days after their ejection.
39. Doctor Brownrigg Bishop of Exceter and Master of Katharine Hall, was now Vice Chancellor of Cambridge, succeeding Dr. Holdesworth, as I take it: for, know Reader, I begin now to be incurious in Chronology, not so much because weary with a long observing thereof, as because such the noise of the present disturbance I cannot hear what the Clock of Time doth strike. This sure I am, that the Vice Chancellor, though eminent for his piety, gravity, and learning, could so little prevail for others (endeavoring all the good offices he could) that the next year he was banished the University for preaching the Inauguration Sermon of the KING, wherein many passages were distasted by the Parliament-party. And now they vigoronsly proceeded, having learned the Maxim in Hippocrates, that Licet in extremis ad lipothymiam vacuare, In desperate cures, one may let blood even till the patient swounds: on confidence, that though the soul dissembleth a departure, yet it will stay still in the body especially when finding it amended in the temper thereof. And, it seems the blood appeared so corrupt to these Physicians, that so great a quantity was taken away, some Colleges lay, as it were, languishing for the loss thereof.
40 In Queens Coll: there was made a thorough Reformation, neither Master, Fellow, nor Scholar being left of the Foundation; so that according to the Laws of the Admiralty it might seem a true Wreck, and forfeited in this Land tempest, for lack of a live thing therein to preserve the propriety thereof. However some conceived this a great severity, contrary to the eternal Moral of the Jewish Law provided against the depopulation of Birds nests that the Old and Young Ones should be destroyed together. But to prevent a vacuity (the detestation of nature) a new Plantation was soon substituted in their room, who short of the former in learning and abilities, went beyond them in good affections to the Parliament.
41. However, on the account of Humanity, some pity may seem due to such Fellows, outed house and home, merely for refusing the Covenant, being otherwise well-deserving in the judgments of those who ejected them. And it is strange to conceive how many of them got any subsistence, or livelihood to maintain themselves. This mindeth me of the occasion of the Greek Proverb, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , He is either dead, or teacheth School.
For when Nicias the General of Athens, (having many Scholars in his Army) had fought unfortunately against the Sicilians, and when such few as returned home were interrogated what became of their Companions, this was all they could return, They were either dead, or taught School; a poor and woeful employment it seems, in those days, as weighed in the other scale, against Death, so indifferent was the odds betwixt them. The same we conceive the hard hap of such Fellows that survived the grief of their Ejection, many betook themselves to the painful profession of School-Master; no calling, which is honest, being disgraceful especially to such, who for their conscience sake, have deserted a better condition.
42. I know what the Chaplains of the Earl have pleaded, in excuse of their rigorous proceedings against the Scholars at this time; viz: That authority was much exasperated by Academics deserting their places, and refusing upon summons given, to come in with Petitions for favor, in relation to such particulars wherein they were dissatisfied: that as if the times were their Text whatever the subject of their Sermons, they were invective against the present Authority: that Querela Cantabrigiensis is but Querela, relating all things to the worst; and plaints are no proofs. That for their own parts, they only answered the spur, and scarcely that, being quickened on both sides both from above, and beneath, and daily complained of, That their over remissness would obstruct Reformation, both in Church, and University How far this will prevail on the belief of posterity is unto me unknown.
43. Some perchance may be so curious hereafter to know what Removals and Substitutions were made at this time amongst the Heads of Houses. Now although a man may hold a candle to lighten posterity, so near as to burn his own fingers therewith, I will run the hazard, rather than be wanting to any reasonable desire.
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Four Masters by the sspeciall favors of their friends, and their own wary compliance, continued in their places, viz: Dr. Thomas Bainbrigg, and Dr. Thomas Eden of Trinity -Hall, but died soon after; Dr. Richard Love, Master of Bennet College, afterwards Margaret Professor; and Dr. Edward Rainbow of Magdalene College, who not long after lost his Mastership, for the refusal of the Engagement.
44. Passe we now from the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , the living consisting of Students, to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , the dead University, as composed of lands, Libraries, and buildings; where we meet with many moans in this kind. How Soldiers were now quartered in their Colleges; Chapels abused; Common-Prayer books, yet legally in force, torn in St. Mary's; their Bridges broken down; Materials for building Colleges taken away; Jesus -College Grove (no idolatrous one) cut down to the ground; ancient Coines of S. John's College taken away, valued at twenty two pound according to weight, though an hundred times worth more then they were worth, wherein every piece was a volume, and all together a Library of Roman Antiquities.
45. But chiesly it vexed them that their Lands, hitherto exempted from payments, and (like his Fathers house, who should conquer Goliath ) free in Israel, were now subjected to Taxes, wherein the Raters were heavier than the Rates, being taxed by the Townsmen. And how Odious is a Handmaid that is Heir to her Mistress of her but much more when Mistress, as here the Town (in some fort) was over the University, where such who set the lowest price on learning, put the highest valuation on the Professors thereof.
46. However, there are University men (not altogether so passionate for, but every whit as affectionate to their Mother) who, as they condole Cam-bridge for faring so ill; congratulate her also for faring no worse in such tumultuous times. When all the Body is distempered, with what hope can either Eye promise ease unto it self? Was their glass broken? it was well their windows were left. Was the floor of some of their Chapels digged up? Well that the walls of them were not digged down. Were one or two of their Bridges broken? it was well that any was spared from whence Cambridge might still retain her denomination.
47. Now that my sun may not set in a cloud, amidst many bemoanings of Cambridge, I must rejoice that the ruins of one ancient Church, St. Andrew's by name, are repaired by the joint benefaction of many, and particularly of Richard Rose Esq. late Major of Cambridge, and Sheriff of Cambridge shire. Let him who hath the building of God's house [whilst living] for his Monument, have the Praise of Posterity for his never-dying Epitaph.
48. Here some may expect (according to my promise) an History of the University of OXFORD: but finding my Informations thence, (affisted with my own industry) to fall short of filling a Just Treatise; I thought fit to insert their Colleges in the Body of my History, according to the dates of their respective Foundations, submitting the censure of my fair dealing therein, to the ingenuous in that famous University.
49. To draw to conclusion, lately a College in Cambridge, much beautified with additional Buildings, sent a Messenger to a Doctor, (no less ingenious than bountiful ) who had been a great, and promised to be a greater Benefactour unto them, requesting him to remember them, or else Their COLLEDGE Must Even Stand Still, meaning they must desist from going farther in their intended fabric. To whom the Doctor answered, May your College, and all the Colleges in both Universities STAND STILL. In the charitable meaning whereof, all good men will concur, and join with us in our following devotions.
A Prayer.
O GOD! who in the creating of the lower World didst first make light, (confusedly diffused [as yet] through the imperfect Universe) and afterwards didst collect the same into two great Lights, to illuminate all creatures therein. O Lord, who art a God of knowledge, and doest lighten every man that cometh into the world.
O Lord! who in our Nation hast moved the hearts of Founders and Benefactors to erect and indow two famous Luminaries of Learning and Religion, bless them with the assistance of thy holy Spirit. Let neither of them contest, (as once thy Disciples on earth) which should be the greatest, but both contend which shall approve themselves the best in thy presence.
Oh though for their sins thou permittest them to be eclipsed, for thy mercy do not suffer them to be extinguished.
And as thou didst appoint those two great Lights in the Firmament to last till thy Servants shall have no need of the Sun, nor of the Moon to shine therein, for thy Glory doth lighten them: So grant these Old Lights may continue till all acquired and infused knowledge be swallowed up with the vision and fruition of thy blessed-making Majesty, Amen.
A Prayer.
O GOD! who in the creating of the lower World didst first make light, (confusedly diffused [as yet] through the imperfect Universe) and afterwards didst collect the same into two great Lights, to illuminate all creatures therein. O Lord, who art a God of knowledge, and doest lighten every man that cometh into the world.
O Lord! who in our Nation hast moved the hearts of Founders and Benefactors to erect and indow two famous Luminaries of Learning and Religion, bless them with the assistance of thy holy Spirit. Let neither of them contest, (as once thy Disciples on earth) which should be the greatest, but both contend which shall approve themselves the best in thy presence.
Oh though for their sins thou permittest them to be eclipsed, for thy mercy do not suffer them to be extinguished.
And as thou didst appoint those two great Lights in the Firmament to last till thy Servants shall have no need of the Sun, nor of the Moon to shine therein, for thy Glory doth lighten them: So grant these Old Lights may continue till all acquired and infused knowledge be swallowed up with the vision and fruition of thy blessed-making Majesty, Amen.
THE HISTORY OF Waltham-Abby in Essex, Founded by KING HAROLD.
By THOMAS FULLER, the CURATE thereof.
LONDON, Printed in the Year, M.DC.LV.
To the Right Honorable, JAMES HAY, EARL of CARLILE, VISCOUNT Doncaster, BARON of Sauley and Waltham.
I Have formerly in this History presumed to trouble your Honor, and now adventure the second time. Indeed this Treatise containeth the description of your large Demesnes, and larger Royalty and Command. Should I therefore present it to any other, save yourself, it would be held as a STRAY indeed, (wandering out of the right Way it should go in) and so, (without any thanks to me) would fall to your Lordship, as due unto you by the Custom of your Manor.
Your Honors most obliged Servant and Chaplain.
THE HISTORY OF Waltham-Abby.
PRovidence, by the hand of my worthy friends, having planted me for the present at WalthamAbby, I conceive, that in our general work of Abbeys, I owe some particular description to that place of my abode. Hoping my endeavors herein may prove exemplary to others (who dwell in the / sight of remarkable Monasteries) to do the like, and rescue the observables of their habitations, from the teeth of time and oblivion.
Waltham is so called from the Saxon Ham, Which is a Town (whence the Diminutive Hamlet) and Weald, or Wealt, that is, Woody (whence the Weald of Kent ) it being Anciently over-grown with tress and timber. Thus Kiria • h-jearim, or the City of the woods, in Palestine; Dendros, an Island in Peloponnesus Sylviacum, an Ancient City in Belgium, got their names from the like woody situation. Some will have it called Waltham, quasi Wealthie-Ham: I wish they could make their words good, in respect of the persons living therein, though in regard of the soil itself, indeed in is rich and plentiful.
The Town is seated on the East side of the River Ley, which not only parteth Hertford -shire from Essex, but also seven times parteth from its self, whose septemfluous stream in coming to the Town, is crossed again with so many bridges. On the one side, the Town itself hath large and fruitful Meadows (whose intrinsic value is much raised by the vicinity of London ) the grass whereof when first gotten an head, is so sweet and lushious to Cattle, that they diet them at the first entering therein to half an hour a day, lest otherwise they over-eat themselves, which some Kine yearlie do, and quickly die for it, notwithstanding all their Keepers care to the contrary. On the other side a spacious Forest spreads itself, where, fourteen years since, one might have seen whole Herds of Red and Fallow Deer. But these late licentious years have been such a Nimrod, such an Hunter, that all at this present are destroyed, though I could wish this were the worst effect which our woeful Wars have produced.
The air of the Town is condemned by many, for over-moist and Aguish, caused by the depressed situation thereof. In confutation of which censure, we produce the many aged persons in our Town, (above threescore and ten, since my coming hither, above threescore and ten years of age) so that it seems, we are sufficiently healthful, if sufficiently thankful for the same. Sure I am, what is wanting in good air in the Town, is supplied in the Parish, wherein as many pleasant hills and prospects are, as any place in England doth afford.
Tovy, a man of great wealth and authority, as being the Kings Staller, (that is, Standard-Bearer) first Founded this Town, for the great delight which he took in the game, the place having plenty of Deer. He planted only threescore and six in-dwellers therein.
Athelstan, his son, proved a Prodigal, and quickly spent all his Fathers goods and great estate, so that by some transactions the place returned to the Crown.
Edward the Confessor, bestowed Waltham, with the Lands thereabouts, on Harold his Brother-in-law, who presently built and endowed therein a Monastery, where of nothing at this day is extant, save the West end, or body of the Church.
A structure of Gothish-building, rather large then neat, firm then fair. Very dark (the design of those days to raise devotion) save that it was helped again with artificial lights; and is observed by Artists to stand the most exactly East and West of any in England. The great pillars thereof are wreathed with indentings, which vacuities, if formerly filled up with Brasse (as some confidently report) added much to the beauty of the building. But, it matters not so much their taking away the Brasse from the Pillars, had they but left the Lead on the Roof, which is but meanly Tiled at this day. In a word, the best commendation of the Church is, that on Lordsdayes generally it is filled with a great and attentive Congregation.
To the South -side of the Church is joined a Chapel, formerly our Ladies, now a School-house, and under it an arched Charnel-house, the fairest that ever I saw. Here, a pious fancy could make a feast to its self on those dry bones, with the meditation of mortality: where it is hard, yea, impossible to discern the Sculls of a rich, from a poor; wise, from a simple; noble, from a mean person. Thus all counters are alike when put up together in the box, or bag; though, in casting of account, of far different valuation.
King Harold Dedicated the Monastery to the honor of an Holy Cross, found far West-ward, and brought hither (as they write) by miracle; whence the Town hath the addition of Waltham-Holy-Cross; but the Church we find in after ages also Dedicated to S t Laurence. His foundation was for a Dean, and eleven Secular Black Canons. Let none challenge the words of impropriety, seeing a Dean, in Latin, Decanus, hath his name from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ten, over which number he is properly to be preposed. For, nothing more common, then to wean words from their infant and original sense, and by custom to extend them to a larger signification, as Dean afterwards plainly denoted a superior over others, whether fewer then ten, as the six Prebendaries of Rochester; or moe, as the three and thirty of Salisbury. The Dean and eleven Canons were plentifully provided for, each Canon having a Manor, and the Dean six for his maintenance.
For in the Charter of Confirmation made by King Edward the Confessor, besides North-land in Waltham (now called, as I take it, North-field) wherewith the Monastery was first endowed, these following Lordshops, with all their appurtenances, are reckoned up.
- 1. Passefield.
- 2. Walde.
- 3. Upminster.
- 4. Walthfare.
- 5. Suppedene.
- 6. Alwertowne.
- 7. Wodeford.
- 8. Lambehide.
- 9. Nesingan.
- 10. Brickindon.
- 11. Melnhoo.
- 12. Alichsea.
- 13. Wormeley.
- 14. Nichelswells.
- 15. Hitchche.
- 16. Lukendon.
- 17. West-Wealtham.
All these the King granted unto them cum Sacha & Socha, Tol and Team, &c. free from all gelts and payments, in a most full and ample Manner; Witness himself, Edith his Queen, Stigand Archiepiscopus Dorobornensis, Count Harold, and many other Bishops and Lord's subscribing the same Cha •• er.
Afterward Harold usurpeth the Crown, but enjoyed it not a • ull year, killed in Battle-fight, by King William the Conqueror. Where either of their swords (if victorious) might have done the deed, though otherwise both their titles twisted together, could not make half a good claim to the Crown. Githa, Mother of Harold, and two religious men of this Abby, Osegod and Ail • i • , with their prayers and tears, hardly prevailed with the Conqueror (at first denying him burial, whose ambition had caused the death of so many) to have Harold's Corps (with his two Brethren, Girth and Leofwin, losing their lives in the same battle) to be entombed in Waltham Church, of his foundation. He was buried, where now the Earl of Carlisle his leaden Fountain in his Garden, then probably the end of the Choir, or rather some Eastern C • appel beyond it. His Tomb of plain, but rich gray Marble, with what seemeth a Cross-Floree (but much descanted on with art) upon the same, supported with Pillarets, one Pedestal, whereof I have in my house. As for his reported Epitaph, I purposely omit it, not so much because barbarous (scarce any better in that Age) but because not attested, to my apprehension, with sufficient Authority.
A Picture of King Harold in glass was lately to be seen in the North -window of the Church, till ten years since some barbarous hand beat it down under the notion of Superstition. Surely had such ignorant persons been employed in the days of Hezekiah, to purge the Temple from the former Idolatry; under the pretence thereof, they would have rended off, the Liliework from the Pillars; and the Lions, Oxen, and Cherubims from the Bases of Brass. However, there is still a place called Harold's-Park in our Parish, by him so denominated. Let not therefore the village of Harold on the North side of O • se near Bedford (properly Harewood, or Harelswood, on vulgar groundless tradition) contest with Waltham for this Kings interment.
The Re-foundation of WALTHAM-ABBY by HENRY the Second.
ONe will easily believe, that at the death of King Harold, Waltham-Abby, Founded by him, was in a swoon, and the Canons therein much disheartened. However, they had one help, which was this; that, Edward the Confessor was the confirmer of their Foundation, whose memory was not only fresh and fair in all men's minds (bearing a veneration to his supposed sanctity) but also King William the Conqueror, had the best of his bad titles by bequest of the Crown from this Confessor. So that in some sense Waltham-Abby might humbly crave kindred of King William, both deriving their best being from one and the same person.
Know Reader, that what ever hereafter I allege touching the Lands and Liberties of Waltham (if not otherwise attesed by some Author in the margin) is by me faithfully transcribed out of Waltham Leidger-Book, now in the possession of the Right Honorable, JAMES Earl of Carlisle. This Book was collected by Robert Fuller, the last Abbot of Waltham; who, though he could not keep his Abby from dissolution, did preserve the Antiquities thereof from oblivion. The Book (as appears by many inscriptions in the initial Text-letters) was made by himself, having as happy an hand in fair and fast writing, as some of his Sir-name since have been defective therein.
Not long after the Conquest, Waltham-Abby found good Benefactors, and considerable additions to their maintenance. For, Maud, the first Queen to King Henry the first, bestowed on them the Mill at Waltham, which she had by exchange for Trinity-Church in London, which I take to be part of the Trinity-Priory, now called the Dukes-place.
Adelisia, second wife to King Henry the first, being possessed of Waltham as part of her Revenue, gave all the Tythes thereof, as well of her Demesnes, as all Tenants therein, to the Canons of Waltham. Mean time how poorly was the Priest of the place provided for? Yea, a glutton Monastery in former ages, makes an hungry Ministry in our days. An Abby and a Parsonage unimpropriate in the same place, are as inconsistent together, as good woods and an Iron Mill. Had not Waltham Church lately met with a Noble Founder, the Minister thereof must have kept moe fasting-days, then ever were put in the Roman Calender.
King Stephen, though he came a wrong way to the Crown, yet did all right to the Monastery of Waltham (as who generally sought the good will of the Clergy to strengthen himself) and confirmed all their Lands, profits, and privileges unto them.
King Henry the second utterly dissolved the foundation of Dean and eleven Canons at Waltham. The debauchedness of their lives is rendered in his Charter as the occasion thereof, Cum in ea Canonici Clerici{que} minùs religiose & aequaliter vixissent, ita quod in • amia conversationis illorum multos scandalisasset. Whether these were really, or only reputed vicious, God knows, seeing all those must be guilty whom power is pleased to pronounce so. Sure it is, King Henry outed this Dean and Canons, and placed an Abbot and Regular Augustinians in their room, increasing their number to twenty four. And because (to use the Kings own words) it was fit that Christ his Spouse should have a new dowry, he not only confirmed to this Monastery the primitive patrimony, mentioned in the Confessors Charter, cum peciis terrae, with many pieces of land, and tenements, which their Benefactors since bestowed upon them; but also conferred the rich Manors of Sewardstone, and Eppings on this Monastery.
The whole Charter of King Henry is too long to transcribe, but some passages therein must not be omitted. First, the King had the consent of Pope Alexander, for the suppression of these Canons; the rather moved thereunto, quia praedictis Canonicis sufficienter provisum fuit, because the a • oresaid expelled Canons had sufficient provision made for them. For, grant them never so scandalous, this was to add scandal to scandal, to thrust them out of house and home, without any means or maintenance. Secondly, this Charter Presents us with the ancient liberties of Waltham-Church, that, Semper suit Regalis Capella ex primitiva sui sundatione, nulli Archiepiscopo vel Episcopo, sed ta •• ùm Ecclesiae Romanae & Regiae dispositioni subjecta. And, though since Reformation, the Church hath been subjected to the Arch-Bishops jurisdiction (as succeeding to the Royal power) and sometimes (with grumbling and reluctancy) to the Episcopal power, yet it never as yet owned an Arch-Deacon, or appeared at his Visitation.
The metioning of the consent of Pope Alexander to the suppression of Waltham Dean and Canons, and substituting Augustinians in their room, mindeth me of a spacious place in this Town, at the entrance of the Abby, built about with houses, called Rome-land, as (Peter-pence were termed Rome-scot) at this day. It is generally believed, that the rents thereof peculiarly belonged to the Church of Rome. Thus the Pope would not be so bad a carver, as to cut all away to others, and reserve no corner to himself.
King Richard the first (though generally not too loving to the Clergy) amply confirmed his Fathers Foundation, and gave Lands to Richard Fitz-Aucher in this Parish, to hold them in Fee, and hereditarily of the Church of Waltham-Holy-Cross. This Fitz-Aucher fixed himself at Copt-Hall, a stately house in the Parish. Whether so called contractedly, quasi Cobbing-Hall, from Cobbing, a rivolet running not far off, or from two ancient and essential Turrets of that house, which are coped and covered with Lead: or from (in my mind most probable) an high and sharp-Hill (thus Copeland so called in Cumberland) whereon the house is founded.
In or about this Kings Reign, Hugh Nevill, with the consent of Jone his wife, and John his son, bestowed the Manor of Thorndon on the Monastery of Waltham, of whom largely before.
King Henry the third, to spare Court-keeping, came often and lay long at Abbeys; so that Waltham (the nearest mitred Abby to London) had much of his company. Being a Religious Prince, great were his desires, but withal necessitous, small his deeds in endowing Churches. However, what he wanted in giving himself, he supplied in confirming the gifts of others. And finding it the cheapest way of benefaction, to give liberties then lands, he bestowed on Waltham a weekly Market and a Faire (so called à seriando, from people's playing there) to last seven days; which now is divided into two, but of shorter continuance, the one on the third day of May, the Invention, the other on the fourteenth of September, the Exaltation of the Cross.
We now have a Market on Tuesday, but cannot boast of much trading therein. Indeed there is plenty of Flesh, but little Corn brought thither: and Bread is the staff, as of a man, so of a Market. Nor let us impute the thinness of Chapmen in Summer to Husbandmens having no leisure, as busied in tillage, Hay, or harvest: or in Winter to their having no pleasure to repair thither in so deep and dirty ways, seeing the plain truth is, no underwood can thrive near the droppings of so great an Oke, the vicinity of London. The golden Market in Leaden-Hall, makes leaden Markets in all the Towns thereabouts.
In the first year that Simon was made Abbot (which by exactest proportion we collect to be about the thirtieth year of King Henry the third) the men of Waltham came into the Marsh, which the Abbot and his Covent formerly enjoyed, as several to themselves, killed four Mares, worth forty shillings sterling at least, and drove away all the rest. The Abbot was politically pleased, for the present not to take notice thereof. The next year some men of Waltham went to the Abbot, the Thursday before Easter, in the name of the whole Village, and demanded of him to remove his Mares and Colts out of the Marsh. This the Abbot refused to do, adding withal, that if his Bailiffs had placed his Cattle otherwhere then they ought, they might do well to have it amended, yet so, as to defer the matter till Tuesday after Easter.
On that Tuesday, Richard, Brother to the King, Duke of Cornwall, came to Waltham, at what time both the men and women of the Town repaired to the gate of the Abbey, to receive the Abbots final answer. He told them that he could not speak with them for the present, as providing himself for a long journey into Lincoln -shire, there to visit the Justices itinerant; but by his Prior and other Canons, he desired them to be patient till his return, when he would mend what was to be mended. Not satisfied therewith, and neither respecting the spiritual holiness of the Abbot, nor temperal greatness of the Duke, railed at and reviled him. Then into the pasture they go, and, in driving out the Abbots Mares and Colts, drowned three worth twenty shillings, spoiled ten moe, to the value of ten marks, and beat their keepers who resisted them, even to the shedding of blood.
But, after the Abbot returned from Lincoln -shire, the Townsmen, fearing they should be trounced for their riot, desired a Love-day, submitted themselves unto him, and proffered to pay him damage. But next day, when the performance of these promises were expected, away went the Waltham-men, with their wives and children, to the King to London, inraging him as much as in them lay, against the Abbot, accusing him that he would disinherit them of their right, bring up new customs, take away their Pas • ures, and (to use their own words) eat them up to the bones; and that he had wounded and abused some of them, who stood defending their own rights. Which false report was believed of many, to the great disgrace of the Covent of Waltham.
The Abbot would not put up so great a wrong, but, having Episcopal power in himself, proceeded to the Excommunication of the Rebellious Walthamites. But the Townsmen went another way to work, namely, to defend their right by the Common Laws of the Realm. Whereupon Stephen Fitz-Bennet, Simon of the Wood, William Theyden, and Ralph of the Bridge, in the name of all the rest, implead the Abbot for appropriating their Commons to himself. But in fine (after many cross pleadings here too long to relate) the Abbot so acquitted himself, that he made both his own right and the Townsmens riot to appear: who at last at the Kings-Bench were glad to confess that they had done evil, and were amerced twenty Marks to the Abbot, which he not only remitted unto them, but also on their submission assoiled them from the Excommunication.
The brawls betwixt the Abbot and Townsmen of Waltham were no sooner ended, but far fiercer began betwixt the said Abbot and the Lord of Chesthunt, on the like occasion. This Chesthunt is a large Parish in Hertford -shire, confining on the West of Waltham, so called saith Norden, quasi Castanetum, of Chestnut-trees, though now, I believe, one hardly appears in the whole Lordship. In this suit,
| Plaintiff. | Judges. | Defendant. |
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Peter, Duke of Savoy, the Kings dear Uncle, (first founder, I take it, of the Savoy in London) on whom the King conferred many Lordships, and Chesthunt amongst the rest. Solicitor. Adam de Alverton. |
Ralph Fitz-Nicolas, John of Lexington, Paulin Peyner Seneschal, Henry of Bath, Jeremy of Caxton, Henry de Bretton. The Case. |
Simon, the Abbot, and the Covent of Waltham. |
The Plaintiff endeavored to prove, that the stream of Ley, (called the Kings-Stream) dividing Hertford-shire from Essex, ran thorough the Town of Waltham, all the land West thereof belonging to the Manor of Chesthunt. This was denied by the Defendant, maintaining that Small-Ley-stream, running well nigh half a mile West of Waltham, parted the Counties, all the interjacent meadows pertained to Waltham.
Perusing the names of these the Kings Justices at Westminster, who would not suspect, but that this Henry of Bath was Bishop of that See? considering how many Clergy-men in that age, were employed in places of Judicature. But the suspicion is causeless, finding none of that name in the Episcopal Catalogue. Others in like manner may apprehend, that Bretton, here mentioned, was that Learned Lawyer (afterwards Bishop of Hereford) who wrote the Book De Juribus Anglicanis, and who flourished in the latter end of the Reign of this King Henry the third. But his name being John, not Henry, discovereth him a different person.
Not long after, this suit was finally determined, and Peter Duke of Savoy remised and quit-claimed from him and his Heirs, to the said Abbot and his Successors, the right and claim he had to ask in the same Meadows and Marshes of the said Abbot. This is called in the Instrument finalis concordia, though it proved neither final, nor a concord. For, soon after this pallia •• cure broke out again, and the matter was in variance and undetermined betwixt Robert, the last Abbot, and the Lord of Chesthunt, when the Abby was dissolved.
Many accessions (besides those common prolongers of all suits, namely the heat of men's anger, and the bellows of instruments, gaining by Law) did concur to lengthen this cause.
- 1. The considerableness and concernment of the thing controverted, being a large and rich portion of ground.
- 2. The difficulty of the cause, about the channels of that River, which, Proteus -like, in several Ages hath appeared in sundry forms, disguised by derivations on different occasions.
- 3. The greatness of the Clients; Chesthunt Lordship being always in the hand of some potent person, and the Corporation of Waltham Covent able to wage Law with him.
Hence hath this suit been as long-loved as any in England, (not excepting that in Gloucester -shire, betwixt the posterity of Vice-Count Lisle, and the Lord Barkley;) seeing very lately (if not at this day) there were some suits about our bounds; Waltham Meadows being very rich in grass and hay, but too fruitful in contentions.
For mine own part, that wound which I cannot heal, I will not widen: and, seeing I may say with the Poet,
-
Non nostrum inter vos tantas componere lites.
- No power of mine so far extends,
- As for to make both parties friends.
I will not turn, of an unpartial Historian, an engaged person, who as a neighbor wish well to Chesthunt, as a Parishioner better to Waltham; as a Christian, best to both. And therefore so much for matter of fact, in our Records and Leiger-books, leaving all matters of right for others to decide.
Mean time, whilst the Abbot and Monks of Waltham, were vexed with the men of Chesthunt, they found more favor (if public same belies them not) from some loving women in that Parish, I mean the Holy Sisters in Chesthunt-Nunnery, whose House (when ever Founded) I find some ten years since thus confirmed by Royal Authority.
But this subject begins to swell beyond the bounds intended unto it, lest therefore what we intended but a Tract should swell to a Tome, we will here descend to matters of later date.
Only be it premised, that some years before the Dissolution, Robert the last Abbot of Waltham, passed over the fair seat of Copt-Hall, unto King Henry the eighth. Thus as the Castor, when pursued by the Hunter, to make his escape is reported to bite off his own stones, (as the main treasure sought after) and so saves his life by losing a limb: So this Abbot politically parted with that stately Mansion, in hope thereby to preserve the rest of his revenues. However all would not do, (so impossible it is to save, what is designed to ruin) and few years after, the Abby, with the large Lands thereof, were seized on by the King, and for some Moneths, He alone stood possessed thereof.
The Extraction, Charter, Death and Issue of Sir Anthony Dennie, on whom King Henry the Eighth bestowed WALTHAM-ABBY.
AT the Dissolution, King Henry bestowed the Site of this Abby, with many large and rich Lands belonging thereunto, on S r Anthony Dennie, for the term of Thirty one years. Let us a little inquire into his extraction and descent.
I find the name very Ancient at Chesterton in Huntingdon -shire, where the Heir-general was long since married, to the worshipful and Ancient Family of the Bevils. It seems, a branch of the Male-line afterwards fixed in Hertford -shire; Whereof John Denny, Esquire, valiantly served Henry the fifth in France, where he was slain, and buried with Thomas, his second Son, in S t Dionys his Chapel; their interment in so noble a place speaking their worthy performances. In the Reign of Queen Mary, a Frier shown their Tombes to S r Matthew Carew, together with their Coates and differences. Henry, eldest son of this John Denny, begat William Denny of Chesthunt in Hertford -shire, which William was High Sheriff of the County in the year 1480. leaving Edmond Denny to inherit his estate.
Edmond Denny was one of the Barons of the Exchequer, in credit and favor with King Edward the Fourth, and Henry the Seventh. He Married Mary, the Daughter and Heir of Robert Troutbeck Esquire, on whom he begat Thomas Denny, from whom the Dennies in Norfolk are descended.
Anthony Denny, second Son to Baron Denny, was Knighted by King Henry the Eighth, made Gentleman of his Bed-chamber, Privy-Counselor, and one of his Executors. I cannot say he was bred any great Scholar, but find him a Mecaenas, and grand favourer of Learned men. For, when the School of Sedbury in the North, belonging to S t Johns in Cambridge, was run to ruin, the Lands thereof being sold and embezeled, S r Anthony procured the reparation of the School, and restitution of their means, firmly settling them to prevent future alienation. Hear what character c M r Ascham gives of him; Religio, Doctrina, Respublica, omnes curas tuas sic occupant, ut extra has tres res nullum tempus consumas; Religion, Learning, Common-wealth, so employ all thy cares, that besides these three things you spend no other time. Let then the enemies (if any) of his memory abate of this character to what proportion they please (pretending it but the Orators Rhetorical Hyperbole) the very remainder thereof, which their malice must leave, will be sufficient to speak S r Anthony a worthy and meriting Gentleman.
I find an excellent Epitaph made on him by one the Learned'st of Noblemen, and Noblest of Learned men in his age, viz. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and eldest son to the Duke of Norfolk, worthy the Reader his perusal.
Upon the Death of Sir Anthony Denny.
Know Reader, that this Lord made this Epitaph by a Poetical Prolepsis; otherwise, at the reading thereof who would not conceive, that the Author surviv'd the subject of his Poem? Whereas indeed this Lord died (beheaded 1546.) in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, whom S r Anthony out-lived, being one of the Executors of his Will. Nor was it the worst piece of service he performed to his Master, when (all other Courtiers declining the employment) he truly acquainted him with his dying-condition, to dispose of his soul for another world.
S r Anthony died about the second of Edward the sixth, Dame Joan his Wife, surviving him. Daughter she was to S r Philip Champernoon of Modbury in Devon -shire: a Lady of great beauty and parts, a favourer of the Reformed Religion when the times were most dangerous. She sent eight shillings by her man, in a Violet coat, to Anne Aschough when imprisoned in the Counter; a small sum, yet a great gift, so hazardous it was to help any in her condition. This Lady Joan bought the Reversion in Fee of Waltham, from King Edward the Sixth, paying three thousand and hundred pounds for the same, purchasing therewith large privileges in Waltham-Forest, as by the Letters Patents doth appear. She bare two Sons to S r Anthony, Henry Denny, Esquire, of whom hereafter: the second S r Edward, who, by God's blessing, Queen Elizabeth's bounty, and his own valor, achieved a fair estate in the County of Kerry in Ireland, which at this day is (if any thing in that woeful war-wasted Country can be) enjoyed by his great Grandchild, Arthur Denny Esq of Tralleigh.
The condition of Waltham Church from the Dissolution of the Abby, until the Death of King HENRY the Eighth.
HAving the perusal of the Church-Wardens accounts, wherein their Ancient expenses and receipts are exactly taken, fairly written, and carefully kept, I shall select thence some memorable Items, to acquaint us with the general devotion of those days.
Know then, there were six Ordinary Obits which the Church-wardens did annually discharge, viz.
-
For
- Thomas Smith, and Joan his wife, on the sixteenth of January.
- Thomas Friend, Joan and Joan his wives, on the sixteenth of February.
- Robert Peest and Joan his wife, on the tenth of April.
- Thomas Towers and Katharine his wife, the six and twentieth of April.
- John Breges and Agnes his wife, the one and thirtieth of May.
- Thomas Turner and Christian his wife, the twentieth day of December.
The charge of an Obit was two shillings and two pence; and, if any be curious to have the particulars thereof, it was thus expended. To the Parish-Priest four pence; to our Ladies-Priest three pence; to the Charnel-Priest three pence; to the two Clerks four pence; to the Children (these I conceive Choristers) three pence; to the Sexton two pence; to the Bell-man two pence; for two Tapers two pence; for Oblation two pence. Oh the reasonable rates at Waltham! two shillings two pence for an Obit, the price whereof in Saint Paul's in London was forty shillings. For (forsooth) the higher the Church, the holier the service, the dearer the price, though he had given too much that had given but thanks for such vanities.
To defray the expenses of these Obits, the parties prayed for, or their Executors, left Lands, Houses or Stock, to the Church-Wardens. Thomas Smith bequeathed a Tenement in the Corn-Market, and others gave Lands in Vpshire, called Pater-noster-Hills; others ground elsewhere, besides a stock of eighteen Cows, which the Wardens let out yearly to farm for eighteen shillings, making up their yearly accounts at the Feast of Michael the Arch-Angel, out of which we have excerpted the following remarkable particulars.
Anno 1542. the 34 th of HENRY the 8 th .
Imprimis. 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 Church-leases, 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 Bell-frey, 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 Streamers, usually carried about in Procession.
Item, Paid to John Boston for mending the Organs, twenty pence.
The state of Waltham Church during the Reign of King EDWARD the Sixth.
OLd things are passed away, behold all things now are become new. Superstition by degrees being banished out of the Church, we hear no more of prayers and Masses for the dead. Every Obit now had its own Obit, and fully expired, the Lands formerly given thereunto being employed to more charitable uses. But let us select some particulars of the Church-wardens accounts in this Kings days.
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 Corss, 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 ot the sormer into the latter, must go under the Rood-lost; 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 ot the reason of the Rood-situation.
Item, Sold so much Wax as amounted to twenty six shillings.] So thristy the Wardens, at 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 let 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, whole 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.] Cept-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.
Church-alterations in the Reign of Queen MARY.
NEw Lady new Laws, Now strange the Metamorphosis in Waltham. Condemn not this our Como-graphie, or description of a Country-Town, as too low and narrow a subject, seeing in some sort the History of Waltham-Church is the Church-History of England, all Parishes in that age being infected alike with superstition. Nor intend I hereby to renew the memory of Idolatry, but to revive our gratitude to God for the abolishing thereof, whose numerous trinkets here ensue.
Anno 1554. Mariae primo.
Imprimis, For a Cross with a foot cooper 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 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 arid preserved.
Item, For Mary and John that stand in the Rood-left 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 Visitation, six pence.] This Bishop was bloody Bonner, that corpulent Tyrant, full (as one said) of guts and empty of bowels; who visited his Diocese 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 fell 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.
The condition of the Church from the beginning of Queen ELIZABETH, to this day.
IN eleven full years, viz. from the last of King Henry the Eighth, Anno 1547. till the first of Queen Elizabeth, 1558. this Church found four changes in Religion; Papist, and Protestant; Papist, and Protestant again. The last turn will appear by the Wardens following accounts.
Anno 1558. Elizabethae primo.
Imprimis, For the taking down of the Rood-lost, 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 velwet, 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 fold 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 sucn 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, whole Wardens for some years drave a great trade in the sale Lead; Stone, and Timber, all devoured in the roofing, flooring, and finishing of their Steeple,
Anno 1563. Eliz. 6 •• .
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 S t George himself is affirmed by a some as one never existent, in rerum natura.
Item Received 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 shilling 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 was translated to the covering of the Steeple. Call this removing of this metal from on 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 t Edward (Grand-child to S t 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 hundred 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 Honorw 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 whole 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 Stutes-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 Patils in London; and a great favourite to Fulk Busset, Bishop thereof. He wrote many learned books, whereof two especially (one called Compendium Morale, the other Imagines Oratorum ) commond his parts and pains to posterity.
Pase we from those who were Born, to eminent persons Buried therein. Here we first meet with Hugh Nevile, a Minton 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, Pass-le-eau, (that is, passing the pure water ) the Wits of those days thus descanting upon him;
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.
| Eodem{que} Anno, videlicet in crastino S ti Michaelis dedicata est Ecclesia conventualis Canonicorum de Waltham, ab Episcopo Norwicensi Willielmo, solemniter valde, assistibus aliis plurimis Episcopis, Praelatis, & Magnatibus venerabilibus, statim post dedicationem Ecclesiae sancti Pauli Londinensis, ut peregrinantes hinc inde, indistanter remearent. | And in the same year, namely the morrow after S t . Michaels day, the conventual Church of the Canons at Waltham, was dedicated by William, Bishop of Norwich very solemnly, many other Bishops, Prelates, and venerable Peers assisting him: presently after the dedication of S t Paul's in London, that Pilgrims and Travelers up and down might indistantly return. |
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 cons ent 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.
The Re-foundation of WALTHAM-ABBY by HENRY the Second.
ONe will easily believe, that at the death of King Harold, Waltham-Abby, Founded by him, was in a swoon, and the Canons therein much disheartened. However, they had one help, which was this; that, Edward the Confessor was the confirmer of their Foundation, whose memory was not only fresh and fair in all men's minds (bearing a veneration to his supposed sanctity) but also King William the Conqueror, had the best of his bad titles by bequest of the Crown from this Confessor. So that in some sense Waltham-Abby might humbly crave kindred of King William, both deriving their best being from one and the same person.
Know Reader, that what ever hereafter I allege touching the Lands and Liberties of Waltham (if not otherwise attesed by some Author in the margin) is by me faithfully transcribed out of Waltham Leidger-Book, now in the possession of the Right Honorable, JAMES Earl of Carlisle. This Book was collected by Robert Fuller, the last Abbot of Waltham; who, though he could not keep his Abby from dissolution, did preserve the Antiquities thereof from oblivion. The Book (as appears by many inscriptions in the initial Text-letters) was made by himself, having as happy an hand in fair and fast writing, as some of his Sir-name since have been defective therein.
Not long after the Conquest, Waltham-Abby found good Benefactors, and considerable additions to their maintenance. For, Maud, the first Queen to King Henry the first, bestowed on them the Mill at Waltham, which she had by exchange for Trinity-Church in London, which I take to be part of the Trinity-Priory, now called the Dukes-place.
Adelisia, second wife to King Henry the first, being possessed of Waltham as part of her Revenue, gave all the Tythes thereof, as well of her Demesnes, as all Tenants therein, to the Canons of Waltham. Mean time how poorly was the Priest of the place provided for? Yea, a glutton Monastery in former ages, makes an hungry Ministry in our days. An Abby and a Parsonage unimpropriate in the same place, are as inconsistent together, as good woods and an Iron Mill. Had not Waltham Church lately met with a Noble Founder, the Minister thereof must have kept moe fasting-days, then ever were put in the Roman Calender.
King Stephen, though he came a wrong way to the Crown, yet did all right to the Monastery of Waltham (as who generally sought the good will of the Clergy to strengthen himself) and confirmed all their Lands, profits, and privileges unto them.
King Henry the second utterly dissolved the foundation of Dean and eleven Canons at Waltham. The debauchedness of their lives is rendered in his Charter as the occasion thereof, Cum in ea Canonici Clerici{que} minùs religiose & aequaliter vixissent, ita quod in • amia conversationis illorum multos scandalisasset. Whether these were really, or only reputed vicious, God knows, seeing all those must be guilty whom power is pleased to pronounce so. Sure it is, King Henry outed this Dean and Canons, and placed an Abbot and Regular Augustinians in their room, increasing their number to twenty four. And because (to use the Kings own words) it was fit that Christ his Spouse should have a new dowry, he not only confirmed to this Monastery the primitive patrimony, mentioned in the Confessors Charter, cum peciis terrae, with many pieces of land, and tenements, which their Benefactors since bestowed upon them; but also conferred the rich Manors of Sewardstone, and Eppings on this Monastery.
The whole Charter of King Henry is too long to transcribe, but some passages therein must not be omitted. First, the King had the consent of Pope Alexander, for the suppression of these Canons; the rather moved thereunto, quia praedictis Canonicis sufficienter provisum fuit, because the a • oresaid expelled Canons had sufficient provision made for them. For, grant them never so scandalous, this was to add scandal to scandal, to thrust them out of house and home, without any means or maintenance. Secondly, this Charter Presents us with the ancient liberties of Waltham-Church, that, Semper suit Regalis Capella ex primitiva sui sundatione, nulli Archiepiscopo vel Episcopo, sed ta •• ùm Ecclesiae Romanae & Regiae dispositioni subjecta. And, though since Reformation, the Church hath been subjected to the Arch-Bishops jurisdiction (as succeeding to the Royal power) and sometimes (with grumbling and reluctancy) to the Episcopal power, yet it never as yet owned an Arch-Deacon, or appeared at his Visitation.
The metioning of the consent of Pope Alexander to the suppression of Waltham Dean and Canons, and substituting Augustinians in their room, mindeth me of a spacious place in this Town, at the entrance of the Abby, built about with houses, called Rome-land, as (Peter-pence were termed Rome-scot) at this day. It is generally believed, that the rents thereof peculiarly belonged to the Church of Rome. Thus the Pope would not be so bad a carver, as to cut all away to others, and reserve no corner to himself.
King Richard the first (though generally not too loving to the Clergy) amply confirmed his Fathers Foundation, and gave Lands to Richard Fitz-Aucher in this Parish, to hold them in Fee, and hereditarily of the Church of Waltham-Holy-Cross. This Fitz-Aucher fixed himself at Copt-Hall, a stately house in the Parish. Whether so called contractedly, quasi Cobbing-Hall, from Cobbing, a rivolet running not far off, or from two ancient and essential Turrets of that house, which are coped and covered with Lead: or from (in my mind most probable) an high and sharp-Hill (thus Copeland so called in Cumberland) whereon the house is founded.
In or about this Kings Reign, Hugh Nevill, with the consent of Jone his wife, and John his son, bestowed the Manor of Thorndon on the Monastery of Waltham, of whom largely before.
King Henry the third, to spare Court-keeping, came often and lay long at Abbeys; so that Waltham (the nearest mitred Abby to London) had much of his company. Being a Religious Prince, great were his desires, but withal necessitous, small his deeds in endowing Churches. However, what he wanted in giving himself, he supplied in confirming the gifts of others. And finding it the cheapest way of benefaction, to give liberties then lands, he bestowed on Waltham a weekly Market and a Faire (so called à seriando, from people's playing there) to last seven days; which now is divided into two, but of shorter continuance, the one on the third day of May, the Invention, the other on the fourteenth of September, the Exaltation of the Cross.
We now have a Market on Tuesday, but cannot boast of much trading therein. Indeed there is plenty of Flesh, but little Corn brought thither: and Bread is the staff, as of a man, so of a Market. Nor let us impute the thinness of Chapmen in Summer to Husbandmens having no leisure, as busied in tillage, Hay, or harvest: or in Winter to their having no pleasure to repair thither in so deep and dirty ways, seeing the plain truth is, no underwood can thrive near the droppings of so great an Oke, the vicinity of London. The golden Market in Leaden-Hall, makes leaden Markets in all the Towns thereabouts.
In the first year that Simon was made Abbot (which by exactest proportion we collect to be about the thirtieth year of King Henry the third) the men of Waltham came into the Marsh, which the Abbot and his Covent formerly enjoyed, as several to themselves, killed four Mares, worth forty shillings sterling at least, and drove away all the rest. The Abbot was politically pleased, for the present not to take notice thereof. The next year some men of Waltham went to the Abbot, the Thursday before Easter, in the name of the whole Village, and demanded of him to remove his Mares and Colts out of the Marsh. This the Abbot refused to do, adding withal, that if his Bailiffs had placed his Cattle otherwhere then they ought, they might do well to have it amended, yet so, as to defer the matter till Tuesday after Easter.
On that Tuesday, Richard, Brother to the King, Duke of Cornwall, came to Waltham, at what time both the men and women of the Town repaired to the gate of the Abbey, to receive the Abbots final answer. He told them that he could not speak with them for the present, as providing himself for a long journey into Lincoln -shire, there to visit the Justices itinerant; but by his Prior and other Canons, he desired them to be patient till his return, when he would mend what was to be mended. Not satisfied therewith, and neither respecting the spiritual holiness of the Abbot, nor temperal greatness of the Duke, railed at and reviled him. Then into the pasture they go, and, in driving out the Abbots Mares and Colts, drowned three worth twenty shillings, spoiled ten moe, to the value of ten marks, and beat their keepers who resisted them, even to the shedding of blood.
But, after the Abbot returned from Lincoln -shire, the Townsmen, fearing they should be trounced for their riot, desired a Love-day, submitted themselves unto him, and proffered to pay him damage. But next day, when the performance of these promises were expected, away went the Waltham-men, with their wives and children, to the King to London, inraging him as much as in them lay, against the Abbot, accusing him that he would disinherit them of their right, bring up new customs, take away their Pas • ures, and (to use their own words) eat them up to the bones; and that he had wounded and abused some of them, who stood defending their own rights. Which false report was believed of many, to the great disgrace of the Covent of Waltham.
The Abbot would not put up so great a wrong, but, having Episcopal power in himself, proceeded to the Excommunication of the Rebellious Walthamites. But the Townsmen went another way to work, namely, to defend their right by the Common Laws of the Realm. Whereupon Stephen Fitz-Bennet, Simon of the Wood, William Theyden, and Ralph of the Bridge, in the name of all the rest, implead the Abbot for appropriating their Commons to himself. But in fine (after many cross pleadings here too long to relate) the Abbot so acquitted himself, that he made both his own right and the Townsmens riot to appear: who at last at the Kings-Bench were glad to confess that they had done evil, and were amerced twenty Marks to the Abbot, which he not only remitted unto them, but also on their submission assoiled them from the Excommunication.
The brawls betwixt the Abbot and Townsmen of Waltham were no sooner ended, but far fiercer began betwixt the said Abbot and the Lord of Chesthunt, on the like occasion. This Chesthunt is a large Parish in Hertford -shire, confining on the West of Waltham, so called saith Norden, quasi Castanetum, of Chestnut-trees, though now, I believe, one hardly appears in the whole Lordship. In this suit,
| Plaintiff. | Judges. | Defendant. |
|
Peter, Duke of Savoy, the Kings dear Uncle, (first founder, I take it, of the Savoy in London) on whom the King conferred many Lordships, and Chesthunt amongst the rest. Solicitor. Adam de Alverton. |
Ralph Fitz-Nicolas, John of Lexington, Paulin Peyner Seneschal, Henry of Bath, Jeremy of Caxton, Henry de Bretton. The Case. |
Simon, the Abbot, and the Covent of Waltham. |
The Plaintiff endeavored to prove, that the stream of Ley, (called the Kings-Stream) dividing Hertford-shire from Essex, ran thorough the Town of Waltham, all the land West thereof belonging to the Manor of Chesthunt. This was denied by the Defendant, maintaining that Small-Ley-stream, running well nigh half a mile West of Waltham, parted the Counties, all the interjacent meadows pertained to Waltham.
Perusing the names of these the Kings Justices at Westminster, who would not suspect, but that this Henry of Bath was Bishop of that See? considering how many Clergy-men in that age, were employed in places of Judicature. But the suspicion is causeless, finding none of that name in the Episcopal Catalogue. Others in like manner may apprehend, that Bretton, here mentioned, was that Learned Lawyer (afterwards Bishop of Hereford) who wrote the Book De Juribus Anglicanis, and who flourished in the latter end of the Reign of this King Henry the third. But his name being John, not Henry, discovereth him a different person.
Not long after, this suit was finally determined, and Peter Duke of Savoy remised and quit-claimed from him and his Heirs, to the said Abbot and his Successors, the right and claim he had to ask in the same Meadows and Marshes of the said Abbot. This is called in the Instrument finalis concordia, though it proved neither final, nor a concord. For, soon after this pallia •• cure broke out again, and the matter was in variance and undetermined betwixt Robert, the last Abbot, and the Lord of Chesthunt, when the Abby was dissolved.
Many accessions (besides those common prolongers of all suits, namely the heat of men's anger, and the bellows of instruments, gaining by Law) did concur to lengthen this cause.
- 1. The considerableness and concernment of the thing controverted, being a large and rich portion of ground.
- 2. The difficulty of the cause, about the channels of that River, which, Proteus -like, in several Ages hath appeared in sundry forms, disguised by derivations on different occasions.
- 3. The greatness of the Clients; Chesthunt Lordship being always in the hand of some potent person, and the Corporation of Waltham Covent able to wage Law with him.
Hence hath this suit been as long-loved as any in England, (not excepting that in Gloucester -shire, betwixt the posterity of Vice-Count Lisle, and the Lord Barkley;) seeing very lately (if not at this day) there were some suits about our bounds; Waltham Meadows being very rich in grass and hay, but too fruitful in contentions.
For mine own part, that wound which I cannot heal, I will not widen: and, seeing I may say with the Poet,
-
Non nostrum inter vos tantas componere lites.
- No power of mine so far extends,
- As for to make both parties friends.
I will not turn, of an unpartial Historian, an engaged person, who as a neighbor wish well to Chesthunt, as a Parishioner better to Waltham; as a Christian, best to both. And therefore so much for matter of fact, in our Records and Leiger-books, leaving all matters of right for others to decide.
Mean time, whilst the Abbot and Monks of Waltham, were vexed with the men of Chesthunt, they found more favor (if public same belies them not) from some loving women in that Parish, I mean the Holy Sisters in Chesthunt-Nunnery, whose House (when ever Founded) I find some ten years since thus confirmed by Royal Authority.
But this subject begins to swell beyond the bounds intended unto it, lest therefore what we intended but a Tract should swell to a Tome, we will here descend to matters of later date.
Only be it premised, that some years before the Dissolution, Robert the last Abbot of Waltham, passed over the fair seat of Copt-Hall, unto King Henry the eighth. Thus as the Castor, when pursued by the Hunter, to make his escape is reported to bite off his own stones, (as the main treasure sought after) and so saves his life by losing a limb: So this Abbot politically parted with that stately Mansion, in hope thereby to preserve the rest of his revenues. However all would not do, (so impossible it is to save, what is designed to ruin) and few years after, the Abby, with the large Lands thereof, were seized on by the King, and for some Moneths, He alone stood possessed thereof.
The Extraction, Charter, Death and Issue of Sir Anthony Dennie, on whom King Henry the Eighth bestowed WALTHAM-ABBY.
AT the Dissolution, King Henry bestowed the Site of this Abby, with many large and rich Lands belonging thereunto, on S r Anthony Dennie, for the term of Thirty one years. Let us a little inquire into his extraction and descent.
I find the name very Ancient at Chesterton in Huntingdon -shire, where the Heir-general was long since married, to the worshipful and Ancient Family of the Bevils. It seems, a branch of the Male-line afterwards fixed in Hertford -shire; Whereof John Denny, Esquire, valiantly served Henry the fifth in France, where he was slain, and buried with Thomas, his second Son, in S t Dionys his Chapel; their interment in so noble a place speaking their worthy performances. In the Reign of Queen Mary, a Frier shown their Tombes to S r Matthew Carew, together with their Coates and differences. Henry, eldest son of this John Denny, begat William Denny of Chesthunt in Hertford -shire, which William was High Sheriff of the County in the year 1480. leaving Edmond Denny to inherit his estate.
Edmond Denny was one of the Barons of the Exchequer, in credit and favor with King Edward the Fourth, and Henry the Seventh. He Married Mary, the Daughter and Heir of Robert Troutbeck Esquire, on whom he begat Thomas Denny, from whom the Dennies in Norfolk are descended.
Anthony Denny, second Son to Baron Denny, was Knighted by King Henry the Eighth, made Gentleman of his Bed-chamber, Privy-Counselor, and one of his Executors. I cannot say he was bred any great Scholar, but find him a Mecaenas, and grand favourer of Learned men. For, when the School of Sedbury in the North, belonging to S t Johns in Cambridge, was run to ruin, the Lands thereof being sold and embezeled, S r Anthony procured the reparation of the School, and restitution of their means, firmly settling them to prevent future alienation. Hear what character c M r Ascham gives of him; Religio, Doctrina, Respublica, omnes curas tuas sic occupant, ut extra has tres res nullum tempus consumas; Religion, Learning, Common-wealth, so employ all thy cares, that besides these three things you spend no other time. Let then the enemies (if any) of his memory abate of this character to what proportion they please (pretending it but the Orators Rhetorical Hyperbole) the very remainder thereof, which their malice must leave, will be sufficient to speak S r Anthony a worthy and meriting Gentleman.
I find an excellent Epitaph made on him by one the Learned'st of Noblemen, and Noblest of Learned men in his age, viz. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and eldest son to the Duke of Norfolk, worthy the Reader his perusal.
Upon the Death of Sir Anthony Denny.
Know Reader, that this Lord made this Epitaph by a Poetical Prolepsis; otherwise, at the reading thereof who would not conceive, that the Author surviv'd the subject of his Poem? Whereas indeed this Lord died (beheaded 1546.) in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, whom S r Anthony out-lived, being one of the Executors of his Will. Nor was it the worst piece of service he performed to his Master, when (all other Courtiers declining the employment) he truly acquainted him with his dying-condition, to dispose of his soul for another world.
S r Anthony died about the second of Edward the sixth, Dame Joan his Wife, surviving him. Daughter she was to S r Philip Champernoon of Modbury in Devon -shire: a Lady of great beauty and parts, a favourer of the Reformed Religion when the times were most dangerous. She sent eight shillings by her man, in a Violet coat, to Anne Aschough when imprisoned in the Counter; a small sum, yet a great gift, so hazardous it was to help any in her condition. This Lady Joan bought the Reversion in Fee of Waltham, from King Edward the Sixth, paying three thousand and hundred pounds for the same, purchasing therewith large privileges in Waltham-Forest, as by the Letters Patents doth appear. She bare two Sons to S r Anthony, Henry Denny, Esquire, of whom hereafter: the second S r Edward, who, by God's blessing, Queen Elizabeth's bounty, and his own valor, achieved a fair estate in the County of Kerry in Ireland, which at this day is (if any thing in that woeful war-wasted Country can be) enjoyed by his great Grandchild, Arthur Denny Esq of Tralleigh.
Upon the Death of Sir Anthony Denny.
Know Reader, that this Lord made this Epitaph by a Poetical Prolepsis; otherwise, at the reading thereof who would not conceive, that the Author surviv'd the subject of his Poem? Whereas indeed this Lord died (beheaded 1546.) in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, whom S r Anthony out-lived, being one of the Executors of his Will. Nor was it the worst piece of service he performed to his Master, when (all other Courtiers declining the employment) he truly acquainted him with his dying-condition, to dispose of his soul for another world.
S r Anthony died about the second of Edward the sixth, Dame Joan his Wife, surviving him. Daughter she was to S r Philip Champernoon of Modbury in Devon -shire: a Lady of great beauty and parts, a favourer of the Reformed Religion when the times were most dangerous. She sent eight shillings by her man, in a Violet coat, to Anne Aschough when imprisoned in the Counter; a small sum, yet a great gift, so hazardous it was to help any in her condition. This Lady Joan bought the Reversion in Fee of Waltham, from King Edward the Sixth, paying three thousand and hundred pounds for the same, purchasing therewith large privileges in Waltham-Forest, as by the Letters Patents doth appear. She bare two Sons to S r Anthony, Henry Denny, Esquire, of whom hereafter: the second S r Edward, who, by God's blessing, Queen Elizabeth's bounty, and his own valor, achieved a fair estate in the County of Kerry in Ireland, which at this day is (if any thing in that woeful war-wasted Country can be) enjoyed by his great Grandchild, Arthur Denny Esq of Tralleigh.
The condition of Waltham Church from the Dissolution of the Abby, until the Death of King HENRY the Eighth.
HAving the perusal of the Church-Wardens accounts, wherein their Ancient expenses and receipts are exactly taken, fairly written, and carefully kept, I shall select thence some memorable Items, to acquaint us with the general devotion of those days.
Know then, there were six Ordinary Obits which the Church-wardens did annually discharge, viz.
-
For
- Thomas Smith, and Joan his wife, on the sixteenth of January.
- Thomas Friend, Joan and Joan his wives, on the sixteenth of February.
- Robert Peest and Joan his wife, on the tenth of April.
- Thomas Towers and Katharine his wife, the six and twentieth of April.
- John Breges and Agnes his wife, the one and thirtieth of May.
- Thomas Turner and Christian his wife, the twentieth day of December.
The charge of an Obit was two shillings and two pence; and, if any be curious to have the particulars thereof, it was thus expended. To the Parish-Priest four pence; to our Ladies-Priest three pence; to the Charnel-Priest three pence; to the two Clerks four pence; to the Children (these I conceive Choristers) three pence; to the Sexton two pence; to the Bell-man two pence; for two Tapers two pence; for Oblation two pence. Oh the reasonable rates at Waltham! two shillings two pence for an Obit, the price whereof in Saint Paul's in London was forty shillings. For (forsooth) the higher the Church, the holier the service, the dearer the price, though he had given too much that had given but thanks for such vanities.
To defray the expenses of these Obits, the parties prayed for, or their Executors, left Lands, Houses or Stock, to the Church-Wardens. Thomas Smith bequeathed a Tenement in the Corn-Market, and others gave Lands in Vpshire, called Pater-noster-Hills; others ground elsewhere, besides a stock of eighteen Cows, which the Wardens let out yearly to farm for eighteen shillings, making up their yearly accounts at the Feast of Michael the Arch-Angel, out of which we have excerpted the following remarkable particulars.
Anno 1542. the 34 th of HENRY the 8 th .
Imprimis. 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 Church-leases, 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 Bell-frey, 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 Streamers, usually carried about in Procession.
Item, Paid to John Boston for mending the Organs, twenty pence.
Anno 1542. the 34 th of HENRY the 8 th .
Imprimis. 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 Church-leases, 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 Bell-frey, 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 Streamers, usually carried about in Procession.
Item, Paid to John Boston for mending the Organs, twenty pence.
The state of Waltham Church during the Reign of King EDWARD the Sixth.
OLd things are passed away, behold all things now are become new. Superstition by degrees being banished out of the Church, we hear no more of prayers and Masses for the dead. Every Obit now had its own Obit, and fully expired, the Lands formerly given thereunto being employed to more charitable uses. But let us select some particulars of the Church-wardens accounts in this Kings days.
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 Corss, 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 ot the sormer into the latter, must go under the Rood-lost; 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 ot the reason of the Rood-situation.
Item, Sold so much Wax as amounted to twenty six shillings.] So thristy the Wardens, at 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 let 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