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Edmund Cranmer

Younger brother of Thomas Cranmer; MA Cambridge; provost of Wingham College 1534; archdeacon of Canterbury (1534 - 54), deprived [ODNB sub Thomas Cranmer; Fasti]

On the second day of the synod of bishops and learned men held in 1537, Thomas Cranmer sent his archdeacon to command Alexander Alesius to cease from disputation. 1563, p. 598; 1570, p. 1353; 1576, p. 1155; 1583, p. 1184.

 
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Holland

Summoner to John Stokesley, bishop of London

Holland was sent for by Sir Christopher Barker to take Thomas Frebarne to Bishop Stokesley. Frebarne had obtained pork in Lent for his pregnant wife. The bishop had Holland take him and the pig to the civil authorities. 1570, p. 1354; 1576, p. 1156; 1583, p. 1184.

 
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John Cockes

(d. 1546) [Emden]

BCL Oxford by 1500; DCL by 1508; canon of Salisbury 1524; auditor of causes at the court of Canterbury 1520; chancellor of the archbishop c. 1522; commissary of the prerogative, Canterbury 1529; dean of Arches 1543

John Cockes was present and agreed to the pronouncement of sentence against Richard Bayfield. 1563, p. 489; 1570, p. 1164; 1576, p. 996 ; 1583, p. 1024.

John Cockes was present at the examination of John Tewkesbury. 1563, p. 492; 1570, p. 1166; 1576, p. 997 ; 1583, p. 1025.

Thomas Frebarne was reported to Cockes for obtaining pork during Lent for his pregnant wife. Frebarne's landlord, the garter king of arms, was dining at Cockes's house and had Frebarne arrested. 1563, p. 492; 1570, p. 1354; 1576, p. 1156 ; 1583, p. 1184.

 
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Michael Lobley

Bookbinder of London [Fines]

Michael Lobley was charged in London in 1531 for buying illicit books in Antwerp, speaking against images and pugatory, and saying that Bilney was a good man. 1563, p. 419; 1570, p. 1189; 1576, p. 1017; 1583, p. 1046.

Edmund Bonner, when nominated to the bishopric of London, told Richard Grafton that John Stokesley had been wrong to persecute those like Lobley for having bibles in English. 1570, p. 1362; 1576, p. 1162; 1583, p. 1191.

Michael Lobley's wife was acquainted with members of Thomas Cromwell's household. She asked them to speak to him on behalf of Thomas Frebarne, who was in trouble for obtaining pork in Lent for his pregnant wife. 1570, p. 1354; 1576, p. 1156; 1583, pp. 1184-85.

 
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Mrs Fisher

Butter wife of Hornsey

Mrs Fisher was asked by Thomas Frebarne to obtain pork in Lent for his pregnant wife. She did so, but reported this to the dean of Canterbury. 1570, p. 1354; 1576, p. 1156; 1583, p. 1184.

 
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Mrs Frebarne

Wife of Thomas, fisherman, of Hornsey, Middlesex

Thomas Frebarne's wife was pregnant and had a craving for pork during Lent. He was told that she and the child might die if she didn't have the meat. When her husband was arrested and examined for the offence, she asked to be punished instead. With the help of Thomas Cromwell, her husband was eventually released. 1570, pp. 1354-55; 1576, p. 1156; 1583, pp. 1184-85.

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Sir Christopher Barker

(d. 1550) [ODNB]

Lisle pursuivant 1513; Suffolk herald 1517; Richmond herald 1525; Norroy king of arms 1536; garter king of arms (1536 - 1550)

Having been informed that Thomas Frebarne, his tenant, had obtained pork during Lent for his pregnant wife, Barker sent his man to investigate and then sent for the bishop of London's summoner to take him to the bishop. When Frebarne was eventually released, Barker turned him out of the house. 1570, pp. 1354-55; 1576, p. 1156; 1583, pp. 1184-85.

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Sir Roger Cholmley

(c. 1485 - 1565) [Bindoff; Hasler; ODNB]

Lord chief justice of King's and Queen's Bench (1552 - 53); privy councillor (under Mary) and MP; lieutenant of the Tower. Son of Sir Richard Cholmley

Thomas Frebarne, who had obtained pork in Lent for his pregnant wife, was sent to Sir Roger Cholmley by Bishop Stokesley. Cholmley was not at home, so he was returned to the bishop. 1570, p. 1354; 1576, p. 1156; 1583, p. 1184.

Sir Roger Cholmley was named in a commission from Henry VIII to Edmund Bonner as one who was required to execute the Six Articles. 1570, p. 1375; 1576, p. 1173; 1583, p. 1202.

Cholmley was recorder at the trial of Richard Mekins. He instructed the jury to allow the witnesses against Mekins, even though they did not agree. 1570, p. 1376; 1576, p. 1174; 1583, p. 1202.

 
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Thomas Frebarne

Fisherman of Hornsey, Middlesex

Thomas Frebarne's wife was pregnant and had a craving for pork during Lent. He was told that she and the child might die if she didn't have the meat. He husband was arrested and examined for the offence, and sentenced to stand in the pillory with half a pig on each shoulder. With the help of Thomas Cromwell, he was eventually released, but was put out of his house by his landlord, Sir Christopher Barker. 1570, pp. 1354-55; 1576, p. 1156; 1583, pp. 1184-85.

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William Forman

Lord mayor of London (1538 - 39)

Thomas Frebarne was brought before the mayor because he had obtained some pork for his pregnant wife during Lent. The mayor sentenced him to stand in the pillory with half a pig on each shoulder. After appeals from Frebarne's wife and intervention from Thomas Cromwell, the mayor released Frebarne on his bond. 1570, pp. 1354-55; 1576, p. 1156; 1583, p. 1184-85.

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Hornsey

[Harnsey; Harnsrey], Haringey, (Middlesex), London

OS grid ref: TQ 305 895

1208 [1184]

King. Henry. 8. The story of the Lord Cromwell. The trouble of Tho Frebarne.

the time began to go away, and it was xij. of the clock, and thus he made an end wt his protestation. Right reuerend mayster bishop, you deny that our christen fayth and religion doth leane only vpō the word of God which is written in the Bible, which thing if I can proue and declare, then you will graunt me that there be no sacramentes, but those that haue the manifest word of God to confirme thē. Vnto this he did consent, and then immediatly that assemble was dissolued for that day.

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The next day when the Bishops were set agayne, the Archbishop of Canterbury sending his Archdeacon, commaunded Alesius to abstayne from disputation, wherupon he wrote his minde, and deliuered it vnto Cromwell, who afterward shewed the same vnto the Bishops  

Commentary   *   Close

This marks the end of Alexander Alesius's account of the synod. Ostensibly, Alesius was asked to withdraw because the bishops were offended by the presence of an outsider speaking in their assembly, but it was probably because Alesius's outspoken defence of retaining only two sacraments - clearly supported by Cromwell - was too radical for most of them.

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. Thus through the industry of Cromwell, the colloquies were brought to this end, that albeit religiō could not wholy be reformed, yet at that time there was some reformation had throughout all England.

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MarginaliaThe publicke care of Cromwell for the commō wealth.How desirous and studious this good Cromwel was in þe cause of Christs religiō, exāples need not to be broght. His whole life was nothing els, but a continuall care and trauell how to aduaunce and further the right knowledge of the Gospell, and reforme the house of God. As by so many Proclamations aboue specified by his meanes set forth, may well appeare, wherein first he caused the people to be instructed in the Lordes Prayer, and Creede in English, then procured the Scripture also to be read and set forth in the same language, for euery English man to vnderstand: after that to rescue the vulgar people from damnable Idolatry, caused certaine of the most grossest pilgrimages to be destroyed. And further for the more commodity of the poore sort, which get their liuing with their dayly labor & worke of their handes, he prouided that diuers idle holidayes were diminished. Item he procured for thē liberty to eate egges and whitmeat in Lent. Furthermore by him it was also prouided for þe better instruction of the people, that beneficed mē should be resident in their Cures and parishes, there to teach and to keepe Hospitality, with many other thinges els most fruitfully redressed for the reformation of Religion and behoofe of Christes Church: as by the Proclamatiōs, Iniunctions, and necessary articles of Christian doctrine aboue specified  

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See 1570, pp. 12-46-50; 1576, pp. 1067-71 and 1583, pp. 1093-5.

, set forth in the kings name, by his meanes, may more aboundauntly appeare. pag. 1069. 1070.MarginaliaRead afore pag. 1069 1070. 1071. 1072. &c. &c.

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Now to adioyne withall his priuate benefites in helping diuers good men and women at sundry times out of troubles and great distresses, it would require a long discourse. Briefly his whole life was ful of such examples, being a man to that intent ordeined of God (as his deedes well proued) to do many men good, and especially such as were in daunger of persecutiō for religions sake. Amongst other infinite stories, one or two examples shall suffice for a testimony of his worthy doinges.

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¶ How Cromwell hope a poore woman with childe, out of great trouble, longing for a piece of meat in time of Lent.
Persecuters.Persecuted.The cause.
MarginaliaA story of one Frebarnes wyfe, longing for a peece of meate in Lent,IN the yeare of our
Lord. 1538. Syr
William Formā be-
Fishers wife ofing Maior of the ci-
Harneseytye of London, three
weekes before Ea-
D. Cockes.ster, the wyfe of one
Tho. Frebarn dwel-
Bishop Sto-ling in Pater noster
kesley.Thomas Fre-row, being wt childe,
barne and hislōged after a morsell
Holland hisWife.of a pigge, and told
Sumner.her minde vnto a
Mayde dwelling in
M. Garter,Abchurch lane, desi-
king of Ar-ring her, if it were
mes.possible, to helpe her
vnto a piece. The
mayd perceiuing her

earnest desire, shewed vnto her husbād, what his wife had sayd vnto her, telling him that it might chaunce to cost her her life and the childes too whiche she went withall, if she had it not. Vppon this Thomas Frebarne her husbande spake to a butter wife which he knew, þt dwelled at Harnsrey, named goodwife Fisher, to helpe him vnto a pigge for his wife, for she was with childe, & longed sore to eate of a pigge. Vnto whome the sayde good wife Fisher promised that she would bring him one the Friday folowing, and soshe did, being ready dressed and scalded before. But when she had deliuered him the pigge,MarginaliaA crafty part of a false Iudas. she craftily conueyed one of the pigges feete, & caried it vnto Doctor Cockes, at that time being Deane of Caunterbury, dwelling in Iuy lane, who at that time of his dinner, before certain gestes which he had bidden, shewed his pigs foot, declaring who had the body therof: and after that they had talked theyr pleasure & dinner was done, one of his gestes being landlord vnto Frebarne aforesayd, called M. Garter  

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I.e., the Garter King at Arms, not a man named Garter.

, & by his office king of Armes, sent his man vnto the sayd Frebarne, demaunding if there were no body sicke in his house.MarginaliaLet no man iudge you in meate and drinke, or in respect of an holyday. &c. Colloss. 2. Vnto whom he aunswered, that they were all in good health, he gaue God thankes. Then sayde he agayne, it was tolde hys Mayster that some body was sicke, or els they would not eate flesh in Lent. Vnto whom Frebarne made aunswere, that his wife was with childe, and longed for a piece of a pigge, and if he could get some for her, he would. Then departed his Landlordes man home agayne.

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And shortly after, his Landlord sent for him. But before that he sent for him, he had sent for the bishop of Londons Sumner, whose name was Hollōd, & whē this Frebarne was come, he demaunded of him, if he had not a pig in his house, which he denyed not. Then commaunded Mayster Garter the sayde Sumner called Hollond,MarginaliaHolland the Bishop of Londons. Sumner. to take him, and goe home to hys house, and to take the Pygge, and carry both him and the Pigge vnto Doctour Stokesley his Mayster, being then Bishop of London, & so he did. Then the Bishop being in his chamber, with diuers other of the Clergy, MarginaliaTho. Frebarne examined before the Bishop.called this Frebarne before him, and had him in examination for this pigge, laying also vnto his charge, that he had eaten in his house that lent, poudred beefe and Calues heades. Vnto whom Frebarne answered. My Lord, if the heades were eaten in my house, in whose houses were the bodyes eaten? Also if there be eyther man or woman that can proue, that either I, or any in my house hath done as your Lordship sayth, let me suffer death therfore. MarginaliaPharisaicall iudgment.You speake (sayd he) agaynst pilgrimages, and will not take holy bread, holy water, nor yet goe on Procession on Palme Sonday: Thou art no Christian man. My Lord, sayd Frebarne, I trust I am a true Christen man, & haue done nothing neither agaynst Gods law nor my princes.

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In the time of this his examination, which was during the space of two hours, diuers came vnto the bishop, some to haue theyr childrē confirmed, & some for other causes. Vnto whom as they came, hauing the pig before hym couered, he would lift vp the cloth and shew it them, saying: How thinke you of such a felow as this is? is not this good meate, I pray you, to be eaten in this blessed time of Lent, yea and also poudred Beefe and Calues heades too beside this?

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After this the Bishoppe called his Sumner vnto him, and commaunded him to go and carry this Thomas Frebarne and the pig openly thorow the streetes, into the olde Bayly, vnto Syr Roger Chomley, for the Bishop sayd, he had nothing to do to punish him, for that belonged vnto þe ciuill magistrates, and so was Frebarne caryed wt the pyg before him, to sir Roger Chomleis house in the old Baily, & he being not at home at that time, Frebarne was broght likewise back agayne vnto the bishops place with the pig, and there lay in the porters lodge till it was 9. a clocke at night. MarginaliaThomas Frebarne brought to the Coūter.Then the bishop sent him vnto the Counter in the Poultry by the Sumner and other of his seruauntes.

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MarginaliaThomas Frebarne brought before the Lord Mayor.The next day being Saterday, he was brought before the Maior of London & his brethren, vnto Guild hall, but before his comming, they had the pig deliuered vnto them by the Bishops officer. Then the Maior and the Benche layd vnto his charge (as they were informed from the Bishop) that he had eaten poudred beefe and Calues heades in his house the same Lent, but no man was able to come in that would iustify it, neither could any thing be found, saue onely the Pig, which (as is before sayd) was for the preseruation of his wiues life, and that she went withall. Notwithstanding the Maior of London sayde, that the Monday next folowing, he should stand on the Pillary in Cheapeside, with the one halfe of the pig on the one shoulder, and the other halfe on the other.

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Then spake the Wyfe of the sayd Frebarne vnto the Maior and the Benche, desiring that she myght stand there, and not he, for it was long of her and not of him. After this they tooke a satten list, & tide it fast about the pigs neck, and made Frebarne to cary it hanging on his shoulder vntill he came vnto the Counter of the Poultry  

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The Compter in Poultry Street was a London municipal prison, under the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor of London.

, from whence he came.

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After this was done, the Wyfe of this Prisoner tooke with her an honest woman, the Wyfe of one Michaell Lobley, whiche was well acquaynted with diuers in the Lord Cromwelles house  

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Michael Lobley, a London bookbinder, was an active purveyor of heretical literature and a prominent London evangelical. (1570, p. 1372; 1576, p. 1162 and 1583, p.1191). He obviously used his professional contacts and activities to disseminate heretical literature. Thomas More claimed that Michael Lobley, after he was arrested, informed on those who purchased herteical books from him (Thomas More, The Confutation of Tyndale’s Answer, ed. Louis A. Schuster, Richard C. Marius, James P. Lusardi and Richard Schoeck, CWTM 8 [New Haven, CT, 1973], II, p. 813).

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, vnto whom the sayde woman

resorted