1583 Edition | Book 8 | Page 1212 
Close(1500 - 1558) [C. Scott Dixon, M. Greengrass, www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/histcourse/reformat/biograph.htm]
Duke of Burgundy; king of Spain (1516 - 56)
Holy Roman Emperor (1520 - 56); abdicated the Spanish throne in favour of son Phillip II of Spain and the imperial throne in favour of brother Ferdinand
Charles V had promised to marry Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, but bowed to objections in Spain that the marriage of her parents had been irregular. He married Isabella of Portugal instead. 1570, p. 1192; 1576, p. 1021; 1583, p. 1049.
Henry VIII, encouraged by Cardinal Wolsey, began to question the validity of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He sought the advice of universities and learned men, but needed the assent of the pope and the emperor to a divorce. 1570, p. 1192; 1576, p. 1021; 1583, p. 1049.
After the Act of Supremacy, Henry VIII attempted to improve relations with other monarchs by sending ambassadors. Sir Thomas Wyatt was sent to Emperor Charles V. 1570, p. 1218; 1576, p. 1043; 1583, p. 1070.
The emperor and other princes requested Henry VIII to attend the council to be held at Mantua or to send delegates. Henry again refused, sending a protestation. 1570, pp. 1293-94; 1576, pp. 1106-08; 1583, pp. 1132-33.
Francois I of France and Emperor Charles V retained Robert Granceter, a condemned traitor, and refused to hand him over to Henry VIII. 1570, p. 1239; 1576, p. 1061; 1583, p. 1087.
Charles V requested of Edward VI that his cousin Mary Tudor be allowed to have the mass said in her house. The request was denied. 1563, p. 884; 1570, p. 1484; 1576, p. 1258; 1583, p. 1295.
Close(c. 1506 - 1534) [ODNB]
called the Holy Maid of Kent, the Nun of Kent. Benedictine nun and visionary
Elizabeth Barton prophesied that if the king divorced Queen Catherine and married Anne Boleyn, he would not reign more than a month thereafter. Through the efforts of Cranmer, Cromwell and Latimer, she was condemned and executed with some of her supporters. 1563, p. 510; 1570, p. 1199; 1576, p. 1026; 1583, pp. 1054-55.
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Close(1494 - 1547)
King of France (1515 - 47)
Having engaged in wars against Charles V, allied to Henry VIII, François I was captured at the battle of Pavia by the duke of Bourbon and the viceroy of Naples and taken into Spain in 1525. 1570, p. 1122; 1576, p. 960; 1583, p. 987.
François was imprisoned for over a year, until he agreed with the emperor to focus their joint efforts against the Lutherans and Turks. François left his eldest sons, François and Henri, behind as pledges, but he was absolved of his oath by the pope. 1570, p. 1122; 1576, p. 960; 1583, p. 987.
Henry VIII ordered a religious procession in London in 1535 because the French king was ill. 1570, p. 1218; 1576, p. 1043; 1583, p. 1070.
After the Act of Supremacy, Henry VIII attempted to improve relations with other monarchs by sending ambassadors. Sir Francis Brian was sent to François I. 1570, p. 1218; 1576, p. 1043; 1583, p. 1070.
Paul III sent Cardinal Pole to the French king to stir him to war against Henry VIII. 1570, p. 1239; 1576, p. 1061; 1583, p. 1087.
François I of France and Emperor Charles V retained Robert Granceter, a condemned traitor, and refused to hand him over to Henry VIII. 1570, p. 1239; 1576, p. 1061; 1583, p. 1087.
François had allied himself with Pope Clement VII in marrying his son to Clement's niece. He also married his daughter to James V of Scotland, breaking an agreement with Henry VIII. 1570, p. 1239; 1576, p. 1061; 1583, p. 1088.
Cromwell was instrumental in getting Edmund Bonner's nomination to the bishopric of London. He procured letters from King Henry to François I that resulted in a licence being granted to print bibles in English at the University of Paris. 1570, p. 1362; 1576, p. 1162; 1583, p. 1191.
Although Edmund Bonner performed his ambassadorial duties well as far as Henry VIII was concerned, he displeased the king of France, who asked for him to be recalled. Henry recalled him and sent Sir John Wallop to replace him. 1570, p. 1245; 1576, p. 1066; 1583, p. 1093.
CloseFriar Bartley continued to wear his friar's cowl after the dissolution of religious houses. Thomas Cromwell met him in the street and threatened him with hanging if he continued to wear it. 1570, p. 1359; 1576, p. 1160; 1583, p. 1188.
Close(1512 - 1542) [ODNB]
King of the Scots (1513 - 42)
James Hamilton, Katherine Hamilton, David Straiton, a woman of Leith, and Norman Gourlay were summoned to appear in the abbey church of Holyrood House, Edinburgh, by James Hay, commissioner to the archbishop of St Andrews, in the presence of King James V, who was dressed entirely in red. 1570, p. 1117; 1576, p. 955; 1583, p. 982.
[Back to Top]King James advised James Hamilton not to appear, since he could not help him if he did. Hamilton fled, was convicted of heresy and had his goods confiscated. The king encouraged the others to recant. 1570, p. 1117; 1576, p. 956; 1583, p. 982.
After the Act of Supremacy, Henry VIII attempted to improve relations with other monarchs by sending ambassadors. Sir Ralph Sadler was sent to James V, king of the Scots. 1570, p. 1218; 1576, p. 1043; 1583, p. 1070.
François I of France married his daughter to James V, breaking an agreement with Henry VIII. 1570, p. 1239; 1576, p. 1061; 1583, p. 1088.
CloseA city and county of itself, locally in the hundred of Broxton in the County Palatine of Chester, of which it is the capital. 17 miles south from Liverpool. The city comprises the parishes of St Bridget, St John Baptist, Little St John, St Martin, St Peter, St Michael and St Olave; all in the Archdeaconry and Diocese of Chester, of which it is the seat.
[Back to Top]English information from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of England (S. Lewis & Co: London, 1831)
Welsh information taken from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales(Lewis & Co: London, 1840)
The reason for the use of these works of reference is that they present the jurisdictional and ecclesiastical position as it was before the major Victorian changes. The descriptions therefore approximate to those applying in the sixteenth century, after the major changes of 1535-42. Except for the physical locations, which have not changed, the reader should not therefore take these references as being accurate in the twenty-first century.
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Close[Hales; Hayles]
near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
OS grid ref: SP 050 301
Cistercian abbey founded 1246; possessed a phial of, ostensibly, the blood of Christ
CloseNorfolk
OS grid ref: TF 935 367
Major pilgrimage site
I will prouide for thee, and thou shalt not lacke so long as I liue. Such as were there present and saw and heard the same, report it to be true.
MarginaliaThree thinges in the L. Crōwell. 1. Zeale. 2. Wisedome. 3. Authoritye.In this worthy and noble person, besides diuers other eminent vertues, iij. things especially are to be considered to wit, flourishing authoritie, excelling wisedome and feruent zeale to Christ and to his Gospell. First, as touchyng his feruent zeale in setting forward the sinceritie of Christen faith, sufficient is to be seene before by the iniunctions, proclamations, and articles aboue specified, that more can not almost be wished in a noble man, and scarse the lyke hath bene seene in any.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe wisedome & policy of the L. Cromwell.Secondlye, for his wisedome and pollicie no lesse singular, ioyned with his christen zeale, he brought great things to passe, as well on this side the sea as in the other partes beyond. MarginaliaThe L. Crom. a continual nourisher of peace.But especially his working was to nourish peace abroad with forreine realmes, as may well by the kings letters and instructions sent by his meanes to his Ambassadors resident both with the Emperour the French king and the king of Scots, and also with þe Pope appeare. In all whose courtes, such watch and espiall he had, that nothing there was done, nor pretended, whereof he before had not intelligence. Neither was there anye sparke of mischiefe kindling neuer so little against þe kyng and the realme, which he by wit and pollicie did not quēch and keepe downe. And where pollicie would not serue to obteine peace, yet by mony he bought it out: so that during all the tyme of Cromwels prosperity, the king neuer had warre with any forreine nation: notwithstandyng, that both the Pope, the Emperour, the kings of Fraunce and Scotland were mightily bent and incensed agaynst hym.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe authority of the L. Cromwel employed to the publicke commodity of the realme.Thus, as the prudent pollicie of this man was euer circumspect abroad, to stay the Realm from foreine warres: so his authoritie was no lesse occupied in keeping good order and rule at home: First, in hampering the popish prelates and disappointing their subtile deuises: secondly, in brideling and keping other vnruly subiects vnder subiection and discipline of the lawes. Wherby, as he was a succour and refuge to all godly persons, so was he a terror to the euill doers: MarginaliaA skirmish or fray in Pater noster rowe, stopped by the comming of the L. Cromwell.so that not the presence of him onely, but also the hearing of the comming of Cromwell brake many fraies, and much euill rule: as well appeared by a certeine notorious fray or riot, appointed to be fought by a company of ruffins in the streete of London called Pater noster rowe. Where cartes were set on both sides of purpose, prepared to enclose them, that none might breake in to part them. It happened, that as this desperate skirmish should begin, the Lord Cromwell comming the same time from the Court through Paules churchyard, and entering into Chepe, had intelligence of the great fray toward, and because of the carts he could not come at them, but was forced to go about the little conduit, and so come vpon them through Pannier Alley.
[Back to Top]Thus as the conflict began to waxe hote, and the people were standing by in great expectation to see them fight, sodenly at the noice of the Lord Cromwels commyng, the campe brake vp and the Ruffins to go, neither could the cartes kepe in those so couragious campers, but well was he that first could be gone. And so ceased this tumultuous outrage, without any other parting, only through the authoritie of the Lord Cromwels name.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaA story betwene the L. Cromwel and a Ruffin.One example more of the like affinitie commeth here in mynd, which ought not to be omitted, concernyng a certaine seruing man of the like ruffenly order, who thinking to disceuer himselfe from the common vsage of all other men in strange newfanglenes of fashions by himselfe (as many there be whom nothing doth please, which is dailie seene and receiued) vsed to go with his haire hangyng about his eares downe vnto his shoulders, after a strange monstrous maner, counterfeiting belyke the wyld Irish men, or els Crinitus Ioppas,
This note refers to 'crinitus Iopas', the long-haired musician in Virgil's Aeneid [1, 740-747] who plays after a banquet of Trojan and Carthaginian chiefs. It has been suggested that Virgil intended Iopas to be a reference to himself, making an appearance in the text.
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MarginaliaThe Ruffin with the long heare.As this Ruffin ruffling thus with his locks was walkyng in the streetes, as chance was, who should meet him but the Lord Cromwell, who beholding the deforme and vnseemly maner of his disguised goyng, full of much vanitie and hurtfull example, called the man to question with him whose seruaunt he was, which being declared, then was demanded, whether his maister or any of his felows vsed so to go with such haire about their shoulders as he did, or no? Which when he denied, and was not able to yeld any reason for refuge of that his monstruous disguising, at lēgth he fell to this excuse that he had made a vow.To this the Lord Cromwell answered agayne, that for so much as he had made himself a votarie, he would not force him to breake his vowe, but vntill his vow should be expired, he should lye the meane tyme in prison, and so sente him immediately to the Marshalsey: where he endured, till at length this intonsus Cato
Literally 'untrimmed Cato'. This is a reference to Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis (95-46 BC), a Roman politician notorious for his intransigence and inability to compromise.
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MarginaliaFrier Barteley casteth away his Friers coule.Hereunto also pertaineth the example of frier Bartley, who wearing still his friers coule, after the suppression of religious houses, Cromwell commyng thorough Paules churchyard, and espieng him in Rheines his shop, yea said he, will not that coule of yours be left of yet? And if I heare by one a clocke that this apparel be not changed, thou shalt be hanged immediatly for example to al other. And so putting his coule away, he neuer durst weare it after.
[Back to Top]If the same Lorde Cromwell which could not abyde this seruyng man so disfigured in his haire, were now in these our dayes aliue with the same authoritie, which then he had, and saw these new fangled fashions of attire, vsed here amongst vs both of men and women, I suppose verily, that neither these monstruous ruffes, nor these prodigious hose, and prodigall or rather hyperbolicall barbarous breeches (which seeme rather lyke barels then breeches) would haue any place in England. In which vnmeasurable excesse of vesture, this I haue to maruell: first how these seruing men, which commonly haue nothyng els but their wages, and that so slender and bare, cā maintaine such slops,MarginaliaThese monstrous sloppes of England lacke a Cromwell so huge and so sumptuous, which cōmonly stand them in more, then their three yeares wages doe come vnto. Secondly I maruell, that their maisters and Lordes (who shall yeld to God account of their seruaunts doings) do not search and trie out their seruants walkes, how they come by these expenses, wherewith to vpholde this brauerie, seing their stipendary wages, and all reuenues els they haue, will not extend thereunto. Thirdlye, this most of all is to be marueiled, that magistrates which haue in their hands the ordring and guiding of good laws do not prouide more seuerely for the needfull reformation of these enormities. But here we may well see, & truly this may say that England once had a Cromwell.
[Back to Top]Long it were to recite what innumerable benefits this worthy Counsellour by his prudent pollicie, his graue authoritie and perfect zeale wrought and brought to passe in the publicke Realme, and especially in the Church of England, what good orders he established, what wickednes and vices he suppressed, MarginaliaDiuers corruptions in the Church detected and reformed by Cromwell.what corruptions he reformed, what abuses he broght to light, what crafty iuglings what idolatrous deceptions, and superstitious illusiōs he detected and abolished out of the Church. What posteritie will euer thinke the Church of the Pope pretendyng such religion
CloseThe remainder of this paragraph contains an abridged version of 'The Phantasie of Idolatry', which was printed in 1563 and then deleted in subsequent editions (This ballad was written by William Gray, a client of Thomas Cromwell. (On Gray's life and career, see E. W. Dormer, Gray of Reading: A Sixteenth-century Controversialist and Ballad Writer [Reading, 1923], pp.17-55). The ballad described cases of 'idolatry' and fraudulent miracles uncovered by Cromwell's commissioners. Verses from the poem were placed on Friar Forest's scaffold. This confirms the official origins and inception.).
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CloseThis is a reference to the Rood of Grace at the Cistercian monastery at Boxley, Kent. In February 1538, Cromwell's commissioners discovered mechanical devices in the rood which permitted the eyes of the Christ figure move. Later that month, the rood was displayed at Paul's Cross. The Boxley Rood became a virtual synonym for a fraudulent miracle.
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CloseCromwell's commissioners found that the relic of the blood of Christ at Hailes Abbey in Gloucestershire was fraudulent. It was denounced and exhibited at Paul's Cross in 1538.
MarginaliaThe holy maide of Kent, read before.Who would haue iudged, but that the mayd of Kent had bene an holy woman and a prophetesse
CloseThis is Elizabeth Barton, who was a Benedictine nun renowned for her sanctity and her prophetic visions. When she began to denounce the validity of Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon, the authorities took a hostile interest in her prophecies. On 23 November 1533, Barton was forced to do penance at Paul's Cross; the proceedings were repeated at Canterbury a fortnight later. She was executed for treason on 20 April 1534.
[Back to Top]What should I speake of Daruel Gartheren
CloseFoxe is deriving this spelling, or rather misspelling, from Hall. The statue was named ‘Dderfel Gadern’ and it was from Llanderfel, a pilgrimage site in North Wales.
CloseThis was a famous rood, which stood just outside the walls of Chester, and which was a celebrated place of pilgrimage. It was dismantled on Cromwell's orders.
CloseI.e., the shrine of St. Thomas Becket at Canterbury.
While the Lord Cromwell was thus blessedly occupied in profiting the common wealth, and purging þe church of Christ, it happened to him, as commonly it doth to all good men, that where any excellency of vertue appeareth, there enuy creepeth in, and where true pietie seeketh most after Christ, there some persecution followeth withall.
[Back to Top]Thus (I say) as he was labouring in the commō welth