A01115:739
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the Church: written by that Reverend Father, Master John Fox: and now abridged by Timothy Bright, Doctor of Physic, for such as either through want of leisure, or ability have not the use of so necessary an historyAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history
London: printed by I. Windet, 1589
Volume 1 › Book 4: The fourth book.Volume 1 › Book 4: The fourth booke.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
These things thus finished at Rome, the Pope sendeth his own chaplain Stephen, legate into England, to require the tithes of all moveable goods of England, Ireland, and ⟨p. 200⟩Wales, which were promised unto him. Whereupon the king called a Council at Westminster to common of the matter, where in fine, notwithstanding the dislike of the most part, yet for fear of curse and of interdiction the sum was gathered: so that the Prelates having no other remedy,1 were driven to sell their chalices, cruets, copes, jewels, and other Church plate, and some to lay to mortgage such things as they had, some also to borrow upon usury, to make the money which was required. Moreover the said Stephen (as saith Parisiensis) brought with him into England for the same purpose,2 bankers and usurers, who lending out their money upon great interest, did unreasonably pinch the English people: which Merchant usurers were then called Caursini, and such exactions were then upon the poor Englishmen, that not only their present goods were valued, and taxed,3 but also the corn yet growing against the next harvest, was tithed, &c. Only the Earle of Chester named Radulphus, stood stoutly against the pope, suffering none within his dominion, either lay men, or clerks, to yield any tenths to the Popes proctors. Parisiensis, pag. 74.
These things thus finished at Rome, the Pope sendeth his owne chaplain Stephen, legate into England, to require the tithes of all moueable goods of England, Ireland, and ⟨p. 200⟩Wales, which were promised vnto him. Wherevpon the king called a Councell at Westminster to common of the matter, where in fine, notwithstāding the dislike of the most part, yet for feare of curse and of interdiction the summe was gathered: so that the Prelates hauing no other remedy,1 were driuen to sell their chalices, cruets, copes, iewels, and other Church plate, and some to lay to morgage such things as they had, some also to borrow vpon vsury, to make the mony which was required. Moreouer the said Stephen (as saith Parisiensis) brought with him into England for the same purpose,