A67922:2601
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol.…Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol.…
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
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.
The mass being ended, the Archbishop (putting of his pall, his mitre and other robes) proceedeth to the kings Court:1 but yet not trusting peradventure so greatly to the strength of his mass (to make the matter more sure) he taketh also the sacrament privily about him, thinking thereby himself sufficiently defenced against all bugs. In going to the kings chamber (there to attend the kings coming) as he was entering the door, he taketh from Alexander his crosier, the cross with the cross staff, in the sight of all that stood by, and carieth it in himself (the other Bishops following him & saying) he did otherwise then became him. Amongst other Robert bishop of Hereford offered himself to bear his cross rather then he should so do, for that it was not comely: but the Archbish. would not suffer him. Then said the bishop of London to him: if the king shall see you come armed into his chamber, perchance he will draw out his sword against you, which is stronger then yours:2 and then, what shall this your armour profit you? The Archb. answereth again: if the kings sword do cut carnally, yet my sword cutteth spiritually, & striketh down to hell. But you my lord as you have plaid the fool in this matter, so you will not yet leave of your folly for any thing I can see: and so he came into the chamber. The king hearing of his coming and of the manner thereof, tarried not long but came where Becket was set in a place by himself, with his other Bishops about him. First, the crier called the prelates and all the lords of the temporality together. That being done, (and every one placed in his seat, according to his degree) the king beginneth with a great complaint against the Archb. for his manner of entering into the court: not as (sayeth he) a subject into a kings court: but as a traitor, showing himself in such sort, as hath not ben seen before in any christen kings court, professing christian faith. To this, all (there present) gave witness with the king, affirming him always to be a vain & a proud man, and that the shame of his fact did not only redound against the prince himself, but also against his whole realm. Moreover they said that this had so happened to the king, for that he had done so much for such a beast, advancing him so highly in such a place and room next under himself.3
The masse being ended, the Archbyshop (putting of his pall, his miter and other robes) procedeth to the kings Court: