A67926:4130
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 2, part 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. 2, part 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
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
Persecutors. | Persecuted. | The cause. Fishers wife of Harnesey▪ D. Cocks. Bishop Stokesley. Holland his Sumner. M. Garter, king of Arms. | Thomas Frebarne and his Wife. | 1IN the year of our Lord. 1538. Sir William Forman being Major of the city of London, three weeks before Easter, the wife of one Tho. Frebarn dwelling in Pater noster row, being with child, longed after a morsel of a pig, and told her mind unto a Maid dwelling in Abchurch lane, desiring her, if it were possible, to help her unto a piece. The maid perceiving her earnest desire, showed unto her husband, what his wife had said unto her, telling him that it might chance to cost her her life and the child's too which she went withal, if she had it not. Upon this Thomas Frebarne her husband spake to a butter wife which he knew, that dwelled at Harnsey, named goodwife Fisher, to help him unto a pig for his wife, for she was with child, & longed sore to eat of a pig. Unto whom the said goodwife Fisher promised that she would bring him one the Friday following, and so she did, being ready dressed and scalded before. But when she had delivered him the pig,2 she craftily conveyed one of the pigge• feet, & carried it unto Doctor Cocks, at that time being Dean of Canterbury, dwelling in I•y lane, who at that time of his dinner, before certain guests which he had bidden, showed his pigs foot, declaring who had the body thereof: and after that they had talked their pleasure, & dinner was done,3 one of his guests being landlord unto Frebarne aforesaid, called M. Garter, & by his office king of Arms, sent his man unto the said Frebarne, demanding if there were no body sick in his house. Unto whom he answered, that they were all in good health, he gave God thanks. Then said he again, it was told his Master that some body was sick, or else they would not eat flesh in Lent. Unto whom Frebarne made answer, that his wife was with child, and longed for a piece of a pig, and if he could get some for her, he would. Then departed his Landlords man home again.
Persecuters. | Persecuted. | The cause. Fishers wife of Harnesey▪ D. Cockes. Bishop Stokesley. Holland his Sumner. M. Garter, king of Armes. | Thomas Frebarne and his Wife. | 1IN the yeare of our Lord. 1538. Syr William Formā being Maior of the citye of London, three weekes before Easter, the wyfe of one Tho. Frebarn dwelling in Pater noster row, being wt childe, lōged after a morsell of a pigge, and told her minde vnto a Mayde dwelling in Abchurch lane, desiring her, if it were 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. Uppon this Thomas Frebarne her husbande spake to a butter wife which he knew, yt dwelled at Harnsey, named goodwife Fisher, to helpe him vnto a pigge for his wife, for she was with childe, & longed sore to eate of a pigge. Unto whome the sayde goodwife Fisher promised that she would bring him one the Friday folowing, and so she did, being ready dressed and scalded before. But when she had deliuered him the pigge,2 she craftily conueyed one of the pigge• feete, & caried it vnto Doctor Cockes, at that time being Deane of Caunterbury, dwelling in I•y 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,3 one of his gestes being landlord vnto Frebarne aforesayd, called M. Garter, & by his office king of Armes, sent his man vnto the sayd Frebarne, demaunding if there were no body sicke in his house. Unto 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. Unto 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.
And shortly after his Landlord sent for him. But before that he sent for him, he had sent for the bishop of London's Sumner, whose name was Holland, & when this Frebarne was come, he demanded of him, if he had not a pig in his house, which he denied not. Then commanded Master Garter the said Sumner called Hollond, to take him, and go home to his house,1 and to take the Pig, and carry both him and the Pig unto Doctor Stokesley his Master, being then Bishop of London, & so he did. Then the Bishop being in his chamber, with divers other of the Clergy, called this Frebarne before him, and had him in examination for his pig, laying also unto his charge, that he had eaten in his house that lent, powdered beef and Calves heads.2 Unto whom Frebarne answered. My Lord, if the heads were eaten in my house, in whose houses were the bodies eaten? Also if there be either man or woman that can prove, that either I, or any in my house hath done as your Lordship saith, let me suffer death therefore. You speak (said he) against pilgrimages, and will not take holy bread, holy water, nor yet go on Procession on Palm Sunday: Thou art no Christian man. My Lord, said Frebarne, I trust I am a true Christen man, & have done nothing neither against Gods law nor my princes.
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, to take him, and goe home to hys house,1 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, called this Frebarne before him, and had him in examination for his pigge, laying also vnto his charge, that he had eaten in his house that lent, poudred beefe and Calues heades.2 Unto 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. 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.
In the time of this his examination, which was during the space of two hours, divers came unto the bishop, some to have their children confirmed, & some for other causes. Unto whom as they came, having the pig before him covered, he would lift up the cloth and show it them,1 saying: How think you of such a fellow as this is? is not this good meat, I pray you, to be eaten in this blessed time of Lent, yea and also powdered Beef and Calves heads too beside this?
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. Unto whom as they came, hauing the pig before hym couered, he would lift vp the cloth and shew it them,1 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?
After this the Bishop called his Sumner unto him, and commanded him to go and carry this Thomas Frebarne and the pig openly through the stre•tes, into the old Bailey, unto Sir Roger Chomley, for the Bishop said, he had nothing to do to punish him,1 for that belonged unto the civill magistrates, and so was Frebarne carried with the pig before him, to sir Roger Chomleis house in the old Bailey, & he being not at home at that time, Frebarne was brought likewise back again unto the bishops place with the pig, and there lay in the porters lodge till it was 9. a clock at night. Then the bishop sent him unto the Counter in the Poultry by the Sumner and other of his servants.
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 stre•tes, into the olde Bayly, vnto Syr Roger Chomley, for the Bishop sayd, he had nothing to do to punish him,1 for that belonged vnto ye 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. Then the bishop sent him vnto the Counter in the Poultry by the Sumner and other of his seruauntes.
The next day being Saturday, he was brought before the Major of London & his brethren, unto Guild hall, but before his coming, they had the pig delivered unto them by the Bishops officer. Then the Major and the Bench laid unto his charge (as they were informed from the Bishop) that he had eaten powdered beef and Calves heads in his house the same Lent, but no man was able to come in that would justify it, neither could any thing be found, save only the Pig, which (as is before said) was for the preservation of his wives life, and that she went withal. Notwithstanding the Major of London said, that the Monday next following, he should stand on the Pillory in Cheapside, with the one half of the pig on the one shoulder, and the other half on the other.
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.
Then spake the Wife of the said Frebarne unto the Major and the Bench, desiring that she might stand there, and not he, for it was long of her and not of him. After this they took a satin list, & tide it fast about the pigs neck, and made Frebarne to carry it hanging on his shoulder until he came unto the Counter of the Poultry, from whence he came.
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, from whence he came.
After this was done, the Wife of this Prisoner took with her an honest woman, the Wife of one Michael Lobley, which was well acquainted with divers in the Lord Cromwell's house, unto whom the said woman ⟨p. 1185⟩resorted for some help for this prisoner, desiring them to speak unto their Lord and Master for his deliverance out of trouble.
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, vnto whom the sayde woman ⟨p. 1185⟩resorted for some helpe for this prisoner, desiring them to speake vnto theyr Lord and Mayster for his deliueraunce out of trouble.
It happened that the same time came in Doctor Barnes and Master Barlow,1 who understanding the matter by Lobley's wife, went up to the Lord Cromwell, and certified him thereof: who upon their request, sent for the Major of the City of London: but what was said unto the Lord Major, is unknown, saving that in the after noon of the same day, •he wife of the person aforesaid resorted again unto the Lord Major, suing to get her husband delivered out of prison, declaring how that she had 2. small children, and had nothing to help her and them, but only her husband, who laboured for their livings. Unto whom the Major answered, what come ye to me? You are taken up with the Kings Council. I supposed that you had come to desire me that your husband should not stand upon the Pillory in Cheapside on Monday next, with the one half of the pig on his one shoulder and the other half on the other▪ Also the Major said unto her, that he could not deliver him without the consent of the rest of his brethren the Aldermen. Wherefore he bade her the next day following, which was Sunday, to re•ort unto Pauls to Saint Dunstan's Chapel, and when he had spoken with his brethren, he would then tell her more. Other answer could she get none at that time. Wherefore she went unto M. Wilkenson, then being Sheriff of London, desiring him to be good unto her, and that she might have her poor husband out of prison. Unto whom M. Wilkenson answered: O woman▪ Christ hath laid a piece of his cross upon thy neck,2 to prove whether thou wilt help him to bear it or no, saying moreover to her, that if the Lord major had sent him to his Counter, as he sent him to his brothers, he should not have tarried there an hour, and so commanded her to come the next day unto him to dinner, and he would do the best for her he could. So the next day came, & this woman resorted again to M. Wilkenson's, according as he bad her, who also had bidden divers guests: unto whom he spake in her behalf But as they were set at dinner, and she also sitting at the table, when she saw the hot fish come in, she felt down in a swoon, so that for the space of two hours the could keep no life in her.
It happened that the same time came in Doctour Barnes and Mayster Barlowe,
Wherefore they sent her home to her house in Pater noster row, and then they sent for the Midwife, supposing that she would have been delivered incontinent of her child that she went with, but after that she came somewhat again to herself, where she lay sick and kept her bed the space of xv. weeks after, being not able to help her self, but as she was helped of others, during the time of xv. weeks.
Wherefore they sent her home to her house in Pater noster row, and then they sent for the Midwife, supposing that she would haue bene deliuered incontinent of her childe that she went with, but after that she came somewhat agayn to herselfe, where she lay sicke and kept her bed the space of xv. weekes after, being not able to helpe her selfe, but as she was helped of others, during the time of xv. weekes.
Now to show further what became of this Pig, whereof we have spoken so much, it was carried into Finsburye field by the Bishop of London's Sumner,1 at his masters commandment, and there buried. The Monday following, being the fourth day after that this prisoner aforesaid was apprehended, the Major of London, with the residue of his brethren being at Guild hall, sent for the prisoner aforenamed, and demanded sureties of him for his forth coming, what so ever hereafter should or might be laid unto his charge,2 but for lack of such sureties as they required upon his own band, which was a Recognisance of twenty pound, he was delivered out of their hands. But shortly after that he was delivered out of this his trouble, master Garter, of whom we have spoken before, being his landlord, warned him out of his house, so that in four years after, he could not get an other, but was constrained to be within other good folks, to his great hindrance and undoing.
Now to shew further what became of this Pig, wherof we haue spoken so much, it was carryed into Finsburye field by the Bishop of Londons Sumner,1 at his maisters commaundement, and there buried. The Monday folowing, being the fourth day after that this prisoner aforesayd was apprehended, the Maior of London, with the residue of his brethren being at Guild hall, sent for the prisoner aforenamed, and demaunded sureties of him for his forth cō ming, what so euer hereafter should or might be layd vnto his charge,2 but for lacke of such suretyes as they required vpon his owne band, which was a Recognisaunce of twenty pound, he was deliuered out of theyr handes. But shortly after that he was deliuered out of this his trouble, mayster Garter, of whome we haue spoken before, beyng his landlord, warned him out of his house, so that in foure yeares after, he could not get an other, but was constrayned to be within other good folkes, to his great hindrance and vndoing.
Hard it were and almost out of number to rehearse the names and stories of all them, which felt the gentle help of this good man in some case or other. Where might be remembered the notable deliverance of one Grey, a Smith of Bishops Starford,1 who being accused for denying the sacrament of the altar to be our Saviour, was sent up for the same to London and there should have been condemned to be burnt, but that by the means of the L. Cromwell, he was sent home again and delivered. One other example, though it be somewhat long with the circumstances and all, I will declare, how be helped the Secretary that then was to Doctor Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, which Secretary is yet alive, and can bear present record of the same.
Hard it were and almost out of number to rehearse the names and stories of all them, which felt the gentle helpe of this good man in some case or other. Where might be remembred the notable deliueraunce of one Gray, a Smyth of Bishops Starford,1 who being accused for denying ye sacramēt of the aulter to be our Sauior, was sent vp for the same to Londō and there should haue bene condemned to be burnt, but that by the meanes of the L. Cromwell, he was sent home agayne and deliuered. One other example, though it be somewhat long with the circūstances and all, I will declare, how be helped the Secretary that thē was to Doctor Cranmer Archbishop of Caunterbury, whiche Secretary is yet aliue, and can beare present record of the same.
Mention was made before how king Henry in the year of his reign 21. caused the 6. Articles to pass, much against the mind and contrary to the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer,1 who had disputed three days against the same in the Parliament house, with great reasons and authorities. Which Articles after they were granted and past by the Parliament, the king for the singular favour which he ever bare to Cranmer, and reverence to his learning, being desirous to know what he had said and objected in the Parliament against these Articles, or what could be alleged by learning against the same, required a note of the Archbishop of his doings, what he had said and opposed in the Parliament touching that matter. And this word was sent to him from the king by Cromwell, and other Lords of the Parliament whom the king then sent to dine with him at Lambeth, somewhat to comfort again his grieved mind, and troubled spirits as hath been above recited. pag, 1136.
MEntion was made before how king Henry in ye yeare of his reigne 21. caused the 6. Articles to passe, much agaynst the mind and contrary to the consēt of the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Crāmer,1 who had disputed three daies against the same in the Parliament house, with great reasons and authorities. Which Articles after they were graunted and past by the Parliamēt, the king for the singuler fauor which he euer bare to Cranmer, and reuerence to his learning, being desirous to know what he had sayd and obiected in the Parliamēt agaynst these Articles, or what could be alleged by learning agaynst the same, required a note of the Archbishop of his doings, what he had sayd and opposed in the Parliament touch••g that matter. And this word was sent to him from the king by Cromwell, and other Lordes of the Parliament whom the king then sent to dine with him at Lambeth, somewhat to comfort agayne his greued mind, and troubled spirits as hath bene aboue recited. pag, 1136.
Whereupon when his dinner was finished, the next day after the Archbishop collecting both his arguments, authorities of scriptures, and Doctors together, caused his Secretary to write a fair book thereof for the king, after this order. First the Scriptures were alleged, then the Doctors, thirdly followed the Arguments deducted from those authorities. This book was written in his Secretaries Chamber. Where, in a by Chamber lay the Archbishops Almoner. When this book was fair written,1 and whiles the Secretary was gone to deliver the same unto the Archbishop his master, who was (as it then chanced) rid to Croydon: returning back to his chamber, found his door shut, and the key carried away to London by the Almoner.
Wherupon when his dinner was finished, the next day after the Archbishop collecting both his argumēts, authorities of scriptures, and Doctors together, caused his Secretary to write a fayre booke therof for the king, after this order. First the Scriptures were alleadged, then the Doctors, thirdly folowed the Arguments deducted from those authorities. This booke was written in his Secretaryes Chamber. Where, in a by Chamber lay the Archbishops Almosiner. When this booke was fayre writtē,1 and whiles the Secretary was gone to deliuer the same vnto ye Archbishop his maister, who was (as it then chaunced) rydde to Croydon: returning backe to his chamber, found hys doore shut, and the key caryed away to London by the Almosiner.
At this season also chanced the father of the said Secretary to come to the City, by whose occasion it so •ell out, that he must needs go to London. The book he could not lay into his chamber, neither durst he commit it to any other person to keep, being straitly charged in any condition of the Archbishop his master, to be circumspect thereof, so that he determined to go to his father and to keep the book about him. And so thrusting the book under his girdle, he went over unto Westminster bridge with a sculler, where he entered into a wherry that went to London, wherein were 4. of the Guard, who meant to land at Pauls wharf and to pass by the kings highness, who then was in his Barge with a great number of Barges and boats about him, then baiting of Bears in the water over against the bank.
At this season also chaūced the father of the sayd Secretary to come to the Citty, by whose occasion it so •ell out, that he must nedes go to London. The booke he could not lay into his chamber, neither durst he commit it to any other person to keepe, being straitly charged in any cōditiō of the Archbishop his maister, to be circumspect thereof, so that he determined to go to his father and to keep the book about him. And so th•usting the booke vnder his girdle, he went ouer vnto Westminster bridge with a sculler, where he entred into a whirry that went to London, wherein were 4. of the Garde, who ment to land at Paules wharfe and to passe by the kinges highnesse, who then was in hys Barge with a great number of Barges and boates about him, then baiting of Beares in the water ouer agaynst the banke.
