130. Mary Attempts to restore Church Lands

(1554)

Somers' Tracts

The fidelity of Queen Mary to the Catholic Church was displayed in many ways. Her attitude toward heretics has been shown, and the following Act indicates another phase in her desire to restore to the Church the lands taken from it during the previous reigns. The attempt was only partially successful, as vested private interests were too strong to be abrogated, especially as their possessors formed the legislature through which Mary sought to effect the restitution.

A SPEECH OF QUEEN MARY'S TO HER COUNCIL, UPON HER RESOLUTION OF RESTORING CHURCH LANDS. ANNO REG.

MAR. 4.

We have willed you to be called to us, to the intent you might hear of me, my conscience, and the resolution of my mind, concerning the lands and possessions, as well of monasteries, as other churches whatsoever, being now in my possession.

First, I do consider, that the said lands were taken away from the churches aforesaid in time of schism; and that by unlawful means, such as are contrary both to the law of God, and of the church: for which cause my conscience doth not suffer me to detain them. And therefore I here expressly refuse, either to claim, or retain those lands for mine: but with all my heart, freely and willingly, without all paction or condition, here, and before God, I do surrender and relinquish the said lands and possessions, or inheritances whatsoever; and renounce the same with this mind and purpose, that order and disposition thereof may be taken, as shall seem best liking to the Pope, or his legate, to the honour of God, and the wealth of this our realm. And albeit you may object to me again, That the state of my kingdom, the dignity thereof, and my crown imperial, cannot be honourably maintained and furnished without the possessions aforesaid: yet notwithstanding (and so she had affirmed before, when she was bent upon the restitution of the tenths and first fruits), I set more by the salvation of my soul, than by ten such kingdoms: and therefore the said possessions I utterly refuse here to hold, after that sort and title: and I give most hearty thanks to God, who hath given me a husband of the same mind, who hath no less good affection in his behalf, than I myself. Wherefore I charge and command that my chancellor, (with whom I have conferred my mind in this mat

ter,) and you four, to resort to-morrow together, to the legate, signifying to him the premises in my name. And give your attendance upon me, for the more full declaration of the state of my kingdom, and of the aforesaid possessions, according as you yourselves do understand the matter, and can inform him in the same.

(Collection of Tracts, Somers', ed. by Walter Scott, Lond., 1809. 1, 56.)

131. Mary's Orders for the Execution of John Hooper

(1555)

Historical Documents, Goldsmid

Mary's extreme anxiety for the stamping out of heresy may be seen in her instructions as to the execution of Hooper. He was not to be allowed to speak lest he should further spread his pernicious doctrines. The original manuscript is subscribed "A True Copy of an Old Paper in my Custody, which seems to be the first Draught of a Letter from the Queen to the lord Chandois, etc., who went to see Execution done on Bishop Hooper."

Right Trusty and Well-beloved, etc. Whereas John Hooper, who of late was called Bishop of Worcester and Gloucester, is, by due order of the laws Ecclesiastique,condempned and judged for a moste obstinate, false, detestable Heretique, and committed to our Secular Power, to be burned according to the holsome and good Lawes of our Realme in that Case provided. Forasmuche as in those Cityes, and the Diocesse thereof, he hath in Tymes paste preached and taught most pestilent Heresyes and Doctryne to our Subjects there: We have therefore geven Order, that the said Hooper, who yet persisteth obstinate, and hath refused Mercy when it was gracyously offred, shall be put to Execution in the sayd Cytie of Gloucester, for the Example and Terror of suche as he hath there seduced and mistaught, and bycause he hath doone moste Harme there. And woll that you, calling unto you some of Reputation dwelling in the Shire, such as ye thinke best, shall repayre unto our said Cytye, and be at the said Execution, assisting our Mayor and Shriefs of the same Cytie, in this Behalf. And forasmuche also as the said Hooper is, as Heretiques be, a vain-glorious Person, and delyteth in his Tongue, and having Liberty, may use his sayd Tongue to perswade such as he hath seduced, to persist in the myserable Opinion that he hath sowen among them: Our Pleasure is therefore, and we require you to take Order, that the said Hooper be neither, at the Tyme of his Execution, nor in goyng to the Place thereof, suffred to speak at large; but thither to be ledde quietly, and in Sylence, for

eschuyng of further Infection, and such Inconvenyence, as may otherwise ensue in this Parte. Whereof fayle not, as ye tender our Pleasure...

A True Copy of an Old Paper in my Custody, which seems to be the first Draught of a Letter from the Queen to the Lord Chandois, etc., who went to see Execution done on Bishop Hooper.

THOM. TANNER.

(Collection of Historical Documents Illustrative of the Reigns of the Tudor and Stuart Sovereigns. Ed. by E. Goldsmid, Edinburg, 1886. II, 16.)

132. The Burning of Ridley and Latimer

Foxe

The History of the Acts and Monuments of the Church has had, under the name of the Book of Martyrs, a wide circulation among Protestants. The writer, JOHN FOXE (1517-1587) was a man of great discernment and unquestioned integrity, and his work is a leading source for the Reformation period. The execution of bishops Ridley and Latimer has been selected as typical of such scenes. In a later page is given (No. 141), as contrast, an execution of a Catholic during the reign of Elizabeth.

THE BEHAVIOUR OF DR. RIDLEY AND MASTER LATIMER, AT THE TIME OF THEIR DEATH, WHICH WAS THE 16TH OF OCTOBER, 1555.

Upon the north-side of the town, in the ditch over against Balliol-college, the place of execution was appointed: and for fear of any tumult that might arise, to let the burning of them, the lord Williams was commanded, by the queen's letters, and the householders of the city, to be there assistant, sufficiently appointed. And when every thing was in readiness, the prisoners were brought forth by the mayor and the bailiffs.

Master Ridley had a fair black gown furred, and faced with foins, such as he was wont to wear being bishop, and a tippet of velvet furred likewise about his neck, a velvet nightcap upon his head, and a corner cap upon the same, going in a pair of slippers to the stake, and going between the mayor and an alderman, etc.

After him came master Latimer in a poor Bristol frieze frock all worn, with his buttoned cap, and a kerchief on his head, all ready to the fire, a new long shroud hanging over his hose, down to the feet: which at the first sight stirred

men's hearts to rue upon them, beholding on the one side, the honour they sometime had, and on the other, the calamity whereunto they were fallen.

Master doctor Ridley, as he passed toward Bocardo, looked up where master Cranmer did lie, hoping belike to have seen him at the glass-window, and to have spoken unto him. But then master Cranmer was busy with friar Soto and his fellows, disputing together, so that he could not see him, through that occasion. Then master Ridley, looking back, espied master Latimer coming after, unto whom he said, "Oh, be ye there?" "Yea," said Master Latimer, "have after as fast as I can follow." So he, following a pretty way off, at length they came both to the stake, the one after the other, where first Dr. Ridley entering the place, marvellous earnestly holding up both his hands, looked towards heaven. Then shortly after espying master Latimer, with a wonderous cheerful look he ran to thim, embraced, and kissed him; and, as they that stood near reported, comforted him, saying, "Be of good heart, brother, for God will either assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it."

With that went he to the stake, kneeled down by it, kissed it, and most effectuously prayed, and behind him master Latimer kneeled, as earnestly calling upon God as he. After they arose, the one talked with the other a little while, till they which were appointed to see the execution, removed themselves out of the sun. What they said I can learn of

no man....

Incontinently they were commanded to make them ready, which they with all meekness obeyed. Master Ridley took his gown and his tippet, and gave it to his brother-in-law Shipside, who all his time of imprisonment, although he might not be suffered to come to him, lay there at his own charges to provide him necessaries, which from time to time he sent him by the serjeant that kept him. Some other of his apparel that was little worth, he gave away; other the bailiffs took.

He gave away besides, divers other small things to gentlemen standing by, and divers of them pitifully weeping, as to sir Henry Lea he gave a new groat; and to divers of my lord William's gentlemen some napkins, some nutmegs, and rases of ginger; his dial, and such other things as he had about him, to every one that stood next him. Some plucked the points off his hose. Happy was he that might get any rag of him.

Master Latimer gave nothing, but very quietly suffered his keeper to pull off his hose, and his other array, which to look unto was very simple: and being stripped into his shroud, he seemed as comely a person to them that were there present, as one should lightly see; and whereas in his clothes he appeared a withered and crooked silly old man, he now stood bolt upright, as comely a father as one might lightly behold.

Then master Ridley, standing as yet in his truss, said to his brother, "It were best for me to go in my truss still." "No," quoth his brother, "it will put you to more pain: and the truss will do a poor man good." Whereunto master Ridley said, "Be it, in the name of God;" and so unlaced himself. Then, being in his shirt, he stood upon the foresaid stone, and held up his hand and said, "O heavenly Father, I give unto thee most hearty thanks, for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee, even unto death. I beseech thee, Lord God, take mercy upon this realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies."

Then the smith took a chain of iron, and brought the same about both Dr. Ridley's, and master Latimer's middles: and, as he was knocking in a staple, Dr. Ridley took the chain in his hand, and shaked the same, for it did gird in his belly, and looking aside to the smith said, "Good fellow, knock it in hard, for the flesh will have his course." Then his brother did bring him gunpowder in a bag, and would have tied the same about his neck. Master Ridley asked, what it was. His brother said, "Gunpowder." "Then," said he, "I take it to be sent of God; therefore I will receive it as sent of him. And have you any," said he, "for my brother;" meaning master Latimer. "Yea sir, that I have," quoth his brother. "Then give it unto him," said he, "betime; lest ye come too late." So his brother went, and carried of the same gunpowder unto master Latimer.

In the mean time Dr. Ridley spake unto my lord Williams, and said, "My lord, I must be a suitor unto your lordship in the behalf of divers poor men, and especially in the cause of my poor sister: I have made a supplication to the queen's majesty in their behalfs. I beseech your lordship for Christ's sake, to be a mean to her grace for them. My brother here hath the supplication, and will resort to your lordship to certify you thereof. There is nothing in all the world that troubleth my conscience, I praise God, this only excepted. Whilst I was in the see of London, divers poor men took