But let vs further consider what moved this blessed man to stand1
in defence of this quarrell, and we shall soone perceive that he had2
great cause to do as he did, for although he thought in his Conscience,3
and by his profound learninge most assuredly knewe, that4
the kinge for noe f. 73vcause yet alleadged, could by the law of god5
make any separacion between him and his wife, this noble Princesse,6
yet had he a more secrett intelligence of the kings doings, & further7
intent therin then at that time was knowne to many others; I meane8
of his proceedinge to a second marriage with the lady Ann Bullen,9
wherof although for the great reuerence he bore to the kings person10
he spared to speake openly that which he knew for trew, yet to some11
of his secret frendes when it might serve to the purpose he would not12
sticke to vtter, that the kinge could not by anie meanes proceed to13
such marryage without the ruine of his honor and good name, and14
the inestimable losse of his soul for euer. No, although the Pope15
shoulde pronounce the first maryage to be void & adnihillat, and16
that for sundrie causes; for first it was well knowne that even about17
such time as the king began to cast his carnall love to this ladie,18
Ann Bullen, the lord Henrie Persie, sonne and heire to the Erle of19
Northumberland, chanced also not longe before that time to fall in20
love with her; and therin at last proceeded so fare that they were21
assured before good witnesses in the waie of maryage, he beinge22
then attendant vpon Cardinall Woolsey, and she wayting in the23
Court vpon this good queene Catherin nether of them yet knowing24
the kings intent; f. 74rbut when knowledge therof came to the kings25
eares he waxed angrie, and was much moved against the lord26
Pearcie, insomuch as he sent in hast for the Cardinall to come to27
him on a time to Bridewell, and there opened vnto him all his intent28
and purpose, willinge him in any wise with all the speed that might29
be, to call before him the said lorde Percie, and to infringe his30
assurance by all the meanes he could devise. The Cardinall seeinge31
all this matter come to this effect was not a litle vnquyeted therat.32
Howbeit returninge home to his howse at Westminster, and not forgettinge33
the kings Commaundement, he called the lord Percie before34
him, and there in presence of diuers of his servantes demaunded of35
him with many sharpe wordes what he had done, and how farr he36
had proceeded in this matter. The lord Percie perceavinge this his37
doinge to be ill taken, and verie lykely to turne to his displeasure,38
answerred vpon his knee with feare; That they were assured before39
witnesse. Then said the Cardinall hast thou done lyke a lewd40
boye, to attempt any such thinge without the knowledge other of41
the kings Maiestie, thy father, or me, and therfore I commaund thee42
that thou come no more in her companie vpon paine of the kings43
displeasure & mine, for by this meane thou hast gotten thee alreadie44
his ill will; And I will also signifie vnto thy father thy bould and45
rashe attempt, wherby it is lyke thou shalt be disinherited for ever.46
Then the lord Percie in most lamentable and pittifull manner said47
vnto the Cardinall still kneelinge, "I most humblie desire your48
graces favour herin, and that you will stand so much my f. 74vgood lord49
as to intreate the kings Maiestie for me, for truly I have now gone so50
farre in this matter, and that before many worthie witnesses that I51
know not how to discharge my conscience before god, nor yet excuse52
my self before men." "Whie" said the Cardinall "dost thou harpe53
still vpon that stringe? I thought thou wouldest have shewed thy self54
penitent for thy foolish doings, and here have promised to relinquish55
from henceforth any further attempt therin." "Truly" said the56
lord Pearcie, "so will I with all my hart as much as in me lyeth,57
my conscience only reserved for my former promisse." "Well" said58
the Cardinall, "I will signifie so much to the kinge," and so departed.59
And this was one cause that made this reuerend man to mislyke of60
this second marriage.61
An other cause was for that there was a greate and constant fame62
how the king had before carnally knowne the ladie Anns mother,63
which in law forbiddeth all marriage of the children for ever after,64
because otherwise it might be dowbt that the kinge should marrye65
his owne daughter. And for some better probabillitie therof I have66
heard yt reported of diuers persons of good credit, that the Countesse67
of Wilshire her mother as she happened on a time to talke with68
the kinge of this matter sodenly said vnto him in the hearing of69
sundrie persons, half in sport and halfe in earnest, these wordes:70
"Sir, for the reuerence of god take heed what you doe in marying71
my daughter; for yf you record your conscience well she is your72
owne daughter as well as mine."73
f. 75r Lykewise it was verie evident to many that were about the74
kinge, that he commonly knewe not only this ladie, Ann Bullen,75
before he marryed her, but also longe before that he knew in lyke76
manner the ladie Marie Carie, her sister. And these were causes77
whie this good man thought that the king could not by any meanes78
lawfully proceed to this maryage; no, although his first marryage79
had bene void and adnihillat, or though this good queen had bene80
dead, and the kinge free to marrie.81
Other causes there were though not of so great importance as82
these be, yet verie iust & probable why the kinge with his honor83
and safetie of his realme could not well proceed thervnto. For first84
there went a great rumour of her incontinencie and loose lyvinge, &85
what inconveniences have growne in many Christian realmes by86
doubtful succession of Bastardie; there needeth here noe example to87
be rehearsed, beinge a case so well knowne to the worlde as it is;88
and of this it should seeme there was a shrewd lykelyhood when89
Sir Thomas Wyatt after he vnderstood of the kings intended purpose90
to marrie with her came to the kinge and declared vnto him91
the truth of that he knewe, doubtinge in deed that the same92
comming els to his knowledge by some other meane might kindle93
displeasure secretly in his brest against him, and so at one time or94
other breake out to his confusion.95
Wherfore comminge I saie to the kinge he told him plainly96
f. 75vthat she was no fitt wife for his maiestie, confessinge there almost in97
plaine wordes, with great feare, that himself had bene familier with98
her. Lykewise she was greatly suspected, and in manner notoriously99
knowne of diuers persons to be an heretick, and therby verie lykely100
to corrupt the kinge, being so extreamely blinded with their vnlawfull101
doctrine as she was, which after came to passe in deed: for she was102
the first and only person that of a longe time durst breake with him103
in such matters. The effect and fruite wherof the world seeth, and104
this miserable countrey more and more feeleth to our vndoinge.105
Now approched the time wherin this blessed man grew to his106
finall and last trooble: for at the Parlement before mentioned, wherin107
he was attainted of misprision of treason for the matter of the nunn of108
Canterburie, there was also in the same Parliament an other statute109
made, declaringe the establishment of the kings succession in the110
imperiall Crowne of this realme; by vertue wherof it was enacted,111
that the said mariage heretofore solemnized betweene the kinge and112
the ladie Catherin, beinge before his older brothers wife, and by him113
f. 76rcarnally knowne as the Acte reporteth should be by the authorite of114
that Parliament, definitively, cleerly, and absolutely declared, deemed,115
and iudged to be against the laws of Almightie god: and also excepted,116
reputed, and taken of noe valewe or effect, but vtterlie void to all117
intentes and purposes, accordinge to sentence made at Donstable by118
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterburie. And that the matrimonie119
had and solemnised betweene the kinge and queene Ann120
should be established and taken for vndoubtfull, trew, sincere, and121
perfect, accordinge to the iudgment of the said Archbishopp. And122
that the yssue comminge of that mariage should be inheritable to the123
Crowne and gouernment of the Realme. By meane wherof the ladie124
Marie, being yssue of his former marriage, was disherited and disabled125
to all intentes and purposes. And yf any person, of what126
estate or condition soeuer he be, shall by wrytinge, printing, or any127
exterior Acte or deed procure or doe any thinge, to the preiudice,128
slaunder, disturbance, or derogation of the said matrimony, or the129
yssue growing of the same, that euerie such person should be deemed130
and iudged as a high Traytor, and should suffer such paines and losses131
as in Case of high treason is provided. And further, yf any person132
should, by word or speech only, without wrytinge or doinge, vtter or133
publish any thinge in derogacion f. 76vof this matrimonie, that everie such134
offence should be taken and adiudged for misprision of high treason,135
and the offenders to suffer imprisonment during the kings pleasure,136
and to loose to him all their goods, chattells, and debts. And that for137
offendinge in any of these treasons or misprisions, no priveledge nor138
immunitie of Sanctuarie within this Realme should serve. Certaine139
other things there be also contained within the same Acte, as by140
readinge of the same statute may appeare more at large. But, lastly,141
it is concluded that for the better and more sure keepinge & observing142
of this Acte, aswell the nobles of this realme, spirituall and143
temporall, as all other subiectes of the same, shall make a corporall144
oath, That they shall truly and constantly observe, defend, and keepe145
to the vttermost of their cunninge, will, and powre the whole effect146
and contentes of this Statute. The wordes of which oath although147
they be not expressed at large in the Statute were these: Ye shall148
sweare to beare faith, truth, and obedience all only to the kings149
maiestie, and to his heires of his bodie of his most deere and intirely150
beloved lawfull wife, queen Ann, begotten and to be begotten. And151
further, to the heires of our soueraigne lord according to the limitacion152
f. 77rin the Statute, made for suertie of his succession in the crowne of this153
Realme mentioned and contayned, and not to any other within this154
realme, noe forraine authoritie or Potentate. And in Case any oath155
be made or hath bene made by you to any person or persons, that156
then ye to repute the same as vaine and annihilat, and that to your157
cunninge, witt, and vttermost of your power, without guile, fraud, or158
other vndew meanes, ye shall observe, keepe, maintaine, and defend159
the said Acte of Succession, and all the whole effects and contents160
therof, and all other Actes and Statutes made in confirmacion and161
for execucion of the same, or of any thinge therin contained: and162
this ye shall doe against all manner of persons of what estate,163
dignitie, degree, or condicion soeuer they be: and in no wise do164
or attempt, nor to your powre suffer to be done or attempted directly,165
any thinge or thinges prively or apertly, to the lett, hinderance,166
daunger, or derogation therof or of any part of the same, by any167
manner of meanes, of for any manner of pretence, so helpe you168
God, and all Saincts, And the holy Evangeliste.169
This oath, although it was not in these wordes expressed in the170
Statute as is before said, and therby not of any such force that any171
man was compellable by vertue of that lawe to take yt, yet it so172
pleased f. 77vthe Kinge and his Counsellors of their owne authoritie to173
have it framed, and lykewise tendred to all such as were called174
before the Commissioners for that cause authorised: and in the end175
of that session of parliament which was the xxxth of March it was176
offred to all the lordes of the higher howse, both spirituall and177
temporall, and lykewise to the Commons in the lower howse; wherof178
most of both howses accepted it with heavie hartes only my lord of179
Rochester except, who openly refused to sweare it. Neuertheles he180
was winked at for that time, and nothing said to him. And so the181
Parliament beinge ended he departed home to his Pallace of Rochester182
where he had not remayned above the space of four daies, but a letter183
came to him from the Archbishop of Canterburie and certaine other184
Commissioners, willinge him personally to appeare before them at185
Lambeth, in the said Archbishops howse, by a certaine daie expressed186
within that letter, all excuses sett apart. This letter beinge once187
knowne and heard of within his howse, cast such a terror and feare188
amonge his servantes, and after amonge other his frendes in the189
countrey, that nothinge was there to be heard of f. 78rbut lamentacion190
and mourninge on all sides: Howbeit the holy man, nothinge at all191
dismaid therat as a thing that he daily and howrly looked for before,192
called all his familie before him, and willed them to be of good193
cheere, and to take noe care for him, sayinge that he nothinge194
doubted but all this should be to the glorie of God, and his owne195
quietnesse. "And for that" said he, "I beinge once gone, you196
may doubte of the time of my returne hither to you againe, I have197
willed my Steward to consider euerie of you with a portion of my198
goodes as far as they extend, desiringe god to send both you and me199
his grace;" and so turninge his backe lefte them all weepinge, and200
went about other business. And callinge his officers to him to consult201
for the disposition of his goods, he first allotted to Michaell howse202
in Cambrige where he was brought vp at learninge a hundred203
pounds, which was after paid to the howse in goulde. An other204
portion he caused to be devided amonge his servantes, alowinge euery205
one of them a rate according to his place and worthines. Lykewise206
to poore people in Rochester he assigned an other some to be distributed.207
The rest he reserved for himself to defend his necessitie in208
prison, where he accounted himself sure as soone as he was come209
before the Commissioners, alwais reservinge vnto the Colledge of Saint210
John in Cambrige such percells of goods as he before had geven them,211
and borrowed againe of them by his wrytinge, though in deed his212
good meaninge in that point was neuer fulfilled, as after shall be213
declared. The next daie he sett forward his iorney towards Lambeth,214
and passing through Rochester, there were by that time assembled a215
great number of people of f. 78vthat Cittie and countrey aboute to see him216
departe, to whom he gave his blessinge on all sides, as he ridde through217
the Cittie bare headed. There might you haue heard great waylinge218
and lamentinge: some cryinge that they should neuer see him againe.219
Some others said, woe worth they that are the cause of his trooble;220
others cryed out vpon the wickednes of the time to see such sight;221
euery one vtteringe his greefe to others as their mindes served them.222
Thus passed he till he came to a place in the waie called Shooters223
hill, nigh twenty miles from Rochester, on the topp wherof he rested224
himself, and dessended from his horse; and because the howre of his225
refection was then come, which he observed at dew times, he caused226
to be sett before him such victualls as were thither broughte for him227
of purpose, and there dyned openly in the ayre, his servants standinge228
round about him, and so came to London that night. And this229
precise order of dyett he vsed longe before, because the Phisitians230
thought, and he feared him self to be entred into a consumption.231
When the daie of his appearance was come, he presented himself232
before the byshopp of Canterburie, the lorde Awdeley, Chauncellor233
of England, and Maister Thomas Cromwell, the kings secretarie, and234
certaine other commissioners authorised vnder the great seale to235
tender the oath to him and others, they fittinge then at Lambeth,236
where he found at the same time Sir Thomas Moore and f. 79rMaister237
Doctor Wilson, somtimes the kings Confessor, who both had refused238
the oath a litle before his cominge, and thervpon Sir Thomas239
Moore being committed to the custodie of the Abbot of Westminster,240
Doctor Wilson was forthwith sent to the towre of London. Against241
the same daie all the Clergie of London were also warned to come242
thither about the same purpose, wherof fewe or none refused the243
oath for that time. Then was he called into the Chamber before244
them, and there my lord of Canterburie put him in remembrance of245
the late Act of Parliament, wherin is provided an oath to be ministred246
to all the kinges maiesties subiects for the suertie of his succession247
in the crowne of this realme, "which oath" said he, "all the lordes,248
both spirituall and temporall, haue willingly taken, only your lordship249
except. And therfore his maiestie holdeth himself greatly discontent250
with you, and hath by his Commission appointed vs to call251
you before vs, and to offer you the oath once againe, which we have252
here present;" and therwith laying the oath before him, demaunded253
of him what he said to yt. Then said my lord of Rochester, "I praie254
you let me see the oath, and consider a litle vpon it." Then the255
Commissioners, consultinge a litle amonge them selves, graunted him256
space for foure or five daies, and so he departed againe to his owne257
howse in Lambeth Marsh where he lodged.258
f. 79vDuringe the time of his lyinge there many of his frendes came259
to visitt him, and as it were to take their leaves of him, thinkinge to260
see him no more after that day: amonge which the maisters and fellowes261
of Saint Johns College in Cambrige, not forgettinge their great262
benefitt receaved at his handes, sent vp two of their companie, called263
Maister Seton and Maister Brandsbe, partly to salute and visitt him in264
the name of the whole howse, and partly to desire of him the confirmacion265
of their Statutes vnder his seale, which himself longe before266
had made and drawne in writing, but yet never confirmed. And267
therefore doubting much the time of his imprisonment to be verie268
neare at hand, their humble suite was that it would please him to269
alowe the same statutes vnder his seale before he went to prison:270
but to that he answered that he would first reade and consider of271
them once more, and then if he lyked them he would fulfill their272
request. "Alas" said they, "we feare the time is now so short273
for you to read them before you goe to prison." "Then," said he,274
"I will read them in prison." "Naie" said they, "that we thinke275
will hardlie be brought to passe." "Then" said he, "let gods will276
be done, for I will neuer alowe vnder my seale that thinge f. 80rwhich I277
haue not well and substantially viewed and considered:" wherfore278
these two fellowes departed without their purpose. But shortly279
after, when this good father was in prison, and things began to alter280
and change, the byshop of Canterburie and Maister Cromwell, the281
kings Secretarie, with certaine others, by vertue of a commission from282
the kinge, made a new booke of Statutes, and sent them downe vnder283
their authoritie to the Colledge: which new statutes beinge receaved,284
then were the ould then made by the Bishop of Rochester, pronounced285
void and of none effect, and therfore the bookes to be laid286
awaie, and disposed at their pleasure. At the same time was Presedent287
in that howse one Maister George Cowper, a Bacheler in divinitie,288
and a right well learned and reuerend man. This Maister Cowper,289
havinge one of the ould Statute bookes remayning in his custodie290
as by vertue of his office belonged vnto him, was loath to deface or291
cast it awaie for his sake that made them, but studyinge with himself292
what were best to be done with the booke, agreed at the last to geve293
the same to some bodie to be kept for a remembrance of that holy294
man, and so vpon some speciall fancie as it seemed gave them to a295
yonge fellow of that howse standing by called Thomas Watson,296
saying to him, "hould, take this booke of my guifte, and keep it297
well, for the time may f. 80vcome that thou shalt live and restore it to298
the howse, and so bring the statutes into their force againe." And in299
deed as this good man said it came after to passe, for that yonge300
man prospered in his studies so singulerly well, that he came to great301
honour, estimacion, & credit, and beinge many yeres after elected302
Maister of that howse, restored againe those good Statutes, which303
stoode in force till wickednes againe gott the vpper hande. But since304
that, for his speciall merittes, he beinge most worthily promoted to305
the Bishoprick of Lincoln, is for his great and profound learninge306
accounted a rare man in his time.307
The day beinge at last come when this blessed man should geue308
answere before the Commissioners, whether he would accept the Oath309
or not, he presented himself againe vnto them, sayinge, "That he310
had pervsed the same oath with as good deliberacion as he could, but311
that it being framed in such sort as it is, by no meanes he could312
accept yt with safetie of his Conscience. Neuertheles" said he,313
"to satisfie the kings maiesties will and pleasure, I can be content to314
sweare to some part therof, so that my self may frame yt with other315
conditions, and in other sort then it now standeth; and so both316
mine owne conscience shall be the better satisfyed, and his maiesties317
doings the better iustified and warranted by lawe."318
f. 81rBut to that they answered that the kinge would by no means319
lyke of exceptions or Conditions; "and therfore," said my lord of320
Canterburie, "you must answere directlie to our question, whether321
you will sweare the oath or noe." Then said my lord of Rochester,322
"yf you will needs haue me to answere directly, my answere is,323
That forasmuch as mine owne conscience cannot be satisfied, I do324
absolutly refuse the oath:" vpon which answere he was sent325
straightway to the Towre of London, where he remained verie close326
locked and shutt vp in a stronge prison, without the companie of327
any person more then one servant to helpe him in his necessitie,328
because he was aged; and this was done on tuesdaie the xxjth of329
Aprill, in the yere of our lord god 1534, and the xxvth yeare of the330
Kings Raigne, being the last daie of his raigne for that yere.331
After he had lyen in prison six mounths and more, the Parliament332
began againe at Westminster vpon prorogacion in the xxvjth yere of the333
kings raigne, the third daie of November. This Parliament, although334
it were but short for yt continued but five and fortie daies, yet were335
the matters within it both great and waightie. Amonge which one336
Act was made for ratifyinge the Oathe made in the last Parliament337
towching the Succession, for the refusinge wherof this good bishop was338
committed to prison as ye have heard before: for ye shall vnderstand,339
that although this oath was ministred to diuers persons340
wherof the most accepted it for feare, and some refused it that were341
forthwith imprisoned, yet was not the same euer warranted by lawe,342
nether yet any man compellable by that law to take yt before the343
makinge of the second Acte. And therfore seeinge it so fell out that344
this good father was by their owne lawes wrongfully imprisoned for345
refusing this oath, yt was now ordered that his wrongfull imprisonment346
was to be iudged and accounted rightfull from the begininge347
by this Acte of Parliament.348

When the innocent and holie Cardinall was come vpon the349
Scaffold, he spake to the people in effect as followeth: "Christian350
people, I am come hither to die for the faith of Christs holy Catholick351
Church, and I thanke god hitherto my stomack hath served me352
verie well thervnto, so that yet I have not feared death: wherfore I353
do desire you all to helpe and assist me with your praiers, that at the354
verie point and instant of deaths stroake, I maie in that verie moment355
stand stedfast without faintinge in any one point of the Catholick356
faith free from any feare; and I beseech almightie god of his infinite357
goodnes to save the kinge and this Realme, and that it maie please358
him to holde his holy hand ouer yt, and send the king good Counsell."359
These or lyke wordes he spake with such a cheerfull countenance,360
such a stowte and constant courage, and such a reverent gravitie361
that f. 101v he appeared to all men not only void of feare but also gladd of362
death. Besides this he vttered his wordes so distinctly and with so363
lowde and cleere a voice, that the people were astonied therat, and364
noted it for a miraculous thinge to heare so plaine and audible a365
voice come from so weake and sickly an ould bodie; for the yongest366
man in that presence, being in good and perfect health, could not367
have spoken to be better heard and perceived than he was. Then368
after these fewe wordes by him vttered, he kneeled downe on both369
his knees and said certaine praiers, amonge which as some reported370
one was the Hymne of Te deum laudamus to the end, and the psalme371
In te domine speraui. Then came the executioner & bound a handcarcher372
about his eyes, and so this holy father lifting up his handes373
and hart to heaven, said a few praiers which were not longe but374
fervent and devout, which being ended, he laid his holy head downe375
over the middest of the blocke, where the Executioner being readie376
with a sharp and heavie Axe cutt a sunder his slender necke at one377
blowe, which bledd so abundantly that many wonndred to see so378
much blood yssue out of so leane and slender a bodie; and so head379
and body being severed, his innocent soule mounted to the blissfull380
ioys of heaven.381
And as concerninge the head the Executioner put it into a bagge,382
and carryed it awaie with him, meaninge to have set it vpon London383
bridge that night as he was commanded. But it was reported that384
the ladie Ann Bullen, who was the cheef cause of this holy mans385
death, had a certaine desire f. 102rto see the head before yt were sett vp;386
whervpon being brought vnto her, she beheld yt a space, and at last387
contemptuously said these or lyke wordes: "Is this head that so388
often exclaymed against me? I trust it shall neuer do me more389
harme;" and with that strykinge it vpon the mouth with the backe390
of her hand, hurte one of her fingers vpon a tooth that stood somwhat391
more out then the rest did: which finger after grewe sore, and puttinge392
her to paine many daies after, was neuerthelesse cured at last with393
some difficultie. But after it was healed the marke of the hurt place394
remayned to be seene till her dyinge day. This maie seem strange,395
as a rare example of cruell bouldnes in that sexe, which by nature is396
fearfull and cannot well behould such spectacles, and therfore argues397
no doubt a wonderfull malice, which she by lykelyhood bare to the398
holy man living, that could thus cruelly vse his head beinge dead:399
Then strippinge the bodie out of his shirte and all his cloathes, he400
departed thence, leavinge the headles carcasse naked vpon the scaffold,401
where it remained after that sort for the most part of that daie,402
savinge that one for pittie and humanitie cast a litle strawe vpon403
his privities; and about eight of the clock in the eveninge, commaundment404
came from the kings Counsell, to such as watched about405
the dead bodie for it was still watched with manie halberds and406
weapons, that they should cause it to be buried. Whervpon two of407
the watchers tooke it vpon a halbert betweene them, and so carried408
it to a church yard there hard by, called Allhallows Barkinge, where409
on the north side of the Church hard by the wall they digged a410
grave with their halberdes, and therin without any reuerence tumbled411
the bodie of this holy prelate and f. 102vblessed Martyr all naked and flatt412
vpon his bellie, without ether sheet or other accustomed thinge413
belonging to a christian mans buriall, and so covered it quickly with414
earth, followinge herein the kings commaundment, who willed it415
should be buryed contemptuously. And this was done on the daie416
of St. Albane the prothomartyr and first martyr of Englande, being417
Tuesday the xxijth of Iune, in the yere of our redemtion 1535, and418
the xxvijth yere of king Henries raigne, after he had lived full threescore419
and sixteene yeares nyne mounthes and odd daies.420
The next daie after his buriall, the head beinge somwhat perboyled421
in hott water, was pricked vpon a pole and sett on high vpon422
London bridge, amonge the rest of the holy Carthusians heades that423
suffred death lately before him. And here I cannot omitt to declare424
vnto you the miraculous sight of this head, which after it had stand425
vp the space of xiiij daies vpon the bridge could not be perceived to426
wast nor consume, nether for the weather, which then was verie hott,427
neither for the parboylinge in hott water, but grewe daily fresher428
and fresher, so that in his life time he neuer looked so well; for his429
cheekes being bewtifyed with a comly redd, the face looked as430
though it had beholden the people passinge by, and would have431
spoken to them, which many tooke for a miracle f. 103rthat Almightie432
god was pleased to shew aboue the course of nature in thus preservinge433
the fresh and lively color of his face farr passinge the color434
he had beinge alive, wherby was notifyed to the worlde the innocencie435
and holines of this blessed father, that thus innocently was436
contented to loose his head in defence of his mothers heade, the holy437
Catholick Church of Christ. Wherfore the people cominge daily to438
see this strange sight, the passage ouer the bridge was so stopped439
with their goinge and comminge, that almost nether Cart nor horse440
could passe: And therfore at the end of xiiij daies the Executioner441
commaunded to throwe downe the heade in the night time into the442
river of Thames, and in place therof was sett the head of the most443
blessed and constant Martyr Sir Thomas Moore, his companion and444
fellowe in all his troobles; who suffred his passion the vjth day of445
Julye next followinge.446
And towchinge the place of his buriall in Barkinge Church yard,447
it was well observed at that time by diuers worthie parsonages of448
the nations of Italie, Spaine, and Fraunce, that were then abidinge449
in the realme, and more dilligently noted and wrote the course of450
things, and with lesse feare and suspition then any of the kings subiects451
might or durst doe: that for the space of vij yeares after his452
buriall there grewe nether leafe nor grasse vpon his grave, but the453
earth still remained as bare as though it had bene continewally454
occupied and trodden.455
f. 103vWhen by common fame this bloodie execution was blowne and456
spredd abroad, straight waie the name of kinge Henrie began to457
growe odious amonge all good people, not only in his owne Realme458
at home, but also amonge all forraine princes and nations abroad459
through Christendome, which specially appeared in the most worthie460
Pope Paule the third, who with great greefe signified this horrible461
and barbarous crueltie by his seuerall letters to the Christian princes,462
openly detestinge the outrage of kinge Henrie in committing such a463
wicked and manifest inurie, not only against the freedome and priveledge464
of the Church of Rome, but also against the whole state of465
Christes vniversall Church, for the which, in short space after, he466
pronounced the tirrible sentence of excommunication against him.467
Lykewise the most noble and Christian Emperor Charles the vth,468
at such time as Sir Thomas Moore was beheaded, and word therof469
brought to him, he sent speedily for Sir Thomas Elliott, the kings470
Ambassador, there resident with him, and asked him whether he471
heard any such newes or noe; who answered him that he heard noe472
such thinge. f. 104r"Yea" said the Emperour, "it is trewe, and too473
true that Sir Thomas Moore is now executed to death as a good474
Bishopp hath lately bene before;" and with that geving a sigth475
said: "Alas, what ment the kinge to kill two such men: for" said476
he "the Bishopp was such a one, as for all purposes I thinke the477
kinge had not the lyke againe in all his Realme, nether yet was to478
be matched through Christendome; So that" said he "the king,479
your maister, hath in killinge that Bishopp killed at one blowe all480
the bishoppes in England," meaning no doubt that this bishop,481
considering his pastorall care and constant profession of his bishoply482
duty in defence of the Church, in respect of the rest of his brethren,483
did only deserve the name of a bishopp. "And Sir Thomas Moore"484
said he "was well knowne for a man of such profound wisdome,485
cunninge, and vertue, that yf he had bene towards me as he was486
towardes the kinge your maister, I had rather have lost the best487
Cittie in all my dominion then such a man."488
And in lyke manner kinge Frauncis, the french kinge, though in489
some respects a man wished to be otherwise then he was, yet talkinge490
on a time with Sir John wallop, the kings Ambassador, of491
those two blessed men, tould him plainly that ether the kinge his492
maister had verie ill counsell about him, or els himself had a verie493
hard hart, that could put to death two such worthie men, as the494
lyke were not again within his realme: whereof kinge Henrie being495
aduertised tooke it verie ill at the hands of king Frauncis for so496
reporting of him, sayinge, that he did nothinge but that himself was497
first made privie to yt.498
But generally amonge all Christen people kinge Henrie was499
both ill thought and ill spoken of, as no doubt but there was great500
cause, for sundrie consideracions, as well for the innocent death of501
this blessed father as of diuers other blessed men, both spirituall and502
temperall: wherof some dyed before him and some after him, though503
in all respects no one comparable to him, partly for his great age,504
partly for his profound learninge, partly for his sanctitie of life, and505
partly for his great and high dignities. as after shall be declared506
unto you.507