parsonage of Chevenyng for one of my servants, which then I
minded unto my servant Abberforde, supposing you would
not have exacted of him, ne charged the same further for
the yearly rent and revenues thereof, than was wont to be
paid; yet, that notwithstanding, as I am informed, ye be
not contented and agreeable to take xvi1i. yearly therefore of
him, which, as I hear say, is xls. more than was accustomed
to be paid before Master Milles had raised the same; but
thereunto also you would have him stand charged, over and
besides the xvili, with iiiii. more, which amounteth every
year to the sum of xxli: Sir, I much marvel that you will
desire thus far to exceed, in this uncertain world, from the
accustomed rent thereof; I had thought you would rather
have minished the old exaction than now to increase the
same. I trust therefore you will not so hardly regard my
first request herein, but am sure, after the most simple
manner, ye will accomplish your said promise to me in this
behalf. For in case my friend cannot somewhat likely have
a living thereby, I had rather he were without it than have
it. And what ye intend to do herein, I require you to send
me an answer thereof by this bringer. Thus fare you well.
From
my manor of Otteforde the viii. day of October.
To the new Parson of Chevenyng, Mr. A.

Harl. MSS. 6148.

LIX. TO DR. DOWNES.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you: and fol. 33. b. forasmuch as heretofore I had a promise made unto me by Doctore Benett, (whose soul God pardon,) for the farm of his prebend in Southwell, for a kinsman of mine named John Thorpe; which said promise I doubted not herein

[He was Chancellor of the Church of York, and one of the divines employed in compiling The Institution of a Christian Man. His judgment on Confirmation may be seen in Strype, Memorials, vol. i. App. N«. 88.]

[Dr. William Benett, who succeeded Gardyner in 1529 as Henry VIII.'s ambassador at Rome, died abroad in the autumn of 1533. State Papers, vol. i. p. 337; Burnet, Ref. vol. iii. p. 158.]

should have taken good effect in case death had not prevented the same: in consideration hereof, and inasmuch as by the death of the said Doctor Benett, the collation of it belongeth unto my Lord your masterf, I heartily pray you, that if it be yours or any of my Lord's chaplains, ye will be so good unto my said kinsman as to grant him, at this my request, to have the farm thereof, doing as other reasonably will do. And this if you can bring to pass to succeed accordingly, I will be both bound for the payment of the money thereof, and also show unto you and yours like pleasure, &c. ix. day of October.

To Mr. Doctor Downes.

LX. TO A PARK-KEEPER.

I commend me unto you: and whereupon certain commu- Harl. MSS. 6148. nication had with this bearer, Master Roger Herman, I have fol. 33. b. assigned unto the same vi. loads of wood, to be delivered out of that my park called Corell's Wood, within that your office, I will and command you therefore, that you suffer him to carry the same, when he shall require it to be delivered and appointed unto him, of such waste wood as shall be meet for fuel, to the intent the timber or young spring be not wasted thereby. And for your surety herein, this my letter shall be unto you a sufficient warrant and discharge. The x. day.

To the Keeper of my Parks, called Corell's Wood.

LXI. TO THE DEAN OF THE ARCHES.

6148.

fol. 34.

Master Dean, I greet you well. And where you advise me Harl. MSS. (upon the suit of Edwardess unto you) to grant a new commission to the same, for the examination of certain witness, you know very well how aforetime I granted both parties to have commissions in that behalf, at which season the said [The Archbishop of York.] * [See Letters XXXII, xxxIII.]

Edwardes regarded it not. And now forasmuch (by all
likelihood) as he, perceiving what the other witness hath de-
posed, would hereby find some way to delay and prolong
the matter; Sir, herein I signify unto you, that I am
nothing willing thereunto, for on this manner of granting
commissions we shall spend another year in waste, and be
no more nearer the matter than we be now. And where
you
write unto me that Master Bedell hath such business,
that he cannot intend to examine the witness concerning
the matter in variance between the Abbot of Tylteyi and
my Lord of London's chaplain, and so thereby you stay in
making out the commission, I will that you appoint Master
Trygonell to be jointly with Mr. Doctor Oliver, instead of
Mr. Bedell, in the said commission. The xi. day.

To the Dean of the Arches.

Harl. MSS. 6148. fol. 34.

LXII. To STAPLETON.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you: signifying to the same, that I am right glad to hear such good report of you as I do, as well in that ye be so effectuously minded and given to see your pastoral cure discharged by your continual preaching and teaching, as also in confirming the same by your good conversation, example of living, and charitable behaviour towards your neighbours, whereunto I exhort you in Christ's behalf to go forward and proceed, as ye have hitherto right well begun. And where also I am advertised, that by your both good provision, and provident wisdom, there is a free school maintained with you for the virtuous bringing up of youth, I heartily require you, inasmuch as with this bearer I send now unto you my sister's son, named Thomas Rosell k, apt (as I suppose) to learning, that ye will at this my attemptation and request, do so much as to see him ordered and instruct in such doctrine

h [See Letter XIV.]

[An abbey of White Monks in Essex, near Dunmow. Tanner, Notit. Monast.]

k [See Letter XLI.]

as shall be convenient both for his age and capacity. And for those your pains in so doing, I will always be ready to show unto you like pleasure. Thus fare you well. From my manor of Otteforde, the xiith day of October.

To Master Stapleton, Parson of Byngham.

LXIII. To ROSELL1.

fol. 34.

Brother, I right heartily commend me unto you, and in Harl. MSS. like wise unto my sister your bedfellow, &c. And where of 6148. late I wrote to you, that ye should send your son to school unto Southwell, supposing at that time that those parties had been clear from sickness, so it is as I am now advertised that they die there. In consideration thereof, and forasmuch as I am credibly informed that Master Stapleton, Parson of Byngham, hath by his provision set up a free school in his parish, of whose good name and conversation I hear much report worthy of commendation and praise, I will therefore advise you that forthwith you send your said son thither unto school, to the intent the said Master Stapleton may have the governance of him, to whom I have written a letter in that behalf. The xii. day [of October]. To my right well beloved brother,

Mr. Rosell.

LXIV. To CRUMWELL.

House,

Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my right hearty Chapter wise I commend me to you: and likewise pray you to have Westminmy friend Mr. Newman m in your good remembrance for ster; Mr. Benett's advowsonage, so that it may please you to Correscall the same out of Mr. Benett's kinsman's hands, and to pondence. Original. send the same unto me by my secretary, this bearer, whom

I do send unto you purposely at this time for that matter.

Crumwell's

And at such time as I may show you any pleasure, I pray

Harl. MSS. 6148.

fol. 34. b.

LXV. TO THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD".

that here

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, &c. And forasmuch as I understand, by a supplication to me delivered by this bearer, the parson of tofore, through the procuration of one Mr. Robert ap David Lloyd, your receiver, the same hath persuaded divers of this complaintiff's parish, not alonely to withdraw their tithes and oblations, but thereunto by the said David Lloyd's sinister and misreport to you, caused his benefice to be sequestrate, and the sequestration thereof committed to certain temporal men, amonges whom, one named Howell Abowan, after he had received the fruits thereof, did so waste and consume them, that when the sequestration was relaxed, and this said complaintiff restored again, he could not, ne yet cannot obtain of the said Abowan any restitution of his said fruits; and where also, after that time you made a final determination between this complaintiff and his parishioners concerning the said tithes and other misorders, which for a certain time was well observed and took right good effect, whereupon it was thought that all things should have grown to a quietness, yet now, that notwithstanding, the said David Lloid hath (as this complaintiff reporteth) renewed the said variance, whereby, as well his tithes is now withdrawn again, contrary to your former determination, as

n [Charles Booth. He died in 1535, and was succeeded by Cranmer's friend, Edward Fox.]