II. 66 BOOK "call together her judges, barons of the exchequer, her sergeants, attorneys general of the duchy and of the Anno 1579. “wards: and in her own person to adjure them to declare "it unto her under their hands, in whom, by the laws of "the land, the right rested. And to keep secret to them"selves their opinion therein, but only reveal it to her ma"jesty. And that then she might close or discover the "same, as time should require." 66 In fine, "He persuaded her to be a sort of Christ, a re"deemer and a saviour unto us: and to take upon her "marriage: to bring forth princely children. And then "she should not need to fear the entail. Then should her majesty be quiet, and we happy." But I refer the reader to the whole letter, (whereof this is but a very imperfect scantling,) recommending itself to us, both in respect of the dignity of the writer, and the curiousness of the subject. Numb. XX. It will be found in the Appendix. The earl of about the French match. And here for a conclusion of this subject, I shall relate a dislike with passage of the earl of Leicester; who, however he carried the queen it at this juncture, and assisted at the council in this weighty affair, and entertained the French ambassador, yet fell at this time in great dislike with the queen. Probably the cause was (what Camden writes) his carriage towards Simier, the French ambassador, and his endeavour to bring him in disgust with her. Which displeasure of her majesty (whether this or any thing else was the cause) gave occasion to these words in a private letter of his to the lord treasurer: "That it grieved him the more, having so faithfully, carefully, and chargeably served her majesty this twenty years. And then called him [the lord treasurer] to witness, that in all his services he had been a direct servant "unto her, her estate and crown. And that he had not more sought his own particular profit than her honour.” And whereas he had lain under great blame in the thoughts and opinion of divers in the nation, for his supposed opposition of the queen's marriage, now for his clearing in this matter, or to atone for his judgment, that went contrary to the judgment of all the rest, "he offered, as he His offer of exile. 66 66 XV. "writ, for the avoiding of such blame as he bare generally CHAP. "then in the realm, his own exile; that he might not be "suspected a hinderer of that matter, which all the world Anno 1579. "desired, and were suitors for." Sandys, archbishop of York, troubled for dilapidations by the bishop of London. The archbishop's letter to the secretary hereupon. The bishop of London moves for a commission for inquiry into the dilapidations: and why. Reasons offered by the archbishop for qualifying the sentence. Difference between this archbishop, and the earl of Huntington, and the dean of York. Motions for reconcilement with the earl, and the dean. The archbishop's letter about it. The dean's vindication of himself. The archbishop's sermon at York, on the 17th of November. Now of London contends with the of York to come nearer to the ecclesiastical affairs. And The bishop first, I shall remark a few things concerning some of our bishops. Sandys, late bishop of London, translated to the see of archbishop York, was succeeded by Elmer, archdeacon of Lincoln. about dilapidations. Between whom, (learned, worthy, and excellent men both, and exiles for religion,) grew unhappily a contest about dilapidations, which continued hot to this year. In the Paper Office there is a whole packet concerning this lawsuit between bishop Elmer and the two archbishops, viz. Sandys, and his predecessor Grindal: which continued till the year 1584. Of these dilapidations two views were taken, one in the year 1577, and the other in 1580. The charges Life of brought in for repairs at both views, and something of this Bishop Aylmer, controversy, hath been shewn elsewhere. But what related pp. 27, 78. to the archbishop further, I proceed to shew. Understanding that the bishop of London had applied to secretary Walsingham, to assist and befriend him to the queen, for II. BOOK granting out a commission for the dilapidations, the archbishop addressed a letter, April 20, to the said secretary, Anno 1579. importing, The archbishop writes to the secretary here. upon. "That he had learned that the said bishop laboured to "make him a means unto her majesty for procuring a com"mission against him for dilapidations at London. Truly," as he began, "he offereth me great wrong, and requiteth "my friendship toward him with great ingratitude: assert"ing, that he found those houses in marvellous great ruin, "and no show of any reparation done therein in his prede"cessor's time. That he neither required, neither received "one farthing for dilapidations of him. And that in the "six years he lived there, he bestowed in reparation a suf"ficient portion of money for his time; he verily thought, more than in twenty years before. And that if his suc66 cessor did his part as well, there would be no cause for "those that came after to complain." 66 66 He added, "How he forwarded what he could his new successor to that living, commending him to her ma"jesty; while he lay in London, he [the archbishop] gave 571" him all friendly entertainment. That he tasted so much "of his good-will, that he promised him to require no di"lapidations of him. Which thing he told his brother, "Miles Sandes. Who counselled him to get his [Elmer's] "promise in writing. Which thing, he said, he omitted, "not suspecting his word. Further, that when he left "London-house, he gave him many things. He helped to "consecrate him, when he wanted others of that province. "And that as soon as he was made bishop, he set himself "against him; laboured to discredit him; gave further 66 notes, not only to the lord treasurer, but also to her ma"jesty against him; and by his means, as he added, hin"dered him 10007. without gaining himself one groat. "And, that before his [the archbishop's] departing out of “London, he asked of him 1007. for dilapidations; but now he laboured for a great commission, minding thereby "a greater gain." And then applying himself to the secretary, used these XVI. words: "Sir, I trust you will not be the means to satisfy CHAP. "his insatiable desire, but rather stay his unfriendly deal"ing with me. I have ever borne you hearty good-will, and Anno 1579. "would be glad if I might stand you in any stead. And "as I have at no time given you just offence, so I hope to "find you my good friend. As in this matter, so in all "other, I will not deserve your disliking. For whatsoever "shall be reported, when I shall come to trial, my dealings "shall not be discredited." He writ this from Bishopthorp by his servant. To whom he had taken order to enter into reasonable conditions with the bishop of London, if he would not stay for his coming. about dila And because there would also arise matter of dispute on The archbishop of the same account between him and the archbishop of Can- Canterbury terbury, translated from York, he took this opportunity and York heartily to pray the secretary to be a mean for him, that pidations. the archbishop of Canterbury might enter into like with him for dilapidations, as well at London as at York: saying, that there was just cause why that archbishop should answer him; though no cause why he [the archbishop of York] should the bishop of London. And so concluded, "hoping he would friend him in his reasonable causes." The two archbishops concluded their difference by mutually agreeing to put it to the arbitration of the lord treasurer Burghley. But the bishop of London did not think fit to submit his matter with the archbishop of York to any reference; his reason will follow. London The secretary, according to the archbishop's request, Bishop of kindly interposed his good office between both: and, it desires a seems, had acquainted the queen with it; and, according to commission for dilapiher advice, propounded a reference to the bishop of Lon- dations: don. He acknowledged himself marvellously beholden unto and why. the secretary for his readiness in this matter. But that he found it not safe, either for himself or his executors, to end it any other way than by a commission: which was the reason he moved for it; that it might be ended by law. The archbishop the next month (viz. June) heartily The archbithanked the secretary for his travelling with the bishop of shop to the secretary to BOOK London: "and that he should think himself much bound acquaint II. "unto him to rid him from such unreasonable dealing, as Anno 1579." he styled it: and that he had cause to complain. Yet "he respected the considerations by him remembered, and "desired a quiet end, fit for men of his calling." He added, matter. "That he heard the bishop was minded to attempt the mat572" ter himself to her majesty. And so purposed to wrong the queen with this "him [the archbishop] unwarranted, by telling first his own "case." For the prevention of this, he prayed Walsingham to acquaint her majesty with the matter, that she might be the more impartially informed by a friend to them both. He put the secretary again in mind, that after he was consecrated, in the presence of the lord chief justice, he asked him 1007. in full satisfaction. And now I hear, saith he, that he gapeth after thousands. I can add no more of this controversy, (which lasted some years after,) but that after a sentence was given, the archbishop offered these reasons for qualifying it. Reasons for I. That the archbishop of York did not receive one qualifying the senpenny for dilapidations of his predecessor in London. tence against the II. He was so far from wilful spoiling, or from being in archbishop. any fault, for any decays in the cathedral church, that it was proved that those decays had happened by fire from heaven. A casualty and misfortune not to charge him, not any way to be imputed to him. III. He will justify by his oath, that the new bishop of London, a little before his consecration, did by express words deliberately discharge him from any charge of dilapidations, by promising him faithfully, that he would never demand any. IV. It was proved, that he did bestow such a convenient portion upon the repair of his houses and church as the law required. Which he was informed to be, that a bishop doth satisfy, if he shall bestow so much upon the reparations as he may conveniently spare; and decently maintain and support his estate, according to his dignity and calling. V. That the proof made by the bishop of London of the decays is utterly insufficient: for that it reacheth only the |