A.D.

episcopatûs Cantuariensis et aliarum prælaturarum (si quas obtinuit et obtinet) Mary. olim subjectas à quibuscunque fidelitatis et obedientiæ juramentis ei præstitis absolvendas et liberandas fore et esse (prout absolvimus et liberamus, ac juramenta hujusmodi relaxamus, necnon super omnibus et singulis prædictis eidem 1556. Thomæ perpetuum silentium imponimus, supplentes omnes et singulos tam juris quam facti defectus, si qui forsan in processu causæ hujusmodi intervenerint ita pronunciavimus. Cum autem à dictâ sententiâ, utpote in causâ hæresis et per nos de fratrum nostrorum consilio latâ, appellari non potuerit; et dicti Petrus et Antonius et Alexander (procuratores, citato per audientiam literarum hujusmodi coram nobis præfato Thoma, ad videndum decerni literas executoriales ad aliquem prælatum, qui actualem ipsius Thomæ degradationem faciat eumque curia seculari tradat, in partibus deputati) in contumaciam dicti Thomæ (ut præfertur citati, et non comparentis) literas executoriales decerni, ac aliquos prælatos, qui actualem ipsius Thomæ degradationem faciant et eum curiæ seculari tradant, in istis partibus deputari per nos, multâ cum instantiâ postulaverint: nos hujusmodi justis postulationibus annuentea literas executoriales prædictas apostolica autoritate decrevimus, ac vos, fratres episcopi, qui actualem ipsius Thomæ degradationem faciatis et eâ factâ eum curiæ seculari (præmissâ tamen in ipso actu traditionis intercessione ad judicem secularem pro hujusmodi tradendis per ecclesiam solitâ fieri) tradatis, autoritate et tenore prædictis deputavimus. Quapropter vos omnes et singulos supradictos quibus præsentes nostræ literæ diriguntur rogamus, et vobis, fratres episcopi, per apostolica scripta mandamus, et in virtute sanctæ obedientiæ et sub suspensionis à divinis et interdicti ingressûs ecclesiæ sententiis districtiùs injungimus, ut ad ulteriorem executionem sententiæ nostræ prædictæ procedatis. Et vos, fili rex et filia regina, bona ipsius confiscetis seu per eos ad quos spectat confiscari, et contrà ipsum Thomam (postquam curiæ seculari juxta tenorem præsentium traditus fuerit) id quod juris fuerit fieri, mandetis et faciatis. Vos vero, fratres episcopi, vel alter vestrum, (ita quòd alter pro altero se non excuset, sed hæc omnia in solidum sub sententiis prædictis exequamini, nec contra ea excusationem aut exceptionem apponere valeatis) autoritate nostrâ, ceremoniis in similibus servari solitis plenè observatis, actualem ipsius Thomæ degradationem faciatis, eumque posteà curiæ seculari (modo ut præfertur) tradatis, contradictores per censuram ecclesiasticam (appellatione postpositâ) compescendo; non obstantibus constitutionibus et ordinationibus apostolicis contrariis quibuscunque, aut si aliquibus communiter vel divisim ab eâdem sit sede indultum, quòd interdici suspendi vel excommunicari non possint per literas apostolicas non facientes plenam et expressam ac de verbo ad verbum de indultâ hujusmodi mentionem. Datum Romæ apud sanctum Petrum, anno incarnationis Domini millesimo-quingentesimo-quinquagesimo-quinto, decimo-nono calendas Januarii, pontificatûs nostri anno primo. J. Bareng.

DR. THIRLEBY, AND DR. BONNER, COMING WITH A NEW COMMIS-
SION TO SIT UPON THE ARCHBISHOP THE 14TH DAY

OF FEBRUARY.

commis

down

against

bishop.

and

This letter or sentence definitive of the pope, was dated about the A new first day of January, and was delivered here in England about the sion sent midst of February. Upon the receipt of which letters another session from was appointed for the archbishop to appear the 14th day of February, Rome before certain commissioners directed down by the queen, the chief the archwhereof was the bishop of Ely, Dr. Thirleby. Concerning which Thirleby Dr. Thirleby by the way here is to be noted, that albeit he was not Bonner the said archbishop's household chaplain, yet he was so familiarly commisacquainted with him, so dearly beloved, so inwardly accepted and advanced of him (not like a chaplain, but rather like a natural The old brother), that there was never any thing in the archbishop's house so and famidear, were it plate, jewels, horse, maps, books, or any thing else, but liarity if Thirleby did never so little commend it (a subtle kind of begging), Cranmer the archbishop by and by, either gave it to him, or else sent it after Thirleby.

sioners.

benefits

between

and

Mary. him to his house: so greatly was the archbishop enamoured with A. D. him, that whosoever would obtain any thing of him, most commonly 1556. would make their way before by Dr. Thirleby. This bye-matter of

the said Dr. Thirleby, I thought here to recite; not so much to upbraid the man with the vice of unthankfulness, as chiefly and only for this, to admonish him of old benefits received, whereby he may the better remember his old benefactor; and so to favour the cause and quarrel of him whom he was so singularly bounden unto. A new With the said Dr. Thirleby bishop of Ely, was also assigned in the pope's the same commission Dr. Bonner bishop of London, which two, in Christ's coming to Oxford upon St. Valentine's day, as the pope's delegates, Church, with a new commission from Rome, by the virtue thereof commanded Cranmer. the archbishop aforesaid to come before them, in the choir of Christ's

sitting of

delegates

against

Church, before the high altar, where they sitting (according to their manner) in their pontificalibus, first began as the fashion is, to read their commission: wherein was contained, how that in the court of Rome all things being indifferently examined, both the articles laid to his charge, with the answers made unto them, and witnesses examined on both parts, and counsel heard as well on the king and queen's behalf, his accusers, as on the behalf of Thomas Cranmer the party guilty, so that he wanted nothing appertaining to his necessary defence, etc. Which foresaid commission, as it was in reading, The "O Lord," said the archbishop, "what lies be these, that I, being commis- continually in prison, and never could be suffered to have counsel or grounded advocate at home, should produce witness and appoint my counsel at upon lies. Rome? God must needs punish this open and shameless lying."

pope's

sion

The order

of the arch

They read on the commission which came from the pope, "plenitudine potestatis," supplying all manner of defects in law or process committed in dealing with the archbishop, and giving them full authority to proceed to deprivation and degradation of him, and so upon excommunication to deliver him up to the secular power, "omni appellatione remotâ."

When the commission was read thus, they proceeding thereupon. to his degradation, first clothed and disguised him, putting on him a degrada surplice, and then an albe; after that the vestment of a subdeacon, and every other furniture, as a priest ready to mass.

bishop's

tion.

When they had apparelled him so far, "What," said he, "I think I shall say mass." Yea," said Cosins, one of Bonner's chaplains, "my lord, I trust to see you say mass for all this." "Do you so ?" quoth he; "that shall you never see, nor will I ever do it."

Then they invested him in all manner of robes of a bishop and archbishop, as he is at his installing, saving that as every thing then is most rich and costly, so every thing in this was of canvas and old clouts, with a mitre and a pall of the same suit done upon him in mockery; and then the crosier-staff was put in his hand.

This done after the pope's pontifical form and manner, Bonner, who, by the space of many years had borne, as it seemed, no great good will towards him, and now rejoiced to see this day wherein he might triumph over him, and take his pleasure at full, began to stretch out his eloquence, making his oration to the assembly after this manner of sort.

"This is the man that hath ever despised the pope's holiness, and

now is to be judged by him: this is the man that hath pulled down Mary. so many churches, and now is come to be judged in a church: this is A. D. the man that contemned the blessed sacrament of the altar, and now 1556. is come to be condemned before that blessed sacrament hanging over Bonner's the altar this is the man that like Lucifer sat in the place of Christ eloquent upon an altar to judge others, and now is come before an altar to be against udged himself."

pre

oration

Cranmer.

taken

with an

Whereunto the archbishop interrupting him said, that in that he Bonner belied him, as he did in many other things; for that which he would now seem to charge him withal, was his own fault, if it was any, and untruth. none of his "for the thing you mean was in Paul's Church," said he, "where I came to sit in commission, and there was a scaffold pared for me and others, by you and your officers. And whether there were any altar under it or not, I could not perceive it, nor once suspected it, wherefore you do wittingly evil, to charge me with it." But Bonner went on still in his rhetorical repetition, lying and Unmanrailing against the archbishop, beginning every sentence with, This of Bonner is the man, this is the man," till at length there was never a man but to his was weary of his unmannerly usage of him in that time and place: time of insomuch that the bishop of Ely aforesaid, divers times pulled him adversity. by the sleeve to make an end, and said to him afterward, when they went to dinner, that he had broken promise with him; for he had entreated him earnestly to use him with reverence.

66

nerliness

brother in

from the

general

After all this done and finished, they began then to bustle toward Cranmer his degrading, and first to take from him his crosier-staff out of his appealeth hands, which he held fast and refused to deliver, and withal, imitating pope to a the example of Martin Luther, pulled an appeal out of his left sleeve council. under the wrist, which he there and then delivered unto them, saying, "I appeal to the next general council; and herein I have comprehended my cause and form of it, which I desire may be admitted;" and prayed divers of the standers by, by name to be witnesses, and especially master Curtop, to whom he spake twice, etc.

66

The Copy of which his appellation, because it was not printed before, I thought here to exhibit, ad rei memoriam, as in form here followeth.

The Tenor of the Appeal of the Archbishop of Canterbury from the
Pope, to the next General Council.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

First, my plain protestation made, that I intend to speak nothing against one holy catholic and apostolical church, or the authority thereof (the which authority I have in great reverence, and to whom my mind is in all things to obey); and if any thing peradventure, either by slipperiness of tongue, or by indignation of abuses, or else by the provocation of mine adversaries, be spoken or done otherwise than well, or not with such reverence as becometh me, I am most ready to amend it.

sinnable.

Hath no

power to

Although the bishop of Rome (whom they call pope) beareth the room of The pope Christ in earth, and hath authority of God, yet by that power or authority he is not unnot become unsinnable, neither hath he received that power to destroy, but to edify the congregation. Therefore if he shall command any thing that is not right to be done, he ought to take it patiently and in good part, in case he be destrucnot therein obeyed. And he must not be obeyed, if he command any thing against the precepts of God: no, rather he may lawfully be resisted, even as Paul withstood Peter. And if he, being aided by help of princes, deceived

tion, but

to edify.

Mary. perchance by false suggestion or with evil counsel, cannot be resisted, but the remedies of withstanding him be taken away, there is nevertheless one remedy A.D. of appealing (which no prince can take away) uttered by the very law of nature : 1556. forsomuch as it is a certain defence, which is meet for every body by the law of The infe- God, of nature, and of man.

rior can

not forbid

to the

A general

council is

to the

pope.

And whereas the laws do permit a man to appeal, not only from the griefs to appeal and injuries done, but also from such as shall be done hereafter, or threatened to be done, insomuch that the inferior cannot make laws of not appealing to a superior superior power; and since it is openly enough confessed, that a holy general council, lawfully gathered together in the Holy Ghost, and representing the superior holy catholic church, is above the pope, especially in matters concerning faith; that he cannot make decrees that men shall not appeal from him to a general council: therefore I, Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, or in time past ruler of the metropolitan church of Canterbury, doctor in divinity, do say and publish before you the public notary, and winesses here present, with mind and intent to challenge and appeal from the persons and griefs underneath written, and to proffer myself, in place and time convenient and meet, to prove the articles that follow. And I openly confess, that I would lawfully have published them before this day, if I might have had either liberty to come abroad myself, or license of a notary and witnesses. But further than I am able to do, I know well is not required of the laws.

The first

he doth

cited to

appear at Rome,

when he in prison

was fast

that he

come.

The second cause. Cranmer

have

First. I say and publish, that James, by the mercy of God priest, called carcause why dinal of the Pit, and of the title of our Lady in the way of the church of Rome, appeal. judge and commissary specially deputed of our most holy lord the pope (as he affirmed), caused me to be cited to Rome, there to appear fourscore days after Cranmer the citation served on me, to make answer to certain articles touching the peril of my state and life: and whereas I was kept in prison with most strait ward, so that I could in no wise be suffered to go to Rome, nor to come out of prison (and in so grievous causes concerning state and life, no man is bound to send a proctor), and though I would never so fain send my proctor, yet by reason of poverty I am not able (for all that ever I had, wherewith I should bear my proccould not tor's costs and charges, is quite taken from me), nevertheless the most reverend cardinal aforesaid doth sore threaten me, that whether I shall appear or not, he will nevertheless yet proceed in judgment against me.1 Wherein I feel myself so grieved, that nothing can be imagined more mischievous or further from reason. Secondly. The reverend father, James Brooks, by the mercy of God bishop of Gloucester, judge and under-deputy (as he affirmeth) of the most reverend cardinal, caused me to be cited at Oxford (where I was then kept in prison), to denied to answer to certain articles, concerning the danger of my state and life. And when I, being unlearned and ignorant in the laws, desired counsel of the learned in the law, that thing was most unrighteously denied me, contrary to the equity of all laws both of God and man. Wherein again I feel me most wrongfully grieved. Thirdly. And when I refused the said bishop of Gloucester to be my judge, for most just causes, which I then declared, he nevertheless went on still, and made process against me, contrary to the rule of the laws of appealing, which proceed say, "A judge that is refused ought not to proceed in the cause, but to leave contrary off." And when he had required of me answers to certain articles, I refused to make him any answer: I said, I would yet gladly make answer to the most renowned king and queen's deputies or attorneys then present, with this condition notwithstanding, that mine answer should be extra-judicial; and that was permitted me. And with this my protestation made and admitted, I made answer. But mine answer was sudden and unprovided for; and therefore I desired to have a copy of mine answers, that I might put to, take away, change and amend them; and this was also permitted me. Nevertheless, contrary to his promise made unto me, no respect had to my protestation, nor license given to amend mine answer, the said reverend father bishop of Gloucester (as I hear) commanded mine answers to be enacted, contrary to the equity of the law. In which thing again I feel me much grieved.

counsel of the law.

The third cause. The

papists

to law.

And to

their promise.

The

fourth

cause.

Fourthly. Furthermore, I could not for many causes admit the bishop of Rome's usurped authority in this realm, nor consent to it, for my solemn oath letting me, which I made in the time of king Henry the eighth, of most famous memory, according to the laws of England: secondly, because I knew the

(1) Note with what justice and sincerity this catholic church doth proceed.

Mary.

A.D.

authority of the bishop of Rome which he usurpeth, to be against the crown, customs, and laws of this realm of England, insomuch that neither the king can be crowned in this realm, without the most grievous crime of perjury; nor may bishops enjoy their bishoprics, nor judgments to be used according to the 1556. laws and customs of this realm; except, by the bishop of Rome's authority, be accursed both the king and queen, the judges, writers, and executors of the laws and customs, with all that consent to them. Finally, the whole realm shall be accursed.

cause.

Inconve

Fifthly. Moreover, that heinous and usurped authority of the bishop of Rome, The fifth through reservations of the bishoprics, provisions, annuates, dispensations, pardons, appellations, bulls, and other cursed merchandise of Rome, was wont nience to exceedingly to spoil and consume the riches and substance of this realm; all this realm which things should follow again by recognising and receiving of that usurped in receivauthority unto the unmeasurable loss of this realm.

ing it.

Sixthly. Finally, it is most evident by that usurped authority, not only the The sixth crown of England to be under yoke, the laws and customs of this realm to be cause. thrown down and trodden underfoot, but also the most holy decrees of councils, together with the precepts both of the gospel and of God.

church of

sincere

and pure.

When in times past the Sun of Righteousness being risen in the world, christian religion by the preaching of the apostles began to be spread very far abroad, and to flourish, insomuch that their sound went out into all the world; innumerable people which walked in darkness, saw a great light; God's glory everywhere published did flourish; the only cark and care of the ministers of the church was purely and sincerely to preach Christ; the people to embrace and follow Christ's doctrine. Then the church of Rome, as it were lady of the The priworld, both was, and also was counted worthily, the mother of other churches, mitive forasmuch as then she first begat to Christ, nourished with the food of pure Rome, doctrine, did help them with their riches, succoured the oppressed, and was a sanctuary for the miserable; she rejoiced with them that rejoiced, and wept with them that wept. Then by the examples of the bishops of Rome, riches were despised, worldly glory and pomp were trodden underfoot, pleasures and riot nothing regarded. Then this frail and uncertain life, being full of all miseries, How and was laughed to scorn, while through the example of Romish martyrs, men did everywhere press forward to the life to come. But afterwards, when the un- alter. graciousness of damnable ambition, never-satisfied avarice, and the horrible Its deenormity of vices, had corrupted and taken the see of Rome; there followed formities everywhere almost, the deformities of all churches, growing out of kind into other the manners of the church their mother, leaving their former innocency and churches. purity, and slipping into foul and heinous usages.

where it

began to

infected

Rome no

his own cause.

Appella

the pope to a gene

For the aforesaid and many other griefs and abuses (which I intend to prove, The and do proffer myself in time convenient to prove hereafter), since reformation bishop of of the above-mentioned abuses is not to be looked for of the bishop of Rome, equal neither can I hope by reason of his wicked abuses and usurped authority, to have judge in him an equal judge in his own cause: therefore I do challenge and appeal in these writings from the pope, having no good counsel, and from the above-named pretences, commissions, and judges, from their citations, processes, and from all tion from other things that have or shall follow thereupon, and from every one of them; and from all their sentences, censures, pains, and punishments of cursing, sus- ral counpension, and interdicting, and from all others whatsoever their denouncings and cil. declarations (as they pretend) of schism, of heresy, adultery, deprivation, degrading by them or by any of them, in any manner-wise attempted, done and set forward and to be attempted to be done and to be set forward hereafter (saving always their honours and reverences), as unequal and unrighteous, most tyrannical and violent, and from every grief to come, which shall happen to me, as well for myself as for all and every one that cleaveth to me, or will hereafter be on my side-unto a free general council, that shall hereafter lawfully be, and in a sure place, to the which place I, or a proctor deputed by me, may freely and with safety come, and to him or them, to whom a man may, by the law, privilege, custom, or otherwise, challenge and appeal.

And I desire the first, the second, and third time, instantly, more instantly, and most instantly, that I may have messengers,1 if there be any man that will and can give me them. And I make open promise of prosecuting this mine

(1) Letters of protection and defence.