No More Learning

-Sir John Oldcastle, for Heresy. [235
the woordes and processe which we had vnto
}. vppon Saturdaye last past in the Chapter
Paules, proces long ouse of which were now to
to be rehearsed agayne: I sayd vnto you than,
that ye were acursed for your contumacy and disobedience to holy Church, thinking that ye
Mathew, Marke, and Luke, and also
the first Epistle Saint Paul the Corinthi ans, chap.
Then asked the Archbyshoppe, “If be lcued that were breade after the consecra
cion sacramentall wordes spoken ouer it. ” shulde with mekenes haue desired your absolu The lord Cobham sayd, beleue that the
cion. ” Than spake the lorde Cobham with a most cherefull contenaunce, and sayd, God sayth by
e wold haue asked it: and yet I do the same, of Christ. ’ The lorde Cobham said than one if ye will humblye desyre it in due forme and Master Johan Whighthead, ‘You said ones
horryble synnes, good Lord I aske the mercy; and therwith wepingly he stode up againe, and sayd with a mighty voice, Lo, good people,
for the breaking God's lawe, and his great commaundements, they never yet cursed me;
but for theyr owne law. cs and tradicions most cruelly they handle both me and other men and therefore both they and theyr law. cs,
the promes God, shall vitely destroied.
his holye prophet, Maledicam benedictionbus
vestris, which is as much as to say, I shall curse,
wher as you blesse. —The Archbisshop made death lyfe, whych nowe glorified hea than as though he had continued for the thys uen. '--Than sayd one the doctors lawe, tale, and not heard him, saying, ‘Sir, at that “After the sacramentall wordes vitered, tyme I gentilly proferd to haue assoyled you if there remaineth breade but the onely body
maner, as holy Church hath ordeined. ' Than
sayd the lord Cobham, Naye, forsoth, wyll I
not, for I neuer yet trespassed against you, and
therefore I will not do it: and with that he
kneled downe on the pauentent, holding vphys
bandes towards heauen, and sayed, I shryue
me here vnto the my etermall lyuynge God, that
in my frayle youth I offended the (Lorde) most
greuously in pryde, wrath, and glottony, in
couetousnes and in lechery. Many men haue
I hurt in mine anger, and done manye other Whether were materiall breade after the
At this the Archbishop and hys companye bread. shall proue
were not lytle blemyshed; notwithstanding Chryst dwelling here vppon the earth, had toke stomack vnto him agayn, after certain him both Godhede and manhead, and had the
wordes had excuse theyr Tyrannye, and
examined the lorde Cobham of his Christen
Beleue. Whereunto the lorde Cobham made
thys godly Answere. beleue fullye and fayth
fullye the vinyuersall lawes God; beleue
that true which conteyned the holy
sacred Scriptures the Byble; finally, be
leue all that my Lorde God wolde shuldo
beleue. "—Than demaunded the Archbishop
Answere the Byll which and the clergy consecration, plaine words expressed had sent him into the Tower the day afore, one your owne doctors [Gelasius contra maner Determynacion the Church con /Eutychen, writing against Eutyches, which cerning the Articles whereof was accused, saith Like the selfe same Sacraments doe specially for the Sacrament the Alter, how passe the operation the Holy Ghost, into he beleued therein — Wherunto the lord diuine nature, and yet notwithstanding keepe
Cobhain said, That with that Byll had no thing do but this was his Beleue concern
the propertie still their former nature so, that principall mystery declareth remaine one true, and perfect Christ, &c. —Than smyled
ing the Sacrament, That his Lord and Sauer
Jesus Christ, sytting hys last Supper with his they yohe one vppon other, that the people
most dere disciples, the night before shuld suffer, toke bread his hand, and geuing thanks his eternal Father, blessed brake and
gaue vnto them, saying, ‘Take vnto ye, ‘and eate therof this my body which “shall betraid for you, this here after my
shulde judge hym taken greate heresye and wyth great bragge diuerse them sayde,
foule IIeresy.
Than asked the Archbishop, ‘What breade
was And the Doctours also inquired hym, whether were materyall not The
remembrance. ’ This thoroughly beleue lord Cobham sayd unto them, the Scriptures for this Faith am taught the Gospell maketh mencion this woorde matery
Sacrament the Aulter Christs very body fourme breade, the same that was born the Virgin Mary, done the crosse, dead,
and buried, and that the third day arose from
unto me the castell Coulynge, that the sacred Host was not Chrystes body; but helde than against you, and proued that herein was his body, though the Seculars and Friers could not therin agree, but helde yohe one against another that opinyon these were uly woordes than remembre it. ”—Than shouted sort them together, and cryed with great noyse, “We say that God's body. ” And dyuerse them asked hym great anger,
consecracyon not? Than loked the lord Cobham earnestly vppon the Archbishop, and sayde, belove surely that Chrystes bod
fourme breade; sir, beleue not you . . . } And the Archbishoppe sayd, ‘Yes may
Than asked him the Doctours, Whether
were onely Christes body after the consecration
priest, and sayd vnto them,
bread not And both Christs body and
inuisible godhead couered under that manhead, which was only visible and seane him
the Sacrament the Aulter Christes very body and very bread also, beleue the breade the thyng that we see with our eyes, the bodye Christ (whiche his flesh and his blood) there vnder hydde, and not seane, but
fayth. And moreouer, prove that
both Christ's bodie and also bread after the
thus for lyke
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230] STATE TRIALS, I HENRY V. 1413. —Trial and Eramination of [240
and therefore my Faith hath nothing to do therwith : but thys I say and beleue that
very antichrists, obstinately set against his holy
law and will. The lawes that haue made
Christes bodye and breade; for Chryst sayde
the syxt Johans Gospell, Ego sum panis vayne glory and abhominable couwetousness.
rivus, qui Carlo descendi; which came downe from heauen am the lyuing, and not the dead bread: therefore say now again, like
said afore, our Lord Jesus Chryst very God and very Man, the most blessed Sacrament the Aulter, Chrystes very body
This they said, was exceading Herisy (and that great fume) not beleue the deter mination holy Church.
Than the Archbishop asked him, what thought Holy Church He said vnto him: My beleue that holy Church the nombre them which shall saued, whom Christ the head. Of this Church one part Hea uen with Christ, other purgatory (you say) and the third here aerth. This later part standeth thre degrees, knighthode, priesthode, and the comunalte, saide afore
and breade. —Than seyd they voyce, “It Heresye. "
One the Byshoppes stode
and said, “What, heresye many fest,
saye that breade after the sacramentall wordes ones spoken, but Chrystes body one
Apostle was, am sure, wyse you
nowe, and more godlye learned. And called breade, wrytting the Corinthians, The
breade that we breake,’ sayth he, “is not the artaking the body Christ? ” Lo, calleth bread and not Christes body, but meane
whereby we receyve Christes body. Than sayd
sent you Wrytting concerning the Faith thys Blessed Sacrament clearly determined
Than saide the Archbishop vnto him, “Can tell me who this Church The lord
-with one
and by,
ly. ’ The lord Cobham said, Sainct Paule the plainly the Confessyon my Beleue.
they agayne, Paule must otherwise vnder
standed. For surely heresye saye
that breade after the consecration, but
onely Chrystes body. The lord Cobham asked, Chryst sayth also the same selfe chapter howe they coulde inake good that sentence Math. ‘That lyke the tree knowue theirs? They answered him thus, For his fruit, false prophet his works, against the determination holy Churche. Than appeare they neuer glorious. ” #. that sayde the Archbishop vnto him, ‘Sir Johan we
the judicium judicate, Whan we know the thing holy doctours. ' Than sayd again unto him, true, we may judge and not offende. “I knowe none holyer than Christ and his For Dauid sayth also, Rectejudicate filli homi
apostles. And for that determinacion, num, “Judge rightly always children
men. ” Christ, proud su
wote none theyrs, for standeth not And for your superiorite, were
with the Scriptures, but manifestly against them. the Churches, saye hath bene hers onely sins she receiued the greate
poyson worldly possessions, and not afore. ' Than asked hym, they stoppe hys mouth
should meke ministers, and
which Chryst hath forbidden, and the good judge cion the Church? And said vnto them, No ments, which he hath commaunded haue.
therwith, he beleued not the determina
forsooth, for no God. all our crede
but thryse mencioned concerning beleue
God the Father, God the Sonne, God the
Holy Goost. The Byrthe, the Death, the Bu ways are the learned scolers Wickleue. riall, the Resurrection and Ascensyon Christe Unto whome the lord Cobham thus answer hath none for beleue but hym. Neyther ed, well sophistried you forsoth; pre yet hath the Churche, the Sacramentes, the posterouse are your judgements euer more. Forgyuenes Synne, the latter Resurrection, For the prophet Esay saith, “Yejudge nor yet the Lyfe Everlasting, any other than good, and good yll. ’ And therefore the same
the Holy Goost. prophet concludeth, “That your wayes are not Than sayd one the Lawiers, Tush, that Gods ways, nor Gods wayes your wayes. ” And was but worde office. But what your for that vertuouse man Wickleue, whose
true. All that grounded vppon them, be neuer absteyned from synne. But syns leue throughly. For, know, God's plea learned therein feare my Lord God, hath
your open dedes doth shew but are Than sayde doctour Walden again yet unts
beleue concerning holy Church? ' The lord Cob
jo
highly disdayne; shall saye ham answered, My beleue (as sayde afore) here for my part both before God and man, that all the Scriptures the Sacred Bible are that before knew that dispised doctrine his,
are nothing his glorye; but onely for your
Cobham answered, Yea truly can
Than said doctour Walden the prior the
Carmelites, ‘It doubte vnto you who there For Christ sayth Math. Nolite judicare, Presume judge man. here for bidden the judgment your neighbour bro ther, inoche more the judgment your supe
the Church Rome, our mother, and
left behind ye. And Johan hath this text, Operilus credite, Beleue you the outward doings. And another place Johan, Justum
rior. ” The lord Cobham made him thys answer,
o, make here difference judgements: put
periours.
Then said doctour Walden unto him, “Ye
no diuersite betwene the
Rash judgement and right judgement,
one with you. judgement presumed, and judgement office. swift judges al
youre lordly otherwise, trust, been with me: much
sure that shuld do. But
lawes and ydell determinations haue be grace could neuer finde your gloriouse leue. For part Christis holy Churche, lnstructions.
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TRIALS, HENny Oldcastle, oHeresy.
241] STATE I W. 1415. —Sir John for [242
hym, “It were not well wyth me, so meny ver tayle behind. As you fryers and monkes tuous men lyuyng, and so many learned men lyke pharisees diuided your outward appa
teaching, the scriptures being also so open, and
the examples of fathers so plenteouse, if I than
had no grace to amende my life till I hearde the
deuell preache. Saint Hierom saith, that he said vnto them all, Christe saith his gos whych seketh suche suspected masters, shall pell, ‘Wo you Scribes and Pharisees, ypo not fynde the mydday lyght, but the midday crites, for close the kingdom heauen deuell. ' The lord Cobham said, Your fathers before men. Neyther entre your selves, the olde Pharisees ascrybed Chrystes miracles nor yet suffre any other that would entre into to Belzebub, and hys doctrine to the deuell. But stop the wayes thereunto with And you as their naturall children haue still your owne tradicions, and therefore are the the same selfjudgment, concerning his faithful houshold Antichrist; will not permit followers. They that rebuke your viciously Gods veryte haue passage, nor yet lyuyng, must nedes be heretykes; and that taught his true ministers, fearing haue must your doctours proue, whan ye haue no your wickedness reproued. But such vayne scriptures to do Than said them all, flatterers vpholde you your mischeues,
To judge you be, we nede farther
thau your owne propre actes. Where
fynd Gods lawe, that shuld thus syt
judgment any Christen men, yet sentens Sir, there shall suche preache within my anye other man vnto death, here daily? diocese, (and God will) nor yet my juris No ground haue the scriptures diction, (yf may know yt) either maketh lordely take vppon ye; but Annas and diuision, yet dissension amonge the poore
Cayphas, whiche sate thus vppon Chryst, and commons. ” The lord Cobham sayd, Both vppon his apostles after his ascencyon, them Chryst and his Apostles were accused sedi onely haue taken judge Christes mem cion making, yet were they most peaceable bres do, and neyther Peter nor Johan. men. Both iYaniel and Christ prophecyed,
Than sayde some the Lawyers, “Yes for that such troublous tyme shulde come, soth, sir, for Christjudged Judas. ” The lord hath not been yet sens the worldes beginning. Cobham sayd, No, Christ judged him not, but And this prophecye partly fulfylled your
judged himselfe; and ther upon went forth, daies and doinges. For many haue slaine and did hang himselfe. But indede Christ already, and more wyl slee hereafter, God sayd, wo vnto him for that couetous act his, fulfil not promes. Chryst saith, also,
doth yet styll unto many you. For those days yours were not shortened, scarsly sens the venime was shed into the church, shuld any flesh saued. Therefore loke for never folowed Christ: neither yet have stand justly, for God wyll shorten your dayes. More
the perfection Gods lawe. ouer, though priestes and deacons for preaching Than asked him the archbyshoppe, ‘What God's word, and for ministring the sacra he meant that venim The lord Cobham ments, with prouision for the pore, ground
sayd, your possessyons and lordshippes: for, God'slawe, yet haue these other sectes no than cryed aungell the ayre (as your owne maner ground thereof, far haue Chronycles inencioneth) Wo, wo, wo, this red.
day venime shedde into the church God. ” Than Doctour Lawe, called master
Before that tyme the Byshopes Rome Johan Kempe, plucked out his bosome were martirs maner. And sens that time copye that Byll which they had afore sent
we rede very few but dede sens that him into the Tower, the Archbishops same tine one hath put down other, one Council, thinking thereby make shorter hath poysoned other, one hath cursed worke with him. For they were amased other, one hath slayne other, and done with his Answers (not vinlike them which much more mischefe besides, the chro disputed with Steven) that they knew not well nicles telleth. And let men consydre well howe occupye the tyme, there wyttes and
thys, That Christ was meke and mercifull; sophistry (as God wolde) fayled them that the pope proud and tiraunt. Christ was day. My lord Cobham (sayth this doctor) pore and forgaue; the pope riche, and “we must brefely know your mynde concern. most cruell manslayer, his dayly actes doth ing these Poyntes here following. The fyrst prove him. Rome the very nest Anti them thys. And then redde vpon the Byll. chryst, and out the nest cometh his dis The Fayth and the Determinacion holy ciples; whome prelates, priestes and monkes Church touching the Blessed Sacrament the are the body, and these pylde friers are the Alter this, that after the sacramentall tayle, whyche couereth his moost sylthy part. wordes ones spoken pryest hys
Than sayed the Pryor the fryre Augustines, masse, the materyall bread that was before “Alac, Syr, why say so? That un bread, turned into Christes very bodye. And charitably spoken. ' And the lord Cobham the materiall wyne that was before wyne, said, not only my saying; but also the pro turned into Christes very bloude. And phet Esayes long afore my tyme. The pro there remaineth the sacrament the aulter
phet, sayth he, which preachcth lyes, the from thens forth materyall bread norma WOL.
rell and vsages, make among the
peple. And thus, you with such other are the very naturall membres Antychryst. —Than
suffer the common people most miserably seduced. ”
- Than saide the Archbishop, “By oure lady,
I.
of
is he so as ye
in to all
| R
ed in
of
it.
is
is
is it
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e
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to
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b
to
so
215]
STATE TRIALS, l IIENny V. 1413. —Trial and Examination of [244
teryall wyne, which were there before the sa their subtyle sophistrye: neuer will con cramentall wordes were spoken; Sir, beleue ye science obey any you all, tyil see you with
notthis'ThelordCobham. not my Beleue; but my Faith is
Peter follow Chryst conuersation.
Than redde the Doctour againe: “The
fourth Pointe this, holy church hath deter
mined, that
manne
there specially
sayd Sacratinent
Johan, must say otherwise. ’ The lord Cob ham saide, Nay, that shall not, God vppon my syde (as truste but that there
Christes body fourme breade, the comon beleue is.
Than redde the doctor againe. The second Point this, “Holy Churche hath determined that euery Christen man lyuing here bodely
you afore) that the
the aulter, very Christes
chrysten holy places, and worship holy relikes and
vppon earth, ought ordeined the church,
shryuen priest may come
els bury them faire
him: Sir, what say
Cobham answered and said,
sore wounded man had nede to haue sure
wyse chyrurgion, and true; knowing both
the ground and the danger the saine. Moost necessary were therefore, fyrst shryuen
wnto God, which only knoweth our diseases, and can helpe us, deny not this the going
priest,
learning for the lawes
man good lyse and
God are re godly learnca.
man viciouse ought rather
of all christen realmes.
“Why, Syr,’
ured the pricst which
-
}.
“will
ydiote, lyuynge, that my curate,
said one
the
clerkes,
What worship
flee from him, than seke unto him. For sooner might catch him that nought, than any goodnesse towardes my soule helth.
Than redde the doctour againe. The third Pointe this, Christe ordeined Sainct Peter the apostle his vicar here aerth, whose
graunted,
shuld geue vinto them? sayd the lord Cob
. . " bo
dy
breade. Than said the Archbishop, “Sir
meritoriouse pilgrimage
this
other aged peple which wonderfull thing,
sayed,
This is
fourme
The lord diseased
the ground,
are Gods ymages.
that saintes now being dead, shuld become covetous and medye, and therevppon bit terly begge, which their lyfe time hated covetousnesse and begginge. But this saye wnto you, and wold the world shuld marke
That with your shrines and idolles, your fayned absolutions and pardous, drawe vinto you the substance, welthe, and chefe pleasures
see the church Rome. And
that the same power which gaue winto Peter,
shulde succeede all Peter's successors, which
we call now popes Rome. By whose spe selfe yet ones again aske you, what wor ciall power churches partycular ordeyned shyp shuld unto —A Clerk said unto prelates, archbishops, parsons, curates, and him, ‘Such worship Paul speaketh of, and other degrees more voto whom christen men that this, “God forbidde that should joye
ought obeye after the lawes the Church
but onely the crosse Jesu Christ. ' Than
sayd the lord Cobham, and spreade his armes abroade, This very Crosse, yea and
muche better than your crosse woode,
yet will not leke
holy church: Sir, beleve not this To this
Rome. This the determination
answered and said, He that folowcth Peter
nighest pure lyuing,
moost next vinto him
that was created God haue worshipped.
succession; but your
Éio,
ordre es
London, ‘Sir, Peter, what soeuer prate him neither wote well that he died on material crosse. '
care you greatlye for the humble mauers The lorde Cobham sayd, Yea, and wote also them that succeded him tyll the time Silves that our saluacion came not that ma tre, which for the more part were martirs, teryall crosse, but alone him which dyed
temeth not greatly the lowly behauer
pore
Than said the bishop
toldeye afore. Ye can lett their good con thervppon. And well wote that holy saint dicions you, and not hurt your selues Paull rejoysed none other crosse, but with them all; the worlde knoweth thys Christes passion and death onely, and his well inough you, and yet can make boast own sufferings like persecution with him, of Peter. for the same selfe verite that he had suffered
him, ‘Than what say the ope ‘Wyll than none honour |.
With that one the oi
images
and
church
Whereunto he answered, owe them no ser uice any commaundment God, and there fore minde not seke them for your covet ousnes: were best swept them fayre from copwebs and duste, and layed them up for catching scathe;
saintes, apostles, martirs, confessours, other saintes besydes, approued the
Rome: Sir, what say ye this
not worship good Ymages
ham. —Than sayd fryer I'almyr vnto him, ‘Sir, well worshyp the crosse Christ that died vppon. " Where it? said lord Cobham.
ë.
put me airnest question thing, and
The fryer sayd, put the case, Sir, that were here euen now before you? ' The lord
ther doctours axed yet for afore. —And other Clerke
him, the holy The lord Cobham answered, As said crosse 2'-He answered him, Yes, he were
he and you together maketh whole the great myne, wolde lay him honestlye, and see antichrist, whome the great heade you wnto him that he shuld take no more scathes
abroade, goodes nor robbed his
now days.
Than sayd the Archbishop winto him, ‘Sir
shops, priestes, prelates
body, and the begging friers are the taile, for they cquuer the filthinesse you both with
monkes,
are the
answered, This great wyse manne,
yet his selfe knoweth not where the thing
asked
a
it isIishe it :
Ibyall
by in to is
of of ye
be
in an is do
I
as
onit is
of at
in to I be if by isan
he do isye
of all ye
ye ye
; of of
beI inI yllto a to
of
I of
he
I a
to of be
to if he
he ofis)
ofvp
I
of
is
a so I
I ye
of to ofItofgo
go by by
as
inistobeheit in
all of is of .
P’ in
is ofin
A'
is
to is
if heof:
a
as
PIofheof to ortobeto
by of ; a
a ye
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to toityeit. in
oforofayebe I
he he
of; istoainI
of
; ofof beaas
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doofin a “Ial. yetotoisof
of
as is ofit is
all Itdoor ye in
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iftobyIofa ye aI
as I Iso to in he in by
is in ye in so it he
ye all so o'
to
if (as
is
is
245] STATE TRIALs, 1 Henry V. 1413. −Sir John Oldcastle, Hercy. [246
Johan, haue spoken here many wonderfull
wordes, the slaundrous rebuk the whole
spiritualte, geuing greotyll example vnto the
common sort here, haue the more
disdayne. Moche time haue we spent here
abought you, and vaine farre can
see. Well, we must now this short point him thereof; we yet
with you, for the day passeth away muste eyther submit your selfe the ordinaunce
ed
Holy Church, else throwe your self (no re
medy) into moost depe daunger;
time, for anon will els late. ' The lorde
Cobham said, knowe not what purpose
shuld otherwise submitte me; moch more haue
you offended me, than euer offended you,
thus troubling me before thys multitude. —Than
sayd the Archbishop againe vnto him, “We Than brought forth other Byll, con
ones againe require you remembre your
selfe wel, and haue none other opinion these maters, than the universall Fayth and
teyning the sayd Sentence, and that redde
also his bauger Lntyne; ‘Christi nomine inuocato, ipsum que solum pre oculis halentis, quia per acta mactituta,’ and forth which
haue also translated into Inglish, that men may understand “Christ we take unto witnes, that nothing els we seke this our whole enterpryse, but his only glory. For
much we haue found dyuerse actes done, brought forth and exhibited sondry evidences, sygnes, and tokens, and also by many most manifest proues, the said Johan Oldcastell knight, and lord Cobham, not only
beleue the holy Church
lyke obedient child
wnite your mother.
for yet may have remedy, where anon will be to late.
The lord Cobhan sayd expressely before them all, will none otherwise beleue these
pointes than haue tolde here afore, with me what will. ’ Finally, than the Archbishop sayd, “Wel, than see none other
but we unust needs the lawe, we must pro
lèome and
return again the say time,
ing vnto hym what the holye and universall church Rome hath sayd, holden, determined,
and taught that behalfe. And though we found him the catholike faith farre wyde
stifiedked, o:
and that wold not confesse
his erroure, nor purge him selfe, nor yet repent hym fatherly
compassion, and intierly the belthe his sowle, appoynted him competent tyme delyberación, wold repent and seke be reformed and sens we haue found him worse and worse. Considering therefore
that incorrygible, we are driuen the very extremite the lawe, and with great heuynes hart, we now procede the publi cacyon the sentence diffinityue against him.
esyrynge
evident heretyke hys own parsone, but cede forth the Sentence diffinitiue, and both also mighty mainteyner other heretikes,
judge and condempne for Heretike. against the faith and relygion the holy and And with that the Archbyshoppe stode vp, and vniuersal Church Rome, namely, about the
redde there Byll his Condemnacion,
the clergyo and layte avaylyng their bonnettes; and thys was thereof the tenour:
two sacramentes the alter, and penaunce, besides the popes power and pilgrimages: and that he, the chyld iniquite and darkenes, hath hardened his hart, that will no
Condempnacion.
The Diffinitiue Sentence his
In Dei Nomine, Amen. Nos Thomas, per neyther wyll alured
hys pastour strayght admo
case attend vnto the voice missione diuina, Cantuariensis Ecclesia. Archie nishments, nor yet brought
piscopus, Metropolitanus totius Anglie primas,
Apostolicæ sedis Legatus, and forth bar wayde the one side, and his vnworthynes
berous Latin, which we haue here translated
into Inglish, for more playne vnderstanding
to the reader. ”—In the name God, be
We Thomas, the sufferaunce God, Arch which nought shuld
bishop Caunterbury, metropolitane and contagiousnes infect
primate Ingland, and legate from the sage councell and assent the very discret apostolyke seate Rome, willeth this fathers, our honorable brethren and lordes knowen vnto all men. In certein cause of bishopes here present, Richard London, Heresy, and vppon diuerse articles, where vppon Henry Wynchester, and Benit Bangor, sir John Oldcastle knight, and lord Cobham, and other great, learned, and wyse men after diligent inquisition made for the same, here, both doctours diuinite and the lawes, was detected, accused, and presented before
damnable obstinacy.
Paules London
ment and request our universall clergy the seid Johan Oldcastell knyght, and lord Cob seyd conuocation, we proceded against him ac ham, for most pernicious and detestable cording the lawe (God witnes) with heretyke, cohvycted vpon the same, and re the fauer possible.
And folowing Christes ex fusing vtterly obey the church agayne, com ample that we might, which willeth not mittyng hym here from hens forth con
our last conuocation Canterbury, bolden
our province
canon and ciuyle, seculars and religious, with dyuerse other expert men assisting we sen tencyally and dyffinitiuely, thys present
fauour able wordes. The worthenes of the cause first
again considered also aggrauated,
the other syde, his fautes made double through his
the cathedrall churche
the laufull denounce writeing, judge, declare, and condemne the
the death synner, but rather that conuerted and lyue, we took vpon correct him, and sought other ways possible
dempned heretik the sectilar jurisdiction, power, and judgment, him ther vpon death. Furthermore, we excommunicate and
bring him againe the churches vnite, declar denounce acursed not only this heretike here
We being loth that
worse, and with hie the multitude; the
to all
of ; atin
of
a ye a al
to do
of by of
he an a
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for
to
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into at ofall
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to
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in
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of
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as
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so in
it
in I in of
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oron be ofof
of
vs, ofof so by sir by in ; he
to
as
abyin to
of
of do
be bein to Seto to
an
as
I
ofof
247]
STATE TRIALS, 1 Isesity V. 1413. -Trial and Eramination of [248
present, but so many besydes shall here Cobham sayd with most cherefull counte after, fauer errour, eyther receive him naunce, “Though judge my body, which
defend him, counsell him helpe him, but wretched thing, yet am certein and any other way mainteiu him, very fauters, sure, that can harme my soule, receiuers, defenders, councelers, ayders, and more than could Sathan uppon the soule maynteyners condemned heretiks. -And Job. He that created that, will his infinite that these premysses maye the better mercy and promess save haue, therein knowen faythiull Chrystem men, we com manner doubt. And concerning these mit here vnto your charges, and gaue you Articles before rehersed, will stande them, strayghte commaundement thervpon thys euen the very death, the grace my
wrytyng also, that cause this condemnacion and diffinityue sentence excommunycacyon, concerning both thys heretyke and his fawters,
publyshed through oute
cytyes, townes, and vyllages,
and parysh priestes, such time
have most recourse people, and
done after this sort. As the people are thus
gathered deuoutlye together, lett the curate
euery where into the pulpet, and there
open, declare, and expounde thys process,
the mother tonge, audy ble and intelligible
voyce, that maye well persciued
men and that vppon the feare this decla
racion also, the people maye fall from their
opinions conceiued now late sediciouse mered Robert Morleye, and ledde preachers. More ouer, we will that after we
haue deliuered vnto yohe one you bishoppes
(which are here present) cause the same
dyuers coppies, and
other bishopps and prelates our whole pro lowing, causing set diuerse quar uince, that they may also see the contents ters London, that the peple shulde not be thereof solempnely published within their dio leve the slaundres and lyes that his ennemies
and they signifye again vnto distinctly your wrytinges,
without fayned colour
and after what sort condicion, according
was done
the tenour hereof, that
sacraments the Church, and specially the
we may knowe
coppye thys Wrytinge sent Thomas
eternall God. ’ And therwith he turned bitu wnto the people, casting hys handes abroade;
that
dyoceses your curates
and saying with very loude voice, ‘Good Christen people, for Gods loue well ware these men: for they will els begyle you, and
they shall leade you blindelyng into hell with themselues.
For Christ saith plainly vinto you, “If one blind
man leadeth another, they are lyke both fall
into the dytche. ”—After thys fell downe
there vppon knees, and thus before them
prayed for his enemies, holding both his
handes and his eyes towards heauen, and say
ing, Lord God eternal, beseche the for thy great mercies sake forgeue my pursuers, dely
thy blessed will. ” And than he was
forth againe the Tower London. And thus was there ende that dayes worke.
Whyle the Lord Cobham was thus the
coppye bereof, that
written out again into Tower, sent out priuily vnto his friends; and
sent vnto the they desire wrote this lytle Bill here fol
ceses and cures Tinally we wyll that both you the bishops seruaunts and priestes had made
seriously and on him abroade. And this was the Letter;
the matter “For much John Oldecastell knight euery point per and lord Cobham, vntruly conuicted and in fourmed, the daye wheruppon receyued thys prisoned, falsely reported, and slaundred among processe, the tyme whan was you executed, the comen people his aduersaries, that he euerye shuld otherwise both fele, and speake the
justly the same. ” Caunterbury, after
the daye October,
oure Lorde 1413, knowen be here
Diuina,” &c. The sayde Richard Clifford sent ments the church proftytable and expe an other coppye thereof, enclosed within his dient also them that shal saued, taking owne letters, unto Robert Mascall, Carme them after the intent that Christ and his true
blessed sacrament
ten the confession
Arundel the archbishop
ward from May deston
within the same yeare
unto Richard Clifford the bishop London, neuer sens varyed
which thus beginneth, Thomas Permissione this plainly his beleue, that the sacra
lite fryer, which was than bishop Hertford
Walis, written from Hadham the xxiii day Octobre, the same yere and the beginning
thereof this, Reuerende Christo Pater,” &c. The said Robert Mascall directed an
other copy thereof fion London the xxvii day November the same yere, enclosed his
owne commission also, vinto his archdeacons and deanes Herford and Shrewisbury. And this thereof the beginning, Venerabilibus
church hath ordayned. Further more be leued that the blessed sacrament of the aulter
verely and truly Christes body, fourme bread. ”
After thys the byshops and pryestes were
moche obloquie, both the nobilite and co mens, partly for that they had cruelly han dled the good lord Cobham; and partlye againe, bycause hys opinion (as they thought that tyme) was perfyght concerning the sacrament.
indinted and taken diuerse open places
the clergy, and set up the cite London, all the world, that he
discretis varis,” &c. like manner did the As they feared thys grow further incon
other bishopes within their dioceses.
After that the Archebishop had thus red the Byll his Condempnation, with most extre
uenience towardes them both wayes, they drew their heads together, and the last consented use other practise, somewhat contrary
nite, before the whole multitude the lord that they had done afore. They caused
the aulter, than was writ his belieue, which was
any poynt therfro; but
:
of of
by of seas
of
in
is in “
to in by it all
of of his
to
a ye
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-
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sir
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249] STATE TRIALS, I HENRy V. 1413. —Sir John Oldcastle, for Heresy. [250
and by to be blowne abroade by their feed ser men. —And agreably styl unto this, confess, uants, fryendes and babeling Johnes, that graunt, and affyrme other archbishoppes,
before, and stande them, considering hym them subdued.
the more awe
An Abjuracion counterfayted
the Bishoppes.
§.
bishoppes, and prelates, their prouinces, dy
the sayde lord Cobham was becomen good man, and had lawlye submitted him selfe
things vnto holy his
ocesses, and parishes (appointed
pope Rome, assyst
tyme come, auctorite and power rule and gouerne, binde and lose, acurse and as soyle the subjectes peoples their aforeseid prouinces, dyoceses, and parishes; and that theyr said subjectes peoples ought right
things obey them. Furthermore confesse, graunt and affyrme, that the sayde Oldecastell knt. sometime the lord Cobham. spyrytuall fathers, our moost holy father the “In Dei nomine, Amen. Johan Oldecas pope, archbishops, byshops and prelates, haue
opinion concerning the sacrament. And ther vppon they contrefayted abjuration his
name, that the peple shuld take hold that opinion any thing they had hearde him
his
This the Abjuration (say they) Syr
vtterly chaunging
the seid doinges
great
man, and
tell denounced, detected and conuycted and had, haue now and ought haue hereafter,
vppon sauering heresy powero estate, go diuerse articles both and auctorite and for the order and
errour, before the reuerend father Christ, uernaunce theyr subjectes peoples, make
my good Thomas, by permission lawes, decrees, and lord the
constitucions; yea,
of . . . ; Archebishop Caunterburye, lord
statutes and commaunde and
publysh,
my lauful and rightful judge that behalfe, ex said subjectes and the obseruation of
bishops, and his other prelates, the degrees maunded accordynge the fourme spirituall
the church, and the holy sacramentes the lawe, Christen peple and euery man him
and and
compell theyr
affyr ing the ystate and power the moost holy fa me that these forsayd lawes, decrees, statutes ther the pope Rome, his archbishops, his and constitucions, made, publy shed and com
ressely graunt and confesse, That concern thcm. —Moreouer, and
and pardons; affyrme say) before the said and constitucions our most holy father the reuerend father archbishop, and els where, that pope, incorporated his decrees, decretals, being seduced diuerse sediciouse preach clementynes, codes, chartes, rescriptes, sextiles
the prouinciel statutes archebishops their prouinces, the sinodall actes byshoppes theyr dioceses, and the commendable rules and customes prelates their colleges, and cu rates their parishes, Christen people are both bound observe, and also moost mekely
obeye. Ouer and besides this, Johan Oldecastell, vtterly forsakinge and renouncynge
the aforesayd errours and heresyes, and all other errours and heresyes lyke vnto them, lay my hande here vppon this boke, holy euan gelye God, and swear, that shall neuerinore
ers, haue greuously erred and heritically per and extraua gauntes the world over all; and
sisted, blasphemously answered, and obsti nately rebelled. And therefore am the
sayd reuerend father, before the reuerend fa thers Christ also the bishops London, Winchestre, and Bangor, lawfullye condempned for an heretyke. —Neuertheless yet, now re membring myselfe, and coueting this meane
auoide that temporal payne, which am worthy suffer heretike, the as
i.
business) his office,
him
his decrees, canons, vertue
haue had tymes past,
now this tyme, and that they ought haue
confesse, graunt
haue
same, specyally the sacramentes the aulter,
penaunce,
and and other obseruaunces be
sides our mother holy church, pilgrimages
selfe, straightly bound obserne, and meke
lye obeye, accordyng
Koi. the diuersite the
powers. As the lawes, statutes, canons
signacion my most excellent Christen prince and liege lord king Henry the fift, nowe the
God most worthy kyng both Eng
minding pre and France also
doctryne the holy and uniuersal church
heresyes,
yet any other lyke vinto them wetingly. Ney ther shall geue counsell, ayde. helpe nor fauer
any tyme them that shall holde, teache,
ferre the wholsom determinacyon, sentence and
††,
Rome, before the vnholsom opinions my
self, my teachers, and 'my followers: frely, affyrme mainteine the same, God shall
deliberately, and throughly confesse, helpe nic and these holy euangelyes. —And that graunt, and affyrme the moste holye fathers shall from hens forth faithfully obeye, and in Christ, sainct Peter the apostle, and his succes uiolably obserue the holy lawes, statutes, sours bishoppes Rome, specially now thys canons, and constitucions the popes tyme my moost blessed Lorde pope Johan Rome, archbishopes, bishops and prelates,
the permyssyon God the pope that are contayned, and determined theyr holye name, which now holdeth Peter's seate (and decrees, decretals, clementines, codes, chartes, each them their succession) full strength rescryptes, scxtyles, summes papall, extrauagan and power. Chrystes vycar aerth, and tes, statutes prouincyall, actes synodal, and the head the church milytaunt. And that other ordinary rules customes constituted
by the strength hys office (what thogh them, that shall chaunce hereafter dyrectly
damned) hath full auctorite and power such other, wyll myselfe with powr possible rule and gouerne, bind and lose, saue and de apply. Besydes this, the penaunce which
stroy, accurse and assoyle, other Christen shal please my said reuerend father, the lorde
great sinner, and afore knowen God be determined made. To these and ail
from hens forth hold these forsaid
nor
al
of a
sir
itto
a toIJ.
he of
to in
of ofto of
I (I
of
to
of inin
of
by
at I of
I
as of of
as
to he to bebe
by
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of
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by
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of
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in
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or
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all
allor all
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or in all in
of I
al all allof
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:
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in
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in as of
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of
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to
of
of of
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an no
toisall
of I as or
of
I in ofin to of tototo
all toat of to toby
to to
251] STATE TRIALs, 1 Henry V. 1413. -Trial and Eramination of
[252
archbishop of Caunterbury, hereafter to en fauer that the lord Cobham had both Lon joyne me my sinnes, will mekely obeye don, and abought the cyte. Yet were they and faithfully fulfyll. Finally, my seducers deceiued; that they doubted most, lyghted
and false teachers, and other besydes, whom shall hereafter knowe suspected heresye errours, shall effectuallye present, cause
there somest upon them.
Byll was put mons, against their presented, vinto my sayd reuerend father temporalities, lyke
there again the com continuall wasting the had bene twise afore
the seid lord Cobham, both
lord archbishop, torite, sone see that they power. Amen. ”
them which hath his auc can conueniently and
procurement
the daies Richard the Second, Anno 1365,
corrected
my vitermoost
and also king Henry the Third, Anno Dom. 1410, whervpon was growne this malice
the Clergy, and ty afore specified; but this was than workemanly rannouse Acte therevppon made. defeated other proper practise theyrs. They put the king remembraunce claime Neuer came this Abjuracyon the handes his right Fraunce, and graunted him there
The cruell Complaint
the lord Cobham, neyther was compyled
them for that purpose; but onely therwyth
bleare the eyes the unlearned multitude.
And whan they perceyued that polycye wolde
not helpe, but made more and more against
them, than sought they out other false prac
tyse. They went vnto the king with most
greuouse complaint, lyke they did afore
his fathers tyme, that euery quarter the leue's lerning) they shuld forfet land, catel,
wnto dime, with other great subsidy mony. Thus were Christes people betrayed euery way, and their Liues bought and sold these most cruell theues. For the said parlament, the king made this most blasphemouse and cruell acte, be law for euer, That whatsoeuer
they were that should rede the Scriptures the mother tong (which was then called Wic
realme, reason Wickleues opinions, and body,
the said lord Cobham, were wonderful conten and
tions, rumours, tumultes, vprours, confedera ennemics
tions, dissencions, diuisions, differences, discor ters the lande.
des, harmes, slaunders, scismes, sectes, sedici Besides this, was inacted that neuer ons, perturbacions, parels, vinlawfull assemblyes, sanctuary, nor priuileged ground within the variaunce, strifes, fyghtinges, rebelliouse ruffel realine, shulde holde them, though they were inges and dayly insurrections. The Church still permitted both theues and murtherers.
(they said) was hated; the diocesanes were not And case they wold not gyuc ouer, were obeyed; the ordinaries were not regarded; the after their pardon relapsed, they shulde suffer spirituall offycers, suffraganes, archdeacons, death two manner kindes; that they chauncelers, doctours, commissaries, offycials, shulde first hanged for treason against the
deanes, lawyers, scribes and sommeners were king, and then burned for heresy against euery where despysed; the lawes and liberties God, and yet neither both committed. The holy Church were troden vndre fote; the beginning that Act this, Pro quod Chrystem fayth was ruynouslye decayed; Gods magni rumores,’ &c. Anon after was pro
seruice was laught scorne; the spiritual ju claymed throughout the reame, and than had risdictyon, auctorite, honour, power, polycy, the bisshops, priests, monkes and Fryers, lawes, rytes, ceremonies, curses, keyes, censures worlde somewhat theyr mindes. For then and canonical sanctions of the Church were were many taken diuerse quarters, and suf
had vttre contempt. that ma fered most cruel death. And many fied out ner was come nought. the lande into Germany, Bohem, Fraunce, And the cause this was, that the Here. Spain, Portingale, and into the weld Scot
tikes and Lollards Wicleues opinion, were land, Wales, and Yreland, working their many
suffered preach abrode, boldly gether maruels against their false kingdoin, long
conuenticles vinto them, kepe scoles mens wryte. the Christmas followinge was syr houses, make bokes, compyle treatises, and Roger Acton knyght, Master Johan Browne
Sainct Gyles Felde London, purposing the destruction the land, and the subuercyon
the commonwelth. As the king was thus infourmed, erected banner (saith Walden) with crosse thereupon, the pope doth comonly his legate, when pretendeth warre against the Turke; and with great numbre men entered the same felde, where
found such company, yet was the
wryte ballets,
corners,
groues, and
wolde (they sayd) destruction the com soned. For all men at that time coud not monwelth, subuercion the land, and an paciently suffre theyr blasphemouse bragges. utter decay the kinges estate ryall, remedy The complaint was made vnto the king were not sought tyme. And this was their them, that they had made greate asemble
teach priuately angles and wodes, feldes, medowes, pastours,
caues the ground. This
policy, couple the kinges auctorite wyth that
they had done theyr former councell craft, and make thereby the stronger.
For they perceiued themselves very farre weake els follow against their ennemies, that they had largely enterprised. Upon this complaint, the king immediately called parliament Leichestre; might not those daics holden Westminstre, for the great
and godes from theyr heyres for euer, condempned for heretykes God, the crowne, and most errant trai
esquire, Johan Beuerlaye, learned preach er, and dyuerse other more attached for quar relling with certeine priestes, and impri
be
in
it
as ofall an to
I all
of no
by
sir
In
in
in
beif
a to
of
a ofit, in to of
a
so
to inof to a
as he
a
he
of
a at
of to of
to be
astoto an at toso ofa in
by
so
I
to in to at so in in
for
if to
in
it to
a of
to
of to as
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beas Ior
it ofto tosoSo
to
of
of
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to all
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asof of he a
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A
to
of be as of
a
to
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is, or
to
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of toof
in
in to
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it
of
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is
it
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a an
in by of
of
253] STATE TRIALS, 1 IIENky V. 1413. −Sir John Oldcastle, for Heresy. [254
complaint judged true, because the byshoppes had spoken it at the informacion of their
priestes. All this hath Thomas Walden in diuerse of his workes, which was at the same
tyme a White or Carmelite Frire, and the king's confessour; and partly it is touched
both by Robert Fabian, and by Polidorus Vir gilius in their English Chronicles: but not in pointes rightly. the meane season [on
the feast Simon and Jude] John Olde castell the lord Cobham, escaped out the Towr London the night, and fledde into Wales, whereas continued more than four years after (d).
Some wryters haue thought this escape
come the said Roger Acton, and other gentlemen, displeasure the priestes, and that the chefe occasion their deathes, which might well but Walden doth not vtter which reigued the selfe same time.
January next following was the aforenamed syr Roger Acton, master Johan Browne, syr
found, unto the king, who sent the book again unto the archbishop, show the same hisser mons Paul's-Cross London, the end that the citizens and other people the realm might understand the purposes those that were called Lollards, bring them farther into discredit with the people. ]
Johan Beuerlaye and more (of whom the He the last, thus monied with Judas, and more part were gentylmen byrthe) conuicted outwardly pretending him great amity and
Heresy the byshops, and condempned
treason the temporalte, and according
the acte, were fyrste hanged and then brent
fauer, moost cowardlye and wretchedly toke hym, and conclusion sent him Lon don, whereas remayned moneth two
lord Cobham herewith was sore dismayed for ing them
most godly maner folowe the
them, taken,
who were were such
our lady. The abbot St. Albans sent the Book disfigured with scrapings and blottings
out, with other such writings there were
o God, scriptures;
that some trusted
laws
any wyse
written beware Christ
the
such teachers they
most, being counsel, his the same place were found books
and
devices.
written English, and some those books
time past had been trimly gilt, limned and beau
tified with images, the heads whereof had been
scraped off; and the Litany they had blotted
out the name our Lady and other saints, till scorn rejected him, but openly protested, they came the verse ‘Parce nobis Domine. ’ ‘That the Apostles Peter and Paul were Divers Writings were found there also dero
gation such honour then was thought due
(d) See the king's proclamation, with
had been indicted and out-lawed for high treason, and was executed upon that outlawry: the indictment itself inserted the end of this case; but appears many marks
o: apprehending him, romise reward for
forgery|for whichsee Fox's Acts and Mon. ] The
1414. Rym. Foed. 89.
the late Act.
Stow's Annals, 355, Holin, Chro.
(e) From hence, some suppose, called Ty-burn.
561 Hall's Chro. 58,
The latter Enprisoning and Death Cobham.
the Lord
the yeare oure Lorde 1415 dyed Thomas Arundell, which had bene Archbishop Caun terbury more than yeares, the great de struction Chrysten belieue. Yet died not his prodigiouse tyrannye with him; but suc ceeded with his office Henry Chichely, and
greatsort more the spryghtful spiritualtie. For their malice was not yet sated ageinst the good lord Cobham. But they confedered with the lord Powys (which was that time great goueruour Wales) feeding him with lordly giftes and promises, accomplysh their desyre.
the sayd Saint Giles Feld (e). the same imprysoned again the Tower. Upon the
yeare also was one Johan Claydon skinner, and one Richard Turmin baker, both hanged and brent Smythfilde that vertuous act;
Dec (1417) was brought before the parlia ment, and after long processe they condempned
him againe Heresy and Treason force
the afore named Act (f). He rendering
other quarters
small number, were thanks unto God that had appointed him
besides that was done Ingland, which was now throughly knowen.
[In the mean while (says Holinshed, vol. 560. ) the lord Cobham, who shifted from place place escape the hands them
who knew would glad lay hold
him, had conveyed himself secret wise into had been moost haynouse traitoure the an husbandman's house not far from St. Albans, crowne, and drawn forth into sainct Gyles within the precinct lordship belonging Felde, where they had set newe paire the abbot of that town the abbot's servants galowes. As was comen the place getting knowledge hereof, came thither
night, but they missed their purpose, for
was gone; but they caught divers his men,
whom they carried streight prison. The stode
suffre for his names sake. And upon the day appointed (25 Dec. ) was brought out
the Tower, with his armes bound behynd him, hauing very cherful countenaunce. Than was layd vpon hurdle, though
execution, and was taken from the hurdle,
fell down deuoughtly upon his knees, desyringe Almightye God forgeue his ennemies. Than
ess himself
not only with noble
and beheld the multitude, exhort
contrary
liuing, with many other special councels (g).
his last hours
priest, fered for that purpose,
was urged con whose service was of.
their conuersacion and
(f) pretended some historians, that
Sentence itself pursuance
plainly shewing
was executed
so
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255] STATE TRIALS, I HENRY V. 1413. -Trial and Eramination of [256
there, he would not confess to them, since one the king's-bench some years before, for levying
infinitely greater, God himself, was present; war against the king, was read the house.
and as for him only he implored and hoped for Being demanded what could alledge ar pardon, so to him alone he would make con rest Judgment, ran out into discourse fession of his sins. ' The cruel preparations of very foreign the purpose, about God's mer historments could make no impression of terror cies; and that mortal men, who would be upon him, nor shock his illustrious constancy: followers God, ought prefer mercy above but in him were seen united the fearless spirit judgment; that vengeance pertained only
of a soldier, and the holy resignation of a true christian. ] . Than he was hanged vp ther by the middle in chaynes of yron, and so consumed alyue in the fyre, praising the name of God, so long as his life lasted. In the ende, he com mended his sowle into the handes of God, and so departed hens most christenly, his body re solued to ashes. —And this was done in the
the Lord, and that his servants ought not in trench upon this prerogative the Almighty. Thus went on, talking widely from the bu siness, till, last, the chief justice desired the regent order the prisoner not make them lose any more time, but answer directly the point. After some pause told them, was small thing for him judged by them, man's judgment; and then began again ramble from the question, when the Chief Justice once more interrupted him, and
yeare of our lord 1417 which was the sixt yere
of the reygne of king Henry the fift, the people
ther present shewyng great dolour. How the
priestes that time fared, blasphemed, and cur bid him answer peremptorily, had any sed, requiring the people not to pray for hym,
thing object against the legality the pro cess? To this replied, with surprising boldness, “That had judge amongst them, nor could acknowledge them judges,
long his sovereign lord king Richard was living Scotland. ’ Upon this answer war rant was instantly signed for his execution, and
was ordered hanged and burnt. The “On the 18th of December and the 29th day first part his sentence was for Treason; and of this parliament, John Oldcastle, Cow the other for Heresy. Accordingly was exe
ling, the county Kent, knight, being out cuted gallows, built purpose
lawed upon Treason the king's-bench, and Giles's fields, being hung the neck, excommunicated the archbishop Canter chain iron, and his body, with the gallows, bury, for Heresies, was brought before the consumed ashes. Many are the disputes
lords; and having heard his said Conviction, between the protestant and popish writers, answered not thereto excuse; upon which about the character this nobleman, who was record and process was adjudged, That the first peer England that suffered for reli
should taken traitor the king and gion. The former crying him martyr realm that he should be carried the Tower truth; and the latter treating him with
London, and from thence drawu through better titles than an enthusiast, rebel, and
but to judge him dampned in hell, for that he departed not in the obedience of their pope; it were too long to wryte.
The following Account of the Condemnation and recution of the Lord Cobham is ertracted
spoke was
shop Canterbury's Instrument for his Ex procure that sect might live
communication, there also large. And
motion being made, that the lord Powis might have the thanks the house, and the reward the Proclamation mentioned, for apprehend
ing John Oldcastle, knight, the heretick
passed the affirmative. —Thus far sir Ro bert Cotton, and his publisher. What we have add, relative the Condemnation
quietness;' we can look upon him, thusiast. ”
this great man, his peers, chiefly from
Walsingham who says, that, when the parlia
ment was informed of sir John Oldcastle's be gate the apostolick see, our venerable
London wounded
cerning the unity and reformation the church England, convocation the prelates and clergy our province Canterbury, last held
the conflict, and placed before the duke regent and the other estates the realm;
The Archbishop Oldcastle,
Canterbury against the Lord
Hen. 1413. [From the Lambeth, and may found
Records Rymer's Fad,
61. ]
“Thomas, divine permission, archbishop
Canterbury, primate England, and le
Wales the lord Powis, they or brother Richard, the grace God, bishop
sent for up. He was brought London, health and brotherly love the horse-litter, having been much Lord. —Whereas our late consultation, con
ing taken dered him
and the Indictment drawn against him
~
from Cobbett's Parl. Hist. vol. 1. p. 336.
London the new gallows saint Giles's, without Temple-bar, there hanged, and
burned hanging. ” The Record out the
heretick. Mr. Goodwin says, “He had the qualities brave and gallant gentleman,
and was equally illustrious arts and arms:"
large; the effect whereof John Oldcastle, and others,
twenty men, called Lollards, saint Giles's aforesaid, did conspire sub vert the state the Clergy, kill the king, his brothers, and other nobles. ” The archbi
what Walsingham relates his beha his execution true, that when many
king's-bench “That the said
but,
viour
persons
words
adjuring him, ‘That the dead again,
the number
quality attended there, the last
Thomas Erpingham, saw him rise from
the third day,
would
peace and
this lat
ter part his life, little better than en
saint
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957] STATE TRIALS, 1 IIENRY V. 1413. —Sir John Oldcastle, for Heresy. [258
in our church of Paul's, with the said pre the said John without leave but the lates and clergy, among other things was mediation one John Buttler, door-keeper
concluded us, and the said prelates and the privy-chamber clergy, next impossible, repair the rend should apply
our lord the king, John himself, for his leave order give him cita
ing our Lord's seamless coat, unless first certain great men the kingdom, the authors, abetors, protectors, defenders and
entertainers those hereticks, who are called Lollards, were severely reprehended, and re claimed from their errors, other means sailed,
the censure the church, assisted the secular arm —And accordingly, upon the most diligent enquiry the said convocation, the
enter his castle,
proxies the clergy, and others there assem impossible serve the said John personally
bled great numbers from each diocess our
said province, was found them, and made
known and presented us, that Oldcastle
knight, was and the principal receiver, allet great doors tor, patron and defender the same. —And ter, which that sent the Lollards preach about said castle the dioceses London, Rochester, and Here him
cited, and our edict fix’d ford, without any licences from the ordinaries publick and open view the great doors
tion castle, least that wou'd appear without the and suffer the citation be serv'd
upon him. —But John publickly answcred the said John Buttler, tho' the premises had made use the king's name, that wou'd
means cited, nor suffer any manner way such citation served upon hin. — Upon this faithful account given us, that was
with citation and we being fully persuaded
thereof, decreed that should cited
edict, which should publickly fixed the the cathedral church Roches but three English miles from his Cowling. Accordingly we caus'd
diocesans the places, contrary the sy the said church, charging him appear before
nodical constitution made for that purpose; and that was present the wicked preach ings the same, and silenced opposers met with, with threatnings and terrors, and the
September now past, and for the premises,
the second day personally answer
and other allegations
against him. —On the day appointed we held
power the secular sword —Asserting and court the greater chapel our castle
affirming, among-t other things, that we and Leeds, our diocess, which we then lived
our brethren the suffragans our province, and resided with our court; and after the ne
never had, nor have authority make any cessary proof the premises, and we had
constitution this kind. —And concerning the heard and receiv'd the relation, com
Sacraments the altar and penance, pilgri monly reported the parts where the said sir mages, adoration images, and the power John immures and fortifies himself his said
the keys, has believed, and does believe, castle, and defends his opinions contemming
—Wherefore the said prelates and clergy then “We caused Proclamation aloud and in besought us, that we would pleased pro open court, made for the said John ceed against the said sir John Oldcastle, for appear; and after proclamation made, and and upon the premises. —Hut reverence we had long waited, and not appearing, we our lord the king, (with whom the said sir John justly pronounced him, was, contuma was great favourite) and much out re cious; and then and the returned him ex spect the order knighthood, with our communicated, punishment for high brethren and sulfragans our said province, contumacy. —And because from the series and great part the clergy our said pro the premises, and other plain demonstrations vince, we waited our said lord the king, and evidences fact, we apprehend that the
and dogmatizes and teaches otherwise than the the keys the church, and impugning the Roman and universal church holds and affirms. archiepiscopal authority:
his palace Kennyngton; and making complaint against the said John, we some
measure represented the errors the said sir John.
said John strengthens and fortifics himself defence his errours against the authority the church, premised, (which gives great
handle suspect him heresy and schism) “But the instance our lord the king, we decreed against the said John, that
and our own desire reduce the said sir John the unity the church, without bringing him
should second time cited personally,
could found not, edict, before,
appear before the Saturday next after the feast the apostle and evangelist St. Mat we had from the king's own mouth, and un thew next ensuing, shew, has reason
open shame, we deferr'd for long time execution the premises.