V. Examina Christ's. colleges forthwith underwent examination. And at the next CHAP. meeting all the Heads gave in this answer; That none of their companies had declared to them, that they were of Anno 1545. fended with any thing that they remembered to be then tions herespoken; and that very many indeed, whether of purpose upon. or by chance, were absent. And for a further trial, what was uttered in the interlude, Parker sent to the Bishop a book of the said tragedy; and all therein noted and cancelled that was unspoken, the rest being then uttered: which had been delivered him by the Master and all the Fellows of the college: and conventing all the Fellows of that house, he found but two that were offended. Of which one was Scot, the same, I suppose, that was afterwards under Scot of Queen Mary made Bishop of Chester. And this Scot was he that was the informer, and had told all this tale to the Chancellor. And hereupon the rest of the society were grieved with him. The case between him and the rest, the Vice-Chancellor and some others had the hearing of: which was thus in short; When the Master and Fellows were consulting about playing this tragedy, Scot, being against it, cried out, that it was poison thrown abroad. Whereunto Crane, a Fellow, and one that acted, replied, that they intended nothing, but to rebuke the Pope's usurped power. But Scot said, that under that pretence they would destroy all godliness; and some other words he spake in his heat, that reflected upon the government. The conclusion was, that the Vice-Chancellor caused them all to be bound with sureties, till they should hear from his Lordship, and know his pleasure. And of all this the Vice-Chancellor gave the Chancellor to understand, and together sent him the play itself, as was said before. The answer that this produced from the Chancellor was as followeth : "Master Vice-Chancellor, "After my harty commendation, I perceive by your The Chan"letter, which I have received with the book of the tra"gedy, that ye have assembled the sage of the University, ker, Vice cellor's letter to Par Chancellor, concerning BOOK "to know, by their inquisition severally in their houses, 1. "what was uttered that might and ought to offend godly Anno 1545. " ears in the playing of the same. Wherein, as appear by your letters, report was made unto you, that no man is the former "offended; and yet, perusing the book of the tragedy, matter. "which ye sent me, I find much matter, not stricken out, C. C. Mis-"all which by the parties' own confession was uttered very cel. Cantab. nought. And on the other part some things not well "omitted, where allowing and rejecting should proceed of MSS. C. C. 66 66 judgment, and that to be taken for truth which was ut"tered, and that for untruth, which they note as untrue, "to be omitted and left unspoken. So that this book de"clareth the parties to be double offenders, both in denying "that is true, and also approving that is false, as in some 66 66 part by their notes doth appear. And in that tragedy, "untruth is so maliciously weaved with truth, as making "the Bishop of Rome, with certain his abuses, the founda❝tion of the matter, the author's reproach whereof is true; "so many abominable and detestable lies be added and mingled with the other truth, as no Christian ear should pa"tiently hear, and cannot, in the process of the matter, "without a marvellous alteration, other than now was used, "be dissevered asunder. By means whereof, where all other "proof faileth, there the book maketh an undoubted proof "of their lewdness to me here: and that which so many of "the University being present heard, and offended them not, do deny. But it is now worn out, and they be no "longer offended, the same is by exhibition of the book so "notified unto me, and so grieveth me, being absent, as "how soon soever I forget the offence upon their reconci"liation, I shall hardly of a great while forget the matter. "And if often and notorious faults, which the offenders in pomp and triumph so utter, as they would have men 20" know them and mark them, shall from henceforth without "all reformation be neglected and forgotten, or so by si"lence hidden as they shall not appear to be corrected, "there is small hope of conservation of good order, and a "marvellous boldness given to offenders, the means of re 66 66 V. "formation thus taken away. Wise men have noted truly, CHAP. "that it is caput audaciæ impunitatis spes. Which must "needs grow where open faults be thus neglected and pre- Anno 1545. "termitted. Wherein they be chiefly to be blamed, that "forbear to make report of that they have heard, when 66 66 'they be required. "I would not be over-curious, unless the crime were notable, to bring to light his fault, that himself hath used "means to hide from the world. But if the offender be so "destitute of all fear and shame, as these players were, why "should any man forbear, when they walk in the street "naked, to point them with his finger, and say, There "they go? "I hear many things to be very far out of order, both "openly in the University, and severally in the colleges, "whereof I am sorry: and among other, in contempt of for the pro lected. me, the determination of the pronunciation of certain "Greek letters, agreed unto by the authority of the whole His decree "University, to be violate and broken without any correc-nouncing of "tion thereof. The matter is low, and the contempt so Greek neg"much the more. I was chosen Chancellor to be so ho"noured (although without my deserts) of them; and I "have given no cause to be despised. I will do that I can "for the maintenance of virtue and good order there, and 66 challenge again of duty to be regarded after the propor❝tion, not of my quality, but mine office: requiring you, "Master Vice-Chancellor, to communicate these my letters "with the Masters, Presidents, and Doctors; and on my "behalf to desire them gravely to consider of what moment "the good order of youth is, and to withstand the lewd [attempts] of such as have neither shame, nor fear of pu"nishment and correction. The lesson of obedience would "be well taught and practised, and I will be more diligent "to know how men profit in it than I have been. "I have shewed the whole Council the words spoken by "Mr. Scot; from whom ye shall shortly receive answer in "that matter. And as touching those that were chief play"ers in the tragedy, I hear very ill matter; and I pray BOOK" 66 you call them unto you, and know whether they will acknowledge and confess their fault or no; and to signify Anno 1545. the same to me. And so fare ye well. The Council's order So that to make the more of this business, besides these to the Vice- his own animadversions, he brought it before the Privy Chancellor. Council. And in fine, the Lords of the Council thus far 66 concerned themselves by the Bishop's instigation in it, that May the 16th they wrote, by a secretary of his, to the Vice-Chancellor. The sum of which was, "That he should "call the parties before him, and admonish them to endeavour to employ their wits and studies in knowledge of "that is good, true, and wholesome; and that nothing 66 might be meddled withal that might offend the law and quiet of the realm. That those that were the Heads and "Governors should have such special cure and care, as if 66 66 any misorder were among the youth, they return it from "time to time, and do that might be for their discharge in "that behalf. And discharging Mr. Scot, that had been "noted for the speaking certain words, they exhorted him "to do for the reformation of those that had misused them"selves in the playing of the tragedy, as to his and their "wisdoms should be thought requisite." And no further did the Council think fit to espouse the Chancellor's mighty quarrel. And with what moderation and prudence our Dr. Parker put an end to this business, we may conjecture. Things set I have but one thing more to add concerning our Doctor down by the in his office of Vice-Chancellor. And that I gather from Vice-Chancellor to be what was writ with his own hand on the back-side of the reformed. Chancellor's letter aforesaid. Which, I suppose, were minutes of matters that he intended to reform, and give his orders about; viz. 21 "Raiment, gowns, beards, crowns, [which two last were "to be kept shaven, and not allowed to grow,] habits, "lawyers, and Masters of Art. "Sitting at divinity disputations and at sermons, &c. "Coming to congregations and common dirges. King's "dirges. 66 "Matriculation to be had by the Presidents. "Revelation of secrecies." CHAP. Anno 1545. CHAP. VI. preserving against the Stoke college by his means preserved from dissolution under King Henry VIII. But dissolved under King Edward. Hath a pension for it. Parker marries. Hath a son. Vice-Chancellor again. The Archbishop and Bishop of Westminster summon him to preach at Court. Two discourses of his writing. Preaches to Ket, and the rebels in Norfolk. His danger thereby. IN this same year, being the 37th of the King, all colleges, Labours the chantries, hospitals, &c. were granted by Parliament to his college him. This act struck full at Stoke college, which caused of Stoke the Dean to bestir himself, if it were possible to prevent act. the dissolution of a place which he had laid out so much of his pains about, to make it useful for the service of the King, the Church, and commonwealth. And he applied Applies to himself particularly unto good Queen Katherine and her Queen KaCouncil, (she being patroness, as it seems,) to try, if by his Council, arguments to them he might prevail to stop this ruin impending over so good a foundation. He shewed them, how he had improved the college above the first institution: how he had formerly refused to comply with certain, who would have persuaded him to surrender the college, with promise of considerable advantage to accrue to himself by pension and otherwise. But now the continuance thereof being in such danger, as it was out of his ability to prevent, he laid the consideration thereof before them, who in other matters consulted for the Queen's honour and commodity. He urged to them, "how small a matter of profit it would therine's |