The dawn of the English Reformation : its friends and foes online

^ PRINCETON, N. J.



BR 375 .W77 1890
Worsley, Henry.
The dawn of the English
Reformation "y-^^sh

Shelf Number



THE

DAWN OF THE ENGLISH REFORMATION.



THE DAWN



ENGLISH REFORMATION



ITS FRIENDS AND FOES.



HENRY WORSLEY, M.A.,

Vicar of Afihford Bowdler.



LONDON :
ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, EC.

1890.

[All lights nserved.]



^0

MRS. CAROLINE TARRATT,

OF

SUFFOLK HALL, CHELTENHAM,

THE KINDEST AND MOST CONSIDERATE OF FRIENDS,
AND THUS A GENTLE CRITIC,

THESE BIOGRAPHIES

OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EPOCH IN ENGLISH HISTORY,
WITH THE UTMOST ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE,

Are Enscribcli,



PREFACE.



This story of the Early English Reformation, biographically
told, is partly in continuation of a plan formed now some
years ago, and commenced by the biography of Martin Luther.
The great Saxon reformer occupied among his German fellow-
countrymen a position similar to that which was occupied
by Zuingli and Calvin successively among the Swiss. These
theologians, gifted with large mental capacity, and living
amongst those who looked up to them for instruction and
guidance, exerted and maintained an authority to which it is
in vain to seek a parallel in the religious development of
England at the period of the Reformation.

The English Reformation was not marked by the striking
ascendency of any one individual. Bilney, ' the first framer of
Cambridge in the knowledge of Christ,' as Foxe describes him,
was the spiritual father of many who embraced a more
Scriptural creed. He was the means of converting, besides
others, Hugh Latimer ; and he was probably a source, at least
of valuable assistance, to Tyndale. But ' little Bilney's ' warm
heart was always much in advance of his somewhat clouded
head. The most conspicuous figure in the ranks of the early
English Reformers was Tyndale — the successful translator of
Scripture, the author of the most useful religious tracts of the
time, and the spiritual father of John Fryth. Inferior to none
as a Christian hero, he did not possess the great powers or exalted



viii PREFACE.

influence of the chief Continental reformers. He lived and
laboured in compulsory exile from his own country. The
career of Fryth was cut short at its highest promise by his
martyrdom — an event, however, of infinite moment to the
cause, at a crisis of hesitancy and danger. The consistent
intrepidity of Latimer, only matured after some years of
spiritual progress and experience, belongs to a later date.

Thus it has been judged most consonant to the genius of
the English Reformation — in some important respects its
peculiarly happy genius — instead of detailing the career of
one individual, to interweave a series of biographies of the
principal actors and writers in connection with that great
religious and social revolution ; not neglecting to portray its
virulent and able opponents, as well as the zealous champions
of the movement. By this means the Reformation will be
made the centre — as no doubt in real fact it was — of the
stirrin g historical events of that memorable epoch whence
modern history takes its rise.

The history of the religious struggle affords some insight
into the condition of all ranks of society at a momentous crisis,
the lowest as well as the highest. The English Reformation
leavened with its influence the whole social structure. But
its earliest partisans and sturdiest advocates issued from the
obscure walks of life. Wealthy landowners, courtiers, states-
men, were concerned rather with the outward changes, the
development into legal enactments, of the results of the new
vital principles which had gained acceptance ; but these prin-
ciples themselves were cherished and diffused chiefly by men
and women belonging to the humbler grades. From such
adherents to truth, too often down-trodden, despised and
persecuted, the regeneration of society proceeded primarily ;
and only secondarily from thrones, convocations, and senates.
In all ages the Word of God, under Divine guidance, has
been near the root of all that is best in human progress;



PREFACE. ix

but such was signally and manifestly the case at the era
of the Reformation.

The biographical treatment of the subject is in accordance
with the mode in which the Almighty Himself is generally
pleased to carry out His designs on the great theatre of
human life. Individuals raised up by God from time to time,
and educated by His Providence to their appointed task,
proclaim the truths they are commissioned to teach, and
animate and train their contemporaries, inspiring them with
their own convictions ; and thus stamp their impress, first on
their own day, and then on posterity. History shows this by
numerous examples, both in ancient and modern times. But
especially does this rule hold good as regards religious systems,
and the results which follow from them.

Moreover, such a method of individual treatment is after
the highest model — the literary precedent of the Inspired
Volume itself. The sacred account of the vicissitudes and
progress of the chosen race, the germ and centre of true
religion for the whole globe, starts with the personal careers of
Abraham, Jacob and Joseph. Subsequently Moses, Joshua,
Samuel, and other appointed instruments take their places
conspicuously upon the canvas. In the New Testament the
biographical element appears yet more prominently. ' The
Gospels,' says Archbishop Whately, ' are not merely historical,
but strictly biographical.' The earliest ecclesiastical history
also, the Acts of the Apostles, deals chiefly with individuals.
Even after the astonishing growth and spread of Christianity
in the world, which its earlier records imply chiefly by track-
ing individual careers, its latter pages trace with more exact
detail the missionary labours of one eminent teacher.

It may be well to add that in other respects also the
inspired writings are suggestive by their characteristic ex-
cellences. Not only are their pages made more emphatic by
pregnant brevity and marvellous word-painting, but facts are



X PREFACE.

never disguised, nor are characters ever misrepresented. The
unvarnished pkinness of truth is everywhere — truth in
sovereign supremacy. The best men are depicted as they
were : their infirmities not extenuated, their excellences not
exaggerated. The good points — if such are far from amounting
to redeeming qualities — of the wor.st, or most mistaken, are
yet never denied, nor are they veiled in obscurity, or kept
even partially out of sight.

The following pages have not been indited in any spirit of
stinted attachment to our Protestant Reformation. With our
Protestantism our national position of wealth, power, and
influence is essentially bound up. But such a conviction, in
its amplest strength, is no bar to the genuine and outspoken
admiration of whatever was good and noble in the defenders
of a long-established sacerdotal system, fast tottering to its
fall at the touch of light and thought.

Of necessity tlie general history of the period has been
succinctly presented to the reader — so far, at least, as its
incidents have a bearing, more or less direct, upon the
course of the Anglican Reformation. And here, too, in tracing
the sequence of events of world-wide moment, the elucidation
of personal character has been uniformly kept in prominent
view.

It may be explained that the letters ' P.S.' and ' C.S.'
denote respectively the publications of the Parker and
Camden Societies, as the letters B.M. stand for the British
Museum. The State Papers have been public property for
many years, and their publication does honour to the memory
of Sir Robert Peel. To these a very important supplement
has been added more recently. The initial ' B.' refers to this
comprehensive series of Letters and Paioers, Foreign and
Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., which has been
published under the direction of the Master of the Rolls, on
a plan originated and pursued through several volumes by the



PREFA CE. xi

late Rev. J. S. Brewer, and continued siace his decease by-
Mr. James Gairdner. For faithful authentic history these
calendared letters and documents possess a value beyond
price. With the collateral help of the calendar of the Spanish
Letters, Despatches, and State Papers — referred to under the
abbreviation ' Sp.' — and of the calendar of the Venetian State
Papers and Manuscripts — referred to under the abbreviation
' Ven.' — together with other contemporary writings, they serve
to throw a new, vivid and real light both on transactions and
on individual character.

It has not been deemed necessary to evidence the correctness
of all the statements made by citing the numbers or pages of
all the passages consulted in the papers and documents
mentioned. Had this been done the notes must have become
inordinately lengthy. Nor has it been judged necessary
always to cite other authorities — such as Foxe or Hallam, or
other well-known authors — for statements that may be verified
with very little pains. The notes have not been relegated to
the end of the book, but placed at the foot of the page, inas-
much as they often lend force or clearness to the text.

The descriptions of places, houses, churches, etc., are for
the most part the jottings down on the spot, or the reminis-
cences of a visit or visits of exploration.

Grateful acknowledgments are rendered to those who have
kindly contributed assistance — highly appreciated always —
occasionally given at the cost of some time and trouble.

May the work, under God's blessing, prosper and be useful ;
and may the reader derive from its perusal some portion, at
least, of the pleasure which its composition has afforded to
the writer !



CONTENTS.



BOOK I.

THE NEED OF THE REFORMATION. — THE CHURCH IN THE BEGINNING OP
THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

PAGE

One-sided sacramentalism — Presumptuous sacerdotalism— A pi-iest
only a man — The Scriptures in the bondage of an ancient tongue
— Made nugatory by subtleties — Moral declension — Scandalous
Pontiffs— Reginald Pecock — Clerical immunities — Money com-
pensation for clerical crimes — Clerical and lay conflict — Hunne's
case — Priestly celibacy — Degeneracy of the friars— The monastic
system— Pluralities and absenteeism — Venality — Papal preten-
sions — National safeguards — A revolution impending — The dis-
covery of gunpowder — -The invention of printing — Apparel of
the period - - - - - - 1

BOOK II.

PREPARATION.

I. — THE CLASSICAL REVIVAL AT OXFORD.

Effects of the capture of Constantinople— Modern life opening— In-
fluence of Greek literature — Grammar schools — Oxford Greek
scholars — The old Latin Grammar — John Colet — Thomas More
— Colet visits Italy — Colet and Erasmus — Colet founds St. Paul's
School — Thomas Wolsey — The Trojans — John Fisher — Erasmus
at Cambridge - - - - - - 21

II.— CAMBRIDGE GOSPELLERS.

Thomas Bilney — George Stafford — The Augustine Priory and Robert
Barnes — Hugh Latimer — The Cambridge Brethren — The White
Horse — Richard Bayfield — John Lambert — Bilney's self-denying
labours - - - - - - 37



xiv CONTENTS.

in.— THOMAS AVOLSEY.

PAGE

The three great cardinals — Wolsey and Becket — Wolsey patronized
by the court — A favourite with Prince Henry — Dean, bishop,
cardinal, legate — Also lord chancellor — His appearance and
gifts — His national policy — His judicial improvements — His
sense of Church needs — Sanguine aims — Beneficence to Oxford —
Cardinal College— The Cambridge colony — Clerk and Dalaber
— Wolsev's chief merit - - - - - 44



BOOK III.

THE ENGLISH NEW TESTAMENT.

I. — WILLIAM TYNDALE'S PREPARATION.

The supposed spot of his birth — Hunt's Court and the Tyndale
memorial — Slimbridge probably his birthplace — His three
brothers — His family Wycliflfe's followers— The county of
Gloucester — John de Trevisa — Tyndale at Magdalen Hall — His
migration to Cambridge— His means of university maintenance
— His ordination - - - - - 65

II. — TYNDALE AT LITTLE SODBURY.

The manor-house — Its dining-hall — Sir John and Lady Walsh —
Tyndale's reason for translating Scripture — His patrons vexed
by clerical complaints — The ' Enchiridion ' of Erasmus — Tyndale
before the chancellor — Doctor Parker rates him finely — The
familiar doctor's counsel — Tyndale defies the pope — The hubbub
increases — The object of life settled — Tyndale leaves Sodbury
for London - - - - - - 63

III. — TYNDALE IN LONDON.

Tyndale makes application to Tunstal — His rebuff a real blessing —
Humphrey Monmouth— Tyndale's manner of life with Mon-
mouth — His experience of London — The Christian Brotherhood
— Wyclift'e's eiforts not lost — The Coleman Street congregation
— John Fryth — England barred against God's Word— Tyndale
driven to a Free City of the Hanse League — He sails for Ham-
burg - - - - - - -71

IV. — THE ENGLISH NEW TESTAMENT PRINTING.

Tyndale at Hamburg — He proceeds to Wittenberg — Contemporary
writers all agreed — Circumstances and Tyndale's character con-
firmatory — He employs the third edition of Erasmus's Testa-
ment — His helps for the work — The paramount influence of
his version — William Roye — The Gospels of Matthew and Mark



CONTENTS.



TAOB



— Arrangement with Quentel — John Cochlgeus — The flight to
Worms— The octavo and quarto editions — The sailing of the
vessel for England — The various editions and revisions of the
work - - - - - - 79

v.— THE NEW TESTAMENT EXPECTED.

Warnings reach the King and hierarchy — The ' still Christmas ' —
Wolsey fully employed — Indiscretion of Gospellers — West of
Ely and Latimer— Christmas Eve, 1525, at Cambridge — Barnes
succumbs — The auto-da-fe at St. Paul's — Sequel of the Cam-
bridge disorders — Bilney recants— George Joye escapes —
Latimer before Wolsey — Latimer licensed by the cardinal - UO

VI. — ENGLAND'S WELCOME TO HER NEW TESTAMENT.

The Flemish clothiers — The colporteurs — Fj'she and Necton — The
popular welcome of God's Word — The episcopal meeting — The
burning of Christ's Testament — The bonfire furthered truth —
Episcopal injunctions — The royal warning — Blind Old Nixe —
Mandate to seize Roye and Tyndale — More's pen in request —
The persecution of 1528— Maitland's strictures on the Puritan
writers — Honey Lane Church and its Parson — Garratt visits
Oxford — Cardinal College Testament distributors — Dalaber and
Garratt — The thi-ee heads of colleges — Prior Dunstan — Dalaber's
troubles — Astrology at fault — Garratt apprehended— Higdon
and Longland suggest mercy — Wolsey unrelenting — Clerk's
death — The commiseration of the townspeople— The future
careers of some of those spared — God against the popish
hierarchy - - - - - ?G

VII. — THE ' WICKED MAMMON ' AND THE ' OBEDIENX'E.'

Tyndale and Roye separate — Jerome Barlow — The ' Burying of the
Mass' — 'Railing rhymes' — Tyndale at Marburg — The Land-
grave's university — The ' Wicked Mammon ' — Tyndale deeply
influenced by Luther — The sum of Christianity — The ' True
Obedience of a Christian Man ' — The ' passive obedience ' of
Tyndale and the age — Change anticipated — Anne Boleyn and
the ' Obedience ' — John Fryth joins Tyndale — Amendment of
their Eucharistic views — More's statement incorrect — The Mar-
burg Conference - - - - - 111

VIII.— MORE, HIS FAMILY AND MANOR-HOUSE.

The two champions — Chelsea manor-house — Sir Thomas and his

family - - - - - -123

IX. — more's early AND LATER OPINIONS.

The 'Utopia' — More's advanced speculations — His religious
opinions change — More and Luther compared — The cause celebre
— Collateral influences — More as a judge — His bitterness against



xvi CONTENTS.

PAGE

heretics — His self-defence — Its omissions — Yet More gentler
than many others - - - - - 128

X. — THE CONTROVERSY.

The ' Dialogue ' — More on Tyndale's version — His suggestions for
an Authorized Version — Tyndale's ' Answer ' — Opposed defini-
tions of the ' Church ' — Tyndale's ' juggling terms ' — Our recent
Revised Version — More's 'Confutation' — More and Tyndale
compared as writers — Chelsea Old Church — More's cenotaph —
The acerbity of religious differences — Tyndale's monuments and
monument -... - 139

BOOK IV.

SEPARATION FROM ROME.

I. — England's foreign relations.
God's providence in behalf of England — The marriage of Arthur
and Katharine — Arthur's decease — Isabella's fears — The dis-
pensation granted — Prince Henry — Henry married to Katharine
— Domestic bereavements — Henry's military ambition — The
Holy League — Peace with France — Mary Tudor, bride to
Louis XII. — The many crowns of Charles — Francis and Charles
rivals — Wolsey's policy — Charles wins Henry and Wolsey—
Henry's book — Wolsey tricked by Charles — Great danger of
Francis — Bourbon's failure — The audacity of Francis — Secret
negotiations — Francis made prisoner at Pavia— Charles revealed
in success — Seizure of De Praet's despatches — Wolsey and
Charles — The emperor's magnificent prospects — The ' amicable
loan' — Charles declines the Princess Mary — Wolsey draws
nearer to France — The Italian League — The true ])ortrait of
Francis — The fraternal alliance — The motives of the new
brothers — The French alliance unpopular in England — The
sack of Rome — Clement's flight — The imperial troops in their
success without generals— The emperor's protestations — War
declared by the allied sovereigns . - - - 151

II. — the king's conscience.
Wolsey's embassy into France — Its objects — His brilliant train — His
instructions to his followers — His glory overcast — Henry's
matrimonial scruples — Wolsey's crafty solicitations — The ques-
tion submitted to authorities — The origin of the king's scruples
— Henry's yearning for a male successor — Anne's person and
antecedents — Henry's love-letters — Wolsey's opposition sur-
mounted — Clement released — Knight's confidential mission —
Wolsey resumes negotiations with Clement — The ' Commission'
drawn up by him — The strange terms of the ' Dispensation ' —
— Clement's perplexity — Gardiner and Fox at Orbieto — Wolsey's



CONTENTS. xvii

TAOE

commendation of Anne — Clement and Gardiner — The 'Dis-
pensation' and a 'General Commission' signed — Henry separates
from Katharine— The character of Anne — The character of
Henry - - - - - - 177

III.— PREPARATIONS FOR THE TRIAL.

The new Abbess of Wilton — Wolsey's forebodings — The legate
Campeggio — Sickness at court — Campeggio procrastinates —
Clement's policy determined by events — Henry and Katharine
alike obstinate — Katharine 'confesses ' to Campeggio — The inter-
posed Brief — Katharine's demeanour censured — Was the Brief
genuine ? — Reasons for believing it spurious — Clement will not
openly repudiate it — Campano's mission — Rumour of Clement's
death — Wolsey's unstable position — Discussions about the Brief
superseded — Speed ! speed ! - - - - 202

IV, — THE TRIAL.

Henry and Katharine before the legates — A scene oft doubted
proved true — Fisher courts martyrdom — Katharine's procura-
tion — Clement and Campeggio in secret understanding — Both
Legates distrusted — Was Wolsey a traitor to Henry? — The
sentence of prorogation — The 'Ladies' Peace' — Its terms —
Henry's matrimonial hopes no brighter — The Barcelona com-
pact — The year 1529 memorable — The advocation and suspen-
sion— Wolsey warns Clement — Campeggio departs — Roman
insolence disgusts the English - - - - 215

V. — NEW MINISTERS.

The mysterious document— The cardinals at Grafton — Wolsey's
downfall certain — Wolsey sued in the Court of King's Bench —
His prudent submission— Francis endeavours his reinstatement
in vain — The precautions of his enemies — Charles Suffolk —
Thomas Norfolk — Stephen Gardiner — Eustace Cbapuys —
Ecclesiastical promotions — Wolsey delivers up the seal — Retires
to Esher — Henry's 'comfortable words '—Sir Thomas More
chancellor — Wolsey condemned — Surrenders everything - 227

VI. — THE REFiJRMING PARLIAMENT.

Parliament summoned — More's two speeches — The Reforming
Parliament— The Commons' petition— The title accorded to the
king — The 'Three Estates '—Fisher alone has the hardihood
to defend the Church — Scanty enactments of the first
session— Wolsey's impeachment — The forty-four Articles— The
impeachment in the Commons languishes — Prorogation of



xviii COXTENTS.

I'AOE

Parliament— Wolsey's legal pardon— York restored to him —
Noble traits shining through misfortunes - - - 241

VI r. — THE OBSCURE TO THE FRONT.

WoLsey at Esher— Crumwell on ' Allhallowen-day '— Crumwell rides
to London— His shrewdness relieves Wolsey — How Crumwell
gained royal favour— His first interview with Henry— All the
clergy in a praBmunire — Their bargain with Henry- Crumwell's
defence of Wolsey acceptable to the king — His rapid elevation
— His fidelity in contrast to Gardiner— Crumwell's early life —
Was he quite ignorant of Latin ?— The Italy of that age—
Crumwell's career of prosperity — Gardiner and Fox meet
Cranmer— Cranmer's suggestion— He is sent for by Henry-
Was Cranmer Lord Rochf ord's priest ? .— The embassy to
Bologna — Cranmer at Rome — Cranmer ambassador to Charles
—He is suddenly recalled— His reluctance to obey— He is con-
secrated archbishop — Cranmer and Crumwell — Their diiferences
and agreements in character .... 252

VIII.— THE CROWN AND THE TIARA.

Hunry reluctant to break with Clement — Henry's embarrassments —
The first papal Brief— Delay extorted— University sentences —
Venality rife — Delays again— Henry indignantly refuses to be
tried at Rome — His letter to Clement— Katharine's requests
conceded by the pope— The second papal Brief— The king's
citation a national insult — An ' Excusator ' sent — Who is not
admitted — English pride wounded — The vehement struggle
throughout England — Pulpit controversy — The Greenwich
sermons— The Nun of Kent— Fruitless efi;orts with Katharine-
God's watchful providence - . . . 276

IX. — THE C(JNI'LICT DRAWING TO AN END.

The third papal Brief— Its influence neutralized— Cranmer's eleva-
tion encourages Henry — He secretly marries Anne — The arch-
bishop's court at Dunstable — Cranmer gives sentence — The
coronation — Katharine will not relinquish her title — Henry
prepares for the concluding struggle — The royal supremacy —
The Speaker of the Commons summoned — The Act in restraint
of annates — The submission of the clergy — More's resignation
— Audley keeper of the seal— More and Fisher— Spnin and
England contrasted : formerly and now — The obvious lesson - 2111

X. — THE FINAL SEVEKANCE.

The Statute of Appeals — Henry excommunicated — Clement and
Francis at Marseilles — Bonner presents Henry's appeal — The



CONTLWTS. xix

PAdE

marriage with Katharine declared valid at Rome — The Act of
Settlement — The Act of Royal Supremacy — Birth and baptism
of Elizabeth - - - - - - ?»I14



BOOK V.

MARTYR CONSTANCY.

I. — ONE CONDITION TO SUCCESS WANTING.

Three conditions necessary to success — Heroic constancy still want-
ing — Tyndale on the divorce question — His right of private
judgment — His interpretation of events in Enghxnd — He
removes from Marburg — The Packington bargain— The version
of the Pentateuch — Jonah and its Prologue— The text at last
found — The Treaty of Cambray — The king's May meetings
The proclamation - - - - 310

II. — HUGH LATIMEK.

Latimer's pulpit warfare — His noble letter to Henry for an open
Bible— His labours at West Kington— Latimer as a preacher —
He is tried, and fails — Scene in the Arras Chamber — Persecution
triumphant — Crome yields — Latimer with Bainham - 319

III. — AN EFFORT TO REPAIR FAILURE.

Bilney's shame for his recantation — His repentance and revived

courage — His martyrdom ... - 325

IV. — THE SEAL OF SUCCESS.

Tyndale the chief stay among our early Reformers — Vaughan com-