Biography of Archbishop Matthew Parker 1504-1575
1559 Consecration of Matthew Parker as Archbishop of Canterbury
1559 Consecration of new Bishops
On 06 Aug 1504 Archbishop Matthew Parker was born in St Saviour's Church, Norwich [Map].
Diary of Edward VI. 28 Feb 1551. The lerned man Bucerus (age 59)3 died at Cambrige, who was tow daies after buried in Saint Maries church [Map], at Cambrige, al the hole universite with the hole towne bringing him to the grave, to the nombre 3,000 persons; also there was an oracion of mr. Haddon made verie eloquently at his death, and a sermon of (dr. Parker (age 46)).1a After that mr. Redman made a thirde sermon.2a Wich three sermons made the peple wonderfully to lament his death. Last of al, alle the learned men of th'universite made ther epitaphes in his praise, laieng them on his grave.3a
Note 3. Martin Bucer (age 59) and Paul Fagius, having been invited from Strasburgh by Cranmer (age 61), arrived in London on the 25th of April, 1549. They resided at Lambeth for a quarter of a year, and then proceeded to Cambridge, where Bucer became professor of Divinity, and Fagius of Hebrew. The climate of the English university soon affected them. Fagius died on the 13th Nov. 1550, "after having suffered most severely from a quartan fever since the 28th of August." (Letter of Bucer in the Zurich Letters, iii. 549.) Bucer almost immediately — in the month of August 1549 — fell into ill health, suffering from a complication of disorders, from which he had a temporary reprieve at the time of the death of Fagius. (See his letter, dated May 18, 1550, ibid. p. 543.) There is a little book edited by Conrad Hubert entitled "Historia vera de vita, obitu, sepultura, accusatione hffireseos, condemnatione, honorificaq' tandem restitutione beatorum atque doctiss. Theologorum, D. Martini Buceri et Pauli Fagii, quas intra annos xii. in Anglias regno accidit. Item historia Catharinse Vermiliee, D. Petri Martyris Vermilij castiss. atque pijssims coniugis, eshumatje, eiusdemq; ad honestam sepulturam restitutse. Cum Orationibus, Concionib. Epitaphijs, uariisq; Encomiasticis carminibus, Lectu dignissimis. Omnia paucissimis hactenus uisa. 1562." (Colophon, Argentina, m.d. li.) fF. 215. 12mo. Foxe gives the particulars of the barbarous exhumation and cremation of the bones of Bucer and Fagius which subsequently took place in the reign of queen Mary, accompanied by a curious engraving of the scene. The bones of the "wife of Peter Martyr underwent the same ordeal at Oxford. Some interesting notices of King Edward from the pen of Bucer will be seen in the Biographical Memoir.
Note 1a. Bucer left Matthew Parker (age 46) and Walter Haddon his executors. See in the Zurich Letters, iii. 361, one addressed by them to the guardians of Bucer's children, accompanied by an inventory of his personal property. The Latin oration of Haddon, who officiated as university orator, occurs in Haddoni Lucubrationes, Lond. 1597; also in Historia vera, mentioned in the preceding note, and in Buceri Scripta Anglicana (see next note), pp. 882 — 892. Parker's sermon was preached in English, but ex Anglico in Latinum versa was published both in the Historia vera and in Buceri Scripta Anghcana, pp. 892 — 899.
Note 2a. John Redman, master of Trinity college, preached on the day following the funeral. His sermon, which like Parker's was in English, does not appear to have been published. He died himself in the following November: see various documents relative to the "godly confession" he made on his death-bed printed by Foxe.
Note 3a. The "epitaphs" or epigrams were published in a book bearing this title: "De obitu doctissimi et sanctissimi theologi doctoris Martini Buceri, Eegij in celeberrima Cantabrigiensi Academia apud Anglos publice sacrarum literamm praelectoris, Epistolaj duse. Item, Epigrammata varia cum Græcæ (sic) tum Latinè conscripta in eundem fidelissimū Divini uerbi ministrum. Londini, Anno Domini m.d.li. (in officina Eeginaldi Vuolfij coloph.)," 4to. 52 leaves. The copy now in the Grenville collection in the British Museum was that which belonged to the earl of Arundel, and has his autograph ArundeL on the title-page. The book was edited by sir John Cheke; and the first of the two Epistolæ is addressed by him to Peter Martyr. It relates the proceedings on the day of the funeral, and is dated Westmonasterij, x Martij, M.D.Li. The second letter is addressed to Cheke by Nicholas Carr Novocastrensis (who was Cheke's successor as reader of Greek): it is dated from Trinity college, Cambridge, Anno Domini m.d.li. Id. Mart, and occupies the greater part of the book (27 leaves). Then follow the Epigrammata, which are by Henry duke of Suffolk (age 15), Charles Brandon (age 14) his brother, John lord Sheffield (age 13) (three young noblemen then at Cambridge), John Cheke, Anthony Cooke, Walter Haddon, Nicholas Carew (in Greek, the others in Latin), Robert Pember, Edward Bovington, Christopher Carlel (both in Latin and Greek), Miles Wilson, Henry Ailand (in Greek), John Tomson, John Frere (Latin and Greek), Thomas Gardiner, William Boyton (Greek), John Cul- peper (Latin and Greek), Eichard Kytchin, Peter Perusinus, Thomas Wilson, John Goodrich, Oswald Metcalfe, John Bacher (Baker?), WilKam Harward, Henry Wright, John Seman, Thomas Lews, William Temple, Nicholas Karvill (or Carvill, afterwards bishop elect of Worcester), William Leche, Francis Newton, Alexander Nowell, William Lewis, John Herd, Peter Bellopoelius, Bartholomew Traheron, Nicholas Udall, William Buckley, and Martin Fargan. Cheke has added an epitaph in Latin hexameters by himself on sir Anthony Denny, and four Greek lines headed "Marise Cicella; Epitaphium i. c.;" and the book concludes with a Latin letter addressed by him to Haddon, who was then seriously ill, shortly after the death of Bucer, dated 19 Martij, Anno 1551. Of this last a translation is given in Strype's Life of Cheke; but Strype never saw the book which has now been described. Its contents are all reprinted in the Historia vera, &c. already mentioned in the preceding notes, and again in Martini Buceri Scripta Anghcana fere omnia, also edited by Conrad Hubert, and printed Basilece, m.d.lxxvii. folio. An English letter from Cheke to Parker, written from Westminster on the 9th of March, is published with Cheke's "Gospel according to Saint Matthew," edited by James Goodwin, B.D. 1843, p. 115. It begins: "I have delivered the universitee lettres to the King's M. [this letter will be found in Dr. Lamb's Cambridge Documents, p. 154], and spoken with the lords of the councel, and with mi lord of Canturburie for mres Bucere. I dout not she schal be wel and worthili considered." As the result of this we find the following entries: — "March xxxi. A lettre to (blank)- to paie to mistress Bucer her husbandes half-yeres pencion due to Mm at our Ladies daie last past, although he died before, and to allowe her reasonabehe for suche reparacions as shee bestowed about her howse. — A passport for the said mistress Bucer, and viij persones in her compaaye." (Council Book.) The university gave the widow a hundred crowns, and the King as many marks. (Cooper's Annals of Cambridge, ii. 54.)
Henry Machyn's Diary. 23 Jun 1559. The xxiij day of June was electyd vj nuw byshopes, com from beyond the see, master Parker (age 54) bysshope of Canturbere, master Gryndall (age 40) bysshope of London, docthur Score (age 49) bysshope of Harfford, Barlow (age 61) Chechastur, doctur Bylle of Salysbere [Note. Possibly a reference to William Bill Almoner (age 54) although he wasn't Bishop of Salisbury, doctur Cokes (age 66) (of) Norwyche [Note. He was elected but the Queen changed her mind and appointed him to Ely].
On 01 Aug 1559 Archbishop Matthew Parker (age 54) was elected Archbishop of Canterbury. He was helped by his friend Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 48).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 16 Dec 1559. The xvj day of Desember was the sam man bered in sant Don stones in the est, master Cottell, that was slayne with (the) falle, and he had a sarmon, and all ys compene in ther clothyng, and a grett dener, for ther was mad mon [moan] for hym, and a dolle.... Parker (age 55) electyd byshope of Canturbere.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Dec 1559. The xvij day of Desember was the nuw byshope of [Canterbury,] doctur Parker (age 55), was mad ther at Lambeth.
On 17 Dec 1559 Archbishop Matthew Parker (age 55) was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace [Map] by Bishop William Barlow (age 61).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1559. The xx day of Desember a-for non, was sant Thomas evyn, my lord of Canturbere (age 55) whent to Bow chyrche and ther wher v nuw byshopes mad.1559 Consecration of new Bishops
Note. P. 220. New bishops made. A tabular list of the new bishops will be found in Strype, Annals, i. 157.
On 21 Jan 1560 two Bishops were consecrated ...
Bishop Nicholas Bullingham (age 40) was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln.
Archbishop Thomas Young (age 53) was consecrated Bishop of St David's at Lambeth Palace [Map] by Archbishop Matthew Parker (age 55).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 07 Apr 1560. The sam day dyd pryche at the court my lord the byshope of Canturbere (age 55), and made a nobull sermon.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29 Jul 1560. The xxix day of July the Quen('s) (age 26) grace removyd from Grenwyche [Map] on her grace('s) progresse, and at Lambeth [Map] she dynyd with my lord of Canturbere (age 55) and her consell; and after [took her] gorney towhard Rychmond [Map], and her grace lay ther v [5] days; and after to Ottland [Map], and ther So[nday and] Monday dener, and to Suttun to soper.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 23 Mar 1561. The xxiij day of Marche dyd pryche at [Newington] be-yonde sant Gorgus the byshope of Canturbere, docthur Parker (age 56), and mad a goodly sermon.
On 01 Jan 1562 the New Years Gift Giving was held. Those who gave gifts provide an interesting who's who of the Elizabethan Court soon after Elizabeth I's Coronation. Queen Elizabeth (age 28) was present since a number are described as "With the Qene her Majestie."
For 'dimy' read 'demi' ie half-sovereigns.
Neweeyeur's Gyftes gevon to the Quene her Majestie by those Parsons whose Names hereafter ensue, the first of January, the Yere above wrytten.
By the Lady Margaret Strainge (age 22), a little round mounte of golde to conteyne a pomaunder in it. With the Qene her Majestie. Note. Lady Margaret Strange married Henry Stanley Lord Strange (age 30) on 07 Feb 1555. In 1561 he had not succeeded to Earldom of Derby and was known by the courtesy title Lord Strange. She is listed first since she was one of the few remaining direct descendants of Henry VII, being a great-granddaughter by his daughter Mary Tudor. Margaret Clifford (age 22) was first in line to succeed in 1568 but died in 1596 before Elizabeth I.
Dukes, Marquises and Earls.
By the Duke of Norfolke (age 25), in a purse of purple silke and golde knit, in sundry coynes of golde £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Winchester (age 79), High Threasourer of Englande, in a purse of crymsen satten, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Northampton (age 50), in a purse of crymsen silke and gold knit, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Arundell (age 49), Lord Steward, in a paper, in angels, £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Shrewesburye (age 34), in a red silke purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Darbye (age 52), in a purse of crymsen satten, embraudered with golde, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Pembroke (age 61), in a purse of black silk and silver knit, in new angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Bedforde (age 35), in a purse of black silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Rutlande (age 35), in a purse of red silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraigns and angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Huntingdon, in a red silk purse, in angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Westmerlande (age 37), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Oxforde (age 46), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Northumberlande (age 34), in a purse of black silke and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d. With the Quene her Highness.
By the Earle of Warwike (age 32), a smocke wrought with black silk, a peire of slevis, and a partelett wrought with gold, silver, and black silke. Delivered to the Baroness Cobham (age 23).
By the Viscounte Mountague (age 33), in a purse of cloth of golde, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Bishops. The list of Bishops ends with "With her said Majestie"; unclear whether this refers to all the Bishops listed.
By the Archbusshop of Caunterbury (age 57), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £40 0s 0d.
By the Archbusshop of York (age 61), in soveraigns £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Duresme (age 42), in a purse of crymson silk and gold knytt, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Ely (age 69), in a red vellat purse, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Wynchester (age 52), in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt and set with pearles, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of London (age 43), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Salisbury (age 39), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Worcester (age 43), in a black vellat purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lyncoln (age 42), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chychester (age 64), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Norwich (age 50), in a blew silk purse £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Hereforde (age 52), in a green silk purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lychfield and Coventry (age 48), in a red satten purse, in angells £13 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Rochester (age 48), in a red purse, in gold £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Saint Davies (age 55), in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Bathe, in a purse of red silk, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Exetour, in a blew silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Peterborowe, in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chester, in a red purse, in angells and soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Duchesses and Countesses.
By the Duchess of Norfolke (age 22), in a prse of crymsen silk and gold knyt, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Duchess of Somerset (age 65), in a purse of silver and black silk, in royalls and ducketts £14 0s 0d. Probably the Dowager Duchess of Somerset since her husband Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset had been executed in 1552, and their children disinherited as a result.
By the Countess of Surrey, in a purse of tawny silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Dowager since her husband Henry Howard 1516-1547, by courtesy Earl Surrey, had been executed in 1547.
By the Countess of Pembroke (age 38), in a cherry bag of crymsen satten, in new angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Bedford (age 36), in a purse of crymsen silk and silver knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Darby (age 51), in a purse of crymson sattin embrodred with gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Oxford (age 36), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury, Dowager (age 62), in a purse of black silk knytt, in dimy soveraignes £12 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury (age 37), in a red silk purse knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon, Dowager (age 51), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon (age 24), in a red purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Northumberland (age 24), in a purse of black silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Rutland (age 29), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
Viscountesses.
By the Vicountess Hereford, Dowager (age 42), six hankercheffes edged with gold delivered to the said Baroness Cobham (age 23).
By the Vicountess Mountague (age 24), in a purse of cloth of gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Lordes.
By the Lorde Keeper of the Great Seale, Bacon (age 51), in a purse of silver knytt, in angells £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde William Howard, Lord Chamberlen (age 52), in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Pagett (age 56), in a greene purse in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Clynton, Lord Admyrall (age 50), in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Riche (age 65), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde North (age 66), in a purse of purple silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Lumley (age 29), in a paper, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Hastings of Loughboro (age 41), in a red silk purse, in French crowns £13 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Stafford (age 60), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Windsor (age 30), in a purse of crymsn silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
by Lorde John Graye (age 38), a haunce pott of allabaster garnished with silver gilt. Delivered in charge to John Asteley, Esq Master and Threasourer of her Highnes Jewels and Plate. Lord John Grey assumed to be a courtesy title his father being Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset.
By the Lorde Barkeley (age 27), in a red purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Mountejoye (age 29), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Abergavennye (age 36), in a purse of red silke, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Scrowpe (age 28), in a purse of blak silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Caree of Hundesdon (age 35), in a purse of crymsen silk, in double ducketts £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Strainge (age 30), in a purse of red silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Lord Strange being the courtesy title for the Earldom of Derby. He wouldn't inherit until 1572.
By the Lorde Darcey of Chichey (age 30), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes, £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shefild (age 24), in a red silk purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shandowes (age 40), in a blak silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Ladyes.
By the Baroness Howarde (age 47), in a purse of crymsen silk and knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Clinton (age 35), a peire of sleevis of gold, pulled out with lawne. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham (age 23).
By the Baroness Genevillet, in gold £6 13s 4d.
By the Lady Barkeley (age 24), Lord Barkeley's wife, in gold £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Mountejoye (age 30), in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Abergavenny, in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Caree of Hundesdon (age 33), in a blak purse knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Taylboyes, Sir Peter Carewe's (age 48) wyfe, in a purse of blak silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Cobham (age 23), a partelett and a peire of sleeves of sypers wrought with silver and blak silke. Re-delivered to herself.
By the Lady Dakers (age 21), a warming ball of gold, per oz. 3 oz. dim. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shefilde (age 20), a paire of sleeves wrought with fringe of blak silk and lozeng of gold. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Margaret Baroness Scrope (age 18), in a purse of blak silk and silver, in angells £7 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shandowes (age 38), a peire of sleeves and a partlett of gold and silver knytt, cawle fashion. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Lady Knowlles (age 38), a feyne carpett of needleworke, theverende frienged and buttoned with gold and silk. Delivered to John Torneworth, Groom of the Privy Chamber.
By the Lady Butler, in a little white purse, in French crowns £6 0s 0d. With her said Majestie. Unclear as to who Lady Butler refers to.
By the Lady Raclyef, a peire of sleeves of cameryk, all over sett with purle, and two sweet bags. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25 May 1562. The xxv day of May was bered master Godderyke (age 56) sqwyer, the wyche he ded at ys place with-in Whyt-freres, and cared unto sant Andrew's in Holborne [Map] to be bered; and ther was the compene of the Clarkes syngyng pryke-song, and then cam a morner careng ys pennon of armes, and then cam master Yorke beyryng ys cott armur, and after master Clarenshus (age 52); and then cam the corse with a ryche palle of tynsell and ryche cloth of sylver with armes of bokeram; and then the morners, and after the byshope of Canturbere (age 57) and the byshope of Ely (age 69) and the byshope of London (age 43), and next my lord keper (age 51) and my lord cheyffe justus of England and mony worshephull men, and after ij C [200] of the ines of the cowrt folowd; and the dene of Powlles (age 45) dyd pryche for hym.
Note. P. 283. Funeral of master Godderyke. It seems not improbable, from the attendance at this funeral, that this was a brother or near relative of the late bishop of Ely and lord chancellor. In the register of St. Andrew's he is styled sir Richard Goodricke. (Malcolm.)
On 17 May 1575 Archbishop Matthew Parker (age 70) died.