Henry
VIII.

A. D.

1525

1540.

Crom

well,

More, and Gardi

panions

in the cardinal's

com

In this mean time Thomas Wolsey, cardinal of York, began to bear a great port in England, and almost to rule all under the king, or rather with the king; so that the freshest wits, and of best towardness, most commonly sought unto him; among whom was also Thomas Cromwell to his service advanced, where he continued a certain space of years, growing up in office and authority, till at length he was preferred to be solicitor to the cardinal.

There were also, about the same time, or not much different, in the household of the said cardinal, Thomas More, afterward knight and chancellor of England, and Stephen Gardiner, afterwards bishop ner, com- of Winchester and of the king's council. All these three were brought up in one household, and all of one standing almost together: house. whose ages as they were not greatly discrepant, nor their wits much Ar unequal, so neither were their fortune and advancements greatly between diverse, albeit their dispositions and studies were most contrary. And though, peradventure, in More and in Gardiner, there was more art of the letters, and skill of learning, yet notwithstanding, there was in this man a more heavenly light of mind, and more prompt and perfect judgment, eloquence equal, and, as may be supposed in this man, more pregnant, and, finally, in him was wrought a more heroical and princely disposition, born to greater affairs in the commonwealth, and to the singular help of many.

them.

It happened that in this mean season, as Cromwell was placed in this office to be solicitor to the cardinal, the said cardinal had then in hand the building of certain colleges, namely, his college in Oxford, called then Frideswide's, now Christ's Church. By reason whereof, certain small monasteries and priories, in divers places of the suppress realm, were, by the said cardinal, suppressed, and the lands seised to cardinal. the cardinal's hands; the doing whereof was committed to the charge

Small

monasterics

ed by the

See

Appendix,

Sir Chris

Hales,

of Crom

of

of Thomas Cromwell: in the expedition whereof he showed himself very forward and industrious, in such sort as in the handling thereof he procured to himself much grudge with divers of the superstitious sort, and with some also of noble calling about the king. And thus was Cromwell first set to work by the cardinal, to suppress religious houses which was about the year of our Lord 1525.

As this passed on, it was not long but the cardinal, who had gotten up so high, began to come down as fast, first from the chancellorship (in which room was placed sir Thomas More, as is before said); then he fell into a præmunire; so that his household being dissolved, Thomas Cromwell, amongst others, laboured also to be retained into the king's service.

There was at the same time one sir Christopher Hales, knight, topher master of the rolls, who, notwithstanding, was then a mighty papist; master yet bare he such favour and good liking to Cromwell, that he coma helper mended him to the king, as a man most fit for his purpose, having well to then to do against the pope. But here before is to be understood, the king. that Cromwell had greatly been complained of and defamed, by certain of authority about the king, for his rude manner and homely dealing, in defacing the monks' houses, and in handling of their altars, &c. Wherefore the king, hearing of the name of Cromwell, began to detest the mention of him; neither lacked there some standers-by, who, with reviling words, ceased not to increase and inflame the

VIII.

king's hatred against him: what their names were it shall not need Henry here to recite. Among others, there present at the same hearing, was the lord Russell, earl of Bedford, whose life Cromwell before A. D. had preserved at Bologna, through politic conveyance, at what time 1530 the said earl, coming secretly in the king's affairs, was there espied, 1540. and therefore being in great danger to be taken, through the means and policy of Cromwell escaped.

to

Russell

through

policy of

at Bolog

This lord Russell therefore, not forgetting the old benefits past, Lord and with like gratuity willing again to requite what he had received, earl of in a vehement boldness stood forth, to take upon him the defence of Bedford, Thomas Cromwell, uttering before the king many commendable the words in the behalf of him, and declaring withal how, by his singular Cromw device and policy, he had done for him at Bologna, being there in escape the king's affairs in extreme peril. And forasmuch as now his na. majesty had to do with the pope, his great enemy, there was (he mendeth thought) in all England none so apt for the king's purpose, who Cromwell could say or do more in that matter, than could Thomas Cromwell: king. and partly gave the king to understand wherein. The king hearing this, and specially marking the latter end of his talk, was contented and willing to talk with him, to hear and know what he could say.

Com

to the

brought

king

This was not so privily done, but Cromwell had knowledge, incon- Cromwell tinent, that the king would talk with him, and whereupon; and to talk therefore, providing beforehand for the matter, had in readiness with the the copy of the bishops' oath, which they use commonly to make to the pope at their consecration: and so being called for, he was brought to the king in his garden at Westminster; which was about the year of our Lord 1530.

words to

concern

ing the

Cromwell, after most loyal obeisance, doing his duty to the king, His according as he was demanded, made his declaration in all points; the king this especially making manifest unto his highness, how his princely authority was abused within his own realm by the pope and his præmu. clergy, who, being sworn unto him, were afterwards dispensed from nire the same, and sworn anew unto the pope; so that he was but as half a king, and they but half his subjects in his own land: which (said he) was derogatory to his crown, and utterly prejudicial to the common laws of his realm. Declaring, thereupon, how his majesty might accumulate to himself great riches, as much as all the clergy in his realm were worth, if it so pleased him to take the occasion now offered. The king, giving good ear to this, and liking right well his advice, required if he could avouch that which he spake. All this he could (he said) avouch to be certain so well, as that he had the copy of their own oath to the pope there present to show; and that no less, also, he could manifestly prove, if his highness would give him leave and therewith showed the bishops' oath unto the king. The king, following the vein of his counsel, took his ring off his sent by finger, and first, admitting him into his service, sent him therewith the king to the convocation-house, among the bishops. Cromwell, coming with the king's signet boldly into the clergy-house, and there placing himself among the bishops (William Warham being then archbishop), began to make his oration, declaring unto them the authority of a king, and the office of subjects, and especially the obedience of bishops and churchmen under public laws, necessarily

:

to the convo.

cation.

VIII.

1530

1540.

Henry provided for the profit and quiet of the commonwealth. Which laws, notwithstanding, they had all transgressed, and highly offended A.D. in derogation of the king's royal estate, falling in the law of præmunire, in that not only they had consented to the power legative to of the cardinal; but also, in that they had all sworn to the pope,' contrary to the fealty of their sovereign lord the king; and therefore had forfeited to the king all their goods, chattels, lands, possessions, and whatsoever livings they had. The bishops, hearing this, were not a little amazed, and first began to excuse and deny the fact. But after that Cromwell had showed them the very copy of their oath made to the pope at their consecration, and the matter was so demned plain that they could not deny it, they began to shrink and to fall to præmu entreaty, desiring respite to pause upon the matter. Notwithstanding, the end thereof so fell out, that to be quit of that præmunire by act of parliament, it cost them to the king, for both the provinces, Canterbury and York, no less than one hundred and eighteen thou Appendir, sand eight hundred and forty pounds; which was about the year of our Lord 1531, whereof before you may read more at large.

The

clergy

con

in the

nire.

See

Cromwell

made knight

ter of the

After this, A.D. 1531, sir Thomas Cromwell, growing in great favour with the king, was made knight, and master of the king's jewel-house, and mas and shortly after was admitted also into the king's council, which was about the coming in of queen Anne Bullen. Furthermore, within three years after the same, A. D. 1534, he was made master of the rolls, Dr. Taylor being discharged.

king's jewel

house.

Also

master of

Thus Cromwell, springing up in favour and honour, after this, in the rolls, the year 1537, a little before the birth of king Edward, was made knight of knight of the garter, and not long after was advanced to the earldom ter, and of Essex, and made great chamberlain of England: over and besides Essex. all which honours, he was constituted also vicegerent to the king,

the gar

earl of

His acts and do

representing his person; which office, although it standeth well by the law, yet seldom hath there been seen any besides this Cromwell alone, either to have sustained it, or else to have so furnished the same with counsel and wisdom, as Cromwell did. And thus much hitherto, concerning the steps and degrees of the lord Cromwell, rising up to dignity and high estate.

Now somewhat would be said, likewise, of the noble acts, the ings de- memorable examples, and the worthy virtues, not drowned by case of scribed. honour in him, but increased rather, and quickened by advancement of

authority and place, to work more abundantly in the commonwealth : among which his worthy acts and other manifold virtues, in this one chiefly, above all others, riseth his commendation, for his singular zeal and laborious travail bestowed in restoring the true church of Christ, and subverting the synagogue of Antichrist- the abbeys, I mean, and religious houses of friars and monks. For so it pleased Almighty God, by means of the said lord Cromwell, to induce the king to suppress first the chantries, then the friars' houses and small monasteries, till, at length, all the abbeys in England, both great and less, were utterly overthrown and plucked up by the roots. This act and enterprise of his, as it may give a precedent of singular zeal to all realms christened, which no prince yet to this day scarce dare follow:

(1) For the copy of the bishops' oath to the pope, see page 61 of this volume.-ED.

VIII.

1536

to

1540.

so, to this realm of England, it wrought such benefit and commodity, Henry as the fruit thereof yet remaineth, and will remain still in the realm of England, though we seem little to feel it. Rudely and simply I A.D. speak what I suppose, without prejudice of others who can infer any better reason. In the mean time my reason is this, that if God had not raised up this Cromwell as he did, to be the instrument of rooting out these abbeys and cells of strange religion, what other men see I able in know not; for my part, I never yet saw in this realm any such strument Cromwell since Cromwell's time, whose heart and courage might not pressing sooner have been subverted with the money and bribes of abbots, than he to have subverted any abbey in all England.

*Of how great laud and praise this man was worthy, and what courage and stoutness was in him, it may hereby evidently appear unto all men, that he alone, through the singular dexterity of his wit and counsel, brought to pass that, which even unto this day no prince or king, throughout all Europe, dare or can bring to pass. For whereas Brytanie alone, of all other nations, is and hath been, of their own proper nature, most superstitious; this Cromwell, being born of a common or base stock, through a divine method or policy of wit and reason received, suffered, deluded, brake off, and repressed, all the policies, trains, malice, and hatred of friars, monks, religious men, and priests, of which sort there was a great rabble in England. Their houses he subverted throughout all the realm. Afterwarde he brought the bishops and archbishops, and the bishop of Winchester himself, although he was the king's chief counsellor, to an order; frustrating and preventing all his enterprises and complaints by a marvellous providence, but, specially, in those things which did tend to the ruin and decay of good men and such as favoured the gospel; unto whom Cromwell was always as a shield against the pestiferous enterprises of Winchester.

2

Briefly, there was continual emulation between them two, and mortal dissension, such as Flaccus writeth of, happened between the wolves and the lambs: for both of them being greatly in the king's favour, the one being much more feared, the other was much better beloved. Either of them excelling in dexterity of wit, howbeit the virtues in the one far exceeded the other. For whereas the bishop of Winchester seemed such a man, to be born for no other purpose but only for the destruction of the good, this man, contrariwise, the divine providence had appointed as a remedy to help and preserve many, and to withstand the fury of the bishops; even like as we do see the same ground which bringeth forth most pestiferous poison, the same again also doth bring forth most wholesome and healthful remedies.

It were too long and tedious a declaration here to declare, how many good men, through this man's help and defence, have been relieved and delivered out of danger; of whom a great number after his fall, being (as it were) deprived of their patron, did shortly after perish: there are many of them yet alive at this present day, which are witnesses of these things which we report, and greater things also than these. In this manner the Omnipotent God hath always accustomed, in all commonwealths, to moderate adversity with

(1) For the next paragraphs extending to page 373, and distinguished with asterisks, see Edition 1563, pages 589-593.-ED. (2) Horace, Epod. iv. 1.-ED.

A profit

in sup

abbeys.

VIII.

to

Henry prosperity, and things hurtful with other more wholesome and healthful; whereby it happeneth, that as oftentimes good and A. D. fortunate planets being joined with the hurtful and noisome, they do 1536 either utterly dissipate their mad furies, or at the least somewhat 1540. keep them back; whereby, if they be not utterly prohibited, yet they do less hurt than otherwise they would. Which thing, if it were to be conferred with the histories of our old fathers, Jehu, the sharp punisher of superstitious idolatry in the sacred commonwealth, was not much unlike this man: likewise, in profane commonwealths, Camillus, and Cicero, who, through his singular prudence joined with eloquence, withstood and put off the wicked enterprises of Catiline. Albeit that the terror conceived upon the conspiracy of Catiline was not so noisome unto the commonwealth of Rome, as the bloody and insatiable cruelty and slaughter of these our bishoppes conspiracies do every where vex and trouble the christian common wealth; for, albeit that Catiline, through his wicked enterprise, went about the death of all good men and the destruction of the commonwealth, yet did he rather put it in fear, than wound the commonwealth; but all the life and doings of these men, is nothing else but a conspiracy, according to the prophecy of Esaie; that they do seem twice worse than any Catiline: for whatsoever he went about by any privy pretence of his mind, that these men do perform openly: neither was it to be doubted but that he, albeit he were never so cruel or fierce of nature, yet if he had had the upper hand, he would once have made an end of murdering and killing. But these men, although they daily, in every place, kill Christ in his holy members, yet they never appoint or ordain any end or measure of their slaughter. The which kind of men (albeit there be nothing in a manner by nature more cruel), besides their natural cruelty, they are endued with crafts and subtlety, which is far worse, not being so hurtful by the one, as detestable for the other: for an open enemy, be he never so mighty or fierce, yet if he cannot be vanquished, he may be taken heed of. And it happeneth oftentimes that violence, which is foreseen, may easily, or with like violence, be repulsed; or at the least the wound that is received by another man's violence, is less grievous than that which cometh by fraud or deceit. But these men do not kill with armour and weapon, but, going a privier way to work, yet do the same being so much the more to be blamed, forsomuch as they themselves, being the authors of the murder, do so put off the matter from themselves to other, as though they were free from all suspicion of cruelty. But here a man may the more perceive the inveterate subtleties of the old serpent, besides that, the more to provoke cruelty, there are added most plausible and honest titles, whereby the better all mercy and pity might be excluded; and also they, even in their most tyranny, when they have committed or done any thing most cruelly or horrible, yet they might deserve praise of the common people, as for a most holy work, done ex officio,' as they call it. So, under the name of Christ, they deeply persecute Christ, and, under the pretence and cloak of peace, they kill more than any murderers. And, whiles that they do take upon them the name and title of the church, they do violently invade the church of Christ.

In foreign wars it happeneth oftentimes that truces are taken; and