CONCLUSION.
IF the disposal of the monastery lands in general had only been
conducted with the fairness and consideration observed at St.
Margaret's, the social condition of England in those days would not
have sunk to the depth of misery it did, nor would there have been the
bitter opposition to the new faith, which was aroused by the scandalous
way in which the lands and revenues were either seized by the King
himself, or portioned out among his favourites and courtiers.
It must be borne in mind, too, that it was all done in the name of
the Reformation, whereas true reformers, like Cranmer and Latimer,
advocated that when the disinherited monks and nuns had been provided
for, the wealth remaining should be used in the founding of schools,
and the promotion of learning at the different universities.
Henry professed to follow this advice, but a very small portion of the
property was ever devoted to the uses of the nation or the disinherited
brethren, and so the numbers of beggars were daily increasing, trebling
the trouble and anxiety of men like Sir Miles Paton, who were steadily
trying to stem the torrent of poverty that drove men into insurrection
and the wildest excesses. But the most he could do was to guard this
one little corner of the land from being swept into disorder and
disruption.
And yet, amid all that was discouraging, there were signs that England
as a nation was on the upward path of progress. Tyndale was so far
encouraged by the reception given to the various editions of the New
Testament that, with the help of another translator, Miles Coverdale,
he completed the translation of the whole Bible about 1535. His
enemies, however, did not suffer him to live to see this given to the
English people with the authority of the King, as head of the Church,
for this was not printed and published until 1537, and it was some
months previous to this that Tyndale was strangled at Antwerp by order
of the Emperor.
He had the satisfaction of knowing that his work was done, and well
done, and that able hands were ready to pass on the lamp of life he had
lighted, and never again could England slip back into the darkness of
ignorance in which she had been held so long.
Sir Miles Paton did not hear of the death of his old friend until the
following year, for friends were chary of writing letters still, and so
it was not until he took another journey to Greenwich that the story of
Master Tyndale's martyrdom reached him.
Greenwich was all astir then with the news that the King had a son
born to him at last. But there was a speedy end put to the rejoicings
over this, for a fortnight later Queen Jane died at Wolsey's palace of
Hampton Court.
But Sir Miles heard other news that, to him, was far more interesting,
although the novelty had worn off for most of his friends. Now might be
seen the whole Bible, printed in English, and fastened to a convenient
desk in the parish church, and anyone might go and read it, or listen
to it being read. The king was compelled to adopt this course as a
justification of his own actions in claiming the supremacy of the
Church.
He had publicly set up the authority of the Bible against that of the
Pope, and he could no longer deny to his people the right to read it.
And this had so quickened the desire in many to master this art of
reading, that many grown men had begun to learn it, that they might
read the Word of God for themselves, and their families. Now the
difficulty was to obtain readers who could make the sense of this book
plain to the crowd of people who daily gathered in the church to listen
to the reading of God's Word.
Sir Miles could not forbear going each day to the church to read, for a
short time at least, to the little throng who were always waiting round
the desk for some reader to appear.
Speaking one day to his brother-in-law, of this eagerness of the crowd
to hear the words of life, Master Marvin interrupted with, "Aye, they
want to be amused."
"Well, if it is that, you might, with all the time you have to spare,
amuse the goodies and gaffers for an hour every day."
"I have a mind to do this," said Marvin. "I have no objection to people
reading the Bible if they do not rail upon the Church, so if it is
to read it straight on, without any sort of explanation, I shall be
willing to take my turn at the desk once a day, and Maud might go into
the church sometimes; she is never very busy."
Sir Miles was simply amazed that his brother-in-law so readily
consented to his proposal; and Walter Marvin detecting this, said,—"Why
should you marvel at this? The Church of Rome and the Pope, as well as
you Reformers, claim a right to the Scriptures; and surely we may try
the claim of both?"
"Why, that is exactly my argument, Walter. Let the people have the
Bible to read, and judge for themselves. If, after reading it fairly
and thoughtfully they say, 'I like the old way best,' very well, let
them hold to the Pope and priests. But if new light dawn upon them
through the reading of God's Word, then let it shine on, that the man
may be led as God wills, without hindrance from any man."
"That is fair enough," said Master Marvin; "and since the Parliament,
as well as the King, hath authorised the reading of this Bible of
Coverdale's—well, I shall not oppose it."
Sir Miles noted that everybody spoke of it as "Coverdale's Bible"—quite
ignoring the fact that his old friend Tyndale had a large share in
the translation of the Old Testament, as well as the New. Perhaps
Archbishop Cranmer thought that in bringing forward the name of
Coverdale as its translator, it would arouse less hostility than if the
name of Tyndale were made prominent. But Sir Miles was not disposed to
quarrel over this. After all, it was the Word of God; and if it made
the way easier for men to obtain it, he would not grumble, especially
if men like his brother-in-law would read it, which they would possibly
refuse to do, with the name of Tyndale brought prominently before them.
It was well-known now that Master William Tyndale had been executed as
a heretic by the orthodox Emperor, Charles the Fifth; but against the
name of "Coverdale" there was no such stigma.
A few days after this Maud came home with the news that her husband was
going by water to London Bridge to buy one of Coverdale's Bibles, that
he might read it at home for himself. He had twice been to church to
read to the poor folks that were gathered round the reading desk, but
he wanted a Bible of his own now, that he might read the portion over
to himself before reading it aloud.
Of course Maud was very pleased to be able to bring this news home, and
her friends were equally glad, especially Sir Miles.
"Now do not try to hurry in this thing; do not argue with Walter over
disputed opinions, but if you both wish to talk of what you read, try
to find points upon which you can agree. Walter is an honest-minded
man, who was shocked, like many others, over the divorce and treatment
of Queen Catherine. So were many of the Reformers as well as the
Catholics; and that part of his character which makes him desirous of
helping the poor, whenever and however he can, made him take up the
Queen's quarrel so passionately. Now be content with God's leading
Walter, and I believe happier days will dawn for you, Maud. Remember
this, he has never tried to hinder you from following the new opinions,
although he has small respect for them himself," Sir Miles added.
"I believe your advice is good, Miles," said his sister-in-law through
her tears. They were tears of hope and joy, and not of sorrow; and
though she would probably find it hard, when she had heard one of
Latimer's sermons, not to ask her husband to go with her to church the
next time the Bishop preached, she resolved to follow the advice just
given; for no one seemed to find out the good points in her husband's
character as Sir Miles did, and there was no one whom her husband
respected more than his heretic brother-in-law. Marvin always spoke of
him as a heretic, but immediately added, "He is a good knave, though,
for all that, and I only wish he could live a little nearer to us, that
I might see more of him."
"You must come again next year, Miles, if only for Walter's sake," said
Maud, when she bade her brother-in-law farewell, and Sir Miles promised
to do so if he could leave home.
He made but a short stay at Greenwich this time, and was relieved when
he got back to learn that everything had gone smoothly while he was
away. Most of the monks, who had left the neighbourhood at the time
of the suppression of the monastery, had strayed back to their old
haunts during the previous winter, and had by degrees been forced into
the ranks of the workers, in one capacity or the other; and it was
how these grumblers might act during his absence that made Sir Miles
anxious to return with as little delay as possible. He was relieved,
therefore, to hear that his care and anxiety was quite needless, that
the monks were beginning to learn that they were better off after all
than many from other monasteries, who came begging; for here they were
sure of employment by which they could earn sufficient to live upon,
and Sir Miles considerately made their tasks as light as he could at
first, that they might gradually learn, as his other tenants had done,
that work was a blessing and not a curse.
There was, perhaps, another inducement for these idlers to apply
themselves to the mastery of this work problem. Sir Miles had decided
that the monastery lands should be devoted to the benefit of the
brethren, as far as possible; and so, when a monk had proved himself a
good servant and workman, he might rent a piece of the old farm land,
and set up as a small farmer on his own account. Sir Miles did all
he could to develop this ambition, and in several cases with marked
success, but there were others who could not shake off the sloth that
seemed to have crept into their very bones and brains, so that they
would not try to do anything beyond their allotted tasks, and when they
were accomplished they would lie down in any sheltered corner to sleep
for the rest of the day.
Of course these, and the old and sick among the community, had to be
kept near to Paton Hall itself, for some of the tenants, having learned
the worth of work, were by no means disposed to be as merciful as their
master. They would have forced these unwilling workers to do as much
as the man who had learned to take a joy and delight in accomplishing
a good, creditable piece of work, whether on the farm, or on the
building of cottage or barn. For during the summer, work of both kinds
went on with unabated energy; and now that the old monastery and its
lands had come into Sir Miles' possession, there were more cottages and
homesteads to be built, and the materials of which the old monastery
had been constructed, or at least a good portion of them, were given
by the Commissioners to build these scattered homesteads for the new
farmers and yeomen.
Sir Miles quite intended to pay his promised visit to Greenwich the
following year, but the only time he could conveniently leave home the
following summer Lady Paton was very ill, and her illness continued
so long that all thought of such a journey had to be abandoned. So
messengers were sent to and fro with letters, by which means some home
news reached Paton Hall, but—lest mischief should befall—nothing of
great interest, either in public or private concerns, was entrusted to
these letters and messengers.
Early in the summer of 1539 a messenger arrived from Greenwich,
announcing that Master Marvin, with his wife and infant daughter, were
on their way to Paton Hall, and would probably arrive a day after the
letter reached them.
It caused quite a commotion in the household to hear such news as
this, and Lady Paton did not know whether to be glad or sorry that her
brother-in-law was coming. For her sister there would be an unstinted
welcome, and Lady Paton was pleased to hear that a baby had come at
last. But Walter Marvin—she could only shake her head and wonder.
Sir Miles laughed, and reminded his wife that it was possible
that Walter Marvin had changed since he had taken up the study
of God's Word. But the lady shook her head again. "He was such a
bigoted Catholic," she added. "You said yourself he would only read
'Coverdale's Bible.'"
"Well, well, we shall see when the travellers arrive. You and Margery
must have their chambers made ready, for I would not have them think we
do not gladly welcome them. So give them of the best, dear dame, and I
will order fresh rushes to be cut, that all may be in readiness when
they arrive."
But it was not until two days had passed that the travellers were seen
slowly wending their way through the village, with a cavalcade of
horses and mules that quite startled Sir Miles when he went out to meet
them.
"We have come to settle among you," said Master Marvin, when he
had greeted Sir Miles, and led him to where Maud was sitting on as
comfortable a pillion as her husband could contrive for her. She smiled
and looked so happy, as she held up her baby, that Sir Miles wondered
what it could all mean.
"Ah! it is the little one who has brought us hither. We could stand
trouble for ourselves—Maud and I—but when baby came, and the Parliament
passed this Act of Six Articles—'Gardiner's Creed,' as some call
it—well, it was time we got away from Greenwich before there was any
stir, or any talk."
This was whispered to Sir Miles as they stood in the village street,
and did but increase the mystery, as it seemed to Sir Miles. "You shall
tell me all the news when we get to Paton Hall," he replied. "We have
been anxiously awaiting you the last two days; your messenger said you
were close behind."
"Aye, but I had to take care of Maud and my little lady; I led their
mule most of the way myself."
Just then Lady Paton was seen coming towards the park-gate to greet her
sister, and console her for whatever trouble had brought them thither.
But one look at the happy face was enough to convince Lady Paton that,
whatever had happened, it had not touched her sister's happiness; and,
to her amazement, Walter Marvin claimed a greeting that he would have
scorned when she was with them at Greenwich.
"What do you think of our little lady?" asked the proud and happy
father; and then he took the baby from his wife and handed her to Lady
Paton, that she might have the honour of carrying her to the door of
Paton Hall.
"I am going to walk with Cicely," said Mistress Marvin, when her sister
took the baby. "You and Miles can see after the servants and baggage,
while I have a word with Cicely."
"What does it mean, dear sister?" asked Lady Paton when they were left
to themselves.
"Ah, you may well ask; we owe it all to Miles. When I made up my mind
that Walter must be saved from going to the stake, why, it seemed the
most natural thing for us to come to you."
"But you speak in riddles," said Lady Paton. "Why should Walter be sent
to the stake? That is the punishment for heretics."
"If you had only lived in Greenwich, you would have heard that Master
Walter Marvin went further than most of the reformers or heretics. I
followed the advice Miles gave me when he came to pay his last visit,
and let the Bible do its own work, without arguing about anything. But
in a very little while, that dreadful word 'transubstantiation' came
up, and then I found that Walter had actually been telling some priests
in the Church that he did not believe in it now. It would not have
mattered much, perhaps, if the King could be depended upon, but now he
has to decide what we shall, or shall not, believe, and as Gardiner and
he are very close friends just now, they have drawn up between them
what my husband calls 'Gardiner's Creed,' and which is now made the law
of the land. It is called 'The Act of Six Articles.' And the first of
these decrees, that for writing or speaking against transubstantiation,
the person found guilty shall be burned at the stake. The other five
are all in support of Romish doctrine, which we do not believe now.
As soon as I heard about this, I went to father, and he quite agreed
with me, that it would be best to get Walter out of the way as soon as
possible, because of this dreadful law; and we knew he would take every
opportunity of saying what he thought about the priestly pretensions
involved in this doctrine. Baby was only a month old, and Walter was so
fond of her, and I think it must have been God Himself that made me say
one day,"
"'Walter, it would be dreadful for baby to be left without a mother and
father!'"
"'What do you mean, wife?' he asked, turning pale."
"'Why, this dreadful Act of Six Articles may take us both away from
her, unless we take her away from Greenwich very soon.'"
"He was quiet for a little while, and then he said slowly, 'I see
what you mean! We will go to Miles and Cicely as soon as I can get my
affairs settled.'"
"'Father will do that for you,' I said. 'Let us go away with baby as
soon as we can get packed up.' Do you think I was right, Cicely? You
see I had to think of father, too, for it would involve him in dreadful
trouble if Walter was arrested; and if they had taken him I would have
gone too, for we have been so happy the last year that I could not be
parted from him now."
"How glad I am to hear this," breathed Lady Paton; but she could not
help wondering whether trouble might not come to them through this
uncompromising brother-in-law.
Mistress Marvin divined something of what was in her sister's mind, for
she said, "Before we left Greenwich, Walter promised father that he
would be guided entirely by what Miles said; and if he thought it would
be his duty now to read the Bible without any disputation, he would
give that up for baby's sake. Will you tell Miles this?"
"Yes, dear sister; and as he has proved in his own case that the Word
of God is in itself sufficient to lead a man to the truth, and out of
the errors of Rome, I think that ought to be sufficient."
Did this savour of cowardice? Many of those who went boldly to the
stake left wife and children. Shall we dare to say that they might
have chosen another and a more easy way? We do not know, we cannot
judge what the time demanded, we only know by record that this infamous
law brought many worthy men and women to the fires of Smithfield; and
others, seeing their fortitude, went to the study of God's Word, and at
length followed them through the fiery chrism. And at this awful cost
was England's civil and religious liberty won back from Pope and King,
who would have bound her in the fetters of ignorance and superstition
for all time.
Here I must bring my story to a close. During the remaining years of
Henry's life this "Act of Six Articles" claimed thousands of victims.
During the reign of his daughter, Queen Mary, it claimed even more
perhaps, but never again was the reading of God's Word prohibited in
England, and though Cromwell made the Parliament of his time a tool
for oppression, still the preservation of it was good. For when the
time came that liberty was regained, the channel through which its
life-giving stream should flow was ready to hand, and with an open
Bible and a free Parliament, neither Tudor nor Stuart could long hold
England in bondage.
THE END.