conspired to have murdered me; which one of them gave me warning
of, whose good will to the Gospel was not unknown unto the rest.
Thus the Lord preserved me from them, and many other dangers more;
but specially from hell fire, but that, of His mercy, He called me
from the company of the wicked.
This BANBERY, aforesaid, was the spy for Stepney parish; as JOHN
AVALES, BEARD, and such others were for London: who [_i.e.,
BANBERY_]caused my friend and neighbour Master IVE to be sent unto the
Marshalsea, but the LORD shortly delivered him. Wherefore I thought it
best to avoid [_leave_]; because my not coming to the church there,
should by him be marked and presented.
Then took I a little house in a secret corner, at the nether [_lower_]
end of Wood Street; where I might better shift the matter.
Sir HUMPHREY RATCLIFFE was the Lieutenant of the Pensioners, and always
favoured the Gospel; by whose means I had my wages still paid me [_70
marks a year_ = £46 13_s._ 4_d._ = _about_ £500 _now; besides a free
diet_].
* * * * *
When [Sir THOMAS] WYATT was come to Southwark [_6th February, 1554_]
the Pensioners were commanded to watch in armour that night, at the
Court: which I hearing of, thought it best, in like sort, to be there;
lest by my absence I might have some quarrel piked unto [_picked
with_] me; or, at the least, be stricken out of the book for receiving
any more wages.
After supper, I put on my armour as the rest did; for we were appointed
to watch all the night.
So, being all armed, we came up into the Chamber of Presence, with our
pole-axes in our hands. Wherewith the Ladies were very fearful. Some
lamenting, crying, and wringing their hands, said, "Alas, there is some
great mischief toward! We shall all be destroyed this night! What a
sight is this! to see the Queen's Chamber full of armed men. The like
was never seen, nor heard of!"
The Master [JOHN] NORRIS, who was a Gentleman Usher of the Utter
[_Outer_] Chamber in King HENRY VIII.'s time, and all King EDWARD's
time; always a rank Papist, and therefore was now Chief Usher of Queen
MARY's Privy Chamber: he was appointed to call the Watch, and see if
any were lacking. Unto whom, MOORE, the Clerk of our Cheque, delivered
the book of our names; which he perused before he would call them at
the cupboard. And when he came to my name, "What!" said he, "what doth
he here?"
"Sir," said the Clerk, "he is here ready to serve as the rest be."
"Nay, by God's body!" said he, "that heretic shall not be called to
watch here! Give me a pen!" So he struck out my name out of the book.
The Clerk of the Cheque sought me out, and said unto me, "Master
UNDERHILL, you need not to watch! you may depart to your lodging!"
"May I?" said I, "I would be glad of that," thinking I had been
favoured, because I was not recovered from my sickness: but I did not
well trust him, because he was also a Papist. "May I depart indeed?"
said I, "will you be my discharge?"
"I tell you true," said he, "Master NORRIS hath stricken you out of the
book, saying these words, 'That heretic shall not watch here!' I tell
you true what he said."
"Marry, I thank him!" said I, "and you also! You could not do me a
greater pleasure!"
"Nay, burden not me withal!" said he, "it is not my doing."
So departed I into the Hall, where our men were appointed to watch. I
took my men with me, and a link; and went my ways.
* * * * *
When I came to the Court gate, there I met with Master CLEMENT
THROGMORTON [_father of JOB THROGMORTON, the Martinist of 1589_], and
GEORGE FERRERS [_the Poet and Historian; see p._ 173], tending their
links, to go to London. Master THROGMORTON was come post from Coventry;
and had been with the Queen to declare unto her the taking of the Duke
of SUFFOLK. Master FERRERS was sent from the Council unto the Lord
WILLIAM HOWARD, who had the charge of the watch at London Bridge.
As we went, for that they were both my friends and Protestants, I told
them of my good hap, and manner of discharge of the Watch at the Court.
When we came to Ludgate, it was past eleven o'clock. The gate was
fast locked; and a great watch within the gate of Londoners, but none
without: whereof HENRY PECKHAM had the charge, under his father; who,
belike, was gone to his father, or to look to the water side.
Master THROGMORTON knocked hard, and called to them, saying, "Here are
three or four gentlemen come from the Court that must come in; and
therefore open the gate!"
"Who?" quoth one, "What?" quoth another; and much laughing they made.
"Can ye tell what you do, sirs?" said Master THROGMORTON, declaring
his name, and that he had been with the Queen to shew her Grace of the
taking of the Duke of SUFFOLK, "and my lodging is within, as I am sure,
some of you do know!"
"And," said FERRERS, "I am FERRERS, that was Lord of Misrule with King
EDWARD; and am sent from the Council unto my Lord WILLIAM, who hath
charge of the Bridge as you know, upon weighty affairs: and therefore
let us in, or else ye be not the Queen's friends!"
Still there was much laughing amongst them.
Then said two or three of them, "We have not the keys. We are not
trusted with them. The keys be carried away for this night."
"What shall I do?" said Master THROGMORTON, "I am weary and faint, and
I now wax cold. I am not acquainted hereabout; nor no man dare open his
doors at this dangerous time; nor am I able to go back again to the
Court. I shall perish this night!"
"Well," said I, "Let us go to Newgate! I think I shall get in there."
"Tush!" said he, "it is but in vain. We shall be answered there as we
are here."
"Well," said I, "and [_if_] the worst fall, I can lodge ye in Newgate.
Ye know what acquaintance I have there! and the Keeper's door is
without the gate."
"That were a bad shift!" said he, "I had almost as leave die in the
streets; yet I will, rather than wander again to the Court."
"Well," said I, "let us go and prove! I believe the Keeper will help
us in at the gate, or else let us in through his wards, for he hath a
door on the inside also. If all this fail, I have a friend at the gate,
NEWMAN the ironmonger; in whose house I have been lodged: where, I dare
warrant you, we shall have lodging, or at the least, house-room and
fire."
"Marry, this is well said!" saith FERRERS.
So to Newgate, we went: where was a great Watch without the gate, which
my friend NEWMAN had the charge of; for that he was the Constable. They
marvelled to see there, torches coming at that time of the night.
When we came to them, "Master UNDERHILL," said NEWMAN, "what news, that
you walk so late?"
"None but good!" said I, "We come from the Court, and would have gone
in at Ludgate, and cannot be let in: wherefore, I pray you, if you
cannot help us in here, let us have lodging with you!"
"Marry, that ye shall!" said he, "or go in at the gate whether ye will!"
"Godamercy, gentle friend!" said Master THROGMORTON; "I pray you let us
go in, if it may be!"
He called to the Constable within the gate, who opened the gate
forthwith. "How happy was I!" said Master THROGMORTON, "that I met with
you. I had been lost else."
* * * * *
When WYATT was come about [_i.e., from Southwark, through Kingston,
to Westminster on 7th February 1554_], notwithstanding my discharge of
the watch by Master NORRIS, I put on my armour, and went to the Court
[_at Whitehall Palace_]: where I found all my fellows in the Hall,
which they were appointed to keep that day.
Old Sir JOHN GAGE was appointed without the utter [_outer_] gate, with
some of his Guard, and his servants and others with him. The rest of
the Guard were in the Great Court, the gates standing open. Sir RICHARD
SOUTHWELL had charge of the back sides, as the Wood Yard and that way,
with 500 men.
The Queen was in the Gallery by the Gatehouse.
Then came KNEVETT and THOMAS COBHAM with a company of the rebels with
them, through the Gatehouse from Westminster: wherewith Sir JOHN GAGE
and three of the Judges [of the Common Pleas] that were meanly armed
in old brigantines [_jackets of quilted leather, covered with iron
plates_] were so frighted, that they fled in at the gates in such
haste, that old GAGE fell down in the dirt and was foul arrayed: and so
shut the gates, whereat the rebels shot many arrows.
By means of this great hurly burly in shutting of the gates, the Guard
that were in the Court made as great haste in at the Hall door; and
would have come into the Hall amongst us, which we would not suffer.
Then they went thronging towards the Water Gate, the kitchens, and
those ways.
Master GAGE came in amongst us, all dirt; and so frighted that he could
not speak to us. Then came the three Judges; so frighted that we could
not keep them out, except we should beat them down.
With that we issued out of the Hall into the Court, to see what the
matter was; where there were none left but the porters, the gates
being fast shut. As we went towards the gate, meaning to go forth, Sir
RICHARD SOUTHWELL came forth of the back yards into the Court.
"Sir!" said we, "command the gates to be opened that we may go to the
Queen's enemies! We will else break them open! It is too much shame
that the gates should thus be shut for a few rebels! The Queen shall
see us fell down her enemies this day, before her face!"
"Masters!" said he, and put his morion off his head, "I shall desire
you all, as you be Gentlemen, to stay yourselves here; that I may go
up to the Queen to know her pleasure; and you shall have the gates
opened. And, as I am a Gentleman! I will make speed!"
Upon this, we stayed; and he made a speedy return: and brought us word,
the Queen was content that we should have the gates opened: "But her
request is," said he, "that you will not go forth of her sight; for her
only trust is in you, for the defence of her person this day."
So the gate was opened, and we marched before the Gallery window: where
she spake unto us; requiring us, "As we were Gentlemen, in whom she
only trusted, that we would not go from that place."
There we marched up and down the space of an hour; and then came a
herald posting, to bring the news that WYATT was taken.
Immediately came Sir MAURICE BERKELEY and WYATT behind him; unto whom
he did yield at the Temple Gate: and THOMAS COBHAM behind another
gentleman.
* * * * *
Anon after, we [_the Gentlemen Pensioners_] were all brought unto the
Queen's presence, and every one kissed her hand; of whom we had great
thanks and large promises how good she would be unto us: but few or
none of us got anything, although she was very liberal to many others,
that were enemies unto GOD's Word, as few of us were.
* * * * *
Thus went I home to my house, where[in] I kept, and came little abroad,
until the marriage was concluded with King PHILIP.
Then was there [the] preparing [_in July, 1555_] to go with the Queen,
unto Winchester; and all the Books of the Ordinaries were perused by
[STEPHEN GARDINER] the Bishop of WINCHESTER and the Earl of ARUNDEL, to
consider of every man.
Sir HUMPHREY RATCLIFFE, our Lieutenant, brought unto him the Book of
the Pensioners; which when they overlooked, they came unto my name.
"What doth he here?" said the Earl of ARUNDEL.
"I know no cause why he should not be here," said Master RATCLIFFE,
"he is an honest man. He hath served from the beginning of the Band
[_founded in December, 1539, as the Band of Spears. It consisted
of a Captain, Lieutenant, Standard bearer, Clerk of the Cheque, and
Gentleman Harbinger, and fifty Gentlemen; chosen out of the best and
most ancient families of England. Some of them sons to Earls, Barons,
Knights, and Esquires: men thereunto specially recommended for their
worthiness and sufficiency; without any stain or taint of dishonour,
or disparagement in blood_], and was as forward as any to serve the
Queen, in the time of WYATT's rebellion."
"Let him pass then!" said the Bishop.
"Well," said the Earl, "you may do so; but I assure you, my Lord! he is
an arch-heretic!"
Thus I passed once again.
* * * * *
When we came to Winchester, being in the Chamber of Presence, with my
fellows, Master NORRIS came forth of the Queen's Privy Chamber; unto
whom we did reverence, as his place required.
"What!" saith he unto me; "what do you here?"
"Marry, sir!" said I, "what do you here?"
"Eh!" said he, "are you so short with me?"
"Sir!" said I, "I must and will forbear, for the place you be in; but
if you were in the place you were in, of the Outer Chamber, I would be
shorter with you! You were then the doorkeeper; when we waited at the
table. Your office is not to find fault at my being here. I am at this
time appointed to serve here, by those that be in authority; who know
me, as well as you do!"
"They shall know you better!" said he, "and the Queen also."
With that, said Master JOHN CALVELEY, one of my fellows (brother
unto Sir HUGH CALVELEY, of Cheshire), who served at the journey to
Laundercei in the same Band that I did, "In good faith! Master NORRIS,
methinks you do not well! This gentleman, our fellow, hath served of
long time, and was ready to venture his life in defence of the Queen's
Majesty at the last service, and as forward as any was there; and
also being appointed and ready to serve here again now, to his great
charges, as it is unto us all, methinks you do other than the part of a
Gentleman thus to seek him!"
"What!" said he, "I perceive you will hold together!"
"Else we were worse than beasts," said my fellow; "if we would not, in
all lawful cases, so hold together; he that toucheth one of us, shall
touch all."
So went he from us, into the Privy Chamber; and from that time never
meddled more with me.
* * * * *
On the marriage day [_25th July, 1555, at Winchester_], the King and
the Queen dined in the hall in the Bishop's Palace; sitting under the
Cloth of Estate, and none else at that table. The Nobility sat at the
side tables. We were the chief servitors, to carry the meat; and the
Earl of SUSSEX, our Captain, was the Sewer.
The second course at the marriage of a King is given unto the bearers;
I mean the meat, but not the dishes, for they were of gold.
It was my chance to carry a great pasty of a red deer in a great
charger, very delicately baked; which, for the weight thereof, divers
refused [_i.e., to carry_]. The which pasty I sent unto London, to my
wife and her brother; who cheered therewith many of their friends.
I will not take upon me, to write the manner of the marriage, of the
feast, nor of the dancing of the Spaniards, that day; who were greatly
out of countenance, specially King PHILIP dancing with the Queen, when
they did see my Lord BRAY, Master CAREW, and others so far exceed them;
but will leave it unto the learned, as it behoveth him to be, that
shall write a Story of so great a Triumph.
* * * * *
Which being ended, their repair was to London. Where, shortly after,
began the cruel persecution of the Preachers and earnest professors and
followers of the Gospel; and searching of men's houses for their books.
Wherefore I got old HENRY DAUNCE, the bricklayer of Whitechapel; who
used to preach the Gospel in his garden, every holiday, where I have
seen a thousand people: he did inclose my books in a brick wall by the
chimney's side in my chamber; where they were preserved from moulding
or mice, until the first year of our most gracious Queen ELIZABETH, &c.
Notwithstanding that, I removed from thence, and went unto Coventry;
and got me a house a mile out of that city in a wood side. But before I
removed from the said house [_in Wood Street_] in London; I had two
children born there, a wench [_i.e., a girl, his fifth daughter, ANNE,
born 4th January, 1554_], and a boy [_his second son, EDWARD, born
10th February, 1555_].
It was a great grief to me, to see so much innocent blood shed for
the Verity. I was also threatened by JOHN AVALES and BEARD: which
I understood by Master LUKE [SHEPHERD], my very friend, of Coleman
Street, physician; who was great with some that kept them company, and
yet were honest men. Whom I caused to let them understand, that "If
they did attempt to take me, except they had a warrant signed with four
or five of the Council's hands, I would go further with them than PETER
did, who strake off but the ear of MALCHUS; but I would surely strike
off head and all." Which was declared unto them; so that I oftentimes
met them, but they would not meddle with me. So mightily the merciful
LORD defended me; as also from being present at that blasphemous
_Mass_, in all the time of Queen MARY.
This LUKE [SHEPHERD] wrote many proper books against the Papists,
for the which he was imprisoned in the Fleet; especially a book
called _JOHN BON and mast. Person_, who reasoned together of the
natural presence in the Sacrament [_see pp. 101-111_]. Which book
he wrote in the time of King EDWARD; wherewith the Papists were
sore grieved, specially SIR JOHN GRESHAM, then being Mayor [_i.e.,
October 1547-October 1548; but the true date of ALLEN's arrest
would appear, from p. 87, to have been in 1551; when Sir ANDREW
JUDDE was Lord Mayor_].
JOHN DAY did print the same book [_? in 1551_]; whom the Mayor sent
for, to know the maker [_author_] thereof saying "He should also go
to prison, for printing the same."
It was my chance to come in the same time; for that I had found
out where [ROBERT] ALLEN the Prophesier, had a chamber; through
whom there was a bruit in the city, that the King was dead: which
I declared to the Mayor, requiring him to have an Officer to
apprehend him.
"Marry," said the Mayor, "I have received letters to make search
for such this night at midnight."
He was going unto dinner; who willed me to take part of the same.
As we were at dinner, he said "There was a book put forth, called
JOHN BON; the maker whereof, he would gladly search for."
"Why so?" said I, "that book is a good book. I have one of them
here, and there are many of them in the Court."
"Have you so?" said he, "I pray you, let me see it; for I have not
seen any of them."
So he took it, and read a little of it, and laughed thereat, as it
was both pithy and merry. By means whereof, JOHN DAY, sitting at
a sideboard after dinner, was bidden [to] go home; who had, else,
gone to prison.
When we had dined, the Mayor sent two of his Officers with me to
seek ALLEN; whom we met withal in Paul's [Church], and took him
with us unto his chamber; where we found figures set to calculate
the nativity of the King, and a judgement given of his death;
whereof this foolish wretch thought himself so sure, that he, and
his counsellors the Papists, bruited it all over.
The King lay at Hampton Court, the same time; and my Lord Protector
[_the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND_] at the Sion [_Sion House, near
Isleworth_]; unto whom I carried this ALLEN, with his books of
conjurations, calculations, and many things belonging to that
devilish art: which he affirmed before my Lord, "was a lawful
science, for the statute [_33 Hen. VIII. c. 8._] against such was
repealed [by 1 _Edw. VI. c. 12_]."
"Thou foolish knave!" said my Lord, "if thou, and all that be of
thy science tell me what I shall do to-morrow, I will give thee all
that I have!" Commanding me to carry him unto the Tower: and wrote
a letter to Sir JOHN MARKHAM, then being Lieutenant, to cause him
to be examined by such as were learned.
Master MARKHAM, as he was both wise and zealous in the LORD, talked
with him. Unto whom he did affirm that "He knew more of the science
of Astronomy than all the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge."
Whereupon he sent for my friend, before spoken of, Doctor RECORDE;
who examined him: and he knew not the rules of Astronomy; but "Was
a very unlearned ass; and a sorcerer, for the which he was worthy
hanging," said Master RECORDE.
To have further matters unto [_in reference to_] him, we sent for
THOMAS ROBYNS _alias_ MORGAN, commonly called Little MORGAN or TOM
MORGAN (brother unto great [_big_] MORGAN, of Salisbury Court, the
great dicer); who, when I was a companion with him, told me many
stories of this ALLEN: what a cunning man he was! and what things
he could do! as, to make a woman love a man, to teach men how
to win at the dice, what should become of this realm; there was
nothing, but he knew it! So he had his chambers in divers places of
the city, whither resorted many women, for things stolen or lost,
to know their fortunes, and their children's fortunes; where the
ruffling roister[er]s and dicers made their ma[t]ches.
* * * * *
When this MORGAN and ALLEN were brought together; MORGAN utterly
denied that ever he had seen him, or known him.
"Yes," said ALLEN, "you know me! and I know you!" For he had
confessed that, before his coming.
Upon this, Master Lieutenant stayed Little MORGAN also a prisoner
in the Tower.
* * * * *
I caused also Master GASTON the lawyer [_not to be confounded_
_with GASCOIGNE the Poet, of Gray's Inn; who did not marry Widow
BRETON till after 13th June, 1559_], who was also a great dicer, to
be apprehended. In whose house, ALLEN was much; and had a chamber
there, where many things were practised.
GASTON had an old wife, who was laid under the board all night, for
dead; and when the women, in the morning, came to wind her, they
found that there was life in her; and so recovered her: and she
lived about two years after.
By the resort of such as came to seek for things stolen and lost,
which they would hide for the nonce, to blear their husband's eyes
withal, [afterwards] saying, "the wise man told them"; of such,
GASTON had choice for himself and his friends, young lawyers of the
Temple [, _not of Gray's Inn_].
Thus became I so despised and odious unto the lawyers, Lords and
ladies, gentlemen, merchants, knaves, and thieves; that I walked
as dangerously as DANIEL amongst the lions. Yet from them all,
the LORD delivered me: notwithstanding their often devices and
conspiracies by violence to have shed my blood, or with sorcery [to
have] destroyed me.
These aforesaid were in the Tower about the space of a year; and
then by friendship delivered. So 'scapeth always the wicked, and
such as GOD commandeth should not live among the people.
Yea, even now in these days also; so that, methinks, I see the ruin of
London and this whole realm to be even at hand; for GOD will not suffer
any longer. Love is clean banished. No man is sorry for JOSEPH's hurt.
[Illustration]
_A Prayer, taken out of the Psalms of DAVID,_
_daily and nightly, to be said of_
_EDWARD UNDERHILL._
Lord! teach me the understanding of Thy commandments! that I may apply
myself for the keeping of the same, as long as I live! Give me such
wisdom that I may understand, and so to fulfil the thing that Thy
law deviseth! to keep it also with my whole heart, that I do nothing
against it! Guide me after the true understanding of Thy commandments!
for that hath been always my special desire. Incline mine heart unto
the love of Thy statutes, and cause me utterly to abhor covetousness!
Turn mine eyes aside! lest they be 'tangled with the love of most vain
things; but lead me, rather, unto life through Thy warnings! Set such
a Word before Thy servant, as may most chiefly further him to worship
Thee! Take away the shame that I am afraid of! for Thy judgements
are greatly mixed with mercy. As for me, verily, I have loved Thy
commandments; wherefore keep me alive according to Thy righteousness!
_Love GOD, above all things! and thy neighbour as thyself!_
That this is CHRIST'S doctrine, no man can it deny,
Which little is regarded in England's commonwealth,
Wherefore great plagues at hand be, the realm for to destroy.
_Do as thou wouldst be done unto_! No place here he can have.
Of all he is refused. No man will him receive.
But Private Wealth, that cursed wretch, and most vile slave!
Over all, he is embraced; and fast to him, they cleave.
_He that hath this world's goods, and seeth his neighbour lack;_
_And of him hath no compassion, nor sheweth him no love,_
_Nor relieveth his necessity, but suffers him to go to wrack;_
_GOD dwelleth not in that man_, the Scriptures plainly prove.
Example we have by DIVES, that daintily did fare,
In worldly wealth and riches therein he did excel;
Of poor LAZARUS's misery he had thereof no care:
Therefore was suddenly taken, and tormented in hell.
* * * * *
+EDWARD UNDERHILL.+
[Illustration]
#John Bon and#
#mast Parson.#
* * * * *
_Picture of a_
_procession of Priests_
_bearing the Host._
* * * * *
[->] #Alas, poor fools! so sore ye be lade!
No marvel is it, though your shoulders ache:
For ye bear a great god which ye yourselves made.
Make of it, what ye will! it is a Wafer Cake;
And between two irons, printed it is and bake.
And look, where idolatry is, Christ will not be there!
Wherefore, lay down your burden! An idol, ye do bear!
[->] Alas, poor fools!#