out; so, before the message of the King was brought by the Secretary
[of State], there were some inklings that such a thing would follow.
And upon the naming of me, by occasion [_incidentally_], it was
said by a creature of the Duke, that "It would not be long, before
the Archbishop should be sequestered!" that was the word. So well
acquainted are the Duke's followers, with great actions that are likely
to fall out in State.
* * * * *
Accordingly on Tuesday, the 5th of July, 1627, the Lord CONWAY
[Secretary of State] came to me to Croydon, before dinner-time; "having
travelled," as he said, "a long journey that morning, even from
Oatlands thither."
He would say nothing till he had dined. Then, because he was to return
to Oatlands that night, I took him into the gallery: and when we were
both sat down, we fell to it, in this manner.
My Lord! I know you, coming from Court, have somewhat to say to me.
_Secretary._ It is true, My Lord! and I am the most unwilling man in
the world, to bring unpleasing news to any Person of Quality, to whom I
wish well; and especially to such a one, as of whose meat I have eaten,
and been merry at his house: but I come from the King, and must deliver
his pleasure (I know who you are! and much more) with very civil
language.
_Archbishop._ I doubt not, my Lord! but you have somewhat to say; and
therefore, I pray you, in plain terms, let me have it!
_Secretary._ It is then His Majesty's pleasure, that you should
withdraw yourself unto Canterbury! for which, he will afford you some
convenient time.
_Archbishop._ Is that it! Then I must use the words of the Psalmist,
"He shall not be afraid of any evil tidings; for his heart standeth
fast, and believeth in the LORD!" But, I pray you, what is my fault
that bringeth this upon me?
_Secretary._ The King saith, you know!
_Archbishop._ Truly, I know none, unless it be that I am lame; which I
cannot help. It is against my will, and I am not proud of it.
_Secretary._ The King bade me tell you, "That if any expostulation were
used"----
_Archbishop._ No, I will not use any expostulation! If it be his
pleasure, I will obey. I know myself to be an honest man, and therefore
fear nothing; but, my Lord! do you think it is for the King's service,
in this sort, to send me away?
_Secretary._ No, by GOD! I do not think it: and so, yesterday, I told
the King with an oath; but he will have it so.
_Archbishop._ I must say, as before, "He shall not be afraid of any
evil tidings; for his heart standeth fast, and he believeth in the
LORD!" But, I pray you, my Lord! is the King precisely set upon my
going to Canterbury. There are questions in law between me and that
town, about the liberties of my Archbishopric; which I, by my oath,
am bound to maintain: and if I should be among them, I have many
adversaries of the citizens. I have there some tenants, and the Dean
and Chapter are interested in the question. I would be unwilling that
my servants and their people should fall together by the ears, while I
am in the town.
His Majesty knoweth this difference to be between us, by the token that
a suit, which I lately brought against them, by a _Quo Warranto_ in the
King's Bench, was stopped: justice being denied me, which is not usual
to be denied to any subject; and the King well knoweth, by whose means
it was stayed.
I have therefore another house called Foord, five miles beyond
Canterbury, and more out of the way. His Majesty may be pleased to let
me go thither.
_Secretary._ I can say nothing to that, but I will acquaint the King
with it; and I conceive nothing to the contrary, but that His Majesty
will yield so much unto you.
I have a second Charge to deliver unto you, and that is that "His
Majesty will not have you, from henceforth, to meddle with the High
Commission. He will take care that it shall be done otherwise."
_Archbishop._ I do not doubt but it shall be better managed than it
hath been by me: and yet, my Lord! I will tell you, that, for these
many years that I have had the direction of that Court, the time is to
come, that ever honest man did find fault that he had not there justice
done.
_Secretary._ It is now Vacation time, and so consequently little to do;
and by Michaelmas, His Majesty may set all in order.
_Archbishop._ I am sorry the King proceedeth thus with me, and letteth
me not know the cause.
_Secretary._ Although I have no commission to tell you so. It is for a
book which you would not allow, which concerned the King's service.
_Archbishop._ If that be it; when I am questioned for it, I doubt not
but to give an honest answer.
_Secretary._ You will never be questioned for it!
_Archbishop._ Then am I the more hardly dealt withal; to be Censured,
and not called to my answer.
_Secretary._ Well, my Lord! I will remember that of Foord: and will
your Grace command me any more service?
_Archbishop._ No, my Lord! but GOD be with you! Only I end where I
began, with the words of the Prophet, "He shall not be afraid for any
evil tidings; for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the LORD!"
* * * * *
It comforted me not a little, that the word was now out: "My confining
must be, for not allowing of a book!" I had much ado to forbear smiling
when I heard it: because now it was clear, it was not for felony or
treason that was laid to my charge, nor for intelligence with the
Spaniards or French, nor for correspondency [_correspondence_] with
Jesuits and Seminary Priests; I thank GOD for that!
* * * * *
I had almost forgotten that, among many other memorable speeches that
passed between us, I used this one, that "Peradventure, the King might
be offended at me, because I was no more present at the matter of the
Loan; but," said I, "my lameness hindered me therein; and I hoped
thereby to do my Master better service. Because if ever course were
taken to reconcile the King and his people (which if it be not, this
Kingdom will rue it in the end!), I would hope, among many others, to
be a good instrument therein, since my hand hath not been in those
bitternesses, which have, of late, fallen out."
"You say well!" said the Secretary; "would you that I should tell the
King so much?"
"Yea," said I, "if you please, I hold it not unfit that His Majesty
should know it."
What he reported therein, I know not: but matters proceeded in the
former course, as if there were no regard had of any such thing.
The Lord CONWAY being gone from me for two or three days; I expected
to hear the resolution [as] to what place in Kent, I should betake
myself. And receiving no news, I tossed many things in my mind, as
perhaps that the King desired to hear somewhat from the Duke, how he
sped on his journey [_expedition_]; or that peradventure he might alter
his purpose, upon report of my ready obeying; or that it might so fall
out, that some of the Lords at the Court, understanding, upon the
Secretary's return from Croydon, that which was formerly concealed from
them, might infuse some other counsels into the King.
These thoughts I revolved. At last, not forgetting the courses of the
Court, and imprinting that into my heart, that _there was no good
intended towards me, but that any advantage would be taken against
me_, I sent a man to Whitehall, whither the King was now come for a
night or two, and by him, I wrote to the Lord CONWAY, in these words
_MY VERY GOOD LORD_,
_I do not forget the message, which you brought unto me on
Thursday last; and because I have heard nothing from you since
that time, I send this messenger on purpose to know what is
resolved touching the house or houses where I must remain.
There belong to the Archbishopric, three houses in Kent: one at
Canterbury; another five miles beyond, called Foord; and a third,
on the side of Canterbury, but two miles off, the name whereof is
Beeksburn._
_I pray your Lordship to let me know His Majesty's pleasure,_
_whether he will leave the choice of any of those houses to reside
in, to me?_
_I have reason to know the resolution thereof: because I must_
_make my provision of wood and coals and hay for some definite_
_place; and when I shall have brewed, it is fit I should know_
_where to put it, or else it will not serve the turn. It is an_
_unseasonable time to brew now, and as untimely to cut wood (it_
_being green in the highest degree), and to make coals; without
all which, my House cannot be kept. But when I shall know what_
_must be my habitation, I will send down my servants presently_ [at
once] _to make the best provision they can_.
_And so, expecting your Lordship's answer, I leave you to the_
_Almighty, and remain_,
_Your Lordship's very loving friend_,
_G. CANT_.
_Croydon, July 10, 1627._
He made my servant stay: and when he had gone up to know the King's
pleasure, he returned me the answer following.
_MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE_,
_I am ashamed, and do confess my fault, that I wrote not to your
Grace before I received your reproof, though a gracious one;
but, in truth, I did not neglect, nor forget; but the continual
oppression of business would not permit me to advertise to your
Grace, the King's Answer._
_His Majesty heard seriously your professions and answers, and_
_commanded me to signify unto you that "He knew not the present_
_differences between you and the town_ [i.e., of Canterbury]; _and_
_if he had, he would not have cast you into that inconvenience."_
_He was well pleased you should go to your house at Foord; and_
_said, "He did not expect when the question was ended between_
_your Grace and the town, that you should go to Canterbury."_
_And he further said, "He would not tie you to so short a time,_
_as might be any way inconvenient; but doth expect that your_
_Grace will govern it so, as His Majesty shall not need to warn
you a second time."_
_I will not fail to move His Majesty to give you liberty to choose_
_either of the houses you name, and give you knowledge of his_
_pleasure, and in all things be ready to obey your commandments,_
_or take occasion to serve you in the condition of_
_Your Grace's_
_Most humble servant_,
_CONWAY_.
_Whitehall, July 10, 1627._
I could not but observe therein that passage, that the King _doth
expect your Grace will so govern it, as His Majesty shall not need to
warn you a second time_.
I needed no interpreter to expound those words, and therefore did take
order that one of my officers was presently despatched unto Foord, to
see the house ready.
* * * * *
While necessaries were caring for, and I lay for some days at Croydon,
and afterwards at Lambeth; the city of London was filled with the
report of "my confining" (for so they did term it), and divers men
spake diversely of it.
* * * * *
I will not trouble myself to mention some idle things; but some other
of them require a little consideration. A main matter, that the Duke
was said "to take in ill part," was the resort which was made to my
house, at the times of dinner and supper, and that, oftentimes, of such
as did not love him.
My answer unto that is, That, by nature, I have been given to keep a
house according to my proportion, since I have had any means, and GOD
hath blessed me in it. That it is a property, by Saint PAUL required in
a Bishop, that "He should be given to hospitality"; that it is another
of his rules, "Let your conversation be without covetousness!" and
those things, I had in mine eyes. Besides I have no wife, nor child:
and as for my kindred, I do that for them which I hold fit; but I will
not rob the Church, nor the poor, for them!
Again, it is so rare a fault in these things, that men not feeding on
the King's meat, but of their own charge, should frankly entertain
their friends when they come unto them; that I deserve to be pardoned
for it!
But this is not all. When King JAMES gave me the Bishopric, he did once
between him and me, and another time before the Earl of SALISBURY,
charge me that "I should carry my house nobly!" that was His Majesty's
word, "and live like an Archbishop!" which I promised him to do. And
when men came to my house, who were of all Civil sorts, I gave them
friendly entertainment: not sifting what exceptions the Duke made
against them; for I knew he might as undeservedly think ill of others,
as he did of me. But I meddled with no man's quarrels: and if I should
have received none, but such as cordially, and in truth had loved him;
I might have gone to dinner many times without company!
There, frequented me Lords Spiritual and Temporal, divers Privy
Councillors, as occasion served, and men of the highest rank: where, if
the Duke thought that we had busied ourselves about him, he was much
deceived. Yet, perhaps the old saying is true, "A man who is guilty of
one evil to himself; thinketh that all men that talk together, do say
somewhat of him!" I do not envy him that happiness; but let it ever
attend him!
* * * * *
As for other men, of good sort, but of lesser quality; I have heard
some by name, to whom exception has been taken: and these are three.
I know from the Court by a friend, that my house, for a good space of
time, hath been watched; and I marvel that they have not rather named
sixty, than three.
The First of these, is Sir DUDLEY DIGGES, a very great mote in the
Duke's eye, as I am informed: for it is said that this Knight hath paid
him in Parliament, with many sharp speeches. If this be so, yet what is
that to me? He is of age to answer for himself!
But in the time of the late Parliament, when the Earl of CARLISLE came
unto me, and dealt with me thereabouts; I gave him my word, and I did
it truly, that I was not acquainted with these things: only, being
sick as I was, I had in general given him advice that he should do
nothing that might give just offence to the King. And I have credibly
heard that when Sir DUDLEY was last in the Fleet, committed from the
Council table; he was much dealt with, to know whether he was not
instigated by me to accuse the Duke in Parliament: the Knight, with
all the protestations and assurances that could come from a Gentleman,
acquitted me of the part and whole: wherein he did me but right.
And I do remember, when that man, now so hated! was a great servant of
the Duke. So that if he have now left him, it cannot but be presumed
that it is for some unworthy carriage, which the Gentleman conceiveth
hath, by that Lord, been offered unto him.
Moreover, how can I but imagine the words and actions of Sir DUDLEY
DIGGES have been ill interpreted and reported; when I myself saw the
Duke stand up nine times in a morning, in a Parliament House, to fasten
upon him words little less, if at all less than treason; when by the
particular votes of all the Lords and Commons in both Houses, he was
quit [_acquitted_] of those things, which the other would have enforced
upon him. And a little while before, he was hastily clapped into the
Tower; and within a day or two released again, because nothing was
proved against him!
And I assure you, I am so little interested in his actions, that, to
this day, I could never learn the reason why he was imprisoned in the
Fleet; although he was kept there for seven or eight weeks.
I distinguish the King, from the Duke of BUCKINGHAM. The one is our
Sovereign, by the laws of GOD and men! the other, a subject! as we are:
and if any subject do impeach another, though of different degrees; let
the party grieved, remedy himself by Law, and not by Power!
But, to speak further for this Knight, I may not forget that when
he was publicly employed (one time to the Hague, a second time to
Muscovia, and thirdly into Ireland about Affairs of the State), such
opinions as were then held of his good endeavours.
As for my own part, ever since the days of Queen ELIZABETH, I have
been nearly acquainted with him. He was my pupil at Oxford, and a very
towardly one; and this knowledge, each of the other, hath continued
unto this time. He calleth me, Father; and I term his wife, my
daughter. His eldest son is my godson; and their children are in love
accounted my grandchildren.
* * * * *
The Second that I have heard named, was Sir FRANCIS HARRINGTON: a
Gentleman, whom for divers years, I have not seen; and who, for ought I
know, was never in my house but once in his life.
The Third was Sir THOMAS WENTWORTH [_who after FELTON murdered
BUCKINGHAM on the 23rd August, 1628, went over to the Court, and
ultimately became Earl of STRAFFORD_]; who had good occasion to send
unto me, and sometimes to see me; because we were joint executors to
Sir GEORGE SAVILE, who married his sister, and was my pupil at Oxford.
To whose son also, Sir THOMAS WENTWORTH and I were Guardians, as may
appear in the Court of Wards; and many things passed between us in that
behalf: yet, to my remembrance, I saw not this gentleman but once,
in these three-quarters of a year last past [_i.e., since October,
1626_]: at which time, he came to seek his brother-in-law, the Lord
CLIFFORD, who was then with me at dinner at Lambeth.
* * * * *
For one of the punishments laid upon me, it was told me by the Lord
CONWAY, that "I must meddle no more with the High Commission."
Accordingly, within a few days after, a Warrant is sent to the
Attorney-General, that the Commission must be renewed, and the
Archbishop must be left out. This, under hand, being buzzed about the
town, with no small mixture of spite; I conceived it to be agreeable
to [_correspond with_] the proceedings with [_against_] the Lords and
Gentlemen, who refused to contribute to the Loan: they all being laid
aside in the Commissions for Lieutenancy, and of the Peace, in their
several counties.
For my part, I had no cause to grieve at this, since it was His
Majesty's pleasure! but it was, by the actors therein understood
otherwise; they supposing that this power gave me the more authority
and splendour in the Church and Commonwealth.
* * * * *
To deliver therefore, truly, the state of this question. It cannot be
denied but that it was a great point of policy for the establishing
of order in the Ecclesiastical, and consequently Civil Estate also,
to erect such a Court: whereby Churchmen [_clergy_] that exorbitated
[_exceeded bounds_] in any grievous manner, might be castigated and
rectified; and such sort of crimes in the laity might be censured
[_judged_] as were of Ecclesiastical Cognisance. And, verily, this is
of great use in the kingdom, as well for cherishing the study of the
Civil Law, as otherwise; so that it be kept incorruptible, and with
that integrity as so grave a Meeting and Assembly requireth. This was
principally my care; who took much pains and spent much money that, in
fair and commendable sort, justice was indifferently [_impartially_]
administered to all the King's people that had to do with us.
But every one might see that this was to my singular trouble! For
besides that to keep things in a straight course, sometimes in fits
of the gout I was forced to be carried into the Court by my servants;
where I could not speak much, but with difficulty: I was, at no time,
free from petitions; from examinations; from signing of warrants
to call some, to release others; from giving way to speeding, and
forwarding Acts of Court. Suitors, as their fashion is, being so
importunate as that, in summer and winter, in the day and in the night,
in sickness and health, they would not be denied!
These things were daily despatched by me out of Duty; and more, out of
Charity; no allowance of pay being from the King, or of fee from the
subject to us that were the Judges. Nay, I may say more. The holding of
that Court, in such sort as I did, was very expenseful to me, out of
my private purse, in giving weekly entertainment to the Commissioners.
The reason whereof was this. King JAMES being desirous, when he made
me Archbishop, that all matters should gravely and honourably be
carried, directed me that I should always call some of the Bishops that
were about London, and some Divines and Civilians [_Doctors of the
Civil Law_], that, by a good presence, causes might be handled for the
reputation of the action: and willed me withal, to imitate therein the
Lord Archbishop WHITGIFT, who invited weekly some of the Judges to
dinner, the rather to allure them thither. This advice proceeded from
[JOHN BRIDGMAN] the Bishop of Durham that now is; which was not ill, if
it came from a good intention.
I obeyed it, singly; and did that which was enjoined. But whereas in
those times, the Commissioners were but few: since that time there hath
been such an inundation of all sorts of men into that Company [_i.e.,
the High Commission_], that, without proportion, both Lords Spiritual
and Temporal, Commissioners and not Commissioners, resorted thither;
and divers of them brought so many of their men, that it was truly a
burthen to me. I think it may, by my Officers, be justified upon oath,
that since I was Archbishop, the thing alone hath cost me, out of my
private estate [_i.e., official income as Archbishop_], one and a
half thousand pounds; and if I did say two thousand pounds, it were
not much amiss: besides all the trouble of my servants, who, neither
directly nor indirectly, gained sixpence thereby in a whole year, but
only travail and pains for their Master's honour; and of that, they had
enough! my houses being like a great host[el]ry every Thursday in the
Term; and for my expenses, no man giving me so much as thanks!
Now this being the true case, if the Church and Commonwealth be well
provided for, in the administration of justice, and regard be had of
the public [welfare]; can any discreet man think that the removing of
me from this molestation, is any true punishment upon me? I being one
that have framed myself to Reality, and not to Opinion: and growing
more and more in years, and consequently into weakness; having before
surfeited so long of worldly shews, whereof nothing is truly gained
temporally but vexation of spirit, I have had enough of these things,
and do not dote upon them. The world, I hope, hath found me more stayed
and reserved in my courses.
Nevertheless, what was expedient for this, was despatched by me while I
lived at Lambeth and Croydon; albeit I went not out of door.
* * * * *
"Yea, but you were otherwise inutile, not coming to the Star Chamber,
nor to the Council table?"
My pain or weakness by the gout, must excuse me herein. When I was
younger, and had my health, I so diligently attended at the Star
Chamber, that, for full seven years, I was not one day wanting.
And for the Council table, the same reason of my indisposition may
satisfy. But there are many other things that do speak for me.
The greatest matters there handled, were for money, or more attempts of
war.
For the one of these, we of the Clergy had done our parts already: the
Clergy having put _themselves_ into payments of Subsidy, by an Act of
Parliament; not only for these last two years (when the Temporalty lay
in a sort dry), but yet there are three years behind, in which our
payments run on, with weight enough unto us. And no man can justly
doubt but my hand was in those grants, in a principal fashion.
And concerning the Provisions for War, I must confess my ignorance in
the facts thereof. I knew not the grounds whereon the controversies
were entered, in general. I thought that before wars were begun, there
should be store of treasure; that it was not good to fall out with many
great Princes at once; that the turning of our forces another way, must
needs be some diminution from the King of Denmark; who was engaged by
us into the quarrel for the Palatinate and Germany, and hazarded both
his person and dominions in the prosecution of the question. These
matters I thought upon, as one that had sometimes been acquainted with
Councils; but I kept my thoughts unto myself.
Again, I was never sent for to the Council table but I went; saving one
time, when I was so ill that I might not stir abroad.
Moreover, I was sure that there wanted no Councillors at the Board; the
number being so much increased as it was.
Besides, I had no great encouragement to thrust my crazy body abroad;
since I saw what little esteem was made of me, in those things which
belonged to mine own occupation. With Bishoprics and Deaneries, or
other Church places I was no more acquainted; than if I had dwelt at
Venice, and understood of them but by some _Gazette_.
The Duke of BUCKINGHAM had the managing of these things, as it was
generally conceived. For what was he not fit to determine in Church or
Commonwealth, in Court or Council, in peace or war, at land or at sea,
at home or in foreign parts?
MONTAGUE had put out [_published_] his Arminian book. I, three times,
complained of it: but he was held up against me; and by the Duke
magnified, as a well deserving man.