and prebendaries of the close of York, would and did resort unto him
according to their duties, as unto their father and patron of their
spiritual dignities being at his first coming into the country, their
church of York being within seven miles. Wherefore ye shall understand
that Doctor Hickden, dean of the church of York[183], with the
treasurer, and divers other head officers of the same repaired to my
lord, welcoming him most joyously into the country; saying, that it was
to them no small comfort to see him among them, as their chief head,
which hath been so long absent from them, being all that while like
fatherless children comfortless, trusting shortly to see him among them
in his own church. "It is," quoth he, "the especial cause of all my
travel into this country, not only to be among you for a time, but also
to spend my life with you as a very father, and as a mutual brother." "Sir,
then," quoth they, "ye must understand that the ordinary rules of our
church hath been of an ancient custom, whereof although ye be head and
chief governor, yet be ye not so well acquainted with them as we be.
Therefore, we shall under the supportation of your grace, declare some
part thereof to you, as well of our ancient customs as of the laws
and usage of the same. Therefore ye shall understand that where ye do
intend to repair unto us, the old law and custom of our church hath
been, that the archbishop being our chief head and pastor, as your
grace now be, might ne ought not to come above the choir door, nor have
any stall in the choir, until he by due order were there stalled. For,
if ye should happen to die before your stallation, ye shall not be
buried above in the choir, but in the body of the same church beneath.
Therefore we shall, _una voce_, require your grace in the name of all
other our brethren, that ye would vouchsafe to do herein as your noble
predecessors and honourable fathers hath done; and that ye will not
infringe or violate any of our laudable ordinances and constitutions of
our church, to the observance and preservation whereof we be obliged,
by virtue of an oath at our first admittance, to see them observed and
fulfilled to the uttermost of our powers, with divers other matters
remaining of record in our treasury house among other things." "Those
records," quoth my lord, "would I gladly see; and these seen and
digested, I shall then show you further of my mind." And thus of this
matter they ceased communication, and passed forth in other matters; so
that my lord assigned them a day to bring in their records. At which
day they brought with them their register book of records, wherein
was written their constitutions and ancient rules, whereunto all the
fathers and ministers of the church of York were most chiefly bound,
both to see it done and performed, and also to perform and observe the
same themselves. And when my lord had seen, read, and considered the
effect of their records, and debated with them substantially therein,
he determined to be stalled there in the Minster the next Monday after
Allhallown day. Against which day there was made necessary preparation
for the furniture thereof, but not in so sumptuous a wise as his
predecessors did before him; ne yet in such a sort as the common fame
was blown abroad of him to his great slander, and to the reporters much
more dishonesty, to forge such lies and blasphemous reports, wherein
there is nothing more untrue. The truth whereof I perfectly know, for
I was made privy to the same, and sent to York to foresee all things,
[and] to prepare according for the same, which should have been much
more mean and base than all other of his predecessors heretofore hath
done.
It came so to pass, that upon Allhallown day, one of the head officers
of the church, which should, by virtue of his office, have most
doings in this stallation, [was] to dine with my lord at Cawood; and
sitting at dinner they fell in communication of the order of his
stallation, who said to my lord that he ought to go upon cloth from
St. James's chapel (standing without the gates of the city of York)
unto the minster, the which should be distributed among the poor. My
lord, hearing this, made answer to the same in this wise. "Although,"
quoth he, "that our predecessors went upon cloth right sumptuously,
we do intend, God willing, to go afoot from thence without any such
glory[184], in the vamps of our hosen. For I take God to be my very
judge that I presume not to go thither for any triumph or vain glory,
but only to fulfil the observance and rules of the church, to the
which, as ye say, I am bound. And therefore I shall desire you all
to hold you contented with my simplicity, and also I command all my
servants to go as humbly without any other sumptuous apparel than they
be constantly used, and that is comely and decent to wear[185]. For I
do assure you, I do intend to come to York upon Sunday at night, and
lodge there in the dean's house, and upon Monday to be stalled; and
there to make a dinner for you of the close, and for other worshipful
gentlemen that shall chance to come to me at that time; and the next
day to dine with the mayor, and so return home again to Cawood that
night, and thus to finish the same, whereby I may at all times resort
to York Minster without other scrupulosity or offence to any of you."
This day could not be unknown to all the country, but that some must
needs have knowledge thereof, whereby that notice was given unto the
gentlemen of the country, and they being thereof as well advertised
as abbots, priors, and others, of the day of this solemnization, sent
in such provision of dainty victuals that it is almost incredible;
wherefore I omit to declare unto you the certainty thereof. As of
great and fat beeves and muttons, wildfowl, and venison, both red and
fallow, and divers other dainty meats, such as the time of the year
did serve, sufficient to furnish a great and a sumptuous feast, all
which things were unknown to my lord: forasmuch as he being prevented
and disappointed of his reasonable purposed intent, because he was
arrested, as ye shall hear hereafter; so that the most part of this
provision was sent to York that same day that he was arrested, and
the next day following; for his arrest was kept as close and secret
from the country as it could be, because they doubted the people,
which had him in great love and estimation for his accustomed charity
and liberality used daily among them, with familiar gesture and
countenance, which be the very means to allure the love and hearts of
the people in the north parts.
Or ever I wade any further in this matter, I do intend to declare unto
you what chanced him before this his last trouble at Cawood, as a sign
or token given by God what should follow of his end, or of trouble
which did shortly ensue, the sequel whereof was of no man then present
either premeditate or imagined. Therefore, for as much as it is a
notable thing to be considered, I will (God willing) declare it as
truly as it chanced according to my simple remembrance, at the which I
myself was present.
My lord's accustomed enemies in the court about the king had now my
lord in more doubt than they had before his fall, considering the
continual favour that the king bare him, thought that at length the
king might call him home again; and if he so did, they supposed, that
he would rather imagine against them than to remit or forget their
cruelty, which they most unjustly imagined against him. Wherefore they
compassed in their heads that they would either by some means dispatch
him by some sinister accusation of treason, or to bring him into the
king's indignation by some other ways. This was their daily imagination
and study, having as many spials, and as many eyes to attend upon his
doings as the poets feigned Argus to have; so that he could neither
work or do any thing, but that his enemies had knowledge thereof
shortly after. Now at the last, they espied a time wherein they caught
an occasion to bring their purpose to pass, thinking thereby to have
of him a great advantage; for the matter being once disclosed unto the
king, in such a vehemency as they purposed, they thought the king would
be moved against him with great displeasure. And that by them executed
and done, the king, upon their information, thought it good that he
should come up to stand to his trial; which they liked nothing at all;
notwithstanding he was sent for after this sort. First, they devised
that he should come up upon arrest in ward, which they knew right well
would so sore grieve him that he might be the weaker to come into the
king's presence to make answer. Wherefore they sent Sir Walter Walshe,
knight, one of the gentlemen of the king's privy chamber, down into the
country unto the Earl of Northumberland[186] (who was brought up in
my lord's house), and they twain being in commission jointly to arrest
my lord of hault treason. This conclusion fully resolved, they caused
Master Walshe to prepare himself to this journey with this commission,
and certain instructions annexed to the same; who made him ready to
ride, and took his horse at the court gate about one of the clock at
noon, upon Allhallown day, towards the north. Now am I come to the
place where I will declare the thing that I promised you before of a
certain token of my lord's trouble; which was this.
My lord sitting at dinner upon Allhallown day, in Cawood Castle,
having[187] at his board's end divers of his most worthiest chaplains,
sitting at dinner to keep him company, for lack of strangers, ye
shall understand, that my lord's great cross of silver accustomably
stood in the corner, at the table's end, leaning against the tappet
or hanging of the chamber. And when the table's end was taken up, and
a convenient time for them to arise; in arising from the table, one
Doctor Augustine, physician, being a Venetian born, having a boisterous
gown of black velvet upon him, as he would have come out at the table's
end, his gown overthrew the cross that stood there in the corner, and
the cross trailing down along the tappet, it chanced to fall upon
Doctor Bonner's head, who stood among others by the tappet, making of
curtsy to my lord, and with one of the points of the cross razed his
head a little, that the blood ran down. The company standing there were
greatly astonied with the chance. My lord sitting in his chair, looking
upon them, perceiving the chance, demanded of me being next him, what
the matter meant of their sudden abashment. I showed him how the cross
fell upon Doctor Bonner's head. "Hath it," quoth he, "drawn any blood?"
"Yea forsooth, my lord," quoth I, "as it seemeth me." With that he cast
down his head, looking very soberly upon me a good while without any
word speaking; at the last, quoth he, (shaking of his head) "_malum
omen_[188];" and therewith said grace, and rose from the table, and
went into his bedchamber, there lamenting, making his prayers[189].
Now mark the signification, how my lord expounded this matter unto me
afterward at Pomfret Abbey. First, ye shall understand, that the cross,
which belonged to the dignity of York, he understood to be himself; and
Augustine, that overthrew the cross, he understood to be he that should
accuse him, by means whereof he should be overthrown. The falling
upon Master Bonner's head, who was master of my lord's faculties and
spiritual jurisdictions, who was damnified by the overthrowing of the
cross by the physician, and the drawing of blood betokened death,
which shortly after came to pass; about the very same time of the day
of this mischance, Master Walshe took his horse at the court gate, as
nigh as it could be judged. And thus my lord took it for a very sign
or token of that which after ensued, if the circumstance be equally
considered and noted, although no man was there present at that time
that had any knowledge of Master Walshe's coming down, or what should
follow. Wherefore, as it was supposed, that God showed him more secret
knowledge of his latter days and end of his trouble than all men
supposed; which appeared right well by divers talks that he had with me
at divers times of his last end. And now that I have declared unto you
the effect of this prodigy and sign, I will return again to my matter.
The time drawing nigh of his stallation; sitting at dinner, upon the
Friday next before Monday on the which he intended to be stalled at
York, the Earl of Northumberland and Master Walshe, with a great
company of gentlemen, as well of the earl's servants as of the country,
which he had gathered together to accompany him in the king's name, not
knowing to what purpose or what intent, came into the hall at Cawood,
the officers sitting at dinner, and my lord not fully dined, but being
at his fruits, nothing knowing of the earl's being in his hall. The
first thing that the earl did, after he came into the castle, [he]
commanded the porter to deliver him the keys of the gates, who would in
no wise deliver him the keys, although he were very roughly commanded
in the king's name, to deliver them to one of the earl's servants.
Saying unto the earl, "Sir, ye do intend to deliver them to one of
your servants to keep them and the gates, and to plant another in my
room; I know no cause why ye should so do, and this I assure you that
you have no one servant, but that I am as able to keep them as he, to
what purpose soever it be. And also, the keys were delivered me by my
lord my master, with a charge both by oath, and by other precepts and
commandments. Therefore I beseech your lordship to pardon me, though
I refuse your commandment. For whatsoever ye shall command me to do
that belongeth to my office, I shall do it with a right good will as
justly as any other of your servants." With that quoth the gentlemen
there present unto the earl, hearing him speak so stoutly like a man,
and with so good reason: "Sir," quoth they, "he is a good fellow, and
speaketh like a faithful servant to his master; and like an honest
man: therefore give him your charge, and let him keep still the gates;
who, we doubt not, will be obedient to your lordship's commandment."
"Well then," quoth the earl, "hold him a book," and commanded him to
lay his hand upon the book, whereat the porter made some doubt, but
being persuaded by the gentlemen there present, was contented, and laid
his hand upon the book, to whom, quoth the earl, "Thou shalt swear,
to keep well and truly these gates to the king our sovereign lord's
use, and to do all such things as we shall command thee in the king's
name, being his highness' commissioners, and as it shall seem to us at
all times good, as long as we shall be here in this castle; and that
ye shall not let in nor out at these gates, but such as ye shall be
commanded by us, from time to time," and upon this oath he received the
keys at the earl's and Master Walshe's hands.
Of all these doings knew my lord nothing; for they stopped the stairs
that went up to my lord's chamber where he sat, so that no man could
pass up again that was come down. At the last one of my lord's
servants chanced to look down into the hall at a loop that was upon
the stairs, and returned to my lord, [and] showed him that my Lord of
Northumberland was in the hall; whereat my lord marveled, and would
not believe him at the first; but commanded a gentleman, being his
gentleman usher, to go down and bring him perfect word. Who going down
the stairs, looking down at the loop, where he saw the earl, who then
returned to my lord, and showed him that it was very he. "Then," quoth
my lord, "I am sorry that we have dined, for I fear that our officers
be not stored of any plenty of good fish, to make him such honourable
cheer as to his estate is convenient, notwithstanding he shall have
such as we have, with a right good will and loving heart. Let the table
be standing still, and we will go down and meet him, and bring him up;
and then he shall see how far forth we be at our dinner." With that
he put the table from him, and rose up; going down he encountered the
earl upon the midst of the stairs, coming up, with all his men about
him. And as soon as my lord espied the earl, he put off his cap, and
said to him, "My lord, ye be most heartily welcome; (and therewith they
embraced each other). Although, my lord," quoth he, "that I have often
desired, and wished in my heart to see you in my house, yet if ye had
loved me as I do you, ye would have sent me word before of your coming,
to the intent that I might have received you according to your honour
and mine. Notwithstanding ye shall have such cheer as I am able to make
you, with a right good will; trusting that ye will accept the same of
me as of your very old and loving friend, hoping hereafter to see you
oftener, when I shall be more able and better provided to receive you
with better fare." And then my lord took the Earl of Northumberland
by the hand, and led him up into the chamber; whom followed all the
earl's servants; where the table stood in the state that my lord left
it when he rose, saying unto the earl, "Sir, now ye may perceive how
far forth we were at our dinner." Then my lord led the earl to the
fire, saying, "My lord, ye shall go into my bedchamber, where is a
good fire made for you, and there ye may shift your apparel until your
chamber be made ready. Therefore let your male be brought up: and or
ever I go, I pray you give me leave to take these gentlemen, your
servants, by the hands." And when he had taken them all by the hands,
he returned to the earl, and said, "Ah, my lord, I perceive well that
ye have observed my old precepts and instructions which I gave you,
when you were abiding with me in your youth, which was, to cherish your
father's old servants, whereof I see here present with you a great
number. Surely, my lord, ye do therein very well and nobly, and like
a wise gentleman. For these be they that will not only serve and love
you, but they will also live and die with you, and be true and faithful
servants to you, and glad to see you prosper in honour; the which I
beseech God to send you, with long life." This said, he took the earl
by the hand, and led him into his bedchamber. And they being there all
alone, save only I, that kept the door, according to my duty, being
gentleman usher; these two lords standing at a window by the chimney,
in my lord's bedchamber, the earl trembling said, with a very faint and
soft voice, unto my lord, (laying his hand upon his arm) "My lord, I
arrest you of high treason." With which words my lord was marvellously
astonied, standing both still a long space without any further words.
But at the last, quoth my lord, "What moveth you, or by what authority
do you this?" "Forsooth, my lord," quoth the earl, "I have a commission
to warrant me and my doing." "Where is your commission?" quoth my lord;
"let me see it." "Nay, sir, that you may not," quoth the earl. "Well
then," quoth my lord, "I will not obey your arrest: for there hath
been between some of your predecessors and mine great contentions and
debate grown upon an ancient grudge, which may succeed in you, with
like inconvenience, as it hath done heretofore. Therefore, unless I see
your authority and commission, I will not obey you." Even as they were
debating this matter between them in the chamber, so busy was Master
Walshe in arresting of Doctor Augustine, the physician, at the door,
within the portal, whom I heard say unto him, "Go in then, traitor,
or I shall make thee." And with that, I opened the portal door, and
the same being opened, Master Walshe thrust Doctor Augustine in before
him with violence. These matters on both the sides astonished me very
sore, musing what all this should mean; until at the last, Master
Walshe, being entered the chamber, began to pluck off his hood, the
which he had made him with a coat of the same cloth, of cotton, to
the intent he would not be known. And after he had plucked it off, he
kneeled down to my lord, to whom my lord spake first, commanding him
to stand up, saying thus, "Sir, here my Lord of Northumberland hath
arrested me of treason, but by what authority or commission he showeth
me not; but saith, he hath one. If ye be privy thereto, or be joined
with him therein, I pray you show me." "Indeed, my lord," quoth Master
Walshe, "if it please your grace, it is true that he hath one." "Well
then," said my lord, "I pray you let me see it." "Sir, I beseech your
grace hold us excused," quoth Master Walshe, "there is annexed unto
our commission a schedule with certain instructions which ye may in no
wise be privy unto." "Why," quoth my lord, "be your instructions such
that I may not see them? Peradventure, if I might be privy to them, I
could the better help you to perform them. It is not unknown unto you
both I am assured, but I have been privy and of counsel in as weighty
matters as this is, for I doubt not for my part, but I shall prove and
clear myself to be a true man, against the expectation of all my cruel
enemies. I have an understanding whereupon all this matter groweth.
Well, there is no more to do. I trow, gentleman, ye be one of the
king's privy chamber; your name, I suppose, is Walshe; I am content
to yield unto you, but not to my Lord of Northumberland, without I see
his commission. And also you are a sufficient commissioner yourself
in that behalf, inasmuch as ye be one of the king's privy chamber;
for the worst person there is a sufficient warrant to arrest the
greatest peer of this realm, by the king's only commandment, without
any commission. Therefore I am ready to be ordered and disposed at
your will, put therefore the king's commission and your authority in
execution, a God's name, and spare not, and I will obey the king's will
and pleasure. For I fear more the cruelty of my unnatural enemies,
than I do my truth and allegiance; wherein, I take God to witness, I
never offended the king's majesty in word or deed; and therein I dare
stand face to face with any man alive, having indifferency, without
partiality."
Then came my Lord of Northumberland unto me, standing at the portal
door, and commanded me to avoid the chamber: and being loath to depart
from my master, [I] stood still, and would not remove; to whom he
spake again, and said, "There is no remedy, ye must needs depart."
With that I looked upon my lord, (as who sayeth, shall I go?) upon
whom my lord looked very heavily, and shook at me his head. Perceiving
by his countenance it booted me not to abide, and so I departed the
chamber, and went into the next chamber, where abode many gentlemen of
my fellows, and other, to learn of me some news of the matter within;
to whom I made report what I saw and heard; which was to them great
heaviness to hear.