in heaven and earth, gave unto one only upon earth, viz. to Peter, the
chiefest amongst the Apostles, and to the Pope of Rome, Peter’s
successor, a Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (without which there is
no salvation) to govern it in the fulness of power. And this he ordained
as chief above all nations and kingdoms, to pull down, destroy,
dissever, cast off, plant and erect, to combine in the unity of spirit
his faithful people, connext together through mutual charity, and
present them whole and sound to his Saviour. Which charge We, who
through the grace of God are thereunto called, submitting ourselves to
the government of the same Church, cease not with all our best labours
and endeavours to preserve this unity and Catholic Religion, which He
who was the Author thereof so suffered to be encumbered for the trial of
the faith of his,[36] and for our correction. But the number of the
ungodly is so great in power, that there is not a corner left upon the
whole earth now untainted with their wicked doctrines. Amongst which
Elizabeth, pretended Queen of England, is above all the shelter and
refuge of error and most noisome enemies. It is she, who, after she had
possessed the Kingdom, usurping (monster-like) the place of the chief
Sovereign of the Church in England and the principal jurisdiction and
authority thereof, hath thrown into miserable ruin the whole kingdom,
when it was even brought to the Catholic Faith, and began to bring forth
good fruits. For she with a powerful hand forbiddeth the exercise of the
true religion (which was heretofore overthrown by Henry VIII., the
forsaker thereof, and afterwards repaired, with the help of this See, by
Mary, lawful Queen of England, of famous memory), and embraceth the
heresies of obscure persons; the Royal Council, once composed of the
English nobility, she hath broken off, oppresseth such as made
profession of and exercised the Catholic Religion, re-established the
wicked ministers and preachers of impiety, abolished the sacrifice of
the Mass, prayers, fastings, the dividing of the meats, the celibate,
and all Catholic ceremonies, sent books over her whole kingdom
containing manifest heresies, commended to her subjects the profane
mysteries and institutions which she had received and observed from the
decree of Calvin, displaced the Bishops, Rectors and Catholic Priests
from their Churches and Benefices, and disposed of them to heretics, and
is bold to take upon her to judge and determine ecclesiastical affairs;
forbade the Prelates, the Clergy, and People, to acknowledge the Roman
Church or observe her commandments and canonical duties, enforced divers
to swear obedience to her detestable Ordinances, to renounce the
authority due to the Roman dignity, and acknowledge her the only
sovereign over temporal and spiritual things; imposed penalties and
taxes upon such as were refractory to her Injunctions; inflicted
punishments upon those who persisted in the unity of the faith and
obedience; imprisoned the Prelates and Governors of the Catholic
Churches, where divers being, with a tedious languishing and sorrow
miserably finished their unhappy days. All which things being thus
evident and apparent to all nations, and so manifestly proved by the
grave testimony of divers, that there is no place left for any excuse,
defence, or tergiversation: Wee, perceiving that these impieties and
mischiefs do still multiply one by another, and that the persecution of
the faithful and the affliction of the Church doth daily increase and
wax more heavy and grievous, and finding that her heart is so obstinate
and obdurate, that she hath not only despised the wholesome prayers and
admonitions which the Christian Princes have made for her better health
and conversion, but that she hath denied passage to the Nuncios who for
this end were sent from this Siege[37] into England; and being compelled
to bear the arms of justice against her, We cannot moderate the
punishment that We are bound to inflict upon her, whose ancestors
merited so well of the Christian Commonwealth. Being thus supported by
His Authority, who hath placed us upon this sovereign throne of Justice,
howsoever incapable of so great a charge, out of the fulness of our
Apostolical power do pronounce and declare the said Elizabeth an heretic
and favourer of heretics, and those who adhere unto her in the aforesaid
things, have incurred the Sentence of Anathema, and are cut off from the
unity of the Body of Christ. That she is deprived of the right which she
pretends to the foresaid kingdom, and of all and every Seigniory,
Royalty and privilege thereof; and the Peers, Subjects, and People of
the said kingdom, and all others upon what terms soever sworn unto her,
freed from their oath and from all manner of duty, fidelity and
obedience: As We do free them by the authority of these presents and
exclude the said Elizabeth from the right which she pretendeth to the
said kingdom, and the rest before mentioned. Commanding moreover and
enjoining all and every the nobles, as subjects, people, and others
whatsoever, that they shall not once dare to obey her, or any her
directions, laws, or commandments, binding under the same curse those
who do anything to the contrary. And for as much as it may seem
difficult for them to observe these presents in every place where they
have occasion for them, Our will is, that copies hereof being written by
some public notary, and sealed with the seal of some ecclesiastical
Prelate, or of his Court, shall be of as good effect through the whole
world, as these presents might do, if they were exhibited and
represented.
Given at Rome, at S. Peter’s, the 5 of March,[38]
in the year of the incarnation of our Saviour
1569,[39] and of our Pont[ificate] the 5.
AN ACT AGAINST THE BRINGING IN AND PUTTING IN EXECUTION OF BULLS
AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS FROM THE SEE OF ROME (1571).
_Anno 13 Eliz., Cap. 2, 1571._
=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm, sub anno._
Where in the parliament holden at Westminster, in the fifth year of the
reign of our Sovereign Lady the Queen’s Majesty that now is, by one Act
and Statute then and there made, intituled, An Act for the assurance of
the Queen’s Majesty, etc., it is ... ordained and provided for the
abolition of the usurped power and jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome
within this realm ... That no person ... shall ... maintain, defend, or
extol the same usurped power or attribute any manner, jurisdiction,
authority or pre-eminence to the same within this realm ... upon pain of
incurring the penalties provided by the Statute of ... Præmunire.... And
yet nevertheless, divers seditious and very evil-disposed people ...
minding ... very seditiously and unnaturally not only to bring this
realm and the imperial crown thereof (being in very deed of itself most
free) into the thraldom and subjection of that foreign, usurped and
unlawful jurisdiction ... claimed by the said see of Rome; but also to
estrange and alienate the minds and hearts of sundry her Majesty’s
subjects from their dutiful obedience, and to raise and stir sedition
and rebellion within this realm ... have lately procured and obtained to
themselves from the said Bishop of Rome and his see divers Bulls and
Writings, the effect whereof hath been and is to absolve and reconcile
all those that will be contented to forsake their due obedience to our
most gracious Sovereign Lady the Queen’s Majesty, and to yield and
subject themselves to the said feigned, unlawful and usurped authority;
and by color of the said Bulls and Writings, the said wicked persons
very secretly and most seditiously in such parts of the realm where the
people for want of good instruction are most weak, simple and ignorant,
and thereby farthest from the good understanding of their duties towards
God and the Queen’s Majesty, have by their lewd and subtle practices and
persuasions, so far forth wrought, that sundry simple and ignorant
persons have been content to be reconciled to the said usurped authority
of the see of Rome, and to take Absolution at the hands of the said
naughty and subtle practisers, whereby hath grown great disobedience and
boldness in many, not only to withdraw and absent themselves from all
Divine Service, but also have thought themselves discharged of all
obedience ... to her Majesty, whereby most wicked and unnatural
rebellion hath ensued, and to the further danger of this realm is
hereafter very likely to be renewed, if the ungodly and wicked attempts
in that behalf be not by severity of laws in time restrained and
bridled.... To prevent the great mischiefs ... that thereby may ensue,
be it enacted ... That if any person, after the first day of July next
coming, shall use or put in ure[40] in any place within ... the Queen’s
Dominions any such Bull, Writing or Instrument ... of absolution or
reconciliation ... Or if any person after the said first day of July
shall take upon him, by color of any such Bull ... to absolve or
reconcile any person ... Or if any person within ... the Queen’s
Dominions after the said first day of July shall obtain from the said
Bishop of Rome ... any manner of Bull ... Or shall publish or by any
ways or means put in ure any such Bull ... That then every such act ...
shall be deemed ... by the authority of this Act to be high treason, and
the offenders therein ... shall be deemed high traitors to the Queen and
the realm; and being thereof lawfully indicted and attainted ... shall
suffer pains of death, and also forfeit all their lands ... as in cases
of high treason by the laws of this realm ought to be forfeited.
II. And be it further enacted ... That all aiders ... of any the said
offenders ... after the committing of any the said Acts ... shall incur
the penalties contained in the Statute of Praemunire....
III. Provided always ... That if any person ... to whom any such
Absolution ... or Instrument as is aforesaid, shall, after the said
first day of July, be offered ... shall conceal the same ... and not
disclose and signify the same ... within six weeks ... that then the
same person so concealing ... the said Offer ... shall incur the ...
penalty ... of misprision of high treason.
IV. And be it further enacted ... That if any person shall at any time
after the said first day of July bring into this realm ... any ... thing
called by the name of an Agnus Dei, or any crosses, pictures, beads or
such like vain and superstitious things, from the Bishop or see of Rome
... and divers pardons, immunities and exemptions granted by the
authority of the said see to such as shall receive and use the same;
and that if the same person ... so bringing in ... such Agnus Dei and
other like things ... shall deliver ... the same to any subject of this
realm ... to be worn or used in any wise: That then ... the same person
so doing, as also ... every other person which shall receive ... the
same, to the intent to use or wear the same, being thereof lawfully
convicted and attainted ... shall incur into the ... penalties ...
ordained by the Statute of Praemunire....
VI. And be it further enacted.... That all ... persons which at any time
since the beginning of the first year of the Queen’s Majesty’s reign ...
have brought ... into this realm any such Bulls ... and now have any ...
in ... their custody, and shall within the space of three months next
after the end of any session or dissolution of this present parliament
deliver all such bulls ... to the bishop of the diocese where such
absolution hath been given and received ... and shall ... publicly
before such bishop confess their offence therein and humbly desire to be
... restored ... to the Church of England, shall be clearly pardoned and
discharged of all ... offences done in any manner concerning any of the
said bulls ... touching such absolution or reconciliation only; and that
all ... persons which have received any absolutions from the said Bishop
of Rome ... since the first year of the reign of our said Sovereign Lady
the Queen, and shall within the space of three months next after any
session or dissolution of this present parliament, come before the
bishop of the diocese of such place where such absolution or
reconciliation was had or made, and shall publicly ... before the same
bishop confess ... their offences therein, and humbly desire to be
restored, and admitted to the Church of England, shall ... be clearly
pardoned and discharged of all offences committed in any matter
concerning the said Bulls ... touching only receiving such absolution or
reconciliation....
AN ACT AGAINST JESUITS, SEMINARY PRIESTS, AND SUCH OTHER LIKE
DISOBEDIENT PERSONS (1584).
_Anno 27, Eliz., Cap. 2., 1584-85._
=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm, sub anno._
Whereas divers persons, called or professed Jesuits, Seminary Priests,
and other Priests, which have been and from time to time are made in the
parts beyond the seas, by or according to the Order and Rites of the
Romish Church, have of late years comen and been sent, and daily do come
and are sent, into this Realm of England and other the Queen’s Majesty’s
Dominions, of purpose (as hath appeared as well by sundry of their own
examinations and confessions, as by divers other manifest means and
proofs) not only to withdraw her Highness’ subjects from their due
obedience to her Majesty, but also to stir up and move sedition,
rebellion and open hostility within her Highness’ realms and dominions,
to the great dangering of the safety of her most royal Person, and to
the utter ruin, desolation and overthrow of the whole Realm, if the same
be not the sooner by some good means foreseen and prevented: for
reformation whereof be it enacted ... That all and every Jesuits,
Seminary Priests, and other Priests whatsoever, made or ordained ... by
any Authority ... derived ... from the See of Rome, since the Feast of
the Nativity of St. John Baptist in the first year of her Highness’s
reign, shall within forty days next after the end of this present
Session of Parliament depart out of this realm of England, and out of
all others her Highness’s Realms and Dominions, if the Wind, weather and
passage shall so serve for the same....
II. And be it further enacted ... That it shall not be lawful for any
Jesuit [etc.] ... being born within this Realm ... to come into, be, or
remain in any part of this Realm ... after the end of the same forty
days; ... and if he do, that then every such offence shall be taken and
adjudged to be High Treason ... and every person which ... shall
wittingly and willingly receive, relieve, comfort aid or maintain any
such Jesuit [etc.] ... being at liberty or out of holde ... shall also
for such offence be adjudged a Felon without benefit of Clergy, and
suffer Death, loss and forfeit, as in the case of one attainted of
Felony.
III. And be it further enacted ... that if any of her Majesty’s subjects
(not being a Jesuit [etc.]) now being or which hereafter shall be
brought up in any College of Jesuits or Seminary ... shall not, within
six months next after Proclamation in that behalf to be made in the City
of London under the Great Seal of England, return into this Realm, and
thereupon, within two days next after such return, before the Bishop of
the Diocese or two Justices of the Peace of the County where he shall
arrive, submit himself to her Majesty and her Laws, and take the Oath
set forth by Act in the first year of her Reign; that then every such
person which shall otherwise return, come into, or be in this Realm ...
for such offence ... shall also be adjudged a Traitor, and suffer loss
and forfeit as in case of High Treason.
IV. And be it further enacted ... If any person under her Majesty’s
Subjection or Obedience shall at any time after the end of the said
forty days ... convey ... over the seas or out of this Realm ... or
shall otherwise wittingly and willingly yield, give or contribute any
money or other relief to or for any Jesuit [etc.] ... or to or for the
maintenance or relief of any College of Jesuits or Seminary ... or of
any person being of or in any the same Colleges or Seminaries, and not
returned into this Realm with submission as in this Act is expressed,
and continuing in the same Realm; That then every such person so
offending, for the same offence shall incur the danger and penalty of
Praemunire....
V. And be it further enacted ... That it shall not be lawful for any
person of or under her Highness’ Obedience, at any time after the said
forty days (during her Majesty’s life, which God long preserve) to send
his or her child or other person being under his or her government into
any the parts beyond the seas out of her Highness’ Obedience, without
the special licence of her Majesty or of four of her Highness’s Privy
Council ... (except Merchants, for such only as they ... shall send over
the seas ... only for or about ... their trade of Merchandise, or to
serve as mariners, and not otherwise); upon pain to forfeit and lose for
every such their offence the sum of one hundred pounds.
XI. And be it also further enacted ... that every person or persons
being Subject of this Realm, which after the said forty days shall know
and understand that any such Jesuit [etc.] ... shall ... be within this
Realm ... contrary to the true meaning of this Act, and shall not
discover the same unto some Justice of Peace ... within twelve days next
after his said knowledge, but willingly conceal his knowledge therein;
that every such offender shall make fine and be imprisoned at the
Queen’s pleasure; And that if such Justice of Peace ... do not within
xxviii days then next following give information thereof to some of the
Queen’s Privy Council ... that then he or they so offending shall for
every such offence forfeit the sum of two hundred marks.
DEATH OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (1586).
CAMDEN’S ACCOUNT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH’S PART IN IT.
=Source.=--Camden: _Annales_, 1615 (English edition, 1625), _sub anno_.
From this attempt[41] such as were the sworne enemies of the Queene of
_Scotland_, and sought to do her hurt, tooke occasion hereby to hasten
her death; knowing that in extreame danger of safetie, Feare leaveth no
place for Mercy, and tooke order (the more to terrifie the Queene of
_England_) to spread rumorous speeches daily, and false and fearefull
exclamations all over the Land; to wit:
_That the Spanish Fleet was already landed at Milford Haven; That
the Scots were come upon their borders; That the_ Guise _was in
Essex with a mighty Armie; That the Queene of Scots had broken
prison, raysed a great troope of Souldiers, and began to make a
Rebellion in the North; That there were new plots in hand, for
murthering the Queene, and to burne the Citie of London; yea, That
the Queene of_ England _was dead_, and such like:
which in those that are crafty and fearefull (by a natural desire) are
nourished, and encreased; and Princes (credulous by curiositie) will
soon lend their eares thereunto.
By such divulged horrors, and fearefull arguments, they brought her
Majestie into such trouble and perplexitie of minde, that she signed the
Letters of Warrant to her deadly Sentence, and was perswaded most of all
to it by Patricke Gray Scottishman, whom the King of Scotland had sent
to disswade the Queene of England, from putting his mother to death; who
many times put these words into her eares: Mortua non mordet: Being
dead, she will byte no more.
And notwithstanding, as she was naturally slow to anger, she had this
custome, that she never would enter unadvisedly, or without
premeditation, into any action: so she began to weighe in her minde,
whether it were better to put her to death, or to let her live. From
putting her to death she was disswaded,
_By her owne naturall clemency, not to use cruelty to her who was a
Princesse, and her next kinswoman; from the feare that she had,
Histories should make her infamous to posterities, and from the
dangers which might fall upon her, as from the part of the King of_
Scotland, _who then was the next in succession to the Crowne of_
England; _so also from the Catholick Princes, and from desperate
people, who would attempt anything._
From pardoning of her likewise, she foresaw no lesse danger to ensue:
_That the Nobility which had given the sentence against her, would
covertly seeke to regaine the favour of her and her sonne; and
that could not be done without danger to herselfe. That her own
subjects would take it ill when they perceive their labour to be
lost; and though then they were carefull for her wellfare, yet
hereafter they might grow carelesse; and that many would change
their religion, and become Popish, upon a supposition of greater
hopes, seeing her preserved, as it were, by fatall providence, to
inherite the Kingdome of_ England. _That the Jesuites and
Seminaries, whose eyes were all cast upon her, seeing her sickly,
and not like to live long, would be so much the more busie to
procure the death of Q._ Elizabeth, _to set up their religion_.
Her Courtiers propounded also to her domesticall examples, because that
that which is warranted by president,[42] is the more tolerable: As
_what comportment the Kings of_ England _(for their securities)
have had with their competitors, namely_ Henry _the first with_
Robert _his elder brother_, Edw. _the third, or rather his mother,
with_ Edward _the second_, Henry _the fourth with_ Richard _the
second_, Edward _the fourth with_ Hen. _the sixt, with his sonne
the Prince of_ Wales, _and_ George _of_ Clarence, _and_ Henry _the
eighth with_ De-la-Poole _Earle of_ Suffolk, _with_ Margaret _of_
Salisbury _and_ Courtney _Marquesse of_ Exeter: _all which (in
comparison of their offences) dyed for very sleight matters._
Neyther did the Courtiers only suggest these and the like to the Queene;
but diverse fiery-tongued Preachers also, tooke occasion to exercise
(with all asperity of spirit) the heate of their desires, in hastning on
her death. Sundry also of the vulgar sort were of the same temper,
according as their affections or humours carried them away with hope or
feare.
Amidst these sad-afflicting thoughts of minde (which so troubled the
Queene of _England’s_ perplexed heart, as that she delighted to be all
alone, and to sit solitary by her selve, neyther looking up, nor
uttering any speech; yet would suddenly many times, breake out into
these words, and sighing, say, Aut Petere Aut Percute,[43] _and withall,
also a kinde of Emblem_: Prevent the Stroke by Striking) shee delivered
Secretarie _Davison_ letters under her hand and seale, wherein hee was
commanded to make ready a Warrant, under the great seal of _England_,
for the execution of the Qu. of _Scotland_, and to keepe it private, not
acquainting any therewith, lest happely in this turbulent time of feare,
some sudden violent danger might happen. But the morrow after (some
sudden affright mixing it selfe with her pensive thoughts and
meditations of minde), changing her former purpose, she recommanded
_Davison_ (by _Killegray_) to dispatch his Warrant. _Davison_, going to
her, told her it was ready, and sealed. Whereat she grew very angry,
saying, He was too hasty. But for all this, he forbore not to publish
the matter, and to impart it to the Councell; who (beleeving that
willingly, which they desired earnestly) were easily perswaded, that the
Queene had given commandment for the execution; and (unknowne to her)
sent presently away _Beale_ (who, out of a fervour of zeale which he
bore to religion) was more eagerly bent against the Queene of
_Scotland_, than any other and with him two executioners, and letters
Patents, whereby authoritie was granted to the Earles of _Shrewesbury_,
_Kent_, _Derby_, _Cumberland_ and others, to proceed in this execution.
And although the Queene had told _Davison_ at that time, that shee had a
purpose to deale otherwise with the Queene of _Scotland_; yet, for all
that, he did not stay or recall _Beale_....
* * * * *
So soone as report (the messenger of this death) had brought the newes
thereof to Queene _Elizabeth_, who not so much as thought of any such
matter, she tooke it most impatiently: her speech and countenance, at
once failed her: through the extremitie of her grievous discontent, shee
became quite comfortlesse and disconsolate; and attired her selfe in
mourning weedes, bitterly lamenting, and sheading many brinish tears
from the compassionate rivers of her eyes. Shee sharply rebuked her
Councell, and chased them out of her sight, commanding they should be
questioned. And as for _William Davison_, he was brought into the
Starre-Chamber to be tryed. And as soone as her passionate anguish and
excesse of sorrow suffered her to write, she suddenly addrest (by sir
_Robert Carey_) to the King of _Scotland_, this Letter following, of her
owne hand-writing:
_Queen Elizabeth’s Letter to King James._
MOST DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER:
Would to God you did know, but not feele, with what incomparable sorrow
my sad-afflicted heart is troubled, by the late lamentable event, which
hapned contrary to my minde and meaning: but because my Penne abhorreth
the recitall thereof, you shall understand it by this my kinsman. I
beseech you, that (as God and many good men are witnesses with me of my
innocence) you also would believe, that if I had once commanded it, I
would never have denyed the same. I am not so base-minded, nor of such a
degenerate or ignoble spirit, as that either I am affraid to do the
thing that is just, or to disclaime it being done.
But as it is most dishonourable in Princes, to cover or colour the
conceptions of their heartes, in disguised words: So will I never
dissemble any action of mine, but let it appeare in its owne lively
colours. Know this for certainty, that as I am sure, it hapned not by
any fault of mine; so if I had ever intended such a deed, I would not
have imputed it to others. Nor can I assume that to my selfe which I
never thought. The rest, the Deliverer of these lines will impart unto
you. For my part, I would have you believe, that there is none more
intirely loving you, nor more studiously carefull for the good of you
and yours, than my selfe. If any have suggested to you the contrary, be
you perswaded, that such a one beareth more affection to others, than
to you. God keepe you long safe and sound.
* * * * *
Whilest Sir _Robert Carey_ was on the way with these letters, _William
Davison_ was brought into the Starr-Chamber before certain
Commissioners, to wit, Sir _Cristopher Wray_ Lo: chiefe Justice of the
K. Bench, who for that time was likewise made Lord Keeper of the Privy
Seale; the Arch Bishops of _Canterbury_ and _Yorke_, the Earles of
_Worcester_, _Cumberland_, and _Lincolne_; the Lords _Gray_ and
_Lumley_, Sir _James Crofts_ Comptroller of the Queens house, Sir
_Walter Mildmay_, Chancellour of the Exchequer, Sir _Gilbert Gerard_
Master of the Rolls, _Edm. Anderson_ chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas,
and Sir _Roger Manwood_ chiefe Baron of the Exchequer. In the presence
of these, Sir _Francis Popham_, the Qu. Atturney generall, accused
_William Davison_ of contempt against her Majestie, of the breach of his
allegeance; the neglect and omission of his dutie; for that the queene
of _England_, out of her royall clemency--being unwilling that the
queene of _Scotland_ (although she stood condemned) should be put to
death, for certain causes best knowne to her selfe, such as were not to
bee sounded into by any others, nor could be drawne from her, eyther by
the importunate urging of the States of the land, or by her Councell:
notwithstanding shee had commanded the Warrant for her execution to be
drawne (for the preventing of some eminent perills) the which she
committed to the said _William Davisons_ trust and taciturnitie; he,
being a sworne Secretary, forgetfull of his faith and obedience
(contemning her Majesties command) had imparted the same to the
Councell, and brought her to execution, without the knowledge or
privitie of her Majestie.
THE CATHOLICS’ DILEMMA BETWEEN LOYALTY TO COUNTRY AND LOYALTY TO CHURCH
(1587).
_Letter from a Jesuit Missionary in England to Father Robert Parsons,
S.J._
=Source.=--A transcript in the Archives of Stonyhurst College.
The copy of a letter written by one of the Society of Jesus in England
to F. Parsons touching a little book printed under the name of Dr.
Allen, 23 Oct., 1587: