The Constable places him in a den.
And then the Constable went forth, and then came indivers secular [laymen]; and they scorned me on every side, and menaced me greatly. And some counselled the Archbishop to burn me by and by [at once]: and some others counselled him to drown me in the sea, for it is near [at] hand there.
A Clerk.And a Clerk standing besides me there, kneeled down to the Archbishop, praying him that he would deliver me to him for to sayMatinswith him; and he would undertake that, within three days, I should not resist anything that was commanded me to do, of my Prelate.
And the Archbishop said that he would ordain for me himself.
And then, after, came in again the Constable and spake privily to the Archbishop.
And then the Archbishop commanded the Constable to lead me forth thence, with him: and so he did.
And when we were gone forth thence, we were sent after again.
And when I came in again before the Archbishop, a Clerk bade me kneel down, and ask grace, and submit me lowly, and I should find it for the best.
William.And I said then to the Archbishop, "Sir, as I have said to you, divers times, to-day, I will wilfully and lowly obey and submit me to be ordained ever, after my cunning and power, to GOD and His Law, and to every member of Holy Church; as far forth as I can perceive that these members accord with their head,Christ, and will teach me, rule me, or chastise me by authority specially of GOD's Law."
Archbishop.And the Archbishop said, "I wist well, he would not, without such additions, submit him!"
And then, I was rebuked, scorned, and menaced on every side; and yet, after this, divers persons cried upon me to kneel down and submit me: but I stood still, and spake no word.
And then there was spoken of me and to me many great words; and I stood, and heard them menace, curse, and scorn me: but I said nothing.
Archbishop.Then a while after, the Archbishop said to me, "Wilt thou not submit thee to the ordinance of Holy Church?"
William.And I said, "Sir, I will full gladly submit me, as I have shewed you before."
And then, the Archbishop bade the Constable to have me forth thence in haste.
He thanks GOD, he is, at last, alone.
And so then I was led forth, and brought into a foul unhonest prison, where I came never before. But, thanked be GOD! when all men were gone forth then from me, and had sparred [barred] fast the prison door after them, by and by [immediately] after, I therein by myself busied me to think on GOD, and to thank Him of His goodness.
And I was then greatly comforted in all my wits, not only for that I was then delivered, for a time, from the sight, from the hearing, from the presence, from the scorning, and from the menacing of my enemies: but much more I rejoiced in the LORD, because that through His grace, He kept me so, both among the flattering specially, and among the menacing of mine adversaries, that without heaviness and anguish of my conscience, I passed away from them. For as a tree laid upon another tree overthwart or on cross wise, so was the Archbishop and his three Clerks always contrary to me, and I to them.
Now, good GOD! (for Thine holy name and for the praising of Thy most blessed name, make us one together), if it be Thy will, by authority of thy Word that is true perfect charity: and else not! And that it may thus be, all that this writing read or hear, pray heartily to the LORD GOD! that He (for His great goodness that cannot be with tongue expressed) grant to us and to all others, that in the same
wise and for the same cause specially, or for any othercause be at [a] distance, to be knit and madeOne in true Faith, in stedfast Hope, andin perfect Charity.Amen.
19 Sept. 1460.
William of Thorpe'sTestament.
Matthew, an Apostle ofChristand his gospeller, witnesseth truly in the Holy Gospel, the most holy living and the most wholesome teaching ofChrist. He rehearseth how thatChristlikeneth them that hear his words and keep them, toa wise man that buildeth his house upon a stone,that is a stable and a sad[firm]ground.
Thishouseis man's soul, in whomChristdelighteth to dwell, if it be grounded, that is, stablished, faithfully in his living, and in his true teaching, adorned or made fair with divers virtues, whichChristused and taught without any meddling of any error, as are chiefly the conditions of charity.
This foresaidstoneisChrist, upon which every faithful soul must be builded, since upon none other ground than uponChrist's living and his teaching, nobody may make any building or houseing whereinChristwill come and dwell. This sentence witnessethPaulto the Corinthians,shewing them that nobody may set any other ground than is set, that is,Christ's living and his teaching.
And because that all men and women should give all their business here in this life to build them virtuously upon this sure foundation, SaintPaul[ac]knowledging the fervent desire and the good will of the people of Ephesus, wrote to them comfortably, saying, Now ye are not strangers, guests, nor yet comelings, but ye are the citizens and of the household of GOD, builded above upon the foundament of the Apostles and Prophets. In which foundament, every building that is builded and made through the grace of GOD, it increaseth or groweth into a holy temple;that is, everybody that isgrounded and builded faithfully in the teaching and living ofChristis therethrough made the holy temple of GOD.
This is the stable ground and stedfaststone,Christ! which is the sure corner-stone fast joining and holding mightily together two walls. For throughChrist Jesu, mean or middle Person of the Trinity, the Father of Heaven is piteous or mercifully joined and made one together to Mankind: and through dread to offend GOD, and fervent love to please him, men be unseparably made one to GOD, and defended surely under His protection.
Also this foresaidstoneChristwas figured by the square stones of which the Temple of GOD was made. For as a square stone, wheresoever it is cast or laid, it abideth and lieth stably; soChristand every faithful member of his Church, by example of him, abideth and dwelleth stably in true faith and in all other heavenly virtues, in all adversities that they suffer in this Valley of Tears. For, lo, when these foresaid square stones were hewen and wrought for to be laid in the walls or pillars of GOD's Temple, none noise or stroke of the workmen was heard. Certain, this silence in working of this stone figurethChristchiefly, and his faithful members, which by example of him have been, and yet are, and ever to the world's end shall be, so meek and patient in every adversity, that no sound nor yet any grudging shall any time be perceived in them.
Nevertheless this chief and most worshipful corner-stone, which only is ground of all virtues, proud beggars reproved! but this despite and reproofChristsuffered most meekly in his own person, for to give example of all meekness and patience to all his faithful followers. Certain, this world is now so full of proud beggars which are named priests; but the very office of working of priesthood whichChristapproveth true, and accepteth, is far from the multitude of priests that now reign in this world.
For, from the highest priest to the lowest, all (as who say) study, that is, they imagine and travail busily how they may please this world and their flesh. This sentence and many such others dependeth upon them, if it be well considered; either GOD the Father of heaven hath deceived all mankind by the living speciallyand teaching ofJesus Christ, and by the living and teaching of his Apostles and Prophets; all else all the Popes that have been since I had any knowledge or discretion, with all the College of Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops, Monks, Canons, and Friars, with all the contagious flock of the comminalty of priesthood, which have, all my life-time and mickle longer, reigned and yet reign and increase damnably from sin into sin, have been and yet be proud obstinate heretics, covetous simoners[trafficers in ecclesiastical preferments],and defouled adulterers in the ministering of the Sacraments, and especially in the ministering of the Sacrament of the Altar.
For, as their works shew (wheretoChristbiddeth us take heed!) the highest priests and Prelates of this priesthood challenge and occupy[hold]unlawfully temporal lordships. And for temporal favour and mede, they sell and give benefices to unworthy and unable persons; yea, these simoners sell sin! suffering men and women in every degree and estate, to lie and continue, from year to year, in divers vices slanderously. And thus, by evil example of high priests in the Church, lower priests under them are not only suffered, but they are maintained to sell full dear to the people for temporal mede, all the Sacraments. And thus all this foresaid priesthood is blown so high, and borne up in pride and vainglory of their estate and dignity, and so blinded with worldly covetousness, that they disdain to followChristin very meekness and wilful poverty, living holily, and preaching GOD's Word truly, freely, and continually; taking their livelihood at the free will of the people, of their pure almose[alms],where and when, they suffice not (for their true and busy preaching) to get their sustenance with their hands.
To this true sentence, grounded onChrist's own living and teaching of his Apostles; these foresaid worldly and fleshly priests will not consent effectually. But, as their works and also their words shew, boldly and unshamefastly these foresaid named priests and Prelates covet, and enforce them mightily and busily, that all Holy Scripture were expounded and drawn according totheirmanners, and totheirungrounded[unwarranted]usages and findings.For they will not (since they hold it but folly and madness!) conform their manners to the pure and simple living ofChristand his Apostles, nor they will not follow freely their learning. Wherefore all the Emperors and Kings, and all other lords and ladies, and all the common people in every degree and state, which have before time known or might have known; and also all they that now yet know or might know this foresaid witness of priesthood; and would not, nor yet will enforce them, after their cunning and power, to withstand charitably the foresaid enemies and traitors ofChristand his Church; all these strive, withAntichrist, againstJesu! And they shall bear the indignation of GOD Almighty without end, if in convenient time they amend them not, and repent them verily; doing therefore due mourning and sorrow, after their cunning and power.
For through presumptions and negligence of priests and Prelates (not of the Church ofChrist, but occupying their prelacy, unduly in the Church, and also by flattering and false covetousness of other divers named priests), lousengers, and lounderers are wrongfully made and called Hermits; and have leave to defraud poor and needy creatures of their livelihood, and to live by their false winning and begging in sloth and other divers vices. And also of these Prelates, these cokir noses[?]are suffered to live in pride and hypocrisy, and to defoul themselves both bodily and ghostly.
Also by the suffering and counsel of these foresaid Prelates and of other priests, are made vain, both Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods, full of pride and envy; which are full contrary to the Brotherhood ofChrist, since they are cause of mickle dissension: and they multiply and sustained it uncharitably, for in lusty eating, and drinking unmeasurably and out of time, they exercise themselves. Also this vain confederacy of Brotherhoods is permitted to be of one clothing, and to hold together. And in all these ungrounded and unlawful doings, priests are partners and great meddlers and counsellors.
And over this viciousness, hermits and pardoners, ankers[anchorites],and strange beggars are licensed and admitted ofPrelates and priests for to beguile the people with flatterings and leasings[falsehoods]slanderously, against all good reason and true belief; and so to increase divers vices in themselves, and also among all them that accept them or consent to them.
And thus, the viciousness of these forenamed priests and Prelates, has been long time, and yet is, and shall be cause of wars, both within the realm and without.
And, in the same wise, these unable[useless]priests have been, and yet are, and shall be, the chief cause of pestilence of men, and murrain of beasts, and of bareness of the earth, and of all other mischiefs, to the time that Lords and Commons able them through grace for to know and to keep the Commandments of GOD, enforcing them then faithfully and charitably by one assent, for to redress and make one, this foresaid priesthood to the wilful poor, meek, and innocent living and teaching, specially ofChristand his Apostles.
Therefore all they that know, or might know the viciousness that reigneth now cursedly in these priests and in their learning, if they suffice not to withstand this contagious viciousness: let them pray to the LORD heartily for the health of his Church! abstaining them prudently from these endured[hardened]enemies ofChristand his people, and from all their Sacraments! since to them all that know them, or may know, they are but fleshly deeds and false: as SaintCyprianwitnesseth in the first Question ofDecreesand in the firstCause. Ca. Si quis inquit.
For as this Saint, and great Doctors witness there, that not only vicious priests, but also all they that favour them or consent to them in their viciousness, shall together perish with them, if they amend them not duly: as all they perished that consented toDathanandAbiram. For nothing were more confusion to these foresaid vicious priests, than to eschew them prudently in all their unlawful Sacraments, while they continue in their sinful living slanderously, as they have long time done and yet do. And nobody need to be afraid, though death did follow by any wise or other, for to die out of this world without taking of any Sacrament of these foresaidChrist's enemies: sinceChristwill not fail for to ministerhimself all lawful and heal-ful sacraments, and necessary at all time; and especially at the end, to all them that are in true faith, in steadfast hope, and in perfect charity.
But yet some mad fools say, for to eschew slander they will be shriven once a year and comuned[receive the Sacrament]of their proper priests; though they know them defouled with slanderous vices. No doubt, but all they that thus do or consent, privily or apertly, to such doing, are culpable of great sin; since St.Paulwitnesseth that not only they that do evil are worthy of death and damnation, but also they that consent to evil doers. Also, as their slanderous works witness, these foresaid vicious priests despise and cast from them heavenly cunning that is given of the HOLY GHOST. Wherefore the LORD throweth all such despisers from Him, that they use nor do any priesthood to Him. No doubt then, all they that wittingly or wilfully take, or consent that any other body should take any Sacrament of any such named priest, sinneth openly and damnably against all the Trinity, and are unable to any Sacrament of health.
And that this foresaid sentence[opinion]is altogether true unto remission of all my sinful living, trusting steadfastly in the mercy of GOD, I offer to Him my soul!
And to prove also this foresaid sentence true, with the help of GOD, I purpose fully to suffer meekly and gladly my most wretched body to be tormented, where GOD will! and of whom He will! how He will and when He will! and as long as He will! and what temporal pain He will! and death! to the praising of His name, and to the edification of His Church. And I, that am most unworthy and wretched caitiff, shall now, through the special grace of GOD, make to Him pleasant sacrifice of my most sinful and unworthy body.
IBeseechheartily all folk that read or hear this end of my purposedTestament,that, through the grace of GOD, they dispose verily and virtuously all their wits, and able, in like manner, all their members for to understand truly and to keep faithfully, charitably, and continually allthe commandments of GOD, and so then to pray devoutly to all the blessed Trinity, that I may have grace with wisdom and prudence from above, to end my life here, in this foresaid Truth and for this
Cause in true faithand steadfast hopeand in perfectcharity,AMEN.
Here endeth, sir [the Reverend]William Thorpe'sTestamenton the Friday after the Rood Day [Holy Rood-day, or Exaltation of the Holy Cross, falls on Sept. 14th], and the twenty [?nineteenth] day of September, in the year of our Lord a thousand four hundred and sixty.
And on the Sunday [August 7th] next after the feast of SaintPeterthat we called Lammas Day [August 1st] in the year of our Lord a thousand four hundred and seven, the said sirWilliam Thorpewas accused of these points, before written in this book, beforeThomas Arundell, Archbishop ofCanterbury, as it is said before.
And so was it then betwixt the Day of his Accusing, andthe Day that this was written three and fifty years;and as mickle more as from the Lammas[August 1st] to the Woodmas[September 19th].Behold the end!¶The strength of a tale is in its end.
Here followeth The Examination of the Lord Cobham.
[The following is but an abridgement of the Story of SirJohn Oldcastle: respecting which, MissL. Toulmin Smithhas recently published, in theAngliafor April 1882,Thomas Occleve's Ballad against LordCobhamand the Lollards, in 1415.]
Sept. 1413.
¶The Belief of the Lord Cobham.
Be it known to all men! that in the year of our LORD a thousand four hundred and thirteen, in the first year of KingHenrytheFifth; the King gave to [Thomas Arundell] the Bishop ofCanterbury, leave to correct the LordCobham.
And because no man durst summon him personally, the Archbishop set up a Citation on his Cathedral Church door on the Wednesday [September 6, 1413] next before the nativity of our Lady [September 8th] in the foresaid year: and that Citation was taken down by the friends of the LordCobham.
And, after that, the Bishop set up another on our Lady Day [September 8, 1413]; which also was rent down.
And because he came not to answer on the day assigned in the Citation, the Bishop cursed him for contumacy.
And the LordCobhamseeing all this malice purposed against him, wrote thisBeliefthat followeth, with his own hand; and noted [signed] it himself; and also answered to Four Points put against him by the Bishop: and he went to the King, supposing to get of him good favour and lordship.
¶The Belief.
TheBeliefof Sir John Oldcastle.
Ibelieve in GOD the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and inJesu ChristHis only Son our Lord, which was conceived of the HOLY GHOST, born of the VirginMary, and suffered death underPontius Pilate, crucified, dead, and buried. Hewent down to hells. The third day He rose again from death. He ascended up into heavens. He sitteth on the right hand of GOD, the Father Almighty. From thence, He is to come to judge the quick and dead.
I believe in the HOLY GHOST, all Holy Church, the Communion of Saints, forgiveness of sins, uprising of flesh, and everlasting life. Amen.
And for to declare more plainly my soothfastness in the belief of Holy Church, I believe faithfully and verily, that there is but one GOD Almighty; and in this Godhead and of this Godhead be Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the HOLY GHOST; and these Three Persons be the same GOD Almighty.
Furthermore, I believe that the Second Person of this most blessed Trinity, in most convenient time before ordained, took flesh and blood of the most blessed Virgin, our Lady SaintMary, for the redemption and salvation of mankind; that was lost before, forAdam's sin.
And I believe thatJesu Christour Lord, which is both GOD and Man, is head of all Holy Church; and that all those that be, and shall be saved, be members of this most Holy Church. Which Holy Church is departed[divided]in three parts. Of the which, one part is now in Heaven; that is to say, the saints that in this life live accordingly with the most blessed Law ofChristand his living, despising and forsaking the Devil and his works, the prosperities of this world, and the foul lust of the flesh.
The second part is in Purgatory, abiding the mercy of GOD, and purging them there of their sins; of the which they have been truly confessed in deed, or else in will to have been.
The third part of this Church is here in Earth, the which is called the Fighting Church; for it fighteth, every day and night, against the temptation of the Devil, the prosperity of this false failing world, and the proud rebellion of the flesh against the soul. This Church is departed[divided]by the most blessed ordinance of GODinto three Estates; that is to say, Priesthood, Knighthood, and Commons: to every Estate of the which, GOD gave charge that one should help another, and none destroy other.
As to Priests, they should be most holy and least worldly; and truly living as near as they could, after the example ofChristand his Apostles. And all their business should be, day and night, in holy example of living, and true preaching and teaching of GOD's Law to both the other parts. And also they should be most meek, most serviceable, and most lovely in spirit, both to GOD and man.
In the second part of this Church, that is Knighthood, be contained all that bear the sword by the law of Office: which should maintain GOD's Law to be preached and taught to the people; and principally the Gospel ofChrist; and truly to live thereafter. The which part should rather put themselves to peril of death, than to suffer any Law or Constitution[referring to the Constitutions ofArundelin 1408]to be made of man, wherethrough the freedom of GOD's Law might be letted to be preached and taught to the people, or whereof any error or heresy might grow in the Church. For I suppose fully that there may come none heresy nor error among the people, but by false Laws, Constitutions, or teachings contrary toChrist's Law, or by false leasings[lies].
Also the second part should defend the common people from tyrants, oppressors, and extortioners: and maintain the Clergy, doing truly their office, in preaching, teaching, praying, and freely ministering the Sacraments of Holy Church. And if this Clergy be negligent in doing this office, this second part of the Church ought, by their office that they have taken of GOD, to constrain the Clergy in due wise, to do their office in the form that GOD hath ordained to be done.
The third part of this Fighting Church oweth[ought]to bear good will to Lords and Priests, truly to do their bodily labour in tilling the earth, and with their true merchandise doing their duties that they owe both to Knighthood and to Priesthood, as GOD's Law limiteth; keeping faithfully the commandments of GOD.
Moreover, I believe all the Sacraments of Holy Church for to bemeedful and profitable to all that shall be saved; taking them after the intent that GOD and Holy Church have ordained.
And for as mickle as I am slandered falsely in my Belief in the Sacrament of the Altar, I do all Christian men to wit, that I believe verily that the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar is veryChrist's body in form of bread; the same body that was born of the blessed Virgin our Lady SaintMary, done on the cross, dead, buried, and on the third day rose from death to life, the which body is now glorified in heaven.
Also I believe that all GOD's Law is true; and who that liveth contrary to this blessed Law, and so continueth to his life's end, and dieth so breaking the holy commandments of GOD, that he shall be damned into everlasting pains. And he that will learn this most blessed Law, and live thereafter, keeping these holy commandments of GOD, and endeth in charity shall have everlasting bliss.
Also I understand that this followeth of Belief, that our LordJesu Christ(that is both GOD and Man) asketh no more here in earth, but that he obey to him after the form of his Law, in truly keeping of it. And if any Prelate of the Church ask more obedience than this, of any man living; he exalteth himself, in that, aboveChrist: and so he is an open Antichrist.
Also these points I hold as of Belief in especial.
And in general, I believe all that GOD wills that I believe, praying, at the reverence of Almighty GOD, to you my liege Lord[HenryV.]that this Belief might be examined by the wisest and truest Clerks of your realm: and if it be truth, that it might be confirmed, and I to be holden for a true Christian man; and if it be false, that it might be damned[condemned],and I taught a better Belief by GOD's Law; and I will gladly obey thereto.
This foresaid Belief, the LordCobhamwrote; and took it with him, and offered it to the King [HenryV.], for to see: and the King would not receive it, but bade him take it to them that should be his judges.
And then the Lord ofCobhamoffered to bring before theKing, to purge him of all error and heresy, that they would put against him, a hundred Knights and Squires.
And also he offered to fight with any man, Christian or heathen, that would say he were false in his belief; except the King and his brethren.
And after, he said "He would submit him to all manner [of] correction, that any man would correct him, after GOD's Law."
And notwithstanding all this, the King suffered him to be summoned personally, in his own [the King's] chamber.
And the Lord ofCobhamsaid to the King, that he had appealed to the Pope from the Archbishop; and therefore, he said, "he ought not to take him for his judge": and so he had there his Appeal ready written, and shewed to the King.
And therewith the King was more angry, and said, "He should not pursue his appeal: but rather he should be in ward till his appeal were admitted, and then (would he or not!) he should be his judge!"
And thus nothing of all this was allowed; but, because he would not swear to submit him to the Church, and take what penance the Archbishop would enjoin him, he was arrested, and sent to the Tower of London to keep his day that the [arch]bishop assigned him in the King's Chamber.
And then he made theBeliefaforesaid, with theAnswertoFour Pointsthat now follow, to be written in two parts of an Indenture.
And when he came to answer; he gave that one part to the [arch]bishop, and that other part he kept to himself.
The Indenture of the Lord Cobham.
HisAnswerto theFour Points.
I,John OldcastleKnight, and Lord ofCobham, will that all Christian men wit, how thatThomasofArundell, Archbishop ofCanterburyhath not only laid it to my charge maliciously, but also very untruly, by his Letter and his Seal written against me in most slanderous wise, that I should otherwise feel and teach of the Sacraments of the Holy Church; assigning in special the Sacrament of the Altar, the Sacrament of Penance, and also in Worshipping of Images, and in Going on Pilgrimages, otherwisethan feeleth and teacheth the universal Holy Church. I take Almighty GOD to witness, that it hath been, and now is, and ever, with the help of GOD, shall be, mine intent and my will to believe faithfully and truly in all the Sacraments that ever GOD ordained to be done in Holy Church.
And, moreover, for to declare me in these points aforesaid.
I believe that the most worshipful Sacrament of the Altar is veryChrist's body in form of bread: the same body that was born of the blessed Virgin our Lady SaintMary, done on the cross, dead and buried, and the third day rose from death to life; the which body is now glorified in heaven.
Also as for the Sacrament of Penance, I believe that it is needful to every man that shall be saved, to forsake sin, and to do due penance for sin before done, with true confession, very contrition, and, due satisfaction, as GOD's Law limiteth and teacheth; and else, may he not be saved; which penance I desire all men to do.
And as for Images, I understand that they be not of Belief, but they were ordained (since Belief was given ofChrist) by sufferance of the Church for to be Kalenders to laymen, to represent and bring to mind the Passion of our LordJesu Christ, and[the]martyrdom and good living of other Saints. And that who so it be, that doeth the worship to dead images that is due to GOD; or putteth hope, faith, or trust in help of them as he should do to GOD; or hath affection in one more than in another: he doth in that, the great sin of Idolatry.
Also I suppose this fully, that every man in this earth is a Pilgrim towards Bliss or towards Pains. And he that knoweth not, nor will not know, nor keep the holy commandments of GOD in his living (albeit that he goeth on pilgrimage in all parts of the world), and he die so, he shall be damned. And he that knoweth the holy commandments of GOD and keepeth them to his end, he shall be saved; though he never in his life, go on pilgrimage as men use[are accustomed]now to Canterbury, or to Rome, or to any other place.
Lord Cobham's final Examination. Sept. 1413
ThisBeliefindented, containing the foresaidBeliefwiththese foresaidAnswers, he took to the Bishops when he came to answer [in the Chapter House of St. Paul's] on the Saturday next before Michaelmas in the year beforesaid [September 23, 1413].
And whatsoever the Bishops asked him, he bade them look what his Bill said thereto; and thereby he would stand to the death. Other answer gave he not that day: but the Bishops were not quieted herewith.
And the Archbishop bade him take avisement [counsel] till Monday [September 25th] next following, to answer to this point:
If there remained material bread in the Sacrament of the Altar, after the words of consecration?
And in the meantime, he perceived that the uttermost malice was purposed against him, howsoever he answered: therefore he put his life in GOD's hand, and answered thus, as followeth.
This is the judgement and sentence given upon SirJohn OldcastleKnight and Lord ofCobham, the Monday[September 25th]next before Michaelmas Day, at the Friar Preachers's[the Dominican Friary within Ludgate]in London, in the year of our Lord, a thousand, four hundred and thirteen.
This is the judgement and sentence given upon SirJohn OldcastleKnight and Lord ofCobham, the Monday[September 25th]next before Michaelmas Day, at the Friar Preachers's[the Dominican Friary within Ludgate]in London, in the year of our Lord, a thousand, four hundred and thirteen.
[Thomas Arundell] the Archbishop ofCanterbury, [Richard Clifford] the Bishop ofLondon, [Henry Beaufort] the Bishop ofWinchester, [Benedict Nicolls] the Bishop ofBangor; MasterJohn Witnam, MasterJohn Whitehead[both of New College, Oxford], Doctors of Divinity; MasterPhilip Morgan, MasterHenry Ware, MasterJohn Kemp, Doctors of [Canon] Law; and sir [Rev.]Robert Wombewell, Vicar of St. Lawrence in the Jewry; MasterJohn Stevens, MasterJames Cole, Notaries: with the Four Orders of Friars, and many other Clerks, deeming and convicting him for an heretic and a cursed man.
The Archbishop made all these Clerks, both Religious and Secular, to swear upon a book, that they should not, for love or favour of the one party, nor for any envy or hatred of the other party, say, nor witness but the truth.
And the two foresaid Notaries were sworn also to write andto witness the words and process that were to be said on both the parties, and to say the sooth if it otherwise were.
After this, the Lord ofCobhamcame, and was brought before them all, to his Examination, and to his Answer.
The Abp. again offers to absolve him.
Then the Archbishop said to him, "Lord ofCobham, ye be advised well enough of the words and Process that were said to you, upon Saturday last past, in the Chapter House of Paul's: the which Process were now too long to rehearse. Then I proffered to have assoiled [absolve] you (for ye were accursed!) of your contumacy and disobedience to Holy Church."
Then said the LordCobhamforthwith, "GOD saith,Maledicam benedictionibus vestris, that is to say, 'I shall curse your blessings!'"
Then said the Archbishop, "Sir, then I proffered to have assoiled you, if ye would have asked it; and yet I do the same!"
Then said the Lord ofCobham, "Nay, forsooth, I trespassed never against you! and therefore will I not do it."
And with that, he kneeled down on the pavement, and held up his hands and said, "I shrive me to GOD! and to you all, Sirs! that, in my youth, I have sinned greatly and grievously in lechery and in pride, and hurt many men, and done many other horrible sins; Good Lord! I cry Thee, mercy!"
And therewith weepingly, he stood up again and said, "Here, for the breaking of GOD's Law and His commandments, ye cursed me not! but for your own laws and traditions, above GOD's Law: and therefore it shall be destroyed."
Then the Archbishop examined the Lord of hisBelief. And the Lord ofCobhamsaid, "I believe fully in all GOD's Law, and I believe that it is all true! and I believe all that GOD wills that I believe."
Then the Archbishop examined him of the Sacrament of the Altar, how he believed therein?
The Lord ofCobhamsaid, "Christupon Shere [or Shrive or Maunday] Thursday [the day before Good Friday] at night, sitting with his disciples at the Supper, after that he had supped, he took bread and giving thanks to the Father, he blessed it and brake it, and gave it to his disciples saying,Take, and eat ye of this, all! This is my body that shall be betrayed for you! Do you this, in the remembrance of me.This I believe!" said he.
Then the Archbishop asked him, "If it were bread after the consecration, and the sacramental words said?"
The Lord ofCobhamsaid, "I believe that the Sacrament of the Altar is veryChrist's body in form of bread; the same body that was born of the VirginMary, done on the cross, dead and buried, and the third day rose from death to life: which body is now glorified in heaven."
Then said one of the Doctors of the Law, "After the sacramental words said, there remaineth no bread but the body ofChrist!"
Then the Lord ofCobhamsaid to one, MasterJohn Whitehead, "You said to me in the Castle of Cowling [LordCobham's home], that the host sacred was notChrist's body: but I said, 'It wasChrist's body!' though Seculars and Friars hold each one against other in this opinion."
Then said they, "We say all that it is GOD's body!"
And they asked him, "Whether it were material bread after the consecration?"
Then said the Lord, "I believe it isChrist's body in form of bread. Sir, believe ye not thus?"
And the Archbishop said, "Yea!"
Then the Doctors asked him, "Whether it were onlyChrist's body after the consecration, and no bread?"
And he said to them, "It isChrist's body and bread. For right asChristwas here in manhood, and the godhead hid in the manhood: so I believe verily thatChrist's flesh and his blood is hid there in the form of bread."
Smiling they say, "It is an heresy!"
Then they smiled each on other, deeming him taken in heresy; and said, "It is an heresy!"
The Archbishop asked him, "What bread it was?" and the Clerks also, "Whether it were material or not?"
Then the Lord said, "The Gospel speaketh not of this termmaterial; and therefore I will not! but say, it isChrist's body and bread! For the Gospel saith,Ego sum panis vivus qui de cœlo descendi, that is to say, "I am quick bread that came down from heaven." For as our LordJesus Christis Very GOD and Very Man; so the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar isChrist's body and bread."
Then they said, "It is an heresy, to say that it is bread after the consecration and the sacramental words said, but onlyChrist's body."
The Lord said, "SaintPaulthe Apostle was as wise as ye be! and he called itbread; where he saith thusThe bread that we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the LORD?"
Then they said, "Paulmust be otherwise understanded; for it is an heresy to say, that it is bread after the consecration, but onlyChrist's body: for it is against the determination of the Church."
Then they asked him, "Whether he believed not in the determination of the Church?"
And he said, "No, forsooth! but I believe all GOD's Law, and all that GOD wills that I believe; but not in your law nor in your determination: for ye be no part of Holy Church, as openly your deeds shew; but very Antichrists, contrary to GOD's law. For ye have made laws for your covetousness."
"This," they said, "was heresy: not for to believe in the determination of the Church."