The Worcester Family Miscellany
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Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I. 1636-1637, preserved in Her Majesty’s Public Record Office.
1636
[June?] 140.
Note, by Sir John Lambe, that Raphael Britten, of olney, lace buyer, said there is good news that the king had fallen out with my Lord of Canterbury and had cast him off, and we should have a Parliament. Afterwards asking George Castle why Worrell did not read the book, he said he need not. Castle saying that my lord of Canterbury had punished some in The High Commission for it. Britten said “No matter! He is a papist; no good man will read it or cause it to be read.”
1636
Nov. 5. Newport. 19.
Sir John Lambe to [Bishop Williams of Lincoln]. Acquaints him with some proceedings in that archdeaconry of Bucks. Coming from Trinity term, he understood of a late tumult at Olney. Some danced after evening prayer on a Sunday; the vicar raised up the constables and others with bills and halberds against them; much ado there was, and God’s great blessing that more mischief was not done. Sir john called the vicar, and finding him against the book of Recreations, he admonished him to read it, which he refused, and he suspended him about July 1st last. He heard since that the vicar had vowed to his refractory company that he would never read it, and he found that he sought ways to shuffle it off. First, he would have the cure served by his curate, upon which Sir john monished the curate to read the book, which he also refused, and him he suspended, and he is run out of the country. Then the vicar practiced to secure himself of the stipend, and let the cure be served as it might. Sir john thereupon decreed process for him to show cause why he should not be excommunicated or removed from his benefice. This sent him to Bishop Williams, on his return from whom he said he had received satisfaction and promised to conform. Afterwards he read the book on a holiday (1st November) and certified the same in court on the 4th November. Sir john gave him good advice, and used that speech, “Tu autem converses, confirmafratres tuos.” He started and said he was not converted, but only read the book to obey Bishop William’s command. After much altercation Sir john admonished him to declare to his people that as he had read the book he also approved of it and held it lawful to be obeyed. Sir john used in these proceedings his power as Dean of the Arches, by the privilege of the Church of Canterbury, to which he is sworn and he thinks Bishop Williams also. There was also one Mr. Valentine, parson of Chalfont, monished to read the book, but he has protected himself by an inhibition from Bishop Williams, and still refuses. Sir John monished him again. If he refuses, the bishop knows what is fit to be done, the living being his gift. There was also a presentment against divers at Stoney Stratford, which depended before Sir john but was avoked by the bishop. Prays the bishop to consider whether he may avoke causes depending in the archdeaconry court unless by way of appeal.
1636
Nov. 8. Buckden. 30.
Bishop Williams of Lincoln to Sir John Lambe. What Sir John can lawfully do in the bishop’s dioceses as Dean of the Arches, the bishop cannot dissolve, nor does he go about it. If Sir John be sparing in trial thereof the country is the more beholden to him. The bishop meddles but unwillingly with causes ecclesiastical, and never made any benefit in that kind. Mr. Valentine appealed to him against some nullity for want of due form, and as is usual he absolved him for that time, and the more willingly for the reason Sir john is pleased to remember, because he was to collate to his benefice on deprivation. The bishop took a great deal of pains with him. If he continues obstinate, and Sir John proceeds against him duly and legally, he shall find no interposition of the bishop. The Vicar of Olney came to the bishop, who spent some time letting him see that he ought in conscience to obey his lawful superior in the publication of the book, which contained some things much conducing to the increase of piety, and nothing clearly contrary to God’s word. And for the contingent abuse that ill people might thereafter make thereof, he ought to believe that the King is as wise to foresee, and will be as willing to redress the same, as any private man. But his approbation of the book is not required, and the bishop measures the obedience of his clergy by acting rather than allowing what in this kind they are commanded. If Sir john knows it to be otherwise conceived by those who are better versed in these particulars, he may do what he pleases in his independent jurisdiction. For Stoney Stratford the Bishop does not remember that he made any avocation, but he promised to arbitrate an end if he could. If Sir john pleases to finish it he shall have the bishop’s approbation and thanks.
Sir Robert Gorges letter to Mr. Johnson.
Good Mr Johnson, I am sorrie to heare that yr Vickar of olney Mr Worcester is fallen into such troubles, and the more, that they should be procured by those whose chiefe goal he hath with so much diligence and conscionable painefullnes fought by all meanes; I am confident you will not prove an adversarie to him, but his case requires friends to stand by him, and considering yr faithfull promise to me when I sould the parsonage I have reason to expecte as much that you should labour for his peace and quiet with yr utmost endevour where yr interest with either his judge or his prosecutor may procure it; I understand he is suspended ab officio et beneficio vicaria sua’ which I am sure cann reach but to his twentie markes pencion, and therefore though you should be required to stopp his payment, yet the aditio made by me not being fully annexed to the vicarage must goe no doubt not as I had intended it and I hope yu will neither putt the ___ nor yr selfe to the trouble must necessarily follow by nonpayment of it. I desire yu to coste out my Debte made concerning that rent charge of fortie six poundes thirteen shillings and fourpence and to sende it by Richard my brothers man at my Lds returne, that I may take ----- advice and thus committing you to the guidance of the Almighty, I rest
Yr assured ------
Ro:Gorges
Redlinch. Octob.
the 3d. 1636.
