Add MS 38492

TOWNSHEND PAPERS. Vol. I. Papers relating to religious questions, tempp. Eliz. Jas. I. A collection in various hands, evidently formed by a sympathizer with the Puritan party in the Church of England, probably Sir Edward Lewkenor of Denham, co. Suff. (M.P. for Shoreham, Maldon, etc., knt. 1603, d. 4 Oct. 1605, see C. H. and T. Cooper, Athenae Cantabrigienses, ii, 1861, p. 411, etc.): see below, artt. 14, 19, 26, 37, 44, 50, 57, 59, 60. This supposition is supported by the fact that his great-grand-daughter Mary Lewkenor married Sir Horatio Townshend, cr. Baron (1661) and Viscount (1682) Townshend. The papers deal mainly with the points disputed at the beginning of James I's reign, especially subscription to the Book of Common Prayer and conformity with regard to vestments and ceremonies. The principal contents are: 1. Address to Convocation, urging a revision of "the newe booke of coman prayer" [perhaps the petition presented by Stephen Egerton and others, 2 May, 1604, cf. T. Lathbury, Hist. of Convocation, 1853, p. 203]. Slightly imperf. f. 1.

2. Petition to "the Lord Bishopps of the Church of England," from "sundry ministers of the same," for relief from "the subscription and strict observation of the communion booke and ceremonies." Another copy, in Sloane MS. 271, f. 27, is dated 24 Apr. 1604. f. 3.

3. Arguments against non-residency, pluralities, unlearned ministers, etc. [1603-4]. Endorsement (cancelled) "M^r. Nic. Prideaux neer Padstow in Cornewall." f. 4.

4. "The true copy of y^e petition [against the silencing of their pastors] y^t about 200 yeomen of Essex and other parisbes about Royston exhibited to his Ma^tie, on Tuesday y^e 20th of November [1604, see other copies in Harley MS. 677, f. 44, Egerton MS. 2877, f. 166 b]. One of y^e cheefest of them, viz. M^r Hildersham stuard. to S^r Francis Barington, ys bound over therupon to appeare before y^e Counsayle when he shalbe called, some 3 other at y^e first stayed were after dismissed." f. 6.

5. "Reasons why we cannot yeld to the ceremonies now vrged, viz. the wearinge of a surplise in diuine seruice, crossinge in baptisme, etc." f. 7.

6. Petition from R. G. [? Richard Gawton, vicar of Redbourn, co. Hertf., 1602-1616], to, to persuade the King to reconsider his decision to enforce the ceremonies; [1604]. f. 9.

7. "Certayne considerations why y^e ministers should not be remooved for subscription and ceremonyes"; [1604 - 5]. f. 10.

8. Points to be urged for the reformation of the Church [cf. Commons' Journals, 5 May, [1604]. f. 11.

9. "The matters reformed in the new common booke according to the intendment of the conference" ; "The matters not reformed, whereof pretence was made that they should be reformed"; and "Errors and inconvenience further added in the new booke." [1604]. f. 12.

10. "Exceptions against y^e Booke of Ordinations" (endorsement).

11. Sixteen "Reasons politicall for the freedome of the ministers from subscription and ceremonyes." f. 15.

12. Extracts, concerning the sign of the Cross, from "An ample declaration of y^e Christian doctrine, composed by Card. Bellarmine, translated out of Italian by Rich. Hadock, D. of divinity" (first publislied in 1604). f. 16.

13. Petition from the House of Comn-wns to the King, for the reinstatement of "godly, able, and painfull ministers" deprived for not using the prescribed rites and cermonies [perhaps and early draft of the petition printed in Common's Journals, 13 June, 1604]. f. 17.

14. Treatise in favour of toleration with regard to ceremonies, especially the use of vestments and the sign of the Cross, and against compulsory subsrciption. Apparently addressed to the members of Convocation ("that honorable Court which is shortly to assemble") before its meeting on 20 Mar. 160³/₄, and after the royal proclamation of 5 Mar. [160³/₄], which is mentioned. The handwriting resembles that of William Bedell, fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and preacher at St. Mary's, Bury St. Edmunds, afterwards (1629-1642) Bishop of Kilmore; cf. Cotton MS. Julius C. iii, f. 22, Lansdowne MS. 90, ff. 106, 133. The substance, too, and the moderate tone of the treatise seem to indicate Bedell as a probable author: cf. his letter of 16 Oct. 1604 to S. Ward (E. S. Shuckburgh, Two Biographies of W. Bedell, 1902, p. 214). It is also worth noting that he is said to have contributed to a volume of elegies on Sir Edward Lewkenor and his wife, publislied in 1606 (see Cooper, Athenae Cantab. ii, p. 411). f. 18.

15. "Certaine considerations [sixteen in number] to moue the reuerende fathers to remitt the vrginge of ceremonies and subscription", endorsed "Considerations for the reuerend Bishoppes"; [ 1604 ?]. f. 24.

16. "Reasons [nine in nurnber] whie the ministers may not subscribe to, nor use the Booke of Comon Praier in all pointes, though they use the principall partes of it" ; [1604 ?]. f. 27.

17. Reasons for and against the expediency of "cross and surpliss" in the English Church. f. 28.

18. Answers [by Edwin Sandys, Archbishop of York] to the sixteen articles of a petition [from the Commons to the Lords] for church reforms. A summary evidently made by a member of the House of Commons (see article 5, "which he thought was not our meaning"). For a different summary, and for the, text of the petition, see Sir S. D'Ewes, Journals of Parliaments, 1682, pp, 359, 357 ; Strype, Life of Whitgift, 1822, i, p. 349, iii, p. 118; see too art. 40 below. [25 Feb. 158⁴/₅]. f. 29.

19. "Reasons to, proue that we propounde" : in support of six articles (confirming the articles of religion, forbidding pluralities, etc.) proposed for a conference with the Lords; [5 May, 1604, cf. Commons's Journals, i, p. 199, where Sir E. Lewkenor's name appears, in the list of disputants]. Evidently by a member who took a leading part in the proceedings: "when their Lordships shall please to appointe me I will bringe our doubtes . . . The L: Chan: answere to me, When euery lerned man hath a benefice then you shall haua two." f. 31.

20. "Certaine reasons to move the Kinge for the taking awaie of the rits ornaments and serymonies or att lest wise to leave them indifferent as they were 2 Ed. 6" ; [1604]. f. 32.

21. Note of a petition to Parliament by Edmund Snape, preacher at Exeter, against his Bishop's sentence of inhibition; [circ. 1580?]. f. 36 (reversed).

22. "A brotherlye caveat to the godlye zealous and wyse gentlmen of the parlament house," exhorting them to renewed efforts for Church reform ; [1584 -5]. f. 37.

23. Discourse headed "It is the necessarie dutie of all parliaments . . . first to handle the cause of the Churche, then of the Commonwealth [1604 ?] f. 40.

24. "Observacions for the tyme," with a view to concerted parliamentary action ; [1604?]. f. 42.

25. Note of the number of preachers silenced in Exeter diocese, and of the number of churches, ecclesiastical revenue, etc., in co. Cornwall. f. 43.

26. "Certaine necessary points to be offered (if occasion serue) to his Highnes consideration, by such as shall present their humble petition touching church matters"; [1603]. Addressed (f. 47 b) to "S^r Ed: Lewknor at M^r Ieraths in Colman streate." f. 46.

27. "Two [or rather, three] reasons touchinge the use of the surplice in diuine seruice and of the crosse in baptisme, and kneelinge in the act of receiuinge the Lordes supper"; [temp. Jas. 1]. f. 48.

28. "Exceptions against the booke of consecration of archbushoppes and bushoppes, and orderinge of priestes and deacons in respect whereof wee cannot subscribe to the 36 Article." f. 49.

29. "An allegation wherby it seemeth y^t dispensations hertofore graunted by the Archbishops of Canterbury for the keeping of two benefices with cure were vnlawfullie graunted as being contrary to the due course of the common lawe and statute of the realme." f. 50.

30. " A supplication humblie desiring an indefferent tolleration of indifferent cerimonies" ; [temp. Eliz.] f . 51.

31. "Thirges necessarie to be reformed, with reasons anexed to the same" (endorsement, f. 59 b) ; [temp. Jas. I]. f. 53.

32. "Notes concerning y^e bill of y^e reformation of y^e churche". [1604 ?]. At the foot of the page, reversed, is a recipe for a liniment. f. 61 b.

33. "Advises tendino, to reformacion": a plan for drawing up petitions to the King in different parts of the country. At the end, "Lett this advice passe from one faythfull brother to another with all speede and heede"; [1603]. f. 62.

34. Arguments for a petition from the House of Commons to the King, for toleration in matters of ceremony : summary of a speech in the House ; [? 16 June, 1604]. f. 63.

35. Legal opinion that "the Bishops, quatenus Bishops, haue noe autoritie to proeced judicially agaynst any subject," etc. ; [temp. Jas. I]. f. 64.

36. "Matters of exception against the communion booke." f. 66.

37. Original letter from R[obert] Pricke [minister at Denham, co. Suff.] to "Edward Leukenor esquier" [M.P. for Maldon, co. Essex, knighted in 1603]; Denham, 22 Feb. [158⁴/₅]. f.68.

38. Petition to "Mr Chancellour" [the Chancellor of Norwich diocese "for Robert Pricke to have his preaching licence restored; St. Edmundes Bury, 14 Mar. [1576-1583]. Draft, much corrected. f. 70.

39. Petition to the King, from knights and gentry of co. Suflrolk, for reforms in the Church; [1603]. Draft. Endorsed "At M^r Batemans (cancelled). M^r Bird of S^t Peeters." f. 71.

40. "The humble petycions of y^e Commons of y^e lower howsse of Parliament to be offred to y^e consideration of y^e right honorable y^e Lords spirituall and temporall of the higher howsse" : sixteen articles, urging the suspension of unqualified ministers, and other reforms; [21 Dec. 1584]. Printed in D'Ewes, Journals, p. 357, etc. (see too p. 344, and art. 18 above,). f. 73.

41. "Arlycles proponyt be his m^ty to be concludit upon be this present generall assembly" of the Church of Scotland: thirteen articles, with the answers of the assembly ; [2, 4 Mar. 159⁶/₇ ] Printed in Acts of the General Assemblies, pt. iii (Bannatyne Club, 1845), pp. 891, 895, etc. f. 76.

42. Discourse on the Temptation of Christ. f. 78.

43. Letter from Oxford [apparently written by a fellow of University College], describing the examination of [John] Walford of Corpus and [Edward] Gellibrand of Magdalen by the Vice-chancellor and Doctors, on account of puritanical doctrines preached by them and Dr. [John] Reynolds ; [1585-1588]. Extract. f. 80.

44. Brief report of the second day [16 Jan. 1604] of the Hampton Court Conference. On the fly-leaf of a letter (wanting) addressed "To mi veri loueing and welbeloued husband sur Edward Lewkenor att Mustres Quarles in Rumforde geue thes with spede." f. 81.

45. "A declaracion of the Conferance had before the K. and diuerse of his most hon. privy Counsell . . . at Hampton Court betwene the Archb : of Canterbury . . . on the one side and Docter Sparke, Doct. Reinoldes, Dr. Feild, Mr. Chaderton, Mr. Knewstub on the other side," 12-18 Jan. 1603[4]. A different report from those of Barlow and others, printed by E. Cardwell, Hist. of Conferences, 1840, pp. 160-217, also from that in Egerton MS. 2877, f. 173 b. Another copy, but with many variations in wording, is in Harley MS. 828, f. 32. Beg. "Vpon Thursday the .12. of January 1603, beinge the appointed day." f. 82.

46. "The case of y^e concealement of the deanrye of Norwich" : legal opinion as to the translation from Prior and Convent to Dean and Chapter; n.d. (Statute 35 Eliz. c. 3 is cited). Cf. Lansdowne MSS.

45, artt. 71-73; 50, artt. 67-71 ; 51, art. 24; 58, artt. 1-11; Strype, Annals, vol. iii, pt. ii, p. 376. f. 86.

47. Account of a church [St. Paul's Cathedral ?] being struck by lightning "on Sonday last beinge the 5th of this instant December," during a sermon by "one D^r Rogers, a Doctor in the Civill Lawes, of late initiated in Sacris and now a Cannon" [? Richard Rogers, B.D., Canon of St. Paul's 1566, Dean of Canterbury 1584, d. 1597] ; and of a sermon thereon, preached three hours later in the same place by "one D^r Cradocke" [? Edward Cradock, D.D., Rector of St. Mary Aldermary, 1570-1594], the Bishop having "caused the people to assemble by the ringinge and knowling of a bell" ; with list of persons hurt; n.d. f. 88.

48. "Essex. A short survey of y^e mynisterie" : statistics of good, bad, indifferent, and scandalous ministers, ending with the comment "Of 344 not one hundred of good and faithfull preachers" ; n.d. f. 89.

49. Table of ministers in the hundred of Risbridge [co. Suff.], classed as "dumbe and vnpreachinge," "preachinge diligentlie and to edification," and "preaching negligentlie" ; n.d. f. 90.

50. "Sussex. A note of such ministers in the deanries of Dallington and Haisteing [Hastings], and the partes neare adioyneing, as are impossible to be framed to any good in Gods ministerie, so farr as in any equitie can be conceyved of them." Addressed (f. 92) to "his verie good cosin M^r Edward Leukenour"; n.d. On the back, reversed, is a draft of a letter, concerning tithes demanded by Hopkinson. f. 91.

51. "A copie of the Archebishope of Yorke his letter to the lorde Vicounte Cramberne"; Bishopthorpe, 18 Dec. 1604. Printed in Strype's Whitgift, iii, p. 420 (see above, 38139, art. 3 (k)). f. 93.

52. Letter to the King from "J. B." [John Burges?] (who, though a family man, has resigned his living rather than subscribe), pleading for leniency towards non-conforming ministers; [1604-5]. Copy. f. 94.

53. John [Jegon], Bishop of Norwich, to the clergy and churchwardens of his diocese, bidding them repair their churches and put up in them the Ten Commandments and the Royal Arms; Ludham, 12 Aug. 1603. Copy. f. 95.

54. Petition to the King from the justices of the peace for co. Lanc., for indulgence to non-conformists; [1604-5]. Copy. f. 96.

55. "Necessarie causes toe vs of humiliation at this present"; including the imprisonment of "Mr. Dauison in the Towre, a worthy man"; [1587-8]. f. 98.

56. List of reforms demanded by the Puritans, with the names of six prelates and six leading Puritans: apparently a note for a conference; [1604 ?] f. 99.

57. Letter from [William Redman, Bishop of Norwich ?] to Sir William Springe and others (including Edward Lewkenor, esq.), concerning their suggestion of a general fast; Norwich, 22 Apr. 1596. Copy. f. 100.

58. Notes on the text (Joh. xv. 5). Lat. Unfinished. f. 101.

59. Theological notes, headed "lgnorance of God damnable." On the same page is a list of books "borrowed of M^r Leukn[or]." f. 102.

60. Notes (fragmentary) on the Apocrypha, etc.; on the flyleaf of a letter (wanting) addressed "To my very loving wyfe mystris Susan Lewkenor at Denham Halle yeve these." f. 103.

61. Summary of "M^r [Thomas] Rogers sermon preched at Bury the 10 Dec. 1599," against "Sabatarians and Dominicans." f. 104.

62. "The questions to be resolved at the convention of the estates and general assembly appointed to be at the towne of Perth the last of February nixt", [159⁶/₇ ] Printed by J. Spottiswood, Hist. of the Church of Scotland, bk. vi (Bannatyne Club ed., vol. iii, 1850, p. 41). f. 105 b.

63. Report of "thestate of the pore professors of the gospell in the towne of Lawshull [Lawshall, co. Suff.]," owing to the shortcomings of the incumbent ; 9 Jan. 1584[5]. f. 107. Paper; ff. i + 108. Folio. Townshend sale-cat. 1911, lot 302.

Sir Edward Lewkenor, Knight 1603, of Denham, county Suffolk, d. 1605: Papers rel. to religious questions, collected by (?): tempp. Eliz.-Jas. I.

England, Ecclesiastical History: Papers rel. to: temp. Eliz.- Jas.1.

includes:

• f. 5 b Nicholas Prideaux, of Padstow: Named as author (?) of argunients against pluralities, etc.: 1603-1604.
• f. 6 County of Essex: Petition to the King from the yeomen of: 1604.: Copy.
• f. 6 Hildersham, steward to Sir F Barrington: Note of his being bound over to appear before the Council: 1604.
• f.6 Royston, Hertfordshire: Petition to the King from yeomen of: 1604.: Copy.
• f. 9 R- G-, non-conforming minister [? Richard Gawton, Vicar of Red county Hertfordshire]: Petition to -, against enforcing the ceremonies: circ. 1604.
• ff. 11-73 passim England; Parliament: Notes and extracts of Acts of, reports of proceedings in, etc., (on Church matters): circa 1580-1585, 1604.
• f. 16 Cardinal Robert Bellarmine: Extracts from his Dottrina Christiana: 1604.: Transl.
• f.16 Richard Hadock, DD, RC divine: Extracts from his transl. of Bellarmine's Dottrina Christiana: 1604.
• f. 18 William Bedell, Bishop successively of Kilmore and Ardagh: Treatise by (?), in favour of toleration: 1604.
• f. 29 Edwin Sandys, d 1588 Archbishop of York: Summary of his answer to a petition of the Commons for Church reforms: 1585.
• f. 36 Edmund Snape, preacher at Exeter: Note of petition to Parliament against his inhibition: circ. 1580 (?).
• f.37 Caveat: A brotherlye Caveatto the godlye, zealous, and wyse gentlemen of the parlament house: 1584-1585.
• f.37 England; Parliament: Brotherly caveat to members of, urging Church reform: [1584-5].
• f. 40 Political Tracts: On the duty of Parliament to deal first with Church affairs: 1604 (?).
• f. 43 Diocese of Exeter: Note on the dearth of preachers in: circ. 1604.
• f. 43 County of Cornwall: Note on the number of churches and lack of preachers in: circ. 1604.
• f. 68 Robert Pricke, Minister at Denham, Co Suff: Letter to E. Lewkenor: 1585.
• f. 70 Robert Pricke, Minister at Denham, Co Suff: Petition for restoration of preaching licence to: [1576-1583].: Draft.
• f. 71 County of Suffolk: Petition from knights and gentry to the King, for Church reforms: 1603.: Draft.
• f. 72 b Bird, of St. Peter's: Draft petition endorsed with name of: 1603.
• ff. 76, 105 b James VI of Scotland: Articles proposed to the General Assembly, with answers, etc.: 1597.
• f. 78 Sermons: Discourse on the Temptation temp. Jas.I.
• f. 80 Oxford; University of. University College: Letter from a Fellow, describing recent proceedings against puritanical divines: [1585-1588].: Extract.
• f. 80 Edward Gellibrand, puritan; of Magdalen College, Oxford: Examined on account of his puritanical preaching: [1585-15881.
• f. 80 John Walford, of Corpus Christi College, Oxford: Examined on account of his puritanical preaching: [1585-1588].
• f. 80 John Rainolds, DD: Examined on account of his puritanical preaching: [1585-1588].
• f. 81 b Susan Lewkenor, wife of Sir E Lewkenor: Letter to her husband (address only): 1604.
• ff 82,81 Hampton Court Conference: Reports of: 1604.
• f. 86 Deanery of Norwich: Legal opinion as to translation from Priory to: aft. 1593.
• f. 88 Edward Cradock, DD, Rector of St Mary Aldermary 1570-1594: Account of a sermon by (?), on a church being struck by lightning: n.d.
• f. 88 Richard Rogers, Canon of St Paul's, Dean of Canterbury 1584: Account of a thunderstorm during a sermon by (?): n.d.
• f. 88 Meteorology: Account of a church (St. Paul's Cathedral ?) being struck by lightning: temp. Eliz.
• f. 89 County of Essex: Statistics of fit and unfit ministers in: circ. 1600.
• f. 90 Hundred of Risbridge, Suffolk: Statistics of fit and unfit ministers in: circ. 1600.
• f. 91 County of Sussex: Statistics of unfit ministers in: circ. 1600.
• f. 91 b Hopkinson: Letter conc. tithes demanded by: circ. 1600.: Draft.
• f. 93 Matthew Hutton, Archbishop of York: Correspondence with Lord Cranborne: 1604, n.d.: Copies.
• f. 94 James I of England: Letter to, from J. B., a deprived minister: [1604-1605].: Copy.
• f. 94 J- B- [John Burges?], a deprived minister: Letter to the King: 1604 (?).: Copy.
• f. 95 Commandments, The Ten: Order to the Norwich clergy to set them up in their churches: 1603.: Copy.
• f. 95 John Jegon, Bishop of Norwich: Letter to his clergy and churchwardens: 1603.: Copy.
• f. 96 County of Lancaster: Petition to the King from the Justices of, in favour of Non-conformists: [1604-5].: Copy.
• f. 100 Sir William Springs: Letter to, from the Bp. of Norwich (?): 1596.: Copy.
• f. 100 William Redman, Bishop of Norwich: Letter from (?), to Sir W. Springe and others, conc. proposal for a general fast: 1596.: Copy.
• ff. 101-103 Theology: Miscellaneous notes: circ. 1600.: Lat. and Engl.
• f. 103 Sir Edward Lewkenor, Knight 1603, of Denham, county Suffolk, d. 1605: Letter (address only) to his wife: circ. 1600.
• f. 104 Sermons: Notes of sermon by T. Rogers against Sabbatarianism: 1599.
• f. 104 Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk: Notes of a sermon at: 1599.
• f. 104 Thomas Rogers, Rector of Horningsheath: Summary of his sermon at Bury against Sabbatarianism: 1599.
• f. 107 Lawshall, Suffolk: Complaint of the negligent incumbent of: 1585.