Page images
PDF
EPUB

was fastened to the stake with irons; there being in the gallery the Lord Wentworth, with the most part of all the justices of these quarters, that they might see his execution, how every thing should be done, and also might hear what Kerby did say; and a great number of people, about two thousand by estimation. Much persuasion was used by Mr. Wingfield, Justice Foster, and one Dr. Rugham, to induce him to recant; but he argued stoutly with them, and so silenced and confuted the latter, that "then was the doctor in the dumps, and spake not one word to Kerby after." He prayed fervently, and said and sung the Te Deum and the Belief, in the English tongue. The Lord Wentworth, while Kerby was thus doing, did shroud himself behind a post in the gallery, and wept; and so did many others. Whilst the fire was burning around him, he called unto God with a loud voice-the people shouting and praising God with great admiration of his constancy, being so simple and unlettered.

In the beginning of the story of Kerby, and Roger Clark, mention was made of a certain bill put upon the town-house door, and brought, the next day, to the Lord Wentworth-the words of which bill are these.

"THE BILL SET UPON THE TOWNE HOUSE DOORE IN IPSWICH.

"Juste judicate filis hominum: yet when ye shall judge, minister your
justice with mercy.

"A fearful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God; be ye
learned therefore in true knowledge, ye that judge the earth, lest the
Lord be angry with you.

"The blood of the righteous shall be required at your hands.

"What though the veil hanged before Moses' face; yet at Christ's death
it fell down.

"The stones shall speak, if these should hold their peace; therefore harden
not your hearts against the verity.

"For fearfully shall the Lord appear in the day of vengeance to the troubled
in conscience. No excuse shall there be of ignorance, but every fat shall
stand on his own bottom. Therefore have remorse in your conscience:
fear him that may kill both body and soul.

"Beware of innocent blood shedding: take heed of justice ignorantly

adininistered: work discreetly, as the Scripture doth command.

to it, that ye make not the truth to be forsaken.

Look

"We beseech God to save our King, Henry the Eighth, that he be not
led into temptation. So be it."

Literature began to rear its head in Ipswich, under the patronage of Cardinal Wolsey, and continued to flourish after the demolition of the college; for we have account of no less than three printers in the town who printed several works about the same period. Several different publications issued from the press of Anthony Skolloker, St. Nicholas' parish, Ipswich, 1548; one of which is entitled "Six Sermons of Master Bernardine Ockine." The names of the rest we are unacquainted with. The title of another work was "Catalogus Scriptorum Illustrium Brittanniæ, Bale, Ipswich, 1548," by Overton. The following is a transcript of the title-page of another little book we have seen.

[blocks in formation]

This is a perfect and unique copy, beautifully printed in black letter, in the possession of Mr. W. S. Fitch-whose collection of books, prints, MSS. and autographs, relative to Ipswich and the county of Suffolk, is of the most curious and valuable description-he is ever ready to give information, and his liberality is equal to his judgment and his taste.

In 1548, Edward VI. confirmed all former charters, by an inspeximus dated at Westminster, 8th of July, in the first year of his reign.

Robert Samuel, who was minister of East Bergholt, was removed from his benefice for being married. He sent away his wife to Ipswich, and continued in and about his parish, preaching to his people, privately, and confirming them in the sound doctrine; yet now and then visiting his wife, as a husband ought to do. This was not unknown to Justice Foster, of Copdock, near Ipswich, a furious zealot for the Popish superstitions, and one who sought all ways to entrap the professors of the Reformed Church. He set some persons at Ipswich to find out when Samuel was with his wife; and it was not long before Samuel was discovered, and taken and carried to Ipswich gaol; but was afterwards removed to Norwich prison, where he was loaded with chains, and almost starved, at the instigation of the bishop and his chancellor, Dunnings; but this had no effect upon his constancy, and he was burnt at Ipswich, August 31st, 1555.

Nicholas Peke, of Earl Stonham-who suffered with great firmness-was burnt at Ipswich about the same time. Also two women, viz. Anne Potter, a brewer's wife, and Joan Trunchfield, a shoemaker's wife, were apprehended and imprisoned, and were both burnt at Ipswich, February 19th, 1556.

The next reign was still further distinguished for cruelty

and persecution, and no parts of the kingdom were exempt from the horrors of the prevailing bigotry of the times. On the 4th of November, 1558, Alexander Gouch and Alice Driver were brought from Melton jail to Ipswich, at seven o'clock in the morning-Sir Henry Dodwell being high sheriff: this woman had suffered great persecution, having had her ears cut off at Bury for comparing the queen to Jezabel. They now rejected the mass, and denied the supremacy of the Pope. When they came to the stake, they sung psalms together, and then prayed; at which the sheriff was much displeased, and bid the bailiffs of Ipswich speak to them to make an end. Gouch then rose from his knees, and said, 'Pray Mr. Sheriff let us pray a little while, for we have but a little time to live here.' But the bailiffs were bidden to have them to the fire without further delay. They were fastened to the stake; many shook them by the hands, notwithstanding the sheriff's threatnings; and they joyfully resigned their souls to God, in the middle of the flames.

On the accession of Elizabeth we find the town determined to petition for a renewal of the charter, and in the second year of her reign she confirmed all the charters by an inspeximus dated at Westminster, Sept. 23rd, 1560. She visited Ipswich more than once. On the tenth of June, in the third year of her reign, 1561, it is ordered that all the inhabitants of Ipswich shall be assessed to the costs and entertainments of the queen, at her next coming to the town. And the assessors are named; and such as shall not pay their assessment, shall be disfranchised. And on Tuesday, July 17th, is the following entry : "Perambulation liberty by water with the queen.-There shall be two vessels or botes, decently furnished, to attend on the queen's majestie, so far as the liberty do extend." And in "Q. Elizabeth's Progresses,” published by Nichols,

we have the following statement of her household expenses, during her visit to Ipswich; where it may be noticed that the largest item is for cookery, and the smallest for benevolence.

IPPESWICHE.

108 9 8

[ocr errors]

104 14 3

100 3 9

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

108 10 6

Die Mercurii, sexto die Augusti, Dispens. Ipse
Die Jovis, septimo die Augusti, ibidem,
Die Veneris, octavo die Augusti, ibidem,
Die Sabbati, nono die Augusti, ibidem,

ADHUNC IPPESWICHE.

Die Dominica, decimo die Augusti, ibidem, Dipens. 105s. 3d. Butill'. 19: 7:11. Garder, 16:1:7. Coquina, 34: 19: 2.

Jullia, 19: 1:03. Scutilla, 6:5:0. Salsar, 23s.

Aulæ et Camera, 53s. 3d. Stabulum, 19:8: 8. Vadea, 10£. Elimosina, 4s. Tot. £134: 9:4.

It is peculiarly gratifying to see with what exactness the royal accounts were kept even in those early days, to the nicety of a fraction or single halfpenny!

Here her

It is probable that when the queen sailed down the river, on the 17th of July, that she landed on the Essex coast, and visited Colchester; for Mr. Nichols observes, in his notes, "that she was at Colchester the latter end of July, and thence she went to Ipswich." majesty took a great dislike to the imprudent behaviour of many of the ministers and readers; there being many weak ones among them, and little or no order observed in the public service, and few or none wearing the surplice. And the Bishop of Norwich was thought remiss, and that he winked at schismatics. But more particularly she was offended with the clergy's marriage; and that in cathedrals and colleges, there were so many wives, and widows and children seen; which she said was contrary to the intent of the founders, and so much tending to the interrup

« PreviousContinue »