THE LIVES OF THE DEANS OF THE
CATHEDRAL AND METROPOLITICAL CHURCH OF
CHRIST, IN CANTERBURY. (fn. 1)
Dean Wotton's Monument.
Canterbury Cathedral
NICHOLAS WOTTON, LL. D. was, by the
king's charter of foundation, constituted the first dean
of this church. He was a person of so distinguished a
character, that he ought not to be passed over with the
bare naming of him. But the truth is, his eminency
of character shone far brighter in the several high em
ployments and offices of state with which he was entrusted, and which he executed with singular prudence,
than in his station in the church. He was descended
of a good family, which had been for some time seated
in this county, of which the reader will find some account in the fifth volume of the History of Kent;
being the fourth son of Sir Robert Wotton, of Boughton Malherb, by Anne Belknap his wife. He was educated at Oxford, where he studied the canon and civil
law; his skill in which recommended him to Tunstall,
bishop of London, to whom he became official, in
1528, being at that time LL.D. (fn. 2)
His first preferment in the church was the rectory
of Ivechurch, to which he was collated in 1530; (fn. 3) after
which it appears that he acted as a civilian; for in
1536, he appeared as proctor in court for queen Anne
Boleyn, when sentence was pronounced upon her. In
1538, archbishop Cranmer appointed him commissary
of the faculties, and he became chaplain to the king,
who the next year preferred him to the archdeaconry
of Gloucester. (fn. 4) His next promotion was to the deanry
of Canterbury, being nominated to it, by the foundation charter, in 1541, in addition to which he obtained, in 1544, the deanry of York; (fn. 5) and in the year
following, was presented to the prebend of Osbaldwick,
in that church. (fn. 6) In 1553, he resigned the archdea
conry of Gloucester; and in 1557, was presented to the
treasurership of the church of Exeter, which, however,
he relinquished in the succeeding year. (fn. 7) And he is said
to have declined more exalted situations, even the sees
of York and Canterbury. (fn. 8)
But the dean must be considered more in the character of a stateman, than as an ecclesiastic, from his
continued employment on foreign embassies and negociations, during the times of which he had a royal dispensation for non residence, and to receive the profits
of all his preferments. In which instrument (fn. 9) he is styled
the king's chaplain and counsellor. He was twice ambassador to the emperor Charles V. once to Philip,
king of Spain; once to Francis I. king of France;
thrice to Henry II. his son; once to Mary, queen of
Hungary, and governess of the Netherlands; and twice
to William, duke of Cleves.
At the time of king Henry's death, being then ambassador in France, he was made one of the executors
and supervisors of his will, who besides, as a mark of
his esteem, gave him a legacy of 300l. (fn. 10) In the reign
of king Edward VI. he was continued of the council,
and for a short time held the office of principal secretary
of state, to which he was appointed in 1549; (fn. 11) and afterwards was again employed abroad, in negociations
of state; and at that king's death likewise, was one of
his ambassadors in France, in which office and as one
of her council, he was continued by queen Mary, after
her accession to the crown; (fn. 12) and was afterwards intrusted by her during the whole of her reign. (fn. 13)
Sensible of the dean's political abilities, queen Elizabeth, on her succession to the throne, scrupled not
to retain him in her service; he was accordingly appointed a privy counsellor, and continued a commissioner in the negociation, begun in the late queen's
reign, for the treaty of a peace between England,
Spain, and France, (fn. 14) which he appears to have accomplished; and though it lasted but a short time, yet
when it was again renewed, he was one of those who
was appointed to adjust the terms of it. After this, we
find him employed in behalf of the English merchants,
who had been ill treated, particularly in the Netherlands; (fn. 15) and this probably was the last public employment of the dean, which, indeed, he did not long survive He died at London, on January 26, 1567, aged
near 70; having continued dean of this church almost
twenty-six years.
Hollingshed and Camden have both left testimonies
of his good conduct and prudence as a statesman, and
of his worth and learning; but his temporizing and
compliance with the different changes of religion at
those times, cannot but diminish from that esteem his
character would otherwise have entitled him to; for
he found means to continue in favour, and a privy
counsellor, for the space of twenty-six years, during
four precarious and troublesome reigns; in which time,
religion underwent as remarkable changes, as have
been known in the Christian church; yet upon none
of them was he dismissed the council board, or from
his state employments, or forced to quit his church
preferments. To serve his prince, seems to have been
the sole maxim by which he acted; and to enhance
that religion which his prince favoured, let him change
it ever so often, seems to have been his creed likewife.
His person was small and slender, but very upright;
his constitution was healthy, his countenance open;
he was so sparing of food that he eat but once a day;
his mind was much addicted to books and learning, and
he was thoroughly master of the Latin, Italian, French
and Dutch languages. The dean died unmarried, and
his body being brought to Canterbury, was buried in
the Trinity chapel, in the eastern part of this cathedral, (fn. 16)
where there is an elegant tomb, erected to his memory
by his nephew and heir, Thomas Wotton, esq. having
his effigies in white marble kneeling on his tomb, with
his hands joined and uplisted before a desk, on which
is an open book. The whole is much admired for its
excellent sculpture, the head especially, which is said
to have been executed by an eminent artist in Italy,
during the dean's residence there. Over it is the following inscription:—
Nicolaus Wottonus, Robert Wottont Equitis Aurati ex ANNA BELKNAPPA Filius, utriusque juris
Doctor, Ecclesiæ hujus primus, itemq; Metropolitanæ
Ecclesiæ D. Petri Eborancensis Decanus; HenRICO VIII. EDOVARDO VI. MARIÆ & ELIZABETHÆ,
ANGLIÆ Regibus, a secretis Consiliis. Ad CAROLUM V. Cæsarem bis, et ad PHILIPPUM HISPANIARUM Regem semel, ad FRANCISCUM Primum FRANCORUM Regem semel, ad HENRICUM II. ejus Fillium
ter, ad MARIAM HUNGARIÆ Reginam BELGARUM
Præsidem semel, ad Gulielmum Cl. vensium Ducem bis, legatione sunctus. Renovatæ pacis inter ANGLOS, Francos, et SCOTOS, inter GUINAS et ARDE
RAM, anno 1546; similiter et ad Castrum CAMERA.
CENSE, anno 1559; denique EDINBURGI SCOTIÆ,
anno 1560, Oratorum unus. Hic tandem sere septuagenarius requiescit.
Hæc ille ante mortem et ante morbum, quasi fatalem diem præsentiens, et cigneam cantionem propheticé canens, sua manu in Musæo scripta reliquit.
Qui apud tales Principes, Divina Providentia gubernante, laudabiliter, et in tot, et in tantis causis (quarum magnitudo gravissima utilitas publica suit) feliciter
bonam vitæ suæ partem consumsit; eum Virum sapientem et experientissimum ipsa invidia judicare debet.
Quam semper ab omni contentione Honorum fuerit
alienus, illud declarat, quod ad hanc Ecclesiasticam
Dignitatem non ambitione ulla sua inflammatus, nec
amicorum opera usus aspiravit, sed eam utramque Henricus VIII. (hominis merito et virtute provocatus)
ultro detulit. Cumque idem Rex illustrissimus morbum lethalem ingravescere persentisceret, et Edovardi
Principis sane excellentissimi, adhuc tamen pueri et
Reipublicæ administrandæ imparis imbecillam a tamen
senili prudentia secretioris sui consilii regendam esse
existimaret, illis ex sedecim, quos supremæ voluntatis
suæ Testes et Vindices Testamento instituit, hunc Nicolaum (absentem tunc in Francia Legatum) unum esse
voluit. Edovardo Regi jam medio Regni curriculo
prope consecto, unus é primariis Secretariis suit; quem
locum diutius tenere potuisset, nisi et suis et assiduis
amicorum precibus abdicandi veniam impetrasset.
Corpus illi erat gracile quidem et parvum, sed rectum; habitudo sana, vultus liberalis, victus exquisitus,
quem semel tantum in die carpere consueverat. Valetudo adeo firma, ut raro morbum aliquem senserit.
Animus vero totus, libris ac literis dicatus, Artium,
Medicinæ, Jurisprudentiæ, et Theologiæ studiis intentus; Linguarum Romanæ, Italicæ, Gallicæ, et Germanicæ inserioris cognitione pulchré exornatus. Ita:
vir iste genere clarus, legationibus clarior, domi ac
foris clarissimus, honore florens, labore fractus, ætate
confectus, postquam Decanus huic Ecclesiæ annos 25
dies 293 præsuisset, Londini, Januarii 26, Anno nostræ Salutis 1566, pié et suaviter in Domino obdormivit, Thoma Wottono, Nepote, Hærede relicto; qui
ei hoc Monumentum, non Honoris ergo, quo abundavit vivus et florescet mortuus; sed Amoris causa quem
Memoria colet, ut debet, sempiterna consecravit.
2. THOMAS GODWIN, S. T. P. prebendary of Lincoln, and dean of Christ-church, in Oxford, was, in
1567, on the death of dean Wotton, promoted to this
deanry. He was born at Okingham, in Berkshire, and
received his first rudiments of learning at the grammar
school in that town, from whence going to Oxford, he
entered at Magdalen college, of which, in 1545, he
became fellow, and two years afterwards took the degree of M.A. (fn. 17)
His situation in college being rendered uneasy by
his known attachment to the reformation, he accepted
the free-school of Brackley, in Northamptonshire, in
the gift of his college, and resigned his fellowship in
1549, and soon after married Isabella, the daughter of
Nicholas Puresoy, esq. of Shalston, in the county of
Bucks. (fn. 18)
His intention was, no doubt, to take orders, but the
accession of queen Mary frustrated his intention, for he
was suspended from his office, and so severely threatened, that he was obliged to remove his habitation, to
seek refuge in obscurity; during which time he practised physic for the maintenance of himself and family,
and in 1555, proceeded to the degree of bachelor in
that faculty. On the queen's death, however, he resumed his former design of entering into the church,
and accordingly he was ordained at the beginning of
queen Elizabeth's reign, to whose notice he was introduced as an excellent preacher, and for the space of
eighteen years he was always appointed to preach before
her in Lent. In June 1565, he was promoted to the
deanry of Christ church, and in the December following, to the prebend of Milton Ecclesia, in the church
of Lincoln, (fn. 19) and on the 17th of that month, he took
the degrees of bachelor, and doctor of divinity; and
on the death of dean Wotton, he was instituted, on
March 10, 1567, to this deanry of Canterbury. In
1569, the buildings of the deanry having been much damaged by an accidental fire, the dean repaired them, as
plainly appeared by his name, and the date 1570, recorded on stone, at the upper part of the front of the
house, shewing both when and by whom it was done. (fn. 20)
He relinquished this deanry in 1584, on being promoted to the see of Bath and Wells, being consecrated
on September 13, that year, being then of about the
age of seventy, having presided over this church eighteen years. (fn. 21)
3. RICHARD ROGERS, S. T.P. and suffragan bishop of Dover, was next appointed dean of this church,
being installed on September 16, 1584.
He was a native of Sutton Valence, in this county,
a descendant of an antient family there; he was educated at Christ college in Cambridge, where he took
the degree of B.D. in 1562, and became afterwards
doctor in the same faculty. About the latter end of the
year 1559, being then only in deacon's orders, he was
preferred to the archdeaconry of St. Asaph, which he
resigned in 1566, (fn. 22) at which time it is probable, that
he was presented by the bishop of that diocese to the
sinecure rectory of Llanarmon, in Denbighshire, of
which he was possessed when he was installed dean of
Canterbury, as he was of the rectory of Great Chart,
in this county, to which he had been collated in 1567,
by archbishop Parker, (fn. 23) as he had been the next year,
1568, to a more conspicous station, being consecrated
by the same prelate, suffragan bishop of Dover. (fn. 24)
Archbishop Parker, who died in 1575, had such
friendship and respect to him, that as the last testimony
of it, he appointed him one of the overseers of his
will, and left to him by it, the best advowson he should
chuse in his gift, excepting the advowson of a prebend
in the church of Canterbury. In 1594, he was collated
by archbishop Whitgift to the rectory of Midley, in
this county, and to the mastership of Eastbridge hospital, in Canterbury; (fn. 25) of these last preferments his
possession was but short, for he died on May 19, 1597,
æt. 64, (fn. 26) having been dean of this church for the space
of thirteen years. He was buried in the chapel of the
Virgin Mary, now called the dean's chapel, in this cathedral, where, on a table monument of black marble,
is the following unfinished inscription in capitals:
AN. DOM. 1597, MAII 19, RICHARDUS ROGERS
SUTTON VALLENSIS CANTIANUS VIR ANTIQUA FAMILLA ET ANTIQUORUM VIRTUTE, ARCHIEPISCOPI
Cantuariensis Anos, 28, Suffraganneus, EjusDEMQUE Ecclesiæ Decanus Anos, 13. æ Tatis
SU Æ ANO, 64. HIC SEPULTUS JUSTISSIMÆ SIBI
VITÆ MEMORIAM RELIQUIT: EXEMPLUM FUIT.
Cætera desant.
4. THOMAS NEVIL, S. T. P. dean of Peterborough, succeeded next to this deanry in 1597.
He was descended from the antient and honourable
family of Nevil, being the son of Richard Nevil, esq.
of Nottinghamshire, by Anne his wife, daughter of Sir
Walter Mantel, of Heyford, in Northamptonshire.—He was born at Canterbury, to which ciiy his father,
who had spent his younger days at court, had in his
decline of life retired.
He was educated in the university of Cambridge,
at Pembroke-hall, of which he was elected fellow in
1570, (fn. 27) and in 1582, was presented to the mastership
of Magdalen college, (fn. 28) at which time he was rector of
Dodington, in the Isle of Ely, to which he had been
presented the year before. In 1587, in the month of
November, the queen, to whom he was chaplain, conferred on him a prebend in the church of Ely; and
the same year he was presented to the rectory of Charton, in Hampshire, and in 1590 was promoted to the
deanry of Peterborough, (fn. 29) to which the queen added,
in February 1593, the mastership of Trinity college in
Cambridge, (fn. 30) upon which he quitted that of Magdalen
college. In March 1594, the dean was presented to
the rectory of Teversham, near Cambridge, on which
he resigned that of Dodington. (fn. 31)
On the death of dean Rogers, the queen promoted
Dr. Nevil to the deanry of Canterbury, in his room,
in which he was installed on June 28, 1597; on the
death of the queen he was sent by archbishop Whitgift
into Scotland, with an address to king James, in the
name of all the clergy, with assurances of their loyalty
and affection, and was most graciously received; the
king declaring, that he would maintain the government
of the church, as Elizabeth had left it. (fn. 32)
Soon after the accession of king James, archbishop
Whitgift died, who shewed his confidence in the dean,
by appointing him one of the overseers of his will. In
March 1615, the king visiting the university of Cambridge, paid a royal visit to the dean in his college
there, who was too infirm to come to him, to thank
him for the liberal entertainment, and the reception
which he, with the prince and nobles in his train, had
met with in the university; the king telling him at the
time, that he was proud of such a subject. The dean
did not long survive this royal visit, for having been
for some time much enfeebled by the palsy, he died at
Cambridge, an aged man, says Fuller, on May 2, 1615;
having filled this deanry about eighteen years.
Few men ever possessed a more liberal heart than
dean Nevil. By his munificence to Trinity college, he
secured to himself the gratitude and admiration of posterity. He expended more than 3000l. in rebuilding
that fine quadrangle, which, to this day, retains the
name of Nevil's court. He was also a contributor to
the library of that college, and was a benefactor to
Eastbridge hospital, in his native city. He died unmarried, and was buried on May 7, in the small chapel
on the south side of the nave of this cathedral, which he
had fitted up for a burial place for himself and his relations; and in which he had in his life time erected a
monument on the east side, for himself and his brother
Alexander; but the dates of their deaths and their
ages, which were left on them blanks, were never af
terwards inserted; the remains of this monument have
been removed, and placed under the window of the
dean's chapel. (fn. 33) On that part for the dean, was his figure
kneeling, in his habit, at a reading desk and this inscription:
THOMÆ NEVILLO, SACRÆ THEOLOGIÆ
DOCTORI PRÆ STANTISSIMO.
Ortu illustri, pietate insigni, ingenio optimo, eruditione haud vulgari, moribus suavissimis, et spectatissimo
Theologo dignissimis: In flore primæ indolis (Cantabrigiæ in Aula Pembrochiana ad annos fere quindecem) omnibus iis ornamentis, quibus adolescentior
ætas illustrari solet, egregie perpolito: Magdalensis
Collegii in eadem Academia (quod et ornavit; et studio atque industria sua, quoad potuit, locupletavit)
Præfecto gratiosissimo: Reginæ Elizabethæ (cujus a
sacris fuit) excellentissimi judicii Principi ob singulares
et vere laudabiles animi dotes acceptissimo: Petroburgensis Ecclesiæ (cui ad annos octo haud mediocri cum
laude præfuit) Decano eminentissimo: Sacræ et Individuæ Trinitatis Collegii, jam non ejus Academiæ
tantum, sed totius Europæ celeberrimi (labantis non
ita pridem et prope cadentis, necnon ob veterem
structuram male coherentis, ipsius consilio, auspiciis
atque ære etiam suo liberalissime collato, disjectis male
positis ædificiis atque in elegantiorem formam redactis;
viis areisque veteribus directis et ampliatis, novis pulcherrime constitutis, auctis, ornatis ad hanc, qua nunc
conspicitur, eximiam pulchritudmem evecti) Moderatori, Amplificatori, Instauratori fælicissimo: Hujus
denique Ecclesiæ quam summa æquitate, rara modestia, fide singulari ad annos gubernavit, Decano moderatissimo, integerrimo, amplissimo: Hoc
Monumentum memoriæ ergo Virtus et Honos, invita
morte, suis quasi manibus construxere. Obiit Anno
Dom. Ætatis suæ Mensis Die. atque
in hac capella, quam (dum vixit) sibi ac suis adornavit, non sine ingenti suorum mærore huic tumulo illatus advenient is Domini nostri Jesu Christi gratiam
et gloriam sempiternam expectat. Etiam Veni, Domine Jesu, Veni Cito.
5. Charles Fotherby, S. T. P. prebendary and
archdeacon of Canterbury, was advanced to the dignity of dean of this church, in the room of dean Nevil, in 1615.
He was a native of Great Grimsby, in Lincolnshire, being the son of Martin Fotherby, esq. of that
place, whose family had long resided in it, and brother of Martin Fotherby, bishop of Salisbury. (fn. 34) He
was educated at Trinity college, in Cambridge, of
which society he was a fellow; but though he was afterwards advanced to so conspicuous a dignity, he proceeded as an academic, no further than to the degree
of B. D. In 1587, he was collated to the vicarage
of Chislet, (fn. 35) which he resigned in 1692, being presented
by the queen to the rectory of aldington; (fn. 36) about
which time he was commissioned with Dr. Rogers
and others, to visit the churches and hospitals of Saltwood and Hythe.
Soon after this, he received additional marks of the
queen's favour, being promoted, on the removal of
Dr. Redman, to the see of Norwich, (fn. 37) to the archdea
conry of Canterbury in 1594, and the year after to
the vicarage of Tenham, and by archbishop Whitgift
to the fourth prebend in this church of Canterbury; (fn. 38)
nor did the kindness of the primate towards him end
here, for on the death of the learned and pious
Hooker in 1600, he was collated by him to the rectory of Bishopsborne, (fn. 39) on which he resigned the vicarage
of Tenham; and such was the archbishop's esteem
and confidence in him, that he was appointed one of
the overseers of his will; the other, being dean Nevil,
on whose death in 1615, he was nominated dean of
Canterbury, to which he was instituted on May 12,
that year; on this advancement he relinquished his
prebend, but retained his other preferments, all which
he enjoyed but a short time, for he died on March
29, 1619, æt. 70, having presided over this church
only four years, (fn. 40) and was buried in the Virgin Mary's
chapel, now called the dean's chapel, in this cathedral; on the south side of which is a table monument
of black marble, placed to his memory, the emblems
of mortality round which are finely carved. The inscription on the monument is as follows:
Charissimo Patri suo
CAROLO FOTHERBY de GRIMSSBY GRIMSBY MAGNA in
Comilatu LINCOLNIENSI; olim Collegii Sanctæ et
Individuæ Trinitatis apud CANTABRIGIENSES Socio;
Sacræ ibidem Theologiæ Baccalaureo, CANTUARIENSIS Diocæsios annos circiter 24 Archidiacono;
Metropoliticæ in ea Ecclesiæ 20 Præbendario; ejusdem Decano 4ttuor; sedulo et sincero Verbo Præconi,
cordatoque divinæ Veritatis Propugnatori; viro pietate, gravitate, hospitalitate perquam insigni, 29 Martii Anno humanæ salutis 1619, Ætatis suæ 70.
Vitæ mortalis sortem cum immortali gloria commutanti.
JOHANNES FOTHER BEIUS Filius et Hæres
devotissime posuit.
Habuit uxorem unam et unicam Annos 31 CECILIAM WALKER CANTABRIGIENSEM. ex qua liberos
suscepit decem; eorum quinque tantum moriens reliquit superstites, JOHANNEM Elizabethæ ex Antonio
Coco Milite Essexciensi Maritum; PHÆBEN Henrico Henrici Palmeri Militis Cantiani filio nuptam;
et Roberto Johannis Moyle de Buck well in eodem
comitatu Armigero PRISCILLAM: Innuptas reliquit
duas ELIZABETHAM et MABELLAM.
6. JOHN Boys, S. T. P. rector of Great Mongeham, and of Betshanger, in this county, succeeded to
this deanry in 1619. (fn. 41)
He was a native of Kent, being the fourth son of
Thomas Boys, esq. of Eythorne. (fn. 42) Being educated at
Cambridge, he became a scholar of Benet college, and
proceeded to the degree of A. M. in 1593, about
which time he was elected to a fellowship of Clarehall, which is appropriated to a native of this county.
His first preferment seems to have been the rectory
of Betshanger, to which he was presented by his uncle
Sir John Boys, (fn. 43) who had been his patron at the university; and the same year he was collated to the mastership of Eastbridge hospital, in Canterbury; (fn. 44) and
in 1599, to the vicarage of Tilmanstone, (fn. 45) at which
time he had acquired the character of a distinguished
theologist, and proceeded soon afterwards to the degree of S. T. P.
In 1610, he was appointed by the king, one of the
first fellows of the new institution of a college at
Chelsea, for the management, by learned divines, of
all controversies against Papists; a design, which, for
want of support, fell to the ground, even before the
college was finished. (fn. 46)
In 1618, Dr. Boys was collated to the rectory of
Great Mongeham, on which he relinquished the vicarage of Tilmanstone, and in 1619 was nominated
by the king to the deanry of Canterbury, to which he
was admitted on May 3, that year; but he did not
live to enjoy this dignity little more than six years.
He died suddenly in his study, on September 26,
1625, æt. 54; and was buried in the Virgin Mary's,
commonly called the dean's chapel, in this cathedral,
where there is a handsome monument erected to his
memory, by his wife Angela, who survived him. (fn. 47) He
is represented on it in his doctor's habit, as in his
study, fitting in his chair, and leaning his head on his
hand. Among the books, which form the back
ground of the monument, is the following inscription:
Bonorum Lacrymis!
JOHANNES BOISIUS S. T. P. hujus Ecclesiæ Christi
CANTUARIENSIS Decanus, nuper diligentiæ Christianæ, mox mortalitatis humanæ, nunc gratiæ divinæ
exemplum: Ecclesiam ore, vita, scriptis docuit, ædificavit, illustravit: et Opus quo non extat Clero ANGLICANO gratius aut utilius, Liturgiæ universæ præ
claram Elucidationem sui perpetuum Monumentum
reliquit.
Hoc minus et indignius, sed tamen debitum felicibus Manibus tanti viri, Mariti amantissimi amantissima mæstissimaque Uxor.
ANGELA posuit.
His learned and judicious Commentaries on the
Holy Scriptures, his Postils, or Defence of the Liturgy, Lectures, Sermons, and other theological
works, were published, with a dedication to king
James, in his life time, and again in a folio volume,
in 1629. (fn. 48)
7. ISAAC BARGRAVE, S. T. P. prebendary of this
church, and one of the king's chaplains, was next
promoted to this deanry, the king's letters patent for
his installation bearing date Oct. 11, 1625. (fn. 49)
He was sixth son of Robert Bargrave, esq. of Bridge,
in this county, and was born in 1586; (fn. 50) being entered
early at Clare-hall, in Cambridge, he there took his
degrees in arts, and was incorporated A. M. at Oxford, in July 1611. (fn. 51) In October 1614, he was preferred to the rectory of Eythorne, in this county, (fn. 52) and
became soon afterwards minister of St. Margaret's,
Westminster, (fn. 53) and chaplain to the prince of Wales,
whom he served in the same quality after his accession
to the throne; and in 1622, at which time he was
S. T. P. he was promoted by the crown to the fifth
prebend in this metropolitical church of Canterbury;
and Charles I. soon after his accession, nominated him,
on the death of Dr. Boys, to the deanry of it, to which
he was admitted on October 14, 1625. In January
1626, he was presented by the chapter to the vicarage
of Tenterden, (fn. 54) which he held by dispensation, with
the rectory of Eythorne; but in the following year he
resigned the former, being then preferred by the king
to the vicarage of Lydd, in this county, then in the
king's disposal, jure prærogativo; and in 1628 he was
collated by the archbishop to the rectory of Chartham, near Canterbury. (fn. 55)
The account of dean Bargrave, from this time, becomes closely connected with the misfortunes of those
unhappy times, when rebellion and fanaticism trampled on religion and decency; when the cathedrals
were plundered and their revenues seized. Deans and
chapters were abolished in 1641, and the former members of them oppressed and cruelly treated. At this
time the dean had become so obnoxious to the ruling
powers, that he was fined 1000l. by the house of commons, as a member of the convocation, in which he
was looked upon by them as a forward assertor of the
clergy's rights. (fn. 56) This does not seem to have deterred
him from exerting himself in behalf of the church,
for that year he undertook with Dr. Hacket, archdeacon of Bedford, to appear before the house of
commons, in behalf of the establishment of deans and
chapters; but this did not prevail, and in the same
session an act passed for their abolition. (fn. 57)
Next year the fanatic spirit of these reformers, as
they styled themselves, more fully displayed itself. In
August the rebel Colonel Sandys, with his troop, arrived at Canterbury; after they had defaced the cathedral, they violently intruded themselves, late at
night, into the deanry, terrifying the family, (the
dean himself being absent) and regardless even of that
respect due to the weaker sex, they treated his wife
and his aged sister (the window of dean Boys) with the
most unmanly behaviour, and pillaged the house,
though they afterwards, by the persuasion of one of
their own party, restored the gold which they had unjustly seized. Their treatment of the dean's son was
no less brutal, whom they took from his bed, and
carried prisoner to Dover. (fn. 58) The sufferings of the dean
were still greater, for having been acquainted with the
affliction of his family, he was hastening to them, but
Colonel Sandys interrupted his design, for hearing
where he lodged at Gravesend, he went there, and
rushing with his banditti into his chamber, as he was
preparing for bed, made him prisoner, and without
any reason for this insolent outrage, he was burried to
London, and committed to the Fleet-prison. (fn. 59) The
dean continued in confinement for three weeks, but
was neither examined nor called before the house; he
was, indeed after that time released, but the sense of
his persecution and the prospect of its future increase,
so much affected him, that he died in the January
following, anno 1642, aged 56.
The dean had been a great traveller, and his friendships, made abroad, were such as testified his discernment and the esteem he was held in; he attended Sir
Henry Wotton in one of his embassies, as his chaplain, and he appointed him afterwards one of the supervisors of his will, expressing his unremoveable affection to him in it. (fn. 60)
During his residence at Venice, he enjoyed the intimate acquaintance of the celebrated Father Paul,
usually stiled Padre Paolo, who wrote the History of
Trent; whose moderation and learning were alike
conspicuous.
The dean was a firm defender of our civil and religious rights; his abilities, which were very considerable, had been greatly improved by attentive travel.
He was much respected, for he was hospitable, as
well as upright, and his opinions were manly and
liberal. (fn. 61)
He was buried in the Virgin Mary's, now called
the dean's chapel, on January 25, 1643; against the
north wall of which is a monument erected to his
memory, in a state not common; being his portrait,
a half length, painted on copper, in a beautiful oval
frame of white marble, and an inscription under it,
as follows:
ISAACUS BARGRAVE,
CANTIANUS, S. T. P. Hujus Ecclefiæ DECANUS,
et ingens decus; amæ no ingenio Pietatem et Eruditionem ornavit: In fæ culo Novitatis nimium avido
fide vixit ac moribus antiquis; Gentibus exteris, do
mique Nobilibus gratissimus Hospes, Hospitio generosissimo reposuit. Bello civili ex partibus Regiis
Caroli Martyris Stetit ac cecidit.
Post varia per Europam itinera
Hic tandem fixus.
|
| Ob. an salutis reparat. |
1642 |
| Ætat.56. |
Johannes Bargrave, S. T. D. Canritianus
Posterum expensis
Ponendum curavit
Anno Domini
MDCLXXIX.
Underneath which, follows the inscription for Elizabeth Dering, his wife, as mentioned before.
8. GEORGE AGLIONBY, S. T. P. succeeded next,
as dean of this church; the letters patent for which
are dated at Oxford, on Feb. 8, 1642. (fn. 62)
He was educated at Westminster school, and elected
from thence to Christ-church in Oxford, in 1619, at
which time he was sixteen years of age, as he is entered in the university matriculation book, Oxon.
Docris Fil. There is little doubt but he was the son
of Dr. John Aglionby, principal of Edmund hall,
and the descendant of a very antient and genteel family in Cumberland. (fn. 63)
Whilst he resided in the university, he was distinguished as a person of superior abilities; Wood tells
us, that lord Falkland often went to Oxford, to enjoy the conversation of the learned and the witty
there, among whom was George Aglionby, of Christchurch. (fn. 64)
In June 1623, he took the degree of B. A. (fn. 65) about
which time he left the university, and became probably an assistant master at Westminster-school, and
afterwards tutor to George, the young duke of Buckingham; in 1634, he proceeded to the degree of
S. T. P. (fn. 66) and in 1638, was promoted to a prebend in
the collegiate church of Westminster, (fn. 67) and it is probable that he was also prebendary of Woodham, in
the church of Chichester.
Whilst attending the court of king Charles I. at
Oxford, in 1642, he was nominated by the king, on
the death of Dr. Bargrave, to the deanry of Canterbury; but in this dignity he never was installed, nor
did he reap any advantage from it; the parliament
having, as is said before, abolished these dignities and
seized on the revenues of all capitular bodies, and he
survived his nomination to this deanry but a few
months; for he died at Oxford, in November 1643,
in the 40th year of his age, and was buried in Christchurch cathedral, near to bishop King's monument
in the south isle; but there is neither monument or
inscription to his memory, nor is there any portrait of
him in the deanry at Canterbury; the want of which
interrupts the regular series of portraints of the deans
of this church.
9. THOMAS TURNER, S. T. P. was next admitted
dean of this church. He was the son of Thomas
Turner, of Heckfield, in Hampshire, alderman and
mayor of Reading, in Berkshire, and was born in the
parish of St. Giles in that borough. In 1610, he was
admitted on the foundation at St. John's college, in
Oxford, two fellowships in that college being appropriated to persons from the town of Reading. He was
there placed under the tuition of Dr. Juxon, then
fellow of the college, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, (fn. 68) and having entered into holy orders, he was
in 1623 presented by his college to the vicarage of St.
Giles, in the suburbs of Oxford, with which he retained his fellowship, but resigned it in 1628.
Dr. Laud, who had become president of the college
soon after his admission to it, appointed him his domestic chaplain, and in April 1629, being then bishop
of London, collated him to the prebend of Newington, in the church of St. Paul; and in October following, to the chancellorship of that church, in which
he was afterwards appointed by king Charles I. a canon
residentiary (fn. 69)
He had been recommended by bishop Laud to the
king's notice, who appointed him one of his chaplains
in ordinary, and presented him to the rectory of St.
Olave, Southwark, with which he held the rectory of
Fetcham, in Surry.
In 1633, the king having resolved on a progress
into Scotland, for his coronation, Mr. Turner was
commanded to attend him; previous to which, he
was on April I, 1634, created S. T. P. by the university of Oxford.
In 1641, he was promoted by the king to the
deanry of Rochester, and on the death of Dr. Aglionby, in 1643, to this of Canterbury, of which, however, he did not obtain possession till after the restoration; but when he was nominated to this dignity,
he resigned the rectory of St. Olave into the king's
hands.
When the king was removed to Hampton-court,
and was suffered to resume the mock appearance of
majesty and freedom, dean Turner was among those
divines who there attended him; and when he fled
to the Isle of Wight, the dean was one of those servants, to whom the liberty of visiting him was granted; (fn. 70)
the king's death followed not long after, of which the
dean was a sincere, but silent mourner.
His adherence to the royal cause, as might be expected, brought him into much distress; he was
abused, pillaged and imprisoned. Three of his houses
were plundered of his furniture and library. (fn. 71) Being at
his church of Fetcham, he was seized (probably in the
time of divine service) by a party of horse, who carried him in an ignominious manner prisoner to an inn
in Southwark, and his house and rectory were forcibly
taken from him; upon which he retired to an estate
he possessed in Hertfordshire, but persecution followed
him there likewise, for being summoned before the
committee of sequestrations, at Hertford, he was
charged and convicted of malignancy, for attending
the king and praying for him, upon which his estate
was decimated, and he was compelled to fly for safety
into Wales. (fn. 72)
The dean survived these unhappy times, and joined
in the general joy which king Charles II.'s restoration
inspired, and on the 10th of August, 1660, entered
into the full possession of the deanry of Canterbury;
and so far was he afterwards from seeking addition to
his preferment, that he soon resigned the rectory of
Fetcham. Having enjoyed an uninterrupted state of
good health during thirty years, he was at length attacked with that severe disease, the stone, the sharpness
of which he endured with exemplary fortitude and resignation, till his death, which happened on Oct. 31,
1672, at the age of 81. (fn. 73)
His disposition was generous, disinterested and humble; and his example afforded an excellent lesson to
those, who imagine that dignity is better supported by
avarice and insolence, than by a liberal condescension;
for never was a clergyman more free from pride and
coveteousness.
To the church and library of Canterbury, he was a
considerable benefactor; in thankfulness for his deliverance from an imminent danger, he dedicated to the
holy altar in this cathedral, a costly folio bible, with
covers of beaten silver, double gilt; to the church of
St. Paul, his liberality was extensive; for, when, in
1661, the ruinous state of that cathedral required a general assistance, Dr. Turner, then a residentiary, subscribed, as well as his brethren, 500l. each. He built
likewise a good house for his successors in the canonry
there, on which he expended the better part of 1000l.
Two colleges in Oxford also received some share of
his bounty, for he gave forty pounds towards the building of a new quadrangle at Trinity in 1665, and two
years afterwards, the same sum towards compleating a
building in Corpus Christi college. In 1667, when
king Charles II. requested a supply from the clergy,
by way of loan, Dr. Turner advanced on his own account, 100l besides his share of 1000l. as a residentiary of St. Paul's. He had before contributed on a
similar proposal 120l. besides his proportion of 1000l.
contributed by the dean and chapter of St. Paul's. To
these instances of his public spirit must be added, his
generous conduct to his relations; for he resigned his
paternal estate of considerable value, to his younger
brother; he gave portions to several of his sisters, and
settled them and others of his kindred handsomely in
the world, at the time when he was a married man and
a father: and when the storm of persecution raged
against him, and his fortunes were at a low ebb, even
then he took into his care his aged parents, harrassed
and ruined by the iniquity of the times, for their eminent loyalty. The dean was buried at the east end of
the Virgin Mary's, now called the dean's chapel, where,
under the window, there is a handsome mural monument erected to his memory, with the following inscription: (fn. 74)
H. S. E.
Thomas Turner, S. T. P.
|
| Ecclesiæ | Beati Pauli apud Londinenses Canonicus Residentiarius | |
| Deinde Rossensis Anno CIODCXXXXI | Decanus |
| Tandem hujus Christi Cantuariensis CIODCXLIII |
Quem Carolus primus et Archiepiscopus Laud,
Gloriosi et Sanctiffimi Martyres,
Sacellanum habuerunt et una cum illis fortissimum Confessorem.
Quem Rex in ultimis fere Agonibus
In Cura Hamptonionsi et Insula Vectis
Unum e paucis fidissimum afcivit sibi.
Generosa Prosapia Redingiæ
Natus, si quis alter, Bono Publico.
Fortuna magnaque rerum copia reverenter usus est,
|
| Ingens | Humilitatis profundissimæ | Exemplar. |
| Simplicitatis Christianissimæ |
| Zeli pro Ecclefia serventissimi |
Calamitates sub tyrannide perduellium animo æquissimo toleravit,
Et utriusque fortunæ expertus
Utrique par exstitit.
Juxta felicem Caroli secundi reditum
Novas dignitates minime ambiebat,
Et octogenarius Senex adhuc in concionibus dominabatur
Jamque maturus cœlo
Post multa immortalia facta, nihil optavit mortale
Nisi mori in Domino,
Et obiit Anno Domini CIODCLXXII
Ætatis fuæ LXXXI.