Catalogue description Examinations of JOHN COTTON.

--1st examination of John Cotton, esquire, "being of Subberton in the county of Southampton, of the age of 53 years," before the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops of London and Coventry and Lichfield:--

Was in London during Easter term for three or four days, and lay in Fleet Street, first for one night at the sign of the Eagle and Child, at the house of one that selleth stockings, and then at the house of one Lovelesse, at the sign of the Lute. Had with him one William Ginman, of the age of nineteen or twenty years, born in Sussex, who formerly lived at Langston in Havant parish, with his father. Ginman went with him from London to Subberton, and then into Wiltshire with examinate, his wife and one White who came from a place near Winchester, but examinate refuses to name it, for fear of prejudice to the said White.

They went to Stoke, to one Mistress Hungerford, widow, aunt to examinate, and after four or five days returned towards home, when, hearing that his house had been searched, he sent his wife home with Ginman, "and he himself thought fit to conceal himself (as doubting that pursuit was made after him for his religion)" until he could consult with his friends what he should do. Believeth his wife is yet at Subberton, but for Ginman, he said unto him 'If you think you be like to grow into trouble for recusancy, shift for yourself,' and cannot now guess where he is to be found.

Prayeth not to be asked where he concealed himself. On Saturday last came to the sign of the Dog and the Bear in Southwark, having heard that he was sought after for some matter of state, which he chanced (in the time of his examination) to name to be a libel or book, as he thought. At Southwark, "having not slept one wink all the night before," he rested himself on a bed for an hour or so, and in the afternoon went to my Lord of Southampton's. "Being in a boat upon the water he heard of the waterman that carried him that there was a proclamation out against one Cotton, which made his heart very heavy, and yet he went on to the Earl of Southampton's house, whither he came about 4 a clock, but by the way he went very warily, as fearing that he should be taken by some pursuivants, wherof some of them know him well." He landed at the Temple Stairs, and went to Mr. Watson's house in Chancery Lane, where his brother Richard Cotton and Mr. Wakeman were. Mr. Wakeman and others went with him to Southampton House, where a gentleman had the proclamation, and he saw his name and his description.

Being asked what friends gave him advertisement that he was sought for, he is unwilling to name them.

Came to London in Easter term last in order to receive certain moneys from his eldest brother, Richard Cotton, receiving 50l. for himself and 100l. for his daughter Catherine, which was the bequest of his father when he died. The money was paid him by Egerton, his brother's man, and on the 3rd of May he departed from the city and went directly homewards.

Protesteth that he did not go to Whitehall, nor did he send his servant thither; whether Ginman went there of his own accord he cannot tell, but thinketh no. Bought no black box in Chancery Lane nor any hard sealing wax at that time or in that place.

Saith that when about fifteen years old, he went beyond seas and abode at Doway for half a year or three quarters, and then the Low Countries growing troublesome, he went to Paris for a year, and then came into England. Six or seven years after, he went again over sea, meaning to travel into Italy when he had stayed some space at Paris, but falling sick at Roan, where he lay for three or four weeks, he was discouraged from going further, and came back sick into England. In 1590 went a third time over seas, and continued abroad about a year and a half, going to the Spaw, Doway, Brussels and Antwerp, and thence into Italy. He was at Rome for three or four weeks and then returned to England, where he hath remained ever since.

Acknowledgeth that his eldest daughter, called Mary Cotton, is now a nun at Graveling, "where she hath abode well near two years." Had a son called Richard who died in the Low Countries at St. Omers, more than two years past, aged sixteen or seventeen.

Confesseth that a reliquary of crimson damask found in his study at Warblington is his, and that it was given him by one Jetter, a priest, who died in Sussex four or five years agone. "The most of the relics there the said Jetter left unto this examinate, but some of them he himself hath put unto the rest, as namely that which he thinketh to be bound with black bone, and hath written on it Sti. Christoferi, which he, this examinate, had beyond the seas, and that whereupon Lambert was written he saith was part of the body of one Barkworth, a priest, who was executed in London a year or two before the death of Queen Elizabeth. But being asked concerning the rib of one Digby, he saith there is no such there, to his knowledge, but there is somewhat of one Rigby, that was put to death in the Queen's time." Being shown certain writings, whereof one beginneth Ex libro primo de Cognatione, a book beginning Esse jam inter, and another paper An. Tom. 11, he acknowledgeth that they are all in his own handwriting. Signed by deponent. Also by the Archbishop and the Bishops of London and Coventry.