Catalogue description EDWARD [STAPLES], BISHOP OF MEATH, to MR. SAINTLEGER or MR. MOYLL.

This record is held by Lambeth Palace Library

Details of
Title: EDWARD [STAPLES], BISHOP OF MEATH, to MR. SAINTLEGER or MR. MOYLL.
Description:

I have received no writing from you. I have written to you by John Plunkett of "my trouble by the Bishop of Dublin." He has made Mr. Treasurer and the Master of the Rolls his friends, and boasts that he rules all the clergy under the King. He has handled me and my friends most cruelly. "He hath gotten one Silvester joined with him, as he saith, in our master's authority--God knoweth a man of what gravity. The common voice goeth that he doth abhor the mass. It were well done my Lord Privy Seal would of his goodness appoint some inquisition secret of the truth of their demeanour and discretion, or his lord put them in such authority." I also advise that his Lordship should find means that such bishops as had their bulls from the Bishop of Rome, by the King's command, may bring them in and cancel them, and "have some remembrance from his Highness which shall stand them in like effect with the same.

 

The common voice in the Irishry is, that the King's supremacy is maintained "only by power, and not reasoned by learning." Safeconducts should therefore be given to all Irish clerks to come and dispute about it with us, and proclamation made accordingly at Dundalk for the North, and at Kylkeny for the borderers. Remember the instructions which I wrote concerning this country by your command, "and specially to have our master recognized King of Ireland," the lack whereof "doth much hinder their duties to be done," as I showed you at your being here. "In my late scean this Whit Sunday I did set forward my master's cause" before "the honourable audience of all my diocese, and brought my books with me of such as were addict to the Bishop of Rome," offering to answer any disputant. I have heretofore jeopardized my body and my all in the King's service, and now am very sickly and unable to journey. If the King "will have me to ride much to parliaments and his Grace's other affairs as I have done, I beseech you, because of my stranguillyon, get me licence to ride upon a pyllyon, or else I must ride in a litter." Remember me to Master Moyl. 17 June.

 

Give credence to Master Stephans, touching the triumphing of the Bishop of Dublin. "We lack no P. nor P.

 

Addressed: Master Saynet Legier, and in his absence to Master Moyll. Endorsed.

Date: 17 June 1538
Related material:

State Papers III. 29.

Held by: Lambeth Palace Library, not available at The National Archives
Former reference in its original department: MS 602, p. 131
Language: English
Physical description: 2 Pages.
Physical condition: Holograph.
Unpublished finding aids:

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. I, document 123.

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