Supplementum II.
Hatfield MSS. — Part VI.
[Dr. Bilson] Bishop of Worcester to Sir Robert Cecil.
1596, July 17. I have viewed the state of Worcester diocese, and find it, as may somewhat appear by the particulars here enclosed, for the quantity, as dangerous as any place that I know. In that small circuit there are nine score[A] recusants of note, besides retainers, wanderers, and secret lurkers, dispersed in forty several parishes, and six score and ten households, whereof about forty are families of gentlemen, that themselves or their wives refrain the church, and many of them not only of good wealth, but of great alliance, as the Windsors, Talbots, Throgmortens, Abingtons, and others, and in either respect, if they may have their forth, able to prevail much with the simpler sort.
[A] This letter will be read with interest, as affording independent testimony to the strength of Popery in the County of Worcester during the period of Father Oldcorne’s labours.
Besides, Warwick[B] and the parts thereabout are freighted with a number of men precisely conceited against her Majesty’s government ecclesiastical, and they trouble the people as much with their curiosity as the other with their obstinacy.
[B] This is interesting as showing that in the native county of Shakespeare, Puritanism was gaining strength in 1596, probably through the influence of the Earl of Leicester, Sir Thomas Lucy (of Charlcote), and Sir Fulke Grevyll, as well as others.
How weak ordinary authority is to do any good on
either sort long experience hath taught me, excommunication being the only bridle the law yieldeth to a bishop, and either side utterly despising that course of correction, as men that gladly, and of their own accord, refuse the communion of the church, both in sacraments and prayers.
In respect therefore of the number and danger of those divers humours both denying obedience to her Majesty’s proceedings, if it please her Highness to trust me and others in that shire with the commission ecclesiastical,[A] as in other places of like importance is used, I will do my endeavour to serve God and her Majesty in that diocese to the uttermost of my power.
[A] Under the provisions of the Elizabethan Act of Uniformity.
First, by viewing their qualities, retinues, abilities, and dispositions; next, by drawing them to private and often conference, lest ignorance make them perversely devout; thirdly, by restraining them from receiving, succouring, or maintaining any wanderers or servitors that feed their humours; and, lastly, by certifying what effects or defects I find to be the cause of so many revolting.
Her Majesty hath trusted me fifteen years since to be of the quorum on the commission ecclesiastical in Hampshire, and therefore age and experience growing, as also my care and charge increasing, I hope I shall not need to produce any further motives to induce her Majesty’s favour therein, but the profession of my duty and promise of my best service with all diligence and discretion, which I hope shall turn to her content and good of her people.
With which my most humble petition, if it please you to acquaint her Majesty; I will render you all due
thanks, and make what speed I may towards the place where I long to be and wish to labour to the pleasure of Almighty God and good liking of her Majesty.
London 17 July 1596.
Signed
Encloses: —
The names and qualities of the wealthier sort of Recusants in Worcester diocese: —
The Lady Windsor, with her retinue. Mr Talbot. Thomas Abington Esq. and Dorothy, his sister. Thomas Throgmorton, Esq. John Wheeler gent. and Elizabeth his wife. Thomas Bluntt gent. and Bridgett, his wife. John Smyth gent. Thomas Greene, gent. Hugh Ligon gent., and Barbara, his wife. Michael Folliatt, gent., and Margaret, his wife. William Coles gent., and Marie, his wife. Mr Bluntt, gent. of Hallow. Hugh Day gent. and Margaret, his wife. Lygon Barton, gent. John Taylor, gent., and Ann, his wife. John Midlemore, gent., Hugh Throgmorton gent. Humphrey Packington, gent. John Woolmer gent. of Inkbarrow. Rowse Woolmer, gent. John Woolmer gent. of Kingston. Mr Busshop gent. of Oldbarrow.
[Total] — 23.
The names of the gentlewomen that refuse the church, though their husbands do not.
Margaret, wife of Roger Pen gent. Jane wife of John Midlemore.
Alice wife of John Hornyhold gent. Margaret wife of William Rigby gent. Mary wife of Thomas Sheldon gent. Dorothy wife of Thomas Rauckford gent. Ann wife of William Fox gent. Joan, wife of Thomas Barber gent. Prudence wife of Thomas Oldnall gent. Frances wife of John Jeffreys gent. Elizabeth wife of Thomas Randall gent. Mary wife of William Woolmer gent. Elizabeth Ferreys widow. Jane Sheldon widow. Katherine Sparks of Hinlipp. Dorothy Woolmer. Jane Mary Eleanor daughters of Anthony Woolmer gent.
Of the meaner sort: —
Fourscore and ten several households where the man or wife or both are recusants, besides children and servants.