[26] See the subject discussed by Mr. Eyton, in Vol. 1, p. 353, Antiquities of Shropshire.
[27] There is a store of practical wisdom on this subject in these two verses of the Morning Hymn in the “Christian Year,”
“We need not bid for cloister’d cell, Our neighbour, and our work farewell; Nor strive to wind ourselves too high For sinful man beneath the sky.
The trivial round, the common task, Would furnish all we ought to ask: Room to deny ourselves; a road To bring us, daily, nearer God.”
[28] Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, p. xxviii, note.
[29] Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, p. 451.
[30] Mr. Eyton mentions that there was a Maladrerie near Bridgnorth of older date than this, being described in deeds as “Vetus Maladria.” It was situated on the Oldbury side of the town, and abutted on two water-courses, called “Reymund’s Ditch,” and the “Ditch towards Aldebur.”—Charter at Apley Park.
[31] It is a very common opinion, that the suppression of the Religious Houses in the reign of Henry VIII. was universally countenanced and encouraged by the Reformers; and Roman Catholic writers are very anxious to give this opinion currency; but it is wholly groundless. Almost all the Bishops of the new learning, as the Reformers were called, were against the misapplication of the Abbey lands; and Queen Anne Boleyn, though so strong a favourer of the Reformation, is said to have been so averse to the measure, that she put up Bishop Latimer upon preaching against it before the King. On the other hand, the measure found very strong advocates among the Roman Catholics, Laity and Clergy; and of these one of the most conspicuous was the famous Bishop Gardener, who is said to have been as busy as any in declaiming against the Religious Houses, and to have commended the King in many of his sermons for suppressing them.—See some curious statements on the subject in Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, p. xl, notes.
[32] They were called Grey Friars from their habit, which was a loose garment of a grey colour, reaching down to their ankles.—Notitia Monastica, p. xxi.
[33] Pearson’s Life of Archbishop Leighton, prefixed to his works, pp. cxvii, cxviii.