[294] Rolls House MS. first series; MS. Cotton. Cleopatra, E 4.
[295] Answers to Questions on the Sacraments by the Bishops: Burnet’s Collectanea, p. 114.
[296] In one of the ablest and most liberal papers which was drawn up at this time, a paper so liberal indeed as to argue from the etymology of the word presbyter that “lay seniors, or antient men, might to some intents be called priests,” I find this passage upon the eucharist: “As concerning the grace of consecration of the body of our Lord in form of bread and wine, we beseech your Grace that it may be prohibited to all men to persuade any manner of person to think that these words of our Master Christ, when He ‘took bread and blest it and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, and eat ye, this is my body that shall be betrayed for you,’ ought to be understood figuratively. For since He that spake those words is of power to perform them literally, though no man’s reason may know how that may be, yet they must believe it. And surely they that believe that God was of power to make all the world of nought, may lightly believe he was of power to make of bread his very body.”—Theological MSS. Rolls House.
[297] Henry VIII. to the Bishops: Rolls House MS. A 15.
[298] The Iceland fleet is constantly mentioned in the Records. Before the discovery of Newfoundland, Iceland was the great resort of English fishermen. Those who would not venture so long a voyage, fished the coasts of Cork and Kerry. When Skeffington was besieging Dungarvon, in 1535, Devonshire fishing smacks, which were accidentally in the neighbourhood, blockaded the harbour for him. The south of Ireland at the same time was the regular resort of Spaniards with the same object. Sir Anthony St. Leger said that as many as two or three hundred sail might sometimes be seen at once in Valentia harbour.—State Papers, Vol. V. p. 443, &c.
[299] MS. State Paper Office, second series, Vol. XXIV.
[300] Ibid. Vol. I. On the other hand the French cut out a Flemish ship from Portsmouth, and another from Southampton.
[301] Rolls House MS. A 2, 30.
[302] The inventory of his losses which was sent in by the captain is noticeable, as showing the equipment of a Channel fishing vessel.—One last of herring, worth 4l. 13s. Three hagbushes, 15s. In money, 1l. 16s. 8d. Two long bows, 4s. Two bills and a sheaf of arrows, 3s. 8d. A pair of new boots of leather, 3s. 4d. Two barrels of double beer, 3s. 4d. Four mantles of frieze, 12s. A bonnet, 1s. 2d. In bread, candles, and other necessaries, 2s. The second time, one hogshead of double beer, 6s.—MS. State Paper Office, second series, Vol. XXVIII.
[303] Sir Thomas Cheyne writes to Cromwell: “I have received letters from Dover that the Frenchmen on the sea hath taken worth 2000l. of goods since the king being there, and a man-of-war of Dieppe and a pinnace took the king’s barge that carries the timber for his Highness’s work there, and robbed and spoiled the ship and men of money, victuals, clothes, ropes, and left them not so much as their compass. And another Frenchman took away a pink in Dover roads and carried her away. And on Tuesday last a great fleet of Flemings men-of-war met with my Lord Lisle’s ship, laden with wool to Flanders, and one of them took all the victuals and ordnance. Thus the king’s subjects be robbed and spoiled every day.”—MS. State Paper Office, second series, Vol. VI.