[35] Some things appear in the Commission Records strangely illustrating the state of society. Sir Richard Strode and Sir John Strode, near kinsmen, quarrelled about the possession of an aisle in the parish church of Cattistock. Sir Richard came with his lady on Easter-day to receive the sacrament armed with a pistol charged with powder and small shot, and directed his servant to carry a sword. He was also accused of entertaining a degraded minister, who "pronounced prayers extempore, and expounded a passage of scripture. On behalf of Sir Richard, it was proved that he carried the pistol secretly, and that no disturbance ensued."—Cal., 1634-5, p. 121.
Since writing this Introduction I have been permitted to peruse the Rawlinson MS., A., 128, which affords many new illustrations of the proceedings of the High Commission and of the Star Chamber also. I shall have occasion hereafter to notice some parts of this MS. The whole will be published by the Camden Society.
[36] The Court was threatened before the opening of the Long Parliament.
"We are growing here at London into some Edinburgh tumults, for upon Thursday last, the High Commission being kept at St. Paul's, there came in very near 2,000 Brownists, and, at the end of the court made a foul clamour: and tore down all the benches that were in the consistory, crying out they would have no Bishops nor High Commission. I like not this preface to the Parliament, and this day I shall see what the Lords will do concerning this tumult."—Laud's Letter, 186. Works, vi. 585. Oxford edition. Diary, Oct. 22, 1640, iii, 237.
[37] Rushworth, i. 423. After Worrall, Laud's chaplain, had signed the Imprimatur to Dr. Sibthorpe's famous sermon, 1627, Selden told him, "When the times shall change, and the late transactions shall be scrutinized, you will gain a halter instead of promotion for this book." Worrall withdrew his signature, but Laud appended his own.—Life of Selden, p. 129.
[38] Rushworth, i. 594.
[39] See Hallam's Constitutional History, i. 456; and Eliot's Life, by Forster, i. 246; ii. 398; 409; 450.
[40] In Rushworth, ii. 77, is a full account of these ceremonies, with notices of Laud's defence. The latter is found more fully in the history of his Troubles and Trial. Works, iv. 247. He denied he threw up dust, but leaves it to be inferred that he threw up ashes. He also contradicted other statements made respecting this famous consecration. Whatever exaggeration there might be, enough is proved to show the extraordinary superstitiousness of the proceeding.
[41] Bunsen's Hippolytus, iv. 197.
[42] Wearing a cope in cathedrals at the Communion by the principal minister, is, however, prescribed by Canon xxiv.