Fisher was created cardinal priest of S. Vitalis, in the modern Via Nazionale (the ancient titulus Vestinae) by Paul III. When Henry VIII. heard that the Hat had been conferred, he exclaimed that he would not leave the bishop a head to wear it on. The following prayer appears in the Roman breviary for the feast day of Blessed John Fisher (June 22):—Deus, qui beato pontifici tuo Joanni pro veritate et justitia magno animo vitam profundere tribuisti; da nobis ejus intercessione et exemplo; vitam nostram pro Christo in hoc mundo perdere, ut eam in coelo invenire valeamus.
“The most inflexibly honest churchman who held a high station in that age.“—Hallam. Fisher was confessor to Catherine of Aragon and to Lady Margaret.
[208] See i. 38; ii. 55-6. An old Ely Chartulary says: “Henry Frost ought never to be forgot, who gave birth to so noted a seat of religion, and afterwards to one of the most renowned seats of learning in Europe.”
[209] History of the College of S. John the Evangelist, Baker-Mayor, pp. 22-3.
[210] Lit. Pat. 9 Edw. I. membr. 28 (23 Dec. 1280). Printed in Commission Documents vol. ii. p. 1.
[211] Willis and Clark.
[212] See p. 103 n.
[213] v. p. 278.
[214] Overall had been a scholar at Trinity, and was Master of S. Catherine’s.
[215] Metcalfe was the Catholic Master who made the great reputation of S. John’s, but whom “the young fry of fellows” combined to oust in 1534. “Did not all the bricks of the college that day double their dye of redness to blush at the ingratitude of those that dwelt therein?” (Fuller.)