sundry of his majesty's most grave and well learned prelates, and other learned men in the scripture. [3]
This, then, was commanded by public authority. But
there were other innovations of more doubtful origin.
On May 12, 1548, at the commemoration of Henry
VII. in Westminster Abbey, Wriothesley tells us of
the masse song all in English, with the consecration of the sacrament also spoken in English,
the priest afterwards "ministering the communion after the Kinges booke." In September, at the consecration of Fernir by Cranmer, Holbeach and Ridley, something of the same kind was done. The account in Cranmer's Register is confused, but it says distinctly that the Holy Eucharist was consecrata in lingua vernacula. The churchwardens of St. Michael's, Cornhill, this same year paid five shillings
to the Scolle Mr of Polles, for wrytyng of the masse in
Englysh & ye benedicites;
doubtless for use in church. [4] In May, again, according to Wriothesley,
Poules quire and dyvers other parishes in London song all
the service in English, both mattens, masse, and evensonge.
At St. Michael's, "viii Sawtters in Englyshe" were bought. [5] In September, Somerset, as Chancellor, wrote to the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge that in all the Colleges they should
use one uniform order, rite, and ceremonies in the mass, mattins and evensong, and all divine service in the same to be said or sung, such as is presently used in the king's Majesty's chapel, and none other. [6]
There is nothing to show what was specially intended here, but a copy of the order in question was sent with the letter for more information.