The Pleasant HISTORY of King Henry the Eighth, AND THE Abbot of Reading. woodcut with three panels: the king hunting, the king and the abbott at dinner, the abbott brought to the Tower of London Printed by J. M. for C. Dennisson, at the Stationers-Arms, within Aldgate. THE Pleasant and Delightful HISTORY OF King Henry the VIII. AND The Abbot of READING. Declaring how the KING Dined with the Abbot of Reading, and how the KING brought the Abbot to a good Stomach, &c. LONDON, Printed by J. M. for Charles Dennisson, at the Stationers-Arms, within Aldgate. The Pleasant Story OF King HENRY the 8th. AND The Abbot of Reading. CHAP. I. How King Henry the eight road a Hunting in Windsor-Forrest, and how he lost his company, and Dined with the Abbot of Reading. KIng Henry the Eighth being accustomend to ri●e a Hunting in and about Windsor-Forrest; one day above all the rest separated himself from the rest of his Company, as he was ridi●g alone by himself he found he had a strong appetite to eat: whereupon he thought a fit occasion offered itself to go Dine with the Lord Abbot of Reading, it being unknown to any of his Company; and in that Guard and Disguise he was in, neither the Abbot nor any of his Servants could know him, whereupon he resolved to put it in action, which he accordingly did: It being much about the time his Lordship went to Dinner: now the Lord Abbot kept a large and plentiful Table, and was very free and liberal to all persons, especially to Gentlemen; and the King being in a good gentle Garb( though far different from what he ordinarily wore) had easy admittance to his Lordship, letting him know he was on his way to London, and being near his Lordships, he took the freedom to come and Dine with him. The Lord Abbot told him, he gave him many thanks for the freedom he used, and withal, that he was hearty welcome. The Table being spread with variety of Dishes, the King sate down to his Meat, eating very hearty of a loin of Beef, commonly called a Sir-Loyn of Beef; insomuch that the Abbot took great notice of him, to see how he laid about him, first cutting a good sizeable piece, then calling for a Glass of his Claret, drank it off, and then sell to his Beef afresh, continuing eating until he had made a pretty handsome hole in the Sir-Loyn of Beef, said the Abbot, much good may it do you sir, I perceive you have a good Stomach to your meat, I would give an hundred pounds with all my Heart, I had so good a stomach as you have; you see of all this variety of meats here is, I can hardly eat any thing, a pestle of a Lark is as much as I have eaten. The King returned him thanks, and withal told him, that he had a pretty good stomach, and wished his Lordship as good a stomach as he had, the King having plentifully refreshed himself at the Lord Abbots Table; after grace was said, he took his leave of his Lordship, giving him thanks for his kind and hearty Entertainment, further telling him, that he belonged to the Court, and that he would let his Majesty know how kindly he had entertained him. The King having mounted his Horse road immediately to the forest, where it was not long before he found his company, who( though they had missed him) could not imagine where he had been, but still went on to pursue their sport, until such time they had killed the dear; that being ended he returned to London. CHAP. II. How the King sent a Messenger for the Lord Abbot, and sent him Prisoner to the Tower. THe King had not been many days in London, before he sends a Messenger down for the Lord Abbot, Committing him close Prisoner to the Tower, and sending for the Lieutenant of the Tower, gave him strict Orders, upon pain of Death not to let the Abbot have meat or drink, no other than bread and water, until such time as he gave him further order, which the Lieutenant said he should readily obey; he f●rther enjoined the Lieutenant to bring him word every day of the Abbots behaviour, and how he brooked his Imprisonment. Now all places, Court and City were filled with the News of the Lord Abbots Imprisonment in the Tower, but could not imagine what was the reason of it; some judging one thing, some another, according to their several apprehensions, and private conjecture of the matter, but came still very short of what was the true and real cause of his Imprisonment: Now if others were so much troubled and concerned to know what was the real cause of his Imprisonment, you may well think that the Lord Abbot was highly troubled and perplexed to see himself deprived of his stately Palace and delicious Walks, his variety of palatable Dishes, his choice of rare and excellent Wines, and the company of his comfortable Friends, and of a sudden to be Confined to a close and dismal Prison, and to be fed only with Bread and Water; and what was most of all, he knew not for what reason, nor wherein he had offended his Majesty; he therefore writ to his friends to make intercession for him to the King for his liberty, and that he might have a better allowance of meat and drink, but if they could not prevail in that, he desired them to learn for what cause he was so closely Imprisoned; or wherein he had so grievously and heinously offended the King, for he did seriously profess he was wholly ignorant of the matter: Now his Friends were not idle, but did earnestly solicit his Majesty on his behalf, but to little or no purpose, for the King was extremely Averse to all their Intercessions; neither could they learn from the King wherein the Abbot had offended him. They therefore concluded it was some great and heinous offence that the Abbot had committed. CHAP. III. How the Li●utenant of the Tower went to the King in behalf of the Abbot. NOw the Lord Abbot seeing his Friends could not prevail with the King, he therefore made his complaint to the Lieutenant of the Tower, who came constantly to visit him every day, expressing great sorrow and trouble for his Lordships Imprisonment and hard usage; there professing were it in his power to help him, he would with all his Heart, but what he did, was by strict Order from his Majesty; and that it was as much as his life was worth to assist him( as the case now stood) therefore he desired his Lordship to excuse him for the strict and hard usage he found there, for it was much against his will and inclination, but he would assist him what he could in waiting upon the King, and letting him know how hearty you were grieved and troubled for your offence; it is probable his Majesty will take pitty on you, and allow you a greater liberty, and better and more plentiful diet. The Lieutenant of the Tower went accordingly to the King, letting him know how extremely the Lord Abbot was grieved and troubled for his offence, and that he did seriously profess he was wholly ignorant wherein he had offended your majesty, and therefore did desire me to intercede for him, that you would be pleased to allow him Liberty to walk about the Tower, and that he may have better and more plentiful diet: The King had much ado to forbear Lauging when he heard this; he thought he should in a little longer time bring the Abbot to as good a Stomach as he had. He therefore told the Lieutenant he would not condescend to his further enlargement, or that he have better diet, but charged him to be sure to let him have Bread and Water enough and that he should bring him word the next day how it fared with the Abbot. The Lieu●enant returning to the Tower, told the Abbot he could not prevail with his Majesty, for which he he was very sorry, so taking his leave of the Abbot for that night, went away, leaving the Abbot to his repose, and his sorrowful comfort of Bread and Water. Now the next day( according to his usual custom) he went to visit the Abbot, whom he found very pensive and melancholy; indeed, said the Lieutenant, it troubles me much to see you so melancholy, and that I cannot help you. Ah! Sir, replied the Abbot, I should be much merrier had I but a joint of good Meat, and a Glass of good Wine; for indeed I am so hungry that I am ready to eat my own flesh: truly, said the Lieutenant, I date not give it you, it is as much as my life is worth if I do: I have such strict Order to the contrary, from the King: But I will go to his Majesty once more on your behalf; for which the Abbot kindly thanked him. CHAP. IV. How the Abbot Dined in the Tower, and how the King demanded his Hundred pound, for bringing the Abbot to his Stomach. NOw when the Lieutenant of the Tower came to the King, h 〈…〉 him how hungry the Abbot was, and that he was ready to eat his own flesh: Well, said the King, to morrow let him have a loin of Beef to dinner, and let him have a Bottle or two of Claret, but be you not known that you have Orders from me, but that you do it upon your own account, and let there be a hole made out of the abbots Room, that I may come privately and see him eat: The Lieutenant told the King that all things should be done according to his Order. He therefore went home again to the Tower, and told the Abbot that the King was much enraged against him, in somuch that he could not prevail with him in the least to have any other diet but Bread and Water; but that he so much pitied him, and was troubled at his condition, that he would venture his Place and Life to serve him; and that too morrow he should have a Dinner, and he would come and Dine with him himself: the Abbot was not a little pleased with this News, telling him he would not be ungrateful to him, for this great kindness, if ever he came to have his Liberty: Now the Abbot was so overjoyed with the hopes of a Dinner the next day, that he slept quieter that night, than he had done ever since he came into the Tower. The next day about twelve a Clock, the King came privately to the Tower, where he was conveyed secretly into a room adjoining to the Lord Abbots, and a hole made so cunningly that he might see the Lord Abbot, and he not see him again; it was not long before the Cloth was laid, and a proper tall Fellow brought in a lusty loin of Beef, and another two or three Bottles of Claret, at which sight the Lord Abbot could not forbear laughing; Then came in the Lieutenant of the Tower, saying, you see my Lord, I venture my Life to come and Dine with you, but no more words of that: let us fall too as fast as we can, and be merry; so after the Abbot had said a short Grace, he fell aboard on the Beef, cutting a swinging piece, which he soon devoured then he calls for a Glass of Claret, drinks it off and then falls to his Beef again, insomuch that the King had much ado to fo●bear Laughing, to see how the Abbot had laid about him, seeing plainly the Abbot had gotten as good a stomach as he had: now when the Abbot had pretty well dined, the King sent one of his Servants into the Room, saying aloud, the King: at which News the Lieutenant fell on his Knees, and the Abbot was like to have fallen into a sound, but the King entering the Room, said; my Lord, be not dismayed, I come but to demand the Hundred Pound you owe me, pay me that, and you shall have your Liberty when you will. CHAP. V. Of the Abbots Releasement and Return home to Reading. NOw the King told the Lord Abbot, that he Dined with him at Reading not long since, though he knew him not; and you told me that you would give an hundred pounds you had so good a Stomach as I had; Whereupon the Abbot falling on his knees, told the King, That he was extraordinary sorry that he should in any ways be thought to give any occasion of offence to his Majesty, for he had always a great Veneration and respect for him: but withal, he was very glad that his Majesty had proved so good a physician to him and had so well cured him of his bad stomach, and was therefore willing to give his Majesty double the Sum( if he desired it) but the King told him he would have no more than what was his due. Whereupon the Abbot sent immediately for a Friend of his, who furnished him with so much money as he had occasion for, and not only paid the King, but the Lieutenant of the Tower, very liberally Rewarding him for his kindness and civility to him; Which being done, he took his leave of the King and the Lieutenant of the Tower, and so retuned home to his abbey at Reading, to the great joy of all his Friends. CHAP. VI. How the Abbot of Reading returned home to his Abbey, and made a great Feast for the Entertainment of all his Friends. NOw when the Abbot had come off so well from his late Imprisonment in the Tower, he was not a little joyful; he therefore made a great preparation for his return home to his abbey at Reading sending for his friends and acquaintance, telling them the whole Story of the occasion of his late Confinement in the Tower of London; as, how the King came and Dined with him at his abbey at Reading, he not knowing him to be the King, and what a weak stomach he had, that he could scarcely eat so much as the Pestle of a Lark at a Meal, and how he told the King he would give a hundred pounds that he had so good a Stomach as the King had, and what method the King took to bring him to a good Stomach; as also how he caused him to be Committed c●ose Prisosoner in the Tower of London, and how be ordered him to be fed only with Bread and Water, till such time that he had ●o good a stomach as he thought he could almost eat any thing in the World; likewise he told how kind the Lieutenant of the Tower was to him, how he stood his Friend to the King, and how he procured him a Surloyn of Beef, and how hearty he eat of it, which when th●y heard, they all laughed hearty, to think what a Cure the King had wrought on the Abbot; they therefore told him they hoped that he would now at his return home to Reading he merry and cheerful with them, and let them see how hearty he could feed up●n a Sir-loyn of Beef; I, that you shall, replied the Abbot, and I do invite you all to my House at Reading. So the Abbot returned home to his House at Reading, with the rest of his Friends and Acquaintance, with great Cheerfu●ness and splendour: and at his arrival at Reading, was received with all joy imagimable; where he ordered a great Feast to be made, which continued for some days with great variety and plenty of all sorts of Flesh and Fish, the Abbot feeding very hearty every day, especially upon his Beloved Dish, a Sir-loyn of Beef; and b●ing very merry and cheerful with all his friends and acquaintance, the Feast being over, his Friends returned home to their several Habitations, leaving the Abbot very cheerful and well, at his abbey at Reading, where he lived some time after in great plenty. FINIS. Books Printed for, and are to be Sold by Charles Dennisson, at the Stationers arms within Aldgate: Where any Chapmen may be furnished with all sorts of Books and Ballads. THe Pleasant History of King Henry the Eighth and a cobbler. The Pleasant History of King Henry the Eighth, and the Abbot of Reading. The Pleasant History of Tom Ladle, with the Transactions of Peter the Flowman and Berry his Mother. Wit revived and brought to trial; Or New Merry Riddles., The Academy of compliments; Or, The complete Academian. The History of the Life and Damnable Death of Dr. John Faustus. C D woodcut of coat of arms