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THE JOTJttlXJ±T_j 
 
 OF 
 
 V/ILLIAM DOWSING, 
 
 OF STRATFORD, 
 
 PARLIAMENTARY VISITOR, 
 
 APPOINTED UNDER A WARRANT FROM 
 
 THE EARL OF MANCHESTER, 
 
 FOR 
 
 DEMOLISHING THE SUPERSTITIOUS PICTURES AND ORNAMENTS OF CHURCHES 
 &C., WITHIN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, 
 IN THE YEARS 1G43— 1644. 
 
 A New Edition, with an Introduction, Notes, etc., by the 
 
 REV. C H. EVELYN WHITE, 
 
 Honorary Secretary of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and Natural History, 
 Editor of the Society's Proceedings, and of "The East Anglian Notes and Queries." 
 
 IPSWICH : PAWSEY AND HAYES, THE ANCIENT HOUSE. 
 MDCCCLXXXV. 
 
IPSWICH : 
 
 PRINTED BY PAW8ET AND HAYES, ANCIENT HOUSE, BUTTER MARKET. 
 
 THE GJET1 
 
THE JOURNAL OF WILLIAM DOWSING, 
 
 PARLIAMENTARY VISITOR, 
 
 FOR DEMOLISHING THE SUPERSTITIOUS PICTURES AND ORNAMENTS OF 
 CHURCHES, ETC., WITHIN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, 
 IN THE TEARS lC4fr—lUlfy> 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION, NOTES, ETC. 
 
 It falls to the lot of comparatively few, other than 
 those whose lives and memories are consecrated in the 
 affections of their fellow men, to acquire and retain so 
 widespread a reputation (in this particular case such an 
 unenviable one) as that which clings to the name and 
 characterofthatuncompromisingzealotof iconoclasticfame, 
 William Dowsing. Judging from the scanty information 
 we possess concerning him, it may possibly appear to 
 some, that so uninviting a character, and one we are led 
 instinctively to condemn, is scarcely worthy of anything 
 likely to further perpetuate his memory, beside that which 
 we already possess in the well-known Journal.' But 
 understanding that the two or three previous editions of the 
 1 Journal' were out of print, and copiesnot easily obtainable; 
 that the 1 Journal ' moreover, in its complete form was but 
 little known, and where known, was for the want of a few 
 brief notes, not sufficiently understood, I deemed the 
 present opportunity a favourable one for adding certain 
 information concerning Dowsing and his family connec- 
 tions, as far as appear to me correct and reliable. Aho 
 some further details, and sundry notes relating to his 
 work in the character in which he is alone known, that 
 of Parliamentary Visitor appointed under a warrant from 
 
4 
 
 the Earl of Manchester, for the demolishing of super- 
 stitious pictures and ornaments found in Churches, etc., 
 throughout the assigned District. 
 
 Of the original Manuscript of the ' Journal ' nothing 
 is known, further than the fact that it was sold in the year 
 1704, together with the library of Samuel Dowsing, a son 
 of William Dowsing, to Mr. fluse, a London bookseller. 
 It was from a transcript of this MS. made at the time, 
 that the edition published by Mr. Loder, of Woodbridge, 
 (4to. 1786) and afterwards a second edition, was issued in 
 1818. To the transcript was added : — 
 
 "A true Copy of a Manuscript, found in the Library of Mr. 
 Samuel Dowsing, of Stratford, being written by his 
 Father, William Dowsing's own Hand, carefully and 
 almost literally transcribed Sept. 5th, 1704." 
 
 Mention is made in the Suffolk Traveller (2nd ed. p. 39) 
 that a portion of Dowsing' s i Journal ' found its way into 
 the hands of the Editor of that work (Mr. John Kirby ), but 
 whether it was any part of the original is not clear. Up 
 to the time of the appearance of Mr. Loder's first edition, 
 copies could only have existed in MS., and it is not 
 surprising that in some such copies, slight differences 
 should be found. The 6 Journal' was afterwards reprinted 
 by Messrs. Parker, of Oxford, as a supplement to Wells' 
 " Rich Man's Duty" and afterwards (1850) by the same 
 in a separate form. This present edition, drawn from 
 the several previous editions, and MS. copies, carefully 
 compared with each other, has the several points of 
 difference, etc., duly noted.* Loder's edition has an 
 Introduction which is of quite sufficient interest, in its 
 way, to merit a place here, while it may to some extent 
 serve a like purpose : — 
 
 "Toward the latter end of the reign of Henry VIII., and 
 throughout the whole reign of Edward VI. and in the beginning of 
 
 * F. C. Brooke, Esq., of Ufford, with his usual kindness has placed at my disposal 
 an interleaved and annotated edition of the ' Journal' (Loder, 1818, 4to.), with 
 materials collected for an introduction by the late Mr. J ohn Wodderspoon. I 
 have occasionally availed myself of this, but as it consists mainly of notes 
 illustrative of church ornaments, monuments, coats of arms, rood screens, 
 brasses, stained glass, &c, and a consideration of these being outside my original 
 purpose, I have gleaned but little fresh information from this source. 
 
5 
 
 queen Elizabeth, certain persons, of every county, were put in authority 
 to pull down, and cast out of all churches, roods, graven images, shrines 
 with their relics, to which the ignorant people came nocking in 
 adoration. Or any thing else, which (punctually) tended to idolatry 
 and superstition. Under colour of this their commission, and in their 
 too forward zeal, they rooted up and battered down crosses in churches 
 and church-yards, as also in other public places, they defaced and brake 
 down the images of kings, princes and noble estates, erected, set up, or 
 portraied, for the only memory of them to posterity, and not for any 
 religious honour ; they crackt a-pieces the glass windows wherein the 
 effigies of our blessed Savior hanging on the cross, or any one of his 
 saints was depictured ; or otherwise turned up their heels into the 
 place where their heads used to be fixed ; as I have seen in the windows 
 of some of our country churches. They despoiled churches of their 
 copes, vestments, amices, rich hangings, and all other ornaments where- 
 upon the story or the portraiture of Christ himself, or of any saint or 
 martyr was delineated, wrought, or embroidered ; leaving religion naked, 
 bare, and unclad." 
 
 " But the foulest and most inhuman action of those times, was the 
 violation of funeral monuments. Marbles which covered the dead were 
 digged up, and put to other uses, tombs hackt and hewn a-pieces ; images 
 or representations of the defunct, broken, erased, cut, or dismembered, 
 inscriptions or epitaphs, especially if they began with an orate pro 
 anima, or concluded with cujus animce propitietur Deus. For greediness 
 of the brass, or for that they were thought to be anti-christian, pulled 
 out from the sepulchres, and purlioned ; dead carcases, for gain of their 
 stone or leaden coffins, cast out of their graves, notwithstanding 
 this request, cut or engraven upon then, propter miserecordiam Jesu 
 requiescant in pace" 
 
 Weever's Discourses on Funeral Monuments, pa. Lli. 
 
 What was thought to be left unfinished, by those Persons then in 
 
 Power, the fanatical Zeal of the succeeding Century pretty fully 
 
 accomplished j a reference to this Journal alone, is sufficient to shew, 
 how far the Ignorance and Obstinacy of selfish Men may be persisted 
 in, and carried on, against the Remonstrances of sober and moderate 
 Reason. 
 
 In the eventful days of the Long Parliament, men 
 in the name of religion, ran to an excess of riot that ill 
 accorded with the spirit by which they were supposed to 
 be actuated, and of this party, William Dowsing may be 
 regarded as a faithful exponent. Those who had assumed 
 authority, held out every encouragement to the lawless 
 faction, to persevere in their deeds of ill, and consequently 
 many were to be found ready to distinguish themselves 
 
 B 
 
6 
 
 by acts of open violence. According to " Mercurius 
 Rusticus" (p. 22) 
 
 "In Aug. 1641. there was an Order published by the House of 
 Commons, for the taking away all scandalous Pictures out of Churches, 
 in which there was more intended by the Authors than at first their 
 instruments understood, untill instructed by private information how 
 faree the People were to inlarge the meaning." 
 
 It may I think be reasonably supposed, that many 
 of the " reliques of idolatry" were, during the interval 
 of time which elapsed between the giving of this Order 
 and the date of Dowsing' s Commission, forcibly removed 
 by the people, and that it was left for Dowsing to smite 
 and not spare, at the subsequent period. 
 
 It was soon after the publication of the Order, that 
 country committees were called into existence for the 
 exercise of certain powers conferred upon them by the 
 Parliament, in connection with this undertaking. At the 
 instance, and under the direction of the Earl of Man- 
 chester, who received his commission as General of the 
 associated counties of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincoln, 
 Huntingdon, Cambridge, and Hertford, in 1642, and 
 resigned it in 1645, William Dowsing received his 
 appointment as Parliamentary Visitor of the Suffolk 
 Churches. Of the five or six associations formed in the 
 interest of the Parliamentarian party, this is the only 
 one that stood its ground. 
 
 A copy of the original Commission, formerly in the 
 possession of the late D. E. Davy, has never I think been 
 printed. It is as follows — 
 
 A Commission from the Earlc of Manchester. 
 
 " Whereas by an ordinance of the Lords and Comons assembled in 
 Parliamt bearinge date the 28 th day of August last, it is amongst other 
 thinges ordained y l all Crucifixes, Crosses & all Images of any one or 
 more psons of the Trinity, or of the Virgin Marye, & all other Images 
 & pictures of Saints & superstitious inscriptions in or upon all & every 
 y e s d Churches or Cappeles or other place of publique prayer, Church- 
 yards or other places to any y e s d Churches or Chapells, or other place 
 of publique praier belonginge, or in any other open place shalbe before 
 November last be taken away & defaced, as by the s d Ordinance more 
 at large appeareth. And whereas many such Crosses, Crucifixes 
 
7 
 
 other superstitious images and pictures are still continued within y e 
 Associated Counties in manifest contempt of the s d Ordinance, these 
 are therefore to will and require you forthwith to make your repaier to 
 the seueral associated Counties, & put the s d Ordinance in execution in 
 euery particular, hereby requiring all Mayors, Sheriffs, Bayliffs Constables, 
 head boroughs & all other his Ma ties - Officers & loveinge subjects to be 
 ayding & assisting unto you, whereof they may not fail at their perill. 
 Given under my hand & seale this 19 th of December 1643." 
 
 ( Signed ) Manchester 
 
 " To Willm Dowsing Gen. 
 
 & to such as hee shall appoint." 
 
 ' From a copy in my jyossession, nearly of the above date 
 
 D. E. Davy. 1 
 
 The destruction wrought by Dowsing in Suffolk, 
 was by no means the only task of the kind which he 
 performed. In the same year (1643) he visited the 
 county of Cambridge, also the University, where he 
 entered and defaced the College chapels, demanding of 
 each the sum of forty shillings for so doing. This 
 abominable tryanny is set forth in a very rare and 
 remarkable work, entitled " Querela Cantabrigiensis ; or, a 
 Remonstrance, by way of Apohgy for the banished members 
 of the late flourishing University of Cambridge. By some 
 of the said sufferers" (Oxford, 1646) in these words: — 
 
 " And one who calls himself John Dowsing (a mistake for William 
 Dowsing), and by vertue of a pretended Commission goes about the 
 Country like a Bedlam breaking glasse windowes, having battered 
 and beaten downe all our painted glasse, not only in our Chappies, 
 but (contrary to order) in our publique Schooles, Colledge Halls. 
 Libraryes, and Chambers, mistaking perhaps the liberall Arts for 
 Saints (which they intend in time to pul down too) and having 
 (against an Order) defaced and digged up the floors of our Chappels, 
 many of which had lien so for two or three hundred } r eares together, 
 not regarding the dust of our founders and predecessors, who likely 
 were buried there ; compelled us by armed Souldiers to pay forty 
 shillings a Colledge for not mending what he had spoyled and defaced, 
 or forthwith to go to Prison : We shall need to use no more instances 
 than these two, to shew that neither place, person nor thing, hath any 
 reverence or respect amongst them." 
 
 In Master's "History of the College of Corpus Christi, 
 with Continuations by J. Lamb, D.D" (1831) p. 47, is a 
 further account of Dowsing's work in Cambridge. An 
 
8 
 
 extract from a Journal which relates his doings at this 
 place, is far too important to pass over ; I have therefore 
 ventured to give the subject matter there contained: — 
 
 " By the greatest good fortune, the furious zeal of a bigotted fanatic 
 has been the means of preserving to us the monument of a very 
 considerable benefactor and great ornament to this University, I mean 
 Dr. Richard Billingford, who in 1432 founded a chest as a fund fonts 
 members, which has been ever since called after his own name, put into 
 it a hundred marks and placed it in St. Benedict's Church, in the 
 Chancel of which, then the only Chapel made use of for the devotions of 
 the College, he was buried, but his tomb-storie has by some accident 
 been since removed into the north aisle. In 1643, a fatal sera for this 
 seat of learning, one William Dowsing, of whom an account is given 
 by Dean Barwick in the Querela Cantabrigiensis p. 1 7, 1 8, was authorized 
 by those then in power, to go through Cambridgeshire and eradicate all 
 the relicts of superstition in the parish churches : in which progress his 
 ignorant and mad zeal led him not only to deface all the painted glass 
 he met with, to the great disfigurement of the windows, but also to 
 reave and destroy all those inscriptions on brass or stone which had the 
 precatory form (in use till the time of the reformation) before them, to 
 the utter ruin of many monuments in this country : so that he is to be 
 traced very exactly through most of the churches in these parts by the spoil 
 and havock he made wherever it was his mischance to arrive. He was so 
 well satisfied with what he was about, that he kept a journal of the 
 reformation he made in each church ; by means of which published by 
 a worthy friend of mine from the original MS.,* this tomb was happily 
 recovered from the oblivion it has laid in ever since. It is a grey marble 
 of about six or seven feet long, having in the midst of it the portraiture 
 of a doctor of divinity on his knees, in his robes of Congregation and 
 hood over his shoulders, exactly like the modern ones, with a scrole 
 issuing from his hands, having on it, I imagine this inscription, Me tibi 
 Virgo pia Genetrix commendo Maria, probably addressed to the picture 
 of the Virgin Mary with her Son in her arms above his head, which is 
 shaved ; but as the brass from that, as well as from the scrole, with the 
 inscription beneath him, are reaved and lost, so nothing could have 
 retrieved it, but the following barbarous account in the journal, which I 
 take word for word as in the original, p. 50. 
 
 " ' At Bene't Temple, \ There are seven superstitious pictures, 
 Dec. 28. / fourteen cherubims, and two superstitious 
 ingravings ; one was to pray for the soul of John Canterbury and his 
 wife. And an inscription of a mayd praying to the Sonn and Virgin 
 Mary, 'twas in Lating, Me tibi- Virgo Pia Gentier commendo Maria; "a 
 mayd was born from me which I commend to the oh Mary " (1432) 
 Richard Billingford did commend thus his daughter's soule.' 
 
 " From which particulars it is easy to gather that this must mean Dr. 
 
 * Zachary Grey, LL.D., "Schismatics Delineated,'" 1739. 
 
9 
 
 Billingford, who, by his interpretation is metamorphorsed, intoamaid, recom- 
 mending her daughter's soul to the Virgin Mary. The date and name are 
 a sufficient proof of what is advanced : though it must be confessed there 
 is as much obscurity thrown over it as the thing would admit of. In 
 this instance however and one or two more he is of service : and had he 
 been equally careful in minuting down the names and dates of other 
 monumental inscriptions as in this, by the help of other lights which 
 might have occurred, the mischief he did would not have been irrepar- 
 able ; but this is so singular that he deserves not our thanks. Besides 
 it would have taken up too much of his time, which was employed from 
 December to March in this business : especially in places where they 
 abounded ; as for instance in St. John's College Chapel, where there was 
 no less than forty-five superstitious monumental inscriptions ; an 
 abundance that would have employed more of his leisure, than we can 
 suppose a person of his importance in the business of reformation had 
 to throw away." 
 
 As a record of wanton mischief, intermingled as one 
 cannot help observing, with a desire for plunder and 
 notoriety, such as makes it hard for the most determined 
 enemy of superstitious ornaments to palliate or defend, 
 this ' Journal ' stands without an equal, and it is to be 
 most devoutly hoped, that the outburst of intolerant zeal, 
 almost bordering on barbarism, may long remain without 
 a parallel in the history of the country. 
 
 The form of appointment of any one of Dowsing's 
 Deputies is given at the foot of the ' Journal' in the 
 following form : — 
 
 " Feb. 4th. By Virtue of a Warrant directed to me, by the right 
 Hon b . le the Earl of Manchester. I do hereby depute and appoint You 
 T. D. (Qy. Thomas Denning ) in my absence to execute the said Warrant 
 
 in every particular, within the County of According to an 
 
 Ordinance of Parliament therein mentioned, and Power given unto me 
 by the said Warr 1 as fully as I myself may, or might execute the same. 
 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal." 
 
 This Memorandum of appointments made, is placed at 
 the head of the 'Journal' : — 
 
 "WILLIAM DOWSING substitutes Edmund Blomfield of Aspell- 
 Stonham, Edmund Mayhew of Gosbeck, & Thomas Denning & Mr. Thomas 
 Westhorp of Hundon, (a godly man) and Mr. Thomas Glanfield of 
 Gosbrock, Francis Verden for Wangford, Suthelham, Blything, Bosmere, 
 Sudbury, Clare, Fordham, Blacksmere, and would have had Hartsmere. 
 And Francis Jessup of Beccles, for Lethergland and Shutford Hundred, 
 
 C 
 
10 
 
 and Bungay, Blithborough, Y oxford, and Bingshall"* 
 
 Of these Deputies, one a "Mr. Thomas Westhorp, of 
 Hunden," is referred to as "a godly man," probably 
 owing to his excessive zeal in the cause. The same 
 epithet is applied in the 1 Journal ' to the Lecturer at 
 Aldborough, and to a Churchwarden of St. Margaret's, 
 Ipswich, who shewed themselves ready to pull down and 
 destroy at Dowsing's bidding. Two other of Dowsing's 
 associates, Blomfield and Glanfield, appear to have been 
 related to him by marriage. A deputy, by name Crow, 
 not included among those already mentioned, appears 
 from the £ Journal ' to have exercised his office at Elmsett 
 previous to Dowsing's arrival. Whatever may be said of 
 the others, we need have no hesitation in speaking of the 
 Deputy " Francis Jessup, of Beccles," as the very embodi- 
 ment of ignorance, presumption, and knavery. A former 
 Vicar of Lowestoft, the Rev. James Rowse, has left on 
 record this account of Jessop's visit to the parish church : 
 
 "In the same yeare after, on the 12th of June, there came one 
 Jissope with a commission from the Earle of Manchester to take away 
 from gravestones all inscriptions one wch hee found £ orate pro 
 animal A wretched commissioner, not able to read or find out that 
 wch his commission injoined him to remove : hee took up in our church 
 soe much brasses, as hee sould to Mr. Josiah Wild for five shillings, wch 
 was afterwards, contrary to my knowledge, runn into the little bell that 
 hangs in the town house. Thear wearr taken up in the middle alley, 
 twelve peeces, belonging to twelve severall generations of the Jettors. 
 
 In the chancell, one belonging to Bpp. Scroope ; the words there, 
 ' Richardus Scroope, Episcopus Dromorocensis, et hujus ecclie vicarius, 
 hie jacet. qui obiit 10 May. anno 1364.' 
 
 There was alsoe by this Jyssop taken up in the vicar's chancell one 
 the north side of the church, a fair peece of brasse with this inscription : 
 ' Hie jacet Johannes Goodknapp, hujus ecclesise vicarius, qui obiit 4 t0 
 Novembris, anno Dni, 1442.' " 
 
 The doings of this man at Gorleston, surpass 
 everything of the kind on record, and the account given 
 here, is an example of the thoroughness, which, alas! 
 characterized so much of the work done by these sacrilegious 
 invaders of the churches of East Anglia. 
 
 * Gosbrock, Suthelham, Blacksmere, Lethergland and Shutford ought respectively to 
 be read as, Gosbeck, South Elmham, Blackbourn, Lothingland and Mutford. 
 
\ 
 
 11 
 
 Gorleston. " In the chancel, as it is called, we took up twenty 
 brazen superstitious inscriptions, Ova pro nobis, &c. ; broke twelve apostles, 
 carved in wood, and cherubims, and a lamb with a cross ; and took up 
 four superstitious inscriptions in brass, in the north chancel, Jesufilii 
 Dei miserere mei, &c. ; broke in pieces the rails, and broke down twenty- 
 two popish pictures of angels and saints. We did deface the font and a 
 cross on the font ; and took up a brass inscription there, with Cujus 
 animoe propitietur Deus, and ' Pray for y e soul,' &c, in English. We 
 took up thirteen superstitious brasses. Ordered Moses with his rod and 
 Aaron with his mitre, to be taken down. Ordered eighteen angels off 
 the roof, and cherubims to be taken down, and nineteen pictures on the 
 windows. The organ I brake ; and we brake seven popish pictures in 
 the chancel window, — one of Christ, another of St. Andrew, another of 
 St. James, <fcc. We ordered the steps to be levelled by the parson of the 
 town ; and brake the popish inscription, My flesh is meat indeed, and my 
 blood is drink indeed. I gave orders to break in pieces the carved work, 
 which I have seen done. There were six superstitious pictures, one 
 crucifix, and the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus in her arms, and 
 Christ lying in a manger, and the three kings coming to Christ with 
 presents, and three bishops with their mitres and crosier staffs, and 
 eighteen Jesuses written in capital letters, which we gave orders 
 to do out, A picture of St. George, and many others which I 
 remember not, with divers pictures in the windows, which we 
 could not reach, neither would they help us to raise ladders ; so 
 we left a warrant with the constable to do it in fourteen days. We 
 brake down a pot of holy water, St. Andrew with his cross, and St. 
 Catherine with her wheel ; and we took down the cover of the font, and 
 the four evangelists, and a triangle for the Trinity, a superstitious picture 
 of St. Peter and his keys, an eagle, and a lion with wings. In Bacon's 
 isle was a friar with a shaven crown, praying to God in these words. 
 Miserere mei Deus, — which we brake down. We brake a holy water 
 font in the chancel. We rent to pieces a hood and surplices. In the 
 chancel was Peter pictured on the windows, with his heels upwards, 
 and John Baptist, and twenty more superstitious pictures, which we 
 brake ; and I H S the Jesuit's badge, in the chancel window. In 
 Bacon's isle, twelve superstitious pictures of angels and crosses, and 
 a holy water font, and brasses with superstitious inscriptions. And 
 in the cross alley we took up brazen figures and inscriptions, Or a 
 pro nobis. We brake down a cross on the steeple, and three stone crosses 
 in the chancel, and a stone cross in the porch." 
 
 At Somerleyton, Jessop removed the painted glass, 
 and exacted the sum of 6s. 8d. for his labour. Some- 
 times it would appear that the Deputy wrought indepen- 
 dently of Dowsing, at other times ' master and man ' 
 were associated together in the work of spoilation. 
 
12 
 
 Concerning Dowsing himself, it is difficult to speak 
 with any degree of certainty. Nothing in the way of a 
 pictorial representation of him is known to exist, it is 
 however easy enough to imagine, from the word por- 
 traiture by which he has become so familiar to us, that 
 his severe and relentless spirit came out strongly in his 
 personal appearance. 
 
 There has been some difference of opinion respecting 
 the place of Dovvsing's birth. In the 6 Journal,' he is 
 alluded to as "of Stratford," (Stratford St. Mary, Suff:) 
 but his connection with this place is unknown. It would 
 appear that, probably, during some portion of his life 
 Dowsing resided at Stratford, but there is no evidence 
 to prove that the family ever settled there. Three 
 individuals of the same name, mentioned in the Register 
 as being interred in this parish, have apparently no 
 connection with William Dowsing's family. It has been 
 asserted, and " universal tradition " is said to confirm 
 the opinion, (!) that Dowsing was a native of Pulham 
 St. Mary, in Norfolk. Several entries in the parish 
 Registers in which the name of a William Dowsing 
 occur, seen to have led to the formation of this opinion, 
 and to the consequent acceptance in some quarters of 
 the theory. It is, however, plain from a monumental 
 inscription in the churchyard at Pulham St. Mary,* that 
 a connection existed between the Dowsing's residing 
 there, and others of the same name at Laxfield, at which 
 latter place the Iconoclast's family were located, and 
 where William probably drew his first breath and also 
 expired. 
 
 Mr. F. C. Brooke, has inserted in his Wodderspoon 
 collection, previously referred to, a MS. note to the 
 
 * In the churchyard of Pulham St. Mary, near the S.E. corner of the 
 Chancel is a brick tomb covered by a slab, bearing the following 
 inscription : — 
 
 " Here lyeth the Body of Margaret, the wife of Peter Watts, daughter and 
 sole Heiress of William Dowsing, of Laxfield, in the county of Suffolk, Gent., 
 obijt 14th day of February, Armo Domini, 1707." 
 
 Above is a shield bearing the arms of Watts, a lion rampant with a mullet for 
 difference, impaling Dowsing, a fess between two lions passant. 
 
13 
 
 effect that he was informed by W. Stevenson Fitch, in 
 April 1849, that Dowsing lived at Eye; that he had in 
 his possession Dowsing' s admission as a copyhold tenant 
 to the Manor of Eye Priory, and further that he had 
 compared Dowsing' s autograph (where this appeared is 
 not stated,) with the one on the Eye document, and 
 found them to be facsimiles. The date of the admission 
 is not given, but most likely it was previous to the 
 troublous times when Dowsing assumed the role of a 
 mighty despoiler. Dowsing is sometimes referred to as 
 " of Coddenham," but the village of Laxfield appears to 
 be fairly entitled to the honour of having given birth 
 to the man, who, in his mature years, did his utmost to 
 disfigure the church of the parish in which he had been 
 nurtured. In the course of his ' Journal, 7 under Laxfield, 
 Dowsing incidentally mentions a " William Dowsing of 
 the same town," as appointed to pull down the chancel 
 steps. AYe find mention made of the name of Simon 
 Dowsing, of Laxfield, as lending the sum of ten pounds 
 for the defence of the Parliament in 1642, so that the 
 family sympathy was clearly with the Parliamentarians. 
 
 In the Laxfield Registers the William Dowsing is 
 entered as baptised 2nd May, 1596, which would make 
 him of about the age of fifty years at the time of his 
 visitation. 
 
 "1596. Will'm Dowsingc sonne of Wollfran & Johane was 
 bap ty zed the sccondc daye of maye." 
 
 To this is appended the following note: — 
 
 " This man was by the Earl of Manchester, in the Great Rebellion, 
 A.D. 1644, appointed Visitor of the Churches in Suffolk, to destroy and 
 abolish all the remains of popish superstition in them. There are few 
 which do not yet bear marks of his indiscreet zeal. 1804." 
 
 This note, it must be borne in mind, is no older than 
 the early part of the present century, and appears to be 
 in the neat hand-writing of the late D. E. Davy. 
 
 Dowsing seems to have been twice married. By 
 his first wife, Thamar, he had ten children one of whom, 
 Samuel, (born 1633, and living in 1682), is mentioned in 
 
 D 
 
14 
 
 the introductory note at the commencement of the 
 1 Journal,' He is likewise there stated to be u of Strat- 
 ford," which is the more remarkable as his father, 
 William Dowsing, although said to be also " of Strat- 
 ford," was buried at Laxfield, and Samuel is alluded to 
 in the Will of his kinswoman, Mary Blomefield (1682 
 Suff: Archd' J .), as of Neyland. The genealogical place 
 of these Laxfield Dowsings, may be clearly seen on 
 reference to the valuable pedigree which Mr. J. J. 
 Muskett, — whose intimate acquaintance with Suffolk 
 family history eminently fits him for the task, — has 
 skilfully and most kindly worked out for me. 
 
 The earliest known reference to the Dowsing's of 
 Laxfield, dates back as far as the middle of the 15th 
 century, and for a long period they retained a respectable 
 position among the yeomanry of the county. 
 
 There are several monumental inscriptions in 
 Laxfield church and churchyard, to various members 
 of the family. A brass has or had the following : — 
 
 "HERE LYETH BURYED THE BODY OF WILLM 
 DOWSING, WHO HAD ISSUE BY ELIZABETH 
 HIS WIFE, 4 SONES AND 1 DAUGHTER, BEING OF 
 ABOUT THE AGE OF 88 YEARES, DECEASED THE 
 SECOND DAY NOUEMBER, ANNO DNI. 1614." 
 
 There is also a brass to John Smyth and Margaret his 
 wife, daughter of Wolferan Dowsinge, and who died 
 1621. A stone with a Latin inscription to Sybilla, wife 
 of William Dowsing, who died 2L March, 1676, set. 68. 
 This stone bears the arms of Dowsing, — a fess between two 
 lions passant, impaling Green. 
 
 The following entry without doubt refers to the 
 William Dowsing :* — 
 
 "Mr. William Dowsing was buried the 14th day of March, 1679. 
 And no Affidavit was given me in of his buriall according to the late 
 Act in that case provided. And I certified the Churchwardens and 
 Overseers of the same, vnder my Hand March 22th 1679. 
 
 W. Adamson, Vicar 
 
 * Two other Dowsings, bearing the same christian name of William, are also entered 
 as interred at Laxfield during the latter part of the seventeenth century. 
 
15 
 
 It would appear from this, that William Dowsing 
 lived to pass fourscore years, leaving behind him a name, 
 which although probably an enduring one, can only 
 continue, subject to the reproaches that will be heaped 
 upon it, not only by an ever increasing number of such 
 as cherish with affectionate feelings the " wonders of old 
 time," but by those who hate base injustice and cruel 
 wrong, especially if done, as not infrequently has been 
 the case, in the name of truth and charity. 
 
 THE 
 
 JOURNAL, &c. 
 
 SUDBURY, Suffolk. Peter's Parish. Jan. the 9th. 
 1643. We brake down a picture of God the Father, 2 
 Crucifix's, and Pictures of Christ, about an hundred in 
 all ; and gave order to take down a Cross off the Steeple ; 
 and diverse Angels, 20 at least, on the Roof of the 
 Church. 
 
 SUDBURY, Gregory Parish. Jan. the 9th. We 
 brake down 10 mighty great Angels in Glass, in all 80. 
 
 Alhallows, Jan. the 9th. We brake about 20 super- 
 stitious Pictures ; and took up 30 brazen superstitious 
 Inscriptions, ora pro nobis, and pray for the soul, &c. 
 
 1. Suffolk. At HAVER 1 - Jan. the 6th. 1643. 
 We broke down about an hundred superstitious Pictures ; 
 and seven Fryars hugging a Nunn ; and the Picture of 
 God and Christ ; and diverse others very superstitious ; 
 and 200 had been broke down before I came. We took 
 away two popish Inscriptions with ora pro nobis ; and 
 we beat down a great stoneing Cross on the top of the 
 Church. 
 
 2. At CLARE, Jan. the 6th. We brake down 1000 
 Pictures superstitious ; I brake down 200 ; 3 of God the 
 Father, and 3 of Christ, and the Holy Lamb, and 3 of 
 the Holy Ghost like a Dove with Wings; and the 12 
 Apostles were carved in Wood, on the top of the Roof, 
 
16 
 
 which we gave order to take down ; and 20 Cherubims 
 to be taken down ; and the Sun and Moon in the East 
 Window, by the King's Arms, to be taken down. 
 
 3. HUNDEN, Jan. the 6th. We brake down 30 
 superstitious Pictures ; and we took up 3 popish Inscrip- 
 tions in brass, ora pro nobis, on them ; and we gave order 
 for the levelling the Steps. 
 
 4. WIXO, Jan. the 6th. We brake a Picture; 
 and gave order for levelling the Steps. 
 
 5. WITHERSFIELD, Jan. the 6th. We brake 
 down a Crucifix, and 60 superstitious Pictures ; and gave 
 order for the levelling the Steps in the Chancel. 
 
 6. STOKE-NAYLAND, Jan. the 19th. We brake 
 down an 100 superstitious Pictures; and took up 7 super- 
 stitious Inscriptions on the Grave-Stones, ora pro nobis, &c. 
 
 7. NAYLAND, Suff. Jan. the 19th. 1643. We 
 brake down 30 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order 
 for the taking down a Cross on the Steeple ; We took up 
 
 2 popish Inscriptions, ora pro nobis, Sfc 
 
 8. RAYDEN, Jan. the 20th. We brake dow an 
 Crucifix, and 12 superstitious Pictures; and a popish 
 Inscription, ora pro nobis, &c. 
 
 9. HOUGHTON, Jan, the 20th. We brake 6 
 superstitious Pictures. 
 
 10. BARHAM, Jan. the 22nd. We brake down 
 the 12 Apostles in the Chancel, and 6 superstitious more 
 there ; and 8 in the Church, one a Lamb with a Cross X 
 on the back ; and digged down the Steps ; and took up 4 
 superstitious Inscriptions of Brass, one of them Jesu, Fili 
 Dei, miserere met, and 0 mater Dei, memento mei, — 0 mother 
 of God, have mercy on me ! 
 
 11. CLAYDEN, Jan. the 22nd. We brake down 
 
 3 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to take down 3 
 Crosses of the Steeple ; and one of the Chancel. 
 
 12. CODDENHAM, Jan. the 22nd. We gave 
 order for taking down 3 Crosses of the Steeple ; and one 
 of the Chancel. 
 
 13. YKE, Jan. the 23rd. We brake down 25 
 
17 
 
 superstitious Pictures ; and took up a superstitious Inscrip- 
 tion. 
 
 14. DUNSTALL, Jan. the 23rd. We brake down 
 60 superstitious Pictures ; and broke in pieces the Rails ; 
 and gave order to pull down the Steps. 
 
 15. ALDBOROUGH, Jan. the 24th. We gave 
 order for taking down 20 Cherubims, and 38 Pictures ; 
 which their Lecturer Mr. Swayn, (a godly man) undertook, 
 and their Captain Mr. Johnson, 
 
 16. _ ORFORD, Jan. the 25th. We brake down 28 
 superstitious Pictures ; and took up 11 popish Inscriptions 
 in Brass ; and gave order for digging up the Steps, and 
 taking of 2 Crosses of the Steeple of the Church, and 
 one of the Chancel, in all 4. 
 
 17. SNAPE, Jan. the 25th. We brake down 4 
 popish Pictures ; and took up 4 Inscriptions of Brass, of 
 or a pro nobis, &c. 
 
 18. STANSTED, Jan. the 25th. We brake down 
 6 superstitious Pictures ; and took up a popish Inscription 
 in Brass. 
 
 19. SAXMUNDHAM, Jan. the 26th. We took up 
 2 superstitious Inscriptions in Brass. 
 
 20. KELSHALL, Jan. the 26th. We brake down 
 6 superstitious Pictures; and took up 12 popish Inscrip- 
 tions in Brass ; and gave order to levell the Chancel, and 
 taking down a Cross. 
 
 21. CARLETON, Jan. the 26th. We brake down 
 10 superstitious Pictures; and took up 6 popish Inscrip- 
 tions in Brass ; and gave order to levell the Chancel. 
 
 22. FARNHAM, Jan. the 26th. We took up a 
 popish Inscription in Brass. 
 
 23. STRATFORD. We brake down 6 super- 
 stitious Pictures 
 
 24. WICKHAM, Jan the 26th. We brake down 
 15 popish Pictures of Angels and S ts ; and gave order 
 for taking 2 Crosses ; one on the Steeple, & the 2nd on 
 the Church. 
 
 25. SUDBURNE, Jan. the 26th. We brake down 
 
 E 
 
18 
 
 6 Pictures, and gave order for the taking down of a 
 Cross on the Steeple ; and the Steps to be levelled. 
 
 26. UFFORD, Jan. the 27th. We brake down 
 30 superstitious Pictures; and gave direction to take 
 down 37 more ; and 40 Cherubims to be taken down of 
 Wood; and the chancel levelled. There was a Picture 
 of Christ on the Cross, and God the Father above it ; 
 and left 37 superstitious Pictures to be taken down ; and 
 took up 6 superstitious Inscriptions in Brass. 
 
 27. WOODBRIDGE, Jan. the 27th. We took 
 down 2 superstitious Inscriptions in Brass ; and gave 
 order to take down 30 superstitious Pictures. 
 
 28. KESGRAVE, Jan. the 27th. We took down 
 6 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to take down 
 18 Cherubims, and to levell the Chancel. 
 
 29. RUSHMERE, Jan. the 27th. We brake down 
 the Pictures of the 7 deadly Sins, and the Holy Lamb 
 with a Cross about it ; and 15 other superstitious Pictures. 
 
 30. CHATSHAM, Jan. the 29th. Nothing to be 
 done. 
 
 31. WASHBROOK, Jan. the 29th. I broke down 
 26 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to take down a 
 stoneing Cross ; and the Chancel to be levelled. 
 
 32. COPDOCK, Jan. the 29th. I brake down 150 
 superstitious Pictures, 2 of God the Father, and 2 
 Crucifixes; did deface a Cross on the Font; and gave order 
 to take down a stoneing Cross on the Chancel, and to 
 levell the Steps ; and took up a Brass Inscription, with or a 
 pro nobis, and cujus animce propitietur Deus. 
 
 33. BELSTEAD. We brake down 7 superstitious 
 Pictures, the Apostles, and 2 others ; and took up 4 In- 
 scriptions in Brass, of or a pro nobis, &c. 
 
 34. IPSWICH, Stoke Mary's. 2 Crosses in Wood, 
 and 2 Cherubims painted ; and one Inscription in Brass, 
 with ora pro nobis, &c. 
 
 35. At Peter's, was on the Porch, the Crown of 
 Thorns, the Spunge and Nails, and the Trinity in Stone ; 
 and the Rails where there, which I gave order to break 
 in pieces. 
 
19 
 
 36. Mary's at the Key. Jan. the 29th. I brake 
 down 6 superstitious Pictures. 
 
 37. St. Mary Elmes, Jan. the 29th. There was 4 
 iron Crosses on the Steeple ; which they promised to 
 take dow T n that Day, or the next, 
 
 38. Nicholas, Jan. the 29th. We brake 6 super- 
 stitious Pictures ; and took up 2 Brass Inscriptions, of 
 ora pro nobis ; and gave order for another, cuj'us anima 
 (sic) propitietur Deus ; and there was the Crown of 
 Thorns. 
 
 39. Matthew's, Jan. the 29th. We brake down 35 
 superstitious Pictures, 3 Angels with Stars on their breasts, 
 and Crosses. 
 
 40. Mary's at the Tower, Jan. the 29th. We took 
 up 6 Brass Inscriptions, with ora pro nobis, and ora pro 
 animabus, and cvjus animce propitietur Deus ; and pray for 
 the soul, in English ; and I gave order to take down 5 iron 
 Crosses, and one of Wood on the Steeple. 
 
 41. Margarett's, Jan. the 30th. There was 12 
 Apostles in Stone taken down ; and between 20 and 30 
 superstitious Pictures to be taken down, which a (godly 
 man) a Churchwarden promised to do. 
 
 42. Steven's Jan the 30th. There was a popish 
 Inscription in Brass, pray for the Soul. 
 
 43. Lawrence, Jan. the 30th. There was 2 popish 
 Inscriptions, one with Beads, and written ora pro nobis. 
 
 44. Clements, Jan. the 30. They four Days before 
 had beaten up divers superstitious Inscriptions. 
 
 45. At Elens, Jan. the 30th. Nothing. 
 
 46. PLAYFORD. Jan. the 30th. We brake down 
 17 popish Pictures, one of God the Father; and took up 
 2 superstitious Inscriptions in Brass ; and one ora pro nobis 
 and cvjus animce propitietur Deus, and a 2nd pray for the 
 soul. 
 
 47. BLAKENHAM, at the Water, Feb. the 1st. 
 1643. Only the Steps to be levelled, which I gave them 
 8 days to do it. 
 
 48. BRAMFORD, Feb. the 1st. A cross to be 
 
20 
 
 taken off the Steeple ; we brake down 841 superstitious 
 Pictures ; and gave order to take down the Steps, and 
 gave a fortnight's time ; and took up 3 Inscriptions with 
 ora pro nobis, and cujus animce propitietur Deus. 
 
 49. SPROUGHTON. We brake down 61 super- 
 stitious Pictures; and gave order for the Steps to be 
 levelled, in a fortnight's time ; and 3 Inscriptions, ora pro 
 nobis, and cujus animce propitietur Deus. 
 
 50. BURSTALL, Feb. the 1st. We took off an 
 Iron Cross off the Steeple ; and gave order to levell the 
 Steps. 
 
 51. HINTLESHAM. Feb. the 1st. We brake 
 down 51 superstitious Pictures ; and took up 3 Inscrip- 
 tions, with ora pro nobis and cujus animce propitietur Deus ; 
 and gave order for digging down the Steps. 
 
 52. HADLEIGH. Feb. the 2nd. We brake down 
 30 superstitious Pictures, and gave order for taking down 
 the rest, which were about 70 ; and took up an Inscrip- 
 tion, quorum animabus propitietur Deus ; and gave order 
 for the taking down a Cross on the Steeple ; gave 14 
 days. 
 
 53. LAYHAM, Feb. the 2nd. We brake down 6 
 superstitious Pictures, and take down a Cross off the 
 Steeple. 
 
 54. SHELLY, Feb. the 2nd. We brake down 6 
 superstitious Pictures ; and took off 2 Inscriptions, with 
 cujus animce 'propitietur Deus. 
 
 55. > HIGHAM, Feb. the 2nd. We brake down 15 
 superstitious Pictures in the Chancel ; and 1 6 in the 
 Church, (so called) ; and gave order to levell the Steps 
 in 14 days. 
 
 56. Ffb. the 3d. WENHAM Magna. There was 
 Nothing to reform. 
 
 57. Feb. the 3d. WHENHAM Parva. We brake 
 down 26 superstitious Pictures, and gave order to break 
 down 6 more ; and to levell the Steps. — One Picture was 
 of the Virgin Mary. 
 
 58. Feb. the 3d. CAPELL. We brake down 3 
 
21 
 
 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to take down 31, 
 which the Churchwarden promised to do ; and to take 
 down a stoneing Cross on the outside of the Church, (as 
 it is called.) 
 
 Feb. the 3d. We were at the Lady BrucJs House, 
 and in her Chapell, there was a Picture of God the 
 Father, of the Trinity, of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, 
 the Cloven Tongues ; which we gave order to take down, 
 and the Lady promised to do it. 
 
 59. NEEDHAM-MARKET, Feb. the 5th. We 
 gave order to take down 2 Iron Crosses on the Chappel, 
 and a stoneing Cross. 
 
 60. BADLEY, Feb. the 5th. We brake down 34 
 superstitious Pictures ; Mr. Dove promised to take down 
 the rest, 28 ; and to levell the Chancel. We took down 
 4 superstitious Inscriptions, with ora pro nobis, and cujus 
 animce propitietur Deus. 
 
 61. STOW-MARKET, Feb. the 5th. We gave 
 order to break down about 70 superstitious Pictures; 
 and to levell the Chancel, to Mr. Manning, that promised 
 to do it ; and to take down 2 Crosses, one on the Steeple, 
 and the other on the Church, (as it is called) ; and took 
 of an Inscription, of ora pro nobis. 
 
 62. WETHERDEN, Feb. the 5th. We brake 
 a 100 superstitious Pictures in S r Edward Silliard's Isle ; 
 and gave order to break down 60 more ; and to take 
 down 68 Cherubim s ; and to levell the steps in the 
 Chancel ; there was taken up 19 superstitious Inscrip- 
 tions, that weighed 65 pounds. 
 
 63. ELMSWELL, Feb. the 5th. We brake down 
 20 superstitious Pictures ; and gave orders to break 
 down 40 and above, and to take down 40 Cherubims. 
 We took up 4 superstitious Inscriptions, with ora pro nobis. 
 
 64. TOSTICK, Feb. the 5th. We brake down 
 about 16 superstitious Pictures; and gave order to take 
 down about 40 more ; and to levell the Steps. We took 
 a superstitious Inscription, with ora pro nobis. 
 
 65. BURY St. EDMUND'S, Feb. the 5th. Martf* 
 
 F 
 
22 
 
 Parish. Mr. Chaplain undertook to do down the Steps ; 
 and to take away the superstitious Pictures. 
 
 66. James's Parish. Mr. Moody undertook for. 
 
 67. KINFORD, Feb. the 6th* We gave order to 
 take down a Cross, and other Pictures. 
 
 68. Feb. the 6th. At NEWMARKET, They pro- 
 mised to amend all. 
 
 69. COMEARTH Magna, Feb. the 20th. I took 
 up 2 Inscriptions, fray for our souls ; and gave order to 
 take down a Cross on the Steeple ; and to levell the Steps. 
 John Pain, Churchwarden, for not paying, and doing his 
 duty injoyned by the Ordinance, I charged Henry Turner, 
 the Constable, to carry him before the Earl of Manchester. 
 
 70. Little COMEARTH, Feb. the 20th. There 
 were 2 Crosses, one in Wood, and another in Stone, 
 which I gave order to take them down ; and I brake down 
 6 superstitious Pictures. Had no Noble. 
 
 71. NEWTON, Feb. the 21st. William Plume, 
 Churchwarden, and John Shrive, Constable. I brake 
 down 4 superstitious Pictures, one of Christ, and 6 in the 
 Chancel, one of Christ, and one of the Virgin Mary ; 
 and to see the Steps levelled. 
 
 * NAYLAND, Feb. the 21st. Henry Hill, Henry 
 Campin, Churchwardens ; Abraham Vang over, Constable. 
 Churchwardens promised the 6s. 8d. within a Week. 
 
 72. ASSINGTON, Feb. the 21st. We brake down 
 40 Pictures, one of God the Father, and the other very 
 superstitious ; and gave order to levell the Chancel ; and 
 to take a Cross off the Steeple. Constable, James Springes. 
 
 73. At Mr. Thomas Humber field'' s or Somber field' s, I 
 brake down 9 superstitious Pictures, and a Crucifix, in 
 the Parish of STOKE. He refused to pay the 6s. Sd. 
 This was in the Lord Windsor's Chappel. 
 
 74. Feb. the 23d. At Mr. Cap t . Waldgrave's 
 Chappel, in BUERS, there was a Picture of God the 
 Father, and divers other superstitious Pictures, 20 at 
 least, which they promised to break, his Daughter and 
 
 * Vide No. 7. 
 
23 
 
 Servants ; he himself was not at home, neither could 
 they find the key of the Chappel. I had not the 6s. Sd. 
 yet promised it. And gave order to take down a Cross. 
 
 75. BUERS, Feb. the 23d. We brake down above 
 600 superstitious Pictures, 8 Holy Ghosts, 3 of God the 
 Father, and 3 of the Son. We took up 5 Inscriptions of 
 quorum animabis (sic) propitietur Deus ; one pray for the 
 soul. And Superstitions in the Windows, and some 
 divers of the Apostles. 
 
 76. COMEARTH Magna. (Mentioned before, 
 No. 69.) 
 
 77. GLENSFORD, Feb the 26th. We brake 
 down many Pictures ; one of God the Father, a Picture 
 of the Holy Ghost, in Brass. A Noble. 
 
 78. OTLEY, Feb. the 27th. A Deputy brake 
 down 50 superstitious Pictures ; a Cross on the Chancel ; 
 
 2 Brass Inscriptions ; and Moses with a Rod, and Aaron 
 with his Mitre, taken down ; and 20 Cherubims to be 
 broke down. — 6s. Sd. 
 
 79. MULLEDEN, Feb. the 27th. He brake down 
 6 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to levell the 
 Steps in 20 Days. — 65. Sd. 
 
 80. HOG, Feb. the 27th. A superstitious Inscription 
 of Brass, and 8 superstitious Pictures brake down ; and 
 gave order to levell the Steps in 20 Days. — 6s. Sd. 
 
 81. LETHERINGHAM, Feb. the 27th. He took 
 of three popish Inscriptions of Brass ; and brake down 
 10 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to levell the 
 Steps in 20 Days.— 6s. Sd. 
 
 ^ 82. EASTGN, Feb. the 28th. He brake up one 
 Inscription in Brass; and 16 superstitious Pictures; 3 
 Crosses he gave order to take down ; & to levell the 
 Steps in 20 Days.— 6s. Sd. 
 
 83. KETTLEBURGII, Feb. the 28th. In the 
 Glass, 6 superstitious Pictures ; gave order to break them 
 down, and to levell the Steps in 20 days. — 6s. Sd. 
 
 84. HELMINGHAM, Feb. the 29th. Brake down 
 
 3 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to take down 4 
 
24 
 
 Crosses; and 9 Pictures; and Adam and Eve to be 
 beaten down. — 6s. 8d. 
 
 85. WOOLPIT, Feb. the 29th. My Deputy. 80 
 superstitious Pictures ; some he brake down, and the rest 
 he gave order to take down ; and 3 Crosses to be taken 
 down in 20 Days.— 6s. Sd. 
 
 86. BAYTON Bull, March the 1st. He brake down 
 SO Pictures ; and the Steps to be levelled in 20 Days. — 
 6s. Sd. 
 
 87. KAYFIELD, April the 3d. A Deputy brake 
 down divers, which I have done. 
 
 88. April the 3d. BEDDINGFIELD. I brake 
 down 14 superstitious Pictures, one of God the Father, and 
 2 Doves, and another of St. Catherine and her Wheel ; and 
 gave order to take down 3 stoneing Crosses on Porch, 
 Church, and Chancel. 
 
 89. TANNINGTON, April the 3d. My Deputy 
 brake down 27 Pictures, 2 were Crucifixes, which I 
 brake of part. 
 
 90. BRUNDISH, April the 3d. There were 5 
 Pictures of Christ, the 12 Apostles, a Crucifix, and divers 
 superstitious Pictures. The Vicar have 2 Livings. 
 
 91. WILBY, 4 superstitious Pictures. April the 4th. 
 30 We brake down ; and gave order to take 10 more, 
 and the Steps to be levelled ; and the Whip, and Pincers, 
 and Nails, that was at Christ's crucifying, and the 
 Trinity, all in Stone. 
 
 92. STRADBROOK, April the 4th. 8 Angels off 
 the Roof, and Cherubims in Wood, to be taken down ; and 4 
 Crosses on the Steeple ; and one on the Church ; and one 
 on the Porch ; and 17 Pictures in the upper Window ; and 
 pray for such out of your charity ; and Organs, which I 
 brake. 
 
 93. Wether, or LINSTEAD Parva, April the 4th. A 
 Picture of God the Father, and of Christ, and 5 more 
 superstitious in the Chancel ; and the Steps to be levelled, 
 which the Churchwardens promised to do in 20 Days. — 
 And a Picture of Christ on the outs'de of the Steeple, 
 
25 
 
 nailed to a Cross, and another superstitious one. Crosses 
 on the Font. Will (M.S. blotted) is Curate. 
 
 94. LINSTEAD Magna, April the 5th, Here 
 was 2 superstitious orate pro animabus, and cajus anima 
 (sic) propitietur Deus. There was 2 Crucifixes and 8 
 superstitious Pictures, and 3 Inscriptions of Jesus, in a 
 Window. And gave order to levell the Steps, to Mr. 
 Evered. Will. Aldice, Curate. D. ******* 
 Francis Evered. 
 
 95. Cheston, or CHEDISTON, April the 5th. 2 
 superstitious Inscriptions, and 7 popish Pictures, one of 
 Christ, and another of St. George. — 6s. 8d. 
 
 96. HALLISWORTH, April the 5th. 2 Cruci- 
 fixes, 3 of the Holy Ghost, and a 3d of the Trinity 
 altogether ; and two hundred other superstitious Pictures 
 and more; 5 popish Inscriptions of Brass, orate pro 
 animabus, and cujus animce propitietur Deus ; and the Steps 
 to be levelled by the Parson of the town ; and to take off 
 a Cross on the Chancel. And then the Churchwardens 
 had order to take down 2 Crosses off the Steeple. 
 
 97. REDSHAM Magna, April the 5th. A Cruci- 
 fix, and 3 other superstitious Pictures ; and gave order 
 for Mr. Barenby, the Parson, to levell the Steps in the 
 Chancel. He preach but once a Day. 
 
 98. REGINGFIELD, April the 5th. The Sun 
 and Moon ; and JESUS, in Capital Letters ; and 2 Crosses 
 on the Steeple : We gave order to take them down ; and 
 levell the Steps in 14 Days. 
 
 99. BECCLES, April the 6th. Jehovah's between 
 Church and Chancel ; and the Sun over it ; and by the 
 Altar, My Meat is Flesh indeed, and My Blood is Drink 
 indeed. And 2 Crosses we gave order to take down, one 
 was on the Porch ; another on the Steeple ; and many 
 superstitious Pictures, about 40. — Six several Crosses, 
 Christ's, Virgin Mary's, St. George's and 3 more ; and 
 13 Crosses in all; and Jesus and Mary, in Letters; and 
 the 12 Apostles. 
 
 100. ELOUGH, April the 6th. We brake down 
 
 G 
 
26 
 
 12 superstitious Pictures ; and the Steps to be levelled ; 
 and a Cross to be taken off the chancel, which they 
 promised to do. 
 
 101. SATERLY. There were divers superstitious 
 Pictures painted, which they promised to take down ; 
 and I gave order to levell the Steps ; and to break in 
 pieces the Rails, which I have seen done ; and to take off 
 a Cross on the Church. 
 
 102. BENACRE, April the 6th. There was 6 
 superstitious Pictures, one Crucifix, and the Virgin Mary 
 twice, with Christ in her arms, and Christ lying in the 
 Manger, and the 3 Kings coming to Christ with their 
 presents, and St. Catherine twice pictured ; and the Priest 
 of the Parish — (M.S. blotted) — materna (sic) Johannem 
 Christi guberna. 0 Christ govern me by thy Mother's 
 Prayers ! — And 3 Bishops with their Mitres ; and the 
 Steps to be levelled within 6 weeks. And 18 JESUS's, 
 written in Capital Letters, on the Roof, which we gave 
 order to do out ; and the Story of Nebudchadnezzar ; and 
 orate pro animabus, in a Glass window. 
 
 103. COCHIE, April the 6th. We brake down 
 200 Pictures ; one Pope, with divers Cardinals, Christ 
 and the Virgin Mary ; a Picture of God the Father, and 
 many other, which 1 remember not. There was 4 Steps, 
 with a Vault underneath, but the 2 first might be levelled, 
 which we gave order to the Churchwardens to do. There 
 was many Inscriptions of JESUS, in Capital Letters, on 
 the Roof the Church, and Cherubim s with Crosses on 
 their Breasts ; and a Cross in the Chancel; all which, 
 with divers Pictures, in the Windows, which we could 
 not reach, neither would they help us to raise the ladders ; 
 all which, we left a Warrant with the Constable to do, 
 in 14 days. 
 
 104. RUSHMERE, April the 8th. We brake 10 
 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to levell the Steps 
 in 20 Days, to make their Windows ; and we brake down 
 a Pot, for Holy Water. 
 
 105. MUTFORD, April the 8th. We brake down 
 
27 
 
 9 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to take 9 super- 
 stitious Inscriptions of J esus ; 2 Crosses on the Steeple ; 
 and the Steps to be levelled. 
 
 ^ 106. > FROSTENDEN, April the 8th. 20 super- 
 stitious Pictures, one Crucifix, and a Picture of God the 
 Father, and St. Andrew with his Cross, and St. Catherine 
 with her Wheel ; 4 Cherubims on the Pulpit ; 2 Crosses 
 on the Steeple ; and one on the Chancel. And Mr. Ellis, 
 an high Constable, of the Town, told me " he saw an 
 Irish Man, within 2 months, bow to the Cross on the 
 Steeple, and put off his hat to it." The Steps were there 
 to levell, which they promised to do. 
 
 107. COE, April the 8th. We took down 42 
 superstitious Pictures in Glass ; and about 20 Cherubims ; 
 and the Steps we have digged down. 
 
 108. RAYDEN, April the 8th. We brake down 
 
 1 0 superstitious Pictures ; and gave order to take down 
 2 Crosses, one on the Chancel, and another on the Porch. 
 Steps we digged up. 
 
 109. SOUTHWOLD, April the 8th. We break 
 down 130 superstitious Pictures ; St. Andrew ; and 4 
 Crosses on the four corners of the Vestry ; and gave 
 order to take down 13 Cherubims; and take down 20 
 Angels ; and to take down the Cover of the Font. 
 
 110. WALBERWICK. Brake down 40 super- 
 stitious Pictures ; and to take off 5 Crosses on the 
 Steeple, and Porch ; and we had 8 superstitious 
 Inscriptions on the grave Stones. 
 
 111. BLYFORD, April the 9th. There was 30 
 superstitious Pictures ; a Crucifix ; and the 4 Evangelists ; 
 and the Steps promised to be levelled, and begun to be 
 digged down ; a Cross on the Chancel they promised to 
 take down ; and a Triangle on the Porch, for the Trinity ; 
 and 2 Whips, &c. Christ and a Cross all over the Porch. 
 
 1 12. BLYBOROUGH, April the 9th. There was 
 20 superstitious Pictures ; one on the Outside of the 
 Church ; 2 Crosses, one on the Porch ; and another on 
 the Steeple ; and 20 Cherubims to be taken down in the 
 
28 
 
 Church, and Chancel ; and I brake down 3 orate pro 
 animabus ; and gave order to take down above 200 more 
 Pictures, within 8 days. 
 
 113. DUNWTCH, April the 9th. At Peter's 
 Parish. 63 Cherubims ; 60 at least of JESUS, written 
 in Capital Letters, on the Roof ; and 40 superstitious 
 Pictures ; and a Cross on the top of the Steeple. All 
 was promised by the Churchwardens to be done. 
 
 L14. Allhallows. 30 superstitious Pictures ; and 28 
 Cherubims ; and a Cross on the Chancel. 
 
 115. BRAMFIELD, April the 9th. Twenty-four 
 superstitious Pictures ; one Crucifix, and Picture of 
 Christ ; and 12 Angels on the Roof ; and divers 
 JESUS's, in Capital letters; and the Steps to be 
 levelled, by Sir Robert Brook. 
 
 116. HEVININGHAM, April the 9th and 10th. 
 Eight superstitious Pictures, one of the Virgin Mary ; 
 and 2 Inscriptions of Brass, one pray for the soul, and 
 another orate pro animabus. 
 
 117. POLSTEAD, April the 15th. Forty-five 
 superstitious Pictures ; one of Peter with his Keys. 2nd 
 a Bishop's Mitre on his head. — 6s. 8d. 
 
 118. BOXTEAD. We had 6 superstitious Pictures. 
 
 119. STANSTEAD, April the 15th. 5 super- 
 stitious Pictures. 
 
 120. LAXFIELD, July the 17th, 1644. Two 
 Angels in Stone, at the Steeple's end ; a Cross in the 
 Church; and another on the Porch, in Stone; and 2 
 superstitious Pictures on Stone there. Many superstitious 
 Inscriptions in Brass, orate pro animabus, et cujus animce 
 propitietur Deus. A Picture of Christ, in Glass. An 
 Eagle, and a Lion, with wings, for 2 of the Evangelists ; 
 and the Steps in the Chancel. All to be done within 20 
 Days ; the Steps, by William Dowsing, of the same Town. 
 
 121. TREMBLY, Aug. the 21st., 1644. Martin's. 
 There was a Fryar, with a shaven crown, praying to 
 God, in these Words, miserere met Deus ; which we brake 
 down ; and 28 Cherubims in the Church ; which we gave 
 order to take down, by Aug. 24th. 
 
29 
 
 i 122. Aug. the 21st. BRIGHTWELL. A Picture 
 of Christ, and the Virgin Mary, that we brake down ; 
 and the 12 Apostles painted, in Wood; and a Holy Water 
 Font; and a Step to be levelled; all which, we gave 
 order to be broke down, and Steps to be levelled, by 
 Aug. 31st. 
 
 123. LEVINGTON, Aug. the 21st. The Steps 
 only to be levelled, by Aug. 3 1st. And a double Cross 
 on the Church. 
 
 124. UFFORD, Aug. 31st. (See No. 26.) Where 
 is set down what we did, Jan. the 27th. " 30 superstitious 
 Pictures ; and left 37 more to brake down" ; and some 
 of them we brake down now. In the Chancel, we brake 
 down an Angel ; 3 orate pro anima, in the Glass ; and 
 the Trinity in a Triangle; and 12 Cherubims on the 
 Roof of the Chancel; and nigh a 100 JESUS— MARIA, 
 in Capital Letters; and the Steps to be levelled. And 
 we brake down the Organ Cases, and gave them to the 
 Poor. — In the Church, there was on the Roof, above a 
 100 JESUS and MARY, in great Capital Letters ; and 
 a Crosier Staff to be broke down, in Glass ; and above 
 20 Stars on the Roof. There is a glorious Cover over 
 the Font, like a Pope's Tripple Crown, with a Pelican 
 on the Top, picking its Breast, all gilt over with Gold. 
 And we were kept out of the Church above 2 hours, and 
 neither Churchwardens, William Brown, nor Roger 
 Small, that were enjoined these things above three 
 months afore, had not done them in May, and I sent one 
 of them to see it done, and they would not let him have 
 the key. And now, neither the Churchwardens, nor 
 William Brown, nor the Constable James Tohelove, and 
 William Gardener, the Sexton, would not let us have 
 the key in 2 hours time. New Churchwardens, Thomas 
 Stanard, Thomas Stroud. And Samuel Canham, of the 
 same Town, said, "I sent men to rifle the Church;" 
 — and Will. Brown, old Churchwarden, said, " I went 
 about to pull down the Church, and had carried away 
 part of the Church." 
 
 H 
 
30 
 
 125. BAYLHAM. There was the Trinity in a 
 Triangle, on the Font, and a Cross ; and the Steps to be 
 levelled, by the Minister, in 21 days. 
 
 126. NETTLESTE AD, Aug. the 22d. An Inscrip- 
 tion in the Church, in Brass, orate pro anima ; and 6 
 of the Apostles, not defaced; and St. Catherine with 
 her Wheel ; and 3 superstitious Pictures more, 2 with 
 Crosier Staves, with Mitres; and the Picture of St, 
 George, St. Martin, and St. Simon. 
 
 127. SUMMERSHAM. The same Day. A Cross 
 in the Glass, and St. Catherine with her Wheel, and 
 another Picture in the Glass in the Church ; and 2 super- 
 stitious Pictures in the Window; and a Holy Water 
 Font in the Church ; and on the outside of the Chancel 
 Door, Jesus. Sancta Maria. Jesus. 
 
 128. FLOUGHTON, Aug. the 22d. A Holy 
 Water Font in the Chancel. 
 
 129 ELMSETT, Aug. the 22d. Crow, a Deputy, 
 had done before wo came. We rent apieces there, the 
 Hood and Surplice. 
 
 130. OFTON, Aug. the 22d. There was a Holy 
 Water Font in the Chancel ; and the Steps ; and some 
 Crosses on the outside of the Church, and Chancel ; and 
 we gave order to deface them. We gave order to have 
 them all defaced, and 2 more in a window of the Church ; 
 and 2 Stone Crosses on the top of the Steeple. All 
 which we gave order to mend all the defaults, by Satur- 
 day come 'Sennight. At Ipswich, at Mr. Colcy's. 
 
 131. BARKING, Aug, the 21st. There was St. 
 Catherine with her Wheel. Many superstitious Pictures 
 were done down afore I came. There was Maria's on the 
 Church Door. 
 
 132. WILLESHAM, Aug. the 22d. An Holy 
 Water Font in the Chancel ; the Steps were levelled ; and 
 had been so once before, by a Lord Bishop's Injunction ; 
 and by another Lord Bishop after commanded ; testified 
 to me, by him that saw it done, Mr. John Broivnhridge. 
 
 133. DAMSDEN, Aug. the 23d. Three Crosses in 
 
31 
 
 the Chancel, on the wall, and a Holy Water Font there; 
 and the Chancel to be levelled by Saturday S'ennight 
 after. 
 
 134. WETHERINGSETT, Aug. the 26th. 19 
 Crosses. 16 about the Arches of the Church ; and 3 on the 
 Porch ; a Picture on the Porch a Triangle for the Trinity, 
 to be done. Thomas Colby, and Thomas Elejj, Church- 
 wardens. Constables, John Suton, and John Genkthorne. 
 
 135. MICKF1ELD, Aug. the 26th. 2 Crosses. 
 And the Glasses to be made up by Saturday come three 
 weeks. And 10s. to be paid to the Poor within that 
 Time ; and the rest afterwards. — 4s. M. 
 
 136. HORII AM, Aug. the 27th. In the Chancel a 
 Holy W ater Font ; and the Steps to be levelled ; and 
 there was the 4 Evangelists ; and a part of a Crucifix ; 
 and divers Angels, 8 ; and other superstitious Pictures ; 
 and, orate pro animabus ; and on a Grave Stone, cujus 
 animce propitietur Dcus. All which I brake up; and gave 
 20 days to levell the Steps, and make the windows. And 
 in the Church, crate pro animabus ; and divers superstitious 
 Pictures ; and a Triangle on the Font ; and a superstitious 
 Picture. — 6s. M. 
 
 137. ALLINGTON, Aug. the 27th. In the 
 Chancel, was Peter pictured, and crucified with his heels 
 upward; and there was John Baptist; and 10 more 
 superstitious Pictures in the Church. 
 
 138. WALLING WORTH, Aug. the 27th. A 
 Stone Cross on the top of the Church ; 3 Pictures of 
 Adam on the Porch ; 2 Crosses on the Font ; and a 
 Triangle for the Trinity, in Stone ; and 2 other super- 
 stitious Pictures ; and the Chancel ground to be levelled ; 
 and the Holy Water Font to be defaced; and Step 
 
 levelled in 14 days. Edmund Dim stone, and John 
 
 Constables. Will. Dad, and Robert Bemant, Church- 
 wardens. — 3,5. 4c/. 
 
 139. HOLTON, by Halesworth> Aug. the 29th. 2 
 superstitious Pictures in the Church ; and I + H *b S the 
 Jesuit's Badge, in the Chancel Window; promised by 
 the Minister, Mr. Wm. Pell. 
 
32 
 
 140. WANGFORD, Aug. the 28th. 16 super- 
 stitious Pictures ; and one I brake. 14 still remain ; and 
 one of God. 
 
 141. WRENTHAM, Aug. the 28th. 12 super- 
 stitious Pictures ; one of St. Catherine with her Wheel. 
 
 142. HOXNE, Aug. 30th. 2 Stone Crosses on 
 Church, and Chancel; Peter with his Fish ; and a Cross 
 in a Glass Window, and 4 superstitious ones. The 
 Virgin Mary with Christ in her Arms ; and Cherubims 
 Wings on the Font. Many more were broken down afore. 
 
 143. EYE, Aug. the 30th. Seven superstitious 
 Pictures in the Chancel, and a Cross ; one was Mary 
 Magdalene ; all in the Glass ; and 6 in the Church 
 Windows ; many more had been broken down afore. 
 
 144. OCKOLD, Aug. Divers superstitious Pictures 
 were broke. I came, and there was Jesus, Mary, and St. 
 Lawrence with his Gridiron, and Peter's Keys. Church- 
 wardens promised to send 5s. to Mr. Oales, before 
 Michaelmas. : 
 
 145. RUSSINGLES, Aug. the 30th. Nothing but 
 a Step. The Pictures were broke before. 
 
 146. METTFIELD, Aug. the 30th. In the 
 Church, was Peter's Keys, and the Jesuit's Badge, in the 
 Window ; and many on the top of the Roof. I. for Jesus, 
 H. for Ilominum, and S. for Salvator ; and a Dove for the 
 Holy Ghost, in Wood ; and the like in the Chancel ; and 
 there, in Brass, orate pro animabus ; and the Steps to be 
 levelled, by Sept. the 7th. Mr. Jermin, the Gentleman in 
 the Town, refused to take the Inscription, as the Church- 
 wardens informed, whose Name is . 
 
 147. DINNINGTON, Sept. the 26th, 1644. Angels 
 in S r John Mouse's Isle, and 2 Holy Water Fonts ; and 
 in Bacon's Isle, 9 Pictures of Angels and Crosses, and 
 a Holy Water Font, and 2 superstitious Inscriptions of 
 Christ ; the Spear and Nails, on 2 Stools, at the lower 
 end of the Church ; and a Cherubim in S r John House's 
 Stool. 
 
 148. BADDINGHAM, Sept. the 28th. The Steps 
 
33 
 
 to be levelled in the Chancel; and 16 superstitions 
 Cherubims with Crosses on their Breasts. — All to be done, 
 by the Churchwardens, by the 13th of October. 
 
 149. PARHAM-HATCHESTON, Oct. the 1st. 
 There was 21 Cherubims with Wings, in Wood; and 16 
 superstitious Pictures, and popish Saints ; with a double 
 Cross in the Church; and the representation of the 
 Trinity on the Font ; and the Spears and Nails, that 
 Christ was pierced and nailed with ; and 3 Crosses, all 
 in Stone ; 4 superstitious Pictures in the Chancel, and a 
 Cross, all in Glass ; and the Steps to be levelled, by Mr. 
 Francis Warner, by Oct. 15th. All to be done. 
 
 Thomas Umberfield of stoke, refused to pay the 6s. 8d. 
 A Crucifix; and divers superstitious Pictures, Feb. 21st.* 
 
 End of the Manuscript. 
 
 * A reference is made in the previous editions to No. 6. (the Stoke-Nayland entry) 
 but except in the name of the parish, this has no bearing on the note. The reference 
 should have been to No. 73. (" The Lord Windsor's Chappel in the parish of Stoke.") 
 
 NOTES ON DOWSING'S JOURNAL. 
 
 [The following 1 Notes ' are compiled as having a distinct 
 bearing, more or less, on the subject matter of the several 
 entries in the 1 Journal.'' The ordinary sources of information, 
 will, as a rule, supply tvhat might otherwise be thought lacking 
 in this Edition, in which an attempt is made to supply the 
 shortcomings of any former one, and it is thought equally 
 superfluous to encumber these notes with what after all, can 
 scarcely be said to elucidate the text. 
 
 For the purpose of reference and identification, the 
 figures used are those ivhich mark the various entries, and the 
 names of the several parishes are given in the modern and more 
 generally accepted mode of spelling. ~\ 
 
 I 
 
34 
 
 The parish Churches throughout the land, must have 
 suffered considerably at the time of the Reformation. In 
 the year 1559, commissioners were appointed " to establish 
 religion," and the orders issued by them were carried 
 into execution by "the common people," with great 
 avidity. This was especially manifested in " beating 
 down, breakinge and burninge images * * in many 
 places, walls were rased, windows were dashed down, 
 because some images (little regarding what) were painted 
 on them. And not onely images, but rood lofts, relickes, 
 sepulchres, bookes, banners, coopes, vestments, altar 
 cloathes, were in diverse places, committed to the fire, 
 and that with such shouting and applause of the vulgar 
 sort, as if it had been the sacking of some hostile city." 
 (Hayward's Annals of Queen Elizabeth, pp. 28, 29). 
 Proceedings of this disorderly nature, were probably of 
 short duration, and did not reach anything like the 
 height witnessed during the Great Rebellion, either in 
 point of vehemence or continuance. 
 
 The work of William Dowsing in Suffolk, of which 
 an account is here given, extended from January 6th, 
 1643, to October 1st, 1644. During this period upwards 
 of one hundred and fifty places were visited in less than 
 fifty days. The greatest apparent vigour was shewn in 
 and near the Town of Ipswich, where in one day (Jan. 
 29th, 1643) no less than eleven churches appear to have 
 passed the fiery ordeal of the despoiler's wrath. No 
 regular plan appears to have been followed, fancy and 
 convenience seem alone to have led the way, although 
 a centre where the choicest spoil was likely to be found, 
 no doubt influenced Dowsing greatly in the principle of 
 selection. Notwithstanding the excitement attending so 
 strangely fascinating (!) a work, the long intervals of time 
 that often elapsed between the several visits, whatever 
 the cause may have been, seem to shew that the perform- 
 ance at times really flagged. The work was in great 
 part, executed in the months of January and February, 
 and, with the slight exception of five days, drawn from 
 
35 
 
 the ensuing months of March, July, September, and 
 October, the undertaking may be said to have been 
 wholly confined to the four months of January, February, 
 April, and August. 
 
 The number of churches — often rich in decoration 
 and ornament, —in the districts visited, that were 
 seemingly quite passed over, and as far as we know 
 remained unmolested by Dowsing, is remarkable. With 
 abundant exercise of power, and with no lack of help on 
 the part of the appointed deputies and their adherents, 
 to which the oft recurring and significant 'Wef gives 
 expression, we should, if only the work had been con- 
 tinuous and more systematic, have certainly looked for a 
 wider range of ' objects,' and an amount of havoc, which 
 would have caused the details related above, to sink 
 into comparative insignificance. Probably Dowsing's 
 presence was required elsewhere on a similar errand, 
 and certainly his ' Journal' in the form bequeathed to us, 
 gives but a partial account after all, of the task committed 
 to Dowsing and his associates. There are in Suffolk 
 considerably over five hundred parishes, but little more 
 than one third of the whole number, find any mention 
 in the ' Journal.' At the same time it would be idle to 
 attribute anything like the entire work of destruction, 
 wrought during the period of the Rebellion, to Dowsing 
 and his emissaries. The unrestrained violence of the rank 
 and file of the Parliamentary party during periods of 
 comparative leisure, doubtless accomplished what Dowsing 
 in his moments of haste was scarcely able to perform. 
 The profanation of the Sanctuary of God, by oft repeated 
 acts of vandalism at subsequent periods, must have 
 wrought no inconsiderable amount of damage, which is 
 frequently and most inconsiderately, laid to the charge 
 of Dowsing. Such spoliation, often under the garb of 
 Church Restoration, &c, is constantly going on still, to 
 the lasting disgrace of those, who can scarcely be held 
 so free from blame as even William Dowsing and his 
 Deputies. The latter, although clearly guilty of extreme 
 
36 
 
 wantonness, have at least something to urge, which in their 
 own minds at any rate, would justify such conduct, 
 heinous as it is. It seems necessary to say this much, in 
 order to remove any misapprehension which may exist, 
 with regard to the present state of much of the ancient 
 work in many of our Churches, and especially as to the 
 origin of the evil we so much deplore. 
 
 SUDBURY. It will be observed that the first 
 entries in the 1 Journal,' having reference to the three 
 Sudbury parishes of St. Peter, St. Gregory and All Saints, 
 stand by themselves in a kind of isolation, and that the 
 acts there recorded, were perpetrated three days after 
 those of which an account is given in the entries 1 — 5 
 which follow. The cause for this is not clear : if not a 
 mere whim, it may perhaps be attributed to pure acci- 
 dent, anyhow the precise arrangement does not seem to 
 possess any real significance. 
 
 ST. PETER'S. "A picture of God the Father."— 
 There is frequent allusion to such a representation, 
 generally it may be assumed in the stained glass of the 
 windows, which Dowsing < brake down.' Mediaeval art 
 was somewhat partial to this most objectionable form of 
 caricature, which found its way into the books of devotion, 
 as well as the painted glass frescos, carvings both of 
 wood and stone, etc., that adorned the Churches. This 
 class of pictorial imagery can certainly be well spared, 
 and on no ground whatever ought we to lament the 
 destruction of that which can only tend to debase the 
 Deity. The very conception of the idea, seems lowering 
 to the mind, while the actual representation is nothing 
 less than an outrage upon all true religious feeling, 
 against which we feel we must instinctively rebel. 
 
 "2 Crucifix's, and Pictures of Christ" — Of all mediaeval 
 art subjects, the representation of Christ our Lord under 
 a variety of forms, and especially as seen in the great event 
 of the crucifixion, is the most frequent. Such representa- 
 tions, whatever may be said for or against them, have 
 
37 
 
 frequently ministered to superstition and idolatry ; the 
 belief that such is the case, is however, by no means 
 universal, but in former days men thought differently, 
 and, as a rule, the balance of opinion was decidedly 
 in favour of retaining them. Bishop Sandys, in his 
 letter to Peter Martyr, April 1, 1560 (Zurich Letters, 
 First Series, p. 34), says, " the Queen's Majesty con- 
 sidered it not contrary to the Word of God, nay 
 rather for the advantage of the Church, that the image 
 of Christ crucified, together with those of the Virgin 
 Mary and St. John should be placed as heretofore in 
 some conspicuous part of the Church, where they might 
 the more readily be seen by all the people,"* but, with 
 praiseworthy boldness he adds, " some of us (Bishops) 
 thought far otherwise." In the eyes of the Puritans 
 they became so obnoxious, that a speedy destruction 
 followed their discovery. 
 
 " A cross off the Steeple and diverse angels on the roof" 
 might well have remained unmolested ; the beauty of 
 the roof must have been considerably enhanced by the 
 presence of the latter, whilst the Church fabric in losing 
 the cross could not be said to be improved. Such 
 destruction may be denominated 'thorough,' but it may be 
 more properly regarded as the work of reckless fanatics. 
 In reply to a request made by Mr. Wodderspoon, in 
 the year 1843, Mr. G. W. Fulcher wrote, concerning the 
 mischief wrought by Dowsing in connection with the 
 Sudbury Churches, that the remains of Dowsing's painted 
 angels were discovered in 1825, when the workmen 
 were employed in paving the town. Also directly 
 opposite the Church, a large quantity of stained glass 
 was found broken into very small pieces, but these frag- 
 ments, beneath the men's pick-axes, became " beautifully 
 less"; what remained has been lost to the town. Mr. 
 Fulcher added "about 10 years ago, when the walls 
 were scraped, preparatory to whitewashing them, sundry 
 paintings in fresco of Saints and Angels were brought to 
 
 * The allusion is of course to the well-known rood-loft arrangement. 
 
 E 
 
38 
 
 light, just over the rood-loft, which were doubtless 
 objects of devout invocation in the olden time, and would 
 provoke the unmitigated wrath of Master Dowsing." 
 
 ALL SAINTS. (' alhallows') " took up 30 brazen 
 superstitious Inscriptions." Perhaps there is no single 
 feature of Dowsing' s work of so reprehensible a character 
 as that which concerns the destruction of monuments, 
 and especially the sepulchral brasses. The parliamentary 
 visitor carried out his designs without reverence for the 
 deceased, with scarce a thought for the living, and certainly 
 regardless of posterity. An unfortunate 1 orate pro animaj 
 1 or a pro nobis ,' or ' cujus animce propitietur Deusf sealed the 
 fate of these interesting memorials of the dead, and 
 thus it was that brasses, which at one time existed in 
 such profusion, perished to so large an extent. Weever' s 
 work on Funeral Monuments, which gives very full 
 information upon the subject, and contains the inscrip- 
 tions found on the sepulchral brasses, etc., is the result 
 of an examination personally made in the year 1631, 
 twelve years prior to Dowsing's visit.* It is hence a 
 reasonable supposition, that the brass inscriptions noted 
 by Weever, which might be in any way deemed super- 
 stitious, were reived by Dowsing and his colleagues. 
 This receives undoubted confirmation upon a comparison 
 of the earliest church notes subsequently made. 
 
 1. HAVERHILL, ('haver") " Seven Fryars hugging 
 a NumiP It is difficult to say what so strange a picture 
 really was intended to represent. At first sight it might 
 appear to be a gross exaggeration of some legendary or 
 other story, depicted — so charity should incline us to 
 think, — for the purpose of inflaming the devotion of the 
 people, and not calculated to endanger the moral sense. 
 But it was undoubtedly the work of the 4 seculars,' who 
 lost no occasion of shewing their dislike of the 'regulars,' 
 and many of our Churches still give evidence of this in 
 the ancient carved work now remaining. A picture of 
 
 * The shadows cast by coming events in all probability influenced Weever to undertake 
 this useful work, in which he was followed by Sir William Dugdale and others. 
 
39 
 
 like character to the above, is to be seen among the 
 illustrated Manuscripts in the British Museum (Decretals. 
 10 E iv. f 185 ^.^ where a monk is represented embracing 
 a nun. In the following ff. 187, 187 b., the same Monk 
 and Nun are together in the stocks ! Perhaps the most 
 determined ' Dowsing hater,' ought to be grateful to that 
 ww- worthy for the removal of so incongurous a subject 
 from a parish church. 
 
 " 200 f superstitious picturesj had been broke down 
 before I came" It is plain from this and other similar 
 allusions, that an infuriated populace, released from the 
 bands of law and order, had preceded Dowsing in the 
 endeavour to efface and demolish every vestige of 
 superstition, without apparently calling into exercise any 
 nice feelings of discernment as to what did or did not 
 constitute an object of superstition. Certain portions of 
 old stained glass remain here still. 
 
 " We beat down a great stoneing Cross on the top of the 
 Church" Undoubtedly a gable or pinnacle Cross of 
 Stone, such as is to be found ornamenting the different 
 parts of a Church exterior. I have elsewhere,* in my 
 paper on u The i Stoneing ' Cross of Dowsing } s Journal" 
 inquired into the precise meaning and application of the 
 term 1 Stoneing Cross' (which epithet has for a long time 
 awakened some amount of interest), and I have there 
 adduced examples in support of my contention as to a 
 more restricted use, than that applied to it in the 
 ' Journal.' 
 
 2. CLARE, " We brake doivn 1000 Pictures super- 
 stitious" &c. The stained glass in this Church must 
 have been both rich and abundant, and the pictorial 
 effect grand in the extreme, especially when it is 
 remembered that Dowsing passed over glass having 
 armorial bearings. The Chancel which had fallen down, 
 was rebuilt in the years 1617 and 1618, and the glass 
 then inserted in the windows contained the names and 
 arms of the several benefactors, which were rather 
 
 * Proceedings Suff : Inst: of Arch : Vol. vi., pp. 1-8. See also Vol. vi., pp. 88, 89. 
 
40 
 
 numerous. As Tylletson saw these when he visited the 
 Church in 1658, it is clear that Dowsing did not put forth 
 a hand to touch them. 
 
 u 3 of the Holy Ghost like a Dove with wings" The 
 emblem of a Dove, with which we are familiar as repre- 
 senting the Holy Spirit, apparently somewhat exercised 
 Dowsing's mind, the three however which he found, 
 he " brake down." 
 
 " 20 Cherubims to be taken down." The Cherubims 
 would be represented as heads merely, with two, four, 
 or six wings. " The Sun and the Moon * * to be 
 taken down" Dowsing could scarcely have been ignorant 
 enough to suppose that there was the slightest danger of 
 the Churchmen of his day, becoming worshippers of the 
 Sun and Moon, but the desire for a clean sweep of every- 
 thing emblematic, and therefore superstitious, (!) probably 
 was the cause of the order. 
 
 One point in connection with the " Journal," which 
 is deserving of special notice, is the scrupulous exactness 
 with which the various details are throughout recorded ; 
 this is especially marked in connection with the numerical 
 portion of the entries. 
 
 3. HUNDON (hunden), " We gave order for the 
 levelling the Steps" This forms as might be expected, a 
 prominent feature in Dowsing's work. Seven or eight 
 years previously the order had gone forth to raise the 
 Chancels, then it afterwards became a perfect rage to 
 throw them down. Facilis est descensus. 
 
 4. WIXOE (wixo). 
 
 9. HOLTON? (HOUGHTON). 
 
 10. BARHAM, "A Lamb with a Cross x on the 
 back" would correspond with that which in the Clare 
 entry Dowsing terms " The Holy Lamb," the Agnus 
 Dei* a frequent device found in ancient Christian Art, the 
 earliest known representation of this emblem of the 
 Saviour is in the Catacombs, and probably dates from the 
 Fourth Century. 
 
 * See also No. 29 Rushmere. 
 
41 
 
 " 4 superstitious inscriptions of brass, one of them, Sfc." 
 Several stones have bad the brasses abstracted. One of 
 these shews ejaculatory labels to have issued from the 
 mouths of a male and female figure, probably having the 
 very words here mentioned by Dowsing. 
 
 13. EYKE (yke). 
 
 14. TUNSTALL (dunstall), " Broke in pieces the 
 Rails" An act quite on a par with pulling down the 
 Chancel Steps. Where found, the one would surely follow 
 the other. 
 
 15. ALDBOROUGH, " Their Captain, Mr. 
 Johnson," may have reference to a party organized 
 for the purpose of furthering the interests of the Parlia- 
 mentarians, and having a duly appointed leader or 
 " Captain'' 
 
 18. STANSTED, occurs again (see No. 119) 
 Probably sternfield is intended here, it is nearer to 
 Saxmundham and Snape. 
 
 20. KELSALE (kelshall). 
 
 21. CARLTON (carleton). 
 
 23. STRATFORD ST. ANDREW (stratford). 
 
 25. SUDBOURNE (sudburne). 
 
 27. WOODBRIDGE. The superstitious pictures 
 were probably in connection with the rood-loft and 
 screen, erected by John Albrede and Agnes his wife — 
 "whereupon the pictures of the Cross, Crucifix, the 
 Virgin Mary, of Angels, Archangels, Saints and Marters, 
 are figured to the Life ; which how glorious it was when 
 all standing may be discerned by that which remaineth." 
 Weever. — This rood, now removed, had drawings made of 
 it by Johnson, of Woodbridge, previous to demolition ; 
 they were sold to Nicholls f i Gentleman's Magazine' ) for 
 fifteen guineas. 
 
 30. CHATTISHAM (chatsham), "Nothing to be 
 done" " Had the worthy Squire at the Hall been 
 beforehand with him ? This was Daniel Meadows, of 
 Chattisham, 1577 — 1651. (' Su folk Bar iholomeans'), pp. 
 7, 8. 
 
 L 
 
42 
 
 32, COPDOCK, " Did deface a Cross on the Font? 
 The slight mention of damage done to Fonts, which 
 frequently had subjects carved upon them, and some- 
 times inscriptions, that must have given great offence, is 
 rather remarkable. We constantly hear " Dowsing's 
 chisel " blamed, for hacking and defacing what there is 
 certainly no record of his having been instrumental in 
 accomplishing. Considering Dowsing's accuracy, and 
 evident desire above all else, to relate his doings very 
 fully, the guilt of bringing our Suffolk Church Fonts (as 
 is so often the case) into their present forlorn condition, 
 may be attributed to other hands than his. The Font 
 at Copdock, which is Octagonal, having on its panels 
 Angel and rose alternately, is much mutilated. 
 
 33. BELSTEAD, " Brake down 7 superstitious 
 Pictures? These were probably in glass : some small 
 portions I believe still remain, including the head 
 (apparently) of an Apostle, which is almost entire. At 
 least one brass has it label reived. Dowsing's u Sfc" 
 may include inter alia damage done to the rood-screen, 
 the portion now remaining having the faces of the figures 
 mutilated. 
 
 IPSWICH. ST. MARY AT THE QUAY (key). 
 The good open timber nave roof at this Church has been 
 almost entirely denuded of the figures that formerly 
 ornamented the hammer beams ; those which remain are 
 much mutilated. Here again the rude axe of Dowsing is 
 held responsible for this atrocious work, but there is no 
 allusion to it in his 1 Journal.' Neither again does he 
 mention the destruction of superstitious inscriptions, for 
 several fine brasses have been reived. The celebrated 
 Pownder Brass may have escaped, having no super- 
 stitious inscription, although it probably was overlooked 
 by Dowsing, as owing to the devotional attitude of the 
 figures, and the emblems of the Evangelists in the four 
 corners, it could scarcely have been deemed unworthy of 
 attention. 
 
 ST. MATTHEW'S. " We brake down 35 superstitious 
 
43 
 
 Pictures" Sfc. These may have been wholly of glass, 
 but some at least, probably formed part of the interesting 
 parclose screen now in the vestry, consisting of three double 
 panels, painted and gilt, and representing St. Erasmus 
 and other male and female figures; the latter are 
 apparently pictured to represent the sisters of St. 
 Erasmus' Guild. 
 
 "3 Angels with Stars on their Breasts most likely 
 taken down from the ancient Nave roof, which has 
 wholly disappeared. 
 
 ST. MARY AT THE TOWER. The brasses now 
 remaining must have escaped Dowsing' s notice. 
 
 ST. MARGARET'S. " There was 12 Apostles in 
 Stone taken down" These were probably dethroned 
 from the Church exterior, which was highly ornamented. 
 
 " Between 20 and 30 superstitious pictures to be taken 
 dotvn." By the frequent expression ' taken doivnf the 
 supposition is that the objectionable pictures existed in 
 the windows. Many mural paintings were formerly 
 here. A fine St. Christopher has been only recently 
 blotted out. No old stained glass remains. No 
 mention is made of the glorious roof, covering the 
 nave. The numerous figures once occupying the place 
 of supporters to the hammer beams have been sawn 
 away, and others have been decapitated, but the 
 cornice, which has upon it the emblems of the Passion, 
 etc., has only very partially suffered from harsh treat- 
 ment of this kind. The unique octagonal Eont has 
 been most roughly used. Dowsing does not allude to 
 it, which makes it probable that a greater part of the 
 mischievous work that characterized this period, had 
 been previously enacted. The 'godly man, as Dowsing 
 terms the individual, who at the time was Churchwarden, 
 most likely had something to do with the horrible mutila- 
 tion which this Font has undergone, and its former 
 position, placed with one of its faces against the wall, near 
 the South entrance, probably saved a part of the interest- 
 ing inscription — gal tt StlUba — appearing on the scrolls 
 borne by angels. 
 
44 
 
 43. ST. LAWRENCE. The depredations which 
 had previously been committed here, are exemplified in 
 the return, from which the following is taken, made in 
 obedience to the King's command a.d., 1547 : — 
 
 " Item we have in our Churche and chancell ix glas wyndows of 
 fayned story se contrary to the king's majesties injouncions whiche we 
 have bargayned for to be glaced w' whyght glas fFor the wiche w r e haue 
 payd and must paye for the said glas xrj" 
 
 A mistake is often made in hastily attributing such works 
 of destruction to the period of the Great Rebellion. 
 
 44. ST. CLEMENTS. " They four days before had 
 beaten up" fyc. This probably has reference to the 
 virulence of the Parliamentary party, who had a strong 
 following in Ipswich. 
 
 45. At elens (' ELMS'). So it is printed in the 
 4 Journal' as hitherto printed, and drawn forth the 
 remark, that it may refer to a second visit to St. Mary at 
 Elms, or, Quere, St. Helens ? The reference is of course 
 to the latter, which was constantly written, as it is indeed 
 sometimes now spoken by working-class people, ' elens.' 
 
 47. BLAKENHAM MAGNA (' blakenham at the 
 water'). " Gave them 8 days to do it" Such work as 
 levelling chancel steps, &c, which it was impossible to 
 carry into immediate execution, was generally ordered 
 to be done in the least possible time ; the position of 
 affairs fully warranted the belief that delay was dangerous. 
 
 48. BRAMFORD. " We brak down 841 superstitious 
 Pictures" The great proportion of this very large 
 number was probably in glass. The handsome exterior 
 of this church still retains several remarkable stone 
 carvings, chiefly marking the contest between the 
 " regulars" and the " seculars"; it is strange that even 
 these were allowed to remain. 
 
 52. HADLEIGH. " gave order for taking down the 
 rest " (pictures). Probably this was never wholly carried 
 out, for a large number of u superstitious pictures" (Virgin 
 and Child, &c.) were found among the stained glass in 
 the early part of the last century. 
 
45 
 
 55. HIGHAM, " the Church so called:' This mode 
 of expression serves to give some idea of the spirit in the 
 whole undertaking was carried out. See (58) capel and 
 
 (61) STOWMARKET. 
 
 57. WHENHAM PARVA, " One picture was of the 
 Virgin Mary" From some cause or another the mention 
 of such representations is not so frequent as might have 
 been expected. 
 
 58. CAPELL. " The Lady Braces Chapelir Thus 
 we see that Parish Churches were not alone in experienc- 
 ing the stroke of the scourge which the Iconoclast 
 wielded. Whether Dowsing did not really overstep the 
 boundary line in such interference with the rights of a 
 private person, may be questioned. But perhaps, as a 
 Chapel which formed part of a private establishment, 
 was usually licensed by the Bishop, it might be therefore 
 deemed a " place of publique prayer." The ready 
 compliance of cl the Lady" (awed into submission prob- 
 ably by 'Master Dowsing and his troopers'), and the show 
 of respect for her person, if not for her property, is 
 noteworthy. 
 
 60. BADLEY, " Mr. Dove promised to take down the 
 rest." This individual it would seem, with all the 
 gentleness witli which his name is associated, and per- 
 haps with not a little of a distinctly opposite tendency, 
 pleaded, at least, for a more convenient season, and thus 
 averted to some extent the destroyers hand. 
 
 61. STOWMARKET, " gave order to break doivn 
 about 70 superstitious Pictures" In the Churchwardens' 
 Accounts for the year (1644) is the following entry : 
 
 " Laide out for the towne paide to ffyler for glassinge „ 
 where the pictures were battered out 
 
 This appears to have been but half the sum actually 
 paid. The havoc which resulted from Dowsing's visit, 
 as far as here recorded, was unfortunately only a part of 
 the lamentable work of destruction which soon followed. 
 Organ pipes, carved seat-ends, pinnacle cross, surplices, 
 and tippet, &c, were all in turn given over to the 
 
 M 
 
46 
 
 destroyer, who received payment for his work out of the 
 Church funds. " Mr. M aiming," (William) who promised 
 to perform the task allotted to him by Dowsing, is 
 mentioned by name in Hollings worth's 1 Stowmarket ' as 
 one of several who opposed the compulsory loan levyed 
 by King Charles. From Manning's descendents, Mr. 
 Hollingsworth obtained an oil painting of Dr. Young, 
 the puritanical Vicar of Stowmarket, and Tutor to John 
 Milton. 
 
 62. WETHERDEN, " Sr Edward SilUard," read 
 Sir Edward Sulyard, 
 
 u 19 superstitious Inscriptions that weighed 65 pounds" 
 This is the only time that the actual weight of the 
 purloined brass is mentioned. The weight was probably 
 taken in prospect of a ready sale. 
 
 64. TOSTOCK ('tostick') 
 
 65. BURY ST. EDMUNDS (< sr. mary's '). " Mr. 
 Chaplain." Thomas Chaplin, Esq re Justice of the Peace 
 for Bury, and the County of Suffolk. 
 
 66". St. james'. " Mr. Moody;' Samuel Moody, 
 Esq., of Bury St. Edmund's. His daughter Margaret 
 was the wife of that 6 godly man ' previously referred to, 
 Mr. Thomas Westhorp of Hunden. 
 
 67. KE^TFORD (< kinford '). 
 
 69. CO RN A RD MAGNA ( < comearth magna ' ). "John 
 Pain, Churchwarden , for not paying, fyc" Stout hearted John 
 Pain, who rather than lift a finger to destroy, or pay one 
 farthing in aid of so outrageous a work as the dismantling 
 of the church, of which he was the legally appointed 
 custodian, was content to be hauled before the Earl of 
 Manchester by the parish constable, and to suffer the 
 pains and penalties of the default. Where not otherwise 
 mentioned, it may be taken for granted that the appointed 
 'fee' of 6s. 8d. (a Noble) was duly paid, however 
 reluctantly. Here it was refused point blank ! 
 
 70. CORNARD PARVA ('little comearth'). 
 " Had no Noble." From some cause or other the required 
 fee was not forthcoming. 
 
47 
 
 71. STOKE NAYLAND (< nayland ').* 
 
 73. Mr. Thomas Humber 'field, ,f 
 
 74. BURES ST. MARY (< buers ')• " At Mr. Cap 1 
 Waldegrave } s Chappel." This chapel was either annexed 
 to the church, or far more probable at the mansion of the 
 family known as " Smallbridqe." 
 
 75. BURES ('buers'). The fine brasses of the 
 noble family of Waldegrave were once very numerous : 
 they have now entirely disappeared, and the church has 
 been thoroughly ' cleansed ! ' 
 
 77. GLEMSFORD (< glensford '). 
 
 78. OTLEY. " Moses with a Bod, and Aaron with a 
 Mitre, taken down." This sufficiently shews the determina- 
 tion to take away every kind of pictorial representation, 
 albeit the Christian Church has never shewn the slightest 
 inclination to render any form of worship to Moses and 
 Aaron. Probably such figures were of a date subsequent 
 to the Reformation. 
 
 79. MONEWDEN (< mullenden '). 
 
 81. LETHERINGHAM. "He took," tyc. The 
 reference here and elsewhere is to Dowsing's deputy. 
 The payment of the " 6s. 8d." is now mentioned with 
 something like regularity. 
 
 84. HELMINGHAM. "Adam and Eve to be 
 beaten down." Another instance that Biblical story was 
 counted on a par with the legendary fable that tended 
 to foster superstition. 
 
 86. BEYTON ('bayton bull ). The < BulP probably 
 was the ' Inn ' at which the Deputy sojourned, and 
 perhaps held his ' Court !' but no such Inn ' sign ' is now 
 found in the parish. 
 
 87. CRATFIELD(?)orBEDFIELD(?) ('kayfield.') 
 An old MS. copy of the Journal reads " My Deputy broke 
 down divers pictures and I have done the rest" which is 
 really but an expansion of Dowsing's imperfect wording. 
 However successful in his marauding, the i Journal ' is 
 certainly not a literary success ; of this fact there is 
 repeated evidence. 
 
 * See No. 7. t See Note at the end of the Journal. 
 
48 
 
 90. BRUNDISH. « The Vicar have 2 Livings." 
 The only instance adduced in the ' Journal ' of a plurality 
 of benefices. 
 
 91. WILBY. " The Whip and Pincers and Nails 
 that was at Christs crucifying.'''' The emblems of the 
 Passion, so frequently found represented in our Churches 
 are thus referred to. 
 
 92. STRADBROKE. " Pray for such out of your 
 charity" is an unusual form for such words as these to take. 
 The mention of " organs which I brake" seems to imply 
 the existence here at this time of the antiquated £ payre ' 
 of instruments. ( See also U ford J 
 
 95. CHEDISTON ('cheston,' or Chediston). 
 
 96. HALES WORTH ( < hallisworth '). 
 
 97. REDISHAM MAGNA ('redsh am magna'), u The 
 parson * * preach but once a day? A state of things 
 apparently less common in the year 1643 than a hundred 
 years later, when it was not an unknown thing for one 
 service to suffice for a fortnight in this locality. 
 
 98. RINGSFIELD (< reginfield '). 
 
 99. BECCLES. u Jehovah's between Church and Chan- 
 cel ; and the Sun over it" (i.e. Chancel). The Jehovah's,' 
 if indeed the expression be correctly given, were probably 
 some form of that Divine name figured in connection 
 with the rood loft : it may be that the Hebrew word was 
 employed. 
 
 100. ELLOUGH (<elough>). 
 
 101. SOTTERLEY (<saterly>). 
 
 102. BENACRE. The decorations at this church 
 seem to have been profuse, and judging from the other 
 entries here made, of a rather uncommon character. 
 The blotted MS. leaves us in doubt as to a portion of the 
 entry, but it is worthy of notice that the Incumbent is 
 alluded to as " Priest of the parish." 
 
 103. COVEHITHE ('cochie'), commonly called 
 "cothie," otherwise " North Hales/' ' We brake down 
 * * the pope with divers Cardinals' The only mention 
 throughout the ' Journal ' of anything precisely of this 
 
49 
 
 character. These were perhaps mural paintings, to which 
 the expression " brake down" must occasionally be held 
 to apply. 
 
 " Divers Pictures in the Windows, which we could not 
 reach, neither ivould they help us to raise the ladders" That 
 strong resistance was frequently shewn by the parishioners 
 is evident, if they could not quite frustrate the designs 
 of those making onslaught upon their Parish Church, 
 they would be no party to the actual work of destruction. 
 The church is now a picturesque ruin. 
 
 104. RUSHMERE (near Lowestoft). " We brake 
 down a Pot for Holy Water." There are several allusions 
 of this kind in subsequent entries. 
 
 106. FHOSTENDEN. The little bit of 1 narrative' 
 here is unique, and doubtless duly impressed Dowsing 
 with a high sense of his mission, and of the desirability 
 of leaving 6 neither root nor branch.' 
 
 107. SOUTH COVE (Cove Magna) (< coe.') There 
 has been some little doubt as to which of the two parishes 
 (North or South Cove) is here meant. That the 1 steps ' 
 which are said to have been ' digged up ' still remain at 
 North Cove, apparently undisturbed from that time to 
 the present, is conclusive as to South Cove, and as the 
 latter parish adjoins the parish of Frostenden, and 
 Ray den — between which two entries in the ' Journal 9 
 1 Coe 9 stands, — and North Cove being some miles distant, it 
 may be taken for granted that the parish is ' South Cove.' 
 
 109. SOUTH WOLD. It is a matter of surprise 
 that so much beautiful decorative work has been allowed 
 to remain. The Church exterior still carries enriched 
 crosses on its battlements, elaborate tracery with grotesque 
 carved work, &c, while the interior, with the beautiful 
 rood screen paintings of the Apostles, the sculpture which 
 adorns the Lady Chapel (angels, evangelists, &c.) and 
 the parclose screens furnishes a remarkable instance of a 
 "brand," (in some way or another,) "plucked from the 
 burning." 
 
 110. WALBERSWICK. A fine ruined church. 
 
 N 
 
50 
 
 112. BLYTHBOROUGH (' blyborough.') A 
 grand church made desolate by repeated acts of vandalism. 
 Although Jessop, the deputy, had the task apparently 
 allotted to him, yet we find from the Churchwardens' 
 accounts, that ' Master Dowsing ' was actually before him. 
 The following entries having reference to this visit, are 
 singularly corroborative of that made in the 1 Journal :' — 
 
 1644 April 8th. Paid to Master Dowson that came withal 
 
 the Troopers to our Church, about the taking V 6s. 
 down of Images & Brasses off the Stones. 
 
 Paid that day to others for taking up the Brasses^ ^ g 
 of Gravestones before the Officers of Dowson came / 
 
 (Qy. for Concealment?) 
 
 And the next day to Edwards & Pretty taking) g g 
 down 26 Rheils / 
 
 Rec d this 6'. h day of January 1644 from out of] 
 the Churche, 40 pounds Weyght of Brasse, at I lis. 8d. 
 three pence Halfpenny per pound 
 
 The pre-Reformation references to the ornaments, 
 &c.j existing in this church, witness to the profuse 
 liberality shewn in providing ' things superstitious.' 
 
 113, DUNW1CH. The churches now submerged. 
 St. Peter's was lost in the year 1702, and All Saints 
 (Allhallows) was dismantled in 1754. 
 
 116. HEVENINGHAM (< heviningham'). 
 118. BOXTED ('BOXTEAD'). 
 
 120. LAXF1ELD. " The steps to be done by William 
 Dowsing of the same Town." It must not be supposed that 
 the Dowsing's were inferior people so far as worldly status 
 went (see Introduction), or that manual labour or anything 
 of the kind was required of ' William Dowsing of the 
 same town,' in the matter of the steps. It is just such 
 another allusion as that under (115) Bramfield, were the 
 steps were " to be levelled by Sr Robert Brook." 
 
 121. TRIMLEY (' trimbly ' ) St Martin. ' 6 There 
 was a Fryar, with a shaven crown praying to God." A 
 praying Monk, hooded and tonsured was the no uncom- 
 mon adornment to a bench end, where this ' Fryar ' was 
 probably found. 
 
51 
 
 124. UFFORD. " We brake down the Organ cases 
 and gave them to the poor." Such kind consideration for 
 the poor was apparently restricted to a gift of firewood ; 
 what was of real value seems to have entered some other 
 channel. 
 
 " On the Roof above a 100 Jesus and Mary in great 
 capital letters" A large number of these are still^o be 
 seen. 
 
 " A glorious cover over the Font, fyc." Even the harsh 
 eye of Dowsing could appreciate 1 a thing of beauty.' 
 This Font Cover is one of the finest specimens in the 
 kingdom, and certainly receives only its due meed of 
 praise, when it is referred to as ' glorious.' It is, all 
 things considered, in a marvellous state of preservation, 
 and the hand of the would-be destroyer seems to have 
 paused, ere it ventured to strike a blow, and the Cover 
 was spared. In several places the delicate tracery has 
 been renewed, but it appears to have been done owing 
 to decay, rather than wantonness. The lower panels of 
 the rood screen, with painted figures, still remain. 
 Bearing in mind the persistency of the Church and 
 parish officials in thwarting Dowsing in the accomplish- 
 ment of his purpose, we cannot but wonder that when he 
 "carried away part of the Church "(!) he should have 
 left so much behind, if not absolutely untouched, yet 
 but little the worse for so portentous a visit. 
 
 127. SOMKRSHAM (' summersham '). 
 
 128. FLOWTON (< floughton '). 
 
 130. OFFTON ('ofton.') "At Ipsivich, at Mr. 
 Coleys" Probably the name should be that of Mr. Jacob 
 Caley, who was elected in 1643 by the " Twenty -four " 
 to be one of that body of Town Governors, and after- 
 wards filled the office of Claviger and Guildholder. 
 
 132. WILLISHAM (< willesham.') " The Steps 
 were levelled ; and had so been once before, by a Lord Bishop's 
 Injunction; and by another Lord Bishop after commanded" 
 &c. The latter has reference to the action of Bishop 
 Matthew Wren in causing an ascent to be made to the 
 
52 
 
 Communion Table in the parish Churches throughout 
 the Diocese, generally of three steps. 
 
 133. DAKMSDEN ('damsden.') 
 
 135. MICKFIELD. " The glasses to be made up" 
 &c. It would appear that the window glass was ordered 
 to be carefully preserved, instead of being 1 battered 
 down ? ; this seems to be a just inference. If too super- 
 stitious to remain, why was the glass accounted worthy 
 of preservation ? ! Anyhow there is here a pleasing 
 variation from the recognized principle, for the poor were 
 to have 10s. and the rest afterwards! Whether this 
 latter sum amounted to 4s. 6d. or whether the 4s. 6d. 
 mentioned may not be regarded as the amount paid to 
 the visitors by the parish, is uncertain, owing to the 
 ambiguity of the entry. 
 
 137. ATHELINGTON (Ellington.') 
 
 138. WORLINGWORTH (' wallingworth.') 
 
 139. HOLTON. " I + H + S (he Jesuit's Badger 
 A very hard and uncalled for epithet to be applied to 
 this ancient monogram, signifying Jesus Hominum Salvator, 
 which really is of Greek, (I H C the first three letters of 
 the Greek jesus) and not Latin origin. (See also (146) 
 metfield, and Jessop's work at gorleston.) 
 
 144. OCCOLD ('ockold.') 
 
 145. RISHANGLES (< russingles.') 
 
 147. DENNINGTON {< dinnington.') " S r John 
 Rouses Stool." The seat or stall occupied by Sir John. 
 
 " Thomas Umberfield of stoke," &c. The Chapel for 
 which Thomas Umberfield was held responsible, was that 
 appertaining to Henry, Lord Windsor, of Bradnam, in the 
 County of Buckingham, through his marriage with Anne, 
 only daughter of Sir Thomas Revett, Knt. 
 
 It would appear that many brasses (and of course 
 divers other goods and ornaments) being spared by those 
 authorized to demolish them, were subsequently taken 
 away or destroyed by the soldiery during the Common- 
 
53 
 
 wealth. Evelyn, in his Diary, alluding to a visit made 
 by him to Lincoln in I 654, says — 
 
 " The souldiers had lately knocked off most of the brasses from 
 the gravestones (in the Cathedral) so as few inscriptions were left ; they 
 told us that these men went in with axes and hammers, and shut them- 
 selves in, till they had rent and torn off some large loads of metal, not 
 sparing even the monuments of the dead, so hellish an avarice possessed 
 them." 
 
 Good Bishop Hall, of Norwich, draws a sad picture 
 in his u Hard Measure" of the lamentable workings of 
 the ' Spirit of the age.' He says, in the well known 
 passage (p. lxvi) : — 
 
 " What work was here. What clattering of glasses ! What beating 
 down of walls ! What tearing up of monuments ! W^hat pulling down of 
 seats ! What wresting out of irons and brass from the windows and 
 graves ! What defacing of Arms ! What demolishing of curious stone- 
 work, that had not any representation in the world, but only of the coat 
 of the founder, and the skill of the Mason ! What tooting and piping 
 upon the destroyed organ pipes ! And what a hideous triumph on the 
 market-day before all the country ; when, in a kind of sacrilegious and 
 profane procession, all the organ pipes, vestments, both copes and 
 surplices, together with the leaden cross which had been newly sawn 
 down from over the Green-yard Pulpit, and the service books and 
 singing books that could be had, were carried to the fire in the public 
 market place ; a lewd wretch walking before the train, in his cope 
 trailing in the dirt, with a service-book in his hand, imitating in an 
 impious scorn the tune, and usurping the words of the litany used 
 formerly in the Church. Near the Public Cross, all these monuments 
 of idolatry must be sacrificed to the fire ; not without much ostentation 
 of a zealous joy, in discharging ordnance, to the cost of some, who 
 professed how much they had longed to see that day." 
 
 Two extracts from Blomefield's History of Norfolk, 
 will give some idea of a similar work carried out in that 
 county, and will complete the picture, as pourtrayed by 
 William Dowsing : — 
 
 "In 1644 — April 7 th ' Captain Gilley was paid 6/- by the town for 
 viewing the Church of Bressingham to abolish superstitious pictures, 
 and immediately after, John Nunn was paid for two days work for 
 taking down glass and pictures about the Church and filing the letters 
 off the bells, and it was plain there were many effigies and arms for the 
 glazing of the windows after this reformation came to £2 : 6 : 0. But 
 though several of them were lost, some were preserved and put up in 
 the hall windows, as the emblem of the Trinity, S l John, S l - Catherine, 
 
 O 
 
54 
 
 the Virgin and S t- Margaret, together with the arms of Verdon &c. 
 The Church suffered much, for in 1644 <£54 : 11 : 8 was raised by rate 
 to put it in order, and to buy its ornaments of all which it was spoiled." 
 
 Blomefield p. 70. Vol. I. 
 
 "In the time of the Rebellion, the Church (Fersfield) was purged 
 of superstition by the rebels, who defaced the carvings of the heads of 
 the seats, with their swords, and hacked the effigies of the bosses. 
 What few brasses there were, were all reaved and several arms broken 
 out of the windows, and the altar rails pulled down. The evidences, 
 king's arms &c. were taken down previously by Mr. Piddock, Church- 
 warden, who justly returned them at the Reformation." 
 
 Blomejield p. 112. Vol. i. 
 
 In bringing the i Notes ' to a conclusion, it is but 
 fair to say, that throughout this unhappy period, the 
 Church fabric always seems to have been respected, but 
 the ruling idea all along, appears to have been to leave 
 the building as bare of ornamentation as circumstances 
 permitted, and expediency required. The disgraceful 
 and often violent depredations, of which the 'Journal' 
 makes mention, were ostensibly wrought to extirpate 
 idolatry. How far did this succeed ? It may well be 
 questioned whether, supposing gentler modes of treat- 
 ment had been used, the desired object would not have 
 far more effectually brought about to the lasting good of 
 both the Church and the Nation. That many foul abuses 
 did exist, and greatly needed to be uprooted with a firm 
 hand is unquestionable, as for instance the many forms of 
 creature and image worship, and their numerous adjuncts, 
 and other objects of superstitious adoration. But far too 
 often the work undertaken by these Parliamentary Visitors 
 was as needless and profane as it was melancholy and 
 indecent, and fraught moreover with no good to the 
 inner life of the Church, unless indeed it be that the 
 purification wrought by adversity, had her i perfect work.' 
 
 It only remains for me to summarize the contents of 
 ' Journal,' and this I think can be best done by giving a 
 short view of the districts traversed in the somewhat 
 erratic course, and the time occupied in the whole under- 
 
55 
 
 taking, noting- also the several districts of more or less 
 importance, passed over by Dowsing, and his Deputies, 
 at least so far as the entries in the 6 Journal' are con- 
 cerned. 
 
 Beginning on the Essex border Jan. 6th, 1643, 
 the parishes of Haverhill, Clare, Hunden, Wixoe, and 
 Withersdale, were visited, and after a break of three 
 days, the town of Sudbury. An interval of ten days 
 elapsed ere the work was resumed, when Stoke by 
 Nayland and Nayland were taken, and two days after, 
 leaving the western division, Raydon and Holton, (?) 
 Barham, Claydon and Coddenham. The next day, Eyke 
 and Tunstall were visited, followed the day after by a 
 visit to Aldborough, the next day Orford, Snape and 
 Stanstead, and the following day Saxmundham, Kelsale, 
 Carleton, Wickham Market and Sudbourne. The day 
 following, Ufford, Woodbridge, Kesgrave, and Rushmere. 
 A day elapsed, when the last two days of the month of 
 January were occupied in visiting Chattisham, Wash- 
 brook, Copdock, Belstead, Ipswich (12 Churches) and 
 Playford. 
 
 On the 1st February Great Blakenham, Bramford, 
 Sproughton, Burstall, and Hintlesham were visited. 
 The next day, returning to West Suffolk, Hadleigh, 
 Layham, Shelley and High am. The day following, 
 having crossed the West Suffolk boundary, the Wenhams 
 and Capel, including Lady Browse's Chapel, and turning 
 northwards, Needham Market, Badley, Stowmarket, 
 Wetherden, Kims well, Tostock and Bury St. Edmund's. 
 The next day Kentford and Newmarket, and after 
 an interval of a fortnight, the two Cornards, and the 
 day following Newton, Nayland, Assington and Stoke 
 (Lord Windsor's Chapel). The next day but one, 
 Bures. Three days after, Glemsford ; the day fol- 
 lowing, Otley, Monewden, Hoo and Letheringham. 
 The next day, P^aston and Kettleburgh. The next 
 day, Helmingham and Woolpit. The following day 
 being March 1st, Bey ton ; a month having elapsed, 
 
56 
 
 Kayfield, Bedingfield, Tannington and Brandish were 
 visited, and the day following, Wilby, Stradbrooke, and 
 Linstead Parva. The next day, Linstead Magna, Chedis- 
 ton, Halesworth, Redisham Magna, and Kedingfield, and 
 the day following, Beccles, Elough, Sotterly, Benacre, 
 and Covehithe. Two days after, Rushmere, Mutford, 
 Frostenden, South Cove, Raydon, South wold, and perhaps 
 Walberswick. The next and following day, Blyford, 
 Blythburgh, Dunwich, Bramfield and Hevingham. I^ive 
 days after, being April 15th, Polstead, Boxstead, and 
 Stanstead. The work was not resumed until July 17th, 
 when Laxfield (the supposed home of the Dowsing's) was 
 officially visited. Five weeks later (August 21st) Trimley 
 St. Martin, Bright well, Levington, Bay 1 ham and Harking. 
 The next day, Nettlestead, Somersham, Flowton, Elmsett, 
 Ofton and Willisham, and the day following, Darmsden. 
 Three days after, Wetheringsett, and Mickfield ; the 
 following day, Horham, Allington and Wallingworth. 
 The next day, Wangford and Wrentham ; the day follow- 
 ing, Holton, and the next day being 30th August, Hoxne, 
 Eye, Occold, Rishangles, and Metfield. After an interval 
 of nearly a month, (Sept. 26th) Dennington : the next 
 day but one, Baddingliam, and three days alter, (Oct. 1st) 
 the work was brought to a conclusion by a visit to 
 Parham — Hatcheston. 
 
 The Churches in the Hundreds of Mutford and 
 Lothingland were visited by Jessop, the Deputy, and are 
 almost entirely passed over in the 4 Journal.' It seems 
 likely that only those churches which Dowsing visited, 
 either by himself or in company with the Deputy 
 specially appointed for the work, are mentioned. Thus 
 the town of Bungay, and also the parishes of Yoxford 
 and Ringshall were presumably visited by Jessop and 
 his subordinates, while lie was apparently joined in the 
 enterprise of despoiling Blythborough, which was( specially 
 entrusted to him,) by his superior William Dowsing. 
 Probably few, if indeed any suspected churches, w T ere 
 altogether passed by, although the entire number of 
 
57 
 
 churches in some of the ' Hundreds ' are almost wholly 
 unmentioned. This of course is specially the case with 
 the 4 Hundreds ' for which Deputies were appointed, as 
 Lackford, (in which is included Wangford) Risbridge, (in 
 which is included Clare), &c, &c. Hartismere, to which 
 no special appointment seems to have been made, 
 (although Francis Verden 1 would have had it'), is poorly 
 represented ; so also Claydon, Thingoe, Blackbourne, 
 Wilford, &c, &c. Many of the churches omitted are 
 among the most prominent ecclesiastical buildings of the 
 county, and from what still remains of a like character, 
 must have abounded with ornaments, etc., which would 
 have been deemed, and in some cases were, really super- 
 stitious. Anyhow they have suffered by mutilation and 
 otherwise, equally with the rest. 
 
 William Dowsing, with a disposition unworthy of 
 respect, and apparently incapable of anything high and 
 lofty, has bequeathed to us this sad and unworthy 
 memorial of indiscreet zeal. While it produces within 
 us a feeling of strong revulsion at such practices as his, 
 and the bitter spirit of which they doubtless were largely 
 born, it should also lead us to reflect, whether there may 
 not be after all, some cause for fear, lest we and our 
 descendants should desire and do the same things, which, 
 have unfortunately caused the name of Dowsing to 
 become famous. 
 
 An old MS. of Dowsing' s Journal in private posses- 
 sion, has the following variations inter alia from the 
 generally received text. 
 
 18. STANSTED, is written < Sternjield ' 
 
 87. " KAYFIELD, April 3rd, 1644. My deputy broke down 
 divers pictures, and I have done the rest," 
 
 94. Reads "Will. Aldice, Curate, and drunkard ffrancis Evered." 
 109. "Thirty Cherubims." 
 
 111. BLYFORD "twenty superstitious pictures" and "St. 
 Andrew's cross in the window." 
 114. " Twenty Cherubims." 
 
 137. ALLINGTON, " and Paul and another superstitious picture," 
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ERRATA. 
 
 p. 3, line 5, for, in the years 1663-1665, read, in the 
 years 1643-1644. 
 
 p. 16, line 20, for, dow an, read, down a. 
 
 p. 39, line 7, for, incongurous, read incongruous. 
 
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