r > ■'■•L"' ■•>• .^.. M^. /^. BLVM ENTH EX 8» ±JL AL LIB RIS V- Ifi UJ('\'i c il^ Slntiquities Of CROYDON CHUECH. DESTROYED BY EIRE, JANUARY 5th, 1867. WITH NUMEROUS WOODCUTS, DEAWX FROM ITS FIXE MONUMENTS rHEVIOUSLY TO THEIR DESTRUCTION. 11 V J. CORBET ANDERSON. LONDON: J. RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE. 18G7. LOKDON : PRINTED BY WERTHEIMER. LEA AND CO., CIRCUS PLACE, IINSBURV CIRCUS. DA ADVERTISEMENT. As is well known to muny of the inhabitants of Croydon, in the year 1855, the author published a series of lithographic drawings, folio size, of the monuments in the old Parish Church of Croydon, Accuracy in Avorks of this description being everything, it is, perhaps, as well to state, since some of the monuments in question have perished, that great care was taken in the execution of those drawings, which were coloured according to the originals. Explanatory letter- press accompanied the said work, and it was issued to subscribers only, at two-and-a-half guineas a co233\ A desire prevailing in various quarters to possess a less expensive work on Croydon Church, towards the close of 1856 I brought out, with various additions, a thin quarto-sized volume on the same subject, to meet this demand. The illustrations for this last-named edition consisted entirely of cuts, from drawings on the wood made by the author. These two publications, and sketches made during the course of the restoration of the fabric in the years 1857 and 1859, with the addition of others made since Croydon Church was destroyed, are the sources whence the pictorial part of the following work is made up. The materials for the letter-press matter were furnished by my own knowledge of the structure, or derived from the authorities mentioned in the marginal references. Perhaps the following pages may recall to the memory of some reader Croydon Old Church and the interesting monuments which, along with it, perished in the disastrous fire of the 5 th of January last ; for a time, at least, this book may assist in preventing those relics passing into oblivion. Croydon, 4tk March, 1867. Infiiiiiities iif Craijhnii Cl)itrf!|. STRUCTURE, ETC. T is to be regretted that the records of ancient edifices are not more completely preserved. Many a structure of former ages stands a witness to the mutability of earthly things ; for while itself has successfully braved the storms of centuries, time has succeeded in obliterating the traces of its origin, and the enquirer is left in darkness and in doubt to whose patriotism or piety posterity owes the building he surveys. It is thus with many a monument of classic land, and among the number in our own country where such is the case, stood the Church so recently destroyed, of which the following is but an imperfect account. Far back, in Saxon times, we learn* that in Croydon there existed a church ; for to the will of Byrhtric and iElfwy, made about the year 960,' is witness ^'Elfiie, the Priest of Croydon. From DurnesdayBook,'^ also, it appears that at the time of the Conquest there was a church in this place, which, in all probability, stood Avhere the ruins of the late one are situate ; for had this been built on any other but consecrated ground, its consecration would have appeared in the Register of the Archbishop ' A copy of this will is printed in Lambard's Peranihiilation of Kent. * In Domesday Book we. read — " In the Hundred of Waleton (Croydon is in the Hun- dred of Wallint;ton [Waleton], now a small hamlet in the Parish of Beddington), Archl)ishop Lanfranc holds Croindene in demesne. In King Edward the Confessor's time, it was rated at 80 hides, and now at 16 hides and i virgate. The aralde is 20 carucates. In demesne are 4 carucates, and 48 villains, and 25 bordars, with 34 carucates. I/ere is a CImrch, and one mill, in value 5s.; 8 acres of meadow and wood for 200 hogs. Of the land of this manor Restoldus holds 7 hides of the Archbishop, and Randulphus t hide; they have from thence ;^7 and 8s. rent. The whole, in the time of King Edward, was worth £\2; now ^27 to the Archbishop, to his men ^10 lOs. 2 AXTIQIITIES OF CIU)YDON CHURCH. in whose time it was built, the rule of the Canon Law being, never to consecrate a church, imlcss it had either been consumed by fire, dese- crated, or built upon unconsecratcd ground. But the precise date of the origin of this noble monument of the piety of our ancestors has not been discovered. The foundation of the late structure is conjectured to have been laid in the time of Archbishop Courtney,^ from the arms of that prelate having formerly been affixed to the north entrance ; and to the same heraldic authoritv Ave arc indebted, when we place the date of its com- pletion in the days of Archbishop Chicheley," whose arms arc to be seen at the side of the western, or principal entrance. The old Parish Church of Croydon, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, stood on low ground, not far from the source of the river Wandle, and adjoining the road that leads to Waddon. It was a handsome structure, built uniforml}' in the style of architecture known as Early Perpendi- cular. It consisted of u nave with aisles, north and south porches, three chancels, a sacristy or vestry, and a massive western tower. This tower, square and well-proiDortioned, is exteriorly in five stages, the lower- most of which contains a moulded doorway under a square hood, with Chicheley 's arms in its spandrels. Immediately above the doorway is a broad but not lofty mullioned window. The third and fourth stages contain a small window of one light on each face, and on the highest stage, also on each face, a loft}' window of two lights transoraed. In front, and on its north and south sides, the tower is strengthened by vast rectangular graduated buttresses, two on each face. The top of the toAver is battlemented, and at each angle rises a small embattled octagon turret, surmounted by ^a crocketed pinnacle. Internally this grand toAver consisted of four stories, the ncAvel staircase being in the north-east corner. The materials used in the construction of the sacred edifice were flint exteriorly, and stone and flint Avithin, filled up Avith chalk and rubble. The toAver is considered a very fine sj^ecimen of flint work. ' William Courtney, Bisho]) of London, was promoted to the primacy by a bull of Pope Urban VI. (who had been acknowledged in England to l)e the lawful Pope), dated the 8th .September, 138 1. Courtney was son to the Karl of Devonshire, by a grand-daughter of Kdward I. It was at his citation that AViclilTe the Reformer, attended by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Lord Percy, Karl Marslial of England, appeared in St. Paul's Church, to answer for his opinions and his oi-)])ositi()n to the Pojie's usurpation. It docs not appear that Courtney was wanting in the inclination to confer upon Wicliffe the honour of martyrdom. Archbishop Courtney died in 1396. For an account of the great house of Courtney or Courtenay, see GlHiiON's Roman Empire, ch. Ixi. ■■^ " Henry Chicheley, Archbishop of Canterburie, was the new builder or especial rcjiairer of Croydon Church, as appeareth by his arms, graven on the walls, steeple, and porch." — Stowk's ^;/«r7/.r, p. 631. Henry Chicheley, IJishop of St. David's, was elected by the monks of Canterbury, on the King's recommendation, to the see of Canterbury, A.U. I414. ANTIQUITIES OF CUOYDOX CIirRCH. 3 Croydon Chiircli was much injured years ago by a coating of compo plastered over the whole structure, excepting the flint work of the tower. Recently, however, this stucco was removed from the northern side of the Church, and its flint work and embattled parapet were restored. Entering the edifice by the western door, we passed into a lofty and handsome stone porch, having clustered pillars at its angles that spread out, and with traceried branches met a circle in the centre of the roof of stone. There is a smaller and probably more ancient porch on the south side of the Church, the quaintly carved stone roof of which springs from projections at the four angles of its walls. Over this latter porch there is a small room, eleven feet square, approachable only from the interior of the Church by a small doorway and spiral stair, that ultimately leads out upon the roof. This room may have been the residence of a recluse. The still smaller north porch was erected in 1829, but its inner doorway was ancient, with quatrefoiled spandrels. AMTIQUITIES OF CKOYDON CHURCH. The interior of Croydon (^hureh M'as grand. It measured, exclusive of the tower, about 130 feet in length by 74 in width. The nave was separated from the aisles by stately clustered columns, which sup- ported on cither side five nobly moidded arches. The main chancel arch was lofty and cathedral like. The side chancels were divided from the central one by two arches, continuations of those in the nave. The north and south chancel arches were similar to the others, but the tall, fine arch that led from the nave into the beautifully groined stone porch in the tower was more deeply moidded than the rest. There was a very interesting seiics of corbels in Croydon old Church. The majority of these corbels were grotesques, yet some repre- sented beautiful human faces, others were floral in character, whilst upon one a bird was carved, with eggs in a nest. Around the nave, immediately beneath the clerestory windows, ran an embattled string-course, instead of a triforium. The great window in the main chancel liad six lights, transcmed, with tracery in its head ; and as this chancel extended some distance beyond the others, it had a window on each side wall. The east windows in the north and soiitli chancels had five lights each ; they approached the Debased in character : there were two other windows also in each of these chancels. The best tracery in the Church was contained in the west windows of the aisles. From five windows on the north side, and four on the south, the nave and aisles received further light ; these windows, of three lights each, with the excei^tion of the one over the north porch, were lofty and uniform, transomed, with plain but rather uncommon head tracery. The clerestory windows were modern, having been inserted in the year 1851 ; they were square- headed, and of three lights each. The Sacristy, or Vestry, a small, low-roofed room, abuts upon the north wall of the mid-chancel, with which it is connected by a small doorway ; there is also a modern entry into the Vestry from the north chancel. The Font, which was of an octagonal form, is supposed to have been coeval with the Church ; it had quatrefoil panels on its sides, filled alternately with grotesque heads and roses. 2^ K ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. Before tlie altar stood a brass Eagle, with extended wings ; this was the ancient Lectern. BELFRY UOOK. The Organ, a remarkably fine one, erected in 1794, was the work of Avery, who always considered it his cliej-d'oouvre. Subsequently, this organ underwent various alterations by Hill. " In the Rebellion," says Aubrey, " one Bleese was hired for half a crown per day to break the painted glass windows, which were for- merly fine." On the 25th December, 1639, a violent storm of wind blew down one of the pinnacles of the steeple, which falling on the roof, did great damage. Between two and three o'clock of the afternoon of the 11th March, 1784-5, a fire was discovered in the roof of the middle chancel. It was caused by some embers having been carelessly left there by the plumbers, and was soon extinguished ; the damage not exceeding fifty pounds. In 1774, Croydon Church was considerably damaged by lio-htning-. The Tower contained a ring of eight Bells, ^ with Chimes, that played ' The first application of bells to denote the hours of devotion, and summon people lo church, is ascribed l^y Polidore Virgil, and others, to Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, a city of Campania, about A.D. 400. Hence it is said the names nolac and canipaiiae were given them ; the one referring to the city, the other to the country. In IJrilain, l)ells were applied to cluircli purposes liefore tlie conclusion of tlie seventli century. The first ring of bells in England was in Croyland Abl)oy, in Lincolnshire ; they were six in number (iNGULriii's, History of Croyland Abbey). The practice of ringing bells in change or regular peals, said 6 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. the tune ITanover every six hours. On these Bells were the following inscriptions : — 1. My voice I will raise. I 6. Thomas Lister, Londini, fecit, 1738. And sound to my subscriber's praise I 7. Mr. Nath. Collier Vicker, Robt. Os- At proper times. Thomas Lister made born, and Fras. Meagher, Churchwardens. me, 1738. 2. Thomas Lister fecit, 1738. 3. Thomas Lister fecit, 1738. 4. T. L., 1738. 5. T. L., 1738. Thomas Lister fecit, 1738. 8. Re-cast, 1836. W. INIears, founder. H. Lindsay, Vicar. G. Richardson, W. S. Owens, and H. Overton, Churchwardens. Weight, 22 cwt. 3 qrs. 7 lb. These Bells, in 1816, were re-hvuig, and had new frames, at an expense of nearly £450. At the south-east corner, on the top of the Tower, hung the Saints' Bell,' bearing this inscription : — Francis Tirrell gave this Bell, 1610. Recast in 1757. About the year 1817, whilst some alterations were being made in the interior arrangements of the Church, a doorway, leading to a circular staircase in the south-east column of the nave, was discovered in the south chancel, or chauntry of St. Nicholas. This doorway probably led to a rood-loft. When the Church was cleaned in 1844, distemper painting was dis- covered on the south wall. A Saint vnih a club OA^er his shoulder, and holding a small figure in his hand, was depicted in colossal proportions. Near this giant two little cherubim sounded trumpets over a Monk crossing a brook, whilst on the other side was a semicircularly-arched and portcullised embattled gateway, over which, at a quadrangular window in a lofty tower, were the representations of a King and Queen. This ancient work excited considerable interest at the time of its dis- covery. The subjoined cuts represent all that was preserved of these old paintings.^ to be peculiar to England, is reduced to a science, and peals have been composed, which bear the names of the inventors. The various uses of bells were cleverly summed up in the following distich : — Laudo Deum veram, plebem voco, conjugo clerum, Defunctos ])loro, pestem fugo, festa decoro. • So called, because in the times of Popeiy, it was rung when the priest came to the words, " Sancte, Sancte, Sancte, Dominc, Deus Sabaoth ;" Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. It was rung at that jiarticular time, in order that those who were aljscnt from the Church might know that the congregation were then engaged in the most solemn part of the office, and might join in it. Consecpiently, the Saints' ]5ell was always hung where it could be heard at the greatest distance ; sometimes in a lanthorn at the top of the steeple (as at Croydon), sometimes in an arch between the nave and chancel, that, the rope coming down near the altar, the bell might be more readily nmg when the priest was about to utter these sacred words. * It is perfectly amazing to what an extent this practice of painting in churches was carried at one period in this country. The following extracts from the Diaiy of William Dowsing, who ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. Another and still more interesting specimen of mural decoration Mas found on the south wall of Croydon Church, in September, 1857. From it was made the drawing given on page 8. The armour of the knightly figure appears to be of the description known as cuir-houilli, namely, leather boiled in oil. This, moidded into any form^ and be- coming hard enough to resist a sword-cut, was frequently used as a substitute for plate-armour. MONK. KING ANT) QUEEN. Immediately under, and close to the eastern end of the Church, a low red brick quadrangular buildnig, with garden and appurtenances, form the remains of the once famous Palace of Croydon. Opposite the was appointed Parliamentary Visitor for the County of Suffolk, to smash and break the " superstitious pictures and ornaments of Churches," will give the reader an idea : — " Sudbury, Suffolk. — Peter's Parish, January the 9th, 1643. We brake down a picture of God the Father, two crucifix's and pictures of Christ, about an hundred in all ; and gave orders to take down a cross off the steeple, and divers angels, twenty at least, on the roof of the church." " Clare, January the 6th. — We brake down one thousand pictures, superstitious ; I brake down 200 — three 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 lop of the roof, which we gave orders to take down ; and 20 chend)im, to be taken down ; and the sun and moon in the east window, 1)y the King's arms, to be taken down." "Bramford, February the ist. — A cross to be taken off the steeple : we brake down 841 superstitious pictures ; and gave orders to take down the steps, and gave a fortnight's time." AXTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. western entrance to the Church is a great elm tree, probably the growth of centuries. The clock was fastened to the north face of the tower. .-^'/ Supposed subject — ST. george slaying the dragon, and delivering "ye lady SAHRA." Presumed date, ihc i^h century. The restoration of the interior of Croj^don Church, which had been commenced in the year 1851, under the superintendence of the eminent architect, Mr. G. Gilbert Scott, was advanced a stage further in 1857, and finally completed in 1859. The roofs were renewed and elevated ; that of the nave being carried up to a lofty pitch. In the chancel was placed a cradle roof. The roofs of the aisles and side chancels, also of timber, were flat. The organ-gallery, which obstructed the view from the nave of the grand western porch, was removed ; and in lieu of the old-fashioned, cumbrous, high-backed pews, the Church was entirely re-seated with light and elegant oaken sedalia. All the incongruities, huddled together during two centuries of bad taste, in short, were TlaU III. 4. 1. Ancient piscina discovered upon the soutli wall of Croydon Church since the fire. To the right of it two other piscinas are represented ; these were found when the Church underwent restoration in l8o9 ; the centre one (Late Decorated) on the wall to the right of entrance into north porch ; the piscina with the plain trefoil head was found to the left of entrance into south porch. 2. Norman capitals, found since the fire. 3. Dog-tooth or Early English moulding, found since the fire. 4. Altar-tomb discovered in the wall of north aisle in 18o9. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. removed, and tlie interior of the fabric restored at vast cost. Graceful perclose Avooden screens now assisted to divide the central from the side chancels ; and the fine old rood-screen, filled in with glass, was erected by the western entrance. The clerestory, the chancels, and the west windows contained stained glass of an expensive description. Such but the other day was the Parish Church of Croydon. Of this ancient and magnificent structure only the southern porch, the carcase of its huge tower, and skeleton outer walls now remain. Alas ! for the evil that has befallen us. " Our holy and our beautiful bouse, where our fathers praised Thee, is burned up with fire." It remains to be stated, that as the labourers were occupied in re- moving the debris, preparatory to commencing the rebuilding of Croydon Church, they discovered, towards the eastern end of the wall of the south aisle, a very ancient piscina, of which a sketch is given in plate III., fig. 1. Adjoining the piscina were indications of the sill and crimson-coloured splays of apparentl}^ what had been a much wider window than any now in this wall. Towards the eastern end of the wall of the north aisle traces of a former doorway and window are likewise visible. They picked up also amid the rubbish, along with other relics of a former building, several fragments of very ancient capitals of columns, the peculiar character of which will best be under- stood by referring to fig. 2, plate III. None of a similar kind were visible in the late structure ; these, having been imbedded in its interior walls, rolled out when the masonry of its nave and clerestory fell down. In these interesting fragments we probably see portions of that ancient structure which existed here when Domesday Book was compiled, eight hundred years ago. THE ADVOWSO^\ ETC. TIE Clmreli of St. John, Croj^lon, is in the peculiar jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbiiry, and was formerly both a Rectory and a Vicarage. The original endowment of the Vicarage cannot be dis- covered, but Henry de la Rye was presented to this Vicarage in the year 1289 by JEgidius de Audenardo, the then Rector. An ancient instrument, dated at Maidenston, 2nd of June, in the year 1348, in the time of Archbishoj) (Stratford, whose register is lost, is preserved in that of Archbishop Courtney, and contains an ordination made by Archbishop Stratford of what tithes were then to belong to the Rectors and Vicars of Croydon respectively. In the archives of the Bodleian Library is an ancient *' Valor Bene- ficiorum," compiled in the twentieth year of King Edward I., which formerly belonged to Sir Henry Sj^elman. Of this, general!}' known as Pope Nicholas' Taxation Roll, so much as relates to Surrey is printed in Aubrey's Perambulation of that County, in which, amongst other particulars, may be found, " Decanatus de Croynidon. Ecclesia de Croyndon val. Lx. marc. Vicaria cjusdem val. xv. marc." In the King's books, the Vicarage, discharged of the payment of first fruits, is rated at £21 18s. lOd. According to an ancient record in the eleventh year of King Edward II., there was an " Inquisitio ad quod danumm," previous to an ex- change between Archbishop Reynolds and the Prior and Convent of Bermondsey of the advowson of this Church, then belonging to the Archbishop, with the latter, for £28 12s. lid. in "Wichesflete, contain- ing one hide of land and two mills, witli the appurtenances, in South- ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHUHCII. 11 waik.^ It should seem that subsequent to this inquisition, and the return upon it, is the instrument in Archbishop Reynolds's Register, appropriating the Church of Croydon to the Convent of Bermondsc}-, of which instrument tlic substance is, that since the Revenues of the Convent are greatly diminished by an inundation, and its income miserably reduced, to prevent the said Convent from being irrecover- ably dissolved, the Archbishop appropriates to it this Church. This act is not dated, but by the foregoing and succeeding acts, it seems to have been entered in this Register about October, 1320. The document is cancelled in the Register, and probably this appropriation never took place, for when vacancies occurred, the succeeding Archbishops con- tinued to present to this Rectoiy till the time of Archbishop Courtney. According to the Register of Archbishop Courtney, in his time, however, an exchange was made of this Advowson for the Manor of Waddon, between that Archbishop and the Prior and Convent of St. Saviour's, Bermondsey. After the King's Licence and the Pope's Bull had been obtained, the matter was referred to Robert Bragbrooke, Bishojj of London, the sole judge delegated by tlic Pope for that pur- pose ; and he, having heard the pleas on all sides, in a sylemn manner, in the Church of Croydon, by his sentence, dated January IG, 1390, brought the exchange to a satisfactory conclusion. It was also agreed by indenture (dated on the Monday in tlie first week of Lent, the four- teenth of King Richard II.), made between Archbishop Courtney and the Prior and Convent of Berraondsey, that the collation and patronage of the Vicarage of Croydon should remain in the Archbishoj) and his successors, and that in the event of a vacancy, the Archbishop or his successors should name two proper persons to the Prior and Convent, one of whom they should choose and present to the said Vicarage, to be admitted and instituted Vicar of this Church. Thus matters continued till the dissolution of the Convent of St. Saviour's- in 1538, when ' Inquisitio ad quod damnum, II. Ed. 2 m. 36. ■•^ The numl)cr of monasteries suppressed, first and last, in England and Wales, according lo Camden, were 643, together with 90 colleges, 2,374 chauntries and free chapels, and no iiospitals. That King Harry was not over scrupulous in the means he employed to accom- plish his ends the following extract will show : — "The first suppression of the lesser nionasle- ries was done l)y Act of rarliament. But the King was ])leased this should appear to be entirely voluntary, as if the Abbots, Priors, and Monks had been induced of themselves to surrender their houses — a thing, howevei", so notoriously false, that not a soul could be igno- rant how forced these surrenders were. It must be confessed, that herein Henry strangely abused the absolute ])ower he had acquired over his subjects, of whom not a man dared ]3ublickly to find fault with his conduct, and still less openly to opjiose his will. However, he used artifice to make this suppression of the monasteries to be rectived with less concern. Whilst the Commissioners were receiving the surrenders, he called a Parliament for the 2Sth of April. At the same time, he caused a report to be sjiread that the kingdom was going to be invaded. He confirmetl the report by going in person to visit the coasts, by commanding forts and redoubts to be built in several places, and by giving pros^ing orders lo fit out a fleet, 12 AMKn rriKS of CltOYDOX CIIIKCH. the threat tithes, rectory manor, and middle cliancel, as j)art of the possessions of tliat Convent, fell to tlio Crown, and the advowson of the Vicarage reverted to the Hee of Canterbury. In 1550, King Edward VI. granted the Rectory to Thomas Walsing- ham, Esq., of Chislehurst, and Robert Moyse, Esq., of Banstead. In 1727 this estate belonged to James "Walsingham, Esq., who by will, dated August IGth in that year, devised the same to his sister, Lady Elizabeth Osborne, for life, but made no ulterior bequest of it. He died in 1728, without issue, leaving three co-heirs, viz, Lady E. Osborne, Anthony Viscount Montague, and Mrs. Villiers. Lady Eliza- beth left her third to Henry Boyle, Esq., who took the name of Walsinghara. He conveyed it in 1770 to Anthony Joseph, Viscount Montague, descended from Barbara, a second sister of James AValsing- ham, who inheriting his father's third and purchasing that of Mrs. Villiers, died seised of the whole in 1787. The trustees under his will sold part of the tithes to Lord Gwydir and other land-owners, and con- veyed the remainder to George Samuel, Viscount Montague, who was drowned in Switzerland in 1793. He had conveyed the remaining tithes and the jrectory manor to Robert Harris, Esq., who died in 1807, and keep the troops in readiness to march upon the first notice. The intent of these pro- ceedings was to let the people see that the Parliament would be obliged to lay heavy taxes to resist the pretended invasion; but that the King acquiring a large revenue by the suppression of the monasteries, would have no occasion for a subsidy. The yearly value of the religious houses amounted to one hundred and sixty-one thousand [one hundred] pounds sterling, according to the rate they had last been farmed at. But it must be observed, the Abbots and l^riors foreseeing the impending storm, had set the yearly rents very low, and raised the fines very high, that they might have wherewith to subsist when they should be out of their houses. The King pretended not to mind it, being, on the contrary, very glad the people were not acquainted with the whole profit which accnied to him from these suppressions. Besides the rents of the lands belonging to the monasteries, the King had, moreover, a very considerable sum arising from the Church omaments [plate], goods, lead, bells, materials, which he thought not proper to have valued; but it may be judged of by this single article, namely, that in the Abbey of .St. Edmondsbury alone, there was found 5,000 marks of gold and silver in bullion." — Rapin's History of England, fol. Lond. 1732, p. 821. As to what became of the immense treasures that accrued to the King from the suppression of the monasteries, part of it went in pensions to the Abbots, Priors, Monks, and Nuns. It was the wish of many of the reformers that the wealth of the suppressed monasteries might have been applied to some useful endowments, and the King seemed at first to have formed such a design. But the greediness of the courtiers and favourites allowed but a very small part to be expended on things useful and necessary, and he contented himself with the erec- tion of 6 bishoprics, the foundation of i-; chapters, which, together, cost him about /"8,ooo, several hospitals, and 2 colleges. .Some of it was employed in the construction and improve- ment of harbours. It was the wish of Sir Nicholas Bacon that some provision should h.ive been made for the education of youth for the purpose of diplomacy, and that they should thus have been prepared for strving their country among foreign nations. — (Short's history of the Church of England. ) But this project miscarried with many others, because the King, having sold the lands of the supjiressed Abbeys, was very loth to put to such uses the ready money raised by the sale, and chose rather to lavish it upon his pleasures or his courtiers; and Henry, with all the wealth that passed through his hands, was so improvident that, before the end of his reign, he had recourse to that dishonest and most impolitic measure — debasing his coin. — Camden's Elizabeth, p. 49. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CIIUllCII. 13 and the trustees under the will of the latter sold the same to the late Alexander Caldcleugh, Esq. On the 16tli February, 1417, we find Archbishop Chieheley issuing a Commission, requiring John, Bishop of t^orron, to rec(mcile this Church, and churchyard, which had then been lately polluted by blood.' The cause and manner of this bloodshed remain a secret, and the country being at that time internally at peace, Ave are led to suppose that it arose from some popular affray. Formerly there were two chaimtries in this Church, one dedicated to St. Mary, and the other to St. Nicholas. The first, dedicated to the Yirgin Mary, was founded before ] 402, by Sir Reginald de Cobham, Lord Cobham, of Sterborougli Castle, Surrey. The incumbent was to pray for the repose of the souls of the said Sir Reginald, his wife Joan, his children, and of all faithful Christian people. The presentation of the chauntry priest the founder A'csted in twelve of the principal inha- bitants of the town of Croydon. The total income of this chauntiy, derivable from various tenements and lands in Croydon or elsewhere, Avas £16 Is. 2d. The other chauntry, dedicated to St. Nicholas, Avas founded for the repose of the souls of John Stafford, Bishop of Bath and Wells, and of William Oliver, Vicar of Croydon, before the year 1448, as in that year liishop Stafford Avas translated to the See of Canterbury. The patronage of this chauntry seems to haA^e been in the Weldon family, from their name being connected with several presentations. The total income of the chauntry Avas £14 14s. 6d., obtainable in a similar manner to that of St. Mary's. A house Avas appropriated to the Vicar in the reign of Edward III. This formerly adjoined the old churchj^ard. The folloAving Bishops Avere consecrated in Croj-don Church : — 1534, April 19, by Archbishop Cranmer,^ Thomas Goodrich, D.D., Bishop of Ely, and John Capon, alias Salcot, LL.D., late Abbot of Hyde, Bishop of Bangor. 1541, September 25, by the same Arch- bishop, John Wakeman, last Abbot of Tewkesbury and first Bishop of Gloucester. 1551, August 30, by the same Archbishop, John Scory, D.D., Bishop of Rochester, and Miles CoAcrdale, D.D., Bishop of Exeter.3 1591, August 29, by Archbishop Whitgift, Gervase ' Reg. Chieheley, fol. 331, a. - Whatever opinions may be entertained respecting the disingenuousness and vacillation of his j)revious conduct, there can be no doubt that Crannier displayed great heroism at the stake. This learned, venerable, and aged man was committed to the flames on the 21st of March, 1556. '•* Tyndal's friend anil coadjutor in tlic work of translating the Holy Scriptures into the 14 ANTIQUITIES OV CROYDON CHURCH. Babinf^ton, D.D., Bishop of LlandafF. 1612, September 20, by Archbishop Abbot, assisted by John (King-), Bishop of London, Richard (Neile), Bishop of Lichiickl and Coventry, and John (Buckcridge), Bishop of Bochester, Miles Smith, B.D., Bishop of Gloucester. Englisli language. Of this work, wliich was the first Bible />nf/fi'tf in the English language. Dr. tledcles has remarked, that, although far horn perfect, "yet few first translations will be found preferable to it. It is astonishing liow little obsolete the language of it is even at this day; and in point of perspicuity and noble simjilicity, propriety of idiom, and purity of style, no English version has )'et surpassed it." Coverdale was made Bishop of Exeter by Edward VI. Upon the change of religion in Queen Mary's reign, he was ejected from his See of Exeter and thrown into prison; out of which he was released at the earnest request of the King of Denmark, and as a great favour permitted to go into banishment. Soon after Elizabeth's accession, he returned from exile, but refused to be restored to his bishopric on account of his attachment to the ]irinciples of the Puritans. ^Yhen old and poor, Grindall, Bishop of Eondon, gave him the living of St. Magnus, at the bridge foot. Here he preached for about two years, but not coming up to the terms of conformity then required, he was obliged to relinquish his parish a little before his death. lie was much admired by the Puritans, who flocked to him in great numbers while he officiated at St. Magnus, which he did without the habits. lie died 1567, being 81 years of age. "The Act of Uniformity (says Neal), brought down his reverend hairs with sorrow to the grave." |Vci:toi;f) and \)\\[^il of a[rondon. EEC TOES. NFORTUNATELY the names of many of them have been lost. Of those that have been discovered the first which occvirs is that of — ^GiDius DE AuDENARDO, who was Roctor in 1282' and 1295.^ He was likewise Eector of Chcrryng, which he resigned into the hands of Archbishop Peckham, May 4, 1284,=^ and was a Canon of the Chnrch of St. Mary, Dover, and Prebend of Pesmere.'* John Maunsel is the next, whose name occurs as Eector in 1309'' and in 1310.« EiCHARi) Ai:NGERvnj.E, al'dc Bury, cl', presentat. per regem ad eccl' de Croydon, archiepatu vac', 30th November, 1 Ed. III-^ This learned divine afterwards became Bishop of Durham, and author of the " Philo- biblon." He was born at Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, in the year 1287, and was educated at Oxford. In 1333 he was elevated by Edward III., whose tutor he had been, to the episcopal dignity, and in the succeeding year was appointed Lord High Chancellor and Treasurer of England. He died at Auckland, in 1345. John de Tounford was Eector in 1348.^ William de Leghton, collated by Archbishop Islip, 12th January, 135 1.» William de "Wittleseye, collated to this Eectory by his uncle, Archbishop Islip, 12th April, 1352. '° He afterwards became a Doctor of Canon Law at Oxford, and was preferred, by hi^ uncle, to tlie office of Vicar-General, then to the Deanery of Arches, the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, the Bishoj)rics of Eochestcr and AYorcester, and at last ' i'?c^. reckham, fol. 146, a. - Ibid, fol. 97, b. * /hid, fol. 36, /;. 5 I/ml, fol. 52, a. 7 Pat. I Ed. IK. « Reg. Courtney, fol. 176, /;. '» Ibid., fol. 263, /'. '' Ibid, fol. 207, a. A\g. Wimhchev, fol. 19, /', " Reg. Islip, fol. 259, a. 16 AXTIQriTIES Ol' fROYDON CHI'HCH. became Archbishop of Canterburyc He exchanged this Picctory for that of Olive, in the Deanery of Shoreham, with — Ada:m de IIonton, LL.D., who was admited to it 3rd ^lay, 1359.' He was afterwards Bishop of St. David's, and built St. Mary's College, near his Cathedral, which he endowed with £100 per (umnm. Adam de lioHEiAX was Rector in 1303,- but soon after exchanged this Rector)' for the Prebend of Ruyll, in the Collegiate Church of Abergwilly, Avith — William Bourbkigg, who was admitted 8th June, 1303.^ John Quernby was Rector in 1364.'* He exchanged this Rectory for the Prebend of "\Yoodburgh, in the Collegiate Church of Soutliwell, in the County of York, with — John Godewyke, admitted 28th March, 1365.-'* John Godewyke, LL.D., presented, on the 6th November, 1370, to this Rectoiy by Edward III., who became patron by reason of the temporalities of the vacant Archbishojjric being in his hands.^ He was the last Rector of this Church. VICARS. The names of those that have been discovered are as follows : — Henry de la Rye, presented to this \icarage by ^^gidius de Audenardo, Rector of the same, 4th August, 1289.^ Thomas de Sevexoke is mentioned as Yicar in 1309.* Thomas de Maydexestane was presented by John Maunsel, Rector, May, 1309.« John de Horstede was Yicar in the year 1348.9 John de Stanesfelde was appointed Dean of Croydon,'" by a com- mission from Archbishop Islip, dated at Lambeth, 11th February, 1349." He exchanged this Yicarage for the Rectory of West Wickham with — Richard Atte Licit, presented by ^Yilliam de Wittlescve, Rectoi-, 7th June, 1356. '2 John de Hameldon, presented by Adam de Honton, LL.D., Rector, 3rd December, 1361.'3 • Rc'c^. Islip, fol. 282, b. "^ Ibid. fol. 301, a. ^ Ibid. * //'/(/, fol. 306, b. * Ibid. " WiTTI.F.SEVE, fol. 82, b. ' Re^. Peckham, fol. 40, a. * Reg. Winchelsey, fol. 82, //. » Reg. Courtney., fol. 176, b. '" The Deanery of Croydon was composed of the Churches of Croydon, East Horsley, Merstham, \Viml)ledon, Barnes, Burstow, Charlwood, Newington, and Cheyham. Cro)(lon is now in the Deanery of Kweli. " Reg. /slip, fol. 10, a. '2 Ibid, fol. 271, b. '^ Ibid, fol. 243. b. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 17 Robert Ok elk, presented by John Godcwyko, Hector, May, 1373.' William Daper was Vicar in tlio year 1402.^ He exchanged this Vicarage for the Rectory of Throckyng, in the Diocese of Lincohi, with — Richard Bondon, presented 7th August, 1402, by the Convent and Prior of St. Saviour's, Bermondsey.^ He exchanged this Vicarage for the Wardenship of St, Mary Magdalene, with the Parish of Kingston, with — John ScARBUR(iH, who was presented by the same patrons, 18th December, 1405.'* John Aldenham, alias Causton, presented by the same patrons, 20th January, 1408.^ The Vicarage became vacant before November 23rd, 1420, but in what manner we are not told, a blank being left in Arch- bishop Chicheley's Register, on the side of which is written " Institutio Vicarii de Croydon," where the name of his successor should have been inserted.^ William Oliver became Vicar about that time.'^ This Vicar is sup- posed to have given some lands to the Chauntry of St. Nicholas, that the priest there might pray for the repose of his soul. John Langton, upon whose death — * Henry Carpenter, LL.B., was presented by the Convent and Prior of St Saviour's, Bermondsey, 30th October, 1487.9 William Shaldoo, presented by the same patrons, 3rd December, 1487.'« Roland Phillips, D.D., collated June 4th, 1497," by Archbishop Morton, with the unanimous consent of the Prior and Convent of St, Saviour's, Bermondsey. Of this celebrated man we subjoin the fol- lowing notices : — Preaching, at St. Paul's against printing, then lately introduced into England, this Vicar uttered the following singular passage : — '' We (the Catholics) must root out printin(j, or printing loill root out xisj' '^ " And even as there was much ado amongst them of the Common House, about their agreement to the subsidie, so was there as harde holde for a while amongst them of the clergie in the Convocation House; namelye, Richard, Byshoppe of Winchester, and John, Byshoppe of Rochester, held sore agaynst it; but, most of a]. Sir « /vV^. Wittlcscyc. 2 Keg. Arundel, Part I., fol. 284, a. » 3id. * Ibid, fol. 305, b. * //'/(/, Part II., fol. 52, a. « AV^-. Chichelcy, Part I., fol. 121, b. '• Ibid. ^ Reg. Bourcliici; fol. 97, b. "•' Reg. Botcrchier, fol. 97, b. '^ Reg. Mortoji, Dene, Bourchier, Courtney, fol. 133, a. " Reg Morton, fol. 163, a. '■' Fox. ]) 18 AXTTQrrr[Es of croyi^ox ctiiirch. Rowlandc riiilUps, vicar of Croj'don, and one of the canons of Paules, being reputed a notable preaclier in tliose daycs, spake most against that payment. But the cardinall taking him aside, so handled the matter with liim, that he came no more into the house, willingly ab- senting himselfe^ to his great infamie and losse of that estimation which men had of his innocencie. Thus, the Bellwcather giving over his holde, the other yielded, and so was granted the halfe of all their spirituall revenues for one year, to be paid in five yeares following, that the burden might y*^ more easily be borne." ' " Yet because he (Sir T, More) would not blame anie man's con- science therein, he was commanded to walke into the garden a while ; and presently all the clergie men, some bishops, manie doctours, and priests were called in, who all took it excei)t liishop Fisher, and one Doctour Wilson, without anie scriiijlo, stoppo, or stay ; and the Vicar of Croydon, saith >Sir Thomas, called for a cuppe of bierc of the butterie barre, quia erat noius pontijici, and he drunke, valde fami- liari/er." ^ " lie (Buthall, Bishop of Durham) paid his last debt to nature at Durham Palace, near London, on AVcdnesday, the fourth of Feb^, in fifteen hundred twenty and two, and was buried in the Chapel of S. John Baptist, joyning to the Abbey Church of S. Peter, in West- minster, at which time Dr. Powl. Phillips, Vicar of Croydon, a great and a renowned Cleric, preached an excellent sermon."-^ In 1531, John Ilewes, a draper of London, was made to abjure, for saying that he heard the Vicar of Croydon [Phillips] preach openly, ** That there is as much baudry kept by going in pilgrimage to Wilsedon or Mouswt>l, as in the stews beside," &c.^ Phillips attended the funeral of Abbot Islip, at Westminster, in 1532, and preached his funeral sermon.'* Peter Burocgii, M.A., collated on the resignation of Poland Phillips, by Archbishop Cranmer, 9th May, Id'68,'' pleno jure ; the same day the Archbishop issued a decree to John Cocke, LL.D., his Vicar- General, to assign a pension of £12 per annum from the profits of the vicarage to the said Poland Phillips, for life, on account of his great age. John Gybre, B.D., succeeded him, being collated by the same Arch- bishop, 12th April, 1542.^ He enjoyed it but about 8 years," being ' Holinsiied's C/iroii., p. 1524. 2 More's Life of Sir T. More, p. 222. ' Wood's Aih. Ox., vol. ii., p. 723. •• Fox, vol. ii., \>. 592. * Widmork's /list, of IVist. Abbey, Ap]iendix lo. * Rei;. Crauvier, fol. 364, b. ' Reg. Craiiiuer, fol. 364, a. *" We prcsunic this refers to Gybbe. "The Vicar of Croydon, under the Archliishop's nose, had been guilty of certain misdemeanors : which, I suppose, were speaking or ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 19 deprived for refusing to pay his tithes to the King,' and was succeeded by David Kr-:MP, collated by the same Archbishop, 31st May, 1550.2 He resigned, and was succeeded by William Cooke, collated by the same Archbishop, 13th September, 1553.^ Upon his decease Richard Fynche was collated by Archbishop Parker, 23rd April, 1560." On his death Samuel Fynche was collated by Archbishop Grindall, 26th May, 1581.5 Samuel Fynche, at the presentation of the King, by lapse, 28th February, 1603. Upon his demise,'' Henry Rigge, MA., was collated by Archbishop Abbot, 20th September, 1616.^ Samuel Bernard, B.D., collated on the resignation of Henry Rigge, 10th August, 1624.'^ He was displaced by the committee for plundered ministers in February, 1643, "for errors in doctrine, superstition in practice, and malignancy." ^ His successor was Thomas Buckner, D.D.,'° who was succeeded by Samuel Otes, M.A., who lies buried in the north chancel. He died in 1645. Francis Peck. In 1046, it was ordered by the committee that £50 per annum should be paid to Francis Peck out of the imi^ropriate rectory of East Meon, in Hampshire, as an augmentation of the preaching to the disparagement of the King's supremacy, and in favour of the Pope. Now, before he went into the country, and having as yet divers bishops and learned men with him at Lambeth, he thought it advisable to call this man before them at this time. But before he would do it, he thought it best to consult with Crumwell, and take his advice whether he should now do it, and before these bishops or not ; so ticklish a thing then was it for the bishojis to do anything of themselves without the privity and order of this great Vicegerent. Cranmer was aware of it, and therefore required direction from him in everything." — Strype's Lifo of Cranmer. vol. i., p. 79. ' The Parliament being again assembled (.^rd November) conferred on the King the title of the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England ; as they had already invested him with all the real power belonging to it. In this memorable Act the Parliament granted him power, or rather acknowledged his inherent power " to visit and repress, redress, reform, order, correct, restrain, or amend all errors, heresies, abuses, offences, contempts, and enormities, which fell under any spiritual authority or jurisdiction." — (26 Henry \'III.c. 1.) 'riiey also declared it treason to attem]it, imagine, or sjieak evil against the King, (^)ueen, or liis heirs, or to endeavour de]iriving them of IJieir dignities or titles. They gave him a right to all the annates and tithes of benefices, which had formerly been paid to the Court of Rome. They granted him a subsidy and a fifteenth. — Hume, chap. xxx. * Keg. Cranmer, fol. 411, a. '^ Reg. Cranmer, fol. 424. a. * Req. Parker, Part I, fol. 342, b. * Keg. Grindall,{o\. 5s i, 3. ^ Rig. IV/titirift, Part III., fol. 278, b. ^ Reg. Abbot, Part I., fol. 420, a. s i,]., Part 11., fol. 337. 9 Walker's List oJ EJee/ed Clergy, p. 210. '" " .Samuel Paniard being dis])laced in 1643, Thomas liuckner, D.D., was appointed, but died in 1644." Rawlinson's MS. Notes on Aubrey. 20 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. Vicarage of Croydon. This money having never been received, the same sura was voted 20th September, 1684, to his successor, Edward Corbett, M.A., out of the sequestered Hectory of Camber- welh' Jonathan AVestwood, appointed by Sir AVilliam Brereton, Bart., who was become possessed of the Archiepiscopal Palace at Croydon, and was ordered £50 a year for the use of such minister as he should provide to serve the Cure of the Church of Croydon. "West wood was in the receipt of this stipend from the 31st May, 1654, to the 9th June, 1657.2 The next vicar met with is — William Clewer, D.D., collated by Archbishop Juxon, in 1660,^ who deserves to be recorded onlj' as a disgrace to his profession. This man was a great persecutor of the Royalists, during the Commonwealth, and had himself enjoyed one of the sequestered livings ; but upon the first news of the Restoration, he repaired immediately to London, and had the art to get himself recommended to the Earl of Clarendon, as a zealous son of the Church, and a person deserving of preferment ; in consequence of which he got the Living of Croydon. "When settled there, he became the scourge of the inhabitants, practising every species of extortion and injustice. His singular love of litigation, and his criminal and disgraceful conduct, eventually caused his ejectment from this Benefice, in 1684.'* It was, probably, after his deprivation, that he was tried at the Old Baileij, and burnt in the hand for stealing a silver cup. In Smith's " Lives of Highwaymen," where this fact is mentioned, the following anecdote is also to be found: — " O'Bryan, meeting with Dr. Cleiver, the parson of Croydon , coming along the road from Acton, he demanded his money ; but the Reverend Doctor having not a farthing about him, O'Bryan was for taking his gown. At this our divine was much dissatisfied, but, perceiving the ' Proceedings of the Committee, Bodleian Library. * The following extract is taken from a book, deposited in the Lambeth Library. The book is marked "Au. G. No. 7, 8," fol. 689 : — Croyden, May 31, 1654. " In pursuance of two several orders of the committee for reformation of the universities, of the 15 Jan., 1650, and 28 Jan., 165 1, it is ordered, that Mr. Lawr. Steele, treasurer, doe, from time to tnne, pay unto Sir William Brereton, for the use of Mr. Jonathan Westwood, minister of Croyden, in the county of Surrey, approved according to the ordinance for a]i]irobati()n of publique preachers, the yerely sum of 50/., for and during such time as the said Mr. Westwood shall continue to discharge the duty of the minister of the said place, till further orders of the said tnistees, together with all arrears of the said 50/. per ann., due by order of the 26th Sept., 1652. "John Thorowgood, William Stele, John Browne, "Richard Yong, John Powick." " ^ Parish Reg. This vicar's name is generally spelt Cleiver, but it is an error ; his signature appears frequently in the Parish Register, and invariably Cleiver. * J7. » Ibid, 425, l>. * Dr. Aplhorp died [7lh April, 1816, at Cambridge, wlierc he had formerly been Fellow of Jesus College. jJarifih ^vcrji filer. 'any parish registers, and amongst the number that of Croydon, commence in 1538, when Cromwell, Vicar- General, issued an order for parish registers to be kept throughout the kingdom.' Divers entries, either curious in themselves, or relating to remarkable persons, are here copied. From these documents we learn, that the number of persons who fell A-ictims to the Plague at Croydon, From July 20, 1G03, to April 10, IGOl, was ... 158 In the year 1625 76 Ditto 1626 24 Ditto 1631 74: From July 27, 1665, to March 22, 1666 . . . . 141 ' The first known public authority under which registers, recording births or baptisms, marriages, deaths, or burials, were systematically kept in England, was an injunction issued in September, i!;38 (30 Henry VIII.) by Thomas Lord Cromwell, Lord Privy .Seal and Vicegerent to the King, which enjoined, that in eveiy parish a register-bock should be kept in a coffer with 2 locks, by the parson, vicar or curate, and churchwardens; and that every •Sunday, in the presence of one of the churchwardens, the parson, etc., should enter in a register-book a written record of the dates and names of the weddings, christenings, and burials, of the preceding week ; by neglect of whicli duty he incuned a fine of 3 shillings and fourpence to be employed in the repair of the church. In 1 547, an injunction was issued by Edward VI., similar to that of 1538, excepting only that the penalty was directed "to be employed to the poore box" of the ])arish. Infjuiiy was directed at the instance of Cardinal Pole, under Philip and Mar}', in the years 1555 and 1557, wliether the clergy had complied with these directions ; and in the 1st year of Queen Elizabeth, 1559, a further injunction was is.niLd, which differed from that of Edward VI , in 1547, only in directing that the penalty should be divided between the poor- box and the repair of the church. These injunctions were not strictly observed. — Enc. Brit. "No person will be surprised," says Mr. Rickman, "that one-half of the registers anterior to a.v. 1600 should have disappeared. If any other nation possesses similar registers of that date (a valuable proof of uninterrupted civilization), a ccmparison might be instituted, and the preservation of such records through 300 years would not prove to have been of frequent occurrence ; but in point of fact, examination shows that 812 English Parish Registers commence in the year 1538, about forty of which contain entries (copied probably from family bibles and tombstones), anlcrier to the dale of Crtniwcll's injunction ; AXTIQUITTES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 23 In a note it is stated tliat from the lltli to the 18th of August, 1603, — 3,054 persons died of the Plague in London and the liberties thereof, and that many died in the highways, near about the city, and that, " from the 25th of August to the tirst of September, 3,385 persons died." The following instances of longevity are recorded : — " Margaret Ford, aged 105 years, was buried Feb. 2, 1714 — 5." " John Baydon, aged 101 years, buried Dec. 12, 1717." " Margaret Burnett, aged 99 years, was buried Dec. 26, 1718." " Elizabeth Giles, widow, aged 100, was buried Aug. 17, 1729." " Elizabeth Wilson, from the Black Horse, aged 101, was buried March 17, 1771." " On June 10, 1552, Alexander Barckley, sepult." Alexander Barkley, who appears to have been by birth a Scot, studied at Oriel College, Oxford, and was afterwards successively a Benedictine Monk at Eh% and a Franciscan at Canterbury. He is best known by his celebrated poem, called " The Gret Shyppe of Fooles of this Wo ride," taken from a work of the same name, written in German by Sebastian Brandt, and is a satire upon the follies of the age. Warton, in his History of English Poetry, saj^s that the stanzas are verbose and prosaic, but that it is a work deserving of attention, as it exhibits, like other satires, a picture of familiar manners and popular customs. He adds that the author's language is more cultivated, and that he contributed his share to the improve- ment of the English phraseology. Barkley frequently mentions " Croidon " in his Eclogues, from one of which, quoted by Warton, it would appear that this place was his residence in the early part of his life — " While I a youth in Croidon town did dvv'ell." The following miscellaneous items are arranged according to their respective dates : — 1560. " Syr Wyllm Coke, clerke, vicar of Croydon, was buryed the xxvij day of Marche." 1563. "January. Mr. Wyllm Heron, justice, was buryed the x day of January." 1568. "Syr Nicholas Heron, Knight, deceased the fyrst day of September, and was buryed the v day of the same month." 1578. "Lady Mary Heron [widow of Sir Nicholas] was buryed the xx day of Aprill, and her funcrall was made 1 822 Parish Registers commence from A. D. 1558 to 1603, when the canons, authorised by King James, directed a copy of all parisli registers to l^e made and preserved ; and nearly one-half of them (5082) have been preserved accordingly, and are now extant. Parish regislers. to the number of 969, commence between that time to the year 1650 ; — 2757 from A D. 1650 to 1700 ; — 1476 Parish Registers from a.d. 1700 to the year 1750 ;— the rest since that time." 24 AXTIQUITIKS OF OIJOYDOX CTITMlCir. the xxiiij day of April]." 1578. "Riclinrd Goniardo, tlio son of Eryan Goniardo, was clirystened the viiij day of Marelie." This was Sir Richard Gurney, the celebrated Lord Mayor of London, who was born in the town of Cro3Tlon.^ For his devotion to loyalty he was deprived of his mayoralty, rendered incapable of holding any public office in the kingdom, fined £5,000, and imprisoned, during the pleasure of both houses of Parliament in the Tower, where he remained till within a month of his death, a term of seven years. On Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the year 1641, being then Lord Mayor, he entertained the King and the royal family, on his Majesty's return from Scotland, at a cost of about £4,000, when the King was pleased to confer upon him the honour of kniglithood ; and on the l4th of the next month the higher distinction of a baronetage. In this year he caused the Ilo3"al Procla- mation against the ^Militia to be publicly read within the city, and was for so doing deprived of his mayoralty and his liberty, as above stated. He died Oct. 6th, 1647, and was buried at St. Olave's, Jewry. lie was one of the trustees nominated by Henry Smith, Esq., for the manage- ment of his large property left to Croydon and other towns in the County of Surrey. 1578. — " This Candlemas was the great snowe." 1581. — '' Pichard Ffinche, clerke, vycar of the paroychc churche of Croydon, was buryed the ix*'^ day of Aprill, anno dni. 1581™", regni Eliz. 23«°." — " Edmunde Grindall, L. Archbishop of Canterburie, deceased the vj day of Julye, and was buryed the fj'rste day of Auguste, anno dni. 1583, and anno regni Elizabethae 25." 1584. — " Bonaventure Pyder, travclynge between Wonswthe and Croydon, was found dead in Waddon mill, upon the xxv day of Julye, and was buried the iiij day of August abovesaj-d." 1585. — " INIemoranda. — That the xxv*^* day of Julye word was broght to the towne of Croydon, that there Liy one dead in a close nyc Pollarde hill, who was putryfied and stank in most horrible manner ; wherefor none could bo gotten by the officers to bringe hym ; where- upon he lay there [till] the Tuesday at nyghte after, beinge the xxvii**^ day, at which time the Vicar [Samuel Fynche, primiis~\ hired one Robert Woodwarde, and they two went unto hym, and found hym lyeng on his backe, w*^ his legs pulled up to him & his knees Ij'ing wide, his right hand lying on his right legge, & his left cross his stomacke, the skin of his face & the hear [of] his lied beaten of w*'^ the weather. ' Lt.ovd's Mctnoirs, pp. 625, 626. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 25 no pportyon in the lineaments of his body to be proaved, they ware so putryfied, a rnt. rotten canvas dublet, & his hose ragged, a blacke felt hat w*^ a cypres bande, and two laces tyed at the ende of the band. Woodward digged the grave hard by h}Tn where he lay, and they two pulled hym in, w*^' each of them a large forke." 1585. — " Wm. Edsone beinge sicke (as he confessed to his wife, Willm. Andrews & one Hedd of Streatham) yet constrained hymself to goe forth to mowinge at Streatham the xix*^* day of Julye, & coraniing home from thence betweene Streatham bridge and the further Norberie gate, fell downe dead, & was buried the xxv*'* day of Julye." — " Roger Pryce leaninge on a calyver charged w*^ hayle shotte on liis left side, his matche in the same hande, the peece discharged soddenlye & kylled hyme presently, savinge as much tyme as wherein he prayed the standei^s by to pray to God for hym, & soe fallinge downe, desiered God hartely to forgive hym all hys synnes, and soe dyed the xxvi*'^ day of Julye. And was buried the xxvij*''." — " Elizabeth, the daughter of John Kynge & Clemence (wyfe of Samuell Ffynche \_primus'] vycar by the space of vij yeares) mother of V children at severall byrthes, of the age of xxj yeares ; deceased the xvij*^'' day of November, and was buryed the xviij**^, anno dni. 1589. Memoranda — That whereas Samuell Ffynche, Vicar of Croydon, lycensed Clemence Kynge, the wyfe of John Kynge, brewer, to eate fleshe in the time of Lente, by reason of her sicknesse, wch lycence beareth date the xxix*^* day of Ffebruary ; and further, that she the sayde Clemence doth as yet cont3aiue sicke, and hath not recovered her health : Knowe ye tlierfor, that the sayde lycence continueth still in force, and for the more efficacie therof, ys here registered accordinge to the statute in the psence of Thomas Mosar, Churchwarden of the said parishe of Croydon, the vij^'* day of Marche, in the xxxviij year of the Queene's ma** moste gracious reigne, and for the registeringe therof ther is paid unto the curate ivd." — " John Whitgifte, Archbishop of Canterburie, deceased at Lambith on "Wednesday at viiij of the clocke in the eveninge, beinge the laste day of February, and was brought the day followinge in the eveninge to Croydon, and was buried the morninge followinge by two of the clocke in the chappell where bis pore people doe usuallie sitte : his ffunerall was kepte at Croydon the xxvij"* day of Marche followinge, anno dni. 1604, anno, regni dni nri Eegis Jacobi Secundo." " 1G07, April. — Ilycharde Esteiuge, a young man, beinge killed suddenlye w*'' a stroke of thunder & lightninge on the [neck] & under the rij^ht eare : but notliinwe but blacknesse scene, & the 26 . ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. of swealed, was biirycd tlio xix^'' clay : and smelt of Brimstone exceedingle." December 1G07. — "The greatest fFrost began ye ix*^' day of this month. Ended on Candlemas-eve." 1G08. — "Mychaoll Murgatrode^ Esquire, deceased at London the x day, and "was buried at Croydon on the xii day of Aprill, anno dni. 1608." This gentleman was Secretary to Archbishop Whitgift. — " Ffrancis Tyrrell, citizen & marchante of London, was buried the first day of September, 1609, and his ffunerall was kept at London the xiij^^' of the same month. He gave two hundred poundes to the parisliioners of Croydon, to builde them a new market-house, and flPortie poundes to rejiaire our churche, and ffortie shillings a yeare to our pore of Croydon for xiij years, with manic other good and greate legacyes to the citie of London." Feb. 12, 1G14-5. — "This was the day of the terrible snow, and the Sunday following a greater." 1631, June 25th. — "William xVrnold, a young man, et magnae spei, was buryed." 1633, Jan. 30. -Sepult. " Ralph Smith, yeoman of the guard," — " George Abbot, Lord Archbishop of Cant., deceased at Croydon upon the fourth day of August, 1633. Ilis funerall was with great solemnity kept in the chiirch here, upon the third, day of Septemb. following, and the next day his corpse was convaide to Guilford, and. there buryed according to his will." Of Archbishop Abbot it is related, that " Being at Croydon, when the proclamation lor permitting sports and pastimes upon the Lord's Day was ordered to be read, in the Churches, he peremptorily forbade its being read there." ^ In King James's last illness he was sent for, and attended with great constancy till his Majesty expired, on the 27th March, 1625. He performed the ceremony of the coronation of King Charles I., although at the time very infirm, and much troubled with the gout. 1636, Sept. 9. — Bap. "Thomas Ilarvy, the sonne of Mr. Eliab Harvy." This Thomas Harvy was nephew to Dr. AVilliam Harvey, the celebrated discoverer of the circulation of the blood. It is supposed that several of the famil}' are buried at Croydon. 1643.— May 12.—" Sir Hugh Wirrall, Knight, was buried." 1649, March 29. — " ^ly Lady Scudaniore buried." Lady Scudamore was aunt to the patriot Hampden, and to Edmund Waller, the poet. 1675, Ap. 11. — "Mr. Wm. Crow, Schoolmaster, was buried." He ' Biographict Britaiiuica. ANTKJUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 2/ was a Chaplain of Whitgift's Tlospital, and was author of a Catalogue of English A7riters on the Old and New Testaments, 1659, which has been frequently' printed. 1677, November 16. — " Gelbert Sheldon, laite Archbishop of Can- terbury, buryed." — " Dr. William Wake, Archbishop of Canterbury, died at his palace at Lambeth, January 24, 1736, and was brought to Croydon and buried Feb^ 9, and his lady, which was buried at Lambeth the April, 1731, was taken up and brought to Croydon the next day, and put in the vault with him." Archbishop Wake was author of many contro- versial and theological works. — " Dr. John Potter, Archbishop of Canterbury, was buried Oct. 27th, 1747." Archbishop Potter was the son of a Yorkshire linen draper, and was born at Wakefield in 1674. He received his early education in that town, and Dr. Parr affects to discover this in his Latin pro- ductions, which, says he, " abound with those faults, which instruction at a higlier seminary would have taught him to avoid." In the cele- brated Bangorian controvers}"^ he took an active part, accusing Hoadley, then Bisliop of Bangor, of holding opinions hostile to all Establish- ments, and particularly to that of the Church of England. In 1722 he entered into a correspondence with Atterbury, as to the period when the four Gospels were written. He preached the sermon at the coro- nation of George II., who raised him to the Archbishopric of Canterbury in 1737. Archbishop Potter was a man of great learning, and par- ticularly conversant with the Greek language. Many of his theological writings are extant, but the work for which he has been most celebrated is the Antiquities of Greece. 1749, August 30. — "James Cooper, a highwayman, was executed on a gibet in 8mithden Bottom, and there hanged in chains, for murdering and robing of Robert Saxby, groom to John How, Esq., of Barrowgreen, in the Parish of Oxteed in Surry, on the 17th of March, 1749, near Crorae Ilurste." — " Dr. Thomas Herring, Archbishop of Canterbury, died at his palace at Croydon, and was buried Mar. 24th, 1757." Archbishop Herring was buried in a very private manner, according to his own request ; which expressly forbade also, that any monument should be erected to his memory.^ It may not be amiss here, for the information of such of our readers as are strangers to Croydon, to ex])lain tliat tliis once sumptuous Palace, Biograpit in Ih'ita it ii ira . 28 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. in which the Archbishop died, was a favourite residence of the Arch- bishops of Cantcrbnry. For although the capital residence of the Arelibishoj)s of this See was anciently the Palace at Canterbury, situated near their Cathedral, and given by King Ethelbert, after his conversion to Christianity, to Augustine and his successors, for ever ; yet besides this Palace, the Archbishops had many other Castles, Seats, and Manors, where they from time to time resided, as their inclinations for retirement or pleasure directed them. Of this number was the Manor of Croj^don, a place which has for many ages belonged to the See of Canterbury, and was particularly famous for its magnificent Palace. Surrounded by woods and vineyards, in summer it afforded a very pleasant retreat from care, and the multiplicity of business. Here, in days of yore, Cranmer, Laud, and Whitgift were wont to reside, and here Queen Elizabeth halted in her royal progress, to enjoy the hospitality of her favourite prelate. But those sunny days, and the busy actors in the scenes of glory, ha^ve long since passed away, and a neglected ruin is all that now remains of the Palace, in which the Great Queen once feasted in all the pomp of Royal splendour.^ ' The whole of this buildinjr, it is inferred from Dr. Ducarel's conjectures in regard to its several parts, was erected subsequently to the middle of the 14th centuiy, before which time it appears to have been of wood. The same writer is of opinion that the east and west portions of the great court were among the earliest buildings entirely constructed of brick. por Flad IV Jl mi ^e jg^ ' . s - - -■■— — ^ ^;r ^ MURGATROID'S MONUMENT. MILL'S MONUMENT. Q^l oniimentrj and fipitaphf). EREVe shall notice only those more important ones which appear to demand a particular description. It is almost needless to add that the monuments in Croydon Church were terribly mutilated by the late disastrous fire. The following account is interspersed with bio- grapliical notices of the celebrated personages con- cerned, and such other remarks as may not prove unacceptable to the general reader. Beginning with those in the middle chancel, on the north side of the altar, within separate recessed arches, and flanked and divided by a Corinthian column, are the painted effigies of a man and woman kneeling before desks (see plate IV.). Above the entablature are three shields of arms. Over the man is this inscrip- tion — Obiit 21 Jana 1573, aet. suae 69. Under the man is this inscrip- tion, in capitals — Heare lieth buried the corps Of Maister Henrie Mill, Citezen and Grocer of London famous Cittie, Alderman and somtyme Shreve, A man of prudent skill, Charitable to the Poore, And alwaies full of pittie. Whose soule wee hope Dothe rest in blise, Wheare Joy dothe stil al^oundc, Tlioughe bodie his Full depe do lie, In earthe here under groundc. Over the woman — Obiit 2 Aug. 1585, aet. suae. Under the woman — Elizabeth Mill, his lovinge wyf Lyeth also buried heare, Whoe sixtene Children Did him beare The blessing of the Lorde, Eight of them sonnes, And the other 8 Weare daughters. This is clearc A witness sure of mutuall love. And signe of greate accorde. Whose sole amonge The Patryarks, In faithfull Abram's brest, Thoughe bodic hirs Be wrapt in clay, We hope in joyc dothe rest. 30 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CIIUUCII. The inscription on Mill's monument is less injured than the other parts. Immediately above this tomb there "was a handsome marble tablet, to the memory of Nicholson Dimdas Anderson ; and next to it, on the rig-ht, another marble tablet, indicating that the family vault of Alexander Caldcleugh, Esq., is in this chancel. To the east of the last mentioned, on a black marble tablet, supported by two Corinthian columns, is this inscription : — Here lyes the Iioch' of John Tynsent, Esq , one of the Prothonotavies of his Majesties Court of Coinon-Pleas, who departed this life the 29th of August, 1668. The meanest part of him is only told In this Inscription, as this Tombe doth hold Ilis worser part, and both these easily may In length of time consume, and weare away ; His Virtue doth more lasting honours give, Virtue, and virtuous souls for ever live ; This doth embaulme our dead beyonde the art Proud ^^igypt used of old ; his head and heart Prudence and pietie enricht, his hand Justice and Charity did still command ; Hee was the Churche's and the poore man's freind ; Wealth got by Law, the Gospell taught to spend. From hence hee leanit that w' is sent before Of our estates, doth make us rich farr more Then what wee leave, and therefore did hee send Great portions weekly ; thus did hee commend His faith by workes ; in heaven did treasuer lay ; Which to possess his soule is cald away. Here only is reserved his precious dust, Untill the resurrection of the just. "Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord ; tliey rest from their Labours, and their works doe follow tliem." — l\ev..\iv. 13. On the ground, on a brass plate, in the corner of the Chancel, the figure of a Priest praying. This inscription — Silbrstcr (Pabrirl, ciijus Inpis Jjic trgit ossa, Ycxa. sacfrtintuin gloria nupfr rrat, ILrgis nrmo ^arir Diliina bolumina brrbig Claviiis, aut bita sanrlius ri-pliruit. (Tominus ergo Dm, inolio friix, rminits almis Gnn, pius in srriptis biljfrat antr, biOrt. 3nuo ini iHillimo b,.rb. iiij. 'Oic iDrlobv bita rst fuiitt. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. a I Near to the south — Here lyeth interred ye body of Mrs. Susanna Legatt ye wife of Mr. George Legatt, Citezen and dry fishmonger of London, ye onely daughter of Mr. Richard Shallcross, of ye parish of Croydon, yeoman, aged 24 years, leveing one son. Shee departed this hfe ye 9th day of September, in ye yeare of our Lord God 1679. Near a stone with indent for brasses. Next the brass of which the subjoined is a representation ; but the greater portion of this brass was stolen by the workmen eno-ajjed on the restoration of 1859. Next a stone with indent for brasses. On the south side of the Communion Table, against the wall, on a sarco- phagus within an arched recess, the entablature of which is supported by Corinthian columns, lie the painted effigies of a Churchman in his scarlet robes. Surmounting the entablature were three shields of arms, viz., centre shield, the arms of the see of Canter- bury ; dexter shield, the arms of the see of York ; sinister shield, the arms of the sec of London. I3eneath his ^ effigies were these verses : — . Grindair doctus, prudens, gravitate verendus, Justus, niunificus, sub cruce fortis erat. ' — Post cnicis a?rumnas Christi gregis Anglia fecit Signiferum, Christus coelica regna dedit. In memoria reterna erit Justus. — Psal. cxii. At the top of the monument — Beati mortui qui in Dno moriuntur : — Requiescunt enim a laboribus suis. Et opera illorum sequuntur illos. Apoc. 14. Under the above are the two follow- ing verses, in juxtaposition : — Praesulis eximii ter postquam est auctus honore, Pervigiiiq greges rexit moderamine sacros : Confectum senio durisq laboribus eccc Transtulit in placidam Mors exoptata quietem. g%ja» 82 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. Mortua maimoreo condiintur membra sepulchro, Sed mens sancta viget Kama ])crennis erit, Nam studia et Musae cjuas magnis censibus auxit, Grindalli nomen tempiis in omne ferent. Immediately above the cfRgies is this inscription : — Edmund ' Grindall ' Cumbrien.sis, Theol : Dr. Eruditione, Prudentia, et Gravitate clams, Constantia, Justitia, et Pietate insignis : civibus et peregrinis chanis, ab exilio (quod Evangelii causa subiit) reversus, ad summum dignitatis fastigium (quasi decursu honorum) sub R. Elizabetha evectus, Ecclesiam Londinen. primum, deinde Eborac. demu. Cantuarien. rexit. Et cum jam hie niliil restaret quo altius ascenderet, e corporis vinculis liber ac beatus ad coelum evolavit 6" Julii an. Dni. 1583. yEtatis su£e 63. Hie. praeter multa pietatis officia quae vivus praestitit, moribundus maxima, bonorum suorum partem piis usibus con- secravit. In Parcecia Divte Beglire (ubi natus est) Scholam Grammatic. splendide extrui et opimo censu ditari curavit. Magdalenensi coetui Cantabr. (in quo puer primum Academire ubera suxit) discipulum adjecit, Collegio Christi (ubi adultus liris iiicubuit) gratum Mvrjfioavvov reliquit ; Aulae Penibrochianae (cujus olim Socius, postca Praefcctus, extitit) /Erarium et Bibliothecam auxit, Graecoq. Praelectori, uni Socio, ac duobus Discipulis, ampla stipendia assignavit. Collegium Reginae Oxon. (in quod Cumbrienses potissimum cooptantur) nummis, libris et magnis proventibus locupletavit. Civitati Cantuar (cui moriens i)ra'fuit) centu. libras, in hoc, ut pauperes honestis artificiis exercerentur, perpetuo servandas, atq. impendendas dedit. Residuum bonoru. Pietatis operibus dicavit. Sic vivens nioriensq. Eccliaj, Patriae et bonis Uteris profuit. Of the conscientious and excellent prelate, whom this splendid monu- ment was designed to commemorate, here is the testimony of a learned Churchman and contemporary. When the see of York (anno 15G8) lay destitute of a pastor, Dr. Matthew Ilutton, the Dean, sensible of the great need in which that northern diocese and province stood of a fit person for that weight}^ and difficult charge, sent a letter to Cecil, the Secretary, expressive of the same, suggesting withal what qualifi- cations he that was sent among them ought to have, viz., " That he should be a teacher, because the country was ignorant ; a virtuous and godly man, because the country was given to sift such a man's life ; a stout and courageous man in God's cause, because the country other- wise would abuse him ; and yet a sober and discreet man, lest too much risrorousness should harden the hearts of some that bv fair means might be mollified, etc. ; and such a bishop, likcAvise, as was both learned himself, and also loved learning, that that rude and blind country might be furnished with learned preachers." All these ex- cellent qualities he reckoned centred in Grindall ; for, as he added, "such a man was tlic Bishop of Loudon known to be," and therefore he wished that London were translated to York.^ Of Grindall's family and early history little is known. He was born ' Strype's Li/e of Grindall, Ded. Epistle, page 5. Plate V. ARCHBISnOP GRIXDALL'S TOMB. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 33 in the parisli of St. Bees, in Cumberland, a.d. 1519. A remarkable incident connected witli his boyhood indicated his early thirst for knowledge. While walking in the fields, an arrow lighted on his breast, and had not the book he was reading intercepted it, would probably have proved fatal. After passing through the grammar school, he was sent to Magdalen College, in the University of Cambridge. From thence he removed to Christ's College, and after- wards to Pembroke Hall, where he was chosen fellow in 1538. He commenced M.A. in 1541, and in 1548 was appointed senior proctor of the University. During the following year, he was admitted the Lady Margaret's preacher at Cambridge. " Before he came to be taken notice of in the Church (observes Strype), he made a figure in the University as one of the ripest wits and learnedest men in Cambridge." In 1549, when an extraordinary Act was kept for the entertainment of King Edward's visitors, Grindall, then a young man, was one of the four selected out of the ablest scholars in the University to debate the questions, " Whether transubstantiation could be proved by plain and manifest words of Scripture ? " and " Whether it might be collected and confirmed by the consent of Fathers for a thousand years after Christ ? " Grindall so ably maintained the negative, that Bishop Bidley, one of the visitors on this occasion, very shortly after (1550) made choice of him for his chaplain. In 1551, Ilidley collated him to the chantership of St. Paul's Cathedral, and that year he also was promoted to be chaplain to the King, and in 1552 obtained a stall in Westminster Abbey. Moreover, such public notice had been already taken of his ability, that although not more than thirty-three years of age, he was nominated for a bisliopric in the north of England. But on the death of King Edward, in 1553, foreseeing the storm gathering over the Church, Grindall, in company with many others of piety and learning, took refuge on the Continent. Some of these afterwards, under Queen Elizabeth, attained to places of eminence. He made Strasburg his sanctuary, and whilst in Germany applied with great diligence to the study of its language, in order that he might be qualified to preach in the churches of that country. One of his chief employments, also, during his exile, was to collect "the writings and stories of the learned and pious sufierers in England, and to publish them ; for which purpose he had a great correspondence here." The results of these enquiries were incorporated by Fox into his Acts and Monuments. Mr. Grindall was also concerned about the controversies that were springing up at Frankfort, in the year 1554, about a new model and form of worship, varjdng from the last corrected book under 34 ANTIQI'ITIKS OF CROYDON CnUKCIl. King Edward. Queen Mary dying in 1558, Grindall returned to Eno-land, and was soon called upon to take a part in the settlement of important ecclesiastical ailtiirs. He was selected to form one of a committee of divines, charged with the revision of the Book of Common Prayer, which in its amended form was to be presented to Queen Elizabeth's first Parliament. In the summer of 1559, he was also employed as a royal commissioner in the north, to require the oath of supremacy, and to inspect the Cathedrals and the manners of the clergy. The cruel Bonner being deposed from the bishopric of London, Grindall, B.D., was consecrated to the vacant see, December 21, 1559, being at the time forty years of age. He was then appointed one of the Queen's ecclesiastical commissioners, and in conjunction with the Arch- bishop of Canterbur}' reformed the Calendar, and ordered that the Ten Commandments should be set iip at the east end of every Church in the kingdom. On "Wednesday, the 4th of June, 1561, the Bishop's Cathedral of St. Paul's was struck with lightning and burnt. The Queen, deeply affected with this misfortune to the chief Church in her metropolis of England, gave orders for its immediate repair, and Bishop Grindall expedited the work.' In the year 1563 that aAvful scourge, the Plague, again broke out violently in London, carrying off 17,404, out of the 20,372 people that died in that year within the city. A blue cross was fixed on the door of every house where the plague was, with a writing underneath to signify that the infection was there, and to avoid it. At this juncture. Bishop Grindall urged the duty of repentance, prayer, and fasting, and did not neglect the suffering poor, but advised that of the provisions saved by this fasting, a good portion should be weekly ' It was on the 4th of June, 1 561, that the steeple of St. Paul's Cathedral was set on fire by lightning, or, as others affirm, tlirough the carelessness of a plumber; and such was the vehemence of the flames, tliat within a very short space of time, not only the spire, but all the roof of the church, %\ ith lead, limber, and bells, were destroyed. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen, in consternation, came with all speed, and with Bishop Grindall, consulted as to the best means to be used for quenching the fire. Some advised, in order to preserve the rest of the steeple, that great gims should be brought and discharged at it, but through fear of further damage that suggestion was not earned out. Many courtiers, the Lord Keeper of the (.heat Seal, and the Lord Treasurer came, and, with the rest, encouraged the people to use all the means they could to (piench the fire, some of them even putting their own hands to the buckets ; but all to no ]nirpose, and at length, after having reduced the edifice to a skeleton of bare and blackened walls, about ten o'clock the fire of itself abated, having raged since between one and two in the afternoon. With such alacrity, however, did Queen Elizabeth, Ihshop Grindall, and all ranks promote the scheme of its restoration, that in about five years the sacred edifice was again opened for worship. But it had not recovered its former splendour, the spire not being rebuilt at all ; and it is probable, from the shortness of the time spent in the restoration, that the work was hurried over, without much attention either to strength or beauty. Accordingly, in 1608, it was found that ^20,000 were needed for repairs. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 35 bestowed, in tlie back lanes and alleys of London, among tbe poor strangers who were the sorest visited. About this time the Bishop was mucli concerned endeavouring to allay, and repress, the differences which had already begun to spring up among the clergy of his important diocese. During the past fiery trials, a mutual sympathy had bound together the suffering Heformers, and together they had drunk deeply of the cup of perse- cution ; but now, when the fierce and bloody struggle with the Papists had somewhat subsided, although there still continued to be a sound and fast agreement among the Reformers in England in matters of doctrine, yet there arose a conti'oversy about what should be the discipline of the newly-reformed Church, a controversy which un- happily quickly led to the destruction of the visible unity of the Reformed Church of England. Cro3"don Old Church must ever be interesting to the antiquary and historian. Churchman and Dissenter, since within its hallowed walls lies the dust of Grindall, Bishop of London when the High Commission Court suspended thirty of the London ministers, and put some of them under arrest, for refusing to comply with the ceremonies enjoined by Queen Elizabeth. " After prayer," says Neal, "and a serious debate about the lawfulness and necessity of separating from the Established Church," the deprived ministers resolved on quitting it; and laying aside the En glisli Liturgy, they began to celebrate public worship after the Genevan model. From tliat sad day dates Protestant nonconformity. How long is the angry disjjute to last — for ever ? Grindall had the honour of assisting in the work of translating the Holy Scriptures into the English language ; for in the year 15G8, the first edition of the Great Bible, commonly called the Bishops' Bible, was published, of which work he executed a portion.' In 1570 Bishop Grindall was nominated to the Archbishopric ol York. The llegister at York dates GriudaU's translation from London to be on the 1st of May, and his instalment, by proxy, to be Jmic the 9th, 1570. Upon the death of Parker, Archbishop of Canterbur}'-, that see ' Archbishop Parker, resolvhig on a new translation of the Scriptures for tlie puljHc use of the Church, engaged the Bishops and oilier learned men to take each a .share or portion. These being afterwards joined together, and printed with short annotations in 1 568, composed what was afterwards called the Bishops' Bible. ]t was reprinted in 1 572. The initial letters of each translator's name were jiut at the end of his ])art. Grindall ajipears to have executed the minor prophets, that portion of the work bearing his initials, " E. L." ("'J"hc tenth (allotment) contained Ilosea, Joel, Amos, to Malachi inclusive; and had the letters ' K. ],.,' for l"'.(inunidus l^ondon." Strype's Parker, 11,222.) Archbishop Parker super- intended the whole. T'or forty years this translation was used in the churches. 36 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. rcmaiTied vacant for nearly six months ; but in November, 1575, Grindall was nominated to the vacant see ; yet scarcely had a year elapsed ere the prelate had the misfortune to fall under the Queen's displeasure, an occurrence to liim the source of much trouble and sorrow. The circumstances are thus explained by his learned biographer : — " Another thing which in his high station he laboured to redress, was the ignorance and sloth of the clergy. And in order to this reforma- tion, and for the furtherance of the priests and curates in knowledge, and for the provoking them to the study of the Scripture, upon his first coming to the see of Canterbur}^ he earnestly set himself to encourage and regulate the exercises, called propliesyings, which had been used before, but with some abuses, in most dioceses, and had the countenance of the resj^ective Bishops. But the well-meaning Archbishop could not succeed in this his purpose ; being checked in it very angrily by the Queen, who had no good opinion of them, as being practised also more privately by the Puritans, to confirm them in theii* dislike of the established religion, and out of policy (too accurate, perhaps), supposing the heads of most who resorted to these exercises, by the declarations and expositions of Scripture that were then made, would be filled with notions and opinions that might render them at length turbulent in the State. The Archbishop, on the other hand, had quite different sentiments of them, and that they would tend much to the improving of the clergy, and edifying of the people, as had been by good experience already found. So that he would never be brought to give forth his orders for the putting them down. Hence the Queen conceived a prejudice against him, hardly ever after blowing over. And which the Earl of Leicester, we are told by an author, by his artifice, blew up more and more in the Queen against him, till she had suspended him from his function, and would not be persuaded to take off his sequestration for a long while, whatever inconveniences the Church lay under by it."' It was thus in his zeal to advance religion, that he unfortunately laid himself under the lasting displeasure of Queen Elizabeth. But Grindall, although of a mild dis^^osition, was a prelate of conscience and courage. He now wrote to the Queen a letter, of which the following is the concluding paragraph : — "Remember, madam, that you are a mortal creature. ' Look not only (as was said to Theodosius) upon the purple and prhicely array wherewith ye are apparelled, but consider ' Life of Grindall, p. 439. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYrON CHURCH. 37 withal what is that that is covered therewith. Is it not flesh and blond ? Is it not dust and ashes ? Is it not a corruptible body, which must return to his earth again, God knows how soon ?' Must not you also one day appear ante tremcndiiin tribunal crucifixi, id recipias ibi, prout gesscris in corpore, sive boiaim sive malum? i.e., 'before the fearful judgment seat of the crucified [Jesus], to receive there according as you have done in the body, whether it be good or evil ?' And although ye are a mighty prince, yet remember that he which dwelleth in lieaven is mightier. He is, as the Psalmist saith, terribilis, cl is qui aufert spiritum principum tcrribilis super otnnes reges terrae ; i.e., 'terrible, and he who taketh away the spirit of princes, and is terrible above all the kings of the earth.' Wherefore I do beseech you, madam, in visceribus Christi, when you deal m these religious causes, set the majesty of God before your eyes, laying all earthly majesty aside ; determine with yourself to obey his voice, and with all humility say unto him, N'oJi mea, ^eJ iua voluntas fiat ; i e., 'Not mine, but Thy will be done.' God hath blessed you with great felicity in your reign, now many years ; beware you do not impute the same to your own deserts or policy, but give God the glory. And as to instruments and means, impute your said felicity, first, to the goodness of the cause which ye have set forth — I mean Christ's true religion ; and, secondly, to the sighs and groanings of the godly in their fervent prayer to God for you, which have hitherto, as it were, tyed and bound the hands of God, that he could not pour out his plagues upon you and your people, most justly deserved." ' Of this letter Collier says, " Whetlicr Grindall was right or not in pleading for the prophesying meetings, I shall not pretend to determine; though it must be said, he has offered a great deal in defence of these exercises. And it is most likely, could they have been kept within the compass of his regulation, they would have proved serviceable to the Church. But this consideration apart, it is certain he writes with the spirit of a primitive Bishop : his application is religiously brave, and has not the least appearance of interest or fear. And besides the piety of the address, it is managed with great force and advantage. To which we may add, the advice is admirable and well directed. Nothing could be more serviceable to disengage the Queen from the flattery of her court, and bring her off from some lofty mistakes her favourites seem to have led her into." ^ All that the Archbishop could say or write, however, moved not the Queen from her resolution, and in June, 1577, he was, by order of the Privy Council, confined to his house, and sequestered for six months. Towards the end of November, the Lord Treasurer Burleigh sent a message to him, directing him how to proceed in making a formal sub- mission to her Majesty; but Grindall " thought not fit to comply so far as was advised, but still esteeming himself not to have done amiss, he would not ask pardon, which suj^poscd a fault. "^ In January, 1578, tliere was much talk about depriving the Arch- ' .Sec cojiy of tiie original, iu appendix to .Strype's Grindall. -' Ecdes. JJist. VI., ]). 565. •' LifcofGritidall, pp. 348-350. 38 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. bishop ; but this was resented by many true Protestants, who urged how much it would encourage the Papists. In the year 1579 either liis confinement was taken off, or he had leave to retire for his health to his house at Croydon, as in that year he consecrated the Bishop of Exeter there ; and, in the year following, the Bishops of AVinchester and of Lichfield and Coventry. He still exercised this part of his ecclesiastical functions by commission from the Queen, but the other aflPairs of his see, during his sequestration, were managed by two civilians appointed for that purpose. At a convocation held at St. Paul's in 1580, the assembled clergy, in want of a head, deputed Dr. Toby Matthew, Dean of Christ Church, to draw up a petition to her Majesty for the restitu- tion of the Archbishop to his place ; at the same time a letter to that effect, signed by twelve Bishops, was also written to the Queen. The petition showed that it had not been so much with a wilful mind as by a tender conscience that he had offended her Majesty ; that " the Arch- bishop had led a life, free not only of all crime, but even from the suspicion of a crime ; preserved his religion from all, not only corrup- tion of Popery, but from schism, and had suffered persecution for righteousness' sake, having wandered abroad in other countries for the cause of the gospel. Therefore they (the petitioners) most humbly and unanimously beseeched her, not onl}^ to lift up the Archbishop, broken and feeble with grief, but to restore the Church to him, and him to the Church, to her subjects, to his own brethren, to foreign nations, and, in a word, to all pious people." Neither of these addresses, however, though couched in the most earnest and respectful language, had any success. In 1582, however, the Archbishop was to a certain extent restored to his ecclesiastical jurisdiction, but the aged Primate did not long enjoy it, as, in addition to his other complicated bodily disorders, he now had the affliction to become totally blind ; and all hope of recovering his sight having vanished, he tendered his resignation to the Queen. This she was pleased to accept, and assigned him a pension for the remainder of his life ; but it is not certain that the business of his resignation and pension were completed before his death. Fuller quaintly observes — " Being really blind, more with grief than age, he was willing to put off his clothes before he went to bed, and in his life- time to resign his place to Dr. Whitgift, who refused such acceptance thereof; and the Queen, commiserating his condition, was graciously pleased to say, that as she had made him, so he should die an Arch- bishop ; as he did, July 6th, 1583. Worldly wealth he cared not for, desiring only to make both ends meet ; and as for that little that lapped over, he gave it to pious uses in both Universities, and the ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 39 founding of a fair free-school at St. Bees, the place of his nativity.'" The same author also remarks—" Whoso beholds the large revenues conferred on Grindall, the long time he enjoyed them, the little charge encumbering him, dying a single man, will admire at the mean estate he left behind him."- Grindall was certainly in advance of the intolerant times in which he lived : a prelate of learning and deep piety ; mild, affable, and generous, respected and beloved by all his Protestant brethren. The poet Spenser frequently quoted Grindall's sayings as though current at the time, and alluded to his troubles in passages which show the high estimation in which Grindall was held by his contemporaries.'"' He assisted the French Protestants in obtaining permission to open a church in London. He was the author of a dialogue between Custom and Truth, published in Fox's Acts and Monu- ments. The following is an extract from the Archbishop's will and testament : — " First I bequeath my soul into the hands of my Heavenlie Father, Humbly beseeching him to receive the same into his gracious mercies, for His Christ's sake ; and my body I will to be buried in the quere of the Parish Church of C^roydon, without any solempne herse or funeral pompe." He was buried, according to his desire, in the chancel of Croydon Church, and over his remains the curious and costly monu- ment, represented in plate Y., was erected to his memory. His effigies lying at length, represent deceased with his hands in the posture of prayer. The face bore a great resemblance to the painting of him at Lambeth Palace. His eyes had a kind of white in the pupil, to denote his blindness. He has a long black beard, forked and curling, and is vested in his doctor's robes." This monument was until the other J Fuller's Worthies, p. 219. '-^ Fuller's Church Hist., book ix., sect. 5. •■' He is the Algriiid oi Spenser, which is the anafjram of his name. ■• As will be seen from the above effigy of Archbisho]i Grindall, but a very small portion )f the episcopal garments are visible in front, where the upper robe is folded back. 40 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. (In y in a perfect state of preservation ; alas ! now the head is terribly mutilated, the hands arc broken off', and the inscription in front of the sarcophagus is missing. Altogether this fine national monument is irreparabl}^ ruined. Near it was a marble tablet — To the Memory of FRANCIS HARRIS, Esq., M.D. On the floor, near the entrance to the middle aisle, on a brass plate, beneath the indents of a cross, between a kneeling: fiffurc and a shield — |t7tc jarrt lEgitius 5fgmor, qui obitt xrij "^xz Dccftubr. a. tini mccclixix cui'air. pyicift. is. It is a disgraceful fact to insert, but this brass, the oldest in the Cluirch, was also stolen during the reparation in tlio year 1859. ST. MARY'S CHANCEL. On the eastern wall was a monument by Flaxman, representing an angel bearing up a female. Above the figures were these words — Then Shall the good be received into life everlasting. Under — Sacred to the Memor)' of ANN, The beloved wife of James Bowling, of the Borough of Southwark, (and daughter of the late Mr. James Harris, of this place :) who after two days' illness only, exchanged this life for a better, on the 26th of Apiil, 1808, in the 25th year of her age. Bright excellence ! with every virtue fraught, Such may we be by thy example taught ; Pure in the eye of Heaven like thee appear. Should we this hour death's awful suitimons hear ; Like thee, all other confidence disown, And, looking to the cross of Clirist alone, In meekness tread the paths thy steps have trod, And find with tliee acceptance from our God. Her husband, under the strongest bonds of affection, has caused this monument to be erected, in testimony of his everlasting regard, and gratitude, to a most affectionate wife, and kind friend. Whether this almost total concealment of the episcopal vestments was intentional does not appear, but the manner in which this effigy is habited is characteristic of the man it rc]>rescnts. Both Whitgift's and Sheldon's effigies are clothed in their proper episcopal vestments. — Sec p. 43. Flate VI. MRS. BOWLING'S MONUMENT. (HY FL.VXMAX.) AXriQUITIES OF CKOYDON CIirHCII. 41 This was a beautiful memorial, displaying the tender feeling and purity of style for which mauy of the works of the celebrated artist are so justly distinguished. Flaxman was the most illustrious of modern sculptors, and although bis learning and acquaintance with the usages and customs of the ancients are more conspicuous in his larger designs, from Homer, Dante, &c., yet it is, we tliink, in the pathetic allegorical class of subjects to which this monument belongs, that his genius peculiarly shines. With the exception of tlie inscription beneath, this monument is shattered into fragments. In the north-east corner of this Chancel is an altar tomb to the memory of Ellis Davy. His figure, which was on a brass plate,' had been torn away. Underneath where the figure was, the following inscription is on a brass plate : — ©rate pro antma lElgc Qabg, nuprr (Ctfais Sc fflcrccrt, Eanton qui otiiit itij tiic mens' Dccrmbvis, 'Enuo Dm iBiU'imo rrrrl\3. ciijus ammc pvopirirtur Drus. Smcn. Ellis Davy was a citizen and mercer of London, in the reign of Henry VI., and on the 27th of April, 1447, founded an Almshouse in Croydon, for seven poor people, six of whom were to receive lOd. per week, and the seventh, who was to be called the tutor. Is. The founder charges tlie members to occupy themselves " in praying and in beding, in hering honest talk, or in labours with their hands, in some other occupations to the laws and worship of Almightie God, and profit to them and their said alms-hous." They were all bound likewise to attend the service of the Church every day, and to chant a psalm, and say paternosters and aves, at the lAace of his burial, and solemnly to celebrate his year's mind.^ The statutes enjoin them to " absteyne as moch as may bo, from vayne and evill woords at mete and souper ; and yf they will any thinge talke, that it be honest and profitable." It was directed that their clothes should be " darke and browne of colour, and not staring, neither biasing," and that " any person guilty of being custumably dronkley, gluttons, rigours amongst his fellawes, ' iMyiule Days, Minnyiiig Days, says Blount, from the Saxon, days wliich our ancestors called tlieir month's mind, their year's mind, and the Hli- % * In a Avord (he continues), this court was a real inquisition; attended with all the iniquities, as well as cruelties, insepa- rable from that tribunal."^ Neal, the Puritan historian, says, that in ' llacket, accorclinf,^ to Collier, was tortured by lli:s infernal instrument. - llUMK's ///,v/. of liir^laiid, eliap. 4 1. 50 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. Archbishop Whi<:gift's primary metropolitical visitation, there wore suspended in the County of Norfolk 64 Ministers. Suffolk Sussex, about Essex Kent Lincolnshire 60 '60 38 19 or 20 21 In all, 233 " All whose names (he continues) are now before me ; besides great numbers in the diocese of Peterborough, in the City of London, and proportionable in other counties, some of whom were dignitaries in the Church, and most of them gi-aduates in the L^niversity ; of these some were allowed time, but forty-nine were absolutely deprived at once.'" Further on,"^ he says, " Ilis Grace's (Whitgift's) arguments for subscription to his Articles are no less remarkable. First — If you do not subscribe to the ]^ook of Common J*rayer, you do in effect say there is no true service of God, nor administration of sacraments in the land. Secondly — If yovi do not subscribe the Book of Ordination of Priests, &c., then our calling must be unlawful, and we have no true ministry nor Church in England. Thirdly — If you do not subscribe the Book of the Thirty-nine Articles, you deny true doctrine to be established among us, which is the main note of a true Church. Could an honest man and a great scholar be in earnest with this reasoning ? Might not the Puritans dislike some things in the Service Book with- out invalidating the whole ? Did not his Grace know, that they offered to subscribe to the use of the Service Book as far as they coidd apprehend it consonant to truth, though they could not give it under their hands, that there was nothing in it contrary to the word of God, nor promise to use the whole without the least variation, in their public ministry ? But according to the Archbishop's logic, the Church must be infallible or no Church at all." Neal also says that there Avcre more than oOO beneficed clergymen in the Church of England who had secretly subscribed to the principles of the Puritans ; and in reply to Bishop Maddox, who exultingly points to this fact as a proof of the lenity of Government, adds, " that there were more than twice 500 clergymen who made a shift to keep their places in the Church." To which the editor of Neal's history says, — "But, when at the same time, ' History of Ihc Puritans, vol. i., p. 323. '^ I'-'^K'-" 324' ANTIQUITIES OF CKOYDON CHURCH. 51 tlicy were continually exposed to suffer from tlie rigour of Government ; — Avlien, as Dr. Bridges declared, a third part of tlie ministers of England were covered with a cloud of suspensions ; — when many smarted severely for attempting a reformation, for which they all wished and prayed ; — when Cartwright, Travcrs, Field, Johnson, Cawdery, Udall, and other leaders of the Puritans, were suspended, imprisoned, and frequently in trouble, not to say dying under the hand of power ; — the reader will jndge with what propriety his Lordship exults over our author.^" Macaiday, in his essay on Lord Bacon, after mentioning that Bacon, in his 13th year, was entered a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, goes on to say — " The master was Whit- gift, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, a narrow-minded, mean, and tyrannical jDi'iest, who gained power by servility and adulation, and employed it in persecuting with impartial cruelty those who agreed with Calvin about Church Government, and those who differed from Calvin touching the doctrine of reprobation.^ He was now in a chrysalis state — putting off the worm, and putting on the dragon-fly — a kind of intermediate grub between sycophant and oppressor. He was indemnifying himself for the court which he found it expedient to pay to the Ministers, by exercising much petty tyranny within his own college." On the contrary. Stow, in his Annals, says of Whitgift, that he was "A man born for the benefit of his country and the good of the Church : wherein he ruled with such moderation, as he continued in his Prince's favour all his life ; surprising [suppressing] such new sects as in his time began to rise, as by his learned work of purpose, written by him against such schisms, does well appear. Whose advancements for his good life and sincere manners, in the University of Cambridge, and in the commonwealth, grew by these degrees, &c." Fuller also says that Whitgift was " one of the worthiest men that ever the English hier- archy did enjoy."^ Collier, in his Ecclesiastical History, speaking of the efforts made by the Puritans to obtain the upper hand, says — " Thus the Church affairs stood when Whitgift came to the See of Canterbury. Now this prelate had no latitude for indulgence or com- pi'chension : he had formerly engaged in controversy with Cartwright, and was entirely for a thorough conformity." After describing what great friends the Puritans had at Court, and the petitions of these ' See Ed. Note, vol. i., p. 387. ^ The Prctiestinarian Controversy sprang up about 1595, and occasioned the drawing up, under tlie direction of Archbishop Whitgift, of tlic nine propositions known by tlie name of the Lambeth Articles. ^ Sec FliLLEli's Church History, book ix., 1655. 52 ANTKJUITIES OF CROYDON CHIKCH. friends to the Queen on their behalf, which, however, he says, she would not listen to, he adds — " And to prevent importunities of this kind she referred ecclesiastical business wholly to Whitgift's management. This prelate acted vigorously, and answered the confidence put in him.'" Further on he says — "In short, no ptirt of his character was without its proper commendation. He had learning, courage, and temper suit- able to his station : his public motions were easy, but not without ^agour ; and it was his custom to do a great deal of business without much appearance of effort and struggle."^ "VYliitgift's public character is thus briefly but graphically given by his biographer — " Invincible patience was conspicuous in this .... Archbishop, under those many oppositions, taunts, reproaches, calumnies, clamours, lies, and unsufferablc abuses he underwent in Parliaments, in Court, in city, in country ; and for nothing else but for labouring to preserve and keep the Church of England as it was legally established in the first reformation of it. All which, notwithstanding, he went on steadily, and with meekness and forbearance persevered in his pious purposes, and succeeded at length beyond expectation ; making good his motto. That he that heareth patiently, overcomes at last." ^ Another ecclesiastical historian attributes all the act-s of Elizabeth's commission-court to the Queen's passion to preserve her crown and her prerogative. To this account, he says, "we are to place all the measures, which she directed, and she alone, against the disturbers of the uniformity which was established. To her alone it was owing at first, and not to her bishops, that no concession or indidgcnce was granted to tender consciences. She understood her prerogative, which was as dear to her as her crown, and life, but she understood nothing of the rights of conscience in matters of religion ; and like the absurd king her father, she woidd have no opinions in religion, acknowledged at least, besides her own. She restored the Reformation, it is true, and, I believe, restored it itpon principle : she was, likewise, at the head of the Protestant religion abroad, in assisting those who professed it in Erance, and the Netherlands, as well as Scotland, and it was her interest to do so ; but where her interest called upon her to neglect the reformed religion, she did it without scruple."'* The same writer has laid the blame of the separation from the Church of England, and of the evils of which it was productive, chiefly on the Puritans. " It was much more owing (he says) to the weakness and want of judgment in ' Vul. ii., p. 583. ' Vol. ii, p. 65.S. ^ L//e of IVhitgift, Ded. Epis., vol. i. * Warner's Ecclesiastical Hist, of England, vol. ii., pji. 474, 475. A?«TIQIIITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 53 the Puritans, who could tliink such things were suiful about which the Scriptures were wholly silent, and who desired a great majority to give way to the humour of a few, than to the superstition and want of temper in the Queen and the Archbishop, who could press such indif- ferent riteSj with that severity, before the minds of men had time to be reconciled to them." ^ Such are some of the various and conflicting opinions concerning the public proceedings of Whitgift. One thing is certain, and it is this, we ought to congratulate ourselves that we live in less arbitrary and intolerant times than the days of the Tudors. A description of those national monuments that wore destroyed by the late conflagration would lose much of its interest, if it was not accompanied by a brief sketch of the lives of the eminent men in memory of whom these were erected ; yet it is not our wish to open afresh wounds inflicted by the Church of Christ on herself. Better, we opine, would it have been, if the un- happy difi'erences alluded to in the foregoing historic notices of Arch- bishops Grindall and Whitgift had never occurred ; more heavenly far, if the members of the E-eformed English Church, instead of bickerino- with each other concerning what after all seem com^^aratively but secondary considerations, had gone unitedly and gloriously onwards winning souls to Christ. It fell out otherwise, however, and the burning down of the old Parish Church of Croydon forces us to the bitter retrospect.^ " Whitgift," says Fuller, " was a man of middle stature, black heired, of a grave countenance, and brown complexion ; small timbered, but quick, and of indifferent good strenghth, and well shaped to the pro- portion of his bulk : of a milde and moderate disposition, of a free ' Warner's Ecclesiastical Hist., vol. ii., p. 437. * Alluding to the period in which Archbishop Whitgift lived, Sir J. Mackintosh says — "The English nation was now divided into three theological and political jiarties: the Chnrchmeiu who considered the ecclesiastical revolution as already sufficient ; the Puritans, who sought a more perfect reformation, by agitating the minds of the people ; and the Catholics, who, suppoi-ted by all the great powers of the Continent, did not despair of re-establishing the ancient Cliurcli by another revolution. These sects constituted the parties of Elizabeth's reign. The whole nation were classed under these sub-divisions. A considerable body of the ancient Church adhered to the Catliolic religion : a still larger proportion favoured the Catiiolics. The strength of the Puritans lay 'in great towns, the scenes of bold discussion, and the favourite dwelling of prevalent innovations. The Queen's preference for the Churchmen was inevitable ; she disfavoured the Puritans, not only for disputing her authority, but as, in her judgment, distracting the Protestant party. The season for open war against the Catholics was fast approaching." — Hist, of England, vol. iii , p. 166. The success of that wliich all historians agree in describing as tlie glorious reign of Elizabeth, was mainly owing, under Providence, to tlie sagacity tliat princess displayed in the choice of her counsellors ; and it remains upon record, tliat for a period of twenty years Archbishop Wliitgift was identified with the administration, and was one of the most favourite advisers of the great Queen. Queen Elizabeth is said to have called Whitgift her '' little black husband:' 54 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDOX CHUllC'H, minde, and a bountifuU hand towards his household servants, his poore neighbours, but especially towards seliollers and strangers ; many whereof resorting- hither out of France and Germany (among whom that famous man Drusius, Renicherus, and others) he most courteously entertained, and very liberall}^ relieved : a diligent j^reacher, as well after his preferments as before, seldome failing any Lord's Day ; while ho was Bishop of Worcester, notwithstanding his important and in- cessant emploiments otherwise, but that he preached in some of the parish churches thereabouts, and no lesse frequently when he was Archbishop, visiting the Church and pulpit at Croydon, during the time of his residence there in the vacations from attendance at Court." 1 The Archbishop's patronage of Hooker, the author of the " Eccle- siastical Polity," should be remembered ; the fifth book of this work, appearing in 1597, was dedicated to Whitgift. Whitgift entertained the desire of supporting habits of liberality and bounty at his palace, frequently receiving at his table the nobility, gentry, and clergy of his diocese and neighbourhood. At Christmas he kept open house. Occasionally he maintained an unusual degree of state, and required to be attended with the bended knee. The Arch- bishop appointed every Thursday in term a solemn court day, when he caused a sermon to be preached in his chapel, and entertained in a costly manner the Commissioners and their attendants. Every third year he went into Kent, unless prevented by urgent business. Upon these journeys he was usually attended by his retinue, amounting to two hundred persons ; in addition to these, he was honourably escorted by the gentry of the county, so that he sometimes entered the city of Canterbury with a procession of eight hundred or a thousand horse. For the purpose of encouraging military discipline, he had a good armoury and a competent number of horses ; so that he was able, from amongst his own servants, to equi]) at all points a regularly trained little force of one hundred foot and fifty horse. At the momentous period at which tlic Incincihle Spanish Armada, as it was vainly called, was almost upon the shores of Britain, this little force, with Whitgift at its Lead, was ready to take its share in defence of the sovereign and country. In that alarming crisis, Whitgift patriotically joined the rest of his countrymen heart and hand against foreign and papal domination. He inculcated the necessity of earnest prayer for aid to the Almighty. He wrote letters to the Bishops of his province, com- ' Life of Whitgift. ¥Vh\.V.K's Abel Redivivus. Loncl., 1651. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CIIUllCH. 55 niandlng them to arm their respective clergy, and to urge them by explaining, that, as the clergy lived in the same commonwealth, and were embarked in the same common danger with the rest of the Queen's subjects, they were bound in this season of imminent danger to set an example of patriotic action in defence of their gracious sovereign, their own families, and country ; and, as we have before stated, he assembled and equipped his own retainers. But happily the dreaded invasion was frustrated ; the event, as is well known, being, that under the providence of the Almighty, the leviathan Armada M-as ignominiously vanquished, and miserably scattered. Upon the revolt of the Earl of Essex, Whitgift's armed force was the first to enter the gates of Essex House, and to secure the premises. Wlien the Earl surrendered, he was first conducted to Lambeth House, where he remained some time, and after- wards sent to the Tower. The Archbishop's military preparations were somewhat carped at by his enemies. Archbishop Whit gift was a great benefactor to the town of Croydon, residing there frequently. He founded an hospital in this place, which goes by his name. It was finished on the 29th September, 1599, and endowed with lands, for the maintenance of a warden, schoolmaster, and twenty-eight poor brethren and sisters, or a greater number, not to exceed forty, if the revenues should admit of it. The building of this hospital cost him above £2,700. " This memorable and charitable structure of brick and stone," says Strype, " one of the most notable monuments founded in these times, for a harbour and subsistence for the poor, together with a fair school-house for the increase of literature, and a large dwelling for the schoolmaster, the Archbishop had the happiness, through God's favourable assistance, to build and perfect in his own lifetime. And the reason why he chose to do it himself, while he was alive, was, as Mr. Stow, the historian, had heard from his own mouth, because lie loould not be to Ms executors a cause of their dani' nation; remembering the good advice that an ancient father (St- Gregory) had left written to all posterity, ' Tutior est via, ut bonum, quod quisguis post mortem sperat agi per alios, agat, dum vicat ipse, per se ;' i.e., The good that any one hopeth will be done by others, after ho is dead, that he do it himself while he is alive is much the safer way." ' Of the condescension of this prelate to the inmates of this hospital, we are told by Izaak Walton, in his life of Hooker, that he visited them so often, " that he knew their names and dispositions, and was so truly humble, that he called them brothers and sisters ; and whenever Li/e of IVIiitgiJI, vol. ii., ]i. 420. 1822, 56 AXI'IQUITIES 01<" CIIOYDOX CHUUCII. the Queen descended to that lowliness to dine with him, at his Palace at Lambeth, wliich was very often, he would usually the next day sliew the like lowliness to his poor brothers and sisters of Croydon, and dine with them at his hospital, at which time you may believe there was joy at the table." In connection with this work, Sir G. Paul has recorded a saj'ing of Eoj'ce Sisi, ambassador from France at the time of the Archbishop's death. In answer to an enquiry as to what works AVhitgift had published, the ambassador was told tliat he had only published certain books in the English language in defence of tlie ecclesiastical government ; but on its being incidentally mentioned that he had founded this hospital and school, " truly (replied the ambas- sador), an hospital to sustain the poor, and a school to train up youth, are the worthiest books that an Archbishop coidd set forth." The Archbishop was much with Queen Elizabeth during her last hours, performing the offices of religion. Iler death drawing near, the Archbishop exhorted the Queen to fix her thouglits on God, the better to draw ofi" her mind from secular things concerning her kingdom and successor, that some of her Court had propounded to her. To which the dying Queen answered she did so ; nor did her mind wander from God. And as a sign thereof, Avhen she could not speak, she was observed frequently to lift up her eyes and hands to heaven. And as the Archbishop had the honour to perform the last duties to Queen Elizabeth, so he likewise set the crown upon the heads of King James and Queen Anne, his royal consort, at Westminster, on St. James's Day, July 25, 1G03, with all the pomp accompanying that solemnity.* The closing years of Whitgift's life were somewhat oppressed with fears respecting the safety of that Church, the establishment of which had been the great object of his life ; indeed, to his concern for it may be attributed that illness which hastened him to his end. As the session of Parliament ap])roachcd, in which certain matters relating to the Church were to be discussed, in order to be the better prepared, he appointed a meeting to be held at the Bishop of London's palace, at Fulham. Thither, on a severe day in the month of February, he repaired in his barge, and being now an old man above seventy-three years of age, he was seriously aficcted. At night he complained of cold ; but notwithstanding his indisposition, on the Sunday following he went to the Court at Whitehall, where both before and after divine service he had a long conference with the King respecting the afiiiirs of ' Life of Whiti^ifl, vol. ii., pp. 467, 468. AN'TIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 57 the Church. On leaving the King, and on his M^ay to dinner, he was seized with a paralytic stroke, which deprived him both of his speech and the use of his right side. He was afterwards conveyed to Lambeth. King James was greatly affected by his illness, and Sir G. Paul states that when he visited Whitgift on his death bed he expressed himself in these words — " He would beg him (Whitgift) of God in his prayer ; which, if he could obtain, he should think it one of the greatest tem- poral blessings that could be given him in this kingdom." In answer to his Majesty, when he could hardly be understood, Whitgift's last words were — " Fro Ecclesla Dei, pro Ecclesia Dei ;" for the Church of God, for the Church of God. The particular circumstances of his funeral are thus recorded — " His corpse was carried to Croydon (where he had founded a lasting monu- ment of his right Christian charity), and there honourably interred in the parish Church, March the 27th, 1604, with a decent solemnity, two noblemen, that had formerly been his pupils, mourners, and carrying his banners, viz., the Earl of Worcester and Lord Zouch ; and Dr. Babington, Bishop of Worcester, another of his quondam pupils at Trinity College, preaching at his funeral ; taking for his text those words recorded of a great and good high priest — 2 Chron. xxiv. 15, 16, Jehoiadah icaxed old and full of days, and died, etc. And they buried 1dm in the city of David, because he had done good in Israel, and totcards God and his house. Where, by comparing our good Archbishop with that good high priest, he gave himself opportunity to shew how much good he had done in our Israel, and towards God and his house. He lived and died in great reputation ; and particularly happy in being highly esteemed for his wisdom, learning, and piety, by both his sovereigns. Queen Elizabeth and King James, who both consulted with him in all matters of the Church, and in making laws and orders for the well governing of it ; and likewise in taking always his advice for proper men to be placed in the chief preferments of it. And who, seeing the great danger of the overthrow of the religion happily reformed at first, viz., of the doctrine of it by Papists, and the dis- cipline and constitution of it by the new reformers, devoted himself, his pains, his studies, his learning, his interest, to the preserving of it, wherein he had success to the end of his days, though through much opposition." The monument erected to Archbishop AVliitgift's memory is very similar, but inferior, to that of Grindall. A representation of the cffigv is given in page 4'3. Whilst these lines are being written the Archbishop's features arc obscured by molten lead, a circumstance to I 58 AXTKiUITIES OF CKOYDON CIHIUII. which posterity may owe the preservation of the lineaments of this celebrated man. AMiitgift's monument, although chipped, and other- wise much knocked about, might, perluqis, be restored ; at all events, the inscrijDtions, said to have been composed by Dr. Benjamin Charior, one of the Archbishop's chaplains, are unimpaired. Adjoining the last, on the south wall, is a tomb presumed to com- memorate Thomas Warham, Esq., who died at Haling, 1478, and who ordered his body to be buried in the Chajjcl of St. Nicholas, before the image of our Lady of Pite. The tomb is inserted in tlie wall, and divided at its base into three quatrefoil panels, each containing a shield of arms. An obtuse-pointed arch, surmounted by a richly sculptured cornice, is over the tcmb, above which, on the wall, is a shield with mantling and helmet, bearing the arms of the ancient and noble family of "Warham. The soffit of the arch is divided into trefoil- headed panels, and under the arch, in the recess, are indents of the figures of a man and woman kneeling, having labels issuing from their mouths, which, with every other inscription, have been sacrilegiously torn away. A very mutilated monument, although preserving traces of having once possessed considerable merit. The spectator cannot fail to notice the difference between it and the adjoining one to Archbishop Whitgift. This has an unassuming, modest character, but rich withal in graceful lines and floral ornamentation, sweetly blended together. The other is staring and pompous, and tricked out with all the gewgaw tinsel of a false taste. These two monuments illustrate the state of art in this country at the respective periods of their execution. Warham's was erected when English sculpture was in high perfection. The varied mullions of windows, the profuse carvings of foliage, the corbels and figures of our cathedrals and old churches, prove alike how successfully nature had been studied, and how extensively tlie art was encouraged. There can be no question, that amidst the contentions of religious parties at the time of the Great Reformation, art in this country received a (;heck which it took centuries to recover. In the year 1538, Henry YIII. issued an injunction, that all images Avhich had been worshipped, or to which idle pilgrimages had been made, should be taken down and removed from the churches. In the reign of Ed- ward VI., in the year 1548, his uncle, the Duke of Somerset, the Pro- tector, and Council, ordered all images, without distinction, to bo thrown down and destroyed. The iconoclastic spirit continued, with more or less mitigation, till its great explosion during the civil wars. There is good reason to believe an immense number of verv beautiful riah VIIT WARIIAM'S TOMIJ. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDOX CHURCH. 59 works were destroyed during this period, that some in this very Church suffered, and it is not improbable that amongst the number was the tomb of the Warham. It was during the abasement of art in England that AYhitgift's monument was raised, when the stud}^ of nature had been forsaken, and when dormant original talent, forced to borrow of foreign models, by a strange mixture of Corinthian and Homan shapes, with its own childish conceits, sought to awe the ignorant ; and to so low an ebb had matters come, that they were even fain to copy one another's silly inventions, this tomb of Whitgift being almost a facsimile of Archbishoj) GrindalFs. Yet although, in an artistic point of view, these works possessed small merit, to the anti- quary and the historian they were invaluable. Considered with atten- tion, they were capable of furnishing various and original information. They gave us well-defined ideas of celebrated personages, and made us acquainted with the customs and habits of the time, thus giving to history a body and a substance, which language fails to convey. Their complete preservation, therefore, was of moment, even to their very colouring ; but fire in a few hours has effected that which centuries failed to do, and which can never be replaced. "Warham's tomb has been less damaged by the late fire than any other monument in the Church. The old stone tombs, namely, Ellis Davy's, Warham's, and Mill's, have stood the heat a great deal better than the alabaster and marble monuments. In the same chancel of St Nicholas, against the south wall, and next to that of Warham, was a splendid monument to the memory of Archbishop Sheldon, representing the recumbent effigy of the Prelate, in his archiepiscopal robes and mitre. His left hand sustained his head, and in his right was a crosier. There was great individuality in the physiognomy of the Prelate, which, together with the mitre, was very nicely sculptured. The drapery of the figure, however, was not in good taste, and it was, moreover, carved in a very bad piece of marble. Round the sarcophagus portion of the monument, executed in bold relief, are the remains of an allegorical kind of subject, in which winged hour-glasses, bits of coffin, bones, worms, and dirt commingle. The composition of this relief is excellent, the gradual manner in which it increases from the sides to the centre very skilfully rendered, whilst the critical accuracy of the knowledge displayed was indeed surprising. The spectator knew not which object in it to admire most, they were all such good imitations. The skulls in the central compartment, for manipulation, successfully vied with the most renowned sculpture. The marbles from the Parthenon at Athens are as good examples of 60 AXTIQUITli:s OF CROYDON ClIUKCH. this sort of thing as can be founcl. Those glorious fragments -were executed in tlie days of Pericles, by Phidias and his school ; vet they contain nothing superior to the manner in Avhich the sutures of these skulls vrcre defined. The effigy and sarcophagus portion of this monu- ment possessed also, in an eminent degree, those qualities of charact(^r and imagination which constitute the higher excellencies of the sculptor's art. This sculptured sermon recalled the poet's lines : — " Remove yon skull from out the scatter'd heaps : Is that a temple where a God may dwell ? Why, ev'n the M'orm at last disdains her shatter'd cell I Look on its broken arch, its ruin'd wall. Its chambers desolate, and portals foul ; Yes, this was once Ambition's airy hall, The dome of Thought, the palace of the Soul : Behold through each lack-lustre, eyeless hole. The gay recess of Wisdom and of Wit, And Passion's host, that never brook'd control: Can all saint, sage, or sophist ever writ. People this lonely tower, this tenement refit?" Alas ! that so great a triumph of the sculptor's art should have been subjected to such a fire. The Prelate's grand countenance, and the cherubim above, are smashed ; Avhilst of the inimitable sculpture on the sarcophagus, those finer touches, that stamped it as the work of genius, have perished. riate IX. ^^pipiiHMiiiiiiimiiiiiiliiiillliliiill^^ ."lililliiiiiliiiiiiiiMii^^ iiiiiiwiiiliitiitifii^ ^ AECIIBISIIOr SHELDON'S MONUMENT. ANTIQUniES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 61 The statuary was by Joseph Latham, mason to the city of London, and the whole the work of English artists, a circumstance confirmed by Virtue, and which deserves to be known, as from the low state of the arts in England at that period the credit of executing this monument has been unjust!}^ ascribed to foreigners.^ On the tablet above the statue of the Archbishop was the following inscription: — Hie jacet Gilbertus Sheldon, Antiqua Sheldoniorum familia. In agro Staffordiensi natus, Oxonii bonis literis eniitritus, S. S'^' Theologice Doctor insignis ; ( (lU. nnmium Animarum Gustos prudens et fidelis, Academia; Cancellarius Munificentissinuis, Regii Oratoiii Clericus, Car. I"'° B : Martyri Charissimus ; sub Serenissimo R. Carole II''", MDCLX, magno illo Instaurationis anno, Sacelli Palatini Decanus, Londinensis Episcopus ; MDCLXII, in secretioris Concilii ordinem cooptatus ; MDCLXIII, ad dignitatis ARCHIEPISCOrALIS apiccm evectus. VI R Omnibus Negotiis Par, omnibus Titulis Superior, In Rel:)us adversis Magnus, in prosperis Bonus, Ulriusque Fortunre Dominus ; Pauperum Parens, Literatorum Patronus, Ecclesire Stator. De tanto Viro Pauca dicere non expedit, Multa non opus esl ; Norunt Prassentes, Posteri vix credent : Octogenarius Animam Piam et Coelo Maturam Deo reddidit V Id. ix B'" MDCLXXVII. Surmounting the tablet, on which the foregoing was inscribed, were cherubim supporting a shield of arms — viz., arg. on a chev. f/u., three sheldrakes of the first on a canton of the second, a rose of the last, empaled by the arms of the See of Canterbury. Motto, " Fortiter et Suaviter." ' See 7/n- Pycacnt Slate of England, 1683, p. 152. G2 ANTIQUITIES ()!• CKOYDON CHURCH. Archbishop Sheklon was born at Stanton, in Staffordshire, in 1598. His father, thon_t>'h ck\sccndc(I from an ancient family, was but a menial servant of Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury. Sheldon took his name from the Earl, who was his godfather. Having laid the foundation of a good education, he was entered of Trinity College, Oxford, in 101-3, and after taking the usual degrees, was elected Fellow of All Souls' College in 1622. After he had taken orders, he became Chaplain to Lord Keeper Coventry, who made use of his services on various im- portant occasions. As a reward for these services, he presented him with a prebend of Gloucester, and recommended him to King Charles L, as one who was well versed in political affairs. On the 2nd of May, 1633, his Majesty presented him to the vicarage of Hackney, in Mid- dlesex. He was also Hector of Ickford, in Buckinghamshire ; and Archbishop Laud gave him the rectory of Newington, in Oxfordshire. Proceeding B.D. Nov. 11, 1628, he took the degree of D.D. June 25, 1034 ; and in 1635 he was elected Warden of All Souls' College. He was also Chaplain in Ordinar}' to the King, and Clerk of his Closet, and in the road to further preferment, when the Civil Wars broke out, and checked his career. He was a zealous adherent of the royal cause, and was one of the Chaplains whom his Majesty sent for, to attend his Commissioners at the treaty of Uxbridge. When attending the King, at Oxford, Sheldon was witness to the following remarkable vow made there by his Majesty : — " I do here promise and solemnly vow, in the presence and for the service of Almightj^ God, that if it shall please the Divine Majesty, of His infinite goodness, to restore me to my just Kingh' rights, and to re- establish me in my throne, I will wholly give back to His Church all those impropriations which arc now held by the Crown, and what lands soever I do now or should enjoy, which have been taken away either from any Episcopal See, or any Cathedral or Collegiate Church, from any Abbey or other I'cligious hoiise. I likewise promise for hereafter to hold them from the Church, under such reasonable fines and rents as shall be set down by some conscientious persons, whom I propose to choose with all uprightness of heart, to direct me in this particular. And I most humbly beseech God to accept of this my vow, and to bless me in the design I have now in hand ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Charles R., Oxford, April 13, 1646." This vow was preserved by Sheldon thirteen years under ground, and was first published by Echard.' \ "iilc Ajipciidix to ]'".i"1Ia;u)"s Hislory of Etii^laiid, p. 5. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCTI. Co On account of his loyalty he was ejected from his wardenship, and imprisoned for six months. Being liberated, he retired to his friends in the country, and from his own purse, and the contributions of others, sent frequent supplies to Charles II. during his exile. Dr. "Palmer, who had been intruded into his wardcnship, dying March 4, 1659-60, Sheldon again became Warden of All Souls, without, however, taking- repossession, and continued so till the January following. He then became possessed of the mastership of the Savoy, which he kept till 1663. On the Restoration he received ample rewards for his sufferings and steady loyalty, being restored to his offices, and promoted to the See of Londoii. He w\^s consecrated October 28th, 1660. The conference between the Episcopal and Presbyterian Divines, in 1661, was held at the Savoy, in Bishop Sheldon's lodgings. He is accused, by the opposite J^arty, of want of fairness on this occasion. Rejecting the projDosal of an amicable conference, he told the Pres- byterian Divines, " That not the Bishops, but theij, had been seekers of the conference, and desired alterations in the Liturgy ; and that, therefore, there was nothing to be done till they had brought in all they had to say against it in writing, and all the additional forms and alterations which they desired." He did not often appear at the conference, and never entered into disputation, yet he was known to have had the principal share in the determination. To conciliate was certainly not his object ; for when it was debated in Council, in August, 1662, whether the Act of Uniformity should be punctually executed that month, or be susjicnded for a time. Bishop Sheldon pleaded against the suspension, and carried the Council with him. " If," says his biographer, " in these and other instances he appears too much the political churchman, in public spirit and munificence, he sustained after an exemplary manner the character of a great prelate. He expended large sums upon the episcopal houses of the See of London ; and being, in 1663, translated to that of Canterbury, he rebuilt the library at Lambeth, and made many additions to its contents." In the year 1667, Archbishop Sheldon honourably lost the King's confidence, for advising him to put away his mistress, Barbara Yilliers, and never recovered it again. On the removal of Lord Clarendon from the Chancellorship of the University of Oxford, he was chosen to succeed him, in December, 1667, and he immortalised his name in that University by the erection, at his sole expense, of the celebrated theatre which bears his name. Of this act Bishop Lowth says, "Munus dignum auctore — quod cum intueor et circumspicio videor mihi in ipsa Poma, A'el in mediis Athenis 64 ANTIQUITIES OF CKOYDOX CIIIIICTI. antiquls illis, et cum maxime florentibus versari." The arcliltcct cm- ployed was Sir Cliristophcr Wren.' The building was completed in about live years, and was opened with great solemnity, July 9, 1609, before the Vice-Chancellor, heads of houses, etc. The expense of the building was more than fourteen thousand pounds, and the Archbishop "bequeathed two thousand more, to be employed," says "Wood, "in buying land, whose revenue might support the fabric, and the surjjlus- agc be applied to the learned press." Immediately after the opening of this edifice the Archbishop resigned the Chancellorship, and retired from public business. During the latter part of his life he chiefly resided at Croydon. lie died at Lambeth on the 9th of November, 1G77, in the 80th year of his age. Sheldon's character has been variously represented, as must be ex- pected, in the reports of contending parties. Dr. Samuel Parker, Bishop of Oxford, who had been his Chaplain, says in his "Commentarii de Rebus Sui Temporis," that " he was a man of undoubted piety ; but though he was very assiduous at prayers, yet he did not set so great a value upon them as others did, nor regarded so much worshij) as the use of worship, placing the chief point of religion in the practice of a good life. In his daily discourse he cautioned those about him not to deceive them- selves with an half religion, nor to think that divine worship was confined within the walls of the Church, the principal part of it being without doors, and consisting in being conversant with mankind. If men led an upright, sober, chaste life, then, and not till then, they might look upon themselves as religious ; otherwise it would signify nothing what form of religion bad men followed, or to what Church they belonged He had a great aversion to all pretences to extra- ordinary piety, which covered real dishonest}^ ; but had a sincere afiection for those whose religion was attended with integrity of manners." To young men of rank, Sheldon's advice was always thus : — " Let it be j'our principal aim to become honest men, and afterwards be as devout and religious as you will. No piety will be of advantage ' The Sheklonian Tiieatre, at Oxford, was Wren's first executed building, and he was upwards of tliirty years old before he commenced it. In 1661, two years previously, how- ever, he had l^een appointed by King Charles II. Deputy Surveyor-Cieneral of the Royal Works and Buildings, and in that cajxicity had been engaged to design, and superintend, his ]iroposed architectural works, the rej^aration of [old] St. Paul's Cathedral, the restoration of Windsor Castle, and the building of a new i)alace at Greenwich. Up to the year 1661, Wren's time was absorbed in philoso]>hical pursuits, and he does not appear to have enter- tained the idea of V>econiing an architect. About fifty years after the Sheklonian Theatre was built, among other contrivances to annoy the veneraljle Wren, a report was raisetl that it was in a dajigerous state ; but on its being surveyed and strictly examined by comi)etent persons, the whole fabric was reported to be in perfect good order. — Elmes's Sir C. IVrcn ami T.mcs. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 65 to yourselves or otliers unless you are honest and moral men." Burnet says that he was a very dexterous man of business, had a great quickness of aj)prehension, and a very true judgment, but thinks he engaged too deeply in politics. " He had an art that was peculiar to him, of treating all that came to him in a most obliging manner ; but few depended much on his professions of friendsliip. He seemed not to have a deep sense of religion, if any at all, aud spoke of it most commonly as of an engine of government, and a matter of policy ;" but he allows that he was a very generous and charitable man.' As some excuse for any unnecessary severity that he may have exercised, it is but fair to remember the injury and sufferings that he had himself undergone. During the time of the Great Plague he firmly continued at Lambeth, notwithstanding the extremity of the danger, and with his diffusive charity preserved great numbers alive that would otherwise have perished ; also by his affecting letters to all the Bishops he procured great sums to be returned out of all parts of his province. Archbishop Sheldon never published anything but "A Sermon preached before the King at Whitehall, uj^on June the 28th, 1660, being the Day of Solemn Thanksgiving for the happy Return of his Majesty," on Psalm xviii. -iO. Lond. 1660. lie was intimate with Chillingworth, and was the means of persuading that celebrated man to subscribe the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England. On a neat white marble tablet, affixed to the wall, nearly opposite the last, now destroyed : — Beneath are deposited the remains of tlie most reverend John Potter, D.l)., Archljishop of Canterluiry, who died October X. MDCCXLII, in the LXXIV year of liis age. On the ground, adjoining the east wall, on a black marble ledger :- - Here lycth the body of The most reverend Dr. Thomas Herring, Archbishop of Canterbury, who died March 13, 1757, aged 64. ' Archbishop Slieldon expended, from the time of liis being created J5ish()]) of London to liis death as Archljisliop of Canterbury, a ]ieriod of ab(nit sixteen years, as his account books show, upon public, ])ious, and charitaljle ])urposes, above sixty-six tliousanti pounds ; according to otliers, amongst whom is his treasurer, Raljjh Snow, Kscj. (inchuHng the chari- table liequests mentioned in liis will), the sum of scvfiiiy-tico thousand pounds. The monument to his memory was erected by his nephew and heir, Sir Joseph Sheldon, then lately Lord Mayor of London. — Biog. Britt. G6 ANTIQIITIKS OF f;]{()YD()X CHUlUll Near, on ii black muiblc ledger: — Dcposituni Guliclmi Wake Archicpiscopi Cantuaiiensis, (ini ohiit XXIV Jamiaiii, Anno Dom. MDCCXXXV I. yEtatis sua; LXXIX. Et Etheldredae uxoris ejus, QuK obiit XI Aprilis MDCCXXXV, /Etatis sua: LXII. Before the tomb of Warham, on a ledger: — Here lieth the body of Sir Joseph Slieldon, K', some time L*" Mayor of London, the eldest son of Ralph Sheldon, Escj. , who was the elder brother of Gilbert Sheldon, L'' Archbishop of Canterbury. He left issue two daughters, Elizabeth iS: Ann, and died Aug*' y« i6", 1681, in the 51^' year of his age. Near, on a ledger : — M.S. To the memory of y*^ worthy Lady Elizabeth Gresham, etc. SOUTH AISLE. (Jn an oval white marble tablet, affixed to the wall, opposite Arch- bishop's Sheldon's monument, but now demolished, was the following- inscription : — Beneath this place were deposited the remains of Thomas Brigstock, Esq. ; he died of a decline, 27tli October, 1792, in the 1 7th year of his age. If a suavity of manners and goodness of mind could have preserved his life, he would not now been numbered among the dead. On the south wall, on a brass plate, existing in 1859, yet now nowhere to be found : — Here under lieth Buried the bodie of Franc Tirrell, sometime Citizen and Grocer of London. He was a good Benefactor to the poore of divers Hospitalls, Prisons, and Pishes of London, and to the conlinuall relief of the poore Fremen of the Grocers. He gave to this Pishe 200/. to build a newe Market house,' and 40/. t" beautifie this Church, and to make a new Saintes Bell.^ He died in September 1600. ' When the old market house was pulled down in 1807, the following inscription \\as discovered : — "This Markett House was buylt att the coste and charges of Francis Tirrcli, citizen and Grocer of London, who was born in this towne, and departed this worlde in Se])t. 1600." ■■' One John de Aldermaston, who was buried in this Church in 1403, left, by will, twenty sheep, for the purchase of a new saints' bell. — Vide J^c^. Armtdcl, fol. 212, b. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDOX CHURCH. G7 NAVE. On the M^all at the south-east end of the nave was an elegant column of white marble, supporting a funereal urn, designed by Glover, the author of " Leonidas." (Jf this monument, which was erected to the memory of Philippa Bourdieu, the subjoined is a representation. During the progress of the late conflagration. Foreman W. E. Lancaster, one of the Local Board's Volunteer Fire Brigade, was struck on the head, and received a compound fracture of the thigh, by the falling of this monument upon him. On the opposite side of the nave, in the same situation as Philippa Bourdieu's monument, is, at the present moment, a dilapidated and tottering column of white marble, supporting a funereal ^\y urn, with the following inscription : — \ Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Anne Bourdieu, wife of John Bourdieu, Esq., of Golden Square, London. She departed this life the XXIIl of March, MDCCXCVIII, aged XXXI years. A virtuous daughter and a sister kind, A tender mother, and a wife refin'd, Who all the various dues of life sustain'd, Inspir'd by wisdom, and in honour train'd, Lies here entomb'd ; here virtue, beauty, grace. Ready for heav'n, have run their earthly race ; Yet to the shorten'd course of youth confin'd. She shew'd but glimpses of her glorious mind ; Where multitudes of virtues pass'd along. Each moving onward in the lovely throng. To kindle admiration, and make room For greater multitudes that were to come ; But her vast mind, rich with such gifts divine, Li heaven's eternal year alone could shine. On the ground, on a rough marble, with arms' — Here lieth interred the body of the truly pious and singularly accomplish'd Lady Dame Ruth Scudamore, daughter to Griffith Hamden, of Hamden, in the county of Bucks, Esq. ; first married to Edw. Oglethorpe, Esq., sonn & heir to Owen Oglethorpe, in the county of Oxford, Knight, and by him had 2 daughters ; after to S'" Phillip Scudamore, of Burnham, in the county of Bucks, K' ; and lastly to Henry Leigh, Esq''-, sonn and heir to S""- Edw. Leigh, of Rushall, in the county of Stafford, K*', l)y him liad one son, named Samuel, now living. She dyed at Croydon, March 28, 1649, being the 73rd year of her age. ' In memory of an aunt of the immortal patriot, Hampden. rH2Ei- 68 AXriQUniKS OF CROYDON CIirRCH. On ;i lirass plate, with arms: — Here lyeth buried the body of Nicholas Hatcher, of Croydon, in the county of Surry, Gentleman, who was Captaine of a Troop of Horse, under his Most Sacred Majestic King Charles the First, and Veoman-Usher in Ordinary to His Majestic King Charles the Second. Who departed this life the 29th of September, in the year of our Lord God 1673, aged 69 years. Oil the f^round, on a large black marble ledger, were the effig)', in ' <^-v^^ brass, of a man, and the indents of the figures of %y^^'^ o a woman and child. The brass and the inscrip- -^Vv^^/j tion plate are gone, but the following are the words which the latter contained : — Here lieth interred the body of John Packington, late of the Parsonage of this Towne of Croydon, who decea- sed the XXH day of June, An. Dom. 1607, leving issue, one Onely childe Henry Packington by Anne his wife, who yet surviving, at lier decease, appoynteth heare her place of buriall.' On the same stone, a little lower : — Curteous Reader, knowe that here doth lye A rai-e example of trae pietie. Whose glorie 'twas to prove herselfe in life A vertuous wooman, and a loyall wife. Her name to you obscurely He impart In this her Anagrame no arme but Hart ; And least you joyne amis and soe loose y" name, Looke underneathe & you shall find ye same. Martha Burton, y^ wife of Barnard Burton, Esq., deceased y^ 2oh day of No\ember, and was buryed ye 26h day. An" Dni. 1668. On a black marble ledger formerly Avas the brass represented on pao-e 69, to the left, and on a brass plate underneath it these w^ords : — Elijabrt^, Uaugljtrr of Soljtx i>2"Sf. '""^^ (Tlrmrnrc his bufr, tlir fegfr of 5amurl JFfunrlir, uttto inljom sljr bare tijvff sonnrs ant tttio tiaugljtns, anil tJfcrassgngf tijr it'j ingr of iloijrmbrr, hrvr lortl) intrvvrt, ■anno Dni., 1589, trtatis sua; 21. The brass alluded to, with five other brasses belonging to Croydon Church, were stolen by the workmen employed in the restoration of 1859. Truth compels the wiiter reluctantly to add, that, if ancient memorials and records in general were not more carefully preserved ' See .Vi'HKKY's Antiquities of Surrey, vol. ii ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 69 than some belonging to the Parish Church of Croydon have been, history would very quickly become a mere confusion. Of the numerous inscribed slabs mentioned by Ducarel, in his History of Croydon, pub- lished in 1783, by Steinman in his work, published in 1834, or in my own book on Croydon Church, brought out so recently as 1856, described as lying on the Church floors, not more than half of them were to be found previously to the late fire. Of those that could be found, many did not occupy their proj)er places. Fragments of the particular brass alluded to, as well as of the two others represented above, after considerable trouble, were discovered ; and having been soldered together, were placed for security in the vestry, where it is supposed they perished during the fire. Here the writer would acknowledge that he was misinformed re- specting the brass inscription to Egidius Seymor, mentioned in page 40 ; this had not been stolen. It is now safe in the possession of the parish clerk, who, if permitted, doubtless will restore it to its proper place when Croydon Church shall be rebuilt. ' These two figures were on one stone, on the floor of llic north aisle ; the inscription hail previously disapj: eared. '0 AXriQUITIRS OF CROYDON CIIUHCII. NORTH AISLE. On the g-round at the entrance of the aisle, from the west, on hhiek marble ledgers, these : — Mcmoiirc Sacrum : I'd llic pious memorye of liis relit;icAi.s Faiher, Ralph Smith, who deceased the 26 of Sept. 1639, aged S3. Thomas Smith did lay this marble as a grateful testi- monye of his Filial Duty. So well thou lov'st God's House, tho' beinge blind Thou came oft thither, lighted by thy mind ; Where thou didst offer such a sacrifice As few do now present that have their eyes. A bleeding harte of sinne in sorowe Dround, Sustain'd by Hope and with Devotion cround ; Therefore thou dost deserve an abler Pen, Whose spritcly Lines mighte stir up zeale in men To write tliine Ejiitaph, I am sure of this, Wlial thou dost want in Words thou hast in Blisse. Here lietli the body of jMarmaduke Wyvell, Esq'., and one of y<= King's Majie*^ Pentioners, second Sonne to .S'' Marmaduke Wyvell, of Cunstable-Burton, in Yorkshcirc, Knight & l>arronet, who dyed yc xx"* of August, 1623, aged 58. Juxta hie jacet In spem certam resurgendy (s/c orig. ) Depositum Coqjus Marmaduci W^yvell, Armigeri, Filii secundo— geniti Dni Marmaduci Wyvell, de Cunstable-Burton, in Agro Eboracensi, Equitis & Baronetti Ibidemque reconduntur Corpora Mar- maduci et Juditha; filia; ejusdem Marmaduci Wyvell, supra nominati: Beati sunt pulveres, Quibus promittitur a Christo Resurrectio ad gloriam in Regno suo: Adveniat cito ora tu etiam Lector, Obiit 2 die Mar'J 1678, retat suDe 69. GALLERY. On a largo handsome veined marble nionnment, in the north gallery, adorned with arms ; the monument is now broken to bits : — Sacred to the memoiy of John Parker, Esq., formerly of London, wlio (lic'l the 6th of March, 1706, aged 46 years, and is here interred. Also of l''.li/,al)elh, his relict, who died the 10th of August, 1730, aged 70 years. This pair, whilst they lived together, were A pattern for conjugal beliaviour ; He a careful indulgent husl:'and, She a tender engaging wife ; He active in business, punctual to liis word, Kimi to his family, generous to his friend, But charitable to all ; Possest of every social virtue. During her widowhood, .She carefully & virtuously Educated five children, Who survived her: She was an excellent economist, Modest without affectation. Religious without superstition; And in every action behaved \\ illi unconnn 3-"d the last, namely, the corrected census of the year 1861, represented Croydon as possessing a population of 30,240. At present, there are more than 45,000 souls in the parish of Croydon. The able engineer and surveyor to the Croydon Local Board of Hcaltli, Baldwin I^alham, Esq., informs me, that in the year 1865, they granted approvals for building no less than one thousand and fifty houses! In 1866, notwithstanding it was the year of financial distress, the approvals for building houses amounted to sci'en hundred atui thirty-four ! 80 AXTKH rni'.s of cuoydox church. as lifting up the slates and peeping out, whilst the fire busily Avorked its way along the ridge of the roof towards the chancel. Yet many saw no flame at all until the fire strangely broke forth en masse over the chancel, exactly the opposite end of the Church to that in which the fire had been first observed. A south-easterly gale blew hard at the time. Grappling with the flame, as this burst from the roof, the angry wind hurled it with fearful vehemence back to the north-west. It was a sublime spectacle, to witness the fiery whirlwind assault, in mid-night, the gra?\d old tower of Croydon Church. The roof fell in at half-past eleven o'clock.^ Soon after the breaking out of the conflagration a snow-storm had commenced, and millions of sparks, caused by the falling in of the roof, now mingling with snow- flakes, presented a dazzling spectacle. It was a sight of fearful beauty, also, to behold the flames as they burst through the gorgeous stained- glass windows, and displayed hues the most magnificent. Soon after the roof fell, it became evident the tower had caught fire. Much has been said respecting the absence of a master-mind, to direct the operations of the rival brigades during th« late fire ; and some have even gone so far as to affirm that, had the firemen been well generalled, and acted in concert, the tower of Croydon Church would not have suffered materially. It is certain something else besides pluck and physical endurance is required from those who would aspire to the honours of a first-class fire brigade. They telegraphed to London, but OM'ing to the bad state of the roads, no fire-engines could come. Some half-dozen of the renowned London Brigade, however, arrived by the last train, yet by the time they reached St. John's Churcli it lay a heap of burning ruins. It is easy to criticise ; on our part, however, we entertain the opinion, that it would have been little short of a miracle if, in the face of such a tiory hurricane as the one which on that night sj)ent its fury upon the tower of Croydon Church, its contents had been saved. As it was, the fire penetrated into the lower storey through an unlucky aperture specially cut for ventilation during the restoration. The flames then made their way into the higher stories of the tower, up which they presently roared, as in the chimney of a huge blast furnace. The bells melted with the great heat as they hung, all of them, excepting the ' The fire igniting it about eleven o'clock, and the vast roof actually falling in so short a s]iace of time as half an hour after, testifies against the practice of constructing roofs of cliurches of so resinous and inflammable a material as pitch-pine. Had tlie nave of Croydon Church been roofed with oak, or Spanish chestnut, the fire might have smouldered on that upright beam for days, without Inusting into flames. ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 81 big tenor, which falling, smashed throngh the stone roof of the porch, and came to the ground with a thud. By half-past twelve only the carcase of the west tower remained ; the clock attached to it had long previously succumbed, the hands of the dial remaining fixed at about seventeen minutes to twelve. Another dial, which stood in the vestry, at the north-east end of the fabric, when dug out of the debris, marked half-past eleven. The fire, there- fore, had not taken long to gut the vast structure from one end to the other. Thus we at Croydon lost our magnificent Parish Church, with all the fine monuments it contained, on Saturday night, January 5th, in the year of our Lord, 18(57. At the date of the occurrence the Eev. John George Hodgson was Vicar; Henry Hammond, ) ^, , , > Cnurc/ncaruens ; \V ILL I AM Stevenson, ) and Ebenezer Whtttakek, Parish Clerh. The fabric, including the chancel and organ, was insured for £10j800 in all, a sum which, independently of the loss of the monuments, does not represent one half the A'-alue of the property destroyed. Owinff to the lateness of the hour, and the inclement state of the weather on the previous night, but comparatively few persons witnessed the destruction of Croydon Church. The fact consequently was un- known to many of the congregation until, reaching the house of prayer on the first sabbath morning of the new year, to their astonishment they found it a heap of ruins. When the news of the sad disaster became generally known, dismay, and a profound feeling of regret pervaded all ranks and denominations ; and it is scarce an exaggeration to affirm that, the feeling awakened in the bosoms of some, as they gazed upon the charred desolation, was akin to that which rises Avhen looking into the grave of some loved one. For as the roots of toie gnarled and venerable oak have, during the course of man}' long centuries, struck deep and yet deeper into the heart of English soil ; even so, human sympathies for a thousand years have been entwining round our old parish churches. They may, and doubtless will, erect a vcr}- fine structure on the site ; but that old church, to which from childhood, with reverential attach- ment we clung, is no more ; its glory has departed. To all there is food for reflection in such a house as this. Many ages 82 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. ago it was set apart for tlic public -worsliip of God. Associated witli it are the memories of the martyrs and tlic first founders of the Reformed English Church, some of whom found a last resting place within its hallowed walls. How many important events in the history of our country — how many discoveries — how many changes have taken place since, in remote antiquity, its foundations were laid ! And now amid ruins, how solemnly its dark tower rises to the vault of heaven. Around and low in silence, " Each in his narrow cell for ever laid," repose many generations. And when this and succeeding ones have been gathered to their fathers, still it may be this tower, with giant buttress, shall stretch upwards from the unsubstantial shadows of earth, to impress upon the beholder bis frailt3'and his mortalit}', and with turrets directed heavenwards, appear to entreat him to fix his gaze on the mansions above, distant from sin and sorrow, and not subject to the changes of time, eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God. The handsome carved oak pulpit which had piously been contributed by the late W. R. White, Esq., and almost all the furniture of the church, perished in the fire of the 5th of January last. The highly prized ancient brass lectern, represented on page 5, however was saved. The following extract from the parish register relates to this lectern : — " June, 1729, James Marsh pulled ye eagle in y«= church upon him, and cult his hand & blead to death, about 8 years old & buried y^ II." The altar chairs were saved. Attached to the organ was a valuable library of music belonging to the organist, Mr. Rhodes ; this comprised many choice works of the old masters : unfortunately only a few pieces of tinder remain. To the energy of Mr. Whittaker, however, assisted as he was in the good work by others, we owe the preservation of the costly service plate of Croydon Church ; the solid silver paten, flagon, and one chalice are ancient, the former bears the date 1641. We are happy to be able to state that the register and parish books comprising 60 valuable volumes were likewise rescued from the flames. I5ut the tithe map, with every document relating to the tithes, ex- cepting an " altered apportionment," dated 25th April, i86x, concerning an estate at Norwood, which belongs to the Honourable Plantagenet Pierrepont Cary, etc., were consumed. The following is a list of the old Deeds which were destroyed at the late fire of the Parish Church, Croydon ; it is chronologically arranged from the rough notes of our antiquarian parish clerk : — ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. 83 One Deed 5th of Edward the First .... ,, ,, I2th of Edward the Second .... ,, ,, nth and 12th of Henry the Fourth ,, ,, 2nd of Henry the Sixth ,, ,, 9th of Heniy the Sixth ,, ,, 13th of Henry the Sixth .... ,, ,, 2ist Nov., 17th of Henry the Sixth . . ,, ,, 30'Lh of Henry the Sixth ,, ,, 4th of Oct., 30th of Henry the Sixth . ,, ,, May, 36th of Henry the Sixth . . ,, ,, 10th May, 1st of Edward the Fourth ,, ,, Dec., 4th of Edward the Fourtli . ,, ,, 8th Nov, nth of Edward the Fourtli ,, ,, 19th of Edward tlie Fourtli ,, ,, Dec, 1st of Richard the Third ,, ,, loth Jan-, 7th of Henry the Seventh ,, ,, 26th Oct., 8th of Henry the Seventh ,, ,, 19th Dec, 13th of Henry the Seventh of the reign of Heniy the Eighth, i4tli Aug., ist of INIary of Philip and Mary. Thirty different deeds of the reign of Elizabeth are lost, but one deed is saved. The latter, dated 1573, being the 15th of Queen Elizabeth's reign, relates to a gift to the "little almshouse," from Rowland Kilner. It contains 13 signatures, one of them being that of the brother to Archbishop Whitgift. One Deed 20th May, ist of James the First ,, „ loth Aug., 19th of Charles the First . . . . 14 Six One Three A.D. 1277 1,319 lO-I I 1424 143,5 1439 1452 1452 1458 I461 1464 1472 1480 1483 1492 1493 1498 1603 1644 The above deeds related to the Limpsfield Estate ; land at Beckenham and Wickham ; a farm at Marden, Kent ; and land at Ottery St. Mary, Devon. One was a copy of a will dated 30th of Elizabeth, another dated 12th Oct., 43rd of Elizabeth, relatetl to some houses at Lambeth. As the workmen a few days since were employed pulling down the remains of the shattered stone piers and columns of the old Church, preparatory to rebuilding the sacred edifice, they made an interesting discovery. Embedded in the masonry of the huge north pier, upon which the chancel arch had rested, they found an ancient coin. It is a very much worn and defaced silver groat, supposed to have been minted in the reign of Edward I. or II. ; it looks, however, as if it had been circulated for a long period. Our account of the old Parish Church of St. John, Croydon, is finished : one fact. 84 ANTIQUITIES OF CROYDON CHURCH. however, remains to be appended, and it is this. In addition to the £10,000 insured on the Church and organ, the subscriptions to the rebuilding fund up to the date of the jnd)- lication of this book, received and promised, exceed ^14,000. It having been decided llial the sacred fabric is to be rebuilt, not by a church-rate, but by voluntary contri- butions, accordingly many Nonconformist parishioners, to their honour be it recorded, gave to the fund. JOHN EBBUTT and SONS. COMPLETE HOUSE FURNISHERS AND UPHOLSTERERS, 20, 33, 34, HIGH STRKET, AND 94, NORTH END, CROYDON. Agents to Sun Fii-e and Life Office. HAMMOND AND PURROTT, WHOLESALE AXD RETAIL GENERAL AND FURNISHING IRONMONGERS, GAS-FITTERS, BELL-HANGERS, CUTLERS, LOCKSMITHS, HOT WATER APPARATI FITTERS, STOVE AND RANGE MANUFACTURERS, OIL MERCHANTS, AND FOUNDERS' 10 AXD II, HIGH STREET and 1, SURREY STREET, CROYDON. Agricultural and Horticultural Implements of aU kinds in great variety at manufacturers' prices. The OLD ESTABLISHED Family Grocery Warehouse xs PELTON, BROTHERS, 129 AND 130, HIGH STREET, CROYDON. South Norwood Branch — " post office," no. 2, high street JESSE W. WARD, General Printer, Keeley Road, Croydon. Publisher of Ward's Croydon Almanack, and Printer of Pelton Brothers' Monthly Railway Time Tables, Daily Calendar, Postal Guide, etc. JARYIS AND COMPANY, GENERAL DRAPERS, SILK MERCERS, GLOVERS AND HOSIERS, DIRECTLY OPPOSITE- THE TOWN HALL, CROYDON. Private Charities and Clothing Clubs supplied at the smallest remunerative profit from a Large and Cheap Stock of Flannels, Blankets, Calicoes, Prints, etc. Show Rooms for Mantles, Shawls, Bonnets, and Millinery, where a constant introduction of Novelties may be found. ¥. P U Z E Y, (LATE T. L. ROBINSON) WHOLESALE WINE, SPIRIT AND BEER MERCHANT, 17, high STREET, and 1 AND 2, KATHARINE STREET, CROYDON, OPPOSITE THE TOWN HALL. Established especially for Family Trade. Agent for the sale of Bass' and AUsopp's Pale Ales, Raid and Co.'s Celebrated Stout. 4^ pall. 9 call. I« gall. 4^ fall. 9 gall. 18 gull. The Celebrated Maidstone Ale 5/3 10/6 21/0 | London Porter 4/G 9/0 18/0 AU orders by Post addressed to — Counting House, No. 2, Katharine Street. Orders carriage free. F. P. desires to call attention to his 4 J Gall, glazed Bottles in Wicker Baskets, with tap, for Ale, Stout, or Porter ; being glazed inside, these can be washed as clean as a wine glass. All kinds of French and German Wines. Single Bottles at Wholesale Prices. JOHN MURTON, FAMILY BREWER, SHIRLEyT^ROYDON. List of Prices. Qualities Bar. Ktl.L. F'B. 30 Gall. 18 Call. 9 Gall. (14/ 3-V !••>/ GO/ 30/ m 4«/ 24/ 12/ 36/ 18/ 9/ 30/ I-V 7/6 48/ 21/ 12/ 3(i/ Ih/ '•*/ 60/ 30/ 15 4S/ 24/ 12/ 30' 18/ 9/ 20/ 10 5/ Days of Delivery. CROYDON Daily NORWOOD TiiuusDAT AND Satuudat SYDENHAM AND PENCE Tuuhsdav XX XX. OLD ALE XXX. MILD ALK XX.K XX X.K K.IC. INDIA PALE ALE 48/ 21/ 12/ i WICKHAM and BECKENHAM Wednesday A.K. BITTER ALE D. SlOUr 60/ liOj l^ j BRIXTON, CLAPHAM, &c Wednesday POUTER 30' 18/ 9/ I FOREST HILL Thursday table BEER E. WIIITTAKER, I'arish and Cemetery Clerk, 10, St. John's Road, Croydon. Where applications for Bamis and Marriages are to be made. G E E E N ' S ^VIXE AND SPIRIT ESTABLISHMENT, I, M)KT1I EM>; AND CUOWS IIOTKL, 1, CHURCH STKKtT, CltOYOON. Agoiit for Barclay and Co.'s Stout and Porter, in Casks or Bottles. WTLLIA]\r STEVENSON, GROCER, TEA DEALER AND PROVISION ^MERCHANT, 123 AND 12-1, HIGH SPRKKT, CHOTDON. W. P. WENIIAM, GAS-FITTER, BRASS FINISIlliR, PLUMBER, LUCKSMllII AND Bhl.L-lIANGEK, 81, CHURCH STREET, CROTnON. Baths, Conservatories, &c.. Fixed inid Heated with Hot Water. Estimates given. ROBERT HENBREY, CORN AND SEED MKRCHANT, 62, SOUTH END, CROYDON. GREEN AND SON, SADDLERS AND HARNESS JIAKERS, 14, SURREY STIiliET, CROVLON. G. H. ALLBON, FAi^ITLY BOOT AND SHDK MAKER, 17, NORTH END. CROYDON. Established 12 Years. JANNAR, BROTHERS, dyers, ci.kaneks and finisheus, 23, surrey strekt, croyuon. gTbARRITT, Chemist, (Member of the Pharmaceutical Society) 36, HIGH STIiEET, < ROY DON. Physicians' Prescriptions and Family Recipes carefully dispensed. — Genuine Drugs. HomcEopathic Medicines and Preparations. rTI^ewbury^ DKALER IN NEW AND SECONDHAND FURNITURE, CROWN HILL, CKOYDON. Goods bought, sold, or exchanged. G. J. POLHILL, PHOTOGK/VPUICR, 26, NORTH END, CROYDON. W. TANCOCK, HAIR CUTTER, 33, CHUKCH STREE I, CROYDON. Hair brushed by Machinery. J. E. P E T T I F E R, (late pettiffer, bro's.) LIME MERCHANT, HALING LIME WOltKS, BRIGHTON ROAD, AND PARKER ROAD. SOUTH END, CROYDON. Stone, Chalk, and Ground Lime. Sand and Flints. Established 1818. ^v. H. c A :m P A R T, HAT AND CAP MANUFACTUKER, 2.3, HIGH STREET, CROYDON, Returns his sincere thanks for past favours, and assures his customers they niaj^ still rely upon the utmost attention to quality and moderate charges. Evcrj- Hat being manufactured by first-rate hands, will ensure the work being well finished. The Hats are ventilated upon an improved piinciple, and gentlemen can be suited in every shape, texture, or quality, that can be desired. Families newlj^ resident are particularly reques'ed to favour W. II. C. with a trial. Agent to the Royal Farmers' General Fire and Life Insurance 0Sic3. E. N. AND S. LEVITT, GENERAL DRAPERS, 68, HIGH SIREET, NEAR WEST STREET, CROYDON. GEORGE COVELL, GENliRAL FURNISHING IRONMONGER, Tinman, Brazier, and Dealer in CHINA, GLASS, and EARTHENWARE, a.'i, HIGH STRKET, CROYDON. Baths on Ilii-e ; China and Glass supplied for largo or small parties. A great variety of Dinner, Tea, and Dessert Services always in stock. Toilet Sets, &c. Lamp Glasses fitted. Brooms, Brushes, Mats, &c., of every description. HOOKER AND BAGNALL, PLCMBKRS GAS-FITTERS, PAINTERS, GLAZIERS, PAPEU-IIANGEltS, AND DECORATORS, 13, NORTH END, CROYDON. Estimates given for general repairs. J. JORDAN, GEN E R .V L I R N JI N G E R, CUTLER, BEI.L-HANGER. LOi. ICSMITH, GAS-FITTER, &C. HIGH STREET, CROYDON. Agent for the Leamington Patent Kitchener. Hot Water Apparatus fixed upon the most approved j)rinciples. Established 1830. M. WAGNER & SO X, 9, CHL'KCH STKKKT. CROVDON, GENERAL OUTFITTERS, TAILORS, HOSIERS, HATTERS, BOOT AND SHOE BIAKERS, WHOLESALE AXD RICTAIL. Mournino; on the Shortest Xotice. T. 11. EBBUTT, UNDEllTAKER, and MONUMENTAL MASON, 119, HIGH STREET, CROYDON. J. B. AINSWORTH, WATCH AND CLOCK MAKER, WORKING JEWELLER, GOLD AND SILVERSMITH. OPTICIAN, & ORNAMENTAL HAIR DEVICE WORKER. 125, HIGH STREET, CROYDON. Coiintiy Orders punctually attended to. Established upwards of Thirty Years. J. GILLINGHAM, FARRIER AND SHOEING SMITH, PITLAKE, CROYDON. FREDERICK OVERTON, ROYAL OAK BREWERY, SURREY STREET, CROYDON, S. Per 9 gallons. AK (Family Ale) 8/3 XK (Bitter do ) 9/ XX Ale 9/ XXX do 13/6 Pale Ale 14/ Porter 9/ Double Stout 13/6 Families supplied in 18, 9, or i^ Gallon Casks. GEORGE ALLSOP, WHOLESALE TURNER, BRUSH MANUKACTUHER, AND COOI'ER, NO. 61, UNION STREET, SOUTllWARK, S E., & NO. 3.5, BEDFORD STREET, STR.iND, W C, Corner of Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. T. GROSSMITII, KNICKERBOCKER AND GAITER MAKER, 13. SURREY STREET, CROYDON. SAWYER, BOOT AND SHOE MAKER, 80, NORTH END, CROYDON. WM. & TIIOS. RIGBY, COAL AND COKE MERCHANTS, EAST CROYDON AND WADDON RAILWAY STATIONS. Private Residence— No. 4, Dingwall Terrace, DiiiKwall Road. JOHN MARSHALL, FOR I RAIT PAINTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER. Established 1851. 28, GEORGE STREET, CROYDON. Fii-st-class Pictures only. C. A. BLOGG, ZINC WORKER, BATH AND TOILETTE WARE MANUFACTURER, ,54, CHURCH STREEP, CROYDON. Aquariums, Fern Cases, Circular Rain Water Tanks, etc. J. RIDGE, INI ERIOR DECOR *TOR, Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer, and Undertaker, 91, CHURCH STREET, CROYDON. All furniture manufactured on the premises, and warranted of first-class materials and workman- ship, at the lowest possible i^rices. Every description of Church Cushions and Hassocks made to order. Funerals economically and punctually per- formed. T. SHONFELD, FRUITERER AND GREENGROCER, 26, HIGH STREET, CROYDOS. D. KINGSLAND, FANCY BREAD AND BISCUIT BAKER, PASTRY-COOK AND CONFECTIONER, S3 & 34, NORTH END, CROYDON. Families waited on daily. ROBERT DAVIES MABEY, TAILOR, 2, ADDISCOMHE ROAD, CROYDON. S. G. MARKS, FAMILY TEA DEALER, GROCER, CIIEESEMONGEI:, AND WINE MERCHANT, 49, CHURCH STREET, CROYDON. Branch Post Ofncc. WILLIAM WATERS, STEAM SA^WING, l^LANING, AND MOULDING MILLS, SCARBROOK ROAD, CROYDOX. All Sa\vings and Mouldings at London Prices. CHARLES WniTTAKER, DEALER IN TEAS, COFFEES, PROVISIONS, &c., WIXE MEKCHAXT, ISO, HIGH STRKET, AND 68, SOCTU END, CROYDON. Orders taken for Ind, Coope & Co.'s Romford and Burton Ales. CROVDON ZINC WORKS. * J. T. BAYLDON, BATH MANUFACTORY AND TOILET WAREHOUSE, 113, CHURCH STREET. Flats and Verandahs Covered, Skylights, Chimney Flues, Cowls, Guttering, Stack Pipe, &c. Water waste preventer Cisterns, as approved by the Board of Health. Baths for Sale or Hire. Mrs. CHARLES PAGE, FAMILY HOSIER, GLOVER AND SHIRT MAKER, 2, NORTH END, CROYDON. F. J. STANNARD, FAMILY AND DI.SPENSING CHEMIST, Post and Money Order Office, 15, BROAD GREEN, THORNTON HEATH. Agent to the Royal Insurance Office. ALFRED LODGE, TAILOR AND HABIT MAKER, CHARLES YEWEN, MONUMENTAL JIASON, SOOTH END, CROYDON. 100, NORTH END, CROY'DON. Naval and Military Uniforms. WALKER & DEBOO, (late siunT,) Plain and Dress Liveries. COACHMAKERS AND WHEELWRIGHTS, STCRt's YARD, SURREY STREET, CROYDON. C. LEMMON, CHR0N03IETER, WATCH AND CLOCK MAKER, W. ALCHIN, BUILDER AND UNDERTAKER, SUMNER ROAD, CROYUON. WORKING JEWELLER, &C., 34, CHL'RCH STREET, CROYDON. Established 1831. Plate and Seal Engraving. Musical Boxes Cleaned and Repaired. Clocks Wound and kept in Repair by the Year. Foreign Watches and Clocks accurately Repaired. GEORGE MILLS, BASKET AND SIEVE MANUFACTURER, 12. SURREY STREET, CROYDON. G. TAYLOR, WOOLLEN DRAPER, TAILOR, & BREECHES MAKER, 25, CHURCH STREET, CROYDON. Barometers and Ihermometers made and Repaired. Fancy Hair Work. Wedding and Mourning Rings. Ladies' Ears Pierced. Liveries on the shortest notice. Wm. E. JOHNSON, H. P. ATHAWES, EAGLE BREWERY, SOUTH END, CROYDON. Successor to both the late Mr. Ilaydon and Mr. Battersbee's Businesses, SADDLE, HARNESS, and ROPE MANUFACTURER, List of Prices, in Casks, as under:— 27, HIGH STREET, CROYDON. ^, E R, TAMWORTH ROAD, CROYDON. ^y. MARTIX, CABINET MAKER, UPHOI^TERER, CARPENTER, and undertakkr, dagnall's park, SELUURST. Furniture Repaired and Polished. A. J. WILLIAMS and SOX, TIMBER MERCHANTS, MITCHAM ROAD, AND 3IYRTLE STREET. CROYDON. All kinds of Park Fencing done to order. Established in Croydon Twenty Years. J. HAXSCOMB, UMRHELLA AND SUN SHADE MANUFACTURER, 7, CROWN HILL, CROYDON. Umbrellas and Sun Shades re-covered in the best manner, and at reasonable charges. Repairs done. ERXESTO HAXD, AUCTIONEKR AND HOTEL VALUER, 3. ST. ALBANS' VILLAS, PARSON's 5IEAD, CKOTDON Auctions conducted at half the usual commission. Valuations for Probate, etc. R. RO"WBOTHAM, FAJIILY GROCER AND PKOVISION MERCHANT, WINDMILL ROAD, CROYDON, Teas Genuine as imported. Fresh Roasted Coffees. Lincoln and York llains. Mild Break- fast Bacon. Fresh and Salt Butters. Jams, Mar- malades, Jellies, Sauces, etc. Families waited upon, and Goods delivered by cart daily to any pai-t of Croydon. British "Wines, Huntley and Palmer's Biscuits. JAMES MITCHELL, PHOTOGRAPHER, 3, SUMNER ROAD, CROTDON. Large and small Photographic Views of the Exterior, Interior, and Tombs of Croydon Church may be obtained at the above address. For specimens, see Mr. Anderson's new edition of large work on Croydon Church. T. SHOXFELD, FRUITERER AND GREENGROCER, 26, HIGH STREET, CROYDON. Mr. J. HAYXES, CHEMIST AND GALVANIST, CAMBRIDGE HOUSE, WHITE HOKSE ROAD, CKOYDON. Ever)- article sold at this Establishment warranted geuuine. Physicians' Prescriptions and Family Recipes accurately dispensed. Established 1825, G. MARTIX, FURNISHING IRONMONGER, Brazier, Tin, Iron, and Zinc-Plate "Worker, GAS FITTER, EIC, 48, SURREY STREET, CROYDON, N.B. Kitchen Furniture Tinned and Repaired. CHARLES JOHXSOX, DRAPER, HOSIER, HABERDASHER, ETC , CORNER OF DAGNALl's PARK, 6LXHURST. Family Mourning. Every Article marked in Plain Figures, at the lowest remunerative price. T. B. RHODES, FAMILY C H Y M I S T, ST James's uo.u>, and cherry orchard road, croydov. Oenuine Patent Medicines and Proprietary Articles. Toilet Requisites. Ph^vsicians' Prescriptions and Private Eecipe scarefully and accurately dispeued. Homoeopathic Medicines, Mineral Waters, &c. &c. BIDDELL AND S0^\ COOKS AND CONFECTIONERS, HIGH STREET, CROYDON'. Wedding Breakfasts, Dejeuners, Dinners, Pout and Ball Suppers. Messrs. SALES and HARLAXD, (In the employ of the late Mr. T. Weller seventeen and nine years respectively) WATCH AND CLOCK MAKERS, JEWELLERS, AND SILVERSMITHS, 11, NORTH END, CROYDON. Church, TuiTct, and other Clocks, wound and regulated by the year. W. J. HASTE, TAILOR AXD TROUSERS MAKER, 21, IIANDCROFT ROAD, CROYDON. SION JSTRSERY, THORNTON HEATH, SURREY, S. AECHIBALD HENDERSON Has a First-class General Nursery Stock ; a personal inspection is respectfully solicited at the above Nursery. Plans and Estimates given for laying out new gardens. Hot-house building and everything connected with gardening. AU works carried out according to specification. QUEEN'S HOTEL, NEAR THE CRYSTAL PALACE, UPPER NORWOOD. Intending Visitors to this delightfully situated Hotel are respectfully requested to give one day's notice, prior to their arrival, in order to ensure the required accommodation. J. HOLMES, GREY STONE LIME, SLATE, and COAL MERCHANT, 1, THORLOW COTTAGES, WHITEHOKSE ROAD, CROYDON, AND AT THORNTON HEATH RAILWAY STATION, S. JOSEPH CAMPBELL, DRAPER, HATTER AND CLOTHIER, 27, NORTH END, CROYDOX. J. PRICE, cartenter and bcildkr. 66, parson's mead, cruyuon. Estimates given. C. n.\RDING, carpenter, builder, and undertaker, 72. ayllett place, THOIINTON heath, CROYDON. Blinds and Verandahs of every description made and repaired. F. MESSENGER, Ladies' and Gentlemen's FASHIONASLE BOOT AND SHOE MAKER, 156, IIANDCROFT ROAD, CROYDON. Repairing in all its branches. W. R I N G H A M, PLUMBER, GASFITTER, AND HOUSE DECORATOR, 116, CHURCH STREET, CROYDON. Estimates given. J. SHEERS, PICTURE FRAME MAKER AND GILDER TO THE TRADE, 27, CHURCH STREET, CROYDON. The Original Croydon Basket Carriage Manufactory, Messrs. WATERS and SON, COACn BUILDERS A\D HARNESS MAKERS, 5, GEORGE 8TRKET, CROYDON. Messrs. AVaters and Son, have constantly on sale every description of light modern Carriages, viz., Broughams, Waggonettes, Mail, Park, and other Phaetons, Dog Carts, &c., &c., at moderate prices for cash. Repairs promptly executed, and Estimates given. TUB AME3RICAN WINE AND SPIIUT ESTABLISHMENT, NOS, .5, 134 AND 135. moil stueet, cuoydon. J. B. J A Y x\ E, Agent for the Sale of the Cklf.brated L L Whiskey, Guinness's Stout and Bass's and Allsopp's Pale Ale. Per Dozen. per per Btl. Doz. Port, from . ... 2;6 30/ Sherry „ ■• 2/ 24; Claret „ . .. 1/2 12/ Champagne fi'om 3/ 36/ GoiN'NBSs & Co.'s Extra Stout ISass & Allsopp's Pale Ale .. Burton Ale (the best quality)... Scotch ditto Reputed Pints. 3/6 3'tJ "?r,:^'"«»«- 4/6 5/6 4/6 «/ 10/ 10/ per per Bil. Gall. Martells Brandy, from. . 3, 6 21 / Gin 1/10 10/8 Rum 2/ 12/ Whiskey 3/ 18/ BANCE AND SON, UPHOLSTERERS AND UNDERTAKERS, PEW CUSHIONS, RDGS, HASSOCKS, &C. HIGH STREET, CROYDON. LONDON HOUSE, 138, HIGH STREET, CROYDON. W. LEPPARD, SILK MERCER, LINEN DRAPER, &c., &c. Family Mourning, Millinery, and Ladies' Outfitting Warehouse. Business Established nearly Fifty Years. SAMUEL CLOUTER, LETTER-PRESS PRINTER, 22, PARK STREET, HIGH STREET, CROYDON. TAYLOR AND SMITH, LATE W. & E. RUSSELL, CORN, S E E^, AND FLOUR MERCHANTS, DEALERS IN HAY', STRAW, AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER SEEDS. Agents for Ransome's and Sims' Agi-icultural Implements. Also for the London Manure Company. iFenry lee, LATE STURT & DY'ER, MANUFACTURER AND FITTER-UP OF HOT WATEli APPARATUS TO GREENHOUSES, AND PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BUILDINGS, ON THE MOST APPROVED PRINCIPLE. Stoves, Ranges, &c. GAS-FITTER AND BELL-HANGER. SHOEING AND SMITH's WORK IN GENERAL. SURREY' STREET, AND THORNTON HEATH, CROYDON. WOODWARD, BROTHERS, WINE, SPIRIT, STOUT, AND ALE MERCHANTS, LONDON — 32, NICHOLAS LANE, LOMBARD STREET. E.G. CROYDON — 30, GEORGE STREET, A Single Bottle of AVine or Spirit at Wholesale Price. WERTIlEIMEl!, LEA S: CO., PltlNTEHS,) [CIKCCS PLACE, FlNSBUIiV. Univosity ol Calilornia, Los Angeles L 006 331 318 3 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY D 000 839 011 4