DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0297
WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 265
The active part which this eminent person took, in discharging the duties of
those various and important situations which he filled, had rendered him a con-
spicuous figure in the history of his times. His character, therefore, has been
given, by different writers, according to the influence of their respective opinions
and interests: at the same time, they all agree in acknowledging the vigour of
his understanding, the extent of his attainments, and the generosity of his nature.
Widmore quaintly observes, and with apparent justice, that he will be a very
good man indeed, who shall design better, or do more, for the Church of West-
minster, than this man did*.
When Archbishop Williams had retired to York, but before the period of his
commendam had expired, the affairs of the Church of Westminster were left to
the care of the sub-dean, who continued to execute his office in the best manner
which the extraordinary and difficult circumstances of the times would allow. In
the following year, the House of Commons, as it appears on its journals, made
this collegiate church an object of its particular attention. April 24, 1643, a com-
mittee was appointed to receive information concerning its affairs, and to demolish
any monuments of superstition, or remains of idolatry, which were to be found
there. This resolution seems to have been carried into immediate execution; for,
on the 31st of the following month, orders were given to burn the copes belonging
to it, and to remit the produce, as those official habiliments were made of very
rich and costly materials, to the poor of Ireland. In a few days after, it was also
resolved, that the doors of the treasury, or room in the cloisters, should be opened,
without asking the consent of the prebendaries, and that an inventory of what
was therein contained, should be taken and presented to the house. This reso-
lution was introduced on a vague and fallacious pretence, that the Dean of West-
minster might have conveyed away the crown, and other regalia, of which this
* Hist, of Westm. Abbey, p. 155.
Vol. I. M m
The active part which this eminent person took, in discharging the duties of
those various and important situations which he filled, had rendered him a con-
spicuous figure in the history of his times. His character, therefore, has been
given, by different writers, according to the influence of their respective opinions
and interests: at the same time, they all agree in acknowledging the vigour of
his understanding, the extent of his attainments, and the generosity of his nature.
Widmore quaintly observes, and with apparent justice, that he will be a very
good man indeed, who shall design better, or do more, for the Church of West-
minster, than this man did*.
When Archbishop Williams had retired to York, but before the period of his
commendam had expired, the affairs of the Church of Westminster were left to
the care of the sub-dean, who continued to execute his office in the best manner
which the extraordinary and difficult circumstances of the times would allow. In
the following year, the House of Commons, as it appears on its journals, made
this collegiate church an object of its particular attention. April 24, 1643, a com-
mittee was appointed to receive information concerning its affairs, and to demolish
any monuments of superstition, or remains of idolatry, which were to be found
there. This resolution seems to have been carried into immediate execution; for,
on the 31st of the following month, orders were given to burn the copes belonging
to it, and to remit the produce, as those official habiliments were made of very
rich and costly materials, to the poor of Ireland. In a few days after, it was also
resolved, that the doors of the treasury, or room in the cloisters, should be opened,
without asking the consent of the prebendaries, and that an inventory of what
was therein contained, should be taken and presented to the house. This reso-
lution was introduced on a vague and fallacious pretence, that the Dean of West-
minster might have conveyed away the crown, and other regalia, of which this
* Hist, of Westm. Abbey, p. 155.
Vol. I. M m