R John Tayler, from whose correspondence we select a few letters, was Master of St John's from July 1538 to 1546. He was originally of Queens' College (B.A. 1523-4). He was learned, eminently pious and greatly esteemed as a preacher, and was one of the Compilers of the Book of Common Prayer. But his reign in St John's was neither a peaceful nor a happy one. Baker's account of the matter is not very easy to understand. The majority of the Fellows were not satisfied with the justice of Tayler's rule. Dr Tayler became Rector of St Peter's, Cornhill, in London in 1536, and the following letter from Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London, gives a curious glimpse of that prelate acting as tax collector to Henry VIII. Righte worshipfull and loving brother in my hartieste manner I commende me vnto you gyving you tunderstande that the iiijth of this presente I receaued Ires from the Kinges mooste excellent maiestie of the tenor ensuying. By the Kinge. To the righte Reuerende ffather in God, our righte VOL. XVIII 4 A trustie and well beloued the bysshopp of London. Righte Reuerende ffather in God, righte trustie and wellbeloued we greete 'you well, And where during the late Session of our Parliamente holden at Westm', in the xxxvijth yeere of our Reigne, there was graunted vnto vs by the common agreamente of you and others the clergie of oure province of Cant. in theyre Convocation towardes the Alleviatinge of some portion of oure chardge in the warres, one Subsidie to be payed, the firste day of Maye nowe nexte ensuyng, and to be levied raysed and gathered in such sorte as by your said graunte doothe more largelie appeare. Albeyt the daye appoynted for the payment of the said Subsidie bee not fully come, yet consydering that the paymentes thereof may as easlilie be made by you and a greate numbere of thothers of the clergie of that youre diocesse, nowe owte of hande as at the tyme lymyted by youre graunte. And forasmoche as they payment thereof, shall stand vs in greate stede, and doo vs verie moche gratuitie and pleasure. Having at this present greate sommes of moneye to be defrayed, within verie short tyme wee haue thoughte good in respect thereof and the Specyall truste and confidence wee haue in your good bountie and earneste affections to doo vs gratuitie and seruice, to pray and requyre you not onelie to paye or cause to be payed vnto thandes of cure Thresourer appoynted for the receipte therof, before thende of this presente moneth of Januarie all such sommes of moneye as by yor self and yor cathedral Churche shalbe due and oughte to be payed at the firste daye of Maye nowe nexte ensuynge, but also to extende yor good dexteritie and to travaile as diligentelie and earnestely as you may for asmoche to be payed by all others of the clergie within yo' diocese and collection as maye be hadde within the saide tyme wherein wee eftsounes requyre you to employe all yor diligence as wee speciallie truste you and as ye tender thadvauncement of our affayres, geven vnder our Signet at our Honor of Hamptoune Courte the ijth daye of Januarye, the xxxvijth yere of oure Reyne. And bycause ye being as ye are a man of grate wystome and of such notable qualities that ye canne and will shortelie consider thimportaunce and weighte of such matter as this ys withoute large recytall, declaration or anny greate persuasion necessarie to be vsed with you, I shall therefore, after ye haue well and maturelie considered the contentes of the kinges mate said Ires, counsaill and moost hartelie desyre and pray you bothe taccomplysshe youre self thole effect of the said Ires as ys contayned in them and also to sette forthe and declare yor doinge to others that by yor good example they may be induced to doo the lyke. Wherein ye and theye shall not onelie declare your selfes to be such persouns as ye haue been and yet be taken for, faithfull, loving and obedyent subiectes to his saide maiestie, but also acquyre and purchase therebye vnto you righte especyall and loving hartie thankes with favour. And for my parte I doo assure you I shall not fayle to make verie honeste and faythfull declaration of all yor doinges in this behalfe, God beste knowinge, who longe and well preserue you. Wrytten at my house in London the yth of Januerie. yor loving brother, Addressed: To the righte worshipfull and my verie lovinge good brother Doctor Taylour parson of saincte Petyres in Cornhill in London. The letters which follow refer to Cambridge matters. The first clearly refer to the founding of Trinity College. The second would appear to be a request to allow some Scholar of the College, for there was no Fellow of the name of Dawes, to accompany some lads to the Continent as Tutor. After oure righte herty commendationes Wher as the kinges. moste royall maiestye Erectinge a College wythin that your vniuersite of Cambrydge to then creace of Godes glory, the advauncement of godly study, the dysyenge of good lerninge. and vertue haith taken certeyn of the felowes of sondry your Colleges theyr for the better fornyture of hys Maiesties sayd Colleges in even degree accordynglye. And hath lefte certeyn men of honesty and desyrouse to study that were of hys graces exhibiton before, vnplaced in his maiesties college theyr whom we thinke mete for the kynges honor to be prouyded for. Thes shalbe theyrfore on the Kynges Maiestyes behalfe to requyre yowe and euery of yow tadmytte and receyue suche |