The convocation of March 1553

Summary

Royal writ for convocation

Edwardus etc., reverendissimo in Christo patri Thomae, eadem gratia archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, totius Angliae primati, salutem. Quibusdam arduis et urgentibus negotiis nos securitatem et defensionem Ecclesiae Anglicanae ac pacem, tranquillitatem, bonum publicum et defensionem regni nostri et subditorum nostrorum eiusdem concernentibus, vobis in fide et dilectione quibus nobis tenemini rogando mandamus quatenus praemissis debito intuitu attentis et ponderatis universos et singulos episcopos vestrae provinciae ac decanos ecclesiarum cathedralium, necnon archidiaconos, capitula et collegia, totumque clerum cuiuslibet dioceseos eiusdem provinciae ad comparendum coram vobis in ecclesia Sancti Pauli Londoniarum, secundo die Martii proximo futuro [2 March 1553], modo debito convocari faciatis ad tractandum, consentiendum et concludendum super praemissis et aliis quae sibi clarius exponentur tune ibidem ex parte nostra. Et hoc sicut nos et statum regni nostri ac honorem et utilitatem ecclesiae praedictae diligitis, nullatenus omittatis. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium quinto die Ianuarii anno regni nostri sexto [5 January 1553].

The proxy for the dean and chapter of Wells

On 8 February 1553 the dean and chapter of Wells appointed George Carew, dean of Bristol, Walter Creyting, archdeacon of Bath, Polydore Vergil, archdeacon of Wells and two others (unnamed) as proctors.

The bishop of Worcester's certificate

The certificate, dated 24 February 1553, names the following:

John Barlow, dean of Worcester

Peter Vannes, archdeacon of Worcester John Williams, D. C. L., vicar-general of Worcester1388 and

Guy Etton [Heton], bishop's chaplain,1389 proctors of the clergy.

[126] Discourse of my Lord's grace of Canterbury for the first day of the convocation. Anno septimo Edward VI, 2 March anno Domini 1552U90 Thursday 2 March 1553

• 1. First, the order of the communion to be ministered in Paul's quire.

• 2. A sermon there ad clerum in presence of my lords grace the bishops and clergy.

• 3. His grace with the bishops (the sermon being ended) to return into the chapter house.

• 4. The bishop of London to exhibit his certificate for the execution of the summons, the same to be read openly by Mr Chancellor, the bishops absent to be preconizated etc.

• 5. My Lord's grace to depute his chancellor to receive the certificates of all other bishops to peruse the process of the absents and the clergy as they shall be introduced etc.