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Elsinore 1580: John Rogers and James Bosgrave

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2016

Paul Skwarczynski
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Extract

Hamlet has made the name of Elsinore, the Danish Helsingor, familiar to everyone. It is a small seaport at the narrowest part of the Sound, opposite the Swedish town of Helsingborg. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, its Baltic traffic was of great importance, and here, in 1580, two Englishmen met by accident.

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Articles
Information
British Catholic History , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , May 1982 , pp. 1 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © Catholic Record Society 1982

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References

Notes

1 Tabeller over skibsfart og varetransport gennem Oresund, 1497-1660 (Tables de la navigation et du transport des marchandises passant par le Sund, 1497-1600), ed. N. E. Bang, pars 1-11/2 (København, 1906-32, 1933): Rybárski, R., Handel i polityka handlowa Polski w XVI stuleiu, 1-11 (Poznań, 1928-29); Koczy, L., Nowe zródla do dziejów handlu Polski na morzu Baltyekim (Roczniki Dziejów Spolecznych i Gospodarczych 6, Lwow, 1937).Google Scholar

2 Rogers (see abbreviations).

3 Chester, pp. 271-74. This account, however, appears to be out of date and contains some inaccuracies. The short note by Sidney Lee in D.N.B. 49, p. 129, and 17, p. 129, is based to some extent on Chester.

4 Chester, passim; Dictionary, p. 542; Aston, T. H., Rogers, John (Birmingham, 1863, 1873); Writings of Rogers, Saunders, Taylor and Careless (The Religious Tract Society, London); D.N.B. 17 Google Scholar.

5 Chester, pp. 271, 241; D.N.B. 17; Venn 3, p. 479; Athenae 1, p. 121.

6 [Charles Coote], Sketches of the lives and characters of eminent English civilians with an historical introduction relative to the College of Advocates and an enumeration… of academic graduates admitted into that Society (London, 1804), p. 52 Google Scholar; Chester, p. 271.

7 Venn 3, p. 479; Athenae 1 (1858), p. 121; 2 (1861), p. 385. But Notitia 3, pp. 110, 120, mentions John Rogers of the Inner Temple; and Anthony Rogers of Brianston, Dorset, eldest son of William Rogers, M.P. for Wareham in 1585, is mentioned under 1568 in Students Admitted to the Inner Temple, 1547-1660, ed. Cooke, W. H. (London, 1878), p. 65 Google Scholar. Cf. also Chester, pp. 271-2.

8 C.S.P.F. 1577-78, pp. 18-19, no. 28 (20 July 1577). Cf. also C.S.P.F. 1582, p. 534, no. 551. Chester (p. 273) wrongly placed this mission in 1588.

9 A.P.C. 12 (1580-81), p. 158.

10 C.S.P.F. 1579-80, p. 409, no. 417 (8 September 1580); Chester, p. 272.

11 C.S.P.F. 1583, Addenda nos. 590, 613, 616, 658, 674. Cf. ‘Eastland Company’, pp. 163-6, 175-9, 183.

12 The Earl of Derby, Lord Cobham, Sir James Crofts and Dr Dale; cf Murdin, W. A., Collection of State Papers relating to affairs in the reign of Queen Elizabeth from… 1571 to 1596 (London, 1759), p. 787 Google Scholar. Also there: ‘John Rogers, Doctor of the civyll lawe, was sent to assist them’.

13 C.S.P.F. January-June 1588, pp. 207, 279 (18 March, 11 April, etc.). Cf. also Chester, p. 272.

14 Notitia 3, pp. 101, 110, 120. Cf. also Members of Parliament: I: Parliaments of England, 1213-1702 (1878), p. 418 Google Scholar. Rogers is not mentioned there as a member of the Parliament of 1585-86, but D.N.B. 19, p. 129, and 17, p. 129, mentions him as a member of three Parliaments. Venn 3, p. 479, gives the date of the first Parliament in which Rogers took part as 1584-85 and not 1585-86.

15 Chester, p. 201; Dictionary, p. 542; Gairdner, J., The English Church in the Sixteenth Century (London, 1902), pp. 348–58;Google Scholar B. White, Mary Tudor (London, 1935), p. 329; Lecler, J., Histoire de la tolérance au siècle de la Reforme 2 (Paris, 1953), p. 301.Google Scholar

16 Athenae 1, p. 121. Cf. Dictionary, p. 542.

17 Leyde, A., Ambassades de Messieurs de Noailles en Angleterre 4 (1763), p. 173.Google Scholar

18 Rogers.

19 Ibid.

20 D.N.B. 17, p. 129. John Rogers senior appeared to be as intolerant to the Anabaptists as Catholics were towards him. Foxe relates that Rogers in 1550 ‘declined to use his influence with Cranmer… to prevent the Anabaptist Joan Bocher from suffering death by burning’. He thought that ‘death at the stake was a gentle punishment’. Cf. ibid, and Dictionary, p. 542.

21 Fuller, T. and Brewer, J. S., The Church History of Britain 4 (Oxford, 1845), p. 62 Google Scholar; Gairdner, J., Lollardy and the Reformation in England 3 (1911), pp. 277–8.Google Scholar

22 D.N.B. 17, p. 129.

23 C.S.P.F. 1579-80, no. 417 (8 September 1580), p. 409; cf. p. 303, no. 324 (13 June 1580).

24 Le Neve, J., Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1 (Oxford, 1854), p. 178;Google Scholar Chester, p. 273; Venn 3, p. 479.

25 The first biographical short note on Fr Bosgrave was written by Fr Persons in 1594 in his unfinished ‘Life of Father Campion’ (Stonyhurst MS. P., f. 133, published in Morris, Troubles 2, pp. 74-77). In 1660, Fr Bosgrave’s story was completed by Henry More in his Historia Missionis Anglicanae, S.J. Since then, several writers have added details, but the main story is based on these two. Cf. Bartoli, pp. 187-8, 203; Oliver, p. 58; Troubles 2, pp. 13, 30, 33-34, 69, 72-79; ‘The Jesuits and Queen Elizabeth’, The Christian Apologist 6 (October 1877), pp. 100–08Google Scholar; Foley 3, pp. 279-94, 770-4; Foley 7, Part 1, pp. 73-74; T. Cooper in D.N.B. 5 (1886), pp. 420-1, and 2 (1908), pp. 882-3; P.S.B. 2, p. 374. Apart from this, some details are scattered in various books, especially dealing with Campion, e.g. Simpson, Richard, Edmund Campion (London, 1867, 1896); Pollen (see abbreviations), pp. 243, 337-8;Google Scholar Borowy, W., Prześladowani Katolicy angielscy i szkoccy w Polsce XVI wieku, Przeglpd Powszechny 219 (Warszawa, 1938), pp. 110–24;Google Scholar Toporowski (see abbreviations), pp. 13-15.

26 Foley 3, p. 279; Foley 7, Part 1, p. 73.

27 Troubles, pp. 127-8; Foley 3, p. 279; Oliver, p. 76; Gillow 1, pp. 274, 573.

28 Foley 3, p. 279.

29 Gillow 1, pp. 274, 573.

30 Foley 3, p. 279; D.N.B. 2, p. 882; Toporowski, p. 13.

31 ‘Satisfaction’, p. 32.

32 P.S.B. 2, p. 374.

33 More, p. 135; Troubles, p. 72; Oliver, p. 58.

34 P.S.B. 2, p. 374.

35 ‘La Vie de S. Stanislas Kostka par le P. Jean-Antoine Valtrino, publié par J. Goetstouwers’, Archivum Historicum 1 (1932), pp. 254-75.

36 S. Zaleski, Jezuici 1, p. 767.

37 Biaudet, H., Le Saint-Siège et la Suéde: Études Politiques, 1570-1576 (Paris, 1907), pp. 165, 292-337Google Scholar; Biaudet, Jean III de Suède et sa cour d’après une relation inédite de Christophe Warszewicki (Genève, 1913), p. 9.Google Scholar

38 More, p. 135; Foley 3, p. 279; Foley 7, Part 1, p. 73; Oliver, p. 58; Troubles, p. 72; P.S.B. 2, p. 374.

39 Toporowski, p. 13.

40 C.S.P.F. 1579-80, p. 409, no. 417.

41 Rogers.

42 Among the letters intercepted by Dr Rogers and quoted by him may be distinguished those written by Bosgrave at Elsinore and those written by Fathers at Brunsberga.

43 Cf. Brunsbergensis Seminarii Pontificii historia, qua ortus et progressus, deinde ratio restituendae per iliud fidei Catholicae in variis Regnis Septentrionalibus narrantur Antonio Possevino Soc. Jesu anno 1585 conscripta, in Theiner, no. 142, p. 355. Cf. Hofman, A., Antonio Possevinos Bemühungen um die sogenannten Nordischen Papsteichen Seminare, 1576-1585 (Coblenz, 1929).Google Scholar

44 Poplatek, J., ‘Powstanie Seminarium Papieskiego w Wilnie, 1582-85’, Ateneum Wileńskie 6 (1929), pp. 66, 430, 439-40.Google Scholar It is interesting to quote here a report of the Papal Nuncio Hannibal of Capua, which was sent on 6 August 1589 from Wilno to Cardinal Montalto: ‘Ho visitato il seminario, che Sua Santità mantiene qui in Vilna sotto la cura delli Rdi. padri Gesuiti. L’ho trovato molto bene ordinato, et che oltre gli altri giovani, che mantiene in Polonia et in Derpato nella provincia di Livonia, mantiene qui 24 alumni di varie nationi come Svechi, Inglesi, Tedeschi, Ruteni, Lituani, et Livoni: molti dè quali sono nel corso della theologia, molti della filosofia, et altri attendono nelle lettere humane, et sono stato presente quando due di loro molto honoratamente in publico sono dottorati in filosofia nel collegio di essi padri, che in questa città ha privilegio di academia et università publica, con autorità della santa Sede Apostolica et delli re di Polonia’: Poplatek, J., ‘Wykaz alumnów Seminarjum Papieskiego w Wilne, 1582-1773’, Ateneum Wileńskie (1936), pp. 219–20.Google Scholar

45 Cf Archivum Historicum 1 (1932), p. 133.

46 Nomina, cognomina, aetas, patria, distinctio per classes et dies receptionis Alumnorum Sanctissimi Domini nostri, qui sub cura Olomucensis Collegi¡ versantur (1580), in Theiner, no. 143, p. 368; Navrátil, B., ed., Jesuité Olomouiti za protivoreformace Akty a Listiny z let, 1558-1619 (Brno, 1916), pp. 209–14, 218-20, 248Google Scholar.

47 Catalogus eorum qui ex Regnis et tracta Septentrionis ad Seminarium Pontificium Brunsbergense venerum ab haeresí ut ibi excolerentur in fide catholica, vel ad alia Seminaria mitterentur, in Theiner, no. 142, p. 362; G. Lühr, Die Matrikel des päpstlichen Seminars zu Braunsberg, 1578-1598, in Monumenta Historiae Warmiensis 30 Lieferung, Bd. 11, 3.

48 Poplatek, J., ‘Wykaz alumnów Seminarjum Papieskiego w Wlinie, 1582-1773’, in Ateneum Wileńskie 11 (1936), pp. 218–82.Google Scholar

49 Beilesheim, B., History of the Catholic Church of Scotland 3 (Edinburgh, 1890), pp. 351–2, 455Google Scholar, Appendix 6: ‘Scottish Students in the Seminary of Braunsberg’; Theiner, no. 142, p. 362.

50 Cf Bednarski, S., Geneza, Ksiçga Pamigtkowa ku uczczeniu 350 rocznicy zalozenia i wskrzeszenia Uniwersytetu Wileńskiego (Wilno, 1929)Google Scholar; Drews, J., Fasti Societatis Jesu (1723), p. 205.Google Scholar

51 According to Dr Rogers’s report, he met at Brunsberga several Fathers of English and Scots origin.

52 Cf. Karttunen, L., Grégoire XIII comme politicien et souverain (Helsinki, 1911), pp. 99 Google Scholar and passim; Biaudet, H., Documents concernant les relations entre le Saint-Siège et la Suède (Geneva, 1912), pp. ix Google Scholar and passim; Theiner, pp. 357-8.

53 Troubles, p. 74. Cf. also Bartoli, pp. 187-8, and C.S.P. Milan, 1385-1618, p. 606.

54 Rogers.

55 Ibid.

56 It is difficult, however, to find among other sources a clear confirmation of Dr Rogers’s assertion.

57 Pollen, p. 338; Foley 3, p. 280; Bartoli, p. 187; Oliver, p. 58; Troubles, p. 74; More, p. 135; Dzieduszycki, N., Piotr Skarga 1, p. 387.Google Scholar

58 But bad health was emphasised by the General of the Society in Rome, when writing to Fr Bosgrave.

59 Cobbett, cols 1064-5. Cf. also Foley 3, pp. 286-7.

60 Rogers.

61 Ibid.

62 D.N.B. 2, p. 883: ‘But there can be no doubt that Bosgrave wished to be neutral between two extreme parties’.

63 D.N.B. 5, pp. 420-1; D.N.B. 2, pp. 882-3.

64 Gillow, Bibliographical Dictionary of English Catholics, does not mention Bosgrave.

65 Oliver, p. 105.

66 In this respect Sophie Lomas seems to be incorrect: cf. C.S.P.F. January-June 1583, p. xlviii.

67 As Pollen and Hicks make quite clear, Bosgrave was taken at Orford, and not at Dover, as Foley and others maintain: C.R.S. 39, p. 123, n. 2, and Pollen, p. 338n.

68 C.R.S. 39, p. 123, n. 2; Pollen, p. 338n (mentions Edmund Boode).

69 C.S.P.F. January-June 1583, p. xlviii.

70 ? 7-12 July, The Synod of Southwark.

11 August, Letter written by the Queen to the King of Denmark, to be carried by Dr Rogers.

21 August, Dr Rogers arrives at Elsinore about midnight.

22 August, A. M. Bosgrave tries to obtain information about Rogers. Several conversations during the next few days at Elsinore.

5 September, Rogers sails for Königsberg.

8 September, The King of Denmark writes to Elizabeth.

9 September, Rogers arrives at Königsberg.

11 September, Rogers leaves for Brunsberga.

12 September, Rogers arrives about 5 a.m. at Brunsberga and is admitted to the College. September, Bosgrave arrested on landing in England.

4 October, Warrant for Bosgrave’s arrest signed by Secretary Wilson. October, The case of Bosgrave going to the Established Church.

10 October, Rogers’s report from Elbing.

71 Troubles, p. 74.

72 Pollen, pp. 337 and 338n.

73 Foley 3, p. 280.

74 Waugh, Evelyn, Edmund Campion (Penguin, 1953), p. 96.Google Scholar

75 Foley 3, p. 281.

76 Ibid. Cf. D.N.B. 2, p. 882.

77 ‘Satisfaction’, p. 34.

78 See abbreviations.

79 ‘Satisfaction’, p. 33v.

80 ‘Satisfaction’, p. 34; Oliver, p. 58.

81 C.R.S. 39, p. 142.

82 Foley 3, p. 284, and 7, Part 1, p. 73.

83 S.P. 12/111/43; Foley 3, p. 284; Troubles, p. 73; Cobbett, cols. 1050-52; Waugh, Edmund Campion, p. 152.

84 Hughes, Philip, Rome and the Counier-Reformaiion in England (1942), p. 253 Google Scholar; Cecil, William, The Execution of Justice in England (1965), pp. 8, 78.Google Scholar

85 Foley 3, p. 285. Cobbett, col. 1078, gives the six questions which the prisoners had to answer.

86 Cobbett, col. 1064; cf. cols 1061, 1063, for Campion and Sherwin.

87 Ibid.

88 Ibid., cols 1064-5.

89 Ibid., 1064; Richard Simpson, Edmund Campion, p. 299 (1896 ed., p. 422).

90 Foley 7, Part 1, p. 73; 3, p. 288. Cf. Allen, Defense of English Catholics, pp. 87ff.

91 A particular Declaration or Testimony of the undutiful and traterous Affection, borne against her Majesty by Edmund Campion, Jesuit, and other condemned priests, witnessed by their own confessions…. Published by Authority, Imprinted at London, A.D. 1582. The text was reprinted by Cobbett, cols 1074-82, Cf. also Foley 3, pp. 770-1, and Christian Apologist 6 (October 1877). The Declaration was probably published at the beginning of June 1582, after the executions at the end of May.

92 Text in Foley 3, p. 292. Cf. also p. 771. The pamphlet was probably published at the end of June or the beginning of July 1582.

93 Foley 3, p. 292; cf. also Allen, Defense, p. 87.

94 Foley 3, p. 290, gives the text of the letter. Cf. also More, p. 136; Troubles, p. 77; Toporowski, p. 14.

95 P.S.B. 2, p. 374; D.N.B. 2, p. 883; Pierling, P., La Russie et le Saint-Siège 2, p. 230.Google Scholar

96 Foley 3, p. 290; C.S.P.F. January-June 1583, pp. 661-2, no. 707.

97 Cf. Foley 3, pp. 288-9 who gives the text of the document of banishment. Cf. also Foley 7, Part I, p. 73 and p. 288, n. 20 (S.P. 12/176/10).

98 ‘Eastland Company’, pp. 163, 166.

99 Then repeated and partially enlarged in 1581, 1583 and 1585: Ibid., pp. 166, 175, 179, 183. Cf. also New Cambridge Modern History 3, p. 401.

100 C.S.P.F. 1583, p. 667, no. 712.

101 C.S.P.F. 1582, p. 618, no. 658.

102 C.S.P.F. 1584, p. 59.

103 C.S.P.F. 1583, p. 675, no. 723.

104 ‘Eastland Company’, p. 179.

105 Grabowski, T., Piotr Skarga, 1536-1612 (Kraków, 1913), p. 342.Google Scholar

106 windakiewicz, p. 2.

107 Skarga, Piotr, Zywoty Świçtych (Wilno, 1579).Google Scholar

108 Windakiewicz, p. 3.

109 Ibid., p. 4.

110 Ibid., p. 2.

111 Cf. ibid., p. 4.

112 Campion, Edmund, Dziesieć mocnych dowodów (z krotka sprawa jego meçzenniczego dokonania) (Wilno, 1583).Google Scholar

113 Campion, Dziesiçâ wywodów (i krótka historia meczeństwa) (Wilno, 1584). In Latin: Decern Rationes (Cracovie, 1605) and Vita et epistolae E. Campioni (Cracoviae, 1605).

114 In 1583 and 1584 in Ingoldstadt, and in 1584 again in Rome. Cf. Simpson, pp. 502-3.

115 Skarga, Piotr, Zywoty Swiçtych (Krakow, 1585).Google Scholar

116 Cf. Estreicher, K., Bibliografia Polska (Krakow, 1916), 4, pp. 168–9.Google Scholar

117 Skarga noticed; ‘Pobozńi gospodarze domy swe i stoly okrasili niemi’ (ed. 1610). Cf. also Skarga’s own introduction in the 1843 (Vienna) ed.

118 Zaleski, S., Jezuici 1, p. 331.Google Scholar

119 P.S.B. 2, p. 374; Toporowski, p. 15.

120 P.S.B. 2, p. 374.

121 ‘Correspondence of Fr Christopherus Clavius preserved in the Archives of the Pontifical Gregorian University’, Archivum Historicum 8 (1939), pp. 193-222.

122 Seven letters: five written from Poznan, two from Kalisz.

123 P.S.B. 2, p. 374; Foley 3, p. 289; Foley 7, Part 1, p. 73; Archivum Romanum Historicum Societatis Jesu, vol. 43, f. 209.