uni. Ista conclusio sic est in usu quod non
eget probatione aliqua."--Extract from a Petition presented to Parliament:
WILKINS, vol. iii. p. 221.

This remarkable paper ends with the following lines:--

"Plangunt Anglorum gentes crimen Sodomorum
Paulus fert horum sunt idola causa malorum
Surgunt ingrati Giezitae Simone nati
Nomine praelati hoc defensare parati
Qui reges estis populis quicunque praestis
Qualiter his gestis gladios prohibere potestis."

See also HALE, p. 42, where an abominable instance is mentioned, and a
still worse in the _Suppression of the Monasteries,_ pp. 45-50.

[201] HALE, p. 12.

[202] Ibid. pp. 75, 83; _Suppression of the Monasteries,_ p. 47.

[203] Ibid. p. 80.

[204] Ibid. p. 83.

[205] I have been taunted with my inability to produce more evidence. For
the present I will mention two additional instances only, and perhaps I
shall not be invited to swell the list further.

1. In the State Paper Office is a report to Cromwell by Adam Bekenshaw, one
of his diocesan visitors, in which I find this passage:--

"There be knights and divers gentlemen in the diocese of Chester who do
keep concubines and do yearly compound with the officials for a small sum
without monition to leave their naughty living."

2. In another report I find also the following:--

"The names of such persons as be permitted to live in adultery and
fornication for money:--

"The Vicar of Ledbury.
The Vicar of Brasmyll.
The Vicar of Stow.
The Vicar of Cloune.
The Parson of Wentnor.
The Parson of Rusbury.
The Parson of Plowden.
The Dean of Pountsbury.
The Parson of Stratton.
Sir Matthew of Montgomery.
Sir ---- of Lauvange.
Sir John Brayle.
Sir Morris of Clone.
Sir Adam of Clone.
Sir Pierce of Norbury.
Sir Gryffon ap Egmond.
Sir John Orkeley.
Sir John of Mynton.
Sir John Reynolds.
Sir Morris of Knighton, priest.
Hugh Davis.
Cadwallader ap Gern.
Edward ap Meyrick.
With many others of the diocese of Hereford."

The originals of both these documents are in the State Paper Office. There
are copies in the Bodleian Library.--_MS. Tanner,_ 105.

[206] Skelton gives us a specimen of the popular criticisms:--

"Thus I, Colin Clout,
As I go about,
And wondering as I walk,
I hear the people talk:
Men say for silver and gold
Mitres are bought and sold:
A straw for Goddys curse,
What are they the worse?

"What care the clergy