#primary resource

[The Cristenynge of Prince Arthure, sonne to Kynge Henrie ye VII. at Sent Swithins in Winchestar]

‘Fyrst my Lady Cecily (fn. 1) bare my lord prince to churche; my Lord Marques (fn. 2) and my Lorde of Lyncoln ledde my Lady Cecily; my Lady Marques, and afftar Cheyne as chamberlyn, bare the trayne of ye mantyll; my Lady Anne ye quens sister bare ye crysom. 

The hole chapell met with my lord prynce in ye qwens great chamber. My Lord Laware, my Lord Widvell, (fn. 3) my Lord John of Arondell, and Master Awdley bare ye clothe of astate. The torches unlight met hym at the steyre foote of e qwenes great chamber, and so went by fore hym unlyght to the chirche.

Many ladyes and gentylwomen folowyd hym. Knyston, Geddyng, gentilmen usshers, and Piers Wratton and John Amyas, yomen usshers, had erewle of e conveyaunce of the torches. The sergeaunt of the pantry was redy with a ryche salt, and my Lord of Essyx bare ye same salte by fore my lorde prince to the churche. 

The sergaint of the ewrey was redy with a payre of coverd basons and a fayre towell lyeng ther upon, and my Lord Stranunge bare them to the churche. Syr Rychard Gyldford, Knyght Constable, and Mastar Troblefylde, had the kepynge of the churche dores with his meyne. Fowre gentylmen and yowmen of the crowne had the kepynge of ye barryers a bowt the fonte, for yecomynge in of the preas. 

Ser Davy Owen, Master Poynes and iij othar knyghts and gentlymen, had ye Keoynge and charge of the funte. Two gentylmen Usshers had ye Kepynge of yetravers by the fonte where my lord prynce was dysaparilyd, and aftar his cristynynge arrayed, and ther fyar and fumygacions and many royall thyngs don.

My Lord Marques, my Lord of Lyncolne, and my Lord Strawnge, served Qwene Elisabethe (fn. 4) at wayshyng after ye cristinynge, and Mastar Weste, my Lorde Laware is brother, and Syr Roger Cotton, servyd the remnaunt of the gossoppes. My Lord Nevyll bare ye taper byfore my lord prynce after the cristinynge to the hyth awllter. 

Aftar all ye observaunces was gyven spicis and wyne to the states. My lord prynce was had frome the hyghe aultar to Sent Swithins shirne and there ofyryd, and ther was songen Te Deum Laudamus. All the torches lyght browght my lord prynce to his chamber. All the harolds went before bothe to the churche and home agayne. And the trompitis blewe afftar his cristenynge byfore hym home to his chamber. 

Ser William Stonnar, Ser Charles Somerset, and Sir John Wyngfeld bare thes gyfftes that ye gosyppis gave to his chamber byfore hym. The gyfftes were thes: Qwene Elisabeth gave a cuppe of gold set with stones, my Lorde of Derby a salte of gowlde, my Lorde of Oxenford a payre of basons with a cuppe of assay all gylt, my Lorde Matrevys a cofer of gold set with stones. 

All the great body of Seynt Swethyns churche to the hygh aultar was hangyd with arras. Ther was made an hyghe stoke for a fonte with grecis round abowght, and the fonte was of sylvar browght from Cawnterbery and a royal canapie over yesame. 

The gossyppes ben thes: Quene Elizabethe, godmothar, my Lord of Derby and my Lorde Matravers at ye fonte, and my Lord of Oxenforde at ye confirmacion. My Lord of Worcestar cristenyd hym, and his name is Arthure, doughtles a fayre prince and a lorge of bones; owre Lord save hym! 

Ther was present v mytars, that is to say: my Lord Sarum, my Lord of Excestre, my Lord of Worcestre, ye abot of Hyde, and ye pryowr of Seynt Swythynes’

[ [f. 9v.] [The Pinners' 'Charter' 1463] (fn. 5)]

“Edward, by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to the sheriffs of London and Middlesex... And also furthermore that where the artificers handcraftsmen and women resident and inhabiting and dwelling in the King's most noble and famous city of London and in other cities, towns, boroughs and villages within his noble realm of England and lordship of Wales have piteously shown and complained in the said parliament that they all, in general and everyone of them, be greatly impoverished, grievously hurt and hindered of their daily increase and daily living by the great multitude of divers goods and wares pertaining to their crafts and occupations being full wrought and ready made for sale, as both by the hands of strangers being the king's enemies as others brought in to the said realm and Wales from beyond the sea and by merchant strangers as well as denizens and other persons whereof the most part in substance is deceptive and not wrought in regard for any man's occupation or profit; wherefore the said artificers may not live by their crafts and occupations as they did in days passed, but many of them, householders as well as journeymen, servants and apprentices in great number are at this time unoccupied and live in great idleness, poverty and ruin.

Therefore the king our sovereign lord, in consideration of the above, to the pleasure of God and the eschewing of idleness, mother of all vices and mischiefs, and in amendment of the common weal of this his land hath, by the said advice and assent of his lords, spiritual and temporal, and commons in the said parliament assembled and by authority of the same ordained and [f. 10] established that no merchant, the king's born subject, denizen or stranger, nor any other person, after the next feast of St. Michael the Archangel, may bring, send or convey or cause to be brought, conveyed or sent, into this realm of England and lordship of Wales, that is any of the wares or things written below, that is to say: woollen bonnets, woollen cloth, laces, corses [bands?], ribbons, fringes of silk and of thread, threaded laces, thrown silk or silk in any wise embroidered, golden laces, tires [trimmings?] of silk or of gold, saddles, stirrups or any harness belonging to saddlers, spurs, bosses of bridles (moleyns), andirons, gridirons, any manner of locks, hammers, pincers, firetongs, dripping pans, dice, tennis balls, points, laces, purses, gloves, girdles, harness for girdles of iron, or latten or steel or tin or alloy (alkomay); nor anything wrought of any tawed leather, any manner of leatherware, tawed boots, shoes, galoshes or cockes (cork-soled sandals?), knives, daggers or woodknives, bodkins, shears for tailors, scissors, razors, sheaths, cards for playing, pins, pattens, packneedles; any manner of painted ware, forcers, caskets, rings of copper gilt, or latten, chafing dishes, candlesticks hanging or standing, washing bowls, chafing bowls, (fn. 6) sacring bells, rings for curtains, ladles, skimmers, counterfeit basins, ewers, hats, brushes, cards for wool or white wire, or anything to be offered or sold within this realm or Wales by way of merchandise upon pain of forfeiting everyone of them, at any time: and as often as they are found in the hands of any person or persons, to be sold: the one half thereof to our sovereign lord the king and the other half to him that seizeth it first for the king: the seizer's half to be delivered to him [through] the escheator of the shire or of the place where the seizer shall be, and by indenture between them to be made and the escheator to answer for the same in his account [f. 10v.].

Provided also that all wares and goods made and wrought in Ireland or Wales may be brought and sold in this realm of England, as they were wont before the making of this ordinance.

Provided always that if any of the aforesaid wares or goods made out of this land be taken over the sea without fraud or collusion or come into this realm or Wales by way of wreck, that they in no wise be included within this ordinance but that they may be sold within this realm or Wales, this ordinance notwithstanding.

And he also has ordained by the said authority that the masters or wardens for the time being of every craft and mystery in every city, borough, town and village where any such craft and mystery is used to have sufficient power and authority in every city, borough, town or village whereat they before the time being were master or wardens of any such craft or mystery; and the mayor of such city, town, borough or village for the time being, if there be any mayor thereof, or the bailiff or bailiffs of such city, borough or village for the time being, if any bailiffs or bailiff thereof be, and no mayor or sergeant or other officer to them assigned by the said mayor, bailiff or bailiffs; and in every city, borough, town or village where any such craft or mystery is used wherein be no masters or wardens of any such craft or mystery, that the masters or wardens of crafts or mysteries of the city, borough, town or village thereto next adjoining, and the constable of such city, town, borough or village have power and authority to search in their own crafts and mysteries offering for sale any of the said goods as well within the cities, boroughs, towns or villages of this realm and Wales and within the liberties and franchises of the same cities, towns, boroughs and villages, at all reasonable times, [f. 11] by day or night, in fairs, markets, open shops and warehouses and all manner such chaffer, wares and merchandise to each of their crafts and mysteries appertaining; as shall be made by any manner of alien craftsmen or women or any other person within this realm or Wales or shall, at any time, be occupied by any of the same crafts or mysteries in whose hands they may be found.

Provided always that the said masters or wardens and others named in this ordinance as searchers do not enter into any place exempt by privilege, franchise, grant or custom to make pins, any search as it is aforesaid [except by the oversight of] the officer of every such exempt place where any such search shall happen to be made.

And if the said searchers find by the same search that such chaffers, wares or merchandise, or any part thereof, be not clean, true and [sale]able chaffer, wares or merchandise, and truly made and wrought as it ought to be, and that duly proved, that then it will be lawful for such searchers to take and seize as things forfeited all such chaffer, wares or merchandise that so shall be found not good, clean, true and [sale]able, not truly wrought, the one half thereof to belong to the king our said sovereign lord and the other half to such masters or wardens that have searched and found it.

And that this ordinance shall stand and be in force as long as it shall please the king our said sovereign lord.

[Latin] Let it be publicly proclaimed for our part where it is most expedient within your bailiwick, both within the liberty and outside, from time to time as often as is necessary, and let it be held and observed in all and singular its articles according to the form noted above. Westminster 28 July 3 Edward IV [1463].

[In a later hand] This charter was granted to the pinmakers of London the 28 July in the third year of King Edward the fourth 1464 [recte 1463].

“f. 129r, Baby in a cradle and a crown referring to the birth of Henry III's son and heir; a comet with an inscription 'signum in aere'”

I will.Then shall the Minister say.Who qeueth this woman to be maried to this man?And the minister receiuing the woman at her father or frendes handes: shall cause the man to take the woman by the right hande, and so either geue their trouth to the other: the man first saying.[”The following wedding ceremony from the prayerbook of Edward VI (reigned 1547-1553) was taken from the Internet, where it had been distributed without attribution or commentary. This 1549 book of common prayer is said to show a first mingling of Anglican and Catholic sensibilities. The orthography of the day exhibits very loose spelling”~]

“First the bannes must be asked three seueral Soondaies or holye dayes, in the service tyme, the people beeyng presente, after the accustomed manner.

And if the persons that woulde bee maried dwel in diuers parishes, the bannes must bee asked in bothe parishes, and the Curate of thone parish shall not solemnize matrimonie betwixt them, withoute a certificate of the bannes beeyng thrise asked from the Curate of thother parishe.

At the daye appointed for Solenizacion of Matrimonie, the persones to be maried shal come into the bodie of ye churche, with theyr frends and neighbors. And there the preist shal thus saye.

Deerly beloued friends, we are gathered together here in the syght of God, and in the face of his congregationm to ioyne together this man and this woman on holy matrmonie, which is an honorable estate instituted of God in paradise, in the time of mannes [inncecie?], signifying unto us the mistcal union that is betwixte Christe and his Churche: which holy estste, Christe adorned and beutified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galile, and is commended of Sainct Paule to be honorable emong all men; and is therfore not to bee enterprised, nor taken in hande unaduisedlye, lightelye, or wantonly to satisfye mens carnal lustes and appetites, like brute beastes that haue no understanding: but reuerentely, discretely, aduisedly, soberly, and in the feare of God. Duely consideryng the causes for the whiche matrimonie was ordained. One cause was the procreacion of children, to be brought up in the feare and nurture of the Lord, an prayse of God. Secondly it was ordained for a remedie agaynst sinne, and to auoide fornicatcion, that suche persones as bee maried, might liue chastlie in matrimonie, and kepe themselues undefiled members of Christes bodye.Thirdlye for the mutuall societe, helpe, and coumfort, that the one oughte to haue of thother, boht in prosperitie and aduersitie. Into the whiche holy estate these two presones present come noew to be ioyned. Therfore if any man can shewe any iuste cause why they maie not lawfully be ioyned so together: Leat him now speake, or els hereafter for euer hold his peace.

And also speakyng to the persones that shalbe maried, he shalle saie.

I require and charge you (as you will aunswere at the dreadfull daye of iudgemente, when the secretes of all hartes shalbe disclosed) that if either of you doe knowe of any impedimente, why ye maie not bee lawfully ioyned together in matrimonie, that ye confesse it. For be ye wel assured, that so manye as bee coupled together otherwaies the Goddes woord doeth allow: are not ioyned of God, neither is their matrimonie lawful.

At which daye of mariage yf any man doe allege any impedimente why they maye not be coupled together on matrmonie; And will be bound and suritied with hym, to the parties, or els put in a caution to the full value of suche charges as the persones to bee maried do susteyne to proue allegacion: the the Solemnizacion muste bee differred, unto suche tyme as the trueth be tried. Yf no impedimente bee alleged, then shall the Curate saye unto the man.

[N.] Willte thou haue this woman to thy wedde wife, to liue together after Goddes ordeinuce in the holy estate of matrimonie? Wilt thou loue her, coumforte her, honor, and kepe her in sicknesse and in health? And forsaking all other kepe thee only to her, so long as you both shall liue?

The man shall aunswere.

I will.

Then shall the priest saye to the woman.

[N.] Wilt thou haue this man to thy wedde houseband, to liue together after Goddes ordienaunce, in the holy estate of matrimonie? Wilt thou abey him, and serue him, loue, honor, and kepe him in sicknes, and in health? And forsaking al other kepe thee onely to him, so long as you bothe shall liue?

The woman shall aunswere.

I will.

Then shall the Minister say.

Who qeueth this woman to be maried to this man?

And the minister receiuing the woman at her father or frendes handes: shall cause the man to take the woman by the right hande, and so either geue their trouth to the other: the man first saying.

I [N.] take thee [N.] to my wedde wife, to haue and to holde from this day forwarde, for better, for wurse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to loue and to cherishe, til death us departe: according to Goddes holy ordinuance: And thereto I plight thee my trouth.

Then shall they looce handes, and the woman taking again the man by the right hande shall say.

I [N.] take thee [N.] to my wedde husbande, to haue and to holde from this day forwarde, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickenes, and in health, to loue, cherishe, and to obey, till death us departe: accordyng to Goddes holy ordeinaunce: and thereto I giue thee my trouth.

Then shall they agayne looce theyr handes, and the manne shall geue unto the womanne a ring, and other tokens of spousage, as golde or siluer, laying the same upon the boke: And the Priest taking the ring shall deliuer it unto the man: to puy upon the fowerth finger of the womans left hande. And the man taught by the priest, shall say.

With thys ring I thee wed: Thys golde and siluer I thee geue: with my body I thee wurship: and withal my worldly goodes I thee endoew. In the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy Goste. Amen.

Then the man leauyng the ring upon the fowerth finger of the womans left hande, the minister shal say.

Let us pray. O eternal God creator of al mankinde, geuer of al spiritual grace, the auther of euerlasting life: Sende thy blessing upon these the seruauntes, thys manne and this woman, whome we blesse in thy name, that as Issac an Rebecca (after bracellets and jewels of golde geuen of thone to thother for tokes of their matrmonie) liued faithfullt together; So these persons may surely perfourme and kepe the vowe and couenaunt betwixt them made, wherof the ring geuen, and receiued, is a token and pledge. And may euer remayne in perfite loue and peace together; And lyue accordyng to thy lawes; through Jesus Christe our Lorde. Amen.

Then shall the minister speake unto the people.

Forasmuche as [N]. and [N]. haue consented together in holye wedlocke, and haue witnessed the same here before god and this cupany; and thereto haue geue and pleged theyr trouth eyther to other, an haue declared the same by ioyning of handes: I pronounce that they bee man and wyfe together. In the name of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy Goste. Amen.

And the minister shall adde this blessyng.

God the Father blesse you. God the Sonne kepe you: God the Holye Goste lighte your understanding: The Lorde mercifully with his fouour loke upon you, and so fil you with al spiritual benediction, and grace, that you may haue remissio of your sinnes in this life, and in the worlde to come lyfe everlastyng. Amen.”

“Detail from the roll of three kings: Egbert (or Ecgberht), king of the West Saxons, his son Æthelwulf, and king Beorhtric, with a man on stilts playing a pipe with an animal-head.“ 

“Advice on Health and Diet' Jean Chabot, lord of Emæl and son of an alderman of Liège, is shown here wearing the Lancastrian livery collar of SS, a sign of Henry VII’s favour. The image depicts his presentation to the king of the very book that contains it – Aldobrandino of Siena's treatise on hygiene and diet. The choice of Chabot's gift was well researched. Henry and his mother, Margaret Beaufort, owned several texts on the preservation of health and seem to have been genuinely interested in that subject. Aldobrandino of Siena, Livre de physique (Régime du corps) Southern Netherlands, between 1494 and 1496 Presented to Henry VII Royal 19 A. v, f. 1v © The British Library Board”

“'A French Ambassador's Gift to Henry VII' King Louis XII sent Claude de Seyssel as an ambassador to England in 1506. On the visit de Seyssel was shown Henry VII’s library and remarked in the preface to this book that he found the library was ‘tres belle et tres bien acoustree’ (very beautiful and very well appointed). The ambassador presented Henry with a copy of his translation of Xenophon’s Anabasis, seen here at the beginning of the prologue (though the rubric in red below the image mistakenly refers to Henry VI). Xenophon, Anabasis, translated into French by Claude de Seyssel Bourges, c. 1506 Presented to Henry VII Royal 19 C. vi, f. 17 © The British Library Board”