55 



obstacle to his unreasonable pretences ; w fch him he overthrew 

 William, l or Hastings, putting him to death in the tower, and divers 

 others ; amongst whom John Morton, Bishopp of Ely, was com- 

 mitted to the custody of Henry duke of Bucchingham, and had 

 not the insatiate tyrant been glutted w th the bload of others or 

 the reuerende sanctity of the man, togither w th his grauity, 

 diuerted the execution of his wrath as it fearef ully houered ouer 

 him. But soe it pleased God that this usurper's fury was 

 somewhat mitti gated, and the Bishop's life was preserued to the 

 eternall good and prosperity of England's com'onwealth. 



Here I cannot overpasse the wonderfull care of the Univ'sity 

 of Ox., which, like an Indulgent mother from the loue she bore 

 unto her distressed childe studied his recouery, for, as she in one 

 way rejoiced at the well-deseruing honours of the Bishopp soe 

 now shee deplored his independing misery and p r sent captiuitie, 

 to which he was subiect, whereupon to p r vent his finall destruc- 

 tion and untimely murther, and by one meanes or other to obtaine 

 his liberty, if not reconcile him, to fauour w th a generall consent 

 they thus wrought unto the king, 

 ixford'spe- To the most Christian 



ition for 



P. Morton Prince Eichard by the 



Grace of God King of 

 England, France, and 

 Lord of Ire- 

 land. 



Ther ar many reasons (most mighty Christian Prince) w ch 

 ought in a manner to comple us to implore y r noble clemency 

 toward that Eeverende father in Christ, o r lo r Bish. of Ely. ffirst 

 in that he was one of o r best beloued and principall children, 

 and so dismissed from us ; secondly, that he euer shewed himself e 

 most ready and incumbent in all o r affairs, and a worthy patron 

 or protectour of o r causes whensoeuer o r businesses soe fell out 

 Thirdly, in that he ever proued a very pillar and supportation to 

 the church and sanctuary of God. But although thes may be 

 reputed sufficient, yet should they neuer have perswaded 

 us to importune y* royall clemency for his pardon if we did 



