ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 



in Norfolk, and that any who be touched with like infection be apprehended.^ 

 The Bedingfields seem to have developed much ill-health in their enforced 

 confinement, and Edmund Bedingfield, a prisoner for matters of religion, had 

 permission, 4 May, 1579, being greatly afflicted with sickness, to repair to 

 Bath until Michaelmas next, giving bonds, etc.- That this was only an 

 interlude in a long period of imprisonment is shown by his release, 26 May, 

 1580, until the end of Michaelmas term, on bonds, sureties, etc., to arrange 

 the marriage of his son with the daughter of Henry Jerningham.' 



A very actual picture of this company of ' gentlemen prisoners committed 

 for religion,' who were not allowed to communicate with each other except 

 at meal times, and then only under strict surveillance, is afforded by the 

 evidence in an examination made by the bishop, 24 October, i 580, as to a letter 

 received by Robert Downes of Great Melton, from Salomon Aldrede, sometime 

 hosier in Burchin Lane, London, and dated from Rheims in France.* Robert 

 Downes deposed that one Raph Downes of Lincoln's Inn delivered the letter 

 to him 17 October, and that he had it of Mr. Ferneslie, dwelling nigh unto 

 Fyncham, that he read about half the same in the presence and hearing of 

 Mr. Roger Martin, and Mr. Humphrey Bedingfield, and their keeper the 

 gaoler's servant, called Christopher ; and until he got to that part where it 

 was signified he would be honourably received beyond the seas, in presence 

 of Mr. Martin aforesaid, Mr. Edward Sulyard, Mr. Bedingfield, and one or 

 two of their servants. Mr. Michael Haire was also present at the reading 

 ■of the said letter. The prisoner declares he read the letter aloud because of 

 the mirthful nature of its contents, but it is evident that it was not for 

 that reason he was being examined ; and his statement ' that he knew nothing 

 of the bull in the said letter because he did not read the letter through,' must 

 be received with some reserve. 



A letter from the bishop to ' Mr. Ferdinando Paris, esq.,' at Pudding 

 Norton, dated 13 March, 1581, and signed 'your loving friende,' says: — 



Having of late received very sharpe reprehension from my lordes of the Counsaill 

 for my lenity extended tovi'ardes you and the reste in question for rehgion in these parts, 

 upon some complaints made against me for that your liberty, I am hereupon urged to 

 call you and the reste to prison, requiring you therefore not to fail in your repair to 

 James Bradshav/'s in Norwich within tenne dayes after the receipt hereof, there remayning 

 as before, and so I bid you farewell in Christe.* 



An order of the Privy Council of the same year deals with the escape 

 of certain persons from the house of Sir Henry Bedingfield, and directs that 

 search shall be made for Woodall and Colwell, also that Yelverton, from 

 whom they have taken bonds, with sureties for his appearance to answer his 

 doings touching the escape of Woodall, shall appear before the Council.* 



In 1588 James Bradshaw, the gaoler at Norwich before mentioned, was 

 charged with negligence in keeping recusants,^ and Walter Norton, Edward 

 Downes, Robert Lovell, Ferdinando Paris, and Humphrey Bedingfield were 

 to be removed from Norwich to Wisbeach.* In that year Father John 

 •Gerard, the Jesuit, returned as a missionary to England and landed in 



' Act! P. C. xi, 355. ' Ibid. 116. ' Ibid, xii, 38. 



* Lansd. MS. 96, No. 59. ' Hist. MSS Com. Rep. v, 486a. 



' Jas P. C. xiii, 25. ' Ibid, xvl, 247. ' Ibid. 317. 



271 



