PELHAM to SECRETARY WALSINGHAM.

PELHAM to SECRETARY WALSINGHAM.

7 Dec 1579

Sent by Argall.

The post-boat has been twice at sea and turned with my packets. I put you in mind of the miserable estate of the clergy of this land. There are few able ministers and little order for their maintenance. It is affirmed by the Bishop of Meath [Hugh Bradie.] "that some one of her Majesty's farmers of parsonages impropriate, near to this place, hath 16 benefices in his hands, and amongst those not one vicar or minister maintained that can read English, or understand Latin, or give a good instruction to his parishioners.

Amongst those few that deserve good opinion, the Bishop of Waterford [Marmaduke Middleton. He was translated to St. David's in 1582.] is one, who hath been lately placed by her Majesty and hath since received many injuries, partly through the contemptuous and obstinate behaviour of the mayor and his brethren of that city, and partly by the clergy of that church, namely, the dean, one [David] Clere, who hath been heretofore commended into England to be Bishop of Fernes. But as his behaviour deserveth rather to be deprived of the dignity which he now hath, so a time may serve for the reforming of the townsmen there, who are the most arrogant Papists that live within this State.

In the mean time, since Mr. [James] Proctor, of Salisbury, (who, as I have heard, was, by her Majesty's letters, directed to Fearnes,) doth not mean to accept it, I could wish that the Bishop of Waterford were appointed thither, the rather because the county of Wexford, being in the diocese of Fearnes, is inhabited with some Englishmen reasonably well affected, and the natives also of the country more docible and better disposed than where he now is. And besides the livings of the church of Waterford lieth in such places of danger as in this troublesome time doth yield nothing to his maintenance.

Trim, 7 December 1579. Signed.

Contemp. copy.

MS 597, p. 140a

English

1¾ Pages.