NO . V.
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST CATHOLICS FOR ATTENDING MASS AT THE SPANISH EMBASSY ON PALM SUNDAY , 1613-4. CONTRIBUTED BY THE REV. RAYMUND STANFIELD. BY JOSEPH S. HANSOM.
ANNOTATED
The following examinations of persons for the crime of attending Mass and receiving the hallowed substitutes for palms in the chapel of the Spanish Ambassador's house in the Barbican is another of the Old Chapter collections . The persons named are not all Catholics , nor all attendants ; but the proceedings are directed against the Catholics named . The second volume of Middlesex Records has been consulted for confirmatory evidence, and has been useful to some extent . One must regret that so few records, and so much comment , summaries and extended index are included . Several of the Harleian Society's volumes have been of use. It has been difficult to reconcile some statements in the pedigrees, at times in conflict, and the spellings as Talkarne , Tallakarne(Essex Visitation , Harl. Soc . xiii . 293 ) , & c . , are difficult to deal with.-J. S. H.
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The Briefe of certain examinations taken before the Lord Bishop
of London [John King] and some others of his majestys Commissioners Ecclesiasticall in the presence of Thomas Mattershed
notary publique. 22nd March 1613, Thomas † Davyes of Cheek [ Chick] lane in the Parish of St. Sepulchres , London , scrivenour, being examined confesseth himself to be a Popish Recusant and that he hath so been for many yeares past and purposeth so to continue. That coming along Barbican upon Sunday last was a sevennight he was seene to have a bough of hallowed Palm in his hands which he saith was given him by one Robert Wise of Horwell in Berkshire and being demanded whether he were not uppon Sunday last at the Spanish Ambassadours house to hear Mass, saith he will not accuse
himself. Die supra dict : George + Mutchett of the Parish of St. Andrews Lower (Patronymica Britannica) gives it as " Tolcarne ," saying there are several in Cornwall, evidently descriptive of places ; but he fixes the family in Camborne parish . This makes the pronunciation of " Tal " as in " tall , " " pall," and
Paul . " No " Thomas Davies , except a physician in 1611 with no address, and Thomas
Davies, cutler , of High Holborn in 1615 appear in the recusants roll ; but John Davies , tailor, of St. Sepulchre's , appears in 1608 . George Matchet or Matchett, yeoman or gentleman , appears as a recusant in 1608 , 10, 12, 25, 28 , 30, 31 , 32, 35 , 37, 38 , 39 , 40 and 41, his wife Mary, in 1628 , and his wife in 1631 , 32, 35 , 37, 38 , 39 and 40. Such records from one source alone, proclaim him an unwavering recusant.
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