The 1559 Injunctions
Gee, Henry, and William John Hardy, ed.,
Documents Illustrative of English Church History
(New York: Macmillan, 1896), 417-29.
Hanover Historical Texts Project
Scanned and proofread by Heather Haralson, April 1998.
Posted by Heather Haralson, May 1998, and Raluca Preotu, July 1999.
Editors' Introduction:
THESE Injunctions, which would appear to have been drawn up by Cecil and his advisers, were ready in June of 1559 for the visitors to take round. Their basis is the series of Injunctions published under Edward VI in 1547. They follow that series for the most [page 418] part from 1 to 28. The more important changes are indicated in the notes. The number in the margin refers to the corresponding paragraph in the Edwardine document. The Injunctions of Edward, which have been dropped entirely, are Nos. 6, concerning the occupation of children and servants; 7, concerning the absence of clergy from their cures; 12, concerning the recantation of erroneous teaching about relics, &c.; 20, concerning unauthorized alteration of fasts, &c.; 27, concerning the preaching of dignitaries; 31, concerning sick visitation, &c.; 36, concerning chantry priests; and 37, concerning the omission of the Hours when there is a sermon. Those which follow the first 28, are chiefly new.
[Transcr. from contemporary print at British Museum, 5155, a. 14 (I).]
The queen's most royal majesty, by the advice of her most honourable council, intending the advancement of the true honour of Almighty God, the suppression of superstition throughout all her highness's realms and dominions, and to plant true religion to the extirpation of all hypocrisy, enormities, and abuses (as to her duty appertaineth), doth minister unto her loving subjects these godly Injunctions hereafter following. All which Injunctions her highness willeth and commandeth her loving subjects obediently to receive, and truly to observe and keep, every man in their offices, degrees, and states, as they will avoid her highness's displeasure, and pains of the same hereafter expressed.
I. The first is, that all deans, archdeacons, parsons, vicars, and all other ecclesiastical persons shall faithfully keep and observe, and as far as in them may lie, shall cause to be observed and kept of other, all and singular laws and statutes made [for the restoring to the crown, the ancient jurisdiction over the state ecclesiastical, and abolishing of all foreign power, repugnant to the same [2]]. And furthermore, all ecclesiastical persons having cure of souls shall, [page 419] to the uttermost of their wit, knowledge, and learning, purely [and [3]] sincerely, and without any colour or dissimulation, declare, manifest, and open four times every year at the least, in their sermons and other collations, that [all usurped and foreign power [4]] having no establishment nor ground by the law of God, [is, for [5]] most just causes, taken away and abolished; and that therefore no manner of obedience [and [6]] subjection within [her [7]] highness's realms and dominions is due unto [any such foreign power [8]]. And that the [queen's [9]] power within [her [7]] realms and dominions is the highest power under God, to whom all men, within the same realms and dominions, by God's laws, owe most loyalty and obedience, afore and above all other powers and potentates in earth.
II. Besides this, to the intent that all superstition and hypocrisy crept into divers men's hearts may vanish away, they shall not set forth or extol [the dignity of [10]] any images, relics, or miracles; [but, declaring the abuse of the same [11],] they shall teach that all goodness, health, and grace ought to be both asked and looked for only of God, as of the very Author and Giver of the same, and of none other.
III. Item, that they, the persons above rehearsed, shall [preach [12]] in their churches, and every other cure they have, one sermon every [month [13]] of the year at the least, wherein they shall purely and sincerely declare the word of God, and in the same exhort their hearers to the works of faith, [as [14]] mercy and charity especially prescribed and commanded in Scripture; and that [the [14]] works devised by [page 420] man's fantasies, besides Scripture (as wandering [of [15]] pilgrimages, [setting up of candles [16],] praying upon beads, or such like superstition), have not only no promise of reward in Scripture for doing of them, but contrariwise great threatenings and maledictions of God, for that they [being [17]] things tending to idolatry and superstition, which of all other offences God Almighty doth most detest and abhor, for that the same most diminish His honour and glory.
IV. Item, that they, the persons above rehearsed, shall preach in their own persons, once in every quarter of the year at the least, one sermon, being licensed especially thereunto, as is specified hereafter; or else shall read some homily prescribed to be used by the queen's authority every Sunday at the least, unless some other preacher sufficiently licensed, as hereafter, chance to come to the parish for the same purpose of preaching [18].
V. Item, that every holy-day through the year, when they have no sermon, they shall immediately after the Gospel openly and plainly recite to their parishioners in the pulpit the Pater noster, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, in English, to the intent that the people may learn the same by heart; exhorting all parents and house holders to teach their children and servants the same, as they are bound by the law of God and conscience to do [19].
[page 421] VI. Also, that they shall provide within three months next after this visitation [at the charges of the parish [20]], one book of the whole Bible of the largest volume in English; and within one twelve months next after the said visitation, the Paraphrases of Erasmus also in English upon the Gospel, and the same set up in some convenient place within the said church that they have cure of; whereas their parishioners may most commodiously resort unto the same, and read the same, [out of the time of common service [20]]. The charges of [the Paraphrases [21]] shall be [by the parson or proprietary and parishioners borne by equal portions [22]]; and they shall discourage no man [23] from the reading of any part of the Bible, either in Latin or in English, but shall rather [24] exhort every person to read the same with great humility and reverence, as the very lively word of God, and the especial food of man's soul, which all Christian persons are bound to embrace, believe, and follow, if they look to be saved; whereby they may the better know their duties to God, to their sovereign [lady the queen [25],] and their neighbour; ever gently and charitably exhorting them, and in [her [26]] majesty's name straitly charging and commanding them, that in the reading thereof, no man to reason or contend, but quietly to hear the reader.
VII. Also, the said ecclesiastical persons shall in no wise at any unlawful time, nor for any other cause, than for their honest necessities, haunt or resort to any taverns or alehouses. And after their [meats [27],] they shall not give themselves to drinking or riot, spending their time idly by day [and [28]] by night at dice, cards, or tables playing, or [page 422] any other unlawful game; but at all times, as they shall have leisure, they shall hear or read somewhat of Holy Scripture, or shall occupy themselves with some other honest [study, or [29]] exercise; and that they always do the things which appertain to honesty, and endeavour to profit the commonwealth; having always in mind that they ought to excel all other in purity of life, and should be [examples [30]] to the people to live well and Christianly.
VIII. Also, that they shall admit no man to preach within any their cures, but such as shall appear unto them to be sufficiently licensed thereunto by the [queen's majesty, or [31]] the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Archbishop of York, in [either their provinces [32],] or by the bishop of the diocese, [or by the queen's majesty's visitors [29]]. And such as shall be so licensed, they shall gladly receive to declare the word of God at convenient times, without any resistance or contradiction. [And that no other be suffered to preach out of his own cure or parish, than such as shall be licensed, as is above expressed [29].]
IX. Also, if they do or shall know any man within their parish or elsewhere, that is a letter of the word of God to be read in English, or sincerely preached, or of the execution of these the [queen's [33]] majesty's Injunctions, or a fautor of [any usurped and foreign [34]] power, now by the laws of this realm justly rejected and taken away, they shall detect and present the same to the [queen's majesty, or to her [35]] council, [or to the ordinary [29],] or to the justice of peace
next adjoining.
X. Also, that the parson, vicar, or curate, and parishioners of every parish within this realm, shall in their churches and chapels keep one book or register, wherein they shall [page 423] write the day and year of every wedding, christening, and burial made within their parish for their time, and so every man succeeding them likewise; and also therein shall write every person's name that shall be so wedded, christened, and buried. And for the safe keeping of the same book, the parish shall be bound to provide of their common charges one sure coffer, with two locks and keys, whereof the one to remain with the parson, vicar, or curate, and the other with the wardens of every parish church or chapel, wherein the said book shall be laid up. Which book they shall every Sunday take forth, and in the presence of the said wardens, or one of them, write and record in the same all the weddings, christenings, and burials, made the whole week before; and that done, to lay up the book in the said coffer as before: and for every time that the same shall be omitted, the party that shall be in the fault thereof shall forfeit to the said church 3s. 4d., to be employed [the one half [36]] to the poor men's box of that parish, [the other half towards the repairing of the church [36]],
XI. Furthermore, because the goods of the Church are called the goods of the poor, and at these days nothing is less seen, than the poor to be sustained with the same; all parsons, vicars, pensionaries, prebendaries, and other beneficed men within this deanery, not being resident upon their benefices, which may dispend yearly 20l. or above, either within this deanery, or elsewhere, shall distribute hereafter among their poor parishioners, or other inhabitants there, in the presence of the churchwardens, or some other honest man of the parish, the fortieth part of the fruits and revenues of their said [benefice [37];] lest they be worthily noted of ingratitude, which reserving so many parts to themselves, cannot vouchsafe to impart the fortieth portion thereof among the poor people of that parish, that is so fruitful and profitable unto them.
[page 424] XII. And, to the intent that learned men may hereafter spring, the more for the execution of the premises, every parson, vicar, clerk, or beneficed man within this deanery, having yearly to dispend in benefices and other promotions of the Church 100l., shall give [3l. 6s. 8d. in [38]] exhibition to one scholar [in any of the universities [39];] and for as many hundred pounds more as he may dispend, to so many scholars more shall give like exhibition in the University of Oxford or Cambridge, or some grammar school, which, after they have profited in good learning, may be partners of their patron's cure and charge, as well in preaching, as otherwise in executing of their offices, or may, when need shall be, otherwise profit the commonweal with their counsel and wisdom.
XIII. Also, that [all [40]] proprietaries, parsons, vicars, and clerks, having churches, chapels, or mansions within this deanery, shall bestow yearly hereafter upon the same mansions or chancels of their churches, being in decay, the fifth part of that their benefices, till they be fully repaired, and [41] shall always keep and maintain in good estate.
XIV. Also, that the said parsons, vicars, and clerks shall once every quarter of the year read these Injunctions given unto them, openly and deliberately before all their parishioners at one time, or at two several times in one day; to the intent that both they may be the better admonished of their duty, and their said parishioners the more moved to follow the same for their part.
XV. Also, forasmuch as by [laws [42]] established, every man is bound to pay his tithes, no man shall by colour of duty omitted by their curates, detain their tithes and so [43] requite one wrong with another, or be his own judge; but shall truly pay the same, as [44] hath been accustomed, to [page 425] their parsons, vicars, and curates, without any restraint or diminution; and such lack and default as they can justly find in their parsons and curates, to call for reformation thereof at their ordinaries and other superiors [45], who, upon complaint and due proof thereof, shall reform the same accordingly.
XVI. Also, that every parson, vicar, curate, [and stipendiary priest [46],] being under the degree of a [master of art [47],] shall provide and have of his own, within three months after this visitation, the New Testament both in Latin and in English, with [paraphrases upon the same [48],] conferring the one with the other. And the bishops and other ordinaries by themselves or their officers, in their synods and visitations, shall examine the said ecclesiastical persons, how they have profited in the study of Holy Scripture.
XVII. Also, that the vice of damnable despair may be clearly taken away, and that firm belief and steadfast hope may be surely conceived of all their parishioners, being in any danger; they shall learn and have always in a readiness such comfortable places and sentences of Scripture, as do set forth the mercy, benefits, and goodness of Almighty God towards all penitent and believing persons; that they may at all times when necessity shall require, promptly comfort their flock with the lively word of God, which is the only stay of man's conscience [49].
XVIII. Also, to avoid all contention and strife, which heretofore hath risen among the queen's majesty's subjects in sundry places of her realms and dominions, by reason of fond courtesy, and challenging of places in procession; and also that they may the more quietly hear that which is said or sung to their edifying, they shall not from henceforth [page 426] in any parish church at any time use any procession about the church or churchyard, or other place; but immediately before [the time of communion of the Sacrament [50],] the priests with other of the quire shall kneel in the midst of the church, and sing or say plainly and distinctly the Litany, which is set forth in English, with all the suffrages following, to the intent the people may hear and answer; and none other procession or litany to be had or used, but the said Litany in English, adding nothing thereto, but as [it is now appointed [51]]. And in cathedral or collegiate churches the same shall be done in such places, and in such sort, as our commissioners in our visitation shall appoint. And in the time of the Litany, of the [common prayer [52],] of the sermon, and when the priest readeth the Scripture to the parishioners, no manner of persons, without a just and urgent cause, shall [use any walking in the church, nor shall [53]] depart out of the church; and all ringing and knolling of bells shall be utterly forborne at that time, except one bell at convenient time to be rung or knolled before the sermon. [But yet for retaining of the perambulation of the circuits of parishes, they shall once in the year at the time accustomed, with the curate and substantial men of the parish, walk about their parishes, as they were accustomed, and at their return to the church, make their common prayers [53].]
XIX. Provided, that the curate in their said common perambulations, used heretofore in the days of rogations, at certain convenient places shall admonish the people to give thanks to God, in the beholding of God's benefits, for the increase and abundance of His fruits upon the face of the earth, with the saying of the 103rd Psalm, 'Benedic anima mea,' &c. At which time also the same minister shall inculcate these or such sentences: 'Cursed be he, which [page 427] translateth the bounds and doles of his neighbour.' Or such other order of prayers, as shall be hereafter appointed [54].
XX. Item [55], all the [queen's [56]] faithful and loving subjects shall from henceforth celebrate and keep their holy day according to God's [57] will and pleasure; that is, in hearing the word of God read and taught, in private and public prayers, in knowledging their offences to God, and amendment of the same, in reconciling themselves charitably to their neighbours, where displeasure hath been, in oftentimes receiving the communion of the very Body and Blood of Christ, in visiting of the poor and sick, using all soberness and godly conversation. Yet notwithstanding, all parsons, vicars, and curates shall teach and declare unto their parishioners, that they may with a safe and quiet conscience, after their common prayer in the time of harvest, labour upon the holy and festival days, and save that thing which God hath sent; and if for any scrupulosity or grudge of conscience, men should superstitiously abstain from working upon those days, that then they should grievously offend and displease God.
XXI. Also, forasmuch as variance and contention is a thing that most displeases God, and is most contrary to the blessed communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, curates shall in no wise admit to the receiving thereof any of their cure and flock, [which be openly known [page 428] to live in sin notorious without repentance, or [58]] who hath maliciously and openly contended with his neighbour, unless the same do first charitably and openly reconcile himself again, remitting all rancour and malice, whatsoever controversy hath been between them. And nevertheless, their just titles and rights they may charitably prosecute before such as have authority to hear the same.
XXII. Also, that they shall instruct and teach in their cures, that no man ought obstinately and maliciously to break and violate the laudable ceremonies of the Church, [commanded by public authority to be observed [59]].
XXIII. Also, that they shall take away, utterly extinct, and destroy all shrines, coverings of shrines, all tables, candlesticks, trindals, and rolls of wax, pictures, paintings, and all other monuments of feigned miracles, pilgrimages, idolatry, and superstition, so that there remain no memory of the same in walls, glass windows, or elsewhere within their churches and houses; [preserving nevertheless, or repairing both the walls and glass windows [58];] and they shall exhort all their parishioners to do the like within their several houses.
XXIV. And that the churchwardens, at the common [page 429] charge of the parishioners, in every church shall provide a comely and honest pulpit, to be set in a convenient place within the same, [and to be there seemly kept [60]] for the preaching of God's word.
XXV. Also, they shall provide and have within three months after this visitation, a strong chest with a hole in the upper part thereof, to be provided at the cost and charge of the parish, having three keys, whereof one shall remain in the custody of the parson, vicar, or curate, and the other two in the custody of the churchwardens, or any other two honest men, to be appointed by the parish from year to year; which chest you shall set and fasten [in a most convenient place [61],] to the intent the parishioners should put into it their oblations and alms for their poor neighbours. And the parson, vicar, and curate shall diligently from time to time, and especially when men make their testaments, call upon, exhort, and move their neighbours to confer and give, as they may well spare, to the said chest: declaring unto them, whereas heretofore they have been diligent to bestow much substance, otherwise than God commanded, upon pardons, pilgrimages, trentals, decking of images, offering of candles, giving to friars, and upon other like blind devotions, they ought at this time to be much more ready to help the poor and needy; knowing that to relieve the poor is a true worshipping of God, required earnestly upon pain of everlasting damnation; and that also whatsoever is given for their comfort, is given to Christ Himself, and so is accepted of Him, that He will mercifully reward the same with everlasting life. The which alms and devotion of the people the keepers of the keys shall at times convenient take out of the chest, and distribute the same in the presence of the whole parish, or six of them, to be truly and faithfully delivered to their most needy neighbours; and if [page 430] they be provided for, then to the reparation of highways next adjoining, [or to the poor people of such parishes near, as shall be thought best to the said keepers of the keys [62]). And also the money which rise of fraternities, guilds, and other stocks of the Church (except by the [queen's [63]] majesty's authority it be otherwise appointed) shall be put in the said chest, and converted to the said use; and also the rents of lands, the profit of cattle, and money given or bequeathed [to obits and dirges, and [62]] to the finding of torches, lights, tapers, and lamps, shall be converted to the said use; saving that it shall be lawful for them to bestow part of the said profits upon the reparation of the said church, if great need require, and whereas the parish is very poor, and not able otherwise to repair the same.
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Endnotes
1. The Edwardine Injunctions of 1547 may be seen in Cardwell's "Documentary Annals" i. p.4.
2. as well for the abolishing and extirpation of the Bishop of Rome, his pretensed and usurped
power and jurisdiction, as for the establishment and confirmation of the king's authority,
jurisdiction, and supremacy of the Church of England and Ireland.
3. Om.
4. the Bishop of Rome's usurped power and jurisdiction.
5. was of.
6. or.
7. his.
8. him.
9. king's.
10. Om.
11. for any superstition or lucre; nor allure the people by any enticements to the pilgrimage of any saint or image; but, reproving the same.
12. make or cause to be made.
13. quarter.
14. Om.
15. to.
16. offering of money, candles or tapers to relics, or images, or kissing and licking of the same.
17. be.
18. This Injunction is new, and in the place of one which required the removal of all images, and the tapers or candles usually set before them, but expressly allowed 'two lights upon the high altar before the sacrament, which, for the signification that Christ is the very true light of the world, they shall suffer to remain still.' It appears however from the Injunctions of 1549 (No.3), and the subsequent Injunctions of Bishop Ridley, 1550 (No.2), that the permission had in the meantime been withdrawn.
19. Verbatim.
20. Om.
21. which books.
22. rateably borne between the parson and approprietary and parishioners aforesaid, that is to say the one half by the parson or proprietary, and the other half by the parishioners.
23. authorized and licensed thereto.
24. comfort and.
25. lord the king.
26. his.
27. dinner or supper.
28. or.
29. Om.
30. an example.
31. king's majesty the lord protector's grace.
32. his province.
33. king's.
34. the Bishop of Rome's pretensed.
35. king or.
36. Om.
37. benefices.
38. competent.
39. Om.
40. the.
41. the same so repaired.
42. a law.
43. redub and.
44. he.
45. hands.
46. chantry priest and stipendiary.
47. Bachelor of Divinity.
48. the Paraphrase upon the same of Erasmus.
49. Condensed from 23 Ed. VI.
50. high Mass.
51. our commissaries in our visitation shall appoint.
52. Mass.
53. Om.
54. New.
55. Ed. VI adds, 'Like as the people be commonly occupied the work-day, with bodily labour, for their bodily sustenance, so was the holy day at the first beginning godly instituted and ordained, that the people should that day give themselves wholly to God. And whereas in our time, God is more offended than pleased, more dishonoured than honoured upon the holy day, because of idleness, pride, drunkenness, quarrelling and brawling, which are most used in such days, people nevertheless persuading themselves sufficiently to honour God on that day, if they hear Mass and service, though they understand nothing to their edifying: therefore.'
56. king's.
57. holy.
58. Om.
59. Ed. VI adds, 'by the king commanded to be observed, and as yet not abrogated. And on the other side, that whosoever doth superstitiously abuse them, doth the same to the great peril and danger of his soul's health: as in casting holy water upon his bed, upon images, and other dead things, or bearing about him holy bread, or St. John's Gospel, or making of crosses of wood upon Palm Sunday, in time of reading of the Passion, or keeping of private holy days, as bakers, brewers, smiths, shoemakers, and such other do; or ringing of holy bells; or blessing with the holy candle, to the intent thereby to be discharged of the burden of sin, or to drive away devils, or to put away dreams and phantasies, or in putting trust and confidence of health and salvation in the same ceremonies, when they be only ordained, instituted, and made, to put us in remembrance of the benefits which we have received by Christ. And if he use them for any other purpose, he grievously offendeth God.'
60. to be set in a convenient place within the same.
61. near unto the high altar.
62. Om.
63. king's.
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