Biography of Bishop William Smyth 1460-1514

Collectanea by John Leland. [11th May 1509] Thus and in this Manner was the said Corps of Kynge Henry the VIIth brought throughe the Cittie of London, with Torches innumerable, unto the West Dore of St. Powles [Map], where the Bisschop of London, revested and mytred, received the said Corps; which, after they had encensed it, was taken out of the Charett, the said Picture lyinge upon it, and borne by XII Persons of the Garde, because of the great Waight thereof. The Duke of Buckingham (age 31) with the said Earles goinge by, and puttinge theire Hands unto it. Over the which Corpes was borne a goodlie riche Canopie of Cloth of Golde by Fower Barrons, frome the Tyme that it was taken out of the Charet unto the Tyme that the said Corps was brought before the Highe Alter, where was sett a goodlie curious Light of Nine Branches; under the which Light this Corps was sett, there havinge a solempne Dirige; in the which my Lord of London was Executor Officii, and Attendant upon him the Abbott of St. Albones and the Abbott of Readinge, revested and mytred. This done, the Lords departed frome Powles, and went unto the Bishops Palice; the said Corps beinge watched with divers Knights and Herauds appointed thereunto. And on the Morrowe when the Lords were come unto the Herse againe, there were songe Three solempne Masses; of the which Three Masses the Deane of Powles sange the Firft of our Ladie, the Bisschop of Lincoln (age 49) sange the Second of the Trinitie, and the Bisschop of London sange the Third of Requiem. After the which Masses done the Bisschop of Rochester (age 39) made a notable Sermon; which done everie Man departed unto theire Dynner. And at theire Returne made, which was before One of the Clock, the said Corps was solempnly borne throughe the Churche of St. Powle to the West Dore, with the foresaid Canape borne over it, goinge before it the whole Queire or Powles and allso the Kyngs Chappell, whome followed the Bisshop of London, being revested and mytred, and the said Duke and Earles followinge; where the said Corps was againe laide into the Charet, and appointed in like Manner as is aforesaid. Which done everie Man in like Order as is afore exprested, accompained the said Corps, which was frome thence conveyed throughe Fleete Streete unto Charinge Crosse, where the Abbott of Westminfter, th’ Abbott of St. Albones, th Abbott of Readinge, and th’ Abbott of Winchombe, all IIJ^or Abbotts, revested and mytred, with the whole Convent of th’ Abbey of Westminster, in Albes and Coops, received the said Corps, and there encensed it. Which done they with Procession solempnly conveyed it unto the West Doore of the said Abbey of Westminfter: Where the Archebishop of Canterbery (age 59) and the Archeb. of Yorke (age 45), revested and mytred, solempnly received the Corps, and in like Manner incensed it; which after was conveyed out of the said Charet into the Abbey, in like Manner as it was conveyed into Powles. Where was sett the moft costly and curious Light possibly to be made by Mans Hand, which was of XIII principal Stonderds, rihly decked with Banners, and all other Things convenient to the same. Here he had his Dirige solempnly, th’ Archbissiopp of Canterbury beinge Execut. Officii, upon whom was attendinge the Nomber of XVIII Bisshiops and Abbotts, revested and mytred, duringe the Tyme of the said Dirige. At the which Dirige the Bissiopp of Norwiche redd the First Lesson, the Bisschop of Lincoln the Second Lesson, the Archebishiop of Canterbury the Third Lesson. And after the said Dirige done, the saide Duke and Earles with the other Lords departed unto the Kings Palice; except certen Knights, which were appointed to watch the Corps, in like as they did at Powles.