As to the name of this famous Vicar there are several theories. According to one authority, “Pendleton, the _celebrated_ Vicar of Bray,” became rector of St. Stephen’s, Walbrook, in the City of London, in the reign of Edward VI. But in a letter from Mr. Brome, to Mr. Rawlins, dated June 14, 1735, he says, “I have had a long chase after the Vicar of Bray. Dr. Fuller, in his _Worthies_, takes no notice of him, I suppose he knew not his name. I am informed it was _Simon Alleyn_ or _Allen_, who was Vicar of Bray about 1540, and died 1588, so was Vicar of Bray nearly fifty years. You now partake of the sport that has cost me some pains to take.” Camden, in his _Britannia_, says of Alleyn: “This is he of whom is the proverb, ‘The Vicar of Bray still.’” The song however, refers to an entirely different period, commencing in the reign of Charles II. and lasting until “the illustrious House of Hanover.” There was a Vicar of Bray, unknown to fame, who was vicar during the exact period covered by the song. His tombstone is in the centre aisle of Bray Church, and its record is that his name was Francis Carswell, that he was chaplain to Charles II. and James II., Rector of Remenham and Vicar of Bray forty-two years, and that he died in 1709. ―――― THE COURT CHAPLAIN. When Pitt array’d the British arms, To check the Gallic ferment, I spread the regicide alarms, And so I got preferment; To teach my flock I never miss’d, “Reform is revolution, “And damn’d are those that do assist “To mend a Constitution.” And this is law, I will aver, Tho’ stiff-neck’d fools may sneer, sir, Whoe’er may be the Minister, I’ll be the Chaplain here, sir. When gentle Sidmouth sway’d the Crown And peace came into fashion, The lust of war I hooted down, And puff’d pacification. I vow’d the papists were agreed To burn all honest men, sir: And Methodism had been my creed―― But Pitt came in again, sir, And this is law, &c. When Grey and Grenville made the laws For Britain’s tol’rant nation, I took the cudgels for the cause Of transubstantiation. The Articles I made a joke, (Finding I should not need ’em:) And, Afric’s fetters being broke, E’en grew a friend to Freedom. And this is law, &c. When Perceval advised our King, (The Church of England’s glory) My conscience was another thing, For I had turn’d a Tory: I cursed the Whigs, no more in place; I damn’d their moderation, And swore they shook the Church’s base, By sinful toleration. And this is law, &c.