The Grey Friars in OxfordLittle, A. G. (Andrew George)
History
The Grey Friars in Oxford
Little, A. G. (Andrew George)
Franciscans -- Great Britain
But Standish is best known as a champion, probably the foremost champion,
of the ‘Old Learning’ in England. He was, there can be little doubt, the
Franciscan theologian who in 1516 tried to organize a combined critical
attack on the writings of Erasmus[1746]. It was some years later--in
1520--that he preached at Paul’s Cross against Erasmus’ edition of the New
Testament, and inveighed against his writings in conversation at
court[1747]. He consequently became the object of the famous scholar’s
satire and invective, and his memory has suffered accordingly.
In 1528, when the royal divorce suit was proceeding, he became Katharine’s
chief counsellor, being apparently chosen by the queen herself[1748].
During the long trial, however, he showed little of the boldness which
characterised Fisher’s conduct, and Katharine seems not unreasonably to
have entertained some suspicion of his sincerity[1749]. He was present at
the coronation of Anne Boleyn, June 1533[1750]. That he was willing to
admit the royal supremacy[1751] is not surprising. He proposed to add to
the King’s Articles (which required the surrender, by Convocation, of the
legislative powers of the clergy), the words:
‘Provided that the King allow those constitutions which are not
contrary to the law of God or of the realm to be put in execution as
before[1752].’
He died on July 9th, 1535[1753]. His will is dated July 3rd, 1535[1754].
He desired to be buried ‘inter fratres Minores’ (London?).
‘Item pro sepultura mea quadraginta libras. Item pro Tumba erigenda
xiij{li}. vj{s} viij{d} in ecclesia fratrum minorum ubi contigerit
corpus meum quiescere. Item pro exhibicione scolarium in Universitate
Oxonie quadraginta libras. Item pro edificatione Insule ecclesie
fratrum Minorum Oxonie quadraginta libras.’
His bequest of £5 to buy books for the Oxford Franciscans, and his
appointment of two executors to distribute his own library should make us
hesitate to accept unreservedly the charge of ‘gross ignorance’ which
Erasmus brings against him[1755]. Among other legacies may be noticed £40
to the Church of St. Asaph ‘_pro pavimento chori_,’ 20 marcs to the
Carmelites of Denbigh ‘to build their cloister,’ £10 to the Minorites of
London for thirty trentals, £40 to the parish church of ‘Standisshe,’ and
a messuage in ‘Wrixham’ to Nicholas Rygbye. The will was not allowed to
pass uncontested; ‘for the law is plain, that when a religious man is made
a bishop, he cannot make a will’[1756]. Cromwell seems to have exacted
heavy fines from the executors and legatees[1757].
=Robert Sanderson= supplicated for B.D. on Jan. 22, 1510/1, after studying
twelve years. On May 30, 1511, he petitioned
‘quatenus gratiose secum dispensetur ut respondeat sine aliqua
oppositione propter defectum schole. Hec est concessa et conditionata
quod replicet in scholis post responsionem.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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