A HISTORY OF LONDON granted a charter founding the 'Church of the Strangers' in London, of which John Alasco was appointed superintendent. The west end of the church of the Austin Friars was assigned for the use of these foreigners," the remainder of the church being appropriated for use as a storehouse by Sir WilHam Poulett.** In January 1550— i the king issued a commission to thirty-one persons, amongst whom was the Bishop of London, to deal with heretics, especially Anabaptists, and with all persons, whether lay or clerical, who opposed or refused to use the Book of Common Prayer/' A Dutch surgeon in the City was tried for holding the Arian heresy, and proving obstinate was handed over to the secular arm and burnt, 24 April 1551.'° In February 1 55 I— 2 some inhabitants of Southwark were brought before the authorities, charged with having heard mass.'^ Early in March 1550— i orders were issued that, the king having immediate need of money, all the Church plate and bells still remaining should be surrendered into his hands.'" In January 155 1—2 the Custos Rotulorum of each shire was ordered to hand over to the king's com- missioners the former inventories of Church goods. On 10 June 1552 a commission was issued to inquire what Church goods still remained in the parish churches.'* Certificates having been returned, the work of spoliation was carried out in London in May 1553.'^ The commissioners were ordered to leave in each church at least one chalice, and such other ornaments as they thought needful. For example, in St. Mary Magdalen Milk Street they left one Communion cup and paten, one Communion cloth, a Bible, four English Psalters, the Paraphrases, the organ, and five bells. '^ Great changes took place in St. Paul's Cathedral in 1551 and 1552. The Communion table was moved from place to place ; the side altars, chapels, and tombs were pulled down or defaced, and the use of the organ was discontinued. '^ In April I 55 I the lord mayor was called before the Council and charged to do what he could to remedy the prevailing disorder in the London parish churches. '^ There was great restlessness and discontent in the City, and the depreciation of the coinage in May did not tend to soothe the feelings of the citizens, who were ripe for rebellion." In the summer there w^as a terrible outbreak of the sweating sickness, and fear drove men once more to church, to join in public prayers for deliverance,^'* but ' as the disease relented the devotion decayed.' "^ Riots and frays in churches ^"' became so frequent that in February 155 1—2 it was found necessary to issue a proclamation to restrain them.^"' Pigeon-shooting was practised in the
- ' Pat. 4 Edw. 'I, pt. V, m. 3 ; W. Page, Hist. Introd. ; Denizations and Naturartzations (Huguenot Soc.),
xxviii. As a result of this charter all foreign Protestant churches in England and English churches abroad were placed under the Bishop of London. ^ Stow, op. cit. 66. *' Cardwell, Doc. Annals, i, ()l, ex Reg. Cranmer, fol. job. ^ Wilkins, Cone, iv, 44 ; Wriothesley, Chron. ii, 47. " Corp. Rec. Repert. xii (2), fol. 4503. " Acts ofP.C. iii, 228 ; Arch, xviii, 73. ^^ Acts ofP.C. iii, 467. " Pat. 6 Edw. VI, pt. vii, m. 12 d. ; S.P. Dora. Edw. VI, xv, 76 ; Lond. Epis. Reg. Ridley, fol. 292. " Monum. Franc. (Rolls Set.), ii, 239 ; Stow, Annals ; Wriothesley, Chron. ii, 83-4 ; Machyn, Diary.
- A full account of the proceedings of these commissioners may be found at the P.R.O. — Exch. K.R.
Church Goods. " Monum. Franc. (Rolls Ser.), ii, 230-2, 237 ; Wriothesley, Chron. ii, 47. ^ Acts of B.C. iii, 256. " Wriothesley, Chron. ii, 48-9 ; Acts ofP.C. iii, 390, 425. "" S.P. Dom. Edw. VI, xiil, 30 ; Lond. Epis. Reg. Ridley, fol. 289^. "" Stow, Annals. '"• Monum. Franc. (Rolls Ser.), ii, 229, 233. '"^ Gasquet and Bishop, Edw. VI and Bk. of Com. Prayer, 265 ; Close, 6 Edw. VI, pt. viii, m. lo*. 296
