ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY Though nonconformity continued to flourish in Norfolk, signs are not wanting that conformity also was reviving. In July, 1624, the bishop wrote to the bailiffs of Yarmouth thanking them for their diligence in suppressing conventicles.^ An idea of the appearance of the Norwich churches at Christmas-time can be obtained from the churchwardens' account books'*; and the sums expended in ivy and holly for decoration at this festival suggest a genial celebration not altogether compatible with rigidly Puritan ideas. This regard for times and seasons shows a different spirit from that exhibited at the archdeacon's visitation in 1609, when it appeared that six churches in Norwich were not even furnished with a surplice, two had no cup for the communion, and one had no linen cloth for the table. In 1627' the action of the dean. Dr. Edmund Suckling, in privately obtaining the grant of a patent respecting his deanery was called in question, and a dispute also arose concerning a charter obtained from the late king by the dean, and certain local statutes granted by him. It resulted in the dean's being committed to custody and suspended from office, and the prebendaries being called on to take charge of the government of the church. The report on the petition against the new statutes for the government of the cathedral church was referred to the king, and on 15 May, 1629, he confirmed the foundation by Edward VI of the chapter of Norwich, consisting of a dean, six prebendaries, and other ministers.* By this time Bishop Harsnet had been made archbishop of York, to which see he was translated in November, 1628, being succeeded by Dr. Francis White, bishop of Carlisle, whose tenure of Norwich was but short; he was translated to Ely in 1631. Before his appointment to Norwich he had greatly distinguished himself as a controversialist. He brought a suit against his predecessor for dilapidations in 163 1.' Richard Corbet, bishop of Oxford, who succeeded him 7 May, 1632, did not hold the see even for so long a period, as he died 28 July, 1635.' The popular system of endowing lectureships, where the lecturers, who were the leaders of resistance against episcopal authority, preached apart from the Prayer Book services, and not without contempt of the parish clergy, had firmly established itself in Norfolk. In the State Papers Domestic for 1630^ are some notes endorsed in Laud's hand, 'The feofment of Norwich,' describing a committee of twelve trustees for the advancement of religion in Norwich and Norfolk, which supplied the lecturers with funds, and he thus qualifies their methods : — These trustees in their orders which they have framed have set down divers qualifications for the men whom they intend to provide for, as that they must be graduates, ' Swindcn, Hist.of Great Yarmouth, 877-33. ' See article on Christmas church decorations at Norwich, Eastern Counties Colkctanea, p. 144. St. Peter Mancroft. 1619. Paid Ram for hulver and Ivy at Chrismas, %d. 1 62 I. Pj for hollver & Ivey frankensene & packthred agaynst Christmis zod. St. Mary Coslany. 1 6 19. Payd Inerson for hulver at Chrismus & for brommes xijV. 1622. Item. Payd for hulver and Ive to garnesse y* church is. St. Lawrence. 1625. Paid the clarke for the lining washing, for Bery hulver and Ivey & for Bromes 3/. od. St. Gregory. 1627. It" for holver and ivy d. ' S. P. Dom. xliv, 49 ; xlvii, 3 ; Iv, 50 ; Ixviii, 40. * Rymer, Foedera. ' Cal. S. P. Dom. vol. 1629-31, p. 537. ' During his episcopacy a contest between the church and the city as to certain rights and liberties was arbitrated by the Lord Keeper and Mr. Justice Hutton, 2 July, 1634. (Blomefield, iii, 377). ' Vol. dxxxi, 134 {Ca/. S. P. Dom. Add. 1625-49, P- 400)- 2 281 36
