Scotland, Parsons, and Carrafiello

Abstract

In his review of The Society of Jesus in Ireland, Scotland, and 1541-1588: Our Way of Proceeding? (ante, LXXXII [October, 19971, 805806), Dr. Michael Carrafiello dismisses my claim that I could find no documentary evidence of Robert Parsons's involvement in any political intrigue before mid-1581 by suggesting that I need have looked no further than Parsons' own memoirs. More than once I have consulted Parsons's writings and, despite allegations originally made by Dr. Carrafiello in his article, Catholicism and the Jesuit Mission of 1580-1581, in The Historical Journal, 37 (1994), 761-774, and repeated in his review, such evidence is not there. Because I hope write a more detailed article on Spain, Scotland, and the Society of Jesus in England,1580-81, I shall try be brief here. Dr. Carrafiello informs us that we can find proof that a primary reason for the English Jesuit was to seek a conversion of James VI as a means of restoring Catholic government and society in England in Parsons's writings from the late 1570's. With the exception of a few documents in the archives of Balliol College, the novice register in the Jesuit Archives in Rome, and three letters,1 I know of no other extant writing from the 1570's-unless Dr. Carrafiello has discovered something in some archives he has not named. In the extant works known me I find no reference James VI and Scotland. Perhaps I am being too literal. Should I assume, as does Dr. Carrafiello, that is referring the forcible restoration of the catholic fold in his statements that some are quite ready shed their blood for the Catholic religion in England, if occasion should offer and wanteth not desire in divers adventure there bloud in that mission (art. cit., p. 765)? Are these statements about military preparedness or religious commitment: there are Catholics ready suffer anything, even death, for their faith? Moreover, can we assume that intended something military simply because he used the word enterprise in a letter William Good because this term, according Dr. Carrafiello, certainly had a political meaning a decade (ibid.)? I quibble words. I would rather address Dr. Carrafiello's evidence. In the review we are told that recalled many times in later years that the Scottish strategy was a motive for the English mission. In his article the many times are reduced two (art. cit., p. 769). The first cited source is Persons' Autobiography edited by John H. Pollen, SJ.2 Dr. Carrafiello correctly quotes the following passage: An other cause also of my was make a of Scotch fathers into Scotland, which by letters I had procured before from the General, and f. El Hayes and f. Wm Critton were appointed, but first take direction from me: wherefore upon conference with f. Critton at Roan he went Scotland and I sent Rafe Emerson with him, and promised expect his returne at Roan as I did.3 If Dr. Carrafiello had read the rest of the page, he might have realized that he has misdated the passage. was discussing events between the capture of Edmund Campion in July of 1581 (first line on the page) and Father Crichton's return from Scotland in April of 1582 (first line of paragraph following the above cited text). He was explaining reasons for his coming over Francenot England. comparison of this passage with Parsons's letter Claudio Acquaviva on October 21, 1581, confirms this.' Thus his conclusion that Parsons both sanctioned and planned this political activity as an integral part of his making the journey in the first place (art. cit., p. 769) collapses. His second citation comes from Parsons's A Political Retrospect, written on July 6, 1603, a letter Henry Garnet via his secretary Anthony Rivers (vere Henry Floyd): . . I suppose you know, or have heard, that from our first entrance into in the yeare 1580, one special care of myne was by request and order of this owr new kings good mother seek his conversion Cath. …