The Date of Edwin Sandys's Paul's Cross Sermon '... at what time a maine treason was discouered'

Abstract

MILLAR MACLURE's The Paul's Cross Sermons 1534–1642 uses a sermon preached by Edwin Sandys (1519?–88), Marian exile, Bishop of Worcester 1559–70, of London 1570–7, and Archbishop of York from 1577–88, to exemplify the development of ‘a scheme of adulation, a formula of praise’ among the preachers at Paul's Cross: Catholic plots against Elizabeth, culminating in the Ballard-Babington affair, finished the task of cementing affection between Queen and people. When Sandys preached at the Cross, probably in August 1586, “at what time the main treason was discovered,” his pious fear and heart-felt praise found an echo, no doubt, in the minds of most of his auditors.1