It is timely here to also explain who Ralph Cudworth was and why he would be recommending Zachary Cradock to this new position. Cudworth (1617-1688) was an English Anglican minister, Christian Hebraist, Classicist, Theologian and Philosopher. He was Master of Clare College Cambridge between 1645 and 1654 and Master of Christ's College Cambridge between 1654 and 1688. He was a leader, with Henry More, of the Cambridge Platonists. It is important to note that his association with the Cambridge Platonists because they were a very influential group of more moderate Puritans as opposed to the more orthodix English Calvinists of that time. They were associated with Emmanuel College Cambridge where Cradock studied for his degree and so it is most likely that they were the influence for his Presbyterian leanings in his ministry which Consul Maynard hated so much in Lisbon.

            So, in probably late 1656 or early 1657, Zachary Cradock travelled to Portugal and became the first Chaplain to the British Factory ( the body of merchants ) in Lisbon. There was no British Cemetery at this date ( first records of burial 1721 ) nor was there a church in which for him to practice his ministry. No church was allowed until 1815 when a temporary chapel was established in a house (known as No. 7) in front of the coach gate of the Necessidades Palace. Cradock had to live and work in the home of Consul Thomas Maynard. As all know from the experience of sharing private and work space in another person's home, this was not the ideal situation. Even worse when two strong minded people are of opposing traditions as were Maynard and Cradock.

            Thomas Maynard had been recommended for the position of Consul in Lisbon in 1654 and arrived in Portugal on 9th January 1657. He lived  most likely in Casa Caidos, in the Lisbon parish od São Paulo as evidenced by witness statements in a legal case of 1660 of which more is to follow.

            Cradock would have had severely limited freedom to  preach. This was the time when the Inquisition was powerful in Catholic Europe and it sought to pursue any hint of heresy. The Treaty had given certain rights of faith to the British, but as Maynard was a Consul and not an Ambassador he had to constantly try asserting the freedom to have worship within his own house. The Portuguese Monarchy, as well as the Inquisition, did not think the Treaty gave such rights to Maynard and he was detained by the Inquisition in 1660.

            Several years had passed by the time the case of Margaret Throgmorton rather sealed Cradock's permanent return to England. I am greatly indebted to a wonderful article by Mrs. M. S, J. Jayne entitled 'British Prisoners in the Lisbon Inquisition' which was originally published in the Annual Report of The British Historical Association in 1937, and transcribed by the present librarian of The British Historical Society of Portugal, Dani Monteiro. This article sets out several cases brought by the Inquisition and one, in particular, shines a light on the activities of Zachary Cradock during his time as Chaplain in Lisbon. I cannot, of course quote the entire article here, but I will endeavour to reproduce parts that highlight Cradock's actions.

            In brief, it seems a catholic girl of 16 years, named Margaret Throgmorton, was brought to Portugal with the intention that she should become a nun. At first she stayed with Dom Manuel de Sousa, but then moved to the house of the Consul, Thomas Maynard. On 1st October 1659 she was denounced by Father Peter Clifford, of the College of Saint Peter and St Paul, as having turned against the catholic religion. On 4th January 1660 Dom Edward Wynbour, a native of Lancaster, gave evidence that "Zachary Craddock, who 20 days ago went to England, was living in the Consulate. When the witness questioned her, Margaret stated that she did not wish to be a Catholic, also that the Consul had told her that she must not go out of doors for fear of being seized by the Inquisition."

            Again, on 10th January 1660, Pedro d'Oliveria, who assisted the British Consul, gave testimony that in Thomas Maynard's house " there is preaching every Sunday all the year round. This is held in the room where visitors are received. It is frequented by the English men and women of this city [Lisbon] who are not Catholics, and for these there is a preacher who is said to be called Iscarias who is paid 1,000 cruzados a year by the same English through the Consul." An Irishman called Philip, who was book keeper to Consul Maynard, had told Pedro d'Oliveria that, "she [Margaret] had become an apostate." Philip was asked if this was orchestrated by the Consul but he no. He did volunteer though that the responsibility, although not of the Consul was, "of somebody in the house, by which he [d'Oliveria] understood him to mean the preacher." He was greatly disturbed that, as book keeper, he was collecting the money which paid this preacher, but was assured by his confessor that not doing so would not stop this heretic preaching.

            It is clear that Cradock was using his skills as a preacher in the house of Maynard as would be expected of any Chaplain appointed to minister to the English protestants in Lisbon. It seems he also took the opportunity to proselytise and converted Margaret Throgmorton whilst she was in the care of the Consul. His eagerness to follow his vocation is further shown by the testimony of Francisco de Pina in his testimony of 12th January 1660. Francisco tells that de Pina was issued an invitation to dinner at Maynard's residence  by another English merchant named Raymond Dagus. De Pina and another named Edward Salter were the only Catholic persons present, all the others he described as being 'heretics'. He goes on to state that, "the preacher, who was there, tried to dispute with him on matters of religion and finance (Fazenda), decrying the catholic faith. Witness [ de Pina ] and Salter made reply that he had better argue with the Fathers of the college as they, as laymen, were forbidden to enter into arguments."

            As a university trained cleric, and probable associate of the Cambridge Platonists, Cradock would have certainly been the sort to enjoy debates over religion. Debating, after all, had been an essential part of life at both the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford from the earliest times. It is therefore totally in character that he should have done just that at this dinner party at Maynard's house.

            Subsequently, Thomas Maynard was arrested on 30th January 1660 and brought before the Inquisition. Here he defended himself ably, together with a veiled threat to the consequences for Portugal if they pursued him further. Several attempts to get into Maynard's house and remove Margaret were made, but all failed. In the end, although it was found that Margaret had done wrong, the case was quietly dismissed and forgotten for political niceties. Oliver Cromwell had died in 1658 and England was on the cusp of the Restoration of Charles II as king. It would not have been wise for Portugal's monarchy to rock the boat in view of what its future relations with a new King of England might bring.

            It is clear from the witness statement made on 4th January 1660 by Dom Edward Wynbour, that Cradock had departed Lisbon 20 days previous, so in December 1659. He was never to return to Portugal although he had been popular with the merchants. Consul Maynard however had turned against him ,either on his religious standpoint, or because what he, Maynard, had endured at the hands of the Inquisition as a direct result of Cradock's proselytising. Whatever was his motivation, he did not want Cradock back as Chaplain.

            In 1661 the question of the provision of a Chaplain to Lisbon came up again. In his letters to Secretary of State, Sir Edward Nicholas in November 1661, Maynard laid out his desires and objections in the matter of the new Chaplain. I quote excerpts from several of these letters which I have transcribed from the originals held in The National Archives at Kew, London:

 

SP 89/5/44 folios 5-6:

 

May it please your Honour.........

 

The Merchants trading in to this Kingdome; are aboute to applye themselves to your Honour; for a Minister to be sente over to this place. I humbly conceive the election doth belonge to his Ma[jes]tie and his Ma[jes]tie was pleased to make provision the maintenance of a divine, in this factory; in my patent: I humbly beseech your Honour to lett us have an able Orthodox Divine that will be comformable to the Church of Ingland and he had need be well versed, in controversies; for he will meet w[i]th those here that will trie his partes though by my pattent I am to allow the Minister that shall be sente over, w[it]h a Commission from his Ma[jes]tie but one hundred and fifty pounds a yeare, his place will be worth two hundred and fiffty pounds a yeare, beinge the factor that laes here will contribute a hundred pound a yeare more.........

 

                                                            Your Honours Moste humble Servant

 

Lisboa the 12/22 Ffebruary 1661

           

SP 89/5/44 folios 24-25:

 

Right Honourable.........

 

 

I cannot forbare still to solicite your Honor, that the Minister wh[ich] is to be sente over to this factory may be an orthodox divine, I know many of the Merchants will endeavour to have a presbyterian but I hope y[ou] Honour will never consente, to have one that is an enimy to the Liturgie and cerimonies of the Church of Ingland, as the laste was tht wee had here and that the Lord will allways bless and prosper your Honour, in all your undertakings; shall ever be ye unfaigned praises of

 

                                                Your Honours humble Servant

 

                                                                         Tho: Maynard

 

the 9/19 June 1661

 

 

SP 89/5/44 folios 64-65:

 

1661 Nov 4

 

4o. Nober. 1661 & 7o. Dec

Mr Maynard Consull of Portigll

 

 

 

May it please your Honour

 

I thanke your Honour for the progresse you have been pleased to make in the choyce of a dyvine to be sente over to this factory all our Episcoparians doe presse thire freinds to have one Mr Cradocke sente over, he was here formerly; and was then a greate enimy to the liturgie of the Church of Ingland; and as much as possible to the Royall family; as he offten exprest in such words as I dare not commite to this paper, but Mr John Trelawny cann informe your Honour more perticularly; and if he came I am sure all our mercts: which are Episcopall ( which are twenty six ) will be none of your auditors, and it cannot be pleasinge to me to have a minister in my howse that hath reviled the Royall family. happily he may be presented to my Lord of London by some of the Merchants but if his grace be sensible wh. he is, wee have greate reason to hope wee shall have none but an Orthodox divine; to the effectinge of which if your Honour will be pleased to afforde us your farther assistance; your Honour will infinitely engage the Merts: of this factory, as you have allready.

 

                           Your Honours moste humble and moste obedient servant

 

                                                               Tho. Maynarde

 

Lisboa the 4th of Nober: 1661 new stile

 

 

            As can be seen from these three letters from Thomas Maynard, he did not want another Presbyterian cleric appointed to Lisbon, even if the merchants wanted just that. He escalates his objections, and although he does not mention Cradock by name, there is no doubt whom he is talking about. He even uses the Portuguese royal family as an excuse, however, given that their objections would have stemmed from the Throgmorton case, it is a poor gambit for him to use. As it was, he succeeded in his aim. as the next Chaplain appointed was Thomas Marsden.

 

            Instead, in 1660, Zachary Cradock was appointed Chaplain to King Charles II,  so he certainly had not upset the English Monarchy. The appointment of Royal Chaplains was made by the Lord Chamberlain's office at this time. There were a great number of Chaplains in Ordinary. From these forty eight Chaplains in Waiting were selected , with four being assigned to each month of the year; each to wait for one week. They had to preach in the Royal Chapel on Sundays, and upon other festivals, and in the morning before the Royal Household. They read Divine Service before the King, out of Chapel, twice a Day in the private Oratory; and also said Grace to the King at Dinner, in the Absence of the Clerk of the Closet. We know of one sermon preached before King Charles II by Zachary Craddock on 10th February, 1677/8. The subject was 'Upon the Providence of God in the Government of the World'. This sermon was published in 1678 and records Cradock as 'D.D. Preacher to the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, and Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty'.

            In 1660 Cradock was awarded a Batchelor of Divinity by Queen's College Cambridge, followed in 1666 by a Doctorate of Divinity. Cradock was a fellow of Queen's College between 1654 and 1669. From 16th September 1670  Cradock became Rector of the Parish of Pett in Sussex and Prebendary of Chichester. In 1671, he was appointed Fellow of Eton, and then in 1681, he became Provost of Eton College; which post he held until his death on 16th October 1695.

            Cradock is mentioned in the Diary of John Evelyn and the four entries are as follows:

 

22nd July 1679

 

Dined at Clapham, at Sir D. Gauden's; went thence with him to Windsor, to assist him in a business with his Majesty. I lay that night at Eton College, the Provost's lodgings ( Dr. Cradock ),2 where I was courteously entertained.

 

2 Dr. Zachary Cradock, 1633-95; Provost of Eton, 1681-95.

 

 

19th September 1679

 

My Lord Sunderland, one of the principal Secretaries of State, invited me to dinner, where was the King's natural son, the Earl of Plymouth, the Earl of Shrewsbury, Earl of Essex, Earl of Mulgrave, Mr. Hyde, and Mr. Godolphin. After dinner, I went to prayers at Eton, and visited Mr. Henry Godolphin, fellow there, and Dr. Cradock.

 

24th July 1680

 

..... We all dined at the Countess of Sunderland's, afterwards to see Signor Verrio's garden, thence to Eton College, to salute the Provost, and heard a Latin speech of one of the alumni (it being at the election) and were invited to supper; but took our leave, and got to London that night in good time.

 

24th March 1686

 

Dr Cradock ( Provost of Eton ) preached at the same place {Whitehall} on Psalm xliv. 13, showing the vanity of earthly enjoyments.

 

 

There are obviously many documents related to Cradock's time as Provost of Eton, and it is hoped that by the time this article forms the basis of a larger work detailing the lives of all Chaplains at Lisbon, that more detail can be added. However, Eton College has three portraits of Zachary Cradock. The younger Cradock is by the artist Mary Beale and is placed at the start of this article. The second is a little older that the first portrait and is by Sir Peter Lely. This is below: