Chapter 3 - EARLY EDUCATION OF USSHER:THE FOUNDING OF TRINITY COLLEGE

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THE early education of Ussher had been committed to his two blind aunts, who were most careful to instruct him in the Holy Scriptures. [1] The reason for this is plain. Ussher was surrounded by Roman Catholic relatives, who laid more than one trap to catch him. His mother became a Roman Catholic after her husband's death. It was even reported that he himself, shortly before his death, joined the Church of Rome, though there is not a shadow of foundation for the statement. [2]

[1] Parr's Life of Ussher, p. 2. Richard Parr, the biographer of Ussher, son of the Rev. Richard Parr, was born in Fermoy, county of Cork, in 1617. He was educated in the parish school of Castlelyons, and when eighteen years of age entered Exeter College, Oxford, as a servitor. In 1643 Ussher met him there, and made him his chaplain. He accompanied the Archbishop to London, married a rich widow, and became vicar of Reigate. He died at Camberwell in 1691, aged seventy-four. Ware's Writers of Ireland, p. 3I4; Wood's Ath. Oxon., iv. pp. 341-2.

[2] From his death-bed he wrote to Rome to open negotiations for the purpose of being received back into the bosom of that very Catholic Church which he had so willfully maligned." Archbishops of Dublin, by Dr. Moran, p. 312 (note); see infra. The report had been circulated even earlier that he had “turned a papist," but, says one of his biographers (Dr Bernard), "it fell out to be at the same time or immediately after he had, in two learned sermons, given his judgment at large that the Papacy was meant by Babylon in the 17th and 18th of the Revelation which in the return of his answer to the report he did affirm, and was his judgment to his last." -  Bernard’s Judgment of the late Archbishop of Armagh, p. 144. Ussher's view was also that of Bedell, in a sermon on Rev. xviii. 4, preached in 1634, before the Lord-Deputy and Parliament. It is the prevailing opinion of the Anglican divines of the sixteenth-seventeenth century, as may be seen from the writings of Jewell, Hooper, Whitgift, Andrewes, Bilson, Hall, Davenant, &c.

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The memory of these two ladies must have been phenomenal, as they are said to have remembered what was once repeated to them "They were able,” says Dr. Parr, "on a sudden to repeat any part of the Bible."

Like other remarkable men, Ussher in his earliest years turned to poetry, but eventually put it aside, "as not suitable to the great end of his more resolved serious and profitable studies. Yet he always loved a good poem that was well and chastely writ." [3] There is also reason for thinking he had a taste for music. [4]

[3] Parr’s Life of Ussher, p. 3.

[4] Elrington’s Life of Ussher, p. 321, note. See also Bernard's Life of Ussher, p. 26. Nicholas Bernard was educated in Cambridge and coming over to Ireland was ordained by Ussher, who made his chaplain, and got him preferred to the Deanery of Ardagh. He eventually became chaplain and almoner to Oliver Cromwell (Ware's Writers of Ireland, p. 342). He died incumbent of the rich living of Whitchurch in 1661.

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According to Dr. Bernard, one of his biographers, Ussher was led to serious thoughts when ten years of age, by hearing a sermon preached on Romans xii. I. St. Augustine's Confessions had a great influence over him, and we are told he wept while he read them. A MS. essay on the Sabbath by one Master Perkins, gave him early in life a strong Sabbatarian bias. His spiritual experience was fed during solitary walks by the banks of the Dodder, a river which then poured its clear waters through sequestered valleys on the south side of Dublin. [5]

One of his earliest published letters, addressed to his uncle, Richard Stanihurst, but undated, gives us an account of his youthful studies. It shows the strong bias that had already set in, in favour of theological and antiquarian pursuits. "The principal part of my study at this time is spent in perusing the writings of the Fathers, or observing out of them the doctrine of the ancient Church… Besides my main studies, I have always used as a kind of recreation, to spend some time gathering together the scattered antiquities of our nation;” and he inquires after a MS. Life of St. Patrick, at Lovain. [6]

[5] The river along whose banks Ussher thus wandered is identified by Dawson Massy, Secret History of Romanisim, p. 505.[6] Ussher's Works, xv. pp. 3,4.

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In the next letter published, and addressed to Camden, he is again interested in the writings of St. Patrick, and notes the birth of the Irish apostle as having taken place in Clydesdale, “by the place which is now called Kirkpatrick." In the same letter (dated 1606) he takes notice of the "new county of Wicklow, and the new city of the Derrie lately erected by his Majesty." [7] When thirteen years of age, Ussher entered the newly created University of Dublin, the year of his matriculation being 1593. He received his first communion the following year. [8]

Let us here glance at some of the efforts that were made from time to time to found a national University in Ireland. In the early days of her Christian history, Ireland was well supplied with schools of learning; her colleges were to be found in every part of the land.

[7] Ditto, p. 17.

[8] Ussher was the first scholar entered into Trinity College, Dublin. "It was so ordained upon design by the government of it observing the pregnancy and forwardness of him, that it might be a future honour to it, to have it on record in the frontispiece of their admission book." - Bernard's Life of Ussher, p.25. Ussher himself says he was inter primos in illam admissos. - Dublin University Calendar, 1877, pt. 2, p. 192.

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The University of Armagh, said to have been founded by St. Patrick was certainly an establishment of great antiquity. Theological schools existed at Clonard, Ross, Lismore, Clonfert, Bangor, and other places. The invasion of the Ostmen, who had no love or respect for learning, scattered these institutions, and for several centuries the country appears to have relapsed into a state of barbarism. We owe the first attempt to establish anything like a national University in Ireland to the intention of its promoters to bind the country more closely to the Anglo-Papal dominion. In 1311 John de Leeke (or Lech), Archbishop of Dublin, obtained a Bull from Clement V for the foundation of "a university of scholars" in Dublin. Clement in his Bull states: "Desiring that out of the said land men skillful in learning and faithful in the sciences may proceed, who may be able by fruitful doctrines to sprinkle the said land like a watered garden to the exaltation of the Catholic faith, the honour of Mother Church, and the profit of the faithful, we do by our apostolic authority ordain that in that said city of Dublin a university of scholars be established." [9]

[9] Alan's Liber Niger, 2, f. 75-6; Ware, ii. p. 242; Monck Mason's St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Appendix ix.-x. In the preface to the Bull the Pope notices, that there would be less difficulty in founding a University in Ireland as many doctors of divinity were to be found in that country. The original Bull was destroyed by a fire in Christ Church Cathedral. Alan's copy is printed by Ware. - See Works, ii. pp. 242-3.

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This project fell through at the time, but was revived a few years later (February 10th, 1320), when a school of the kind was opened under a patent granted by Edward III to Alexander de Bicknor, Archbishop of Dublin, and the chapters of St. Patrick's and of Christ Church Cathedrals, and with the sanction of Pope John XXII. The University was to be under the government of a Chancellor, who must be a Doctor of Divinity or of the Common Law, and would have spiritual jurisdiction over the masters and scholars. A Regent in Divinity was to be appointed who should read lectures on the Holy Scriptures in St. Patrick's Cathedral "without challenge or contradiction from any person whatsoever." Three Doctors of  Divinity were forthwith appointed - William Hardite, Henry Cogry, and Edmund Bernardine; and William Rodiant, Archdeacon of Dublin, was appointed Doctor of the Common Law. [10] This University, which seems to have possessed no buildings, languished for lack of funds. In 1358, Edward III gave it some further encouragement, and an additional Divinity Lecture was established. The needed protection was granted to students coming up to Dublin from the country, who stated that they could not proceed to Oxford on account of their poverty and the dangers of the way. [11]

[10] See Alan's Liber Niger; Ware, as above, also, i. p. 330; Stubbs' History of the University of Dublin, pp. 1-3; Monck Mason's St. Patrick" Appendix x.-xi.

[11] Rot. Pat. 32, Ed. 3rd; Ware, ii. p. 244.

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A further effort was made to revive the college in the reign of Henry VII., the Archbishops and clergy contributing various sums toward its maintenance.

In 1465, an effort was made to establish a University in Drogheda during the session of a Parliament held there. It was to be founded after the model of the University of Oxford. The Duke of Clarence was Lord-Lieutenant at the time, with the Earl of Desmond as his deputy. The statute of foundation was as follows: “At the request of the Commons, because there is no University or general study in Ireland, which is a work that would advance knowledge, riches, and good government, and also prevent riot, ill-government, and extortion in the said land, it is ordained and established and confirmed by authority of Parliament, that there be an university in the town of Drogheda wherein there may be made bachelors, masters, and doctors in any science and faculty in like manner as in the University of Oxford, which may also have, occupy, and enjoy, all manner of liberties, privileges, laws, and laudable customs, that the said University of Oxford doth occupy or enjoy, so that it be not prejudicial to the mayor, sheriffs, or commonalty of the said town of Drogheda.” [12]

[12] Ware, ii. p. 245. The foundation statute, which is in French, may be seen in the Chancery Records, Edward IV., An. 5, cap. 46. A copy is also preserved in the Library T.C.D, (Class E; 3, 18).

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This project also fell through for want of proper endowment. Then another scheme seems to have been taken up by George Browne, first Protestant Archbishop of Dublin in 1547. His plan was to endow “a faire and lardge colledge" out of the revenues of St. Patrick's Cathedral to be called Christ Church College. It was further to be supported by the income from the benefices of Trim, Armulghan, Rathewere, Callan, Durigarvan, and the Wardenship of Youghal. [13] It was not till 1568, however, that anything was done of such a definite nature as to promise success. In that year, Queen Elizabeth deputed certain officers to go over to Ireland and see if a national University could not be established. A Parliament was summoned for the purpose in Dublin, and the question was discussed in the presence of the Lord-Deputy, Sir H. Sydney. [14]

[13] See Shirley's Original Letters, pp. 5-14.

[14] A proposal was before the Government in 1579 to found a University at Clonfert, on account of its central position, "for that the runnagates of that nation which, under the pretence of study in the universities beyond the seas, do return freight with superstition and treason, are the very instruments to stir up our subjects to rebellion," - See Morrin's Cal. Of  Patent  and Close Rolls of Chancery in Ireland, ii. p. 22.

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These efforts also failed, and then Sir John Perrot, in 1584, proposed the foundation of two Universities in Dublin to be endowed out of the revenues of St. Patrick's Cathedral. The church itself was to be turned into a court-house, and the canons' houses into inns for the Judges.[15] This plan was strenuously opposed by Archbishop Loftus, apparently from fear lest it might lead to an investigation into the way in which he had enriched himself and his family out of the income of the Church. [16] The Archbishop succeeded in getting Sir John Perrot recalled. He died suddenly in the Tower of London in, the following year. [17]

[15] Perrot to Walshingham, August 21,1584; Cal. State Papers.

[16] Ware's Bishops, p. 353; Elrington's Life of Ussher, p. 6 (note); see contra Monck Mason's St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin University Calendar, 1833. The revenue of St. Patrick's Cathedral was then 4000 marks per annum, which, it was understood, would endow the colleges with £1000 a year each. -  See also Shirley's Letters, as above.

[17] Cox's History of Ireland, vol. i. p. 387. This scheme for establishing a University out of the revenues of St. Patrick's had also been opposed by Archbishop Curwin. - Cal State Papers, January 21, 1564. Loftus and Perrot had quarrelled fiercely over this business, and the Archbishop threatened to resign if it ("Perrot's College") was carried out (March 18, 1585). A temporary reconciliation was effected on Easter Day, 1586, when they received the communion together, but the old "bickerings" soon broke out again. Perrot swore he would not be crossed, and threatened to be the utter enemy of Loftus; but it was the old story of the earthen jar and the iron pot.

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Although the plans thus put forward of founding a University in connection with St. Patrick's Cathedral fell through at the time, the idea survived of a connection between that ancient ecclesiastical and a national University, as is proved by the fact that the Trinity College Commencements were held within the precincts of the Cathedral up to 1732, when they were stopped by the Lords Chief Justices in consequence of riots between Town and Gown. [18]

The anomaly, and injury to the best interests of the country in leaving it for centuries without the benefit of a national University, especially in the case of an island once famous for its schools of learning, continued to press on the minds of those who desired to see Ireland lifted out of the slough of moral and intellectual degeneracy in which it was plunged. It was therefore constantly and urgently brought under the notice of the Sovereign. A great wave of enlightenment was passing over England; the question was, Was Ireland to remain outside its influence?

[18] St. Patrick's Cathedral has served many purposes in its day. At one period it was used as a common hall for the Four Courts, and under Cromwell for courts-martial.

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Attention was now directed to the revenues of some of the suppressed monasteries, and Archbishop Loftus eventually prevailed on the mayor and citizens of Dublin, some of whom were Roman Catholics, to grant "the late ambit and precinct" of the dissolved monastery of All Hallows, Hoggan Green (now College Green). [19] Previously to this, the Speaker, Stanihurst, grandfather of James Ussher, had moved in the matter of setting up grammar schools in Ireland, where "babes from their cradle should be inured under learned schoolmasters with a pure English tongue, habite, fashion and discipline”; and then he goes on to urge the foundation of "an University here at home.” Stanihurst was himself a man of literary tastes and patron of learning. Campion, in his History acknowledges his indebtedness to him. “This book” he says, "could never have so grown except for such familiar societe and daily table-talk with the worshipful Recorder, who beside all curtesie of hospitality and a thousand loving turns not here to be recited, both by word and written documents, and by the benefit of his own library, nourished most effectually his endeavor.” [20]

[19] Hoggan Green derived its name, not from the hogs that roamed over it, but from a Scandinavian word, signifying a mound. - See Halliday's Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin, p. 196. Hoggan Green was, in its day the Tyburn of Dublin.

[20] Campion’s Preface to "the loving Reader, from, Drogheda, June 9, 1571.”

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In pursuance of instructions towards the above object, Henry Ussher, Archdeacon of Dublin and uncle of James Ussher, had petitioned the Queen to grant a charter, mortmain, licence, and royal warrant for the new College, all of which were granted on December 29th, 1591, with permission to enjoy lands to the annual amount of £400. [21] At Easter, Archbishop Loftus, with his clergy, met the mayor (Thomas Smith), aldermen, and commons of Dublin, at the Tholsel in High Street, and there made a speech to them, setting forth the advantage of having such a nursery of learning founded, and how well the Queen would take it if they bestowed the old decayed monastery of All Hallows for the purpose. [22] The site which was then handed over embraced "about twenty-eight acres, of which twelve acres were meadow, nine pasture, and seven orchards. On the north towards the river there was a boggy strip of ground, covered by the water at high tide, and on the south it was bounded by the path leading to St. Patrick's Well, near the present Lincoln Place.

[21] The warrant was received by Archdeacon Ussher on January 13, 1592. -  Cal. State Papers (1588-92), p. 455.

[22] See Hearne's Preface to Camden's Annals, p. lvii; Stubb's Hist. Univ. Dub., App. ii.

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On the east it was bounded by lands formerly belonging to the Abbey of the Blessed Virgin, but then in the tenure of John Dougan; the modern Westland Row would constitute this boundary." [23]

In this spot was established “the College of the Sacred and Undivided Trinity near Dublin," as its title runs to the present day, although the institution may now be said to lie almost in the heart of the city - the one great national institution which has flourished and grown with years in a country where all besides has worn the aspect of change and uncertainty. The names of the following citizens deserve to be placed on record as nominated, along with others, to receive benevolences "towards the fynishing of the bylding nowe in doinge": - Mr. Gyles Allen, Mr. Walter Ball, Mr. James Bellewe, John Terrell, Matthewe Handcok, John Marshall, and Ralfe Sancky.” [24]

The original foundation consisted of one Provost, and of three Fellows, and three scholars in the name of more respectively. One of the three Fellows was Henry Ussher, who worked hard to get the royal charter, and who afterwards became Archdeacon of Dublin, and finally Archbishop of Armagh. The first Chancellor was Sir William Cecil, Lord Burleigh. Among the first students enrolled as we have already seen, was James Ussher, admitted January 9th, 1593.

[23] Dr. Stubbs' History of the University of Dublin, p. 6.

[24] Calendar of Ancient Records of Dublin, ii p. 253.

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The first public Commencements took place on Shrove Tuesday, February 1601, and twelve years later, in the month of August, a great Commencement was held, when the “Acts” were performed in the high choir of St. Patrick's Cathedral, because "the college rooms were very small.” Five Doctors of Divinity were then made, one of them being James Ussher. A procession, we are told, was made through the city in very stately order, the Doctors, as enjoined, habited every one in his scarlet robes and hood, the Masters and Bachelors being likewise properly attired, and all presenting "a beautiful view to the sight of all men." Apparently Ussher valued such academical display. "I remember," writes Dr. Bernard, "one passage in his speech at a public Commencement, that the hoods and other distinctive ornaments used by several graduates in our universities were in use in Basil's and Nazianzen's time, so not Popish, as some have apprehended.” [25] In after years, when a bishop, Ussher, as has been noted by some of his biographers, was particular about wearing his episcopal robes, and “was much for the distinctive habit of the clergy-cassocks, gowns, priestclokes," &c.

[25] Bernard's Life of Ussher, pp. 46-7.

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The English canon on the decent apparel of ministers was by his special approbation put in among those of Ireland. [26]

A quaint account survives of the above Commencements. We are told how the Lord President "delivered a proper speech in Latin to the doctors elect, while he also administered four academical consequences: (i.) He set them in his chair; (ii.) he gave them square caps; (iii.) he delivered to them the Bible; (iv.) he put rings on their fingers; after which he expounded to them the significance of each ceremony." On this occasion Ussher was selected to deliver the oration, which he did, choosing as his subject, after the controversial fashion of the day, the words, Hoc est corpus meum. He was then followed by the other doctors, who disputed on the same subject. A stately dinner was afterwards provided for the Lord-Deputy and Council in the College. [27] The total number of names in the books of that year was 109.

[26] Bernard's Clavi Trebales, p. 64.

[27] See Desid. Cur. Hib., pp. 316-320.

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During the time when the buildings of the College were being erected, the weather, we are told, proved unusually propitious; "from the founding to the finishing of this College, the officious heavens, always smiling by day, though often weeping by night" till the work was completed." [28]

[28] Fullers Church History, iii. 123. See also Annals of Four Masters, 1575, for a similar phenomenon. "The great interest and keen hopes of the city in the founding of the College are expressed in this legendary way." - J. P. Mahaffy, Book of Trinity College, Dublin, p. 8. We learn from a letter addressed by the Provost and Fellows to Burleigh, on August 15, 1594, that the original buildings cost £2000 - over £16,000 present currency. We also learn that the captains and soldiers of Ireland subscribed out of their reserved pay £623 "towards founding Trinity College, Dublin." Could this be the sum mentioned in the MS. Book of Benefactions, T.C.D., as given towards founding the Library? We also learn from a letter addressed by Travers to Burleigh, that the new College was "built of brick, three stories high," thus authenticating Harris in his History of Dublin, that houses of brick began to be built in Dublin about this time, and refuting Petrie that there was not a brick house built in Dublin till the reign of Anne. - See State Papers, May 26 and August I5, 1594, and Dublin Penny Journal, i. p. 270; also Gilbert’s Cal. Anc. Records of Dublin, ii. p. 7, where bricks are mentioned for the “citties use" in the year 1559.

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The foundation stone of the first building was laid by the Mayor, Thomas Smith, March 19th, 1592. [29]

[29] Thomas Smith, who had the honour conferred on him of laying the foundation-stone of Trinity College, Dublin, was the son of Sir Thomas Smith, Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, and who had entertained his Sovereign at Audley End. Sir Thomas had obtained a grant of forfeited lands in the Ardes, county of Down, where his natural son was killed in 1572 "by such of his own household whom he trusted too much." Thomas Smith, the mayor, was the "city apothecary," and did business in Christ Church Lane, a narrow passage, about twelve feet wide, leading from Skinner's Row to Wine-tavern Street; he was thus a near neighbour of Ussher's. It was probably at his establishment the "bottell of poysoned drinke" was obtained by John Smith with a view to the nefarious purpose of "removing" Shane O'Neill, and at which the Queen was so greatly angered. Smith, who was Sir Henry Wallop's "only physician," used to complain greatly that his drugs were unsold owing to the Irish, who would use only the ministry of their own "leeches." He was therefore allowed a Government grant to enable him to supply "fresh and new drugs and other apothecary wares" for "the graver and civiller sort." Thomas Smith, who had also filled the office of City Treasurer, was a friend of Spenser while he resided in Dublin. - See Cal. State Papers, 1566; Shirley's Farney, p. 52; Ulster Journal Arch., xi. p. 219; Morrin's Calendar, p. 231.