one Christian name 50. Walter Raynolds RObert Winchelsey being dead the monks of Canterbury elected for his successour one Thomas Cobham that was Deane of Salisbury and Prebendary of Yorke a man of such vertue and learning as he was commonly called by the name of the good Clerke The king Edward the second was desirous to preferre vnto that place Walter Raynolds Bishop of Worcester whom he fauoured singularly for his assured fidelity and great wisedome Before therefore that the saide Thomas Cobham could get away to Rome the king vnderstanding of his election sent thither in all post haste earnestly requesting the Pope to finde meanes that this Walter might be made Archbishop He glad of such an occasion to exercise the vtmost of his vsurped authority without any more adoo thrust in the said Walter Raynolds into that Sée pretending that he had reserued the gift of the Archbishoprick for that time vnto himselfe before it fell Cobham a while stoode vpon the right of his election but perceauing to how little purpose it was to stirre with so mighty aduersaries as the Pope and the king both at once was content to accept of the Bishopricke of Worcester which the other left This Walter had béene a Courtier a long time Chapleyne first vnto Edward the first and Parson of Wimberton then by Edward the second whose schoolemaster some say he was made Treasurer and Chauncellour of England and preferred to the Bishopricke of Worcester the yéere 1308. The buls of his translation were published in Bowe Church Ianuary 4. 1313. He receaued his pall Febr. 17. following and was installed with great pompe and solemnity April 19. in the presence of the king the Quéene and many nobles The first thing he did after his comming to Canterbury was to take order by giuing pensions and diuers sums of money at Rome that appeales made from him to the court there should finde no fauourable intertainment He precured also eight seuerall Buls containing so many great and extraordinarie priuileges The first gauc him authority of visiting all his prouince so as he should haue procurations euery where and yet his charges borne The second to visite monasteries and all other exempt places The third to absolue and restore to their former state two hundred Cleargy men that had incurred irregularitie The fourth to dispense with the Minoritie of a hundred Clearks and enable them to take spirituall liuings The fifth to absolue a hundred of such as by striking any Cleargy man had fallen into the danger of excommunication The sixt to grant forty pluralities The seuenth to require the gift of any one dignitie or spirituall promotion in any church or college where he should visite The eight to grant pardon of a hundred daies in any place where he should visite preach giue almes or kéepe hospitality Being thus armed he perfourmed his visitation trauailing himselfe in the same till by the Barons wars he was hindered and sent for vnto the Court by the king That warre being ended and execution done vpon diuers of the nobles that had rebelled Adam Tarlton Bishop of Hereford was apprehended and brought to the barre to be arraigned for the like fault All the Bishops of England almost were then at London The Archbishops of Canterbury Yorke and Dublin hearing of it in great haste hied them thither and hauing their crosses borne before them entred the court by violence tooke the prisoner from the barre and carried him away with them Much adoo there was about this matter a good while the stir was not quight ended when the Quéene rising against her husband and setting vp her sonne to 〈◊〉 the kingdome at last procured him to be deposed This our Archb. then shewed himselfe a very weake man He was content a while outwardly to stand with the king as beside the common duty of a subiect he was bound to do by benefites receaued infinite but first vnderhand he aided the Queene with great sums of money and at last vtterly for sooke him his lawfull prince his master his patron that had aduaunced him by so many degrées vnto an estate so honorable It pleased God that 〈◊〉 timorousnesse should be his destruction By the Quéene aforesaid of whom he stood so greatly in awe he was commanded to consecrate one Iames Barkley elected Bishop of Excester He did so but for his labor was so threatned taunted and reuiled by the Pope that saide he had reserued the gift of that Bishoprick vnto himselfe as for griefe and anger togither he died when he had sate Archbishop 13. yéeres 9. moneths and thrée wéekes He was buried in the south wall of Christs church in Canterbury néere the Quier where his tombe is yet to be seene with an inscription which I haue read long since but I thinke is now defaced This man was but meanly learned yet very wise of good gouernment except when for feare and want of courage he neglected his dutie He gaue vnto his Couent the Manour of Caldcote and the wood of Thorlehot 51. Simon Mepham SImon Mepham Doctor of Diuinitie Canon of Chichester Prebendary of Landaff and Parson of Tunstall a Kentish man borne one very well learned as learning went in those daies was then elected by the monks approoued by the king and affoorded consecration by the Pope at Auinion the yéere 1327. The first thing he did at his returne home was that he excommunicated all the authors of the death of Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excester as they had well deserued Soone after he began to wrangle with his monks of Canterbury about certaine land They complained them vnto the Pope who sent a Nuncio to Canterbury to heare and determine of this controuersie He condemned the Archbishop in seuen hundred pound charges After this he began to visite his prouince in like sort as his predecessors had done before him The Bishop of Excester Iohn Graundson resisted him for what cause I finde not appealed to Rome and would not suffer him so much as to enter into his Cathedrall Church much lesse to visite in the same These two repulses he tooke so tenderly as being yet scarcely returned home he fell sicke and died October 12. 1333. at Magfield His body was conueighed to Canterbury and laid in a marble fombe vpon the North side of Saint Anselmes chappell He sate Archbishop fiue yéeres and somewhat more 52. Iohn Stratford THe Pope who now tooke vpon him to dispose of all Bishoprickes at his pleasure was content at the kings request to nominate vnto Canterbury Uoid by the death of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iohn Stratford Bishop of Winchester This Iohn Stratford hauing long and to good purpose studied the Canon and ciuill Law was called to the Archdeaconry of Lincolne Being famous for his learning and good gouernment of that iurisdiction Walter the Archbishop made him his principall Officiall and Deane of the Arches and king Edward the second shortly after that appointed him Secretary and so one of his priuy counsell It chaunced he was
Stigand being displaced in manner aboue rehearsed the conquerour well knowing how much it behooued him to the establishment of his new erected throne in England to haue a man wise and faithfull in that place made a speciall choice of him as one in all respects most fit and woorthy which being well knowne to all men the Couent at the kings first nomination readily chose him the nobilitie and courtiers willingly assented and receaued him with great applause and lastly the Pope affoorded him his pall with extraordinary fauour It is said at his first comming the Pope rose vp vnto him and mette him telling him he yeelded him that honour not of dutie but in regard of his excellent learning whereof he had heard great fame Thomas Archbishop of Yorke was present the same time together with 〈◊〉 Bishop of Dorchester This Thomas had béene lately consecrated vnto Yorke by Lanfrank and for a certaine time refused to make profession of obedience vnto the See of Canterbury euen vntill by the commandement of the king he was inforced thereunto Now whether it were discontentment and perswasion of a wrong or else enuie at Lanfranks either vertue or good fortune that mooued him hée presently began to make complaint vnto the Pope of a great miury offered vnto his Sée in the demaund of his profession Lanfrank pleaded prescription for his right and offred to make proofe of the same The Pope therefore not willing to trouble himselfe any more with the matter committed the hearing thereof vnto the king who in the yéere 1072. iudged it for Canterbury Sée more of this quarrell in Thomas of Yorke Lanfrank himselfe was consecrated very solemnly at Canterbury all the Bishops in England being present themselues or by their proctors August 29. 1070. Almost 18. yeres he continued Archbishop gouerning his charge laudably and happily till that about the end of his time one action obscured his former praises and furthermore was the cause of many great calamities vnto him It is thought that William the Conqueror left the kingdome of England vnto his yoonger sonne William Rufus at the perswasion especially of this Archbishop who the rather wisht well vnto the yoong prince because he had béene brought vp vnder him in his childhood He is blamed much for putting the eldest sonne Robert from that which might séeme in some sort due vnto him and surely God blessed him not in that action The king thus aduanced by him fel out with him and droue him out of the realme The cause of this displeasure is diuersly reported But most men agree it was none other then this that the king thought him a little too busie in exhorting him to vertue and godlinesse and reprehending his manifold vices Being thus banished he trauatled to Rome and wandred vp and downe many countries till at last by what intercession I finde not he was suffred to come home againe Soone after his return he fell sicke of an ague and so ended his daies Iune 4. 1088. or as Houeden hath May 24. 1089. He was buried at Canterbury in his owne church vnto which he was a great benefactor He bestowed much vpon the fabrike and reparation of the same built much housing for the monkes whose number he increased from 30. to 140. restored the dignities and offices of old belonging to the monastery and recouered vnto the same 25. Mannors that had béene taken from it wrongfully in times past by Odo Bishop of Bayon and earle of Rent Moreouer he built the Archbishops pallace at Canterbury in a manner all he founded two hospitals without the citie of Canterbury and endowed them with competent reuenewes Saint Iohns and Harbaldown He bestowed large mony toward the building of the cathedrall Church of Rochester or rather indéed built it all and did much the particulars I cannot set downe for the abbey of Saint Albons He was a great student writ many learned works and which deserueth especiall remembrance tooke great paines in reforming the Bible the copies whereof were much corrupted throughout England by the negligence of the writers 34. Anselm FOwer yéeres the Sée continued void after the death of Lanfranke and the king pursed the profits thereof In what good moode I knowe not he which was woont to sell all other ecclesiastical promotions as it were by the drum bestowed this Archbishopricke fréely vpon a most woorthy man Anselm abbot of Becco This Anselm was borne at Augusta a city of Burgundy standing at the foot of the Alpes His fathers name was Gundulfe a man of great account in his country and his mothers Hemeberg He came vnto Becco of the like errand as Lanfranke had done mooued thereunto by the great fame of the said Lanfranke and professed himselfe a monke there in the 27. yéere of his age Lanfranke being called away to Cane he was made Prior and soone after Abbot Eluyn the old Abbot being dead In that place he continued 15. yéeres and then was earnestly requested by Hugh Earle of Chester lying very sicke to come into England vnto him to conferre with him and to order certaine affairesof his Hither he came and had much honour done him euery where of all forts of people The king himselfe amongst the rest beside many verball fauours made offer vnto him of the Archbishopricke of Canterbury verily hoping belike that a man giuen to monasticall contemplation and not estéeming worldly pompe would vndoubtedly haue refused the same For it is certaine that after Anselm had accepted the offer pitying belike the spoile and desolation of the church for want of a pastor the king would faine haue retracted his gift and perswaded him with many reasons to leaue it shewing him how the burthen and trouble of the place was greater then he should be able to inoure a man that had spent his time within the wals of a monastery and not experienced in managing of great affaires But he lost his labour Anselm kept fast his hold and was soone after consecrated by Walkelm Bishop of Winchester or as I finde also recorded by Thomas Archbishop of Yorke Decemb. 4. 1093. all the Bishops of the land that could possibly come being present at that solemnity Presently after his consecration the king and he fel out Not long before the king had throwen downe thirty churches to make his new forest néere Winchester This 〈◊〉 reprehended him sharply for and besought him to amend that and other faults as namely his simony his extortion his cruelty c. wherein he daily offended God gréeuously and greatly dishonoured himselfe This admonition of his displeased the king very much but his quarrell in shew was none other then this that asking leaue to go to Rome to fetch his pall he had named Vrban Pope whom the king as yet had not acknowledged for Pope and for so doing accused him of no lesse then high treason After great stirre and much adoe betwéene them about this matter it was determined that all the abbots and Bishops of England should be
king desirous to haue some honest quiet man dealt first with the Couent praying them to make choice of such a one as he might haue cause to like and after made the same request vnto the Bishops The Monkes though mooued thereto would in no wise ioyne with the Bishops but perceiuing the Bishops began indéede to set foote into the matter appealed to Rome Much adoo there was there about it the space of nine monethes At last the Bishops got a mandate wherein the Monkes and they were commaunded to ioyne together The day of election was appointed but the Monkes for curst hart would not come vnto it So the Bishops procéeded and made choice of Baldwin Bishop of Worcester This election the monkes labored mightily to disanul professing that they liked the man elect very well but they must not indure such a president The king therefore who fauoured Baldwin exceedingly wrought so with one party and the other as the Monkes were content to elect him vpon condition he would renounce all benefite of his former election and the Bishops themselues would confesse the same to be void and of no effect All this was done and he receiued into quiet and peaceable possession of this Metropoliticall sée This Baldwin was a poore mans sonne and borne in Excester He was first a schoolemaster then entred into orders and became an Archdeadon his Archdeaconry he voluntarily resigned and intending to forsake the world became a Cistercian or white Monke Hauing liued so a certaine space he was made Abbot of Ford in Deuonshire From thence he was called to the Bishopricke of Worcester consecrate thereunto the yéere 1181. translated to Canterbury in the end of the yéere 1184. and solemnely installed there May 19. 1185. being the first white Monke that euer was Archbishop Giraldus Cambr. describeth the person of the man in this sort He was of complexion somewhat swarthy his countenance simple and like a plaine meaning man but very comely his stature indifferent well made of body but slender timbred For his maners he was modest and sober of such abstinence as fame durst neuer stamp any sinister report vpō him of few words slowe to anger and very studious from his very childhood It is a woonder that a man of this disposition should be so much troubled as he was with the King he alwaies agreed very well But betwéene the Monkes of Canterbury and him there was much and continuall debate The occasion thereof was this The king greatly misliking the insolency of the Monkes thought to wrest from them the preheminence of choosing the Archbishop in time to come by this deuice He gaue direction vnto Baldwin their Archbishop to beginne the foundation of a Colledge at Hackington now called Saint Stephens being distant from Canterbury about halfe a mile This Colledge it was deuised should haue one prebend erected by the king and by euery seuerall Bishop of that prouince of Canterbury one other which should euer be of the gift and patronage of their founders As for the Archbishop the building of the church and other edifices was appointed vnto him for his share which he intended to performe with great magnificence The ende of this foundation was none other then this that it might be a meane of traducing the right of election of the Archbishop a matter greatly importing the king and the whole realme from the monkes men of little learning lesse discretion and smalest experience in matters of gouernment yet very obstinate and altogether wedded to their owne wils to other men in whom the king and the rest of the Bishops as being their patrones might chalenge an interest For the better execution of this plot it was ordained that this colledge should be dedicated vnto Saint Thomas who was now growen so famous throughout the world as euery man thought himselfe happy that could do any thing to his honor In regard hereof they made no doubt but the Pope would soone be intreated to take from Christ vnto whose name the monastery of Canterbury was consecrate all priuiledge of election and to confer the same with many other vpon Saint Thomas that famous martyr The matter was now very forward and growen to good perfection in so much as the foundations were digged stone timber and other prouision laide ready in place for the building when as the subtile monkes suspecting wherunto this great forwardnesse of the king and Bishops tended made their complaint at Rome That notwithanding on went the worke The church partly built was solemnely consecrate and diuers secular priests such Saint Thomas himselfe was instituted and installed into their prebends when the monks that neuer linne laying on load by requests gifts and al maner of importunate sute to disturbe this platforme procured the Pope to set downe an order that this corporation should be dissolued the buildings thereof rased and made euen to the ground Such were the times the Popes pleasure was aneuitable necessity it must be and was performed It happened then soone after that Vrban the Pope died who was a great protector of the monkes cause Gregory the eight succéeded a man with whom Baldwyn might do very much He determined therfore once more to set on foote his former deuise but in another place He procured of the Bishop and Couent of Rochester for exchange of other land a certaine quantity of ground at Lambhith where the Archbishops pallace and house of chiefe residence is now situate Thither he caused to be brought by water all the prouision of stones timber c. that was intended to the building of the colledge at Hackington and began the foundation of a goodly church there which he liued not to finish King Richard the first to expiate the fault of his rebellion disobedience vnto his father determined to carry a great power into the holy land Baldwyn would néedes attend him thither and did so By preaching counsell liberall almes and continuall erample of a most vertuous life he did great good there vntill at last in the siege of the city of Acon being taken with a grieuous sicknesse he died when he had béene Archbishop euen almost seuen yéeres and was buried there He gaue all his goods vnto the soldiers to be diuided amongst them at the discretion of Hubert the Bishop of Salisbury that soone after succeeded him 41. Reginald Fitz-iocelinc PResently after the death of Baldwyn the King dispatched a messenger from Acon with letters wherein he earnestly prayed the monkes to make election of some such man to succéed as he might haue cause to like And the rather to bring the same to passe he wrote vnto the Archbishop of Roan who the Bishop of Ely being then newly displaced gouerned the realme in his absence to cause all the Bishops of the prouince of Canterbury to méete at Canterbury and to take the best course they might for the placing of some fit man in that Sée The monkes who were excéeding ioyfull to heare of the Archbishops death
chéerefull countenance he knéeled downe and yéelded him selfe vnto their fury Once he was stricken in the necke so weakely as that notwithstanding he knéeled still vpright and putting his hand vp to the wound he vsed these words a ha it is the hand of God He had not remoued his hand from the place when a second stroke cut of his fingers ends and felled him to the ground With much adoo hauing hacked and hewen his necke with eight blowes they got off his head This horrible murther was committed vpon Fryday June 14. 1381. all which day and a part of the next his body lay there headlesse no man daring to offer it buriall as for his head they nayled his hood vpon it and so fixing it vpon a poale set it on London bridge Sir Robert Hales and a great many of others that day tasted of the same cup the Archbishop had done Thus ended this noble Prelate his daies who though he were very wise learned eloquent liberall mercifull and for his age and place reuerend yet might it not deliuer him from the rage of this beast with many heads the multitude then which being once incensed there is no brute beast more cruell more outragious more vnreasonable How this monstrous tumult was appeased at the last and the Authors of the same punished according to their demerites the Chronicles at large declare To passe it ouer the body of this our Archb. after all sturres ended was caried to Canterbury there honorably enterred vpon the Southside of the altar of S. Dunstane a little aboue the toombe of Bishop Stratford Being yet Bishop of London he builded the vpper end of Saint Gregories Church at Sudbury and in the place where his fathers house stoode founded a goodly Colledge which he furnished with secular Clearks and other Ministers At the time of the suppression thereof it was valued at one hundred twentie two pounds eightéene shilllings lands by the yéere After his translation to Canterbury he built the West gate of the City and all the wal from that gate vnto Norgate commonly called by the name of the long wal A great worke no lesse necessary and profitable vnto the City then costly and chargeable vnto the builder 55. William Courtney SOone after the lamentable death of Simon Sudbury the monkes of Canterbury elected for their Archbishop William Courtney Bishop of London and the Pope knowing nothing of their election about the same time bestowed the Archbishopricke vpon him by way of prouision He was the sonne of Hugh Courtney Earle of Deuonshire in his youth studied the Canon Lawe and had no sooner entred into orders but he was quickly loaded with spirituall liuing ynough as a prebend in Wels an other in Exceter a third in Yorke beside benefices with cure innow The yeere 1369. he was consecrate Bishop of Hereford sate there flue yéers a halfe and then remooued to London at what tune Simon Sudbury was made Archbishop Thomas Walsingham addeth to these former honours that the yéere 1378. he was made Cardinall I find no mention of it elsewhere and therefore doubt much of it The bulles of his translation to Canterbury were published in Christchurch there Ianuary 9. 1381. Hauing then receiued his temporalties of the King and done his homage he went to Lambhith Thither came vnto him a monke sent from the Couent and Prior of Canterbury to deliuer him his crosse which he did in the Chappell of Lambhith vsing these words Reuerend father I am the messenger of the great King that doth require and commaund you to take on you the gouernment of his Church to loue and defend the same In token whereof I deliuer you this his ensigne Soone after he receiued his pall and then being throughly setled began his Metropoliticall visitation which he entended to performe in euery Dioces of his prouince Hauing passed quietly through Rochester Chichester Bathe and Worceter at Exceter he found some resistance as well as Simon Mepham his predecessor had done After the time of his first inhibition he prorogued diuers times the day of his visitation and when he had sate was not so ha sty in graunting a relaxation of the inhibition as they would haue him Hereby it came to passe that the Bishop and his Archdeacons were suspended from their iurisdiction longer as it seemed vnto them then they ought and not disposed to await the Archbishops pleasure any longer rushed into their iurisdictions againe his visitation nothing neere finished commaunding all men vpon paine of excommunication to repaire vnto their woonted ordinaries for proofe of wils administrations institutions or any other such like occasions This commaundement published in many places of the Dioces the Archbishop pronounced to be void and required all men in these and the like cases to repaire vnto him and none other Hereupon the Bishop appealed to Rome and the Archbishop cited diuers of the Bishops officers to appeare before him His apparator named Peter Hill had also in his bosome a citation for the Bishop himselfe It hapened that some of the Bishops followers méeting this gentle soumer at Tapsham beate him wel and thriftily and after forced him to eate the citation war paper and all This fact was very preiudiciall to the Bishop of Exceters cause For it incensed the king against him in so much as though a while he did prosecute his aupcale at Rome diligently he sawe himselfe so ouerborne by the king he was like to doo no good at all and therefore resolued to make his peace with the Archbishop vpon reasonable conditions which he easily obtained But they that had abused his Apparator were put to terrible penance in diuers parts of the realme and were faine to performe the same One William Byd a Doctor of the Arches had giuen counsell vnto the Bishop in this cause For so dooing he was displaced and vpon that occasion an othe was ordained of this Archbishop that euery Aduocate of that Court should take at his admission This visitation ended the Archbishop proceeded to the Dioces of Salisbury where he likewise found some resistance The Bishop there had procured apriuiledge from Pope Boniface Vrban the 6. being lately dead that it should not be lawfull for any Metropolitane to visite him or his Dioces by vertue of any authority granted from Pope Vrbane The Archbishop that was a great Lawyer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he had 〈◊〉 of himselfe as being 〈◊〉 to visite without the Popes licence and therefore procéeded 〈◊〉 notwithstanding that vaine priuilege 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bishop with excommunications aud 〈◊〉 censures as he was 〈◊〉 to yeeld at last and cry peccani Since that time our Archbishops haue 〈◊〉 quietly all 〈◊〉 of their 〈◊〉 without resistance Towars the latter end of his time he procured a licence of the Pope to gather 〈◊〉 pence of the pound in all Ecclesiasticall preferments within his prouince The Bishop of Lincolne refused to make this collection in his Dioces and appealed vnto the Pope That appeale
paine of death no man should héereafter be so hardy as to bring into the realme any kinde of writing from the Popes court Some notwithstanding contrary to this prohibition deliuered letters to the Bishop of Rochester then Treasurer of England from the Pope concerning this matter and fearing the woorst had armed themselues This 〈◊〉 they shrunke away and fled but were soone after 〈◊〉 and diuersly punished some dismembred other faire and well hanged The Pope hearing of this was so incensed that he wrote a very sharpe letter vnto the king breathing out terrible threats against him if he did not presently reconcile himselfe vnto the Bishop and cause full amends to be made him for all the losse he had sustained either by the Countesse or him in these troubles The king was too wise either to doe all he required or vtterly to despise his authority The 〈◊〉 he knew was not for his honor nor so farre had this tyrant incroched vpon the authority of princes the other for his 〈◊〉 Warned by the examples of king Iohn Henry the emperour and other he thought good not to exasperate him too 〈◊〉 and so was content to yéeld vnto somewhat But before the matter could grow to a full conclusion it was otherwise ended by God who tooke away the Bishop by death He deceased at Auinion June 23. 1361. and was there buried 〈◊〉 béen Bishop euen almost 17. yéeres 19. Simon Laugham INnocentius translated then Reginald Bryan Bishop of Worcester vnto Ely But he died before he could take benefit of the Popes gift Iohn Buckingham afterward Bishop of Lincolne was then chosen and was reiected by the Pope who preferred to this Sée Simon Laugham Abbot of Westminster He continued here but fiue yeeres being in that space first Treasurer then Chauncellor of England and was remooued to Canterbury Of his translation some merry fellow made these verses Laetentur 〈◊〉 quia Simon transit ab Ely Cuius in aduentum flent in Kent 〈◊〉 centum Sée more of him in Canterbury 20. Iohn Barnet AT what time Simon Laugham was translated to Canterbury Iohn Barnet was remooued from Bathe to succeede him in Ely He was first consecrate Bishop of Worcester 1362. and staying there but one yéere obtayned Bathe 1363. and lastly Ely 1366. He was Treasurer of England Being a very old man before his comming to Ely he liued there notwithstanding sixe yéeres in which tune he bestowed the making of fower windowes two in the South side and two in the North side of the Presbytery He died June 7. 1379. at Bishops 〈◊〉 lieth buried vpon the south side of the high altar in which place there is to be soone a goodly toombe monstrously defaced the head of the image being broken off I take that to be Barnets toombe 21. Thomas Arundell AFter the death of Iohn Barnet the king writ earnestly vnto the couent to choose Iohn Woodrone his confessor But they elected Henry Wakefield Treasurer of the kings house This election was made voide by the Pope who placed of his owne authority as I 〈◊〉 deliuered Thomas Arundell Archdeacon of Taunton sonne vnto Robert 〈◊〉 of Arundell and Warren being an aged gentleman of two and twenty yéeres old and as yet but a Subdeacon How be it some report that order being taken by parliament about this time for the ratifying of capitular elections and stopping the iniurious prouisions of the Pope that this Thomas 〈◊〉 was chosen orderly and consecrate at Otford by the Archbishop William Witlesey Aprill 6. 1375. Hauing 〈◊〉 there sowertéene yéeres thrée moneths and eightéene 〈◊〉 he was translated to Yorke and after to Canterbury He left for an implement of his house at Ely a woonderfull sumptuous and costly table decked with gold and precious stones It belonged first vnto the king of Spaine and was sold to this Bishop by the Blacke Prince for 300. markes He also bestowed the building of the great gate house in the house at Holburne Sée more of him in Yorke and Caterbury 22. Iohn Fordham THe Sée had béene void but fowertéene daies when Iohn Fordham Bishop of Durham was translated to Ely by the Pope He was first Deane of Wels consecrate Bishop of Durham May 29. 1381. and inthronized there in September 1382. He was Treasurer of England and to his great griefe was displaced from that office the yéere 1386. and Iohn Gilbert Bishop of Hereford made treasurer Seuen yéeres he continued at Durham and September 27. 1388. was by the authority of the Pope translated to Ely in which Sée he sate seuen and thirty yéeres two moneths and 24. daies He died Nouember 19. 1425. and lieth buried in the West part of the Lady chappell It appéereth by this reckoning that he was Bishop in all from the time of his first consecration 46. yéeres and vpward Sée more of him in Durham 23. Philip Morgan THe king then and manie noble men commended vnto the couent William 〈◊〉 doctor of law the kings confessor and kéeper of the priuie Seale who was after Bishop of Lincolne But they chose Peter their Prior. That election being disliked at home by the Archbishop he was fame to seeke vnto the Pope whose manner was litle or nothing to regard elections but to bestow any Bishoprick or other preferment that fell according to his owne pleasure if it were not filled before the auoidance might come to his knowledge According to this custome hauing no respect of the election of the couent of his owne authoritie he thrust in Phillip Morgan into this Bishopricke This man being doctor of law was consecrate Bishop of worcester 1419. and soone after 〈◊〉 death viz. before the end of the yeere 1425. remoued as is aforesaid vnto Ely He was a very wise man gouerned there with great commendation nine yeeres sixe moneths and fower daies And departed this life at Bishops 〈◊〉 October 25. 1434. He was buried at charter house in London 24. Lewes Lushborough PResently after his death the Monks elected Robert Fitz hugh Bishop of london who died before his translation could be perfected The king then writ for Thomas Rodburne Bishop of saint 〈◊〉 which notwithstanding they make choise of another to wit Thomas Bourchier Bishop of worcester whose election the Pope confirmed but the king vtterly refused to restore to him the temporalties of that see And so for feare of a premunire he durst not receiue the popes bulles of confirmation but renounced all his interest by this election The king then appointed this Bishopricke vnto Lewes Lushbrough Archbishoppe of Roan Cardinall and Chauncellor both of Fraunce and Normandy that was some way I know not how kinne vnto him By his meanes a dispensation was gotten of the Pope to hold Ely in commendam with his Archbishopricke He enioyed it sixe yéeres and sixe monethes and then died at Hatfild Septem 18. 1443. He is said to haue bene buried betwéene two marble pillers beside the altar of reliques 25. Thomas Bourchier THomas Bourchier being now once more chosen without
Louell for what cause I know not that they might be sure to auoyd him as also at the request of Richard Earlé of Cornewall the kings brother elected Roger Molend one to whom the king and the said Earle were both vncles Him the king readily accepted and so March 10. 1257. he was affoorded consecration This man was borne and brought vp altogether beyond the seas 〈◊〉 reason whereof he was vtterly ignorant of the English 〈◊〉 Being therefore called vpon to be resident vpon his Bishopricke the yéere 1283. he made that his excuse but it might not serue his turne Iohn Peckham Archbishop of 〈◊〉 not onely forced him to residence but reprehended him excéeding sharply for his neglect and carelesnes of his charge He sate long and died a very old man the yéere 1295. 47. Walter de Langton THe Pope meaning a good turne vnto Iohn Bokingham Bishop of Lincolne of his absolute authority tooke vpon him to translate him to this Sée from Lincolne which was then worth thrée Lichfields He chose rather to forsake all and became a monke at Canterbury Upon his refusall Water Langton Treasurer of England was preferred thereunto and consecrate December 22 1296. He liued in great authority vnder king Edward the first that fauoured him much But his sonne Edward the second molested and disgraced 〈◊〉 all that euer he might His father dying in the North countrey commaunded this Bishop to couduct his corpse vp to London and when he had so done for reward of his 〈◊〉 he caused sir Iohn Felton Constable of the Tower to arrest him seased vpon all his goods and imprisoned him first in the Tower then in the Castle of Wallingford of which imprisonment he was not released in two yéeres after In his fathers life time he had often reprehended the yoong Prince for his insolent and dissolute behauiour which good admonitions he taking in 〈◊〉 part wronged and disgraced him many waies namely one time he brake downe his parks spoyled and droue away his deere c. The Bishop complained of this outrage vnto the king his father who being greatly displeased therewith committed the Prince his sonne for certaine daies And this was the cause of the grudge betwéene the yong king him About that same time or I thinke a litle sooner viz. the yere 1301. he was accused of certain heinous crimes before the Pope and compelled to answere the accusation at Rome in his owne person Though the proofes brought against him were either none or very slender yet well knowing whom they had in hand Nonerant 〈◊〉 prae 〈◊〉 bouem valde 〈◊〉 saith Matth. 〈◊〉 they were content to detaine him there so long as it forced him to spend an infinite deale of money and yet was neuer a whit the néerer at last For the Pope remitted the hearing of the cause to the Archbishop of Canterbury and yet referred the determination of the same vnto him selfe at last The tempests of those troubles being ouer blowen the rest of his time he liued for ought I find quietly and being happily 〈◊〉 from the Court attended onely the gouernment of his charge Unto his Church of Lichfield he was a wonderfull great benefactor He laid the first foundation of the Lady Chappell there and at his death left order with his Executors for the full finishing of it He compassed the cloyster of Lichfield with a stone wall and bestowed a sumptuous shrine vpon S. Cedda his predecessor with 2000. l. charge He ditched and walled all the Cathedrall church round about made one gate of great strength and maiesty at the West part of the close and another but a lesse on the South part He builded the great bridge beyond the Uineyard at Lichfield ann 1310. He gaue his owne house or pallace vnto the Uicars for their dwelling and built a new for him selfe at the East end of the close He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being altogether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 the mannour place of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 at London He 〈◊〉 vnto the high 〈◊〉 at Lichfield 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and two 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worth 24. l. 〈◊〉 about with 〈◊〉 stones to the value of 200. l. besides many copes 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 price He 〈◊〉 vpon the 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 cup of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a pension of 20. s. by the yeere And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both vnto them and his Church many charters and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the king He 〈◊〉 at London 〈◊〉 16. 1321. 〈◊〉 was buried in the Lady Chappell which he built 48. Roger Northbrough THe yéere 1313. Roger Northborough then kéeper of the great seale was taken prisoner by the Scots in the battell of 〈◊〉 Being afterwards clerke of the Wardrobe so I find him called and treasurer of England by great sute and the kings often 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 meanes to shoulder into this 〈◊〉 He was consecrate June 27. 1322. sate almost 38. yéeres a very long time and died in the end of the yéere 1359. 49. Robert Stretton SOone after the death of the former Bishop Robert Stretton a Canon of Lichfield by the importunity of the blacke Prince to whom he was Chaplaine was eleccted Bishop there a man very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnworthy so high a 〈◊〉 in all respects The Pope hauing notize of his 〈◊〉 by speciall mandate prohibited his consecration Here upon the new elect was faine to make repaire vnto Rome The Pope him selfe examined him but was 〈◊〉 earnestly requested by the blacke Prince to 〈◊〉 his sute as 〈◊〉 he could not with 〈◊〉 honesty allow of him yet he was content to leaue him to the 〈◊〉 of the Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop would by no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 him any testimony of sufficiency At last 〈◊〉 much adoo he procured the Pope to authorise two other Bishops for the allowance or reiecting of him who they were I can not call to remembrance and they by the excéeding great importunity of the Prince admitted him to consecration which he receiued September 26. 1360. Sée more of this matter in Thomas Lylde Bishop of Ely He sate Bishop here 25. yeeres 50. Walter Skirlawe VVAlter Skirlawe Doctor of Law was consecrate Ianuary 14. 1385. remooued to Bathe and Wels the yéere following and soone after to Durham Sée more of him in Durham 51. Richard Scroope RIchard Scroope Doctor of Lawe brother vnto William Scroope Earle of Wiltshire and Tresurer of England was consecrate August ◠1386. Sate here 10. yéeres and was translated to Yorke His life and lamentable death you may sée there more at large described 52. Iohn Brughill IOhn Brughill a Frier preacher was first Bishop of Landaff and Confessor vnto king Richard the second translated to Lichfield in the moneth of September 1398. and sate there 17. yéeres 53. Iohn Keterich IOhn Keterich a Notary of Rome and Archdencon of Surry was consecrate Bishop of S. Dauids the yéere 1414. and translated thence to this Sée in the moneth of May 1415 The yéere 1417. he was at the Councell of Constance
letters passed betweene him Francis Petrarke and diuers other then famous for learning He had alwaies in his house as before I said many Chaplaines all great 〈◊〉 of which number were T. Bradwardin after Archb. of Canterbury Richard Fitzralph Archb. of Armagh Walter 〈◊〉 I. 〈◊〉 Rob. 〈◊〉 R. Killington Doctors of Diuinity Richard 〈◊〉 and Walter Segraue the one afterward Bishop of London the other of Chichester His manner was at dinner and supper time to haue some good booke read vnto him whereof he would discourse with his Chaplaines a great part of the day following if busines interrupted not his course He was very bountifull vnto the poore Weekely he bestowed for their reliefe 8 quarters of Wheate made into bread beside the offall and fragments of his Tables Riding betweene New-castle and Durham he would giue 8. l. in almes from Durham to Stocton 5. l. from Durham to Aukland 5. marks from Durham to 〈◊〉 5. l. 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 it reported that he founded a Hall in Oxford and 〈◊〉 it with some 〈◊〉 for the maintainance of Students in the same but I thinke it mistaken for that which was done by his next successor Certain it is that he notably furnished a library in that Uniuersity and tooke order that the kéeping thereof should be committed vnto fiue schollers to whom he made a certaine allowance for their labour He also bestowed many sumptuous ornaments on his church of Durham Hauing continued Bishop there 11. yeeres and almost thrée moneths he departed this life at Aukland Aprill 24. 1345. being 58. yéeres of age He lieth buried in the South Angle of his owne church 45. Thomas Hatfield THe Pope had now many yéeres taken vnto himselfe the authority of bestowing all Bishopricks which the king and nobility of this realme being much agréeued with all made diuers lawes and statutes to restore churches and couents to the liberty of their ancient elections When the king therefore had laboured a while in this matter he being destrous of preferring this Hatfield his Secretary vnto Durham a man that he knew the Pope might iustly except against and peraduenture doubting the couent would not choose him was content to request the Pope to giue it vnto him and thereby opened a passage vnto him whereby he entred into possession againe of his woonted vsurpation The Pope glad of this oportunity without any regard or examination of his worthinesse by and by accepted of him And when some of the Cardinalls tooke exceptions against him saying that he was not onely a méere lay man but a fellow of light behauiour and no way fit for that place He answered that if the king of England had requested him for an asse at that time he would not haue denied him This man it was that built Durham colledge in Oxford and purchased certainc lands vnto the same for the maintenance of such monks of Durham as should be thought fit to study there That colledge is now called Trinity Colledge so named by Sir Thomas Pope that bestowed a new foundation vpon the same He built also Durham place in London to receaue himselfe and his successors when they should haue occasion to repaire thither He was consecrate Jul. 10. 1345. and died in the beginning of May 1381. So he sate Bishop six and thirty yéeres lacking onely two moneths 46. Iohn Fordham IIohn Fordham Deane of Welles obtained consecration to the Bishoprick of Durham May 29. 1381. and was inthronised there in September 1382. Seuen yeres he continued in the same and was translated thence to Ely Septemb. 27. 1388. See more of him in Ely 47. Walter Skirlaw IAnuary 14. 1385. Walter Skirlawe Doctor of Law was consecrate Bishop of Lichfield He sate there one yeere and was translated to Welles There also he continued but two yéeres and the yéere 1388. remooued to Durham in the monethe of September The Cloisters of the Monastery there were much deale built at his charges He gaue toward that worke 200. l. in his life time 400. l. in his Will He bestowed also 220. l. in the building of the Diribitory He new built the bridges of Shinkley Yarrow and Aukland and the stéeple of Holme he repaired the Church and the Hall of the mannour there He built a great part of the Lanterne at Yorke where his armes are fixed and raised from the very foundation a faire Chappell at Swyne in Holdernesse where he was borne Lastly he bequeathed in his Testament great summes of money to the Churches that he had gouerned for the buying of ornaments as namely to the Church of Welles the value of 150. l. He fate Bishop of Durham 18. yéeres and died in the beginning of the yéere 1406. 48. Thomas Langley THomas Langley Priest and then Lord 〈◊〉 of England was consecrate Bishop of Durham May 7. 1406. at what time he gaue ouer his 〈◊〉 But a 11. yéeres after to wit the yéere 1417. it was laid vpon him againe and continued in that place about sixe yéeres In the meane time viz. June 6. 1411. he was made Cardinall together with Robert 〈◊〉 Bishop of Salisbury by Pope Iohn 23. This man bestowed the summe of 499. l. 6. s. 7. d. in repayring of that Galily in the West end of his church which was first built by Hugh 〈◊〉 his predecessor He also founded two schooles in the Place-gréen one for Grammar another for Musicke 31. yéeres he continued Bishop here and dying the yéere 1437. was buried as I am informed in the Galily and lyeth entoombed before the Altar there vnder the Table of the Consistory I find noted by the way that about this time to wit betwéene the yéeres 1408 and 1498. was bestowed vpon the Cloyster of Durham the summe of 838. l. 17. s. ob 49. Robert Neuill RObert Neuill was consecrate Bishop of Salisbury the yéere 1427. and translated thence to Durham 1438. He built the Checquer at the castle gate there and died anno 1457. 50. Laurence Boothe LAurence Boothe was consecrate vnto the Sée of Durham September 25. 1457. He built the gate of the colledge at Aukland with the 〈◊〉 adioyning Hauing sate here 20. yeres he was translated to Yorke the yere 1477. Sée more of him in Yorke 51. William Dudley WIlliam Dudley succéeded immediately He was the third sonne of Iohn Dudley alias Sutton the eight Lord Dudley as the Epitaph yet to be séene vpon his toombe doth witnesse He lieth buried in Westminster in the chappell that is South from the toombe of king Edward the third His toombe standeth in the South wall of the said chappell He died an 1483. and sate 6. yeeres 52. Iohn Sherwood IOhn Sherwood became Bishop of Durham 1483. A great learned man an excellent Poet a Grecian and so good a Lawyer as for a certaine time before his preserment to this Bishopricke he was the sollicitor of all king Edward the fourths causes in the court of Rome He brought many copies of diuers rare Gréeke authors out of Italy with him Hauing continued
Lincolne This Richard was a man very wel learned wise graue well spoken and of good report stout in defending the rights and liberties of the Church and which is not altogither to be neglected of a goodly personage tall straight and well fauoured He was consecrate at Canterbury by Henry Bishop of Rochester in the presence of the king and many of the nobility June 10. 1229. A little while he enioyed that honor to wit two yéeres or there abouts In which time there happened a controuersie betwéene him and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 Earle of Kent concerning some lands of the Earle of Glocester the profits whereof the Archbishop challenged as due vnto him in the minority of the Earle Hubert was a man greatly fauored by the king for his long faithfull seruice vnto his father and him selfe namely for defending the Castle of Douer against Lewis the French man he made him Earle of Kent and chiefe iustice of England He had entred vpon these lands The Archbishop first complained of the wrong vnto the king finding no remedy at his hands excommunicated all the authors of this iniury the king onely excepted and got him to Rome The king vnderstanding thereof dispatched messengers thither also to hinder his procéedings there what might be The Pope notwithstanding delighted much with the eloquence grauity and excellent behauiour of the Archbishop graunted presently all his demandes Little ioy had he of this victory Being thrée daies iourney in his way homewards he fell sicke at the towne of Saint Genuna and there died in the Friery where also he was buried It is 〈◊〉 that soone after his buriall certaine théeues brake open his toombe and thought to haue robbed him of his 〈◊〉 rings c. wherein according to the maner of those times he was buried but that they claue so fast vnto him as by no deuice they could take them from him Beléeue it as you list It shall not be amisse also to note how that in the time of this Archbishop a great number of Italians had possessed them selues of the best benefices of England which being much spited at certaine madde fellowes tooke vpō them by force to thresh out their corne euery where and giue it away vnto the poore to rob and spoile them of their money and other goods It was done so openly and so boldly as it was manifest that some great men were at one end of that businesse The Italians after that time were not so eager vpon Euglish benefices 45. Saint Edmund THe monkes of Canterbury by this time weary of contending with the king soone after the death of the former Archbishop chose of their owne accord Ralfe Neuill Bishop of Chichester aud Chauncellor of England a man very wise and highly in fauour with the king who liking well of this election put him in possession of the temporalties by and by The Pope being requested for his approbation chaunced to inquire of Simon Langton Archdeacon of Canterbury brother vnto Stephen the Archbishop what maner of man this Ralfe Neuill should be who told him that he was a hote fellow stout subtile an olde courtier and very gratious with the king it was much to be doubted therefore he would set the king him together by the eares and cause him to deny the payment of that tribute graunted vnto him by king Iohn This was ynough without more adoo he willed the monkes to choose another neuer alleaging any matter of exceptions against him So to a second election they procéeded and chose one Iohn their Subprior He went to Rome and being examined by certaine Cardinals was adiudged fit ynough for the place Yet the Pope misliked him for his age and perswaded the good old man to forbeare to take vpon him so great a charge in his olde yéeres He yéelded and thereupon a third was elected one Richard Blundy a studient of Oxford Him also the Pope refused because forsooth he held two benefices contrary to the Canons and because it was knowen he had borrowed a great summe of money of Peter Bishop of Winchester wherewith it was thought he féed well the monkes that chose him The Pope then made request vnto such of the monkes as were at Rome to choose Edmund Treasurer of Salisbury a man very wel knowen and indéed famous for his vertue and great learning They neither durst deny the Popes request nor would doo any thing in the matter till they had vnderstood the pleasure of their Prince and conferred with the rest of their brethren He was content to take their silence for a sufficient election and without more adoo sent him the pall into England little thinking of any such matter Both the king and the Couent liking well ynough of the man he was consecrate at Canterbury by Roger Bishop of London ann 1234. He was borne as some say at London and baptised in the same font Thomas Becket his predecessor had beene But other affirme more probably that he was borne at Abingdon in Barkshire sonne vnto one Edward Rich a Merchant his mothers name was Mabell In their elder yéeres they forsooke each other by mutuall consent and betooke them selues to a monasticall life Edmund their sonne they caused to be brought vp in the Uniuersity of Oxford Hauing attained vnto reasonable perfection in the knowledge of Diuinity whereunto his study was chiefely directed he applied himselfe to preaching wherein he tooke great paines namely in the counties of Oxford Glocester and Worcester vntil such time as he was called to the Treasurership of Salisbury Being consecrate Archbishop he presently fell into the kings displeasure by opposing him selfe against the mariage of Elianor the kings sister with Simon Mountfort Earle of Leicester because vponthe death of the Earle Marshal her first husband she had vowed chastity To haue this vow dispensed withall the king procured the Pope to send a Legate into England his name was Otto a Cardinall 〈◊〉 also this good Archbishop offended and that so grieuously by reprehending his monstrous couetousnesse his bribery and extortion as euer after he sought to worke him all the mischiefe he might The monkes of Rochester had presented vnto this Archbishop one Richard de 〈◊〉 demaunding of him consecration vnto the Bishopricke of their Church The Archbishop denied to affoord the same knowing him to be a very vnlearned and vnsufficient man Héereupon the moonks appealed to Rome which the Archbishop vnderstanding of hasted him thither also Otto the Legate endeuoured to stay him at home and failing thereof did his errand so well at Rome as not onely in that sute but an other also which he had against Hugh Earle of Arundell in an other cause of appeale he was ouerthrowne and condemned in a thousand markes charges to his great disgrace and impouerishment Being at Rome he had complained of many great abuses in England and amongst the rest of the long vacacy of Bishoprickes The Pope séemed willing to redresse these things and namely concerning that matter set downe
money in the conquest of Scotland he summoned a Parliament at Berwicke wherein when the Temporalty contributed liberally toward the charge of that warre the cleargy alleaging the foresaid canon would graunt no thing The king would not take this for payment And therefore presently he tooke order that all barnes of cleargy men should be locked vp he also made proclamation that from that time forward all cleargy men were excluded from vnder his protection so that hereafter it should be lawfull for any man to sue them but they might not commence sute against any other This constrained them to yéeld and all submitted themselues to allowance of such a proportion as the king liked it was a fift part of their reuenewes except onely the Archv. who would make no other answere vnto the king but this vnder God our vniuersall Lord saith he we haue two other Lords a spirituall Lord the Pope and a temporall Lord the king and though we be to obey both yet rather the spirituall Lord then the temporall When therefore he sawe all the rest inclined to yéeld vsing no other words then this Saluet 〈◊〉 animam suam he rose vp and suddenly departed For this contumacy the king caused all his goods to be seased into his hands and made shew of greater displeasure Shortly after notwithstanding being to make warre in Fraunce before his departure he thought good to receiue the Archbishop to fauour againe but this grace indured for a very little while Presently vpon his returne he laid diuers treasons to his charge as that he had dehorted his subjects in his absence from payment of their subsidies that he had conspired with diuers of his nobility to depriue him of his kingdome and to crowne his sonne Edward c. Whether the Archbishop were guilty of all the crimes obiected against him or no I cannot tell But certaine it is that as guilty he submitted himselfe to the kings mercy and besought him for the same in most humble manner or rather in déede deiected himselfe more basely and lamented his cause more passionately then became a man that were guiltlesse much lesse a prelate that would be esteemed graue learned or wise Notwithstanding this his submission the king commenced a complaint against him at Rome banished him the realme and seased vpon all his goods mooueable and vnmooueable forbidding all his subiects vpon great paine to foster him or yéeld him any manner of intertainment He was in that case he must haue starued for want of sustenance had not the monkes of Canterbury secretly taken him in and aduentured to yéeld him things necessary till they found meanes to shift him beyond sea which the king afterwards vnderstanding seased vpon all their goods and lands turned them all euen fowerscore monks a begging forbid all men to harbour them and kept them in that miserable state till after a certaine space he was content to restore them againe These were the violent courses were taken by Princes in those daies how happy are we that in all peace liberty and assurance quietly enioy our owne without great desert to the contrary Two yéeres the Archbishop continued in exile In which time the king Edward the first died and his sonne Edward the second that was to succeed thinking it conuenient belike at his first entrance to shew all examples of clemency called him home by letters and restored him to all his goods euen euery peny of that which had béene receiued of his temporalties in his absence Hereby it came to passe that he was the richest Archbishop of many that were either before or after him so that his trouble turned him to great good In regard whereof he was woont to say Nihil nocebit aduersitas vbi nulla iniquitas dominatur so often as he talked of his trouble and banishment He was no sooner come home but a new danger encountred him occasioned by his owne woonted boldnesse The yoong king by the counsell of Piers Gaueston a wanton and vicious man banished into Ireland by king Edward the first for corrupting his sonne had committed the Bishop of Couentry to ward at Yorke A conuocation being gathered the Archbishop would not suffer any matter to be debated in the house till the Bishop were set at liberty This the king was content to beare with all at that time afterward he so behaued himselfe as there neuer grew any dislike betwéene them So the rest of his age after his returne from banishment which was sixe yéeres he passed in quietnes and great prosperity and died at last at Oxford May 11. 1313. hauing béene Archbishop about the space of ninetéene yéeres He was a stout prelate and a seuere punisher of sinne He opposed himselfe against Piers Gaueston the Spensers and other corrupters of the yoong king very boldly He enforced Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey to sorsweare the company of a certaine beautifull harlot with the loue of whom he was greatly bewitched And afterwards when notwithstanding his oath he returned to her company againe and got children vpon her he accused him to the Conuocation of adultery and periury both and at last made him to leaue her Such preferments as fell to his disposition he euer bestowed vpon men of excellent learning despising letters and requests of noble men which he estéemed not a rush Many poore schollers he maintained at the Uniuersities with liberall exhibition and vnto all kind of poore people was excéeding bountiful insomuch as therin I thinke he excelled all the Archbishops that euer were either before him or after him Beside the daily fragments of his house he gaue euery Friday and Sunday vnto euery begger that came to his doore a loase of bread of a farthing price which no doubt was bigger then our peny-loafe now And there were vsually euery such almes day in time of dearth to the number of 5000. but in a plentifull 4000. and seldome or neuer vnder which commumbus annis amounted vnto 500. pound a yéere Ouer and aboue this he vsed to giue euery great festiuall day 150. pence to so many poore people to send daily meate drinke and bread vnto such as by reason of age or sicknes were not able to fetch almes at his gate to send money meate apparel c. to such as he thought wanted the same and were ashamed to begge But of all other he was woont to take greatest compassion vpon those that by any misfortune were decaied and had fallen from wealth to poorer estate For these and other vertues the common people would needes estéeme him a Saint and frequented much the place of his buriall Therefore his tombe which was situate beside the altar of S Gregory néere the south wall was afterwards pulled downe His bookes apparell and other mooueables which were but of very small value he gaue all such as they were vnto his church of Canterbury Of all the Archbishops that possessed this Sée before this man which were 48. there was neuer any two that had
had sent them but to be thankefull vnto him for them and to haue a care to vse them moderately Some there be that haue not doubted to ascribe that notable conquest rather to the vertue and holinesse of this man then to any other meanes either of prowesse or wisedome in other instruments of the same This man that might haue obtained of the king any preferment he would haue craued was so 〈◊〉 from ambitious desire of promotion as it was long besore he could be perswaded to take a prebend of Lincolne when it was offred him being before that Chauncelor of Paules in London It is certaine also that he was elected vnto the Archbishopricke without his owne séeking might easily haue made the king for him if he had indeuoured it When some men maruailed that the king should refuse him and preferre any other before him he answered he could very ill spare him he perceiued not he was desirous to be spard Iohn Vfford being sodainly taken away as before is declared the Couent of Canterbury once more chose him the king very willingly allowed of their choice and the Pope hauing not yet heard of this their second election of his owne accord before any request made cast vpon him this dignity Hardly shal you find any Archbishop in any age to haue attained his place in better sort He was consecrate at Auinion by one Bertrand a Cardinal in the church of the Frier minors there That ceremony once perfourmed he hasted him home into England where first doing his duety to the king he receiued of him immediately his temporalties with all fauour From the court he departed to Lambhith to rest himselfe after his long iourney Lying there a while with the Bishop of Rochester he fell sicke and within fiue weekes and fower daies after his consecration died so that he was neuer inthronized at all He was buried in the chappell of Saint Anselme toward the South wall 55. Simon Islip SImon Islip being doctor of law became canon of Paules then Deane of the Arches after that was chosen to be of the priuy counsell of king Edward the third first in the place of secretary and then kéeper of the priuy seale Iohn Stratford lying vpon his death bed foretold he should be Archbishoppe It came to passe within two yéeres after his death though two other were serued before him The monkes with the kings very good liking chose him and the Pope would not refuse him yet being loath to ratifie the monkes election he reiected the same and ex 〈◊〉 potestatis bestowed the Archbishopricke vpon him His bulles were published in Bowe church October 4. 1349. and in the moneth of December following he was consecrate by the Bishop of London in Paules church He was inthronized secretly to saue charge For he was a very frugal and sparing man neuer estéeming pompe or outward brauery He was also very seuere When he first visited his owne Dioces he depriued many cleargy men of their liuings He passed thorough the Diocesses of Kochester and Chichester without kéeping any great adoo So that euery one made account he was content to winke at the faults he espied But they found it otherwise For he afterward called home vnto him the offenders and there dealt so with them as all men might assure themselues he would prooue a very austere man in his gouernment Iohn Synwall Bishop of Lincolne standing in doubt of this asperity of his with great cost procured a priuiledge from Rome to exempt himselfe from his authority and iurisdiction But the Archbishop caused the same afterward to be reuoked The Uniuersity of Oxford had presented vnto him the said Bish. of Lincoln vnto whose iurisdiction Oxford then appertained one William Palmorâ—â— for their Chauncellour and prayed him to admit him The Bishop I know not for what cause delayed his admission from time to time and enforced the Uniuersity to complaine of this hard dealing vnto the Archbishop He presently set downe a day wherein he enioined the Bishop to admit this Chauncellor or else to render a reason of his refusall At that time appointed the proctors of the Uniuersity were ready together with this William Palmoâ—â—e to demaund admission And when the Bishop of Lincolne came not trusting belike to his priuiledge aforesaid the Archbishop caused his Chauncellor Iohn Carlton Deane of Wels to admit him write to the Uniuersity to receiue him and cited the Bishop to answere before him for his contempt He appealed to the Pope would not come and for his contumacy was interdicted Much money was spent in this sute after wards at Rome The ende was that the Archbishop preuailed and the others priueledge was by speciall order of the Pope reuoked who also graunted vnto the Uniuersity at the same time that the Chauncellor hereafter should onely be elected by the schollers them selues and so presently authorised to gouerne them without the admission of any other This conquest thus atchiued he entred yet into another combate in the same land I meane at Rome He serued Andrew Vfford Archbishop of Middlesex the Administrator of Iohn Vfford his predecessor for delapidations and recouered of him 1101. l. fiftéene shillings two pence halpeny farthing that money he imployed in repairing the pallace at Canterbury He pulled downe the manner house at Wrotham and imploied the stones and timber of the same in ending the building that Iohn Vfford his predecessor aforesaid had begun at Maidstone Toward this and other charges he obtained of the Pope leaue to craue a contribution of foure pence out of euery marke from all the Cleargy of his Prouince But his officers whether of purpose or peraduenture mistaking demaunded and had a whole tenth All this was within a yéere or two of his first comming to the Archbishopricke at which time also in a Parliament held at Westminster the yéere 1350. the old controuersie betwéen him and the Archbishop of Yorke about bearing vp his crosse in the prouince of Canterburybegan to be renewed was compromitted vnto the hearing and iudgement of the king who set downe a finall order for the same viz. that the Archbishop of Yorke should beare his crosse in the others prouince yéelding all preeminence otherwise vnto Canterbury but that in token of subiection euery Archbishop at his entrance should offer an image of gold to the value of forty pound at the shrine of Saint Thomas the same to be sent by some Knight or Doctor of the Law within the space of two monethes after his inthronization Amongst the rest of his actions I may not in any wise forget his Colledge of Canterbury which is now become a parcell of Christ Church in Oxford He built it and endowed it with good possessions appropriating vnto the same the parsonages of Pagham and Magfield He graunted also vnto the Couent of Canterbury the Churches of Monkton and Estrey It is worthy remembrance likewise that when a certaine Countesse of Kent after the Earle her husbands death had prosessed
non vendam neque donabo neque impignerabo neque de nouo infeudabo velaliquo modo alienabo in consulto Rom. Pontifice sicut me Deus admuet c. With what ceremony the crosse was woont to be deliuered sée before in William Courtney pag. 104. This Archbishop died February 15. 1502. the second yéere after his translation at Lambhith His body was conueighed to Feuersam by water conducted with 33. watermen all apparelled in blacke a great number of tapers burning day and night in the boate and from thence was caried to Canterbury where it was buried in the middle of the place called the martyrdome vnder a faire marble stone inlaid with brasse He bequeathed to his Church a siluer image of 51. ounces waight and appointed 500. l. to be bestowed in his funerals He built the most part of Otford house and made the yron worke vpon the coping of Rochester bridge 67. William Warham VVIlliam Warham a gentleman of an ancient house was borne in Hamshire brought vp in the Colledge of Winchester and chosen thence to New Colledge in Oxford where he procéeded Doctor of Law Intending then to vse and put in practice the knowledge he had gotten at the Uniuersity he became an aduocate or Doctor of the Arches and soone after Master of the Rolles While he was in that office King Henry the seuenth sent him Embassador to the Duke of Burgundy to perswade him that he should not beléeue the false reports of his Duchesse and to signifie how notably she had abused him and all the world in setting vp two counterfeits against him Lambert that made himselfe the Earle of Warwicke who was then to be séene in the Tower safe ynough and Perkin Warbeck whom she had taught to name him selfe Richard Duke of Yorke that was certainly knowen to haue béene murthered by his wicked vncle long before In this businesse he behaued himselfe so wisely as the king greatly commended him for the same and the Bishopricke of London happening to be void soone after his returne home he procured him to be elected thereunto He had not beene Bishop there two whole yéeres when Henry Deane the Archbishop died to whose place also by the kings speciall indeuour he was aduaunced He was inthronised March 9. 1504. with woonderfull great solemnity The day before his comming to Canterbury the Duke of Buckingham that was his high steward came thither attended with seuen score horse to sée all things in a readinesse The said Duke had also the office of chiefe Butler and therefore being vnable to doo the duties of both he deputed Sir George Bourchier vnto the Butlership Him selfe tooke great paines to sée that nothing might be wanting requisite for the performance of this ceremony in most magnificent manner The next day which was Sunday he met the Archbishop ouer against Saint Andrewes Church and dooing low obeysance vnto him went before him to Christ church At the great gate néere the market place the Prior and Couent receiued him honorably and caried him to the Church whether he went from Saint Andrewes Church barefoote said masse there and was placed in his throne after the accustomed manner From Church he was attended by the Duke as he was thetherward The cheere at dinner was as great as for money it might be made Before the first messe the Duke him selfe came ridinginto the hall vpon a great horse bare headed with his white staffe in his hand and when the first dish was set on the table made obeysance by bowing of his body Hauing so done he betooke him to his chamber where was prouision made for him according to his state With the Archbishop sate the Earle of Esser the Bishop of Man the Lord Aburgauenny the Lord Brooke the Prior of Canterbury and the Abbot of Saint Augustines The Duke at his table was accompanied with the Lord 〈◊〉 Sir Edward Poynings the chiefe Justice of England named Phineux Sir Wilham Scot Sir Thomas Kemp and others A great many other guests were serued in other places noble men and knights at one table Doctors of Diuinity and Law at another and Gentlemen of the country at a third besides an infinite number of meaner calling placed by them selues according to their seuerall degrées But to let passe these matters and to come vnto his gouernement all the time of King Henry the seuenth vnder whom he liued Archbishop some thrée yéeres he enioyed all manner of prosperity being in so great fauor with his Prince as no man greater He dying and his sonne Bing Henry the eight succeeding Cardinall Wolsey that was then but Almosuer and Deaue of Lincolne diued so cunningly into the bosome of the yong king as by and by he ouertopped the Archbishop and quickly wound him out of all authority First by the kings meanes he got from him the Chauncellorship of England Then being Cardinall and the Popes Legate a latere by speciall commisson he set vp a new court called Curia 〈◊〉 vnder colour whereof he drewe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of iurisdiction throughout England into his owne hands and appointed Officials Registers c. in 〈◊〉 Dioces who tooke vp all causes and suffered other 〈◊〉 to whom the iurisdiction of right appertained to sitte still without either regard or profit This deiection of the Archbishop wherein men estéemed him for the time very vnhapy fell out to his great good the others immoderate greatnesse was the cause of his destruction At what time the K. 〈◊〉 to be diuorced from his first wife D. Catherine she 〈◊〉 choice of this our Archb. Nicholas West Bish. of Ely two lawyers and of I. Fisher 〈◊〉 of Rochester and Henry Standish Bishop of Assaph Doctors of Diuinity to assist and direct her in that sute they did so and behaued themselues in such sort as neither the king had cause to be offended with their ouerforwardnes nor she to blame their stacknes or negligēce But the Cardinall that was ioined with Cardinall Campeius in commission wherein they were authorised by the Pope to examine the circumstances of that cause he I say being more slacke in his procéedings then the king expected he should so incensed him against him as shortly after he was content first to take the aduantage of a Premunire against him then to cause him to be arrested of high treason whereof sée more in Yorke Soone after the Cardinals death there was a conuocation held wherein the cleargy was aduertised that they all had fallen into apremunire by yéelding vnto the Cardinals power legantine neuer allowed by the king They determined therefore to redéeme the penalty they had incurred with the paiment of 118. thousand pounds whereof the prouince of Yorke should pay eightéene thousand and Canterbury the rest which was 100000. l. When this gift was to haue béene presented they were certified that the king would not accept of the same except they declared in a Canon that he was supreame head of the church Long this matter was hammering But at last they
called was consecrate Bishop an 1265. at Rome where it is said he paid vnto the Pope 6000. markes for his consecration and so much more vnto Iordanus the Popes Chauncellor Presently vpon his returne he was suspended by Ottobonus the Popes legate for taking part against the king in the Barons wars he enioyed a small time his honor so déerely bought the yéere 1268. he died in Italy and was buried there at Uiterbium 44. Nicholas de Ely RIchard Moore a Doctor of Diuinity was then chosen Bishop But Fryer Peckham at that time Archbishop of Canterbury tooke exception against him for holding of many benefices And said that a man of such conscience as were fit for that place would rather content himselfe with lesse liuing then load himselfe with the cure of so many soules He being refused Nicholas de Ely hauing béene scarcely one yere Bishop of Worcester was called to this church He sate 12. yéeres died an 1290. his body was buried at Wauerly his hart lieth entoombed in the South wall of the Presbytery with this inscription Intus est cor Nicholai Episcop cuius corpus est apud Wauerley One of his name was first Chauncellor then treasurer of England about the yéere 1260. I assure my selfe it was he 45. Iohn de Pontissara ABout this time the Pope began to take vpon him the bestowing of Bishoprickes for the most part euery where This Iohn de Pontissara was placed by him vpon his absolute authority He was a great enimy vnto the monkes of his church whose liuing he much diminished to encrease his owne He died the yéere 1304. hauing sate néere 24. yéeres and lyeth buried in the North wall of the Presbytery His toombe hath this Epitaphe engrauen Defuncti corpus tumulus tenet iste Ioannis Pountes Wintoniae presulis eximij Obijt anno Dom. 1304. 46. Henry Woodloke HEnry Woodloke succéeded him Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury being banished the realme by king Edward the first who charged him with treason this Bishop became an intercessor for him and in the request he made to the king in his behalfe chaunced to call him his good Lord which the king tooke so haynously as by and by he caused all the Bishops goods to be confiscate and renounced all protection of him How he recouered the kings fauour againe I finde not Not long after the said king dying by the permission of the foresaid Archbishop he crowned king Edward the second Ianuary 22. 1307. and died an 1316. the 13. yéere of his consecration 47. Iohn Sendall VVAlsingham called this man Iohn Kendall he was Chauncellor of England and died 1320. hauing scarcely sate fower yéeres 48. Reginaldus Asserius THe Pope then thrust in Reginald de Asser his legate the king being very angry that the Pope tooke so much vpon him in these things He was consecrate by the Bishop of London Walter the Archbishop refusing to afford it vnto him sate little aboue two yéeres and died an 1323. 49. Iohn de Stratford IOhn de Stratford Doctor of Law succéeded When he had continued in this seat 10. yeeres an 1333. He was translated to Canterbury Sée more of him in Canterbury 50. Adam Tarlton alias de Orlton ADam de Arlton Doctor of law borne in Hereford was consecrate Bishop of Hereford September 26. 1317. In a parliament holden at London an 1324. he was accused of treason as hauing aided the Mortimers with men and armor against the king When he should haue béene arraigned a thing till that time neuer heard of that a Bishop should be arraigned the Archbishops of Canterbury Yorke and Dublin with their Suffragan Bishops came vnto the barre and violently tooke him away Notwithstanding the accusation being found true his temporalties were seased into the kings hāds vntill such time as the king much deale by his machination and deuise was deposed of his kingdome If he which had béene a Traytor vnto his Prince before after deserued punishment for the same would soone be entreated to ioyne with other in the like attempt it is no maruell No man so forward as he in taking part with Isabel the Quéene against her husband king Edward the second Shée with her sonnes aud army being at Oxford this good Bishop stept vp into the pulpit and there taking for his text these words My head grieueth me he made a long discourse to prooue that an euill head not otherwise to be cured must be taken away Hauing gotten the king into their power he fearing least if the king at any time recouered his liberty and crowne againe they might receiue condigne punishment counselled the Quéene to make him away Whereunto she being as ready and willing as he to haue it done they writ certaine letters vnto the kéepers of the old king signifieng in couert termes what they desired They either not perfectly vnderstanding their meaning or desirous to haue somewhat to shew for their discharge pray them in expresse words to declare vnto them whether they would haue them put the king to death or no. To which question this subtill foxe framed this answere Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est If you set the point betwéene nolite and timere it forbiddeth if betwéene timere and bonum it exhorteth them to the committing of the fact whereupon the king was made away and most pitifully murthered by thrusting a hot spit into his fundament And who then so earnest a persecutor of the murtherers as this Bishop that when diuers of his letters were shewed against him eluded and auoyded them by sophisticall interpretation and vtterly denied that he was any way consenting to that haynous fact How cleanely he excused himselfe I know 〈◊〉 But sure I am he was so farre from receiuing punishment as within two moneths after viz. in Nouember 1327. he was preferred vnto the Bishopricke of Worcester sixe yéeres after that he was translated thence to winchester by the Pope December 1. 1333. at the request of the French king which king Edward taking in very ill part for that the French king and he were enimies deteined from 〈◊〉 his temporalties till that in a parliament at the sute of the whole cleargy he was content to yéeld them vnto him He sate Bishop of Winchester 11. yeeres 7. moneths and 17. daies and being a long time blind before his death departed this life July 18. 1345. 51. William Edendon THe same yeere William Edendon was consecrate Bishop a man in very great fauour with King Edward the third being treasurer of England he caused groats and halfe groats to be coyned the yeere 1350. coyne not séene in England before but they wanted some thing of the iust sterling waight which was the cause that the prices of all things rose then very much And where as many other times the like practise hath béene vsed in so much that fiue shillings hath now scarce so much siluer in it as fiue groats had 300. yéeres since no maruell if things be sold for treble the price
countries which this noble Prince subdued but other huge summes of money also gathered at home by vnusuall subsidies and taxations much grudged at by the commons all which notwithstanding the king was so bare as for the paiment of debts he was constrained to bethinke him first of some new deuice to raise money The Bishops enimies taking the aduantage of this occasion induced the king to be content that a solemne complaint might be framed against him as if by his misgouernement the kings treasure had beene either vainely wasted or falsely imbesilled for that otherwise for sooth it was impossible the king should so be fallen behind hand They charge him therefore with the receite of 1109600. l. which amounteth to more then a million of poundes besides a hundred thousand frankes paied vnto him by Galeace Duke of Millaine For all this they demaund sodainely an account and to set a better colour vpon the matter patch vp a number of other accusations partly vntrue partly friuolous yet sufficient happily to bleare the eies of the common people and diuerting the displeasure of this inconuenience from them on whom otherwise it must haue lighted to deriue it vnto him vpon whom if it fell neuer so heauily it could cast him no lower then that place frō whence the king had first raised him Amongst many enimies that gouernement and enuy had prouoked against him Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster for some other cause néedlesse here to be 〈◊〉 bare vnto him an implacable hatred The King was then old and very impotent the Duke his eldest sonne 〈◊〉 and so gouerning all thinges vnder him The Duke therefore found meanes that William Skipwith Lord chiefe Justice condemned him as guilty of those accusations procured his temporalties to be taken from him and to be bestowed vpon the yoong Prince of Wales and lastly commanded him in the kings name not to come within twenty miles of the Court The yeere 1376. happened vnto him this trouble which I may call the Prologue or 〈◊〉 of the pageant to be plaid the yéere following I meane the Parliament the chiefe end and purpose whereof was a subsidy that this Prelates vexation must make way vnto The Cleargy assembled gréeuing much at the vniust oppression of so woorthy and reuerend a man for his sidelity vnto his Prince his great care of the common good his wisedome and integrity were well inough knowen to such as vnderstoode any thing they vtterly refused to debate of any matter what soeuer till the Bishop of Winchester a principall member of that assembly might be present with them By this meanes licence was obtained for his repaire thither and thither he came glad he might be néere to the meanes of his restitution but whether it were that he wanted money to beare the charge or to the intent to mooue commiseration or that he thought it safest to passe obscurely he that was woont to ride with the greatest traine of any Prelate in England came then very slenderly attended trauelling through by-waies as standing in doubt what snares his enimies might lay for him After two yéeres trouble and the losse of ten thousand markes sustained by reason of the same with much adoo he obtained restitution of his temporalties by the mediation of Alice Piers a gentlewoman that in the last times of king Edward altogether possessed him Returning then vnto Winchester he was receiued into the city with solemne procession and many signes of great ioy Soone after his returne king Edward died and the Duke hoping by reason of the yoong kings nonage to worke some mischiefe vnto this Bishop whom of all mortall men he most hated began to rub vp some of the old accusations with additions of new complaints But the Dukes malice being as well knowen as the Bishops innocency the king thought good to be a meanes of reconciling these two personages and then was easily intreated vnder the broad seale of England to pardon all those supposed offences wherewith the Bishop had heretofore béene charged This tempest thus ouerblowen the rest of his daies he passed in great peace and quietnesse Two yéeres after his restitution he began the foundation of that woorthy monument the colledge commonly called the New colledge in Oxford laying the first stone of the same himselfe March 5. 1379. and dedicating it vnto the honor of God and the blessed virgin Mary Being finished the first warden fellowes all together tooke possession of it Aprill 14. 1386. at thrée of the clocke in the morning The very next yéere he began his other colledge néere Woluesey the Bishops pallace at Winchester laide the first stone of it March 26. 1387. and finished it also in sixe yéeres space so as the Warden and fellowes cntred into the same at thrée of the clocke in the morning March 28. 1393. Beside the charge of these two woorthy foundations he build all the body of his church of Winchester from the quier westward excepting only a little begun by Bishop Edington he procured many priuiledges and liberties vnto his Sée he bestowed 20000. markes in reparation of his house he paid the debts of men imprisoned for that cause to the summe of 2000. l. he mended all the high waies betwéene London and Winchester he purchased vnto his Sée two hundred markes land he forgaue his officers two thousand markes which they owed him he bestowed two hundred pound vpon the church of Windsor he released his tenants of 520. l. due for a reliefe at his incomme he ordayned a Chauntry of fiue priests at Southwyke he kept continually in his house fower twenty poore almesmen he maintained at the Uniuersity fifty schollers for the space of seuen yéeres before the building of his colledge he built a chappell as before is mentioned at Tichfield for the buriall of his parents lastly prouided for himselfe ten yéeres before his death a goodly monument in the body of his church All these charges notwithstanding he bequeathed legacies to the value of 6270. l. left ready money to pay them left his heire 100. l. land and all his houses furnished plentifully with most rich and sumptuons houshold stuffe After all these so memorable actions hauing runne the course of a long a happy and most honorable life he ended his daies in peace the yéere 1404 being full fowerscore yéeres of age and was laid in the toombe so long before prouided for him Upon it I finde engrauen these verses which rather for his honor then any great commendation they deserue I haue thought good to set downe Wilhelmus dictus Wickham iacet hic nece victus Istius ecclesiae praesul reparauit eamque Largus erat dapifer probat hoc cum 〈◊〉 pauper 〈◊〉 pariter regni fuerat bene dexter Hunc docet esse pium fun datio collegiorum Oxoniae primum stat Wintoniaeque secundum Iugiter oretis tumulum quicunque videtis Pro tantis meritis quod sit sibi vita perennis 53. Henry Beauforte THe Pope was now growen to
his place one Philip his Chauncellor But the Popes Legate the cleargy of Salisbury vtterly refusing to receiue him he made sute for the Bishopricke of Bayon and obtained the same After that it séemeth vnto me one Galfridus became Bishop of Sarum But because my proofes are not pregnant and diuers affirme Ioceline to be the next successor of Roger except that same Philip whom no man reckeneth amongst the Bishops of this Sée I will passe him ouer in silence Certaine it is that one Ioceline became Bishop of Salisbury continued so many yéeres died the yéere 1184. He was excommunicate together with the Bishop of London in the cause of Thomas Becket and indured much trouble about him as you may sée more at large in the life of the said Thomas He had a sonne named Reginald Bishop of Bathe and after Archbishop of Canterbury 5. Hubert NOuember 1. 1189. Hubert surnamed Walter 〈◊〉 of Yorke was consecrate Bishop of Sarum He attended King Richard Ceur-de-lyon in his famous voyage to the holy land Hereof sée more in Canterbury whether he was translated the yéere 1193. 6. Robert AFter him sate one Robert of whom I find nothing else recorded 7. Richard Poore RIchard Poore sometimes Deane of Salisbury was consecrate Bishop of Chichester 1215. and remooued to Salisbury the yéere 1217. This Bishop considering the vnconuenient situation of his Cathedrall Sée in a place so 〈◊〉 and bleake as also wearied with the often insolencies and malapert demeanure of the soldiers that garded the Earles Castle forsooke the same and sending for diuers famous workemen from beyond the Seas began the foundation of a new Church in a place then called Meryfield Pandulph the Popes Legate laid the fiue first stones the first for the Pope the second for the King the third for the Earle of Salisbury the fourth for the Countesse and the fist for the Bishop In this worke though he had great helpe of the king and diuers of the nobility yet was he so farre from ending it as 〈◊〉 yeeres after his departure it was scarcely finished The Townsmen of olde Salisbury they likewise remooued their habitation to the same place and left the Castle all alone which hauing béene the seate of the Earles of Salisbury many yéeres was giuen ouer into the Bishops hands about the yeere 1360. and in the time of king Henry the seuenth lette downe so as now except a broken tower or two and some péeces of walles there is nothing of it remaining This good Bishop was translated to Durham the yéere 1228. or as some deliuer 1225. See much more of him there 8. Robert Byngham THe Chapter of Salisbury elected then for their Bishop Robert 〈◊〉 one of their owne company the yeere 1228. and the yéere following he was consecrate at Shaftsbury This man with great diligence set forward the worke begunne by his predecessor yet was not able to finish the same although he sate Bishop well neare 20 yeeres He died Nouember 3. 1246. and left his Church indebted 1700. markes A man of great yeeres great learning and great vertue He lyeth buried vpon one side of the Presbitery and his successor on the other 9. William of Yorke WIlliam of Yorke Prouost of Benerley succéeded A Courtier from his very childhood and better seene in the lawes of the realme which he chiefly studied then in the law of God a great deale Matthew Paris reporteth that he first brought in the custome that Tenaunts should be suters vnto the Courts of their Landlords He departed from these worldly cares the last day of March 1256. hauing taken much paines in finishing the building of his Church and was buried as is aboue said ouer against his predecessor 10. Gyles de Brideport GYles de Brideport or Bridlesford Deane of Wels was consecrate Bishop of Salisbury the yéere 1256. and had licence of the Pope to hold the said 〈◊〉 in Commendam still The new Church of our Lady in newe Salisbury being now quite finished he hallowed or dedicated the same with great solemnity September 30. 1258. in the presence of the King and a great number of Prelates Nobles other great personages all which he feasted very magnificently He lyeth entoombed in a faire monument on the South side of the quire 11. Walter de la Wyle VVAlter de la Wyle succéeded him the yéere 1264. and died 1270. 12. Robert de Wikehampton RObert de Wikehampton Deane of Salisbury was elect by the Chapter of Salisbury soone after the decease of his predecessor and had his election confirmed by the Prior and Couent of Canterbury the Archbishopricke being void The Bishops of the realme thinking it an 〈◊〉 that the Couent should performe that which they perswaded them selues belonged vnto them not onely refused to consecrate the elect but also appealed against this confirmation the Papacy being void vnto the Colledge of Carbinals After three or foure yéeres contention iudgement was given for the elect who thereupon was consecrate the yéere 1274. In his time viz. the yéere 1280. vpon Michaelmasse day the Cathedrall Church vpon what occasion I can not tell was againe new hallowed by Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury He dyed the yeere 1283. 13. Walter Scammell VVIthin the space of fiue yéeres the Church of Salisbury about this time had fiue Bishops accounting the forenamed Robert for one Walter Scammell Deane also of Salisbury was the second He was consecrate the yeere 1284. and died within a yeere or two after 14. Henry de Braundstone THe third was Henry de Braundstone who being consecrate the yéere 1286. sate onely one yéere and then died 15. Laurence de Hawkborne THe fourth Laurence de Hawkborne being consecrate 1287. died within a few daies after his consecration 16. William de Comer LAstly William de Comer became Bishop 1288. and sate scarcely three yéeres 17. Nicolas de Longespe NIcolas de Longespe was sonne I take it vnto William Longespe base sonne of king Henry the second and Earle of Salisbury that lieth buried on the left hand of the entrance into the Lady chappell 〈◊〉 this Earle lying very sicke the Bishop brought the Sacrament He vnderstanding of the Bishops comming met him at the chamber doore halfe naked with a halter about his necke threw himselfe downe prostrate at his féete and would not be taken vp vntill hauing made confession of his sinnes with teares and other 〈◊〉 of woonderfull hearty and sincere 〈◊〉 he had receaued the Sacrament in most deuoute manner Some two or thrée daies after he liued continually bewailing his sinfull life with whole flouds of teares and departed 1226. This Nicolas his whether sonne or 〈◊〉 was consecrate 1291. and dying 1297. was buried 〈◊〉 by him vnder a huge marble stone sometimes inlaid with brasse and adorned with the armes of their house 18. Simon de Gaunt AFter him succéeded Simon de Gaunt a 〈◊〉 borne He was a great Diuine and made many good statutes whereby the church is yet gouerned 19. Roger de Mortiuall Roger
Edward the first 〈◊〉 prince that wanted neither wit to deuise nor courage to 〈◊〉 cute such an exploit and to lay the fault vpon another at last Yet likely inough it is that such a fault stamped vpon him how vndeseruedly soeuer might barre him out of the 〈◊〉 Calender who otherwise was not woont to be ouer dainty 〈◊〉 affoording that kind of honour where fees might be 〈◊〉 paid in for it He sate ten yeeres and lieth entoombed in 〈◊〉 South wall néere the Cloister doore In this mans time the Chapter house was built by the contribution of well disposed people a stately and sumptuous worke 28. Walter Haselshaw VVAlter Haselshaw first Deane then Bishop 〈◊〉 Welles sate ten yeeres and lieth buried vnder a huge marble in the body of the church toward the North almost ouer against the pulpit He made many statutes 29. Iohn Drokensford IOhn Drokensford kéeper of the kings Ward-robe succéeded Following the steps of his predecessor 〈◊〉 he bestowed somewhat in increasing the buildings and liberties of his See but much more vpon his 〈◊〉 He had much contention with his Chapter the story whereof is to be seene in the 〈◊〉 booke sate 19. yeeres and lieth buried vnder a reasonable saemcly toombe of free stone in the chappell of Saint Batherme which is vpon the right hand going toward the Lady chappell 30. Ralfc of Shrewsbury VVIth one cōsent of the chapter of Wels the couent of Bathe 〈◊〉 of Shrewsbury was then elected dared to be consecrate a great venture in those daies before the 〈◊〉 had allowed of him His approbation saith 〈◊〉 cost him at last a huge summe of money This man is famous for the first foundation of our 〈◊〉 close in Wels. The memory of which benefit is to be seene erpressed in a 〈◊〉 vpon the wal at the foot of the hall staires In 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to request the Bishop in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the 〈◊〉 we humbly pray Together through 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dwell we may He answereth them thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For your 〈◊〉 deserts do plead I will do that you craue To this purpose established here dwellings shall you haue This picture being now almost worne out at what time of late yeeres the 〈◊〉 by the gratious fauour of her Maiesty had their reuenues confirmed to them being in danger to be spoyled of them by certaine sacrilegious cormorants they likewise caused a picture of excellent workmanship to be drawen 〈◊〉 a memoriall of both the one and the other These buildings being erected toward the maintenance of some hospitality in them he gaue vnto that new Colledge the mannor of 〈◊〉 and allotted them twenty nobles yerely to be paid out of the vicarage of Chew He built moreouer a house for the Queristers and their master He built likewise the church of Winscomb and the court house at Clauerton a great chamber at Cuercrich and much other 〈◊〉 in other of his houses His pallace of Welles he inclosed with an excéeding strong wall and a large mote into which he 〈◊〉 the riuer running hard by He gaue vnto his church 〈◊〉 things of which nothing now remaineth I thinke but a great chest bound with iron in which the Chapter seale is kept Lastly it is to be remembred that with great 〈◊〉 he procured the forest of 〈◊〉 to be disparked Hauing performed these and many other things deseruing perpetual 〈◊〉 he departed this life at Wiuelescomb Aug. 14. 1363. hauing continued Bishop 34. yéeres His body was buried before the high altar vnder a goodly monument of Alabaster compassed about with grates of yron About a 60. yéeres since for what cause I know not it was remooued to the 〈◊〉 side of the presbytery but lost his grates by the way The image of Alabaster that lieth vpon it is said to be very like him 31. Iohn Barnet IOhn Barnet remooued from Worcester succéeded him sate two yéeres and was translated to Ely Sée Ely 32. Iohn Harewell EDward surnamed the Blacke Prince obtayned then of the Pope this Bishopricke for Iohn Harewell a chaplaine of his that was Chauncellour of Gascoigne 〈◊〉 was consecrate at Burdeaur March 7. 1366. by the Archbishop there He contributed the third penny toward the building of the Southwest tower at the ende of the church the Chapter bearing the rest of the charge He paid 100. markes for glasing the window at the West ende of the church 〈◊〉 gaue two great bels the bigest of which being cast fower times since I was of this church now at last serueth for 〈◊〉 greatest of a ring the goodliest for that number being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I thinke in England He died in the moneth of June 1386. hauing sate 19. yéeres and was interred ouer 〈◊〉 Burwold where we sée a toombe of alabaster that séemeth to haue béene a sumptuous piece of worke but is now much defaced 33. Walter Skirlaw VVAlter Skirlaw was translated from Lichfield hether and after two yeeres from hence to Durham See Durham 34. Ralfe Erghum RAlfe Erghum Doctor oslawe was consecrate Bishop of Salisbury at Bruges in Flanders December 9. 1375. From thence he was translated 〈◊〉 September 14. 1388. died Aprill 10. 1401. He impropred to the chapter of Welles the parsonage of Puklechurch and gaue vnto them a certaine house called the George beside certaine plate and church ornaments to the value 140 l. Moreouer he built a colledge at Welles for fowerteene priests at the ende of the lane now called Colledge-lane He lieth buried in the body of the church vpon the North side of that chappell that ioyneth to the great pulpit 35. Henry Bowet THe Bishopricke so void was conferred by the Pope vpon Richard Clifford Archdeacon of Canterbury who being denied his temporalties by the king was faine notwithstanding the Popes prouisory Bulles to giue place vnto Henry Bowet Doctor of law and Canon of Welles that with the kings fauour was lawfully elect thereunto Sée more hereof in Richard Clifford of London To Welles he was consecrate Nouemb. 16. 1401. in Saint Paules church in London the king and all the Nobility being present and was translated to Yorke December 1. 1407. See Yorke 36. Nicolas Bubwith NIcolas Bubwith being Bishop of London and Treasurer of England left both those places for Salisbury which also he was content to forsake to accept Welles within the compasse of one yéere after he was first consecrate to London This man being at the Counsell of Constance was appointed one of those thirty persons that were ioyned with the 〈◊〉 in the election of Pope Martin the fifth He built 〈◊〉 almeshouse vpon the North side of Saint Cuthberts church endowing it with good possessions for the reliefe of many 〈◊〉 persons They were much increased afterwards by 〈◊〉 Storthwayth somewhat also by Bishop Bourne and other So that now it maintaineth 24. poore people He 〈◊〉 vnto our church the parsonage of Bucklaud Abbatis He
of his funerals but also the building of his toombe Chappell and all did also see toombe and Chappell destroyed and the bones of the Bishop that built them turned out of the lead in which they were interred Concerning this man many other Bishops of this Church if any desire to vnderstand more I must referre them to a discourse heretofore written by me in Latin of them which is in many mens hands though neuer published 40. Richard Foxe Soone after the death of Bishop Stillington Richard Foxe Bishop of Exceter was appointed his successor and so continuing for thrée yéeres was translated first to Durham and after to Winchester Sée Winchester 41. Oliuer King OLiuer King Doctor of Law and principall Secretary to the king became Bishop of Exceter the yéere 1492. and succeeding him in this Church as well as Exceter was translated hither Nouember 6. 1495. He pulling downe the old Church of the Abbey of Bathe began the foundation of a faire and sumptuous building but at the time of his death left it very vnperfect His successor bestowed some cost on it and William Bird the last Prior there endeuouring what he might by him selfe other to see it finished had euen brought it to perfection when the dissolution of the Abbey had almost ouerthrowen what before was set vp It is great pitty that some good man or other whom God hath enabled vndertaketh not the finishing of it a worke then which I thinke nothings is to be performed with so little cost that were more likely to be pleasing to Almighty God acceptable vnto men memorable with all 〈◊〉 This man sate Bishop eight yéeres and is thought to lye buried at Windsor in a little Chappell vpon the South side of the Quier ouer against which place vpon the enterclose of the Quier I find written vnder the pictures of king Henry the sixt and his sonne king Edward the fourth and Henry the seuenth this that followeth Orate pro domino Olmero King iuris professore ac illustri Edwardi primogeniti Henry Sexti 〈◊〉 Regum Edw. quarti Edw. quinti Henr. 7. principali Secretario 〈◊〉 ordinis Garterij Registrario huius Sancti Collegij Canonicqanno Dom. 1489. postea per dictum illustrillimum Regein Henry 7. ann 1492. ad sedem Exon. commendato 42. Hadrian de Castello POpe Innocent the eight hearing of a certaine dangerous 〈◊〉 raised vp against Iames the third king of Scots thought good to send into Scotland one Hadrian de Castello as a man for his wisedome and other good parts likely to appease those 〈◊〉 Being at London he was certified of the king of Scots death whom his own subiects had 〈◊〉 in battell So resting him selfe a while there he grew into acquaintance with Iohn Moorton the Archbishop of Canterbury He much delighted with his learning and discreete cariage commended him so effectually vnto the king Henry the seuenth as he thought good to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Proctor for the dispatch of all his causes at Rome In that place he behaued him selfe so as the King at 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 of his paines and fidelity was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto the Bishopricke of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the yeere 1503. and then the yeere following of this See Pope Alexander the sixt in the meane time a little before his translation hither had made him Cardinall Here he continued 12. yeeres vntill that the yeere 1518. he was depriued of this and all other promotions vpon this occasion A Cardinall of Rome called Alfonso Petruccio consptred with certaine other Cardinals the death of Pope Leo 10. Amongst them this our Hadrian was content to make one mooued thereunto as P. Iouius affirmeth not by any grudge or priuate displeasure but onely by an ambitious 〈◊〉 that surely he should be Pope 〈◊〉 were once dead A certaine witch or wise woman as we call them hauing heretofore foretold him very strangely diuers things that had happened to him selfe other of his friends tooke vpon her to assure him that after the death of Pope Leo it should come to passe that a certaine old man named Hadrian borne of meane parentage preferred onely for his learning wisedome and other good parts should be aduaunced vnto the Papacy These particularities Hadrian was perswaded could agree to none other but him selfe For he being borne at Corneto a poore fisher towne of Hetruria of meane or rather very base parentage onely by vertue and good deserts rose by many degrees vnto the preferments before mentioned The witches prediction fell out true but in an other For Hadrian a Dutchman the sonne of a Erelver of Utright that had beene schoolemaster to Charles the fift 〈◊〉 fell out to be the man that succeeded Leo by the name of 〈◊〉 the sixt What became of this Hadrian afterward or when he died I find not 43. Thomas Woolsey VPon the depriuation of Hadrian Cardinall Woolsey held this Bishopricke in Commendam fower yéeres euen till that resigning it he tooke Durham Sée more of this man in Yorke 44. Iohn Clerke IOhn Clarke Doctor of Diuinity and Master of the 〈◊〉 was consecrate the yéere 1523. A man much emploied 〈◊〉 embassages He died in the end of the yeere 1540. being poisoned as it was supposed in Germany when he went Embassadour to the Duke of Clyue to render a reason of the 〈◊〉 diuorce from the Lady Anne of Cleue his sister He is 〈◊〉 in the Mineries at London 45. William Knight VVIlliam Knight Doctor of Lawe and Archdeacon of Richmund a man likewise much emploied in embassages by king Henry the eight sate sixe yéeres died September 29. 1547. and was buried vnder the great Pulpit which he caused to be built for his toombe In the 〈◊〉 place of Welles there is a goodly crosse erected partly by this man as this inscription engrauen witnesseth Ad honorem 〈◊〉 omnipotentis commodom pauperum mercatum Welliae freqnentantium impensis Gulielmi Knight Episcopi Richardi Wooleman huius ecclesiae Cathedralis olim Decani hic locus erectus est Laus Deo pax viuis requies defunctis Amen Ann. Dom. 1542. 46. William Barlowe VVIlliam Barlowe Doctor of Diuinity sometimes 〈◊〉 Chanon of Saint Osythes hauing béene Bishop of Saint Dauids the space of tenne yéeres or there abouts was translated hether to succéede Bishop Knight and continued here all the daies of R. Edward In the beginning of Queene Mary he was forced to leaue his countrey Bishopricke and all to liue exiled in Germany vntill that by her death the most happy aduauncement of our now Soueraigne he was at once restored to his Countrey and preferred to the Bishoppricke of Chichester There he liued about the space of tenne yeeres and dying the yéere 1569. was buried in his owne Church 47. Gilbert Bourne BIshop Barlow being forced to forsake his Bishopricke here Gilbert Bourne Doctor of Diuinity was appointed thereunto by Queene Mary The nonage of that good king Edward the sixt giuing opportunity to those horrible sacrileges that
not that enabled him to performe these great workes and yet to leaue so much money behind him He procured an order to be taken that all Ecclesiasticall persons of his Diocesse at the time of their deaths should leaue and bequeath their goods to him or to some other in trust towards his chargeable buildings or otherwise to be bestowed in pios vsus at his discretion This was the meanes wherby he grew to this infinite wealth and riches He died July 15. 1369. hauing sate Bishop here almost 42. yeeres and was buried in a Chappell which he built in the wall of the West end of his Church His funerals by his owne commaundement were performed without any mannerof pompe or extraordinary solemnity In so much as he allowed not either his seruants Executors or néerest kinsfolkes any mourning clothes at all See more of him in Simon Mepham of Canterbury THomas Brentingham the kings 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Calis was at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chosen Bishop of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and was 〈◊〉 vnto the 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 1. of March ann 1370. He was a man very well learned expert as well in politique gouernment as ecclesiasticall matters and in both these respects greatly reuerenced and esteemed For which cause at the parliament holden at Westminster in the tenth yéere of king Richard the second he was chosen to be one of the twelue Péeres of the realme vnder the king He was a benefactor to the callenderhay of the Uicars chorall of his owne church supplied in buildings and otherwise what his predecessors had left vndone hauing been Bishop 24. yeres died at Clist the third of December an 1394 was buried in the North side of the body of his owne church in a little chappell standing betwéene two pillers EDmund Stafford brother to Ralph Earle of Stafford was consecrate Bishop of Exceter June 20. 1395. He was Chauncellor of England vnder king Edward the third At the Parliament holden at Westminster the one and twentieth yéere of king Richard the second he being speaker of the higher house made a very learned and pithie oration to proue the absolute authority of a king His theame was Rex vnus erit omnibus and hauing discoursed at large to that purpose did conclude Quod potestas regis esset sibi 〈◊〉 annexa solida and whosoeuer did by any meanes impeach the same Poena legis merito essee plectendus For the 〈◊〉 of good letters he did increase two fellowships in the colledge of Stapledons Iune in Oxford reformed the statutes of the house and altered the name of it calling it Erceter colledge After that he had continued Bishop in much honor about thrée and twenty yéeres he died the fourth of September being the seuenth yéere of king Henry the fift and lyeth buried in his owne church in a very faire tombe of Alabaster vpon the North side of the entrance into the Ladis chappell IAmes Cary Bishop of Lichfield being at Florence when newes was brought to Pope Martyn the fift of Bishop Staffords death was then and there made Bishop of this church an 1419. He inioyed not long this place for he died and was buried there EDmund Laey Bishop of Hereford was translated from thence vnto this church about Easter an 1420. A man very deuont and religious but subiect to 〈◊〉 who carried him to their pleasure Great contentions were betwéene him and the city for liberties which by arbitrement were compounded He built the chapter house in his owne church and was a liberall benefactor vnto the Uicars of Calenderhay Hauing continued in this See 35. yéeres he died 1475. and lyeth buried in the North wall of the presbytery vnder a plaine marble tombe where many miracles are said to haue beene wrought and are ascribed to his helines GEorge Neuill was consecrated Nouemb. 26. an 1455. He finished the chapter house which his predecessor had begun And after that he had beene Bishop about tenne yeeres was remooued to Yorke See more of him in Yorke IOhn Boothe Batcheler of the ciuill Law was consecrated vpon the two and twentith day of February an 1466. He gouerned his church very well and builded as some suppose the Bishops Sée in the quier but being weary of the great troubles which were in this countrey betwéene king Edward the fourth and the Earle of Warwicke he remooued from hence to his house of Horsleigh in Hampshire where he died vpon the first day of Aprill an 1478. lieth buried at Saint Elements in London PEter Courtmay Bishop of Exceter was 〈◊〉 in Nouember an 1477. at Saint Stephans in Westminster He was translated from this church vnto Winchester in the ninth yéere of his being Bishop here 〈◊〉 more in Winchester RIchard Foxe succéeded him and hauing continued Bishop here 6. yéeres he was translated first to Welles and after to Winchester See more in Winchester OLiuer King was consecrate Bishop of this church in February 1492. He also was remooued to Bathe hauing sate here thrée yéeres Sée more in Bathe RIchard Redman Doctor of diuinity and Bishop of Saint Assaph became Bishop of this church from whence he was remooued to Ely in September 1501. See more in Ely IOhn Arundell descended of the ancient and most worshipfull house of the Arundels of Lanherne in Cornewall was translated from 〈◊〉 to this Church in the ende of the yéere 1501. He died at London the yéere 1503. and was buried at Saint Clements church without Temple Barre vpon the South side of the high altar vnder a toombe of marble inlaid with brasse HVgh Oldam was preferred vnto this Bishoprick by the meanes of the Lady Margaret countesse of Richmond whose chaplaine he was A man of more zeale then knowledge and more deuotion then learning somewhat rough in spéeche but in deede and action friendly He was carefull in the sauing and defending of his liberties for which continual sutes were betwéene him and the Abbot of Tauestocke He was also liberall to the Uicars Chorall of his Church and reduced them to the kéeping of commons Towards the maintenance whereof he gaue them certaine reuenewes and impropriated vnto them the rectory of Cornwood Albeit he suere not very well learned yet a great fauourer and a furtherer of learning he was Once he had intended to haue inlarged Exceter colledge in Oxeford as well in building as in reuenewes but being denied a fellowship there which he had earnestly requested in the behalfe of one Atkins he altered his determination and contributed largely toward the foundation of Corpus Christi colledge whereof he is esteemed and worthily the principall benefactor He chanced to dye excommunicate at the sute of the Abbot of Tauistock June 25. 1519. and might not be buried vntill an absolution was procured from Rome He lyeth in a Chappel of his owne building cast out of the vppermost ende of the South wall of the Church where he hath a sumptuous faire monument IOhn 〈◊〉 otherwise Harman succéeded Oldham by the preferment
much money spent in this cause 〈◊〉 him and the Archbishop of Canterbury Bernard had preuailed at the 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had not two 〈◊〉 witnesses deposed a flat 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 of the Pope Giraldus aforesaid doubteth not confidently to 〈◊〉 that the power and wealth of the Archbishops of Canterbury hath ouerborne the poore Bishops of Saint Dauids in this matter without all right This Bishop saith Giraldus was a man in some other respects praise woorthy but vnreasonable proud and ambitious as most of the Englishmen were that in those times were thrust into Welch Bishopricks Againe he was a very euill husband vnto his Church 〈◊〉 diuers landes and letting others for the tenth peny of that his predecessors made of them so thinking to make a way by gratifying of Courtiers vnto some better Bishopricke in England He was deceaued of his expectation Hauing béene Bishop of Saint Dauids about the space of 33. yéeres he died ann 1148. 46. Dauid Fitz-gerald Archdeacon of Cardigan succéeded He died the yéere 1176. 47. Peter or Piers so the Welch Chronicle calleth him a Benedictine monke Prior of Wenlock was consecrated the same yéere His Cathedrall Church dedicated vnto Saint Andrew and Saint Dauid had beene often destroyed in former times by Danes and other pyrats and in his time was almost quite 〈◊〉 He bestowed much in reedifying of the same and may in sonie sort be said to haue built the church which now standeth 48. 〈◊〉 Prior of Lanthony aregular Chanon was preserred to this See by the meanes of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury 49. 〈◊〉 Giraldus was borne in Pembrooke shire néere Tynby of very noble parentage being neere of kinne vnto the Princes of Wales a very comely and personable man of body and for his minde wittie discrete studious vertuous and well giuen In his youth he trauailed ouer most part of Christendome At Paris he read publikely in the English Colledge with great commendation Returning home he grew into great estimation with king Henry the 2. and became Secretary vnto his sonne Iohn with whom he went into Ireland and being there writ a description of the countrey as he did also of England and Wales Some affir me he was Archdeacon of Landaff of Brecknock and Saint Dauids he was for certaine Being elect vnto this See an 1199. he made challenge vnto the title of an Archbishop at Rome which controuersie how it was debated and ended yee may read at large in R. Houeden his report of the yeere aforesaid He was once accused oftreason but happily acquitted liued till he was 70. yéeres of age and vpward and dying was buried in his owne church He writ many bookes the Catalogue whereof yee may finde in Bale 50. 〈◊〉 or Edward was consecrate 1215. 51. Alselmus 52. Thomas Archdeacon of Lincolne a Welchman and a great 〈◊〉 forsaking other good preferments accepted of this Bishopricks being a miserable poore thing at that 〈◊〉 the yeere 1247. 53. Richard Carren 54. Thomas Beck He founded two colleges one at 〈◊〉 and another at Llan dewy breuy 55. Dauid Martyn 56. Henry Gower He built the Bishops pallace at Saint Dauids and died the yeere 1347. 57. Iohn Theresby or Thorsby translated to 〈◊〉 1349. and thence to Yorke 1352. 58. Reginald Brian translated likewise to Worceter 1352. 59. Thomas Fastocke died the yéere 1361. 60. Adam Houghton founded a colledge néere to the Cathedrall church of S. Dauid He was Chauncellour of England for a time about the yéere 1376. 61. Iohn Gilbert Bishop of Bangor was translated 〈◊〉 Hereford 1376. and thence hither 1389. Sée Hereford 62. Guido de Mona died the yéere 1407. who while 〈◊〉 liued saith Walsingham was a cause of much mischiefe 63. Henry 〈◊〉 was consecrated at Siena by the Popes owne hands Iune 12. 1409. sate 5 yeeres and was translated to Canterbury Sée Canterbury 64. Iohn Keterich or Catarick sometimes Archdeacon of Surrey was translated hence to Couentry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the yéere 1415. and after to Oxceter 65. Stephen Patrington a Iacobine Fryer as one 〈◊〉 or rather a Carmelite as an other saith being at the Counsell of Constance was by the Pope translated to Chichester in December 1417. as the records of Saint Dauids 〈◊〉 affirme Howbeit other say and I take it to be true that he refused to accept of the Popes gift 66. Benet Nicols Bishop of Bangor succéeded him 67. Thomas Rodburne a man of great learning was brought vp in Oxford and became first 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 then Bishop of Saint Dauids He write diuers 〈◊〉 amongst the rest an history or Chronicle The yéere 1434. the king 〈◊〉 to translate him to Ely but could not effect it 67. William Lynwood Doctor of Law was first Chauncellor to the Archbishop of Canterbury then kéeper of the priuy seale hauing beene first imployed in Embassages to the kings of Spaine Portugall and other Princes He writ much Amongst other his works he is famous for putting in order such Prouinciall constitutions as had beene made by the Archbishops of Canterbury from the time of Stephen Langton vnto Henry 〈◊〉 He florished about the yéere 1440. but iust what time he became Bishop or when he died I can not tell He lyeth buried at Saint Stephens in Westminster 68. Iohn Longton died within 15. dayes after his consecration 69. Iohn de le Beere 70. Robert Tully a monke of Glocester This man I take to be him that by the name of Robert 〈◊〉 is said to haue beene translated to Chichester the yéere 1508. 71. Richard Martyn 72. Thomas Langton 73. Hugh Pauy He impropred to the Uicars Chorall of Saint Dauids the Church of Llan Saint Fred. 74. Iohn Morgan died in the Priory of Caermerthin and was buried in his owne Church 75. 〈◊〉 Vaughan built a new Chappell in his church of Saint Dauid 76. Richard Rawlyns 77. William Barlowe translated to Welles hauing safe here 10. yéeres about the yéere 1548. and after to Chichester See Welles 78. Robert Farrar ended his life in the fire for profession of his faith the history whereof and of his whole life are to be read in Master Foxe 79. Henry Morgan died December 23. 1559. 80. Thomas Yong staying here but a very short time was translated to Yorke February 25. 1561. See Yorke 81. Richard Dauyes Bishop of Saint Assaph 82. Marmaduke Middleton Bishop of Waterford in Ireland 83. Anthony Rudde Doctor of Diuinity borne in Yorkshire brought vp in Cambridge hauing béene for the space of 9. yéeres Deane of Glocester was consecrate Iune 9. 〈◊〉 The Bishopricke of Saint Dauids is valued in the 〈◊〉 at 426 l. 22 d. ob and in the 〈◊〉 bookes at 1500. ducates The Bishops of Landaff THe Cathedrall church of Landaff is reported to haue beene first built in the time of king 〈◊〉 about the yéere of Christ 180. But I perceiue not that any Bishop sate there before 〈◊〉 that by 〈◊〉 Bishop of Altisiodore Lupus of Trecasia two Bishops of Fraunce was remooued to the Archbishoprick of
no fit match for him He was much emploied in embassages both before his preferment and after He sate Archbishop thirtéene yéeres and dying September 13. 1544. was buried in his owne church where is this Epitaphe to be séene engrauen vpon his toombe Edwardus Leus Archiepiscopus Ebor. Theologus eximius atque omni literarum genere longe eruditislimus sapientia vitae sanctitate clarus Euangelicae doctrinae praeconem semper agens pauperibus beneficus omnibus ordinibus iuxta charus magno de se apud omnes desiderio relicto hic sepultus iacet Sedit Archiepiscopus annos paulo minus 13. obijt Ibid. Septaetatis suae anno 62. anno Christi 1544. In English thus Edward Lee Archbishop of Yorke a great diuine and very well séene in all kind of learning famous aswell for wisedome 〈◊〉 vertue and holinesse of life a continuall preacher of the gospell a man very liberall vnto the poore and greatly beloued of all sorts of men who greatly misse and bemoane the want of him lieth buried in this place He deceased September 10. in the sixty two yéere of his age the yéere of our 〈◊〉 1544. 59. Robert Holgate BEfore the end of the same yéere Robert Holgate Doctor of Diuinity was translated from Landaff in 〈◊〉 where he had béene seuen yéeres Bishop vnto Yorke and continued there vntill the beginning of Quéene Mary who caused him to be depriued and that as I take it for 〈◊〉 married 60. Nicolas Heath ABout the yéere 1539. Nicolas Heath a Londoner borne 〈◊〉 of Diuinity and Almoner vnto the king was made Bishop of Rochester Within 〈◊〉 yéeres he was remooued to Worceter the yeere 1551 he was displaced and Master Hooper made Bishop there But Quéene Mary restored him againe in the beginning of her raigne and made him President of Wales Soone after to wit the yere 1553 he was translated to Yorke and vpon the death of Stephen Gardiner made Lord Chauncellor of England These places he held vntill the happy raigne of our Soneraigne the Quéene that now is at what time he thought good to resigne them both and liued afterwards vpon some lands that heretofore he had purchased being much fauoured by her 〈◊〉 in regard of his diligent and faithfull 〈◊〉 for her establishment in the throne royall which her sister Mary being dead no man doubted to be due onely vnto her He did but his 〈◊〉 calling together the nobility and commons in the Parliament then assembled he certified them of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 death and for that he was Lord Chauncellor gaue order for the proclayming of the Lady Elizabeth This it pleased her Maiesty of her gratious clemency to take in so good part as she was content the rather to beare with faults of his otherwise intollerable 61. Thomas Yoong THomas Yoong sometime Bishop of Saint 〈◊〉 was the first Bishop of Yorke in this Quéenes daies He was confirmed therein February 25. 1561. and about the same time made Lord President of the north This man for what cause or purpose I know not pulled downe the great hall in the pallace of Yorke ann 1562. which was sumptuously built by Thomas the elder his predecessor almost 500. yéeres 〈◊〉 He died June 26. 1568. at Sheffield and was buried in the Minster of Yorke 62. Edmund Grindall VPon the depriuation of Edmund Boner Edmund Grindall was appointed vnto the Sée of London whereunto he was elected July 26. 1559. and sate there about 11. yéeres May 22. 1570. he was translated thence to Yorke there he continued till the yéere 1575. at what time he was promoted vnto the Archbishopricke of Canterbury Sée more of him in Canterbury 63. Edwyn Sandes EDwyn Sandes doctor of Diuinitie was Uicechauncellor of the Uniuersitie of Cambridge at what time the Ladie Iane was proclaimed Quéene about which matter he endured much trouble and long imprisonment The historie whereof is reported at large by Master Foxe vnto whom I remit the reader In the beginning of this Quéenes raigne to wit December 21. 1559. he was consecrate Bishop of Worceter and succéeded Edmund Grindall both in London whereunto he was confirmed July 13. 1570. and also in Yorke He continued there Archbishop about 〈◊〉 yéeres and dying August 8. 1588. was buried at Southwell 64. Iohn Piers. IOhn Piers Doctor of Diuinitie being Deane of Christ church in Oxford was made Bishop of Rochester and Almoner the yéere 1576. translated to Salisbury continuing still Almoner the yéere following and vpon the death of Bishop Sands preferred to Yorke This man liued alwaies vnmaried and departed this life September 27. or thereabouts 1594. 65. Mathew Hutton IN the beginning of March following Mathew Hutton doctor of Diuinitie first Deane of Yorke and consecrate Bishop of Durham the yéere 1589. was aduanced to the Metropoliticall See of Yorke and as yet continueth in the same The Bishops of Durham 1. Aidanus THe noble vertuous Prince 〈◊〉 hauing attained the kingdome 〈◊〉 Northumberland the yéere 634. and desirous that his countrimen and 〈◊〉 should not onely be gouerned by the sword for their temporall good but also directed by the word and preaching of the gospell to the euerlasting saluation of their soules he sent his Embassador vnto his neighbours the Scots amongst whom were then many 〈◊〉 and well learned preachers requesting them to send vnto him some good man that might instruct his people in the 〈◊〉 and feare of Christ. To this his most reasonable request they quickly condiscended and sent vnto him first a man that doing his best endeuour a while amongst them and perceauing he could do no good returned shortly into his owne country againe complaining that they were a barbarous and 〈◊〉 people amongst whom he had bene and such as he thought he could not spend his time worse then in séeking to instruct them that séemed neither desirous nor capable of knowledge They that sent him very sory for this tidings and consulting amongst themselues what course were now to be taken it chanced one of them named Aidanus to vse these words It séemeth to me quoth he that this our brother dealt somewhat to roughly with his vnlearned auditors not 〈◊〉 them first with the milke of gentle words and easie doctrine according to the councell of the Apostle vntill such time as they were enabled to digest stronger meat And this I take to be the cause of the ill successe his preaching had amongst them All the rest of the company thought it very probable which he had said and these his words occasioning them to remember besides his learning and godlines his notable discretion and knowen wisedome they agréed all that 〈◊〉 no man was so likely to amend that fault as he that had so quickly found and discerned it in the other and so with one consent ordained him Bishop of Northumbers This Aidanus an humble minded man a louer of silence and pouerty saith William Malmesbury auoiding of purpose the pomp and frequency of Yorke chose for his See a little Island
him to sit in the court and to determine all causes at his pleasure dealing withall very corruptly and taking still the course that might be most for his owne gaine Hereby he greatly enriched his coffers but purchased vnto himselfe extreame hatred amongst the common people which was his destruction in the end There was a certaine gentleman of great account named Leolfus that married Algitha the daughter of Aldred sometime Earle of Northumberland from whom the Lord Lumly that now liueth is lineally descended This Leulfus to the end he might liue néere the church in his later time and for very deuotion came to Durham to dwell there and kept company very much with the Bishop who loued him entirely for many good parts he saw in him as namely his wisedome in descerning his equity in deciding and his discretion in ordering and handling such causes as he committed vnto him in which respect also he vsed him very 〈◊〉 imployed him often and gaue him what countenance he could Now you shall vnderstand that vnto the same Bishop belonged two men vnto whom for the most part he committed the 〈◊〉 of all his affaires 〈◊〉 or Leobwyn his chaplaine whom he trusted withall houshold matters and Gilbert a kinsman of his owne that dealt in his causes of temporall gouernment In these offices they behaued themselues so as the Bishop had cause to commend their diligence but to blame their rashnes and wilfulnes in many things Which notwithstanding he bare withall either because their industry and care of his affaires so blinded his eies as he could not espie their misbehauiour otherwise or else being loath to 〈◊〉 them whom he had once aduaunced These men and especially 〈◊〉 did greatly enuie the credit that 〈◊〉 had gotten with the Bishop and euery where opposed themselues against him not onely in wordes traducing his actions but in deedes also still thwarting and crossing his endeuours Whereby it came to passe that many tarres fell out betweene them One day amongst the rest a court being held in the presence of the Bishop 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 for so also I find him called according vnto his wonted manner gaue 〈◊〉 ill speeches which he not enduring to beare as heretofore he had done furor fit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 answered this sawcy Chaplaine somewhat more roundly then he had accustomed Whereupon he rose straight from the court in great indignation 〈◊〉 I meane and calling 〈◊〉 aside with little adoo perswaded him to carry a certaine number of armed men to the house where 〈◊〉 lay and in a night to kill him which indeede he 〈◊〉 with great cruelty murthering not onely the innocent gentleman himselfe but also his seruants and whole houshold The newes of this horrible and outragions cruelty comming vnto the cares of the Bishop amased him very much and suspecting it was done by the aduice of Leofwin turning him about vnto him O Leofwin saith he thou hast already flaine me by thy toong So not doubting it would bréede much daunger vnto him he got him into his castell and presently dispatched messengers vnto the friends and kinred of Leulfus that was slaine protesting that the fact was committed without his knowledge that he was maruailous sory for it and if any man suspected him would be ready to submit himselfe to any order of law whereby he might cleere himselfe Herewith they seemed to be satisfied but for conclusion of a firme peace amongst them it was thought fit they should méete and conser of the matter They met at a place called Goates head The Bishop for his better safegard betooke himselfe vnto the church with his company The people whereof an infinite number were gathered together aboade without Messages a while passed betwéene them but the more the matter was debated being very odious of it selfe the more they were incensed At last it was told them how not onely Leofwin but also Gilbert had bene harboured in the Bishops house and affoorded countenance of him since the murther which being once heard and it was true ynough they all cried out it was manifest that the Bishop was the author of this fact It is furthermore deliuered by Matthew Paris that the Bishop not long before this amongst many intollerable exactions laide vpon the countrey by him had commaunded the summe of 400 l to be leuied at this time That being also remembred while as all the company stoode in a mammering doubting what course to take one of some special regard amongst them stept vp vsing these words Short read good read 〈◊〉 yee the 〈◊〉 Hereupon without more adoo they ran all vnto the church killed so many of the Bishops 〈◊〉 as they found without doores and with horrible noise and outcries bid him and his company to come out vnto them Too late then he repented that he had committed himselfe vnto the fury of a discontented multitude with whom he knew himselfe before that time nothing gratious But to make the best of a badde match and to try all meanes of ridding himselfe from the danger imminent he perswaded his kinsman Gilbert there present to goe foorth vnto them if happily his death which doubtlesse he had well deserued might satisfie their 〈◊〉 and purchase safetie vnto his Lord and Master Gilbert was content and issuing out with diuers of the Bishops company were all 〈◊〉 except onely two English men seruants vnto the Bishop all the rest were Normans They being not yet 〈◊〉 he besought 〈◊〉 whose life he knew well was principally 〈◊〉 to go out also But he vtterly refused so to do The Bishop therefore going vnto the church dore entreated them not to take his life from him protested himselfe to be vtterly 〈◊〉 of the bloud of 〈◊〉 and shewed them at large how dangerous it woulde be vnto them in particular and what inconueniences woulde follow vnto the whole countrey in generall if they should defile their hands in shedding his bloud an vnarmed priest a sacred and consecrate Bishop their ruler their gouernor their magistrate Hoping lastly that his very countenance his grauitie his age and the sight of his person might somewhat mooue them to compassion for he was indeed a very reuerend man to see to very tall of stature head and beard as white as snow his face fresh and well coloured and euery way 〈◊〉 personable He went out carying a greene branch in his hand that so also he might testifie his desire of peace When he sawe that all this auailed not and the people ranne furiously vpon him he cast his gowne ouer his owne head in like sort as we read 〈◊〉 Caesar did in the like case and permitting himselfe to their fury with innumerable wounds was 〈◊〉 massacred together with all his people and retinue to the number of 100. onely 〈◊〉 yet remained within the church and being often called would not come 〈◊〉 So they set the Church a fire Not 〈◊〉 the fire he leapt out at a windowe and was immediately hewen into a thousand peeces This barbarous
he came to Durham or rather for so is the right name Dunholm which is compounded of two saxon words Dun signifying a hill and Holm an Island in a riuer Before his comming thither it was a place wild and not habitable being all a wood full of thicke bushes and trees sauing onely a little plaine vpon the top of the hil that was woont to be sowed aud is the very place where the church now standeth With the helpe of the country people and 〈◊〉 Earle of Northumberland he cut downe the wood cleansed the place and in short time made it habitable All the people dwelling between the riuers of Theise and Coqued came then and affoorded most readily their best helpe vnto the building of a church there neuer ceasing vntill in the time of this Bishop who principally caused the same it was quite finished He was schoolemaster vnto the children of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Edward that after raigned and is commonly called Edward the Confessor The king their father being driuen out of his kingdome by 〈◊〉 the Dane the yeere 1013 he sent him with 〈◊〉 his wife and his two sonnes before named vnto Richard Duke of Normandy their vncle How seene the Bishop returned I know not but I find that he died within three yéeres after to wit the yeere 1017. hauing continued Bishop almost nine and twenty yeeres 24. Eadmund THrée yéeres after the death of Aldwine the Sée remained voide by reason of the great troubles and continuall warres wherewith the realme was vexed by the Danes At the last God sending a more peaceable time the cleargy of Durham determined to procéede vnto an election As they were conferring about the businesse they had in hand it happened a certaine graue priest to come into the place where they were gathered together and vnderstanding what they were about to say merrily vnto them that they were best choose him These words vsed by him in iest were 〈◊〉 vnto by them in good earnest insomuch as vpon a little deliberation they agréed indéede to elect him for their Bishop and so did Matthew Westminster addeth credite him as you list that the monkes fasting thrée daies and praying vnto Saint Cutbert to shew some token of his approbation or dislike of this election there was a voice heard out of his shrine the priest being at masse that thrée times named Edmond to the Bishopricke He was elected the yéere 1020. But not consecrate in fiue yéeres after He sate alter the time of his consecration 23. yéeres and dying at Glocester anno 1048. was caried thence to his owne church of Durham and there buried William of Malmsbury commendeth him much for his industry in adorning his church and citie with buildings and otherwise 25. Eadred PResently after his death Eadred was made Bishop enioyed that honor a very short time to wit 10. monethes onely and then died 26. Egelric EGelricus a monke or as I finde also reported Abbot of Peterborough succeeded him by the meanes endeuour of Godwyn Earle of Kent He builded a church at Cuneagecester now called Chester vpon the stréete in memorie that the Bishops of Lindisfarne had rested themselues there together with the body of Saint Cutbert 113. yéeres during the time of the Danish warres In digging the foundation of this church he found such an infinite deale of money as after that time not caring for the reuenues of his Bishoprick he resigned the same vnto Egelwyn his brother returned himselfe to the monastery of Peterborough whence he came There he bestowed great cost in building repairing the church monasterie as also in making a cawsie with timber lyme and sande through the fennes betweene Deeping and Spalding a worke very necessary and of infinite charge This cawsie was called after the name of the maker Elrich-rode He resigned the yeere 1056. and hauing led a priuate life now 13 yéeres in his old age to wit the yeere 1069. he was charged I know not how iustly with treason and conspiracie against the Conquerour who drew him out of his cloyster at Peterborough and imprisoned him at Westminster There saith W. Malmsbury by continuall fasting and abundance of teares washing away the guilt of his 〈◊〉 misdéedes he wanne vnto himselfe such reputation of holinesse as the place of his buriall was much trequented after his death He died October 15. 1072. and if I mistake him not for his brother as many of our writers do who confound the historie of these men and attribute diuers actions of the one vnto the other was buried in the chappell of Saint Nicholas in Westminster 27. Egelwyn THis Egelwyn was Bishop at the comming in of the Conquerour against whom he alwaies opposed himselfe At the last séeing himselfe not able to withstande him and fearing to be too neere him he forsooke Durham in the end of the yeere 1069. and caried his clergie with him vnto the church of Lindisfarne But it was not long before they returned againe The king hauing withdrawne his forces out of that countrey and the Bishop belike being taken into fauour about the beginning of Lent the church was furnished againe and the Bishop himselfe entred the same April 6. within two yeeres after which time whether it were the auncient hatred he bore vnto the king that now reboiled in his stomacke or a vaine hope of recouering the libertie of his countrey enthralled vnto the Normans or offence taken at the vnreasonable oppression of the same and especially of clergie men as Stigand and diuers other that were depriued of their Bishoprickes and other promotions He ioyned with certaine English Noble men in a flat rebellion alleaging at first that they feared imprisonment and hard measure but indeed purposing to depose the king and set vp some English man When things succéeded not according to their expectation they were faine to hide themselues in woods and secret places doing great spoile in the countrey till at last they tooke the Isle of Ely which they defended against the kings power a long space In the meane time Egelwyn our Bishop tooke ship and departed as Matt. 〈◊〉 saith into voluntarie exile But William Malmesbury chargeth him with piracie and robberie vpon the sea In the end being taken he was committed to straight prison at Abbingdon where he died the yeere 1071. in winter refusing as Flor. Wigor deliuereth for gréefe and anger to take any sustenance Howbet other thinke his abstinence was of constraint and that he would gladly haue eaten if he could haue gotten meate It is saide he was buried in Saint Nicholas chappell at Westminster But I thinke him mistaken for his brother Agelrike 28. Walter EGelwyn yet liuing but in prison the king caused one Walter borne in Lorraine to be consecrate Bishop He attending more worldly affaires then the charge of his flocke gaue himselfe altogether to temporal busines wherein he wholy occupied himselfe He bought of the king the Earledome of Northumberland and then making himselfe a secular Iudge tooke vpon