successors he had recouered againe whatsoeuer was taken from his Sée Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury assisted very fauourably his cause vrgens aemulum 〈◊〉 potentiae saith W. Malmbury the rather no doubt saith he because he thought it best in policy to weakē the see of York what he might that contended with him in authority greatnes This Wulstan was borneat Hichenton in Warwickshire His Father and Mother whose names were Eatstan and 〈◊〉 long before their death seuered them selues by mutuall consent and lead a Monasticall life Then as though heauen were not to be entred without a monks cowle they not onely caused 〈◊〉 sonne to be taught and brought vp in the Monastery of Peterborough but also exhorted him earnestly especially his Mother in any wise to become a monke He did so followed their direction professed himselfe a monke at Worceter vnder Brittegus his predecessor He was by by much admired for the straight life he led and for the opinion men had of his holinesse so estéemed as no preferment might 〈◊〉 whereof he was capable but immediately it was cast vpon him He was first made 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Treasurer of the Church after 〈◊〉 there the 〈◊〉 of Glocester and lastly Bishop of that 〈◊〉 It is said he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 consent vnto his election 〈◊〉 time protesting he had rather lay his head vpon a 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 off then to take so great a 〈◊〉 vpon him No man could perswade him to 〈◊〉 vntill that one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him sharply for his backwardnes 〈◊〉 him he offended God much in the same His excuse was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 learning And certaine it is that his defect that way was so notable as in the time of 〈◊〉 Conquerour 〈◊〉 all English Prelates were sifted to the 〈◊〉 he was called 〈◊〉 question for insufficiency and had beene depriued as it is thought at least wise if he had not beene found somewhat more sufficient then was expected He was consecrate September 8. 1062 by Aldred Archbishop of Yorke 〈◊〉 being then suspended But that he might acquite him selfe from vsurpation of any right belonging to Canterbury he not onely required him to make his othe of profession vnto Canterbury but also renounced all right of pretended iurisdiction vnto the Dioces of Worceter acknowledging the same to belong not to Yorke as some of his predecessors had 〈◊〉 but to Canterbury as to the Metropolitane of the same New to come vnto his gouernment we are to remember especially two things memorable of him One the building of the Cathedrall church which he raised from the foundation At what time it was come vnto such perfection as that the monkes forsaking their old habitation 〈◊〉 them selues vnto this new built the other Fabrike whereof 〈◊〉 was Author as in Yorke you may read more at large was pulled down Which Wulstan seeing burst out into teares and being demaunded a reason thereof by some that told him he had rather cause to reioyce Our predecessors saith he whose monuments we deface rather I doubt to set vp the 〈◊〉 of our vaine glory then to glorifie God they indeed quoth he were not acquainted with such stately buildings but euery place was a Church sufficient for them to offer them selues a reasonable holy and liuely sacrifice vnto God We contrariwise are double diligent in laying heapes of stones so to frame a materiall Temple but are too too negligent in setting forward the building of that liuely Temple the Church of God The other thing that I determined to mention is a notable testimony of his 〈◊〉 fidelity vnto his Prince All most all the Nobility of England rebelled against the king William 〈◊〉 the first yeere of his 〈◊〉 Certaine of them Roger Earle of Mount-gomery 〈◊〉 Newmarket Roger Lacy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and other attempted to take the City of Worceter This Bishop not onely 〈◊〉 them and by continuall 〈◊〉 in preaching and otherwise contained them in very 〈◊〉 obedience but also arming such a number of people as the City 〈◊〉 affoord caused them to 〈◊〉 out and set vpon the 〈◊〉 whom they 〈◊〉 killing and taking a number of them prisoners He died being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yeeres of age 1095. Ianuary 19. which day afterwards 〈◊〉 being 〈◊〉 was made a holy day appointed vnto the celebration of his memory He was buried in his owne Church 〈◊〉 the Church being burnt his 〈◊〉 onely escaped the violence of the fire how he appeared vnto his old 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bishop of 〈◊〉 being at Creeklade at the 〈◊〉 of his death 〈◊〉 the same vnto him and many things more strange if any man desire to read them let him 〈◊〉 them in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and other that discourse them at large This for my part I thinke 〈◊〉 if not too much 25. 〈◊〉 a Canon of Bayon was consecrate Bishop of Worcester at Canterbury June 15. 〈◊〉 A man well learned very eloquent a great house keeper He tooke away 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the monkes that 〈◊〉 had placed there and died afterwards at that place May 5. 1112. He was buried in the body of his Church 〈◊〉 before the roodlost He had an elder brother named 〈◊〉 then Archbishop of York and a sonne that afterwards was 〈◊〉 Archbishop there Of them and some other matter 〈◊〉 him see more in Yorke Soone after his death to wit May 20. 〈◊〉 the Cathedrall Church 〈◊〉 and City of Worceter were burnt and quite 〈◊〉 with casuall 〈◊〉 One monke three seruants of the Monastery and 〈◊〉 townesmen perished in that fire 26. Theulphus a Canon of Bayon likewise was elected Bishop of Worceter December 28. 1113. but not 〈◊〉 vntill Iune 27. 1115. He died at his mannor of 〈◊〉 October 21. 1123. and was buryed hard by 〈◊〉 his predecessor in that place I doubt not where vpon one Marble lying iust before the 〈◊〉 doore we see the defaced images of two Bishops 27. Simon Chaplaine and Chauncellor vnto Quéene Adelicia the second wife of King Henry the first was consecrate May 23. 1125. He was liberall according to the proportion of his ability affable and very courteons 28. Alured After Symon W. 〈◊〉 that liued in those daies placeth Alured for his next successor 〈◊〉 some put Iohn 〈◊〉 before him and Florent Wigorn leaueth him quite out of the reckening 29. Iohn Pagham He gaue Bibery vnto the Abbey of 〈◊〉 and the mannor of Elme Bishop vnto his owne See 30. Roger sonne vnto the Earle of Glocester died August 9. 1179. at Tours in Fraunce and was buryed there 31. Baldwyn Abbot of Ford consecrate 1181. was translated to Canterbury 1184. Sée more there 32. William de Northale consecrate September 21. 1186. died 1190. 33. Robert a Canon of Lincolne sonne vnto William Fitz-Ralf Seneschall of Normandy became Bishop of Worceter 1191. and died the yeere following 34. Henry Abbot of Glastonbury was made Bishop of Worceter that Sanarike Bishop of Bathe and Wels 〈◊〉 vnite that Abbey to his Sée Sée more of that matter in Wels. He
but his speciall care was to furnish the same and the rest of his Dioces with learned and honest men with whom he was woont continually to conferre and reason sometime with one and sometime with another partly for his owne exercise and partly to sée what was in them and to raise them vp to a diligence in increasing their knowledge Himselfe was very learned and writ diuers things both in prose and verse He was also a very good musition and could not onely sing but play very well vpon the organs and did set many songs Hauing crowned king Henry the first August 5. 1100. with the helpe of Maurice Bishop of London because Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury liued then in banishment the 18. of Nouember following being sunday he died at Rippon and was buried at Yorke in the Minster himselfe had built next vnto Aldred his predecessor 26. Gerard. AFter the death of Thomas Gerard nephew vnto Walkenlin Bishop of Winchester and Chauncellor of England vnder William the Conquerour and Rofus his sonne hauing beene Bishop of Heresord no long time he was elected vnto Yorke but obtayned not confirmation a great while For he refused to make profession of obedience vnto Canterbury till being commaunded by the Popes letters he performed the same He sate Archbishop seuen yéeres and almost sixe moneths and died suddenly in his garden at Southwell at a time when no body was with him He was a good benefactor vnto the Church of Yorke for he was a meanes vnto the king to bestow the Church of Laxton vpon the Chapter and himselfe hauing obtayued of him the Churches of Dryfield Kilne Pockington and Burgh he gaue them all likewise to the Chapter This notwithstanding after his death they would not suffer him bying so suddenly to be buried within their church hardly in the churchyard So he was laide at the entrance of the church porch But Thomas his successor not suffering such an indignity to be offered vnto an Archbishop remooued his bones into the Church afterward and caused them to be honorably intoombed He was a man of great learning and for eloquence admirable but somewhat too eager against married Priests whom by no meanes he could abide Bale chargeth him with forcery and coniuration because forsooth that after his death there was found in his chamber a volume of 〈◊〉 who writ of Astrology indéed but of coniuration nothing that euer I heard 27. Thomas 2. A Second Thomas succéeded a Chaplain of the kings nephew vnto the former Thomas and sonne vnto Sampson Bishop of Worceter Euen as his predecessor he was very loath to make his profession vnto Caterbury Being called vpon by Anselme the Archbishop He made many 〈◊〉 Wherefore Anselme lying very 〈◊〉 and perceiuing his end to be néere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Bishops of England commanding them not to consecrate him before he had made his 〈◊〉 laying a terrible curse and 〈◊〉 vpon whosoeuer 〈◊〉 doo it The king after 〈◊〉 death 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Worceter whose sonne he was to consecrate him But he answered that he would not haue the curse of Father 〈◊〉 for any worldly good So in the end being perswaded to yéeld as other had done before him consecration was afforded vnto him and performed by his Father 〈◊〉 the foresaid Bishop of 〈◊〉 or as other report by the Bishop of London Iune 27. 1108. This man erected 〈◊〉 newe 〈◊〉 in his Church of Yorke he placed 〈◊〉 reguler at 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 parcels of land vnto the Colledge of 〈◊〉 and purchased of the king the like liberties priuileges for them that the 〈◊〉 of Yorke 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He sate little aboue 5. yéeres and died I thinke I 〈◊〉 say 〈◊〉 Martyr Lying dangerously 〈◊〉 he was aduertised by the 〈◊〉 the nature of his disease to be such as if he vsed the company of a woman he neede not doubt of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 otherwise nothing was to be looked for but death He 〈◊〉 rather to 〈◊〉 then to 〈◊〉 so high and sacred a calling with so soule and haynous an 〈◊〉 So he ended his life February 19. 1114. and was buried beside the former Thomas his vncle 28. Thurstan THomas the Archbishop being taken away as before I haue declared Thurstan a Cannon of Paules and the Kings Chaplaine was chosen to succéed him He when he could by no meanes obtaine consecration of Ralph Archbishop of Canterbury without making profession of subiection 〈◊〉 and forsooke the 〈◊〉 of his election Yet remembring himselfe at last he went to Rome to plead his cause before the Pope and obtained letters to the king and Archbishop of Canterbury in commendation of his cause These letters preuailing nothing with the Archbishop that would be wonne by no meanes and Thurstan continuing as obstinate in his resolution The Sée remained void along time At last it fell out that a Counsell was summoned to be held at 〈◊〉 Thurstan crauing leaue of the king to goe thither could not obtaine it before he had promised that he would not receiue consecration there Which promise notwithstanding so well he followed his businesse that before the comming ouer of other English Bishops to the Counsell he was a Bishop ready consecrate as well as they and that by the hand of the Pope himselfe So he and he only I thinke of all the Archbishops of York since the Conquest neuer made profession of subiection to the Metropoliticall See of Canterbury The King hearing of this dealing was very greatly offended with Thurstan and for bad him England Neither could the Pope méeting with the King at Gisors and intreating for him so pacifie his displeasure as that he would suffer him to returne After fiue yeeres banishment the Pope writ a very sharpe letter vnto the king signifying that he would excommunicate both him and the Archbishop of Canterbury also if Thurstan were any longer kept from his See and charge Hereupon he was called home and soone after reconciled vnto the King This man is much praysed first for his learning then for his great wisedome and discretion and lastly for his industry and diligence his care and painefulnesse in well gouerning the charge committed to him He was a very kinde man to his Cannons vnto whom amongst other things he affoorded this priuiledge that the yeerely profite of their prebends being deuided into thrée parts it should be lawfull for any Canon to bequeath two parts of the yéere next ensuing his death alotting the third vnto the Fabricke that is toward the reparation of the church This order he set downe not onely at Yorke but at Beuerley also at Southwell at Rippon and at Glocester all which were colledges founded by Archbishops of Yorke Moreouer it is to be remembred that he either founded a 〈◊〉 or renued and repaired eight monasteries In the latter end of his time to wit June 4. 1137. a lamentable chaunce befell his church and city By casuall fire Saint Peters church in Yorke Saint Maries without the walles a
〈◊〉 all of his owne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 city 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hauing continued in that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the time of his election and being a very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he determined to forsake the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pontsract which he did 〈◊〉 his Bishopricke Ianuary 25. 1140. His cowle was 〈◊〉 warme vpon his back when death appointed him the vse of an other garment 〈◊〉 daies after his resignation he died viz. February 5. the yeere aforesaid 29. Henry Murdac VVIlliam Treasurer of Yorke a kinsman of king Stephens tooke then vpon 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of that Sée A man very noble by birth and 〈◊〉 but much more noble in 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 manners 〈◊〉 obtained not onely election but 〈◊〉 also as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto me he sent vnto Rome for his 〈◊〉 His 〈◊〉 there was not so good as he looked for By some 〈◊〉 many 〈◊〉 were taken against him whereby it came to passe not onely his sute was put of and staid for that 〈◊〉 but also processe awarded to admonish him to come thither in person to answere the accusations laied against him At his comming to Rome he found his aduersaries many 〈◊〉 mighty And amongst the rest it is remembred that Saint Bernard then liuing was very earnest against him 〈◊〉 the Pope had 〈◊〉 brought vp in the Abbey of Clareuall vnder Saint Bernard together with Henry Murdas whom Williams aduersaries had set vp to 〈◊〉 a suter for this Archbishopricke The Pope being thus caried away with the perswasion of his old acquintance and some shew of matter was content to 〈◊〉 William and to place Henry Murdac in his roome whom he caused to be consecrate presently and sent him home into England with his Pall. King Stephen hearing this newes was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which all men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 with the 〈◊〉 Archbishop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto him in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 manner and when he denied easily tooke occasion of displeasure against him The townesmen of Yorke that loued William excéedingly for his gentlenesse and vertuous behauiour amongst them hearing how the king was affected refused to receiue 〈◊〉 into their city For this resistance he suspendeth the city which notwithstanding Eustach the kings sonne commaunded seruice to be said as at other times was accustomed By meanes hereof as also by reason that the kings officers were very terrible and heauy enemies vnto all that had laboured for the depriuation of William seditions and 〈◊〉 were daily raised in the city amongst which a certaine Archdeacon a friend of the Archbishoppes was slaine Two or thrée yéeres these stirs continued till at last the kings wrath by meanes being appeased Yorke men were content to receiue their Archbishop peaceably He gouerned very austerely the space of ten yeeres died October 14. 1153. at Sherborne and was buried in his Cathedrall church 3. Saint William VVIlliam immediately after his depriuation got him home into England and in great patience awaiting the pleasure of God betooke himselfe to the monastery of Winchester liuing much in the company of Henry the Bishop that did first consecrate him Now ye shall vnderstand that a little before the death of Henry Murdac 〈◊〉 the Pope his old companion and Saint Bernard the Master of them bothe for they had bene his scollers were taken out of this life William then was greatly animated by his friends to make complaint vnto Anastasius the uew Pope of the wrong heretofore done vnto him and prouoked by their importunity did so indeede trauailing to Rome in his owne person He had 〈◊〉 commenced his complaint when newes was brought that Henry Murdac also his old aduersary was departed this life Following then the aduise of Gregory a Cardinall a very pollitique and subtill fellow without any great sute he was restored vnto all his honours and had the pall deliuered vnto him He was returned into England 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which he kept 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Winchester 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 church he was 〈◊〉 vpon the way by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 church and appealed vnto 〈◊〉 against him which he little estéemed but went forward notwithstanding All the rest of the cleargy and commonalty 〈◊〉 him with 〈◊〉 ioy 〈◊〉 Virg reporteth that passing ouer the riuer beyond 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the number of people that followed him to 〈◊〉 honour was so 〈◊〉 as the bridge being but a woden bridge brake euen inst as the Bishop was oner and throw them all into the water But the blessing and praier of this holy man he supposeth preuailed so much with God as they were all 〈◊〉 preserued from drowning Into his city he was honorably receiued and began a very 〈◊〉 and gentle gouernment shewing no token of gall or malice toward his ancient and most bitter cnimies but he was taken away by death before he could performe any great matter otherwise Soone after Whitsuntide he fell sicke as it séemed of a kinde of ague and within a day or two after departed this life The common report is that he was poysoned in the challice at masse But Newbrigensis 〈◊〉 this opinion at large li. 1. 〈◊〉 26. Certaine it is that it was 〈◊〉 suspected to be so not only after his death but also while he yet liued in his 〈◊〉 times In so much as one of his chaplaines aduised him to 〈◊〉 some 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poyson which he also did as one 〈◊〉 but other say he answered quod antidotum dioinum non adijceret humano that he would not adde the 〈◊〉 of the body vnto the preseruatiue of the soule becanse forsooth he had then lately receined the sacrament Howsoeuer it was he died very suddenly his teeth waxing very blacke a little before his death and not without some other notes and 〈◊〉 of poyson The time of his departure was June 8. 1154. After his death he was made a Saint and the day aforesaid June 8 appointed vnto the celebration of his memory Many miracles are said to haue beene wrought at his toombe in the Cashedrall church of Yorke Beleeue it that list I cannot to sayno more me thinkes the man whose depriuation Saint Barnard procured should not be worthy to be reputed a Saint or like to worke miracles 31. Roger. NO sooner was William dead but Robert the Deane and Osbert the Archdeacon laide plots for the election of Roger Archdeacon of Canterbury and procuring the Archbishop and the Popes Legate to become suters for him with much adoo they induced the Chapter to choose him He was consecrate by Anastasius the Pope about the end of the yéere 1154. This man is not gratious in our stories yet he is confessed to haue béene very learned well spoken passing wise and a great augmenter of the state of his Bishopricke both in reuenewes and buildings The reason is he fauoured not monkes by whom in a manner all our
they were it was said they were of Deira God grant saith he they may be De ira dei eruti deliuered from the wrath of God and made partaker of his mercies by Christ. Hée procéeded yet further and asked how the king of that countrey was called vnderstanding his name was Elle Alleluia quoth he must néedes be sung in those parts in praise of almightie God Not long after then this good man being made Pope hée tooke especiall care of sending preachers into this land for the conuersion of the same Yet it is not to be denied and it appéereth manifestly by the letters of Saint Gregory himselfe vnto the king and Quéene of France that this care of his was much stirred vp by the forwardnes of some good Saxons that complained vnto him of the negligence of the French priestes who being so néere would neuer take any course for the planting of Christianitie amongst them and therefore praied him that he would send preachers thither He did so made choice of one Augustine a monke of greater vertue then learning vnto whom he appointed fortie other that shoulde accompanie and aide him in this holy worke Being now well onward on their way they enquired of the state of the countrey and manners of the people vnto whom they went and vnderstoode so much of their barbarous and fierce rudenes as they in a manner all vtterly renounced procéeding any farther in the voyage and as it were compelled Augustine to poste backe to Rome there to craue licence of returne Saint Gregorie much grieued with this 〈◊〉 writ his letters vnto them wherein hé vsed many reasons to perswade them in any wise to goe forward whereunto at last they yéelded They arriued at the Iste of Thanet in Kent the yéere 596. nowe iust a thousand yéeres agoe The king of that countrie his name was Ethelbert intertained them with all curtesie the rather as it is to be supposed by the persuasion of his wife Berta that was a Christian There was néere vnto the citie of Canterburie a church built of old by the Romaines and dedicated vnto S. Martin in which the Quéene was woont to pray with Lethardus her Bishop There these men were allowed to preach pray baptise and vse all maner of exercise pertaining to Christian religion The king himselfe all this while gaue them maintenance came often to heare them and at last being throughly conuerted tooke on him the badge of Christ by baptisme all his people quickly following his example He then also appointed vnto Augustine and his companions a house at Stablegate and allotted competent reuenues vnto the same The matter being thus far forward Augustine stept into France and caused himselfe there to be consecrated Archbishop of England by Etherius Archbishop of Arles Presently vpon his returne thence he sent two of his companie vnto Rome Laurence and Peter to aduertise the Pope of their good successe By them when they returned he sent Augustine a pall bookes church-ornaments and other necessaries He sent also presently vnto the king and writ diuers letters some gratulatorie to the king some vnto Augustine exhorting him to diligence in his calling and to take héede least the miracles which God wrought by him for the conuersion of this people should make him proud and lastly others vnto the Archbishop of Arles to thanke him for his good aide and assistance yéelded to these men in this businesse In the meane time Augustine had obtained of the king another church in the midst of the citie built likewise heretofore by the Romaines and dedicated the same vnto our Sauiour Christ. Soone after this good king gaue vnto him also his owne palace and chiefe seate of his kingdome remoouing himselfe vnto Rheaculf called by the Romaines Regulbium now 〈◊〉 And lastly he laid the foundation of a goodly monasterie which he dedicated to S. Peter and S. Paule knowen afterwards by the name of S. Augustines These things being thus ordered he indeuoured to make a concord and agréement betwéene the Saxons and the Welchmen who differed from the Romane church in two things the manner of baptizing and the time of the obseruation of Easter Much paines he tooke to persuade them yea wrought a myracle by healing a blinde man for confirmation of his doctrine as you may read in Beda his Eccl. 〈◊〉 lib. 2. cap. 2. But they woulde by no meanes consent to any such vnion much lesse yéeld any kinde of subiection to that authoritie which he claimed to haue ouer all this Island He gaue not ouer with one repulse but when at the first he could not preuaile he procured a second conference at what time there met him seuen Britaine Bishops and a great number of monks especially of that famous monasterie of Bannachor a place not farre from Chester wherein there liued by the labour of their owne hands 2000. monks These men before they came to the place of meeting appointed thought good to aske the counsell of a certaine Anehorite whom they reputed for a very holie and deuout man and to know of him whether he thought it best for them to yeeld to the directions of Saint Augustine He aduised them if hee were a man of God to take the course he shewed and to follow the same And when they asked how they should discerne whether he were such a one or no he pronounced this saying of our Sauiour Take my yoke vpon you and learne of me for I am meeke and humble of hart If therefore this same Augustine be a méeke and humble minded man it is a great presumption that he beareth the yoke of Christ and offereth the same vnto you But if he be stout and proud he is not of God you may be bold This therefore saith he is my aduire haue a care that he and his companie be first in the place where you meete If then you being the greater number he rise not to doe you reuerence but despise you despise you also him and his counsell Augustine therefore first entered the place with his banner and his crosse with singing procession and great pompe and when the Britayne Bishops came in neuer rose or saluted them at all This they taking verie ill gainsaid him in euery thing told him that as his opinions were allowed by Gregory so had theirs long since by Eleutherius both Bishops of Rome that they had an Archbishop then commorant at Caerlegion him they would obey and none other especially such a one as he was a man vnknowne and a stranger not onely for his person and language but much more for his opinions and strange conceits Augustine much displeased with this short answere prayed them to yéeld vnto him but in thrée things to minister Baptisme and obserue Easter according to the Roman maner to assist him in preaching Christ vnto the Saxons But when they vtterly denied to ioyne with them in any sort he denounced against them the iudgements of God for this 〈◊〉 and assured them
confidently as saith Beda of some great calamitie shortly to fall vpon their nation that they which would not haue peace with their brethren should haue warre with their enimies and should finde death by their swords vnto whom they refused to preach the way of life It came to passe according to his prediction that Edelfride king of Northumbers a Pagan Saxon came against them shortly after with a huge armie ouerthrew them in battaile and slew besides an infinite number of souldiers and men of armes a great many monkes to the number of 1200. that were gathered togither there to fight by praier onely fiftie persons saued themselues by flight Soone after this battaile which some say Augustine liued not to sée he died hauing béene Archbishop 16. yéeres to wit May 25. which day is dedicated to his memorie in our Kalender the yéere 611. or as some deliuer ann 605. He was a man of excéeding tall stature well fauoured and of a very 〈◊〉 countenance His body at first was buried without doores néere the church of his monasterie because the church was not yet finished but afterwards was remooued into the north porch of the said church in which place all the bodies of the Archbishops following were laid vntill Theodore who was first buried in the church because the porch was full Upon the tombe of this our apostle was engrauen this epitaph Hic requiescit Diuus Augustinus Dorobernensis Archiepiscopus qui olim huc a Beato Gregorio Romanae vrbis Pontifice directus a Deo operatione 〈◊〉 suffultus Ethelbertum Regem gentem illius ab Idolorum cultu ad fidem Christi perdoxit Héere resteth the body of S. Augustine the first Archbishop of Dorobernia that was sent into this land by Saint Gregory Bishop of the citie of Rome approoued of God by the working of miracles and that brought Ethelbert the king and his people from the worshipping of idols vnto the faith of Christ. 2. Laurence SAint Augustine before his death had appointed to succéede him one Laurence a Romaine borne a very godly and well learned man He tooke great paines not onely with his owne charge but also in labouring to reduce the Britons of Wales the Scots and Irishmen to one consent in matters of religion It is likely his diligence might haue done good but that he was disturbed by the death of that good king Ethelbert Eadbald his sonne succeeded him in the kingdome who being a vitious yong man was not ashamed to marrie the wife of his late deceased father This and other enormities when Laurence like a good Iohn Baptist doubted not to reprehend him for he first began to fall out with him and afterwards euen with Christian religion which awhile he seemed to like of well inough but now at last vtterly renounced The people as commonly it commeth to passe following the example of their king they likewise returned to the filthie vomite of their abominable idolatrie although the Archbishop like a good Pastor ceased not by earnest exhortations and what other meanes possibly he might to stay them from this horrible relapse Perceiuing at last that his words did no good but rather incited the king to a more desperate hatred of him and religion He determined to follow Mellitus and Iustus into France that as anon you shall haue occasion to reade were lately banished by the wicked sonnes of good Sebert king of the East Saxons The night before the day of his intended departure he caused his bed to be made in the very church of his monasterie where after many teares and sighes he recommended vnto God the miserable state of his poore church and so sel sléepe It seemed vnto him saith Beda that S. Peter came vnto him and first expostulated the matter with him after chid and reprehended him sharply 〈◊〉 purposing to forsake the church committed vnto him and lastly whipped his naked body so terribly as when he waked finding it more then a dreame all his body was gore blood He went immediately vnto the king shewing him his wounds and togither related vnto him the occasion of them This strooke such a terror into the king as by and by he renounced his idols put away his incestuous wife caused himselfe to be baptised and for a farther testimonie and assurance of his vnfained conuersion builded a church in the monastery of S. Peter and dedicated the same vnto the blessed Uirgine Laurence very ioyful of this alteratiō sent presently for Mellitus and 〈◊〉 into France who comming vnto him one of them Iustus Bishop of Rochester he returned vnto his old charge the other he retained with him hoping to finde meanes he also might be restored to his Sée againe In the meane time euen the same yéere that king Eadbald became a Christian himselfe I meane Laurence died and was buried beside Augustine his predecessor 3. Mellitus AT what time the Britaines refused to ioine with Augustine in preaching of Christ he writ vnto S. Gregorie certifying him that the haruest here was great but the labourers very few and therefore requested him to appoint some that might assist him in this worke of the Lord. He did so and sent vnto him Mellitus an Abbot of Rome Iustus Paulinus Rufinianus and others who arriued in England the yéere 601. To leaue the rest vnto their owne places Mellitus about thrée yéeres after was consecrate by him Bishop of London where king Ethelbert built a goodly church and dedicated the same vnto S. Paul The fourth yéere of his consecration he went to Rome to conferre with Boniface the Pope about diuers things and was by him honourably intertained A yeere or two after his returne died both Ethelbert king of Kent and 〈◊〉 that vnder him ruled the East Saxons vnto whose iurisdiction London appertained This Sebert left behinde him thrée wicked sonnes that being neuer baptised came notwithstanding one day vnto the church at Communion time and asked the Bishop what he meant that he deliuered not of that same fine bread vnto them as he was woont to doe vnto their father Saba and did yet vnto the rest of the people He answered that if they would be washed in the water of life as he was and the rest of the people there present then would he 〈◊〉 vnto them of this bread also but otherwise neither was it lawfull for him to deliuer nor them to receiue it This notwithstanding they would haue enforced him and when they could not preuatle were so enraged as they expelled him their dominion hardly holding their hands from doing him violence at that time He being thus exiled went first vnto Laurence the Archbishop of Canterburie and finding him in little better case then himselfe was at London departed into France together with Iustus Bishop of Rochester Being sent for soone after by Laurence as aboue said it happened the same yeere that the said Laurence died and he was appointed to succeede him He was a man of great birth but of greater minde excéeding
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
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
death of the Bishop before mentioned they saw Geoffry king Henry the second his base sonne and Archdeacon of Lincoln elected vnto that Sée But he contenting himselfe with the large reuenewes of that rich Bishoprick neuer sought consecration well knowing he might so sheare the fleece though he listed not to take the charge of feeding the sheepe Seuen yeeres he reaped the fruits of that See by colour of his election and then by his fathers commaundement resigned all his interest in the same became an entire courtier for eight yéeres more at last returning to the church againe became Archbishop of Yorke See more of him there 6. Walter de Constantijs ABout the latter ende of the yéere 1183. when all men now assured themselues the prophecy of that conuert of Tame must needes fall out true Walter de Constantijs Archdeacon of Oxford was elect and consecrate Bishop of Lincolne He was very fearefull to accept of the election thinking assuredly he might not liue to be Bishop in regard of that vaine and false prophecy before mentioned Being yet scarce warme in his seate the Archbishopricke of 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 vnto him a place of much higher dignity but of lesse reuenues then Lincoln a great deale 〈◊〉 the power and force of ambition that could prouoke this man notably 〈◊〉 to forsake riches and content him selfe with 〈◊〉 place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lesse wealth but a litle more honorable He was translated to 〈◊〉 the next yeere after his comming to Lincolne viz. 1184. 7. Saint Hugh TWo yéeres after the departure of Walter to Koan the Sée of Lincolne continued void Upon Saint Matthewes day 1186. one Hugh the first Prior of the Charterhouse monkes at Witteham in Somersetshire was consecrate Bishop of the said Church This Hugh who by his integrity of life and conuersation and the opinion of diuers myracles wrought by him hath purchased vnto himselfe the honour and reputation of a Saint was borne in a City of Burgundy called Gratianopolis By the aduise and direction of his Father who hauing buried his wife had made himselfe a regular Channon he also entred the same profession being yet very yoong But waring elder he betooke him selfe afterwards vnto the straight and seuere orders of the Carthusians or Charterhouse monkes as we commonly call them In that kind of life he not only obserued all things requisite by the rule of their order but so farre surmounted the same in performing much more then it required as he grew very famous farre and néere for his extraordinary abstinence and austerity of life It chaunced the report thereof to come vnto the eares of king Henry the second who building a house for Carthusian monkes at Witteham aboue mentioned thought good to send Reginald Bishop of Bathe into Burgundy to intreate this holy man to accept the place of the Prior of this new foundation With much adoo he assented and came ouer with the Bishop The king who for the opinion he had of his holinesse vsed often priuately to conferre with him remembring how great wrong he had done the Church of Lincolne in so long kéeping it without a Bishop determined to make amends by giuing them a good one at last and procured this Hugh before he vnderstood of any such thing toward to be elected Bishop of that Sée He gouerned very stoutly and with great seuerity yet so as he was more reuerenced and loued then feared His excommunications were very terrible vnto all men and the rather for that it was noted as I find deliuered some notable calamity otherwise did lightly follow them His Church of Lincolne he caused to be all new built from the foundation a great and memorable worke and not possible to be performed by him without infinite helpe Moreouer he gaue vnto the King 1000. markes to acquite him and his successors from the yeerely payment of a Mantell of Sables wherewith by an auncient custome they were woont euery newyeares tide to present him The yeere 1200. he would néedes make a voyage to Carthusia the chiefe and originall house of their order In his returne home he fell sicke of a quartane ague at London and there died Nouember 17. 1200. His body was presently conueighed to Lincolne hapened to be brought thither at a time when king Iohn of England and William king of Scots were mette there with an infinite number of the nobility of both realmes The two kings for the great reuerence they bare vnto his holynesse would needes set their shoulders vnto the beere and helped to cary his coarse from the gates of the City vntill it came to the Church doore There it was receiued by the Prelates caried into the quire and the funer all rites being ended buried in the body of the East part of the Church aboue the high Aulter neere the aulter of Saint Iohn Baptist. The yeere 1220. 〈◊〉 was Canonised at Rome and his body being taken vp October 7. 1282. was placed in a siluer shrine Who so listeth to read the miracles that are ascribed vnto him may find them in Matth. Paris that describeth his life at large in his report of the yeere 1200. Amongst many things omitted for breuity I can not let passe one thing which I finde elsewhere deliuered concerning him how that comming to Godstowe a house of Nunnes neere Oxford and seeing a hearse in the middle of the quire couered with silke tapers burning round about it he asked who was buried there Understanding then it was that faire Rosamond the Concubine of king Henry the second who at her intreaty had done much for that house and in regard of those fauours was 〈◊〉 that honours 〈…〉 her body to be digged Vp immediately aâ—â— buried in the Church yard saying it was a placâ— a great deale tâ—o good for a harlot and it should be an example to other women to terrifie them from such a wicked and filthy kind of life 8. William de Bleys VVIlliam de Bleys 〈◊〉 and Canon of the Church of 〈◊〉 was elected Bishop of the same Church the yéere 1201. but not consecrate till 〈◊〉 day 1203. He died vpon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1206. 9. Hugh de Wels. HVgh 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and sometimes 〈◊〉 of England 〈◊〉 the yéere 1209 at what time king Iohn 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Stephen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Archbishop of 〈◊〉 whereof sée more in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this the elect of 〈◊〉 to repaire 〈◊〉 the Archbishop of Roan for consecration 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 of the King he got vnto Stephen Langton and of him was consecrate The king hearing of it 〈◊〉 vpon his 〈◊〉 and kept him 〈◊〉 from them till the yéere 1213. This Bishop and Ioceline of 〈◊〉 laying their purses together 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 hospitall at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more thereof 〈◊〉 the life of the said Ioceline 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 in his Church of Lincolne I haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 made by him 1211. in which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great 〈◊〉 to his friends 〈◊〉 kinred he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5000. markes He 〈◊〉 long
and Somersetshire alotted vnto him for his Dioces He sate here 10. yeeres and after the death of Plegmund was remooued to Canterbury Sée there more of him and this new erection After him followed these 2. Wifelnius who succeeded Aldelm both here and at Canterbury He liued here nine yéeres and there 14. a man saith Pol. Virg. famous as well for vertue as learning Sée more of him in Canterbury 3. Elfeth 4. Wlfhelm 5. Brithelm He was a monke of Glastonbury and became Bishop of Wels the yéere 958. He gaue vnto the Abbey of Glastonbury his nurse the iurisdiction of the Countrey adioyning and made it an Archdeaconry annuall to be bestowed vpon a monke of Glastonbury and he to be elected yéerely by the Couent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the yéere 959. was elected Archbishop of Canterbury Whereof see more in Dunstan of Canterbury He continued Bishop here 15. yéeres and died 973. 6. Kinewardus or Kinewaldus Abbot of Middleton became Bishop of Wels the yéere following sate 11. yéeres and died 985. 7. Sigar He was Abbot of Glastonbury sate also 11. yéeres and died ann 985. 8. Alwyn called by some Adelwyn and by others 〈◊〉 9. Burwold His toombe is to be séene with his 〈◊〉 engrauen vpon the South side of the Quier at Wels. 10. Leoningus translated to Canterbury the yéere 1012. Sée more of him there 11. Ethelwyn expelled his Bishopricke by Brithwyn recouered the same againe from him and shortly after his restitution died 12. Brithwyn who entring into peaceable possession of this Sée presently vpon the decease of Ethelwyn with in 13. daies after died him selfe also 13. 〈◊〉 Abbot of Glattonbury 14. 〈◊〉 whom some name Bodeca He was a Saxon of Germany or as some deliuer borne in 〈◊〉 In his time king Edward the Confessor gaue vnto this Church the mannors of Congresbury and 〈◊〉 He was consecrate the yéere 1031. sate 27. 〈◊〉 7. monethes and seuen daies and was buried vpon the South side of the high Aultar in 〈◊〉 It 〈◊〉 his toombe is the highest of those ancient monuments that we sée vpon the South outside of the Duier 15. Giso Giso a Frenchman of Lorraine borne in a village called Saint Trudo within the territory of Hasban was sent Embassador to Rome by king Edward the Confessor to to be resolued there of certaine doubts concerning matter of religion about the time that 〈◊〉 died Being so absent he was elected Bishop by the Chapter of Wels and receiued consecration at Rome April 4 being Easter day 1059. together with Aldred Archbishop of Yorke and Walter Bishop of Hereford At his returne he found the estate of his Church very miserable Harald the queenes brother that afterwards became for a while king of England being yet a priuate man Qâ—id Domini facient audent qui talia 〈◊〉 Upon what occasion I know not had spoyled the Church of all ornaments chased away the Canons and inuading all the possessions of the same had conuerted them to his owne vse so that the Canons remaining which fled not for seare of this tyrant they were onely fiue they I say were faine to begge their bread The Bishop complaining vnto the King of this outragious hauocke found cold comfort at his hands 〈◊〉 whether it were for feare of Haralds power or his wiues displeasure he caused no restitution at all to be made Onely the Queene was content to giue of her owne Marke and Modesly vnto the Church After the death of king Edward Giso was faine to fly the land till such time as 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 vsurper being vanquished and slaine William the Conqueror was a meane to restore not only him to his place and countrey but his Church also to all that the other had violently taken from it except some small parcels that I know not by what meanes had beene 〈◊〉 vnto the Monastery of Glocester Yet in stead of them also he was pleased to bestow vpon the Church the mannour of Yatton with the Patronage of the benefice there and moreouer caused one Ealsi to restore vnto the same the mannour of 〈◊〉 which long since had beene altenated from it by some 〈◊〉 practise as it should seeme Giso being thus setled tooke great paines in recouering such other things as had béene 〈◊〉 from his church in procuring charters of confirmation for the better assurance of what already they had and procuring such things as séemed to be wanting Namely of one 〈◊〉 a Courtier he found meanes to obtaine the 〈◊〉 of Coonth-Nicolas 〈◊〉 and Lytton Then 〈◊〉 the state of his church so well amended he thought good to augment the number of his Canons and for their better 〈◊〉 built then a cloyster a hall and a dorter or place for their lodging Lastly he appointed one Isaac by the name of a Prouost to be their gouernor Hauing béene Bishop the space of 28. yéeres he departed this life and was buried vpon the North side of that place where the high altar then stoode I take his to be the highest of those olde toombes that lye vpon the outside of the quier toward the North. 16. Iohn de Villula HE that succeeded Iohn de Villula a Frenchman borne in Tours and a phisician heretofore by his profession not content to do nothing toward the amendment of the state of his church vsed all the meanes he might to impaire and diminish the same The cloyster and other buildings 〈◊〉 by Gyso for his canons he pulled downe and in the place where they stoode build a pallace for himselfe and his successors forcing them to séeke dwellings abroad in the towne But the greatest wrong of al other was that neuer acquainting them with it he procured his Episcopall Sée which 〈◊〉 had béene seated at Welles to be remooued to Bathe and whereas all his predecessors had béene knowen by the names of the Bishoppes of Welles hee renouncing Welles entitled himselfe Bishoppe of Bathe which city he bought of the king for fiue hundreth markes and founded in the same a monastary for the receit of his new remooued Episcopall throne This monastery was first built by Offa king of Mercia ann 775. and being destroyed by the Danes who burnt and razed to the ground almost all the monasteries of England was afterwardes an 1010. reedified by Elphegus that at last was Archbishop of Canterbury His building stoode no long time For the yéere 1087. both it and in a manner all the city was consumed and vtterly destroyed by fire in such sort as this Bishop building it a new from the ground and augmenting the reuenues which before were little or nothing vnto a competent proportion may not vnworthily séeme to be the founder and author of the same He had scarcely or indeed not 〈◊〉 it wheÌ„ being a very aged man he was taken away by 〈◊〉 to wit Dec. 29. 1122. hauing sate 34. yeres He was 〈◊〉 in the church himselfe had built 17. Godfry ONe Godfry a Dutchman and chaplaine vnto the Queene was then by her meanes preferred to this See