in th 12. yéere after his consecration died and was buried at Crediton in his owne church 990. ALfredus whom Dicetus calleth Alfricus abbot of Malmesbury was consecrated Bishop installed at Crediton He was taken for a learned man and wrote two bookes the one intituled de rebus coenobij sui and the other de rerum naturis In his time king Etheldred endowed the Bishopricke of Saint Germans with lands liberties and priuileges The Danes made a fresh 〈◊〉 vpon all Deuonshire and Cornewall burned spoyled the Abbey of Drdolphus at Tauistorke besieged Exceter and being remooued from thence were fought withall at Pynhow about 3. 〈◊〉 from the city and ouerthrowen Alphredus after he had beene Bishop about 9. yeres died an 999. was buried in his owne church ALwolfus as Dicetus writeth was the next Bishop In his time Sweno king of Denmarke by inticement of one Hugh then Earle of Deuonshire came with a great hoste and besieged the city of Exceter tooke it and burned it and with great cruelty vsed the people vntill in the end Almarus Earle of Deuonshire and the gentlemen did yéeld and submit themselues and so obtayned peace This Alwolfus about the 15. yéere of his Bishoprick 1030. died was buried in his owne church LIuyngus procured the county of Cornwall to be added vnto his Dioces he was consecrate 1032. and after became Bishop of Worcester Sée more there The Bishops of Exceter FIrst Leofricus a man descended of the blood and line of Butus brought vp in the land of Lotharingia or Loreine was so well commended not onely for his nobilitie but much more for his wisedome and learning that king Edward the Confessor had him in great fauour and made him first one of the prinie Councell then Chauncellor of England and lastly the Bishopricke of this Dioces being voide he was preferred thereunto By his meanes the Bishops See was remooued from Crediton to this citie of Exceter The yeere 1049. or thereabout king Edward the Confessor comming to Exeter together with his Quéene tooke order that the monks of Saint Peters should be placed at Westminster as before is mentioned and remooued the Episcopall See from Crediton to this citie It is remembred that himselfe taking the Bishop by the right hand and Edeth his Quéene by the left led him vp vnto the Altar of his new church and there placed him in a seate appointed for him This Bishop obtained of the same king much good land and many notable priuileges for his church He made biuers statutes and amongst other things he ordained that all his Canons or Prebendaries should lodge in one chamber and take their diet at one table He appointed them likewise a steward that should prouide them victualls daily and once in the yéere deliuered them new clothes This kinde of gouernment saith William Malmesbury he learned in Lorraine and it is saith he continued by the posterity although by the corruption and luxury of our time somewhat altered and decaied After that he had well and woorthily ruled his church and Diocesse by the space of thrée and twenty yéeres he ended his daies in peace Anno 1073. and was buried in the Cemitory or churchyard of his owne church vnder a simple and a broken marble stone which place by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his Church is now within the South Tower of the same whereof of late Anno. 1568. A new monument was erected in the memory of so good worthy and notable a personage by the industry of the writer hereof but at the charges of the Deane and Chapter OSbertus or Osbernus a Normaine borne and brother to an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 William was preferred to this Bishoprick the yéere 1074. He was Bishop 30. yéers toward his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blind died 1103. and was buried in his owne Church H. Huntingdon and others that 〈◊〉 him make mention of one Gaufridus Bishop of Erceter about this time but they are mistaken It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishop of Constantia that ioyned with Odo 〈◊〉 of Kent c. VVIlliam Warewest a Normaine borne and Chaplaine both to the Conqueror and his two sonnes William and Henry a very graue and a wise man hauing béene much imployed in sundry Ambassayes was preferred at last vnto this Bishopricke by king Henry the first and consecrate thereunto in August 1107. together with 〈◊〉 other He first began to enlarge his Church as aboue I haue mentioned obtained from the king Plympton Brampton and Saint Stephens in Exceter Brampton he gaue to his Cathedrall Church and it was afterwards alotted vnto the Deane for a part of the corps of his Deanery Saint Stephens with the Sée belonging to the same he reserued to him selfe and to his successors who thereby are Barons and lords in the Parliament As for Plympton he gaue it vnto a Monastery which he built there for Reguler Cannons In his later daies he became blind which imperfection notwithstanding the king thought good to send him Embassador vnto Pope Paschalis the second and he dispatched the bussnesse commended vnto him to the Kings great 〈◊〉 Not long after his returne hauing small ioy of the world he gaue ouer his Bishopricke became one of the reguler Canons of his owne house at Plympton where he died 1127. and was buried He was Bishop about 20. yéeres RObert Chichester Deane of Sarisbury was consecrated Bishop ann 1128. He was a Gentleman borne very zelous and deuout in his religion according to the manner of those daies He went often in Pilgrimage sometime to Rome sometime to one place sometime to another and euer would bring with him some one relike or other He was also a liberall Contributer to the buildings of his church After that he had continued two and twenty yéeres he died the yéere 1150. and was buried in his owne Church RObert Warewest nephew to William Warewest his predecessor and Deane of Salisbury was consecrate Bishop by Theobaldus Archbishop of Canterbury ann 1150. After that he had occupied this Sée nine yeres or thereabout he died ann 1159. was buried at Plympton by his vncle BArtholomeus Iscanus otherwise Bartholomew of Exceter was consecrated Bishop of Exceter ann 1159. or rather as it séemeth to me 1161. He was called Iscanus of Isca which is one of the ancientest names of this City a meane Citizens sonne but very well learned wrote sundry bookes as of Predestination Fréewill Penance and others He was estéemed also very deuout holy and a painfull Preacher Matthew Paris in his report of the yéere 1161. telleth a long tale of a certaine strange apparition or reuelation which happened vnto him in the countrey as he visited his Dioces He was a great aduersary of Thomas Becket I marueile that any such thing might be credibly reported of him After he had béene Bishop about fourteene yéeres ann 1184. he died but where he died or was buried it appeareth not IOhn the Chaunter of the Cathedrall Church of this City and Subdeane of Sarum was consecrated Bishop
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
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
Northumberland was present at what time Kinigilsus receiued this Sacrament and was his Godfather being afterwards to become his sonne by the mariage of his daughter These two Kings appointed vnto Birnius the City of Dorchester for his Cathedrall Sée where spending his time in preaching aud other pastorall offices not without great an inestimable profit he died about the yeere 650. 15. yéeres after his first comming into this Countrey was buried there in his owne Church 2. Agilbertus IN the meane time it had fallen out that Kinigilsus dying kenwalchus his sonne raigned in his stéede who refusing the offer of the kingdome of heauen by refusing Christ lost also soone after his earthly kingdome He had maried the daughter of Penda king of Mercia or Mid-England vpon what occasion I know not putting her away married another For this cause Penda tooke armes against him and forced him out of his kingdome Then for succour he fled vnto Anna king of Esser a good man and very religious in whose court he liued the space of thrée yéeres and there was first brought vnto the faith of Christ. By the helpe of this good Prince he also was restored to his kingdome againe His father had pulled downe the temple of Dagon and begun the building of a very faire church in Winchester but was taken away by death before he could finish it and for maintenance of the ministers of the same had alotted al the countrey round about within seuen mile of the city This building Kenwalchus finished and not onely ratified the foresaid gift of his father but also himselfe bestowed vpon the same church the mannours of Downton Alresford and Wordiam Soone after the conuersion of Kenwalchus one Agilbertus a Frenchman borne that had spent a great time in Ireland in preaching the Gospell there came into this countrey ann 650. and of his owne accord tooke great paines in instructing the people The king being giuen to vnderstaud of his learning and painefulnesse prayed him to accept the pastorall charge of his Countrey whereunto he agréed and continued in the same a long time 3. Wina AT last it came to passe that the King misliking his spéech and vtterance as not being able to deliuer his minde but in broken and very bad English caused an other 〈◊〉 to be ordained one Wina a French man likewise but one that could speake very good English and diuiding his Countrey into two parts alotted the one vnto Agilbert who held his Episcopall Sée as before is said at Dorchester And the other vnto this same Wini appointing vnto him for his Sée the City of Winchester This matter Agilbert taking very grieuously the rather for that it was done altogether without either his consent or knowledge returned in a great chafe into his owne countrey where soone after he was made Bishop of Paris So Wini or Wina was the first Bishop of Winchester of whom some vainely suppose the City to haue taken his name He lyeth entoombed in the North part of the Presbitery vpon the top of a wall where is to be seene this inscription Hic iacent 〈◊〉 Wini Episcopi Not long after the departure of Agilbert the king I know not for what cause fell into great mislike of Wina and droue him out of his countrey who flying vnto Wulfhere king of Mercia or Mid-England bought of him for money as it is said the Bishopricke of London being the first Simonist that is mentioned in our histories 4. Elentherius THe West Saxons were then a long time without a Bishop In which meane space Kenwalchus perceiuing all things to go against the haire with him and nothing to prosper vnder his hand but crosses and mischaunces to come thicke one in the necke of another began to consider with him selfe how that by neglecting religion he first lost his kingdome and no sooner embraced Christ but he was restored to his crowne againe and therefore perswaded himselfe that his negligence in appointing a Pastor that might looke vnto the seruice of God was the cause why his worldly affaires had no better successe Hereupon he sent an Embassador into France vnto Agilbert to excuse the wrong heretofore done vnto him with all earnestnes to perswade him to returne vnto his former charge there againe This though Agilbert refused to do alleaging that he was bound by promise not to forsake the place he now held yet that he might shew his readines to gratifie the king in what he might he sent ouer with the Embassador a priest named Elentherius his owne nephew that might if so it pleased him be ordained Pastor and Bishop of that countrey testifying that for his owne part he thought him not vnworthy of the place He was honorably receiued of the king and his people and at their request consecrate Bishop by Theodorus then Archbishop of Canterbury He continued Bishop seuen yéeres 5. Headda AFter Elentherius succéeded Headda a very holy and vertuous man but one that profited more his charge in example of good life cōuersation then in often preaching vnto them for as it should seeme very learned he was not Yet if Beda say true God approued his gouernment by the testimony of many miracles 6. Daniell HE dying in the yéere 704. or as some deliuer 705. after he had sate somewhat aboue thirty yéeres it seemed good to Ina then king of the West Saxons to diuide the prouince into two parts whereof the one he committed vnto a kinsman of his owne called Aldelmus commaunding him to make Sherborne his Sée and vnto the other was ordained Daniell who following the steps of his predecessors continued at Winchester This man sate 43. yeeres and at last perceiuing himselfe vnable to gouerne by reason of old age he resigned his Bishopriche an 741. and became a monke at Meldune or Malmesbury where he lieth buried 7. Humfridus HVmfridus then gouerned this Sée for the space of eight yéeres and died an 756. 8. Kinehardus AFter him came Kinehardus of whom I finde nothing recorded 9. Hathelardus ANd after him Athelardus or Hathelardus Abbot of Meldune who the yéere 794. was translated to the Metropoliticall Sée of Canterbury Sée more in Canterbury Then these 10. Egbaldus 11. Dudda 12. Kineberthus 13. 〈◊〉 14. Wightheinus 15. Herefridus slaine of the Danes in battell ann 834. 16. Edmundus ANd Helmstanus of whom likewise little or nothing is deliuered but that he lieth buried vpon the North wall of the presbytery togither with one of his successors Kenulphus as these verses there written do shew Pontifices haec capsa duos tenet incineratos Primus Helstanus huic successorque Kenulphus ABout this time many suppose Athelwulf or Athulf that was king of the West Saxons twenty yéeres to haue béene first Bishop of Winchester by the space of seuen yeeres Others report that he was a Cardinall of Rome also Neither of these can well be true Certaine it is that being in orders viz. a Subdeacon by the dispensation of
sonnes determined to builde vp this monastery in the most magnificent and stately manner he could 〈◊〉 which indéed he performed being very much holpen in the same by the contribution of Ethelred his brother as also of Kineburg and Kineswith his sisters who as W. 〈◊〉 deliuereth doo there ly buried This Monastery he dedicated vnto Saint Peter and appointed one Saxulf by whose perswasion he tooke in hand this worke to be the first 〈◊〉 of the same He afterwards became Bishop of Lichfield Two hundred yéeres after the first foundation and somewhat more it flourished in wealth and great prosperity to 〈◊〉 vntill the comming of the Danes who slew the Monkes and vtterly destroyed all those sumptuous buildings erected by Wolpher Hauing then layen desolate 109. yéeres Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester a great Patron of Monkery reedified it He had begun a new Oundale at Northampton in Northampton shire when by chaunce comming to this place he thought good to omitte that former and to bestow his cost here So he made a parish church of his building at Oundale and reedified this decayed Monastery of Medeshamstead In digging vp some of the old foundations it is remembred there were found stones of such huge greatnesse as eight yoke of Oren were scarce able to draw one of them away King Edgar holp the Bishop much in this foundation and Aldulf that was Chauncellor vnto the said king partly for deuotion partly for malcontentment and greefe that he had layen vpon his onely child and so 〈◊〉 him in his sleepe bestowed all his substance vpon it and betaking himselfe vnto a monasticall life became Abbot there After him Kenulfus another Abbot compassed about this Monastery with a strong Wall about the yéere of our Lord 1000. And then saith W. Malmsbury because it bare the shew of a towne or burrough it began to leaue the old name and to be called altogether Burgh or Burrough and sometimes because it was dedicated vnto Saint Peter Peterburrough Through the liberality of diuers Benefactors it grew to that greatnesse of wealth and possessions as all the Countrey round about belonged vnto it In that state it continued till that fatall day of all our Monasteries at what time it pleased King Henry the eight to conuert the same into a Cathedrall Church and to imploy the reuenewes vpon the maintenance of a Bishop a Deane 6. Prebendaries and other Ministers necessary for the celebration of Diuine seruice Northamtonshire and Kutlandshire were taken from Lincolne and appointed the Dioces of this newe crected Sée 1. Iohn Chambers IOhn Chambers the last Abbot of Peterborough was the first Bishop 2. Dauid Poole DAuid Poole Doctor of Law Deane of the Arches and sometimes Chauncellor of the Dioces of Lichfield 3. Edmund Scambler EDmund Scambler was consecrate Ianuary 16. 1560. and the yéere 1584. remooued to Norwich Sée Norwich 4. Richard Howland RIchard Howland Doctor of Diuinity and Master of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge succéeded He died in the moneth of Iune 1600. 5. Thomas Doue THomas Doue Deane of Norwich and Chaplaine to her Maiesty was consecrate in the end of the yéere 1600. This Bishoprick is valued in the Exchecquer at 414 l. 19 s. 11 d. The Bishops of Bristoll RObert surnamed Fitz-Harding because his father that was sonne vnto the king of Denmarke was called Harding this Robert I say being a citizen of Bristoll and sometimes Maior there founded the monastery of Saint Augustines néere vnto the said city and placed Channons in the same the yere 1148. being the 14. yere of king Stephen This foundation was afterwards confirmed and augmented by king Henry the second who so greatly fauoured the author of the same as he preferred him to the marriage of the daughter and sole heire of the Lord Barkley Of them are descended all the Lord Barkleys since that time And many of them as challenging an interest in this foundation of their auncestors haue chosen the church there for the place of their buriall In that church it pleased king Henry the eight to erect an Episcopall Sée and to conuert the reuenues of the same vnto the maintenance of a Bishop a Deane sixe Prebendaries and other officers The Dioces of this Bishopricke is the city of Bristoll and the county of Dorset 1. Paul Bush. PAul Bush Prouinciall of the 〈◊〉 was the first Bishop of Bristoll a man well learned both in diuinity and phisicke as his workes yet extant may testifie written in both kindes some in prose some in verse In the beginning of Quéene Maries raigne he was depriued for being maried and died vnhappily a few daies before her He lieth entoombed on the North side of the quier ouer against the Bishops See in a séemely monument thus inscribed Hiciacet D. Paulus Bush primus huius ecclesiae Episcopus qui obijt 11. die Octob. an dom 1558. aetatis suae 68. cuius animae c. 2. Iohn Holyman IOhn Holyman was appointed Bishoppe of Bristoll by Quéene Mary his predecessor yet liuing and died about the same time that he did 3. Richard Cheyny RIchard Chey 〈◊〉 consecrate Bishop of Glocester Apr. 19. 1562. was allowed to how Bristoll in 〈◊〉 with Glocester and so did for the space of 16. yéeres viz. vntill his death which happened the yéere 1578. 4. Iohn Bullingham Iohn Bullingham succéeded him in both these Bishopricks 5. Richard Fletcher RIchard 〈◊〉 doctor of diuinity and Deane of 〈◊〉 was consecrate Bishop of Bristoll Bishop Bullingham yet liuing in December 1589. When as the Sée had stoode voyde otherwise then as it was held by Commendam 31. yeres In the end of the yéere 1593. he was translated to Worceter and soone after to London Sée London Bristoll is valued at 383 l. 8 s. 4 d. The Bishops of S. Dauids THe British histories doo all report that in this Island at the first planting of Christian religion here there were established 28. Episcopall Sees as in Saint Aug. of Canterbury I haue before declared Of these 28. three were Archbishoprickes London York and Carlegion or Caerlheon vpon Usk in Monmouthshire At Carleon which was then a great and populous City in the time of King Arthur sate 〈◊〉 the sonne of Eurdila a gentlewoman of great birth but who was his father it was neuer knowen He was a man of excellent learning and singular integrity in regard whereof when first he had taken great paines many yéeres as well in teaching and reading vnto his schollers whereof he had a great number as in preaching vnto the people he was appointed first Bishop of Landaff and hauing stayed there no long time was made Archbishop of all Wales by Germanus and 〈◊〉 two Bishops of Fraunce that were intreated by 〈◊〉 Ambrosius king of Britaine to come ouer and yeelde their best helpe for extinguishing the 〈◊〉 heresie that had then taken great roote in this Countrey Vther 〈◊〉 being dead he crowned Vther Pendragon and afterward that great Arthar king of this Island and waring old resigned his Bishopricke
Bishop being troubled much in mind after the performance of that action and either amased with feare of what might happen after it or ouercome with gréefe and repentance of that he had done neuer could be mery after and so by conceit was cast into a disease whereof he died September 11. 1069. This is the report of W. Malmesbury others say namely Florentius Wigorne that he was so grieued with the comming in of a Nauy of the Danes as he prayed to God to take him out of this life that he might not sée the slaughter and spoyle which he thought they would make And that this griefe was the cause of his death He was more reuerenced afterward then while he liued a great deale No English man succéeded him in many yéeres after And the Normans being odious vnto the people they gladly reprehended all their actions comparing them with such English Bishops as they could remember made most fauorable report of them One thing also encreased his credite much Vrsus Earle of Worceter had built a Castle there to some preiudice of the monks in so much as the ditch of the said Castle empaired a little of the Church yard Aldred went vnto the Earle hauing before admonished him to right the wrong and hauing demaunded of him whether it were done by his appointment which he could not deny looking 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vrse Haue thou Gods 〈◊〉 and mine and of all 〈◊〉 heads except thou 〈◊〉 away this castle and know thou assuredly that thy posterity shall not inherite the land 〈◊〉 inheritance of Saint Mary This his 〈◊〉 seemed to take effect for 〈◊〉 died 〈◊〉 after and Roger his sonne a very small time enioying his fathers honour lost the same and was saine to flye the realme for killing an officer of the kings Thus much for Aldred who after his death was buried in his owne church 25. Thomas THe king then appointed Thomas a Channon of Bayon to be his successor a Norman by birth but he was brought vp altogither in the schooles of the Saxons in Fraunce except a little time he spent in Spaine He was the sonne of a priest a married priest I take it and brother vnto Sampson Bishop of Worceter whose sonne Thomas succéeded afterwards this Thomas in this Sée of Yorke A man very learned gentle both in countenance and words of a very swéete and amiable behauiour chaste and which is not to be despised of a goodly personage being in his youth beautifull in his latter time well coloured and his haire both head and beard as white as snow At his first entrance he had some what to do with Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury vnto whom he would not make profession of obediencē neuer as he alledged before that time required And indéed before the comming of William the Conqueror saith one the two Metropolitanes of England were not onely in authority dignity and office but also in number of suffragane Bishops 〈◊〉 But at this time saith he they of Canterbury 〈◊〉 the new king that Yorke ought to be subiect vnto their Sée and that it was for the good and safety of the king that the church thereof should be obedient principally vnto one for that otherwise one might set the crowne vpon one mans 〈◊〉 and the other doe as much for some body else This 〈◊〉 is more at large debated in Canterbury The ende for that time was that Thomas ouerborne by the Archbishop of Canterbury Lanfranke and the king who fauoured him was faine to appeale vnto Rome both of them being there in person before the Pope they fell as commonly it happeneth in like cases from the chiefe point into by matters and articling one against another What Thomas laide against Lanfranke I find not And all that Lanfranke had to say against him was that he was a priests son 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that the king for his faithfull seruice had promised him a Bishopricke before his comming into England These were so great matters in the Popes iudgement as Thomas must be depriued of his ring and crosier and not restored to them but by the entreaty of Lanfranke As for the matter of Primacy he left it to the iudgment of the king and Bishops of England who forced Thomas to yeeld Comming then to Yorke he found that estate of his whole Dioces the city church especially most miserable The Danes before mentioned comming toward Yorke the Normans that held the castle thought good to burne certaine houses neere the castle least they might be a furtherance vnto the enemy This vngentle fire would not be entreated to stay iust where they would haue it but procéeding farther then his commission destroyed the monastery and church of Saint Peter and in fine the whole city Before the fire was out the Danes came and tooke both city and castle by force putting to the sword all the Normans they found there to the number of 3000 sauing none aliue but one William Mallet his wife children and a few other Soone after the destruction of this goodly city the king came into these parts with a puissant army against the Danes not ceasing to make all manner of spoile as if he had béene in the enemies countrey So betwéene the Danes and the Normans such hauocke was made as all the land from the great riuer of Humber vnto the riuer of Tine lay waste and not inhabited by any man for the space of nine yeeres after In the church of Yorke there were onely thrée Chanons left the rest being all either dead or fled away they had left vnto them neither house to put their heads in nor any good meanes how to line and maintaine themselues All these faults this industrious Bishop endeuoured to amend First he new couered and repaired his church as well as he might to serue the turne for a time But afterwards he pulled downe all the old building and erected from the very foundation a new to wit the Minster that now standeth His channons dispersed abroad he called home againe and tooke order they should be reasonably prouided for He built them a hall and a dorter and appointed one of them to be the Prouost and gouernour of the rest Also he bestowed certaine mannors and lands vpon them and caused other to be restored that had béen taken from them The church then hauing continued in this state a good while I know not by whose aduise the Archbishop thought good to diuide the land of Saint Peters church into Prebends and so to allot a particular portion vnto euery channon whereas before they liued together vpon the common charges of the church at one table much in like sort as fellowes of houses do now in the Uniuersities At the same time also he appointed a Deane a Treasurer and a chanter and also for the Chauncellorship it was founded of him before The church newly built by him he furnished with books and all kind of ornaments necessary
gatehouse with a chappell annexed thereunto of faire stone in the castle of Durham added to the said castle certaine gates with iron barres and portcullices supported with strong walles on each side He brought water thither with a conduit whereas before time it was serued with well-water He made the gatehouse at Alnewike and built the Tolboothe in the market of Durham all of stone with diuers edifices neere the hinder part of the said Tolboothe which he gaue also to the city of Durham Lastly he repaired with great charge the third part of Tyne bridge Hauing continued in this Sée the space of one and twenty yéeres with great honour December 20. 1551. he was committed vnto the Tower of London and remained prisoner there all the rest of the raigne of king Edward viz. ninetéene moneths In which time amongst many other horrible sacrileges whereunto the nonage of the king gaue oportunity meanes was found that the Bishopricke of Durham should be dissolued by act of Parliament This morsell was ready dished and in certaine hope already swallowed when it pleased God to punish the deuouring couetousnesse of those times by taking away that admirable yong prince king Edward Quéene Mary that succéeded tooke this bit from the trencher of those rauening Atheists by like authority the first yéere of her raigne restored it vnto the former estate that old Bishop both to his liberty the possession of the same Quéene Mary dying for his contumacy disobedience vnto her Maiesty that now raigneth long may she he was iustly depriued of his Bishoprick in the moneth of July 1559. He was then committed vnto the custody of the Archbishop of Canterbury who entertained him most kindly and seemed very glad of his company But he enioyed it a very litle while For within fower monethes after his depriuation viz. Nouember 18. following being eighty fiue yéeres of age he departed this life at Lambhith where he was first consecrate almost forty yeres before His body was buried in the Chauncell of the parish church there and couered with a faire marble stone vpon which is 〈◊〉 this Epithaphe written by Doctor Haddon Anglia Cutbertum Tunstallnm 〈◊〉 requirit Cuius summa domi laus erat atque foris Rhetor Arithmeticus iuris consultus aequis Legatusque fuit 〈◊〉 praesul erat Annorum satur magnorum 〈◊〉 honorum Vertitur in cineres aureus iste senex Iames Pilkinton MArch 2. 1560. Iames Pilkinton Batcheler of diuinity lately come from beyond the seas where he liued all Quéene Maries time was consecrate Bishop and continued in the same Sée about 16. yeres He died an 1576. and lieth entoombed in his owne church before the high altar West from Bishop Beaumont 60. Richard Barnes RIchard Barnes was brought vp in Brasenose colledge in in Oxford first consecrate Bishop Suffragan of Nottingham preferred to Carlile the yéere 1570. and the yeere 1577. translated to Durham where he sate Bishop about 11. yeres 61. Matthew Hutton AFter the death of Bishop Barnes the Sée was void almost two yéeres The yéere 1589. Matthew Hutton doctor of diuinity and Deane of Yorke in which place he had continued 21. yéeres was preferred thereunto He held the same about fiue yéeres and in the ende of the yeere 1594. was translated to Yorke where he yet liueth 62. Tobias Matthew OF him that presently succéeded Tobias Matthew I will say no more but what remayneth in publike records that being doctor of diuinity by many steps of preferment as namely the Archdeaconry of Bathe the Presidentship of Saint Johns colledge in Oxford a Canonry first then the Deanry of Christchurch there and lastly the Deanry of Durham he ascended at last vnto this place which men say he vseth as honorably as he obtayned the same worthily My resolution of onely mentioning those that either themselues or in their posterity yet liue I hold the more willingly in him because it is well knowen to so many as know me I am greatly bonnd vnto him and may be déemed partiall He was consecrate in March 1594. long and happily may he liue in that or such other honorable place as his vertues do deserue This Bishopricke in the Queenes bookes is valued at 1821 l. 17 d. farthing and in the Popes bookes at 9000. ducats Carlile THE City of Carlile called by the Romanes and old Britons Luguballia by Nennius Caer Lualid by the Saxons as Beda writeth Luell by our Chronicles as Roger Houeden and others Carlwel by vs now a daies Carleolum Carlile and Carlioll a city no doubt of great antiquity was wasted and in a manner vtterly destroyed by the Danes about the yéere of our Lord 900. The yéere 1090. it happened the king of England William Rufus to passe that way into Scotland He considering the naturall strenght of the place the pleasantnes of the seat the sertility of the soyle and the necessity of a fortification for defence of the countrey thereabout thought good to 〈◊〉 it and according to this determination about thrée yéeres after not onely raysed againe the wals then flat to the ground in so much as great trées grew in the ruines of them but also bestowed the building of a faire and strong castle in the same and then enpeopled it at first with Dutchmen whom soone after he remooued into Wales and afterwards with English men of the South parts he affoording many great and singular priuiledges vnto them The gouernment of this new erected city as it should séeme was committed vnto a certaine Norman Priest named Walter that came into England with the Conqueror This man being very rich began to build in Carlile a goodly church in the honor of the blessed Uirgin intending to bestow vpon it such possessions as God had endowed him withall for the maintenance of either Prebendaries or some other kinde of religious persons in the same But being taken away by death besore the accomplishment of this so good a purpose Adelwald or 〈◊〉 the first Prior of Saint Oswald in Nostlis and Confesser vnto king Henry the first that then raigned perswaded the said king to employ the land and reuenewes that Walter left behinde him in the foundation of a colledge not of Prebendaries but of Regular Cannons to be annexed vnto the church of our Lady before named He did so and moreouer bestowed vpon the said colledge sixe churches with their chappels to be impropriated vnto the same vse to wit Newcastle Newburne Warkeware Robery Wichingham and Corbridge Of this colledge or monastery thus founded and endowed he appointed the said Adelwald his Confessor to be Pryor Now you shall vnderstand that not onely the iurisdiction spirituall but the renewes and temporalties also of the City of Carlile and all the countrey round about within fiftéene miles belonged in former times vnto the Bishops of 〈◊〉 by the gift of Egfrid king of Northumberland who bestowed all that territory vpon Saint Cutbert the yéere 679. But the Bishops of that Sée being
of Thomas Beckets chappell 70. Matthew Parker MAtthew Parker was borne at Norwich August 6. 1504. and brought vp by his mother for his father died he being but twelue yéeres of age in the Uniuersity of Cambridge He was first a Bible clerke of Corpus-Christ College there and afterwards fellow His first preferment was the Deanry of Stoke which he obtained by the fauor of Queene Anne Bulleyn whose Chaplaine he was That Colledge though he resisted it what he might was suppressed in the first yeere of King Edward the sixt After the death of that noble Lady King Henry her husband tooke him for his Chapleme in which place he also serued King Edward his sonne By these two Princes he was preferred vnto many other good Ecclesiasticall promotions as a Prebend in Ely by King Henry the eight the Mastership of Corpus christi Colledge where he was brought vp by the election of the fellowes but commandement of the same king and lastly the Deanry of Lincolne with the prebend of Coldingham giuen him by king Edward the sixt Besides these liuings he had also the Parsonage of Landbeach foure miles from Cambridge by the gift of the Colledge whereof he was Master These liuings he quietly enioyed till the second yeere of Queene Mary at what time for being married he was depriued and liued poorely all the time of her raigne That terrible fire being extinguished that consumed so many zealous and learned men and the Archbishopricke left void by the death of Cardinall Poole this Matthew Parker then Doctor of Diuinity sometimes Deane of Lincolne and Master of Corpus-christi Colledge in Cambridge as afore said was thought méetest for that high place and preserment He was consecrate thereunto December 17. 1559. held the same fifteene yéeres 〈◊〉 moneths and deceased Maye 17. 1575. being 72. yéeres of age He founded a Grammer Schoole at Rochdale in Lancashire Unto Corpus christi Colledge in Cambridge where he was brought vp he procured thirtéene schollerships built the inward Library and two faire chambers in the same Moreouer he gaue to the Library of that Colledge a great number of Bookés some printed other written but very rare and much to be estéemed for their value and antiquity He gaue them also thrée hundred and ten ounces of plate double guilt the perpetuall patronage of S. Mary Abchurch in London land for the maintenance of two fellowes aboue the ordinary number a leasse for seuentéene yéeres worth fourtéene pounds eight shillings de claro and one hundred pounds to mainetaine a fire in the Hall there from Allhallowentide till Candlemas He tooke order for the preaching of fire Sermons yéerely in the Rogation weeke in fiue seuerall Churches in Norfolke Unto the City of Norwich where he was borne he gaue a Bason and Ewer double guilt weighing one hundred seuenty three ounces and fifty shillings yee ely reuenew to be deuided among poore people of the same City Unto Gunnell and Caius Colledge a pot double guilt of fifty sixe ounces together with a neast of goblets and certaine bookes To Trinity Hall a Scholers place a Cuppe waighing fifty thrée ounces a neast of goblets and bookes likewise To the Uniuersity fifty written bookes of great value and fifty printed And otherwise bestowed much money vnto charitable vses not necessary particularly to be remembred Upon the reparation of his pallace at Canterbury which was now greatly derayed he bestowed one thousand foure hūdred pound At Lambhith also he repaired and built much to his great charge But aboue any thing I may not forget his great care of preseruing antiquities vnto which his care we are beholding for most of our ancient histories that but for him were euen vpon the point vtterly to perish He lyeth buried in the Chà ppell belonging to his house at Lambhith vnder a faire marble stone 71. Edmund Gryndall IN the moneth of February following Edmund Gryndall Archbishop of Yorke was translated to Canterbury This man was borne at Saint Bees in Cumberland fellow first then 〈◊〉 of Penbroke Hall in Cambridge of which 〈◊〉 he was for one yeere one of the Proctors A while he was chaplame vnto Master 〈◊〉 Bishop of London who preferred him vnto the seruice of king Edward the sixt In the end of which kings raigne there was an intent that the said Bishop should haue beene remooued to Durham and it was thought that Master Gryndall should succeede him in London But the death of that good king disturbed the progresse of this platforme and in steed of the expected honourable aduauncement forced him to a voluntary exile in Germany where he liued all the raigne of Quéene Mary She dying our now gratious Princesse happily succéeding he was appointed vnto the gouernment so long before intended elected thereunto July 26. 1559. and enioyed the same about eleuen yeeres viz. vntill May 20. 1570. at what time he was remooued to Yorke There he sate almost sixe yeeres and as before is mentioned was once more translated to Canterbury Two yeeres before his death he became blind and died at Croydon where also he was buried July 6. 1583. being 64. yéeres of age hauing continued Archbishop seuen yéeres and almost a halfe In the place where he was borne he founded a frée schoole which he endowed with thirty pound land To Quéenes colledge in Oxford he gaue twenty pound lande to maintaine a fellowe and two schollers to be taken out of his said schoole He gaue them also the greatest part of his bookes and 87. ounces of plate besides forty pound debt which he forgaue them To Pembroke Hall in Cambridge he gaue two and twenty pound land for the maintenance of a Gréeke lecture of a fellow and two schollers to be likewise taken out of his schoole To 〈◊〉 he also gaue some bookes and forty ounces of plate To Magdalen colledge in Cambridge he gaue fiue pound land for one fellow to be taken from his schoole To Christs colledge there fiue and forty ounces of plate To eight little almeshouses in Croydon fifty pound to be bestowed in land for their reliefe and lastly to the city of Canterbury an hundred pound to be imployed vpon a stocke to set the poore on worke 72. Iohn Whitegift SOone after the death of Edmund Gryndall Iohn Whitegift Doctor of Diuinity Bishop of Worcester was appointed to succéede him and his translation confirmed September 23. following He was borne at Grymsby in Lincolnshire brought vp a while vnder Master Bradford in Penbroke Hall and afterwards became fellow of Peter house in Cambridge The yéere 1567. he procéeded Doctor of Diuinity and being chosen Master of Pembroke Hall within the compasse of the same yéere was called to the gouernement of Trinity colledge In the meane time he had béene reader of both the diuinity lectures first the Lady Margarets after the Quéenes Ten yéeres he continued Master of Trinity colledge in which space he was twice Uicechauncellour and the yéere 1573. by the gift of her Maiestie whose chaplaine he was
his company out of all question the city was fired the greatest part thereof being burnt downe to the ground togither with the Nunnery the Monastery of Saint Grimbald and more then 20. other Churches some say 40. This hapned vpon the 2. day of August 1141. Soone after his men burnt and spoiled the Nunnery of Warwell and himselfe returning to Winch. tooke off from the crosse that was burnt in the new Monastery 500. l. of siluer 30. marke of gold thrée crownes with so many seates of fine Arabike gold set with precious stones All this he put in his owne purse Now to remember his good déedes also you shall vnderstand that he founded that woorthy Hospitall of Saint Crosse néere Winchester In which place some thing had beene built long before to some such good vse But it was destroied by the Danes and quite ruinated til this Bishop reedified it or rather laide new foundations in the same place ann 1132. and endowed it with the reuenew it now hath He also built the castell of Farnham destroied afterward by king Henry the 3. but reedified by the Bishops of Winch. He was a man as of great bloud so of a great and high minde He contended often with the Archbishop of Canterbury for superiority vnder colour that he was the Popes legate a latere and as some deliuer a Cardinall Matthew Westm. reporteth that he obtained of Pope Lucius the title of an Archbishop receauing from him a pall and authority ouer seuen churches But what or which they were I finde not In the 47. yéere of his consecration he fell sicke dangerously whereof the king Henry the 2. hearing came to visite him But he was so farre from yeelding the king thanks for this great grace as he gaue him no lookes but frowning nor spéeches but very sharpe and curst reprehending him with very bitter words as the causer of Thomas Beckets death Yet such was the great méekenesse of this prince as he not onely tooke very patiently this reproofe but long after thought much of the same And surely no great maruell The memory of a dying mans words abideth long How much more of a Bishop a graue wise and ancient prelate He departed this life August 6. 1171. where he was buried I know not 38. Richard Tocline alias More AFter the death of the former Bishop the Sée stood void thrée yéeres many other Churches likewise at the same time stoode long voide At last the yéere 1173. by the instance of two Cardinals the king granted licence of frée election vnto them all Unto Winchester was then chosen Richard Tocline Archdeacon of Poitiers by some called More by other Richard de Iuelcester He was consecrate at Lambhith the yéere following viz. 1174. togither with thrée other Bishops Geffery of Ely Robert of Herford and Iohn of Chichester He died December 22. 1187. or as his Epitaph hath 1189. He lieth entombed in the north wall of the Presbytery iust vnder Wina where is ingrauen this that followeth Obijt anno Dom. 1189. Presulis egregij pausant hic membra Ricardi Tocline cui summi gaudio sunto poli 39. Godfridus de Lucy HE was sonne vnto Richard Lucy chiefe Justice of England consecrate Bishop of Winchester Nouember 1. 1189. and died an 1204. so he sate 15. yéeres This man purchased of king Richard the first the mannors of Wergraue and Menes which in times past had belonged vnto his Sée of Winchester but I know not how had béene alienated from the same Moreouer he became a great benefactor vnto the Priory of Westwood in Kent founded by his father 40. Peter de la Roche THis man borne in Poytiers being a knight was consecrate Bishop of Winchester at Rome an 1204. A notable wise prelate and of such authority vnder king Iohn first and Henry the third after as none greater in those times He with two other Bishops viz. Philip his countreyman of Durham and Iohn Gray of Norwich animated king Iohn to withstand the Popes excommunication but they were all faine to cry peccaui at last The yéere 1214. king Iohn made him chiefe Justice of England the nobles of the realme grudging very much that a stranger borne should rule ouer them After the death of king Iohn king Henry being a childe the realme was long gouerned almost altogether by this Bishop For William Earle Marshall dying he was chosen in his roome Protector of the king and realme And afterwards the king being growen to yéeres of discretion relyed altogither vpon his counsell He had a nephew or as some say a sonne named Peter d' Orinall Treasurer of England in maruellous great fauour also with king Henry Yet as court fauours are variable so were they often disgraced and often restored againe to the height of worldly happines I meane the Princes great and entire fauour The yéere 1226 he tooke his voyage to the Holy land and being absent fiue yéeres at his returne was receiued with 〈◊〉 and all signes of great ioy He died June 9. 1238. at Faruham when he had sate Bishop the space of 24. yéeres and was buried according to his owne appointment very meanely and euen obscurely in his owne church In his death saith M. Paris the counsell of England receiued a great wound What good soeuer happened vnto the church either by peace or warre in the Holy land at the comming of the Emperour Fredericke it is specially to be ascribed vnto the wisedome of this Bishop Againe saith he when as discord betwéene the Pope and the Emperour threatned the destruction of the whole church he was the speciall meanes of compounding a peace betwéene them Now of the religious houses he built and being built enriched with reuenewes for their maintenance These be the names Hales of the order of Premonstratenses Tickford of the same order Saleburne of the order of Saint Augustine viz. Canons regular and a goodly hospitall at Portsmouth Againe he remooued the Church of S. Thomas the Martyr in the holy land from a very vnfit place vnto a more conuenient and reformed the statues of the company belonging to the Church causing the Patriark of Hierusalem to take order that whereas they were heretofore méere lay men now they should be vnder the Templers and of their society And lastly he bestowed great cost in fortifying and repayring the Towne of Joppa a notable succour and refuge of the Christians in those parts He made a worthy and memorable will giuing vnto euery of the foresaid places a huge summe of money for the least that he gaue was vnto the house of S. Thomas of Acon vnto which he beaqueathed 500. marks All this notwithstanding he left his Bishopricke very rich his houses furnished and his grounds ready Stocked for his successor Thus farre M. Paris 41. William de Raley THe Sée being thus voide by the death of Peter derupibus the king Henry the 3. dealt very earnestly with the monks of Winchester to choose in his place the Bishop elect of Ualentia
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
〈◊〉 was all that countrey which now belongeth vnto the Bishops of Winchester Lincolne Salisbury Oxford Bristow Wels Lichfield 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 and he notwithstanding that he gouerned also the Mercians or Saxons of Mid-England who for a while had not any Bishop peculiar vnto themselues he I say 〈◊〉 called the Bishop of the West Saxons Birinus was the first Bishop of this so large a territory Of him sée more in Winchester The second was Agilbert a French man In his time Kenwalchus king of the West Saxons caused this huge 〈◊〉 to be diuided into two parts the one of which he left vnto Agilbert vnto the other he caused one Wina to be consecrate appointing Winchester to be his Sée and all the West countrey his iurisdiction After Agilbert there was no other Bishop of Dorchester a long time He departing into France Wina and his successors Bishops of Winchester gouerned that Sée also or part of it at least For it happened not long after that Oswy king of Mercia erected an Episcopall 〈◊〉 at Lichfield and placed one Diuma in the same He had all Mid-England for his Dioces so had sixe or seuen of his successors butill the yéere 678. at what time a Bishop was 〈◊〉 at Sidnacester one Eadhead He dying within one yéere Ethelwine succéeded Then these Edgar Kinebert Beda calleth him Embert and acknowledgeth himselfe much holpen by him in the 〈◊〉 of his Ecclesiasticall historie He dyed 733. 733. Alwigh 751. Ealdulf he died ann 764. 764. Ceolulf he died 787. 787. Ealdulf After Ealdulf the Sée continued void many yéeres The yéere 872. Brightred became Bishop In the meane time viz. the yéere 737. another Sée was erected at Legecester now called Leicester but soone after remooued to Dorchester and one Tota made Bishop there Then these Edbertus consecrate ann 764. Werenbert He died 768. Vuwona suceeded him as hath Florilegus Other put him before Werenbert He liued ann 806. 〈◊〉 He died 851. Aldred consecrate 861. or rather as Matth. West reporteth ann 851. The yéere 873. he was depriued of his Bishopricke 〈◊〉 consecrate 873. Halard by king Alfred appointed one of the Guardians of the realme to defend it against the irruption of the Danes ann 897. Kenulfus or rather 〈◊〉 consecrate ann 905. together with sixe other Bishops by 〈◊〉 the Archbishop 〈◊〉 vnto him the Dioces of Sidnamcester was also committed which had now continued void almost fourscore yéeres and his See for both established againe at Dorchester He was a great benefactor to the Abbey Ramsey and died the yéere 959. Ailnoth consecrate 960. 〈◊〉 or Aeswy 〈◊〉 Eadnoth slaine by the Danes in battell 1016. Eadheric he died 1034. and was buried at Ramsey Eadnoth He built the Church of our Lady in Stowe and died the yéere 1050. Vlf. He was a Norman brought into England by Emma the Quéene of king Ethelred sister to Richard Duke of Normandy She commended him vnto her sonne Saint Edward and found meanes vpon the death of Eadnoth to aduaunce him though a man very vnlearned vnto this Bishopricke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1052. He and all the 〈◊〉 that through the 〈◊〉 of Quéene Emma possessed the chiefe places of 〈◊〉 in all the realme were compelled to depart the land This man amongst the rest going to the Councell of Uercels to complaine vnto the Pope of his wrongfull vanishment 〈◊〉 farre soorth bewrayed his owne weakenesse and insufficiency as the Pope was determined to haue displaced him 〈◊〉 his Bishoprick vntill with giftes and golden eloquence 〈◊〉 perswaded him to winke at his imperfections It seemeth 〈◊〉 died the yéere following 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 was consecrate the yéere 1053. 〈◊〉 1067. and was buried in his Cathedrall Church of Dor chester 1. Remingius de Feschamp THe last Bishop of Dorchester and first of Lincolne was 〈◊〉 a monke of Feschamp that as Bale noseth was the sonne of a priest Unto this man William the Conquerour for diuers good seruices done vnto him had promised long before a Bishopricke in England 〈◊〉 it should please God to send him 〈◊〉 He was as good as his word and the yéere 1070. preferred him to Dorchester voide by the death of the former Bishop The consideration of this gift comming to the Popes eare he woulde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it symony and as a 〈◊〉 actually depriued him of his Bishopricke But at the request of Lanfrank the Archbishop of Canterbury he restored him to his ring and crosyer againe Soone after his first preferment he began to build at Dorchester and intended great matters there But order being taken in a Conuocation at London by the kings procurement that Episcopall sées euery where should be remoued from obscure townes to greater cities he diuerted the course of his liberality from Dorchester to Lincolne Lincolne at that time saith William Malmsburie was one of the most populous cities of England of great resort and traffique both by sea and land Remigius therefore thinking it a fit place for a Cathedrall church bought certaine ground vpon the top of the hill neere the castle then lately built by William the conquerour and began the foundation of a goodly church The Archbishop of Yorke endcuoured to hinder the execution of this worthie designement by laying challenge to the iurisdiction of that country This allegation though friuolous was a meane of some charge vnto the Bishop who not without gifts was faine to worke the king to be a meanes of cleering that title 〈◊〉 fabrike of the church being now finished and 21. prebends founded in the same al which he furnished with Incumbents very wel esteemed of both for learning and conuersation He made great prouision for the dedication of this his new church procuring all the Bishops of England by the kings authoritie to be summoned thereunto The rest came at the time appointed which was May 9. 1092. Onely Robert Bishop of Hereford absented him selfe foreseeing by his skill in Astrology as Bale and other affirme that Remigius could not liue vnto the day prefixed which also he foretold long before It fell out according vnto his prediction that 〈◊〉 died two daies before the time appointed for this great solemnity He was buried in that his owne new built church This Remigius was a man though of so high and noble a mind yet so vnreasonable low of stature as hardly hée might attaine vnto the pitch and reputation of a dwarfe So as it séemed nature had framed him in that sort to shew how possible it was that an excellent mind might dwell in a deformed and miserable body Besides this worthy foundation at Lincoln he reedified the church and Abbey at 〈◊〉 as also the Abbey of Bardney By his perswasion king William the conquerour erected the Abbeyes of Cane in Normandy and Battell in Susser vpon the very place where he had ouerthrowne king Harold in battell and so made a passage vnto the conquest of the whole 〈◊〉 The superstitious and credulous posterity ascribe diuers miracles vnto the holinesse of this Bishop wrought not in his
was a man learned stouts and wise ynough but not so straight and carefull a censurer of his owne manners and conuersation as he should be No doubt our monkes that were the onely writers of those times speake no better of him then he deserues yet they commend him much for his religious and penitent ende he made Trauelling toward Rome in his owne countrey of Normandy he fell sicke and perceiuing his end to approch sent for diuers religious persons vnto whom he acknowledged the loosenesse of his life and with continuall teares greatly lamented the same hartily requested them to pray for him gaue all his money and goods vnto the poore and lastly put on a monkes cowle thereby thinking to make the monks amends for all the trouble vexation he had wrought them He died at Beccummer hill or as R. Homden reporteth at Betherleuin March 27. 1199. and was buried at Cane in the 14. yéere of his troublesom gouernment The yéere 1193. he was robbed of an infinite deale of treasure néere Canterbury trauelling toward king Richard that was then prisoner in Germany And not long after being banished the realme for taking part with king Iohn rebelling against his brother king Richard then prisoner in Germany he was saine to buy restitution vnto his place with the summe of 5000. markes 41. Geffry de Muschamp THe monkes soone after the death of Bishop Hugh recouered their places againe got them a new Pryor and procéeding to the election of a Bishop made choice of one Geffry de Muschamp Archdeacon of Cleueland He was consecrate at Westminster saith one March 15. 1199. But Matthew Paris whom I rather beleeue saith it was at Canterbury June 21. He died the yéere 1208. and was buried at Lichfielde 42. Walter de Gray THe yéere 1210. Walter de Gray was elected vnto this Sée translated to Worcester the yéere 1214. and afterwards to Yorke Sée more of him there 43. William de Cornehull HE was consecrate Ianuary 25. 1215. died Iune 19. 1223. and was buried at Lichfield 44. Alexander de Sauensby ALexander de Sauensby whom Bale calleth Alexander Wendocke spent much time in diuers Uniuersities as namely in Tholouse Bononia and others in which he had the reputation of a great Philosopher and a profound Dinine He writ diuers workes well esteemed of in times past In them he maketh report of diuers visions strange apparitions he had séene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He was consecrate at Rome vpon Easter day 1224. In his time a great controversie was raised betwéene the monkes of Chester and the Cannons of 〈◊〉 about the election of their Bishoppe which euer since the remoouing of the Sée from 〈◊〉 had belonged vnto the monkes After the spending of much money vpon this sute in the court of Rome the matter was ordered there by diffinitiue sentence in this sort It was agreed that they should choose alternis vicibus the monkes one time and the cannons of Lichfield the next But in all elections as well at Lichfield as at Couentry the prior of Couentry was allowed to giue a voice and it must be the first voice This Bishop was founder of a house for the Gray fryers in the Southwest part of Lichfield died at Andeuer December 26. 1238. and was buried at Lichfield 45. Hugh de Pateshull SOone after the death of the forenamed Alexander the monkes of Couentry with the good liking of the cannons of Lichfield elected for their Bishop one William Raleigh About the same time the Couent of Norwich that Sée also being voide chose him likewise and he accepting the second offer as the better of the two left Lichfield By reason hereof a new controuersie arose betwéene the monkes of 〈◊〉 and the chapter of Lichfield whether the turne of Couentry wer serued in this election or no. Each party standing vpon their title Lichfield men elected their Deane and the monks one Nicholas 〈◊〉 that was afterwards bishop of Durham Sée more of him there This Nicholas Fernham hauing notice of the election presently renounced the same The Deane that was a very good man hearing great 〈◊〉 of the said Fernham and thinking he refused to consent vnto the election because the title séemed doubtful and litigious neuer ceased importuning his chapter till they also 〈◊〉 named him This notwithstanding Nicholas Fernham 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 both parties through the kings 〈◊〉 were induced to consent vnto the choice of Hugh Pateshull Treasurer of Paules that had béene Treasurer and was at that time Chauncellor of England He was sonne vnto Simon Pateshull sometime Lord chiefe Iustice of Englane In the beginning of the yéere 1240. he was consecrate Being yet in his best age and full strength he was taken away by vntimely death December 7. 1241. hauing sate not fully two yéeres A man for his life conuersation vnblamable and not vnlearned yet misliked in our histories because in that little time he gouerned he shewed himselfe more fauourable vnto his cannons of Lichfield then the monkes of Couentry 46. Roger de Weseham THe king now made earnest request for the election of Richard Abbot of Euesham and keeper of the great Seale Some chose him but the greater part agréed vpon a monke thot was chaunter of Couentry The Abbot by the meanes of the king and his owne purse notwithstanding the insufficiency of his election had now obtained the Popes fauour for his consecration at what time he was taken away by death in Riola a city of Gascoigne hauing first resigned the custody of the great seale into the kings hand After his death with consent of all parties there was chosen one William de Monte Pessulano a vertuous and learned man him also the king misliked Once more they procéeded to election and by perswasion of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne made choise of Roger de Weseham Deane of Lincolne a man very commendable saith Matthew Paris both for life learning There had beene much ado in former times betweene the Deanes and the Bishops of Lincolne This Bishop thinking the reason thereof to be the greatnes of their liuing endeuoured the more earnestly to preferre this man that the Deanry being void he might somewhat weaken 〈◊〉 same by disposing elsewhere the parsonage of Aylsbery that heretofore belonged vnto it This Roger Weseham was allowed of by the Pope consecrate at Lyons the yéere 1245. before the king euer heard of any such thing toward For they had concealed it from him of purpose thinking if he might once get notice of it the businesse was like neuer to be effected Hauing sate about 11. yéeres and being now waren old and very sickely he resigned his Bishopricke vpon 〈◊〉 day 1256. Two yeeres after he died of a palsey whereof he had laine sicke a long time 47. Roger de Molend alias Longespe VPon his resignation the king laboured earnestly to preferre Philip Louell his Treasurer vnto this Bishopricke The Monkes of Couentry that of all other men could not like of the said
and consecrate August 20 1123. He was also for a time Chauncellor of England vnder king Henry the first Hauing 〈◊〉 here 12. yeres he died Aug. 16. 1135. was buried at Bathe 18. Robert AFter him succéeded one Robert a monke of Lewes borne in Normandy but by parentage a Flemming In the beginning of his time to wit July 29. 1137. the church of Bathe lately built by Iohn de Villula was againe consumed with fire He reedified it and added whatsoeuer might seeme to haue beene left vnperfect by the other In the stirres betweene Mawd the Empresse and king Stephen he indured much trouble being taken prisener at Bathe and held in captiuity a long time by the king The continuer of Florent 〈◊〉 setteth downe the history thereof at large After his deliuerance he tooke great 〈◊〉 in labouring an agreement between the churches of Wels and Bathe who had now many yeeres contended which of them should be honored with the Episcopall See At last with the good liking of both parties he set downe this order that the Bishops hereafter should be called Bishops of Bathe Wels that each of them should by 〈◊〉 appoint electors the See being voide by whose voyces the Bishop should be chosen that he should be installed in both of these churches Then whereas a kinsman of Iohn de 〈◊〉 being appointed by him Prouost by vertue of that office had withdrawen and conuerted vnto his owne vse in a manner all the reuenues of old belonging to the cannons with great labour and cost at last he procured all that had appertained vnto them to 〈◊〉 restored againe And to take away all occasion of the like vsurpation he thought good to diuide the landes of the church 〈◊〉 two parts whereof the one he assigned vnto the chapter in common out of the rest he allotted to euery cannon a portion by the name of a Prebend He also it was that first 〈◊〉 a Deane to be the President of the chapter and a Subdeane to supply his place in absence a 〈◊〉 to gouerne the quier and a Subchaunter vnder him a Chauncellour to instruct the yoonger sort of Cannons and lastly a Treasurer to looke to the ornaments of the church The Subchauntership togither with the Prouostship an 1547. were taken away and suppressed by act of Parliament to patch vp a Deanry the lands and reuenewes of the Deanry being deuoured by sacrilegious cormorants Moreouer and 〈◊〉 all this whereas our church of Welles at this time was exceeding ruinous and likely euery day to fall to the ground he pulled downe a great part of it and repaired it At last he died hauing sate 29. yeeres and 4. moneths and was buried at Bathe 19. Reginald Fitzioceline 〈◊〉 Sée was then voide eight yéeres eight moneths and fiftéene daies At last Reginald Fitzioceline a 〈◊〉 sonne vnto Ioceline Bishop of Salisbury and by his gift Archdeadon of Salisbury was appointed thereunto being but 33. yeres of age or as one deliuereth but 24. This man by suite obtayned for the Chapter of king Richard the first at what time he set forward in his voyage toward the Holy land ' the mannors of Curry Wrentich and Hatch He founded the hospitall of Saint Iohns in Bathe and certaine Prebends in the church Moreouer he graunted vnto the city of Welles a corporation and many priuiledges which by his gift they enioy to this day The yéere 1191. he was translated to Canterbury Sée more of him there 20. Sauaricus KIng Richard the first being taken prisoner in Germany by Leopold Duke of Austria The Emperor tooke order with him that besides other conditions to be required of the king for his deliuerance he should make him promise to preferre a 〈◊〉 of his the Emperors called 〈◊〉 then Archdeacon of Northampton vnto the Bishopricke of Bathe and Wels moreouer to annexe vnto the same Bishopricke the Abbotship of 〈◊〉 For the better effecting of which purpose 〈◊〉 was content to returne vnto the king the possession of the City of Bathe which his predecessor Iohn de Villula had bought of king 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 These things being brought to passe according to his desire he altered his style and would needes be called Bishop of Glostonbury He was consecrate on Michaelmas day 1192. at Rome and returning into England by Germany was there stayed and left for an hostage in assurance of paiment of the kings raunsome After his deliuery he yet continued there a long time and became Chauncellor vnto the Emperor till that the yeere 1197. the Emperor falling sicke as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uereth he was sent by him into England to release vnto the king all such moneies as yet remained vnpaid of that wrongfull and vnconscionable raunsome The Emperor then dying before he could returne he thought good to remaine here still vpon his charge In 12. yeeres that he sate Bishop he did not any thing memorable except happily this may seeme worthy remembrance that he impropriated the Parsonages of Ilmister and Longsutton making them Prebends and appointing the one of them alwaies to be alotted vnto the Abbot of Muchelney and the 〈◊〉 to the Abbot of Athelney for the time being The Prebend of 〈◊〉 is vanished together with the Abbey of 〈◊〉 Longsutton Parsonage by the 〈◊〉 of Queene Mary was restored to the Church of Welles and remaineth to this day a part of our possessions This Bishop died August 8. 1205. and was buried at Bathe Concerning him and the great summes he died indebted who so list may reade somewhat in the Decretals of Greg. lib. 3. tit 9. cap. Nouit ille 21. Ioceline de Welles SAuarike being dead the monkes of Glastonbury made importunate sute at Rome to be restored vnto their olde gouernment vnder an Abbot Their importunity gaue occasion of setting downe a decree in the Court of Rome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being void nothing is to be altered in the state of the 〈◊〉 Before the end of the yeere 1205. 〈◊〉 a Canon of 〈◊〉 borne also and brought vp in Welles at leastwise as to me by diuers arguments it seemeth was consecrate vnto this See at Reading The monkes of Glastonbury were by and by dooing with him and after much contention preuailed but so as they were faine to buy their victory at a deare 〈◊〉 allowing vnto the 〈◊〉 of Welles out of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the mannors of 〈◊〉 Pucklechurch 〈◊〉 and Cranmer and the patronage of the beneffces of Winscombe Pucklechurch Ashbery Christ Malford Buckland and Blackford Soone after this composition made he 〈◊〉 faine to fly the realme aad continued in banishment the space of fiue yeeres The cause and mannor thereof you may 〈◊〉 in Stephen Langton of Canterbury After his returne he gaue him selfe altogether to adorning and increasing the 〈◊〉 of his Church He founded diuers Prebends impropriated diuers Parsonages to the 〈◊〉 of his Chapter and gaue them the mannour of Winscombe He allotted reasonable reuencwes to euery of the dignities which before that time had
amongst many religious houses erected heretofore in and about the City of Erceter thrée there haue béene sometimes within the seite and circuite of that place which is now called the close of Saint Peters The first of these was a house of Nunnes where the Deanes house the Callander Nay or Uicars close doo now stand The second was a Monastery for monkes supposed to be built by king 〈◊〉 the third sonne of king Ethelwo ph about the yéere 868. And the third was also for monkes to witte of the order of Saint Benet founded by king Athelstan the yéere 932. thereabout where the East parts of the Church now called the Lady chappell standeth Of this foundation thus one writeth Hanc vrbem primus Rex Athelstanus in potestatem Anglorum effugatis Britonibus redactam turribus muniuit moro ex quadratis lapidibus cinxit ac antiquitus vocatum 〈◊〉 nunc Exeter vocari voluit ac ibisedens mansum quoddam de dit ad fundandum monasterium pro monachis Den Sancto Petro famulantibus Now besides the great charges he was at in building He gaue also sufficient lands and reuenewes for their liuing whereof Morkshut and 〈◊〉 be yet remaining and are appertaining to the Treasurer of the said Church But after the time of King Athelstane the Danes with great hostility and cruelty hauing ouerrun this land this City and Church was much infested and troubled for with no lesse cruelty did the Danes pursue the English men and Saxons then did the Saxons before pursue the Britaines And then the monkes not able to endure the same fled and forsooke their house séeking places of refuge and better safety And so was this monastery lest destitute and forsaken for sundry yéeres vntill the time of king Edgar He making a progresse into these West partes to visite Ordogarus Earle of Deuon whose daughter he had maried came to this City ann 986. and pittying their distressed state restored them their house and liuelihoods And appointed 〈◊〉 who afterwards was Bishop To be their Abbot After that they continued together although in great troubles vntill the time of king Swanus the Dane He with a great troupe and Army of his Danes came to this City ann 1019. besieged it and at length hauing taken the same spoyled destroyed and burnt both City and Monastery But yet shortly after it was againe restored For King 〈◊〉 being aduertised of the great cruelties done by his Father 〈◊〉 did at the request of one of his Dukes named 〈◊〉 make restitution vnto Atheiuoldus then Abbot both of lands liuings and priuileges as appeareth by his Charter dated ann 1019. About thirty yeeres after this king Edward the Confessor comming to Exceter by the aduise of Leophricus Bishop of Crediton sometimes Lord Chauncellor of England and of his priuy Councell partly for the better safety of the Bishop and his successors and partly to prouide a more apt place for the monkes translated the Bishops Sée from Crediton to Exceter and sent the monkes to Westminster The Bishop then thus remooued from the old and placed in the new indoweth his new Sée with the lands and liuelihoods of his former Church pulled downe the two monasteries néere adioyning the one of Nunnes the other of monkes and addeth them to his owne Church After Leophricus his successors following his example did euery of them for the most part indeuour the augmentation and increase of their Church some in liuelihoods some in liberties and priuileges some in buildings and some in one thing some in an other ANno 1112. William Warwest the third Bishop of Exceter began to enlarge his cathedrall church which at that time was no bigger then that part which is called the Lady Chappell and laied the foundation of that which is now thequier Anno 1235. or there abouts William Brewer 〈…〉 and a Chapter of 〈◊〉 and twenty prebendaries He appropriated to the Deanery Brampton and Coliton Rawleigh For the prebendaries he purchased lands allotting to 〈◊〉 of them the like portion of fower pound by the yéere Anno 1284. Peter Quiuill Bishop finding the Chauncell of his church to be builded and finished to his hands built the lower part or body of his church from the quier westward He alsos appointed a Chanter and a Subdeane in the church to the one he impropriated Painton and Cudleigh and to the other the parsonage of Cgloshalle in Cornwall Moreouer he impropriated the parsonage of Saint Newlin in Cornwall and of Stoke Gabriell in Deuonshire to the Chancellor of the church for reading of a Diuinity Lecture Anno 1340. Iohn Grandisson Bishop did increase the length of his church from the sont Westward and vaulted the roofe of the whole church so ending and fully finishing the same ABout the yéere of our Lord 1450. Edmund Lacy began to build the Chapter house and George 〈◊〉 finished it The Cloisters were built by the Deane and Chapter Hereby it appeareth that from the first foundation of this church vnder king Athelstane vntill the time that Bishop Graundsone 〈◊〉 the building thereof it was aboue 400. yéeres which notwithstanding so vniformely the same is compact as if by one and the same man it had béene plotted begun continued and ended A Catalogue of the Bishops of Deuonshire VVErstanus called by some Adulphus the first Bishop of Deuonshire was consecrated Bishop of this Dioces an 905. and had his Sée at Bishops Tawton In the yéere following viz. 906. he died and was buried in his owne Church PVtta after the death of Werstanus was elected and consecrate Bishop and had his See at Tawton He tataking his iourney towards Crediton to sée the king or as some say Vsfa the kings licutenant was by the said Vffas men slaine Upon his death the See was remooued to Crediton EAdulphus brother to 〈◊〉 Duke of Deuonshyre and Cornewall and founder of Launceston was consecrated Bishop of Deuonshire but installed at Crediton where he had his See and continued Bishop two and twenty yéeres He died the yéere 934. and was buried in his owne church EThelgarus an 〈◊〉 succéeded Eadulphus This Ethelgarus after he had beene Bishop ten yéeres he died and was buried in his owne church ALgarus an 942. after Ethelgarus was constituted and installed Bishop at Crediton And hauing beene Bishop about ten yeeres died and was buried in his owne Church ALfwoldus as Matthew of Westminster writeth was next Bishop after Algarus and consecrated by the aduise of Dunstane ann 952. He died 972. and was buried in his owne church ALwolfus sate nine yéeres after Alfwoldus and was buried in his owne church SYdemanus Abbot of Saint Peters succéeded In this mans time the Danes ouercame and spoyled the whole countries of Deuonshire and Cornewall burned the towne of Bodwyn and the cathedrall church of Saint Petroks with the Bishops house Whereupon the Bishops See was remooued from thence to S Germans in which place it continued vntill the remoouing and vniting thereof vnto Crediton Sydemannus
Lordship Thus by policy he purchaseth the mannor of Bishops Clist by a deuise gayneth Cornish wood and by power wresteth the patronage of Sowton from the true ownor This Bishop after he had occupted this See about 23. yeeres died July 22. 1280. and was buried in his owne church in a sumptuous tombe of Alabaster standing vpon the South side of the entrance into the Lady chappell Upon it this Epitaphe following is yet to be séene Olim syncerus pater omni dignus amore Primus Walterus magno 〈◊〉 hic in honore Edidit hic plura 〈◊〉 laude statuta Quae tanquam 〈◊〉 seruant hic omnia tuta Atque hoc collegium quod Glaseney plebs vocat omnis Condidit egregmm pro voce data sibi somnis Quot loca construxit 〈◊〉 quot bona 〈◊〉 Quam sanctam duxit vitam vox dicere quae scit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gens Exomensis Et chorus turbae quod natus in hac fuit vrbe Plus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 festum 〈◊〉 Gabrielis Gaudeat in 〈◊〉 pater iste fidelis PEter Quiuill ann 1281. was consecrated Bishop of Erceter He first instituted a Chaunter and a Subdeane in this Church To the one he impropriated Painton Chidleigh and to the other the rectory of Eglosheyl in Cornewall He was a liberall and a speciall Benefactor to the Hospitall of Saint Iohns in Exceter as well in goods as in liuelyhoods He first began to enlarge and encrease his Church from the Chauncell downewards and layed the foundation thereof In his time ann 1285. Walter Lichlade the first Chaunter was slame in a morning as he came from the morning seruice then called the Mattens which was woont to be said shortly after midnight vpon which occasion the king earne vnto this City and kept his Christmas in the same And thereupon a composition was made betweene the Bishop and the City for inclosing of the Church yard and building of certaine gates there as appeareth by the said composition bearing date in festo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mariae 1286. The king at 〈◊〉 sute of the Earle of Hereford who at his 〈◊〉 here was lodged in the house of the Gray Friers which then was neere the house of Saint Nicholas obtained of the Bishop that they should be remooued from thence to a 〈◊〉 wholesome place without South gate whereof after the kings departure grew some controuersie because the Bishop resused to performe his promise made to the king This man also impropriated the parish of Saint 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 of Stoke Gabriell and vnited the same to the office of the Chauncellor of the Cathedrall Church that the said Chauncellor should continually read a lecture within the said City of Diuinity or of the Decretals In the eleuenth yeere of his Bishopricke he died being choked in drinking of a 〈◊〉 ann 1292. He was buried in the middle of the Lady Chappell Upon his toombe is written 〈◊〉 tegit Petrum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Franciscanes or Gray Friers of this City imputed his death to his hard dealing with them For whereas he had promised the king to prouide a conuenient place sor them to build their house in and had willed their warden named Deodatus to seeke out and make inquiry for the same yet notwithstanding when he had so doone because the same was in his Sée swaruing from his said promise he vtterly denied to performe the same being diswaded by Peter Kenefield a Dominicane or a blacke Frier and 〈◊〉 vnto the said Bishop For he enuying the good successe of the Franciscanes aduiseth the Bishop that in no wise he 〈◊〉 permit them to enioy the place which they had gotten 〈◊〉 saith he as vnder colour of simplicity they créepe into the harts of the people and hinder vs poore Preachers from our gaines and liuings so be ye sure that if they put foote 〈◊〉 your Liberties they will in time find meanes to be 〈◊〉 from out of your Liberty and iurisdiction The Bishop being soone diswaded vtterly forbiddeth them to build or to doo any thing within his Sée or liberty About two yéeres after the Bishop kept a great feast vpon the Sundaynext before Saint Francis day And among others was present with him one Walter Winborne one of the kings chiefe Justices of the bench who was present when the Bishop at the request of the king made promise to further helpe the Franciscanes He now in their behalfe did put the Bishop in mind thereof and requested him to haue consideration both of his owne promise and their distresse The Bishop misliking this motion waxed angry and did not onely deny to yeeld thereunto but wished himselfe to be choked what day soeuer he did consent vnto it It fortuned that the same weeke and vpon the day of Saint Francis eue the Bishop tooke a certaine Sirope to drinke in too hasty swallowing thereof his breath was stopped and he foorthwith died The Franciscanes hearing thereof made no little adoo about this matter but blased it abroad that Saint Francis wrought this miracle vpon the Bishop because he was so hard against them THomas Bitton Deane of Welles the yere following was elected Bishop and the See of Canterbury being voyd He was consecrated by I. Roman Archbishop of Yorke He left no memoriall of any great things done by him sauing that he continued the building of his church Fourteene yéeres after that he had occupied this See he died September 21. 1307. and was buried vnder a faire Marble inlayed with brasse before the high aultar VVAlter Stapleden a man learned wise and of great parentage was consecrate Bishop of Exceter March 18 1307. The inthronization or installation of Bishops was a Ceremony of great Solemnity in these 〈◊〉 the particularity whereof it shall not be 〈◊〉 once for all to describe in this man At Eastgate he alighted from his horse and went on foote to Saint Peters church All the way where he should passe being laid and couered with black cloth on each hand he was conducted by a gentleman of great 〈◊〉 and Sir Hugh 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 of this 〈◊〉 went next before him At broade gate he was receaued by his Chapter and Quier in their ornaments with Te Deum and so caried into the church The vsuall Ceremonies being performed there at his pallace a great feast was prepared for the entertainement of such noblemen and other parsonages of account as repaired hither at that time It is incredible how many oxen tunnes of Ale and Wine are said to haue béene vsually spent at this kind of solemnity Euen so much as the whole yéerely reuenue at this time would not suffice to pay for This Bishop was greatly in fauour with king Edward the second who made him first of his priuy Councell then Lord Treasurer of England and imploied him in diuers Embassages of great importance The yéere 1329. he was sent Embassadour to the French king and ioyned in commission with the Quéene for the conclusion of a peace betweene these two princes That
Commendam for sower yéeres 12. Rogerus de Skerwyng ROgerus de Skerwyng was the next Bishop of Norwich being preferred thereunto an 1265. In his time there was a dangerous sedition raysed betweene the citizens of Norwich and the monks of the Cathedral church the history whereof is briefly this In a faire that was kept before the gates of the priory there happened a fray in which some seruants of the couent flew certaine citizens A Jury being empanncied hereupon found them guilty and the officers tooke order for the apprehending of the murtherers if they might be met withall The monkes greatly offended herewith first excommunicated the citizens then shutting the gates not onely prepared themselues to defence but also began to offend the other shooting at the passengers first and afterward issuing out of their gates killing diuers persons and spoyling many houses The citizens greatly incensed herewith fired the gates entred the monastery and after a long conflict a great number being flaine on both sides preuayled rifled the priory and set fire on the same in diuers places at once This fire consumed not onely the celles and offices of the monkes but the almes house also the steeple and greatest part of the cathedrall church The king hearing of this tumult king Henry the third with all speede posted thither and caused diuers citizens to be hanged drawen and quartered Amongst the rest that were executed a woman that first carried fire to the gates was burned The monkes for their part appealed to Rome and so handled the matter that they not onely escaped punishment but also forced the citizens to pay them 3000. markes after 500. markes a yeere towarde the reparation of their church and to present them with a Pare of gold of seuen pound waight This end was made by king Edward the first his father being now dead at the request and solicitation of the Bishop who died an 1278. hauing sate 13. yeeres 13. William Middleton AFter him succéeded William Middleton Archdeacon of Canterbury He reedified the church being so destroyed and prophaned in the time of Bishop Roger and hallowed the same in the presence of the king and many of his nobles In the 11. yeere of his consecration he departed this life the last of August 1288. 14. Radulphus de Walpoole IN his roome Randulph de Walpoole was elected by the monkes and consecrated 1288. When he had gouerned with great commendation the space of 11 yeeres he was by Boniface the Pope translated to Ely and liued scarce three yeeres after his translation See more in Ely 5. Iohn Salmon THe Pope hauing translated Radulph to Ely placed in the See of Norwich one Iohn Salmon Pryor of Ely The yéere 1319. he became Lord Chauncellor 〈◊〉 England and continued so about 〈◊〉 yéeres This Bishop built the great hall and the chappell in the Bishops pallace 〈◊〉 a chappell at the West ende of the church in which he ordayned fower priests to 〈◊〉 masse continually He died in the monastery of Folkstan an 1325. July 6. 16. Gulielmus Ayerminus IT is reported by some that after the death of Bishop Salmon Robert Baldooke king Edwards Chauncellor was elected by the monkes and receiued his temporalties the yéere 1325. But it seemeth likelier which other affirme that he renounced his election of his owne accord William 〈◊〉 by the Popes authority was then placed in this Sée and made Chauncellor by the king He gaue two hundred pound for order to be taken that two monkes the cellerers of the couent should alwaies sing masse for his soule Hauing sate almost 11. yeres he died March 27. at 〈◊〉 neere London 17. Anthony de Beck AFter him Anthony de Beck Doctor of Diuinity 〈◊〉 to the court of Rome obtayned this dignity at the Popes hands This man behaued himselfe so imperiously in the place that he bereaued the monkes of diuers auncient long enioyed priuiledges suffring them to do nothing but what seemed good vnto him plucking downe and preferring amongst them whom he listed Neither could he onely be content thus to tyrannize ouer them but 〈◊〉 to haue his acctions reformed or called in question by any others He openly withstood Robert Winchesley Archbishop of Canterbury in his visitation affrming that he would not answer to those things which were obiected against him vnlesse it were at that court of Rome This boysterous and vnruly 〈◊〉 purchased him such hatred of all men that at the last he was poysoned by some of his owne seruants 18. Gulielmus Bateman VVIlliam Bateman Doctor of the Ciuill Lawe borne at Norwich and Archdeacon of the same was next elected Bishop by the 〈◊〉 consent of the whole Couent a man of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so great constancy that he could not by any meanes be brought to Impaire and diminish the priuileges and liberties of his church although he were oftentimes by many of the nobility 〈◊〉 thereunto alway to the vttermost of his power resisting and punishing the sacrilegious drifts of them which attempted the same Amongst the rest it is remembred that the Lord Morly hauing killed certaine deere in one of his parkes and ill intreated his kéepers he forced the noble man to cary a burning Taper in his hand through the streetes of Norwich vnto the high Altar Though the king became an earnest intercessor for him yea mingling sometimes threates with requests nothing could mooue the Bishop from following his determined course Furthermore whereas the estate of his Bishopricke was very litigious before his time he neuer rested vntill he had rid it from all 〈◊〉 and contention obtaining also of Pope Clement all the fruits and reuenues of the vacant churches in Norwich which he left vnto his successors He builded Trinity hall in Cambridge giuing certaine lands for the maintainance thereof and prouoking other mē to imitate his good example he perswaded one Gonwell to found another hall in the same vniuersity which of late at the costs and charges of Iohn Caius a learned Phisition hath béene very much enlarged At what time king Edward the third laid claime first vnto the crowne of Fraunce he made choise of this Bishop to informe the Pope of his title In this voiage he died at Auinion the yéere 1354. In this mans time happened that great plague memorable in all our histories whereof as some doubt not to affirme there died so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the city of Norwich there died 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the number of 57104. persons 〈◊〉 the first of Ianuary and the first of July 1348. 19. Thomas Percy HEnry Duke of Lancaster bearing a great affect on 〈◊〉 Thomas Percy brother to the Earle of Nortumberland 〈◊〉 of the Pope for the Monks refused him that this dignity 〈◊〉 be vestowed vpon him This 〈◊〉 gaue vnto the repairing of the church which in his time was greatly defaced with a violent tempest the some of 〈◊〉 hundred markes and obtained of the rest of the cleargy a great 〈◊〉 to the same purpose He departed this
into Mercia where he accepted the charge of a parish church vnder Saxulf Bishop there mending his liuing by teaching a song schoole for he was a great and cunning Musitian In that kinde of life he spent the rest of his time and could neuer abide to heare of returning to his Bishopricke 7. Quichelmus or Gulielmus so Beda calleth him a little while after his ordination left his Bishoprick also being forced thereunto by want and pouerty 8. Gebmundus or Godwyndus accepted it and held it during his life 9. Tobias an Englishman succeeded He was brought vp vnder Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury and Hadrian Abbot of Saint Augustines A great learned man a paynefull Preacher and so well seene both in the Latin and Greeke toongs as he spake them no lesse readily then his own mother language He died the yeere 726. and was buried in his owne church 10. Aldulfus 11. Dun or Duna 12. Eardulf Oâ—â—a king of Mercia gaue vnto him and his successors Freindsbury by the name of Ellingham about the yeere 77â— Ecgbert a king of Kent gaue him certaine land within the Castle of Rochester the yeere 763. And Ethelbert an other king of Kent gaue him Woldham ann 759. 13. Diora vnto him the foresaid Ecgbert that seemeth to haue beene but some petty king for it could uot be Egbert the fourth Christened king that liued 100. yeeres before these times he I say gaue to this Diora 10. ploughlands in Halling together with certaine Deanes in the Weald or common wood 14. Weremund He died the yeere 800. 15. Beornmod He died 804. 16. Tadnoth 17. Bedenoth 18. Godwyn the first It is here to be acknowledged that the series or Catalogue of the Bishops of Rochester from Beornmod to Siward euen for the space of eight score yeeres is but very maymed and vnperfect William 〈◊〉 affoordeth vs for all the time betweene Beda and the Conquest 330. yéeres but nine Bishops 〈◊〉 Wigorn mentioneth one more only A Catalogue remaining in the Church of Rochester inserteth at once seuen other vnto which I must néedes adde this first Godwyn that was vndoubtedly Bishop of Rochester the yéeres 833. and 851. as appeareth 〈◊〉 in two Charters the one of Withlaf and the other of 〈◊〉 kings of Mercia bearing that date and confirmed 〈◊〉 him Both of them are exemplified in Ingulphus And therefore I should doo ill not to allow him a place although whether this be his due place and order or no I am not able 〈◊〉 to say 19. Cutherwulf 20. Swithulf appointed one of the Gardians of the realme to defend it against the Danes ann 897. which yéere he died as Asserius reporteth 21. Buiricus 22. Cheolmond 23. Chineferth 24. Burrhicus Unto him Edmund the brother of King Athelstane gaue the towne of Malling by the name of thrée plough lands in Mealings ann 945. 25. Alfstane 26. Godwyne 2. 27. Godwyne 3. One of these confirmed a Charter of King Edgar exemplified in Ingulphus ann 966. One of them also as I 〈◊〉 noted confirmed a charter concerning Wulfrunhampton 〈◊〉 the yeere 996. Againe it is deliuered by Florentius Wigorn that Godwyn Bishop of Rochester was taken prisoner by the Danes the yeere 1011. And therefore whereas Matthew Westminster and others report that king Ethelrede 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Rochester in that his owne City a long time the yéere 983. and that being warned by Saint Dunstane he should take héede least he prouoked against him Saint Andrew Patron of that Church yet he would not depart 〈◊〉 till he had wrong from the Bishop 100. l. we néede not make any great doubt but the Bishop so raunsomed was called Godwyn although I find not his name any where set down It should seeme then that the See being become very poore what through the particular troubles of these men and the generall calanuties of the times after their decease it stoode void a long time viz. vntill the yeere 1058. 28. 〈◊〉 Abbot of Abingdon was then consecrate Upon what occasion he was preferred to Rochester you may sée in Eadsine of Canterbury pag. 25. He died saith William Malmsbury at Abingdon the yeere 1067. a few daies after the Conquest of England by the Normans Howbeit it is mamfest that the yeere 1072 he liued aud was present at that Synod gathered together about Whitsontide begun at Winchester and ended at Windsore as in the third books of the same William de 〈◊〉 ye may perceiue Whensoeuer he died certaine it is he left behind him a miserable poore Church destitute of all things necessary It had not aboue foure Canons which liued very hardly and that for the most part by the almes of such well disposed people as tooke compassion of their pouerty 29. Arnostus Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury intending to reduce this Church to some better order consecrated Bishop vnto this See one Arnostus a monke of Becco a man well knowen vnto him He liued not to performe any great matter Within a yeere after his preferment he died 30. Gundulph a monke likewise was placed in his roome by the meanes of the said Lanfranke who also caused him to take into his church not secular priests as hitherto had beene accustomed but monkes This Bishop was a man not greatly learned but wise and very industrious For he handled the matter so as he procured not onely his church to be new built but also the reuenewes to be increased to that height as at the time of his death it did and was able to maintaine fifty monkes some say 60. He was very much helped in these things by Lanfrank that beside diuers summes of ready money which he contributed bought a certaine mannor called Heddre and gaue it to the church of Rochester Morcouer wheras Odo Earle of Kent had incroched vpon diuers laÌ„ds possessions belonging to the Sées both of Canterbury and Rochester by law they recouered them from him 〈◊〉 vnto Rochester were restored by the meanes of 〈◊〉 at the suite of Gundolph and by the iudgement of 〈◊〉 Bishop of Constantia together with Egelrike Bishop of Chichester these mannors Dettiyng Stoce Preston Daniton and diuers other parcels This triall was held vpon 〈◊〉 hothe where all the County were assembled at the kings commaundement to giue in euidence Afterward he 〈◊〉 a Nunry at Malling and the hospitalt of Saint Barthelomews in Chettham Moreouer he built a great part of the castle of Rochester namely the great Tower which yet standeth In recompence of that charge amounting to 〈◊〉 pound the king bestowed a mannor vpon his See 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 March 7. 1107. 31. Ralf Abbot of Say was consecrate August 11. 1108. The yéere 1114. he was translated to Canterbury Sée Canterbury 32. Earnulph was a Frenchman brought vp a while vnder Lanfranke at Becco and after became a monke at Beauueys Lanfranke vnderstanding that he liued very 〈◊〉 at Beauueys vpon what occasion I finde not knowing him to be a man of excellent good parts aduised him to come to him into England
〈◊〉 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
Bishop of Landaff and the time certaine I know not afterward remooued thence to Chichester He was drouen away from the 〈◊〉 by the Barons and his goods confiscate by Parliament in March 1388. 21. Richard Mitford was translated to Salisbury the yéere 1395. Sée Salisbury 22. Robert Waldby was translated from Dublin 1395 and from Chichester to Yorke the yéere following 〈◊〉 Yorke 23. Robert Reade a Fryer preacher became Bishop of Carlioll 1396. by the Popes gift who notwihstanding 〈◊〉 one William Stirkland was elected lawfully bestowed 〈◊〉 place vpon him at the kings request In the ende of the 〈◊〉 yéere he was translated to Chichester 24. Roger Packinton 25. Henry Ware Doctor of Law 26. Iohn Kemp Bishop of Rochester translated 〈◊〉 1422. and hence to London the same yéere afterwards to Yorke and Canterbury Sée Canterbury 27. Thomas Poldon first Bishop of Hereford was translated hence to Worceter 1426. Sée Worceter 28. Iohn Rickingale Doctor of Diuinity 29. Simon Sidenham Doctor of Law 30. Richard Praty 31. Adam Molins Doctor of Law and sometimes Clarke of the Councell being Bishop of Chichester had the kéeping of the priuy seale committed to him He was slaine at Portsmouth by Mariners suborned thereunto by Richard Duke of Yorke Iune 9. 1449. He gaue to the high Altar certaine rich clothes of crimosin veluet 32. Reginald Peacocke was borne in Wales brought vp in Oriall colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinity became Chaplayne vnto 〈◊〉 Duke of 〈◊〉 vncle and Protector of king Henry the sixt and was preferred by him vnto the Bishopricke of Saint Assaph from whence the yeere 1450. he was translated to Chichester He was a great defender of the doctrine of 〈◊〉 which he was constrained to recant at Paules crosse December 4. 1457. had his bookes burnt there before his face that notwithstanding he was depriued of his Bishopricke hauing a certaine pension assigned to maintaine him in an Abbey and soone after died 33. Iohn 〈◊〉 Doctor of Phisicke succéeded one of that name became Bishop of Lichfield the yeere 1496. It could not well be he although I finde somwhat to induce me to thinke so 34. Edward Story Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate Bishop of Carltoll October 14. 1468. sate there nine yeeres and was translated hether the yeere 1477. He built the new crosse in the market place 35. Richard 〈◊〉 was translated from Rochester 1504. and remooued hence to London 1506. See London 36. Robert Sherborne was translated from Saint Dauids 1508. He sate Bishop of Chichester 28. yeeres and died August 21. 1536. being 96 yeeres of age A man very wise often employed in Ambassages by king Henry the 7. a great housekeeper a great almes-man bestowed much money in 〈◊〉 his church and increased the number of the Ministers belonging thereunto 37. Richard Sampson Doctor of Law consecrate 1536. was translated to Lichfield 1543. March 12. See Lichfield 38. George Day Doctor of Diuinity consecrate 1543. was depriued October 10. 1551. restored by Quéen 〈◊〉 1553. and died Aug. 2. 1556. 39. Iohn Scory Bacheler of Dininity was 〈◊〉 1551. displaced by Queene Mary and afterwards 〈◊〉 by Queene Elizabeth vnto the Sée of Hereford 40. Iohn Christopherson Doctor of Diuinity 〈◊〉 of Trinity colledge in Cambridge and Deane of Norwich was appointed Bishop of Chichester by Quéene Mary some after the death of Day He was borne in Lancashire and brought vp in Saint Johns colledge in Cambridge Aman very learned whereof he hath left many testimonies behinde him He was depriued by acte of Parliament in the beginning of the happy raigne of our now Queene Elizabeth 41. William Barlow Doctor of Diuinity sometimes Bishop of Saint Dauids and after of Welles was 〈◊〉 Bishop of Chichester December 20. 1559. and sate 〈◊〉 about ten yéeres See Welles 42. Richard 〈◊〉 Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate May 20. 1570. and after translated to Salisbury 43. Thomas Bickley Doctor of Dininity 〈◊〉 of Merton colledge in Oxford was consecrate about the beginning of the yeere 1585. He was borne at Stow in Buckingham shire brought vp in Magdalene colledge where he was first Chorister then one of the Demies and lastly fellow In Quéene Maries time he was faine to forsake not onely his fellowship but the realme also Most part of her raigne he liued in Fraunce at Paris and Orleans In the beginning of her Maiesties raigne returning home he became 〈◊〉 vnto the Archbishop of Canterbury Matth. Parker by whose meanes he was preferred vnto the 〈◊〉 of Merton colledge Thomas Bentam Bishop of Lichfield his old acquaintance in Magdalene colledge and his 〈◊〉 in exile bestowed vpon him moreouer the Archdeacomy of Stafford and a Preuend in Lichfield Hauing gouerned the said colledge twenty yéeres he was called to the 〈◊〉 of Chichester where he sate 11. yéeres He died at Aldingburne Aprill 30. 1596. being well néere 90. yéeres of age and was honorably enterred in his Cathedrall Church of Chichester He bequeathed vnto Merton colledge in Oxford 100 l. to Magdalene colledge 40 l. and diuers other summes of money to diuers other good vses 44. Anthony Watson Deane of Bristow and one of her Maiesties chaplaines was consecrate the yeere 1596. The Bishopricke of Chichester is valued in the Queenes bookes at 677 l. 15 d. in the Popes bookes at 333. ducats The Bishops of Rochester SAint Augustine hauing laid some 〈◊〉 foundation of Christian religion at Canterbury for the farther propagation of the same thought good to crdaine Bishops vnto other cities neere adioyning and therefore in one 〈◊〉 consecrated two viz. 〈◊〉 to London and 〈◊〉 a Romaine to 〈◊〉 This was the yeere 604. About seuen yéeres after he was faine to flie the realme together with Melhtus Bishop of London as in his life you may 〈◊〉 more at large The yeere 622. he was translated to Canterbury See Canterbury 1. Iustus therefore was the first Bishop of Rochester 2. Romanus was the second Trauailing to Rome 〈◊〉 a message betwéene Iustus the Archbishop and Honorius 〈◊〉 Pope he was drowned by the way 3. Paulinus the first Archbishop of Yorke being forced thence by persecution was content to take charge of Rochester as in Yorke it shall be declared sate there thirteene yeeres and died October 10. 644. He was buried in the church of Saint Andrew which Echelbert the good king of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the ground 4. Ithamar was then made Bishop of Rochester an 〈◊〉 by birth and education yet nothing inferior either in life or learning vnto any of his predeccssors He was the first Bishop of our nation I meane the first Englishman 5. 〈◊〉 After his death the See continued long voyde 6. Putta at last was consecrate thereunto by 〈◊〉 Archb. of Canterbury He was a very good man but very simple and altogether vnexpert in worldly matters Waxing therfore soone weary of his Bishoprick he was halfe 〈◊〉 to leaue it when Edilred king of Mercia burning his church and city resolued and setled him in that determination So he went