but his speciall care was to furnish the same and the rest of his Dioces with learned and honest men with whom he was woont continually to conferre and reason sometime with one and sometime with another partly for his owne exercise and partly to sée what was in them and to raise them vp to a diligence in increasing their knowledge Himselfe was very learned and writ diuers things both in prose and verse He was also a very good musition and could not onely sing but play very well vpon the organs and did set many songs Hauing crowned king Henry the first August 5. 1100. with the helpe of Maurice Bishop of London because Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury liued then in banishment the 18. of Nouember following being sunday he died at Rippon and was buried at Yorke in the Minster himselfe had built next vnto Aldred his predecessor 26. Gerard. AFter the death of Thomas Gerard nephew vnto Walkenlin Bishop of Winchester and Chauncellor of England vnder William the Conquerour and Rofus his sonne hauing beene Bishop of Heresord no long time he was elected vnto Yorke but obtayned not confirmation a great while For he refused to make profession of obedience vnto Canterbury till being commaunded by the Popes letters he performed the same He sate Archbishop seuen yéeres and almost sixe moneths and died suddenly in his garden at Southwell at a time when no body was with him He was a good benefactor vnto the Church of Yorke for he was a meanes vnto the king to bestow the Church of Laxton vpon the Chapter and himselfe hauing obtayued of him the Churches of Dryfield Kilne Pockington and Burgh he gaue them all likewise to the Chapter This notwithstanding after his death they would not suffer him bying so suddenly to be buried within their church hardly in the churchyard So he was laide at the entrance of the church porch But Thomas his successor not suffering such an indignity to be offered vnto an Archbishop remooued his bones into the Church afterward and caused them to be honorably intoombed He was a man of great learning and for eloquence admirable but somewhat too eager against married Priests whom by no meanes he could abide Bale chargeth him with forcery and coniuration because forsooth that after his death there was found in his chamber a volume of 〈◊〉 who writ of Astrology indéed but of coniuration nothing that euer I heard 27. Thomas 2. A Second Thomas succéeded a Chaplain of the kings nephew vnto the former Thomas and sonne vnto Sampson Bishop of Worceter Euen as his predecessor he was very loath to make his profession vnto Caterbury Being called vpon by Anselme the Archbishop He made many 〈◊〉 Wherefore Anselme lying very 〈◊〉 and perceiuing his end to be néere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Bishops of England commanding them not to consecrate him before he had made his 〈◊〉 laying a terrible curse and 〈◊〉 vpon whosoeuer 〈◊〉 doo it The king after 〈◊〉 death 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Worceter whose sonne he was to consecrate him But he answered that he would not haue the curse of Father 〈◊〉 for any worldly good So in the end being perswaded to yéeld as other had done before him consecration was afforded vnto him and performed by his Father 〈◊〉 the foresaid Bishop of 〈◊〉 or as other report by the Bishop of London Iune 27. 1108. This man erected 〈◊〉 newe 〈◊〉 in his Church of Yorke he placed 〈◊〉 reguler at 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 parcels of land vnto the Colledge of 〈◊〉 and purchased of the king the like liberties priuileges for them that the 〈◊〉 of Yorke 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He sate little aboue 5. yéeres and died I thinke I 〈◊〉 say 〈◊〉 Martyr Lying dangerously 〈◊〉 he was aduertised by the 〈◊〉 the nature of his disease to be such as if he vsed the company of a woman he neede not doubt of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 otherwise nothing was to be looked for but death He 〈◊〉 rather to 〈◊〉 then to 〈◊〉 so high and sacred a calling with so soule and haynous an 〈◊〉 So he ended his life February 19. 1114. and was buried beside the former Thomas his vncle 28. Thurstan THomas the Archbishop being taken away as before I haue declared Thurstan a Cannon of Paules and the Kings Chaplaine was chosen to succéed him He when he could by no meanes obtaine consecration of Ralph Archbishop of Canterbury without making profession of subiection 〈◊〉 and forsooke the 〈◊〉 of his election Yet remembring himselfe at last he went to Rome to plead his cause before the Pope and obtained letters to the king and Archbishop of Canterbury in commendation of his cause These letters preuailing nothing with the Archbishop that would be wonne by no meanes and Thurstan continuing as obstinate in his resolution The Sée remained void along time At last it fell out that a Counsell was summoned to be held at 〈◊〉 Thurstan crauing leaue of the king to goe thither could not obtaine it before he had promised that he would not receiue consecration there Which promise notwithstanding so well he followed his businesse that before the comming ouer of other English Bishops to the Counsell he was a Bishop ready consecrate as well as they and that by the hand of the Pope himselfe So he and he only I thinke of all the Archbishops of York since the Conquest neuer made profession of subiection to the Metropoliticall See of Canterbury The King hearing of this dealing was very greatly offended with Thurstan and for bad him England Neither could the Pope méeting with the King at Gisors and intreating for him so pacifie his displeasure as that he would suffer him to returne After fiue yeeres banishment the Pope writ a very sharpe letter vnto the king signifying that he would excommunicate both him and the Archbishop of Canterbury also if Thurstan were any longer kept from his See and charge Hereupon he was called home and soone after reconciled vnto the King This man is much praysed first for his learning then for his great wisedome and discretion and lastly for his industry and diligence his care and painefulnesse in well gouerning the charge committed to him He was a very kinde man to his Cannons vnto whom amongst other things he affoorded this priuiledge that the yeerely profite of their prebends being deuided into thrée parts it should be lawfull for any Canon to bequeath two parts of the yéere next ensuing his death alotting the third vnto the Fabricke that is toward the reparation of the church This order he set downe not onely at Yorke but at Beuerley also at Southwell at Rippon and at Glocester all which were colledges founded by Archbishops of Yorke Moreouer it is to be remembred that he either founded a 〈◊〉 or renued and repaired eight monasteries In the latter end of his time to wit June 4. 1137. a lamentable chaunce befell his church and city By casuall fire Saint Peters church in Yorke Saint Maries without the walles a
A CATALOGVE of the Bishops of England since the first planting of Christian religion in this Island together with a briefe History of their liues and memorable actions so neere as can be gathered out of antiquity By F. G. Subdeane of Exceter Bona quae facereipsi negligimus haec ad correctionem nobis Deus ab alijs fieri demonstrat vt qui praeceptum non attendimus saltem exemplis excitemur atque in appetitu rectitudinii nil sibi mens nostra difficile existimes quod perfecte peragi ab alijs videt Greg. Moral lib. 9. Mementote praepositorum vestrorum qui vobis loquuti sunt verbum Dei quorum intuentes exitum conuersationis imitamini fidem Heb. 13. 7. LONDINI Impensis Geor. Bishop 1601. TO THE RIGHT Honorable Sir THOMAS SACKVYLL Baron of Buckhurst Knight of the most noble order of the Garter Lord high Treasurer of England and Chauncellor of the Vniuersitie of Oxford THis worke right Honorable such as it is I haue thought it no lesse then my duty to present vnto your Lordship not onely in regard of my selfe whom by many great and vndeserued fauours you haue so bound vnto you as except I wil be very vnthankfull I must at all times be ready to tender my selfe and all my poore ability vnto your seruice but also in respect of the matter which as if it had light vpon a writer worthy of it might haue yeelded a discourse not altogether vnwoorthy your Honorable regard So being but as it is a memoriall of the liues and actions of the most memorable and famous learned men that our countrey from time hath brought foorth Me thinkes I cannot commend it vnto a more likely patron then your selfe that are not onely learned but also vnder her Maiesty the Supreame gouernour of one of those two welsprings of learning and learned men our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doubt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto the worlds ende continuall matter for the like argument of this that in this present worke I haue handled I humbly beseech your Lordship insteed of some better assurance to accept it as a pledge and token of a heart and minde in all duety faithfully affected vnto your Honour for the aduauncement whereof in all happinesse I will not cease as I am by duty bound continually to pray vnto Almighty God Your Lordships Chaplayne euer humbly at commandement FRANCIS GODWYN To the Reader I Cannot deny but my delight in the study of histories and antiquities hath beene somewhat greater then was needfull for a man that had dedicated himselfe and his labours vnto the seruice of Gods church in the Ministery Which 〈◊〉 acknowledging in my selfe and being vnable wholy to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quemque voluptas and I would to God that 〈◊〉 the woorst might be said of me I endeuoured long since in some sort to reforme the same by restrayning my selfe within the compasse of such antiquities as seemed to concerne but seasticall causes or persons My collections the one way I meane concerning matters ecclesiasticall can adde nothing vnto that large and painefull worke of Master Foxe In the other kinde concerning ecclesiasticall persons what many yeeres reading obseruation could yeeld vnto me some seuen or eight yeeres since I comprised in a volume which being perswaded therunto by diuers my friends no lesse godly then wise I haue at last condiscended after some conuenient augmentation of the same to publish The principall reason that mooued me thereunto is in effect but that which Tacitus saith euery historiographer should propose vnto himselfe Ne virtutessileātur vtque prauis dictis factisque ex posteritate infamia metus sit In the latter of these the faults of those men of whom I am to write I need not greatly to paine my selfe For it is not to be denied that the most part of the Chroniclers historiographers of our age haue borne a hand hard ynough at least vpon the Prelates and Cleargy of former times euery where like Chams discouering the nakednes of these fathers but seldome or neuer indeuouring with Sem to hide the same much lesse affoording vnto them any honorable mention neuer so well deserued This kinde of dealing though happily intended to good purposes might not expect that successe and blessing at Gods hand that the plame and sincere truth is wont to finde As Marcellus Bishop of Ancyra Socrates reports it labouring a little too earnestly against one Asterius an Arrian and so derogating impiously from the person and dignity of our Sauiour Christ byforcing some reasons of Paulus Samosatenus that swaruing as farre on the other side dispoyled the same our Sauiour of his humanity he fell at last himselfe and drew many others into those pernicious impious errors of the Samosatenians Stulti dum vitant vitia in contraria currunt Euen so these men inioyning somewhat too furiously the superstition and errors which the Cleargy of former times much deale of ignorance did teach and defend whilest that the rather to discredit their doctrine they depraued their persons it hath pleased God that this vncharitable course should sort to some other effect then was intended and that such as without his great mercy was like to haue caused an inconuenience of little lesse importance I will not say greater then that which our late reformation hath redressed For in the vulgar sort which distinguish not so easily betweene persons and things it bred a conceit not onely that the men were wicked and so their doctrine corrupt although I know the consequēce to be weake but also their functions and callings to be vtterly vnlawful Antichristian which opinion once receiued in the minds of the multitude gaue occasion of diuers plots coloured with the plausible shew of reformation but indeed principally ayming at the goods and reuenues of the church the temporall rewards of learning which being once taken away what confusion is like to follow we may easily see by the effects it bringeth foorth elsewhere Those countries that heretofore haue yeelded great plenty of able-worke-folkes for the Lords vineyard now that brood is spent which attayned learning the rewards yet standing whole they hardly can shew a man able to set pen to paper in defense of the truth Yea euen amongst vs although the godly and excellent care of her Maiestie hath preseraed the state of this our church in such sort as I thinke no other reformed Church of Christendome any thing neere comparable vnto it yet the example of other the knowen 〈◊〉 of so many sacrilegious cormorāts as await daily the destruction of the same and the doubt least it will decay for that we cannot hope for the like piety in all succeeding Princes it so far foorth discourageth men from the study of diuinity as the best wits dayly refuse the Vniuersities or Diuinity at the least which in some other countries is accounted the surest way to aduauncement and rather betake themselues to any other kind of life Hereof it commeth to passe that euery
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
became Deane of Lincoln In the beginning then of the yéere 1577. he was aduaunced vnto the Bishopricke of Worcester in September following had the gouernment of the Principality of Wales committed vnto him and held the same two yeeres and a halfe euen all the time that Sir Henry Sydney the President liued in Ireland as Lord Deputy Sixe yéeres and almost a halfe he had beene at Worcester whē he was called vnto the metropolitical Sée of Canterbury which he yet holdeth Upon Candlemas day 1585. he was sworne of her Maiesties priuy counsell God graunt him long and happily to enioy these honorable places to his glory and the good of his Church Amen The Archbishopricke of Canterbury is valued in the Queenes bookes at 3093 l. 18. s. 8. d. ob farthing and was woont to pay to the Pope 1000. ducats at euery income besides 5000. for his pall The old corporation of Prior and Couent of Christchurch being dissolued king Henry the eight made a new of a Deane and 12. Prebendaries The names of the Deanes I haue thought not amisse here to set downe 1. Nicolas Wotton Doctor of Lawe 2. Thomas Godwyn Doctor of Diuinity 1566. 3. Richard Rogers Bishop of Douer 1584. 4. Thomas Neuyll Doctor of Diuinity 1597. The Bishops of London AT what time Christian religion was first publikely receaued in this Island there were established in the same 28. Sées or Cathedrall churches whereof thrée were Archbishopricks Yorke whose prouince was Scotland and the North of England Caerlegion now called Caerleon vpon Usk to which the Churches of Wales were subiect and lastly London that had iurisdiction ouer the rest of England To speake of the Archbishops of London with whom onely we haue now to do there is not any precise Catalogue or continuate history deliuered of them Some I finde mentioned Sparsim in our histories their names I will set downe and the Reader must content him selfe with them 1. Thean It is said he built Saint Peters church in Cornhill with the helpe of one Cyran chiefe butler vnto king Lucius and made it his Metropoliticall Sée 2. Eluanus is named the second Archbishop He built a Library néere vnto the same church and conuerted many of the Druydes to Christian religion 3. Cadar 4. Obinus 5. Conan 6. Paladius 7. Stephan 8. Iltut 9. Theodwyn or Dedwyn 10. Thedred 11. Hillary 12. Guiteline 13. Restitutus he was present at the Counsell of Arles in Fraunce the yéere 326. vnder Constantius the sonne of Constantine the great and subscribed vitto the Decrées of the same Counsell which he brought ouer with him One Decrée amongst the rest was that if a Deacon at the time of his ordering did protest he intended to mary it should be lawfull for him so to do Restitutus himselfe was maried 14. Fastidius Gennadius in his Catalogue illustrium virorum mentioneth him by the name of Fastidius Britanniarum Episcopus and commendeth certaine works of his 15. Vodinus he was slaine ann 436. by the procurement of Hengist first king of the Saxons for reprehending king Vortigers vnlawfull mariage with Rowen Hengists daughter his Quéene and lawfull wife being yet aliue After the comming in of the Saxons the succession of Archbishops was stil continued in London for the space of thrée hundreth yeeres but secretly euen vntill the time that Saint Gregory sent Augustine hither I finde onely one of them named viz. 15. 〈◊〉 that being first Bishop of Glocester forsooke it and tooke the charge of London vpon him the yéere 553. 1. Mellitus SAint Augustine hauing established his Metrapoliticall See at Canterbury for that it was the seate of the king of Kent who commanded the kings of the East and South Saxons as his vassals and holding their kingdomes at his pleasure He thought good to appoint a Bishop at London and he made choice of Mellitus whom he consecrated ann 604. This Mellitus conuerted vnto the faith of Christ Sebert king of East Saxons who soone after built the church of Westminster and dedicated it to Saint Peter In his time also Ethelbert king of Kent built the Cathedrall church of Saint Paule that being often increased by Erkenwald and other was burnt at last downe to the ground some 500. yéeres after and built a new in that stately forme it now hath by Mauritius Bishop of London and his successors King Ethelbert moreouer gaue Tillingham and other lands vnto this church Of Mellitus sée more in Canterbury whether he was translated 2. Ceadda AFter the departure of Mellitus the Church of London was long without a Pastor euen vntill that Sigebert obtaining the kingdome of the East Saxons by the perswasion of Oswy king of Northumberland he became a Christian and procured Ceadda a vertuous and Godly priest to be consecrate Bishop of his countrey That charge he attended painfully many yéeres At last building a Monastery in the North country called Lestinghen the same was scarcely finished when the infection of the plague being brought thither tooke away not onely this Bishop the founder but almost all the monks that were now newly placed in the same Of this man Beda writeth much in his Eccl. historie Lib. 3. cap. 22. 23. He was buried in the foresaid Monastery of Lestinghen 3. Wina ABout the time that Ceadda died it hapned Kenwalchus K. of the West Saxons to fall out with Wina the Bishop of his countrey insomuch as he forced him to flie vnto Wlfher king of Mercia of whom being now destitute of liuing he bought for money the Bishopricke of London Sée more in Winchester 4. Erkenwald VVIna being dead Erkenwald the sonne of Offa king of East Saxons a very deuout and vertuous man became Bishop of London His owne patrimony he bestowed in building of two monasteries one for monkes at Chertsey another for Nunnes at Barking making Edelburg his sister the first Abbesse there He conuerted vnto the faith of Christ Sebba king of the East Saxons He bestowed much vpon building in his Cathedrall church of Saint Paule encreased much the reuenues of the same and obtained for it of diuers princes many notable and important priuileges Hauing sate 11. yéeres he died about the yéere of our Lord 685. and after his death was honoured for a Saint His body was laied in a very sumptuous shryne which not many yéeres since stoode in the East part of the church aboue the high altar After Erkenwald sate these in order successiuely 5. Waldhere of him Beda maketh mention Hist. eccles lib. 4. cap. 11. 6. Ingwald this man liued in the time of Beda and died 744. 7. 〈◊〉 8. Wighed 9. Eadbright 10. Eadgar 11. Kenwalch 12. Eadbald 13. Hecbert or Heathobert He died the yéere 802. 14. Osmund or Oswyn he liued 833. 15. Ethelnoth 16. Ceolbert 17. Renulf or Ceorolf 18. Swithulf he liued the yéere 851. 19. Eadstan liued 860. 20. Wulfsius 21. Ethelward 22. Elstan he died an 898. or as Asserius saith an 900. 23. Theodred surnamed the Good His body was laid in a
Pope Leo he was taken out of the monastery of Winchester to be king and that is all I finde of this matter worthy credit 18. Swithunus AFter him succéeded Swithunus the opinion of whose holines hath procured him the reputation of a Saint How miraculously he made whole a basket of egges that were all broken and some other things scarce woorth the rehearsall who so list may read them in Matthew Westminster in his report of the yeere 862. at what time as he writeth this Bishop died and according to his owne appointment was buried in the Church-yard Some I know not how truely make him Chauncellor of England Whatsoeuer his holines was his learning questionlesse was great in respect whereof Egbert king of the West Saxons committed vnto his gonernment that same Ethelwolfe his yoonger sonne that of a Subdeacon in the church of Winchester was afterward made king as before is declared 19. Adferthus ADferthus succéeded him in this Bishopricke a man saith Florilegus sufficiently learned and that a while discréetly and wisely gouerned this See 20. Dumbertus DVmbertus the successor of Adferthus died in the yéere 879. and left his Bishopricke vnto Denewulsus 21. Denewulsus THis Denewulsus as the fame goeth was sometimes a hogheard and dwelt in the place where the Abbey of Athelney in Sommersetshire was afterward builded It happened at that time king Alfred that famous king of the West Saxons to be so néere followed of the Danes that sought nothing more than his life as being abandoned of all his followers He knew no better or more likely course for his safety then dissembling his estate to deliuer himselfe for a time into the seruice of this hogheard dwelling in a place at that time almost inaccessible so of very little or no resort So long he continued there as his Master and Dame were almost weary of his seruice wherein he was not so ready as a man should that had had education accordingly Of her it is particularly deliuered that when the King let certaine Cakes burne that she had set him to toast she reprehended him sharply as an vnprofitable seruant in these words Vere quos cernis panes girare moraris Cum nimium gaudes hos manducare calentes These cakes that now to toast thou makest no hast When they are ready thou wilt eate too fast At last it sell out that the kings friends gathering themselues together he ioyned himselfe vnto them and his subiectes that now a great while thought him dead resorted vnto him in so great numbers as setting vpon the Danes he ouerthrew them and in a short time not onely brought them vnder his obedience but also reduced in a manner the whole Realme of England into one Monarchy Hauing thus recouered the peaceable possession of his crowne he was not vnmindfull of his olde Master in whom perceiuing an excellent sharpnesse of wit he caused him though it were now late being a man growen to study and hauing obtained some competency of learning he preferred him to the Bishopricke of Winchester Moreouer that he might shew himself thankfull vnto God aswell as man in the place where this hogheard dwelt he builte a stately Monastery the wals whereof are yet partly standing 22. Athelmus OF Athelmus that succéeded this onely is recorded that the yéere 888. he traueyled to Rome to cary thither the almes of king Alfred I find not mention of this man any where but in Matth. Westm. Bertulsus HE also reporteth that one Bertulsus Bishop of Winchester ann 897. was appointed a Gardian of the realme amongst many others by king Alfred to defend it against the Danes Elsewhere I find him not mentioned 23. Frithstane CErtaine it is that in the yéere 905. one Frithstane was consecrate with six other Bishops by Plegmund Archbishop of Canterbury at the commaundement of king Edmund the elder the occasion whereof is elsewhere set downe He was a man highly estéemed of for his learning but much morefor his great vertue and holinosse He sate a long time and at last resigned procuring one Brinstan to be his successor ann 931. the next yéere after he died viz. 932. 24. Brinstan Brinstan as is said became Bishop ann 931. and died thrée yéeres after viz. 934. 25. Elphegus Calvus HE died in the yéere 946. Of these thrée Bishops diuers miracles are reported in histories which néede not to be rehearsed 26. Elfsinus alias Alfsins HE sate till the yéeres 958. and then by bribery and great summes of money procured himselfe to be 〈◊〉 to the Sée of Canterbury of which preferment he had 〈◊〉 ioye Sée Cant. 27. Brithelmus He sate about fiue yéeres For ann 963. he died 27. Ethelwald EThelwald Abbot of Abindon continued Bishop ninetéene yéeres and died 984. Angust 1. How Brinstan his predecessor appeared vnto him challenging the honor of a Saint c. Sée Matth. Westminster in ann 965. he was a great patron of monkes and no lesse enimy vnto maried priests At his first comming 〈◊〉 expelled them out of the olde Monastery to place monks In the yéere 867. the Danes had slaine all the monkes they could finde in Winchester From which time secular priests inhabited the same being authorized by the king so to doo till the yéere 971. a company of monkes were brought from Abingdon of the Bishops old acquaintance it is like to shoulder them out of the doores Not contented thus to haue replenished his owne Church with monkes hauing bought the Isle of Ely he played the like rex in that Church not yet Cathedrall turning a long eight honest Priests into the world with their wiues and children to put in monkes And then at Thorney he built new or at leastwise repaired an old Monastery that had layen waste many yéeres I may not let passe one commendable action of this bishop that in time of a great dearth brake all the plats belonging to his Church and gaue it to the poore saying that the Church might in good time hereafter againe be prouided of ornaments necessary but the poore perished for want of foode could not be recouered 29. Elphegus ELphegus Abbot of Bathe succéeded him an honest and learned man He was translated to Canterbury ann 1006. sée more of him in Cant. 30. Kenulphus alias Elsius THis man againe is infamous for simony and aspiring by corrupt meanes to this place He was Abbot of Peterborough and hauing enioyed his deare bought preferment litle more then one yéere was called from it by death Euen so it fell out with Elsius for Canterbury to make the old saying true ill gotten goods seldome prosper Kenulphus died ann 1008. And lyeth buried in his owne Church as before is mentioned 31. Brithwold BRithwold whom Matth. Westm. séemeth to call Elthelwold was Bishop after Kenulphus It is written of him that one night being late at his prayers he chaunced to thinke of the lowe ebbe of the bloud royall of England which now was almost all consumed and brought to nothing In the middest of this
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
him Boniface the Archbishop of Canterbury hearing thereof although hauing diligently sisted and examined him he could take no exception against him yet to gratifie the king writ 〈◊〉 letters to his friends at Roome against him and set vp one Adam de 〈◊〉 to be a countersuter to the Pope for that Bishopricke This Adam was a man of great learning and had written diuers bookes much commended But he was a very aged man and moreouer a fryer minor and therefore one that had renounced the world and all medling in worldly matters which notwithstanding he followed gladly the directions of the Archbishop and was well content to haue béene a Bishop before he died As for Henry Wingham the Chauncellor it is said that he neuer stirred at all in the matter but confessed them both more woorthy of the place then himselfe It is said likewise that the sute in his behalfe was first commenced by the king without his knowledge and that when he saw the king so earnest and deale so violently in it he went vnto him and humbly besought him to let alone the monkes in the course they had begun and to cease farther solliciting of them by his armed and imperious requests for saith he after 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 of God the grace and direction of his holy spirit they haue chosen a man more woorthy then my selfe And God forbid that I should as it were inuade by force that noble Bishopricke and vsurpe the ministery of the same with a 〈◊〉 or cauterised conscience The ende of this sute 〈◊〉 this Henry Wingham was afterward made Bishop of London Sée more of him there Hugh Balsam came home from Rome confirmed by the Pope and was consecrate March 10. 1257. He sate 28. yéeres and thrée moneths In which time he founded a colledge in Cambridge by the name of S. Peters colledge now commonly called Peter house He first began the same being yet Pryor of Ely and finished it in the yéere 1284. He departed this life June 16. 1286. at 〈◊〉 and was buried at Ely before the high Altar by Thomas Englethorp Bishop of Rochester 11. Iohn de Kyrkby AFter him succéeded Iohn de Kyrkby Deane of 〈◊〉 Archdeacon of Couentry and Treasurer of England He was once elected vnto the Sée of 〈◊〉 but the election was 〈◊〉 and disanulled by Fryer Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury who tooke exception against him for holding many seueral spirituall preferments saying that a man of so good conscience as a Bishop ought to be would rather content himselfe with a little liuing then 〈◊〉 himselfe with so many charges He was consecrate 〈◊〉 Ely at Paris the 26. or as other report the 29. of 〈◊〉 1286. And sitting Bishop of Ely but thrée yéeres and 〈◊〉 moneths died March 26. 1290. He was buried in his 〈◊〉 church by Ralph Walpoole Bishop of Norwich that 〈◊〉 succéeded him on the North part of the quier before the altar of Saint John Baptist. 12. William de Luda THe fourth day of May following was elected William 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deane of Saint Martins Archdeacon of Durham and Treasurer of the kings house He sate seuen yoeres and 〈◊〉 buried in the South part of the church betweene two pillers at the entrance into the old Lady chappell This Bishop gaue the mannor of Oldburne with the appurtenances vnto his Sée vpon condition that his next successor should 〈◊〉 1000. marks to prouide maintenance for thrée chaplaines to serue in the chappell there 13. Ralph Walpoole 〈◊〉 adoo there was now about the election of a new Bishop The couent could not agrée within themselues one part and the greater made choice of Iohn their Pryor the rest of Iohn Langton Chauncellor of England This election being examined before the Archbishop and iudgement by him giuen for the Pryor the Chauncellour appealed vnto the Pope trauelled to Rome in his own person The Pryor hearing of his iourney 〈◊〉 him after as fast as he might neither was he long behinde him although many blocks were cast in his way Being there they were 〈◊〉 to resigne all their interest into the Popes hand He then in fauour of the couent set downe this order that they should be at liberty Notwithstanding these elections to choose againe so they chose any one Abbot in England except thrée to wit of Westminster Bury and Saint Augustines they belike were not in the Popes fauour The Proctors of the couent they would not agrée to this order so fauourable for them Wherefore the Pope being very angry vpon his owne absolute authority remoued Ralph Walpoole from Norwich vnto Ely gaue Norwich vnto the Pryor and least the Chancellor should altogether loose his labor he made him Archdeacon of Canterbury in the place of Richard Feringes that was then appointed by him Archbishop of 〈◊〉 This Ralph Walpoole was consecrat Bishop of Norwich in the beginning of the yéere 1288. and sate there 11. yéeres At Ely he continued scarce 3. yéeres but died March 22. in the beginning of the yéere 1302. He was buried in the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 before the 〈◊〉 altar 14. Robert Orford THis time they agréed better and with one 〈◊〉 chose Robert 〈◊〉 their Prior vpon the 14. day of Aprill ensuing He sate somewhat more then 7. yéeres and ended his life at Dunham Ianuary 21. 1309. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 buried in the pauement aforesaid néere R. Walpoole his predecessour 15. Iohn de Keeton AFter him followed Iohn de Keeton Almoner vnto the Church of Ely he sate likewise 7. yéeres and dying May the 14. 1316. was buried also in the same pauement 16. Iohn Hotham VVIthin the compasse of the same yéere a chapleyne of the kings named Iohn Hotham or Hothun was made Bishop of Ely and the next yéere viz. 1317. Chauncellour of England A man wise and vertuous 〈◊〉 very vnlearned He continued in that office two yéeres and 〈◊〉 giuing it ouer was made Treasurer That place also he resigned within a twelue moneth and betooke himselfe altogither to the gouernment of his church In his time the 〈◊〉 in a night fell downe vpon the quier making a most horrible and 〈◊〉 noise This stéeple now called the Lanterne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and built it in such order as now we sée it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of worke both for cost and workmanship singular It stoode him in 2406. l. 16. s. 11. d. The new building also of the Presbytery not so fully finished by Hugh Northwould but that somewhat might séeme to be wanting he 〈◊〉 in euery point bestowing vpon the same the summe of 2034. l. 12. s. 〈◊〉 d. ob as a writing yet to be séene vpon the north wall of the said Presbytery witnesseth So that vpon the very fabricke and building of the church he spent 4441. l. 9. s. 7. d. ob farthing Besides which this woorthy Benefactour gaue vnto his Couent the Mannour of Holbourne with sixe tenements belonging to the same and to his church a chalice and two crewets of pure gold very costly wrought He sate almost 20. yeeres
〈◊〉 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-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-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
The 〈◊〉 of Paris the nurse of so many excellent and famous Prelates is now greatly troubled If the Uniuersity of Oxford be disquieted and 〈◊〉 also especially at this time being the second Uniuersity of Christendome and euen an other foundation of the Church it is much to be feared least it cause a generall 〈◊〉 and vtter ruine of the whole Church God forbid 〈◊〉 the King that that should happen especially in my time I will indeuour to preuent it I doubt not he was as good as his word For I find no more mention of any farther stirres This I haue thought good the rather to set downe to shew what was the reputation of our Uniuersity of Oxford in those daies 12. Benedictus Grauesend ANother Deane of Lincolne succéeded him Benedictus Grauesend whom I 〈◊〉 called also Richard Grauesend He was consecrate Nouember 3. 1258. and died December 18. 1279. 13. Oliuer Sutton OLiuer Sutton as Walsingham saith was likewise Deane of 〈◊〉 a very good and 〈◊〉 man He was elected Bishop February 6. 〈◊〉 May 18. 1180. died in the middle of a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prayer Nouember 13. 1299. and lyeth 〈◊〉 in the North Isle of the vpper part of his Church vnder a flat Marble stone 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Bishop Flemming 14. Iohn d'Aldarby IOhn'D'alderby or D'aderly Chauncellor of Lincolne succéeded the next yéere and died at Stow parke Ianuary 5. 1319. He was buried at Lincolne in the lower South crosse Isle But his 〈◊〉 was taken away for that it was superstitiously frequented by the common people 15. Thomas Beake IAnuary 27. following the Chapter of Lincolne made choice of one Thomas Beake Chauncellor of Lincolne for their Bishop The Archbishop of Canterbury vpon what quarrell I know not reiected this election But at Rome where all things were to be had for money he got it confirmed The yéere 1278. one Thomas Beake Archdeacon of Dorchester was Lord Treasurer of England It may be this was the man And it should seeme he was very old for he sate but a very short time which I take to be the cause that some men make Burwash next successor to D'Alderby Helyeth buried as it séemeth by a note that I haue séene in the highest crosse North Isle 16. Henry Burwash HEnry Burwash was nephew vnto Sir Bartholomew Badilismer Baron of Leedes a man of great authority vnder king Edward the second The king by his meanes dealt earnestly for the preferment of the said Henry vnto the Sée of Lincolne which he obtained and was inthronised there about Christmas 1320. within a yéere or two after he fell into the kings displeasure so far as that his temporalties were seased vpon and detained from him the space of two yéeres The yeere 1224. they were restored vnto him againe and he vnto the kings fauour but the grudge thereof 〈◊〉 so in his stomacke as the Queene rising against her husband séeking to depose him as afterward she did an 1326. no man was so forward to take her part as this Bishop no man so eager against the king his vndoubted true and naturall Prince He was also a very 〈◊〉 and miserable man as Walsingham reporteth Toward the latter end of his time he made a new parke at Tynghurst and inclosed within the same much ground that belonged to diuers poore men his tenants for the which he had many a bitter curse of them After his death it is said he appéered vnto one that had béene one of his gentlemen in the likenes of a kéeper with bow arrowes in his hand a horne by his side and a gréene ierkin on his backe telling him that for the iniurious inclosure of that parke he was appointed to the kéeping of the same and to be tormented there till it were disparked and 〈◊〉 open againe He therefore also besought him to intreate his brethren the Canons of Lincolne that the wrong done by him by their 〈◊〉 meanes might be righted They were so wise as to giue credit vnto this report and sent one of their company named William Bacheler to see it performed He did so hurled abroad the pale filled vp the ditches and caused the poore tenants to be restored vnto their right againe This Bishop died at Gaunt in the ende of December 1340. hauing béene successiuely Treasurer and Chauncellor of England and was buried in the East ende of his Cathedrall church toward the North. At his féete lyeth a brother of his named Robert a knight a great soldier and a sonne of the said Robert called Bartholomew They founded a Grammar schoole in Lincolne and left maintenance for fiue priests and fiue poore schollers 17. Thomas le Becke AFter Henry Burwash it is said that another Thomas Beake succéeded called by some Thomas le Becke and by others Thomas Weke a famous and woorthy Clerke as Walsingham reporteth He lieth buried in the lower crosse Isle When he died or what time he sate I find not 18. Iohn Synwell IOhn Synwell succéeded The yéere 1351. a great controuersie fell out betweene him and the Uniuersity of Oxford about that election of their Chancellor The discourse whereof you may see pag. 133. This ouely I thinke good to note that whereas some writers report this controuersie to haue fallen out in the time of Bishop Buckingham it must needes be they are mistaken for that this Iohn Synwell died not till the yéere 1361. This man if I mistake not built a great chappell of Saint Mary Magdalene without the North wall of the Cathedrall church and lieth buried in the West part or body of the said church 19. Iohn Bokingham IOhn Bokingham kéeper of the priuy Seale by the helpe of his purse and the kings instant request with much adoo shouldred into the Bishopricke of Lincolne the yeere 1362. This man is said to haue beene very vnlearned and it may be so But certaine it is that one Iohn Bokingham liued about those times a Doctor of Diuinity of Oxford a great 〈◊〉 man in scholasticall Diuinity as diuers workes of his yet extant may testifie and for my part I thinke this Bishop to be the man The yeere 1397. the Pope bearing him some grudge translated him perforce from Lincolne vnto 〈◊〉 a Bishopricke not halfe so good For 〈◊〉 hart he would not take it but as though he had rather haue no bread then halfe a loafe forsooke both and became a monke at Canterbury 20. Henry Beaufort HEnry Beaufort became Bishop of Lincolne in his place This man was brother vnto king Henry the fourth and is best knowen by the name of the rich Cardinal He sate here seuen yéees and the yeere 1404. was translated to Winchester Sée more of him in Winchester 21. Philip Repingdon PHilip Repingdon Abbot of Leicester vpon the 〈◊〉 of Henry Beaufort vnto 〈◊〉 was preferred vnto Lincolne This man was sometimes a great follower of Wickliffe and defender of his 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in preaching and open 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but by writing also to which purpose 〈◊〉 of
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
letters passed betweene him Francis Petrarke and diuers other then famous for learning He had alwaies in his house as before I said many Chaplaines all great 〈◊〉 of which number were T. Bradwardin after Archb. of Canterbury Richard Fitzralph Archb. of Armagh Walter 〈◊〉 I. 〈◊〉 Rob. 〈◊〉 R. Killington Doctors of Diuinity Richard 〈◊〉 and Walter Segraue the one afterward Bishop of London the other of Chichester His manner was at dinner and supper time to haue some good booke read vnto him whereof he would discourse with his Chaplaines a great part of the day following if busines interrupted not his course He was very bountifull vnto the poore Weekely he bestowed for their reliefe 8 quarters of Wheate made into bread beside the offall and fragments of his Tables Riding betweene New-castle and Durham he would giue 8. l. in almes from Durham to Stocton 5. l. from Durham to Aukland 5. marks from Durham to 〈◊〉 5. l. 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 it reported that he founded a Hall in Oxford and 〈◊〉 it with some 〈◊〉 for the maintainance of Students in the same but I thinke it mistaken for that which was done by his next successor Certain it is that he notably furnished a library in that Uniuersity and tooke order that the kéeping thereof should be committed vnto fiue schollers to whom he made a certaine allowance for their labour He also bestowed many sumptuous ornaments on his church of Durham Hauing continued Bishop there 11. yeeres and almost thrée moneths he departed this life at Aukland Aprill 24. 1345. being 58. yéeres of age He lieth buried in the South Angle of his owne church 45. Thomas Hatfield THe Pope had now many yéeres taken vnto himselfe the authority of bestowing all Bishopricks which the king and nobility of this realme being much agréeued with all made diuers lawes and statutes to restore churches and couents to the liberty of their ancient elections When the king therefore had laboured a while in this matter he being destrous of preferring this Hatfield his Secretary vnto Durham a man that he knew the Pope might iustly except against and peraduenture doubting the couent would not choose him was content to request the Pope to giue it vnto him and thereby opened a passage vnto him whereby he entred into possession againe of his woonted vsurpation The Pope glad of this oportunity without any regard or examination of his worthinesse by and by accepted of him And when some of the Cardinalls tooke exceptions against him saying that he was not onely a méere lay man but a fellow of light behauiour and no way fit for that place He answered that if the king of England had requested him for an asse at that time he would not haue denied him This man it was that built Durham colledge in Oxford and purchased certainc lands vnto the same for the maintenance of such monks of Durham as should be thought fit to study there That colledge is now called Trinity Colledge so named by Sir Thomas Pope that bestowed a new foundation vpon the same He built also Durham place in London to receaue himselfe and his successors when they should haue occasion to repaire thither He was consecrate Jul. 10. 1345. and died in the beginning of May 1381. So he sate Bishop six and thirty yéeres lacking onely two moneths 46. Iohn Fordham IIohn Fordham Deane of Welles obtained consecration to the Bishoprick of Durham May 29. 1381. and was inthronised there in September 1382. Seuen yeres he continued in the same and was translated thence to Ely Septemb. 27. 1388. See more of him in Ely 47. Walter Skirlaw IAnuary 14. 1385. Walter Skirlawe Doctor of Law was consecrate Bishop of Lichfield He sate there one yeere and was translated to Welles There also he continued but two yéeres and the yéere 1388. remooued to Durham in the monethe of September The Cloisters of the Monastery there were much deale built at his charges He gaue toward that worke 200. l. in his life time 400. l. in his Will He bestowed also 220. l. in the building of the Diribitory He new built the bridges of Shinkley Yarrow and Aukland and the stéeple of Holme he repaired the Church and the Hall of the mannour there He built a great part of the Lanterne at Yorke where his armes are fixed and raised from the very foundation a faire Chappell at Swyne in Holdernesse where he was borne Lastly he bequeathed in his Testament great summes of money to the Churches that he had gouerned for the buying of ornaments as namely to the Church of Welles the value of 150. l. He fate Bishop of Durham 18. yéeres and died in the beginning of the yéere 1406. 48. Thomas Langley THomas Langley Priest and then Lord 〈◊〉 of England was consecrate Bishop of Durham May 7. 1406. at what time he gaue ouer his 〈◊〉 But a 11. yéeres after to wit the yéere 1417. it was laid vpon him againe and continued in that place about sixe yéeres In the meane time viz. June 6. 1411. he was made Cardinall together with Robert 〈◊〉 Bishop of Salisbury by Pope Iohn 23. This man bestowed the summe of 499. l. 6. s. 7. d. in repayring of that Galily in the West end of his church which was first built by Hugh 〈◊〉 his predecessor He also founded two schooles in the Place-gréen one for Grammar another for Musicke 31. yéeres he continued Bishop here and dying the yéere 1437. was buried as I am informed in the Galily and lyeth entoombed before the Altar there vnder the Table of the Consistory I find noted by the way that about this time to wit betwéene the yéeres 1408 and 1498. was bestowed vpon the Cloyster of Durham the summe of 838. l. 17. s. ob 49. Robert Neuill RObert Neuill was consecrate Bishop of Salisbury the yéere 1427. and translated thence to Durham 1438. He built the Checquer at the castle gate there and died anno 1457. 50. Laurence Boothe LAurence Boothe was consecrate vnto the Sée of Durham September 25. 1457. He built the gate of the colledge at Aukland with the 〈◊〉 adioyning Hauing sate here 20. yeres he was translated to Yorke the yere 1477. Sée more of him in Yorke 51. William Dudley WIlliam Dudley succéeded immediately He was the third sonne of Iohn Dudley alias Sutton the eight Lord Dudley as the Epitaph yet to be séene vpon his toombe doth witnesse He lieth buried in Westminster in the chappell that is South from the toombe of king Edward the third His toombe standeth in the South wall of the said chappell He died an 1483. and sate 6. yeeres 52. Iohn Sherwood IOhn Sherwood became Bishop of Durham 1483. A great learned man an excellent Poet a Grecian and so good a Lawyer as for a certaine time before his preserment to this Bishopricke he was the sollicitor of all king Edward the fourths causes in the court of Rome He brought many copies of diuers rare Gréeke authors out of Italy with him Hauing continued
age bringeth forth lesse plenty of learned men then other amongst vs And it is much to befeared least our posterity will too truely say AEtas parentum peior Auis tulit Nos rudiores mox daturos Progeniem ineruditiosam To make no mention of such other reasons as might induce me to the publishing of these noses least I make my porch larger then some principall roomes of my intended building I thinke it necessary now to admonish the Reader that he expect not any ample discourse of the liues and actions of the Bishops of our owne time or neere vnto it I hane purposly auoyded to set downe any thing of them but what either I finde written by other or elseremayneth to be secne in publike record And this course I haue taken because I iudge it neither seemely to praise nor safe to reprehend how iustly soeuer those men that either by themselues their neere friends or posterity yet liuing may seeme either to haue allured me to flatter or feared me from disclosing that truth which otherwise I would haue vttered Neither do I thinke it needefull to say much of them who being either present in action or fresh in memory are sufficiently knowen vnto vs. Whereas moreouer I haue passed ouer in silence some two Sees you shal vnder stand that I haue beene forced there 〈◊〉 for want of some necessary instructions which by reason of the far distance of my place of dwelling from them I haue not had meanes to attayne although I haue endeuoured the same I would therefore earnestly pray all men that can to yeeld me helpe for the supplying of whatsoeuer may seeme to be wanting either in those Sees or any other I shall take it very thankfully at their hands In the meane time this which now I am able to affoord vnto you I wish it may be taken in good part and God grant it may in some measure prooue a meanes of the aduauncement of his glory and the good of his Church Amen The Archbishops of Canterbury 1. Augustine IT is very certaine and witnessed by many histories without exception that our Island of Britayne receiued the faith of Christ euen in the first infancie of the Church Theodoret and Sophronius Patriarke of Jerusalem affirme that Saint Paul himselfe was héere and preached the Gospell after his first imprisonment at Rome Nicephorus and some other report that Simon Zelotes came hither and was the first messenger of the glad tidings of the Gospell to our nation But it is deliuered by one consent that Saint Philip the Apostle of the Frenchmen vnderstanding how this Island from whence first sprong the superstitious religion of the Druydes was seperated from Fraunce by a small cut of a fewe houres saile thought good to send ouer hither twelue preachers the chiefe whereof was Ioseph of Arimathia that buried the bodie of our Sauiour Christ. These men arriuing héere the yéere of our Lord 63. did their best indeuour for the conuersion of our Britaines It pleased not God they shoulde preuaile with the king who in no wise would be woone from the superstition of the Druydes But of the meaner sort of people many there were that hearkened vnto them yea the king himselfe admiring their great modestie painfulnes and vertuous behauiour was content to assigne them a place of habitation where Glastonbury now standeth which was at that time and long after an Island all compassed about with lakes and standing water And another king gaue vnto euery of those twelue a hide of lande in the countrey néere adioyning which are named to this day the twelue hides of Glastonbury In this Island of Glastonbury then called Auallon Ioseph and his fellowes found meanes to build a church which after they were dead stoode desolate the whole Island being forsaken and remaining without any inhabitant many yéeres euen vntill the time of king Lucius which was about the yéere of Christ 180. It hapned then a lawe héeretofore made by Claudius Caesar as Suetonius reporteth in his life was now generally put in execution by the Romaines who ruled all this end of the world commanding that the superstitious religion of the Druydes should euery where be abolished The pulling vp of these wéedes gaue good occasion vnto the séede of the Gospell sowed long before by the preachers afore mentioned now to spring and bring foorth fruite whereunto God gaue so good increase as Lucius the king himselfe was content to put on the swéete yoke of our Sauiour which that it might be the better and the more fruitfully performed he sent Eluan a notable impe and disciple of that holy College at Auallon and Medwyin a Dutch man that were the instruments of his conuersion vnto Eleutherius the bishop of Rome requesting that he would send other preachers vnto his realme by whom he and his people might be further instructed in the way of truth He satisfied his demaund and sent vnto him two notable men 〈◊〉 and Phaganus by whose paines and industrie chiefly the whole realme was finally conuerted They sought out the ancient church at Glastonbury repaired the same and dwelled there for the space of nine yéeres after Now king Lucius being himselfe Baptised and many of his people in all parts of his dominions he caused the temples of his false gods to be dedicate to the seruice of the true God in the place of their priests he appointed preachers of the Gospel and for their Flamines Bishops to the number of 28. Of these 28. thrée were Archbishops one at London whose prouince was the south part of England Another at Caerlegion vpon Uske his prouince was Wales And a third at Yorke vnto whose iurisdiction the Bishops of Scotland and North England were subiect The Gospell hauing taken such déepe roote héere flourished a while very prosperously And albeit it were often lopped and pruned afterward yea the very maine rootes mightily strucken at by the violent indeuour of sundry tyrants that sought vtterly to destroy and abolish the same out of this land yet had it euer many constant and open professors that neuer suffred the light thereof vtterly to be extinguished Amongst manie the most terrible persecution that euer this church sustained was by the Saxons who expelled not onely Christian religion but the followers of the same into a corner of this Island Howbeit euen amongst these very barbarous Saxons there were diuers from time to time that professed Christ But our countrey being in a manner all growen ouer with Pagamsme for there was no publike allowance of Christian religion any where but in Wales it pleased God to giue this occasion of replanting the same héere againe It chanced that blessed and holy father Saint Gregory one day to espie certaine beautifull children to be sold in the stréetes of Rome and vnderstanding they were Pagans asked of what countrey they were It was answered they were Angles well may they be so called quoth he for they looke like Angels Demaunding them of what prouince
otherwise called Cadwyn and Scadwyn He was borne in Mercia A man verie religious and no lesse learned Soone after his consecration there arose a great controuersie betwéene him and the Archbishop of Yorke about the Primacie Wherein Tatwyn preuailed hauing trauailed to Rome in person and receaued his Pall there He sate thrée yéeres died July 30. 734. and was buried at Canterburie Unto this mans time Beda who died the same yéere deduceth his historie the most ancient that England hath woorthie credite 10. Nothelinus HEnry Huntingdon affirmeth one Egbright to haue succéeded Tatwyn I haue not found him mentioned else where and therefore to follow the report of the greater number I will omit him and passe vnto Nothelin He was borne at London of which citie he was Bishop till he was translated to Canterburie Beda acknowledgeth himselfe much beholding to this man for diuers things which vpon his report he inserted into his Ecclesiasticall storie He receaued his Pall at Rome ann 736. and was buried at Canterburie 11. Cuthbert or Cudbrict CVthbert an Englishman of great parentage being Bishop of Hereford the yéere 742. was translated to Canterburie Fiue yéeres after to wit 747. by the counsell of Boniface Bishop of Mentz he called a conuocation at Cliff beside Rochester to reforme the manifold enormities wherewith the Church of England at that time was ouergrowen Our kings forsaking the companie of their owne wiues in those daies delighted altogether in harlots which were for the most part Nunnes Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis The rest of the nobilitie therefore following their example trode also the same trace The Bishops also and other of the cleargie that should haue béene a meanes of reforming these faults in others were themselues no lesse faultie spending their times either in contentions and brabbles or else in luxurie and voluptuousnesse hauing no care of studie and seldome or neuer preaching Whereby it came to passe that the whole land was ouerwhelmed with a most darke and palpable mist of ignorance and polluted with all kinde of wickednesse and impietie in all kinde of people Cuthbert therfore endeuouring like a good Pastor by the reformation of these things to turne away the wrath of God which séemed to hang ouer this land and to threaten those plagues which shortly after fell vpon it when the Danes inuaded the same gathered together his cleargie at the place before mentioned and there after long consultation caused certaine Canons to be decréed which are to be séene at large elsewhere This man procured Eadbert king of Kent to command that the bodies of Archbishops deceased hereafter should not be buried at S. Augustines as heretofore but at Christchurch And that he might put his monkes of Christ church as it were in possession of this priuilege he tooke order his death should be concealed vntill his funerals were ended He died ann 758. and was buried according to his owne desire in Christchurch or as one reporteth in a little church néere adioyning which he had built and dedicated vnto S. Iohn Baptist meaning to settle his consistorie there and to make it a place of buriall for himselfe and his successors This church many yéeres after was consumed with fire together with Christchurch it selfe and a great part of the monasterie Christchurch was afterward reedified by Lanfranke 12. Bregwyn BRegwyn was borne of noble parentage amongst the Saxons of Germany whence he trauailed into England for the encrease of knowledge being yet verie yoong After the death of Cuthbert in regard of his modesty integritie and great learning choice was made of him as the fittest man to succéede He tooke euen the like course for his buriall as his predecessour had done He sate onely 3. yéeres 13. Lambert THe monks of S. Augustines taking it very hainously to haue the buriall of their Archbishops discontinued from them began to make their complaint vnto the Pope Now though Christchurch-men had no great reason to doubt of the Pope who had confirmed vnto them this priuilege at the sute of Bregwyn yet to make the matter the more sure they determined to elect Lambert Abbot of Saint Augustines for their Archbishop assuring themselues hée would now be as carnest a defender of their liberties as he had héeretofore béene an oppugner in the behalfe of S. Augustins and so indéed he prooued In his time Offa king of Merria erected a new Archbishopricke at Lichfield and obtained of the Pope authoritie for Eadulfus Bishop there to gouerne the Diocesses of Worcester Legecester Siuancester Hereford Helmhant and Dunwich So that Canterburie had left vnto him for his prouince onely these London Winchester Rochester and Sherborne Some say that Lambert consented vnto this alteration others report that he spared no cost to reduce things to their old estate He sate manie yéeres and perceauing his end to approch tooke order to bée buried in Saint Augustines infringing by that meanes the graunts and priuileges of the monks of Christ-church obtained for the buriall of the Archbishops amongst them He was very honorablie enterred in the Chapter-house of Saint Augustines 14. Athelard or Edelred AThelard was first Abbot of Malmesbury then Bishop of Winchester and lastly made Archbishop an 793. Offa soone after this being dead together with his sonne Egfride Athelard made earnest sute vnto Kenulfe the sonne of Cuthbert then king of Mercia that he would restore vnto the Sée of Canterbury the reuenues and iurisdiction taken from it wrongfully by Offa Hereunto Kenulfus without much adoe readily assented as also Leo the third that was then Pope He sate about an eight or nine yéeres and dying the yéere 806. was buried in Christ church to the great discontentment of the monks of S. Angustines 15. Wlfred VVLfred being a monke of Christchurch in Canterbury was made Archbishop at Rome by Leo the third Except this that the ninth yéere after his consecration he went to Rome about some businesse of his church not recorded I finde no other action of his reported He was buried at Canterburie in his owne church 16. Theologild ALittle while after Wlfred Theologild or Fleogild sometimes Abbot of Canterburie was Archbishop and dying was buried also in Christchurch One named Syred succéeded him but being taken away before he had full possession is not reckoned amongst the Archbishops 17. Celnoth CElnoth that is said to haue béene Deane of the church of Canterburie succéeded Theologild and continued Archb. 38. yéeres His time was excéeding troublesome by reason of the continuall inuasions of the Danes yet no memorie remaineth of any action of his in so long space of so memorable a time He lieth buried in Christchurch in Canterburie 18. Athelredus AThelredus a great diuine sometimes a monke of Christ church in Canterburie and then Bishop of Winchester was Archbishop after Celnoth 18. yéeres In his time all the monasteries of England were destroied by the Danes so as for the space of 90. yéeres after monkerie ceased throughout the realme yea in the
called together to iudge of this controuersy They met at Rochingham castell and the matter being proposed by the king for feare or flattery they all assented vnto him and forsooke their Archbishop except onely Gundulphus Bishop of Rochester A while 〈◊〉 indured to liue in continuall seare and disgrace euen vntill he was commanded out of the realme by the king Being at Douer ready to take ship all his carriages were searcht his goodes there and elsewhere soeuer taken from him and sold to the kings vse his temporalties seased and himselfe set aland in France in a manner naked He trauailed presently to Lyons and was sent for thence by the Pope At his first comming to Rome he had all manner of fauour But by that time the king with golden eloquence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him of the cause his entertainment began to wax colder He determined therfore to haue returned to Lyons but was staied by the Pope whose pleasure while he was content to await a while longer the Pope died Soone after him the king died also being chaunceably slain by the glaunce of an arrow as he was hunting in that forest for the making whereof Anselm had reprehended him He was a very vitious man couetous in getting and prodigall in spending the most sacrilegious symonist that euer raigned in England Reioycing in the gain he made that way he would often say Panis Christi panis pinguis His death as some report was miraculously signified vnto Anselme in France A paper was put into the hand of one of his chaplaines no man knew how in which was found written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 occisus est Within a few daies after certaine word was brought of the tyrants death and this notice taken as sent from heauen Henry the first succéeded William Rufus in the kingdome who presently called home Anselme and restored him to his former place The first thing he did at his returne he called a conuocation at London wherein he depriued many prelates of great place for their seuerall offences Guy abbot of 〈◊〉 Eldwyn of Ramsey for symony Geftry of Peterburgh Haymo of Cheswel Egelric of Middleton for not being in orders Richard of Ely Robert of S. Edmunds all abbots for other enormities Diuers canons were agréed vpon in the same conuocation too long to rehearse Some of them tended to the restraining of clergy men from mariage which notwithstanding many maried daily many that came for orders refused vtterly to make profession of chastity as we may sée reported by Girard Archbishop of Yorke in an epistle written by him vnto Anselm in the end of S. Anselmes Epistles The falling out also of Anselm with the king which happened presently after was a great weakning vnto these canons All the time that the Archbishop was absent which was three yéeres the king had disposed of all Bishopricks that fell at his pleasure giuing inuestiture and possession of them by deliuery of the staffe and the ring And in deed the princes in a maner of all christendom had taken this kind of authority vnto themselues euery where about this time Bishops thus appointed demanded consecration of Anselm which he vtterly denied vnto them professing withall that he would neuer receaue or repute them for Bishops that were already cōsecrated by other vpon such election aleaging how it was lately forbidden in a councel held by Pope Vrban 2. that any clerke should take inuestiture of any spiritual preferment at the hand of any king prince or other lay man The king vpon Anselms refusall required Gerard Archbishop of Yorke to giue these Bishops consecration whereunto he readily assented But William Gifford nominated to Winchester stoode so in awe of Anselm as that he durst not accept consecration at Gerards hands This incensed the king woonderfully so as presently he commanded Giffards goods to be confiscate and himselfe banished the Realme Great adoo now there was about this matter throughout the realm some defending the kings right others taking part with the Archbishop In the end the king doubting what might come of it and being loth to giue occasion of tumult considering that himselfe was a stranger borne and that his father by force and much bloudshed had not many yéeres since obtained the rule of this land he determined to send an Ambassador to the Pope togither with the Archbishop so to grow to some reasonable conclusion The Pope Palchalis 2. would not yéeld one iote vnto the king insomuch as when the kings Embassador William Warelwast after Bishop of Excester said he knew the king would rather loose his crowne then this priuilege he answered yea let him loose his head also if he will while I liue he shall neuer appoint Bishop but I will resist him what I may So without dooing any good homeward they came But the king vnderstanding before hand how the world went sent a messenger to forbid Anselm entrance into the realme and presently seised all his goods mooueable and unmooueable into his hands Thrée yéeres more this good man spent in exile all which time he liued with Hugh Archbishop of Lyons At last it pleased God to open this passage of his reconciliation to the king Adela Countesse of Bloys the kings sister fell dangerously sicke in those parts where it chanced the Archbishop to abide He went to visite her and yéelded so great comfort vnto her in that time of her distresse as recouering afterward she neuer ceased importuning her brother vntill she had wrought an agréement betwéene them the conditions whereof were these First that Anselm should be content to consecrate the Bishops alreadie nominated by the king And then that the king should renounce all right to such nomination or inuestiture for the time to come These conditions were allowed by the Pope and the Archbishop restored not onely to his place but to all his goods and fruites gathered in the time of his absence Two yeeres he liued after this his last returne in which time he persecuted married priests very extremely Dunstan Oswald Ethelwald and other enimies to the mariage of clergie men had onely expelled them that out of monasteries that had wiues But Anselm vtterly forbidding them mariage depriued them of their promotions that were maried confiscated their goods vnto the Bishop of the Dioces adiudged them and their wiues adulterers and forced al that entred into orders to vow chastity Halfe the clergy of England at this time were either maried men or the sonnes of maried priests The king therefore pitying the generality of this calamity sought to protect them a while from Anselms seuerity in this point But he I meane Anselm was a little to resolute in all his determinations in so much as he might neuer be perswaded to yéeld one iot in any thing he once intended So notwithstanding the kings inclination to succour so many distressed poore families the canons of the Conuocation before mentioned were generally put in execution throughout England About this time it hapned Gerard Archbishop of
paide for his paines began to stickle and to interpose his authority restoring Ieremy to his place againe till the cause might be heard and determined before him Whereat Theobald though a mild man of nature being excéedingly mooued in a great fury vowed he would neuer exercise any ecclesiasticall iurisdiction so long as Ieremy held that place He therfore seeing the Archbishop so resolute against him and fearing some great inconuenience would fall vpon the monastery by meanes of this businesse and so procure him the hatred of his owne company vpon paiment of 100. markes was content to leaue his place and liued a priuate monke in the same house euer after Now in the third yéere of his consecration it happened a Councell was summoned at Rhemes whereunto he was called Henry therefore Bishop of Winchester King Stephens brother that by vertue of his power 〈◊〉 had often contended with him and euer opposed himselfe against him in the Popes behalfe circumuented this good plaine-meaning man in this fort He dealt first with the Pope in no wise to dispence with his absence and then with his brother the King to forbid his passage and perforce to stay him at home But such were those times as it was safer then to offend the King then the Pope and therefore he resolued to goe and in no wise to giue the Pope such an aduantage against whom he had now twice opposed himselfe already dangerously Go therefore he would but all the difficulty was in getting passasse All the ports of England were laid for him yet so cunningly he handled the matter that ouer the seas he got and was at the Councell in good time The King then following the aduice of his brother the Bishop of Winchester seased vpon his goods and temporalities and banished him the realme He like a tall fellow interdicted the King and the whole 〈◊〉 and taking aduantage of the time which was very troublesome notwithstanding the Kings commaundement came home and liued in Norfolke till by the intercession of certaine Bishops he was restored Afterward he grew into great fauour with the King and was the chiefe meanes of concluding that finall peace at Wallingford betwéene him and Mawd the Empresse In the yeere 1152. he summoned a conuocation at London where the King would haue constrained the Clergy to make 〈◊〉 his sonne King to the disheriting and great iniury of Duke Henry the Empresses sonne The intent was spied before and letters procured from the Pope to forbid the Clergy to meddle in any such matter This notwithstanding the matter was earnestly followed in behalfe of the yoong Prince 〈◊〉 in so much as when they perceiued the businesse was not effected according to their desire they 〈◊〉 them vp in the place where they were gathered together and thought by force and threatning to compell them The greater part séemed to yéeld when Theobald stealing secretly out of the place tooke his barge and rowing downe the Thames got him beyond sea and so by his absence the synode was dissolued His goods by and by were once more confiscate and his temporalties seased into the kings hands But in a short time after king Stephen died and Henry Duke of Normandy surnamed Fitz 〈◊〉 succeeded who restored him immediately to all his possessions 〈◊〉 Under him he passed the rest of his daies quietly in great fauour and estimation with him He departed this life the yéere 1160. when he had sate Archbishop two and twenty yéeres Perceiuing his end to approch he made his will and gaue all his goods vnto the poore or other like good vses Helieth buried in the South part of Saint Thomas chappell in a marble tombe ioyning to the wall 38. Thomas Becket 〈◊〉 the Conquest neuer any English man obtained this Archbishopricke before Thomas Becket He was borne in London his fathers name was Giltert a Merchant his mother was a stranger borne in Syria He was first taught and brought vp during the time of his childhood by the Prior of Merton and seeming towardly was sent to the Uniuersity of Paris Hauing there attained some more learning and also the knowledge of the French tongue he returned and became an officer in some Court about London it is said he was a Justice But waring soone weary of that kind os life he found meanes to get into the seruice of Theobald the Archbishop who quickly espiyng his manifold good parts 〈◊〉 him entierly and sent him into Italy to study the Canon Lawe 〈◊〉 there might be any thing wanting in him 〈◊〉 in a common-wealthes-man for the managing whereof he discerned him then very fit and likely Upon his returne thence he was quickly preferred by the Archbishop vnto the Archdeaconry of Canterbury the Prouostship of 〈◊〉 and the personage of Bromfield The Archbishop then séeing him selfe weake and sickly which made him altogether vnable to looke throughly into the drifts and deuices of Courtyers that in all ages seeke to pray vpon the Church and euer néede some watchfull eye to ouerlooke their practises commended Thomas Becket vnto the King so effectually as he was content first to receiue him into the number of his Chapleines then made him Chauncellor of England and loaded him with all kind of spirituall preferment For Theobald being a wise man well perceiued Becket to be first so 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 so painefull and industrious as the King being yet yoong he 〈◊〉 surely possesse him altogether be able to withstand any endeuours that might be preiudiciall vnto the Church And againe he could not doubt either of his faithfulnesse to him or his stoutnesse in so good a cause of which both he had had long experience In regard hereof he imployed all his indeuours to plant a perfect liking of Thomas Becket in the mind of the King wherein he prospered so well as in a short time no man was so farre in the Kings bookes as he nay no man could doo any thing in a maner with the King but he For the maintaining of this his credit saith one he thought it good to relinquish and forsake by little and little all Priestly either behauior or attyre to affect the pompe and brauery of the Court to liue as other Courtyers to fare daintily to ly long in bed to hawke to hunt to haue many followers c. in so much as some sticked not to say the Chauncellor had forgotten he was an Archdeacon also and blamed him for not liuing like a Clergy man But by this meanes saith he T. Becket was euer at the Kings elbow was partaker of all his counsels and either by notize giuen to the Archbishop or some deuice of his owne otherwise could and did stop any courses that might be preiudiciall to the Church Hauing continued thus in the office of Chauncellor foure or fiue yéeres with the great fauour and liking of the King it hapened Theobald the Archbishop to dye The king little thinking what a snake he nourished in his bosome determined by by to doo
casting many doubts by reason of this méeting procéeded first vnto their election and chose Reginald Bishop of Bathe that was sonne to Ioceline Bishop of Salisbury but concealed it till the Bishops were come together at what time in the presence of them all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their election and withall laid hands 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there present drew him vnto the Archiepiscopall throne and violently placed him in the same Albeit at that time he withstood them what he might and with teares 〈◊〉 besought them to make choice of some other yet being asked the next day by the Archbishop of Roan whether he assented vnto the election he answered that so farre he was from ambitious desire of that place as it was a great griefe vnto him to be chosen and that he would be very glad they would take some other in his roome Howbeit quoth he if they will néeds stand to their election though with griefe and hearty sorrow I must and will accept of the same Messengers were by and by dispatched vnto the Pope who presently affoorded the pall and other vsuall ceremonies vnto this 〈◊〉 elect But before newes could be brought of his confirmation or he take possession of his new honor he died at his house of Dogmersfield in Hamshire vpon Christmas day fiftéene daies or as other deliuer the nine and fortie after his election vnto Canterbury He was buried at Bathe Sée more of him in Bathe and Wels. 42. Hubert Walter KIng Richard the first surnamed Cueur de Lyon being taken prisoner in his returne from the holy land by Leopold 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 at what time the Sée of Canterbury was yet void well knowing how notable a stay a good Archbishoppe might be vnto the whole realme in his 〈◊〉 and hauing experience of the great wisedome and other manifold vertues of 〈◊〉 Bishop of Salisbury that had attended 〈◊〉 in all that long and dangerous voyage he vsed what 〈◊〉 he might possibly to procure him to be translated thither This Hubert was borne at a place called West Derham in Norfolke and brought vp vnder Raynulph de Glandfeld chiefe Justice of England The first preferment he 〈◊〉 was the Deamy of Yorke 〈◊〉 he was called in the 〈◊〉 yéere of king Richard vnto the 〈◊〉 of Salisbury by the 〈◊〉 of Baldwyn the Archbishop who loued him 〈◊〉 in his life time and at his death trusted him with the disposition of all his goods Being yet Deane of Yorke he bought certaine land of Geoffry Fitz Geoffry in West Derham where he was borne and founded a monastery in the same for his owne soules health so himselfe speaketh in his foundation as also for the soules of his father mother Raynulphde Glandfeld and Berta his wife who brought him vp The manner of his election vnto Canterbury was this The king writ earnestly to the Couent to choose some wise quiet moderate man but refrayned to name any in regard of the former repulses taken by him and his father But his minde and particular desire could not be vnknowen vnto them He signified vnto Elianor his mother to the Archbishop of Roan and other what course he wished to be taken And so wisely they handled the matter as before any man looked for it the monkes who well saw how greatly it imported the realme in that dangerous time to haue some woorthy prelate in that place had elected him and published suddenly their election at Paules crosse to the great contentment of the Quéene and councell and no lesse ioy of all other sorts and states of people While his pall was fetching at Rome considering how odious Baldwyn had beene to his Monkes of Canterbury for not beeing a Monke as themselues were and in a manner all his predecessors had béene went to Merton and there professed him selfe a Monke in like maner as Regmald the last Archbishoppe had done Then he began to bestir him in leuiyng of money for the kings ransome So discretly he wrought as the Cleargy aud commonalty of the whole realme did very willingly yéeld a quarter of all their reuenues for one yéere which together with the plate and ornaments of Churches that were fame to be sold in this extrenuty amounted vnto 150000. marks the sum required by the Emperor The king returning made him presently Lord Chauncelor chiefe Justice of England and high gouernor of all his dominions immediately vnder him So that being already Archbishop and the Popes Logate he wanted no authority that was possible to be laid vpon him Neuer was there any Cleargy man either before or after him of so great power neuer any man vsed his authority more moderately He was blamed and much enuied for taking so many offices vpon him It is remembred that a Noble man said vnto him in scorne at what time he was made Chauncellor I haue heard of many Chauncellors made Bishops but of an Archbishop that would vouchsafe to stoup to the Chauncellorship till now I neuer heard of any With in two yéers after his first promotion to these high places the better to excuse his ambition he made a dissembling and counterfeit shew of being desirous to leaue these temporall offices in so much as he dealt effectually with the king by letters to giue him leaue to resigne them saying that the charge of his Church was worke ynough for one man whereunto onely he would hereafter gladly dedicate himselfe This he did assuring him selfe in his owne conceite that the king had no man about him so likely to manage those affaires as him selfe and not being able to want him would intreate him to retaine them still It fell out otherwise then he expected For though at first the king séemed and peraduenture was vnwilling to yéeld to this his request yet he found it so reasonable in the end as he could not any longer deny the same Here now this Archbishop manifestly bewrayed his insatiable desire of rule and gouernment Being thus taken tardy in his owne snare as though his mind and determination were sodainely altered he signified vnto the king by letters that notwithstanding his great desire of betaking himselfe onely to spirituall matters and the manifold infirmities of his age he would be content to afford his labor and diligence in his other offices yet a while longer if therein he might doo him any profitable seruice And that the king should not think it possible to prouide himselfe elsewhere of better officers he certified him withall that in these two yéeres since his preferment he had gathered for his vse 1100000. marks which he was ready to pay into his coffers augmenting it is like the summe and adding thereto out of his owne purse that so he might in cleanly sort buy a-againe those honorable and gainfull offices which his subtile dissimulation had almost lost him Setting this fault aside whereunto the greatest wits are most subiect I meane ambition he was an excellent and memorable man a bridle saith on vnto the king and an obstacle of tyranny the peace and
Lincolne This Richard was a man very wel learned wise graue well spoken and of good report stout in defending the rights and liberties of the Church and which is not altogither to be neglected of a goodly personage tall straight and well fauoured He was consecrate at Canterbury by Henry Bishop of Rochester in the presence of the king and many of the nobility June 10. 1229. A little while he enioyed that honor to wit two yéeres or there abouts In which time there happened a controuersie betwéene him and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 Earle of Kent concerning some lands of the Earle of Glocester the profits whereof the Archbishop challenged as due vnto him in the minority of the Earle Hubert was a man greatly fauored by the king for his long faithfull seruice vnto his father and him selfe namely for defending the Castle of Douer against Lewis the French man he made him Earle of Kent and chiefe iustice of England He had entred vpon these lands The Archbishop first complained of the wrong vnto the king finding no remedy at his hands excommunicated all the authors of this iniury the king onely excepted and got him to Rome The king vnderstanding thereof dispatched messengers thither also to hinder his procéedings there what might be The Pope notwithstanding delighted much with the eloquence grauity and excellent behauiour of the Archbishop graunted presently all his demandes Little ioy had he of this victory Being thrée daies iourney in his way homewards he fell sicke at the towne of Saint Genuna and there died in the Friery where also he was buried It is 〈◊〉 that soone after his buriall certaine théeues brake open his toombe and thought to haue robbed him of his 〈◊〉 rings c. wherein according to the maner of those times he was buried but that they claue so fast vnto him as by no deuice they could take them from him Beléeue it as you list It shall not be amisse also to note how that in the time of this Archbishop a great number of Italians had possessed them selues of the best benefices of England which being much spited at certaine madde fellowes tooke vpō them by force to thresh out their corne euery where and giue it away vnto the poore to rob and spoile them of their money and other goods It was done so openly and so boldly as it was manifest that some great men were at one end of that businesse The Italians after that time were not so eager vpon Euglish benefices 45. Saint Edmund THe monkes of Canterbury by this time weary of contending with the king soone after the death of the former Archbishop chose of their owne accord Ralfe Neuill Bishop of Chichester aud Chauncellor of England a man very wise and highly in fauour with the king who liking well of this election put him in possession of the temporalties by and by The Pope being requested for his approbation chaunced to inquire of Simon Langton Archdeacon of Canterbury brother vnto Stephen the Archbishop what maner of man this Ralfe Neuill should be who told him that he was a hote fellow stout subtile an olde courtier and very gratious with the king it was much to be doubted therefore he would set the king him together by the eares and cause him to deny the payment of that tribute graunted vnto him by king Iohn This was ynough without more adoo he willed the monkes to choose another neuer alleaging any matter of exceptions against him So to a second election they procéeded and chose one Iohn their Subprior He went to Rome and being examined by certaine Cardinals was adiudged fit ynough for the place Yet the Pope misliked him for his age and perswaded the good old man to forbeare to take vpon him so great a charge in his olde yéeres He yéelded and thereupon a third was elected one Richard Blundy a studient of Oxford Him also the Pope refused because forsooth he held two benefices contrary to the Canons and because it was knowen he had borrowed a great summe of money of Peter Bishop of Winchester wherewith it was thought he féed well the monkes that chose him The Pope then made request vnto such of the monkes as were at Rome to choose Edmund Treasurer of Salisbury a man very wel knowen and indéed famous for his vertue and great learning They neither durst deny the Popes request nor would doo any thing in the matter till they had vnderstood the pleasure of their Prince and conferred with the rest of their brethren He was content to take their silence for a sufficient election and without more adoo sent him the pall into England little thinking of any such matter Both the king and the Couent liking well ynough of the man he was consecrate at Canterbury by Roger Bishop of London ann 1234. He was borne as some say at London and baptised in the same font Thomas Becket his predecessor had beene But other affirme more probably that he was borne at Abingdon in Barkshire sonne vnto one Edward Rich a Merchant his mothers name was Mabell In their elder yéeres they forsooke each other by mutuall consent and betooke them selues to a monasticall life Edmund their sonne they caused to be brought vp in the Uniuersity of Oxford Hauing attained vnto reasonable perfection in the knowledge of Diuinity whereunto his study was chiefely directed he applied himselfe to preaching wherein he tooke great paines namely in the counties of Oxford Glocester and Worcester vntil such time as he was called to the Treasurership of Salisbury Being consecrate Archbishop he presently fell into the kings displeasure by opposing him selfe against the mariage of Elianor the kings sister with Simon Mountfort Earle of Leicester because vponthe death of the Earle Marshal her first husband she had vowed chastity To haue this vow dispensed withall the king procured the Pope to send a Legate into England his name was Otto a Cardinall 〈◊〉 also this good Archbishop offended and that so grieuously by reprehending his monstrous couetousnesse his bribery and extortion as euer after he sought to worke him all the mischiefe he might The monkes of Rochester had presented vnto this Archbishop one Richard de 〈◊〉 demaunding of him consecration vnto the Bishopricke of their Church The Archbishop denied to affoord the same knowing him to be a very vnlearned and vnsufficient man Héereupon the moonks appealed to Rome which the Archbishop vnderstanding of hasted him thither also Otto the Legate endeuoured to stay him at home and failing thereof did his errand so well at Rome as not onely in that sute but an other also which he had against Hugh Earle of Arundell in an other cause of appeale he was ouerthrowne and condemned in a thousand markes charges to his great disgrace and impouerishment Being at Rome he had complained of many great abuses in England and amongst the rest of the long vacacy of Bishoprickes The Pope séemed willing to redresse these things and namely concerning that matter set downe
this order that if any cathedrall Church continued voide aboue sixe monethes it should be lawfull for the Archbishop to conferre it where he list as well as any smaller benefice The procuring of this order cost him a great sum of mony Yet no sooner was his backe turned but the Pope at the kings request reuoked the same Being thus continually vexed thwarted and disgraced he departed into voluntary exile and there bewailing the misery of his countrey spoyled and wasted by the tyranny of the Pope spent the rest of his life in continuall teares Through extreme gréefe and sorrow or as some thinke too much 〈◊〉 he fell first into a consumption and after into a strange kinde of ague Whereupon he thought good to remooue from the Abbey of Pontiniac in Fraunce where he had laien euer since his comming out of England vnto Soissy and there departed this life Nouember 16. 1236. eight yéeres after his first consecration His hart and entrailes were buried at Soissy his body at Pontiniac Within sixe yéeres after his death he was Canonised a Saint by Innocentius who appointed the foresaid day of his death for euer to be kept holy in memory of him Lewes the French king caused his body to be translated to a more honorable place then it was first laid in and bestowed a sumptuous shryne vpon him couered with golde and siluer and richly adorned with many precious stones 46. Boniface THe monks of Canterbury at the instance of the king elected vnto the Archbishopricke Boniface the sonne of Peter Earle of Sauoy and vncle vnto the Quéene a man not greatly to be commended for any thing but the nobility of his stocke and the comelinesse of his person For in other respects he was thought vtterly vnfit and vnwoorthy of that place The king therefore doubting least the Pope would reiect him caused in a manner all the Bishops and Abbots of England to write their letters commendatory in his behalfe and so sent him to Lyons where he quickly obtained consecration at the Popes owne hands At his first entrance into this Sée he found the same indebted by the ouerlashing of his predecessors to the value of 22. thousand marks which he tooke for an occasion of both absenting himselfe from his charge and also of raking money togither by all kinde of meanes Departing therefore into his owne country by felling of woods making leases and other such like meanes he made an infinite deale of money promising to imploy the same and whatsoeuer he could saue by liuing priuately at home in the payment of his churches debt By the same pretence also he induced the Pope to graunt him in Commendam the Bishopricke of Ualentia in Prouence and diuers other spirituall promotions But he gaue himselfe to warring and spent all he could make in hyring of soldiers When therefore notwithstanding all these helpes the debt was neuer the lesse he was glad by bribing the Pope with a great summe of money to procure of him a graunt of the profite of all spirituall preferments that should be void within his prouince for the space of seuen yéeres The king a while spurned at this graunt but in the end halfe for feare of the Pope of whom he stood in great awe and partly by sute and intercession he ratified and allowed of the same Hauing béene many yéeres absent he returned into England the yéere 1250. and tooke vpon him to visite all his Prouince in some extraordinarie manner All men knew it was rather to make mony then for any desire of reformation and that caused it to be taken the more odiously He began first with his owne Dioces which he so hampered with straight vnreasonable orders such as he knew men would rather buy out then endure to obserue that euery one said the monks of Canterbury were 〈◊〉 iustly rewarded for their folly in electing an vnlearned stranger that was more fit and likely to make a souldier then an Archbishop a great deale Comming then to London he tooke a small occasion to deface the Bishop there with 〈◊〉 and reprochfull spéeches and being resisted by the Deane and Chapter of Paules who had appealed from his 〈◊〉 to the Pope he made no more adoo but excommunicated them euery one Going the next day about the same businesse to the Priory of Saint Bartholomewes in Smythfield he was met very honorably by the Subprior and all the Conent in their coapes Telling them by and by he came to visite them one of the company answered him reuerently he was very welcome vnto them but they were sory he came for that purpose wherein they must disappoint him They knew their Bishop whose onely office it was to be a very sufficient man for his place and so long they must not entertaine the 〈◊〉 of any other This answere though gentle inough so enraged this lusty Archbishop as not being able to containe his anger within any bounds of discretion he ranne violently not to him that had spoken but to the Sub-prior that was next him strucke the poore old man downe to the ground kicked him beate and buffeted him pitifully tore his coape from his backe rent it into a number of péeces and when he had done stamped vpon it like a madde man In this conflict it hapned the Archbishop to stumble and fal backward by meanes whereof his apparell loosening in any perceaued a priuy coate vnder the same His seruitors and attendants taking example of their Lord gaue much like intertainment to the rest of the monks as he had giuen to the Sub-prior By this time the Londoners were vp and taking the matter very 〈◊〉 in the behalfe of their Bishop whom this iniury did originally concerne laid such wait for the Archbishop as with much adoo he stole secretly to the Thames side and was conueied by a wherry prouided for him to Lambhith If they could 〈◊〉 met with him they had surely hewen him into 1000. péeces He was no sooner come home but he thundred out his excommunications against not onely the whole Couent of Saint Bartholomew but the Bishop of London also as a fauourer of theirs They all agreeing togither determined to send the Deane of Paules a graue and wise man to Rome and by the letters of certaine Bishops they knew the Pope would credite to aduertise him of this strange disorder The Archbishop vnderstanding heereof followed thither apace and entred Rome with great pompe nothing 〈◊〉 but the King and Quéenes letters which he had brought his nobility and great linage or if all failed his purse should beare him out in this matter well inough But vnderstanding how odiously it was taken by all that heard it how hardly the Pope was informed against him he fell to intreatie of his aduersaries the Deane of Paules and the rest whom partly by faire promises and partly by threates at last he subdued and made them content to stay their complaint That matter being so ended he dealt earnestly with the
the Popes sending but to preserue their right of election were content forsooth to chose him the Pope had before appointed them He was consecrate February 26. 1272. being the first Sunday in Lent at what time the Prior of Canterbury demanded of him the summe of 3000 markes spent in the election of William Chillenden which the Pope promised the next Archbishop should repay But he loath to disburse this money began to pick holes in the Priors coate and threatning to depriue him of his place neuer linne sifting of him till he had intreated his Couent to abate 1300. of the 3000. markes In the first yéere of his consecration he renued the Statutes made by his predecessors for his Court of the Arches and contracted them briefely into fiue articles Then shortly after he visited all his Prouince and both the Uniuersities in which he disputed excellently and shewed himselfe in diuers kinds of exercise Toward the later ende of his time he made a collection for the building of a Monastery for the Frier Minors in London Men contributed so largely thereunto and he had the helpe of a certaine olde Tower which yéelded him stones without charge as he finished the same with other mens money filled his own purse well beside Hauing béene Archbishop about the space of sixe yéeres he was sent for to Rome by Pope Nicholas the third and made Cardinall of Hostia and Bishop of Portua He resigned then his Archbishopricke and getting him into Italy with in a fewe monethes after fell sicke and died of poison some say at Uiterbium where also he was buried 48. Iohn Peckham THe resignation of Robert Kilwardby once knowen the monkes mate hast to their election and with the kings good liking chose Robert Burnell Bishop of Bath at that time Chauncellor of England But the Pope who had therefore promoted Robert Kilwardby that he might place another in his roome such a one as he would be sure should serue his turne at all times perceiuing him selfe preuented in the election thrust in ex plenitudine potestatis in like sort as last time he had done Iohn Peckham another Frier He was borne of meane parentage in Susser spent his childhood in the Abbey of Lewes brought vp in Oxford where he became a Frier and succeeded Robert Kilwardby in the office of Prouinctall of their order From Oxford he went to Paris to study Diuinity and after a while to Lyons to get some knowledge in the Canon Law without the which Diuiuity was esteemed vnperfect in those daies At Lions he was chosen Canon or Prebendary of the Cathedrall Church and by that meanes being furnished with allowance to trauaile for the encrease of his knowledge in the Canon Law he went into Italy visiting personally all the Uniuersities of Italy came lastly to Rome His rare learning being soone percetued there he was made by the Pope Auditor or chiefe Iudge of his Pallace and so continued till his preferment to Canterbury He was consecrate the first Sunday in Lent which fell vpon the sixt day of March 1278. Soone after his arriuall in England the Pope his creator as he called him sent vnto him a mandate of making payment of 4000. markes vpon very short warning or else assured him to be spéedily excommunicate It shall not be amisse to set downe the wordes of his answere to this demaund Ecce me creastis saith he c. Behold you haue created me And if the creature cannot but desire naturally what perfection the creator can yéeld how can I but resort vnto you for succour in all my oppressions calamities I receiued of late certaine letters horrible to sée and fearefull to heare denouncing that except I make payment of 4000. marks that I became indebted vnto certaine Merchants of Luca at Rome within the space of a moneth after Michaelmas next I was to be excommunicate with bell booke and candle and that excommunication to be published in my Church c. Then to make short he declareth how his predecessor at his departure caried away all the mooueable goods belonging to the Sée that Boniface had left all his houses very ruinous that the King had taken vp before hand one yéeres profitte of his lands that in the meane space he was faine himselfe to liue vpon credit and that to borow to serue his necessary vses the realme being so exhaust with contiuuall payments it was excéeding hard In regard héereof he besought him whom onely in truth the matter concerned though merchants of Luca bore the name of this debt to order the matter so as he might be allowed a yéeres day of paiment which at last with much adoo was granted him by the sute of Robert Kilwardby his predecessor who died as before is rehearsed soone after The new Archbishop then became a suter vnto the Pope that he would cause to be restored vnto his Church fiue thousand markes the value whereof the said Robert had caried away with him of the goods belonging to his Sée This he was so far from obtaining as by and by the Pope began to call vpon him againe very hastily for the fower thousand marks aboue mentioned and so made him glad to hold his peace for that time and yet to pay the money at his day In the first yéere of his consecration he sommoned a Conuocation at Lambhith at what time the Archbishop of Yorke comming to London caused his crosse to be borne before him within the Prouince of Canterbury which the Archbishop of Canterbury tooke to be a great wrong vnto him and his Sée It had béene often in question heretofore whether it might be done or no and much adoo there had béene about it Therefore to redresse this abuse quickly and good cheape our Frier deuised this course to be taken He caused proclamations to be made in all places where he vnderstood the other Archbishop meant to passe in which he commaunded all men vnder paine of excommunication to affoord no manner of intertainment no not so much as bread or drinke vnto him or any of his company so long as he bare vp his crosse in that manner So except he and his traine should starue downe must the crosse there was no remedy The Conuocation ended he began a generall visitation of his whole prouince and being desirous to know the state of euery Dioces went him selfe in person to most of them vsing great lenity and gentlenesse euery where For he was a man though very stately both in his gesture gate words and all outward shew yet of an excéeding méeke farile and liberall mind He tooke great paines in labouring a peace betwéene King Edward the first and Leolin Prince of Wales vnto whom he went in person and trauailed long with him but altogether in vaine He bare a very hard hand vpon the Jewes whose Sinagogues he commaunded to be pulled downe to the ground throughout his prouince But the king was a meanes to stay the execution of that commandement so farre
one Christian name 50. Walter Raynolds RObert Winchelsey being dead the monks of Canterbury elected for his successour one Thomas Cobham that was Deane of Salisbury and Prebendary of Yorke a man of such vertue and learning as he was commonly called by the name of the good Clerke The king Edward the second was desirous to preferre vnto that place Walter Raynolds Bishop of Worcester whom he fauoured singularly for his assured fidelity and great wisedome Before therefore that the saide Thomas Cobham could get away to Rome the king vnderstanding of his election sent thither in all post haste earnestly requesting the Pope to finde meanes that this Walter might be made Archbishop He glad of such an occasion to exercise the vtmost of his vsurped authority without any more adoo thrust in the said Walter Raynolds into that Sée pretending that he had reserued the gift of the Archbishoprick for that time vnto himselfe before it fell Cobham a while stoode vpon the right of his election but perceauing to how little purpose it was to stirre with so mighty aduersaries as the Pope and the king both at once was content to accept of the Bishopricke of Worcester which the other left This Walter had béene a Courtier a long time Chapleyne first vnto Edward the first and Parson of Wimberton then by Edward the second whose schoolemaster some say he was made Treasurer and Chauncellour of England and preferred to the Bishopricke of Worcester the yéere 1308. The buls of his translation were published in Bowe Church Ianuary 4. 1313. He receaued his pall Febr. 17. following and was installed with great pompe and solemnity April 19. in the presence of the king the Quéene and many nobles The first thing he did after his comming to Canterbury was to take order by giuing pensions and diuers sums of money at Rome that appeales made from him to the court there should finde no fauourable intertainment He precured also eight seuerall Buls containing so many great and extraordinarie priuileges The first gauc him authority of visiting all his prouince so as he should haue procurations euery where and yet his charges borne The second to visite monasteries and all other exempt places The third to absolue and restore to their former state two hundred Cleargy men that had incurred irregularitie The fourth to dispense with the Minoritie of a hundred Clearks and enable them to take spirituall liuings The fifth to absolue a hundred of such as by striking any Cleargy man had fallen into the danger of excommunication The sixt to grant forty pluralities The seuenth to require the gift of any one dignitie or spirituall promotion in any church or college where he should visite The eight to grant pardon of a hundred daies in any place where he should visite preach giue almes or kéepe hospitality Being thus armed he perfourmed his visitation trauailing himselfe in the same till by the Barons wars he was hindered and sent for vnto the Court by the king That warre being ended and execution done vpon diuers of the nobles that had rebelled Adam Tarlton Bishop of Hereford was apprehended and brought to the barre to be arraigned for the like fault All the Bishops of England almost were then at London The Archbishops of Canterbury Yorke and Dublin hearing of it in great haste hied them thither and hauing their crosses borne before them entred the court by violence tooke the prisoner from the barre and carried him away with them Much adoo there was about this matter a good while the stir was not quight ended when the Quéene rising against her husband and setting vp her sonne to 〈◊〉 the kingdome at last procured him to be deposed This our Archb. then shewed himselfe a very weake man He was content a while outwardly to stand with the king as beside the common duty of a subiect he was bound to do by benefites receaued infinite but first vnderhand he aided the Queene with great sums of money and at last vtterly for sooke him his lawfull prince his master his patron that had aduaunced him by so many degrées vnto an estate so honorable It pleased God that 〈◊〉 timorousnesse should be his destruction By the Quéene aforesaid of whom he stood so greatly in awe he was commanded to consecrate one Iames Barkley elected Bishop of Excester He did so but for his labor was so threatned taunted and reuiled by the Pope that saide he had reserued the gift of that Bishoprick vnto himselfe as for griefe and anger togither he died when he had sate Archbishop 13. yéeres 9. moneths and thrée wéekes He was buried in the south wall of Christs church in Canterbury néere the Quier where his tombe is yet to be seene with an inscription which I haue read long since but I thinke is now defaced This man was but meanly learned yet very wise of good gouernment except when for feare and want of courage he neglected his dutie He gaue vnto his Couent the Manour of Caldcote and the wood of Thorlehot 51. Simon Mepham SImon Mepham Doctor of Diuinitie Canon of Chichester Prebendary of Landaff and Parson of Tunstall a Kentish man borne one very well learned as learning went in those daies was then elected by the monks approoued by the king and affoorded consecration by the Pope at Auinion the yéere 1327. The first thing he did at his returne home was that he excommunicated all the authors of the death of Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excester as they had well deserued Soone after he began to wrangle with his monks of Canterbury about certaine land They complained them vnto the Pope who sent a Nuncio to Canterbury to heare and determine of this controuersie He condemned the Archbishop in seuen hundred pound charges After this he began to visite his prouince in like sort as his predecessors had done before him The Bishop of Excester Iohn Graundson resisted him for what cause I finde not appealed to Rome and would not suffer him so much as to enter into his Cathedrall Church much lesse to visite in the same These two repulses he tooke so tenderly as being yet scarcely returned home he fell sicke and died October 12. 1333. at Magfield His body was conueighed to Canterbury and laid in a marble fombe vpon the North side of Saint Anselmes chappell He sate Archbishop fiue yéeres and somewhat more 52. Iohn Stratford THe Pope who now tooke vpon him to dispose of all Bishoprickes at his pleasure was content at the kings request to nominate vnto Canterbury Uoid by the death of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iohn Stratford Bishop of Winchester This Iohn Stratford hauing long and to good purpose studied the Canon and ciuill Law was called to the Archdeaconry of Lincolne Being famous for his learning and good gouernment of that iurisdiction Walter the Archbishop made him his principall Officiall and Deane of the Arches and king Edward the second shortly after that appointed him Secretary and so one of his priuy counsell It chaunced he was
her selfe a Nunne 〈◊〉 hauing liued so certaine yéeres suddenly married a certaine knight named Eustace Abricourt contrary to her vow and that secretly without asking of banes or dispensation he punished them seuerely for it but suffered them to liue still together and seuered them not Amongst many good déeds he is blamed for selling vnto the Earle of Arundell the right which he had vnto sixe and twenty Déere yéerely out of certaine grounds of his He had for them onely two hundred and forty markes After he had béene Archbishop sixetéene yéeres fower moneths and twelue daies he died Aprill 26. 1366. Kiding to Magfield his horse chaunced to cast him into a meiry poole Wet as he 〈◊〉 he fell a sléepe at his comming thither and waking found himselfe in a palsy whereof within a few daies after he died He bequeathed vnto his church of Canterbury a thousand shéepe his vestments which were al cloth of gold a very sumptuous coape and much plate viz. sixe dozin of siluer dishes sixe salts and fower goodly basons all enchased with his armes He lieth buried in the middle of the body of his church of Canterbury vnder a faire toombe of marble inlaid with brasse whereon is engrauen this Epitaphe Ospes sanctorum decus pie Christe tuorum Coetibus ipsorum prece iung as 〈◊〉 precor horum Simon 〈◊〉 oriens vir bina lege probatus Vt nascens moriens sic nunciacet arcte locatus Arcem qui tenuit 〈◊〉 quondam Pontificatus Clero quique fuit regno toti quoque gratus Princeps pastorum fac Simon Apostolorum Simon vt iste chorum per eos pertingat eorum Mil trecenteno sexageno modo seno Eius septeno pastoratus quoque deno Hic kal. Maij seno rupto carnis nece freno Flos cadit èfoeno coelo peto qui sit amoeno He tooke order to be buried obscurely desiring therein as in all other things to auoid superfluous expence what he might and not estéeming outward pompe 56. Simon Langham AFter the decease of Simon 〈◊〉 the monkes of Canterbury chose William Edindon Bishop of Winchester for Archbishop who refused the place The Pope then with the kings good liking remooued to Canterbury Simon Langham Bishop of Ely and Treasurer of England He was first a monke of Westmin then Prior lastly Abbot there Thence he was elected Bishop of London but before he was consecrate thereunto obtayned Ely where he continued fiue yéeres He receiued his pall by the hands of the Bishop of Bathe in Saint Nicholas chappel at Westminster Nouember 4. 1366. and was inthronized the Lady day following He was Archbishop but a little while viz. two yéeres or little more and therefore did not many things very memorable There was a great strife betwéene the Londoners and their cleargy about tything which he thus composed he tooke order that they should pay their offrings personall tithes and then also for the rest a farthing of euery 10. s̄ rent From Canterbury colledge which his predecessor had founded he sequestred the fruits of the benefice of Pagham and otherwise molested the schollers there intending to displace them all and to put in monkes which in the ende he brought to passe Iohn Wickliffe was one of them that were so displaced and had withstood the Archbishop in this businesse with might and maine By the Popes fauour and the Archbishops power the monkes ouerbore 〈◊〉 and his fellowes If then 〈◊〉 were angry with Pope Archbishoppe monkes and all you cannot maruell But to returne to our Archbishop he sate here onely two yéeres For being made Cardinal of Saint Sixtus by Pope Vrban the fift September 21. 1368. he left his Archbishopricke and went to Rome where shortly after he was made Bishop Cardinall of Preneste by Gregory the eleuenth and held diuers liuings in Commendam as the Archdeaconry and Treasurership of Wels with other He liued there in great estimation about eight yeeres and died July 22. 1376. of the same disease his predecessor had done viz. a palsy wherewith he was suddenly taken as he sate at dinner He was buried first in the church of the Carthusians whose house he had founded at Auinion but after thrée yéeres his bones by his owne appointment while he liued were taken vp and buried a second time at Westminster in a goodly toombe of alabaster It is scarce credible that is reported of his woonderfull bounty and liberality to that monastery I meane Westminster When he was first made Abbot he bestowed all that he had gathered together being monke and prior in paying the debt of the house which was to the valew of two thousand and two hundred markes he discharged it euery whit and diuers other summes of money also that particular monkes did owe whom he tendered and cherished as his owne children neuer taking any thing from them but rather augmenting their portions out of that which was due to himselfe Being Chauncellor and Treasurer he purchased diuers good peices of land and gaue it vnto them When he went out of England he left them bookes to the value of 830. l. and roaps vestments c. estéemed worth 437. l. At his death he bequeathed vnto them all his plate prised at 2700. l. and all his debts any where due they amounted vnto 3954 l. thirteene shillings and fower pence He also sent vnto the said monastery the summe of one thousand markes to buy forty markes a yeere land to increase the portions os fower monks that daily should say masse for the soules of himselfe and his parents To say nothing of the monastery which he built for the Carthusians at Auinion the money that he bestowed onely vpon the Abbey of Westminster one way or other is reckoned by a monke of the same to be no lesse then 10800. l. They caused this Epitaphe to be engrauen vpon his toombe Simon de Langham 〈◊〉 petris hijs tumulatus 〈◊〉 ecclesiae monachus fuerat Prior Abbas Sede vacante fuit electus Londoniensis 〈◊〉 insignis Ely sed postea primas Totius regni magnus Regisque minister Nam Thesaurarius Cancellarius eius Ac Cardinalis in Roma Presbyter iste Postque Praenestinus est factus Episcopus atque Nuncius ex parte Papae transmittitur istuc Orbe dolente pater quem nuncreuocare nequimus Magdalenae festo milleno septuageno Et ter centeno sexto Christi ruit anno Hunc Deus absoluat de cunctis quae male 〈◊〉 Et meritis matris sibi coelica gaudia donet 57. William Wittlesey SImon 〈◊〉 was vncle vnto a yoong man named William Wittlesey whom he caused to be carefully brought vp and directed vnto the study of the Cannon law Hauing procéeded doctor in that faculty his vncle that now was become Archb. sent him to Rome that there he might both sollicite all his causes and also get experience by seeing the practise of that Court. After he had staied there a while he was called home and preferred by his vncle aforesaid vnto the place
and to ioyne in one these two noble houses whose contention had wasted away almost all the nobility of the land How this deuice was debated betwéene the Duke and the Bishop euery Chronicle reporteth To let that passe when the Bishop sawe the Duke had waded so farre in the matter as step backe he could not and séeing how he was able to do the Earle of Richmond better seruice elsewhere then where he was he found a meanes to slip away in a night disguised neuer making his host the Duke acquainted with his departure And first he gat him into his Isle of Ely but not daring to stay there long he tooke ship and sailed into Flaunders It pleased God that as the Duke had béene a partner with the tyrant in his offence so he should be a partner also with him in the punishment For being destitute of the aduise of this wise prelate or rather I may say destitute of the assistance of God that had determined to reuenge his disloyalty vnto his naturall prince he fell soone after into the hands of his enimy the vsurping king that cut off his head and was within a short space after ouerthrowne himselfe and slame in the field by the noble Earle of Richmond who tooke vpon him the gouernment of our land by the name of king Henry the 7. He calling home this our Bishop made him Chauncellour of England and Thomas 〈◊〉 the Archbishop dying he found meanes that the monks of Canterbury elected him for successour and the Pope not only confirmed and allowed readily of their choice but also within fewe yéeres after to wit September 20. 1493. created him Cardinall of Saint Arastasia Thirtéene yéeres he enioyed quietly the Archbishopricke and died at last the yéere 1500. At his first comming he laid a great imposition vpon the Cleargy of his prouince forcing them by the Popes authority to contribute so largely toward the charges of his translation as of his owne Dioces onely which is one of the least in England he receaued 354 pound The yéere before he died with great charge he procured Anselme one of his predecessors to be Canonized a Saint He bequeathed in a manner all he had either vnto good vses or vnto such of his seruants as he had yet beene able to do nothing for He gaue vnto the king a Portuis to the Quéene a Psalter to the Lady Margaret his God daughter a cup of gold and forty pound in money to the church of Ely his miter and his crosse Unto his 〈◊〉 and other friendes he gaue nothing as hauing preferred them sufficiently in his life time His executors he bound by oath to maintaine sufficiently twenty poore schollers at Oxford and ten at Cambridge for the space of twenty yéeres after his decease He bestowed great summes in repairing and augmenting his houses at Bnoll Maydstone Alington parke Charing Ford 〈◊〉 and Canterbury and built while he liued a sumptuous chappell in the vndercrofte or vault which is vnder the quier He lieth buried in the saide chappell vnder a marble stone Howbeit a goodly 〈◊〉 is erected in 〈◊〉 of him vpon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the chappell Sée more of him in Ely 66. Henry Deane BIshop Moorton being dead the monks of Canterbury chose Thomas Langton Bishop of Winchester for their Archbishop But he died of the plague before his translation could be perfited Then they elected Henry Deane Bishop of 〈◊〉 At what time Perkin Warbeck began to shew himselfe in the likenesse of Richard the yoong Duke of Yorke king Edwards second sonne this Henry Deane was Abbot of Lanthony King Henry the seuenth that knew him to be a wise and 〈◊〉 man made him Chauncelour of Ireland where this counterseit Duke began first to play his part By his care and diligence he was driuen out of Ireland and forced to 〈◊〉 into Scotland The rather in regard of this good seruice the king procured him to be elected vnto the Bishoprick of Bangor which by reason that Bishops had laien from it a long time holding euer some 〈◊〉 or other spirituall liuing in Commendam whereupon they liued was horribly wasted and spoiled But this man comming thither tooke great pains in recouering diuers parcels of land that by the incrochment of other for want of looking to 〈◊〉 woone from his Sée Amongst other things a certaine Island betwéene Holy-head and Anglesey called 〈◊〉 i. Moylr 〈◊〉 or the Island of Seales was vniustly detained from him by the possessors thereof He euicted the same 〈◊〉 in law and yet was faine afterwards to bring a great power of armed men thither to driue the inhabitants by force out of the same His church and pallace had béene burned and destroied long before in the time of Henry the 4. by Owen Glendowr that famous rebell He bestowed much money in repairing them but before he was able to bring theÌ„ to any perfection he was called away thence to Salisbury Being yet very destrous the worke should go forward he left vnto his successour a Myter and a Crosyer of good value vpon condition he should finish those buildings After he had béene a few monethes at 〈◊〉 the Archbishop dying he was preferred vnto Canterbury His pall was sent vnto him by Hadrian de Castello the Popes Secretary that after was Bishop of Hereford and Wels and deliuered by the Bishop of Couentry with these words Ad honorem Dei omnipotentis B. Mariae Virginis ac Bb. Petri Pauli Apostolorum D. N. Alexandri Pp. sexti S. Romanae Ecclesiae nec non Cantuariensis Ecclesiae tibi commissae tradimus pallium de corpore B. Petri sumptum plenitudinem viz. Pontificalis officij vt vtaris eo infra ecclesiam tuam certis diebus qui exprimuntur in priuilegijs ei ab Apostolica sede concessis Hauing receaued his pall he was to take his oath vnto the Pope which once for all it shall not be amisse to set downe Ego Henticus Archiep. Cantuariensis ab hac hora in antea fidelis obediens ero B. Petro sanctaeque Apostolicae Romanae Ecclesiae Domino meo D. Alexandro Pp. 6. suisque successoribus Canonice intrantibus Non ero in consilio aut concensu vel facto vt vitam perdant vel membrum seu capiantur mala captione Consilium vero quod mihi credituri sunt per se aut nuntios ad eorum damâ—â—â—â— me sciente nemini pandam Papatum Rom. regalia S. Petri adiutor ero eis ad retinendum defendendum saluo ordine meo contra omnem hominem Legatum sedis Apostolicae in eundo redeundo honorificè tractabo in suis necessitatibus adiuuabo vocatus ad Synodum veniam nisi prepeditus fuero Canonica praepeditione Apostolorum limina Rom. curia existente citra Alpes singulis annis vltra vero montes singulis biennijs visitabo aut per me aut per meum nuntium nisi Apostolica absoluar licentia Possessiones vero ad mensam mei Archiepiscopatus pertinentes
non vendam neque donabo neque impignerabo neque de nouo infeudabo velaliquo modo alienabo in consulto Rom. Pontifice sicut me Deus admuet c. With what ceremony the crosse was woont to be deliuered sée before in William Courtney pag. 104. This Archbishop died February 15. 1502. the second yéere after his translation at Lambhith His body was conueighed to Feuersam by water conducted with 33. watermen all apparelled in blacke a great number of tapers burning day and night in the boate and from thence was caried to Canterbury where it was buried in the middle of the place called the martyrdome vnder a faire marble stone inlaid with brasse He bequeathed to his Church a siluer image of 51. ounces waight and appointed 500. l. to be bestowed in his funerals He built the most part of Otford house and made the yron worke vpon the coping of Rochester bridge 67. William Warham VVIlliam Warham a gentleman of an ancient house was borne in Hamshire brought vp in the Colledge of Winchester and chosen thence to New Colledge in Oxford where he procéeded Doctor of Law Intending then to vse and put in practice the knowledge he had gotten at the Uniuersity he became an aduocate or Doctor of the Arches and soone after Master of the Rolles While he was in that office King Henry the seuenth sent him Embassador to the Duke of Burgundy to perswade him that he should not beléeue the false reports of his Duchesse and to signifie how notably she had abused him and all the world in setting vp two counterfeits against him Lambert that made himselfe the Earle of Warwicke who was then to be séene in the Tower safe ynough and Perkin Warbeck whom she had taught to name him selfe Richard Duke of Yorke that was certainly knowen to haue béene murthered by his wicked vncle long before In this businesse he behaued himselfe so wisely as the king greatly commended him for the same and the Bishopricke of London happening to be void soone after his returne home he procured him to be elected thereunto He had not beene Bishop there two whole yéeres when Henry Deane the Archbishop died to whose place also by the kings speciall indeuour he was aduaunced He was inthronised March 9. 1504. with woonderfull great solemnity The day before his comming to Canterbury the Duke of Buckingham that was his high steward came thither attended with seuen score horse to sée all things in a readinesse The said Duke had also the office of chiefe Butler and therefore being vnable to doo the duties of both he deputed Sir George Bourchier vnto the Butlership Him selfe tooke great paines to sée that nothing might be wanting requisite for the performance of this ceremony in most magnificent manner The next day which was Sunday he met the Archbishop ouer against Saint Andrewes Church and dooing low obeysance vnto him went before him to Christ church At the great gate néere the market place the Prior and Couent receiued him honorably and caried him to the Church whether he went from Saint Andrewes Church barefoote said masse there and was placed in his throne after the accustomed manner From Church he was attended by the Duke as he was thetherward The cheere at dinner was as great as for money it might be made Before the first messe the Duke him selfe came ridinginto the hall vpon a great horse bare headed with his white staffe in his hand and when the first dish was set on the table made obeysance by bowing of his body Hauing so done he betooke him to his chamber where was prouision made for him according to his state With the Archbishop sate the Earle of Esser the Bishop of Man the Lord Aburgauenny the Lord Brooke the Prior of Canterbury and the Abbot of Saint Augustines The Duke at his table was accompanied with the Lord 〈◊〉 Sir Edward Poynings the chiefe Justice of England named Phineux Sir Wilham Scot Sir Thomas Kemp and others A great many other guests were serued in other places noble men and knights at one table Doctors of Diuinity and Law at another and Gentlemen of the country at a third besides an infinite number of meaner calling placed by them selues according to their seuerall degrées But to let passe these matters and to come vnto his gouernement all the time of King Henry the seuenth vnder whom he liued Archbishop some thrée yéeres he enioyed all manner of prosperity being in so great fauor with his Prince as no man greater He dying and his sonne Bing Henry the eight succeeding Cardinall Wolsey that was then but Almosuer and Deaue of Lincolne diued so cunningly into the bosome of the yong king as by and by he ouertopped the Archbishop and quickly wound him out of all authority First by the kings meanes he got from him the Chauncellorship of England Then being Cardinall and the Popes Legate a latere by speciall commisson he set vp a new court called Curia 〈◊〉 vnder colour whereof he drewe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of iurisdiction throughout England into his owne hands and appointed Officials Registers c. in 〈◊〉 Dioces who tooke vp all causes and suffered other 〈◊〉 to whom the iurisdiction of right appertained to sitte still without either regard or profit This deiection of the Archbishop wherein men estéemed him for the time very vnhapy fell out to his great good the others immoderate greatnesse was the cause of his destruction At what time the K. 〈◊〉 to be diuorced from his first wife D. Catherine she 〈◊〉 choice of this our Archb. Nicholas West Bish. of Ely two lawyers and of I. Fisher 〈◊〉 of Rochester and Henry Standish Bishop of Assaph Doctors of Diuinity to assist and direct her in that sute they did so and behaued themselues in such sort as neither the king had cause to be offended with their ouerforwardnes nor she to blame their stacknes or negligēce But the Cardinall that was ioined with Cardinall Campeius in commission wherein they were authorised by the Pope to examine the circumstances of that cause he I say being more slacke in his procéedings then the king expected he should so incensed him against him as shortly after he was content first to take the aduantage of a Premunire against him then to cause him to be arrested of high treason whereof sée more in Yorke Soone after the Cardinals death there was a conuocation held wherein the cleargy was aduertised that they all had fallen into apremunire by yéelding vnto the Cardinals power legantine neuer allowed by the king They determined therefore to redéeme the penalty they had incurred with the paiment of 118. thousand pounds whereof the prouince of Yorke should pay eightéene thousand and Canterbury the rest which was 100000. l. When this gift was to haue béene presented they were certified that the king would not accept of the same except they declared in a Canon that he was supreame head of the church Long this matter was hammering But at last they
Sigillo a monke of Reading or as others say Archdeacon of London to be elected and consecrate Bishop Within a yeere or two after he was taken prisoner at Fullham by 〈◊〉 de Mandeuill a captaine of king Stephens who ye may be sure could ill brooke any man that the Empresse fauoured He sate Bishop about ten yeeres 39. Richard Beauveys THe yéere 1151. Richard Beauveys Archdeacon of Middlesex and nephew vnto the former Richard Beauveys became Bishop He died ann 1162. 40. Gilbert Foliot GIlbert Foliot was first Abbot of Glocester as M. Westm. hath but Bale affirmeth he was Abbot of Leycester and not of Glocester The yéere 1149. he was consecrate Bishop of Hereford continued in that Sée almost twelue yeeres and in 1161. vpon the kings speciall request he was translated to London In all the stirres betwéene Thomas Becket and the king he stucke vnto the king very faithfully and was partaker of all his counsels Mat. Paris reporteth a strange thing of him beléeue it if you list that one night comming from the king after long conference concerning the businesse betwéene the King and the Archbishop as he lay musing of those things in his bed a terrible and an vnknowen voice sounded these words in his eares O Gilberte 〈◊〉 dum reuoluis tot tot Deus 〈◊〉 est Ascarot Taking it to be the deuill he answered boldly Mentiris Daemon Deus 〈◊〉 est Deus Sabaoth At what time the King banished certaine fauorites of the Archbishop that were Clergy men he commaunded this Bishop to receiue the fruites of their liuings into his hand For obeying the authority of his Prince herein the Archbishop excommunicated him And presently vpon the death of the said Archbishop the Pope excommunicated him also but affirming by othe he was not guilty of the murther he was absolued He died February 18. 1187. It séemeth he was not onely wise but for those times very learned He writ diuers bookes mentioned by Bale I finde in Polycraticus a note concerning him that because it expresseth very well an humour much raigning now a daies I thinke not vnnecessary to offer vnto the Reader euen as I find it Venerabilis Pater c. The reuerend father Gilbert Bishop of Hereford would sometimes discourse vnto me saith he a certaine guise of Cloyster men the experience whereof he found in him selfe When first he entred into the Monastery hote with the fire newly kindled in him he was woont to blame very much the sluggishnesse of his gouernors Being preferred him selfe he was still moued with 〈◊〉 toward his equals but spared not his betters He became first a Prior taking part then with Priors he would complaine of Abbots Afterwards being made an Abbot fauouring his fellow Abbots he ceased not to reprehend Bishops And lastly when he was a Bishop himselfe he began to see how much more easie a thing it is to find faults then to mend them I thinke not saith he that this Bishop was to be esteemed enuious but being a wise man he expressed pretily an affection as it were naturally engraffed in euery man and was the more willing to take that kind of fault vpon him selfe that he might be the better heard of others Ioan. Sarisb Polycrat lib. 7. cap. 24. A very wise and reuerend Bishop now deceased in my hearing hath often acknowledged the like humour in him selfe before his preferments and therefore adiudged it the rather to be borne withall in other men 41. Richard Fitz-neale NIgellus Bishop of Ely that was nephew to Roger Bishop of Salisbury had a sonne named Richard for whom he bought of King Henry the second the Treasurership of England and payed for the same 400. markes He held that office almost all the raigne of the said king and was so good a husband in it as that at the kings death his treasure 〈◊〉 vnto 100000. markes In the latter end of his raigne he found meanes to preferre him vnto the Bishopricke of London whereunto he was consecrate December 31. 1189. He bestowed much vpon the building of his Church and other edifices belonging to his See sate there about nine yeeres and died September 10. 1198. 42. William de Sancta Maria. VVIlliam de Sancta Maria succéeded a Canon of Paules and sometimes secretary to king Richard the first He was consecrate June 22. 1199. This Bishop was one of them that interdicted the whole realme and excommunicated king Iohn by the commaundement of the Pope They all indured fiue yéeres banishment for their labours as elsewhere is more at large declared He resigned his Bishopricke Ianuary 26. 1221. 43. Eustachius de Fauconbridge EVstachius de Fauconbridge was elected vnto the Sée of London February 25. following and then vpon Saint Markes day consecrate at Westminster The next yéere a great controuersie was ended by arbitrators betweene him and his Cathedrall church of Saint Paule on the one part and the Abbey of Westminster on the other The arbitrators were the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishop of Winchester and Sarum Thomas Prior of Merton and Richard of Dunstaple Their order was that the Abbey of Westminster should be exempt from the iurisdiction of the Bishop of London that the church of Stanes should euer hereafter belong to Westminster the mannor and church of Sunbery vnto the Cathedrall church of Paules This Eustache had béene one of the kings Iustices Chauncellour of the exchequer Treasurer of England and twise Embassador into Fraunce He was a great benefactor vnto his Cathedrall church in which he lyeth intoombed in a faire monument of marble standing in the South wall of the East ende of the churchurch He died October 31. 1228. 44. Rogerus Niger ROger in our histories surnamed Niger Archdeacon of Colchester was chosen Bishop the yéere 1228. soone after the death of Eustachius and consecrate by loceline Bishop of Bathe Iune 10. following being Trinity Sunday togither with Richard Archbishop of Canterbury and Hugh Bishop of Ely This Roger saith M. Paris was a very reuerend man religious learned painefull in preaching eloquent a great house-kéeper of very gentle and curteous behauiour Whereunto he might haue added that he was also stout and very couragious One Rustandus the Popes Nuntio being earnest in a conuocation for setting forward a certaine prolling deuise to scrape vp money for his Master he not onely withstood him openly but cryed out vpon the vnreasonable and shamelesse couetousnes of the court of Rome and was the onely meanes of staying the course of that exaction For reuenge hereof not long after they began to frame an accusation against him at Rome alleaging matters altogither false and friuolous It forced him to trauell thither and cost him great summes of money before he could rid his hands of that brabble The yéere 1233. Walter Mauclerke Bishop of Carlile taking ship to passe ouer the seas was hindered by some of the kings officers for that he had no licence to depart the realme These officers for so doing he excommunicated and
riding straight vnto the court certified the king what he had done and there renewed the same sentence againe About the same time the king gaue commandement for the apprehending of Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent who hauing sudden notice thereof at midnight got him vp and fled into a church in Esser They to whom the businesse was committed finding him vpon his knées before the high altar with the sacrament in one hand and a crosse in the other caried him away neuertheles vnto the Tower of London The Bishop taking this to be a great violence and wrong offered vnto holy church would neuer leaue the king that was indéed a Prince religious ynough vntill he had caused the Earle to be caried vnto the place whence he was taken It is thought it was a meanes of sauing the Earles life For though order was taken he should not scape thence yet it gaue the kings wrath a time to coole and himselfe leysure to make proofe of his innocency By reason whereof he was afterward restored to the kings fauour and former places of honour This Bishop died at his mannor of Bishops hall in the parish of Stupenheath on Michaelmas day 1241. or as some report I thinke vntruly October 3. 1243. and was buried in his owne church where Matthew Paris saies diuers miracles were wrought at his toombe It standeth in the enter close or North wall of the Presbytery a little aboue the quire where is to be read this Epitaphe Ecclesiae quondam Praeful praesentis in anno M. bis C. quater X. iacet hic Rogerus humatus Huius erat manibus domino locus iste dicatus Christe suis precibus veniam des tolle reatus 45. Fulco Basset ABout Christmas following Fulco Basset Deane of Yorke was elected vnto the Sée of London but not consecrate vntill October 9. 1244. for that the king who earnestly desired to haue remooued Peter Bishop of Hereford vnto London misliked greatly their choice This our Fulco was a gentleman of a grcat house but a second brother After he had entred orders his elder brother and the onely sonne of that brother died within the compasse of a yéere leauing the inheritance vnto him Our histories blame him for not being forward ynough in the cause of the Barons that is for being too true vnto his Prince Otherwise they giue him the praise of a good man a discréet and vigilant pastor Questionlesse he was a man stout and no lesse couragious then his predecessor The yéere 1255. Rustandus the Popes legate held a connocation at London in which when he went about to lay an importable exaction vpon the cleargy and it was knowen the king was hired to winke at it this Bishop rose vp and openly professed that he would suffer his head to be chopped off before he would consent vnto so shamefull and vnreasonable oppression of the church Yea when the king stormed at this his resistance and reuiled him saying that neither he nor any of his name was euer true vnto him threatning moreouer that he would finde meanes to plague him for it In the presence of some that he knew would tell the king of it he sticked not to say a spéech I confesse not commendable but bold and couragious My Bishopricke indéed my myter and crosier the king and the Pope may take away from me though vniustly but my helmet and sword I hope they shall not He died of the plague at London the yéere 1258. and was buried in his owne church vpon Saint Urbans day 46. Henry de Wingham HEnry de Wingham Chauncellor of England chamberlaine of Gascoigne Deane of Tottenhall and S. Martins hauing béene twice Embassador into Fraunce was chosen Bishop of Winchester the yéere 1258. but refused to accept of that place Sée why in Ethelmare of Winchester The yéere following the like offer being made for London he neuer made bones of it and was consecrate about Midsommer the same yéere A small time he enioyed that preferment being taken away by death July 13. 1261. He lyeth intoombed in the South wall neere to the monument of Bishop Fauconbridge 47. Kichard Talbot SOone after the death of Henry Wingham Richard Talbot was elected and confirmed Bishop of London whether consecrate or no I can not tel Certaine it is he died vpon Michaelinas day the yéere following viz. 1262. 48. Henry de Sandwich BEfore the ende of that yéere Henry de Sandwich was consecrate Bishop So London had thrée Bishops in one yéere This man was excommunicate by Ottobonus the Popes legate as he had well deserued for taking part with the rebellious Barons against their Prince He died September 16. 1273. 49. Iohn de 〈◊〉 IOhn de Chishull Deane of Paules sometimes Archdeacon of London hauing béene first Kéeper of the great seale and then Treasurer of England was consecrate Aprill 29. 1274. He died February 10. 1279. 50. Richard de Grauesend RIchard de Grauesend Archdeacon of Northhampton was consecrate Bishop of London at Couentry August 12. 1280. He died at Fulham December 9. 1303. and was buried at London 51. Ralfe de Baldocke BY the consent of the whole Chapter Ralfe Baldocke was then chosen Bishoppe vpon Saint Matthias day following Howbeit he might not haue consecration till the Pope had confirmed the election for that thrée Canons lately depriued from their Prebends by the Archbishop being excluded from the election had appealed from the same vnto the Pope By the commandement of the Pope Clement 5. he was consecrate at Lyons Ianuary 30. 1305 by the hands of one Petrus Hispanus a Cardinall He was very well learned and amongst other things he writ as Bale recordeth an history or Chronicle of England in the Latine toong In his life time he gaue two hundred markes toward the building of the new worke of the chappell on the East end of his church now called the Lady chappell and in his will bequeathed much toward the finishing of the same And here by the way it shall not be amisse to note that in digging the foundation of this building there were found more then an hundred heads of cattell as oxen kine c. which séemeth to confirme the opinion of those that thinke the Temple of Iupiter was situate in that place before the planting of Christian religion tooke away those Idolatrous sacrifices This Bishop died at Stell July 24. 1313. and lieth buried vnder a flat marble in the said chappell 52. Gilbert Segraue GIlbert Segraue borne in Leicester shire and brought vp in Oxford was a man very well learned and left diuers good monuments of his knowledge behinde him He was consecrate Bishop of London Nouember 25. 1313. and sate about thrée yéeres 53. Richard Newport RIchard Newport was consecrate Bishop of London March 26. 1317. and died August 24. 1318. 54. Stephen Grauesend STephen Grauesend was consecrate Ianuary 14. following and sate about twenty yéeres 55. Richard Byntworth or Wentworth RIchard Byntworth had his election confirmed May 23. 1338. was
was buried betwéene the two pillers next vnto the stéeple on the north side of the body of the church vnder a marble stone ouer which was built a kinde of tombe or chappell of wood that by the burning of the stéeple was also consumed and quight defaced June 4. 1561. 75. Cuthbert Tonstall CVthbert Tonstall Doctor of Lawe Master of the Rolles and kéeper of the priuy Seale succéeded Richard Fitz-Iames in the Bishopricke of London and was translated to Durham March 25. 1530. Sée more of him in Durham 76. Iohn Stokesley IOhn Stokesley was inthronized July 19. 1530. and departed this life September 8. 1539. He lieth buried in the Lady Chappell vnder a marble inlaid with brasse 77. Edmund Boner EEmund Boner Doctor of Law and Archdeacon of Leycester sometimes Master of the Cardinals faculties had the Bishopricke of Hereford bestowed vpon him at what time he was out of the realme Embassador vnto the Pope from king Henry the eight for renouncing his authority here in England Soone after his returne hauing yet scarcely entred vpon Hereford he was called to London elected October 20. 1539. and installed Aprill 3. 1540. How butcherly he behaued himselfe in that place I referre you vnto the report of Master Foxe He was depriued October 1. 1549. restored by Quéene Mary August 5. 1553. and lastly displaced againe by authority of Parliament May 30. 1559. He died in the Marshalsea September 5. 1569. 78. Nicolas Ridley AFter the first displacing of Bishop Boner Nicholas Ridley Bishop of Rochester was translated to London and installed there Aprill 12. 1550. He was a gentleman of an ancient house borne in the Bishopricke of Durham brought vp in Pembrooke Hall in Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinity consecrate Bishop of Rochester September 25. 1547. remooued to London as before is mentioned and lastly died for the constant profession of his faith October 16. 1555. the historie whereof and his whole life ye may read in Master Foxe more at large 79. Edmund Grindall BIshop Boner being the second time depriued Edmund Grindall was elected July 26. following consecrate December 1. 1559. translated to Yorke May 20. 1570. and after to Canterbury Sée more of him in Canterbury 80. Edwyn Sands EDwyn Sands Bishop of Worcester was confirmed Bishop of London July 13. 1570. He sate there about the space of sixe yeeres and was translated to Yorke Sée more in Yorke 81. Iohn Elmer IOhn Elmer Doctor of Diuinity and Archdeacon of Lincolne succéeded He sate almost eightéen yéeres died at Fulham June 3. 1594 and was buried toward the North side of the East part of the church aboue the high altar 82. Richard Fletcher THe Sée of Bristow hauing béene void many yéeres Richard Fletcher Doctor of Diuinity Deane of Peterborough and one of her Maiesties chaplaines was consecrate thereunto in December 1589. translated thence to Worcester in February 1593. and in the ende of the yéere 1594. to London He died suddenly in his house at London being to sée to well sicke and dead in one quarter of an hower June 15. 1596. and was buried in his owne Cathedrall church 83. Richard Bancroft RIchard Bancroft Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate the eight of May 1597. This Bishopricke is valued in the Queenes bookes at 1119 l. 8 s. 4 d. and yeelded the Pope from euery Bishop at his first entrance 3000. florens The Bishops of Winchester THE Cathedrall Church of Winchester according to a report that I finde was first built and erected by King Lucius who abolishing Paganisike embraced Christ the first yere of his raigne being the yéere of our Lord 180. and placing monks in the same alotted for their mainteynance large reuenewes which heretofore had belonged for the most part vnto the Flamines and other heathen priests This Church as the same Author saith was hallowed and dedicated vnto the honor of our Sauiour October 29. 189. by Faganus and Damianus Bishops About the space of 100. yéeres the Church of Christ had peace in this land viz. vntill the raigne of Dioclesian who endeuouring to roote out Christian Religion not onely killed the professors of the same but also pulled downe all Churches and Temples any where consecrate vnto the exercise thereof Amongst the rest this of Winchester at that time went to wracke the buildings thereof being ruinated and made euen with the ground and the monkes and all the officers belonging vnto it either slaine or enforced to fly for the present time and yet afterward to deny Christ. This happened Ann. 289. Not long after the death of this cruell tyrant to wit the yeere 309. it was againe reedified and that with such woonderfull for wardnesse and zeale as within one yeere and thirty daies both it and all the edifices belonging vnto it as chambers and other buildings for the monkes and officers were quite finished in very séemely and conuenient manner The 15. day of March following it was againe hallowed and dedicated vnto the honor and memory of Amphibalus that had suffred death for Christ in the late persecution by Constans Bish as my Author saith of Winchester at the request of Deadatus Abbot of this new erected Monastery 200. yéers and vpward it then continued in the same state to wit vntill the yéere 319. at which time Cerdick the first king of the West Saxons being a Pagan conuerted the Church into the temple of Dagon slew chased away all the monks and ministers of the same Thus much for the first foundation of this Church and the estate of the 〈◊〉 vntill the comming of the Saxons Now let vs procéede vnto the discourse of the Bishops whose faries and succession after this time had neuer any notable interruption or discontinuance 1. Birnius THe Prouince or kingdome of the Gewisses or West Saxons containing the West part of England was goucrned along time by one Bishop that was called the Bishop of the West Saxons This Countrey after the Saxons inuaded the same receiued first the faith of Christ in the time of King Kinigilsus by the preaching of Byroius the first Bishop who being a very zealous and deuout man obtained leaue of Honorus the Pope of Rome to aduenture himselfe in preaching Christ vnto Infidels And his promise was to trauaile vnto the most Sauage and Barbarous people in the furthermost part of this I le that amongst them he might sowe the séedes of the Gospell whereupon he was consecrated Bishop by Asterius then Bishop of Genoa But comming thither and finding the countrey of the Gewisses where he first arriued to be altogether Pagans and without any knowledge of Christianity he determined to go no farther to séeke that which euen there he had already met withall It pleased God so to blesse his labours that in a short time not onely great numbers of the common people and many of the nobles but euen Kingilsus the king himselfe beléeued in Christ and tooke on them the badge and cognisance of Christianity by Baptisme Oswald the king of
cogitation falling a sléepe it séemed vnto him he sawe Saint Peter crowning yoong Prince Edward that liued in exile at that time in Normandy and furthermore to shew how he should raigne 24. yéers and die at the last without issue This Bishop then as he thought asked him who should raigne next whereunto this answere was made The Kingdome of England is Gods Kingdome and he shall prouide a King for it This dreame reported by very Auncient writers and falling out iust according to the prediction may be an example vnto vs not altogether to neglect and despise the admonition of dreames which often fall out strangely This Bishop whether Brithwold or Ethelwold died the yéere 1015. 32. Elsinus or Eadsinus ELsinus or Ealsinus otherwise called Eadsinus was first Chaplaine vnto King Harald and by him preferred to the Bishopricke of Winchester from whence the yéere 1038. he was translated to Canterbury sée more of him in Cant. 33. Alwynus HE was of very great authority with Emma the kings mother that fauoured him so much as many suspected them for liuing ill together Robert the Archbishop of Canterbury acquainted the king with this rumor Whereupon the king presently imprisoned Alwyn and dealt little better with his mother with whom also he was otherwise offended for allowing him so scantly in time of his minority She séemed to purge her selfe by miracle offring to walke vpon nine plow shares red hotte to prooue her innocency which shée is said to haue performed and so was restored to the fauour of her sonne againe Alwyn also was set at liberty and Robert the Archbishop their accuser whether for shame or feare I cannot tell was glad to get him out of the realme What else is to be deliuered of this Bishop this his Epitaphe containeth Hic iacet Alwyni corpus qui munera nobis Contulit egregia 〈◊〉 Christe rogamus Obijt anno 1047. He lieth entoombed vpon the North wall of the Presbytery in Winchester with 〈◊〉 of his predecessors before mentioned Sée more of him in Robert Archbishop of Canter bury 34. Stigandus HE was chaplaine vnto Edward the Confessor and by him preferred to the Bishopricke of Elmham whence that Sée was shortly remooued to Norwich 1043. In the short time he staied there not past fower yéeres he had much adoo with one Grinketell that by money found meanes to cast out Stigand and placed himselfe He could not kéepe his hold long For Stigand quietly recouered it againe and held it till that the yéere 1047. he was translated to Winchester from whence also he was remooued to Canterbury in the yéere 1052. But whether he 〈◊〉 his title to Canterbury Robert the former Archbishop being yet aliue or whether insatiable couetousnes prouoked him thereunto I can not tell he retained still Winchester notwithstanding his preferment to Canterbury which was the cause of his vndoing at last For the Conqueror who came into this realme while he was Archbishop being desirous to place his owne countrey men in all roomes of speciall authority and besides hauing a priuate grudge at Stigand for forcing him to yéeld Kentish men their ancient liberties whereof sée more in Canterbury procured him to be depriued of both his Bishopricks vpon this point that he had contrary to the lawe held them both together He lieth intoombed at Winchester with Wyni the first Bishop inclosed as it séemeth to me with him in the same coffin vpon the North side thereof is written Hiciacet Stigandus Archiepiscopus He was depriued an 1069. and died a prisoner in the castle of Winchester soone after 35. Walkelyn SOone after the depriuation of Stigand Walkelyn a chaplaine of the kings was consecrate Bishop of Winchester viz. an 1070. He fauoured not monkes but displaced them where he might and put in secular priests in their roomes He died Ianuary 3. 1097. So he continued Bishop 27 yéeres In his time to wit the yéere 1079. the Cathedrall church of Winchester that now standeth began first to be built 36. William Giffard AT this time lay Princes euery where tooke vpon them to bestowe Bishoprickes giuing inuestiture and possession of them by deliuering the ring and the crosier Pope Gregory the seuenth first withstood Henry the Emperour in this case and made him at last glad to yéeld vnto canonicall elections King Henry the first taking vnto himselfe the like authority placed diuers of his chaplaines in Bishoprickes without election commanding the Archbishop to consecrate them Amongst diuers other he appointed this William Giffard Bishop of Winchester and required Anselme the Archbishop to consecrate him Anselme vtterly denied to afford consecration either vnto him or any other in the like case The king sent then vnto Girard Archbishop of Yorke whom he found nothing strange But Giffard saith Matthew Westminster timens rigorem Sancti Anselm spernit consecrationem eius stood so much in awe of Saint Anselme as he durst not but reiect the offer of the others consecration The king angry hitherto with the Archbishop onely was now much more incensed against this Giffard and in great displeasure banished him the realme In the ende the king and the Archbishop grew to this agréement that the gifts of the king already passed should be ratified and his clerkes nominated to Bishoprickes haue consecration vpon promise that hereafter he should not disturbe canonicall elections and vtterly renounce his pretended priuiledge So after much adoo he was consecrate together with diuers other an 1107. He sate 21. yéeres and dying Ianuary 25. 1128. was buried at Winchester in his owne church howbeit I sée no memoriall of him there at all 37. Henry de Bloys THis man was brother vnto king Stephen first Abbot of Bermondsey then of Glastonbury and Nouember 17. 1129. consecrated Bishop of Winchester yet not preferred to these places for fauour onely and regard of his nobility for he was very learned He writ many things both in prose and verse if Bale say true and amongst the rest one booke extant conteining an history of the finding of king Arthurs bones in the abbey of Glastonbury at what time himselfe was Abbot and a speciall dooer in that action If in all the stures and contentions betwixt his brother and Maud the Empresse concerning the kingdome he stucke close vnto his brother it is no great maruaile Yet true it is that his brother being taken prisoner by the Empresse ann 1141. he accursed and excommunicate all those that stoode against her whom no man doubted to be the true inheretrice of the crowne By his meanes notwithstanding his brother recocouered quickly his liberty and kingdome In the meane time the Empresse being iealous of the Bishop came sodainly to Winchester and the Bishop doubting her comming to be to no other end but to surprise him went out at one gate as she entred at another Within a fewe daies hauing gotten force about him he returned to Winchester in an vnhappy houre For whether by his direction or no it is not certaine but by
the Quéenes vncle But they were agréed vpon W. de Raley Bishop of Norwich and tooke exceptions against the elect of Ualentia calling him virum sanguinum When the king heard of their intent he was excéeding angry and made great hauocke of the Bishops temporalties swearing he would haue his will at last or they should neuer haue Bishop The monks then séeing him so obstinately set against the Bishop of Norwich determined to alter their purpose and were content to choose Ralfe Neuill Bishop of Chichester the kings Chauncellor wherein they were so farre from contenting him as he was much more incensed against them then before and not against them onely but the new elect also from whom immediately he tooke the great seale and gaue it to another As for the election not without great charges he caused the same to be 〈◊〉 and made void at Rome Much adoo there was for the space of fiue or sixe yéeres about this matter At last the monkes séeing no end and being resolued against the Ualentine they procéeded to election againe and chose according to their first determination the Bishop of Norwich This election was suddenly made and quickly confirmed at Rome Yet the king ceased not to spurne at the same commaunding the Mayor of Winchester to forbid the new Bishop entrance which he did and was by him excommunicate for his labor and the whole City interdicted In the meane time the Bishop fealt the burthen of the Kings displeasure so heauy vpon him in England as he thought good to flie the realme He got him into Fraunce and was honorably receiued of the king there At last by the intercession of Boniface the Archbishop and the Popes earnest letters vnto the King and the Quéene he was restored to the Kings fauor and obtained licence to returne For recompence of this benefite and his fatherly care the Bishop saith Matth. Westm. in thankfulnesse bestowed vpon the Pope 6000. markes which he in good nature tooke euery penny without disdainefull returne of one denier The payment of this money and the charges of his trouble stucke so close vnto him as though he liued very priuately in all his life long he was neuer able to recouer himselfe out of debt He died about the twentith day of September 1249. at Turon whither he had withdrawen himselfe with a very small traine almost a yéere before It is recorded of him that being néere death he had the Sacrament brought vnto him And perceiuing the Priest to enter his chamber with it he cryed out stay good friend let the Lord come no néerer vnto me it is more fit that I be drawen vnto him as a traytor that in many things haue been a traytor vnto him His seruants therefore by his commaundement drew him out of his bed vnto the place where the Priest was and there with teares he receiued the Sacrament and spending much time in prayer afterward he so ended his life when he had béene Bishop about the space of sixe yéeres for he was translated ann 1243. so that the Sée was void fiue yéeres 42. Ethelmarus THe King being certified ef his death sent immediately two of his Chaplaines to Winchester to perswade the monkes to elect Ethelmarus the sonne of Hugh Earle of March and Isabell the Quéene his mother so that he was halfe brother vnto the king a man saith M. Paris in respect of his orders yéeres and learning vtterly vnsufficient By that time they had labored the matter the space of a fortnight the king himselfe came vnto Winchester and in the Chapter house made a most earnest request in the behalfe of his brother The monkes too well remembring what great trouble sorrow they had endured for denying the kings last request some of them beaten and sore wounded many tormented with hunger and laden with chaines in long imprisonment besides continuall charges of sutes and trauaile and knowing wel they should haue no assistance at Rome so long as the Kings purse was better then theirs they resolued though they knew the man most vnfit to gratifie the King and so no man daring to say no with one consent he was elected He had at that time other spirituall liuing equiualent in reuenue to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury which that he might kéepe and yet receiue all the profits of the Bishopricke of Winchester he determined not to be consecrate at all but to hold it by his election and so did indéed for the space of 9. yéeres In the meane time he and the rest of his countreymen with whom the realme was much pestered were growen very odious as well with the nobility as the commons not onely for that their infinite wealth and immoderate preferment was much enuied but much more for their pride and insolency which a man can hardly beare in his owne friend much lesse in an alien and stranger whom men naturally dislike much sooner then their owne Countreymen Amongst the rest this 〈◊〉 bare himselfe so bold vpon the King his brother as he gaue commaundement to his seruants to force a clergy man out of the possession of a benefice whereunto he pretended some right and if he withstood them to draw him out of his possession in contumelious manner The poore man loath to loose his liuing defended it so long til by my Lord Electes men he was slaine himselfe and his people so soare beaten as within few daies one or two of them died This fact and other like brought all the Pictauians into such hatred as the realme 〈◊〉 ready to rise against them which perceiuing to auoid the tēpest growing towards them the yeere 1268. they all 〈◊〉 the realme Ethelmar sent ouer for his treasure whereof he had laide vp great store but much of it came short being intercepted at Douer and taken away from those to whom it was committed The yéere after the departure of the Pictauians viz. 1259. the monkes of Winchester thought good to procéed to the election of a new Bishop And knowing it was to no purpose to make choice of any but such as the king fauoured elected Henry de Wingham then Chauncellor of England But he although he doubted not of the kings fauour in regard that another being elected it might prooue litigious refused to consent vnto their election alleaging his owne vnwoorthines for want of learning The king was content to allow of him condicionally that some stay might be made for a time to sée whether his brother Ethelmar might attaine consecration of the Pope While the king stood vpon these vncertaine tearmes Henry de Wengham became Bishop of London the yéere 1259 2. yéeres after viz. 1261. Ethelmar died He tooke order his hart should be brought to Winchester where it was intoombed in the South wal of the presbytery as this Elogium witnesseth Obijt anno Dom. 1261. Corpus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cor nunc tenet istud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 morte 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 43. Iohn Gernsey IOhn Gernsey or Iohn of Oxford for so also I find him
called was consecrate Bishop an 1265. at Rome where it is said he paid vnto the Pope 6000. markes for his consecration and so much more vnto Iordanus the Popes Chauncellor Presently vpon his returne he was suspended by Ottobonus the Popes legate for taking part against the king in the Barons wars he enioyed a small time his honor so déerely bought the yéere 1268. he died in Italy and was buried there at Uiterbium 44. Nicholas de Ely RIchard Moore a Doctor of Diuinity was then chosen Bishop But Fryer Peckham at that time Archbishop of Canterbury tooke exception against him for holding of many benefices And said that a man of such conscience as were fit for that place would rather content himselfe with lesse liuing then load himselfe with the cure of so many soules He being refused Nicholas de Ely hauing béene scarcely one yere Bishop of Worcester was called to this church He sate 12. yéeres died an 1290. his body was buried at Wauerly his hart lieth entoombed in the South wall of the Presbytery with this inscription Intus est cor Nicholai Episcop cuius corpus est apud Wauerley One of his name was first Chauncellor then treasurer of England about the yéere 1260. I assure my selfe it was he 45. Iohn de Pontissara ABout this time the Pope began to take vpon him the bestowing of Bishoprickes for the most part euery where This Iohn de Pontissara was placed by him vpon his absolute authority He was a great enimy vnto the monkes of his church whose liuing he much diminished to encrease his owne He died the yéere 1304. hauing sate néere 24. yéeres and lyeth buried in the North wall of the Presbytery His toombe hath this Epitaphe engrauen Defuncti corpus tumulus tenet iste Ioannis Pountes Wintoniae presulis eximij Obijt anno Dom. 1304. 46. Henry Woodloke HEnry Woodloke succéeded him Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury being banished the realme by king Edward the first who charged him with treason this Bishop became an intercessor for him and in the request he made to the king in his behalfe chaunced to call him his good Lord which the king tooke so haynously as by and by he caused all the Bishops goods to be confiscate and renounced all protection of him How he recouered the kings fauour againe I finde not Not long after the said king dying by the permission of the foresaid Archbishop he crowned king Edward the second Ianuary 22. 1307. and died an 1316. the 13. yéere of his consecration 47. Iohn Sendall VVAlsingham called this man Iohn Kendall he was Chauncellor of England and died 1320. hauing scarcely sate fower yéeres 48. Reginaldus Asserius THe Pope then thrust in Reginald de Asser his legate the king being very angry that the Pope tooke so much vpon him in these things He was consecrate by the Bishop of London Walter the Archbishop refusing to afford it vnto him sate little aboue two yéeres and died an 1323. 49. Iohn de Stratford IOhn de Stratford Doctor of Law succéeded When he had continued in this seat 10. yeeres an 1333. He was translated to Canterbury Sée more of him in Canterbury 50. Adam Tarlton alias de Orlton ADam de Arlton Doctor of law borne in Hereford was consecrate Bishop of Hereford September 26. 1317. In a parliament holden at London an 1324. he was accused of treason as hauing aided the Mortimers with men and armor against the king When he should haue béene arraigned a thing till that time neuer heard of that a Bishop should be arraigned the Archbishops of Canterbury Yorke and Dublin with their Suffragan Bishops came vnto the barre and violently tooke him away Notwithstanding the accusation being found true his temporalties were seased into the kings hāds vntill such time as the king much deale by his machination and deuise was deposed of his kingdome If he which had béene a Traytor vnto his Prince before after deserued punishment for the same would soone be entreated to ioyne with other in the like attempt it is no maruell No man so forward as he in taking part with Isabel the Quéene against her husband king Edward the second Shée with her sonnes aud army being at Oxford this good Bishop stept vp into the pulpit and there taking for his text these words My head grieueth me he made a long discourse to prooue that an euill head not otherwise to be cured must be taken away Hauing gotten the king into their power he fearing least if the king at any time recouered his liberty and crowne againe they might receiue condigne punishment counselled the Quéene to make him away Whereunto she being as ready and willing as he to haue it done they writ certaine letters vnto the kéepers of the old king signifieng in couert termes what they desired They either not perfectly vnderstanding their meaning or desirous to haue somewhat to shew for their discharge pray them in expresse words to declare vnto them whether they would haue them put the king to death or no. To which question this subtill foxe framed this answere Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est If you set the point betwéene nolite and timere it forbiddeth if betwéene timere and bonum it exhorteth them to the committing of the fact whereupon the king was made away and most pitifully murthered by thrusting a hot spit into his fundament And who then so earnest a persecutor of the murtherers as this Bishop that when diuers of his letters were shewed against him eluded and auoyded them by sophisticall interpretation and vtterly denied that he was any way consenting to that haynous fact How cleanely he excused himselfe I know 〈◊〉 But sure I am he was so farre from receiuing punishment as within two moneths after viz. in Nouember 1327. he was preferred vnto the Bishopricke of Worcester sixe yéeres after that he was translated thence to winchester by the Pope December 1. 1333. at the request of the French king which king Edward taking in very ill part for that the French king and he were enimies deteined from 〈◊〉 his temporalties till that in a parliament at the sute of the whole cleargy he was content to yéeld them vnto him He sate Bishop of Winchester 11. yeeres 7. moneths and 17. daies and being a long time blind before his death departed this life July 18. 1345. 51. William Edendon THe same yeere William Edendon was consecrate Bishop a man in very great fauour with King Edward the third being treasurer of England he caused groats and halfe groats to be coyned the yeere 1350. coyne not séene in England before but they wanted some thing of the iust sterling waight which was the cause that the prices of all things rose then very much And where as many other times the like practise hath béene vsed in so much that fiue shillings hath now scarce so much siluer in it as fiue groats had 300. yéeres since no maruell if things be sold for treble the price
that they were 300. yéere agoe Hereof also it commeth to passe that the Prince and Nobility cannot possible maintaine their estates with their auncient rents and reuenewes which bring in though the wonted tale and number yet not the due waight and quantity of mettall But to returne to William Edendon he was also Chauncellor of England and once elect Archbishop of Canterbury but refused to accept it He founded a Monastery at Edendon where he was borne for a kinde of religious men called Bon-hommes he died ann 1366. when he had béene Bishop almost one and twenty yéeres and lyeth in a very faire toombe of Alabaster on the South side of the entrance into the quier whereon is engrauen this rude Epitaphe Edindon natus Willmus hic est tumulatus Praesul praegratus in Wintonia Cathedratus Qui pertransitis eius memorare velitis 〈◊〉 mitis ausit cum mille peritis Peruigil anglorum fuit adiutor populorum 〈◊〉 egenorum pater protector eorum M. C. tribus 〈◊〉 post LXV sit I. punctum His successor William Wickham sewed his Executors for dilapidations and recouered of them 1662. l. 10. s. besides 1556. head of neate 3876. weathers 4717. ewes 3521. lambes and 127. swyne all which stocke it séemeth belonged vnto the Bishopricke of Winchester at that time 52. William Wickham AT the Kings request William Wickham his Chaplaine principall Secretary and kéeper of the priuy seale soone after Edendons death was both elected by the Prior and couent of Winchester and allowed of by the Pope who now tooke vpon him to haue an interest in the disposition of all our Bishoprickes as elsewhere I haue more at large discoursed This man was the sonne of one Iohn Perot and Sibill his wife for whose place of buriall he erected a Chappell afterwards at Tichfield néere the towne of Wickham in Hampshire In that towne he was borne the yéere of our Lord 1324. and according to the manner of most cleargy men in those times of that towne the place of his birth tooke his sirname I finde also recorded that he was woont to be called sometimes by the name of Long and that as it is probably supposed for no other cause but in regard of his stature which they say was very tall He was brought vp first at Winchester and then at Oxford at the charge of a Gentleman called Nicholas Vnedall or Woodall In these places hauing first passed the rudiments of Grammer he studied Logicke Geometry Arithmetique and the French tongue but principally the Ciuill and Canon lawes In all which as he profited excéedingly for the time he spent in them so there is no doubt he would haue prooued so excellent as men are woont that doo long and painefully imploy good wits to such purposes had he not béene euen as it were violently drawne from them when his abode and continuance in the Uniuersity might séeme most requisite His Patrone and exhibitioner being appointed Constable of Winchester Castle an office of great importance in those daies he would imploy this his yoong scholler as his clarke or secretary and so tooke him from the Uniuersity when he had as yet continued there not fully sixe yéeres How long he liued so vnder him I finde not But certaine it is his seruice was very well liked of him For besides his personage which was tall and excéeding comely not to speake any thing of his learning whereof his Master could make no great vse he writ very faire penned excellently spake no man better By reason whereof he was often imployed in writing letters yea and sometimes in messages also to the Court not onely by his master but by the Bishop that a while vsed to borrow him of his master and at the last drew him to his seruice It happened then after a while king Edward the third to come to Winchester who taking speciall note of the behauiour other good partes of this yoong man would néedes haue him to serue him He imployed him much at the first in surueighing his buildings at Douer Duynborough Henly Windsor Yestanstead and elsewhere In which all other businesses committed to him he behaued himselfe so well as he soone grew into great fauour and high estimation with the king and quickly reaped those fruites that Princes fauours are woont to yéeld many rich and honorable preferments It shall not be amisse to remember how that hauing obtained diuers goodly promotions which he acknowledged to haue receiued rather as rewards of seruice then in regard of any extraordinary desert otherwise he caused to be engrauen in Winchester Tower at Windsor these words This made Wickham Whereof when some complained to the King as a thing derogating from his honor that another should seeme to beare the charge of his buildings and the king in great displeasure reprehended him for it He answered that his meaning was not to ascribe the honor of that building to himselfe but his owne honor of preferments vnto that building Not importing that Wickham made the Tower but that the Tower was the meanes of making Wickham and raising him from base estate vnto those great places of honor he then enioyed He was first Parson of Saint Martins in London then Deane of Saint Martin le graund Archdeacon successiuely of Lincolne Northampton and Buckingham all of the gift of his old acquaintance Iohn Bokingham Bishop of Lincolne with whom Simon Burleigh a knight afterwards of great honor he onely in a manner conuersed during his abode in Oxford Besides these ecclesiasticall preferments the Prouostship of Wels a number of benefices and twelue Prebends in seuerall Churches he held many temporall offices as the Secretaryship the kéeping of the priuy seale the Mastership of wardes the treasurership of the Kings reuenues in Fraunce and diuers other with whose stiles I am not acquainted But the yéerely reuenewes of his spirituall promotions onely according as they were then rated in the Kings bookes amounted vnto 876. l. 13. s. 4. d. He was consecrate Bishop of Winchester the yéere 1367. and was made soone after first treasurer then Chauncellor of England although whether he were treasurer or no I find some doubt made and I dare not 〈◊〉 it too confidently whether he were treasurer or no certaine it is that many yéeres after he was Bishop he was trusted with all the waighty affaires of the realme disposed of the kings treasure and gouerned all things at his will In this greatnesse of his authority the king found two notable commodities one that without his care all thinges were ordred so well as by a wise and trusty seruant they might the other that if any thing fell out amisse wheresoeuer the fault were the king had oportunity to cast all the blame vpon the Bishop of Winchester Now whereas long and continuall warre whereby lightly each party is a looser had consumed not that onely that many victories brought in by the raunsome of two kings and by the spoyle of diuers large
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
that height of tyranny that he not onely placed but displaced Bishops at his pleasure And his meanes to do it was by 〈◊〉 them to some other Bishopricke peraduenture of lesse value and peraduenture nothing woorth at all So was Alex. Neuill perforce translated from Yorke to S. Andrewes in Scotland whence wars being at that time betwéene England Scotland he was sure neuer to receiue peny And so he translated Iohn Buckingham from Lincolne to Lichfield a Bishopricke not halfe so good But he choosing rather to haue no bread then but halfe a loafe in a very malecontent humor and great chafe put on a monkes cowle at Canterbury and there liued priuately the rest of his life To his Bishopricke of Lincolne was then preferred Henry Beaufort sonne to Iohn of Gaunt by Katherine Swinford the yéere 1397. He was brought vp for the most part at Aken in Germany where he studied the ciuill and canon law many yéeres and comming home was preferred to Lincolne very yoong He continued there seuen yeres presently vpon the death of W. Wickham was translated to Winch. June 23. 1426. he was made cardinal of S. Eusebius receiued his hat with great solcÌ„nity at Calis the Lady day following A man of great frugality and therefore excéeding rich King Henry the fift in the latter ende of his raigne by great and continuall warres being waxen much behind hand and greatly indebted began to cast a couetous eye vpon the goods of the Church which at that time were growen to the full height and there wanted not many that incited him vnto the spoile of the same This wealthy Prelate best knowen by the name of the rich Cardinall supplyed his want out of his owne purse to diuert him from that sacrilegious course and lent him 20000. pound a great deale of money in those daies He was also valiant and very wise Pope Martin the fift determining to make warre vpon the Bohemians that had renounced al obedience vnto the Sée of Rome made this Cardinall his Legate into that Country and appointed such forces as he could make to be at his commandement Toward the charges of this voyage the Clergy of England gaue a tenth of all their promotions and furnished out 4000. men and more with this power he passed by Fraunce dooing there some seruice for his Prince and Countrey into Bothemia the yéere 1429. There he remained certaine moneths behauing himselfe very valiantly till by the Pope he was discharged In his youth he was wantonly giuen and gate a base daughter named Iane vpon Alice the daughter of Richard Earle of Arundell Her he maried after vnto Ed. Stradling or Easterlling a knight of Wales But this asdone before he entred into orders Toward his latter end he imployed his time altogether either in matters of Counsaile businesse of the common wealth or the seruice of God and the Church committed vnto him Amongst other good déedes it is remembred that he built an hospitall in Winchester which he presently endued with land to the value of 158. l. 13. s. 4. d. of yéerely rent He died Aprill 11. 1447. when he had beene Bishop of Winchester 43. yéeres and from the time of his first consecration 50. yéeres Except Thomas Bourchier that was Bishop 51. yéeres I read of no English man that euer enioyed that honor longer He lyeth buried in a reasonable stately toombe behind the high aulter of his Church at Winchester toward the South the inscription is much defaced of it remaineth onely this Tribularer si nescirem misericordias tuas 54. William Waynflet A Woorthy Prelate succéeded him William Waynflet Prouost of Eaton colledge then lately founded by king Henry the sixt who for his great wisedome and integrity was long Chauncellor of England He was sonne and heire vnto Richard Pattyn a gentleman of an ancient house brother vnto Iohn Pattyn Deane of Chichester and Richard Pattyn that liued at Basâ—o in Darbishire where he left as I haue heard a posterity behinde him It appéereth hereby that his name was not indéed Waynflet but Pattyn It was an ancient custome euen till those daies that cleargy men should take their surname according to the place where they were borne and amongst monkes and fryers it continued till the very suppression of monasteries This William whether Waynflet or Pattyn was brought vp first in Winchester schoole then in New colledge in Oxford His fellowship there he left to become schoolemaster of Winchester but was taken by king Henry the sixt to teach in his new college of Eaton whereof at last he made him as before is said Prouost He continued Bishop many yéeres and would haue done much more good then he did had he not béene hindred by those continuall warres betwéene the houses of Lancaster and Yorke in all which stormes he stucke alwaies vnto his patron and first preferrer king Henry the sixt And after his death king Edward the fourth knowing the faithfull affection and true hart he alwaies bore vnto Henry the sixt his enimy carried euer a hard hand vpon him Time notwithstanding and the reuenewes of that goodly Bishopricke enabled him to the foundation of that excellent and stately colledge in Oxford dedicated vnto Saint Mary Magdalene to the which I thinke the world hath not any one colledge in all perfections comparable He died as I haue béene told August 6. 1486. hauing first séene the house of Lancaster to his great ioy restored againe to the crowne in king Henry the seuenth So that betwéene the consecration of William Wickham and the death of William Waynflet his next successor sauing one it is 119 yéeres A strange thing that thrée men should hold one Bishopricke sixscore yéeres He lieth buried in the North part of the roome beyond the high Aulter ouer against the Cardinall in a very faire toombe the Epitaphe whereof is quite defaced 55. Peter Courtney IN the moneth of Nouember 1477. Peter Courtney the sonne of 〈◊〉 Philip Courtney of Powderham knight and Elizabeth his wife daughter to Walter Lord Hungerford was consecrate Bishop of Exeter whence he was translated to Winchester in the latter end of the yéere 1486. At Exeter he bestowed much money in finishing the North Tower vnto which he gaue a goodly bel called after his name Peter bell He died December the 20. 1491. hauing gouerned the Dioces of Winchester the space of fiue yéeres and was buried in his owne Church whereabouts I know not 56. Thomas Langton THe Bishopricke hauing béene voide somewhat more then one yéere Thomas Langton Bishop of Salisbury was preferred thereunto He was consecrate to Salisbury the yéere 1485 sate Bishop of Winchester seuen yéeres and was remooued to Canterbury but died of the plague an 1500. before his translation was perfited He built a very faire Chappell in the South side of the Lady Chappell in the Cathedrall Church of Winchester in the middle of which Chappell his body resteth in a very sumptuous toombe of Marble This Thomas Langton was some
depriuation of Stephen Gardiner Iohn Poynet Doctor of 〈◊〉 a kentish man borne consecrate Bishop of Rochester April 3. 1549. was translated to Winchester Quéene Mary hauing attained the crown he well knew there was no liuing for him in Englād and therfore fled the realme died at Strausburg in Germany Aprill 11. 1556. being scarce forty yéeres of age A man of great learning whereof he left diuers testimonies in writing workes yet extant both in Latine and English beside the Gréeke and Latin he was very well séene in the Italian and Dutch toong and an excellent Mathematician He gaue vnto king Henry the eight a dyall of his owne 〈◊〉 she wing not onely the hower of the day but also the day of the moneth the signe of the sonne the planetary hower yea the change of the moone the ebbing and flowing of the sea with diuers other things as strange to the great woonder of the king and his owne no lesse commendation He was preferred 〈◊〉 by king Edward in regard of certaine excellent sermons preached before him 61. Iohn White AFter the death of Stephen Gardiner Iohn White Doctor of Diuinity was translated from Lincolne He was borne in the Dioces of Winchester and was Warden of Winchester colledge till he was made Bishop of Lincolne Small time he enioyed his new honor being depriued by parliament in the beginning of her Maiestie that now raigneth 62. Robert Horne IAnuary 16. 1560. Robert Horne borne in the Bishopricke of Durham and in king Edwards daies Deane of the Church of Durham comming then newly out of Germany where he liued all Quéene Maries daies was consecrate Bishop of Winchester He sate well néere twenty yéeres but that and what else I haue to say of him let his Epitaphe declare He lieth vnder a flat marble stone neere the pulpit in the body of the church whereon I finde engrauen these wordes Robertus Horne theologiae doctor eximius quondam Christi causa exul deinde Episcopus Winton pie obijt in Domino Iun. 1. 1580. Episcopatus sui anno 19. 63. Iohn Watson SOone after his death it pleased her Maiestie to bestow the Bishopricke vpon Iohn Watson He lieth buried ouer against his predecessor on the other side of the body of the Church hauing these wordes engrauen vpon the marble stone that couereth him D. Ioannes Watson huius eccclesiae Winton Praebendarius Decanus ac deinde Episcopus 〈◊〉 pater vir optimus praecipue erga inopes 〈◊〉 obijt in Domino Ianuar. 23. anno aetatis suae 63. Episcopatus 4. 1583. 64. Thomas Cooper THomas Cooper Doctor of Diuinity succéeded him being translated from Lincolne He was consecrate Bishop there February 24. 1570. and before that was Deane of Christchurch in Oxford In the Bishopricke of Winchester he continued ten yéeres and departed this life Aprill 29 1594. A man from whose prayses I can hardly temper my pen but I am determined to say nothing of those men whose memory is yet so fresh my reason I haue else where set downe 65. William Wickham HE that succéeded him in Lincolne succéeded him in the Sée of Winchester also William Wickham whose very name I reuerence in memory of William Wickham his famous and woorthy predecessor No Bishop of Winchester euer enioyed that honor so short a time he was translated about our Lady day in the beginning of the yéere 1595. and died of the stone in the bladder or some like disease the 12. day of June following at Winchester house in Southwarke hauing not made water in fowertéene daies before 66. William Day VVIlliam Day Deane of Windsor and 〈◊〉 of Eaton colledge succéeded and holding this place little longer then his predecessor died a few daies before Michaelmas day 1596. 67. Thomas Bilson THomas Bilson Doctor of Diuinity and Warden of Winchester became Bishop of Worceter the yéere 1595. and staying there not past two yéeres was translated to Winchester where he yet liueth The Bishopricke of Winchester is valued in the Queenes bookes at 2491 l. 9 s. 8 d. ob and paid to the Pope for first fruits 12000. ducats The Bishops of Ely SAint Etheldred of whom the Cathedrall Church of Ely hath his name was the daughter of Anna King of the East Augles She was twise maried First vnto Tombert Prince of the South Angles who gaue her the Isle of Ely to her Dower And then he diyng within thrée yéeres to Egfrid king of Northumberland With him she liued twelue yéeres and at last left him and all the pomp and pleasure she might haue liued in to serue God in such sort as she thought was most acceptable vnto him She betooke her vnto her Isle of Ely and whereas Ethelbert king of Kent had long before viz. ann 607. built a Church there by the counsell of Saint Augustine she reedified the same and much increased it the yéere 677. and by the counsell of Wilfrid Archbishop of Yorke but not without the helpe of Aldulph her brother king of the East Angles conuerted it into a Monastery of Nunnes whereof she her selfe became Abbesse This Monastery was vnder her Sexbing 〈◊〉 Werburg and other Abbesses 183. yéeres vntill it was destroyed by Pagans Inguar and Hubba the yéere 890. It lay then waste a great while In the end certaine secular Priests to the number of eight began to inhabite there but were displaced by Ethelwald Bishop of Winchester who bought the whole Island of King Edgar and by his authority placed in their roomes an Abbot and monkes vnto whom he procured many great and notable priuileges Brithnod Prouost of Winchester was appointed the first Abbot ann 970. He is said to haue béene murthered by Elsticha the Quéene of King Edilred causing bodkins to be thrust into his arme holes because like an vnhappy Actaeon he had séene her in a certaine wood busie about sorcery Elfsius was the second Abbot Leofsinus the third Leofricus the fourth and another Leofsinus the 〈◊〉 He by the Kings consent let out the farmes of the monastery in such sort as they should finde the house prouision all the yéere Shalford payed 2. wéekes prouision Stableford 1. Littleberry 2. Triplaw 2. Hawkston 1. Newton 1. Melburne 2. Grantsden 2. Toften 1. Cotnam 1. Wellingham 1. Ditton 2. Horningsey 2. Stenchworth 2. Balsam 2. Cathenho 4. daies prouision and Swansham 3. Spaldwich 2. wéekes prouision Somersham 2. Blunsham 1. Colne 1. Hortherst 1. Drinkston 1. Katsden 2. Hackam 2. Berking 2. Néeding 1. Wederingseat 1. Breckham 2. Pulham 2. Thorp and Dirham 2. Norwald 2. and Feltwell 2. Merham was appointed to carry the rent to a certaine Church in Norfolke and there to intertaine commers and goers to or from the Monastery Wilfricus the sixt Abbot bought the mannor of Bereham for 25. marks of gold In the time of Thurstan the seuenth Abbot the Isle was held by many of the olde Saxon nobility against King William the Conquerer He therefore by the counsell of Walter Bishop of Hereford and other gaue all the Church goods and lands
without the Isle to his soldiers After seuen yéeres resistance the Saxon gentlemen some vpon promise of pardon submitted them selues others betaking themselues to flight the place was deliuered into the possession of the Conqueror 〈◊〉 Reges plectuntur Achimi For the fault of these noble men the poore monkes must be punished to be restored to their lands and to enioy their Auncient priuileges quietly they were faine to giue the king 1000. marks For making which money they were constrained to sell all the platc and siluer that was in their Church The king also fearefull least from the same place the like trouble might happen vnto him hereafter appointed them to maintaine a garrison of 40. soldiers which they did vntill such time as himselfe called them away to imploy them else where which was fiue yéeres after Theodwinus was the eight Abbot Godfry the ninth and Simon the tenth After whose death the place stoode voide seuen yéeres Richard the sonne of the Earle Gilbert was then made Abbot 1. Heruaeus BY this time the reuenues of the monastery were growne to be very great Their yéerely receit was not so little as 1400. l. which summe contained then more mettall and would goe farther in those daies then 6000. l. of our money Of that 1400. l. the Abbot allowed scarce 300. vnto the monks conuerting the rest vnto his own vse This Richard therefore if his minde were any thing so great as his linage could not but disdaine to liue vnder the iurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincolne to whose Dioces Cambridgeshire at that time appertained But he had reasonable pretences for his ambition He caused the king to be told that the Dioces of Lincolne was too large for one mans gouernment that Ely were a fit place for an Episcopall Sée c. These reasons amplified with golden Rhetoricke so perswaded the king as he not onely consented himselfe that this monastery should be conuerted into a Cathedrall Church and the Abbot made a Bishop but also procured the Pope to confirme and allow of the same After that Richard the Abbot had with great paines and more cost beaten this bush a great while the birde that he had so long and earnestly thirsted after fell to another mans share Himselfe was taken away by death when the matter was growen to good perfection and ready to be finished The Bishop of Lincolne a while hindred the procéeding of this businesse but his mouth was stopt with thrée Mannors which the king being liberall of another mans purse was content to bestow vpon him such as héeretofore belonged vnto the monastery of Ely viz. Spaldwich Bickleswoorth and Bokeden these were giuen to the Sée of Lyncolne in recompence of the losse the Bishop sustained by exempting of Cambridgshire from his iurisdiction And that the reuenues of the new Bishop might notwithstanding this gift be no lesse then the Abbots were but rather greater they diuised to diminish the number of monks which were then 70. and to draw them downe vnto 40. Richard the 11. and last Abbot being thus taken away when he would most gladly haue liued King Henry the first with the consent of the monks appointed this Bishopricke vnto one Heruaeus that had beene Bishop of Bangor and agréeing ill with the Welchmen was faine to leaue his Bishopricke there and séeke abroad for somewhat elsewhere He was translated the yeere 1109. sate 22. yéeres and died August the 30. 1131. 2. Nigellus THe Sée hauing béene voide then two yéere Nigellus Treasurer of England and Nephew vnto Roger Bishop of Salisbury was placed therein May the 28. 1133. He was receaued with such ioy into his city of Ely that all the stréete where he should passe was hanged with curtaines carpets and tapestry the monks and clergy of his Church meeting him with procession By reason of his imployment in matters of state and Counsell he could not attend his pastorall charge and therefore committed the managing gouernment of his Bishoprick vnto one Ranulphus somtime a monk of Glastonbury that had now cast away his cowle a couetous wicked man For his faithfulnes vnto his patrone and first preferrer king Henry this Nigellus is much to be commended When as Stephen Earle of Bloys contrary to his oath and promise to king Henry the first his vncle vsurped the crowne due to Maude the Empresse king Henries daughter This Bishop could neuer be induced to forsake her but most constantly stucke vnto her and endured much for her sake Sée more heereof in the life of Roger Bishop of Salisbury Notwithstanding those his great troubles he found meanes to erect an hospitall for Regular Cannons in that place where Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge now standeth the foundation of which house was afterwards twise altered first by Hugh Norwold his successor who placed therein a certaine number of schollers to cohabite with the Cannons giuing allowance for their maintenance and afterwards by Margaret Countesse of Richmond and Darby who new built it partly in her life time and partly by her executors after her death endowing it with in a manner all the reuenues it possesseth and raising it vnto that beautie and perfection which now it hath This man was Bishop 36. 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 29. day of May 1169. hauing long before séene the issue of his Lord and first patrone King Henry restored to the crowne in Henry the 2. He is saide 〈◊〉 haue bene buried before the alter of Saint Crosse in his owne church Sée more of him in the discourse of Richard his sonne that was Bishop of London 3. Galfridus Rydall AFter his death the Dioces of Ely continued without a Bishop fiue yéeres The yéere 1174. Geoffry Rydell or Rydall Archdeacon of Canterbury was consecrate Bishop a very lofty and high minded man called therefore commonly the proud Bishop of Ely He bestowed great 〈◊〉 vpon the building of the new worke of his Cathedrall church toward the West and vpon the stéeple which he built 〈◊〉 vnto the battlements He died intestate at Winchester the 21. day of August 1189. a fower daies before the 〈◊〉 of king Richard the first leauing in his coffers great 〈◊〉 of ready money viz. 3060. marks of siluer and 205. marks of gold All which the king was content to take vnto 〈◊〉 tò helpe to beare the charges of his coronation He sate Bishop 14. yéeres 10. moneths and 14. daies 4. William Langchamp THe last day of December the same yéere William Langeshamp Chauncellor of England was consecrate Bishop of Ely One greatly fauoured by King Richard the first and a man very worthy of that fauour for many 〈◊〉 parts in him had not those his vertues béene matched and ouermatched with as many great and notorious 〈◊〉 When the king tooke that his famous voyage to 〈◊〉 he made this Bishop Chauncellor before chiefe Iustice of the South part of England and Protector of the Realme in his absence And least he should want any Authority that might be giuen him he procured
the Pope to make him his Legate the obtaining whereof notwithstanding the Kings request cost him 1000. l. of ready money It is a true saying Magistratus indicat virum the man that in base fortune séemed to all men not onely wise but vertuous and humble ynough being raised vnto this height of power and authority as being either drunken and infatuate with too much and sodaine prosperity or amased with the brightnesse of his owne good fortune began presently to do many things not onely vntowardly and vndiscréetly but very arrogantly and insolently sauouring aswell of vnconscionable couetousnesse and cruelty as lacke of wisedome and policy in so great a gouernor requisite That which in our histories is most blamed and most odiously mentioned I finde no such great fault withall that calling a conuoctiou by vertue of his power Legantine at the suggestion and intreaty of Hugh Nouaunt Bishop of Chester he displaced the monkes of Couentrée put in secular Priests in their roomes Officers appointed by the king himselfe he discharged Geoffry Archbishop of Yorke the kings bastard brother at his first arriuall in England after his consecration he caused to be apprehended and drawne from the very Aulter of the Church of Saint Martins in Douer vnto prison Iohn the Kings brother and afterwards king him selfe he sought to kéepe vnder and disgrace by all meanes possible being iealous as he said least the king dying without issue he should defraude Arthur his elder brother of the kingdome and whether vnto his brother now king he would continue loyall hauing power to inuade his kingdome for certaine he wist not True it is that Iohn the kings brother began to take some what more vpon him then néeded and being 〈◊〉 a reason of some of his doings made no other answere but this I know not whether my brother Richard be aliue or not Whereunto the Chauncellor replied if he be liuing it were vntruth to take his kingdome from him if he be dead Arthur the eldest brother must enioy the same Now he that feared not to deale thus with the kings owne brother no maruell if he vsed such of the nobility farre worse that in any sort opposed themselues against him As for the commonalty he not onely gréeued them with continual and néedlesse exactions and tyrannised intollerably ouer them otherwise but offended them much also with his glorious pomp and vnreasonable proud behauiour His maner was to ride with no lesse then 1500. horse and in his trauaile to lodge for the most part at some Monastery or another to their great and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yea there was not any Church in England either 〈◊〉 or Cathedrall vnto which he was not very burdensome some way or other And his officers were such prolling companions bearing themselues bold vpon their masters absolute Authority as there was no sort of people whom they gréeued not by some kinde of extortion Yea saith Matth. Paris all the wealth of the land was come into their hands in so much as scarce any ordinary person had left him a siluer belt to gird him withall any woman either brooche or bracelet any gentleman a ring to weare vpon his finger But the Chauncellor he purchased and bestowed aswell Abbotships benefices and spirituall preferment as temporall offices all that fell where him pleased whereby his sernants and kinred were all growen 〈◊〉 rich Among other his follies it is remembred that he built the outer wall about the Tower of London and spent an infinite deale of money in making a deepe ditch about the same thinking he could haue caused the Riuer of Thames 〈◊〉 go round about it But that coste was bestowed in vaine These and many other his misbehauiours incited the people and Nobility woonderfully against him In so much as he feared greatly least some sedition being raised force would be offered vnto him He thought it therefore no lesse then néedefull in all places of any publike assembly to render reasons openly of his doings which being considered I know not whether he may iustly be thought so blamewoorthy as our Histories for the most part make him Officers placed by the king he said he discharged least the people being gréeued with so many Gouernors would 〈◊〉 that instéede of one king they now were constrained too bey many What reason he yéelded of his dealing with Earle Iohn you heard before For his exactions he said they were but such as the maintenance and incredible charge of so great a warre as the king had then in hand required and lastly for a generall defence he protested he had not taken any course in these or any other matters of importance for which he had not some particular direction from the king These excuses satisfied not men so fully but that infinite complaints were daily made vnto the king against him so that he could doe no lesse then discharge him from his place of protectorship which he did and sent ouer William Archbishop of Roan to succéede him but ioyning some other in Commission with him as finding an inconuenience in giuing so much and absolute authoritie to one man At this newes his enimies greatly reioycing and thinking him a man now easie enough to deale withall they conspire against him and causing a Conuocation to be sommoued they procure him to be excommunicate for the violence done vnto the Archbishop of Yorke and with him all other that were his aiders and ministers in that enterprize As soone as he vnderstood of these things fearing greater dangers he bethought himselfe how he might do to get ouer the seas and knowing that his enimies if they should haue any inkling of his intent would assuredly 〈◊〉 the same or worke him some mischiefe by the way He deuised to disguise himselfe in womans apparell and so went vnto the sea side at Douer muffled with a metyard in his hand and a webbe of cloth vpon his arme There he sate vpon a rocke ready to take shippe when a certaine lewde marriner thinking him to be some strumpet began to dally wantonly with him whereby it came to passe that whereas he was a stranger borne and could speake no English being not able to answere this merry marriner either in words or deedes he supposed him to be a man and called a company of 〈◊〉 who pulling off his kerchiefe and muffler found his crowne and beard shauen and quickly knew him to be that hatefull Chancellour whom so many had so long cursed and feared In great despite they threw him to the ground spitting vpon him beate him sore and drew him along the sands Whereupon a great crie being made the Burgesses of the towne tooke him away from the 〈◊〉 and though his seruants endeuoured to rescue him thrust him into a seller there to kéepe him prisoner till notize might be giuen of this his departure It is a world to sée how he that was a few moneths before honored and reuerenced of all men like an halfe God attended by noble mens sonnes and
gentlemen of great worship whom he matched vnto his néeces and kinswomen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 himselfe happy that he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be well acquainted with his porters and officers was accounted 〈◊〉 small matter This man once downe and standing in 〈◊〉 of his friends help had no man to defend him no man to speake for him no man that mooued a 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 him out of the present calamity and trouble The 〈◊〉 Iohn was 〈◊〉 to haue 〈◊〉 him some farther notable 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Neither was there any man that for his 〈◊〉 sake 〈◊〉 it The Bishops diuers of them his 〈◊〉 regarding notwithstanding his calling and place would not suffer it but causes him to be set at liberty 〈◊〉 not long after he got him ouer into Normandy where he was borne there rested himselfe after all this turmoile till the returne of king Richard with whom he made such faire weather and so 〈◊〉 excused all things obiected against him that in short time he was as greatly in fauor with him as euer heretofore The yéere 1197. he was sent Embassador to the Pope together with the Bishop of Durham and other and falling sicke by the way died at Poytiers the last day of Ianuary one 〈◊〉 aboue seuen yeere after his 〈◊〉 He was buried in a monastery of the order of the 〈◊〉 called 〈◊〉 5. Eustachius THe Sée was then 〈◊〉 one whole yéere 〈◊〉 somwhat more The ninth day of August 〈◊〉 after 〈◊〉 death Eustachius Deane of Salisbury was elected but not 〈◊〉 till the fourth Sunday in Lent the yéere following A man saith Florilogus very well séene aswel in 〈◊〉 as diuine and holy learning He was one of them 〈◊〉 pronounced the Popes excommunication against king 〈◊〉 interdicted the whole Realme For dooing thereof he 〈◊〉 the kings displeasure would lye so heauy vpon him as 〈◊〉 was no 〈◊〉 in the realme and therefore got him 〈◊〉 the seas This fell out the yéere 1208. After 〈◊〉 yéeres 〈◊〉 king Iohn being reconciled to the Pope he 〈◊〉 home 〈◊〉 the yéere 1213. and liued not long after 〈◊〉 sate 〈◊〉 yéeres wanting nine 〈◊〉 and departed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the third day of 〈◊〉 1214. The 〈◊〉 at the West end of the Cathedrall Church was of his building 6. Iohn de Fontibus AFter his death Galfridus de Burgo Archdeacon of Norwich and brother vnto Hubert de Burgo or Burrough Earle of Kent and chiefe Justice of England was elected Bishop of Ely But before the publication of this election one Robert of Yorke was also chosen who held the temporalities of the Bishopricke without consecration and disposed of benefices that fell and all things belonging to the Sée as Bishop for the space of fiue yéeres The Pope at last disanulling both these elections conferred the Bishopricks March 8. 1219. vpon Iohn Abbot of Fountney a iust and vertuous man He was Treasurer of England for flue yeeres and died the yéere 1225. He is said to be buried before the aulter of Saint Andrew 7. Geoffry de Burgo HE being dead Geoffry Burrough before mentioned was againe elected and obtayned consecration which he receiued vpon Saint Peters day the yéere 1225. Of him 〈◊〉 Virgil giueth the same testimony that Matthew Westm. doth of his predecessor Eustachius that he was vir in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 humanis literis eruditus a man well learned both in diuine and prophane literature He gaue two hundred acres of Moore in Wisbich marsh to the augmentation of the priory of Ely He continued Bishop about thrée yéeres and dying the 17. of May 1229. was buried vpon the North side of the Quier 8. Hugh NorWold HVgh Norwold Abbot of Saint 〈◊〉 succéeded him and was consecrate by Ioceline Bishop of Bathe and Wels togither with Richard Archbishop of Canterbury and Roger Bishop of London vpon Trinity sunday 1229. 〈◊〉 the tenth of June This 〈◊〉 is much commended for his house kéeping and liberality vnto the poore which may well séeme strange considering the infinite deale of 〈◊〉 spent by him in building of his church and houses The presbytery of the cathedrall church he raised from the very foundation and built a steeple of wood toward the 〈◊〉 at the West end of the church This noble worke he 〈◊〉 in seuentéene yéeres with the charge of 5350 l. 18 s. 8 d. And the seuentéene daie of September 〈◊〉 he dedicated 〈◊〉 as we commonly call it hallowed the same in the 〈◊〉 of the king Henry the third and his sonne Prince Edward the Bishops of Norwich 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and many other great personages All these and an infinite number of other people of all sorts he feasted many daies togither in his pallace of Ely which he built euery whit out of the ground and couered it with lead In Ditton and other houses belonging to his Sée he also bestowed much money He died at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. day of August 1254. being well contented as he professed now to depart the world after he had séene the building 〈◊〉 his church finished which 〈◊〉 so earnestly desired He sate two moneths aboue 25. yéeres and was buried in the 〈◊〉 ytery which he had built 9. William de Kilkenny ABout the middle of October following 〈◊〉 de Kelkenny that then for a time supplied the 〈◊〉 of the Chauncellor of England was elected by the monkes vnto the Sée of Ely and was consecrate the fiftéenth of August beyond the seas He was chaplaine vnto the king a councellor of speciall credit with him and as the 〈◊〉 of Ely reporteth I find it no where els Chancellor of England A goodly man of person well spoken very wise and learned in the lawes He enioyed that preserment a small time being sent Ambassador into Spaine he died there vpon Saint Mathewes day 1256. when he had béene Bishop one yeere one moneth and sixe daies He tooke order his hart should be brought vnto Ely and buried there 10. Hugh Balsam NEwes being brought vnto the Court of the death of William de Kylkeny The king by and by dispatched his letters vnto the Prior and Couent of Ely requiring them in very gratious manner to choose for their Bishop Henry de Wingham his Chauncellor vsing many reasons to perswade them thereunto But they preferring their owne knowledge before the kings cemmendations the 13. day of Nouember made choise of Hugh Balfam or de 〈◊〉 for so also I find him called their Prior one as they perswaded themselues most fitte for the place Hereat the king being greatly displeased refused to accept of their election and caused the woods of the Bishopricke to be cut downe the parks to be spoyled and 〈◊〉 to be made of all things Many times he vrged them to a new election telling them it was not fit that a place of that strength should be committed vnto a simple cloyster man that had neuer béene acquainted with matters of state The new elect therefore got him ouer the sea to Rome hoping there to obtaine that which in England would not be affoorded
paine of death no man should héereafter be so hardy as to bring into the realme any kinde of writing from the Popes court Some notwithstanding contrary to this prohibition deliuered letters to the Bishop of Rochester then Treasurer of England from the Pope concerning this matter and fearing the woorst had armed themselues This 〈◊〉 they shrunke away and fled but were soone after 〈◊〉 and diuersly punished some dismembred other faire and well hanged The Pope hearing of this was so incensed that he wrote a very sharpe letter vnto the king breathing out terrible threats against him if he did not presently reconcile himselfe vnto the Bishop and cause full amends to be made him for all the losse he had sustained either by the Countesse or him in these troubles The king was too wise either to doe all he required or vtterly to despise his authority The 〈◊〉 he knew was not for his honor nor so farre had this tyrant incroched vpon the authority of princes the other for his 〈◊〉 Warned by the examples of king Iohn Henry the emperour and other he thought good not to exasperate him too 〈◊〉 and so was content to yéeld vnto somewhat But before the matter could grow to a full conclusion it was otherwise ended by God who tooke away the Bishop by death He deceased at Auinion June 23. 1361. and was there buried 〈◊〉 béen Bishop euen almost 17. yéeres 19. Simon Laugham INnocentius translated then Reginald Bryan Bishop of Worcester vnto Ely But he died before he could take benefit of the Popes gift Iohn Buckingham afterward Bishop of Lincolne was then chosen and was reiected by the Pope who preferred to this Sée Simon Laugham Abbot of Westminster He continued here but fiue yeeres being in that space first Treasurer then Chauncellor of England and was remooued to Canterbury Of his translation some merry fellow made these verses Laetentur 〈◊〉 quia Simon transit ab Ely Cuius in aduentum flent in Kent 〈◊〉 centum Sée more of him in Canterbury 20. Iohn Barnet AT what time Simon Laugham was translated to Canterbury Iohn Barnet was remooued from Bathe to succeede him in Ely He was first consecrate Bishop of Worcester 1362. and staying there but one yéere obtayned Bathe 1363. and lastly Ely 1366. He was Treasurer of England Being a very old man before his comming to Ely he liued there notwithstanding sixe yéeres in which tune he bestowed the making of fower windowes two in the South side and two in the North side of the Presbytery He died June 7. 1379. at Bishops 〈◊〉 lieth buried vpon the south side of the high altar in which place there is to be soone a goodly toombe monstrously defaced the head of the image being broken off I take that to be Barnets toombe 21. Thomas Arundell AFter the death of Iohn Barnet the king writ earnestly vnto the couent to choose Iohn Woodrone his confessor But they elected Henry Wakefield Treasurer of the kings house This election was made voide by the Pope who placed of his owne authority as I 〈◊〉 deliuered Thomas Arundell Archdeacon of Taunton sonne vnto Robert 〈◊〉 of Arundell and Warren being an aged gentleman of two and twenty yéeres old and as yet but a Subdeacon How be it some report that order being taken by parliament about this time for the ratifying of capitular elections and stopping the iniurious prouisions of the Pope that this Thomas 〈◊〉 was chosen orderly and consecrate at Otford by the Archbishop William Witlesey Aprill 6. 1375. Hauing 〈◊〉 there sowertéene yéeres thrée moneths and eightéene 〈◊〉 he was translated to Yorke and after to Canterbury He left for an implement of his house at Ely a woonderfull sumptuous and costly table decked with gold and precious stones It belonged first vnto the king of Spaine and was sold to this Bishop by the Blacke Prince for 300. markes He also bestowed the building of the great gate house in the house at Holburne Sée more of him in Yorke and Caterbury 22. Iohn Fordham THe Sée had béene void but fowertéene daies when Iohn Fordham Bishop of Durham was translated to Ely by the Pope He was first Deane of Wels consecrate Bishop of Durham May 29. 1381. and inthronized there in September 1382. He was Treasurer of England and to his great griefe was displaced from that office the yéere 1386. and Iohn Gilbert Bishop of Hereford made treasurer Seuen yéeres he continued at Durham and September 27. 1388. was by the authority of the Pope translated to Ely in which Sée he sate seuen and thirty yéeres two moneths and 24. daies He died Nouember 19. 1425. and lieth buried in the West part of the Lady chappell It appéereth by this reckoning that he was Bishop in all from the time of his first consecration 46. yéeres and vpward Sée more of him in Durham 23. Philip Morgan THe king then and manie noble men commended vnto the couent William 〈◊〉 doctor of law the kings confessor and kéeper of the priuie Seale who was after Bishop of Lincolne But they chose Peter their Prior. That election being disliked at home by the Archbishop he was fame to seeke vnto the Pope whose manner was litle or nothing to regard elections but to bestow any Bishoprick or other preferment that fell according to his owne pleasure if it were not filled before the auoidance might come to his knowledge According to this custome hauing no respect of the election of the couent of his owne authoritie he thrust in Phillip Morgan into this Bishopricke This man being doctor of law was consecrate Bishop of worcester 1419. and soone after 〈◊〉 death viz. before the end of the yeere 1425. remoued as is aforesaid vnto Ely He was a very wise man gouerned there with great commendation nine yeeres sixe moneths and fower daies And departed this life at Bishops 〈◊〉 October 25. 1434. He was buried at charter house in London 24. Lewes Lushborough PResently after his death the Monks elected Robert Fitz hugh Bishop of london who died before his translation could be perfected The king then writ for Thomas Rodburne Bishop of saint 〈◊〉 which notwithstanding they make choise of another to wit Thomas Bourchier Bishop of worcester whose election the Pope confirmed but the king vtterly refused to restore to him the temporalties of that see And so for feare of a premunire he durst not receiue the popes bulles of confirmation but renounced all his interest by this election The king then appointed this Bishopricke vnto Lewes Lushbrough Archbishoppe of Roan Cardinall and Chauncellor both of Fraunce and Normandy that was some way I know not how kinne vnto him By his meanes a dispensation was gotten of the Pope to hold Ely in commendam with his Archbishopricke He enioyed it sixe yéeres and sixe monethes and then died at Hatfild Septem 18. 1443. He is said to haue bene buried betwéene two marble pillers beside the altar of reliques 25. Thomas Bourchier THomas Bourchier being now once more chosen without
any great difficultie obtained full confirmation March 12. following He was brother vnto Henrie Earle of Esser forst deane of saint Martins then consecrate Bishop of worcester 1435. and sate there eight yéeres Here he continued ten yéeres fiue monethes and twelue daies and was then remoued to Canterbury Sée more of him in Canterbury 26. William Gray THe Sée hauing béene voide onely 14. daies Pope Nicholas the 5. vpon an especiall 〈◊〉 he had of William Gray doctor of Diuinity placed him in the same This William was a gentleman very well borne to 〈◊〉 of the noble and auncient house of the Lord Gray of 〈◊〉 whose friends perceiuing in him a notable 〈◊〉 and sharpnesse of witte dedicated him vnto learning He was brought vp in Baylioll Colledge in Oxford Hauing spent much time there profitably and to very good purpose 〈◊〉 the study as well of Diuinitie as Philosophy he passed ouer the seas and trauailed into Italy where he frequented much the lectures of one Guarinus of Uerona a great learned man in those daies Following thus his study and profiting exceedingly therein he grew very famous and no 〈◊〉 for to see a gentleman of great linage hauing maintenance at will to become very learned especially in Diuinity is in déede a woonder and seldome séene He writ many things both before and after his preferment whereof I thinke nothing now remaineth Neither was he a simple 〈◊〉 and a bookeman onely King Henry the 6. perceiuing him not onlylearned but very discrete no lesse industrious appointed him his Proctor for the following of all his businesse in the Popes court By this occasion hauing often recourse vnto the Pope his great learning and other excellent parts were soone 〈◊〉 by him and woorthily rewarded with this Bishopricke It was impossible such a man should not be imploted in State matters The yeere 1469. he was made Treasurer of England by king Edward the 4. 24. yeeres two moneths and 21. daies he was Bishop of this Sée In which meane space he bestowed great sums of money vpon building of the steeple at the west end of his Church and at his death which hapned at Downham August 4. 1478. he bequeathed many goodly ornaments vnto the same his church in which he was buried betweene two marble pillers 27. Iohn Moorton A Happie and memorable man succéeded him Iohn Moorton doctor of law from whose wisedome and deuise sprung that blessed coniunction of the two noble houses of Lancaster and Yorke after so many yeeres war betwéene them This man was borne at Berry néere Blandford in Dorsetshire first parson of S. Dunstans in London and prebendary of S. Decumans in 〈◊〉 as my selfe also sometimes was then Master of the Rolles lord Chauncellor of England August 9. 1478. viz. within 〈◊〉 daies after the death of Bishop Gray he was elect Bishop of Ely where he continued about eight yéeres and the yeere 1486. was translated to Canterbury Being yet Bishop of Ely he bestowed great cost vpon his house at Hatfild At 〈◊〉 castell likewise all the building of brick was of his charge As also that new leame that he caused to be made for more conuentent cariage to his towne which they say serueth now to smale purpose and many complaine that the course of the riuer Nine into the sea by Clowcrosse is very much hindred thereby See more of him in Canterbury 28. Iohn Alcock AFter the translation of Iohn Morton the Sée was void as one saith thrée yéeres Howbeit I finde that Iohn Alcock doctor of Law and Bishop of Worcester was preferred therevnto the yéere 1486. A man of admirable temperance for his life and behauiour vnspotted and from a childe so earnestly giuen to the study not onely of learning but of all vertue and godlinesse as in those daies neuer any man bare a greater opinion and reputation of holinesse He liued all his life time most soberly and chastly resisting the temptations of the flesh and subduing them by fasting studie praier other such good meanes abhorring as 〈◊〉 all foode that was likely to stir him vp vnto wantonnes He was borne at Beuerley in Yorkeshire first Deane of Saint Stephens in Westminster and Master of the Rolles consecrate Bishop of Rochester 1471. translated first to Worcester 1476. and then to Ely as I said 1486. about which time he was for a while Lord Chauncellour of England by the appointment of that prudent and most excellent prince king Henry the 7. Being yet at Worcester he founded a 〈◊〉 at kingstone vpon Hul built a chappel vpon the south side of the parish church where his parents were buried and 〈◊〉 a Chauntrey there He built moreouer from the very foundation that stately hall in the pallace of Ely togither with the gallerie and in almost euery house belonging to his Bishopricke bestowed very great cost Lastly he was the author of a goodly Colledge in Cambridge now called 〈◊〉 Colledge it was first a Monastery of Nunnes dedicated to Saint Radegund and being fallen greatly in decay the goods and ornaments of the church wasted the lands diminished and the Nunnes themselues hauing for saken it insomuch as onely two were left where of one was determined to be gone shortly the other but an infant This good Bishop obtained licence of K. Henry the 7. to conuert that same to a college wherin he placed a master 6. fellowes a certain number of schollers since augmented by other benefactors and dedicated the same vnto the honor of that holy Trinity the blessed Uirgin S. Iohn the 〈◊〉 and S. Radegund what was not expended vpon these buildings or to other good purposes of like profite he bestowed in hospitality and house keeping euery whit Hauing sate 14. yeeres and somewhat more he was taken out of this life to that place where no doubt he findeth the reward of his doings viz. vpon the first day of October 1500. He lieth buried in a chappell of his owne building on the North side of the Presbytery where is to be seene a very goodly sumptuous toombe erected in memory of him which by the barbarous and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of some body is pittifully defaced the head of the Image being broken off the compartiment and other buildings torne downe 29. Richard Redman ONe whole yéere the Bishopricke had béene voide after Alcockes death when as Richard Redman Doctor of Diuinity first Bishop of Saint Assaph then of Exeter was translated thence vnto Ely He sate there but thrée yéeres and an halfe and dying was buried betweene two pillers on the North side of the presbytery where we sée a very stately toombe of frée stone well built He was very liberall vnto the poore His manner they say was in trauelling to giue vnto euery poore person that demaunded almes of him a piece of money sixe pence at least and least many should loose it for want of knowledge of his being in towne at his comming to any place he would cause a bell to ring to giue notice
death of the Bishop before mentioned they saw Geoffry king Henry the second his base sonne and Archdeacon of Lincoln elected vnto that Sée But he contenting himselfe with the large reuenewes of that rich Bishoprick neuer sought consecration well knowing he might so sheare the fleece though he listed not to take the charge of feeding the sheepe Seuen yeeres he reaped the fruits of that See by colour of his election and then by his fathers commaundement resigned all his interest in the same became an entire courtier for eight yéeres more at last returning to the church againe became Archbishop of Yorke See more of him there 6. Walter de Constantijs ABout the latter ende of the yéere 1183. when all men now assured themselues the prophecy of that conuert of Tame must needes fall out true Walter de Constantijs Archdeacon of Oxford was elect and consecrate Bishop of Lincolne He was very fearefull to accept of the election thinking assuredly he might not liue to be Bishop in regard of that vaine and false prophecy before mentioned Being yet scarce warme in his seate the Archbishopricke of 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 vnto him a place of much higher dignity but of lesse reuenues then Lincoln a great deale 〈◊〉 the power and force of ambition that could prouoke this man notably 〈◊〉 to forsake riches and content him selfe with 〈◊〉 place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lesse wealth but a litle more honorable He was translated to 〈◊〉 the next yeere after his comming to Lincolne viz. 1184. 7. Saint Hugh TWo yéeres after the departure of Walter to Koan the Sée of Lincolne continued void Upon Saint Matthewes day 1186. one Hugh the first Prior of the Charterhouse monkes at Witteham in Somersetshire was consecrate Bishop of the said Church This Hugh who by his integrity of life and conuersation and the opinion of diuers myracles wrought by him hath purchased vnto himselfe the honour and reputation of a Saint was borne in a City of Burgundy called Gratianopolis By the aduise and direction of his Father who hauing buried his wife had made himselfe a regular Channon he also entred the same profession being yet very yoong But waring elder he betooke him selfe afterwards vnto the straight and seuere orders of the Carthusians or Charterhouse monkes as we commonly call them In that kind of life he not only obserued all things requisite by the rule of their order but so farre surmounted the same in performing much more then it required as he grew very famous farre and néere for his extraordinary abstinence and austerity of life It chaunced the report thereof to come vnto the eares of king Henry the second who building a house for Carthusian monkes at Witteham aboue mentioned thought good to send Reginald Bishop of Bathe into Burgundy to intreate this holy man to accept the place of the Prior of this new foundation With much adoo he assented and came ouer with the Bishop The king who for the opinion he had of his holinesse vsed often priuately to conferre with him remembring how great wrong he had done the Church of Lincolne in so long kéeping it without a Bishop determined to make amends by giuing them a good one at last and procured this Hugh before he vnderstood of any such thing toward to be elected Bishop of that Sée He gouerned very stoutly and with great seuerity yet so as he was more reuerenced and loued then feared His excommunications were very terrible vnto all men and the rather for that it was noted as I find deliuered some notable calamity otherwise did lightly follow them His Church of Lincolne he caused to be all new built from the foundation a great and memorable worke and not possible to be performed by him without infinite helpe Moreouer he gaue vnto the King 1000. markes to acquite him and his successors from the yeerely payment of a Mantell of Sables wherewith by an auncient custome they were woont euery newyeares tide to present him The yeere 1200. he would néedes make a voyage to Carthusia the chiefe and originall house of their order In his returne home he fell sicke of a quartane ague at London and there died Nouember 17. 1200. His body was presently conueighed to Lincolne hapened to be brought thither at a time when king Iohn of England and William king of Scots were mette there with an infinite number of the nobility of both realmes The two kings for the great reuerence they bare vnto his holynesse would needes set their shoulders vnto the beere and helped to cary his coarse from the gates of the City vntill it came to the Church doore There it was receiued by the Prelates caried into the quire and the funer all rites being ended buried in the body of the East part of the Church aboue the high Aulter neere the aulter of Saint Iohn Baptist. The yeere 1220. 〈◊〉 was Canonised at Rome and his body being taken vp October 7. 1282. was placed in a siluer shrine Who so listeth to read the miracles that are ascribed vnto him may find them in Matth. Paris that describeth his life at large in his report of the yeere 1200. Amongst many things omitted for breuity I can not let passe one thing which I finde elsewhere deliuered concerning him how that comming to Godstowe a house of Nunnes neere Oxford and seeing a hearse in the middle of the quire couered with silke tapers burning round about it he asked who was buried there Understanding then it was that faire Rosamond the Concubine of king Henry the second who at her intreaty had done much for that house and in regard of those fauours was 〈◊〉 that honours 〈…〉 her body to be digged Vp immediately aâ—â— buried in the Church yard saying it was a placâ— a great deale tâ—o good for a harlot and it should be an example to other women to terrifie them from such a wicked and filthy kind of life 8. William de Bleys VVIlliam de Bleys 〈◊〉 and Canon of the Church of 〈◊〉 was elected Bishop of the same Church the yéere 1201. but not consecrate till 〈◊〉 day 1203. He died vpon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1206. 9. Hugh de Wels. HVgh 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and sometimes 〈◊〉 of England 〈◊〉 the yéere 1209 at what time king Iohn 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Stephen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Archbishop of 〈◊〉 whereof sée more in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this the elect of 〈◊〉 to repaire 〈◊〉 the Archbishop of Roan for consecration 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 of the King he got vnto Stephen Langton and of him was consecrate The king hearing of it 〈◊〉 vpon his 〈◊〉 and kept him 〈◊〉 from them till the yéere 1213. This Bishop and Ioceline of 〈◊〉 laying their purses together 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 hospitall at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more thereof 〈◊〉 the life of the said Ioceline 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 in his Church of Lincolne I haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 made by him 1211. in which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great 〈◊〉 to his friends 〈◊〉 kinred he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5000. markes He 〈◊〉 long
his 〈◊〉 yet remaine to be séene Afterwards whether it were that time altered his 〈◊〉 or that he was ouercome 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 of trouble or hope of 〈◊〉 he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to recant his opinions at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That done 〈◊〉 Cleargy glad of gaining such a man vnto their party for 〈◊〉 was greatly reputed of for his learning 〈◊〉 vpon him all manner of preferment Being now Bishop of Lincolne the yéere 1408. he was made Cardinall of 〈◊〉 Nereus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He continued in that 〈◊〉 many yeeres and in 〈◊〉 end resigned it He lieth buried vnder a 〈◊〉 stone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grosthead 22. Richard Flemming BIshop Flemming is famous for two things one that 〈◊〉 caused the 〈◊〉 of Wickliffe to be taken vp and 〈◊〉 the yéere 1425. and the other that he founded Lincolne 〈◊〉 in Oxford 1430. When he first attained this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 what time he died I find not He was 〈◊〉 where we sée a high tombe in the North 〈◊〉 in the vpper 〈◊〉 of the church in the 〈◊〉 in which place also Robert Flemming his kinseman Deane of Lincolne lieth buried hard beside him They were bothe great learned men brought vp in Oxford bothe Doctors of Diuinity and writ diuers learned workes 23. William Gray MAy 26. 1426. William Gray was 〈◊〉 Bishop of London 〈◊〉 he was translated to Lincolne the yéere 1431. and 〈◊〉 there about the space of 〈◊〉 yéeres He founded a Colledge at Theale in Hartfordshire for a Master and fower Cannons and made it a cell to Elsing spittle in London 24. William Alnewike THe yéere 1426. William Alnewike doctor of law was consecrate Bishop of Norwich He built there a great window and a goodly faire gate at the west end of the church The yeere 1436. he was remooued vnto Lincolne He was buried in the body or west end of his church This Bishop was confessor to that vertuous king Henry the fist 25. Marmaduke Lumley VVHat time Bishop Alnewike died I finde not but certaine it is that 〈◊〉 Lumley Bishop of Carlioll succeeded him in that Sée He was some times Treasurer of England consecrate vnto Carlioll 1430. sate there 20. yeere was translated hether 1450. and hauing continued heere scarcely one yéere died at London Toward the building of Quéenes colledge in Cambridge of which vniuersity he was sometimes Chauncellour he gaue 200 l. and bestowed vpon the library of that Colledge a great many good bookes 26. Iohn Chedworth IOhn Chedworth succéeded him of whom I finde nothing but that helieth buried vnder a flat stone by Bishop Sutton néere the toombe of Bishop Flemming He was Bishop as I gather about an 18. yeeres 27. Thomas Rotheram THomas Scot alias Rotheram Bishop of Rochester was remooued to Lincolne ann 1471. and thence to Yorke nine yéeres after Sée more ofhim in Yorke 28. Iohn Russell IN the Sée of Lincolne Iohn Russell Doctor of Diuinity and 〈◊〉 of Barkshire succéeded him a wise and 〈◊〉 man A while he was Chauncellor of England by the appointment of Richard Duke of Glocester that afterward vsurped the crowne He hath a reasonable faire toombe in a chappell cast out of the vpper wall of the South part of the Church 29. William Smith THe yéere 1492. William Smith was consecrate Bishop of Couentry Lichfield He ordained there I meane at Lichfield an hospitall for a master two priestes and ten poore men He also founded a frée schoole there for the education of poore mens children and found meanes that king Henry the seuenth bestowed vpon it an Hospitall called Donhal in Chesshyre with 〈◊〉 lands belonging to it At Farmworth where he was borne he bestowed ten pound land for the maintenance of a schoolemaster there Lastly he became founder of a goodly colledge the colledge of Brasennose in Oxford ann 1513. but liued not to finish it in such sort as he intended Hauing sate but onely fower yéeres at Lichfield he was translated to Lincolne and died the yéere before mentioned 1513. He lieth buried in the West part or body of the church This Bishop was the first President of Wales and gouerned that countrey from the 17. yere of king Henry the 7. vntill the fourth yéere of king Henry the 8. at what time he died 30. Thomas Woolsey A Uery little while scarcely one whole yéere Cardinall Woolsey not yet Cardinall was Bishop of Lincoln Thence he was remooued to 〈◊〉 almost the 〈◊〉 of the yéere 1514. Sée more of him in 〈◊〉 31. William Atwater ONe William Atwater succéeded Cardinall Woolsey and sate as it seemeth to me but a very short time He lieth buried in the West end of Lincolne Pinster 32. Iohn Longland IOhn Longland Doctor of Diuinity and Confessor vnto king Henry the 8. vpon the death of William Atwater was aduannced vnto the Bishoprick of Lincolne and enioyed the same a long time being almost all that while Chauncellor of the Uniuersity of Oxford He died the yeere 1547. and is burted néere vnto Bishop Russell in a toombe very like vnto his 33. Henry Holbech HEnry Holbech Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate Bishop of Rochester the yéere 1544. translated to Lincolne 1547. and continued there about 5. yeeres 34. Iohn Tayler IOhn Tayler Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate ann 1552. and within 2. yeeres after viz. in the beginning of Queene 〈◊〉 ratgne was displaced 35. Iohn White IOhn White Doctor also of Diuinity was appointed Bishop of Lincolne by Queene Mary The yéere 1557. He was remooued to Winchester Sée more of him there 36. Thomas Watson VPon the remooue of Doctor White the Bishopricke of Lincoln was bestowed vpon Thomas 〈◊〉 Doctor of Diuinity a very austere or rather a sower and churlish man He was scarce 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 when 〈◊〉 Mary dying he was 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 the same 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 himselfe vnto the happy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yeres 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 about the yéere 1584. 37. Nicholas Bullingham NIcholas Bullingham Doctor of Lawe was consecrate Bishop of 〈◊〉 Ianuary 21. 1559. He sate there 11. yéeres and was translated in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 26. 1570. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of him in 〈◊〉 38. Thomas Cooper THomas Cooper Doctor of Diuinity Deane of 〈◊〉 church in Oxford was consecrate Febr. 24. 1570. 〈◊〉 yéere 1584. he was translated to Winchester 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of him there 39. William Wickham VVIlliam Wickham succéeded Bishop Cooper immediately both in Lincolne and Winchester Sée more of him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 40. William Chaderton VVIlliam 〈◊〉 Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate Bishop of West-Chester continued there 〈◊〉 and in the 〈◊〉 of the yéere 1594. was 〈◊〉 to Lincolne where he yet 〈◊〉 The Bishoprick of Lincolne is valued in the Queenes bookes at 894 l. 18 s. 1 d. ob and paid to the Pope for first 〈◊〉 5000 ducats The Bishops of Couentry and Lichfield 1. Dwyna OSwy king of Mercia or Mid England erected 〈◊〉 Episcopall Sée at Lichfield the yéere 656. and ordained one Diuma or Dwyna Bishop there 2. Cellach CEllach
was the second Bishop of Lichfield He was a Srot as also his predecessor was After a few yéeres giuing ouer his Bishopricke he returned into his owne country 3. Trumhere TRumhere was an Englishman borne but brought vp taught and ordered among the Scots Hée had béene Abbot of Ingethling a monastery built where king Oswyn was slaine 4. Iaruman HE conuerted the East Saxons vnto Christianity againe hauing forsaken it vnder Sighere their king In his time to wit the yéere 666. the Cathedrall church of Lichfield was first founded 5. Cedda THe yéere 669. Cedda was consecrate Archbishop of Yorke in the absence of Wilfride But Wilfride returning he gaue place and liuing a while a monasticall life at 〈◊〉 accepted at last the Bishopricke of Lichfield vnder Wulfnere king of Percia ann 669. He 〈◊〉 to haue béene a godly and very denout man as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Beca his Eccl. hist. lib. 4. cap. 3. where his life and death are at large reported He died March 2. 672. hauing sate there two yéeres and a halfe and was buried at Lichfield 6. Winfride VVInfride a Chaplaine of Ceddaes was then 〈◊〉 Bishop of Lichfield a man vertuous and modest as Beda witnesseth Yet it is said that Theodore the Archbishop of Canterbury depriued him for I know not what disobedience the yéere 674. He returned vnto Catbarne a Monastery built by Cedda vnder whom he had liued in the same heretofore and there lead a very holy life many yéeres after 7. Saxulf VVInfride being displaced it was thought good his Dioces should be diuided into two parts One was allotted vnto Saxulf who continued his 〈◊〉 at Lichfield still the other was committed vnto Eadhead He and his successors of whom you may sée a Catalogue Fol. 1 sate at Sidnacester This Saxulf was the first Abbot of 〈◊〉 now called Peterborough and perswaded Wolfer king of Mercia to the foundation of that Monaster 8. Headda AFter Saxulf the Dioces was once more diuided and a Bishop placed at Leicester His name was Wilfride But he being drouen away thence after a short space Headda that before was Bishop of Lichfield recouered the Iurisdiction againe and gouerned the same in sort as his predecessor had done 9. Aldwyn AFter Headda succéeded Aldwyn that liued in the time of Beda He died the yéere 737. 10. Witta THe Countrey of Mercia was then diuided into thrée Bishoprickes One was continued at Lichfield another was appointed to sit at Leycester and the third at Dorchester Lichfield was giuen to Witta Leicester to Tota and Dorchester to Eadhead Sée more of them in Lincolne Fol. 228. After Witta succeeded these 11. Hemel He died ann 764. 12. Cuthfrid 13. Berthun 14. Aldulf Off a King of Mercia procured the Pope to make this Aldulf an Archbishop and gaue him authority ouer the Sées of Winchester Hereford Legecester Sidnacester Helmham and Dunwich He liued ann 793. Iun. 15. Humbert Matth. Westm. saith this man died the yéere 795. and calleth him Archbishop of Lichfield as he doth also Higbert his successor Howbeit I am out of doubt that Aldwin as he was the first so he was the last Archbishop that euer sate there 16. Herewin He liued ann 833. as appeareth by a Charter in Ingulfus confirmed by him Pag. 488. 17. Higbert 18. Ethelwold He died 858. 19. Humberhtus He died 164. 20. Kenferth or rather Kinebert He died 872. 21. Cumbert 22. Tunbriht or Bumfrith He died 928. By the way now it shall not be amisse to remember that Florentius Wigorn from whom William of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 little biffenteth reporteth this order of succession as 〈◊〉 as I can gather 13. Berthun 14. Higbert 15. Aldulf 16. Herewyn 17. Ethelwald 18. Hunberht 19. Cineferth 20. Tunbright That wherein I differ from them I find in Matth. Westminster whom I follow the rather for that he setteth downe not their bare names but their times of consecration now and then yea and their death also After Tunbright without all controuer sie succeeded 23. Ella 24. Alfgar 25. Kinsy He liued ann 966. and 948. 26. Winsy 27. Elseth or Ealfeage 28. Godwyn 29. Leosgar 30. Brithmar He died 1039. 31. Wlsius He died 1054. 32. Leofwyn Abbot of Couentry 33. Peter THis man forsaking Lichfield remooued his 〈◊〉 Sée to Chester the yéere 1055. He was consecrate 1067. died the yéere 1086. and was buried at Chester 34. Robert de Limesey HE was consecrate the yéere 1088. translated his 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 to Couentry 1095. died September 1. 1116. and was buried at Couentry 35. Robert Peche alias Peccam RObert surnamed Peccatum or Peche and sometimes Peccam Chaplame vnto king Henry the first was consecrate 1117. died August 22. 1127. and was buried at Couentry 36. Roger de Clinton THe king then bellowed this Bishopricke vpon Roger de 〈◊〉 that was nephew vnto 〈◊〉 Lord Clinton a man of great account and authority in his time December 21. 1129. he was ordered Priest at Canterbury and consecrate Bishop the day following This man built a great part of the Church of Lichfield increased the number of his Prebends fensed the towne of Lichfield with a ditch and bestowed much vpon the castle there No part of that castle now standeth onely the ditch remayneth to be seene and the place where it stood retaineth the name of Castle field He tooke vpon him the crosse at last went to Jerusalem and died at Antioch Aprill 16. 1148. 37. Walter Durdent VVAlter Durdent Prior of Canterbury succéeded him He was consecrate 1149. died 1161. and was buried at Couentry 38. Richard Peche RIchard Peche was sonne vnto Robert Peche Bishop of Couentry By him he was preferred vnto the Archdeaconry of Couentry and the yeere 1162. succéeded him in his Bishopricke This man in his latter daies tooke on him the habite of a Chanon in the Church of Saint Thomas néere Stafford of which house some name him the founder He was buried there dying the yéere 1181. 39. Girardus Puella OF this man Robertus Montensis writeth thus Magister Girardus cognomento Puella c. Master Gerard surnamed Puella a man of great learning and vertue the yéere 1181. was chosen Bishop of Chester in England That Bishopricke hath thrée Episcopall Sées Chester Couentry and Lichfield He died Ianuary 12. 1184. and was buried at Couentry 40. Hugh Nouaunt THe yéere 1186. Hugh Nouaunt a Norman was consecrate Bishop of Lichfield He bought of king Richard the first the monastery of Couentry for 300. markes 〈◊〉 to place secular priestes in the same he came thither 〈◊〉 a power of armed men the yéere 1190. and when the monkes would not giue place inuading them with fine force chased away some beate and lamed other spoyled their house burnt their charters and euidences c. and then put in secular priests in their roomes Bale reporteth that he could not cary this matter so cléere as that it cost him not some 〈◊〉 In the conflict himselfe was wounded and that in the church iust before the high altar It séemeth he
Louell for what cause I know not that they might be sure to auoyd him as also at the request of Richard Earlé of Cornewall the kings brother elected Roger Molend one to whom the king and the said Earle were both vncles Him the king readily accepted and so March 10. 1257. he was affoorded consecration This man was borne and brought vp altogether beyond the seas 〈◊〉 reason whereof he was vtterly ignorant of the English 〈◊〉 Being therefore called vpon to be resident vpon his Bishopricke the yéere 1283. he made that his excuse but it might not serue his turne Iohn Peckham Archbishop of 〈◊〉 not onely forced him to residence but reprehended him excéeding sharply for his neglect and carelesnes of his charge He sate long and died a very old man the yéere 1295. 47. Walter de Langton THe Pope meaning a good turne vnto Iohn Bokingham Bishop of Lincolne of his absolute authority tooke vpon him to translate him to this Sée from Lincolne which was then worth thrée Lichfields He chose rather to forsake all and became a monke at Canterbury Upon his refusall Water Langton Treasurer of England was preferred thereunto and consecrate December 22 1296. He liued in great authority vnder king Edward the first that fauoured him much But his sonne Edward the second molested and disgraced 〈◊〉 all that euer he might His father dying in the North countrey commaunded this Bishop to couduct his corpse vp to London and when he had so done for reward of his 〈◊〉 he caused sir Iohn Felton Constable of the Tower to arrest him seased vpon all his goods and imprisoned him first in the Tower then in the Castle of Wallingford of which imprisonment he was not released in two yéeres after In his fathers life time he had often reprehended the yoong Prince for his insolent and dissolute behauiour which good admonitions he taking in 〈◊〉 part wronged and disgraced him many waies namely one time he brake downe his parks spoyled and droue away his deere c. The Bishop complained of this outrage vnto the king his father who being greatly displeased therewith committed the Prince his sonne for certaine daies And this was the cause of the grudge betwéene the yong king him About that same time or I thinke a litle sooner viz. the yere 1301. he was accused of certain heinous crimes before the Pope and compelled to answere the accusation at Rome in his owne person Though the proofes brought against him were either none or very slender yet well knowing whom they had in hand Nonerant 〈◊〉 prae 〈◊〉 bouem valde 〈◊〉 saith Matth. 〈◊〉 they were content to detaine him there so long as it forced him to spend an infinite deale of money and yet was neuer a whit the néerer at last For the Pope remitted the hearing of the cause to the Archbishop of Canterbury and yet referred the determination of the same vnto him selfe at last The tempests of those troubles being ouer blowen the rest of his time he liued for ought I find quietly and being happily 〈◊〉 from the Court attended onely the gouernment of his charge Unto his Church of Lichfield he was a wonderfull great benefactor He laid the first foundation of the Lady Chappell there and at his death left order with his Executors for the full finishing of it He compassed the cloyster of Lichfield with a stone wall and bestowed a sumptuous shrine vpon S. Cedda his predecessor with 2000. l. charge He ditched and walled all the Cathedrall church round about made one gate of great strength and maiesty at the West part of the close and another but a lesse on the South part He builded the great bridge beyond the Uineyard at Lichfield ann 1310. He gaue his owne house or pallace vnto the Uicars for their dwelling and built a new for him selfe at the East end of the close He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being altogether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 the mannour place of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 at London He 〈◊〉 vnto the high 〈◊〉 at Lichfield 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and two 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worth 24. l. 〈◊〉 about with 〈◊〉 stones to the value of 200. l. besides many copes 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 price He 〈◊〉 vpon the 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 cup of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a pension of 20. s. by the yeere And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both vnto them and his Church many charters and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the king He 〈◊〉 at London 〈◊〉 16. 1321. 〈◊〉 was buried in the Lady Chappell which he built 48. Roger Northbrough THe yéere 1313. Roger Northborough then kéeper of the great seale was taken prisoner by the Scots in the battell of 〈◊〉 Being afterwards clerke of the Wardrobe so I find him called and treasurer of England by great sute and the kings often 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 meanes to shoulder into this 〈◊〉 He was consecrate June 27. 1322. sate almost 38. yéeres a very long time and died in the end of the yéere 1359. 49. Robert Stretton SOone after the death of the former Bishop Robert Stretton a Canon of Lichfield by the importunity of the blacke Prince to whom he was Chaplaine was eleccted Bishop there a man very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnworthy so high a 〈◊〉 in all respects The Pope hauing notize of his 〈◊〉 by speciall mandate prohibited his consecration Here upon the new elect was faine to make repaire vnto Rome The Pope him selfe examined him but was 〈◊〉 earnestly requested by the blacke Prince to 〈◊〉 his sute as 〈◊〉 he could not with 〈◊〉 honesty allow of him yet he was content to leaue him to the 〈◊〉 of the Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop would by no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 him any testimony of sufficiency At last 〈◊〉 much adoo he procured the Pope to authorise two other Bishops for the allowance or reiecting of him who they were I can not call to remembrance and they by the excéeding great importunity of the Prince admitted him to consecration which he receiued September 26. 1360. Sée more of this matter in Thomas Lylde Bishop of Ely He sate Bishop here 25. yeeres 50. Walter Skirlawe VVAlter Skirlawe Doctor of Law was consecrate Ianuary 14. 1385. remooued to Bathe and Wels the yéere following and soone after to Durham Sée more of him in Durham 51. Richard Scroope RIchard Scroope Doctor of Lawe brother vnto William Scroope Earle of Wiltshire and Tresurer of England was consecrate August ◠1386. Sate here 10. yéeres and was translated to Yorke His life and lamentable death you may sée there more at large described 52. Iohn Brughill IOhn Brughill a Frier preacher was first Bishop of Landaff and Confessor vnto king Richard the second translated to Lichfield in the moneth of September 1398. and sate there 17. yéeres 53. Iohn Keterich IOhn Keterich a Notary of Rome and Archdencon of Surry was consecrate Bishop of S. Dauids the yéere 1414. and translated thence to this Sée in the moneth of May 1415 The yéere 1417. he was at the Councell of Constance
cryed out he was the 〈◊〉 Chaplaine for soldiers that might he found Whereupon halfe in iest halfe in earnest the yoong Prince bid him follow him He did so and albeit he was in a manner altogether vnlearned yet being very subtile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a short time he wound him selfe so fast into the Princes liking as he acquainted him with his most secrete affaires and vsed his counsell in matters of greatest importance Hereby it came to passe that he not onely obtained easily for him selfe the Bishopricke of Salisbury soone after the said Princes aduauncement vnto the crowne but also procured the like or greater preferments for many of his kinred He had a sonne of his owne called Roger 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whom he made Chauncellor of England He had also two nephewes which he made Bishops Alexander of Lincolne and 〈◊〉 of Ely This Nigellus likewise had a sonne called Richard 〈◊〉 that long after became Bishop of London Neither was he so carefull of seruing other mens turnes as that he forgat to feather his owne neast what by the reuenewes of his Bishopricke and his temporall offices for he was Chauncellor of England and otherwise much imployed about the king he gathered together infinite treasures whereof some he bestowed very vainely and the rest that vuhappily he reserued was the cause of hie destruction He built most sumptuously two castles one at Sherborne the other at Deuises cōmonly called that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foolishly to make them without comparison the goodliest and most magnificent buildings of England Then afterwards somewhat to 〈◊〉 the vanity of this humour he founded two monasteries also but what they were I find not All the time of king Henry he flourished in great honour viz for the space of 30. yéeres I doubt not had ended his daies in the like prosperity if his owne treachery had not prouoked the iustice of God to punish the same with the vengeance of an extraordinary calamity The said king Henry hauing lost his onely sonne and apparant heire Prince William by misfortune vpon the sea and hauing no issue lawfully begotten left to inherite his kingdome but onely Mawde the Empresse He thought good to take an oath of all the nobility wherein they promised to yéeld obedience to her after his death as their soueraigne and to none other This oath our Roger did not onely take himselfe but minister vnto the rest of the nobility for that he was Chauncellor Which notwithstanding forgetting all dueties of religion toward God of thankefulnes toward his patrone and loyalty to his Prince he was the first man the king being dead that fell to plotting 〈◊〉 the aduancement of Stephen vnto the kingdome which 〈◊〉 his perswasiou he first attempted and much deale by his vngratious counsell at last obtained Sée how the saying fell out to be true in him 〈◊〉 consilium consultori 〈◊〉 Within two or three yeeres after his comming to the crowne this vsurping periured king for he also had sworne sworne vnto Mawde the Empresse he I say lacked money for many purposes especially for the compassing of a marriage betweene Enstace his onely sonne and Constantia the French kings sister which he thought would be a great establishment of his new erected throne Now séeing no other readier meane he determined to search the coffers of this old Bishop assuring himselfe there to find that might well serue his turne Being therefore at Oxford he sent for him in very friendly manner praying him to come and affoord him his counsell in matters greatly importing him Such was the estate of the 〈◊〉 at that time that almost euery man stood vpon his gard But the Bishop being an old Foxe and suspitious of what might happen entreated his sonne and the Bishops before named his nephewes to ride with him that vnder the colour of their retinue he might carry strength ynough with him to resist the king if he should indeuour to offer him violence The king at their méeting gaue him very gratious countenance but secretly tooke order that a quarrel should be picked vnto some of his retinue So when he least suspected any such matter his people were set vpon vnder colour they had disappointed some of the kings men of their lodgings and forced to 〈◊〉 The Bishop his sonne nephewes fled also But the 〈◊〉 was made too sure beforehand for them to escape They were all taken except onely the Bishop of Ely that 〈◊〉 him to the castell of Deuises which he found very well provided and determined to hold it against the king Thither he trauelled with all spéed the king I meane carrying his prisoners with him whom he caused to ve very hardly vsed and straightly imprisoned shutting vp the one in an oxestall the other in a 〈◊〉 backe roome more loathsome then the other At his first comming he summoned the castell intending to prooue all meanes rather then he would let this occasion slippe of rifling the same Therefore when no other practise would take successe for he tryed many he set vp a faire paire of gallowes and sware he would hang Roger the Bishops sonne it the castell were not presently deliuered vp vnto him The Bishop of Ely continuing obstinate in his denyall though his vncle of Salisbury had intreated him earnestly to yeeld the halter was now about the yoong mans necke and he euen ready to trusse when his father hnmbly besought the king that he would accept his best endeuour for the effecting of his desire to saue his sonnes life was content to sweare he would neither eate nor drinke before the castell were deliuered vnto him Hereupon the execution of the sonne was staied but it cost the father his life For the Bishop of Ely his nephew notwithstanding what intreaty could be made suffred his vncle to fast three whole daies before he would giue ouer The Bishop of Salisbury being now very aged partly peraduenture by reason of griefe but partly also by reason of so long abstinence fell sicke and died rauing and taking on like a man distract of his wits certaine daies before his departure There was found in that castell of his forty thousand markes of siluer ready coyned beside gold plate and iewels of inestimable price All that the king laide hands vpon and with that money procured indéed the marriage before mentioned to be effected The Bishops sonne was kept long in prison and dealt earnestly withall to renounce the 〈◊〉 and deuote himselfe to the party of the king which he most honestly and constantly refusing with long sute obtayned at last for a great fauour that he might be banished the realme To make an ende now with this Bishop he was elected April 13. 1102. consecrate August 11. 1207. with diuers other and died December 4. 1139. So he was Bishop accounting the time from his first election almost 37. yéeres flourishing all that while in woonderful great prosperity and yet had a miserable and most vnhappyend 4. Ioceline ROger being dead K. Stephen nominated vnto
de Mortiuall consecrate 1315 died 1329. 20. Robert Wyuyl AT the request of the Quéene the Pope was content to bestow this Bishopricke vpon Robert Wiuyll a man not onely not furnished with competent giftes of learning but so vnpersonable saith Walsingham as if the Pope had but seene him he would neuer haue cast so high a dignity vpon him He sate a long time to wit flue and forty yeeres and vpward in which it were a great maruaile he should not perfourme some thing memorable About the yéere 1355. he 〈◊〉 William Montacute Earle of Salisbury with a writ of right for the castle of Salisbury The Earle pleaded that he would defend his title by combat Whereupon at a time appointed the Bishop was faine to bring his Champion vnto the 〈◊〉 prouided for this purpose He was clothed all in white sauing that ouer the rest of his apparrell was cast the coate armor of the Bishop After him came one with a staffe and another with his target The Earle likewise brought in his Champion much in like sort and all things were now ready for them to goe together when vpon a sodaine by commaundement of the kings leters the matter was staid for a time Before the second meeting the parties fell to agréement The Bishop gaue vnto the Earle 2500. markes to leaue the castle with his apurtenances vnto him and his successors for euer Beside this he also recouered the chace of Béere and the castle of Sherborne which had beene detained from his Sée euer since king Stephen tooke it violently from Rogre his predecessor for the space of 200. yéeres He died the sixe and fortie yeere of his consecration September 4. 1375. and lieth buried vnder a faire marble stone in the middle of the quire néere the Bishops See On the South side close by him lieth Bishop lewell who as I haue heard desired to lie beside him 21. Ralfe Erghum RAlfe Erghum Doctor of law was consecrate at Brugis in Flaunders December 9. 1375. and was translated to Wels September 14. 1388. Sée more there 22. Iohn Waltham IOhn Waltham Master of the Rolles and kéeper of the prtuy 〈◊〉 succeeded The yeere 1391. he became Treasurer of England and so continued till he died king Richard the second loued him entierly and greatly bewailed his death In token whereof he commaunded that he should be buried in Westminster among the kings many men much enuying him that honour He died the yeere 1395 and lieth iust beside king Edward the first vnder a flat marble the inscription whereof is though partly defaced not yet quite perished How he resisted W. Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury in his visitation and the successe thereof sée more in the said W. Courtney 23. Richard Meltford THe yéere 1388. in the Parliament called the Parliament that wrought woonders the Barones apprehended so many of the kings fauorites as they could come by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to prison The lay 〈…〉 the most part they caused to be executed But the Cleargy men lying by it a while by the next turne of fortunes wheele were not onely set as high as they were before but some of them much higher Amongst the rest Richard Metford a man of 〈◊〉 eminent place otherwise then by the kings fauour was imprisoned a great while in the Castle of Bristow Soone after his inlargement the king found meanes first to aduance him to the Bishopricke of Chichester and then after Bishop 〈◊〉 death to translate him vnto Salisbury where he sate about 12. yéeres and died 1407. 24. Nicholas Bubwith NIcholas Bubwith Bishop of London and Treasurer of England was translated to Salisbury the yéere 1407. and from thence to Wels within the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 yéere Sée more of him in Wels. 25. Robert Halam VPon the remooue of Bishop Bubwith one Robert Halam became Bishop of Sarum Iune 6. 1411. he was made Cardinall He died at the Councell of 〈◊〉 the councell being not yet ended September 4. 1417. 26. Iohn Chaundler AT what time Bishop Halam died Martin the 〈◊〉 was not yet chosen Pope By reason whereof the Papacy being after a sort void and so the Popes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Chapter of Sarum had the liberty of a frée election and chose one Iohn Chaundler who sate Bishop about 10. yéeres 27. Robert Neuill RObert Neuill consecrate 1427. was translated to Durham 1438. 28. William Ayscoth VVIlliam Ayscoth Doctor of Lawe and Clerke of the Counsell was consecrate in the Chappell of Windsor Iuly 20. 1438. The yéere 1450. 〈◊〉 happened the commons to arise in sundry parts of the realme by the stirring of 〈◊〉 Cade naming himselfe Iohn 〈◊〉 A certaine number of lewd persons tenants for the most part to this Bishop intending to ioyne themselues to the rest of that crew came to 〈◊〉 where he was then saying of masse What was their quarrell to him I finde not But certaine it is they drew him from the altar in his albe with his stole about his 〈◊〉 to the top of an 〈◊〉 not far off and there as he 〈◊〉 on his 〈◊〉 praying they 〈◊〉 his head 〈◊〉 him to the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 shirt into a number of pieces tooke euery man a ragge to keepe for a monument of their worthy exploit The day before they had robbed his cariages of 10000. markes in ready money This barbarous murther was committed Iune 29. the yeere aforesaid 29. Richard Beauchamp RIchard 〈◊〉 succeeded He built a beautifull and sumptuous chappel on the South side of the Lady chappell and lieth buried in the same vnder a very faire toombe of marble 30. Leonell Wooduill LEonell Wooduill consecrate the yéere 1482. was sonne to 〈◊〉 Earle 〈◊〉 and brother to 〈◊〉 the Queene of Edward the fourth A neere 〈◊〉 of his hath assured me that Stephen Gardmer Bishop of Winchester was begotten by this man who to couer his fault married his mother vnto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one of his meanest followers and caused another of better sort to bring vp the childe as it were of almes When or how he left his Bishopricke I finde not 31. Thomas Langton THomas Langton Doctor of Lawe was consecrate 1485. and translated to Winchester 1493. Sée more of him 〈◊〉 32. Iohn Blythe IOhn Blythe was consecrate February 23. 1493. and died August 23. 1499. He lieth buried vpon the backe side of the high altar and hath a faire toombe not standing after the maner of other toombes East and West but ouerthwart the church North and South for which cause some call him the ouerthwart Bishop 33. Henry Deane HEnry Deane Doctor of Diuinity Abbot of Lanthony sometimes Chauncellor of Ireland and then Bishop of Bangor was translated to Salisbury the yeere 1500. and within two yéeres after to Canterbury Sée more of him there 34. Edmund Audeley THe yéere 1480. Edmund Audeley a gentleman of the auncient house of the Lord Audeleys became Bishop of Rochester Thencs he was translated 1493. to 〈◊〉 and from Hereford the yéere 1502. vnto Salisbury He lieth buried in a goodly
and Somersetshire alotted vnto him for his Dioces He sate here 10. yeeres and after the death of Plegmund was remooued to Canterbury Sée there more of him and this new erection After him followed these 2. Wifelnius who succeeded Aldelm both here and at Canterbury He liued here nine yéeres and there 14. a man saith Pol. Virg. famous as well for vertue as learning Sée more of him in Canterbury 3. Elfeth 4. Wlfhelm 5. Brithelm He was a monke of Glastonbury and became Bishop of Wels the yéere 958. He gaue vnto the Abbey of Glastonbury his nurse the iurisdiction of the Countrey adioyning and made it an Archdeaconry annuall to be bestowed vpon a monke of Glastonbury and he to be elected yéerely by the Couent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the yéere 959. was elected Archbishop of Canterbury Whereof see more in Dunstan of Canterbury He continued Bishop here 15. yéeres and died 973. 6. Kinewardus or Kinewaldus Abbot of Middleton became Bishop of Wels the yéere following sate 11. yéeres and died 985. 7. Sigar He was Abbot of Glastonbury sate also 11. yéeres and died ann 985. 8. Alwyn called by some Adelwyn and by others 〈◊〉 9. Burwold His toombe is to be séene with his 〈◊〉 engrauen vpon the South side of the Quier at Wels. 10. Leoningus translated to Canterbury the yéere 1012. Sée more of him there 11. Ethelwyn expelled his Bishopricke by Brithwyn recouered the same againe from him and shortly after his restitution died 12. Brithwyn who entring into peaceable possession of this Sée presently vpon the decease of Ethelwyn with in 13. daies after died him selfe also 13. 〈◊〉 Abbot of Glattonbury 14. 〈◊〉 whom some name Bodeca He was a Saxon of Germany or as some deliuer borne in 〈◊〉 In his time king Edward the Confessor gaue vnto this Church the mannors of Congresbury and 〈◊〉 He was consecrate the yéere 1031. sate 27. 〈◊〉 7. monethes and seuen daies and was buried vpon the South side of the high Aultar in 〈◊〉 It 〈◊〉 his toombe is the highest of those ancient monuments that we sée vpon the South outside of the Duier 15. Giso Giso a Frenchman of Lorraine borne in a village called Saint Trudo within the territory of Hasban was sent Embassador to Rome by king Edward the Confessor to to be resolued there of certaine doubts concerning matter of religion about the time that 〈◊〉 died Being so absent he was elected Bishop by the Chapter of Wels and receiued consecration at Rome April 4 being Easter day 1059. together with Aldred Archbishop of Yorke and Walter Bishop of Hereford At his returne he found the estate of his Church very miserable Harald the queenes brother that afterwards became for a while king of England being yet a priuate man Qâ—id Domini facient audent qui talia 〈◊〉 Upon what occasion I know not had spoyled the Church of all ornaments chased away the Canons and inuading all the possessions of the same had conuerted them to his owne vse so that the Canons remaining which fled not for seare of this tyrant they were onely fiue they I say were faine to begge their bread The Bishop complaining vnto the King of this outragious hauocke found cold comfort at his hands 〈◊〉 whether it were for feare of Haralds power or his wiues displeasure he caused no restitution at all to be made Onely the Queene was content to giue of her owne Marke and Modesly vnto the Church After the death of king Edward Giso was faine to fly the land till such time as 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 vsurper being vanquished and slaine William the Conqueror was a meane to restore not only him to his place and countrey but his Church also to all that the other had violently taken from it except some small parcels that I know not by what meanes had beene 〈◊〉 vnto the Monastery of Glocester Yet in stead of them also he was pleased to bestow vpon the Church the mannour of Yatton with the Patronage of the benefice there and moreouer caused one Ealsi to restore vnto the same the mannour of 〈◊〉 which long since had beene altenated from it by some 〈◊〉 practise as it should seeme Giso being thus setled tooke great paines in recouering such other things as had béene 〈◊〉 from his church in procuring charters of confirmation for the better assurance of what already they had and procuring such things as séemed to be wanting Namely of one 〈◊〉 a Courtier he found meanes to obtaine the 〈◊〉 of Coonth-Nicolas 〈◊〉 and Lytton Then 〈◊〉 the state of his church so well amended he thought good to augment the number of his Canons and for their better 〈◊〉 built then a cloyster a hall and a dorter or place for their lodging Lastly he appointed one Isaac by the name of a Prouost to be their gouernor Hauing béene Bishop the space of 28. yéeres he departed this life and was buried vpon the North side of that place where the high altar then stoode I take his to be the highest of those olde toombes that lye vpon the outside of the quier toward the North. 16. Iohn de Villula HE that succeeded Iohn de Villula a Frenchman borne in Tours and a phisician heretofore by his profession not content to do nothing toward the amendment of the state of his church vsed all the meanes he might to impaire and diminish the same The cloyster and other buildings 〈◊〉 by Gyso for his canons he pulled downe and in the place where they stoode build a pallace for himselfe and his successors forcing them to séeke dwellings abroad in the towne But the greatest wrong of al other was that neuer acquainting them with it he procured his Episcopall Sée which 〈◊〉 had béene seated at Welles to be remooued to Bathe and whereas all his predecessors had béene knowen by the names of the Bishoppes of Welles hee renouncing Welles entitled himselfe Bishoppe of Bathe which city he bought of the king for fiue hundreth markes and founded in the same a monastary for the receit of his new remooued Episcopall throne This monastery was first built by Offa king of Mercia ann 775. and being destroyed by the Danes who burnt and razed to the ground almost all the monasteries of England was afterwardes an 1010. reedified by Elphegus that at last was Archbishop of Canterbury His building stoode no long time For the yéere 1087. both it and in a manner all the city was consumed and vtterly destroyed by fire in such sort as this Bishop building it a new from the ground and augmenting the reuenues which before were little or nothing vnto a competent proportion may not vnworthily séeme to be the founder and author of the same He had scarcely or indeed not 〈◊〉 it wheÌ„ being a very aged man he was taken away by 〈◊〉 to wit Dec. 29. 1122. hauing sate 34. yeres He was 〈◊〉 in the church himselfe had built 17. Godfry ONe Godfry a Dutchman and chaplaine vnto the Queene was then by her meanes preferred to this See
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
Edward the first 〈◊〉 prince that wanted neither wit to deuise nor courage to 〈◊〉 cute such an exploit and to lay the fault vpon another at last Yet likely inough it is that such a fault stamped vpon him how vndeseruedly soeuer might barre him out of the 〈◊〉 Calender who otherwise was not woont to be ouer dainty 〈◊〉 affoording that kind of honour where fees might be 〈◊〉 paid in for it He sate ten yeeres and lieth entoombed in 〈◊〉 South wall néere the Cloister doore In this mans time the Chapter house was built by the contribution of well disposed people a stately and sumptuous worke 28. Walter Haselshaw VVAlter Haselshaw first Deane then Bishop 〈◊〉 Welles sate ten yeeres and lieth buried vnder a huge marble in the body of the church toward the North almost ouer against the pulpit He made many statutes 29. Iohn Drokensford IOhn Drokensford kéeper of the kings Ward-robe succéeded Following the steps of his predecessor 〈◊〉 he bestowed somewhat in increasing the buildings and liberties of his See but much more vpon his 〈◊〉 He had much contention with his Chapter the story whereof is to be seene in the 〈◊〉 booke sate 19. yeeres and lieth buried vnder a reasonable saemcly toombe of free stone in the chappell of Saint Batherme which is vpon the right hand going toward the Lady chappell 30. Ralfc of Shrewsbury VVIth one cōsent of the chapter of Wels the couent of Bathe 〈◊〉 of Shrewsbury was then elected dared to be consecrate a great venture in those daies before the 〈◊〉 had allowed of him His approbation saith 〈◊〉 cost him at last a huge summe of money This man is famous for the first foundation of our 〈◊〉 close in Wels. The memory of which benefit is to be seene erpressed in a 〈◊〉 vpon the wal at the foot of the hall staires In 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to request the Bishop in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the 〈◊〉 we humbly pray Together through 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dwell we may He answereth them thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For your 〈◊〉 deserts do plead I will do that you craue To this purpose established here dwellings shall you haue This picture being now almost worne out at what time of late yeeres the 〈◊〉 by the gratious fauour of her Maiesty had their reuenues confirmed to them being in danger to be spoyled of them by certaine sacrilegious cormorants they likewise caused a picture of excellent workmanship to be drawen 〈◊〉 a memoriall of both the one and the other These buildings being erected toward the maintenance of some hospitality in them he gaue vnto that new Colledge the mannor of 〈◊〉 and allotted them twenty nobles yerely to be paid out of the vicarage of Chew He built moreouer a house for the Queristers and their master He built likewise the church of Winscomb and the court house at Clauerton a great chamber at Cuercrich and much other 〈◊〉 in other of his houses His pallace of Welles he inclosed with an excéeding strong wall and a large mote into which he 〈◊〉 the riuer running hard by He gaue vnto his church 〈◊〉 things of which nothing now remaineth I thinke but a great chest bound with iron in which the Chapter seale is kept Lastly it is to be remembred that with great 〈◊〉 he procured the forest of 〈◊〉 to be disparked Hauing performed these and many other things deseruing perpetual 〈◊〉 he departed this life at Wiuelescomb Aug. 14. 1363. hauing continued Bishop 34. yéeres His body was buried before the high altar vnder a goodly monument of Alabaster compassed about with grates of yron About a 60. yéeres since for what cause I know not it was remooued to the 〈◊〉 side of the presbytery but lost his grates by the way The image of Alabaster that lieth vpon it is said to be very like him 31. Iohn Barnet IOhn Barnet remooued from Worcester succéeded him sate two yéeres and was translated to Ely Sée Ely 32. Iohn Harewell EDward surnamed the Blacke Prince obtayned then of the Pope this Bishopricke for Iohn Harewell a chaplaine of his that was Chauncellour of Gascoigne 〈◊〉 was consecrate at Burdeaur March 7. 1366. by the Archbishop there He contributed the third penny toward the building of the Southwest tower at the ende of the church the Chapter bearing the rest of the charge He paid 100. markes for glasing the window at the West ende of the church 〈◊〉 gaue two great bels the bigest of which being cast fower times since I was of this church now at last serueth for 〈◊〉 greatest of a ring the goodliest for that number being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I thinke in England He died in the moneth of June 1386. hauing sate 19. yéeres and was interred ouer 〈◊〉 Burwold where we sée a toombe of alabaster that séemeth to haue béene a sumptuous piece of worke but is now much defaced 33. Walter Skirlaw VVAlter Skirlaw was translated from Lichfield hether and after two yeeres from hence to Durham See Durham 34. Ralfe Erghum RAlfe Erghum Doctor oslawe was consecrate Bishop of Salisbury at Bruges in Flanders December 9. 1375. From thence he was translated 〈◊〉 September 14. 1388. died Aprill 10. 1401. He impropred to the chapter of Welles the parsonage of Puklechurch and gaue vnto them a certaine house called the George beside certaine plate and church ornaments to the value 140 l. Moreouer he built a colledge at Welles for fowerteene priests at the ende of the lane now called Colledge-lane He lieth buried in the body of the church vpon the North side of that chappell that ioyneth to the great pulpit 35. Henry Bowet THe Bishopricke so void was conferred by the Pope vpon Richard Clifford Archdeacon of Canterbury who being denied his temporalties by the king was faine notwithstanding the Popes prouisory Bulles to giue place vnto Henry Bowet Doctor of law and Canon of Welles that with the kings fauour was lawfully elect thereunto Sée more hereof in Richard Clifford of London To Welles he was consecrate Nouemb. 16. 1401. in Saint Paules church in London the king and all the Nobility being present and was translated to Yorke December 1. 1407. See Yorke 36. Nicolas Bubwith NIcolas Bubwith being Bishop of London and Treasurer of England left both those places for Salisbury which also he was content to forsake to accept Welles within the compasse of one yéere after he was first consecrate to London This man being at the Counsell of Constance was appointed one of those thirty persons that were ioyned with the 〈◊〉 in the election of Pope Martin the fifth He built 〈◊〉 almeshouse vpon the North side of Saint Cuthberts church endowing it with good possessions for the reliefe of many 〈◊〉 persons They were much increased afterwards by 〈◊〉 Storthwayth somewhat also by Bishop Bourne and other So that now it maintaineth 24. poore people He 〈◊〉 vnto our church the parsonage of Bucklaud Abbatis He
built our Library ouer the Cloysters and a little Chappell for morrow masse ouer against the great pulpit In that Chappell built belike for the place of his buriall he founded a Chauntry and dying October 27. 1424. was there enterred 〈◊〉 supposed he was a great benefactor and contributor toward the building of the Northwest tower at the West ende of 〈◊〉 Church which his armes fixed vpon diuers places of 〈◊〉 same doo partly shew It is deliuered also that he gaue 〈◊〉 vnto the Church which I find to be the gift of 〈◊〉 Button the second and not his as before is declared 37. Iohn Stafford BY the Popes gift Iohn Stafford a man very noble 〈◊〉 no lesse learned became Bishop of Welles after Bubwith August 23. 1443. he was aduaunced to Canterbury Sée Canterbury 38. Thomas Bekinton THomas de Bekinton Doctor of Lawe and Deane of the Arches writ a very learned discourse 〈◊〉 of the Law Salique of the Frenchmen An 〈◊〉 very necessary for those times and being as well taken by other as handled by himselfe got him such fauour with that vertuous king Henry the 〈◊〉 as it was a meanes to aduance him first vnto the keeping of the priuy seale and then to this See whereunto he was consecrate in the chappell of Caton October 13. 1443. at what time the foundations of that chappell being but newly laid it was hallowed he 〈◊〉 the first masse in the same This man built the ranke of houses on the North side of the market place at Welles called the New workes He made a 〈◊〉 in the market place bringing the water from Saint Andrewes well He built as to me it least wise seemeth the east side of the cloyster He was a great benefactor to Lincolne College in Oxford and a great builder of his owne houses vpon the repayring and beautifying of which he spent first and last as himselfe professeth in his will 6000. markes Perceiuing himselfe sickely and not like long to continue he made his will and doubting least king Edward the fourth should make it void by picking some quarrell of treason vnto him a thing no doubt easie to be done for that this Bishop had beene alwaies a constant follower of the house of Lancaster with great cost he procured from the said king a confirmation of his will dated Nouember 3. 1464. In it he bequeathed to the church of Wels 20 l. in money fower very sumptuous vestments 400 l. to buy ropes a vessell for holy water of siluer waighing 10 l. Troy a crosse of siluer parcell gilt of the same waight a chaire for the Bishop to vse in the church which yet remayneth and certaine cushions with other ornaments To the church of Bathe he bequeathed a cup a censure and a pare of siluer all waighing 30. ounces beside 30. coapes and other vestments To New colledge in 〈◊〉 where it seemes he was brought vp a siluer crosse of 10 l. waight a faire bible in 4. volumes a siluer bason of 10 l. waight certaine 〈◊〉 and other trifles To Winchester colledge a siluer crosse double gilt waying 9 l. and ten ounces two siluer candlestickes of the same waight and a number of vestments To the hospitall of Saint Batherines in London whereof he had beene master many vestments and 50 l. in money To the church of Sutton Courtney a benefice of his he gaue many vestments 〈◊〉 5 l. in money to be diuided to the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also the like 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which church it is said he was Prebendary and so much more beside certaine vestments to the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 of which place as being borne there most men suppose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his name For my part I thinke not so for I 〈◊〉 swade my selfe his liberality in that case I meane to 〈◊〉 place of his natiuity could not haue béene contayned 〈◊〉 so narrow a scantling But to procéed vnto the Austin Fryers of 〈◊〉 he gaue 20 s̄ and to the Fryer Minors of Bridgewater 20 s̄ To ten priests that should study at Oxeford and dayly say masse for the soules of himselfe his parents and benefactors especially of Humfrey Duke of Glocester William Wickham 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Iohn 〈◊〉 and Walter Thurston 5 l. a piece and to ten poore 〈◊〉 of the same 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 yéeres 10 d. a wéeke To 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the better sort he bequeathed 5 l. a piece 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yeomen fiue markes to euery boy of his household 40 s̄ and to so many of his seruants as were not prouided of abiding places meate drinke and woonted wages 〈◊〉 thrée moneths after his decease To his successor he 〈◊〉 100 l. vpon condition he would accept it in lieu of all dilapidations otherwise willing his executors to spend it in 〈◊〉 against him and lastly vnto his executors he left onely 20 l. a piece requiring them to imploy all the rest of his 〈◊〉 good vses at their discretion They answered very iustly 〈◊〉 trust reposed in them and that with such discretion as wellas 〈◊〉 that I should do them wrong not to remember 〈◊〉 The one was Richard Swanne 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and parson of Yeuelton that heretofore had béene executor after the same sort vnto Richard Praty Bishop of Chichester this man dwelt in the cannonicall house that is néere the market place Another was Hugh Sugar Doctor oflawe and Treasurer of Welles he built the chappell all offrée stone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of wood before adioyning to the great pulpit and dwelt where I now do in the middle house of the thrée that ioyne vpon the Cambray And the third was Iohn Pope Doctor of Diuinity Prebendary of Saint Decumans and parson of Shyre These thrée as I haue béene told by old men lye buried in a ranke together ouer against the great pulpit vnder thrée Marble stones of one fashion The Bishops goods that remained vnbequeathed they bestowed for the most part in building the Uicars close at Welles which had béene begun by Bishop Ralfe long before a sumptuous and beautifull worke This great benefactor of our Church departed this life Ianuary 14. 1464. and was buried in a goodly toombe built by him selfe in his life time situate vpon the South side of the Presbytery 39. Robert Stillington IN the moneth of July next after the death of Bishop Bekinton Robert Stillington Doctor of Law Archdeacon of Taunton first keeper of the priuy seale and then Chauncellor of England was elected to this Sée and consecrate in April following He built that goodly Lady Chappell in the cloysters that was pulled downe by him which destroyed also the great hall of the palace mentioned in Robert Burnell pag. 12. He died a prisoner in the Castle of 〈◊〉 whether he was committed for foure yéeres before his death for what cause I know not in the moneth of October 1487. and was intoombed in the said Chappell but rested not long there For it is reported that diuers olde men who in their youth had not onely séene the 〈◊〉
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
of this Church ann 1186. He was well reported of for his liberality in continuing the buildings of this Church wherein he was nothing inferior to his predecessors Hauing béene Bishop about sixe yéeres he died ann 1191. HEnry Marshall Archdeacon of Stafford and Deane of Yorke brother to William the Earle Marshall of England was consecrated Bishop by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury an 1191. he finished the building of his church according to the plat and foundation which his predecessors had laide and that done he purchased the patronage and Lordship of Wodbery of one Albemarly which he gaue and impropriated vnto the Uicars chorall of his church After that he had liued 12. yéeres in his Bishopricke he died ann 1200. and lieth buried in the North side of the presbytery of his church in a very faire tombe of Marble SImon de Apulia Deane of Yorke was consecrated 〈◊〉 of this Sée 1206. Of him there remayneth no memoriall at all but this that hauing béene Bishop 18. yéeres he died an 1224. and was buried in his owne church In this mans time to wit the yéere 1222. the city of Exceter was diuided into parishes VVIlliam Brewer very shortly after the death of the foresaid Simon was elected Bishop and consecrated vpon Easter day an 1224. A man very well borne being brother to Sir William Brewer knight the 〈◊〉 of the eldest daughter and one of the heires to William de Verona Earle of Deuonshire founder of the Abbeyes of Tor Hartland and other monasteries He was of the priuy Councell vnder king Henry the third and greatly in fauour with him The yéere 1235. he trauelled into Germany to conduct thither the Lady Isabell the kings sister to be married vnto Fridericke the Empéror and not long after the said Emperor making a voyage into the holy land he attended him thither Being returned home and minding as his predecessors had done to leaue some good memoriall behind him he made a Deane and constituted 24. Prebendaries within his church To the one he impropriated Brampton and 〈◊〉 Rawleigh for the others he purchased so much land as out whereof he assigned to euery prebendary 〈◊〉 pound by the yéere and of these he 〈◊〉 his chapter 〈◊〉 that he had continued here ninetéene yéeres he died anno 1244. and lieth buried in his owne church vnder a plaine marble stone in the middle of the presbytery not farre from the Bishops See RIchard Blondy was consecrated 1245. This Richard was a man of a milde spirit but very flout against such as in his time did offer any imury to the church In his old yeeres being but a weake man he was much carried and ruled by such as were about him They taking the opportunity of time vsed all the meanes they might to much themselues His chiefest officers were one 〈◊〉 his chauncellor 〈◊〉 his register 〈◊〉 his official and 〈◊〉 the keeper of his scale these with other of the houshold comparred amongst themselues 〈◊〉 the Bishop was yet 〈◊〉 who then lay sicke and very weake in his bed to make vnto themselues conueyances of such liuelihoods as then lay in the Bishops disposition and accordingly made out aduousons and other such graunts as to them seemed best all which were foorthwith sealed and deliuered according to the orders among them concluded These their subtill dealings were not so closely conueyed but that the next Bishop following boulted and found the same out and did not onely rereuerse all their doings but also excommunicate them neither were they absolued vntill they had done penance for the same at Saint Peters church openly vpon Palme Sunday being the 19. day of March 1267. This Bishop in the twelfe yeere of his Bishoprick died to wit an 1257. and was buried in his owne church VVAlter Bronescome Archdeacon of Surry was consecrated vpon Passion Sunday March 10. 1257. He was borne in the city of Exeter of poore very meane parentage At the time of his electiō he was not priest and therefore not capable of any such dignity but immediately he tooke that order vpon him and foorthwith was consecrated Bishop al which was donc within fifteen 〈◊〉 So many digmties to be cast vpon one man in so shert a time had not beene lightly seene He founded the colledge of Glaseney in Perin in Cornewall and endowed the 〈◊〉 with faire possessions and reuenewes being induced thereunto by a vision or dreame as himselfe reporteth in the 〈◊〉 of the same He purchased the Barton of 〈◊〉 Clist and gaue it to the Hospitall of Saint Johns within the Eastgate of the city of Exceter He instituted in his owne church the feast called Gabriels feast and gaue a piece of land for the maintenance thereof He also did by a policy purchase the Lordship and house of Clist Sachfield and enlarged the Barton thereof by gayning of Cornish wood from his Deane and Chapter fraudulently building then a very faire and sumptuous house there he called it Bishops Clist and 〈◊〉 the same to his successors Likewise he got the patronage of Clist Fomesone now called Sowton and annexed the same to his new lordship which as it was said he procured by this meanes He had a Fryer to be his chaplaine and consellor which died in his said house of Clist and should haue beene buried at the parish church of Farryngdon because the saide house was and is in that parish but because the 〈◊〉 church was somewhat farre of the waies foule and the weather rainy or sor some other causes the Bishop commaunded the corps to be carried to the parish church of Sowton then called Clist Fomeson which is very néere and bordereth vpon the Bishops Lordship the two parishes there being diuided by a little lake called Clist At this time one 〈◊〉 a gentleman was Lord and patrone of Clist Fomeson and he being aduertised of such a buriall towards in his parish and a 〈◊〉 way to be made ouer his land without his 〈◊〉 consent required therein calleth his tenants togither goeth to the bridge ouer the lake betweene the Bishops land and his there meeteth the Bishops men bringing the said corps and forbiddeth them to come ouer the water The Bishops men nothing regarding this prohibition do presse forwards to come ouer the water and the others do withstand so long that in the end my Lords Fryer is fallen into the water The Bishop taketh this matter in such griefe that a holy Fryer a religious man his owne chaplaine and confessor should so vnreuerently be cast into the water that he falleth out with the gentleman and vpon what occasion I know not he sueth him in the law and so vereth and tormenteth him that in the end he was saine to yéeld himselfe to the Bishops deuotion and seeketh all the waies he could to curry the Bishops good will which he could not obtaine vntill for redemption he had giuen and surrendred vp his patronage of Sowton with a piece of land All which the said Bishop annexeth to his new
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
not that enabled him to performe these great workes and yet to leaue so much money behind him He procured an order to be taken that all Ecclesiasticall persons of his Diocesse at the time of their deaths should leaue and bequeath their goods to him or to some other in trust towards his chargeable buildings or otherwise to be bestowed in pios vsus at his discretion This was the meanes wherby he grew to this infinite wealth and riches He died July 15. 1369. hauing sate Bishop here almost 42. yeeres and was buried in a Chappell which he built in the wall of the West end of his Church His funerals by his owne commaundement were performed without any mannerof pompe or extraordinary solemnity In so much as he allowed not either his seruants Executors or néerest kinsfolkes any mourning clothes at all See more of him in Simon Mepham of Canterbury THomas Brentingham the kings 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Calis was at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chosen Bishop of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and was 〈◊〉 vnto the 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 1. of March ann 1370. He was a man very well learned expert as well in politique gouernment as ecclesiasticall matters and in both these respects greatly reuerenced and esteemed For which cause at the parliament holden at Westminster in the tenth yéere of king Richard the second he was chosen to be one of the twelue Péeres of the realme vnder the king He was a benefactor to the callenderhay of the Uicars chorall of his owne church supplied in buildings and otherwise what his predecessors had left vndone hauing been Bishop 24. yeres died at Clist the third of December an 1394 was buried in the North side of the body of his owne church in a little chappell standing betwéene two pillers EDmund Stafford brother to Ralph Earle of Stafford was consecrate Bishop of Exceter June 20. 1395. He was Chauncellor of England vnder king Edward the third At the Parliament holden at Westminster the one and twentieth yéere of king Richard the second he being speaker of the higher house made a very learned and pithie oration to proue the absolute authority of a king His theame was Rex vnus erit omnibus and hauing discoursed at large to that purpose did conclude Quod potestas regis esset sibi 〈◊〉 annexa solida and whosoeuer did by any meanes impeach the same Poena legis merito essee plectendus For the 〈◊〉 of good letters he did increase two fellowships in the colledge of Stapledons Iune in Oxford reformed the statutes of the house and altered the name of it calling it Erceter colledge After that he had continued Bishop in much honor about thrée and twenty yéeres he died the fourth of September being the seuenth yéere of king Henry the fift and lyeth buried in his owne church in a very faire tombe of Alabaster vpon the North side of the entrance into the Ladis chappell IAmes Cary Bishop of Lichfield being at Florence when newes was brought to Pope Martyn the fift of Bishop Staffords death was then and there made Bishop of this church an 1419. He inioyed not long this place for he died and was buried there EDmund Laey Bishop of Hereford was translated from thence vnto this church about Easter an 1420. A man very deuont and religious but subiect to 〈◊〉 who carried him to their pleasure Great contentions were betwéene him and the city for liberties which by arbitrement were compounded He built the chapter house in his owne church and was a liberall benefactor vnto the Uicars of Calenderhay Hauing continued in this See 35. yéeres he died 1475. and lyeth buried in the North wall of the presbytery vnder a plaine marble tombe where many miracles are said to haue beene wrought and are ascribed to his helines GEorge Neuill was consecrated Nouemb. 26. an 1455. He finished the chapter house which his predecessor had begun And after that he had beene Bishop about tenne yeeres was remooued to Yorke See more of him in Yorke IOhn Boothe Batcheler of the ciuill Law was consecrated vpon the two and twentith day of February an 1466. He gouerned his church very well and builded as some suppose the Bishops Sée in the quier but being weary of the great troubles which were in this countrey betwéene king Edward the fourth and the Earle of Warwicke he remooued from hence to his house of Horsleigh in Hampshire where he died vpon the first day of Aprill an 1478. lieth buried at Saint Elements in London PEter Courtmay Bishop of Exceter was 〈◊〉 in Nouember an 1477. at Saint Stephans in Westminster He was translated from this church vnto Winchester in the ninth yéere of his being Bishop here 〈◊〉 more in Winchester RIchard Foxe succéeded him and hauing continued Bishop here 6. yéeres he was translated first to Welles and after to Winchester See more in Winchester OLiuer King was consecrate Bishop of this church in February 1492. He also was remooued to Bathe hauing sate here thrée yéeres Sée more in Bathe RIchard Redman Doctor of diuinity and Bishop of Saint Assaph became Bishop of this church from whence he was remooued to Ely in September 1501. See more in Ely IOhn Arundell descended of the ancient and most worshipfull house of the Arundels of Lanherne in Cornewall was translated from 〈◊〉 to this Church in the ende of the yéere 1501. He died at London the yéere 1503. and was buried at Saint Clements church without Temple Barre vpon the South side of the high altar vnder a toombe of marble inlaid with brasse HVgh Oldam was preferred vnto this Bishoprick by the meanes of the Lady Margaret countesse of Richmond whose chaplaine he was A man of more zeale then knowledge and more deuotion then learning somewhat rough in spéeche but in deede and action friendly He was carefull in the sauing and defending of his liberties for which continual sutes were betwéene him and the Abbot of Tauestocke He was also liberall to the Uicars Chorall of his Church and reduced them to the kéeping of commons Towards the maintenance whereof he gaue them certaine reuenewes and impropriated vnto them the rectory of Cornwood Albeit he suere not very well learned yet a great fauourer and a furtherer of learning he was Once he had intended to haue inlarged Exceter colledge in Oxeford as well in building as in reuenewes but being denied a fellowship there which he had earnestly requested in the behalfe of one Atkins he altered his determination and contributed largely toward the foundation of Corpus Christi colledge whereof he is esteemed and worthily the principall benefactor He chanced to dye excommunicate at the sute of the Abbot of Tauistock June 25. 1519. and might not be buried vntill an absolution was procured from Rome He lyeth in a Chappel of his owne building cast out of the vppermost ende of the South wall of the Church where he hath a sumptuous faire monument IOhn 〈◊〉 otherwise Harman succéeded Oldham by the preferment
Algarus 7. Alwynus 8. Alfricus he died 1038. 9. Alyfreius 10. Stigandus AFter that Alfreius was dead Stigandus 〈◊〉 him He enioying the place but a short time was depriued 11. Grinketellus THe like happened to Grinketellus which being conuicted to haue vsed vnlawfull meanes in obtaining this dignity was likewise depriued and Stigandus restored vnto it againe This Stigandus was after Bishop of Winchester and Archbishop of Canterbury See more of him in Canterbury 12. Egelmare STigandus being so preferred found a meanes also to procure the Bishopricke of the East Saxons vnto Egelmare his brother All these vntill the time of William the conquerour had their Sées at Elmham Arfastus the first Bishop of Thetford KIng William the first substituted his Chapleine Arfastus in the place of Eglemarus by whose aduise the Sée was translated from Elmham to Thetford William Herbert last of Thetford and first Bishop of Norwich NExt after him William Herbert obtained this dignity A man very famous for his excellent learning He was borne at Oxford His father was Robert is de Losinge Abbot of Winchester This Herbertus being Pryor of the Monastery of Fiscanum in Normandy came into England at the request of William Rufus and liuing in the Court for a time behaued himselfe in such sort that he was not onely entierly beloued of the king but obtained many great gists at his hands In so much that within the space of thrée yéeres he had so feathered his nest that he bought for his Father the Abbacy of Winchester and for himselfe this Bishopricke paying to the king for the same as it is reported the summe of 1900 l. For satisfaction of which Symony this pennance was enioyned him by 〈◊〉 the Pope that he should erect diuers Churches and 〈◊〉 as hereafter it is declared He translated the See from Thetford to Norwich and built there the Cathedrall Church at his owne charges laying the first stone of the foundation with his own hands as this elogium declareth which he caused to be ingrauen vpon the Wall 〈◊〉 primum hums temph 〈◊〉 dominus Herebertus posuit in nomine patris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sancti Amen This Church he dedicated to the blessed Trinity endowing it with great lands and possessions bookes and all other necessaries Hauing finished it according to his mind he then determineth to build an house for himselfe for as yet he had none in Norwich the See being so lately remoued from Thetford and therefore on the North side of the Church he founded a stately pallace Againe he built fine Churches one ouer against the Cathedrall Church on the other side of the Riuer called Saint 〈◊〉 another at Norwich also another at Elmham a fourth at Lynne and a fist at Yermouth He departed this life July 22. in the yeere of our Lord 1119. And was buried in his Cathedrall church of Norwich by the high Aulter 2. Euerard HErbert being dead Euerard Archdeacon of Salisbury was consecrate Bishop of Norwich June 12. 1121. which dignity although he enioyed a long space yet time the deuourer of all things hath left nothing of him to our remembrance but that when he had gouerned his Church 29. yeeres he ended this life October 15. 1150. 3. William Turbus AFter him succéeded William Turbus a Norman by birth being in his youth a monke in Norwich and afterwards Prior there In his time the Cathedrall Church of Norwich was burned by casuall fire He died in the 25. yeere of his consecration the 17. of Ianuary 4. Iohannes Oxoniensis IN the yéere of our Lord 1270. Iohn of Oxford Deane of Salisbury was elect Bishop of Norwich This man finished the Church which Herbert being preuented by death had left vnperfected He builded diuers Hospitals for impotent diseased people He founded Trinity Church at 〈◊〉 and reedified diuers houses which were by fire 〈◊〉 He died the 26. yéere of his consecration June 2. 1200. and was buried neere to the high Aulter In his time the Cathedrall Church was againe defaced with fire in the second yeere of king Iohn 5. Iohannes de Grey IOhn de Grey was nert preferred to this place He was a man well seene in the Lawes of the realme wise and of great integrity In regard hereof King Iohn was very desirous to haue made him Archbishop of Canterbury Sée more of that matter in Stephen Langton of Canterbury He built that goodly hall at Gaywood and the rest of the housing adioyning Sate about 14. yeeres died néere Poytiers in his returne from Rome Nouember 1. 1214. and was buried in his owne Church 6. Pandulfus AFter the death of Iohn de Grey the Sée was 〈◊〉 for the space of seuen yéeres after which time 〈◊〉 the Popes Legate was elected to the same by the Cotent He was consecrate at Rome by Honorius the Pope ann 1222. and died the fift yéere of his consecration the 17. of August After his death the Sée was void againe for the space of thrée yéeres 7. Thomas de Blundeuill THomas de Blundeuill an officer of the Exchequer was then preferred vnto the Bishopricke of Norwich by the meanes of Hubert de Burgo that famous chiefe Justice of England and consecrate December 20. 1226. He died August 16. 1236. 8. Radulphus AFter Bishop Blundeuill William Raleigh is said to haue succeeded immediately But Matthew Westminster witnesseth that one Radulphus was consecrate October 28. 1236. and died the yéere following 9. William de Raleigh THe Bishopricke was then voyd by the space almost of 3. yeeres The couent had chosen orderly for their pastor Symon the Prior of their Church a graue and Reuerend man not iustly to be excepted against yet it pleased the King to mislike him and easily procured their election to be 〈◊〉 A Cannon of Paules William de Raleigh at last obtained the same 1239. Within a short time after the Monkes of Winchester required him for their Bishop and at last after many great 〈◊〉 obtained him the King all that euer he might resisting the same Sée more of him in Winchester Walter de Sufield WAlter de Sufield succéeded a man highly commended for his excellent learning He founded the hospitall of Saint Giles in Norwich indowing it with lands and great possessions He built also the chappell of our 〈◊〉 in the cathedrall church and in the same chappell was afterward buried Moreouer it is remembred of him that in a time of great dearth he sold his plate and distributed the money euery whit vnto the poore He was consecrate the yéere 1244. and died May 18. 1257. at Colchester but was buried as aboue said in which place diuers miracles are reported to haue béene wrought and are ascribed to his holinesse 11. Simon de Wanton SImon de Wanton the kings chaplaine and one of his Justices was consecrate Bishop of Norwich March 10. 1257. When he had sate 8. yéeres he died and was buried by his predecessor This man obtayned licence of the Pope to hold all his former liuings in
〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 yéere of his consecration and 〈◊〉 to the Chaunter of the church of Norwich a house and certaine lands lying within the Lordship of 〈◊〉 Caerlton 〈◊〉 Granthorp and 〈◊〉 vpon condition he should procure masse daily to be said for his 〈◊〉 20. Henricus Spencer THe 〈◊〉 of his death swiftly flying beyond the Seas came vnto the eares of one Spencer A Gentleman greatly estéemed for his valour and skill in Martiall 〈◊〉 that serued the Pope at that time in his warres Of him with small intreaty be obtained this dignity for a brother of his named Henry a man of his own profession which of a soldier being made a bishop came into England March 16. 1370. was consecrate in his owne Church by the Archdeacon of Norwich Changing then his vesture but no his conditions in what manner of life he spent his youth in the same he most delighted euen in his 〈◊〉 yéeres And being a better Butcher then a Shepheard he procured the Popes authority for leauying an Army which not with standing the kings commaundement to the contrary 〈◊〉 transported into the Low 〈◊〉 And after that he has 〈◊〉 7000. 〈◊〉 an Army of 30. thousand and burnt the townes of 〈◊〉 Dunkyrke Newport with certaine others he returned againe into England where shortly after occasion was giuen of employing his valure at home to better purpose The yeere 1381. the commons of this realme arose in diuers parts and appointed them selues Captaines as Wat Tyler Iacke 〈◊〉 c. And amongst the rest the Commons of Suffolke and Norfolke made one Iohn Lyster their Leader a dier of Norwich and called him the king of the Commons This fellow endeuouring to ioyne his power with the rest that were now at London conducting them thither ward By the way they determined to haue surprised William Vfford Earle of Suffolke and hauing him to vse his name for the setting forward of their diuelish intents Missing of him they seased vpon all the knights they could find made them sweare to assist them One there was named sir Robert Sale that seeming to 〈◊〉 their dooings had his braines stricken out by one of his owne bondmen Amongst the rest that terrified by his example were glad to dissemble sir Stephen Hales a comely Gentleman was chosen to be the caruer forsooth of this goodly king But to proceede being now on their way they determined to send in a message vnto the king two knights sir W. Morley and sir Iohn Brewes with three Arch-rebels These happened to be encountred with their Bishop at a towne called 〈◊〉 not far from New market Being at his mannor of Burle neere Ockam Castle he heard of this 〈◊〉 determined to ride thither where he vnderstood they were assembled At what time he came to 〈◊〉 he had in his company but onely eight speares and a few Archers Notwithstanding the weaknesse of his forces he boldly inquired of the knights whether any of the kings traitors were there They dissembled a while for scare but after told him plainely that two notorious Rebels were at the Inne and the third was gone into the towne to take order for their dinner These he presently layed hold vpon and without more adoo cut off their heads which he caused to be set vpon poales at New market Thence he hasted toward Northwalsham where he vnderstoode the rebels had determined to make some stay By the way diuers Gentlemen that had hid themselues ioyned with him so that by that time he 〈◊〉 there he had a reasonable company 〈◊〉 him with that company such as it was he set vpon them who had 〈◊〉 themselues with trenches and 〈◊〉 very 〈◊〉 The Bishop for his part recouering the 〈◊〉 rode into the very midst of them and 〈◊〉 him selfe so manfully as if it had beene an action agréeble vnto his calling had deserued great commendation By his courage especially the victory in the end was atchieued The king Iohn 〈◊〉 and the rest of the chiefetaines were saine to leane their heads behind them and the whole Countrey reduced to a 〈◊〉 obedience Now to procéede vnto his other actions there was great contention betwéene him and his monkes for the space of fiftéene yéeres they being too weake for him at last were glad to giue him 400. markes to enioy their 〈◊〉 in like sort as heretofore they had done He sate Bishop 〈◊〉 37. yéeres and died 1406. 21. Alexander ALexander Prior of Norwich was elected Bishop by the monkes but the king so misliked their choise as he not onely kept him from his dignity but also imprisoned him at Winsor almost a whole yéere after his election At the 〈◊〉 of Thomas Arondell Archbishop of Canterbury and 〈◊〉 other of the Nobility he was released set at liberty and afforded consecration ann 1408. He sate sixe yéeres and was buried in our Ladies Chappell at the féete of Walter Surfield 22. Richard Courtney AT the earnest sute of king Henry the 〈◊〉 Richard Courtney Channcellor of the Uniuersity of Oxford a 〈◊〉 famous for his excellent knowledge in both Lawes was chosen by the Couent and consecrated at Canterbury by the Archbishop in the presence of the King and many of the Nobles A man of great nobility great learning and 〈◊〉 vertue very personable also much fauoured by the king and no lesse beloued among the common people He died of a 〈◊〉 in Normandy in the second yéere after his consecration ann 1415. his body being brought into England was honorably interred at Westminster 23. Iohn Wakering IOhn Wakering that for his life learning and wisedome was esteemed nothing inferior to his predecessor being kéeper of the 〈◊〉 seale was elected by the Couent and consecrated Bishop of Norwich by Henry Chichley Archbishop of Canterbury ann 1416. In his time the Counsell of Constance was holden vnto the which this Bishop with many other were sent out of England by the King In that charge he so behaued him selfe that he obtained great commendation for the same He built the Cloyster which is now to be seene in the Bishops pallace pauing the same with stones of diuers colours And hauing gouerned his charge with great praise he died and was buried in the Cathedrall Church before the Aulter of Saint George 24. William 〈◊〉 ANno 1426. William 〈◊〉 Doctor of the lawes was elected Bishop and consecrated at Saint Paules church in London by the Archbishop of Canterbury and in the 10. yéere of his 〈◊〉 was translated to Lincolne Sée more of him there 25. Thomas Browne THomas Browne Bishop of Rochester being at the 〈◊〉 of Basill had the Bishopricke of Norwich cast vpon him before euer he vnderstood of any such intent toward In his time the citizens of Norwich harboring their old grudge in their enuious mindes attempted many things against the church but such was the singular wisedome and courage of this Bishop that all their enterprises came to none effect He died when he had bene Bishop nine yéeres Anno 1445. 26. Gualter
died 1195. 35. Iohn de Constantijs Deane of Roane was consecrate at Stratford October 20. 1196. He died the yéere 1198. 36. Mangere Deane of Yorke and Chaplaine vnto king Richard the first was consecrate 1200. He was one of them that excommunicated king Iohn and interdicted the 〈◊〉 at the Popes commaundement the yéere 1208. Thereupon he was faine to flie the 〈◊〉 and died at Pontiniac in France 1212. the yéere before the rest of his brethren were called home 37. Walter Gray Bishop of Lichfield was translated hether 1214. and 1216. to Yorke See more of him there 38. 〈◊〉 sometimes a Monke and after Prior of Worceter succeeded He remoued the body of Saint Wulstan into a sumptuous shrine and the church being now throughly repaired since the burning of it in Bishop Sampson time he hallowed the same very solemply dedicating it vnto the honour of the blessed virgin Saint Peter Saint Oswald and Saint 〈◊〉 This was done 1218. in which yeere also he died 39. William de 〈◊〉 Archdeacon of Buckingham was consecrate October 7. 1218. He gaue vnto the Prior and Couent Wyke with the 〈◊〉 as also the parsonage of Sobbury and died the yeere 〈◊〉 40. Walter de 〈◊〉 the sonne of William Lord 〈◊〉 succeeded 1237. A man as of great birth so of no lesse stomack and courage He often opposed himselfe against the couetous practises and shifting deuises of the Pope and his officers The first yeere of his preferment Otto the Popes Legate at a Conuocation sought to take order for the 〈◊〉 of such as enioyed any benefices against law not beeing dispensed withall thinking belike it would prouoke many to the purchase of dispensations they cared not at what rate He counselled the Legate to take farther aduise of the Pope before he proceeded too far in this matter saying there were many of great birth whom it concerned and they were either old such hauing liued long in very worshipfull state to 〈◊〉 them now so lowe he thought it very hard or else they were yong and lusty and had rather venture their lines in any desperate course then suffer their liuing to be deminished I speake this quoth he by mine owne experience At what time it was mine owne case I was of the same minde Hauing said thus much he put on his Myter and sate him down againe Other were about to second him when the Legate seeing no good was to be doone in this matter bid them trouble themselues no farther the Bishop of Worceters aduice was good and he was determined for this time to follow it Another time to witte the yéere 1255. 〈◊〉 another legate demaunded of the cleargy of England a huge summe of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 not onely bought the kings consent thereunto but dealing priuately with many priuate 〈◊〉 men promising some and threatning other had made a very 〈◊〉 canuasse The matter being proposed when no man opening his mouth the 〈◊〉 assured himselfe the game was gatten this Bishop suddenly rose vp and exclaimed 〈◊〉 against this horrible exaction saying at last he would suffer himselfe to be hanged rather then he would euer consent vnto it Other then following his example this impudent 〈◊〉 was sent away with a sleeuelesse answere The yeere 1257. he was sent ambassador into Fraunce The yéere 1254. he tooke great paines to worke a peace betwéene the king and the Barons in whose behalfe when he had offered the king conditions as he thought most reasonable which might not be accepted he addicted himselfe vnto their party 〈◊〉 them to fight valiantly in the cause and promised heauen very confidently to them that should dye in defence of the 〈◊〉 For this he was after iustly excommunicated by the Popes legate He died February 5. 1267. at what time repenting much this fault of disobedience vnto his Prince he humbly 〈◊〉 and receiued absolution from that excommunication 41. Nicolas de Ely was consecrate in the beginning of the yéere 1268. and translated to Winchester before the 〈◊〉 of the same yéere Sée more in Winchester 42. Godfry Giffard succéeded He beautified the pillers of the East part of the church by enterlacing little pillers 〈◊〉 marble which he fastened with rings of copper guilt 〈◊〉 died 1304. hauing sate Bishop 34. yéeres fower moneths 〈◊〉 daies 43. William de Geynsborough Doctor of Diuinity was the 26. reader of Diuinity of his order in Oxeford Thence he trauelled to Rome and became Lector sacri palatij 〈◊〉 the Pope bestowed vpon him this Bishopricke He was a great learned man accounted in those times and writ much 44. Walter Reynald sometime schoolemaster vnto king Edward the second first Treasurer then Chauncellor of England became Bishop of Worceter 1308. and was 〈◊〉 to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury 1313. Sée more there 45. Walter 〈◊〉 succéeded 46. Thomas 〈◊〉 Doctor of Diusnity Cannon and Subdeane of Salisbury was elected Archbishop of Canterbury 〈◊〉 Hauing contended a while with the aboue named Walter 〈◊〉 whereof see more in Canterbury he was glad in the end to accept of this Bishopricke into which he entred March 31. 1317. He was a great learned man writ much and was moreouer so honest and vertuous a man as he was commonly called by the name of the good Clerke He lieth buried as one deliuereth in the North I le of the body of his church which Ile he caused all to be vaulted 〈◊〉 at his owne charge I should gesse by some shadow of the 〈◊〉 armes yet to be 〈◊〉 that his toombe is that which we see vpon the south side of the chappell standing on the North side of the body of the church 47. Adam de Orleton Doctor of Lawe was consecrate Bishop of Hereford September 26. 1317. translated to Worceter in Nouember 1327. and then December 1. 1333. vnto Winchester See more there 48. 〈◊〉 Mont-acute cousecrate 1333. was by the Pope translated to Ely 1336. See Ely 49. Thomas 〈◊〉 consecrate 1337. 50. Wulstan de 〈◊〉 Prior of Worceter consecrate 1338. He built the Priors great hall and the bridge of Brandsford vpon Twede two 〈◊〉 aboue Powike 51. Iohn Thorsby Bishop of Saint Dauids was translated to Worceter 1349. and in October 1352. from thence to Yorke See Yorke 52. Reginald Bryan consecrate Bishop of Saint Dauids 1349. the yéere 1352. was translated hither He was by the Pepes gift translated to Ely the yeere 1361. but died before his translation might be perfected by acceptance He lyeth buried by the North wall of a little chappell vpon the North side of the body of the Church as I gather at least wise by his armes engrauen vpon a faire toombe there 53. Dauid consecrate 1361. 54. Iohn Barnet Treasurer of England was consecrate 1362. 〈◊〉 hence to Welles 1363. and 〈◊〉 to Ely 1366. Sée Ely 55. William Wittlesey nephew vnto Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury was first Bishop of Rochester 〈◊〉 to Worceter 1363. and then the yéere 1368. to Canterbury Sée more of him there 56. William de Lynne
consecrate Bishop of 〈◊〉 the yéere 1462. was translated hither 1368. This 〈◊〉 taking horse to ride vnto the Parliament the yéere 1375. was sodainly surprised with an Apoplexy whereof he 〈◊〉 soone after 57. Henry Wakefield became bishop of 〈◊〉 1375. and the yéere following Treasurer of England He made the body of his Church longer by adding two Arches 〈◊〉 it built the North Porch and died March 11. 1394. the 20. yéere after his consecration He lyeth buried vnder a great Marble in the middle of the body of his Church toward the West end 58. Tidemannus de Winchcombe Bale reporteth one William Badby Doctor of Diuinity Consessor 〈◊〉 Iohn of Gaunt Duke of 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 béene Bishop of Worceter about the yéere 1380. It can not be true and therefore I omitte him Certaine it is that Tydemannus de Winchcomb a monke and the kings 〈◊〉 was thrust into this Sée by the Pope at the kings earnest request notwithstanding that one Iohn Greene was lawfully elect thereunto the yéere 1395. Thomas Walsingham calleth this man 〈◊〉 I doubt not Robert Tideman It should seeme vnto me that this man was for a little while Bishop of Landaff before his preferment to Worceter Sée Landaff 59. Richard Clifford Archdeacon of Canterbury was consecrate 1401. and translated to London 1407. See London 60. Thomas Peuerell a Gentleman of an 〈◊〉 house borne in Suffolke and brought vp in Oxford where he procéeded Doctor of Diuinity was first a Carmelite 〈◊〉 made Bishop of 〈◊〉 in Ireland by king Richard the 〈◊〉 at his vnfortunate being there 1398. 〈◊〉 thence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1399. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Worceter 1407. 〈◊〉 sate Bishop ten yéeres died March 1. 1417. and was buried in his owne Church 61. Philip Morgan Doctor of law was consecrate the yéere 1419. and translated vnto Ely in the end of the yéere 1425. See Ely 62. Thomas Pulton was consecrate Bishop of Hereford 1420. staying there but one yeere and three monethes was remooued to Chichester 1422. and lastly the yeere 1426. became Bishop of Worceter He died at Rome and was buried there 63. Thomas 〈◊〉 succéeded The yéere 1435. soone after his 〈◊〉 to Worceter he was elected vnto Ely but 〈◊〉 not accept of the same Long after at another 〈◊〉 he was againe chosen to wit 1443. and enioyed that place till the yéere 1454. at what time he was remooued to Canterbury See more in Ely and Canterbury 64. Iohn Carpenter This man had so great affection vnto Westbury a place néere Bristow as he not onely bestowed exceeding great cost vpon the colledge there and chose it for his place of buriall but also intended as I find reported to haue honoured it with a part of his 〈◊〉 and to haue taken vpon him the name of the Bishop of Worceter and Westbury There had bene an old colledge in that place long before He pulled it downe and in the new building 〈◊〉 it very much compassing it about with a strong wall embatteled adding a 〈◊〉 gate with diuers towers more like vnto a castle then a colledge and lastly bestowed much good land for augmenting the reuenew of the same One that hauing beene long a merchant of Bristow in the later ende of his life became Deane of this colledge built the church of Ratcliff neere Bristow a notable worke and lieth buried in the same But to returne to our Bishop who also built the 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 he died at Bishops Northweeke and was buried as before said at Westbury 65. Iohn 〈◊〉 Bishop of Rochester was translated to Worceter 1476. and thence to Ely Sée Ely 66. Robert Moorton nephew to Iohn Moorton Archbishop of Canterbury succéeded He lieth buried in the body of Saint Paules church in London 67. Iohn Gygles or de Lilijs an Italian borne in 〈◊〉 succéeded him 68. Syluester Gigles nephew vnto Iohn Gigles 〈◊〉 his vncle 69. Iolius Medices a Cardinall of Rome nephew vnto the Pope Leo 10. and afterwards Pope himselfe by the name of Clement the seuenth was Bishop of Worceter a little while in the yéere 1522. in which yéere he both accepted and resigned this Bishopricke 70. Hieronymus de Nugutijs an Italian also obtained this Bishopricke by the resignation of 〈◊〉 and enioyed it many yeeres 71. Hugh Latimer borne in Leicetershire and brought vp in Cambridge became Bishop of Worceter 1535. The yéere 1539. except he would yéeld a wicked and dissembling consent vnto the sixe Articles there was no remedy but 〈◊〉 must resigne his Bishopricke He resigned togither with 〈◊〉 Shaxton Bishop of Salisbury July 1. afterwards to wit October 16. 1555. sealed the doctrine which he had long preached with his blood ending his life in the fire for the circumstances whereof as also of his whole life and actions I refer you to Master Foxe 72. Iohn Bell Doctor of Lawe and Archdeacon of Gloceter succéeded he was of the kings counsell in the cause of his diuorce from Quéene Katherine He 〈◊〉 buried at Clarkenwell by London on the North side of the East end of the chancell vnder a marble stone whereon is fixed this Epitaph Contegit hoc marmor Doctorem nomine Bellum Qui belle rexit praesulis officium Moribus ingenio vitae probitate vigebat Laudato cunctis cultus eloquio Ann. 1556. Aug. 11. 73. Nicolas Heath Bishop of Rochester was translated to Worceter 1543. and displaced October 10. 1551. Queene Mary restored him againe in the beginning of her raigne made him first Lord President of Wales then Archbishop of Yorke the yéere 1553. and lastly Lord Chauncellor of England See Yorke 74. Iohn Hooper held Gloceter in Commendam Sée Gloceter 75. Richard Pates as it should séeme by a report that I finde became Bishop of Worceter about the yeere 1534. and being sent beyond the seas in 〈◊〉 refused to returne Whereupon his Bishopricke was bestowed vpon M. Latymer Certaine it is that he subscribed to the Councel of Trent by the name of Rich. Patus Wigorn Epis. Queene Mary least she should seeme to do him wrong hauing appointed Heath to the Archbishoprick of Yorke restored him to Worceter 76. Edwyn Sandes translated from London hither and hence to Yorke 77. Nicolas Bullingham translated from Lincolne 78. Iohn 〈◊〉 translated to Canterbury Sée Canterbury 79. Edmund Freake translated from Norwich died in the end of the yéere 1590. about the 20. of March Sée Norwich 80. Richard Fletcher translated from Bristoll to Worceter and from Worceter to London 81. Thomas 〈◊〉 translated to Winchester 82. Geruase Babington Bishop first of Landaff then of Exceter and lastly translated hither an 1597. This Bishopricke is now valued at 1049 l. 17 s. 3 d. ob farthing In the Popes bookes at 2000. ducats The Bishops of Hereford AN Episcopall Sée was first established at Hereford and Putta made the first Bishop there the yeere 680. After him these 2. Tirhtellus 3. Torteras 4. Wastold alias Walstod He began the making of a sumptuous crosse which his successor finished 5. 〈◊〉 onsecrate 736 was
Richard kéeper of the Seale vnder the Chauncellour of England was consecrate at 〈◊〉 Ianuary 16. 1120. died at 〈◊〉 August 15. 1127 and was buried at Hereford the particular place I find not It was an opinion of 〈◊〉 men about this time that the Bishopricke of Hereford was a fatall 〈◊〉 and might not suffer any one man long to 〈◊〉 it 33. Robert de 〈◊〉 Prior of 〈◊〉 was consecrate at Oxford June 29. 1131. A man of great authority and much emploied by the Pope in all his 〈◊〉 within the 〈◊〉 He died April 27. 1148. and 〈◊〉 buried in the South wall ouer against the Presbitery 34. Gilbert 〈◊〉 consecrate 1149. The yéere 1161. or 〈◊〉 some deliuer 1163. he was translated to London See London 35. Robert de 〈◊〉 succéeded He died February 〈◊〉 1167. and was buried hard by Robert de 〈◊〉 36. Robert Foliot 〈◊〉 of Oxford was 〈◊〉 by the Chapter of Hereford the king granting licence of 〈◊〉 election the yéere 1173. and the yéere following he was 〈◊〉 with diuers other whose Sées likewise had stood long voide by reason of the 〈◊〉 betwéene the king and Thomas Becket Sée Richard More of Winch. He studied in 〈◊〉 vniuersities of 〈◊〉 and grew there 〈◊〉 with Thomas Becket the 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 much for his singular learning and other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 parts in regard whereof he also preferred him to his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the foundation of his aduancement to this Bishopricke He died May 9. 1186. and was buried next his pedecessor 37. William le Vere a great builder was consecrate 1186 and died December 24. 1199. He was buried 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So these 〈◊〉 lie together Robert de Betune Robert de 〈◊〉 Robert Foliot and this man Their toombs are very like and but by their place and order hardly to be distinguished 38. Gyles de Bruse the sonne of William Bruse a man of great power and nobility was consecrate September 24. 1200. In the Barons wars he tooke part with them against king Iohn and at last was faine to 〈◊〉 the realme Afterwards being suffered to returne and receaued into the kings fauour he trauailed homeward and died in the way at Gloreter Nouember 17. 1215. He left great possessions descended vnto him by his auncestors he left them I say to 〈◊〉 de Bruse his brother that maried the daughter of Llewellyn ap 〈◊〉 Prince of Northwales This man lieth buried vpon the North side of the Presbitery The image that lieth vpon his toombe holdeth the likenesse of a stéeple in his hand whereby it should seeme he built one of the towers or steeples 39. 〈◊〉 de Mapenore succéeded He died about Easter 1219 and lieth buried as I remember in the North wall neere the toombe of Bishop Egueblank 40. Hugh Foliot consecrate in the beginning of Nouemb. 1219. died Iul. 26. 1234. 41. Ralf de Maydenstan succéeded him This man bought of a gentleman named Monthault the house belonging to the Bishopricke of Hereford in London together with the patronage 〈◊〉 the parsonage of Saint Mary Monthault adioyning and gaue them vnto his See The yéere 1239 he resigned his Bishopricke and tooke on him the habite of a Franciscane Frier at Oxford He liued afterwards a 〈◊〉 life at Gloceter the space of fiue yéeres and then dying was buried there 42. Peter d' Egueblank borne in Sauoy was elected August 24. 1239. and consecrate soone after He is very odious in our histories for 〈◊〉 the king vnto a strange and intollerable kind of exaction the yeere 1255. such and so great as it euen quite beggered all the Cleargy of that time The yéere following he tooke great paines in canuassing for the Archbishoprick of 〈◊〉 and hauing spent much mony in procuring letters from the king and diuers other great parsonages to request in his behalfe newes was brought that the old Archbishop that he tooke to be dead and whose place he sought was yet aliue and aliues-like The yéere 1263. the Barons arrested him in his owne Cathedrall church 〈◊〉 vpon his goods deuided his treasure vnto their souldiers 〈◊〉 his face and imprisoned him a long time in the castle of Ordley He was cursed of so many saith one it was impossible that many calamities should not light vpon him Long before this captiuity his face was horribly deformed with a kind of leprosy which some call Polypus and though he left no meanes vnsought could not be cured of it till his dying day He departed this life Nouember 27. 1268. and lieth buried vnder a large and faire toombe ouer against the North doore of the quier This man gaue vnto his church two 〈◊〉 of corne of ninety sixe bushels a piece yéerely to be 〈◊〉 to the Ministers of the same for euer He also founded a Monastery at Aqua-bella in Sauoy at which place it séemeth he was borne and caused his heart to be buried there as 〈◊〉 by a monument in the church of that house yet 〈◊〉 43. Iohn Breton Doctor of bothe lawes was also very well séene in the common Lawes of the land and writ a great volume de iuribus Anglicanis He died May 12. 1275. 44. Thomas Cantilupe was a gentleman of a very 〈◊〉 and auncient house but of a much more noble and excellent mind being not only maruailous witty but euer from a 〈◊〉 very studious and painefull very harmelesse and vertuously giuen He was brought vp in the vniuersity of Oxford where he procéeded first Master of Art then studied the Cannon 〈◊〉 and as it seemeth procéeded Doctor of Law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is and without all question that he procéeded Doctor of 〈◊〉 the yéere 1273. Robert Kilwardby with whome he was very familiarly acquainted was then Prouinciall of the 〈◊〉 Preachers and Doctor of the Chaire in Oxford when he was presented but before the time came he should stand in the 〈◊〉 the said Doctor Kilwardby was become Archbishop of Canterbury That notwithstanding he 〈◊〉 this his old friend that honour as to make a iourney downe to the vniuersity of purpose and there being Archbishop to 〈◊〉 him the ceremonies of his creation And it is reported moreouer that amongst many other praises he gaue him in his oration he signified that hauing bene long his Confessor he neuer 〈◊〉 him guilty of any mortall sinne Omnis 〈◊〉 mendax Either the Confessor or the Confessée or the reporter lied I doubt not He was consecrate Bishop of Hereford September 8. 1275. being then Archdeacon of Stafford and Chauncellor of England The yéere 1282. he was faine to trauaile to Rome about a controuersy betweene him and Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury In the way thether he died at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 August 25. 1282. His body was brought to Hereford and there solempnly enterred néere the East wall of the North crosse I le where we see a high toombe of marble Many miracles are said to haue beene wrought at the place of his buriall in regard whereof it pleased the Pope afterwards to make him a Saint and all the Bishops of Hereford
since his time in honour of him doo beare his coate of armes as the coate of their See viz. G. 3. leopards heads ieasant 3. Flower-deluces O. 45. Richard de Swinfield succéeded Doctor of Diuinity a Kentish man borne a very eloquent man and a great preather He was consecrate March 7. following sate 34. yéeres and died March 15. 1316. He lieth buried on the North side of the North I le aboue the quier as an Elogium witnesseth engrauen vpon a marble that couereth his toombe 46. Adam d'Orleton Doctor of Law borne in Hereford was consecrate September 26. 1317. In the moneth of October 1327. he was translated to Worceter and after that to Winchester Sée Winchester 47. Thomas Charlton Doctor of Lawe and Cannon of Yorke was consecrate by the Popes commandement October 18. 1327 The yéere 1329. he was for a while Treasurer of England He sate 16. yéeres and died Ianuary 11. 1343. He hath a reasonable faire toombe in the North wall of the North crosse I le ouer against the clocke 48. Iohn Trillecke sate 16. yéeres and a halfe 49. Lewes Sherlton or Charlton sate 8. yéeres and died the yéere 1369. He lieth in a faire monument in the North wall of the South I le aboue the quier 50. William Courtney consecrate 1369. sate 5. yéeres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to London 1375. and afterwards 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 51. Iohn Gilbert Bishop of 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him in 〈◊〉 The yeere 1385. he was sent Ambassador into 〈◊〉 1286. he was made Treasurer of England 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1389. as one deliuereth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is 〈◊〉 he was translated to Saint 〈◊〉 about the 〈◊〉 of the yéere 1389. 52. Iohn 〈◊〉 or Trefrant a Cannon of Saint 〈◊〉 one of the Auditors of the 〈◊〉 in Rome became Bishop of Hereford the yéere 1389. The 〈◊〉 1400. he was sent ambassador to Rome to informe the Pope of the title of 〈◊〉 Henry the fourth 〈◊〉 the crowne He sate Bishop about 〈◊〉 yéeres and a 〈◊〉 died 1404. and lieth buried 〈◊〉 the South wall of the South crosse 〈◊〉 where we sée a faire and costly monument erected for him 53. Robert Mascall being yet very yoong became a 〈◊〉 Carmelite at Ludlow After that he went to Oxford where he so 〈◊〉 in learning and other vertues as he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of all 〈◊〉 King Henry the fourth 〈◊〉 choice of him for his Confessor and 〈◊〉 meanes to preferre him vnto the 〈◊〉 of Hereford He built the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of the white 〈◊〉 at London 〈◊〉 many rich 〈◊〉 vnto that house died there December 21. 1417. and there was 〈◊〉 in a goodly monument of 〈◊〉 He was often Ambassador vnto 〈◊〉 Princes and the yéere 1415. was sent to the Counsell of 〈◊〉 with two other Bishops 54. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doctor of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 béene 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1420. Sée 〈◊〉 55. Thomas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was consecrate 1420. 〈◊〉 Bishop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yéere and thrée 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 was remooued first to 〈◊〉 after that to 〈◊〉 Sée Worceter 56. Thomas 〈◊〉 Abbot of Saint Maries in Yorke 〈◊〉 Bishop 〈◊〉 26. yéeres 57. Richard Beauchamp hauing 〈◊〉 here two yéeres 〈◊〉 thrée moneths was 〈◊〉 to Salisbury an 1450. 58. Reynold Butler Abbot of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 two yeeres and a halfe and was translated to 〈◊〉 April 3. 〈◊〉 59. Iohn Stanbery was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brought 〈◊〉 in the Uniuersity of Oxford where he proceeded doctor of 〈◊〉 and read the Lecture of that faculty King Henry the sixt called him thence to be the first Prouost of his new 〈◊〉 colledge at 〈◊〉 and moreouer made him this Confessor The yéere 1446. he was elected Bishop of Norwich But 〈◊〉 de la Poole Duke of Suffolke thrust in a chaplaine of his owne notwithstanding this election and so disappointed him Shortly after to wit the yeere 1448. the king found meanes to preferre him to Bangor and fiue yeeres after that to Hereford where he sate one and twenty yeeres He died at Ludlow in the house of the Carmelites May 11. 1474. and was buried in his owne church vpon the North side of the high altar in a too 〈◊〉 be of alabaster A man not only very learned whereof he left many monuments in writing but very wise exceeding well spoken and which is not to be omitted tall of stature and of a very comely presence But I 〈◊〉 his greatest commendation his constant and vnmooueable fidelity vnto his Prince for which being taken prisoner at the battle of Northampton 1460 he was committed to the castle of Warwicke and lay in durance 〈◊〉 long time Upon his toombe are fixed these barbarous verses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tetra 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stanbery 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioannis Doctoralis erat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 o Christe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sordem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bene sedem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mors 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 trux 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anno M. C. 〈◊〉 L. X. 〈◊〉 bino 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Qui legis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 benigna Vt sint absque mora 〈◊〉 sibigaudia digna 60. Thomas Myllyng being yet very yoong became a 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and then went to Oxford where he 〈◊〉 till he became Doctor of Diuinity hauing in the meane time attayned good knowledge in the Gréeke 〈◊〉 which in those daies was geason Returning then to Westminster he was made Abbot there and shortly after 〈◊〉 vnto the Bishopricke of Hereford by king Edward the fourth vnder whom he was of the priuy counsell and was godfather vnto Prince Edward his eldest sonne He died the yéere 1493. and lieth buried at Westminster in the middle of the chappel of Saint Iohn Baptist where against the North wall there is a fleight monument erected in memory of him 61. Edmund Audeley Bishop of Rochester was 〈◊〉 to Hereford 1493. and thence to Salisbury 1502. Sée Salisbury 62. Hadrian de Castello consecrate 1502. was made 〈◊〉 the next yéere and then translated to Welles 1504. Sée Welles 63. Richard Mayo Chauncellour and Archdeacon of Oxford as also President of Magdalene colledge there for the space of 27. yéeres and Almoner vnto king Henry the 7. the yere 1501. was sent Ambassador into Spaine to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Ladie Katherine to be married vnto Prince Arthur Not long after his returne thence to wit the yéere 1504. he was 〈◊〉 vnto the Bishopricke of 〈◊〉 which he held eleuen yéeres and somewhat more He deceased Aprill 18. 1516. and was buried on the South side of the high altar where there is a goodly toombe erected in memory of him 64. Charles Boothe Doctor of Diuinity Archdeacon of Buckingham and Chauncellour of the Marches of Wales was consecrate 1516. He bestowed great cost in repayring his house at London and sate eighteene yéeres and fiue moneths He lieth entoombed in the North wall of the body of his church 65. Edward Foxe Doctor of Diuinity and 〈◊〉 vnto king Henry the eight was brought vp in Kings
the certaine time I know not and drawing toward his end deliuered vnto the poore with his owne hands whatsoeuer he had in the world leauing him selfe scarce clothes to couer him He was euer a great almes man and notwithstanding his great building a great house keeper also Neither was he lesse carefull of the spirituall Temple of Christ then the materiall he was a very painefull Preacher yéerely visiting his whole Dioces preaching in euery place thrice reprehending and punishing sinne seuerely and lastly performing such other pastorall duties as he thought vnto his charge might belong 4. Seffridus Abbot of Glastonbury was brother vnto Ralfe Archbishop of Canterbury He was consecrate Aprill 12. 1125. 5. Hilarius This man onely of all the Bishops in England was content absolutely to allow of the declaration after published at Clarindon without mention of that odious clause saluo ordine fuo but was shrewdly bayted of his brethren for his labor as in the life of Thomas Becket you may read more at large 6. Iohn de Greenford Deane of Chichester was elected the yéere 1173. consecrate 1174. and died 1180. 7. Seffridus the second succéeded In his time to witte October 19. 1187. the Cathedrall Church together with the whole City was once more consumed with casuall fire The Church and his owne palace he both reedified in very good sort 8. Simon de Welles was elected Bishop December 22. ann 1198. 9. Richard Poore Deane of Salisbury was consecrate 1215. translated to Salisbury 1117. and after to Durham Sée Durham 10. Ralfe first Officiall then Prior of Norwich succéeded him in Chichester He gaue to the Church a Windmill in Bishopstone and died 1222. 11. Ralfe Neuil al. de Noua villa was elected Nouember 1. 1222. and consecrate the yéere following being then lately made Chauncellor of England by the consent and good liking of the whole realme for the great opinion they had of his vprightnesse and sincerity whereof indéede he yéelded such proofe in the execution of that office as neuer any man held the same with greater commendation About the yeere 1230. he was chosen Archbishop of Canterbury but was so farre from 〈◊〉 that dignity corruptly as he refused to giue the monkes money to pay for their charges in certifying this election vnto the Pope Now he missed it see Canterbury in the life of S. Edmund After that he was elect Bishop of Winchester See the successe thereof in William de Raleigh of Winchester He died February 1. 1244. at London in that house which is now knowen by the name of Lincolnes Inne He built it from the ground to be a house of receite for himselfe and his successors when they should come to London After his time I know not by what meanes it came to the possession of Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne who somwhat enlarged it and left it the name it now hath This Bishop moreouer builded a Chappell and dedicated it to Saint Michaell without the East gate of Chichester and was otherwise a great Benefactor vnto his owne Church 12. Richard de la Wich After the death of Ralf Neuil the Canons of Chichester to curry fauour with the king chose a Chaplaine of his for their Bishop one Robert Passelew a man wise inough and one that had done the king much good seruice but so vnlearned as the Bishops of the realme 〈◊〉 much to be ioyned with him procured his election to be disanulled and Richard de Wiche to be chosen This Richard de Wiche was borne at Wiche in Worcetershire of which place he tooke his surname and was brought vp in the vniuersities of Oxford first and Paris afterward Being come to mans state he trauailed to Bononia where hauing studied the Canon Law seuen yéeres he became publique reader of the same After that he spent some time at Orleans in France and then returning home was made Chauncellour vnto Saint Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury as also of the vniuersity of Oxford He was consecrate by the Pope him selfe at Lyons 1245. and so gouerned the charge committed to him as all men greatly reuerenced him not onely for his great learning but much more for his diligence in preaching his manifold vertues and aboue all his integrity of life and conuersation In regard of these things as also of many miracles that are fathered vpon him he was canonised and made a Saint some seuen yéeres after his death He deceased Aprill 2. 1253. the ninth yeere after his consecration and of his age the fifty sixt He was buried in his owne church and the yeere 1276 his body was remooued from the first place of buriall and laid in a sumptnous shrine 13. Iohn Clypping a Canon of Chichester succéeded him This man amongst other things gaue vnto his church the Mannour of Drungwick vpon which he built much at his owne cost euen all the Mannour house there 14. Stephen Of whom I find nothing but this that he was excommunicate the yéere 1265. for taking part with the Barons against the king 15. Gilbertus de Sancto Leofardo died the yéere 1305. He was saith Matthew Westminster a father of the fatherlesse a comforter of mourners a defender of widdowes a releeuer of the poore a helper of the distressed and a diligent visiter of the sick especially the poore vnto whom he resorted more often then vnto the rich He ascribeth also diuers miracles vnto him beléeue him as you list He raised from the foundation the Chappell of Saint Mary 16. Iohn de Langton sometimes Chauncellor of England builded a costly window in the south part of the church This Bishop or at least he that was Bishop of Chichester the yéere 1315. excommunicated the Earle Warren for adultery whereupon the Earle came vnto him with armed men and made shew of some intent to lay violent hands vpon him The Bishops men perceiuing it set vpon them and by their Masters commaundement put both the Earle and his men in prison 17. Robert Stratford Archdeacon of Canterbury Channcellor of the Uniuersity of Oxford and Lord Chauncellor of England at what time he was preferred to the Bishopricke of Chichester made suite he might with the kings good fauor giue ouer his office which was graunted him but not long after it was layd vpon him againe He died the yéere 1361. 18. William de Lenne alias 〈◊〉 Doctor of law and Deane of Chichester was translated to Worceter 1368. See Worceter 19. William Reade was sometimes fellow of Perton colledge in Oxford where he gaue himselfe most part vnto the study of that Mathematikes that to so good purpose as he hath the reputation of the most excellent Mathematician of his age In his riper yéeres he fell to Diuinity and 〈◊〉 Doctor in that faculty He built the castle of Amberly from the ground left his picture many tables and Astronomicall instruments to Merton colledge where I heare they are yet kept 20. Thomas Rushooke a Fryer preacher Doctor of Diuinity and Confessor vnto the king was first
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
vnto Dauid a disciple of his He died and was buried in the Isle of Enlhi now called Bardsey where he lead a solitary life many yeeres Nouember 14. ann 612. His bones were afterwards remooued to Landaff by 〈◊〉 Bishop there May 7. 1120. 1. Saint Dauid DAuid before named was vncle vnto king Arthur 〈◊〉 son of Xantus a Prince of Wales begotten vpon one Melearia a Nunne A man very learned eloquent 〈◊〉 incredible austerity of life and conuersation He was also very tall of stature and of a comely personage By his diligence 〈◊〉 was quite rooted out and many earnest professors of the same conuerted vnto the truth With the consent of king Arthur he remooued his Sée from Caerlegion to 〈◊〉 which euer since of him is called of the Welch Twy Dewi and of vs Saint Dauids A place neither pleasant fertile or 〈◊〉 For as Giraldus Cambr. reporteth of it it is neither furnished with wood watered with riuers beautified with medowes nor inriched with any kind of fruitfull 〈◊〉 affoording plentifully nothing but rockes and barren hils vehement winds and tempests and lastly the dangers and iniuries whereunto solitary places néere the Sea are subiect by Pyrates and otherwise It séemeth he 〈◊〉 the frequency of people at 〈◊〉 as a meanes to withdraw him from contemplation whereunto that he might be more free he made choice of this place for his Sée rather then for any fitnesse of the same otherwise He sate long to witte 65. yéeres and died at last ann 642. hauing first built 12. Monasteries in the Countrey thereabout being now 146. yéeres of age as Bale out of the British histories reporteth He was buried in his owne Cathedrall Church and many hundreth yéeres after Canonised a Saint by Pope Calixtus the second Many things are reported of him incredible therefore not worth rehearsing although I doubt not but God affoorded many miracles to the first infancy of our Church neither therefore would I be so peremptory in derogating too much from such reports as we sée no reason why they may not be true Of him they say that his birth was foretold 〈◊〉 yéeres before hand that he was alwaies attended by an Angell that kept him company that he bestowed vpon the waters at 〈◊〉 that extraordinary heate they haue and to repeat no more for this is much more then any discrete man will beléeue that vpon a time preaching to a great multitude of people at Breuy the plaine ground grew vp in their sight and increased vnder his féete vnto a pretty hillocke After Saint Dauidsate successiuely these as Giraldus setteth them downe 2. Cenanc 3. Eliud or Teilau 4. Ceneu 5. Morwal 6. Haerunen or Haernurier 7. Elwaed 8. Gurnuen 9. Lendiuord 10. Gorwyst 11. Gorgan 12. Cledaue 13. Anian 14. Eluoed 15. Ethelmen 16. Elanc 17. Malscoed 18. Sadermen 19. Catellus 20. Sulhaithnay 21. Nonis 22. Etwall 23. Asser. 24. Arthuael Acertaine antiquity belonging vnto the Church of Saint Dauid reporteth a Catalogue somewhat different from this of Giraldus to wit this that followeth 1. Saint Dauid 2. Eliud 3. Theliaus 4. Kenea 5. Morwal 6. Haernurier 7. Eluaeth 8. Gurnel 9. Lendywyth 10. Gorwist 11. Gorgan 12. Cledaucke 13. Eynaen 14. Eludgeth 15. Eldunen 16. Eluaeth 17. Maelsehwyth 18. Madenew 19. Catulus 20. Syluay 21. Namys 22. Sathueney 23. Doythwall 24. Asser. 25. Athuael 26. Sampson Of these forenamed Bishops vntill Sampson there 〈◊〉 no memoriall but their names onely In his time the Sée of Saint Dauid had seuen Bishops Suffragans 〈◊〉 vnto it as the foresaid antiquity declareth to wit Exceter Bathe Hereford Landaff Bangor Saint Assaph Fernes in Ireland While he was Bishop it happened the people of all that countrey were woonderfully vexed with the Iaundise so as great numbers of them died daily of that disease By the 〈◊〉 of his cleargy and disciples he was induced to fly the countrey and sayled into Britaine where the Bishopricke of Dola being void he was straight way 〈◊〉 vnto the same He had brought thither with him the Archiepiscopall pall of Saint Dauid and vsed it during his life as did also his successors for many yéeres vntill they were 〈◊〉 by the Pope atthe suite of the Archbishop of 〈◊〉 to leaue it and make profession of obedience vnto him 〈◊〉 former times By this occasion it fell out that she successors of Sampson in Saint Dauids what for want of their pall or for pouerty or negligence or by some other occasion lost their title of Archbishop and to this day neuer recouered the same Howbeit they vsed all authority belonging to an Archbishop by consecrating of other Bishops c. Neither euer did they make profession of subiection vnto Canterbury vntil the time of Henry the 1. king of England whereof we shal speak more hereafter After Sampson succeeded these 26. Rucline 27. Rodherch 28. Elguin 29. Lunuerd or Lywarch 30. Nergu or Vergw 31. 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 32. Eneuris 33. Morgeneu This man saith Giraldus of all the Bishops of S. Dauids presumed first to eate flesh which none of them had euer done before him For punishment of which haynous offence he supposeth it fel out that afterwards he was murthered of Pirates reporting withall how that after his death he appoored to a Bishop in Ireland vsing these words Quia carnes comedi caro factus sum For eating of flesh I am now become nothing but flesh 34. 〈◊〉 35. Ieuan He continued Bishop one onely night 36. Argustell 37. Morgenueth 38. Eruyn or Hernnn a godly and learned man died an 1038. 39. Trameriu or Carmerin 40. Ioseph 41. Bleithud He died the 〈◊〉 1070. 42. Sulghein He for sooke his Bishopricke the yéere 1076. 43. Abraham The yere 1078. or therabout S. 〈◊〉 was spoyled and destroyed by strangers and Abraham the Bishop what through 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was constrained to 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notwithstanding he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the 〈◊〉 1085. and 1088. died being 80. yéeres of age the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 man and the greatest Clerke in al 〈◊〉 so saith the 〈◊〉 Chronicle of him 44. After him a sonne of his called Rythmarch succéeded as the Chronicle of Wales deliuereth and died about the yéere 1100. the godliest wisest and greatest Clerks that had beene heere in 〈◊〉 many yeeres before sauing his father saith the Chronicle who had brought him vp and a great number of learned disciples 45. Wylfred He died the yéere 1115. It séemeth the 〈◊〉 Chronicle calleth him Griffri 46. Bernard a Norman Chaplaine vnto king Henry the first and Chauncellour to his Queene was 〈◊〉 by the Archbishop of Canterbury July 12. 1115. not 〈◊〉 by the Clergie of Wales as hitherto had béene 〈◊〉 but forced vpon them by the king that had then newly conquered Wales This man being in great 〈◊〉 with the king and 〈◊〉 vpon the goodnesse of his 〈◊〉 beg in to take on him the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and caused his 〈◊〉 somtimes in Wales to be 〈◊〉 before him After long 〈◊〉 and
〈◊〉 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
other of his Italians to any other promotion in his Dioces For his labour he was quickely susspended Wherewith he was so little terrified as that notwithstanding he stood still stoutly to his tackling and yeelded not one inch Iordan therefore whether doubting of good successe or wearied with trouble or in regard that he perceiued himselfe very odious in Yorke resigned his Deanry accepting a pension of 100. markes out of it This composition with Iordan nothing apeased the Popes fury Determining belike to make him an example to other he first caused his crosse in contumelious maner to be taken from him and soone after thundred on t his greatest excōmunication against him causing him to be cursed throughout England with bell booke and candle By these and infinite other vexations saith Matthew Paris he was much disgraced in the fight of the world but became no doubt far the more acceptable in the sight of God So long he denied to how his knees vnto this 〈◊〉 as ouercome with care and not induring those 〈◊〉 all molestations he died at last hart broken much better deseruing the name of a Martyr then many other to whom the church of Rome hath afforded that title Lying vpon his death bed perceiuing his end to approch with watry eies looking 〈◊〉 towards heauen in that bitternes of his soule he made this prayer which I thinke not vnworthy in this place to be inserted Lord Iesus Christ thou most iust iudge from whose 〈◊〉 wisedome nothing is hid thou knowest how the Pope vnto whom thou hast suffered the gouernment of thy church to be deliuered hath with manifold 〈◊〉 ouerwhel med my innocencie for no other cause as thou canst witnes the world doubteth not then this that I would not admit men altogether vnknowne yea and most vnfit vnto the cure and care of those churches the rule and charge whereof vnto me though vnwoorthie thou hast committed Notwithstanding least by my contempt the Popes 〈◊〉 sentence of excommunication become iust and deserued with all humilitie I craue to be absolued from the same But I appeale vnto thee the supreme and vncorruptible iudge and both heauen and earth shall be my witnesses that he hath most vniustly vexed and many waies as gréeuously as wrongfully offended me Before his end also he writ vnto the Pope a very effectuall and pithie letter wherein he laied before him at large the miserable estate into which the 〈◊〉 of him and his predecessors had brought the church praying him to haue a care to amend what was amisse to remember that Christ repeated vnto Peter thrice Feede my sheepe but not so much as once or halfe once bid him either to flay them or to sheere them much lesse to teare out their very bowels to deuours or destroy them as he did But the Pope was so farre from following this good aduise as he not onely contemned the same but first derided the good Bishop for his labor afterward grew into great choller taking it hainously that any mortall man should be so presumptuous as to admonish him of his dutie He sate Archbishop onely two yéeres in which time he reformed many things amisse in the state of his Church He caused the stipend of the ministers of Saint Sepulchres chappell to be increased and appointed them to be called Cannons He erected Uicariges in diuers impropriate churches which till that time were very ill serued and did many other things woorth memorie but more 〈◊〉 haue done if his time had béene either longer or more quiet and peaceable He died vpon or neere vnto Ascention 〈◊〉 1258. and was buried in his Cathedrall church The place of his sepulture there was much frequented of the ignorant people that esteemed him a Saint Notwithstanding the great conflicts betweene him and the Pope our monkes doubt not to father vpon him a miracle of turning water into wine by blessing it in time of his sicknesse The 〈◊〉 whereof I leaue vnto the Reader 35. Godfry de Kinton ABout this time saith Matthew Paris an order was taken at Rome that euery elect Bishop of England must before his consecration fetch the Popes approbation at Rome whence if his purse helped him not the better he was sure to returne home as wise as he went foorth The first that was inforced to this vagare was 〈◊〉 de Kinton or as other write him Godfry de Ludham He was Deane of Yorke and being elect at home trauailed to Rome where he receaued consecration September 23. 1258. This man J know not vpon what quarrell interdicted the whole city of Yorke in the beginning of lent and restored it not till the third of May following which was in the yeere 1261. He sate sixe yeeres three moneths and eigghtéene daies dying then about Twelfetide 1264. he was buried in his owne church 36. Walter Giffard AFter the death of Godfry William de Langton Deane of Yorke was elected to succéede him But the Pope for what cause I know not peraduenture because he brought not mony enough in his purse reiected him and translated Walter Giffard from Bathe and Welles to Yorke He was the Popes Chaplaine and Cannon of Welles first Treasurer then Chauncellor of England Elected to Bathe May 22. 1264. From whence he was remooued 1266. hauing continued there onely two yéeres He liued at Yorke thirtéen yéeres departed this life Aprill 25. 1279. and lieth buried there in Saint Peters church 37. William Wickwane IT shall not be amisse here to remember that Onuphrius reporteth Saint Bonauenture whom he calleth Bonauentura Fidanza to haue bene preferred about this time from the Archbishopricke of Yorke vnto the place of a Cardinall viz. in the yeere 1274. Paulus 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith that at what time diuers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came to the Councell of Lyons to conferre with the learned men of our Westerne church concerning the difference of opinions betwéene vs and them Thomas Aquinas who then read Diuinitie at Naples was sent for as the fittest man of that age to deale with them but he died in the way Bonauenture was then appointed to supply his place and least the 〈◊〉 should despise him being but a frier 〈◊〉 The Pope offered him the Archbishopricke of Yorke He was loath saith Paulus 〈◊〉 to take so great a charge vpon him and vpon his refusall was made a Cardinall I cannot see how either of these reports should be true For the See of Yorke at that time and long both before and after was full being possessed by Walter Giffard from the yeere 1266. til 1279. Now to leaue Bonauenture as we finde him ye shall vnderstand that the Deane and Chapter of Yorke soone after the death of Walter Giffard elected for their Archbishop William Wickwane one of their owne company and Chauncellour of their church Of him little is recorded but that the first yeere of his consecration he remooued the bones of Saint 〈◊〉 his predecessor and caused them to be placed in a costly shrine with great solemnity
to Worceter and about the middle of October 1352. being then Chauncelor of England to Yorke He was brought vp in Oxford where he was very much esteemed for his learning being a great 〈◊〉 and a very good Canonist He writ diuers things both in English and Latine amongst the rest he published an exposition vpon the ten Commandements in his mother toong which he required all the Clergy men in his Dioces to read diligently vnto their parishioners That worke I haue and keepe as a 〈◊〉 worthy to be esteemed Diuinity books in the English toong were geason in those dates I pray God they be not now too common The yaere he was Cardinall of Saint Sabine by Pope Vrban the 〈◊〉 whom I homas Walsingham repeateth to haue 〈◊〉 an English man In the 10. yéere after his 〈◊〉 he began to build 〈◊〉 the quier of his Cathedrall church laying the first stone himselfe July 29. toward the charge of which work he presently laide downe 100. l. or as some report 500. l. and promised to contribute yéerely 200. markes or as others say 200. l. till it were 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 long as he liued he faithfully performed He bestowed great cost in beautifying the Lady chappell with images and pictures of excellent workmanship and 〈◊〉 the bodies of diuers of his predecessors that lay buried else where about the church caused them to be 〈◊〉 in the said chappell in very 〈◊〉 manner leauing a place for 〈◊〉 in the middle thereof where dying Nouember 6. 1373. at Thorp he was 〈◊〉 after solemnly enterred 45. Alexander Neuill VNto this Sée the Pope then appointed Alexander Neuill a Canon of Yorke a man greatly fauoured of king Richard the second which was his destruction Diuers of the nobility malecontent tooke armes against the king caused many whom they misliked to be condemned by parliament some to death some to prison c. Amongst the rest this Archbishop was accused to be one that abused the kings youth by flattery and with whispering tales inticed him against the nobility and for this cause he was condemned to perpetuall prison and appointed vnto the castell of Rochester there to be kept But he foreséeing the tempest that grew 〈◊〉 him fled out of the realme The Pope then Vrbane the 〈◊〉 whether in commiseration thinking to relieue him or else vsing it as a meanes to make his Archbishopricke voide 〈◊〉 he might bestow it translated him from Yorke vnto 〈◊〉 Andrewes in Scotland Howsoeuer it was meant sure it fell out to be a very bad exchaunge for his part Scotland at that time refused to acknowledge Vrbane for Pope and yeelded obedience to the Antipope By meanes whereof Vrbans 〈◊〉 was not of sufficient force to inuest him in Saint Andrewes and yet quite cut him of from Yorke at home Hereby it 〈◊〉 to passe that hauing the reuenues neither of the one nor the other for very want he was 〈◊〉 to become a parish priest and so liued thrae yeere at Louane euen vntill his death He was banished the yéere 1386. liued in 〈◊〉 almost fiue yeres died 1391. and was buried in the church of the Frier Carmelites there This man bestowed much cost in repayring the castle of Cawod building diuers towers and other edifices about the same 46. Thomas Arundell ALexander Neuill being thus displaced vnder presence of preferment to a new place The Pope tooke vpon him to bestow Yorke And least if he should aduance one to it not greatly preferred before the old incumbent might chaunce in time to recouer it from him againe He thought good to bestow it so as benefiting many he might procure so many aduersaries vnto Neuill whereof any one alone might hardly saeme able to withstand him but all these together he knew very well To this end as also to gaine the more in first fruits he called Thomas Arundell from Ely to Yorke translated the Bishops of Durham to Ely Bath to Durham Salisbury to Bath and gaue Salisbury to Iohn Waltham the kings chaplaine a man very gracious with him and keeper of his priuie seale This Thomas Arundell the yéere 1396 was remooued to Canterbury the first that 〈◊〉 was translated from Yorke 〈◊〉 While he was at Yorke he bestowed much in building vpon diuers of his houses and vnto the church he gaue besides many rich ornaments two great Basons of siluer and gilt two great Censers two other Basons of siluer and two Crewettes He gaue to the vse of the Uicars a siluer Cuppe of great waight and a Bowle of siluer very massiue and costly vnto the Canons Being yet Bishop of Ely he was Lord Chauncellor of England and so continued till the yéere 1396. at what time being remooued to Canterbury he gaue ouer immediately that office See more of him in Ely and Canterbury 47. Robert Waldby RObert Waldby Bishop of Chichester succéeded Thomas Arundell in Yorke Being yet a yoong man he followed Edward the blacke Prince into Fraunce where he continued long a student and profited so much as no man in the 〈◊〉 where he liued Tholous might be compared with him for all kinde of learning He was a good Linguist very well séene in Philosophie both naturall and morall in Phyficke and the Canon Law also very eloquent an excellent Preacher and estéemed so profound a Diuine 〈◊〉 he was thought méete to be the Professor of Diuinitie or doctor of the chaire in the said Uniuersitie For these his good gifts he was much fauoured of the blacke Prince first then of king Richard his sonne and by their fauour obtayned first a Bishopricke in Gascoigne as Bale reporteth but by another antiquity that I haue seene he was first Bishop of the Isle of Man and his Epitaph saith he was first Praesul 〈◊〉 From that first preferment whatsoeuer it was he was translated an 1387. to the Archbishopricke of Dublin in Ireland thence to Chichester 1395. and the yéere following became an Archbishop once more viz. of Yorke There he sate not fully three yéeres but he died May 29. 1397. and was buriet in Westminster almost in the middle of the chappell of Saint 〈◊〉 where an Epitaph is to be séene vpon his graue partly 〈◊〉 and otherwise not worth the reciting 48. Richard Scroope RIchard Scroope that succéeded Robet Waldby though a gentleman of great bloud being brother vnto William Scroope that was Earle of Wilshire and Treasurer of England vnder king Richard yet obtained not 〈◊〉 high promotion without desert in regard of many good 〈◊〉 in him For he was incomparably learned saith Thomas Walsingham of singular integrity for his life and conuersation and which is not altogether to be neglected of a goodly and amiable personage He was brought vp in Cambridge and procéeded there first Master of Arte then doctor of Law thence he trauelled throngh Fraunce into Italy and became an aduocate in the Popes Court vntill such time as he was preferred to the Bishopricke of Couentry Lichfield whereunto he was consecrate August 9. 1386 There he
end of his time viz. the yéere 1464. 〈◊〉 Minster of Yorke was burnt I know not by what chance 52. George Neuell RIchard Neuell that great Earle of Warwicke that 〈◊〉 and pulled downe kings at his pleasure aduanced his brother George Neuell vnto great and high placss being 〈◊〉 but a very yoong man By his meanes he was consecrate Bishop of Exceter Nouember 25. 1455. at what time he was not fully 20. yéeres of age The yéere 1460. he was made Lord Chauncellour of England the yoongest Chauncelour I thinke that euer was either before or since his time In that office he continued till the yéere 1464. viz. vntill the mariage of king Edward the 4. In which action the king 〈◊〉 knowing he had giuen cause of offence vnto the Earle of Warwick for it was done whilest that Earle was ambassador in Fraunce and busie in a treatie for a match betweene the king and the French Quéenes sister He thought it necessarie to weaken him what he might and so first remooued this his brother from the office of Chauncelour and bestowed it vpon Robert Stillington Bishop of Bath Notwithstanding this alienation of the king from him the yéere 1466. 〈◊〉 obtained the Archbishopricke of yorke and held the same but with great trouble vntill his death The 〈◊〉 of the dishonour done to the Earle by that 〈◊〉 mariage sticking 〈◊〉 in his mind hauing peraduenture continual occasions of new greeses be made a 〈◊〉 with his brethren to pull downe king Edward that had raigned now almost 9. yeeres and to set vp king Henry the 6. againe who had 〈◊〉 in prison all that while This indeed they performed partly by the help of George Duke of Clarence king Edwards brother And it was the hap of this Archb. to take 〈◊〉 Edward prisoner at 〈◊〉 in Northhampton shire He carried him thence first to 〈◊〉 castell then to 〈◊〉 castell in yorke shire But being of too good a nature to be a good 〈◊〉 vsed him with such curtesie suffering him to walke abroad often to 〈◊〉 with a few 〈◊〉 to attend him as were it by the negligence or vnfaithfulnesse of those that had the charge of him I know not away he escaped being met vpon a plaine where he hunted by a troupe of his friends wasted by them into a place of safety 〈◊〉 halfe a yeere that K. Henry was restored to his crown 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Edward so handled that matter as comming suddenly to London entring that Bishops palace by aposterne gate 〈◊〉 surprised at once king Henry b the Archbishop that had not long before taken him They were both caried thence to the tower of London where that good king was soone after pitifully murthered But the Archbishop vpon the fourth of June following was set at liberty About a yeere after his inlargement he chaunced to be with the king a hunting at Windsor and vpon occasion of the sport they had seene there made relation vnto the king of some extraordinary kinde of game wherewith he was woont to solace himselfe at a house he had built and furnished very 〈◊〉 called the Moore in Hartfordshire The king seeming desirous to be partaker of this sport appointed a day when he would come thither to hunt and make merry with him Hereupon the Archbishop taking his leaue got him home and thinking to 〈◊〉 the king in the best manner it was possible for him he sent for much plate that he had bid during the warres 〈◊〉 his brethren and the king and borrowed also much of his friends The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brought into the 〈◊〉 the day 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sent for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him all 〈◊〉 set a part to repaire presently vnto him being at 〈◊〉 As sone as he came he was arrested of treason all his plate money and other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the value of 20000 l. were seised vpon for the king and himselfe a long space after was kept prisoner at Calis and Guisnes during which time the king 〈◊〉 vnto himselfe the profits and temporalties of his Bishopricke Amongst other things then taken from him he had a 〈◊〉 of inestimable value by reason of many rich stones wherewith it was adorned that the king brake and made thereof a crowne for himselfe This calamity happened vnto him the yéere 1472. By intercession and intreaty of his friends with much 〈◊〉 he obtayned his liberty the yéere 1476. and a little while 〈◊〉 the same with griefe and anguish of minde as is thought died at Blithlaw comming from Yorke He was buried in the Minster there In this mans time Sixtus the fourth made the Bishop of Saint Andrewes Primate of all Scotland and appointed twelue Bishops to be vnder him that vntill that time were of the Prouince of Yorke The Archbishop 〈◊〉 it what he might But the Pope alledging it was very vnfit that such a 〈◊〉 should be the Metropolitane of Scotland as for the most part by reason of wars was an enemy vnto the same ouerruled it and would needes haue it so 53. Lawrence Boothe THe Bishop of Durham Lawrence Boothe halfe brother vnto William Boothe George Neuils predecessor succéeded them in the Sée of Yorke He was first Master of Penbrooke hall in Cambridge consecrate Bishop of Durham September 25. 1457. and twenty yéeres after vizthe yéere 1477 remooued to Yorke In August 1472. he was made Lord Chancellour and continned in that office two 〈◊〉 This man bought the mannor of Batersey of one Nicolas Stanley and built the house there all which he gaue vnto his Sée He died at Southwell the yéere 1480. when he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Archbishop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and nine 〈◊〉 and was buried 〈◊〉 his brother 54. Thomas Rotheram alias Scot. THomas Scot otherwise called Rotheram was borne at 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 and according to the manner of religious persons in old time would 〈◊〉 take his surname of the place where he was borne 〈◊〉 such education as the country could afford him being now ripe for the vniuersity and towardly was sent by his friends vnto Cambridge and was chosen fellow of kings colledge in which place he continued till he was called away by preferment King Edward whose Chaplaine he was procured him first the Prouostship of Beuerley made him keeper of his priuy Seale and then Bishop of Rochester the yeere 1467. Staying there scarce fower yeere he remooued to Lincolne anno 1471. The yeere 1474. he was made Lord Chauncellour and continued long in that office euen vntill the raigne of Richard the vsurper at what time or a little before he deliuered the great Seale vnto the 〈◊〉 and is blamed for committing it vnto her of whom he receiued it not and had no right to require it Being yet at Lincolne he bestowed great cost in building the goodly beautifull gate of the schooles at Cambridge the walkes on each side thereof and the new Library that is at the east side of that building which he caused to be done of his owne charge with some very
no fit match for him He was much emploied in embassages both before his preferment and after He sate Archbishop thirtéene yéeres and dying September 13. 1544. was buried in his owne church where is this Epitaphe to be séene engrauen vpon his toombe Edwardus Leus Archiepiscopus Ebor. Theologus eximius atque omni literarum genere longe eruditislimus sapientia vitae sanctitate clarus Euangelicae doctrinae praeconem semper agens pauperibus beneficus omnibus ordinibus iuxta charus magno de se apud omnes desiderio relicto hic sepultus iacet Sedit Archiepiscopus annos paulo minus 13. obijt Ibid. Septaetatis suae anno 62. anno Christi 1544. In English thus Edward Lee Archbishop of Yorke a great diuine and very well séene in all kind of learning famous aswell for wisedome 〈◊〉 vertue and holinesse of life a continuall preacher of the gospell a man very liberall vnto the poore and greatly beloued of all sorts of men who greatly misse and bemoane the want of him lieth buried in this place He deceased September 10. in the sixty two yéere of his age the yéere of our 〈◊〉 1544. 59. Robert Holgate BEfore the end of the same yéere Robert Holgate Doctor of Diuinity was translated from Landaff in 〈◊〉 where he had béene seuen yéeres Bishop vnto Yorke and continued there vntill the beginning of Quéene Mary who caused him to be depriued and that as I take it for 〈◊〉 married 60. Nicolas Heath ABout the yéere 1539. Nicolas Heath a Londoner borne 〈◊〉 of Diuinity and Almoner vnto the king was made Bishop of Rochester Within 〈◊〉 yéeres he was remooued to Worceter the yeere 1551 he was displaced and Master Hooper made Bishop there But Quéene Mary restored him againe in the beginning of her raigne and made him President of Wales Soone after to wit the yere 1553 he was translated to Yorke and vpon the death of Stephen Gardiner made Lord Chauncellor of England These places he held vntill the happy raigne of our Soneraigne the Quéene that now is at what time he thought good to resigne them both and liued afterwards vpon some lands that heretofore he had purchased being much fauoured by her 〈◊〉 in regard of his diligent and faithfull 〈◊〉 for her establishment in the throne royall which her sister Mary being dead no man doubted to be due onely vnto her He did but his 〈◊〉 calling together the nobility and commons in the Parliament then assembled he certified them of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 death and for that he was Lord Chauncellor gaue order for the proclayming of the Lady Elizabeth This it pleased her Maiesty of her gratious clemency to take in so good part as she was content the rather to beare with faults of his otherwise intollerable 61. Thomas Yoong THomas Yoong sometime Bishop of Saint 〈◊〉 was the first Bishop of Yorke in this Quéenes daies He was confirmed therein February 25. 1561. and about the same time made Lord President of the north This man for what cause or purpose I know not pulled downe the great hall in the pallace of Yorke ann 1562. which was sumptuously built by Thomas the elder his predecessor almost 500. yéeres 〈◊〉 He died June 26. 1568. at Sheffield and was buried in the Minster of Yorke 62. Edmund Grindall VPon the depriuation of Edmund Boner Edmund Grindall was appointed vnto the Sée of London whereunto he was elected July 26. 1559. and sate there about 11. yéeres May 22. 1570. he was translated thence to Yorke there he continued till the yéere 1575. at what time he was promoted vnto the Archbishopricke of Canterbury Sée more of him in Canterbury 63. Edwyn Sandes EDwyn Sandes doctor of Diuinitie was Uicechauncellor of the Uniuersitie of Cambridge at what time the Ladie Iane was proclaimed Quéene about which matter he endured much trouble and long imprisonment The historie whereof is reported at large by Master Foxe vnto whom I remit the reader In the beginning of this Quéenes raigne to wit December 21. 1559. he was consecrate Bishop of Worceter and succéeded Edmund Grindall both in London whereunto he was confirmed July 13. 1570. and also in Yorke He continued there Archbishop about 〈◊〉 yéeres and dying August 8. 1588. was buried at Southwell 64. Iohn Piers. IOhn Piers Doctor of Diuinitie being Deane of Christ church in Oxford was made Bishop of Rochester and Almoner the yéere 1576. translated to Salisbury continuing still Almoner the yéere following and vpon the death of Bishop Sands preferred to Yorke This man liued alwaies vnmaried and departed this life September 27. or thereabouts 1594. 65. Mathew Hutton IN the beginning of March following Mathew Hutton doctor of Diuinitie first Deane of Yorke and consecrate Bishop of Durham the yéere 1589. was aduanced to the Metropoliticall See of Yorke and as yet continueth in the same The Bishops of Durham 1. Aidanus THe noble vertuous Prince 〈◊〉 hauing attained the kingdome 〈◊〉 Northumberland the yéere 634. and desirous that his countrimen and 〈◊〉 should not onely be gouerned by the sword for their temporall good but also directed by the word and preaching of the gospell to the euerlasting saluation of their soules he sent his Embassador vnto his neighbours the Scots amongst whom were then many 〈◊〉 and well learned preachers requesting them to send vnto him some good man that might instruct his people in the 〈◊〉 and feare of Christ. To this his most reasonable request they quickly condiscended and sent vnto him first a man that doing his best endeuour a while amongst them and perceauing he could do no good returned shortly into his owne country againe complaining that they were a barbarous and 〈◊〉 people amongst whom he had bene and such as he thought he could not spend his time worse then in séeking to instruct them that séemed neither desirous nor capable of knowledge They that sent him very sory for this tidings and consulting amongst themselues what course were now to be taken it chanced one of them named Aidanus to vse these words It séemeth to me quoth he that this our brother dealt somewhat to roughly with his vnlearned auditors not 〈◊〉 them first with the milke of gentle words and easie doctrine according to the councell of the Apostle vntill such time as they were enabled to digest stronger meat And this I take to be the cause of the ill successe his preaching had amongst them All the rest of the company thought it very probable which he had said and these his words occasioning them to remember besides his learning and godlines his notable discretion and knowen wisedome they agréed all that 〈◊〉 no man was so likely to amend that fault as he that had so quickly found and discerned it in the other and so with one consent ordained him Bishop of Northumbers This Aidanus an humble minded man a louer of silence and pouerty saith William Malmesbury auoiding of purpose the pomp and frequency of Yorke chose for his See a little Island
then so precisely distinguished as soone after This authority he abused very impudently not caring whom he offended so he might 〈◊〉 either the king or himselfe Many times when the king gaue commandement for the leuying of a certaine summe of mony amongst his subiects he would require of the commons twise so much whereat the king being very well content would laugh and say that 〈◊〉 was the onely man for his turne who cared not whom he displeased so he might please his Master It was impossible but he should be very odious both vnto the common people and nobility also And no maruaile if many complaints were made vnto the king of him against all which he shut his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When therefore that way succeeded not some of those his discontent aduersaries determined to wreake their mallice vpon him by killing him They famed a message from the Bishop of London his old Master saying that he was very sick and ready to depart the world that he was wonderfull desirous to speake with him and to the end he might make the better spéede had sent him a barge to 〈◊〉 him vnto his house being then by the water side He suspecting no fraude went with them in great hast attended onely by his secretary and some one or two other they hauing him thus in their clutches caried him not to the appointed staires but rowed 〈◊〉 on say he what he would till they came vnto a ship prouided for him ready to set saile As seene as he perceiued how he was intrapped he cast away his ring or manuel seale and after his great scale whether the broad Seale of England or no I know not into the riuer least they might giue oportunity of forging false graunts and conueyances Then he fel to intreating and perswading but all to no purpose for they were determined he should dye They had appointed two 〈◊〉 to dispatch him either by knocking out his braines or tossing him a liue 〈◊〉 for doing whereof they were promised to haue his clothes These executioners could not agree vpon the diuision of this reward for his gowne was better woorth then all the rest of his apparell While they were reasoning vpon that point it pleased God to raise a terrible and fearefull tempest such as they looked euery minute to die themselues and therefore had no very good leasure to thinke of putting an other man to death Ranulf then omitting no opportunitie of his deliuerance like an other 〈◊〉 by the musicke of his eloquence seeketh to alay their malice and to diswade them from the execution of their bloudie determination laying diligently before them the danger that was like to ensue vnto them by so cruell a murther which could not be hid promising mountaines of golde if they saued his life and lastly wishing them to consider how God by raising this tempest had threatned to reuenge his death and had as it were set the image of his vengeance before their eies Whether it were the feare of God or of man or else the hope of reward that wrought with them of such effect were these his perswasions as first diuers of the companie refused to be pertakers of his murther one of them then stept foorth vowed to defend him to his power so as he would liue or die with him And at length his greatest enimies were so pacified as Gerald the author of this conspiracie was content to set him a land and to conduct him to his owne house But not trusting a reconciled foe assoone as he had so done he got him out of the realme and durst neuer come in England after So by one danger this man escaped another and might well say as Themistocles when banished his countrey he found better entertainment of his enimie the king of Persia then he could haue giuen himselfe at home Perijssem 〈◊〉 perijssem I had indeede béene vtterly vndone had I not béene vpon the point to be vndone Seene after his returne from this braue voyage to wit the yéere 1099. he was consecrate Bishop of Durham in the Cathedrall church of Saint Paule He was scarce warme in his seate when his master the king being slaine by the glance of an arrow as he was a hunting Henry his brother succéeded in the kingdome This prince not able to withstand the importunitie of his nobles and the innumerable complaints daily made against this our Bishop clapt him vp in the Tower But he so enchanted his kéepers with money and 〈◊〉 words as they were content to let him go and to runne away with him themselues Into Normandie he got him in the beginning of February 1101. and did neuer linne buzzing into the eares of Robert Duke of Normandy telling him the kingdome of England was his by right till he prouoked him to attempt the inuasion of this realme but to small purpose as in the Chronicles you may see more at large How long he liued in exile I finde not it seemeth not to be long for he had leisure to bring many great things to passe at home afterwards He raised the walles of the body of his church vnto the roofe he translated the reliques of Saint Cutbert into the new Church and bestowed a shryne vpon him he compassed the 〈◊〉 with a wall he caused a number of houses to be pulled downe that were neere the church and might haue béene either noisome vnto it or dangerous by fire hapning among them he continued diuers banks along the riuer of Were with great charge built the castell of Norham vpon a steepe hill neere the riuer of Tweede the hospitall of kepar the bridge of Frwgewallate and performed same other things woorthie commendations Hauing sate Bishop 29. yéeres or thereabouts he died September 5. 1128. 31. Geoffry Rusus GEoffry surnamed Rufus Chauncellour of England was then preferred vnto the See of Durham in which he sat 13. yéeres and died ann 1141. 32. Will. de Sancta Barbara NExt after him succéeded William de Sancta Barbara Deane of Yorke a 〈◊〉 and very religious man He continued in this Sée 9. yéeres and died 1152. 33. Hugh Pusar HVgh Pusar Pudsey or de Putuaw for thus diuerfly I find him called Treasurer of Yorke and Archdeacon of Winchesier was elected vnto the Sée of Durham after the death of the foresaid William rather in respect of his nobility and greatnesse of bloud then of any speciall worthinesse otherwise For king Stephen was vncle vnto him He was very wise in ordering of temporall matters and 〈◊〉 he was not very learned woonderfull eloquent excéeding couetous and as cunning in gathering money as thirstie and desirous of it Henry Murdac Archbishop of Yorke not onely refused to consecrate him himselfe taking exceptions both against his 〈◊〉 of yéeres and lightnes of behauiour But also sent to Rome to haue a Caueat laid in against him there Eugenius was Pope at that time an old acquaintance of the Archbishops who both were brought vp at Clareual vnder S. Bernard But such was the
good hap of this new elect as a little before his arriuall there I meane at Rome Pope Eugenius was dead and seene after came certaine newes thither of the death of the Archbishop also Anastasius that succeeded Eugenius without much adoo affoorded him consecration Decemb. 30. 1153. He sate Bishop a long time almost 42. yéeres in which time he built diuers houses vpon his mannors out of the ground and bestowed much in repairing of the rest He builte a faire house at Derlington He founded the Priory of Finchall he bought Sadbury of king Richard the first and gaue it vnto his Sée He built the bridge of Eluet and the Galiley at the west end of his Cathedrall church in which he placed the bones of venerable Beda Lastly he built two hospitals one at Allerton an other called Sherburne at the East end of Durham To Sherburne he alotted liberall allowance for the maintenance of 65. poore Lasers and a certaine number of priests Neubrigenses ascribeth this good worke partly vnto other men whom he enforced to become benefactors vnto this foundation being loath to be at the whole charge himselfe At what time king Richard made prouision for his iorney into the Holy land he also tooke on him the crosse and vowed to be one of that companie The king vnderstanding that he had prepared a great masse of money to carry with him perswaded him to stay at home and to afford him his money which if he would do he promised to make him Earle of Northumberland The Bishop long since repenting the vow he had made quickly condiscended to this offer accepted the same The king hauing created him an Earle turned him about vnto the companie and laughing saide he had performed a woonderfull exploit for quoth he of an old Bishop I haue made a yoong Earle Now that he might haue some colourable ercuse of not performing his vow he caused the king to alledge that he might not be spared out of the realme in his absence And to make this the more probable giuing the king 1000. markes he perswaded him with golden Rhetoricke to make him chiefe Justice of England The like Rhetoricke it was that induced the Pope to dispence with his vow vnto which the excuses before alleaged made some way but could neuer haue effected the busines without that helpe At the returne of K Richard from Hierusalem he found him not so fauourable as he expected thinking that he grudged him his Earledome resigned the same into his hands After which notwithstanding he loaded him sore with many grieuous exactions well knowing the Bishops bagges to be notably 〈◊〉 for that he had offered him a great summe of mony for the redemption of his Earledome The king therefore being beyond the seas sent vnto him for this money as condiscending to his request But the old Fox well ynough 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 humbly besought him by letters either to affoord him the Earldome first or else to suffer him to enioy his money quietly Whereupon the king that knew how to vse him in his kinde writ letters vnto him full of reuerend and gratious speeches wishing him to bring vp his money to London and there to receiue the gouernment of the whole realme which he would commit vnto him and the Archbishoppe of Canterbury Being very ioyfull of this fauour toward London he comes about Shrouetyde thinking then to take his farewell of flesh he surffetted vpon the way at Doncaster and finding himselfe sicke returned home to Houeden where he died March 3. being the saturday in cleansing weeke He was 70. yeeres old at the time of his death yet would hardly beléeue his phisitions certifying him a little before he died in what danger he was An old Heremit named 〈◊〉 esteemed of many a very holy man had told him he should be blinde seuen yéeres before his death which said our stories Godricus meant the blindnesse of his minde and he vnderstanding him of the blindnesse of his bodily eies neuer cared to prouide for death assuring himselfe he had that seuen yéeres at least to come Being yet Treasurer of Yorke he begot thrée 〈◊〉 all sonnes the first borne of a gentlewoman of great blood became a soldier the second he made Archdeacon of Durham and loaded him with many other 〈◊〉 promotions which he enioying but one yéere after his fathers death was also taken away himselfe The third whom the old Bishop loued most tenderly of all by his fathers great suit and no lesse expence became Channcellor to the French king He was so vnhappy as to see that his best beloued sonne buried Himselfe departed this world as before is said in the beginning of Lent an 1195. 34. Philip of Poitiers KIng Henry the second fauoured much one Philip borne at Poitiers in Aquitaine for the long acceptable seruice he had done vnto him In reward whereof he besought him to preferre him vnto the Bishopricke of Durham then void The king well knowing he could not doo for him any other way better cheape commended him so effectually vnto the couent as they durst not but choose him He was elected December 30. 1195. The next yéere he was sent Embassador vnto the Pope together with William Longshamp that famous Bishop of Ely who died in the way to Rome-ward There to wit at Rome he was consecrate May 12. 1197. The yeere 1200. he went in pilgrimage to Saint Iames of Compostella He was a great hartner of king Iohn against the Pope aduising him euer to make no reckoning of his excommunications The Pope vnderstanding thereof excommunicated him also together with the king Being not yet absolued he died the yéere 1208. and was buried without the church by the hands of lay men because he stood excommunicate at the time of his death This Bishop by the licence of king Richard the first set vp a Mint at Durham and began to coine mony there the yéere 1196. 35. Richard de Marisco IT séemeth the Sée was long voide after the death of Philip. For Richard de Marisco Lord Chauncellor of England and Archdeacon of Northumberland an old courtier was thrust into this Sée by Gualo the Popes Legate and consecrate by the Archbishop of Yorke the yéere 1217. During the time of the vacacy I find that one Morgan prouost of Beuerley was elected vnto this Bishopricke He was bastard brother vnto king Iohn and begotten vpon the Lady of a knight called Sir Ralf 〈◊〉 or Blewet Exceptions were taken against him that he was a bastard and so by the Canons not capable of ecclesiasticall preferment without speciall dispensation which the Pope being loath to graunt aduised him to call himselfe Blewet and to alledge that he was borne in lawfull wedlocke promising vpon that condition to affoord him consecration But he answered that for any worldly preferment whatsoeuer he would not renounce his father or deny himselfe to be of the bloud royall So he lost his Bishoprick and for ought I find neuer attained other preferment
habitation He built or repaired with great charges Barnard Castle the Castles of Alnwike part of the L. Vessyes land which he sold afterward to H. Percy Gainsoorth Cuncliff Somerton which he gaue vnto the king and the house at Eltham bestowed as afore said vpon the Quéene Hauing sate Bishop of Durham 28. yéeres he deceased at Eltham March 28. 1311. and was buried in his owne Cathedrall Church 42. Richard Kellow RIchard Kellow 〈◊〉 Bishop fiue yéeres in which short space he bestowed very much in building at Middleham Stocton and Welhall He died the yéere 1316. 43. Lewes Beaumont THe Couent then chose for their Bishop Henry Stamford Pryor of Finchall and sent him to Rome to be confirmed by the Pope But before he could get thither at the importunate suite of the kings of England and France the Pope had giuen that Bishoprick vnto one Lewes Beaumont a French man borne and of the blood royall there He was lame 〈◊〉 both his legs and so vnlearned that he could not read the bulles and other instruments of his consecration When he should haue pronounced this word Metropoliticae not knowing what to make of it though he had studied vpon it and laboured his lesson long before after a litle pause Soyt purdit saies he let it goe for read so passed it ouer In like sort he stumbled at 〈◊〉 aenigmate When he had fumbled about it a while Par Saint Lowys quoth he il n'est pas curtois qui 〈◊〉 parolle ici escrit that is by Saint Lewes he is to blame that writ this word here Not without great cause therefore the Pope was somewhat strait laced in admitting him He obtained consecration so hardly as in fowerteene yeeres he could scarce creepe out of debt Riding to Durham to be installed there he was robbed together with two Cardinals that were then in his company vpon Wiglesden Moore neere Derlington The captaines of this route were named Gilbert Middleton and Walter Selby Not content to take all the treasure of the Cardinals the Bishop and their traine they carried the Bishop prisoner to Morpeth where they constrained him to pay a great ransom Gilbert Middleton was soone after taken at his owne castle of Nitford carried to London and there drawen and hanged in the presents of the Cardinals After this one Sir 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his brother Robert came with a great company to diuers of the Bishop of Durhams houses in the habits of Fryers and spoyled them leauing nothing but bare wals and did many other notable 〈◊〉 for which they I meane the captaines and diuers of their company were soone after hanged at Yorke This Bishop stood very stoutly in defence of the liberties of his Sée recouered diuers lands taken away from Anthony Beake his predecessor as before is mentioned and procured this sentence to be giuen in the behalf of his church quod Episcopus Dunelmen debet habere 〈◊〉 guerrarum intra libertates sicut Rex extra that the Bishop of Durham is to haue the forfeitures of warre in as ample sort within his owne liberties as the king without He compassed the city of Durham with a wall and built a hall kitchin and chappell at Middleton But before he could quite finish the chappell he died to wit September 22 or as one deliuereth September 28. 1333. He heth buried before the high altar at Durham couered with a marble stone curiously wrought and inlayde with brasse prouided by himselfe in his life time 44. Richard de Bury IN great 〈◊〉 but with no great good spéed the 〈◊〉 of Durham procéeded vnto the election of a new Bishop the old being yet scarcely buried and they made choise of one of their owne company a monke of Durham This election the Archbishop of Yorke confirmed yea the matter grew so forward as the same Archbishop was content to giue him consecration also All this while the kings good will was not sought no nor which was a greater ouersight as the world then went the Popes neither The king therefore not onely refused to deliuer possession of the temporalties vnto this elect but also laboured the Pope ex plenitudine potestatis to conferre the Bishopricke vpon a chaplaine of his named Richard de Bury then Deane of Welles Partly to pleasure the one that requested partly to displeasure the other for not requesting he did so and commaunded the Bishop of Winchester to consecrate him which being performed at Chertsey soone after Christmasse the king presently inuested him in the temporalties belonging to that Sée Now was the monke a Bishop without a Bishopricke Hauing no other home he was faine to returne to his cloyster and therefor very griefe as it is to be supposed within a few daies after died This Richard de Bury was borne at Saint Edmunds Bury in Suffolke whence he tooke his surname for he was the sonne of one Sir Richard Angaruill knight His father died leauing him very yoong and committed him vnto the tuition of Iohn Willoughby a priest his vncle who brought him vp carefully and that for the most part in the Uniuersity of Oxford From thence he was called to teach Edward of Windsor Prince of Wales At what time the said Prince fled into Fraunce with his mother he was principall receiuer of the kings reuenewes in Gascoigne Their money failing he ayded them secretly with a great summe of that he had receiued for the king It had almost cost him his life he was so narrowly pursued by some of the kings friends that got vnderstanding of it as he was glad to hide himselfe in a steeple in Paris the space of seuen daies King Edward the third his scholler being come to the crowne made him first his Coferer then Treasurer of the Wardrobe and keeper of the priuy Seale In this last office he continued fiue yéeres in which space he was twice sent Ambassador vnto the Pope The yeere 1333. he was made Deane of Welles a goodly preferment in those daies better I thinke then the Bishopricke is now He had not enioyed that place one whole yeere when he was consecrate vnto Durham which was December 19. 1333. The yeere following he became Chauncellor and within two yeeres after that Treasurer of England Being Bishop he was often employed in embassages of the greatest importance What time of leysure he had he spent either in prayer or conference with his 〈◊〉 whereof he had many about him those great learned men or else in study wherewith he was woonderfully delighted He writ many things not yet perished Anongst the rest in one worke which he called 〈◊〉 he saith of himselfe 〈◊〉 quodam librorū amore potenter 〈◊〉 abreptū That he was mightily carried away and euen beside himselfe with immoderate loue of bookes and desire of reading And indéed his study was so well furnished as it is thought he had more bookes then all the Bishops in England beside He was much delighted with the company and acquaintance of learned men Many
time fellow of Pembrooke Hall in Cambridge in memory whereof he bestowed vpon that house a Cup of siluer double guilt waighing 67. ounces whereupon are engrauen these words Tho. Langton Winton Eps. aulae Penbr olim socius dedit hanc 〈◊〉 coopertam 〈◊〉 aulae 1497. qui alienarit anathema sit 57. Richard Foxe AT what time Henry Earle of Richmont abiding at Uenice was requested by letters from many of the English Nobility to deliuer his Countrey from the tyranny of that wicked Paricide Richard the third and to take on him the kingdome He willing to furnish him selfe as well as he might for the setting foorth of so great an enterprise determined to craue aide of the French king 〈◊〉 therefore to Paris he onely commenced his sute vnto the king and hauing manifold businesse elsewhere he left the farther prosecution of this matter vnto Richard Foxe a Doctor of Diuinity that chaunced to liue a student in Paris at that time Whether the Earle knew him before or else discerned at the first sight as it were his excellent 〈◊〉 certaine it is he deemed him a fit man for the managing of this great affaire Neither was he any thing at all deceiued in him For the matter was followed with so great diligence and industry as in a very short time all things were dispatched according to the Earles desire who soone after obtaining the kingdome mindfull of the good seruice done him by Doctor Foxe preferred him immediatly vnto the kéeping of the priuy scale made him one of his Councell and laid vpon him what spirituall liuing might possibly be procured him In the meane time he imployed him continually either in matters of counsell at home or in ambassages of great importance abroad The second yéere of King Henries raigne he was sent into Scotland for the establishing of a peace with the king there whence he was scarcely returned when the Bishopricke of Exeter falling void was bestowed vpon him He held it not past sixe yéeres but he was remooued to Bath and Wels and thence within thrée yéeres after to Durham There he stayed sixe yéeres and the yéere 1502. was once more translated viz. to Winchester where he spent the rest of his life in great prosperity For such was his fauor with the king as no man could euer doo so much with him no man there was vpon whose counsell he so much relied Amongst other honors done vnto him it was not the least that he made him Godfather vnto his second sonne that was afterward King Henry the eight the Father of our worthy and most happy Quéene In one onely mischaunce he was vnfortunate He liued many yéeres blind before he died Whereby ghessing his end not to be sarre off hc determined to make vnto him selfe friends of the vnrighteous Mammon bestowing wel his goods while he liued And first he was purposed to haue built a Monastery vntill that conferring with Hugh Oldam Bishop of Exeter a very wise man He was aduised by him rather to bestow his money vpon the foundation of some Colledge in one of the Uniuersities which should be more profitable vnto the common wealth and more auaileable to the preseruation of his memory As for Monasteries quoth he they haue more already then they are like long to kéepe So by the Counsell of this wise Prelate whose purse also was a great helpe to the finishing thereof the colledge of Corpus Christi in Oxford was built and endowed with competent possessions the yéere 1516. by this Bishop Richard Foxe Afterward in the yéere 1522. he bestowed the cost of building a faire frée schoole by the castell in Taunton and conuenient housing néere it for the schoolemaster to dwell in lastely it is to be remembred that he couered the quier of Winchester the presbytery and 〈◊〉 adioyning with a goodly vault and new glased all the windowes of that part of the church It is said also that he built the partition betwéene the presbytery and the said 〈◊〉 causing the bones of such Princes and prelates as had béene buried here and there dispersed about the church to be remooued and placed in séemely monuments vpon the top of that new partition Many other notable things no doubt he did which haue not come vnto my knowledge He died at last a very old man and full of daies ann 1528. when he had woorthily gouerned the church of Winchester the space of 27. yéeres He lieth entoombed vpon the south side of the high altar in a monument rather sumptuons then stately of the same building with the partition 58. Thomas Woolsey OF this man I will onely say thus much in this place that he was first Bishop of Turney in Fraunce then of Lincolne and lastly of Yorke He was made Cardinall an 1515. and being so qualified to hold more liuings he held first the Bishopricke of Bathe and Wels in Commendam with Yorke then resigning Wels he tooke Durham and lastly resigning Durham also held Winchester in the like sort a little while scarcely one yéere I take it for I find that he left Durham the yéere 1530. and in the end of the same yéere viz. Nouember the 29. he died Sée more of him in Yorke 59. Stephen Gardiner THe Sée then continued voide almost fower yéeres At last Stephen Gardiner Doctor of Law borne at Bury in Suffolke was preferred thereunto and consecrate ann 1534. Fouretéene yéeres after viz. June 30. 1548. he was committed to the Tower for a sermon he preached before the king the day before being S. Peters day at Westminster When he had continued there the space of two yéeres and a halfe he was by authority depriued of his Bishopricke February 14. 1550. sent to prison againe and there kept till beginning of Queene Mary at what time he was not onely restored to his Bishopricke and set at liberty but made Lord Chauncellor of England viz. in the moneth of August 1553. A man of great learning as diuers of his workes extant do testifie and of two much wit except it had beene better imploied For the extreme malice he bare to our religion he not onely burnt many poore men but wrought all the meanes his wily head could deuise to make away our blessed Soueraigne Quéene Elizabeth saying often it was in vaine to strike off a few leaues or branches when the roote remained whole And surely in all reason his cursed policy must haue preuailed if God had not touched the hart of Quéene Mary her sister with a very kinde and natural affection toward her which notwithstanding it is much to be doubted what he might haue wrought in time had not God in mercy taken him away the more spéedily He died Nouember 13. 1555. excéeding rich leauing behinde him 40000. markes in ready money if Bale say true beside much sumptuous houshold stuffe He was buried on the North side of the high altar in Winchester in a toombe both in place and building answerable to Bishop Foxe 60. Iohn Poynet PResently vpon the
of his funerals but also the building of his toombe Chappell and all did also see toombe and Chappell destroyed and the bones of the Bishop that built them turned out of the lead in which they were interred Concerning this man many other Bishops of this Church if any desire to vnderstand more I must referre them to a discourse heretofore written by me in Latin of them which is in many mens hands though neuer published 40. Richard Foxe Soone after the death of Bishop Stillington Richard Foxe Bishop of Exceter was appointed his successor and so continuing for thrée yéeres was translated first to Durham and after to Winchester Sée Winchester 41. Oliuer King OLiuer King Doctor of Law and principall Secretary to the king became Bishop of Exceter the yéere 1492. and succeeding him in this Church as well as Exceter was translated hither Nouember 6. 1495. He pulling downe the old Church of the Abbey of Bathe began the foundation of a faire and sumptuous building but at the time of his death left it very vnperfect His successor bestowed some cost on it and William Bird the last Prior there endeuouring what he might by him selfe other to see it finished had euen brought it to perfection when the dissolution of the Abbey had almost ouerthrowen what before was set vp It is great pitty that some good man or other whom God hath enabled vndertaketh not the finishing of it a worke then which I thinke nothings is to be performed with so little cost that were more likely to be pleasing to Almighty God acceptable vnto men memorable with all 〈◊〉 This man sate Bishop eight yéeres and is thought to lye buried at Windsor in a little Chappell vpon the South side of the Quier ouer against which place vpon the enterclose of the Quier I find written vnder the pictures of king Henry the sixt and his sonne king Edward the fourth and Henry the seuenth this that followeth Orate pro domino Olmero King iuris professore ac illustri Edwardi primogeniti Henry Sexti 〈◊〉 Regum Edw. quarti Edw. quinti Henr. 7. principali Secretario 〈◊〉 ordinis Garterij Registrario huius Sancti Collegij Canonicqanno Dom. 1489. postea per dictum illustrillimum Regein Henry 7. ann 1492. ad sedem Exon. commendato 42. Hadrian de Castello POpe Innocent the eight hearing of a certaine dangerous 〈◊〉 raised vp against Iames the third king of Scots thought good to send into Scotland one Hadrian de Castello as a man for his wisedome and other good parts likely to appease those 〈◊〉 Being at London he was certified of the king of Scots death whom his own subiects had 〈◊〉 in battell So resting him selfe a while there he grew into acquaintance with Iohn Moorton the Archbishop of Canterbury He much delighted with his learning and discreete cariage commended him so effectually vnto the king Henry the seuenth as he thought good to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Proctor for the dispatch of all his causes at Rome In that place he behaued him selfe so as the King at 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 of his paines and fidelity was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto the Bishopricke of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the yeere 1503. and then the yeere following of this See Pope Alexander the sixt in the meane time a little before his translation hither had made him Cardinall Here he continued 12. yeeres vntill that the yeere 1518. he was depriued of this and all other promotions vpon this occasion A Cardinall of Rome called Alfonso Petruccio consptred with certaine other Cardinals the death of Pope Leo 10. Amongst them this our Hadrian was content to make one mooued thereunto as P. Iouius affirmeth not by any grudge or priuate displeasure but onely by an ambitious 〈◊〉 that surely he should be Pope 〈◊〉 were once dead A certaine witch or wise woman as we call them hauing heretofore foretold him very strangely diuers things that had happened to him selfe other of his friends tooke vpon her to assure him that after the death of Pope Leo it should come to passe that a certaine old man named Hadrian borne of meane parentage preferred onely for his learning wisedome and other good parts should be aduaunced vnto the Papacy These particularities Hadrian was perswaded could agree to none other but him selfe For he being borne at Corneto a poore fisher towne of Hetruria of meane or rather very base parentage onely by vertue and good deserts rose by many degrees vnto the preferments before mentioned The witches prediction fell out true but in an other For Hadrian a Dutchman the sonne of a Erelver of Utright that had beene schoolemaster to Charles the fift 〈◊〉 fell out to be the man that succeeded Leo by the name of 〈◊〉 the sixt What became of this Hadrian afterward or when he died I find not 43. Thomas Woolsey VPon the depriuation of Hadrian Cardinall Woolsey held this Bishopricke in Commendam fower yéeres euen till that resigning it he tooke Durham Sée more of this man in Yorke 44. Iohn Clerke IOhn Clarke Doctor of Diuinity and Master of the 〈◊〉 was consecrate the yéere 1523. A man much emploied 〈◊〉 embassages He died in the end of the yeere 1540. being poisoned as it was supposed in Germany when he went Embassadour to the Duke of Clyue to render a reason of the 〈◊〉 diuorce from the Lady Anne of Cleue his sister He is 〈◊〉 in the Mineries at London 45. William Knight VVIlliam Knight Doctor of Lawe and Archdeacon of Richmund a man likewise much emploied in embassages by king Henry the eight sate sixe yéeres died September 29. 1547. and was buried vnder the great Pulpit which he caused to be built for his toombe In the 〈◊〉 place of Welles there is a goodly crosse erected partly by this man as this inscription engrauen witnesseth Ad honorem 〈◊〉 omnipotentis commodom pauperum mercatum Welliae freqnentantium impensis Gulielmi Knight Episcopi Richardi Wooleman huius ecclesiae Cathedralis olim Decani hic locus erectus est Laus Deo pax viuis requies defunctis Amen Ann. Dom. 1542. 46. William Barlowe VVIlliam Barlowe Doctor of Diuinity sometimes 〈◊〉 Chanon of Saint Osythes hauing béene Bishop of Saint Dauids the space of tenne yéeres or there abouts was translated hether to succéede Bishop Knight and continued here all the daies of R. Edward In the beginning of Queene Mary he was forced to leaue his countrey Bishopricke and all to liue exiled in Germany vntill that by her death the most happy aduauncement of our now Soueraigne he was at once restored to his Countrey and preferred to the Bishoppricke of Chichester There he liued about the space of tenne yeeres and dying the yéere 1569. was buried in his owne Church 47. Gilbert Bourne BIshop Barlow being forced to forsake his Bishopricke here Gilbert Bourne Doctor of Diuinity was appointed thereunto by Queene Mary The nonage of that good king Edward the sixt giuing opportunity to those horrible sacrileges that
robbed the cathedrall churches of England of I dare say the tone halfe of that they possessed had béene an occasion of the vtter ruine and destruction of this See if Bishop Barlow taking aduantage of the death of some men in the 〈◊〉 ende of king Edward and Bishop Bourne making vse of the zeale of Quéene Mary in tendring the state of the church had not béene the meanes of recouering what is now left vnto the same euen the lands of the Bishopricke in a manner euery whit all the land belonging to the Archdeacon of Welles and some land of the Chapter to wit the parsonages of Duluerton and Longsutton And it is supposed that this man had he stoode vp but a little while longer had recouered diuers other possessions to his See that now are thought to be lost irrecouerably He was a benefactor vnto the Uicars close to the almehouse and began the foundation of a certaine colledge in the canonicall house that standeth néere the market place but was hindered by the death of Quéene Mary and his depriuation from finishing it Being displaced for not subscribing according to order he was committed to the custody of master Carey Deane of her Maiesties chappell liued with him many yéeres and died at Sylferton in Deuonshire where he lieth buried September 10. 1569. 48. Gilbert Barkley IT pleased then the Quéenes Maiestie that now is in the beginning of her most happy raigne to nominate vnto this See one Gilbert Barkley borne in Norfolke but descended of the auncient and most honorable house of the Lord Barkley at least wise as the armes assigned vnto him by the Heraulds do seeme to testifie He sate somewhat more then 20. yéeres and growing into a lethargy which diminished much of the vigor and strength as wel of his minde as his body certaine moneths before his decease at last departed this world Nouember 2. 1581. being 80. yéeres of age and was buried vpon the North side of the high altar in his owne church where we sée a hansome monument of frée stone built ouer him 49. Thomas Godwyn THomas Godwyn my déere and most reuerend father was borne at Okingham in Barkshire and brought vp first in the frée schoole there then for a little while vnder one Doctor Layton Deane of Yorke who sent him to Dreford and so long as he liued which was not past a two or thrée yéere exhibited vnto him there He being taken away it pleased God to prouide for him otherwise by raising vp friends that procured him to be chosen fellow of 〈◊〉 colledge Towards the latter ende of king Edwards raigne forsaking that place he tooke on him the teaching of a free schoole at Brackley directing his studies partly to diuinity and partly also to Phisicke the practise whereof in Quéens Maries time when he might not be suffred to teach any longer maintained him his wife and children honestly He receiued orders and his first spirituall preferments at the hand of Bishop Bollingham then of Lincolne after of 〈◊〉 in the beginning of her Maiesties raigne that now is By her gratious appointment he became first Deane of Christchurch in Oxeford in the seuenth then of Canterbury in the ninth yeere of her raigue and lastly Bishop of Bathe and 〈◊〉 being consecrate thereunto September 13. 1584. Hauing sate fixe yéeres two moneths and sixe daies he departed this mortall life Nouember 19. 1590. at Okingham the place where he was borne and there lyeth buried vpon the South side of the chauncell vnder a marble and néere vnto a monument fixed in the wall farre more answerable vnto the ability of him that set it vp then vnto the vertues and deserts of him to whose memory it was erected 50. Iohn Styll THe Sée hauing continued voide two yéeres and somewhat more Iohn Styli Doctor of Diuinity and Master of Trinity college in Cambridge was consecrate therunto in February 1592. He yet liueth in the same This Bishopricke is valued in the Queenes bookes at 533 l. and 15 d. and paid to the Pope for an Income onely 430. slorens although in those daies it were one of the richest Sees of England The Deanry of Welles was first erected in the time of king Stephen about the yéere 1150. as before is deliuered and one Iuo made the first Deane after whom haue succeeded these 2. Richard de Spakeston 1160. 3. Alexander 4. Leonius 1205. 5. Ralph de Lechlade 6. Peter de Ciceter 7. William de Merton 1236. 8. Ioannes Sarracenus 1241. 9. Gyles de Brideport 1255. 10. Edward de la Knoll 1256. 11. Thomas de Button 1284. 12. William Burnell 1292. 13. Walter de Haselshaw 1295. 14. Henry Husee 1302. 15. Iohn de Godeley 1303. 16. Richard de Bury 1333. 17. Wibert de Luttleton elect 1334. 18. Walter de London 1336. 19. Iohn de Carlton William de Camell elect 1361. refused the place 20. Stephen de Penpel 1361. 21. Iohn Fordham 1379. 22. Thomas de Sudbury 1381. 23. Nicolas Slake 1396. 24. Thomas Stanley 1402. 25. Richard Courtney 1409. 26. Walter Metford 1413. 27. Iohn Stafford 28. Iohn Forest. 1425. 29. Nicolas Carent 1448. 30. William Witham 1467. 31. Iohn Gunthorp 1472. 32. William Cosyn 1498. 33. Thomas Winter 1525. 34. Ridhard Woolman 35. Thomas Cromwell 1537. 36. William Fitz-Williams 1540. 37. Iohn Goodman 1548. 38. William Turner 1556. 39. Robert Weston 1566. 40. Valentine Dale 1574. 41. Iohn Herbert 1589. The Bishops of Exceter This discourse following is taken for the most part Verbatim out of Master Iohn Hookers Catalogue of the Bishops of Exceter THe Countries of Deuonshire Cornwall after their conuersion vnto Christian religion were a while vnder the iurisdiction of the Bishop of the West Saxons whose See was established at Dorchester Afterwards Winchester being appointed a Cathedrall Sée about the yéere 660. All the West countrey was alotted to the gouernment of the Bishop of that Church and so continued vnder him till that the yéere 705. Sherborne was made a Cathedrall Church Two hundred yeeres they were subiect vnto the Bishop of Sherborne to wit vntill the yeere 905. At what time Plegmund Archbishop of Canterbury by the commaundement of the king as else where I haue declared more at large erected diuers new Sees namely at Welles in Somersetshire one in Cornewall another and a third in Deuonshire The See of Athelstan the Bishop of Cornwall was for a while S. Petrockes in Bodmyn and afterwards Saint Germanes Werstan Bishop of Deuonshire placed him selfe first at Tawton but soone after remooued to Credyton now called kyrton The successors of Athelstan in the Dioces of Cornwall as I find were these Conanus Ruydocus Aldredus Britwyn Athelstan he liued the yéere 966. Wolfi Woronus Wolocus Stidio Adelredus Burwoldus About the yéere 1040. or soone after Saint Peters church in Exceter was appointed the Sée for both Deuonshire and Cornwall And hath euer since that time so continued NOw to come vnto the particular history of this church you shall vnderstand that
The king Queene eleuen other Bishops and many nobles being present He died August 27. 1285. hauing continued Archbishop scarcely 6. yeeres 38. Iohn Romano THe 28. of Nouember following viz. 1285. a cannon of Yorke was elected Archbishop and shortly after consecrate at Rome Because his father was a Romane borne he was called by the name of Iohn Romane This man was of base parentage but very learned He built the crosse I le on the North side of the church toward the pallace and a goodly steeple in the middle of the church all at his owne proper costs He built much in the hospitall of Saint Peter and with his owne hands laide the first stone of the great body of the church vpon the South side of the same He liued not to bring that noble worke to any perfection being taken away by death March 15. 1295. when he had continued in that Sée little more than 10 yéeres The yéere before he died he excommunicated Anthony Beake Bishop of Durham being one of the kings Councell and at that time beyond the seas in his seruice Whereat the king being highly displeased the Archbishop thought it his best course to put himselfe to his mercy He did so and was saine to 〈◊〉 the kings fauour with 4000. markes The indignation of a Prince is death saith the Wise man And likely ynough it is that the 〈◊〉 of his displeasure and the trouble that ensued it might soone cause some incurable disease that tooke him away He was buried in his Cathedrall church which with goodly building he had much augmented and beautified 39. Henry Newerk THe Deane of Yorke Henry de Newerk was then chosen Archbishop the seuenth day of May following He was consecrate at home in his owne church about a twelue moneth after to wit in the beginning of the yeere 1297. He had enioyed that honour but two yeeres when by death he was forced to leaue the same 40. Thomas de Corbridg AFter him succéeded Thomas de Corbridge Cannon of Yorke a great learned diuine He denied the king to haue the disposition of a certaine spirituall promotion that fell in his gift wherewith the king was so greatly displeased as he violently tooke from him three Baronies as one saith I thinke he meaneth Mannors appertaining of old vnto his See and detained them so long as this Archbishop liued which was indeede but a short time He sate in all but three yeeres seuen monethes and ten daies Whether it be that few mens minds are so great as to sustaine the burthen of a princes displeasure or that God which promiseth a reward of long life vnto those that 〈◊〉 honour vnto their superiors in his iust iudgement do soonest cut of such as are backward in this duety So surely it hath fallen out for the most part that those Bishops that haue presumed most in opposing themselues against their princes haue least time indured and euer quickly bene taken away whereof I could yeelde infinite examples This Thomas Corbridg died at Lanham the yeere 1303. and was buried at Southwell 41. William de Greenfield HE that then succéeded William de Greenfild was Canon of Yorke and Chauncellour of England vnder king Edward the first A great and wise councellor very eloquent and not vnlearned After his election he was faine to awaite the Popes pleasure two yéeres before he could obtaine consecration which at last he receiued of Pope Clement the fifth anno 1305. But it cost him 9500. markes beside the charge that he was at while he lay in the Popes court a suter By reason of these immoderate expenses he became so bare that at his first returne into England he was faine to make two collections amongst his cleargy in one yeere the first he called a beneuolence the second an aide He was a great fauourer of the templers euery where oppressed in those daies especially by the Pope Philip the french king When he had sate nine yéeres eleuen monethes and two daies he departed this 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 December 13. 1315. and was buried in his cathedrall church in the porch of Saint Nicholas 42. William de Melton SOne after Greenfields death before the end of the yéere 1315. William de Melton Prouost of Beuerly and Canon of Yorke was elected at the instance and earnest request of the king Edward the 2. With the Pope he found no more grace then his predecessor had done vnder two yéeres sute consecration coulde not be had It was at last affoorded him September 25. 1317. at Auinion Almost 23. yéeres hée gouerned the Sée of Yorke and that very woorthily attending diligently not onely the affaires and businesse of his church but also his owne priuate actions indeuoring by chastitie fasting prayer almesdaedes hospitalitie and vertuous behauior like a good pastor to teach and instruct as well by example of life as preaching and doctrine He was very good to his Tenaunts but carefull to preserue and rather to increase then any way to unpaire the state liberties and reuenues of his Church Yet was he not carelesse of the preferment of his seruants and kinred whom as occasion serued he pleasured and aduanced to very good places amongst the rest and by the Popes licence he purchased to a brothers sonne the Mannor of 〈◊〉 Kingsclere and Wentworth which till that time belonged to the Archbishops of Roan He bestowed great cost vpon the shryne of Saint William and finished the west part of the body of his church with the expences of 700. markes He enclosed also a place called the old 〈◊〉 at Yorke with a goodly wall He deceased Aprill 22. or as one deliuereth Aprill 5. 1. 340. at Cawood hauing sate 22. yéeres and almost 7. moneths in which time he had béene successiuely Treasurer and Chauncellor of England His body lieth buried néere the 〈◊〉 in Saint Peters Church 43. William de Zouche VVIlliam de la Souch Deane of Yorke succéeded He had much to doe with one William Kilsby that contended with him two whole yéeres for this Archbishopricke He was consecrate at last by Pope Clement the 6. at Auinion an 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 1346. king Edward going into France left this man his 〈◊〉 heere The Scots taking aduantage of his absence came with a great armie into England At a place called Bewre Parke néere 〈◊〉 crosse they were mette by this Archbishop and diuers of our Nobilitie October 17. where our men so valtantly behaued themselues as the Scots were cuerthrowne two Earles 21. knights and an 〈◊〉 number of other slaine many also taken prisoners and amongst the rest Dauid le 〈◊〉 then king This Bishop a little before his death began the foundation of a Chappell on the south side of the church intending to be buried in the same but being taken away before it could be brought to any perfection he was laied before the altar of Saint Edmund the Confessor He died August 8. 1352. 44. Iohn Thursby THe yéere 1349. Iohn Thursby Bishop of Saint 〈◊〉 was translated