Richard Earle of Arundell being returned out of exile with Henry of Bullingbruke Duke of Hereford and Lancaster and after King of England by the name of Henry the fourth was againe Chancellor and continued therein about two yeares being removed from that place about September in Anno 11 of Henry the fourth being in Anno dom 1410. Thomas Beauford Knight the sonne of John of Gaunt sonne to King Edward the third and brother to King Henry the fourth was made Lord Chancellor in Anno 11 of the said King being in Anno dom 1410 in which office hee remained not full three yeares but left the same office and was created Earle of Dorcet and lastly Duke of Exceter John Wakering Clerke Master of the Rolles was made keeper of the great Seale when Thomas Beauford left the office of Chancellor which Seale hee kept about the space of a Moneth for in January after that he had received the Seale there was a Chancellor created Thomas Fitzallen or Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury was the fourth time invested with the Chancellorship in Anno dom 1412. being in Anno 13. of Henry the fourth in which office he continued during the life of the said King who dyed in the fourteenth yeare of his Raigne and in Anno dom 1413. Henry Beauford Bishop of Winchester and after Cardinall in the time of Henry the sixt being Vnckle to King Henry the fift then reigning was the second time made Chancellor in Anno dom 1413. being in Anno 5 of Henry the fift in which place he remained untill the fift yeare of the reigne of the said King being in the yeare of our Lord 1417. Thomas Langley Bishop of Durham was the second time made Lord Chancellor of England in the said yeare of our Lord 1417 being the 5 yeare of that worthy Conqueror King Henry the 5 Which office hee received at Southwicke and continued in that honor as farre as I can learne by the space of six yeares or more whereof five yeares were fully ended in the life and death of the said Henry the 5 and the sixt yeare ended in the last of the first or beginning of the second yeare of King Henry the 6. Henry Beauford Bishop of Winchester before named was the third time made Lord Chancellor of England in the second yeare of the raigne of King Henry the sixt being about Anno dom 1423 or 1424 for the second yeare of that King fell partly in the one and partly in the other of the said yeares of our Lord. In which office he continued about the space of foure yeares untill he was made Cardinall in Anno dom 1426. John Kemp Bishop of London was made Lord Chancellor of England in the fourth yeare of that King Henry who in his youngest yeares was crowned first King of England and then King of France in Paris in which office he remained as I suppose about six yeares John Stafford Deane of Saint Martin and of Wels Prebend of Milton in Lincolne Church Bishop of Bath and Wells Lord Chancellor and Treasurer of England and Bishop of Canterbury was made Lord Treasurer of England in the moneth of February in Anno dom 1431 falling in the tenth yeare of King Henry the sixt he remained in that office untill John Kempe was againe made Lord Chancellor which was about Anno 6 of Henry the sixt And here I thinke it not unmeet to remember that some have noted William Wanfleet that was Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of Oxford to be Chancellor of England when he built Magdalen Colledge in Oxford in Anno 25 Henry the sixt which possibly cannot be sith this Iohn Stafford held that office from the tenth of Henry the sixt untill the eight and twentieth of the same King which was eighteene yeares during which time they place this Wanfleet to be Chancellor of England which error I suppose they have committed in that they finding him Chancellor at the time of the building of his Colledge in the said 25 yeare of King Henry the sixt have taken him to be Chancellor of England when he was then but Chancellor of Oxford although indeed afterward he was Chancellor of England in Anno 35 of the said King as after shall appeare John Kempe Bishop of Yorke and Cardinall was the second time made Lord Chancellor in the 28 yeare of King Henry the sixt being in Anno dom 1450 in which office he dyed being Bishop of Canterbury in Anno do as saith Matthew Parker 1453 being the 32 yeare of the raigne of King Henry the sixt This man was first Bishop of Rochester next of Chichester thirdly of London then of Yorke where he sate sate 28 yeares and lastly he was Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinall by the title of Saint Rufind which preferments are breifly expressed in this verse Bis primas ter praeses bis Cardine Functus Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury the son to Raphe Nevill Earle of Westmerland and father to the valiant Richard Nevill Earle of Warwicke was after the death of Iohn Kempe by Parliament made Lord Chancellor in the 32 yeare of King Henry the sixt though others make it to be in the 33 yeare of the same King In which place hee continued not long for in the yeare following another was substituted and he remooved Thomas Bourchier brother to Henry Bourchier Earle of Essex Bishop of Elie and Bishop of Canterbury was made Chancellor in Anno 33 Henry 6 in which he remained much about 2 yeares in whose time as saith Matthew Parker about Anno dom 1461 was the Art of Printing invented at the Citty of Argentorat in Germany About which matter and especially for the exact and certaine time thereof many writers although their count about one time doe disagree yet at the inventing of that worthy thing were these verses composed in commendation of the same most excellent Art O faelix nostris memoranda impressio tectis Inventore nitet utraque lingua tuo Desierat quasi totum quod fundis in orbe Nunc parvo doctus quilibet esse potest Omnes Nunc homines igitur te laudibus ornent Te duce quando ars haec mira reperta fuit William Patan or Paten borne of a Gentlemanly Family being commonly called William Wanfleet of the place of his birth and being provost of Eaton and Bishop of Winchester was Lord Chancellor in Annis 35 36 37 of the unfortunate King Henry the sixt as have the Records of the Exchequor By which appeareth the error of those as I have before noted that mistaking the 25. of King Henry the sixt in which time hee was but Chancellor of Oxford for the 35. of the said King in which hee was Chancellor of England George Nevill the sonne of Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury and brother to Richard Nevill Earle of Warwicke being made Bishop of Excester came to that See in Anno dom 1455. in which See he continued tenne yeares and was removed to Yorke in Anno dom 1465 hee was
Lord Chancellor of England at his returne from beyond the Seas in the first yeare of King Henry the seventh being in Anno Dom. 1485 after which he was advanced to the Arch-bishopricke of Canterbury he dyed in Anno Dom. 1499 in Anno 15 of Henry the seaventh as hath Matthew Parker William Warham Advocate in the Arches Master of the Rolles Bishop of London and then Archbishop of Canterbury was before his advancement to the See of Canterbury made Chancellor of England in the time of Henry the seaventh in which office he continued until about the latter end of the seaventh yeare of King Henry the Eight At what time surrendring the Seale by reason of his age and weakenesse the same was delivered to Thomas Woolsey Thomas Woolsey sometimes Chapleine to Henry Deane Archbishop of Canterbury after the Kings Almoner and Abbat of S. Austins who possessing many other Abbies and Bishoprickes was advanced to the government of the great Seale about the beginning of the 8 yeare of King Henry the eight being in Anno Dom. 1516 to hold the same during his life as I gather in which office yet he continued not above thirteene yeares untill Anno 21 of King Henry the 8 being in Anno Dom. 1529. During which time of his Chancellorship in Anno 19 of King Henry the eight being Anno Dom. 1527. he went into France representing the King of Englands Person to set order for the delivery of Pope Clement the seaventh and Francis the French King at what time he carried the great Seale over the Seas to Calis Which Seale hee left with Doctor Taylor Master of the Rolles to keepe the same at Calis untill the Cardinalls returne out of the French Dominions He died in Leicester Abbey not without suspicion of poison as was thought which he had prepared for himselfe and given to his Apothecary to deliver when hee called for it the two and twentieth of King Henry the eight in Anno Dom. 1530. Thomas More Knight Chancellor of the Dutchie of Lancaster was advanced to the honour of Chancellorship of England in Anno Dom. 1529 being in Anno 21 of King Henry the eight In which office this rare witted Knight to use Erasmus his epitheton and learned Chancellor continued not ful three yeares but in Anno 24 of the said King with much labour and earnest suit he left his office Touching which it will not be impertinent to set downe the words of Matthew Parker in the lives of the Bishops of Canterbury in the life of Thomas Cranmer writing after this manner Interearex dum Papae meditabatur excidium singulorum de papali authoritate sensus iudiciis haud obscuris collegit Inter quos Thomas Morus quia regis conatus pontificiis valde suspectus fuit Cancellarii munere venia regis aegre impetrata sese abdicavit Thomas Audeley Atturney of the Dutchie of Lancaster Serjant at the law as most affirme and speaker of the Parliament was made Knight and Keeper of the great Seale the fourth of June in Anno 24 of the raigne of King Henry the eight in Anno dom 1â—32 not long after which he was made Lord Chancellor of England This man in the tenth yeare of his Chancellorship being in Anno dom 1542 and Anno 35 Henry 8 changing the name of Buckingham Colledge in Cambridge did name it the Colledge of S. Mary Magdalen and endowed it with some possessions He dyed on May Eeve in Anno dom 1544 being in Anno 35 Henry 8. Thomas Wriothesly Knight of the Garter Sonne to William Wriothesly Yorke Herald and Grand-childe to John Wriothesly Garter King of Armes being created Baron at Hampton Court on the first day of Ianuary in the 35 yeare of the Reigne of King Henry the eight in Anno dom 1543. was after advanced to the honour of the great seale and Chancellorship of England about the beginning of May in Anno 36 Henry 8 being in Anno dom 1544 in which office hee did continue untill the death of the said King Henry the eight And in the beginning of the raigne of King Edward the sixt he was the sixt of March remooved and the seale was delivered to William Paulet Lord S. John of Basing This Thomas Lord Wriothesly being created Earle of Southampton by King Edward the sixt died at his house of Lincolne place in Holborne the 30 of Iuly in the 4 yeare of the said King Edward in the yeare 1550 and was buried at S. Andrewes in Holborne William Paulet Knight being first Steward of the lands of the Bishopricke of Winchester then Treasurer of the houshold Lord Sent-John of Basing Lord great Master of the Kings house afterwards Earle of Wiltshire Marquesse of Winchester and Treasurer of England being of the Privie Councell to King Henry the eight King Edward the sixt Queen Mary and Queene Elizabeth had the keeping of the great seale committed unto him the seaventh day of March in the yeare of our Lord 1547 being the first yeare of the raigne of the young King Edward the sixt which seale he had in Custody about seaven moneths untill the 23 or 24 of October following at what time Sr. Richard Rich was made Lord Chancellor Sir Richard Rich Knight A Gentleman well descended and alyed in Hampshire created Lord Rich was advanced to the dignity of Lord Chancellor of England about the 23 of October in Anno dom 1547 being the first yeare of the raigne of the noble King Edward the sixt in which place he remained about five yeares Thomas Goodericke or Godericke being Bishop of Elie had the great Seale delivered unto him and was made Lord Chancellor of England the 20 of December as John Stow hath noted in his Chronicle in Anno dom 1551 being Anno 5 Edward 6 in which office he continued all the life of the said King Edward who died in Iuly Anno dom 1553 being the seaventh yeare of his raigne and about one moneth after untill the 13 or 14 day of August in which Queene Mary made Stephen Gardiner her Chancellor Sir Nicholas Hare Master of the Rolles had at the comming of Queene Mary to the Crowne the great Seale after the death of King Edward as Lord Keeper by the space of a fortnight and shortly after was Stephen Gardiner made Chancellor Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester was in August in Anno dom 1553 being the first yeare of the raigne of Queene Mary made Chancellor of England This man going in ambassage unto Calis left the great seale in the custody of William Paulet Marquesse of Winchester which Bishop after his returne into England continued in that office all the time of his life which he ended the 19 of November in Anno dom 1555 being the third yeare of Queene Mary After which the great seale lying in her Majesties custody shee on the New-yeares day following made a new Chancellor Nicholas Heath Bishop of Rochester Almoner to the King Ambassador into Germany Bishop of Worcester President of Wales and Archbishop of
THE CATALOGVE OF THE CHANCELLORS OF ENGLAND THE LORD Keepers of the Great Seale AND THE LORD TREASVrers of England With a Collection of divers that have beene Masters of the Rolles By J. P. Summerset Herald Printed at London by Tho. Cotes and are to be sold by Andrew Crooke in Pauls Church-yard 1636. CRESCAM UT PROSIM CONSTANTER ET PRUDENTER The Right honble Sr Alex Campbell of Cesnok one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice and one of the Lords of Her Maties most honble Pray Counsell Exchequer c 17â—7 To the right Honorable and excellent Lord Thomas Howard Earle of Arundell and Surrey Primer Earle and Earle Marshall of England Baron Howard Mowbray Segrave Brewes of Gower Fitzallan Clun Oswalderstree Maltravers and Greystock Iustice in Eyre of all the Kings Forrests Parkes and Chaces beyond the River of Trent Lievetenant generall to his Majestie in the Provinces of Norfolke Sussex Surrey Northumberland Westmerland and Cumberland of the Privy Councell to his Maiestie in England Scotland and Ireland and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter MY LORD I Have received many encouragements by Friends that have perused these Collections to render them to the publicke which cannot bee done without your Lordships approbation and permission to the Presse The Catalogues of the great officers in France long since printed have offorded much contentment and do worthily preserve the memory of such as merited in those places and their qualities And as I have no other but the same end in the publishing of these So I will comfort my selfe with an humble hope that it will give no discontentment The incouragements your Lordship hath conferred up on the office of Armes in generall my selfe in particular with a bountifull hand may give your Lordship just occasion to expect some fruite of our indeavours If these may passe in that estimate but for blossomes it will be more then they demerite And if your Lordship shall conceive them worthy to bee communicated to the world I most humbly crave leave that they may passe under Dedication to your Lordship which grace and favour will give them life and acceptation and very much incourage and comfort Most noble Lord To Your thrice humble and most obliged servant IOHN PHILIPOT Summerset Herald To my very loving friends the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers at Stationers Hall in London these LEt the Catalogue of the Chancellors of England the Lord Keepers of the great Seale and Lord high Treasurers of England Collected by Iohn Philipot Summerset be printed Arundell and Surry Arundell House the 16. of March 1635. CANDIDE ET CONSTANTER MErcedem meritis postponis legibus aurum Quod nunc prodigii pondus instar habet Consilio multis opibus succurris egenti The Preface THE Catalogue or Series of the Chancellors of England hath beene with much care and diligence laboured by Robert Glover Somerset Herauld of Armes and after him by Francis Thinne Lancaster Herauld whose M. S Collections J have by me and in them a thankfull commemoration is made of Mr. Thomas Talbots kinde assistance hee being Clerke of the Records in the Tower of London where the Charters and their Dates that afford the exactest testimonies of them are to be found for many Ages past So that J shall not neede to cite the vouchers and proofes at large Neither will I be so false to my selfe or my Reader as to conceale that the worthy and reverend Antiquarie Sr. Henry Spilman Knight in his Glossary hath summarily mentioned them The nature of the Office is most accurately described by him in that worke and also by Mr. William Camden Clarenceux King of Armes in his History of Great Brittaine in the description and definition of the severall Courts of Justice in this Kingdome to which J referre those that desire to be particularly informed in that kinde Pollidor Virgill would perswade us the Office and name of Chancellor was not known in this Kingdome till after the Norman Conquest and the Author of the Catalogue of Bishops is positive in that opinion speaking of Swithen Bishop of Winchester the opinion of whose piety procured him the title of a Saint But the contrary is most cleere and evident as by the Authorities hereafter mentioned will appeare to which I referre my Reader A CATALOGVE OF THE CHANCELLORS of England from the time of the SAXON Kings TVrketill was Chancellor to King Ethelbald who began his reigne in the yeere 718. this Turketill gave six Mannors to the Abbey of Croiland St. Swithen Bishop of Winchester was Chancellor and chiefe of Councell to the great Monarch King Egbert who began his reigne about the yeere 802. Wolfinus was Chancellor to King Athelstone who began his raigne in the yeare 924. This King inriched the Monastary of Malmesbury in Wiltshire with large and ample indowments and bestowed great immunities upon the Towne And in the Charter and grant of those Liberties ths Wolfinus is a witnesse with the title of Chancellor Turketill was Chancellor to the said King Athelstone and so continued under King Edmund who began his raigne in the yeare 940. and after the death of King Edmund he was Chancellor to King Edred the space of two yeares Adulthus Chancellor to King Edgar who began his raigne in Anno Dom. 959. Of this man speaketh Hugo Petro Burgensis and Leland calleth this Adulph Cancellarium Archigrammatum Chancellor or chiefe Secretary Alsius or Aelsius the second Abbat of Elie Chancellor to King Ethelred who began his raigne in Anno Dom. 979. This man being by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester consecrated Abbat by the appointment of the said King Ethelred or Egelred and being then Abbat of Elie when Ethelred gave out his commandement that the Abbat of Elie should then and for ever be Chancellor I doubt not to place him here amongst the Chancellors the proofe of which matter I have here verbatim set downe out of the second booke of the history of Elie. Statuit which was Ethelred atque concessit quatenus ecclesiam de Elie ex tunc semper in regis curia cancellarij ageret dignitatem quod etiam alijs sancti videlicet Augustini Glasconiae ecclesijs constituit ut Abbates istorum caenobiorum vicissim adsignatis succedendo temporibus annum trifarie dividerent cum sanctuarijs caeteris ornamentis ministrando c. Leofricus Bathonicus Chancellor to Edward the Confessor in Anno Dom. 1045. and some yeares before this man was Bishop of Cridington in Cornewall which see was after translated to Excester Wifinus or Wolfinus Chancellor to Edward the Confessor in the latter end of the said yeare 1045 being the third yeare of his raigne Resenbaldus or Rembaldus for I take them both by many and ancient authorities to be all one man was Chancellor to Edward the Confessor and Seale-bearer witnesse amongst others to many Deedes which I have seene of the Confessors some dated in Anno dom 1066 and some
and received the profit thereof to whom the King would have regiven the seale in Anno dom 1229 being the three and twentieth yeare of his raigne but Nevill would not receive it This man dyed in the yeare of Christ 1243 being Anno 27 Henry 3 at his Palace at London not farre from the new Temple Geofrey the Templer and John de Lexington were made keepers of the great Seale but shortly af er this Geofrey had the Seale taken from him because he grew in dislike of the Nobility in continually provoking them to anger Hugh Pateshall Cannon of Pauls is by Mathew Paris Fol 656 called Chancellor in Anno 23 Henry 3 Which I much doubt to be true of his man shall be more saide in the Treasurers of England Simon the Norman keeper of the great Seale in Anno 23 Henry 3 being in Anno dom 1229 he had the Seale shortly taken from him and was banished the Court because he would not seale the Patent whereby Thomas Earle of Flanders might take foure pence for every Sacke of Wooll that came out of England into Flanders This Simon dyed in the yeare of Christ 1249 being in Anno 33 Henry 3. Richard Grasse or Grossus Abbat of Evesham the said Simon expelled had the keeping of the great Seale in Anno 23 Henry 3 he kept the Seale three yeares and being chosen Bishop of Chester hee resigned the Seale in Anno dom 1242 being the 26 yeare of Henry the third he dyed being wise and learned in the Canon Law in the same yeare in Gascoigne in a Citty called in Latine Riola or Rigula where he was buried John de Lexington was againe made keeper of the Great Seale in Anno 26 Henry 3 being in Anno dom 1242 to execute that Office Ralphe Nevill being in life and still Chancellor but in the Kings disgrace shortly after which this Nevill dyed This Iohn Lexington dyed in Anno dom 1252 being in Anno 41 Henry 3. Ranulfe Briton as I read is saide to be Chancellor and Treasurer of the Chamber about the 37 yeare of Henry the third being in Anno dom 124â— I suppose that he only had the keeping of the great Seale as the rest had before him during the life of Raphe Nevill and so I leave him to the judgement of others sith Matthew Paris continually nameth him Treasurer and once Chancellor who sodainly dyed after dinner beholding players at Dice in Anno dom 1246 being in Anno 30 Henry 3 Of whom thus writeth the saide Matthew Paris in his greater history Fol. 934 Ranulphus Brito quondam Dominus familiarissimus Regi Reginae multis posthabitis nobilibus ejusdem Cancellarius specialis quum post mensalem refectionem aleatores certatim inspexisset colludentes laethalis apoplexia inexpectato vulnere corruit sugillatus Silvester de Eversden received the great Seale in Anno 29 Henry 3 being in Anno dom 1246 he was Vice-chancellor and consecrated Bishop of Carleil being a man most cunning in the custome of the Chancery in Anno dom 1247. being in Anno 31 Henry 3. Iohn Mansell Treasurer of Yorke Parson of Maidstone in Kent Parson of Wigan Chancellor of Paules Master or Ruler of Beverley Chiefe Iustice of England one of the privy Counsell to Henry the third his Chaplaine Ambassador into Spaine and a worthy souldier crossed to goe to Ierusalem who at one feast had two Kings two Queenes and I know not how many Noblemen and whose spirituall livings were about 4000 Markes of yearely revennewes â—s I have gathered he was at the will aâ—â—â—â—stance of the King made keeper of the great Seale as Vice-chancellor for Matthew Paris saith Custodiam sigilli regij accepit Cancellarij vices acturus officium about Anno 31 Henry 3 in Anno dom 1247 he built an house of regular Cannons at Rumney one of the Cinque Ports in Kent To this man King Henry the third in Anno 30 of his raigne did grant that his Towne of Wigan should be a Burrough John de Lexington being after chiefe Iâ—stice of the Forrest from the River of Trent Southward was againe keeper of the great Seale untill some part of the 32 yeare of Henry the third in Anno dom 1248. John Mansell againe keeper of the great Seale who at Woodstocke in the 32 yeare of Henry the third did receive the great Seale of the said John Lexington which he kept as I suppose and that with some good proofe untill the 33 yeare of the said King being in anno dom 1248 Of which John Mansell thus writeth an old anonymall Chronicle concerning the Barons warres Sed Johannes Mansell multarum in Anglia ecclesiarum Rector seu potius incubator reddituum quoque quorum non erat numerus possessor magnificus ita quod ditior eo clericus non videbatur in orbe episcopali puta dignitate minime insignitus metu Baronum aufugit latenter ultra mari de Turri London in qua Rex Angliae Regina sua tunc temporis tenuerunt se Quem quum Henricus filius regis Alemaniae fugientem insequeretur ipse capitur quum applicuisset Bononiae a Magistro Geâ—ardo de fines procuratore ut putabatur reginae Radulphus de Diceto was Chancellor as I reade and suppose much about this time William of Kilkenny being a modest wise and faithfull man learned in the Canon and Civill Lawes was made keeper of the great seale in Anno dom 1250. being in Anno 34 Henry 3 He was elected to the Bishopricke of Elie as saith the History of Elie the 18 Calends of September in Anno dom 1255 being about anno 39 Henry 3. But others say that he being then Vice-chancellor was elected Bishop of Elie in anno dom 1254 being anno 38 Henry 3 after that he had faithfully and to his great commendation used and borne the great seale he was consecrated to that Bishopricke in anno dom 1255 and dyed in anno dom 1256 being about anno 41 Henry 3 whose heart was buried at Elie. Henry de Wingham was made Chancellor in anno 39 Henry 3 and continued in annis 41 42 Henry 3 in which yeare as some have and in the 43 of Henry the third as others have he was chosen Bishop of Winchester upon condition that he should give place to Athelmer halfe brother to King Henry the third and sonne to Hugh Brunne Earle of Marshe and of Eleanor King Henry the third his Mother being banished by the Barons if that he should againe come into England and then leave the bishopricke of Winchester unto him which he did upon the comming againe of the said Athelmer into England and for that cause was after chosen Bishop of London in Anno dom 1259 being in Anno 33 Henry 3. and still Chancellor and is buried in Pauls on the South side of the Quire next to Eustachius Bishop of London in a Monument of Marble with this inscription on the wall to tell who it was Hic jacet Henricus de Wingham
of Canterbury and consecrated at Lyons by Peter of Spaine Bishop of Alba the third Calends â—f February in anno dom 1305 Hee was made Lord Chancellor of England after the death of the said William Hamilton in the said 35 yeare of King Edward the first and received the great Seale in the Rogation weeke following being some foure or five weekes after he was advanced to that Office at the Exchequer shortly after which dyed King Edward the first for which cause the saide Baldocke sent the great Seale to King Edward the second then at Carliel by reason of his fathers death This Baldocke dyed on S. James Eeve in anno dom 1313 being anno 7 Edward 2. Iohn Langton Bishop of Chichester againe made Lord Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1307. being the first yeare of King Edward of Carnarvà n in which office it seemeth that he continued untill Anno dom 1310 being in Anno 3 Edward 2. William Melton having two others joyned with him had the great Seale delivered unto them for a certaine time to execute all such things as were to be done therewith during the Kings pleasure This man was a Canon of Yorke Provost of Beverly Treasurer of England and Archbishop of Yorke as saith Anonymus M.S. He was consecrated Bishop of Yorke at Rome where he tarried two yeares for the same he was a man never wearied with travell He first of all the Bishops of Yorke after a long controversie betwixt the Deane and Cannons of Yorke visited the chapter by due order he was wise rich severe in correction gentle familiar and humble he finished the West part of the Church of S. Peters in Yorke with 300 pound he was Archbishop of Yorke 22 yeares five or sixe moneths and two dayes he dyed at Cawood on S Georges Eeve in Anno dom 1330 and was buried in the Minster of Yorke neere the Font. Walter Reinolds Bishop of Worcester Treasurer of England and Archbishop of Canterbury was made keeper of the great Seale and Chancellor of England on the sixt of July Anno dom 1310 being anno 3 Edward 2. John de Sandall Clerke Bishop of Winchester and Treasurer was at Yorke made Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1314. being anno 8 Edward 2 in which place he continued two yeares and more some part thereof being after that he was made Bishop of Winchester as I gather and then delivered backe the seale at Westminster in anno dom 1317 being in anno 11 Edward 2 Of this man is more spoken in the Treasurers of England John Hotham Bishop of Elie was created Lord Chancellor of England in anno dom 1317 being in anno 11 Edward 2 In which Office he continued untill anno dom 1319 being anno 13 Edward 2 During whose governement of the See of Elie in anno dom 1341 the steeple fell downe which made such a terrible noise and shaking of the ground that it was supposed to be some earth-quake He dyed of the palsey in anno dom 1336 being anno 10 Edward 3. John Salmon Bishop of Norwich was advanced to be Chancellor in anno dom 1319 being anno 13 Edward 2 against whom the Nobles rebelled for the misdemenour of Piers Gaveston the Gascoigne Earle of Cornwall In this yeare 1319 as saith one Anonymal Chronicler M.S. was William Airemine Keeper of the seale Vice-chancellor taken prisoner by the Scots The words of the which Author for the more certainety thereof we have here set downe Episcopus Eborum episcopus Eliae thesaurarius Abbas beatae Mariae Eborum Abbas de Selbie Decanus Eborum Dominus Willielmus Arymanee Vice-Cancellarius Angliae ac dominus Johannes Dabeham cum 8000 ferme hominum tam equitum quam peditum Civibus properanter civitatem egredientes quoddam flumen Swale nuncupatum sparsis cuneis transeuntes indispositis seu potius confusis ordinibus cum adversarijs congressi sunt Scoti siquidem in Marte gnari amplitudinem eorum exercitus caute regentes in nostris agminibus strictis audacter irruerunt nostrorum denique in brevi laceratis cuneis atque dissipatis corruerunt ex nostris tam in ore gladij quam aquarum scopulis suffocati plusquam 4000. capti sunt domini Johannes de Pabeham dominus Willielmus de Arymenee ut praefertur de Cancellaria c. Which William Ayrmenee was also in the said 15 of Edward 2. one of the Keepers of the great Seale as I have seene registred Robert Baldocke Archdeacon of Middleton a man evilly beloved and whom the old English Chronicle remembers with ill attributes was made Chancellor of England in anno 17 Edward 2 at the Castle of Pickering in Yorkeshire he was after made Bishop of Norwich and did his fealty for restitution of his Temporalties in anno 19 of the said King Edward the second at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire he was apprehended in anno 20 Edward 2 being in anno dom 1326 or as others have in the yeare 1325 And first committed to the custody of Adam Tarleton or de Orleton bishop of Hereford and after was put in the prison of the Newgate of London in which 20 yeare of King Edward the second the great seale was againe delivered to William Arymenee who as I suppose was then also made Bishop of Norwich and this Baldocke deposed from that see Of which Baldocke thus writeth a Polythronicon of Durham Robertus de Baldocke Cancellarius anno 1325 captus cum Hugonibus de Despensers quia clericus fuit sacerdos in nova porta Londiniarum poni fecit Edwardus Princeps Isabella mater ejus ubi pro nimia miseria mortuus fuit infra breve John Hotham bishop of Elie the second time was at Westminster made Chancellor of England in anno dom 1326 being the first yeare of the Raigne of that King that intituled himselfe King of England and France but he continued not long in the same Office for he was removed in the second yeare of the said King being in anno dom 1328 He was elected Bishop in anno dom 1316 in which place he ruled twenty yeares and died in anno dom 1336 of the palsey at Summersham being buried in the Church of Elie under a goodly monument of stone with the Image of a bishop carved out of Alabast r upon his Tombe Henry Cliffe Master of the Rolles had the charge and Keeping of the great Seale of England in the said yeare of Christ 1328 being the second yeare of King Edward the third and was the Kings Chancellor also Henry de Burgh Burghwash or Burghurst Nephew to Sr. Bartholmew Bladismere baron of Leedes in Kent having beene Treasurer of England enjoyed the honour of the Chancellor in the second yeare of King Edward the third being in anno dom 1328. and was made Chancellor at Northampton which Office he did not long enjoy John Stratford Bishop of Winchester and after of Canterbury and sometime Treasurer of England was made Chancellor of the Realm in anno dom 1330 being in
anno 4 Edward 3 who being sent in the sixt yeare of his raigne in anno dom 1332 Ambassador beyond the Seas about the affaires of the King and Kingdome did not like Cardinall Woolsey the Chancellor in the dayes of King Henry the 8 presumptuously carry the great Seale with him beyond the seas but left the same in his absence with others who both could and would answere the well or evill using thereof whiles he was in France This man continued in the Office untill the Eight yeare of Edward the third Richard de Bury otherwise called Richard de Angervile being borne in a little village besides S Edmundsbury commonly cald the Bury Abbey was so surnamed Bury of that place had to his Father Sr. Richard Angervile Knight This man being first kept at schoole by his Vncle Sr. Iohn VVillobie Priest was afterward Treasurer of England Chancellor and Bishop of Durham to which place of Chancellor-ship hee was advanced in the yeare 1334 being in anno 8 Edward 3 which office he received by the Kings gift at VVestminster in which yeare he was inthronized being first consecrated Bishop in anno do 1333 in the Bishoprick of Durham by William Cowton Prior of Durham He kept the See 11 yeares two moneths and twelve dayes and died in the yeare 1345 and was buryed in the South angle of the Church at Durham John Stratford the second time Lord Chancellor being now Archbishop of Canterbury was installed therein at York in anno dom 1335 being the ninth yeare of the Raigne of King Edward the third Robert de Stratford or Strafford as some have written but as I thinke corruptly being Archdeacon of Canterbury which Office was first ordeined by Anselme Archbishop of the said Citty was made Chancellor of England on the 24 day of March anno dom 1336 being in anno 11 Edward 3 He was after made Bishop of Chichester desiring to be remooved from that office of Chancellorship which was granted unto him Whereupon he surrendred up the Seale unto the said King Edward 3 in the 12 yeare of his Raigne being in anno dom 1338. Richard de Bintworth chosen Bishop of London and confirmed by John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury at Oxford the tenth kalends of Iune 1338 was at Waltham advanced to the honour of Lord Chancellor in the moneth of July in the said yeare 1338 being the 12 yeare of King Edward the third John Stratford the third time Lord Chancellor of England in which Office he did not long continue Robert Bishop of Chichester being the foresaid Robert Stratford was againe made Lord Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1340 being anno 14 of the raigne of Edward the third who was put out of that Office and should with the Treasurer of England have beene sent into France for a pledge for the payment of certaine sommes of money Robert de Bourchier borne of the honourable house of the Lord Bourchiers was in the Towre of London made Lord Chancellor of England in December in anno 14 Edward 3 being in anno dom 1340 though some say hee was made Chancellor in anno 15 of the saide King Robert Perning Pernicke or Pernwicke also Treasurer of England was made Chancellor of England in anno dom 1341 bing in anno 15 Edward 3 he dyed in the yeare 1343 being in anno 17 of the said King This man was a Serjant in the third yeare of Edward the third when he began to plead as a Serjant in which he continued untill anno 11 Edward 3 and was after that Iustice Treasurer and Chancellor and dyed in the common plees being Chancellor sitting and arguing amongest the Iustices as appeares in the Law books of those yeares of Edward the third of whom is last mention made in the 17 yeare of Edward the third where hee is named Chancellor Robert de Saddington Knight was invested with the dignity of Lord Chancellor after the death of Perning in anno dom 1343 and in anno 17 Edward 3 He was elected to be Bishop of Canterbury and so was installed but never received the Pall. There was also one Richard Saddington Knight Treasurer of England of whom I have spoken in my discourse of the Lord Treasurers John Offord or Vfford Deane of Lincolne was made Chancellor of England in anno dom 1345. being anno 19 Edward 3 Hee dyed in the moneth of May in anno dom 1349 being the 23 yeare of the Raigne of that victorious King Edward the third John Thorsby Bishop of Worcester Archbishop of Yorke and Cardinall was installed in the seat of the Lord Chancellor in anno dom 1349 being anno 23 Edward 3 who at his great suit was discharged of the Office of Chancellor by delivery of the great Seale in November in anno 30 of the said King being in anno dom 1356 after hee had kept that place almost by the space of 7 yeares He in the 10 yeare of his Bishopricke on the third kalends of August beganne the frame of the Quire in S Peters Church in Yorke and laid the first stone thereof to which he gave an Hundred poundes He dyed at Thorpe and was buryed at Yorke in anno dom 1363 or as others have 1373 after that he had beene Archbishop one and twenty yeares and one and twenty dayes William de Edington Bishop of Winchester Lord Treasurer of England was made Chancellor of England in November in anno dom 1356 in anno 30 of King Edward the third Simon Langham Abbat of Westminster Bishop of Elie Archbishop of Canterbury and Treasurer of England was made Lord Chancellor in February in anno dom 1363 being the seaven and thirthieth yeare of the governement of King Edward the third Of this Simon were these verses made when he was removed from Elie to the Bishopricke of Canterbury Exultent caeli quia Simon transit ab Eli Cujus in adventum flent in kent millia centum Of whom also because he richly endowed the Abbey of Westminster with great gifts of singular cost and value a certaine Monke compiled these verses Res es de Langham tua Simon sunt data quondam Octingentena librarum millia dena Of this man is more spoken in the following discourse of the Lord Treasurers of England William de Wickeham so called of the place of his Birth whom Leland maketh Treasurer of England which by any possible meanes cannot be so for any thing that I can yet learne This man being Bishop of Winchester and advanced to that place in anno dom 1367 in anno 41 Edward 3 in which place he sate seaven and thirty yeares was sometime keeper of the privie seale and made also Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1367 being the 41 yeare of Edward the third in which Office he remained about foure yeares and in March in the yeare 1371 being the 45 of King Edward the third did deliver up the great Seale to the King at Westminster Hee was buried in the body of Winchester Church which he new built
his raigne by his Letters Patents to confirme the said house to the said William and his successors Masters of the Rolles And whereas by the Patent of Edward the third the Master of the Rolles was appointed and installed in that house by the Chancellor it is to be noted that the same manner of induction and instalment continued as long as the Master of the Rolles was of the Clergy as I have seene set downe by others and as the Presidents of those instalments and the Writts themselves extant of record doe well prove Sir Richard Scroope Knight Lord of Bolton having beene Lord Treasurer in the time of the deceased King Edward the third was now in October about the latter end of the yeare 1378 or the beginning of the yeare 1379. being the second yeare of the after deposed King Richard the second made Lord Chancellor and had the great Seale delivered unto him who in the third yeare of the said King at a Parliament did surrender up his office Of this man is more set downe in the discourse of the Treasurers Simon Sudbury so surnamed of the place of his birth but by descent called Tibold the sonne of Nicholas Tibold descended of a gentleman like race dwelling at Sudbury in Suffolke This Simon was Archbishop of Canterbury and made Chancellor about the yeare of Christ 1380. in the third yeare of Richard the second and was by the Rebells beheaded in the Tower of London in the fourth yeare of the disquieted government of that unfortunate but valiant King Richard the second After whom in the fifth yeare of the said King was R. Bishop of London whereof I have seene and taken a note which Bishop was as I conjecture and have some authority to prove Robert Braybrooke which followeth and was made Chancellor againe after Sir Richard Scroope R. Bishop of London Chancellor the fifth yeare of King Richard the second at which time Robert Braybrooke was Bishop of London Sir Richard Scroope Knight