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
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
being ordered and brought to passe according to his desire he returned home leauing the Quéene with the French king her brother to perfect and finish the agréement already made She whether weary of her hust and or prouoked by the insolency of the Spencers and other fauorites about the king had long since determined to depose her husband from the kingdome if possibly she might and to set vp her sonne Prince Edward Hauing therefore rid away this Bishop whose loialty and faithfullnesse to his soueraigne she well knew was vnmooueable she began to put in practise the execution of this long plotted designement and in the end to be short exploited the same While these matters were a brewing it happened the king to take his iourney to Bristow and he thought good to commit the gouernment and custody of the citie of London to the fidelity of this Bishop At what time therefore the Quéene began to approach néere vnto the city with her power he required the Maior to send vnto him the keies of the gates The Commons who altogether fauoured the Quéenes party hearing this and perceauing the Bishop purposed to withstand her set vpon him violently drew him into Cheape side and beheaded him there together with Sir Richard Stapleton a Knight his brother Then they caried his body to his house without Temple bar and buried if basely in a heape of sand in the backside of the same house In this sort did this woorthy prelate loose his life in defence of his Prince and that by their meanes who of all other were bound in the strongest bands of duty and alleageance to haue done as he did I meane the Queene and the Prince her sonne They shortly after whether regarding his calling or destring to make semblance of disliking the manner of his death or happily mooued with some remorse of conscience commanded his body to be taken from the place where it was first 〈◊〉 and being conueighed to Exceter with all funerall pompe there to be solemnly enterred He lieth 〈◊〉 vpon the North side of the high Altar in a faire toombe of free stone And his brother before mentioned lieth ouer against him in the North wall of the North Isle This murther was committed October 15 1326. And his funerals were solemnised at Exceter March 28. following The yéere 1316. he erected two houses in Oxford for the better increase and aduancement of learning the one named Hart hall the other Stapledons Inne now called Exceter college in which he placed thirteene fellowes and a Rector whom he appointed to be chosen annually This foundation is much encreased of late yeeres by the liberality of Sir William Peter late principall Secretary and others Moreouer it is to be remembred that he was a speciall benefactor vnto the hospitall of Saint Johns in Exceter to which he impropriated for the releeuing of certaine poore children the Rectory or personage of Ernscombe IAmes Barkley descēded of the noble house of the Lord Burkley was consecrated March 15. anno 1326. by Walter Raynold Archbishop of Canterbury at the commanndement of 〈◊〉 the Queene The Pope very angry here withall did so 〈◊〉 the Archbishop as he died for griefe and anger soone after Neither did the new consecrate Bishop stay long behinde him for he died also the 24. of June following A man reputed very godly and wise He was buried as some say in his owne church but others deliuer that he neuer came hither at all IOhn Grandesson being in Italy with Pope Iohn the 22. after the death of Iohn Barkley he at the kings request bestowed this Bishopricke vpon him and caused him tobe consecrate at Rome October 18. 1327. He was borne and descended of the auncient house of the Grandessons Dukes of Burgundy His Father was named Gilbert the brother of Otho the great Lord Grandesson which Gilbert 〈◊〉 into this Land was well intertained by the king and nobility By meanes of Henry Earle of Lancaster with whom he came into England he maried the Lady 〈◊〉 daughter and one of the heires to Iohn Tregos Lord of the Castle of Ewias néere Hereford East and by her had issue fiue sonnes and foure daughters of which this Bishop was one who was borne in the parish of Aishpertone in the Dioces of Hereford He was from his childhood very studious became earned and wrote diuers bookes one intituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an other 〈◊〉 minores and a third de vitis sar ctorum He was also very graue wise and politike And thereby grew into such credit with Pope Iohn that he was not onely of his priuy counsell but also his Nuntio or Embassadour in matters of great waight and unportance to the Emperor to the king of Spaine Fraunce England and other the mightiest Princes of Christendome Being on a time sent in an Embassage to king Edward the third he so behaued him selfe that the king neuer ceased vntill he had procured him from the Pope and then he gaue him the Archbeaconry of Nothingham and other great liuings he made him one of the priuy councell and in the end preferred him to his Bishopricke After this some matter of dislike falling out betwéene Pope Clement the sixt and the King he for his approued wisedome was sent in Ambassage to the Pope ann 1343. for an intreaty of a peace and an amity betwéene 〈◊〉 to be had and with such wisedome he did his message that he obtained his purpose and made a reconciliation After his returne home to his Bishopricke he spent his time altogether in adorning and beautifying of his Church or building and erecting some good monument or other He founded the Colledge of S. Mary Otrey and endowed the same with great and goodly liuelihoods He was a liberall Benefactor to the Uicars Chorall of his owne Church as also to the Colledge of Glaseney in Peryn he builded the two last Arches in the West end of his Church vaulted the roofe of all the Church and fully ended the buildings of the same Leauing it in such sort as we sée it at this day Thē also he inriched it with plate and other ornaments of inestimable value Moreouer he built a faire house at Bishops Taingtonwhich he left full furnished vnto his successors and did impropriate vnto the same the Parsonage of Radway to the ende as he setteth downe in his Testament Vt haberent Episcopi locum vbi caput suum 〈◊〉 si forte in manum regis eorum 〈◊〉 caperentur Before his death he made his last Will wherein he gaue such large and bouteous legacies to the Pope Emperor King Queene Archbishop Bishops Colledges Churches and to sundry parsons of high estates and callings that a man would maruell considering his great and chargeable buildings and workes otherwise how and by what meanes he could haue attained to such a masse of wealth and riches He was alwaies very frugall kept no more men or horses about him then necessary and euer despised the vanity of all outward pompe But this it was
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
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
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
foorth as he would haue one Church allowed vnto them in the City in which with certaine restraints they should practise their ceremonies Unto double beneficed men and non residents he was very hard Diuers elected vnto Bishopricks he reiected hauing no other exception against them Many he compelled to reforme themselues according to the Canons in that behalfe and some that refused to be conformable he finally depriued Abultery he was woont to punish very seuerely He persecuted a Bishop terribly his name is not deliuered for keeping a concubine One Roger Ham a Priest he enioyned to thrée yéeres penance for fornication enioyining him to spend all that time in fasting prayer and pilgrimages to Rome Compostella and Colon and moreouer sequestred the fruites of his benefice during those thrée yéeres appointing them to be giuen vnto the poore Neither 〈◊〉 he thus with men of his owne coate onely There was a certaine knight of 〈◊〉 called Sir Osborn Gifford He had stollen two Nunnes out of the Nunry of Wilton which comming to the Archbishops eares he first excommunicated him and after absolued vpon these conditions first that he should neuer after come within any Nunry or in the company of a Nunne then that thrée Sundaies together he should be whipped in the parish Church of Wilton so likewise in the market and Church of Shaftsbury thrée other daies that he should fast a certaine number of moneths that he should not weare any shirt in thrée yéeres and lastly that he should not any more take vpon him the habite or title of a knight but weare apparrell of a russet colour vntill he had spent thrée yéers in the holy land All this he sware should be performed before he might haue absolution If some of our gentlemen were now and then thus serued they would not be so wanton as they are Thirtéene yéeres and almost a halfe this man continued Archbishop holding all this while his prebend he had first at Lyons which when diuers begged of him he would answere that he might not in any wise spare it for hée looked euery day when being drouen out of England by the king against whom indéede he often very boldly opposed him selfe he should haue no other home to take to For the same cause belike it was annexed vnto the Sée of Canterbury Many succéeding Archbishops enioyed the same a long time after He 〈◊〉 very rich and yet in his life time founded at Wingham a Colledge valued when it was suppressed at fower score and fower pounds of yéerely reuenues and aduanced diuers of his kinred to great possessions whose posterity haue continued in the state of Knightsand Esquiers euen vntill our time He was buried in his owne Church but in what particular place I find not 49. Robert Winchelsey VVHat countreyman Robert Winchelsey should be no man deliuereth But it is certaine he first went to schoole at Canterbury where he was so admired for his towardlinesse and loued for his gentle and modest behauiour being also a very welfauoured childe as euery man would take vpon him euen then to prophecie that he should one day be Archbish. of Canterbury Being ripe for the Uniuersity he was sent to Paris There he procéeded Master of art and before his departure thence was chosen Rector of that Uniuersity Hauing passed through that office which séemeth to be annuall with great commendation of integrity and wisedome he returned into England and comming to Oxford gaue such proofe there of his excellent knowledge in all good learning by preaching disputing c. as they thought good to honour him with the degrée of a Doctor and shortly after made him Chauncellor of their Uniuersity His gouernment there was such as all men easily discerned him fit for a much higher place He made many good and profitable statutes and tooke away diuers fond and pernicious customes to the great honor of the Uniuersity and no lesse aduauncement of good learning His first spirituall promotion was a prebend in Paules church and the Archdeaconry of Esser His Archdeacoury he visited himselfe in person duly euery yeere and did reside vpon his prebend preaching in that cathedral church or some other place almost euery day By reason hereof his manifold good parts he grew so famous as Peckham being dead he was straightway pointed out by the expectation of all men vnto the Archbishopricke The monkes therefore chose him with the kings very good liking great applause of all men It was his chāce to come to Rome while Coelestious was Pope a good vertuous man but so simple as Boniface that succéeded him could perswade him by counterfeiting the voice of an Angell through a trunke in the night to resigne his Papacy and become an Heremite againe as before his election he had beene Not onely this simple Heremite but euen all the prelates and Cardinals there were amased at his woonderfull rare learning the like whereof especially to be ioined with such discretion and wisedome they well assured themselues was no where to be found They were desirous therefore to haue made him a Cardinall so to haue retained him amongst them But he yéelding many reasons why he might not be spared at home obtained at last consecration and hasted him vnto his charge Upon the day of his inthronization it is said he consecrated Bishop of Landaffe one Iohn Monemouth Doctor of Diuinity and bestowed twenty benefices ten of very good value vpon ten Doctors and ten lesse vpon ten Batchelers of Diuinity The Sée being yet voide the king had caused a conuocation to be summoned in which he required one halfe of all ecclesiasticall reueneues for one yéere toward the charge of his wars This intollerable exaction the cleargy not intending to yéeld vnto sent the Deane of Paules William de Montfort with diuers other Prelates vnto the king to craue pardon and to shew how hard it were for them to yéeld to this demaund Being admitted vnto his presence the Deane began his spéech and after a few words fell downe suddenly starke dead Herewith the king nothing mooued sent a knight the next day vnto the conuocation to know whether any of them durst withstand the king in this demaund if there be any such quoth he let him come foorth that I may take order with him as a disturber of the kings peace So no man daring to gainesay it the graunt passed for good The Archbishop now comming home soone after called another Synode wherein his cleargy complained much of the last exaction The Archbishop told them it was more thē they could 〈◊〉 that they had done for that in the late Councell of Lyons it was decréed no cleargy man should pay any thing to any temporall magistrate without the Popes licence that therefore they now set downe for a canon to be kept hereafter inuiolably At that time the king that had had so liberall allowance very lately demaunded nothing But within a yéere or two after hauing spent an infinite deale of
not onely take away his life but make him odious in his life time and infamous for euer with all posterity He wrote many letters vnto the king wherein he purged himselfe most cléerely of whatsoeuer was obiected and prayed him not to commaund his repaire vnto his presence vntil a parliament were assembled wherein if he were to be charged with any crime he vowed to offer himselfe vnto iustice Understanding then that the king had written diuers discourses against him vnto the Bishop of London the couent of Canterbury and others to the intent they might be publike for defence of his credit he thought it requisite to make his Apology in the pulpit which he did taking this for his text Non pertinuit Principem potentia nemo vieit illum c. Eccles. 48. At last a parliament was summoned whereunto vpon safe conduct he came He was not suffered to come into the parliament house before he had answered to certaine crimes obiected against him in the court of the Exchequer He went thither and receiuing a copy of the articles promised to make answere vnto them The next day comming againe vnto the parliament he was once more forbidden entrance A great number of people flocking about him in the meane time he told them how he had béene summoned to the parliament whereof he was a principall member and now being come was kept out by violence But saith he taking his crosse into his owne hand I will not hence till I either be suffered to come in or heare some cause alleaged why I should not While he stoode there some of the company began to reuile him and to tell him he had betraied the realme c. Unto whom he answered thus The curse of almighty God quoth he of his blessed mother and mine also be vpon the heads of them that informe the king so Amen Amen In the meane time certaine noble men chaunced to come out whom he besought to request the king in his behalfe By their meanes he was at last admitted and being charged with diuers hainous crimes offered to purge himselfe of them and if they might be prooued to submit himselfe vnto iustice Twelue men were chosen to examine this matter viz. fower Prelates the Bishops of London Bathe Hereford and Exceter fower Earles Arundell Salisbury Huntington and Suffolke and lastly fower Barons Henry Percy Thomas Wake Ralfe Basset and Ralfe 〈◊〉 All this was but to make the Archbishop odious with the common people A fault was committed And the king willing the blame therof should lie any where rather then vpon himselfe made al this ado to bleere the peoples eies The matter neuer came to the hearing of these nobles but was so handled that the Archbishop vpon great sute and intreaty of in a maner the whole parliament must be pardoned all that was past and receiued to fauour againe After this he liued certaine yeeres quietly Hauing beene Archbishop about fiftéene yeeres he fell sicke at Magfield and making his will wherein he gaue all he had vnto his seruants died there He was buried in a goodly tombe of alabaster on the South side of the high altar beside the steps of Saint Dunstanes altar He was a very gentle and mercifull man rather to 〈◊〉 then any way rigorous vnto offenders His manner was thrise euery day to giue almes to thirtéene poore people in the morning pence a péece at nine a clocke bread meate and pottage and at noone againe euery one a loafe and a peny He gaue vnto his church of Canterbury a very sumptuous miter and certaine bookes He assigned also vnto the same a pension of fiue pound out of the parsonages of Boughton and Preston appropriated vnto the Abbey of Feuersham and some deliuer that he founded a colledge at Stratford vpon Auon where he was borne 53. Iohn Vfford THe Pope at this time had so farre incroched vpon vs here in England as he would seldome or neuer suffer any orderly election to take place but bestow all Bishoprickes where it pleased him The king Edward the third much discontented herewith writ vnto him very earnestly praying him to forbeare his prouisions and reseruations whereby he robbed patrones of their right and chapters of their elections telling him that the disposition of Bishoprickes belonged of old vnto the king onely that his progenitors at the sute of diuers Popes had giuen that their authority vnto Chapters which if they vsed not he assured himselfe it deuolued againe vnto the first graunter which was the king The copy of this letter is to be seene in Thomas 〈◊〉 and many other After the receit of this letter the Pope would seldome or neuer take vpon to giue any Bishopricke but vnto such as the king made request for But so betwéene the king and the Pope elections were altogither deluded and made frustrate And therefore Simon Mepham being dead whereas the Couent made choice of one Thomas Bradwardin to succéede him the king writing somewhat earnestly to the Pope in fauour of Iohn Vfford he was by and by pronounced Archbishop by the Popes oracle and the other vtterly reiected This Iohn Vfford was sonne vnto the Earle of Suffolke brought vp in Cambridge and made Doctor of Law there promoted first vnto the Deanry of Lincolne then to the Chauncellorship of England and lastly the Archbishopricke He neuer receiued either his pall or consecration Hauing expected the same the space of sixe moneths he died in the time of that great plague that consumed halfe the men of England Iune 7. 1348. His body without any pomp or woonted solemnity was caried to Canterbury and there secretly buried by the North wall beside the wall of Thomas Becket at that place if I mistake not where we sée an olde woodden toombe néere to the toombe of Bishop Warham This man began to build the Archbishops pallace at Maidstone but died before he could bring it to any perfection 54. Thomas Bradwardin THomas Bradwardin of whom somewhat is said before was borne at Hartfield in Sussex and brought vp in the Uniuersity of Oxford where hauing trauayled along time in the study of good learning he procéeded Doctor of Diuinity He was a good Mathematician a great Philosopher and an excellent Diuinc as diuers workes of his not yet perished doo testifie But aboue all he is especially to be commended for his sinceryty of life and conuersation Iohn Stratford the Archbishoppe in regard of these vertues commended him vnto that noble Prince King Edward the third for his Confessor In that office he behaued him selfe so as he deserueth eternal memory for the same He was woont to reprehend the king with great boldnesse for such things as he sawe amisse in him In that long and painfull warre which the king had in Fraunce he neuer would be from him but admonished him often secretly and all his army in learned and most cloquent sermons publikely to take heede they wared not proud and insolent because of the manifold victories God
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
his company out of all question the city was fired the greatest part thereof being burnt downe to the ground togither with the Nunnery the Monastery of Saint Grimbald and more then 20. other Churches some say 40. This hapned vpon the 2. day of August 1141. Soone after his men burnt and spoiled the Nunnery of Warwell and himselfe returning to Winch. tooke off from the crosse that was burnt in the new Monastery 500. l. of siluer 30. marke of gold thrée crownes with so many seates of fine Arabike gold set with precious stones All this he put in his owne purse Now to remember his good déedes also you shall vnderstand that he founded that woorthy Hospitall of Saint Crosse néere Winchester In which place some thing had beene built long before to some such good vse But it was destroied by the Danes and quite ruinated til this Bishop reedified it or rather laide new foundations in the same place ann 1132. and endowed it with the reuenew it now hath He also built the castell of Farnham destroied afterward by king Henry the 3. but reedified by the Bishops of Winch. He was a man as of great bloud so of a great and high minde He contended often with the Archbishop of Canterbury for superiority vnder colour that he was the Popes legate a latere and as some deliuer a Cardinall Matthew Westm. reporteth that he obtained of Pope Lucius the title of an Archbishop receauing from him a pall and authority ouer seuen churches But what or which they were I finde not In the 47. yéere of his consecration he fell sicke dangerously whereof the king Henry the 2. hearing came to visite him But he was so farre from yeelding the king thanks for this great grace as he gaue him no lookes but frowning nor spéeches but very sharpe and curst reprehending him with very bitter words as the causer of Thomas Beckets death Yet such was the great méekenesse of this prince as he not onely tooke very patiently this reproofe but long after thought much of the same And surely no great maruell The memory of a dying mans words abideth long How much more of a Bishop a graue wise and ancient prelate He departed this life August 6. 1171. where he was buried I know not 38. Richard Tocline alias More AFter the death of the former Bishop the Sée stood void thrée yéeres many other Churches likewise at the same time stoode long voide At last the yéere 1173. by the instance of two Cardinals the king granted licence of frée election vnto them all Unto Winchester was then chosen Richard Tocline Archdeacon of Poitiers by some called More by other Richard de Iuelcester He was consecrate at Lambhith the yéere following viz. 1174. togither with thrée other Bishops Geffery of Ely Robert of Herford and Iohn of Chichester He died December 22. 1187. or as his Epitaph hath 1189. He lieth entombed in the north wall of the Presbytery iust vnder Wina where is ingrauen this that followeth Obijt anno Dom. 1189. Presulis egregij pausant hic membra Ricardi Tocline cui summi gaudio sunto poli 39. Godfridus de Lucy HE was sonne vnto Richard Lucy chiefe Justice of England consecrate Bishop of Winchester Nouember 1. 1189. and died an 1204. so he sate 15. yéeres This man purchased of king Richard the first the mannors of Wergraue and Menes which in times past had belonged vnto his Sée of Winchester but I know not how had béene alienated from the same Moreouer he became a great benefactor vnto the Priory of Westwood in Kent founded by his father 40. Peter de la Roche THis man borne in Poytiers being a knight was consecrate Bishop of Winchester at Rome an 1204. A notable wise prelate and of such authority vnder king Iohn first and Henry the third after as none greater in those times He with two other Bishops viz. Philip his countreyman of Durham and Iohn Gray of Norwich animated king Iohn to withstand the Popes excommunication but they were all faine to cry peccaui at last The yéere 1214. king Iohn made him chiefe Justice of England the nobles of the realme grudging very much that a stranger borne should rule ouer them After the death of king Iohn king Henry being a childe the realme was long gouerned almost altogether by this Bishop For William Earle Marshall dying he was chosen in his roome Protector of the king and realme And afterwards the king being growen to yéeres of discretion relyed altogither vpon his counsell He had a nephew or as some say a sonne named Peter d' Orinall Treasurer of England in maruellous great fauour also with king Henry Yet as court fauours are variable so were they often disgraced and often restored againe to the height of worldly happines I meane the Princes great and entire fauour The yéere 1226 he tooke his voyage to the Holy land and being absent fiue yéeres at his returne was receiued with 〈◊〉 and all signes of great ioy He died June 9. 1238. at Faruham when he had sate Bishop the space of 24. yéeres and was buried according to his owne appointment very meanely and euen obscurely in his owne church In his death saith M. Paris the counsell of England receiued a great wound What good soeuer happened vnto the church either by peace or warre in the Holy land at the comming of the Emperour Fredericke it is specially to be ascribed vnto the wisedome of this Bishop Againe saith he when as discord betwéene the Pope and the Emperour threatned the destruction of the whole church he was the speciall meanes of compounding a peace betwéene them Now of the religious houses he built and being built enriched with reuenewes for their maintenance These be the names Hales of the order of Premonstratenses Tickford of the same order Saleburne of the order of Saint Augustine viz. Canons regular and a goodly hospitall at Portsmouth Againe he remooued the Church of S. Thomas the Martyr in the holy land from a very vnfit place vnto a more conuenient and reformed the statues of the company belonging to the Church causing the Patriark of Hierusalem to take order that whereas they were heretofore méere lay men now they should be vnder the Templers and of their society And lastly he bestowed great cost in fortifying and repayring the Towne of Joppa a notable succour and refuge of the Christians in those parts He made a worthy and memorable will giuing vnto euery of the foresaid places a huge summe of money for the least that he gaue was vnto the house of S. Thomas of Acon vnto which he beaqueathed 500. marks All this notwithstanding he left his Bishopricke very rich his houses furnished and his grounds ready Stocked for his successor Thus farre M. Paris 41. William de Raley THe Sée being thus voide by the death of Peter derupibus the king Henry the 3. dealt very earnestly with the monks of Winchester to choose in his place the Bishop elect of Ualentia
countries which this noble Prince subdued but other huge summes of money also gathered at home by vnusuall subsidies and taxations much grudged at by the commons all which notwithstanding the king was so bare as for the paiment of debts he was constrained to bethinke him first of some new deuice to raise money The Bishops enimies taking the aduantage of this occasion induced the king to be content that a solemne complaint might be framed against him as if by his misgouernement the kings treasure had beene either vainely wasted or falsely imbesilled for that otherwise for sooth it was impossible the king should so be fallen behind hand They charge him therefore with the receite of 1109600. l. which amounteth to more then a million of poundes besides a hundred thousand frankes paied vnto him by Galeace Duke of Millaine For all this they demaund sodainely an account and to set a better colour vpon the matter patch vp a number of other accusations partly vntrue partly friuolous yet sufficient happily to bleare the eies of the common people and diuerting the displeasure of this inconuenience from them on whom otherwise it must haue lighted to deriue it vnto him vpon whom if it fell neuer so heauily it could cast him no lower then that place frō whence the king had first raised him Amongst many enimies that gouernement and enuy had prouoked against him Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster for some other cause néedlesse here to be 〈◊〉 bare vnto him an implacable hatred The King was then old and very impotent the Duke his eldest sonne 〈◊〉 and so gouerning all thinges vnder him The Duke therefore found meanes that William Skipwith Lord chiefe Justice condemned him as guilty of those accusations procured his temporalties to be taken from him and to be bestowed vpon the yoong Prince of Wales and lastly commanded him in the kings name not to come within twenty miles of the Court The yeere 1376. happened vnto him this trouble which I may call the Prologue or 〈◊〉 of the pageant to be plaid the yéere following I meane the Parliament the chiefe end and purpose whereof was a subsidy that this Prelates vexation must make way vnto The Cleargy assembled gréeuing much at the vniust oppression of so woorthy and reuerend a man for his sidelity vnto his Prince his great care of the common good his wisedome and integrity were well inough knowen to such as vnderstoode any thing they vtterly refused to debate of any matter what soeuer till the Bishop of Winchester a principall member of that assembly might be present with them By this meanes licence was obtained for his repaire thither and thither he came glad he might be néere to the meanes of his restitution but whether it were that he wanted money to beare the charge or to the intent to mooue commiseration or that he thought it safest to passe obscurely he that was woont to ride with the greatest traine of any Prelate in England came then very slenderly attended trauelling through by-waies as standing in doubt what snares his enimies might lay for him After two yéeres trouble and the losse of ten thousand markes sustained by reason of the same with much adoo he obtained restitution of his temporalties by the mediation of Alice Piers a gentlewoman that in the last times of king Edward altogether possessed him Returning then vnto Winchester he was receiued into the city with solemne procession and many signes of great ioy Soone after his returne king Edward died and the Duke hoping by reason of the yoong kings nonage to worke some mischiefe vnto this Bishop whom of all mortall men he most hated began to rub vp some of the old accusations with additions of new complaints But the Dukes malice being as well knowen as the Bishops innocency the king thought good to be a meanes of reconciling these two personages and then was easily intreated vnder the broad seale of England to pardon all those supposed offences wherewith the Bishop had heretofore béene charged This tempest thus ouerblowen the rest of his daies he passed in great peace and quietnesse Two yéeres after his restitution he began the foundation of that woorthy monument the colledge commonly called the New colledge in Oxford laying the first stone of the same himselfe March 5. 1379. and dedicating it vnto the honor of God and the blessed virgin Mary Being finished the first warden fellowes all together tooke possession of it Aprill 14. 1386. at thrée of the clocke in the morning The very next yéere he began his other colledge néere Woluesey the Bishops pallace at Winchester laide the first stone of it March 26. 1387. and finished it also in sixe yéeres space so as the Warden and fellowes cntred into the same at thrée of the clocke in the morning March 28. 1393. Beside the charge of these two woorthy foundations he build all the body of his church of Winchester from the quier westward excepting only a little begun by Bishop Edington he procured many priuiledges and liberties vnto his Sée he bestowed 20000. markes in reparation of his house he paid the debts of men imprisoned for that cause to the summe of 2000. l. he mended all the high waies betwéene London and Winchester he purchased vnto his Sée two hundred markes land he forgaue his officers two thousand markes which they owed him he bestowed two hundred pound vpon the church of Windsor he released his tenants of 520. l. due for a reliefe at his incomme he ordayned a Chauntry of fiue priests at Southwyke he kept continually in his house fower twenty poore almesmen he maintained at the Uniuersity fifty schollers for the space of seuen yéeres before the building of his colledge he built a chappell as before is mentioned at Tichfield for the buriall of his parents lastly prouided for himselfe ten yéeres before his death a goodly monument in the body of his church All these charges notwithstanding he bequeathed legacies to the value of 6270. l. left ready money to pay them left his heire 100. l. land and all his houses furnished plentifully with most rich and sumptuons houshold stuffe After all these so memorable actions hauing runne the course of a long a happy and most honorable life he ended his daies in peace the yéere 1404 being full fowerscore yéeres of age and was laid in the toombe so long before prouided for him Upon it I finde engrauen these verses which rather for his honor then any great commendation they deserue I haue thought good to set downe Wilhelmus dictus Wickham iacet hic nece victus Istius ecclesiae praesul reparauit eamque Largus erat dapifer probat hoc cum 〈◊〉 pauper 〈◊〉 pariter regni fuerat bene dexter Hunc docet esse pium fun datio collegiorum Oxoniae primum stat Wintoniaeque secundum Iugiter oretis tumulum quicunque videtis Pro tantis meritis quod sit sibi vita perennis 53. Henry Beauforte THe Pope was now growen to
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
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
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
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
A while after his comming ouer he liued a priuate monke in Canterbury afterwards became Pryor there then was preferred to the Abbotship of 〈◊〉 and lastly had the Bishopricke of Rochester giuen him by his predecessor the Archb. of Canterbury December 26. 1115. In all these places he so bestirred himselfe as he left diuers notable monuments of his industrious 〈◊〉 The vpper end of Christchurch in Canterbury built by Lanfranke being fallen down he procured to be built againe must magnificently pauing it with marble glasing and beautifying it with sundry kinde of stately ornaments At Peterborough he encreased the number of his monkes and built 〈◊〉 A little before his comming away that and all other edifices of the monastery were consumed by casuall fire Now though the diligence and long time of 〈◊〉 his predecessor left nothing very néedfull for him to performe at Rochester yet would he neuer be idle but still was either mending and repayring of old or setting vp some new building He died in the moneth of March 1124. being 84. yéeres of age I find it reported that he writ an history of the church of Rochester which if it be not perished I wish it might be my hap to see 33. Iohn Archdeacon of Canterbury was consecrate May 23. 1125. and died the yeere 1137. which yeere Iune 3. the church and city were burnt by casuall fire 34. 〈◊〉 whom some call 〈◊〉 but falsely died 1147. 35. Walter Archdeacon of Canterbury was the first that euer was elected by the monkes The Archbishop of Canterbury was woont till this time to nominate to this Bishoprick whom pleased him Theobald the Archbishop bestowed this priuiledge vpon them This Walter died in Iuly 1182. the 35. yeere after his consecration 36. Gualeranus Archdeacon of Bayon succéeded and died the yeere 1184. After his death a great controuersie arose betweene the monkes of Christchurch in Canterbury and the monkes of Saint Andrewes in Rochester they of Canterbury alledging that the Crosier of Rochester after the death of euery Bishop should lie vpon the altar with them by them to be deliuered to the next Bishop This the monkes of Rochester gainesaid in words and de facto detayned the Crosier with them till at last each party referring the matter to the Archbishop of Canterbury the monkes of Rochester deliuered into his hands the crosier which he presently deliuered ouer againe vnto the Pryor of Canterbury and he soone after vnto Gilbert Glannyll the next Bishop 37. Gilbert de Glannyll Archdeacon of Luxouia was consecrate September 29. 1185. Betweene this man and his monkes of Rochester was long and continuall debate By occasion whereof he tooke away from them all their mooueable goods all the ornaments of their church their writings and euidences yea and a great part os their lands possessions and priuiledges Wanting money to follow their suites against him they were forced to coyue the siluer of Saint Paulines shryne into money These controuersies were ended no otherwise then by his death which happened June 24. 1214. But their hatred against him was so far from dying with him as they would affoord him no maner of obsequies but buried him most obscurely or rather basely without either ringing singing or any other manner of solemnity The hospitall at Strowde néere Rochester called Neworke was built 〈◊〉 and by him endowed with those possessions it now enioyeth to wit the value of 52 l. yéerely reuenew 38 Benedictus Chaunter of Saint Paules church in London was consecrate February 22. 1214. He died 1226. 39. Henry de Sanford Archdeacon of Canterbury consecrate 1227. Within two yéeres after it happened that Richard the elect of Canterbury Hugh of Ely and Roger of London were to be consecrated Ioceline Bishop of Willes challenged the perfourmance of this ceremony as due to him for that he was the most auncient Bishop of the prouince of Canterbury But this Bishop of Rochester alledged it belonged to his Sée Canterbury being void to consecrate all the Bishops of that prouince With much adoo this agréement was made betwéene them that Rochester should consecrate the Archbishop and Ioceline of Welles the other two Another thing is remembred of this Bishop scarce woorthy the rehearsall which yet I will not omit to shew how aptmen euen of the grauest sort were to be deceaued and deluded in those times Preaching at Sittingborne before a great auditory at a time when he gaue generall orders he declared openly that God had reuealed vnto him now thrée seuerall times how that such a day the soules of king Richard the first Stephen Langton late Archbishop and another priest were deliuered out of purgatory and no more soules that day but onely they thrée He died February 24. 1235. 40. Richard de Wendouer Parson of Bromley 〈◊〉 lawfully elected Bishop of Rochester was reiected as a man vnsufficient by Edmund the Archbishop He appealing to Rome was confirmed there in despite of the Archbishop with whome the Pope was very angry for withstanding his shamelesse and intollerable exactions here He was 〈◊〉 1238. died 1250. and was buried at Westminster by the kings speciall commaundement for that he was accounted a very holy and vertuous man 41. Laurentius de Sancto Martino a Chaplaine counsellor of king Henry the third gotte a dispensation from the Pope to hold al his former liuings in commendam with this Bishopricke And yet alledging that his Bishopricke was the poorest of England much meaner then Carltoll therefore his liuing yet vnable to maintaine the port of a Bishop he neuer ceased till he had ertorted from the Cleargy of his Dioces a graunt of a fift part of all their spirituall liuings for fiue yeeres and appropriated vnto his See for euer the Parsonage of Freindsbury 〈◊〉 the Archbishop of Canterbury vsed this man hardly inuading his possessions violently taking from him without all right diuers things of old belonging to his Bishopricke He complained vnto the king vnto whose Quéene 〈◊〉 was vncle The king answered him in plaine tearmes he knew he should offend his wife much if he should become a stickler betweene them wished him to seeke some other remedy if by importunity he inforced him to interpose his authority he should doo him more hurt then good Hereupon he sought vnto the Pope but he was so neere a neighbour to the Duke of Sauoy the Archbishops brother as perceiuing quickly little good was to be done there he was fame to take patience for an amends and so sit him downe He departed this life the yeere 1274. 42. Walter de 〈◊〉 Lord Chauncellor of England long before he was Bishop to wit the yeere 1264. began the foundation of a Colledge at Maldon in Surrey but 10 yeers after changing his purpose left that erected that which we now call Merton Colledge in Oxford indewing it with in effect all the lands that now it possesseth About the same time viz. the yeere 1274. he became Bishop of Rochester and liuing there but onely foure
occasion saith William Malmsbury and the rest of our Histories the Kings of England tooke a conceite that it was not safe for any Prince to enter Oxford in so much as euery one being loath to venture the tryall of it in himselfe it was euer auoyded by them till the time that King Henry the third prooued it altogether vaine by his owne experience In this place Didan by the intreaty of his daughter built a Monastery for Nunnes and appointed her the Abbesse It happened then obout the yéere of grace 847. in the time of King Egelred that certaine Danes flying into this Monastery to saue their liues from the bloody cruelty of the English pursuing them when otherwise they could not 〈◊〉 gotten out the Monastery was 〈◊〉 and they all burnt in the same But it was reedified shortly after by the said king and further enriched with diuers possessions This notwithstanding soone after it sell into wonderfull great decay so as no body caring to inhabite the same it was giuen by William the Conqneror vnto the Abbey of Abingdon for a Cell or remoouing house They not 〈◊〉 estéeming it were content that Roger Bishop of Salisbury their Ordinary should confirme it vnto one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chaplaine vnto king Henry the first a man wise learned and religious that tooke vpon him to place Regular 〈◊〉 in the same He did so the yéere 1110. became 〈◊〉 of this new or rather renewed Monastery himselfe tooke-other vnto him repayred in very good sort the ruinous 〈◊〉 and by the fauour of King Henry the first recouered 〈◊〉 it what lands soeuer had béene giuen heretofore vnto the Nunnes In this state then it continued vntill that 〈◊〉 Woolsey gotte licence to conuert it into a Colledge 1524. calling it by the name of the Cardinals Colledge 〈◊〉 leauing it vnperfect it pleased King Henry the eight of 〈◊〉 memory to giue it a foundation by the name of Collegium 〈◊〉 exfundatione Regis Henrici Octaui and moreuer made it the Sée of a new erected Cathedrall Church placing in it not onely a Bishop but also a Deane 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 and other officers besides 100. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he appointed to be maintained in the same of 〈◊〉 number my selfe some times was one 1. Robert King THis new erected Episcopall Sée was first established in the Abbey of Osney where Robert King the last Abbot of the same house and the first Bishop of Oxford had his Installation the yéere 1541. About fiue yéeres after to wit an 1546. it was remooued vnto Christchurch then commonly called the Cardinals colledge This Robert King being yet Abbot of Osney was consecrate a titulary Bishop by the name of Episcopus Roanensis which is a Sée in the Prouince of the Archbishopricke of Athens He was translated from this imaginary Bishopricke to Oxford the yéere 1541. as before is mensioned taken away by death December 4. 1557. and is entoombed on the North side of the East end of the quier in his owne church where is this Epitaphe to be seene Hic 〈◊〉 Robertus King S. Theologiae professor prioous Episcopus Oxon. quiobijt 4. die Decemb. 1557. 2. Hugh Curwyn HVgh Curwyn or Coren Doctor of Law first Archdeacon of Oxford and Deane of Hereford then Archbishop of Dublyn and Lord Chauncellor of Ireland was translated from thence to Oxford a place of lesse honor but more quiet October 14. 1567. Hauing sate there little more then a yeere he died at Swynbrooke néere to Burford and was buried in the parish church there Nouember 1. 1568. 3. Iohn Vnderhyll AFter his death the Bishopricke continued voyde many yéeres At last it pleased her Maiestie to bestow it vpon a chaplaine of her owne Iohn Vnderhyll doctor of diuinity and Rector of Lincolne colledge in Oxford He was consecrate thereunto in December 1589. died in the beginning of May 1592. and was buried in the middle of the quier of his Cathedrall church toward the vpper end This Bishoprick of Oxford is valued at 354 l 16 s 3 d. farthing The Bishops of Glocester OSrike king of Northumberland founded a Nunry in the city of 〈◊〉 about the yeere of our Lord 700. Kineburg Eadburg and Eua Quéenes of Mercia were Abbesses of this monastery one after another It was destroyed by the Danes and lay wasle vntill that Aldred Archbishop of Yorke began to reedifie the same about the yéere 1060. replenished it with monkes and erected from the very foundation that goodly church which is now the 〈◊〉 Sée of that Dioces Being giuen into the hands of king Henry the eight by Parliament it pleased him to alot the 〈◊〉 of it vnto the mayntenance of a Bishop a Deane sixe Prebendaries and other ministers 1. Iohn Wakeman Abbot of Teuksbury was the first Bishop of this new erection He prouided a toombe for his place of buriall at Teuksbury in the North side of a little chappell standing Southeast from the high altar Part of it yet 〈◊〉 But his body lyeth at Worthington where he died a house belonging vnto the Bishopricke of Glocester 2. Iohn Hooper Bishop of Worceter held Glocester in Commendam with Worceter by the licence of king Edward the sixt His life actions and Heroicall end are written at large by Master Foxe 3. Iames Brookes Doctor of Diuinity and Master of Baylioll colledge in Oxford succéeded him 4. Richard Cheyney Bacheler of Diuinity was consecrate April 19. 1562. He died the yéere 1578. Both he and his predecessor lye buried in one vault with Abbot Parker the 〈◊〉 Abbot His toombe standeth in a little chappell on the North side of the Presbytery almost ouer against the Bishops Sée 5. Iohn Bullingham Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate September 3. 1581. the Sée hauing beene voyd almost three yeeres He died about the 20. day of May. 1598. 6. Godfry Goldsborough Doctor of Diuinity and Archdeacon of Worceter was consecrate Nouemb. 19. 1598. The Bishopricke of Glocester is valued in the Queenes bookes at 315 l. 17 s. 2 d. The Bishops of Peterborough IN the middle of the riuer of 〈◊〉 which runneth by the south side 〈◊〉 Peterborough there is a whirlpoole of infinite depth that by reason of springs continually arising there in the coldest winter was yet neuer quite frozen ouer This place in 〈◊〉 time was called Medefwell and the towne adioyning taking name of it Medeswell 〈◊〉 or Medeshamstead Peada the sonne of Penda the first Christian king of Mercia began the foundation of a monastery there the yéere 656. but was taken away by the treachery of his wife before he could bring it to any perfection Wolpher his brother was so farre from endeuouring to finish this worke as being an obstinate Pagane he put to death 〈◊〉 and Ruffyn two of his owne sonnes for no other cause then this that they were Christians Afterwards notwithstanding it pleased God so to touch his heart as of a persecuting Saul 〈◊〉 became a good Paul and in token of his griefe and sorrow for his cruelty to his
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