quondam episcopus hujus ecclesiae qui multa bona contulit ministris ecclesiae sancti Pauli Walter Merton Chancellor in Anno 44 Henry 3 being in Anno dom 1260. Nicholas of Elie made Chancellor by the Barons in Anno dom 1260 and Walter Merton displaced But King Henry the third disdaining to have Officers appointed him by his subjects did in the month of October following in Anno dom 1260. or rather 1261 deprive the said Nicholas and replaced the said Walter Merton Walter Merton Bishop of Rochester the second time made Chancellor as before appeareth John de Chesill Arch-deacon of London and Treasurer of England was made keeper of the great seale in Anno dom 1264 in Anno 48 Henry 3. This man was consecrated Bishop of London in Anno dom 1274 the third Kalends of May as hath Matthew Westminster he dyed in Anno dom 1279 the fourth Ides of February in Anno 7 of King Edward the first Thomas de Cantelupe borne of the noble house of the Lords Cantelupes the sonne of William Cantelupe and Millecent which as saith Leland drew her originall from the Countesses of Yorke being Arch-deacon of Stafford was Doctor and afterward Bishop of Hereford in Anno dom 1276 and before that made Chancellor after the feast of S. Peters Chaire in Anno dom 1265 being in anno 49 Henry 3 he dyed beyond the Seas comming from the Court of Rome in anno dom 1278 being in anno 6 Edward 1 or more truely as others have in anno 1283 being anno 11 Edward 1 whose bones were brought to Hereford Walter Gifford Bishop of Bath and Wels whom many doe call William did injoy the state of the Chancellor in anno dom 1266 being anno 50 Henry 3 he was translated from Bath to Yorke in anno dom 1259 being in anno 49 Henry 3 and dyed the 7 kalends of May in the xij yeare of his Bishopricke in anno dom 1277 being in anno 6 Edward 1 or as Nicholas Trivet in anno dom 1279. being the 7 yeare of King Edward 1. Geofry Gifford was Chancellor also in anno 51 Henry 3 being in anno dom 1267 This man was Bishop of Worcester about anno dom 1299 where he sate 34 yeares 4 moneths 4 dayes and dyed in the yeare 1304 being about the 32 yeare of King Edward the first John de Chesill was the second time honoured with the place of the Chancellor in anno dom 1268 being the 53 yeare of King Henry the third Richard de Middleton so surnamed of the place where he was borne was advanced to the Office of the Chancellorship in the said anno 53 Henry 3 in the moneth of July in anno dom 1268 and was also as appeareth by a Charter which I have seene witnesse to the same Deed in anno 54 Henry 3 who as farre as I can gather dyed in August in anno dom 1271 being anno 56 of the long governement of King Henry the third John de Kirby after the death of Richard Middleton was made keeper of the great seale in the said anno 56 Henry 3 It is very probable that this was the same John Kirby which after was Bishop of Elie and Treasurer of England Walter Merton the third time made Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1273 being the first yeare of the raigne of that famous Prince King Edward the first of that name He was Bishop of Rochester and founded Merton Colledge in Oxford and dyed the yeare of Christ 1278 being the sixt yeare of the raign of King Edward the first Robert Burnell the eleaventh Bishop of Bath and Wels after the uniting of those two Sees in one by Iohn de Toures in Anno dom 1272 was made Bishop of Bath in the yeare of our Lord as saith Eversden 1274 chosen Arch-bishop of Canterbury in Anno dom 1278 but rejected by the Pope He was Chancellor in Anno 2 Edward 1 in which place it seemeth that he long continued of whom thus writeth an anonymall Chronicle Dominus Edmundus Comes Cornubiae fundavit novum studium ordinis Cisterciensis apud Oxonias monachos de Thame primo ibidem introduxit dedit eis prima donatione Manerium de Erdington secit dedicare locum Abbatiae Tertij Jdus Decembris per Dominum Robertum Burnell eposcopum Bathon Wels Cancellarium regis posuit fundamentum novae ecclesiae eodem die Northosneiae This Bishop was required with the sonne of Edward the first and Gilbert de Clare Earle of Gloucester in the time of Edward the first to bee delivered for pledges for Lheweline Prince of Wales for his safe returne if he came to the parliament whereunto he was sommoned by the said King Edward In the time of this Chancellor the Court of Chancery was kept at Bristow This man dyed in Anno dom 1293 being Anno 21 Edward 1. John de Langton was made Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1293 being the 21 yeare of the victorius King Edward the first in which office he remained untill the death of the said King being in Anno dom 1302 He was made Bishop of Chichester about Annis 26 or 27 Edward 1. being in Anno dom 1298 or rather 1299 And in the said yeare 1299 he was before chosen Bishop of Elye but rejected by the Pope who made him Archdeacon of Canterbury From which Langton King Edward did take the great seale in the thirtieth yeare before said and delivered it to John Drokenford John Drokenford keeper of the Wardrope was made keeper of the great Seale in the thirtieth yeare as before in which office he continued from about the 15 day of August untill Michaelmas William de Grinefeild Deane of Chichester and Canon of Yorke was advanced to the place of Chancellor in Anno Dom. 1302. being about Anno. 30. Edward 1. which Office was given unto him at Saint Radigunds as saith Anonymus M.S. He was after chosen Bishop of Yorke in Anno dom 1303. who in the yeare of our Lord 1308 buried the body of the said King Edward the first in Westminster though the King dyed in Anno dom 1307. This Bishop dyed in Anno dom 1315 being about the sixt yeare of King Edward the second at Cawood after that he had beene Bishop nine yeares eleaven moneths and two dayes and was buried in S. Nicholus Porch at Yorke receiving his consecration at Rome in Anno dom 1305 after that he had beene there two yeares of Pope Clement This Greinfeild was a man very eloquent and pithie and Prudent in Counsell William de Hamilton Deane of Yorke was created Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1305 being the 33 yeare of that noble prince King Edward the first this William dyed in Anno dom 1307 being about Anno 35 of the said King at the Abbey of Fontnesse in Yorkshire being a man that well deserved of the Common wealth Ralphe de Baldocke chosen Bishop of London in Anno dom 1303 was confirmed at Titneshall by Robert of Winchelsey Bishop
of Canterbury and consecrated at Lyons by Peter of Spaine Bishop of Alba the third Calends â—f February in anno dom 1305 Hee was made Lord Chancellor of England after the death of the said William Hamilton in the said 35 yeare of King Edward the first and received the great Seale in the Rogation weeke following being some foure or five weekes after he was advanced to that Office at the Exchequer shortly after which dyed King Edward the first for which cause the saide Baldocke sent the great Seale to King Edward the second then at Carliel by reason of his fathers death This Baldocke dyed on S. James Eeve in anno dom 1313 being anno 7 Edward 2. Iohn Langton Bishop of Chichester againe made Lord Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1307. being the first yeare of King Edward of Carnarvà n in which office it seemeth that he continued untill Anno dom 1310 being in Anno 3 Edward 2. William Melton having two others joyned with him had the great Seale delivered unto them for a certaine time to execute all such things as were to be done therewith during the Kings pleasure This man was a Canon of Yorke Provost of Beverly Treasurer of England and Archbishop of Yorke as saith Anonymus M.S. He was consecrated Bishop of Yorke at Rome where he tarried two yeares for the same he was a man never wearied with travell He first of all the Bishops of Yorke after a long controversie betwixt the Deane and Cannons of Yorke visited the chapter by due order he was wise rich severe in correction gentle familiar and humble he finished the West part of the Church of S. Peters in Yorke with 300 pound he was Archbishop of Yorke 22 yeares five or sixe moneths and two dayes he dyed at Cawood on S Georges Eeve in Anno dom 1330 and was buried in the Minster of Yorke neere the Font. Walter Reinolds Bishop of Worcester Treasurer of England and Archbishop of Canterbury was made keeper of the great Seale and Chancellor of England on the sixt of July Anno dom 1310 being anno 3 Edward 2. John de Sandall Clerke Bishop of Winchester and Treasurer was at Yorke made Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1314. being anno 8 Edward 2 in which place he continued two yeares and more some part thereof being after that he was made Bishop of Winchester as I gather and then delivered backe the seale at Westminster in anno dom 1317 being in anno 11 Edward 2 Of this man is more spoken in the Treasurers of England John Hotham Bishop of Elie was created Lord Chancellor of England in anno dom 1317 being in anno 11 Edward 2 In which Office he continued untill anno dom 1319 being anno 13 Edward 2 During whose governement of the See of Elie in anno dom 1341 the steeple fell downe which made such a terrible noise and shaking of the ground that it was supposed to be some earth-quake He dyed of the palsey in anno dom 1336 being anno 10 Edward 3. John Salmon Bishop of Norwich was advanced to be Chancellor in anno dom 1319 being anno 13 Edward 2 against whom the Nobles rebelled for the misdemenour of Piers Gaveston the Gascoigne Earle of Cornwall In this yeare 1319 as saith one Anonymal Chronicler M.S. was William Airemine Keeper of the seale Vice-chancellor taken prisoner by the Scots The words of the which Author for the more certainety thereof we have here set downe Episcopus Eborum episcopus Eliae thesaurarius Abbas beatae Mariae Eborum Abbas de Selbie Decanus Eborum Dominus Willielmus Arymanee Vice-Cancellarius Angliae ac dominus Johannes Dabeham cum 8000 ferme hominum tam equitum quam peditum Civibus properanter civitatem egredientes quoddam flumen Swale nuncupatum sparsis cuneis transeuntes indispositis seu potius confusis ordinibus cum adversarijs congressi sunt Scoti siquidem in Marte gnari amplitudinem eorum exercitus caute regentes in nostris agminibus strictis audacter irruerunt nostrorum denique in brevi laceratis cuneis atque dissipatis corruerunt ex nostris tam in ore gladij quam aquarum scopulis suffocati plusquam 4000. capti sunt domini Johannes de Pabeham dominus Willielmus de Arymenee ut praefertur de Cancellaria c. Which William Ayrmenee was also in the said 15 of Edward 2. one of the Keepers of the great Seale as I have seene registred Robert Baldocke Archdeacon of Middleton a man evilly beloved and whom the old English Chronicle remembers with ill attributes was made Chancellor of England in anno 17 Edward 2 at the Castle of Pickering in Yorkeshire he was after made Bishop of Norwich and did his fealty for restitution of his Temporalties in anno 19 of the said King Edward the second at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire he was apprehended in anno 20 Edward 2 being in anno dom 1326 or as others have in the yeare 1325 And first committed to the custody of Adam Tarleton or de Orleton bishop of Hereford and after was put in the prison of the Newgate of London in which 20 yeare of King Edward the second the great seale was againe delivered to William Arymenee who as I suppose was then also made Bishop of Norwich and this Baldocke deposed from that see Of which Baldocke thus writeth a Polythronicon of Durham Robertus de Baldocke Cancellarius anno 1325 captus cum Hugonibus de Despensers quia clericus fuit sacerdos in nova porta Londiniarum poni fecit Edwardus Princeps Isabella mater ejus ubi pro nimia miseria mortuus fuit infra breve John Hotham bishop of Elie the second time was at Westminster made Chancellor of England in anno dom 1326 being the first yeare of the Raigne of that King that intituled himselfe King of England and France but he continued not long in the same Office for he was removed in the second yeare of the said King being in anno dom 1328 He was elected Bishop in anno dom 1316 in which place he ruled twenty yeares and died in anno dom 1336 of the palsey at Summersham being buried in the Church of Elie under a goodly monument of stone with the Image of a bishop carved out of Alabast r upon his Tombe Henry Cliffe Master of the Rolles had the charge and Keeping of the great Seale of England in the said yeare of Christ 1328 being the second yeare of King Edward the third and was the Kings Chancellor also Henry de Burgh Burghwash or Burghurst Nephew to Sr. Bartholmew Bladismere baron of Leedes in Kent having beene Treasurer of England enjoyed the honour of the Chancellor in the second yeare of King Edward the third being in anno dom 1328. and was made Chancellor at Northampton which Office he did not long enjoy John Stratford Bishop of Winchester and after of Canterbury and sometime Treasurer of England was made Chancellor of the Realm in anno dom 1330 being in
his raigne by his Letters Patents to confirme the said house to the said William and his successors Masters of the Rolles And whereas by the Patent of Edward the third the Master of the Rolles was appointed and installed in that house by the Chancellor it is to be noted that the same manner of induction and instalment continued as long as the Master of the Rolles was of the Clergy as I have seene set downe by others and as the Presidents of those instalments and the Writts themselves extant of record doe well prove Sir Richard Scroope Knight Lord of Bolton having beene Lord Treasurer in the time of the deceased King Edward the third was now in October about the latter end of the yeare 1378 or the beginning of the yeare 1379. being the second yeare of the after deposed King Richard the second made Lord Chancellor and had the great Seale delivered unto him who in the third yeare of the said King at a Parliament did surrender up his office Of this man is more set downe in the discourse of the Treasurers Simon Sudbury so surnamed of the place of his birth but by descent called Tibold the sonne of Nicholas Tibold descended of a gentleman like race dwelling at Sudbury in Suffolke This Simon was Archbishop of Canterbury and made Chancellor about the yeare of Christ 1380. in the third yeare of Richard the second and was by the Rebells beheaded in the Tower of London in the fourth yeare of the disquieted government of that unfortunate but valiant King Richard the second After whom in the fifth yeare of the said King was R. Bishop of London whereof I have seene and taken a note which Bishop was as I conjecture and have some authority to prove Robert Braybrooke which followeth and was made Chancellor againe after Sir Richard Scroope R. Bishop of London Chancellor the fifth yeare of King Richard the second at which time Robert Braybrooke was Bishop of London Sir Richard Scroope Knight Lord of Bolton made Chancellor againe about the latter end of November by the Lords of the Parliament as I take it in the fifth yeare of the raigne of King Richard last mentioned and was the yeare following being about Anno dom 1383 againe deposed from his office and the King receiving the seale kept it a certaine time and therewith sealed such grants and writings as pleased him and in the end delivered the same to Robert Braybrooke Of this man see more in the Treasurers Robert Braybrooke Bishop of London made Lord Chancellor in September following the moneth of July when Sir Richard Scroope was deposed was advanced to that dignity on S. Matthews Eeve in the sixt yeare of the raigne of the said King Richard the second in which he continued not longer then the March following as hath Anonymus M.S. he was consecrated Bishop of London the fifth of January Anno dom 1381 he dyed the 17. of August in Anno dom 1404 being the fifth yeare of King Henry the fourth Michael de la Poole or at Poole as hath Thomas Walsingham was made Chancellor in the moneth of March in Anno 6. of the said King Richard the second and was made Earle of Suffolke in the ninth yeare of the said King being after deposed from his office of Chancellorship at his owne and earnest request in the tenth yeare of the said King This man having fled the Realme for that he was pursued by the Nobility dyed at Paris in Ann. 13. of Richard the second being in Anno dom 1389 of whom that worthy Poet Sir John Gower living at that time in his Booke intituled Vox Clamantis composed these verses Est comes elatus fallax cupidus sceleratus Fraudes per mille stat Cancellarius ille Hic proceres odit eorum nomina rodit Morsibus a tergo fit tandem profugus ergo Sic Deus in caelis mala de puteo Michaelis Acriter expurgat ne plus comes ille resurgat Thomas Arundell of the noble house of the Earles of Arundell was first Bishop of Elie and then of Yorke and lastly of Canterbury he was made Lord Chancellor of England in Anno 10 of the raigne of the unfortunate King Richard 2 which was about Anno dom 1386 in which office he remayned about two yeares William Wickham was againe made Lord Chancellor of England in Anno 12 Richard 2 but was in the end remooved from thence in September in the 15 yeare of the troublesome governement of the said King Richard Thomas Arundell aforesaid was the second time created Lord Chancellor of England in the saide 15 yeare of Richard 2 in place of William Wickham in which office he remained about five yeares and was deposed and banished the Realme in the 20 yeare of the said King Richard John Scarle Scirlee or Serle Master of the Rolles of the Chancery and Keeper of the great Seale hee was Chancellor or in the place of Chancellor in the first yeare of the raigne of King Henry the fourth being in Anno dom 1399. Edmund Stafford Keeper of the Privie Seale Bishop of Excester and sometime Bishop of Rochester and lastly Bishop of Yorke and borne of the noble house of the Staffords was made Lord Chancellor of England about the moneth of March in Anno dom 1400 being about the second yeare of the usurping King Henry the fourth in which Office hee continued untill Anno dom 1403 being in Anno 4 of the said King Henry the fourth he being Keeper of the Privy Seale was made Bishop of Excester the 20 of June in Anno dom 1395 being the 21 yeare of Richard 2. Hee was consecrated at Lambeth and kept the See of Excester three and twenty yeares Hee increased two fellowship in Stapletons Inne in Oxford reformed the Statutes of the house and called it Excester Colledge Hee died the fourth of September in the seaventh yeare of King Henry the fift being in Anno dom 1419. Henry Beuford the son of John of Gaunt by Katherine Swineford made Bishop of Lincolne in Anno dom 1398 as hath Ypodigma was advanced to the dignity of Chancellor in Anno dom 1403 being the fourth yeare of King Henry the fourth his elder Brother by the daughter of the Earle of Hereford in which office he was in the fift yeare of King Henry the fourth and sixt of the same King as our Chonicles doe remember he was made Bishop of Winchester in Anno dom 1404 being the fift yeare of King Henry the fourth Thomas Langley Priest and Bishop of Durham was at Westminster made Chancellor in Anno dom 1405 being in Anno 6. of Henry the fourth in which office he continued as far as I know untill he was made Bishop of Durham which was on the 7. of May in Anno 7. of King Henry the fourth being in Anno dom 1406 he was Bishop one and thirty yeares and dyed in Anno dom 1437 being the 16. yeare of King Henry the sixt See more following Thomas Fitzalen brother to
Lord Chancellor of England at his returne from beyond the Seas in the first yeare of King Henry the seventh being in Anno Dom. 1485 after which he was advanced to the Arch-bishopricke of Canterbury he dyed in Anno Dom. 1499 in Anno 15 of Henry the seaventh as hath Matthew Parker William Warham Advocate in the Arches Master of the Rolles Bishop of London and then Archbishop of Canterbury was before his advancement to the See of Canterbury made Chancellor of England in the time of Henry the seaventh in which office he continued until about the latter end of the seaventh yeare of King Henry the Eight At what time surrendring the Seale by reason of his age and weakenesse the same was delivered to Thomas Woolsey Thomas Woolsey sometimes Chapleine to Henry Deane Archbishop of Canterbury after the Kings Almoner and Abbat of S. Austins who possessing many other Abbies and Bishoprickes was advanced to the government of the great Seale about the beginning of the 8 yeare of King Henry the eight being in Anno Dom. 1516 to hold the same during his life as I gather in which office yet he continued not above thirteene yeares untill Anno 21 of King Henry the 8 being in Anno Dom. 1529. During which time of his Chancellorship in Anno 19 of King Henry the eight being Anno Dom. 1527. he went into France representing the King of Englands Person to set order for the delivery of Pope Clement the seaventh and Francis the French King at what time he carried the great Seale over the Seas to Calis Which Seale hee left with Doctor Taylor Master of the Rolles to keepe the same at Calis untill the Cardinalls returne out of the French Dominions He died in Leicester Abbey not without suspicion of poison as was thought which he had prepared for himselfe and given to his Apothecary to deliver when hee called for it the two and twentieth of King Henry the eight in Anno Dom. 1530. Thomas More Knight Chancellor of the Dutchie of Lancaster was advanced to the honour of Chancellorship of England in Anno Dom. 1529 being in Anno 21 of King Henry the eight In which office this rare witted Knight to use Erasmus his epitheton and learned Chancellor continued not ful three yeares but in Anno 24 of the said King with much labour and earnest suit he left his office Touching which it will not be impertinent to set downe the words of Matthew Parker in the lives of the Bishops of Canterbury in the life of Thomas Cranmer writing after this manner Interearex dum Papae meditabatur excidium singulorum de papali authoritate sensus iudiciis haud obscuris collegit Inter quos Thomas Morus quia regis conatus pontificiis valde suspectus fuit Cancellarii munere venia regis aegre impetrata sese abdicavit Thomas Audeley Atturney of the Dutchie of Lancaster Serjant at the law as most affirme and speaker of the Parliament was made Knight and Keeper of the great Seale the fourth of June in Anno 24 of the raigne of King Henry the eight in Anno dom 1â—32 not long after which he was made Lord Chancellor of England This man in the tenth yeare of his Chancellorship being in Anno dom 1542 and Anno 35 Henry 8 changing the name of Buckingham Colledge in Cambridge did name it the Colledge of S. Mary Magdalen and endowed it with some possessions He dyed on May Eeve in Anno dom 1544 being in Anno 35 Henry 8. Thomas Wriothesly Knight of the Garter Sonne to William Wriothesly Yorke Herald and Grand-childe to John Wriothesly Garter King of Armes being created Baron at Hampton Court on the first day of Ianuary in the 35 yeare of the Reigne of King Henry the eight in Anno dom 1543. was after advanced to the honour of the great seale and Chancellorship of England about the beginning of May in Anno 36 Henry 8 being in Anno dom 1544 in which office hee did continue untill the death of the said King Henry the eight And in the beginning of the raigne of King Edward the sixt he was the sixt of March remooved and the seale was delivered to William Paulet Lord S. John of Basing This Thomas Lord Wriothesly being created Earle of Southampton by King Edward the sixt died at his house of Lincolne place in Holborne the 30 of Iuly in the 4 yeare of the said King Edward in the yeare 1550 and was buried at S. Andrewes in Holborne William Paulet Knight being first Steward of the lands of the Bishopricke of Winchester then Treasurer of the houshold Lord Sent-John of Basing Lord great Master of the Kings house afterwards Earle of Wiltshire Marquesse of Winchester and Treasurer of England being of the Privie Councell to King Henry the eight King Edward the sixt Queen Mary and Queene Elizabeth had the keeping of the great seale committed unto him the seaventh day of March in the yeare of our Lord 1547 being the first yeare of the raigne of the young King Edward the sixt which seale he had in Custody about seaven moneths untill the 23 or 24 of October following at what time Sr. Richard Rich was made Lord Chancellor Sir Richard Rich Knight A Gentleman well descended and alyed in Hampshire created Lord Rich was advanced to the dignity of Lord Chancellor of England about the 23 of October in Anno dom 1547 being the first yeare of the raigne of the noble King Edward the sixt in which place he remained about five yeares Thomas Goodericke or Godericke being Bishop of Elie had the great Seale delivered unto him and was made Lord Chancellor of England the 20 of December as John Stow hath noted in his Chronicle in Anno dom 1551 being Anno 5 Edward 6 in which office he continued all the life of the said King Edward who died in Iuly Anno dom 1553 being the seaventh yeare of his raigne and about one moneth after untill the 13 or 14 day of August in which Queene Mary made Stephen Gardiner her Chancellor Sir Nicholas Hare Master of the Rolles had at the comming of Queene Mary to the Crowne the great Seale after the death of King Edward as Lord Keeper by the space of a fortnight and shortly after was Stephen Gardiner made Chancellor Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester was in August in Anno dom 1553 being the first yeare of the raigne of Queene Mary made Chancellor of England This man going in ambassage unto Calis left the great seale in the custody of William Paulet Marquesse of Winchester which Bishop after his returne into England continued in that office all the time of his life which he ended the 19 of November in Anno dom 1555 being the third yeare of Queene Mary After which the great seale lying in her Majesties custody shee on the New-yeares day following made a new Chancellor Nicholas Heath Bishop of Rochester Almoner to the King Ambassador into Germany Bishop of Worcester President of Wales and Archbishop of
Yorke was upon New-yeares day in Anno dom 1555 being the third yeare of the raigne of Queene Mary advanced to the honorable dignity of Chancellorship But Queene Mary deceasing on the 17 day of November in Anno dom 1558 and the sixt yeare of her governement this Heath upon the placing of Queene Elizabeth upon the throne of the English governement was remooved from his Office and Master Bacon advanced Nicholas Bacon Esquire Atturney of the Court of Wardes was made Knight and Lord Keeper of the great seale the 22 of December in Anno dom 1558 being the first yeare of Queene Elizabeth Which name of Lord Keeper he still kept during his life and the time of his Office In whose time there was an Act of Parliament established to make the power of the Keeper of the great seale equall with the authority of the Chancellor This man continued in this office and worthily executed the same being a man of rare wit and deepe experience during the time of his life which continued untill the 20 of February in Anno dom 1578. after the Accompt of England being the one and twentith yeare of Queene Elizabeth which place this man kept eighteene yeares Thomas Bromlie the generall Sollicitor of Queene Elizabeth a Councellor of the Law and one of the Inner Temple was advanced to the dignity of Lord Chancellor on the 25 day of Aprill in Anno dom 1579 being in Anno 21 Elizabeth Sir Christopher Hatton being Vice-chamberlaine to Queene Elizabeth was constituted Lord Chancellor of England and Keeper of the graat seale upon Sunday the 29. day of Aprill in the 29 yeare of the said Queenes raigne Anno dom 1587. John Puckring Serjant at law was made Knight and sworne of the privy Councell at Greenewich upon Sunday the 28. day of May in the 34. yeare of Queene Elizabeth and at the same time was made Lord Keeper of the great seale of England Sir Thomas Egerton Knight being Master of the Rolles had the great seale of England delivered unto him at Greenewich and sworne of the Privy Councell upon the 6 of May 1596 being in the 38. of Queene Elizabeth and so continued in both those places till the first yeare of King James who created him Baron of Elsmere at Hampton Court 21 Iuly 1603 and made him Lord Chancellor and lastly created him into the dignity of Vicount Brackley the 7. day of November 1616 but severed the place of Master of the Rolles which was given to Edward Bruce Lord Kinlosse Sr. Francis Bacon Knight Atturney generall to King Iames and at the same time of the Privy Councell second sonne of Sr. Nicholas Bacon sometime Lord Keeper of the great seale upon the 7 of March 1616 in the 14 yeare of King James a few dayes before the death of the former Lord Chancellor had the great seale committed to him and being created a Baron by the title of Lord Verulam at Wansted the 12 of July 1617 was made Lord Chancellor the 4 of January following and made Vicount of St. Alban the 20 of Ianuary 1620. Vpon the removall of the Lord Chancellor Bacon who was displaced by the Parliament in Lent the 18 yeare of King Iames. The keeping of the great Seale was committed to Henry vicount Mandevile Lord President of the Councell Lodowicke Duke of Richmond and Lenox Lord Steward of the Kings house William Earle of Pembroke Lord Chamberlaine of the Kings house and Sir Iulius Caesar Knight Master of the Rols who continued the custody thereof till July following John Williams Doctor of Divinity Deane of Westminster and one of the Privy Counsell and after that consecrated Bishop of Lincolne was made Lord keeper of the great seale of England the 10 day of Iuly in the 19 yeare of King James Sir Thomas Coventry Knight eldest sonne to Sr. Thomas Coventry Knight one of the Iustices of the Common pleas being the Kings Atturney Generall was made Lord keeper of the great seale of England the first day of November in the first yeare of King Charles and Created Baron Coventry of Allesborough in the County of Worcester the 10 of Aprill in the 4 yeare of King Charles whose exempler vertues in the execution of this great office to the honour of his Majestie and the generall good of the Kingdome I cannot mention without due Attributes and fearing as I justly may that I shall rather shew mine owne defects than be able to set them forth in due characters I shall with much security discharge my selfe in this kinde by reciting the preamble of his Majesties Letters Patents for Creating his Lordship into the dignity of a Baron and Peere of this Realme Rex c. Archiepiscopis Ducibus c. ad quos praesentes literae provenerint Salutem Officio curae Regali nihil magis arbitramur convenire quam virtutum praemia viris illustribus â—itè disponere ac illos Honoribus attollere qui de Rege Republicâ optimè meruerunt Perspicimus enim Coronam nostram Regiam quam plurimum honorari locupletari cum viros cordatos Consilio prudentiâ virtutibus illustres ac praesertim in administrandâ Justicia strenuos insignes ad Honoris dignitatis gradus vocamus erigimus Nos igitur in personâ praedilecti per quam fidelis Consiliarij nostri Thomae Coventry Militis Custodis Magni Sigilli nostri Angliae gratissima dignissima servitia quae idem Consiliarius noster tam praecharissimo Patri nostro Jacobo Regi beatae memoriae per multos annos quam nobis ab ipsis Regni nostri primis auspicijs fidelissimè prudentissimè praestitit impendit indiesque impendere non desistit Nec non circumspèctionem prudentiam strenuitatem dexteritatem integritatem industriam constantiam fidelitatem ipsius Thomae Coventry Militis erga nos Coronam nostraÌ„ Animo benigno Regali intimè râ—colentes pro gratiae nostrae erga praefatum Consiliarium pignore Nec non virtutum benemeritorum ejusdem encomio posteris suis relinquendum ipsum in Procerum hujus Regni nostri Angliae numerum ascribendum decrevimus Sciatis itaque quod nos de gratia nostrâ speciali ac ex certâ scientia mero motu nostris praefatum Thomam Coventry Militem ad statum gradum dignitatem Honorem Baronis Coventry de Alesborough in Comitatu nostro Wigorniensi ereximus perficimus creavimus Jpsumque Thomam Coventry Militem Baronem Coventry de Alesborough praedicta tenore praesentium erigimus perficimus creamus Jn cujus rei c. T. R. apud Westm decimo die Aprilis Anno Regni Regis Caroli quarto per ipsum Regem FINIS Custodes Rotulorum 23. Ed. 1. ADAM de Osgodby Clerke 10. Ed. 2. William Ayremyne after Keeper of the great Seale 17. Ed. 2. Richard de Ayremyne 20. Ed. 2. Henry de Clyffe Clerke after keeper of the great Seale died the 7 of King Edward the third 7. Ed. 3.
Yorke was againe Treasurer of England in the fift yeare of Edward the third being An. Do. 1331. and enjoyed that place some part of Michaelmas Terme in the said yeare after whom came the Bishop of Norwich William Bishop of Norwich was made Treasurer in Michaelmas Terme in the fift yeare of Edward the third in which tearme there had beene three Lord Treasurers successively a thing seldome or never heard which office this Bishop kept all Michaelmas Tearme in the sixt yeare of Edward the third being in An. Dom. 1332. and somewhat more in the end yet yeelding that honour to another Robert le Ailstone being Lord Treasurer in the seventh yeare of Edward the third being An. Do. 1333. continued in the same office untill the tenth yeare of Edward the third being in An. Dom. 1336. which was about three yeares the same being a longer time then any other had possessed that place since the beginning of the raigne of the said King Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincolne was againe Treasurer the tenth yeare of Edward the third being in An. Dom. 1336. in which yeare as hath Scala cronicorum the King holding his Parliament at London was advised by his Counsell to prosecute his title to the Crowne of France Whereupon King Edward sent Ambassadors to the Duke of Bavier Emperor which had married the other sister to the Earle of Hannalt as King Edward the third had married one for surety of aliance and to retaine noble men about him with no small charge which ambassadors were Henry Burgwash Bishop of Lincolne and the Earles William Mountacute of Sarum and William Clinton of Huntington who returned to the Parliament at London with their answer well liked Of this man see more in the Chancellers being yet after his ambassage Treasurer for some part of the 11. yeare of King Edward the third Richard de Bury Bishop of Durham did enjoy the honour of Lord Treasurer in the 11. yeare of Edward the third hee was a man of great gravity and much esteemed of the nobility and gentlemen of the North. Of this man is more soken of in the Chancellers of England William de la Zouch borne of the noble house of the Lord Zouch was Treasurer of England in the 12. yeare of Edward the third in An. Dom. 1338. he being Bishop of Yorke was vicegerent to the King in the North parts in the 20. yeare of Edward the third and in An. Dom. 1346. at what time he tooke David Bruce King of the Scotts This man went to Rome and after a long contention between him and William Kelslye Kelsbie or Kelsey for all these different names are found in Authors touching the Archbishopprick of Yorke he was after two yeares thus spent consecrated Bishop of Yorke by Pope Clement the sixt after which this William in the 11. yeare of his Bishoppricke being long troubled with a grievous disease began the worke of a Chapell on the South side adjoyning to the Church of Saint Peters in Yorke where he purposed to bee buried but died before it was finished and lieth interred in the said Church before the Altar of Edward the confessor Sir Richard Sadington Knight was Treasurer in the fourteenth yeare of Edward the third being in An. Dom. 1340. There was one Robert Sadington living about this time of whom is more mention in the Chancellors of England but as yet I well know not whether they were both one man or noe sith Authors may misplace Robert for Richard as they have often done Robert Northborow being at that time as I judge Bishop of Coventry was Treasurer of England in the 14. yeare of Edward the third and in An. Dom. 1340. in which yeare hee was removed whom with the Chancellor the King ment afterward as after shall appeare to have sent into Flanders as Pledges for money that the King ought there After whom as I suppose that Sadington came in place A Bishop of Chester was Lord Treasure of England in the fifteenth yeare of Edward the third being in An. Dom. 1341. in which office he did not long continue Robert Perning or Pernicke was Lord Treasurer in the Easter tearme in An. Dom. 1341. being the fifteenth yeare of King Edward the third in which yeare also hee was made Chanceller and so continued both offices a while untill the sixteenth yeare of Edward the third as I gather by all circumstances of times records and histories who in the seventeenth yeare of Edward the third being An. Dom. 1343. as appeareth by the bookes of the Law being Chancellor delivered a record with his hands into the Court of the Kings Bench Of this man more is set downe in the Chancellers Roger Northborow as I take it being then Bishop of Coventry did honorably possesse the place of Lord Treasurer of England in the sixteenth yeare of Edward the third being in An. Do. 1342. Of whom thus writeth Matthew Parker in the life of Iohn Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury Ibi meaning at the Tower concilium initum est tandemque definitum ut Archiepiscopus episcopus Cicestrescis regni Cancellarius Coventrensis Thesaurarius una cum alijs satellitibus lictoribus deprehensi ad publicam custodiam rerum a se absente rege gestarum rationem reddituri ducerentur Mane accedunt satellites Lametham sed archiepiscopus ei pridie decesserat tum Londinum reversi Couentrensem Cicestrensem episcopos cum alijs designatis capiunt captos ad turrim deducunt c. William de Cusans being Lord Treasurer in the seventeenth yeare of Edward the third in An. Dom. 1343. continued in the same office all Michaelmas tearme in the eighteenth yeare of Edward the third and An. Dom. 1344. Betweene whom and Thomas Henley Abbat of Westminster was great contention about the Iurisdiction of the hospital of Saint Iames in the parish of Saint Margaret in Westminster which Hospitall is now a stately house belonging to the King and built by King Henry the eight called the manner of Saint Iames with a Parke walled about William de Edington Lord Chancellor and Treasurer of England Bishop of Winchester was Lord Treasurer in Easter Tearme in the nineteenth yeare of Edward the third being in An. Dom. 1345. in which office he continued untill the 32. yeare o the said King An. Dom. 1358. being 14. yeares Hee was so surnamed of the place where hee wa borne being the Towne of Edington in Wiltshire he was made Bishop of Winchester as some have about An. Dom. 1347. being about the 21. yeare of Edward the third This man chosen Bishop of Canterbury but yet never Bishop died as hath Walsingham in the fortieth yeare of Edward the third being in An. Dom. 1366. Iohn Bishop of Rochester was Lord Treasurer in the 32. yeare of Edward the third in An. Do. 1358. in which office hee continued in the 33. and 34. of the same King Simon Langham being of the Priory of Westminster made Abbat of that house was shortly after made Lord Treasurer
the sixt and of Edward the fourth was committed to prison by the King first sending for him to come to his presence Whereupon hee going to the King and resting on an hill from whence he did behold Sudley Castle said It is thou it is thou Sudley Castle and not I which am the traitor After which comming to the King hee resigned the said Sudley Castle into his handes Which Castle came after to Iasper Duke of Bedford is now 1635. in the possession of Giles Bridges Lord Shandois This Ralph being made Baron in the 20. yeare of Henry the sixt married Elizabeth the daughter of Sir Iohn Northberry by whom he had issue Thomas his son that died without issue leaving his Two Sisters to bee his heires whereof the Eldest daughter was married to Sir Iohn Northberry whose heire generall was maried to John Halwell of Devonshire who had issue Ioane his daughter and heire married to Edmund Lord Bray of whose heires generall are descended the Lord Cobham Lord Chandos Sir Edmund Verney Knight Marshall Sir Percivall Hart of Kent The other Sister married to Sir Hamond Bellknap of whom is descended the Lord Wootton of Bocton Maleherbe in Kent The which Ralph Lord Butler of Sudley was vexilifer and high butler of England and steward in house to Henry the sixt Marmaduke Bishop of Carlile was made Lord Treasurer of England in the 25. yeare of Henry the sixt in which office hee continued about two yeares in the 27. yeare of Henry the sixt being in An. Dom. 1448. or as some have 1449. Iames Fynes created at Bury Baron and of Say of Seale on the 3. of March in the 25. yeare of King Henry the sixt being in An. Dom. 1446. was Constable of Dover Castle and Lord Treasurer of England in the 28. yeare of Henry the sixt and was from thence removed as some have in An. 29. of the said King And was by the Rebells of Kent Iacke Cade and his fellowes taken of out the Tower to the Guildhall where hee was arraigned before the Major and other the Kings Iustices who desiring to be tried by his Peeres was by the Rebells forceably taken from the Officers and beheaded at the standard in Cheape Which his beheading some doe attribute to the 28. yeare of Henry the sixt being in An. Dom. 1450. He had issue Sir William Fines Knight and one daughter married to Sir William Cromer Knight Sheriffe of Kent beheaded at that time also with his father in law Of which Cromer Sir Iames Cromer of Kent Knight descended Iohn Lord Beuchamp a person of great worthinesse possessed the place of the Treasurership of England in the 29. and 30. yeare of Henry the sixt Iohn Tiptoft Earle of Worcester possessed the place of the Lord Treasurer in the 31. and 32 yeare of Henry the sixt Of whom is more mention made hereafter Iames Butler the sonne of Iames Earle of Ormond being Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond possessed the office of the Lord Treasurer of England in the 33. of Henry the sixt falling in An. Dom. 1455. Henry Vicount Bourchier borne of the noble house of the Bourchiers the sonne of William Bourchier Earle of Ewe in Normandy was Lord Treasurer of England in the 33. yeare of Henry the sixt in which office he did not long remaine Iohn Talbot Earle of Sherwsbury the sonne of Iohn Talbot the first Earle of Shrewesbury of that name possessed the place of the Treasurership of England in the 35. and 36. yeare of Henry the sixt and then gave place to the Earle of Wiltshire This Earle was slaine at the battle of Northampton in the 38. yeare of Henry the sixt being in An. Dom. 1460. He married Elizabeth the daughter of Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and had issue Iohn Earle of Shrewesbury Iames Gilbert Christopher and George Anne married to Sir Henry Vernon and Margaret This man was buried in the Priory of Worksop Iames Butler sonne to Iames the fourth of that name Earle of Ormond was the second time made Lord Treasurer of England about the 37. yeare of Henry the sixt in which office he continued as I suppose in the 38. yeare of the said King In which yeare hee conveyed himselfe out of England into Duchland for feare of the Nobility as the Duke of Yorke and others that rebelled against the King sending backe his souldiers into England which he had before assembled upon the Sea but after he returned into England and was againe put to flight at Mortimers Crosse by Edward Earle of March after King by the name of King Edward the fourth He was made Earle of Ormond in the 39. of Henry the sixt being his last yeare Hee married Elinor the daughter of Edmund Duke of Somerset diep without yssue being beheaded at Newcastle in An. Do. 1461. in the first yeare of Edward the fourth Henry Viscount Bourchier was Lord Treasurer of England the second time in the 39. yeare of Henry the sixt being in An. Dom. 1460. who upon the deposition of the said King by Edward the fourth was also removed from the said office Thrmas Bourchier made Lord Treasurer of England in the first yeare of Edward the fourth in An-Dom 1461. continued not long in that office but gave place to Iohn Earle of Worcester Iohn Tiptoft Earle of Worcester the second tyme possessed the place of the Lord Treasurership of England in the second and third yeare of Edward the fourth Edmund Lord Grey of Ruthine the sonne of Iohn Lord Grey of Ruthine did enjoy the office of Lord Treasurership of England in the fourth yeare of Edward the fourth in Anno Dom. 1464. This man secretly in heart forsaking the part of King Henry the sixt for injuries received at his hands ayded the said Edward the fourth and was the chiefe meanes whereby hee attained the Crowne in Michaelmas Tearme in the said fourth yeare of this King there was a Sergeants feast held in Holbourne in the Bishop of Ely his House to which the Maior and Aldermen repaired being bidden thither But when the Major looked to have kept the state in the Hall forgetting that hee was out of his owne liberties for the Bishops place was an exempt place as it had beene used saith Iohn Stow in all places of the City and liberties of the same out of the Kings presence the Lord Grey of Ruthine then Treasurer of England unknowne to the Sergeants and against their willes as they said was placed in the highest roome whereupon the Major Aldermen and Commons departed This Edmund doth Matthew Parker in the life of Thomas Bourchier Archbishop of Canterbury make to be Treasurer in the Third yeare of Edward the fourth in Anno Dom. 1463. which may well enough stand with the former being Treasurer to Iohn Earle of Worcester in the 3. yeare of the King For upon removing of the said Earle in the 3. yeare of Edward the 4. came this Lord Grey in place The words of which said Matthew Parker with a
of Elie. William Grey Bishop of Elie was after the translation of Thomas Bourchier from Elie to Canterbury advanced to that See by Nicholas the fifth then Bishop of Rome who gave it to the said Bishop being then procurator too for King Henry the 6. at Rome in the yeare of our redemption 1454. This man was Lord Treasurer in the ninth yeare of Edward the fourth in An. Dom. 1469. in which office he continued untill the 11. yeare of Edward the fourth or thereabouts This Greie was borne of the noble house of the Lord Greyes of Codnor as saith Bale and travelled into Italie to attaine great learning where he heard the noble Clerke Guarinus Veronensis reade in Ferraria Hee continued Bishop of Elie 24. yeares 11. Moneths and two daies departing this life at Durham the fourth of August in An. Dom. 1478. as I have read and was buried at Elie betweene two Marble pillars having bestowed great sommes of money upon the reparations of that famous Belfrie of the Church of Elie and upon other ornaments of the same Church Henry Bourchier Earle of Essxe did the third time possesse the honorable place of the Lord Treasurership of England in the 11. yeare of Edward the fourth in which office hee continued as I gather 12. yeares being all the residue of the life of Edward the fourth who departed this world about the ninth day of Aprill in An. Dom. 1483. which Bourchier being made Earle of Essex in the first yeare of Edward the fourth in An. Dom. 1461. married Elizabeth daughter of Richard de Conisburge Earle of Cambridge the sister of Richard Duke of Yorke by whom hee had yssue William Lord Bourchier Thomas Iohn Henry and Humphery Knights Sir Richard Wood Knight whom some call Sir Iohn Wood being before under Treasurer in the 23. yeare of Edward the fourth was in the same yeare made Knight about a Moneth before the death of the said King Edward the fourth This man did possesse the place of the Lord Treasurer of England as I gather out of the record of Pellis exitus of that yeare in the second yeare of the Raigne of King Richard the third being the yeare of our redemption 1484. which office I suppose that hee kept untill the said Richard the third was slayne by Henry Earle of Richmond afterward King of England by the name of Henry the Seventh Sir Reignold Brey Knight the sonne of Richard Brey Physician as some have noted to King Henry the sixt being servant to Margret Countesse of Richmond mother to Henry the seventh was for the fidelity of his Lady and good service in furthering King Henry the 7. to the Crowne received into great favour with the said King and made Lord Treasurer of England as appeareth by the record of Pellis exitus made under his name in the first yeare of Henry the seventh in An. Dom. 1485. besides which Office hee had many other offices and honours part whereof were that he was Treasurer of the Kinges warres that he was one of the executors to King Henry the seventh that hee was made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of the King and created a Banneret at Blacke-heath field Hee died in the 18. yeare of the prudent Prince King Henry the seventh being in An. Dom. 1503. and was honorably buried at Windsor Sir Iohn Dinham Kinght the son of Sir Dinham Knight a faithfull servant to the house of Yorke aswell in ayding the Duke of Yorke to whom Edward the fourth sonne to the said Duke of Yorke in the second yeare of his raigne had given one Annuity of 30. pound per Annum did after the death of the said Edward the fourth in the second yeare of Henry the seventh possesse the place of Lord Treasurer of England in An. Dom. 1486. and so continued vntill in An. 16. Henry the seventh and then gave place to Thomas Earle of Surrey Of which Lord Dinham thus writeth Leland Dominus Dinham primus fuit fundator sancti Nicholas alias Hortland He was created Lord Dinham in the first yeare of Edward the 4. shortly after the Coronation of the said King in An. Dom. 1461. He dyed in Anno 16. of the same King Henry the seventh in An. Dom. 1500. and the 30. day of Ianuary was brought to the Gray Fryers in London and there buried He married Elizabeth daughter of the Lord Fitzwater by whom he had yssue George and Phillip and Sir Thomas Dinham his base sonne that married one of the daughters and heires of Sir Iohn Ormond Which Thomas was buried at Ashring Three miles from Berkhamsted besides which children this Lord Dinham or Denham for so I finde both written in Chronicles had by his legitimate wife divers daughters which were Margaret married to Nicholas Baron of Carew Ioane married to the Lord Zouch Elizabeth married to the Lord Fitz Warren and Katherine married to Sir Thomas Arundell of Cornewall Knight Here I thinke it not amisse to say somewhat of a note which I have seene that maketh Iohn Touchet Lord Audley Treasurer of England which note is this Iohn Touchet Lord Audley Treasurer of England dyed the 26. day of December in An. Do. 1490. falling in the sixt yeare of Henry the seventh and had issue Iames Lord Audley beheaded the 28. of Iune in An. Dom. 1497. being the 12. yeare of Henry the seventh Thomas Howard the sonne of Iohn Lord Howard created the first Duke of Norfolke of that name in the time of Richard the Third was at the same time also created Earle of Surrey This man after the slaughter of his father at Bosworth field when the Tyrant Richard the third was slaine by Henry the seventh was after received into such favour with the said King Henry the seventh that hee was advanced to be Lord Treasurer of England in the 16. yeare of Henry the seventh in An. Dom. 1500. Which place hee continued all the life of the said King Henry the seventh who died in the 24. yeare of his raigne being in An. Do. 1509. After which for the good service hee used in the time of King Henry the seventh King Henry the 8. permitted him to keepe that Office which he possessed untill the 15. yeare of King Henry the 8. in An. Dom. 1523. This man was created Duke of Norfolke on Candlemas day in the fift yeare of Henry the 8. being in An. Dom. 1513. at what time also his sonne Thomas Howard was made Earle of Surrey This Duke was advanced to that honour in recompence of the death of the King of Scots and for the good service that hee did against that Nation in the said 5. yeare of Henry the 8. with an augmentation of his armes the Armes of Scotland in medio benda Armorum proprij Nominis of Howard Touching which victory of the death of the King of Scots Buchanan Lib. 13. writeth to this effect That the said Thomas Howard as a note of the conquest gave to his servants to weare on their left arme being
THE CATALOGVE OF THE CHANCELLORS OF ENGLAND THE LORD Keepers of the Great Seale AND THE LORD TREASVrers of England With a Collection of divers that have beene Masters of the Rolles By J. P. Summerset Herald Printed at London by Tho. Cotes and are to be sold by Andrew Crooke in Pauls Church-yard 1636. CRESCAM UT PROSIM CONSTANTER ET PRUDENTER The Right honble Sr Alex Campbell of Cesnok one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice and one of the Lords of Her Maties most honble Pray Counsell Exchequer c 17â—7 To the right Honorable and excellent Lord Thomas Howard Earle of Arundell and Surrey Primer Earle and Earle Marshall of England Baron Howard Mowbray Segrave Brewes of Gower Fitzallan Clun Oswalderstree Maltravers and Greystock Iustice in Eyre of all the Kings Forrests Parkes and Chaces beyond the River of Trent Lievetenant generall to his Majestie in the Provinces of Norfolke Sussex Surrey Northumberland Westmerland and Cumberland of the Privy Councell to his Maiestie in England Scotland and Ireland and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter MY LORD I Have received many encouragements by Friends that have perused these Collections to render them to the publicke which cannot bee done without your Lordships approbation and permission to the Presse The Catalogues of the great officers in France long since printed have offorded much contentment and do worthily preserve the memory of such as merited in those places and their qualities And as I have no other but the same end in the publishing of these So I will comfort my selfe with an humble hope that it will give no discontentment The incouragements your Lordship hath conferred up on the office of Armes in generall my selfe in particular with a bountifull hand may give your Lordship just occasion to expect some fruite of our indeavours If these may passe in that estimate but for blossomes it will be more then they demerite And if your Lordship shall conceive them worthy to bee communicated to the world I most humbly crave leave that they may passe under Dedication to your Lordship which grace and favour will give them life and acceptation and very much incourage and comfort Most noble Lord To Your thrice humble and most obliged servant IOHN PHILIPOT Summerset Herald To my very loving friends the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers at Stationers Hall in London these LEt the Catalogue of the Chancellors of England the Lord Keepers of the great Seale and Lord high Treasurers of England Collected by Iohn Philipot Summerset be printed Arundell and Surry Arundell House the 16. of March 1635. CANDIDE ET CONSTANTER MErcedem meritis postponis legibus aurum Quod nunc prodigii pondus instar habet Consilio multis opibus succurris egenti The Preface THE Catalogue or Series of the Chancellors of England hath beene with much care and diligence laboured by Robert Glover Somerset Herauld of Armes and after him by Francis Thinne Lancaster Herauld whose M. S Collections J have by me and in them a thankfull commemoration is made of Mr. Thomas Talbots kinde assistance hee being Clerke of the Records in the Tower of London where the Charters and their Dates that afford the exactest testimonies of them are to be found for many Ages past So that J shall not neede to cite the vouchers and proofes at large Neither will I be so false to my selfe or my Reader as to conceale that the worthy and reverend Antiquarie Sr. Henry Spilman Knight in his Glossary hath summarily mentioned them The nature of the Office is most accurately described by him in that worke and also by Mr. William Camden Clarenceux King of Armes in his History of Great Brittaine in the description and definition of the severall Courts of Justice in this Kingdome to which J referre those that desire to be particularly informed in that kinde Pollidor Virgill would perswade us the Office and name of Chancellor was not known in this Kingdome till after the Norman Conquest and the Author of the Catalogue of Bishops is positive in that opinion speaking of Swithen Bishop of Winchester the opinion of whose piety procured him the title of a Saint But the contrary is most cleere and evident as by the Authorities hereafter mentioned will appeare to which I referre my Reader A CATALOGVE OF THE CHANCELLORS of England from the time of the SAXON Kings TVrketill was Chancellor to King Ethelbald who began his reigne in the yeere 718. this Turketill gave six Mannors to the Abbey of Croiland St. Swithen Bishop of Winchester was Chancellor and chiefe of Councell to the great Monarch King Egbert who began his reigne about the yeere 802. Wolfinus was Chancellor to King Athelstone who began his raigne in the yeare 924. This King inriched the Monastary of Malmesbury in Wiltshire with large and ample indowments and bestowed great immunities upon the Towne And in the Charter and grant of those Liberties ths Wolfinus is a witnesse with the title of Chancellor Turketill was Chancellor to the said King Athelstone and so continued under King Edmund who began his raigne in the yeare 940. and after the death of King Edmund he was Chancellor to King Edred the space of two yeares Adulthus Chancellor to King Edgar who began his raigne in Anno Dom. 959. Of this man speaketh Hugo Petro Burgensis and Leland calleth this Adulph Cancellarium Archigrammatum Chancellor or chiefe Secretary Alsius or Aelsius the second Abbat of Elie Chancellor to King Ethelred who began his raigne in Anno Dom. 979. This man being by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester consecrated Abbat by the appointment of the said King Ethelred or Egelred and being then Abbat of Elie when Ethelred gave out his commandement that the Abbat of Elie should then and for ever be Chancellor I doubt not to place him here amongst the Chancellors the proofe of which matter I have here verbatim set downe out of the second booke of the history of Elie. Statuit which was Ethelred atque concessit quatenus ecclesiam de Elie ex tunc semper in regis curia cancellarij ageret dignitatem quod etiam alijs sancti videlicet Augustini Glasconiae ecclesijs constituit ut Abbates istorum caenobiorum vicissim adsignatis succedendo temporibus annum trifarie dividerent cum sanctuarijs caeteris ornamentis ministrando c. Leofricus Bathonicus Chancellor to Edward the Confessor in Anno Dom. 1045. and some yeares before this man was Bishop of Cridington in Cornewall which see was after translated to Excester Wifinus or Wolfinus Chancellor to Edward the Confessor in the latter end of the said yeare 1045 being the third yeare of his raigne Resenbaldus or Rembaldus for I take them both by many and ancient authorities to be all one man was Chancellor to Edward the Confessor and Seale-bearer witnesse amongst others to many Deedes which I have seene of the Confessors some dated in Anno dom 1066 and some
and received the profit thereof to whom the King would have regiven the seale in Anno dom 1229 being the three and twentieth yeare of his raigne but Nevill would not receive it This man dyed in the yeare of Christ 1243 being Anno 27 Henry 3 at his Palace at London not farre from the new Temple Geofrey the Templer and John de Lexington were made keepers of the great Seale but shortly af er this Geofrey had the Seale taken from him because he grew in dislike of the Nobility in continually provoking them to anger Hugh Pateshall Cannon of Pauls is by Mathew Paris Fol 656 called Chancellor in Anno 23 Henry 3 Which I much doubt to be true of his man shall be more saide in the Treasurers of England Simon the Norman keeper of the great Seale in Anno 23 Henry 3 being in Anno dom 1229 he had the Seale shortly taken from him and was banished the Court because he would not seale the Patent whereby Thomas Earle of Flanders might take foure pence for every Sacke of Wooll that came out of England into Flanders This Simon dyed in the yeare of Christ 1249 being in Anno 33 Henry 3. Richard Grasse or Grossus Abbat of Evesham the said Simon expelled had the keeping of the great Seale in Anno 23 Henry 3 he kept the Seale three yeares and being chosen Bishop of Chester hee resigned the Seale in Anno dom 1242 being the 26 yeare of Henry the third he dyed being wise and learned in the Canon Law in the same yeare in Gascoigne in a Citty called in Latine Riola or Rigula where he was buried John de Lexington was againe made keeper of the Great Seale in Anno 26 Henry 3 being in Anno dom 1242 to execute that Office Ralphe Nevill being in life and still Chancellor but in the Kings disgrace shortly after which this Nevill dyed This Iohn Lexington dyed in Anno dom 1252 being in Anno 41 Henry 3. Ranulfe Briton as I read is saide to be Chancellor and Treasurer of the Chamber about the 37 yeare of Henry the third being in Anno dom 124â— I suppose that he only had the keeping of the great Seale as the rest had before him during the life of Raphe Nevill and so I leave him to the judgement of others sith Matthew Paris continually nameth him Treasurer and once Chancellor who sodainly dyed after dinner beholding players at Dice in Anno dom 1246 being in Anno 30 Henry 3 Of whom thus writeth the saide Matthew Paris in his greater history Fol. 934 Ranulphus Brito quondam Dominus familiarissimus Regi Reginae multis posthabitis nobilibus ejusdem Cancellarius specialis quum post mensalem refectionem aleatores certatim inspexisset colludentes laethalis apoplexia inexpectato vulnere corruit sugillatus Silvester de Eversden received the great Seale in Anno 29 Henry 3 being in Anno dom 1246 he was Vice-chancellor and consecrated Bishop of Carleil being a man most cunning in the custome of the Chancery in Anno dom 1247. being in Anno 31 Henry 3. Iohn Mansell Treasurer of Yorke Parson of Maidstone in Kent Parson of Wigan Chancellor of Paules Master or Ruler of Beverley Chiefe Iustice of England one of the privy Counsell to Henry the third his Chaplaine Ambassador into Spaine and a worthy souldier crossed to goe to Ierusalem who at one feast had two Kings two Queenes and I know not how many Noblemen and whose spirituall livings were about 4000 Markes of yearely revennewes â—s I have gathered he was at the will aâ—â—â—â—stance of the King made keeper of the great Seale as Vice-chancellor for Matthew Paris saith Custodiam sigilli regij accepit Cancellarij vices acturus officium about Anno 31 Henry 3 in Anno dom 1247 he built an house of regular Cannons at Rumney one of the Cinque Ports in Kent To this man King Henry the third in Anno 30 of his raigne did grant that his Towne of Wigan should be a Burrough John de Lexington being after chiefe Iâ—stice of the Forrest from the River of Trent Southward was againe keeper of the great Seale untill some part of the 32 yeare of Henry the third in Anno dom 1248. John Mansell againe keeper of the great Seale who at Woodstocke in the 32 yeare of Henry the third did receive the great Seale of the said John Lexington which he kept as I suppose and that with some good proofe untill the 33 yeare of the said King being in anno dom 1248 Of which John Mansell thus writeth an old anonymall Chronicle concerning the Barons warres Sed Johannes Mansell multarum in Anglia ecclesiarum Rector seu potius incubator reddituum quoque quorum non erat numerus possessor magnificus ita quod ditior eo clericus non videbatur in orbe episcopali puta dignitate minime insignitus metu Baronum aufugit latenter ultra mari de Turri London in qua Rex Angliae Regina sua tunc temporis tenuerunt se Quem quum Henricus filius regis Alemaniae fugientem insequeretur ipse capitur quum applicuisset Bononiae a Magistro Geâ—ardo de fines procuratore ut putabatur reginae Radulphus de Diceto was Chancellor as I reade and suppose much about this time William of Kilkenny being a modest wise and faithfull man learned in the Canon and Civill Lawes was made keeper of the great seale in Anno dom 1250. being in Anno 34 Henry 3 He was elected to the Bishopricke of Elie as saith the History of Elie the 18 Calends of September in Anno dom 1255 being about anno 39 Henry 3. But others say that he being then Vice-chancellor was elected Bishop of Elie in anno dom 1254 being anno 38 Henry 3 after that he had faithfully and to his great commendation used and borne the great seale he was consecrated to that Bishopricke in anno dom 1255 and dyed in anno dom 1256 being about anno 41 Henry 3 whose heart was buried at Elie. Henry de Wingham was made Chancellor in anno 39 Henry 3 and continued in annis 41 42 Henry 3 in which yeare as some have and in the 43 of Henry the third as others have he was chosen Bishop of Winchester upon condition that he should give place to Athelmer halfe brother to King Henry the third and sonne to Hugh Brunne Earle of Marshe and of Eleanor King Henry the third his Mother being banished by the Barons if that he should againe come into England and then leave the bishopricke of Winchester unto him which he did upon the comming againe of the said Athelmer into England and for that cause was after chosen Bishop of London in Anno dom 1259 being in Anno 33 Henry 3. and still Chancellor and is buried in Pauls on the South side of the Quire next to Eustachius Bishop of London in a Monument of Marble with this inscription on the wall to tell who it was Hic jacet Henricus de Wingham
anno 4 Edward 3 who being sent in the sixt yeare of his raigne in anno dom 1332 Ambassador beyond the Seas about the affaires of the King and Kingdome did not like Cardinall Woolsey the Chancellor in the dayes of King Henry the 8 presumptuously carry the great Seale with him beyond the seas but left the same in his absence with others who both could and would answere the well or evill using thereof whiles he was in France This man continued in the Office untill the Eight yeare of Edward the third Richard de Bury otherwise called Richard de Angervile being borne in a little village besides S Edmundsbury commonly cald the Bury Abbey was so surnamed Bury of that place had to his Father Sr. Richard Angervile Knight This man being first kept at schoole by his Vncle Sr. Iohn VVillobie Priest was afterward Treasurer of England Chancellor and Bishop of Durham to which place of Chancellor-ship hee was advanced in the yeare 1334 being in anno 8 Edward 3 which office he received by the Kings gift at VVestminster in which yeare he was inthronized being first consecrated Bishop in anno do 1333 in the Bishoprick of Durham by William Cowton Prior of Durham He kept the See 11 yeares two moneths and twelve dayes and died in the yeare 1345 and was buryed in the South angle of the Church at Durham John Stratford the second time Lord Chancellor being now Archbishop of Canterbury was installed therein at York in anno dom 1335 being the ninth yeare of the Raigne of King Edward the third Robert de Stratford or Strafford as some have written but as I thinke corruptly being Archdeacon of Canterbury which Office was first ordeined by Anselme Archbishop of the said Citty was made Chancellor of England on the 24 day of March anno dom 1336 being in anno 11 Edward 3 He was after made Bishop of Chichester desiring to be remooved from that office of Chancellorship which was granted unto him Whereupon he surrendred up the Seale unto the said King Edward 3 in the 12 yeare of his Raigne being in anno dom 1338. Richard de Bintworth chosen Bishop of London and confirmed by John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury at Oxford the tenth kalends of Iune 1338 was at Waltham advanced to the honour of Lord Chancellor in the moneth of July in the said yeare 1338 being the 12 yeare of King Edward the third John Stratford the third time Lord Chancellor of England in which Office he did not long continue Robert Bishop of Chichester being the foresaid Robert Stratford was againe made Lord Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1340 being anno 14 of the raigne of Edward the third who was put out of that Office and should with the Treasurer of England have beene sent into France for a pledge for the payment of certaine sommes of money Robert de Bourchier borne of the honourable house of the Lord Bourchiers was in the Towre of London made Lord Chancellor of England in December in anno 14 Edward 3 being in anno dom 1340 though some say hee was made Chancellor in anno 15 of the saide King Robert Perning Pernicke or Pernwicke also Treasurer of England was made Chancellor of England in anno dom 1341 bing in anno 15 Edward 3 he dyed in the yeare 1343 being in anno 17 of the said King This man was a Serjant in the third yeare of Edward the third when he began to plead as a Serjant in which he continued untill anno 11 Edward 3 and was after that Iustice Treasurer and Chancellor and dyed in the common plees being Chancellor sitting and arguing amongest the Iustices as appeares in the Law books of those yeares of Edward the third of whom is last mention made in the 17 yeare of Edward the third where hee is named Chancellor Robert de Saddington Knight was invested with the dignity of Lord Chancellor after the death of Perning in anno dom 1343 and in anno 17 Edward 3 He was elected to be Bishop of Canterbury and so was installed but never received the Pall. There was also one Richard Saddington Knight Treasurer of England of whom I have spoken in my discourse of the Lord Treasurers John Offord or Vfford Deane of Lincolne was made Chancellor of England in anno dom 1345. being anno 19 Edward 3 Hee dyed in the moneth of May in anno dom 1349 being the 23 yeare of the Raigne of that victorious King Edward the third John Thorsby Bishop of Worcester Archbishop of Yorke and Cardinall was installed in the seat of the Lord Chancellor in anno dom 1349 being anno 23 Edward 3 who at his great suit was discharged of the Office of Chancellor by delivery of the great Seale in November in anno 30 of the said King being in anno dom 1356 after hee had kept that place almost by the space of 7 yeares He in the 10 yeare of his Bishopricke on the third kalends of August beganne the frame of the Quire in S Peters Church in Yorke and laid the first stone thereof to which he gave an Hundred poundes He dyed at Thorpe and was buryed at Yorke in anno dom 1363 or as others have 1373 after that he had beene Archbishop one and twenty yeares and one and twenty dayes William de Edington Bishop of Winchester Lord Treasurer of England was made Chancellor of England in November in anno dom 1356 in anno 30 of King Edward the third Simon Langham Abbat of Westminster Bishop of Elie Archbishop of Canterbury and Treasurer of England was made Lord Chancellor in February in anno dom 1363 being the seaven and thirthieth yeare of the governement of King Edward the third Of this Simon were these verses made when he was removed from Elie to the Bishopricke of Canterbury Exultent caeli quia Simon transit ab Eli Cujus in adventum flent in kent millia centum Of whom also because he richly endowed the Abbey of Westminster with great gifts of singular cost and value a certaine Monke compiled these verses Res es de Langham tua Simon sunt data quondam Octingentena librarum millia dena Of this man is more spoken in the following discourse of the Lord Treasurers of England William de Wickeham so called of the place of his Birth whom Leland maketh Treasurer of England which by any possible meanes cannot be so for any thing that I can yet learne This man being Bishop of Winchester and advanced to that place in anno dom 1367 in anno 41 Edward 3 in which place he sate seaven and thirty yeares was sometime keeper of the privie seale and made also Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1367 being the 41 yeare of Edward the third in which Office he remained about foure yeares and in March in the yeare 1371 being the 45 of King Edward the third did deliver up the great Seale to the King at Westminster Hee was buried in the body of Winchester Church which he new built
with the other places about it of whom were these verses composed for the building of his Colledges the one at Oxford and the other at Winchester Hunc decet esse pium fundatis collegiorum Oxoniae primum stat Wintoniaeque secundum Robert Thorpe Knight being before Iustice of the Law in Anno dom 1370 was after at Westminster advanced to the Chancellorship in March in Anno 45 Edward 3 being in Anno dom 1371 Who going home to his owne house left the great seale with foure of the Guardians or Masters of the Chancery whereof the one was called Walter Power to keepe and use as need required Sr. John Knivet or Knivell as some books have by the transcriber corrupted was made Chancellor of England in July in Anno dom 1372 being the 46 yeare of King Edward the third in which Office hee continued as I gather untill the 50 yeare of the saide King Edward the third in which yeare as here at hand appeareth came in place the Bishop of S. Davids Adam de Houghton Bishop of Menenia or of S. Davids in Wales was advanced to the office of Lord Chancellor in Anno dom 1376 being the 50 yeare of King Edward the third who in the 51 yeare of the saide King was with the Earle of Salisbury and the Bishop of Hereford sent Ambassador beyond the seas And here I thinke it not amisse to set downe the originall of the Rolls in Chancery Lane in this sort Henry the third did build an house for the Iewes converted to the faith of Christ which house is at this day and hath beene long before this time appointed for the keeping of the Kings Rolles and recordes being now called and knowne by the name of the Rols in Chancery Lane besides Lincolnes Inne In which house the master of the Rolles for the time being hath his dwelling In which also there is a faire Chappell called the Chappell of the Rolles being a place commonly appointed wherein men accostome to pay money upon contracts The grant of Henry the third for erecting of the house of Converts Rex archi episcopis c. Sciatis nos intuitu Dei pro salute animae nostrae animarum antecessorum haeredum meorum concessisse hac charta nostra confirmasse pro nobis haeredibus nostris domum quam fundari fecimus in vico qui vocatur Newst eet inter vetus Templum novum London ad sustentationem fratrum conversorum convertendorum de Judaismo ad fidem catholicam in auxilium sustentationis eorundem fratrum in eadem domo conversantium domos terraes quae fuere Johannis Harbeton in London sunt in manu nostra tanquam eschaeta nostra excepto Gardino quod fuit eiusdem Iohannis in vico praedicto de New-street quod prius per Chartam nostram concessimus venerabili patri Radulpho Cicestrensi episcopo Cancellario nostro omnes alias eschaetas quae tempore nostro per feloniam vel quacunque ex causa nobis accident in civitate nostra vel in suburbio infra libertatem civitatis nostrae London Quare volumus firmiter praecipimus pro nobis haeredibus nostris quod praedicta domus habeat teneat libere quiete Bene in pace ad sustentationem fratrum conversorum convertendorum de Judaismo ad fidem catholicam in auxillium sustentationis eorundem fratrum in eadem domo conversantium domos terras quae fuerunt Johannis Harbeton in London sunt in manu nostra tanquam eschaeta nostra excepto gardino quod fuit eiusdem Iohannis in vico praedicto de Newstreet quod prius per chartam nostram concessinus venerabili patri Radulpho Cicestrensi episcopo Cancellario nostro omnes alias eschaetas quae tempore nostro per feloniam vel quacunque ex causa nobis accident in civitate nostra vel in fuburbio infra libertatem civitatis nostrae London sicut praedictum est His testibus venerabilibus patribus W. Kaerl W. Exon episcopis H de Burgo Comite Kantiae Radulpho filio Nicholai Godfrido de Crancombe Iohanne filio Philip. Amaurico de sancto Aumundo Will de Picheford Galfrido de Cauz alijs Dat. per manum Ve P R Cicestrend episcop Cancellar nostri apud Westmin 19. die Aprilis The Grant of Edward the third whereby the said house was in the one and fiftieth and last yeare of the said Edward converted to the custody of the Rolles and records of the Chancery Rex omnibus ad quos c. salutem Sciatis quod nos considerantes qualiter domus conversorum in suburbio Civitatis nostrae London de patronatu nostro existens capella aedificia clausur ejusdem tempore quo delectus noster Will. Burstall custodiam ejusdem domus ex collatione nostra primo habuit per negligentiam incuriam aliorum qui ante praedictum Will. custodiam domus illius habuerunt ibidem morari seu inhabitari non curaverunt multipliciter quasi totaliter in ruina exstiterunt quod praedictus Will. tempore suo de bonis suis proprijs grandes costas expensas super recuperatione emendatione domus capellae aedificiorum clausur praedict ac etiam super factur novar domorum ibidem Nos ut domos conversorum capella aedificia clausur novae domus supradict competenter sustententur custodientur in futurum ad supplicatio nem praedicti Willielmi qui custos Rotulorum Cancellariae nostrae existit in praesenti concessimus de gratia nostra speciali pro nobis haeredibus nostris quod post mortem ejusdem Willielmi dicta domus conversorum cum suis juribus pertinentibus quibuscunque remaneat moretur in perpetuum Clerico Custod Rotulorum Cancellar nostrae haeredum nostrorum pro tempore existente similiter annex eidem officio in perpetuum quod Cancellarius Angliae vel custos sive custodes magni sigilli nostri haeredum nostrorum Angliae pro tempore existentium post mortem ipsius Willielmi habeat habeant potestatem ad quamlibet vocationem dicti officij custodis Rotulorum per mortem cessionem vel mutationem personae quocunque tempore futuro institutum successivè custodes Rotulorum praedictorum in dicta domo conversorum Custodes illos ponend in possessionem ejusdem cum suis juribus et pertinentibus quibuscunque In cujus c. T. R. apud Shene 11. Aprilis Anno 51. Edw. 3. But after the death of this King Edward the said William Burstall Master of the Rolls belike not supposing this to bee a sufficient grant procured this house by act of Parliament in the first yeare of King Richard the second to be more strongly established to the use of the Master of the Rolles for the time After which John de Waltham Master of the Rolles after Bishop of Salisbury and Treasurer of England procured King Richard the second in the sixt yeare of
made Lord Chancellor in the 38. yeare of the raigne of the deposed King Henry the sixt in which office hee remained about 8. yeares and then was remooved in the seventh yeare of King Edward the fourth being in Anno dom 1467 He was a great friend to S. Albons and procured Edward the fourth in the fourth yeare of his raigne to give and confirme to John Whethamstead Abbat of Saint Albons the Priory of Pembrooke This Bishop Nevill did after in the 13 yeare of King Edward the fourth grow in such disgrace with the King that he was spoyled at one time of twenty thousand Pounds Robert Kirkham Master of the Rolles was made Lord Keeper of the great Seale upon the removing of George Nevill in the month of July in the yeare of Christ 1467 being the seventh yeare of King Edward the fourth Robert Stillington Doctour of the Lawes Keeper of the privy Seale in Anno 3 Edward the fourth Bishop of Bath and Wels being made Chancellor in the seaventh yeare of King Edward the fourth did still so continue untill Anno 13 of the said King Henry Bourchier Earle of Essex and first advanced to that title of honour by King Edward the fourth came in place of the last Chancellor about the 13 yeare of Edward the 4 in which place he remained not much more then one Trinity tearme for in the said 13 yeare about the Moneth of August was Bishop Booth Lord Chancellor of England Lawrence Booth sometime Master of Pembrooke Hall Bishop of Durham and after of Yorke was made Lord Chancellor about August or rather before betweene that and Trinity tearme after Henry Bourchier in the said 13 yeare of King Edward the 4 after his redemption of the Kingdome of England This Bishop being brother to William Booth sometime Bishop of Yorke did build the Bishop of Yorke his house at Battersey which Mannor he before bought of Nicholas Stanley whom Leland the minser and refiner of all English names doth most curiously in Latine call Nicholaum Stenelegium Hee continued in the See of Yorke three yeares and nine moneths and died at Sowthwell in Anno dom 1480 being in Anno 20 Edward 4. Thomas Scot surnamed Rotheram because of the Towne of Rotheram in Yorkeshire where he was borne and bred up was Bishop of Rochester and then of Lincolne where he sat nine yeares and after that was Bishop of Yorke whereunto he was installed first at Yorke then at Ripon being Provost of Beverley he was made Chancellor of England in Anno dom 1474 being in Anno 14 Edward 4. This Bishop in Anno 15 of the said King went over the Sea with the said Edward 4 when he went to have an interveiw with the French King of which meeting Monsieue de Argentine by name Philip Comineus besides our English Chronicles doth make mention as a person that bare a part in that Solemnity John Alcot Bishop of Rochester was made Chancellor during the absence of King Edward Thomas Rotheram being before Lord Keeper of the Privy Seale was after his returne out of France the second time made Lord Chancellor about the time in which the said King had gotten Berwicke from the Scots about Anno 20 Edward 4 For the free gaining of the Towne was not so much before his death In which Office this Rotheram continued all the life of King Edward the 4 and in the time of the Reigne of the guiltlesse murthered young Prince King Edward the 5 untill it was ascribed to him for over much lightnesse that he had delivered in the beginning of the rebellious government of the protectorship of the bloody and unnaturall Richard Duke of Gloucester the Seale to the Queene to whom it did not appertaine and from whom he received it not Hee founded a Colledge at Rotheram dedicated it to the name of Iesus and endowed it with great possessions and ornaments and annexed thereto the Churches of Langhton and Almanbury John Russell Bishop of Lincolne a grave and learned man had the Seale delivered to him by the saide Protectour of England during the time of the short Raigne of the yong King Edward when the same Seale was taken from Rotheram and so this Russell was made Chancellor in the moneth of June in Anno dom 1483 being the first yeare of King Richard the third This Russell is buryed in the Church of Lincolne in a Chapell cast out of the upper wall of the South part of the Church Thomas Barow Master of the Rolls was made Keeper of the great Seale which I suppose was in the third and last yeare of the said King Richard the third for in that yeare he was Master of the Rolles Thomas Rotheram made againe Lord Chancellor in the first entrance of King Henry the seaventh into the governement but very shortly after he was displaced and the Bishop of Worcester placed in that roome he was Archbishop of Yorke 19 yeares and ten moneths he was very beneficiall to all his kindred and advanced some with marriages some with possessions and some with spirituall livings He dyed the 29 day of December in Anno dom 1500 being the 16 yeare of King Henry the eight at Cawood in Yorkeshire the morrow after the Ascension being of the age of threescore and sixteene yeares or more He was buried in Yorke Minster on the North side in our Lady Chapell in a tombe of Marble which hee caused to be made whilest he was living John Alcot Bishop of Worcester made in Anno dom 1476 was Lord Chancellor of England in Anno 1 Henry 7 being in Anno dom 1485 shortly after the entrance of the said Henry into the governement of England for though Rotheram were Chancellor when he got the victory for that he had beene so before and for that the King was neither provided nor minded sodainely to have a man not meet for that place to execute the same yet this Bishop Rotheram kept not that roome many months but that Bishop Alcot came in place because the King found Bishop Alcot a meeter person to execute the same office answerable to the disposition of the Kings humour All which notwithstanding whether for malice of others or for his owne deserts or both or for the more speciall trust that the King put in Doctour Moorton Bishop of Elie who had beene the meanes to bring him to the Crowne this Bishop Alcot fell shortly in the Kings disgrace was displaced of his Office and Doctour Moorton came in his roome So that in this first yeare of King Henry the seaventh there seemed to be three Chancellors in succession one after another All which before Moorton in this first yeare of King Henry the seaventh may perhaps more properly be termed Keepers of the great Seale then Chancellors Iohn Moorton Doctor of the Civill Law an Advocate in the Civill Courts and of the Counsell of Henry the sixt and to Edward the fourth to whom also he was Master of the Rolles was made Bishop of Elie in Anno Dom. 1478 and
of the Swan in the word Winchelsega thus terme Iohannes Chirchebius Episcopus Anguillarinus Regi a thesauris This man was Treasurer in the 16 17 and part of 18 of Edward the first in which yeare as it seemeth being part of An. Do. 1290. This Bishop died the 7. Kalends of Aprill after that hee had beene Bishop three yeeres some moneths and some dayes and was buried by Walpoole Bishop of Norwich in the Church of Elie on the north part of the queere before the Altar of Saint Iohn Baptist William de Marchia or Gulielmus Martius was Treasurer in Easter terme in the 18. of Edw. the first in which office he continued about 5. yeares was removed from that place in the 23. of Edward the first Peter of Leicester Baron of the Exchequer with the two Chamberlaines executed al functions of that office untill a new Treasurer was made this William de Marchia was made Bishop of Bathe and Welles in An. Do. 1293. being the 22. of Edward the first in which See hee remained almost 10. yeares and died in An. Do. 1302. being about the 32. of Edward the first was buried in the Church of VVells in the wall betweene the doore of the Cloister and the Altar of Saint Martin at whose Tombe in times past as the nature of that credulous age did hastily beleeve were many miracles done as some have left in memory to the following posterity VValter Langhstane Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry was made Treasurer after William de Marchia in 23. Edward the first in which office he continued as I gather during the life of Edward the first which fell in the 35. of his raigne being An. Do. 1307. and was then removed and imprisoned in the Tower with two men onely by Edward the second then comming to the Crowne because the said Walter Langstone had caused Edward the first to imprison and as some have to banish this new King for breaking downe the Parkes of the said Bishop During the time that this Peter de Willeby was under-Treasurer or Livetenant of the Treasury for the words be Locum tenens thesaurarij in 30. 31 and 32. Edward the first this Walter was made Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield in An. Do. 1295. being 23. yeare of Edward the first and the same yeare that he was made Treasurer he died about An. Do. 1321. being about the 14. yeare of Edward the second to which Bishop the Barons of Cobham were heires being descended from Margaret the Sister and heire of Iohn Peverell the Cosen and heire of this Walter Langhstane which Margaret was married to Sir William de La Poole of Ashby Knight from whom the Lord Cobham issue In this mans time of being Treasurer dyed King Edward the first for whom were these verses Dum viguit Rex valuit tua magna potestas Fraus latuit pax magna fuit regnavit honestas Scotos Edvardus dum vixit suppeditavit Tenuit afflixit depressit dilaniavit Walter Reynolds Schoolemaster to Edward the second Bishop of Worcester after of Canterbury and Chanceller of England was advanced to the place of Lord Treasurer of England in the first yeare of Edward the second being in An. Dom. 1307. after which in the yeare 1308. hee was made Bishop of Worcester he continued in the office of Treasurer untill some part of the 4. yeare of Edward the second at what time came in his place Iohn Sandall who was Livetennant unto the said Walter in place of the Treasurer as appeareth by many writs directed unto him by the name of Iohn Sandall Locum tenenti Willimi Episcopi Wigorniae Of him is more spoken in the Chancellors of England Iohn de Sandall being Clerke Scutifer Regis Chanceller of the Exchequer and Chanceller of England having beene before under Treasurer or Deputy for the high Treasurer came now in the fourth yeare of Edward the second to bee made chiefe Treasurer and entred into that office in Easter tearme about the beginning of the 4. yeare of Edward the 2. But in the yeare following which was in the fifth yeare of Edward the second hee gave place to another Hee was chosen Bishop of Winchester in the ninth yeare of King Edward the second being in An Do. 1316. Of whom thus writeth Anonymus M.S. Obierunt Episcopus Winton Elie viri sacra professione insigniti quorum primo successit Iohannes de Sandall Cancellarius Angliae vir cunctis affabilis necessarius communitati Secundo successit Iohannes Hothum scaccar regis vir si quidem scientiae penitus ignarus qui statim episcopatus ascenso culmine ad honorum pariter officij thesaurarij Rex in sui favorem sublimavit Walter Norwich Knight Treasurer in the 5. yeare of Edward the 2. and afterward in Easter tearme in the 8. yeare of Edward the 2. did on the third of October receive the office of Treasurership and tooke his oath before the Barons Chamberleynes of the Exchequer to behave himselfe well and faithfully in the same office which he had received by Letters Patents dated at yorke the 26. of September in the eight yeare of King Edward the second which he kept not long at that time Iohn Sandall was the second time Lord Treasurer in sixt and seventh yeare of King Edw. the second This man being Bishop of Winchester was Treasurer Of him see more in the Chancellers of England Walter de Norwich being Treasurer as before in the eight yeare of Edward the second did not long enjoy the same but as I suppose grave place to Iohn Drokensford Iohn Drokensford the 14. Bishop of Bath and Wells had as I have read the great seale delivered unto him and was also Treasurer of England but because I finde not as yet in what yeare although it were in the time of Edward the second I cannot set downe the certainety Of whom thus writeth the Register of the Bishops of Bath Iohannes Drokensford Thesaurarius 14. Bathon Episcopus post Walterum Haselshawes successit in Episcopatum Bathon annis 19. iste episcopatum pluribus aedificijs insignivit franchesias per regis episcopatus concessas non solum litterarie renovavit sed etiam ampliavit quo additationem exaltationem parentelae suae fere fuit aequalis praedicessori suo Roberto Bornell Welliae sepelitur ante altare sancti Iohannis Baptistae Iohn Hothum Bishop of Elie as is before noted out of one anonymall Chronicle obteyned the place and honour of Treasurership in the 11. yeare of Edward the second which hee did not long enjoy for in the Michaelmas Tearme in the the 12. yeare of Edward the second came William VValwaine Of this Iohn Hotham is mention made in the discourse of the Chancellers VVilliam VValwaine Treasurer of England in the 12. yeare of Edward the second about An. Dom. 1318. was as it should seeme for his negligence and unworthines removed at the Parliament at yorke in such sort as he possessed not that place as I
a white Lyon the beast which he beare before as the proper Ensigne of that house standing over a Red Lion the peculiar note of the Kingdome of Scotland and tearing the same Red Lyon with his pawes This Tho. Duke of Norfolke married two wives his first wife was Elizabeth the daughter of Fredericke Tilney Knight by whom he had issue Thomas Earle of Surrey after Duke of Norfolk Edward slaine at Brest Admiral of England and Edmond Howard with Elizabeth married to Thomas Bulline Earle of Wiltshire and Muriell married to Iohn Grey Lord Lisle His second wife was Agnes daughter of Philip Tilney Knight by whom he had yssue William Lord Howard of Effingham with many others This Thomas Duke of Norfolke died in the 16. yeare of King Henry the 8. in An. Dom. 1544. and was buried at Thetford in Norfolke Thomas Howard sonne to the said Thomas Duke of Norfolke being Earle of Surrey possessed the place of the Lord Treasurer in the 15. yeare of Henry the 8. in An. Dom. 1523. the which office he continued in the 38. yeare of the said King in An. Dom. 1546. in the which yeare on the 28. of Ianuary the said King Henry died so that this Duke and his father were Lord Treasurers of England almost 48. yeares But about some few daies more then a Moneth before the death of the said King that is to say on the 12. day of December this Duke with his sonne Henry Earle of Surrey were committed to the Tower the one by water the other by land Shortly after which the said Henry was beheaded at Tower-hill the 19. day of Ianuary about 9. dayes before the death of the King And the Duke remained as condemned to perpetuall prison till the beginning of the Raigne of Queene Mary who then set him at liberty He married for his first wife Anne the daughter of King Edward the fourth but had Thomas that died young after he married Elizabeth daughter to Edward Duke of Buckingham by whom hee had yssue Henry Earle of Surrey beheaded as before Thomas Viscount Bindon and Mary married to Henry Fitzroy Duke of Richmond Hee died about the beginning of the Raigne of Queene Mary Edward Seymer Earle of Hartford was after the death of King Henry the 8. made Lord Treasurer of England in the first yeare of King Edward the sixt in An. Dom. 1546. in which yeare hee was also made protector of England and Duke of Somerset of whom thus writeth Matthew Parker calling him Regni Camerarium in the life of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury in these words pag. 397. In testamento meaning King Henry the 8. Edwardo Principi minori novem annis nato haeredi suo Sexdecem tutores ex Episcopis solos Thomam Cranmerum Cantuariensem archiepiscopum Cuthbertum Tonstallum Dunelmensem Episcopum dedit And a little after pag. 398. followeth Verum pluribus ut diximus ei minori that was King Edward a patre constitutis curatoribus ne numero suo atque multitudine ad dissentiones faciles essent proclives unus electus est qui ex consilijs reliquorum impuberis regis tutelam solus administraret Is futit Edwardus Seimerus Comes Herefordiensis totius regni Camerarius regisque Auunculus Qui suscepta tutela regis totius regni atque dominiorum suorum proctteor Somerseti Dux nuncupatus atque creatus est This Duke of Somerset being Treasurer of England continued in the same office untill his death which was more then 4. yeares and was beheaded in the fift yeare of Edward the sixt in An. Dom. 1551. Sir William Paulet Knight Marquesse of Winchester was made Lord Treasurer upon the death of the Duke of Somerset in the fift yeare of Edward the sixt in An. Dom. 1551. Which office hee kept by the space of Twenty yeares and more a longer time then ever any other Treasurer had done before except the two last Dukes of Norfolke This man being a man of extreame age as attaining to the yeares Ninetie Seven died Lord Treasurer of England the tenth of March in An. Dom. 1571. being the 14. yeare of the Raigne of the famous Queene Elizabeth at his Mannor of Basing Hee in his life time did see the Children of his Childrens Children growne to the number of One Hundred and Three a rare blessing of God to men of his calling He maried Elizabeth the daughter of Sir William Capell Knight by whom he had issue Iohn Marquesse of Winchester Thomas Chidiocke and Giles Alice married to Richard Stowell Margaret married to Sir William Berkeley Margery married to Richard Waller and Eleanor married to Sir Richard Perckshall Sir William Cecill Knight principall Secretary of State created Lord Burghley upon the death of the Marquesse of Winchester was made Lord Treasurer of England the 13. Iuly 1572. being in the 14. yeare of the reigne of Queene Elizabeth and continued in that office during his life being also elected unto that most noble Order of the Garter Chancellor of the Vniversity of Cambridge and a Commissioner for the Office of Earle Marshall of of England Thomas Sackvill Barron Buckhurst heire Male of that ancient Familie that have flourished in a continued series from the Conquest and comming over out of Normandie deserved Nobly in that action was made Lord Treasurer the 15. of May in the 41. yeare of Queene Elizabeth and continued in that office during his life Hee was after by King Iames Created Earle of Dorcet the 13. of March 1603. being Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter and Chancellor of the Vniversity of Oxford Sir Robert Cecill second son to William Lord Burghley being Principal Secretary of State to Queene Elizabeth and after to King Iames was by the said king created Baron Cecill of Essendon the 13. of May 1603. vicount Cranborne the 20. of August 1604. and Earle of Salisbury the 4. of May in the sixt yeare of King Iames and upon the death of the Earle of Dorcet hee was made Lord Treasurer of England and continued in the place till his death Thomas Lord Howard of Walden second sonne to Thomos Howard Duke of Norfolke created Earle of Suffolke by King Iames being then Lord Chamberlaine and Knight of the Garter was made Lord Treasurer of England the 12. of Iuly in the 12. yeare of the raigne of King Iames. Sir Henry Montague Knight Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench was made Lord Treasurer of England the 14. of December in the 18. yeare of King Iames and the 19. day of the same moneth and yeare he was Created Baron of Kimolten Castle in Huntington-shire and Vicount Mandevile and immediately after the Coronation of King Charles he was created Earle of Manchester Lyonell Lord Cranfield of Cranfield in the County of Bedford so created by Letters Patents bearing date the 9. of Iuly 1621. was made Lord Treasurer the 19. of October following and created Earle of Middlesex the 19. of October 1622. Sir Iames Ley Knight and Baronet Lord Cheife Iustice of the Kings Bench was made Lord Treasurer of England the 22. of December in the 22. yeare of the raigne of King Iames and upon the 31. day of the same Moneth he was created Baron Ley of Ley in Devonshire and immediately after the Coronation of King Charles he was created Earle of Marleburgh in Wiltsshire Richard Lord Weston Chancellor of the Exchequer upon the remove of the Earle of Marleburgh was made Lord Treasurer of England upon the 15. day of Iuly in the 4. yeare of King Charles and was after that created Earle of Portland in Dorcetshire by Letters Patents bearing date the 17. day of February in the eighth yeare of the raigne of King Charles Vpon the death of the said Earle of Portland his Majestie appointed Commissioners for the said office viz. William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace Henry Earle of Manchester Lord Privie Seale Francis Lord Cottington Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Iohn Cooke and Sir Francis Windebank Knights Principall Secretaries of State The right reverend Father in God William Iuxon first Lord Bishop of Hereford then translated to London and made deane of the Kings Chappel and called to be of the Privy Councell and was made Lord Treasurer of England the Ninth day of March 1635. FINIS