otherwise called Cadwyn and Scadwyn He was borne in Mercia A man verie religious and no lesse learned Soone after his consecration there arose a great controuersie betwéene him and the Archbishop of Yorke about the Primacie Wherein Tatwyn preuailed hauing trauailed to Rome in person and receaued his Pall there He sate thrée yéeres died July 30. 734. and was buried at Canterburie Unto this mans time Beda who died the same yéere deduceth his historie the most ancient that England hath woorthie credite 10. Nothelinus HEnry Huntingdon affirmeth one Egbright to haue succéeded Tatwyn I haue not found him mentioned else where and therefore to follow the report of the greater number I will omit him and passe vnto Nothelin He was borne at London of which citie he was Bishop till he was translated to Canterburie Beda acknowledgeth himselfe much beholding to this man for diuers things which vpon his report he inserted into his Ecclesiasticall storie He receaued his Pall at Rome ann 736. and was buried at Canterburie 11. Cuthbert or Cudbrict CVthbert an Englishman of great parentage being Bishop of Hereford the yéere 742. was translated to Canterburie Fiue yéeres after to wit 747. by the counsell of Boniface Bishop of Mentz he called a conuocation at Cliff beside Rochester to reforme the manifold enormities wherewith the Church of England at that time was ouergrowen Our kings forsaking the companie of their owne wiues in those daies delighted altogether in harlots which were for the most part Nunnes Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis The rest of the nobilitie therefore following their example trode also the same trace The Bishops also and other of the cleargie that should haue béene a meanes of reforming these faults in others were themselues no lesse faultie spending their times either in contentions and brabbles or else in luxurie and voluptuousnesse hauing no care of studie and seldome or neuer preaching Whereby it came to passe that the whole land was ouerwhelmed with a most darke and palpable mist of ignorance and polluted with all kinde of wickednesse and impietie in all kinde of people Cuthbert therfore endeuouring like a good Pastor by the reformation of these things to turne away the wrath of God which séemed to hang ouer this land and to threaten those plagues which shortly after fell vpon it when the Danes inuaded the same gathered together his cleargie at the place before mentioned and there after long consultation caused certaine Canons to be decréed which are to be séene at large elsewhere This man procured Eadbert king of Kent to command that the bodies of Archbishops deceased hereafter should not be buried at S. Augustines as heretofore but at Christchurch And that he might put his monkes of Christ church as it were in possession of this priuilege he tooke order his death should be concealed vntill his funerals were ended He died ann 758. and was buried according to his owne desire in Christchurch or as one reporteth in a little church néere adioyning which he had built and dedicated vnto S. Iohn Baptist meaning to settle his consistorie there and to make it a place of buriall for himselfe and his successors This church many yéeres after was consumed with fire together with Christchurch it selfe and a great part of the monasterie Christchurch was afterward reedified by Lanfranke 12. Bregwyn BRegwyn was borne of noble parentage amongst the Saxons of Germany whence he trauailed into England for the encrease of knowledge being yet verie yoong After the death of Cuthbert in regard of his modesty integritie and great learning choice was made of him as the fittest man to succéede He tooke euen the like course for his buriall as his predecessour had done He sate onely 3. yéeres 13. Lambert THe monks of S. Augustines taking it very hainously to haue the buriall of their Archbishops discontinued from them began to make their complaint vnto the Pope Now though Christchurch-men had no great reason to doubt of the Pope who had confirmed vnto them this priuilege at the sute of Bregwyn yet to make the matter the more sure they determined to elect Lambert Abbot of Saint Augustines for their Archbishop assuring themselues hée would now be as carnest a defender of their liberties as he had héeretofore béene an oppugner in the behalfe of S. Augustins and so indéed he prooued In his time Offa king of Merria erected a new Archbishopricke at Lichfield and obtained of the Pope authoritie for Eadulfus Bishop there to gouerne the Diocesses of Worcester Legecester Siuancester Hereford Helmhant and Dunwich So that Canterburie had left vnto him for his prouince onely these London Winchester Rochester and Sherborne Some say that Lambert consented vnto this alteration others report that he spared no cost to reduce things to their old estate He sate manie yéeres and perceauing his end to approch tooke order to bée buried in Saint Augustines infringing by that meanes the graunts and priuileges of the monks of Christ-church obtained for the buriall of the Archbishops amongst them He was very honorablie enterred in the Chapter-house of Saint Augustines 14. Athelard or Edelred AThelard was first Abbot of Malmesbury then Bishop of Winchester and lastly made Archbishop an 793. Offa soone after this being dead together with his sonne Egfride Athelard made earnest sute vnto Kenulfe the sonne of Cuthbert then king of Mercia that he would restore vnto the Sée of Canterbury the reuenues and iurisdiction taken from it wrongfully by Offa Hereunto Kenulfus without much adoe readily assented as also Leo the third that was then Pope He sate about an eight or nine yéeres and dying the yéere 806. was buried in Christ church to the great discontentment of the monks of S. Angustines 15. Wlfred VVLfred being a monke of Christchurch in Canterbury was made Archbishop at Rome by Leo the third Except this that the ninth yéere after his consecration he went to Rome about some businesse of his church not recorded I finde no other action of his reported He was buried at Canterburie in his owne church 16. Theologild ALittle while after Wlfred Theologild or Fleogild sometimes Abbot of Canterburie was Archbishop and dying was buried also in Christchurch One named Syred succéeded him but being taken away before he had full possession is not reckoned amongst the Archbishops 17. Celnoth CElnoth that is said to haue béene Deane of the church of Canterburie succéeded Theologild and continued Archb. 38. yéeres His time was excéeding troublesome by reason of the continuall inuasions of the Danes yet no memorie remaineth of any action of his in so long space of so memorable a time He lieth buried in Christchurch in Canterburie 18. Athelredus AThelredus a great diuine sometimes a monke of Christ church in Canterburie and then Bishop of Winchester was Archbishop after Celnoth 18. yéeres In his time all the monasteries of England were destroied by the Danes so as for the space of 90. yéeres after monkerie ceased throughout the realme yea in the
agréed to giue vnto him this new title and inserted the same into the instrument of their gift In the conuocation many canons were made against Lutherans and many motions for renouncing the Popes authority wherein the greatest part being fearefull of resoluing either way the connocation was often prorogued After many adiournments it was once more put ouer from Aprill till October 5. In which meane space the Archbishop died at Saint Stephens néere Canterbury in the house of William Warham his kinsman Archdeacon of Canterbury That house at that time belonged vnto the Archdeaconry but by what facrilegious meanes I know not was long since nipped away from the same so that the Archdeacon except he be otherwise prouided for them by his Archdeaconry is now houselesse But to returne vnto our Archbishop he was buried without any great funerall pompe giuing mourning clothes onely to the poore and laide in a little chappell built by himselse for the place of his buriall vpon the North side of the Martyrdome and hath there a reasonable faire toombe He purchased much land for his kinred and bestowed very much in repairing and beutifying his houses with faire buildings euen to the value of thirty thousand pound as he professeth in his will for which cause he prayed his successor to forbeare sute for dilapidations against his executors They were the Duke of Norfolke and the Lord Windsor He continued Archbishop eight and twenty yéeres and died in the sommer the yéere 1532. 68. Thomas Cranmer A Famous and memorable man succéeded William Warham Thomas Cranmer Doctor of Diuinity whose life is written at large by Master Foxe and others I should loose labour therefore in writing any long discourse of the same Briefly to set downe that which I cannot omit without interrupting my course you shall vnderstand that he was borne at Arstacton in Nottingham shire of a very ancient house which as it should séeme came out of Normandy with the conquerour for it is certaine that in the time of this Archbishop a certaine French gentleman named Cranmer came into England bearing the same armes that the Archbishop did who gaue him great intertainment and did him much honour He was brought vp in Iesus colledge in Cambridge Being yet very yoong he maried and so lost his fellowship in the said colledge But his wife dying within one yéere he was receiued into his old place againe For the maner occasion of his aduancement his diuers imployments before his actions in the same his lamentable fal his heroicall and 〈◊〉 combats and lastly his constant death I will as before I said send the Reader vnto Master Foxe who hath exactly set downe all the particularities of these things Onely thus much heare that he suffered most vnworthy death at Oxford March 21. 1556. being the first Archbishop that euer was put to death by order of lawe in England except onely Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke 69. Reginald Poole CArdinal Poole was the sonne of sir Richard Poole who was cosin germaine vnto king Henry the seuenth and Margaret Countesse of Salisbury that was daughter vnto George Duke of Clarence the second brother of king Edward the fourth They caused him to spend some time in Magdalen colledge in Oxford and being yet very yoong sent him beyond sea by trauell to get both learning and experience in the world In the meane time king Henry the eight that fauored him much as being néere of kinne vnto him both by father and mother before his departure had bestowed vpon him the Deanry of Exceter He had béene in Italy lying for the most part at Padua the space of 7. yéeres at what time the king hauing abolished the Popes authority sent for him home he not comming proclaimed him Traytor and gaue away his Deanry vnto another This losse he estéemed little of Petrus Bembus an old acquaintance of his was become the Popes chiefe secretary who so commended him vnto his master that shortly after he was content to make him a Cardinall perswading himselfe belike that he would prooue a good instrument for English matters as occasion should serue And surely if he regarded the woorthinesse of the man in respect of his manifold rare and excellent partes he could not lightly preferre any man lesse obnoxious to exceptions For he was not onely very learned which is better knowen then that itnéedeth many wordes but also of such modesty in outward behauiour and integrity of life and conuersation as he was of all men both loued and reuerenced I know well that Pasquill played his parts with him and fathered a brat or two vpon him but without any probability at all He was made Cardinall Maye 22. 1536. The Pope employed him then in diuers Embassages vnto the Emperor and the French King wherein he did his best endeuour to ioine them against his owne soueraigne the King of England and not content therewith he dealt so busily with his letters amongst his friends in England wherein he dehorted them from the Kings obedience and all conformity vnto reformation as it turned many of them to great trouble and amongst the rest cost his mother her head It pleased not God that any of his platformes should take successe And therefore partly malcontent and partly also weary of the paines and continuall danger these Embassages forced him vnto he procured the Pope to make him Legate of Uiterbio where he determined to leade the rest of his life quietly But he was disappointed of his purpose The Pope Paul 3. summoned a Councell at Trent Cardinall Poole and one or two other ioyned with him must néedes be his Uicegerents there He for his part was nothing so resolute in matters of religion as men expected he would In the question of iustification he professed to be on our side and perswaded one Morell to be of his opinion a learned Spaniard that lay in the same house he did and that was sent out of Spaine of purpose to defend the Popes quarrell in disputation wherein he was estéemed excellent Soone after his returne from the Counsell it hapned the Pope to die A great faction there was at that time in the college of Cardinals some taking part with the Emperour and some with the French king Cardinall Poole was altogither Imperiall All that side and diuers that were indifferent gaue him their voices for the Papacy whereunto when they had elected him orderly he forsooth found fault with them for their rashnesse and perswaded them to take further deliberation in so great and waighty a matter Héereof the French party taking aduantage began to cry out it was reason regard should be had of many French Cardinals and other that were absent and could not possibly repaire vnto the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had lately 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were in 〈◊〉 and that it was 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 feared if they elected any man that were altogether 〈◊〉 vnto him it would be a cause of great sturres and 〈◊〉 One of their company
the Quéenes vncle But they were agréed vpon W. de Raley Bishop of Norwich and tooke exceptions against the elect of Ualentia calling him virum sanguinum When the king heard of their intent he was excéeding angry and made great hauocke of the Bishops temporalties swearing he would haue his will at last or they should neuer haue Bishop The monks then séeing him so obstinately set against the Bishop of Norwich determined to alter their purpose and were content to choose Ralfe Neuill Bishop of Chichester the kings Chauncellor wherein they were so farre from contenting him as he was much more incensed against them then before and not against them onely but the new elect also from whom immediately he tooke the great seale and gaue it to another As for the election not without great charges he caused the same to be 〈◊〉 and made void at Rome Much adoo there was for the space of fiue or sixe yéeres about this matter At last the monkes séeing no end and being resolued against the Ualentine they procéeded to election againe and chose according to their first determination the Bishop of Norwich This election was suddenly made and quickly confirmed at Rome Yet the king ceased not to spurne at the same commaunding the Mayor of Winchester to forbid the new Bishop entrance which he did and was by him excommunicate for his labor and the whole City interdicted In the meane time the Bishop fealt the burthen of the Kings displeasure so heauy vpon him in England as he thought good to flie the realme He got him into Fraunce and was honorably receiued of the king there At last by the intercession of Boniface the Archbishop and the Popes earnest letters vnto the King and the Quéene he was restored to the Kings fauor and obtained licence to returne For recompence of this benefite and his fatherly care the Bishop saith Matth. Westm. in thankfulnesse bestowed vpon the Pope 6000. markes which he in good nature tooke euery penny without disdainefull returne of one denier The payment of this money and the charges of his trouble stucke so close vnto him as though he liued very priuately in all his life long he was neuer able to recouer himselfe out of debt He died about the twentith day of September 1249. at Turon whither he had withdrawen himselfe with a very small traine almost a yéere before It is recorded of him that being néere death he had the Sacrament brought vnto him And perceiuing the Priest to enter his chamber with it he cryed out stay good friend let the Lord come no néerer vnto me it is more fit that I be drawen vnto him as a traytor that in many things haue been a traytor vnto him His seruants therefore by his commaundement drew him out of his bed vnto the place where the Priest was and there with teares he receiued the Sacrament and spending much time in prayer afterward he so ended his life when he had béene Bishop about the space of sixe yéeres for he was translated ann 1243. so that the Sée was void fiue yéeres 42. Ethelmarus THe King being certified ef his death sent immediately two of his Chaplaines to Winchester to perswade the monkes to elect Ethelmarus the sonne of Hugh Earle of March and Isabell the Quéene his mother so that he was halfe brother vnto the king a man saith M. Paris in respect of his orders yéeres and learning vtterly vnsufficient By that time they had labored the matter the space of a fortnight the king himselfe came vnto Winchester and in the Chapter house made a most earnest request in the behalfe of his brother The monkes too well remembring what great trouble sorrow they had endured for denying the kings last request some of them beaten and sore wounded many tormented with hunger and laden with chaines in long imprisonment besides continuall charges of sutes and trauaile and knowing wel they should haue no assistance at Rome so long as the Kings purse was better then theirs they resolued though they knew the man most vnfit to gratifie the King and so no man daring to say no with one consent he was elected He had at that time other spirituall liuing equiualent in reuenue to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury which that he might kéepe and yet receiue all the profits of the Bishopricke of Winchester he determined not to be consecrate at all but to hold it by his election and so did indéed for the space of 9. yéeres In the meane time he and the rest of his countreymen with whom the realme was much pestered were growen very odious as well with the nobility as the commons not onely for that their infinite wealth and immoderate preferment was much enuied but much more for their pride and insolency which a man can hardly beare in his owne friend much lesse in an alien and stranger whom men naturally dislike much sooner then their owne Countreymen Amongst the rest this 〈◊〉 bare himselfe so bold vpon the King his brother as he gaue commaundement to his seruants to force a clergy man out of the possession of a benefice whereunto he pretended some right and if he withstood them to draw him out of his possession in contumelious manner The poore man loath to loose his liuing defended it so long til by my Lord Electes men he was slaine himselfe and his people so soare beaten as within few daies one or two of them died This fact and other like brought all the Pictauians into such hatred as the realme 〈◊〉 ready to rise against them which perceiuing to auoid the tēpest growing towards them the yeere 1268. they all 〈◊〉 the realme Ethelmar sent ouer for his treasure whereof he had laide vp great store but much of it came short being intercepted at Douer and taken away from those to whom it was committed The yéere after the departure of the Pictauians viz. 1259. the monkes of Winchester thought good to procéed to the election of a new Bishop And knowing it was to no purpose to make choice of any but such as the king fauoured elected Henry de Wingham then Chauncellor of England But he although he doubted not of the kings fauour in regard that another being elected it might prooue litigious refused to consent vnto their election alleaging his owne vnwoorthines for want of learning The king was content to allow of him condicionally that some stay might be made for a time to sée whether his brother Ethelmar might attaine consecration of the Pope While the king stood vpon these vncertaine tearmes Henry de Wengham became Bishop of London the yéere 1259 2. yéeres after viz. 1261. Ethelmar died He tooke order his hart should be brought to Winchester where it was intoombed in the South wal of the presbytery as this Elogium witnesseth Obijt anno Dom. 1261. Corpus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cor nunc tenet istud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 morte 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 43. Iohn Gernsey IOhn Gernsey or Iohn of Oxford for so also I find him
called was consecrate Bishop an 1265. at Rome where it is said he paid vnto the Pope 6000. markes for his consecration and so much more vnto Iordanus the Popes Chauncellor Presently vpon his returne he was suspended by Ottobonus the Popes legate for taking part against the king in the Barons wars he enioyed a small time his honor so déerely bought the yéere 1268. he died in Italy and was buried there at Uiterbium 44. Nicholas de Ely RIchard Moore a Doctor of Diuinity was then chosen Bishop But Fryer Peckham at that time Archbishop of Canterbury tooke exception against him for holding of many benefices And said that a man of such conscience as were fit for that place would rather content himselfe with lesse liuing then load himselfe with the cure of so many soules He being refused Nicholas de Ely hauing béene scarcely one yere Bishop of Worcester was called to this church He sate 12. yéeres died an 1290. his body was buried at Wauerly his hart lieth entoombed in the South wall of the Presbytery with this inscription Intus est cor Nicholai Episcop cuius corpus est apud Wauerley One of his name was first Chauncellor then treasurer of England about the yéere 1260. I assure my selfe it was he 45. Iohn de Pontissara ABout this time the Pope began to take vpon him the bestowing of Bishoprickes for the most part euery where This Iohn de Pontissara was placed by him vpon his absolute authority He was a great enimy vnto the monkes of his church whose liuing he much diminished to encrease his owne He died the yéere 1304. hauing sate néere 24. yéeres and lyeth buried in the North wall of the Presbytery His toombe hath this Epitaphe engrauen Defuncti corpus tumulus tenet iste Ioannis Pountes Wintoniae presulis eximij Obijt anno Dom. 1304. 46. Henry Woodloke HEnry Woodloke succéeded him Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury being banished the realme by king Edward the first who charged him with treason this Bishop became an intercessor for him and in the request he made to the king in his behalfe chaunced to call him his good Lord which the king tooke so haynously as by and by he caused all the Bishops goods to be confiscate and renounced all protection of him How he recouered the kings fauour againe I finde not Not long after the said king dying by the permission of the foresaid Archbishop he crowned king Edward the second Ianuary 22. 1307. and died an 1316. the 13. yéere of his consecration 47. Iohn Sendall VVAlsingham called this man Iohn Kendall he was Chauncellor of England and died 1320. hauing scarcely sate fower yéeres 48. Reginaldus Asserius THe Pope then thrust in Reginald de Asser his legate the king being very angry that the Pope tooke so much vpon him in these things He was consecrate by the Bishop of London Walter the Archbishop refusing to afford it vnto him sate little aboue two yéeres and died an 1323. 49. Iohn de Stratford IOhn de Stratford Doctor of Law succéeded When he had continued in this seat 10. yeeres an 1333. He was translated to Canterbury Sée more of him in Canterbury 50. Adam Tarlton alias de Orlton ADam de Arlton Doctor of law borne in Hereford was consecrate Bishop of Hereford September 26. 1317. In a parliament holden at London an 1324. he was accused of treason as hauing aided the Mortimers with men and armor against the king When he should haue béene arraigned a thing till that time neuer heard of that a Bishop should be arraigned the Archbishops of Canterbury Yorke and Dublin with their Suffragan Bishops came vnto the barre and violently tooke him away Notwithstanding the accusation being found true his temporalties were seased into the kings hāds vntill such time as the king much deale by his machination and deuise was deposed of his kingdome If he which had béene a Traytor vnto his Prince before after deserued punishment for the same would soone be entreated to ioyne with other in the like attempt it is no maruell No man so forward as he in taking part with Isabel the Quéene against her husband king Edward the second Shée with her sonnes aud army being at Oxford this good Bishop stept vp into the pulpit and there taking for his text these words My head grieueth me he made a long discourse to prooue that an euill head not otherwise to be cured must be taken away Hauing gotten the king into their power he fearing least if the king at any time recouered his liberty and crowne againe they might receiue condigne punishment counselled the Quéene to make him away Whereunto she being as ready and willing as he to haue it done they writ certaine letters vnto the kéepers of the old king signifieng in couert termes what they desired They either not perfectly vnderstanding their meaning or desirous to haue somewhat to shew for their discharge pray them in expresse words to declare vnto them whether they would haue them put the king to death or no. To which question this subtill foxe framed this answere Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est If you set the point betwéene nolite and timere it forbiddeth if betwéene timere and bonum it exhorteth them to the committing of the fact whereupon the king was made away and most pitifully murthered by thrusting a hot spit into his fundament And who then so earnest a persecutor of the murtherers as this Bishop that when diuers of his letters were shewed against him eluded and auoyded them by sophisticall interpretation and vtterly denied that he was any way consenting to that haynous fact How cleanely he excused himselfe I know 〈◊〉 But sure I am he was so farre from receiuing punishment as within two moneths after viz. in Nouember 1327. he was preferred vnto the Bishopricke of Worcester sixe yéeres after that he was translated thence to winchester by the Pope December 1. 1333. at the request of the French king which king Edward taking in very ill part for that the French king and he were enimies deteined from 〈◊〉 his temporalties till that in a parliament at the sute of the whole cleargy he was content to yéeld them vnto him He sate Bishop of Winchester 11. yeeres 7. moneths and 17. daies and being a long time blind before his death departed this life July 18. 1345. 51. William Edendon THe same yeere William Edendon was consecrate Bishop a man in very great fauour with King Edward the third being treasurer of England he caused groats and halfe groats to be coyned the yeere 1350. coyne not séene in England before but they wanted some thing of the iust sterling waight which was the cause that the prices of all things rose then very much And where as many other times the like practise hath béene vsed in so much that fiue shillings hath now scarce so much siluer in it as fiue groats had 300. yéeres since no maruell if things be sold for treble the price
that they were 300. yéere agoe Hereof also it commeth to passe that the Prince and Nobility cannot possible maintaine their estates with their auncient rents and reuenewes which bring in though the wonted tale and number yet not the due waight and quantity of mettall But to returne to William Edendon he was also Chauncellor of England and once elect Archbishop of Canterbury but refused to accept it He founded a Monastery at Edendon where he was borne for a kinde of religious men called Bon-hommes he died ann 1366. when he had béene Bishop almost one and twenty yéeres and lyeth in a very faire toombe of Alabaster on the South side of the entrance into the quier whereon is engrauen this rude Epitaphe Edindon natus Willmus hic est tumulatus Praesul praegratus in Wintonia Cathedratus Qui pertransitis eius memorare velitis 〈◊〉 mitis ausit cum mille peritis Peruigil anglorum fuit adiutor populorum 〈◊〉 egenorum pater protector eorum M. C. tribus 〈◊〉 post LXV sit I. punctum His successor William Wickham sewed his Executors for dilapidations and recouered of them 1662. l. 10. s. besides 1556. head of neate 3876. weathers 4717. ewes 3521. lambes and 127. swyne all which stocke it séemeth belonged vnto the Bishopricke of Winchester at that time 52. William Wickham AT the Kings request William Wickham his Chaplaine principall Secretary and kéeper of the priuy seale soone after Edendons death was both elected by the Prior and couent of Winchester and allowed of by the Pope who now tooke vpon him to haue an interest in the disposition of all our Bishoprickes as elsewhere I haue more at large discoursed This man was the sonne of one Iohn Perot and Sibill his wife for whose place of buriall he erected a Chappell afterwards at Tichfield néere the towne of Wickham in Hampshire In that towne he was borne the yéere of our Lord 1324. and according to the manner of most cleargy men in those times of that towne the place of his birth tooke his sirname I finde also recorded that he was woont to be called sometimes by the name of Long and that as it is probably supposed for no other cause but in regard of his stature which they say was very tall He was brought vp first at Winchester and then at Oxford at the charge of a Gentleman called Nicholas Vnedall or Woodall In these places hauing first passed the rudiments of Grammer he studied Logicke Geometry Arithmetique and the French tongue but principally the Ciuill and Canon lawes In all which as he profited excéedingly for the time he spent in them so there is no doubt he would haue prooued so excellent as men are woont that doo long and painefully imploy good wits to such purposes had he not béene euen as it were violently drawne from them when his abode and continuance in the Uniuersity might séeme most requisite His Patrone and exhibitioner being appointed Constable of Winchester Castle an office of great importance in those daies he would imploy this his yoong scholler as his clarke or secretary and so tooke him from the Uniuersity when he had as yet continued there not fully sixe yéeres How long he liued so vnder him I finde not But certaine it is his seruice was very well liked of him For besides his personage which was tall and excéeding comely not to speake any thing of his learning whereof his Master could make no great vse he writ very faire penned excellently spake no man better By reason whereof he was often imployed in writing letters yea and sometimes in messages also to the Court not onely by his master but by the Bishop that a while vsed to borrow him of his master and at the last drew him to his seruice It happened then after a while king Edward the third to come to Winchester who taking speciall note of the behauiour other good partes of this yoong man would néedes haue him to serue him He imployed him much at the first in surueighing his buildings at Douer Duynborough Henly Windsor Yestanstead and elsewhere In which all other businesses committed to him he behaued himselfe so well as he soone grew into great fauour and high estimation with the king and quickly reaped those fruites that Princes fauours are woont to yéeld many rich and honorable preferments It shall not be amisse to remember how that hauing obtained diuers goodly promotions which he acknowledged to haue receiued rather as rewards of seruice then in regard of any extraordinary desert otherwise he caused to be engrauen in Winchester Tower at Windsor these words This made Wickham Whereof when some complained to the King as a thing derogating from his honor that another should seeme to beare the charge of his buildings and the king in great displeasure reprehended him for it He answered that his meaning was not to ascribe the honor of that building to himselfe but his owne honor of preferments vnto that building Not importing that Wickham made the Tower but that the Tower was the meanes of making Wickham and raising him from base estate vnto those great places of honor he then enioyed He was first Parson of Saint Martins in London then Deane of Saint Martin le graund Archdeacon successiuely of Lincolne Northampton and Buckingham all of the gift of his old acquaintance Iohn Bokingham Bishop of Lincolne with whom Simon Burleigh a knight afterwards of great honor he onely in a manner conuersed during his abode in Oxford Besides these ecclesiasticall preferments the Prouostship of Wels a number of benefices and twelue Prebends in seuerall Churches he held many temporall offices as the Secretaryship the kéeping of the priuy seale the Mastership of wardes the treasurership of the Kings reuenues in Fraunce and diuers other with whose stiles I am not acquainted But the yéerely reuenewes of his spirituall promotions onely according as they were then rated in the Kings bookes amounted vnto 876. l. 13. s. 4. d. He was consecrate Bishop of Winchester the yéere 1367. and was made soone after first treasurer then Chauncellor of England although whether he were treasurer or no I find some doubt made and I dare not 〈◊〉 it too confidently whether he were treasurer or no certaine it is that many yéeres after he was Bishop he was trusted with all the waighty affaires of the realme disposed of the kings treasure and gouerned all things at his will In this greatnesse of his authority the king found two notable commodities one that without his care all thinges were ordred so well as by a wise and trusty seruant they might the other that if any thing fell out amisse wheresoeuer the fault were the king had oportunity to cast all the blame vpon the Bishop of Winchester Now whereas long and continuall warre whereby lightly each party is a looser had consumed not that onely that many victories brought in by the raunsome of two kings and by the spoyle of diuers large
his 〈◊〉 yet remaine to be séene Afterwards whether it were that time altered his 〈◊〉 or that he was ouercome 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 of trouble or hope of 〈◊〉 he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to recant his opinions at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That done 〈◊〉 Cleargy glad of gaining such a man vnto their party for 〈◊〉 was greatly reputed of for his learning 〈◊〉 vpon him all manner of preferment Being now Bishop of Lincolne the yéere 1408. he was made Cardinall of 〈◊〉 Nereus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He continued in that 〈◊〉 many yeeres and in 〈◊〉 end resigned it He lieth buried vnder a 〈◊〉 stone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grosthead 22. Richard Flemming BIshop Flemming is famous for two things one that 〈◊〉 caused the 〈◊〉 of Wickliffe to be taken vp and 〈◊〉 the yéere 1425. and the other that he founded Lincolne 〈◊〉 in Oxford 1430. When he first attained this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 what time he died I find not He was 〈◊〉 where we sée a high tombe in the North 〈◊〉 in the vpper 〈◊〉 of the church in the 〈◊〉 in which place also Robert Flemming his kinseman Deane of Lincolne lieth buried hard beside him They were bothe great learned men brought vp in Oxford bothe Doctors of Diuinity and writ diuers learned workes 23. William Gray MAy 26. 1426. William Gray was 〈◊〉 Bishop of London 〈◊〉 he was translated to Lincolne the yéere 1431. and 〈◊〉 there about the space of 〈◊〉 yéeres He founded a Colledge at Theale in Hartfordshire for a Master and fower Cannons and made it a cell to Elsing spittle in London 24. William Alnewike THe yéere 1426. William Alnewike doctor of law was consecrate Bishop of Norwich He built there a great window and a goodly faire gate at the west end of the church The yeere 1436. he was remooued vnto Lincolne He was buried in the body or west end of his church This Bishop was confessor to that vertuous king Henry the fist 25. Marmaduke Lumley VVHat time Bishop Alnewike died I finde not but certaine it is that 〈◊〉 Lumley Bishop of Carlioll succeeded him in that Sée He was some times Treasurer of England consecrate vnto Carlioll 1430. sate there 20. yeere was translated hether 1450. and hauing continued heere scarcely one yéere died at London Toward the building of Quéenes colledge in Cambridge of which vniuersity he was sometimes Chauncellour he gaue 200 l. and bestowed vpon the library of that Colledge a great many good bookes 26. Iohn Chedworth IOhn Chedworth succéeded him of whom I finde nothing but that helieth buried vnder a flat stone by Bishop Sutton néere the toombe of Bishop Flemming He was Bishop as I gather about an 18. yeeres 27. Thomas Rotheram THomas Scot alias Rotheram Bishop of Rochester was remooued to Lincolne ann 1471. and thence to Yorke nine yéeres after Sée more ofhim in Yorke 28. Iohn Russell IN the Sée of Lincolne Iohn Russell Doctor of Diuinity and 〈◊〉 of Barkshire succéeded him a wise and 〈◊〉 man A while he was Chauncellor of England by the appointment of Richard Duke of Glocester that afterward vsurped the crowne He hath a reasonable faire toombe in a chappell cast out of the vpper wall of the South part of the Church 29. William Smith THe yéere 1492. William Smith was consecrate Bishop of Couentry Lichfield He ordained there I meane at Lichfield an hospitall for a master two priestes and ten poore men He also founded a frée schoole there for the education of poore mens children and found meanes that king Henry the seuenth bestowed vpon it an Hospitall called Donhal in Chesshyre with 〈◊〉 lands belonging to it At Farmworth where he was borne he bestowed ten pound land for the maintenance of a schoolemaster there Lastly he became founder of a goodly colledge the colledge of Brasennose in Oxford ann 1513. but liued not to finish it in such sort as he intended Hauing sate but onely fower yéeres at Lichfield he was translated to Lincolne and died the yéere before mentioned 1513. He lieth buried in the West part or body of the church This Bishop was the first President of Wales and gouerned that countrey from the 17. yere of king Henry the 7. vntill the fourth yéere of king Henry the 8. at what time he died 30. Thomas Woolsey A Uery little while scarcely one whole yéere Cardinall Woolsey not yet Cardinall was Bishop of Lincoln Thence he was remooued to 〈◊〉 almost the 〈◊〉 of the yéere 1514. Sée more of him in 〈◊〉 31. William Atwater ONe William Atwater succéeded Cardinall Woolsey and sate as it seemeth to me but a very short time He lieth buried in the West end of Lincolne Pinster 32. Iohn Longland IOhn Longland Doctor of Diuinity and Confessor vnto king Henry the 8. vpon the death of William Atwater was aduannced vnto the Bishoprick of Lincolne and enioyed the same a long time being almost all that while Chauncellor of the Uniuersity of Oxford He died the yeere 1547. and is burted néere vnto Bishop Russell in a toombe very like vnto his 33. Henry Holbech HEnry Holbech Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate Bishop of Rochester the yéere 1544. translated to Lincolne 1547. and continued there about 5. yeeres 34. Iohn Tayler IOhn Tayler Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate ann 1552. and within 2. yeeres after viz. in the beginning of Queene 〈◊〉 ratgne was displaced 35. Iohn White IOhn White Doctor also of Diuinity was appointed Bishop of Lincolne by Queene Mary The yéere 1557. He was remooued to Winchester Sée more of him there 36. Thomas Watson VPon the remooue of Doctor White the Bishopricke of Lincoln was bestowed vpon Thomas 〈◊〉 Doctor of Diuinity a very austere or rather a sower and churlish man He was scarce 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 when 〈◊〉 Mary dying he was 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 the same 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 himselfe vnto the happy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yeres 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 about the yéere 1584. 37. Nicholas Bullingham NIcholas Bullingham Doctor of Lawe was consecrate Bishop of 〈◊〉 Ianuary 21. 1559. He sate there 11. yéeres and was translated in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 26. 1570. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of him in 〈◊〉 38. Thomas Cooper THomas Cooper Doctor of Diuinity Deane of 〈◊〉 church in Oxford was consecrate Febr. 24. 1570. 〈◊〉 yéere 1584. he was translated to Winchester 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of him there 39. William Wickham VVIlliam Wickham succéeded Bishop Cooper immediately both in Lincolne and Winchester Sée more of him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 40. William Chaderton VVIlliam 〈◊〉 Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate Bishop of West-Chester continued there 〈◊〉 and in the 〈◊〉 of the yéere 1594. was 〈◊〉 to Lincolne where he yet 〈◊〉 The Bishoprick of Lincolne is valued in the Queenes bookes at 894 l. 18 s. 1 d. ob and paid to the Pope for first 〈◊〉 5000 ducats The Bishops of Couentry and Lichfield 1. Dwyna OSwy king of Mercia or Mid England erected 〈◊〉 Episcopall Sée at Lichfield the yéere 656. and ordained one Diuma or Dwyna Bishop there 2. Cellach CEllach
since his time in honour of him doo beare his coate of armes as the coate of their See viz. G. 3. leopards heads ieasant 3. Flower-deluces O. 45. Richard de Swinfield succéeded Doctor of Diuinity a Kentish man borne a very eloquent man and a great preather He was consecrate March 7. following sate 34. yéeres and died March 15. 1316. He lieth buried on the North side of the North I le aboue the quier as an Elogium witnesseth engrauen vpon a marble that couereth his toombe 46. Adam d'Orleton Doctor of Law borne in Hereford was consecrate September 26. 1317. In the moneth of October 1327. he was translated to Worceter and after that to Winchester Sée Winchester 47. Thomas Charlton Doctor of Lawe and Cannon of Yorke was consecrate by the Popes commandement October 18. 1327 The yéere 1329. he was for a while Treasurer of England He sate 16. yéeres and died Ianuary 11. 1343. He hath a reasonable faire toombe in the North wall of the North crosse I le ouer against the clocke 48. Iohn Trillecke sate 16. yéeres and a halfe 49. Lewes Sherlton or Charlton sate 8. yéeres and died the yéere 1369. He lieth in a faire monument in the North wall of the South I le aboue the quier 50. William Courtney consecrate 1369. sate 5. yéeres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to London 1375. and afterwards 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 51. Iohn Gilbert Bishop of 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him in 〈◊〉 The yeere 1385. he was sent Ambassador into 〈◊〉 1286. he was made Treasurer of England 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1389. as one deliuereth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is 〈◊〉 he was translated to Saint 〈◊〉 about the 〈◊〉 of the yéere 1389. 52. Iohn 〈◊〉 or Trefrant a Cannon of Saint 〈◊〉 one of the Auditors of the 〈◊〉 in Rome became Bishop of Hereford the yéere 1389. The 〈◊〉 1400. he was sent ambassador to Rome to informe the Pope of the title of 〈◊〉 Henry the fourth 〈◊〉 the crowne He sate Bishop about 〈◊〉 yéeres and a 〈◊〉 died 1404. and lieth buried 〈◊〉 the South wall of the South crosse 〈◊〉 where we sée a faire and costly monument erected for him 53. Robert Mascall being yet very yoong became a 〈◊〉 Carmelite at Ludlow After that he went to Oxford where he so 〈◊〉 in learning and other vertues as he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of all 〈◊〉 King Henry the fourth 〈◊〉 choice of him for his Confessor and 〈◊〉 meanes to preferre him vnto the 〈◊〉 of Hereford He built the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of the white 〈◊〉 at London 〈◊〉 many rich 〈◊〉 vnto that house died there December 21. 1417. and there was 〈◊〉 in a goodly monument of 〈◊〉 He was often Ambassador vnto 〈◊〉 Princes and the yéere 1415. was sent to the Counsell of 〈◊〉 with two other Bishops 54. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doctor of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 béene 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1420. Sée 〈◊〉 55. Thomas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was consecrate 1420. 〈◊〉 Bishop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yéere and thrée 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 was remooued first to 〈◊〉 after that to 〈◊〉 Sée Worceter 56. Thomas 〈◊〉 Abbot of Saint Maries in Yorke 〈◊〉 Bishop 〈◊〉 26. yéeres 57. Richard Beauchamp hauing 〈◊〉 here two yéeres 〈◊〉 thrée moneths was 〈◊〉 to Salisbury an 1450. 58. Reynold Butler Abbot of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 two yeeres and a halfe and was translated to 〈◊〉 April 3. 〈◊〉 59. Iohn Stanbery was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brought 〈◊〉 in the Uniuersity of Oxford where he proceeded doctor of 〈◊〉 and read the Lecture of that faculty King Henry the sixt called him thence to be the first Prouost of his new 〈◊〉 colledge at 〈◊〉 and moreouer made him this Confessor The yéere 1446. he was elected Bishop of Norwich But 〈◊〉 de la Poole Duke of Suffolke thrust in a chaplaine of his owne notwithstanding this election and so disappointed him Shortly after to wit the yeere 1448. the king found meanes to preferre him to Bangor and fiue yeeres after that to Hereford where he sate one and twenty yeeres He died at Ludlow in the house of the Carmelites May 11. 1474. and was buried in his owne church vpon the North side of the high altar in a too 〈◊〉 be of alabaster A man not only very learned whereof he left many monuments in writing but very wise exceeding well spoken and which is not to be omitted tall of stature and of a very comely presence But I 〈◊〉 his greatest commendation his constant and vnmooueable fidelity vnto his Prince for which being taken prisoner at the battle of Northampton 1460 he was committed to the castle of Warwicke and lay in durance 〈◊〉 long time Upon his toombe are fixed these barbarous verses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tetra 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stanbery 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioannis Doctoralis erat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 o Christe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sordem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bene sedem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mors 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 trux 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anno M. C. 〈◊〉 L. X. 〈◊〉 bino 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Qui legis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 benigna Vt sint absque mora 〈◊〉 sibigaudia digna 60. Thomas Myllyng being yet very yoong became a 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and then went to Oxford where he 〈◊〉 till he became Doctor of Diuinity hauing in the meane time attayned good knowledge in the Gréeke 〈◊〉 which in those daies was geason Returning then to Westminster he was made Abbot there and shortly after 〈◊〉 vnto the Bishopricke of Hereford by king Edward the fourth vnder whom he was of the priuy counsell and was godfather vnto Prince Edward his eldest sonne He died the yéere 1493. and lieth buried at Westminster in the middle of the chappel of Saint Iohn Baptist where against the North wall there is a fleight monument erected in memory of him 61. Edmund Audeley Bishop of Rochester was 〈◊〉 to Hereford 1493. and thence to Salisbury 1502. Sée Salisbury 62. Hadrian de Castello consecrate 1502. was made 〈◊〉 the next yéere and then translated to Welles 1504. Sée Welles 63. Richard Mayo Chauncellour and Archdeacon of Oxford as also President of Magdalene colledge there for the space of 27. yéeres and Almoner vnto king Henry the 7. the yere 1501. was sent Ambassador into Spaine to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Ladie Katherine to be married vnto Prince Arthur Not long after his returne thence to wit the yéere 1504. he was 〈◊〉 vnto the Bishopricke of 〈◊〉 which he held eleuen yéeres and somewhat more He deceased Aprill 18. 1516. and was buried on the South side of the high altar where there is a goodly toombe erected in memory of him 64. Charles Boothe Doctor of Diuinity Archdeacon of Buckingham and Chauncellour of the Marches of Wales was consecrate 1516. He bestowed great cost in repayring his house at London and sate eighteene yéeres and fiue moneths He lieth entoombed in the North wall of the body of his church 65. Edward Foxe Doctor of Diuinity and 〈◊〉 vnto king Henry the eight was brought vp in Kings
consecrate Archbishop and liued af ter his consecration 17. yéeres He was buried in his owne Church 10. Eanbaldus 2. ANother Eanbaldus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Priest of the Church of Yorke In the yéere 798. he called a Synod or 〈◊〉 of his 〈◊〉 in which he caused diuers things 〈◊〉 to be reformed What time he died or how long he sate I find not 11. Wulsius A Little time Wulsius enioyed his honour and died the yéere 831. 12. Wimundus WImundus succéeded Wulsius and sate 17. yéeres He died as Matthew Westminster reporteth the yéere 854. 13. Wilferus AFter him Wilferus was Archbishop a long time 46. yéeres and vpwards The yéere 873. his 〈◊〉 droue him out of the countrey together with Egbert their king who went vnto Burrhede king of Mercia and of him were honorably intertained till that the yéere following king Egbert died and by the helpe of king Ricsinus his successor Wulferus was called home againe He deceased about the yéere of our Lord 900. or as Matthew Westminster hath it whose computation I 〈◊〉 very vncertaine 895. In his time the Danes made such hauocke in the North countrey as a great while after the Archbishopricke was little worth and was faine to be mended often times with the Commendam of Worcester 14. Ethelbalde Then followed these Ethelbald 15. Redwarde And after him Redward of whom nothing is recorded 16. Wulstanus BY the fauour of the king Athelstan Wulstanus was then preferred to this Sée In whose time the same king gaue vnto the Church of Yorke Agmundernes which he bought of the Danes This Bishop was conuict of a haynous crime forgetting the dutifull affection that he ought to beare vnto Edred his king for Athelstane his brothers sake that preferred him forgetting his oath and allegiance vnto the same king being his naturall Prince yea forgetting that he was either an Englishman or a Christian He was not ashamed to leane vnto the Danes and sauour them a heathen people and such as sought not onely to destroy his countrey but also to roote out Christian Religion For this treason deseruing a thousand deaths he was onely committed to prison the yéere 952. and a yeere after inlarged againe This is the report of William Malmesbury Matthew Westminster saith he was punished in this fort for killing diuers citizens of Thetford in reuenge of the death of one Adelm an Abbot whom they had slaine and 〈◊〉 without cause two yeeres after his enlargement he died vpon Saint Stephens day the yeere 955. He was buried at a place called Undalum Except it be Owndlc in Northhampton shire how it is now termed I cannot gesse 17. Oskitell OSkitell then succéeded a man of good life and well learned who gouerned his Sée laudably 16. yeeres and died the yéere 971. 18. Athelwold NExt followed Athelwold that hauing as it were a taste onely of this honour was quickly weary of it and after a very short time gaue it ouer choosing rather to liue obscurely so he might liue quietly 19. Oswald WIthin the compasse of one yéere viz. the yéere 971. Yorke had three Archbishoppes Oskitell that 〈◊〉 Athelwold that resigned and this Oswald He was néere of kinne vnto Oskitell his predecessor but 〈◊〉 vnto Odo Archbishop of Canterbury being his brothers 〈◊〉 By his 〈◊〉 he was made first Chanon of Winchester after 〈◊〉 for at that time the Cathedrall Church of Winchester had no monkes but maintained a company of secular priests whereof many were married men Perceiuing the 〈◊〉 onely were now in 〈◊〉 and other cleargy men little 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 of his vncle 〈◊〉 his place in Winchester and trauelled to Floriake in Fraunce where he became a monke Hauing continued there some 〈◊〉 or fire yéeres his vncle writ often very importunatly vnto him to come home but could neuer preuaile till he sent him word of his last sicknesse whereof soone after 〈◊〉 died Oswald then destrous to haue séene him once more made 〈◊〉 into England but came too late the old Archbishop was 〈◊〉 first Oskitell then his other kinsman gaue him entertainement till that by the meanes of Saint Dunstan he was preferred to the Bishoprick of Worceter viz. the yéere 960. two yéeres after his arriual in England He built there the church dedicated to the blessed virgine Mary hard by the church of Saint Peter and placed monkes in the same to the ende that the priests of Saint Peters church being continually disgraced by the people that very much reuerenced the monkes might become a weary of their places He was not deceiued of his expectation the people flocked all vnto the monkes and left the priests of S. Peters alone Partly for shame partly for griefe thereof being per aduenture molested otherwise the most of them departed thēce that rest were faine to take coules vnto them become monks The Sée of Yorke being voide King Edgar carefull to place a fit man in the North country which was then very rude and barbarous and thinking none so fit as Oswald made offer of the same vnto him and when he séemed loth to forsake Worceter was content he should hold bothe This man was the first founder of the Abbey of Ramsey in the Isle of Ely and a very liberal benefactor vnto the Abbey of Floriake where he was brought vp A great patrone of Monks and a terrible persecutor of married priests whereof there were many in those daies He died at Worceter sodainely hauing washed the féete of certaine poore men as daily he accustomed After which knéeling downe to say certaine praiers without any sicknesse precedent he gaue vp the ghost William 〈◊〉 who reporthis addeth that the day before his death he told diuers of his friends that he should die He was very learned and left some testimonies thereof in writing not yet perished for the integrity also of his life rōuersation he was much reuerenced The greatest fault I finde in him is that he was very earnest in setting foorth that doctrine of diuels that debarreth men of lawfull marriage The time of his departure was February 27 an 992. 32. yéeres after his first consecration when he had inioyed Yorke 22. yéeres He was buried at Worceter in the church himselfe had built Many miracles are reported to haue béen done at his tombe in regard whereof the posterity would néedes make him a Saint 20. Aldulfe ALdulfe Abbot of Peterborough succéeded Oswald in both his Sees viz of Yorke and Worceter a holy and reuerend man saith 〈◊〉 and one that striued with his predecessor in liberality toward the monastery of Floriake He died May 6. 1002. and was buried in Saint Maries church at Worceter 21. Wulstan 2. ANother Wulstan then by the fauour of king Knute held also both the said Sees of Yorke and Worceter for which cause Malmesbury findeth great fault with him that in Aldulf and Oswald liked it well ynough And all the exceptions he takes against him is this That he was not of so holy a profession as
histories are written He was wont to say that Thurstan neuer did a worse deede then in erecting the Monastery of Fountney And that it may 〈◊〉 he faigned not this mislike you shall find in Newbridg lib. 3. cap. 5. That a certaine religious man comming vnto him when he lay vpon his death bed requested him to confirme certaine graunts made vnto their house to whom he answered you see my friend I am now vpon the point of death it is no time to dissemble I feare God and in regard thereof refraine to satisfie your request which I protest I can not doo with a good conscience A strange doctrine in those daies but being a wise man and learned he must néedes discerne that the monkes of his time were so farre swarued and degenerate from the holinesse of those first excellent men of the primitiue Church as they resembled rather any other kinde of people then those whom they pretended in profession to succeed These men the monkes I meane to be reuenged vpon him haue stamped vpon him two notable faults one that he preferred whipping boyes vnto the chiefe dignities of the Church wherein were it true no body can excuse him The other thing they lay to his charge is manifestly false They say he was miserably couetous and how doo they prooue it Because forsooth he left a certaine deale of ready money behind him Surely in my same made no haste to receiue consecration as knowing better how to sheare his shéepe then to feed them which he knew he might do without consecration as well as with it Seuen yéeres he held the Bishoprick after that sort and at length by the perswasion of his father desirous to haue his sonne néere about him as some say or perceiuing him vnfit to make a cleargy man as other say He resigned his interest in the church of Lincolne and got him to the court where he was made Lord Chanucellour of England and held that office about eight yéeres viz. vntill the yéere 1189. at what time his father died Many Bishoprickes at that time were void and had béene some of them a long time as Yorke now ten yeeres and Lincolne seuenteene King Richard therefore vnderstanding the people murmured and grudged much at these long vacations and knowing also it imported him to see his brother prouided for he thought to stop two gaps with one bush and at once to furnish Yorke with an Archbishop and his brother with a liuing So he writ his letters vnto the chapter of Yorke in his brothers behalfe who not without some difficulty elected him He was consecrate at Tours in Fraunce in the moneth of August 1191. Presently after his consecration comming ouer into England he was imprisoned by 〈◊〉 Bishop of Ely the Chauncellour being drawen from the very altar of Saint Martins church in 〈◊〉 but he was quickly set at liberty againe And the proude Chauncellour 〈◊〉 repented him of his rashnesse and folly being excommunicate for the same and otherwise hardly ynough vsed as you may see more at large in his life This man prooued a better Bishop then was expected gouerning his Prouince if not somewhat too stoutely according to the courage 〈◊〉 in a man of so high birth and nobility very well and 〈◊〉 He is praysed much for his temperance 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 both of conntenance and behauiour All the time of his brother 〈◊〉 expecting the wrong done vnto him by the Bishop of Ely he liued quietly without 〈◊〉 or complaint of any Betweene him and king Iohn who was his brother also there was much adoe In the second yeere of his raigne he commaunded the Sheriffe of Yorkeshire to seise vpon all the goods and lands of the Archbishop and his seisure to returne into the exchecquer which was done accordingly whereupon the said Archbishop excommunicated not onely the Sherisie that had done him this violence but all those in generall that were the authors of the same and that had béene any meanes to stirre vp the kings indignation against him The cause of this trouble is diuersly reported some say that he hindered the kings officers in gathering a kind of taxe through his 〈◊〉 others that he refused to saile into Norwandy with him when he went to make a marriage for his neice and to conclude a league with the French king Whether one of these were the cause or both or none I can not tell But certaine it is that one whole yéere his temporalities were detained from him his mooueable goods neuer restored and yet moreouer he was saine to pay a thousand pound sterling for his restitution This was a greater wound then that it might easily be cured Sixe or 7. yéeres after it brake out againe to wit an 1207. King Iohn then being at Winchester required such of the cleargy Nobility as were there present to consent that payment should be made vnto him of the thirtéenth shilling of all the mooueable goods in England This motion no man gainesaid but Geffrye the Archb. his brother After this whether it were he were guilty of some greater attempt or that he vnderstood his brother to be gréeuously offended with him for withstanding this his desire well perceiuing England was too hote for him secretly he auoyded the Realme excommunicating before his departure such of his iurisdiction as either had paied the said taxe or should hereafter pay it He liued then in banishment 5. yéeres euen vntill he was called to his long home by death which was the yéere 1213. So he continued Archbishop somewhat more then 21. yéeres 33. Walter Gray THe Sée was void after the death of Geffry the space of foure yéeres In the meane space Symon de Langton brother vnto Stephen Langton Archbishop of Canterbury was elected by the Chapter of Yorke But king Iohn being lately become tributary vnto the church of Rome 〈◊〉 found meanes to Cassire and disanull that election If the old quarrell betwéene the Archbishop and him stucke yet some thing in his stomacke I maruell not but he alledged that he thought it dangerous and very inconuenient the whole Church of England should be ruled by two brethren one at Canterbury in the South an other at Yorke in the North. He laboured then very earnestly to haue Walter Gray his Counsellor remooued from Worceter to Yorke The channons there refused him for want of learning as they said but at last they were content to accept him in regard forsooth of his singular temperance and chastity they seemed to be perswaded that he had continued till that time a pure maide The matter was they durst do no other but yeeld and then thought good to make a vertue of necessity This man was first Bishop of Chester consecrate the yéere 1210. translated thence to Worceter 1214. and lastly the yéere 1216 to Yorke but vpon such conditions as I thinke he had béene better to haue staid at Worceter still The Pope would haue no lesse then 10000 l. for wresting him into the Archbishoprick
to Worceter and about the middle of October 1352. being then Chauncelor of England to Yorke He was brought vp in Oxford where he was very much esteemed for his learning being a great 〈◊〉 and a very good Canonist He writ diuers things both in English and Latine amongst the rest he published an exposition vpon the ten Commandements in his mother toong which he required all the Clergy men in his Dioces to read diligently vnto their parishioners That worke I haue and keepe as a 〈◊〉 worthy to be esteemed Diuinity books in the English toong were geason in those dates I pray God they be not now too common The yaere he was Cardinall of Saint Sabine by Pope Vrban the 〈◊〉 whom I homas Walsingham repeateth to haue 〈◊〉 an English man In the 10. yéere after his 〈◊〉 he began to build 〈◊〉 the quier of his Cathedrall church laying the first stone himselfe July 29. toward the charge of which work he presently laide downe 100. l. or as some report 500. l. and promised to contribute yéerely 200. markes or as others say 200. l. till it were 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 long as he liued he faithfully performed He bestowed great cost in beautifying the Lady chappell with images and pictures of excellent workmanship and 〈◊〉 the bodies of diuers of his predecessors that lay buried else where about the church caused them to be 〈◊〉 in the said chappell in very 〈◊〉 manner leauing a place for 〈◊〉 in the middle thereof where dying Nouember 6. 1373. at Thorp he was 〈◊〉 after solemnly enterred 45. Alexander Neuill VNto this Sée the Pope then appointed Alexander Neuill a Canon of Yorke a man greatly fauoured of king Richard the second which was his destruction Diuers of the nobility malecontent tooke armes against the king caused many whom they misliked to be condemned by parliament some to death some to prison c. Amongst the rest this Archbishop was accused to be one that abused the kings youth by flattery and with whispering tales inticed him against the nobility and for this cause he was condemned to perpetuall prison and appointed vnto the castell of Rochester there to be kept But he foreséeing the tempest that grew 〈◊〉 him fled out of the realme The Pope then Vrbane the 〈◊〉 whether in commiseration thinking to relieue him or else vsing it as a meanes to make his Archbishopricke voide 〈◊〉 he might bestow it translated him from Yorke vnto 〈◊〉 Andrewes in Scotland Howsoeuer it was meant sure it fell out to be a very bad exchaunge for his part Scotland at that time refused to acknowledge Vrbane for Pope and yeelded obedience to the Antipope By meanes whereof Vrbans 〈◊〉 was not of sufficient force to inuest him in Saint Andrewes and yet quite cut him of from Yorke at home Hereby it 〈◊〉 to passe that hauing the reuenues neither of the one nor the other for very want he was 〈◊〉 to become a parish priest and so liued thrae yeere at Louane euen vntill his death He was banished the yéere 1386. liued in 〈◊〉 almost fiue yeres died 1391. and was buried in the church of the Frier Carmelites there This man bestowed much cost in repayring the castle of Cawod building diuers towers and other edifices about the same 46. Thomas Arundell ALexander Neuill being thus displaced vnder presence of preferment to a new place The Pope tooke vpon him to bestow Yorke And least if he should aduance one to it not greatly preferred before the old incumbent might chaunce in time to recouer it from him againe He thought good to bestow it so as benefiting many he might procure so many aduersaries vnto Neuill whereof any one alone might hardly saeme able to withstand him but all these together he knew very well To this end as also to gaine the more in first fruits he called Thomas Arundell from Ely to Yorke translated the Bishops of Durham to Ely Bath to Durham Salisbury to Bath and gaue Salisbury to Iohn Waltham the kings chaplaine a man very gracious with him and keeper of his priuie seale This Thomas Arundell the yéere 1396 was remooued to Canterbury the first that 〈◊〉 was translated from Yorke 〈◊〉 While he was at Yorke he bestowed much in building vpon diuers of his houses and vnto the church he gaue besides many rich ornaments two great Basons of siluer and gilt two great Censers two other Basons of siluer and two Crewettes He gaue to the vse of the Uicars a siluer Cuppe of great waight and a Bowle of siluer very massiue and costly vnto the Canons Being yet Bishop of Ely he was Lord Chauncellor of England and so continued till the yéere 1396. at what time being remooued to Canterbury he gaue ouer immediately that office See more of him in Ely and Canterbury 47. Robert Waldby RObert Waldby Bishop of Chichester succéeded Thomas Arundell in Yorke Being yet a yoong man he followed Edward the blacke Prince into Fraunce where he continued long a student and profited so much as no man in the 〈◊〉 where he liued Tholous might be compared with him for all kinde of learning He was a good Linguist very well séene in Philosophie both naturall and morall in Phyficke and the Canon Law also very eloquent an excellent Preacher and estéemed so profound a Diuine 〈◊〉 he was thought méete to be the Professor of Diuinitie or doctor of the chaire in the said Uniuersitie For these his good gifts he was much fauoured of the blacke Prince first then of king Richard his sonne and by their fauour obtayned first a Bishopricke in Gascoigne as Bale reporteth but by another antiquity that I haue seene he was first Bishop of the Isle of Man and his Epitaph saith he was first Praesul 〈◊〉 From that first preferment whatsoeuer it was he was translated an 1387. to the Archbishopricke of Dublin in Ireland thence to Chichester 1395. and the yéere following became an Archbishop once more viz. of Yorke There he sate not fully three yéeres but he died May 29. 1397. and was buriet in Westminster almost in the middle of the chappell of Saint 〈◊〉 where an Epitaph is to be séene vpon his graue partly 〈◊〉 and otherwise not worth the reciting 48. Richard Scroope RIchard Scroope that succéeded Robet Waldby though a gentleman of great bloud being brother vnto William Scroope that was Earle of Wilshire and Treasurer of England vnder king Richard yet obtained not 〈◊〉 high promotion without desert in regard of many good 〈◊〉 in him For he was incomparably learned saith Thomas Walsingham of singular integrity for his life and conuersation and which is not altogether to be neglected of a goodly and amiable personage He was brought vp in Cambridge and procéeded there first Master of Arte then doctor of Law thence he trauelled throngh Fraunce into Italy and became an aduocate in the Popes Court vntill such time as he was preferred to the Bishopricke of Couentry Lichfield whereunto he was consecrate August 9. 1386 There he
end of his time viz. the yéere 1464. 〈◊〉 Minster of Yorke was burnt I know not by what chance 52. George Neuell RIchard Neuell that great Earle of Warwicke that 〈◊〉 and pulled downe kings at his pleasure aduanced his brother George Neuell vnto great and high placss being 〈◊〉 but a very yoong man By his meanes he was consecrate Bishop of Exceter Nouember 25. 1455. at what time he was not fully 20. yéeres of age The yéere 1460. he was made Lord Chauncellour of England the yoongest Chauncelour I thinke that euer was either before or since his time In that office he continued till the yéere 1464. viz. vntill the mariage of king Edward the 4. In which action the king 〈◊〉 knowing he had giuen cause of offence vnto the Earle of Warwick for it was done whilest that Earle was ambassador in Fraunce and busie in a treatie for a match betweene the king and the French Quéenes sister He thought it necessarie to weaken him what he might and so first remooued this his brother from the office of Chauncelour and bestowed it vpon Robert Stillington Bishop of Bath Notwithstanding this alienation of the king from him the yéere 1466. 〈◊〉 obtained the Archbishopricke of yorke and held the same but with great trouble vntill his death The 〈◊〉 of the dishonour done to the Earle by that 〈◊〉 mariage sticking 〈◊〉 in his mind hauing peraduenture continual occasions of new greeses be made a 〈◊〉 with his brethren to pull downe king Edward that had raigned now almost 9. yeeres and to set vp king Henry the 6. againe who had 〈◊〉 in prison all that while This indeed they performed partly by the help of George Duke of Clarence king Edwards brother And it was the hap of this Archb. to take 〈◊〉 Edward prisoner at 〈◊〉 in Northhampton shire He carried him thence first to 〈◊〉 castell then to 〈◊〉 castell in yorke shire But being of too good a nature to be a good 〈◊〉 vsed him with such curtesie suffering him to walke abroad often to 〈◊〉 with a few 〈◊〉 to attend him as were it by the negligence or vnfaithfulnesse of those that had the charge of him I know not away he escaped being met vpon a plaine where he hunted by a troupe of his friends wasted by them into a place of safety 〈◊〉 halfe a yeere that K. Henry was restored to his crown 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Edward so handled that matter as comming suddenly to London entring that Bishops palace by aposterne gate 〈◊〉 surprised at once king Henry b the Archbishop that had not long before taken him They were both caried thence to the tower of London where that good king was soone after pitifully murthered But the Archbishop vpon the fourth of June following was set at liberty About a yeere after his inlargement he chaunced to be with the king a hunting at Windsor and vpon occasion of the sport they had seene there made relation vnto the king of some extraordinary kinde of game wherewith he was woont to solace himselfe at a house he had built and furnished very 〈◊〉 called the Moore in Hartfordshire The king seeming desirous to be partaker of this sport appointed a day when he would come thither to hunt and make merry with him Hereupon the Archbishop taking his leaue got him home and thinking to 〈◊〉 the king in the best manner it was possible for him he sent for much plate that he had bid during the warres 〈◊〉 his brethren and the king and borrowed also much of his friends The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brought into the 〈◊〉 the day 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sent for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him all 〈◊〉 set a part to repaire presently vnto him being at 〈◊〉 As sone as he came he was arrested of treason all his plate money and other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the value of 20000 l. were seised vpon for the king and himselfe a long space after was kept prisoner at Calis and Guisnes during which time the king 〈◊〉 vnto himselfe the profits and temporalties of his Bishopricke Amongst other things then taken from him he had a 〈◊〉 of inestimable value by reason of many rich stones wherewith it was adorned that the king brake and made thereof a crowne for himselfe This calamity happened vnto him the yéere 1472. By intercession and intreaty of his friends with much 〈◊〉 he obtayned his liberty the yéere 1476. and a little while 〈◊〉 the same with griefe and anguish of minde as is thought died at Blithlaw comming from Yorke He was buried in the Minster there In this mans time Sixtus the fourth made the Bishop of Saint Andrewes Primate of all Scotland and appointed twelue Bishops to be vnder him that vntill that time were of the Prouince of Yorke The Archbishop 〈◊〉 it what he might But the Pope alledging it was very vnfit that such a 〈◊〉 should be the Metropolitane of Scotland as for the most part by reason of wars was an enemy vnto the same ouerruled it and would needes haue it so 53. Lawrence Boothe THe Bishop of Durham Lawrence Boothe halfe brother vnto William Boothe George Neuils predecessor succéeded them in the Sée of Yorke He was first Master of Penbrooke hall in Cambridge consecrate Bishop of Durham September 25. 1457. and twenty yéeres after vizthe yéere 1477 remooued to Yorke In August 1472. he was made Lord Chancellour and continned in that office two 〈◊〉 This man bought the mannor of Batersey of one Nicolas Stanley and built the house there all which he gaue vnto his Sée He died at Southwell the yéere 1480. when he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Archbishop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and nine 〈◊〉 and was buried 〈◊〉 his brother 54. Thomas Rotheram alias Scot. THomas Scot otherwise called Rotheram was borne at 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 and according to the manner of religious persons in old time would 〈◊〉 take his surname of the place where he was borne 〈◊〉 such education as the country could afford him being now ripe for the vniuersity and towardly was sent by his friends vnto Cambridge and was chosen fellow of kings colledge in which place he continued till he was called away by preferment King Edward whose Chaplaine he was procured him first the Prouostship of Beuerley made him keeper of his priuy Seale and then Bishop of Rochester the yeere 1467. Staying there scarce fower yeere he remooued to Lincolne anno 1471. The yeere 1474. he was made Lord Chauncellour and continued long in that office euen vntill the raigne of Richard the vsurper at what time or a little before he deliuered the great Seale vnto the 〈◊〉 and is blamed for committing it vnto her of whom he receiued it not and had no right to require it Being yet at Lincolne he bestowed great cost in building the goodly beautifull gate of the schooles at Cambridge the walkes on each side thereof and the new Library that is at the east side of that building which he caused to be done of his owne charge with some very
Stigand being displaced in manner aboue rehearsed the conquerour well knowing how much it behooued him to the establishment of his new erected throne in England to haue a man wise and faithfull in that place made a speciall choice of him as one in all respects most fit and woorthy which being well knowne to all men the Couent at the kings first nomination readily chose him the nobilitie and courtiers willingly assented and receaued him with great applause and lastly the Pope affoorded him his pall with extraordinary fauour It is said at his first comming the Pope rose vp vnto him and mette him telling him he yeelded him that honour not of dutie but in regard of his excellent learning whereof he had heard great fame Thomas Archbishop of Yorke was present the same time together with 〈◊〉 Bishop of Dorchester This Thomas had béene lately consecrated vnto Yorke by Lanfrank and for a certaine time refused to make profession of obedience vnto the See of Canterbury euen vntill by the commandement of the king he was inforced thereunto Now whether it were discontentment and perswasion of a wrong or else enuie at Lanfranks either vertue or good fortune that mooued him hée presently began to make complaint vnto the Pope of a great miury offered vnto his Sée in the demaund of his profession Lanfrank pleaded prescription for his right and offred to make proofe of the same The Pope therefore not willing to trouble himselfe any more with the matter committed the hearing thereof vnto the king who in the yéere 1072. iudged it for Canterbury Sée more of this quarrell in Thomas of Yorke Lanfrank himselfe was consecrated very solemnly at Canterbury all the Bishops in England being present themselues or by their proctors August 29. 1070. Almost 18. yeres he continued Archbishop gouerning his charge laudably and happily till that about the end of his time one action obscured his former praises and furthermore was the cause of many great calamities vnto him It is thought that William the Conqueror left the kingdome of England vnto his yoonger sonne William Rufus at the perswasion especially of this Archbishop who the rather wisht well vnto the yoong prince because he had béene brought vp vnder him in his childhood He is blamed much for putting the eldest sonne Robert from that which might séeme in some sort due vnto him and surely God blessed him not in that action The king thus aduanced by him fel out with him and droue him out of the realme The cause of this displeasure is diuersly reported But most men agree it was none other then this that the king thought him a little too busie in exhorting him to vertue and godlinesse and reprehending his manifold vices Being thus banished he trauatled to Rome and wandred vp and downe many countries till at last by what intercession I finde not he was suffred to come home againe Soone after his return he fell sicke of an ague and so ended his daies Iune 4. 1088. or as Houeden hath May 24. 1089. He was buried at Canterbury in his owne church vnto which he was a great benefactor He bestowed much vpon the fabrike and reparation of the same built much housing for the monkes whose number he increased from 30. to 140. restored the dignities and offices of old belonging to the monastery and recouered vnto the same 25. Mannors that had béene taken from it wrongfully in times past by Odo Bishop of Bayon and earle of Rent Moreouer he built the Archbishops pallace at Canterbury in a manner all he founded two hospitals without the citie of Canterbury and endowed them with competent reuenewes Saint Iohns and Harbaldown He bestowed large mony toward the building of the cathedrall Church of Rochester or rather indéed built it all and did much the particulars I cannot set downe for the abbey of Saint Albons He was a great student writ many learned works and which deserueth especiall remembrance tooke great paines in reforming the Bible the copies whereof were much corrupted throughout England by the negligence of the writers 34. Anselm FOwer yéeres the Sée continued void after the death of Lanfranke and the king pursed the profits thereof In what good moode I knowe not he which was woont to sell all other ecclesiastical promotions as it were by the drum bestowed this Archbishopricke fréely vpon a most woorthy man Anselm abbot of Becco This Anselm was borne at Augusta a city of Burgundy standing at the foot of the Alpes His fathers name was Gundulfe a man of great account in his country and his mothers Hemeberg He came vnto Becco of the like errand as Lanfranke had done mooued thereunto by the great fame of the said Lanfranke and professed himselfe a monke there in the 27. yéere of his age Lanfranke being called away to Cane he was made Prior and soone after Abbot Eluyn the old Abbot being dead In that place he continued 15. yéeres and then was earnestly requested by Hugh Earle of Chester lying very sicke to come into England vnto him to conferre with him and to order certaine affairesof his Hither he came and had much honour done him euery where of all forts of people The king himselfe amongst the rest beside many verball fauours made offer vnto him of the Archbishopricke of Canterbury verily hoping belike that a man giuen to monasticall contemplation and not estéeming worldly pompe would vndoubtedly haue refused the same For it is certaine that after Anselm had accepted the offer pitying belike the spoile and desolation of the church for want of a pastor the king would faine haue retracted his gift and perswaded him with many reasons to leaue it shewing him how the burthen and trouble of the place was greater then he should be able to inoure a man that had spent his time within the wals of a monastery and not experienced in managing of great affaires But he lost his labour Anselm kept fast his hold and was soone after consecrated by Walkelm Bishop of Winchester or as I finde also recorded by Thomas Archbishop of Yorke Decemb. 4. 1093. all the Bishops of the land that could possibly come being present at that solemnity Presently after his consecration the king and he fel out Not long before the king had throwen downe thirty churches to make his new forest néere Winchester This 〈◊〉 reprehended him sharply for and besought him to amend that and other faults as namely his simony his extortion his cruelty c. wherein he daily offended God gréeuously and greatly dishonoured himselfe This admonition of his displeased the king very much but his quarrell in shew was none other then this that asking leaue to go to Rome to fetch his pall he had named Vrban Pope whom the king as yet had not acknowledged for Pope and for so doing accused him of no lesse then high treason After great stirre and much adoe betwéene them about this matter it was determined that all the abbots and Bishops of England should be
paide for his paines began to stickle and to interpose his authority restoring Ieremy to his place againe till the cause might be heard and determined before him Whereat Theobald though a mild man of nature being excéedingly mooued in a great fury vowed he would neuer exercise any ecclesiasticall iurisdiction so long as Ieremy held that place He therfore seeing the Archbishop so resolute against him and fearing some great inconuenience would fall vpon the monastery by meanes of this businesse and so procure him the hatred of his owne company vpon paiment of 100. markes was content to leaue his place and liued a priuate monke in the same house euer after Now in the third yéere of his consecration it happened a Councell was summoned at Rhemes whereunto he was called Henry therefore Bishop of Winchester King Stephens brother that by vertue of his power 〈◊〉 had often contended with him and euer opposed himselfe against him in the Popes behalfe circumuented this good plaine-meaning man in this fort He dealt first with the Pope in no wise to dispence with his absence and then with his brother the King to forbid his passage and perforce to stay him at home But such were those times as it was safer then to offend the King then the Pope and therefore he resolued to goe and in no wise to giue the Pope such an aduantage against whom he had now twice opposed himselfe already dangerously Go therefore he would but all the difficulty was in getting passasse All the ports of England were laid for him yet so cunningly he handled the matter that ouer the seas he got and was at the Councell in good time The King then following the aduice of his brother the Bishop of Winchester seased vpon his goods and temporalities and banished him the realme He like a tall fellow interdicted the King and the whole 〈◊〉 and taking aduantage of the time which was very troublesome notwithstanding the Kings commaundement came home and liued in Norfolke till by the intercession of certaine Bishops he was restored Afterward he grew into great fauour with the King and was the chiefe meanes of concluding that finall peace at Wallingford betwéene him and Mawd the Empresse In the yeere 1152. he summoned a conuocation at London where the King would haue constrained the Clergy to make 〈◊〉 his sonne King to the disheriting and great iniury of Duke Henry the Empresses sonne The intent was spied before and letters procured from the Pope to forbid the Clergy to meddle in any such matter This notwithstanding the matter was earnestly followed in behalfe of the yoong Prince 〈◊〉 in so much as when they perceiued the businesse was not effected according to their desire they 〈◊〉 them vp in the place where they were gathered together and thought by force and threatning to compell them The greater part séemed to yéeld when Theobald stealing secretly out of the place tooke his barge and rowing downe the Thames got him beyond sea and so by his absence the synode was dissolued His goods by and by were once more confiscate and his temporalties seased into the kings hands But in a short time after king Stephen died and Henry Duke of Normandy surnamed Fitz 〈◊〉 succeeded who restored him immediately to all his possessions 〈◊〉 Under him he passed the rest of his daies quietly in great fauour and estimation with him He departed this life the yéere 1160. when he had sate Archbishop two and twenty yéeres Perceiuing his end to approch he made his will and gaue all his goods vnto the poore or other like good vses Helieth buried in the South part of Saint Thomas chappell in a marble tombe ioyning to the wall 38. Thomas Becket 〈◊〉 the Conquest neuer any English man obtained this Archbishopricke before Thomas Becket He was borne in London his fathers name was Giltert a Merchant his mother was a stranger borne in Syria He was first taught and brought vp during the time of his childhood by the Prior of Merton and seeming towardly was sent to the Uniuersity of Paris Hauing there attained some more learning and also the knowledge of the French tongue he returned and became an officer in some Court about London it is said he was a Justice But waring soone weary of that kind os life he found meanes to get into the seruice of Theobald the Archbishop who quickly espiyng his manifold good parts 〈◊〉 him entierly and sent him into Italy to study the Canon Lawe 〈◊〉 there might be any thing wanting in him 〈◊〉 in a common-wealthes-man for the managing whereof he discerned him then very fit and likely Upon his returne thence he was quickly preferred by the Archbishop vnto the Archdeaconry of Canterbury the Prouostship of 〈◊〉 and the personage of Bromfield The Archbishop then séeing him selfe weake and sickly which made him altogether vnable to looke throughly into the drifts and deuices of Courtyers that in all ages seeke to pray vpon the Church and euer néede some watchfull eye to ouerlooke their practises commended Thomas Becket vnto the King so effectually as he was content first to receiue him into the number of his Chapleines then made him Chauncellor of England and loaded him with all kind of spirituall preferment For Theobald being a wise man well perceiued Becket to be first so 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 so painefull and industrious as the King being yet yoong he 〈◊〉 surely possesse him altogether be able to withstand any endeuours that might be preiudiciall vnto the Church And againe he could not doubt either of his faithfulnesse to him or his stoutnesse in so good a cause of which both he had had long experience In regard hereof he imployed all his indeuours to plant a perfect liking of Thomas Becket in the mind of the King wherein he prospered so well as in a short time no man was so farre in the Kings bookes as he nay no man could doo any thing in a maner with the King but he For the maintaining of this his credit saith one he thought it good to relinquish and forsake by little and little all Priestly either behauior or attyre to affect the pompe and brauery of the Court to liue as other Courtyers to fare daintily to ly long in bed to hawke to hunt to haue many followers c. in so much as some sticked not to say the Chauncellor had forgotten he was an Archdeacon also and blamed him for not liuing like a Clergy man But by this meanes saith he T. Becket was euer at the Kings elbow was partaker of all his counsels and either by notize giuen to the Archbishop or some deuice of his owne otherwise could and did stop any courses that might be preiudiciall to the Church Hauing continued thus in the office of Chauncellor foure or fiue yéeres with the great fauour and liking of the King it hapened Theobald the Archbishop to dye The king little thinking what a snake he nourished in his bosome determined by by to doo
his vtmost indeuor for the aduauncement of him T. Becket vnto the Archbishoppricke Being therefore at that time in Normandy he sent Richard Lucy a counsellor of speciall trust into England with charge to effect these two things first to procure all the Nobles and best of the comminalty to sweare fealty vnto yoong Prince Henry his sonne and then to cause the Monkes of Canterbury to elect Thomas his Chauncellor Archbishop The first he quickly brought to passe the rather by the helpe of the Chauncellor that was ioined in commission with him And in the second also he bestirred him selfe so well as he caused the whole conuocation of the Clergy a wost authenticall kind of election to choose Thomas Becket for their Archbishop no one man gainesaying it except Gilbert Foliot Bishop of London He was consecrate Archbishop vpon Whitsonday being made Priest but iust the day before by the Bishop of Wintchester ann 1162. being not yet full 44. yéeres of age Presently after his consecration he altered all the whole course of his life became so graue so austere and so deuout in all outward shewe as he séemed quite another man Also he resigned his Chauncellorship certifiyng the King by letters who was then in Normandy he could not serue the Church and the Court both at once The King that euer hitherto thought to vse Thomas Becket as a schoole master to instruct and inure his sonne in matters of state and policy was now very sory that he had made him Archbishop séeing he threw off all care of temporall gouernment and considering the hawtinesse of his spirits sore doubted wherunto this strange dealing would growe at the last Another thing the King greatly disliked in him was this that being yet scarcely warme in his seate he began to looke so narrowly into the state of the land belonging to his sée and to challenge withall extremity whatsouer might séeme to pertaine vnto him as he prouoked many of all sorts of people against him who euery where exclaimed with open mouth and made their complaints thicke and thréefold vnto the King saying that hauing some authority and more knowledge in the Lawe vnder colour of defending the rights of his Church he tooke violently from euery man what he list But the maine quarrell betwixt the King and him was this The Cleargy of those times bare them selues so bold vpon the priuileges of the Church whereby in crymes neuer so haynous they claymed to be exempted from the iudgement of temporall courts as dayly infinite outrages were committed by Cleargy men murthers robberies rapes c. which temporall Judges might not meddle withall and in the spirituall courtes they were either not punished or for the most part very lightly For the amendment and preuention of this inconuenience in 〈◊〉 to come the King intended to publish a certaine declaration of the customes of England set downe long since by King Henry the first his grandfather wherein this intollerable and licencious liberty of the Cleargy was somewhat restrained And that it might not be spurned at by any the Archbishop especially he doubted he deuised to send this declaracion vnto the Pope and to craue his allowance of the same But the Archbishop hauing some inkling of the Kings intent before hand had so dealt with the Pope as it was no sooner séene but it was streight reiected Herewith the King was so incensed as after that time he bent himselfe altogether to the diminishing and breaking of all immunities and liberties of the church And the Archbishop was so farre from séeking to pacifie the Kings displeasure as daily he prouoked him more and more The particularities thereof to passe ouer the King thought good to try whether he could put in execution the contents of the foresaid declaration euen in despite of the Archbishop or no. He offered the same vnto all the Clergy gathered togither in a synode who as if they had learned all one lesson told the King seuerally in the same words that they were content to allow it 〈◊〉 ordine 〈◊〉 so farre foorth as they might without 〈◊〉 of their owne coat and calling Onely one man Hilary Bishop of Chichester was content to yéeld vnto it simpliciter and without condition but was so bayted and reuiled for his labour as it is like he often repented it Yet so the matter was handled not long after as first diuers other Bishops were content to yeeld vnto the King in this demaund and at last euen the Archbishop himselfe with all his followers So at a time appointed they met at Clarindon and theresware vnto the obseruation of the articles comprised in that declaration This notwithstanding soone after they disliking that they had done got the Pope to assoile them of this oath But the Archbishop now well assuring himselfe he had so offended the king as there was no abiding for him heere he tooke ship at Kumney intending to auoid the 〈◊〉 but missed of his purpose for he was forced by a contrarie winde to returne to land againe Presently vpon his arriuall he was apprehended and carried prisoner to Northampton where the king then held a Councell and was there accused of extortion periury treason forgery and many other crimes His owne suffragan Bishops though he had appealed vnto the Pope gaue sentence against him and warranted the king they would make proofe of these accusations vnto the Pope The next night after his condemnation he scaped away and once more hasted vnto the sea committed himselfe very desperately vnto a little bad rotten fisher boat and accompanied onely with three seruitors crossedthe sea and got into the low Countries and thence posted to the Pope at Senon who placed him in the monastery of Pontiniac While he there rested himselfe he thundred out excommunications apace against all such as did obserue the articles contayned in the declaration set foorth at Clarindon whereunto himselfe had once sworne The King as fast bestird himselfe in seasing all the goods and temporalties of the Archbishop into his hand He sent also ambassadors vnto the Earle of Flaunders the French King and the Pope praying them in no wise to foster or suffer him in their dominions requesting moreouer of the Pope that he would confirme and allow of the declaration published at Clarindon The Pope made an answere though friuolous saying he would consider of the matter But the French with whom the King of England had amity and a league of friendship at that time he thinking that this agreement betweene him and the Archbishop would bréed some stirre in England presently fell to inuading the King of Englands dominions tooke by assault certaine holds of his in Normandy The Archbishop also about the same time sent out particular excommunications against all the suffragan Bishops of his Prouince The King mightily offended with this excéeding boldnesse of the Archbishop whereunto he well knew he was hartned and animated by the Pope and the French King bethough himselfe how by all
meanes possible he might vere and grieue him First because he knew he delighted much in the monastery of Pontiniac which was an Abbey of Cistercian monkes he signified to all the monkes of that order in his dominions that he would banish them euery one if they would not procure the Archbishop to be thrust out of that monastery which for feare of so great calamity to so many men was effected Then he also droue out of the realme all his kinsfolks friends and professed welwillers of whom he suspected him to be any way aided or comforted Alexander the Pope Thomas Beckets surest card was ferited in much like sort the same time by Friderike 〈◊〉 the Emperor as he himselfe was The King therefore by the counsell of Gilbert Bishop of London determined to ioyns in league with the Emperor if possibly he might that was a professed enimy both to the French King and the Pope To this purpose he sent two ambassadors vnto him perswading him to deals with the Cardinals Lucius the Antipope being then lately dead to set vp another in his roome to whom he promised all his dominions should yéelde obedience The Pope hauing notize of this practise began presentlyto quaile sent the King word he would order all things betwéene the Archbishop and him to his 〈◊〉 liking and that out of hand Now it had hapened a little before that the Pope had graunted vnto the Archbishop a very large licence of excommunicating whom he list in England the King the Queene and a very few other excepted This authority he abused very intemperately at that time when 〈◊〉 matters were thus in hammering betwéene the Pope and 〈◊〉 King in so much as he had marred all if the Pope had not spéedly yeelded a reason thereof to the King By this time the French King the Popes onely Protector against the Emperor began to spy that he was much more cold in the defence of the Archbishop then he had beene and reprehended him sharply for it The Pope therefore not knowing which way to turne him selfe for the satisfiyng of both these potentates neither of which he could safcly offend as things stoode he determined first to labour a reconciliation betweene them and then to make the French King a mediator for the Archbishop This he effected and brought the two Kings together at Paris Thither also came Thomas Becket And sute being made vnto the King in his behalfe that he might returne be restored to his goods and reuenues arising in the time of his absence and lastly vpon his humble submission to the Kings fauour The King answered that for the rest he was contented but faith he the profites of his Archbishopricke since his banishment I can not allow him for that I haue already giuen them to others Mary recompence I will make him for them to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the French King or the Senate of Paris or else of the 〈◊〉 of the Uniuersity Presently the Archbishop was called for who falling downe vpon his knees vsed these words My Lord and soueraigne I doo here commit vnto your owne iudgement the cause and controuersie betwéene vs so farre foorth as I may sauing the honor of 〈◊〉 God The King much offended with that last exception 〈◊〉 honore Dei turned him about vnto the French King and telling him how much he had doone for the Archbishop and how he had vsed him I am quoth he at last so well acquainted with the tricks of this fellow that I can not hope for any good dealing at his hands Sée you not how he goeth about to delude me with this clause sauing the honor of God For whatsoeuer shall displease him he will by and by alleage to be preiudiciall to the honor of Almighty God But this I will say vnto you whereas there haue béene Kings of England many before me whereof some were peraduenture of greater power than I the most part farre lesse and againe many Archbishops before this man holy and notable men Looke what duty was euer perfourmed by the greatest Archbishop that euer was to the weakest and simplest of my predecessours let him yéeld me but that and it shall abundantly content me Hereunto the Archbishop answered cunningly and stoutly ynough that the times were altered his predecessors which could not bring all things to passe at the first dash were content to beare with many things and that as men they fell and omitted their duty oftentimes that which the Church had gotten was by the constancy of good Prelates whose example he would follow thus farre foorth as though he could not augment the priuileges of the Church in his time yet he would neuer consent they should be diminished This answeare being heard all men cryed shame vpon him and generally imputed the fault of these sturs vnto him But this was the issue for that time that they parted without reconciliation The King doubting what might come of these broiles caused his sonne Henry that died soone after to be crowned King in his owne life time so to assure him of the succession Afterwards comming into Fraunce againe they were vpon the point of reconciliation when the casting out of some such word or another as before marred all At length the King and he were made friends but his full restitution deferred till he had behaued himselfe quietly a while at Canterbury which he promised to doo But he was so farre from perfourming that promise as he sent into England before him diuers excommunications which the Pope had graunted out long before and committed to his discretion Amongst other the Archbishop of Yorke the Bishop of London and Salisbury were named in them together with so many as had béene dooers in the coronation of the yoong King which the Archbishop said might not be performed of any but by his appointment The men thus strucken with this holy fire hasted them ouer into Normandy to make their complaint vnto the king who infinitely grieued at this kinde of dealing cursed the time that euer he made him Archbishop or restored him to his place againe adding it was his chaunce euer to do for vnthankefull men otherwise some or other would long ere this haue made this proud priest an example to all such troublesome perturbers of his realme and state It happened amongst other fower knights to be present at this spéech of the kings who gathered thereby they should do a deed very acceptable vnto him if they killed the Archbishop Their names were Reynald Fitz-Vrse Hugh de Mortuill William de Tracy and Richard Briton In this meane time the Archbishop was come to Canterbury and was receiued there with great ioy Thence he went to London and so to Woodstocke where the yoong king then lay But before he could get to the kings presence word was brought him the kings pleasure was he should first go to Canterbury and reuoke those excommunications before he the king would talke with him So he returned againe to Canterbury without seeing the king
her selfe a Nunne 〈◊〉 hauing liued so certaine yéeres suddenly married a certaine knight named Eustace Abricourt contrary to her vow and that secretly without asking of banes or dispensation he punished them seuerely for it but suffered them to liue still together and seuered them not Amongst many good déeds he is blamed for selling vnto the Earle of Arundell the right which he had vnto sixe and twenty Déere yéerely out of certaine grounds of his He had for them onely two hundred and forty markes After he had béene Archbishop sixetéene yéeres fower moneths and twelue daies he died Aprill 26. 1366. Kiding to Magfield his horse chaunced to cast him into a meiry poole Wet as he 〈◊〉 he fell a sléepe at his comming thither and waking found himselfe in a palsy whereof within a few daies after he died He bequeathed vnto his church of Canterbury a thousand shéepe his vestments which were al cloth of gold a very sumptuous coape and much plate viz. sixe dozin of siluer dishes sixe salts and fower goodly basons all enchased with his armes He lieth buried in the middle of the body of his church of Canterbury vnder a faire toombe of marble inlaid with brasse whereon is engrauen this Epitaphe Ospes sanctorum decus pie Christe tuorum Coetibus ipsorum prece iung as 〈◊〉 precor horum Simon 〈◊〉 oriens vir bina lege probatus Vt nascens moriens sic nunciacet arcte locatus Arcem qui tenuit 〈◊〉 quondam Pontificatus Clero quique fuit regno toti quoque gratus Princeps pastorum fac Simon Apostolorum Simon vt iste chorum per eos pertingat eorum Mil trecenteno sexageno modo seno Eius septeno pastoratus quoque deno Hic kal. Maij seno rupto carnis nece freno Flos cadit èfoeno coelo peto qui sit amoeno He tooke order to be buried obscurely desiring therein as in all other things to auoid superfluous expence what he might and not estéeming outward pompe 56. Simon Langham AFter the decease of Simon 〈◊〉 the monkes of Canterbury chose William Edindon Bishop of Winchester for Archbishop who refused the place The Pope then with the kings good liking remooued to Canterbury Simon Langham Bishop of Ely and Treasurer of England He was first a monke of Westmin then Prior lastly Abbot there Thence he was elected Bishop of London but before he was consecrate thereunto obtayned Ely where he continued fiue yéeres He receiued his pall by the hands of the Bishop of Bathe in Saint Nicholas chappel at Westminster Nouember 4. 1366. and was inthronized the Lady day following He was Archbishop but a little while viz. two yéeres or little more and therefore did not many things very memorable There was a great strife betwéene the Londoners and their cleargy about tything which he thus composed he tooke order that they should pay their offrings personall tithes and then also for the rest a farthing of euery 10. s̄ rent From Canterbury colledge which his predecessor had founded he sequestred the fruits of the benefice of Pagham and otherwise molested the schollers there intending to displace them all and to put in monkes which in the ende he brought to passe Iohn Wickliffe was one of them that were so displaced and had withstood the Archbishop in this businesse with might and maine By the Popes fauour and the Archbishops power the monkes ouerbore 〈◊〉 and his fellowes If then 〈◊〉 were angry with Pope Archbishoppe monkes and all you cannot maruell But to returne to our Archbishop he sate here onely two yéeres For being made Cardinal of Saint Sixtus by Pope Vrban the fift September 21. 1368. he left his Archbishopricke and went to Rome where shortly after he was made Bishop Cardinall of Preneste by Gregory the eleuenth and held diuers liuings in Commendam as the Archdeaconry and Treasurership of Wels with other He liued there in great estimation about eight yeeres and died July 22. 1376. of the same disease his predecessor had done viz. a palsy wherewith he was suddenly taken as he sate at dinner He was buried first in the church of the Carthusians whose house he had founded at Auinion but after thrée yéeres his bones by his owne appointment while he liued were taken vp and buried a second time at Westminster in a goodly toombe of alabaster It is scarce credible that is reported of his woonderfull bounty and liberality to that monastery I meane Westminster When he was first made Abbot he bestowed all that he had gathered together being monke and prior in paying the debt of the house which was to the valew of two thousand and two hundred markes he discharged it euery whit and diuers other summes of money also that particular monkes did owe whom he tendered and cherished as his owne children neuer taking any thing from them but rather augmenting their portions out of that which was due to himselfe Being Chauncellor and Treasurer he purchased diuers good peices of land and gaue it vnto them When he went out of England he left them bookes to the value of 830. l. and roaps vestments c. estéemed worth 437. l. At his death he bequeathed vnto them all his plate prised at 2700. l. and all his debts any where due they amounted vnto 3954 l. thirteene shillings and fower pence He also sent vnto the said monastery the summe of one thousand markes to buy forty markes a yeere land to increase the portions os fower monks that daily should say masse for the soules of himselfe and his parents To say nothing of the monastery which he built for the Carthusians at Auinion the money that he bestowed onely vpon the Abbey of Westminster one way or other is reckoned by a monke of the same to be no lesse then 10800. l. They caused this Epitaphe to be engrauen vpon his toombe Simon de Langham 〈◊〉 petris hijs tumulatus 〈◊〉 ecclesiae monachus fuerat Prior Abbas Sede vacante fuit electus Londoniensis 〈◊〉 insignis Ely sed postea primas Totius regni magnus Regisque minister Nam Thesaurarius Cancellarius eius Ac Cardinalis in Roma Presbyter iste Postque Praenestinus est factus Episcopus atque Nuncius ex parte Papae transmittitur istuc Orbe dolente pater quem nuncreuocare nequimus Magdalenae festo milleno septuageno Et ter centeno sexto Christi ruit anno Hunc Deus absoluat de cunctis quae male 〈◊〉 Et meritis matris sibi coelica gaudia donet 57. William Wittlesey SImon 〈◊〉 was vncle vnto a yoong man named William Wittlesey whom he caused to be carefully brought vp and directed vnto the study of the Cannon law Hauing procéeded doctor in that faculty his vncle that now was become Archb. sent him to Rome that there he might both sollicite all his causes and also get experience by seeing the practise of that Court. After he had staied there a while he was called home and preferred by his vncle aforesaid vnto the place
Pope Leo he was taken out of the monastery of Winchester to be king and that is all I finde of this matter worthy credit 18. Swithunus AFter him succéeded Swithunus the opinion of whose holines hath procured him the reputation of a Saint How miraculously he made whole a basket of egges that were all broken and some other things scarce woorth the rehearsall who so list may read them in Matthew Westminster in his report of the yeere 862. at what time as he writeth this Bishop died and according to his owne appointment was buried in the Church-yard Some I know not how truely make him Chauncellor of England Whatsoeuer his holines was his learning questionlesse was great in respect whereof Egbert king of the West Saxons committed vnto his gonernment that same Ethelwolfe his yoonger sonne that of a Subdeacon in the church of Winchester was afterward made king as before is declared 19. Adferthus ADferthus succéeded him in this Bishopricke a man saith Florilegus sufficiently learned and that a while discréetly and wisely gouerned this See 20. Dumbertus DVmbertus the successor of Adferthus died in the yéere 879. and left his Bishopricke vnto Denewulsus 21. Denewulsus THis Denewulsus as the fame goeth was sometimes a hogheard and dwelt in the place where the Abbey of Athelney in Sommersetshire was afterward builded It happened at that time king Alfred that famous king of the West Saxons to be so néere followed of the Danes that sought nothing more than his life as being abandoned of all his followers He knew no better or more likely course for his safety then dissembling his estate to deliuer himselfe for a time into the seruice of this hogheard dwelling in a place at that time almost inaccessible so of very little or no resort So long he continued there as his Master and Dame were almost weary of his seruice wherein he was not so ready as a man should that had had education accordingly Of her it is particularly deliuered that when the King let certaine Cakes burne that she had set him to toast she reprehended him sharply as an vnprofitable seruant in these words Vere quos cernis panes girare moraris Cum nimium gaudes hos manducare calentes These cakes that now to toast thou makest no hast When they are ready thou wilt eate too fast At last it sell out that the kings friends gathering themselues together he ioyned himselfe vnto them and his subiectes that now a great while thought him dead resorted vnto him in so great numbers as setting vpon the Danes he ouerthrew them and in a short time not onely brought them vnder his obedience but also reduced in a manner the whole Realme of England into one Monarchy Hauing thus recouered the peaceable possession of his crowne he was not vnmindfull of his olde Master in whom perceiuing an excellent sharpnesse of wit he caused him though it were now late being a man growen to study and hauing obtained some competency of learning he preferred him to the Bishopricke of Winchester Moreouer that he might shew himself thankfull vnto God aswell as man in the place where this hogheard dwelt he builte a stately Monastery the wals whereof are yet partly standing 22. Athelmus OF Athelmus that succéeded this onely is recorded that the yéere 888. he traueyled to Rome to cary thither the almes of king Alfred I find not mention of this man any where but in Matth. Westm. Bertulsus HE also reporteth that one Bertulsus Bishop of Winchester ann 897. was appointed a Gardian of the realme amongst many others by king Alfred to defend it against the Danes Elsewhere I find him not mentioned 23. Frithstane CErtaine it is that in the yéere 905. one Frithstane was consecrate with six other Bishops by Plegmund Archbishop of Canterbury at the commaundement of king Edmund the elder the occasion whereof is elsewhere set downe He was a man highly estéemed of for his learning but much morefor his great vertue and holinosse He sate a long time and at last resigned procuring one Brinstan to be his successor ann 931. the next yéere after he died viz. 932. 24. Brinstan Brinstan as is said became Bishop ann 931. and died thrée yéeres after viz. 934. 25. Elphegus Calvus HE died in the yéere 946. Of these thrée Bishops diuers miracles are reported in histories which néede not to be rehearsed 26. Elfsinus alias Alfsins HE sate till the yéeres 958. and then by bribery and great summes of money procured himselfe to be 〈◊〉 to the Sée of Canterbury of which preferment he had 〈◊〉 ioye Sée Cant. 27. Brithelmus He sate about fiue yéeres For ann 963. he died 27. Ethelwald EThelwald Abbot of Abindon continued Bishop ninetéene yéeres and died 984. Angust 1. How Brinstan his predecessor appeared vnto him challenging the honor of a Saint c. Sée Matth. Westminster in ann 965. he was a great patron of monkes and no lesse enimy vnto maried priests At his first comming 〈◊〉 expelled them out of the olde Monastery to place monks In the yéere 867. the Danes had slaine all the monkes they could finde in Winchester From which time secular priests inhabited the same being authorized by the king so to doo till the yéere 971. a company of monkes were brought from Abingdon of the Bishops old acquaintance it is like to shoulder them out of the doores Not contented thus to haue replenished his owne Church with monkes hauing bought the Isle of Ely he played the like rex in that Church not yet Cathedrall turning a long eight honest Priests into the world with their wiues and children to put in monkes And then at Thorney he built new or at leastwise repaired an old Monastery that had layen waste many yéeres I may not let passe one commendable action of this bishop that in time of a great dearth brake all the plats belonging to his Church and gaue it to the poore saying that the Church might in good time hereafter againe be prouided of ornaments necessary but the poore perished for want of foode could not be recouered 29. Elphegus ELphegus Abbot of Bathe succéeded him an honest and learned man He was translated to Canterbury ann 1006. sée more of him in Cant. 30. Kenulphus alias Elsius THis man againe is infamous for simony and aspiring by corrupt meanes to this place He was Abbot of Peterborough and hauing enioyed his deare bought preferment litle more then one yéere was called from it by death Euen so it fell out with Elsius for Canterbury to make the old saying true ill gotten goods seldome prosper Kenulphus died ann 1008. And lyeth buried in his owne Church as before is mentioned 31. Brithwold BRithwold whom Matth. Westm. séemeth to call Elthelwold was Bishop after Kenulphus It is written of him that one night being late at his prayers he chaunced to thinke of the lowe ebbe of the bloud royall of England which now was almost all consumed and brought to nothing In the middest of this
cogitation falling a sléepe it séemed vnto him he sawe Saint Peter crowning yoong Prince Edward that liued in exile at that time in Normandy and furthermore to shew how he should raigne 24. yéers and die at the last without issue This Bishop then as he thought asked him who should raigne next whereunto this answere was made The Kingdome of England is Gods Kingdome and he shall prouide a King for it This dreame reported by very Auncient writers and falling out iust according to the prediction may be an example vnto vs not altogether to neglect and despise the admonition of dreames which often fall out strangely This Bishop whether Brithwold or Ethelwold died the yéere 1015. 32. Elsinus or Eadsinus ELsinus or Ealsinus otherwise called Eadsinus was first Chaplaine vnto King Harald and by him preferred to the Bishopricke of Winchester from whence the yéere 1038. he was translated to Canterbury sée more of him in Cant. 33. Alwynus HE was of very great authority with Emma the kings mother that fauoured him so much as many suspected them for liuing ill together Robert the Archbishop of Canterbury acquainted the king with this rumor Whereupon the king presently imprisoned Alwyn and dealt little better with his mother with whom also he was otherwise offended for allowing him so scantly in time of his minority She séemed to purge her selfe by miracle offring to walke vpon nine plow shares red hotte to prooue her innocency which shée is said to haue performed and so was restored to the fauour of her sonne againe Alwyn also was set at liberty and Robert the Archbishop their accuser whether for shame or feare I cannot tell was glad to get him out of the realme What else is to be deliuered of this Bishop this his Epitaphe containeth Hic iacet Alwyni corpus qui munera nobis Contulit egregia 〈◊〉 Christe rogamus Obijt anno 1047. He lieth entoombed vpon the North wall of the Presbytery in Winchester with 〈◊〉 of his predecessors before mentioned Sée more of him in Robert Archbishop of Canter bury 34. Stigandus HE was chaplaine vnto Edward the Confessor and by him preferred to the Bishopricke of Elmham whence that Sée was shortly remooued to Norwich 1043. In the short time he staied there not past fower yéeres he had much adoo with one Grinketell that by money found meanes to cast out Stigand and placed himselfe He could not kéepe his hold long For Stigand quietly recouered it againe and held it till that the yéere 1047. he was translated to Winchester from whence also he was remooued to Canterbury in the yéere 1052. But whether he 〈◊〉 his title to Canterbury Robert the former Archbishop being yet aliue or whether insatiable couetousnes prouoked him thereunto I can not tell he retained still Winchester notwithstanding his preferment to Canterbury which was the cause of his vndoing at last For the Conqueror who came into this realme while he was Archbishop being desirous to place his owne countrey men in all roomes of speciall authority and besides hauing a priuate grudge at Stigand for forcing him to yéeld Kentish men their ancient liberties whereof sée more in Canterbury procured him to be depriued of both his Bishopricks vpon this point that he had contrary to the lawe held them both together He lieth intoombed at Winchester with Wyni the first Bishop inclosed as it séemeth to me with him in the same coffin vpon the North side thereof is written Hiciacet Stigandus Archiepiscopus He was depriued an 1069. and died a prisoner in the castle of Winchester soone after 35. Walkelyn SOone after the depriuation of Stigand Walkelyn a chaplaine of the kings was consecrate Bishop of Winchester viz. an 1070. He fauoured not monkes but displaced them where he might and put in secular priests in their roomes He died Ianuary 3. 1097. So he continued Bishop 27 yéeres In his time to wit the yéere 1079. the Cathedrall church of Winchester that now standeth began first to be built 36. William Giffard AT this time lay Princes euery where tooke vpon them to bestowe Bishoprickes giuing inuestiture and possession of them by deliuering the ring and the crosier Pope Gregory the seuenth first withstood Henry the Emperour in this case and made him at last glad to yéeld vnto canonicall elections King Henry the first taking vnto himselfe the like authority placed diuers of his chaplaines in Bishoprickes without election commanding the Archbishop to consecrate them Amongst diuers other he appointed this William Giffard Bishop of Winchester and required Anselme the Archbishop to consecrate him Anselme vtterly denied to afford consecration either vnto him or any other in the like case The king sent then vnto Girard Archbishop of Yorke whom he found nothing strange But Giffard saith Matthew Westminster timens rigorem Sancti Anselm spernit consecrationem eius stood so much in awe of Saint Anselme as he durst not but reiect the offer of the others consecration The king angry hitherto with the Archbishop onely was now much more incensed against this Giffard and in great displeasure banished him the realme In the ende the king and the Archbishop grew to this agréement that the gifts of the king already passed should be ratified and his clerkes nominated to Bishoprickes haue consecration vpon promise that hereafter he should not disturbe canonicall elections and vtterly renounce his pretended priuiledge So after much adoo he was consecrate together with diuers other an 1107. He sate 21. yéeres and dying Ianuary 25. 1128. was buried at Winchester in his owne church howbeit I sée no memoriall of him there at all 37. Henry de Bloys THis man was brother vnto king Stephen first Abbot of Bermondsey then of Glastonbury and Nouember 17. 1129. consecrated Bishop of Winchester yet not preferred to these places for fauour onely and regard of his nobility for he was very learned He writ many things both in prose and verse if Bale say true and amongst the rest one booke extant conteining an history of the finding of king Arthurs bones in the abbey of Glastonbury at what time himselfe was Abbot and a speciall dooer in that action If in all the stures and contentions betwixt his brother and Maud the Empresse concerning the kingdome he stucke close vnto his brother it is no great maruaile Yet true it is that his brother being taken prisoner by the Empresse ann 1141. he accursed and excommunicate all those that stoode against her whom no man doubted to be the true inheretrice of the crowne By his meanes notwithstanding his brother recocouered quickly his liberty and kingdome In the meane time the Empresse being iealous of the Bishop came sodainly to Winchester and the Bishop doubting her comming to be to no other end but to surprise him went out at one gate as she entred at another Within a fewe daies hauing gotten force about him he returned to Winchester in an vnhappy houre For whether by his direction or no it is not certaine but by
depriuation of Stephen Gardiner Iohn Poynet Doctor of 〈◊〉 a kentish man borne consecrate Bishop of Rochester April 3. 1549. was translated to Winchester Quéene Mary hauing attained the crown he well knew there was no liuing for him in Englād and therfore fled the realme died at Strausburg in Germany Aprill 11. 1556. being scarce forty yéeres of age A man of great learning whereof he left diuers testimonies in writing workes yet extant both in Latine and English beside the Gréeke and Latin he was very well séene in the Italian and Dutch toong and an excellent Mathematician He gaue vnto king Henry the eight a dyall of his owne 〈◊〉 she wing not onely the hower of the day but also the day of the moneth the signe of the sonne the planetary hower yea the change of the moone the ebbing and flowing of the sea with diuers other things as strange to the great woonder of the king and his owne no lesse commendation He was preferred 〈◊〉 by king Edward in regard of certaine excellent sermons preached before him 61. Iohn White AFter the death of Stephen Gardiner Iohn White Doctor of Diuinity was translated from Lincolne He was borne in the Dioces of Winchester and was Warden of Winchester colledge till he was made Bishop of Lincolne Small time he enioyed his new honor being depriued by parliament in the beginning of her Maiestie that now raigneth 62. Robert Horne IAnuary 16. 1560. Robert Horne borne in the Bishopricke of Durham and in king Edwards daies Deane of the Church of Durham comming then newly out of Germany where he liued all Quéene Maries daies was consecrate Bishop of Winchester He sate well néere twenty yéeres but that and what else I haue to say of him let his Epitaphe declare He lieth vnder a flat marble stone neere the pulpit in the body of the church whereon I finde engrauen these wordes Robertus Horne theologiae doctor eximius quondam Christi causa exul deinde Episcopus Winton pie obijt in Domino Iun. 1. 1580. Episcopatus sui anno 19. 63. Iohn Watson SOone after his death it pleased her Maiestie to bestow the Bishopricke vpon Iohn Watson He lieth buried ouer against his predecessor on the other side of the body of the Church hauing these wordes engrauen vpon the marble stone that couereth him D. Ioannes Watson huius eccclesiae Winton Praebendarius Decanus ac deinde Episcopus 〈◊〉 pater vir optimus praecipue erga inopes 〈◊〉 obijt in Domino Ianuar. 23. anno aetatis suae 63. Episcopatus 4. 1583. 64. Thomas Cooper THomas Cooper Doctor of Diuinity succéeded him being translated from Lincolne He was consecrate Bishop there February 24. 1570. and before that was Deane of Christchurch in Oxford In the Bishopricke of Winchester he continued ten yéeres and departed this life Aprill 29 1594. A man from whose prayses I can hardly temper my pen but I am determined to say nothing of those men whose memory is yet so fresh my reason I haue else where set downe 65. William Wickham HE that succéeded him in Lincolne succéeded him in the Sée of Winchester also William Wickham whose very name I reuerence in memory of William Wickham his famous and woorthy predecessor No Bishop of Winchester euer enioyed that honor so short a time he was translated about our Lady day in the beginning of the yéere 1595. and died of the stone in the bladder or some like disease the 12. day of June following at Winchester house in Southwarke hauing not made water in fowertéene daies before 66. William Day VVIlliam Day Deane of Windsor and 〈◊〉 of Eaton colledge succéeded and holding this place little longer then his predecessor died a few daies before Michaelmas day 1596. 67. Thomas Bilson THomas Bilson Doctor of Diuinity and Warden of Winchester became Bishop of Worceter the yéere 1595. and staying there not past two yéeres was translated to Winchester where he yet liueth The Bishopricke of Winchester is valued in the Queenes bookes at 2491 l. 9 s. 8 d. ob and paid to the Pope for first fruits 12000. ducats The Bishops of Ely SAint Etheldred of whom the Cathedrall Church of Ely hath his name was the daughter of Anna King of the East Augles She was twise maried First vnto Tombert Prince of the South Angles who gaue her the Isle of Ely to her Dower And then he diyng within thrée yéeres to Egfrid king of Northumberland With him she liued twelue yéeres and at last left him and all the pomp and pleasure she might haue liued in to serue God in such sort as she thought was most acceptable vnto him She betooke her vnto her Isle of Ely and whereas Ethelbert king of Kent had long before viz. ann 607. built a Church there by the counsell of Saint Augustine she reedified the same and much increased it the yéere 677. and by the counsell of Wilfrid Archbishop of Yorke but not without the helpe of Aldulph her brother king of the East Angles conuerted it into a Monastery of Nunnes whereof she her selfe became Abbesse This Monastery was vnder her Sexbing 〈◊〉 Werburg and other Abbesses 183. yéeres vntill it was destroyed by Pagans Inguar and Hubba the yéere 890. It lay then waste a great while In the end certaine secular Priests to the number of eight began to inhabite there but were displaced by Ethelwald Bishop of Winchester who bought the whole Island of King Edgar and by his authority placed in their roomes an Abbot and monkes vnto whom he procured many great and notable priuileges Brithnod Prouost of Winchester was appointed the first Abbot ann 970. He is said to haue béene murthered by Elsticha the Quéene of King Edilred causing bodkins to be thrust into his arme holes because like an vnhappy Actaeon he had séene her in a certaine wood busie about sorcery Elfsius was the second Abbot Leofsinus the third Leofricus the fourth and another Leofsinus the 〈◊〉 He by the Kings consent let out the farmes of the monastery in such sort as they should finde the house prouision all the yéere Shalford payed 2. wéekes prouision Stableford 1. Littleberry 2. Triplaw 2. Hawkston 1. Newton 1. Melburne 2. Grantsden 2. Toften 1. Cotnam 1. Wellingham 1. Ditton 2. Horningsey 2. Stenchworth 2. Balsam 2. Cathenho 4. daies prouision and Swansham 3. Spaldwich 2. wéekes prouision Somersham 2. Blunsham 1. Colne 1. Hortherst 1. Drinkston 1. Katsden 2. Hackam 2. Berking 2. Néeding 1. Wederingseat 1. Breckham 2. Pulham 2. Thorp and Dirham 2. Norwald 2. and Feltwell 2. Merham was appointed to carry the rent to a certaine Church in Norfolke and there to intertaine commers and goers to or from the Monastery Wilfricus the sixt Abbot bought the mannor of Bereham for 25. marks of gold In the time of Thurstan the seuenth Abbot the Isle was held by many of the olde Saxon nobility against King William the Conquerer He therefore by the counsell of Walter Bishop of Hereford and other gaue all the Church goods and lands
〈◊〉 was all that countrey which now belongeth vnto the Bishops of Winchester Lincolne Salisbury Oxford Bristow Wels Lichfield 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 and he notwithstanding that he gouerned also the Mercians or Saxons of mid-Mid-England who for a while had not any Bishop peculiar vnto themselues he I say 〈◊〉 called the Bishop of the West Saxons Birinus was the first Bishop of this so large a territory Of him sée more in Winchester The second was Agilbert a French man In his time Kenwalchus king of the West Saxons caused this huge 〈◊〉 to be diuided into two parts the one of which he left vnto Agilbert vnto the other he caused one Wina to be consecrate appointing Winchester to be his Sée and all the West countrey his iurisdiction After Agilbert there was no other Bishop of Dorchester a long time He departing into France Wina and his successors Bishops of Winchester gouerned that Sée also or part of it at least For it happened not long after that Oswy king of Mercia erected an Episcopall 〈◊〉 at Lichfield and placed one Diuma in the same He had all mid-Mid-England for his Dioces so had sixe or seuen of his successors butill the yéere 678. at what time a Bishop was 〈◊〉 at Sidnacester one Eadhead He dying within one yéere Ethelwine succéeded Then these Edgar Kinebert Beda calleth him Embert and acknowledgeth himselfe much holpen by him in the 〈◊〉 of his Ecclesiasticall historie He dyed 733. 733. Alwigh 751. Ealdulf he died ann 764. 764. Ceolulf he died 787. 787. Ealdulf After Ealdulf the Sée continued void many yéeres The yéere 872. Brightred became Bishop In the meane time viz. the yéere 737. another Sée was erected at Legecester now called Leicester but soone after remooued to Dorchester and one Tota made Bishop there Then these Edbertus consecrate ann 764. Werenbert He died 768. Vuwona suceeded him as hath Florilegus Other put him before Werenbert He liued ann 806. 〈◊〉 He died 851. Aldred consecrate 861. or rather as Matth. West reporteth ann 851. The yéere 873. he was depriued of his Bishopricke 〈◊〉 consecrate 873. Halard by king Alfred appointed one of the Guardians of the realme to defend it against the irruption of the Danes ann 897. Kenulfus or rather 〈◊〉 consecrate ann 905. together with sixe other Bishops by 〈◊〉 the Archbishop 〈◊〉 vnto him the Dioces of Sidnamcester was also committed which had now continued void almost fourscore yéeres and his See for both established againe at Dorchester He was a great benefactor to the Abbey Ramsey and died the yéere 959. Ailnoth consecrate 960. 〈◊〉 or Aeswy 〈◊〉 Eadnoth slaine by the Danes in battell 1016. Eadheric he died 1034. and was buried at Ramsey Eadnoth He built the Church of our Lady in Stowe and died the yéere 1050. Vlf. He was a Norman brought into England by Emma the Quéene of king Ethelred sister to Richard Duke of Normandy She commended him vnto her sonne Saint Edward and found meanes vpon the death of Eadnoth to aduaunce him though a man very vnlearned vnto this Bishopricke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1052. He and all the 〈◊〉 that through the 〈◊〉 of Quéene Emma possessed the chiefe places of 〈◊〉 in all the realme were compelled to depart the land This man amongst the rest going to the Councell of Uercels to complaine vnto the Pope of his wrongfull vanishment 〈◊〉 farre soorth bewrayed his owne weakenesse and insufficiency as the Pope was determined to haue displaced him 〈◊〉 his Bishoprick vntill with giftes and golden eloquence 〈◊〉 perswaded him to winke at his imperfections It seemeth 〈◊〉 died the yéere following 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 was consecrate the yéere 1053. 〈◊〉 1067. and was buried in his Cathedrall Church of Dor chester 1. Remingius de Feschamp THe last Bishop of Dorchester and first of Lincolne was 〈◊〉 a monke of Feschamp that as Bale noseth was the sonne of a priest Unto this man William the Conquerour for diuers good seruices done vnto him had promised long before a Bishopricke in England 〈◊〉 it should please God to send him 〈◊〉 He was as good as his word and the yéere 1070. preferred him to Dorchester voide by the death of the former Bishop The consideration of this gift comming to the Popes eare he woulde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it symony and as a 〈◊〉 actually depriued him of his Bishopricke But at the request of Lanfrank the Archbishop of Canterbury he restored him to his ring and crosyer againe Soone after his first preferment he began to build at Dorchester and intended great matters there But order being taken in a Conuocation at London by the kings procurement that Episcopall sées euery where should be remoued from obscure townes to greater cities he diuerted the course of his liberality from Dorchester to Lincolne Lincolne at that time saith William Malmsburie was one of the most populous cities of England of great resort and traffique both by sea and land Remigius therefore thinking it a fit place for a Cathedrall church bought certaine ground vpon the top of the hill neere the castle then lately built by William the conquerour and began the foundation of a goodly church The Archbishop of Yorke endcuoured to hinder the execution of this worthie designement by laying challenge to the iurisdiction of that country This allegation though friuolous was a meane of some charge vnto the Bishop who not without gifts was faine to worke the king to be a meanes of cleering that title 〈◊〉 fabrike of the church being now finished and 21. prebends founded in the same al which he furnished with Incumbents very wel esteemed of both for learning and conuersation He made great prouision for the dedication of this his new church procuring all the Bishops of England by the kings authoritie to be summoned thereunto The rest came at the time appointed which was May 9. 1092. Onely Robert Bishop of Hereford absented him selfe foreseeing by his skill in Astrology as Bale and other affirme that Remigius could not liue vnto the day prefixed which also he foretold long before It fell out according vnto his prediction that 〈◊〉 died two daies before the time appointed for this great solemnity He was buried in that his owne new built church This Remigius was a man though of so high and noble a mind yet so vnreasonable low of stature as hardly hée might attaine vnto the pitch and reputation of a dwarfe So as it séemed nature had framed him in that sort to shew how possible it was that an excellent mind might dwell in a deformed and miserable body Besides this worthy foundation at Lincoln he reedified the church and Abbey at 〈◊〉 as also the Abbey of Bardney By his perswasion king William the conquerour erected the Abbeyes of Cane in Normandy and Battell in Susser vpon the very place where he had ouerthrowne king Harold in battell and so made a passage vnto the conquest of the whole 〈◊〉 The superstitious and credulous posterity ascribe diuers miracles vnto the holinesse of this Bishop wrought not in his
Algarus 7. Alwynus 8. Alfricus he died 1038. 9. Alyfreius 10. Stigandus AFter that Alfreius was dead Stigandus 〈◊〉 him He enioying the place but a short time was depriued 11. Grinketellus THe like happened to Grinketellus which being conuicted to haue vsed vnlawfull meanes in obtaining this dignity was likewise depriued and Stigandus restored vnto it againe This Stigandus was after Bishop of Winchester and Archbishop of Canterbury See more of him in Canterbury 12. Egelmare STigandus being so preferred found a meanes also to procure the Bishopricke of the East Saxons vnto Egelmare his brother All these vntill the time of William the conquerour had their Sées at Elmham Arfastus the first Bishop of Thetford KIng William the first substituted his Chapleine Arfastus in the place of Eglemarus by whose aduise the Sée was translated from Elmham to Thetford William Herbert last of Thetford and first Bishop of Norwich NExt after him William Herbert obtained this dignity A man very famous for his excellent learning He was borne at Oxford His father was Robert is de Losinge Abbot of Winchester This Herbertus being Pryor of the Monastery of Fiscanum in Normandy came into England at the request of William Rufus and liuing in the Court for a time behaued himselfe in such sort that he was not onely entierly beloued of the king but obtained many great gists at his hands In so much that within the space of thrée yéeres he had so feathered his nest that he bought for his Father the Abbacy of Winchester and for himselfe this Bishopricke paying to the king for the same as it is reported the summe of 1900 l. For satisfaction of which Symony this pennance was enioyned him by 〈◊〉 the Pope that he should erect diuers Churches and 〈◊〉 as hereafter it is declared He translated the See from Thetford to Norwich and built there the Cathedrall Church at his owne charges laying the first stone of the foundation with his own hands as this elogium declareth which he caused to be ingrauen vpon the Wall 〈◊〉 primum hums temph 〈◊〉 dominus Herebertus posuit in nomine patris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sancti Amen This Church he dedicated to the blessed Trinity endowing it with great lands and possessions bookes and all other necessaries Hauing finished it according to his mind he then determineth to build an house for himselfe for as yet he had none in Norwich the See being so lately remoued from Thetford and therefore on the North side of the Church he founded a stately pallace Againe he built fine Churches one ouer against the Cathedrall Church on the other side of the Riuer called Saint 〈◊〉 another at Norwich also another at Elmham a fourth at Lynne and a fist at Yermouth He departed this life July 22. in the yeere of our Lord 1119. And was buried in his Cathedrall church of Norwich by the high Aulter 2. Euerard HErbert being dead Euerard Archdeacon of Salisbury was consecrate Bishop of Norwich June 12. 1121. which dignity although he enioyed a long space yet time the deuourer of all things hath left nothing of him to our remembrance but that when he had gouerned his Church 29. yeeres he ended this life October 15. 1150. 3. William Turbus AFter him succéeded William Turbus a Norman by birth being in his youth a monke in Norwich and afterwards Prior there In his time the Cathedrall Church of Norwich was burned by casuall fire He died in the 25. yeere of his consecration the 17. of Ianuary 4. Iohannes Oxoniensis IN the yéere of our Lord 1270. Iohn of Oxford Deane of Salisbury was elect Bishop of Norwich This man finished the Church which Herbert being preuented by death had left vnperfected He builded diuers Hospitals for impotent diseased people He founded Trinity Church at 〈◊〉 and reedified diuers houses which were by fire 〈◊〉 He died the 26. yéere of his consecration June 2. 1200. and was buried neere to the high Aulter In his time the Cathedrall Church was againe defaced with fire in the second yeere of king Iohn 5. Iohannes de Grey IOhn de Grey was nert preferred to this place He was a man well seene in the Lawes of the realme wise and of great integrity In regard hereof King Iohn was very desirous to haue made him Archbishop of Canterbury Sée more of that matter in Stephen Langton of Canterbury He built that goodly hall at Gaywood and the rest of the housing adioyning Sate about 14. yeeres died néere Poytiers in his returne from Rome Nouember 1. 1214. and was buried in his owne Church 6. Pandulfus AFter the death of Iohn de Grey the Sée was 〈◊〉 for the space of seuen yéeres after which time 〈◊〉 the Popes Legate was elected to the same by the Cotent He was consecrate at Rome by Honorius the Pope ann 1222. and died the fift yéere of his consecration the 17. of August After his death the Sée was void againe for the space of thrée yéeres 7. Thomas de Blundeuill THomas de Blundeuill an officer of the Exchequer was then preferred vnto the Bishopricke of Norwich by the meanes of Hubert de Burgo that famous chiefe Justice of England and consecrate December 20. 1226. He died August 16. 1236. 8. Radulphus AFter Bishop Blundeuill William Raleigh is said to haue succeeded immediately But Matthew Westminster witnesseth that one Radulphus was consecrate October 28. 1236. and died the yéere following 9. William de Raleigh THe Bishopricke was then voyd by the space almost of 3. yeeres The couent had chosen orderly for their pastor Symon the Prior of their Church a graue and Reuerend man not iustly to be excepted against yet it pleased the King to mislike him and easily procured their election to be 〈◊〉 A Cannon of Paules William de Raleigh at last obtained the same 1239. Within a short time after the Monkes of Winchester required him for their Bishop and at last after many great 〈◊〉 obtained him the King all that euer he might resisting the same Sée more of him in Winchester Walter de Sufield WAlter de Sufield succéeded a man highly commended for his excellent learning He founded the hospitall of Saint Giles in Norwich indowing it with lands and great possessions He built also the chappell of our 〈◊〉 in the cathedrall church and in the same chappell was afterward buried Moreouer it is remembred of him that in a time of great dearth he sold his plate and distributed the money euery whit vnto the poore He was consecrate the yéere 1244. and died May 18. 1257. at Colchester but was buried as aboue said in which place diuers miracles are reported to haue béene wrought and are ascribed to his holinesse 11. Simon de Wanton SImon de Wanton the kings chaplaine and one of his Justices was consecrate Bishop of Norwich March 10. 1257. When he had sate 8. yéeres he died and was buried by his predecessor This man obtayned licence of the Pope to hold all his former liuings in
but his speciall care was to furnish the same and the rest of his Dioces with learned and honest men with whom he was woont continually to conferre and reason sometime with one and sometime with another partly for his owne exercise and partly to sée what was in them and to raise them vp to a diligence in increasing their knowledge Himselfe was very learned and writ diuers things both in prose and verse He was also a very good musition and could not onely sing but play very well vpon the organs and did set many songs Hauing crowned king Henry the first August 5. 1100. with the helpe of Maurice Bishop of London because Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury liued then in banishment the 18. of Nouember following being sunday he died at Rippon and was buried at Yorke in the Minster himselfe had built next vnto Aldred his predecessor 26. Gerard. AFter the death of Thomas Gerard nephew vnto Walkenlin Bishop of Winchester and Chauncellor of England vnder William the Conquerour and Rofus his sonne hauing beene Bishop of Heresord no long time he was elected vnto Yorke but obtayned not confirmation a great while For he refused to make profession of obedience vnto Canterbury till being commaunded by the Popes letters he performed the same He sate Archbishop seuen yéeres and almost sixe moneths and died suddenly in his garden at Southwell at a time when no body was with him He was a good benefactor vnto the Church of Yorke for he was a meanes vnto the king to bestow the Church of Laxton vpon the Chapter and himselfe hauing obtayued of him the Churches of Dryfield Kilne Pockington and Burgh he gaue them all likewise to the Chapter This notwithstanding after his death they would not suffer him bying so suddenly to be buried within their church hardly in the churchyard So he was laide at the entrance of the church porch But Thomas his successor not suffering such an indignity to be offered vnto an Archbishop remooued his bones into the Church afterward and caused them to be honorably intoombed He was a man of great learning and for eloquence admirable but somewhat too eager against married Priests whom by no meanes he could abide Bale chargeth him with forcery and coniuration because forsooth that after his death there was found in his chamber a volume of 〈◊〉 who writ of Astrology indéed but of coniuration nothing that euer I heard 27. Thomas 2. A Second Thomas succéeded a Chaplain of the kings nephew vnto the former Thomas and sonne vnto Sampson Bishop of Worceter Euen as his predecessor he was very loath to make his profession vnto Caterbury Being called vpon by Anselme the Archbishop He made many 〈◊〉 Wherefore Anselme lying very 〈◊〉 and perceiuing his end to be néere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Bishops of England commanding them not to consecrate him before he had made his 〈◊〉 laying a terrible curse and 〈◊〉 vpon whosoeuer 〈◊〉 doo it The king after 〈◊〉 death 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Worceter whose sonne he was to consecrate him But he answered that he would not haue the curse of Father 〈◊〉 for any worldly good So in the end being perswaded to yéeld as other had done before him consecration was afforded vnto him and performed by his Father 〈◊〉 the foresaid Bishop of 〈◊〉 or as other report by the Bishop of London Iune 27. 1108. This man erected 〈◊〉 newe 〈◊〉 in his Church of Yorke he placed 〈◊〉 reguler at 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 parcels of land vnto the Colledge of 〈◊〉 and purchased of the king the like liberties priuileges for them that the 〈◊〉 of Yorke 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He sate little aboue 5. yéeres and died I thinke I 〈◊〉 say 〈◊〉 Martyr Lying dangerously 〈◊〉 he was aduertised by the 〈◊〉 the nature of his disease to be such as if he vsed the company of a woman he neede not doubt of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 otherwise nothing was to be looked for but death He 〈◊〉 rather to 〈◊〉 then to 〈◊〉 so high and sacred a calling with so soule and haynous an 〈◊〉 So he ended his life February 19. 1114. and was buried beside the former Thomas his vncle 28. Thurstan THomas the Archbishop being taken away as before I haue declared Thurstan a Cannon of Paules and the Kings Chaplaine was chosen to succéed him He when he could by no meanes obtaine consecration of Ralph Archbishop of Canterbury without making profession of subiection 〈◊〉 and forsooke the 〈◊〉 of his election Yet remembring himselfe at last he went to Rome to plead his cause before the Pope and obtained letters to the king and Archbishop of Canterbury in commendation of his cause These letters preuailing nothing with the Archbishop that would be wonne by no meanes and Thurstan continuing as obstinate in his resolution The Sée remained void along time At last it fell out that a Counsell was summoned to be held at 〈◊〉 Thurstan crauing leaue of the king to goe thither could not obtaine it before he had promised that he would not receiue consecration there Which promise notwithstanding so well he followed his businesse that before the comming ouer of other English Bishops to the Counsell he was a Bishop ready consecrate as well as they and that by the hand of the Pope himselfe So he and he only I thinke of all the Archbishops of York since the Conquest neuer made profession of subiection to the Metropoliticall See of Canterbury The King hearing of this dealing was very greatly offended with Thurstan and for bad him England Neither could the Pope méeting with the King at Gisors and intreating for him so pacifie his displeasure as that he would suffer him to returne After fiue yeeres banishment the Pope writ a very sharpe letter vnto the king signifying that he would excommunicate both him and the Archbishop of Canterbury also if Thurstan were any longer kept from his See and charge Hereupon he was called home and soone after reconciled vnto the King This man is much praysed first for his learning then for his great wisedome and discretion and lastly for his industry and diligence his care and painefulnesse in well gouerning the charge committed to him He was a very kinde man to his Cannons vnto whom amongst other things he affoorded this priuiledge that the yeerely profite of their prebends being deuided into thrée parts it should be lawfull for any Canon to bequeath two parts of the yéere next ensuing his death alotting the third vnto the Fabricke that is toward the reparation of the church This order he set downe not onely at Yorke but at Beuerley also at Southwell at Rippon and at Glocester all which were colledges founded by Archbishops of Yorke Moreouer it is to be remembred that he either founded a 〈◊〉 or renued and repaired eight monasteries In the latter end of his time to wit June 4. 1137. a lamentable chaunce befell his church and city By casuall fire Saint Peters church in Yorke Saint Maries without the walles a