1. Augustine.

IT is very certaine and witnessed by 596 many histories without exception, that our Island of Britayne receiued the faith of Christ euen in the first in­fancie of the Church. Theodoret and Sophronius Patriarke of Jerusalem affirme that Saint Paul himselfe was héere, and preached the Gospell after his first imprisonment at Rome. Ni­cephorus and some other report that Simon Zelotes came hither, and was the first messenger of the glad tidings of the Gospell to our nation. But it is deliuered by one consent that Saint Philip the Apostle of the Frenchmen vnderstanding how this Island (from whence first sprong the superstitious religion of the Druydes) was seperated from Fraunce by a small cut of a fewe houres saile; thought good to send ouer hi­ther twelue preachers, the chiefe whereof was Ioseph of Ari­mathia that buried the bodie of our Sauiour Christ. These men arriuing héere, the yéere of our Lord 63. did their best in­deuour for the conuersion of our Britaines. It pleased not God they shoulde preuaile with the king, who in no wise would be woone from the superstition of the Druydes: But of the meaner sort of people many there were that hearkened vnto them: yea the king himselfe admiring their great mo­destie, painfulnes and vertuous behauiour, was content to assigne them a place of habitation (where Glastonbury now standeth) which was at that time and long after an Island all compassed about with lakes and standing water. And another king gaue vnto euery of those twelue a hide of lande in the countrey néere adioyning, which are named to this day the twelue hides of Glastonbury. In this Island of Gla­stonbury (then called Auallon) Ioseph and his fellowes found [Page 2] meanes to build a church, which after they were dead stoode desolate, the whole Island being forsaken and remaining without any inhabitant many yéeres, euen vntill the time of king Lucius, which was about the yéere of Christ 180. It hapned then, a lawe héeretofore made by Claudius Caesar (as Suetonius reporteth in his life) was now generally put in execution, by the Romaines (who ruled all this end of the world) commanding that the superstitious religion of the Druydes should euery where be abolished.

The pulling vp of these wéedes gaue good occasion vnto the séede of the Gospell (sowed long before by the preachers afore mentioned) now to spring and bring foorth fruite; whereunto God gaue so good increase, as Lucius the king himselfe was content to put on the swéete yoke of our Saui­our: which that it might be the better and the more fruitfully performed, he sent Eluan (a notable impe and disciple of that holy College at Auallon) and Medwyin a Dutch man (that were the instruments of his conuersion) vnto Eleutherius the bishop of Rome, requesting that he would send other preachers vnto his realme by whom he and his people might be further instructed in the way of truth. He satisfied his de­maund and sent vnto him two notable men, [...] and Phaganus, by whose paines and industrie chiefly the whole realme was finally conuerted. They sought out the ancient church at Glastonbury, repaired the same, and dwelled there for the space of nine yéeres after. Now king Lucius being himselfe Baptised and many of his people, in all parts of his dominions, he caused the temples of his false gods to be dedi­cate to the seruice of the true God, in the place of their priests he appointed preachers of the Gospel, and for their Flamines Bishops to the number of 28. Of these 28. thrée were Arch­bishops; one at London whose prouince was the south part of England: Another at Caerlegion vpon Uske, his prouince was Wales: And a third at Yorke, vnto whose iurisdiction the Bishops of Scotland and North England were subiect. The Gospell hauing taken such déepe roote héere, flourished a while very prosperously: And albeit it were often lopped and pruned afterward, yea the very maine rootes mightily struc­ken at by the violent indeuour of sundry tyrants that sought [Page 3] vtterly to destroy and abolish the same out of this land: yet had it euer many constant and open professors that neuer suf­fred the light thereof vtterly to be extinguished Amongst ma­nie, the most terrible persecution that euer this church sustai­ned was by the Saxons, who expelled not onely Christian religion, but the followers of the same into a corner of this Island. Howbeit, euen amongst these very barbarous Sax­ons, there were diuers from time to time that professed Christ But our countrey being in a manner all growen ouer with Pagamsme (for there was no publike allowance of Christian religion any where but in Wales) it pleased God to giue this occasion of replanting the same héere againe. It chanced that blessed and holy father Saint Gregory one day to espie certaine beautifull children to be sold in the stréetes of Rome, and vnderstanding they were Pagans, asked of what countrey they were: It was answered they were An­gles: well may they be so called quoth he, for they looke like Angels. Demaunding them of what prouince they were, it was said they were of Deira: God grant (saith he) they may be De ira dei eruti, deliuered from the wrath of God and made partaker of his mercies by Christ. Hée procéeded yet further, and asked how the king of that countrey was called: vnderstanding his name was Elle. Alleluia (quoth he) must néedes be sung in those parts in praise of almightie God. Not long after then, this good man being made Pope, hée tooke especiall care of sending preachers into this land for the con­uersion of the same. Yet it is not to be denied, and it appée­reth manifestly by the letters of Saint Gregory himselfe vn­to the king and Quéene of France, that this care of his was much stirred vp by the forwardnes of some good Saxons, that complained vnto him of the negligence of the French priestes, who being so néere, would neuer take any course for the planting of Christianitie amongst them, and therefore praied him that he would send preachers thither. He did so, & made choice of one Augustine a monke of greater vertue then learning, vnto whom he appointed fortie other that shoulde accompanie and aide him in this holy worke. Being now well onward on their way, they enquired of the state of the countrey and manners of the people vnto whom they went, [Page 4] and vnderstoode so much of their barbarous and fierce rude­nes, as they in a manner all vtterly renounced procéeding any farther in the voyage, and as it were compelled Augu­stine to poste backe to Rome, there to craue licence of re­turne. Saint Gregorie much grieued with this [...], writ his letters vnto them, wherein hé vsed many reasons to perswade them in any wise to goe forward; whereun­to at last they yéelded. They arriued at the Iste of Thanet in Kent the yéere 596. nowe iust a thousand yéeres agoe. The king of that countrie (his name was Ethelbert) inter­tained them with all curtesie, the rather (as it is to be sup­posed) by the persuasion of his wife Berta that was a Chri­stian. There was néere vnto the citie of Canterburie a church built of old by the Romaines and dedicated vnto S. Martin, in which the Quéene was woont to pray with Lethardus her Bishop. There these men were allowed to preach, pray, bap­tise and vse all maner of exercise pertaining to Christian reli­gion. The king himselfe all this while gaue them mainte­nance, came often to heare them, and at last being throughly conuerted, tooke on him the badge of Christ by baptisme, all his people quickly following his example. He then also ap­pointed vnto Augustine and his companions a house at Sta­blegate, and allotted competent reuenues vnto the same. The matter being thus far forward, Augustine stept into France and caused himselfe there to be consecrated Archbishop of England by Etherius Archbishop of Arles. Presently vpon his returne thence, he sent two of his companie vnto Rome ( Laurence and Peter) to aduertise the Pope of their good suc­cesse. By them when they returned he sent Augustine a pall, bookes, church-ornaments and other necessaries. He sent also presently vnto the king, and writ diuers letters; some gratu­latorie to the king, some vnto Augustine exhorting him to di­ligence in his calling, and to take héede least the miracles which God wrought by him for the conuersion of this people should make him proud; and lastly, others vnto the Archbi­shop of Arles to thanke him for his good aide and assistance yéelded to these men in this businesse. In the meane time Au­gustine had obtained of the king another church in the midst of the citie, built likewise heretofore by the Romaines and [Page 5] dedicated the same vnto our Sauiour Christ. Soone after, this good king gaue vnto him also his owne palace and chiefe seate of his kingdome, remoouing himselfe vnto Rheaculf, cal­led by the Romaines Regulbium now [...]: And last­ly he laid the foundation of a goodly monasterie which he de­dicated to S. Peter and S. Paule, knowen afterwards by the name of S. Augustines. These things being thus ordered, he indeuoured to make a concord and agréement betwéene the Saxons and the Welchmen, who differed from the Romane church in two things, the manner of baptizing, and the time of the obseruation of Easter. Much paines he tooke to per­suade them, yea wrought a myracle by healing a blinde man for confirmation of his doctrine, as you may read in Beda his Eccl. [...]. lib. 2. cap. 2. But they woulde by no meanes con­sent to any such vnion, much lesse yéeld any kinde of subiecti­on to that authoritie which he claimed to haue ouer all this Island. He gaue not ouer with one repulse, but when at the first he could not preuaile, he procured a second conference, at what time there met him seuen Britaine Bishops and a great number of monks, especially of that famous monaste­rie of Bannachor a place not farre from Chester wherein there liued by the labour of their owne hands 2000. monks. These men before they came to the place of meeting appoin­ted, thought good to aske the counsell of a certaine Anehorite whom they reputed for a very holie and deuout man, and to know of him whether he thought it best for them to yeeld to the directions of Saint Augustine. He aduised them, if hee were a man of God, to take the course he shewed, and to fol­low the same And when they asked how they should discerne whether he were such a one or no, he pronounced this say­ing of our Sauiour, Take my yoke vpon you and learne of me for I am meeke and humble of hart: If therefore this same Augustine be a méeke and humble minded man, it is a great presumption that he beareth the yoke of Christ, and offereth the same vnto you: But if he be stout and proud, he is not of God you may be bold. This therefore saith he is my aduire, haue a care that he and his companie be first in the place where you meete: If then you being the greater number he rise not to doe you reuerence, but despise you, despise you [Page 6] also him and his counsell. Augustine therefore first entered the place with his banner and his crosse, with singing proces­sion and great pompe; and when the Britayne Bishops came in, neuer rose or saluted them at all. This they taking verie ill, gainsaid him in euery thing, told him, that as his opinions were allowed by Gregory, so had theirs long since by E­leutherius both Bishops of Rome, that they had an Arch­bishop then commorant at Caerlegion, him they would obey and none other, especially such a one as he was, a man vnknowne, and a stranger not onely for his person and lan­guage, but much more for his opinions and strange conceits. Augustine much displeased with this short answere, prayed them to yéeld vnto him but in thrée things, to minister Bap­tisme and obserue Easter according to the Roman maner, to assist him in preaching Christ vnto the Saxons. But when they vtterly denied to ioyne with them in any sort, he de­nounced against them the iudgements of God for this [...], and assured them confidently (as saith Beda) of some great calamitie shortly to fall vpon their nation; that they which would not haue peace with their brethren, should haue warre with their enimies, and should finde death by their swords, vnto whom they refused to preach the way of life. It came to passe according to his prediction, that Edel­fride king of Northumbers; a Pagan Saxon came against them shortly after with a huge armie, ouerthrew them in battaile, and slew (besides an infinite number of souldiers and men of armes) a great many monkes, to the number of 1200. that were gathered togither there to fight by praier: onely fiftie persons saued themselues by flight. Soone after this battaile (which some say Augustine liued not to sée) he died, hauing béene Archbishop 16. yéeres, to wit, May 25. (which day is dedicated to his memorie in our Kalender) the yéere 611. or (as some deliuer) ann. 605. He was a man of excéeding tall stature, well fauoured, and of a very [...] countenance. His body at first was buried without doores néere the church of his monasterie, because the church was not yet finished; but afterwards was remooued into the north porch of the said church, in which place all the bodies of the Archbishops following were laid vntill Theodore, who [Page 7] was first buried in the church because the porch was full. Up­on the tombe of this our apostle was engrauen this epitaph, Hic requiescit Diuus Augustinus Dorobernensis Archiepisco­pus, qui olim huc a Beato Gregorio Romanae vrbis Pontifice directus & a Deo operatione [...] suffultus, & Ethel­bertum Regem & gentem illius ab Idolorum cultu ad fidem Christi perdoxit. Héere resteth the body of S. Augustine the first Archbishop of Dorobernia, that was sent into this land by Saint Gregory Bishop of the citie of Rome, approoued of God by the working of miracles, and that brought Ethel­bert the king and his people from the worshipping of idols vnto the faith of Christ.

2. Laurence.

SAint Augustine before his death had appointed to suc­céede 611 him, one Laurence a Romaine borne, a very godly and well learned man. He tooke great paines not onely with his owne charge, but also in labouring to reduce the Britons of Wales, the Scots and Irishmen to one consent in matters of religion. It is likely his diligence might haue done good, but that he was disturbed by the death of that good king Ethelbert. Eadbald his sonne succeeded him in the king­dome, who being a vitious yong man, was not ashamed to marrie the wife of his late deceased father. This and other enormities when Laurence like a good Iohn Baptist doubted not to reprehend him for, he first began to fall out with him, and afterwards, euen with Christian religion which awhile he seemed to like of well inough, but now at last vtterly re­nounced. The people (as commonly it commeth to passe) fol­lowing the example of their king, they likewise returned to the filthie vomite of their abominable idolatrie, although the Archbishop like a good Pastor ceased not by earnest exhorta­tions and what other meanes possibly he might, to stay them from this horrible relapse. Perceiuing at last that his words did no good, but rather incited the king to a more desperate hatred of him and religion: He determined to follow Mellitus and Iustus into France, that (as anon you shall haue occasion to reade) were lately banished by the wicked sonnes of good [Page 8] Sebert king of the East Saxons. The night before the day of his intended departure, he caused his bed to be made in the very church of his monasterie; where after many teares and sighes, he recommended vnto God the miserable state of his poore church and so sel sléepe. It seemed vnto him (saith Beda) that S. Peter came vnto him and first expostulated the mat­ter with him, after chid and reprehended him sharply [...] purposing to forsake the church committed vnto him, and lastly whipped his naked body so terribly, as when he wa­ked, finding it more then a dreame all his body was gore blood. He went immediately vnto the king, shewing him his wounds, and togither related vnto him the occasion of them. This strooke such a terror into the king, as by and by he re­nounced his idols put away his incestuous wife, caused him­selfe to be baptised, and for a farther testimonie and assurance of his vnfained conuersion, builded a church in the monastery of S. Peter, and dedicated the same vnto the blessed Uirgine. Laurence very ioyful of this alteratiō, sent presently for Mel­litus and [...] into France; who comming vnto him, one of them (Iustus) Bishop of Rochester he returned vnto his old charge, the other he retained with him hoping to finde meanes he also might be restored to his Sée againe. In the meane time, euen the same yéere that king Eadbald became a Christian, himselfe (I meane Laurence) died and was buried beside Augustine his predecessor.

3. Mellitus.

AT what time the Britaines refused to ioine with Au­gustine 617 in preaching of Christ, he writ vnto S. Gre­gorie, certifying him, that the haruest here was great, but the labourers very few; and therefore requested him to appoint some that might assist him in this worke of the Lord. He did so, and sent vnto him Mellitus an Abbot of Rome, Iustus, Paulinus, Rufinianus and others, who arriued in Eng­land the yéere 601. To leaue the rest vnto their owne places, Mellitus about thrée yéeres after was consecrate by him Bi­shop of London, where king Ethelbert built a goodly church and dedicated the same vnto S. Paul. The fourth yéere of his [Page 9] consecration he went to Rome to conferre with Boniface the Pope about diuers things, and was by him honourably in­tertained. A yeere or two after his returne died both Ethel­bert king of Kent and [...] (that vnder him ruled the East Saxons) vnto whose iurisdiction London appertained. This Sebert left behinde him thrée wicked sonnes, that being neuer baptised, came notwithstanding one day vnto the church at Communion time, and asked the Bishop what he meant that he deliuered not of that same fine bread vnto them as he was woont to doe vnto their father Saba and did yet vnto the rest of the people. He answered, that if they would be washed in the water of life as he was and the rest of the people there present; then would he [...] vnto them of this bread also, but otherwise neither was it lawfull for him to deliuer nor them to receiue it. This notwithstanding they would haue enforced him, and when they could not preuatle, were so en­raged, as they expelled him their dominion, hardly holding their hands from doing him violence at that time. He being thus exiled, went first vnto Laurence the Archbishop of Can­terburie, and finding him in little better case then himselfe was at London, departed into France together with Iustus Bishop of Rochester. Being sent for soone after by Laurence (as aboue said) it happened the same yeere that the said Lau­rence died, and he was appointed to succeede him. He was a man of great birth, but of greater minde, excéeding carefull of his charge, despising the world, and neuer [...] for any thing but heauen and heauenly things. Hauing beene sicke a long time, he died at last of the gowt, and was buried beside his predecessor.

4. Iustus.

Ivstus (of whom I haue before spoken somewhat) was 622 taken from Rochester to supply the place of Melhtus after his decease; wherein hauing trauelled painfully the space of twelue yeeres, he departed this life Nouemb. 10. ann. 634. and was buried in the porch aboue mentioned.

5. Honorius.

AFter the death of Iustus, Honorius was made Archbi­shop; 634 a very reuerend man: He was a Romane borne, very learned and sometimes a disciple of S. Gregory. He was consecrate at Lincolne by Paulinus Archb of Yorke. He receiued a pall from Rome with letters, wherein autho­ritie was giuen to him and the other Archb. whensoeuer ei­ther of them did faile, to consecrate another in his place with­out posting to Rome. This man appointed diuers Bishops to diuers countries, as in their seuerall places God willing, shall be more at large declared: He also biuided his prouince into parishes, that so he might appoint particular ministers to particular congregations, and hauing sate Archbishop al­most 20. yeeres, died the last day of Februarie, or (as some other deliuer) of September the yeere 653. He was buried amongst his predecessors.

6. Deus-dedit or Adeodatus.

THe Sée was voide after Honorius died the space of 18. 655 moneths. An Englishman or Saxon called sometimes Frithona (famous for his learning and other vertues) was then elected Archbishop, and after that named Deus de­dit. He was consecrate by Ithamar Bishop of Rochester, (Yorke being then without an Archbishop:) and died the last day of June 664. hauing attēded that charge carefully about the space of 9. yéeres. He was the first Englishman that was Archbishop, and the last Archbishop that was buried in the church porch of Saint Augustines.

7. Theodorus.

ONe Wigardus an Englishman, an ancient and lear­ned 668 Priest was chosen to succéede Deus-dedit, and sent to Rome for consecration with letters commen­datorie from Egbert king of Kent, and Oswy king of Nor­thumberland, who also sent presents of great value vnto [Page 11] Vitalianus that was then Pope. It chanced he came to Rome at a time when the plague was very hot there; and died of the same, as did also almost all his companie that came with him. The Pope vnderstanding the See had stood long void, and carefull to sée it furnished, made choice of one Adrian an Abbot of Italy, but borne in Afrike, a graue man and verie learned. He would not be perswaded to take so great a charge vpon him; but being importuned thereunto, he pro­mised to finde out a man that should be of greater both lear­ning and yéeres then himselfe, and in all other respects verie fit for the place. He was familiarly acquainted with one Theodore a Grecian, borne in Tharsus of Cilicia S. Paules countrey; a man well seene in all kinde of good learning & 66. yéeres of age. Vitalianus notwithstanding refused to allow of him, except the other would promise to go into England with him also. He was content, did so, and at his comming thither was made Abbot of S. Augustines. Theodore then was consecrate Archbishop, Aprill 1. 668. when the Sée had béene voide almost fower yéeres. In Maie following they set forward toward England. They had many lets by the way, and got not thither in a yéeres and a halfe. They brought with them great store of bookes both Gréeke and Latin, whereof some remaine yet to be seene at this day, as namely a Homer (so faire and exquisitely written, as no print in the world yet extant is thought to be comparable to it either for truth or beautie) and diuers other. Unto this man all the British Bishops and generally all Britaine yeelded obedi­ence, and vnder him conformed themselues in all things vn­to the rites and discipline of the church of Rome. He was a very stont and rigorous man, exercising the authoritie of his place so [...], as many thinke it a great blot vnto him. How he tooke vpon him to place and displace [...] Bishops at his pleasure, as Wilfride, Cedda and other, see in the beginning of Yorke. In his time were held two Synods, one at Hereford (the Canons whereof you may see in Beda lib. 4. cap. 5.) the other at Clyff beside Rochester, in which he procured all the Prelates there assembled to set downe their opinions touching the heresie of [...], wherewith his countreymen the Grecians were much infected: They all [Page 12] detested it, and gaue their approbation of those fiue famous generall Councels, of Nice, of Ephesus, of Chalcedon and the two first of Constantinople. Neuer before this time had England so happie daies, nor so many learned men as vnder him, and a little after. Amongst a great number of other, these were of his bréeding, Beda, Saint Iohn of Beuerley, Albinus, and Tobias Bishop of Rochester, all excellent and very famous men. He erected (as some say) a kind of schoole or Uniuersitie at Creeklade, or rather Greekeslade in Wilt­shire, so called of the Grecians that taught and studied there. These men soone after remoouing thence, are supposed to haue laide the foundations of our Uniuersitie of Oxford. He left sundrie monuments of his learning in writing behind him, and appointed many Bishops in diuers parts of this land. Hauing continued Archbishop 22. yéeres he died September 19. ann 690. being 88. yéeres of age; vntill which time hée would often say he thought he should liue, for that in a dreme it was so signified vnto him many yéeres before. A litle before his death he sent for Wilfride Archbishop of Yorke, and Er­kenwald Bishop of London, and confessing himselfe vnto them; acknowledged that he had doon Wilfride great wrong, insomuch as, there was no one thing that lay so hard vpon his conscience as that, and therefore with teares besought him to forgiue him and to pray for him. He was buried with­in the church of Saint Augustines Abbey.

8. Birhtuald.

ALmost two yéeres the Sée was voide after the death 692 of Theodore, Birhtuald Abbot of Reculuer which stan­deth vpon the mouth of the riuer Gentad, was then elect Ianuarie 29. ann. 692. and consecrate by Godwyn the Metropolitane of Wales, or of France rather as Beda reporteth. The yéere following Maie 30. he tooke possession of this his Bishopricke. He was a man verie well learned both in Diuinitie and otherwise, but not comparable vnto Theodore his predecessor. He bare a hard hand vpon Wil­fride Archbishop of Yorke as Theodore had done before him, and caused his second banishment, or at least was some [Page 13] meanes of it. He was coniured by the Pope, who turned him about, and dealt so with him by letters, as he made him more earnest for him then euer he had béene against him. No Archbishop euer continued so long in this Sée as he. He sate 38. yeeres and a halfe. Dying then Ianuarie 9. 731. he was buried at Saint Augustines with his predecessors.

9. Tatwyn.

THe same yéere in which Birhtwald died succéeded Tat­wyn 732 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 736 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 742 Bishop of Hereford, the yéere 742. was translated to Canterburie. Fiue yéeres after, to wit 747. by the [Page 14] 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 759 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 764 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 793 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 807 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 832 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 832 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 [Page 17] of so memorable a time. He lieth buried in Christchurch in Canterburie.

18. Athelredus.

AThelredus a great diuine, sometimes a monke of Christ 793 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 North parts there was not séene any either monke or nunne in two hundred yéeres after, viz. vntill about the middle of the raigne of William Conqueror. Ma­ried priests euery where inhabited monasteries, whence for a long time after with much adoe they were hardly remooued. This Athelredus (as in a manner all his successors) was bu­ried in his church of Christ in Canterburie.

19. Plegmund.

PLegmund the most excellent learned man of his time 889 was borne in the kingdome of Mercia. In his youth he first dedicated himselfe vnto a solitarie life and liued an eremite in the Island of Chester, which of him (as it should séeme) was woont to be called Plegmundsham. He was ta­ken thence to teach Alfred that was afterward king of Eng­land. Being chosen Archbishop, he trauailed to Rome in per­son, and was there consecrate. Soone after his returne (to requite belike the curtesie he had found there) he tooke great paines in collecting the almes of al men wel disposed through the land, which the king sent together with much treasure of his owne vnto the Pope by Athelmus Bishop of Winche­ster, appointing a certaine portion of the same to be conueied vnto Ierusalem. Marianus then Pope, a little before had gra­tified the king diuers waies: He had granted immunitie of tribute vnto the Saxons schoole at Rome, and sent sundrie presents vnto him; namely (amongst other things) a péece of the crosse vpon which our Sauiour was thought to haue suf­fered death. By this contribution his kindnesse was suffici­ently [Page 18] requited. The most memorable action of this Archbi­shop is, that the yéere 905. he consecrated seuen Bishops in one day. By reason of continuall warres, all the prouince of the West Saxons had béene without any Bishop seuen yéeres: Which Formosus the Pope imputing vnto the negligence of the king, sent out an excommunication against him. He ther­fore caused Plegmund the Archbishop to call a conuocation, wherein it was ordered, that the country of the Gewisses (which till that time had but two Bishops, one at Winche­ster another at Shirburne) should hereafter haue fiue; viz. besides the Sées before named, Welles in Sommersetshire, Criditon in Deuonshire, and Saint Petrocks in Cornwall. Unto Winchester was appointed Frithstan, to Shirburne Wolstan, to Criditon [...], and to Saint Petrocks Athel­stan. Moreouer at the same time were consecrate with them, Burnegus Bishop of the South Saxons, and Kenulsus Bi­shop of Dorchester. Plegmund sate Archbishop 26. yéeres, and dying ann. 915. was buried in his owne church.

20. Athelmus.

AThelm that had béene Abbot of Glastonburie and (as 915 before is mentioned) was appointed the first Bishop of Wels, was chosen to succéed Plegmund in Canterburie. William of Malmesbury saith that this Archbishop laide the first foundation of the Abbey of Malmesburie: but it séemeth to be more ancient then so. He sate nine yéeres, died ann. 924. and was buried with his predecessors.

21. Wlfelmus.

VVLfelm succéeded Athelm, first in Wels, and then 924 afterwards in Canterburie also. He continued there ten yéeres and died ann. 934.

22. Odo Seuerus.

ODo was [...] in the countrey of the [...] Angles. 934 His [...] were Danes, of great wealth and nobi­litis, but [...] and vtter enimies of Christ and [Page 19] Christian religion; insomuch as, they disinherited their sonne Odo for kéeping companie with Christians. He therefore for­saking his country, betooke himselfe to the seruice of a noble man in the court of king Edward the elder named Ethelelm; who perceiuing in him a great forwardnesse and excellencie of wit, set him to schoole, where he profited excéedingly. He was not baptised till he was come euen vnto mans estate. Soone after his baptisme, by the counsel of his Lord and Ma­ster he entred into orders and became a Deacon; in which of­fice he continued preaching very painfully, vntill at last he was made priest. Some report that he serued in the wars, some while vnder king Edward before he became a cleargie man; and it is not vnlikely. For after he was Bishop he was thrise in the field, & did his prince notable seruice. He was pre­ferred to the Bishopricke of Wiltshire (the Sée whereof was then seated at ramsbury) by the special fauour of king Athel­ston the yéere 920. King Athelston being dead, Edmund his brother that succéeded fauouring him no lesse then his bro­ther had done, vpon the death of Wlfhelm, procured him to be chosen Archbishop. A great while Odo refused (because he was no monke) to take that charge vpon him, saying, that neuer any man had held that place hetherto but he was a monke. Therein he was deceiued; For Nothelmus and two or thrée other before him were secular priests, & not monks.) But he resolute in this errour, and loath to breake the dance, was perswaded first to become a monke of Floriake in France; and that done, accepted of the election. He continued Archbishop 24. yéeres, in great fauour and authoritie vnder diuers princes, Edmund, Edward, Athelstan, and Eadred. Towards the latter end of his time, Edwyn a yoong Gentle­man obtained the crowne, with whom he had very ill agrée­ment. He caused him to be diuorced from his Quéene, some say for consanguinity, some alleage other reasons. He excom­municated his concubines, and causing one of them whom the king doted vnreasonably vpon, to be fetcht out of the court by violence, burnt her in the forehead with a hot yron, & banished her into Ireland. These things exasperated the king much against him: But he was taken away by death soone after, and so deliuered from al feare of the kings displea­sure. [Page 20] He was buried on the south side of the high alter, in a tombe built somewhat after the forme of a Pyramis. I take it to be the tombe of ieate standing in the grate néere the steps that lead vp to S. Thomas chappell. After his death (which hapned the yéere 958.) Elsinus Bishop of Winchester (that could neuer brooke Odo in his life time) by bribery & corrupt meanes, obtained election vnto Canterbury, and comming thither, spurned at his tombe despitefully, vsing these spée­ches, now at last (quoth he) thou art dead old dotard, and much against thy will hast left thy place vnto a man woor­thier of it then thy selfe. Our stories report, that the next night Odo appéered vnto him in his sléepe, threatning a spée­die and fearefull vengeance of this insolency. According vnto which prediction it fell out, that trauailing to Rome for his pall, vpon the Alpes he was so oppressed with cold, as he was constrained to put his féete wherewith he had so contumeli­ously disgraced his deceased predecessor, into the bellies of his horses, & yet at last to die for cold. Brithelm Bishop of Wels was then chosen Archbishop, a vertuous and méeke man, but not very fit for gouernment: In regard whereof king Edgar intreated him and he easily condiscended to abide still at his old charge.

23. Dunstan.

VVIth the approbation of all men Dunstan Bishop 959 of London was then elected to this Metropoliti­call Sée. Of whom I know not how to write, that which is deliuered of him is so infinite. But I will hold my selfe within my determined bounds, and send the Reader that is desirous to heare more of him vnto other histories. He was borne in Somersetshire of good parentage: his fathers name was Herstan, & his mothers Kinedeid. He was brought vp for the most part in the Abbey of Glastonbury, where be­side other good learning he was also taught to sing, play vpon iustruments, to paint and carue, in all which he prooued very excellent. From thence he went vnto Athelm Archbishop of Canterburie his vncle, who commended him vnto the king; And he partly in regard of the manifold good parts he sawe in [Page 21] him, partly also for that he was néere of kinne vnto him, made very much of him. So he liued in the court a while, till for a certaine miracle (as the monks call it, which was then imputed to coniuration) with much disgrace he was driuen out of the court. After this he betooke himselfe vnto the ser­uice of Elphege Bishop of Winchester, another vncle of his, who perswaded him continually to become a monke. He could not heare of that side in any wise, till vpon a time fal­ling dangerously sicke, and thinking his disease a plague sent of God for his backwardnesse in that holy course whereto his vncle directed him, in great hast professed himselfe a monke. This done, & hauing recouered his health, he went to his first nurse Glastonbury, leading there (in outward shew at least) an excéeding straite life. King Edward hearing great fame of his holinesse, sent for him vnto the court, where he liued in very diuers reputation, sometimes iudged too familar with faire women, sometimes accounted a coniurer, but for the most part admired as a most holy and vertuous man. Under two princes Edmund and Eldred (with whom he was most gracious) he ruled all things at his pleasure. Edwyn the sonne of king Edmund that succéeded Eldred, could in no wise brooke him. Some say it was because Dunstan was forward in reprehending the kings vices; as namely, that when the king rising from the feast of his coronation, went immediate­ly to his chamber, where a certaine beautifull concubine at­tended his comming; Dunstan that had gotten some inkling of the businesse he went about, followed him boldly, and forced him not onely to leaue that enterprise for that time, but also to forsweare the companie of that woman. But the vndoubted ground of this dislike was this. Dunstan had so bewitched the former kings with the loue of monkery, as they not onely tooke violently from married priestes their liuings to erect monasteries, but also spent very lauishly of their owne treasures, which they should rather haue im­ploied in resisting the common enimy both of God and their country the Dane. King Edwyn perceiuing all the wealth of the land to be crept into monasteries, not onely refrained to bestow more vpon them, but recalled diuers of those prodi­gall gifts his predecessors had made, and when the monks [Page 22] refused to render them at his demaund, he became a very bit­ter persecutor of them, and their patrons. Dunstan therefore séeing nothing before him at home but danger and continuall disgrace, got him away into France, and there liued in ba­nishment the space of a yéere. In the meane time king Ed­wyn by the rebellion of his subiects (at the instigation it is likely of our monks and their fauourers) was depriued both of his life and kingdome. Edgar that succéeded, warned by his brothers example, was content to curry fauour with them, and to that purpose restored whatsoeuer was taken from them, and not onely called home Dunstan, but promo­ted him, first vnto the Bishoprick of Worcester, soone after of London, and lastly hauing béene but two yéeres at London, to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury. In that place he con­tinued 27. yéeres, applying all his endeuours to the enriching of monks and monasteries inhabited by them, persecuting and hunting maried priests euery where out of their liuing. He died at last May 19. 988. and was long after canonised a Saint.

24. Ethelgar.

AFter Dunstan succéeded Aethelgar, abbot first of the new 988 abbey of Winchester, then Bishop of Seolsey, and last­ly made Archbishop of Canterburie 989. He continued in that See onely one yéere and thrée monethes: Dying then he was buried in his owne church.

25. Siricius.

SIricius of a monke of Glastonbury was made abbot of 989 Saint Augustine in Canterbury by Dunstan, and by his meanes preferred to the Bishopricke of Winchester (as one saith) but it was the Bishop of Wiltshire or Wilton. Ethelgar being dead, he became Archbishop the yéere 989. He is blamed much in our histories for perswading to buy peace of the Danes with 10000. l. He sate sower yéeres, died 993. and was buried at Canterbury.

26. Aluricius alias Alfricus.

ALuricius was also brought vp at Glastonbury, and suc­céeded 993 Siricius first at Wilton in the Bishopricke there, then at Canterbury. He died ann. 1006. and was buried first at Abingdon, but was afterward remooued to Canterbury.

27. Elphege.

ELphege was borne of great parentage, and spent his 1006 yoonger yéeres in the monasterie of Hirst, where he first entred into religion. Departing thence, he gaue him­selfe to a very strait kinde of life at Bathe, and was so much admired for the same (the rather because he was a gentleman of great linage) as many went about to imitate him, and ioy­ning themselues to him, made him their gouernour by the name of an abbot. Hauing liued so a certaine space, he was called to the Bishopricke of Winchester the yéere 984. There he continued twelue yeeres, and the yéere 1006. was remoo­ued to Canterbury. He was a man of woonderfnll abstinence, neuer eating, drinking or sleeping more then necessitie com­pelled him, spending his time altogether either in praier, stu­dy or other necessary businesse. So that what with preaching and example of holy life he conuerted many vnto Christ. The yéere 1012. it happened the Danes to be disappointed of cer­taine tribute which they claimed as due vnto them: For want whereof they spoiled and burnt the citie and church of Canterbury. The monks and people thereof, men, women and children they tithed, putting nine to the sword, and let­ting go a tenth onely: So for 804. that were suffered to es­cape, 7236. went to the pot. As for the Archbishop, they kept him in prison seuen monethes, and at last put him to death at Gréenwich. The vengeance of God suffered not these cruell hell-hounds to escape vnpunished: By sundry kindes of mis­fortune they were little and little in a manner all consumed very shortly after: The body of Elphege was first buried in Saint Paules church in London, afterward carried to Can­terbury, by the commandement of king Knute and there en­terred. [Page 24] He was made a Saint and allowed the 19. day of Aprill for celebration of his memorie.

28. Liunig alias Lifwing.

LIunig surnamed Elstan was first Bishop of Wels, and 1013 translated to Canterbury soone after the death of El­phege. His time was very troublesome, by reason of the continuall inuasion of the Danes. Besides many other cala­mities, he endured seuen monethes imprisonment at their hands; from which being deliuered, he departed into volun­tarie exile, and bewailed there the miserie of his country, vn­till such time as king Swanus being dead and Ethelred retur­ning, all troubles were appcased. So it pleased God to suffer him at last to end his daies in peace the yéere 1020. when he had béene Archbishop about seuen yéeres.

29. Agelnothus alias Aethelnotus.

AGelnothus surnamed The Good, was the sonne of an 1020 Earle called Agelmare, and is said to haue beene Deane of Christchurch in Canterbury, which at that time was re­plenished for the most part with canons wearing the habite and garments of monks, but in profession and manner of life differing much from them. Therefore when as in that same terrible tithing of the Danes mentioned in the life of Elphege all the monks were slaine except onely fower; the canons that were now the greater number, gaue vnto their gouernour the name of Deane. From this place Agelnoth was taken to be Archbishop. Going to Rome to fetch his pall, he bought (as one reporteth) an arme of that blessed fa­ther Saint Augustine Bishop of Hippo for an hundred ta­lents of siluer, and bestowed it vpon the church of Couentry. He sustained great paines and cost in repairing his church and monastery destroied and burnt by the Danes; and by his good aduise directed king Knute (that fauoured him excéeding­ly) vnto many honourable enterprises. He died at last hauing sate Archbishop 17. yéeres and vpward, October 29. anno 1038.

30. Eadsin.

EAdsin was a seculer priest, and first chapleine vnto king 1038 Harold, who preferred him to the Bishopricke of Win­chester. Thence he was remooued to Canterbury soone after the death of Agelnoth. He continued Archbishop almost 12. yéeres; All which time he was so oppressed with sicknesse, as he could not attend his pastoral charge, but was faine to commit the same to another: and he made choice of one [...]. Abbot of Abingdon, whom he termed sometimes Vicarium [...], sometimes [...], and sometimes Archiepiscopi [...]. He discharged not his duty according to the trust reposed in him: for he abused much not onely his authoritie, but also the goods, yea and person al­so of the Archbishop that committed the same vnto him. In regard whereof, though [...] besought the king and other about him very earnestly, that he might succéede him, (not knowing belike how ill he was vsed so well as they) yet they would not condescend thereunto: but bestowed vp­on him the Bishopricke of Rochester. Henry Huntingdon saith he was consecrated Archv. But he is mistaken, out of all doubt. Edsinus departed this life October 28. 1050. was buried in his owne church, and after his death made a Saint.

31. Robert, surnamed Gemeticensis.

RObert a Norman succéeded by the fauour of king Ed­ward 1050 the Confessor, with whom he became acquain­ted, at what time he was exiled into Normandy. He preferred him first vnto London, and then presently after the death of Eadsin vnto Canterburie. This man is said to haue laid the first foundation of the Normans conquest in Eng­land, perswading the king to make Duke William his heire; wherunto when the king had condescended, himselfe became the messenger of this good tidings vnto the Duke, taking Ha­rold with him, peraduenture to that purpose, that he might so hamper him with an oth (as indéed he did) and so barre him from all possibilitie of the kingdome. This oth Harold after­ward [Page 26] broke; but he sped thereafter, loosing his life and ill gotten kingdome both togither. The Archbishop now assu­ring himselfe of the fauour not onely of the king present, but of him also that was to succeede: could not indure that any should beare so great sway as himselfe in court, and therefore began to deuise how he might ouerthrow Emma the kings mother, who onely séemed to ouertop him. He began there­fore to beate into the kings head (that was a milde & soft na­tured gentleman) how hard a hand his mother had held vpon him when he liued in Normandy; how likely it was that his brother came to his death by the practise of her and Earle Godwyn; and lastly that she vsed the company of Alwyn Bishop of Winchester, somwhat more familiarly then an ho­nest woman néeded. The king somewhat too rashly crediting these tales, without any further examination or debating of the matter, seased vpon all his mothers goods, and commit­ted her to prison in the Nunry of Warwell; banished Earle Godwyn and his sonnes; and commanded Alwyn vpon pain of death not to come foorth of the gates of Winchester. The Quéene made the best friends she could to be called to her an­swere: But the Archbishop so possessed the king, as other try­all of her innocency might not be allowed then this; She must walke ouer nine plowshares red hot in the midst of the Cathedrall church of Winchester. If either she perfour­med not this kind of purgation, or were found any thing at all hurt, she and the Bishop both should be estéemed guilty; If otherwise, the Archbishop was content to submit himselfe to such punishment as they should haue endured. To make short, the Quéene lead betwéene two Bishops in open sight of all the people, perfourmed (as all our histories report) this hard kind of purgation, and so acquit herselfe and Alwyn the Bishop of these crimes obiected. The king then greatly be­wailing the wrong done to his mother, asked her forgiuenes vpon his knées, restored both her and the Bishop vnto their goods and former places, and lastly (to make some satis­faction for his fault committed) would needes be whipped by the hands of the Bishops there present, and recea­uing thrée stripes of his mother, was by her cléerely forgi­uen, and the wrong promised for euer héereafter to be forgot­ten. [Page 27] Emma now and the Bishop to shew themselues thank­ful vnto God for this miraculous deliuerance, for a perpetual memorial of the same, gaue each of them vnto the monastery of S. Swithun nine Mannors, in remembrance of the nine plowshares. This gift of theirs the king confirmed, and gaue moreouer two Mannors of his owne, to wit, Meones and Portland. Now to returne vnto the Archbishop; he doubting of the successe of this matter, vnder pretence of sick­nesse held himselfe at Douer, and assoone as he heard how the world went, well knowing England would prooue too hot for him, he got him ouer into his owne country to the Abbey of Gemetica where he was brought vp, and there ouercome (it is like with shame and sorrow) within a short time after en­ded his daies, and was buried in the Monastery aforesaid, hauing beene Archbishop about the space of two yeeres or scarcely so much.

32. Stigand.

STigand was chaplaine vnto king Edward the Confes­sor, 1052 and preferred by him first vnto the Bishopricke of the East Saxons at Helmham 1043. and after vnto Winchester the yeere 1047. He was a man stout and wise inough, but very vnlearned (as in a manner all the Bishops were of those times) and vnreasonable couetous. Perceiuing the king highly displeased with Robert the Archbishop, he thrust himselfe into his roome (not expecting either his death, depriuation or other auoydance) without any performance of vsuall ceremonies. And whether it were that he mistrusted his title to Canterbury, or inercusable couetousnesse I can­not tell; certaine it is, that he kept Winchester also together with Canterbury, euen vntill a little before his death he was forced to forgoe them both. Many times he was cited vnto Rome about it; but by giftes, delayes and one meanes or other he droue it off, neuer being able to procure his pall thence so long as king Edward liued. William the Conque­ror hauing slaine king Harold in the field, all England yéel­ded presently vnto his obedience, except onely Kentishmen, who following the counsell of Stigand and Egelsin the abbot [Page 28] of S. Augustines, gathered al their forces togither at Swans­combe néere Grauesend, and there attended the comming of the king (who doubted of no such matter) euery man holding a gréene bough in his hand; whereby it came to passe that he was in the midst of them before he dreamed of any such busi­nesse toward. He was greatly amased at the first, till he was giuen to vnderstande by Stigand, there was no hurt meant vnto him, so that he would graunt vnto that contrey their ancient liberties, and suffer them to be gouerned by their former customes and lawes, called then and til this day Gauelkind. These things he easily yeelded vnto, vpon this armed intercession, and afterward very honourably perfor­med: But he conceiued so profound a displeasure against Stigand for it, as he neuer ceased till he had reuenged it with the others destruction. A while he gaue him very good counte­nance, calling him father, méeting him vpon the way when he vnderstood of his repaire toward him, and affording him all kinde of gratious and fauourable vsage both in words and behauiour: but it lasted not long. The first signe of his hidden rancour and hatred towarde him was, that he would not suffer himselfe to be crowned by him, but made choise of Al­dred Archbishop of Yorke: for which he alleaged other rea­sons, as that he had not yet receiued his pall &c. But the mat­ter was, he was loth in that action to acknowledge him for Archbishop. Soone after his coronation, he departed into Normandy carrying with him Stigand and many English nobles, vnder pretence to doe them honour: But in truth he stood in doubt least in his absence they should practise some­what against him: And namely Stigand he knew to be a man of a haughty spirit, subtile, rich, gracious and of great power in his countrey. Presently vpon his returne, certaine Cardinals arriued in England, sent from the Pope as le­gates to redresse (as they said) certaine enormities and abu­ses of the English clergy. Stigand by and by perceiuing him­selfe to be the marke that was specially shot at, hid himfelfe a while in Scotland with Alexander Bishop of Lincolne and after in the Isle of Ely. At last perceiuing a conuocation to be called at Winchester, he came thither and besought the king in regarde of his owne honour, and the promise made vnto [Page 29] him at Swanscombe (which was not to be offended with him or any other for their attempt at that time) to saue him from the calamity he saw growing toward him, which he could not impute vnto any thing so probably, as his vndeser­ued displeasure. The king answered him with very gentle words, that he was so farre from endeuouring to take any reuenge of that or any other matter, as he loued him, and wished he knew how to protect him from the danger immi­nent: But that which was to be done at that time, must be done by the Popes authoritie which he might not counter­maund. So do what he could, he was depriued of his liuings by these legates. The causes alleaged against him were these; First, that he had held Canterbury and Winchester both to­gether (which was no very strange thing, for Saint Oswald had long before held Worceter with Yorke, and S. Dunstan Worceter with London.) Secondly, that he had inuaded the Sée of Canterbury, Robert the Archbishop being yet aliue vndepriued; And lastly that he presumed to vse the pall of his predecessor Robert left at Canterbury, and had neuer recei­ued any pall but of Pope Benedict, at what time he stood ex­communicate for simony and other like crimes. In the same conuocation many other Prelates were depriued of their promotions, as [...] Bishop of Helmham brother vnto Stigand, diuers abbots and men of meaner places. All which was done by the procurement of the king, that was desirous to place his countrymen in the roomes of the depriued for the establishment of his new gotten kingdome. Poore Stigand being thus depriued, as though he had not yet harme inough, was also clapt vp presently in prison within the castell of Winchester, and very hardly vsed there, being scarcely al­lowed meate inough to hold life and soule together. That was thought to be done to force him to confesse where his treasure lay, whereof being demaunded, he protested with great othes he had no mony at all; hoping belike so to procure his liberty the rather, and then to make himselfe mery with that he had laid vp against such a déere yéere. He died soone after of sorrow and griefe of minde, or (as other report) of vo­luntary famine, 17. yéeres after he first obtained the Archbi­shopricke. After his death, a little key was found about his [Page 30] necke, the locke whereof being carefully sought out, shewed a note or direction of infinite treasures hid vnder ground in di­uers places. All that the king pursed in his owne coffers. The bones of this archbishoply entoombed at this day vpon the top of the north wall of the Presbytery of the church of Winchester in a coffin of lead, vpon the north side whereof are written these words, Hic iacet Stigandus Archiepiscopus. he was depriued ann. 1069. and died within the compasse of the same yéere.

33. Lanfrank.

STigand being yet aliue, but depriued as is beforesaid, 1070 Lanfranke was consecrate Archbishop. This Lanfrank was borne at Papia in Lumbardy, twenty myles from Millayn, where being brought vp in learning, and now come vnto mans state, he determined to trauaile. Through France he came into Normandy, prouoked by the fame and great re­ports he had heard of Eluin abbot of Becco. Upon the way thitherward, it was his hap to be encountred with théeues that spoiled him of all he had, bound him and threw him into a thicket, where he might haue perished with cold and hun­ger had not God sent some extraordinary company that way that loosed him, hauing laien there onely one night. Thence he got him vnto the monastery of Becco, and for very want and penury was faine to become a Reader of Logike there, vntill he was admitted to the place of a monke. Soone after that, he was made Prior of Becco, whence in regard of his singular wisedome and great knowledge in all good learning that those times could affoord) he was called by Duke Wil­liam to be abbot of S. Stephens in Cane, a monastery that the said Duke had founded. Now 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 [Page 31] 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: [Page 30] [...] [Page 31] [...] [Page 32] 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 1093 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 [Page 33] 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 called together to iudge of this controuersy. They met at Rochingham castell, and the mat­ter being proposed by the king, for feare or flattery they all [Page 34] assented vnto him and forsooke their Archbishop, except one­ly Gundulphus Bishop of Rochester. A while [...] indured to liue in continuall seare and disgrace, euen vntill he was commanded out of the realme by the king. Being at Douer ready to take ship, all his carriages were searcht, his goodes there and elsewhere soeuer taken from him and sold to the kings vse, his temporalties seased, and himselfe set aland in France in a manner naked. He trauailed presently to Lyons and was sent for thence by the Pope. At his first comming to Rome he had all manner of fauour: But by that time the king with golden eloquence [...] him of the cause, his entertainment began to wax colder. He determined ther­fore to haue returned to Lyons, but was staied by the Pope, whose pleasure while he was content to await a while lon­ger, the Pope died. Soone after him, the king died also being chaunceably slain by the glaunce of an arrow as he was hun­ting in that forest, for the making whereof Anselm had repre­hended him. He was a very vitious man, couetous in getting and prodigall in spending, the most sacrilegious symonist that euer raigned in England. Reioycing in the gain he made that way, he would often say, Panis Christi panis pinguis. His death as some report, was miraculously signified vnto An­selme in France. A paper was put into the hand of one of his chaplaines no man knew how, in which was found written, [...] occisus est. Within a few daies after, cer­taine word was brought of the tyrants death, and this no­tice taken as sent from heauen. Henry the first succéeded Wil­liam Rufus in the kingdome, who presently called home An­selme and restored him to his former place. The first thing he did at his returne, he called a conuocation at London, where­in he depriued many prelates of great place for their seuerall offences, Guy abbot of [...] & Eldwyn of Ramsey for symony; Geftry of Peterburgh, Haymo of Cheswel, & Egelric of Middleton for not being in orders; Richard of Ely, & Robert of S. Edmunds, all abbots, for other enormities. Diuers ca­nons were agréed vpon in the same conuocation too long to re­hearse: Some of them tended to the restraining of clergy men from mariage; which notwithstanding, many maried daily, & many that came for orders refused vtterly to make profession [Page 35] of chastity, as we may sée reported by Girard Archbishop of Yorke in an epistle written by him vnto Anselm in the end of S. Anselmes Epistles. The falling out also of Anselm with the king (which happened presently after) was a great weakning vnto these canons. All the time that the Archbishop was ab­sent (which was three yéeres) the king had disposed of all Bi­shopricks that fell, at his pleasure, giuing inuestiture and pos­session of them, by deliuery of the staffe and the ring. And in deed the princes in a maner of all christendom, had taken this kind of authority vnto themselues euery where about this time. Bishops thus appointed demanded consecration of An­selm, which he vtterly denied vnto them, professing withall, that he would neuer receaue or repute them for Bishops that were already cōsecrated by other vpon such election, aleaging how it was lately forbidden in a councel held by Pope Vrban 2. that any clerke should take inuestiture of any spiritual pre­ferment at the hand of any king, prince or other lay man. The king vpon Anselms refusall, required Gerard Archbishop of Yorke to giue these Bishops consecration, whereunto he readily assented. But William Gifford nominated to Win­chester, stoode so in awe of Anselm, as that he durst not accept consecration at Gerards hands. This incensed the king woonderfully, so as presently he commanded Giffards goods to be confiscate, and himselfe banished the Realme. Great adoo now there was about this matter throughout the realm, some defending the kings right, others taking part with the Archbishop. In the end, the king doubting what might come of it, and being loth to giue occasion of tumult, considering that himselfe was a stranger borne, and that his father by force and much bloudshed, had not many yéeres since obtai­ned the rule of this land; he determined to send an Ambassa­dor to the Pope, togither with the Archbishop, so to grow to some reasonable conclusion. The Pope (Palchalis 2.) would not yéeld one iote vnto the king, insomuch as when the kings Embassador William Warelwast (after Bishop of Excester) said he knew the king would rather loose his crowne then this priuilege, he answered, yea let him loose his head also if he will, while I liue he shall neuer appoint Bishop but I will resist him what I may. So without dooing any good, home­ward [Page 36] they came. But the king vnderstanding before hand how the world went, sent a messenger to forbid Anselm en­trance into the realme, and presently seised all his goods, mooueable and unmooueable into his hands. Thrée yéeres more this good man spent in exile, all which time he liued with Hugh Archbishop of Lyons. At last it pleased God to open this passage of his reconciliation to the king. Adela Countesse of Bloys the kings sister, fell dangerously sicke in those parts where it chanced the Archbishop to abide. He went to visite her, and yéelded so great comfort vnto her in that time of her distresse; as recouering afterward, she neuer ceased importuning her brother, vntill she had wrought an agréement betwéene them, the conditions whereof were these; First that Anselm should be content to consecrate the Bishops alreadie nominated by the king: And then that the king should renounce all right to such nomination or inues­titure for the time to come. These conditions were allowed by the Pope, and the Archbishop restored not onely to his place, but to all his goods and fruites gathered in the time of his absence. Two yeeres he liued after this his last returne; in which time he persecuted married priests very extremely. Dunstan, Oswald, Ethelwald, and other enimies to the ma­riage of clergie men, had onely expelled them that out of mo­nasteries that had wiues: But Anselm vtterly forbidding them mariage, depriued them of their promotions that were maried, confiscated their goods vnto the Bishop of the Dio­ces, adiudged them and their wiues adulterers, and forced al that entred into orders to vow chastity. Halfe the clergy of England at this time were either maried men, or the sonnes of maried priests. The king therefore pitying the generality of this calamity, sought to protect them a while from An­selms seuerity in this point: But he (I meane Anselm) was a little to resolute in all his determinations, in so much as he might neuer be perswaded to yéeld one iot in any thing he once intended. So, notwithstanding the kings inclinati­on to succour so many distressed poore families, the canons of the Conuocation before mentioned were generally put in execution throughout England. About this time it hapned Gerard Archbishop of Yorke to decease, and a second Thomas [Page 37] to be elected for his successor. What adoo there was betwéene him and Anselm about profession of obedience, and how it was ended, see in the historie of the said Thomas. To make an end at last with this Archbishop, the yéere 1109. he fell ex­tremely sicke at Saint Edmundsbury, and thence got him to Canterbury, where he lay languishing a long time, and at last departed this life Aprill 21. in the 16. yéere of his gouern­ment, and of his age 76. He was buried at the head of his predecessor Lanfrank in his owne church, vpon the building and beautifying whereof, he had bestowed very much mony. This Archbishop was a man of great learning, as his works yet extant testifie, and for integrity of life and conuer­sation admirable. That he was more peremptory in diuers of his resolutions then became him, and so hote against Cler­gy mens mariage, I impute it but to a blind zeale far from any malicious intent of dooing wrong. Undoubtedly not­withstanding these imperfections he was a good and holy man, and as woorthy the honor of a Saint, as any I thinke that euer was Canonised by the Pope since his time. In fa­uour of him (to note that by the way) the Pope affoorded vn­to his sée this honour, that whereas the Archbishop of Can­terbury was woont to sit next the Bishop of Saint Ruffine in all generall Councels, hereafter his place should be at the Popes right foote, and with all vsed these words, Includamus hunc in orbe nostro tanquam alterius orbis Papam.

35. Rodolphus.

THe King well remembring how troublesome the au­thority 1114 of Anselme had beene vnto him, and knowing it greatly imported him to make choise of some quiet tractable man to succéed in that place; tooke foure or fiue yéers deliberation before he would appoint any thereunto. He was once resolued vpon one Farecius Abbot of Abindon: But (vp­on what consideration I know not) chaunging his determi­nation, aduanced Ralfe Bishop of Rochester to that sée. This Ralfe or Rodolph was a Norman borne, a Monke first of the order of Saint Benet and a disciple of Lanfranke in the Ab­bay of Cane. Then he became Abbot of Say, was called [Page 38] thence by Saint Anselm vnto the Bishopricke of Rochester, consecrate thereunto August. 11. 1108. and remooued to Can­terbury, in Iune 1114. His pall was very solemnely deliue­red vnto him by Anselm Abbot of Saint Sauines, nephew vnto Saint Anselm June 27 at Canterbury. In this mans time [...] obtained consecration of the Pope vnto the Archbishop of Yorke without making the vsuall profession of obediēce. About this matter there was long time much adoo. This our Archbishop being an aged and sickly man much troubled with the [...] and lame in his féete, would yet néeds trauaile to Rome in person about this matter. Sée the end of this controuersie in Thurstan of Yorke. Eight yéeres Ralfe continued Archbishop, behauing himselfe well in the place, but that he was sometimes wayward and péenish in mat­ters of small moment. Generally he was a very affable and courteous man, willing to pleasure and not especially noted with any great vice: Onely some blame him for being more delighted with iesting [...] merry toyes, then became the gra­uitie of his age and place, in regard whereof some haue giuen vnto him the surname (or rather nickname) of [...]. Thrée yéeres before his decease he was continually held of a palsie whereof at last he died Octob. 20. 1122. and thrée daies after was buried in the middle of the body of Christ church in Canterbury.

36. William Corbell.

VVIlliam Corbel or Corbois, was first a secular priest, 1122 then a monke of the order of Saint Benet, and lastly prior of Saint Sythes in [...]. From thence he was taken to be Archbishop of Canterbury and the Popes legate, vpon Candlemas day 1122. This man in the yéere 1126. called a conuocation at Westminster, where [...] de [...] the Popes legate [...] most bitterly a­gainst the mariage of priests, and was the next night taken in bed with a common strumpet: for shame whereof he present­ly got him away [...] all his [...] at sixe and seuen, neuer taking leaue of any body. In this Synode more Ca­nons were [...] against the mariage of Clergy men: [Page 39] which notwithstanding, the Archbishop (that in déede was but a weake man) not able to restraine them of his time from taking wiues; prayed ayd of the King, who either set them all to a yéerely pension (so many as were maried) or else tooke some large summe of present money to beare with them. The yéere 1130. Christchurch in Canterbury that had lately béene new built by Lanfranke, soone after fell downe (a great part of it at least, and was quickly repaired by the industry of Ear­dult the Prior) was now I know not by what chaunce all burnt & consumed with fire. This Archbishop found meanes to repaire it, and in Rogation weeke the yéere following did dedicate the same [...] solemnely, in the presence of the King, the Quéene, Dauid King of Scottes, and a great num­ber of the nobility of both realmes. King Henry dying that did prefer him, he was content to betray his daughter Mawd the Empresse, and contrary to his othe to ioine with Stephen Earle of Bloys, whom he crowned with his owne hands; but with such feare and terror of conscience, as it is noted that the consecrate host fell out [...] his hand in the middle of masse, by reason of his trembling and fearefull amasednesse. Soone after he died, viz. the yeere 1136. hauing sate almost 14 yéeres, and lieth buries in his owne church, the particular place I find not.

37. Theobald.

IN a Conuocation held at London by the commandement 1138 of Albert Bishop of Hostia the Popes legate. (Theobald was chosen Archbishop) by the suffragan Bishops of his owne Prouince, and consecrate in the same conuocation or synode by the legate afore named. He receiued his pall at Rome of Innocentius the second, who also indued him and his successors for euer with the title of Legatus natus. This Theo­bald was first a Bendictine monke and then (till he was cho­sen Archbishop) Abbot of Becco. A man of no great learning, but of so gentle and swéete behauiour (being very wise with­all) as he was greatly [...] of high and lowe, Kings, no­bles and commons. With the Pope he had often much adoe. One Sylnester a man infamous for many notorious offen­ces, [Page 40] was presented vnto the Abbotship of Saint Augustines in Canterbury, whon: in respect of his knowen vnworthines, the Archbishop [...] to admit. But the Popes letters came so thicke and thréefold in fauour of him, that after many de­laies, excuses and allegations against him, at last he was faine to receiue him. There was at the same time one Ieremy prior of that Abbey, an olde acquaintance and friend of the Archbishops, whom notwithstanding (vpon some great oc­casion it is like) the Archbishop [...] and remooued from his place. In the behalfe of this man also, the Pope (who ne­uer was woont to faile where he [...] be well 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 [Page 41] 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 1161 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 [Page 43] 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 [Page 44] (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 [Page 45] 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 [Page 46] 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 [Page 47] 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 [Page 48] 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 [Page 49] 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 at all. Soone after his returne thither, the fower knights before mentioned arriued at Canterbury, to wit vpon Innocents day. They comming vnto the Archbishop, told him the kings pleasure was, he should goe to his sonne and reuerently make offer of doing homage and fealty vnto him, for the Barony of his Archbishopricke: secondly, that he should cause all the strangers he brought into the realme with him to be sworne to his obedience; and thirdly, that he should retrcat those ex­communications which he had caused to be denounced a­gainst the instruments of the yoong kings coronation. To this [...] he answered, that neither the king nor any other mortall man should extort from him, or any of his by his consent, any [...] or vnreasonable othe. And as for the Bishops and other excommunicate concerning the corona­tion, it was indeede (quoth) he a thing done in my behalfe and for an iniury offred to my church; But it was the Act of the Pope. If therefore they will sweare they shall be ready to make me amends at the Popes discretion, I will absolue [Page 50] them, otherwise not. And whatsoeuer you say, it was the kings pleasure, I should take my best course for the redresse of this abuse by ecclestasticall authority. Many other words passed betwéene them the same time, they breathing out terrible threats, and he continuing still the same man with­out [...] one iotte. At last the knights departed, giuing the monkes charge in the kings name, to see the Archbishop foorth comming, and not to suffer him to escape away. At euening prayer time the same day, they came suddenly into the church, with their swords drawen, crying, Wheres the Traytor, Wheres the Traytor: The Archbishop who was then going vp the steps toward the quire, hearing the noyse, turned backe vnto them, and euery one of the fower striking mainely at him, vpon the third or fourth greice of those stops was slaine. His body these knights had determined to haue cast into the sea, or else to haue hewen into a thousand pieces: but the Prior and the monkes doubting some such thing, bu­ried it immediately in the vndercraft, whence shortly it was taken vp and laid in a most sumptuous shrine in the East end of the church. The Pope hearing of this massacre, excom­municated immediately all that were either authors or con­senters to the same. The king was faine to purge himselfe by othe, and yet could not be absolued before he had done certaine strange penance as first, that he should pray deuout­ly at the tombe of this new Martyr, that he should be whipt in the chapter house, receiuing of euery monke one lash, that he should maintaine 200. soldiers for the space of one yeere at Jerusalem, & lastly reuoke the declaration published at Cla­rindon, that originally gaue the occasion of this murther. All this (such were those times) the king was faine to performe.

39. Richard.

IN the moneth of February following the death of Tho­mas 1173 Becket (which was December 28. 1170.) one Ro­bert Abbot of Becco was chosen Archbishop. But he li­king better a quiet life, chose rather to sit [...] where he was, then to aduenture him selfe in a place subiect to the blasts of such terrible tempests as Thomas Becket was tossed withall. [Page 51] The king then dealt earnestly with the Couent of Canter­bury to choose some mild and soft spirited man, to preuent such broiles as had béene raised by the last Archbishop. They followed his direction, [...] elected one Richard, a Benedic­tine Monke Prior of the Monastery of Saint Martins in Douer, who was presently allowed of the king and the Pope and soone after consecrate. He was a man very liberall, gen­tle and passing wise. So he handled the matter, that in all his time he neuer was out either with the Pope or the king. The Pope be entertained with often gifts and money, the kings fauour he retained by yéelding and [...] him selfe to his pleasure. This man continued Archbishop about the space of ten or eleuen yeeres. In all which time, there happened not any thing concerning him woorthy memory, except per­aduenture the stir betwéen him and the Archbishop of Yorke Roger. The olde quarrell chaunced to be renued betwéene these two Archbishops concerning the Primacy; And one Hugocio the Popes Legate comming into England, both of them requested him to heare and iudge this controuersie be­tweene them. Upon this and other occasions, a Conuocation was summoned at Westminster, where was a stately throne prouided for the Legate. At the time appointed the Legate came and tooke his place, and the Archbishop of Canterbury sate him downe next vnto the Legate vpon the right hand. After this in came Roger Archbishop of Yorke and would néedes haue displaced [...] to sit aboue him: that, when the other would not suffer, he sate him [...] in his lap. The other Bishops present amased at this strange be­hautor of the Archbishop of Yorke, cried out all vpon him, the Archbishop of Canterburies men by violence drew the other out of his ill chosen place, threw him dewne [...] his robes almost from his backe, trode vpon him, beate him, and vsed him so despitefully, as the Legate, whether for shame or for doubt what might happen to him selfe in such a [...], got him out and went his way. The Archbishop of Yorke all ragged as he was, bloudy and [...] went to the king, who first was exceeding angry, but when he heard the truth, laught merily at it and said he was well ynough ferued. Much adoo there was long after at Rome about this and the [Page 52] old controuersie; the ende whereof at last was, that much money was spent and neither party euer a whit the néerer. The end of this man is thus reported, how that being a sléepe at his mannor of Wrotham, there séemed to come vnto him a certaine terrible personage demaunding of him who he was? whereunto when for feare the Archbishop answered nothing, Thou art he (quoth the other) that hast destroied the goods of the Church, and I will destroy thée front of the earth: This hauing said, he vanished away. In the morning betime the Archbishop got him vp and, taking his iourney to­ward Rochester, related this fearefull vision vnto a friend of his by the way. He had no sooner told the tale, but he was [...] sodainly with a great cold & stifnesse in his limmes, so that they had much adoo to get him so farre as Halling a house belonging to the Bishop of Rochester. There he tooke his bed and being horribly tormented with the cholike and other gréefes vntill the next day, the night following the sixtéenth of February he gaue vp the Ghost. ann. 1183. His body was caried to Canterbury and honorably interred in the La­dy Chappell.

40. Baldwin.

AFter the death of Richard the Archbishop, a controuer­sie 1184 grew betwéene the Couent of Christs Church in Canterbury, and the Suffragan Bishops of the Pro­uince of Canterbury, who of right ought to choose the Arch­bishop. For it had béene often done by both as (in that which I haue before deliuered) you may perceiue. The king desi­rous to haue some honest quiet man, dealt first with the Co­uent, praying them to make choice of such a one as he might haue cause to like, and after made the same request vnto the Bishops. The Monkes (though mooued thereto) would in no wise ioyne with the Bishops, but perceiuing the Bishops began indéede to set foote into the matter, appealed to Rome. Much adoo there was there about it the space of nine mo­nethes. At last the Bishops got a mandate wherein the Monkes and they were commaunded to ioyne together. The day of election was appointed, but the Monkes for curst [Page 53] hart would not come vnto it. So the Bishops procéeded and made choice of Baldwin Bishop of Worcester. This election the monkes labored mightily to disanul; professing, that they liked the man elect very well, but they must not indure such a president. The king therefore (who fauoured Baldwin ex­ceedingly) wrought so with one party and the other, as the Monkes were content to elect him, vpon condition he would renounce all benefite of his former election, and the Bishops themselues would confesse the same to be void and of no ef­fect. All this was done and he receiued into quiet and peace­able possession of this Metropoliticall sée. This Baldwin was a poore mans sonne and borne in Excester. He was first a schoolemaster, then entred into orders and became an Arch­deadon: his Archdeaconry he voluntarily resigned, and in­tending to forsake the world, became a Cistercian or white Monke. Hauing liued so a certaine space, he was made Ab­bot of Ford in Deuonshire. From thence he was called to the Bishopricke of Worcester consecrate thereunto the yéere 1181. translated to Canterbury in the end of the yéere 1184. and solemnely installed there May 19. 1185. being the first white Monke that euer was Archbishop. Giraldus Cambr. describeth the person of the man in this sort. He was of complexion somewhat swarthy, his countenance simple and like a plaine meaning man but very comely, his stature indifferent, well made of body, but slender timbred. For his maners, he was modest and sober, of such abstinence, as fame durst neuer stamp any sinister report vpō him, of few words, slowe to anger, and very studious from his very childhood. It is a woonder that a man of this disposition should be so much troubled as he was: with the King he alwaies a­greed very well: But betwéene the Monkes of Canterbury and him there was much and continuall debate. The occa­sion thereof was this. The king greatly misliking the inso­lency of the Monkes, thought to wrest from them the pre­heminence of choosing the Archbishop in time to come by this deuice. He gaue direction vnto Baldwin their Arch­bishop, to beginne the foundation of a Colledge at Hacking­ton now called Saint Stephens being distant from Can­terbury about halfe a mile. This Colledge it was deuised [Page 54] should haue one prebend erected by the king, and by euery seuerall Bishop of that prouince of Canterbury one other, which should euer be of the gift and patronage of their foun­ders. As for the Archbishop, the building of the church and other edifices was appointed vnto him for his share, which he intended to performe with great magnificence. The ende of this foundation was none other then this, that it might be a meane of traducing the right of election of the Archbishop, (a matter greatly importing the king and the whole realme) from the monkes (men of little learning, lesse discretion, and smalest experience in matters of gouernment, yet very obsti­nate and altogether wedded to their owne wils) to other men, in whom the king and the rest of the Bishops (as being their patrones) might chalenge an interest. For the better execution of this plot, it was ordained, that this colledge should be dedicated vnto Saint Thomas, who was now growen so famous throughout the world, as euery man thought himselfe happy that could do any thing to his honor. In regard hereof they made no doubt, but the Pope would soone be intreated to take from Christ (vnto whose name the monastery of Canterbury was consecrate) all priuiledge of election, and to confer the same with many other vpon Saint Thomas that famous martyr. The matter was now very forward and growen to good perfection, in so much as the foundations were digged, stone, timber, and other prouision laide ready in place for the building, when as the subtile monkes suspecting wherunto this great forwardnesse of the king and Bishops tended, made their complaint at Rome. That notwithanding, on went the worke: The church part­ly built was solemnely consecrate, and diuers secular priests (such Saint Thomas himselfe was) instituted and installed into their prebends, when the monks that neuer linne laying on load by requests, gifts and al maner of importunate sute to disturbe this platforme, procured the Pope to set downe an order, that this corporation should be dissolued, the buildings thereof rased and made euen to the ground. Such were the times, the Popes pleasure was aneuitable necessity; it must be and was performed. It happened then soone after that Vr­ban the Pope died, who was a great protector of the monkes [Page 55] cause. Gregory the eight succéeded, a man with whom Bald­wyn might do very much. He determined therfore once more to set on foote his former deuise, but in another place. He pro­cured of the Bishop and Couent of Rochester, for exchange of other land, a certaine quantity of ground at Lambhith, where the Archbishops pallace and house of chiefe residence is now situate. Thither he caused to be brought by water all the pro­uision of stones, timber, &c. that was intended to the building of the colledge at Hackington, and began the foundation of a goodly church there, which he liued not to finish. King Ri­chard the first to expiate the fault of his rebellion & disobedi­ence vnto his father, determined to carry a great power into the holy land. Baldwyn would néedes attend him thither, and did so. By preaching, counsell, liberall almes, and continuall erample of a most vertuous life, he did great good there, vntill at last in the siege of the city of Acon being taken with a grie­uous sicknesse he died, when he had béene Archbishop euen almost seuen yéeres, and was buried there. He gaue all his goods vnto the soldiers to be diuided amongst them at the dis­cretion of Hubert the Bishop of Salisbury, that soone after succeeded him.

41. Reginald Fitz-iocelinc.

PResently after the death of Baldwyn, the King dispat­ched 1191 a messenger from Acon with letters, wherein he earnestly prayed the monkes to make election of some such man to succéed, as he might haue cause to like. And the rather to bring the same to passe, he wrote vnto the Archbi­shop of Roan, who (the Bishop of Ely being then newly dis­placed) gouerned the realme in his absence, to cause all the Bi­shops of the prouince of Canterbury to méete at Canterbu­ry, and to take the best course they might for the placing of some fit man in that Sée. The monkes (who were excéeding ioyfull to heare of the Archbishops death) casting many doubts by reason of this méeting, procéeded first vnto their election, and chose Reginald Bishop of Bathe that was sonne to Ioceline Bishop of Salisbury, but concealed it till the Bi­shops were come together; at what time in the presence of [Page 56] them all [...] their election, and withall laid hands [...] [...] there present, drew him vnto the Archiepisco­pall throne, and violently placed him in the same. Albeit at that time he withstood them what he might, and with teares [...] besought them to make choice of some other; yet being asked the next day by the Archbishop of Roan, whether he assented vnto the election, he answered, that so farre he was from ambitious desire of that place, as it was a great griefe vnto him to be chosen, and that he would be very glad they would take some other in his roome: Howbeit (quoth he) if they will néeds stand to their election, though with griefe and hearty sorrow, I must and will accept of the same. Messen­gers were by and by dispatched vnto the Pope, who present­ly affoorded the pall and other vsuall ceremonies vnto this [...] elect. But before newes could be brought of his confir­mation, or he take possession of his new honor, he died at his house of Dogmersfield in Hamshire vpon Christmas day, fiftéene daies (or as other deliuer the nine and fortie) after his election vnto Canterbury. He was buried at Bathe. Sée more of him in Bathe and Wels.

42. Hubert Walter.

KIng Richard the first, surnamed Cueur de Lyon, being 1193 taken prisoner in his returne from the holy land, by Leo­pold [...] of [...], at what time the Sée of Canter­bury was yet void; well knowing how notable a stay a good Archbishoppe might be vnto the whole realme in his [...] and hauing experience of the great wisedome and other manifold vertues of [...] Bishop of Salisbury that had attended [...] in all that long and dangerous voyage; he vsed what [...] he might possibly to procure him to be transla­ted thither. This Hubert was borne at a place called West Derham in Norfolke, and brought vp vnder Raynulph de Glandfeld chiefe Justice of England. The first preferment he [...] was the Deamy of Yorke, [...] he was called in the [...] yéere of king Richard vnto the [...] of Sa­lisbury, by the [...] of Baldwyn the Archbishop, who loued him [...] in his life time, and at his death trusted him with [Page 57] the disposition of all his goods. Being yet Deane of Yorke, he bought certaine land of Geoffry Fitz Geoffry in West Der­ham where he was borne, and founded a monastery in the same for his owne soules health (so himselfe speaketh in his foundation) as also for the soules of his father, mother, Ray­nulphde Glandfeld, and Berta his wife who brought him vp. The manner of his election vnto Canterbury was this. The king writ earnestly to the Couent to choose some wise, quiet, & moderate man, but refrayned to name any, in regard of the former repulses taken by him and his father. But his minde and particular desire could not be vnknowen vnto them. He signified vnto Elianor his mother, to the Archbishop of Roan and other, what course he wished to be taken: And so wisely they handled the matter, as before any man looked for it, the monkes (who well saw how greatly it imported the realme in that dangerous time to haue some woorthy prelate in that place) had elected him and published suddenly their election at Paules crosse, to the great contentment of the Quéene and councell, and no lesse ioy of all other sorts and states of people. While his pall was fetching at Rome, consi­dering how odious Baldwyn had beene to his Monkes of Canterbury for not beeing a Monke as themselues were and in a manner all his predecessors had béene; went to Merton and there professed him selfe a Monke in like ma­ner as Regmald the last Archbishoppe had done. Then he began to bestir him in leuiyng of money for the kings ran­some. So discretly he wrought, as the Cleargy aud commo­nalty of the whole realme did very willingly yéeld a quarter of all their reuenues for one yéere, which (together with the plate and ornaments of Churches that were fame to be sold in this extrenuty) amounted vnto 150000. marks, the sum required by the Emperor. The king returning, made him presently Lord Chauncelor, chiefe Justice of England, and high gouernor of all his dominions immediately vnder him. So that being already Archbishop and the Popes Logate, he wanted no authority that was possible to be laid vpon him. Neuer was there any Cleargy man either before or after him of so great power, neuer any man vsed his authority more moderately. He was blamed and much enuied for ta­king [Page 58] so many offices vpon him. It is remembred that a No­ble man said vnto him in scorne, at what time he was made Chauncellor, I haue heard of many Chauncellors made Bishops, but of an Archbishop that would vouchsafe to stoup to the Chauncellorship, till now I neuer heard of any. With in two yéers after his first promotion to these high places, the better to excuse his ambition, he made a dissembling and counterfeit shew of being desirous to leaue these temporall offices, in so much as, he dealt effectually with the king by letters to giue him leaue to resigne them, saying, that the charge of his Church was worke ynough for one man, whereunto onely he would hereafter gladly dedicate him­selfe. This he did, assuring him selfe in his owne conceite, that the king had no man about him so likely to manage those affaires as him selfe, and not being able to want him, would intreate him to retaine them still. It fell out otherwise then he expected: For though at first the king séemed and perad­uenture was vnwilling to yéeld to this his request, yet he found it so reasonable in the end, as he could not any longer deny the same. Here now this Archbishop manifestly be­wrayed his insatiable desire of rule and gouernment: Being thus taken tardy in his owne snare; as though his mind and determination were sodainely altered, he signified vnto the king by letters, that notwithstanding his great desire of be­taking himselfe onely to spirituall matters and the manifold infirmities of his age; he would be content to afford his la­bor and diligence in his other offices yet a while longer, if therein he might doo him any profitable seruice. And that the king should not think it possible to prouide himselfe elsewhere of better officers, he certified him withall, that in these two yéeres since his preferment, he had gathered for his vse 1100000. marks which he was ready to pay into his cof­fers, augmenting it is like the summe, and adding thereto out of his owne purse, that so he might in cleanly sort buy a­againe those honorable and gainfull offices, which his subtile dissimulation had almost lost him. Setting this fault aside whereunto the greatest wits are most subiect (I meane am­bition) he was an excellent and memorable man, a bridle (saith on) vnto the king, and an obstacle of tyranny, the peace [Page 59] and comfort of the people, & lastly a notable refuge of all both high and low against all manner of iniury and oppression. Faithfull and loyall he was vnto his Prince, louing aud ve­ry carefull of his Countrey, in which he caused many excel­lent lawes to be established; He it was that first deuised our assise of bread, our waights & measures of wine, oyle, corne, &c. Uery valiant he was also and performed many great ser­uices in the warres, the report whereof I leaue vnto the Chronicles. His house kéeping they say was such, as the ex­pence thereof was thought to be nothing inferior vnto the kings: And yet he performed many great workes of inesti­mable charge. Beside the monastery of Derham before men­tioned, he also founded another for Cistercian Monkes at Wulferhampton, but liued not to finish the same; he compas­sed the Tower of London with a strong wall and a déepe moate, so as the water inclosed the same quite round, which before that time could neuer be brought to passe; he encrea­sed the reuenues of his sée uery much, adorned it with many sumptuous and stately buildings, and lastly procured diuers notable priuileges vnto the same, called in olde English, Gled, Dangeld, Hidage, Warpon, Bloodwhite, Childwhite, Uillenage, &c. Now notwithstanding this his great power and riches, with the monkes of Canterbury he had as much to doo as other of his predecessors. By intreaty and faire meanes he indeuoured to procure their consent for the finish­ing of the Chappell at Lambhith begun by Baldwin, sor with­out their leaue to goe about it, he knew it was to no purpose. To this end he sent vnto them the Abbots of Waltam, Rea­ding, and Chertsey, to debate this matter with them. The very mention thereof was so odious vnto them, as by and by they made a great complaint vnto the Pope not only of this, but many other things also, especially of his intermedling in ciuill affaires. Hereupon the Pope presently enioyned him, without farther delay to resigne all his temporall offices, which he (how loath soeuer) was faine to doo. As for the mat­ter of the Chappell, after it had hung long in the Popes court, the parties grew to a composition, that vpon condition it were pulled downe, it should be lawfull for the Archbishop to build another vpon a new foundation, to endue the same with an [Page 60] hundred pound a yéere reuenues and no more, and lastly to place in the same twentie Canons or Prebendaries. Mary it was conditioned, that no Bishops in any wise should be consecrate there, no Abbots admitted, no orders admini­sted, &c. After this, the rest of his daies he ended in peace. King Iohn that had attempted many times to depose his brother King Richard, and was alwaies hindered in those practises by the diligence faithfulnesse and wisedome of this worthy Prelate, estranged him selfe a while from him, and gaue him no countenance. But finding at last how ill he might spare him, vsed his counsell, receiued intertaiment of him (which was very royall) at Canterbury; trusted him with the gouernment of the whole realme at his departure into Normandy, and affoorded him many other gratious fa­uours. Hauing béene Archbishop twelue yéeres sauing fower moneths, he fell into a kinde of ague vpon the way as he was riding to Rochester to worke an agréement betwéene the Bishop and the monkes there, turned into his mannour of Tenham, made his will, and lying sicke there onely fower daies departed this life. He was buried July 13. 1205. in the South wall of the church beside the quier néere Walter Reynald, that long after succéeded him.

43. Stephen Langton.

THe king did so reioice at Huberts death, as whē it was 1207 first reported vnto him, me thinks (quoth he) I am now in déede king of England. But had he knowen, either how ill he might haue missed him, or how great trouble his death would haue caused him, he would rather haue said, now I begin to loose my kingdome, and would little haue estéemed the wealth he left behind him; which although it were bequeathed by testament, trauelling to Canterbury in his owne person, he seased vpon the same and conuerted it all to his owne vse. The monkes in like sort reioyced, little kno­wing how great calamity hung ouer their heads, and must shortly fall vpon them by reason of his death. For they for­sooth hasty and desirous to vse their priuiledge of election, as also iealous least the libertie of the same should be disturbed [Page 61] by any requeste of the king; secretly at midnight, made choice of one Reginald their supprior, taking an othe of him not to make his election knowen to any, till he came to the Popes presence, whether he was aduised to high himselfe as fast as he might. This othe notwithstanding, as soone as he was gotten ouer the feas, he bare himselfe euery where as Lord elect, not letting to shew the testimoniall of his election to who so demaunded the same. This breach of promise so in­ceused his [...] against him, as presently they determined to become futers to the king for pardon of their fault in choosing without licence, as also that now he would permit a new election, supposing the old frustrate and made void by the [...] of the elect. They did so, and easily obtai­ned their request, but much the rather bicause they made shew of a readinesse in satisfying the kings desire, that wished the Archbishopricke vnto Iohn Gray Bishop of Norwich. He was then in the North countrey about some businesse of the Kings: Being sent for in all haste, at his first comming to Canterbury, he was solemnely elected, and his election pub­lished in the church before the king and an infinite number of people. These two elections being presented vnto the Pope, he determined to make vse of the monkes debate, and discou­raging each side (for the greater part of the monks were then at Rome, some of them [...] their old election for good, others importunately suyng to haue the later confirmed) he practised secretly with either of them, to be cōtent to choose yet a third man that he would nominate vnto them, & that was one Stephen Langton a Cardinall of Rome; a man in regard of many excellent gifts both of mind and body very fit for the place, and no way to be [...], if he had orderly obtained the same. By birth he was an English man, brought vp in the [...] of Paris, greatly esteemed by the king and all the [...] of Fraunce for his singular and rare learning, made Chauncellor of Paris, and lastly called thence by the Pope to be a Cardinall of Rome. Now when by faire means he could not [...] with them (for they feared the kings dis­pleasure whom they knew to be a hot and violent Prince) he began to terrifie them with threatning, & what by one means or other, made them content at last to choose him: which done, [Page 62] the Pope with his owne hands gaue him consecration at [...] June 17. Then well knowing how hainously the king would take this matter, he writ letters vnto him swéet­ned with many gentle intreaties, large praises of the new Archbishop, and seasoned now and then with some touches of doubtfull threatning if he should oppose himselfe against that was then done. This notwithstanding, the king in great indignation, banished all the monkes of Canterbury, seased vpon their goods and lands, and forbid Stephen Langton en­trance into the realme. The Pope hearing of this, sent his mandate vnto thrée Bishops, William of London, Eustach of Ely, and Mauger of Worcester, wherein he willed them first to admonish and perswade the king to restore the monkes to their goods and places, and to giue the Archbishops possession of his temporalties by a day, then if he refused so to do, to in­terdict the whole realme. They durst not but obey, and fin­ding the king resolute in his determination, at the time ap­pointed they published the Popes interdiction, and as well foreséeing the great trouble to come, as the present danger, got them out of the land tegether with [...] Bishop of Bathe, and Gyles of Hereford. The king immediately seased all their goods and temporalties into his hands, and moreo­uer banished all the friends and [...] of these Bishops that were likely to yéeld them any comfort or releife. During the time of this interdict, all seruice ceased throughout the realme, except onely Baptisme of children, auricular confes­sion, and the administration of the sacrament vnto such as lay vpon the point of death. The Pope séeing this course pre­uailed not, proceeded to a particular excommunication of the king, and not long after, depriued him by sentence of all regal authority, a thing till that time in no age euer heard of. All this while the king esteemed the Popes sword blunt and vn­able to wound him, till at last he perceiued the French king ready to take aduantage of this sentence, and prouiding bu­sily to inuade his dominions. His owne people also began to fall from him, and to doubt whom in conscience they ought rather to follow, their owne [...] Prince or a forreine in­truder; a strange and monstrous ignorance. Séeing there­fore no other remedy, he was faine to yéeld, receiued the Arch­bishop [Page 63] restored the other Bishops the monkes and all the rest banished vnto their goods and reueneues, and moreouer was content to resigne his crowne into the Popes hands, & vpon restitution to assure him by his letters patents a yéerely pen­sion of a thousand markes. This done, he thought all trou­bles at an end, when the worst of all was yet behind: For he bare himselfe so bold vpon the Popes fauour (which he had bought deerely) as he doubted not to oppresse diuers of his nobility, with many and continuall wrongs, reuoking all for­mer graunts of priuiledges at his pleasure vpon this point, that he had receiued his kingdome from the Pope absolutely, free from all entanglement of any priuiledges deriued from the same. Heereupon the Barons rebelled, the Archb. taking their part; and when they doubted least they should not make their party good against the king, the Pope stucke so close vn­to him; they procured Lewis the French kings eldest sonne to inuade the realme. Him together with the Archbishop and all the Barons, the Pope excommunicated. This great hurly burly was appeased suddenly by the kings death, who died some say of care & sorrow, some of surfet and some say he was poysoned by a monke. His sonne Henry a Prince often yéeres old was receiued to the kingdome, Lewis forsaken, & the Ba­rons vpon promise of obedience vnto their king, absolued by the Popes legate. Clergy men were debarred a while from [...] absolution that they might compound for the same, which they were glad to do. All things being thus quieted, this our Archbishop called a conuocation at Dsney, wherein many things were decreed, to be seene for the most part a­mong the principall constitutions. Thither came a certaine yoong man that shewing the marks of wounds in his hands, feete, and side, professed himselfe to be no lesse man then Jesus Christ. He brought also two women with him, whereof one tooke vpon her to be our Lady, the other Mary Magdalen. This counterfait Christ, for his labour was woorthily cruci­fied and forced to resemble him in the manner of his death, whose life and person he had [...] immitated and sought to expresse. Soone after he translated the bones of S. Thomas Becket from the place where they were first buri­ed in the vndercraft, into a goodly sumptuous shrine. This [Page 64] was done woonderfull solemnly, the king and greatest part of the nobility of all the realme being present. During the time of this ceremony, all passengers from London to Canterbury were allowed horsemeat at the Arthbishops charge, who also caused vessels of wine to runne continually in diuers parts of the city all the day of this translation, that who so list might drinke of them. This solemnity prooued so chargeable vnto him, as neither he, nor fower of his successors were able to re­couer the debt, he cast his Sée and Church into. He was Arch­bishop in all two and twentie yéeres, and died July 9. 1228. at his mannor of Slyndon in Sussex, from whence his body was conueighed to Canterbury, and there buried in the chap­pell of Saint Michaell. This man was admirably learned, and writ many notable workes, the Catalogue whereof is to be séene in Bale. Amongst the rest, it is especially to be noted, that he first diuided the Bible into Chapters, in such sort as we now account them. The Archbishops pallace at Canter­bury, is said to haue béene built in a manner all by this Ste­phen Langton. Moreouer, it is deliuered that he bestowed great cost in making a faire horologe in the South crosse isle of the church néere which he lieth buried, his monument being situate in a manner iust vnder the altar.

44. Richard Magnus.

VVIthin a fewe daies after the death of Stephen 1229 Langton, the Monkes with the Kings licence procéeded to election & made choice of one Walt. de Hempsham one of their own company & presented him vn­to the K. who by the aduice of diuers prelates refused to allow of him. Which notwithstanding, he got him to Rome hoping by one meanes or other to obtaine the Popes confirmation. The king hauing notize of his intent, sent thither the Bi­shop of Chester to signifie that he was a man very vnlearned and moreouer infamous for his life and conuersation, as namely, that he had gotten diuers children vpon a certaine Nunne, that his father was hanged for theft, and that him­selfe had deserued it by taking the part of the rebellious Ba­rons. All this would not stay the Pope from giuing him con­firmation, [Page 65] vntill the kings Ambassadors had promised him a tenth of all spirituall promotions in England, to aide him in his wars against the Emperor. That being assigned him, he straight way pronounced the election voide and by reason of the insufficiency of the elect, the right of nomination to be deuolued vnto him selfe; by vertue of which title he tooke vp­on him at the kings request to name vnto that see Richard the Chauncellor of Lincolne. This Richard was a man very wel learned, wise, graue, well spoken, and of good report, stout in defending the rights and liberties of the Church and (which is not altogither to be neglected) of a goodly personage, tall, straight, and well fauoured. He was consecrate at Canter­bury by Henry Bishop of Rochester, in the presence of the king and many of the nobility, June 10. 1229. A little while he enioyed that honor, to wit, two yéeres or there abouts. In which time there happened a controuersie betwéene him and [...] de [...] Earle of Kent, concerning some lands of the Earle of Glocester, the profits whereof the Archbishop chal­lenged as due vnto him in the minority of the Earle. Hubert was a man greatly fauored by the king for his long faithfull seruice vnto his father and him selfe; namely for defending the Castle of Douer against Lewis the French man, he made him Earle of Kent, and chiefe iustice of England. He had entred vpon these lands. The Archbishop first complained of the wrong vnto the king, & finding no remedy at his hands excommunicated all the authors of this iniury (the king one­ly excepted) and got him to Rome. The king vnderstanding thereof, dispatched messengers thither also to hinder his pro­céedings there what might be. The Pope notwithstanding delighted much with the eloquence, grauity, and excellent be­hauiour of the Archbishop, graunted presently all his de­mandes. Little ioy had he of this victory: Being thrée daies iourney in his way homewards, he fell sicke at the towne of Saint Genuna and there died in the Friery, where also he was buried. It is [...] that soone after his buriall, cer­taine théeues brake open his toombe and thought to haue rob­bed him of his [...] rings, &c. wherein (according to the ma­ner of those times) he was buried; but that they claue so fast vnto him, as by no deuice they could take them from him. [Page 66] Beléeue it as you list. It shall not be amisse also to note how that in the time of this Archbishop, a great number of Itali­ans had possessed them selues of the best benefices of Eng­land; which being much spited at; certaine madde fellowes tooke vpō them by force to thresh out their corne euery where and giue it away vnto the poore, to rob and spoile them of their money and other goods. It was done so openly and so boldly, as it was manifest that some great men were at one end of that businesse. The Italians after that time were not so eager vpon Euglish benefices.

45. Saint Edmund.

THe monkes of Canterbury by this time weary of con­tending 1234 with the king, soone after the death of the for­mer Archbishop, chose of their owne accord Ralfe Ne­uill Bishop of Chichester, aud Chauncellor of England; a man very wise and highly in fauour with the king, who li­king well of this election, put him in possession of the tempo­ralties by and by. The Pope being requested for his appro­bation, chaunced to inquire of Simon Langton Archdeacon of Canterbury brother vnto Stephen the Archbishop, what maner of man this Ralfe Neuill should be, who told him, that he was a hote fellow, stout, subtile, an olde courtier and very gratious with the king; it was much to be doubted, therefore he would set the king & him together by the eares, and cause him to deny the payment of that tribute graunted vnto him by king Iohn. This was ynough; without more adoo he wil­led the monkes to choose another, neuer alleaging any matter of exceptions against him. So to a second election they pro­céeded, and chose one Iohn their Subprior: He went to Rome and being examined by certaine Cardinals, was adiudged fit ynough for the place; Yet the Pope misliked him for his age, and perswaded the good old man to forbeare to take vp­on him so great a charge in his olde yéeres. He yéelded: and thereupon a third was elected, one Richard Blundy a studient of Oxford. Him also the Pope refused, because forsooth he held two benefices contrary to the Canons, and because it was knowen, he had borrowed a great summe of money of Peter [Page 67] Bishop of Winchester, wherewith it was thought he féed well the monkes that chose him. The Pope then made re­quest vnto such of the monkes as were at Rome to choose Ed­mund Treasurer of Salisbury, a man very wel knowen, and indéed famous for his vertue and great learning. They nei­ther durst deny the Popes request, nor would doo any thing in the matter, till they had vnderstood the pleasure of their Prince, and conferred with the rest of their brethren. He was content to take their silence for a sufficient election, and with­out more adoo sent him the pall into England, little thinking of any such matter. Both the king and the Couent liking well ynough of the man, he was consecrate at Canterbury by Ro­ger Bishop of London ann. 1234. He was borne (as some say) at London, and baptised in the same font Thomas Becket his predecessor had beene. But, other affirme more probably that he was borne at Abingdon in Barkshire sonne vnto one Edward Rich a Merchant: his mothers name was Ma­bell. In their elder yéeres they forsooke each other by mutuall consent and betooke them selues to a monasticall life. Edmund their sonne they caused to be brought vp in the Uniuersity of Oxford. Hauing attained vnto reasonable perfection in the knowledge of Diuinity (whereunto his study was chiefely directed) he applied himselfe to preaching wherein he tooke great paines, namely in the counties of Oxford, Glocester, and Worcester, vntil such time as he was called to the Trea­surership of Salisbury. Being consecrate Archbishop, he pre­sently fell into the kings displeasure, by opposing him selfe a­gainst the mariage of Elianor the kings sister with Simon Mountfort Earle of Leicester, because vponthe death of the Earle Marshal her first husband she had vowed chastity. To haue this vow dispensed withall, the king procured the Pope to send a Legate into England: his name was Otto a Car­dinall. [...] also this good Archbishop offended, and that so grieuously, by reprehending his monstrous couetousnesse, his bribery, and extortion, as euer after he sought to worke him all the mischiefe he might. The monkes of Rochester had presented vnto this Archbishop one Richard de [...] demaunding of him consecration vnto the Bishopricke of their Church. The Archbishop denied to affoord the same, [Page 68] knowing him to be a very vnlearned and vnsufficient man. Héereupon the moonks appealed to Rome, which the Archbi­shop vnderstanding of, hasted him thither also. Otto the Le­gate endeuoured to stay him at home, and failing thereof, did his errand so well at Rome, as not onely in that sute, but an other also which he had against Hugh Earle of Arundell in an other cause of appeale, he was ouerthrowne and condemned in a thousand markes charges to his great disgrace and im­pouerishment. Being at Rome he had complained of many great abuses in England, and amongst the rest, of the long vacacy of Bishoprickes The Pope séemed willing to redresse these things, and namely concerning that matter, set downe this order, that if any cathedrall Church continued voide aboue sixe monethes, it should be lawfull for the Archbishop to conferre it where he list, as well as any smaller benefice. The procuring of this order cost him a great sum of mony: Yet no sooner was his backe turned, but the Pope at the kings request reuoked the same. Being thus continually vexed, thwarted, and disgraced, he departed into voluntary exile, and there bewailing the misery of his countrey, spoyled and wasted by the tyranny of the Pope, spent the rest of his life in continuall teares. Through extreme gréefe and sor­row, or (as some thinke) too much [...], he fell first into a consumption, and after into a strange kinde of ague. Where­upon he thought good to remooue from the Abbey of Ponti­niac in Fraunce (where he had laien euer since his comming out of England) vnto Soissy, and there departed this life No­uember 16. 1236. eight yéeres after his first consecration. His hart and entrailes were buried at Soissy, his body at Pontiniac. Within sixe yéeres after his death he was Cano­nised a Saint by Innocentius, who appointed the foresaid day of his death for euer to be kept holy in memory of him. Lewes the French king caused his body to be translated to a more honorable place then it was first laid in, and bestowed a sumptuous shryne vpon him couered with golde and siluer, and richly adorned with many precious stones.

46. Boniface.

THe monks of Canterbury at the instance of the king 1244 elected vnto the Archbishopricke Boniface, the sonne of Peter Earle of Sauoy, and vncle vnto the Quéene: a man not greatly to be commended for any thing but the no­bility of his stocke, and the comelinesse of his person: For in other respects he was thought vtterly vnfit, and vnwoorthy of that place. The king therefore doubting least the Pope would reiect him, caused in a manner all the Bishops and Ab­bots of England to write their letters commendatory in his behalfe, and so sent him to Lyons, where he quickly obtained consecration at the Popes owne hands. At his first entrance into this Sée, he found the same indebted by the ouerlashing of his predecessors, to the value of 22. thousand marks, which he tooke for an occasion of both absenting himselfe from his charge, and also of raking money togither by all kinde of meanes. Departing therefore into his owne country; by fel­ling of woods, making leases and other such like meanes, he made an infinite deale of money, promising to imploy the same and whatsoeuer he could saue by liuing priuately at home, in the payment of his churches debt. By the same pre­tence also he induced the Pope to graunt him in Commen­dam the Bishopricke of Ualentia in Prouence and diuers other spirituall promotions. But he gaue himselfe to war­ring, and spent all he could make in hyring of soldiers. When therefore (notwithstanding all these helpes) the debt was ne­uer the lesse, he was glad by bribing the Pope with a great summe of money, to procure of him a graunt of the profite of all spirituall preferments that should be void within his pro­uince for the space of seuen yéeres. The king a while spurned at this graunt, but in the end halfe for feare of the Pope (of whom he stood in great awe) and partly by sute and interces­sion, he ratified and allowed of the same. Hauing béene many yéeres absent, he returned into England the yéere 1250. and tooke vpon him to visite all his Prouince in some extraordi­narie manner. All men knew it was rather to make mony, then for any desire of reformation, and that caused it to be ta­ken [Page 70] the more odiously. He began first with his owne Dioces, which he so hampered with straight & vnreasonable orders, such as he knew men would rather buy out then endure to obserue; that euery one said the monks of Canterbury were [...] iustly rewarded for their folly in electing an vnlearned stranger, that was more fit and likely to make a souldier then an Archbishop a great deale. Comming then to London, he tooke a small occasion to deface the Bishop there with [...] and reprochfull spéeches; and being resisted by the Deane and Chapter of Paules (who had appealed from his [...] to the Pope) he made no more adoo but excommunicated them euery one, Going the next day about the same businesse to the Priory of Saint Bartholomewes in Smythfield, he was met very honorably by the Subprior and all the Co­nent in their coapes. Telling them by and by he came to vi­site them, one of the company answered him reuerently, he was very welcome vnto them, but they were sory he came for that purpose, wherein they must disappoint him: They knew their Bishop (whose onely office it was) to be a very sufficient man for his place, and so long they must not enter­taine the [...] of any other. This answere (though gen­tle inough) so enraged this lusty Archbishop, as not being able to containe his anger within any bounds of discretion, he ranne violently not to him that had spoken, but to the Sub­prior that was next him, strucke the poore old man downe to the ground, kicked him, beate and buffeted him pitifully, tore his coape from his backe, rent it into a number of péeces, and when he had done stamped vpon it like a madde man. In this conflict it hapned the Archbishop to stumble and fal back­ward, by meanes whereof his apparell loosening, in any per­ceaued a priuy coate vnder the same. His seruitors and atten­dants taking example of their Lord, gaue much like inter­tainment to the rest of the monks as he had giuen to the Sub­prior. By this time the Londoners were vp, and taking the matter very [...] in the behalfe of their Bishop whom this iniury did originally concerne, laid such wait for the Archbishop, as with much adoo he stole secretly to the Thames side, and was conueied by a wherry prouided for him to Lambhith. If they could [...] met with him, they had [Page 71] surely hewen him into 1000. péeces. He was no sooner come home, but he thundred out his excommunications against not onely the whole Couent of Saint Bartholomew, but the Bishop of London also, as a fauourer of theirs. They all agreeing togither, determined to send the Deane of Paules a graue and wise man to Rome, and by the letters of certaine Bishops (they knew the Pope would credite) to aduertise him of this strange disorder. The Archbishop vnderstanding heereof, followed thither apace, and entred Rome with great pompe, nothing [...] but the King and Quéenes letters which he had brought, his nobility and great linage, or if all failed, his purse, should beare him out in this matter well inough. But vnderstanding how odiously it was taken by all that heard it, & how hardly the Pope was informed against him; he fell to intreatie of his aduersaries, the Deane of Paules and the rest, whom partly by faire promises, and partly by threates, at last he subdued and made them content to stay their complaint. That matter being so ended, he dealt earnestly with the Pope to ratifie the dooings of his [...]. The Bishops of his prouince vnderstanding thereof, and knowing how great an inconuenience it would be to them and all their Clergy; they made a collection of two pence in the marke out of all spirituall promotions in the Prouince to be expended in sute of lawe against the Archibishop. In the meane time the king had written his letters earnestly to the Pope in the Archbishops behalfe, which so inchanted him with partialitie, as the Bishop of London vtterly despairing of any iustice, gaue ouer the matter in the plaine field: Onely thus much was obtained, that he, the Chapter of Paules, and the Couent of S. [...] should be absolued from their excommunication. Soone after this it hapned that the Archbishop (the old malice still boyling in his brest) taking a small aduantage, excommunicated againe the Deane and Chapter of Paules; the indignitie whereof so mooued all the Cleargy, as they tooke order to méete at Dunstable, and there laying their purses togither, gathered the sum of fower thousand markes, which they determined to bribe the Pope withall, so he would deliuer them from the misery of this vn­reasonable kinde of Uisitation. The Pope tooke their mony, [Page 72] and promised them faire: And the Archbishoppe séeing no remedie but he must [...] clauo pellere, by taking the same course, fedde him as well on the other side. He whose affection was euer woont to be measured according to his rewards, so diuided his fauour, as he tooke not away from the Archbishoppe all authority of visiting, and yet so moderated the same with circumstances, as it was like to prooue tolerable inough. As soone then as he returned, he went forward in his visitation, wherein he dealt at the first somewhat mildly, but soone falling to his old byas, caused eue­ry where such stirs and tumults, as it was long after called by the name of the troublous Uisitation. At Lincoln he fell out with the Chapter there (the Sée being then voide) about the gift of prebends and benefices which he chalenged, and had euer heretofore in the vacacy belonged vnto them. One William Lupus Archdeacon of Lincoln especially resisted him in this matter, and appealed vnto the Pope. This poore man he so vexed and hurryed with his excommunications, and all manner of molestation he could deuise, as at last he enforced him to hide himselfe and to steale secretly to Rome, where he was so pitied, as the Pope was entreated not only to absolue him, but to protect him from the violence of Boni­face, and at last to iudge the controuersie of his side. So home­wards he got him with assured hope of restoring his church to her auncient priuiledge. But being worne out with con­tinual trauel and vexation which he had indured three yéeres, vpon the way he died. Now while he was abroad in the rest of his prouince, his monkes of Christ church in Canterbury had procured of the Pope a Charter of immunity from all visitation. This being tendred vnto him at Saint Albons, he made no more adoo, but cast it in the fire. The matter be­ing complained of both to the Pope and the king, no redresse could be found. The king durst not disgrace him for feare of offending his Quéene to whom he was vncle, and the Pope, partly for his kinreds sake (that were mighty men and his néere neighbours) partly because he was his instrument for polling of England, and brought him in much money, would hardly giue eare vnto any accusation against him. This boi­sterous visitation ended, he got him beyond sea, and with [Page 73] the money he had scraped togither in the same, hired a great number of soldiers to rescue his brother Thomas, sometime Earle of Sauoy that was kept in prison by the citizens of [...], who could not indure his tyranny. In this war he had the Popes Buls and excommunications at comman­dement to assist him, of which hauing spent a great many, all his money, and no smal number of his soldiers to no purpose, with [...] and sorrow for his losse and disgrace, home he came. Toward the later end of his time he waxed more mo­derate, and applied himselfe in some reasonable sort to the go­uernment of his church. The realme being filled with stran­gers of the kings blood by his mother side and their atten­dants, that still snatcht vp all places of preferment, especially [...]: He was content to ioine with the rest of the Bishops in a request to the king, wherein he besought him to hauc some regard of his owne countriemen, among whom he might sinde choice ynough of wise, vertuous and learned men. The king taking this speech of his in very euill part, told him he was content to do as he wished him, and because saith he, it is indéed great reason that I should fauour woor­thy men of my owne nation before any vnwoorthy stranger. You and my brother Aethelmar of Winchester (men vtterly vnlearned and altens, whom I haue preferred for no other respect then kinred or affinity) shall do well to giue ouer your places; and you shall see I will soone fill them with men you shal take no exceptions against. By this and diuers other ma­nifest tokens perceiuing the kings mind to be alienated from him, and knowing himselfe very ill beloued of all the com­mous and clergic in generall, waxing weary of England, he selled his woods, let leases, forced from his tenants and others what money he could possibly; and hauing gathered great summes by one meanes or other, caried it all with him into Sauoy, whence he neuer meant to returne againe. He liued not long after his arriuall there, but deceased in the castle of Saint Helen, July 18. 1270. after his first consecration 26. yeeres sixe moneths and sixteene daies, and from the time of his first election nine and twenty yeeres. He performed three notable things woorthy memory; he payed the debt of two and twenty thousand markes that he found his Sée indebted [Page 74] in. He built a goodly hospitall at Maidstone called the New workes, and indued it with large reuenewes. (William Courtney long after translated the same into a colledge of se­cular priests.) And lastly, he finished that most stately hall at Canterbury with the buildings adioining, which had onely béene begun by Hubert, and little or nothing continued by them that followed, but by him at last was throughly per­fited.

47. Robert Kilwardby.

Soone after the death of Boniface, the Couent of Can­terbury 1272 by the licence of the king, elected William Chil­linden their Supprior to succéede him. The Pope tooke exceptions against him as an vnsufficient man for the place, & ex plenitudine potestatis, thrust into the same one Robert Kilwardby. This Robert was a great Clarke, and left many monuments of the same in writing behind him, an English man borne, brought vp in Paris; whence (hauing proceeded there Master of Arts) he returned and became first a Frier Minor, and then Prouinciall of that order here. The monkes that many times opposed themselues against their kings and lawfull Princes, durst not resist this intruder of the Popes sending, but to preserue their right of election, were content forsooth to chose him the Pope had before appointed them. He was consecrate February 26. 1272. being the first Sun­day in Lent; at what time the Prior of Canterbury deman­ded of him the summe of 3000 markes spent in the election of William Chillenden, which the Pope promised the next Archbishop should repay. But he loath to disburse this mo­ney, began to pick holes in the Priors coate, and threat­ning to depriue him of his place, neuer linne sifting of him, till he had intreated his Couent to abate 1300. of the 3000. markes. In the first yéere of his consecration, he re­nued the Statutes made by his predecessors for his Court of the Arches, and contracted them briefely into fiue articles. Then shortly after he visited all his Prouince and both the Uniuersities, in which he disputed excellently, and shewed himselfe in diuers kinds of exercise. Toward the later ende [Page 75] of his time he made a collection for the building of a Mona­stery for the Frier Minors in London. Men contributed so largely thereunto, (and he had the helpe of a certaine olde Tower which yéelded him stones without charge) as he fini­shed the same with other mens money, & filled his own purse well beside. Hauing béene Archbishop about the space of sixe yéeres, he was sent for to Rome by Pope Nicholas the third and made Cardinall of Hostia and Bishop of Portua. He re­signed then his Archbishopricke, and getting him into Italy, with in a fewe monethes after fell sicke and died (of poison some say) at Uiterbium, where also he was buried.

48. Iohn Peckham.

THe resignation of Robert Kilwardby once knowen, the 1278 monkes mate hast to their election, and with the kings good liking, chose Robert Burnell Bishop of Bath, at that time Chauncellor of England. But the Pope who had therefore promoted Robert Kilwardby that he might place another in his roome, such a one as he would be sure should serue his turne at all times, perceiuing him selfe preuented in the election; thrust in ex plenitudine potestatis, in like sort as last time he had done, Iohn Peckham another Frier. He was borne of meane parentage in Susser, spent his childhood in the Abbey of Lewes, brought vp in Oxford (where he be­came a Frier) and succeeded Robert Kilwardby in the office of Prouinctall of their order. From Oxford he went to Pa­ris to study Diuinity, and after a while to Lyons to get some knowledge in the Canon Law, without the which, Diuiuity was esteemed vnperfect in those daies. At Lions he was cho­sen Canon or Prebendary of the Cathedrall Church, and by that meanes being furnished with allowance to trauaile; for the encrease of his knowledge in the Canon Law, he went into Italy, & visiting personally all the Uniuersities of Italy, came lastly to Rome. His rare learning being soone percetued there, he was made by the Pope Auditor or chiefe Iudge of his Pallace, and so continued till his preferment to Canter­bury. He was consecrate the first Sunday in Lent, which fell vpon the sixt day of March 1278. Soone after his arriuall in [Page 76] England the Pope his creator (as he called him) sent vnto him a mandate of making payment of 4000. markes vpon very short warning, or else assured him to be spéedily excom­municate. It shall not be amisse to set downe the wordes of his answere to this demaund; Ecce me creastis saith he, &c. Behold you haue created me: And if the creature cannot but desire naturally what perfection the creator can yéeld, how can I but resort vnto you for succour in all my oppressions & calamities. I receiued of late certaine letters horrible to sée and fearefull to heare, denouncing, that except I make pay­ment of 4000. marks that I became indebted vnto certaine Merchants of Luca at Rome within the space of a moneth af­ter Michaelmas next, I was to be excommunicate with bell, booke, and candle, and that excommunication to be published in my Church, &c. Then (to make short) he declareth how his predecessor at his departure caried away all the mooue­able goods belonging to the Sée, that Boniface had left all his houses very ruinous, that the King had taken vp be­fore hand, one yéeres profitte of his lands that in the meane space he was faine himselfe to liue vpon credit, and that to borow to serue his necessary vses (the realme being so exhaust with contiuuall payments) it was excéeding hard. In re­gard héereof, he besought him (whom onely in truth the matter concerned, though merchants of Luca bore the name of this debt) to order the matter so, as he might be allowed a yéeres day of paiment, which at last with much adoo was granted him by the sute of Robert Kilwardby his predecessor, who died (as before is rehearsed) soone after. The new Arch­bishop then became a suter vnto the Pope, that he would cause to be restored vnto his Church fiue thousand markes, the value whereof, the said Robert had caried away with him of the goods belonging to his Sée. This he was so far from obtaining, as by and by the Pope began to call vpon him a­gaine very hastily for the fower thousand marks aboue men­tioned, and so made him glad to hold his peace for that time, and yet to pay the money at his day. In the first yéere of his consecration he sommoned a Conuocation at Lambhith, at what time the Archbishop of Yorke comming to London, caused his crosse to be borne before him within the Prouince [Page 77] of Canterbury which the Archbishop of Canterbury tooke to be a great wrong vnto him and his Sée. It had béene often in question heretofore whether it might be done or no, and much adoo there had béene about it. Therefore to redresse this abuse quickly and good cheape, our Frier deuised this course to be taken. He caused proclamations to be made in all places where he vnderstood the other Archbishop meant to passe, in which he commaunded all men vnder paine of excommuni­cation to affoord no manner of intertainment, no not so much as bread, or drinke, vnto him or any of his company, so long as he bare vp his crosse in that manner. So except he and his traine should starue, downe must the crosse there was no re­medy. The Conuocation ended, he began a generall visitati­on of his whole prouince, and being desirous to know the state of euery Dioces, went him selfe in person to most of them, vsing great lenity and gentlenesse euery where. For he was a man though very stately both in his gesture, gate, words, and all outward shew, yet of an excéeding méeke, fa­rile and liberall mind. He tooke great paines in labouring a peace betwéene King Edward the first, and Leolin Prince of Wales, vnto whom he went in person, and trauailed long with him, but altogether in vaine. He bare a very hard hand vpon the Jewes, whose Sinagogues he commaunded to be pulled downe to the ground throughout his prouince. But the king was a meanes to stay the execution of that comman­dement so farre foorth, as he would haue one Church allow­ed vnto them, in the City in which with certaine restraints they should practise their ceremonies. Unto double beneficed men and non residents he was very hard. Diuers elected vn­to Bishopricks he reiected, hauing no other exception against them. Many he compelled to reforme themselues according to the Canons in that behalfe, and some that refused to be conformable, he finally depriued. Abultery he was woont to punish very seuerely. He persecuted a Bishop terribly (his name is not deliuered) for keeping a concubine. One Roger Ham a Priest, he enioyned to thrée yéeres penance for forni­cation, enioyining him to spend all that time in fasting, pray­er, and pilgrimages to Rome, Compostella, and Colon, and moreouer sequestred the fruites of his benefice during those [Page 78] thrée yéeres, appointing them to be giuen vnto the poore. Nei­ther [...] he thus with men of his owne coate onely. There was a certaine knight of [...] called Sir Osborn Gif­ford: He had stollen two Nunnes out of the Nunry of Wil­ton: which comming to the Archbishops eares, he first excom­municated him, and after absolued vpon these conditions; first that he should neuer after come within any Nunry, or in the company of a Nunne; then, that thrée Sundaies toge­ther he should be whipped in the parish Church of Wilton, so likewise in the market and Church of Shaftsbury thrée other daies, that he should fast a certaine number of moneths, that he should not weare any shirt in thrée yéeres, and lastly that he should not any more take vpon him the habite or title of a knight, but weare apparrell of a russet colour, vntill he had spent thrée yéers in the holy land. All this he sware should be performed before he might haue absolution. If some of our gentlemen were now and then thus serued, they would not be so wanton as they are. Thirtéene yéeres and almost a halfe this man continued Archbishop holding all this while his prebend he had first at Lyons, which when diuers begged of him, he would answere, that he might not in any wise spare it; for hée looked euery day when being drouen out of England by the king (against whom indéede he often very boldly op­posed him selfe) he should haue no other home to take to. For the same cause belike it was annexed vnto the Sée of Can­terbury. Many succéeding Archbishops enioyed the same a long time after. He [...] very rich, and yet in his life time, founded at Wingham a Colledge valued when it was sup­pressed at fower score and fower pounds of yéerely reuenues, and aduanced diuers of his kinred to great possessions, whose posterity haue continued in the state of Knightsand Esquiers euen vntill our time. He was buried in his owne Church, but in what particular place I find not.

49. Robert Winchelsey.

VVHat countreyman Robert Winchelsey should be, 1294 no man deliuereth: But it is certaine he first went to schoole at Canterbury, where he was so admired for his towardlinesse, and loued for his gentle and modest behauiour (being also a very welfauoured childe) as euery man would take vpon him, euen then to prophecie that he should one day be Archbish. of Canterbury. Being ripe for the Uniuersity, he was sent to Paris. There he procéeded Master of art, and before his departure thence was chosen Rector of that Uniuersity. Hauing passed through that office (which séemeth to be annuall) with great commendation of integrity and wisedome, he returned into England, and com­ming to Oxford, gaue such proofe there of his excellent knowledge in all good learning by preaching, disputing, &c. as they thought good to honour him with the degrée of a Doctor, and shortly after made him Chauncellor of their U­niuersity. His gouernment there was such, as all men easily discerned him fit for a much higher place. He made many good and profitable statutes, and tooke away diuers fond and per­nicious customes, to the great honor of the Uniuersity, and no lesse aduauncement of good learning. His first spirituall pro­motion was a prebend in Paules church and the Archdea­conry of Esser. His Archdeacoury he visited himselfe in per­son duly euery yeere, and did reside vpon his prebend, prea­ching in that cathedral church or some other place almost eue­ry day. By reason hereof & his manifold good parts, he grew so famous, as Peckham being dead, he was straightway pointed out by the expectation of all men vnto the Archbi­shopricke. The monkes therefore chose him with the kings very good liking & great applause of all men. It was his chāce to come to Rome while Coelestious was Pope, a good & ver­tuous man, but so simple, as Boniface that succéeded him could perswade him by counterfeiting the voice of an Angell through a trunke in the night, to resigne his Papacy and be­come an Heremite againe, as before his election he had beene. Not onely this simple Heremite, but euen all the prelates [Page 80] and Cardinals there were amased at his woonderfull rare learning, the like whereof (especially to be ioined with such discretion and wisedome) they well assured themselues was no where to be found. They were desirous therefore to haue made him a Cardinall so to haue retained him amongst them: But he yéelding many reasons why he might not be spared at home, obtained at last consecration and hasted him vnto his charge. Upon the day of his inthronization, it is said he consecrated Bishop of Landaffe one Iohn Mone­mouth Doctor of Diuinity, and bestowed twenty benefices, ten of very good value vpon ten Doctors, and ten lesse vpon ten Batchelers of Diuinity. The Sée being yet voide, the king had caused a conuocation to be summoned, in which he required one halfe of all ecclesiasticall reueneues for one yéere toward the charge of his wars. This intollerable exaction the cleargy not intending to yéeld vnto, sent the Deane of Paules William de Montfort with diuers other Prelates vnto the king to craue pardon, and to shew how hard it were for them to yéeld to this demaund. Being admitted vnto his presence, the Deane began his spéech, and after a few words fell downe suddenly starke dead. Herewith the king nothing mooued, sent a knight the next day vnto the conuocation to know whether any of them durst withstand the king in this de­maund: if there be any such (quoth he) let him come foorth that I may take order with him as a disturber of the kings peace. So no man daring to gainesay it, the graunt passed for good. The Archbishop now comming home soone after, called another Synode, wherein his cleargy complained much of the last exaction. The Archbishop told them it was more thē they could [...] that they had done, for that in the late Councell of Lyons it was decréed, no cleargy man should pay any thing to any temporall magistrate without the Popes licence: that therefore they now set downe for a canon to be kept hereafter inuiolably. At that time the king that had had so liberall allowance very lately, demaunded nothing. But within a yéere or two after hauing spent an in­finite deale of money in the conquest of Scotland, he summo­ned a Parliament at Berwicke, wherein when the Tempo­ralty contributed liberally toward the charge of that warre, [Page 81] the cleargy alleaging the foresaid canon, would graunt no thing. The king would not take this for payment: And there­fore presently he tooke order, that all barnes of cleargy men should be locked vp: he also made proclamation that from that time forward, all cleargy men were excluded from vn­der his protection, so that hereafter it should be lawfull for any man to sue them, but they might not commence sute against any other. This constrained them to yéeld, and all submitted themselues to allowance of such a proportion as the king li­ked (it was a fift part of their reuenewes) except onely the Archv. who would make no other answere vnto the king but this, vnder God our vniuersall Lord, saith he, we haue two other Lords, a spirituall Lord the Pope, and a temporall Lord the king, and though we be to obey both, yet rather the spirituall Lord then the temporall. When therefore he sawe all the rest inclined to yéeld, vsing no other words then this, Saluet [...] animam suam, he rose vp and suddenly de­parted. For this contumacy the king caused all his goods to be seased into his hands, and made shew of greater displea­sure. Shortly after, notwithstanding being to make warre in Fraunce, before his departure he thought good to receiue the Archbishop to fauour againe, but this grace indured for a very little while. Presently vpon his returne, he laid diuers treasons to his charge, as that he had dehorted his subjects in his absence from payment of their subsidies, that he had con­spired with diuers of his nobility to depriue him of his king­dome, and to crowne his sonne Edward, &c. Whether the Archbishop were guilty of all the crimes obiected against him or no, I cannot tell. But certaine it is, that as guilty, he submitted himselfe to the kings mercy, and besought him for the same in most humble manner, or rather in déede deiected himselfe more basely, and lamented his cause more passio­nately then became a man that were guiltlesse, much lesse a prelate that would be esteemed, graue, learned or wise. Not­withstanding this his submission, the king commenced a complaint against him at Rome, banished him the realme, and seased vpon all his goods, mooueable and vnmooueable, forbidding all his subiects vpon great paine to foster him or yéeld him any manner of intertainment. He was in that case [Page 82] he must haue starued for want of sustenance, had not the monkes of Canterbury secretly taken him in and aduentured to yéeld him things necessary, till they found meanes to shift him beyond sea; which the king afterwards vnderstan­ding, seased vpon all their goods and lands, turned them all euen fowerscore monks a begging, forbid all men to harbour them, and kept them in that miserable state, till after a cer­taine space he was content to restore them againe. These were the violent courses were taken by Princes in those daies: how happy are we that in all peace, liberty and assu­rance, quietly enioy our owne without great desert to the contrary? Two yéeres the Archbishop continued in exile: In which time the king (Edward the first) died, and his sonne Edward the second that was to succeed, thinking it conueni­ent belike at his first entrance to shew all examples of cle­mency, called him home by letters, and restored him to all his goods, euen euery peny of that which had béene receiued of his temporalties in his absence. Hereby it came to passe that he was the richest Archbishop of many that were, either before or after him, so that his trouble turned him to great good. In regard whereof, he was woont to say ‘(Nihil nocebit aduersitas vbi nulla iniquitas dominatur)’ so often as he talked of his trouble and banishment. He was no sooner come home but a new danger encountred him occasioned by his owne woonted boldnesse. The yoong king by the counsell of Piers Gaueston (a wanton and vicious man, banished into Ireland by king Edward the first for corrupting his sonne) had com­mitted the Bishop of Couentry to ward at Yorke: A conuo­cation being gathered, the Archbishop would not suffer any matter to be debated in the house till the Bishop were set at liberty. This the king was content to beare with all at that time, & afterward he so behaued himselfe, as there neuer grew any dislike betwéene them. So the rest of his age after his re­turne from banishment (which was sixe yéeres) he passed in quietnes and great prosperity, and died at last at Oxford, May 11. 1313. hauing béene Archbishop about the space of ninetéene yéeres. He was a stout prelate and a seuere punisher of sinne. He opposed himselfe against Piers Gaueston, the Spensers, and other corrupters of the yoong king very boldly. [Page 83] He enforced Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey to sorsweare the company of a certaine beautifull harlot, with the loue of whom he was greatly bewitched. And afterwards when notwithstanding his oath he returned to her company againe and got children vpon her, he accused him to the Conuocati­on of adultery and periury both, and at last made him to leaue her. Such preferments as fell to his disposition, he euer bestowed vpon men of excellent learning, despising letters and requests of noble men, which he estéemed not a rush. Ma­ny poore schollers he maintained at the Uniuersities with li­berall exhibition, and vnto all kind of poore people was excée­ding bountiful, insomuch as therin I thinke he excelled all the Archbishops that euer were, either before him or after him. Beside the daily fragments of his house, he gaue euery Fri­day and Sunday vnto euery begger that came to his doore a loase of bread of a farthing price (which no doubt was bigger then our peny-loafe now.) And there were vsually euery such almes day in time of dearth to the number of 5000. but in a plentifull 4000. and seldome or neuer vnder, which com­mumbus annis amounted vnto 500. pound a yéere. Ouer and aboue this, he vsed to giue euery great festiuall day 150. pence to so many poore people, to send daily meate, drinke and bread vnto such as by reason of age or sicknes were not able to fetch almes at his gate, & to send money, meate, apparel &c. to such as he thought wanted the same, and were ashamed to begge. But of all other, he was woont to take greatest com­passion vpon those that by any misfortune were decaied and had fallen from wealth to poorer estate. For these and other vertues, the common people would needes estéeme him a Saint, and frequented much the place of his buriall: There­fore his tombe (which was situate beside the altar of S, Gre­gory néere the south wall) was afterwards pulled downe. His bookes, apparell, and other mooueables (which were but of very small value) he gaue all such as they were vnto his church of Canterbury. Of all the Archbishops that possessed this Sée before this man, (which were 48. there was neuer any two that had one Christian name.

50. Walter Raynolds.

RObert Winchelsey being dead, the monks of Canter­bury 1313 elected for his successour one Thomas Cobham that was Deane of Salisbury, and Prebendary of Yorke, a man of such vertue and learning, as he was com­monly called by the name of the good Clerke. The king (Ed­ward the second) was desirous to preferre vnto that place Walter Raynolds Bishop of Worcester; whom he fauoured singularly for his assured fidelity and great wisedome. Before therefore that the saide Thomas Cobham could get away to Rome, the king vnderstanding of his election, sent thither in all post haste, earnestly requesting the Pope to finde meanes that this Walter might be made Archbishop. He glad of such an occasion to exercise the vtmost of his vsurped authority, without any more adoo, thrust in the said Walter Raynolds into that Sée, pretending, that he had reserued the gift of the Archbishoprick for that time vnto himselfe before it fell. Cob­ham a while stoode vpon the right of his election, but percea­uing to how little purpose it was to stirre with so mighty ad­uersaries as the Pope and the king both at once, was content to accept of the Bishopricke of Worcester which the other left. This Walter had béene a Courtier a long time, Chap­leyne first vnto Edward the first, and Parson of Wimberton, then by Edward the second (whose schoolemaster some say he was) made Treasurer and Chauncellour of England, and preferred to the Bishopricke of Worcester the yéere 1308. The buls of his translation were published in Bowe Church Ianuary 4. 1313. He receaued his pall Febr. 17. following, and was installed with great pompe and solemnity April 19. in the presence of the king the Quéene and many nobles. The first thing he did after his comming to Canterbury, was to take order by giuing pensions and diuers sums of money at Rome, that appeales made from him to the court there should finde no fauourable intertainment. He precured also eight seuerall Buls, containing so many great and extraordi­narie priuileges. The first gauc him authority of visiting all his prouince, so as he should haue procurations euery where, [Page 85] and yet his charges borne; The second to visite monasteries and all other exempt places; The third to absolue and restore to their former state two hundred Cleargy men that had in­curred irregularitie; The fourth to dispense with the Mino­ritie of a hundred Clearks, and enable them to take spirituall liuings; The fifth to absolue a hundred of such as by striking any Cleargy man had fallen into the danger of excommuni­cation; The sixt, to grant forty pluralities; The seuenth, to require the gift of any one dignitie or spirituall promotion in any church or college where he should visite; The eight, to grant pardon of a hundred daies in any place where he should visite, preach, giue almes, or kéepe hospitality. Being thus ar­med, he perfourmed his visitation, trauailing himselfe in the same till by the Barons wars he was hindered, and sent for vnto the Court by the king. That warre being ended, and execution done vpon diuers of the nobles that had rebelled: Adam Tarlton Bishop of Hereford was apprehended and brought to the barre to be arraigned for the like fault. All the Bishops of England almost were then at London. The Arch­bishops of Canterbury, Yorke, and Dublin hearing of it, in great haste hied them thither, and hauing their crosses borne before them, entred the court, by violence tooke the prisoner from the barre, and carried him away with them. Much adoo there was about this matter a good while: & the stir was not quight ended when the Quéene rising against her husband, and setting vp her sonne to [...] the kingdome, at last procured him to be deposed. This our Archb. then shewed himselfe a very weake man: He was content a while out­wardly to stand with the king (as beside the common duty of a subiect, he was bound to do by benefites receaued infinite) but first vnderhand he aided the Queene with great sums of money, and at last vtterly for sooke him, his lawfull prince, his master, his patron that had aduaunced him by so many de­grées vnto an estate so honorable. It pleased God, that [...] timorousnesse should be his destruction: By the Quéene aforesaid (of whom he stood so greatly in awe) he was commanded to consecrate one Iames Barkley elected Bi­shop of Excester. He did so, but for his labor was so threat­ned, taunted, and reuiled by the Pope, that saide he had reser­ued [Page 86] the gift of that Bishoprick vnto himselfe, as for griefe and anger togither he died, when he had sate Archbishop 13. yéeres, 9. moneths, and thrée wéekes. He was buried in the south wall of Christs church in Canterbury néere the Quier, where his tombe is yet to be seene, with an inscription which I haue read long since, but I thinke is now defaced. This man was but meanly learned, yet very wise & of good gouern­ment, except when for feare and want of courage he neglected his dutie. He gaue vnto his Couent the Manour of Caldcote, and the wood of Thorlehot.

51. Simon Mepham.

SImon Mepham Doctor of Diuinitie, Canon of Chiche­ster, Prebendary of Landaff, and Parson of Tunstall, a Kentish man borne, one very well learned (as lear­ning went in those daies) was then elected by the monks, ap­prooued by the king, and affoorded consecration by the Pope at Auinion the yéere 1327. The first thing he did at his re­turne home was, that he excommunicated all the authors of the death of Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excester, as they had well deserued. Soone after, he began to wrangle with his monks of Canterbury about certaine land: They com­plained them vnto the Pope, who sent a Nuncio to Canter­bury to heare and determine of this controuersie. He condem­ned the Archbishop in seuen hundred pound charges. After this, he began to visite his prouince in like sort as his prede­cessors had done before him. The Bishop of Excester Iohn Graundson resisted him (for what cause I finde not) appealed to Rome, and would not suffer him so much as to enter into his Cathedrall Church, much lesse to visite in the same. These two repulses he tooke so tenderly, as being yet scarcely retur­ned home, he fell sicke and died, October 12. 1333. at Mag­field. His body was conueighed to Canterbury, and laid in a marble fombe vpon the North side of Saint Anselmes chap­pell. He sate Archbishop fiue yéeres and somewhat more.

52. Iohn Stratford.

THe Pope (who now tooke vpon him to dispose of all 1333 Bishoprickes at his pleasure) was content at the kings request to nominate vnto Canterbury. (Uoid by the death of [...]:) Iohn Stratford Bishop of Winche­ster. This Iohn Stratford hauing long and to good purpose studied the Canon and ciuill Law, was called to the Arch­deaconry of Lincolne. Being famous for his learning and good gouernment of that iurisdiction, Walter the Archbishop made him his principall Officiall and Deane of the Arches, and king Edward the second shortly after that appointed him Secretary, and so one of his priuy counsell. It chaunced he was Embassadour vnto the Pope at what time the Bishop of Winchester died; and he at the request of Walter the Archbishop bestowed that Bishopricke vpon this Iohn Strat­ford then present with him. This was done without the kings priuity, who desired to haue preferred vnto that place Robert Baldock his Chauncellor. Therefore taking it very ill, that either the one should giue, or the other dare to take it without his knowledge; he was content to giue eare vnto Robert Baldock who plotted many deuises, a while how to kéepe him from it, and after how to make him weary of it. He was consecrate vpon the Sunday called then [...] tri­bulat. iustorū, which he thought boaded vnto him, how in the whole course of his life he should find nothing but continuall trouble. It fell out according to that ominous prediction. Ne­uer I thinke any Archb. either before or after him, giuing so little cause, & dooing his indeuour to please, was more encom­bred with vndeserued and often crosses. He had no sooner set foote into this Bishopricke of Winchester, but the king (who at that time was altogether ruled by the said Robert Bal­dock) caused all his goods to be seased, and his liuings to be sequestred to his vse. Moreouer, he caused him to be summo­ned by certaine strange kind of writs to appeare I know not where; and when for feare he was faine to hide himselfe, proclamation was made that no man should dare to harbor him, or giue him any kind of entertainment by meate, lodg­ing, [Page 88] or otherwise. Hauing endured these miseries the space of a yéere, he intreated the Archbishop to be an intercessor vnto the king for him; who relating vnto him how dishono­rable a thing it was for him to persecute a true subiect so terribly, both for an other mans fault, and an other mans pleasure too; he was soone woonne to receiue the poore Bishop to his grace, and laid all the blame of that iniury vpon Ro­bert Baldock. Being thus restored, he grew dayly more and more into the kings fauour, whom he serued both diligently and faithfully to the last hower. When all other forsooke him, euen Walter the Archbishop of whom he had deserued so notably; this good Bishop would neuer be allured vnto the contrary part by any meanes; in so much as, the Quéene and Roger Mortimer began to deuise how they might make him away. This he being certified of, hid him selfe, and was faine so to hold him selfe close a long time. In the ende, the king being dead, and all his fauourites or partakers either executed, or otherwise consumed; the Quéene and her sonne king Edward the third, wel knowing they had nothing to lay against this man, but that he was true and loyall to his Prince, they were content not onely to receiue him to their fauour, but also to make him Lord Chauncellor of England. Simon Mepham the Archbishop being then dead soone after, the king was also content to write earnestly vnto the Pope to preferre him vnto that Sée of Canterbury. He did so (as before I haue said.) And the monkes thinking it good to make a vertue of necessity, they forsooth elected him also. About this time it hapened that King Edward the third began to lay claime vnto the crowne of Fraunce, and passing the seas with a great power to iustifie his claime; he thought good to commit the gouernment of the realme here at home vnto the Archbishop. He beside other generall promises of faithfulnes diligence, &c. In the charge deliuered vnto him, assured the king he should want no money to expend in this exploit; whereunto all kind of people shewed them selues so willing to yéelde what helpe they possibly might, as he tooke vpon him to discerne, the king might commaund of them what he list. He was not deceiued in this coniecture: For no sooner was the king ouer the seas, but infinite summes of money [Page 89] were collected with the very good liking of all people. This money (which all men thought would haue maintained the charge of that warre two or thrée yéeres, the king being yoong and so easie to be either mistaken or deceiued) was spent in lesse then one yeere. The Archbishop meruelling thereat, [...] the king by letters, to remooue from him such as had had the disposing of his treasure, for that without imbesilling and falsehood it was impossible so much money should be so soone consumed. The king on the other side, he put the Arch­bishop in minde of his promise, and called vpon him con­tinually for more money. He well knowing how hard it would be to collect any reasonable summe so soone after so liberall contribution as had béene lately yéelded; fell to per­swading the king to accept reasonable conditions, which he heard the French King had offred him and to come home. The king either was or seemed to be excéeding angry with this motion: yet knowing there was no remedy but he must get him home, his money being now spent, and his credite amongst the vsurers stretched to the highest pinne; He tolde his souldiers on the one side that the Archbishop had betraied him vnto the French king, who no doubt had hired him to detaine their pay in his hands; and on the other side made his creditors beleeue that the Archbishop had taken vpon him the discharge of all his debt, as hauing now gathered money suf­ficient for that purpose. So the discontentment of these peo­ple being either alaied, or cast vpon the Archbishop, it was deuised that for the farther countenance of this plot, the king should step ouer into England sodainly, and cast into prison the Archbishop, togither with the Bishop of Chichester the Chauncelour, and the Bishop of Lichfield the Treasurer. To London he came secretly in a night, caught the two Bi­shops and sent them to the Tower; but the Archbishop by meere chance was gone from Lambhith elsewhether the day before, and hauing some inkling afterwards of that was meant vnto him, got him to Canterbury and there stood vpon his guard. A knight was sent vnto him to require him to make present paiment of a certaine huge sum of mony which the king said he had taken vp of outlandish merchants vpon his (the Archbi.) credit, or else to get him ouer the seas imme­diately [Page 90] vnto them, and to yéeld them his body till the debt were satisfied, for that so the king had vndertaken he should, being animated thereunto by his owne promise. Soone af­ter, there came certaine messengers from the duke of Bra­bant desiring to speake with the Archbishop, and when he re­fused to conferre with them, cited him by writings to make payment of certaine great summes of money, which they al­leaged he ought to the Duke for money the king of England had receaued. This citation they fixed vpon the high crosse at Canterbury with many ceremonies. Now the Archbishop perceauing what a terrible tempest was growing toward him, (for he was charged not onely with the debt of many thousand pounds more then euer he should be able to make, but with horrible treason, that might not onely take away his life, but make him odious in his life time, and infamous for euer with all posterity.) He wrote many letters vnto the king, wherein he purged himselfe most cléerely of whatsoeuer was obiected, and prayed him not to commaund his repaire vnto his presence, vntil a parliament were assembled, where­in, if he were to be charged with any crime, he vowed to offer himselfe vnto iustice. Understanding then that the king had written diuers discourses against him vnto the Bishop of London, the couent of Canterbury and others, to the intent they might be publike; for defence of his credit, he thought it requisite to make his Apology in the pulpit, which he did, ta­king this for his text, Non pertinuit Principem, & potentia nemo vieit illum, &c. Eccles. 48. At last a parliament was summoned, whereunto vpon safe conduct he came. He was not suffered to come into the parliament house before he had answered to certaine crimes obiected against him in the court of the Exchequer. He went thither and receiuing a copy of the articles promised to make answere vnto them. The next day comming againe vnto the parliament, he was once more for­bidden entrance. A great number of people flocking about him in the meane time, he told them how he had béene sum­moned to the parliament, whereof he was a principall mem­ber, and now being come, was kept out by violence. But saith he (taking his crosse into his owne hand) I will not hence till I either be suffered to come in, or heare some cause [Page 91] alleaged why I should not. While he stoode there, some of the company began to reuile him and to tell him he had be­traied the realme, &c. Unto whom he answered thus, The curse of almighty God (quoth he) of his blessed mother and mine also, be vpon the heads of them that informe the king so, Amen, Amen. In the meane time certaine noble men chaunced to come out, whom he besought to request the king in his behalfe. By their meanes he was at last admitted, and being charged with diuers hainous crimes, offered to purge himselfe of them, and if they might be prooued to submit him­selfe vnto iustice. Twelue men were chosen to examine this matter, viz. fower Prelates, the Bishops, of London, Bathe, Hereford and Exceter; fower Earles, Arundell, Salisbury, Huntington and Suffolke, and lastly, fower Barons, Henry Percy, Thomas Wake, Ralfe Basset, and Ralfe [...]. All this was but to make the Archbishop odious with the common people: A fault was committed; And the king willing the blame therof should lie any where rather then vpon himselfe, made al this ado to bleere the peoples eies. The matter neuer came to the hearing of these nobles: but was so handled, that the Archbishop vpon great sute and intreaty of in a ma­ner the whole parliament, must be pardoned all that was past, and receiued to fauour againe. After this, he liued cer­taine yeeres quietly. Hauing beene Archbishop about fiftéene yeeres, he fell sicke at Magfield, and making his will (where­in he gaue all he had vnto his seruants) died there. He was buried in a goodly tombe of alabaster on the South side of the high altar beside the steps of Saint Dunstanes altar. He was a very gentle and mercifull man, rather to [...] then any way rigorous vnto offenders. His manner was thrise euery day to giue almes to thirtéene poore people; in the morning pence a péece; at nine a clocke, bread, meate and pottage, and at noone againe euery one a loafe and a peny. He gaue vnto his church of Canterbury a very sumptuous miter and cer­taine bookes. He assigned also vnto the same a pension of fiue pound out of the parsonages of Boughton and Preston ap­propriated vnto the Abbey of Feuersham: and some deliuer that he founded a colledge at Stratford vpon Auon where he was borne.

53. Iohn Vfford.

THe Pope at this time had so farre incroched vpon vs 1348 here in England, as he would seldome or neuer suffer any orderly election to take place, but bestow all Bi­shoprickes where it pleased him. The king (Edward the third) much discontented herewith, writ vnto him, very ear­nestly praying him to forbeare his prouisions and reseruati­ons whereby he robbed patrones of their right and chapters of their elections: telling him, that the disposition of Bishop­rickes belonged of old vnto the king onely, that his progeni­tors at the sute of diuers Popes had giuen that their autho­rity vnto Chapters, which if they vsed not, he assured him­selfe it deuolued againe vnto the first graunter, which was the king. The copy of this letter is to be seene in Thomas [...], and many other. After the receit of this letter, the Pope would seldome or neuer take vpon to giue any Bi­shopricke, but vnto such as the king made request for. But so, betwéene the king and the Pope, elections were altogither deluded and made frustrate. And therefore Simon Mepham being dead, whereas the Couent made choice of one Thomas Bradwardin to succéede him, the king writing somewhat ear­nestly to the Pope in fauour of Iohn Vfford, he was by and by pronounced Archbishop by the Popes oracle and the other vtterly reiected. This Iohn Vfford was sonne vnto the Earle of Suffolke, brought vp in Cambridge and made Doctor of Law there, promoted first vnto the Deanry of Lincolne, then to the Chauncellorship of England, and lastly the Archbi­shopricke. He neuer receiued either his pall, or consecration: Hauing expected the same the space of sixe moneths, he died in the time of that great plague that consumed halfe the men of England, Iune 7. 1348. His body without any pomp or woonted solemnity, was caried to Canterbury, and there se­cretly buried by the North wall beside the wall of Thomas Becket, at that place (if I mistake not) where we sée an olde woodden toombe néere to the toombe of Bishop Warham. This man began to build the Archbishops pallace at Maid­stone, but died before he could bring it to any perfection.

54. Thomas Bradwardin.

THomas Bradwardin (of whom somewhat is said be­fore) 1349 was borne at Hartfield in Sussex, and brought vp in the Uniuersity of Oxford, where hauing trauay­led along time in the study of good learning, he procéeded Doctor of Diuinity. He was a good Mathematician, a great Philosopher and an excellent Diuinc, as diuers workes of his not yet perished doo testifie. But aboue all he is espe­cially to be commended for his sinceryty of life and con­uersation. Iohn Stratford the Archbishoppe in regard of these vertues commended him vnto that noble Prince King Edward the third for his Confessor. In that office he beha­ued him selfe so, as he deserueth eternal memory for the same. He was woont to reprehend the king with great boldnesse for such things as he sawe amisse in him. In that long and pain­full warre which the king had in Fraunce, he neuer would be from him, but admonished him often secretly and all his ar­my in learned and most cloquent sermons publikely, to take heede they wared not proud and insolent because of the mani­fold victories God had sent them; but to be thankefull vnto him for them, and to haue a care to vse them moderately. Some there be that haue not doubted to ascribe that notable conquest rather to the vertue and holinesse of this man, then to any other meanes either of prowesse or wisedome in other instruments of the same. This man that might haue obtai­ned of the king any preferment he would haue craued, was so [...] from ambitious desire of promotion, as it was long besore he could be perswaded to take a prebend of Lincolne, when it was offred him being before that Chauncelor of Paules in London. It is certaine also, that he was elected vnto the Archbishopricke without his owne séeking, & might easily haue made the king for him if he had indeuoured it. When some men maruailed that the king should refuse him, and preferre any other before him, he answered he could very ill spare him, & he perceiued not he was desirous to be spard. Iohn Vfford being sodainly taken away as before is decla­red, the Couent of Canterbury once more chose him, the king [Page 94] very willingly allowed of their choice, and the Pope hauing not yet heard of this their second election of his owne accord before any request made cast vpon him this dignity. Hardly shal you find any Archbishop in any age to haue attained his place in better sort. He was consecrate at Auinion by one Bertrand a Cardinal in the church of the Frier minors there. That ceremony once perfourmed, he hasted him home into England, where first doing his duety to the king, he receiued of him immediately his temporalties with all fauour. From the court he departed to Lambhith to rest himselfe after his long iourney. Lying there a while with the Bishop of Ro­chester, he fell sicke, and within fiue weekes and fower daies after his consecration died, so that he was neuer inthronized at all. He was buried in the chappell of Saint Anselme to­ward the South wall.

55. Simon Islip.

SImon Islip being doctor of law became canon of Paules, 1349 then Deane of the Arches, after that was chosen to be of the priuy counsell of king Edward the third, first in the place of secretary, and then kéeper of the priuy seale. Iohn Stratford lying vpon his death bed, foretold he should be Archbishoppe. It came to passe, within two yéeres after his death, though two other were serued before him. The monkes with the kings very good liking chose him, and the Pope would not refuse him: yet being loath to ratifie the monkes election, he reiected the same, and ex [...] po­testatis bestowed the Archbishopricke vpon him. His bulles were published in Bowe church, October 4. 1349. and in the moneth of December following he was consecrate by the Bishop of London in Paules church. He was inthronized secretly to saue charge. For he was a very frugal and sparing man, neuer estéeming pompe or outward brauery. He was also very seuere. When he first visited his owne Dioces, he depriued many cleargy men of their liuings. He passed tho­rough the Diocesses of Kochester and Chichester without kéeping any great adoo: So that euery one made account he was content to winke at the faults he espied. But they found [Page 95] it otherwise: For he afterward called home vnto him the of­fenders, and there dealt so with them, as all men might as­sure themselues he would prooue a very austere man in his gouernment. Iohn Synwall Bishop of Lincolne, standing in doubt of this asperity of his, with great cost procured a priui­ledge from Rome to exempt himselfe from his authority and iurisdiction But the Archbishop caused the same afterward to be reuoked. The Uniuersity of Oxford had presented vnto him the said Bish. of Lincoln (vnto whose iurisdiction Oxford then appertained) one William Palmor [...] for their Chaun­cellour and prayed him to admit him. The Bishop (I know not for what cause) delayed his admission from time to time, and enforced the Uniuersity to complaine of this hard dealing vnto the Archbishop. He presently set downe a day wherein he enioined the Bishop to admit this Chauncellor, or else to render a reason of his refusall. At that time appointed the pro­ctors of the Uniuersity were ready together with this William. Palmo [...]e to demaund admission: And when the Bi­shop of Lincolne came not (trusting belike to his priui­ledge aforesaid) the Archbishop caused his Chauncellor Iohn Carlton Deane of Wels to admit him, write to the Uni­uersity to receiue him, and cited the Bishop to answere be­fore him for his contempt. He appealed to the Pope, would not come, and for his contumacy was interdicted. Much mo­ney was spent in this sute after wards at Rome. The ende was, that the Archbishop preuailed, and the others priue­ledge was by speciall order of the Pope reuoked, who also graunted vnto the Uniuersity at the same time that the Chauncellor hereafter should onely be elected by the schollers them selues, and so presently authorised to gouerne them without the admission of any other. This conquest thus at­chiued, he entred yet into another combate in the same land, I meane at Rome. He serued Andrew Vfford Archbishop of Middlesex the Administrator of Iohn Vfford his predecessor for delapidations and recouered of him 1101. l. fiftéene shil­lings two pence halpeny farthing, that money he imployed in repairing the pallace at Canterbury. He pulled downe the manner house at Wrotham and imploied the stones and tim­ber of the same in ending the building that Iohn Vfford his [Page 96] predecessor aforesaid had begun at Maidstone. Toward this and other charges he obtained of the Pope leaue to craue a contribution of foure pence out of euery marke from all the Cleargy of his Prouince. But his officers (whether of pur­pose, or peraduenture mistaking) demaunded and had a whole tenth. All this was within a yéere or two of his first comming to the Archbishopricke; at which time also in a Parliament held at Westminster: the yéere 1350. the old controuersie betwéen him and the Archbishop of Yorke, about bearing vp his crosse in the prouince of Canterburybegan to be renewed, was compromitted vnto the hearing and iudgement of the king, who set downe a finall order for the same, viz. that the Archbishop of Yorke should beare his crosse in the others prouince yéelding all preeminence other­wise vnto Canterbury, but that in token of subiection euery Archbishop at his entrance should offer an image of gold to the value of forty pound, at the shrine of Saint Thomas, the same to be sent by some Knight or Doctor of the Law within the space of two monethes after his inthronizati­on. Amongst the rest of his actions, I may not in any wise forget his Colledge of Canterbury, (which is now become a parcell of Christ Church in Oxford). He built it, and endowed it with good possessions, appropriating vnto the same the parsonages of Pagham and Magfield. He graunted also vnto the Couent of Canterbury the Chur­ches of Monkton and Estrey. It is worthy remembrance likewise, that when a certaine Countesse of Kent after the Earle her husbands death had prosessed 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 [Page 97] 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:

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 1366 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. [Page 98] 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 [Page 99] 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,

57. William Wittlesey.

SImon [...] was vncle vnto a yoong man named William 1368 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 (y ^t 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 [Page 100] that Court. After he had staied there a while, he was called home, and preferred by his vncle aforesaid, vnto the place of vicar Generall, then to the Deanry of the Arches, the Arch­deaconry of Huntingdon, the Parsonages of Croydon and Clyff, and lastly the Bishopricke of Rochester. From Roche­ster he was remooued to Worcester, (his vncle yet liuing and ioying much in this his aduancement) the yéere 1; 63. Frō thence some say he was translated to London, but that I take to be mistaken. Simon Sudbury was Bishop of Londō before he came to Worcester, and so continued till that after his death he succeded him in Canterbury. Thether this man was aduanced by the Popes onely authority presently after Simon Langham was made Cardinall, viz. the yéere 1368. At two seuerall synods he preached in Latine very learnedly; The later of those sermons he could hardly end for sicknesse, where with he had béene so much troubled before, as for two yeeres space he was faine to kéepe his chamber almost altogi­ther. Not being able to resist the force of this tedious wearing disease any longer, he paid the debt of his mortality October 11. 1374. hauing continued in this Sée almost seuen yéeres. He was buried ouer-against his vncle betwéene two pil­lers, vnder a faire marble tombe inlaid with brasse, which is lately defaced by tearing out the brasse: I remember that some sixtéene yéeres since I read the Epitaph engrauen vpon the same. This man procured the Uniuersitie of Oxford to be exempt from the iurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincolne, and al authority of gouerning the same to be committed vnto the Chauncellour and Proctors.

58. Simon Sudbury.

PResently after the death of William Wittlesey, the 1375 monks of Canterbury elected for their Archbishop a cer­taine Cardinall that was an Englishman borne, but throughly Italianate, hauing lead his life in a manner altogi­ther at Rome. I take it his name was Adam Easton. The king with this choice of theirs was so gréeuously offended, as he determined to banish them (the monks I meane) out of the realme, and to confiscate their goods. Gregory the 11. [Page 101] that then was Pope, though he fauoured his Cardinall, to shield the poore monkes from the danger of such a tempest, was content to refuse this election, and to bestow the Archbi­shopricke by way of prouision vpon Simon Sudbury Bishop of London, whom he knew the king liked well inough. This Simon was the sonne of a gentleman named Nigellus Tibold, so that his true name was Simon Tibold: But he was borne at Sudbury a towne of Suffolke in the parish of S. George, and of that [...] tooke his name, according to the manner of many cleargy men in those daies. He was alwaies brought vp at schoole, and being yet very yoong, was sent by his father beyond the seas to study the canon lawe; and hauing procée­ded Doctor of that faculty, became houshold Chaplein vnto Pope Innocent: and one of the Judges or Auditors of his Kota. The said Pope by way of prouision thrust him first in­to the Chancellorship of Salisbury, and then afterward, viz. the yéere 1364. into the Bishopricke of London. He receiued the bulles of his translation thence, June 6. 1375. Two sy­nods or conuocations were held in his time, at both which he preached in Latin very learnedly. Sixe yeeres one month and ten daies he gouerned the Sée of Canterbury laudably, and at last was most vnwoorthily slaine, or rather wickedly murthered by a company of villanous rebels. By the instiga­tion of one Iohn Ball a seditions malcontent and hypocriticall preacher, the baser sort of the commons arose in diuers parts of the realme, and intending to destroy all gentlemen, law­yers, cleargymen, and whosoeuer were of any account, either for their riches linage or authority in the common wealth, came vp to London, appointing for their leaders Wat Tyler, Iacke Straw, Iohn Lister, Robert Westhrom, &c. The king vnderstanding of their comming, sent vnto them to know the cause of their repaire in so great numbers. They answered, they were to impart vnto him certaine matters greatly importing the state of the common wealth, which if he would vnderstand, he should spéedily resort vnto them. The king hauing receiued this saury answere, began to con­sult with his friends whether he were best to goe to them or not. The greater number [...] him to goe. But the Archbishop and Sir Robert Hales Treasurer of England, [Page 102] [...] him, saying, it was a thing not onely [...] and shamefull for a Prince to be commanded by such rascals, but also dangerous vnto his person to commit himselfe to a route of seditious people, that hauing once broken the bands of all duty and alleageance, feared no more to violate the sacred maiesty of their annointed prince, then to wrong their neigh­bours of farre meaner condition, of whom they had already slaine, spoiled and robbed an infinite number; for wich cause they thought it more safe for the king, more honorable and euery way more expedient, to gather some power together spéedily and to set vpon them, who being yet vnprouided of armour, destitute of good leaders, and without all skill or ex­perience of warlike affaires would soone be dispersed and ouerthrowen. This spéech of theirs (I know not by what tell-tales) was carried vnto the rebels who sware by and by they would haue off the heads of these cruell counsellers. So in all haste to the Tower they came, where the court then lay, requiring with great outcries the Archbishop, and the said Sir Robert Hales to be deliuered vnto them. The Arch­bishop hauing heard some inckling of their intent the day be­fore, had spent all that might in prayer, and iust when they called for him, was saying of masse in the chappell of the Tower. That ended, and hearing of their comming; Let vs now go (saith he vnto his men) Surely it is best to dye, sée­ing to liue it can be no pleasure. With that, in came these murtherous rebels crying, where is the Traytour, where is the Traytor. He answered, I am the Archbishop (whom I thinke you seeke) but no Traytor. With great violence then they drew him out of the chappell and caried him to the Tower hill. Séeing there nothing but swords, and weapons, and hearing nothing but Kill, kill, away with the Traytor, &c. Yet he was not so [...], but with great [...] he could go about to perswade them not to imbrue their hands in the bloud of their Archbishop their chiefe [...], that [...] offended them to his knowledge, nor [...] so cruell a death at their hands, assuring them, that all the [...] would be interdicted for it, that the [...] be puni­shed [...] or last by the temporal Law, and lastly, that though both these failed, God the iust Iudge would [...] it [...] [Page 103] in this, or the world to come, if not both. He was a man ad­mirably wise, and excéeding well spoken. But these varlets were so egerly bent, as the very songs of the Syrens would nothing haue mooued them at all from their intended course. Séeing therefore nothing but death before his face, with com­fortable words, forgiuing the executioner (that scarce euer requested him so to doo) with a very chéerefull countenance he knéeled downe and yéelded him selfe vnto their fury. Once he was stricken in the necke so weakely, as that notwithstan­ding, he knéeled still vpright, and putting his hand vp to the wound, he vsed these words, a ha, it is the hand of God. He had not remoued his hand from the place when a second stroke cut of his fingers ends, and felled him to the ground. With much adoo, hauing hacked and hewen his necke with eight blowes, they got off his head. This horrible murther was committed vpon Fryday June 14. 1381. all which day, and a part of the next, his body lay there headlesse, no man daring to offer it buriall: as for his head they nayled his hood vpon it, and so fixing it vpon a poale, set it on London bridge. Sir Robert Hales and a great many of others that day, tasted of the same cup the Archbishop had done. Thus ended this no­ble Prelate his daies, who though he were very wise, lear­ned, eloquent, liberall, mercifull, and for his age and place reuerend, yet might it not deliuer him from the rage of this beast with many heads the multitude, then which being once incensed, there is no brute beast more cruell, more outragi­ous, more vnreasonable. How this monstrous tumult was appeased at the last, and the Authors of the same punished, according to their demerites, the Chronicles at large declare. To passe it ouer, the body of this our Archb. after all sturres ended, was caried to Canterbury, & there honorably enterred vpon the Southside of the altar of S. Dunstane, a little aboue the toombe of Bishop Stratford. Being yet Bishop of London, he builded the vpper end of Saint Gregories Church at Sud­bury; and in the place where his fathers house stoode founded a goodly Colledge which he furnished with secular Clearks and other Ministers. At the time of the suppression thereof, it was valued at one hundred twentie two pounds eightéene shilllings lands by the yéere. After his translation to Canter­bury, [Page 104] he built the West gate of the City, and all the wal from that gate vnto Norgate, commonly called by the name of the long wal; A great worke, no lesse necessary and profitable vn­to the City, then costly and chargeable vnto the builder.

55. William Courtney.

SOone after the lamentable death of Simon Sudbury the 1381 monkes of Canterbury elected for their Archbishop William Courtney Bishop of London, and the Pope knowing nothing of their election, about the same time be­stowed the Archbishopricke vpon him by way of prouision. He was the sonne of Hugh Courtney Earle of Deuonshire, in his youth studied the Canon Lawe, and had no sooner en­tred into orders, but he was quickly loaded with spirituall liuing ynough, as a prebend in Wels, an other in Exceter, & a third in Yorke, beside benefices with cure innow. The yeere 1369. he was consecrate Bishop of Hereford, sate there flue yéers & a halfe, and then remooued to London, at what tune Si­mon Sudbury was made Archbishop. Thomas Walsingham addeth to these former honours, that the yéere 1378. he was made Cardinall. I find no mention of it elsewhere, and there­fore doubt much of it. The bulles of his translation to Can­terbury were published in Christchurch there Ianuary 9. 1381. Hauing then receiued his temporalties of the King, and done his homage, he went to Lambhith. Thither came vnto him a monke sent from the Couent and Prior of Can­terbury to deliuer him his crosse, which he did in the Chap­pell of Lambhith vsing these words, Reuerend father, I am the messenger of the great King that doth require and com­maund you to take on you the gouernment of his Church, to loue and defend the same. In token whereof, I deliuer you this his ensigne. Soone after he receiued his pall; and then being throughly setled, began his Metropoliticall visitation which he entended to performe in euery Dioces of his pro­uince. Hauing passed quietly through Rochester, Chichester, Bathe, and Worceter; at Exceter he found some resistance as well as Simon Mepham his predecessor had done. After the time of his first inhibition, he prorogued diuers times the [Page 105] day of his visitation, and when he had sate, was not so ha sty in graunting a relaxation of the inhibition as they would haue him. Hereby it came to passe that the Bishop and his Archdeacons were suspended from their iurisdiction longer (as it seemed vnto them) then they ought, and not disposed to await the Archbishops pleasure any longer, rushed into their iurisdictions againe, his visitation nothing neere finished, commaunding all men vpon paine of excommunication to repaire vnto their woonted ordinaries for proofe of wils, ad­ministrations, institutions, or any other such like occasions. This commaundement published in many places of the Di­oces, the Archbishop pronounced to be void and required all men in these and the like cases to repaire vnto him and none other. Hereupon the Bishop appealed to Rome, and the Arch­bishop cited diuers of the Bishops officers to appeare be­fore him. His apparator (named Peter Hill) had also in his bosome a citation for the Bishop himselfe. It hapened that some of the Bishops followers, méeting this gentle soumer at Tapsham, beate him wel and thriftily and after forced him to eate the citation war paper and all. This fact was very preiudiciall to the Bishop of Exceters cause: For it incensed the king against him; in so much as though a while he did pro­secute his aupcale at Rome diligently, he sawe himselfe so ouerborne by the king, he was like to doo no good at all, and therefore resolued to make his peace with the Archbishop vp­on reasonable conditions, which he easily obtained. But they that had abused his Apparator, were put to terrible penance, in diuers parts of the realme, and were faine to performe the same. One William Byd a Doctor of the Arches had giuen counsell vnto the Bishop in this cause: For so dooing he was displaced, and vpon that occasion an othe was ordained of this Archbishop, that euery Aduocate of that Court should take at his admission. This visitation ended, the Archbishop proceeded to the Dioces of Salisbury, where he likewise found some resistance. The Bishop there had procured apri­uiledge from Pope Boniface (Vrban the 6. being lately dead) that it should not be lawfull for any Metropolitane to visite him or his Dioces by vertue of any authority granted from Pope Vrbane. The Archbishop (that was a great Lawyer) [Page 106] [...] he had [...] of himselfe as being [...] to visite without the Popes licence, and therefore procéeded [...] (notwithstanding that vaine priuilege) [...] the Bishop with excommunications aud [...] censures, as he was [...] to yeeld at last and cry pec­cani. Since that time our Archbishops haue [...] quietly all [...] of their [...] without resistance. Towars the latter end of his time he procured a licence of the Pope to gather [...] pence of the pound in all Ecclesiasticall pre­ferments within his prouince. The Bishop of Lincolne re­fused to make this collection in his Dioces, and appealed vn­to the Pope? That appeale yet depending, the Archbishop died Iuly 31. 1396. at Maidstone, when he had sate 12. yéers lacking one moneth. The old worke at Maidstone first built by Boniface his predecessor for an Hospitall, he pulled downe and building it after a more stately manner, translated it into a Colledge of secular priests, which at the time of the suppres­sion was valued at one hundred thirty nine pounds seuen shillings fixe pence by the yéere. The church of Mepham quite fallen downe, he repaired againe and built certaine almes houses néere it for the vse of poore people. Toward the repa­ration of the body of his Church and cloysters he gaue 1000. marks; He gaue also vnto the same Church a certaine image of siluer waighing one hundred and thréescore pounds, [...] vestments & thirtéene coapes of great value, besides a num­ber of bookes. He lieth buried vpon the South side of Thomas Beckets shrine, at the féete of the blacke Prince, in a goodly toombe of Alabaster.

60. Thomas Arundell.

BY the Popes prouision Thomas Arondell Archbishop 1396 of Yorke was remooued to Canterbury about Christ­mas after William Courtneyes death. His bulles were published at Canterbury Ianuary 11. Soone after his crosse was deliuered vnto him at Westminster by Henry Chillin­den the Prior of Canterbury with [...] solemnity, in the presence of the king and many nobles. February 10. fol­lowing he receiued his pall, [...] the 19. of the same moneth [Page 107] he was inthronised at Canterbury with great pomp. He was sonne vnto Robert Earle of Arundell and Warren, first Bi­shop of Ely, then of Yorke. Sée more of him there. He was scarce warme in his seate when by the kings displeasure he was dispossessed of the same. In the second yéere of his tran­slation a parliament was held at London. The king there accused the Duke of Glocester, the Earle of Arundell that was the Archbishops brother, and diuers other of high trea­son. Now because cleargy men were forbidden by the Ca­nons to be present at any triall or iudgement vpon life and death; the matter being once proposed, all the Bishops de­parted the house as their maner was in like cases. The Arch­bishop being absent vpon this occasion, was condemned to­gither with his brother of high treason; for which his brother was presently executed, and he commaunded within forty daies to depart the realme vpon paine of death. He (thus banished) got him to Rome and found such fauour with the Pope, as first he was content to write earnestly vnto the king for his restitution; and when he could do no good that way, he translated him to the Archbishopricke of Saint An­drewes in Scotland, intending to heape so much ecclesiasti­call liuing vpon him by benefices, &c. in England, as he should be able to liue in state honorable ynough. The king vnder­standing of his intent, writ a maruellous sharpe letter vnto the Pope, telling him plainly he must repute him for his eni­my, if he yéelded any maner of succour vnto him, whom he knew too well to hate him deadly. That letter so wrought with the Pope, as after that time he neuer indeuoured to prefer him farther, and moreouer, at the kings request made Roger Walden (Deane of Yorke, and treasurer of England) Archbishop. He was consecrate, inthronised, &c. held Synods and did all things belonging vnto that place the space of two yéeres. It hapened in the meane time, that the king (Richard the second) wos deposed, or at least inforced to resigne his crowne vnto Henry Duke of Lancaster, that after possessed the same by the name of king Henry the fourth. Boniface the Pope vnderstanding then of the fall of king Richard, pro­nounced the said Roger to be an intruder and vsurper of the Archbishopricke, and by his omnipotent bulles restored Tho­mas [Page 108] Arundell vnto the same againe. As for Roger Walden that was now a Bishop without a Bishopricke (for it is Cha­racter indelebilis) he liued so a while, til at last by the kind en­deuor of the Archb. his charitable aduersary, he was promo­ted vnto the Bishopricke of London, which he enioyed but a short time, being taken away by death within one yere after. About a twelue moneth after the Archbishops restitution, a conuocation was held at London, whether the king sent the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland, that told the cleargy they came from the king, but not of that errand that courtiers were woont to be sent for to that place; they came not for money, but onely to signifie the kings harty and fauo­rable goodwill vnto them, and to request their daily prayers for him and the good estate of the realme. This new broome with swéeping so cleane at the first, was so worne out vnto the stumpes, in a yéere or two, as not contented with a bare tenth, the next conuocation after, he was very angry that a more liberall allowance was not made vnto him; and began to hearken vnto the sacrilegious motions of certaine impi­ous politicians, that intending to cast the burthen of all subsi­dies and other kind of tributes vpon the cleargy, letted not to say openly in the parliament house, how the laity was not able to yéeld any thing vnto the kings coffers, for that the cleargy had all the wealth of the land in their hands: And therefore the king must either take from them their tempo­ralties, or else lay all the burthen vpon them that onely were able to beare it. The Archbishop (that was vndoubtedly a woorthy prelate, wise and very stout) rose vp and prooued by manifest arguments that the contributions of the Cleargy were after the proportion of their ability, much more liberall then the subsidies or other paiments of the temporalty in ma­ny respects. For (saith he) we pay the tenth of our liuings of­tener then they pay fifteenths, and though we serue not in the warres our selues, our seruants and tenants do; neither are we altogither idle, in as much as we pray daily for the king and the realme, as well in time of peace as war. The prolo­cutor of the parliament house at that time was a knight cal­led Sir Iohn Cleyn, that hauing béene a cleargyman some­times, without any dispensation forsooke the calling & became [Page 109] a soldier. This prophane Apostata was not ashamed to say, it was no matter for their praiers, so the king might haue their mony. I sée now (quoth the Arch.) whither the fortune of this realme tendeth, the prayers of the church being despised, which should appease the wrath of God iustly kindled a­gainst vs by the daily monstrous iniquities of our age. Per­ceauing then that the king (who at his first comming to the crowne had made many open and publike protestations of his loue to the church, and his intent to defend and protect the same to the vtmost) that he I say began to harken somewhat too patiently to these wicked motions; he turned him toward him, and making lowe obeisance, humbly besought him, it would please his maiesty to remember those gratious and most honorable spéeches, wherein he had often signified his resolute determination of protecting the church from all in­iury, as also his othe taken to the same purpose at the time of his coronation, the danger and dishonour of breaking the same, and lastly, that he should feare to offend him by whom kings raigne, and before whose tribunall all princes and mo­narchs neuer so great must one day come to be iudged. The king seemed to be somewhat mooued with these words, and desiring the Archbishop to take his place againe, well (quoth he) howsoeuer I doe otherwise I will leaue the church in as good estate as I found it. The Archbishop then turning him about vnto the proloquutor and certaine other knights of the lower house that accompanied him: You it was (faith he and such as you are) that perswaded the last king to take into his hands all such celles in England as appertained vnto any religious houses of Fraunce or Normandy, assuring him it would so stuffe his coffers, as he could not want in many yéeres after, and there is no question, but the land belonging to such celles was woorth an infinite summe of mony: How­beit it is certaine and well inough knowne, that within one yéere after he had taken that course, he was not the value of halfe a marke the richer; and how he thriued afterwarde otherwise, I néede not tell you. After that time there were no other attempts against the church in his daies. But the cler­gy were so terrified with that wauering doubtfulnesse of the king, as they durst not but grant him a tenth euery yéere af­ter, [Page 110] and though there were no other occasion, the Archbishop was faine to call a conuocation euen for that purpose. His end (being as some report it) was very miserable: his tongue swelled so big in his mouth, as he was able neither to eate, drinke, nor speake in many dayes before his death, and died at last of hunger about the end of Ianuary 1413. when he had sate one moneth aboue 17. yéeres. He lyeth buried on the North side of the body of Christchurch in Canterbury, at the West end whereof toward the North, he built a faire spire stéeple called to this day by the name of Arundell steeple, and bestowed a goodly ring of fiue belles vpon the same; the first of them, he dedicated to the holy trinity, the second to the bles­sed virgin the third to the Angel Gabriell, the fourth to Saint Blase, and the fift to Saint Iohn the Euangelist.

61. Henry Chichley.

AFter the death of Thomas Arundell, Henry Chichley Bishop of Saint Dauids was elected by the Couent of Canterbury to succéeds him. Now though many Lawes had béene made against the Popes vsurped authority 1414 in bestowing Ecclesiasticall preferments by way of prouist­on: Yet durst not this man consent vnto this election so made, but committed the matter vnto the Popes determination, who first pronounced the election of the monkes void and then bestowed the Archbishopricke vpon him. This Henry Chichley was borne at Highamferrys in Northamptonshire brought vp in New Colledge in Oxford (where he procéeded Doctor of Law) and first preferred vnto the Chauncellorship of Salisbury. Hauing beene imployed much in Embassages and other businesses of the king (wherein he euer behaued himselfe wisely and to the kings great good liking) by his meanes he was made first Bishop of Saint Dauids and then Archbishop. He receiued his pall at the hands of the Bishop of Winchester, the 29. of July, 1414. and bought of the king the fruites of the vacacy (which was halfe a yéere) for sixe hundred markes. The yéere 1428. he was made Car­dinall of Saint Eusebius & the Popes Legate, but refused to exercise his power Legatiue further then he was authorised thereunto by the king. He was a man happy (enioying al­waies [Page 111] his princes fauour, wealth, honour and all kinde of prosperity many yéeres) wise in gouerning his Sée laudably, bountifull in bestowing his goods to the behoofe of the com­mon wealth, and lastly stout and seuere in due administrati­on of iustice. In the towne of Nigham ferrys where he was borne, he founded a goodly college for secular priests, which he endowed with large reuenues. He built also in the same towne an hospital for poore people, which he likewise endow­ed liberally; and his brethren Robert and Wil. Chichley citi­zens of London, his executors, gaue much land vnto the same. These two foundations finished, he began two other at Ox­ford, one called Bernard College (now knowne by the name of Saint Johns college) and All Soules college which yet continueth in such state as he left the same, one of the fai­rest and seemeliest of our Uniuersity. He bestowed much mo­ney in repairing the library at Canterbury, and then repleni­shed the same with a number of goodly bookes: He gaue vnto his Church many rich ornaments and iewels of great price, and built a great part of the Tower called Oxford Tower in the said Church. William Molash Prior there (that I may take any occasion to record so good a déede) the yéere 1430. furnished that Tower with a goodly bell called to this day Bell Dunstan. The [...] of that bell at the lowest brim is two yards and somewhat more. But to returne to Henry Chichley no Archbishop euer enioied that honor so long as he did in 500. yeeres before him. He sate 29. yéeres and dying Aprill 12. 1443. was laid in a very faire toombe built by him selfe in his life time, standing vpon the North side of the Presbitery. On it I find engrauen this Epitaph.

Hic [...] Henr. Chicheley Ll. Doctor quondam Cancella­rius Sarum, qui anno septimo Henr. 4. Regisad Gregorium Papam 12. in Ambassiata transmissus, in ciuitate Sanensi per manus [...] Papae in Episcopum [...] consecra­tus est. Hic etiam Henricus anno 2. Henr. 5. Regis, in [...] sancta ecclesia in Archiepiscopum postulatus & a [...] Pa­pa 23. ad eandem translatus, qui obijt anno. dom. 1443. men­sis Apr. die 12.

62. Iohn Stafford.

EVgenius 4. the Pope of his absolute authority transla­ted 1443 then from Bathe and Wels Iohn Stafford, lately also made Cardinall (as I finde reported at leastwise.) He was sonne vnto the Earle of Stafford, borne at Hooke in Dorsetshire in the parish of Abbots bury, and brought vp in Oxford, where also he procéeded Doctor of lawe. A while he practised in the Arches, euen vntill Henry Chich­ley the Archbishoppe made him his vicar generall there. By his fauour also he obtayned the Deanry of Saint Mar­tins in London, and the prebend of Milton in the church of Lincoln. King Henry the fifth a little before his death be­gan to fauour him much, found meanes to preferre him first to the Deanry of Wels, then a prebend in the church of Sa­lisbury, and afterward made him one of his priuy counsell, first kéeper of the priuy seale, and in the ende Treasurer of England. This renowmed king being taken away by vn­timely death, though he found not his passage so cléere, yet he still went forward in the way of preferment, and obtained of Pope Martin the fifth, the Bishopricke of Bathe and Wels the yéere 1425. Eightéene yéere he continued in that Sée, and August 23. 1443. was remooued to Canterbury. In the meane time, viz. the yéere 1431. in February he was made Chauncellor of England, and held that place (which you shall hardly finde any other man to haue done) eightéene yéeres, euen vntill the yéere 1449. Waxing weary then of so paine­full a place, it is likely he resigned voluntarily the same. He sate Archbishop almost nine yéeres. Holding a conuocation at London the yéere 1452. he fell sicke, and thereupon depar­ted to Maidstone, where shortly after he died, viz. July 6. He lieth buried at Canterbury in the place called the Martyr­dom, vnder a flat marble stone, whereupon I finde written this bald Epitaphe:

Sée more of this man in Bathe and Wels.

63. Iohn Kemp.

THe funerall rites and exequies of Iohn Stafford being performed, the monkes with the kings licence procée­ded 1452 to election of a new Archbishop, and made choice of Iohn [...] Archbishop of Yorke. The Pope would not al­low of the monkes election, but yet not daring to put any other into the place, of his owne good nature he bestowed it vpon the same man that they had chosen. He receiued his crosse September 24. 1452. at London, and his pall the next day at Fulham by the hands of Thomas Kemp the Bishop of London his nephew. Dec. 11. following he was inthronized with great pomp and solemnity. This Archbishop was born at Wye in Rent: Being Doctor of lawe, he was made first Archdeacon of Durham, then Deane of the Arches and Wi­car generall vnto the Archbishop. The yéere 1418. he was rōsecrate Bishop of Rochester, remooued thence to Chichester 1422. from Chichester to London the same yéere, and from London to Yorke 1425. Dec. 28. 1439. he was made Car­dinal of Saint Balbine, and afterwards being Archbishop of Canterbury was remooued to the title of S. Kusine. These his preferments are briefly expressed in this verse:

He continued not at Canterbury aboue a yéere and a halfe, but died a very old man March 22. 1453. In his life time he conuerted the parish church of Wye where he was borne in­to a colledge, in which he placed secular priests to attend di­uine seruice, & to teach the youth of the parish. Their gouer­nor was called a Prebendary. This college at the time of the suppression was valued at fowerscore and thirtéene pound two shillings by the yéere. He was also a benefactor vnto our Uniuersity of Oxford. He died very rich, and in his life time aduanced diuers of his kinred to great wealth; some to the dignity of knighthood, whose posterity continue yet of great worship and reputation His body was buried in a séemely monument on the South side of the prerbytery a little aboue the Archbishops Sée. Of him read more in Yorke.

[...]

65. Iohn Moorton.

IOhn Moorton was borne at Béere or Bery in [...], 1487 and brought vp a while in the Uniuersitie of Oxford, where hauing spent some time in the study of the Ciuill and Canon law, he procéeded Doctor of that faculty, and then became a Doctor of the Arches. By reason of his practise there, the Archbishop his predecessor (Thomas Bourchier) got knowledge of his manifold good parts, his great learning in the law, his wisedome, discretion and other vertues, which he not onely rewarded by preferring him to much good spirituall liuing, but also commended him vnto the king, who made him of his priuy Counsell. In all those miseries and afflictions which that good king endured, he euer stucke fast vnto him, & by no meanes would be drawne to forsake him when all the world in a manner betooke them vnto his victorious aduersary. This so notable loialty and faithfulnesse king Ed­ward himselfe honored so much in him, as king Henry being dead, he neuer ceased to allure him vnto his seruice, & hauing woone him, sware him of his Counsell, and trusted him with his greatest secrets; assuring himselfe belike, that he that had béene so faithfull vnto his aduersary in so great [...], would no doubt be as faithfull vnto him in the like case if oc­casion should serue. After many yéeres tryall of him and di­uers other preferments whereunto he aduanced him, he pro­cured him to be elected vnto the Bishopricke of Ely, the yéere 1474. Not long after his consecration to that Sée, it hapned king Edward to die, who not reposing greater trust in any one then in this Bishop, made him one of his executors. The Duke of Yorke therefore his vnnaturall brother, intending by the destruction of his children to make a passage for him­selfe vnto the crowne, and knowing how watchfull an eie this man caried ouer them, as also how impossible it was to corrupt him and draw him to be a partner in his wicked con­fort; accused him of many great and vnlikely treasons, for which he committed him to the Tower. The innocency of the man would not suffer him to lie there long: Not being able to stampe vpon him any probality of such matter as he [Page 116] laid to his charge, he tooke him thence & deliuered him to the kéeping of the Duke of Buckingham, who at that time lay for the most part at y ^t castle of Brecknock in Wales. This Duke was the onely instrument of displacing the children of king Edward from the crowne, and procured the same to be most vniustly set vpon the head of their wicked vncle the Duke of Yorke before mentioned, who was appointed Protectour of them & the realme. These lambs committed vnto the kéeping of such a woolfe, were soone deuoured, being not onely despoi­led of the rule and gouernment of the kingdome which de­scended vnto them by inheritance, but of their liues [...], which were violently taken from them, by smoothering the poore innocent children betwéene fetherbeds. Now whe­ther it were the detestation of this abhominable murther (which the duke of Buckingham pretended) or the vnthank­fulnesse of the tyrant, in not gratifying him according to his expectation, (which is the opinion of most men) or the enuie of his so great aduancement, whereof he thought himselfe better woorthy (which also is likely enough) certaine it is that he quickly began to grow malcontent, and being egged on by the Bishop his ghest, entred at last into a conspiracie against him, plotted the remoouing of him, and endeuoured to match the Earle of Richmond heire of the house of Lanca­ster with the eldest daughter of king Edward that (her bre­thren being made away) was now out of all question heire of the house of Yorke, so to throwe downe headlong the ty­rant from the throwne which he vsurped, to restore it to them to whom of right it appertained, and to ioyne in one these two noble houses, whose contention had wasted away al­most all the nobility of the land. How this deuice was deba­ted betwéene the Duke and the Bishop, euery Chronicle re­porteth. To let that passe, when the Bishop sawe the Duke had waded so farre in the matter as step backe he could not, and séeing how he was able to do the Earle of Richmond bet­ter seruice elsewhere then where he was, he found a meanes to slip away in a night disguised; neuer making his host the Duke acquainted with his departure. And first he gat him into his Isle of Ely: but not daring to stay there long, he tooke ship and sailed into Flaunders. It pleased God, that as the [Page 117] Duke had béene a partner with the tyrant in his offence, so he should be a partner also with him in the punishment. For being destitute of the aduise of this wise prelate, or rather I may say destitute of the assistance of God that had determi­ned to reuenge his disloyalty vnto his naturall prince, he fell soone after into the hands of his enimy the vsurping king that cut off his head, and was within a short space after ouer­throwne himselfe and slame in the field by the noble Earle of Richmond, who tooke vpon him the gouernment of our land by the name of king Henry the 7. He calling home this our Bishop, made him Chauncellour of England, and Thomas [...] the Archbishop dying, he found meanes that the monks of Canterbury elected him for successour, and the Pope not only confirmed and allowed readily of their choice, but also within fewe yéeres after, to wit, September 20. 1493. created him Cardinall of Saint Arastasia. Thirtéene yéeres he enioyed quietly the Archbishopricke, and died at last the yéere 1500. At his first comming he laid a great imposi­tion vpon the Cleargy of his prouince, forcing them by the Popes authority to contribute so largely toward the charges of his translation, as of his owne Dioces onely (which is one of the least in England) he receaued 354 pound. The yéere before he died, with great charge he procured Anselme one of his predecessors to be Canonized a Saint. He bequeathed in a manner all he had either vnto good vses, or vnto such of his seruants as he had yet beene able to do nothing for. He gaue vnto the king a Portuis, to the Quéene a Psalter, to the La­dy Margaret his God daughter a cup of gold and forty pound in money, to the church of Ely his miter and his crosse. Unto his [...] and other friendes he gaue nothing as hauing preferred them sufficiently in his life time. His executors he bound by oath to maintaine sufficiently twenty poore schol­lers at Oxford, and ten at Cambridge for the space of twen­ty yéeres after his decease. He bestowed great summes in repairing and augmenting his houses at Bnoll, Mayd­stone, Alington parke, Charing, Ford, [...], and Can­terbury, and built while he liued a sumptuous chappell in the vndercrofte or vault which is vnder the quier. He lieth buri­ed in the saide chappell vnder a marble stone: Howbeit a [Page 118] goodly [...] is erected in [...] of him vpon the [...] of the chappell. Sée more of him in Ely.

66. Henry Deane.

BIshop Moorton being dead, the monks of Canterbury 1501 chose Thomas Langton Bishop of Winchester for their Archbishop: But he died of the plague before his tran­slation could be perfited. Then they elected Henry Deane Bi­shop of [...]. At what time Perkin Warbeck began to shew himselfe in the likenesse of Richard the yoong Duke of Yorke king Edwards second sonne: this Henry Deane was Abbot of Lanthony. King Henry the seuenth that knew him to be a wise and [...] man, made him Chauncelour of Ireland, where this counterseit Duke began first to play his part. By his care and diligence he was driuen out of Ire­land, and forced to [...] into Scotland. The rather in regard of this good seruice, the king procured him to be elected vnto the Bishoprick of Bangor, which (by reason y ^t Bishops had laien from it a long time, holding euer some [...] or other spirituall liuing in Commendam, whereupon they liued) was horribly wasted and spoiled. But this man comming thither, tooke great pains in recouering diuers parcels of land that by the incrochment of other for want of looking to [...] woone from his Sée. Amongst other things a certaine Island betwéene Holy-head and Anglesey called [...] i. Moylr [...], or the Island of Seales was vniustly detained from him by the possessors thereof. He euicted the same [...] in law, and yet was faine afterwards to bring a great power of armed men thither to driue the inhabitants by force out of the same. His church and pallace had béene burned and de­stroied long before in the time of Henry the 4. by Owen Glen­dowr that famous rebell: He bestowed much money in re­pairing them, but before he was able to bring thē to any per­fection, he was called away thence to Salisbury. Being yet very destrous the worke should go forward, he left vnto his successour a Myter and a Crosyer of good value, vpon condi­tion he should finish those buildings. After he had béene a few monethes at [...], the Archbishop dying, he was [Page 119] preferred vnto Canterbury. His pall was sent vnto him by Hadrian de Castello the Popes Secretary, (that after was Bishop of Hereford and Wels) and deliuered by the Bishop of Couentry with these words. Ad honorem Dei omnipoten­tis & B. Mariae Virginis ac Bb. Petri & Pauli Apostolorum, & D. N. Alexandri Pp. sexti, & S. Romanae Ecclesiae, nec non & Cantuariensis Ecclesiae tibi commissae, tradimus pallium de corpore B. Petri sumptum, plenitudinem viz. Pontificalis of­ficij; vt vtaris eo infra ecclesiam tuam certis diebus qui ex­primuntur in priuilegijs ei ab Apostolica sede concessis. Ha­uing receaued his pall, he was to take his oath vnto the Pope, which once for all it shall not be amisse to set downe. Ego Henticus Archiep. Cantuariensis, ab hac hora in antea fidelis & obediens ero B. Petro sanctae (que) Apostolicae Romanae Ecclesiae, & Domino meo D. Alexandro Pp. 6. suisque succes­soribus Canonice intrantibus. Non ero in consilio aut concensu vel facto vt vitam perdant vel membrum, seu capiantur mala captione, Consilium vero quod mihi credituri sunt, per se aut nuntios ad eorum dam [...] me sciente nemini pandam. Pa­patum Rom. & regalia S. Petri adiutor ero eis ad retinendum & defendendum saluo ordine meo contra omnem hominem. Legatum sedis Apostolicae in eundo & redeundo honorificè tractabo, & in suis necessitatibus adiuuabo, vocatus ad Syno­dum veniam nisi prepeditus fuero Canonica praepeditione. Apostolorum limina Rom. curia existente citra Alpes singulis annis, vltra vero montes singulis biennijs visitabo aut per me aut per meum nuntium nisi Apostolica absoluar licentia. Pos­sessiones vero ad mensam mei Archiepiscopatus pertinentes non vendam, neque donabo, neque impignerabo, neque de nouo infeudabo, velaliquo modo alienabo in consulto Rom. Pontifice, sicut me Deus admuet &c. With what ceremony the crosse was woont to be deliuered, sée before in William Courtney pag. 104. This Archbishop died February 15. 1502. the second yéere after his translation, at Lambhith. His body was conueighed to Feuersam by water, conducted with 33. watermen all apparelled in blacke, (a great number of tapers burning day and night in the boate) and from thence was caried to Canterbury, where it was buried in the mid­dle of the place called the martyrdome, vnder a faire marble [Page 120] stone, inlaid with brasse. He bequeathed to his Church a sil­uer image of 51. ounces waight, and appointed 500. l. to be bestowed in his funerals: He built the most part of Otford house, and made the yron worke vpon the coping of Roche­ster bridge.

67. William Warham.

VVIlliam Warham a gentleman of an ancient house, 1504 was borne in Hamshire, brought vp in the Col­ledge of Winchester, and chosen thence to New Colledge in Oxford where he procéeded Doctor of Law. In­tending then to vse and put in practice the knowledge he had gotten at the Uniuersity, he became an aduocate or Doctor of the Arches, and soone after Master of the Rolles. While he was in that office, King Henry the seuenth, sent him Em­bassador to the Duke of Burgundy to perswade him that he should not beléeue the false reports of his Duchesse, and to signifie how notably she had abused him and all the world, in setting vp two counterfeits against him, Lambert that made himselfe the Earle of Warwicke, who was then to be séene in the Tower safe ynough, and Perkin Warbeck whom she had taught to name him selfe Richard Duke of Yorke, that was certainly knowen to haue béene murthered by his wic­ked vncle long before. In this businesse he behaued himselfe so wisely, as the king greatly commended him for the same, and the Bishopricke of London happening to be void soone af­ter his returne home, he procured him to be elected thereunto. He had not beene Bishop there two whole yéeres when Hen­ry Deane the Archbishop died, to whose place also by the kings speciall indeuour he was aduaunced. He was inthronised March 9. 1504. with woonderfull great solemnity. The day before his comming to Canterbury, the Duke of Bucking­ham that was his high steward, came thither attended with seuen score horse to sée all things in a readinesse. The said Duke had also the office of chiefe Butler, and therefore being vnable to doo the duties of both; he deputed Sir George Bourchier vnto the Butlership. Him selfe tooke great paines to sée that nothing might be wanting requisite for the perfor­mance [Page 121] of this ceremony in most magnificent manner. The next day (which was Sunday) he met the Archbishop ouer against Saint Andrewes Church, and dooing low obeysance vnto him, went before him to Christ church. At the great gate néere the market place, the Prior and Couent receiued him honorably and caried him to the Church (whether he went from Saint Andrewes Church barefoote) said masse there, and was placed in his throne after the accustomed manner. From Church he was attended by the Duke as he was the­therward. The cheere at dinner was as great as for money it might be made. Before the first messe, the Duke him selfe came ridinginto the hall vpon a great horse bare headed with his white staffe in his hand, and when the first dish was set on the table, made obeysance by bowing of his body. Hauing so done, he betooke him to his chamber, where was prouision made for him according to his state. With the Archbishop sate the Earle of Esser, the Bishop of Man, the Lord Abur­gauenny, the Lord Brooke, the Prior of Canterbury, and the Abbot of Saint Augustines. The Duke at his table was ac­companied with the Lord [...], Sir Edward Poynings, the chiefe Justice of England, named Phineux, Sir Wilham Scot, Sir Thomas Kemp, and others. A great many other guests were serued in other places, noble men and knights, at one table, Doctors of Diuinity and Law at another, and Gentlemen of the country at a third besides an infinite num­ber of meaner calling, placed by them selues, according to their seuerall degrées. But to let passe these matters, and to come vnto his gouernement, all the time of King Henry the seuenth (vnder whom he liued Archbishop some thrée yéeres) he enioyed all manner of prosperity, being in so great fauor with his Prince, as no man greater. He dying, and his sonne Bing Henry the eight succeeding, Cardinall Wolsey that was then but Almosuer and Deaue of Lincolne, diued so cunning­ly into the bosome of the yong king, as by and by he ouer­topped the Archbishop, and quickly wound him out of all au­thority. First by the kings meanes he got from him the Chauncellorship of England: Then being Cardinall, and the Popes Legate a latere by speciall commisson, he set vp a new court called Curia [...], vnder colour whereof, he [Page 122] drewe [...] of iurisdiction throughout England into his owne hands, and appointed Officials Registers, &c. in [...] Dioces, who tooke vp all causes and suffered other [...] (to whom the iurisdiction of right appertained to sitte still without either regard or profit. This deiection of the Archbishop wherein men estéemed him for the time very vn­hapy, fell out to his great good, the others immoderate great­nesse, was the cause of his destruction. At what time the K. [...] to be diuorced from his first wife D. Catherine; she [...] choice of this our Archb. & Nicholas West Bish. of Ely, two lawyers, and of I. Fisher [...] of Rochester, and Henry Standish Bishop of Assaph Doctors of Diuinity, to assist and direct her in that sute: they did so, and behaued themselues in such sort, as neither the king had cause to be offended with their ouerforwardnes, nor she to blame their stacknes or neg­ligēce. But the Cardinall y ^t was ioined with Cardinall Cam­peius in commission, wherein they were authorised by the Pope to examine the circumstances of that cause, he I say be­ing more slacke in his procéedings, then the king expected he should, so incensed him against him, as shortly after he was content first to take the aduantage of a Premunire against him, & then to cause him to be arrested of high treason, where­of sée more in Yorke. Soone after the Cardinals death there was a conuocation held, wherein the cleargy was aduertised that they all had fallen into apremunire by yéelding vnto the Cardinals power legantine neuer allowed by the king. They determined therefore to redéeme the penalty they had incurred with the paiment of 118. thousand pounds, where­of the prouince of Yorke should pay eightéene thousand, and Canterbury the rest which was 100000. l. When this gift was to haue béene presented, they were certified that the king would not accept of the same, except they declared in a Canon that he was supreame head of the church. Long this matter was hammering. But at last they 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. [Page 123] 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 y ^t 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 1533 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 [Page 124] 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 1555 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 [Page 125] 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 [Page 126] 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 then rising vp, began to take particular exceptions against Cardinall Poole, charging him with suspition of incontinency (whereof he alleaged some reasons, though peraduenture [...]) as also with heresie, for that he had reasoned for iustification by faith in the Councell of Trent, that he preferred Ant. Flaminius a knowen Protestant, and kept company much with him, and other thought ill of that way, and lastly, that in the time he was Legate of [...] he had béene so slacke in [...] of heretikes, vpon whom he seldome [...] any punish­ment, but death vpon none: This accuser was the Cardinall Caraffa that afterward was Pope Paul the fourth, an olde acquaintance of Cardinall Pooles many yéeres, euen vntill such time as that partaking in this faction betwéene the French and Spanish sundred them. Caraffa thought him selfe the likeliest of the French side, and in that respect was the rather induced in this sort to deface his old friend, so to set vp him selfe. But he was vtterly deceiued in his expectation. Cardinall Poole cléered him selfe of all those suspitions abso­lutely, so that the next day (or rather I should say the night after the next day) the company were more resolute for him then they had béene before, and once more elected him Pope. Cardinal Farnesius the last Popes nephew was the mightiest of that [...]. For so euer all Popes lightly take order, that some Cardinall of their kinne shall strike a great stroake in the election of their successor, that he may be a meanes to shield the rest of his friends from that hard measure which successors are woont to [...] vnto the fauorites of their pre­decessor. This Cardinall Farnesius excéeding ioyfull that he had brought the matter to so good [...], came vnto Cardinall Poole and would néedes adore him by the name of holyfather kissing his féete, &c. But he would not suffer him so to doo, say­ing he would not haue their election a worke of darknesse, that the day was the onely time for the orderly dispatch of such businesse, and therefore he desired them to [...] the ac­complishment [Page 127] of their choice vntill the [...]. They were faine so to doo. But whether it were that his friends were [...] with this double delay, or that they were induced otherwise to alter their determination; so it fell out, that the next morning they chose another, the Cardinall de [...] that named himselfe Iulius 3. He well knowing that the back­wardnesse of Poole made him Pope, euer after made very much of him and yéelded him all mannor of fauour. And first, to begin with, he enforced Cardinall Caraffa to aske him for­giuenes before they departed out of the [...]. Cardinall Poole professed to be nothing at all [...] with loosing that place which he tooke to be a burthen importable, and saying his onely desire was to lead his life in quiet contemplation, craued licence to depart vnto a certaine [...] in the [...] of [...] replenished with monkes of Saint Benet, of which order he was taken for patrone during the time of his residence in Rome. He was scarcely setled there when newes came that king Edward was dead, and that his sister the Lady Mary had obtained the crowne, who was brought vp a great while vnder the Countesse his mother by the espe­ciall choice and direction of Quéene [...] her mother. And many are of opinion that the Quéene committed her the rather vnto the tuition of the Countesse, for that she wished some [...] betwéene one of her sonnes the Pooles and the Lady Mary to strengthen her title to the crowne in case the king her husband should die without issue male, for that (as before I haue declared) they were descended from Goorge Duke of Clarence the next heire male of the house of Yorke. Now Cardinall Poole knowing the Queene had a speciall affection vnto him for his learning, his nobility, but aboue all for his religion (and he was a man personable ynough) lon­ged fore homeward, not doubting a dispensation for his cler­gy would soone be obtained of the Pope in this case, and as­suring himselfe that though he missed of the crowne, he should not faile of the myter. He procured himselfe therefore to be appointed of the Popes legate and to be dispatched into Eng­land with all spéed. The Emperour by this time had [...] to endeuour a match betwéene his sonne [...] and Queene Mary. Doubting therefore least the presence of the [Page 128] Cardinall should disturbe his platforme, he vsed many deui­ses to stop and hinder his passage, till such time as the mari­age was concluded. At last (but a day after the faire) ouer came this iolly legate, reconciled the realme of England to the Pope, caused the Archbishop of Canterbury to be depri­ued and degraded, seating himselfe in his Sée, which things and many more are discoursed of him at large by Master Foxe, and therefore I passe them ouer. He was consecrate March 22. 1555. in the gray Friers church at Gréenwich. The Lady day following he receiued his pal in Bow church, where he made a dry and friuolous sermon touching the vse, profit, signification, and first institution of the pall. March 31. he was installed by a proctor one Robert Collins his commis­sary. While these things were a dooing, Cardinall Caraffa his ancient enimy became Pope. He presently discharged our Cardinall of his power legantine, and made one Frier Peto first a Cardinall, then his legate, and bestowed the Bishop­ricke of Salisbury vpon him. He alleaged against Cardinall Poole that he was vnwoorthy the honour of the legate Apo­stolicall that would suffer the Quéene to proclaime warres against the French king; but the matter was, the old quar­rels were not yet digested, & this way he thought to pay him home. The Quéene kept Frier Peto out of the realme by force, vntill the Pope was reconciled vnto Cardinall Poole againe. Two yéere and almost 8. months this man continued Archb. In y ^e yere 1558. many old mē fel into quartaine agues (a disease fatall vnto elderly folke.) Amongst the rest, a quar­tane had seased vpon him, and brought him to a low ebbe, at what time newes being brought of Quéene Maries death, strucke him quite dead. For he departed this life euen the same day that she did, viz. Nouember 17. 1558. being 58. yéeres of age, and sixe moneths. He procured in his life time, the gift and patronage of 19. benefices from the Quéene vnto his Sée, which he no way else benefited, except by the buil­ding of a certaine gallery toward the East at Lambhith, and some few roomes adioyning. He purposed indéede to haue be­stowed much cost vpon his pallace at Canterbury, but was preuented by death. He was a man of indifferent stature, slender, wel coloured, somewhat broad visaged, his eyes gray [Page 129] and chéerefull, and his countenance milde. His goods he left to the disposition of one Aloysius Priolus an Italian, who bestowed them all to good vses, reseruing nothing vnto him selfe, but two praier bookes. His body was conueighed to Canterbury, aud entoombed on the North side of a litle chap­pell that is at the East end of Thomas Beckets chappell.

70. Matthew Parker.

MAtthew Parker was borne at Norwich, August 6. 1559 1504. and brought vp by his mother (for his father died he being but twelue yéeres of age) in the Uniuer­sity of Cambridge. He was first a Bible clerke of Corpus-Christ College there, and afterwards fellow. His first pre­ferment was the Deanry of Stoke, which he obtained by the fauor of Queene Anne Bulleyn whose Chaplaine he was. That Colledge (though he resisted it what he might) was suppressed in the first yeere of King Edward the sixt. After the death of that noble Lady King Henry her husband tooke him for his Chapleme, in which place he also serued King Edward his sonne. By these two Princes he was preferred vnto ma­ny other good Ecclesiasticall promotions, as a Prebend in Ely, by King Henry the eight, the Mastership of Corpus chri­sti Colledge (where he was brought vp) by the election of the fellowes but commandement of the same king, and lastly the Deanry of Lincolne, with the prebend of Coldingham giuen him by king Edward the sixt. Besides these liuings he had also the Parsonage of Landbeach foure miles from Cam­bridge by the gift of the Colledge whereof he was Master. These liuings he quietly enioyed till the second yeere of Queene Mary, at what time for being married, he was depriued and liued poorely all the time of her raigne. That terrible fire being extinguished that consumed so many zea­lous and learned men, and the Archbishopricke left void by the death of Cardinall Poole, this Matthew Parker then Doctor of Diuinity sometimes Deane of Lincolne, and Ma­ster of Corpus-christi Colledge, in Cambridge (as afore said) was thought méetest for that high place and preserment. He was consecrate thereunto, December 17. 1559. held the same [Page 130] fifteene yéeres, [...] moneths, and deceased Maye 17. 1575. being 72. yéeres of age. He founded a Grammer Schoole at Rochdale in Lancashire: Unto Corpus christi Colledge in Cambridge (where he was brought vp) he procured thirtéene schollerships, built the inward Library, and two faire cham­bers in the same. Moreouer, he gaue to the Library of that Colledge a great number of Bookés some printed, other written, but very rare, and much to be estéemed for their va­lue and antiquity. He gaue them also thrée hundred and ten ounces of plate double guilt, the perpetuall patronage of S. Mary Abchurch in London, land for the maintenance of two fellowes aboue the ordinary number, a leasse for seuentéene yéeres, worth fourtéene pounds eight shillings de claro, and one hundred pounds to mainetaine a fire in the Hall there, from Allhallowentide till Candlemas. He tooke order for the preaching of fire Sermons yéerely in the Rogation weeke, in fiue seuerall Churches in Norfolke. Unto the City of Norwich (where he was borne) he gaue a Bason and Ewer double guilt weighing one hundred seuenty three oun­ces, and fifty shillings yee ely reuenew, to be deuided among poore people of the same City. Unto Gunnell and Caius Col­ledge a pot double guilt, of fifty sixe ounces, together with a neast of goblets, and certaine bookes: To Trinity Hall a Scholers place, a Cuppe waighing fifty thrée ounces, a neast of goblets and bookes likewise; To the Uniuersity fifty written bookes of great value, and fifty printed; And other­wise bestowed much money vnto charitable vses, not neces­sary particularly to be remembred. Upon the reparation of his pallace at Canterbury (which was now greatly derayed) he bestowed one thousand foure hūdred pound. At Lambhith also he repaired and built much to his great charge. But a­boue any thing I may not forget his great care of preseruing antiquities, vnto which his care we are beholding for most of our ancient histories, that but for him were euen vpon the point vtterly to perish. He lyeth buried in the Chàppell be­longing to his house at Lambhith vnder a faire marble stone.

71. Edmund Gryndall.

IN the moneth of February following Edmund Gryndall 1575 Archbishop of Yorke was translated to Canterbury. This man was borne at Saint Bees in Cumberland, fellow first, then [...] of Penbroke Hall in Cambridge, of which [...] he was for one yeere one of the Proctors. A while he was chaplame vnto Master [...] Bishop of London, who preferred him vnto the seruice of king Edward the sixt. In the end of which kings raigne, there was an intent that the said Bishop should haue beene remooued to Durham, and it was thought that Master Gryndall should succeede him in London. But the death of that good king disturbed the pro­gresse of this platforme, and in steed of the expected honoura­ble aduauncement forced him to a voluntary exile in Germa­ny, where he liued all the raigne of Quéene Mary. She dying, & our now gratious Princesse happily succéeding, he was ap­pointed vnto the gouernment so long before intended, elected thereunto July 26. 1559. and enioyed the same about eleuen yeeres, viz. vntill May 20. 1570. at what time he was remoo­ued to Yorke. There he sate almost sixe yeeres and as before is mentioned was once more translated to Canterbury. Two yeeres before his death he became blind, and died at Croydon (where also he was buried) July. 6. 1583. being 64. yéeres of age, hauing continued Archbishop seuen yéeres and almost a halfe. In the place where he was borne he founded a frée schoole, which he endowed with thirty pound land. To Quéenes colledge in Oxford he gaue twenty pound lande to maintaine a fellowe and two schollers to be taken out of his said schoole: He gaue them also the greatest part of his bookes, and 87. ounces of plate besides forty pound debt which he forgaue them. To Pembroke Hall in Cambridge he gaue two and twenty pound land for the maintenance of a Gréeke lecture, of a fellow and two schollers, to be like­wise taken out of his schoole. To [...] he also gaue some bookes, and forty ounces of plate. To Magdalen colledge in Cambridge he gaue fiue pound land for one fellow to be ta­ken from his schoole; To Christs colledge there fiue and for­ty [Page 132] ounces of plate: To eight little almeshouses in Croydon fifty pound to be bestowed in land for their reliefe; and lastly to the city of Canterbury an hundred pound to be imployed vpon a stocke to set the poore on worke.

72. Iohn Whitegift.

SOone after the death of Edmund Gryndall, Iohn White­gift 1583 Doctor of Diuinity, Bishop of Worcester, was ap­pointed to succéede him, and his translation confirmed September 23. following. He was borne at Grymsby in Lincolnshire, brought vp a while vnder Master Bradford in Penbroke Hall, and afterwards became fellow of Peter house in Cambridge. The yéere 1567. he procéeded Doctor of Diuinity, and being chosen Master of Pembroke Hall, with­in the compasse of the same yéere was called to the gouerne­ment of Trinity colledge. In the meane time he had béene reader of both the diuinity lectures, first the Lady Margarets, & after the Quéenes. Ten yéeres he continued Master of Tri­nity colledge, in which space he was twice Uicechauncellour, and the yéere 1573. by the gift of her Maiestie (whose chap­laine he was) became Deane of Lincoln. In the beginning then of the yéere 1577. he was aduaunced vnto the Bishop­ricke of Worcester, in September following had the gouern­ment of the Principality of Wales committed vnto him and held the same two yeeres and a halfe, euen all the time that Sir Henry Sydney the President liued in Ireland as Lord Deputy. Sixe yéeres and almost a halfe he had beene at Wor­cester whē he was called vnto the metropolitical Sée of Can­terbury which he yet holdeth. Upon Candlemas day 1585. he was sworne of her Maiesties priuy counsell. God graunt him long and happily to enioy these honorable places to his glory and the good of his Church.

Amen.

The Archbishopricke of Canterbury is valued in the Queenes bookes at 3093, l. 18. s. 8. d. ob. farthing, and was woont to pay to the Pope 1000. ducats at euery in­come, besides 5000. for his pall.

The old corporation of Prior and Couent of Christchurch being dissolued; king Henry the eight made a new, of a Deane and 12. Prebendaries. The names of the Deanes I haue thought not amisse here to set downe:

1. Mellitus.

SAint Augustine hauing established his Metrapoliticall 604 See at Canterbury, for that it was the seate of the king of Kent, who commanded the kings of the East and South Saxons as his vassals, and holding their kingdomes at his pleasure; He thought good to appoint a Bishop at Lon­don; and he made choice of Mellitus, whom he consecrated ann. 604. This Mellitus conuerted vnto the faith of Christ Sebert king of East Saxons, who soone after built the church of Westminster, and dedicated it to Saint Peter. In his time also Ethelbert king of Kent built the Cathedrall church of Saint Paule, that being often increased by Erkenwald and other, was burnt at last downe to the ground some 500. yéeres after, and built a new in that stately forme it now hath by Mauritius Bishop of London, and his successors. King Ethelbert moreouer gaue Tillingham and other lands vnto this church. Of Mellitus sée more in Canterbury, whether he was translated.

2. Ceadda.

AFter the departure of Mellitus the Church of London 654 was long without a Pastor, euen vntill that Sigebert obtaining the kingdome of the East Saxons, by the perswasion of Oswy king of Northumberland, he became a Christian and procured Ceadda a vertuous and Godly priest to be consecrate Bishop of his countrey. That charge he at­tended painfully many yéeres. At last, building a Monastery in the North country called Lestinghen; the same was scarce­ly finished, when the infection of the plague being brought thither, tooke away not onely this Bishop the founder, but al­most all the monks that were now newly placed in the same. Of this man Beda writeth much in his Eccl. historie Lib. 3. cap. 22. & 23. He was buried in the foresaid Monastery of Lestinghen.

3. Wina.

ABout the time that Ceadda died, it hapned Kenwal­chus 666 K. of the West Saxons to fall out with Wina the Bishop of his countrey, insomuch as, he forced him to flie vnto Wlfher king of Mercia, of whom (being now desti­tute of liuing) he bought for money the Bishopricke of Lon­don. Sée more in Winchester.

4. Erkenwald.

VVIna being dead, Erkenwald the sonne of Offa king 675 of East Saxons (a very deuout and vertuous man) became Bishop of London. His owne pa­trimony he bestowed in building of two monasteries, one for monkes at Chertsey, another for Nunnes at Barking, ma­king Edelburg his sister the first Abbesse there. He conuerted vnto the faith of Christ Sebba king of the East Saxons: He bestowed much vpon building in his Cathedrall church of Saint Paule, encreased much the reuenues of the same, and obtained for it of diuers princes many notable and impor­tant [Page 137] priuileges. Hauing sate 11. yéeres he died about the yéere of our Lord 685. and after his death was honoured for a Saint. His body was laied in a very sumptuous shryne, which not many yéeres since stoode in the East part of the church aboue the high altar.

After Erkenwald sate these in or­der successiuely.

• 5. Waldhere, of him Beda maketh mention, Hist. eccles. lib. 4. cap. 11.
• 6. Ingwald, this man liued in the time of Beda, and died 744.
• 7. [...].
• 8. Wighed.
• 9. Eadbright.
• 10. Eadgar.
• 11. Kenwalch.
• 12. Eadbald.
• 13. Hecbert or Heathobert. He died the yéere 802.
• 14. Osmund or Oswyn, he liued 833.
• 15. Ethelnoth.
• 16. Ceolbert.
• 17. Renulf or Ceorolf.
• 18. Swithulf, he liued the yéere 851.
• 19. Eadstan, liued 860.
• 20. Wulfsius.
• 21. Ethelward.
• 22. Elstan, he died an. 898. or as Asserius saith, an. 900.
• 23. Theodred, surnamed the Good. His body was laid in a 900 high toombe by the window of the vault or vndercroft, now called (if I mistake not) Saint Faiths church.
• 24. Wulstan.
• 25. Brithelm, he died the yéere 958.
• 26. Dunstan. See more of him in Canterbury.
• 27. Alfstan, he liued 966. and 996. 959
• 28. Wulfstan.
• 29. Albun, he taught the children of king Ethelred, and car­ried them into Normandy the yéere 1013.
• [Page 148]30. Alwy.
• 31. Elfward, before he was Bishop, Abbot of Eueshain; be­ing Bishop, held still his Abbotship in Commendam: waxing olde, he intended to resigne his Bishopricke, and returning thither againe to spend the rest of his daies there: but the monkes refused to receiue him, whereupon he tooke from them many bookes and rich ornaments that he had sent thither (yea some also that other men had bestowed) and gaue them vnto the Ab­bey of Kanisey where he lieth buried. He died Iuly 25. ann. 1044.
• 32. Robert, he was translated to Canterbury 1050. Sée more there.

33. William.

BY what meanes I know not, Spearheafocus Abbot of 1050 Abingdon set foote into the Bishopricke of London, Ro­bert being translated. But the king displaced him, would not suffer him to be consecrate, and bestowed the same vpon one William that was a Norman (as his predecessor was) and came into the realme with Quéene Emma his (I meane the Confessors) mother. Unto this man the city of London ac­knoledgeth it selfe greatly beholding, for that king William the Conquerour by his meanes & instant sute, graunted vnto them all kind of liberties, in as ample manner as they en­ioyed them in the time of his predecessor. In thankfulnesse hereof, the citizens haue caused to be engrauen this Epitaphe vpon his graue (which is in the middle of the body of his church.)

Guilielmo viro sapientia & vitae sanctitate claro, qui pri­mum Diuo Edwardo Regi & Confessori familiaris, nuper in Episcopum Londinensem erectus, nec multo post apud in­uictissimum Principem Guilielmum Angliae Regem eius no­minis primum ob prudentiam fidemque singularem in consi­lium adhibitus, amplistima huic vrbi celeberrimae priuilegia ab eodem impetrauit; Senatus populusque Londinensis benè merenti posuit. Sedit Episcopus ann. 20. Decessit an. a Chri­sto nato 1070.

34. Hugh d' Oriuall.

AFter the death of Bishop William, the Conquerour 1070 aduaunced vnto this Sée one Hugh d' Oriuall a Nor­man. Within a short space after his preferment, he fell into a leprosie; for cure whereof by the counsell of phisitions he was gelded. It little auailed him; that notwithstanding, he continued a leper all his life, and so died Ianuary 12. ann. 1085.

35. Mauritius.

MAuritius Chaplaine and Chauncellor to the Conque­ror, 1087 was consecrate Bishop of London the yéere 1087. A man not of the best report for his life, but famous for his memorable endeuour of building Paules Church in London. It happened the yéere 1086. the whole City of London (in a manner) to be consumed with fire. The Cathedrall church amongst the rest going to wrack; Maurice the yéere following (which was the first yéere of his consecra­tion) intending to reedifie the same, laid the foundation of so huge a plot, as all men thought it would neuer be finished. The same fire destroyed a great Castle standing in that place where Robert Killwardby Archbishop of Canterbury did af­terwards build the Blacke Friers. The ruines of this castle the K. was content should be imployed vpon Paules Church. He gaue also vnto the Bishop and his successors for euer the Castle of Scortford with the Appurtenances. Notwithstan­ding these and many other helps, this Bishop dooing his vt­most endeuor, for the aduancement of this noble worke, in [Page 140] twenty yéeres that he sate, was not able to bring it to any perfection. He deceased, September 26. 1107.

36. Richard Beauveys.

RIchard Beauveys sirnamed Rufus by some (for diffe­rence 1108 I thinke of his nephew of the same name, that afterward succéeded him) was consecrate vnto the Sée of London at Pagham, the yéere 1108. He purchased diuers whole stréetes, and much housing néere to his Cathedrall Church, all which he pulled downe, and leauing the ground vnbuilt for a Cemitery or Churchyard, enclosed the same with a wall, which yet for the most part remaineth, but so co­uered with houses, as it cannot be séene but here and there. This man sitting (as his [...] did) twenty yéeres, and employing all his reuenewes vpon this fabrike almost all his time, was nothing néere able to finish it. Toward his latter end, waxing weary of that tedious worke, he gaue it ouer, and endeuoured the foundation of a Monastery at Saint Osythes in Essex, which place he procured, giuing Lads­worth in exchange for it. Diuers times he was about to re­signe his Bishopricke, that he might become a regular Cha­non in his owne new built Monastery; and that the rather, because being taken with a desperate and irrecouerable pal­sey, he wel knew his time to be short: But he deferred so long the execution of this intent from day to day, that he was sur­prised by death before he could performe it, viz. Ianuary, 16 1127.

37. Gilbertus Vniuersalis.

A Canon of Lyons was then preferred to this Sée, one 1128 Gilbert surnamed Vniuersalis, vir probus & grandae­vus (saith Florent. Wigorn:) avery aged, but a very good man. Other report of him, that he was a very couetous man, and a very rich man, but a very learned man. It sée­meth he was a man of some note in those daies: Saint Bar­nard writeth diuers Epistles vnto him. He died the yéere 1133. trauayling toward Rome.

38. Robertus de Sigillo.

AFter the death of Bishop Gilbert one [...] Abbot 1140 of [...], nephew to Saint Anselme, was elected Bi­shop of London, and had his election confirmed at Rome. But presently such exceptions were taken against him, as thereupon he was not onely stayed from consecrati­on, but depriued also of his Abbotship. His electors were William the Deane of [...], Ralfe Langford, and Richard [...] (the same I beleeue) that afterwards was Bishop. The King who very much mistiked this election (hauing made request for some other) amongst other effects of his dis­pleasure, caused the wiues of these Canons (as Bale repor­teth) to be imprisoned, and otherwise shainefully intreated. True it is, that a little before this time, euen vntill Anselme was Archbishop, many Clergy men had wiues: But he so farre foorth restrained them, as if any were maried after­wards, they were very fewe, and durst not in any wise be ac­knowen of it. By reason of the [...] that were about this election, the Sée continued void a long time. The yeere 1140. Mawde the Empresse hauing taken King Stephen prisoner, came to London, and finding the Bishopricke void, caused one Robert de Sigillo a monke of Reading (or as others say Archdeacon of London) to be elected and consecrate Bishop. Within a yeere or two after, he was taken prisoner at Full­ham by [...] de Mandeuill a captaine of king Stephens, who ye may be sure could ill brooke any man that the Em­presse fauoured. He sate Bishop about ten yeeres.

39. Richard Beauveys.

THe yéere 1151. Richard Beauveys Archdeacon of 1151 Middlesex, and nephew vnto the former Richard Be­auveys became Bishop. He died ann. 1162.

40. Gilbert Foliot.

GIlbert Foliot was first Abbot of Glocester (as M. 1161 Westm. hath) but Bale affirmeth he was Abbot of Leycester, and not of Glocester. The yéere 1149. he was consecrate Bishop of Hereford, continued in that Sée almost twelue yeeres, and in 1161. vpon the kings speciall request, he was translated to London. In all the stirres be­twéene Thomas Becket and the king, he stucke vnto the king very faithfully, and was partaker of all his counsels. Mat. Paris reporteth a strange thing of him (beléeue it if you list) that one night comming from the king, after long conference concerning the businesse betwéene the King, and the Archbi­shop: as he lay musing of those things in his bed, a terrible and an vnknowen voice sounded these words in his eares, O Gilberte [...], dum reuoluis tot & tot, Deus [...] est Ascarot. Taking it to be the deuill, he answered boldly, Mentiris Dae­mon, Deus [...] est Deus Sabaoth. At what time the King banished certaine fauorites of the Archbishop, that were Clergy men, he commaunded this Bishop to receiue the fruites of their liuings into his hand. For obeying the autho­rity of his Prince herein, the Archbishop excommunicated him. And presently vpon the death of the said Archbishop, the Pope excommunicated him also, but affirming by othe he was not guilty of the murther, he was absolued. He died Fe­bruary 18. 1187. It séemeth he was not onely wise, but (for those times) very learned; He writ diuers bookes mentioned by Bale. I finde in Polycraticus, a note concerning him, that because it expresseth very well an humour much raigning now a daies, I thinke not vnnecessary to offer vnto the Rea­der euen as I find it. Venerabilis Pater, &c. The reuerend father Gilbert Bishop of Hereford, would sometimes dis­course vnto me (saith he) a certaine guise of Cloyster men, the experience whereof he found in him selfe. When first he entred into the Monastery, hote with the fire newly kindled in him, he was woont to blame very much the sluggishnesse of his gouernors. Being preferred him selfe, he was still mo­ued with [...] toward his equals, but spared not his [Page 143] betters. He became first a Prior; taking part then with Pri­ors, he would complaine of Abbots. Afterwards being made an Abbot, fauouring his fellow Abbots, he ceased not to re­prehend Bishops. And lastly, when he was a Bishop him­selfe, he began to see how much more easie a thing it is to find faults then to mend them. I thinke not (saith he) that this Bishop was to be esteemed enuious, but being a wise man he expressed pretily an affection, as it were naturally engraffed in euery man; and was the more willing to take that kind of fault vpon him selfe, that he might be the better heard of others. Ioan. Sarisb. Polycrat. lib. 7. cap. 24. A very wise and reuerend Bishop now deceased, in my hearing hath often ac­knowledged the like humour in him selfe before his prefer­ments, and therefore adiudged it the rather to be borne with­all in other men.

41. Richard Fitz-neale.

NIgellus Bishop of Ely (that was nephew to Roger 1189 Bishop of Salisbury had a sonne named Richard, for whom he bought of King Henry the second the Trea­surership of England, and payed for the same 400. markes. He held that office almost all the raigne of the said king, and was so good a husband in it, as that at the kings death, his treasure [...] vnto 100000. markes. In the latter end of his raigne he found meanes to preferre him vnto the Bi­shopricke of London, whereunto he was consecrate Decem­ber 31. 1189. He bestowed much vpon the building of his Church and other edifices belonging to his See, sate there about nine yeeres, and died September 10. 1198.

42. William de Sancta Maria.

VVIlliam de Sancta Maria succéeded, a Canon of 1199 Paules, and sometimes secretary to king Richard the first. He was consecrate, June 22. 1199. This Bishop was one of them that interdicted the whole realme, and excommunicated king Iohn by the commaundement of the Pope. They all indured fiue yéeres banishment for their [Page 144] labours, as elsewhere is more at large declared. He resigned his Bishopricke Ianuary 26. 1221.

43. Eustachius de Fauconbridge.

EVstachius de Fauconbridge was elected vnto the Sée of 1222 London February 25. following, and then vpon Saint Markes day consecrate at Westminster. The next yéere a great controuersie was ended by arbitrators betweene him and his Cathedrall church of Saint Paule on the one part, and the Abbey of Westminster on the other. The arbitrators were the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Winche­ster and Sarum. Thomas Prior of Merton and Richard of Dunstaple. Their order was, that the Abbey of Westmin­ster should be exempt from the iurisdiction of the Bishop of London, that the church of Stanes should euer hereafter be­long to Westminster, the mannor and church of Sunbery vnto the Cathedrall church of Paules. This Eustache had béene one of the kings Iustices, Chauncellour of the exche­quer, Treasurer of England, and twise Embassador into Fraunce. He was a great benefactor vnto his Cathedrall church, in which he lyeth intoombed in a faire monument of marble standing in the South wall of the East ende of the churchurch. He died October 31. 1228.

44. Rogerus Niger.

ROger (in our histories surnamed Niger) Archdeacon of 1229 Colchester, was chosen Bishop the yéere 1228. soone af­ter the death of Eustachius, and consecrate by loceline Bishop of Bathe Iune 10. following being Trinity Sun­day, togither with Richard Archbishop of Canterbury and Hugh Bishop of Ely. This Roger (saith M. Paris) was a very reuerend man, religious, learned, painefull in preaching, elo­quent, a great house-kéeper, of very gentle and curteous beha­uiour. Whereunto he might haue added that he was also stout and very couragious. One Rustandus the Popes Nun­tio being earnest in a conuocation for setting forward a cer­taine prolling deuise to scrape vp money for his Master; he [Page 145] not onely withstood him openly, but cryed out vpon the vn­reasonable and shamelesse couetousnes of the court of Rome, and was the onely meanes of staying the course of that exa­ction. For reuenge hereof not long after they began to frame an accusation against him at Rome, alleaging matters alto­gither false and friuolous. It forced him to trauell thither, and cost him great summes of money before he could rid his hands of that brabble. The yéere 1233. Walter Mauclerke Bishop of Carlile taking ship to passe ouer the seas, was hin­dered by some of the kings officers, for that he had no licence to depart the realme. These officers for so doing, he excom­municated, and riding straight vnto the court, certified the king what he had done, and there renewed the same sentence againe. About the same time the king gaue commandement for the apprehending of Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent, who hauing sudden notice thereof at midnight, got him vp and fled into a church in Esser. They to whom the businesse was committed, finding him vpon his knées before the high altar with the sacrament in one hand and a crosse in the other, ca­ried him away neuertheles vnto the Tower of London. The Bishop taking this to be a great violence and wrong offered vnto holy church, would neuer leaue the king (that was in­déed a Prince religious ynough) vntill he had caused the Earle to be caried vnto the place whence he was taken. It is thought it was a meanes of sauing the Earles life. For though order was taken he should not scape thence, yet it gaue the kings wrath a time to coole, and himselfe leysure to make proofe of his innocency: By reason whereof, he was afterward restored to the kings fauour and former places of honour. This Bishop died at his mannor of Bishops hall in the parish of Stupenheath on Michaelmas day 1241. or as some report (I thinke vntruly) October 3. 1243. and was buried in his owne church, where Matthew Paris saies di­uers miracles were wrought at his toombe. It standeth in the enter close or North wall of the Presbytery a little aboue the quire, where is to be read this Epitaphe:

45. Fulco Basset.

ABout Christmas following, Fulco Basset Deane of 1244 Yorke was elected vnto the Sée of London, but not consecrate vntill October 9. 1244. for that the king, who earnestly desired to haue remooued Peter Bishop of He­reford vnto London, misliked greatly their choice. This our Fulco was a gentleman of a grcat house, but a second bro­ther. After he had entred orders, his elder brother and the onely sonne of that brother, died within the compasse of a yéere, leauing the inheritance vnto him. Our histories blame him for not being forward ynough in the cause of the Ba­rons, that is for being too true vnto his Prince: Otherwise, they giue him the praise of a good man, a discréet and vigilant pastor. Questionlesse he was a man stout, and no lesse coura­gious then his predecessor. The yéere 1255. Rustandus the Popes legate held a connocation at London, in which when he went about to lay an importable exaction vpon the clear­gy (and it was knowen the king was hired to winke at it) this Bishop rose vp and openly professed that he would suffer his head to be chopped off before he would consent vnto so shamefull and vnreasonable oppression of the church. Yea when the king stormed at this his resistance, and reuiled him, saying, that neither he nor any of his name was euer true vnto him, threatning moreouer that he would finde meanes to plague him for it: In the presence of some that he knew would tell the king of it, he sticked not to say (a spéech I con­fesse not commendable, but bold and couragious) My Bi­shopricke indéed, my myter and crosier the king and the Pope may take away from me (though vniustly) but my helmet and sword I hope they shall not. He died of the plague at London the yéere 1258. and was buried in his owne church vpon Saint Urbans day.

46. Henry de Wingham.

HEnry de Wingham Chauncellor of England, cham­berlaine 1259 of Gascoigne, Deane of Tottenhall and S. Martins, hauing béene twice Embassador into Fraunce, was chosen Bishop of Winchester the yéere 1258. but refused to accept of that place. Sée why in Ethelmare of Winchester. The yéere following, the like offer being made for London, he neuer made bones of it, and was consecrate about Midsommer the same yéere. A small time he enioyed that preferment, being taken away by death July 13. 1261. He lyeth intoombed in the South wall neere to the monu­ment of Bishop Fauconbridge.

47. Kichard Talbot.

SOone after the death of Henry Wingham, Richard Tal­bot was elected and confirmed Bishop of London, whe­ther consecrate or no I can not tel. Certaine it is he died vpon Michaelinas day the yéere following, viz. 1262.

48. Henry de Sandwich.

BEfore the ende of that yéere, Henry de Sandwich was 1262 consecrate Bishop. So London had thrée Bishops in one yéere. This man was excommunicate by Ottobonus the Popes legate (as he had well deserued) for taking part with the rebellious Barons against their Prince. He died September 16. 1273.

49. Iohn de [...].

IOhn de Chishull Deane of Paules, sometimes Archdea­con 1274 of London, hauing béene first Kéeper of the great seale, and then Treasurer of England, was consecrate Aprill 29. 1274. He died February 10. 1279.

50. Richard de Grauesend.

RIchard de Grauesend Archdeacon of Northhampton, 1280 was consecrate Bishop of London at Couentry August 12. 1280. He died at Fulham December 9. 1303. and was buried at London.

51. Ralfe de Baldocke.

BY the consent of the whole Chapter, Ralfe Baldocke 1305 was then chosen Bishoppe vpon Saint Matthias day following. Howbeit he might not haue consecra­tion till the Pope had confirmed the election, for that thrée Canons lately depriued from their Prebends by the Archbi­shop, being excluded from the election, had appealed from the same vnto the Pope. By the commandement of the Pope (Clement. 5.) he was consecrate at Lyons Ianuary 30. 1305 by the hands of one Petrus Hispanus a Cardinall. He was ve­ry well learned, and amongst other things, he writ (as Bale recordeth) an history or Chronicle of England in the Latine toong. In his life time he gaue two hundred markes toward the building of the new worke of the chappell on the East end of his church, now called the Lady chappell, and in his will bequeathed much toward the finishing of the same. And here by the way it shall not be amisse to note, that in digging the foundation of this building, there were found more then an hundred heads of cattell, as oxen, kine, &c. which séemeth to confirme the opinion of those that thinke the Temple of Iupi­ter was situate in that place before the planting of Christian religion, tooke away those Idolatrous sacrifices. This Bi­shop died at Stell July 24. 1313. and lieth buried vnder a flat marble in the said chappell.

52. Gilbert Segraue.

GIlbert Segraue borne in Leicester shire, and brought vp 1313 in Oxford, was a man very well learned, and left di­uers good monuments of his knowledge behinde [Page 149] him. He was consecrate Bishop of London, Nouember 25. 1313. and sate about thrée yéeres.

53. Richard Newport.

RIchard Newport was consecrate Bishop of London, 1317 March 26. 1317. and died August 24. 1318.

54. Stephen Grauesend.

STephen Grauesend was consecrate Ianuary 14. follow­ing, 1318 and sate about twenty yéeres.

55. Richard Byntworth, or Wentworth.

RIchard Byntworth had his election confirmed, May 23. 1338 1338. was consecrate afterwards at Lambhith by the Bishop of Chichester, and died December 8. 1339.

56. Ralfe Stratford.

RAlfe Stratford was consecrate at Canterbury, March 1348 12. 1348. He purchased the péece of ground called No­mans-land beside Smithfield, and dedicated it to the vse of buriall. He was borne at Stratford vpon Avon, where he builded the Chappell of Saint Thomas, and died at Stupen­heath hauing sate Bishop about the space of fourtéene yéeres.

57. Michaell Northbrooke.

MIchaell Northbrooke Doctor of Law, had his election 1355 confirmed, July 7. 1355. and died the yéere 1361.

58. Simon Sudbury.

SImon Sudbury alias Tibald Doctor of Law succéeded He 1361 sate Bishop about fiftéene yéeres, and was translated to Canterbury. Sée more of him there.

59. William Courtney.

THe yéere 1375. at what time Bishop Sudbury was re­mooued 1375 to Canterbury, William Courtney Bishop of Hereford was called to London, and afterwards suc­céeded the same man in Canterbury also, viz. in the end of the yéere 1381. Sée more of him in Canterbury.

60. Robert Braybrooke.

RObert Braybrooke was consecrate Ianuary 5. 1381. In 1381 Sept. 1382. he was made Lord Chauncellor, but held not that office past halfe a yéere. He died August 27. 1404. or (as his Epitaphe reporteth) 1405. and lyeth buried in the middle of the Lady Chappell, vnder a faire Marble stone in laid with letters made euery one of a seuerall péece of brasse.

61. Roger Walden.

ONe Thomas Langley was then elected Bishop, Octo­ber 1404 20. following. But the Pope little regarding this election, of his méere authority (according to his man­ner) bestowed this Bishopricke, December 10. 1404. vpon Roger Walden, that for a time had held the place and autho­rity of Archbishop of Canterbury. Neuer had any man better experience of the variable vncertainty of worldly felicity. From the estate of a very poore man, he was sodainly raysed to be Treasurer of England (hauing béene first Secretary to the king, Deane of Yorke, and Treasurer of the Towne of Calis) and then made Archbishop of Canterbury. That ho­nor he enioied not past two yéeres, but he was remooued from the same, and forced to lead a priuate life a great while. At last being once more lift vp into a place of honor, he was not suffred to enioy the same any long time; within the compasse of a yéere after he was made Bishop of London, he died and was buried in the Priory of S. [...] in [...]. See more of him in T. Arundell of Canterbury.

62. Nicholas Bubwith.

IN the beginning of the yéere 1406. Nicholas Bubwith was 1406 consecrate Bishop of London. Within little more then the compasse of that one yéere, he was twice translated; first to Salisbury, and then to Bathe. Sée more of him in Bathe.

63. Richard Clifford.

THe Pope had bestowed the Bishopricke of Bathe (by 1407 way of prouision) vpon Richard [...] Archdeacon of Canterbury, the yéere 1401. But king Henry the fourth then newly come to the crowne, being very desirous of preferring another man to that place, assured him, he would neuer giue him possession of his temporalties, yet promised him his fauour in some other matter. Hereupon he was con­tent to let go this hold, and begin a new sute for Worcester, which in the ende of the same yéere he easily obtained. There he sate about sixe yéeres, and October 13. 1407. was tran­slated to London. The yéere 1414. he trauayled to the Coun­sell of Constance, and preached in Latine before the Empe­ror, and other estates there assembled. In that Counsell, the long schisme was ended, and Martin the fift, chosen the sole Pope. The Counsell thinking it méete that thirty persons should be added to the Cardinals in this election, this Bishop was one of that number: In which also, there were that na­med him vnto the Papacy. Himselfe was the first that named the Cardinall Columna, who thereupon, the rest consenting, was immediately elected. This Bishop lyeth buried néere the place where the shrine of Saint Erkenwald stood toward the South: to wit, hard by the monument of Sir Christofer Hatton.

64 Iohn Kemp.

AFter him, the yéere 1422. succéeded Iohn Kemp, first 1422 Bishop of Rochester, then of Chichester. The yéere 1425. he was translated from London to Yorke, and [Page 152] afterwards to Canterbury. Sée more of him in Canterbury and Yorke.

65. William Gray.

VVIlliam Gray Deane of Yorke, was consecrate 1426 May 26. 1426. and the yéere 1431. translated to Lincolne. Sée Lincolne.

66. Robert Fitz-hugh.

RObert Fitz-hugh Doctor of Lawe, and Archdeacon of Northampton, was consecrate September 16. 1431. This man had béene twice Embassadour, once into Germa­ny, and another time to Rome. The yéere 1435. he was elec­ted Bishop of Ely, but died before his intended translation could be perfected, viz. vpon S. Maurices day 1435. and lyeth buried in the Presbitery, a little aboue the Bishops Sée, vn­der a Marble stone, inlaid with brasse.

67. Robert Gilbert.

RObert Gilbert Doctor of Diuinitie and Deane of Yorke, 1432 was consecrate the yéere 1432. and died 1448.

68. Thomas Kemp.

THe Pope of his absolute authoritie bestowed the Bi­shopricke 1449 of London vpon T. Kemp, the yéere 1449. He was consecrate at Yorke place (now called White Hall) February 8. 1449. by the handes of his vncle Iohn Kemp then Archbishop of Yorke. This man sate Bishop al­most 40. yéeres. He died March 28. 1489. and was buried in the vpper end of the body of his church betwéene two pillers, where he caused to be built ouer his tombe a sumptuous chappell, and erected (as I take it) a Chauntry in the same. He built Paules crosse in forme as now it standeth, & was a benefactor of our Uniuersity of Oxford, the particularity how farre foorth I know not.

69. I ohn Marshall.

THe Chapter elected for their Bishop one Richard Hyll, 1489 August 19. 1489. But I finde that Iohn Marshall (by the Popes appointment no doubt) became Bishop of London the same yeere, and died the yéere 1493. This man (if I be not deceiued) was Bishop of Landaff before his prefer­ment to London.

70. Richard Hyll.

MArshall being dead, the forenamed Richard Hyll (whe­ther 1493 by vertue of his old election or no I know not) obtained consecration the same yéere 1493. He lieth buried in the body of the church vnder a marble stone, bea­ring yet the title of his name though euen almost worne out.

71. Thomas Sauage.

THomas Sauage was first Bishop of Rochester, translated 1496 thence to London 1496. and from London to Yorke 1501. Sée more of him in Yorke.

72. William Warham.

VVIlliam Warham Doctor of Law, became Bishop 1503 of London in the beginning of the yéere 1503. In the end of 1504. he was translated to Canter­bury. Sée more of him there.

73. William Barnes.

IN the beginning of 1505. William Barnes was made Bi­shop 1505 of London, and died before the end of the same yéere.

74. Richard Fitz-Iames.

RIchard Fitz-Iames Doctor of Lawe, brought vp in Mer­ton 1506 college in Oxford, was consecrated Bishop of Ro­chester [Page 154] the yéere 1496. translated thence to Chichester 1504. & from Chichester to London 1506. He died the yéere 1521. A gentleman of an ancient house, learned and very vertuous. He was buried betwéene the two pillers next vnto the stéeple on the north side of the body of the church, vnder a marble stone, ouer which was built a kinde of tombe or chappell of wood, that by the burning of the stéeple was also consumed and quight defaced, June 4. 1561.

75. Cuthbert Tonstall.

CVthbert Tonstall Doctor of Lawe, Master of the 1521 Rolles, and kéeper of the priuy Seale, succéeded Ri­chard Fitz-Iames in the Bishopricke of London, and was translated to Durham March 25. 1530. Sée more of him in Durham.

76. Iohn Stokesley.

IOhn Stokesley was inthronized July 19. 1530. and de­parted 1530 this life September 8. 1539. He lieth buried in the Lady Chappell vnder a marble inlaid with brasse.

77. Edmund Boner.

EEmund Boner Doctor of Law and Archdeacon of Ley­cester, 1540 sometimes Master of the Cardinals faculties, had the Bishopricke of Hereford bestowed vpon him, at what time he was out of the realme Embassador vnto the Pope from king Henry the eight, for renouncing his autho­rity here in England. Soone after his returne, hauing yet scarcely entred vpon Hereford he was called to London, ele­cted October 20. 1539. and installed Aprill 3. 1540. How butcherly he behaued himselfe in that place, I referre you vn­to the report of Master Foxe. He was depriued October 1. 1549. restored by Quéene Mary August. 5. 1553. and lastly displaced againe by authority of Parliament May 30. 1559. He died in the Marshalsea September 5. 1569.

78. Nicolas Ridley.

AFter the first displacing of Bishop Boner, Nicholas 1549 Ridley Bishop of Rochester was translated to Lon­don and installed there Aprill 12. 1550. He was a gen­tleman of an ancient house, borne in the Bishopricke of Dur­ham, brought vp in Pembrooke Hall in Cambridge (where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinity) consecrate Bishop of Ro­chester September 25. 1547. remooued to London (as be­fore is mentioned, and lastly died for the constant profession of his faith October 16. 1555. the historie whereof and his whole life ye may read in Master Foxe more at large.

79. Edmund Grindall.

BIshop Boner being the second time depriued, Edmund 1559 Grindall was elected July 26. following, consecrate De­cember 1. 1559. translated to Yorke May 20. 1570. and after to Canterbury. Sée more of him in Canterbury.

80. Edwyn Sands.

EDwyn Sands Bishop of Worcester was confirmed Bi­shop 1570 of London July 13. 1570. He sate there about the space of sixe yeeres and was translated to Yorke. Sée more in Yorke.

81. Iohn Elmer.

IOhn Elmer Doctor of Diuinity and Archdeacon of Lin­colne 1576 succéeded. He sate almost eightéen yéeres, died at Ful­ham June 3. 1594 and was buried toward the North side of the East part of the church aboue the high altar.

82. Richard Fletcher.

THe Sée of Bristow hauing béene void many yéeres, Ri­chard 1594 Fletcher Doctor of Diuinity, Deane of Peterbo­rough, [Page 156] and one of her Maiesties chaplaines, was consecrate thereunto in December 1589. translated thence to Worce­ster in February 1593. and in the ende of the yéere 1594. to London. He died suddenly in his house at London, being (to sée to) well, sicke and dead in one quarter of an hower, June 15. 1596. and was buried in his owne Cathedrall church.

83. Richard Bancroft.

RIchard Bancroft Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate the 1597 eight of May 1597.

1. Birnius.

THe Prouince or kingdome of the Gewisses or West Saxons, containing the West part of England, was goucrned along time by one Bishop that was called the Bishop of the West Saxons. This Countrey after the Saxons inuaded the same, receiued first the faith of Christ in the time of King Kinigilsus by the preaching of Byroius the first Bishop, who being a very zealous and deuout man, ob­tained leaue of Honorus the Pope of Rome to aduenture himselfe in preaching Christ vnto Infidels. And his promise was to trauaile vnto the most Sauage and Barbarous peo­ple in the furthermost part of this Ile, that amongst them he might sowe the séedes of the Gospell: whereupon he was con­secrated Bishop by Asterius then Bishop of Genoa. But comming thither, and finding the countrey of the Gewisses, where he first arriued to be altogether Pagans, and without any knowledge of Christianity, he determined to go no far­ther to séeke that which euen there he had already met with­all. It pleased God so to blesse his labours, that in a short time not onely great numbers of the common people, and many of the nobles, but euen Kingilsus the king himselfe beléeued in Christ, and tooke on them the badge and cognisance of Chri­stianity by Baptisme. Oswald the king of Northumberland was present at what time Kinigilsus receiued this Sacra­ment and was his Godfather, being afterwards to become his sonne by the mariage of his daughter. These two Kings appointed vnto Birnius the City of Dorchester for his Cathe­drall Sée, where spending his time in preaching, aud other [Page 159] pastorall offices (not without great an inestimable profit) he died about the yeere 650. 15. yéeres after his first comming into this Countrey, & was buried there in his owne Church.

2. Agilbertus.

IN the meane time it had fallen out that Kinigilsus dying, 650 kenwalchus his sonne raigned in his stéede: who refusing the offer of the kingdome of heauen by refusing Christ, lost also soone after his earthly kingdome. He had maried the daughter of Penda king of Mercia or Mid-England, & (vpon what occasion I know not) putting her away, married ano­ther. For this cause Penda tooke armes against him and for­ced him out of his kingdome. Then for succour he fled vnto Anna king of Esser, a good man and very religious, in whose court he liued the space of thrée yéeres, and there was first brought vnto the faith of Christ. By the helpe of this good Prince he also was restored to his kingdome againe. His fa­ther had pulled downe the temple of Dagon, and begun the building of a very faire church in Winchester, but was taken away by death before he could finish it, and for maintenance of the ministers of the same had alotted al the countrey round about within seuen mile of the city. This building Kenwal­chus finished, and not onely ratified the foresaid gift of his fa­ther, but also himselfe bestowed vpon the same church the mannours of Downton, Alresford and Wordiam. Soone af­ter the conuersion of Kenwalchus, one Agilbertus (a French­man borne) that had spent a great time in Ireland in preach­ing the Gospell there, came into this countrey ann. 650. and of his owne accord tooke great paines in instructing the peo­ple. The king being giuen to vnderstaud of his learning and painefulnesse, prayed him to accept the pastorall charge of his Countrey; whereunto he agréed and continued in the same a long time.

3. Wina.

AT last it came to passe that the King misliking his spéech and vtterance (as not being able to deliuer his minde, but in broken and very bad English, caused an other [...] to be ordained one Wina a French man like­wise, but one that could speake very good English,) and diui­ding his Countrey into two parts, alotted the one vnto Agil­bert who held his Episcopall Sée as before is said at Dorche­ster, And the other vnto this same Wini appointing vnto him for his Sée the City of Winchester. This matter Agilbert taking very grieuously, (the rather for that it was done alto­gether without either his consent or knowledge) returned in a great chafe into his owne countrey, where soone after he was made Bishop of Paris. So Wini or Wina, was the first Bishop of Winchester, of whom some vainely suppose, the City to haue taken his name. He lyeth entoombed in the North part of the Presbitery vpon the top of a wall, where is to be seene this inscription, Hic iacent [...] Wini Episcopi. Not long after the departure of Agilbert, the king, (I know not for what cause) fell into great mislike of Wina and droue him out of his countrey, who flying vnto Wulfhere king of Mercia or Mid-England, bought of him for money (as it is said) the Bishopricke of London being the first Simonist that is mentioned in our histories.

4. Elentherius.

THe West Saxons were then a long time without a Bishop. In which meane space Kenwalchus perceiuing all things to go against the haire with him, and no­thing to prosper vnder his hand, but crosses and mischaunces to come thicke one in the necke of another; began to consider with him selfe, how that by neglecting religion, he first lost his kingdome, and no sooner embraced Christ, but he was re­stored to his crowne againe, and therefore perswaded him­selfe, that his negligence in appointing a Pastor that might looke vnto the seruice of God, was the cause why his worldly [Page 161] affaires had no better successe. Hereupon he sent an Emba­ssador into France vnto Agilbert to excuse the wrong hereto­fore done vnto him, & with all earnestnes to perswade him to returne vnto his former charge there againe. This though A­gilbert refused to do, alleaging that he was bound by promise not to forsake the place he now held: yet that he might shew his readines to gratifie the king in what he might, he sent ouer with the Embassador a priest named Elentherius his owne nephew that might (if so it pleased him) be ordained Pastor and Bishop of that countrey, testifying that (for his owne part) he thought him not vnworthy of the place. He was honorably receiued of the king and his people, and at their request consecrate Bishop by Theodorus then Archbi­shop of Canterbury. He continued Bishop seuen yéeres.

5. Headda.

AFter Elentherius succéeded Headda a very holy and 673 vertuous man, but one that profited more his charge in example of good life & cōuersation then in often prea­ching vnto them; (for as it should seeme) very learned he was not. Yet (if Beda say true) God approued his gouernment by the testimony of many miracles.

6. Daniell.

HE dying in the yéere 704. or (as some deliuer) 705. af­ter 704 he had sate somewhat aboue thirty yéeres; it seemed good to Ina then king of the West Saxons to diuide the pro­uince into two parts: whereof the one he committed vnto a kinsman of his owne called Aldelmus, commaunding him to make Sherborne his Sée, and vnto the other was ordained Daniell, who following the steps of his predecessors, conti­nued at Winchester. This man sate 43. yeeres, and at last perceiuing himselfe vnable to gouerne by reason of old age, he resigned his Bishopriche an. 741. and became a monke at Meldune or Malmesbury where he lieth buried.

7. Humfridus.

HVmfridus then gouerned this Sée for the space of eight yéeres, and died an. 756.

8. Kinehardus.

AFter him came Kinehardus of whom I finde nothing 756 recorded.

9. Hathelardus.

ANd after him Athelardus or Hathelardus Abbot of Meldune, who the yéere 794. was translated to the Metropoliticall Sée of Canterbury. Sée more in Can­terbury.

Then these:

• 10. Egbaldus.
• 11. Dudda.
• 12. Kineberthus.
• 13. [...].
• 14. Wightheinus.
• 15. Herefridus slaine of the Danes in battell, ann. 834.
• 16. Edmundus.

ANd Helmstanus of whom likewise little or nothing is deliuered, but that he lieth buried vpon the North wall of the presbytery togither with one of his successors Kenul­phus, as these verses there written do shew.

ABout this time many suppose Athelwulf or Athulf (that was king of the West Saxons twenty yéeres) to haue béene first Bishop of Winchester by the space of seuen yeeres. Others report that he was a Cardinall of Rome also. Nei­ther of these can well be true. Certaine it is, that being in or­ders, [Page 163] viz. a Subdeacon, by the dispensation of 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 879 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 [Page 164] 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.

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 905 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 963 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 984 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 1006 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.

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 1047 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 [Page 169] 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:

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 1070 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 1107 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 [Page 170] 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 1129 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 [Page 171] 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 his company out of all question) the city was fired, the grea­test part thereof being burnt downe to the ground, togither with the Nunnery, the Monastery of Saint Grimbald, and more then 20. other Churches, (some say 40.) This hap­ned vpon the 2. day of August 1141. Soone after, his men burnt and spoiled the Nunnery of Warwell, and himselfe re­turning to Winch. tooke off from the crosse that was burnt in the new Monastery 500. l. of siluer & 30. marke of gold, thrée crownes with so many seates of fine Arabike gold set with precious stones. All this he put in his owne purse. Now to remember his good déedes also, you shall vnderstand that he founded that woorthy Hospitall of Saint Crosse néere Win­chester: In which place some thing had beene built long be­fore to some such good vse. But it was destroied by the Danes, and quite ruinated, til this Bishop reedified it, or rather laide new foundations in the same place, ann. 1132. and endowed it with the reuenew it now hath. He also built the castell of Farnham, destroied afterward by king Henry the 3. but re­edified by the Bishops of Winch. He was a man as of great bloud, so of a great and high minde. He contended often with the Archbishop of Canterbury for superiority, vnder colour that he was the Popes legate a latere, and (as some deliuer) a Cardinall. Matthew Westm. reporteth that he obtained of Pope Lucius the title of an Archbishop, receauing from him a pall and authority ouer seuen churches; But what or which they were I finde not. In the 47. yéere of his consecra­tion, he fell sicke dangerously: whereof the king, Henry the 2. hearing, came to visite him: But he was so farre from yeel­ding the king thanks for this great grace, as he gaue him no lookes but frowning, nor spéeches but very sharpe and curst: reprehending him with very bitter words as the causer of Thomas Beckets death. Yet such was the great méekenesse of [Page 172] this prince, as he not onely tooke very patiently this reproofe, but long after thought much of the same. And surely no great maruell: The memory of a dying mans words abideth long: How much more of a Bishop, a graue, wise, and ancient pre­late. He departed this life August 6. 1171. where he was bu­ried I know not.

38. Richard Tocline alias More.

AFter the death of the former Bishop, the Sée stood void 1174 thrée yéeres: many other Churches likewise at the same time stoode long voide. At last the yéere 1173. by the instance of two Cardinals, the king granted licence of frée election vnto them all. Unto Winchester was then cho­sen Richard Tocline Archdeacon of Poitiers, by some called More, by other Richard de Iuelcester: He was consecrate at Lambhith the yéere following, viz. 1174. togither with thrée other Bishops, Geffery of Ely, Robert of Herford, and Iohn of Chichester. He died December 22. 1187. or as his Epi­taph hath 1189. He lieth entombed in the north wall of the Presbytery, iust vnder Wina, where is ingrauen this that followeth:

39. Godfridus de Lucy.

HE was sonne vnto Richard Lucy chiefe Justice of En­gland, 1189 consecrate Bishop of Winchester Nouember 1. 1189. and died an. 1204. so he sate 15. yéeres. This man pur­chased of king Richard the first the mannors of Wergraue and Menes, which in times past had belonged vnto his Sée of Winchester, but (I know not how) had béene alienated from the same. Moreouer, he became a great benefactor vnto the Priory of Westwood in Kent founded by his father.

40. Peter de la Roche.

THis man borne in Poytiers being a knight was con­secrate 1204 Bishop of Winchester at Rome an 1204. A no­table wise prelate, and of such authority vnder king Iohn first, and Henry the third after, as none greater in those times. He with two other Bishops, viz. Philip his countrey­man of Durham, and Iohn Gray of Norwich, animated king Iohn to withstand the Popes excommunication: but they were all faine to cry peccaui at last. The yéere 1214. king Iohn made him chiefe Justice of England: the nobles of the realme grudging very much that a stranger borne should rule ouer them. After the death of king Iohn, king Henry be­ing a childe, the realme was long gouerned almost altoge­ther by this Bishop. For William Earle Marshall dying, he was chosen in his roome Protector of the king and realme: And afterwards the king being growen to yéeres of discreti­on, relyed altogither vpon his counsell. He had a nephew (or as some say a sonne) named Peter d' Orinall Treasurer of England, in maruellous great fauour also with king Henry. Yet as court fauours are variable; so were they often disgra­ced and often restored againe to the height of worldly happi­nes, I meane the Princes great and entire fauour. The yéere 1226 he tooke his voyage to the Holy land, and being absent fiue yéeres, at his returne was receiued with [...] and all signes of great ioy. He died June 9. 1238. at Faruham, when he had sate Bishop the space of 24. yéeres, and was bu­ried (according to his owne appointment) very meanely and euen obscurely in his owne church. In his death (saith M. Paris) the counsell of England receiued a great wound. What good soeuer happened vnto the church, either by peace or warre in the Holy land at the comming of the Emperour Fredericke, it is specially to be ascribed vnto the wisedome of this Bishop. Againe (saith he) when as discord betwéene the Pope and the Emperour threatned the destruction of the whole church; he was the speciall meanes of compounding a peace betwéene them. Now of the religious houses he built, and being built enriched with reuenewes for their mainte­nance; [Page 174] These be the names. Hales of the order of Premon­stratenses, Tickford of the same order, Saleburne of the order of Saint Augustine, viz. Canons regular, and a goodly hospi­tall at Portsmouth. Againe he remooued the Church of S. Thomas the Martyr, in the holy land from a very vnfit place, vnto a more conuenient, and reformed the statues of the com­pany belonging to the Church, causing the Patriark of Hie­rusalem to take order, that whereas they were heretofore méere lay men, now they should be vnder the Templers and of their society. And lastly, he bestowed great cost in fortifying and repayring the Towne of Joppa, a notable succour and refuge of the Christians in those parts. He made a worthy and memorable will, giuing vnto euery of the foresaid places a huge summe of money: for the least that he gaue was vnto the house of S. Thomas of Acon, vnto which he beaqueathed 500. marks. All this notwithstanding, he left his Bishopricke very rich, his houses furnished, and his grounds ready Stoc­ked for his successor. Thus farre M. Paris.

41. William de Raley.

THe Sée being thus voide by the death of Peter derupi­bus, 1243 the king Henry the 3. dealt very earnestly with the monks of Winchester to choose in his place the Bishop elect of Ualentia, 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. [Page 175] 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. [Page 177] 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.

43. Iohn Gernsey.

IOhn Gernsey or Iohn of Oxford (for so also I find him cal­led) 1265 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 [Page 178] 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 1268 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:

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 1280 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:

46. Henry Woodloke.

HEnry Woodloke succéeded him. Robert Winchelsey 1304 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 1316 Chauncellor of England, and died 1320. hauing scarcely sate fower yéeres.

48. Reginaldus Asserius.

THe Pope then thrust in Reginald de Asser[?] his legate, 1320 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 1323 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 1333 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 [Page 181] 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, 1345 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 [Page 182] 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.

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 [Page 183] 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 [Page 184] of his buildings, and the king in great displeasure reprehen­ded him for it: He answered, that his meaning was not to ascribe the honor of that building to himselfe, but his owne honor of preferments vnto that building; Not importing that Wickham made the Tower, but that the Tower was the meanes of making Wickham, and raising him from base estate, vnto those great places of honor he then enioyed. He was first Parson of Saint Martins in London, then Deane of Saint Martin le graund, Archdeacon successiuely of Lin­colne, Northampton, and Buckingham, all of the gift of his old acquaintance Iohn Bokingham Bishop of Lincolne, with whom & Simon Burleigh (a knight afterwards of great honor) he onely in a manner conuersed during his abode in Oxford. Besides these ecclesiasticall preferments, the Pro­uostship of Wels, a number of benefices, and twelue Pre­bends in seuerall Churches, he held many temporall offices, as the Secretaryship, the kéeping of the priuy seale, the Ma­stership of wardes, the treasurership of the Kings reuenues in Fraunce, and diuers other with whose stiles I am not ac­quainted. But the yéerely reuenewes of his spirituall promo­tions onely according as they were then rated in the Kings bookes, amounted vnto 876. l. 13. s. 4. d. He was consecrate Bishop of Winchester, the yéere 1367. and was made soone after first treasurer, then Chauncellor of England, (although whether he were treasurer or no I find some doubt made, and I dare not [...] it too confidently) whether he were treasu­rer or no, certaine it is, that many yéeres after he was Bishop he was trusted with all the waighty affaires of the realme disposed of the kings treasure, and gouerned all things at his will. In this greatnesse of his authority, the king found two notable commodities, one, that without his care all thinges were ordred so well, as by a wise and trusty seruant they might; the other, that if any thing fell out amisse, wheresoe­uer the fault were, the king had oportunity to cast all the blame vpon the Bishop of Winchester. Now whereas long and continuall warre (whereby lightly each party is a looser) had consumed, not that onely that many victories brought in, by the raunsome of two kings, and by the spoyle of diuers large countries which this noble Prince subdued; but other [Page 185] huge summes of money also gathered at home by vnusuall subsidies, and taxations much grudged at by the commons; all which notwithstanding, the king was so bare, as, for the paiment of debts, he was constrained to bethinke him first of some new deuice to raise money: The Bishops enimies ta­king the aduantage of this occasion; induced the king to be content that a solemne complaint might be framed against him, as if by his misgouernement, the kings treasure had beene either vainely wasted, or falsely imbesilled, for that otherwise for sooth it was impossible the king should so be fal­len behind hand: They charge him therefore with the receite of 1109600. l. (which amounteth to more then a million of poundes) besides a hundred thousand frankes paied vnto him by Galeace Duke of Millaine. For all this they demaund sodainely an account, and to set a better colour vpon the mat­ter, patch vp a number of other accusations, partly vntrue, partly friuolous, yet sufficient happily to bleare the eies of the common people, and diuerting the displeasure of this in­conuenience from them on whom otherwise it must haue lighted, to deriue it vnto him, vpon whom if it fell neuer so heauily, it could cast him no lower then that place frō whence the king had first raised him. Amongst many enimies that go­uernement and enuy had prouoked against him; Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster for some other cause néedlesse here to be [...], bare vnto him an implacable hatred. The King was then old and very impotent, the Duke his eldest sonne [...], and so gouerning all thinges vnder him. The Duke therefore found meanes that William Skipwith Lord chiefe Justice condemned him as guilty of those accusations, pro­cured his temporalties to be taken from him, and to be be­stowed vpon the yoong Prince of Wales, and lastly comman­ded him in the kings name, not to come within twenty miles of the Court. The yeere 1376. happened vnto him this trou­ble, which I may call the Prologue or [...] of the page­ant to be plaid the yéere following. I meane the Parliament, the chiefe end and purpose whereof was a subsidy, that this Prelates vexation must make way vnto. The Cleargy as­sembled, gréeuing much at the vniust oppression of so woor­thy and reuerend a man; (for his sidelity vnto his Prince, [Page 186] his great care of the common good, his wisedome and in­tegrity were well inough knowen to such as vnderstoode any thing) they vtterly refused to debate of any matter what soeuer, till the Bishop of Winchester, a principall member of that assembly might be present with them. By this meanes, licence was obtained for his repaire thi­ther, and thither he came, glad he might be néere to the meanes of his restitution: but whether it were that he wanted money to beare the charge, or to the intent to mooue commiseration, or that he thought it safest to passe obscure­ly; he that was woont to ride with the greatest traine of any Prelate in England, came then very slenderly attended, tra­uelling through by-waies, as standing in doubt what snares his enimies might lay for him. After two yéeres trouble and the losse of ten thousand markes sustained by reason of the same: with much adoo he obtained restitution of his tempo­ralties, by the mediation of Alice Piers, a gentlewoman that in the last times of king Edward altogether possessed him. Returning then vnto Winchester, he was receiued into the city with solemne procession and many signes of great ioy. Soone after his returne king Edward died, and the Duke ho­ping by reason of the yoong kings nonage to worke some mis­chiefe vnto this Bishop, whom of all mortall men he most hated; began to rub vp some of the old accusations with ad­ditions of new complaints. But the Dukes malice being as well knowen as the Bishops innocency, the king thought good to be a meanes of reconciling these two personages, and then was easily intreated, vnder the broad seale of Eng­land to pardon all those supposed offences, wherewith the Bishop had heretofore béene charged. This tempest thus ouerblowen, the rest of his daies he passed in great peace and quietnesse. Two yéeres after his restitution he began the foundation of that woorthy monument, the colledge common­ly called the New colledge in Oxford, laying the first stone of the same himselfe March 5. 1379. and dedicating it vnto the honor of God and the blessed virgin Mary. Being finished, the first warden & fellowes all together tooke possession of it Aprill 14. 1386. at thrée of the clocke in the morning. The very next yéere he began his other colledge néere Woluesey [Page 187] the Bishops pallace at Winchester, laide the first stone of it March 26. 1387. and finished it also in sixe yéeres space, so as the Warden and fellowes cntred into the same at thrée of the clocke in the morning March 28. 1393. Beside the charge of these two woorthy foundations, he build all the body of his church of Winchester from the quier westward, excepting on­ly a little begun by Bishop Edington: he procured many pri­uiledges and liberties vnto his Sée: he bestowed 20000. markes in reparation of his house: he paid the debts of men imprisoned for that cause to the summe of 2000. l. he mended all the high waies betwéene London and Winchester: he purchased vnto his Sée two hundred markes land: he for­gaue his officers two thousand markes which they owed him: he bestowed two hundred pound vpon the church of Windsor: he released his tenants of 520. l. due for a reliefe at his incomme: he ordayned a Chauntry of fiue priests at Southwyke: he kept continually in his house fower & twen­ty poore almesmen: he maintained at the Uniuersity fifty schollers for the space of seuen yéeres before the building of his colledge: he built a chappell (as before is mentioned) at Tichfield for the buriall of his parents; & lastly prouided for himselfe ten yéeres before his death a goodly monument in the body of his church. All these charges notwithstanding, he bequeathed legacies to the value of 6270. l. left ready money to pay them, left his heire 100. l. land, and all his houses fur­nished plentifully with most rich and sumptuons houshold stuffe. After all these so memorable actions, hauing runne the course of a long, a happy and most honorable life, he ended his daies in peace the yéere 1404 being full fowerscore yéeres of age, and was laid in the toombe so long before prouided for him. Upon it I finde engrauen these verses, which rather for his honor then any great commendation they deserue, I haue thought good to set downe:

53. Henry Beauforte.

THe Pope was now growen to that height of tyranny, 1405 that he not onely placed, but displaced Bishops at his pleasure. And his meanes to do it, was by [...] them to some other Bishopricke peraduenture of lesse value and peraduenture nothing woorth at all. So was Alex. Neuill perforce translated from Yorke to S. Andrewes in Scotland, whence (wars being at that time betwéene England & Scot­land) he was sure neuer to receiue peny. And so he translated Iohn Buckingham from Lincolne to Lichfield, a Bishopricke not halfe so good. But he choosing rather to haue no bread then but halfe a loafe; in a very malecontent humor and great chafe put on a monkes cowle at Canterbury, and there liued priuately the rest of his life. To his Bishopricke of Lincolne was then preferred Henry Beaufort, sonne to Iohn of Gaunt by Katherine Swinford, the yéere 1397. He was brought vp for the most part at Aken in Germany where he studied the ciuill and canon law many yéeres; and comming home, was preferred to Lincolne very yoong. He continued there seuen yeres, & presently vpon the death of W. Wickham was tran­slated to Winch. June 23. 1426. he was made cardinal of S. Eusebius, & receiued his hat with great solc̄nity at Calis the Lady day following. A man of great frugality and therefore excéeding rich. King Henry the fift in the latter ende of his raigne, by great and continuall warres being waxen much behind hand, and greatly indebted; began to cast a couetous eye vpon the goods of the Church, which at that time were growen to the full height: and there wanted not many that incited him vnto the spoile of the same. This wealthy Pre­late (best knowen by the name of the rich Cardinall) supply­ed his want out of his owne purse, to diuert him from that sacrilegious course, and lent him 20000. pound, a great deale of money in those daies. He was also valiant and very wise. Pope Martin the fift, determining to make warre vpon the Bohemians that had renounced al obedience vnto the Sée [Page 189] of Rome, made this Cardinall his Legate into that Country, and appointed such forces as he could make to be at his com­mandement. Toward the charges of this voyage, the Clergy of England gaue a tenth of all their promotions, and furni­shed out 4000. men and more, with this power, he passed by Fraunce (dooing there some seruice for his Prince and Coun­trey) into Bothemia, the yéere 1429. There he remained certaine moneths, behauing himselfe very valiantly till by the Pope he was discharged. In his youth he was wantonly giuen, and gate a base daughter named Iane vpon Alice the daughter of Richard Earle of Arundell. Her he maried after vnto Ed. Stradling or Easterlling a knight of Wales. But this as­done, before he entred into orders. Toward his latter end he imployed his time altogether either in matters of Coun­saile & businesse of the common wealth, or the seruice of God and the Church committed vnto him. Amongst other good déedes, it is remembred that he built an hospitall in Winche­ster which he presently endued with land to the value of 158. l. 13. s. 4. d. of yéerely rent. He died Aprill. 11. 1447. when he had beene Bishop of Winchester 43. yéeres, and from the time of his first consecration, 50. yéeres. Except Thomas Bourchier that was Bishop 51. yéeres, I read of no English man that euer enioyed that honor longer. He lyeth buried in a reasonable stately toombe behind the high aulter of his Church at Winchester toward the South, the inscription is much defaced: of it remaineth onely this; Tribularer si ne­scirem misericordias tuas.

54. William Waynflet.

A Woorthy Prelate succéeded him, William Waynflet 1447 Prouost of Eaton colledge, then lately founded by king Henry the sixt, who for his great wisedome and integrity was long Chauncellor of England. He was sonne and heire vnto Richard Pattyn a gentleman of an ancient house, brother vnto Iohn Pattyn Deane of Chichester, and Richard Pattyn that liued at Bas [...]o in Darbishire, where he left (as I haue heard) a posterity behinde him. It appéereth hereby that his name was not indéed Waynflet but Pattyn. [Page 190] It was an ancient custome euen till those daies that cleargy men should take their surname according to the place where they were borne; and amongst monkes and fryers it conti­nued till the very suppression of monasteries. This William (whether Waynflet or Pattyn) was brought vp first in Win­chester schoole, & then in New colledge in Oxford. His fellow­ship there he left to become schoolemaster of Winchester, but was taken by king Henry the sixt to teach in his new college of Eaton, whereof at last he made him (as before is said) Prouost. He continued Bishop many yéeres, and would haue done much more good then he did, had he not béene hindred by those continuall warres betwéene the houses of Lanca­ster and Yorke: in all which stormes, he stucke alwaies vnto his patron and first preferrer king Henry the sixt. And after his death, king Edward the fourth knowing the faithfull affe­ction and true hart he alwaies bore vnto Henry the sixt his enimy, carried euer a hard hand vpon him. Time notwith­standing and the reuenewes of that goodly Bishopricke, ena­bled him to the foundation of that excellent and stately col­ledge in Oxford dedicated vnto Saint Mary Magdalene; to the which I thinke the world hath not any one colledge in all perfections comparable. He died (as I haue béene told) Au­gust 6. 1486. hauing first séene the house of Lancaster (to his great ioy) restored againe to the crowne in king Henry the seuenth. So that betwéene the consecration of William Wickham, and the death of William Waynflet his next suc­cessor sauing one, it is 119, yéeres. A strange thing that thrée men should hold one Bishopricke sixscore yéeres. He lieth bu­ried in the North part of the roome beyond the high Aulter ouer against the Cardinall, in a very faire toombe, the Epi­taphe whereof is quite defaced.

55. Peter Courtney.

IN the moneth of Nouember 1477. Peter Courtney the 1486 sonne of [...] Philip Courtney of Powderham knight, and Elizabeth his wife, daughter to Walter Lord Hungerford was consecrate Bishop of Exeter, whence he was translated to Winchester, in the latter end of the yéere 1486. At Exeter [Page 191] he bestowed much money in finishing the North Tower, vn­to which he gaue a goodly bel called after his name Peter bell. He died December the 20. 1491. hauing gouerned the Dio­ces of Winchester the space of fiue yéeres, and was buried in his owne Church, whereabouts I know not.

56. Thomas Langton.

THe Bishopricke hauing béene voide somewhat more 1493 then one yéere, Thomas Langton Bishop of Salisbury was preferred thereunto. He was consecrate to Salis­bury the yéere 1485 sate Bishop of Winchester seuen yéeres, and was remooued to Canterbury, but died of the plague, an. 1500. before his translation was perfited. He built a ve­ry faire Chappell in the South side of the Lady Chappell in the Cathedrall Church of Winchester, in the middle of which Chappell his body resteth in a very sumptuous toombe of Marble. This Thomas Langton was some time fellow of Pembrooke Hall in Cambridge, in memory whereof he be­stowed vpon that house a Cup of siluer double guilt waigh­ing 67. ounces, whereupon are engrauen these words. Tho. Langton Winton Eps. aulae Penbr. olim socius, dedit hanc [...] coopertam [...] aulae 1497. qui alienarit anathe­ma sit.

57. Richard Foxe.

AT what time Henry Earle of Richmont abiding at 1502 Uenice, was requested by letters from many of the English Nobility to deliuer his Countrey from the ty­ranny of that wicked Paricide Richard the third, and to take on him the kingdome; He willing to furnish him selfe as well as he might for the setting foorth of so great an enterprise, de­termined to craue aide of the French king. [...] there­fore to Paris, he onely commenced his sute vnto the king, and hauing manifold businesse elsewhere, he left the farther pro­secution of this matter vnto Richard Foxe a Doctor of Diui­nity, that chaunced to liue a student in Paris at that time. Whether the Earle knew him before, or else discerned at the [Page 192] first sight (as it were) his excellent [...], certaine it is, he deemed him a fit man for the managing of this great af­faire. Neither was he any thing at all deceiued in him: For the matter was followed with so great diligence and indu­stry, as in a very short time all things were dispatched accor­ding to the Earles desire, who soone after obtaining the king­dome, mindfull of the good seruice done him by Doctor Foxe, preferred him immediatly vnto the kéeping of the priuy scale, made him one of his Councell, and laid vpon him what spiri­tuall liuing might possibly be procured him. In the meane time he imployed him continually either in matters of coun­sell at home, or in ambassages of great importance abroad. The second yéere of King Henries raigne he was sent into Scotland for the establishing of a peace with the king there; whence he was scarcely returned, when the Bishopricke of Exeter falling void, was bestowed vpon him. He held it not past sixe yéeres but he was remooued to Bath and Wels, and thence within thrée yéeres after to Durham. There he stayed sixe yéeres, and the yéere 1502. was once more translated, viz. to Winchester, where he spent the rest of his life in great prosperity. For such was his fauor with the king, as no man could euer doo so much with him, no man there was vpon whose counsell he so much relied. Amongst other honors done vnto him, it was not the least, that he made him Godfather vnto his second sonne, that was afterward King Henry the eight, the Father of our worthy and most happy Quéene. In one onely mischaunce he was vnfortunate. He liued many yéeres blind before he died. Whereby ghessing his end not to be sarre off, hc determined to make vnto him selfe friends of the vnrighteous Mammon bestowing wel his goods while he liued. And first he was purposed to haue built a Monastery, vntill that conferring with Hugh Oldam, Bishop of Exeter, a very wise man; He was aduised by him rather to bestow his money vpon the foundation of some Colledge in one of the Uniuersities, which should be more profitable vnto the com­mon wealth, and more auaileable to the preseruation of his memory. As for Monasteries (quoth he) they haue more al­ready, then they are like long to kéepe. So by the Counsell of this wise Prelate (whose purse also was a great helpe to the [Page 193] finishing thereof) the colledge of Corpus Christi in Oxford was built and endowed with competent possessions the yéere 1516. by this Bishop Richard Foxe. Afterward in the yéere 1522. he bestowed the cost of building a faire frée schoole by the castell in Taunton, and conuenient housing néere it for the schoolemaster to dwell in: lastely, it is to be remembred, that he couered the quier of Winchester, the presbytery and [...] adioyning with a goodly vault, and new glased all the windowes of that part of the church. It is said also that he built the partition betwéene the presbytery and the said [...], causing the bones of such Princes and prelates as had béene buried here and there dispersed about the church, to be remoo­ued and placed in séemely monuments vpon the top of that new partition. Many other notable things no doubt he did which haue not come vnto my knowledge. He died at last a very old man and full of daies ann. 1528. when he had woor­thily gouerned the church of Winchester the space of 27. yéeres. He lieth entoombed vpon the south side of the high al­tar in a monument, rather sumptuons then stately, of the same building with the partition.

58. Thomas Woolsey.

OF this man I will onely say thus much in this place, 1530 that he was first Bishop of Turney in Fraunce, then of Lincolne, and lastly of Yorke. He was made Car­dinall an. 1515. and being so qualified to hold more liuings: he held first the Bishopricke of Bathe and Wels in Com­mendam with Yorke; then resigning Wels, he tooke Dur­ham; and lastly resigning Durham also, held Winchester in the like sort a little while, scarcely one yéere I take it: for I find that he left Durham the yéere 1530. and in the end of the same yéere, viz. Nouember the 29. he died. Sée more of him in Yorke.

59. Stephen Gardiner.

THe Sée then continued voide almost fower yéeres. At 1534 last Stephen Gardiner Doctor of Law, borne at Bury in Suffolke, was preferred thereunto and consecrate ann. 1534. Fouretéene yéeres after, viz. June 30. 1548. he was committed to the Tower for a sermon he preached be­fore the king the day before, being S. Peters day at West­minster. When he had continued there the space of two yéeres and a halfe, he was by authority depriued of his Bishopricke, February 14. 1550. sent to prison againe, and there kept till beginning of Queene Mary, at what time he was not onely restored to his Bishopricke and set at liberty, but made Lord Chauncellor of England, viz. in the moneth of August 1553. A man of great learning (as diuers of his workes extant do testifie) and of two much wit, except it had beene better im­ploied. For the extreme malice he bare to our religion, he not onely burnt many poore men, but wrought all the meanes his wily head could deuise to make away our blessed Soue­raigne Quéene Elizabeth: saying often, it was in vaine to strike off a few leaues or branches when the roote remained whole. And surely in all reason his cursed policy must haue preuailed, if God had not touched the hart of Quéene Mary her sister with a very kinde and natural affection toward her: which notwithstanding, it is much to be doubted what he might haue wrought in time, had not God in mercy taken him away the more spéedily. He died Nouember 13. 1555. excéeding rich, leauing behinde him 40000. markes in ready money (if Bale say true) beside much sumptuous houshold stuffe. He was buried on the North side of the high altar in Winchester in a toombe both in place and building answera­ble to Bishop Foxe.

60. Iohn Poynet.

PResently vpon the depriuation of Stephen Gardiner, 1550 Iohn Poynet Doctor of [...], a kentish man borne, consecrate Bishop of Rochester April 3. 1549. was tran­slated [Page 195] 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 1556 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 1560 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 1580 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 1584 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 1594 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 [Page 197] 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.

1. Heruaeus.

BY this time the reuenues of the monastery were 1109 growne to be very great. Their yéerely receit was not so little as 1400. l. which summe contained then more mettall, and would goe farther in those daies then 6000. l. of our money. Of that 1400. l. the Abbot allowed scarce 300. vnto the monks, conuerting the rest vnto his own vse. This Richard therefore, if his minde were any thing so great as his linage, could not but disdaine to liue vnder the iurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincolne, to whose Dioces Cam­bridgeshire at that time appertained. But he had reasonable pretences for his ambition. He caused the king to be told, that the Dioces of Lincolne was too large for one mans gouern­ment: that Ely were a fit place for an Episcopall Sée, &c. These reasons amplified with golden Rhetoricke, so perswa­ded the king, as he not onely consented himselfe that this mo­nastery should be conuerted into a Cathedrall Church, and the Abbot made a Bishop; but also procured the Pope to confirme and allow of the same. After that Richard the Ab­bot had with great paines and more cost, beaten this bush a great while, the birde that he had so long and earnestly thir­sted after, fell to another mans share. Himselfe was taken away by death when the matter was growen to good perfec­tion and ready to be finished. The Bishop of Lincolne a while hindred the procéeding of this businesse; but his mouth was stopt with thrée Mannors which the king being liberall of another mans purse, was content to bestow vpon him, such as héeretofore belonged vnto the monastery of Ely, viz. Spaldwich, Bickleswoorth, and Bokeden: these were giuen to the Sée of Lyncolne in recompence of the losse the Bishop sustained by exempting of Cambridgshire from his iurisdicti­on: And that the reuenues of the new Bishop might notwith­standing this gift be no lesse then the Abbots were, but rather greater, they diuised to diminish the number of monks which were then 70. and to draw them downe vnto 40. Richard the 11. and last Abbot being thus taken away when he would most gladly haue liued. King Henry the first with the consent [Page 201] of the monks appointed this Bishopricke vnto one Heruaeus that had beene Bishop of Bangor; and agréeing ill with the Welchmen, was faine to leaue his Bishopricke there, and séeke abroad for somewhat elsewhere. He was translated the yeere 1109. sate 22. yéeres, and died August the 30. 1131.

2. Nigellus.

THe Sée hauing béene voide then two yéere, Nigellus 1131 Treasurer of England, and Nephew vnto Roger Bi­shop of Salisbury was placed therein May the 28. 1133. He was receaued with such ioy into his city of Ely, that all the stréete where he should passe was hanged with curtaines, carpets, and tapestry, the monks and clergy of his Church meeting him with procession. By reason of his im­ployment in matters of state and Counsell, he could not at­tend his pastorall charge, and therefore committed the ma­naging & gouernment of his Bishoprick vnto one Ranulphus somtime a monk of Glastonbury, that had now cast away his cowle, a couetous & wicked man. For his faithfulnes vnto his patrone and first preferrer king Henry, this Nigellus is much to be commended. When as Stephen Earle of Bloys contra­ry to his oath and promise to king Henry the first his vncle vsurped the crowne due to Maude the Empresse king Hen­ries daughter; This Bishop could neuer be induced to for­sake her, but most constantly stucke vnto her, and endured much for her sake. Sée more heereof in the life of Roger Bi­shop of Salisbury. Notwithstanding those his great trou­bles, he found meanes to erect an hospitall for Regular Can­nons, in that place where Saint Iohns Colledge in Cam­bridge now standeth: the foundation of which house was af­terwards twise altered: first by Hugh Norwold his successor, who placed therein a certaine number of schollers to cohabite with the Cannons, giuing allowance for their maintenance: and afterwards by Margaret Countesse of Richmond and Darby, who new built it, partly in her life time, and partly by her executors after her death, endowing it with (in a man­ner) all the reuenues it possesseth, and raising it vnto that beautie and perfection which now it hath. This man was [Page 200] [...] [Page 201] [...] [Page 202] Bishop 36. [...], and [...] 29. day of May 1169. hauing long before séene the issue of his Lord and first patrone King Henry restored to the crowne in Henry the 2. He is saide [...] haue bene buried before the alter of Saint Crosse in his owne church. Sée more of him in the discourse of Richard his sonne, that was Bishop of London.

3. Galfridus Rydall.

AFter his death, the Dioces of Ely continued without 1174 a Bishop fiue yéeres. The yéere 1174. Geoffry Rydell or Rydall Archdeacon of Canterbury was consecrate Bishop: a very lofty and high minded man, called therefore commonly the proud Bishop of Ely. He bestowed great [...] vpon the building of the new worke of his Cathedrall church toward the West, and vpon the stéeple, which he built [...] vnto the battlements. He died intestate at Winchester the 21. day of August 1189. a fower daies before the [...] of king Richard the first, leauing in his coffers great [...] of ready money, viz. 3060. marks of siluer, and 205. marks of gold. All which the king was content to take vnto [...] tò helpe to beare the charges of his coronation. He sate Bi­shop 14. yéeres, 10. moneths, and 14. daies.

4. William Langchamp.

THe last day of December the same yéere, William 1189 Langeshamp Chauncellor of England, was consecrate Bishop of Ely. One greatly fauoured by King Richard the first, and a man very worthy of that fauour for many [...] parts in him, had not those his vertues béene matched and ouermatched, with as many great and notorious [...]. When the king tooke that his famous voyage to [...], he made this Bishop (Chauncellor before) chiefe Iustice of the South part of England, and Protector of the Realme in his absence. And least he should want any Authority that might be giuen him, he procured the Pope to make him his Legate, the obtaining whereof (notwithstanding the Kings request) cost him 1000. l. of ready money. It is a true say­ing [Page 203] Magistratus indicat virum, the man that in base fortune séemed to all men not onely wise, but vertuous and humble ynough; being raised vnto this height of power and autho­rity, as being either drunken and infatuate with too much and sodaine prosperity, or amased with the brightnesse of his owne good fortune, began presently to do many things, not onely vntowardly, and vndiscréetly, but very arrogantly and insolently, sauouring aswell of vnconscionable couetousnesse and cruelty, as lacke of wisedome and policy in so great a gouernor requisite. That which in our histories is most bla­med, and most odiously mentioned, I finde no such great fault withall, that calling a conuoctiou by vertue of his power Legantine; at the suggestion and intreaty of Hugh Nouaunt Bishop of Chester, he displaced the monkes of Co­uentrée, & put in secular Priests in their roomes. Officers ap­pointed by the king himselfe he discharged; Geoffry Archbi­shop of Yorke the kings bastard brother, at his first arriuall in England after his consecration, he caused to be apprehen­ded and drawne from the very Aulter of the Church of Saint Martins in Douer vnto prison. Iohn the Kings brother, and afterwards king him selfe, he sought to kéepe vnder and disgrace by all meanes possible, being iealous (as he said) least the king dying without issue, he should defraude Arthur his elder brother of the kingdome; and whether vnto his brother now king, he would continue loyall, hauing power to inuade his kingdome, for certaine he wist not. True it is, that Iohn the kings brother began to take some what more vpon him then néeded, and being [...] a reason of some of his do­ings, made no other answere but this, I know not whether my brother Richard be aliue or not: Whereunto the Chaun­cellor replied, if he be liuing it were vntruth to take his king­dome from him; if he be dead, Arthur the eldest brother must enioy the same. Now he that feared not to deale thus with the kings owne brother, no maruell if he vsed such of the no­bility farre worse that in any sort opposed themselues against him. As for the commonalty, he not onely gréeued them with continual and néedlesse exactions, and tyrannised intollerably ouer them otherwise, but offended them much also with his glorious pomp, and vnreasonable proud behauiour. His ma­ner [Page 204] was to ride with no lesse then 1500. horse, and in his tra­uaile to lodge for the most part at some Monastery or another to their great and [...] yea there was not any Church in England either [...] or Cathedrall vnto which he was not very burdensome some way or other. And his officers were such prolling companions, bearing themselues bold vpon their masters absolute Authority, as there was no sort of people whom they gréeued not by some kinde of extortion. Yea (saith Matth. Paris) all the wealth of the land, was come into their hands, in so much as scarce any ordinary person had left him a siluer belt to gird him withall, any woman either brooche, or bracelet, any gentleman a ring, to weare vpon his finger. But the Chauncellor he purchased and bestowed aswell Abbotships, benefices and spirituall pre­ferment as temporall offices all that fell where him pleased, whereby his sernants and kinred were all growen [...] rich. Among other his follies it is remembred that he built the outer wall about the Tower of London, and spent an in­finite deale of money in making a deepe ditch about the same, thinking he could haue caused the Riuer of Thames [...] go round about it. But that coste was bestowed in vaine. These and many other his misbehauiours incited the peo­ple and Nobility woonderfully against him. In so much as, he feared greatly least some sedition being raised, force would be offered vnto him. He thought it therefore no lesse then néedefull in all places of any publike assembly to render reasons openly of his doings; which being considered, I know not whether he may iustly be thought so blame­woorthy as our Histories for the most part make him. Offi­cers placed by the king he said he discharged, least the people being gréeued with so many Gouernors would [...], that instéede of one king they now were constrained too bey many. What reason he yéelded of his dealing with Earle Iohn you heard before. For his exactions he said they were but such as the maintenance and incredible charge of so great a warre as the king had then in hand required: and lastly, for a generall defence, he protested he had not taken any course in these or any other matters of importance, for which he had not some particular direction from the king. These excuses satisfied [Page 205] not men so fully, but that infinite complaints were dai­ly made vnto the king against him, so that he could doe no lesse then discharge him from his place of protectorship, which he did, and sent ouer William Archbishop of Roan to succéede him, but ioyning some other in Commission with him, as finding an inconuenience in giuing so much and absolute au­thoritie to one man. At this newes his enimies greatly re­ioycing, and thinking him a man now easie enough to deale withall, they conspire against him, and causing a Conuocati­on to be sommoued, they procure him to be excommunicate for the violence done vnto the Archbishop of Yorke, and with him all other, that were his aiders and ministers in that en­terprize. As soone as he vnderstood of these things, fearing greater dangers, he bethought himselfe how he might do to get ouer the seas: and knowing that his enimies if they should haue any inkling of his intent, would assuredly [...] the same, or worke him some mischiefe by the way; He deui­sed to disguise himselfe in womans apparell, and so went vn­to the sea side at Douer muffled, with a metyard in his hand, and a webbe of cloth vpon his arme. There he sate vpon a rocke ready to take shippe, when a certaine lewde marriner thinking him to be some strumpet began to dally wantonly with him, whereby it came to passe, that whereas he was a stranger borne and could speake no English, being not able to answere this merry marriner, either in words or deedes; he supposed him to be a man, and called a company of [...], who pulling off his kerchiefe and muffler, found his crowne and beard shauen, and quickly knew him to be that hatefull Chancellour whom so many had so long cursed and feared. In great despite they threw him to the ground, spitting vpon him, beate him sore, and drew him along the sands. Where­upon a great crie being made, the Burgesses of the towne tooke him away from the [...], and though his seruants endeuoured to rescue him, thrust him into a seller, there to kéepe him prisoner till notize might be giuen of this his de­parture. It is a world to sée, how he that was a few moneths before honored and reuerenced of all men like an halfe God, attended by noble mens sonnes and gentlemen of great worship whom he matched vnto his néeces and kinswomen, [Page 206] [...] himselfe happy that he [...], [...] to be well acquainted with his porters and officers was ac­counted [...] small matter: This man once downe and stan­ding in [...] of his friends help, had no man to defend him, no man to speake for him, no man that mooued a [...] to [...] him out of the present calamity and trouble. The [...] Iohn was [...] to haue [...] him some farther notable [...] and [...] Neither was there any man that for his [...] sake [...] it. The Bishops diuers of them his [...] regarding notwithstanding his calling and place, would not suffer it, but causes him to be set at liberty. [...] not long after he got him ouer into Normandy, where he was borne & there rested himselfe after all this turmoile, till the returne of king Richard, with whom he made such faire weather, and so [...] excused all things obiected against him, that in short time he was as greatly in fauor with him as euer heretofore. The yéere 1197. he was sent Embassador to the Pope, toge­ther with the Bishop of Durham and other: and falling sicke by the way, died at Poytiers the last day of Ianuary, one [...] aboue seuen yeere after his [...]. He was buried in a monastery of the order of the [...] called [...].

5. Eustachius.

THe Sée was then [...] one whole yéere [...] somwhat 1197 more. The ninth day of August [...] after [...] death, Eustachius Deane of Salisbury was elected, but not [...] till the fourth Sunday in Lent the yéere fol­lowing. A man (saith Florilogus) very well séene aswel in [...] as diuine and holy learning. He was one of them [...] pronounced the Popes excommunication against king [...], & interdicted the whole Realme. For dooing thereof, he [...] the kings displeasure would lye so heauy vpon him, as [...] was no [...] in the realme, and therefore got him [...] the seas. This fell out the yéere 1208. After [...] yéeres [...], king Iohn being reconciled to the Pope, he [...] home, [...]. the yéere 1213. and liued not long after. [...] sate [...] yéeres wanting nine [...], and departed [...] the third day of [...] 1214. The [...] [Page 207] at the West end of the Cathedrall Church was of his building.

6. Iohn de Fontibus.

AFter his death Galfridus de Burgo Archdeacon of 1219 Norwich and brother vnto Hubert de Burgo or Bur­rough Earle of Kent and chiefe Justice of England was elected Bishop of Ely. But before the publication of this election one Robert of Yorke was also chosen, who held the temporalities of the Bishopricke without consecration, and disposed of benefices that fell, and all things belonging to the Sée, as Bishop for the space of fiue yéeres. The Pope at last disanulling both these elections, conferred the Bishopricks March 8. 1219. vpon Iohn Abbot of Fountney, a iust and vertuous man. He was Treasurer of England for flue yeeres and died the yéere 1225. He is said to be buried before the aul­ter of Saint Andrew.

7. Geoffry de Burgo.

HE being dead, Geoffry Burrough before mentioned was 1225 againe elected and obtayned consecration, which he re­ceiued vpon Saint Peters day the yéere 1225. Of him [...] Virgil giueth the same testimony that Matthew Westm. doth of his predecessor Eustachius, that he was vir in [...] & humanis literis eruditus, a man well learned both in diuine and prophane literature. He gaue two hundred acres of Moore in Wisbich marsh to the augmentation of the priory of Ely. He continued Bishop about thrée yéeres, and dying the 17. of May 1229. was buried vpon the North side of the Quier..

8. Hugh NorWold.

HVgh Norwold Abbot of Saint [...] succée­ded 1226 him, and was consecrate by Ioceline Bishop of Bathe and Wels togither with Richard Archbishop of Can­terbury, and Roger Bishop of London, vpon Trinity sunday [Page 208] 1229. [...] the tenth of June. This [...] is much commen­ded for his house kéeping and liberality vnto the poore, which may well séeme strange, considering the infinite deale of [...] spent by him in building of his church and houses. The presbytery of the cathedrall church he raised from the very foundation, and built a steeple of wood toward the [...] at the West end of the church. This noble worke he [...] in seuentéene yéeres with the charge of 5350, l. 18, s. 8, d. And the seuentéene daie of September [...]. he dedicated, [...] (as we commonly call it) hallowed the same in the [...] of the king ( Henry the third) and his sonne Prince Edward, the Bishops of Norwich [...], and many other great personages. All these and an infinite number of other people of all sorts he feasted many daies togither in his pallace of Ely, which he built euery whit out of the ground, and coue­red it with lead. In Ditton and other houses belonging to his Sée he also bestowed much money. He died at [...] 9. day of August 1254. being well contented (as he professed) now to depart the world, after he had séene the building [...] his church finished, which [...] so earnestly desired. He sate two moneths aboue 25. yéeres, and was buried in the [...] ytery which he had built.

9. William de Kilkenny.

ABout the middle of October following, [...] de 1254 Kelkenny (that then for a time supplied the [...] of the Chauncellor of England) was elected by the monkes vnto the Sée of Ely, and was consecrate the fiftéenth of August beyond the seas. He was chaplaine vnto the king, a councellor of speciall credit with him, and (as the [...] of Ely reporteth, I find it no where els) Chancellor of England A goodly man of person, well spoken, very wise and learned in the lawes. He enioyed that preserment a small time: be­ing sent Ambassador into Spaine, he died there vpon Saint Mathewes day 1256. when he had béene Bishop one yeere, one moneth, and sixe daies. He tooke order his hart should be brought vnto Ely and buried there.

10. Hugh Balsam.

NEwes being brought vnto the Court of the death of 1257 William de Kylkeny: The king by and by, dispatched his letters vnto the Prior and Couent of Ely, requi­ring them in very gratious manner, to choose for their Bishop Henry de Wingham his Chauncellor, vsing many reasons to perswade them thereunto. But they preferring their owne knowledge before the kings cemmendations, the 13. day of Nouember, made choise of Hugh Balfam or de [...] (for so also I find him called) their Prior, one (as they perswaded themselues) most fitte for the place. Hereat the king being greatly displeased, refused to accept of their election, and cau­sed the woods, of the Bishopricke to be cut downe, the parks to be spoyled, and [...] to be made of all things. Many times he vrged them to a new election, telling them it was not fit, that a place of that strength should be committed vn­to a simple cloyster man, that had neuer béene acquainted with matters of state. The new elect therefore got him ouer the sea to Rome, hoping there to obtaine that which in Eng­land would not be affoorded him. Boniface the Archbishop of Canterbury hearing thereof, although hauing diligently sis­ted and examined him, he could take no exception against him; yet to gratifie the king, writ [...] letters to his friends at Roome against him, and set vp one Adam de [...] to be a countersuter to the Pope for that Bishopricke. This Adam was a man of great learning, and had written diuers bookes much commended. But he was a very aged man, and more­ouer a fryer minor, and therefore one that had renounced the world, and all medling in worldly matters: which notwith­standing he followed gladly the directions of the Archbishop, and was well content to haue béene a Bishop before he died. As for Henry Wingham the Chauncellor, it is said that he neuer stirred at all in the matter, but confessed them both more woorthy of the place then himselfe. It is said likewise, that the sute in his behalfe was first commenced by the king without his knowledge, and that when he saw the king so earnest and deale so violently in it, he went vnto him and [Page 210] humbly besought him to let alone the monkes in the course they had begun, and to cease farther solliciting of them by his armed and imperious requests: for (saith he) after [...] of the [...] of God, the grace and direction of his holy spirit, they haue chosen a man more woorthy then my selfe. And God forbid that I should as it were inuade by force that no­ble Bishopricke, and vsurpe the ministery of the same, with a [...] or cauterised conscience. The ende of this sute [...] this, Henry Wingham was afterward made Bishop of Lon­don. Sée more of him there. Hugh Balsam came home from Rome confirmed by the Pope and was consecrate March 10. 1257. He sate 28. yéeres and thrée moneths. In which time he founded a colledge in Cambridge, by the name of S. Peters colledge, now commonly called Peter house. He first began the same being yet Pryor of Ely, and finished it in the yéere 1284. He departed this life June 16. 1286. at [...], and was buried at Ely before the high Altar by Thomas Englethorp Bishop of Rochester.

11. Iohn de Kyrkby.

AFter him succéeded Iohn de Kyrkby Deane of [...], 1286 Archdeacon of Couentry, and Treasurer of England. He was once elected vnto the Sée of [...]: but the election was [...] and disanulled by Fryer Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury, who tooke exception against him for holding many seueral spirituall preferments, saying, y ^t a man of so good conscience as a Bishop ought to be, would rather content himselfe with a little liuing, then [...] himselfe with so many charges. He was consecrate [...] Ely at Paris the 26. or (as other report) the 29. of [...] 1286. And sitting Bishop of Ely but thrée yéeres and [...] moneths, died March 26. 1290. He was buried in his [...] church by Ralph Walpoole Bishop of Norwich that [...] succéeded him) on the North part of the quier before the altar of Saint John Baptist.

12. William de Luda.

THe fourth day of May following was elected William 1290 [...] Deane of Saint Martins, Archdeacon of Durham, and Treasurer of the kings house. He sate seuen yoeres, and [...] buried in the South part of the church betweene two pillers at the entrance into the old Lady chap­pell. This Bishop gaue the mannor of Oldburne with the appurtenances vnto his Sée, vpon condition that his next successor should [...] 1000. marks to prouide maintenance for thrée chaplaines to serue in the chappell there.

13. Ralph Walpoole.

[...] adoo there was now about the election of a new 1299 Bishop. The couent could not agrée within them­selues; one part (and the greater) made choice of Iohn their Pryor, the rest of Iohn Langton Chauncellor of Eng­land. This election being examined before the Archbishop, and iudgement by him giuen for the Pryor, the Chauncel­lour appealed vnto the Pope & trauelled to Rome in his own person. The Pryor hearing of his iourney, [...] him after as fast as he might, neither was he long behinde him, al­though many blocks were cast in his way. Being there, they were [...] to resigne all their interest into the Popes hand. He then in fauour of the couent set downe this order, that they should be at liberty (Notwithstanding these electi­ons) to choose againe, so they chose any one Abbot in Eng­land, except thrée, to wit, of Westminster, Bury and Saint Augustines: they belike were not in the Popes fauour. The Proctors of the couent they would not agrée to this order, so fauourable for them. Wherefore the Pope being very angry, vpon his owne absolute authority remoued Ralph Walpoole from Norwich vnto Ely, gaue Norwich vnto the Pryor; and least the Chancellor should altogether loose his labor, he made him Archdeacon of Canterbury in the place of Richard Fe­ringes that was then appointed by him Archbishop of [...]. This Ralph Walpoole was consecrat Bishop of Nor­wich [Page 212] in the beginning of the yéere 1288. and sate there 11. yéeres. At Ely he continued scarce 3. yéeres, but died March 22. in the beginning of the yéere 1302. He was buried in the [...] of the [...] before the [...] altar.

14. Robert Orford.

THis time they agréed better, and with one [...], 1302 chose Robert [...] their Prior vpon the 14. day of Aprill ensuing. He sate somewhat more then 7. yéeres, and ended his life at Dunham Ianuary 21. 1309. [...] buried in the pauement aforesaid néere R. Walpoole his pre­decessour.

15. Iohn de Keeton.

AFter him followed Iohn de Keeton Almoner vnto the 1310 Church of Ely, he sate likewise 7. yéeres and dying May the 14. 1316. was buried also in the same pauement.

16. Iohn Hotham.

VVIthin the compasse of the same yéere a chapleyne 1316 of the kings named Iohn Hotham or Hothun was made Bishop of Ely; and the next yéere viz. 1317. Chauncellour of England. A man wise and vertuous, [...] ve­ry vnlearned. He continued in that office two yéeres, and [...] giuing it ouer, was made Treasurer. That place also he re­signed within a twelue moneth, and betooke himselfe altogi­ther to the gouernment of his church. In his time the [...] in a night fell downe vpon the quier, making a most horrible and [...] noise. This stéeple (now called the Lanterne) [...], and built it in such order as now we sée it; [...] of worke both for cost and workmanship singular. It stoode him in 2406. l. 16. s. 11. d. The new building also of the Presbytery (not so fully finished by Hugh Northwould, but that somewhat might séeme to be wanting) he [...] in euery point, bestowing vpon the same the summe of 2034. l. 12. s. [...]. d. ob, as a writing yet to be séene vpon the [Page 213] north wall of the said Presbytery witnesseth. So that vpon the very fabricke and building of the church he spent 4441. l. 9. s. 7. d. ob. farthing. Besides which, this woorthy Benefac­tour gaue vnto his Couent the Mannour of Holbourne with sixe tenements belonging to the same, and to his church a chalice and two crewets of pure gold, very costly wrought. He sate almost 20. yeeres, and died of the palsey at Somer­sham vpon Saint Paules day Ianuary 25. 1336. He [...] in a monument of Alabaster that was somtimes a very stately and goodly building, but now shamefully defa­ced, as are also al other monuments of the church. It standeth east from the lesse Altar, in the middle, but to the west end of the presbytery.

17. Simon Mountacute.

ABout the middle of March after his death Pope Ben. 1336 the 11. translated [...] Monntacute from Worcester (where he had sate thrée yéeres) vnto Ely. He began the building of that beautifull Lady Chappell on the north side of the Church, and bestowed an infinite deale of mony vpon the same, but could not finish it being preuented by death. Iohn de [...] a monke of Ely (as I remember) continued that worke, and much deale by the contribution of well disposed people ended it at last. It is said, that in digging thereabout, he found a [...] of treasure which serued to pay the worke mens wages a great while. This Bishop holding his place here little aboue seuen yeeres, departed from it and the world, June 20. 1344. and was buried in the Chappell afore mentioned.

18. Thomas Lysle.

ALan de Walsingham prior of Ely being then chosen 1344 Bishop, his election was disanulled and pronounced voide by the pope Clement 5. who [...] po­testatis without any more adoe, thrust into his place Thomas Lysle or Lyld a frier preacher, and caused him to be consecrate at Auinion in the moneth of July 1344. He was a doctor of diuinity, brought vp in Cambridge and much estéemed for [Page 214] his learning. He preached often with great [...] and writ diuers works mentioned by Bale. Within a [...] or two before his death he endured great trouble and [...] by the meanes of Blanch Wake [...] Marshall, the circumstance whereof it shall not be amisse briefly to set downe. This Lady had certaine lands néere vnto one or [...] of the Bishops houses; by reason of which neighbourhoode, many controuersies daily arose betwéene them concerning bounds and other such like matters. The Bishop was a rough and plaine man, hardly brooking such indignities as it is likely a woman of that nobilitie, rich, and néere of [...] vnto the king, would be ready enough to offer. By reason héereof the Lady conceiued a deadly and inueterate [...] against him; for wreaking whereof, she awaited this [...]. The Pope at the request of the king (or rather the blacke prince his sonne) had suffred one Robert [...] to be consecrate Bishop of Lichfield; a man in many respects very vnwoorthy of that honour. This good Bishop was not afraide (like another Iohn Baptist) to steppe vnto the king, and reprehend him for it; which he taking very tenderly, commanded him in great displeasure to [...] his presence. The Lady before named thinking it now a fitte time to deale with the Bishop, commenced a sute a­gainst him, the ground and colour whereof was this. Cer­taine lewde persons had fired some housing belonging to the Countesse, and being apprehended, were content to accuse the Bishop as accessary to this foule fact. Where­upon before euer the Bishop heard any thing of the mat­ter, at the instance of the Lady, and commandement of the king, a Nisi prius passed against him, and adiudged him to the paiment of 900. l. which presently he was [...] to lay downe. But estéeming more the discredife then the [...], neuer ceased to importune the king till he obtained licence of him to call the Jury and witnesses to a reckoning of their do­ings. The time being come when the matter was to be de­termined, in the [...] at Huntington, the Countesse [...] a meanes to hinder the Bishops procéedings by corrupting the officers, who denied him the copie of the former iudge­ment, without which nothing could be done. Being much [Page 215] gréeued héerewith, he went vnto the king, and complained how he was oppressed, requesting him as he was the guide and life of the law, so he would direct the same according to iustce, and not sée him so ouerborne. This his speeche was de­liuered in somewhat more rough tearmes then beséemed him (as the king tooke it at leastwise) who making the worst of it, accused him to the parliament then assembled. Some things the king laid to his charge he denied, and extenuated the rest what he might. But the king affirmed euery thing vpon his honor and made some mention of witnesses; who then durst but take this proofe for good? So he was condem­ned by parliament and this punishment laid vpon him, that hereafter he should neuer presume to come in the kings pre­sence. Not long after this, it happened that his seruants mée­ting with certaine of the Countesses men, in a [...], one of her men were slaine. Of this murther the Bishop, is by and by déemed an accessarie and howsoeuer he knew himselfe gilt­lesse, fearing the successe of this matter would proue but as his other sutes had done, he sold all his mooueable goods, put the mony into the hands of his trusty friends, and hid him­selfe. It might not serue his turne; being absent, he was found guiltie by inquest, and his temporalties seised into the kings hands. Séeing therefore now the woorst (as he thought) he was content (vpon safe conduct) to appéere before the king and there desired to be tried by his péeres. Whether his re­quest in that point were satisfied or no I cannot tell; But cer­taine it is, that by the kings owne mouth sentence was pro­nounced against him. For it was the manner in those daies the king should determine causes of great waight sitting himselfe in open court. The matter being growen to this passe, he called vpon the Archbishop of Canterbury to [...] him such aide as the priuileges of the Church affoorded him. he expected belike, that he should by force & strong arme rescue him in such sort as Adam Tarlton Bishop of Hereford being accused of treason in the daies of this kings father, was vio­lently taken from the barre by the Archbishop that then was, and other Bishops. But this king ( Edward the 3.) was no babe; well enough they knew he would take no such iest; therefore they aduised him to submit himselfe vnto the kings [Page 216] mercy. That he vtterly refused to do, and hauing no other hope of succour, tooke the benefite of his safeconduct, tanquam ad anchoram sacram [...] vnto the Pope for helpe, and ac­quainted him with all the circumstances of his trouble, from the beginning vnto the end. Hereupon his accusers were cited to appéere in the Popes courte, and for not [...] were excommunicate. The Bishop of Lincolne was com­manded to denounce this excommunication (which he did vn­to his great trouble:) and also that if any of the excommuni­cate were dead, he should cause them to be digged out of their graues, and forbid them buriall in holy earth. This [...] dealing of the Pope mooued the king vnto great [...]: for diuers of those that were excommunicate, were persons of no small account; some of them of his priuy [...]. Proclamation therefore was made throughout the realme, that vpon paine of death, no man should héereafter be so har­dy as to bring into the realme any kinde of writing from the Popes court. Some notwithstanding contrary to this pro­hibition, deliuered letters to the Bishop of Rochester then Treasurer of England, from the Pope concerning this mat­ter, and fearing the woorst had armed themselues. This [...], they shrunke away and fled, but were soone after [...], and diuersly punished, some dismembred, other faire and well hanged. The Pope hearing of this, was so incensed, that he wrote a very sharpe letter vnto the king, breathing out terrible threats against him, if he did not presently reconcile himselfe vnto the Bishop and cause full amends to be made him for all the losse he had sustained either by the Countesse or him in these troubles. The king was too wise either to doe all he required, or vtterly to despise his authority. The [...] he knew was not for his honor, nor (so farre had this tyrant in­croched vpon the authority of princes) the other for his [...]. Warned by the examples of king Iohn, Henry the emperour and other; he thought good not to exasperate him too [...]; and so was content to yéeld vnto somewhat. But before the matter could grow to a full conclusion, it was otherwise en­ded by God, who tooke away the Bishop by death. He decea­sed at Auinion June 23. 1361. and was there buried, [...] béen Bishop euen almost 17. yéeres.

19. Simon Laugham.

INnocentius translated then Reginald Bryan Bishop of 1361 Worcester vnto Ely. But he died before he could take benefit of the Popes gift. Iohn Buckingham afterward Bishop of Lincolne was then chosen, and was reiected by the Pope, who preferred to this Sée Simon Laugham Abbot of Westminster. He continued here but fiue yeeres, being in that space first Treasurer, then Chauncellor of England, and was remooued to Canterbury. Of his translation some merry fel­low made these verses:

Sée more of him in Canterbury.

20. Iohn Barnet.

AT what time Simon Laugham was translated to Can­terbury, 1366 Iohn Barnet was remooued from Bathe to succeede him in Ely. He was first consecrate Bishop of Worcester 1362. and staying there but one yéere, ob­tayned Bathe 1363. and lastly Ely 1366. He was Treasu­rer of England. Being a very old man before his comming to Ely, he liued there notwithstanding sixe yéeres, in which tune he bestowed the making of fower windowes, two in the South side, and two in the North side of the Presbytery. He died June 7. 1379. at Bishops [...], & lieth buried vpon the south side of the high altar; in which place there is to be soone a goodly toombe monstrously defaced, the head of the image being broken off, I take that to be Barnets toombe.

21. Thomas Arundell.

AFter the death of Iohn Barnet the king writ earnestly 1375 vnto the couent to choose Iohn Woodrone his confessor. But they elected Henry Wakefield Treasurer of the kings house. This election was made voide by the Pope, who pla­ced of his owne authority (as I [...] deliuered) Thomas A­rundell [Page 218] Archdeacon of Taunton, sonne vnto Robert [...] of Arundell and Warren, being an aged gentleman of two and twenty yéeres old, and as yet but a Subdeacon. How be it, some report, that order being taken by parliament about this time for the ratifying of capitular elections, and stopping the iniurious prouisions of the Pope, that this Thomas [...] was chosen orderly and consecrate at Otford by the Archbishop William Witlesey Aprill 6. 1375. Hauing [...] there sowertéene yéeres thrée moneths and eightéene [...], he was translated to Yorke and after to Canterbury. He left for an implement of his house at Ely a woonderfull sumptu­ous and costly table decked with gold and precious stones. It belonged first vnto the king of Spaine, and was sold to this Bishop by the Blacke Prince for 300. markes. He also bestowed the building of the great gate house in the house at Holburne. Sée more of him in Yorke and Caterbury.

22. Iohn Fordham.

THe Sée had béene void but fowertéene daies when Iohn 1388 Fordham Bishop of Durham was translated to Ely by the Pope. He was first Deane of Wels, consecrate Bishop of Durham May 29. 1381. and inthronized there in Sep­tember 1382. He was Treasurer of England; and to his great griefe was displaced from that office the yéere 1386. and Iohn Gilbert Bishop of Hereford made treasurer. Seuen yéeres he continued at Durham, and September 27. 1388. was by the authority of the Pope translated to Ely; in which Sée he sate seuen and thirty yéeres two moneths and 24. daies. He died Nouember 19. 1425. and lieth bu­ried in the West part of the Lady chappell. It appée­reth by this reckoning, that he was Bishop in all from the time of his first consecration 46. yéeres and vpward. Sée more of him in Durham.

23. Philip Morgan.

THe king then and manie noble men commended vnto 1425 the couent William [...] doctor of law the kings confessor and kéeper of the priuie Seale, who was af­ter Bishop of Lincolne. But they chose Peter their Prior. That election being disliked at home by the Archbishop, he was fame to seeke vnto the Pope, whose manner was litle or nothing to regard elections, but to bestow any Bishoprick or other preferment that fell according to his owne pleasure, if it were not filled before the auoidance might come to his know­ledge. According to this custome hauing no respect of the e­lection of the couent; of his owne authoritie he thrust in Phil­lip Morgan into this Bishopricke. This man being doctor of law, was consecrate Bishop of worcester 1419. and soone af­ter [...] death viz. before the end of the yeere 1425. re­moued as is aforesaid vnto Ely. He was a very wise man, gouerned there with great commendation nine yeeres sixe moneths, and fower daies. And departed this life at Bishops [...] October 25. 1434. He was buried at charter house in London.

24. Lewes Lushborough.

PResently after his death the Monks elected Robert Fitz hugh Bishop of london: who died before his translation could be perfected. The king then writ for Thomas Rod­burne Bishop of saint [...]: which notwithstanding, they make choise of another, to wit Thomas Bourchier Bishop of worcester, whose election the Pope confirmed, but the king vtterly refused to restore to him the temporalties of that see. And so for feare of a premunire, he durst not receiue the popes bulles of confirmation, but renounced all his interest by this election. The king then appointed this Bishopricke vnto Lewes Lushbrough Archbishoppe of Roan Cardinall and Chauncellor both of Fraunce and Normandy that was some way I know not how kinne vnto him. By his meanes a dis­pensation was gotten of the Pope to hold Ely in commendam [Page 220] with his Archbishopricke. He enioyed it sixe yéeres and sixe monethes and then died at Hatfild Septem. 18. 1443. He is said to haue bene buried betwéene two marble pillers beside the altar of reliques.

25. Thomas Bourchier.

THomas Bourchier being now once more chosen, with­out 1443 any great difficultie obtained full confirmation March 12. following. He was brother vnto Henrie Earle of Esser, forst deane of saint Martins, then consecrate Bishop of worcester 1435. and sate there eight yéeres. Here he continued ten yéeres fiue monethes and twelue daies, and was then remoued to Canterbury. Sée more of him in Can­terbury.

26. William Gray.

THe Sée hauing béene voide onely 14. daies, Pope Ni­cholas 1454 the 5. vpon an especiall [...] he had of William Gray, doctor of Diuinity, placed him in the same. This William was a gentleman very well borne, to [...] of the noble and auncient house of the Lord Gray of [...], whose friends perceiuing in him a notable [...] and sharpnesse of witte, dedicated him vnto learning. He was brought vp in Baylioll Colledge in Oxford. Hauing spent much time there profitably, and to very good purpose, [...] the study as well of Diuinitie as Philosophy; he passed ouer the seas and trauailed into Italy, where he frequented much the lectures of one Guarinus of Uerona, a great learned man in those daies. Following thus his study, and profiting excee­dingly therein, he grew very famous; and no [...], for to see a gentleman of great linage, hauing maintenance at will, to become very learned, especially in Diuinity, is in déede a woonder, and seldome séene. He writ many things both before and after his preferment, whereof I thinke no­thing now remaineth. Neither was he a simple [...] and a bookeman onely. King Henry the 6. perceiuing him not on­lylearned, but very discrete, & no lesse industrious, appointed [Page 221] him his Proctor for the following of all his businesse in the Popes court. By this occasion hauing often recourse vnto the Pope, his great learning and other excellent parts were soone [...] by him, and woorthily rewarded with this Bi­shopricke. It was impossible such a man should not be im­ploted in State matters. The yeere 1469. he was made Treasurer of England by king Edward the 4. 24. yeeres two moneths and 21. daies, he was Bishop of this Sée. In which meane space he bestowed great sums of money vpon buil­ding of the steeple, at the west end of his Church, and at his death (which hapned at Downham August 4. 1478.) he be­queathed many goodly ornaments vnto the same his church, in which he was buried betweene two marble pillers.

27. Iohn Moorton.

A Happie and memorable man succéeded him, Iohn 1478 Moorton doctor of law from whose wisedome and de­uise sprung that blessed coniunction of the two noble houses of Lancaster and Yorke after so many yeeres war be­twéene them. This man was borne at Berry néere Bland­ford in Dorsetshire, first parson of S. Dunstans in London and prebendary of S. Decumans in [...] (as my selfe also sometimes was) then Master of the Rolles & lord Chauncel­lor of England. August 9. 1478. (viz. within [...] daies af­ter the death of Bishop Gray) he was elect Bishop of Ely, where he continued about eight yéeres, and the yeere 1486. was translated to Canterbury. Being yet Bishop of Ely, he bestowed great cost vpon his house at Hatfild. At [...] ca­stell likewise all the building of brick was of his charge. As also y ^t new leame that he caused to be made for more conuent­ent cariage to his towne, which they say serueth now to smale purpose, and many complaine that the course of the riuer Nine into the sea by Clowcrosse is very much hindred there­by. See more of him in Canterbury.

28. Iohn Alcock.

AFter the translation of Iohn Morton the Sée was void 1486 (as one saith) thrée yéeres. Howbeit I finde that Iohn Alcock doctor of Law, and Bishop of Worcester, was preferred therevnto the yéere 1486. A man of admirable temperance, for his life and behauiour vnspotted, and from a childe so earnestly giuen to the study, not onely of learning, but of all vertue and godlinesse; as in those daies neuer any man bare a greater opinion and reputation of holinesse. He liued all his life time most soberly and chastly, resisting the temptations of the flesh, and subduing them by fasting, stu­die, praier, & other such good meanes, abhorring as [...] all foode that was likely to stir him vp vnto wantonnes. He was borne at Beuerley in Yorkeshire; first Deane of Saint Ste­phens in Westminster and Master of the Rolles, consecrate Bishop, of Rochester 1471. translated first to Worcester 1476. and then to Ely (as I said) 1486. about which time he was for a while Lord Chauncellour of England by the appointment of that prudent and most excellent prince king Henry the 7. Being yet at Worcester he founded a [...], at kingstone vpon Hul; built a chappel vpon the south side of the parish church, where his parents were buried, and [...] a Chauntrey there. He built moreouer from the very foundation that stately hall in the pallace of Ely, togither with the gallerie; and in almost euery house belonging to his Bishopricke, bestowed very great cost. Lastly, he was the author of a goodly Colledge in Cambridge, now called [...] Colledge: it was first a Monastery of Nunnes, dedicated to Saint Radegund, and being fallen greatly in decay, the goods and ornaments of the church wasted, the lands diminished, and the Nunnes themselues hauing for saken it, insomuch as onely two were left, where of one was determined to be gone shortly, the other but an infant: This good Bishop obtained licence of K. Henry the 7. to conuert y ^t same to a college, wher­in he placed a master, 6. fellowes, & a certain number of schol­lers (since augmented by other benefactors) and dedicated the same vnto the honor of y ^t holy Trinity, the blessed Uirgin, S. [Page 223] Iohn the [...], and S. Radegund: what was not ex­pended vpon these buildings, or to other good purposes of like profite, he bestowed in hospitality and house keeping euery whit. Hauing sate 14. yeeres and somewhat more, he was taken out of this life to that place where no doubt he findeth the reward of his doings, viz. vpon the first day of October 1500. He lieth buried in a chappell of his owne building, on the North side of the Presbytery, where is to be seene a very goodly & sumptuous toombe, erected in memory of him, which by the barbarous and [...] of some body, is pit­tifully defaced, the head of the Image being broken off, the compartiment and other buildings torne downe.

29. Richard Redman.

ONe whole yéere the Bishopricke had béene voide after 1502 Alcockes death, when as Richard Redman Doctor of Diuinity, first Bishop of Saint Assaph, then of Exe­ter, was translated thence vnto Ely. He sate there but thrée yéeres and an halfe, and dying was buried betweene two pil­lers on the North side of the presbytery, where we sée a very stately toombe of frée stone well built. He was very liberall vnto the poore. His manner (they say) was, in trauelling to giue vnto euery poore person that demaunded almes of him a piece of money, sixe pence at least; and least many should loose it for want of knowledge of his being in towne, at his com­ming to any place, he would cause a bell to ring to giue notice thereof vnto the poore. No doubt, but he that bestowed thus much in publike, bestowed also very much in priuate that all the world knew not of.

30. Iames Stanley.

IAmes Stanley Doctor of Duinity, and brother vnto the 1506 Earle of Darby succeeded him. Other good I finde none re­ported of him, but rather much euill. He was made Bishop the yeere 1506. and enioyed that preferment eight yeeres and a halfe; of which time he spent very little or none at Ely: But liued all the sommer time at Somer sham, kéeping company [Page 224] much there with a certaine woman in very [...] me [...] and all the winter, he would be with his brother in Darby­shire. So drownd in pleasures he passed his time without doing any one thing woorthy commendation or [...].

31. Nicholas West.

IN the moneth of October 1515. Nicholas West Doctor of 1515 Diuinity became Bishop of Ely. He [...] borne néere Ful­ham, being the sonne of one Iohn West a baker. This Bi­shop (as I finde noted) kept daily in his house an hundred seruants; of which, to the one halfe he gaue yéerely [...] markes wages, and the rest forty shillings, euery one being allowed fower yards of cloath for his winter liuery to make him a gowne, and three yards and a halfe for a coat to weare insommer. Daily he gaue at his gate warme meate and drinke to two hundred poore folke: and moreouer in [...] of dearth distributed diuers summes of money vnto the poore. He gouerned the Dioces of Ely seuentéene yéeres and sixe moneths. At last falling into the kings displeasure for some matter concerning his first marriage: the griefe [...] (as it is thought) cast him into a disease, which being the woorse able to sustaine because of a fistula that he had néere his fun­dament: He yéelded vnto the necessity of Nature Aprill 6. 1533. He lieth buried in a chappell very sumptuously built by himselfe in the South east part of the Presbytery of Ely.

32. Thomas Gooderich

AYéere and 14. daies the Sée of Ely was voide after the 1534 death of B, West. In which time I finde that [...] Ni­cholas Hawkins Doctor of Law was elect vnto the same: It is like he died before he could be consecrate; for he neuer enioyed it I am sure. The 20. day of Aprill 1534. Tho­mas Gooderich Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate, and sate 20. daies aboue 20. yéeres. He built a faire gallery in the North side of the pallace of Ely, and otherwise in that house bestowed much cost. He died at Somersham of the [...] [Page 225] tenth of May 1554. and lieth buried almost in the middle of the Presbytery. More would be said of him: but I had ra­ther you should heare it in other mens words then mine. For I now grow néere the time of which I meane to speake lit­tle, as iudging it neither safe to reprehend, nor séemely to praise (though truely) those men whose memoryare fresh and diuers their friends liuing. This therefore that I finde writ­ten vpon his toombe I will impart vnto you, and concerning hun no more:

Thomas Goodricus annis plus minus 20. huius [...] E­piscopus hocloco [...] est. Duobus Angliae [...] regibus [...] & [...], foris [...] apud exteros principes saepe legatus, [...] quidem cum [...] Edwardo eius nominis sexto aliquandiu [...], magnus tandem factus Angliae Cancellarius. Cha­riorne [...] propter singularem prudentiam, an [...] populo propter integritatem & abstmentiam fuerit, ad [...] est per quam difficile.

33. Thomas Thirlby.

AT what time it pleased king Henry the eight to make 1554 the church of Westminster a cathedrall Sée, he appoin­ted for the first Bishop of the same (who also was the last) Thomas Thirlby Doctor of Diuinity. The yéere 1550. he was [Page 226] [...], by [...] vnto the Bishop­ricke of Ely, but also [...] of her priuy Councell. After her death, [...] the reformation intended by our grand [...] Elizabeth; he was com­mitted[?] to the tower [...] from his Bishoprick by act of parlilament. Hauing [...] a time of imprisonment, nei­ther very sharpe nor very long, his friends easily obtayned licence for him, and the late secretary Boxall to liue in the Archbishops house, where they had also the company of Bi­shop Tonstall till such time as he died. The Archbishop in­treated them all most kindly, as considering no doubt the variablenes of this mutable world, how possible it was for God that so lately had set him vp, to cast him downe, as he had done those[?] men. He liued in this sort the space of 10. yeres and vpwards; taking more pleasure (I assure my selfe) in this time of his imprisonment (for so some men will needes estéeme it) then euer heretofore in the middest and fullest[?] streame of his highest honors. He departed this life at Lamb­hith August 26. 1570. and lieth buried in the middle of the chauncell there at the head of Bishop Tunstall vnder a mar­ble stone.

34. Richard Coxe.

BIshop [...] being remooued from his place by [...] (as is before said) Richard Coxe Doctor of Diuini­ty was appointed thereunto by her Maiesty that now [...], and was consecrate December 21. 1559. He was borne in Buckingham shire, in king Edwards daies Chaun­cellor of the University of Oxford, Deane of Westminster, and Christchurch in Oxford, [...] vnto the saide king, Almosner vnto him, and (as Bale also reporteth) of his priuy Councell. All [...] Maries time he liued in Germa­ny. He was Bishop of Ely seuen moneths aboue 21. yéeres, and departed this life July 22. 1581. He lieth buried [...] Bishop Goodrich vnder a marble stone, vpon which (though much of the [...]) I [...] these [...]:

35. Martyn [...].

THe Sée hauing continued voide almost 20. yéeres, it pleased her Maiesty at last to appoint vnto the same Martyn Heton Doctor of Diuinity and Deane of Winchester, who was consecrate in the end of the yere 1599. long and happily may he well enioy the [...].

1. Remingius de Feschamp.

THe last Bishop of Dorchester and first of Lincolne 1070 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 [Page 231] 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 life time, but) many yéeres after his death.

2. Robert Bloett.

IT happened soone after the death of [...], the king 1092 (William Rufus) to fall dangerously sick at Glocester: And thinking he should die, began seriously to repent him of his dissolute and vicious life forepassed: Especially, he shewed great griefe for his Simony and sacrilegious oppression of the church and Cleargy men. In this good moode he bestowed the Archbishopricke of Canterbury (hauing kept it voide fower yéeres) vpon Saint Anselm, and Lincolne vpon Robert Bloet or Bluet his Chauncellor. When he recouered, he much repented his repentance, wished they were in his hands againe, and tell to his old practises as [...] as euer hereto­fore. This Robert Bloet was a man passing wise, liberall, [...], curteous and very personable, but vnlearned, light of behauiour, and much giuen to lust. Bale reporteth he had a sonne named Simon (base borne no doubt) whom he made Deane of Lincolne. He dedicated his church; bestowed very much in furnishing the same with ornaments requisite. Un­to the 21. Prebends founded by his predecessor, he added 21. more, and very largely endued (or as some deliuer foun­ded) the Abbey of Eynsham besides Oxford, vnto the which monastery he remooued the monkes of Stow. Againe he be­stowed the mannor of Charlton vpon the monkes of Ber­mondsey, and gaue vnto the king 500, l. (or as H. Hunting­don hath 5000.) to cléere the title that the Archbishop of Yorke laid vnto the iurisdiction of his Sée. He was consecrate the yeere 1092. sate almost 30. yéeres, and died at last sudden­ly Ianuary 10. 1122. Riding by the kings side talking with him neere Woodstocke, he shranke downe spéechlesse, and be­ing caried to his lodging, died in a manner presently. His bowels were buried at Eynsham, his body was conueghed to Lincolne, and there in his owne church solemnely interred. Upon his toombe was engrauen this Epitaphe:

3. Alexander.

ROger that famous Bishop of Salisbury, was now so 1123 great a man with the king ( Henry the first) as being able to do with him what he list, he easily entreated him to bestow the Bishopricke of Lincolne vpon one Alexander his owne brothers sonne, a Norman borne, whom not long before he had made Archdeacon of Salisbury, and chiefe Ju­stice of England. He was consecrate at Canterbury July 22. 1123. The next yéere after, his Cathedrall church so late­ly built, and yet scarcely finished, was burnt and horribly de­faced by casuall fire. This man repayred it againe, and added vnto it a speciall ornament, a goodly vault of stone, which be­fore it had not, and therefore was the more subiect vnto fire. He also increased the number of his Prebends, & purchased vnto his church certaine mannors and other lands. But his chiefe delight was in building of castels, wherein he imitated his vncle the Bishop of Salisbury. This humor was the vn­doing of them both. To leaue the other vnto his owne place, Alexander built a stately castle at Banbury, another at Ne­warke, and a third at Sleford. William Par [...]s reporteth that he also founded two monasteries, but what or where I finde not. These castles were such eie-sores vnto king Ste­phen, as they prouoked him to picke a quarrell otherwise vnto the Bishops, to clappe them vp in prison (where the other died) and to bereaue them at once of these munitions and all their treasure, whereof they had hoorded vp great store. They that kept the castle of Newarke refused to deliuer it at the kings summons, till such time as the Bishop intrea­ted them to yéeld, signifying (and it was true indeede) that the king had sworne he should nether eate nor drinke before he had possession of the castle. Hereupon they set open the gates vnto the king, and then with much adoo hauing lyen by it cer­taine moneths, he was at last released of his imprisonment. [Page 234] After that, [...] the [...] of his [...], [...] himselfe wholy to [...] the [...] of his church, performed that which [...], and [...] made it simply the most beautifull church of England at that time. He was thrice at Rome, to wit, the [...] 1142. and 1144. where he behaued himselfe so, as he pleased both the king and the Pope very well. The first time he was [...], the Pope gaue him authority to call a [...] as his [...], and especially [...] vnto him the redresse of cer­taine [...]; for the effecting whereof he caused [...] canons to be made very necessary for those times. A third iourney he made vnto the Pope, lying then in Fraunce, in the moneth of August 1147. where through immoderate heat of the weather during the time of his trauell, he fell [...], and with much [...] getting home, not long after his returne he died hauing sate Bishop about the space of 24. yéeres. I [...] in Henry Huntingdon certaine verses written in com­mendation of him which I thinke not amisse here to be in­serted:

4. Robert de Chisuey.

AFter Alexander succéeded Robert Archdeacon of Ley­cester, 1147 surnamed by some de Chisuey or Chisueto, by others de Taueto, Querceto or Euerceto (for so diuers­ly I finde him called) a very yoong man. He was consecrate in September 1147. and died Ianuary 8. 1167. This man added one Prebend vnto those that were founded by his pre­decessors, [Page 235] purchased a house for himselfe and his successors [...] vnto the temple at London, and built the Bishops pal­lace at Lincolne in a manner all. He left his Sée indebted vnto one Aaron a Iew the summe of 300, l. (a great deale of money in those daies) and his successors were faine to see it discharged long after.

5. Geoffry Plantagenet.

THe Sée of Lincolne continued then void after the death of the said Robert almost seuenteene [...]; in so much as all men were of opinion, there should neuer be any more Bishop there. A certaine conuert of Tame reputed a ve­ry holy man, and halfe a prophet in regard of many things he had strangely foretold, this man I say had giuen out, that the said Robert lately deceased should be the last Bishop of Lin­colne. This prediction of his many men [...], when not long after the death of the Bishop before mentioned, they saw Geoffry king Henry the second his base sonne and Archdea­con of Lincoln, elected vnto that Sée. But he contenting him­selfe with the large reuenewes of that rich Bishoprick, neuer sought consecration, well knowing he might so sheare the fleece, though he listed not to take the charge of feeding the sheepe. Seuen yeeres he reaped the fruits of that See by co­lour of his election; and then by his fathers commaundement resigned all his interest in the same, became an entire courtier for eight yéeres more, & at last returning to the church againe, became Archbishop of Yorke. See more of him there.

6. Walter de Constantijs.

ABout the latter ende of the yéere 1183. when all men 1183 now assured themselues the prophecy of that conuert of Tame must needes fall out true, Walter de Con­stantijs Archdeacon of Oxford, was elect and consecrate Bi­shop of Lincolne. He was very fearefull to accept of the elec­tion, thinking assuredly he might not liue to be Bishop, in re­gard of that vaine and false prophecy before mentioned. Be­ing yet scarce warme in his seate, the Archbishopricke of [Page 236] [...] was [...] vnto him, a place of much higher dignity, but of lesse reuenues then Lincoln a great deale. [...] the pow­er and force of ambition, that could prouoke this man, nota­bly [...], to forsake riches, and content him selfe with [...] place [...] lesse wealth, but a litle more honorable. He was translated to [...] the next yeere after his comming to Lin­colne, viz. 1184.

7. Saint Hugh.

TWo yéeres after the departure of Walter to Koan, the 1186 Sée of Lincolne continued void. Upon Saint Mat­thewes day 1186. one Hugh the first Prior of the Charterhouse monkes at Witteham in Somersetshire was consecrate Bishop of the said Church. This Hugh (who by his integrity of life and conuersation, and the opinion of di­uers myracles wrought by him, hath purchased vnto him­selfe the honour and reputation of a Saint) was borne in a City of Burgundy, called Gratianopolis. By the aduise and direction of his Father, (who hauing buried his wife, had made himselfe a regular Channon) he also entred the same profession being yet very yoong: But waring elder, he betooke him selfe afterwards vnto the straight and seuere orders of the Carthusians or Charterhouse monkes (as we commonly call them.) In that kind of life he not only obserued all things requisite by the rule of their order, but so farre surmounted the same in performing much more then it required, as he grew very famous farre and néere for his extraordinary ab­stinence and austerity of life. It chaunced the report thereof to come vnto the eares of king Henry the second: who buil­ding a house for Carthusian monkes at Witteham aboue mentioned, thought good to send Reginald Bishop of Bathe into Burgundy, to intreate this holy man, to accept the place of the Prior of this new foundation. With much adoo he as­sented, and came ouer with the Bishop. The king (who for the opinion he had of his holinesse, vsed often priuately to conferre with him) remembring how great wrong he had done the Church of Lincolne in so long kéeping it without a Bishop, determined to make amends by giuing them a good [Page 237] one at last, and procured this Hugh before he vnderstood of a­ny such thing toward, to be elected Bishop of that Sée. He gouerned very stoutly and with great seuerity, yet so, as he was more reuerenced and loued then feared. His excommu­nications were very terrible vnto all men, and the rather, for that it was noted (as I find deliuered) some notable calami­ty otherwise did lightly follow them. His Church of Lincolne he caused to be all new built from the foundation, a great and memorable worke, and not possible to be performed by him without infinite helpe. Moreouer, he gaue vnto the King 1000. markes, to acquite him and his successors, from the yeerely payment of a Mantell of Sables, wherewith by an auncient custome they were woont euery newyeares tide to present him. The yeere 1200. he would néedes make a voy­age to Carthusia the chiefe and originall house of their order. In his returne home, he fell sicke of a quartane ague at Lon­don and there died, Nouember. 17. 1200. His body was presently conueighed to Lincolne, & hapened to be brought thither, at a time, when king Iohn of England and William king of Scots were mette there, with an infinite number of the nobility of both realmes. The two kings, for the great re­uerence they bare vnto his holynesse, would needes set their shoulders vnto the beere, and helped to cary his coarse from the gates of the City, vntill it came to the Church doore: There it was receiued by the Prelates, caried into the quire and the funer all rites being ended, buried in the body of the East part of the Church aboue the high Aulter, neere the aul­ter of Saint Iohn Baptist. The yeere 1220. [...] was Cano­nised at Rome, and his body being taken vp, October 7. 1282. was placed in a siluer shrine, Who so listeth to read the miracles that are ascribed vnto him, may find them in Matth. Paris that describeth his life at large in his report of the yeere 1200. Amongst many things omitted for breuity, I can not let passe one thing which I finde elsewhere deliue­red concerning him, how that comming to Godstowe a house of Nunnes neere Oxford, and seeing a hearse in the middle of the quire couered with silke, & tapers burning round about it, he asked who was buried there. Understanding then, it was that faire Rosamond the Concubine of king Henry the second, [Page 238] who at her intreaty had done much for that house, and in re­gard[?] of those fauours was [...] that honours [...] her body to be digged Vp immediately, a [...] buried[?] in the Church yard, saying it was a plac [...] a great deale t [...]o good for a harlot, and it should be an example to other women to terrifie them from such a wicked and filthy kind of life.

8. William de Bleys.

VVIlliam de Bleys [...] and Canon of the 1203 Church of [...], was elected Bishop of the same Church, the yéere 1201. but not consecrate till [...] day, 1203. He died vpon [...], 1206.

9. Hugh de Wels.

HVgh [...] of [...], and sometimes [...] 1209 of England, [...] the yéere 1209, at what time king Iohn [...] to [...] Stephen [...] for Archbishop of [...], (whereof sée more in [...]) [...] this the elect of [...] to repaire [...] the Archbishop of Roan for consecration. [...] this [...] of the King, he got vnto Stephen Langton and of him was consecrate. The king hearing of it, [...] vpon his [...] and kept him [...] from them, till the yéere 1213. This Bishop and Ioceline of [...], laying their purses together, [...] a [...] hospitall at [...]. [...] more thereof [...] the life of the said Ioceline. [...], [...] a [...] in his Church of Lincolne. I haue [...] of a [...] made by him 1211. in which [...] great [...] to his friends [...] kinred, he [...] 5000. markes. He [...] long after, to [...] 7. 1234. [...] then, he was [...] in [...] Church.

10. Robert Grosse-teste

IUne 11. following, to wit, the yéere 1235. Robert Grosse­test 1235 or Grosthead Archdeacon of Leycester was consecrate Bishop of Lincolne. A man famous for his excellent learning and vertues otherwise. He was borne in Suffolke, of very meane or rather base parentage. In his youth (according vn­to the maner of all students in those times) he trauelled into Fraunce, partly to increase his knowledge in other learning, but especially to attaine the French toong, which was then almost as common here as the English. At his returne he was made Archdeacon of Leycester, and afterwards (as be­fore is mentioned) Bishop of Lincolne. In his time, the ty­ranny of the Pope was now growen to the full height and [...]. What for appeales vnto Rome & bribes at Rome, no iurisdiction here could punish any fault neuer so [...]. No iurisdiction or other preferment was likely to fall, but the Popes reseruation would take it vp before hand, and bestow it at last vpon some stranger (happily a childe) that would neuer come néere it all his life long. The yéere 1252. notice being taken of this matter, the spiritual promotions of stran­gers within this realme were found to amount vnto the summe of 70000. markes by the yéere, whereas the kings yeerely reuenewes at that time came not to the third part of that summe. At these and other intollerable abuses, he repi­ning very much; thought good in person to go to Rome & ac­quaint y ^t Pope with his grieues. He did so, was heard, & with saire promises dismissed. But when at his return he found no maner of redresse of those things he complained, he feared not to write vnto the Pope a very sharpe & Satyricall letter, shewing how farre he had degenerated from the holinesse of his predecessors, and exhorting him earnestly to reforme the monstrous enormities, that flowing from Rome, as from a corrupt and poysoned fountaine infected the whole Church. This Epistle (if any man desire to sée it) is to be found in Matth. Paris. The Pope hauing read it, grew into great choller, and breathing out many threats, intended some ter­rible reuenge of this so intollerable a reproch (as he tooke it) [Page 240] vntill such time as, one Gyles a Cardinall of Spaine [...] vnto him, vsed these words; Holy father, it shall not doo well (in my opinion) to take any hard or extreme course against this man. It is but too true that he hath written. He is [...] re­ligion a Catholike as well as we, but for life and conuersati­on so farre [...] vs, as it is thought Christendome hath not his like. Againe, he is knowen to to be a great learned man, an excellent Philosopher, well séene in the Gréeke tongue as well as the Latine, a profound Diuine, and a diligent preach­er; These things are well knowen to all the Cleargy, both of Fraunce and England: We haue no iust matter against him, we are not able to touch him, yea though we were, it [...] not wisedome. We shall doo well to remember, how [...] it is, quod [...], [...] est ventura, that there shall one day be a departure, and let vs take héede that we giue not the occasion. My aduice therefore is, that we [...] content to winke at this matter, and euen let him alone. Some say his counsell was followed, and the matter passed ouer in silence. Howbeit, it is also reported (and both may be true) that afterwards (vpon some new quarrell [...]) he was suspended at Rome, excommunicate, and hor­ribly persecuted. And indéede it is certaine, that he would ne­uer be iuduced to obey any of those monstrous and vnreaso­nable bulles: Of [...], discoursing sometimes with his fa­miliars, he would very confidently affirme, that the Pope was an Heretike, yea and Antichrist. So Matth. Paris [...]. Notwithstanding these broyles, he was a continuall and diligent Preacher, writ bookes to the number of all most 200. l. (the Catalogue whereof you may finde in Bale) and yet tooke infinite paines in attending matters of gouernment and iurisdiction, so farre [...] as by the Pope he was not hindred. He died at last at his mannour of Buckden, Octo­ber 9. 1253. giuing all his bookes (an excellent library) vnto the Frier Minors at [...]. He lyeth buried in the [...] South [...] of his Cathedrall Church, & hath a goodly [...] of marble, with an image of brasse [...] it. The Pope not [...] to persecute him after his death, was once of the mind [...] digge vp his body againe, vntill by the perswasion of [...] other his mind was altered. But sée the iust iudgement of [Page 241] God vpon this wicked Pope (it was Innocent 4.) Lying at Naples in his way toward [...] (the kingdome whereof in hope he had now deuoured) this bishop appeared vnto him in the night, & strake him a great blow vpon the left side, which shewed all bloudy in the morning; and soone after the Pope died. This Bale reporteth out of Ranulfus, Fabian, and others. Matthew Paris ascribeth diuers myracles vnto him, & doubt­teth not to account him a Saint, although the Pope ought him not so much goodwill as to affoord him Canonisation. Doubtlesse he was an excellent man, and deserueth the com­mendation giuen vnto him by the consent of all writers. Not to trouble my selfe with any longer discourse concerning him, I will set downe this briefe Elogium of Matthew Paris: He was (saith he) Domini Papae & Regis redargutor manifestus, Praelatorum correptor, Monachorum corrector, Presbitero­rum director, clericorū instructor, scholarium sustentator, po­puli predicator, incontinentium persecutor, scripturarum se­dulus perscrutator, Romanorum [...] & contemptor. In mensa refectionis corporalis [...], [...] & [...], hila­ris & [...]: In mensa vero spirituali deuotus, lachrymosus & contritus: In officio pontificali sedulus, venerabilis, & [...]. Much more you may reade of him in Master Foxe.

11. Henry Lexinton.

THe King now was very earnest with the Chapter of 1254 Lincolne, to elect Petet d'Egueblank Bishop of Here­ford vnto that their Sée. They alleaged, he was a stranger, vnderstood not the English tongue, and was more­ouer an euill man, not gouerning well the charge already committed vnto him. In regard hereof, they humbly besought the king to hold them excused, and made choice of Henry Lex­inton their Deane. He was chosen December 30. 1253. consecrate. May 17. following. died August 8. 1258. & was buried at Lincolne in his owne Church. The yéere before his death, he offred some kind of hard measure vnto the Uniuer­sity of Oxford, by [...] certaine liberties that of old be­longed vnto it. For redresse hereof, they were forced to make their complaint vnto the King lying then at Saint Albons, [Page 242] [...] Matthew Paris a [...] of [...], was [...] the [...] of their petition, and (as [...]) [...] bold to [...] vnto the king, vsing these [...] vnto [...] in priuate. I beseech your grace, euen for Gods sake, to haue compassion vpon the Church now tottering and in great dan­ger of vtter subuersion. The [...] of Paris, the nurse of so many excellent and famous Prelates, is now greatly troubled. If the Uniuersity of Oxford be disquieted and [...] also (especially at this time) being the second Uniuer­sity of Christendome and euen an other foundation of the Church, it is much to be feared, least it cause a generall [...] and vtter ruine of the whole Church. God forbid [...] the King that that should happen, especially in my time; I will indeuour to preuent it. I doubt not he was as good as his word: For I find no more mention of any farther stirres. This, I haue thought good the rather to set downe, to shew, what was the reputation of our Uniuersity of Oxford in those daies.

12. Benedictus Grauesend

ANother Deane of Lincolne succéeded him, Benedic­tus 1258 Grauesend, whom I [...] called also Richard Grauesend. He was consecrate Nouember 3. 1258. and died December 18. 1279.

13. Oliuer Sutton.

OLiuer Sutton (as Walsingham saith) was likewise 1280 Deane of [...], a very good and [...] man. He was elected Bishop February 6. [...] May 18. 1180. died in the middle of a [...] prayer Nouember 13. 1299. and lyeth [...] in the North Isle of the vpper part of his Church, vnder a flat Marble stone [...] the [...] of Bishop Flemming.

14. Iohn d'Aldarby.

IOhn'D'alderby or D'aderly, Chauncellor of Lincolne suc­céeded 1200 the next yéere, and died at Stow parke, Ianuary 5. 1319. He was buried at Lincolne in the lower South crosse Isle. But his [...] was taken away for that it was super­stitiously frequented by the common people.

15. Thomas Beake.

IAnuary 27. following, the Chapter of Lincolne made 1320 choice of one Thomas Beake Chauncellor of Lincolne, for their Bishop. The Archbishop of Canterbury, vpon what quarrell I know not reiected this election: But at Rome (where all things were to be had for money) he got it confir­med. The yéere 1278. one Thomas Beake Archdeacon of Dorchester was Lord Treasurer of England. It may be this was the man. And it should seeme he was very old; for he sate but a very short time; which I take to be the cause that some men make Burwash next successor to D'Alderby. Hely­eth buried (as it séemeth by a note that I haue séene) in the highest crosse North Isle.

16. Henry Burwash.

HEnry Burwash was nephew vnto Sir Bartholomew 1320 Badilismer Baron of Leedes, a man of great authority vnder king Edward the second. The king by his meanes dealt earnestly for the preferment of the said Henry vnto the Sée of Lincolne, which he obtained and was inthronised there about Christmas 1320. within a yéere or two after, he fell into the kings displeasure so far, as that his temporalties were seased vpon and detained from him the space of two yéeres. The yeere 1224. they were restored vnto him againe, and he vnto the kings fauour: but the grudge thereof [...] so in his stomacke, as the Queene rising against her husband séeking to depose him (as afterward she did) an. 1326. no man was so forward to take her part as this Bishop; no man so [Page 244] eager against the king his vndoubted, true and naturall Prince. He was also a very [...] and miserable man (as Walsingham reporteth.) Toward the latter end of his time, he made a new parke at Tynghurst, and inclosed within the same much ground that belonged to diuers poore men his te­nants, for the which he had many a bitter curse of them. After his death, it is said he appéered vnto one that had béene one of his gentlemen, in the likenes of a kéeper, with bow & arrowes in his hand, a horne by his side and a gréene ierkin on his backe, telling him, that for the iniurious inclosure of that parke, he was appointed to the kéeping of the same and to be tormented there, till it were disparked and [...] open againe. He therefore also besought him to intreate his brethren the Canons of Lincolne, that the wrong done by him, by their [...] meanes might be righted. They were so wise as to giue credit vnto this report, and sent one of their company named William Bacheler to see it performed. He did so, hurled abroad the pale, filled vp the ditches, and caused the poore tenants to be restored vnto their right againe. This Bishop died at Gaunt in the ende of December 1340. hauing béene succes­siuely Treasurer and Chauncellor of England, and was bu­ried in the East ende of his Cathedrall church toward the North. At his féete lyeth a brother of his named Robert, a knight, a great soldier, and a sonne of the said Robert called Bartholomew. They founded a Grammar schoole in Lin­colne and left maintenance for fiue priests and fiue poore schollers.

17. Thomas le Becke.

AFter Henry Burwash, it is said that another Thomas Beake 1341 succéeded, called by some Thomas le Becke, and by others Thomas Weke, a famous and woorthy Clerke (as Walsingham reporteth.) He lieth buried in the lower crosse Isle. When he died, or what time he sate I find not.

18. Iohn Synwell.

IOhn Synwell succéeded. The yéere 1351. a great contro­uersie 1351 fell out betweene him and the Uniuersity of Oxford, about y ^t election of their Chancellor. The discourse whereof you may see pag. 133. This ouely I thinke good to note, that whereas some writers report this controuersie to haue fallen out in the time of Bishop Buckingham, it must needes be they are mistaken for that this Iohn Synwell died not till the yéere 1361. This man (if I mistake not) built a great chappell of Saint Mary Magdalene without the North wall of the Ca­thedrall church, and lieth buried in the West part or body of the said church.

19. Iohn Bokingham.

IOhn Bokingham kéeper of the priuy Seale, by the helpe of 1362 his purse and the kings instant request, with much adoo shouldred into the Bishopricke of Lincolne the yeere 1362. This man is said to haue beene very vnlearned, and it may be so. But certaine it is, that one Iohn Bokingham liued about those times a Doctor of Diuinity of Oxford, a great [...] man in scholasticall Diuinity, as diuers workes of his yet extant may testifie: and for my part I thinke this Bi­shop to be the man. The yeere 1397. the Pope bearing him some grudge, translated him perforce from Lincolne vnto [...], a Bishopricke not halfe so good. For [...] hart he would not take it, but as though he had rather haue no bread then halfe a loafe, forsooke both and became a monke at Can­terbury.

20. Henry Beaufort.

HEnry Beaufort became Bishop of Lincolne in his place. 1397 This man was brother vnto king Henry the fourth, and is best knowen by the name of the rich Cardinal. He sate here seuen yéees, and the yeere 1404. was translated to Win­chester. Sée more of him in Winchester.

21. Philip Repingdon.

PHilip Repingdon Abbot of Leicester, vpon the [...] 1404 of Henry Beaufort vnto [...], was preferred vnto Lincolne. This man was sometimes a great follower of Wickliffe and defender of his [...] not [...] in preaching and open [...] in the [...], but by writing also; to which purpose, [...] of 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 [...] [Page 247] 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 1439 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 1471 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 1480 [...] 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 1492 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 1514 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, 1515 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 1547 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. 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 1554 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 1557 Lincoln was bestowed vpon Thomas [...] Doctor of Diuinity, a very austere or rather a sower and chur­lish [Page 250] 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 1559 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 [...] 1570 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 1584 both in Lincolne and Winchester. Sée more of him [...].

40. William Chaderton.

VVIlliam [...] Doctor of Diuinity was conse­crate 1594 Bishop of West-Chester continued there [...], and in the [...] of the yéere 1594. was [...] to Lincolne, where he yet [...].

1. Dwyna.

OSwy king of Mercia or Mid England erected [...] 656 Episcopall Sée at Lichfield the yéere 656. and ordai­ned one Diuma or Dwyna Bishop there.

2. Cellach.

CEllach was the second Bishop of Lichfield. He was a Srot (as also his predecessor was.) After a few yéeres. giuing ouer his Bishopricke, he returned into his owne country.

3. Trumhere.

TRumhere was an Englishman borne, but brought vp, taught and ordered among the Scots. Hée had béene Abbot of Ingethling a monastery built where king Oswyn was slaine.

4. Iaruman.

HE conuerted the East Saxons vnto Christianity a­gaine, hauing forsaken it vnder Sighere their king. In his time to wit, the yéere 666. the Cathedrall church of Lich­field was first founded.

5. Cedda.

THe yéere 669. Cedda was consecrate Archbishop of 669 Yorke, in the absence of Wilfride. But Wilfride retur­ning, he gaue place, and liuing a while a monasticall life at [...], accepted at last the Bishopricke of Lichfield vn­der Wulfnere king of Percia ann. 669. He [...] to haue [Page 252] béene a godly and very denout man, as [...] in Beca his Eccl. hist. lib. 4. cap. 3. where his life and death, are at large reported. He died March 2. 672. hauing sate there two yéeres and a halfe, and was buried at Lichfield.

6. Winfride.

VVInfride a Chaplaine of Ceddaes was then [...] 672 Bishop of Lichfield, a man vertuous and modest (as Beda witnesseth.) Yet it is said that Theodore the Archbishop of Canterbury, depriued him for I know not what disobedience the yéere 674. He returned vnto Catbarne a Monastery built by Cedda, vnder whom he had liued in the same heretofore, and there lead a very holy life many yéeres after.

7. Saxulf.

VVInfride being displaced, it was thought good his 676 Dioces should be diuided into two parts: One was allotted vnto Saxulf who continued his [...] at Lichfield still; the other was committed vnto Eadhead. He and his successors (of whom you may sée a Catalogue Fol. 1) sate at Sidnacester. This Saxulf was the first Abbot of [...] now called Peterborough, and perswaded Wolfer king of Mercia to the foundation of that Monaster.

8. Headda.

AFter Saxulf the Dioces was once more diuided, and 692 a Bishop placed at Leicester. His name was Wilfride But he being drouen away thence after a short space, Headda that before was Bishop of Lichfield, recouered the Iurisdiction againe, and gouerned the same in sort as his pre­decessor had done.

9. Aldwyn.

AFter Headda succéeded Aldwyn, that liued in the time of Beda. He died the yéere 737.

10. Witta.

THe Countrey of Mercia was then diuided into thrée Bi­shoprickes. One was continued at Lichfield, another 737 was appointed to sit at Leycester, and the third at Dorche­ster. Lichfield was giuen to Witta, Leicester to Tota, and Dorchester to Eadhead. Sée more of them in Lincolne. Fol. 228.

• 11. Hemel. He died ann. 764.
• 12. Cuthfrid. 764
• 13. Berthun.
• 14. Aldulf. Off a King of Mercia procured the Pope to make this Al­dulf 766 an Archbishop and gaue him authority ouer the Sées of Winchester, Hereford, Legecester, Sidnacester, Helmham, and Dunwich. He liued ann. 793. Iun.
• 15. Humbert. Matth. Westm. saith this man died the yéere 795. and cal­leth 795 him Archbishop of Lichfield, as he doth also Higbert his successor. Howbeit I am out of doubt that Aldwin as he was the first, so he was the last Archbishop that euer sate there.
• 16. Herewin. He liued ann. 833. as appeareth by a Charter in Ingulfus confirmed by him. Pag. 488.
• 17. Higbert.
• 18. Ethelwold. He died 858.
• 19. Humberhtus. He died 164. 858
• 20. Kenferth or rather Kinebert. He died 872. 864
• 21. Cumbert. 872
• 22. Tunbriht or Bumfrith. He died 928.

By the way now it shall not be amisse to remember that [Page 254] Florentius Wigorn: (from whom William of [...]. [...] little biffenteth) reporteth this order of succession, as [...] as I can gather.

• 13. Berthun.
• 14. Higbert.
• 15. Aldulf.
• 16. Herewyn.
• 17. Ethelwald.
• 18. Hunberht.
• 19. Cineferth.
• 20. Tunbright.

That wherein I differ from them, I find in Matth. West­minster, whom I follow the rather, for that he setteth downe not their bare names, but their times of consecration now and then, yea and their death also.

• 23. Ella. 928
• 24. Alfgar.
• 25. Kinsy. He liued ann. 966. and 948.
• 26. Winsy.
• 27. Elseth or Ealfeage.
• 28. Godwyn.
• 29. Leosgar.
• 30. Brithmar. He died 1039.
• 31. Wlsius. He died 1054. 1039
• 32. Leofwyn, Abbot of Couentry. 1054

33. Peter.

THis man forsaking Lichfield, remooued his [...] 1067 Sée to Chester the yéere 1055. He was consecrate 1067. died the yéere 1086. and was buried at Chester.

34. Robert de Limesey.

HE was consecrate the yéere 1088. translated his [...] 1088 from [...] to Couentry 1095. died September 1. 1116. and was buried at Couentry.

35. Robert Peche, alias Peccam.

RObert, surnamed Peccatum or Peche, and sometimes 1117 Peccam, Chaplame vnto king Henry the first, was con­secrate 1117. died August 22. 1127. and was buried at Co­uentry.

36. Roger de Clinton.

THe king then bellowed this Bishopricke vpon Roger 1129 de [...] that was nephew vnto [...] Lord Clin­ton, a man of great account and authority in his time. De­cember 21. 1129. he was ordered Priest at Canterbury, and consecrate Bishop the day following. This man built a great part of the Church of Lichfield, increased the number of his Prebends, fensed the towne of Lichfield with a ditch, and be­stowed much vpon the castle there. No part of that castle now standeth; onely the ditch remayneth to be seene, and the place where it stood, retaineth the name of Castle field. He tooke vpon him the crosse at last, went to Jerusalem, and died at Antioch. Aprill 16. 1148.

37. Walter Durdent.

VVAlter Durdent Prior of Canterbury succéeded him. 1149 He was consecrate 1149. died 1161. and was bu­ried at Couentry.

38. Richard Peche.

RIchard Peche was sonne vnto Robert Peche Bishop of 1162 Couentry. By him he was preferred vnto the Archdea­conry of Couentry, and the yeere 1162. succéeded him in his Bishopricke. This man in his latter daies, tooke on him the habite of a Chanon in the Church of Saint Thomas néere Stafford, of which house some name him the founder. He was buried there, dying the yéere 1181.

39. Girardus Puella.

OF this man, Robertus Montensis writeth thus. Magi­ster Girardus cognomento Puella, &c. Master Ge­rard surnamed Puella, a man of great learning, and vertue, the yéere 1181. was chosen Bishop of Chester in Eng­land. That Bishopricke hath thrée Episcopall Sées, Chester, Couentry, and Lichfield. He died Ianuary 12. 1184. and was buried at Couentry.

40. Hugh Nouaunt.

THe yéere 1186. Hugh Nouaunt a Norman was conse­crate 1186 Bishop of Lichfield. He bought of king Richard the first the monastery of Couentry for 300. markes, [...] to place secular priestes in the same, he came thither [...] a power of armed men the yéere 1190. and when the monkes would not giue place, inuading them with fine force, chased away some, beate and lamed other, spoyled their house, burnt their charters and euidences, &c. and then put in secular priests in their roomes. Bale reporteth that he could not cary this matter so cléere as that it cost him not some [...]: In the conflict himselfe was wounded, and that in the church iust before the high altar. It séemeth he was a man learned, stouts, and wise ynough, but not so straight and carefull a cen­surer of his owne manners and conuersation as he should be. No doubt our monkes (that were the onely writers of those times) speake no better of him then he deserues: yet they commend him much for his religious and penitent ende he made. Trauelling toward Rome, in his owne countrey of Normandy he fell sicke, and perceiuing his end to approch, sent for diuers religious persons, vnto whom he acknow­ledged the loosenesse of his life, and with continuall teares greatly lamented the same, hartily requested them to pray for him, gaue all his money and goods vnto the poore, and lastly put on a monkes cowle, thereby thinking to make the monks amends for all the trouble & vexation he had wrought them. He died at Beccummer hill, or (as R. Homden reporteth) at [Page 257] Betherleuin March 27. 1199. and was buried at Cane, in the 14. yéere of his troublesom gouernment. The yéere 1193. he was robbed of an infinite deale of treasure néere Canter­bury trauelling toward king Richard that was then prisoner in Germany. And not long after, being banished the realme for taking part with king Iohn rebelling against his brother king Richard then prisoner in Germany, he was saine to buy restitution vnto his place with the summe of 5000. markes.

41. Geffry de Muschamp.

THe monkes soone after the death of Bishop Hugh recoue­red 1199 their places againe, got them a new Pryor, and pro­céeding to the election of a Bishop, made choice of one Geffry de Muschamp Archdeacon of Cleueland. He was consecrate at Westminster (saith one) March 15. 1199. But Matthew Paris (whom I rather beleeue) saith it was at Canterbury June 21. He died the yéere 1208. and was buried at Lich­fielde.

42. Walter de Gray.

THe yéere 1210. Walter de Gray was elected vnto this 1210 Sée, translated to Worcester the yéere 1214. and after­wards to Yorke. Sée more of him there.

43. William de Cornehull.

HE was consecrate Ianuary 25. 1215. died Iune 19. 1215 1223. and was buried at Lichfield.

44. Alexander de Sauensby.

ALexander de Sauensby (whom Bale calleth Alexander 1224 Wendocke) spent much time in diuers Uniuersities, as namely in Tholouse, Bononia and others, in which he had the reputation of a great Philosopher, and a profound Dinine. He writ diuers workes well esteemed of in times past. In them he maketh report of diuers visions & strange [Page 258] apparitions he had séene [...]. He was consecrate at Rome vpon Easter day 1224. In his time a great contro­versie was raised betwéene the monkes of Chester and the Cannons of [...] about the election of their Bishoppe, which euer since the remoouing of the Sée from [...] had belonged vnto the monkes. After the spending of much money vpon this sute in the court of Rome, the matter was or­dered there by diffinitiue sentence in this sort. It was agreed that they should choose alternis vicibus, the monkes one time and the cannons of Lichfield the next. But in all elections as well at Lichfield as at Couentry, the prior of Couentry was allowed to giue a voice, and it must be the first voice. This Bishop was founder of a house for the Gray fryers in the Southwest part of Lichfield, died at Andeuer December 26. 1238. and was buried at Lichfield.

45. Hugh de Pateshull.

SOone after the death of the forenamed Alexander, the 1240 monkes of Couentry with the good liking of the cannons of Lichfield, elected for their Bishop one William Ra­leigh. About the same time the Couent of Norwich (that Sée also being voide) chose him likewise; and he accepting the se­cond offer as the better of the two, left Lichfield. By reason hereof a new controuersie arose betwéene the monkes of [...] and the chapter of Lichfield, whether the turne of Co­uentry wer serued in this election or no. Each party standing vpon their title, Lichfield men elected their Deane, and the monks one Nicholas [...] that was afterwards bishop of Durham: Sée more of him there. This Nicholas Fernham hauing notice of the election, presently renounced the same. The Deane (that was a very good man) hearing great [...] of the said Fernham, and thinking he refused to consent vnto the election because the title séemed doubtful and litigious, neuer ceased importuning his chapter till they also [...] named him. This notwithstanding, Nicholas Fernham [...] in his [...], both parties through the kings [...] were induced to consent vnto the choice of Hugh Pate­shull Treasurer of Paules, that had béene Treasurer, and [Page 259] was at that time Chauncellor of England. He was sonne vnto Simon Pateshull sometime Lord chiefe Iustice of Eng­lane. In the beginning of the yéere 1240. he was consecrate. Being yet in his best age and full strength, he was taken a­way by vntimely death December 7. 1241. hauing sate not fully two yéeres. A man for his life & conuersation vnblama­ble and not vnlearned; yet misliked in our histories because in that little time he gouerned, he shewed himselfe more fa­uourable vnto his cannons of Lichfield, then the monkes of Couentry.

46. Roger de Weseham.

THe king now made earnest request for the election of 1245 Richard Abbot of Euesham and keeper of the great Seale. Some chose him: but the greater part agréed vpon a monke thot was chaunter of Couentry. The Abbot by the meanes of the king and his owne purse, notwithstan­ding the insufficiency of his election, had now obtained the Popes fauour for his consecration, at what time he was ta­ken away by death in Riola a city of Gascoigne, hauing first resigned the custody of the great seale into the kings hand. After his death, with consent of all parties there was chosen one William de Monte Pessulano, a vertuous and learned man: him also the king misliked. Once more they procéeded to election, and by perswasion of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne, made choise of Roger de Weseham Deane of Lin­colne: a man very commendable (saith Matthew Paris) both for life & learning. There had beene much ado in former times betweene the Deanes and the Bishops of Lincolne. This Bishop thinking the reason thereof to be the greatnes of their liuing, endeuoured the more earnestly to preferre this man, that the Deanry being void, he might somewhat weaken [...] same by disposing elsewhere the parsonage of Aylsbery that heretofore belonged vnto it. This Roger Weseham was al­lowed of by the Pope, & consecrate at Lyons the yéere 1245. before the king euer heard of any such thing toward, For they had concealed it from him of purpose, thinking if he might once get notice of it, the businesse was like neuer to be effe­cted, [Page 260] Hauing sate about 11. yéeres, and being now waren old and very sickely, he resigned his Bishopricke vpon [...] day 1256. Two yeeres after he died of a palsey, where­of he had laine sicke a long time.

47. Roger de Molend, alias Longespe.

VPon his resignation, the king laboured earnestly to 1257 preferre Philip Louell his Treasurer vnto this Bi­shopricke. The Monkes of Couentry, that of all other men could not like of the said Louell (for what cause I know not) that they might be sure to auoyd him, as also at the re­quest of Richard Earlé of Cornewall the kings brother, ele­cted Roger Molend, one to whom the king and the said Earle were both vncles. Him the king readily accepted, and so March 10. 1257. he was affoorded consecration. This man was borne and brought vp altogether beyond the seas: [...] reason whereof he was vtterly ignorant of the English [...]. Being therefore called vpon to be resident vpon his Bishop­ricke the yéere 1283. he made that his excuse: but it might not serue his turne. Iohn Peckham Archbishop of [...]; not onely forced him to residence, but reprehended him excéeding sharply for his neglect and carelesnes of his charge. He sate long and died a very old man the yéere 1295.

47. Walter de Langton.

THe Pope meaning a good turne vnto Iohn Bokingham 1296 Bishop of Lincolne, of his absolute authority tooke vpon him to translate him to this Sée from Lincolne, which was then worth thrée Lichfields. He chose rather to forsake all, and became a monke at Canterbury. Upon his refusall Wa­ter Langton Treasurer of England was preferred thereunto and consecrate December 22, 1296. He liued in great autho­rity vnder king Edward the first that fauoured him much. But his sonne Edward the second molested and disgraced [...] all that euer he might. His father dying in the North coun­trey, commaunded this Bishop to couduct his corpse vp to London, and when he had so done, for reward of his [...] [Page 261] he caused sir Iohn Felton Constable of the Tower to arrest him, seased vpon all his goods, and imprisoned him, first in the Tower, then in the Castle of Wallingford, of which impri­sonment he was not released in two yéeres after. In his fa­thers life time he had often reprehended the yoong Prince for his insolent and dissolute behauiour; which good admonitions he taking in [...] part, wronged and disgraced him many waies, namely one time, he brake downe his parks, spoyled and droue away his deere, &c. The Bishop complained of this outrage vnto the king his father, who being greatly displea­sed therewith, committed the Prince his sonne for certaine daies. And this was the cause of the grudge betwéene the yong king & him. About y ^t same time (or I thinke a litle sooner viz. the yere 1301.) he was accused of certain heinous crimes before the Pope, and compelled to answere the accusation at Rome in his owne person. Though the proofes brought a­gainst him were either none or very slender; yet well know­ing whom they had in hand ( Nonerant [...] prae [...] bo­uem valde [...], saith Matth. [...].) they were con­tent to detaine him there so long, as it forced him to spend an infinite deale of money, and yet was neuer a whit the néerer at last: For the Pope remitted the hearing of the cause to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and yet referred the determi­nation of the same vnto him selfe at last. The tempests of those troubles being ouer blowen, the rest of his time he liued (for ought I find) quietly, and being happily [...] from the Court, attended onely the gouernment of his charge. Un­to his Church of Lichfield he was a wonderfull great bene­factor. He laid the first foundation of the Lady Chappell there and at his death left order with his Executors for the full finishing of it. He compassed the cloyster of Lichfield with a stone wall, and bestowed a sumptuous shrine vpon S. Cedda his predecessor with 2000. l. charge. He ditched and walled all the Cathedrall church round about, made one gate of great strength and maiesty at the West part of the close, and ano­ther (but a lesse) on the South part. He builded the great bridge beyond the Uineyard at Lichfield, ann. 1310. He gaue his owne house or pallace vnto the Uicars for their dwelling, and built a new for him selfe at the East end of the close. He [Page 262] [...] ( [...] being altogether [...]) [...] of [...], the mannour place of [...], [...] the [...] by the [...] at London. He [...] vnto the high [...] at Lichfield [...], and two [...] of [...] worth 24. l. [...] about with [...] stones to the value of 200. l. besides many copes, & [...] of [...] price. He [...] vpon the [...] a [...] cup of [...], [...] a pension of 20. s. by the yeere: And [...], [...] both vnto them and his Church many charters and [...] from the king. He [...] at London [...] 16. 1321. [...] was buried in the Lady Chappell which he built.

48. Roger Northbrough.

THe yéere 1313. Roger Northborough then kéeper of 1322 the great seale, was taken prisoner by the Scots in the battell of [...]. Being afterwards clerke of the Wardrobe (so I find him called) and treasurer of Eng­land, by great sute and the kings often [...] he [...] meanes to shoulder into this [...]. He was consecrate June 27. 1322. sate almost 38. yéeres (a very long time) and died in the end of the yéere 1359.

49. Robert Stretton.

SOone after the death of the former Bishop, Robert Stret­ton 1360 a Canon of Lichfield, by the importunity of the blacke Prince (to whom he was Chaplaine) was elec­cted Bishop there, a man very [...] & [...] vnworthy so high a [...] in all respects. The Pope hauing notize of his [...], by speciall mandate prohibited his conse­cration. Here upon the new elect was faine to make repaire vnto Rome. The Pope him selfe examined him, but was [...] earnestly requested by the blacke Prince to [...] his sute, as [...] he could not with [...] honesty allow of him, yet he was content to leaue him to the [...] of the Archbi­shop of Canterbury, The Archbishop would by no [...] to [...] him any testimony of sufficiency. At last [...] [Page 263] much adoo, he procured the Pope to authorise two other Bi­shops for the allowance or reiecting of him (who they were I can not call to remembrance) and they by the excéeding great importunity of the Prince admitted him to consecration, which he receiued September 26. 1360. Sée more of this matter in Thomas Lylde Bishop of Ely. He sate Bishop here 25. yeeres.

50. Walter Skirlawe.

VVAlter Skirlawe Doctor of Law, was consecrate 1385 Ianuary 14. 1385. remooued to Bathe and Wels the yéere following, and soone after to Durham. Sée more of him in Durham.

51. Richard Scroope.

RIchard Scroope Doctor of Lawe, brother vnto Willi­am 1386 Scroope Earle of Wiltshire, and Tresurer of Eng­land, was consecrate August [...]. 1386. Sate here 10. yéeres and was translated to Yorke. His life and lamentable death, you may sée there more at large described.

52. Iohn Brughill.

IOhn Brughill a Frier preacher was first Bishop of Lan­daff, 1398 and Confessor vnto king Richard the second, transla­ted to Lichfield in the moneth of September 1398. and sate there 17. yéeres.

53. Iohn Keterich.

IOhn Keterich a Notary of Rome, and Archdencon of Sur­ry, 1415 was consecrate Bishop of S. Dauids the yéere 1414. and translated thence to this Sée in the moneth of May 1415 The yéere 1417. he was at the Councell of Constance and was one of the 30. electors that chose Martyn the fift Pope (authorised thereunto by the councell) together with the Car­dinals. He sate almost 5. yéeres, & was translated to Exceter.

54. Iames Cary.

AUery little while one Iames Cary was Bishop of Co­uentry 1419 and Lichfield. He happened to be at Florence with the Pope at what time newes was brought thi­ther of the Bishop of Exceters death, and easily obtained that Bishopricke of him, being preferred vnto Lichfield but very lately. He enioyed neither of these places any long time. Ne­uer comming home to sée either the one or the other, he died and was buried there.

55. William Haworth.

WIlliam Haworth Abbot of Saint Albons was conse 1420 crate Nouember 28. 1420. and sate 27. yéeres.

56. William Boothe.

WIlliam Boothe was consecrate July 9. 1447. sate 6 1447 yéeres and was translated to Yorke. Sée more of him there.

57. Nicholas Close.

NIcholas Close consecrate Bishop of Carlioll 1450. was 1452 translated from Carlioll hither the yeere 1452. and died the same yéere.

58. Reginald Buller.

REginald Buller or Butler (for so some call him) was con­secrate 1453 Bishop of Hereford the yéere 1450. being Abbot of Glocester before. He was translated to Lichfield Aprill 3. 1453. and sate there 6. yéeres.

59. Iohn Halse.

IOhn Halse was consecrate in the moneth of Nouember 1459 1459. sate 32. yéeres, and lieth buried at Lichfield.

60. William Smith.

WIlliam Smith was consecrate 1492. sate 4. yéeres, and 1492 was translated to Lincolne. See more there.

61. Iohn Arundell.

IOhn Arundell was consecrate Nouember 6. 1496. and 1496 translated to Exceter 1502. See more in Exceter.

62. Geoffry Blythe.

GEoffry Blythe Doctor of Lawe was consecrate Sep­tember 1503 7. 1503. The yeere 1512. he became Lord Pre­sident of Walles by the appointment of king Henry the eight, and continued in that place till the yeere 1524. at what time it seemes he died. The yeere 1523. he was atta­ched for treason, but happily acquitted. He [...] buried at Lichfield.

63. Rowland Lee.

[...] Leigh Doctor of Lawe succéeded. A man sa­mons for two things. He [...] King Henry the eight vnto Quéene Anne Bulleyn, which happy marriage was the occasion of that happinesse that we now enioy vnder our noble soueraigne Queene Elizabeth their daughter. A­gaine, it is to be remembred of him, that being made Presi­dent of Wales, the yéere 1535. in the time of his gouern­ment (and peraduenture partly by his procurement) the countrey of Wales was by Parliament incorporated and vnited to the kingdome of England, the liberties, lawes, and other respects made common vnto the Welch with the natu­rall English. This Bishop died Lord President the yeere 1543. and was buried at Shrewsbury.

64. Richard Sampson.

AFter him Richard Sampson Bishop of Chichester be­came 1543 Bishop of Lichfield. He was translated March 12 [Page 266] 1543. This R. Sampson being a Doctor of Law, and Deane of the Chappell writ some what for the kings supremacy and was aunswered by Cochloeus. He writ also commentaries vpon the [...], and vpon the Epistles to the [...], and [...]. He was consecrate Bishop of [...] the yéere 1537. and presently vpon his remooue to this [...], made President of Wales. In that office he continued till the second yéere of king Edward, at what time he began to shew him selfe a [...], notwithstanding his [...] writing [...] a­gainst the Pope. He died at [...] September 25. 1554.

65. Ralf Bane.

RAlf Bayne Doctor of Diuinity borne in Yorkeshire, 1555 brought vp in S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, & reader or professor of the [...] tongue in Paris, was consecrate Bishop of Lichfield soone after the death of the other. He [...] vpon the Prouerbs of Salomon, and dedicated his worke vnto Francis the French king. Hauing béene Bishop almost fiue yéeres, he died of the stone at London, and was buried in Saint Dunstans Church there.

66. Thomas Bentham.

THomas Bentham was consecrate March 24. 1559. [...] 1559 died February 21. 1578.

67. William Ouerton.

William Ouerton Doctor of [...] succéeded. 1579

1. Aldelm.

AFter the death of Headda the fifth Bi­shop 705 of Winchester, it pleased Iua king of the west Saxons to [...] his Dio­ces (which before contained all the country of the west Saxons) into two parts. The one of them he committed vnto Damell, allotting vnto him Winchester for his Sée, and that Dio­ces which now doth, and euer since hath belonged vnto the same: The other part containing the counties of Dorset, So­merset, Wiltshire, Deuon and Cornwall he ordained to be gouerned by a Bishop, whose Sée he established at Sher­borne, and appointed vnto the same one Aldhelme a neere [...] of his owne, being the sonne of Kenred his brother. This Aldhelm spent all his youth in trauaile, and hauing vi­sited the most famous vniuersities of Fraunce and Italy, be­came very learned; in Poetry especially he was excellent and writ much in Gréeke and Latine, prose and verse. He deligh­ted much in musicke and was very skilfull in the same. But his chiefe study was diuinity, in the knowledge whereof no man of his time was comparable to him. After his returne, he became first a monk, and after Abbot of Malmsbury for the space of fower and thirty yéeres. The yéere 705. he was consecrate Bishop of Sherborne, and that (as it séemeth vnto me) at Rome. For it is remembred that while he staied there for the Popes approbation, the same Pope (his name was Sergius) was charged with getting of a bastard, for which fact he was bold to reprehend his holinesse sharpely. He writ di­uers learned works mentioned by Beda h. 4. c. 19. and died the yéere 709.

2. Fordhere.

HE liued in the time of Beda, who saith, he also was a 709 man very well séene in the knowledge of the scriptmes. The yéere 738. he attended the Quéene of the west [...] vnto Rome.

After him succeeded these;

• 3. [...].
• 4. Ethelnod. 737
• 5. Denefrith.
• 6. Wilbert. He was at Rome with Wlfred Archbishop of Canterbury an. 815.
• 7. Alstane. A famous warrier. He subdued vnto king Fg­bright 818 the kingdomes of Kent and the East Saxons. He fought many battailes with the Danes and euer [...] had the victory, namely at a place in Somersetshire then called Pedredsmouth, now Comage, he slue a great number of them the yéere 845. King Ethelwlf being at Rome in pilgrimage, he set vp his sonne Ethelbald a­gainst him and forced the father at his returne to [...] his kingdome with his sonne. He died the yéere 867. ha­uing sate Bishop of Sherborne 50. yéeres. A man [...] wise, valiant, carefull for the good of his country, and [...] liberall. He augmented the reuenues of his Bishop­ricke wonderfully.
• 7. Edmund or Heahmund, slaine in battell by the [...] 868 the yéere 872. at Meredune.
• 8. Etheleage. 872
• 9. Alssy.
• 10. Asser. This man writ a certaine Chronicle of [...] (amongst diuers other works) wherein he reporteth of him selfe that he was a disciple and scholler of that fa­mous welchman Iohn, that hauing studied long in A­thens, perswaded king Alfred to institute a vniuersitie at Oxford, and him selfe became the first publique [...] there. He writeth furthermore that he was [...] [Page 269] Chauncellor vnto Asser the Archbishop of Saint [...] his néere kinsman, who both endured great vexa­tion and trouble at the hands of one Hemeyd a mighty man of those parts, that tyrannised intollerably ouer the cleargy there. By reason thereof waring weary of his office, he left his countrey, and comming into Eng­land to king Alfred, became schoolemaster of his chil­dren, vntill such time as [...] Bishop of Sherborne dying, he was preferred to his place. Unto this man the said king gaue the mannors of Wellington, Buck­land, and Lydyard in Sommersetshyre, which since haue come vnto the Bishops of Wels, whereof one (Buckland) yet remaineth vnto that See. By his ex­hortation also that good king did much for the Uniuer­sity of Oxford, alotting diuers stipends vnto the rea­ders and professors there. This Bishop died the yéere 883. and was buried at Sherborne.
• 11. [...] or Sigelm trauelled into India to the place of 883 Saint Thomas his buriall, carried thither the almes or [...] of king Alfred, and brought home many pre­tious stones of great price.
• 12. [...] or [...]. He died 898.

After Ethelwald the Sée of Sherborne stoode void seuen yéeres by reason of the Danish wars. The yéere 905. Pleg­mund by the commaundement of king Edward the elder con­secrate seuen Bishops in one day as I haue before mentioned in Canterbury & elsewhere. Thrée of them were appointed to Sees newly erected all taken out of the Dioces of Sherborne. One had iurisdiction ouer Cornewall, another ouer Deuon­shire, and a third ouer Sommersetshire. Soone after that, a fourth was placed in Wiltshire, hauing his Sée some say at Ramsvery, others say at Sunnyng, and some other at Wil­ton. So Sherborn had now left vnto it only Dorsetshire and Barkshire. Of the rest we shall speake God willing seueral­ly in their particular places. But these Bishops of Wilt­shire, because their See at last returned backe againe whence it first sprang. I will deliuer them and their succession next after Sherborne.

Sherborne.

• 13. Werstane. He died 918. [...] by the Danes in [...].
• 14. Ethelbald. 918
• 15. Sigelm. Florilegus mentioneth one Sigelm to haue been slaine by the Danes the yéere 834. I beléeue he [...] it [...] 934.
• 16. Alfred. He died 940.
• 17. [...]. This man was made Abbot of [...] 940 by Dunstan then Bishop of London. Being [...] to the Bishopricke of Sherborne, he displaced [...] priests and put in monkes. It is reported that when he lay a dying, he cried out suddenly, I sée the [...] open, and Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God, immediately after those wordes giuing vp the ghost an. 958.
• 18. Alfwold. He died 978. and was buried at Sherborne. 958
• 19. Ethelrike. 978
• 20. Ethelsius.
• 21. Brithwin or Brithwicke. He died 1009.
• 22. Elmer. 1009
• 23. Brinwyn or Birthwyn.
• 24. Elfwold. He was a man of great temperance and [...]; for the which in that luxurious age he was much admired. After his death, these two Sées [...] againe [...] and made one.

Wiltshire.

• 1. Ethelstane. He died 920.
• 2. Odo that became Archbishop of Canterbury the yéere 934.
• 3. Osulf. He died 870. and was buried at [...].
• 4. [...]. He died 981. and was buried at Abondon.
• 5. Alfgar or Wolfgar.
• 6. [...], [...] to [...] 989. [...].
• [Page 271]7. [...] or Aluricius, he succéeded his predecessor in Can­terbury likewise the yeere 995.
• 8. Brithwold, a monke of Glastonbury, a great benefactor of that Abbey, as also of the Abbey of Malmesbury. He died 1045. and was buried at Glastonbury.
• 9. Herman a Flemming Chaplaine vnto King Edward the Confessor was the last Bishop of this petty- Sée. He la­bored to haue his See remoued to Malmsbery, and had once obtained it of king Edward the Confessor, but by a countersute of the monkes there, he was disappointed. Uery angry with this repulse, he left his Bishopricke, and became a monke at Bertine in Fraunce. But hea­ring soone after how that Elfwold Bishop of Sherborn was dead, he returned home againe, and with much adoo obtained that Sherborne and his Dioces might once more be vnited together againe.

1. Herman.

THe fore named Herman liuing vnto the time of Willi­am Conquerour, when as he gaue commaundment that all Bishops should remooue their Sees from ob­scure townes to the fairest cities of their Dioces, made choise of Salisbury & there laid the foundation of a Church which he liued not to finish. Salisbury (saith W. of Malmsbury) is a place built on the toppe of a hill, resembling rather a Castle then a Towne, compassed about with a strong wall, and well prouided otherwise of all commodities, but wanteth water so vnreasonably, (as a strange kind of merchandise) it is there to be sold. This place we now call old Salisbury, whereof no­thing remaineth at this time but certaine desert ruines. How 1083 it decaied, we shall haue cause hereafter to discourse.

2. Osmond.

OSmond being a knight, and a Norman by birth, came into England with King William the Conquerour. He had béene Captaine of Say in Normandy and by the foresaid king was made Chauncellor of England, Earle [Page 272] of [...], and after Hermans death, Bishop of Salisbury. He was a man well learned and passing wise, in regard whereof he was alwaies of the [...] counsell and might seldome be spared from the Court. He continued the building begun by his predecessor and at last finished the same, adding vnto it a library, which he furnished with many excellent bookes. This new Church at olde Salisbury was finished, and in an [...] hower dedicated very solemnly by the foresaid [...] [...] with Walkelin Bishop of Winchester, and Iohn of [...] the yéere 1092. In an euill hower I say; for the very next day after, the steple of the same was [...] on fire by lightning. That he afterwards repaired, and furnished his Church with all maner of ornaments. At last he departed this life Saterday, December 3. 1099. and was buried in his owne [...]. His bones were after remoued to new Salisbury, where they now lye, in the middle of the Lady Chappell vnder a Marble stone bearing this onely inscription ANNO. [...]. Aboue any thing I may not forget, that amongst diuers bookes he writ (as the life of Saint Aldelme the first Bishop of Sherborne, &c.) he was first Author of the ordinale se­cundum vsum Sarum. It séemeth he was made a Saint [...] his death: For I find his name in our Calender the foresaid third day of December.

3. Roger.

KIng Henry the first being yet a priuate man, and seruing 1107 his brother in his wars in Normandy, it chaunced him and his troupe to turne into a Church in the Subburbes of Cane to heare seruice. Roger that rich and mighty Bishop of Salisbury that was afterwards, serued the cure there at that time, for some very poore salary. This [...] Curate well knowing how to fit the deuotion of soldiers, was so [...] at his businesse, as he had made an ende of his worke before some of the company were aware he had begunne. They all cryed out he was the [...] Chaplaine for soldiers that might he found. Whereupon halfe in iest, halfe in earnest, the yoong Prince bid him follow him. He did so; and albeit he was in a manner altogether vnlearned, yet being very subtile [...] [Page 273] [...], in a short time he wound him selfe so fast into the Princes liking, as he acquainted him with his most secrete affaires, and vsed his counsell in matters of greatest impor­tance. Hereby it came to passe, that he not onely obtained ea­sily for him selfe the Bishopricke of Salisbury, soone after the said Princes aduauncement vnto the crowne, but also pro­cured the like or greater preferments for many of his kinred. He had a sonne of his owne called Roger, [...] [...], whom he made Chauncellor of England. He had also two nephewes which he made Bishops, Alexander of Lincolne, and [...] of Ely. This Nigellus likewise had a sonne called Richard [...] that long after became Bi­shop of London. Neither was he so carefull of seruing other mens turnes, as that he forgat to feather his owne neast: what by the reuenewes of his Bishopricke and his temporall offices (for he was Chauncellor of England, and otherwise much imployed about the king) he gathered together infinite treasures, whereof some he bestowed very vainely, and the rest that vuhappily he reserued, was the cause of hie destructi­on. He built most sumptuously two castles, one at Sher­borne, the other at Deuises, cōmonly called y ^t [...], [...] foolishly to make them without comparison the goodliest and most magnificent buildings of England. Then afterwards somewhat to [...] the vanity of this humour, he founded two monasteries also, but what they were I find not. All the time of king Henry he flourished in great honour, viz for the space of 30. yéeres & (I doubt not) had ended his daies in the like prosperity, if his owne treachery had not prouoked the iustice of God to punish the same with the vengeance of an extraordinary calamity. The said king Henry hauing lost his onely sonne and apparant heire Prince William, by misfor­tune vpon the sea; and hauing no issue lawfully begotten, left to inherite his kingdome but onely Mawde the Empresse. He thought good to take an oath of all the nobility, wherein they promised to yéeld obedience to her after his death as their so­ueraigne, and to none other. This oath, our Roger did not onely take himselfe, but minister vnto the rest of the nobility, for that he was Chauncellor. Which notwithstanding, for­getting all dueties of religion toward God, of thankefulnes [Page 274] toward his patrone, and loyalty to his Prince; he was the first man (the king being dead) that fell to plotting [...]: the aduancement of Stephen vnto the kingdome, which [...] his perswasiou he first attempted, and much deale by his vngra­tious counsell at last obtained. Sée how the saying fell out to be true in him, [...] consilium consultori [...]. With­in two or three yeeres after his comming to the crowne, this vsurping periured king (for he also had sworne sworne vnto Mawde the Empresse) he (I say) lacked money for many pur­poses, especially for the compassing of a marriage betweene Enstace his onely sonne, and Constantia the French kings sister, which he thought would be a great establishment of his new erected throne. Now séeing no other readier meane, he determined to search the coffers of this old Bishop, assuring himselfe there to find that might well serue his turne. Being therefore at Oxford, he sent for him in very friendly manner, praying him to come and affoord him his counsell in matters greatly importing him. Such was the estate of the [...] at that time, that almost euery man stood vpon his gard. But the Bishop being an old Foxe and suspitious of what might hap­pen; entreated his sonne and the Bishops before named his nephewes, to ride with him, that vnder the colour of their re­tinue, he might carry strength ynough with him to resist the king, if he should indeuour to offer him violence. The king at their méeting gaue him very gratious countenance, but secretly tooke order, that a quarrel should be picked vnto some of his retinue. So when he least suspected any such matter, his people were set vpon (vnder colour they had disappointed some of the kings men of their lodgings) and forced to [...]. The Bishop, his sonne, & nephewes fled also. But the [...] was made too sure beforehand for them to escape. They were all taken, except onely the Bishop of Ely, that [...] him to the castell of Deuises, which he found very well pro­vided, and determined to hold it against the king. Thither he trauelled with all spéed (the king I meane) carrying his pri­soners with him, whom he caused to ve very hardly vsed and straightly imprisoned, shutting vp the one in an oxestall, the other in a [...] backe roome more loathsome then the other. At his first comming, he summoned the castell, intending to [Page 275] prooue all meanes, rather then he would let this occasion slippe, of rifling the same. Therefore when no other practise would take successe (for he tryed many) he set vp a faire paire of gallowes, and sware he would hang Roger the Bishops sonne, it the castell were not presently deliuered vp vnto him. The Bishop of Ely continuing obstinate in his denyall, though his vncle of Salisbury had intreated him earnestly to yeeld: the halter was now about the yoong mans necke and he euen ready to trusse, when his father hnmbly besought the king, that he would accept his best endeuour for the effecting of his desire, & to saue his sonnes life, was content to sweare, he would neither eate nor drinke before the castell were deli­uered vnto him. Hereupon the execution of the sonne was staied, but it cost the father his life. For the Bishop of Ely his nephew. notwithstanding what intreaty could be made, suffred his vncle to fast three whole daies before he would giue ouer. The Bishop of Salisbury being now very aged, partly peraduenture by reason of griefe, but partly also by reason of so long abstinence, fell sicke and died, rauing and taking on like a man distract of his wits certaine daies be­fore his departure. There was found in that castell of his forty thousand markes of siluer ready coyned, beside gold, plate and iewels of inestimable price. All that the king laide hands vpon, and with that money procured indéed the mar­riage before mentioned to be effected. The Bishops sonne was kept long in prison, and dealt earnestly withall to re­nounce the [...] and deuote himselfe to the party of the king, which he most honestly and constantly refusing, with long sute obtayned at last for a great fauour, that he might be banished the realme. To make an ende now with this Bi­shop, he was elected April. 13. 1102. consecrate August 11. 1207. with diuers other, and died December 4. 1139. So he was Bishop (accounting the time from his first election) al­most 37. yéeres, flourishing all that while in woonderful great prosperity, and yet had a miserable and most vnhappyend.

4. Ioceline.

ROger being dead, K. Stephen nominated vnto his place one Philip his Chauncellor. But the Popes Legate & the cleargy of Salisbury, vtterly refusing to receiue him, he made sute for the Bishopricke of Bayon and obtained the same. Af­ter that, it séemeth vnto me one Galfridus became Bishop of Sarum. But because my proofes are not pregnant, and di­uers affirme Ioceline to be the next successor of Roger except that same Philip (whom no man reckeneth amongst the Bi­shops of this Sée) I will passe him ouer in silence. Certaine it is that one Ioceline became Bishop of Salisbury, continued so many yéeres, & died the yéere 1184. He was excommuni­cate together with the Bishop of London in the cause of Tho­mas Becket, and indured much trouble about him (as you may sée more at large in the life of the said Thomas.) He had a sonne named Reginald Bishop of Bathe, and after Archbi­shop of Canterbury.

5. Hubert.

NOuember 1. 1189. Hubert surnamed Walter [...] 1189 of Yorke was consecrate Bishop of Sarum. He at­tended King Richard Ceur-de-lyon in his famous voyage to the holy land: Hereof sée more in Canterbury, whe­ther he was translated the yéere 1193.

6. Robert.

AFter him sate one Robert, of whom I find nothing else recorded.

7. Richard Poore.

RIchard Poore sometimes Deane of Salisbury, was con­secrate 1217 Bishop of Chichester, 1215. and remooued to Salisbury the yéere 1217. This Bishop considering the vn­conuenient situation of his Cathedrall Sée in a place so [...], [Page 277] and bleake, as also wearied with the often insolencies and malapert demeanure of the soldiers that garded the Earles Castle; forsooke the same, and sending for diuers famous workemen from beyond the Seas, began the foundation of a new Church, in a place then called Meryfield. Pandulph the Popes Legate laid the fiue first stones, the first for the Pope, the second for the King, the third for the Earle of Salis­bury, the fourth for the Countesse, and the fist for the Bishop. In this worke, though he had great helpe of the king, and di­uers of the nobility, yet was he so farre from ending it, as [...]. yeeres after his departure, it was scarcely finished. The Townsmen of olde Salisbury they likewise remooued their habitation to the same place, and left the Castle all alone, which hauing béene the seate of the Earles of Salisbury ma­ny yéeres, was giuen ouer into the Bishops hands about the yeere 1360. and in the time of king Henry the seuenth lette downe; so as now except a broken tower or two, and some péeces of walles, there is nothing of it remaining. This good Bishop was translated to Durham the yéere 1228. or as some deliuer 1225. See much more of him there.

8. Robert Byngham.

THe Chapter of Salisbury elected then for their Bishop 1229 Robert [...] one of their owne company, the yeere 1228. and the yéere following he was consecrate at Shaftsbury. This man with great diligence set forward the worke begunne by his predecessor, yet was not able to finish the same although he sate Bishop well neare 20 yeeres. He died Nouember 3. 1246. and left his Church indebted 1700. markes. A man of great yeeres, great learning, and great vertue. He lyeth buried vpon one side of the Presbitery, and his successor on the other.

9. William of Yorke.

WIlliam of Yorke Prouost of Benerley succéeded. 1247 A Courtier from his very childhood, and better seene in the lawes of the realme (which he chiefly [Page 278] studied) then in the law of God a great deale. Matthew Paris reporteth that he first brought in the custome that Tenaunts should be suters vnto the Courts of their Landlords. He de­parted from these worldly cares the last day of March 1256. hauing taken much paines in finishing the building of his Church, and was buried (as is aboue said) ouer against his predecessor.

10. Gyles de Brideport.

GYles de Brideport or Bridlesford, Deane of Wels, was 1256 consecrate Bishop of Salisbury the yéere 1256. and had licence of the Pope to hold the said [...] in Commendam still. The new Church of our Lady in newe Salisbury being now quite finished, he hallowed or dedicated the same with great solemnity, September 30. 1258. in the presence of the King, and a great number of Prelates, No­bles, & other great personages, all which he feasted very mag­nificently. He lyeth entoombed in a faire monument on the South side of the quire.

11. Walter de la Wyle.

VVAlter de la Wyle succéeded him the yéere 1264. and 1264 died 1270.

12. Robert de Wikehampton.

RObert de Wikehampton Deane of Salisbury was 1274 elect by the Chapter of Salisbury soone after the decease of his predecessor, and had his election confirmed by the Prior and Couent of Canterbury, the Archbishopricke being void. The Bishops of the realme thinking it an [...] that the Couent should performe that which they perswaded them selues belonged vnto them, not onely refused to conse­crate the elect, but also appealed against this confirmation (the Papacy being void) vnto the Colledge of Carbinals. After three or foure yéeres contention, iudgement was given for the elect, who thereupon was consecrate the yéere 1274. [Page 279] In his time, viz. the yéere 1280. vpon Michaelmasse day the Cathedrall Church (vpon what occasion I can not tell) was againe new hallowed by Boniface Archbishop of Canterbu­ry. He dyed the yeere 1283.

13. Walter Scammell.

VVIthin the space of fiue yéeres the Church of Sa­lisbury 1284 about this time had fiue Bishops accoun­ting the forenamed Robert for one; Walter Scam­mell Deane also of Salisbury was the second. He was con­secrate the yeere 1284. and died within a yeere or two after.

14. Henry de Braundstone.

THe third was Henry de Braundstone who being conse­crate 1286 the yéere 1286. sate onely one yéere and then died.

15. Laurence de Hawkborne.

THe fourth Laurence de Hawkborne being consecrate 1287 1287. died within a few daies after his consecration.

16. William de Comer.

LAstly William de Comer became Bishop 1288. and sate 1288 scarcely three yéeres.

17. Nicolas de Longespe.

NIcolas de Longespe was sonne (I take it) vnto Wil­liam 1291 Longespe base sonne of king Henry the second and Earle of Salisbury that lieth buried on the left hand of the entrance into the Lady chappell. [...] this Earle lying very sicke, the Bishop brought the Sacrament. He vn­derstanding of the Bishops comming, met him at the cham­ber doore halfe naked, with a halter about his necke, threw himselfe downe prostrate at his féete and would not be taken vp vntill hauing made confession of his sinnes with teares [Page 280] and other [...] of woonderfull hearty and sincere [...], he had receaued the Sacrament in most deuoute man­ner. Some two or thrée daies after he liued, continually be­wailing his sinfull life with whole flouds of teares, and de­parted 1226. This Nicolas, his whether sonne or [...] was consecrate 1291. and dying 1297. was buried [...] by him vnder a huge marble stone sometimes inlaid with brasse and adorned with the armes of their house.

18. Simon de Gaunt.

AFter him succéeded Simon de Gaunt a [...] 1298 borne. He was a great Diuine and made many good statutes whereby the church is yet gouerned.

19. Roger de Mortiuall.

Roger de Mortiuall consecrate 1315 died 1329. 1315

20. Robert Wyuyl.

AT the request of the Quéene, the Pope was content to 1329 bestow this Bishopricke vpon Robert Wiuyll, a man not onely not furnished with competent giftes of lear­ning, but so vnpersonable (saith Walsingham) as if the Pope had but seene him, he would neuer haue cast so high a dignity vpon him. He sate a long time, to wit flue and forty yeeres and vpward, in which it were a great maruaile he should not per­fourme some thing memorable. About the yéere 1355. he [...] William Montacute Earle of Salisbury with a writ of right for the castle of Salisbury. The Earle pleaded that he would defend his title by combat. Whereupon, at a time appointed, the Bishop was faine to bring his Champion vnto the [...] prouided for this purpose. He was clothed all in white, sauing that ouer the rest of his apparrell was cast the coate armor of the Bishop. After him came one with a staffe and another with his target. The Earle likewise brought in his Champi­on much in like sort, and all things were now ready for them to goe together, when vpon a sodaine, by commaundement of [Page 281] the kings leters the matter was staid for a time. Before the second meeting the parties fell to agréement. The Bishop gaue vnto the Earle 2500. markes to leaue the castle with his apurtenances vnto him and his successors for euer. Beside this, he also recouered the chace of Béere, and the castle of Sherborne, which had beene detained from his Sée euer since king Stephen tooke it violently from Rogre his predecessor, for the space of 200. yéeres He died the sixe and fortie yeere of his consecration September. 4. 1375. and lieth buried vnder a faire marble stone in the middle of the quire néere the Bi­shops See. On the South side close by him, lieth Bishop lew­ell, who (as I haue heard) desired to lie beside him.

21. Ralfe Erghum.

RAlfe Erghum Doctor of law was consecrate at Brugis 1375 in Flaunders December 9. 1375. and was translated to Wels September 14. 1388. Sée more there.

22. Iohn Waltham.

IOhn Waltham Master of the Rolles and kéeper of the prt­uy 1388 [...] succeeded. The yeere 1391. he became Treasurer of England, and so continued till he died: king Richard the second loued him entierly and greatly bewailed his death: In token whereof, he commaunded that he should be buried in Westminster among the kings, many men much enuying him that honour. He died the yeere 1395 and lieth iust beside king Edward the first vnder a flat marble, the inscription whereof is (though partly defaced) not yet quite perished. How he resisted W. Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury in his visitation, and the successe thereof, sée more in the said W. Courtney.

23. Richard Meltford.

THe yéere 1388. in the Parliament called the Parlia­ment 1395 that wrought woonders, the Barones apprehen­ded so many of the kings fauorites as they could come [Page 282] by [...] to prison. The lay [...] the most part they caused to be executed. But the Cleargy men lying by[?] it a while, by the next turne of fortunes wheele were not onely set as high as they were before, but some of them much higher. Amongst the rest, Richard Metford (a man of [...] eminent place otherwise then by the kings fauour) was im­prisoned a great while in the Castle of Bristow. Soone after his inlargement, the king found meanes first to aduance him to the Bishopricke of Chichester, and then after Bishop [...] death to translate him vnto Salisbury, where he sate about 12. yéeres and died 1407.

24. Nicholas Bubwith.

NIcholas Bubwith Bishop of London, and Treasurer of 1407 England was translated to Salisbury the yéere 1407. and from thence to Wels, within the [...] of the [...] yéere. Sée more of him in Wels.

25. Robert Halam.

VPon the remooue of Bishop Bubwith, one Robert Ha­lam 1408 became Bishop of Sarum. Iune 6. 1411. he was made Cardinall. He died at the Councell of [...] (the councell being not yet ended) September 4. 1417.

26. Iohn Chaundler.

AT what time Bishop Halam died, Martin the [...] was 1417 not yet chosen Pope. By reason whereof (the Papacy being after a sort void, and so the Popes [...]) the Chapter of Sarum had the liberty of a frée election, and chose one Iohn Chaundler, who sate Bi­shop about 10. yéeres.

27. Robert Neuill.

RObert Neuill consecrate 1427. was translated to Dur­ham. 1427 1438.

28. William Ayscoth.

VVIlliam Ayscoth Doctor of Lawe and Clerke of 1438 the Counsell was consecrate in the Chappell of Windsor Iuly 20. 1438. The yéere 1450. [...] hap­pened the commons to arise in sundry parts of the realme, by the stirring of [...] Cade, naming himselfe Iohn [...]. A certaine number of lewd persons (tenants for the most part to this Bishop) intending to ioyne themselues to the rest of that crew, came to [...], where he was then saying of masse. What was their quarrell to him I finde not. But cer­taine it is, they drew him from the altar in his albe with his stole about his [...] to the top of an [...] not far off, and there as he [...] on his [...] praying, they [...] his head, [...] him to the [...], and [...] his [...] shirt into a number of pieces, tooke euery man a ragge to keepe for a monument of their worthy exploit. The day before, they had robbed his ca­riages of 10000. markes in ready money. This barbarous murther was committed Iune 29. the yeere aforesaid.

29. Richard Beauchamp.

RIchard [...] succeeded. He built a beautifull and 1450 sumptuous chappel on the South side of the Lady chap­pell, and lieth buried in the same vnder a very faire toombe of marble.

30. Leonell Wooduill.

LEonell Wooduill consecrate the yéere 1482. was sonne 1482 to [...] Earle [...], and brother to [...] the Queene of Edward the fourth. A neere [...] of his hath assured me, that Stephen Gardmer Bishop of Winche­ster was begotten by this man; who to couer his fault, mar­ried his mother vnto [...] [...], one of his meanest follo­wers, and caused another of better sort to bring vp the childe as it were of almes. When or how he left his Bishopricke, I finde not.

31. Thomas Langton.

THomas Langton Doctor of Lawe was consecrate 1485. 1485 and translated to Winchester 1493. Sée more of him [...].

32. Iohn Blythe.

IOhn Blythe was consecrate February 23. 1493. and died 1493 August 23. 1499. He lieth buried vpon the backe side of the high altar, and hath a faire toombe, not standing after the maner of other toombes East and West, but ouerthwart the church North and South; for which cause some call him the ouerthwart Bishop.

33. Henry Deane.

HEnry Deane Doctor of Diuinity, Abbot of Lanthony, 1500 sometimes Chauncellor of Ireland, and then Bishop of Bangor, was translated to Salisbury the yeere 1500. and within two yéeres after to Canterbury. Sée more of him there.

34. Edmund Audeley.

THe yéere 1480. Edmund Audeley, a gentleman of the 1502 auncient house of the Lord Audeleys, became Bishop of Rochester. Thencs he was translated 1493. to [...], and from Hereford the yéere 1502. vnto Salisbury. He lieth buried in a goodly chappell built for the purpose on the South side of the high altar, where also it séemeth he founded a chauntry for [...] to be sung for his soule.

35. Laurent. Campegius.

LAurentius Campegius borne in Bononia, Bishop of [...], 1524 and one of the Auditors of the Rota in Rome, was made Cardinall of Saint Thomas (and after of Saint [Page 285] [...]) June 27. 1517. The yéere 1524. he became Bishop of Salisbury, and died Bishop-Cardinall of Preneste at Rome in the moneth of August 1539. He was buried in our Lady church beyond Tyber.

36. Nicholas Shaxston.

IT should séeme that the said Cardinal might not be suffred 1535 to enioy his Bishoprick any longer whē as the Popes au­thority was abrogated & all sute to Rome forbidden. The yeere 1535. fower yeeres befere he died, Nicholas Shaxston Doctor of Dunnity was consecrate vnto this Sée, and sate Bishop fower yeeres. He resigned it July 1. 1539. the same day that Bishop Latymer resigned Worceter.

37. Iohn Capon.

IOhn Salcot, alias Capon Doctor of Diuinity, was conse­crate 1539 Bishop of Bangor 1534. and translated to Salisbury 1539. He [...] buried vpon the South side of the Quire al­most behind the Bishops See.

38. Iohn Iewell.

POpe Paule the fourth bearing an olde grudge against 1560 Cardinall Poole, soone after his aduauncement vnto the Papacy, bestowed a Cardinals hat vpon one Peter Pe­tow an obseruant Fryer, and a gentleman of an [...] house, whom he made also his legate a latere, ex [...] potestatis gaue him the Bishopricke of Salisbury, and sent him into England to confront the said Cardinall Poole. But Quéene Mary stood so stoutely in defence of her kinsman (and the rather for that the knew this course to be taken in despite of her, the Pope being all togither addicted vnto the French party) as she would not suffer this new legate either to enter the realme as legate, or to enioy the Bishopricke the Pope had assigned him. While this matter hung thus in question, Fryer Peto died first, and Queene Mary seene after. It plea­sed then her Majesty that now is to appoint vnto the Bishop­ricke [Page 286] of Salisbury Iohn Iewell Batcheler of Diuinity. He was borne at Berynarber in Deuonshire, brought vp in Ox­ford, first in Merton colledge, and then in Corpus Christi. Thence he fled the yéere 1554. into Germany, and after 4. yéeres [...] returning was consecrate Bishop of this church Ianuary 21. 1559. Hauing sate here well neere 12. yéeres, he died at Monketon Farley Septem 23. 1571. in the 50. yeere of his age, and was buried almost in the middle of the quire.

39. Edmund Gheast.

EDmund Gheast Doctor of Diuinity was consecrate Bi­shop 1571 of Rochester Ianuary 21. 1559. translated [...] to Salisbury December 24. 1571. died February 28. 1578. the 63. yéere of his age, and was buried in the quier vp­on the North side of Bishop Wiuyll. He writ diuers workes mentioned by Bale in his Centuries.

40. Iohn Piers.

IOhn Piers Doctor of Diuinity and Deane of Christchurch 1577 in Oxford, succéeded Bishop Gheast, both in Rochester (whereunto he was consecrate March 10. 1576) and in Sa­lisbury the yéere 1577. There he sate 11. yéeres (continuing all that while the Quéenes Almoner) and was translated to Yorke the yéere 1588.

41. Iohn Coldwell

THe Sée hauing then continued voide 3. yéeres, Iohn Coldwell Doctor of phisicke and Deane of Rochester, was consecrate vnto the same December 26. 1591. He died in October 1596. and was laid in the same graue where Bishop Wiuyll had long since beene buried.

42. Henry Cotton.

HEnry Cotton Chaplaine vnto her Maiesty was conse­crate togither with the Bishops of Exceter, Glocester, and Bangor, in Nouember 1598.

1. Plegmund. Aldeim

ALl this while, there was no Cathedrall Church there, 905 but onely a Colledge. It happened then the yéere 905. that [...] Archbishop of Canterbury by the com­maundement of the King, consecrated seuen Bishops in one day, whereof thrée were appointed vnto Sées newly ereded; Amongst the rest Aldelm Abbot of Glastonbury was ordai­ned Bishop of Wels and Somersetshire alotted vnto him for his Dioces. He sate here 10. yeeres, and after the death of Plegmund, was remooued to Canterbury. Sée there more of him, and this new erection. After him followed these.

• 2. Wifelnius, who succeeded Aldelm both here and at Can­terbury. He liued here nine yéeres and there 14. a man (saith Pol. Virg.) famous as well for vertue as lear­ning. Sée more of him in Canterbury.
• 3. Elfeth.
• 4. Wlfhelm.
• [Page 290]5. Brithelm. He was a monke of Glastonbury and became Bishop of Wels the yéere 958. He gaue vnto the Ab­bey of Glastonbury his nurse, the iurisdiction of the Countrey adioyning and made it an Archdeaconry an­nuall, to be bestowed vpon a monke of Glastonbury, and he to be elected yéerely by the Couent. [...] [...] the yéere 959. was elected Archbishop of Canter­bury. Whereof see more in Dunstan of Canterbury. He continued Bishop here 15. yéeres and died 973.
• 6. Kinewardus or Kinewaldus Abbot of Middleton became Bishop of Wels the yéere following, sate 11. yéeres and died 985.
• 7. Sigar. He was Abbot of Glastonbury, sate also 11. yéeres and died ann. 985.
• 8. Alwyn, called by some Adelwyn and by others [...].
• 9. Burwold. His toombe is to be séene with his [...] en­grauen vpon the South side of the Quier at Wels.
• 10. Leoningus translated to Canterbury the yéere 1012. Sée more of him there.
• 11. Ethelwyn expelled his Bishopricke by Brithwyn, reco­uered the same againe from him, and shortly after his restitution died.
• 12. Brithwyn, who entring into peaceable possession of this Sée presently vpon the decease of Ethelwyn, with in 13. daies after died him selfe also.
• 13. [...] Abbot of Glattonbury.
• 14. [...] whom some name Bodeca. He was a Saxon of Germany, or (as some deliuer) borne in [...]. In his time king Edward the Confessor gaue vnto this Church the mannors of Congresbury and [...]. He was consecrate the yéere 1031. sate 27. [...] 7. monethes and seuen daies, and was buried vpon the South side of the high Aultar in [...]. It [...] his toombe is the highest of those ancient monuments that we sée vpon the South outside of the Duier.

15. Giso.

Giso a Frenchman of Lorraine, borne in a village cal­led 1059 Saint Trudo within the territory of Hasban, was sent Embassador to Rome by king Edward the Confes­sor, to to be resolued there of certaine doubts concerning mat­ter of religion, about the time that [...] died. Being so ab­sent, he was elected Bishop by the Chapter of Wels, and re­ceiued consecration at Rome April 4 being Easter day 1059. together with Aldred Archbishop of Yorke, and Walter Bi­shop of Hereford. At his returne, he found the estate of his Church very miserable; Harald the queenes brother that afterwards became for a while king of England, being yet a priuate man, ‘(Q [...]id Domini facient, audent qui talia [...])’

Upon what occasion I know not, had spoyled the Church of all ornaments, chased away the Canons, and inuading all the possessions of the same, had conuerted them to his owne vse; so that the Canons remaining which fled not for seare of this tyrant (they were onely fiue) they (I say) were faine to begge their bread The Bishop complaining vnto the King of this outragious hauocke, found cold comfort at his hands: [...], whether it were for feare of Haralds power or his wiues displeasure, he caused no restitution at all to be made. Onely the Queene was content to giue of her owne. Marke and Modesly vnto the Church. After the death of king Edward, Giso was faine to fly the land, till such time as [...] the [...] vsurper being vanquished and slaine, William the Conqueror was a meane to restore, not only him to his place and countrey, but his Church also to all that the other had vi­olently taken from it, except some small parcels that (I know not by what meanes) had beene [...] vnto the Mona­stery of Glocester. Yet in stead of them also, he was pleased to bestow vpon the Church, the mannour of Yatton, with the Patronage of the benefice there; and moreouer caused one Ealsi to restore vnto the same the mannour of [...], which long since had beene altenated from it, by some [...] practise as it should seeme. Giso being thus setled, tooke great [Page 292] paines, in recouering such other things as had béene [...] from his church, in procuring charters of confirmation for the better assurance of what already they had, and procu­ring such things as séemed to be wanting: Namely, of one [...] a Courtier he found meanes to obtaine the [...] of Coonth-Nicolas, [...] and Lytton. Then [...] the state of his church so well amended, he thought good to aug­ment the number of his Canons, and for their better [...] built then a cloyster, a hall, and a dorter or place for their lodging. Lastly he appointed one Isaac by the name of a Prouost to be their gouernor. Hauing béene Bishop the space of 28. yéeres he departed this life, and was buried vpon the North side of that place where the high altar then stoode. I take his to be the highest of those olde toombes that lye vpon the outside of the quier toward the North.

16. Iohn de Villula.

HE that succeeded ( Iohn de Villula a Frenchman borne in Tours, and a phisician heretofore by his profession) not content to do nothing toward the amendment of the state of his church, vsed all the meanes he might to impaire and di­minish the same. The cloyster and other buildings [...] by Gyso for his canons, he pulled downe, and in the place where they stoode build a pallace for himselfe and his successors, for­cing them to séeke dwellings abroad in the towne. But the greatest wrong of al other was, that neuer acquainting them with it, he procured his Episcopall Sée, which [...] had béene seated at Welles, to be remooued to Bathe; and whereas all his predecessors had béene knowen by the names of the Bishoppes of Welles, hee renouncing Welles, entitled himselfe Bishoppe of Bathe, which city he bought of the king for fiue hundreth markes, and foun­ded in the same a monastary for the receit of his new remoo­ued Episcopall throne. This monastery was first built by Offa king of Mercia ann. 775. and being destroyed by the Danes (who burnt and razed to the ground almost all the monasteries of England) was afterwardes an. 1010. ree­dified by Elphegus that at last was Archbishop of Canterbu­ry. [Page 293] His building stoode no long time: For the yéere 1087. both it and in a manner all the city was consumed and vtter­ly destroyed by fire; in such sort, as this Bishop building it a new from the ground, and augmenting the reuenues (which before were little or nothing) vnto a competent proportion; may not vnworthily séeme to be the founder and author of the same. He had scarcely (or indeed not [...] it, whē being a very aged man, he was taken away by [...], to wit, Dec. 29. 1122. hauing sate 34. yeres. He was [...] in the church himselfe had built.

17. Godfry.

ONe Godfry a Dutchman and chaplaine vnto the 1123 Queene, was then by her meanes preferred to this See, and consecrate August 20, 1123. He was also for a time Chauncellor of England vnder king Henry the first. Hauing [...] here 12. yeres, he died Aug. 16. 1135. & was buried at Bathe.

18. Robert.

AFter him succéeded one Robert a monke of Lewes, 1136 borne in Normandy, but by parentage a Flemming. In the beginning of his time, to wit, July 29. 1137. the church of Bathe lately built by Iohn de Villula was a­gaine consumed with fire. He reedified it, and added what­soeuer might seeme to haue beene left vnperfect by the other. In the stirres betweene Mawd the Empresse and king Ste­phen, he indured much trouble, being taken prisener at Bathe and held in captiuity a long time by the king. The continuer of Florent. [...]. setteth downe the history thereof at large. After his deliuerance he tooke great [...] in labou­ring an agreement between the churches of Wels and Bathe who had now many yeeres contended which of them should be honored with the Episcopall See. At last with the good liking of both parties, he set downe this order, that the Bi­shops hereafter should be called, Bishops of Bathe & Wels; y ^t each of them should by [...] appoint electors (the See being voide) by whose voyces the Bishop should be chosen; & that he should be installed in both of these churches. Then, [Page 294] whereas a kinsman of Iohn de [...] being appointed by him Prouost, by vertue of that office had withdrawen and conuerted vnto his owne vse, in a manner all the reuenues of old belonging to the cannons; with great labour and cost at last he procured, all that had appertained vnto them to [...] re­stored againe. And to take away all occasion of the like vsur­pation, he thought good to diuide the landes of the church [...] two parts, whereof the one he assigned vnto the chapter in common; out of the rest he allotted to euery cannon a porti­on, by the name of a Prebend. He also it was that first [...] a Deane to be the President of the chapter, and a Subdeane to supply his place in absence; a [...] to gouerne the quier, and a Subchaunter vnder him; a Chaun­cellour to instruct the yoonger sort of Cannons; and lastly, a Treasurer to looke to the ornaments of the church. The Sub­chauntership togither with the Prouostship an. 1547. were taken away and suppressed by act of Parliament, to patch vp a Deanry, the lands and reuenewes of the Deanry being de­uoured by sacrilegious cormorants. Moreouer, and [...] all this, whereas our church of Welles at this time was ex­ceeding ruinous, and likely euery day to fall to the ground, he pulled downe a great part of it and repaired it. At last he died, hauing sate 29. yeeres and 4. moneths, and was buried at Bathe.

19. Reginald Fitzioceline.

[...] Sée was then voide eight yéeres, eight moneths, 1174 and fiftéene daies. At last Reginald Fitzioceline a [...], sonne vnto Ioceline Bishop of Salisbury, and by his gift Archdeadon of Salisbury was appointed thereunto, being but 33. yeres of age (or as one deliuereth but 24.) This man by suite obtayned for the Chapter of king Richard the first, at what time he set forward in his voyage toward the Holy land', the mannors of Curry, Wrentich and Hatch. He founded the hospitall of Saint Iohns in Bathe and cer­taine Prebends in the church. Moreouer, he graunted vnto the city of Welles a corporation and many priuiledges which by his gift they enioy to this day. The yéere 1191. he was translated to Canterbury. Sée more of him there.

20. Sauaricus.

KIng Richard the first being taken prisoner in Germany 1192 by Leopold Duke of Austria; The Emperor tooke order with him, that besides other conditions to be required of the king for his deliuerance; he should make him promise to pre­ferre a [...] of his (the Emperors; called [...] (then Archdeacon of Northampton) vnto the Bishopricke of Bathe and Wels, & moreouer to annexe vnto the same Bishopricke the Abbotship of [...]. For the better effecting of which purpose, [...] was content to returne vnto the king the possession of the City of Bathe, which his predeces­sor Iohn de Villula had bought of king [...]. These things being brought to passe according to his desire, he alte­red his style and would needes be called Bishop of Gloston­bury. He was consecrate on Michaelmas day 1192. at Rome and returning into England by Germany, was there stayed and left for an hostage, in assurance of paiment of the kings raunsome. After his deliuery, he yet continued there a long time and became Chauncellor vnto the Emperor: till that the yeere 1197. the Emperor falling sicke, (as [...] [...] uereth) he was sent by him into England, to release vnto the king all such moneies, as yet remained vnpaid of that wrong­full and vnconscionable raunsome. The Emperor then dying before he could returne, he thought good to remaine here still vpon his charge. In 12. yeeres that he sate Bishop, he did not any thing memorable, except happily this may seeme worthy remembrance, that he impropriated the Parsonages of Il­mister and Longsutton, making them Prebends, and ap­pointing the one of them alwaies to be alotted vnto the Ab­bot of Muchelney, and the [...] to the Abbot of Athelney, for the time being. The Prebend of [...] is vanished toge­ther with the Abbey of [...]: Longsutton Parsonage by the [...] of Queene Mary was restored to the Church of Welles, and remaineth to this day a part of our possessions. This Bishop died August 8. 1205. and was buried at Bathe. Concerning him and the great summes he died indebted, who so list may reade somewhat in the Decretals of Greg. lib. 3. tit. 9. cap. Nouit ille.

21. Ioceline de Welles.

SAuarike being dead, the monkes of Glastonbury made 1205 importunate sute at Rome to be restored vnto their olde gouernment vnder an Abbot. Their importunity gaue occasion of setting downe a decree in the Court of Rome. [...], [...], [...] being void, nothing is to be altered in the state of the [...]. Before the end of the yeere 1205. [...] a Canon of [...] borne also and brought vp in Welles (at leastwise as to me by diuers arguments it seemeth) was consecrate vnto this See at Reading. The monkes of Glastonbury were by and by dooing with him; and after much contention preuailed but so, as they were faine to buy their victory at a deare [...] al­lowing vnto the [...] of Welles out of [...], the mannors of [...], Pucklechurch, [...] and Cranmer, and the patronage of the beneffces of Wins­combe, Pucklechurch, Ashbery, Christ Malford, Buckland and Blackford. Soone after this composition made, he [...] faine to fly the realme aad continued in banishment the space of fiue yeeres. The cause and mannor thereof you may [...] in Stephen Langton of Canterbury After his returne he gaue him selfe altogether to adorning and increasing the [...] of his Church. He founded diuers Prebends, impropriated di­uers Parsonages to the [...] of his Chapter, and gaue them the mannour of Winscombe. He allotted reasonable reuencwes to euery of the dignities, which before that time had small profite by their places. He appointed bicars to [...] the Prebends in dooing the seruice of the Church: and laid vnto the Bishopricke the mannors of Congresbury, Chedder, and [...]. He also and Hugh Bishop of Lincolne, [...] their purses together, founded the Hospitall of S. Iohns in Welles which being suppressed by act of Parliament & [...] to the Earle of Southampton, he [...] it with Bishop Clarke for Dogmersfield. Moreouer in building he bestow­ed inestimable summes of money. He built a [...] Chappell in [...] pallace at Welles, and an other at Owky, as also ma­ny other edifices in the same houses: And lastly, the Church [Page 297] of Welles it selfe being now ready to fall to the ground, not­withstanding the great cost bestowed vpon it by Bishop Ro­bere; he pulled downe the greatest part of it, to witte, all the West ende, built it a new from the very foundation, and hal­lowed or dedicated it October 22. 1239. Hauing continued in this Bishopricke 27. yeeres he died at last Nouember 19. 1242. and was [...] in the middle of the [...] that he had built, under a [...] toombe of late yeeres monsterously defared.

22. Roger.

NOtwithstanding the composition lately made by Bi­shop 1244 [...] for the order of election, the monkes of [...] to [...] with the Chapter of [...], [...] of [...], one Roger the Chaunter of Salūbury for Bishop [...], for that a kinsman of the Popes had the ad­uouson of his [...]) obtained easily consecration by the Popes meanes September 11. 1244. After long sute in law betweene the two Churches for the righting of this wrong; the end was, that Welles men must [...] vp the wrong, and they of Bathe yeeld assurance of performing the composition for the time to come; which was done accordingly. The Bi­shop (by whose meanes this accord [...] made) not liuing long after, departed this [...] Ianuary 13. 1274. hauing sate not past foure monethes above three yéeres. He onely of all the [...] of this Church for the space of almost 600. yeeres died [...] the [...] of 6 yeeres after his comming [...], which in [...] hath yet neuer happened to any other. [...] is the [...] of our [...] at Bathe.

23. William Bitton, or Button.

THe [...] of Bathe, according to their promise, now at 1247 [...] with the Chapter of Welles, William But­ton, [...], and then [...] of Welles, was with one [...] elected. This man had much to doo with the monkes of [...], concerning those lands which by composition they had yeelded to the See of [...]: And al­though [Page 298] the Bishop had sustained great charge in diners of the kings seruices, namely and especially in trauayling into the furthermost part of Spaine about his affaires: Yet he fauo­red altogether the part of the monkes, and gaue them h [...]s vt­termost assistance in their sutes. They were ended at by the Bishops death, who deceased in the beginning of the yeere 1264. hauing first possessed his brethren and kinsfolkes of all the principall places of our Church of Welles. For I finde, that about this time, there was another William Button, his brothers sonne, Archdeacon of Welles, and after Bishop; one Richard Button Chaunter, Nicolas Button a brother of the Bishops Treasurer, Iohn Button another brother of his Prouost of Coomb and Parson of Ashbery, aster whose death one Thomas Button succéeded in the Prouostship; and that one Thomas Button (whether the same man or no I can not tell) was first Archdeacon after William Button aforesaid, then Deane of Welles, and lastly, the yéere 1292. Bishop of Exceter. This Thomas Button it was that for the soule of this William Button our Bishop, gaue to our Church the bell commonly called the sermon bell, as in a French inscription vpon the same bell is yet to be séene. He lyeth buried in the middle of our Lady Chappell vnder a Marble toombe.

24. Walter Giffard.

VVAlter Giffard Canon of Welles and a [...] laine 1264 of the Popes, was elected May 22. 1264 and soone after consecrate by the Bishop of [...] in the absence of Boniface the Archbishop [...] 2. yeeres, he was translated to [...] Sée Yorke.

25. William Button or Bitton.

VVIlliam Button [...] of Welles and nephew 1267 to the former William Button, obtained this Bi­shopricke the yéere 1267. A man so greatly ac­counted of for his holinesse (saith Matthew Paris) as when Robert Killwardby Archbishop of Canterbury had licence of the Pope to take consecration at the hand of any Catholique [Page 299] Bishop; he made choice of him, only in respect of his holinesse. He made many good statutes by which our Church is yet go­uerned: Amongst other things, he ordained foure generall Chapter daies in the yeere, at which onely times, such things should be ordred as might [...]. It were greatly to be wished, that all other Churches were to obserue the same or­der. He deceased in the moneth of Nouember 1274. Many [...] people (especially such as were troubled with the tooth ake) were woont (euen of late yeeres) to frequent much the place of his [...], being without the North side of the [...], where we see a Marble stone, hauing a [...] image grauen vpon it. He gaue vnto our Church the mannor of Bicknaller.

26. Robert Burnell.

IN the moneth of Ianuary following Robert Burnell Arch­deacon 1274 of Yorke and Canon of Welles was elected A man of great power and authoritie in those daies, being first Trea­surer, then Chauncellor of England and alwaies of the [...] vnder king Edward the first. That gaue him meanes of gathering great wealth, which he [...], partly in buil­ding his houses (as namely that goodly hall of the pallace at Welles, pulled downe some fifty yeeres since by a [...] of the court, that for a [...] reward of his [...], soone after lost his head. But his principall care was to inrich his brethren and [...], whom he greatly advanced. He was much [...] in [...] affaires, from which he could be so ill spared, as the king was content for a [...] to let him [...] his court of [...] at Bristoll Some there be suppose the castle of [...] in [...] to haue beene built by him, at what time he was occasioned to hue in those parts. He sate eighteene yeeres, and [...] burted in the middle of the body of his church, vnder a marble stone, somewhat below the pulpit.

27. William de Marchia.

THe same yéere that Burnell dicd, William de Marchio, then Treasurer of England succéeded. I haue séene, amongst the records of our church of Welles, the [...] pies of diuers letters vnto the [...] and [...] from [...] king, from diuers of the nobility and the cleargy of [...] church, commending this man so far foorth for his holinesse, testified (as they write) by many miracles; as they [...] very earnestly for his Canonisation. I maruaile much at [...] For Matthew of Westminster and Polydor virgill, [...] grieuously of him, as the author of a hainous sacrilege, in [...] sing the king to spoile all the Churches and Monasteries of England, of such plate and mony as lay hoorded vp in them, for the paiment of his souldiers. It was Edward the first, [...] prince, that wanted neither wit to deuise, nor courage to [...] cute such an exploit, and to lay the fault vpon another at last. Yet likely inough it is, that such a fault stamped vpon him (how vndeseruedly soeuer) might barre him out of the [...] Calender, who otherwise was not woont to be ouer dainty [...] affoording that kind of honour, where fees might be [...] paid in for it. He sate ten yeeres, and lieth entoombed in [...] South wall néere the Cloister doore. In this mans time, the Chapter house was built, by the contribution of well disposed people; a stately and sumptuous worke.

28. Walter Haselshaw.

VVAlter Haselshaw, first Deane, then Bishop [...] 1302 Welles, sate ten yeeres, and lieth buried vnder a huge marble in the body of the church toward the North almost ouer against the pulpit. He made many statutes.

29. Iohn Drokensford.

IOhn Drokensford kéeper of the kings Ward-robe succée­ded. 1309 Following the steps of his predecessor [...], he be­stowed [Page 301] somewhat in increasing the buildings and liberties of his See, but much more vpon his [...]. He had much con­tention with his Chapter (the story whereof is to be seene in the [...] booke) sate 19. yeeres, and lieth buried vnder a rea­sonable saemcly toombe of free stone in the chappell of Saint Batherme, which is vpon the right hand going toward the Lady chappell.

30. Ralfc of Shrewsbury.

VVIth one cōsent of the chapter of Wels & the couent 1329 of Bathe, [...] of Shrewsbury was then elected, & dared to be consecrate (a great venture in those daies) before the [...] had allowed of him. His approbation (saith [...]) cost him at last a huge summe of money. This man is famous for the first foundation of our [...] close in Wels. The memory of which benefit is to be seene er­pressed in a [...] vpon the wal at the foot of the hall staires. In [...] the [...], [...] to request the Bishop in these words:

He answereth them thus:

This picture being now almost worne out; at what time of late yeeres, the [...] by the gratious fauour of her Maie­sty had their reuenues confirmed to them, being in danger to be spoyled of them by certaine sacrilegious cormorants; they likewise caused a picture of excellent workmanship to be dra­wen, [...] a memoriall of both the one and the other. These buildings being erected, toward the maintenance of some hospitality in them, he gaue vnto that new Colledge, the mannor of [...], and allotted them twenty nobles yere­ly to be paid out of the vicarage of Chew. He built moreouer [Page 302] a house for the Queristers and their master: He built like­wise the church of Winscomb and the court house at Clauer­ton, a great chamber at Cuercrich, and much other [...] in other of his houses. His pallace of Welles he inclosed with an excéeding strong wall and a large mote, into which he [...] the riuer running hard by: He gaue vnto his church [...] things, of which nothing now remaineth (I thinke) but a great chest bound with iron, in which the Chapter seale is kept. Lastly, it is to be remembred, that with great [...] he procured the forest of [...] to be disparked. Hauing per­formed these and many other things deseruing perpetual [...]; he departed this life at Wiuelescomb Aug. 14. 1363. hauing continued Bishop 34. yéeres. His body was buried before the high altar vnder a goodly monument of Alabaster, compassed about with grates of yron. About a 60. yéeres since (for what cause I know not) it was remooued to the [...] side of the presbytery, but lost his grates by the way. The image of Alabaster that lieth vpon it, is said to be very like him.

31. Iohn Barnet.

IOhn Barnet remooued from Worcester succéeded him, sate 1363 two yéeres, and was translated to Ely. Sée Ely.

32. Iohn Harewell.

EDward surnamed the Blacke Prince, obtayned then of 1366 the Pope this Bishopricke for Iohn Harewell, a chap­laine of his that was Chauncellour of Gascoigne. [...] was consecrate at Burdeaur March 7. 1366. by the Archbi­shop there. He contributed the third penny toward the buil­ding of the Southwest tower at the ende of the church, the Chapter bearing the rest of the charge. He paid 100. markes for glasing the window at the West ende of the church, [...] gaue two great bels, the bigest of which being cast fower times since I was of this church, now at last serueth for [...] greatest of a ring, the goodliest for that number (being [...]) (I thinke) in England. He died in the moneth of June 1386. hauing sate 19. yéeres, and was interred ouer [...] [Page 303] Burwold, where we sée a toombe of alabaster, that séemeth to haue béene a sumptuous piece of worke, but is now much defaced.

33. Walter Skirlaw.

VVAlter Skirlaw was translated from Lichfield hether, 1386 and after two yeeres from hence to Durham. See Durham.

34. Ralfe Erghum.

RAlfe Erghum Doctor oslawe was consecrate Bishop of 1388 Salisbury at Bruges in Flanders December 9. 1375. From thence he was translated [...] September 14. 1388. & died Aprill 10. 1401. He impropred to the chapter of Welles the parsonage of Puklechurch, and gaue vnto them a certaine house, called the George, beside certaine plate and church ornaments to the value 140, l. Moreouer, he built a colledge at Welles for fowerteene priests, at the ende of the lane now called Colledge-lane. He lieth buried in the body of the church, vpon the North side of that chappell that ioyneth to the great pulpit.

35. Henry Bowet.

THe Bishopricke so void, was conferred by the Pope 1401 vpon Richard Clifford Archdeacon of Canterbury who being denied his temporalties by the king, was faine, notwithstanding the Popes prouisory Bulles, to giue place vnto Henry Bowet Doctor of law and Canon of Welles, that with the kings fauour was lawfully elect thereunto. Sée more hereof in Richard Clifford of London. To Welles he was consecrate Nouemb. 16. 1401. in Saint Paules church in London, the king and all the Nobility being present; and was translated to Yorke December 1. 1407. See Yorke.

36. Nicolas Bubwith.

NIcolas Bubwith being Bishop of London and Treasurer 1408 of England, left both those places for Salisbury, which also he was content to forsake to accept Welles, within the compasse of one yéere after he was first consecrate to London. This man being at the Counsell of Constance, was appoin­ted one of those thirty persons that were ioyned with the [...] in the election of Pope Martin the fifth. He built [...] almeshouse vpon the North side of Saint Cuthberts church, endowing it with good possessions for the reliefe of many [...] persons: They were much increased afterwards by [...] Storthwayth, somewhat also by Bishop Bourne and other: So that now it maintaineth 24. poore people. He [...] vnto our church the parsonage of Bucklaud Abbatis: He built our Library ouer the Cloysters, and a little Chappell for mor­row masse ouer against the great pulpit. In that Chappell (built belike for the place of his buriall) he founded a Chaun­try, and dying October 27. 1424. was there enterred. [...] supposed he was a great benefactor and contributor toward the building of the Northwest tower at the West ende of [...] Church: which his armes fixed vpon diuers places of [...] same doo partly shew. It is deliuered also, that he gaue [...] vnto the Church, which I find to be the gift of [...] Button the second, and not his, as before is declared.

37. Iohn Stafford.

BY the Popes gift, Iohn Stafford, a man very noble [...] 1425 no lesse learned, became Bishop of Welles after Bub­with. August 23. 1443. he was aduaunced to Canter­bury. Sée Canterbury.

38. Thomas Bekinton.

THomas de Bekinton Doctor of Lawe and Deane of the Arches, writ a very learned discourse [...] of the Law Salique of the Frenchmen; (An [...] [Page 305] very necessary for those times; and being as well taken by other, as handled by himselfe; got him such fauour with that vertuous king Henry the [...], as it was a meanes to aduance him, first, vnto the keeping of the priuy seale, and then to this See, whereunto he was consecrate in the chappell of Caton October 13. 1443. at what time, the foundations of that chappell being but newly laid, it was hallowed & he [...] the first masse in the same. This man built the ranke of houses on the North side of the market place at Welles, called the New workes. He made a [...] in the market place, bringing the water from Saint Andrewes well. He built (as to me it least wise seemeth) the east side of the cloyster. He was a great benefactor to Lincolne College in Oxford; and a great builder of his owne houses, vpon the repayring and beautify­ing of which, he spent first and last (as himselfe professeth in his will) 6000. markes. Perceiuing himselfe sickely and not like long to continue, he made his will: and doubting least king Edward the fourth should make it void by picking some quarrell of treason vnto him; (a thing no doubt easie to be done, for that this Bishop had beene alwaies a constant follo­wer of the house of Lancaster) with great cost he procured from the said king a confirmation of his will, dated Nouem­ber 3. 1464. In it he bequeathed to the church of Wels 20, l. in money, fower very sumptuous vestments, 400, l. to buy ropes, a vessell for holy water of siluer waighing 10, l. Troy, a crosse of siluer parcell gilt of the same waight, a chaire for the Bishop to vse in the church (which yet remayneth) and certaine cushions with other ornaments. To the church of Bathe he bequeathed a cup, a censure and a pare of siluer, all waighing 30. ounces beside 30. coapes and other vestments. To New colledge in [...] (where it seemes he was brought vp) a siluer crosse of 10, l. waight, a faire bible in 4. volumes, a siluer bason of 10, l. waight, certaine [...] and other trifles. To Winchester colledge a siluer crosse double gilt waying 9, l. and ten ounces, two siluer candlestickes of the same waight and a number of vestments. To the hospi­tall of Saint Batherines in London (whereof he had beene master) many vestments and 50, l. in money. To the church of Sutton Courtney (a benefice of his) he gaue many vest­ments, [Page 306] [...] 5, l. in money, to be diuided to the [...] of [...]; [...] also the like [...] to the [...] of [...], [...] which church it is said he was Prebendary: and so much more (beside certaine vestments) to the [...] of [...] of which place (as being borne there) most men suppose [...] his name. For my part I thinke not so; for I [...] swade my selfe, his liberality in that case (I meane to [...] place of his natiuity) could not haue béene contayned [...] so narrow a scantling. But (to procéed) vnto the Austin Fry­ers of [...] he gaue 20, s̄. and to the Fryer Minors of Bridgewater 20, s̄. To ten priests that should study at Oxe­ford, and dayly say masse for the soules of himselfe, his pa­rents and benefactors, especially of Humfrey Duke of Gloce­ster, William Wickham [...] of [...] Iohn [...]: and Walter Thurston 5, l. a piece: and to ten poore [...] of the same [...] for [...] yéeres 10, d. a wéeke. To [...] of the better sort he bequeathed 5, l. a piece; [...] yeomen fiue markes; to euery boy of his house­hold 40, s̄. and to so many of his seruants as were not proui­ded of abiding places, meate, drinke and woonted wages [...] thrée moneths after his decease. To his successor he [...] 100, l. vpon condition he would accept it in lieu of all dilapi­dations, otherwise willing his executors to spend it in [...] against him: and lastly vnto his executors he left onely 20, l. a piece, requiring them to imploy all the rest of his [...] good vses at their discretion. They answered very iustly, [...] trust reposed in them, and that with such discretion as wellas [...], that I should do them wrong not to remember [...]. The one was Richard Swanne, [...] of [...] and parson of Yeuelton, that heretofore had béene executor after the same sort vnto Richard Praty Bishop of Chichester (this man dwelt in the cannonicall house that is néere the market place.) Another was, Hugh Sugar Doctor oflawe and Trea­surer of Welles (he built the chappell all offrée stone, [...] of wood before, adioyning to the great pulpit, and dwelt where I now do, in the middle house of the thrée that ioyne vpon the Cambray.) And the third was Iohn Pope Doctor of Diuinity Prebendary of Saint Decumans and parson of Shyre. These thrée (as I haue béene told by old men) lye bu­ried [Page 307] in a ranke together, ouer against the great pulpit, vnder thrée Marble stones of one fashion. The Bishops goods that remained vnbequeathed, they bestowed for the most part, in building the Uicars close at Welles, which had béene begun by Bishop Ralfe long before; a sumptuous and beautifull worke. This great benefactor of our Church departed this life, Ianuary 14. 1464. and was buried in a goodly toombe built by him selfe in his life time, situate vpon the South side of the Presbytery.

39. Robert Stillington.

IN the moneth of July next after the death of Bishop Be­kinton, Robert Stillington, Doctor of Law, Archdeacon of Taunton, first keeper of the priuy seale, and then Chaun­cellor of England, was elected to this Sée, and consecrate in April following. He built that goodly Lady Chappell in the cloysters, that was pulled downe by him which destroyed also the great hall of the palace mentioned in Robert Burnell pag. 12. He died a prisoner in the Castle of [...], whether he was committed for foure yéeres before his death (for what cause I know not) in the moneth of October 1487. and was intoombed in the said Chappell, but rested not long there: For it is reported, that diuers olde men, who in their youth had not onely séene the [...] of his funerals, but also the building of his toombe, Chappell and all; did also see, toombe and Chappell destroyed, and the bones of the Bishop that built them, turned out of the lead in which they were interred. Concerning this man & many other Bishops of this Church, if any desire to vnderstand more, I must referre them to a dis­course heretofore written by me in Latin of them, which is in many mens hands, though neuer published.

40. Richard Foxe

Soone after the death of Bishop Stillington, Richard Foxe 1491 Bishop of Exceter was appointed his successor, and so continuing for thrée yéeres, was translated first to Dur­ham and after to Winchester. Sée Winchester.

41. Oliuer King.

OLiuer King Doctor of Law and principall Secretary 1495 to the king, became Bishop of Exceter, the yéere 1492. and succeeding him in this Church as well as Exceter was translated hither Nouember 6. 1495. He pulling downe the old Church of the Abbey of Bathe, began the foundation of a faire and sumptuous building, but at the time of his death left it very vnperfect. His successor bestowed some cost on it, and William Bird the last Prior there, endeuouring what he might by him selfe & other to see it finished; had euen brought it to perfection, when the dissolution of the Abbey had almost ouerthrowen what before was set vp. It is great pitty that some good man or other, whom God hath enabled, vnderta­keth not the finishing of it; a worke then which, I thinke no­things is to be performed with so little cost, that were more likely to be pleasing to Almighty God, acceptable vnto men, & memorable with all [...]. This man sate Bishop eight yéeres, and is thought to lye buried at Windsor in a little Chappell vpon the South side of the Quier, ouer against which place, vpon the enterclose of the Quier I find written (vnder the pictures of king Henry the sixt, and his sonne, king Edward the fourth, and Henry the seuenth) this that follow­eth, Orate pro domino Olmero King iuris professore, ac illu­stri Edwardi (primogeniti Henry Sexti) & [...] Regum Edw. quarti, Edw. quinti, & Henr. 7. principali Secre­tario, [...] ordinis Garterij Registrario, & huius Sancti Collegij Canonicqanno Dom. 1489. & postea per dictum il­lustrillimum Regein Henry 7. ann. 1492. ad sedem Exon. commendato.

42. Hadrian de Castello.

POpe Innocent the eight hearing of a certaine dangerous [...] raised vp against Iames the third king of Scots; thought good to send into Scotland one Hadrian de Ca­stello, as a man for his wisedome and other good parts likely to appease those [...]. Being at London he was certified [Page 309] of the king of Scots death, whom his own subiects had [...] in battell. So resting him selfe a while there he grew into acquaintance with Iohn Moorton the Archbishop of Canter­bury. He much delighted with his learning, and discreete ca­riage; commended him so effectually vnto the king (Henry the seuenth) as he thought good to [...] his Proctor for the dispatch of all his causes at Rome. In that place he behaued him selfe so, as the King at [...] in [...] of his paines and fidelity, was [...] of [...] vnto the Bishopricke of [...], the yeere 1503. and then, the yeere following, of this See. Pope Alexander the sixt in the meane time, a little before his translation hither, had made him Cardinall. Here he continued 12. yeeres, vntill that the yeere 1518. he was depriued of this and all other promo­tions vpon this occasion: A Cardinall of Rome called Alfon­so Petruccio consptred with certaine other Cardinals, the death of Pope Leo 10. Amongst them, this our Hadrian was content to make one; mooued thereunto (as P. Iouius affirmeth) not by any grudge or priuate displeasure, but onely by an ambitious [...], that surely he should be Pope [...] were once dead. A certaine witch or wise woman as we call them) hauing heretofore foretold him very strangely diuers things that had happened to him selfe & other of his friends; tooke vpon her to assure him, that after the death of Pope Leo, it should come to passe, that a certaine old man named Hadri­an, borne of meane parentage, preferred onely for his lear­ning, wisedome, and other good parts, should be aduaunced vnto the Papacy. These particularities, Hadrian was per­swaded could agree to none other but him selfe: For he being borne at Corneto a poore fisher towne of Hetruria, of meane (or rather very base) parentage; onely by vertue and good de­serts rose by many degrees vnto the preferments before men­tioned. The witches prediction fell out true, but in an other: For Hadrian a Dutchman, the sonne of a Erelver of Utright, that had beene schoolemaster to Charles the fift [...], fell out to be the man that succeeded Leo by the name of [...] the sixt. What became of this Hadrian afterward, or when he died, I find not.

43. Thomas Woolsey.

VPon the depriuation of Hadrian, Cardinall Woolsey 1518 held this Bishopricke in Commendam fower yéeres, euen till that resigning it, he tooke Durham. Sée more of this man in Yorke.

44. Iohn Clerke.

IOhn Clarke Doctor of Diuinity and Master of the [...] 1523 was consecrate the yéere 1523. A man much emploied [...] embassages. He died in the end of the yeere 1540. being poiso­ned (as it was supposed) in Germany, when he went Embas­sadour to the Duke of Clyue to render a reason of the [...] diuorce from the Lady Anne of Cleue his sister. He is [...] in the Mineries at London.

45. William Knight.

VVIlliam Knight Doctor of Lawe and Archdeacon of 1541 Richmund, a man likewise much emploied in em­bassages by king Henry the eight, sate sixe yéeres, died Sep­tember 29. 1547. and was buried vnder the great Pulpit, which he caused to be built for his toombe. In the [...] place of Welles, there is a goodly crosse erected partly by this man, as this inscription engrauen witnesseth, Ad honorem [...] omnipotentis & commodom pauperum mercatum Wel­liae freqnentantium, impensis Gulielmi Knight Episcopi & Richardi Wooleman huius ecclesiae Cathedralis olim Decani, hic locus erectus est. Laus Deo, pax viuis, requies defunctis. Amen. Ann. Dom. 1542.

46. William Barlowe.

VVIlliam Barlowe Doctor of Diuinity, sometimes [...] 1548 Chanon of Saint Osythes hauing béene Bishop of Saint Dauids the space of tenne yéeres or there abouts, was translated hether to succéede Bishop Knight, and continued [Page 311] here all the daies of R. Edward. In the beginning of Queene Mary, he was forced to leaue his countrey, Bishopricke and all, & to liue exiled in Germany, vntill that by her death, & the most happy aduauncement of our now Soueraigne, he was at once restored to his Countrey, and preferred to the Bishop­pricke of Chichester. There he liued about the space of tenne yeeres, and dying the yéere 1569. was buried in his owne Church.

47. Gilbert Bourne.

BIshop Barlow being forced to forsake his Bishopricke 1554 here, Gilbert Bourne Doctor of Diuinity was appoin­ted thereunto by Queene Mary. The nonage of that good king Edward the sixt, giuing opportunity to those horri­ble sacrileges, that robbed the cathedrall churches of Eng­land of (I dare say) the tone halfe of that they possessed; had béene an occasion of the vtter ruine and destruction of this See, if Bishop Barlow taking aduantage of the death of some men in the [...] ende of king Edward, and Bishop Bourne making vse of the zeale of Quéene Mary in tendring the state of the church; had not béene the meanes of recouering what is now left vnto the same, euen the lands of the Bishopricke in a manner euery whit, all the land belonging to the Arch­deacon of Welles, and some land of the Chapter, to wit, the parsonages of Duluerton and Longsutton. And it is suppo­sed that this man (had he stoode vp but a little while longer) had recouered diuers other possessions to his See, that now are thought to be lost irrecouerably. He was a benefactor vn­to the Uicars close, & to the almehouse, and began the foun­dation of a certaine colledge in the canonicall house that stan­deth néere the market place; but was hindered by the death of Quéene Mary and his depriuation, from finishing it. Being displaced for not subscribing according to order, he was com­mitted to the custody of master Carey Deane of her Maiesties chappell, liued with him many yéeres, and died at Sylfer­ton in Deuonshire (where he lieth buried) September 10. 1569.

48. Gilbert Barkley.

IT pleased then the Quéenes Maiestie that now is, in the 1560 beginning of her most happy raigne, to nominate vnto this See one Gilbert Barkley, borne in Norfolke, but descended of the auncient and most honorable house of the Lord Bark­ley, at least wise as the armes assigned vnto him by the He­raulds do seeme to testifie. He sate somewhat more then 20. yéeres, and growing into a lethargy (which diminished much of the vigor and strength as wel of his minde as his body cer­taine moneths before his decease) at last departed this world Nouember 2. 1581. being 80. yéeres of age, and was buried vpon the North side of the high altar in his owne church, where we sée a hansome monument of frée stone built ouer him.

49. Thomas Godwyn.

THomas Godwyn my déere and most reuerend father, was borne at Okingham in Barkshire, and brought vp first in the frée schoole there, then for a little while vnder one Doctor Layton Deane of Yorke, who sent him to Dreford, and so long as he liued (which was not past a two or thrée yéere) exhibited vnto him there. He being taken a­way, it pleased God to prouide for him otherwise by raising vp friends that procured him to be chosen fellow of [...] colledge. Towards the latter ende of king Edwards raigne, forsaking that place, he tooke on him the teaching of a free schoole at Brackley, directing his studies partly to diuini­ty, and partly also to Phisicke, the practise whereof in Quéens Maries time (when he might not be suffred to teach any lon­ger) maintained him, his wife and children honestly. He re­ceiued orders and his first spirituall preferments at the hand of Bishop Bollingham, then of Lincolne, after of [...], in the beginning of her Maiesties raigne that now is. By her gratious appointment, he became first Deane of Christchurch in Oxeford in the seuenth, then of Canterbury in the ninth yeere of her raigue, and lastly Bishop of Bathe and [...], [Page 313] being consecrate thereunto September 13. 1584. Hauing sate fixe yéeres, two moneths and sixe daies, he departed this mortall life Nouember 19. 1590. at Okingham, the place where he was borne, and there lyeth buried vpon the South side of the chauncell, vnder a marble, and néere vnto a monu­ment (fixed in the wall) farre more answerable vnto the abi­lity of him that set it vp, then vnto the vertues and deserts of him to whose memory it was erected.

50. Iohn Styll.

THe Sée hauing continued voide two yéeres and some­what more, Iohn Styli Doctor of Diuinity, and Master of Trinity college in Cambridge, was consecrate ther­unto in February 1592. He yet liueth in the same.

This Bishopricke is valued in the Queenes bookes at 533, l. and 15, d. and paid to the Pope for an In­come, onely 430. slorens, although in those daies it were one of the richest Sees of England.

The Deanry of Welles was first erected in the time of king Stephen about the yéere 1150. as before is deliuered, and one Iuo made the first Deane, after whom haue succeeded these:

• 2. Richard de Spakeston 1160.
• 3. Alexander.
• 4. Leonius 1205.
• 5. Ralph de Lechlade.
• 6. Peter de Ciceter.
• 7. William de Merton. 1236.
• 8. Ioannes Sarracenus. 1241.
• 9. Gyles de Brideport. 1255.
• 10. Edward de la Knoll. 1256.
• 11. Thomas de Button. 1284.
• 12. William Burnell. 1292.
• 13. Walter de Haselshaw. 1295.
• 14. Henry Husee. 1302.
• [Page 314]15. Iohn de Godeley. 1303.
• 16. Richard de Bury. 1333.
• 17. Wibert de Luttleton elect. 1334.
• 18. Walter de London. 1336.
• 19. Iohn de Carlton. William de Camell elect. 1361. refused the place.
• 20. Stephen de Penpel. 1361.
• 21. Iohn Fordham. 1379.
• 22. Thomas de Sudbury. 1381.
• 23. Nicolas Slake. 1396.
• 24. Thomas Stanley. 1402.
• 25. Richard Courtney. 1409.
• 26. Walter Metford. 1413.
• 27. Iohn Stafford.
• 28. Iohn Forest. 1425.
• 29. Nicolas Carent. 1448.
• 30. William Witham. 1467.
• 31. Iohn Gunthorp. 1472.
• 32. William Cosyn 1498.
• 33. Thomas Winter. 1525.
• 34. Ridhard Woolman.
• 35. Thomas Cromwell, 1537.
• 36. William Fitz-Williams. 1540.
• 37. Iohn Goodman. 1548.
• 38. William Turner. 1556.
• 39. Robert Weston. 1566.
• 40. Valentine Dale. 1574.
• 41. Iohn Herbert. 1589.