A catalogue of the bishops of England, since the first planting of Christian religion in this island together with a briefe history of their liues and memorable actions, so neere as can be gathered out of antiquity. By F.G. subdeane of Exceter.

The Bishops of Salisbury.

1. Aldelm.

AFter the death of Headda the fifth Bi∣shop [ 705] of Winchester, it pleased Iua king of the west Saxons to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Dio∣ces (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 Dio∣ces which now doth, and euer since hath belonged vnto the same: The other part containing the counties of Dorset, So∣merset, Wiltshire, Deuon and Cornwall he ordained to be gouerned by a Bishop, whose Sée he established at Sher∣borne, 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 vi∣sited the most famous vniuersities of Fraunce and Italy, be∣came very learned; in Poetry especially he was excellent and writ much in Gréeke and Latine, prose and verse. He deligh∣ted 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 di∣uers 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 Fg∣bright [ 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 a∣gainst him and forced the father at his returne to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his kingdome with his sonne. He died the yéere 867. ha∣uing 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 Bishop∣ricke 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 fa∣mous welchman Iohn, that hauing studied long in A∣thens, perswaded king Alfred to institute a vniuersitie at Oxford, and him selfe became the first publique 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there. He writeth furthermore that he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉

• Chauncellor vnto Asser the Archbishop of Saint 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his néere kinsman, who both endured great vexa∣tion 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 Eng∣land to king Alfred, became schoolemaster of his chil∣dren, 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, Buck∣land, and Lydyard in Sommersetshyre, which since haue come vnto the Bishops of Wels, whereof one (Buckland) yet remaineth vnto that See. By his ex∣hortation also that good king did much for the Uniuer∣sity of Oxford, alotting diuers stipends vnto the rea∣ders 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 pre∣tious 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. Pleg∣mund by the commaundement of king Edward the elder con∣secrate 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 Deuon∣shire, 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 Wil∣ton. So Sherborn had now left vnto it only Dorsetshire and Barkshire. Of the rest we shall speake God willing seueral∣ly in their particular places. But these Bishops of Wilt∣shire, 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. 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉.

• 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Aluricius, he succéeded his predecessor in Can∣terbury 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 la∣bored 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 hea∣ring 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 Willi∣am Conquerour, when as he gaue commaundment that all Bishops should remooue their Sees from ob∣scure 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 no∣thing 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

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 se∣cundum 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 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉, 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 impor∣tance. Hereby it came to passe, that he not onely obtained ea∣sily for him selfe the Bishopricke of Salisbury, soone after the said Princes aduauncement vnto the crowne, but also pro∣cured 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 Bi∣shop 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 destructi∣on. He built most sumptuously two castles, one at Sher∣borne, 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 misfor∣tune 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 so∣ueraigne, 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, for∣getting all dueties of religion toward God, of thankefulnes

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 vngra∣tious counsell at last obtained. Sée how the saying fell out to be true in him, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 consilium consultori 〈◊〉〈◊〉. With∣in 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 pur∣poses, 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 hap∣pen; entreated his sonne and the Bishops before named his nephewes, to ride with him, that vnder the colour of their re∣tinue, 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 pro∣vided, and determined to hold it against the king. Thither he trauelled with all spéed (the king I meane) carrying his pri∣soners 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

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 deli∣uered 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 be∣fore 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 mar∣riage before mentioned to be effected. The Bishops sonne was kept long in prison, and dealt earnestly withall to re∣nounce 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 Bi∣shop, 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) al∣most 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. Af∣ter that, it séemeth vnto me one Galfridus became Bishop of Sarum. But because my proofes are not pregnant, and di∣uers affirme Ioceline to be the next successor of Roger except that same Philip (whom no man reckeneth amongst the Bi∣shops 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 excommuni∣cate together with the Bishop of London in the cause of Tho∣mas 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 Archbi∣shop of Canterbury.

5. Hubert.

NOuember 1. 1189. Hubert surnamed Walter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 1189] of Yorke was consecrate Bishop of Sarum. He at∣tended King Richard Ceur-de-lyon in his famous voyage to the holy land: Hereof sée more in Canterbury, whe∣ther 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 con∣secrate [ 1217] Bishop of Chichester, 1215. and remooued to Salisbury the yéere 1217. This Bishop considering the vn∣conuenient situation of his Cathedrall Sée in a place so 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

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 Salis∣bury, the fourth for the Countesse, and the fist for the Bishop. In this worke, though he had great helpe of the king, and di∣uers 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 ma∣ny 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

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 de∣parted 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, No∣bles, & other great personages, all which he feasted very mag∣nificently. 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 conse∣crate 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.

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 Canterbu∣ry. He dyed the yeere 1283.

13. Walter Scammell.

VVIthin the space of fiue yéeres the Church of Sa∣lisbury [ 1284] about this time had fiue Bishops accoun∣ting the forenamed Robert for one; Walter Scam∣mell Deane also of Salisbury was the second. He was con∣secrate the yeere 1284. and died within a yeere or two after.

14. Henry de Braundstone.

THe third was Henry de Braundstone who being conse∣crate [ 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 Wil∣liam [ 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 vn∣derstanding of the Bishops comming, met him at the cham∣ber 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

and other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of woonderfull hearty and sincere 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he had receaued the Sacrament in most deuoute man∣ner. Some two or thrée daies after he liued, continually be∣wailing his sinfull life with whole flouds of teares, and de∣parted 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 lear∣ning, 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 per∣fourme 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 Champi∣on much in like sort, and all things were now ready for them to goe together, when vpon a sodaine, by commaundement of

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 Bi∣shops See. On the South side close by him, lieth Bishop lew∣ell, 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 prt∣uy [ 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 Parlia∣ment [ 1395] that wrought woonders, the Barones apprehen∣ded so many of the kings fauorites as they could come

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 im∣prisoned 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 Ha∣lam [ 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 Bi∣shop about 10. yéeres.

27. Robert Neuill.

RObert Neuill consecrate 1427. was translated to Dur∣ham. [ 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. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hap∣pened 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 cer∣taine 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 ca∣riages 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 chap∣pell, 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 Winche∣ster was begotten by this man; who to couer his fault, mar∣ried his mother vnto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, one of his meanest follo∣wers, 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

〈◊〉〈◊〉) 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 au∣thority 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 conse∣crate [ 1539] Bishop of Bangor 1534. and translated to Salisbury 1539. He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 buried vpon the South side of the Quire al∣most 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 Pe∣tow 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 plea∣sed then her Majesty that now is to appoint vnto the Bishop∣ricke

of Salisbury Iohn Iewell Batcheler of Diuinity. He was borne at Berynarber in Deuonshire, brought vp in Ox∣ford, 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 Bi∣shop [ 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 vp∣on 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 Sa∣lisbury 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 conse∣crate togither with the Bishops of Exceter, Glocester, and Bangor, in Nouember 1598.

The Bishopricke of Salisbury is valued at 1385, l. 5, s. ob. and paide to the Pope at euery exchaunge of the Incumbent 4000. ducats.