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.

23. William Bitton, or Button.

THe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Bathe, according to their promise, now at [ 1247] 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 with the Chapter of Welles, William But∣ton, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, 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 al∣though

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 fauo∣red altogether the part of the monkes, and gaue them h••s vt∣termost 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.