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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.