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.

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 er∣pressed in a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon the wal at the foot of the hall staires. In 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to request the Bishop in these words:

〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, we humbly pray. Together, through 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, dwell we may.

He answereth them thus:

〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉, 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉. For your 〈◊〉〈◊〉, deserts do plead, I will do that you craue, To this purpose established, here dwellings shall you haue.

This picture being now almost worne out; at what time of late yeeres, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the gratious fauour of her Maie∣sty 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 dra∣wen, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 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 yere∣ly to be paid out of the vicarage of Chew. He built moreouer

a house for the Queristers and their master: He built like∣wise the church of Winscomb and the court house at Clauer∣ton, 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 per∣formed 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.