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.

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 〈◊〉〈◊〉

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 beautify∣ing 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 follo∣wer of the house of Lancaster) with great cost he procured from the said king a confirmation of his will, dated Nouem∣ber 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 hospi∣tall 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 vest∣ments,

〈◊〉〈◊〉 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 Fry∣ers of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he gaue 20, s̄. and to the Fryer Minors of Bridgewater 20, s̄. To ten priests that should study at Oxe∣ford, and dayly say masse for the soules of himselfe, his pa∣rents and benefactors, especially of Humfrey Duke of Gloce∣ster, 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 house∣hold 40, s̄. and to so many of his seruants as were not proui∣ded 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 dilapi∣dations, 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 Trea∣surer 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 bu∣ried

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.