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.

15. Giso.

Giso a Frenchman of Lorraine, borne in a village cal∣led [ 1059] Saint Trudo within the territory of Hasban, was sent Embassador to Rome by king Edward the Confes∣sor, to to be resolued there of certaine doubts concerning mat∣ter of religion, about the time that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 died. Being so ab∣sent, he was elected Bishop by the Chapter of Wels, and re∣ceiued consecration at Rome April 4 being Easter day 1059. together with Aldred Archbishop of Yorke, and Walter Bi∣shop of Hereford. At his returne, he found the estate of his Church very miserable; Harald the queenes brother that afterwards became for a while king of England, being yet a priuate man,

(Q••id Domini facient, audent qui talia 〈◊〉〈◊〉)

Upon what occasion I know not, had spoyled the Church of all ornaments, chased away the Canons, and inuading all the possessions of the same, had conuerted them to his owne vse; so that the Canons remaining which fled not for seare of this tyrant (they were onely fiue) they (I say) were faine to begge their bread The Bishop complaining vnto the King of this outragious hauocke, found cold comfort at his hands: 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whether it were for feare of Haralds power or his wiues displeasure, he caused no restitution at all to be made. Onely the Queene was content to giue of her owne. Marke and Modesly vnto the Church. After the death of king Edward, Giso was faine to fly the land, till such time as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vsurper being vanquished and slaine, William the Conqueror was a meane to restore, not only him to his place and countrey, but his Church also to all that the other had vi∣olently taken from it, except some small parcels that (I know not by what meanes) had beene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto the Mona∣stery of Glocester. Yet in stead of them also, he was pleased to bestow vpon the Church, the mannour of Yatton, with the Patronage of the benefice there; and moreouer caused one Ealsi to restore vnto the same the mannour of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which long since had beene altenated from it, by some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 practise as it should seeme. Giso being thus setled, tooke great

paines, in recouering such other things as had béene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from his church, in procuring charters of confirmation for the better assurance of what already they had, and procu∣ring such things as séemed to be wanting: Namely, of one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Courtier he found meanes to obtaine the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Coonth-Nicolas, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Lytton. Then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the state of his church so well amended, he thought good to aug∣ment the number of his Canons, and for their better 〈◊〉〈◊〉 built then a cloyster, a hall, and a dorter or place for their lodging. Lastly he appointed one Isaac by the name of a Prouost to be their gouernor. Hauing béene Bishop the space of 28. yéeres he departed this life, and was buried vpon the North side of that place where the high altar then stoode. I take his to be the highest of those olde toombes that lye vpon the outside of the quier toward the North.