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.

16. Iohn de Villula.

HE that succeeded (Iohn de Villula a Frenchman borne in Tours, and a phisician heretofore by his profession) not content to do nothing toward the amendment of the state of his church, vsed all the meanes he might to impaire and di∣minish the same. The cloyster and other buildings 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Gyso for his canons, he pulled downe, and in the place where they stoode build a pallace for himselfe and his successors, for∣cing them to séeke dwellings abroad in the towne. But the greatest wrong of al other was, that neuer acquainting them with it, he procured his Episcopall Sée, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had béene seated at Welles, to be remooued to Bathe; and whereas all his predecessors had béene knowen by the names of the Bishoppes of Welles, hee renouncing Welles, entitled himselfe Bishoppe of Bathe, which city he bought of the king for fiue hundreth markes, and foun∣ded in the same a monastary for the receit of his new remoo∣ued Episcopall throne. This monastery was first built by Offa king of Mercia ann. 775. and being destroyed by the Danes (who burnt and razed to the ground almost all the monasteries of England) was afterwardes an. 1010. ree∣dified by Elphegus that at last was Archbishop of Canterbu∣ry.

His building stoode no long time: For the yéere 1087. both it and in a manner all the city was consumed and vtter∣ly destroyed by fire; in such sort, as this Bishop building it a new from the ground, and augmenting the reuenues (which before were little or nothing) vnto a competent proportion; may not vnworthily séeme to be the founder and author of the same. He had scarcely (or indeed not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it, whē being a very aged man, he was taken away by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to wit, Dec. 29. 1122. hauing sate 34. yeres. He was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the church himselfe had built.