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.

18. Robert.

AFter him succéeded one Robert a monke of Lewes, [ 1136] borne in Normandy, but by parentage a Flemming. In the beginning of his time, to wit, July 29. 1137. the church of Bathe lately built by Iohn de Villula was a∣gaine consumed with fire. He reedified it, and added what∣soeuer might seeme to haue beene left vnperfect by the other. In the stirres betweene Mawd the Empresse and king Ste∣phen, he indured much trouble, being taken prisener at Bathe and held in captiuity a long time by the king. The continuer of Florent. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. setteth downe the history thereof at large. After his deliuerance he tooke great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in labou∣ring an agreement between the churches of Wels and Bathe who had now many yeeres contended which of them should be honored with the Episcopall See. At last with the good liking of both parties, he set downe this order, that the Bi∣shops hereafter should be called, Bishops of Bathe & Wels; y^t each of them should by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 appoint electors (the See being voide) by whose voyces the Bishop should be chosen; & that he should be installed in both of these churches. Then,

whereas a kinsman of Iohn de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being appointed by him Prouost, by vertue of that office had withdrawen and conuerted vnto his owne vse, in a manner all the reuenues of old belonging to the cannons; with great labour and cost at last he procured, all that had appertained vnto them to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 re∣stored againe. And to take away all occasion of the like vsur∣pation, he thought good to diuide the landes of the church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two parts, whereof the one he assigned vnto the chapter in common; out of the rest he allotted to euery cannon a porti∣on, by the name of a Prebend. He also it was that first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Deane to be the President of the chapter, and a Subdeane to supply his place in absence; a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to gouerne the quier, and a Subchaunter vnder him; a Chaun∣cellour to instruct the yoonger sort of Cannons; and lastly, a Treasurer to looke to the ornaments of the church. The Sub∣chauntership togither with the Prouostship an. 1547. were taken away and suppressed by act of Parliament, to patch vp a Deanry, the lands and reuenewes of the Deanry being de∣uoured by sacrilegious cormorants. Moreouer, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all this, whereas our church of Welles at this time was ex∣ceeding ruinous, and likely euery day to fall to the ground, he pulled downe a great part of it and repaired it. At last he died, hauing sate 29. yeeres and 4. moneths, and was buried at Bathe.