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20. Sauaricus.
KIng Richard the first being taken prisoner in Germany [ 1192] by Leopold Duke of Austria; The Emperor tooke order with him, that besides other conditions to be required of the king for his deliuerance; he should make him promise to pre∣ferre a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his (the Emperors; called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (then Archdeacon of Northampton) vnto the Bishopricke of Bathe and Wels, & moreouer to annexe vnto the same Bishopricke the Abbotship of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For the better effecting of which purpose, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was content to returne vnto the king the possession of the City of Bathe, which his predeces∣sor Iohn de Villula had bought of king 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. These things being brought to passe according to his desire, he alte∣red his style and would needes be called Bishop of Gloston∣bury. He was consecrate on Michaelmas day 1192. at Rome and returning into England by Germany, was there stayed and left for an hostage, in assurance of paiment of the kings raunsome. After his deliuery, he yet continued there a long time and became Chauncellor vnto the Emperor: till that the yeere 1197. the Emperor falling sicke, (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 uereth) he was sent by him into England, to release vnto the king all such moneies, as yet remained vnpaid of that wrong∣full and vnconscionable raunsome. The Emperor then dying before he could returne, he thought good to remaine here still vpon his charge. In 12. yeeres that he sate Bishop, he did not any thing memorable, except happily this may seeme worthy remembrance, that he impropriated the Parsonages of Il∣mister and Longsutton, making them Prebends, and ap∣pointing the one of them alwaies to be alotted vnto the Ab∣bot of Muchelney, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Abbot of Athelney, for the time being. The Prebend of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is vanished toge∣ther with the Abbey of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Longsutton Parsonage by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Queene Mary was restored to the Church of Welles, and remaineth to this day a part of our possessions. This Bishop died August 8. 1205. and was buried at Bathe. Concerning him and the great summes he died indebted, who so list may reade somewhat in the Decretals of Greg. lib. 3. tit. 9. cap. Nouit ille.