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.

21. Ioceline de Welles.

SAuarike being dead, the monkes of Glastonbury made [ 1205] importunate sute at Rome to be restored vnto their olde gouernment vnder an Abbot. Their importunity gaue occasion of setting downe a decree in the Court of Rome. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 being void, nothing is to be altered in the state of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Before the end of the yeere 1205. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Canon of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 borne also and brought vp in Welles (at leastwise as to me by diuers arguments it seemeth) was consecrate vnto this See at Reading. The monkes of Glastonbury were by and by dooing with him; and after much contention preuailed but so, as they were faine to buy their victory at a deare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 al∣lowing vnto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Welles out of 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, the mannors of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Pucklechurch, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Cranmer, and the patronage of the beneffces of Wins∣combe, Pucklechurch, Ashbery, Christ Malford, Buckland and Blackford. Soone after this composition made, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faine to fly the realme aad continued in banishment the space of fiue yeeres. The cause and mannor thereof you may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Stephen Langton of Canterbury After his returne he gaue him selfe altogether to adorning and increasing the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his Church. He founded diuers Prebends, impropriated di∣uers Parsonages to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his Chapter, and gaue them the mannour of Winscombe. He allotted reasonable reuencwes to euery of the dignities, which before that time had small profite by their places. He appointed bicars to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Prebends in dooing the seruice of the Church: and laid vnto the Bishopricke the mannors of Congresbury, Chedder, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. He also and Hugh Bishop of Lincolne, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their purses together, founded the Hospitall of S. Iohns in Welles which being suppressed by act of Parliament & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Earle of Southampton, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it with Bishop Clarke for Dogmersfield. Moreouer in building he bestow∣ed inestimable summes of money. He built a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chappell in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pallace at Welles, and an other at Owky, as also ma∣ny other edifices in the same houses: And lastly, the Church

of Welles it selfe being now ready to fall to the ground, not∣withstanding the great cost bestowed vpon it by Bishop Ro∣bere; he pulled downe the greatest part of it, to witte, all the West ende, built it a new from the very foundation, and hal∣lowed or dedicated it October 22. 1239. Hauing continued in this Bishopricke 27. yeeres he died at last Nouember 19. 1242. and was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the middle of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he had built, under a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 toombe of late yeeres monsterously defared.