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.

The Bishops of Exceter.

This discourse following is taken (for the most part) Ver∣batim out of Master Iohn Hookers Catalogue of the Bishops of Exceter.

THe Countries of Deuonshire & Corn∣wall, after their conuersion vnto Chri∣stian religion, were a while vnder the iurisdiction of the Bishop of the West Saxons, whose See was established at Dorchester. Afterwards Winchester being appointed a Cathedrall Sée a∣bout the yéere 660. All the West coun∣trey was alotted to the gouernment of the Bishop of that Church, and so continued vnder him till that the yéere 705. Sherborne was made a Cathedrall Church. Two hundred yeeres they were subiect vnto the Bishop of Sherborne, to wit, vntill the yeere 905. At what time Plegmund Archbi∣shop of Canterbury, by the commaundement of the king (as else where I haue declared more at large) erected diuers new Sees, namely at Welles in Somersetshire one, in Cornewall another, and a third in Deuonshire. The See of Athelstan the Bishop of Cornwall, was for a while S. Petrockes in Bod∣myn, and afterwards Saint Germanes. Werstan Bishop of Deuonshire placed him selfe first at Tawton, but soone after remooued to Credyton now called kyrton: The successors of Athelstan in the Dioces of Cornwall (as I find) were these:

• Conanus.
• Ruydocus.
• Aldredus.
• Britwyn.
• Athelstan, he liued the yéere 966.
• Wolfi.
• Woronus.
• Wolocus.

• Stidio.
• Adelredus.
• Burwoldus.

About the yéere 1040. (or soone after) Saint Peters church in Exceter was appointed the Sée for both Deuonshire, and Cornwall. And hath euer since that time so continued.

NOw to come vnto the particular history of this church you shall vnderstand, that amongst many religious houses erected heretofore in and about the City of Er∣ceter, thrée there haue béene sometimes within the seite and circuite of that place, which is now called the close of Saint Peters. The first of these was a house of Nunnes where the Deanes house & the Callander Nay or Uicars close doo now stand: The second was a Monastery for monkes supposed to be built by king 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the third, sonne of king Ethelwo ph about the yéere 868. And the third was also for monkes, to witte, of the order of Saint Benet, founded by king Athel∣stan, the yéere 932. thereabout where the East parts of the Church now called the Lady chappell standeth. Of this foun∣dation thus one writeth.

Hanc vrbem primus Rex Athelstanus, in potestatem Anglo∣rum effugatis Britonibus redactam, turribus muniuit & moro ex quadratis lapidibus cinxit, ac antiquitus vocatum 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nunc Exeter vocari voluit; ac ibisedens, mansum quod∣dam de dit ad fundandum monasterium pro monachis Den & Sancto Petro famulantibus. Now besides the great charges he was at in building; He gaue also sufficient lands and re∣uenewes for their liuing, whereof Morkshut and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, be yet remaining, and are appertaining to the Treasurer of the said Church. But after the time of King Athelstane, the Danes with great hostility and cruelty ha∣uing ouerrun this land, this City and Church was much in∣fested and troubled: for with no lesse cruelty did the Danes pursue the English men and Saxons, then did the Saxons before pursue the Britaines. And then the monkes not able to endure the same, fled and forsooke their house, séeking pla∣ces of refuge and better safety. And so was this monastery lest

destitute, and forsaken for sundry yéeres, vntill the time of king Edgar. He making a progresse into these West partes to visite Ordogarus Earle of Deuon. (whose daughter he had maried) came to this City ann. 986. and pittying their di∣stressed state, restored them their house and liuelihoods; And appointed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (who afterwards was Bishop) To be their Abbot. After that, they continued together (although in great troubles) vntill the time of king Swanus the Dane. He with a great troupe and Army of his Danes came to this City ann. 1019. besieged it, and at length hauing taken the same, spoyled, destroyed, and burnt both City and Monaste∣ry. But yet shortly after it was againe restored; For King 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being aduertised of the great cruelties done by his Father 〈◊〉〈◊〉: did at the request of one of his Dukes named 〈◊〉〈◊〉, make restitution vnto Atheiuoldus then Abbot, both of lands, liuings, and priuileges, as appeareth by his Charter dated ann. 1019. About thirty yeeres after this, king Edward the Confessor comming to Exceter, by the aduise of Leophricus Bishop of Crediton, sometimes Lord Chauncel∣lor of England, and of his priuy Councell, partly for the bet∣ter safety of the Bishop and his successors, and partly to pro∣uide a more apt place for the monkes, translated the Bishops Sée from Crediton to Exceter, and sent the monkes to West∣minster. The Bishop then thus remooued from the old, and placed in the new; indoweth his new Sée with the lands and liuelihoods of his former Church, pulled downe the two mo∣nasteries néere adioyning, the one of Nunnes, the other of monkes, and addeth them to his owne Church. After Leo∣phricus his successors following his example, did euery of them for the most part indeuour the augmentation and in∣crease of their Church, some in liuelihoods, some in liberties and priuileges, some in buildings, and some in one thing, some in an other.

ANno 1112. William Warwest the third Bishop of Exceter began to enlarge his cathedrall church (which at that time was no bigger then that part which is called the Lady Chappell) and laied the foundation of that which is now thequier. Anno 1235. or there abouts William

Brewer 〈…〉〈…〉, and a Chapter of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and twenty prebendaries; He appro∣priated to the Deanery Brampton and Coliton Rawleigh: For the prebendaries he purchased lands, allotting to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them, the like portion of fower pound by the yéere. Anno 1284. Peter Quiuill Bishop, finding the Chauncell of his church to be builded and finished to his hands, built the lower part or body of his church from the quier westward; He alsos appointed a Chanter and a Subdeane in the church; to the one he impropriated Painton and Cudleigh, and to the other the parsonage of Cgloshalle in Cornwall. Moreouer he im∣propriated the parsonage of Saint Newlin in Cornwall, and of Stoke Gabriell in Deuonshire to the Chancellor of the church for reading of a Diuinity Lecture. Anno 1340. Iohn Grandisson Bishop; did increase the length of his church from the sont Westward and vaulted the roofe of the whole church, so ending and fully finishing the same.

ABout the yéere of our Lord 1450. Edmund Lacy be∣gan to build the Chapter house, and George 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fi∣nished it. The Cloisters were built by the Deane and Chapter.

Hereby it appeareth that from the first foundation of this church vnder king Athelstane, vntill the time that Bishop Graundsone 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the building thereof, it was aboue 400. yéeres, which notwithstanding, so vniformely the same is compact, as if by one and the same man it had béene plotted, begun, continued and ended.