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 Rochester.

SAint Augustine hauing laid some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 604] foundation of Christian religion at Canterbury; for the farther propaga∣tion of the same, thought good to cr∣daine Bishops vnto other cities neere adioyning, and therefore in one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 consecrated two, viz. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Lon∣don and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Romaine to 〈◊〉〈◊〉. This was the yeere 604. About seuen yéeres after he was faine to flie the realme together with Melhtus Bishop of London, as in his life you may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more at large. The yeere 622. he was translated to Canterbu∣ry. See Canterbury.

• 1. Iustus therefore was the first Bishop of Rochester.
• 2. Romanus was the second. Trauailing to Rome, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a [ 622] message betwéene Iustus the Archbishop and Honorius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pope, he was drowned by the way.
• 3. Paulinus the first Archbishop of Yorke being forced [ 631] thence by persecution, was content to take charge of Roche∣ster (as in Yorke it shall be declared) sate there thirteene yeeres, and died October 10. 644. He was buried in the church of Saint Andrew, which Echelbert the good king of 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 from the ground.
• 4. Ithamar was then made Bishop of Rochester, an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 644] by birth and education, yet nothing inferior either in life or learning vnto any of his predeccssors. He was the first Bishop of our nation I meane the first Englishman.
• 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. After his death the See continued long [ 656] voyde.
• 6. Putta at last was consecrate thereunto by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 669] Archb. of Canterbury. He was a very good man, but very simple, and altogether vnexpert in worldly matters. Waxing therfore soone weary of his Bishoprick, he was halfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to leaue it, when Edilred king of Mercia burning his

• church and city, resolued and setled him in that determina∣tion. So he went into Mercia, where he accepted the charge of a parish church vnder Saxulf Bishop there, mending his liuing by teaching a song schoole, for he was a great and cun∣ning Musitian. In that kinde of life he spent the rest of his time, and could neuer abide to heare of returning to his Bi∣shopricke.
• 7. Quichelmus or Gulielmus (so Beda calleth him) a little [ 677] while after his ordination left his Bishoprick also, being for∣ced thereunto by want and pouerty.
• 8. Gebmundus or Godwyndus accepted it, and held it du∣ring [ 681] his life.
• 9. Tobias an Englishman succeeded. He was brought vp [ 693] vnder Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury, and Hadrian Abbot of Saint Augustines. A great learned man, a payne∣full Preacher and so well seene both in the Latin and Greeke toongs, as he spake them no lesse readily then his own mother language. He died the yeere 726. and was buried in his owne church.
• 10. Aldulfus. [ 727]
• 11. Dun or Duna. [ 740]
• 12. Eardulf. O••••a king of Mercia gaue vnto him and his successors Freindsbury by the name of Ellingham about the yeere 77••. Ecgbert a king of Kent gaue him certaine land within the Castle of Rochester the yeere 763. And Ethelbert an other king of Kent gaue him Woldham ann. 759.
• 13. Diora, vnto him the foresaid Ecgbert (that seemeth to haue beene but some petty king, for it could uot be Egbert the fourth Christened king, that liued 100. yeeres before these times) he I say gaue to this Diora 10. ploughlands in Hal∣ling, together with certaine Deanes in the Weald or common wood.
• 14. Weremund. He died the yeere 800.
• 15. Beornmod. He died 804. [ 800]
• 16. Tadnoth.
• 17. Bedenoth.
• ...

  18. Godwyn the first.

  It is here to be acknowledged, that the series or Cata∣logue

• ...

  of the Bishops of Rochester from Beornmod to Si∣ward, euen for the space of eight score yeeres, is but very maymed and vnperfect. William 〈◊〉〈◊〉. affoordeth vs for all the time betweene Beda and the Conquest (330. yéeres) but nine Bishops. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Wigorn: mentioneth one more only. A Catalogue remaining in the Church of Roche∣ster inserteth at once seuen other: vnto which I must néedes adde this first Godwyn, that was vndoubtedly Bishop of Rochester the yéeres 833. and 851. as appeareth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in two Charters, the one of Withlaf and the other of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kings of Mercia, bearing that date and confirmed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him. Both of them are exemplified in Ingulphus. And there∣fore I should doo ill not to allow him a place although whe∣ther this be his due place and order or no I am not able 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to say.

• 19. Cutherwulf.
• 20. Swithulf appointed one of the Gardians of the realme to defend it against the Danes ann. 897. which yéere he died, as Asserius reporteth.
• 21. Buiricus.
• 22. Cheolmond.
• 23. Chineferth.
• 24. Burrhicus. Unto him Edmund the brother of King Athelstane, gaue the towne of Malling by the name of thrée plough lands in Mealings ann. 945.
• 25. Alfstane.
• ...

  26. Godwyne 2.

  27. Godwyne 3.

  One of these confirmed a Charter of King Edgar exemplified in Ingulphus ann. 966. One of them also as I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 noted, confirmed a charter concerning Wulfrunhampton 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the yeere 996. Againe it is deliuered by Florentius Wigorn: that Godwyn Bishop of Rochester was taken prisoner by the Danes the yeere 1011. And therefore whereas Matthew Westminster and others report that king Ethelrede 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Bishop of Rochester in that his owne City a long time, the yéere 983. and that being warned by Saint Dunstane, he should take héede least he prouoked against him Saint An∣drew Patron of that Church; yet he would not depart 〈◊〉〈◊〉 till he had wrong from the Bishop 100. l. we néede not make

• ...

  any great doubt but the Bishop so raunsomed, was called Godwyn, although I find not his name any where set down. It should seeme then, that the See being become very poore, what through the particular troubles of these men, and the generall calanuties of the times; after their decease, it stoode void a long time, viz. vntill the yeere 1058.

• 28. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Abbot of Abingdon was then consecrate. Up∣on [ 1058] what occasion he was preferred to Rochester, you may sée in Eadsine of Canterbury pag. 25. He died (saith William Malmsbury) at Abingdon the yeere 1067. a few daies after the Conquest of England by the Normans: Howbeit it is mamfest that the yeere 1072 he liued, aud was present at that Synod gathered together about Whitsontide, begun at Winchester, and ended at Windsore, as in the third books of the same William de 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ye may perceiue. Whensoeuer he died, certaine it is he left behind him a miserable poore Church, destitute of all things necessary. It had not aboue foure Canons which liued very hardly, and that for the most part by the almes of such well disposed people as tooke com∣passion of their pouerty.
• 29. Arnostus. Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury in∣tending to reduce this Church to some better order, consecra∣ted Bishop vnto this See one Arnostus a monke of Becco, a man well knowen vnto him. He liued not to performe any great matter. Within a yeere after his preferment he died.
• 30. Gundulph a monke likewise was placed in his roome [ 1077] by the meanes of the said Lanfranke, who also caused him to take into his church (not secular priests, as hitherto had beene accustomed) but monkes. This Bishop was a man not great∣ly learned, but wise, and very industrious. For he handled the matter so, as he procured not onely his church to be new built, but also the reuenewes to be increased to that height, as at the time of his death, it did and was able to maintaine fif∣ty monkes, some say 60. He was very much helped in these things by Lanfrank, that beside diuers summes of ready mo∣ney which he contributed, bought a certaine mannor called Heddre, and gaue it to the church of Rochester. Morcouer, wheras Odo Earle of Kent had incroched vpon diuers lāds &

• possessions belonging to the Sées both of Canterbury and Rochester; by law they recouered them from him; 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vnto Rochester were restored, by the meanes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, at the suite of Gundolph, and by the iudgement of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bishop of Constantia, together with Egelrike Bishop of Chi∣chester, these mannors. Dettiyng, Stoce, Preston, Daniton, and diuers other parcels. This triall was held vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hothe, where all the County were assembled at the kings commaundement to giue in euidence. Afterward he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Nunry at Malling, and the hospitalt of Saint Barthelomews in Chettham: Moreouer, he built a great part of the castle of Rochester, namely the great Tower which yet stan∣deth. In recompence of that charge amounting to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pound, the king bestowed a mannor vpon his See. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 March 7. 1107.
• 31. Ralf Abbot of Say, was consecrate August 11. 1108. [ 1108] The yéere 1114. he was translated to Canterbury. Sée Can∣terbury.
• 32. Earnulph was a Frenchman, brought vp a while vn∣der [ 1115] Lanfranke at Becco, and after became a monke at Beau∣ueys. Lanfranke, vnderstanding that he liued very 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at Beauueys (vpon what occasion I finde not) & know∣ing him to be a man of excellent good parts, aduised him to come to him into England. A while after his comming ouer, he liued a priuate monke in Canterbury, afterwards became Pryor there, then was preferred to the Abbotship of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and lastly, had the Bishopricke of Rochester giuen him by his predecessor the Archb. of Canterbury December 26. 1115. In all these places he so bestirred himselfe, as he left diuers notable monuments of his industrious 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The vpper end of Christchurch in Canterbury built by Lan∣franke being fallen down, he procured to be built againe must magnificently, pauing it with marble, glasing and beautify∣ing it with sundry kinde of stately ornaments. At Peterbo∣rough he encreased the number of his monkes, and built 〈◊〉〈◊〉. A little before his comming away, that, and all other edifices of the monastery were consumed by casuall fire. Now though the diligence and long time of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his prede∣cessor, left nothing very néedfull for him to performe at Ro∣chester;

• yet would he neuer be idle, but still was either men∣ding and repayring of old, or setting vp some new building. He died in the moneth of March 1124. being 84. yéeres of age. I find it reported, that he writ an history of the church of Rochester, which (if it be not perished) I wish it might be my hap to see.
• 33. Iohn Archdeacon of Canterbury, was consecrate [ 1125] May 23. 1125. and died the yeere 1137. which yeere Iune 3. the church and city were burnt by casuall fire.
• 34. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whom some call 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (but falsely) died [ 1137] 1147.
• 35. Walter, Archdeacon of Canterbury, was the first that [ 1147] euer was elected by the monkes. The Archbishop of Canter∣bury was woont till this time to nominate to this Bishoprick whom pleased him. Theobald the Archbishop bestowed this priuiledge vpon them. This Walter died in Iuly 1182. the 35. yeere after his consecration.
• 36. Gualeranus, Archdeacon of Bayon succéeded, and died [ 1183] the yeere 1184. After his death a great controuersie arose be∣tweene the monkes of Christchurch in Canterbury, and the monkes of Saint Andrewes in Rochester; they of Canter∣bury alledging, that the Crosier of Rochester after the death of euery Bishop should lie vpon the altar with them, by them to be deliuered to the next Bishop. This the monkes of Ro∣chester gainesaid in words, and de facto detayned the Cro∣sier with them, till at last each party referring the matter to the Archbishop of Canterbury: the monkes of Rochester de∣liuered into his hands the crosier, which he presently deliue∣red ouer againe vnto the Pryor of Canterbury: and he soone after vnto Gilbert Glannyll the next Bishop.
• 37. Gilbert de Glannyll, Archdeacon of Luxouia, was [ 1185] consecrate September 29. 1185. Betweene this man and his monkes of Rochester was long and continuall debate. By occasion whereof, he tooke away from them all their moouea∣ble goods, all the ornaments of their church, their writings and euidences, yea and a great part os their lands, possessions and priuiledges. Wanting money to follow their suites a∣gainst him, they were forced to coyue the siluer of Saint Pau∣lines shryne into money. These controuersies were ended no

• otherwise then by his death, which happened June 24. 1214. But their hatred against him was so far from dying with him as they would affoord him no maner of obsequies, but buried him most obscurely, or rather basely, without either ringing, singing, or any other manner of solemnity. The hospitall at Strowde néere Rochester (called Neworke) was built, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and by him endowed with those possessions it now en∣ioyeth, to wit, the value of 52, l. yéerely reuenew.
• 38 Benedictus Chaunter of Saint Paules church in [ 1214] London was consecrate February 22. 1214. He died 1226.
• 39. Henry de Sanford Archdeacon of Canterbury conse∣crate [ 1227] 1227. Within two yéeres after, it happened that Ri∣chard the elect of Canterbury, Hugh of Ely and Roger of London, were to be consecrated. Ioceline Bishop of Willes challenged the perfourmance of this ceremony as due to him, for that he was the most auncient Bishop of the prouince of Canterbury. But this Bishop of Rochester alledged it belon∣ged to his Sée (Canterbury being void) to consecrate all the Bishops of that prouince. With much adoo, this agréement was made betwéene them, that Rochester should consecrate the Archbishop, and Ioceline of Welles the other two. Ano∣ther thing is remembred of this Bishop scarce woorthy the rehearsall, which yet I will not omit, to shew how aptmen euen of the grauest sort were to be deceaued and deluded in those times. Preaching at Sittingborne before a great audi∣tory, at a time when he gaue generall orders, he declared o∣penly, that God had reuealed vnto him now thrée seuerall times, how that such a day the soules of king Richard the first, Stephen Langton late Archbishop, and another priest, were deliuered out of purgatory, and no more soules that day but onely they thrée. He died February 24. 1235.
• 40. Richard de Wendouer Parson of Bromley 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 1238] lawfully elected Bishop of Rochester was reiected as a man vnsufficient by Edmund the Archbishop. He appealing to Rome, was confirmed there in despite of the Archbishop, with whome the Pope was very angry for withstanding his shamelesse and intollerable exactions here. He was 〈◊〉〈◊〉

• 1238. died 1250. and was buried at Westminster by the kings speciall commaundement, for that he was accounted a very holy and vertuous man.
• 41. Laurentius de Sancto Martino a Chaplaine & coun∣sellor [ 1250] of king Henry the third, gotte a dispensation from the Pope to hold al his former liuings in commendam with this Bishopricke: And yet alledging that his Bishopricke was the poorest of England, much meaner then Carltoll, & there∣fore his liuing yet vnable to maintaine the port of a Bishop; he neuer ceased till he had ertorted from the Cleargy of his Dioces a graunt of a fift part of all their spirituall liuings for fiue yeeres, and appropriated vnto his See for euer the Parsonage of Freindsbury. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Archbishop of Canterbury vsed this man hardly, inuading his possessions, & violently taking from him without all right diuers things of old belonging to his Bishopricke. He complained vnto the king, vnto whose Quéene, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was vncle The king an∣swered him in plaine tearmes, he knew he should offend his wife much, if he should become a stickler betweene them, wished him to seeke some other remedy, if by importunity he inforced him to interpose his authority, he should doo him more hurt then good. Hereupon he sought vnto the Pope, but he, was so neere a neighbour to the Duke of Sauoy the Arch∣bishops brother, as perceiuing quickly little good was to be done there, he was fame to take patience for an amends, and so sit him downe. He departed this life the yeere 1274.
• 42. Walter de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord Chauncellor of England, [ 1274] long before he was Bishop (to wit the yeere 1264.) began the foundation of a Colledge at Maldon in Surrey, but 10 yeers after, changing his purpose, left that, & erected that which we now call Merton Colledge in Oxford, indewing it with (in effect) all the lands that now it possesseth. About the same time, viz. the yeere 1274. he became Bishop of Rochester, and liuing there but onely foure yéeres, died vpon Saint Lukes day, 1278. He lyeth buried vnder a reasonable plaine Mar∣ble toombe in the North Ile of his church of Rochester, almost ouer against the Bishops Sée.
• 43. Iohn de Bradfeild, a Monke and Chaunter of the [ 1279]

• Church of Rochester, was consecrate 1279. and died 1282.
• 44. Thomas Inglethorp, Deane of Saint Paules Church [ 1282] in London, consecrate 1282. died in the moneth of June 1291.
• 45. Thomas de Wuldham, Prior of Rochester. [ 1291]
• 46. Haymo, Confessor to king Edward the second, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 na∣med at Heathe (or rather de Heathe) of the Towne of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Kent where he was borne. He built much at Hawling the yeere 1323. to wit, the Hall and high front of the Bishops place there now standing, reedified the Wall at Holborough néere vnto it, & repaired the rest of the buildings in the same house, as he did also at Troscliff another mannor house be∣longing to this Sée. Moreouer in the Towne of Hithe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 named, he founded the Hospitall of Saint 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for reliefe of 10. poore people, endewing the same with 20. markes of yéerely reuenew. The yéere 1352. he resigned his Bishopricke into the Popes hands.
• 47. Iohn de Shepey. He was made Treasurer of England [ 1352] the yeere 1358.
• 48. William Wittlesey, translated to Worceter 1363 and after to Canterbury Sée Canterbury.
• 49. Thomas Trilleck. He died 1372. [ 1363]
• 50. Thomas Brinton sometime a Benedictine Monke of [ 1372] Norwich, trauailed in many places, and lastly comming to Rome, preached in Latine before the Pope many learned ser∣mons, which he left in writing behind him. For them & other exercises wherein he shewed himselfe to his great commen∣dation, he was much admired, and became very famous. The Pope also made him his Penitentiary, & bestowed vpon him the Bishopricke of Rochester. He was Confessor vnto king Richard the 2. and died 1389.
• 51. William de Bottlesham, or Boltsham, whom Wal∣singham, [ 1389] Bale, and other call (but I doubt not falsely) Iohn Bottlesham was borne at Bottlesham in Cambridgeshire, from whence he tooke his name. He was a Frier preacher, a Doctor of Diuinitie, greatly accounted of for his learning, more for his eloquence and rare gift in preaching, for which also he was much estéemed by king Richard the 2. preferred by his meanes vnto the Bishopricke of Landaffe, and after (notwithstanding the election of on Richard Barnet) transla∣ted

• vnto Rochester. He died the yéere 1401. in the moneth of May.
• 52. Iohn Boltsham, or Bottlesham, Chaplaine vnto the [ 1402] Archbishop of Canterbury, after the time of his consecration neuer sawe his Cathedrall church.
• 53. Richard Yoong made the windowes of the parrish church of Freindsbury.
• 54. Iohn Kempe, was translated first to Chichester 1422. [ 1418] then to London, and after that to Yorke and Canterbury. Sée Canterbury.
• 55. Iohn Langdon, a monke of Canterbury. He was borne [ 1422] in Kent, and brought vp in Oxford, where he procéeded doctor of Diuinitie. A man very well learned, in histories and anti∣quities especially he was very well seene. Amongst other things, I finde he writ a Chronicle of England, which whe∣ther it be yet extant or no I know not. He died at the Coun∣cell of Basill 1434.
• 56. Thomas Browne. He being at the Councell of Basill, [ 1434] was elected to Norwich, and shortly after translated thither, before he wist of any such businesse toward. See Norwich.
• 57. William Wels, Abbot of Yorke. He died 1443. [ 1436]
• 58. Iohn Lowe, a white Monke, Doctor of Diuinitie, [ 1443] and Prouinciall of his order, was preferred vnto the Bishop∣ricke of Saint Assaph by king Henry the 6. in regard of his great learning and painfulnesse in preaching. After that, hee also procured him to be translated to Rochester 1443. He writ diuers good workes very well woorth reading, and was a carefull searcher after good bookes, so as diuers copies of some auncient fathers had vtterly perished but for his diligence. He died the yeere 1467. and lieth buried in his owne Cathedrall church ouer against Bishop Merton, where he hath a same marble toombe, the inscription being not yet altogether de∣faced.
• 59. Thomas Rotheram, translated to Lincolne 1471. and [ 1467] after to Yorke. Sée Yorke.
• 60. Iohn Alcocke, translated to Worcester 1476. and af∣ter [ 1471] to Ely. Sée Ely.
• 61. Iohn Russell, translated to Lincolne, 1480. Sée Lin∣colne. [ 1476]

• 62. Edmund Audley, translated to 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. [ 1480] Sée Salisbury.
• 63. Thomas Sauage, translated to London and Yorke. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 1493] Yorke.
• 64. Richard Fitz iames, translated to Chichester 1504. [ 1496] and after to London. Sée London.
• 65. Iohn Fisher, Doctor of Diuinitie. For denying 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ac∣knowledge [ 1504] the kings supremacy in ecclestasticall matters, he was executed on Tower hill June 22. 1535. being made Cardinall about a moneth before. His head was set on Lon∣don bridge, and his body buried in Barking churchyard.
• 66. Iohn Fisher, commonly called the blacke Frier of [ 1535] Bristow.
• 67. Nicholas Heath, became Bishop of Rochester about the yéere 1539. was remooued to Worceter, 1543. and after to Yorke. Sée Yorke.
• 68. Henry Holbech, translated to Lincolne 1547. [ 1544]
• 69. Nicolas Ridley, conseccated in September 1547. was [ 1547] translated to London 1549. Sée London.
• 70. Iohn Poynet, consecrated Aprill 3. 1549. was tran∣slated [ 1549] to Winchester within a yéere after. See Winton.
• 71. Iohn Scory, consecrated 1550. was depriued in the be∣ginning [ 1550] of Quéene Mary, and by Quéene Elizabeth preferred to Hereford.
• 72. Maurice Griffyn, Archdeacon of Rochester, was con∣secrated [ 1554] Aprill 1. 1554.
• 73. Edmund Guest, consecrated Ianuary 21. 1559. was [ 1559] translated to Salisbury December 24. 1571.
• 74. Edmund Freake, doctor of Diuinitie, consecrated [ 1571] March 9. 1571. was translated to Norwich, 1576. and after to Worceter.
• 75. Iohn Piers, doctor of Diuinitie, Deane of Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 1576] in Oxford, consecrated March 10. 1576. was translated to Salisbury 1577 and after to Yorke.
• 76. Iohn Yoong, doctor of Diuinitie consecrated 1578. yet [ 1578] liueth.

This Bishoprick is valued in the Exchequer at 358. l. 3. s. 7. d. farthing, in the Popes bookes at 1300. ducates.