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.

1. Saint Dauid.

DAuid before named, was vncle vnto king Arthur, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 son of Xantus a Prince of Wales, begotten vpon one Melearia a Nunne. A man very learned, eloquent, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 incredible austerity, of life and conuersation. He was also ve∣ry tall of stature, and of a comely personage. By his diligence, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was quite rooted out, and many earnest profes∣sors of the same conuerted vnto the truth. With the consent of king Arthur, he remooued his Sée from Caerlegion to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which euer since of him is called of the Welch Twy Dewi, and of vs Saint Dauids. A place neither pleasant, fer∣tile, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉: For (as Giraldus Cambr. reporteth of it) it is neither furnished with wood, watered with riuers, beautified with medowes, nor inriched with any kind of fruitfull 〈◊〉〈◊〉; affoording plentifully nothing but rockes and barren hils ve∣hement winds, and tempests, and lastly the dangers and in∣iuries whereunto solitary places néere the Sea are subiect by Pyrates and otherwise. It séemeth he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the frequency of people at 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as a meanes to withdraw him from contemplation, whereunto that he might be more free, he made choice of this place for his Sée rather then for any fit∣nesse of the same otherwise. He sate long, to witte, 65. yéeres and died at last ann. 642. (hauing first built 12. Monasteries in the Countrey thereabout) being now 146. yéeres of age, as Bale out of the British histories reporteth. He was buried in his owne Cathedrall Church, and many hundreth yéeres after Canonised a Saint by Pope Calixtus the second. Many things are reported of him incredible, & therefore not worth rehearsing, although I doubt not but God affoorded many miracles to the first infancy of our Church, neither therefore would I be so peremptory in derogating too much from such reports as we sée no reason why they may not be true. Of him they say, that his birth was foretold 〈◊〉〈◊〉. yéeres before hand, that he was alwaies attended by an Angell that kept him company, that he bestowed vpon the waters at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that extraordinary heate they haue, and (to repeat no more, for this is much more then any discrete man will beléeue) that

vpon a time preaching to a great multitude of people, at Bre∣uy, the plaine ground grew vp in their sight, and increased vnder his féete vnto a pretty hillocke.

After Saint Dauidsate successiuely these, as Giraldus setteth them downe.

• 2. Cenanc.
• 3. Eliud or Teilau.
• 4. Ceneu.
• 5. Morwal.
• 6. Haerunen, or Haernurier.
• 7. Elwaed.
• 8. Gurnuen.
• 9. Lendiuord.
• 10. Gorwyst.
• 11. Gorgan.
• 12. Cledaue.
• 13. Anian.
• 14. Eluoed.
• 15. Ethelmen.
• 16. Elanc.
• 17. Malscoed.
• 18. Sadermen.
• 19. Catellus.
• 20. Sulhaithnay.
• 21. Nonis.
• 22. Etwall.
• 23. Asser.
• 24. Arthuael.

Acertaine antiquity belonging vnto the Church of Saint Dauid, reporteth a Catalogue somewhat different from this of Giraldus, to wit, this that followeth:

• 1. Saint Dauid.
• 2. Eliud.
• 3. Theliaus.

• 4. Kenea.
• 5. Morwal.
• 6. Haernurier.
• 7. Eluaeth.
• 8. Gurnel.
• 9. Lendywyth.
• 10. Gorwist.
• 11. Gorgan.
• 12. Cledaucke.
• 13. Eynaen.
• 14. Eludgeth.
• 15. Eldunen.
• 16. Eluaeth.
• 17. Maelsehwyth.
• 18. Madenew.
• 19. Catulus.
• 20. Syluay.
• 21. Namys.
• 22. Sathueney.
• 23. Doythwall.
• 24. Asser.
• 25. Athuael.
• 26. Sampson.

Of these forenamed Bishops, vntill Sampson, there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no memoriall, but their names onely. In his time, the Sée of Saint Dauid had seuen Bishops Suffragans 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto it (as the foresaid antiquity declareth) to wit, Exceter, Bathe, Hereford, Landaff, Bangor, Saint Assaph, & Fernes in Ireland. While he was Bishop, it happened, the people of all that countrey were woonderfully vexed with the Iaun∣dise, so as, great numbers of them died daily of that disease. By the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his cleargy and disciples, he was in∣duced to fly the countrey, and sayled into Britaine, where the Bishopricke of Dola being void, he was straight way 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto the same. He had brought thither with him the Archie∣piscopall pall of Saint Dauid, and vsed it during his life, as did also his successors for many yéeres, vntill they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Pope, atthe suite of the Archbishop of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to leaue it, and make profession of obedience vnto him, 〈◊〉〈◊〉

former times. By this occasion it fell out, that she successors of Sampson in Saint Dauids, what for want of their pall, or for pouerty, or negligence, or by some other occasion, lost their title of Archbishop, and to this day neuer recouered the same. Howbeit they vsed all authority belonging to an Archbishop, by consecrating of other Bishops, &c. Neither euer did they make profession of subiection vnto Canterbury vntil the time of Henry the 1. king of England, whereof we shal speak more hereafter.

After Sampson succeeded these:

• 26. Rucline.
• 27. Rodherch.
• 28. Elguin.
• 29. Lunuerd, or Lywarch.
• 30. Nergu, or Vergw.
• 31. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 32. Eneuris.
• 33. Morgeneu. This man (saith Giraldus) of all the Bi∣shops of S. Dauids, presumed first to eate flesh, which none of them had euer done before him. For punish∣ment of which haynous offence, he supposeth it fel out, that afterwards he was murthered of Pirates; repor∣ting withall, how that after his death he appoored to a Bishop in Ireland, vsing these words: Quia carnes co∣medi, caro factus sum: For eating of flesh, I am now become nothing but flesh.
• 34. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 35. Ieuan. He continued Bishop one onely night.
• 36. Argustell.
• 37. Morgenueth.
• 38. Eruyn, or Hernnn, a godly and learned man, died an. 1038.
• 39. Trameriu, or Carmerin.
• 40. Ioseph.
• 41. Bleithud. He died the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1070.
• 42. Sulghein. He for sooke his Bishopricke the yéere 1076.
• 43. Abraham. The yere 1078. or therabout S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was spoyled and destroyed by strangers, and Abraham the

• Bishop what through 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was constrained to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 notwithstanding he 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 about the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1085. and 1088. died being 80. yéeres of age, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man, and the greatest Clerke in al 〈◊〉〈◊〉; so saith the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chronicle of him.
• 44. After him a sonne of his called Rythmarch succéeded (as the Chronicle of Wales deliuereth) and died about the yéere 1100. the godliest, wisest, and greatest Clerks that had beene heere in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 many yeeres before, sauing his father, (saith the Chronicle) who had brought him vp, and a great number of learned disciples.
• 45. Wylfred. He died the yéere 1115. It séemeth the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chronicle calleth him Griffri.
• 46. Bernard, a Norman, Chaplaine vnto king Henry the first, and Chauncellour to his Queene, was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Archbishop of Canterbury July 12. 1115. not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Clergie of Wales, (as hitherto had béene 〈◊〉〈◊〉) but forced vpon them by the king that had then newly con∣quered Wales. This man being in great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the king, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon the goodnesse of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, beg in to take on him the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and caused his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 som∣times in Wales to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before him. After long 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and much money spent in this cause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him and the Arch∣bishop of Canterbury, Bernard had preuailed at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (as 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉) had not two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 witnesses deposed a flat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Pope. Giraldus aforesaid doubteth not confidently to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that the power and wealth of the Archbishops of Canterbury hath ouerborne the poore Bishops of Saint Dauids in this mat∣ter without all right. This Bishop (saith Giraldus) was a man in some other respects praise woorthy, but vnreasonable proud and ambitious, as most of the Englishmen were that in those times were thrust into Welch Bishopricks. Againe he was a very euill husband vnto his Church, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 di∣uers landes, and letting others for the tenth peny of that his predecessors made of them, so thinking to make a way by gra∣tifying of Courtiers, vnto some better Bishopricke in Eng∣land. He was deceaued of his expectation. Hauing béene Bi∣shop

• of Saint Dauids about the space of 33. yéeres he died ann. 1148.
• 46. Dauid Fitz-gerald, Archdeacon of Cardigan succée∣ded. He died the yéere 1176.
• 47. Peter, or Piers, (so the Welch Chronicle calleth him) a Benedictine monke, Prior of Wenlock, was consecrated the same yéere. His Cathedrall Church dedicated vnto Saint Andrew and Saint Dauid, had beene often destroyed in for∣mer times by Danes and other pyrats, and in his time was almost quite 〈◊〉〈◊〉; He bestowed much in reedifying of the same, and may in sonie sort be said to haue built the church which now standeth.
• 48. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Prior of Lanthony, aregular Chanon, was preserred to this See by the meanes of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury.
• 49. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Giraldus, was borne in Pembrooke shire, néere Tynby, of very noble parentage, being neere of kinne vnto the Princes of Wales; a very comely and personable man of body, and for his minde, wittie, discrete, studious, ver∣tuous and well giuen. In his youth he trauailed ouer most part of Christendome. At Paris he read publikely in the En∣glish Colledge with great commendation. Returning home, he grew into great estimation with king Henry the 2. and be∣came Secretary vnto his sonne Iohn, with whom he went in∣to Ireland, and being there, writ a description of the coun∣trey, as he did also of England and Wales. Some affir me he was Archdeacon of Landaff; of Brecknock and Saint Da∣uids he was for certaine. Being elect vnto this See an. 1199. he made challenge vnto the title of an Archbishop at Rome, which controuersie how it was debated and ended, yee may read at large in R. Houeden, his report of the yeere aforesaid. He was once accused oftreason, but happily acquitted, liued till he was 70. yéeres of age and vpward, and dying, was bu∣ried in his owne church. He writ many bookes, the Cata∣logue whereof yee may finde in Bale.
• 50. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or Edward, was consecrate 1215.
• 51. Alselmus.
• 52. Thomas, Archdeacon of Lincolne, a Welchman, and a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉, forsaking other good preferments, accepted of

• this Bishopricks (being a miserable poore thing at that 〈◊〉〈◊〉) the yeere 1247.
• 53. Richard Carren.
• 54. Thomas Beck. He founded two colleges, one at 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and another at Llan dewy breuy.
• 55. Dauid Martyn.
• 56. Henry Gower. He built the Bishops pallace at Saint Dauids, and died the yeere 1347.
• 57. Iohn Theresby, or Thorsby, translated to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1349. and thence to Yorke, 1352.
• 58. Reginald Brian, translated likewise to Worceter, 1352.
• 59. Thomas Fastocke, died the yéere 1361.
• 60. Adam Houghton, founded a colledge néere to the Ca∣thedrall church of S. Dauid. He was Chauncellour of Eng∣land for a time, about the yéere 1376.
• 61. Iohn Gilbert, Bishop of Bangor, was translated 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hereford 1376. and thence hither 1389. Sée Hereford.
• 62. Guido de Mona, died the yéere 1407. who while 〈◊〉〈◊〉 li∣ued (saith Walsingham) was a cause of much mischiefe.
• 63. Henry 〈◊〉〈◊〉, was consecrated at Siena by the Popes owne hands, Iune 12. 1409. sate 5 yeeres and was translated to Canterbury, Sée Canterbury.
• 64. Iohn Keterich, or Catarick, sometimes Archdeacon of Surrey, was translated hence to Couentry 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 the yéere 1415. and after to Oxceter.
• 65. Stephen Patrington, a Iacobine Fryer as one 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or rather a Carmelite as an other saith, being at the Counsell of Constance, was by the Pope translated to Chichester in December, 1417. (as the records of Saint Dauids 〈◊〉〈◊〉 af∣firme.) Howbeit, other say (and I take it to be true) that he refused to accept of the Popes gift.
• 66. Benet Nicols, Bishop of Bangor succéeded him.
• 67. Thomas Rodburne, a man of great learning, was brought vp in Oxford, and became first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then Bishop of Saint Dauids. He write diuers 〈◊〉〈◊〉, amongst the rest an history or Chronicle. The yéere 1434. the king 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to translate him to Ely, but could not effect it.

• 67. William Lynwood, Doctor of Law was first Chaun∣cellor to the Archbishop of Canterbury then kéeper of the pri∣uy seale, hauing beene first imployed in Embassages to the kings of Spaine, Portugall, and other Princes. He writ much. Amongst other his works, he is famous for putting in order such Prouinciall constitutions as had beene made by the Archbishops of Canterbury from the time of Stephen Langton vnto Henry 〈◊〉〈◊〉. He florished about the yéere 1440. but iust what time he became Bishop, or when he died I can not tell. He lyeth buried at Saint Stephens in West∣minster.
• 68. Iohn Longton died within 15. dayes after his conse∣cration.
• 69. Iohn de le Beere.
• 70. Robert Tully a monke of Glocester. This man I take to be him, that by the name of Robert 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is said to haue beene translated to Chichester the yéere 1508.
• 71. Richard Martyn.
• 72. Thomas Langton.
• 73. Hugh Pauy. He impropred to the Uicars Chorall of Saint Dauids, the Church of Llan Saint Fred.
• 74. Iohn Morgan died in the Priory of Caermerthin, and was buried in his owne Church.
• 75. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Vaughan built a new Chappell in his church of Saint Dauid.
• 76. Richard Rawlyns.
• 77. William Barlowe, translated to Welles (hauing safe here 10. yéeres) about the yéere 1548. and after to Chichester. See Welles.
• 78. Robert Farrar, ended his life in the fire for profession of his faith, the history whereof, and of his whole life are to be read in Master Foxe.
• 79. Henry Morgan died December 23. 1559.
• 80. Thomas Yong, staying here but a very short time, was translated to Yorke February 25. 1561. See Yorke.
• 81. Richard Dauyes Bishop of Saint Assaph.
• 82. Marmaduke Middleton Bishop of Waterford in Ire∣land.

• 83. Anthony Rudde Doctor of Diuinity, borne in York∣shire, brought vp in Cambridge, hauing béene for the space of 9. yéeres Deane of Glocester, was consecrate Iune 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The Bishopricke of Saint Dauids is valued in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at 426, l. 22, d. ob. and in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bookes at 1500. ducates.