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.

19. Oswald.

WIthin the compasse of one yéere, viz. the yéere 971. [ 971] Yorke had three Archbishoppes, Oskitell that 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Athelwold that resigned, and this Oswald. He was néere of kinne vnto Oskitell his predecessor, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto Odo Archbishop of Canterbury being his brothers 〈◊〉〈◊〉. By his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he was made first Chanon of Win∣chester, after 〈◊〉〈◊〉: for at that time, the Cathedrall Church of Winchester had no monkes, but maintained a company of secular priests, whereof many were married men. Percei∣uing the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 onely were now in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and other cleargy men little 〈◊〉〈◊〉; by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his vncle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his place in Winchester, and trauelled to Floriake in Fraunce, where he became a monke. Hauing continued there some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or fire yéeres, his vncle writ often very importunatly vnto him to come home, but could neuer preuaile, till he sent him word of his last sicknesse, whereof soone after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 died. Oswald then destrous to haue séene him once more, made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into England, but came too late; the old Archbishop was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first. Oskitell then his other kinsman gaue him entertaine∣ment, till that by the meanes of Saint Dunstan he was pre∣ferred to the Bishoprick of Worceter, viz. the yéere 960. two yéeres after his arriual in England. He built there the church dedicated to the blessed virgine Mary hard by the church of Saint Peter, and placed monkes in the same, to the ende that the priests of Saint Peters church being continually disgra∣ced by the people (that very much reuerenced the monkes) might become a weary of their places. He was not deceiued of his expectation; the people flocked all vnto the monkes and left the priests of S. Peters alone. Partly for shame, & partly for griefe thereof (being per aduenture molested otherwise) the most of them departed thēce, & y^t rest were faine to take coules vnto them & become monks. The Sée of Yorke being voide, King Edgar carefull to place a fit man in the North country (which was then very rude and barbarous) and thinking none so fit as Oswald, made offer of the same, vnto him: and when he séemed loth to forsake Worceter, was content he

should hold bothe. This man was the first founder of the Ab∣bey of Ramsey in the Isle of Ely, and a very liberal benefactor vnto the Abbey of Floriake where he was brought vp; A great patrone of Monks, and a terrible persecutor of marri∣ed priests, whereof there were many in those daies. He died at Worceter sodainely, hauing washed the féete of certaine poore men, (as daily he accustomed) After which knéeling downe to say certaine praiers, without any sicknesse prece∣dent, he gaue vp the ghost. William 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (who repor∣this) addeth, that the day before his death, he told diuers of his friends that he should die. He was very learned, and left some testimonies thereof in writing, not yet perished: for the integrity also of his life & rōuersation, he was much reueren∣ced. The greatest fault I finde in him, is, that he was very earnest in setting foorth that doctrine of diuels that debarreth men of lawfull marriage. The time of his departure was February 27 an. 992. 32. yéeres after his first consecration, when he had inioyed Yorke 22. yéeres. He was buried at Worceter in the church himselfe had built. Many miracles are reported to haue béen done at his tombe, in regard where∣of the posterity would néedes make him a Saint.