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.

24. Aldredus.

THe Sée of Yorke falling void by the death of Kinsius, Aldredus [ 1060] that being first a Monke of Winchester, then Abbot of Tauestock, was consecrate Bishop of Wor∣ceter the yeere 1046. making his way by money and bribes liberally bestowed amongst Courtiers, found a meanes to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and abuse the simplicity of king Edward the Con∣fessor, and by alleadging the example of his predecessors that had held Worceter in commendam with Yorke, obtained li∣cence of him to hold them both, wherein so holy a man as 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Edward (me thinkes) should haue beene more precise. Hauing preuailed thus farre, he went to Rome for his pall together with the Earle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brother to the Quéene, Giso after Bi∣shop of Welles, and Walter of Hereford. The Pope at that time was Nic. the second, a great enimy to simony, which in this age began to grow very rise. Whether he had heard som∣what of Aldredes bribing in obtaining this preferment, or whether he fisht it out by strict examination (which is deli∣uered) he not onely refused to establish him in his Archbi∣shopricke, but also depriued him of the Bishopricke he had before. Homewards they came together in one company, but with diuers affections; Gilo and Walter ioyfull for the honor newly done vnto them: (for being found men, not onely lear∣ned, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of good conuersation, and not culpable of any corrup∣tion; They were consecrate at Rome with all fauor and ho∣nor that might be: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Earle, peasiue for his friend, whose bribes he had receiued to the others ouerthrow; and lastly Aldred almost desperate for so great a calamity as was fallen vpon him. Sée the power of Almighty God, that not onely raiseth as it were in a moment from the bottome of mi∣sery, vnto the toppe of happinesse; But also doth it by such meanes oftentimes as we thinke more likely to cast vs down farther, then to relieue vs any thing at all. This iolly compa∣ny, trauailing from Rome toward the Alpes, by the way were encountred with a company of good fellowes (in a hap∣py hower for Aldred) that spoyled them of all they had about them, leauing them neither horse nor money, nor any thing

money worth but their apparrell. So there was no remedy, but backe to Rome they must againe to furnish them a new for their iourney. There Tosti with open mouth exclaimed against the Pope, saying, there was no reason that farre re∣mote nations should sogreatly stand in awe of his excōmu∣nications, which théeues and robbers cared not a halfpenny for, but contemned openly and derided euen vnder his derided that amongst poore Priests, he would play Rex, but let re∣bellious varlets doo what they list. If by his meanes (quoth he) our goods be not restored to vs againe, let him giue vs leaue to say, that by his fault and misgouernment we haue lost them; and we hope that our King will haue such consideration of vs, as in the end, this iniury (if he heare of it) shall prooue a greater losse to the Pope then to vs. For my part, I will not faile to certifie him of the truth, and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him daily for recompence, which out of the tribute the Pope hath of England, will soone be made. And except he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it better, why he should haue any at all. I see not. Partly by meanes of these threats, partly in commiseration and pitie, partly by importunity of suite, Aldred at last obtai∣ned his Archbishopricke, & had his pall giuen him vpon con∣dition that he should leaue Worceter. Into which Sée at his returne he wrought 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but hampered him so, as here∣tained almost all the commodity to himselfe, leauing Wulstan only 12. mannors to maintaine his state. In defence of which dealing he alledged, that the lands & possessions of the Arch∣bishopricke were so wasted and spoyled by the Danes and other in the time of Wulfere, as since that, they yéelded little or no profit. It could not be altogether true. For Alfrike and Kinsius (as before you heard) built and purchased much, ha∣uing no commendam at all. This Aldred likewise built much; A Hall for the Cannons to dine in together at Yorke, and another at Southwell; At Beuerley the Hall begun by his predecessors & left vnperfect, he finished; the Presbytery there he raised frō the very foundation, as also a goodly church at Glocester, euen the same which is now the Cathedrall Church. This likewise is commended in him, that whereas the Cleargy of those times were very vndecently appareled nothing differing from Lay men, he brought all the ministery

of his prouince to an vniforme and séemely kinde of habit. Not many yéeres after his returne, king Edward the Confes∣sor died, and Harold inuading the dignity royall no way 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto him, was crowned by Aldred. Wallian, the Conqueror also refusing to receiue the Crowne at Stigands hands (whom he called the vsurper of Canterbury) desired him to performe that solemnity, which he did, requiring first an oath of him to defend the Church, minister iustice (and amongst other things) to vse English men as fauorably as Normans. This oath it séemed vnto Aldred the king had broken, and therefore (like a couragious Prelate) he stucke not to thunder out an excommunication against him, saying that now worthily he had cursed, whom once vnworthily he had blessed. This bold pranke being reported vnto the king, incensed him very much at first, but thinking better of it, he determined to giue faire words a while, and so sent some to entreat for his absolution. These messengers came too late for the Bishop being troubled much in mind after the performance of that action, and either amased with feare of what might happen after it, or ouer∣come with gréefe and repentance of that he had done; neuer could be mery after, and so by conceit was cast into a disease, whereof he died. September 11. 1069. This is the report of W. Malmesbury, others say (namely Florentius Wigorne) that he was so grieued with the comming in of a Nauy of the Danes, as he prayed to God to take him out of this life, that he might not sée the slaughter and spoyle which he thought they would make; And that this griefe was the cause of his death. He was more reuerenced afterward then while he li∣ued a great deale, No English man succéeded him in many yéeres after; And the Normans being odious vnto the people they gladly reprehended all their actions, & comparing them with such English Bishops as they could remember, made most fauorable report of them. One thing also encreased his credite much: Vrsus Earle of Worceter had built a Castle there to some preiudice of the monks, in so much as the ditch of the said Castle empaired a little of the Church yard. Al∣dred went vnto the Earle (hauing before admonished him to right the wrong) and hauing demaunded of him whether it were done, by his appointment (which he could not deny) loo∣king

〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉; 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Vrse Haue thou Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and mine, and of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heads, except thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away this castle, and know thou assuredly, that thy posterity shall not inherite the land 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inheritance of Saint Mary. This his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seemed to take effect, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 died 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after, and Roger his sonne a very small time enioying his fathers honour, lost the same, and was saine to flye the realme for killing an officer of the kings. Thus much for Aldred, who after his death was bu∣ried in his owne church.