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.

34. Sewall.

VVHen the king heard of his death, he determined [ 1259] not to suffer his place to be filled ouer hastily. All other Bishopricks of England (saith he) haue bene in my hands heretofore, but this neuer: Therefore I must be aduised how I let it passe out of my fingers. The Chapter af∣ter a conuenient space, made choise of Sewall their Deane a man modest, vertuous and learned, being well seene not one∣ly in diuinity, but in law also and much other good learning. Diuers of his writings remaine and are remembred by Bale in his centuries. He was a diligent hearer of Edmund of A∣benden (after Archbishop of Canterbury, and canonized a Saint) at what time he read the diuinity lecture in Oxford. This Saint 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (as Matthew Paris reporteth) would often tell his scholler Sewall, that out of all question he should die a Martyr. Now far foorth this prediction fell out true, you shall heare anon. Now the king not liking this spéede of the Chapter men, as not being for his profit, hindred the new elect what he might, and for want of better matter, alleaged against him, that he was a bastard, and so by the Cannons vncapeable of that honour. It was true enough, and how he salued that soare I cannot tell; A dispensation belike from Rome (where all things were then to be had for mony) tooke away that obstacle. I find he was consecrate by the suffragan Bishops, of his owne prouince: Iuly 23. 1256 a yeere and almost three moneths, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the death of his predecessor. His Deanery being thus void, the Pope tooke vpon him to bestow the same vpon one Iordan a stranger, that vnderstood 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one word of English, and otherwise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnworthy of that goodly preferment. This Iordan doubting least in taking pos∣session he might happily be resisted, came into the church of Yorke, at dinner time, and inquiring of one (whom by chance he found then at his praiers) which was the Deanes stall? Caused two of his owne company to deliuer him possession thereof. This being done, though in hugger mugger, was quickly brought vnto the Archbishops eares, who grieued in∣finitely at the same, and sought, by all meanes possible to dis∣annull

and make voide the Popes gift. The 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 church men were so amazed with this strange and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 course (strange in those daies, but afterwards too com∣mon) as they knew not what to do or say. It seemed most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and detestable vnto them, that so high a dignity, and an office of such importance, in place and authoritie next vnto the Archbishop, should be conferred vpon a base ob∣scure and contemptible fellow. But they stood so in awe of the Popes tyranny, whereunto the king had subiected, and as it were prostrate himselfe, that they durst not make any profes∣sion of mislike About the same time the Pope sent a comman∣dement into England, that 300. of the next benefices that fel, should he bestowed vpon certaine Italians that he named, men ignorant of the English toong, and though otherwise perhaps worthy the places appointed them (which is greatly to be doubted) yet in that respect most vnfit to haue cure of soules committed vnto them. In this iniurious course, our Sewall couragiously withstood him, and not onely by word and letter sharpely reprehended him, but also in deeds resisted this his tyranny; vtterly refusing to admit either Iordan vn∣to the Deanry, or any other of his Italians to any other pro∣motion in his Dioces. For his labour he was quickely sus∣spended. Wherewith he was so little terrified, as that not∣withstanding, he stood still stoutly to his tackling, and yeelded not one inch. Iordan therefore, whether doubting of good suc∣cesse, or wearied with trouble, or in regard, that he perceiued himselfe very odious in Yorke, resigned his Deanry, accep∣ting a pension of 100. markes out of it. This composition with Iordan, nothing apeased the Popes fury. Determining belike to make him an example to other, he first caused his crosse in contumelious maner to be taken from him, and soone after thundred ont his greatest excōmunication against him, causing him to be cursed throughout England with bell, booke and candle. By these, and infinite other vexations (saith Matthew Paris) he was much disgraced in the fight of the world; but became no doubt far the more acceptable in the sight of God. So long he denied to how his knees vnto this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as ouercome with care, and not induring those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all molestations, he died at last hart broken, much better de∣seruing

the name of a Martyr, then many other to whom the church of Rome hath afforded that title. Lying vpon his death bed, & perceiuing his end to approch, with watry eies looking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 towards heauen in y^t bitternes of his soule he made this prayer, which I thinke not vnworthy in this place to be inserted: Lord Iesus Christ thou most iust iudge, from whose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wisedome nothing is hid, thou knowest how the Pope (vnto whom thou hast suffered the gouernment of thy church to be deliuered) hath with manifold 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ouerwhel med my innocencie, for no other cause (as thou canst witnes, & the world doubteth not) then this, that I would not admit men altogether vnknowne, yea and most vnfit, vnto the cure and care of those churches, the rule and charge whereof vnto me (though vnwoorthie) thou hast committed: Notwith∣standing least by my contempt the Popes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sentence of excommunication become iust and deserued, with all humili∣tie I craue to be absolued from the same. But I appeale vnto thee the supreme and vncorruptible iudge; and both heauen and earth shall be my witnesses, that he hath most vniustly vexed and many waies as gréeuously, as wrongfully offen∣ded me. Before his end also he writ vnto the Pope a very ef∣fectuall, and pithie letter, wherein he laied before him at large the miserable estate into which the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of him and his predecessors had brought the church; praying him to haue a care to amend what was amisse, & to remember that Christ repeated vnto Peter thrice, Feede my sheepe, but not so much as once or halfe once bid him either to flay them or to sheere them, much lesse to teare out their very bowels to deuours or destroy them, as he did. But the Pope was so farre from following this good aduise, as he not onely contemned the same, but first derided the good Bishop for his labor, & after∣ward grew into great choller, taking it hainously, that any mortall man should be so presumptuous, as to admonish him of his dutie. He sate Archbishop onely two yéeres, in which time he reformed many things amisse in the state of his Church. He caused the stipend of the ministers of Saint Sepulchres chappell to be increased, and appointed them to be called Cannons: He erected Uicariges in diuers impro∣priate churches, which till that time were very ill serued, and

did many other things woorth memorie, but more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue done if his time had béene either longer or more quiet and peaceable. He died vpon, or neere vnto Ascention 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1258. and was buried in his Cathedrall church: The place of his sepulture there, was much frequented of the ignorant people, that esteemed him a Saint. Notwithstanding the great conflicts betweene him and the Pope, our monkes doubt not to father vpon him a miracle of turning water into wine, by blessing it in time of his sicknesse. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereof I leaue vnto the Reader.