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.

3. Wilfridus.

THis Wilfrid was borne in the North 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of [ 666] meane parentage. The time of his childhood he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his Fathers house, being vntaught vntill he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 14. yéeres of age, at what time not sustayning the frowardnes of his stepmother, he went abroad to séeke his fortune as they say. And first he light vpon certaine Courtiers that had been beholding vnto his Father for diuers 〈◊〉〈◊〉. By 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he was presented vnto the Quéene, as child for wit and beau∣ty not vnfit to doo her seruice; She by questioning 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the inclination of the boye, that he was desirous to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a scholler. Therefore the sent him to one Cedda, that of a Councellor and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the king, had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Monke at Lindisfarne. By him he was 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, being very sharp witted, profited wonderfully vnder him. At that time there was a great contention in the Church a∣bout the obseruation of Easter; whereof this youth being desirous to be fully informed, determined to go to Rome and study there a while. By meanes of Eanfled the Quéene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Ercombert king of kent, he was furnished for this voyage, and sent along with one or two other. In the way he fell acquainted with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Archbishop of Lyons, who made very much of him, & stayed him with him a time, to the great increase of his knowledge. Continuing then no long time at Rome, in his returne homeward, he was ordered by the Archbishop of Lyons aforesaid, who also adopted him to be his sonne. He meant not to haue returned into his owne

Countrey, but that this Archbishop was taken from him be∣ing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Quéene that had cruelly staine 9. other Bishops before. Presently vpon his returne home, king Egfrid gaue him a house and maintenance, and many uoblemen admiting much his learning and eloquence, bestowed diuers things vpō him. At last with great applause & liking of all men, he was chosen bishop, & sent into Fraunce, where he was consecrate by 12. other Bishops: for he refused to take consecration at the hands of the Scottish bishops that were counsed schisinatiques in not agreeing with the Church of Rome concerning the time and obseruation of Easter. Be∣yond the Seas he stayed somewhat longer then he needed, being delighted with the company of many learned men, of that countrie: and when he would haue returned, by tem∣pest of weather he was driuen into far countries, where he wandred a long time. Comming home and finding another man in his place, he liued a while a priuate life. In which meane space he was often inuited by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king of Me∣rce-land vnto the Bishopricke of Lichfield. In the end Cedda being remooued (as before is said) he setled himselfe at Yarke, and hosced Cedda to Lichfield. Then, the first thing he went about was to finish his cathedrall church left vnperfect by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and since his departure very much decaied (for the roofe was fallen, and the walles in many places ruinous) this his church I say he repaired, and finished, mending the walles, couering it with leade, glasing the windowes and moreouer beautified the same with many goodly ornaments. He was so greatly beloued of all men for his gentlenesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and liberality, as many men liuing, but more at their death (especially cleargie men) would put their goods and chil∣dren into his hands, the one assuring themselues of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kéeper, the other of a discréete and conscionable 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Hereby it came to passe that in short time he became excee∣ding rich, hauing many seruitors to attend vpon him, and great store of plate, and other houshould 〈◊〉〈◊〉 very sumptu∣ous. The report whereof comming to the eares of Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury: it put him in mind of the great∣nesse of that dioces and the ability of the country to main∣taine more Bishops. Wherefore he went about to appoint

two or thrée 〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉 VVil∣fride obstinately 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the other ceased not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 very earnestly, he appealed vnto the Pope, and went vnto him in person. Some report (I thinke vntruly) that he went 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to perswade the Quéene to forsake her husband, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 take her selfe to a monastery, and that the king being greatly dis∣pleased herewith, first sought to diminish his authority by making more Bishops, and afterward made diners 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto the Pope against him, séeking to haue him 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Whosoeuer caused it, certaine it is, that to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he trauailed. In passing of the sea, he was driuen by a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 winde into Frizia, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there all winter preaching the gospell (neuer hard of in that country before) vnto the king and people, whom before his Departure he conuerted vnto Christ. The Pope was then at the Counsell of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where, both by him and his counsell it was ordered, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Yorke should not be altered with∣out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 owne consent. But Egfride the king so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Theodores deuise, as Wilfride at his returne 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he must either yéeld vnto it or forsake the country. Herein me thinkes he was to blame: Not induring to take a repulse in a matter he had trauailed so much in; He rather chose to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bishopricke, country and all, and to liue in pouerty and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. He went into Sussex, and there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the people of that country vnto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Christ, became their first Bishop, and laid the foundations of a Cathedrall church, the Sée being afterward remooued to Chichester. Sée 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hereof in Chichester. After ten yéeres banishment, king Eg∣frid dying, Alfrid that succéeded him sent for Wilfride and desired him to returne to his Sée of Yorke: which he did. But after fiue yéeres, the king fell out with him, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him to Rome againe. There purging himselfe of all the accu∣sations laid against him by the king, he obtained the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 letters in fauour of him, by meanes whereof, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of many friends, with much a doo, at last he was restored 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more vnto his first charge, in which after this his last 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he liued peaceably the space of sower yeeres, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then being seuenty sixe yéeres of age, October the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the yéere 711. forty fiue yéeres after his first consecration. He

was buried in the monastery of Rippon which himselfe built: many other things are at large reported of him by Beda lib. 5. cap. 20. Amongst the rest his Epitaphe there set downe I thought good to insert.

Wilfridus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 magnus requiescit corpore praesul, Hane domino qui aulam ductus pietatis amore Fecit, & eximio 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nomine Petri, Cui claues coeli Christus dedit arbiter orbis, Atque auro 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 ostro. Quinetiam sublime crucis radiante metallo Hic posuit trophaeum, nee non quatuor auro Scribi Euangelij praecepit in ordine libros, Ac thecam è rutilo his condignam condidit auro. Paschalis qui etiam solemnia tempora 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Catholiciad iustum correxit 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, Quem statuere patres, dubioque errore remoto, Certa suae genti ostendit modermina ritus; Inque locis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 monachorum examina crebra Colligit, ac monitis cauit quae regula patrum Sedulus instituit, multisque domique forisque, Iactatus nimium per tempora longa periclis, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ternos postquam egit episcopos annos, Transijt & gaudens caelestia regna petiuit, Dona Iesu Grex vt pastoris calle sequatur.

Sée more of this Wilfride in Theodore of Canterbury.