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.

44. Iohn Thursby.

THe yéere 1349. Iohn Thursby Bishop of Saint 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 1352] was translated to Worceter, and about the mid∣dle of October 1352. (being then Chauncelor of Eng∣land) to Yorke. He was brought vp in Oxford, where he was very much esteemed for his learning, being a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and a very good Canonist. He writ diuers things, both in English and Latine: amongst the rest, he published an expo∣sition vpon the ten Commandements in his mother toong, which he required all the Clergy men in his Dioces to read diligently vnto their parishioners. That worke I haue and keepe as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worthy to be esteemed. Diuinity books in the English toong were geason in those dates. I pray God they be not now too common. The yaere he was Car∣dinall of Saint Sabine by Pope Vrban the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whom I ho∣mas

Walsingham repeateth to haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an English man. In the 10. yéere after his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he began to build 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the quier of his Cathedrall church: laying the first stone him∣selfe July 29. toward the charge of which work he presently laide downe 100. l. (or as some report 500. l.) and promised to contribute yéerely 200. markes, or as others say 200. l. till it were 〈◊〉〈◊〉; which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 long as he liued, he faithfully per∣formed. He bestowed great cost in beautifying the Lady chappell with images and pictures of excellent workman∣ship; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the bodies of diuers of his predecessors that lay buried else where about the church, caused them to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the said chappell in very 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manner, lea∣uing a place for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the middle thereof, where, dying Nouember 6. 1373. at Thorp, he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after solemnly enterred.