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.

52. George Neuell.

RIchard Neuell that great Earle of Warwicke, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and pulled downe kings at his pleasure, aduanced his brother George Neuell vnto great and high placss, being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but a very yoong man: By his meanes he was consecrate Bishop of Exceter Nouember 25. 1455. at what time he was not fully 20. yéeres of age. The yéere 1460. he was made Lord Chauncellour of England; the yoongest Chauncelour I thinke that euer was, either before or since his time. In that office he continued till the yéere 1464. viz. vntill the ma∣riage of king Edward the 4. In which action, the king 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowing he had giuen cause of offence vnto the Earle of Warwick (for it was done whilest y^t Earle was ambassador in Fraunce, and busie in a treatie for a match betweene the king and the French Quéenes sister) He thought it necessa∣rie to weaken him what he might, and so first remooued this his brother from the office of Chauncelour, and bestowed it vpon Robert Stillington Bishop of Bath. Notwithstanding

this alienation of the king from him, the yéere 1466. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 obtai∣ned the Archbishopricke of yorke, and held the same, (but with great trouble) vntill his death. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the dishonour done to the Earle by y^t 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mariage, sticking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his mind, & hauing peraduenture continual occasions of new greeses be made a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with his brethren to pull downe king Edward that had raigned now almost 9. yeeres, and to set vp king Henry the 6. againe, who had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in prison all that while. This indeed they performed partly by the help of George Duke of Clarence, king Edwards brother. And it was the hap of this Archb. to take 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Edward prisoner, at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Northhampton shire. He carried him thence, first to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 castell, then to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 castell in yorke shire. But being of too good a nature to be a good 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vsed him with such curtesie, suffering him to walke abroad, & often to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with a few 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to attend him, as (were it by the negligence or vnfaithfulnesse of those that had the charge of him, I know not) away he escaped, being met vpon a plaine where he hunted by a troupe of his friends, & wasted by them into a place of safety. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 halfe a yeere that K. Henry was restored to his crown 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Edward so handled y^t matter, as comming suddenly to London, & entring y^t Bishops palace by aposterne gate, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 surprised at once king Henry b the Arch∣bishop that had not long before taken him, They were both caried thence to the tower of London, where y^t good king was soone after pitifully murthered. But the Archbishop vpon the fourth of June following was set at liberty. About a yeere after his inlargement, he chaunced to be with the king a hunting at Windsor; and vpon occasion of the sport, they had seene there, made relation vnto the king of some extraordina∣ry kinde of game, wherewith he was woont to solace himselfe at a house he had built, and furnished very 〈◊〉〈◊〉, cal∣led the Moore in Hartfordshire. The king seeming desirous to be partaker of this sport, appointed a day when he would come thither to hunt, and make merry with him. Hereupon the Archbishop taking his leaue, got him home, and thinking to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the king in the best manner it was possible for him, he sent for much plate that he had bid during the warres 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his brethren and the king, and borrowed also much

of his friends. The 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 the 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 brought into the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the day 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent for the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 him, all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 set a part, to repaire presently vnto him being at 〈◊〉〈◊〉. As sone as he came, he was arrested of treason; all his plate, mo∣ney, and other 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 (to the value of 20000, l. were seised vpon for the king, and himselfe a long space after was kept prisoner at Calis and Guisnes: during which time, the king 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto himselfe the profits and temporalties of his Bishopricke. Amongst other things then taken from him, he had a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of inestimable value, by reason of many rich stones wherewith it was adorned: that the king brake and made thereof a crowne for himselfe. This calamity happe∣ned vnto him the yéere 1472. By intercession and intreaty of his friends, with much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he obtayned his liberty the yéere 1476. and a little while 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same, with griefe and anguish of minde (as is thought) died at Blithlaw comming from Yorke. He was buried in the Minster there. In this mans time Sixtus the fourth made the Bishop of Saint An∣drewes Primate of all Scotland, and appointed twelue Bi∣shops to be vnder him, that vntill that time were of the Pro∣uince of Yorke. The Archbishop 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it what he might. But the Pope alledging it was very vnfit, that such a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should be the Metropolitane of Scotland, as for the most part (by reason of wars was an enemy vnto the same) ouer∣ruled it, and would needes haue it so.