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.

43. Lewes Beaumont.

THe Couent then chose for their Bishop Henry Stam∣ford, Pryor of Finchall, and sent him to Rome to be confirmed by the Pope. But before he could get thi∣ther, at the importunate suite of the kings of England and France, the Pope had giuen that Bishoprick vnto one Lewes Beaumont, a French man borne, and of the blood royall there. He was lame 〈◊〉〈◊〉 both his legs, and so vnlearned, that he could not read the bulles and other instruments of his consecrati∣on. When he should haue pronounced this word (Metropo∣liticae) not knowing what to make of it (though he had studied vpon it and laboured his lesson long before) after a litle pause, Soyt purdit (saies he) let it goe for read, & so passed it ouer. In like sort he stumbled at (〈◊〉〈◊〉 aenigmate.) When he had fumbled about it a while, Par Saint Lowys (quoth he) il n'est pas cur∣tois qui 〈◊〉〈◊〉 parolle ici escrit, that is, by Saint Lewes he is to

blame that writ this word here. Not without great cause therefore the Pope was somewhat strait laced in admitting him. He obtained consecration so hardly, as in fower∣teene yeeres he could scarce creepe out of debt. Riding to Dur∣ham to be installed there, he was robbed (together with two Cardinals that were then in his company) vpon Wiglesden Moore neere Derlington. The captaines of this route were named Gilbert Middleton and Walter Selby. Not content to take all the treasure of the Cardinals, the Bishop and their traine, they carried the Bishop prisoner to Morpeth, where they constrained him to pay a great ransom. Gilbert Middle∣ton was soone after taken at his owne castle of Nitford, car∣ried to London, and there drawen and hanged in the presents of the Cardinals. After this, one Sir 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 and his brother Robert, came with a great company to diuers of the Bishop of Durhams houses in the habits of Fryers, and spoyled them, leauing nothing but bare wals, and did many other notable 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for which they (I meane the cap∣taines and diuers of their company) were soone after hanged at Yorke. This Bishop stood very stoutly in defence of the li∣berties of his Sée, recouered diuers lands taken away from Anthony Beake his predecessor (as before is mentioned) and procured this sentence to be giuen in the behalf of his church, quod Episcopus Dunelmen. debet habere 〈◊〉〈◊〉 guer∣rarum intra libertates, sicut Rex extra, that the Bishop of Durham is to haue the forfeitures of warre in as ample sort within his owne liberties as the king without. He compas∣sed the city of Durham with a wall, and built a hall, kitchin, and chappell at Middleton. But before he could quite finish the chappell he died, to wit September 22 or (as one deliue∣reth) September 28. 1333. He heth buried before the high altar at Durham couered with a marble stone curiously wrought and inlayde with brasse prouided by himselfe in his life time.