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.

56. Thomas Ruthall.

THomas Ruthall was borne at Cicester in Gloucestershire and brought vp in Cambridge, where he proceeded Doc∣tor of Law. He was preferred to the Bishopricke of Durham by King Henry the seuenth, after whose death, he was made one of the Priuy Counsell vnto the yoong king Henry the 8. who estéemed greatly of him for his wisedome, and learning, and imployed him often in Embassages, and other businesses of importance. Amongst the rest, it pleased the king one time to require him to set downe his iudgement in writing concer∣ning the estate of his kingdome in generall, and particular∣ly to informe him in certaine things by him specified. This discourse the Bishop writ very carefully, and caused it to be bound in Uelime guilt and otherwise adorned in the best ma∣ner. Now you shall vnderstand, how that it chaunced him about the same time to set downe a note of his owne pri∣uate estate containing an inuentory not onely of his vtenstles and houshold stuffe in euery of his houses, with their value, but also of his monyes either owing vnto him, or deniers contans ready in his coffers, which amounted vnto an infi∣nite treasure, no lesse then 100000. l. This account was written in a paper booke of the same fashion and binding that the other was which he had prouided for the king, whereby it happened, that the king sending Cardinall Wolsey for the other draught that he had so long hefore required of him, the Bishop mistaking, deliuered that which contained the re∣port of his owne wealth and priuate state. This the Cardi∣nall soone espying and willing to doo the Bishop a displeasure (for there had béen long and great emulation betwéene them)

deliuered it as he had receiued it vnto the king shewing, how the Bishop had happily mistalien himselfe; For now (quoth he) you see where you may at any time commaund a great masse of money if you néede it. As soone as the Bishop vnder∣stood his owne error, the conceite thereof touched him so néere, as within a very short time after he died. In his time the pa∣rish Church of Cicester was built for the greatest part: And he promised to contribut much thereunto, but preuented by death performed nothing. Anne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his aunt by the mo∣thers side, gaue 100. markes toward that worke. The Bi∣shop himselfe built the third part of the bridge ouer the Riuer of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 toward the South. He also raised from the founda∣tion the goodly dining chamber at Aukland, and dying before it might be finished, tooke order with one Stranguidge that was his Administrator to perfect it. He deceased at London the yeere 1523. and lyeth buried at Westminster almost ouer against the the monument of king Henry the third, in a very seemely toombe, vpon which are these words to be read.

Hic iacet Tho. Ruthall Episcopus 〈◊〉〈◊〉. & Regis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Secretarius, qui obijt 1524.