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.

58. Cutbert Tnnstall.

IN the Sée of Durham a notable man succéeded him, and one no lesse famous for his vertues then the other for his fortune, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Bishop of London. He was borne at Hatchford in Richmond shire, and was the base son of one Tunstall a gentleman of a very auncient house. It is reported, that their first auncestor attended William Conque∣ror

〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Barbor, and being raised by him 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 fortune, in memory of his former estate, tooke for his armes S. 3. combes A. But I take this for a fable. The speciall vse of armes is to expresse vnto posterity the vertues of such as are raised vnto gentry, and not to remember any thing that may be to the disgrace of the bearer, and make him lesse ho∣norable. Were the first of this race as he is supposed; because he was not aduaunced for being a Barbor but for his faithfull and loyall seruice, such armes should rather haue béene giuen him, as might haue registred that vertue, then twighted him with the basenes of his first trade and manner of life. Rather therefore should I gesse some other occasion of these armes, which as they were born by him, may haue many very hono∣rable significations. But to leaue his armes & speak of himselfe He was a very rare and admirable man, in whom I thinke no man will blame or reprehend any thing but his religion. There was scarce any kind of good learning in which he was not excellent. A very good Grecian, well seene in the Hebrew toong, a very eloquent Khetorician, a passing skilfull Mathe∣matician (famous especially for Arithmetike whereof he writ a worke much estéemed) a great lawier (in that faculty he proceeded Doctor) and a profound Diuine, as diuers his workes yet extant doo very well testify. But his greatest com∣mendation of al is that which I find giuen him by Bale out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thomas Moore, that as there was no man more adorned with knowledge and good literature, no man more seuere and of greater integrity for his life and manners, so there was no man a more swéete and pleasant companion, with whom a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would rather choose to conuerse. In regard of these ma∣nifold good parts the Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham, not onely made him his vicar generall, but also commended him so effectually vnto the king, as he thought good to employ him in many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of great waight, and diuers temporall offices of no lesse trust. He was first Master of the Rolles, then (as I find recorded) kéeper of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Seals, made Bishop of London the yéere 1521. and translated to Durham March 25. 1530. Being yet at London he bestowed much mony 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 Library in Cambridge with good bookes both written and printed. He

built from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ground a most beautifull porch or gatehouse (with a chappell annexed thereunto of faire stone) in the castle of Durham, & added to the said castle certaine gates with iron barres and portcullices supported with strong walles on each side. He brought water thither with a conduit, whereas be∣fore time it was serued with well-water. He made the gate∣house at Alnewike, and built the Tolboothe in the market of Durham all of stone, with diuers edifices neere the hinder part of the said Tolboothe, which he gaue also to the city of Durham. Lastly he repaired with great charge the third part of Tyne bridge. Hauing continued in this Sée the space of one and twenty yéeres with great honour, December 20. 1551. he was committed vnto the Tower of London and re∣mained prisoner there all the rest of the raigne of king Ed∣ward, viz. ninetéene moneths. In which time, amongst many other horrible sacrileges (whereunto the nonage of the king gaue oportunity) meanes was found that the Bishopricke of Durham should be dissolued by act of Parliament. This morsell was ready dished, and in certaine hope already swal∣lowed, when it pleased God, to punish the deuouring coue∣tousnesse of those times, by taking away that admirable yong prince king Edward. Quéene Mary that succéeded, tooke this bit from the trencher of those rauening Atheists, & by like au∣thority, the first yéere of her raigne, restored it vnto the former estate, & y^t old Bishop both to his liberty & the possession of the same. Quéene Mary dying; for his contumacy & disobedience vnto her Maiesty that now raigneth (& long may she) he was iustly depriued of his Bishoprick, in the moneth of July 1559. He was then committed vnto the custody of the Archbishop of Canterbury who entertained him most kindly and seemed very glad of his company. But he enioyed it a very litle while For within fower monethes after his depriuation, viz. No∣uember 18. following being eighty fiue yéeres of age, he de∣parted this life at Lambhith, where he was first consecrate almost forty yeres before. His body was buried in the Chaun∣cell of the parish church there, and couered with a faire mar∣ble stone, vpon which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Epithaphe written by Doctor Haddon:

Anglia Cutbertum Tunstallnm 〈◊〉〈◊〉 requirit Cuius summa domi laus erat atque foris. Rhetor, Arithmeticus, iuris consultus & aequis Legatusque fuit, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 praesul erat, Annorum satur, & magnorum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 honorum, Vertitur in cineres aureus iste senex.