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.

The Bishops of Chester.

IN the City of Chester there was of old a Nunry, the Church whereof (first built by that famous Earle Leofricus, and dedicated vnto Saint Werburg) being now become very ruinous, Hugh Lupus the first Earle of Chester after the Conquest, repaired the same the yéere 1094. and by the perswasion of Saint Anselme (whom being dangerously sicke, he had sent for into Normandy to be his ghostly father) replenished it with monkes. About the same time (or a little before, to wit the yéere 1075.) Peter Bishop of Lichfield remooued his See thither. But his next successor Robert de Lymesey, forsaking Chester, made choice of Couentry, whence not long after the succéeding Bishops, returned againe to Lichfield. King Henry the eight restored vnto this City that honor, and conuerting the Monastery aforesaid into a Cathedrall Church, erected a new Bishopricke there, appointed the Counties of Chester, Lancaster, and Richmond to be the Dioces of this new Sée and the same to be estéemed in the Prouince of the Archbishop of Yorke.

1. Iohn Byrd.

THe first Bishop of Chester was Iohn Byrd, borne in Couentry, and brought vp in Oxford. Being Doctor of Diuinity and Prouinciall of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he was preferred by King Henry the eight to the Bishopricke of Ossery in Ireland. From thence soone after he was remooued first to Bangor, and lastly vnto Chester. Certaine Sermons preached before the King against the Popes Supremacy, were the occasion of his aduauncement. In Queene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 daies he was depriued for being maried.

2. Iohn Coates.

BIshop Coates succéeded him. His Christen name (I take it) was Iohn: For certaine, I can not affirme it. He died soone after his preferment in Quéene Maries daies.

3. Cutbert Scot.

SHe then preferred vnto this Sée one Cutbert Scot, who sitting not past two or thrée yéeres, in the beginning of the happy raigne of her Maiesty that now is was displa∣ced, and for his disobedience committed to the Fléete; Thence (I know not by what meanes) escaping he fled to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and there died.

4. William Downham.

VVIlliam Downham was Chaplaine vnto her Ma∣iesty before her comming to the Crowne, and be∣ing preferred by her vnto this Sée, continued in the same about twenty yéeres.

5. William Chaderton.

VVIiliam Chaderton Doctor of Diuinity succéeded, and was translated to Lincolne the yéere 1595.

6. Hugh Billet.

HVgh Billet Doctor of Diuinity and Bishop of Bangor, sate not fully one yéere. He died about Whitsontide ann. 1596.

7. Richard Vaughan.

RIchard Vaughan Doctor of Duinity succéeded Bishop Billet in both those places, being translated hither in June 1597. He yet liueth.

This Bishopricke is valued at 420, l. 20, d.

FINIS.