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.

19. Plegmund.

PLegmund the most excellent learned man of his time [ 889] was borne in the kingdome of Mercia. In his youth he first dedicated himselfe vnto a solitarie life and liued an eremite in the Island of Chester, which of him (as it should séeme) was woont to be called Plegmundsham. He was ta∣ken thence to teach Alfred that was afterward king of Eng∣land. Being chosen Archbishop, he trauailed to Rome in per∣son, and was there consecrate. Soone after his returne (to requite belike the curtesie he had found there) he tooke great paines in collecting the almes of al men wel disposed through the land, which the king sent together with much treasure of his owne vnto the Pope by Athelmus Bishop of Winche∣ster, appointing a certaine portion of the same to be conueied vnto Ierusalem. Marianus then Pope, a little before had gra∣tified the king diuers waies: He had granted immunitie of tribute vnto the Saxons schoole at Rome, and sent sundrie presents vnto him; namely (amongst other things) a péece of the crosse vpon which our Sauiour was thought to haue suf∣fered death. By this contribution his kindnesse was suffici∣ently

requited. The most memorable action of this Archbi∣shop is, that the yéere 905. he consecrated seuen Bishops in one day. By reason of continuall warres, all the prouince of the West Saxons had béene without any Bishop seuen yéeres: Which Formosus the Pope imputing vnto the negligence of the king, sent out an excommunication against him. He ther∣fore caused Plegmund the Archbishop to call a conuocation, wherein it was ordered, that the country of the Gewisses (which till that time had but two Bishops, one at Winche∣ster another at Shirburne) should hereafter haue fiue; viz. besides the Sées before named, Welles in Sommersetshire, Criditon in Deuonshire, and Saint Petrocks in Cornwall. Unto Winchester was appointed Frithstan, to Shirburne Wolstan, to Criditon 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and to Saint Petrocks Athel∣stan. Moreouer at the same time were consecrate with them, Burnegus Bishop of the South Saxons, and Kenulsus Bi∣shop of Dorchester. Plegmund sate Archbishop 26. yéeres, and dying ann. 915. was buried in his owne church.