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.

37. Theobald.

IN a Conuocation held at London by the commandement [ 1138] of Albert Bishop of Hostia the Popes legate. (Theobald was chosen Archbishop) by the suffragan Bishops of his owne Prouince, and consecrate in the same conuocation or synode by the legate afore named. He receiued his pall at Rome of Innocentius the second, who also indued him and his successors for euer with the title of Legatus natus. This Theo∣bald was first a Bendictine monke and then (till he was cho∣sen Archbishop) Abbot of Becco. A man of no great learning, but of so gentle and swéete behauiour (being very wise with∣all) as he was greatly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of high and lowe, Kings, no∣bles and commons. With the Pope he had often much adoe. One Sylnester a man infamous for many notorious offen∣ces,

was presented vnto the Abbotship of Saint Augustines in Canterbury, whon: in respect of his knowen vnworthines, the Archbishop 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to admit. But the Popes letters came so thicke and thréefold in fauour of him, that after many de∣laies, excuses and allegations against him, at last he was faine to receiue him. There was at the same time one Ieremy prior of that Abbey, an olde acquaintance and friend of the Archbishops, whom notwithstanding (vpon some great oc∣casion it is like) the Archbishop 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and remooued from his place. In the behalfe of this man also, the Pope (who ne∣uer was woont to faile where he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be well paide for his paines) began to stickle and to interpose his authority, resto∣ring Ieremy to his place againe till the cause might be heard and determined before him. Whereat Theobald, though a mild man of nature, being excéedingly mooued, in a great fury vowed he would neuer exercise any ecclesiasticall iurisdiction so long as Ieremy held that place. He therfore seeing the Arch∣bishop so resolute against him, and fearing some great incon∣uenience would fall vpon the monastery by meanes of this businesse, and so procure him the hatred of his owne compa∣ny; vpon paiment of 100. markes was content to leaue his place, and liued a priuate monke in the same house euer after. Now in the third yéere of his consecration it happened a Councell was summoned at Rhemes, whereunto he was called. Henry therefore Bishop of Winchester King Stephens brother (that by vertue of his power 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had often contended with him, and euer opposed himselfe against him in the Popes behalfe) circumuented this good plaine-mea∣ning man in this fort. He dealt first with the Pope in no wise to dispence with his absence, and then with his brother the King to forbid his passage, and perforce to stay him at home. But such were those times, as it was safer then to offend the King then the Pope, and therefore he resolued to goe, and in no wise to giue the Pope such an aduantage, against whom he had now twice opposed himselfe already dangerously. Go therefore he would, but all the difficulty was in getting pas∣sasse. All the ports of England were laid for him: yet so cun∣ningly he handled the matter, that ouer the seas he got and was at the Councell in good time. The King then following

the aduice of his brother the Bishop of Winchester, seased vp∣on his goods and temporalities and banished him the realme. He like a tall fellow interdicted the King and the whole 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and taking aduantage of the time which was very troublesome (notwithstanding the Kings commaundement) came home and liued in Norfolke, till by the intercession of certaine Bishops he was restored. Afterward he grew into great fauour with the King, and was the chiefe meanes of concluding that finall peace at Wallingford betwéene him and Mawd the Empresse. In the yeere 1152. he summoned a conuocation at London, where the King would haue con∣strained the Clergy to make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his sonne King, to the disheriting and great iniury of Duke Henry the Empresses sonne. The intent was spied before, and letters procured from the Pope to forbid the Clergy to meddle in any such matter. This notwithstanding, the matter was earnestly followed in behalfe of the yoong Prince 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in so much as, when they perceiued the businesse was not effected according to their desire, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them vp in the place where they were gathered together, and thought by force and threatning to compell them. The greater part séemed to yéeld, when Theo∣bald stealing secretly out of the place, tooke his barge, and rowing downe the Thames, got him beyond sea, and so by his absence the synode was dissolued. His goods by and by were once more confiscate, and his temporalties seased into the kings hands. But in a short time after king Stephen died, and Henry Duke of Normandy surnamed Fitz-〈◊〉〈◊〉 suc∣ceeded, who restored him immediately to all his possessions 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Under him he passed the rest of his daies quietly in great fauour and estimation with him. He departed this life the yéere 1160. when he had sate Archbishop two and twen∣ty yéeres. Perceiuing his end to approch, he made his will, and gaue all his goods vnto the poore or other like good vses. Helieth buried in the South part of Saint Thomas chap∣pell in a marble tombe ioyning to the wall.