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.

39. Richard.

IN the moneth of February following the death of Tho∣mas [ 1173] Becket (which was December 28. 1170.) one Ro∣bert Abbot of Becco was chosen Archbishop. But he li∣king better a quiet life, chose rather to sit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where he was, then to aduenture him selfe in a place subiect to the blasts of such terrible tempests as Thomas Becket was tossed withall.

The king then dealt earnestly with the Couent of Canter∣bury to choose some mild and soft spirited man, to preuent such broiles as had béene raised by the last Archbishop. They followed his direction, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 elected one Richard, a Benedic∣tine Monke Prior of the Monastery of Saint Martins in Douer, who was presently allowed of the king and the Pope and soone after consecrate. He was a man very liberall, gen∣tle and passing wise. So he handled the matter, that in all his time he neuer was out either with the Pope or the king. The Pope be entertained with often gifts and money, the kings fauour he retained by yéelding and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him selfe to his pleasure. This man continued Archbishop about the space of ten or eleuen yeeres. In all which time, there happened not any thing concerning him woorthy memory, except per∣aduenture the stir betwéen him and the Archbishop of Yorke Roger. The olde quarrell chaunced to be renued betwéene these two Archbishops concerning the Primacy; And one Hugocio the Popes Legate comming into England, both of them requested him to heare and iudge this controuersie be∣tweene them. Upon this and other occasions, a Conuocation was summoned at Westminster, where was a stately throne prouided for the Legate. At the time appointed the Legate came and tooke his place, and the Archbishop of Canterbury sate him downe next vnto the Legate vpon the right hand. After this in came Roger Archbishop of Yorke and would néedes haue displaced 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to sit aboue him: that, when the other would not suffer, he sate him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his lap. The other Bishops present amased at this strange be∣hautor of the Archbishop of Yorke, cried out all vpon him, the Archbishop of Canterburies men by violence drew the other out of his ill chosen place, threw him dewne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his robes almost from his backe, trode vpon him, beate him, and vsed him so despitefully, as the Legate, whether for shame or for doubt what might happen to him selfe in such a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, got him out and went his way. The Archbishop of Yorke all ragged as he was, bloudy and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 went to the king, who first was exceeding angry, but when he heard the truth, laught merily at it and said he was well ynough ferued. Much adoo there was long after at Rome about this and the

old controuersie; the ende whereof at last was, that much money was spent and neither party euer a whit the néerer. The end of this man is thus reported, how that being a sléepe at his mannor of Wrotham, there séemed to come vnto him a certaine terrible personage demaunding of him who he was? whereunto when for feare the Archbishop answered nothing, Thou art he (quoth the other) that hast destroied the goods of the Church, and I will destroy thée front of the earth: This hauing said, he vanished away. In the morning betime the Archbishop got him vp and, taking his iourney to∣ward Rochester, related this fearefull vision vnto a friend of his by the way. He had no sooner told the tale, but he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sodainly with a great cold & stifnesse in his limmes, so that they had much adoo to get him so farre as Halling a house belonging to the Bishop of Rochester. There he tooke his bed and being horribly tormented with the cholike and other gréefes vntill the next day, the night following the sixtéenth of February he gaue vp the Ghost. ann. 1183. His body was caried to Canterbury and honorably interred in the La∣dy Chappell.