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.

40. Baldwin.

AFter the death of Richard the Archbishop, a controuer∣sie [ 1184] grew betwéene the Couent of Christs Church in Canterbury, and the Suffragan Bishops of the Pro∣uince of Canterbury, who of right ought to choose the Arch∣bishop. For it had béene often done by both as (in that which I haue before deliuered) you may perceiue. The king desi∣rous to haue some honest quiet man, dealt first with the Co∣uent, praying them to make choice of such a one as he might haue cause to like, and after made the same request vnto the Bishops. The Monkes (though mooued thereto) would in no wise ioyne with the Bishops, but perceiuing the Bishops began indéede to set foote into the matter, appealed to Rome. Much adoo there was there about it the space of nine mo∣nethes. At last the Bishops got a mandate wherein the Monkes and they were commaunded to ioyne together. The day of election was appointed, but the Monkes for curst

hart would not come vnto it. So the Bishops procéeded and made choice of Baldwin Bishop of Worcester. This election the monkes labored mightily to disanul; professing, that they liked the man elect very well, but they must not indure such a president. The king therefore (who fauoured Baldwin ex∣ceedingly) wrought so with one party and the other, as the Monkes were content to elect him, vpon condition he would renounce all benefite of his former election, and the Bishops themselues would confesse the same to be void and of no ef∣fect. All this was done and he receiued into quiet and peace∣able possession of this Metropoliticall sée. This Baldwin was a poore mans sonne and borne in Excester. He was first a schoolemaster, then entred into orders and became an Arch∣deadon: his Archdeaconry he voluntarily resigned, and in∣tending to forsake the world, became a Cistercian or white Monke. Hauing liued so a certaine space, he was made Ab∣bot of Ford in Deuonshire. From thence he was called to the Bishopricke of Worcester consecrate thereunto the yéere 1181. translated to Canterbury in the end of the yéere 1184. and solemnely installed there May 19. 1185. being the first white Monke that euer was Archbishop. Giraldus Cambr. describeth the person of the man in this sort. He was of complexion somewhat swarthy, his countenance simple and like a plaine meaning man but very comely, his stature indifferent, well made of body, but slender timbred. For his maners, he was modest and sober, of such abstinence, as fame durst neuer stamp any sinister report vpō him, of few words, slowe to anger, and very studious from his very childhood. It is a woonder that a man of this disposition should be so much troubled as he was: with the King he alwaies a∣greed very well: But betwéene the Monkes of Canterbury and him there was much and continuall debate. The occa∣sion thereof was this. The king greatly misliking the inso∣lency of the Monkes, thought to wrest from them the pre∣heminence of choosing the Archbishop in time to come by this deuice. He gaue direction vnto Baldwin their Arch∣bishop, to beginne the foundation of a Colledge at Hacking∣ton now called Saint Stephens being distant from Can∣terbury about halfe a mile. This Colledge it was deuised

should haue one prebend erected by the king, and by euery seuerall Bishop of that prouince of Canterbury one other, which should euer be of the gift and patronage of their foun∣ders. As for the Archbishop, the building of the church and other edifices was appointed vnto him for his share, which he intended to performe with great magnificence. The ende of this foundation was none other then this, that it might be a meane of traducing the right of election of the Archbishop, (a matter greatly importing the king and the whole realme) from the monkes (men of little learning, lesse discretion, and smalest experience in matters of gouernment, yet very obsti∣nate and altogether wedded to their owne wils) to other men, in whom the king and the rest of the Bishops (as being their patrones) might chalenge an interest. For the better execution of this plot, it was ordained, that this colledge should be dedicated vnto Saint Thomas, who was now growen so famous throughout the world, as euery man thought himselfe happy that could do any thing to his honor. In regard hereof they made no doubt, but the Pope would soone be intreated to take from Christ (vnto whose name the monastery of Canterbury was consecrate) all priuiledge of election, and to confer the same with many other vpon Saint Thomas that famous martyr. The matter was now very forward and growen to good perfection, in so much as the foundations were digged, stone, timber, and other prouision laide ready in place for the building, when as the subtile monkes suspecting wherunto this great forwardnesse of the king and Bishops tended, made their complaint at Rome. That notwithanding, on went the worke: The church part∣ly built was solemnely consecrate, and diuers secular priests (such Saint Thomas himselfe was) instituted and installed into their prebends, when the monks that neuer linne laying on load by requests, gifts and al maner of importunate sute to disturbe this platforme, procured the Pope to set downe an order, that this corporation should be dissolued, the buildings thereof rased and made euen to the ground. Such were the times, the Popes pleasure was aneuitable necessity; it must be and was performed. It happened then soone after that Vr∣ban the Pope died, who was a great protector of the monkes

cause. Gregory the eight succéeded, a man with whom Bald∣wyn might do very much. He determined therfore once more to set on foote his former deuise, but in another place. He pro∣cured of the Bishop and Couent of Rochester, for exchange of other land, a certaine quantity of ground at Lambhith, where the Archbishops pallace and house of chiefe residence is now situate. Thither he caused to be brought by water all the pro∣uision of stones, timber, &c. that was intended to the building of the colledge at Hackington, and began the foundation of a goodly church there, which he liued not to finish. King Ri∣chard the first to expiate the fault of his rebellion & disobedi∣ence vnto his father, determined to carry a great power into the holy land. Baldwyn would néedes attend him thither, and did so. By preaching, counsell, liberall almes, and continuall erample of a most vertuous life, he did great good there, vntill at last in the siege of the city of Acon being taken with a grie∣uous sicknesse he died, when he had béene Archbishop euen almost seuen yéeres, and was buried there. He gaue all his goods vnto the soldiers to be diuided amongst them at the dis∣cretion of Hubert the Bishop of Salisbury, that soone after succeeded him.