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.

44. Richard Magnus.

VVIthin a fewe daies after the death of Stephen [ 1229] Langton, the Monkes with the Kings licence procéeded to election & made choice of one Walt. de Hempsham one of their own company & presented him vn∣to the K. who by the aduice of diuers prelates refused to allow of him. Which notwithstanding, he got him to Rome hoping by one meanes or other to obtaine the Popes confirmation. The king hauing notize of his intent, sent thither the Bi∣shop of Chester to signifie that he was a man very vnlearned and moreouer infamous for his life and conuersation, as namely, that he had gotten diuers children vpon a certaine Nunne, that his father was hanged for theft, and that him∣selfe had deserued it by taking the part of the rebellious Ba∣rons. All this would not stay the Pope from giuing him con∣firmation,

vntill the kings Ambassadors had promised him a tenth of all spirituall promotions in England, to aide him in his wars against the Emperor. That being assigned him, he straight way pronounced the election voide and by reason of the insufficiency of the elect, the right of nomination to be deuolued vnto him selfe; by vertue of which title he tooke vp∣on him at the kings request to name vnto that see Richard the Chauncellor of Lincolne. This Richard was a man very wel learned, wise, graue, well spoken, and of good report, stout in defending the rights and liberties of the Church and (which is not altogither to be neglected) of a goodly personage, tall, straight, and well fauoured. He was consecrate at Canter∣bury by Henry Bishop of Rochester, in the presence of the king and many of the nobility, June 10. 1229. A little while he enioyed that honor, to wit, two yéeres or there abouts. In which time there happened a controuersie betwéene him and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Earle of Kent, concerning some lands of the Earle of Glocester, the profits whereof the Archbishop chal∣lenged as due vnto him in the minority of the Earle. Hubert was a man greatly fauored by the king for his long faithfull seruice vnto his father and him selfe; namely for defending the Castle of Douer against Lewis the French man, he made him Earle of Kent, and chiefe iustice of England. He had entred vpon these lands. The Archbishop first complained of the wrong vnto the king, & finding no remedy at his hands excommunicated all the authors of this iniury (the king one∣ly excepted) and got him to Rome. The king vnderstanding thereof, dispatched messengers thither also to hinder his pro∣céedings there what might be. The Pope notwithstanding delighted much with the eloquence, grauity, and excellent be∣hauiour of the Archbishop, graunted presently all his de∣mandes. Little ioy had he of this victory: Being thrée daies iourney in his way homewards, he fell sicke at the towne of Saint Genuna and there died in the Friery, where also he was buried. It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that soone after his buriall, cer∣taine théeues brake open his toombe and thought to haue rob∣bed him of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rings, &c. wherein (according to the ma∣ner of those times) he was buried; but that they claue so fast vnto him, as by no deuice they could take them from him.

Beléeue it as you list. It shall not be amisse also to note how that in the time of this Archbishop, a great number of Itali∣ans had possessed them selues of the best benefices of Eng∣land; which being much spited at; certaine madde fellowes tooke vpō them by force to thresh out their corne euery where and giue it away vnto the poore, to rob and spoile them of their money and other goods. It was done so openly and so boldly, as it was manifest that some great men were at one end of that businesse. The Italians after that time were not so eager vpon Euglish benefices.