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.

50. Walter Raynolds.

RObert Winchelsey being dead, the monks of Canter∣bury [ 1313] elected for his successour one Thomas Cobham that was Deane of Salisbury, and Prebendary of Yorke, a man of such vertue and learning, as he was com∣monly called by the name of the good Clerke. The king (Ed∣ward the second) was desirous to preferre vnto that place Walter Raynolds Bishop of Worcester; whom he fauoured singularly for his assured fidelity and great wisedome. Before therefore that the saide Thomas Cobham could get away to Rome, the king vnderstanding of his election, sent thither in all post haste, earnestly requesting the Pope to finde meanes that this Walter might be made Archbishop. He glad of such an occasion to exercise the vtmost of his vsurped authority, without any more adoo, thrust in the said Walter Raynolds into that Sée, pretending, that he had reserued the gift of the Archbishoprick for that time vnto himselfe before it fell. Cob∣ham a while stoode vpon the right of his election, but percea∣uing to how little purpose it was to stirre with so mighty ad∣uersaries as the Pope and the king both at once, was content to accept of the Bishopricke of Worcester which the other left. This Walter had béene a Courtier a long time, Chap∣leyne first vnto Edward the first, and Parson of Wimberton, then by Edward the second (whose schoolemaster some say he was) made Treasurer and Chauncellour of England, and preferred to the Bishopricke of Worcester the yéere 1308. The buls of his translation were published in Bowe Church Ianuary 4. 1313. He receaued his pall Febr. 17. following, and was installed with great pompe and solemnity April 19. in the presence of the king the Quéene and many nobles. The first thing he did after his comming to Canterbury, was to take order by giuing pensions and diuers sums of money at Rome, that appeales made from him to the court there should finde no fauourable intertainment. He precured also eight seuerall Buls, containing so many great and extraordi∣narie priuileges. The first gauc him authority of visiting all his prouince, so as he should haue procurations euery where,

and yet his charges borne; The second to visite monasteries and all other exempt places; The third to absolue and restore to their former state two hundred Cleargy men that had in∣curred irregularitie; The fourth to dispense with the Mino∣ritie of a hundred Clearks, and enable them to take spirituall liuings; The fifth to absolue a hundred of such as by striking any Cleargy man had fallen into the danger of excommuni∣cation; The sixt, to grant forty pluralities; The seuenth, to require the gift of any one dignitie or spirituall promotion in any church or college where he should visite; The eight, to grant pardon of a hundred daies in any place where he should visite, preach, giue almes, or kéepe hospitality. Being thus ar∣med, he perfourmed his visitation, trauailing himselfe in the same till by the Barons wars he was hindered, and sent for vnto the Court by the king. That warre being ended, and execution done vpon diuers of the nobles that had rebelled: Adam Tarlton Bishop of Hereford was apprehended and brought to the barre to be arraigned for the like fault. All the Bishops of England almost were then at London. The Arch∣bishops of Canterbury, Yorke, and Dublin hearing of it, in great haste hied them thither, and hauing their crosses borne before them, entred the court, by violence tooke the prisoner from the barre, and carried him away with them. Much adoo there was about this matter a good while: & the stir was not quight ended when the Quéene rising against her husband, and setting vp her sonne to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the kingdome, at last procured him to be deposed. This our Archb. then shewed himselfe a very weake man: He was content a while out∣wardly to stand with the king (as beside the common duty of a subiect, he was bound to do by benefites receaued infinite) but first vnderhand he aided the Queene with great sums of money, and at last vtterly for sooke him, his lawfull prince, his master, his patron that had aduaunced him by so many de∣grées vnto an estate so honorable. It pleased God, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 timorousnesse should be his destruction: By the Quéene aforesaid (of whom he stood so greatly in awe) he was commanded to consecrate one Iames Barkley elected Bi∣shop of Excester. He did so, but for his labor was so threat∣ned, taunted, and reuiled by the Pope, that saide he had reser∣ued

the gift of that Bishoprick vnto himselfe, as for griefe and anger togither he died, when he had sate Archbishop 13. yéeres, 9. moneths, and thrée wéekes. He was buried in the south wall of Christs church in Canterbury néere the Quier, where his tombe is yet to be seene, with an inscription which I haue read long since, but I thinke is now defaced. This man was but meanly learned, yet very wise & of good gouern∣ment, except when for feare and want of courage he neglected his dutie. He gaue vnto his Couent the Manour of Caldcote, and the wood of Thorlehot.