51. Simon Mepham.
SImon Mepham Doctor of Diuinitie, Canon of Chiche∣ster, Prebendary of Landaff, and Parson of Tunstall, a Kentish man borne, one very well learned (as lear∣ning went in those daies) was then elected by the monks, ap∣prooued by the king, and affoorded consecration by the Pope at Auinion the yéere 1327. The first thing he did at his re∣turne home was, that he excommunicated all the authors of the death of Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excester, as they had well deserued. Soone after, he began to wrangle with his monks of Canterbury about certaine land: They com∣plained them vnto the Pope, who sent a Nuncio to Canter∣bury to heare and determine of this controuersie. He condem∣ned the Archbishop in seuen hundred pound charges. After this, he began to visite his prouince in like sort as his prede∣cessors had done before him. The Bishop of Excester Iohn Graundson resisted him (for what cause I finde not) appealed to Rome, and would not suffer him so much as to enter into his Cathedrall Church, much lesse to visite in the same. These two repulses he tooke so tenderly, as being yet scarcely retur∣ned home, he fell sicke and died, October 12. 1333. at Mag∣field. His body was conueighed to Canterbury, and laid in a marble fombe vpon the North side of Saint Anselmes chap∣pell. He sate Archbishop fiue yéeres and somewhat more.