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.

61. Henry Chichley.

AFter the death of Thomas Arundell, Henry Chichley Bishop of Saint Dauids was elected by the Couent of Canterbury to succéeds him. Now though many Lawes had béene made against the Popes vsurped authority [ 1414] in bestowing Ecclesiasticall preferments by way of prouist∣on: Yet durst not this man consent vnto this election so made, but committed the matter vnto the Popes determination, who first pronounced the election of the monkes void and then bestowed the Archbishopricke vpon him. This Henry Chichley was borne at Highamferrys in Northamptonshire brought vp in New Colledge in Oxford (where he procéeded Doctor of Law) and first preferred vnto the Chauncellorship of Salisbury. Hauing beene imployed much in Embassages and other businesses of the king (wherein he euer behaued himselfe wisely and to the kings great good liking) by his meanes he was made first Bishop of Saint Dauids and then Archbishop. He receiued his pall at the hands of the Bishop of Winchester, the 29. of July, 1414. and bought of the king the fruites of the vacacy (which was halfe a yéere) for sixe hundred markes. The yéere 1428. he was made Car∣dinall of Saint Eusebius & the Popes Legate, but refused to exercise his power Legatiue further then he was authorised thereunto by the king. He was a man happy (enioying al∣waies

his princes fauour, wealth, honour and all kinde of prosperity many yéeres) wise in gouerning his Sée laudably, bountifull in bestowing his goods to the behoofe of the com∣mon wealth, and lastly stout and seuere in due administrati∣on of iustice. In the towne of Nigham ferrys where he was borne, he founded a goodly college for secular priests, which he endowed with large reuenues. He built also in the same towne an hospital for poore people, which he likewise endow∣ed liberally; and his brethren Robert and Wil. Chichley citi∣zens of London, his executors, gaue much land vnto the same. These two foundations finished, he began two other at Ox∣ford, one called Bernard College (now knowne by the name of Saint Johns college) and All Soules college which yet continueth in such state as he left the same, one of the fai∣rest and seemeliest of our Uniuersity. He bestowed much mo∣ney in repairing the library at Canterbury, and then repleni∣shed the same with a number of goodly bookes: He gaue vnto his Church many rich ornaments and iewels of great price, and built a great part of the Tower called Oxford Tower in the said Church. William Molash Prior there (that I may take any occasion to record so good a déede) the yéere 1430. furnished that Tower with a goodly bell called to this day Bell Dunstan. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of that bell at the lowest brim is two yards and somewhat more. But to returne to Henry Chichley no Archbishop euer enioied that honor so long as he did in 500. yeeres before him. He sate 29. yéeres and dying Aprill 12. 1443. was laid in a very faire toombe built by him selfe in his life time, standing vpon the North side of the Presbitery. On it I find engrauen this Epitaph.

Hic 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Henr. Chicheley Ll. Doctor quondam Cancella∣rius Sarum, qui anno septimo Henr. 4. Regisad Gregorium Papam 12. in Ambassiata transmissus, in ciuitate Sanensi per manus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Papae in Episcopum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 consecra∣tus est. Hic etiam Henricus anno 2. Henr. 5. Regis, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sancta ecclesia in Archiepiscopum postulatus & a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pa∣pa 23. ad eandem translatus, qui obijt anno. dom. 1443. men∣sis Apr. die 12.

Coetus sanctornm concorditer iste precetur, Vt Deus ipsorum meritis sibi propiciatur.