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. Gilbert Foliot.

GIlbert Foliot was first Abbot of Glocester (as M. [ 1161] Westm. hath) but Bale affirmeth he was Abbot of Leycester, and not of Glocester. The yéere 1149. he was consecrate Bishop of Hereford, continued in that Sée almost twelue yeeres, and in 1161. vpon the kings speciall request, he was translated to London. In all the stirres be∣twéene Thomas Becket and the king, he stucke vnto the king very faithfully, and was partaker of all his counsels. Mat. Paris reporteth a strange thing of him (beléeue it if you list) that one night comming from the king, after long conference concerning the businesse betwéene the King, and the Archbi∣shop: as he lay musing of those things in his bed, a terrible and an vnknowen voice sounded these words in his eares, O Gilberte 〈◊〉〈◊〉, dum reuoluis tot & tot, Deus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est Ascarot. Taking it to be the deuill, he answered boldly, Mentiris Dae∣mon, Deus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est Deus Sabaoth. At what time the King banished certaine fauorites of the Archbishop, that were Clergy men, he commaunded this Bishop to receiue the fruites of their liuings into his hand. For obeying the autho∣rity of his Prince herein, the Archbishop excommunicated him. And presently vpon the death of the said Archbishop, the Pope excommunicated him also, but affirming by othe he was not guilty of the murther, he was absolued. He died Fe∣bruary 18. 1187. It séemeth he was not onely wise, but (for those times) very learned; He writ diuers bookes mentioned by Bale. I finde in Polycraticus, a note concerning him, that because it expresseth very well an humour much raigning now a daies, I thinke not vnnecessary to offer vnto the Rea∣der euen as I find it. Venerabilis Pater, &c. The reuerend father Gilbert Bishop of Hereford, would sometimes dis∣course vnto me (saith he) a certaine guise of Cloyster men, the experience whereof he found in him selfe. When first he entred into the Monastery, hote with the fire newly kindled in him, he was woont to blame very much the sluggishnesse of his gouernors. Being preferred him selfe, he was still mo∣ued with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 toward his equals, but spared not his

betters. He became first a Prior; taking part then with Pri∣ors, he would complaine of Abbots. Afterwards being made an Abbot, fauouring his fellow Abbots, he ceased not to re∣prehend Bishops. And lastly, when he was a Bishop him∣selfe, he began to see how much more easie a thing it is to find faults then to mend them. I thinke not (saith he) that this Bishop was to be esteemed enuious, but being a wise man he expressed pretily an affection, as it were naturally engraffed in euery man; and was the more willing to take that kind of fault vpon him selfe, that he might be the better heard of others. Ioan. Sarisb. Polycrat. lib. 7. cap. 24. A very wise and reuerend Bishop now deceased, in my hearing hath often ac∣knowledged the like humour in him selfe before his prefer∣ments, and therefore adiudged it the rather to be borne with∣all in other men.