45. Fulco Basset.
ABout Christmas following, Fulco Basset Deane of [ 1244] Yorke was elected vnto the Sée of London, but not consecrate vntill October 9. 1244. for that the king, who earnestly desired to haue remooued Peter Bishop of He∣reford vnto London, misliked greatly their choice. This our Fulco was a gentleman of a grcat house, but a second bro∣ther. After he had entred orders, his elder brother and the onely sonne of that brother, died within the compasse of a yéere, leauing the inheritance vnto him. Our histories blame him for not being forward ynough in the cause of the Ba∣rons, that is for being too true vnto his Prince: Otherwise, they giue him the praise of a good man, a discréet and vigilant pastor. Questionlesse he was a man stout, and no lesse coura∣gious then his predecessor. The yéere 1255. Rustandus the Popes legate held a connocation at London, in which when he went about to lay an importable exaction vpon the clear∣gy (and it was knowen the king was hired to winke at it) this Bishop rose vp and openly professed that he would suffer his head to be chopped off before he would consent vnto so shamefull and vnreasonable oppression of the church. Yea when the king stormed at this his resistance, and reuiled him, saying, that neither he nor any of his name was euer true vnto him, threatning moreouer that he would finde meanes to plague him for it: In the presence of some that he knew would tell the king of it, he sticked not to say (a spéech I con∣fesse not commendable, but bold and couragious) My Bi∣shopricke indéed, my myter and crosier the king and the Pope may take away from me (though vniustly) but my helmet and sword I hope they shall not. He died of the plague at London the yéere 1258. and was buried in his owne church vpon Saint Urbans day.