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.

33. William.

BY what meanes I know not, Spearheafocus Abbot of [ 1050] Abingdon set foote into the Bishopricke of London, Ro∣bert being translated. But the king displaced him, would not suffer him to be consecrate, and bestowed the same vpon one William that was a Norman (as his predecessor was) and came into the realme with Quéene Emma his (I meane the Confessors) mother. Unto this man the city of London ac∣knoledgeth it selfe greatly beholding, for that king William the Conquerour by his meanes & instant sute, graunted vnto them all kind of liberties, in as ample manner as they en∣ioyed them in the time of his predecessor. In thankfulnesse hereof, the citizens haue caused to be engrauen this Epitaphe vpon his graue (which is in the middle of the body of his church.)

Guilielmo viro sapientia & vitae sanctitate claro, qui pri∣mum Diuo Edwardo Regi & Confessori familiaris, nuper in Episcopum Londinensem erectus, nec multo post apud in∣uictissimum Principem Guilielmum Angliae Regem eius no∣minis primum ob prudentiam fidemque singularem in consi∣lium adhibitus, amplistima huic vrbi celeberrimae priuilegia ab eodem impetrauit; Senatus populusque Londinensis benè merenti posuit. Sedit Episcopus ann. 20. Decessit an. a Chri∣sto nato 1070.

Haec tibi clare pater posuerunt marmora clues, Praemia, non meritis aequiparanda tuis. Namque sibi populus, te Londinensis amicum Sensit, & huic vrbi non leue praesidium. Reddita libertas duce te, donataque multis Te duce, resfuerat publica muneribus. Diuitias, genus & formam breuis opprimit hora, Haec tua sed pietas & benefacta manent.