27. Ethelwald.
EThelwald Abbot of Abindon continued Bishop nine∣téene [ 963] yéeres and died, 984. Angust 1. How Brinstan his predecessor appeared vnto him, challenging the ho∣nor of a Saint, &c. Sée Matth. Westminster in ann. 965. he was a great patron of monkes, and no lesse enimy vnto ma∣ried priests. At his first comming 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expelled them out of the olde Monastery to place monks. In the yéere 867. the Danes had slaine all the monkes they could finde in Winchester. From which time, secular priests inhabited the same (being authorized by the king so to doo) till the yéere 971. a company of monkes were brought from Abingdon (of the Bishops old acquaintance it is like) to shoulder them out of the doores. Not contented thus to haue replenished his owne Church with monkes, hauing bought the Isle of Ely, he played the like rex in that Church (not yet Cathedrall) turning a long eight honest Priests into the world, with their wiues and children, to put in monkes. And then at Thorney, he built new or at leastwise repaired an old Monastery that had lay∣en waste many yéeres. I may not let passe one commendable action of this bishop, that in time of a great dearth brake all the plats belonging to his Church, and gaue it to the poore; saying, that the Church might in good time hereafter againe be prouided of ornaments necessary, but the poore perished for want of foode, could not be recouered.