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. Peter de la Roche.

THis man borne in Poytiers being a knight was con∣secrate [ 1204] Bishop of Winchester at Rome an 1204. A no∣table wise prelate, and of such authority vnder king Iohn first, and Henry the third after, as none greater in those times. He with two other Bishops, viz. Philip his countrey∣man of Durham, and Iohn Gray of Norwich, animated king Iohn to withstand the Popes excommunication: but they were all faine to cry peccaui at last. The yéere 1214. king Iohn made him chiefe Justice of England: the nobles of the realme grudging very much that a stranger borne should rule ouer them. After the death of king Iohn, king Henry be∣ing a childe, the realme was long gouerned almost altoge∣ther by this Bishop. For William Earle Marshall dying, he was chosen in his roome Protector of the king and realme: And afterwards the king being growen to yéeres of discreti∣on, relyed altogither vpon his counsell. He had a nephew (or as some say a sonne) named Peter d' Orinall Treasurer of England, in maruellous great fauour also with king Henry. Yet as court fauours are variable; so were they often disgra∣ced and often restored againe to the height of worldly happi∣nes, I meane the Princes great and entire fauour. The yéere 1226 he tooke his voyage to the Holy land, and being absent fiue yéeres, at his returne was receiued with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and all signes of great ioy. He died June 9. 1238. at Faruham, when he had sate Bishop the space of 24. yéeres, and was bu∣ried (according to his owne appointment) very meanely and euen obscurely in his owne church. In his death (saith M. Paris) the counsell of England receiued a great wound. What good soeuer happened vnto the church, either by peace or warre in the Holy land at the comming of the Emperour Fredericke, it is specially to be ascribed vnto the wisedome of this Bishop. Againe (saith he) when as discord betwéene the Pope and the Emperour threatned the destruction of the whole church; he was the speciall meanes of compounding a peace betwéene them. Now of the religious houses he built, and being built enriched with reuenewes for their mainte∣nance;

These be the names. Hales of the order of Premon∣stratenses, Tickford of the same order, Saleburne of the order of Saint Augustine, viz. Canons regular, and a goodly hospi∣tall at Portsmouth. Againe he remooued the Church of S. Thomas the Martyr, in the holy land from a very vnfit place, vnto a more conuenient, and reformed the statues of the com∣pany belonging to the Church, causing the Patriark of Hie∣rusalem to take order, that whereas they were heretofore méere lay men, now they should be vnder the Templers and of their society. And lastly, he bestowed great cost in fortifying and repayring the Towne of Joppa, a notable succour and refuge of the Christians in those parts. He made a worthy and memorable will, giuing vnto euery of the foresaid places a huge summe of money: for the least that he gaue was vnto the house of S. Thomas of Acon, vnto which he beaqueathed 500. marks. All this notwithstanding, he left his Bishopricke very rich, his houses furnished, and his grounds ready Stoc∣ked for his successor. Thus farre M. Paris.