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.

42. Ethelmarus.

THe King being certified ef his death, sent immediately two of his Chaplaines to Winchester, to perswade the monkes to elect Ethelmarus the sonne of Hugh Earle of March, and Isabell the Quéene his mother, so that he was halfe brother vnto the king, a man (saith M. Paris) in respect of his orders, yéeres, and learning, vtterly vnsufficient. By that time they had labored the matter the space of a fortnight, the king himselfe came vnto Winchester, and in the Chap∣ter house made a most earnest request in the behalfe of his brother. The monkes too well remembring what great trou∣ble & sorrow they had endured for denying the kings last re∣quest, some of them beaten and sore wounded, many tormen∣ted with hunger, and laden with chaines, in long imprison∣ment, besides continuall charges, of sutes and trauaile, and knowing wel they should haue no assistance at Rome, so long as the Kings purse was better then theirs: they resolued (though they knew the man most vnfit) to gratifie the King, and so no man daring to say no, with one consent he was elec∣ted. He had at that time other spirituall liuing equiualent in reuenue to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury, which that he might kéepe and yet receiue all the profits of the Bishopricke of Winchester; he determined not to be consecrate at all, but to hold it by his election, and so did indéed, for the space of 9. yéeres. In the meane time, he and the rest of his countreymen (with whom the realme was much pestered) were growen very odious as well with the nobility, as the commons, not onely for that their infinite wealth and immoderate prefer∣ment, was much enuied, but much more for their pride, and insolency which a man can hardly beare in his owne friend, much lesse in an alien and stranger, whom men naturally dislike much sooner then their owne Countreymen. Amongst the rest, this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bare himselfe so bold vpon the King his brother, as he gaue commaundement to his seruants to force a clergy man out of the possession of a benefice, where∣unto he pretended some right; and if he withstood them, to draw him out of his possession in contumelious manner.

The poore man loath to loose his liuing, defended it so long, til by my Lord Electes men he was slaine himselfe, and his people so soare beaten, as within few daies one or two of them died. This fact and other like brought all the Pictaui∣ans into such hatred, as the realme 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ready to rise against them: which perceiuing, to auoid the tēpest growing towards them, the yeere 1268. they all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the realme. Ethelmar sent ouer for his treasure whereof he had laide vp great store: but much of it came short being intercepted at Douer, and taken away from those to whom it was committed. The yéere af∣ter the departure of the Pictauians, viz. 1259. the monkes of Winchester thought good to procéed to the election of a new Bishop. And knowing it was to no purpose to make choice of any, but such as the king fauoured, elected Henry de Wing∣ham then Chauncellor of England. But he, although (he doubted not of the kings fauour) in regard that another being elected it might prooue litigious, refused to consent vnto their election, alleaging his owne vnwoorthines for want of lear∣ning. The king was content to allow of him condicionally that some stay might be made for a time to sée whether his brother Ethelmar might attaine consecration of the Pope. While the king stood vpon these vncertaine tearmes, Henry de Wengham became Bishop of London the yéere 1259 & 2. yéeres; after, viz. 1261. Ethelmar died. He tooke order his hart should be brought to Winchester where it was intoombed in the South wal of the presbytery as this Elogium witnesseth.

Obijt anno Dom. 1261. Corpus 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cor nunc tenet istud 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 morte 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.