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.

53. Henry Beauforte.

THe Pope was now growen to that height of tyranny, [ 1405] that he not onely placed, but displaced Bishops at his pleasure. And his meanes to do it, was by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them to some other Bishopricke peraduenture of lesse value and peraduenture nothing woorth at all. So was Alex. Neuill perforce translated from Yorke to S. Andrewes in Scotland, whence (wars being at that time betwéene England & Scot∣land) he was sure neuer to receiue peny. And so he translated Iohn Buckingham from Lincolne to Lichfield, a Bishopricke not halfe so good. But he choosing rather to haue no bread then but halfe a loafe; in a very malecontent humor and great chafe put on a monkes cowle at Canterbury, and there liued priuately the rest of his life. To his Bishopricke of Lincolne was then preferred Henry Beaufort, sonne to Iohn of Gaunt by Katherine Swinford, the yéere 1397. He was brought vp for the most part at Aken in Germany where he studied the ciuill and canon law many yéeres; and comming home, was preferred to Lincolne very yoong. He continued there seuen yeres, & presently vpon the death of W. Wickham was tran∣slated to Winch. June 23. 1426. he was made cardinal of S. Eusebius, & receiued his hat with great solc̄nity at Calis the Lady day following. A man of great frugality and therefore excéeding rich. King Henry the fift in the latter ende of his raigne, by great and continuall warres being waxen much behind hand, and greatly indebted; began to cast a couetous eye vpon the goods of the Church, which at that time were growen to the full height: and there wanted not many that incited him vnto the spoile of the same. This wealthy Pre∣late (best knowen by the name of the rich Cardinall) supply∣ed his want out of his owne purse, to diuert him from that sacrilegious course, and lent him 20000. pound, a great deale of money in those daies. He was also valiant and very wise. Pope Martin the fift, determining to make warre vpon the Bohemians that had renounced al obedience vnto the Sée

of Rome, made this Cardinall his Legate into that Country, and appointed such forces as he could make to be at his com∣mandement. Toward the charges of this voyage, the Clergy of England gaue a tenth of all their promotions, and furni∣shed out 4000. men and more, with this power, he passed by Fraunce (dooing there some seruice for his Prince and Coun∣trey) into Bothemia, the yéere 1429. There he remained certaine moneths, behauing himselfe very valiantly till by the Pope he was discharged. In his youth he was wantonly giuen, and gate a base daughter named Iane vpon Alice the daughter of Richard Earle of Arundell. Her he maried after vnto Ed. Stradling or Easterlling a knight of Wales. But this as∣done, before he entred into orders. Toward his latter end he imployed his time altogether either in matters of Coun∣saile & businesse of the common wealth, or the seruice of God and the Church committed vnto him. Amongst other good déedes, it is remembred that he built an hospitall in Winche∣ster which he presently endued with land to the value of 158. l. 13. s. 4. d. of yéerely rent. He died Aprill. 11. 1447. when he had beene Bishop of Winchester 43. yéeres, and from the time of his first consecration, 50. yéeres. Except Thomas Bourchier that was Bishop 51. yéeres, I read of no English man that euer enioyed that honor longer. He lyeth buried in a reasonable stately toombe behind the high aulter of his Church at Winchester toward the South, the inscription is much defaced: of it remaineth onely this; Tribularer si ne∣scirem misericordias tuas.