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.

The Bishops of Winchester.

THE Cathedrall Church of Winches∣ter (according to a report that I finde) was first built and erected by King Lu∣cius who abolishing Paganisike, em∣braced Christ the first yere of his raigne being the yéere of our Lord 180. and placing monks in the same, alotted for their mainteynance large reuenewes, which heretofore had belonged for the most part vnto the Flamines, and other heathen priests. This Church (as the same Author saith) was hallowed and dedicated vnto the ho∣nor of our Sauiour. October 29. 189. by Faganus, and Da∣mianus Bishops. About the space of 100. yéeres the Church of Christ had peace in this land, viz. vntill the raigne of Dio∣clesian, who endeuouring to roote out Christian Religion, not onely killed the professors of the same, but also pulled downe all Churches, and Temples, any where consecrate vnto the exercise thereof. Amongst the rest, this of Winchester at that time went to wracke, the buildings thereof being ruinated and made euen with the ground, and the monkes, and all the officers belonging vnto it, either slaine, or enforced to fly for the present time, and yet afterward to deny Christ. This happened Ann. 289. Not long after the death of this cruell tyrant, to wit, the yeere 309. it was againe reedified, and that with such woonderfull for wardnesse and zeale, as within one yeere and thirty daies, both it and all the edifices belonging vnto it (as chambers, and other buildings, for the monkes and officers) were quite finished in very séemely and conue∣nient manner. The 15. day of March following, it was a∣gaine hallowed and dedicated vnto the honor and memory of Amphibalus (that had suffred death for Christ in the late per∣secution) by Constans Bish (as my Author saith) of Winche∣ster, at the request of Deadatus Abbot of this new erected Mo∣nastery. 200. yéers and vpward it then continued in the same

state, to wit, vntill the yéere 319. at which time Cerdick the first king of the West Saxons, being a Pagan, conuerted the Church into the temple of Dagon, slew & chased away all the monks and ministers of the same. Thus much for the first foundation of this Church, and the estate of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vntill the comming of the Saxons. Now let vs procéede vnto the discourse of the Bishops, whose faries and succession after this time had neuer any notable interruption or disconti∣nuance.

1. Birnius.

THe Prouince or kingdome of the Gewisses or West Saxons, containing the West part of England, was goucrned along time by one Bishop that was called the Bishop of the West Saxons. This Countrey after the Saxons inuaded the same, receiued first the faith of Christ in the time of King Kinigilsus by the preaching of Byroius the first Bishop, who being a very zealous and deuout man, ob∣tained leaue of Honorus the Pope of Rome to aduenture himselfe in preaching Christ vnto Infidels. And his promise was to trauaile vnto the most Sauage and Barbarous peo∣ple in the furthermost part of this Ile, that amongst them he might sowe the séedes of the Gospell: whereupon he was con∣secrated Bishop by Asterius then Bishop of Genoa. But comming thither, and finding the countrey of the Gewisses, where he first arriued to be altogether Pagans, and without any knowledge of Christianity, he determined to go no far∣ther to séeke that which euen there he had already met with∣all. It pleased God so to blesse his labours, that in a short time not onely great numbers of the common people, and many of the nobles, but euen Kingilsus the king himselfe beléeued in Christ, and tooke on them the badge and cognisance of Chri∣stianity by Baptisme. Oswald the king of Northumberland was present at what time Kinigilsus receiued this Sacra∣ment and was his Godfather, being afterwards to become his sonne by the mariage of his daughter. These two Kings appointed vnto Birnius the City of Dorchester for his Cathe∣drall Sée, where spending his time in preaching, aud other

pastorall offices (not without great an inestimable profit) he died about the yeere 650. 15. yéeres after his first comming into this Countrey, & was buried there in his owne Church.

2. Agilbertus.

IN the meane time it had fallen out that Kinigilsus dying, [ 650] kenwalchus his sonne raigned in his stéede: who refusing the offer of the kingdome of heauen by refusing Christ, lost also soone after his earthly kingdome. He had maried the daughter of Penda king of Mercia or Mid-England, & (vpon what occasion I know not) putting her away, married ano∣ther. For this cause Penda tooke armes against him and for∣ced him out of his kingdome. Then for succour he fled vnto Anna king of Esser, a good man and very religious, in whose court he liued the space of thrée yéeres, and there was first brought vnto the faith of Christ. By the helpe of this good Prince he also was restored to his kingdome againe. His fa∣ther had pulled downe the temple of Dagon, and begun the building of a very faire church in Winchester, but was taken away by death before he could finish it, and for maintenance of the ministers of the same had alotted al the countrey round about within seuen mile of the city. This building Kenwal∣chus finished, and not onely ratified the foresaid gift of his fa∣ther, but also himselfe bestowed vpon the same church the mannours of Downton, Alresford and Wordiam. Soone af∣ter the conuersion of Kenwalchus, one Agilbertus (a French∣man borne) that had spent a great time in Ireland in preach∣ing the Gospell there, came into this countrey ann. 650. and of his owne accord tooke great paines in instructing the peo∣ple. The king being giuen to vnderstaud of his learning and painefulnesse, prayed him to accept the pastorall charge of his Countrey; whereunto he agréed and continued in the same a long time.

3. Wina.

AT last it came to passe that the King misliking his spéech and vtterance (as not being able to deliuer his minde, but in broken and very bad English, caused an other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be ordained one Wina a French man like∣wise, but one that could speake very good English,) and diui∣ding his Countrey into two parts, alotted the one vnto Agil∣bert who held his Episcopall Sée as before is said at Dorche∣ster, And the other vnto this same Wini appointing vnto him for his Sée the City of Winchester. This matter Agilbert taking very grieuously, (the rather for that it was done alto∣gether without either his consent or knowledge) returned in a great chafe into his owne countrey, where soone after he was made Bishop of Paris. So Wini or Wina, was the first Bishop of Winchester, of whom some vainely suppose, the City to haue taken his name. He lyeth entoombed in the North part of the Presbitery vpon the top of a wall, where is to be seene this inscription, Hic iacent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Wini Episcopi. Not long after the departure of Agilbert, the king, (I know not for what cause) fell into great mislike of Wina and droue him out of his countrey, who flying vnto Wulfhere king of Mercia or Mid-England, bought of him for money (as it is said) the Bishopricke of London being the first Simonist that is mentioned in our histories.

4. Elentherius.

THe West Saxons were then a long time without a Bishop. In which meane space Kenwalchus perceiuing all things to go against the haire with him, and no∣thing to prosper vnder his hand, but crosses and mischaunces to come thicke one in the necke of another; began to consider with him selfe, how that by neglecting religion, he first lost his kingdome, and no sooner embraced Christ, but he was re∣stored to his crowne againe, and therefore perswaded him∣selfe, that his negligence in appointing a Pastor that might looke vnto the seruice of God, was the cause why his worldly

affaires had no better successe. Hereupon he sent an Emba∣ssador into France vnto Agilbert to excuse the wrong hereto∣fore done vnto him, & with all earnestnes to perswade him to returne vnto his former charge there againe. This though A∣gilbert refused to do, alleaging that he was bound by promise not to forsake the place he now held: yet that he might shew his readines to gratifie the king in what he might, he sent ouer with the Embassador a priest named Elentherius his owne nephew that might (if so it pleased him) be ordained Pastor and Bishop of that countrey, testifying that (for his owne part) he thought him not vnworthy of the place. He was honorably receiued of the king and his people, and at their request consecrate Bishop by Theodorus then Archbi∣shop of Canterbury. He continued Bishop seuen yéeres.

5. Headda.

AFter Elentherius succéeded Headda a very holy and [ 673] vertuous man, but one that profited more his charge in example of good life & cōuersation then in often prea∣ching vnto them; (for as it should seeme) very learned he was not. Yet (if Beda say true) God approued his gouernment by the testimony of many miracles.

6. Daniell.

HE dying in the yéere 704. or (as some deliuer) 705. af∣ter [ 704] he had sate somewhat aboue thirty yéeres; it seemed good to Ina then king of the West Saxons to diuide the pro∣uince into two parts: whereof the one he committed vnto a kinsman of his owne called Aldelmus, commaunding him to make Sherborne his Sée, and vnto the other was ordained Daniell, who following the steps of his predecessors, conti∣nued at Winchester. This man sate 43. yeeres, and at last perceiuing himselfe vnable to gouerne by reason of old age, he resigned his Bishopriche an. 741. and became a monke at Meldune or Malmesbury where he lieth buried.

7. Humfridus.

HVmfridus then gouerned this Sée for the space of eight yéeres, and died an. 756.

8. Kinehardus.

AFter him came Kinehardus of whom I finde nothing [ 756] recorded.

9. Hathelardus.

ANd after him Athelardus or Hathelardus Abbot of Meldune, who the yéere 794. was translated to the Metropoliticall Sée of Canterbury. Sée more in Can∣terbury.

Then these:

• 10. Egbaldus.
• 11. Dudda.
• 12. Kineberthus.
• 13. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 14. Wightheinus.
• 15. Herefridus slaine of the Danes in battell, ann. 834.
• 16. Edmundus.

ANd Helmstanus of whom likewise little or nothing is deliuered, but that he lieth buried vpon the North wall of the presbytery togither with one of his successors Kenul∣phus, as these verses there written do shew.

Pontifices haec capsa duos tenet incineratos, Primus Helstanus huic successorque Kenulphus.

ABout this time many suppose Athelwulf or Athulf (that was king of the West Saxons twenty yéeres) to haue béene first Bishop of Winchester by the space of seuen yeeres. Others report that he was a Cardinall of Rome also. Nei∣ther of these can well be true. Certaine it is, that being in or∣ders,

viz. a Subdeacon, by the dispensation of Pope Leo he was taken out of the monastery of Winchester to be king: and that is all I finde of this matter worthy credit.

18. Swithunus.

AFter him succéeded Swithunus, the opinion of whose ho∣lines hath procured him the reputation of a Saint. How miraculously he made whole a basket of egges that were all broken, and some other things scarce woorth the rehearsall: who so list may read them in Matthew Westminster in his report of the yeere 862. at what time (as he writeth) this Bi∣shop died, and (according to his owne appointment) was bu∣ried in the Church-yard. Some (I know not how truely) make him Chauncellor of England. Whatsoeuer his holi∣nes was, his learning questionlesse was great; in respect whereof Egbert king of the West Saxons committed vnto his gonernment that same Ethelwolfe his yoonger sonne that of a Subdeacon in the church of Winchester, was afterward made king, as before is declared.

19. Adferthus.

ADferthus succéeded him in this Bishopricke, a man (saith Florilegus) sufficiently learned, and that a while discréet∣ly and wisely gouerned this See.

20. Dumbertus.

DVmbertus the successor of Adferthus died in the yéere 879. and left his Bishopricke vnto Denewulsus.

21. Denewulsus.

THis Denewulsus (as the fame goeth) was sometimes [ 879] a hogheard, and dwelt in the place where the Abbey of Athelney in Sommersetshire was afterward builded. It happened at that time king Alfred that famous king of the West Saxons to be so néere followed of the Danes that

sought nothing more than his life, as being abandoned of all his followers. He knew no better or more likely course for his safety then, (dissembling his estate) to deliuer himselfe for a time into the seruice of this hogheard, dwelling in a place (at that time) almost inaccessible & so of very little or no resort. So long he continued there, as his Master and Dame were almost weary of his seruice, wherein he was not so ready as a man should that had had education accordingly. Of her it is particularly deliuered, that when the King let certaine Cakes burne that she had set him to toast, she reprehended him sharply as an vnprofitable seruant in these words.

Vere quos cernis panes girare moraris, Cum nimium gaudes hos manducare calentes. These cakes that now to toast thou makest no hast, When they are ready, thou wilt eate too fast.

At last it sell out, that the kings friends gathering them∣selues together, he ioyned himselfe vnto them, and his sub∣iectes (that now a great while thought him dead) resorted vnto him in so great numbers, as setting vpon the Danes, he ouerthrew them, and in a short time not onely brought them vnder his obedience, but also reduced in a manner the whole Realme of England into one Monarchy. Hauing thus reco∣uered the peaceable possession of his crowne, he was not vn∣mindfull of his olde Master, in whom perceiuing an excellent sharpnesse of wit, he caused him (though it were now late be∣ing a man growen) to study, and hauing obtained some com∣petency of learning, he preferred him to the Bishopricke of Winchester. Moreouer that he might shew himself thankfull vnto God aswell as man, in the place where this hogheard dwelt, he builte a stately Monastery, the wals whereof are yet partly standing.

22. Athelmus.

OF Athelmus that succéeded, this onely is recorded, that the yéere 888. he traueyled to Rome, to cary thi∣ther the almes of king Alfred. I find not mention of this man any where but in Matth. Westm.

Bertulsus.

HE also reporteth that one Bertulsus Bishop of Winche∣ster, ann. 897. was appointed a Gardian of the realme (amongst many others) by king Alfred to defend it against the Danes. Elsewhere I find him not mentioned.

23. Frithstane.

CErtaine it is, that in the yéere 905. one Frithstane was [ 905] consecrate with six other Bishops by Plegmund Arch∣bishop of Canterbury at the commaundement of king Edmund the elder, the occasion whereof is elsewhere set downe. He was a man highly estéemed of for his learning, but much morefor his great vertue and holinosse. He sate a long time, and at last resigned, procuring one Brinstan to be his successor, ann. 931. the next yéere after he died: viz. 932.

24. Brinstan.

Brinstan (as is said) became Bishop, ann. 931. and died thrée yéeres after, viz. 934.

25. Elphegus Calvus.

HE died in the yéere 946. Of these thrée Bishops, diuers miracles are reported in histories, which néede not to be rehearsed.

26. Elfsinus, alias Alfsins.

HE sate till the yéeres 958. and then by bribery, and great summes of money, procured himselfe to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Sée of Canterbury, of which preferment he had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ioye. Sée Cant.

27. Brithelmus.

He sate about fiue yéeres. For ann. 963. he died.

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.

29. Elphegus.

ELphegus Abbot of Bathe succéeded him, an honest and [ 984] learned man. He was translated to Canterbury ann. 1006. sée more of him in Cant.

30. Kenulphus, alias Elsius.

THis man againe is infamous for simony, and aspiring [ 1006] by corrupt meanes to this place. He was Abbot of Pe∣terborough, and hauing enioyed his deare bought pre∣ferment litle more then one yéere was called from it by death. Euen so it fell out with Elsius for Canterbury to make the old saying true, ill gotten goods seldome prosper. Kenulphus died ann. 1008. And lyeth buried in his owne Church, as before is mentioned.

31. Brithwold.

BRithwold (whom Matth. Westm. séemeth to call Elthel∣wold) was Bishop after Kenulphus. It is written of him, that one night being late at his prayers, he chaunced to thinke of the lowe ebbe of the bloud royall of England, which now was almost all consumed and brought to nothing. In the middest of this cogitation falling a sléepe, it séemed vnto him he sawe Saint Peter crowning yoong Prince Edward, that li∣ued in exile at that time in Normandy, and furthermore, to shew how he should raigne 24. yéers, and die at the last with∣out issue. This Bishop then (as he thought) asked him who should raigne next, whereunto this answere was made. The Kingdome of England is Gods Kingdome, and he shall pro∣uide a King for it. This dreame reported by very Auncient writers and falling out iust according to the prediction, may be an example vnto vs, not altogether to neglect and despise the admonition of dreames, which often fall out strangely. This Bishop whether Brithwold or Ethelwold died the yéere 1015.

32. Elsinus, or Eadsinus.

ELsinus or Ealsinus otherwise called Eadsinus, was first Chaplaine vnto King Harald, and by him preferred to the Bishopricke of Winchester, from whence the yéere 1038. he was translated to Canterbury, sée more of him in Cant.

33. Alwynus.

HE was of very great authority with Emma the kings mother, that fauoured him so much, as many suspected them for liuing ill together. Robert the Archbishop of Canter∣bury acquainted the king with this rumor. Whereupon the king presently imprisoned Alwyn and dealt little better with his mother, with whom also he was otherwise offended for allowing him so scantly in time of his minority. She séemed to purge her selfe by miracle, offring to walke vpon nine plow shares red hotte to prooue her innocency, which shée is said to haue performed, and so was restored to the fauour of her sonne againe. Alwyn also was set at liberty; and Ro∣bert the Archbishop their accuser (whether for shame or feare I cannot tell) was glad to get him out of the realme. What else is to be deliuered of this Bishop, this his Epitaphe con∣taineth.

Hic iacet Alwyni corpus qui munera nobis, Contulit egregia, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christe rogamus. Obijt anno 1047.

He lieth entoombed vpon the North wall of the Presbytery in Winchester, with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his predecessors before men∣tioned. Sée more of him in Robert Archbishop of Canter bury.

34. Stigandus.

HE was chaplaine vnto Edward the Confessor, and by [ 1047] him preferred to the Bishopricke of Elmham (whence that Sée was shortly remooued to Norwich) 1043. In the short time he staied there (not past fower yéeres) he had much adoo with one Grinketell, that by money found meanes to cast out Stigand and placed himselfe. He could not kéepe his hold long: For Stigand quietly recouered it againe, and held it till that the yéere 1047. he was translated to Winchester: from whence also he was remooued to Canterbury in the yéere 1052. But whether he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his title to Canter∣bury, Robert the former Archbishop being yet aliue, or whe∣ther

insatiable couetousnes prouoked him thereunto, I can not tell; he retained still Winchester, notwithstanding his preferment to Canterbury, which was the cause of his vndo∣ing at last. For the Conqueror who came into this realme while he was Archbishop, being desirous to place his owne countrey men in all roomes of speciall authority; and besides hauing a priuate grudge at Stigand for forcing him to yéeld Kentish men their ancient liberties (whereof sée more in Can∣terbury) procured him to be depriued of both his Bishopricks vpon this point, that he had contrary to the lawe held them both together. He lieth intoombed at Winchester with Wyni the first Bishop, inclosed (as it séemeth to me) with him in the same coffin: vpon the North side thereof is written:

Hiciacet Stigandus Archiepiscopus.

He was depriued an. 1069. and died a prisoner in the castle of Winchester soone after.

35. Walkelyn.

SOone after the depriuation of Stigand, Walkelyn a [ 1070] chaplaine of the kings was consecrate Bishop of Win∣chester, viz. an. 1070. He fauoured not monkes, but dis∣placed them where he might, and put in secular priests in their roomes. He died Ianuary 3. 1097. So he continued Bi∣shop 27 yéeres. In his time, to wit, the yéere 1079. the Ca∣thedrall church of Winchester that now standeth began first to be built.

36. William Giffard.

AT this time lay Princes euery where tooke vpon them [ 1107] to bestowe Bishoprickes, giuing inuestiture and possession of them by deliuering the ring and the cro∣sier. Pope Gregory the seuenth first withstood Henry the Emperour in this case, and made him at last glad to yéeld vnto canonicall elections. King Henry the first taking vnto himselfe the like authority, placed diuers of his chaplaines in Bishoprickes (without election) commanding the Archbi∣shop to consecrate them. Amongst diuers other he appointed

this William Giffard Bishop of Winchester, and required Anselme the Archbishop to consecrate him. Anselme vtterly denied to afford consecration either vnto him or any other in the like case. The king sent then vnto Girard Archbishop of Yorke whom he found nothing strange. But Giffard (saith Matthew Westminster) timens rigorem Sancti Anselm, sper∣nit consecrationem eius, stood so much in awe of Saint An∣selme as he durst not but reiect the offer of the others conse∣cration. The king angry hitherto with the Archbishop one∣ly, was now much more incensed against this Giffard, and in great displeasure banished him the realme. In the ende, the king and the Archbishop grew to this agréement, that the gifts of the king already passed should be ratified, and his clerkes nominated to Bishoprickes, haue consecration vpon promise, that hereafter he should not disturbe canonicall elections, and vtterly renounce his pretended priuiledge. So after much adoo he was consecrate together with diuers other, an. 1107. He sate 21. yéeres, and dying Ianuary 25. 1128. was buried at Winchester in his owne church: how∣beit I sée no memoriall of him there at all.

37. Henry de Bloys.

THis man was brother vnto king Stephen, first Abbot [ 1129] of Bermondsey, then of Glastonbury, and Nouember 17. 1129. consecrated Bishop of Winchester: yet not preferred to these places for fauour onely, and regard of his nobility, for he was very learned. He writ many things both in prose and verse (if Bale say true) and amongst the rest one booke extant conteining an history of the finding of king Arthurs bones in the abbey of Glastonbury, at what time himselfe was Abbot, and a speciall dooer in that action. If in all the stures and contentions betwixt his brother and Maud the Empresse concerning the kingdome, he stucke close vnto his brother, it is no great maruaile. Yet true it is, that his brother being taken prisoner by the Empresse ann. 1141. he accursed and excommunicate all those that stoode against her, whom no man doubted to be the true inheretrice of the crowne. By his meanes notwithstanding, his brother reco∣couered

quickly his liberty and kingdome. In the meane time the Empresse being iealous of the Bishop, came sodainly to Winchester; and the Bishop doubting her comming to be to no other end but to surprise him, went out at one gate as she entred at another. Within a fewe daies hauing gotten force about him, he returned to Winchester in an vnhappy houre. For (whether by his direction or no, it is not certaine; but by his company out of all question) the city was fired, the grea∣test part thereof being burnt downe to the ground, togither with the Nunnery, the Monastery of Saint Grimbald, and more then 20. other Churches, (some say 40.) This hap∣ned vpon the 2. day of August 1141. Soone after, his men burnt and spoiled the Nunnery of Warwell, and himselfe re∣turning to Winch. tooke off from the crosse that was burnt in the new Monastery 500. l. of siluer & 30. marke of gold, thrée crownes with so many seates of fine Arabike gold set with precious stones. All this he put in his owne purse. Now to remember his good déedes also, you shall vnderstand that he founded that woorthy Hospitall of Saint Crosse néere Win∣chester: In which place some thing had beene built long be∣fore to some such good vse. But it was destroied by the Danes, and quite ruinated, til this Bishop reedified it, or rather laide new foundations in the same place, ann. 1132. and endowed it with the reuenew it now hath. He also built the castell of Farnham, destroied afterward by king Henry the 3. but re∣edified by the Bishops of Winch. He was a man as of great bloud, so of a great and high minde. He contended often with the Archbishop of Canterbury for superiority, vnder colour that he was the Popes legate a latere, and (as some deliuer) a Cardinall. Matthew Westm. reporteth that he obtained of Pope Lucius the title of an Archbishop, receauing from him a pall and authority ouer seuen churches; But what or which they were I finde not. In the 47. yéere of his consecra∣tion, he fell sicke dangerously: whereof the king, Henry the 2. hearing, came to visite him: But he was so farre from yeel∣ding the king thanks for this great grace, as he gaue him no lookes but frowning, nor spéeches but very sharpe and curst: reprehending him with very bitter words as the causer of Thomas Beckets death. Yet such was the great méekenesse of

this prince, as he not onely tooke very patiently this reproofe, but long after thought much of the same. And surely no great maruell: The memory of a dying mans words abideth long: How much more of a Bishop, a graue, wise, and ancient pre∣late. He departed this life August 6. 1171. where he was bu∣ried I know not.

38. Richard Tocline alias More.

AFter the death of the former Bishop, the Sée stood void [ 1174] thrée yéeres: many other Churches likewise at the same time stoode long voide. At last the yéere 1173. by the instance of two Cardinals, the king granted licence of frée election vnto them all. Unto Winchester was then cho∣sen Richard Tocline Archdeacon of Poitiers, by some called More, by other Richard de Iuelcester: He was consecrate at Lambhith the yéere following, viz. 1174. togither with thrée other Bishops, Geffery of Ely, Robert of Herford, and Iohn of Chichester. He died December 22. 1187. or as his Epi∣taph hath 1189. He lieth entombed in the north wall of the Presbytery, iust vnder Wina, where is ingrauen this that followeth:

Obijt anno. Dom. 1189. Presulis egregij pausant hic membra Ricardi Tocline, cui summi gaudio sunto poli.

39. Godfridus de Lucy.

HE was sonne vnto Richard Lucy chiefe Justice of En∣gland, [ 1189] consecrate Bishop of Winchester Nouember 1. 1189. and died an. 1204. so he sate 15. yéeres. This man pur∣chased of king Richard the first the mannors of Wergraue and Menes, which in times past had belonged vnto his Sée of Winchester, but (I know not how) had béene alienated from the same. Moreouer, he became a great benefactor vnto the Priory of Westwood in Kent founded by his father.

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.

41. William de Raley.

THe Sée being thus voide by the death of Peter derupi∣bus, [ 1243] the king Henry the 3. dealt very earnestly with the monks of Winchester to choose in his place the Bishop elect of Ualentia, the Quéenes vncle. But they were agréed vpon W. de Raley, Bishop of Norwich, and tooke exceptions against the elect of Ualentia, calling him virum sanguinum. When the king heard of their intent, he was excéeding angry and made great hauocke of the Bishops temporalties, swea∣ring, he would haue his will at last, or they should neuer haue Bishop. The monks then séeing him so obstinately set against the Bishop of Norwich, determined to alter their purpose, and were content to choose Ralfe Neuill Bishop of Chichester, the kings Chauncellor: wherein they were so farre from con∣tenting him, as he was much more incensed against them then before; and not against them onely, but the new elect also; from whom immediately, he tooke the great seale and gaue it to another. As for the election, not without great char∣ges, he caused the same to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and made void at Rome.

Much adoo there was, for the space of fiue or sixe yéeres about this matter. At last the monkes séeing no end, and being re∣solued against the Ualentine; they procéeded to election a∣gaine, and chose according to their first determination, the Bishop of Norwich. This election was suddenly made and quickly confirmed at Rome. Yet the king ceased not to spurne at the same, commaunding the Mayor of Winchester to for∣bid the new Bishop entrance, which he did, and was by him excommunicate for his labor, and the whole City interdicted. In the meane time the Bishop fealt the burthen of the Kings displeasure so heauy vpon him in England, as he thought good to flie the realme. He got him into Fraunce, and was honora∣bly receiued of the king there. At last, by the intercession of Boniface the Archbishop, and the Popes earnest letters vnto the King and the Quéene, he was restored to the Kings fauor and obtained licence to returne. For recompence of this be∣nefite and his fatherly care, the Bishop (saith Matth. Westm.) in thankfulnesse bestowed vpon the Pope 6000. markes, which he in good nature tooke euery penny, without disdaine∣full returne of one denier. The payment of this money, and the charges of his trouble stucke so close vnto him, as though he liued very priuately, in all his life long, he was neuer a∣ble to recouer himselfe out of debt. He died about the twentith day of September, 1249. at Turon, whither he had with∣drawen himselfe with a very small traine almost a yéere be∣fore. It is recorded of him, that being néere death, he had the Sacrament brought vnto him. And perceiuing the Priest to enter his chamber with it, he cryed out, stay good friend, let the Lord come no néerer vnto me, it is more fit that I be drawen vnto him as a traytor, that in many things haue been a traytor vnto him. His seruants therefore by his commaun∣dement drew him out of his bed vnto the place where the Priest was, and there with teares he receiued the Sacra∣ment, and spending much time in prayer, afterward, he so ended his life, when he had béene Bishop about the space of sixe yéeres: for he was translated, ann. 1243. so that the Sée was void fiue yéeres.

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 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.

43. Iohn Gernsey.

IOhn Gernsey or Iohn of Oxford (for so also I find him cal∣led) [ 1265] was consecrate Bishop an. 1265. at Rome, where it is said he paid vnto the Pope 6000. markes for his conse∣cration, and so much more vnto Iordanus the Popes Chaun∣cellor. Presently vpon his returne he was suspended by Ot∣tobonus the Popes legate for taking part against the king in the Barons wars, he enioyed a small time his honor so déere∣ly

bought: the yéere 1268. he died in Italy and was buried there at Uiterbium.

44. Nicholas de Ely.

RIchard Moore a Doctor of Diuinity was then chosen [ 1268] Bishop. But Fryer Peckham at that time Archbishop of Canterbury tooke exception against him for holding of many benefices. And said, that a man of such conscience as were fit for that place, would rather content himselfe with lesse liuing, then load himselfe with the cure of so many soules. He being refused, Nicholas de Ely hauing béene scarcely one yere Bishop of Worcester, was called to this church. He sate 12. yéeres, & died an. 1290. his body was buried at Wauerly, his hart lieth entoombed in the South wall of the Presbytery with this inscription:

Intus est cor Nicholai Episcop. cuius corpus est apud Wauerley.

One of his name was first Chauncellor, then treasurer of England about the yéere 1260. I assure my selfe it was he.

45. Iohn de Pontissara.

ABout this time the Pope began to take vpon him the [ 1280] bestowing of Bishoprickes for the most part euery where. This Iohn de Pontissara was placed by him vpon his absolute authority. He was a great enimy vnto the monkes of his church, whose liuing he much diminished to encrease his owne. He died the yéere 1304. hauing sate néere 24. yéeres, and lyeth buried in the North wall of the Presby∣tery. His toombe hath this Epitaphe engrauen:

Defuncti corpus, tumulus tenet iste Ioannis. Pountes, Wintoniae presulis eximij. Obijt anno Dom. 1304.

46. Henry Woodloke.

HEnry Woodloke succéeded him. Robert Winchelsey [ 1304] Archbishop of Canterbury being banished the realme by king Edward the first, who charged him with trea∣son, this Bishop became an intercessor for him, and in the re∣quest he made to the king in his behalfe chaunced to call him his good Lord: which the king tooke so haynously, as by and by he caused all the Bishops goods to be confiscate and re∣nounced all protection of him. How he recouered the kings fa∣uour againe, I finde not. Not long after the said king dying, by the permission of the foresaid Archbishop he crowned king Edward the second Ianuary 22. 1307. and died an. 1316. the 13. yéere of his consecration.

47. Iohn Sendall.

VVAlsingham called this man Iohn Kendall, he was [ 1316] Chauncellor of England, and died 1320. hauing scarcely sate fower yéeres.

48. Reginaldus Asserius.

THe Pope then thrust in Reginald de Asser his legate, [ 1320] the king being very angry that the Pope tooke so much vpon him in these things. He was consecrate by the Bishop of London (Walter the Archbishop refusing to afford it vnto him) sate little aboue two yéeres, and died an. 1323.

49. Iohn de Stratford.

IOhn de Stratford Doctor of Law succéeded. When he had [ 1323] continued in this seat 10. yeeres an. 1333. He was tran∣slated to Canterbury. Sée more of him in Canterbury.

50. Adam Tarlton, alias de Orlton.

ADam de Arlton Doctor of law borne in Hereford, was [ 1333] consecrate Bishop of Hereford September 26. 1317. In a parliament holden at London an. 1324. he was accused of treason, as hauing aided the Mortimers with men and armor against the king. When he should haue béene arraigned (a thing till that time neuer heard of that a Bishop should be arraigned) the Archbishops of Canterbu∣ry, Yorke and Dublin with their Suffragan Bishops came vnto the barre and violently tooke him away. Notwithstan∣ding the accusation being found true, his temporalties were seased into the kings hāds, vntill such time as the king (much deale by his machination and deuise) was deposed of his kingdome. If he which had béene a Traytor vnto his Prince before, after deserued punishment for the same, would soone be entreated to ioyne with other in the like attempt, it is no maruell No man so forward as he in taking part with Isabel the Quéene against her husband king Edward the second. Shée with her sonnes aud army being at Oxford, this good Bishop stept vp into the pulpit, and there taking for his text these words (My head grieueth me) he made a long discourse to prooue that an euill head, not otherwise to be cured, must be taken away. Hauing gotten the king into their power, he fearing least if the king at any time recouered his liberty and crowne againe, they might receiue condigne punishment, counselled the Quéene to make him away. Whereunto she being as ready and willing as he to haue it done, they writ certaine letters vnto the kéepers of the old king, signifieng in couert termes what they desired. They either not perfect∣ly vnderstanding their meaning, or desirous to haue some∣what to shew for their discharge, pray them in expresse words to declare vnto them whether they would haue them put the king to death or no. To which question this subtill foxe fra∣med this answere, Edwardum occidere nolite timere, bonum est. If you set the point betwéene nolite and timere it forbid∣deth: if betwéene timere and bonum it exhorteth them to the committing of the fact: whereupon the king was made

away, and most pitifully murthered by thrusting a hot spit into his fundament. And who then so earnest a persecutor of the murtherers as this Bishop, that when diuers of his let∣ters were shewed against him, eluded and auoyded them by sophisticall interpretation, and vtterly denied that he was any way consenting to that haynous fact. How cleanely he excused himselfe I know 〈◊〉〈◊〉: But sure I am he was so farre from receiuing punishment, as within two moneths after, viz. in Nouember 1327. he was preferred vnto the Bishop∣ricke of Worcester sixe yéeres after that he was translated thence to winchester by the Pope December 1. 1333. at the request of the French king: which king Edward taking in very ill part, for that the French king and he were enimies, deteined from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his temporalties till that in a parlia∣ment at the sute of the whole cleargy, he was content to yéeld them vnto him. He sate Bishop of Winchester 11. yeeres 7. moneths and 17. daies: and being a long time blind before his death, departed this life July 18. 1345.

51. William Edendon.

THe same yeere William Edendon was consecrate Bi∣shop, [ 1345] a man in very great fauour with King Edward the third, being treasurer of England, he caused groats and halfe groats, to be coyned the yeere 1350. (coyne not séene in England before) but they wanted some thing of the iust sterling waight, which was the cause that the prices of all things rose then very much. And where as many other times the like practise hath béene vsed, in so much that fiue shillings hath now scarce so much siluer in it, as fiue groats had 300. yéeres since, no maruell if things be sold for treble the price that they were 300. yéere agoe. Hereof also it com∣meth to passe, that the Prince and Nobility cannot possible maintaine their estates, with their auncient rents and reue∣newes, which bring in, though the wonted tale and number, yet not the due waight and quantity of mettall. But to re∣turne to William Edendon, he was also Chauncellor of Eng∣land, and once elect Archbishop of Canterbury, but refused to accept it. He founded a Monastery at Edendon (where he

was borne) for a kinde of religious men called Bon-hommes: he died ann. 1366. when he had béene Bishop almost one and twenty yéeres, and lyeth in a very faire toombe of Alaba∣ster on the South side of the entrance into the quier, whereon is engrauen this rude Epitaphe.

Edindon natus, Willmus hic est tumulatus, Praesul praegratus in Wintonia Cathedratus. Qui pertransitis eius memorare velitis, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & mitis, ausit cum mille peritis. Peruigil anglorum fuit adiutor populorum, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 egenorum pater & protector eorum. M. C. tribus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 post LXV. sit I. punctum.

His successor William Wickham sewed his Executors for dilapidations, and recouered of them 1662. l. 10. s. besides 1556. head of neate, 3876. weathers, 4717. ewes, 3521. lambes, and 127. swyne, all which stocke it séemeth belonged vnto the Bishopricke of Winchester at that time.

52. William Wickham.

AT the Kings request, William Wickham, his Chap∣laine, principall Secretary, and kéeper of the priuy seale, soone after Edendons death was both elected by the Prior and couent of Winchester, and allowed of by the Pope who now tooke vpon him to haue an interest in the dis∣position of all our Bishoprickes, as elsewhere I haue more at large discoursed. This man was the sonne of one Iohn Perot and Sibill his wife, for whose place of buriall, he erected a Chappell afterwards at Tichfield néere the towne of Wick∣ham in Hampshire. In that towne he was borne the yéere of our Lord 1324. and (according to the manner of most clear∣gy men in those times) of that towne the place of his birth tooke his sirname. I finde also recorded, that he was woont to be called sometimes by the name of Long, and that (as it is probably supposed) for no other cause, but in regard of his stature, which they say was very tall. He was brought vp first at Winchester, and then at Oxford, at the charge of a Gentleman called Nicholas Vnedall or Woodall. In these places (hauing first passed the rudiments of Grammer) he

studied Logicke, Geometry, Arithmetique, and the French tongue, but principally the Ciuill and Canon lawes. In all which as he profited excéedingly for the time he spent in them; so there is no doubt he would haue prooued so excellent as men are woont that doo long and painefully imploy good wits to such purposes, had he not béene euen as it were violently drawne from them when his abode and continuance in the Uniuersity might séeme most requisite. His Patrone and ex∣hibitioner being appointed Constable of Winchester Castle, (an office of great importance in those daies) he would imploy this his yoong scholler as his clarke or secretary, and so tooke him from the Uniuersity when he had as yet continued there not fully sixe yéeres. How long he liued so vnder him I finde not: But certaine it is, his seruice was very well liked of him: For besides his personage (which was tall and excée∣ding comely) not to speake any thing of his learning (where∣of his Master could make no great vse) he writ very faire, penned excellently, & spake no man better. By reason where∣of, he was often imployed in writing letters, yea and some∣times in messages also to the Court, not onely by his master, but by the Bishop, that a while vsed to borrow him of his ma∣ster, and at the last drew him to his seruice. It happened then after a while, king Edward the third to come to Winchester, who taking speciall note of the behauiour & other good partes of this yoong man, would néedes haue him to serue him. He imployed him much at the first, in surueighing his buildings at Douer, Duynborough, Henly, Windsor, Yestanstead, and elsewhere. In which & all other businesses committed to him, he behaued himselfe so well, as he soone grew into great fauour and high estimation with the king, and quickly reaped those fruites that Princes fauours are woont to yéeld, many rich and honorable preferments. It shall not be amisse to re∣member, how that hauing obtained diuers goodly promoti∣ons which he acknowledged to haue receiued rather as re∣wards of seruice, then in regard of any extraordinary desert otherwise, he caused to be engrauen in Winchester Tower at Windsor these words, (This made Wickham.) Whereof when some complained to the King as a thing derogating from his honor, that another should seeme to beare the charge

of his buildings, and the king in great displeasure reprehen∣ded him for it: He answered, that his meaning was not to ascribe the honor of that building to himselfe, but his owne honor of preferments vnto that building; Not importing that Wickham made the Tower, but that the Tower was the meanes of making Wickham, and raising him from base estate, vnto those great places of honor he then enioyed. He was first Parson of Saint Martins in London, then Deane of Saint Martin le graund, Archdeacon successiuely of Lin∣colne, Northampton, and Buckingham, all of the gift of his old acquaintance Iohn Bokingham Bishop of Lincolne, with whom & Simon Burleigh (a knight afterwards of great honor) he onely in a manner conuersed during his abode in Oxford. Besides these ecclesiasticall preferments, the Pro∣uostship of Wels, a number of benefices, and twelue Pre∣bends in seuerall Churches, he held many temporall offices, as the Secretaryship, the kéeping of the priuy seale, the Ma∣stership of wardes, the treasurership of the Kings reuenues in Fraunce, and diuers other with whose stiles I am not ac∣quainted. But the yéerely reuenewes of his spirituall promo∣tions onely according as they were then rated in the Kings bookes, amounted vnto 876. l. 13. s. 4. d. He was consecrate Bishop of Winchester, the yéere 1367. and was made soone after first treasurer, then Chauncellor of England, (although whether he were treasurer or no I find some doubt made, and I dare not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it too confidently) whether he were treasu∣rer or no, certaine it is, that many yéeres after he was Bishop he was trusted with all the waighty affaires of the realme disposed of the kings treasure, and gouerned all things at his will. In this greatnesse of his authority, the king found two notable commodities, one, that without his care all thinges were ordred so well, as by a wise and trusty seruant they might; the other, that if any thing fell out amisse, wheresoe∣uer the fault were, the king had oportunity to cast all the blame vpon the Bishop of Winchester. Now whereas long and continuall warre (whereby lightly each party is a looser) had consumed, not that onely that many victories brought in, by the raunsome of two kings, and by the spoyle of diuers large countries which this noble Prince subdued; but other

huge summes of money also gathered at home by vnusuall subsidies, and taxations much grudged at by the commons; all which notwithstanding, the king was so bare, as, for the paiment of debts, he was constrained to bethinke him first of some new deuice to raise money: The Bishops enimies ta∣king the aduantage of this occasion; induced the king to be content that a solemne complaint might be framed against him, as if by his misgouernement, the kings treasure had beene either vainely wasted, or falsely imbesilled, for that otherwise for sooth it was impossible the king should so be fal∣len behind hand: They charge him therefore with the receite of 1109600. l. (which amounteth to more then a million of poundes) besides a hundred thousand frankes paied vnto him by Galeace Duke of Millaine. For all this they demaund sodainely an account, and to set a better colour vpon the mat∣ter, patch vp a number of other accusations, partly vntrue, partly friuolous, yet sufficient happily to bleare the eies of the common people, and diuerting the displeasure of this in∣conuenience from them on whom otherwise it must haue lighted, to deriue it vnto him, vpon whom if it fell neuer so heauily, it could cast him no lower then that place frō whence the king had first raised him. Amongst many enimies that go∣uernement and enuy had prouoked against him; Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster for some other cause néedlesse here to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, bare vnto him an implacable hatred. The King was then old and very impotent, the Duke his eldest sonne 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and so gouerning all thinges vnder him. The Duke therefore found meanes that William Skipwith Lord chiefe Justice condemned him as guilty of those accusations, pro∣cured his temporalties to be taken from him, and to be be∣stowed vpon the yoong Prince of Wales, and lastly comman∣ded him in the kings name, not to come within twenty miles of the Court. The yeere 1376. happened vnto him this trou∣ble, which I may call the Prologue or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the page∣ant to be plaid the yéere following. I meane the Parliament, the chiefe end and purpose whereof was a subsidy, that this Prelates vexation must make way vnto. The Cleargy as∣sembled, gréeuing much at the vniust oppression of so woor∣thy and reuerend a man; (for his sidelity vnto his Prince,

his great care of the common good, his wisedome and in∣tegrity were well inough knowen to such as vnderstoode any thing) they vtterly refused to debate of any matter what soeuer, till the Bishop of Winchester, a principall member of that assembly might be present with them. By this meanes, licence was obtained for his repaire thi∣ther, and thither he came, glad he might be néere to the meanes of his restitution: but whether it were that he wanted money to beare the charge, or to the intent to mooue commiseration, or that he thought it safest to passe obscure∣ly; he that was woont to ride with the greatest traine of any Prelate in England, came then very slenderly attended, tra∣uelling through by-waies, as standing in doubt what snares his enimies might lay for him. After two yéeres trouble and the losse of ten thousand markes sustained by reason of the same: with much adoo he obtained restitution of his tempo∣ralties, by the mediation of Alice Piers, a gentlewoman that in the last times of king Edward altogether possessed him. Returning then vnto Winchester, he was receiued into the city with solemne procession and many signes of great ioy. Soone after his returne king Edward died, and the Duke ho∣ping by reason of the yoong kings nonage to worke some mis∣chiefe vnto this Bishop, whom of all mortall men he most hated; began to rub vp some of the old accusations with ad∣ditions of new complaints. But the Dukes malice being as well knowen as the Bishops innocency, the king thought good to be a meanes of reconciling these two personages, and then was easily intreated, vnder the broad seale of Eng∣land to pardon all those supposed offences, wherewith the Bishop had heretofore béene charged. This tempest thus ouerblowen, the rest of his daies he passed in great peace and quietnesse. Two yéeres after his restitution he began the foundation of that woorthy monument, the colledge common∣ly called the New colledge in Oxford, laying the first stone of the same himselfe March 5. 1379. and dedicating it vnto the honor of God and the blessed virgin Mary. Being finished, the first warden & fellowes all together tooke possession of it Aprill 14. 1386. at thrée of the clocke in the morning. The very next yéere he began his other colledge néere Woluesey

the Bishops pallace at Winchester, laide the first stone of it March 26. 1387. and finished it also in sixe yéeres space, so as the Warden and fellowes cntred into the same at thrée of the clocke in the morning March 28. 1393. Beside the charge of these two woorthy foundations, he build all the body of his church of Winchester from the quier westward, excepting on∣ly a little begun by Bishop Edington: he procured many pri∣uiledges and liberties vnto his Sée: he bestowed 20000. markes in reparation of his house: he paid the debts of men imprisoned for that cause to the summe of 2000. l. he mended all the high waies betwéene London and Winchester: he purchased vnto his Sée two hundred markes land: he for∣gaue his officers two thousand markes which they owed him: he bestowed two hundred pound vpon the church of Windsor: he released his tenants of 520. l. due for a reliefe at his incomme: he ordayned a Chauntry of fiue priests at Southwyke: he kept continually in his house fower & twen∣ty poore almesmen: he maintained at the Uniuersity fifty schollers for the space of seuen yéeres before the building of his colledge: he built a chappell (as before is mentioned) at Tichfield for the buriall of his parents; & lastly prouided for himselfe ten yéeres before his death a goodly monument in the body of his church. All these charges notwithstanding, he bequeathed legacies to the value of 6270. l. left ready money to pay them, left his heire 100. l. land, and all his houses fur∣nished plentifully with most rich and sumptuons houshold stuffe. After all these so memorable actions, hauing runne the course of a long, a happy and most honorable life, he ended his daies in peace the yéere 1404 being full fowerscore yéeres of age, and was laid in the toombe so long before prouided for him. Upon it I finde engrauen these verses, which rather for his honor then any great commendation they deserue, I haue thought good to set downe:

Wilhelmus dictus Wickham iacet hic nece victus, Istius ecclesiae praesul, reparauit eamque, Largus erat, dapifer, probat hoc cum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pauper, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pariter regni fuerat bene dexter. Hunc docet esse pium fun datio collegiorum; Oxoniae primum stat, Wintoniaeque secundum.

Iugiter oretis tumulum quicunque videtis Pro tantis meritis quod sit sibi vita perennis.

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.

54. William Waynflet.

A Woorthy Prelate succéeded him, William Waynflet [ 1447] Prouost of Eaton colledge, then lately founded by king Henry the sixt, who for his great wisedome and integrity was long Chauncellor of England. He was sonne and heire vnto Richard Pattyn a gentleman of an ancient house, brother vnto Iohn Pattyn Deane of Chichester, and Richard Pattyn that liued at Bas••o in Darbishire, where he left (as I haue heard) a posterity behinde him. It appéereth hereby that his name was not indéed Waynflet but Pattyn.

It was an ancient custome euen till those daies that cleargy men should take their surname according to the place where they were borne; and amongst monkes and fryers it conti∣nued till the very suppression of monasteries. This William (whether Waynflet or Pattyn) was brought vp first in Win∣chester schoole, & then in New colledge in Oxford. His fellow∣ship there he left to become schoolemaster of Winchester, but was taken by king Henry the sixt to teach in his new college of Eaton, whereof at last he made him (as before is said) Prouost. He continued Bishop many yéeres, and would haue done much more good then he did, had he not béene hindred by those continuall warres betwéene the houses of Lanca∣ster and Yorke: in all which stormes, he stucke alwaies vnto his patron and first preferrer king Henry the sixt. And after his death, king Edward the fourth knowing the faithfull affe∣ction and true hart he alwaies bore vnto Henry the sixt his enimy, carried euer a hard hand vpon him. Time notwith∣standing and the reuenewes of that goodly Bishopricke, ena∣bled him to the foundation of that excellent and stately col∣ledge in Oxford dedicated vnto Saint Mary Magdalene; to the which I thinke the world hath not any one colledge in all perfections comparable. He died (as I haue béene told) Au∣gust 6. 1486. hauing first séene the house of Lancaster (to his great ioy) restored againe to the crowne in king Henry the seuenth. So that betwéene the consecration of William Wickham, and the death of William Waynflet his next suc∣cessor sauing one, it is 119, yéeres. A strange thing that thrée men should hold one Bishopricke sixscore yéeres. He lieth bu∣ried in the North part of the roome beyond the high Aulter ouer against the Cardinall, in a very faire toombe, the Epi∣taphe whereof is quite defaced.

55. Peter Courtney.

IN the moneth of Nouember 1477. Peter Courtney the [ 1486] sonne of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Philip Courtney of Powderham knight, and Elizabeth his wife, daughter to Walter Lord Hungerford was consecrate Bishop of Exeter, whence he was translated to Winchester, in the latter end of the yéere 1486. At Exeter

he bestowed much money in finishing the North Tower, vn∣to which he gaue a goodly bel called after his name Peter bell. He died December the 20. 1491. hauing gouerned the Dio∣ces of Winchester the space of fiue yéeres, and was buried in his owne Church, whereabouts I know not.

56. Thomas Langton.

THe Bishopricke hauing béene voide somewhat more [ 1493] then one yéere, Thomas Langton Bishop of Salisbury was preferred thereunto. He was consecrate to Salis∣bury the yéere 1485 sate Bishop of Winchester seuen yéeres, and was remooued to Canterbury, but died of the plague, an. 1500. before his translation was perfited. He built a ve∣ry faire Chappell in the South side of the Lady Chappell in the Cathedrall Church of Winchester, in the middle of which Chappell his body resteth in a very sumptuous toombe of Marble. This Thomas Langton was some time fellow of Pembrooke Hall in Cambridge, in memory whereof he be∣stowed vpon that house a Cup of siluer double guilt waigh∣ing 67. ounces, whereupon are engrauen these words. Tho. Langton Winton Eps. aulae Penbr. olim socius, dedit hanc 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coopertam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aulae 1497. qui alienarit anathe∣ma sit.

57. Richard Foxe.

AT what time Henry Earle of Richmont abiding at [ 1502] Uenice, was requested by letters from many of the English Nobility to deliuer his Countrey from the ty∣ranny of that wicked Paricide Richard the third, and to take on him the kingdome; He willing to furnish him selfe as well as he might for the setting foorth of so great an enterprise, de∣termined to craue aide of the French king. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there∣fore to Paris, he onely commenced his sute vnto the king, and hauing manifold businesse elsewhere, he left the farther pro∣secution of this matter vnto Richard Foxe a Doctor of Diui∣nity, that chaunced to liue a student in Paris at that time. Whether the Earle knew him before, or else discerned at the

first sight (as it were) his excellent 〈◊〉〈◊〉, certaine it is, he deemed him a fit man for the managing of this great af∣faire. Neither was he any thing at all deceiued in him: For the matter was followed with so great diligence and indu∣stry, as in a very short time all things were dispatched accor∣ding to the Earles desire, who soone after obtaining the king∣dome, mindfull of the good seruice done him by Doctor Foxe, preferred him immediatly vnto the kéeping of the priuy scale, made him one of his Councell, and laid vpon him what spiri∣tuall liuing might possibly be procured him. In the meane time he imployed him continually either in matters of coun∣sell at home, or in ambassages of great importance abroad. The second yéere of King Henries raigne he was sent into Scotland for the establishing of a peace with the king there; whence he was scarcely returned, when the Bishopricke of Exeter falling void, was bestowed vpon him. He held it not past sixe yéeres but he was remooued to Bath and Wels, and thence within thrée yéeres after to Durham. There he stayed sixe yéeres, and the yéere 1502. was once more translated, viz. to Winchester, where he spent the rest of his life in great prosperity. For such was his fauor with the king, as no man could euer doo so much with him, no man there was vpon whose counsell he so much relied. Amongst other honors done vnto him, it was not the least, that he made him Godfather vnto his second sonne, that was afterward King Henry the eight, the Father of our worthy and most happy Quéene. In one onely mischaunce he was vnfortunate. He liued many yéeres blind before he died. Whereby ghessing his end not to be sarre off, hc determined to make vnto him selfe friends of the vnrighteous Mammon bestowing wel his goods while he liued. And first he was purposed to haue built a Monastery, vntill that conferring with Hugh Oldam, Bishop of Exeter, a very wise man; He was aduised by him rather to bestow his money vpon the foundation of some Colledge in one of the Uniuersities, which should be more profitable vnto the com∣mon wealth, and more auaileable to the preseruation of his memory. As for Monasteries (quoth he) they haue more al∣ready, then they are like long to kéepe. So by the Counsell of this wise Prelate (whose purse also was a great helpe to the

finishing thereof) the colledge of Corpus Christi in Oxford was built and endowed with competent possessions the yéere 1516. by this Bishop Richard Foxe. Afterward in the yéere 1522. he bestowed the cost of building a faire frée schoole by the castell in Taunton, and conuenient housing néere it for the schoolemaster to dwell in: lastely, it is to be remembred, that he couered the quier of Winchester, the presbytery and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 adioyning with a goodly vault, and new glased all the windowes of that part of the church. It is said also that he built the partition betwéene the presbytery and the said 〈◊〉〈◊〉, causing the bones of such Princes and prelates as had béene buried here and there dispersed about the church, to be remoo∣ued and placed in séemely monuments vpon the top of that new partition. Many other notable things no doubt he did which haue not come vnto my knowledge. He died at last a very old man and full of daies ann. 1528. when he had woor∣thily gouerned the church of Winchester the space of 27. yéeres. He lieth entoombed vpon the south side of the high al∣tar in a monument, rather sumptuons then stately, of the same building with the partition.

58. Thomas Woolsey.

OF this man I will onely say thus much in this place, [ 1530] that he was first Bishop of Turney in Fraunce, then of Lincolne, and lastly of Yorke. He was made Car∣dinall an. 1515. and being so qualified to hold more liuings: he held first the Bishopricke of Bathe and Wels in Com∣mendam with Yorke; then resigning Wels, he tooke Dur∣ham; and lastly resigning Durham also, held Winchester in the like sort a little while, scarcely one yéere I take it: for I find that he left Durham the yéere 1530. and in the end of the same yéere, viz. Nouember the 29. he died. Sée more of him in Yorke.

59. Stephen Gardiner.

THe Sée then continued voide almost fower yéeres. At [ 1534] last Stephen Gardiner Doctor of Law, borne at Bury in Suffolke, was preferred thereunto and consecrate ann. 1534. Fouretéene yéeres after, viz. June 30. 1548. he was committed to the Tower for a sermon he preached be∣fore the king the day before, being S. Peters day at West∣minster. When he had continued there the space of two yéeres and a halfe, he was by authority depriued of his Bishopricke, February 14. 1550. sent to prison againe, and there kept till beginning of Queene Mary, at what time he was not onely restored to his Bishopricke and set at liberty, but made Lord Chauncellor of England, viz. in the moneth of August 1553. A man of great learning (as diuers of his workes extant do testifie) and of two much wit, except it had beene better im∣ploied. For the extreme malice he bare to our religion, he not onely burnt many poore men, but wrought all the meanes his wily head could deuise to make away our blessed Soue∣raigne Quéene Elizabeth: saying often, it was in vaine to strike off a few leaues or branches when the roote remained whole. And surely in all reason his cursed policy must haue preuailed, if God had not touched the hart of Quéene Mary her sister with a very kinde and natural affection toward her: which notwithstanding, it is much to be doubted what he might haue wrought in time, had not God in mercy taken him away the more spéedily. He died Nouember 13. 1555. excéeding rich, leauing behinde him 40000. markes in ready money (if Bale say true) beside much sumptuous houshold stuffe. He was buried on the North side of the high altar in Winchester in a toombe both in place and building answera∣ble to Bishop Foxe.

60. Iohn Poynet.

PResently vpon the depriuation of Stephen Gardiner, [ 1550] Iohn Poynet Doctor of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a kentish man borne, consecrate Bishop of Rochester April 3. 1549. was tran∣slated

to Winchester. Quéene Mary hauing attained the crown, he well knew there was no liuing for him in Englād, and therfore fled the realme & died at Strausburg in Germa∣ny Aprill 11. 1556. being scarce forty yéeres of age. A man of great learning, whereof he left diuers testimonies in writing workes yet extant both in Latine and English: beside the Gréeke and Latin he was very well séene in the Italian and Dutch toong, and an excellent Mathematician. He gaue vnto king Henry the eight a dyall of his owne 〈◊〉〈◊〉, she wing not onely the hower of the day, but also the day of the moneth, the signe of the sonne, the planetary hower; yea the change of the moone, the ebbing and flowing of the sea; with diuers other things as strange to the great woonder of the king and his owne no lesse commendation. He was preferred 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by king Edward in regard of certaine excellent sermons preached before him.

61. Iohn White.

AFter the death of Stephen Gardiner, Iohn White Do∣ctor [ 1556] of Diuinity was translated from Lincolne. He was borne in the Dioces of Winchester, and was Warden of Winchester colledge till he was made Bishop of Lincolne. Small time he enioyed his new honor, being de∣priued by parliament in the beginning of her Maiestie that now raigneth.

62. Robert Horne.

IAnuary 16. 1560. Robert Horne borne in the Bishopricke [ 1560] of Durham, and in king Edwards daies Deane of the Church of Durham, comming then newly out of Germany (where he liued all Quéene Maries daies) was consecrate Bishop of Winchester. He sate well néere twenty yéeres: but that and what else I haue to say of him, let his Epitaphe de∣clare. He lieth vnder a flat marble stone neere the pulpit in the body of the church, whereon I finde engrauen these wordes:

Robertus Horne theologiae doctor eximius, quondam Christi causa exul, deinde Episcopus Winton, pie obijt in Domino Iun. 1. 1580. Episcopatus sui anno 19.

63. Iohn Watson.

SOone after his death, it pleased her Maiestie to bestow [ 1580] the Bishopricke vpon Iohn Watson. He lieth buried ouer against his predecessor on the other side of the body of the Church, hauing these wordes engrauen vpon the mar∣ble stone that couereth him:

D. Ioannes Watson huius eccclesiae Winton. Praeben∣darius, Decanus, ac deinde Episcopus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pater, vir optimus, praecipue erga inopes 〈◊〉〈◊〉, obijt in Domino Ianuar. 23. anno aetatis suae 63. Episcopatus 4. 1583.

64. Thomas Cooper.

THomas Cooper Doctor of Diuinity succéeded him, be∣ing [ 1584] translated from Lincolne. He was consecrate Bi∣shop there February 24. 1570. and before that was Deane of Christchurch in Oxford. In the Bishopricke of Winchester he continued ten yéeres, and departed this life Aprill 29, 1594. A man from whose prayses I can hardly temper my pen, but I am determined to say nothing of those men whose memory is yet so fresh: my reason I haue else where set downe.

65. William Wickham.

HE that succéeded him in Lincolne, succéeded him in the [ 1594] Sée of Winchester also, William Wickham, whose very name I reuerence in memory of William Wickham his famous and woorthy predecessor. No Bishop of Winchester euer enioyed that honor so short a time, he was translated about our Lady day in the beginning of the yéere 1595. and died of the stone in the bladder (or some like disease) the 12. day of June following at Winchester house in

Southwarke, hauing not made water in fowertéene daies before.

66. William Day.

VVIlliam Day Deane of Windsor and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Eaton colledge succéeded, and holding this place little longer then his predecessor, died a few daies before Michaelmas day 1596.

67. Thomas Bilson.

THomas Bilson Doctor of Diuinity and Warden of Winchester, became Bishop of Worceter the yéere 1595. and staying there not past two yéeres was tran∣slated to Winchester, where he yet liueth.

The Bishopricke of Winchester is valued in the Queenes bookes at 2491, l. 9, s. 8, d. ob. and paid to the Pope for first fruits 12000. ducats.