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.

26. William Gray.

THe Sée hauing béene voide onely 14. daies, Pope Ni∣cholas [ 1454] the 5. vpon an especiall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he had of William Gray, doctor of Diuinity, placed him in the same. This William was a gentleman very well borne, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the noble and auncient house of the Lord Gray of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whose friends perceiuing in him a notable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and sharpnesse of witte, dedicated him vnto learning. He was brought vp in Baylioll Colledge in Oxford. Hauing spent much time there profitably, and to very good purpose, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the study as well of Diuinitie as Philosophy; he passed ouer the seas and trauailed into Italy, where he frequented much the lectures of one Guarinus of Uerona, a great learned man in those daies. Following thus his study, and profiting excee∣dingly therein, he grew very famous; and no 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for to see a gentleman of great linage, hauing maintenance at will, to become very learned, especially in Diuinity, is in déede a woonder, and seldome séene. He writ many things both before and after his preferment, whereof I thinke no∣thing now remaineth. Neither was he a simple 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and a bookeman onely. King Henry the 6. perceiuing him not on∣lylearned, but very discrete, & no lesse industrious, appointed

him his Proctor for the following of all his businesse in the Popes court. By this occasion hauing often recourse vnto the Pope, his great learning and other excellent parts were soone 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by him, and woorthily rewarded with this Bi∣shopricke. It was impossible such a man should not be im∣ploted in State matters. The yeere 1469. he was made Treasurer of England by king Edward the 4. 24. yeeres two moneths and 21. daies, he was Bishop of this Sée. In which meane space he bestowed great sums of money vpon buil∣ding of the steeple, at the west end of his Church, and at his death (which hapned at Downham August 4. 1478.) he be∣queathed many goodly ornaments vnto the same his church, in which he was buried betweene two marble pillers.