The succession of the bishops of England since the first planting of Christian religion in this island together with the historie of their liues and memorable actions faithfully gathered out of the monuments of antiquity. VVhereunto is prefixed a discourse concerning the first conuersion of our Britaine vnto Christian religion. By Francis Godwin now Bishop of Hereford.

32. Thomas Goodrich.

BIshop Wes•• beeing dead,* 1.1 Nic. Haukins Doctor of Law was appointed to succéed him. He also was brought vp in Eaton and kings Colledge, beeing nephew and God∣sonne vnto the said Bishop, who gaue him the Archdeaconry of Ely, and preferred him vnto other good liuing. At the time of Bishop Wests death, he was Embassador for the King be∣yond the seas; whence being sent for vpon his nomination to this sée, himselfe together with all his family, fell into a ••luxe, whereof hee amongst many of the rest died, before hee might receaue consecration. At last after a whole yéeres vacacy, Th. Goodrich Doctor of Law, some say of Diuinity, and that in Cambridge, was consecrated, to witte. Aprill 19. 1534. and sate 20. daies aboue 20. yéeres. he built a faire gallery in the North side of the pallace of Ely, and otherwise in that house bestowed much cost. Hee died at Somersham of the stone the tenth of May 1554. and lieth buried almost in the middle of the Presbytery. More would be said of him: but I had rather you should heare it in other mens words then mine. For I now grow néere the time of which I meane to speak•• little, as iudging it neither safe to r••prehend, nor séemely to praise (though truly) th••se men whose memory is fresh and diuers their friends liuing amongst vs. This ther∣fore that I find written vpon his tombe I will impart vnto you, and concerning him no more:

Thomas Goodricus annis plus minus 20. huius ecclesiae Episcopus hoc loco sepultus est. Duobus Angliae illustrissimis regibus varijs & religionis & reip. muneribus pergratus fuit, foris enim apud exteros principes saepe legatus, domi quidem cum regi Edwardo eius nominis sexto aliquandiu consiliarius extitisset, magnus tan∣dem factus Angliae Cancellarius. Chariorne principi propter singularem prudentiam, an amabilior populo propter integri∣tatem & abstinentiam fuerit; ad iudicandum est per quam difficile.

In English thus:

Thomas Goodrich for 20. yeares Bishop of this Church

lyeth buried in this place. A man very acceptable vnto two noble kings of this realme; in many actions both concerning the Church and commonwealth. For abroad hee was often imployed in embassages to forraine Princes, and at home, after he had beene of the priuy Councell a while vnto King Edward the sixt of that name, he was made at last high Chan∣cellor of England. Whether hee were more deere vnto his Prince for his singular wisedome, or more beloued of the commonalty for his integrity and abstinence, it is euen very hard to say.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1534 Hen. 8.26.