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.

51. Iames Mountague.

IAmes Mountague Doctor of Diuinity, Deane of Worce∣ster, as also of his Maiesties Chap. sonne v••to Sir Edw. Mountague of Bowghton in the Coun••y of Northamp. Kn. consecrated Bishop of Bathe and Wels,* 1.1 Aprill 17. 1608. His first education he had in Christs Colledge in Cam∣bridge, to witte•• till vpon the erection of Sidney Colledge, hée was appointed the first Master of the same. Beside great paines hee tooke in ouerseeing the buildinges of it, hee gaue vnto it twenty markes per annum. By his meanes chiestie, the Watercourse was brought to the towne of Cambridge, and through that Colledge. That businesse cost him 100. l. He waynscotted the lower part of the Chappell there, and sundry other wayes was beneficiall to that Colledge. After his comming to Welles, he bestowed great sums of money in repayring and beautifying of his house there, especially the chappell and gallery. He hath increased the meanes of the Almesmen: Hee gaue one thousand pounds towards the re∣paration

of the Abbey church at Bathe: and moreouer built a faire Pulpit of frée stone in the same.

This Bishopricke is valued in the Kings bookes at 533. pound, and 15. pence, and paid to the Pope for an Income, onely 430. florens, although in those daies it were one of the richest Sees of England.

The Deanry of Welles was first erected in the time of King Stephen, about the yeare 1150. as before is deliuered, and one Iuo made the first Dean, after whom haue succeeded these:

2 Richard de Spakeston.

1160

3 Alexander.

4 Leonius.

1205

5 Ralfe de Lechlade.

6 Peter de Ciceter.

7 William de Merton.

1236

8 Ioannes Sarracenus.

1241

9 Gyles de Bride port, 1225. Bishop of Salisbury. after, viz.

1256

10 Edward de la Knoll.

1256

11 Thomas de Button, 1292. B. of Exceter

1292

12 William Burnell.

1292

13 Walter de Haselshaw, 1295 B. of Bathe and Wels

1302.

14 Henry Husee.

1302

15 Iohn de Godeley.

1303

16 Richard de Bury, Bishop of Durham.

1333

17 Wibert de Luttleton elect, died before installa∣tion.

1334

18 Walter de London.

1336

19 Iohn de Carlton.

1353

William de Gamell elect, refused the place.

1361

20 Stephen de Penpell.

1361

21 Iohn Fordham, Bishop of Durham,

1379

22 Thomas de Sudbury.

1381

23 Nicholas Slake.

1396

24 Thomas Stanley.

1402

25 Richard Courtney.

1409

26 Walter Metford.

1413

27 Iohn Stafford, Bishop of Bathe and Wels, and af∣ter Archbishop of Canterbury,

1425

28 Iohn Forest.

1425

29 Ioh. Delauere, Men, Ep.

1447

30 Nicholas Carent.

1448

31 William Witham.

1467

32 Iohn Gunthorpe.

1472

33 William Cosyn.

1498

34 Thomas Winter.

1525

35 Richard Woolman.

36 Thomas Cromwell.

1537

37 William Fitz-Williams.

1540

38 Iohn Goodman.

1548

39 William Turner.

1550

40 Robert Weston.

1566

41 Valentine Dale.

1574

42 Iohn Herbert.

1589

43 Beniamin Heyde.

1602

44 Richard Meredith.

1607

Notes

• * 1.1

  1608. ••ae. 6.