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.

54 Thomas Rotheram, aliàs Scot.

THamas Scot otherwise called Rotheram,* 1.1 was borne at Rotheram in Yorkeshire, and according to the manner of religious persons in olde time, would néedes take his sur∣name of the place where he was borne. Hauing such educa∣tion as the Country could affoorde him, being now ripe for the Uniuersity, and towardly, was sent by his friendes vnto Cambridge, and was chosen first fellow of Kings Colledge, then Master of Pembrooke Hall, in which place hee conti∣nued till hee was called away by preferment. King Edward (whose Chaplaine he was) procured him first the Prouost∣ship of Beuerley, made him kéeper of his Priuy Seale, and then Bishoppe of Rochester, the yeare 1467. Staying there scarce fowre yéers, he remooued to Lincolne, anno 1471. The yeare 1474. he was made Lord Chancellour, and con∣tinued

long in that office, euen vntill the raigne of Richard the vsurper, at what time (or a little before) hee deliuered the great Seale vnto the Quéene, and is blamed for committing it vnto her, of whom hee receiued it not, and had no right to require it. For which cause (as was alleadged) he was com∣mitted to the Tower by Richard the Duke of Yorke the Protector. But it is to be thought that hee was rather impri∣soned indeed, to the entent that being knowne to be too true vnto R. Edward the yong king, he might not hinder the false Protectors trayterous designements. Being yet at Lincolne he bestowed great cost in building the goodly beautifull gate of the Schooles at Cambridge, the walkes on each side there∣of, and the new Library that is at the East side of that buil∣ding, which hee caused to be done of his owne charge, with some very little contribution of the Uniuersity, whereof hee was Chancellour. It was begun the yeare 1470. and quite finished, 1476. Hauing béeue at Lincolne nine yeares, hee was translated to Yorke, and enioyed that honour 20. yéeres la••king one quarter. In which time hee did many notable things worthy memory. At Rotheram (where he was born) he founded a Colledge, by the name of Iesus Colledge, for a Prouost that should be a Preacher, fiue Priests, sixe cho∣risters, and three Schoolemasters, one for Grammer, one for song, and another for writing This Colledge at the time of the suppression of the same, was valued in 58. l. 5. s. 9. d. ob. q. yearely reuenue. He moreouer finished Lincolne Colledge in Ox••ord, (left very vnperfect by B. Fleming the first faunder) and added fiue fellowships vnto the same, beside those seauen which the founder had ordained. He gaue to the Church of Yorke a wonderfull rich m••ter in stead of that which K. Ed. had taken away. In diuers of his houses he built much, at White Hall (which then belonged to the Bishops of Yorke) he built the great kitchin, at Southwel the pantry, bakehouse and new chambers adioining to the riuer, & at Thorps the p••intry, ••akehouse & chambers on the north side toward the woods He was very careful to preferre those which either for good seruice or kindred might chalenge any interest in him; of whom he greatly aduanced diuers, some by mariage, some by gift of offices, & other temporall liuing, and many by spirituall

promotions. Hee died of the plague, May 29. 1500. at Ca∣wood, being 76 yeares of age, and was buried in the North∣side of our Lady chappell in a marble toombe, which himselfe caused to bee built in his life time.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1480. Edw. 4.21.