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.

THE ARCHBISHOPS OF YORKE.

1. Paulinus.

* 1.1NOt to say any thing of the manifold Testimonies of very credible authors who witnesse, that the Faith of Christ was receiued in diuers particular pla∣ces of this Island presently after the asce••ision of Christ, or at least while the Apostles yet liued; it cannot he de¦nied, but Elentherius Bishop of Rome at the request of Luciu then K. of Britaine, sent Damianus, Faganus and other learned Preachers to sow the seede of the Gospell here, about the yeare of our Lord 180 And it should seeme (which our histories also witnesse,) that God so farre foorth blessed their labours, that they not onely conuerted many to the faith of Christ themselues, but also left a po∣sterity of other, which with like painefulnesse continued the same doctrin in this Island, till by diuers tyrants, they were in diuers places oppressed and consumed. Notwithstanding whether it were that the Church by them planted had many notable wanes and intermissions, or rather eclipses, in which

the light of heauenly doctrine was altogether darkened by great persecution, and so no Ecclesiasticall history preserued; or whether the same being preserued, was destroied by perse∣cutors, scarcely any mention remaineth of any of their Bi∣shops. Onely of London, there are remembred 15. Archbi∣shops, and of Yorke 4. The first of these, and the first Arch∣bishop that euer Yorke had, our histories say was one named Sampson, appointed by the foresaid king Lucius, the verity whereof I cannot but suspect in regard of the name. For I finde not that the names of the old Hebrewes or Christian Saints were yet in vse It is then also reported that Con∣stantius Chlorus the Emperour appointed Taurinus Bishop of Eureux to be Archbishop there, as also that King Arthur made choice of one Pyrannus; and lastly that Tadiacus was the last Archbishop before the comming of the Saxons. Whē they had gotten possession of this Realme, the Britons (that were the old inhabitants) being drouen into a corner thereof (Wales and Cornewal) the rest of England was without a∣ny knowledge or inkling of the Gospell, vntill the comming of Saint Augustine. And after him a great while the North parts of this realme remained in the darknesse of their won∣ted ignorance, till God looking vpon them with the eye of his mercy, gaue this occasion of their conuersion. Edwyn King of Northumberland, was very desirous to marry Edilburge y^e sister of Eabald king of Kent. She being not onely a Chri∣stian, but a very vertuous Lady; vtterly refused to match with him so long as he was a Pagan, but signified, that vp∣on condition hee would promise to become a Christian, shee would accept him for her husband. He answered, he could be very well content to do nothing in preiudice of her faith; and to suffer that not onely herselfe, but her seruants and traine should practise what religion they would: And professed with all that it vpon consideration and conference with wise men, Christian religion shold seem more holy and worthier of God then his owne, he would not refuse to embrace the same. Up∣on these conditions Edilburge was sent vnto him to be his Quéene. And least by keeping company with the Heathen people, she and those that went with her might in time be de∣filed with their Paganisme; it was thought conuenient to

send some learned and Godly man with her, that might not only instruct and admonish them daily, but also minister the Sacraments vnto them, yea, and preach the Gospell vnto Infidels. Paulinus a reuerend man was made choice of, whō they thought good to consecrate Archbishop of Yorke, which was done by Iustus Archbishop of Canterbury the 21. day of Iuly, in the yeare of our Lord 625. or as some account, 622. He mindful of his vocation, as soone as he came into the coū∣try, laboured diligently to winne soules vnto Christ, but without any profit at all a great while:

Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis.

So long as the King remained obstinate, little good was to be done with the rest of the people. Him therfore he often exhorted to embrace Christ; and preuailed at last so farre with him, as hee promised to doe it, if it might please God to send him victory against Guichelm King of the West-Saxons, that had conspired his death. This victory beeing obtained according to his desire; He yet kept not promise, but delayed the matter, vnder pretence of perswading his Nobles first to bee content therewith; And longer still hee would haue delayed it, had not God by Paulinus put him in minde of a vision, hee had seene long since (as Beda reporteth) and it is this. Elfridus that raigned ouer the Northumbers next before him, sought nothing more then the death of this Edwin, to whom indeede the Crowne of right appertained. Hée therefore slying from his enemy, ranged vp and downe in many Countries, and that in the most secret manner hee might, till at last hee came vnto Redwald King of the East Angles, humbly beseeching him that hee would saue his life by sheelding him from Edilfrid his cruell enemy. The king bid him welcom, and promised to fulfill his re∣quest. Nothwithstanding which his promise, being offered a great summe of money by Edilfrid to betray him, and threatened with warre, if hee condescended not vnto him; he yeelded at last, and determined to gratists him therein, thogh contrary to his word and faith giuen. This resolution of the Kings being vnderstood by a companion of Edwins, he called him out of his bed late in the night, told him how the world went, and bid him shift for himselfe; whereunto hee

answered couragiously, that for his part hee would not first breake with the king; if the king estéemed so little of his ho∣nour as to sell it for money, better it was for him to dye by the appoitment of him that hee knew loued him (though hee loued money better) then by the appointment of his deadly enemy, whom by flying he well saw he could no longer auoid. Héereupon his companion departed from him, leauing him very pens••ue, sitting without doore vpon a stone. Soone after hée was gone, Edwyn espied one comming toward him that he knew not, who demanding of him why he sate there at that time of the night, other men being asléepe? What is that vn∣to you saith Edwyn whether I spend the night within doore or without? Héereunto the other answered, thinke not my friend that I am ignorant of thy sadnesse, & the cause of thy present griefe, I know them very well: But tell me (quoth hee) what reward wouldest thou giue vnto him that should ridde thee of all this care and trouble, and perswade Redwald neither to hurt thee himselfe, nor to suffer other to doe it. When he promised to do any thing in the world that lay in his power to performe, the other added; what if hee should also promise thée the kingdome due vnto thée, and the ouer∣throw of thine enemies that séeke thy life; yea and moreouer that thou shalt be the mightiest king, not onely of all thy pro∣genitors, but of all the Saxons that euer were in this Isle? Hereunto he answered in effect as before, hée would doe his best to requite so great a benefit. Why then (quoth the other, and withall laid his hand vpon Edwyns head) when all these things shall come to passe, and that thou shalt be shewed a more excellent way to direct the course and maner of thy life, then euer was imparted vnto any of thy predecessors; Re∣member by this token (of laying my hand on thy head) to fol∣low without delay the directions that shall bee giuen thee. This hauing saide, hée vanished away to the great woonder and astonishment of Edwyn, who had not sate there long; but his companion before mentioned, came running foorth vnto him with great ioy, and told him that Redwald by the per∣swasion of the Quéene had altered his determination, and was resolued (whatsoeuer came of it) to stand to his word, and to be true vnto him. To make short, God so mooued his

heart that he was not only content to defend Edwyn as here∣tofore; but also gathered suddenly a great army, and going in person against Edilfrid, he ouercame and slue him in the field: whereby it came to passe, that Edwyn with one consent of all his subiects was made king. Now this vision (saith Beda) God reuealed vnto Paulinus the Archbishop, who comming vnto Edwyn the king, at a time when he chanced to sit alone, deliberating with himselfe what religion it were best to fol∣low; hee stept vnto him, and laying his right hand vpon his head, asked him if he knew that token? Presently the King forgetting all Prīncely maiesty, fell downe trembling at poore Paulinus feet, and said he knew it very well, in so much as, héereafter hee would follow his direction (for matters of Religion) in all things. The King beeing thus wonne vnto Christ, and hauing receiued his badge and cognisance by Baptisme; the rest of the nobility first, and then the commo∣nalty gaue diligent eare vnto the Bishops preaching, and were conuerted daily in great numbers. It is said that for 36. daies together Paulinus the Archbishop neuer rested one moment, but either instructed the people by preaching that flocked continually about him; or else imparted Christ vnto them in Baptisme, which he ministred in the open fields and riuers, Churches being not yet built. King Edwin against the time of his owne Baptisme, had caused a little Church to bee erected of boords and timber in the City of Yorke, & dedicated the same to S. Peter. Afterward hee laid the foundation of a very stately building round about the wooden Church, which (he being taken away by vntimely death) his successor Os∣wald finished. Sedwall king of Wales, and Penda of Mercia or Mid England came against this good king, and (God in his secret iudgement permitting the same) ouerthrew him in the field and slue him. The Country by reason héere of being full of trouble, Paulinus (that saw he might not with safety abide any longer there) sixe yeares after his comming thither, re∣turned by water into Kent againe, and there was intreated to take on him the gouernment of the Sée of Rochester then void. Hee sate there 13. yeares, and October 10. 644. was called away to receiue the glorious reward of his blessed la∣bours, 19. yeares, two moneths and 21. daies after his first

consecration: He ws a man of a tall stature (as Beda) descri∣beth him) a little stooping, blacke-haired, leane-faced, his nose thinne and hooked, of a countenance both terrible and very reuerend. Hee was buried after his death in his Cathedrall Church of Rochester.

2. Cedda.

AFter the departure of Paulinus,* 1.2 the Church of Yorke was twenty (some say thirty) yeares without a Pastor by reason of the continuall warres and other troubles that happened by the persecution of Pagans. Aidanus, Finnanus Colmanus and Tuda, succéeding one another in the Bishop∣ricke of Lindisfarne, gouerned all Northumberland as well as they could during the time of this troublesome vacancy. At last Egfrid king of Northumberland appointed one Wil∣fride vnto the Sée of Yorke, sending him to Agelbert Bishop of Paris (sometime of Winchester) to receiue consecration of him; where Wilfrid staying very long, and not giuing any hope of spéedy returne, the same king enforced Cedda (a very holy man) without all right vnto the same to thrust himselfe into the place due to Wilfrid. Hauing carefully attended that charge not pertaining to him the space of three years, he was admonished by Theodorus Archbishop of Canterbury that he was not rightly and lawfully called to that Sée, whereup∣on he presently forsooke it, and was made by meanes of the same Theodorus Bishop of Lichfield.

3. Wilfridus.

THis Wilfrid was borne in the North Countrey of meane parentage.* 1.3 The time of his Childhood hee lost in his Fathers house, being vntaught vntill hee was fourteene yeares of age; at what time not sustaining the frowardnes of his stepmother, hee went abroad to seeke his fortune as they say. And first, he light vpon certaine Courtiers that had beene beholding vnto his Father for diuers curtesies. By them he was presented vnto the Quéene, as a child for wit and beau∣ty not vnfit to do her seruice; Shee by questioning sound the

inclination of the boye, that hee was desirous to become a Scholler. Therefore shee sent him to one Cedda, that of a Councellor and Chamberlaine to the King, had become a Monke at Lindisfarne, whether it might not bee the man be∣fore mentioned, I discerne not. By him he was diligently in∣structed, and being very sharpe-witted, profited wonderfully vnder him. At that time there was a great contention in the Church about the obseruation of Easter; whereof this youth being desirous to bee fully informed, determined to goe to Rome, and study there a while. By meanes of Eanfled the Q. aforesaid, and Ercombert K. of kent, he was furnished for this voyage & sent along with one or two other. In the way he fell acquainted with Wulsinus Archbishop of Lyons, who made very much of him, & stayed him with him a time, to the great increase of his knowledge. Continuing then no long time at Rome, in his returne homeward, hee was ordered by the Archbishop of Lyons aforesaid, who also adopted him to be his sonne. Hee meant not to haue returned into his owne Countrey, but that this Archbishop was taken from him be∣ing murthered by Brunechildus the Quéene that had cruelly slaine 9. other Bishops before. Presently vpon his returne home, king Egfrid gaue him a house and maintenance, and many noblemen admiring much his learning and eloquence, bestowed diuers things vpon him; at last with great applause & liking of al men, he was chosen Bishop, & sent into France, where he was consecrate by 12. other Bishops: for he refused to take consecration at the hands of the Scottish bishops, that were counted schismatiques in not agréeing with the church of Rome concerning the time and obseruation of Easter. Be∣yond the seas he stayed somwhat longer then hee néeded, be∣ing delighted with the company of many learned men of that country: and when he would haue returned, by tempest of weather he was driuen into farre countries, where he wan∣dred a long time. Coming home, and finding another man in his place, hee liued a while a priuate life. In which mean space he was often inuited by Wulfher king of Merce∣land vnto the Bishopricke of Lichfield. In the ende Cedda being remooued (as before is said) he setled himselfe at Yorke, and posted Cedda to Lichfield. Then, the first thing hee went

about was to finish his Cathedrall Church left vnperfect by Paulinus, and since his departure very much decaied (for the roofe was fallen, and the walles in many places ruinous) this his Church I say hee repaired, and finished, mending the walles, couering it with lead, glasing the windowes, and moreouer beautified the same with many goodly ornaments. He was so greatly beloued of al sorts of people for his gentle∣nes, affability & liberality, as many men liuing, but more at their death (especially Cleargy men) would put their goods & children into his hands; the one assuring themselues of a faith¦full keeper, the other of a discréete and conscionable dispender. Hereby it came to passe that in short time hee became excee∣ding rich, hauing many seruitors to attend vpon him, and great store of plate, and other houshould-••tuffe very sumptu∣ous. The report whereof comming to the eares of Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury: it put him in minde of the great∣nesse of that Dioces and the ability of the Country to main∣taine more Bishops. Wherefore hee went about to appoynt two or thrée other Bishops vnder him. Which when Wil∣fride obstinately refused, and the other ceased not to vrge very earnestly; he appealed vnto the Pope, and went vnto him in person. Some report (I thinke vntruly) that he went about to perswade the Quéene to forsake her husband, and betake her selfe to a monastery; and that the king being greatly dis∣pleased héerwith, first sought to diminish his authority by ma∣king more Bihops, and afterwards made diuers complaints vnto the Pope against him, séeking to haue him depriued. Whosoeuer caused it, certaine it is, that to the Pope he tra∣uelled. In passing of the Sea, hee was driuen by a contrary winde into Frizia, and staied there all winter preaching the Gospell (neuer heard of in that country before) vnto the king and people, whom before his departure hee conuerted vnto Christ. The Pope was then at the Councell of Constance; where, both by him and his Councell it was ordered, that the state of the Bishopricke of Yorke should not be altered with∣out Wilfrids owne consent. But Egfride the king so fauored Theodores deuise, as Wilfride at his returne perceiued wel, he must either yéeld vnto it or forsake the country Heerin me∣thinks he was to blame: Not induring to take a repulse in a

matter he had trauelled so much in; He rather chose to leaue Bishopricke, country and all, and to liue in pouerty and exile. He went into Sussex, and there indeuouring to conuert the people of that country vnto the faith of Christ, became their first Bishop, and laid the foundations of a Cathedrall church, the Sée being afterward remooued to Chicester. Sée more heereof in Chicester. After ten yéeres banishment, K. Ed∣frid dying, Alfrid that succéeded him sent for Wilfride and desired him to returne to this Sée of Yorke: which hee did. But after fiue yéeres, the king fell out with him, and forced him to Rome againe. There purging himselfe of all the accu∣sations laid against him by the king, he obtained the Popes letters in fauour of him; by meanes wherof, and intercession of many friends, with much ado, at last he was restored once more vnto his first charge; in which after this his last restitu∣tion, hee liued peaceably the space of fower yéeres, and died then, being seuenty sixe yéeres of age, October the twelfth the yéere 711. forty fiue yeeres after his first consecration. Hee was buried in the monastery of Rippon which himselfe built: The Church there being fallen downe for want of reparati∣on, Odo Archbishop of Cant. remooued his bones to Cant. about the yéere 940. Many other things are at large repor∣ted of him by Beda, lib. 5. cap. 20 Amongst the rest his Epi∣taph there set downe I thought good to insert.

Wilfridus hic magnus requiescit corpore praesul, Hanc domino qui aulam ductus pietatis amore Fecit, & eximio sacrauit nomine Petri, Curclaues coeli Christus dedit arbiter orbis, Atque auro ac ••••rio deuotus vestijt ostro. Quinetiam sublime crucis radiante metallo Hic posuit trophaeum, nec non quatuor auro Scribi Euangelij praecepit in ordine libros, Ac thecam •• rutilo his condignam condidit auro. Paschalis qui etiam solemnia tempora cursûs Catholici ad iustum correxit dogma Canonis. Quem statuere patres, dubioque errore remoto. Certa suae genti ostendit moderamina ritûs; Inque Iocis istis monachorum examina cr••bra

Colligit, ac monitis cauit quae regula patrum Sedulus instituit, multisque domique forisque, Iactatus nimium per tempora longa periclis, Quin decies ternos post quam egit episcopus annos, Transijt & gaudens caelestia regna petiuit, Dona Iesu, Grex vt pastoris calle sequatur.

Sée more of this Wilfride in Theodore of Canterbury.

4. Bosa.

AFter the first departure of Wilfrid from Yorke, Theo∣dore proceediug in his intended platforme, diuided his Dioces into 4. placing one Eata at Hagustald whom after∣ward he remooued to Lindisfarne (another of his new erecti∣ons) appointing Tumbert to succéede him, in the Prouince of the Picts Trumwyn, and lastly in the ancient Sée of York Bosa. At the returne of Wilfrid, Bosa was faine to giue place as also Iohn that had succéeded Eata (dead in the mean time.) Wilfrid being expelled the second time, they were both re∣stored.) Before then the second restitution of Wilfrid, Bosa died, and Iohn succéeded him. This Iohn, Wilfrid would not displace but contented himselfe in his latter time with the go∣uernment of Hagustald. Bosa hath the report of a very meeke and deuout man. He liued ten yeeres after his consecration, and dying, was the first Archbishop that was buried in York

5 Iohn.

THis Iohn (called afterward Saint Iohn of Beuerley,* 1.4) was a gentleman born of a very good house, and brought vp first vnder Hilda that famous Abbesse, then vnder The∣odore the fifth Archbishop of Canterbury, who also preferred him to the Bishopricke of Hagustald; and was sometimes a student in the vniuersity of Oxford. He alwaies had a repu∣tation of a wonderfull holy man, and Beda reporteth many miracles to bee done by him, lib. 5. cap. 2.3.4.5. and 6. as the curing of diuers folkes desperately sicke, by prayer; ope∣ning the mouth of a dumb man, &c. which things either they were true. or Beda was much to blame: For hee not onely li∣ued

in his time and Dioces. But knew him and receiued the order of priesthood at his hand. Waxing very old, and hauing béene a Bishop now 33. yéeres, 8. monethes and 13. dayes, with the consent of his Cleargy, hee resigned and procured another Wilfred his Chaplaine to be consecrate in his roome. After which he liued priuately at Beuerley, in the Colledge there built and founded by himselfe for Priests, & dying the seuenth day of May, the yéere 721. was buried in the Porch of the Church belonging to that Colledge. In a Conuocation held at London the yéere 1416. the foresayd day of his death was appointed to be kept holy day yéerly in memorial of him. Amongst many priuiledges granted by diuers kings vnto the Colledge of Beuerley for his sake, it is remembred that king Athelstan made it a Sanctuary, and placed a certaine chayre of stone in the Church there, vpon which hee caused this in∣scription to be engrauen, Haec sedes lapidea dicitur Freed∣stooli. pacis Cathedra ad quam reus fugiendo perueniens, omni modā habet securitatem. This chaire of stone is called Fréedstoole, that is the stoole of fréedome, vnto which who so commeth, hath all manner of security.

6 Wilfridus.

THe foresayd Wilfride sate 15. yeers (as some say) others deliuer but 11. and that he died the yéere, 731.

7 Egbert.

* 1.5AFter him succeeded Egbert the brother of K. Eadbert, he sate 36. yeeres, and died Nou. 19. 766. This man by his owne wisedome and the authority of his brother, amen∣ded greatly the state of his Church and See; Hee procured the Archiepiscopall pall to bee restored to his Church againe, and erected a famous library in Yorke, (burnt downe to the ground in the time of K. Stephen) which he furnisht plenti∣fully with an infinit number of excellent books. This Library is honorably mētioned by Flaccus Albinus or Alcuinus (som¦time kéeper of the same, but then schoolemaster vnto Charles

the great) in an Epistle to the Church of England in these words. Date mihi eruditionis libellos quales in patria mea Anglia per industriam magistri mei Egberti habui, & remit∣tam vobis aliquos ex pueris nostris vt excipiant inde necessa∣ria & reuchant in Franciam flores Britanniae, & non sit tan∣tum in Eboraco hortus conclusus, sed etiam in Turone emis∣siones Paradisi, &c. Neither was this man only a fauourer of learning in others, but himselfe also was very learned, and writ many things, a Catalogue whereof you may see in Bale. He was buried at Yorke by his brother the king in the church Porch.

2 Caena, alias Albertus, alias Adelbert.

ALbert, called by Florentius, Caena, sate after Egbertus 14. yeares. For he was cons. together with Al••mund Bishop of Hagustald Aprill 24 767. and died at Chester the yeare 781.

9 Eanbaldus.

COEna yet liuing (whether hee resigned or tooke him to him for a Co••••i••tor,* 1.6 it appeareth not) Eanbald, being an old man, was consecrate Archbishop, and liued after his con∣secration 17 yeares. He died in a monastery called Atlete or Edete, the yeare 796. and was buried in his owne Church.

10 Eanbaldus. 2.

ANother Eanbaldus became Archbish. after him, a priest of the Church of Yorke, and was cons. in the monastery of Socaberg Nou. 19. 797.* 1.7 Before the end of which yeare, he called a Synod or conuocation of his Clergy at Pincauhalch in which hee caused diuers things amisse to bee reformed. What time he died, or how long he sate, I find not. One of these two (I know not well which) is much commended of Leland and Bale, for a man of great learning and estimation.

11 Wulsius.

A Little time Wulsius enioyed his honour, and died the yeare 832.

12 Wimundus.

* 1.8WImundus succéeded Wulsius, and sate 17. yeares. He died (as Matthew Westminster reporteth) the yeare 854.

13 Wilferus.

* 1.9AFter him Wilferus was Archbishoppe a long time, 46. yeares and vpwards. The yeare 873. his Diocesans droue him out of the country together with Egbert their king who went vnto Burrhede King of Mercia, and of him were honourably entertained, till that the yeare following, K. Eg∣bert died, and by the helpe of king Ricsinus his successour, Wulferus was called home againe. Hee deceased about the yeare of our Lord 900. or as Matthew Westminster hath it (whose computation I finde very vncertaine) 895. In his time the Danes made such hauocke in the North countrey, as a great while after the Archbishopricke was little worth, and was faine often times to be mended with the Commen∣dam of Worceter.

14 Ethelbald.

* 1.10Then followed these: Ethelbalde.

15 Redward.

And after him Redward, whom Stubs calleth Lodeward.

16 Wulstanus.

BY the fauour of K. Athelstan, Wulstanus was then pre∣ferred to this Sée: In whose time the same K. gaue vnto the Church of Yorke Agmundernes which he bought of the Danes. This Bishop was conuict of a hainous crime forget∣ting the dutifull affection that he ought to beare vnto Edred his king, if for no other cause, yet for Athelstane his brothers sake that preferred him; forgetting his oth and allegiance vn∣to the same king being his naturall Prince; yea, forgetting that he was either an Englishman or a christian: He was not ashamed to cleane vnto the Danes, and fauour them, a hea∣then people; and such as sought not only to destroy his coun∣trey, but also to root out Christian Religion. For this trea∣son deseruing a thousand deaths) he was onely committed to prison the yeare 952. and a yeare after enlarged againe. This is the report of William Malmesbury, Matthew Westmin∣ster saith, he was punished in this sort for killing diuers Citi∣zens of Thetford in reuenge of the death of one Adelm an Abbot, whom they had slaine and murthered without cause: two yeares after his enlargement, he died vpon S. Stephens day, the yéere 955. He was buried at a place called Undalum néere Stanford.

17 Oskitell.

OSkitell then succeeded, a man of good life and well lear∣ned,* 1.11 who gouerned his Sée laudably 19. yeeres, and di∣ed the yeare 971.

18 Athelwold.

NExt followed Athelwold, that hauing as it were a taste onely of this honour,* 1.12 was quickly weary of it, and after a very short time gaue it ouer, choosing rather to liue obscure∣ly, so he might liue quietly.

19 Oswald.

* 1.13WIthin the compasse of one yeare, viz the yeare 971. Yorke had three Archbishoppes; O••kitell that died, Athelwold that resigned, and this Oswald. Hee was neere of kinne vnto O••kitell his predecessor; but neerer vnto Odo Achbishoppe of Canterbury, being his brothers sonne. By his meanes hee was first made Canon of Win∣chester, after Deane: for at that time, the Cathedrall Church of Winchester had no monks, but maintained a company of secular Priests, wherof many were married men. Percei∣uing the monks only were now in price, and other Cleargy men little esteemed; by the aduice of his Uncle hée left his place in Winchester, and trauelled to Flor••ake in France, where he became a monk. Hauing continued there some fiue or sixe yeares, his vncle writ often very importunately vnto him to come home; but could neuer preuaile, till hee sent him word of his last sicknesse, whereof soone after he died. Oswald then desirous to haue seene him once more, made haste into England, but came too late; the olde Archbishoppe was dead first. Oskitell then his other kinsman gaue him entertaine∣ment, till that by the meanes of Saint Dunstan, he was pre∣ferred to the Bishoprick of Worceter, viz. the yeere 960. two yeers after his arriuall in England. He built there the church dedicated to the blessed Uirgin Mary, hard by the Church of Saint Peter, and placed monkes in the same; to the end that the priests of Saint Peters Church being continually disgra∣ced by the people (that very much reuerenced the monkes) might become a weary of their places. He was not deceiued of his expectation, the people stocked all vnto the monks and left the Priests of S Pe••ers alone. Partly for shame, & partly for griefe therof (being peraduenture molested otherwise) the most of them departed thence and the rest were faine to take coules vnto them & become monks. The See of Yorke being void, K. Edgar carefull to place a fit man in the north country (which was then very rude and barbarous) and thinking none so fit as Oswald•• made offer of the same vnto him: and when hee seemed loth to forsake Worceter, was content hée

should hold both. This man was the first founder of the Ab∣bey of Ramsey in the Isle of Ely, & a very liberall benefactor vnto the Abbey of Floriake where hee was brought vp; A great patrone of Monkes, and a terrible persecutor of marri∣ed Priests, wherof there were many in those daies. He died at Worceter sodenly, hauing washed the feete of certaine poore men, (as daily hée accustomed) After which kneeling downe to pray, without any sicknesse precedent, hee gaue vp the Ghost. William Malm-bury (who reporteth this) addeth, that the day before his death, hee tolde diuers of his friends that he should die. He was very learned, & left some testimonies thereof in writing, not yet perished: for the integrity also of his life & conuersation, he was much reue∣renced. The greatest fault I find in him is, that he was very earnest in setting forth that doctrine of Diuels that debarreth men of lawfull marriage. The time of his departure was February 27. an. 992. 32. yéeres after his first consecration, when he had enioyed Yorke twenty two yeares. He was bu∣ried at Worceter in the church himselfe had built. Many mi∣racles are reported to haue béene done at his tombe, in regard whereof the posterity would néedes make him a Saint, and his next Successor bestowed a costly shrine vpon him.

20 Aldulfe.

ALdulfe Abbot of Peterborough, succéeded Oswald in both his Sees,* 1.14 viz. of Yorke and Worceter, a holy and reuerend man (saith Malmesbury) and one that striued with his predecessor in liberality toward the monastery of Flori∣ake. He died May 6. 1002. and was buried in Saint Maries Church at Worceter.

21 Wulstan. 2.

ANother Wulstan then by the fauour of the King Knute,* 1.15 held also both the said Sees of Yorke and Worceter: for which cause Malmsbury findeth great fault with him, that in Aldui•• and Oswald liked it well enough And all the excepti∣ous he takes against him is this. That hee was not of so ho∣ly

a profession as they; that is, he was not a Monke. Hauing béene Archbishop 20. yeeres. He died May 28. the yéere 1023. and was buried at Ely.

22. Alfricus Puttoc.

* 1.16ONe Leo••fius then obtained Worceter, Alfricus Put∣toc Prouost of Winchester being made Archbishop of Yorke. He was very angry with Worceter men, for not admitting him to that Sée also, which thrée of his predecessors had held in Commendam before him. And in reuenge of this repulse, caused Hardeknute the king (with whom hee could no much.) At a time when they had bin somewhat backward in payments to bee made vnto him, to ••ire that goodly City. Hee is blamed also for another barbarous part of the same king, that caused the dead body of his owne brother Harold to bee digged vp, beheaded, and then cast into the Thames. This they say was done by Alfricus the Archbishops coun∣sell. He bestowed much money vpon the Colledge of Beuer∣ley, first in a new and sumptuous shrine for the body of S. Iohn his predecessor, & then in purchasing lands to increase the reuenues thereof, viz. some at Milton, other at Holme, and againe at Frideiffhorp. Moreouer hee built there a high stéeple, and furnished it with two great belles, like vnto which hee gaue 2. other of the same mould vnto Southwell, and two vnto Stow. Hee died at Southwell the yéere 1050. and was buried at Peterborough.

23 Kinsius.

A Chaplaine of King Edward the Confessor one Kinsius succéeded Alfrike.* 1.17 Hee built very much at Beuerly, to wit, the Hall, the Church, and diuers other edifices, gaue ma∣ny bookes and ornaments to Shyrstone, and other Churches of his Dioces, sate ten yéers, died at Yorke, 1060. December 22. and was buried at Peterborough where hee had some∣times liued a Monke.

24 Aldredus.

THe Sée of Yorke falling voyd by the death of Kinsius,* 1.18 Aldredus that being first a Monke of Winchester, then Abbot of Tauestocke, was consecrate Bishop of Worceter, the yeare 1046. making his way by money and bribes liberally bestowed amongst Courtiers, found a meanes to circumuent & abuse the simplicity of king Edward the Con∣fessor, and by alleadging the example of his predecessors that had held Worceter in Commendam with Yorke, obtained licence of him to hold them both, wherin so holy a man as S. Edward me thinks should haue béene more precise. Hauing preuailed thus farre, he went to Rome for his pall, together with the Earle Tosti Brother to the Quéene, Giso after Bi∣shop of Welles, and Walter of Hereford. The Pope at that time was Nic. the second, a great enemy to simony, which in this age began to grow very rife. Whether he had hard som∣what of Aldredes bribing in obtaining this preferment, or whether he ••isht it out by strict examination (which is deliue∣red) hee not onely re••used to establish him in his Archbi∣shopricke, but also depriued him of the Bishopricke hee had before. Homewards they came together in one company, but with diuers affections; Giso and Walter ioyfull ••or the honor newly done vnto them: for being sound men not onely lear∣ned, but of good conuersation, and not culpable of any corrup∣tion: they were consecrate at Rome with all fauour and ho∣nour that might be: Tosti the Earle pensiue for his friend, whose bribes he had receiued to the others ouerthrow; and lastly, Aldred almost desperat for so great a calamity, as was fallen vpon him. Sée the power of Almighty God, that not only raiseth as it were in a moment from the bottome of mi∣sery vnto the toppe of happinesse: but also doth it by such me••ns oftentimes as we thinke more likely to cast vs down farther, then to relieue vs any thing at al. These iolly compa∣nions, trauelling from Rome toward the Alpes; by the way were encountred with a company of good fellowes (in a hap∣py howre for Aldred) that spoiled them of all they had about them, leauing them neither horse nor money, nor any thing

money-worth but their apparell. So there was no remedy but backe to Rome they must againe to furnish them a new for their iourney. There Tosti with open mouth exclaimed against the Pope saying, there was no reason that farre re∣mote nations should so greatly stand in awe of his excommu∣nications, which théeues and robbers cared not a halfe penny for, but contemned openly and derided euen vnder his nose: that amongst poore Priests, he would play Rex, but let rebel∣lious varlets doe what they list. If by his meanes (quoth he) our goods be not restored to vs againe, let him giue vs leaue to say, that by his fault and misgouernment wée haue lost them, and wée hope that our King will haue such c••nsideration of vs, as in the end this iourney (when he hea∣re••h of••) shal proue a greater losse to the pope then to vs For my part, I will not faile to certifie him of the truth, & to im∣portune him daily for recompence, which out of the tribute the Pope hath of England will soone be made. And except he deserue it better, why hee should haue any at all, I sée not. Partly, by meanes of these threats, partly in commiseration and pi••••y, partly by importunity of suite, Aldred at last obtai∣ned his Archbishopricke, & had his pall giuen him vpon con∣dition that he should leaue Worceter: into which Sée at his returne he wrought Wulstan, but hampered him so, as hee retained almost all the commodity to himselfe, leauing Wul∣stan onely 12. mannors to maintaine his state. In defence of which dealing he alledged, that the lands & possessions of the Arcbishopricke were so wasted and spoiled by the Danes & other in the time of Wulfere, and since that they yeelded little or no profit. It could bee altogether true: for Alfrike and Kinsius (as before I haue shewn) built & purchased much, ha∣uing no Commendam at all. This Aldred likewise built much: A Hall for the Canons to dine in together a Yorke, and another at Southwell; At Beuerley the Hall begun by his predecessors, & le•••• vnperfect, he finished; the Presbitery there he raised from the very foundation, as also a goodly Church at Glocester, euen the same which is now the Cathe∣dral Church. This likewise is commended in him, that wher∣as the clergy of those times were very vndecently appareled nothing differing from Lay men, he brought all the ministry

of his Prouince to an vniforme and séemely kind of habite. It is also recorded of him that hee was King Edwards Am∣bassadour in Germany for a whole yeere: and that the yere 1058. he made a voyage vnto Ierusalem, through Hungary, a thing that no Archbishop of this Realme (as Houeden no∣teth) did euer attempt before him: Not many yeeres after his returne King Edward the Confessor died, ••nd Harold inuading the dignity royall no way due vnto him, was crowned by Aldred. William the Conquerour also refusing to receiue the Crowne at Stigands hands (whom hee called the vsurper of Canterbury) desired him to performe that so∣lemnity, which hée did, requiring first an oath of him to de∣fend the Church, minister iustice (and amongst other things) to vse Englishmen as fauourably as Normans. This oath it séemed vnto Aldred the king had broken, and therefore (like a couragious Prelate) hee stucke not to thunder out an excommunication against him, saying, that now worthily he had cursed, whom once vnworthily he had blessed. This bold prank being reported vnto the King, incensed him very much at first; but thinking better of it, he determined to giue faire words a while, and so sent some to entreat for his absolution. These messēgers came too late; for the Bishop being troubled much in mind after the performance of that action, and either amased with feare of what might happen after it, or ouer∣come with griefe and repentance of that he had done; neuer could be merry after, add so by conceit was cast into a di••ease whereof he died. September 11. 1069. This is the report of W. Malmsbury. Others say (namely Florentius Wigorn) that he was so grieued with the comming in of a Nauy of the Danes, as hee praied God to take him out of this life, that hee might not see the slaughter and spo••le which hee thought they would make; And that this griefe was the cause of his death. He was more reuerenced afterward then while he li∣ued a great deale. No English man succeeded him in many yéeres after; And the Normans being odious vnto the people they gladly reprehended all their actions, & comparing them with such English Bishops as they could remember, made most fauorable report of them. One thing also encreased his credite much: Vrsus Earle of Worceter had built a Castle

there to some preiudice of the monks, insomuch as the ditch of the said Castle empaired a little of the Church-yard. Al∣dred went vnto the Earle (hauing before admonished him to right the wrong) and hauing demanded of him whether it were done by his appointment (which he could not deny) loo∣king stedfastly vpon him, hee vsed these wordes; Hightest thou Vrse? Haue thou Gods curse and mine, & of all hallow∣ed heades, except thou takest away this Castle; and know thou assuredly, that thy posterity shall not inherite the land and inheritance of Saint Mary. This his curse séemed to take effect; for Vrsus died soone after, and Roger his sonne a very small time enioying his fathers honour, lost the same and was faine to flie the realme for killing an officer of the Kings. Thus much for Aldred, who after his death was bu∣ried in his owne Church.

25 Thomas.

* 1.19THe King then appointed Thomas a Cannon of Bayon to be his Successor, a Norman by birth, but hee was brought vp altogether in the schools of the S••xons in France except a little time he spent in Spaine. Hee was the sonne of a Priest (a married Priest I take it) and brother vnto Samp∣som Bishop of Worceter, whose sonne Thomas succeeded, afterwards this Thomas in this See of Yorke: Presently vpon his returne home after trauell, hee became Chaplaine vnto Odo Bishop of Bayon William Conquerours halfe brother, who made him Treasurer of Bayon, and then pre∣ferred him vnto the seruice of his brother the King. Hee was a man very learned, gentle both in countenance and words, of a very swéete and amiable behauiour, chaste and of a goodly personage, beeing in his youth beautifull, in his latter time well coloured, and his hayre, both head and beard as white as snow. At his first entrance he had somewhat to doe with Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury, vnto whom he would not make profession of obedience neuer (as he allea∣ged) before that time required. And indéed before the cōming of Wil. the Conquerour (saith one) the two Metropolitanes

of England, were not onely in authority, dignity and of∣fice, but also in number of suffragan Bishops equall. But at this time (saith he) they of Canterbury perswaded the new king, that Yorke ought to bee subiect vnto their Sée, and that it was for the good and safety of the King, that the church thereof should bee obedient principally vnto one, for that otherwise one might set the crowne vppon one mans head, and the other doe as much for some body else. This co••∣trouersie is more at large debated in Canterbury. The end for that time was, that Thomas ouerborne by the Archbi∣shoppe of Canterbury Lanfranke and the King (who fauou∣red him) was faine to appeale vnto Rome; both of them be∣ing there in person before the Pope, they fell (as commonly it happeneth in like cases) from the chiefe point, into by mat∣ters and articling one against another. What Thomas layd against Lanfranke I finde not. And all that Lanfranke had to say against him, was, that he was Priests son (magnum scilicet crimen) and that the king for his faithfull seruice had promi••ed him a Bishopricke before his comming into Eng∣land. These were so great matters in the Popes iudgement as Thomas must be depriued of his King and Crosier & not restored to them but by the entreaty of Lanfranke. As for the matter of Primacy, he le••t it to the ordering of the King and Bishops o•• England, who forced Thomas to yeeld, making then his repayre to York, he found the whole state of his Di∣oces (the City and Church especially) most miserable. The Danes before mentioned comming against the city; the Nor∣ma••s that held the Castle, thought good to burne certaine houses néere it, lest they might bée a furtherance vnto the e∣nemy. This vngentle fire would not bee entreated to stay iust where they would haue it, but procéeding farther then his commission, destroyed the monastery and Church of S. Peter, and in ••••ne the whole City. Before the fire was out, the Danes came, and tooke both City and Castle by force, putting to the sword, all the Normans they sound there (to the number of three thousand) sauing none aliue, but one William Mallet, his wi••e, children and a few other. Soone after the destruction of this goodly City, the King came into

these parts with a puissant army against the Danes, not ceasing to make all manner of spoyle, as if hee had beene in the enemies Country. So betwéene the Danes and the Normans, such hauocke was made, as all the land from the great riuer of Humber, vnto the riuer of Tine, lay waste, & not inhabited by any man for the space of nine yéeres after. In the Church of Yorke there were onely three Cannons left, the rest being all either dead, or fled away, & they had left vnto them neither house to put their heads in, nor any good meanes how to liue and maintaine themselues. All thes•• faults this industrious Bishop endeauoured to amend. First he new couered and repaired his Church as well as he might to serue the turne for a time, But afterwards he pulled down all the olde building, and erected from the very foundation a new, to wit the Minster that now standeth. His Cannons dispersed abroad, he called home againe, and tooke order they should bee reasonably prouided for. Hée built them a hall & a dorter, and appointed one of them to be the Prouost, and gouernour of the rest. Also he bestowed certaine Mannors & lands vpon them, and caused other to be restored that had bin taken from them. And the twelue Mannors taken from Worceter, the King (pe••swaded thereunto by Lanfranke) caused him to render backe againe. The Church then hauing continued in this state a good while, I know not by whose ad∣uise, the Archbishop thought good to diuide the land of Saint Peters Church into Prebends, and so to allot a particular portion vnto euery Canon, whereas before they liued toge∣ther vpon the common charges of the Church at one Table, much in like sort, as fellowes of houses doe now in the Uni∣uersities. At the same time also he appointed a Dean, a Trea∣surer, and a Chanter, and as for the Chancellorshippe it was founded of him before. The Church newly built by him hée furnished with bookes, and all kind of ornaments necessarie; but his speciall care was to replenish the same, and the rest of his Dioces with learned and honest men, with whom he was w••nt conti••••ally to conferre and reason (sometime with one, and sometime with another) partly for his owne exercise, and partly to sée what was in them, and to raise them vppe to a

diligence in increasing their knowledge. Himselfe was very learned, and writ diuers things both in prose and verse. Hee was also a very good Musitian, and could not onely sing, but play very well vpon the Organs, and did set many songs. Ha∣uing crowned King Henry the first, August 5. 1100. with the helpe of Maurice Bishop of London (because Anselm Archbi∣shop of Canterbury liued then in banishment) the 18 of No∣uember following, being Sunday, he died at Rippon, and was buried at Yorke, in the Minster himselfe had built, next vnto Aldred his predecessor. The Epitaph heere following is as∣cribed by S••••bbs vnto Thomas the second, this mans nephew; but by diuers things in the same, I discerne it to belong vnto this former Thomas, as namely by the date of his death, the description of his person, and some other things.

Orba iacet viduata bono pastore patrono, Vrbs Eboraca dolet, non habitura parem. Qualia vix vni, persona, scientia, vita, Contigerat Thomae, nobilis, alta, ••ona. Canicies hilaris, facies, statura•• venusta, Angelici vultus splendor & instar erat. Hic numero modico doctrinae se•• probitatis, Clericus omnis ••rat, vel magis omnis homo. Haec domus & Clerus, sub tanto Praesule foelix, Pene quod est & habet, muneris omne sui est. Octauis igitur Martini transijt ille, Qui pietate Deisit comes in requie.

26 Gerard.

AFter the death of Thomas Gerard nephew vnto Wal∣kelin Bishop of Winchester,* 1.20 and Chancellour of En∣gland (vnder William the Conquerour, and Rufus his sonne) hauing beene Bishop of Hereford no long time, hee was elected vnto Yorke, but obtained not confirmation a great while. For he refused to make profession of obedience vnto Canterbury, till being commanded by the Popes letters, hee performed the same. Hee sate Archbishop seuen yeeres, and almost sixe monethes, and May 21 died suddenly in his

garden at Southwell, at a time when no body was with him. Hee was a good benefactor vnto the Church of Yorke: for hee was a meanes vnto the King, the bestow the Church of Lax∣ton vpon the Chapter, and himselfe hauing obtayned of him the Churches of Dryfield, Kilne, Pockington, Pickering, and Burgh, hee gaue them all likewise to the Chapter. This notwithstanding, after his death they would not suffer him (dying so suddenly) to bee buried within their Church (hard∣ly in the Church-yard.) So he was laid at the entrance of the Church porch. But Thomas his Successor not induring that such an indignity should be offered vnto an Archbishop, remoo∣ued his bones into the Church afterward, and caused them to be honourably in toombed. He was a man of great learning, and for eloquence admirable, but somewhat too eager against ma∣ried Priests, whom by no meanes he could abide. Bale char∣geth him with sorcery and coniuration, because forsooth, that after his death, there was found in his Chamber a Uolume of Firmicus, who writ of Astrologie indeed, but of coniuration nothing that euer I heard.

27 Thomas, 2.

* 1.21A Second Thomas succeeded, a Chaplaine of the Kings, nephew vnto the former Thomas, Sonne vnto Samp∣son Bishop of Worceter, and brother to Richard Bi∣shop of Bayon. Hee was a very fat man of body, and yoong of yeeres, yet of so good parts and sufficiency, as being Prouost of Beuerley, hee was elected vnto the See of London, voide by the death of Mauritius, which election hee had scarce accepted, and approoued of, when he was called to Yorke. Euen as his Predecessor, hee was very loath to make his profession vnto Canterbury. Being required thereunto by Anselme the Archbishop: Hee made many excuses. Wherefore Anselme lying very sicke, and perceiuing his end to bee neere, writ vnto all the Bishops of England, commaunding them•• not to consecrate him before hee had made his profession, lay∣ing a terrible curse and excommunication, vpon whomso∣euer should ••oe it. The King after Anselmes death com∣manded

the Bishop of Worceter (whose sonne the Elect was) to consecrate him: But the Bishop his father answered, that hée would not haue the curse of Father Anselme for any world∣ly good. So in the end being perswaded to yéeld, as other had done before him, consecration was affoorded vnto him, and per∣formed by his Father Sampson the foresaid Bishop of Worce∣ter (as some report by the Bishop of London) the 27 of Iune, 1108. This man erected two new Prebends in his Church of Yorke, hée placed Cannons regular at Hagulstad: hée gaue diuers parcels of land vnto the Colledge of Southwell, and purchased of the King the like liberties and priuiledges for them, that the Prebends of Yorke, Beuerley, and Rippon had. He sate little aboue fiue yéeres, and died (after a sort) a Mar∣tyr. Lying dangerously sicke, he was aduertised by the Physi∣tians, the nature of his disease to be such, as if he vsed the com∣pany of a woman, he neede not doubt of his recouery: other∣wise nothing was to be looked for but death. He chose rather to die, then to pollute so high and sacred a calling with so foule and hainous offence. So he ended his life Feb. 19. 1114. and was buried beside the former Thomas his vncle.

28 Thurstan.

THomas the Archbishop being taken away (as before I haue declared) Thurstan a Cannon of Paules,* 1.22 and the Kings Chaplaine was chosen to succeed him. He when by no meanes hee could obtaine consecration of Ralph Archbishop of Canterbury, without making profession of sub∣iection, renounced and forsooke the benefit of his election. Yet remembring himselfe at last, he went to Rome, to plead his cause before the Pope, and obtained letters to the King, and Archbishoppe of Canterbury in commendation of his cause. These letters preuayling nothing with the Archbishop that would bee wonne by no meanes, and Thurstan continuing as obstinate in his resolution: The See remained voide a long time. At last it fell out that a Councell was summoned to be held at Rhemes, Thurstan crauing leaue of the King to goe

thither, could not obtaine it before he had promised that hee would not receiue consecration there. Which promise not∣withstanding, so well hée followed his businesse, that be∣fore the comming ouer of other English Bishoppes to the Councel, he was a Bishop ready consecrate as well as they, and that by the hand of the Pope himselfe. So he (and he on∣ly I thinke of all the Archbishops of York since the Conquest) neuer made profession of subiection to the Metropoliticall Sée of Canterbury. The king hearing of this dealing, was ve∣ry greatly offended with Thurstan, and forbad him England. Neither could the Pope (meeting with the King at Gisors. and intreating for him) so pacifie his displeasure, as that hee would suffer him to returne. After fiue yeeres banishment, the Pope writ a very sharpe letter vnto the king, signifying that hee would excommunicate both him, and the Archbishop of Canterbury also, if Thurstan were any longer kept from his Sée and charge. Hereupon he was called home, and some after reconciled vnto the King. This man is much praysed first for his learning, then for his greate wisedome and discretion; and lastly, for his industry and diligence, his care and painfulnesse, in well gouerning the charge committed to him. Hee was a very kinde man to his Canons, vnto whom amongst other things, hee affoorded this priuiledge, that the yearely profit of their Prebends, being diuided into three parts, it should bee lawfull for any Canon to be∣queath two parts of the yeare next ensuing his death, al∣lotting the third vnto the fabricke, that is, toward the repara∣tion of the Church. This order hee set downe not onely at Yorke, but at Beuerley also, at Southwell, at Rippon, and at Glocester; all which were Colledges founded by Archbishops of Yorke. Moreouer it is to bee remembred, that hée either founded a new, or renewed and repayred eight Monasteries. One of them was that of Fountaines for white Monks, va∣lued at the suppression in 1173. l. 7. d. ob. yearely reuenew. In the latter end of his time, to wit, Iune 4. 1137, a lamentable chance befell his Church and City. By casuall fire Saint Pe∣ters Church in Yorke, Saint Maries without the walles, a hospitall of his owne building, and nine and thirty other chur∣ches were destroyed, and the whole city almost vtterly consu∣med.

The yéere following (to wit, 1148.) when as Dauid king of Scots entring our borders with a very great army, burnt and spoyled all the Country as farre as the riuer of Teyse: this Archbishop gathering together such power as hée was able to raise v••on the sodaine, mette them at Aluer∣ton, and setting on them, slue to the number of 12000. This of Walsingham. Howbeit Houeden saith, that at the battel hée was not himselfe present, being hindred by sicknesse. Ha∣uing continued in that Sée sixe and twenty yéeres, from the time of his election, and being a very aged man, he determi∣ned to forsake the world, and become a Monke at Pontfract which he did, resigning his Bishopricke, Ianuary 15. 1140. His cowle was scarse warme vpon his backe when death ap∣pointed him the vse of another garment. Eleuen dayes af∣ter his resignation he died, viz. the fift of February, the yéere aforesaid.

25 Henry Murdac.

KIng Stephen had a kinsman named William (that was sonne vnto Emma his sister by Earle Herbert,* 1.23 a man no lesse noble in mind and vertue, then stocke and lineage. He being Treasurer of Yorke, was now elected vnto the Archbishopricke, and hauing obtained consecration also, sent to Rome for his pall. His spéede there, was not so good as hee looked for: By some aduersaries many exceptions were taken against him, whereby it came to passe not onely his suite was put off and staid for that time, but also Proces awarded to admonish him to come thither in person to an∣swere the accusations laied against him. At his comming to Rome, hée found his aduersaries many and mighty. And amongst the rest it is remembred that Saint Bernard then liuing was very earnest against him. Eugenius the Pope had béene brought vp in the Abbey of Clareuall vnder S. Barnard, together with Henry Murdac, whom Williams aduersaries had set vp to bée a suiter for his Archbishop∣ricke. The Pope being thus carried away with the per∣swasion of his olde acquaintance, and some shew of matter, was content to depriue William, and to place Henry Murdac 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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in his roome, whom he caused to be consecrate presently, and sent him home into England with his Pall. King Stephen hearing this newes, was much grieued with the disgrace of his nephew, which all men iudged vndeserued. Therefore he stood vpon termes with the new Archbishoppe, and required him to sweare vnto him fealty in some extraordinary man∣ner, and when hée denied, easily tooke occasion of displea∣sure against him. The townsmen of Yorke that loued Willi∣am exceedingly for his gentlenesse and vertuous behauiour amongst them; hearing how the king was affected; refused to receiue Murdac into their City. For this resistance he sus∣pended them: which notwithstanding, Eustach the kinges sonne, commanded seruice to bée said as at all other times was accustomed. By meanes hereof, as also by reason that the Kings officers were very terrible and heauy enimies vnto all that had laboured for the depriuation of William: sediti∣ons & tumults were dayly raysed in the City, amongst which a certaine Archdeacon, a friend of the Archbishoppes was slaine. Two or thrée yéeres these stirs continued, till at last, the Kings wrath by meanes being appeased, Yorke men were content to receiue their Archbishop peaceably. Hée go∣uerned very austerely the space of ten yeares, died Octob. 14. 1153. at Sherborne, and was buried in his Cathedrall Church.

3. Saint William.

VVIlliam immediately after his depriuation, got him home into England, and in great patience away∣ting the pleasure of God,* 1.24 betooke himselfe to the Monaste∣ry of Winchester, liuing much in the company of Henry the Bishoppe, that did first consecrate him. Now yée shall vnderstand, that a little before the death of Henry Murdac, Eugenius the Pope his olde companion, and Saint Bernard the Master of them both (for they had been his schollers) were taken out of this life. William then was greatly animated by his friends to make complaint vnto Anastasius the new Pope of the wrong heretofore done vnto him, and prouoked by their importunity, did so indéed, trauelling to Rome, in his

owne person. He had scarce commented his complaint, when newes was brought that H. Murdac also his olde aduersary was likewise departed this life. Following then the aduise of Gregory a Cardinall, a very politique and subtle fellow: without any great suite hée was restored vnto all his honors and had the pall deliuered vnto him. He was returned into England before Easter, which hee kept with his olde friend Henry the Bishop of Winchester. Hasting then home to his owne Church, he was met vpon the way by Robert the Dean and Osbert the Archdeacon of Yorke, who forbad him en∣trance in the Church, and appealed vnto Rome against him, which he little esteemed, but went forward notwithstanding. Al the rest of the Clergy and Commonalty receiued him with wonderfullioy. Pol. Virg. reporteth, that passing ouer the riuer beyond Pontfract, the number of the people that followed him to doo him honour, was so infinite, as the bridge being but of timber, brake euen iust as the Bishop was ouer, & threw them all into the water. But the blessing and prayer of this holy man (he supposeth) preuailed so much with God, as they were all miraculously preserued from drowning. Into his City he was honourably receiued, and began a very mild and gentle gouernment, shewing no token of gall or malice toward his ancient and most bitter enemies, but hee was taken away by death before he could perform any great mat∣ter otherwise. Soone after Whitsontide hee fell sicke (as it séemed) of a kinde of ague, and within a day or two after de∣parted this life. The common report is, that hee was poy∣soned in the challice at Masse. And so saith the Antheme ap∣pointed to bee sung vpon his holyday (for anon we shal haue him a Saint) wherein are contained these verses:

Eboracum praesul redit, Pontis casus nullum laedit De tot turbae millibus. In Octauis Pentecostes Quidam malignantes hostes, In eum pacificum, Et vt ipsum priuent vita, Celebrantis aconita.

Propinant in calice, Toxicaturà prophanis, Ille potus, ille panis, Per quem perit toxicum, &c.

Some (as namely Houeden) say that poyson was con••aied into the water, in which he should wash his hands at Masse time. But Newbrigensis confuteth both these opinions at large, lib. 1. cap. 26. Certaine it is, that not onely after his death, but also while he yet liued, in his sicknesse time, many suspected vehemently that he was poysoned. Insomuch as one of his Chaplaines aduised him to take some Antidotum or remedy against poyson, which he also did, as one affirmeth; but other say, he answered, quod antidotum humanum ad∣ijcere nollet diuino, that he would not adde the preseruatiue of the body vnto the preseruatiue of the soule, because forsooth he had then lately receiued the Sacrament. Howsoeuer it was, hee died very suddenly, his téeth waxing blacke a little before his death, and not without some other notes and sig∣nifications of poyson. The time of his departure was, Iune. 8. 1154. After his death he was Canonized, and the day afore∣said, Iune 8. appointed vnto the celebration of his memory. Many miracles are said to haue béene wrought at his toombe in the Cathedrall Church of Yorke. Beléeue it that list, I can∣not. To say no more, me thinks the man whose depriuation S Barnard procured, should not be worthy to be reputed a Saint, or like to worke miracles.

31 Roger.

* 1.25NO sooner was William dead, but Robert the Deane and Osbert the Archdeacon, laide plots for the election of Roger Archdeacon of Canterbury; and procuring the Archbishop and the Popes Legate to become suiters for him, with much adoo they induced the Chapter to choose him. Hee was consecrate by Anastasius the Pope, about the middle of Octob. 1154. This man is not gratious in our sto∣••ies, yet hee is confessed to haue béen very learned, well spo∣ken,

passing wife and a great agmenter of the state of his Bi∣shopricke, both in reuenues and buildings. The reason is, he fauoured not monkes, by whom in a manner all our hi∣stories are written. He was wont to say, that Thurstan ne∣uer did a worse deede then in erecting the monastery of Fountney. And that it may appeare hee faigned not this mislike, you shall find in Newbridg. lib. 3. cap. 5. That a cer∣taine religious man comming vnto him when hee lay vpon his death bed, requested him to confirme certaine graunts made vnto their house: to whom hée answered, you see my friend I am now vpon the point of death, it is no time to dis∣semble; I feare God, and in regard thereof refraine to satis∣fie your request; which I protest I cannot do with a good con∣science; A strange doctrine in those daies; but béeing a wise man and learned, hee must néedes discerne, that the monkes of his time were so farre swarned and degenerate from the holinesse of those first excellent men of the primitiue Church, as they resembled rather any other kind of people, then those whom they pretended in profession to succéed. Those men (the monkes I meane) to be reuenged vpon him, hame stamped vpon him two notable faults, one, that he preferred whipping boyes vnto the chiefe dignities of the Church, wherein (were it true) no body can excuse him; The oth••r thing they lay to his charge is manifestly false; They say he was miserably co∣uetous, and how doe they prooue it? Because forsooth hee left a certaine deale of ready money behinde him. Many wise men thinke him vnwise, that hauing ability, will not kéepe somewhat beside him whatsoeuer happen. He was sparing also; a happy world it were if all men were so: Bonus Serua∣tius facit bonum Bonifacium, (according to the Dutch Pro∣uerbe.) A good ••auer makes a well-doer. The trueth whereof in him notably appeared Hee built a new the Quier of the Cathedrall Church, and the vawtes of the same decaied with fire; As also his pallace in Yorke that was burnt down to the ground when the Cathedrall Church was so defaced. Againe he erected and built from the foundation, the Chappell of S. Sepulcre néere the pallace-gate vpon the North side of the Cathedrall Church, and impropriated 11. benefices (5. of his owne gift) to the maintenance of ministers in the same, viz.

a Sextane, 4. Priests, 4. Deacons, and 4. Subdeacons. All these things he performed, and many other of lesse moment, that the monkes find no fault with at all. He continued Arch∣bishop 27. years, and being a very aged man, sickned at Lo••d, whether calling vnto him many Abbots, Priors, and other re∣ligious persons, by their aduice he bestowed his goods, deliue∣ring out presently great summes of money to the vse of the poore, and other good purposes, as vnto the Archbishop of Can∣terbury, Rhemes and Roane, 500. pound a peece, and to al∣most euery Bishop of England and Normandy a certain por∣tion. This done, he remoued to Yorke, (saith Houeden) other say to Sherborne, and there died vpon sunday Nou. 22. 1181. and was buried by Hugh Bishop of Durham in the middle of the Quire of the Canons regular which himselfe had built. Now whereas in his life-time he had procured Alexander the Pope to grant this priuiledge, that if any Cleergy-man died in his Prouince, and deliuered not his goods away by hand before his death, the Archbishop should haue the disposition of them; it pleased God that the same measure he meat vnto o∣ther, he should be serued withall himselfe. He left behind him (or had at least wise what time he sickned) 11000. pound in siluer, and 300. pound of gold, beside an infinite deale of plate, and sumptuous houshold-stuffe. All this (though hée had bestowed it (as aforesaid) the king notwithstanding sea∣sed vpon, and conuerted it to his owne vse, saying, it was no reason that his will should stand for good, that had disanulled the Testaments of so many other. Sée more of him in Rich∣ard Archbishop of Canterbury.

32 Geoffry Plantaginet.

* 1.26THe Sée of Lincolne happening to be void by the death of Robert de Chisueto the yéere 1167. king Henry the se∣cond procured Geoffry his base sonne, a young tender delicate youth, yet Archdeacon of Lincolne, to bee elected to the Bi∣shopricke. He content with the large reuenues of the same, made no hast to receiue consecration, as hauing more care of sheering the shéep, then féeding them, which he knew he might

do without consecration as well as with it. Seuen yeares he held the Bishopricke after that sort, and at length by the per∣swasion of his Father, desirous to haue his sonne neere about him (as some say) or perceiuing him vnfit to make a Cleargy man (as other say.) He resigned his interest in the Church of Lincolne, and got him to the Court, where he was made Lord Chancellor of England, & held that office about 8. yeeres, viz. vntil the year 1189. at what time his Father died. Many Bishopricks at that time were void, & had bin some of them a long season, as Yorke now 10. years, and Lincoln 17. K. Richard therefore vnderstanding the people murmured and grudged much at these long vacations, & knowing also it imported him to sée his brother prouided for, he thought to stop 2. gaps with one bush, & at once to furnish Yorke with an Archbi. and his brother with a liuing. So hee writ his letters to the Chapter of Yorke in his brothers behalfe, who (not without some dif∣ficulty) elected him. Hee was cons. at Tours in France, by William Archb. of Tours, in the moneth of Aug. 1191. Pre∣sently after his consecration, hee hied him ouer into England, although hee had taken an ••ath when his brother King Ri∣chard began his voyage into the holy land, not to set foote in England within 3. yeares after. Presently therefore vpon his arriual, he was imprisoned William B. of Ely the Chancel∣lor, being drawn from the very altar of S. Martins church in Douer; but hee was quickly set at liberty againe; This man prooued a better Bishop than was expected, gouerning his Prouince (if not somewhat too stoutly, according to the cou∣rage requisite in a man of so high birth and nobility) very wel & commondably. He is praysed much for his temperance, so∣bernes & grauity both of countenance & behauiour. Al the time of his brother Richard he had much adoe with his Canons of Yorke who by complaints vnto the Pope and the K. troubled him much. Betwéene him and K. Iohn (who was his brother also) there was likewise much adoe. In the second yeare of his raigne, he commanded the Sheriffe of Yorkshire to sei••e vpon all the goods and lands of the Archb. and his seisure to returne into the exchequer, which was done accordingly: whereupon the saide Archbishop excommunicated, not ea••ly the She∣riffe that had done him this violence, but all those in generall

that were the authors of the same, and that had béene any meanes to stirre vp the kings indignation against them. The cause of this trouble is diuersly reported: some say, that he hin∣dred the kings officers in gathring a kind o•• ••••xe through his Dioces; others, that he refused to saile into Normandy with him, when he went to make a marriage for his neece, and to conclude a league with the French King. Whether one of these were the cause, or both, or none, I cannot tell; But cer∣taine it is, that one whole yeare his temporalties were detai∣ned from him, his mooueable goods neuer restored, and yet moreouer he was faine to pay a thousand pound sterling for his restitution. This was a greater wound then it might ea∣sily be cured. Sixe or 7. yeares after it brake out againe, to wit, an. 1207. King Iohn then beeing at Winchester requi∣red such of the Cleargy and nobility, as were there pre∣sent to consent, that payment should be made vnto him, of the thirteenth shilling of all the mooueable goods in England; this motion no man gainesaid, but Geffry the Archbishop his bro∣ther. After this, whether it were he were guilty of some grea∣ter attempt, or that hee vnderstood, his brother to be grieuous∣lie offended with him for withstanding, this his desire; well perceiuing England was too hote for him, secretly hee auoi∣ded the Realme, excommunicating before his departure such of his iurisdiction, as either had paid the saide taxe, or should heereafter pay it. He liued then in banishment 5. years euen vntill hee was called to his long home by death, which was the yeare 1213. So he continued Archbishop somewhat more then 21 yeares.

33 Walter Gray.

* 1.27THe Sée was void after the death of Geffry, the space of 4. yeares. In the meane space, Symon de Langton, brother vnto Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, was ele∣cted by the Chapter of Yorke. But king Iohn being latelye become tributary vnto the Church of Rome, easily found meanes to Cassire and disanull that election. If the old quar∣rell betwéene the Archbishop and him, stucke something in his stomacke, I maruell not: but he alleaged that he thought

it dangerous and very inconuenient the whole Church of En∣gland should bee ruled by two brethren; one at Canterbury in the South, and an other at Yorke in the North. Hee la∣boured then very earnestly to haue Walter Gray his Coun∣sellor remooued from Worceter to Yorke. The Cannons there refused him for want of learning (as they said, albeit I find he spent some time in the Uniuersitie of Oxford,) but at last they were content to accept him, in regard (forsooth) of his singular temperance and chastitie: they seemed to be perswa∣ded that hee had continued till that time a pure maide. The matter was they durst doe no other but yeelde, and then thought good to make a vertue of necessitie. This man was first Bishop of Lichfield, consecrate the yeare 1210. translated thence to Worceter 1214. and lastly, the yéere 1215, to York; but vpon such conditions, as I thinke hee had beene better to haue staid at Worceter still. The Pope would haue no lesse th•••• ten thousand pound for wresting him into the Archbisho∣pricke: for the gathering of which money hee was faine to be so thrifty, as in all our histories hee is infamous for a mise∣rable couetous wretch: for proofe whereof, I will recount vn∣to you a strange report of Mat. Paris. The yeare 1234 there was great dearth and scarcitie of corne, (and by reason that the dearth had continued then three yeares) mortalitie of people also, as well by pestilen••e as famine. Amongst many rich men that were nothing mooued with compassion toward the poore daily perishing for want of releefe, this Archbishop is especi∣ally noted, that had fiue yeares corne in store and would not thresh it out. Being told at last by his officers, that it was much to bee feared, it was consumed by mice, or some other way much the worse for so long standing: hee bid them to de∣liuer it to the husbandmen that dwelt in his Mannors, vppon condition they should pay as much new corne for it after har∣uest. They intending to doe as hee commanded, went about to take downe a great mowe of corne hee had at Rippon. And first comming toward it, they saw the heads of many serpents, snakes, toads, and other venemous creatures peering out at the ends of the sheaues. This being tolde vnto the Arch∣bishoppe, hee sent his steward, and diuers of good credit, to enquire the truth thereof: who seeing that which the other

had séene, enforced notwithstanding certaine poore men to goe vp into the top of it with ladders. They were scarcely vp, when they saw a blacke smoake rise out of the corne, and felt a most loathsome stinke, which compelled them with all haste possible to get them downe againe. Moreouer, they all heard an vnknowne voice saying vnto them, Let the corne alone; for the Archbishop and all he hath is the diuels possession. To make short they were saine to build a wall about it, and then to set it on f••re, fearing least such an infinite deale of venemous creatures might infect and poyson, or at least greatly annoy the whole Countrey. The credit of this report I leaue vnto the Readers discretion. Matthew Westminster commendeth the man greatly for his wisedome in gouernment and his loyall fi∣delitie vnto his Prince: and that hee deserued this commen∣dation, I account it no slender proofe, that Queene Elianore (to whom her husband King Henry the third had committed the charge of the Realme trauelling into Fraunce) she (I say) hauing occasion to crosse the seas to con••e•• with her husband, committed the rule and gouernment of the same vnto this Archbishop. It was in the yeere 1253. at what time he being a very aged man and sickly, was excéeding loth to take it vpon him. Hee sate Archbishop aboue nine and thirty yéeres, in which space he did many things to the good and benefit, both of his Sée and Church. The mannor of Thorpe hee purchased & the Church of the same, both which he gaue in effect vnto his Sée, but verbo tenus vnto the Deane and Chapter; taking as∣surance of them, that they should alwaies graunt it ouer vnto the Archbishop for the time being. And this course he tooke to the end, that if the temporalities of the Archbishopricke should be ••••••sed into the Kings hands, either sede plena (which some∣times hapned) or vacant (which is very vsuall) with this the Kings officers should not meddle. He erected many cha••tries in diuers places. He gaue vnto his Church thirty two won∣derfull sumptuous coapes, and left a goodly stocke of cattell vnto his Successors; procuring the King to confirme the gift, & to take order that euery Archbishop should be bound to leaue it as he found it. He bought vnto his See the house now called White Hall (and heeretofore Yorke place.) Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent built it, and gaue it vnto the Fryer preachers in

London, who sold it vnto this Archbishop. In the time of Car∣dinall Woolsies disgrace, the King required it of him; and he either for feare, or else hope of currying a little fauour with the King that way, yeelded by and by. As for this man hee died at last on May day 1255. and was buried in S. Peters Church.

34 Sewall.

WHen the King heard of his death,* 1.28 he determined not to suffer his place to be filled ouer hastily. All other Bishoprickes of England (saith he) haue been in my hands heretofore, but this neuer: Therefore I must be ad∣uised how I let it passe out of my fingers. The Chapter after a conuenient space, made choise of Sewall their Deane that was brought vp in the Uniuersitie of Oxford, a man modest, vertuous and learned; being well seene not onely in Diui∣nitie, but in Law also and much other good learning. Di∣uers of his writings remaine and are remembred by Bale in his Centuries. Hee was a diligent hearer of Edmund of A∣benden (after Archbishop of Canterbury, and canonized a Saint) at what time hee read the Diuinity lecture in Oxford. This Saint Edmund (as Matthew Paris reporteth) would of∣ten tell his scholler Sewall, that out of all question hee should die a Martyr. How farre foorth this prediction fell out true, you shall heare anon. Now the King not liking this speed of the Chapter-men, as not being for his profit, hindred the new elect what hee might; and for want of better matter, alleaged against him that hee was a bastard, and so by the Cannons vncapable of that honour. It was true enough, and how he salued that sore, I cannot tell: A dispensation belike from Rome (where all things were then to be had for money) tooke away that obstacle. I finde he was consecrate by the suffagran Bishops of his owne Prouince, Iuly 23. 1256. a yeare and almost three moneths, after the death of his predecessor. His Deanry being thus voide, the Pope tooke vpon him to bestow the same vpon one Iordan a stranger, that vnderstood not one woorde of English, and otherwise vtterly vnwoorthy of that goodly preferment. This Iordan, doubting least in taking pos∣session

hee might happily bee resisted, ••ame into the Church of Yorke, at dinner-time, and inquiring of one (whom by chance hee found then at his prayers) which was the Deanes stall, caused two of his owne company to deliuer him possession thereof. This being done, though in hugger mugger, was quickly brought vnto the Archbishops eares; who grieued in∣finitely at the same, and sought by all meanes possible to dis∣anull and make voide the Popes gift. The Cannons and Church-men were so amazed with this strange and extraordi∣nary course (strange in those dayes, but afterwards too com∣mon) as they knew not what to doe or say. It séemed most ab∣surd and detestable vnto them, that so high a dignitie, and an office of such importance, in place and authoritie next vnto the Archbishop, should bee conferred vpon a base, obscure and con∣temptible fellow. But they stood so in awe of the Popes ty∣rannie, whereunto the King had subiected, and as it were, pro∣strate himselfe, that they durst not make any profession of mis∣like. About the same time the Pope sent a commandement into England, that three hundred of the next benefices that fell should bee bestowed vpon certaine Italians that hee named; men ignorant of the English tongue, and though otherwise perhaps worthy the places appointed them (which is greatly to be doubted) yet in that respect most vnfit heere to haue cure of soules committed vnto them. In this iniurious course, our Sewall couragiously withstood him; and not onely by word and letter sharply reprehended the Pope, but also in déeds resisted this his tyrannie, vtterly refusing to admit either Iordan vnto the Deanry, or any other of his Italians to any other promo∣tion in his Diocesse For his labour he was quickly suspen∣ded. Wherewith he was so little terrified, as that notwith∣standing, hee stood still stoutly to his tackling, and yéelded not one inch. Iordan therefore, whether doubting of good successe, or wearied with trouble, or in regard that hee perceiued him∣selfe very odious in Yorke, resigned his Deanry, accepting a pension of a hundred markes out of it. This composition with Iordan, nothing appeased the Popes fury: determining belike to make him an example to other, hee first caused his crosse in contumelious manner to be taken from him, and soone after thundring out his greatest excommunication, causing

him to bee cursed throughout England with b••ll, booke and candle. By those, and inf••nite other vexations (sayth Mat∣thew Paris) hée was much disgraced in the sight of the world; but became no doubt farre the more acceptable in the sight of God. So long he denied to bow his knées vnto this Baal, as ouercome with care, and not enduring those continuall mole∣stations, he died at last hart-broken, much better deseruing the name of a Martyr, then many other to whom the Church of Rome hath afforded that title. Lying vpon his deathbed, & perceiuing his end to approach, with watry eies looking sted∣fastly towards Heauen, in the bitternes of his soule he made this prayer, which I thinke not vnworthy in this place to be inserted: Lord Iesus Christ thou most iust iudge, from whose omnise••ent wisedome nothing is hid, thou knowest how the Pope (vnto whom thou hast suffered the gouernment of thy church to be deliuerd) hath with manifold iniuries ouerwhel¦med my innocency, for no other cause (as thou canst wi••••••s, & the world doubteth not) then this, that I would not admit men altogether vnknown, yea and most vnfit, vnto the cure and care of those Churches, the rule and charge whereof vnto me (though vnwoorthy) thou hast committed: Notwith∣standing least by my contempt the Popes vniust sentence of excommunication become iust and deserued, with all humili∣ty I craue to be ab••olued from the same. But I appeale vnto thee the supreame and vncorruptible iudge; and both heauen and earth shall be my witnesses, that hee hath most vniustly vexed & many waies as greeuously as wrongfully offended mee. Before his en•• also he writ vnto the Pope a very effe∣ctuall, and pithy letter, wherein hee laied before him at large the miserable estate into which the tyranny of him and his predecessors had brought the Church; praying him to haue a care to mend what was amisse, & to remember that Christ repeated vnto Peter thrice, Feed my sheepe; but not so much as once or halfe once bid him either to s••ay them or to sheere them, much lesse to teare out their very bowels, to deuoure or destroy them, as he did. But the Pope was so farre from following this good aduise, as he not onely contemned the same, but first derided the good Bishop for his sauour; & after∣ward grew iuto great choller, taking it hainously, that any

mortall man should be so presumptuous•• as to admonish him of his duty. He sate Archbishop onely two yéeres, in which time hee re••ormed many things amisse in the state of his Church. Hee caused the stipend of the Ministers of Saint Sepulchres chappell to bee encreased, and appointed them to be called Cannons: He erected Uicari••ges in diuers impro∣priate Churches, which til that time were very ill serued; and did many other things woorth memory, but more would haue done if his time had bin either longer or more quiet and peaceable. He died vpon, or neere vnto Ascen••on-day, 1258. and was buried in his Cathedrall Church: The place of his sepultu••e there, was much frequented of the ignorant people that esteemed him a Saint. Notwithstanding the great con∣flicts betwéene him and the Pope, our monkes doubt not to father vppon him a miracle of turning water into wine, by blessing it in time of his sickenesse. The credit whereof I leaue vnto the Reader.

35 Godfry de Kinton.

* 1.29ABout this time (sayth Matthew Paris) an order was taken at Rome that euery elect Bishoppe of England must before his consecration fetch the Popes approbation at Rome, whence (if his purse helped him not the bet••e••) he was sure to returne home, as wise as he went foorth. The first that was enforced to his vagare was Godfry de Kinton, or (as some write him) Godfry de Ludham. Hee was Deane of Yorke, and being elect at home, trauelled to Rome, where he receiued consecration September 23. 1258. This man (I know not vpon what quarrell interdicted the whole City of Yorke, in the beginning of Lent, and restored it not till the third of May following, which was in the yeare 1261. Hee sate sixe yeares three moneths, and eightéene dayes; dying then about Twelfe tide 1264. hee was buried in his owne Church.

36 Walter Giffard.

AFter the death of Godfry,* 1.30 William de Langton Deane of Yorke was elected to succéed him. But the Pope (for what cause I know not, peraduenture, because hee brought not money enough in his purse) reiected him, and translated Walter Giffard from Bathe and Welles to Yorke. He was the Popes Chaplaine, and Cannon of Wels, first treasurer, then Chauncellor of England; Elected to Bathe May 22. 1264. from whence he was remoued Oct. 15. 1265. hauing continued there onely two yéeres. He liued at Yorke thirtéen yéeres departed this life Aprill 25. 1279. and lieth buried there in S. Peters Church.

37 William Wickwane.

IT shall not be amisse, héere to remember, that Onuph••ius reporteth,* 1.31 Saint Bonauenture (whom he calleth Bonauen∣tura Fidanza) to haue béen preferred about this time from the Archbishopricke of Yorke vnto the place of a Cardinall, viz. in the yéere 1274. Paulus Aemilius de gestis, Franc. sayth that at what time diuers Grecian prelates came to the coun∣cell of Lyons, to conferre with the learned men of our We∣sterne Church concerning the difference of opinions betwéen vs and them; Thomas Aquinas (who then reade Diuinity at Naples) was sent for as the fittest man of that age to deale with them; but hee died by the way. Bonauenture was then appoynted to supply his place, and least the Greci∣ans should despise him being but a Frier Minor; The Pope off••red him the Archbishoprick of Yorke. He was loath (saith Paulus Aemilius) to take so great a charge vpon him, and vp∣on his refusall was made a Cardinall. I cannot see how ei∣ther of these reports should be true. For the Sée of Yorke at that time and long both before and after was full, being pos∣sessed by Walter Giffard from the yéere 1266. till 1279. Now to leaue Bonauenture as we found him, yée shall vnderstand, that the Deane and Chapter of Yorke soone after the death of Walter Giffard elected for their Archbishop William Wick∣wane,

one of their owne company, and Chauncellor of their Church. Of him little is recorded, but that the first yéere of consecration, he remooued the bones of Saint William h•••• predecessour, and caused them to be placed in a costly shrine with great solemnity, the King, Quéene, eleuen Bishops and many nobles being present. Hauing sate 6. yeeres and a halfe hee resigned his Archbishopricke and gote him beyond the Seas, and falling sicke at Poutiniac, died there Aug. 27. 1385. The people of that Country esteemed him an holy man and fathered diuers miracles vpon him.

38 Iohn Romane.

* 1.32THe 28. of Nouember following, viz. 1215. Iohn Roman Chanter of York was elected Archbishop, and shortly af∣ter consecrate at Rome. Because his Father (somtimes Tre∣surer of Yorke) was a Roman borne, hee was called by the name of Iohn Romane, a man wise, stout, and very learned. He built the crosse Ile on the north side of the church toward the pallace, and a goodly stéeple in the middle of the Church, all at his owne proper costs. He built much also in the hospi∣tall of S. Peter, and with his owne hands layd the first stone of the great body of the Church vpon the South side of the same. April 6. 1260. He liued not to bring that noble work to any perfection, being taken away ••y death Mar. 15. 1295. when he had continued in that See little more then 10. yéers. The yéer before he died, he excommunicated Anthony Beake Bishop of Durham, being one of the Kings Councell, and at that time beyond the seas in his seruice: Whereat the King being highly displeased, the Archbishoppe thought it his best course to put himselfe to his mercy. He did so, and was faine to redeeme the Kings fauour with 4000. marks. The indig∣nation of a Prince is death (saith the Wise man.) And likely enough it is, that the griefe of his displeasure, and the trou∣ble that ensued it, might soone cause some incurable disease that tooke him away. He died at Burton néere Beuerly, and was buried in his Cathedral Church, which with goodly buil∣ding he had much augmented and beautified.

39 Henry Newerk.

THe Deane of Yorke (Henry de Newerk) was then cho∣sen Archbishop the seuenth day of May following.* 1.33 Hee was consecrate at home in his owne Church about two years after, to wit vpon Midsommer day 1298. by Ant Bishop of Durham. Little more then one yeare he enioyed that honor, for he died Aug. 15. 1299.

40 Thomas de Corbridge.

AFter him succeeded a great learned Diuine Thomas de Corbridge Cannon of York,* 1.34 and Custos of the Chappel of S. Sepulchre. That place the Pope (vpon his consecrati∣on) gaue vnto a kinsman of his owne, that soone after died; but vpon his death bed he séemed greatly burthened in consci∣ence for accepting a charge that he could affoord so little atten∣dance vnto, and therefore besought the Pope that he would take a course the said proportion after his death might bee be∣stowed vpon some worthy man that might make amends for that which in his time had hetherto béene wanting. Héereup∣on the Pope presently after his kinsmans death, writ his let∣ter to the Archbishop requiring him to appoint vnto that place some worthy Diuine that would vndertake alwaies to reside vpon it. He did so, and made choise of Gilbert Segraue that was after Bishop of London. In the meane space the King had written his letters in behalfe of one Iohn Bush his Se∣cretary, and accepting no excuse or satisfaction, for not satisfy∣ing his desire therein, in great displeasure he tooke away from him thrée Baronies (as one saith I thinke he meaneth Mannors) appertaining of olde vnto his S••e, and detai∣ned them so long as the Archbishoppe liued, which was indeede but a short time. Hee sate in all but thrée yeares, seuen moneths, and tenne daies. Whether it bee that few mens minds are so great, as to sustain the burthen of a Prin∣ces displeasure, or that God which promiseth a reward of long life vnto those that yéelde honour vnto their superiors, in

his iust iudgement doe soonest cut of such as are backward in this duety: So surely it hath fallen out for the most part, that those Bishops that haue presumed most in opposing them∣selues against their Princes, haue least time indured, and euer quickly béene taken away; whereof I could yéeld many exam∣ples. This Thomas Corbridge died at Lanham Septem. 22. 1303. and was buried at Southwell. In his time (to wit the yeare 1303. (the Courts of the Kings bench and Exchequer which had remained at Yorke 7. yeares, were now brought backe to London againe.

41 William de Greenfield.

* 1.35HE that then succéeded (William de Greenfield) was Ca∣non of Yorke and Chauncellour of England vnder king Edward the first. A great and wise Councellor, very eloquent, and not vnlearned. After his election hee was faine to awaits the Popes pleasure two yeares, before hee could obtaine con∣secration, which at last he receiued, his election being confir∣med by Pope Clement the fifth anno 1305. But it cost him 9500. markes beside the charge that he was at while hee lay in the Popes Court a suter. By reason of these immoderate expenses, he became so bare, that at his first returne into Eng∣land he was faine to make two collections amongst his clear∣gy in one yeare; the first he called a beneuolence, the second an aide. Hee was a great fauourer of the templers euery where oppressed in those daies, especially by the Pope and Philip the French king. The yeare 1311. he was present at the Counsell of Vienna, where hee had place alotted him next vnto the Archbishop of Treuer. When he had sate 9. years, eleuen moneths, and two daies, hee departed this life at Ca∣wood December 13. 1315 and was buried in his Cathedrall Church in the Chappell of S Nicolas.

42 William de Melton.

* 1.36SOone after Greenfields death, to witte, Ianuary 21. the yeare 1315. William de Melton Prouost of Beuerley,

and Canon of Yorke, and was elected at the instance and ear∣nest request of king Edward the second. With the Pope hee found no more grace, then his predecessor had done, vnder two yeares suit consecration could not be had. It was at last affoorded him September 25. 1317. at A••inion. Almost 23. yeares he go••erned the See of Yorke, and that very worthi∣ly: attending diligently not onely the affaires and businesse of his Church, but also his owne priuate actions, indeuouring by chastity, fasting, praeer, almesdéeds, hospitality, and vertu∣ous behauiour, like a good pastor to teach and instruct, as well by example of life, as preaching and doctrine. Hee was very good to his Tenants, but carefull to preserue, and rather to in∣crease, then any way to impaire the state, liberties and reue∣nues of his Church. Yet was hee not carelesse of the prefer∣ment of his seruants and kindred, whom (as occasion serued) he pleasured and aduanced to very good places. Amongst the rest, and by the Popes licence, hee purchased to a brothers son, the Manors of Kingskiln, Kingsclere, and Wentworth, which till that time belonged to the Archbishops of Kean. He bestowed great cost vpon the shryne of S. William, and fini∣shed the west part of the body of his church, with the expense•• of 700. markes He enclosed also a place called the old Byaly at Yorke, with a goodly wall. Hee compounded along and tedious controuersie betwéene the Deane and the Chapter of his Church, procuring the order set downe by him to bee con∣firmed by the Pope anno 1328. Lastly he deceased Aprill 22. (or as one deliuereth Aprill 5.) 1340. at Cawood, hauing sate 22. yeares and almost 7. moueths, in which time he had béene successiuely Treasurer and Chauncellor of England. His bo∣dy lieth buried néere the font in Saint Peters Church.

4 William le Zouch.

WIlliam de la Zouch Deane of Yorke succéeded.* 1.37 Hée had much to doe with one William Kilsby that con∣tended with him two whole yeares for this Archbishop∣ricke. Hee at last was consecrate by Pope Clement the sixth at Auinion, an. 1342. The yeare 1346. King Edward

going into France, left this man his Uicegerent heere. The Scots taking aduantage of the Kings absence, came with a great army into England. At a place called Bewre Park néer Neuils crosse, they were mette by this Archbishop and diuers of our Nobility, October 17. where our men so valiantly be∣haued themselues, as the Scots were ouerthrowne, two Earles, 21. knights, and an infinite number of other slaine, many also taken prisoners, and amongst the rest, Dauid le Bruse then king. This Bishop a little before his death be∣gan the foundation of a Chappell, on the south side of the Church, intending to be buried in the same; but by a long lan∣guishing sicknes being taken away before it could be brought to any pefection, he was la••ed before the altar of S. Edmund the Confessor. H•• died August 8 1352.

44 Iohn Thursby.

* 1.38THe yeare 1349. Iohn Thursby Bishop of Saint Dauids was translated to Worceter, and about the middle of October 1352. (being then Chancelour of England) to York. He was brought vp in Oxford, where hee was very much e∣steemed for his learning, beeing a great Diuine, and a very good Canonist. He writ diuers things, both in English and Latine: amongst the rest he published an exposition vpon the ten Commandements in his mother tongue, which hee re∣quired all the Cleargy men in his Dioces to ••ead diligent∣ly vnto their Parishioners. That worke I haue and kéepe as a monument woorthy to bee esteemed. Diuinity bookes in the English tongue were geason in those daies. I pray God they bee not now too common. Bale (vpon what ground I know not) saith he was created a Priest, Cardinall at Saint Sauin•• by Pope Vrban the fifth, whom Thomas Walsing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reporteth to haue beene an Englishman, and so was li••••ly to be more liberall in affoording that kinde of ho∣nour to his Countrymen, then his predecessors had béene. ••ut of the said Pope I thinke Bales report to be the truer, af∣••••ain•••• that he was a Frenchman borne, but the sonne of an ••nglishman one Wil Grisaunt a phisitian. And for the Archb. because that in Onuphrius & C••aconius I find no mention of

him, we must say, that eyther he was no Cardinal, or else that their collections are not so perfect and absolute, as they would make the world beleeue. In the tenth yeare after his transla∣tion, he began to build a new the quier of his cathedral church, laying the first stone himself the twenty nine of Iuly, toward the charge of which work, he presently laid down a hundred pound, (or as some report fiue hundred pound) and promised to contribute yéerely 200. marks, or as others say, 200. l. till it were finished; which so long as h••e liued, hee faithfully performed. Hée bestowed great cost in beautifying the Lady Chappell with images, and pictures of excellent workeman∣ship; and remoouing the bodies of diuers of his predecessors that lay buried else where about the Church, caused them to be entoombed in the said Chappell in very séemely maner, le••∣uing a place for himselfe in the middle thereof, where dying, Nouember 6. 1373. at Thorpe, he was soone after solemnely enterred.

45 Alexander Neuil.

VNto this Sée the Pope then appointed Alexander Ne∣uill a Cannon of Yorke,* 1.39 a man greatly fauoured of King Richard the second, which was his destruction. Diuers of the Nobility malecontent, tooke Armes against the king, caused many whom they misliked to be condemned by Parli∣ament, some to death, some to prison, &c. Amongst the rest, this Archbishop was accused to be one that abused the kings youth by flattery, and with whispering tales entised him against tho Nobility, and for this cause he was condemned to perpetuall prison, and appointed vnto the Castle of Rochester there to be kept. But he, foreseeing the tempest that grew toward him, fled out of the Realm. The Pope then (Vrbane the flit) whe••her in commiseration, thinking to relieue him, or else v∣sing it as a meanes to make his Archbishopricke voide, that he might bestow it; translated him from Yorke vnto Saint Andrewes in Scotland. Howsoeuer it was meant, sure it fell out to be a very bad exchange for his part. Scotland at that time re••used to acknowledge Vrbane for Pope, and yeeld••d obedience to the Antipope. By meanes whereof Vrbans gift

was not of sufficient force, to inuest him in Saint Andrewes and yet quite cut him off from York, at home. Hereby it came to passe, that hauing the reuenues, neither of the one, nor the other, for very want he was faine to become a parish Priest, and so liued three yeares at Louaine, euen vntill his death. He was banished the yéere, 1386. liued in exile almost fiue yeers, died 1391. and was buried in the church of the Frier Carme∣lites there. This man bestowed much cost in repayring the Castle of Cawod, building diuers towers, and other edifiees about the same.

46 Thomas Arundell.

* 1.40ALexander Neuill being thus displaced vnder pretence of preferment to a new place; The Pope tooke vpon him to bestow Yorke; And least if he should aduance one to it, not greatly preferred before, the old incumbent might chaunce in time to recouer it from him againe; Hee thought good to bestow it so, as benefiting many hee might procure so many aduersaries vnto Neuill, wherof any one alone might hardly séeme able to withstand him, but all these together hee knew very well. To this end (or rather happily to gaine the more in the first fruits) hée called Thomas Arundell from Ely to Yorke, translated the Bishop of Durham to Ely, Bath to Durham, Salisbury to Bathe, and gaue Salisbury to Iohn Waltham the kings Chaplaine, a man very gracious with him, and Keeper of his Priuy Seale. This Thomas Arun∣dell the yeere 1396. was remooued to Canterbury, the first that euer was translated from Yorke thither. While hée was at Yorke, he bestowed much in building vpon diuers of his houses, and vnto the Church he gaue, besides many rich orna∣ments, two great basons of siluer and gilt, two great Cen∣sers, two other basons of siluer, and two Crewettes. Hee gaue to the vse of the Uicars a siluer cup of great waight, & a bowle of siluer very massiue and costly vnto the Canons. Being yet Bishop of Ely, hee was Lord Chancellour of England, and so continued till the yeare, 1396. at what time beeing remooued to Canterbury, hee gaue ouer immediately that office. In the meane while, the yeare 1393. being yet at

Yorke, it is remembred, that hée remooued all the Kinges Court from Westminster to Yorke, pretending a desire to punish the pride and presumption of the Londoners, who were then in great disgrace with the King, alleadging also peraduenture that those Courtes had beene helde there a∣bout fourescore yeares past, the space of seuen yeares toge∣ther, as in T. Corbrldge I haue remembred. Howeit the Londoners affirmed, that whatsoeuer he pretended, he did it to no other end but to helpe his neighbors of Yorke. What¦soeuer his purpose was, that nouelty continued a short time: For after a tearme or two the Courts were brought backe to their accustomed place. Sée more of him in Ely and Can∣terbury.

47. Robert Waldby.

RObert Waldby Bishop of Chichester succéeded Thomas Arundell in Yorke.* 1.41 Being yet a yong man, hee followed Edward the Blacke Prince into France, where he continu∣ed long a Student, and profited so much, as no man in the Uniuersity where he liued (Tholous being notwithstanding an Oxford man also) might be compared with him for all kind of learning. He was a good Linguist, very well seene in Phi∣losophy, both naturall and morall, in Physicke, and the Ca∣non Law also; very eloquent, an excellent Preacher, and e∣steemed so profound a Diuine, as hee was thought méete to be the professor of Diuinity, or Doctor of the Chaire in the said Uniuersity. For these his good gifts he was much fauou∣red of the Blacke Prince first, then of K. Richard his sonne: and by their fauour obtained first a Bishopricke in Gascoign, (as Bale reporteth) but by an Antiquity that I ha••e seene; it appeareth he was first Bishop of the Isle of Man, whose stile is Episcophs Sodorensis, & his Epitaph saith, he was first prae∣sul Adurensis. From that first preferment whatsoeuer it was, he was translated, a. 1387. to the Archbishoprick of Dublin in Ireland; thence to Chichester, 1395. & the yeere following, be∣came an Archbishop once more, viz. of Yorke. There he sate not fully 3. yéeres but he died May 29. 1397 and was buried in Westminster almost in the middle of the Chappell of S.

Edmund, where an Epitaph is to bée séene vpon his graue, partly defaced, and otherwise not worth the reciting.

48 Richard Scroope.

RIchard Scroope that succéeded Robert Waldby, though a gentleman of great bloud, being brother vnto William Scroope that was Earle of Wiltshire,* 1.42 and Treasurer of Eng∣land vnder king Richard; yet obtained not this high promo∣tion without desert, in regard of many good parts in him. For he was incomparably learned (saith Thomas Walsingham) of singular integrity for his life and conuersation, and (which is not altogether to bee neglected) of a goodly and amiable personage. He was brought vp in Cambridge (as Bale deli∣uereth, Gul. Monestriensis saith it was in Oxford) and pro∣céeded there first Master of Arte, then Doctor of Law, thence he trauelled through France into Italy, and became an ad∣uocate in the Popes Court, vntill that at last returning home he was made Lord Chancellour of England, in the 2. years of king Richard the second, but continued not aboue one yeare in that place, August 9. 1396. hee was consecrate Bi∣shop of Couentry and Lichfield, managed that charge lau∣dably, and is commended as well for his own priuate man∣ners and behauiour, as his publike gouernment. His ende was vnhappy and very miserable. King Henry had lately deposed King Richard, by whome this man was preferred, and had caused his brother aforenamed the Earle of Wilt∣shire to be beheaded at Bristow. Whether it were desire to reuenge these wrongs done to his friends, or some other re∣spect•• I know not, certaine it is, that the yéere 1405 he ioined with the Earle of Northumberland, the Earle Marshall, the Lord Bardolph, and other in a conspiracy against King Hen∣ry. The Earle of Westmerland, and Iohn Duke of Lanca∣ster, the kings sonne, were then in the North Country, when these men began to stirre, and gathering what forces they could, came against them. But finding the other too strong for them, they enquire of them in peaceable manner what their intent should be in taking Armes. The Archbishop answered, that he meant nothing but the good of the Realme,

as he would gladly certifie him, if he had secure and safe ac∣cesse vnto him. And therewithall shewed a writing, where∣in he charged the now king with treason against his Soue∣raigne King Richard, oppression of the Church and Commo∣nalty, whose Liberties he had sworne to defend, tyranny & cruelty in putting to death the sayd king, many of the Nobi∣lity and great numbers of the Commons; with impiety and sacriledge in defrauding the Church of Rome of her rights; and lastly with euill gouernement, perfidiousnesse, periury, & diuers other like hainous crimes, for which hee pronounced him excommunicate; requiring all men to ioyne with that company, whose endeauour should bee, but to reforme what was amisse; to feate and settle in the kingdome the right Heire; to establish peace in Wales and Ireland, and to free the Realme from the great and intollerable burthen of exacti¦ons, no longer to be endured. The Earle of Westmerland hauing read this writing, professed to allow of the enterprise, and praised it for honest and reasonable, insomuch as méeting with the Archbishop at a parly, after a very few speeches, they séemed to become friends, shaking hands together, and drin∣king to each other in sight of both their armies. The Archbi∣shop now doubting of nothing suffered his men to disperse themselues for a time: But the Earle contrariwise waxed stronger and stronger•• and at least seeing himselfe well able to deale with the Archbishop, came vpon him sodainely, and ar∣rested him little thinking of any such matter. The king by this times was come Northward as farre as Pomfret. Thi∣ther the Archbishop and other prisoners arrested with him, were also brought, and carried with the king barke to Yorke againe (or as one deliuereth) to Thorpe, where Sir William Fulford, a knight learned in the Law, and another Iustice called Gascoyne, sitting on a high Stage in the Hall condem∣ned him to bee beheaded Whether hee were tried by his Péeres or no I finde not: and much lesse can I pronounce, whether it be explorati••uris that hee ought to be, M. Cam∣den a man of greater iudgement in those things then my selfe, hath de••••ed it; But first, whether he was a Péere of the Realme or no, I must refer my selfe to an Act, Edward

3.25. where Bishops are tearmed Péeres of the land. And certaine it is, by the report of the Author of the Booke, en∣tituled Antiquitates Britannicae that Iohn Stratford Archbi∣shop of Canterbury, being shut out of the Parliament house, vpon the Kings displeasure, alleaged he was maior pars reg∣ni post Regem, &c. and was not gaine-said. Then for the other point, there is an Act, that all and singular Lords of the Parliament for the offence in that Act mentioned shall bee tryed by their Péeres. And we haue an example where the said Iohn Stratford béeing accused by the King of diuers hai∣••ous crimes, was appointed to bée ordered by foure Bishops, foure Earles, and foure Barons. But to returne to my sto∣ry, presently after the iudgement giuen the Archbishop was set vppon an ill-sauoured Iade, his face towards the horse taile, and carried with great scorne and shame to a field hard by, where his head lastly was stricken off; by a fellow that did his office very ill, not being able to dispatch him with lesse than fiue strokes. He was executed vpon Whitson munday, being the eight of Iune, 1405. and was buried in the East part of the new workes of his Church of Yorke; in which place, as also the field where hee died, certaine miracles are sayd to haue béene done, and are ascribed vnto his holinesse. It is deliuered also, that the king presently after his death was stricken with a leprosie. He was the first Bishop that I finde put to death by order of Law. No maruell if an execu∣tion so vnwoonted and extraordinary, performed in so odious and contumelious a manner, gaue occasion of many tales and rumours. Amongst the rest I finde a report laying an impu∣tation vpon the posterity of the Iudges, who gaue sentence against him. I will not doe them the wrong to mention it. The Pope excommunicated the Authors of his death, but was easily entreated to absolue them againe.

49 Henry Bowet.

THe space of two yéeres and a halfe the Sée was voyde after the death of Richard Scroope.* 1.43 The Pope had once placed in the same Robert Halam Chancellour of the Uni∣uesity of Oxford. But vnderstanding that the King was greatly displeased therewith, hee was content (according to the kings desire, to gratifie Henry Bowet then Bishoppe of Bathe with this preferment, and made Halam Bishoppe of Salisbury. This Henry Bowet was a Doctor of Law, and first a Cannon of Wels, had trauelled much in France and Italy, & was preferred to Bath also at first by the King, who fauoured him much. Hee was consecrate to that Church, No∣uember 16. 1401. and translated to Yorke, December first, 1406. About the yeere 1403 he was Treasurer of England the space of one yeere. He continued Archbishop almost 17. yéeres, in which time viz. the yéere 1417. it hapned that king Henry the 5, being absent & busie in the conquest of France, the Scots came with a great power into the Realme, and be∣sieged Barw••cke and the Castle of Rokesborough. This Bi∣shop was then a very aged man, and so impotent, as hée was able neither to goe nor ride, yet would hee néedes accompa∣ny his Countrimen that went against the Scots, & caused his men to carrie him in a chaire, that so at least by words and exhortation he might doe his best, though he were not able to fight, nay not so much as to stand or goe. This man is said to bee the greatest housekeeper of any Archbishop that euer sate in Yorke before him. For proofe whereof it is alleadged, that he spent vsually in his house, of Claret wine onely 80. tuns. He departed this life at Cawood, Octob. ••0. 1423. and was buried in the East part of the Minster at Yorke by the Aul∣tar of All-Saints which himselfe built and furnished sump∣tuously with all things that might belong vnto it. He built also the Hall in the Castle of Cawood, and the kitching of the Mannor house of Oteley.

50 Iohn Kempe.

* 1.44THe Pope of his owne absolute authority, placed then in Yorke Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincolne. Many statutes and lawes had béene made to represse this tyranni∣call dealing of the Pope. But his excommunications were such terrible bugs, as men durst rather offend the lawes of their country, then come within the compasse of his censures. Yet the Deane and Chapter of Yorke taking stomacke vn∣to them, vsed such aduantage as the Law would affoorde them, and by force kept out the new Archbishop from entring his Church. Much ado there was betwéen them. The euent was, that the Pope vnable to make good his gift, was saine to returne Fleming to Lincolne againe, and to translate Iohn Kempe Bishop of London, (a man better fauoured of the Deane and Chapter) to Yorke. This Iohn Kempe was first Bishop of Rochester (consecrate the yeere 1418.) remooued thence to Chichester 1422. from Chichester to London the same yéere, and from London to Yorke 1425. when the Sée had béene void 2. yeeres. At Yorke he continued almost 28. yeeres, and in his olde age, euen one yeare before his death, was content to remoue once more, viz. to Canterbury. The yeare 1449. He was made Cardinall Sanctae Ruslinae, and was twice Chancellour of England. See more of him in Canterbury.

52 William Boothe.

* 1.45HE that succéeded him (William Boothe) was sometime a Student of the common Law in Grayes Iune, and vpon a sudden forsaking that course, became Chancellour of the Cathedrall church of S. Paul in London, Iuly 9. 1447. he was consecrate Bishop of Couentry and Lichfield. Hauing continued there sixe yeeres, he was remooued presently vpon the translation of Iohn Kempe vnto Yorke. Hée sate iust 12. yeares, died at Southwell, September 20. and was bu∣ried in the Chappell of our Lady there, nigh to the Archbi∣shops

pallace, 1464. He bestowed much cost in repayring the pallace of Yorke. About the latter end of his time, viz. the yéere 1464. the Minster of Yorke was burnt, I know not by what chance.

52 George Neuill.

RIchard Neuill that great Earle of Warwicke,* 1.46 that set vp and pulled downe Kings at his pleasure, aduanced vnto great and high places George Neuill his brother, béeing yet but a very young man; that was sometimes Chancellour of the Uniuersity of Oxford, & brought vp for a time in Bay∣lioll Colledge there. By his meanes hée was consecrate Bi∣shoppe of Oxceter, the 25. of Nouember, 1455. at what time hée was not fully twenty yeares of age. The yéere 1460. hée was made Lord Chancellour of England, the youngest Chancellour I thinke that euer was, eyther be∣fore or since his time. In that office hee continued till the yéere 1464. viz. vntill the marriage of K. Edward the 4. In which action, the king well knowing hée had giuen cause of offence vnto the Earle of Warwicke (for it was done whilest the Earle was Ambassadour in Fraunce, and busie in a Treaty for a match betwéene the King and the French Quéenes sister.) He thought it necessary to weaken him what hee might, and so first remooued this his brother from the office of Chancellour, and bestowed it vpon Robert Stillington Bishop of Bathe. Notwithstanding this aliena∣tion of the king from him, the yeare 1466. hée obtained the Archbishopricke of Yorke, and held the same, (but with great trouble) vntill his death. The discontentment of the dishonour done to the Earle by the kings marriage, sticking stil in his mind, & hauing peraduenture continual occasions of new griefes, hée made a confederacy with his brethren to pull downe king Edward that had raigned now almost nine yéers, and to set vp king Henry the sixt again, who had lain in prison all that while. This indéed they performed partly by the helpe of George Duke of Clarence king Edwards brother. And it was the hap of this Archb. to take K. Edward prisoner, at Owlney in Northampton shire. He carried him thence first

to Warwicke castle, then to Middleham Castle in Yorke∣shire But béeing of too good a nature to bée a good Iaylor, vsed him with such curtesie, suffering him to walke abroad, & often to hunt with a few Kéepers to attend him, as (were it by the negligence, or vnfaithfulnesse of those that had the charge of him, I know not) away hée escaped, béeing met vpon a plain where he hunted by a troupe of his friends, & wasted by them into a place of safety. Within halfe a yéere that K. Henry was restored to his crown again, K. Edward so handled the matter, as comming sodenly to London, & entring the Bishops palace by a posterne gate, he surprised at once K. Henry & the Arch∣bishop that had not long before taken him. They were both carried thence to the Tower of London, where the good King was soon after pittifully murthered. But the Archbishop vpon the 4. of Iune following was set at liberty. About a yeare af∣ter his enlargement, he chanced to be with the King a hun∣ting at Windsor, and vpon occasion of the sport they had seene there, made relation vnto the King of some extraordi∣nary kind of game, wherewith he was wont to solace himself at a house he had built, and furnished very sumptuously, cal∣led the Moore in Hartfordshire. The king séeming desirous to be partaker of this sport, appointed a day when hee would come thither to hunt, aud make merry with him. Hereupon the Archbishop taking his leaue, got him home, and thinking to entertaine the king in the best manner it was possible for him, he sent for much plate that he had hid during the warres betwéene his brethren and the king, and borrowed also much of his friends. The Déere which the king hunted beeing thus brought into the toyle, the day before his appointed time. hée sent for the Archbishop, commanding him, all excuses set a part, to repayre presently vnto him being at Windsor. As soon as he came, he was arrested of treason; all his plate, mo∣ney, and other moueable goods (to the value of 20000. l were seised vpon for the king, and himself a long space after was kept prisoner at Calis and Guisnes: during which time, the king tooke vnto himselfe the profites and temporalties of his Bishopricke. Amongst other things then taken from him, he had a Myter of inestimable value, by reason of many rich ••tones wherewith it was adorned, that the King brake and

made thereof a Crowne for himselfe. This calamity happe∣ned vnto him the yéere 1472. By intercession and intreaty of his friends, and much adoo he obtained his liberty the yeere 1476. and a little while inioying the same; with griefe and aug••ish of mind (as was thought) died at Blithlaw comming from Yorke. He was buried in the Minster there. In this mans time Sixtus the fourth made the Bishop of Saint An∣drewes Priuate of all Scotland, and appointed twelue Bi∣shops to be vnder him, that vntill that time were of the Pro∣uince of Yorke. The Archbishop with stoode it what he might. But the Pope alleadging it was very vnfitte, that such a one should bee the Metropolitane of Scotland, as for the most part (by reason of warres) was an enemy vnto the same, ouer∣ruled it, and would néedes haue it so.

The feast that was made at this mans installation, was ex∣ceeding great, and such as our age hath seldome (I will not say neuer) seene. And therefore I haue not thought it amisse to impart vnto the Reader an ancient note that I haue light vpon, describing the particulars of the same.

The Prouision for the said feast.

Inprimis wheat,

300. quarters.

Ale,

300. Tuns.

Wine

104. Tuns.

Ipocras,

1. Pype.

Oxen.

80

Wilde Buls

6

Muttons

1004

Veales

300

Porkes

300

Geese

3000

Capons

2300

Pigges

2000

Peacockes

100

Cranes

200

Kiddes

200

Chickens.

2000

Pigeons.

4000

Conies

4000

Bitters

204

Malards and Teales

4000

Hearnsewes

400

Fesants.

200

Partridges.

500

Woodcockes

400

Plouers

400

Curlewes.

100

Quayles

100

Egrets

1000

Rees

200

Harts

400. and od

Bucks

400. and od

Roes

400. and od

Pasties of Venison colde

4000

Pasties of Venison hote

1506

Dishes of gelly pacted

1000

Plaine dishes of gelly

4000

Cold Tarts baken

4000

Colde Custards

4000

Custards hote

2000

Pykes

300

Bteames

300

Seales

8

Porposes

4

The names of the great officers seruing at the said feast.

• The Earle of Warwicke Steward of the same.
• The Earle of Bedford Treasurer.
• L. Hastings Controller.
• L. Willoughby Caruer.
• L. Iohn Buckingham Cupbearer.
• Sir Richard Strangwayes Sewer.
• Sir Walter Morley Chiefe Marshall of the Hall, with eight other Knightes Marshals, besides Esquiers and Grooms.
• Sir Iohn Maluery Panter.
• Sergeaut of the Kings Ewry Ewer.
• Iohn Graystocke, and Iohn Neuill, Kéepers of the Cubbord.
• ...Iohn Breynocke Surueyor per aulam.

Sitters at the high boorde in the Hall.

• The Archbishop in his Estate.
• Bishop of London on his right hand.
• Bishop of Ely on his right hand.
• Bishop of Durham on his right hand.
• Duke of Suffolke on his left hand.
• Earle of Oxford on his left hand.
• Earle of Worceter, on his left hand.

Sitters at the second Table.

• The Abbot of S. Mary Abby.
• Abbot of Selby.
• Abbot of Whithy.
• Abbot of Biland.
• Abbot of Renaulx.
• Abbot of Furn••se.
• Abbot of Chrystall.
• Abbot of Meux.
• Abbot of Whally,
• Abbot of Salley.
• Prior of Durham.
• Prior of Budlington.
• Prior of Gisburgh, with eight other Priors at the same hoorde.

Sitters at the third Table.

• ...L. Mountagew.
• ...L. Cromwell.
• ...L. Scroope.
• ...L. Dacres.
• ...L. Ogle.
• and 48. knights at the same Table.

Sitters at the fourth Table.

• ...L. Deane of Yorke.
• Deane of S. Seuerins, with the brethren of the Minster.

Sitters at the fifth Table.

• ...Mayor of the City of Yorke.
• Mayor of the Staple of Calis. with the worshipfull Bur∣gesses of the City.

Sitters at the sixt Table.

• 4 Barons of the kings Exche∣quer, and 26. learned men of the Law.

At the last Table in the hall.

• 49 Esquiers wering the kings Liuery.

The names of the estates sitting in the high Chamber.

• The Duke of Glocester.
• The Duke of Suffolkes sister at his right hand.
• The Countes of West merland. at his left hād
• The Countesse of Nor¦thumberland. at his left hād
• 2. of the Earle of Warwickes daughters at the same table.

Sitters at the second Table in the high Chamber.

• The Baron of Greystocke, with thrée other Barons and 12. Ladies with them.

At the third Table.

• 18 Gentlewomen of the saide Ladies.

Sitters at the first Table in the second chamber.

• The Dutchesse of Suffolke the elder.
• Countesse of Warwicke.
• Countesse of Oxford.
• Lady Hastings.
• Lady Eitzhugh.

At the second table there.

• Lady Lumley.
• Lady Strange.
• And 8. other Ladies with thē.

Sitters at the boorde in the great Chamber.

• Bishop of Lincolne.
• ...

• Bishop of Lichfield.
• Bishop of Exceter.
• Bishop ••f Carlile.

Sitters at the second table there.

• Earle of Warwicke.
• Earle of Westmerland.
• Earle of Northumberland.
• L. Fitz hugh.
• L. Stanley.
• And 10. Baronets with them.

Sitters at the third table.

• 14 Gentlewomen.
• 14 Gentlemen.

Sitters in the Hall.

• Gentlemen, Franklins, and head Yeomen 412. twice filled and serued.

Sitters in the Gallery.

• Lords seruants 400. twice fil∣led and serued.

Sitters at dinner elsewhere.

1000. Officers and sernants.

Chiefe Cookes

62

Necessary seruants to the kit∣chin and broachturn••rs.

515

First Course.

• ...Brawne.
• ...Furmenty Viant potage.
• ...Pennade purpill potage.
• ...Heare powdred for stand••rd.
• ...Roo powderd,
• ...Fesant entraille.
• ...Swans.
• ...Capons in halfe grease.
• ...Heronsewes.
• ...Carpett of Venison.
• ...Pike in harblett,
• ...Leach cant.
• ...Fruter.
• ...Venison bake.
• ...Custard planted.
• ...A Suttlety.

Second Course.

• ...Gelly pacted potage.
• ...Ra••••ens potage.
• ...Venison hakte.
• ...Peacocke in Rapill.
• ...Cony reuerse.
• ...Lardis of Venison.
• ...Partrich.
• ...Woodcocke.
• ...Plouers.
• ...Breames in spile.
• ...Pummis Verte.
• ...Leiche Sipers.
• ...Fruter napkin.
• ...Dates in molde.
• ...Scatine•• ryall.
• ...Suttlety.

Third Course.

• ...Blanke desire,
• ...Dates in compost.
• ...

• ...Bitters roste.
• ...Fesant:
• ...Egrets.
• ...Rabets.
• ...Quayles.
• ...Martin••.
• ...Great birds.
• ...Larks.
• ...Porpose roste.
• ...Leach blanke.
• ...Fruter crispin.
• ...Quince baked.
• ...Chamblet viall.
• ...Suttlety.
• ...Wafers and Ypocras plenty.

53 Lawrence Boothe.

THe Bishop of Durham,* 1.47 Lawrence Boothe, halfe brother vnto William Boothe George Neuils predecessor, succée∣ded them in the Sée of Yorke. He was first Master of Pen∣brooke Hall in Cambridge, consecrate Bishop of Durham, September 25. 1457. and twenty yéeres after, viz. the yeare 1477. remooued to Yorke. In August 1472. hee was made Lord Chancellour, and continued in that office two yéeres. This man bought the Manor of Batersey of one Nicolas Stanley, and built the house there, all which he gaue vnto his Sée. He died at Southwell the yéere 1480. when he had béen Archbishop thrée yéeres and nine monethes, and was buried beside his brother.

54 Thomas Rotheram, aliàs Scot.

THamas Scot otherwise called Rotheram,* 1.48 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.

55 Thomas Sauage.

HIs next successor in Yorke, was also (but long after) Bishop of Rochester,* 1.49 remooued thence to London the yéere 1493. and soone after Thomas Rotherams death vnto Yorke. This man was a Gentleman borne, and (as I take it) a knights sonne; not preferred for any extraordinary great learning, (yet he was a Doctor of Law of Cambridge) but as it should seem in regard of ser••ice. He spent his time in a man∣ner altogether either in temporall businesses (beeing a great courtier) or else in hunting, wherewith he was vnreasonably delighted. He built much at Cawood and Scroby, and main∣tained a great number of goodly tall fellowes to attend him. Before his time, it was alwaies the custome that the Archbi∣shop at his installation should make a very magnificent and sumptuous feast. This custome for sauing a little money he brake and stole his installation by a deputy in secret manner. Hauing béene seuen yéere Archbishop, he died at Cawood, and tooke order that his body should be buried at Yorke, but his heart at Maklesfield in Cheshire where hee was borne, in a Chappell of his own building which he minded to haue made a Colledge, but death preuented him.

56 Christopher Bambridge.

CHristopher Bambridge succéeded Hee was a gentleman likewise of an auncient house,* 1.50 borne néere Appleby in Westmerland, brought vp in Quéenes Colledge in Oxford, a doctor of both Laws, first Master of the Rolles; then Deane of Yorke; consecrate Bishop of Durham in the beginning of the yeare 1507. and the next yéere was translated to Yorke. He being Embassador from King Henry the 8. to the Pope, great dissention, and thereupon warre fell out betwéene the Pope, and Lewis the 12. King of France, In that warre king

Henry vpon the perswasion of this man, (saith Ciaconius) was content to take the Popes part. For which seruice, the yeare 1511. in the Moneth of March, the Pope made him a Cardinall at S. Praxedis. Whether he stayd so long at Rome or made a second iourney thither I cannot tell: But certaine it is, that being there, the year 1514. he was poysoned by one Rinaldo de Modena an Italian Priest his steward, vpon malice and displeasure conceiued, for a blow his Master gaue him, as the saide Rinaldo (beeing executed for that fact) confessed at the time of his death. So P. Iouius reporteth. Hee died Iuly 14. and was buried there in the Church belonging to the English house, dedicated to the holy Trinitie.

57 Thomas Woolsey.

* 1.51THat famous Cardinall Thomas Woolsey (of whome wée are next to speake) was borne in Ipswich, beeing the sonne of a poore man, and (as I haue often heard) a but∣cher. He was sent to Oxford very young, and was brought vp there in Magdalene Colledge: being procéeded Master of Arts, he became schoolemaster of the Grammer schoole belon∣ging to that Colledge, where he was first preferred by the Marques Dorset (to whose sons he was Tutor) vnto a bene∣fice in Somersetshire called Limington. There one Sir A∣myas Pawlet a knight of that countrey, did him a great dis∣grace, setting him in the ••••ockes, vpon little or no occasion as I haue heard. Of that iniury the knight much repented him afterward, at what time this poore scholler beeing aduanced to the high honour of Lord Chancellor, not only rebuked him sharply in words, but also made him dance attendance fiue or sixe yeares in London, vntill by great suit hee obtained li∣cense of departure. His Lord and Patrone the Marques dy∣ing, he saw himselfe without all likelihood of further prefer∣ment, especially if he should settle himselfe vpon his Bene∣fice. Leauing it therefore and determining to séeke some bet∣ter fortune, abroad in the world; hee happened to be entertai∣ned of an ancient knight called sir Iohn Naphaunt, who had an office of importance in Callis; wherein (beeing very aged

himselfe) he altogether imployed this Woolsey his chaplaine, vntill such time as weary of it, in regard of his owne weake∣nesse and impotency, hée gaue it ouer. But mindfull of his Chaplaines good seruice, he neuer left him vntil he had found meanes to make him the kings Chaplaine. Now was hee where he would be. Many times he was wont to say (as I haue heard) if he could once set but one foote in the Court, he would not doubt but attaine what he list. And to speake but the truth, it was not onely his good fortune that exalted him to that wonderful greatnesse, but much deale his owne in∣dustrie, and many extraordinary parts in him: He was mar∣••ellous wittie, well learned, faire spoken, and passing cun∣ning in winning the hearts of those whose fauor hee affected. The first thing he endeuored (being now a Courtier) was to make himselfe knowne vnto such as were néerest about the king: and the man be specially followed, was Richard Foxe Bishop of Winchester•• vpon whose Councell he saw the king did most relie. Hee soone perceiued what was in Woolsey, and at a time when the king bethought him of some witty fel∣low to dispatch certains affaires with the Emperor, mentio∣ned him as a fit man. The king vpon his commendation, sent for this chaplaine, and committed the busines vnto him. The Emperor lay then in the Law Countries, whether Master Woolsey made such haste (winde and weather lauouring him) as within lesse then 4. daies after his dispatch, he was backe at the Court againe, hauing ordered all the kings busi∣nesses to his contentment. By this time, the king sawe him to be a man meet for imploiment, and determined heereafter to vse him. It was not long then before he preferred him to the Deanry of Lincolne, and a little before his death made him Almoner. That wise and excellent Prince being taken away, he soone crept so farre into the fauor of the young king, by applying himself to his humour; as he possessed him altoge∣ther, & in a maner at the first dash was made one of his priuy Counsell. Being very eloquent & well spoken, the rest of the Counsel vsed him many times as their Rese••endary to signi∣fie their determinations vnto the king. He then hauing this opportunity of perceiuing the kings inclinatiō, followed euer

that course which hee saw him willing to haue taken, and aduaunced earnestly that part whereunto the King incli∣ned, without respect vnto the matter otherwise. Againe, whereas the rest of the Counsell called oft vpon the King, to acquaint himselfe with matters of state, by resorting to the Counsell, and affoording his presence at their deliberations•• hee would aduise him to follow his pleasures, and let Coun∣sell matters alone to him, assuring him that at night hée should heare as much of him in one quarter of an houre, as if he had beene present all day at those tedious & wearisome con∣sultations. By this trick he won himselfe such authority with the king, as hee did euen what he lift a long time. No maruell now if what preferment soeuer fell, stood at his refusall. The King hauing taken Tourney, and banished the Bishop as addicted vnto the French party, gaue all the reuenues of the Bishopricke vnto him (Woolsey I meane). Within lesse than one yeare after, fell first Lincolne (whereunto hee was preferred the yeare 1514.) and then immediately after Yorke; which also was presently bestowed vpon him. Fol∣lowing the streame still of this good fortune, and thinking it best to take his time, he procured the Pope to make him first his Legate a Latere, and soone after (viz. Sept. 7. 1515) Cardi∣nall. He handled the matter also in such sort with the King, as he was content to discharge the Archbishop of Canterbury from the office of Chauncellor and to bestow it vppon him. Then ••s though the Archbishopricke of Yorke and Chaun∣cellorship of England were not sufficient for maintenance of a Cardinall, hee tooke also vnto him the Bishopricke of Bathe the yeare 1518. holding it and the Abbey of Saint Al∣bons with diuers other ecclesiasticall liuings in Commendam. Fower years, and 7. moneths, hée held Bathe and then re∣signed it to take Durham. Durham also hee lastly gaue ouer the yeare 1529. in exchange for Winchester. Now you sée him at the highest. It was impossible this greatnesse should be able to beare his owne burthen. Presently after his accep∣tation of Winchester, he began to fall, and fell so fast, as if death had not happily staid him; hee had quickly fallen from much, to much lesse then nothing. The king vpon a displea∣sure (how iust God knoweth) discharged him sodainely from

the office of Chauncellour. His goods were all seased to the kings vse, and himselfe ready to hée attaint by Parliament, had not Thomas Cromwell (after Earle of Essex, then his ser∣uant) taken great paines in defending him. When that course succéeded not, he was charged to haue fallen into a Premunire by exercising his power Leganti••e without the kings licence. Héereunto hée answered that hee had authority thereto from the King vnder his broad seale (as it was well enough kno∣wen hée could prooue) though that amongst the rest of his writings were now in the hands of his enemies. But (quoth hée) I will neuer stand vpon that point. Whatso∣euer I haue, I haue it from the king; if it bée his pleasure to haue me in a Premunire, let it be so, I must and will be at his mercy. Almost halfe a yéere hée liued néere London to great penurie; one while at Asher (a house belonging to the Bi∣shopricke of Winchester) and another while at Richmond; the which house, the King had lately giuen him in exchange for Hampton Court All which time, he had scarce a cuppe to drinke in, or a bed to lye in, but what was lent him; for his mooueables and houshold stuffe of inestimable valew, were all taken away to the Kings vse. At last hee was sent downe into Yorkeshire, and there liued all a summer in reasonable good sort. About the beginning of Nouember that yeare, which was 1536. the Earle of Northumberland arrested him of high treason, and tooke order to haue him brought vp to London: but he sel sicke by the way, and died in the Abbey of Leicester, (as it should séeme of a fluxe whereunto a conti∣nuall feauer was ioyned) when hée had béene sicke the space of 8. daies, viz. Nouember 29. 1530. hauing béene Archbishop 15. yeares, and being within foure moneths of 60. yeares of age. His last words are said to be these: If I had serued God as diligently as I haue done the king, he would not haue gi∣uen mee ouer in my gray haires; but this is the iust reward that I must receiue for th•• paines and study that I haue had, to doe him seruice, not regarding my seruice to God, so much as the satisfying of his pleasure. In his flourishing time, hée beganne the building of two most stately Colledges, one at Ipswich, the other at Oxford; and it is great pitty hee finished them not. Had they béne perfected, I thinke they

would haue beene two of the goodliest monuments of the world. And surely it were a wonder that any priuate man should take two such peeces of worke in hand at one time, whereof any one might séeme a great matter for a Prince to finish•• had not his receits beene infinite, and his helps other∣wise very great. I thinke verily (and am able to yeeld good reason of my surmise) that if one man had now in his hands the reuenues of all the Bishopricks and Deaneries also in England, his rents would not arise to so high a reckoning, as the yeerely receits of this Cardinall. Yet was it not his owne purse that gaue him courage to so great an enterprise: for his bounty was such as hee could not but spend all hee receiued. The number of his seruants daily attending in his house were well néere fower hundred, of which there were one Earle, nine Lords, a great number of Knights and Esquires. I reckon not all this while his seruants seruants, which it is thought grew to a farre greater number. Hee obtained leaue of the Pope to dissolue forty small monasteries; the spoile wherof furnished him principally for the building of his Col∣ledges, but opened a gap withall to king Henry, to destroy all the rest, as soone after hee did. Before the building of this Colledge, he erected in the same Uniuersity seuen Lectures, as namely amongst the rest one for Diuinity read by Th. Brinknell; another for the Mathematikes, by one Lupset, and a third for Law by that famous Lud. Viues, to whom it plea∣sed the King and Quéene to affoord audience, reading in the hall of Corpus Christi Colledge. These and the rest he deter∣mined by the aduice of D. Veysey Bishop afterward of Exce∣tex to haue setled together (as Master Twyne deliuereth) in his new Colledge, allowing large stipends for them & their successors for euer, as also maintainance for 200. st••dents in the same. But his fall ouerthrew this designe. Howbeit the lands prouided for this Colledge (though confiscate by the praemunire aforesaide) the king was content to leaue vnto that colledge (or at least wise other for them) and so became the founder thereof, calling it, Collegium Christi ex fundati∣one Regis Henrici Octaui. Who so desireth to know more of this great and famous Cardina••l let him haue recourse vn∣to Iohn Stowes Annales of England, where his whole life

actions are largely described. To make an end, this out Car∣dinall was buried in the Abbey of Lecester (where hee died) in the body of the Church before the quier doore.

58 Edward Lee.

THe Sée hauing béene voide by the death of Cardinall Woolsey almost one yeare,* 1.52 the king preferred vnto the same, Edward Lee his Almoner, a Doctor of diuinity brought vp a while in Magdalene Colledge in Oxford, where he pro∣céeded Bachelour of Art, but remoouing to Cambridge, tooke his other degrées there. A great Antagonist of Erasmus, but (though well learned) no fit match for him. Hee was much employed in embassages, both before his preferment, and af∣ter. Hauing sate Archbishop thirtéene yeares, hee died Sep∣tember 13. 1544. & was buried in his owne Church, where is this Epitaph to bée seene engrauen vpon his tombe. Edwar∣dus Leus Archiepiscopus Ebor. Theologus eximius, atque omniliterarum genere longe ••ruditissimus, sapientia & vitae sanctitate clarus, Euangelicae doctrinae praeconem semper a∣gens, pauperibus beneficus, omnibus ordinibus iuxta charus, magno de se apud omnes desiderio relicto, hic sepultus jacet. Sedit Archiepiscopus annos paulominus 13. obijt Ibid Sept. aetatis suae anno 62. anno Christi 1544. In English thus: Ed∣ward Lee Archbishop of Yorke, a great diuine, and very well séene in all kind of learning, famous as well for wisedome as vertue and holinesse of life, a continuall preacher of the Gos∣pell, a man very liberall vnto the poore, and excéeding belo∣ued of all sorts of men, who greatly misse and be mo••ne the want of him, lieth buried in this place. Hee deceased Sept. 13. in the sixty two yéere of his age, the yéere of our Lord 1544

59 Robert Holgate.

BEfore the end of the same yéere (to witte Ianuary 16 1544. Robert Holgate Doctor of Diuinity,* 1.53 was transla∣ted from Landaff (where hee had béene seuen yeares Bishop)

vnto Yorke. He was sometimes of the order of Sephringam and being put out of his monastery, obtained a benefic•• in a place where one Sir Francis Askue of Linconshire dwelt, by whom he was much troubled and molested in lawe. Upon oc∣casion of those suits he was faine to repaire to London, where being, he found meanes to become the Kings Chaplaine, and by his fauour obtained first the Bishopricke of Landaffe, and after the Archbishopricke of Yorke, and was appointed Pre∣sident of the Kings Councell for the North. It is remembred (& I thinke it not vnworthy the mentioning) that the Knight before named happened to haue a suite before the Councell there, and doubted much of hard measure from the Archbi∣shop, whose aduersary he had beene. But he remembring the rule of the Gospell, to doe good for euill, yéelded him al fauour that with Iustice he might; saying afterward merrily to his friends, he was much beholding to Sir Francis Askew; for that had not he béene, hée must haue liued an hedge Priest all the daies of his life. In the beginning of Quéen Mary he was committed to the tower, where he lay a yéere and a halfe, and was at last depriued, for being maried (as I take it.)

60 Nicolas Heath.

* 1.54ABout the yéere 1539. Nicolas Heath, a Londoner borne, a Doctor of Diuinity of Cambridge, and Almoner vnto the King, was made Bishop of Rochester. Within 4. years, he was remoued to Worceter: the yéere 1551. he was dis∣placed, and M. Hooper appointed Bishop there. But Q. Ma∣ry restored him againe in the beginning of her raigne, and made him President of Wales. Soone after, to witte, the yeare 1553. he was translated to Yorke, and vpon the death of Stephen Gardner made L. Chancellor of England. These places hee held vntill the raigne of Quéene of Elizabeth, at what time hee thought good to resigne them both, and liued afterwards quietly vpon some lands that héeretofore hee had purchased.

61. Thomas Young.

THomas Young sometime Bishop of Saint Dauids,* 1.55 was the first Archbishop of Yorke in Quéen Elizabeths daies. He was confirmed therin February 25. 1561. and about the same time made Lord President of the North. This man (for what cause or purpose I know not) pulled downe the great hall in the pallace of Yorke. anno. 1562. which was sumptuo••sly built by Thomas the elder his predec••ssor al∣most 500. years before. He died Iune 29. 1568. at Sheffield and was buried in the minster of Yorke.

62. Edmund Grindall.

VPon the depriuation of Edmund Bonner,* 1.56 Edmund Grindall sometimes Master of Pembrooke hall in Cam∣bridge, was appointed vnto the See of London, whereunto he was elected Iuly 26. 1559. and sate there about 11. yéers. May 22. 1570. he was translated thence to Yorke; there he continued till the yéere 1575. at what time he was promoted vnto the Archbishopricke of Canterbury.

63. Edwyn Sandes.

EDwyn Sandes Doctor of Diuinity,* 1.57 and Master of Kathe∣rine hal in Cambridge, was Uicechauncellor of that Uni∣uersity when the Lady Iane was proclaimed Quéene; about which matter he endured much trouble and long emprison∣ment (The history whereof is reported at large by Master Foxe, vnto whom I referre the Reader) In the beginning of the raign of Q. Elizabeth, to wit, December 21. 1559 he was cons. Bishop of Worceter, and succéeded Edmund Grindall both in London (whereunto hee was confirmed Iuly 13. 1570.) and also in Yorke. He continued there Archbishop a∣bout 12. yeares, and dying August 8. 1588. was buried at Southwell.

64. Iohn Piers.

* 1.58IOhn Piers Doctor of Diuinitie, béeing Deane of Christ-church in Oxford, was made Bishop of Rochester and Almoner the yere 1576 translated to Salisbury (continuing still Almoner) the yéere following; and vpon the death of Bishop Sands preferred to Yorke. This man liued alwayes vnmarried, and departed this life September 27. or therea∣bouts. 1594.

65. Matthew Hutton.

* 1.59IN the beginning of March following, Matthew Hutton Doctor of Diuinity, Master of Pembrooke Hall and some∣times fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, first Dean of Yorke, and cons. Bishop of Durham the yeere 1589. was aduanced to the Metropoliticall See of Yorke. He died about the middle of Ianuary 1605. Toward the charge of the new buildings in Trinity Colledge he contributed 100. markes.

66. Tobias Matthew.

* 1.60AUgust 18. 1606. Tobias Matthew Bishop of Durham was confirmed Archbishop of Yorke, a man (as most truly writeth another of him) Virtutum & pietatis ornamen∣tis, erudita facundia, & docendi assiduitate reuerendissimus.

The Archbishopricke of Yorkes first fruits to the King is 1609. pound, 19. shillings two pence, and was to the Pope 10000. ducats, beside 5000. ducats that hee was wont to pay for his pall.

Notes

• * 1.1

  625.
• * 1.2

  666
• * 1.3

  666
• * 1.4

  687
• * 1.5

  ••71
• * 1.6

  780.
• * 1.7

  797.
• * 1.8

  831
• * 1.9

  854
• * 1.10

  895
• * 1.11

  955
• * 1.12

  972
• * 1.13

  971.
• * 1.14

  993.
• * 1.15

  1003.
• * 1.16

  1023
• * 1.17

  1050
• * 1.18

  1061
• * 1.19

  1070. W. Con. 5.
• * 1.20

  1101. Hen: 1.2.
• * 1.21

  ••101. Hen: 1.••.
• * 1.22

  1108 Hen: 1.10.
• * 1.23

  1142 Steph. 8.
• * 1.24

  11••3. Stephen 18.
• * 1.25

  1154. Steph. 19
• * 1.26

  1191. Ric. 1.3.
• * 1.27

  1217. Hen. 3.1.
• * 1.28

  1259. Hen: 3.40.
• * 1.29

  1258. Hen. 3.42.
• * 1.30

  1265. Hen. 3.49.
• * 1.31

  1279. Edw. 1.8.
• * 1.32

  1285. Edw. 1.14.
• * 1.33

  1298. Edw. 1.26.
• * 1.34

  1299 Edw. 1.28.
• * 1.35

  1305. Edw. 1.34.
• * 1.36

  1••17 Edw. 2.1••.
• * 1.37

  1342. Edw. 3.17.
• * 1.38

  1352. Edw. 3.27.
• * 1.39

  1373 Ed. 3.48
• * 1.40

  1388 Ric. 2.12
• * 1.41

  1396. Ric. 2.20
• * 1.42

  1397. Ric. 2.2••.
• * 1.43

  1406. Hen. 4.8.
• * 1.44

  1425. Hen. 4.6.
• * 1.45

  1453. Hen. 6.23.
• * 1.46

  1466. Edw. 4.7.
• * 1.47

  1477. Edw. 4.18.
• * 1.48

  1480. Edw. 4.21.
• * 1.49

  1501 Hen. 4.17
• * 1.50

  1508. Hen. 7.24.
• * 1.51

  1515. Hen. 8.7.
• * 1.52

  1531 Hen. 8.23.
• * 1.53

  1541. Hen. 8.3
• * 1.54

  1553. Mary 1.
• * 1.55

  1561. Eliz. 3.
• * 1.56

  1570. Eliz. 13.
• * 1.57

  1571. Eliz. 18.
• * 1.58

  1588. Eliz. 31.
• * 1.59

  1594. Eliz. 37.
• * 1.60

  1606. Ia••. 3.