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36. William Corbell.
WIlliam Corbell or Corbois, was first a secular Priest, then a Monke of the order of Saint Benet,* 1.1 and last∣ly Prior of Saint Sythes in Chiche. From thence he was taken to bée Archbishoppe of Canterbury, and the Popes Legate vpon Candlemas day, 1122. This man in the yéere 1126. called a Conuocation at Westminster, where Iohn de Crema the Popes Legate inueighed most bitterly against the marriage of Priests, and was the next night taken in bed with a common strumpet; for shame wherof he present∣ly got him away, leauing all his businesse at sixe and seauen, neuer taking leaue of any body. In this Synode more Ca∣nons were yet made against the marriage of Clergy men; which notwithstanding, the Archbishoppe (that in déede was but a weake man) not able to restraine them of his time from taking wiues; prayed aide of the King, who eyther set them all to a yéerely pension (so many as were married) or els tooke some large summe of present money to beare with them. The yeare 1130. Christchurch in Canterbury (that had lately béen new built by Lanfranke, soone after fell downe (a great parte of it at least) and was by the industry of Eardulfe the Prior, quickly repayred) now I know not by what chance was all burnt and consumed with fire. This Archbishop found means to repaire it againe, and in Rogation wéeke the yéere follow∣ing, did dedicate the same wonderfull solemnely in the pre∣sence of the King, the Quéene, Dauid king of Scots, & a great number of the nobility of both Realms. K. Henry dying that did prefer him, he was content to betray his daughter Mawde the Empresse, and contrary to his oath to ioine with Stephen Earle of Bloys, whom he crowned with his owne handes; but with such feare and terror of conscience, as it is noted, that the consecrate host fell out of his hand in the middle of Masse, by reason of his trembling and fearefull amazednesse. Soone after he died, viz. the yéere 1136. hauing sate almost 14. yeares, and lyeth buried in his own Church, the particular place I finde not.