Iobn Sittingbourne. 18. * 1.1
Iohn (from I suppose the place of his birth) sirnamed Sittingbourne succeeded, and was Prior in the time of the Churches troubles about the election of a new Archbishop to succeed Hubert, the Story whereof is obvious, and was with his Monks, 64 in number, by King Iohn on that occasi∣on sent into banishment. Whose places he caused to be fil∣led * 1.2 with certain Monks out of S. Anstin's Abbey: But the storm at length being after 7 yeares banishment, blown over, they were called home, full restitution was made both to him and them every way, and 1000 lib. given them for recompense of all detriments as our Stories witnesse, to∣gether * 1.3 with a Charter of Restitution, which because our sto∣ries have it not, I have thought good to annex and adde as a Corollary to the story, and I finde it to be of this tenor, in a Lieger of the Church.
Iohannes Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, Dux Normanniae & Aquitanniae & Comes Andeg. Omnibus Vicecomitibus, & Forrestariis, & Ballivis suis salutem. Praecipimus volentes quòd Priorem & Monachos Cant. paci∣ficè habere permittatis omnes libertates & liberas consuetu∣dines suas in Ballivis vestris sicut habuerunt tempore incho∣atae discordiae inter nos & ipsos. Teste meipso apud Winton xx• die Iulii.
This Prior afterwards, to wit in the Vacancy by the death of Richard the great, was designed to the Archbishoprick * 1.4 by the free election of the Chapter, but going to Rome for * 1.5 confirmation, though the Cardinalls designed for his exa∣mination gave testimony to the Pope of his fitnesse and suf∣ficiency: yet the Pope perswading him it was a Province (or office) of too great care and difficulty for him to ma∣nage being an aged plain man, he humbly renounced the