The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Prelates.

ROBERT CHICHESTER. Here I had been at a perfectlosse, had I not met with a good Guide to direct me: For I had certainly from his Sirname concluded him born at Chichester in Sussex, according to the Custome of other Clergy-men. But this single swallow (which makes no Summer) had a Flight by himself, retaining his Paternal Name, descended from a Noble and Ancient Family (saith my Author*;) Still flourishing [at* 1.1 Rawleigh] in this County. He was first Dean of Sarisbury, then Anno 1128. Conse∣crated Bishop of Exeter; highly commended by many VVriters, for his Piety, though the Principal thereof consisted in his Pilgrimages to Rome, and procuring Reliques thence. He bestowed much money in building and adorning his Cathedral, and ha∣ving sate therein two and twenty years, died and was buried 1150, on the South side of the High Altar, nigh a Gentleman of his own Sirname, whose inscribed Arms are the best Directory to this Bishops Monument.

GILBERT FOLIOT was born at Tamerton * 1.2 Foliot in this County, Abbot of Glo∣cester, (Bale saith Exeter) then successively Bishop of Hereford and London.

He was observed when a Common † 1.3 Brother of his Covent, to inveigh against the Prior; when Prior, against the Abbot; when Abbot, against the pride and lazinesse of Bishops; but when he himself was Bishop, all was well, and Foliots mouth when full, was silent: Whether because all things do rest quiet in their center, or because Age had abated his juvenile Animosity; or because he found it more facil to find faults in others, then mend them in himself. Indeed, oft times meer Moros•…•…ness of Nature, u∣surps the reputation of Zeal, and what is but a bare disgust of mens persons, passeth for dislike of their vices. However our Foliot, the lesse he had in Satyrs, the more he had of Elegies afterwards, secretly bemoaning the badnesse of the Age he lived in: Hear a Passe betwixt him and a strange voice,

Satans Challenge.

* 1.4 O Gilberte Foliot Dum revolvis tot & tot, Deus tuus est † 1.5 ASHTAROT.

Foliots Answer.

Mentiris Daemon, qui est Deus Sabaoth, est ille meus.

He finds little favour from our Historians of his Age, because they do generally Becketize; whilst Foliot was all for the King, being a professed Enemy to the (not per∣son, but) pride of that Prelate*. This wise and learned Bishop died Feb. 18. 1187.

ROBERT FOLIOT Arch-Deacon of Oxford, was neer Cosen * 1.6 (and therefore is placed Country man) to Gilbert aforesaid. He was bred first in England, then in France, where he got the Sirname of Robertus Melundinensis, probably from the place of his longest abode. He was first Tutor to Becket, and Becket afterwards was Patron to him, by whose procurement he succeeded his Kinsman in the See of Hereford. He wrote several Books, whereof One of the Sacraments of the Old Law is most re∣markable.

Hitherto we have followed Bale with blind obedience, until Bishop Godwin, whom we rather believe, hath opened our eyes in two particulars:

• 1 That Robert de Melune (Bishop also of Hereford) was a distinct person from our Robert.
• 2 That our Foliot was advanced Bishop after the† 1.7 death of Becket, probably for the affection he bore unto him, not the assistance he received from him. His deah happened Anno 1186. Nor must we forget, there was also one Hugh Foliot Arch∣Deacon of Shrewsbury, afterwards Bishop of Hereford; of whom nothing re∣mains, but his Name and the date of his Death 1234.

WILLIAM BREWER, was born in this County (or in Somerset-shire) whereof William his Father was several years Sheriffe under King Henry the Second,* 1.8 where we shall insist on the occasion of his Sirname.

Bishop Godwin informeth us, that he was Brother to Sr. William Brewer Knight, if there be not an errour therein, seeing Two Brethren surviving their Parents together; both of a Name, are seldome seen in the same Family. He was preferred Bishop of Ex∣eter Anno 1224.

A Great Courtier, and employed in such† 1.9 Embassies proper for a Person of Prime Quality, as when he was sent to conduct Isabel Sister to King Henry the Third, to be married to Frederick the Emperour; whom he afterwards attended to the Holy Land▪ Returning to his See, he set himself wholly to the adorning and enriching thereof, founding a Dean and 24 Prebendaries, allowing the later the Annual Stipend of Four Pounds, which they receive at this day. But I am lately informed that the Dean and Resi∣denciaries of Exeter have since augmented the Salary of all the Prebendaries at large to twen∣ty pounds a year: Which Intelligence if false, they are not injured, if true, they are courteously used. This Bishop died Anno Domini 1244.

WILLIAM de RALEIGH, was born at that well known Town in this County, preferred first Canon of St. Pauls, then successively Bishop of Norwich and* 1.10 Winchester: The last of which cost him much trouble, his Election being stiffely opposed by King Henry the Third, intending a Valentinian (Uncle to the Queen) for that Bishoprick; whom the Monks of Winchester refused; terming him, Vir Sanguinum, A man of Bloud.

Whether in that sense wherein David is so termed (and on that account prohibited the building of the Temple) because a Martial Man; or whether onely because de∣scended of high bloud, whose Descent was all his Desert, so that they ridgidly adhered to the election of Raleigh.

King Henry who seldome used to be angry, and more seldome to swear; sware in his anger, That he would have his will at last, or they should never have Bishop; and how his Conscience came off vvithout Perjury herein, his own Conf•…•…ssor vvas best able to satis∣fie him.

Raleigh had (be•…•…ides his own merits) two good friends, his Purse and the Pope, the former procuring the later. He presented his Holynesse with six thousa•…•…d Mark, which effected his Work. Here two persons were at once deceived, the Pope not expecting so great a sum should be tendred him, and Raleigh not suspecting he would take all; but leave at least a morsel for manners. But his hands will take what ever is tendred him, if not too Hot or too Heavy.

Raleigh thus runin debt, could never creep out thereof, though living very privately, and dying very penitently: For when the Priest brought the •…•…uchrist unto him, ly∣ing on his Death-Bed; Raleigh expressing himself in language like to that of John Bap∣tist† 1.11: I have need to come to thee, and comest thou to me; would rise out of his Bed to meet him. His death happened Anno Dom. 1249.

RICHARD COURTNEY was one of great* 1.12 linage (allied to the Earl of Devon∣shire) and no lesse Learning (excellently skilled in the Knowledg of both Laws:) So that at the instant suit of K. Henry the Fifth; He was preferred Bishop of Norwich, Anno 1413. His person (the Inne of his Soul, had a fair Sign) was highly favoured by his Prince, and beloved by the people; Yet all this could not prolong his life: So that he died of a flux at the siege of Harflew in Normandy, in the second year of his Consecration, and his Corps brought over, was honourably entombed in West∣minster.

J•…•…AMES CARY, was born in this County, his name still flourishing nt Cockington therein: He was at Rome made Bishop of Lichfield, and travailing thence homewards towards England, did again light on the Pope at Flor•…•…nce, just at the news of the va∣cancy of Exeter, and the same See was bestowed on him, the more welcome, because in his Native County. Say not this was a Degradation; For though in our time Lich∣field is almost twice as good as Exeter, •…•…xeter then was almost four times as good as Lichfield. This appeareth by their valuations of their Income into* 1.13 First-Fruits; Exe∣ter paying the Pope six thousand Ducats, whilst Lichfield paid onely seventeen hundred at the most. But what ever the value of either or both was, Cary enjoyed neither of them; dying and being buried in Florence. Thus, though one may have two Cups in his hand, yet some intervening accident may so hinder, that he may taste of neither. He died 1419.

JOHN STANBERY, was (saith† 1.14 Bale out of Leland) in Occidentali 〈◊〉〈◊〉 parte natus. But the Western parts, being a wide Parish, thanks to our Authour, who hath* 1.15 particularized the place of his Nativity, viz. the Farm of Church-hill, within the Parish of Bratton or Broad-Town in this County, where some of his Name and Kin∣dred remain at this day. He was bred a Carmelite in Oxford, and b•…•…came genera•…•…ly as learned as any of his Order, deserving all the dignity which the •…•…niversity did or could confer upon him. King H•…•…n. the sixth highly favoured and made him the first Provost of Eaton, being much ruled by his advice in ordering that his new Foundati∣on. He was by the King designed Bishop of Norwich, but William de la Poole Duke of Suffolk (See the presumption of a proud Favourite or Minion rather) got it from him for his own Chaplain, and Stanbery was for to stay his stomack on the poor Bi∣shoprick of Bangor, till Anno 1453, he was advanced Bishop of Hereford.

Leland doth condemn him for his over compliance with the Pope in all his intolle∣rable taxes, and others commend him as much for his fidelity to his Master King Hen. whom he deserted not in all his adversity; so that this Bishop was taken prisoner in the Battail of Northampton. Say not to this Prelate, as Eliab to David,† 1.16 Why camest thou down hither? with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the Wildernesse? I know the pride and the malice of thy heart, for thou art come down to see the Battail; For Stanbery being Con∣fessor to King Henry, he was tyed by his Oath to such personal attendance. After long durance in Warwick Castle, he was set at liberty, and dying Anno 1474, was buried in the Convent of Carmelites at Ludlow; where his barbarous and tedious Epi∣taph (ill suiting with the Authour of such learned and pithy Books) is not worth the inserting.

PETER COURTNE•…•… son to Sir* 1.17 Phillip Courtney, was born at Powderham in this Shire. He was first preferred Arch-Deacon, then Bishop of •…•…xeter, expending very much money in finishing the North Tower, giving a great (called Peter) Bell thereunto. He was afterwards Anno 1486, translated to Winchester; where he sat five years. It is much one of so Illustrious Birth should have so obscure a Burial, Bishop Godwin con̄∣fessing that he knew not whereabouts in his Church he lyeth interred.

Since the Reformation.

JOHN JEWEL bearing the Christian Name of his Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, was born at Buden (a Farm possessed more than two hundred years by his Ancestors) in the Parish of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nigh Illfracombe in this County, on the 24th of May 1552. His mothers Sirname was Bellamy, who with her husband John Jewel lived happily fifty years together in Holy Wedlock, and at their death left ten children behind them.

It may be said of his Sirname; Nomen, Omen, Jewel his Name, and Pretious his Ver∣tues: So that if the like ambition led us English men, which doth Foraigners, speciously to render our Sirnames in Greek or Latine, he may be termed Johnnes Gemma, on better account then Gemma Frisius entituleth himself thereunto.

He was chiefly bred in the School of Barstable, where John Harding afterwards his Antagonist, was his School fellow, and at 15 years of age was admitted in Merton Coll•…•…dge, under the tuition of John Parkhurst, afterwards Bishop of Norwich. Such

his sedulity, rising alway at 4 of the Clock, and not going to bed till 10; that he was never punished for any exercise; and but once for absence from Chappel. Hence he was removed to Corpus Christi Colledge, where he proved an Excellent Poet (having all Horace by heart) Linguist, and Orator.

Thus having touched at all Humane Arts, he landed at Divinity, being much assisted by Peter Martyr the Kings Professor therein. St. † 1.18 Jerome telleth us that so great was the intimacy betwixt Pamphilius that worthy Martyr, a Priest, and Eusebius the Bishop of Caesarea, ut ab uno alter nomen acceperet; that they mutually were sirnamed the one from the other, Pamphilius Eusebii, and Eusebius Pamphilii: No lesse the unity of affections be twixt these two, who accordingly might be called Martyrs Jewell, and Jewells Mar∣tyr; as seldome in body, and never in mind asunder.

What eminent changes afterwards befel him in the course of his life, how he fled into Germany, lived at Zurick, returned into England, was preferred Bishop of Salisbury, wrote learnedly, preached painfully, lived piously, died peaceably, Anno Dom. 1572. are large∣ly related in my Ecclesiastical History, and I will trouble the Reader with no repetitions.

JOHN PRIDEAUX was born at Hartford in the West part of this County, bred Scholar, Fellow, and R•…•…ctor of Exeter Colledg in Oxford, Canon of Christ-Church, and above thirty years Kings Professor in that University. An excellent Linguist, but so that he would make words wait on his matter, chiefly aiming at expressivenesse therein; he had a becomming Fe•…•…ivity, which was Aristotles, not St. Pauls 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Admirable his memory, retaining what ever he had read. The Welch have a Proverb (in my mind somewhat uncharitable) He that hath a good memory, giveth few Alms; be∣cause he keepeth in mind, what and to whom he had given before: But this Doctor cross'd this Proverb, with his constant charity to all in want.

His learning was admired by Forreigners, Sextinus Amma, Rivet, &c. He was not Vindicative in the least degree: One * 1.19 intimate with him, having assured me, that he would forgive the greatest injury, upon the least show of the parties sorrow, and re∣store him to the degree of his former favour; and though Politicians will thence col∣lect him no prudent man, Divines will conclude him a good Christian.

Episcopacy in England being grievously wounded by malevolent persons, King Charles the First conceived that the best Wine and Oil that could be powred into those wounds, was, to select persons of known Learning and unblameable Lives to supply the vacant Bi∣shopricks; amongst whom Dr. Prideaux was made Bishop of Worcester. But alasse, all in vain, such the present fury of the Times.

He died of a Feaver 1650, and I have perused a Manuscript Book (But alasse not made by Oxford, but Worcester-shire Muses) of Verses on his Funeral. Amongst which I take notice of these,

Define mirari caecos errasse tot Ignes, In prompt•…•… causa est, lux Prideauxus obit. Mortuus est Prideaux? scriptis post funera vivit; Aufertur Letho Mitra, Corona datur.

To these we may add the Chronogram, which I meet with amongst the same Verses.

Iohannes PrIDeaVXVs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VVIgornIae MortVVs, est. 1650.

He was buried at Bredon in Worcester-shire, August the 1•…•…th. Such as deny Bishops to be Peers, would have conceived this Bishop a Prin•…•…e, if present at his Interment, such the Number and Quality of Persons, attending his Funeral.

Notes

• * 1.1

  † Godwin in the Bishops of Exeter.
• * 1.2

  Manuscript of Baronet Northcott.
• † 1.3

  Jo. Sarisbu∣•…•… in Poli∣cratic. cap. 7.
• * 1.4

  Godwin in the Bishops of London.
• † 1.5

  The God∣desse of the Zidonians.
• * 1.6

  Bale de Scrip▪ Brit. Cent 3. Num. 8.
• † 1.7

  Godwin in the Bishops of Hereford.
• * 1.8

  See our Ca∣talogue of Sheriffes in Henry the Se∣cond.
• † 1.9

  Godwin in the Bishops of Exeter.
• * 1.10

  The effect of what follow∣eth is taken o•…•…t of Bishop Godwin, in his Bishops of Winchester.
• † 1.11

  Matth. 3.
• * 1.12

  Bishop God∣win in the Bi∣shops of Nor∣wich.
• * 1.13

  Compa e Bishop God∣win pag. 331. with pag. 415.
• † 1.14

  De Sc ip. Brit. cent. 8. Num. 34.
• * 1.15

  Mannse ipt of Baronet 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.16

  1 Sam. 17. 28.
• * 1.17

  Gowin in the Bishop•…•… of Winch•…•…er.
• † 1.18

  In his Apolo∣gia, adversus 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.19

  Mr. Jos•…•…ph Maynard Fel∣low of Exeter Colledg.