Cardinals.
ROBERT SOMMERCOT. There are two Villages North and South Som∣mercot* 1.1 in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (and to my notice no where else in England) fromone of which I presume he took his Nativity and Name: Yet because * 1.2 Bale affirmeth Lawrence Som∣mercot his Brother or Kinsman, born in the South of England, we have affixed our Note of Dubitation. But out of doubt it is, he was a right learned man, to whom * 1.3 Mat∣thew Paris gives this short but thick commendation, viz. Vir fuit discretus, & circumspe∣ctus, omnibus amabilis merito & gratiosus. By Pope Gregory the Ninth, he was made Cardinal of St. Stephens, anno 1231.
He was a true Lover of his Countrymen, and could not abide to hear them abused, the cause that his choler was twice raised, when the Pope said in his Presence, that there was not a faithful man in England, though wisely he repressed his Passion.
After this Pope Gregories death, he was the formost of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Elects for the Pa∣pacy,* 1.4 and on fair play, the most probable person to carry the place, but he was dou∣ble barr'd: First, because an honest man as any in that age. Secondly, because an English-man, the Italians desiring to Monopolize the choice to themselves. Here∣upon in the Holy Conclave (the better place the better deed) he was made away by poison; to make room for Celestine to succeed him, who sate that skittish place but a short time, dying 17. days after our Somercots death, which happened anno Dom. 1241.