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.

JOHN ROMAN so called because his* 1.1 Father was born in Rome, though living a long time in this City, being Treasurer of the Cathedrall therein, and I conjecture this John his Son born in York, because so Indulgent thereunto. For generally Pure Pute Italians preferred in England, transmitted the gain they got by Bills of Exchange or otherwise into their own Country, and those outlandis•…•… Mules though lying down in English Pasture, left no Hairs behind them: Whereas this Roman had such Affection for York, that being advanced Arch-bishop, he began to build the Body of the Church, and finished the North Part of the Cross-Isle therein. Polydore Virgil praised him, (no wonder that an Italia•…•… commended a Roman) for a Man of great Learning and Sincerity.

He fell into the disfavour of King Edward the first, for Excommunicating An∣thony Beck Bishop of Durham, and it cost him four thousand marks to regain his Princes Good Will. He died Anno Domini 1295. And let none grudge his Buria•…•…

in the best Place of the Church, who was so Bountifull a Builder thereof.

ROBERT WALBEY born in this City,* 1.2 was therein bred an Aug•…•…stinian Friar, he afterwards went over into France, where he so applied his studies, that at last he was chosen Divinity Professor in the City of Tholouse: he was Chaplain to the black Prince, & after his death to his Father K. Edward the third. Now as his Mr. injoyed three Crowns, so under him in his three Kingdoms this his Chaplain did partake successively of three Mi∣ters, being first a Bishop in Gascoine, then Arch-bishop of Dublin in Ireland, & afterwards Bishop of Chichester in England, not grudging to be degraded in Dignity, to be pre∣ferred in profit. At last he was consecrated Arch-bishop of York, and was the first and last Native which that City saw the least of Infants, and (in his Time) when Man, the greatest therein. Yet he enjoyed his place but a short time, dying May 29. Anno Domi∣ni, 1397.

Since the Reformation.

THOMAS MORTON was born Anno 1564. in the City of York, whose father Ri∣chard Morton, (allyed to Cardinall Morton Arch▪ bishop of Canterbury,) was a Mercer (I have been informed the first of that calling in that City sure,) of such repute, that no Mercers for many years by past, were of any Eminency, but either immediately or mediately were Apprentices unto him. He was bred in York school, where he was School∣fellow with Guy Faux, which I note, partly, to shew that Loyalty and Treason, may be educated under the same Roof, partly, to give a check to the received opinion, that Faux was a Fleming, no Native English-man.

He was bred in Saint Johns-colledge in Cambridge, and chosen Fellow thereof to a Fellowship to which he had no more Propriety, then his own Merit, before Eight Comp•…•…∣titors for the place, equally capable with himself, and better befriended.

Commencing Doctor in Divinity, he made his Position, (which though unusuall was Arbitrary and in his own power,) on his second Question, which much defeated the ex∣pectatio•…•… of Doctor Playfere, replying upon him with some passion, Commos•…•…i mihi stomachum. To whom Morton return'd, Gratulor tibi Reverende professor de bono tuo stomacho caenabis apud me hac nocte.

He was successively preferr'd Dean of Gloucester, Winchester, Bishop of Chester, Co∣ventry and Lichfield and Durham. The Foundation which he laid of Forraign corre spondency with eminent persons of different perswasions, when he attended as Chap∣lain to the Lord Evers, (sent by King James Embassadour to the King of Denmark and many Princes of Germany,) he built upon unto the Day of his Death.

In the late Long Parliament, the displeasure of the House of Commons fell heavy upon him, partly, for subscribing the Bishops Protestation for their Votes in Parlia∣ment; partly, for refusing to resign the seal of his Bishoprick, and baptizing a Daugh∣ter of John Earl of Rutland with the sign of the Cross; two faults, which compounded together in the judgement of honest and wise-men amounted to a High Innocence.

Yet the Parliament allowed him eight hundred pounds a year (a proportion above any of his Brethren) for his maintenance. But alass the Trumpet of their Charity gave an uncertain sound, not assigning by whom or whence this summe should be paid. In∣deed the severe Votes of the Parliament ever took full effect, according to his observa∣tion, who did Anagram it

• ...VOTED
• ...OUTED

But their mercifull Votes found not so free performance. However this good Bi∣shop got a thousand pounds out of Goldsmiths-hall, which afforded him his support in his old Age.

The Neb of his Pen was unpartially divided into two equall Moyeties, the one writ∣ing against Faction, in defence of three Innocent Ceremonies; the other against Supersti∣tion, witness the Grand Impostor, and other worthy works.

He solemnly proffered unto me (pardon me Reader, if I desire politiquely to twist my own with his Memory; that they may both survive together,) in these sad times to

maintain me to live with him; which Courteous Offer as I could not conveniently ac∣cept, I did thankfully 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Many of the Nobility deservedly honoured him, though none more then John Earl of Rutland, to whose Kinsman Roger Earl of Rutland he formerly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 been Chaplain. But let not two worthy Baronets be forgotten, Sir George Savill, who so civilly paid him his purchased Annuity of two hundred pounds, withall Proffered advantages; and Sir Henry Yelve•…•…ton, at whose house he dyed, aged 95. at Easton-Manduit in Northampton shire, 1659. For the rest the Reader is remitted to his life, written largely and learnedly, by Doctor John Barwick Dean of Durham.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Godwin in the Catalogue of the Arch∣bishops of York.
• * 1.2

  Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops.