The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 46 · Section 11
Prelates.
EUSTATHIUS de FAUCONBRIDGE was born in this County, where his Surname appeareth among the Antient Sheriffs thereof. He was chosen Bishop of London, in the sixth of King Henry the third, Anno 1222. carrying it clearly from a Company of able Competitors, occasioning this Distick,▪
*Godwin in the Bishops of London.Omnes his Digni, tu Dignior omnibus, omnes
Hic plene sapiunt, plenius ipse sapis.
All here are Worthy, thou the Worth: est,
All fully Wise, thou Wiser then the rest.
*Idem ibidem.Others played on his Name Eustatius [One that stood well] both in Respect of his spirituall Estate (yet let him that standeth take heed lest he fall) and Temporall Condition, well fixed in the Favour of Prince and People, being Chief Justice, then Chancellour of the Chequer, and afterwards Treasurer of England, and twice Embassadour to the King of France. He deserved right well of his own Cathedrall, and dying October 31. 1228. was buried under a Marble Tombe, on the South-side of the Presbytery.
WILLIAM de MELTON, was born in this County, (wherein are*See Villare Anglicanum. four villages so named) and preferred therein Provost of Beverly, and Canon, then Arch-bishop of York. He went to Avinion, there to procure his Consecration. I say to Avinion, whither then the Court was removed from Rome, and continued about threescore and ten years, on the same token, that those remaining at Rome (almost starved for want of employment) called this the seventy years captivity of Babilon.
Consecrated after two years tedious Attendance, he returned into England, and fell to finish the fair fabrick of his Cathedrall, which John Roman had began, expending seven hundred Marks *Godwin in the Arch bishops of York.therein. His life was free from Scandall, signall for his Chastity, Charity, Fasting and Praying. He strained up his Tenants so as to make good Musick therewith, but not break the string, and surely Church-lands were intended, (though not equally, yet) mutually for the comfortable support both of Landlord and Tenants.
Being unwilling that the Infamy of Infidell should be fixed upon him, (according to the Apostles Doctrine) for not providing for his family, he*Godwin in his Arch bishops of York. bought three Mannors in this County, from the Arch-bishop of Roan, with the Popes Confirmation, and setled them on his Brothers Son, whose Descendant William Melton, *See our Catalogue of Sheriffs in this County.was High-sheriff of this County, in the Fiftieth of King Edward the third.
There is a Place in York as well as in London called the Old-baly, herein more remarkable then that in London, that Arch-bishop Melton compassed it about with a*Godwin ut prius. great Wall. He bestowed also much cost in adorning Feretrum [English it the Bear or the Coffin) of Saint William, a Person purposely omitted by my Pen, because no assurance of his English Extraction. Arch-bishop Melton dyed, (after he had sate two and twenty years in his See) Anno Domini 1340. Entombed in the Body of his Church nigh the Font, whereby I collect him buried below in the Bottom of the Church, that Instrument of Christian Initiation, antiently advancing but a little above the Entrance into the Church.
HENRY WAKEFEILD is here placed with Assurance, there being three Towns of that name in (and none out of) this County. Indeed his is an Episcopall Name, which might mind him of his Office, the Diocess of Worcester, (to which he was preferred Anno 1375. by King Edward the third,) being his Field, and he by his place to Wake or watch over it: Nor hear I of any complaints to the contrary, but that he was very vigilant in his Place. He was also for one year Lord Treasurer of England. Dying March 11. 1394. he lyeth covered in his own Church,*Godwin in his Bishops of Worcester. Ingenti marmore, and let none grudge him the greatness of his Grave-stone, if two foot larger then ordinary, who made the Body of this his Church, two Arches longer Westward then he found it, besides a fair Porch added thereunto.
RICHARD SCROOPE son to the Lord Scroope of Bolton in this County, brother to William Earl of Wilt-shire, was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge, attaining to be a man of great learning and unblamable life. Nor was it so much his high extraction as his own Abilities causing him to be preferred Bishop first of Coventry and Lichfield, then Arch-bishop of York. Being netled with the news of his Earl-brothers Beheading, he conjoyned with the Earl of Northumberland, the Earl Marshall, Lord Bardolph and others, against King Henry the fourth as an Usurper, and Invader of the Liberties of Church and State. The Earl of Westmerland, in outward deportment complied with him, and seemed to approve a Writing wherein his main intentions were comprised, so to Trepan him into his destruction: Toling him on, till it was too late for him either to advance or retreat, the King with his Army being at Pontfract.
Bishop Godwin saith, it doth not appear that he desired to be tried by his Peers, and I believe it will appear, that nothing was then Calmly or Judiciously transacted, but all being done in an hurry of heat, and by Martiall Authority. The Executioner had five strokes at his Neck, before he could sunder it from his Body, Imputable not to his Cruelty but Ignorance, it not being to be expected, that one nigh York, should be so dextrous in that trade as those at London. His beheading happened Anno 1405.
STEPHEN PATRINGTON was born in the Village so called in the East-riding of this County. He was bred a Carmelite and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford, and the three and twentieth Provinciall of his Order through out England *Pitz. de script. Ang. Num. 766.for fifteen years. It is incredible (saith Leland) what Multitudes of People crowded to his Sermons, till his Fame preferred him Chaplain and Confessour to King Henry the fifth. He was deputed of the King, Commissioner at Oxford, to enquire after and make Process against the Poor Wicklevites, and as he was busyed in that employment, he was advanced to the Bishoprick of Saint Davids. Hence he was sent over to the Councill of Constance, and therein (saith Walsingham) gave great Testimony of his ability. Returning into England, he was made Bishop of Chichester, but dying before his Translation was finished 1417. was buried in White-fryars in Fleetstreet.
WILLIAM PEIRCY was Son to Henry Peircy (second Earl of Northumberland of that Name) and Eleanour Nevill his Wife. Indeed the Son of a Publique Woman, conversing with many men, cannot have his Father certainly assigned, and therefore is commonly called Filius Populi. As a base child, in the Point of his Father is subject to a sham…full, so is the Nativity of this Prelate as to the Place thereof, attended with an Honorable Uncertainty, whose Noble Father had so many houses in the Northern Parts, that his Son may be termed a Native of North-England▪ but placed in this County because Topliffe is the Principall, and most Antient seat of this Family. He was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge, whereof he was Chancellour, and had a younger Brother George Peircy a Clerk also, though attaining no higher preferment then a Prebend in Beverly. Our William was made Bishop of Carlile, 1452. Master Mills *Catal. of honour p. 721.erroneously maketh him afterwards Bishop of Wells, and it is enough to detect the mistake without disgracing the Mistaker. He died in his See of Carlile 1462.
CUTHBERT TONSTALL was born at Hatchforth in Richmond-shire in this County, of a most Worshipfull Family, (whose chief seat at Tonstall Thurland not far off,) and bred in the University of Cambridge, to which he was in books a great Benefactor. He was afterwards Bishop of London, and at last of Durham. A great Grecian, Orator, Mathematician, Civilian, Divine, (and to wrap up all in a word) a fast friend to Erasmus.
In the raign of King Henry the eight, he publiquely confuted the papall supremacy in a learned Sermon, with various and solid arguments, preached on Palmes-sunday before his Majesty Anno Domini 1539. And yet (man is but man) he returned to his errour in the raign of King Edward the sixth, continuing therein in the first of Queen Elizabeth, for which he was deprived of his Bishoprick. He shewed mercy when in Power, and found it in his Adversity, having nothing but the Name of a prisoner, in which condition he died, and was buried at Lambeth 1560.
RALPH BAINES was born in this*Ba…e. Pitz. Bishop Godwin. County, bred Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in Cambridge. An Excellent Linguist in Latine, Greek and Hebrew, I say Hebrew then in its Nonage, whereof Baines was a good Guardian, first in learning, then in teaching the Rules thereof.
Hence he went over into France, and became Hebrew Professor at Paris. He wrot a Comment on the Proverbs in three Volumes, and dedicated it to King Franc is the first of France, that Grand Patron of good Men and great Scholars.
Pitz telleth us,*De Ang. script. Anno 1559. ferunt, it is reported, that the Ministers of Geneva, have much depraved many of his writings in severall places, which I doe not believe. Such passages (doubtlesly according to the Authors own writing) being reducible to two Heads. First, his fair mentioning of some learned Linguists though Protestants, with whom he kept an Epistolary Correspondency. Secondly, some expressions in preferring the Original of Scripture, to the Diminution of the Vulgar Translation.
Returning into England, he was by Queen Mary 1555, made Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield. Hitherto no ill could be spoken of his Intellectualls, and hereafter no good of his Moralls in point of his Cruelty, he caused such persecution in his Diocess. His greatest Commendation is, that though as bad a Bishop as Christopher son, he was better then Bonner. In the first of Queen Elizabeth he was deprived of his Bishoprick, and dying not long after of the Stone, was buried in Saint Dunstans 1560.
Since the Reformation.
THOMAS BENTHAM was born in this*Bale de script. sui temporis p. 113. County, bred Fellow of Magdalen-colledge in Oxford. Under King Henry the eight, he was a Complier with, no Promoter of Popery. In the first of Queen Mary, repenting of his former, he resolved not to accumulate sin, refusing not onelyonly to say Mass, but also to correct a scholar in the Colledge (though urged thereto by*Doctor Humphred in the life of Bishop Jewell pag. 72. and 73. Sir Robert Reed the Prime Visitor,) for his absence from Popish Prayers, conceiving it injurious to punish in another, that omission for a fault, which was also according to his own Conscience. He also then assisted Henry Bull (one of the same Foundation) to wrest out, and throw down out of the hands of the Choristers the Censer, when about to offer their superstitious Incense.
No wonder then if he was fain to fly into Forraign parts, and glad to get over into Germany, where he lived at Basil, Preacher to the English Exiles, to whom he expounded the intire book of the Acts of the Apostles. Now seeing the Apostles suffering was above all their Doing, it was a proper portion of Scripture, for him hence, to press patience to his banished Country-men.
Towards the end of Queen Mary, he was secretly sent for over, to be superintendent of the London Conventicle, (the onelyonly true Church in time of Persecution,) where with all his Care and Caution, he hardly escaped. In the second of Queen Elizabeth, he was Consecrated Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, succeeding Ralph Baines therein, (one of the same County with him, but a different Judgement,) and died on the 21. of February 1578.
EDMUND GUEST was born at*Mr. … in h…s Manuscript Catal. of the Fellows of Kings-colledge. Afferton in this County; bred Fellow of Kingscolledge in Cambridge, where he proceeded Doctor of Divinity. He was afterwards Almoner to Queen Elizabeth, and he must be both a wise and a good man whom she would trust with her Purse. She preferred him Bishop first of Rochester, then of Salisbury, John Bale (saith my*Bishop Go… win in …be Bishops of Sarum. Author) reckoneth up many books made by him of considerable value. He died February 28. 1578. the same year and month with his Countryman Thomas Bentham aforesaid.
MILES COVERDALE was born in this*Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 9. Num. 61. County, bred in the University of Cambridge, and afterwards became an Augustine Frier, till his eyes being opened he quitted that Superstitious Profession. Going into Germany, he laboured greatly in Translating of the Bible, and in writing many books reckoned up by John Bale. He was made Doctor of Divinity in the University of Tubing, and returning into England, being incorporated in Cambridge, was soon after made Bishop of Exeter, by King Edward the sixth 1551.
But alas, he was not comfortably warme in his place, before his place by persecution grew too hot for him, and in the first of Queen Mary he was cast into prison, a certain forerunner of his Martyrdome, had not Frederick King of Denmark seasonably interposed. This good King with great Importunity hardly obtained this small Courtesie, viz. that Coverdale should be enlarged, though on this condition, to be banished out of h…s Country. In obedience whereunto, he went over into Germany. In the first of Q…een Elizabeth he returned to England, but not to Exeter; Never resuming that, or accepting any other Bishoprick. Severall men assigned severall causes hereof, but Coverdale onelyonly knew the true reason himself.
Some will say, that for the Books he made, he had better been placed under the title of Learned Writers, or for the Exile and Imprisonment he suffered ranked under Confessors, then under the title of Prelats, manifesting an aversness of his own judgement thereunto, by not returning to his Bishoprick. But be it known that Coverdale in his judgement approved thereof; Being one of those Bishops, who solemnly Consecrated Mathew Parker Arch-bishop of Canterbury at Lambeth. Now, quod efficit tale, magis est tale, I understand it thus, He that makes another Arch-bishop, is abundantly satisfyed in his Judgement and Conscience of the lawfullness thereof, Otherwise such dissembling had been inconsistent with the sincerity of so grave and godly a person. He died Anno Dom. 1588. and lyes buried in Saint Bartholomews behind the Exchange, under a fair Stone in the Chancell.
ADAM LOFTUS was born in this*Sir Jam…s Ware de Praesulibus Lageme pag. 38. County, and bred in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge, where he Commenced Doctor of Divinity the same year with John Whitgift afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury. He was Chaplain to Robert Earl of Sussex, Deputy of Ireland, and was first made Arch-bishop of Armagh, Anno 1562. and afterwards Arch-bishop of Dublin, Anno 1567.
Wonder not that he should desire his own degradation, to be removed from Armagh (then Primate of Ireland) to Dublin a Subordinate Arch bishoprick, seeing herein he consulted his safety (and perchance his profit) more then his Honour, Armagh being then infested with Rebells, whilst Dublin was a secure City.
After the death of Sir William Gerrard, he was made Chancellour of Ireland, which place he discharged with singular Ability and Integrity, untill the day of his death.
And that which in my judgement commendeth him most to the notice of Posterity, and most ingageth Posterity in thankfullness to his memory, is, that he was a profitable Agent in, yea, a principall procurer of the Foundation of the University and Colledge of Dublin, (where Dermitius son of Mercard King of Lemster had formerly found a Convent for Canons Regular,) and the first Honorary Master thereof, being then Arch-bishop (if not Chancellour of Ireland,) to give the more credit and countenance to tha… Foundation. He died Aprill 5. Anno 1605. and was buried in the Church of Saint Patrick, having been Arch-bishop from his Consecration eight Months above two and forty years. Reader, I must confess, I admired hereat, untill I read that Miller Magragh (who dyed Anno Domini 1622.) was Arch-bishop of Cassell in Ireland ten months above *Sir James Ware de Archepis. Cassell p. 31.one and fifty years.
GEORGE MOUNTAINE was born in this County, at......... and bred in Quéenscolledge in Cambridge, where he became Fellow and Proctor of the University. He was Chaplain to the Earl of Essex, whom he attended in his Voyage to Cales, being indeed one of such personall valour, that out of his gown, he would turn his back to no man; he was afterwards made Dean of Westminster, then successively Bishop of Lincoln, and London: whilst residing in the latter, he would often pleasantly say, that of him the Proverb would be verified, Lincoln was, and London is, and York shall be, which came to pass accordingly, when he was removed to the Arch-bishoprick of York, wherein he died; thorough which Sees, never any Prelate so methodically passed but himself alone. He was a good Benefactour to the Colledge wherein he was bred, whereon he bestowed a fair piece of plate, (called Poculum Charitatis, with this Inscrip tion Incipio, I begin to thee,) and founded two Scollerships therein.