The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 14 · Section 11
Prelates.
RICHARD de BARKING took his name (according to the Clergy-mens Heraldry in that age) from that well noted Town in this County. In process of time he became Ab…ot of *Vit… Abb. West. M. S.Westminster for twenty four years. He was so high in favour with King H…nry the third, that he made him one' of his speciall Councellours, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, …nd for a short time *J. Philipot Cat. of Treasurers pag. 13.Lord Treasurer of England. He died Anno. 1246. buried in Westminster-Church, whose marble tombe before the middle of the Altar, was afterwards pulled down (probably because taking up too much room,) by Frier Combe, Sacri…t of the House, who laid a plain marble stone over him, with an Epitaph too tedious and barbarous to be transcribed.
JOHN de CHESILL. There are two Villages so called in this County, where the North-west corner thereof closeth with Cambridge-shire. I will not define in which this John was born, time having left us nothing of his actions, saving the many preferments thorough which he passed, being Dean of Saint Pauls, successively Arch-Deacon and Bishop of *Godwin in the Bishops of London.London, and twice Chancellor of England.
viz. Anno Domini 1264. in the 48. of King Henry the third▪
viz. Anno Domini 1268. in the 53. of King Henry the third▪
He was afterward also *J. Phili…ot Car. of Treasurers pag. 17.Lord Treasurer of England, and died Anno Domini 1279. in the seventh year of the raign of King Edward the first.
JOHN of WALTHAM was so named from the place of his nativity, and attained to be a prudent man, and most expert in government of the State, so that he became Master of the Rolls, Keeper of the Privy Seal, and Anno 1388. was consecrated Bishop of Salisbury.
But he miss'd his mark, and met with one, who both matched and mastered him, when refusing to be visited by Courtney Arch-bishop of Canterbury, on the *Godwin in the Arch-bishops of Cant. in the life of Courtney.criticisme, that Pope Urbane the sixth, who granted Courtney his Commission was lately dead, till the Arch-bishop excommunicated him into more knowledge and humility, teaching him that his Visitations had a self-support, without assistance of Papal power, cast in onelyonly by the way of religious complement. This John of Waltham was afterwards made Lord Treasurer, and Richard the second had such an affection for him, that dying in his Office, he caused him to be buried (though many muttered *Tho. Walsingham in Anno 1395.thereat) amongst the Kings, and next to King Edward the first in Westminster. His death happened 1395.
ROGER WALDEN, taking his Name from his Birth, in that Eminent Market-Town in this County, was as considerable as any man in his Age, for the alternation of his fortune. First he was the son of a poor man, yet by his Industry and Ability, attained to be Dean of York, Treasurer of Calis, Secretary to the King, and Treasurer of England.
Afterwards, when Thomas Arundell Arch-bishop of Canterbury fell into the disfavour of King Richard the second, and was banished the land, this Roger was by the King made Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and acted to all purposes and intents, calling of Synods, and discharging of all other offices. However, he is beheld as a Cypher in that See, because holding it by Sequestration, whilst Arandell the true Incumbent was alive, who returning in the first of King Henry the fourth resumed his ArchBishoprick.
And now Roger Walden was reduced to Roger Walden, and as poor as at his first beginning. For though all maintained that the Character of a Bishop was indelable, this Roger found that a Bishoprick was delable, having nothing whereon to subsist, untill Arch-bishop Arundell, nobly reflecting upon his Worth, or Want, or Both, procured him to be made Bishop of London. But he enjoyed that place onelyonly so long, as to be a testimony to all posterity of Arundell his Civility unto him, dying before the year was expired 1404.
He may be compared to one, so Jaw-fallen with over long …asting, tha… …e cannot eat meat when brought unto him, and his spirits were so depressed with his former ill fortunes, that he could not enjoy himself in his new unexpected happiness. Why he was buried rather in Saint Bartholomews in Smithfi…ld, then his own Cathedrall Church, is too hard for me to resolve.
Since the Reformation.
RICHARD HOWLAND was born at *… S…elt. …. M. S… in the M…sters of St. Johns.Newport-P…nds in this County, first Hellow of Peterhouse, then chosen 1575. Master of Magdalen, and next year Master of Saint JohnsColledge in Cambridge. He was twice Vice-chancellor of the University, in the year 1584. he was Consecrated Bishop of *Godwin in the Bishops of Peterborogh.Peterborough, in which place he continued sixteen years, and died in June 1600.
JOHN JEGON was born in this *Parker ut prius.County at Coxhall, Fellow first of Queens, then Master of Bennet-colledge in Cambridge, and three times Vice-chancellour of the University. A most serious man and grave governour, yet withall of a most face…ious disposition, so that it was hard to say whether his counsel was more grateful for the soundness, o… his company more acceptable for the pleas…ess thereof. Take one eminent instance of his …genuity.
Whilst Master of the Colledge he chanced to punish all the Under-graduates therein for some generall offence, and the penalty was put upon their Heads in the Buttery. And because that he disdained to convert the money to any private use, it was expended in new whiteing the Hall of the Colledge. Whereupon a scholar hung up these verses on the Skreen,
Doctor Jegon, Bennet-colledge Master,
Brake the Scholars head, and gave the walls a plaister.
But the Doctor had not the readiness of his parts any whit impaired by his age for perusing the paper ex tempore he subscribed,
Knew I but the Wagg that writ these verses in a Bravery,
I would commend him for his Wit, but whip him for his Knavery.
Queen Elizabeth designed him, but King James confirmed him Bishop of Norwich, where if some in his Diocess have since bestowed harsh language on his memory, the wonder is not great, seeing he was a somewhat severe presser of Conformity, and dyed Anno Domini 1618.
SAMUEL HARESNET was born at Colchester in the Parish of Saint Butolph, bred first Scholar, then Fellow, then Master, of Pembrock-hall in Cambridge. A man of gr…t learning, strong parts and stout spirit. He was Bishop first of Chichester, then of Norwich, and at last Arch-bishop of York, and one of the Privy Councill of King Charles, the 2. last dignities being procured by Thomas Earl of Arundell, who much favoured him and committed his younger son to his Education.
Dying unmarried he was the better enabled for Publick and Pious uses, and at Chigwell in this County, (the place of his first Church-preferment,) he built and endowed a fair Grammer School. He conditionally bequeathed his Library to Colchester where he was born, as by this passage in his *Proved June 8. 1631.Will may appear:
Item, I give to the Bayliffs and Corporation of the Town of Colchester, all my Library of Books, provided, that they provide a decent room to set them up in, that the Clergy of the Town of Colchester, and other Divines may have free access for the reading and studying of them.
I presume the Town corresponding with his desire, the Legacy took due effect. He died Anno Domini 1631. and lieth bu…ied at Chigwell aforesaid.
AUGUSTINE LINSELL D. D. was born at Bumsted in this County, bred Scholar and Fellow in Clare-hall in Cambridge. He applyed himself chiefly to the Studies of Greek, Hebrew, and all Antiquity, attaining to great exactness therein. He was very knowing in the antient practices of the Jews, and from him I learned, that they had a Custome at the Circumcising of their Children, that certain Undertakers should make a solemn stipulation for their pious education, conformable to our God-fathers in Baptisme.
He was afterwards made Bishop of Peterborough, where (on the joint-cost of his Clergy) he procured Theophilact on the Epistles (never printed before) to be fairly set forth in Greek and Latine. Hence he was remove… to Hereford where he died 163..