The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy, Part 2 · Chapter 4

The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy · Part 2 · Chapter 4

p. 201CHAP. IV. Conteining the Treasons, Conspiracies, Seditions, Contumacies, and disloyalties of the Bishops of Ely, Exeter, Worcester, and Hereford.

THe Bishopricke of Ely was **Godwin Cat. p. 200 Holinshed. p. 36. Rog…re de Hoveden Anna…lium pars prior p. 472. Matth. Paris Hist. Ang. p. 61. Matth. West. An. 1109. p 26. Eadmerus. Hist. Novorum. l. 4. p. 95.96. & Iohannes Se… deni spici…egium, ibid. p. 209. …o 213… & 165… to 169.first erected by the pride of Richard Abbot of Ely, who in respect of his great wealth disdained to live under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincolne, to whose Diocesse Cambridge-shire at that time appertained. But hee had reasonable pretences or his ambition. He caused the King to be told, that the Diocesse of Lincolne was too large for one p. 202mans government, that Ely were a fit place for an Episcopall See, &c. These Reasons amplified with golden Rhetoricke, so perswaded the King, as he not onelyonly consented himselfe, that this Monastery should be converted into a Cathedrall Church, and the Abbot made a Bishop; but also procured the Pope to confirme and allow of the same; but Richard dying before his enstalement, Henry the first, Anno 1109. appointed this Bishopricke unto one Hervaeus, 11HERVAEVS.that had beene Bishop of Bangor, and agreeing ill with the Welchmen, was faine to leave his Bishoppricke ther…, and seeke abroad for somewhat elsewhere.

Nigellus, NIG…LLVS…the second Bishop of this See, by reason of his imployment in matters of State and Councell, could not attend his Pastorall charge, and therefore committed the managing and government of his Bishoppricke unto one Ranulphus, **Godwin. Ca…. p. 201.sometime a Monke of Glastonbury, that had new cast away his Cowle, a covetous and wicked man. **Matth West. Anno. 1139. p. 36.King Stephen and he had many bickerings, and as **Hist. Ang. p. 74.Matthew Paris writes, hee banished him the Realme; he was Nephew to Roger Bishop of Salisbury, from whom, in ejus pern…iem traxerat inc…ntiuum, he had drawne an incentive to his distruction; but of him, and his contests with this King, you may read more in Roger of Salisbury his Vncle.

This **Matth. Paris Hist. Ang p. …47. Godwin. ca… p. 202.See, continuing void five yeares, without a Bishop after Nigellus death, Geoffery Rydell, 33GEOFFRY RYDEL.Anno. 1174. succeeded him, a very lofty and high minded man, called commonly, The Proud Bishop of Ely. King Richard the first, and he accorded so ill, that he dying intestate, and leaving in his coffers great store of ready money, namely, 3060. markes of silver, and 205. pound of gold, the King confiscated and converted it to his owne use.

William Longchamp, WILLIAM LON…CHAMP.next Bishop of this See, being made Lord Chancellour of England, chiefe Justice of the South part of England, & Protector of the Realmeby Richard the first, when he went his voyage to the Holy-land, p. 203**H…veden. Annal. pars …esterior p. 687.700 to 708.718.719 720.735.663 680. &c. Nubrigen. Hist. l. 4 c. 14.15.16 17.18. Matth. Paris Hist. Major. p. 151.155.156.157.160… 161 Fox Acts and Monum…n…. p: 114: 2…3.224. Godw. Cat p. 247. to 261 Holinshed. p. 21.129.130.131.132. Speed. p. 531: &c.set the whole Kingdome in a combustion, through his strang insolence, oppression, pride, violence: For having all temporall, and spirituall Jurisdiction in his hands, the Pope making him his Legate here in England, at the Kings request, (which cost him a thousand pounds in money, to the great offence of the King,) infatuated with too much prosperity, and the brightnesse of his owne good fortune, he began presently to play both King and Priest, nay Pope in the Realme; and to doe many things, not onelyonly untowardly, and undiscreetly, but very arrogantly and insolen…ly, savoring aswell of inconscionable covetousnesse and cruelty, as lacke of wisedome and policy in so great a government requisite. He calling a Convocation by vertue of his power Legantine, at the intreaty of Hugh Novant Bishop of Chester, displaced the Monkes of Coventree, and put in secular Priests in their roomes; Officers appointed by the King himselfe, he discharged, and removed, putting others in their steeds. He utterly rejected his fellow Justices whom the King joyned with him in Commission for government of the Realme, refusing to heare their Counsell, or to be advised by them. Hee kept a guard of Flemmings and French about him. At his Table, all Noblemens children did serve and waite upon him. Iohn the Kings brother, and afterward King himselfe, hee sought to keepe under, and disgrace by all meanes possible, opposing him all hee could that he might put him from the Crowne; He tyrannized exceedingly over the Nobility and Commons, whom he grieved with intollerable exactions, oppressions, extraordinary outward pomp, and intollerable behaviour. He was extreame burthensome one way or other to all the Cathedrall Churches of England. His Offices were such prolling companions (bearing themselves bold upon their Masters absolute authority) as there was no sort of peaple whom they grieved, not by some kinde of extortion, all the wealth of the Kingdome came into p. 204their hands insomuch that scarce any ordinary person had left him a silver belt to gird him withall, any woman any brooch or bracelet, or any gentleman a ring to weare upon his finger. Hee purchased every where apase, bestowed all Temporall and Ecclesiasticall Offices and places that fell where he pleased. Hee never rode with lesse than 1500. horse, and commanded all the Nobility and Gentry when he went abroad to attend him, lodging for the most part at some Monastery or other, to their great expence: having both Regall and Papall authority in his hands: hee most arrogantly domineered, both over the Cleargy, and Layety; and as it is written of a certaine man,The fruit of Clergy mens, having both temporall and spirituall jurisdiction. That he used both hands for a right hand; so likewise hee for the more easie effecting of his designes (as our Lordly Prelates doe now) used both his powers one to assist the other; for to compell and curbe potent Laymen, if peradventure he could doe lesse than he desired by his secular power, he supplied what was wanting with the censures of his Apostolicall power. But if perchance any Clergy man resisted his will, (him without doubt alledging the Canons for himselfe in vaine) he oppressed and curbed by his secular power. There was no man who might hide himselfe from his heate, when as he might justly feare, both the rod of his Secular, and the sword of his spirituall jurisdiction to be inflicted on him; and no Ecclesiasticall Person, could by any meanes or authority be able to defend himselfe against his royall preheminence: Finally glorying of his immense power, that the Metropolitane Churches, which as yet did seeme to contemne his excellency, might have experience of his authority, he went in a terrible manner to both. And first of all to Yorke, to the Bishop elect whereof hee was most maliciously dispitefull. And sending before him a mandate to the Clergy of the said Church, that they should meete him in a solemne manner, as the Legate of the Aposticke p. 205See; when as they had thought to appeale against him, he regarded not the appeale made to the higher power, but gave the appellants their choyce, that they should either fulfill his commands, or be committed to prison, as guilty of high **It was treason then to resist this proud Prelates will.Treason… Being therefore thus affrighted, they obeyed, and not daring so much as to mutter any further against him, as to one triumphing, they with a counterfeit sorrow bestowed as much honor & glory on him as he would himself. The chiefe Chanter of that Church had gone out of the way a little before, that he might not see that which he could not behold without torment of mind, which the Bishop undestanding, raging against this absent person as a rebell with an implacable motion by his own Sergeants spoiled him of all his goods. Having preyed upon the Archbishoppricke, and pursed all up into his Treasury, this famous tryumpher departed. And not long after he triumphed in like manner over those of Canterbury, when as no man now durst to resist him. Having therefore both Metropolitane Sees, thus prostrate to him, he used both as he pleased. In a word,Note the m…schiefe of Prelates temporall and secular Iurisd…ction combined. the Laymen in England at that time (writes Neubrigensis) found him more than a King, and the Clergy men more than a Pope, but both of them an intollerable tyrant. For by occasion of his double power, hee put on a double tyrants person, being onelyonly innoxious to his complices and co-operators, but equally grievous to all others, not onelyonly in his greedy desire of monies, but likewise in his pleasure of domineering, his pride being more than Kingly… almost in all things. **Matth. West. An. 1191 p. 6….Hee carrying himselfe above himselfe, consumed much Treasure in walling about the Tower of London, which he thought to have compassed with the Thames, Et regem de magna parte pecuniae multipliciter damnificauit, and many wayes damnified the King in mispending a great part of his money. Therefore in the end he was precipitated from the top to the bottome of confusion. p. 206He set over every Province, rather to be destroyed than governed, most wicked executioners of his covetousnes, who would neither spare Clergy man, nor Lay man, nor Monke, whereby they might the more advance the profit of the Chancellour; for so was he called, when as he was a Bishop; the name verily of a Bishop being nothing at all, or Lukewarme in him, but the name of a Chancellor was famous and terrible throughout all England. Hee appointed the Governours of every county, under pretence of suppressing theeves, to have great troopes of cruell and barbarous armed persons to ride with them, every where, to terrifie the people; who going abroad in every place without punishment, comitted both many enormities and cruelties.

Hoveden … and Holinshed note, that the King confirming this Bishop Chancellor, and Lord chiefe Iustice of all England, and the Bishop of Durham to be Lord chiefe Iustice from Trent Northwards; when they were thus advanced to these dignities, howsoever they came by them, directly, or indirectly: that immediatly, thereupon strife and discord did arise betwixt them; for waxing proud and insolent, they disdained each other, contending which of them should beare most rule and authority: insomuch that whatsoever seemed good to the one, the other misliked. The like hereof is noted before, betweene the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke. For the nature of ambition is, to delight in singularity, to admit no Peere, to give plac… to no superiour, to acknowledge no equall, as appeares by this proud Prelate. Who afterward depriving Hugh of Durham of all his honour and dignity; and putting the Bishop of Winchester to great trouble; and doubting least the Nobles of the Realme should put him out of his place, who detested him for his pride and insolencie, he thereupon matched divers of his Kinswomen to them, to make them true unto him, promising them great preferments; the rest of the Nobility hee either p. 207crushed, or otherwise appeased: fearing none but Iohn the Kings brother, who was like to succeede him to curbe him, hee sent his two brothers to the King of Scots, to joyne in a firme league with him to crowne Arthur King, and not Iohn, in Case the King died without issue. These …everall particulars, insolencies, and oppressions, being related to the King Wintring in Sicily, he thereupon sent Wal…er, Archbishop of Rhoan, a prudent and modest man, with a Commission to be joyned with this Bishop in the government of the Kingdome, and that nothing should be done without his consent, sending Hugh Bardulfe Bishop of Durham with him to governe the Province of Yorke, (where the Bishops brother played Rex in a barbarous manner) granting him likewise the custody of the Castle of Windsor: Hugh meeting with the Bishop at the towne of Ely, shewed him the Kings Letters to this purpose, to which he answered, that the Kings commandement should be done, and so brought him with him to Euwell, where he tooke him and kept him fast, till hee was forced to surrender to him the Castle of Windsor, and what else the King had committed to his custody, and moreover was constrained to leave Henry de Put…nco his own… sonne, and Gilbert Lege, for hostages of his fidelity to be true to the King and the Realme. The Bishop hereupon contemned this command of the King, pretending that hee knew his minde very well, and that this Commission was fraudulently procured; and when the Archbishop of Rhoan, according to the Kings direction went to Canterbury to order that See, being void, this proud Chancellor, aspiring to the prerogative of this See. prohibited him to doe it; threatning, that he should dearely pay for this his presumption if he attempted to goe thither, or doe any thing in that businesse: so that this Archbishop continued idle in England. But the Chancellor impatient of any collegue in the Kingdomes government, like a …inguler wilde beast p. 208preyed upon the Kingdome. Whereupon he sends for a power from beyond the sea, puts Gerardus de Cammilla, from the government of Lincolne Castle his wives inheritance… and commands him to resigne it into his hands: he refusing to doe it, repai…es to Iohn the Kings brother for aide, and assistance; whereupon the Bishop in a rage presently goes and besiegeth the Cas…le; and seekes to force it: Iohn in the meane time takes Notingham and Tikehill, and sends to the Bishop, to give over his siege, who losing one of his hornes or hands (his spirituall Legantine power by the Popes death, and a little affrighted therewith) by the advice of his friends, he comes to a parly with Iohn, and made his peace with him for the present upon the best termes and conditions hee could. But hearing shortly after that the forraigne forces he had sent for to ayd him were arrived, he takes courage, and falls off from his Covenants, protesting, that he would drive Iohn, or Iohn should drive him out of the Kingdome; intimateing, that one Kingdome was to little to containe two such great and swelling persons. At last they come to new Articles of agreement; soone after, which Geoffery Plantagenet Archbishop of Yorke, the Kings and Iohns base brother, procured his consecration from the Archbishop of Towres, which the Chancellour hindred and delayed all he might. The Chancellour, his bitter enemy and prosecutor hearing of it, presently …ends his owne Officers to Yorke, invades and spoiles all the possessions of the Bishopprick…, and what ever belonged thereto, and commands all the Ports to be stopped, to hinder his landing and accesse to his Church, writing this Letter to the Sheriffe of Kent. We command you, that if the Elect of Yorke shall arrive in any Port or Haven within your Baylywicke, or any Messenger of his, that you cause him to be arrested, and kept till you have commandement from us therein. And we command you likewise to stay, attach, and keepe all Letters that come from the Pope, or any other great man. p. 209He notwithstanding arrives at Dover, but found a greater storme on shore, than at sea, for the Captaine of Dover Castle, who had married a Kinswoman of the Chancellors, hindred his progresse, and certified the Chancellour of his landing withall speede, who no wayes dissembling the rage of his fierce minde, commanded him to be stript of all his goods, and to be thrust prisoner into the Monastery of Dover. The Officers hereupon sent from this most cruell tyrant seize upon all his carriage and goods, and strip him and his of all they had, and finding him in the Church of S. Martyn in Dover, neither respecting the greatnesse of his person, nor the holinesse of the place, dragging him by force from the very sacred Altar, and violently halling him out of the Church in a most contumelious manner, thrust him prisoner into the Castle. The same of this enormity flying, as it were upon the wings of the winde, presently filled all England. The Nobility storme at it, the inferiour sort curse him for it, and all with common votes detest the tyrant. Iohn most of all grieved at the captivity and abuse of his brother, earnestly seekes, not onelyonly to free him from prison, but to revenge his wrong. Wherefore he speedily gathers together a great army: many Bishops and Nobles that formerly sided with the Chancellor joyning their forces with him, being justly offended with his tyrannicall proceedings, and immoderate pride, as well as others, and raged against him more than others, both with their tongues and mindes. The Chancellor hereupon releaseth the Archbishop; who comming to London, allayed and recompensed the griefe of the injury sustained, with the more aboundant affections and offices of many. But Iohn with the other Nobles, and Prelates, not satisfied with his release, though stirred up with his imprisonment, proceeded on to breake the hornes of this Vnicorne, who with his friends and forraigne souldiers encamped about Winchester; but p. 210finding himselfe too weake, and most of his friends and his souldiers to fall off from him, flees first to Windsor, and from thence to London; where finding the Citizens, who formerly feared him for his pride and cruelty, to incline to Iohn, flies with all his company into the Tower; which being oppressed with the multitude, was more likely to betray than defend them; whereupon he seeing his danger, …oes forth and submits himselfe to Iohn, craves leave for th…se included in the Tower to depart… resignes up the Tower, and all the other royall forts to him, and flieth privatly in an inglorious manner to Dover to his Sisters husband, thinking to steale secretly beyond the seas to the King: and knowing that his enemies, if they should have any inkling of his intent, would assuredly hinder the same, or worke him some mischiefe by the way, he disguised himselfe in womans apparell, and so went unto the Sea side at Dover mufled, with a met-yard in his hand, and a webbe of cloth under his arme. There he sate upon a rocke ready to take shippe; where a certaine leude marriner thinking him to be some strumper, began to dally wantonly with him; whereby it came to passe, that being a stranger borne, and not able to speake good English, nor give the marriner an answer either in words or deeds, he suspected him to be a man, and called a company of women; who pulling off his kerchiefe and muffler, found his crowne and beard shaven, and quickly knew him to be that hat…full Chancellour whom so many had so long cursed and feared; whereupon in great dispite, they threw him to the ground, spit upon him, beat him sore, and drew him by the heeles alo… t…e …ands, the people flocking out of the Towne, deriding and abusing him, both in words and deeds. The Burg…sses of the Towne, hea…i…g of this tumult, came and tooke him from the people his servants being not able to rescue him, and … him into a seller, there to keepe him prisoner, p. 211till notice had beene given of his departure. It is a world to see he that was a few monethes before honored… and reverenced of all men like a petty god, attended by Noblemens sonnes, and Gentlemen of quality,This is the common fate of ill Officers wh…n in disgrace. whom he matched with his Neeces and Kindswomen, every man accounting himselfe happy whom he favoured, yea to be acquainted well with his Porters and Officers, being thus once downe, and standing in neede of his friends helpe, had no man that moved a finger to rid him out of the present calamity & trouble. Whereupon he lay prisoner in this pickle a good space. The Earle Iohn was desirous to have done him some further notable disgrace and contumely; neither was there any one almost, that for his owne sake withstood it; But the Bishops, though most of them his enemies, regarding notwithstanding his calling and place, would not suffer it, but caused him to be released. So not long after being deposed of his Office of Chancellor by direction of the King, deprived of authority, and banished the Land by the Lords, Barons, and Prelates of the Realme, hee gat him over Sea into Normandy, where hee was borne, and complained of these proceedings against him to the Pope, whose Legate he was, who thereupon writ Letters in his favour to all the Archbishops and Bishops of England, commanding them to excommunicate Iohn Earle of Morton, and interdict the Realme, till the Bishop was restored unto his former estate; which the Bishops neglecting to doe, notwithstanding this Bishops owne Letter to the Bishop of Lincolne, touching this matter, he there rested himselfe after this turmoile till the returne of King Richard from the holy Land,See Fox, vol. 1. p. 319.320.321. the Archbishop of Roan governing the Kingdome the meane while, whom he caused the Pope to excommnnicate.

**Hoveden, Annal pars p… stirior. p. 735…Anno. 1194. Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, with the Bishops of Lincolne, London, Rochester, Winchester, Worceter, Hereford, the Elect of Exeter, and many Abbots p. 212and Clergy men of the Province of Canterbury, after they had excommunicated Earle Iohn with all his Fauters and Councellours, in an Assembly at Westminster, in the Chappell of the infirme Monkes, on …he 4th. of February, appealed to the presence of the Pope, against this Bishop of Ely, that he should not from thenceforth enjoy the office of a Legate in England, which appeale they ratified with their seales, and sent it first to the King, and afterwards to the Pope to be confirmed. VponUpon the Kings returne, this Bishop excused himselfe the best he might, reconciled himselfe to Geoffery Archbishop of Yorke, purging himselfe with an hundred Clerkes his compurgators, from the guilt of his wrongfull imprisonment and misusage at Dover, and being after sent Embassadour to the Pope with the Bishop of Durham and others fell sicke by the way at Poyters, and so died. From this and other forcited presidents we may see, how dangerous and pernicious a thing it is for any one man to have the exercise of spirituall and temporall Jurisdiction vested in him, since it makes him a double tyrant and oppressour.

55EVSTACHIVS.Eustachius, this turbulent Prelates successor **Matth West. Anno. 1208. p. 86. Matth. Paris Anno. 1208. p. 217.318. God. …at. p. 261. Holinsh p. 171 172. &c.was one of those Bishops, that pronounced the Popes excommunication against King Iohn, and interdicted the whole Realme; for which he was glad to flee the Realme, continuing in exile for many yeares: his temporalties & goods being seised on by the King in the interim: yea, the King for this Act warned all the Prelates and Clergie of England, that they should presently depart the Realme, that all their Lands and goods should be confiscated, which was done, and they all put out of the Kings protection. The Bishops and Abbots hereupon stood on their guard, sending the King word, that they would not depart out of their Bishopprickes and Monasteries, unlesse they were thrust out perforce, whereupon all their possessions, barnes, corne, and goods were seized on by the Kin…s p. 213Officers, and the Parents of those Bishops who interdicted the Realme, apprehended, spoiled of all their goods, and thrust into prison.

In the yeare 1266. whiles **Matth… Paris Hist. Aug. pag. 969.906.921. Godw. Cat. p. 209.King Henry the third besieged Kenelworth Castle,66HVGH BALSAM. some rebells whom the King had disinherited, entred the Isle of Ely, and wasted the Country thereabouts. Whereupon Hugh Balsam (about whose election there was great contention) comming to the King to complaine, being then Bishop of this See, was unworthily received, & ei casus iste apluribus imputatur: This accident being imputed unto him by many, hee being suspected to favour and side with these Rebells. **Matth. Paris p. 600.In William Kilkenny, his next predecessors time, there was a great suit betweene this Bishop and the Abbot of Ramsey about the Fennes, and the bounding of them; which Fennes having beene formerly unhabitable, and unpassable by men, beasts, or carts… overgrowne with Reeds, and inhabited onelyonly by birds, that I say not devills, about that time were miraculously converted into delectable meadowes, and arable ground. Et quae ibidem pars …egetes vel faena non producit, gladiolum, cespites, & alia ignis pabula, cohabitantibus utilia, germinando abundanter subministrat. Vnde lis, & gravis contentio, de termin…s locorum talium & terrarum inter eos qui ab initio Mariscum inhabitabant exorta, lites & praelta suscitabat; writes Matthew Paris, and among others, betweene the Bishop of Ely, and this Abbot of Ram…ey. King Edward the third was so highly offended with the Monks election of this Bishop Balseam contrary to his direction that he caused the woods of the Bishoprick to be cut downe and sold, the Parkes to be spoiled, the Ponds to be fished and wasted, and havocke to be made of all things: whereupon the Bishop got him over sea to Rome to seeke reliefe: against whom Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, to gratifie the King, writ divers Letters to his friends of Rome, and set up one Adam de Marisco, to be a counterfeiter p. 214to the Pope against him. **Matth. Paris p. 921.In this Bishops time, the King standing in neede of money, the Prelates granted him 42. thousand markes, to the great hurt, and irreparable damnage of the Church and Kingdome, upon condition, that the King should speedily redresse the oppressures of the Church, and reduce it to the State of due libertie: whereupon the Bishops framed about fiftie Articles, and put them in writing, that being read before the King, Nobles, and Prelates, they might be confirmed in due time; which Articles, writes my author, were like to those which Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury the Martyr contended for, and became a glorious conquerour, (and therefore directly against the Kings Prerogative, and the Lawes of the Realme).

77THOMAS LILDE.Thomas Lilde Bishop of Ely, a furious and undiscreet Prelate, in King Edward the third his**Godw… Cat p. 269.270.271.272. dayes had many quarrels with the Lady Blanch Lake, a neere Kinswoman of the Kings about certaine bounds of Lands and trespasses in burning of a house by the Bishops command or privity… belonging to this Lady who recovered 900. pound dammages against him, which he was inforced to pay downe presently. After this he had divers contestations with the King himselfe, one about Robert Stretton Bishop of Lichfield, he reprehending the King for making him a Bishop, which the King tooke so tenderly, that he commanded him in great displeasure to avoid his presence. Another about his suits with the forenamed Lady, and some harsh speeches used by him of the King concerning them… for which words and other matters, the King accused him to the Parliament then assembled, and there testifying these obiected wrongs upon his Honour: the Bishop thereupon was condemned, and this punishment laid upon him, that hereafter he should never presume to come in the Kings presence. Which History **William Harison Hist. l. 2. c. 1. p. 143.144. Godw. Cat. p. 269.270.271.272. Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 271.272.273.274. Holinsh. p. 391.392. …hom. Walsing…. Anno. 1358. Hist. A…gl. p. 165. Ypodigma Ne… …triae. p. 125.William Harrison thus relates, and others quoted in the Margin. There was p. 215sometime a grievous contention betweene Thomas Lilde Bishop of Ely, and the King of England, about the yeare of grace. 1355. which I will here deliver out of an old Record, because the matter is so partially penned by some of the brethren of that house in favour of the Bishop; and for that I was also abused with the same in the entrance thereof at the first into my Chronologie. The blacke Prince favouring one Robert Stratton his Chaplaine, a man unlearned… and not worthy the name of a Clearke, the matter went on so farre, that what for love, and somewhat else, of a Canon of Lichfield, he was chosen Bishop of that See. Hereupon the Pope understanding what he was by his Nuncio here in England, stayed his consecration by his letters for a time; and in the meane season committed his examination to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of Rochester, who felt, and delt so favourably with him in golden reasoning, that his worthinesse was commended to the Popes Holinesse, and to Rome he goes. Being come to Rome, the Pope himselfe opposed him, and after secret conference utterly disableth his Election, till he had proved by substantiall Argument, and of great weight before him also, that he was not so lightly to be reiected. Which kinde of reasoning, so well pleased his Holinesse; that, ex mera plenitudine potestatis, he was made capable of the Benefice, and so turneth into England; when he came home, this Bishop being in the Kings presence told him, how he had done he wist not what, in preferring so unmeete a man unto so high a calling; with which speech the King was offended… that he commanded him out of hand to avoid out of his presence. In like sort the Lady Wake, then Dutchesse of Lancaster, standing by, and hearing the King her cozen to gather upon the Bishop so roundly, and thereto bearing an old grudge against him for some other matter, doth presently picke a quarrell against him, about certaine Lands then in his possession, p. 216which he defended, and in the end obtained against her by Plea and course of Law, yet long also afore hapned in a part of her house, for which she accused the Bishop, and in the end, by verdict of twelve men found that he was privy unto the fact of his men in the said fact; wherefore he was condemned in 900 pound damages, which he paid every penny. Neverthelesse being sore grieved, that she had (as he said) wrested out such a verdict against him, and therein packed up a Quest at his owne choyce; he taketh his horse, goeth to the Court, and there complaineth to the King of his great iniury received at her hands; but in the delivery of his tale his, speech was soblocki…h & termes so evill favoredly (though maliciously) placed, that the King tooke yet more offence with him than before; insomuch, that he led him with him into the Parliament house (for then was that Court holden) and there before the Lords, accused him of no small misdemeanor towards his person, by his rude and threatning speeches; but the Bishop eagerly denieth the Kings Obiections, which he still avoucheth upon his Honour, and in the end confirmes his Allegations by Witnesses; whereupon he was banished from the Kings presence during his naturall life by verdict of that House. In the meane time the Dutchesse hearing what was done, beginneth anew to be dealing with him, and in a brabling fray betweene their servants, one of her men were slaine; for which the Bishop was called before the Magistrate, as chiefe accessary unto the fact; but he fearing the sequell of his third cause, by his successe had in the two first, hideth himselfe; after he had sold all his moveables, and committed his money unto his trusty friends; and being found guilty by the Inquest, the King seizeth upon his possessions, and calleth up the Bishop to answer unto the trespasse. To be short, upon safe conduct, the Bishop commeth to the Kings presence, where he denie…h that he was accessary p. 217to the fact, either before, at, orafter the deede committed, and thereupon craveth to be tried by his Peeres. But this Petition is in vaine; for sentence passeth against him also by the Kings owne mouth; whereupon hee craveth helpe of the Archbishop of Canterbury and priviledges of the Church, hoping by such meanes to be solemnly rescued. But they fearing the Kings displeasure, who bare small favour to the Cleargie of his time, gave over to use any such meanes, but rather willed him to submit himselfe to the Kings mercy, which he refused, standing upon his innocencie, from the first unto the last. Finally, growing into chollor, that the malice of a woman should so prevaile against him; hee writeth to Rome, requiring that his Case might be heard there, as a place wherein greater Justice (saith he) is to be looked for, than is to be found in England: upon the perusall of these his Letters also, his accusers were called thither; but for so much as they appeared not at their peremptory times, they were excommunicated; Such of them also as died before their reconciliations, were taken out of the Church-yards, and buried in the Fields and Dunghills, Vnde timor & turba (saith my Note) in Anglia. For the King inhibited the bringing in, and receipt of all Processes, Bulls, and whatsoever instruments should come from Rome; Such also as adventured contrary to this Prohibition to bring them in, were either dismembred of some joynt, or hanged by the neckes: which rage so incensed the Pope, that hee wrote in very vehement manner to the King of England, threatning farre greater curses, except hee did the sooner stay the fury of the Lady, reconcile himselfe unto the Bishop, and finally, make him amends for all his losses sustained in these b…oyles. Long it was ye… that the King would be brought to peace: neverthelesse in the end he wrote to Rome about a reconciliation to be had betweene them; but ye… all things were p. 218concluded, God himselfe did end the quarrell by taking away the Bishop.

88IOHN HORDHAMAnno 1388. the Nobles being assembled at Westminster said to King Richard the second, that for his honour and the weale of the Kingdome,Th…mas Wa…si. Hist. …ngl. p. 365. Ypodigma. N…ustriae, p. 142 it behoved that Traytors, Whisperers, Flatterers, Malefactors… Backbiters… and unprofitable persons should be banished out of his Palace and company, and others substituted in their places, who knew & were willing to serve him more honourably & faithfully; which when the King had granted (Licet merens) they determined that Alexander Nevell Archbishop of Yorke… Iohn Fordham then Bishop of Durham, and afterwards of this See of Ely, Thomas Rushoke the Kings Confessor Bishop of Chichester (who being conscious to himselfe fled away and hid in Yorkeshire) Richard Clifford, & Nicholas Lake, Deane of the Kings Chappell, all Clergy men, whose words did many things in the Court, should be removed; all these they sent to divers prisons to be strictly garded… till they should come to their answers the next Parliament.

99NICHOLAS WEST. God. p. 284.Nicholas West Bishop of Ely, in Henry the eig…h his dayes (who kept daily an hundred servants in his house to attend him and gave them great wages) fell into the Kings displeasure, for some matters concerning his first marriage, who for griefe thereof fell sicke and died.

Thomas Thirlby was advanced by Queene Mary, 1010THOMAS THIRLBY.not onelyonly to the Bishoppricke of Ely, but also made of her privy Councell.Godwin. p. 225.226. Martius Hist. p. 453. After her death for resisting obstinatly the reformation intended by our gracious Soveraigne Queene Elizabeth, hee was committed to the Tower, and displaced from his Bishoppricke by Act of Parliament … Having endured a time of imprisonment, neither very sharpe nor very long, his friends easily obtained license for him, and the late Secretary Roxall to live in the Archbishops house, where they had also the company of Bishop Tunstall, till such time he died.

p. 219To these I might adde Bishop Buckeridge, Bishop White, and Bishop Wren, late Prelates of this Sea, who occasioned much mischiefe and distraction in our Church and State; but I shall referre them to another place… and passe on to the Prelates of Exeter.

Exeter.

About the yeare 1257. Walter Bronscome. 12. B of Exeter, 11WALTER BRONESCOME.had a Fryer to his Chaplaine and Confessor, which died in his house of Bishops Clift, and should have beene buried at the Parish Church of Farringdon, Godw …at. p. 325.327. Holinsh. p. 1303.1304.because the said house was, and is in that Parish, but because the Parish Church was somewhat farre off, the wayes foule… & the weather rainy, or for some other causes, the Bishop commanded the corps to be carried to the Parish Church of Sowton, then called Clift Fomeson, which is very neere, and bordereth upon the Bishops Lordship, the two Parishes there being devided by a little Lake called Clift. At this time, one Fomeson a Gentleman was Lord and Patron of Clift Fomeson, and he being advertized of such a buriall towards his Parish, and a leach way to be made over his Land without his leave or consent requited therein, calleth his Tenants together, goeth to the bridge over the Lake, betweene the Bishops Land and his; there meeteth the Bishops men bringing the said corps… and forbiddeth them to come over the water. The Bishops men nothing regarding this Prohibition, doe presse forwards to come over the water, and the others doe withstand so long, that in the end, my Lords Fryer is fallen into the water. The Bishop taketh this matter in such griefe, that a holy Fryer, a religious man, his own Chaplaine and Confessor, should so unreverently be cast into the water, that he falleth out with the Gentleman, and upon what occasion I know not, he sueth him in the Law, and so vexeth and tormenteth him, p. 220that in the end he was faine to yeeld himselfe to the Bishops devotion, and seeke all the wayes he could to curry the Bishops good will; which hee could not obtaine, untill for redemption he had given and surrendred up his Patronage of Sowton with a peece of Land; all which the said Bishop annexeth to his now Lordship. Thus by policy he purchaseth the Mannor of Bishops-Clift, by a devise gaineth Cornish-wood, and by power wresteth the patronagne uf Sowton from the true owner, to the great vexation and disturbance of the Country.

22PETER QVIVILL.Pet…r Quiuill, his next successor had great contests with the Citizens of Exeter; in so much that in his time. 1285.Godwin. p. 327.328.329. Walter Li…hlade the first Chaunter, was slaine in a morning, as hee came from the morning Service, then called the Mattens, which was wont to be said shortly after midnight; upon which occasion the King came unto this city, and kept his Christmas in the same, and thereupon a compo…ition was made betweene the Bishop and the City, for inclosing of the Church-yard, and building of certaine gates there, as appeareth by the said composition bearing date, in festo Annunciationis beatae Mariae. 1286. The King at the suit of the Earle of Hereford (who at his being here, way lodged in the house of the Gray-Fryers, which then was neere the house of S. Nicholas) obtained of the Bishop, that they should be removed from thence to a more wholesome place without South-gate; whereof after the Kings departure grew some controversie, because the Bishop refused to performe his promise made to the King, being disswaded by Peter Kenefield a Dominicane or a Blacke-Fryer, and confessor unto the said Bishop: for he envying the good successe of the Franciscans, adviseth the Bishop, that in no wise he would permit them to enjoy the place which they had gotten, fo… (saith he) as under colour of simplicity they creepe into the hearts of the people, and hinder us poore Preachers p. 221from our gaines and livings; so be ye sure that if they put foote within your Liberties, they will in time finde meanes to be exempted from out of your Liberty and jurisdiction. The Bishop being soone disswaded, utterly forbiddeth them to build, or to doe any thing within his See or Liberty: About two yeares after, the Bishop kept a great feast upon the Sunday next before S. Francis day; and among others, was present with him one Walter Wilborne, one of the Kings chiefe Justices of the Bench, who was present when the Bishop at the request of the King made promise to further and helpe the Franciscans. He now in their behalfe, did put the Bishop in minde thereof, and requested him to have consideration both of his owne promise, and their distresse. The Bishop misliking this motion, waxed angry, and did not onelyonly deny to yeeld thereunto… but wished himselfe to be choked what day soever he did consent unto it. It fortuned that the same weeke, and upon the day of S. Frances Eve, The Bishop tooke a certaine Sirope to drinke, and in too hastily swallowing thereof, his breath was stopped, so as hee forthwith died. The Franciscans hearing thereof made no little adoe about this matter, but blazed it abroad that S. Francis wrought this miracle upon the Bishop, …cause he was so hard against them

Anno. 1326. **Holinshed p. 338.1305. Fabian part. 7. p. 181.182. Walsingh. Hist. Ang p 104.105 Godwin. p: 330…Walter Stapleton Bishop of Exeter, WALTER STAPLETON.to whom King Edward the second left the charge of the city of London, was assaulted by the people at the Northdoore of Pauls Church, who threw him downe, and drew him most outragiously into Cheape-side, where they proclaimed him an open Traytor, a Seducer of the King… and a destroyer and subverter of their Liberties; the putting off his Aketon, or coate of defence, with the rest of his garments, they shore his head from his shoulders, with the heads of two of his servants. The Bishops head was set on a pole for a spectacle… that the remembrance of his death, and p. 222the cause thereof might continue; his body was buried in an old Church yard of the… Pied Fryers, without any manner of Exequies or Funerall service done for him. Belike he was a wicked instrument, that hee became so odious to the people, who thus cruelly handled him.

44IOHN GRANDISONSymon Mephara Archbishop of Canterbury began his Metropoliticall Visitation, in the yeare 1332. and comming to Exeter, Iohn Grandison Bishop of that See,**Antiquit. Eccles. Brit p. 231.235. Walsingham Hist Angl. p. 313. Godw. Cat. p. 333. Holinsh p 1306. either scorning or fearing his jurisdiction, appealed against it to the Pope; and when the ArchBishop came to visite his Diocesse, hee resisted him, and kept him from entring into it with **Iohannes Exoniensis cum mi…itari, …anu prohibu…s; cum que Archie…is…opus armis …um Exoniensi cong…edi Statuit, re regi nunciata literis regiis revocatus, infectovisitation…s negotio …x illa diocaesi turpiter & ignominiose recessit.a Military band of Souldiers, and when as the Archbishop resolved to encounter him and his forces in the field with armes, and raised an army in Wiltshire for that purpose; the King being there with acquainted, recalled him by his royall Letters; so as he returned shamefully and ignominiously out of that Diocesse without visiting it, and falling sicke for griefe of this his repulse, he died at Macfield in his returne thence, of a deadly feaver. This Bishop built a faire house at Bishops Taington which he left full furnished unto his successors, and did impropriate unto the same the Parsonage of Radway, to the end (as he setteth downe in his Testament) ut haberent Episcopilocum ubi caput suum reclinarent, si forte in manū regis eorum temporalia caperentur. Presuming no doubt, that many of them would prove contemptuous to their Soveraignes, and have their temporalties seised for it.

55THOMAS BRENTINGHAM.Thomas Brentingham the 18th. Bishop of Exet…r, at the **Godw. p. 334. Ant. Eccles Brit. p. 301.302. Walsingham. Hi. Angl. p. 373.374.Parliament holden at Westminester, in the tenth yeare of King Edward the second, was chosen to be one of the twelve Peeres for the government of the Realme under the King. In this mans time, Anno. 1388. William Courtney, Archbishop of Canterbury intending to keepe a Metropoliticall Visitation in his Province; and having formerly visited the Diocesse of Rochester, p. 223Chichester, Worcester, Bath and Wells, without any resistance or contradiction, came into the Diocesse of Exeter; and having begun his Visitation there oft times proroged the same from day to day, and from place to place, and suspended the Jurisdiction of the Bishop and other Prelates in that Diocesse during his Metropoliticall Visitation; Herupon the Bishop of Ex…ter commanded all within his Diocesse, that they should not obey the Archbishop in his Visitation, and that they should receive their Institutions, Collations, and Admissions to Benefices Commissions of Administrations, Confirmations of Elections, Conusances, and Decisions of all causes, Corrections of crimes and ordinary rights, from no other but himselfe and his Officers, excommunicating all who di…obeyed this his Edict. The Archbishop abolished and repealed this Prohibitory and Mandatory Edict of his by a contrary one, and made void his sentence of Excommunication. After which he appealed foure severall times to the Pope, and fixed his appeale in writing on the doores of the Cathedrall Church of Exeter. The Archbishop rejected, and refuted them all, and proceeded in his Visitation notwithstanding; citing the Bishop himselfe by divers Edicts to answer to certaine Articles objected to him in his Visitation. But some of the Bishops adherents, caught Peter Hill, the Archbishops Somner in a Towne called Tapsham, and punishing him grieviously, compelled him to eate with his teeth and swallow downe a Parchment Citation, wax and all… written and sealed with the Archbishops seal…, which he carried in his bosome wherewith to cite the Bishop. Of which misdemeanor the Archbishop complaining to the King; hee commanded William Courtney Earle of Devonshire to curbe these Rebells, and to apprehend and carry them to the Archbishop, who enjoyned them pennance, and withall removed William Byd (a Dr. of Law, and Advocate of the Court p. 224of Arches) from his Order and place, because hee had given counsell to the Bishop of Exeter against the dignity of the See of Canterbury; and thereupon prescribed a set forme of Oath to all the Advocates of that Court, not to give any advice to any person against that See. The Bishop of Exeter after much contention, finding the Archbishop too potent for him, and that his appeales were like to succeede but ill, by reason the King favoured the Archbishop, submitted himselfe to the Archbishops Iurisdiction, and craved pardon for what was past.

66EDMVND LACY.In Edmund Lacyes time, the 21. Bishop of this See, there arose **Godw. Cat. p. 335. Holinshed p 637.great contentions betweene him and the city for Liberties, which by arbitrement were compounded. After which, Anno. 1451. King Henry the sixth, came in progresse to the city of Exeter; where after great entertainment, there was a Sessions kept before the Duke of Sommerset, and certaine men condemned to die for Treason, and had judgement to be executed to death. Edmond Lacy and his Clergy understanding hereof, with open mouth… complained to the King, that he caused a Sessions to be kept within his Sanctuary contrary to the priviledge of his Church, and that therefore all their doings (being done against Law) were of no effect. And notwithstanding the King and his Councell had discoursed to them the just and orderly proceeding, the hainousnesse of the offences, and of the offenders, and the necessitie of their condigne punishment, yet all could not availe, for holy Church; for neither holy Church, nor the Sanctuary might be prophaned (as they said) with the deciding of temporall matters; whereupon the King in the end yeelding to their exclaimes, released a coupple of arrant Tray…ors, reversed all his former lawfull proceedings, and so departed and returned to London, his Lawes and Justice being thus captivated to this Prelates will, and trayterly encrochments upon his Prerogative p. 225so farre as even to exempe and rescuee notorious condemned Traytors from his Justice and condemnation, even after judgement of death pronounced against them.

George Nevill 77GEORGE NEVILL.the 23. Bishop of Exeter (afterwards Archbishop of Yorke) March the 4. 1460. after a solemne procession preached at Pauls Crosse,Grafton 38. H. 7. p. 641. God…. p. 335. where hee tooke upon him by manifold evidence to prove the Title of Prince Edward (afterwards Edward the fourth) to the Crowne to be just and lawfull, answering all obje…tions that might be made to the contrary: whereupon, the …aid Prince accompanied with the Lords Spirituall and Temporall, and a great number of the common people, rode the same day to Westminister Hall, and there, by the consent & approbation of them all, tooke possession of the Kingdome against King Henry the sixth, who made him Bishop. See more of him in Yorke. part. 1. p. 196.197.

The Rebellion in Cornewall and Devonshire in Edward the sixe his raigne, was **Speeds Histo. p. 1111. Godw. Cat. p. …37. Holinshed. p. 1306.imputed to Iohn Voysey 88IOHN VOYSEI.Bishop of Exeter, and other Priests; who thereupon resigned his Bishoppricke into King Edwards hands, having much wasted and impoverished it before. Godwin writes of him, That hee was Lord President of Wales, and had the government of the Kings onelyonly daughter, the Lady Mary (who afterwards proved a bloody persecuter by the Prelates cruell instigation tutership, and evill counsell, when she came to the Crowne.) Of all the Bishops of the Land, he was accounted the best Courtier; being better liked for his Courtly behaviour than his learning, which in the end turned not so much to his credit, as to the utter ruine and spoyle of the Chur…h; For of 22. Lordships and Mannors which his Predecessors had left unto him, of a goodly yearely revenew, he left but three and them also leased out, and where hee found thirteene houses well furnished (too much for one Prelate) he p. 226left onelyonly one house bare, and without furniture, and yet charged with sundry fees and anuities. So as by these meanes, this Bishoppricke… which sometime was counted one of the best, is now become in temporall lands one of the meanest.

66IAMES TVRBEVILL.Iames Turbevill the 32. Bishop of this See, was deprived in the first yeare of Queene Elizabeh for denying the Queenes Supremacy and refusing to take the Oa…h of Allegiance.**Martyns Hist p. 453.454. Godw p 339.

1010WILLIAM COTT…N.William Cotton the 37th Bishop of Exeter, was a great persecuter and silencer of godly Ministers in his Diocesse; and so was Bishop Cary after him for a season, but at last, both of them being mollified with gifts and gratuities became more milde, selling that liberty of preaching for money, which they formerly restrained gratis, of purpose to advance this sale to an higher price, so as may apply that of **Sermo 77. in Cant Ad Clerum conci… in Concil… Rhemensi.Bernard to them. Episcopi hujus temporis Christi approbria, sputa, flagella, claues, lancem crucem, & mortem, haec omnia in fornace avaritiae conflant, & profligant in acquisitionem turpis quaestus, Et praecium vniversitatis suo marsupio includere festinant hoc solo san… a Iuda Ischariota differentes; quod ille horura omnium denariorum emolumentum denariorum numero co… pensavit; isti vora…iori ingluvie lucrorum infinitas exigunt …p… cunias; his insatiabili desiderio inhiant; pro his ne amittant timent, & cura amittunt dolent, Animarum nec casus reputatur, nec salus.

1111Bishop. HALL.For the present Bishop of this See, a man formerly much honored and deservedly respected, both for his Writing and Preaching before he became a Bishop, he hath much degenerated and lost himselfe of late, not onelyonly by his too much worldlinesse, but by his over-confident defence of Episcopacy to be Iure Divino, in some late Bookes he hath published, and that upon such **See Smectymnius; and a vindication to the Answer to the humble Remonstrance.weake sandy grounds as vanish into smoake, when seriously examined. I read that **Godw. Cat. p. 322.Osbertus the second, and William Warewest the third Bishop of this p. 227See, became blinde in their latter dayes. I wish this reverent Prelate may not doe the like, who doth already Caecutire, through the splendor of that Episcopall Lordly pompe and honour, which some feare hath dazled his eye-sight. I come now to Worceter.

The Bishops of Worceter.

Dunstan 11DVNSTAN.the sixteenth Bishop of Worceter (afterwards of Canterbury) put King Edgar to seven yeares penance for ravishing Wildfrid, **Holinshed. Hist. of England l. 6. c. 24. p. 436…and kept him some twelve or fourteene yeares from the Crowne. Which fact of Dunstans **Acts and Monuments vol. 1. p. 201.202.Mr. Fox thus expresseth; you heard before how King Edgar is noted in all Stories to be an incontinent liver in deflouring Maids and Virgins, three notoriously are expressed in Authors, to wit, Vlstride, or Vlfride; the second was the Dukes maide at Andever, neere to Winchester; the third was Elfrid mother of Edward, for the which Elfrid he was staied and kept backe from his Coronation, by Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury, the space of seven yeares, and so the said King beginneth his raigne in the sixteene yeare of his age, being the yeare of the Lord, 959. was crowned at his age, One and thirty, Anno. Dom. 974. as is in the Saxon Chronicl… of Worceter Church to be proved. For the more evident declaration of which matter,Ex chronic… Sax…nico Ecclesiae Wigorniensis. concerning the Coronation of the King restrained, and the presumptuous behaviour of Dunstan against the King, and his pennance by the said Dunstan injoyned; yee shall heare both Osburne, Malmesh. and other Authors speake in their owne words, as followeth. Perpetrato itaque in virginera velatam peccato, &c. After that Dunstan had under…tanding of the Kings offence perpetrated with the professed Nun, he comes to the King,Ex Orb…rno in vita Dunst…n. who seeing the Archbishop comming, eftsoones of gentlenesse arose from his regall seat towards him, to take him by the hand, to give him place. But Dunstan refusing to take him by the hand and with sterne countenance bending his browes,Dunstan refuseth to take the King by the hand. spak after this effect of words (as p. 228Stories import) unto the King,The words of Dunstan to King Edgar. You that have not feared to corrupt a Virgin maide hand fast to Christ, presume you to touch the consecrated hand of a Bishop? you have defiled the Spouse of the Maker, and thinke you by flattering service to pacifie the friend of the Bridegroome? No Sir, his friend will not I be, which hath Christ to his enemy, &c. The King terrified with these thundring words of Dunstan, and compuncted with inward repentance of his sinne perpetrated, fell down with weeping at the feet of Dunstane, who after he had raised him up from the ground againe, began to utter to him the horriblenesse of his fact, and finding the King ready to receive whatsoever satisfaction he would lay upon him, injoyned him this Pennance for seven yeares space, as followeth.Penance enjoyned to King Edgar to Dunstan. That he should weare no Crowne all this space, that he should distribute his Treasure left to him of his Ancestors liberally unto the poore, he should build a Monastery of Nunnes at Shafts-bury, that as be had robbed God of one Virgin through his transgression, so should he restore to him many againe in times to come. Moreover he should expell Clerkes of evill life (meaning such Priests as had wives and children) out of Churches, and place covents of Monkes in their roome, &c. It followeth then in the Story of Osberne, that when the seven yeares of the Kings pennance were expired; Dunstan calling together all the Peeres of the Realme, with Bishops, Abbots, and other Ecclesiasticall degrees of the Clergy, in the publike sight of all, set the Crowne upon the Kings head at Bath, King Edward reigned but three yeares crowned King.which was the one and thirtieth yeare of his age, and thirtenth yeare of his reigne, so that he reigned onelyonly but three yeeres crowned King. All the other yeares besides, Dunstan belike ruled the land as he listed. As touching the Son of the said Elfled, thus the Story writeth… Puerum quoque ex peccatrice quadam progenitum, sacro fonte regeneratum lavavit, & aptato illi nomine Edwardo, in filium sibi adoptavit, i.e. …lfled proved a Nun, and Edward her sonne proved a bastard,The child also which was gotten of the harlot he baptized in the holy Fountaine of regeneration, and p. 229so giving his name to be called Edward … did adopt him to be his sonne, Ex Osberno. But of this Dunstan, See more in Cante…bury. p. 3, 4.5.

Living the 23. Bishop of Worceter, 22LIVING.Anno. 1040. was accused for procuring the death of Alfred, Matth West. Anno 1040. Malmesbury de Gestis Regum Angl. l. 2. c 12. p… 77 Godw p. 436.the eldest sonne of King Elthelred and King Hardeknutes brother… his accusers were Elfricke Archbishop of Yorke, with many others. Whereupon the King being very angry degraded him, and gave his Bishoppricke to Elfricke … he died at Tauestocke, March 2….1046. At which time, just as he gave up the ghost, there was such an horrible tempest of thunder and lightning, as men thought that the day of Doome had beene come.

Alfred Bishop of Worceter, 33ALFRED.was **Speeds Hist. p. 405.411. Holinshed. l 7. c. 15. p. 1851.expulsed that See by King Hardicanute for his misdemeanor and oppositions against him, till his money had purchased his peace. This Bishops hands (as was said) was deepe in the murther of Alfred the Kings halfe Brother, who had his eyes inhumanely put out, his belley opened, and one end of his bowells drawne out, and fastned to a stake… his body pricked with sharpe needles, forced about, till all his entralls were extracted: in which most savage torture hee ended his innocent life: for which barbarous act this Bishop was for a time deprived, af…er which being restored, he went & fought with Griffith King of South-Wales, but with such successe that many of his Souldiers were slaine, and the rest put to flight… which made the Welchmen farre more bold, and Rese the brother of Griffith to make incursions to fetch preyes out of England, till at length hee was slaine at Bulenden, and his head presented to King Edward at Glocester.

Not to mention Wulstan, 44WVLSTANthe 19. Bishop of this See, surnamed God p. 358.359.360. Malms. de Gest. Pontif. Angl. l. 4. p. 279.280.281…Reprobus, the reprobate, belike for his leude reprobate actions; S. Wulstan the 24. Bishop, refused obstinatly to yeeld consent to his election a long time, protesting he had rather lay his head upon a blocke to p. 230be chopt off, then to take so great a charge as a Bishopprick upon him. At last, undertaking it by the perswasion of one Wullsius an Anchorite; he permitted publike drinking in his Hall after dinner for whole houres together, and made as if he dranke in his turne, but in a lesser cup to make the guests the merrier, pompam ra… litum secum ducens, leading still a stately traine of Souldiers with him, who with their annuall stipends, and dayly provision wasted a hugh masse of money. Matth. West. Anno. 1066 p. 431.In his time Edward the Confessor falling sicke, and continuing speechlesse for two dayes space, on the third day rising as it were, from the dead, and groaning exceedingly, he began to speake thus. O Almighty God, if it be not a fantasticall illusion which I have seene, give me leave to relate it to those that stand by: or if on the contrary it be false, I beseech thee substract from me the power of uttering it. As soone as he had ended his speech, speaking expeditely enough, and very articulately, he said, I beheld two Monkes standing by me, whom when I was young, I saw live very religiou…lly in Normandy, and I knew that they died most Christianly. These affirming themselves to be Gods Messengers sent unto me, added; because the chiefe men of England, Duces, EPISCOPI & Abbates, non sunt Ministri Dei sed DIABOLI, the Dukes, Bishops, and Abbots, are not the Ministers of God but of the Devill; God hath delivered this Kingdome in one yeare, and in one day into the hand of the enemy, and Devills shall wander over this whole Land. And when I answered, I would shew this unto the people, that so sinners having made confession and condigne satisfaction might repent, and obtaine mercy like the Ninivites: they replied, neither of these shall be; because neither shall they repent, neither shall God have mercy on them. And I demanding, when remission, of so great calamities might be expected? To this, they answered, concerning this it shall be so, as in case of a p. 231greene tree, if it be cut in the midest, and the part … off be carried farre from the Trunke, when that without any helpe shall be reannexed to the Trunke, and begin to flourish, and bring forth fruit, then a remission of such evills may be hoped for. The truth of which prophesie (writes Matthew Wstminster) the English soone after had experience of, in this, that England became the habitation of strangers, and the dominion of forreiners; for a little after no English man was either a Duke, Bishop, or Abbot (upon the comming in of the Conqueror,) neither was there any hope of ending this misery. The Conqueror comming to the Crown, had some contests with this Bishop, whom he would have removed from his Bishoppricke for insufficiency in point of learning; but being found more able than he was reputed, he held his Bishoppricke, and recovered some Lands from the Archbishop of Yorke, taken by the Archbishops from this See, which some three or foure Archbishops before had held in Commendam with Yorke. The Cathedrall of Worceter being stately built a new from the ground in his time, the Monkes thereupon forsaking their old habitation built by Oswald, which they pulled downe, betooke themselves to this new stately building. Which Wulstan seeing, burst out into teares, and being demanded a reason thereof, by some that told him, he had rather cause to rejoyce; our predecessors (saith he) whose Monuments wee deface, rather (I doubt) to set up the banners of our vaine-glory, than to glorifie God, they indeede (quoth he) were not acquainted with such stately buildings, but every place was a Church sufficient for them to offer themselves a reasonable, holy,Note this Speech. and lively sacrifice unto God: we contrariwise are double diligent in laying heapes of stones, so to frame a materiall Temple, but are too too negligent in setting forward the building of that lively Temple the Church o… God. In King William Rufus time, this Bishop arming p. 232such an number of people, as the city of Worceter could afford, caused to sally out, and set upon Roger, Earle of Mountgomery and others, who attempted to take it, whom they discomfited, killing and taking a number of them prisoners.

55MAVGERE.Maugere, the 36. Bishop of Worceter, was one of those foure Bishops, who Anno. 1208. upon the Popes command excommunicated King Iohn, and put the whole Kingdome under interdict: whereupon his goods and temporalities were seised, and he inforced to flie the Realme, dying at last in exile at Pontiniac in …rance: during the time of this interdict, the King (writes Matth… West… Anno. 1208… Godw. p. 362. Matth. Paris Hist. Ang. p. 217.232. Walsing Ypodig. Neust. Anno. 1208. p. 53. Pag. 222. Matth West. Anno. 1211. 1212. p. 90.91.Matthew Parts) had most wicked Councellors, Qui Regi in omnibns placere cupientes, cousiliura non pro ratione, sed pro voluntare dederunt; who d…sirous to please the King in all things, gave counsell not according to reason, but will: among these he reckons up Tres Episcopi curiales, three Court Bishops, to wit, Philip Bishop of Durham, Peter, Bishop of Wincester, and Iohn Bishop of Norwhich.

66WALTER de CANTELVPO.Walter de Cantelupo the 40. Bishop of Worceter, as he stoutly opposed the Popes exactions in England, so in the yeare 1264. he **G…dw. Cat p. 363.364. Matthew Paris p. 961.962.963. Holinshed. p. 265.271.tooke great paines, to worke a peace betweene the King and the Barons: in whose behalfe when he had offered the King conditions (as he thought most reasonable) which might not be accepted, he addicted himselfe unto their party, exhorted them to fight valiantly in the cause, and promised heaven very confidently to them that should die in defence of the same. For this he was after justly excommunicated by the Popes Legate, and being sicke unto death, repenting much this fault of disobedience unto his Prince, he humbly craved and received absolution from that excommunication: whereupon ensued bloody warres and rapines so… as Pag… 965.Matthew Paris writes, Nec Episcopi, nec ahbates, nec ulli religiosi de villa in villam progred… potuerunt, quin à vespilionibus praeda…ontur. p. 233And concludes this yeare thus. Trans…it annus iste frugifer, benè temperatus, & sanus… sed in cunctis eventibus Angliae dispendiosus, propter bellum commune, propter rerum coramunium & privatarum flebilem direptionem.

Most of the succeeding Bishops of Worceter (as Adam de Orleton that Arch-traytor and such like) were translated to other Sees, where I shall meete with them, and therefore pretermiting them here, I passe to those of Hereford.

The Bishops of Hereford.

Iune 16. An. 1056. Griffin King of Wales having overthrowne the forces of the Engishmen about two miles from Hereford, 1111LEOVEGARimmediatly assaulting the city tooke it,Matth. Westm. Ann. 1056. p. 423. Godw. Cat p. 371. slew Leovegar the Bishop, and seven of the Canons there, who denied him entrance into the Church and held it against him, spoiled it of all the reliques and ornaments that were portable; and lastly, fired both Church, City, and all.

This See continued voyd foure yeares after the death of Leofuegar, 22WALTER. 2.after which **Godw. Cat. p. 371.372. Mal. de G…stis Pont… l. 4. p. 286. Polychron. l. 7. c. 2. …. 263 An. 1071Walter Chaplaine to Queene Edith was consecrate at Rome by the Pope, in the yeare 1060. his end was much more unhappy than his Predecessors. He chanced to fall in love with a certaine comely woman that he met in the street. A long time he contended with this vile and unseemely affection, and he thought hee had quenched the same; when a small occasion renewed it to his destruction; having certaine linnen to cut out, this woman was commended to him for a very cunning Seamster. He sent for her, and his old flame of filthy desire easily kindling by this little sparke, he found errands to send his men out of the way, while he set upon her first with words, and they not prevailing by force: she resisted what shee might, but finding him too strong for her, thrust her Sheeres into his belly, and gave him his deaths wound. The King being desirous it should be esteemed false, p. 234forbid the report of it by a Proclamation, which afterwards came to be Chronicled.

55RAYNELMVS.Raynelmus the 30 Bishop of this Diocesse, received that Bishoppricke at the hands of King Henry the first, who bestowed it freely on him,Malmbs. de Ge…stis Ponti…. l 4. p. 287 Godw… p… 373. and was invested into it (as the manner of those times was) by the delivery of the Ring and the Crosier. Anselme then Archbishop refused to consecrate him and divers others, who received their investitures in this manner from the King: he was so farre from importuning him in this matter as being now perswaded this his election to be insufficient, he renounced the same, delivering againe unto the Kings hands the Ring & Crosier that he had received. Herewith the King was so offended (as he had cause) that presently he banished him the Realme: after much ado betweene the King and Anselme, a reconciliation was wrought and this man consecrated.

44GYLES de BRVSE.**Matth. Westm. Anno. 1208. 1215 Godw. p. 375.Gyles de Bruse the 30. Bishop of Hereford in the Barons warres, was a great stickler wjth them against King Iohn, and at last was glad to flie the Realme with other Prelates, the King seising on his and their goods and banishing him the Kingdome.

55PETER de Egueblancke.**Matth. Paris… p 881.882.885.886.887.903,: 907.916 917.924.934.960.961. Godw p 375. Holinsh. p. 251.252. Ann 1255 1256.Peter de Egueblancke the 42. Bishop of that See (Cujus Memoria sulphureum faetorem exhalat ac deterrimum, writes Matthew Paris) An. 1255. put King Henry the 3. upon a strange and intolerable kinde of exaction, such, and so great, as even beggered all the Clergie of that time: he got certaine authenticke seales of the Bishops of England, wherwith he sealed Indentures, Instruments, and Writings, wherin was expressed that he had received divers summes of money for dispatch of businesses for them and their Churches of this or that Marchant of Florence or Spaine, whereby they stood bound for payment thereof by the same Instruments and Writings so made by him their agent in their name. This shift was devised by the said Bishop, with license of the King and Pope, into whose eares he distilled this poysonous p. 235councell; the maner whereof Matthew Paris relates at large. These debts being afterwards demanded the Prelates denied them to be true, and said, there was a greater occasion for them to suffer Martyrdome in this cause than of that of Thomas Becket of Canterbury; whereupon the Bishops of London and Worceter, protested they would rather lose their lives and Bishopprickes than consent to such an injury, servitude, and oppression. Haec & alta detestabilia à sulphurto fonte Romanae Ecclesiae, proh pudor, imo & proh dolor tunc temporis emanarunt, Writes Matthew Paris of this and such like cheating projects to get mony An. 1263. the Barons arrested this Bishop (who plotted much mischiefe against them) in his owne Cathedrall Church, seised upon his goods, devided his Treasure unto their souldiers before his face, imprisoned him a long time in the Castle of Ordley, as a meere pest and Traytor both to Church and State. He was accursed of so many for his strange Oppressions, Treacheries… and Extravagances, that it was impossible many calamities should not light upon him. Long before his captivity, his face was horribly deformed with a kind of Leprosie Morphea, or Polypus, which could by no meanes be cured till his dying day; this disease made him hide his head, so that none within his Diocesse knew where he lurked. Some reported that he went to Mount Pessula to be cured of this his infirmity: Tot in caput suum congessit imprecationes multipliciter à Doraino meruit flagellari, ad sui, ut sperandum est, correctionem, **Hist. p. Angl. p. 924.934…Writes Matthew Paris, who further addes, Episcopus Herefordensis turpissimo morbo, videlice… Morphea, Domino percutiente, merito de…ormatur, qui totum Regnum Angliae PRODITIOSE damnificauit. About the yeare of our Lord, 1256. the Archbishop of Burdeaux being old and decrepit, began to be deadly sicke, and being thought to be dead, who was but halfe alive, this Bishop of Hereford, who most earnestly gaped after this Archbishoppricke thinking to p. 236obtaine it… procured the Kings Letters, who was very favourable to him, because hee was his Tax-gatherer, and went with them beyond the Seas, but when the truth appeared, that the Archbi…hop was still alive… hee lost both his journey, labour, travell, and expenses and received many scoffes, as one Mr. Lambin did in the like case, of whom these two Verses were composed,

Aere dato multo, nondum pastore sepult…,

Lambi… ad optatum Lambinus Pontificatura.

He to reimburse his expences not regarding the publike good, but his owne priva…e benefit, by license from the King and Pope, collected a tith for himselfe in the borders of Ireland … and the places adjoyning, which amounted to no small quantitie of money; this he reputed the price of his paines, and the reward of his treason; and he caused it to be so strictly exacted… that shame prohibites the relation of the manner of the extortion. And because fraud is not accustomed to want feare; meticulosus armatus, armatus vallatus incessit; being fearefull, he went armed, and being armed hee went with a guard about him.

66ADAM de ORLETON.Adara **Walsingh. Hist Angl. p: 98.99 101.104. Holinshed. p. 329.339.340.1245. Camd. Brit p. 375.de Orleton, the 46. Bishop of Hereford, was a notable wicked Traytor and Rebell against his Soveraigne, King Edward the second, who advanced him, and was the chiefe cause both of his deprivation and murther: Of whom you may read more at large in Winchester, p. 265.266.

77IOHN BRVTON.Iohn Bruton or Briton was the 43. Bishop of Hereford, on him the King bestowed the keeping of his wardrobes which he held long time with great honour, as his Regester saith. A wonderfull preferment that Bishops should be preferred from the Pulpit, to the custody of Wardrobes… Harrison… l. 2 c. 2. p… 142.but such was the time, neverthelesse his humble custody of that charge is more solemnely remembred then any good Sermon, that ever he made, which function peradventure hee committed to his Suffragane, sith Bishops in those dayes had so much businesse p. 237at Court, that they could not attend to Doctrine and Exhortation. This Bishop was **Godw. p. 376. Sir Edwards Cookes Epistle to the 8. Report.Doctor of both Lawes, and very well seene in the common Lawes of the Land and writ a great volume De juribus Anglicanis, yet extant: but that he ever Preached, or writ any thing of, or had any skill at all in the Law of God, I finde nothing at all in story.

Iohn Trevenant the 51. Bishop of Hereford, 88IOHN …REVENANT.sided with King Henry the 4th. against Richard the second, who advanced him, and was sent to Rome, Walsing. Hist. Angl. Henricus 4th. Anno 1439. p. 401. Holinsh. p. 503.504 505.506.507.508. Speed Hist. p. 763. Godw. p. 378.to informe the Pope, what good Title King Henry the 4th. had unto the Crowne of England, which he usurped. So the Bishop of Duresme was then sent unto France, the Bishop of Saint Asaph to Spaine, the Bishop of Bangor to Germany, armed with all …orts of instructions for the justification of their new advanced King his Title too, and usurpation of the Crowne. So ready have Prelates beene not onelyonly to act, but to justifie, defend… and boulster out Treasons, and Rebellions of the highest nature, with the depositions and murthers of their lawfull Princes… Anno. 1499. this Bishop of Hereford had a chiefe hand in deposing King Richard the second, and was the second commissioner sent from the States in Parliament, named in the Instrument wherein they declare his voluntary resignation; and he, with the Archbishop of Yorke made report to the Parliament… of the Kings voluntary resignation of his Crowne and Kingdome, the instrument whereof subscribed in their presence, was delivered unto Thomas Arundels hands then Archbishop of Canterbury, an Arch-traytor, as I have formerly manifested.

The most of the succeeding Bishops of this See were translated to other bishopprickes,99CHARLES BOOTH. where you may meete with them who were most obnoxious, onelyonly I observe, that in the generall pardon of 22. H. 8. c. 15. the Bishop of Hereford (then Charles Booth) is specially excepted out of the pardon of the Premunire. It seemes his crime was very great.

And for the present Bishop of Hereford, George Cooke, p. 2382020GEORGE COOKE.he stands now impeached by the Commons in Parliament for the late Canons, Oath, and benevolence in the pretended Synod, in which he had a finger; which proceeding of our Prelates, may justly induce us to passe the same censure on them now, as famous Henry Bullenger did of old on the Bishops then, in his Booke De Episcoporum Functione & Iurisdic…ione Tiguri, 1538. …. 112.113.143.1150.159. to 163. and 172. and as Mr. Calvin after him did, in his notable Booke De Necessitate Reformandae Ecclesiae. Edi. 1543 p. p. 24.25.26.104.105.106. to which I shall referre the reader.

As for Dr. Manwaring who had some relation to this church, we all know that he received a Censure in the Parliament House 3. Caroli. for two seditious Sermons, Preached at the Court before his Maiestie, and then published in Print by the now Archbishop of Canterburies meanes; wherein he indeavoured to undermine the Subjects liberties, and the proprietie of their goods (…etled in them by our Lawes) by false divinity… and to give the King an absolute power against Law, to impose what taxes he pleased and to take away such a proportion of goods and treasure from his people as himselfe should thinke meete, upon any occasion. For which Sermons, though he were censured by both Houses to be never more capable of any future preferment in Church or Common-wealth, yet immediatly after the dissolution of the Parliament, he was by Canterburies meanes, in affront of that Sentence… advanced, first to a great living granted formerly to another, then to a Deanery, and soone after to the Bishopricke of St. Davids, where he so demeaned himselfe in advancing of superstition, prophanesse, and idolatry, that now he dares not shew his face in Parliament, and lies lurking, in obscure Places (and Ale ho…ses as some report) fearing a deprivation from this usurped… dignity… given him in contempt of his former sentence in Parliament. And thus much for the Bishops of these Sees, I now proceede to others.