The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy, Part 1 · Chapter 3 · Section 3

The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy · Part 1 · Chapter 3 · Section 3

p. 291Durham.

(b)(b)Mat…. W…st. An 750. p. 273. Hoveden. Annal. pars prior. An. 750. p. 402.Kenulph the tenth Bishop of Durham, 11KENVLPHVS.Anno. 750. was taken by Edbert King of the Northumbrians (belike …or some great Treason or misdemeanour, for the Monkes conceale the reason) and committed prisoner to the Castle of Bebba, which King commanded the Church of Saint Peter in Lindisfarne to be besieged; which shewes that the Bishop and his Church stood out then in rebellion against their Soveraigne.

(c)(c)Malmesb. d… g…st. Pont. Angl. l. 3. p. 277. Godwin, p. 636. Mat. Paris p. 5. An. 1069. Godwin. p. 632.Egelricke the 16. Bishop of Durham, 22…GELRIC.was charged with Treason, and conspiracy against William the Conqueror, and that hee had disturbed the Kings peace, and practised pyracie on the Seas: whereupon hee was committed perpetuall prisoner to Westminster, where, by continuall fasting and abundance of teares washing away the guilt of his former misdeeds, he wan unto …imself such a reputation of holinesse, as the place of his buriall was much frequented after his death.

(d)(d)Matth. Par… Hist. Major. An. 1070.1071. p. ….6. Mat. Westm, & Fl…rentius Wigor…i…nsis, Ann. 1070, 1071. H… veden. An. 1069.1070. p. 451, 452.454. Godwin, p. 636.637.Egelwyn, 33EGELWYN.his next successor in this See, much opposed himselfe against William the Conqueror, to whom afterward hee was in shew reconciled for a time; at last the ancient hatred hee bore unto the King, boyling in his stomacke, hee joyned winh certaine Noble men in a flat rebellion against the Conquerour: he and they alleaging at first, that they feared imprisonment, and hard measure, but indeed proposing to apprehend and depose the King, to set up an English man in his roome, and commit him to perpetuall imprisonment. When things succeeded not according to expectation, William the Conquerour getting the victory, Egelwyn …lyes into Scotland; the King having banished him the Realme before, where out of his zeale, hee …communicates the King, and all his followers, as invaders and robbers of the Church. The yeare following he comes into England where hee and the Nobles combining with him, with many thousands of the Laity and Clergy were faine to hide themselves in woods and secret places, being unable to encounter with the Kings forces; when they had done many harmes and mischiefes in divers places to the wrong of the King, they came at last …o the Isle of Ely, which they fortified… and seized on as the place of their residence and refuge: and o…t times issuing out thence, much wasted and spoyled the bordering countries, building a wooden Castle in the Iland… wherupon the Conqueror comes with p. 292all his forces, both by sea and land, and besiegeth the Iland, m… king wayes and passages over bogges and fennes, formerly unpassable, building a strong Castle at Wi…bitch. Egelwyn perceiving the danger tooke ship and departed into voluntary exile, committing some pyracies by the way he set his course for Colen, but was forced by contrary winds to land in Scotland, thence returning againe to Ely, hee was at last there taken prisoner by the Conquerour, and committed close prisoner to Abingdon, where An. 1071. refusing to take any sustenance, for meere griefe and anger he died.

44Walcher.(e)(e)Malmesbur. l. 3. Hist. Angl. p. 110. H…v…den. Annal. pars prior. An. 1071.1078.1080. p. 454.455.457. Mat…. Paris, An. 1075. p. 9. Godwin pag. 637, 638, 639, 640.Before his death the Conquerour having deprived him of his Bishopricke, caused one Walcher to be consecrated in his place: hee attending more worldly affaires than the charge of his flocke (as many of our Prelates do now) gave himselfe altogeher to temporall businesse; wherein hee wholly occupied himselfe, contra dignitatem Pontificalem: writes Matthew Paris. He bought of the King the Earledome of Northumberland, being by this meanes both a Spiritual and a Temporall Lo…d, and ingrossing both jurisdictions into his hands, and then making himselfe a secular Judge, tooke upon him to sit in the Court, and to determine all causes at his pleasure, dealing with all very corruptly, and taking that course as might be most for his owne gaine: hereupon he geatly enriched his coffers, but purchased to himselfe extreme hatred among the Common people whom hee much impoverished with his extortions, which was his destruction in the end. There was a Gentleman of great account called Leulfus, who had married the Earle of Northumberlands daugh…er, that for very devotion, to the end hee might live neere the Church in his latter time, came to Durham to dwell; he keeping company very much with the Bishop, who loved him much for his wisedome, equity, and vertues: Leofwin the Bishops Chaplain, whom he trusted with all his houshold matters, and Gilbert the Bishops kinsman that dealt in his Temporall affaires, very corrupt men, envying the credit that Leulfus had gotten with the Bishop, every where opposed and traduced him and his actions, both in words and deed, and at last conspired to murther him, which they did in a barbarous manner, assaulti…g him in his house with armed men, and murthering not onelyonly the innocent Gentleman himselfe, but also his servants and who…e houshold: the newes of this horrible outragious cruelty p. 293comming to the eares of the Bishop amazed him; so as turning about to Leofwin hee said to him: Thou hast already slaine mee with thy tongue: and doubting the danger got him into his Castle, and dispatched messengers to the friends and kindred of Leulfus, protesting, that the fact was committed without his knowledge, and that hee was heartily sory for it, and if any suspect him, hee could be reddy to submit himselfe to any order of Law, whereby hee might cleere himselfe: herewith they seemed to be satisfied, and appointed to meete and conferre of the matter at a place called Goats-head. The Bishop for his better safety betooke himselfe to the Church with his company: at which time all the people of the province came to demand justice from the Bishop, for some wrongs done them. The Bishop answered them over roughly, that he would doe them justice for no injury or complaint, unlesse they would first give him 400^l. of good mony. Whereupon one of them in the name of all the rest, desired leave of the Bishops that hee might conferre with the rest about this exaction, that so they might give him an advised answer; which granted, the people consulted together without the Church concerning this businesse: in meane time divers messages passed betweene the friends of Leulfus and the Bishop about this murther, but the more the matter was debated (being very odious in it selfe) the more his friends, and the people too, were incensed: at last it was told them that the Bishop had harboured Leofwyn and Gilbert too in his house, and afforded them countenance since this murther, which being once heard and …ound true, they all cryed out, it was manifest, that the Bishop was the Author of this fact: While the company stood in a mummering doubting what to doe, both concerning this money and murther too, one of some speciall regard among them, stepped up and used these words: Short read, good read, slay the Bishop. Hereupon without more adoe they …anall unto the Church, killed as many of the Bishops retinue as they found without doores, and with horrible noyse and outcryes bid him and his company come out unto them. The Bishop to make the best of a bad match, and to rid himselfe from danger, perswaded his kinsman Gilber… there present to goe out unto them, if happily his death (which he well deserved) might satisfie their fury, and purchase their safety. Gilbert was content, and issuing our with divers of the Bishops company, were all p. 294slaine, except two Englishmen servants to the Bishop, the rest being Normans. They not yet pacified, the Bishop besought Leofwyn (whose li…e hee knew was principally sought) to goe out likewise, but he utterly re…used: The Bishop therefore going to the Church dore himselfe, intrea…ed them not to take his life from him, protesting himselfe altogethe… innocent of Leulfus his blood, shewing them at large how inconvenient it would be to themselves, and the whole Country to shed his blood, an unarmed Priest, and sacred consecrate Bishop, their Ruler, Governour, Magistrate. Lastly, hoping that his very countenance, gravity, age, white comely head and beard, and the Majes…y of his person might something move them to compassion, hee went out among them, carrying a green branch in his hands to testifie his desire of peace: when hee saw all this availed not, the people running furiously upon him, hee cast his gowne over his owne head, and committing him selfe to their fury, with innumerable wounds was pittifully massacred, together with all his retinue to the number of one hundred persons, only Leofwyn yet r…mained in the C…urch, and being often called would not come forth. So they set the Church on fire; hee not enduring the fire leapt out at a window, and was immediately hewne in a thousand pieces. This barbarous slaughter was committed May the 4. 1080. as some Historians, or 1075. as others record. The King hearing of this tumult, sent his brother Odo Bishop of Bayon, with many of his Nobles; and a great army to take punishment of this murther, which while they sought to revenge, they brought the whole Country to desolation; those that were guilty prevented the danger by …light, so as few of them were apprehe…ded; of the rest that stayd at h…me, some we…e unjustly executed, and the rest compelled to ransome themselves to their utter impoverishing, and undoing. This was the life and death of the first Lord Bishop of this See; who joyned both the temporall and spirituall Ju…isdiction and honour together in his owne person, being both a Bishop, and an Earle.

(f)(f)M…. Paris, Hist. Major An. 1074. p. 8.Anno 1074. during this Bishops domination, Plu…es Episcopi & Abbates, many Bishops and Abbots, with 3. Earles, and many Souldiers conspired toge…her at No…wich, to thrust the Conquerour ou… of his Kingdome, sending messages …o …he King of Denmarke for aide, and confederating themselves with the p. 295Welchmen: whereupon …hey burnt and spoyled many townes and villages belonging to the Conquerour; but at last they were defeated by him, some of them being banished the Realme, others hanged, others deprived of their eyes. Who these Bishops were in particular that joyned in this conspiracy and rebellion, is not expressed; but they were many in number; whether this Bishop might not be one of the company I know not.

(g)(g)Malmes. de gest. Reg. Angl. l. 4. p. 120, 121… de gest. Pont. Ang. l. 3. p. …77. Mat. Paris, An. 1088. p. 13, 14. Wig…r…. Matth. We…m, Hoved. An. 1087, 1088. Walsingh… ypodigma N…ustri… An. 1088. p. 33. Holinshed. p. 17, 18.William Kairlipho, 55WILLIAM KAIRLIPHO.Abbo… of Saint Vincent, his next successour, who got so farre into the favour of King William Rufus, that he made him his houshold Chaplaine, and one of his Privie Councell, and did what hee list under him, in the yeare of our Lord 1088. joyned himselfe with Odo Bishop of Bayon, and Ea…le of Kent, Geffry Bishop of Constantia, and other great men in a rebellious conspiracy against King William, who much favoured and trusted him, to deprive him of his Crowne, as an effemina…e per…on, both in mind and countenance, and of a fearefull heart, who would do all things rashly, both against right and justice; which revolt and treachery of his the King tooke very grievously. Whereupon they take up armes against the King, wasting the Country in sundry parts, intending to set up his Brother Robert in his place as King, giving out divers words, and sending abroad many Letters to incite men to take armes for this purpose. The bishop of Durham held out Durham, by strong hand against the King, who comming thither in person with his army besieged it, so as the Bishop was at length forced to surrender the City, and yeeld himselfe… whereupo… hee was exiled the Land, with divers of his complices; and for his former pre…nded friendship to the King, was suffered to goe Scotfree (though worthy a thousand quarterings) upon …hi… he presently passed over Sea into Normandy, there he continued neere three yeares in a voluntary exile, untill Sept…mber 11. 1190. at what time the King comming to Durham, received him into his …ull favour, and restored him to his former dignities. After which hee sided with the Kin… against Anselme to thrust him out of his Bishopricke, that himselfe might succeed him: b…t hee failed in that projec…. Falling againe into the Kings displeasure, he was summoned to appeare before him at Glocester, by a certaine day, before which tim… hee fell sicke (of griefe as was …hought:) when he appeared not, and it was told the King he… p. 296was sicke, he swore by S. Lukes face (which was his usuall Oath) he lied and did but counterfeit; and hee would …ave him fetcht with a vengeance. But it appeares his excuse was true enough, for hee died soone after. Holinshed saith, hee died …or sorrow, because he could not cleere himsel…e of his offence in the said rebellion, albeit that he laboured most earnestly so to do, that hee might thereby have obtained the King… favour againe.

(h)(h)Matt. Paris p. 51.54. Malmes. de gest. Pontif. Angl. l. 3. p. 277, 278. Godwin. p. 645, 646, 647.Ranulph Flambard his very next successor,66Ranulph Flambard. a very wicked man, nothing scrupulous, but ready to do any thing for preferment, was by King William Rufus (who …ound him a fit man for his purpose to bring great summes of money into his coffers, by any unlaw…ull meanes) made chiefe Governour of all his Realme under him, so as hee had all tha… authority which now the Lord Treasurer, Chancellour, and divers other offices have divided among…t them this au…hority he abused very impudently, not caring whom he offended, so as he might enrich either the King or himselfe. Many times when the King gave commandement for the levying of a certaine summe of moneyes amongst his Subjects, hee would require of the Commons twice as much, whereat the King being very well content, would laugh, and say, that Ranulph was the onelyonly man for his turne, who cared not whom hee displeased, so hee might please his Master. It was impossible but hee should be very odious, both unto the Common people and Nobility also; and no marvell if many complaints were made unto the King of him, against all which hee shut his eares obstina…ely. When therefore that way succeeded not, some of his discontented adversaries determined to wrecke their malice on him by killing him; They faine a message from the Bishop of London his old Master, that hee was very sicke and ready to depart the world, that hee was wonderfull desirous to speake with him, and to the end hee might make the better speed, had sent him a Barge to convey him to his house, being then by the water-side; Hee suspecting no fraud, went with them in great haste, attended onelyonly by his Secretary, and some one or two other. They having him thus in their clutches, carried him not to the appoi…ted Staires, but unto … Ship provided for him, ready to set saile. As soone as hee perceived how hee was entrapped, hee cast away his Ring, or manuell Seale, and after his great S…ale into the river lest they might give opportunity of forging false grants, and p. 297conveyances. Then hee falls to intreating and perswading, but all to no purpose, for they were determined he should die. They had appointed two Marin…rs to dispatch him either by knocking out his braines, or heaving him alive over-board, for doing whereof they were promised to have his cloathes. These executioners could not agree upon the division of the reward, …or his gowne was better worth than all the rest of his apparell: while they were reasoning upon that point, it pleased God to raise a terrible tempest, so as they looked every minute to die th…mselves, and therefore had no very good leasure of thinking to put another man to death. Ranulph then omitting no opportunity of his deliverance, like another Orion, by the musicke of his eloquence, seekes to disswade them from the bloody execution of their determination… laying before them the danger that was like to ensue them upon the execu…ion of so cruell a murther, which could not be hid; and lastly, wishing them to consider, how God by raising this tempest had threatned to revenge his death, and had as it were set the Image of vengeance before their eyes: promising them mountaines of gold if they saved his life; By which hee so farre prevailed, that one of them offered to defend him, and Girald the author of this conspiracie, was content to set him aland, and to conduct him to his owne house. But so soone as hee had done, not trusting a reconciled foe, hee got him out of the Land: A…ter this notable voyage hee was consecrated Bishop of Durham: Hee was scarce warme in his See, but King William Rufus was slaine, and his brother Henry succeeded him. This Prince not able to withstand the importunity of his Nobles, and the innumerable complaints made against this Bishop, by the vote of the whole Parliament, clapt him up in the Towre. But hee so enchaunted his keepers, as they were content to let him goe, and runne away with themselves. William of Malmesbury saith, that he procured a waterbea…er in his Tank…rd to bring him a rope, by whi…h hee slid downe from the wall to the ground, and so (although hee hurt his arme, and galled his legge to the bone) away he escaped, getting himselfe into Normandy, where hee arri…ed in the beginning of February, Ann. 1101. There hee never left buzzing into the eares of Robert, Duke of Normandy, that the Kingdome of England was his by right, till hee procured him to a… tempt the invasion of the Realme, to his owne great losse, the p. 298effusion of much Christian blood, and the great disturbance and dammage of the whole Realme: How long hee continued in his exile is not recorded by our Historians, who brand him for a notable extortioner, oppressor, rebell, and desperate wicked wretch, & ad omne scelus paratum, (as too many of his coate since him have beene) who set the whole Realme into an uproare and combustion. Holinshed. Hist. of Scotl. pag. 181.About the yeare 1100. King Edgar gave to the Monkes of Durham the lands of Coldingham. And to this Bishop of Durham he gave the towne of Barwicke, but for that the said Bishop afterward wrought treason against him, hee lost that gift, and the King resumed that Towne into his hands againe.

77HVGH PVSAR.Hugh Pusar his successor, the 33. Bishop of that See, nephew to King Stephen, a man very wise in ordering temporall matters, not spir…tuall,Nu…rigens. Hist. l. 1. c. 26. l. 4. c. 4. Godwin. p. 648, 649, 650. Holins. p. 119.121. exceeding covetous, and as cunning in getting money, as covetous in desiring it, was refused to be consecrated Bishop by Murdack Archbishop of Yorke, for want of yea…es, and lightnesse in behaviour, whereupon he obtained his consecration at Rome. King Richard the first …or a great masse of money hee had prepared for his voyage into the holy Land, dispensed with his vowe of pilgrimage thither, and likewise made him Earle of Northumberland. The King having created him an Earle, turned him about unto the company, and laughing said, I have performed a wonderfull exploit, for (quoth hee) of an old Bishop I have made a young Earle. Hee likewise gave the King one thousand Markes to make him chiefe Justice of England:Nubrigensis. l. 4. c. 4. l. 5. c. 8. qui nimirum consultius proprio contentus officio divini juris multo decentius quam humani minister extitisset, cum nemo possit utrique, prout dignum est deservire, atque illud domini…um ad Apostolos, maxime Successores Apostolorum respiciat. Non potestis Deo servire & mammonae. Si enim velit Episcopus ut coelesti pariter & terreno Regi placeat, ad utrumque se officium dividere: certe. Rex coelestis, qui sibi vult ex toto corde, tota anima, tota virtute serviri, ministerium dimidium non approbat, non diligit, non acceptat. Quid si Episcopus nec saltem dimidius, quae Dei sunt, & decent Episcopum, exequatur, sed vices suas indignis et remissis executoribus committat ut terreno vel foro, vel palatio totus serviat? nam nec terreni Principis ratiocinia quisquam dimidius sufficienter administrat. Quamobrem memoratus Pontifex cum jam esset grandaevus, officio seculari suscepto in Australibus Angliae partibus ad publica totus negot…a recidebat, mundo non crucifixus, sed infixus, writes Nubrigensis of him.Holinsh p. 105. Roger de H…veden. Annal. pars pos… …ius. p. 615. Roger Archbishop of Yorke deceasing A. 1181. delivered p. 299great summes of money to certaine Bishops to be distributed among poore people. King Henry the second after his death called for the mony and seised it to his use, alleadging a sentence given by the same Archbishop in his li…etime, that no Ecclesiasticall person might give any thing by will except hee devised the the same whilst hee was in perfect health. Yet this Bishop of Durham would not depart with 400 Markes, which hee had received to distribute among the poore, alleaging, that hee dealt the same away before the Archbishops death, and therefore hee that would have it againe, must goe gather it up of them to whom hee had distributed it, which himselfe would in no wise doe. But the King tooke no small displeasure with this indiscreet answer, in so much that hee seised the Castle of Durham into his hands; and sought meanes to disquiet the said Bishop by divers manner of wayes**Hoveden A…n…l. p…rs posterior. pag. 663.665, 666. King Richard going into the holy Land, made this Bishop chiefe Justice from Trent Northwards, and the Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellor and chiefe Justice of England, betweene whom strife and discord immediately ar…se, which of them should be the greater, for that which pleased the one displeased the other; for all power is impatient of a consort. The Bishop of Ely soone after imprisoned him till hee had surrendred Winsor Castle, and others to him, and put in pledges to be faithfull to the King and Kingdome, of which more in Ely. At the returne of King Richard from Ierusalem, hee found him not so favourable as hee expected, and thinking that he grudged him his Earledome, resigned the same into his hands. For the redemption of which he afterward offered the King great summes of money; whereupon the King knowing how to use him in his kind, writ letters to him full of reverend and gracious speeches, wishing him to bring up his money to London, and there to receive the Government of the whole Realme, which hee would commit to him, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Being very joyfull of this …avour, he comes about Shrovetide towards London, and surfeiting of flesh by the way died. This Prelate (who much troubled and oppressed the Commons, and whole Realme) had no lesse than three bastard sonnes,H…v…d…n. A…nal. pars posterior pag. 725, 736, 665, 666, 685, 738. whom hee endeavoured to advance, but they all dyed before him. Hee was oft in armes in the field, and besieged the Castle of Thifehill belonging to Earle Iohn: he tooke up the Crossado and went beyond Sea with King Richard the first to the warres in the holy Land; but considering the danger, got a dispensation p. 300and returned speeding better than Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury, and ten Archbishops and Bishops more, who di…d at the siege before Acon; and like warlike Prelates stirred up King Richard with sundry other Christian Princes to that bloody, chargeable, and un…ortunate warre, wherein many thousands of Christians spent both their lives, and estates, and whereby Christians lost the verity of Christian Religion, and Christ himselfe in a great measure, whiles thus they warre to secure the place of his sepulcher, which proved a sepulcher both to their bodies and soules. * William K. of Scotland comming to visit King Richard the first afte… his release; this Prelate, and Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, went to Brackley, where the Bishop had an Inne. The King of Scots servants comming thither, would have taken up the Bishops Inne for their King: but the Bishops servants withstood them; whereupon they bought provision for the King and dressed it in another house in that same Court: When the Bishop came thither, and his servants had informed him what had passed, he would not retire, but went on boldly unto his Inne, and commanded his meat to be set on the table; whiles he was at dinner, the Archbishop of Canterbury comes to him, and offers him his lodging, and counsels him to remove and leave the Inne. The King of Scots comming late from hunting, when hee was told what had happened, tooke it very grievously, and would not goe thither, but commanded all his provision to be given to the poore, and goes forthwith to the King to Selnestone, & complains to him of the injury the Bishop of Durham had offered to him; for which the King sharpely rebuked him.

Richard de Marisco.Richard de Marisco, Lord Chancellor of England, and Archdeacon of Notthumberland, an old Courtier, was thrust into this See by Gualo the Popes Legate,Godwin Cat. p. 515 and consecrated by the Archbishop of Yorke in the yeare 1217. during the time of the vacancy. This Richard was a very prodigall man, and spent so liberally the goods of his Church, as the Monkes doubting hee would undoe them, and himselfe also, went about by course of Law to stay him, and force him to a moderation of expence. But it fell out quite contrary to their expectation, for hee being wilfully set, continued Law with them, appealing to Rome, &c. and continued his old course even untill his death. The yeare 1226. in the beginning of Easter terme, hee rid up to London p. 301with a troope of Lawyers attend…ng on him. At Peterborough he was entertained in the Ab…ey very …ono…rably, and going to bed there in very good health, was found in the morning by his Chamberlaine starke dead. Hee deceased May the first, leaving his Church 40000. markes indeb…ed, though his contention, and pr…digall factious humour.

Anthony Beake the 41. Bishop of this See,Anthony B…ak…. Godwin. p. 521.522. a very wealthy man, contented not himselfe with ordinary Titles. Therefore he procured the Pope to make him Patriarc… of …erusalem, & obtained of the King the Principality of …he Isle of Man, during his life. Anno 1294. being Ambassador to the Emperor Iohn Ro…an the Archbishop of Yorke excommunicated him, which cost him …000. Markes fine to the King, and his life to boote, hee dying for griefe. There was grea… stirre betweene him and the Prior and Covent of Durham. Hee informed the Pope that the Prior was a very simple and insufficient man to rule that house, and thereupon procured the government thereof both spirituall and temporall to be committed to him. The Monkes appealed both the Pope and King, who required the hearing of these controversies betweene the Prior and Bishop. This notwithstanding the Bishops officers, made no more adoe, but excommunicated the Prior, Monkes and all for not obeying their authority immediately. Herewith …he King greatly offended, caused those Officers to be fined, and summoned the Bishop himselfe to appeare before him at a day appointed, before which day hee got to Rome, never acquainting the King with his determination. The King thereupon seised into his hands the Bishops liberties, & appointed a new Chancellour, new Justices, and other officers of Durham, Hee writ also to the Pope in favour of the Prior, who delivering the Kings Letters himselfe, the Pope adjudged him a sober and discreet man, what ever the Bishop had reported of him, and restored him to his place; during the Bishops disgrace for this contempt, the King tooke …hree Mannors with the Church of Symondbury from the Bishopricke, with divers Castles and Lands forfeited to him by Iohn Bayliol King of Scots, and others. The Bishop at last submitted himselfe, and bought his peace. **Holins…. p. 305….Anno Dom. 1298. in the battell of Foukirke, betweene the English and Scots, this Bishop of Durham (Anthony Beake) led the second battell of the Englishmen con…isting of 39. standards: who hasting forth to be the first that should p. 302give the on …et, when his men approached neere the enemies the Bishop commanded them to stay till the third battell which the King (Edward the first) led, might approach. But that valiant Knight the Lord Ralph Basset of Draiton said to him; My Lord, you may goe and say Masse, which better becommeth you, than to teach us what wee have to doe; for wee will doe that which belongeth to the order and custome of warre.

LEW…S BEAVMONT.About the yeare 1318. at the importunate suite of the Kings of England and France, the Pope gave the Bishopricke of Du…ham unto one Lewes Beaumont, a Frenchman borne, and of the blood Royall there; hee was lame of both his legges, and so unlearned,Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 262, 263. Godwin, p. 522, 523. that hee could not read the Bulls and other instruments of his consecration. When hee should have pronounced this word (Metropoliticae) not knowing what to make of it (though hee had studied upon it and laboured his Lesson long before) after a little pause, Soyt pur dit (saith he) let it goe for read, and so passed it over. In like sort he stumbled at (In aenigmate) when hee had fumbled about it a while, Par Saint Lewis (quoth hee) il n'est pas curtois qui ceste parolle ici escrit, that is, by Saint Lewes he is to blame that writ this word here. Not without great cause therefore the Pope was somewhat strait laced in admitting him. He obtained con…ecration so hardly, as in foureteene yeares hee could scarce creepe o…t of debt. Riding to Durham to be install'd there, hee was robbed (together with two Cardinals, that were then in his company) upon Wiglesden More neere Derlington. The Captaines of this rour were named Gilbert Middleton, and Walter Selby. Not content to take all the treasure of the Cardinals, the Bishop, and their traine; they carried the Bishop prisoner to Morpeth, where they constrained him to pay a great ransome. Gilbert Middleton was soone after taken at his owne Castle of Nitford, carried to London, and there drawne and hanged in the presence of the Cardinalls. After this, one Sir Iosceline Deinvill, and his brother Robert, came with a great company to divers of this B. of Durhams houses in the habits of Friers, & spoyled them, leaving nothing, but bare walls, and did many other notable robberies… for which they & divers of their company were soone after hanged at York. This B. stood very stoutly in defence of the Liberties of his See, recovered divers lands taken away from Anthony Beake his prede…essor, and procured this sentence to be given in the behalfe of p. 303his Church; quod Episc…pus Dunelmensi… debet habere forisfacturas guerrarum intra libertates, sicut Rex extra: that the Bishop of Durham is to have the forfeitures of warre in as ample sort within his owne Liberties as the King without.

I…mediately after this Bishops death in great hast (but withRICHARDDE BVRY. no great good speed) the Covent of Dur…am proceeded unto the Election of a new Bishop (the old being yet scarcely buried)Godwin. p. 524. and they made choise of one of their owne company a Monke of Durham. This election the Arch-Bishop of Yorke confirmed, yea the matter grew so forward, as the same Arch-bishop was content to give him consecration also. All this while the Kings good will was not sought, no nor (which was a greater oversight as the world then went) the Popes neither. The King therefore not onelyonly refused to deliver possession of the Temporalties unto this elect, but also laboured the Pope, ex plenitudine potestatis, to conferre the Bishopricke upon a Chaplaine of his named Richard de Bury, the Deane of Wells. Partly to pleasure the one that requested, partly to displeasure the other for not requesting, he did so, and commanded the Bishop of Winchester to consecrate him; which being performed at Chertsey soone after Christmasse, the King presently invested him in the temporalties belonging to that See. Now was the Monke a Bishop without a Bishopricke; having no other home, he was faine to returne to his Cloyster, and there for very griefe (as it is supposed) within a few dayes after dyed. This Richard dé Bury, at what time Edward of Windsor Prince of Wales fled into France with his Mother, was principall receiver of the Kings Revenewes in Gascoigne. Their mony failing, he ayded them secretly with a great summe of that he had received for the King. It had almost cost him his life, he was so narrowly pursued by some of the Kings friends that got understanding of it, as hee was glad to hide himselfe in a steeple in Paris the space of seven dayes. The Queene we know was then contriving an open rebellion and plotting a mischeivous treason against her husband King Edward the second, whom she shortly after seised upon in an hostile manner, and afterwards caused to be deprived and murthered, so that this Prelates furnishing of her thus with the Kings owne monies to further this her designe, was high Treason at the least.

Not to mention how the Pope upon King Edward the third his request consecrated **Godwin. p. 526.Thomas Hatfield his Secretary Bishop of p. 304this See without any regard or examination of his worthinesse being a man altogether illiterate, and that when some of the Cardinalls tooke exceptions against him, saying, that he was not onelyonly a meere lay man, but a fell…w of light behaviour, and no way fit for that place, how the Pope answered, that if the King of England had requested him for an Asse at that time he would not have denyed him, and thereupon made this A…se a Bishop.

IOHN FORHAM.Iohn Fordham Bishop of Durham, Anno 1388. was by Parliament banished the Court,Walsingham Hist. Angl. An. 1388. p. 365. Speedes History p. 748. Godwin. p. 664. as a pernicious instrument and corrupter of King Richard the second, a Traytor, a flatterer, a whisperer, a slanderer and wicked person.

IOHN SHERWOOD.Iohn Sherwood the 52 Bishop of Durham Solliciter of all King Edward the fourths causes in the Court of Rome, fell off from his Masters Sonne King Edward the fifth, to that bloody usurper Richard the third, at whose **Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 262. Godwin p. 526.Coronation this Bishop of Durham went on the one side of him,**Holinshed, p. 733.734. and the Bishop of Bath on the other, the Arch-bishop of Canterbury with the rest of the Bishops and Abbots mitred and in rich Copes, every one of them carrying Censers in their hands, going in great solemnity before him, and afterwards crowning both him and his Queene, according to the custome of the Realme: so officious were they to this usurper.

CVTBERT TONSTALL.Cutbert Tonstall the 58. Bishop of Durham, December 20. 1551. was committed to the Tower for his disobedience to King Edward the sixth, where he continued all his Reigne. The King was so farre offended with him that 7. Edward. 6. the Bishopricke of Durham was dissolved by **Fox Acts and Monuments, p. 1180. Godwin p. 670.Act of Parliament and all the Lands and hereditaments thereof given to the King:**Rastall Abridg. Stat. f. 149. Durham, Cambdens Brit. p. 736.741. Godwin. p. 533. Martin hist. p. 452.453.454. Holinshed p. 1184. but he dying this Bishopricke was againe revived and erected. 1. Mar. Parliament. 2. cap. 3. and this Bishop thereunto restored. Who in the first yeare of Queene Elizabeth for his contumacy and disobedience in maintaining the Popes Supremacie which he oppugned formerly, and for refusing the oath of Supremacy which he had sworne unto in the raigne of King Henry the eight, he was justly deprived and committed prisoner to Lambeth House, where he dyed. I finde this Tonstall highly applauded by some who lived since his dayes, but Practise of Popish Prelates. p. 374.M. Tyndall who knew him farre better than they, writes thus of him. And as for the Bishopricke of Durham, to say the very truth, he (to wit Cardinall Wolsie) could not but of good cougruity reward his old Chaplaine, p. 305and one of the chiefe of all his Secretaries withall, still Saturne, that so seldome speaketh, but walketh up and downe all day musing and imagining mischiefe, a doubling hypocrite made to dissemble. Which for what service done in Christs Gospell came he to the Bishopricke of Lond…n? Or what such service did he therein? hee burnt the New Testament, calling it, Tunstall Bishop of Durham burnt the New Testament.Doctrinam peregrinam, strange learning: (The story of whose buying and burning of M. Tyndals New Testaments, who with the money set forth a new and better Edition, is related **And out of him by M. Fex Acts and Monuments Edit. ult vol. 2. p. 284.by M. Hall, at large, in his Chronicle 21. H. 8. f. 186.) Yea Verily, looke how strange his living in whose blood that Testament was made, was from the living of the Pope; even so strange is that Doctrine from the Popes Law, in which onelyonly, and in the Practise thereof is Tunstall learned. Which also for what cause left he the Bishopricke of London? Even for the same cause he tooke it after that he had long served for it, covetousnesse and ambition. Neither is it possible naturally (pray marke this passage) that there should be any good Bishop, so long as the Bishoprickes be nothing save worldly Pompe, and honour, A Bishopricke is superfluous honour, and a lewd liberty.superfluous abundance of all manner of riches, and liberty to doe what a man left unpunished; things which onelyonly the evill desire, and good men abhorre.

For the late Bishops of this See of Durham, Neale, & Howson, their dispositions and actions against goodnesse and good men, and their turbulencie both in Church and State, are so well knowne to most, that I neede not mention it. And as for the present Bishop Dr Morton, whom I honour for his learning and workes against the Papists, how farre hee hath degenerated of late yeares from his Pristine zeale and hatred of Romish Superstitions and Innovations,See a late Pamhlet wherein this is expressed. and how farre he hath ingaged himself in the late Wars and differences between England and Scotland, I leave to others to determine. OnelyOnly this I cannot pre…ermit in silence; that as the first Popish Innovations and superstitions, which lately over-spread our whole Church, had their Originall from Bishop Neale and his Chaplaine Dr. Cosens at Durham; so God hath made that City and Bishopricke of Durham (the onelyonly County of England stiled by the name of a Bishoprick) the seate of our late wars wherein the Scottish Armie now resides; to manifest to all the world, that these unhappie civill warres sprung from the Bishops, since the seate of them is no where but in this Bishoprick, the Scottish Generall for the p. 306most part hath kept his residence in the Bishop of Durhams own Palaces, who for feare hath left them vacant, and fled that Country which he hath much oppressed. From Durham I proceede to Salisbury.