Hauing alreadie spoken generally of the state of our church, now will
I touch the sées seuerallie, saieng so much of ech of them as shall be
conuenient for the time, and not onelie out of the ancient, but also
the later writers, and somewhat of mine owne experience, beginning
first with the sée of Canturburie, as the most notable, whose
archbishop is the primat of all this land for ecclesiasticall
iurisdiction, and most accompted of commonlie, bicause he is néerer to
the prince, and readie at euerie call.
[Sidenote: Canturburie.]
The iurisdiction of Canturburie therefore, erected first by Augustine
the moonke, in the time of Ethelbert king of Kent, if you haue respect
to hir prouinciall regiment, extendeth it selfe ouer all the south and
west parts of this Iland, and Ireland, as I haue noted in the chapter
precedent, and few shires there are wherein the archbishop hath not
some peculiars. But if you regard the same onelie that was and is
proper vnto his see, from the beginning, it reacheth but ouer one
parcell of Kent, which Rudburne calleth Cantwarland, the iurisdiction
of Rochester including the rest: so that in this one countie the
greatest archbishoprike and the least bishoprike of all are linked in
togither. That of Canturburie hath vnder it one archdeaconrie, who
hath iurisdiction ouer eleauen deanries or a hundred sixtie one parish
churches; & in the popish time in sted of the 3093 pounds, eighteene
shillings, halfepenie, farthing, which it now paieth vnto hir
maiestie, vnder the name of first frutes, there went out of this see
to Rome, at euerie alienation 10000 ducates or florens, beside 5000
that the new elect did vsuallie paie for his pall, each ducat being
then worth an English crowne or thereabout, as I haue béene informed.
[Sidenote: Rochester.]
The sée of Rochester is also included within the limits of Kent, being
erected by Augustine in the 604 of Grace, and reigne of Ceolrijc ouer
the west-Saxons. The bishop of this sée hath one archdeacon, vnder
whose gouernment in causes ecclesiasticall are thrée deanries, or 132
parish churches: so that hereby it is to be gathered, that there are
393 parish churches in Kent, ouer which the said two archdeacons haue
especiall cure & charge. He was woont to paie also vnto the court of
Rome at his admission to that see 1300 ducats or florens, as I read,
which was an hard valuation, considering the smalnesse of circuit
belonging to his sée. Howbeit, in my time it is so farre from ease by
diminution, that it is raised to 1432 crownes, &c: or as we resolue
them into our pounds, 358 pounds, thrée shillings, six pence,
halfepennie, farthing, a reckoning a great deale more preciselie made
than anie bishop of that sée dooth take any great delight in. He was
crosse-bearer in times past vnto the archbishop of Canturburie. And
there are and haue béene few sées in England, which at one time or
other haue not fetched their bishops for the most part from this see:
for as it is of it selfe but a small thing in déed, so it is commonlie
a preparatiue to an higher place. But of all that euer possessed it,
Thomas Kempe had the best lucke, who being but a poore mans sonne of
Wie (vnto which towne he was a great benefactor) grew first to be
doctor of both lawes, then of diuinitie; and afterward being promoted
to this sée, he was translated from thence to Chichester, thirdlie to
London, next of all to Yorke, and finallie after seauen and twentie
yeares to Canturburie, where he became also cardinall, deacon, and
then preest in the court of Rome, according to this verse, "Bis
primas, ter præses, bis cardine functus." Certes I note this man,
bicause he bare some fauour to the furtherance of the gospell, and to
that end he either builded or repared the pulpit in Paules churchyard,
and tooke order for the continuall maintenance of a sermon there vpon
the sabaoth, which dooth continue vnto my time, as a place from whence
the soundest doctrine is alwaies to be looked for, and for such
strangers to resort vnto as haue no habitation in anie parish within
the citie where it standeth.
[Sidenote: London.]
The sée of London was erected at the first by Lucius, who made it of
an archeflamine and temple of Iupiter an archbishops sée, and temple
vnto the liuing God, and so it continued, vntill Augustine translated
the title thereof to Canturburie. The names of the archbishops of
London are these; Theon, Eluan, Cadoc, Owen, Conan, Palladius,
Stephan, Iltutus restitutus, anno 350, Theodromus, Theodredus,
Hilarius, Fastidius, anno 420, Guittelinus, Vodinus slaine by the
Saxons, and Theonus Iunior. But for their iust order of succession as
yet I am not resolued, neuerthelesse the first bishop there was
ordeined by Augustine the moonke, in the yeare of Christ 604, in the
time of Ceolrijc, after he had remooued his see further off into Kent:
I wote not vpon what secret occasion, if not the spéedie hearing of
newes from Rome, and readinesse to flee out of the land, if any
trouble should betide him. For iurisdiction it included Essex,
Middlesex, and part of Herefordshire, which is neither more nor lesse
in quantitie than the ancient kingdome of the east Angles, before it
was vnited to the west Saxons. The cathedrall church belonging to this
sée, was first begun by Ethelbert of Kent, Indic. 1. 598 of Inuber as
I find, whilest he held that part of the said kingdome vnder his
gouernement. Afterward when the Danes had sundrie times defaced it, it
was repared and made vp with hard stone, but in the end it was taken
downe, and wholie reedified by Mawrice bishop of that sée, and
sometimes chapleine to the bastard Henrie the first, allowing him
stone and stuffe from Bainards castell néere vnto Ludgate, then
ruinous for the furtherance of his works. Howbeit the moold of the
quire was not statelie inough in the eies of some of his successors;
wherefore in the yeare of Grace 1256, it was taken downe and brought
into another forme, and called the new worke, at which time also the
bodies of diuerse kings and bishops were taken vp and bestowed in the
walles, to the end their memories should be of longer continuance. The
iurisdiction of this sée also vnder the bishop, is committed to foure
archdeacons, to wit, of London, Essex, Middlesex, and Colchester, who
haue amongst them to the number of 363 parish churches, or
thereabouts, beside the peculiars belonging to the archbishop and
chapiter of that house, and at euerie alienation the bishop paieth for
his owne part 1119 pounds, eight shillings and foure pence (but in old
time 3000 florens) which diuerse suppose to be more, than (as it now
standeth) the bishop is able to make of it. Of the archdeconrie, of S.
Albons added therevnto by king Henrie the eight (whereby the bishop
hath fiue eies) I speake not, for although it be vnder the bishop of
London for visitations and synods, yet is it otherwise reputed as
member of the sée of Lincolne, and therefore worthilie called an
exempt, it hath also fiue and twentie parishes, of which foure are in
Buckingham, the rest in Herefordshire.
[Sidenote: Chichester.]
The first beginning of the sée of Chichester was in the Ile of Seales
or Seolseie, and from thence translated to Chichester, in the time of
William the bastard, and generall remoouing of sées from small
villages vnto the greater townes. It conteineth Sussex onelie vnder
hir iurisdiction, wherein are sixtéene deanries, and 551 parish
churches, it paid at euerie alienation to the sée of Rome 333 ducats:
and after Edbert the first bishop, one Cella succeeded, after whome
the pontificall chaire (not then worth 677 pounds by the yéere as now
it is) was void by many yeares. It was erected in Seoleseie also 711,
by the decrée of a synod holden in Sussex, which borowed it from the
iurisdiction of Winchester, whereof before it was reputed a parcell.
Of all the bishops that haue béene in this sée, Thomas Kempe alwaies
excepted, I read not of anie one that hath béene of more estimation
than William Read, sometime fellow of Merteine college in Oxford,
doctor of diuinitie, and the most profound astronomer that liued in
his time, as appeareth by his collection which sometime I did
possesse; his image is yet in the librarie there, and manie
instruments of astronomie reserued in that house (a college erected
sometime by Walter Merton bishop of Rochester, and lord chancellor of
England) he builded also the castell of Amberleie from the verie
foundation, as Edward Scorie or Storie his successor did the new
crosse in the market place of Chichester.
[Sidenote: Winchester.]
The bishop of Winchester was sometime called bishop of the west
Saxons, and of Dorchester, which towne was giuen to Birinus and his
successors, by Kinigils and Oswald of the Northumbers, in whose time
it was erected by Birinus and his fellowes. In my time it hath
iurisdiction onelie ouer Hamshire, Surrie, Iardeseie, Gardeseie, and
the Wight, conteining eight deaneries, two hundred seuentie and six
parish churches, and beside all this he is perpetuall prelate to the
honorable order of the Garter, deuised by Edward the third: he paid in
old time to Rome 12000 ducates or florens, but now his first fruits
are 2491 pounds nine shillings eight pence halfe penie. Canturburie
was said to be the higher racke, but Winchester hath borne the name to
be the better mangier. There are also which make Lucius to be the
first founder of an house of praier in Winchester, as Kinigils did
build the second, and Kinwaldus his sonne the third; but you shall sée
the truth herof in the chronologie insuing. And herevnto if the old
catalog of the bishops of this sée be well considered of, and the acts
of the greatest part of them indifferentlie weighed, as they are to be
read in our histories, you shall find the most egregious hypocrites,
the stoutest warriours, the cruellest tyrants, the richest
monimoongers, and politike counsellors in temporall affaires to haue,
I wote not by what secret working of the diuine prouidence, beene
placed here in Winchester, since the foundation of that sée, which was
erected by Birinus 639 (whome pope Honorius sent hither out of Italie)
and first planted at Dorchester, in the time of Kinigils, then
translated to Winchester, where it dooth yet continue.
[Sidenote: Salisburie.]
Salisburie was made the chéefe sée of Shirburne by bishop Harman
(predecessor to Osmond) who brought it from Shirburne to that citie;
it hath now Barkeshire, Wilshire, and Dorsetshire vnder hir
iurisdiction. For after the death of Hedda, which was 704, Winchester
was diuided in two, so that onelie Hamshire and Surrie were left vnto
it, and Wilton, Dorset, Barkeshire, Summerset, Deuon & Cornewill
assigned vnto Shirburne till other order was taken. Bishop Adeline did
first sit in that bishoprike (704 as I said) and placed his chaire at
Shirburne vpon the said diuision. And as manie lerned bishops did
succéed him in that roome, before and after it was remooued to Sarum;
so there was neuer a more noble ornament to that sée than bishop
Iuell, of whose great learning and iudgement the world it selfe
beareth witnesse, notwithstanding that the papists prefer S. Osmond
(as they call him) because he builded the minster there, and made the
portesse called Ordinale ecclesiastici officij, which old préests were
woont to vse. The bishops also of this sée were sometimes called
bishops of Sunning, of their old mansion house neere vnto Reading (as
it should seeme) and among those that liued before the said Iuell, one
Roger builded the castell of the Vies in the time of Henrie the first,
taken in those daies for the strongest hold in England, as vnto whose
gate there were regals and gripes for six or seuen port cullises.
Finallie this sée paid vnto Rome 4000 florens, but vnto hir maiestie
in my time 1367 pounds twelue shillings eight pence, as I did find of
late.
[Sidenote: Excester.]
Excester hath, Deuonshire and Cornewall, sometime two seuerall
bishopriks, but in the end brought into one of Cornewall, and from
thence to Excester in the time of the Bastard or soone after. It began
vpon this occasion, Anno Gratiæ 905, in a prouinciall councell holden
by the elder Edward & Plegimond archbishop of Canturburie, among the
Gewises, wherein it was found, that the see of Winchester had not
onelie béene without hir pastor by the space of seuen yéeres, but also
that hir iurisdiction was farre greater than two men were able well to
gouerne; therefore from the former two, to wit, Winchester and
Shirburne, three other were taken, whereby that see was now diuided
into fiue parts; the latter thrée being Welles, Kirton, and Cornwall:
this of Cornwall hauing hir sée then at saint Patroks, not farre from
north-Wales vpon the riuer Helmouth: he of Deuon holding his
iurisdiction in Deuonshire, Kirton, or Cridioc. And the bishop of
Welles being allowed Dorset and Barkshires for his part, to gouerne
and looke vnto according to his charge. Finallie, these two of Deuon
and Cornwall being vnited, the valuation thereof was taxed by the sée
of Rome at six thousand ducats or florens, which were trulie paid at
euerie alienation; but verie hardlie (as I gesse) sith that in my
time, wherein all things are racked to the verie vttermost, I find
that it is litle worth aboue fiue hundred pounds by the yéere, bicause
hir tenths are but fiftie.
[Sidenote: Bath.]
Bath, whose see was sometime at Welles, before Iohn the bishop there
annexed the church of Bath vnto it, which was 1094, hath
Summersetshire onlie, and the valuation thereof in the court of Rome
was foure hundred & thirtie florens: but in hir maiesties books I find
it fiue hundred thirtie and three pounds, and about one od shilling:
which declareth a precise examination of the estate of that sée. Of
the erection of this bishoprike, mentioned in the discourse of
Excester, I find the former assertion confirmed by another author, and
in somewhat more large maner, which I will also remember, onelie
because it pleaseth me somewhat better than the words before alleged
out of the former writer. This bishoprike (saith he) was erected 905,
in a councell holden among the Gewises, whereat king Edward of the
west-Saxons, and Plegimond archbishop of Canturburie were present. For
that part of the countrie had béene seuen yéeres without anie
pastorall cure. And therfore in this councell it was agréed, that for
[Sidenote: The bishoprike of Shirburne diuided into thrée.]
the two bishoprikes (whereof one was at Winchester, another at
Shireburne) there should be fiue ordeined, whereby the people there
might be the better instructed. By this meanes Frithstan was placed at
Winchester, and Ethelme at Shireburne, both of them being then void.
Shireburne also susteined the subdiuision; so that Werstane was made
bishop of Cridioc or Deuonshire (whose sée was at Kirton), Herstan of
Cornwall, and Eadulfe of Welles, vnto whome Barkshire and Dorsetshire
were appointed. But now you sée what alteration is made, by
consideration of the limits of their present iurisdictions.
[Sidenote: Worcester.]
Worcester sometime called Episcopatus Wicciorum (that is, the
bishoprike of the Wiccies or Huiccies) hath Worcester, & part of
Warwikeshires. And before the bishoprike of Glocester was taken out of
the same, it paid to the pope two thousand ducats of gold at euerie
change of prelat: but now the valuation thereof is one thousand fortie
nine pounds, seauen pence halfe penie farthing (except my remembrance
doo deceiue me.) This sée was begunne either in, or not long before
the time of Offa king of the east-Angles, and Boselus was the first
bishop there; after whome succéeded Ostfort, then Egwine who went in
pilgrimage to Rome, with Kinredus of Mercia and the said Offa, and
there gat a monasterie (which he builded in Worcester) confirmed by
Constantine the pope. In this sée was one of your lordships ancestors
sometime bishop, whose name was Cobham, and doctor both of diuinitie
and of the canon law, who, during the time of his pontificalitie
there, builded the vault of the north side of the bodie of the church,
and there lieth buried in the same (as I haue béene informed.) Certes
this man was once elected, and should haue béene archbishop of
Canturburie in the roome of Reginald that died 1313 vnder Edward the
second: but the pope frustrated his election, fearing least he would
haue shewed himselfe more affectionate towards his prince than to his
court of Rome; wherefore he gaue Canturburie to the bishop of
Worcester then being. And furthermore, least he should seeme
altogither to reiect the said Thomas and displease the king, he gaue
him in the end the bishoprike of Worcester, whereinto he entred 1317,
Martij 31, being thursdaie (as appeereth by the register of that
house) after long plée holden for the aforesaid sée of Canturburie in
the court of Rome, wherein most monie did oftenest preuaile. This is
also notable of that sée, that fiue Italians succéeded ech other in
the same, by the popes prouision; as Egidius, Syluester, Egidius his
nephue (for nephues might say in those daies; Father shall I call you
vncle? And vncles also; Son I must call thée nephue) Iulius de
Medices, afterward pope Clement, and Hieronymus de Nugutijs, men verie
likelie, no doubt, to benefit the common people by their doctrine.
Some of these being at the first but poore men in Rome, and yet able
by selling all they had to make a round summe against a rainie daie,
came first into fauor with the pope, then into familiaritie, finallie
into orders; and from thence into the best liuings of the church,
farre off where their parentage could not easilie be heard of, nor
made knowne vnto their neighbours.
[Sidenote: Glocester.]
Glocester hath Glocestershire onelie, wherein are nine deanries, and
to the number of 294 parish churches, as I find by good record. But it
neuer paid anie thing to Rome, bicause it was erected by king Henrie
the eight, after he had abolished the vsurped authoritie of the pope,
except in quéene Maries, if anie such thing were demanded, as I doubt
not but it was: yet is it woorth yeerelie 315 pounds, seauen shillings
thrée pence, as the booke of first fruits declareth.
[Sidenote: Hereford.]
Hereford hath Herefordshire and part of Shropshire, and it paid to
Rome at euerie alienation 1800 ducats at the least, but in my time it
paieth vnto hir maiesties cofers 768 pounds, ten shillings, ten pence,
halfe penie, farthing. In this sée there was a bishop sometime called
Iohn Bruton, vpon whome the king then reigning, by likelihood for want
of competent maintenance, bestowed the keeping of his wardrobe, which
he held long time with great honour, as his register saith. A
woonderfull preferment that bishops should be preferred from the
pulpit, to the custodie of wardrobes: but such was the time.
Neuerthelesse his honorable custodie of that charge is more solemnlie
remembred, than anie good sermon that euer he made, which function
peraduenture he committed to his suffragane, sith bishops in those
daies had so much businesse in the court, that they could not attend
to doctrine and exhortation.
[Sidenote: Lichfield.]
Lichefield, wherevnto Couentrie was added, in the time of Henrie the
first, at the earnest sute of Robert bishop of that see, hath
Staffordshire, Darbishire, part of Shropshire, and the rest of
Warwikeshire, that is void of subiection to the sée of Worcestershire.
It was erected in the time of Peada king of the south Mercians, which
laie on this side the Trent, and therein one Dinas was installed,
about the yeare of Grace 656, after whom Kellac first, then Tunher an
Englishman succéeded, this later being well learned, and consecrated
by the Scots. In the time of the bastard, I wot not vpon what
occasion, one Peter bishop of this sée translated his chaire to
Chester, and there held it for a season, whereby it came to passe that
the bishops of Lichfield were for a while called bishops of Chester.
But Robert his successor not likeing of this president, remooued his
chaire from Chester to Couentrie, and there held it whilest he liued,
whereby the originall diuision of the bishoprike of Lichfield into
Lichefield, Chester, and Couentrie, dooth easilie appeare, although in
my time Lichfield and Couentrie be vnited, and Chester remaineth a
bishoprike by it selfe. It paid the pope at euerie alienation 1733
florens, or (as some old bookes haue) 3000, a good round summe, but
not without a iust punishment, as one saith, sith that anno 765,
Edulfe bishop there vnder Offa king of Mercia, would by his helpe haue
bereaued the archbishop of Canturburie of his pall, & so did in déed
vnder pope Hadrian, holding the same vntill things were reduced vnto
their ancient forme. Before the time also of bishop Langton, the
prebends of this see laie here and there abroad in the citie, where
the vicars also had an house, of which this honest bishop misliked not
a little for sundrie causes; wherefore he began their close, and
bestowed so much in building the same, and pauing the stréets, that
his hungrie kinsmen did not a little grudge at his expenses, thinking
that his emptie cofers would neuer make them gentlemen, for which
preferment the freends of most bishops gaped earnestlie in those
daies. King Iohn was the greatest benefactor vnto this sée, next vnto
Offa; and it is called Lichfield, Quasi mortuorum campus, bicause of
the great slaughter of christians made there (as some write) vnder
Dioclesian. Howbeit in my time the valuation thereof is 703 pounds,
fiue shillings two pence, halfepenie, farthing, a summe verie
narrowlie cast by that auditor which tooke it first in hand.
Oxford hath Oxfordshire onelie, a verie yoong iurisdiction, erected by
king Henrie the eight, & where in the time of quéene Marie, one
Goldwell was bishop, who (as I remember) was a Iesuit, dwelling in
Rome, and more conuersant (as the constant fame went) in the blacke
art, than skilfull in the scriptures, and yet he was of great
countenance amongst the Romane monarchs. It is said that obseruing the
canons of his order, he regarded not the temporalities of that sée:
but I haue heard since that he wist well inough what became of those
commodities, for by one meane and other he found the swéetnesse of 354
pounds sixteene shillings thrée pence halfe penie, yearelie growing to
him, which was euen inough (if not too much) for the maintenance of a
frier toward the drawing out of circles, characters, & lineaments of
imagerie, wherein he was passing skilfull, as the fame then went in
Rome, and not vnheard of in Oxford.
[Sidenote: Elie.]
Elie hath Cambridgshire, and the Ile of Elie. It was erected 1109 by
Henrie the first, being before a rich and wealthie abbeie. One Heruie
also was made bishop there, as I haue found in a register, belonging
sometime to that house being translated from Bangor. Finallie it paid
to the pope at euerie alienation 7000 ducats, as the registers there
do testifie at large. Albeit that in my time I find a note of 2134
pounds sixtéene shillings thrée pence halfe penie farthing, whose
disme ioined to those of all the bishopriks in England, doo yéeld
yearelie to hir maiesties coffers 23370 pounds sixtéene shillings
thrée pence halfe penie farthing: whereby also the huge sums of monie
going out of this land to the court of Rome dooth in some measure
appéere. Ethelwold afterward bishop of Winchester builded the first
monasterie of Elie vpon the ruines of a nunrie then in the kings
hands, howbeit the same house, whereof he himselfe was abbat, was yer
long destroied by enimies, and he in lieu of his old preferment
rewarded by king Edgar, with the aforesaid bishoprike, from whence
with more than lionlike boldnesse he expelled the secular préests, and
stored with moonkes prouided from Abandune néere Oxford, by the helpe
of Edgar and Dunstane then metropolitane of England. There was
sometime a greeuous contention betwéene Thomas Lild bishop of this
see, and the king of England, about the yeare of Grace 1355, which I
will here deliuer out of an old record, because the matter is so
parciallie penned by some of the brethren of that house, in fauour of
the bishop; & for that I was also abused with the same in the entrance
thereof at the first into my chronologie. The blacke prince fauoring
one Robert Stretton his chapleine, a man vnlearned and not worthie the
name of a clearke, the matter went on so farre, that what for loue,
and somewhat else, of a canon of Lichfield he was chosen bishop of
that see. Herevpon the pope vnderstanding what he was by his Nuncio
here in England, staied his consecration by his letters for a time,
and in the meane season committed his examination to the archbishop of
Canturburie, and the bishop of Rochester, who felt and dealt so
fauourablie with him in golden reasoning, that his worthinesse was
commended to the popes holinesse, & to Rome he goeth. Being come to
Rome the pope himselfe apposed him, and after secret conference
vtterlie disableth his election, till he had prooued by substantiall
argument and of great weight before him also, that he was not so
lightlie to be reiected. Which kind of reasoning so well pleased his
holinesse, that Ex mera plenitudine potestatis, he was made capable of
the benefice and so returneth into England; when he came home, this
bishop being in the kings presence told him how he had doone he wist
not what in preferring so vnméet a man vnto so high a calling. With
which speach the king was so offended, that he commanded him out of
hand to auoid out of his presence. In like sort the ladie Wake then
duchesse of Lancaster, standing by, and hearing the king hir cousine
to gather vp the bishop so roundlie, and thereto an old grudge against
him for some other matter, dooth presentlie picke a quarrell against
him about certeine lands then in his possession, which he defended &
in the end obteined against hir by plée and course of law: yer long
[Sidenote: * sic. qu. _a fire_]
also [*]afore hapned in a part of hir house, for which she accused the
bishop, and in the end by verdict of twelue men found that he was
priuie vnto the fact of his men in the said fact, wherfore he was
condemned in nine hundred pounds damages, which he paid euerie penie.
Neuerthelesse, being sore grieued, that she had (as he said) wrested
out such a verdict against him, and therein packed vp a quest at hir
owne choise: he taketh his horsse, goeth to the court, and there
complaineth to the king of his great iniurie receiued at hir hands.
But in the deliuerie of his tale, his speech was so blockish, & termes
so euill fauoredlie (though maliciouslie) placed, that the king tooke
yet more offense with him than before; insomuch that he led him with
him into the parlement house, for then was that court holden, and
there before the lords accused him of no small misdemeanor toward his
person by his rude and threatening speeches. But the bishop egerlie
denieth the kings obiections, which he still auoucheth vpon his honor;
and in the end confirmeth his allegations by witnesse: wherevpon he is
banished from the kings presence during his naturall life by verdict
of that house. In the meane time the duchesse hearing what was doone,
she beginneth a new to be dealing with him: and in a brabling fraie
betweene their seruants one of hir men was slaine, for which he was
called before the magistrat, as chiefe accessarie vnto the fact. But
he fearing the sequele of his third cause by his successe had in the
two first, hideth himselfe after he had sold all his moouables, and
committed the monie vnto his trustie friends. And being found giltie
by the inquest, the king seizeth vpon his possessions, and calleth vp
the bishop to answer vnto the trespasse. To be short, vpon
safe-conduct the bishop commeth to the kings presence, where he
denieth that he was accessarie to the fact, either before, at, or
after the deed committed, and therevpon craueth to be tried by his
péeres. But this petition was in vaine: for sentence passeth against
him also by the kings owne mouth. Wherevpon he craueth helpe of the
archbishop of Canturburie and priuileges of the church, hoping by such
meanes to be solemnlie rescued. But they fearing the kings
displeasure, who bare small fauour to the clergie of his time, gaue
ouer to vse anie such meanes; but rather willed him to submit himselfe
vnto the kings mercie which he refused, standing vpon his innocencie
from the first vnto the last. Finallie, growing into choler, that the
malice of a woman should so preuaile against him, he writeth to Rome,
requiring that his case might be heard there, as a place wherein
greater iustice (saith he) is to be looked for than to be found in
England. Vpon the perusall of these his letters also, his accusers
were called thither. But for so much as they appéered not at their
peremptorie times, they were excommunicated. Such of them also as died
before their reconciliations were taken out of the churchyards, and
buried in the fields and doong-hilles, "Vnde timor & turba (saith my
note) in Anglia." For the king inhibited the bringing in and receipt
of all processes, billes, and whatsoeuer instruments should come from
Rome: such also as aduentured contrarie to this prohibition to bring
them in, were either dismembred of some ioint, or hanged by the necks.
Which rage so incensed the pope, that he wrote in verie vehement maner
to the king of England, threatening far greater cursses, except he did
the sooner staie the furie of the lady, reconcile himself vnto the
bishop, and finallie, making him amends for all his losses susteined
in these broiles. Long it was yer the king would be brought to peace.
Neuerthelesse, in the end he wrote to Rome about a reconciliation to
be had betwéene them: but yer all things were concluded, God himselfe
did end the quarrell, by taking awaie the bishop. And thus much out of
an old pamphlet in effect word for word: but I haue somewhat framed
the forme of the report after the order that Stephan Birchington dooth
deliuer it, who also hath the same in manner as I deliuer it.
[Sidenote: Norwich.]
The see of Norwich called in old time Episcopatus Donnicensis,
Dononiæ, or Eastanglorum, was erected at Felstow or Felixstow, where
Felix of Burgundie (sometime schoolemaster to Sigebert of the
east-Angles, by whose persuasion also the said Sigebert erected the
vniuersitie at Cambridge) being made bishop of the east-Angles first
placed his sée, afterward it was remooued from thence to Donwich, &
thence to Helmham, Anno 870, about the death of Celnothus of
Canturburie; thirdlie, to Theodford, or Thetford; & finallie, after
the time of the Bastard, to Norwich. For iurisdiction it conteineth in
our daies Norffolke and Suffolke onelie, whereas at the first it
included Cambridgeshire also, and so much as laie within the kingdome
of the east-Angles. It began about the yéere 632, vnder Cerpenwald
king of the east-Saxons, who bestowed it vpon Felix, whome pope
Honorius also confirmed, and after which he held it by the space of
seauenteene yéeres. It paid sometimes at euerie alienation 5000 ducats
to Rome. But in my time hir maiestie hath 899 pounds, 8 shillings 7
pence farthing, as I haue been informed. In the same iurisdiction also
there were once 1563 parish churches, and 88 religious houses: but in
our daies I can not heare of more churches than 1200: and yet of these
I know one conuerted into a barne, whilest the people heare seruice
further off vpon a greene: their bell also when I heard a sermon there
preached in the gréene, hanged in an oke for want of a stéeple. But
now I vnderstand that the oke likewise is gone. There is neuerthelesse
a litle chappellet hard by on that common, but nothing capable of the
multitude of Ashlie towne that should come to the same in such wise,
if they did repaire thither as they ought.
[Sidenote: Peterborow.]
Peterborow, sometimes a notable monasterie, hath Northampton and
Rutland shires vnder hir iurisdiction, a diocesse erected also by king
Henrie the eight. It neuer paid first fruits to the pope before queene
Maries daies (if it were then deliuered) wherof I doubt, because it
was not recorded in his ancient register of tenths and fruits,
although peraduenture the collectors left it not vngathered, I wot not
for what purpose; it yéeldeth now foure hundred and fiftie pounds, one
penie abated. I haue seene and had an ancient iarror of the lands of
this monasterie, which agréeth verie well with the historie of Hugo le
Blanc monke of that house. In the charter also of donation annexed to
the same, I saw one of Wulfhere king of Mercia, signed with his owne,
& the marks of Sigher king of Sussex, Sebbie of Essex, with the
additions of their names: the rest of the witnesses also insued in
this order:
Ethelred brother to Wulfehere,
Kindburg and Kindswith sisters to Wulfhere,
Deusdedit archbishop,
Ithamar bishop of Rochester,
Wina bishop of London,
Iarnman bishop of Mearc,
Wilfride and Eoppa préests,
Saxulfe the abbat.
Then all the earles and eldermen of England in order; and after all
these, the name of pope Agatho, who confirmed the instrument at the
sute of Wilfride archbishop of Yorke, in a councell holden at Rome
680, of a hundred & fiue and twentie bishops, wherein also these
churches were appropriated to the said monasterie, to wit, Breding,
Reping, Cedenac, Swinesheued, Lusgerd, Edelminglond, and Barchaing:
whereby we haue in part an euident testimonie how long the practise of
appropriation of benefices hath béene vsed to the hinderance of the
gospell, and maintenance of idle moonks, an humane inuention grounded
vpon hypocrisie.
[Sidenote: Bristow.]
Bristow hath Dorsetshire sometime belonging to Salisburie, a sée also
latelie erected by king Henrie the eight, who tooke no small care for
the church of Christ, and therefore eased a number of ancient sées of
some part of their huge and ouer-large circuits, and bestowed those
portions deducted, vpon such other erections as he had appointed for
the better regiment and féeding of the flocke: the value thereof is
thrée hundred foure score and thrée pounds, eight shillings, and foure
pence (as I haue béene informed.)
[Sidenote: Lincolne.]
Lincolne of all other of late times was the greatest; and albeit that
out of it were taken the sees of Oxford and Peterborow, yet it still
reteineth Lincolne, Leicester, Huntingdon, Bedford, Buckingham shires,
and the rest of Hertford; so that it extendeth from the Thames vnto
the Humber, and paid vnto the pope fiue thousand ducats (as appeereth
by his note) at euerie alienation. In my time, and by reason of hir
diminution it yéeldeth a tribute to whom tribute belongeth, of the
valuation of eight hundred ninetie and nine pounds, eight shillings,
seauen pence farthing. It began since the conquest, about the
beginning of William Rufus, by one Remigius, who remooued his sée from
Dorchester to Lincolne (not without licence well paid for vnto the
king.) And thus much of the bishopriks which lie within Lhoegres or
England, as it was left vnto Locrinus. Now it followeth that I procéed
with Wales.
[Sidenote: Landaffe.]
Landaffe, or the church of Taw hath ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in
Glamorgan, Monmouth, Brechnoch, and Radnor shires. And although it
paid seuen hundred ducats at euerie exchange of prelat; yet is it
scarselie worth one hundred fiftie and fiue pounds by the yeare (as I
haue heard reported.) Certes it is a poore bishoprike, & (as I haue
heard) the late incumbent thereof being called for not long since by
the lord president in open court made answer. The daffe is here, but
the land is gone. What he meant by it I can not well tell; but I hope,
that in the séed time and the frée planting of the gospell, the meate
of the labourer shall not be diminished and withdrawen.
[Sidenote: S. Dauids.]
S. Dauids hath Penbroke and Caermardine shires, whose liuerie or first
fruits to the sée of Rome was one thousand and fiue hundred ducats, at
the hardest (as I thinke.) For if record be of anie sufficient credit,
it is little aboue the value of foure hundred fiftie and seauen
pounds, one shilling, and ten pence farthing, in our time, and so it
paieth vnto hir maiesties coffers; but in time past I thinke it was
farre better. The present bishop misliketh verie much of the cold
situation of his cathedrall church; and therfore he would gladlie pull
it downe, and set it in a warmer place: but it would first be learned
what suertie he would put in to sée it well performed: of the rest I
speake not.
[Sidenote: Bangor.]
Bangor is in north-Wales, and hath Caernaruon, Angleseie, and
Merioneth shires vnder hir iurisdiction. It paid to Rome 126 ducats,
which is verie much. For of all the bishoprikes in England it is now
the least for reuenues, and not woorth aboue one hundred and one and
thirtie pounds, and sixteene pence to hir maiesties coffers at euerie
alienation (as appéereth by the tenths, which amount to much lesse
than those of some good benefice) for it yeeldeth not yéerelie aboue
thirtéene pounds, thrée shillings, and seauen pence halfe penie, as by
that court is manifest.
[Sidenote: S. Asaphes.]
S. Asaphes hath Prestholme and part of Denbigh and Flintshires vnder
hir iurisdiction in causes ecclesiasticall, which being laid togither
doo amount to little more than one good countie, and therefore in
respect of circuit the least that is to be found in Wales,
neuerthelesse it paid to Rome 470 ducates at euerie alienation. In my
time the first fruits of this bishoprike came vnto 187 pounds eleuen
shillings six pence; wherby it séemeth to be somewhat better than
Landaffe or Bangor last remembred. There is one Howell a gentleman of
Flintshire in the compasse of this iurisdiction, who is bound to giue
an harpe of siluer yearelie to the best harper in Wales, but did anie
bishop thinke you deserue that in the popish time? Howell or Aphowell
in English is all one (as I haue heard) and signifie so much as Hugo
or Hugh. Hitherto of the prouince of Canturburie, for so much therof
as now lieth within the compasse of this Iland. Now it resteth that I
procéed with the curtailed archbishoprike of Yorke, I saie curtailed
because all Scotland is cut from his iurisdiction and obedience.
[Sidenote: Yorke.]
The see of Yorke was restored about the yeare of Grace 625, which
after the comming of the Saxons laie desolate and neglected, howbeit
at the said time Iustus archbishop of Canturburie ordeined Paulinus to
be first bishop there, in the time of Gadwijn king of Northumberland.
This Paulinus sate six yeares yer he was driuen from thence, & after
whose expulsion that seat was void long time, wherby Lindesfarne grew
into credit, and so remained vntill the daies of Oswie of
Northumberland, who sent Wilfred the priest ouer into France, there to
be consecrated archbishop of Yorke: but whilest he taried ouer long in
those parts, Oswie impatient of delaie preferred Ceadda or Chad to
that roome, who held it three yeares, which being expired Wilfred
recouered his roome, and held it as he might, vntill it was seuered in
two, to wit, Yorke, Hagulstade, or Lindesfarne, where Eata was placed,
at which time also Egfride was made bishop of Lincolne or Lindsie in
that part of Mercia which he had goten from Woolfhere. Of it selfe it
hath now iurisdiction ouer Yorkeshire, Notinghamshire (whose shire
towne I meane the new part thereof with the bridge was builded by king
Edward the first surnamed the elder before the conquest) and the rest
of Lancastershire onelie not subiect to the sée of Chester; and when
the pope bare authoritie in this realme, it paid vnto his see 1000
ducates, beside 5000 for the pall of the new elect, which was more
than he could well spare of late, considering the curtailing &
diminution of his sée, thorough the erection of a new metropolitane in
Scotland, but in my time it yéeldeth 1609 pounds ninetéene shillings
two pence to hir maiestie, whom God long preserue vnto vs to his
glorie, hir comfort, and our welfares.
[Sidenote: Chester.]
Chester vpon Dee, otherwise called Westchester, hath vnder hir
iurisdiction in causes ecclesiasticall, Chestershire, Darbishire, the
most part of Lancastershire (to wit vnto the Ribell) Richmond and a
part of Flint and Denbigh shires in Wales, was made a bishoprike by
king H. 8. anno regni 33. Iulij 16, and so hath continued since that
time, being valued 420 pounds by the yeare beside od twentie pence (a
streict reckoning) as the record declareth.
[Sidenote: Durham.]
Durham hath the countie of Durham and Northumberland with the Dales
onelie vnder hir iurisdiction, and hereof the bishops haue sometimes
béene earles palantines & ruled the rost vnder the name of the
bishoprike and succession of S. Cuthbert. It was a sée (in mine
opinion) more profitable of late vnto hir maiesties coffers by 221
pounds eighteene shillings ten pence farthing, and yet of lesse
countenance than hir prouinciall, neuertheles the sunneshine thereof
(as I heare) is now somewhat eclipsed and not likelie to recouer the
light, for this is not a time wherein the church may looke to increase
in hir estate. I heare also that some other flitches haue forgone the
like collops, but let such matters be scanned by men of more
discretion. Capgraue saith how that the first bishop of this sée was
called bishop of Lindseie (or Lincolne) & that Ceadda laie in
Liechfield of the Mercians in a mansion house néere the church. But
this is more worthie to be remembred, that Cuthred of the Northumbers,
and Alfred of the West-saxons bestowed all the land betwéene the These
& the Tine now called the bishoprike vpon S. Cuthbert, beside
whatsoeuer belonged to the see of Hagulstade. Edgar of Scotland also
in the time of the Bastard gaue Coldingham and Berwike withall their
appurtenances to that house; but whether these donations be extant or
no as yet I cannot tell. Yet I thinke not but that Leland had a sight
of them, from whome I had this ground. But whatsoeuer this bishoprike
be now, in externall & outward apparance, sure it is that it paid in
old time 9000 ducates at euerie alienation to Rome, as the record
expresseth. Aidan a Scot or Irishman was the first bishop of this sée,
who held himselfe (as did manie of his successors) at Colchester and
in Lindesfarne Ile, till one came that remooued it to Durham. And now
iudge you whether the allegation of Capgraue be of anie accompt or
not.
[Sidenote: Caerleill.]
Caerleill was erected 1132 by Henrie the first, and hereof one
Ethelwoolfe confessor to Osmond bishop of Sarum was made the first
bishop, hauing Cumberland & Westmerland assigned to his share; of the
deaneries and number of parish churches conteined in the same as yet I
haue no knowledge, more than of manie other. Howbeit hereof I am sure,
that notwithstanding the present valuation be risen to 531 pounds
foureteene shillings eleuen pence halfe penie, the pope receiued out
of it but 1000 florens, and might haue spared much more, as an
aduersarie thereto confessed sometime euen before the pope himselfe,
supposing no lesse than to haue gained by his tale, and so
peraduenture should haue doone, if his platforme had taken place. But
as wise men oft espie the practises of flatteries, so the pope saw to
what end this profitable speach was vttered. As touching Caerleill it
selfe it was sometime sacked by the Danes, and eftsoones repared by
William Rufus, & planted with a colonie of southerne men. I suppose
that in old time it was called Cairdoill. For in an ancient booke
which I haue séene, and yet haue, intituled, Liber formularum
literarum curiæ Romanæ, octo capitulorum, episcopatus Cardocensis. And
thus much generallie of the names and numbers of our bishoprikes of
England, whose tenths in old time yearelie amounting vnto 21111
pounds, twelue shillings one penie halfe penie farthing, of currant
monie in those daies, doo euidentlie declare, what store of coine was
transported out of the land vnto the papall vses, in that behalfe
onelie.
Certes I take this not to be one quarter of his gaines gotten by
England in those daies, for such commodities were raised by his courts
holden here, so plentifullie gat he by his perquisits, as elections,
procurations, appeales, preuentions, pluralities, tot quots,
trialities, tollerations, legitimations, bulles, seales, préests,
concubines, eating of flesh and white meats, dispensations for
mariages, & times of celebration, Peter pence, and such like
faculties, that not so little as 1200000 pounds went yearelie from
hence to Rome. And therefore no maruell though he séeke much in these
daies to reduce vs to his obedience. But what are the tenths of
England (you will saie) in comparison of all those of Europe. For
notwithstanding that manie good bishoprikes latelie erected be left
out of his old bookes of record, which I also haue séene, yet I find
neuertheles that the whole sum of them amounted to not aboue 61521
pounds as monie went 200 yeares before my time, of which portion poore
saint Peter did neuer heare, of so much as one graie grote. Marke
therfore I praie you whether England were not fullie answerable to a
third part of the rest of his tenths ouer all Europe, and therevpon
tell me whether our Iland was one of the best paire of bellowes or
not, that blue the fire in his kitchen, wherewith to make his pot
seeth, beside all other commodities.
[Sidenote: Man.]
Beside all these, we haue another bishoprike yet in England almost
slipped out of my remembrance, because it is verie obscure, for that
the bishop thereof hath not wherewith to mainteine his countenance
sufficientlie, and that is the see of Mona or Man, somtime named
Episcopatus Sodorensis, whereof one Wimundus was ordeined the first
bishop, and Iohn the second, in the troublesome time of king Stephan.
The gift of this prelacie resteth in the earles of Darbie, who
nominate such a one from time to time therto as to them dooth séeme
conuenient. Howbeit if that sée did know and might reape hir owne
commodities, and discerne them from other mens possessions (for it is
supposed that the mother hath deuoured the daughter) I doubt not but
the state of hir bishop would quicklie be amended. Hauing therefore
called this later sée after this maner vnto mind, I suppose that I
haue sufficientlie discharged my dutie concerning the state of our
bishoprike, and maner how the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction of the
church of England is diuided among the shires and counties of this
realme. Whose bishops as they haue béene heretofore of lesse learning,
and yet of greater port & dooings in the common-wealth, than at this
present, so are they now for the most part the best learned that are
to be found in anie countrie of Europe, sith neither high parentage,
nor great riches (as in other countries) but onelie learning and
vertue, commended somewhat by fréendship, doo bring them to this
honour.
I might here haue spoken more at large of diuerse other bishopriks,
sometime in this part of the Iland, as of that of Caerlheon tofore
ouerthrowen by Edelfred in the behalfe of Augustine the moonke (as
Malmesburie saith) where Dubritius gouerned, which was afterward
translated to S. Dauids, and taken for an archbishoprike: secondlie of
the bishoprike of Leircester called Legerensis, whose fourth bishop
(Vnwon) went to Rome with Offa king of Mercia: thirdlie of Ramsbirie
[Sidenote: Gloucester's verie ancient bishoprike.]
or Wiltun, and of Glocester (of which you shall read in Matth. Westm.
489) where the bishop was called Eldad: also of Hagulstade, one of the
members whereinto the see of Yorke was diuided after the expulsion of
Wilfrid. For (as I read) when Egfrid the king had driuen him awaie, he
diuided his see into two parts, making Bosa ouer the Deiranes that
held his sée at Hagulstade, or Lindfarne: and Eatta ouer the
Bernicians, who sate at Yorke: and thereto placing Edhedus ouer
Lindseie (as is afore noted) whose successors were Ethelwine, Edgar,
and Kinibert, notwithstanding that one Sexulfus was ouer Lindseie
before Edhedus, who was bishop of the Mercians and middle England,
till he was banished from Lindseie, and came into those quarters to
séeke his refuge and succour.
I could likewise intreat of the bishops of Whiteherne, or Ad Candidam
Casam, an house with the countrie wherein it stood belonging to the
prouince of Northumberland, but now a parcell of Scotland; also of the
erection of the late sée at Westminster by Henrie the eight. But as
the one so the other is ceased, and the lands of this later either so
diuided or exchanged for worse tenures, that except a man should sée
it with his eies, & point out with his finger where euerie parcell of
them is bestowed, but a few men would beléeue what is become of the
same. I might likewise and with like ease also haue added the
successors of the bishops of euerie sée to this discourse of their
cathedrall churches and places of abode, but it would haue extended
this treatise to an vnprofitable length. Neuerthelesse I will remember
the fame of London my natiue citie, after I haue added one word more
of the house called Ad Candidam Casam, in English Whiteherne, which
taketh denomination of the white stone wherwith it was builded, and
was séene far off as standing vpon an hill to such as did behold it.
THE NAMES AND SUCCESSIONS OF SO MANIE ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF
LONDON, AS ARE EXTANT, AND TO BE HAD, FROM THE FAITH FIRST RECEIUED.
_Archbishops._
Theon.
Eluanus.
Cadocus.
Ouinus.
Conanus.
Palladius.
Stephanus.
Iltutus.
Restitutus, who liued 350 of grace.
Tadwinus aliàs Theodwinus, some doo write
him Tacwinus & Tatwinus.
Tidredus aliàs Theodred.
Hilarius.
Fastidius liued Anno Dom. 430.
Vodinus, slaine by the Saxons.
Theonus.
_The see void manie yeares._
Augustine the moonke, sent ouer by Gregorie the great, till
he remooued his sée to Canturburie, to the intent he might
the sooner flée, if persecution should be raised by the
infidels, or heare from, or send more spéedilie vnto Rome,
without anie great feare of the interception of his letters.
_Bishops._
Melitus.
_The see void for a season._
Wina.
Erkenwaldus.
Waldherus.
Ingaldus.
Egulphus.
Wigotus.
Eadbricus.
Edgarus.
Kiniwalchus.
Eadbaldus.
Eadbertus.
Oswinus.
Ethelnothus.
Cedbertus.
Cernulphus.
Suiduiphus
Eadstanus.
Wulffinus.
Ethelwaldus.
Elstanus.
Brithelmus.
Dunstanus.
Tidricus.
Alwijnus.
Elswoldus.
Robertus a Norman.
Wilhelmus a Norman.
Hugo a Norman.
I read also of a bishop of London called Elsward, or Ailward, who was
abbat of Eouesham, and bishop of London at one time, and buried at
length in Ramseie, howbeit in what order of succession he liued I can
not tell, more than of diuerse other aboue remembred, but in this
order doo I find them.
_The see void twelue yeares._
1 Mauricius.
2 Richardus Beaumis.
3 Gilbertus vniuersalis a notable man for thrée things,
auarice, riches, and learning.
4 Robertus de Sigillo.
5 Richardus Beaumis.
6 Gilbertus Folioth.
7 Richardus.
8 Wilhelmus de sancta Maria.
9 Eustathius Falconberg.
10 Rogerus Niger.
11 Fulco Bascet.
12 Henricus Wingham.
Richardus Talbot electus.
15 Richard. Grauesend.
16 Radulfus Gandacensis.
17 Gilbertus Segraue.
18 Richardus de Newport.
19 Stephanus Grauesend.
20 Richard. Bintworth.
21 Radulfus Baldoc who made the tables
hanging in the vesterie of Paules.
22 Michael.
23 Simon.
24 Robertus.
25 Thomas.
26 Richardus.
27 Thomas Sauagius.
28 Wilhelmus.
29 Wilhelm. Warham.
30 Wihelmus Barnes.
31 Cuthbertus Tunstall.
32 Iohannes Stokesleie.
33 Richardus fitz Iames.
34 Edmundus Boner, remooued, imprisoned.
35 Nicholas Ridleie remooued and burned.
Edm. Boner, restored, remooued, & imprisoned.
36 Edmundus Grindall.
37 Edwinus Sandes.
38 Iohannes Elmer.
Hauing gotten and set downe thus much of the bishops, I will
deliuer in like sort the names of the deanes, vntill I come
to the time of mine old master now liuing in this present
yeare 1586, who is none of the least ornaments that haue
béene in that seat.
_Deanes._
1 Wulmannus, who made a distribution of the psalmes
conteined in the whole psalter, and appointed the
same dailie to be read amongst the prebendaries.
2 Radulfus de Diceto, whose noble historie
is yet extant in their librarie.
3 Alardus Bucham.
4 Robertus Watford.
5 Martinus Patteshull.
6 Hugo de Marinis.
7 Radulfus Langfort.
8 Galfridus de Berie.
9 Wilhelmus St[=a]man.
10 Henricus Cornell.
11 Walterus de Salerne.
12 Robertus Barton.
13 Petrus de Newport.
14 Richardus Talbot.
15 Galfredus de Fering.
16 Iohannes Chishull.
17 Herueus de Boreham.
18 Thomas Eglesthorpe.
19 Rogerus de Lalleie.
20 Wilhelmus de Montfort.
21 Radulfus de Baldoc postea episcopus.
22 Alanus de Cantilup postea cardinalis.
Iohan. Sandulfe electus.
Richardus de Newport electus.
23 Magister Vitalis.
24 Iohannes Euerisdon.
25 Wilhelmus Brewer.
26 Richardus Kilmingdon.
27 Thomas Trullocke.
28 Iohannes Appulbie.
29 Thomas Euer.
30 Thomas Stow.
31 Thomas More.
32 Reginaldus Kenton.
33 Thomas Lisieux aliàs Leseux.
34 Leonardus de Bath.
35 Wilhelmus Saie.
36 Rogerus Ratcliffe.
37 Thom. Winterburne.
38 Wilhelmus Wolseie.
39 Robert Sherebroke.
40 Ioh[=a]nes Collet, founder of Paules schoole.
Richardus Paceus.
Richardus Sampson.
Iohannes Incent.
Wilhelmus Maius resignauit.
Iohannes Fakenham aliàs Howman resignauit.
Henricus Colus, remooued, imprisoned.
Wilhelmus Maius, restored.
Alexander Nouellus.
And thus much of the archbishops, bishops, and deanes of that
honorable sée. I call it honorable, because it hath had a succession
for the most part of learned and wise men, albeit that otherwise it be
the most troublesome seat in England, not onelie for that it is néere
vnto checke, but also the prelats thereof are much troubled with
sutors, and no lesse subiect to the reproches of the common sort,
whose mouthes are alwaies wide open vnto reprehension, and eies readie
to espie anie thing that they may reprooue and carpe at. I would haue
doone so much for euerie see in England, if I had not had
consideration of the greatnesse of the volume, and small benefit
rising by the same, vnto the commoditie of the readers: neuerthelesse
I haue reserued them vnto the publication of my great chronologie, if
(while I liue) it happen to come abrode.