THE DIOCESE AND SEE.
To trace the history of the establishment of the city of Chichester we
need go back to the time when the Romans had occupied the same site
under the ancient name of Regnum. They had fortified themselves in
this position, and evidence of their occupation is to be found to-day
in the subdivision of the city into four parts by those streets which
meet at the Market Cross. But as the centre of the Imperial fabric
became weaker the dependencies were abandoned, and the Roman legions
recalled early in the fifth century. So when in 477 A.D. "came Aelle
to Britain, and his three sons, Cymen, Wlencing, and Cissa, with three
ships," and landed at "the place which is named Cymenesora, and there
slew many Welsh, and drove some into the forest which is named
Andredslea," there were no Roman soldiers to oppose them.
In this brief sentence, quoted from the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, there
is a reference to several interesting matters which concern the later
history of the South Saxons, their acceptance of Christianity, and the
foundation of that Church--first at Selsea, then at Chichester--which
was to be the future local centre to support and foster the faith they
for so long rejected. The Jute leaders, Hengest and Horsa, had
established themselves on British soil in 449 A.D. This was
twenty-eight years before Aelle arrived, and with his followers "slew
many Welsh"; that is, the British natives, the Wealas, or strangers,
whom he found in possession of the land. The place "named Cymenesora,"
at which Aelle had landed, was close to Wittering, at the mouth of
Chichester harbour. And the chronicle, relating what had occurred
thirteen years later, records how "in this year (490-1) Aelle and
Cissa besieged Andredes ceaster, and slew all that dwelt therein, so
that not even one Briton was left." This fortress of Anderida, which
had been a Roman _castrum_, occupied the spot now called Pevensey, the
landing-place of a later conqueror, the Norman William, in 1066. It
guarded on the east the strip of land between the South Downs and the
sea; and when it fell before them, the Saxons became masters of the
region to the north known then as Andredeslea, or Andredeswold, the
forest or weald of Anderida. To the west was Regnum, Cissa's Ceaster,
or Chichester, another of those fortresses which the provident and
energetic Romans had established along the South Coast.
One of Aelle's followers, named Boso, or Bosa, settled at the head of
a branch of Chichester harbour, and, as in the case of his superior,
Cymen, the place was named after him, as Bosenham, or Bosham. This was
in the fifth century. Augustine began his work in Kent late in the
sixth century, and Birinus, who was sent independently direct from
Rome, had undertaken the conversion of the West Saxons fifteen years
before the middle of the succeeding century. But neither by these
missionaries nor their brethren was the territory of the South Saxons
affected.
The West Saxons, by conquest, extended their rule westward and
northward, and missionary enterprise followed the course of military
success and subsequent civil protection. The original British
occupiers of the land withdrew to Wales, or else became subject to the
conquerors. Similar had been the course of events which followed the
taking of Kent by the Jutes. So when Augustine arrived he was welcomed
by Aethelberht, whose wife Bertha, a Frankish princess, was already a
Christian.
Augustine having founded the see of Canterbury, was soon enabled, by
the help of political and social influence, to effect the
establishment of other sees. Rochester, London, and York were soon
centres of activity; but these neighbour principalities had not,
ecclesiastically, affected the territories that were close to their
respective domains; for the kingdom of the South Saxons remained,
nearly two centuries after Aelle's conquest, in the same heathen
condition as prevailed in his day.
Bede relates that at Bosham, Dicul had founded a monastery where,
"surrounded by woods and water, lived five or six brethren, serving
the Lord in humility and poverty." But "no one cared to emulate their
life, or listen to their teaching." Dicul came from Ireland, and it is
supposed that he had been educated in the monastic centre of
missionary life which in the sixth century had been founded there. It
is not, however, known how these few men found their way to the South
Saxon shores, and their presence there had no influence upon the minds
of those invaders who had possessed themselves of the adjacent lands.
A quarrel in the Northumbrian kingdom was the cause which sent a
missionary to Sussex in 680 A.D.
Ecgfrith and his witan had banished #Wilfrith#, Archbishop of York,
from his see. The unfortunate exile wandered some time in search of
welcome. Eventually he found his way to Sussex, where Aethelwealh and
his Christian wife offered him a new field for his energies. Twenty
years earlier he had been in the same kingdom. On that occasion,
having been consecrated by the Bishop of Paris, he was returning from
Gaul when the vessel in which he travelled was driven upon the coast
and stranded. While in this helpless condition they were discovered
and attacked by the South Saxons, who were three times beaten off, but
whilst they were continuing their preparations for another assault,
the vessel rose with the tide and escaped. Under other circumstances
he was now among these people again. The famine which prevailed at the
time of his arrival gave him the necessary opportunity to gain their
affections by first satisfying their material needs. He showed the
starving folk how to catch fish with nets which he and his companions
had made, and then was able to teach them other things. He preached
with success for some time, and baptized many who heard him. Bede has
left a record characteristic of his day, in which he relates that
immediately they had accepted the faith which he taught, "the rain, so
long withheld, revisited the thirsty land."
Aethelwealh, grateful for Wilfrith's aid, granted him lands at Selsea.
The bishop at once gave freedom to those families and their slaves who
occupied the district, and baptized them, giving them release, as Bede
has told, from spiritual and temporal bond's at the same time. Selsea
thus became another see from which Christian principle and practice
might be taught in the midst of the surrounding tribes. In this spot,
near the residence of the king, a church was built, in which the
bishop's cathedra was placed. The structure was dedicated to S. Peter,
and was the first cathedral church in Sussex. It is not now known what
the architectural character of this building was. Perhaps there was
some attempt in its design to take advantage of such suggestions as
the Romans left behind them at Regnum, for we find in early instances
of English architecture that such examples had exercised some
influence upon the elementary efforts of those days. But it is more
likely that his first church was nothing but a small and simple barn,
for men were not then burdened with the idea that a cathedral must be
a big church, provided it served as a centre from which the bishop
could use his pastoral responsibility. During Wilfrith's stay at
Selsea many changes took place.
Then Ceadwalla, who had defeated Aedilwalch, or Aethelwealh, confirmed
the grants to the Church made by his predecessor, in return for the
kindness he had received from Wilfrith some time before.
Under their new head the missionaries at Selsea undertook, with the
king's sanction, to convert those who inhabited the neighbouring
island of Wight and also parts of the mainland which now were subject
to the new ruler. But after five years in the south Wilfrith returned
to his old diocese of York. Sussex, to a large extent, had accepted
the faith he endeavoured to teach, and many churches were established
and organised before his departure.
[Illustrations: OUR LORD WITH MARTHA AND MARY. THE RAISING OF LAZARUS.
SCULPTURED PANELS IN THE SOUTH CHOIR AISLE, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN
BROUGHT FROM THE CATHEDRAL AT SELSEA (SEE P. 96).]
For some years after Wilfrith had returned to York there was no bishop
in charge of the newly founded diocese in Sussex. The community of
workers he had brought together at Selsea still continued to exist;
but Sussex in ecclesiastical affairs was subject to Winchester during
this interval. Ceadwalla, when Kentwine, King of Wessex, died in 685,
had begun "to strive for the kingdom," so the chronicle has recorded,
and having established himself upon the throne, he succeeded also in
conquering the ruler of Sussex, and so brought both kingdoms under his
sway. Wilfrith had converted him to the Christian faith; but when this
prelate was recalled to his former diocese, no one had been appointed
to carry on the work he had begun. For twenty years this vacancy
continued. Then, after the death of Ceadwalla, Ine, his successor,
divided the large diocese, which was subject to the Bishop of
Winchester, by making, with the consent of his witan, a new see at
Sherburne and reviving that of Selsea. Of this latter, #Eadberht#
was appointed the first bishop in the year 709. The community in
Selsea over which Eadberht had presided before his consecration was a
secular foundation. Whatever was the principle upon which it had been
founded, there seems no doubt that during the interim which elapsed
before a bishop was placed in charge some elementary form of
government was carried on by a succession of elected presidents. This
body was either composed of secular clergy, who were distributed
throughout the diocese, living as priests in charge of parishes _in
sæculo_, or it was a foundation supported by those who lived according
to a _regula_. The regulars were those who lived together, having
vowed obedience to some particular form of rule. These were unmarried
men, who used one building, property, refectory, and dormitory of the
institution in common. Not all of these were ordained, as there were
among them lay brothers as well as those who were priests. But the
seculars--those in the world--were not subject to rules and conditions
such as these. Many, as priests living in their parishes, were married
men.
After the consecration of Eadberht and his installation as Bishop of
Selsea, the cathedra, or episcopal chair, was occupied successively by
twenty prelates. The period during which these held office, including
the few intervals when for a time the see remained vacant, extended
over about three hundred and seventy years. Little is known of these
bishops further than that their signatures are to be found attached to
various charters. These were all called Bishops of the South Saxons.
#Aethelgar# was Bishop of Selsea in 980. He had been a member of
the monastic colony at Glastonbury, near Wells. After occupying the
see for about eight years, he succeeded Dunstan as Archbishop of
Canterbury.
Bishops #Ordberht# and #Aelmer# were bishops after Aethelgar;
and then the next prelate of importance was #Aethelric#, who was a
Benedictine of Christ Church, Canterbury. He was learned in the
ancient laws and customs of his country, and when a very old man acted
as one of the arbitrators appointed to settle the differences which
had arisen between Lanfranc and Odo, Earl of Kent. Aethelric had been
consecrated by Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was removed from
the Primacy by William the Conqueror to make room for Lanfranc, his
own nominee.
The see of Selsea was governed by three other bishops till William
appointed one of his chaplains to the office. This was #Stigand#
(1070-1087), but not that Stigand (the Primate) who at the same royal
bidding had to make room for Lanfranc. It was while he was still an
occupant of the see that the transfer to Chichester was effected. He
earned the displeasure of the king by refusing to consecrate Gausbert
to the Abbey of Battle unless the monk would come to Chichester for
the ceremony. He had some trouble, too, with his metropolitan,
Lanfranc, on account of a dispute concerning the limits of his
jurisdiction. Certain parishes within the territory of his diocese
were claimed as subject to the more eastern see. The Primate
established his right to these "peculiars," and the right obtained
until the last century, when all such holdings were abolished by law.
#Godfrey# (1087-1088) evidently incurred the displeasure of his
papal superior, as the only known record of his very brief episcopate
is represented by a discovery which was made in 1830 when an
absolution from the Pope, inscribed upon a leaden cross, was dug up in
the paradise close to the south choir aisle.
It was not till three years had elapsed since Godfrey's death that
#Ralph de Luffa# (1091-1123) was consecrated to the vacancy by
Thomas, Archbishop of York. Meanwhile the king enjoyed the
temporalities of the see. In his person we meet a figure of much
importance to the history of the fabric and see, for to his energy and
initiative we owe the greater part of the cathedral building that
remains to-day.
Ralph's activity was not wholly absorbed by his interest in the
architectural idea which he hoped to realise. He spent much time and
care attending to the needs of the churches of which he was the
overseer. He visited them regularly three times in the year for the
purpose of effecting reforms when they were necessary, for teaching,
and for developing the organisation of the diocese as it was affected
by the condition of each parochial unit. Thus by his office and
oversight he was endeavouring to maintain the necessary relations
between the particular churches and their cathedral centre. In defence
of these same members of the local and general ecclesiastical body he
was obliged to resent the attempted interference of two kings of the
realm. Henry I. wished to fill his pockets by imposing fines upon the
clergy. To oppose this the bishop closed all the churches in the
diocese and blocked up the entrances with thorns; and so, except in
the monasteries, the offering of public worship ceased. The
restriction was in time removed, and the king acknowledged the
bishop's plea that he should endeavour to replenish the coffers of his
poor see, so that the injured cathedral might be repaired, rather than
reduce it to poverty by extortion.
Ralph is credited with having established the office of "dean" [31] at
Chichester--the first of the four cathedral dignitaries, of which the
others are the præcentor, the chancellor, and the treasurer.
[31] Stephens, p. 49.
#Seffrid Pelochin#, or #d'Escures# (1125-1147), ceded to the
king's aggression the rights and privileges Ralph had gained. He was
obliged to vacate the see in 1145, [an]d returned to Glastonbury,
where he had been abbot before he was made bishop. His name figures in
the list which Roger of Hoveden gives in his chronicle, as one among
the bishops who were at the Council of London in 1129.
#Hilary# (1147-1169) was a bishop who was before all things an
ecclesiastic. To Ralph Luffa's foundation of the dean's office he
added those of the chancellor and treasurer, if not also, as is
supposed, that of the præcentor. With Hilary began the traditional
post of confessor to the queen of the realm. Stephen had given him
this office, and at the same time added to the privilege a perpetual
chaplaincy in connection with the castle at Pevensey.
The letters from Popes Eugenius and Alexander III., which confirmed
the possessions held by the see and guaranteed a papal protection of
the church in Chichester, are among the collection in the cathedral
library. The properties these deeds acknowledge include that portion
of the city--one fourth--in which the close was situated; and within
this area were comprised the church itself, the episcopal palace, and
the residences of the canons. The original grant of this land was
made by William, Earl of Arundel, in 1147, who bestowed it among other
things as compensation "for the damages which I once did to the same
church." Hilary was Bishop of Chichester during that historic period
when Becket opposed Henry II. He attempted, like the rest of the
bishops, to heal the breach; and Tennyson, in "Becket," adopting a
phrase he used, makes him say to his Primate, "Hath not thine ambition
set the Church this day between the hammer and the anvil ... fealty to
the King, obedience to thyself?" He went to Sens, to plead as an
advocate on the king's behalf before Pope Alexander III. and the
French king. The result of this meeting was that England was placed
under the ban of excommunication. But Henry replied by declaring that
the property of all who acted upon it should be confiscated and
themselves banished. The bishop was involved also in a local contest
with the Abbot of Battle, who refused to consider himself subject to
his episcopal jurisdiction.
After Hilary's death in 1169 the revenues of the see were for four
years appropriated to his own uses by the king, who late in the year
1173 appointed #John Greenford# (1174-1180), who was Dean of
Chichester, to the vacancy. The bishop-elect was not consecrated
until, in 1174, he, with three more nominated about the same time, had
done penance before Becket's tomb at Canterbury. Little is known of
him except that he attended some ecclesiastical councils.
The episcopate of #Seffrid II.# (1180-1204) introduces an important
period of activity, during which great alterations were made in the
fabric of the cathedral.
#Simon Fitz Robert#, or #Simon of Wells# (1204-1207), was a
bishop whose favour with the king (John) enabled him to do much for
the see. He had held a post in the Royal Exchequer, and had been
guardian of the Fleet Prison as well as Provost of Beverley and
Archdeacon of Wells. The benefactions he obtained were various. A
charter was granted by which the see should hold its property free
from impost, under the protection of the king. The bishop, with his
dean and chapter, were practically exempted from the jurisdiction of
the local civil courts and from the payment of customs and tolls
within the same sphere. Within the bounds of the property owned by
the see they were to rule without restraint, and in the presence of a
royal official "the view of Frank Pledge was to be held in the
bishop's court." In the patent rolls of King John there are two
entries, dated 1205 A.D. and 1206 A.D., by which the bishop was
granted permission to take Purbeck marble for the repair of his church
without hindrance, from the coast of Dorset to Chichester. [32] But
precautions were taken to prevent any of the material thus obtained
from being used elsewhere. A further grant, the evidence of which is
now removed, allowed the chapter to build premises beyond the
precincts northward, which encroached twelve feet into the roadway now
known as West Street. A row of lime-trees now stands where these
houses remained till the middle of the last century. For six years
after Simon's death John kept the see vacant, and during the interim
enjoyed the temporalities.
[32] See Walcott, p. 15, note _c_, May 24th, 1207.
#Richard Poore# was then consecrated bishop in 1215. He had been
Dean of Old Sarum. But after occupying the see for no more than two
years, he was translated to Salisbury.
#Ranulf of Warham# (1217-1224) bequeathed some property to the
see [33]; but otherwise he did little, except as a fortunate collector
of cattle, for the support of which his successor provided pasturage.
[33] Stephens, p. 57.
#Ralph Neville# (1224-1244) was a bishop of more than local
celebrity. Like Langton, the archbishop, he withstood the demands
which the papacy and Henry III. made in their endeavours to impoverish
the Church in England. For this opposition the king removed him
temporarily from the post of Chancellor of the Realm, a position he
held from 1226 to 1240. His "fame rests more upon his repute as a
statesman faithful in many perils, and a singular pillar of truth in
the affairs of the kingdom." [34] He succeeded in procuring the payment
to the Church of tithe from some royal properties which had been
withheld, and left provision for the supply of twelve quarters of
wheat annually to the poor in Chichester. Some, notes preserved in the
cathedral records lead to the supposition that the portion of the old
central tower above the roof and up to the parapet at the foot of the
spire was built, or at least begun, during Ralph's tenure of the see.
One of these memoranda shows that he released from twenty days'
penance those who should visit the cathedral and contribute to the
maintenance of the fabric. The others state that he expended one
hundred and thirty marks upon repairs, and his executors paid over one
hundred and forty marks to the dean and chapter for the purpose of
finishing a stone tower which it had been found necessary to
repair. [35] Three years after his death it was nearly completed.
Bishop Neville died at his house by Chancellor's Lane, now Chancery
Lane. His property later passed into the hands of the Earl of Lincoln,
and was known then as the inn, or hospital, of Lincoln. The estate is
now covered by the buildings of Lincoln's Inn, [36] and that portion
which is still the property of the see is known as "The Chichester
Rents."
[34] Matt. Paris.
[35] See Walcott, p. 15, note _c_.
[36] See Stephens, p. 61, cf. Murray's "Chichester."
Ralph's successor was Richard of Wych (1245-1253), generally called
St. Richard. He had studied under Edmund and Grosseteste at Oxford,
and also in Paris and Bologna. Returning from Europe, he became
Chancellor of the University of Oxford, then of the diocese of
Canterbury. Having withdrawn again to France, he was ordained priest
at Orleans, and then worked as vicar at Deal, from which post he was
called upon to occupy again his earlier office at Canterbury. Then
came his appointment to Chichester. The canons had elected Robert
Passelew, but the archbishop objected. Henry III., having supported
the first nominee, disputed Richard's election. Meanwhile the king
appropriated the temporalities for two years. Richard appealed to
Innocent IV., who confirmed the appointment and consecrated Richard at
Lyons in 1245. This did not end the difference, for on the new
bishop's return he was obliged to accept the hospitality of his
clergy, the king being still hostile. But he did not allow these
difficulties to interfere with his attention to episcopal duty, for he
walked throughout the diocese, organising and teaching as he went. In
his leisure he followed the pursuits of his youth, and spent his spare
time in farming and gardening. He was an excellent man, whose peculiar
sanctity rests largely upon his having succeeded in doing the duties
some of his predecessors had disregarded, and for a generosity which
outran his income. Accepting that law which the papacy had added to
those of Christianity, he treated the married clergy with the severity
his sense of duty and obedience urged, for he deprived them of their
benefices, and their wives were denied the offices of the Church both
before and after death. Any bequests to them by their husbands, he
declared, should be confiscated, and the funds derived by this means
devoted to the needs of the cathedral building Rather inconsistently
he taught the beneficed clergy that they should use hospitality and
charity; but like another Malachi, he reminded men that to withhold
the tithe of their increase from the Church made them robbers not of
the clergy, but of their Creator. He instituted the fund afterwards
known as "S. Richard's Pence." It was a system by which regular
offerings should be made for the completion and maintenance of the
cathedral fabric. And, characteristically, he obtained the support of
the archbishop and seven other prelates in their approval of his wish
that they should "recommend visits and offerings to Chichester, for
the repair and completion of the cathedral." This is another evidence
of the great extent of those building operations that were in progress
throughout the thirteenth century. Just before his death he began to
preach a crusade, but died at Dover. In his will he still remembered
the cathedral by leaving a legacy of forty pounds for the needs of the
fabric.
#John of Clymping# (1253-1262) succeeded Richard. His episcopate
appears chiefly remarkable for the growth of stories about the
miraculous powers and saintly life of his predecessor.
#Stephen of Berghsted# (1262-1288) now occupied the see. During his
episcopate Richard was canonised, a deputation, sent at great cost to
Rome, having succeeded in persuading Urban IV. that his merits and
fame deserved an honour which should bring wealth and celebrity to the
see in whose cathedral his body was laid; so in 1276 the remains of
his body were removed from their tomb and placed at the back of the
high altar in a shrine, or feretory, dedicated to him.
[Illustration: TOMB ASSIGNED TO BISHOP RICHARD OF WYCH, AND PICTURES
ORIGINALLY BY BERNARDI. _Photochrom Co. Ltd., photo_.]
#Gilbert de Sancto Leophardo# (1288-1305) was a bishop who, like S.
Richard, devoted himself to his diocesan duties with a singleminded
purpose which was not a common virtue with all mediæval prelates. He
endeavoured to regulate the habits of those clergy who accepted their
privileges but were inclined to neglect the duties and
responsibilities these involved. His interest in the fabric of the
cathedral was expressed principally by the additions that were made to
the lady-chapel during his episcopate.
#John Langton# (1305-1337) took a conspicuous part in the
suppression of the knights templars during the reign of Edward II. in
obedience to the papal order regarding them. He was Chancellor of the
Realm before his elevation to the episcopate, and showed his energy as
a statesman locally by commanding the restoration of rights to some
vicars of the cathedral who had been suspended in accordance with the
provisions of certain statutes which the dean and chapter made without
his consent. Like Bishop Gilbert, he was an instrument by whose
sanction more changes were made in the building.
#Robert of Stratford# (1337-1362), another statesman bishop,
succeeded Langton. He had also been chancellor, and asserted his
episcopal authority as sternly as his predecessor.
Of #William of Lynn# (1362-1368) and his episcopacy little record
remains; but
#William Rede# (1369-1385) earned some repute as a scholar, and was
the founder of Merton College Library in Oxford, and it is to him that
the diocese is indebted for the preservation of the early records
relating to the see. Nothing of importance is known of the next three
bishops:
#Thomas Rushoke# (1385-1389).
#Richard Metford# (1389-1395).
#Robert Waldby# (1395-1396).
#Robert Rede# (1397-1415), whose register is the earliest among
those that remain, occupied the see during the reign of Henry IV. This
record contains many interesting details concerning the part its
compiler took in the endeavour to suppress the doctrines of Wycliffe
and the Lollards; and it also shows that much disorder prevailed among
the canons and vicars of the cathedral. One of the canons, besides
stealing money from the treasury, appropriated for his private use
some materials which had been intended for the repair of the church.
Rectors of parishes allowed their cures to fall into a state of
destitution, and left them to the care of poorly paid vicars while
they themselves resided elsewhere. The see was not filled for two
years after the death of Rede. Then followed in succession:
#Stephen Patryngton# (1417).
#Henry Ware# (1418).
#John Kemp# (1421).
#Thomas Poldon# (1421).
#John Rickingale# (1426).
#Simon Sydenham# (1429).
No registers remain relating to the affairs of the episcopate during
the twenty years covered by their occupation of the see.
In the register left by #Richard Praty# (1438-1446) there is
evidence that many of the negligences censured by Bishop Rede were
still without correction. The discipline of the monastic houses in
Sussex is represented as having become very lax.
#Adam Moleyns#, or #Molyneux# (1446-1450), was instrumental in
arranging the marriage of Henry VI. with Margaret of Anjou. Many
concessions were granted to him by the king for the benefit of himself
and the diocese, but having become unpopular he was murdered by some
sailors in Portsmouth early in 1450 when on his way to France.
#Reginald Pecock# (1450-1459), "being convicted of heresy, he
resigned his bishopric," so say the records of the cathedral.
#John Arundel# (1459-1478). The record of his episcopal
administration has been lost; but it is known that he built the screen
named after him. He appears, however, to have been much less restless
than his predecessor.
#Edward Storey# (1478-1503) has left in his register full accounts
of his deeds and the condition of the diocese. It shows the latter had
again become very disordered. Both the regular and secular bodies are
charged with abusing the trust committed to them. Bishop Storey tried
to correct this state of things. He proved his usefulness, otherwise,
by the foundation of the Prebendal, or Free Grammar-School, in
Chichester, and also by giving the Market Cross to the city for the
benefit of the poor.
Of #Richard Fitz-James# (1503-1508) and his administration there
is but little information.
With #Robert Sherburne# (1508-1536) we come to the close of a long
period of ecclesiastical history--one during which the distinctly
Christian, as opposed to the pagan, principles and forms of art had
been developed. As bishop at Chichester he represented the Church and
those principles which then in the west were taught in her name.
Accordingly he protested against "the King's most dreadful commandment
concerning (with other things) the uniting of the Supreme head of the
Church of [? in] England with the Imperial Crown of this realm; and
also the abolishing and secluding out of this realm the enormities and
abuses of the Bishop of Rome's authority, usurped within the same." He
wrote thus in 1534 to Cromwell. And obeying this command from the
civil authority, he caused these orders to be published throughout the
diocese. As a subject he obeyed his king; but, being honest, he could
not as a bishop and a man disregard his principles when he found such
obedience involved their denial. Consequently he resigned the see in
1536.
#Richard Sampson# (1536-1543) took part in the Reformation
movement. Although he had defended the principle that the king was to
be considered "high governor under God, and Supreme head of the Church
of England," his principles appear to have been easily affected by the
political weather that prevailed. His attitude in favour of every
principle involved in the acceptance of the papacy appears in the
support he gave to doctrines which had been rejected by the party of
reform. He no doubt feared the results that might follow upon another
attempt to adapt the Church's constitution to changed conditions.
In the time of #George Daye# (1543-1552) the pendulum moved again
across the face of the political and ecclesiastical clock. He was a
man whose convictions led him to support those same six articles which
had been upheld by Bishop Sampson; and he attempted to prevent the
introduction of the first prayer-book of Edward VI. in 1549, as well
as the destruction of the earlier service-books in the following year.
He was a man to be respected, for in the face of general opposition he
proved that his convictions on important affairs were not ready to
change at the sudden bidding of a new authority which he was unable to
recognise. As he was not to be persuaded that his position was wrong,
he was removed from the see towards the end of the year 1551. But we
meet him again presently, for Bishop #John Scory# (1552-1554), who
took his place, retired soon after Mary's accession. Bishop Daye came
back to favour, preached at the coronation, reoccupied the see, and
was now "a mighty busy man." [37] He caused some recent orders to be
reversed by reviving the use of the earlier forms of liturgy,
restoring the older ceremonial, and again setting up those altars in
the churches which should never have been broken down. In his own
words Daye "styeked" not at things trivial; but he would not assent to
the abolition of essentials, however much they had been misused or
become offensive in the eyes of untutored civil dignitaries and their
party followers. Daye on his restoration had attempted to remove
reformers and their opinions from the diocese by the aid of faggots
and flames. But #John Christopherson# (1557-1559) was more
energetic in upholding his authority and ideas by this same means; for
Mary, though she would revive the papal supremacy, yet retained in her
own hands the ecclesiastical position which the Throne in England had
already assumed.
[37] Strype, quoted by Dean Stephens, p. 190.
At the close of Mary's reign Bishop Christopherson died, and in his
place Elizabeth put #William Barlow# (1559-1568), who had been
removed from the see of Bath and Wells by her predecessor. He made
some attempt to remove a variety of irregularities which had been
introduced since the death of Sherburne, for the services of the
Church had become much disordered in consequence of the many changes
of attitude which had been favoured by the rulers, both civil and
ecclesiastical, during nearly thirty years. Barlow's endeavour to
bring this chaos to a new order was in accord with the methods of
those who sought reform. He tried to carry out the injunction of
Parker, the Primate, whose aim was to "reduce all to a Godly
uniformitie." But any desire for unity in diversity was not likely to
be satisfied unless it was sought for with at least some unanimity of
hope and aim. After his death the see remained vacant for two years.
#Richard Curteys# (1570-1583) found the revenues of his see so
reduced that he was unable properly to fulfil the ordinary obligations
of his position. He did not spare himself in his endeavour to do the
duties he had undertaken. With the assistance of others he
methodically instructed the diocese under his charge, an well was
this done that a contemporary said "the people with ardent zeale,
wonderful rejoicinge, and in great number, take farre and long
journeys to be partakers of his good and godly lessons." [38]This
excellent man, however, owing to the political spoliation of the
church, died impoverished in 1583.
[38] Kennett's Notes: see Stephens' "Diocesan History of Chichester,"
p. 197.
From 1583 till 1585 no bishop was appointed, but in the latter year
#Thomas Bickley# (1585-1596) was selected.
#Antony Watson# (1596-1605) was Bishop of Chichester when James
became king. He was occupied much in furthering Whitgift's endeavour
to improve the condition of the Church in England by urging conformity
to the newly ordered methods of ecclesiastical government and
procedure.
#Launcelot Andrews# (1605-1609) then ruled the diocese until he was
transferred to Ely.
He was followed by #Samuel Harsnett# (1609-1619), who was an
opponent of the Calvinistic attitude of thought. The records of his
visitations ask some pertinent questions, which show how the Cathedral
Church itself was being served. He inquires, "Have not many of the
vicars and lay vicars been absent for months together? Is the choir
sufficiently furnished, and are the boys properly instructed? What has
become of the copes and vestments? Who is responsible for the custody
of them and of the books? Are there not ale-houses in the close? Why
are all these things not amended since the last visitation?" This was
the state of affairs in the cathedral church of the diocese at the
beginning of the seventeenth century; and during the two hundred years
that followed there is but little improvement to remark. Certainly in
#George Carleton#'s (1619-1628) and in #Richard Montagu#'s day
(1628-1638) there was not much change, for the latter asks in every
parish "whether communicants 'meekly kneel,' or whether they stand or
sit at the time of reception: Whether the Holy Table is profaned at
any time by persons sitting upon it, casting hats or cloaks upon it,
writing or casting up accounts or any other indecent usuage." [39] And
in consequence the archbishop desired to restore some sense of order
and decency to the minds of both the clergy and laity by replacing the
altars in their proper positions again. He asks, therefore, Bishop
#Brian Duppa# (1638-1641), in the questions put during the first
visitation of parish churches, "Is your communion-table, or altar,
strong, fair and decent? Is it set according to the practice of the
ancient Church,--upon an ascent at the east end of the chancel, with
the ends of it north and south? Is it compassed in with a handsome
rail to keep it from profanation according to an order made in the
metropolical visitation?" [40]
[39] Stephens' "Diocesan History," p. 216.
[40] Quoted by Stephens, "Diocesan History," p. 216.
During the episcopate of #Henry King# (1642-1670) the diocese was a
theatre of rebellion and civil war. Chichester was taken on December
29th, 1642, by Waller and the Parliamentary soldiers after a siege of
eight days. Bishop King repaired, after the Restoration, the wrecked
cathedral and the episcopal palace, but this appears to be all that is
known of him.
#Peter Gunning# (1670-1675) was the first Bishop of Chichester
appointed after the Restoration. He had suffered for the tenacity with
which he clung to his principles during the period of the Rebellion.
Having been ejected from a fellowship at Cambridge, he came to London,
and there, with no little audacity, he ministered and taught as a
loyalist and Churchman.
But #Ralph Brideoake# (1675-1678) watched the political and
ecclesiastical weathercocks, and feathered his nest. He had been
"Chaplain to Speaker Lenthall, who gave him the rich living of Witney,
near Oxford, where we are told he 'preached twice every Lord's Day,
and in the evening catechised the youth in his own house; outvying in
labour and vigilancy any of the godly brethren in those parts.' In
1659 he was made one of the 'triers,' yet immediately after the
Restoration he was rapidly promoted to a canonry at Windsor, to the
Deanery of Salisbury, and finally to the Bishopric of Chichester."[41]
Though Bishop Henry King had endeavoured to restore the cathedral
and the buildings of the precincts, these still were in a state of
extreme dilapidation, for Bishop Brideoake's record of his visitation
shows that the towers, windows, and cloisters had not yet been
repaired.
[41] Stephens' "Diocesan History," p. 233.
#Guy Carleton# (1678-1685) was a Royalist bishop of a most
consistent type. On two occasions he had been turned out of a cure by
the Parliamentary "triers" for his opinions; but in his eighty-second
year he came from the see of Bristol to Chichester.
Another Royalist, who as a soldier had supported the cause of Charles
I., occupied the see after Carleton. This was #John Lake#
(1685-1689). He was one of those seven bishops who protested against
James's Declaration of Indulgence.
#Simon Patrick# (1689), #Robert Grove# (1691), #John
Williams# (1696), #Thomas Manningham# (1709), #Thomas Bowers#
(1722), and #Edward Waddington# (1724) served in the episcopate
successively.
#Francis Hare# (1731-1740) then filled the vacancy. He wasted some
of his time in useless controversy, and, as the Duke of Marlborough's
chaplain, made his office cheap, though perhaps popular, by
occasionally dilating in his sermons upon the genius and military
skill of his patron. He was a man of some capacity, who advised
conformity to the meagre and starved ideals of the then accepted
orthodoxy. Apparently he deemed this course a safe one, where there
could, it appears, be little other guidance for those who still had
any faith, except in the conventionalities of what had become
ecclesiastical custom. He saw that the interpretation which individual
opinion in its practical rejection of Christian ordinances would read
into faith was likely to be no more than a new expression of early and
mediæval heresies.
#Mathias Mawson# (1740-1754) was bishop after Hare; and then Sir
#William Ashburnham# (1754-1799) came to the diocese and occupied
the see for forty-five years, "the longest episcopate since the
foundation of the see." [42]
[42] Stephens, p, 245.
Before the close of the eighteenth century #John Buckner#
(1799-1824) succeeded Ashburnham.
In 1824 #Robert James Carr#, and in 1831 #Edward Maltby#, were
appointed to the see.
[Illustration: S. CLEMENT'S CHAPEL, AND TOMB OF BISHOP DURNFORD (SEE
p. 83). _S.B. Bolas & Co., photo_.]
#William Otter# succeeded (1836-1840). During his episcopate the
Diocesan Association was founded in 1838 to help the clergy and laity
of the diocese to provide themselves with better schools, to increase
the means of instruction and ministration, to restore or enlarge
their churches and schools, and to provide new ones when they had the
opportunity afforded by sufficient means. Bishop Otter and Dean
Chandler succeeded in establishing a theological college in the city.
#Philip N. Shuttleworth# (1840-1842), #Ashurst Turner Gilbert#
(1842-1870), and #Richard Durnford# (1870-1895) were succeeded by
#Ernest Roland Wilberforce#, the present bishop, who was translated
to the see from Newcastle in 1895.
DEANS or CHICHESTER.
Odo, 1115.
Richard, 1115.
Matthew, 1125.
Richard, 1144.
John de Greneford, 1150.
Jordan de Meleburn, 1176.
Seffride, 1178.
Matthew de Chichester, 1180.
Nicholas de Aquila, 1190.
Seffride, 1197.
Simon de Perigord, 1220.
Walter, 1230.
Thomas de Lichfield, 1232.
Geoffrey, 1250.
Walter de Glocestrin, 1256.
William de Brakelsham, 1276.
Thomas de Berghstede, 1296.
William de Grenefeld, 1302.
John de St. Leophardo, 1307.
Henry de Garland, 1332.
Walter de Segrave, 1342.
William de Lenne, 1356.
Roger de Freton, 1369.
Richard le Scrope, 1383.
William de Lullyngton, 1389-1390.
John de Maydenhith, 1400.
John Haselee, 1407.
Henry Lovel, 1410.
Richard Talbot, 1415.
William Milton, 1420.
John Patten, or Waynflete, 1425.
John Crutchere, 1429.
John Waynfleet, 1478.
John Gloos, 1481.
John Prychard, 1501.
Geoffrey Symson, 1504.
John Young (Bishop), S.T.P. 1508.
William Fleshmonger, 1526.
Richard Camden, 1541.
Giles Eyre, S.T.D, 1549.
Bartholomew Traheron, S.T.P., 1551-1552.
Thomas Sampson, S.T.P., 1552-1553.
William Pye, 1553.
Hugh Turnbull, 1558.
Richard Curteis, 1566.
Anthony Rushe, 1570.
Martin Culpepper, M.D, 1577.
William Thome, 1601.
Francis Dee, 1630.
Richard Steward, 1634-1635.
Bruno Ryves, 1646.
Joseph Henshaw, 1660.
Joseph Gulston, S.T.P., 1663.
Nathaniel, Lord Crew, LL.D., 1669.
Thomas Lambrook, 1671.
George Stradling, S.T.P., 1672.
Francis Hawkins, S.T.P.,1688.
William Hayley, S.T.P., 1699.
Thomas Sherlock, 1715.
John Newey, 1727.
Thomas Hayley, D.D., 1735-1736.
James Hargraves, D.D., 1739.
William Ashburnham, Bart., 1741.
Thomas Ball, A.M., 1754.
Charles Harward, 1770.
Combe Miller, 1790.
Christopher Bethell, 1814.
Samuel Slade, 1824.
George Chandler, D.C.L., 1830.
Walter Farquhar Hook, D.D., 1859.
John William Burgon, D.D., 1875.
Francis Pigou, D.D., 1887.
Richard William Randall, D.D., 1892.
BISHOPS OF SELSEA AFTER EADBERT.
Eolla, 714.
Sigga, or Sigfrid, 733.
Aluberht, 739.
Osa, or Bosa, 765-770.
Gislehere, 780.
Totta, 785.
Wiohtun, or Peletun, 789-805.
Aethelwulf, 811-816.
Cenred, 824-838.
Gutheard, 860-862.
Bernege, or Beornegus, 909-922.
Aelfred, 931-940.
Aethelgar, 944-953.
Ordbright, 963-979.
Ealmar, 944-953.
Aethelric I., 1032-1038.
Hecca, 1047-1057.
Aethelric II, 1058-1070.
Stigand, 1070.
ANCIENT BUILDINGS IN THE CITY.
Amongst other interesting architectural monuments, closely connected
with the cathedral or the bishops, the following may be particularly
noticed:
The #Bishop's Palace# has an interesting chapel, in which a small
fresco of the "Virgin and Child" of an early date is still preserved.
The dining-room has a panelled wooden ceiling. The painting on it was
originally executed in Sherborne's day, but it has suffered by decay
and attempts at restoration since the sixteenth century.
The #Vicars' Hall# is to the south-east of the cathedral.
The #Canon Gate# is the archway in South Street, which leads to the
palace, the deanery, and other buildings connected with the cathedral.
The #Market Cross# was built by Bishop Storey about the year 1500
(see illustration, p. 100).
#S. Mary's Hospital# was founded about the middle of the twelfth
century; but the existing building dates from the end of the
thirteenth century. It maintains five aged women by a weekly allowance
to each, with fuel and medical attendance free.
[Illustration: PAINTED DECORATION FORMERLY ON THE CHOIR VAULT, FROM
AN ENGRAVING BY T. KING 1814 (SEE PAGES 42-43). _(Lent by the Reverend
Prebendary Bennett.) (Scale about 7 feet 10½ inches to 1 inch.)]
INDEX.
Aethelgar, Bishop, 106
Aethelric, Bishop, 106
Apsidal termination, 8, 9, 17, 24
Arundel, Bishop, 32
---- Earl of, William, 6;
Countess of, 86
---- monuments, 86
---- screen, 32, 46
Barlow, Bishop, 117
Bell tower, 30
Bernardi, paintings by, 34
Brideoake, Bishop, 120
Buttresses, nave, 58
CHAPELS added to nave, 24
Chapel of S. Catharine, 94
---- of S. Clement, 86
---- of Four Virgins, 85
---- of S. Mary Magdalen, 90, 98
---- of S. Pantaleon, 90
---- of SS. Thomas and Edmund, 85
Chapter House, 27
Choir (exterior), 65-71;
interior, 88
Cloister, 62
Consecration, 6, 19
Consistory Court, 83
Curteys, Bishop, 118
Daye, Bishop, 35, 116
Durnford, Bishop, 85
Fire of 1114, 5;
of 1187, 6, 10
Flying buttresses, 15, 57, 66
Font, 85
Gunning, Bishop, 119
Hare, Bishop, 120
Harsnett, Bishop, 35, 118
Hilary, Bishop, 108
Hook, Dean, his monument, 97
Lady-chapel, 9, 26; exterior, 69;
interior, 94
Langton, Bishop, 26, 114
Leophardo (Gilbert de S.), Bishop, 20, 26, 70, 112
Library, exterior, 71;
interior, 94
Luffa (Ralph de), Bishop, 5, 8, 107
Manning, Cardinal, 92
"Maudde," inscribed monument to, 98
Moleyns, Bishop, 115
Monuments in nave, 85;
in transepts and choir, 96
Nave, exterior, 53, 73;
interior, 81
Neville, Bishop, 20, 23, 110
Organ, 40, 88
Otter, Bishop, 121
Paintings on the walls, 41;
on the vaults, 46;
Bernardi's, 34, 90;
Miss Lowndes', 91
Porch, west, 53;
south, 59;
north, 76
Presbytery constructed, 17
---- interior, 92
Pulpit, 85
Rede (William), Bishop, 30, 114;
Robert, 114
Reformation, 34, 36
Reredos, ancient, 28, 43, 47;
modern, 88
Rood-screen, 85
Roof, 56
Sacristy, 61, 90
Sampson, Bishop, 116
Sculptures, romanesque, 96
See, transfer of, 4, 5, 8;
foundation of, 101
Seffrid d'Escures, Bishop, 108
---- II., Bishop, 19
Selsea, carved panels from, 96;
church at, 103;
bishops of, 123
Sherburne, Bishop, 34, 116
Spire, 30, 40, 42, 76;
fall of, 48
Stigand, Bishop, 4, 107
Storey, Bishop, 115
Tower, central, 32, 47, 76
Towers, fall of, 14, 21, 37-40
---- western, 51, 55
Transept, south, 64, 90;
north, 92, 96
Treasury, 83
Triforium, 36, 94
Vault constructed, 12
Watson, Bishop, 118
Welles (Simon de), Bishop, 20, 109
Wilfrith, Archbishop, 103
Window, west, 53;
east, 69
Windows, nave, 57, 73, 75;
transept, 90;
stained glass in, 98
Wren, Sir C., 37, 42
Wych (S. Richard of), Bishop, 20;
shrine of, 28, 35, 94, 111-112;
tomb, 96
* * * * *
CHISWICK PRESS: PRINTED BY CHARLES WHITTTNGHAM AND CO.
TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.
* * * * *
DIMENSIONS.
Length (extreme). . _internal_ . 393 feet.
" of nave. . " . 155 feet.
Width of nave (extreme) . " . 90 feet.
Length of choir. . " . 115 feet.
" " transept . " . 131 feet.
Width of transept . " . 33 feet.
Height of vault. . " . 61 feet.
" " spire. . " . 277 feet.
Area . . . . . 28,000 sq. feet.
[Illustration: THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY CHICHESTER:
1901: FROM A PLAN MADE BY THE LATE JOSEPH BUTLER ARCHITECT TO THE
CATHEDRAL]