_William of Wykeham_ (Vol. ii., p. 89.).--1. I believe that there is no
better life of this prelate than that by Bishop Lowth.
2. The public records published since he wrote give several further
particulars of Wykeham's early career, but a proper notice of them would
be too extended for your columns.
3. When W.H.C. recollects that New College, Oxford, the first of the
works he names, was not commenced till 1380, and that Wykeham had then
enjoyed the revenues of his rich bishopric for nearly fourteen years,
and had previously been in possession of many valuable preferments, both
lay and ecclesiastical, for fourteen years more, he will find his third
question sufficiently answered, and cease to wonder at the accumulation
of that wealth which was applied with wise and munificent liberality to
such noble and useful objects.