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3.2. Of the number of bishoprikes and their seuerall circuits. Chap. 2.

Of the number of bishoprikes and their seuerall circuits. Chap. 2.

_HAuing alreadie spoken gene|rally of the state of our church, now will I touch the sées se|uerallie, saieng so much of ech of them as shall be conueni|ent for the time, and not one|lie out of the ancient, but also the later writers, and some|what 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 ecclesia|sticall iurisdiction, and most accompted of common|lie, bicause he is néerer to the prince, and readie at e|uerie call.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The iurisdiction of Canturburie therefore, exec|ted first by Augustine the moonke,Canturburie. 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 pecu|liars. But if you regard the same onelie that was and is proper vnto his see, from the beginning, it rea|cheth 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 chur|ches; & 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 ne [...]h elect did vsuallie paie for his pall, each ducat being then worth an English crowne or there|about, as I haue béene informed.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The sée of Rochester is also included within the li|mits of Kent,Rochester. 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 archdea|cons 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, halfe-pennie, 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 promo|ted to this sée, he was translated from thence to Chi|chester, thirdlie to London, next of all to Yorke, and finallie after seauen and twentie yeares to Cantur|burie, where he became also cardinall, deacon, and then preest in the court of Rome, according to this verse, Bis primas, ter praeses, 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 stran|gers to resort vnto as haue no habitation in anie pa|rish within the citie where it standeth.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The sée of London was erected at the first by Lucius,London. 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; The|on, Eluan, Cadoc, Owen, Conan, Palladius, Stephan, Iltutus restitutus, anno 350, Theodromus, Theodre|dus, Hilarius, Fastidius, anno 420, Guittelinus, Vodi|nus slaine by the Saxons, and Theonus Iunior. But EEBO page image 141 for their iust order of succession as yet I am not re|solued, neuerthelesse the first bishop there was ordei|ned 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 woote 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 in|cludeth 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 be|longing 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 go|uernement. 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 bastar [...] Henrie the first, allowing him stone and stuffe from Bainards ca|stell néere vnto Ludgate, then ruinous for the furthe|rance 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 bo|dies 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 num|ber 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 vi|sitations and synods, yet is it otherwise reputed as member of the sée of Lincolne, and therefore worthi|lie called an exempt, it hath also fiue and twentie pa|rishes, of which foure are in Buckingham, the rest in Herefordshire.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The first beginning of the sée of Chichester was inChichester the Ile of Seales or Seolseie, and from thence tran|slated to Chichester, in the time of William the ba|stard, and generall remoouing of sées from small vil|lages vnto the greater townes. It conteineth Sus|sex 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 succéeded, 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 esti|mation 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 crected sometime by Walter Mer|ton bishop of Rochester, and lord chancellor of Eng|land) 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The bishop of Winchester was sometime calledWinchester 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, con|teining 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 bet|ter mangier. There are also which make Lucius to be the first founder of an house of praier in Winche|ster, as Kinigils did build the second, and Kinwal|dus his sonne the third; but you shall sée the truth her|of in the chronologie insuing. And herevnto if the old catalog of the bishops of this sée be well consi|dered of, and the acts of the greatest part of them in|differentlie weighed, as they are to be read in our histories, you shall find the most egregious hypo|crites, the stoutest warriours, the cruellest tyrants, the richest monimoongers, and politike counsellors in temporall affaires to haue, I wote not by what se|cret working of the diuine prouidence, beene placed herein Winchester, since the foundation of that sée, which was erected by Birinus 639 (whome pope Ho|norius sent hither out of Italie) and first planted at Dorchester, in the time of Kinigils, then translated to Winchester, where it dooth yet continue.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Salisburie was made the chéefe sée of Shirburne by bishop Harman (predecessor to Osmond)Salisburie. 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 & Corne|will assigned vnto Shirburne till other order was ta|ken. Bishop Adelme 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 no|ble 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 buil|ded 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 a|mong those that liued before the said Iuell, one Ro|ger builded the castell of the Uies in the time of Henrie the first, taken in those daies for the strong|est hold in England, as vnto whose gate there were regals and gripes for six or seuen port cullises. Fi|nallie 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.

Excester hath, Deuonshire and Cornewall,Excester. some|time 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 vp|on this occasion, Anno Gratiae 905, in a prouinciall councell holden by the elder Edward & Plegimond archbishop of Canturburie, among the Gewises, EEBO page image 142 wherein it was found, that the see of Winchester had not onelie béene without hir pastor by the space of se|uen 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 Corn|wall 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 be|ing allowed Dorset and Barkshires for his part, to gouerne and looke vnto according to his charge. Fi|nallie, these two of Deuon and Cornwall being vni|ted, 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Bath,Bath. whose see was sometime at Welles, before Iohn the bishop there annexed the church of Bath vn|to 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 erecti|on of this bishoprike, mentioned in the discourse of Excester, I find the former assertion confirmed by another author, and in somewhat more large maher, which I will also remember, onelie because it plea|seth me somewhat better than the words before alle|ged 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-Sax|ons, and Plegimond archbishop of Canturburie were present. For that part of the countrie had béene seuen yéeres without anie pastorall cure. And ther|fore in this councell it was agréed, that for the two bishoprikes (whereof one was at Winchester, ano|ther at Shireburne) there should be fiue ordeined, whereby the people there might be the better instruc|ted.The bishop|rike of Shir|burne diuided into thrée. By this meanes Frithstan was placed at Win|chester, and Ethelme at Shireburne, both of them being then void. Shireburne also susteined the sub|diuision; so that Werstane was made bishop of Cridioc or Deuonshire (whose sée was at Kirton) Herstan of Cornwall, and Eadulfe of Welles, vn|to whome Barkshire and Dorsetshire were appoin|ted. But now you sée what alteration is made, by consideration of the limits of their present iurisdic|tions.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Worcester sometime called Episcopatus Wicciorum (that is,Worcester. the bishoprike of the Wiccies or Huiccies) hath Worcester, & part of Warwikeshires. And be|fore 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 monaste|rie (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 pontifica|litie 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 frus|trated his election, fearing least he would haue she|wed himselfe more affectionate towards his prince than to his court of Rome; wherefore he gaue Can|turburie to the bishop of Worcester then being. And furthermore, least he should seeme altogither to re|iect the said Thomas and displease the king, he gaue him in the end the bishoprike of Worcester, where|into 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 I|talians 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 Cle|ment, and Hieronymus de Nugutijs, men verie like|lie, 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Glocester hath Glocestershire onelie,Glocester. 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 a|nie 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 de|clareth.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Hereford hath Herefordshire and part of Shrop|shire,Hereford. 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 ho|nour, 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 ser|mon that euer he made, which function peraduen|ture 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Lichefield, wherevnto Couentrie was added,Lichfield. in the time of Henrie the first, at the earnest sute of Robert bishop of that see, hath Staffordshire, Darbi|shire, part of Shropshire, and the rest of Warwike|shire, that is void of subiection to the sée of Worces|tershire. 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 occasi|on, one Peter bishop of this sée translated his chaire EEBO page image 143 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 suc|cessor 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 re|maineth 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, E|dulfe bishop there vnder Offa king of Mercia, would by his helpe haue bereaued the archbishop of Cantur|burie 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 be|stowed 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 ear|nestlie in those daies. King Iohn was the greatest benefactor vnto this sée, next vnto Offa; and it is cal|led Lichfield, Quasi mortuorum campus, bicause of the great slaughter of christians made there (as some write) vnder Dioclesian. Howbeit in my time the va|luation thereof is 703 pounds, fiue shillings two pence, halfepenie, farthing, a summe verie narrow|lie cast by that auditor which tooke it first in hand.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Oxford hath Oxfordshire onelie, a verie yoong iu|risdiction, erected by king Henrie the eight, & where in the time of quéene Marie, one Goldwell was bi|shop, 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 temporali|ties 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 sixtéene 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Elie hath Cambridgshire, and the Ile of Elie.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, be|longing sometime to that house being translated from Bangor. Finallie it paid to the pope at euerie alienation 7000 ducats, as the registers there do te|stifie at large. Albeit that in my time I find a note of 2134 pounds sixteene shillings thrée pence halfe pe|nie farthing, whose disme ioined to those of all the bi|shopriks in England, doo yéeld yearelie to hir maie|sties 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 af|terward bishop of Winchester builded the first mo|nasterie 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 eni|mies, and he in lieu of his old preferment rewarded by king Edgar, with the aforesaid bishoprike, from whence with more than lionlike boldnesse he expel|led the secular préests, and stored with moonkes pro|uided from Abandune néere Oxford, by the helpe of Edgar and Dunstane then metropolitane of Eng|land. 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 bre|thren 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 vn|derstanding what he was by his Nuncio here in En|gland, staied his consecration by his letters for a time, and in the meane season committed his exami|nation to the archbishop of Canturburie, and the bi|shop 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 ap|posed him, and after secret conference vtterlie disa|bleth 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 be|nefice 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, stan|ding 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 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 con|demned 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 com|plaineth 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 of|fense 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 a|uoucheth vpon his honor; and in the end confirmeth his allegations by witnesse: wherevpon he is bani|shed 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 EEBO page image 144 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 sei|zeth 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, ei|ther before, at, or after the deed committed, and there|vpon craueth to be tried by his péeres. But this pe|tition was in vaine: for sentence passeth against him also by the kings owne mouth. Wherevpon he cra|ueth helpe of the archbishop of Canturburie and pri|uileges of the church, hoping by such meanes to be solemnlie rescued. But they fearing the kings dis|pleasure, 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 mer|cie, 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. Upon the perusall of these his letters also, his accusers were called thither. But for so much as they appéered not at their perempto|rie 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 instru|ments should come from Rome: such also as aduen|tured 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 En|gland, 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. Ne|uerthelesse, in the end he wrote to Rome about a re|conciliation 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The see of Norwich called in old time Episcopatus Donnicensis, Dononiae, Norwich. 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 bi|shop 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 Celno|thus of Canturburie; thirdlie, to Theodford, or Thet|ford; & finallie, after the time of the Bastard, to Nor|wich. 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 ser|mon 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 thi|ther as they ought.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 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) wher|of I doubt, because it was not recorded in his anci|ent register of tenths and fruits, although peraduen|ture 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 do|nation 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 Wil|fride 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, Ce|denac, Swinesheued, Lusgerd, Edelminglond, and Barchaing: whereby we haue in part an euident te|stimonie how long the practise of appropriation of be|nefices hath béene vsed to the hinderance of the gos|pell, and maintenance of idle moonks, an humane inuention grounded vpon hypocrisie.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Bristow hath Dorsetshire sometime belonging to Salisburie,Bristow. a sée also latelie erected by king Hen|rie 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 o|ther erections as he had appointed for the better re|giment 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 infor|med.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Lincolne of all other of late times was the grea|test;Lincolne. and albeit that out of it were taken the sees of Oxford and Peterborow, yet it still reteineth Lin|colne, Leicester, Huntingdon, Bedford, Bucking|ham shires, and the rest of Hertford; so that it exten|deth 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, EEBO page image 145 about the beginning of William Rufus, by one Re|migius, 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Landaffe,Landaffe. or the church of Taw hath ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in Glamorgan, Monmouth, Brechnoch, and Radnor shires. And although it paid seuen hun|dred 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 incum|bent 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 S. Dauids hath Penbroke and Caermardine shires,S. Dauids. 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 suffici|ent credit, it is little aboue the value of foure hun|dred 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 ther|fore 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Bangor is in north-Wales,Bangor. and hath Caernar|uon, Angleseie, and Merioneth shires vnder hir iu|risdiction. It paid to Rome 126 ducats, which is verie much. For of all the bishoprikes in Eng|land it is now the least for reuenues, and not woorth aboue one hundred and one and thirtie pounds, and sixtéene pence to hir maiesties coffers at euerie alie|nation (as appéereth by the tenths, which amount to much lesse thair 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 S. Asaphes hath Prestholme and part of Den|bighS. Asaphes. 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 shil|lings six pence, wherby it séemeth to be somewhat bet|ter than La [...]daffe 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 Can|turburie, 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 iuris|diction and obedience.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The see of Yorke was restored about the yeare ofYorke. Grace 625, which after the comming of the Saxons laie desolate and neglected, howbeit at the said time Iustus archbishop of Canturburie ordeined Pauli|nus to be first bishop there, in the time of Eadw [...]jn king of Northumberland. This Paulinus sate six yeares yer he was driuen from thence, & after whose expulsion that seat was void long time, wherby Lin|deffarne grew into credit, and so remained vntill the daies of Oswie of Northumberland, who sent Wil|fred the priest ouer into France, there to be consecra|ted archbishop of Yorke: but whilest he taried ouer long in those parts, Oswie impatient of delaie pre|ferred 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 Lind [...]ffarne, 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, No|tinghamshire (whose shire towne I meane the new part thereof with the bridge was builded by king Edward the first surnamed the elder before the con|quest) and the rest of Lancastershire onelie not sub|iect to the sée of Chester; and when the pope bare au|thoritie in this realme, it paid vnto his see 1000 du|cates, beside 5000 for the pall of the new elect, which was more than he could well spare of late, conside|ring 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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Chester vpon Dee, otherwise called Westchester,Chester. hath vnder hir iurisdiction in causes ecclesiasticall, Chestershire, Darbishire, the most part of Lanca|stershire (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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Durham hath the countie of Durham and Nor|thumberlandDurham. with the Dales onelie vnder hir iuris|diction, 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 sarthing, and yet of lesse coun|tenance than hir prouinciall, neuertheles the sunne|shine thereof (as I heare) is now somewhat eclipsed and not likelie to recouer the light, for this is not a time wherein the c [...]rch may looke to increase in hir estate. I heare also that some other flitches haue for|gone the like collops, but let such maters be scanned by men of more discretion. Capgraue saith how that the first bishop of this sée was called bishop of Lind|seie (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 Cu|thred of the Northumbers, and Alfred of the West|saxons bestowed all the land betwéene the These & the Tine now called the bishoprike vpon S. Cuth|bert, beside whatsoeuer belonged to the sée of Hagul|stade. 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 bi|shoprike be now, in externall & outward apparance, sure it is that it paid in old time 9000 ducates at e|uerie 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 succes|sors) at Colchester and in Lindeffarne Ile, till one came that remooued it to Durham. And now iudge EEBO page image 146 you whether the allegatlon of Capgraue be of anie accompt or not.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Caerleill was erected 1132 by Henrie the first,Caerleill. and hereof one Ethelwoolfe confessor to Osmond bi|shop of Sarum was made the first bishop, hauing Cumberland & Westmerland assigned to his share; of the deaneries and number of parish churches con|teined 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 shilings 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 be|fore 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 sac|ked by the Danes, and eftsoones repared by Wil|liam Rufus, & planted with a colonie of southerne men. I suppose that in old time it was called Cair|doill. For in an ancient booke which I haue séene, and yet haue, intituled, Liber formularum literarum curiae Romanae, 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 cele|bration, 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 obedi|ence. But what are the tenths of England (you will saie) in comparison of all those of Europe. For not|withstanding that manie good bishoprikes latelie e|rected 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 bestowes or not, that blue the fire in his kitchen, wherewith to make his pot seeth, beside all other commodities.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Beside all these, we haue another bishoprike yet in England almost slipped out of my remembrance,Man. 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, som|time named Episcopatus Sodorensis, whereof one Wi|mundus 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 Dar|bie, who nominate such a one from time to time ther|to as to them dooth séeme conuenient. Howbeit if that sée did know and might reape hir owne commo|dities, and discerne them from other mens possessi|ons (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 cal|led this later sée after this maner vnto mind, I sup|pose 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, commen|ded somewhat by fréendship, doo bring them to this honour.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 I might here haue spoken more at large of di|uerse 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 bishop|rike of Leircester called Legerensis, whose fourth bi|shop (Unwon) went to Rome with Offa king of Mercia: thirdlie of Ramsbirie or Wiltun, and of Glocester (of which you shall read in Matth. Westm. Glocester a verie ancient bishoprike. 489) where the bishop was called Eldad: also of Ha|gulstade, 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 Hagul|stade or Lindfarne: and Eatta ouer the Bernici|ans, who sate at Yorke: and thereto placing Edhe|dus ouer Lindseie (as is afore noted) whose successors were Ethelwine, Edgar, and Kinibert, notwithstan|ding that one Se [...]ulfus was ouer Lindseie before Edhedus, who was bishop of the Mercians and mid|dle 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 White|herne, 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 dis|course of their cathedrall churches and places of a|bode, but it would haue extended this treatise to an vnprofitable length. Neuerthelesse I will remem|ber the same 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 vp|on an hill to such as did behold it.

3.2.1. The names and successions of so manie archbishops and bishops of London, as are extant, and to be had, from the faith first receiued.

EEBO page image 147
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.

    Compare 1577 edition: 1
  • Theon.
  • Eluanus.
  • Cadocus.
  • Ouinus.
  • Conanus.
  • Palladius.
  • Stephanus.
  • Iltutus.
  • Restitutus, who li|ued 350 of grace.
  • Tadwinus aliàs Theodwi|nus, some doo write him Tacwinus & Tatwinus.
  • Tidredus aliàs Theodred.
  • Hilarius.
  • Fastidius liued Anno Dom. 430.
  • Vodinus, slaine by the Sa|xons.
  • Theonus.

The see void manie yeares.

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  • 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.

    Compare 1577 edition: 1
  • Melitus.

The see void for a season.

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  • Wina.
  • Erkenwaldus.
  • Waldherus.
  • Ingaldus.
  • Egulphus.
  • Wigotus.
  • Eadbricus.
  • Edgarus.
  • Kiniwalchus.
  • Eadbaldus.
  • Eadbertus.
  • Oswinus.
  • Ethelnothus.
  • Cedbertus.
  • Cernulphus.
  • Suiduiphus.
  • Eadstanus.
  • Wulfsinus
  • 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 li|ued I can not tell, more than of diuerse other aboue remembred, but in this order doo I find them.

The see void twelue yeares.

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  • 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 Falcon|berg.
  • 10 Rogerus Niger.
  • 11 Fulco Bascet.
  • 12 Henricus Wingham. Richardus Talbot electus.
  • 15 Richard. Grauesend.
  • 16 Radulfus Ganda|censis.
  • 17 Gilbertus Segraue.
  • 18 Richardus de New|port.
  • 19 Stephanus Graue|send.
  • 20 Richard. Bintworth.
  • 21 Radulfus Baldoc who made the tables hang|ing in the vesterie of Paules.
  • 22 Michael.
  • 23 Simon.
  • 24 Robertus.
  • 25 Thomas.
  • 26 Richardus.
  • 27 Thomas Sauagius.
  • 28 Wilhelmus.
  • 29 Wilhelm. Warham.
  • 30 Wilhelmus Barnes.
  • 31 Cuthbertus Tunstall.
  • 32 Iohannes Stokesleie.
  • 33 Richardus fitz Iames.
  • 34 Edmundus Boner, re|mooued, imprisoned.
  • 35 Nicholas Ridleie re|mooued and burned.
  • Edm. Boner, restored, re|mooued, & imprisoned.
  • 36 Edmundus Grindall.
  • 37 Edwinus Sandes.
  • 38 Iohannes Elmer.

Hauing gotten and set downe thus much of the bi|shops, I will deliuer in like sort the names of the deanes, vntill I come to the time of mine old ma|ster now liuing in this present yeare 1586, who is none of the least ornaments that haue beene in that seat.

Deanes.

  • 1 Wulmannus, who made a distribution of the psalmes conteined in the whole psalter, and apointed the same dai|lie to be read amongst the prebendaries.
  • 2 Radulfus de Diceto, whose noble historie is yet extant in their li|brarie.
  • 3 Alardus Bucham.
  • 4 Robertus Watford.
  • 5 Martinus Patteshull.
  • 6 Hugo de Marinis.
  • 7 Radulfus Langfort.
  • 8 Galfridus de Berie.
  • 9 Wilhelmus Stãman.
  • 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 Wilhelmns de Mont|fort.
  • 21 Radulfus de Baldoc postea episcopus.
  • 22 Alanus de Cantilup postea cardinalis.
  • Iohan. Sandulfe electus.
  • Richardus de Newport e|lectus.
  • 23 Magister Vitalis.
  • 24 Iohannes Euerisdon.
  • 25 Wilhelmus Brewer.
  • 26 Richardus Kilming|don.
  • 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 Iohãnes Collet, foun|der of Paules schoole.
  • Richardus Paceus.
  • Richardus Sampson.
  • Iohannes Incent.
  • Wilhelmus Maius resig|nauit.
  • Iohannes Fakenham aliàs Howman resignauit.
  • Henricus Colus, remoo|ued, imprisoned.
  • Wilhelmus Maius, resto|red.
  • Alexander Nouellus.

And thus much of the archbishops, bishops, and deanes of that honorable sée. I call it honorable, be|cause 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 re|prooue 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 ri|sing by the same, vnto the commoditie of the rea|ders: neuerthelesse I haue reserued them vnto the publication of my great chronologie, if (while I liue) it happen to come abrode.

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2.5. Of the number of Biſhoprijcks in Englande and Wales, and of the preſent ſtate of the churche there. Cap. 5.

EEBO page image 85

Of the number of Biſhoprijcks in Englande and Wales, and of the preſent ſtate of the churche there. Cap. 5.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Two pro|uinces.THere are two prouinces in England, of which the firſt and greateſt is ſubiect to the ſie of Cauntorbury, the ſeconde to that of Yorke. And of theſe eyther hath hir Archbi|ſhop reſident continuallye within hir owne limits, who hath not onely the chiefe dealing in things appertaining to the Hierarchy and iuriſdiction of the church, but alſo great au|thoritie in ciuile affayres, touching the go|uernement of the common wealth ſo farre foorth as their ſeuerall circuites doe extende. The Archbiſhop of Cantorbury is cõmonly called Primate of all Englande, and in the coronation of the kings of this lande, his of|fice is to ſet the Crowne vpon their heades. They beare alſo the name of their high chap|lens perpetually, although not a few of them haue preſumed in tyme paſt to be their e|qualles and voide of any ſubiection vnto thẽ, which maye eaſilye appeare by their owne actes, epiſtles, and aunſweres, wherein they haue ſought not onely to match, but alſo to mate them with great rigour and more then opẽ tirannie. Examples hereof I could bring many,Anſelme. but this one ſhall ſuffice of Anſelme, who making a ſhowe as if he had béene very vnwilling to be placed in the ſée of Cantor|bury, gaue his aunſwere to the letters of ſuch his friendes as made requeſt vnto hym to take that charge vpõ him. Scecularia negotia neſcio, quia ſcire nolo, eorum nam occupa|tiones horreo, liberum affectans animum. Vo|luntati ſacrarum intendo ſcripturarum, vos diſſonantiam facitis, verendum eſt ne ara|trum ſancte Eccleſiae, quod in Anglia duo bo|ues validi & pari fortitudine, ad bonũ certan|tes, id eſt rex & Archepiſcopus, debeant tra|here, nunc oue vetula, cum Tauro indomito iugata, diſtorqucatur a recto. Ego ouis vetu|la, qui ſi quietus eſſem, verbi Dei lacte, & ope|rimento lanae, aliquibus poſſem fortaſsis non ingratus eſſe, ſed ſi me cum hoc tauro coniun|gitis, videbitis pro deſparilitate trahentium, aratrum non recte procedere. &c. Which is in Engliſh thus. Of ſeculer affayres I haue no ſkil, bycauſe I will not know them, for I euen abhorre the troubles that ryſe about them, as one that deſireth to haue his minde at libertie. I applye my whole indeuour to the rule of the ſcriptures, you lead me to the contrary. It is to be feared leſt the plough of holy church which two ſtrong Oxen of equal force, and both like earneſt to contende vnto that, which is good (that is the king and the Archebiſhop) ought to draw, ſhoulde thereby now ſwarue from the right forrow, by mat|ching of an olde ſhepe, with a wilde vntamed bull. I am that olde ſhepe, who if I might be quiet, coulde peraduenture ſhew my ſelfe not altogither vngratfull vnto ſome, by féeding them with milke of the worde of God, and couering them with wooll, but if you matche me with this bull, you ſhall ſée that thorowe want of equalitie in draught the plough will not go to right. &c. as followeth in the pro|ceſſe of his letters.Th [...] Beck [...] Thomas Becket was ſo proude, that he wrate to king Henry the ſe|conde, as to his Lord, to his king, and to his ſonne, offering him his counſell, hys reue|rence and due correction. &c. Others in like ſort haue proteſted, that they ought nothing to the kinges of this lande, but their counſell onely, reſeruing all obedience vnto the ſée of Rome: whereby we may eaſily ſée the pride & ambition of the cleargie in the blinde tyme of ignorance. But as the Archbiſhop of Can|torbury hath lõg ſince obtayned the preroga|tiue aboue York, (although not without gret trouble, ſute, ſome bloodſhed and contention) ſo the Archbiſhop of Yorke, is neuertheleſſe primate of Englande, as one contentyng himſelfe with a péece at the leaſt when (all) coulde not begotten. And as he of Cantorbu|ry crowneth the king, ſo thys of Yorke doth the like vnto the Quéene, whoſe perpetuall Chaplin he is, and hath béene from time to time as the writers doe reporte.21. [...] vnder [...] vnder Arch [...]|ſhop [...] Yorke The firſt al|ſo hath vnder his iuriſdiction to the number of one and twentie inferiour biſhoppes, the other hath onely foure by reaſon, that the churches of Scotland are now remooued frõ his obedience vnto an Archbiſhop of their owne, wherby the greatneſſe & circuit of the iuriſdiction of Yorke, is not a little dimini|ſhed. In like ſort eache of theſe ſeuen & twen|ty ſées, haue their Cathedral churches, wher|in the Deanes doe beare the chiefe rule, be|ing men eſpecially choſen to that vocation,Dea [...] both for their learning & godlineſſe ſo néere as can be poſſible. Theſe Cathedrall chur|ches haue in like maner other dignities and Canonries ſtill remayning vnto thẽ as here|tofore vnder the Popiſh regiment.Ca [...] Howbeit thoſe that are choſen to the ſame are no ydle and vnprofitable perſons, (as in times paſt they haue béene when moſt of theſe liuinges were either furniſhed with ſtraungers, eſpe|ciall out of Italy, or ſuch Ideots as had leaſt ſkill of all in diſcharging of thoſe functions, wherunto they were called by vertue of theſe ſtipendes) but ſuch as by preaching and tea|ching can, and doe learnedly ſet foorth the glorie of God, and farder the ouerthrow of Antichriſt to the vttermoſt of their powers. EEBO page image 76 Moreouer in the ſayde Cathedrall churches vpon Sondayes and Feſtiual dayes,Ordinary [...]rmons. the Ca|nones doe make certayne ordinary ſermons by courſe, whervnto great numbers of all e|ſtates doe orderly reſort, and vpon the wor|king daies thriſe in the wéeke one of the ſayd Canons doth reade and expounde ſome péece of holy ſcripture,Ordinary [...]poſitions [...] the [...]riptures. wherevnto the people doe very reuerently repaire. The biſhops them|ſelues in lyke ſorte are not ydle in their cal|lings, for being nowe exempt from Court & counſell,The By| [...]hopes [...]each [...]iligent| [...], whoſe [...]redeceſ| [...]ors here| [...]ofore haue [...]éene occu| [...]ied in [...]emporall [...]ffayres. Archdea| [...]ons. they ſo applye their myndes to the ſetting foorth of the worde, that there are ve|rie few of them, which doth not euery Sun|day or oftner reſorte to ſome place or other, within their iuriſdictions, where they ex|pounde the ſcriptures with much grauitie & ſkill. They haue vnder them alſo their Arch|deacons, ſome one, diuers two, & many foure or mo, as their circuites are in quantity, whi|che Archedeacons are termed in law the by|ſhoppes eyes: and theſe beſide their ordina|rie courtes (which are holden by themſelues or their officials once in a moneth at ye leaſt) doe kéepe yearly two viſitations or Sinodes, (as the Byſhop doth in euery thirde yeare) wherin they make diligẽt inquiſition & ſerch, aſwel for ye doctrine & behauiour of the Mini|ſters, as the orderly dealing of the Pariſhio|ners in reſorting to their pariſh churches & conformity vnto religiõ. They puniſh alſo wt great ſeuerity al ſuch treſpaſſers as are pre|ſented vnto them: or if the cauſe be of ye more weight, as in caſes of Hereſie, pertinacie, cõ|tempt & ſuch lyke, they refer them eyther to ye Biſhop of the Dioceſſe, or his chauncellour, or elſe to ſundrie graue perſons ſet in autho|ritye by vertue of an high cõmiſſion directed vnto them frõ the Prince to that end,Highe Commiſ| [...]ioners. who in very courteous maner doe ſée the offenders gẽtly reformed, or elſe ſeuerly puniſhed if ne|ceſſitie ſo inforce.A pro| [...]heſye or conference. Beſide this in many of our Archedeaconries, we haue an exerciſe lately begunne, which for the moſt part is called a prophecie or conference, and erected only for the examination or triall of the diligence of the cleargie in their ſtudy of holy ſcriptures. Howbeit ſuch is the thirſtie deſire of the peo|ple in theſe dayes to heare the worde of God, yt they alſo haue as it were with zealous vio|lence intruded themſelues among them (but as hearers only) to come by more knowledg thorowe their preſence at the ſame. Herein alſo for the moſt part two of the yonger ſorte of Miniſters doe expounde eache after other ſome péece of the ſcriptures ordinarily ap|pointed vnto them in their courſes (wherein they orderly go thorow with ſome one of the Euangeliſtes or of the Epiſtles, as it plea|ſeth thẽ to chooſe at the firſt in euery of theſe conferences) and when they haue ſpent an houre or a little more betwéene them, then commeth one of the better learned ſort, who ſupplyeth the rowme of a moderator, ma|king firſt a briefe rehearſall of their diſcour|ſes, and then adding what him thinketh good of his owne knowledge, wherby two houres are thus cõmonly ſpent at this moſt profita|ble méeting. Whẽ al is done if the firſt ſpea|kers haue ſhewed any péece of diligence, they are commended for their trauaile and encou|raged to go forward. If they haue béene foũd to be ſlacke, their negligence is openly repro|ued before all their brethren, who go aſide of purpoſe from the laitie after the exerciſe en|ded, to iudge of theſe matters and conſulte of the next ſpeakers & quantie of the text to be handled in that place. The laytie neuer ſpake but are onely hearers, & as it is vſed in ſome places wéekely, in other once in fouretéene dayes, in dyuers monethly, and elſewhere twiſe in a yere, ſo is it a notable ſpurre vnto all the miniſters, therby to apply their bookes which otherwyſe as in tymes paſt dyd giue themſelues to hawking, hunting, tables, cardes, dyce, typling at the Alehouſe, ſhooting and other like vanities, nothing commenda|ble in ſuch as ſhoulde be godly and zealous ſtewards of the good gifts of GOD, faith|ful diſtributers of his worde vnto the people, and diligent paſtours according to their cal|ling.Miniſters Deacons. Our Elders or Miniſters and Dea|cons (for ſubdeacons and the other inferiour orders, ſometime vſed in the Popiſh church we haue not) are made according to a cer|taine forme of conſecration concluded vpon in the time of king Edwarde the ſixt, by the clergy of Englande, and ſoone after confir|med by the thrée eſtates of the realme, in the high court of Parliamẽt. And out of the firſt ſort, that is to ſaye of ſuch as are called to the miniſtery, are Biſhops, Deanes, Arche|deacons, & ſuch as haue the higher places, in the Hierarchy of the church elected, & theſe alſo as al ye reſt, at the firſt cõming vnto any ſpirituall promotion doe yéeld vnto ye Prince the entire taxe of their liuings for one whole yeare, if it amount in value vnto ten pounde and vpwardes, and this vnder the name of firſt fruites. They paye the tenthes yearely alſo of theyr ſayde liuynges,Firſt frui|tes and tenthes. accordyng to ſuch valuations as haue béene made latelye of the ſame: for the receyt of which two pay|mentes, an eſpecial office or court is erected, which beareth name of firſt fruits and ten|thes, wherevnto if the party to be preferred, doe not make his duetifull repayre by an ap|pointed tyme after poſſeſſion taken there to EEBO page image 86 compounde for the payment of his fruites, he incurreth the daunger of a great penalty, lymited by a certayne eſtatute prouided in that behalfe, againſt ſuch as doe intrude into the eccleſiaſticall functiõ. They pay likewiſe ſubſides wyth the temporaltie, but in ſuche ſort that if theſe paye after foure ſhillinges for lande,Subſidies the cleargye paye commonly af|ter ſixe ſhilings of the pounde, ſo that of a be|nefice of twentye pounde by the yeare the in|cumbent thinketh himſelfe well acquited, if all thinges being diſcharged he may reſerue fiftéene pounde towarde his owne ſuſtenta|tion and maintenance of his family. Seldom alſo are they without the compaſſe of a ſub|ſidye, for if they be one yeare cleare from this payment they are lyke in the next to here of another graunt, ſo that I ſaye a|gayne they are ſeldome wythout the limite of a ſubſidie. The laity maye at euery taxa|tion alſo helpe themſelues, and ſo they doe thorowe conſideration had of their decaye, and hinderaunce, and yet their impoueriſh|mẽt cannot but touch alſo the Parſon or Vi|car, as is daily to be ſéene in their accounpts and tythings.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 3 4 The other paimẽtes due vnto the Archbi|ſhop and Biſhop at their ſeuerall viſitatiõs, (of which the firſt is double to the latter) and ſuche alſo as the Archedeacon receyueth at hys Synodes. &c. remaine ſtill as they dyd, wythout any alteration: onely thys I thynke be added within memory of man, that at the comming of euery prince, hys appointed of|ficers doe commonly viſite the whole realme vnder the forme of an eccleſiaſticall inquiſi|tion, in which the cleargy doe paye double fées, as vnto the Archbiſhop. Hereby thẽ & by thoſe already remembred, it is founde that the Church of Englande, is no leſſe commo|dious to the Princes coffers then the laitye, if it doe not farre excéede the ſame, ſince their paimentes are certayne continuall and ſel|dome abated, howeſoeuer they gather vppe their owne dueties, or haue their lyuinges otherwiſe hardly valued vnto the vttermoſt fardings, or ſhrewdely canceled by the coue|touſneſſe of the patrones,The very cauſe why weauers, pedlers & glouers haue béene made Mi|niſters, for ye learned refuſe ſuch matches, ſo that yf the Biſhops in times paſt hadde not made ſuch by o|uerſight & friendſhip I wote not howe ſuch men ſhold haue done wyth their ad|uouſons. as for a glo+uer or a tayle [...] [...] [...]e [...] or 10. [...] by the [...] and [...] ſhalt [...] all the [...] ſo he [...] be [...]. of whom ſome do beſtowe aduouſons of benefices vpon theyr Bakers, Butlers, Cokes, and horſekéepers, in ſtéede of other recompẽce, for their long & faithful ſeruice which they employ vnto their moſt aduantage. But to procéede wyth our purpoſe. The names moreouer vſually giuẽ vnto ſuch as féede the flocke remaine in lyke ſort as in tymes paſt, ſo yt theſe wordes, par|ſon, Vicar, curate, and ſuch are not, as yet a|boliſhed more then the Canon lawe it ſelfe, which is daily pleaded as I haue ſayde elſe|where, although the eſtatutes of the realme haue greatly infringed the large ſcope, and brought the exerciſe of the ſame into ſome narrower limits. There is no thing redde in our churches but the canonicall Scriptures, whereby it commeth to paſſe that the Pſal|ter is ſayd ouer once in thirtie dayes, ye new Teſtament foure times, and the olde Teſta|ment once in the yeare. And herevnto if the Curate be adiudged by the Biſhop or his de|puties, ſufficientlye inſtructed in the holye ſcriptures, he permitteth him to make ſome expoſition or exhortation in his pariſhe, vnto amendment of lyfe. And for as much as our churches and vniuerſities haue béene ſo ſpoi|led in tyme of errour, as there cannot yet be had ſuch number of learned paſtours as may ſuffiſe for euery pariſh to haue one: there are certaine ſermones or homelies, deuiſed by ſundry learned men, confirmed for ſounde doctrine, by conſent of the diuines, and pub|like authoritie of the prince, and thoſe ap|pointed to be read by the Curates of meane vnderſtanding, (which Homelies doe com|prehende the principall partes of chriſtian doctrine, as of originall ſinne, of Iuſtificatiõ by fayth, of charity and ſuch lyke) vpon the Sabbaoth dayes, vnto the congregation. Likewiſe in our common prayer, the leſſons are onely certeine appointed chapters, taken out of the olde and newe Teſtament. The adminiſtration moreouer of the ſacraments and reſidue of the ſeruice, is done in the chur|ches, wholly in our vulgare tong, that eche one preſent, maye here and vnderſtande the ſame, which alſo in Cathedrall and Collegi|ate churches is ſo ordered, that the Pſalmes onely are ſong by note, the reſt being redde (as in common pariſhe Churches) by the Miniſter wyth a loude voyce, ſauynge that in the adminiſtration of the Communion the Quier ſingeth the anſweres, the crede, and ſundry other thynges appointed, but in ſo plaine (I ſay) and diſtinct maner, that eche one preſent may vnderſtand what they ſing, euery worde hauing but one note, though the whole Harmony conſiſt of many partes, and thoſe very cunningly ſet by the ſkilful in that ſcience. As for our Churches themſelues, Belles, and times of morning and euening praier, they remaine as in times paſt, ſauing that all Images, ſhrines, tabernacls, rood|loftes, and monumentes of Idolatry, are re|mooued, taken downe, and defaced, onely the ſtoryes in glaſſe windowes excepted, which for want of ſufficient ſtore of newe ſtuffe, & by reaſon of extreame charge that ſhoulde growe, thorow the alteration of the ſame in|to white panes thorowe out the realme, are EEBO page image 77 not altogither abolyſhed in moſt places at once, but by lyttle and little ſuffered to de|caye, that white glaſſe may be prouided and ſet vp in their roomes. Finally wheras there was woont to be a great particion betwéene the Quire and the body of the Church, nowe it is either very ſmall or none at all: and to ſaye the truth altogither néedeleſſe, ſithe the Miniſter ſayth his ſeruice commonly in the bodye of the church, wyth his face towarde the people, in a little tabernacle of waineſcot prouided for the purpoſe, by which meanes the ignoraunt doe not onely learne dyuers of the pſalmes and vſuall prayers by heart, but alſo ſuch as can read doe pray togither with him, ſo that the whole congregation at one inſtant doe poure out their peticions, vnto the liuing God, for the whole eſtate of hys church in moſt earneſt and feruent maner. Thus much briefly of the eſtate of the church of England, I meane touching the regimẽt of the ſame, ye ſeruice of God, & forme of com+mon Prayer: now will I returne to the par|ticular limites of eache ſeuerall Byſhoprijc, whereby we ſhall ſée theyr boundes, and how farre theyr iuriſdictions doe extende, begin|ning firſt with the Sie of Cantorbury in ſuch briefe order as foloweth here at hand.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [...]antorbu| [...].The iuriſdictiõ of Cantorbury (erected firſt by Auguſtine the Monke) yf you haue reſpect to his prouinciall regiment, extendeth it ſelfe ouer all the ſouth part of this Iſland. But if you regarde the ſame onely that belongeth vnto his Sie, it reacheth but ouer one parcell of Kent: the Dioceſſe of Rocheſter enioying the reſt: ſo that in thys one countey the grea|teſt Archbiſhoprijcke and at the leſt Biſhop|rijcke of all are vnited & ſtrictly lincked togi|ther. That of Cantorbury hath vnder it one Archedeacõ, who hath charge ouer xj. Dea|neries or a hũdred thrée ſcore and one pariſhe churches, and in the Popiſh time there went out of this Sie to Rome at euery alienation for firſt fruites 10000. Ducates or Florens (for I reade both) beſide 5000. that the new elect vſually payed for hys pall. I woulde ſpeake ſomewhat of his peculiers diſperſed here & there in other ſhires, but ſith I haue no certaine knowledge of them, I paſſe thẽ ouer vntill an other tyme.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [...]ocheſter.The Sie of Rocheſter is alſo included with|in ye limits of Kent, whoſe Archedeacon hath onelye thrée Denaries vnder his iuriſdiction contayning 132. Pariſhe churches: ſo that hereby it is to be gathered that there are at the leaſt 393. Pariſhe churches in Kent, ouer which theſe two Archdeacons afore re|membred doe exerciſe Eccleſiaſticall autho|ritie. This Byſhop at euery alienation was woont to pay to the Sie of Rome 1300 Du|cates or florens. He was alſo croſſebearer in tyme paſt to the Archbyſhop of Cantorbury and Iuſtus was the firſt Byſhop that was in|ſtalled in the ſame.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The Sie of London,London. whereof Mellitus is accoũted to be the firſt Paſtor in the Popiſh Cataloge, is nowe contented to be vnder the gouernaunce of a Biſhop, which in olde time had hir Archebiſhop vntill Cantorbury be|reft hir of that honour by the practiſe of Au|guſtine the monke, who I wote not vpõ what priuie occaſion, remooued his Archebiſhops Sie from thence farder into Kent. It inclu|deth Eſſex, Midleſex and part of Her [...]forde ſhyre, and is neyther more nor leſſe in quan|titie then the auncient kingdome of the eaſt Saxons before it was vnited to that of the weſt Saxons, as our hyſtories doe report. The iuriſdiction of this Sie vnder the biſhop is committed to foure Archedeacons, that is of London, Eſſex, Midleſex, and Colcheſter and thoſe haue amongſt them to the number of 363. Pariſhes or thereabouts, beſide the peculiers belonging to the Archebiſhop, and at euery alienation the new incumbent was bounde to pay to the Biſhop of Rome 3000. Ducates or florenes as I reade.Chicheſter

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Chicheſter (the beginning of which ſie was in ye Iſle of Seleſey, but afterward trãſlated to Chicheſter) hath now Suſſex only, and the wight vnder which are ſixtéene Deaneries, containing to ye nũber of 551. pariſhs. It paid at euery alienatiõ to ye Sie of Rome 333. du|cates, as I haue reade of late. One Edbert was the firſt biſhop there, thẽ one Cella ſuc|céeded, after whom the ſie was voyd by ma|ny yeres. It was erected alſo 711. by ye decrée of a Synode holden in Suſſex,Winche|ſter. The By|ſhoppe of Winche|ſter was ſometime called bi|ſhop of the Weſtſaxõs or of Dor|cheſter, which town was giuen to Birinus & his ſucceſ|ſours, by Kinigils of the Weſt ſaxons and Oſwald king of the Northũ|bers. which ſepara|ted it frõ the iuriſdiction of ye ſie of Winche|ſter, wherof before it was reputed a parcell.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Wincheſter hath Hamſhyre and Surry, & in olde time the Wight wherein are eyght Deanaries and 276. Pariſh churches, and beſide that the Biſhoppe of thys Dioceſſe is perpetuall Prelate vnto the honorable order of the Garter, his taxe at his inſtitution was 12000. ducats or florens. If the old cataloge of the Biſhoppes of this Sie be well conſide|red of, and the actes of the greateſt parte of them indifferently weighed, as they are to be reade in our Hyſtories, you ſhall finde the moſt egregious hypocrites, the ſtouteſt war|riours, the cruelleſt tyrauntes, the richeſt money mongers, & polliticke counſellours in temporall affayres, to haue I wote not by what ſecrete worcking of the diuine proui|dence béene placed here in Wincheſter, ſith the foundation of that Sie, which was erec|ted EEBO page image 87 by Birinus, 639. (whome Pope Honorius ſent hycher out of Italy) and firſt planted at Dorcheſter, in the tyme of Kynigils, then tranſlated to Wincheſter, where it doth yet continue.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 SaliſburySaliſbury hath nowe Barckeſhyre, and Wilſhyre onely, for after ye death of Hedda, which was 704. Wincheſter was deuided in two, ſo that onely Hampton and Surrey were left vnto it, & Wilton, Dorſet, Barke|ſhyre, Somerſet, Deuon, & Cornwall, aſſig|ned vnto Saliſbury, tyll other order was ta|ken. The valuation hereof in Rome was lately 4000. Ducats or florens, as the taxe therof yet recordeth. Certes I haue not read of any biſhop that hath béene a greater orna|ment to this Sie then Biſhop Iewell lately deceaſed, ſith the tyme that Adelme dyd firſt beginne that Byſhoprijcke 704. which was before a percell of the iuriſdiction of Win|cheſter, founded at Shirburne, & afterward tranſlated to Saliſbury, but I can not well tell in what yeare after the conqueſt.

Exceſter.Exceſter hath Deuonſhyre and Cornewall & the valuation of this liuing was 6000. du|cates, which were payde at euery alienation vnto the Biſhoppe of Rome.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Bathe.Bathe, whoſe Sie was ſometyme at Welles, hath Somerſetſhyre onely, and the value therof was rated at 430. Ducates in ye Popiſh taxation, except I be deceyued. This Biſhoprijcke was erected 905. in a counſell holden among the Gewiſes, whereat king Edwarde of the Weſtſaxons, & Plegimund Archebiſhop of Cãtorbury were preſent. For that part of the country had béene ſeauen yeres without any Paſtorall cure, and ther|fore in this counſel it was agréed that for the two Biſhoprijcks (wherof one was at Win|cheſter another at Shireburne) there ſhould be fiue ordayned, whereby the people there myght be the better inſtructed. By thys meanes Frithſtan was placed at Winche|ſter,The By|ſhoprijck of Shire|burne diui|ded into 3. and Etheline at Shireburne, both of thẽ being then voyde. Shireburne alſo ſuſtained the ſubdiuiſion, ſo that Werſtane was made Biſhop of Cridioc or Deuonſhire (whoſe Sie was at Kyrton) Herſtan of Cornewall, and Eadulf of Welles, vnto whome Barkſhyre & Dorſetſhyre were appointed, but now you ſee what alteratiõ is made, by conſideration of the limites of their preſent iuriſdictions.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Worceſter ſometime called Epãtus wicci|orum hath Worceſter & part of Warwijc|ſhyres,Worceſter. and before the Biſhoprijc of Gloce|ſter was taken out of the ſame, it payde to the Pope 2000. Ducates of golde at euery chaunge of Prelate. This Sie 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 pilgri|mage to Rome, with Kinredus of Mercia & the ſayde Offa, and there gate a Monaſterie (which he buylded in Worceſter) confirmed by Conſtantine the Pope.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Gloceſter hath Gloceſterſhyre only,Gloceſ [...] wher|in are nyne Deanaries and to the number of 294. Pariſhe churches, as I finde by good record. But it neuer payd any thing to rome, bycauſe it was erected by king Henry the eyght, after he had aboliſhed the vſurped au|thoriyt of ye Pope, except in Quéene Maries, if any ſuch thing were demeaned, as I doubt not but it was.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Hereforde hath Herefordeſhyre and part of Shorpſhyre and payde to Rome at euery chaunge of Biſhop 1800.Heref [...] Ducates or florens at the leaſt.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Lechfield wherunto Couẽtry is added,Liche [...] whoſe [...] was h [...]|den [...] time at Weſt [...]|ter, th [...] now h [...] a [...] of Bi [...] owne. hath Staffordeſhyre Darbyſhire part of Shrop|ſhire & the reſt of Warwijc, that is voyde of ſubiection to the ſie of Worceſter. It was e|rected in the time of Peada king of the ſouth Mertians which lay on this ſide of ye Trent, & therin one Dinas was enſtalled about the yeare of grace 656. after whom ſuccéeded Kellac, thẽ Tunher an Engliſhman, but con|ſecrated by the Scottes. It paid to the Pope 1733. Ducates, in mine opinion a good round fine, but not without a iuſt puniſhment, ſith that in times paſt vz. 765. Eldulf Biſhoppe there vnder king Offa of Mertia woulde haue bereft the ſie of Cantorbury of hir pall in the time of Pope Adriane, and ſo dyd for a ſeaſon till thinges were reduced into their former order.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Oxforde hath Oxforde ſhyre onely,Oxfor [...] a verye yonge Iuriſdiction, erected by kyng Henry the eyght, and where in the time of Quéene Mary, one Goldwell was Biſhop, who as I remember was a Ieſuite, dwelling in Rome and more conuerſant as the fame went in the blacke Arte, then ſkilfull in the Scrip|tures, and yet he was of great countenaunce amongſt the Romayne monarches. It is ſaid that obſeruyng the Canons of hys order, he regarded not the temporalities, but I haue heard ſithens that he wiſt well ynough what became of thoſe commodities.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Ely hath Cambridgeſhyre, & the Iſle of E|ly. It was erected 1109. by Henry the firſt,Ely. being before a riche and welthy abbay. One Heruy alſo was made Biſhoppe there, as I haue foũd in a Regiſter, belõging ſometime to that houſe. Finallye it payde to the Pope at euery alienation. 7000. Ducates, as the Regiſters there doth teſtifie at large.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 EEBO page image 78 [...]wiche.Northwich called in old time Epiſcopatus, domucenſis, (whoſe ſée was firſt at Helmehã, then at Thetforde) hath Suffolke and Nor|folke. The circuite hereof was once all one, with that of the Kinges of the eaſt Angles, till Ely was taken from the ſame, & it began about the yeare 632. vnder Eorpenwalde king of the Eaſt Saxons, and one Felix of Burgundy, was firſt Biſhop there, who ſate ſeuentéene yeares, and was placed therein by Honorius the Pope, finally it payde at e|uery alienation. 5000. Ducates to Rome of curraunt money as I reade.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [...]terbo| [...].Peterborow ſometime a notable monaſte|ry hath Northampton, and Rutlande ſhires, a dioceſſe erected alſo by king Henry ye eight. It neuer payde firſt fruites to the Pope, but in Queene Maries dayes, if ought were then demaunded, becauſe it was a ſie not recorded in the auncient Regiſter, of hys firſt fruites and tenthes.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [...]iſtow.Briſtowe hath Dorcet ſhyre, ſometime belongyng to Saliſbury, a ſie lately erected by Kyng Henry the eyght, who tooke no ſmall care for the Churche of Chriſt, & ther|fore eaſed a number of the auncient ſies, of theyr ſuperfluous circutes, and beſtowed the ſame vppon ſuch other, as he had appoynted for the better regimente and féeding of the flocke.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [...]ncolne.Lincolne of all other in times paſt was the greateſt, for although that out of it were taken the Biſhoprijckes of Oxforde, and Peterborow, yet it reteineth ſtill Lincolne, Leiceſter, Huntyngdon, Bedforde, Buc|kingham ſhyres, and the reſt of Hartford|ſhyre, ſo that it extended from the Thames vnto the Humber, and payde vnto the Pope for the whole 5000. Ducates, as appeareth by record at euery alienation. It beganne a|bout the beginning of William Rufus, by one Remigius who remooued his Sie to Lin|colne frõ Dorcheſter, as Math. Weſtmin|ſter doth report, & thus much of ſuch Biſhop|rijcks as lye within Lhoegres or Englande as it was left vnto Locrinus, nowe it follo|weth that procéede with Wales.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Lhandaffe or the churche of Tau, contay|neth Glamorgan, [...]andaffe. Monmouth, Brecknoch and Radnor ſhyres, and paide to Rome 700. Ducats as I reade at euery chaunge of Pre|late.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 [...]. Da| [...]ds.S. Dauides hath Pembrooke, and Caer|mardine ſhyres, whoſe liuerie or firſt fruites to the Sie of Rome was 1500. Ducates at the hardeſt as I thincke.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Bangor.Bangor is in north Wales, & hath Caer|nar [...]on, Angliſey and Merioneth ſhyres vn|der hir iuriſdiction, it paid alſo to Rome 126. Ducates or florence, as their bookes doe yet declare.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 S. Aſaphes hath Preſtholme and parte of Denbigh & Flintſhyres,S. Aſa|phes. which beyng layde togither doe amount to little more then one good countye, & therfore iuſtly ſuppoſed to be ye leſt Biſhoprijcke that is to be founde with|in Wales, yet it paide to Rome 470. Du|cates, except my memory doth fayle. And hi|therto of the Prouince Caunterburye, for ſo much thereof as lyeth in thys Iſlande, nowe it reſteth that I procéede with the other of Yorke in ſuch order as I may.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The Sie of Yorke beganne aboute the yeare of grace. 625.Yorke. vnder Iuſtus of Caun|terburye, who ordeyned Paulinus the firſt Biſhop there, in the time of Edwine [...] king Northumberland. Of it ſelf it hath Iuriſdic|tion ouer Yorkſhyre, Nottingham ſhyre, & the reſt of Lancaſter ſhire, not ſubiect to the Sie of Cheſter, and when the Pope bare au|thority in this realme it payde vnto his Sie. 1000. Ducates, beſide alſo 5000. for the pal of the newe elect, which was more then he coulde well ſpare, conſidering the diuinution of hys Sie, by meanes of the erection of a new Metropolitane in Scotland, as I haue ſhewed elſe where.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Cheſter hath Cheſterſhire, Darbiſhire,Cheſter. the moſt part of Lancaſter ſhyre (vnto the Ry|bell) Richemonde, and a part of Flinte and Denbighe ſhyres in Wales alſo vnder due ſubiection for eccleſiaſticall matters. In the olde popiſh tyme, there was no Biſhoprijck, called by that name (although the Byſhop of Léechfielde had ſometime his Sie pitched in that place, and therefore of ſome was called Biſhop of Cheſter) ſith king Henry the eight was the firſt, that erected any there.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Durham hath the county of Durham one|ly, and Northumberlande,Durham or Lindeſ|farme. whereof the By|ſhoppes haue béene ſometimes Earles Pa|latines, and ruled the roſt vnder the name of the Biſhoprijcke, a Sie in my opinion more profitable, & of leſſe countenaunce, then his prouinciall. But whatſoeuer it be for exter|nall apparaunce, ſure it is that it payde to Rome 9000. Ducates or Florenes, at eue|ry chaunge, as the recorde yet expreſſeth, Aydan a Scot was the firſt Byſhop of this Sie, who helde himſelfe as did alſo manye of his ſucceſſours, in Lindſfarne Iſle, till one came that remooued it to Durham.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Careliel erected 1132. by Henry the firſt,Caerleill. & whereof Ethelwoolf confeſſor to Oſmond Byſhop of Saliſbury, was made originall Biſhop, hath Cumberland & Weſtmerland, as for the Deanerſes and number paryſhes conteyned in the ſame, as yet I haue no EEBO page image 88 knowledge, more then of many of the other, howbeit of this I am ſure, that the Pope re|ceyued out of it at euery chaunge of Byſhop 1000. florenes, albeit that it might haue ſpared much more as an aduerſarie thereto confeſſed ſometyme euen before the Pope himſelfe, ſuppoſing no leſſe but to haue gai|ned by hys tale.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 2 Man.Beſide all theſe we haue another Biſhop|rijcke yet in England, but very obſcure, be|cauſe the Byſhoppe thereof hath not where|with to maintaine his countenaunce ſuffici|entlye, and that is, the Sie of Mona or Man, ſometime named Epãtus Sodorenſis, where|of one Wimundus was ordeyned the firſt bi|ſhop, and Iohn the ſeconde, in the reigne of king Stephẽ. The gift of this prelacy reſteth in ye Erles of Darby, who nominateth ſuch a one from time to tyme, thereto as to them doth ſéeme conuenient. Howbeit if that Sie might reape hir owne commodities, I doubt not but the eſtate of hir Biſhop would quick|ly be amended. And thus much of our biſhop|rijcks, and maner how the eccleſiaſtical iu|riſdiction of the church of England, is deuy|ded among the ſhyres, and countyes of thys realme. Whoſe Biſhops as they haue béene heretofore of greater port and dooings in the common wealth, then at this preſent, ſo are they nowe for the moſt part the beſt learned that are to be founde, in any country of Eu|rope, ſith neither high parentage, nor great ryches as in other countreyes, but onelye learning and vertue doe bring them to thys honour. I might here haue ſpoken of diuers other Biſhoprijcks, ſometime in this part of the Iſlande, as of that of Caerlheon, where Dubritius gouerned, which was afterwarde tranſlated to S. Dauides, and taken for an Archbiſhoprijck: ſecõdly of the Biſhoprijc of Leirceſter, whoſe fourth biſhop called Vn|won went to Rome with Offa king of Mer|tia:Gloceſter a very auncient biſhoprijc. thirdly of Ramſbyry or Wiltõ, & of Glo|ceſter (of which you ſhall reade in Math. Weſt. 489) where the biſhop was called El|dad: alſo of Hagulſtade, one of the thrée mẽ|bers wherinto the Sie of Yorke was deuided after thexpulſion of Wilfrid. For as I reade when Egfrid the king had driuen him away, he deuided his Sie into thrée partes, making Boſa ouer the Deiranes that helde his Sie at Hagulſtade: Eatta ouer the Bernicians, who ſate at Yorke: and Edhedus ouer Lind|far, whoſe ſucceſſours were Ethelwine, Ed|gar and Kinibert, notwithſtanding that one Sexulfus was ouer Lindfarre before Edhe|dus, who was Biſhop of the Mertians and middle England till he was baniſhed from Lindiſſe and came into theſe quarters, to ſéeke his refuge and ſuccour. I coulde lyke|wyſe entreate of the Biſhoppes of White|herne, or ad Candidam Caſam, nowe a par|cell of Scotland, and of diuers chaũges and alterations hapning in theſe ſies frõ time to time, but ſith my purpoſe is to touch only the eſtate of thinges preſent, it may ſuffice to haue ſayde thus much of them, though alto|gither beſide mine intended purpoſe.