The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy

Lincoln.

ANNO 573. Aldred Bishop of Leicester (afterwards translated to Lincoln ) was deprived of his Bishopric, for his seditious misdemeanors; it is very like he sided with the cruel Pagan Danes, though his crimes be not expressed in particular.

Eadnoth Bishop of this See, turned warrior, and was slain by the Danes in battle, in the year 1016 •

Vlfe a man very learned, in the year 1052. together with Robert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and William Bishop of London, who had given King Edward the Confessor wicked counsel against the English, were banished into Normandy, their native Country, for this offense, vix evadentes, hardly escaping with their lives; they having been instruments to cause the King to infringe his good Laws, and not to administer right justice, which he promised to reform upon these Prelates dimission; who miscounselled him. This Bishop among the rest, going to the Council of Vercels, to complain to the Pope of his wrongful banishment, so far forth bewrayed his own weakness and insufficiency, as the Pope was determined to have displaced him from his Bishopric, until with gifts and golden eloquence, he persuaded him to wink at his imperfections.

Alexander Bishop of Lincoln, Anno 1070. opposed William the Conqueror, who appointed how many soldiers every Bishopric and Abby that held of him by Barony should find in time of war, from which they were formerly freed: hereupon he and Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, fled into Scotland, where they kept themselves close for a time (being banished by the Conqueror) and at last joined with the Scots against him: Egelwin Bishop of Durham being an exile at the same time, having only the zeal of God, excommunicated all the invaders of the Church, and ravishers of Ecclesiastical things. This Alexander is omitted by Godwin in his Catalogue of the Bishops of this see; and it seems he was deprived among other Bishops in the Council of Winchester, Anno 1070. for opposing the Conqueror.

Remigius (who translated his see from Dorchester to Lincoln, and built the Cathedral there, to whose consecration by the Kings command, all the Bishops of England were summoned, himself dying two days before the time appointed for its consecration) was impeached of high treason against King William Rufus, but his servant purging his master by the judgment of an hot iron (or Ordalium ) then in use, restored him to the Kings favor, and wiped off this blot to his pontifical honor, as Huntindon writes. He was preferred first to this Bishopric by William the Conqueror, for divers good services done unto him, for which he long before promised him a Bishopric in England. The consideration of this gift coming to the Popes ear, he would needs adjudge it Simony, and as a symonist actually deprived him of his Bishopric: but at the request of Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury, he restored him to his Ring and Crosier again. The Arch-bishop of York labored to hinder the translation of his See to Lincoln, laying challenge to the jurisdiction of that County, as anciently belonging to his Archbishopric, whereupon the Bishop was forced to crave in aid of the King to make good the Title, and his successor Robert Bloet, was glad to give William Rufus 5000 pound to clear the Title, that the Arch-bishop of York laid unto the jurisdiction of this See and County; which was reputed Simony in the King, but justice in the Bishop.

Alexander, nephew to Roger the great rich Bishop of Salisbury, consecrated Bishop of Lincoln July 22. An. 1123. placed his chief delight in building of Castles, wherein he imitated his unkle Roger, hereupon he built a stately Castle at Banbury, another at Newark, a third at Sleford, which saith Nubrigensis, did ill beseem a Bishops honesty, much less his function. These Castles were such eye-sores to King Stephen, as they provoked him to pick a quarrel with the Bishop, to clap him up in prison (together with his uncle Roger of Salisbury, and to bereave them at once, both of their munition and treasure, of which they had heaped up great store. For King Stephen fearing that this great rich Prelate and his uncle of Salisbury (who had built two strong Castles, the one at Salisbury the other at the Devises) would side with Maud the Empresse, against him, sends for both these Bishops, and demands those Castles of them, which they refusing to deliver up to his possession; the King thereupon claps them up in prison, besiegeth their Castles, which their Creatures held out and kept by force against him, til at the last with much a do he possessed himself of them, in such manner as is before more largely related in the story of Roger of Salisbury. The King not long after releasing this Bishop, he and some others secretly conspired against him, procured Maud the Empresse to come over with an army, with whom he joined. And by this and the other confederates assistance Stephen was afterwards taken prisoner, deprived of his Crown in a Synod at Winch • ster; Maud received and acknowledged as Queen by the Prelates and Kingdom, till Stephen being again released by the Bishops practices, and putting Maud to the worst, after many battles and great effusion of English Christian Blood, (occasioned only by the Prelates practices,) Stephen and Maud came to a mutual agreement. Of which you may read more largely in Roger of Salisbury.

The See of Lincoln continuing void almost seven years after the death of Robert de Chisney, Geoffrey Plantagenet Archdeacon of Lincoln, base son to King Henry the second was elected Bishop thereto; who contenting himself with the large revenues of the Bishopric, never sought consecration; well knowing that he might so fleece the sheep though he listed not to take the charge of feeding the sheep. Seven years he reaped the fruits of that See by color of his election, and then by the Popes commandment to Richard Archbishop of Canterbury to compel Geoffrey either to resign his • ishopricke, or immediately to enter into orders, and to take the office of a Bishop on him, he resigned all his interest in the same, the copy of which resignation you may read in Roger Howden . After which he turned Couttier for eight years space, and at last returning to the Church again, became Archbishop of York • How he carried himself in that See I have before in part expressed (page 185, 186.) and now shall give you some further account (t • ough somewhat out of course) out of Roger Howden and others. He was no sooner settled in York, but there fell out a great contestation between him and Henry dean of York, and Buchard the Treasurer, whom he excommunicated for refusing to give over singing, and to begin their Service afresh upon his entering into th • Church; whereby the Church that day ceased from Divine Service. This difference being composed Buchard and Geoffrey soon after fell ou • again; whereupon Ge • ffry excommunicating him the second time, he goes to the Pope for absolution, and so far prevailed with the Pope, that he would neither confirm Geoffries election nor suffer him to be consecrated. And withal the Pope exempted Hugh Bishop of Durham from making any profession of subjection to Geoffrey elect of York during his life, though he were consecrated, because he h • d formerly once made his profession to the Church of York, and to S. William the Archbishop of York, and to his successors. Queen Elenor, K. Richards mother, hereupon passeth from Messana through Rome to entreat and humbly beseech the Pope in the Kings behalf, to confirm his brothers election to York, and either to consecrate him Archbishop thereof by himself or some other: which the Pope doing, Geoffrey shortly after cites Hugh Bishop of Durham peremptorly to appear before him at a Synod in the Cathedral Church at York, thereto profess his obedience to him, which he endeavored to subtract, and to exempt himself by all means from his jurisdiction. Hugh refuseth to come thither, or to make his profession or obedience to him (being, as he said, not bound by Law to do it: and thereupon appeals the first, second, and third time to the Pope, and submits his cause to him. The Archbishop hearing of it, in great fury excommunicates him notwithstanding this appeal, threatening to compel him to make profession and obedience by Ecclesiastical censures notwithstanding this appeal. The Bishop of Durham on the other side would not obey the 〈◊〉 , but in contempt thereof, boldly celebrated, and caused to be celebrated Divine offices as before. The Archbishop hereupon overturns all the Altars where the Bishop of Durham had celebrated, and breaks the Chalices within his Diocese wherein any other had celebr • ted in the Bishops presence; and held his brother John Earl of Morton for an excommunicate person, because he had ea • en with the Bishop of Du • ham after that sentence, and would not communicate with him until he gave him satisfaction and came to be absolved. When the Bishop of Durham saw that many refused to speak, eat or drink with him, he sent messengers to the Pope, who relating to him first in secret, then before all the Cardinals, how indiscreetly and Archbishop had excommunicated him, slighting his appeal; the Pope and all the Cardinals adjudged that sentence a mere nullity, and that it ought not to be observed; and thereupon the Pope writ a letter to the Bishops of Lincoln, Rochester, and others to declare this sentence of excommunication void, in their Churches, by virtue of the Popes Apostolical authority, and to command the people to communicate with the Bishop of Durham notwithstanding it, as they did before; and to declare, that the Bishop for the injuries done unto him by the Archbishop in overturning the Altars, and breaking the Chalices, should be exempted from all subjection to him during life. Whereupon these Bishops and delegates met at Northampton, and after much debate, departed without any final agreement. In Lent following this Archbishop being summoned to appear at London by the Kings Justices, came to Westminster with his Cross carried before him; whereupon the Bishop of London and the other Prelates prohibited him to presume to carry his Cross within the Province of Canturbury : who contemptuously answered them, that he would not let it down • for them ; yet by the advice of his followers he hid it from the face of the people, left a tumult should arise among the Clergy. The Bishop of London accounting him excommunicate for this transgression, suspended the new Temple, where the Archbishop lodged, both from Divine Service, and the tolling and ringing of Bels, so as he was forced to go out of the City. After this the Archbishop levied a great Army, fortified Doncastre, and would have besieged Thifehill Castle belonging to Earl Morton, which Hugh Bardalfe and William St •• ville refusing to do, he departed with his men in a 〈◊〉 from them, calling them traitors to the King and Kingdom. Soone after the Deanery of York being void, the Archbishop first gave the Deanery to Simon Apull, and after that to one Philip, whom the King recommended. The Canons of York pretending the right of electing the Dean to appertain to them, elected Apul against the Bishops will. The Archbishop hereupon appeals to Rome, the Canons notwithstanding proceed in their election of Apul ; the Archbishops messengers and Apul meeting with the King in Germany in their passage towards Rome, he inhibited all their appeals to Rome ; saying, that if any attempted the contrary, he should not return into the Realm again. In the mean time, the Canons of York suspended the Cathedral Church from all their accustomed Divine service, and their Bels likewise from their usual office of ringing, for which the whole City was in an uproar: they likewise unclothed their Altars, locked up the Archbishops stall in the Choir, barred up the door by which he used to enter into the Church out of his Palace and Chapel, and did many other things in contempt of him; which the Archbishop hearing of, being ready to take ship to pass the seas, returned to the Church, admonishing and commanding the Ministers of this Church to minister therein after the ancient manner; who contemning his admonition and precept, left the Church void, and destitute of Divine service. Hereupon shortly after the Archbishop by the advice of his wisest friends, puts new Ministers and Officers into the Cathedral Church which he found void, to officiate there; which they did till the Canons and Chaplains were restored again thereto by lay power and violence: he likewise excommunicates four of the chief officers of the Church for suspending it; who thereupon complain to the King, and appeal to Rome ; where the Pope hearing both parties, settled the Deanery upon Simon Apul for that time, saving the rights of the Archbishop and Chapter, thereto for the future, which he left undecided. As soon as ever the Dean was thus settled and invested by a golden ring, he and the Chapter defame and accuse the Archbishop, alleging; that he was a violent spoyler of his own and other men's Clerks; a wicked extortioner, that he brake open Church doors by violence and force of arms, symoniacally divided and retained Ecclesiastical benefices, gave no respect to appeals, that vilipending all his Episcopal office, he was 〈◊〉 to hawking, hunting and other military cares ! for which things they intended to depose him, especially those whō he himself had advanced to great honors, and enriched with great wealth and revences in the Church of York, beyond that he ought. Of such the Lord saith, I have nourished and exalted children, but they have rebelled against me. Let them therefore beware lest with Judas the traitor they be condemned in Hell. Hereupon the Pope writ to Hugh Bishop of Lincoln, and his cojudges, that if any would accuse the Archbishop of these things, they should diligently hear what both sides propounded, and certify him the truth in writing under their Seals: And if no accuser appeared, and there were a public fame of them, that then the Archbishop should be enjoined to make his purgation with three Bishops and three Abbots. The Archbishop had appealed before the citation of the Judges, and had taken his journey to prosecute his appeal; but being hindered by the Kings prohibition and the distemper of the air, he appeared not at Rome on the day prefixed, nor yet at a further day given him: whereupon he was suspended from all his Episcopal administration. Soone after this Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury comes to Nottingham to King Richard the first, causing his Cross to be carried before him: Geoffrey of York carried not his Cross, but complained to the King of Canturbury, for carrying his Cross up in the Province of York ; which when the Archbishop had heard, and seen that Gef • ry carried no cross before him at all; he answered; I carry my Cross throughout all England, & ought to bear it, as Primate of all England; but thou bearest not thy Cross, and perchance thou oughtest not to carry it. And therefore things standing thu • , I appeal to my Lord the Pope. After this, Geoffrey bought the Sherivalty of Yorkshire of the King for 3000. marks, and an 100. marks annual rent; and within few months after the King calling a Counsel, all the Laymen and Clergy that would, had the liberty to complain against this Archbishop, who made many complaints of his rapines and unjust exactions, to which he gave no answer. Not long after King Richard being to be crowned a new at Winchester, commanded this Archbishop of York not to come to his Coronation the next day with his Cross borne up before him, lest peradventure some tumult might arise between • him and the Archbishop of Canterbury: Whereupon being thus prohibited to bear his cross, he refused to be present at the Kings Coronation. Some three weeks after, the King being at Waltham, Geoffrey come • to him with his cross carried before him; of which Canterbury complained very much to the King, who answered, that this controversy belonged not to him, but to the Pope to decide; and the next day the King made a final accord between William Longchamp Bishop of Eli, and Geoffrey, touching all controversies about his apprehension and injuries sustained at Dover upon his arivall; Eli with an hundred Priests more swearing, that he neither commanded nor willed, that Geoffrey should be apprehended in such sort. Not long after the King being in France, the Canons of York complained to Hubert of Canterbury against Geoffrey their Archbishop; who thereupon sends commissioners to York to hear and determine their complaints; these imprison the Archbishops men, accused of robery, so that the Archbishop could not b • yle them, restore the Canons to the Church, and induct them into their stals out of which th •• were expelled; and because the Archbishop appeared not before • them upon summons, seised on all his lands except the manner of Ripun where he resided, and sequestered his Shrievalty of Yorkshire into the hands of others. About the same time the Canons of York excommunicated formerly by the Bishop, procure an absolution from the Pope, which was published openly in the Church, and they thereupon were restored. The Archbishop appeals hereupon, and going over to Normandy to the King, for 2000. marks procures a restitution of all his Lands and goods formerly sequestered and seised; and a precept to put the Dean and Canons out of their new gaind possession. Not long after the Pope sends Commissioners to York to inquire of the Bishops excesses whereof the Canons accused him, mentioned at large in Pope Caelestines letter and commission recorded by Howden. The Dean coming to York from Rome while the commissioners were there, some of the Archbishops creatures meeting him, persuaded him not to go to the mother Church, which he not yielding to, they laid violent hands on him, for which the commissioners excommunicated them; whereupon he went to the Church where the canons joyfully received him. The Bishop notwithstanding expulseth him and the Canons again, who thereupon procure a letter from Pope Coelestine to the Dean of Lincoln and others, to inquire of their damages, and to cause the Bishop to satisfy them to the full without any appeal: whereupon they proved their damages before them to amount to one thousand marks. Soone after the Bishop of Whiterne the Archbishops Suffragan, and Officiall, comes to York against the time of receiving the Lord's Supper, to consecrate chrism, and oil, as he had accustomed. The Dean and chapter of York would not receive him; whereupon he went to Suelle and there consecrated chrism and oil, and delivered them to the Archbishops Officials, to distribute them throughout the Churches of the Archbishopicke. Geoffrey de Muschamp Archdeacon of Cliveland received the chrism and oil, but presently cast them into a dunghill, and the other Canons of S. Peters would receive none of him, but sent to Hugh Bishop of Lincoln to receive oil and chrism from him: whereupon Peter Archdeacon of Lincoln, the Archbishops brother prohibited the Bishop to give them any oil or chrism from him: upon which he appealed to Rome thereabout. The Archbishop the same time, who had offended the King his brother, was reconciled to him, and received into his favor with a kiss of peace, whereupon he grew so excessively proud, that he exasperated the King himself with his reproachful speeches, so as he commanded him to be disseised of his Archbishopric, and Vis • ountship of York. In the mean time Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury procured himself to be the Popes Legate, with a special clause in his Bulls, & a mandate to the Archbishop of York, and all other, to submit to his jurisdiction, as Legate to the Apostolic S • e; whereupon he summoned the Dean and Chapter of York to appear before him, and yield subjection to him in their own Cathedral, as Popes Legate; who thereupon received and submitted to him, not as he was Archbishop of Canterbury, but Legate only: which done, he summons and holds a council in the Cathedral Church of York, wherein he made divers canons for the government of the Church and Clergy; and heard the controversy between th • Archbishop and the Dean and chapter of York touching the Archdeaconry of Westring, which they contended for; but they appealed to Rome about it, Anno 1195. The Canons of York solicited 〈◊〉 Bishop of Lincoln by virtue of the Popes Commission directed to him, to p • onounce sentence of interdict and suspension against Geoffrey their Bishop: who answered, That he would rather be suspended himself, then suspend him; whereupon the canons sent messengers to Rome to complain to Pope Caelestine of the Bishop of Lincoln, and the other Judges Delegates, that they proceeded not according to the Popes injunction. Who thereupon sends three letters into England; one, to Simon the Dean, wherein he suspends the Archbishop from his Episcopal function, as a man every way unworthy of it, and gives Simon power to execute the same during this suspension. Another to all the Abbots, Clergy, and people of the Diocese of York, to notify this suspension to them, and to command them, not to obey the Archbishop or answer before him in any case, but only before the Dean Simon, to whom he had delegated his Arch-Episcopal authority. A third to the B • shop of Lincoln and others, expressing all the complaints against the Archbishop and his excesses, and commanding them to publish this his suspension from his Bishopric, and to absolve those of his Diocese from any subjection or obedience to him as Archbishop. And in all these letters, this is one great cause which they allege for this his suspension. Quod pastoralis officii debito praetermisso, secularibus negotiis implicari, & non divinis obs • quiis, sed venatione, aucupio, & aliis militaribus curis animi sui studium applicare, & exercere alia, quae commisso sibi Officio Pontificali, & honori non modicum derogant, &c. Hereupon the Archbishop goes to Rome, where after a long delay the Pope acquits him from all the Deans and Canons accusations, takes off his suspensions, and restores him to his Archiepiscopall authority; the rather because the King being angry with him, had long before spoiled him of his temporal • ies and sought to deprive him. The Archbishop hereupon by reason of this Kings indignation goes into France not daring to come into England, and seeing he could not find grace in the Kings eyes, to obtain either his temporalties or his spiritualties, he returns back again towards Rome. In the mean time the Dean and Chapter of York confer the Archdeaconry of Westrising upon Peter Imant during life, by the Kings consent; which the Archbishop hearing of, excommunicated and suspended him for intruding thereunto without right, and declared his institution thereunto a nullity: which excommunication he sends over into England. Soone after Ralph Wigstof Clerke, the Archbishops agent at Rome, falling desperately • icke there, consessed before the Pope and all his Cardinals, that he had gotten many false letters in the Court of Rome touching the Archbishops affairs; whereupon the Pope writ to Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury to intercept these letters, which were found hid in the hands of Roger Ripunt clerk, together with poisoned rings, girdles, and other poisons which the Archbishop sent to destroy the Dean and Canons of York, all which were publicly burnt at Totehill before a great multitude of men and women; the bringer of them was imprisoned, and the Archbishop had the blame of all imputed to him. After this the King sent for the Dean and Canons of York, and Geoffrey the Archbishop to meet him in Normandy, to reconcile them; Geoffrey coming before them was reconciled to the King his brother, who restored him to his temporalties and spiritualties; which done he departed to Rome: but the Dean and Canons coming three days after, hindered his restitution till the Archbishop and they were accorded, of which they much vaunted. Not long after there arose many new contestations and schisms between this Archbishop and the Dean and Canons of York about Roger and Honorius Archdeacons of Richmond ; which Ho •• den relates at large: of which (God willing) I shall give a larger account in my History of the Schisms of English Prelates between themselves ; which how many, great and violent they have been, you may in part conjecture by this one Prelates story. After this the Pope writ earnestly to King Richard, to desire him to be reconciled to this Archbishop his brother, and to embrace him with peac • , least he should be forced in his behalf to punish him and his Kingdom by an Ecclesiastical censure: hereupon the King sent the Bishops of Durham, Eli, Winchester, Worcester and Bath to the Archbishop, desiring him in the spirit of humility to confirm all the Kings grants, upon which the King would entirely restore him to his Archbishopric. This he proffered to do, if these Bishops by a writing under their hands and seals would warrant this counsel before the Pope. Which they refusing, telling him he was of age to answer for himself, departed without any accord: whereupon the Archbishop went to Rome, whither the King sent messengers against him, who writ to the King from Rome, that the Pope earnestly desired him to restore the Archbishop entirely into his Bishopric, so as he satisfy him the money he owed: which if he refused, he would first by an interdict of the whole Province of York, after that by an interdict of the whole Kingdom, without any appeal enforce him to it, and compel his Clerks to resign their rents which they have received, and the Dean and Canons of York to make an agreement with the Bishop, unless some new cause should arise. King Richard dying, and King John succeeding, while Geoffrey of York was beyond sea; when John was to be crowned, Philip Bishop of Durham was so presumptuous, as to appeal against the Kings own Coronation, that it should not be accomplished in the absence of Geoffrey Archbishop of York and Primate of England. After this the King commanded the Lands of the Archbishop which had been sequestered almost two years into the hands of Stephen Turnham, to be delivered to three others for this Archbishops use; yet afterwards he retained them in his own hands, promising to restore them when as the Archbishop and he met; who meeting together soon after in Normandy, the King and he were reconciled, & he received him honourably. Not long after, King John displeased with this Archbishop seised all his temporalties into his hands by James de Petorne Sheriff of Yorkshire, who violently entered into his manners, and wasted his goods. This Archbishop hereupon excommunicates the Sheriff, and all authors and counselors of this violence, with candles lighted, and Bels rung: he likewise excommunicated all who had stirred up his brother John to anger against him without his default: he also excomunicated the Burgesses of Beverly, and suspended the Town it self, from the celebration of Divine service, and the sound of Bels, for breaking his Park, and troubling and diminishing the goods which his Predecessor and he had for a time peaceably enjoyed. King John by the advice of his counsel restored him afterwards to his Bishopric, but gave him a day in Court to answer his contempt in not going beyond the Seas with him when summoned to do it; in not suffering the Kings Officers to leavy money of his plowlands, as they did in all other parts of the Kingdom; in beating the Sheriff of Yorkes servants, and in not paying him 3000. marks due to King Richard : soon after, the King coming to Beverly, was neither received with pro • ession nor sound of Bels by reason of the Archbishops interdict, whose servant Henry Chapel denied to let the King have any of the Archbishops wine; for which affront the King commanded him and all the Archbishops servants to be imprisoned, where ever they should be found: whereupon the King coming to York, the Archbishop for a round sum of money (through the Queens mediation) bought his peace of the King; but yet instantly fell out with the Dean and Chapter about the election of a singing man; the Archbishop made choice of one, the Dean and chapter of another as belonging to their election: the like contention fell between them about the Archdeaconry of Cleveland : the Archbishop elected Ralph Kyme, the Dean and canons, Hugh Murdac for Archdeacon, against the Archbishops will, and hinder the instalment of Ra • ph ; whereupon the Archbishop excommunicated Murdac ; And at the same time Honorius Archdeacon of Richmond complained against the Archbishop to the Pope for taking away the institutions to Churches and Synodals belonging to him: the Pope hereupon writ divers letters in his favor. Geoffrey thus perplexed, and in the Kings disfavour, purchaseth his grace and a confirmation of the rights of his Bishopric from the King for a thousand marks sterling to be paid within one year, for payment whereof he pawned his Barony to the King: After which he falling into the Kings displea • ure again, was forced to fly the Kingdom and died in exile, as you may read before, p. 186.

St. Hugh the ninth Bishop of Lincoln, Anno 1108. when King Richard the first by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, his chief Justice, required an aid of 300. Knights to remain with him in his service for one whole year, or so much money as might serve to maintain that number, after the rate of three shillings a day English money for every Knight; whereas all others were contented to be contributers herein, only this S. Hugh Bishop of Lincoln refused, and spake sore against Hubert that moved the ma • ter, wishing him to do nothing whereof he might be ashamed;

Hugh Walis, or de Wills, his next successor in this See but one, Anno 1209. notwithstanding King John refused to receive Stephen Langhton, that arch-traitor, for Archbishop of Canterbury, and commanded this Bishop to repair to the Archbishop of Rhoan for consecration from him, and not to receive it from Langhton, in contempt of this his Sovereigns command got him to Langhton and received consecration from him: whereupon the King seised on all his temporalties, and kept him fasting from them four years, and then restored them. After this he joined both with the Barons, and Lewis the French King (who came to conquer the Realm) against his natural Sovereign: For which treasons he was only excommunicated by the Pope, and not absolved till he had paid the Pope one thousand marks, and a hundred marks to his Legate. Divers other of our Prelates were fined for the same cause, and that so deeply, as they were compelled to sell all they had to purchase the Kings favor.

Anno Dom. 1252. King Henry the third in a Parliament held at London, getting a grant from the Pope of the tenths due to the Church to be received of him for three years, towards the charges of his journey into the holy Land to rescue it from the Saracens, demanded these tenths of the spiritualty: But the Bishops, and especially Robert Gros • head Bishop of Lin • olne utterly refused to be contributary to this grant; They alleged sundry reasons for their excuse, as the poverty of the English Church being already made bare with continual exactions and oppressions; but chiefly they excused themselves by the absence of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, of whom, the one was beyond the Sea; and the other at home in the North parts: All the other Bishops were there except Here • ord and Chester, who was sick: and therefore without the consent of those that were absent, and namely their Primate of Canterbury, they could not conclude any general point touching the Kings demand. And although the King fretted and stormed against them, yet could he not bring them to his purpose, so as the Parliament was for that time dissolved: Yet before their departure from London, the King communed with them apart, to see if he could get some money towards his charges, but they had tuned their strings all after one not • , discording all from his Tenor, so that not a penny could be got of them: wherefore he took high displeasure against them, reviling them in most reproachful man • ; and amongst other he reviled his half brother the elect of Winchester, taxing him of great unthankfulness, who also among the residue stood against him. Anno 1257. they denied the King a Subsidy again, there being (saith Holinshed ) a great untoward disposition in the Subjects of that time for the helping of their King, with a necessary aid of money towards such great charges as he had been by divers ways occasioned to be at. Befo • e this Anno 1250. this Bishop excommunicated a Priest for incontinency, who continuing for some days without seeking to be reconciled, the Bishop sent to the Sheriff of Rutland within whose Bayliwicke the Priest dwelt, to apprehend him as a disodient and rebellious person, who not executing the Bishops commandment, the Bishop thereupon excommunicates the Sheriff: whereof the King being informed took displeasure, and sending to the Pope, procured an inhibition, that no Archbishop or Bishop should compel any Officer of the King to follow any suit before them for those things that appertain to the Kings jurisdiction, or give sentence against them for the same. This Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, Anno 1246. upon the suggestion of the Friers Predicants and Minorites, raged more then was meet or expedient against those of his D • ocesse, making strict inquisition in his Bishopric by his Archdeacons and Deans, concerning the chastity and manners as well of Noble as ignoble (upon oath) to the enormious hurt and scandal of the reputations of many Which had never been accustomed to be done before. The King hearing the grievous complaints of his people against these Innovations, did thereupon by the advice of his Counsel and Courts of Justice, send a Writ to the Sheriff of Hertford in these words. Henry by the grace of God, King of England, &c. We command thee, that as thou lovest thyself, and all things that are thine, that thou from henceforth suffer not any Laymen of • hy Baylywicke to assemble together in any place, at the will of the Bishop of Lincoln, or of his Archdeacons, Officials, or rural Deans, to make any acknowledgments or attestations upon their oath, unless in cases of Matrimony and testament. And the very next year following, in pursurance thereof, the King (by Parliament ) enacted, and commanded these things ensuing to be inviolably observed; That if any Lay men were convented before an Ecclesiastical Judge, for breach of faith and perjury that they shou • d be prohibited by the King. And that the Ecclesiastical Judge should be prohibited to hold plea of all causes against Laymen, unless they were of Matrimony and Testament. All which Matthew Paris precisely relates. Which prohibition and statute nullified the constitution of O • ho, and hindered this Bishops innovation; whereupon, that insolent traytorly Martial Archbishop of Canterbury, Boniface ( better skilled in affairs of a Campe then of the Church) Anno 1256. (but nine years after this prohibition and forenamed statute) published this peremptory audacious constitution in affront of them both: Statuimus quod Laici ubi de subditorum pec •• tis & excessibus corrigendis per Praelatos & Ecclesiasticos judices inquiritur ad praestandum de veritate dicenda juramentum per excommunicationis sententias, si opus fu • rit, compellantur; impedientes vero ne hujusmodi juramentum praestetur: (for the Judges with many oath • s then generally oppugned and hindered the ushering in of this Innovation) per interdicti & excommunicationis sententiam arceant •• . To evacuate which exorbitant illegal constitution (meant only of witnesses, not of Churchwardens, Sidemen, or Stangers oaths as the Gloss of Lindwood (who records it) resolves in express terms, trenching both upon the people's liberties and the Courts of Justice too; the Judges frequently granted out sundry general prohibitions to all, or most of the Sheriffs of England; as is evident by the R • gister of Writs. Fitz herberts natura Brevium. Rastall, and others; commanding the Sheriff to inhibit Bishops and their Officers, to cite Laymen before them, to take an oath in any case whatsoever, except of Matrimony or Testament only; and not to suffer the people to appear before them to take such oaths. The continuer of Matthew Paris his History of England, p. 966, 967. writes of this Bishop of Lincoln, That Simon Earl of Leicester (who most opposed Henry the third, and warred against him) adhered to him, and delivered his children to him to be educated. That by his counsel tractabat ardua, tentabat dubia, finivit inchoata, ea maxim, per quae meritum sibi succrescere aestimabat. And this Bishop is said to have enjoined the Earl in remis • ion of his sins, that he should undertake this cause of the Barons against the King, for which he contended even unto death, affirming, that the peace of the Church of England could not be established, but by the material Sword; and that all who died for it, should be crowned with martyrdom. And some say, that this Bishop laying his hand sometimes on the head of this Earls • ldest son, said unto him; Oh my deer son, both th • u and thy father shall both die in one day, and with one kind of death, yet for justice and v • rity. Such an animater was he both of rebellion and wars.

Henry Lexinton the next Bishop of this See, Anno 1257. offered some kind of hard measure unto the University of Oxford, by infringing certain liberties th • t of old belonged unto it. For redress hereof, they were forced to make their complaint unto the King, lying then at S. Albons, and sent nine Masters of Art to the Court for that purpose; Matthew Paris a Monk • of S. Albons was present at the delivery of the petition, and (as himself writeth) was bold to s • ep unto the King, using these speeches to him in private. I beseech your Grace, even for God's sake, to have compassion upon the Church now tottering, and in great danger of utter subversion: The University of Paris, the nurse of • o many excellent and famous Pr • lates, is now greatly troubled: If the University of Oxford be disquieted and mole • ted also, (especially at this time) being the second University of Christendom, and even another foundation of the Church, it is much to be feared, lea •• it cause a general confusion and u ••• r ruin of the whole Church. God forbid (said the King) that that should happen, especially in my time; I will endeavor to prevent it. I doubt not he was as good as his word, for I find no more mention of any further stirs. This I have thought good, the rather to set down, to show, what was the reputation of our University of Oxford in those days, and what indignities this Bishop offered to it, to cause a public combustion.

Henry Burwash the 15. Bishop of Lincoln, though advanced to that See by King Edward the second his special favor, within two years after his consecration, for some contempts and misdemeanors he fell so fair into the Kings displeasure, that his temporalties were seized upon into the Kings hands for two years space. Anno 1324. they were restored to him again, and he to the Kings favor, but the grudge thereof so st • cke in his stomach, as the Queen rising against her husband seeking to depose him, (as afterward she did) no man was so forward to take her part, no man was so eager against the King, his undoubted true and natural Prince, as this Bishop. Thomas Walfingham writes, that almost all the Prelates joined with the Queen against the King, & precipue, &c. but especially the Bishop of Lincoln, H • reford, Dublin and Eli who raised a great Army for her • others (and principally the Archbishop o • Canterbury) • urnished her with money, and when the Queen had taken the King prisoner Anno 1327. keeping her Ch • istmas a • Wal • ingford, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Y • rke, the Bishop of Winch • ster (whom she m • de Lord Tre • surer) the Bi • h • p of Norwich her Lord Cha • cellour, this good Bishop of Lincoln, the Bishops of Eli, Coventry, and other Prelates k • pt their Christmas with her, with great honor, joy, and triumph; whence coming to Westminster, pr • sently after Twelftide they assembled in Parliament, deposed the King from his Crown, and elected his son in his steed; to which election the Archbishop of Canterbury there present consented, ET OMNES PRAELATI, and all the Prelates: the Archbishop making an oration to them to confirm and justify this election, taking for his text, Vox Populi, vox Dei : Such good Subjects were all the Archbishops and Bishops at that time; and this Prelate one of the ringleaders; who not content thus to spoil his Sovereign of his Crown, Kingdom and life too; not long after making a new Pa • ke at Tyinghurst, he enclosed in the same, ground belonging to divers poor men his tenants, for which he had many a bitter curse of them: whereupon it is reported, that after his death he appeared to one of his Gentlemen in the likeness of a Keeper, with a Bow and Arrows in his hand, a horn by his side, and a green jerkin on his back; telling him, that for the injurious enclosing of that Park, he was appointed to the keeping of the same, there to be tormented till it were disparked again, desiring him to entreat the Canons of Lincoln, his brethren, that this wrong done by him, by their good means might be righted; who upon this information, sent one William Batchellour of their Company to see it utterly disparked: which was effected.

Anno 1351. the Unive • sity of Oxford presented unto John Synwall Bishop of Lincoln (unto whose jurisdiction Oxford then appertained) one William Palmarin for thei • Chancellor, and prayed him to admit him. The Bishop (I know not for what cause) delayed h • s admission from time to time, and enforced the University to complain of this hard dealing unto the Archbishop. He presently set down a day wherein he enjoined the Bishop to admit this Chancellor, or else to render a reason of his refusal. At the time appointed the Proctors of the University were ready together with this William Palmorie to demand admission. And when the Bishop of Lincoln came not (trusting belike to this privilege procured from Rome to exemp • hims • lfe his authority and jurisdiction) the Archbishop causes his Chancellor John Car • ton Dean of Wels to admit him, writ to the Uniuersity to receive him, and cited the Bishop to answer before him for his contempt. He appealed to the Pope, would not come, and for his contumacy was convicted. Much money was spent in this suite afterwards at Rome. The event was, that the Archbishop prevailed, and the others privilege was by special order of the Pope revoked, who also granted unto the University at the same time, that the Chancellor hereafter should only be elected by the Scholars themselves, and so presently authorized to govern them without the admission of any other.

Thomas Watson Bishop of Lincoln in the first year of Queen Elizabeth, was deprived of hs Bishopric, and imprisoned, for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy, and counseling the other Bishops to excommunicate the Queen, for altering religion. Of which see more before in Tonstall Bishop of London.

Of other Bishops of this See since his time, I find little in History; As for the present Prelate of that Diocese, as he deserves due praise for his magnificent Structures of Libraries, Hospitals and the like; So on the other side, his excessive pride and miscarriages in his Chancellor-ship, for which he lost that office; and especially his advancing of the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury (who proved a scourge to him, as well as others,) with his procuring Montague's Appeale to be printed, which kindled a great Combustion in our Church and State, and laid the foundation of all those Popish Innovations both in doctrine and discipline, which have since, like a filthy leprosy, over-spread our Church, and bred such sad effects and distractions among us) deserve just blame. Yea, his late extraordinary stickling (much spoken against) to maintain the Lordly jurisdiction, and secular authority of our Prelates, without the least diminution or reformation of their excesses, hath much eclipsed all the honor and reputation he had gained by his former sufferings, which should have made him (as the vulgar truly say) more meek and lowly in heart, like Christ his Master, of whom he, and all other Pontifs, should learn Humility, not lofty and pontifical domineering like Diotrephes, who loved to have the preheminen • e, for which St. John condemns him, or like the ambitious Apostles, who contended, which of them should be greatest ; for which Christ sharply rebuked th • m sundry times, saying, Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion ov • r them, and they that are great, exercise authority upon them, But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chi • fe among you, let him be your s • rvant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Which texts, (together with that of Peter, Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being Lord's over God's Heritage, but being ensamples to the flock &c. Yea all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble ) it seems this Prelate and his Brethren have forgotten, or at least believe not to be canonical; since they now point-blank oppugn them: yet me thinks, he should in this case, have remembered, what himself had but lately published in print ( as most Orthodox in doctrine, and consonant in Discipline to the Church of England, and very fit to be printed and published in any place or places, where h • as Ordinary was enabled and licenced so to do: (and so at Westminster.) In the holy Table Name and Thing, pag. 82. against Clergy men's intermeddling with secular affairs, where thus he writes.

CHAP. IV. Conteining the Treasons, Conspiracies, Seditions, Contumacies, and disloyalties of the Bishops of Eli, Exeter, Worcester, and Hereford.

THe Bishopric of Eli was first erected by the pride of Richard Abbot of Eli, who in respect of his great wealth disdained to live under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincoln, to whose Diocese Cambridge-shire at that time appertained. But he had reasonable pretences or his ambition. He caused the King to be told, that the Diocese of Lincoln was too large for one man's government, that Eli were a fit place for an Episcopal See, &c. These Reasons amplified with golden Rhetoric, so persuaded the King, as he not only consented himself, that this Monastery should be converted into a Cathedral Church, and the Abbot made a Bishop; but also procured the Pope to confirm and allow of the same; but Richard dying before his enstalement, Henry the first, Anno 1109. appointed this Bishopric unto one Hervaeus, that had been Bishop of Bangor, and agreeing ill with the Welchmen, was fain to leave his Bishopric there • , and seek abroad for somewhat elsewhere.

Nigellus, the second Bishop of this See, by reason of his employment in matters of State and Council, could not attend his Pastoral charge, and therefore committed the managing and government of his Bishopric unto one Ranulphus, sometime a Monk of Glastonbury, that had new cast away his Cowle, a covetous and wicked man. King Stephen and he had many bickerings, and as Matthew Paris writes, he banished him the Realm; he was Nephew to Roger Bishop of Salisbury, from whom, in ejus pern •• iem traxerat inc • ntiuum, he had drawn an incentive to his destruction; but of him, and his contests with this King, you may read more in Roger of Salisbury his Uncle.

This See, continuing void five years, without a Bishop after Nigellus death, Geoffery Rydell, Anno. 1174. succeeded him, a very lofty and high minded man, called commonly, The Proud Bishop of Eli. King Richard the first, and he accorded so ill, that he dying intestate, and leaving in his coffers great store of ready money, namely, 3060. marks of silver, and 205. pound of gold, the King confiscated and converted it to his own use.

William Longchamp, next Bishop of this See, being made Lord Chancellor of England, chief Justice of the South part of England, & Protector of the Realmeby Richard the first, when he went his voyage to the Holy-land, set the whole Kingdom in a combustion, through his strang insolence, oppression, pride, violence: For having all temporal, and spiritual Jurisdiction in his hands, the Pope making him his Legate here in England, at the Kings request, (which cost him a thousand pounds in money, to the great offense of the King,) infatuated with too much prosperity, and the brightness of his own good fortune, he began presently to play both King and Priest, nay Pope in the Realm; and to do many things, not only untowardly, and undiscreetly, but very arrogantly and insolen • lie, savoring as well of inconscionable covetousness and cruelty, as lack of wisdom and policy in so great a government requisite. He calling a Convocation by virtue of his power Legantine, at the entreaty of Hugh Novant Bishop of Chester, displaced the Monks of Coventree, and put in secular Priests in their rooms; Officers appointed by the King himself, he discharged, and removed, putting others in their steeds. He utterly rejected his fellow Justices whom the King joined with him in Commission for government of the Realm, refusing to hear their Counsel, or to be advised by them. He kept a guard of Flemmings and French about him. At his Table, all Noblemen’s children did serve and wait upon him. John the Kings brother, and afterward King himself, he sought to keep under, and disgrace by all means possible, opposing him all he could that he might put him from the Crown; He tyrannized exceedingly over the Nobility and Commons, whom he grieved with intolerable exactions, oppressions, extraordinary outward pomp, and intolerable behavior. He was extreme burthensome one way or other to all the Cathedral Churches of England. His Offices were such prolling companions (bearing themselves bold upon their Masters absolute authority) as there was no sort of peaple whom they grieved, not by some kind of extortion, all the wealth of the Kingdom came into their hands insomuch that scarce any ordinary person had left him a silver belt to gird him withal, any woman any brooch or bracelet, or any gentleman a ring to wear upon his finger. He purchased everywhere apase, bestowed all Temporal and Ecclesiastical Offices and places that fell where he pleased. He never rode with less than 1500. horse, and commanded all the Nobility and Gentry when he went abroad to attend him, lodging for the most part at some Monastery or other, to their great expense: having both Regal and Papal authority in his hands: he most arrogantly domineered, both over the Clergy, and Layety; and as it is written of a certain man, That he used both hands for a right hand ; so likewise he for the more easy effecting of his designs (as our Lordly Prelates do now) used both his powers one to assist the other; for to compel and curb potent Laymen, if peradventure he could do less than he desired by his secular power, he supplied what was wanting with the censures of his Apostolical power. But if perchance any Clergy man resisted his will, (him without doubt alleging the Canons for himself in vain) he oppressed and curbed by his secular power. There was no man who might hide himself from his heat, when as he might justly fear, both the rod of his Secular, and the sword of his spiritual jurisdiction to be inflicted on him; and no Ecclesiastical Person, could by any means or authority be able to defend himself against his royal preeminence: Finally glorying of his immense power, that the Metropolitan Churches, which as yet did seem to contemn his excellency, might have experience of his authority, he went in a terrible manner to both. And first of all to York, to the Bishop elect whereof he was most maliciously dispitefull. And sending before him a mandate to the Clergy of the said Church, that they should meet him in a solemn manner, as the Legate of the Aposticke See; when as they had thought to appeal against him, he regarded not the appeal made to the higher power, but gave the appellants their choice, that they should either fulfill his commands, or be committed to prison, as guilty of high Treason • Being therefore thus affrighted, they obeyed, and not daring so much as to mutter any further against him, as to one triumphing, they with a counterfeit sorrow bestowed as much honor & glory on him as he would himself. The chief Chanter of that Church had gone out of the way a little before, that he might not see that which he could not behold without torment of mind, which the Bishop undestanding, raging against this absent person as a rebel with an implacable motion by his own Sergeants spoiled him of all his goods. Having preyed upon the Archbishoppricke, and pursed all up into his Treasury, this famous tryumpher departed. And not long after he triumphed in like manner over those of Canterbury, when as no man now durst to resist him. Having therefore both Metropolitan Sees, thus prostrate to him, he used both as he pleased. In a word, the Laymen in England at that time (writes Neubrigensis ) found him more than a King, and the Clergy men more than a Pope, but both of them an intolerable tyrant. For by occasion of his double power, he put on a double tyrants person, being only innoxious to his complices and co-operators, but equally grievous to all others, not only in his greedy desire of monies, but likewise in his pleasure of domineering, his pride being more than Kingly • almost in all things. He carrying himself above himself, consumed much Treasure in walling about the Tower of London, which he thought to have compassed with the Thames, Et regem de magna parte pecuniae multipliciter damnificauit, and many ways damnified the King in misspending a great part of his money. Therefore in the end he was precipitated from the top to the bottom of confusion. He set over every Province, rather to be destroyed than governed, most wicked executioners of his covetousness, who would neither spare Clergy man, nor Lay man, nor Monk, whereby they might the more advance the profit of the Chancellor ; for so was he called, when as he was a Bishop; the name verily of a Bishop being nothing at all, or Lukewarme in him, but the name of a Chancellor was famous and terrible throughout all England. He appointed the Governors of every county, under pretence of suppressing thieves, to have great troops of cruel and barbarous armed persons to ride with them, everywhere, to terrify the people; who going abroad in every place without punishment, committed both many enormities and cruelties.

Howden 〈◊〉 and Holinshed note, that the King confirming this Bishop Chancellor, and Lord chief Justice of all England, and the Bishop of Durham to be Lord chief Justice from Trent Northwards; when they were thus advanced to these dignities, howsoever they came by them, directly, or indirectly: that immediately, thereupon strife and discord did arise betwixt them; for waxing proud and insolent, they disdained each other, contending which of them should bear most rule and authority: insomuch that whatsoever seemed good to the one, the other misliked. The like hereof is noted before, between the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. For the nature of ambition is, to delight in singularity, to admit no Peer, to give plac • to no superior, to acknowledge no equal, as appears by this proud Prelate. Who afterward depriving Hugh of Durham of all his honor and dignity; and putting the Bishop of Winchester to great trouble; and doubting least the Nobles of the Realm should put him out of his place, who detested him for his pride and insolency, he thereupon matched divers of his Kinswomen to them, to make them true unto him, promising them great preferments; the rest of the Nobility he either crushed, or otherwise appeased: fearing none but John the Kings brother, who was like to succeed him to curb him, he sent his two brothers to the King of Scots, to join in a firm league with him to crown Arthur King, and not John, in Case the King died without issue. These • everall particulars, insolencies, and oppressions, being related to the King Wintring in Sicily, he thereupon sent Wal • er, Archbishop of Rhoan, a prudent and modest man, with a Commission to be joined with this Bishop in the government of the Kingdom, and that nothing should be done without his consent, sending Hugh Bardulfe Bishop of Durham with him to govern the Province of York, (where the Bishops brother played Rex in a barbarous manner) granting him likewise the custody of the Castle of Windsor: Hugh meeting with the Bishop at the town of Eli, shown him the Kings Letters to this purpose, to which he answered, that the Kings commandment should be done, and so brought him with him to Euwell, where he took him and kept him fast, till he was forced to surrender to him the Castle of Windsor, and what else the King had committed to his custody, and moreover was constrained to leave Henry de Put • nco his own • son, and Gilbert Lege, for hostages of his fidelity to be true to the King and the Realm. The Bishop hereupon contemned this command of the King, pretending that he knew his mind very well, and that this Commission was fraudulently procured; and when the Archbishop of Rhoan, according to the Kings direction went to Canterbury to order that See, being void, this proud Chancellor, aspiring to the prerogative of this See. prohibited him to do it; threatening, that he should dearly pay for this his presumption if he attempted to go thither, or do anything in that business: so that this Archbishop continued idle in England. But the Chancellor impatient of any collegue in the Kingdoms government, like a • inguler wild beast preyed upon the Kingdom. Whereupon he sends for a power from beyond the sea, puts Gerardus de Cammilla, from the government of Lincoln Castle his wives inheritance • and commands him to resign it into his hands: he refusing to do it, repai • es to John the Kings brother for aide, and assistance; whereupon the Bishop in a rage presently goes and besiegeth the Cas • le ; and seeks to force it: John in the mean time takes Nottingham and Tikehill, and sends to the Bishop, to give over his siege, who losing one of his horns or hands (his spiritual Legantine power by the Popes death, and a little affrighted therewith) by the advice of his friends, he comes to a parly with John, and made his peace with him for the present upon the best terms and conditions he could. But hearing shortly after that the foreign forces he had sent for to aid him were arrived, he takes courage, and falls off from his Covenants, protesting, that he would drive John, or John should drive him out of the Kingdom; intimateing, that one Kingdom was to little to contain two such great and swelling persons. At last they come to new Articles of agreement; soon after, which Geoffery Plantagenet Archbishop of York, the Kings and John's base brother, procured his consecration from the Archbishop of Towres, which the Chancellor hindered and delayed all he might. The Chancellor, his bitter enemy and prosecutor hearing of it, presently • ends his own Officers to York, invades and spoils all the possessions of the Bishopprick • , and what ever belonged thereto, and commands all the Ports to be stopped, to hinder his landing and access to his Church, writing this Letter to the Sheriff of Kent. We command you, that if the Elect of York shall arrive in any Port or Haven within your Baylywicke, or any Messenger of his, that you cause him to be arrested, and kept till you have commandment from us therein. And we command you likewise to stay, attach, and keep all Letters that come from the Pope, or any other great man. He notwithstanding arrives at Dover, but found a greater storm on shore, than at sea, for the Captain of Dover Castle, who had married a Kinswoman of the Chancellors, hindered his progress, and certified the Chancellor of his landing withal speed, who no ways dissembling the rage of his fierce mind, commanded him to be stripped of all his goods, and to be thrust prisoner into the Monastery of Dover. The Officers hereupon sent from this most cruel tyrant seize upon all his carriage and goods, and strip him and his of all they had, and finding him in the Church of S. Martyn in Dover, neither respecting the greatness of his person, nor the holiness of the place, dragging him by force from the very sacred Altar, and violently halling him out of the Church in a most contumelious manner, thrust him prisoner into the Castle. The same of this enormity flying, as it were upon the wings of the wind, presently filled all England. The Nobility storm at it, the inferior sort curse him for it, and all with common votes detest the tyrant. John most of all grieved at the captivity and abuse of his brother, earnestly seeks, not only to free him from prison, but to revenge his wrong. Wherefore he speedily gathers together a great army: many Bishops and Nobles that formerly sided with the Chancellor joining their forces with him, being justly offended with his tyrannical proceedings, and immoderate pride, as well as others, and raged against him more than others, both with their tongues and minds. The Chancellor hereupon releaseth the Archbishop; who coming to London, allayed and recompensed the grief of the injury sustained, with the more abundant affections and offices of many. But John with the other Nobles, and Prelates, not satisfied with his release, though stirred up with his imprisonment, proceeded on to break the horns of this Unicorn, who with his friends and foreign soldiers encamped about Winchester ; but finding himself too weak, and most of his friends and his soldiers to fall off from him, flees first to Windsor, and from thence to London ; where finding the Citizens, who formerly feared him for his pride and cruelty, to incline to John, flies with all his company into the Tower; which being oppressed with the multitude, was more likely to betray than defend them; whereupon he seeing his danger, • oes forth and submits himself to John, craves leave for th • se included in the Tower to depart • resigns up the Tower, and all the other royal forts to him, and flieth privately in an inglorious manner to Dover to his Sisters husband, thinking to steal secretly beyond the seas to the King: and knowing that his enemies, if they should have any inkling of his intent, would assuredly hinder the same, or work him some mischief by the way, he disguised himself in woman's apparel, and so went unto the Sea side at Dover mufled, with a met-yard in his hand, and a web of cloth under his arm. There he sat upon a rock ready to take ship; where a certain lewd marriner thinking him to be some strumper, began to dally wantonly with him; whereby it came to pass, that being a stranger borne, and not able to speak good English, nor give the marriner an answer either in words or deeds, he suspected him to be a man, and called a company of women; who pulling off his kerchiefe and muffler, found his crown and beard shaven, and quickly knew him to be that hat • full Chancellor whom so many had so long cursed and feared; whereupon in great despite, they threw him to the ground, spit upon him, beat him sore, and drew him by the heels alo •• t • e • ands, the people flocking out of the Town, deriding and abusing him, both in words and deeds. The Burg • sses of the Town, he • i • g of this tumult, came and took him from the people his servants being not able to rescue him, and 〈◊〉 him into a seller, there to keep him prisoner, till notice had been given of his departure. It is a world to see he that was a few months before honored • and reverenced of all men like a petty god, attended by Noblemen’s sons, and Gentlemen of quality, whom he matched with his Neeces and Kindswomen, every man accounting himself happy whom he favored, yea to be acquainted well with his Porters and Officers, being thus once down, and standing in need of his friends help, had no man that moved a finger to rid him out of the present calamity & trouble. Whereupon he lay prisoner in this pickle a good space. The Earl John was desirous to have done him some further notable disgrace and contumely; neither was there any one almost, that for his own sake withstood it; But the Bishops, though most of them his enemies, regarding notwithstanding his calling and place, would not suffer it, but caused him to be released. So not long after being deposed of his Office of Chancellor by direction of the King, deprived of authority, and banished the Land by the Lord's, Barons, and Prelates of the Realm, he gat him over Sea into Normandy, where he was borne, and complained of these proceedings against him to the Pope, whose Legate he was, who thereupon writ Letters in his favor to all the Archbishops and Bishops of England, commanding them to excommunicate John Earl of Morton, and interdict the Realm, till the Bishop was restored unto his former estate; which the Bishops neglecting to do, notwithstanding this Bishops own Letter to the Bishop of Lincoln, touching this matter, he there rested himself after this turmoile till the return of King Richard from the holy Land, the Archbishop of Roan governing the Kingdom the mean while, whom he caused the Pope to excommnnicate.

Anno. 1194. Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, with the Bishops of Lincoln, London, Rochester, Winchester, Worcester, Hereford, the Elect of Exeter, and many Abbots and Clergy men of the Province of Canterbury, after they had excommunicated Earl John with all his Fauters and Counselors, in an Assembly at Westminster, in the Chapel of the infirm Monks, on • he 4th. of February, appealed to the presence of the Pope, against this Bishop of Eli, that he should not from thenceforth enjoy the office of a Legate in England, which appeal they ratified with their seals, and sent it first to the King, and afterwards to the Pope to be confirmed. Upon the Kings return, this Bishop excused himself the best he might, reconciled himself to Geoffery Archbishop of York, purging himself with an hundred Clerks his compurgators, from the guilt of his wrongful imprisonment and misusage at Dover, and being after sent Ambassador to the Pope with the Bishop of Durham and others fell sick by the way at Poyters, and so died. From this and other forcited presidents we may see, how dangerous and pernicious a thing it is for any one man to have the exercise of spiritual and temporal Jurisdiction vested in him, since it makes him a double tyrant and oppressor.

Eustachius, this turbulent Prelates successor was one of those Bishops, that pronounced the Popes excommunication against King John, and interdicted the whole Realm; for which he was glad to flee the Realm, continuing in exile for many years: his temporalties & goods being seised on by the King in the interim : yea, the King for this Act warned all the Prelates and Clergy of England, that they should presently depart the Realm, that all their Lands and goods should be confiscated, which was done, and they all put out of the Kings protection. The Bishops and Abbots hereupon stood on their guard, sending the King word, that they would not depart out of their Bishopprickes and Monasteries, unless they were thrust out perforce, whereupon all their possessions, barns, corn, and goods were seized on by the Kin • s Officers, and the Parents of those Bishops who interdicted the Realm, apprehended, spoiled of all their goods, and thrust into prison.

In the year 1266. whiles King Henry the third besieged Kenelworth Castle, some rebels whom the King had disinherited, entered the Isle of Eli, and wasted the Country thereabouts. Whereupon Hugh Balsam (about whose election there was great contention) coming to the King to complain, being then Bishop of this See, was unworthily received, & ei casus iste apluribus imputatur : This accident being imputed unto him by many, he being suspected to favor and side with these Rebells. In William Kilkenny, his next predecessors time, there was a great suit between this Bishop and the Abbot of Ramsey about the Fennes, and the bounding of them; which Fennes having been formerly unhabitable, and unpassable by men, beasts, or carts • overgrown with Reeds, and inhabited only by birds, that I say not devils, about that time were miraculously converted into delectable meadowes, and arable ground. Et quae ibidem pars • egetes vel faena non producit, gladiolum, cespites, & alia ignis pabula, cohabitantibus utilia, germinando abundanter subministrat. Vnde lis, & gravis contentio, de termin • s locorum talium & terrarum inter eos qui ab initio Mariscum inhabitabant exorta, lites & praelta suscitabat ; writes Matthew Paris, and among others, between the Bishop of Eli, and this Abbot of Ram • ey. King Edward the third was so highly offended with the Monks election of this Bishop Balseam contrary to his direction that he caused the woods of the Bishopric to be cut down and sold, the Parkes to be spoiled, the Ponds to be fished and wasted, and havoc to be made of all things: whereupon the Bishop got him over sea to Rome to seek relief: against whom Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, to gratify the King, writ divers Letters to his friends of Rome, and set up one Adam de Marisco, to be a counterfeiter to the Pope against him. In this Bishops time, the King standing in need of money, the Prelates granted him 42. thousand marks, to the great hurt, and irreparable damnage of the Church and Kingdom, upon condition, that the King should speedily redress the oppressures of the Church, and reduce it to the State of due liberty: whereupon the Bishops framed about fifty Articles, and put them in writing, that being read before the King, Nobles, and Prelates, they might be confirmed in due time; which Articles, writes my author, were like to those which Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury the Martyr contended for, and became a glorious conqueror, (and therefore directly against the Kings Prerogative, and the Laws of the Realm).

Thomas Lilde Bishop of Eli, a furious and undiscreet Prelate, in King Edward the third his days had many quarrels with the Lady Blanch Lake, a near Kinswoman of the Kings about certain bounds of Lands and trespasses in burning of a house by the Bishops command or privity • belonging to this Lady who recovered 900. pound damages against him, which he was enforced to pay down presently. After this he had divers contestations with the King himself, one about Robert Stretton Bishop of Lichfield, he reprehending the King for making him a Bishop, which the King took so tenderly, that he commanded him in great displeasure to avoid his presence. Another about his suits with the forenamed Lady, and some harsh speeches used by him of the King concerning them • for which words and other matters, the King accused him to the Parliament then assembled, and there testifying these objected wrongs upon his Honor: the Bishop thereupon was condemned, and this punishment laid upon him, that hereafter he should never presume to come in the Kings presence. Which History William Harrison thus relates, and others quoted in the Margin. There was sometime a grievous contention between Thomas Lilde Bishop of Eli, and the King of England, about the year of grace. 1355. which I will here deliver out of an old Record, because the matter is so partially penned by some of the brethren of that house in favor of the Bishop; and for that I was also abused with the same in the entrance thereof at the first into my Chronology. The black Prince favoring one Robert Stratton his Chaplain, a man unlearned • and not worthy the name of a Clearke, the matter went on so far, that what for love, and somewhat else, of a Canon of Lichfield, he was chosen Bishop of that See. Hereupon the Pope understanding what he was by his Nuncio here in England, stayed his consecration by his letters for a time; and in the mean season committed his examination to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of Rochester, who felt, and dealt so favourably with him in golden reasoning, that his worthiness was commended to the Popes Holiness, and to Rome he goes. Being come to Rome, the Pope himself opposed him, and after secret conference utterly disableth his Election, till he had proved by substantial Argument, and of great weight before him also, that he was not so lightly to be rejected. Which kind of reasoning, so well pleased his Holiness; that, ex mera plenitudine potestatis, he was made capable of the Benefice, and so turneth into England; when he came home, this Bishop being in the Kings presence told him, how he had done he wist not what, in preferring so unmeete a man unto so high a calling; with which speech the King was offended • that he commanded him out of hand to avoid out of his presence. In like sort the Lady Wake, then Duchess of Lancaster, standing by, and hearing the King her cozen to gather upon the Bishop so roundly, and thereto bearing an old grudge against him for some other matter, doth presently pick a quarrel against him, about certain Lands then in his possession, which he defended, and in the end obtained against her by Plea and course of Law, yet long also afore happened in a part of her house, for which she accused the Bishop, and in the end, by verdict of twelve men found that he was privy unto the fact of his men in the said fact; wherefore he was condemned in 900 pound damages, which he paid every penny. Nevertheless being sore grieved, that she had (as he said) wrested out such a verdict against him, and therein packed up a Quest at his own choice; he taketh his horse, goeth to the Court, and there complaineth to the King of his great injury received at her hands; but in the delivery of his tale his, speech was soblocki • h & terms so evil favoredly (though maliciously) placed, that the King took yet more offense with him than before; insomuch, that he led him with him into the Parliament house (for then was that Court holden) and there before the Lord's, accused him of no small misdemeanor towards his person, by his rude and threatening speeches; but the Bishop eagerly denieth the Kings Objections, which he still avoucheth upon his Honor, and in the end confirms his Allegations by Witnesses; whereupon he was banished from the Kings presence during his natural life by verdict of that House. In the mean time the Duchess hearing what was done, beginneth anew to be dealing with him, and in a brabling fray between their servants, one of her men were slain; for which the Bishop was called before the Magistrate, as chief accessory unto the fact; but he fearing the sequel of his third cause, by his success had in the two first, hideth himself; after he had sold all his moveables, and committed his money unto his trusty friends; and being found guilty by the Inquest, the King seizeth upon his possessions, and calleth up the Bishop to answer unto the trespass. To be short, upon safe conduct, the Bishop cometh to the Kings presence, where he deny • h that he was accessory to the fact, either before, at, orafter the deed committed, and thereupon craveth to be tried by his Peers. But this Petition is in vain; for sentence passeth against him also by the Kings own mouth; whereupon he craveth help of the Archbishop of Canterbury and privileges of the Church, hoping by such means to be solemnly rescued. But they fearing the Kings displeasure, who bare small favor to the Clergy of his time, gave over to use any such means, but rather willed him to submit himself to the Kings mercy, which he refused, standing upon his innocence, from the first unto the last. Finally, growing into chollor, that the malice of a woman should so prevail against him; he writeth to Rome, requiring that his Case might be heard there, as a place wherein greater Justice (saith he) is to be looked for, than is to be found in England : upon the perusal of these his Letters also, his accusers were called thither; but for so much as they appeared not at their peremptory times, they were excommunicated; Such of them also as died before their reconciliations, were taken out of the Church-yards, and buried in the Fields and Dunghills, Vnde timor & turba (saith my Note) in Anglia. For the King inhibited the bringing in, and receipt of all Processes, Bulls, and whatsoever instruments should come from Rome ; Such also as adventured contrary to this Prohibition to bring them in, were either dismembered of some joint, or hanged by the necks: which rage so incensed the Pope, that he wrote in very vehement manner to the King of England, threatening far greater curses, except he did the sooner stay the fury of the Lady, reconcile himself unto the Bishop, and finally, make him amends for all his losses sustained in these b • oils. Long it was ye • that the King would be brought to peace: nevertheless in the end he wrote to Rome about a reconciliation to be had between them; but ye • all things were concluded, God himself did end the quarrel by taking away the Bishop.

Anno 1388. the Nobles being assembled at Westminster said to King Richard the second, that for his honor and the weal of the Kingdom, it behooved that Traitors, Whisperers, Flatterers, Malefactors • Backbiters • and unprofitable persons should be banished out of his Palace and company, and others substituted in their places, who knew & were willing to serve him more honourably & faithfully; which when the King had granted ( Licet merens ) they determined that Alexander Nevell Archbishop of York • John Fordham then Bishop of Durham, and afterwards of this See of Eli, Thomas Rushoke the Kings Confessor Bishop of Chichester (who being conscious to himself fled away and hid in Yorkshire ) Richard Clifford, & Nicholas Lake, Dean of the Kings Chapel, all Clergy men, whose words did many things in the Court, should be removed; all these they sent to divers prisons to be strictly guarded • till they should come to their answers the next Parliament.

Nicholas West Bishop of Eli, in Henry the eig • h his days (who kept daily an hundred servants in his house to attend him and gave them great wages) fell into the Kings displeasure, for some matters concerning his first marriage, who for grief thereof fell sick and died.

Thomas Thirlby was advanced by Queen Mary, not only to the Bishopric of Eli, but also made of her privy Council. After her death for resisting obstinately the reformation intended by our gracious Sovereign Queen Elizabeth, he was committed to the Tower, and displaced from his Bishopric by Act of Parliament • Having endured a time of imprisonment, neither very sharp nor very long, his friends easily obtained license for him, and the late Secretary Roxall to live in the Archbishops house, where they had also the company of Bishop Tunstall, till such time he died.

To these I might add Bishop Buckeridge, Bishop White, and Bishop Wren, late Prelates of this Sea, who occasioned much mischief and distraction in our Church and State; but I shall refer them to another place • and pass on to the Prelates of Exeter.

CHAP. V. Containing the Treasons, Conspiracies, Contumacies and disloyalties of the Bishops of Chichester, Carlisle, Norwich, Chester, Coventry, and Litchfield.

NOt to mention how Agilricke Bishop of the South-Saxons, with divers other Bishops and Abots, were deprived by William the Conqueror, Anno 1076. 〈…〉 in the Councils of Winchester and Windsor, and after that committed to perpetual Prison upon suspicion of Treason, and Rebellion against the Conqueror, to deprive him of the Crown.

Ralph the third Bishop of Chichester, a man of high Stature, and no less high of mind •