BATH AND WELLES, and the Bishops of it.

The Diocese of Bath and Welles, although it hath a double name, is one single Bishoprick. The Bishops seate originally at Welles, where it still continues, and in respect whereof this Church is called in some Writers, Fontanensis Ecclesia. The Church of Welles first built by Ina, King of the West-Saxons, Anno 704. and by him dedicated to Saint Andrew: after endowed by Kenulfe, an other King of the same people, Anno 766. and finally made a bishops See in the time of Edward the elder, Anno 905. the first that bore that title being Adelmus, before Abbat of Glastenbury. The present Church, in place where that of Ina had stood before, was built most part of it by Bishop Robert, the eighteenth Bishop of this See; but finished and perfected by Bishop Joseine, sirnamed de Welles. Iohannes de villula, the sixteenth Bishop having bought the towne of Bath of King Henry the first for 500. markes, transferred his seate unto that City, 1088. Hence grew a jarre betweene the Monks of Bath and Canons of Welles, about the election of the Bishop. At last the difference was thus composed by that Bishop Robert, whom before I spake of, that from thence forward the Bishop should be denominated from both places, and that precedencie in the stile should be given to Bath; that in the vacancie of the See, a certaine number of Delegates from both Churches should elect their Prelate, who being elected, should bee installed in them both; both of them to be reckoned as the Bishops Chapter, and all his Grants and Patents confirmed in both. And so it stood untill the reigne of King H. 8. what time the Monastery of Bath having beene dissolved, there passed an Act of Parliament for the Deane and chapter of Welles, to make one sole Chapter for the Bishop: Anno 35. H. 8. c. 15.

But to proceed, this Diocese hath yeelded to the Church of Rome, one Card. and to the civill state of England, sixe Lord Chancellours, five Lord Treasurers, one Lord Privie Seale, one Lord President of Wales, one principall secretary of Estate. The Diocese containeth in it the whole County of Somerset, and in that 388. Parishes, whereof 160. are impropriate. It hath moreover three Arch-Deaconries of Bath, Welles, and Taunton; is valued in the Kings bookes, at 533. li. 1. s. 3 d. and answereth for the Clergies tenth, 353. li. 18. s. ob. q.

Bishops of Welles.

Bishops of Bath and Welles.