NORWICH, and the Bishops there.

The Diocese of Norwich, like those of Exeter and Lincoln, was once two Bishopricks: the one of Suffolk, whose seate was Dunwich on the Sea shoare; the other of Norfolk, whose See was at North-Elmham, now a poore Village not farre from Repeham. The Bishop of the first was Felix a Burgundian, who first converted the East-Angles. The third from him was Bisus, who finding himselfe, by reason of his age, too weake for so great a burden, divided his Diocese into two, making North Elmham the Episcopall seate for that part of the whole which we now call Norfolke. Both of them lay long dead in the times of the Danish furie: that of North-Elmham after an hundred yeeres desolation, reviving onely; the other laid to rest for ever. North Elmham thus possessed of the whole jurisdiction, could not hold it long: the Bishops. See being removed to Thelford first by Herfastus; as afterwards from thence to Norwich by Herebert Losinga. There it hath since continued till these very times, though nothing else continue of it but the See alone, For all the lands thereto belonging were taken from it by King Henry the 8. those which did formerly appertaine unto the Monastery of Saint Bennets in the Holme (by that King dissolved) being assigned unto it by exchange. For which consult, the Statute, 32. H. 8. 47. in the which Statute it is said that the lands given in recompence were of a greater yeerely value then those taken from it. So that the Bishop, as it seemes, got in revenue then, though he lost in priviledge. For whereas the Bishops here had the first fruits of all the Benefices within the Diocese, by an ancient custome: that was united to the Crowne by Act of Parliament, 26. H. 8. c. 3.

Now for the Church of Norwich, it was founded first by him who first removed hither the Bishops See, even by Herebertus Losinga; and by him dedicated to the blessed Trinity: Which being much defaced by fire, (which was it seemes, a common calamity of all the Churches of those times) was afterwards repaired by Iohn of Oxford, the third after him; and once againe being fire-touched, by Bishop Midleton, who brought it to that state in which now it stands. This See hath yeelded to the Church two Saints, to the Realme five Chancellours, one Lord Treasurer, and one Lord Chiefe Justice, one Bishop Almoner to the Court, and to the King one principall Secretary of State. The Diocese containeth in the two Counties of Norfolke and Suffolke, 1121. Parish Churches, whereof 385. impropriate: for better ordering of the which it hath foure Arch-Deacons, viz. of Norwich, Norfolke, Suffolke, and Sudbbury. Finally, this Bishoprick is valued in the King's bookes, 899. li. 18. s 7. d. ob. The tenth of the whole Clergy amounting to the summe of 1117. li. 13. s. ob. Now for the line of Norwich it is thus drawne downe.

Bishops of the East-Angles.

Bishops of Norwich.