Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1814 edition. Excerpt: ... local biography. Of several eminent characters, besides those be. fore noticed, who were born, or have resided, in Stratford, the limits of this work prevent a minute account being given. The more prominent features of their lives therefore can only be portrayed. john de stratford, i archbishop of canterbury. This celebrated divine, who was born about the beginning of the reign of Edward I. was son of Robert de Stratford, the first master of the Guild of the Holy Cross, by Isabel, his wife; persons, it may be presumed, of no mean situation in life. He was bred at Merton College, in Oxford; and was first promoted to the archdeaconry of Lincoln, for his prudent government of which jurisdiction, Reynolds, archbishop of Canterbury, made him his principal official, and dean of the arches. Shortly afterwards, Edward ii. appointed him his secretary, a member of the privy council, and ambassador to the court of Rome; where the Pope promoted him to the vacant bishoprick of Winchester, in opposition to the King's wishes, who intended that see for chancellor Baldock. This occasioned the new O bishop considerable trouble; for the disappointed Baldock caused his effects to be seized, his livings sequestered, the bishop to be summoned, and proclamation made that no man should afford him the common necessaries of life; but by the intercession of Reynolds he was restored to regal favor. Nor was the confidence of his royal master unacknowledged by the bishop's loyalty and gratitude; for when that unfortunate monarch, at the close of his reign, was almost deserted, Stratford adhered to him to the last hour; which meritorious conduct, though at first it enraged the Queen and Mortimer, who were then in power, ultimately occasioned them to appoint him lord
