Richard Corbet

, was born of a gentile Family at Ewel in Surrey, Son (a)(a) See in the latter end in his Poems. of

Vincent (b)(b) A Gardiner at Twick [•] am in Mid. as ’tis reported. Corbet; farther known

By Poynters name, than by his own.

And after he had spent some years in Westminster School, was sent to Broadgates hall in Lent-Term 1 [•] 97-98. aged 15. and in the year after was made Student of Ch. Ch. In 1605. he proceeded M. of A. being then esteemed one of the most celebrated Wits in the University, as his Poems, Jests, Romantick fancies and exploits, which he made and perform’d extempore, shew’d. Afterwards entring into holy Orders, he became a most quaint Preacher and therefore much followed by ingenious men. At length being made one of the Chaplains to his Maj. K. Jam. 1. (who highly valued him for his fine fancy and preaching) he was by his favour promoted to the Deanery of Ch. Ch. in Oxon, an. 1620. being then D. of D. Senior Student of that house, Vicar of Cassington near to Woodstock in Oxfordshire, and Prebendary of Beminster Secunda in the Church of Sarum. At length upon the translation of Dr. Howson to the See of Durham; he, by vertue of the Kings Letters, was elected Bishop of Oxon, 30. July 1629. and afterwards consecrated at Lambeth 19. Octob. and installed in his Chair 3. Nov. following. Upon the translation of Dr. White to Ely, he was elected Bishop of Norwich 7. Apr. 1632. and had restitution of the Temporalities belonging thereunto, made (c)(c) Pat. [•] . Car. 1. p. 12. to him on the 12. of May the same year. His writings that are published are only,

Poetica Stromata: or, a collection of sundry pieces of Poetry: Lond. 1647. 48. &c. oct. made in his younger years, and never intended to be published by their author. He was buried at the upper end of the Choire belonging to the Cath. 1635 Church of Norwich, in sixteen hundred thirty and five, and soon after, was a large Free stone of a sandy colour, laid over his body, with this engraven on a brass plate fastned thereunto. Richardus Corbet Theologiae Doctor, Ecclesiae Cathedralis Christi Oxoniensis primum Alumnus, inde Decanus, exinde Episcopus, illinc hu [•] translatus, & hinc in Coelum, Julii 28. an. 1635. On the said stone are the ancient Arms of the Corbets of Shropshire, viz. Or, a Raven passant sab. This person was hospitably disposed and ever ready to express himself generous towards publick designs. Upon the repair of S. Paul’s Cathedral, an. 1634. he used his utmost endeavour both by his excellent speech and exemplary gifts to advance that pious work, not only contributing largely himself; but also giving monies to some Ministers, that had not to give, to incourage others to contribute, that might better give.