Robert Creyghton (or Creighton) was bishop of Bath and Wells between 1670 and 1672. A scotsman by birth, Creyghton was at one time a member of the court of Charles II in exile. After the Restoration he became Dean of Wells – when he could successfully wrest the office from Cornelius Burges, who was somewhat reluctant to give up the job.
A man of great learning and letters, Creyghton was also responsible for helping restore much of the cathedral church after a period of abuse and neglect.
Creyghton was consecrated as bishop of Bath and Wells in June 1670 and continued until he died in office in 1672.
Creyghton had prepared his tomb himself, at tremendous expense, and he appears very handsomely in stone, especially in contrast to other more life-like portraits.
John Still (c. 1543 – 1607), bishop of Bath and Wells from 1593 to 1608, lies still inside his magnificent sarcophagus in the north aisle of the transept, not far from the entrance to the Chapter House.
In life, John Still was a celebrated preacher and disputant. He was once reputed to have been the author of the early English comedy drama Gammer Gurton’s Needle, though the work is more likely to have been authored by the poet and playwright William Stevenson.
In death, John Still is, alas, quite still. Still he remains, and his remains are still, though his effigy on the monument erected by his son Nathaniel positively blazes with the striking red of his gown—largely due to the fact that it was repainted as recently as the 19th century.
It is ironic that the sculptor created cushions for his head that look as comfortable as anything a Tudor gentleman might wish for, given the fact that they are stone, and he is dust. At least the figure of John Still has hands, in the characteristic attitude of prayer. Many sculpted hands on other sarcophagi have been knocked off, either by Protestant zeal or plain accident.
Giso (or Gisa) was bishop of Wells from 1060 to 1088. Giso was born in Lorraine in France and came to England as chaplain to Edward the Confessor.
It was during Giso’s bishopric of Wells that England under Harold Godwinson was beset by invasions from all sides, and thus depleted of men and resources sufficient to repel that of William of Normandy. Giso wisely supported William and thereby gained much status and power.
Giso made significant additions to the cathedral church, including the north cloisters, and acquired or restored much land for the see.
His tomb was opened in 1979, and a cross with verses from the Mass for the Dead inscribed on it was found inside.
One can’t make out much of Giso’s face due to the disfigurement of the effigy.
John Harewell was bishop of Bath and Wells from 1366 to 1386. Harewell was employed by that scourge of the French, Edward, the Black Prince.
Harewell was responsible for the construction of the upper portion of the south western tower of the church.
Harewell’s effigy is replete with carvings of names and initials (though not as comprehensively as that of Ralph of Shrewsbury) and is very time-worn, little or nothing being discernible of his facial features.
Thomas Boleyn, born in 1400, was not bishop, but precentor of Wells from 1451 to his death in 1472.
A ‘precentor’ is a fairly high ecclesiastical office, being one who ‘facilitates worship’; originally the first to chant or sing (from the Latin praecentor, meaning “the one who sings before” or more simply, “first singer”). The main duty of the precentor was as the recruiter, supervisor and rehearser of the choir, as well as the overseer of the various acolytes and employees of the church.
Thomas Boleyn’s brother, Sir Geoffrey Boleyn, Lord Mayor of London 1457-58, was the great-grandfather of Anne Boleyn, Queen consort of England.