or GREATHED (Robert), a learned and famous bishop of Lincoln, was born at Stow in Lincolnshire, or (according to others) at Stradbroke in Suffolk, in the latter part of the twelfth century. His parents were so poor, that when a boy he was reduced to do the meanest offices, and even to beg his bread; till the mayor of Lincoln, struck with his appearance and the quickness of his answers to certain questions, took him into his family, and put him to school. Here his ardent love of learning, and admirable capacity for acquiring it, soon appeared, and procured him many patrons, by whose assistance he was enabled to prosecute his studies, first at Cambridge, afterwards at Oxford, and at last at Paris. In these three famous seats of learning, he spent many years in the most indefatigable pursuit of knowledge, and became one of the best and most universal scholars of the age. He was a great master not only of the French and Latin, but also of the Greek and Hebrew languages, which was a very rare accomplishment in those times. We are assured by Roger Bacon, who was intimately acquainted with him, that he spent much of his time for almost forty years in the study of geometry, astronomy, optics, and other branches of mathematical learning, in all which he very much excelled. Theology was his favourite study, in which he read lectures at Oxford with great applause. In the mean time, he obtained several preferments in the church, and was at length elected and consecrated bishop of Lincoln, A.D. 1235. In this station he soon became very famous, by the purity of his manners, the popularity of his preaching, the vigour of his discipline, and the boldness with which he reproved the vices and opposed the arbitrary mandates of the court of Rome; of this last it may be proper to give one example. Pope Innocent IV. had granted to one of his own nephews named Frederick, who was but a child, a provision to the first canon's place in the church of Lincoln that should become vacant; and sent a bull to the archbishop of Canterbury, and Innocent, then papal legate in England, commanding them to see the provision made effectual; which they transmitted to the bishop of Lincoln. But that brave and virtuous prelate boldly refused to obey this unreasonable mandate, and sent an answer to the papal bull containing the following severe reproaches against his holiness for abusing his power: "If we except the sins of Lucifer and Antichrist, there neither is nor can be a greater crime, nor anything more contrary to the doctrine of the gospel, or more odious and abominable in the sight of Jesus Christ, than to ruin and destroy the souls of men, by depriving them of the spiritual aid and ministry of their pastors. This crime is committed by those who command the benefices intended for the support of able pastors, to be bestowed on those who are incapable of..." Growth, performing the duties of the pastoral office. It is impossible therefore that the holy apostolic see, which received its authority from the Lord Jesus Christ, for edification, and not for destruction, can be guilty of such a crime, or any thing approaching to such a crime, so hateful to God and so hurtful to men. For this would be a most manifest corruption and abuse of its authority, which would forfeit all its glory, and plunge it into the pains of hell." Upon hearing this letter, his holiness became frantic with rage, poured forth a torrent of abuse against the good bishop, and threatened to make him an object of terror and astonishment to the whole world. "How dare (said he) this old, deaf, dozing fool, disobey my commands? Is not his master the king of England my subject, or rather my slave? Cannot he call him into prison, and crush him in a moment?" But the cardinals by degrees brought the pope to think more calmly, and to take no notice of this letter. "Let us not (said they) raise a tumult in the church without necessity, and precipitate that revolt and separation from us, which we know must one day take place." Remarkable words, when we reflect when and by whom they were spoken! The bishop did not long survive this noble stand against the gross corruptions and tyranny of the church of Rome; for he fell sick at his castle of Bugden that same year; and when he became sensible that his death was drawing near, he called his clergy into his apartment, and made a long discourse to them, to prove that the reigning pope Innocent IV. was Antichrist. With this exertion his strength and spirits were so much exhausted, that he expired soon after, October 9. 1253. A contemporary historian, who was perfectly well acquainted with him, hath drawn his character in the following manner. "He was a free and bold reprimander of the pope and the king; an admonisher of the prelates; a corrector of the monks; an instructor of the clergy; a supporter of the studious; a censurer of the incontinent; a scourge and terror to the court of Rome; a diligent searcher of the scriptures; and a frequent preacher to the people. At his table he was hospitable, polite, and cheerful. In the church he was contrite, devout, and solemn; and in performing all the duties of his office he was venerable, active, and indefatigable. The illustrious Roger Bacon, who was most capable, and had the best opportunities of forming a true judgment of the extent of his learning, by perusing his works, and by frequently conversing with him, hath given this honourable testimony in his favour. "Robert Grothoude bishop of Lincoln, and his friend friar Adam de Marisco, are the two most learned men in the world, and excel all the rest of mankind both in divine and human knowledge." This most excellent and learned prelate was a very voluminous writer, and composed a prodigious number of treatises on a great variety of subjects in philosophy and divinity, a catalogue of which is given by Bale.