bishop of Chichester, descended of an ancient family in Wales, was born in the county of Essex. In his youth he favoured the Reformation, and travelled into Germany to be instructed by Luther and other preachers of the new doctrine. He was one of those who, in the transition state of religious opinion in England, veered as the wind blew from the court. In early youth a Protestant, when lured by the possession of rich proracies, he was a Papist. In consequence of the readiness with which he resigned these, he was a favourite with Henry VIII., who, in 1547, made him bishop of Bath and Wells. On the accession of Edward VI., he found it convenient to return to his first faith. When Mary succeeded to the crown, he was not prepared for another turn, and was consequently deprived of his bishopric, and imprisoned in the Fleet, where he continued for some time. At length he found means to escape, and joined the English Protestants in Germany. When Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne, he was raised to the see of Chichester, and soon after made first prebendary of the collegiate church of Westminster. He died in 1568, and was buried in the cathedral of Chichester. His five daughters were all married to bishops. He wrote a book upon Cosmography, and several other works.

Barlow, William, an eminent mathematician and divine, the son of the bishop of Chichester, was born in Pembroke-shire, whilst his father was bishop of St David's. In 1560 he was entered a commoner of Balliol College, Oxford; and in 1564 took a degree in arts, after which he left the university and went to sea, but in what capacity is uncertain. While at sea he acquired considerable knowledge in the art of navigation. About the year 1573 he entered into orders, and became prebendary of Winchester, and rector of Easton, near that city, and in 1614 he was appointed archdeacon of Salisbury. He was the first English writer on the nature and properties of the magnet, on which he published several treatises. Barlow died in the year 1625, and was buried in the church at Easton.