FULHAM PALACE 
of Mary Tudor. But, on the other hand, the historical interest 
of Lambeth is incomparably greater, and this notwithstanding 
that Fulham had earlier beginnings. Fulham, although seldom 
entirely out of touch with passing events, was generally only a 
passive spectator of them. The spot was in those days far removed 
from London, which, then as now, was the arena of action and 
conflict. Hence those public happenings, which, as we have seen, 
east a lurid light on the archiepiscopal residence on the south 
bank of the river, and so often disturbed its peace, as a rule left 
the repose of the bishop’s house on the opposite shore unbroken, 
and the tragical episodes in the lives of highly-placed men and 
women, which have given a romantic though painful interest to 
every stone of Lambeth, very rarely occurred at Fulham. When- 
ever the Bishops of London: were concerned in them, the scene 
of the events was “‘ London House ’’—near old St. Paul’s—their 
winter home. 
To this rule there were, of course, exceptions. For Foxe, the 
““ martyrologist,”” tells us that when Bonner was Bishop of Lon- 
don, some of the acts of persecution of which he was guilty, were 
perpetrated at his own summer residence at Fulham, his ghost 
in consequence being long popularly supposed to haunt the gardens 
and part of the Manor House. 
The dignity of a metropolitan bishop, though great, is inferior 
to that of an archbishop; and unless when exceptional circum- 
stances, accident, or conspicuous talent and force of character, 
brought them into unwonted prominence, the Bishops of London 
were not called upon to take a leading part in secular affairs. As 
a rule we find that the most distinguished of their number were 
translated to Canterbury ; and, as in the archiepiscopal See there 
was greater scope for their abilities and their influence, it was 
generally during their residence at Lambeth, that the more notable 
events in their public careers occurred. Laud and Juxon—each 
in turn Bishop of London, and Archbishop of Canterbury—are 
eminent examples of this. 
Mellitus—sent to Britain by Gregory I. to convert the Anglo- 
Saxons to Christianity, was the first Bishop of London, and in 
A.D. 619 he became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. 
Erlkenwald, afterwards canonized, was bishop from a.D. 675 to 
693. It was in his time that the Manor of Fulham was presented 
63 
