[A.D. 1115-1120.] GEOFFRY DE CLIVE succeeded. “Bonus quidem et ille,” says William of Malmesbury, “continentissimusque; indifferenter cibis et vestibus quæ minori pretio taxarentur utens; agriculturæ studens.” He greatly improved the lands belonging to the see; but was more careful to increase than to distribute; “leaving great stores behind him to no heir.” [A.D. 1121-1127.] RICHARD, called “de Capella,” a clerk of the King’s chapel. A bridge across the Wye, at Hereford, was partly built by this bishop. His successor, [A.D. 1131-1148.] ROBERT DE BETHUNE, had been nominated by the King (Henry I.) in 1129, but was not consecrated until 1131. Bishop Robert was a member of the noble house of Bethune; and received his early education from his own brother Gunfrid, a teacher of some celebrity. He became a canon in the Augustinian priory of Llanthony; and on the death of Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Hereford, was appointed to superintend the building of a religious house at Weobly, where the great Earl was buried. Here he worked as a common labourer, and is said to have injured his health so greatly, that he was recalled to his priory, of which he soon afterwards became the superior. When the see of Hereford became vacant, Robert de Bethune was recommended to the King by the Earl of Gloucester, and at last accepted the bishopric, “quamvis invitus.” During the troubles of Stephen’s reign Hereford suffered greatly. The cathedral was deserted and desecrated, and the Bishop himself was compelled to take flight in disguise. On his return, he “cleansed and repaired” the building. In 1148, Bishop Robert was present at the Council of Rheims, convened by Pope Eugenius III., then an exile in France; and died there, (April 16). His remains were brought to England, and interred in his own cathedral. A short life of Bishop de Bethune, who was one of the best and worthiest bishops of his age,--a man of peace and religion, when by far the greater number of English bishops were little better than the most turbulent barons,--was written by William of Wycumb, his successor in the priory of Llanthony, and was printed by Wharton in the second volume of his _Anglia Sacra_.