Easton, ADAM, Cardinal, b. at Easton in Norfolk; d. at
Rome, September 15 (according to others, October 20),
1397. He joined the Benedictines at Norwich. He
probably accompanied Archbishop Langham to Rome
and, being a man of learning and ability, obtained a post
in the Curia. He was made Cardinal-priest of the title of
St. Cecilia by Urban VI, probably in December, 1381.
On March 7, 1381 or 1382, he was nominated Dean of
York. In 1385 he was imprisoned by Urban on a charge
of conspiring with five other cardinals against the pope
and was deprived of his cardinalate and deanery. The
next pope, Boniface IX, restored his cardinalate
December 18, 1389, and for a time Easton returned to
England, where he held a prebend in Salisbury cathedral,
which he subsequently exchanged for the
living of Heygham in Norwich. He wrote many works,
none of which are extant, and is stated to have composed
the Office for the Visitation of Our Lady.
EDWIN BURTON
Extract from the Original Catholic Encyclopedia