placed in the first ranck nearest of all unto the Town and with no less success then valour to the great safety of the whole army beat back and put to flight the Spaniards who in the same day made several sallies out of the Towâ—… Know therefore that We in 〈◊〉 of the premises have appointed the aforesaid Thomas Roper Knight c. Then followeth his Patent wherein King Charles in the third of his raign created him Baron of Bauntree and Viscount 〈◊〉 in Ireland I will only adde from exact intelligence that he was a principal means to break the hearts of Irish Rebels for whereas formerly the English were loaded with their own cloths so that their slipping into Bogs did make them and the slopping of their breeches did keep them prisoners therein he first being then a Commander put himself into Irish Trouzes and was imitated first by all his Officers then Souldiers so that thus habited they made the more effectual execution on their enemies He died at 〈◊〉 Rest Anno Dom. 164. and was buried with Anne his wife daughter to Sir Henry 〈◊〉 in Saint Johns Church in Dublin Seamen I behold these Sea men as the Sea it â—…elf and suspect if I launch far therein I sâ—…all see land no more Besides I know there be many laws made against Forestalers and would be loth to fall under that penalty for preventing the pains of some able person a 〈◊〉 of the Trinity 〈◊〉 who may write a just tract thereof Civilians Sir HENRY MARTIN Knight was born in this City where his Father left him forty pounds a year and he used merrily to say that if his Father had left him 〈◊〉 he would never have been a Scholar but lived on his Lands whereas this being though a large encouragement but a scant maintenance he plyed his book for a better livelyhood He was bred a Fellow in New colledge in Oxford and by the advice of Bishop Andrews addressed himself to the Study of the Civil Law By the advice of the said Bishop Master Martin had weekly transmitted unto him from some Proctors at Lambeth the Brief heads of the most Important causes which were to be tried in the high Commission Then with some of his familiar friends in that faculty they privately pleaded those Causes amongst themselves acting in their Chamber what was done in the Court But Mr. Martin making it his work exceeded the rest in amplifying and agravating any fault moving of anger and indignation against the guilt thereof or else in extenuating and excusing it procure pitty obtain pardon or at least prevail for a lighter punishment Some years he spent in this personated pleading to enable himself against he was really called to that Profession Hence it was that afterwards he became so eminent an Advocate in the high Commission that no cause could come amiss to him For he was not to make new armour but only to put it on and buckle it not to invent but apply arguments to his Cliant He was at last Knighted and made Judge of the Prerogative for Probate of Wills and also of the Admiraltry in causes concerning forraign traffick so that as King James said pleasantly He was a mighty Monarch in his Jurisdiction over Land and Sea the Living and dead He died very aged and wealthy Anno Dom. 1642. Physicians RICHARDUS ANGLICUS was certainly a man of Merit being eminently so denominated by Foraigners amongst whom he conversed from his Country and he who had our Nation for his Name cannot have less then London for his Lodging in this our Catalogue of Worthies He is said to have studied first in Oxford then in Paris where he so profited in the faculty of Physick that he is counted by Simphorianus Champerius a stranger to our Nation and therefore free from Flattery one of the most eminent Writers in that Profession Now because he was the first English man whom I find famous in that Calling may the Reader be pleased with a Receipt of the several names of the Books left by him to posterity 1. A Tractate of 〈◊〉 2. Of the Ruâ—…es of Urins 3. Of the Signs of Diseases 4. Of Prognostick Signs 5. Of Letting Bloud 6. toâ—…alen â—…alen 7. Of Feavors 8. A Correction of Alchymy 9. A Mirour of Alchymy 10. Of Physick 11. Repressive 12. Of the Signs of Feavors Leland reporteth that besides these he writ other works which the Envy of time hath denied unto us He flourished about the year of our Lord 1230. JOHN 〈◊〉 was born in this City bred Fellow of Baliol-colledge in Oxford where he contracted familiarity with his Colleague and Mecaenas I. Tiptoft Earl of Worcester He afterwards travelled into Italy and at Ferrara was a constant auditor of Gwarinus an old man and famous Philosopher Hitherto our Phreas made use only of his ears hereafter of his tongue when of Hearer he turned a Teacher and see the stairs whereby he ascended 1. He read Physick at Ferrara concerning Medicinal herbs 2. Then at Florence well esteemed by the Duke thereof 3. Then at Padua beneath Florence in beauty above it in learning an University where he proceeded Doctor of Physick 4. Then at Rome where he was gratious with Pope Paul the second dedicating unto him many books translated out of Greek The Pope rewarded him with the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells dying before his consecration poisoned as is vehemently suspected by some who maligned his merit Heu mihi quod nullis livor medicabilis herbis Solomon himself who wrot of all Simples from the Cedar in Lebanus to the Hysop on the Wall could find no defensative against it which made him cry out But who can stand before envy No wonder therefore if our Phreas though a skilful Botanist found mens malice mortal unto him He died at Rome Anno Domini 1465. and Lelands commendation of him may serve for his Epitaph if but Hic jacet Johannes Phreas be prefixed before it qui primus Anglorum erat qui propulsâ barbarie patriam honesto labore bonis literis restituit ANDREW BORDE Doctor of Physick was I conceive bred in Oxford because I find his book called the Breviary of Health examined by that University He was Physician to King Henry the eighth and was esteemed a great Scholar in that age I am confident his book was the first written of that faculty in English and dedicated to the Colledge of Physicians in London Take a tast out of the beginning of his Dedicatory Epistle Egregious Doctors and Masters of the Eximious and Arcane Science of Physick of your Urbanity exasperate not your selves against me for making this little volume of Physick c. Indeed his book contains plain matter under hard words and was accounted such a Jewel in that age things whilst the first are esteemed the best in all kinds that it was Printed Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum for William Midleton Anno 1548. He died as I collect
of the Sea c. I confesse the modern mystery of Watch-making is much completed men never being more curious to divide more carelesse to imploy their time but surely this was accounted a master-peece in that age His Sermons so indeared him to King Edward 6. that he preferred him whilst as yet scarce thirty six yeares of age to the Bishoprick of Rochester then of Winchester But alas these honor 's soon got were as soon lost being forced to fly into high Germany in the first of Queen Mary Where before he was fully fourty and before he had finished his Book begun against Thomas Martin in defence of Ministers marriage he died at Strasburg the 2. August 1556. And was buried there with great Lamentation RICHARD FLETCHER was born in this County Brother to Doctor Giles Fletcher the Civilian and Embassadour in Russia and bred in Bennet Colledge in Cambridge He was afterwards Dean of Peterborough at what time Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay to whom he made saith my Authour Verbosam Orationem a Wordy speech of her past present and future condition wherein he took more pains that he received thanks from her who therein was most concerned Hence he was preferred Bishop of Peterborough and at last of London my Authour saith he was Presul Splendidus and indeed he was of a comly presence and Queen Elizabeth knew full well Gratior est pulcro veniens è corpore virtus The Iewel vertue is more Grac'd When in a proper person Cas'd Which made her alwayes on an equality of Desert to reflect favourably on such who were of Graceful countenance and stature In one respect this Bishop may well be resembled to John Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury of whom I find this Character Quanquam gestu incessu saepeetiami n Sermone gloriosus videretur elatus animo tamen fuit benignissimo perquam comi Although he seemed a boaster and puffed up both in gesture and gaâ—…e and sometimes in his speech also yet was he of a loving disposition exceeding courteous Such a one was Bishop Fletcher whose pride was rather on him than in him as only gate and gesture-deep not sinking to his heart though causelesly condemned for a proud man as who was a good Hypocrite and far more humble than he appeared He married a Lady of this County who one commendeth for very vertuous which iâ—… so the more happy she in her self though unhappy that the world did not believe it Sure I am that Queen Elizabeth who hardly held the second matches of Bishops excusable accounted his marriage a trespasse on his gravity whereupon he fell into her deep displeasure Hereof this Bishop was sadly sensible and seeking to lose his sorrow in a mist of smoak died of the immoderate taking thereof June the fifteenth 1596. BRIAN DUPPA D. D. the worthy Bishop of Winchester was born at Lewsham in in this County staying for farther instructions I am forced to deferre his life to our Additions States-Men Sir EDWARD POYNINGS Knight was in martial performances inferiour to none of his age and a Native of this County as from the Catalogue of the Sheriffs therein may be collected We will insist only on his Irish Action being employed by King Henry the seventh to conjure down the last walking Spirit of the House of York which haunted that King I mean Perkin Warbeck Having ferreted him out of Ireland he seriously set him self to reclaim that barbarous Nation to civility and in order thereunto passed an Act in Parliament whereby all the Statutes made in England bâ—…fore that time were enacted established and made of force in Ireland He caused also another Law to be made that no Act should be propounded in any Parliament in Ireland till first it had been transmitted into England approved there by the King and returned thence under his broad Seal Now though this Act seemeth prima facie prejudicial to the liberty of the Irish Subjects yet was it made at the request of the Commons upon just important cause being so sensible of the oppression and Laws imposed by private Lords for their particular ends that they rather referred themselves to the Kings Justice than to the merciless mercy of so many Masters Also to conform Ireland to England he procured the passing of an Act that the Irish Barons should appear in Parliament in their Robes which put a face of Grandeur and State on their Convention And indeed formalities are more than Formalities in matters of this nature essentiall to beget a veneration in barbarous people who carry much of their Brain in their Eyes He thriftily improved the Kings Revenues and obtained a Subsidy of twenty six shillings eight pence payable yearly for five years out of every six score Acres manured The worst was the burden fell on their backs whose Islands were most industrious whereby the Soveraign became not more wealthy but the Subjects more lazy the mischief being as apparent as the remedy impossible Many more large Laws of his making found but narrow performance viz. only within the Pale Nor was Henry the seventh though in title in trâ—…th Lord of all Ireland but by the favour of a Figure and large Synechdeche of a part for the whole These things thus ordered Sir Edward was recalled in to England created a Baron and dying in the beginning of King Henry the eight left a numerous natural but no legitimate issue Sir ANTHONY St. LEGER is rationally reputed a Kentish man though he had also a Devonshire Relation as will appear to such who peruse the Sheriffs of this County He was properly the first Vice-Roy of Ireland seeing shadows cannot be before their substance and in his Deputy-ship Henry the eight in the 33. year of his reign assumed the Title of King and Supream Head of the Church of Ireland To him all the Irish Nobility made their solemn submission falling down at his feet upon their knees laying aside their Girdles Skeines and Caps This was the fourth solemn submission of the Irish to the Kings of England and most true it is such seeming submissions have been the bane of their serious subjection For out of the Pale our Kings had not power either to Punish or Protect where those Irish Lords notwithstanding their Complemental Loyalty made their list the law to such whom they could over-power He caused also certain Ordinances of State to be made not altogether agreeable with the Rules of the Law of England a satisfactory reason hereof being given in the Preamble to them Quia nondum sic sapiunt leges Jura ut secundum ea jam immediate vivere regi possint Because the Irish as yet do not so savour the Laws of England as immediately to live after and be ruled by them Thus the greatest Statesmen must sometimes say by your leave to such as are under them not acting alway according to their own ability but others capacity He seized all
us should 〈◊〉 the others Funerall-Sermon But see a strange change God to whom belongs the 〈◊〉 from death was pleased with the Patriarch Jacob blessing his 〈◊〉 wittingly to guide his hands 〈◊〉 reaching out death to the living and life to the dying So that Dr. Felton recovered and not only performed that last office to his Friend Dr. Fenton but also survived him more than ten years and dyed Bishop of 〈◊〉 Roger Fenton dyed in the fiftieth Year of his age anno Dom. 1615. buryed in his own Church under a Monument made at the expence of the Parish ROBERT BOITON was born at Blackborne in this County on Whit sunday 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Year as infamous for the Massacre of many Protestants in France so for the 〈◊〉 of some eminent in England His Parents having a narrow Estate struggled with their necessities to give him liberal Education and he was bred first in 〈◊〉 then in Brazen-nose Colledge in Oxford He had Isocrates his six Marks or Properties of a good Scholar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His want of means proved an advancement unto him For 〈◊〉 having whence to buy Books he borrowed the best Authours of his Tutor read over abridged into note-Note-books and returned them He was as able to express himself in Latine or Greek as English and that Stylo Imperatorio He was chosen one of the Disputants before King James at his first coming to the University and performed it with great applause Thus far I have followed my Authour mentioned in the Margine but now must depart from him a little in one particular Though Mr. Boltons parents were not overflowing with wealth they had a competent Estate as I am informed by credible intelligence wherin their Family had comfortably continued long time in good repute Sr. Angustine Nicholls presented him to the Rectory of Broughton in Northamptonshire sending him his Presentation unexspectedly from his Chamber in Sergeants â—…nn where D. King Bishop of London being accidentally present thanked the Judge for his good choice but told him withall that he had deprived the University of a singular Ornament Besides his constant Preaching he hath left behinde him many usefull Books the Witnesses of his Piety and Learning and dyed in the 59th Year of his age December 17. 1631. JOHN WEEVER was born at in this County bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge under Dr. John Person his worthy Tutor He was very industrious in the Studie of Antiquity and composed a usefull Book of Funeral Monuments in the Diocesse of Canterbury Rochester London and Norwich He dyed in London in the fifty sixth Year of his age and was Buried in St. James Clerken-well where he appointed this Epitaph for himself Lancashire gave me Breath And Cambridge Education Middlesex gave we Death And this Church my Humation And Christ to me hath given A place with him in Heaven The certain date of his Death I cannot attain but by Proportion I collect it to be about the Year of our Lord 1634. RALPH CUDVVORTH D. D. the second Son of Ralph Cudworth of Wernith-hall near Manchester Esquire Chief Lord of Ouldham was bred Fellow of Emanuel-colledge in Cambridge A most excellent preacher who continued and finished some imperfect works of Mr. Perkins and after his Decease supplyed his place in St. Andrews in Cambridge He was at last presented by the Colledge to the parish of Auler in Somersetshire Anno 163. LAWRENCE CHADERTON was born at Chaderton in this County of ancient and wealthy Parentage but much nuzled up in Popish Superstition He was intended for a Lawyer and in order thereunto brought up some time in the Inns of Court till he changed his profession and admitted himself in Christs Colledge in Cambridge His Father hearing that he had altered his place studies and Religion sent him a Poke with a groat therein for him to go a begging therewith disinheriting him of â—…hat fair estate which otherwise had descended upon him But God who taketh men up when their Fathers and Mothers forsake them provided him a comfortable subsistance when chosen Fellow of the Colledge He was for many years Lecturer at St. Clements in 〈◊〉 with great profit to his Auditors afterwards made by the Founder first Master of Emanuel He was chosen by the Non-Conformists to be one of their four Representatives in Hampton-court conference and was afterwards employed one of the Translators of the Bible He had a plain but effectual way of Preaching It happened that he visiting 〈◊〉 friends preached in this his Native Countrey where the Word of God as in the dayes of Samuell was very pretious And concluded his Sermon which was of two hours continuance at least with words to this effect That he would no longer trespasse upon their Patience Whereupon all the Auditory cryed out wonder not if hungry people craved more meat for God 〈◊〉 Sir Go on go on Hereaâ—… Mr. Chaderton was surprised into a longer Discourse beyond his expectation in Satisfaction of their importunity and though on a sudden performed it to their contentment and his commendation Thus constant Preachers like good house keepers can never be taken so unprovided but that though they make not a plentiful Feast they can give wholsome food at a short warning He commenced Dr. in Divinity when Frederick Prince Palatine who married the Lady Elizabeth came to Cambridge What is said of Mount Caucasus that it was never seen without Snowe on the Top was true of this Reverend Father whom none of our Fathers generation knew in the Universitie before he was gray headed yet he never used Spectacles till the day of his death being Ninety four years of age He was not disheartned with that common saying he that resigneth his place before his death buryeth himself alive but put off his Clothes long before he went to bed divested himself of the Master-ship of Emanuel Colledge that so he might see a worthy successor in his life time The blessing which befell Job was in some sort appliable unto him he saw his Successors to the fourth generation I mean Doctor Presson and after his Death Doctor Sancroft and after his death Doctor Holesworth who preached his Funeral Sermon Anno 1640. about the Ninety fourth year of his age GEORGE WALKER was born at Hauxhead in Fournifells of Religious Parents Being visited when a child with the Small-poxe and the standers by expecting his dissolution he started up out of a Trance with this ejaculation Lord take me not away till I have shewed forth thy praises which made his Parents devote him to the Ministery after his recovery He was bred B. D. in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to be well skilled in the Oriental Tongues an excellent Logician and Divine Mr. Foster formerly his Tutor resigned unto him his living of St. John the Evangelist London wherein Mr. Walker continued the painful Preacher well nigh fourty years refusing higher preferment often profered him Dr. Felton the
come and learn of me Come we now to his sad Catastrophe Indeed the curious had observed that in the Scheme of his Nativity not onely the Dragons-tail was ready to promote abusive aspersions against him to which living and dead he hath been subject but also something malignant appears posited in Aquarius which hath influence on the leggs which accordingly came to pass For being twice imprisoned for what misdemeanor I know not by Radulphus the Emperor he endeavoured his escape out of an high window and tying his sheets together to let him down fell being a weighty man and brake his legg whereof he died 1595. I believe him neither so bad as some nor so good as others do character him all know how Separation is of great use amongst men of his profession and indeed if his pride and prodigality were severed from him he would remain a person on other accounts for his industry and experience in practical Philosophy worthy recommendation to posterity Writers FLORENCE of WORCESTER was probably born near certainly bred in that City one eminent in learning as any of his age and no less industrious Many books are extant of his making and one most usefull beginning at the Creation and continued till his death This he calleth Chronicum Chronicorum which some esteem an Arrogant Title and an Insolent defiance of all Authors before and after him as if as the Rose is flos florum so his were the Superlative Chronicle of all that are Extant But others meet with much modesty in the Title Chronicum Chronicâ—…rum as none of his own making but onely gathered both for Matter and Language out of others he being rather the Collector then the Originall Composer thereof He died Anno Domini 1119. JOHN WALLIS or WELSH is confessed natione Anglus which I observe to secure his nativity against Welch-claimes thereunto onely grounded on his Sur-name Yet I confess he might be mediatly of Welch-extraction but born in this County where the family of the Walshes are extant at this day in a worshipfull equipage where he became a Franciscan in Worcester Leaving Oxford he lived in Paris where he was common ly called Arbor vitae The tree of life Non absque insigni Servatoris blasphemia With no small blasphemy to our Saviour saith our Author But to qualifie the matter we take the expression in the same sense wherein Solomon calls a wholesome tongue a Tree of Life Yet might he better be termed the tree of knowledge of good and evil whose books amounting to no fewer then twenty volumes are not so practicall for their use as curious in their speculations In the ancient Libraries of Baliâ—…l and Oriel-Colledge most of his Manuscripts are reported extant at this day He died and was buried at Paris Anno Dom. 1216. ELIAS de EVESHAM was born in this County of good Parentage from whom as it seemeth by J. Bale he had expectancy of a fair estate This did not hinder him from being a Benedictine in the Abby of Evesham where he became a great Scholar and wrote an Excellent Chronicle Bale knoweth not where to place him with any certainty But Pitz not more knowing but more daring assigneth him to have flourished in the year 1270. WILLIAM PACKINGTON I confess two Villages the less and greater of this name in Warwick-shire and yet place this Packington here with no discredit to my self and greater grace to him For first I behold him as no Clergy-man commonly called from their Native Places but have reasons to believe him rather a Layman and find an Antient Family of his Name not to say Alliance still flourishing in this County He was Secretary and Treasurer to Edward the Black Prince and his long living in France had made the language of his Nurse more naturall to him then the tongue of his Mother Hence it was that he wrot in French the story of five English Kings King John Henry the third Edwards first second and third and a book of the Atchievements of the Black Prince He flourished Anno Dom. 1380. Since the Reformation Sir EDWIN SANDYS Son to Edwin Sandys D. D. was in all probability born in this County whilst his father was Bishop of Worcester He was bred in Cambridge and attained to be a most accomplished person I have known some pitifull in Affection but poor in Condition willing but unable to relieve one in greater want then themselves who have only gotten an empty Purse and given it to others to put their charity therein for the purpose aforesaid Such my case I can only present the Reader with a Place in this my Book for the Character of this worthy Knight but can not contribute any Coine of MEMOIRES or Remarkables to the furnishing thereof Only let me adde he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 right-handed to any great imployment and was as constant in all Parliaments as the Speaker himself being beheld by all as an Excellent Patriot faithfull to his Country without being false to his King in all transactions He was the Treasurer to the undertakers for the Western Plantations which he effectually advanced the Bermudaes the firmest though not the fairest Footing the English have in the West-Indies owing their happiness to his Care and Sandys Tribe is no contemptible Proportion therein He had a commanding Pen witness his work of the Religion of the Western World many in one Book so much matter is Stowed therein I have been informed that he bequeathed by his Will a Considerable Summe to the Building of a Colledge in Cambridge but Debts not coming in according to Expectation his good Intention failed in the performance thereof He died much lamented of all good Men about the year 1631. Romish Exile Writers RICHARD SMITH D. D. was born in this County bred in the University of Oxford where he became Kings Professor and was fit for that place in all things if as one of his own perswasion avoweth Non obstitisset Laterum debilitas Vocis exilitas The weaknes of his Sides and lowness of his Voice had no hindred him King Edward the sixth afterwards sent for Peter Martyr over to be his Professor in this University betwixt whom and Doctor Smith so great the Contest that waving all ingagements it is best to State it to the eye of the Reader as it is represented by Authors of both sides Pitz. de Script in Anno 1563. Petrum Martyrem apostatam Monachum Haeresis Zuvinglicanae sectatorem a Rege Edwardo sexto Oxonii in Cathedram Theologicam intrusum in publicis disputationibus haeresis convicit Cathedrâ—…m suam victor repetiit sed Rege obstante non impetravit In publick disputations he convicted Peter Martyr the Apostate Monke and a follower of the Zwinglian Heresie thrust in by King Edward the sixth into the Divinity Chair in Oxford and being Conquerer did require his own Chair to be restored him which he obtained not because the King
One hundred thousand pounds towards maintaining the war then on foot against the Turks This vast donation makes some suspect this Sir George for a Knight who by this might have been Eques Auratus though indeed never more than Sir Priest and Canon of Bridlington Returning into his native Country and desiring to repose his old age no Philosophers Stone to quiet retirement he was dispensed with by the Pope to leave his Canons place as too full of employment and became a Carmelite-Anchorite at Boston in Lincolnshire where he wrote no fewer than 25. Books though his Compound of Alchimy carrieth away the credit of all the rest It presenteth the Reader with the twelve gates leading to the making of the Philosophers Stone which are thus reckoned up in order 1. Calcination 2. Solution 3. Separation 4. Conjunction 5. Putrefaction 6. Congelation 7. â—…ibation 8. Sublimation 9. Fermentation 10. Exaltation 11. Multiplication 12. Projection Oh for a Key saith the Common Reader to open these Gates and expound the meaning of these words which are familiar to the knowing in this mystery But such who are disaffected thereunto what Art hath not enemies demand whether these gates be to let in or let out the Philosophers Stone seeing Projection the last of all proves but a Project producing nothing in effect We must not forget how the said Sir George beseecheth all men wheresoever they shall meet with any of his Experiments written by him or that go under his name from the year 1450. to the year 1470. either to burn them or afford them no credit being written according to his esteem not proofe and which upon trial he afterwards found false and vaine For mine own part I believe his Philosophy truer than his Chimical Divinity for so may I call his Work wherein he endeavours to equal in merit for mankind the compassion of the Virgin Mary with the passion of Christ. He died about the year of our Lord 1492. and some of his Works are since exactly set forth by my worthy and accomplished Friend Elias Ashmole Esqire in his Theatrum Chimicum Britannicum THOMAS JOHNSON was born in this County not far from * Hull bred an Apothecary in London where he attained to be the best Herbalist of his age in England making Additions to the Edition of Gerard. A man of such modesty that knowing so Much he would own the knowledge of Nothing The University of Oxford bestowed on him the Honourary degree of Doctor in Physick and his loyalty engaged him on the Kings side in our late Civil Warre When in Basing House a dangerous piece of service was to be done this Doctor who publickly pretended not to Valour undertook and performed it Yet afterwards he lost his life in the siege of the same House and was to my knowledge generally lamented of those who were of an opposite judgement But let us bestow this Epitaph upon him Hic Johnsone jaces sed si mors cederet herbis Arte fugata tua cederet illa tuis Here Iohnson lies could Physick fence deaths dart Sure death had bin declined by his art His Death happened Anno Dom. 1644. Wâ—…iters ALPHRED of Beverley born therein a Town termed Urbs or City by Bale or thereabouts and bred in the University of Cambridge Hence he returned to his native place where he was made Treasurer of the Convent â—…ence as some will have it commonly called Alphredus Thesaurarius others conceiâ—…g this his Topical relation too narrow to give him so general a Name will have him sâ—… stiled from being so carefull a storer up God send more to succeed him in that Office of memorable Antiquities Indeed with the good Housholder he brought out of his Treasury things new and old writing a Chronicle from Brutus to the time of his own death which happened Anno 1136. GULIELMUS REHIEVAILENSIS or WILLIAM of RIEVAULX was so named from the place of his Nativity in this County being otherwise a Monk of Rushford His Learning was great according to that age and his genius enclined him most to History whereof he wrote a fair Volumne of the things done in his own age himself being an eye witnesse of a great part thereof For though generally Monks were confined to their Cloisters more liberty was allowed to such persons whose Pens were publickly employed And when Monks could not go out to the news news came home to them such was their intelligence from Clergy men who then alone were employed in State Offices It was no wonder that the writings of this William did but had been a miracle if they did not savour of the superstition of the times He dedicated his Book to Ealread Abbot of Rievaulx and died Anno Dom. 1146. EALREAD Abbot of Rievaulx lately named was one eminent in his generation for Piety and Learning He was most intimate with David King of Scotland and had the rare felicity to adventure on desperate differences betwixt great persons and yet above humane hope to compleat their agreement He had Saint Augustines Confessions both by heart and in his heart yet generally he is accounted the English Saint Bernard and wrote very many Books whereof one De Virginitate Mariae and another De Abusionibus Claustri shewing twelve abuses generally committed in that kind of life Yet as Saint Paul honoured widows that were widows indeed he had a high esteem for Monks who were Monks indeed so addicted to a solitary life that he refused all Honours and several Bishopricks proffered unto him He died in the 57. year of his age 1166. and after his death attained with many the reputation of a Saint WALTER DANIEL was Deacon to Ealread aforesaid and it is pity to part them Leland saith that he followed his Abbot Sanctâ Invidiâ Give me leave to english it with holy emulation and they who run in that race of Vertue neither supplant such who are before them nor justle those that are even with them nor hinder those who come behind them He trod in his Masters foot steps yet so that my Author saith Non modo aequavit sed superavit writing a Book on the same subject De Virginitate Mariae He flourished Anno 1170. under King Henry the second and was buried in his own Abby ROBERT the SCRIBE but no Pharisee such his Humility not Hypocrite such his Sincerity was the fourth Prefect of Canon Regulars at Bridlington in this County He had his surname from his dexterity in writing not a little beneficial in that age Erasmus ingeniously confessing that his Father Gerard got a handsome livelihood thereby But our Robert in fair and fast writing did reach a Note above others it being true of him what was said Nondum lingua suum dextra peregit opus The Tongue her task hath not yet done When that the Hand her race hath run And he may be said to have had the long Hand of short Hand such the swiftness of his Pen though I confesse
Brachyography was not then nor many years after invented But he though a quick Scribe is but a dull one who is good only at fac simile to transcribe out of an original whereas our Robert left many Books of his own making to posterity He flourished Anno Dom. 1180. and lleth buried before the Doors of the Cloyster of his Convent PETER of Rippon was Canon of that Colledge built antiently therein by Saint Wilfred purposely omitted by us in our Catalogue of Saints to expiate our former tediousnesse concerning him in our Church History Jeoffry Archbishop of York not only delighted in but doted on our Peter He wrote a Book of the life and miracles of Saint Wilfred How many suspected persons did prick their credits who could not thread his Needle This was a narrow place in his Church and kind of Purgatory save that no fire therein through which chaste Persons might easily passe whilest the Incontinent did stick therein beheld generally as a piece of Monkish Legerdemain I am sorry to hear that this Collegiate Church one of the most ancient and famous Churches in the North of England hath the means and allowance appointed for the repair thereof deteined and more â—…orry that on the eighth of December 1660. a violent wind blew down the great Steeple thereof which with its fall beaâ—… down the Chancel the onely place where the people could assemble for Divine Worship and much shattered and weakened the rest of the Fabrick and I hope that His Majesties Letters Patents will meet with such bountiful contributions as will make convenient Reparation Our Peter flourished Anno 1190. under King Richard the first WILLIAM of NEWBOROUGH was born at Bridlington in this County but named of Newborough not far off in which Monastery he became a Canon Regular He also was called Petit or Little from his low stature in him the observation was verified that little men in whom their heat is most contracted are soon angry flying so fiercely on the memory of Geffrey of Monmouth taxing his British Chronicle as a continuâ—…d fiction translated by him indeed but whence from his own Brain to his own Pen by his own Invention Yea he denieth that there was ever a King Arthur and in effect overthroweth all the Welsh History But learned Leland conceives this William Little greatly guilty in his ill language which to any Author was uncivil to a Bishop unreverent to a dead Bishop uncharitable Some resolve all his passion on a point of meer revenge heartily offended because David Prince of Wales denied him to succeed G. Monmouth in the See of St. Asaph and therefore fell he so soul on the whose Welsh Nation Sure I am that this angry William so censorious of G. Monmouth his falsehoods hath most foul slips of his own Pen as when he affirmeth That in the place of the slaughter of the English nigh Battaile in Sussex if peradventure it be wet with any small showre presently the ground thereabouts sweateth forth very blood though indeed it be no more than what is daily seen in Rutland after any sudden rain where the ground floweth with a reddish moisture He flourished Anno 1200. under King John ROGER HOVEDEN was born in this County of the Illustrious Family of the Hovedens saith my Author bred first in the study of the Civil then of the Canon-Law and at last being servant to King Henry the second he became a most accomplished Courtier He is the chiefest if not sole Lay-Historian of his age who being neither Priest nor Monk wrote a Chronicle of England beginning where Bede ended and continuing the same until the fourth of King John When King Edward the first layed claim to the Crown of Scotland he caused the Chronicles of thâ—…s Roger to be diligently searched and carefully kept many Authentical passages therein tending to his present advantage This Roger flourished in the year of our Lord 1204. JOHN of HALIFAX commonly called De SACRO BOSCO was born in that Town so famous for Cloathing bred first in Oxford then in Paris being the prime Mathematician of his age All Students of Astronomy enter into that Art through the Door of his Book De â—…phaerâ He lived much beloved died more lamented and was buried with a solemn Funeral on the publick cost of the University of Paris Anno 1256. ROBERTUS PERSCRUTATOR or ROBERT the SEARCHER was born in this County bred a Dominican great Mathematician and Philosopher He got the sirname of Searcher because he was in the constant quest and pursuit of the Mysteries of Nature A thing very commendable if the matters we seek for and means we seek with be warrantable Yea Solomon himself on the same account might be entituled Searcher who by his own confession Applyed his heart to know and to Search and to seek out wisdome and the reason of things But curiosity is a kernel of the forbidden fruit which still sticketh in the throat of a natural man sometimes to the danger of his choaking it is heavily laid to the charge of our Robert that he did light his Candle from the Devils Torch to seek after such secrets as he did desire witnesse his Work of Ceremonial Magick which a conscientious Christian would send the same way with the Ephesian conjuring Books and make them fuel for the fire However in that age he obtained the reputation of a great Scholar flourishing under King Edward the second 1326. THOMAS CASTLEFORD born in this County was bred a Benedictine in Pâ—…mfraict whereof he wrote a History from ASK a Saxon first owner thereof to the Lacies from whom that large Lordship descended to the Earls of Lancaster I could wish some able Pen in Pomfraict would continue this Chronicle to our time and give us the particulars of the late memorable siege that though the Castle be demolished the Fame thereof may remain Leland freely confesseth that he learnt more then he looked for by reading Castlefords History promising to give a larger account thereof in a Book he intended to write of Civil History and which I suspect he never set forth prevented by death Our Castleford flourished about the year of our Lord 1326. JOHN GOWER was born saith Leland at Stitenham in the North Riding in Bulmore Wapentake of a Knightly Family He was bred in London a Student of the Laws till prizing his pleasure above his profit he quitted Pleading to follow Poetry He was the first refiner of our English Tongue effecting much but endeavouring more therein Thus he who sees the Whelp of a Bear but half lickt will commend it for a comely Creature in comparison of what it was when first brought forth Indeed Gower left our English Tongue very bad but â—…ound it very very bad Bale makes him Equitem auratâ—…m Poetam Laureatum proving both from his Ornaments on his monumental Statue in Saint Mary Overies Southwark Yet he appeareth there neither laureated nor hederated Poet except
consequence in Government seeing it is the constant practice of the Spirit of God after the mention of a new King in Judah to record the name of his Mother and her Parentage His Mothers name also was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah His mothers name was Althaliah the daughter of Omri His mothers name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libuah And Divines generally render this reason thereof that if such Kings proved godly and gracious then the memory of their mothers should receive just praise for their good Education if otherwise that they might be blamed for no better principling them in their Infancy Saints This word accepts of several interpretations or rather they are injuriously obtruded upon it 1. Saints of Fiction who never were in rerum natura as St. Christopher c. 2. Saints of Faction wherewith our age doth fwarme alledging two arguments for their Saintship First that they so call themselves Secâ—…ndly that those of their own party call them so Neither of these belong to our cognizance 3. Saints of Superstition reputed so by the Court of Rome 4. Saints indeed parrallel to St. Pauls Widows indeed and both deserve to be honoured It is confessed in this our Book we drive a great trade in the third Sort and I cannot therefore but sadly bemoan that the Lives of these Saints are so darkned with popish Illustrations and farced with Fauxeties to their Dishonour and the Detriment of Church History For as honest men casually cast into the Company of Cozeners are themselves suspected to be Cheats by those who are Strangers unto them So the very true Actions of these Saints found in mixture with so many Forgeries have a suspicion of falshood cast upon them Inquiring into the causes of this grand abuse I find them reducible to five heads 1. First Want of honest hearts in the Biographists of these Saints which betrayed their Pens to such abominable untruths 2. Secondly VVant of able heads to distinguish Rumours from Reports Reports from Records not choosing but gathering or rather not gathering but scraping what could come to their hands 3. Thirdly Want of true matter to furnish out those lives in any proportion As Cooks are sometimes fain to lard lean meat not for fashion but necessity as which otherwise would hardly be eatable for the drynesse thereof So these having little of these Saints more then their names and dates of their Deaths and though sometimes not certain do plump up their emptinesse with such fictious additions 4. Fourthly hope of gain so bringing in more Custome of Pilgrims to the shrines of their Saints 5. Lastly for the same reason for which Herod persecuted St. Peter for I count such Lyes a persecuting of the Saints memories merely because they saw it pleased the people By these and other causes it is come to pass that the Observation of Vives is most true Quae de Sanctis Scripta sunt praeter pauca quaedam multis foedata sunt Commentis dum qui scribit affectui suo indulget non quae egit Divus sed quae illum egisse vellet exponit What are written of the Saints some few things excepted are defiled with many fictions whilst the Writer indulgeth his own affection and declareth not what the Saint did do but what he desired that he should have done To this let me couple the just complaint of that honest Dominican Melchior Canus Dolenter hoc dico multò severius a Laertio vitas Philosophorum scriptas quam à Christianis vitas Sanctorum longèque incorruptius integrius Suetonium res Caesarum exposuisse quam exposuerint Catholici non res dico Imperatorum sed Martyrum Virginum Confessorum I speak it to my grief saith he that the Lives of the Philosophers are more gravely written by Laertius than Saints are by Christians and that Suetonius hath recorded the Actions of the Caesars with more Truth and Integrity than Catholickâ—… have the Lives I say not of Princes but even of Martyrs Virgins and Confessours To return to our English Saints As our Catalogue beginneth with Alban it endeth with Thomas Bishop of Hereford who dyed Anno Domini 1282. the last Englishman canonized by the Pope For though Anselme was canonized after him in the Reign of King Henry the Seventh he was no English but a Frenchman who dyed more then an hundred years before him Since which time no English and few Foreigners have attained that honour which the Pope is very sparing to confer First because sensible that multitude of Saints abateth veneration Secondly the Kalender is filled not to say pestered with them justling one another for Room many holding the same day in copartnership of Festivity Thirdly the charge of Canonization is great few so charitable as to buy it the Pope too covetous to give it to the memories of the deceased Lastly Protestants daily grow more prying into the Popes proceedings and the suspected perfections of such persons who are to be Sainted which hath made his Holynesse the more cautious to canonize none whilest their memories are on the Must immediately after their Deaths before the same is fined in the Cask with some competent continuance of time after their decease Noble Martyrs St. Ambrose in his Te Deum doth justifie the Epithet and by Martyrs all know such only are imported who have lost their lives for the Testimony of a fundamental Truth However we find the word by one of the purest Writers in the primitive times attributed to such who were then alive Cyprianus Epist. 77. as marshalled by Pamelian Cyprianus Nemesiano Felici Lucio alteri Felici Litteo Coliano Victori Faderi Dativo Coepiscopis item compresbyteris Diaconibus caeteris fratribus in metallo constitutis martyribus Dei patris Omnipotentis Jesu Christi Domini Dei conservatoris nostri aeternam salutem See here how he bemartyreth such who as yet did survive but in so servile a condition condemned to the mines that they were almost hopelesse without miracle to be released Yet dare we not presume on this precedent of St. Cyprian children must not do what their Fathers may to use the word so extensively but by Martyrs understand persons not in the deepest durance and distresse but actually slain for the Testimony of Jesus Christ which by an Ingenious pen is thus not ill expressed What desperate Challenger is He Before he perisâ—… in the flame What ere his pain or patience be Who dares assume a MARTYRS name For all the way he goes he 's none till he be gone It is not dying but 't is Death Only gains a MARTYRS Wreath Now such Martyrs as our Land hath produced are reducible to three different Ranks 1. Britons suffering under Dioclesian the persecuting Roman Emperor as Alban Amphibalus c. 2. Saxons massacred by the Pagan Danes as King Edmund Ebba c. 3. English murdered by the cruelty of Papists since the Year 1400. as
William Sawtree John Badby c. In the two former of these we are prevented and they anticipated from us by the Popes canonizing them under the Title of Saints The third and last only remain proper for our pen martyred by the Romish Prelates for above an hundred and fifty years together I confess I have formerly met with some men who would not allow them for Martyrs who suffered in the Reign of Queen Mary making them little better then Felons de se wilfully drawing their blood on themselves Most of these I hope are since convinc'd in their judgement and have learn'd more charity in the School of affliction who by their own Losses have learn'd better to value the Lives of others and now will willingly allow Martyrship to those from whom they wholy with-held or grudgingly gave it before We have reckoned up these Martyrs according to the places of their Nativity where we could find them which is my first choice in Conformity to the rest of this work But in case this cannot be done my second choyce is for know Reader t is no refuge to rank them according to the place of their death which is their true birth-place in the Language of Antiquity Hear how a right Antient Authour expresseth himself to this purpose Apte consuetudinem tenet Ecclesia ut solennes beatorum Martyrum vel Confessorum Christi Dies quibus ex hoc mundo ad regionem migraverunt Vivorum nuncupentur Natales eorum Solennia non funebria tanquam morientium sed utpote in vera vita nascentium Natalitia vocitentur Now if the day of their Death be justly entituled their Birth-day the place of their Death may be called their Birth-place by the same Analogy of Reason and Language We have given in a List of Martyrs names in their respective Countyes but not their Total Number only inâ—…isting on such who were most remarkable remiting the Reader for the rest to the voluminous pains of Mr. Fox who hath written All and if malicious Papists be believed more then All of this Subject Worthy Confessors All good Christians are concluded within the Compase of Confessors in the Large acception thereof With the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation But here we restrain this Title to such who have adventured fair and far for Martyrdome and at last not declined it by their own Cowardize but escaped it by Divine Providence Confessor is a Name none can wear whom it cost Nothing It must be purchased for the Maintenance of the Faith with the Losse of their Native Land Liberty Livelyhood Limbs any thing under Life it self Yet in this confined sense of Confessors we may say with Leah at the birth of Gad behold a Troop cometh Too many to be known written read remembred We are forced therefore to reconfine the Word to such who were Candidates and Probationers for Martyrdome in proxima potentia There was not a stride but to use Davids expression but a step betwixt them and Death their Wedding Clothes were made but not put on for their marriage to the Fire In a Word they were soft Waxe ready chafed and prepared but the Signature of a violent Death was not stamped upon them Manifold is the use of our observing these Confessors First to show that God alone hath Parramount power of Life and Death Preserving those who by men are appointed to Dye One whose Son lay very Sick was told by the Physician Your Son Sir is a dead man To whom the Father not disheartned thereat returned I had rather a Physician should call him so an hundred times than a Judge on the Bench should do it once whose Pronouncing him for a Dead man makes him to be one But though both a Physician in Nature and a Judge in Law give men for Gon The one passing the Censure the other Sentence of Death upon them GOD to whom belongeth the Issues from Death may Preserve them long in the Land of the Living Hereof these Confessors are Eminent Instances and may God therefore have the Glory of their so strange Deliverances Secondly it serveth to comfort Gods servants in their greatest distress Let hand joyne in hand let Tyrants piece the Lions cruelty with the Fox his craft let them face their plots with power and line then with policy all shall take no effect Gods servants if he seeth it for his glory and their good shall either be mercifully preserved from or mightily protected in dangers whereof these Confessours are a Cloud of Witnesses We have an English Proverb Threatned Folks live long but let me add I know a Threatned Man who did never dye at all namely the Prophet Elijab Threatned by cruel and crafty Iesabel The Gods do so to me and more also if I make not thy Life like one of their Lives by to morrow at this time Yet did he never tast of Mortallity being conveyed by a fiery hariot into Heaven Now although our ensuing History presenteth not any miraculously preserved from Death yet affordetb it Plenty of strange preservations of Persons to extream Old age though they wear the Marks of many and mighty mens Menacies who plotted and practised their Destruction We have persued the same course in Confessors which we embraced in Martyrs viz. We have ranked them according to their Nativities where we could certainly observe them to make them herein Uniforme with the rest of our Book But where this could not be attained we have entred them in those Counties where they had the longest or sharpest 〈◊〉 And this we humbly conceive proper enough seeing their Confessor-ship in a strict sense did bare true date from place of their greatest Persecution CHAPTER IV. Of Popes Cardinals and Prelates before the Reformation Popes I Meet with a mess of English Natives advanced to that Honour Pope John-Joan is wholly omitted partly because we need not charge that See with suspicious and doubtful crimes whose notorious faults are too apparent partly because this He-She though allowed of English extraction is generally believed born at Ments in Germany Wonder not that so few of our Countrymen gain'd the Triple-Crown For first great our distance from Rome who being an Island or little World by our selves had our Archbishop of Canterbury which formerly was accounted Alterius orbis Papa Secondly 〈◊〉 â—…talians of late have ingrossed the Papacy to themselves and much good may their Monopolie do them seeing our English may more safely repose themselves in some other seate then the Papal Chair more fatal it is to be feared to such as sit therein than ever Eli's proved unto him Yea I assure you four Popes was a very fair proportion for England For having perused the voluminous book of Pantaleon De Viris illustribus Germaniae I find but six Popes Dutchmen by their Nativity viz. Stephen the Eighth Gregory the Fifth Silvester the Second Leo the Ninth Victor the Second and Adrian the Sixth Seeing therefore Germany
Footsteps therein But here is no such help to Trace the Footings of Truth Time having almost out-worn all impressions thereof I perceive though Judges leave more Land than Bishops they leave lesse Memorialls behind them of the time place and manner when and where born and dyed and how they demeaned themselves In the same Topick with Judges we have also placed such as have been Writers of our Common-Law and such conjunction we hope is no disparagement considering many of them were Capital Judges as Broke Dyer Coke c. and the rest learned Men of great repute in their Profession insomuch that the Judges themselves in several Cases have submitted to their Judgments And here I can but admire at the comparative paucity of the Books of our Common-Law in proportion to those written of the Civil and Canon Law Oh how corpulent are the Corpus'es of both those Lawes Besides their Shadows are far bigger than their Bodies their Glosses larger than their Text. Insomuch that one may bury two Thousand pounds and upwards in the Purchase and yet hardly compasse a Moity of them whereas all the Writers of the Common-Law except they be much multiplyed very lately with all the Year-Books belonging thereunto may be bought for threescore pounds or thereabouts which with some men is an Argument that the Common-Law imbraceth the most compendious course to decide Causes and by the fewness of the Books is not guilty of so much difficulty and tedious prolixity as the common and civil Lawes Yet is it most true that common Law-books are dearer than any of the same Proportion Quot libri tot librae holdeth true in many and is exceeded in some of them Yea should now an old common Law-book be new-printed it would not quit cost to the PRINTRR nor turn to any considerable account For the Profession of the Law is narrow in it self as confined to few persons and those are already sufficiently furnished with all Authors on that Subject which with carefull keeping and good using will serve them and their sons sons unto the third Generation So that a whole Age would not carry off a New Impression of an Ancient law-Law-book and quick return being the life of trading the tediousness of the sale would eat up the profit thereof All I will adde is this that That TAYLOR who being cunning in his Trade and taking exact measure of a Person maketh a suit purposely for him may be presumed to fit him better than those who by a general aim at randome make Cloaths for him In like manner seing our municipal Law was purposely composed by the Sages of this Land who best knew the Genius of our Nation it may be concluded more proper for our people and more applicable to all the Emergencies in this half-Island than the civil Law made for the general Concernment of the whole Empire by such who were unacquainted with the Particularities of our Land and Nation CHAPTER VIII Of Souldiers and Seamen with the necessity to encourage the Trade of Fishing SOULDIERS succeed though it almost affrighteth my Pen to meddle with such Martial Persons It is reported of the God of the Jews That he would have no share in the Pantheon at Rome except he might have and that justly too the whole Temple to himself So lately we have been so sadly sensible of the boisterousness of Souldiers one may suspect they will though unjustly justle all others out of the Book to make room for themselves But since their violence hath blessed be God been seasonably retrenched we have adventured to select some signal Persons of that Profession whose Prowesse made eminent impression on Forreign Parts so purposely to decline all medling with the dolefull and dangerous Distractions of our Times beginning our List in the Reign of King Edward the 3d. and concluding in the beginning of King Charles Seamen Surely Divine Providence did not make the vast body of the Sea for no other use than for Fishes to disport themselves therein or as some do conceit only for to quench and qualifie the drought and heat of the Sun with the moysture thereof but it was for higher intendmens Chiefly That by sailing thereon there may be the continuing of Commerce the communicating of Learning and Religion the Last from Palestine the Staple thereof and the more speedy and convenient portage of Burthens seeing a laden Ship doth flie in comparison of the creeping of an empty Waggon Now to speak what Envy cannot deny Our Englishmen either for Fights or Discoveries whether for tame Ships Merchants Men or Wild Ships Men of War carry away the Garland from all Nations in the Christian World Learned Keckerman who being a German by birth was unbiased in his judgment and living in Dantz a Port of great trading whither Seamen repaired from all parts and writing a Book De re nautica may be presumed skilful therein alloweth the English the best Seamen and next to them the Hollanders And if the later dare deny the truth hereof let them remember the late Peace they purchased of the English and thank God that they met with so conscientious Chapmen who set no higher price thereon Yea Let the Dutch know that they are the Scholars to the English in some of their Discoveries For I find the four first Circumnavigators of the World thus qualified for their Nativities 1. Magellanus a Spaniard 2. Sr. Francis Drake an Englishman 3. Sr. Thomas Candish an Englishman 4. Oliver Noort an Hollander But be it known That the last of these had an Englishman Captain Mellis by name Pilot to conduct him Yet let not my commending of our English Seamen be misinterpreted as if I did not refer all successe to the goodnesse of God the grand Admiral of the World The praising of Instruments by way of subordination is no more detrimental to the honour of the Principal than the praising of the edge of the Axe is a disparagement to the strength of the Arm which useth it God I confesse by his Providence ordereth all by Land and by sea yea he may be said to be the first Shipwright for I behold the Arke as a Bird wholly hatcht but utterly unfledg without any feathers of Masts and Tackling it could only float and not sail yet so that therein was left pattern enough for humane Ingenuity to improve it to Naval perfection Yea God himself hath in Scripture taken signal notice of the dextrous in this nature on which account we finde the Tyrians or Men of Hiram praised for that they had knowledg of the sea when sent with the servants of Solomon to Ophir We begin our Catalogue of Seamen in the Raign of King Edward the 3d. before which time there were many good seamen in England but few good English-seamen our King using Mariners of the Hanse Towns But it is no good huswifery to hire Chair-women to do that which may as well and better be done by her own servants In the time
Augur 9. Aquila Septonius 10. Perdix Praesagus 11. Cambra Formosa 12. Plenidius Sagax c. Of these some never were men others if men never were Writers others if Writers never left Works continuing to our age though some Manuscript-Mongers may make as if they had perused them It is well they had so much modesty as not to pretend inspection into the Book of life seeing all other books have come under their Omnividencie We are content to begin our number at Gildas commonly surnamed the wise flourishing about the year 580. and are right gald to have so good a General to lead our Army of Writers taking it for a token of good success Now these Writers were either such who wrote before or since the Reformation of Religion The former again fall generally under a treble division as either Historians Philologists or Divines and we will insist a little on their several imployments Of Writers on Philology and Divinity Doctor Collens Kings Professor in Cambridge and that Oracle of Eloquence once founded his Speech made to entertain Strangers at the Commencement on the words of Saint Paul Salute Philologus and Olympas Under the former he comprised all persons persent eminent in Humane Learning under the later all skillful in Heavenly Divinity Indeed Philology properly is Terse and Polite Learning melior literatura married long since by Martianus Capella to Mercury being that Florid skill containing onely the Roses of learning without the prickles thereof in which narrow sense thorny Philosophy is discharged as no part of Philology But we take it in the larger notion as inclusive of all human liberal Studies and preposed to Divinity as the Porch to the Palace Having passed the Porch of Philology we proceed to the Palace of Divinity The Writers in this Faculty we distinguish into two sorts First Positive Divines such I mean whose works are either Comments on or else expositions of some portion of Sacred Writ Secondly School-men who have made it their business to Weave find Threads of nicer Distinctions Writers on History This is either Ecclesiastical or Civil Of both these England presenteth many but generally Moncks before the Reformation who too much indulging to Holy Fraud have farced their Books with many feigned miracles to the prejudice of truth However herein foreign Historians have been as guitly as English-men of the same Age witness the complaint of Mariana the Jesuit which one may justly wonder how it passed the Index Expurgatorius Quis enim negare possit Fastos Ecclesiasticos aliquando adulatione Temporum aut potius incuria hominum multis maculis contaminatos libris aliis quibus preces Ecclesiasticae ritusque sacrorum continentur multas fuisse inspersas confusasque fabulas commenta Addam nonnunquam in Templis reliquias dabias prophana Corpora pro sanctorum qui cum Christo in coelo regnant exuviis sacris fuisse proposita Est enim miserum negare non posse quid sit turpe confiteri at nescio quo pacto fictis saepe fabulis prae posteris mendaciorum nugis populus magis quam veritate ac synceritate capitur ea est mentis nostrae inanitas has sordes ubi semel irrepserunt in Ecclesiam sacrorum ritus libros Ecclesiasticos nobis fortassis dormientibus attrectare nemo audet mutive nemo ne impietatis suspicionem commoreat scilicet Religioni adversarius esse videatur Nor hath our Land been altogether barren of Historians since the Reformation having yielded some of as tall parts and large performances as any Nation in Christendome Besides these we have adventured to adde such as have been eminent in Poetry which may not unfitly be termed the binding of Proselites good behaviour tying it to the strict observation of time and measure Amongst these some are additioned with the Title of Laureat though I must consess I could never find the root whence their Bays did grow in England as to any solemn institution thereof in our Nation Indeed I read of Petrarch the pre-coetanean of our Chaucer that he was crowned with a Laurel in the Capitol by the Senate of Rome Anno 1341. as also that Frederic the third Emperour of Germany gave the Laurel to Conradus Celtes and since the Count Palatines of the Empire claime the priviledge solemnly to invest Poets with the Bays The branches hereof in all ages have been accounted honourable in so much that King James in some sort wav'd his crown in the two and twenty-shilling-pieces to wear the Laurel in his new twenty-shilling-pieces On the same token that a wag passed this jeast thereon That Poets being always poor Bays were rather the embleme of wit then wealth since King James no sooner began to wear them but presently he fell two shillings in the pound in publique valuation As for our English Poets some have assumed that style unto themselves as John Kay in his Dedication of The Seige of Rhodes to King Edward the fourth subscribing himself his humble Poet Laureat Others have in complement given the title to such persons as were eminent in that Faculty and nothing more usuall then to see their pictures before their Books and Statues on their Tombs ornamented accordingly However all this is done by civil courtesie or common custome no ceremonious creation in Court or University I write not this as if I grudged to Poets a whole grove of Laurel much less a sprig to incircle their heads but because I would not have any specious untruth imposed on the Readers belief Yet want there not those who do confidently averr that there is always a Laureat Poet in England and but one at a time the Laurel importing Conquest and Sovereignty and so by consequence soleness in that faculty and that there hath been a constant succession of them at Court who beside their salary from the King were yearly to have a tun of win as very essential to the heightning of fancy This last I conceive founded on what we find given to Geffery Chaucer Vigesimo secundo anno Richardi secundi concessum Galfrido Chaucer unum dolium vini per annum durante vitâ in portu Civitatis London per manus capitalis pincernae nostri But Chaucer besides his poetical accomplishments did the King service both in war and peace as Souldier and Embassadour in reward whereof this and many other boons were bestow'd upon him Musicians Musick is nothing else but wild sounds civilised into Time and Tune Such the extensiveness thereof that it stoopeth as low as bruit beasts yet mounteth as high as Angels For Horses will do more for a whistle then for a whip and by hearing their bells gingel away their weariness The Angels in Heaven imploy themselves in Musick and one ingeniously expresseth it to this effect We know no more what they do do above Save only that they Sing and that they Love And although we know not the Notes of their Musick we know what their Ditty is namely
whole year without any renewing after the Inter-Regnum Objection Such persons had better been omitted whereof many were little better then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though by good fortune they have loaded themselves with Thick clay and will be but a burden in your Book to the Readers thereof Answer All Wise men will behold them under a better Notion as the Pregnant proofs of the truth of 2. Proverbs not contradictory but confirmatory one to another Prov. 10. 22. Prov. 10. 4. The Blessing of the Lord maketh Rich. The hand of the Diligent maketh Rich. The one as the principal the other as the Instrumental cause and both meeting in the persons aforesaid For though some of them were the Younger Sons of Worshipful and Wealthy Parents and so had good Sums of Money left them Yet being generally of mean extraction They raised themselves by Gods Providence and their own Painfulness The City in this Respect being observed like unto a Court where Elder Brothers commonly spend and the younger gain an Estate But such Lord Maiors are here inserted to quicken the Industry of Youth whose Parents are only able to send them up to not to set them up in London For whaâ—… a comfort is it to a poor Apprentice of that City to see the Prime Magistrate thereof Riding in his Majoralibus with such Pomp and Attendance which another day may be his hap and happiness Objection It commeth not to the share of one in twenty thousand to attain to that Honour and it is as impossible for every poor Apprentice in process of time to prove Lord Maior as that a Minum with long living mould become a Whale Answer Not so the later is an utter Impossibility as debarred by nature being Fishes of several kinds Whereas there is a Capacity in the other to arive at it which puts hopes the only Tie which keeps the heart from breaking into the hearts of all of the attainablenesse of such preferment to themselves Doctor Hutton Arch-bishop of York when he came into any Great Grammar School which he did constantly visit in his visitations was wont to say to the young Scholars Ply your Books Boys ply your Books for Bishops are old men and surely the possibility of such dignity is a great Encouragement to the Endévours of Students Lord Maiors being generally aged and always but Annual soon make Room for Succession whereby the Indevours of all Freemen in Companies are incouraged But if they should chance to fall short as unable to reach the Home of Honour I mean the Majoralty it self yet if they take up their Lodgings at Sheriffe Alderman and Common-Councellour with a good Està tè they will have no cause to complain I confess some Counties in our ensuing Discourse will appear Lord-Maior-less as Cumberland Dorset-shire Hant-Shire c. However though hitherto they have not had hereafter they may have Natives advanced to that Honour and it may put a lawful Ambition into them to contend who shall be their Leader and who should first of those Shires attain to that Dignity As lately Sir Richard Cheverton Skinner descended I assure you of a right antient and worshipful Family was the first in Cornwall who opened the Dore for others no doubt to follow after him Nor must it be forgotten that many have been Lord-Maiors Mates though never rémembred in their Catalogues viz. Such who by Fine declined that Dignity and as I am glad that some will Fine that so the Stock of the Chamber of London may be increased so am I glad that some will not fine that so the State of the City of London may be maintained I begin the observing of their Nativities from Sir William Sevenoke Grocer Lord Maior 1418. For though there were Lord Maiors 200. years before yet their Birth-places generally are unknown It was I confess well for me in this particular that Mr. Stow was born before me being herein the Heir of Endevours without any pain of my own For knowing that Cuilibet Artifici in sua Arte est credendum I have followed him and who him continued till the year 1633. at what time their Labours do determine Since which Term to the present year I have made the Catalogue out by my own Inquiry and friends Intelligence To speak truth to their due praise one may be generally directed to their Cradles though by no other Candle then the Light of their good works and Benefactions to such places CHAP. XIV A Catalogue of all the Gentry in ENGLAND made in the Reign of King HENRY the Sixth why inserted in our Book AFter we have finished the Catalogue of the worthy Natives of every Shire We present the Reader with a List of the Gentry of the Land sollemnly returned by select Commissioners into the Chancery thence into the Records in the Tower on this occasion The Commons in Parliament complained that the Land then swarmed with Pilours â—…obbers Oppressers of the People Man-stealers Fellons Outlaws Ravishers of Women Unlawful Haunters of Forrests and Parks c. Whereupon it was ordered for the suppressing of present and preventing of future mischeifs that certain Commissioners should be impowered in every County to summon all persons of Quality before them and tender them an Oath for the better keeping of the Peace and observing the Kings Laws both in themselves and Retainers Excuse me Reader if I be bold to inâ—…pose my own Conjecture who conceive what ever was intended to palliate the Businesse The Principal Intent was to detect and suppress such who favoured the Title of York which then began to be set on foot and afterwards openly claimed and at last obtained the Crown 2. Even-done Of the method general used in this Catalogue The first amongst the Commissioners is the Bishop of their Diocesse put before any Earl partly because he was in his own Diocesse partly because giving of Oaths their proper work was conceived to be of Spiritual cognisance Besides the Bishop when there were three as generally Commissioners the first of them was either an Earl or at least though often intituled but Chivaler an Actual Baron as will hereafter appear And which will acquaint us partly with the Peerage of the Land in that Age. Next follow those who were Knights for the Shire in the Parliament foregoing and if with the addition of Chivaler or Miles were Knights by dubbing before of that their Relation All Commissioners expressed not equal Industry and Activity in prosecution of their trust For besides the natural Reasons that in all Affairs some will be more rigorous some more Remiss by their own Temper some more some less fancyed their Imployment insomuch as we find some Shires 1. Over done as Oxford and Cambridge-Shires whose Catalogues are too much allayed descending to persons of meaner quality 2. Even done as generally the most are where the Returns bear a competent proportion to the Populousness and numerousnesse of the Counties 3. Under done as Shropshire York-shire Northumberland c. where
to prevent Cavils and avoid Confusion and to distinguish those from the former their Names are marked with S. N. for second Nativity to shew that whence soever they fetcht their Life here they found their best Livelyhood But when a person plainly appears born beyond the Seas We take no notice of him though never so highly advanced in England as without our Line of Communication and so not belonging to this Subject What REM for Remove when affixed in the Margin doth Denote We meet with some persons in this our Work whose Nativities we cannot Recover with any great Probability neither by help of History or Heraldry or Tradition or Records or Registers or Printed or Writen books which hitherto have come to our hands Now if such persons be of no Eminence we intend not to trouble our selves and Reader with them Let Obscurity even go to Obscurity when we find no great note in them we take not any notice of them But in case they appear men of much Merit whose Nativities are concealed by some Casualty we are loath that their Memories who whilst living were Worthies now dead should be Vagrants reposited in no certain place Wherefore we have disposed them in some Shire or other not as Dwellers no nor so much as Sojourners therein But only as Guests and we render some slight Reasons why we invited them to that place rather then another seeing a small motive will prevail with a charitable mind to give a Worthy Stranger a Nights Lodging However that these may not be confounded with those of whose Nativities we have either assurance or strong presumption We have in the Margin charactered them with a Rem for Remove it being our desire that they should be transplanted on the first convincing Evidence which shall appear unto us to their proper place And therefore I behold them as standing here with a Staffe in their hands ready to pack up and go away whither any good Guide shall give them direction Always provided that as they are set here with little they be not removed hence with lesse probability an unset bone is better then a bone so ill set that it must be broken again to double the pain of the Patient And better it is these persons should continue in this their loose and dislocated condition than to be falsly fixed in any place from whence they must again be translated Now Reader to recollect our marginal or prefixed characters know it is the best sign when no Sign at all is added to a name for then we proceed on certainty at least wise on the credit of good Authors for the place of his Nativity thus the best of the house giveth his Coat plain whilst the following differences are but the Diminutions of the younger brothers viz. 1. Amp. Where our Evidence of a persons birth is but conjectural and craveth further instruction 2. S. N. When having no aim at the place of their birth we fixe them according to their best Livelyhood 3. REM When wholly unsatisfied of their position we remit their Removal to the Readers discretion Now seeing order only makes the difference betwixt a wall and a heap of stones and seeing Quibene distinguit bene docet we conceived our selves obliged to part and not jumble together the several gradations How Persons belonging to several Topicks are ranked It often 〈◊〉 to passe that the same person may justly be entituled to two or more â—…opicks as by the ensuing may appear for not seeking due Information But let such know that those Officers who by their place are to find out persons enquired after deserve neither to be blamed nor shamed when having used their best diligence they return to the Court a Non est inventus For my own part I had rather my Reader should arise hungry from my Book than surfeited therewith rather uninformed than misinformed thereby rather ignorant of what he desireth than having a falsehood or at the best a conjecture for a truth obtruded upon him Indeed I humbly conceive that vacuity which is hateful in nature may be helpful in History For such an hiatus beggeth of posterity to take pains to fill it up with a truth if possible to be attained whereas had our bold adventure farced it up with a conjecture intus existens prohibuerit extraneum no room had been left for the endevours of others What Ampliandum so often occurring in this Book doth import It is sufficiently known to all Antiquaries that causes brought to be heard and determined before the Roman Judges were reducible to two kinds 1. Liquets 2. Ampliandums When the case as clear and plain was preâ—… decided When being dark and difficult they were put off to farther debate somewhat alluding to our Demurrs Hence it is that we find the Roman Oratour complaining of an unjust Judge Cum causam non audisset potestas esset Ampliandi dixit sibi Liquere I should be loth to be found guilty of the like offence in rash adjudging mens Nativities to places on doubtful Evidence and therefore when our presumptions do rather incline then satisfie we have prefixed AMP. before the Names of such persons For when they appear undoubted English and Eminent in their respective Qualities it would be in us a sin of omission not to insert them and yet being ignorant of the exact place of their Birth it would be presumption peremptorily to design it without this Note of Dubitation though on the most tempting Probabilities Know also that when AMP. is used in the Arms of Sheriffs it is only done in such an Exigent where there are different Coats of very ancient Families and largely diffused as Nevil Ferrers Basset c. So that it is hazardous for me to fixe on one in such great variety What S. N. frequently appearing prefixed to Mens NAMES doth signifie When we cannot by all our indevours inform our selves of the Nativities of some eminent person we are forced to this Refuge so creditable that I care not what Eyes behold us entring under the Roof thereof to insert such persons in those Counties where we find them either first or highest preferred and this we conceive proper enough and done upon good consideration For the wild Irish love their Nurses as well if not better than their own Mothers and affect their Foster-brothers which suckt the same breast as much as their Natural-brothers whith sprang from the same Womb. If any say these are the wild Irish whose barbarous customes are not to be imitated I defend my self by the practice of more civilized people The Latines have a Proverb non ubi nascor sed ubi pascor making that place their Mother not which bred but which fed them The Greeks have but one word 〈◊〉 both for Life and Livelyhood The Hebrews accounted that place was to give a Man his Native Denomination where he had his longest and most visible 〈◊〉 from though not sometimes in his Infancy By which common mistake Jesus
confess it was somewhat too soon for one with safety and truth to treat of such a Subject Indeed I could instance in some kind of course Venison not fit for food when first killed and therefore cunning Cooks bury it for some hours in the Earth till the rankness thereof being mortified thereby it makes most palatable meat So the memory of some Persons newly deceased are neither fit for a Writers or Readers repast untill some competent time after their Interment However I am Confident that unpartial Posterity on a serious review of all Passages will allow his Name to be reposed amongst the HEROES of our Nation seeing such as behold his expence on St. Pauls as but a Cypher will assign his other Benefactions a very valuable Signification viz. his erecting and endowing an Almes-house in Reading his increasing of Oxford Library with Books and St. Johns Colledg with beautifull buildings He was beheaded Jan. 10. 1644. States-men Sir JOHN MASON Knight was born at Abbington where he is remembred among the Benefactors to the beautifull Almes-house therein bred in All souls in Oxford King Hènry the eighth coming thither was so highly pleased with an oration Mr. Mason made unto Him that he instantly gave order for his education beyond the seas as confident he would prove an able Minister of State This was the politick discipline of those days to select the pregnancies of either Universities and breed them in forraign parts for publique employments He was Privy-Councellour to King Henry the eighth and K. Edward the sixth One maketh him His Secretary of State which some suspect too high another but Master of the Requests which I believe as much beneath him He continued Councellor to Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth to whom he was Treasurer of the Household and Chancellor of the University of Oxford Mr. Camden gives him this true character Vir fuit gravis atque eruditus which I like much better then that which followeth so far as I can understand it Ecclesiasticorum Beneficiorum incubator maximus Surely he could be no Canonical Incumbent in any Benefice not being in Orders which leaveth him under the suspicion of being a great ingrosser of long leases in Church-livings which then used to be let for many years a pityful pension being reserved for the poor Curate Thought possibly in his younger time he might have Tonsuram primam or be a Deacon which improved by his great power might qualify at least countenance him for the holding of his spiritual promotions He died 1566. and lieth buried in the Quire of St. Pauls over against William Herbert first Earl of Pembroke and I remember this Distick of his Long Epitaph Tempore quinque suo regnantes ordine vidit Horum a Consiliis quatuor ille fuit He saw five Princes which the scepter bore Of them was Privy-Councellour to Four It appears by His Epitaph that he left no Child of his own Body but adopted his Nephew to be his Son an Heir Sir THOMAS SMITH Knight was born at Abbington bred in the University of Oxford God and himself raised him to the eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any extraction He may seem to have had an ingenuous emulation of Sir Tho. Smith senior Secretary of State whom he imitated in many good qualities and had no doubt equalled him in preferment if not prevented by death He attained only to be Master of the Requests and Secretary to K. James for His Latine Letters higher places expecting him when a period was put to his life Novemb. 28. 1609. He lieth buried in the Church of Fullkam in Middlesex under a monument erected by his Lady Frances daughter to William Lord Chandos and since Countess of Exeter Souldiers HENRY UMPTON Knight was born as by all Indications in the Heralds Office doth appear at Wadley in this County He was Son to Sir Edward Umpton by Anne the Relick of John Dudley Earl of Warwick and the Eldest Daughter of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset He was imployed by Queen Elizabeth Embassadour into France where he so behaved himself right stoutly in her behalf as may appear by this particular In the Moneth of March Anno 1592. being sensible of some injury offered by the Duke of Gwise to the honour of the Queen of England he sent him this ensuing challenge For as much as lately in the Lodging of my Lord Du Mayne and in publick elsewhere Impudently Indiscreetly and over boldly you spoke badly of my Soveraign whose sacred Person here in this County I represent To maintain both by word and weapon her honour which never was called in question among people of Honesty and Vertue I say you have wickedly lyed in speaking so basely of my Soveraign and you shall do nothing else but lie whensoever you shall dare to taxe her honour Moreover that her sacred Person being one of the most complete and Vertuous Princess that lives in this world ought not to be evil spoken of by the Tongue of such a perfidious Traytor to her Law and Country as you are And hereupon I do defy you and challenge your Person to mine with such manner of Arms as you shall like or choose be it either on horse back or on foot Nor would I have you to think any inequality of Person between us I being issued of as great a Race and Noble house every way as your self So assigning me an indifferent place I will there maintain my words and the Lie which I gave you and which you should not endure if you have any Courage at all in you If you consent not meet me hereupon I will hold you and cause you to be generally held for the arrantest coward and most slanderous slave that lives in all France I expect your Answer I find not what answer was returned This Sir Henry dying in the French Kings Camp before Lofear had his Corps brought over to London and carryed in a Coach to Wadley thence to Farington where he was buryed in the Church on Tuesday the 8. of July 1596. He had allowed him a Barons Hearse because dying Ambassadour Leigier Writers HUGH of READING quitted his expectances of a fair Estate and sequestring himself from worldly delights embraced a Monastical life till at last he became Abbot of Reading Such who suspect his sufficiency will soon be satisfied when they read the high Commendation which Petrus Bloesensis Arch Deacon of Bath one of the greatest Scholars of that Age bestoweth upon him He wrote a Book of no Trival Questions fetcht out of the Scripture it self the reason why I. Bale generally a back-friend to Monks hath so good a Character for him who flourished Anno Dom. 1180. ROGER of WINDSOR was undoubtedly born in this Town otherwise he would have been called Roger of St. Albans being Chanter in that Convent Now in that Age Monks were reputed men of best Learning and most leasure The cause why our English Kings alwaies choose one of
past twelve years of age before he knew one letter in the Book and did not he run fast who starting so late came soon to the mark He was a Curious Poet excellent Musician a valiant and successeful Souldier who fought seven Battles against the Danes in one year and at last made them his Subjects by Conquest and Gods servants by Christianity He gave the first Institution or as others will have it the best 〈◊〉 to the University of Oxford A Prince who cannot be painted to the Life without his losse no words reaching his worth He Divided 1. Every natural day as to himself into three parts eight hours for his devotion eight hours for his imployment eight hours for his sleep and refection 2. His Revenues into three parts one for his expences in War a second for the maintenance of his Court and a third to be spended on Pious uses 3. His Land into Thirty two shires which number since is altered and increased 4. His Subjects into Hundreds and Tythings consisting of Ten persons mutually Pledges for their Good behaviour such being accounted suspitious for their Life and Loyalty that could not give such Security He left Learning where he found Ignorance Justice where he found Oppression Peace where he found Distraction And having Reigned about Four and thirty years He dyed and was buried at Winchester Anno 901. He loved Religion more then Superstition favoured Learned men more then Lasie Monks which perchance was the cause that his memory is not loaden with Miracles and He not solemnly Sainted with other Saxon Kings who far less deserved it Since the Reformation PETER CHAPMAN was born at Cokeham in this County bred an Iron-monger in London and at his death bequeathed five pounds a year to two Scholars in Oxford as much to two in Cambridge and five Pounds a year to the Poor in the town of his Nativity besides threescore pounds to the Prisons in London and other Benefactions The certain date of his death is to me unknown JOHN KENDRICK was born at Reading in this County and bred a Draper in the City of London His State may be compared to the Mustard-seed very little at the beginning but growing so great that the birds made nests therein or rather he therein made neâ—…ts for many birds which otherwise being either infledged or maimed must have been exposed to wind and weather The Worthiest of Davids WORTHIES were digested into Ternions and they again subdivided into two Ranks If this double Dichotomie were used to methodize our Protestant Benefactors since the Reformation sure I am that Mr. Kendrick will be if not the last of the first the first of the second Three His Charity began at his Kindred proceeded to his Friends and Servants to whom he left large Legacies concluded with the Poor on whom he bestowed above twenty thousand pounds Reading and Newbury sharing the deepest therein And if any envious and distrustfull Miser measuring other mens hearts by the narrowness of his own suspecteth the truth hereof and if he dare hazard the smarting of his bleered eyes to behold so bright a Sun of Bounty let him consult his Will publickly in Print He departed this life on the 30. day of September 1624. and lyes buried in St. Christophers London To the Curate of which Parish he gave twenty pounds per annum for ever RICHARD WIGHTWICK Bachelor of Divinity was Rector of East Isley in this County What the yearly value of his living was I know not and have cause to believe it not very great however one would conjecture his Benefice a Bishoprick by his bounty to Pembroke Colledge in Oxford to which he gave one hundred pounds per annum to the maintenance of three Fellows and four Scholars When he departed this life is to me unknown Memorable Persons THOMAS COLE commonly called the rich clothier of Reading Tradition and an authorless pamphlet make him a man of vast wealth maintaining an hundred and fourty meniall servants in his house besides three hundred poor people whom he set on work insomuch that his Wains with cloth filled the high-way betwixt Reading and London to the stopping of King Henry the first in his Progress Who notwithstanding for the incouraging of his Subjects industry gratified the said Cole and all of his profession with the set measure of a Yard the said King making his own Arme the standard thereof whereby Drapery was reduced in the meting thereof to a greater certainty The truth is this Monkes began to Lard the lives of their Saints with lies whence they proceeded in like manner to flourish out the facts of Famous Knights King Arthur Guy of Warwick c. in imitation whereof some meaner wits in the same sort made description of Mechanicks powdering their lives with improbable passages to the great prejudice of truth Seeing the making of Broad-cloath in England could not be so ancient and it was the arme not of King Henry but King Edward the first which is notoriously known to have been the adequation of a yard However because omnis fabula fundatur in Historia let this Cole be accounted eminent in this kind though I vehemently suspect very little of truth would remain in the midst of this story if the grosse falshoods were pared from both sides thereof JOHN WINSCOMBE called commonly Jack of Newberry was the most considerable clothier without fancy and fiction England ever beheld His Looms were his lands whereof he kept one hundred in his House each managed by a Man and a Boy In the expedition to Flodden-field against James King of Scotland he marched with an hundred of his own men as well armed and better clothed then any to shew that the painfull to use their hands in peace could be valiant and imploy their Armes in War He feasted King Henry the eighth and his first Queen Katharine at his own house extant at Newberry at this day but divided into many Tenements Well may his house now make sixteen Clothiers houses whose wealth would amount to six hundred of their estates He built the Church of Newberry from the Pulpit westward to the Tower inclusively and died about the year 1520. some of his name and kindred of great wealth still remaining in this County Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Parveis John Parveis Erlgeston Fishmonger 1432 2 Nicholas Wyfold Thomas Wyfold Hertley Grocer 1450 3 William Webbe John Webbe Reading Salter 1591 4 Thomas Bennet Thomas Bennet Wallingford Mercer 1603 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the Sixth 1433. Robert Bishop of Sarum Commissioners to take the Oaths William Lovel Chivaler  Robert Shotsbroke Knights for the Shires William Fyndern  Johan Prendegest Praeceptor Hospitalis St. Johan Jerus in Anglia de Grenham Johannis Golefre Armigeri Willielmi Warbelton Ar. Willielmi Danvers Ar. Johannis Shotesbrooke Ar. Thomae Foxle Ar. Phi. Inglefeld Ar. Thomae Rothewell
in his profession is sufficiently attested by his own Printed Reports Eight eminent Judges of the Law out of their knowledge of his great wisdome learning and integrity approving and allowing them to be published for the Common benefit He was against the Illegality of Ship-money both publickly in Westminster-hall and privately in his judgment demanded by the King though concluded to subscribe according to the Course of the Court by plurality of voices The Country-mans wit levelled to his brain will not for many years be forgotten That Ship-money may be gotten by Hâ—…ok but not by Crook though since they have paid taxes loins to the little finger and Scorpions to the Rod of Ship-money but whether by Hook or Crook let others inquire His piety in his equall and even walkings in the way of God through the several turnings and occasions of his Life is evidenced by his Charity to man founding a Chappel at Beachley in Buckingham-shire two miles at least distanced from the Mother-Church and an Hospitall in the same Parish with a liberall Revenue Considering his declining and decaying age and desiring to examine his Life and prepare an Account to the Supreme Judge he petitioned King Charles for a Writ of Ease which though in some sort denied what wise Mr. would willingly part with a good Servant was in effect granted unto him He dyed at Waterstock in Oxford shire in the eighty second year of his age Anno Dom. 1641. EDWARD BULTSTRODE Esq. born in this County bred in the studies of our municipall Laws in the Inner Temple and his Highness his Justice in North-wales hath written a book of divers Resolutions and Judgments with the reasons and causes thereof given in the Court of Kings-bench in the reigns of King James and King Charles and is lately deceased Souldiers Sir WILLIAM WINDSOR Knight I am confident herein is no mislocation beholding him an Ancestor to the right honourable Thomas Windsor Hickman Lord Windsor and fixed at Bradenham He was deputed by King Edward the third in the fourty seventh year of his reign Lord Lieutenant of Ireland which Country was then in a sad Condition For the King was so intent on the Conquest of France as a Land nearer fairer and due to him by descent that he neglected the effectuall reduction of Ireland This encouraged the Irish Grandees their O's and Mac's to Rant and Tyrant it in their respective seignieuries whilst such English who were planted there had nothing Native save their Surnames left degenerating by degrees to be Irish in their Habits Manners and Language Yea as the wild Irish are observed to love their Nurses or Fosters above their natural Mothers so these barbarizing English were more endeared to the interest of Ireland which fed then of England which bare and bred them To prevent more mischief this worthy Knight was sent over of whose valour and fidelity the King had great experience He contracted with the King to defray the whole charge of that Kingdome as appeareth by the instrument in the Tower for eleven thousand two hundred thirteen pounds six shillings and eight pence per annum Now Sir William undertook not the Conquest but Custody of the Land in a defen sive war He promised not with a daring Mountebank to Cure but with a discreet Physician to ease this Irish Gout Indeed I meet with a passage in Froissard relating how Sir William should report of himself that he was so far from subduing the Irish he could never have access to understand and know their Countries albeit he had spent more time in the service of Ireland then any Englishman then living Which to me seems no wonder the Irish vermin shrowding themselves under the Scabs of their Bogs and Hair of their Woods However he may truly be said to have left that land much improved because no whit more impaired during those dangerous distractions and safely resigned his office as I take it in the first of K. Richard the second ARTHUR GRAY Baron of Wilton is justly reckoned amongst the Natives of this Shire whose father had his Habitation not at Wilton a decayed Castle in Hereford-shire whence he took his Title but at Waddon a fair house of his Family not far from Buckingham He succeeded to a small Estate much diminished on this sad occasion His father William Lord Gray being taken Prisoner in France after long ineffectuall soliciting to be because captivated in the publick service redeemed on the publick charge at last was forced to ransom himself with the sale of the best part of his Patrimony Our Arthur endeavoured to advance his estate by his valour being entered in Feats of war under his Martial father at the siege of Lieth 1560. where he was shot in the shoulder which inspirited him with a constant antipathy against the Scotch He was afterwards sent over Lord Deputy into Ireland anno 1580. where before he had received the Sword or any Emblemes of Command ut acrioribus initiis terrorem incuteret to fright his foes with his fierce beginning he unfortunately fought the rebels at Glandilough to the great loss of English blood This made many commend his Courage above his Conduct till he recovered his credit and finally suppressed the rebellion of Desmund Returning into England the Queen chiefly relied on his counsel for ordering our Land-forces against the Spaniards in 88. and fortifying places of advantage The mention of that year critical in Church differences about discipline at home as well as with foreign foes abroad mindeth me that this Lord was but a Back-friend to Bishops in all divisions of Votes in Parliament or Council-table sided with the Anti-prelatical party When Secretary Davison that State-Pageant raised up on purpose to be put down was censured in the Star-chamber about the business of the Queen of Scots this Lord Gray onely defended him as doing nothing therein but what became an able and honest Minister of State An ear-witness saith Haec fuse oratoriè animosè Greium disserentem audivimus So that besides bluntness the common and becoming eloquence of Souldiers he had a real Rhetorick and could very emphatically express himself Indeed this warlike Lord would not wear two heads under one Helmet and may be said always to have born his Beaver open not dissembling in the least degree but owning his own judgment at all times what he was He deceased anno Dom. 1593. Writers ROGER de WENDOVER was born at that Market-town in this County bred a Benedictine in St. Albans where he became the Kings Historian Know Reader that our English Kings had always a Monck generally of St. Albans as near London the Staple of news and books to write the remarkables of their reigns One addeth I am sorry he is a forrainer and therefore of less credit at such distance that their Chronicles were lock'd up in the Kings Library so that neither in that Kings nor his Sons life they were ever opened If so
Conjunction with other Doctors of the University By his Testament he gave the Rectory of Milton to the Colledge and dying on Saint Marks day 1610. lieth buried in a Vestery on the North-side of the Chappel JOHN GREGORY was born November 10. 1607. at Amersham in this County of honest though mean parents yet rich enough to derive unto him the hereditary infirmity of the gout which afflicted him the last twenty years of his life He was bred in Christ-church in Oxford where he so applied his book that he studied sixteen hours of the four and twenty for many years together He attained to be an exquisite Linguist and general Scholar his modesty setting the greater lustre on his learning His notes on Dr. Redleys book of Civil-law gave the first testimony of his pregnancy to the world and never did text and comment better meet together He was first Chaplain of Christ-church and thence preferred by Bishop Duppa Prependary of Chichester and Sarum and indeed no Church-preferment compatible with his age was above his deserts He died at Kidlington in Oxford-shire 1646. and was buried at Christ-church in Oxford I find a smart Epitaph made by a friend on his memory and it was in my mind as well valiantly consider the times as truly indited Ne premas Cineres hosce Viator Nescis quot sub hoc jaeent Lapillo Graeculus Hebraeus Syrus Et qui te quovis vincet Idiomate At nè molestus sis Ausculta causam auribus tuis imbibe Templo exclusus Et avita Religione Jam senescente ne dicam sublatâ Mutavit Chorum altiorem ut capesceret Vade nunc si libet imitare R. W. His Opera Posthuma are faithfully set forth by his good friend John Gurgain and deservedly dedicated to Edward Bish Esquire one so able that he could charitable that he would and valiant that he durst relieve Master Gregory in his greatest distress SAMUEL COLLINS son to Baldwin Collins born in Coventry a pious and painfull preacher prodigiously bountifull to the poor whom Queen Elizabeth constantly called Father Collins was born and bred at Eaton so that he breathed learned aire from 〈◊〉 of his nativity Hence coming to Kings-colledge in Cambridge he was succesâ—…ively chosen Fellow Provost and Regius Professor One of an admirable wit and 〈◊〉 the most fluent Latinist of our age so that as Caligula is said to have sent 〈◊〉 souldiers vainly to fight against the tide with the same success have any encountred the torrent of his tongue in Disputation He constantly read his Lectures twice a week for above fourty years giving notice of the time to his Auditours in a ticket on the School-dores wherein never any two alike without some considerable difference in the critical language thereof When some displeased Courtier did him the injurious courtesie to preferre him downwards in point of profit to the Bishoprick of Bristol he improved all his friends to decline his election In these troublesome times affording more Preachers then Professors he lost his Church but kept his Chair wherein he died about the year 1651. WILLIAM OUGHTRED was though branched from a right ancient Family in the North born in the Town bred in the School of Eaton became Fellow of Kings-colledge and at last was beneficed by Thomas Earl of Arundel at Albury in Surrey All his contemporaries unanimously acknowledged him the Prince of Mathematicians in our Age and Nation This aged Simeon had though no Revelation a strong perswasion that before his death he should behold Christs anointed restored to his Throne which he did accordingly to his incredible joy and then had his Dimittis out of this mortal life June 30. 1660. Romish Exile Writers THOMAS DORMAN was born at Ammersham in this County being nephew unto Thomas Dorman of the same town A Confessour in the reign of King Henry the eighth True it is this his Uncle through weakness did abjure let us pity his who desire God should pardon our failings but was ever a cordial Protestant He bred this Thomas Dorman juniâ—…r at Berkhamsted-school founded by Dr. Incent in Hartfordshire under Mr. Reeve a Protestant School-master But this Dorman turn'd tail afterwards and became a great Romanist running over beyond the seas where he wrote a book intituled Against Alexander Nowel the English Calvinist J. Pits doth repent that he affordeth him no room in the body of his book referring him to his Appendix He flourished Anno 1560. Memorable Persons JOHN MATHEW Mercer son to Thomas Mathew was born at Sherington in this County Lord Mayor of London Anno Dom. 1490. He is eminent on this account that he was the first Bachelar that ever was chosen into that office Yea it was above a hundred and twenty years before he was seconded by a single person succeeding him in that place viz. Sir John Leman Lord Mayor 1616. It seemeth that a Lady Mayoresse is something more then ornamentall to a Lord Mayor their wives great portions or good providence much advantaging their estates to be capable of so high a dignity Dame HESTER TEMPLE daughter to Miles Sands Esquire was born at Latmos in this County and was married to Sir Thomas Temple of Stow Baronet She had four sons and nine daughters which lived to be married and so exceedingly multiplied that this Lady saw seven hundred extracted from her body Reader I speak within compass and have left my self a reserve having bought the truth hereof by a wager I lost Besides there was a new generation of marrigable females just at her death so that this aged vine may be said to wither even when it had many young boughs ready to knit Had I been one of her relations and as well enabled as most of them be I would have erected a monument for her thus design'd A fair tree should have been erected the said Lady and her Husband lying at the bottom or root thereof the Heir of the family should have ascended both the middle and top-bough thereof On the right-hand hereof her younger sons on the left her daughters should as so many boughs be spread forth Her grand-children should have their names inscribed on the branches of those boughs the great-grand-children on the twiggs of those branches the great-great-grand-children on the leaves of those twiggs Such as surviv'd her death should be done in a lively green the rest as blasted in a pale and yellow fading-colour Plinie who reports it as a wonder worthy the Chronicle that Chrispinus Hilarus Praelata pompa with open ostentation sacrificed in the Capitol seventy four of his children and childrens children attending on him would more admire if admitted to this spectacle Vives telleth us of a Village in Spain of about an hundred houses whereof all the inhabitants were issued from one certain old man who then lived when as that Village was so peopled so as the name of propinquity how the youngest of the children should call him could not
Bark of Trees as more solid still couâ—…enanced in the Notation of the word Liber Next they wrote in Labels or Sheets of Lead wherein the Letters were deeply engraven being a kind of Printing before Printing and to this I refer the words of Job an Author allowed Contemporary with if not Senior to Moses himself Oh that my words were now written oh that they were printed in a book To omit many other devices in after ages to signify their conceptions Paper was first made of a broad Flag not unlike our great Dock growing in and nigh Canopus in Egypt which it seems was a sâ—…aple commodity of that Country and substantiall enough to bear the solemn Curse of the Prophet The Paper-reeds by the brooks shall wither be driven away and be no more Our Modern Paper is made of Grinded Raggs and yet this New Artificiall doth still thankfully retain the Name of the Old Naturall Paper It may pass for the Emblem of Men of mâ—…an Extraction who by Art and Industry with Gods blessing thereon come to high preferment He raiseth the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill that he may set him with his Princes even with the Princes of his People One may finâ—… if searching into the pedigree of Paper it cometh into the world at the doungate raked thence in Rags which refined by Art especially after precious secrets are written therein is found fit to be choicely kept in the Cabinets of the Greatest 〈◊〉 Pity it is that the fiâ—…st Author of so usefull an invention cannot with any assurance by assigned There are almost as many severall kinds of Paper as conditions of Persons betwixt the Emperor and Beggar Imperial Royal Cardinal and so downwards to that course Paper called Emporetica usefull onely for Chapmen to wrap their wares therein Paper Participatâ—…s in some sort of the Caracters of the Countrymen which make it the Venetian being neat subtile and courtlike the French light slight and slender the Dutch thick corpulent and gross not to say sometimes also charta Bibula sucking up the Ink with the sponginess thereof Paper is entred as a Manufacture of this County because there are Mills nigh Sturbridge-fair where Paper was made in the memory of our Fathers And it seemeth to me a proper Conjunction that seeing Cambridge yeildeth so many good writers Cambridg-shire should afford Paper unto them Pitty the making thereof is disused considering the vast sums yearly expended in our Land for Paper out of Italy France and Germany which might be lessened were it made in our Nation To such who object that we can never equall the perfection of Venice-paper I return neither can we match the purity of Venice-glasses and yet many green ones are blown in Sussex profitable to the makers and convenient for the users thereof as no doubt such courser home-spun Paper wouldbe found very beneficiall for the Common-wealth Baskets These are made of the Osiers plentifully growing in the moist parts of this County an acre whereof turns to more profit then one of wheat A necessary utensill in an house whereby many things are kept which otherwise would be lost Yea in some sort it saved the life of St. Paul when let down by the wall of Damascus in a basket Whence some not improbably conjecture him hominem tricubitalem a man of low stature Martial confesseth Baskets to have been a Brittish invention though Rome afterwards laid claime thereunto Barbara de pictis veni Baseauda Britannis Sed me jam mavult dicere Roma suam 1 foreign Basket first in Brittain known Am now by Rome accounted for her own Their making is daily improved with much descant of art splitting their wickers as small as threads and dying them into several colours which daily grow a greater commodity The Buildings Cambridge is the chief credit of this County as the University is of Cambridge It is confess'd that Oxford far exceeds it forsweetness of situation and yet it may be maintained that though there be better aire in Oxford yet there is more in the Colledges of Cambridge For Oxford is an University in a Town Cambridge a Town in an University where the Colledges are not surrounded with the offensive embraces of Streets but generally situated on the out-side affording the better conveniency of private Walks and Gardens about them But having formerly written of the fabricks of Cambridge I forbear any further inlargement Eely Minster This presenteth it self afar off to the eye of the traveller and on all sides at great distance not onely maketh a promise but giveth earnest of the beauty thereof The Lanthorn therein built by Bishop Hotham wherein the labour of twenty years and five thousand ninety four pounds eighteen shillings ten pence half penny farthing was expended is a Master-piece of Architecture When the bells ring the wood-work thereof shaketh and gapeth no defect but perfection of structure and exactly chocketh into the joynts again so that it may pass for the lively embleme of the sincere Christian who though he hath motum trepidationis of fear and trembling stands firmly fixt on the basis of a true faith Rare also is the art in the Chappel of Saint Maries the patern or parent of that in Kings-colledge in Cambridge though here as often elsewhere it hath happened the child hath out-grown the father Nor must the Chappel of Bishop West be forgotten seeing the Master-masons of King James on serious inspection found finer stone-work herein then in King Henry the seventh his Chappel at Westminster It grieved me lately to see so many new ligh's in this Church supernumerary windows more then â—…re in the first fabrick and the whole structure in a falling condition except some good mens chaâ—…y seasonably support it Yet was I glad to hear a great Antiquary employed to transcribe and preserve the monuments in that Church as all others in the late-drowned-land And it is hard to say which was the better office whether of those who newly have dried them from the inundation of water or of those who shall drain them from the deluge of oblivion by perpetuating their antiquities to posterity Wonders Let me here insert an artificial wonder of what is commonly called Devils-ditch Country-folk conceiting that it was made by the Devil when the Devil he made it being the work of some King or Kings of the East Angles See the laziness of posterity so far from imitating the industry of their ancestors that they belibell the pure effects of their pains as hellish atchivements But if the aforesaid Kings meerly made this ditch to get themselves a name Divine Justice hath met with them their names being quite forgotten More probably it was made to divide and defend their Dominions from the Kingdome of Mercia or possibly to keep the people in employment for diversion of mutinous thoughts laziness being the mother of disloyalty industry of obedience Proverbs Cantabrigia petit Aequales
therein but 12. years of age He was blessed with an happy memory insomuch that when D. D. he could say by heart the second Book of the Aeneads which he learnt at School without missing a Verse He was an excellent Preacher and becoming a Pulpit with his gravity He attended King James his Chaplaine into Scotland and after his return was preferred Dean of Westminster then Bishop of Salisbury Hear what the Author of a Pamphlet who inscribeth himself A. W. saith in a Book which is rather a Satyre then a History a Libell then a Character of the Court of King James for after he had slanderously inveighed against the bribery of those days in Church and State hear how he seeks to make amends for all King James's Court pag. 129 130. Some worthy men were preferred gratis to blow up their Buckingham and his party Fames as Tolson a worthy man paid nothing in fine or Pension and so after him Davenant in the same Bishoprick Yet these were but as Musick before every hound Now although both these persons here praised were my God-fathers and Uncles the one marrying the sister of the other being Brother to my Mother and although such good words seem a Rarity from so railing a mouth yet shall not these considerations tempt me to accept his praises on such invidious terms as the Author doth proffer them O! Were these worthy Bishops now alive how highly would they disdain to be praised by such a pen by which King James their Lord and Master is causelesly traduced How would they condemn such uncharitable commendations which are if not founded on accompanied with the disgrace of others of their order Wherefore I their Nephew in behalf of their Memories protest against this passage so far forth as it casteth Lustre on them by Eclipsing the credit of other Prelates their contemporaries And grant corruption too common in that kind yet were there besides them at that time many worthy Bishops raised to their dignity by their Deserts without any Simonicall complyances Doctor Townson had a hospitall heart a generous disposition free from covetousness and was always confident in Gods Providence that if he should dye his children and those were many would be provided for wherein he was not mistaken He lived in his Bishoprick but a year and being appointed at very short warning to preach before the Parliament by unseasonable â—…tting up to study contracted a Fever whereof he died and was buried in Westminster Abbey Anno Dom. 1622. THOMAS son to William WESTFIELD D. D. was born Anno Dom. 1573. in the Parish of Saint Maries in Ely and there bred at the Free-school under Master Spight till he was sent to Jesus-colledge in Cambridge being first Scholar then Fellow thereof He was Curate or Assistant rather to Bishop Felton whilst Minister of Saint Mary le Bow in Cheapside afterward Rector of Hornsey nigh and Great Saint Bartholomews in London where in his preaching he went thorow the four Evangelists He was afterwards made Arch-Deacon of Saint Albans and at last Bishop of Bristol a place proffered to and refused by him twenty five years before For then the Bishoprick was offered to him to maintain him which this contented meek man having a self-subsistence did then decline though accepting of it afterwards when proffered to him to maintain the Bishoprick and support the Episcopall dignity by his signall devotion What good opinion the Parliament though not over-fond of Bishops conceived of him appears by their Order ensuing The thirteenth of May 1643. From the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestration of Delinquents Estates Upon information in the behalf of the Bishop of Bristoll that his Tenants refuse to pay him his Rents it is Ordered by this Committee that all profits of his Bishoprick be restored to him and a safe conduct be granted him to pass with his family to Bristoll being himself of great age and a person of great learning and merit Jo. Wylde About the midst of his life he had a terrible sickness so that he thought to use his own expression in his Diary that God would put out the candle of his life though he was pleased onely to snuff it By his will the true Copy whereof I have he desired to be buried in his Cathedral Church neer the tombe of Paul Bush the first Bishop thereof And as for my worldly goods Reader they are his own words in his Will which as the times now are I know not well where they be nor what they are I give and bequeath them all to my dear wife Elizabeth c. He protested himself on his death-bed a true Protestant of the Church of England and dying Junii 28. 1644. lyeth buried according to his own desire above mentioned with this inscription Hic jacet Thomas Westfield S. T. D. Episcoporum intimus peccatorum primus Obiit 25. Junii anno MDCXLIV Senio moerore confectus Tu Lector quisquis es vale resipisce Epitaphium ipse sibi dictavit vivus Monumentum uxor moestissima Elizabetha Westfield Marito desideratissimo posuit superstes Thus leaving such as survived him to see more sorrow and feel more misery he was seasonably taken away from the evil to come And according to the Anagram made on him by his Daughter Thomas Westfield I dwel the most safe Enjoying all happiness and possessing the reward of his pains who converted many and confirmed more by his constancy in his Calling States-men JOHN TIPTOFT son and heir of John Lord Tiptoft and Joyce his wife daughter and Co-heir of Edward Charlton Lord Powis by his wife Eleanor sister and Co-heir of Edmund Holland Earl of Kent was born at Everton in this but in the confines of Bedford shire He was bred in Baliol-colledge in Oxford where he attained to great learning and by King Henry the sixth was afterwards created first Vice-count then Earl of Worcester and Lord Hâ—…gh Constable of England and by K. Edward the fourth Knight of the Garter The skies began now to lowre and threaten Civil Wars and the House of York fell sick of a Relapse Mean time this Earl could not be discourteous to Henry the sixth who had so much advanced him nor disloyall to Edward the fourth in whom the right of the Crown lay Consulting his own safety he resolved on this Expedient for a time to quit his own and visit the Holy-land In his passage thither or thence he came to Rome where he made a Latin speech before the Pope Piâ—… the second and converted the Italians into a better opinion then they had formerly of the English-mens learning insomuch that his holiness wept at the elegancy of the Oration He returned from Christs sepulcher to his own grave in England coming home in a most unhappy juncture of time if sooner or later he had found King Edward on that Throne to which now Henry the sixth was restored and whose restitution was onely remarkable for the death of this worthy
must be more in it to give him that denomination seeing many had that office besides himself He was a great Scholar and deep Divine it being reported to his no small praise That he conformed his Divinity to Scripture and not to the rules of Philosophy He flourished under King Edward the third anno 1350. WILLIAM CAXTON born in that Town a noted stage betwixt Roiston and Huntington Bale beginneth very coldly in his commendation by whom he is charactered Vir non omnino stupidus aut ignavia torpens but we understand the language of his Liptote the rather â—…ecause he proceedeth to praise his Diligence and Learning He had most of his Education beyond the Seas living 30. years in the Court of Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundy Sister to King Edward the fourth whence I conclude him an Anti-Lancastrian in his affection He continued Polychronicon beginning where Trevisa ended unto the end of King Edward the fourth with good judgment and Fidelity And yet when he writeth that King Richard the second left in his Treasury Money and Jewells to the value of seven hundred thousand pounds I cannot credit him it is so contrary to the received Character of that Kings Riotous Prodigality Caxton carefully collected and printed all Chaucers works and on many accounts deserved well of Posterity when he died about the year 1486. Since the Reformation RICHARD HULOET was born at Wishich in this County and brought up in good learning He wrote a book called the English and Latine A B C and dedicated the same to Thomas Goowrich Bishop of Ely and Chancellor of England Some will condemn him of Indiscretion in presenting so low a subject to so high a person as if he would teach the Greatest States-man in the land to spell aright Others will excuse him his book being though of low of generall use for the Common people who then began to betake themselves to reading long neglected in the land so that many who had one foot in their grave had their hand on their primer But I believe that his book whereof I could never recover a sight though entitled an A B C related not to Literall reading but rather to some Elementall grounds of Religion He flourished Anno Domini 1552. JOHN RICHARDSON was born of honest parentage at Linton in this County bred first Fellow of Emanuell then Master of Saint Peters and at last of Trinity-colledge in Cambridge and was Regius Professor in that University Such who represent him a dull and heavy man in his parts may be confuted with this instance An extraordinary Act in Divinity was kept at Cambridge before King James wherein Doctor John Davenant was Answerer and Doctor Richardson amongst others the opposers The Question was maintained in the negative concerning the excommunicating of Kings Doctor Richardson vigorously pressed the practice of Saint Ambrose excommunicating of the Emperour Theodosius insomuch that the King in some passion returned profecto fuit hoc ab Ambrosio insolentissimè factum To whom Doctor Richardson rejoyned responsum vere Regium Alexandro dignum hoc non est argumenta dissolvere sed desecare And so sitting down he desisted from any further dispute He was employed one of the Translators of the Bible and was a most excellent linguist whose death happened Anno Dom. 1621. ANDREW WILLET D. D. was born at Ely in this County bred Fellow of Christs-colledge in Cambridge He afterwards succeeded his father in the Parsonage of Barley in Hertford shire and became Prebendary of Ely He confuted their cavill who make children the cause of covetousness in Clergy-men being bountifull above his ability notwithstanding his numerous issue No less admirable his industry appearing in his Synopsiâ—… Comments and Commentaâ—…ies insomuch that one considering his Polygraphy said merrily that he must write whilst he slept it being unpossible that he should do so much when waking Sure I am he wrote not sleepily nor oscitantèr but what was solid in it self and profitable for others A casuall fall from his horse in the high-way near Hodsden breaking his leg accelerated his death It seems that Gods promise to his children to keep them in all their ways that they dash not their foot against the stone 'T is as other Temporall promises to be taken with a Tacit clause of revocation viz. if Gods wisdome doth not discover the contrary more for his glory and his childrens good This Doctor died Anno Domini 1621. Sir THOMAS RIDLEY Kt. Dr. of the Laws was born at Ely in this County bred first a scholar in Eaton then Fellow of Kings-colledge in Cambridge He was a general scholar in all kind of learning especially in that which we call melior literatura He afterwards was Chancellor of Winchester and the Vicar generall to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury his memory will never dye whilst his book called the view of the Ecclesiastical Laws is living a book of so much merit that the Common Lawyers notwithstanding the difference betwixt the professions will ingeniously allow a due commendation to his learned performance in that subject He died Anno Domini 1629. on the two and twentieth day of January ARTHUR HILDERSHAM was born at Strechworth in this County descended by his mothers side from the Bloud-Royal being great-great-grand-child to George Duke of Clarence brother to Edward the fourth Yet was he not like the proud Nobles of Tecoa who counted themselves too good to put their hands to Gods work But being bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge he entred into the Ministry How this worthy Divine was first run a ground with poverty and afterwards set a float by Gods Providence how he often alternately lost and recovered his voice being silenced and restored by the Bishops how after many intermediate afflictions this just and upright man had peace at the last is largely reported in my Ecclesiastical History to which except I adde to the truth I can adde nothing on my knowledge remarkable He died Anno Domini 1631. R. PARKER for so is his Christian name defectively written in my Book was born in Ely therefore Place-nameing himself Eliensis was son as I am confident to Master Parker Arch-deacon of Ely to whom that Bishoprick in the long vacancy after the death of Bishop Cox was profered and by him refused tantum opum usuram iniquis conditionibus sibi oblatam respuens Our Parker was bred in and became Fellow of Caius-colledge an excellent Herauld Historian and Antiquary Author of a short plain true and brief Manuscript called Sceletos Cantabrigiensis and yet the bare Bones thereof are Fleshed with much matter and hath furnished me with the Nativities of severall Bishops who were Masters of Colledges I am not of the mind of the Italian from whose Envy God deliver us Polidore Virgil who having first served his own turn with them burnt all the rare English Manuscripts of History he could procure so to raise the valuation of his own works But from my heart I wish some
ingenious person would Print Mr. Parkers Book for the use of Posterity He was a melancholy man neglecting all Preferment to enjoy himself and died in the place of his Nativity as I conjecture about 1624. MICHAEL DALTON Esquire He was bred in the study of our Municipall-law in Lincolns Inn and attained great skill in his own profession His gravity graced the Bench of Justices in this County where his judgment deservedly passed for an Oracle in the Law having enriched the world with two excellent Treatises the one of the Office of the Sheriffs the other of the Justices of Peace Out of the Dedicatory Epistle of the later I learnt this which I knew not before that K. James was so highly affected with our English Government by Justices of Peace that he was the first who setled the same in his Native Country of Scotland Mr. Dalton dyed before the beginning of our Civil Distempers THOMAS GOAD D. D. was son to Dr. Roger Goad for more then fourty years Provost of Kings-colledge but whether born in the Provosts Lodgings in Cambridge or at Milton in this County I am not fully informed He was bred a Fellow under his Father afterwards Chaplain to Arch-bishop Abbot Rector of Hadly in Suffolk Prebendary of Canterbury c. A great and Generall Scholar exact Critick Historian Poet delighting in making of verses till the day of his death School-man Divine He was substituted by K. James in the place of Doctor Hall indisposed in health and sent over to the Synod of Dort He had a commanding presence an uncontrolable spirit impatient to be opposed and loving to steere the discourse being a good Pilot to that purpose of all the Company he came in I collect him to have died about the year 1635. ANDREW MARVAIL was born at Mildred in this County and bred a master of Arts in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge He afterwards became Minister in Hull where for his life time he was well beloved Most facetious in his discourse yet grave in his carriage a most excellent preacher who like a good husband never broached what he had new brewed but preached what he had preâ—…studied some competent time before Insomuch that he was wont to say that he would crosse the common proverb which called Saturday the working day and Munday the holy day of preachers It happened that Anno Dom. 1640. Jan. 23. crossing Humber in a Barrow-boat the same was sand-warpt and he drowned therein by the carelesness not to say drunkenness of the boat-men to the great grief of all good men His excellent comment upon Saint Peter is daily desired and expected if the envy and covetousness of private persons for their own use deprive not the publick of the benefit thereof Benefactors to the publick HUGO de BALSHAM for so is he truly written was born in this County as may easily be spelled out of the four following probabilities put together First it was fashionable for Clergy-men in that age to assume their Surnames from the place of their Nativity Secondly Balsham is an eminent village in this County whereof an ancient Author taketh notice naming thence the neighbouring ground Amaenissima Montana de Balsham Thirdly There is no other Village of that name throughout the Dominions of England Fourthly It is certaine this Hugh was bred in this County where he attained to be Sub-prior and afterwards Bishop of Ely This Hugh was he who founded Peter-house in the University of Cambridge the first built though not first endowed Colledge in England This Foundation he finished Anno 1284. bestowing some lands upon it since much augmented by Bountifull Benefactors He sat 28 years in his See and dyed June the 6. 1286. Sir WILLIAM HORN Salter son to Thomas Hoâ—…n was born at Snail-well in this County he was Knighted by King Hen. the seventh and Anno 1487. was L. Mayor of London He gave bountifully to the Preachers at Saint Pauls crosse and bestowed five hundred Marks to the mending of the high ways betwixt Cambridge the County Town where he had his first Life and London the City where he got his best livelihood Know in that Age Horn his five hundred Marks had in them the intrinsick value of our five hundred pounds which in those days would go very far in the wages of Laborers Sir WILLIAM son of JOHN PURCASE was born at Gamlinggay in this County bred a Mercer in London and Lord Mayor thereof Anno 1497. He caused Morefields under the walls to be made plain ground then to the great pleasure since to the greater profit of the City Sir THOMAS son of JOHN KNEISWORTH was born at Kneisworth in this County bred a Fishmonger in London whereof he was Lord Mayor Anno 1505. He appointed the Water-conduit at Bishop-gate to be built to the great convenience of the City formerly much wanting that usefull Element Be it here observed for the incouragement of the industry of Cambridg-shire Apprentices that by the premises it doth appear that this small County in the compass of eighteen years afforded three L. Mayors and Benefactors which no other Shire of equal or greater quantity ever produced Since the Reformation JOHN CRANE was born in Wishbeech in this County bred an Apothecary in Cambridg so diligent an youth that some judicious persons prognosticated that he would be a rich man Dr. Butler took so great a fancy unto him that he lived and died in his Family yea and left the main body of his rich Estate unto him This Mr. Crane had a large heart to entertain his friends and Annually very nobly treated all the Oxford men at the Commencement He gave at his death no less then three thousand pounds to charitable uses bestowing the house he lived in and that a very fair one aster his Wives death on the Publick Professor of Physick and in settlement of his other Benefactions discreetly reflected on Wishbeech where he was born to which he gave 100l to build a Town-hall Cambridge where he lived Lin where he was well acquainted Ipswich where Doctor Butler the first founder of his estate was born and Kingston where his lands lay He in some sort gives Preventing Physick to the Scholars now he is dead by giving 100l to be lent gratis to an honest man the better to enable him to buy good Fish and Fowl for the University having observed much sickness occasioned by unwholsome food in that kind He bequeathed to Dr. Wren Bishop of Ely and Doctor Brounrigg Bishop of Exeter one hundred pounds a piece by his Will and as much by a Codecil annexed thereunto Besides his concealed Charities his hand was always open to all the distressed Royalists He died in May 1650. Memorable Persons WILLIAM COLLET was born at Over in this County bred a Clerk in London till at last he attained to be Keeper of the Records in the Tower none equalling him in his dexterity in that office He went the same path with his predecessor in that
is he who afterwards designed the Maps and composed the History of England though much help'd in both no shame to crave aid in a work too weighty for any ones back to bear by Sir Robert Cotton Master Camden Master Barkham and others He also made the usefull Genealogies preposed formerly to English Bibles in all Volumes having a Patent granted him from King James in reward of his great Labours to receive the benefit thereof to him and his This was very beneficiall unto them by Composition with the Company of Stationers untill this Licentious age neglecting all such Ingenious helps to understand Scripture and almost levelling if not prevented the propriety of all Authors of Books He dyed in London Anno 1629. and was buried in Saint Giles without Criplegate in the same Parish with Master John Fox so that no one Church in England containeth the Corps of two such usefull and voluminous Historians Master Josias Shute Preach'd his Funerall Sermon and thus we take our leaves of Father Speed truly answering his name in both the acceptions thereof for Celerity and Success JOHN DOD was born at Shottliedge in this County where his Parents had a competent Estate bred in Jesus-colledge in Cambridge by Nature a Witty by Industry a Learned by Grace a Godly Divine successively Minister of Hanwell in Oxford Fenny-Compton in Warwick Cannons-Ashby and Fausly in Northampton-shire though for a time silenced in each of them A Father who shall pass nameless is censured by some for his over-curiosity in his conceit rather then Comment Math. 5. 2. And he opened his mouth and taught them For Christ saith he taught them often when he opened not his mouth by his Example Miracles c. Here I am sure accordingly Master Dod when his mouth was shut prohibited preaching instructed almost as much as before by his holy demeanour and pious discourse A good Chimist who could extract Gold out of other mens lead and how loose soever the premises of other mens discourse piety was always his naturall and unforced conclusion inferred thereupon For the rest I refer the Reader to Master Samuel Clark by whom his life is written wherein are many remarkable passages I say Master Samuel Clark with whose pen mine never did nor shall interfere Indeed as the flocks of Jacob were distanced three days journeys from those of Laban so to prevent voluntary or casuall commixtures our styles are set more then a Months journey asunder The Jewish Rabbins have a fond and a false conceit that Methuselah who indeed dyed in the very year and his death a sad prognostick of the deluge had a Cabin built him in the outside of Noahs Ark where he was preserved by himself But most true it is that good Father Dod though he lived to see the flood of our late Civil Wars made to himself a Cabin in his own contented conscience and though his cloths were wetted with the waves when plundred he was dry in the deluge such his self-solace in his holy meditations He dyed being eighty six years of age Anno 1645. When thieves break in a house and steal the owner thereof knows for the present that he is robbed but not of what or how much till some days after he finds out by the want of such things which were taken from him The Vicenage of Fausly where Mr. Dod dyed knew then they were bereaft of a worthy treasure though ignorant in the perticulars of their losses till daily discovery hath by this time made them sensible thereof Benefactors to the Publique Sir RICHARD SUTTON was born at Presbury in this County he is generally believed a Knight though some have suspected the same but suppose him but Esquire He was one of a Plentifull Estate and Bountifull Hand It happened that William Smith Bishop of Lincoln began Brasen-Nose-Colledge but dyed before he had finished one Nostrill thereof leaving this Sutton his Executor who over-performed the Bishops Will and compleated the Foundation with his own liberall Additions thereunto When the following Verses were composed in the Person of Brasen-Nose-Colledge the Muses seemed neither to smile nor frown but kept their wonted countenance But take them as they are Begun by one but finish'd by another Sutton he was my Nurse but Smith my Mother Or if the Phrase more proper seem say rather That Sutton was my Guardian Smith my Father 'Cause equal Kindness they to me exprest Better I neither love love both the best If Both they may be call'd who had one will What One design'd the Other did fulfill May such Testators live who Good intend But if they dye Heaven such Exec'tors send This Worthy Knight being born in this County deservedly reflected upon his own Country-men making them and those of Lancashire most capable of Preferment I collect his death to have happened about the middle of the Raign of King Henry the eighth Since the Reformation ROBERT BRASSY was born at Bunbury contracted for Boniface-Bury in this County bred D. D. in Kings-colledge in Cambridge whereof he was elected the 13. Provost He being a Learned and Stout man publickly protested against the Visitors of the University in the Raign of Queen Mary as to his own Colledge Say not he onely opposed Superstition with Superstition pleading Popish Exemptions For considering the times he Drave the nail which would best go and thereby took off the edge of those Persecuting Commissioners But let none Envy him a place under this title who deserved so well of Cambridge For when many Doctors therein whose Purblind souls saw onely what was next them for the present and either could not or would not look far forward to Posterity had resolved to sell their Rights in Sturbridge-fair for a trifle to the Towns-men which if done the Vice-Chancellor might even have held the Stirrup to the Mayor he only opposed it and dash'd the designs He dyed Anno Domini 1558. and lyes buried on the South-side of the Chappell GEORGE PALIN was as I have Cogent presumptions born at Wrenbury in this County bred a Merchant in London free of the Company of Girdlers Indeed we may call his Benefactions Aureum Cingulum charitatis the Golden Girdle of Charity With our Saviour he Went ABOUT doing good compleating the Circuit of his Bounty continuing till he ended where he began 1. To Wrenbury where we believe him born two Hundred pound to purchase Lands for the relief of the poor 2. Nine Hundred pound for the building of Almes-houses in or about London 3. To Trinity-colledge in Cambridge three hundred pound 4. To the Colledge of Saint Johns the Evangelist in Cambridge three Hundred pounds 5. To the Hospitall of Saint Thomas in Southmark fifty pounds 6. To the Preachers at Pauls Cross towards the bearing of their charges two Hundred pounds 7. Toward the making a sweet Chime in Bow-church one Hundred pounds 8. To six Prisons in and about London sixty pounds 9. To Brasen-Nose-colledge in Oxford two
sufficiency of Pasture Arable and Meadow with Stone Lime Marl and what not I write not this to tempt the Reader to the breach of the Tenth Commandement To covet his Neighbours house and one Line in the prevention thereof I have been credibly informed that the Duke of Medina Sidonia Admiral of the Spanish-Fleet in the 88. was so affected at the sight of this House though but beholding it at a distance from the Sea that he resolved it for his own possession in the partage of this Kingdome blame him not if choosing best for himself which they had preconquered in their hopes and expectation But he had catch'd a great Cold had he had no other Clothes to wear then those which were to be made of a skin of a Bear not yet killed Medicinal Waters I know none in this County which are reported to be Soveraign constantly for any diseases Yet I meet with one so remarkable a recovery that it must not be omitted However I remember his Good Counsell He that telleth a miraculus truth must always carry his Author at his Back I will onely Transcribe his words speaking of the good Offices which Angels doe to Gods Servants Doctor Joseph Hall then Bishop of Exeter since of Norwich in his Book called The Great Mistery of Godliness pag. 169. Of this kind was that no less then Miraculous Cure which at Saint Maderns in Cornwall was wrought upon a Poor Cripple whereof besides the attestation of many hundred of the Neighbours I took a strict and impartial Examination in my last Visitation This Man for sixteen years together was fain to walk upon his hands by reason the sinews of his legs were so contracted and upon Monitions in his Dreame to wash in that Well was suddenly so restored to his limbs that I saw him able both to walk and get his Own Maintenance I found here was neither Art nor Collusion The thing done the Author Invisible of God So Authenticall an Author without any other Assistance ad Corroborandum is enough to get belief in any save such surly souls who are resolved on Infidelity of what their own Eyes have not beheld The Wonders If the word be strained up to the height I confess Cornwall affordeth none at all but if it be slackned and let down a little there are those things which this Dutchy doth tender and we all willing to take for Wonders for discourse sake at the least viz. The HURLERS These are Stones competently distanced whom Tradition reporteth to be formerly Men Metamorphoz'd into Stones for Hurling a Sport peculiar to Cornwall on and so profaning of the Lords-day Thus unequally yoaking Scripture and Ovid together the Tale is made up betwixt them But seeing such Devotion is not durable which is founded on Deceit we protest against and reject this fiction the rather because the same Lawgiver who injoyned us Remember thou keepest holy the Sabbath day gave us also in Command Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour and we will not accept a false Doctrine to make a true use thereof Yet surely conformable to the Judgement of those Times was this Tradition made and thence one may collect that boisterous Exercises or Labours rather so far from refreshing the weary that they weary the refreshed are utterly inconsistent with the conscientious keeping of that Day and deserve heavy Punishments for profaning thereof Otherwise we really believe these Stones were Originally set up for Limits and Bounds or else a Monument erected in Memory of some Victory here atchieved Main Amber Main is in Cornish the Stone and Amber as some conceive of Ambrosius that valiant Brittan erected probably by him on some Victory atchieved against the Romans or some other Enemies This is a Master-piece of Mathematicks and Criticall Proportions being a great stone of so exact position on the Top of a Rock that any weakness by touching it may move it and yet no force can remove it so justly is it poised I have heard in common discourse when this Main Amber hath been made the Embleme of such mens dispositions who would listen to all counsel and seem inclined thereunto but are so fixt that no reason can alter them from their first resolution But know Reader that this Wonder is now Unwondred for I am credibly informed that some Souldiers of late have utterly destroyed it Oh how dangerous is it for Art to stand in the way where Ignorance is to pass Surely covetousness could not tempt them thereunto though it did make one to deface a fair Monument in Turkey on this occasion A Tombe was erected near the high-way according to the Fashion of that Country on some person of quality consisting of a Piller and on the Top thereof a Chapiter or great Globe of stone whereon was written in the Turkish Tongue The Brains are in the Head This passed many years undemolished it being Piaculum there to violate the concernment of the dead untill one not of more Conscience but Cunning then others who had passed by it resolved to unriddle the meaning of this Inscription breaking the Hollow Globe open he found it full of Gold departed the richer not the honester for his discovery Sure I am if any such temptation invited the Souldiers to this Act they missed their mark therein Their pretence as I understand to this destructive design was Reformation some People as they say making an Idol thereof which if true I pitty the destroying of Main Amber no more then the Stamping and Pulverizing of the brasen Serpent by King Hezâ—…kiah But I cannot believe so much Stupidity in Christians they took much pains by cutting off the Stone to dislodge it from its Center in how few minutes may envy ruin what art hath raised in more hours and now Cornwall hath one Artificial wonder fewer then it had before Except any will say that to keep up the number the unexampled Envy of these Souldiers may be Substituted in the room thereof And let them sink in Obscurity that hope to swim in Credit by such mis-atchivements Proverbs By Tre Pol and Pen You shall know the Cornishmen These three words are the Dictionary of such Surnames which are originally Cornish and though Nounes in sense I may fitly terme them Prepositions 1. Tre a Town Hence Tre-fry Tre-lawney Tre-vanion c. 2. Pol signifieth an Head Hence Pol-wheel 3. Pen a Top. Hence Pen-tire Pen-rose Pen-kevil c. Some adde to these a fourth inchoation viz. Car which I guess to signify a rock as Carmino Carzew c. but I dare not make additions but present it as I find it in my Author To give one a Cornish Hugg The Cornish are Masters of the Art of Wrestling so that if the Olympian Games were now in fashion they would come away with the victory Their Hugg is a cunning close with their fellow combitant the fruits whereof is his fair fall or foil at the least It is figuratively appliable to the deceitfull dealing
Requests and at last Secretary of State for twenty years together He was a very zealous Protestant and did all good Offices for the advancement of true Religion and died the eighth of Septemb. 1644. Capital Judges and Writers on the Law JOHN STATHOM He was born in this County in the Raign of King Henry the sixth and was a learned man in the Laws whereof he wrote an Abridgement much esteemed at this day for the Antiquity thereof For otherwise Lawyers behold him as Souldiers do Bows and Arrows since the invention of Guns rather for sight than service Yea a Grandee in that Profession hath informed me that little of Stathom if any at all is Law at this day so much is the practice thereof altered whereof the Learned in that faculty will give a satisfactory accompt though otherwise it may seem strange that reason continuing alwayes the same Law grounded thereon should be capable of so great alteration The first and last time that I opened this Author I lighted on this passage Molendinarius de Matlock tollavit bis â—…ò quod ipse audivit Rectorem de eadem villa dicere in Dominica Ram. Palm Tolle tolle The Miller of Matlock took toll twice because he heard the Rectour of the Parish read on Palme Sunday Tolle Tolle i. e. crucifie him crucifie him But if this be the fruit of Latine Service to encourage men in Felony let ours be read in plain English Sir ANTHONY FITZ-HERBERT Son of Ralph Fitz-Herbert Esquire was born at Norbury in this County He was first the Kings Serjeant at Law and was afterwards in the fourteenth of King Henry the eighth made one of the Justices of the Common Pleas so continuing until the thirtieth year of the said King when he died He wrote the excellent Book De Natura Brevium with a great and laborious Abridgement of the Laws and a Kalendar and Index thereunto Monuments which will longer continue his Memory than the flat blew Marble stone in Norbury Church under which he lieth interred Sea-Men Sir HUGH WILLOUGHBY was extracted from a right worthy and ancient stock at Riseley in this County He was in the last year of the raign of King Edward the sixth employed for the North-East passage and by the King and Merchants of London made Captain General of a Fleet for Discovery of Regions and places unknown Their Fleet consisted of three Ships the Bona Esperanza Admiral of one hundred and twenty Tun the Edward Bonaventure whereof Richard Chancelour Pilot-Major of one hundred and sixty Tun and the Good Confidence of ninety Tun. A large Commission was granted unto them which Commission did not bear date from the year of our Lord but from the year of the World 5515. because in their long Voyage they might have occasion to present it to Pagan Princes They departed from Debtford May 10. 1553. and after much foul weather steered up North-North-East But on the second day of August a tempest arose and their ships with the violence of the Wind were much shattered and the Bonaventure scattered from the other two ships which never after saw it again Sir Hugh holding on his course descried a Land which for Ice he could not approach lying from Synam an Island belonging to the King of Denmark one hundred and sixty leagues being in Latitude seventy two Degrees This was then called Willoughby-land as well it might seeing it had neither then or since any Owner or Inhabitant pretending to the propriety thereof It appeareth by a Will found in the ship which was the Admiral in the pocket of a person of quality how in January 1554. Sir Hugh and most of his Company were then in health though all soon after froze to death in a River or Haven called Arzina in Lapland We are bound in charity to believe them well prepared for death the rather because they had with them a Minister Mr. Richard Stafford by name one of the twelve Councellors to manage the design who read constantly every morning and evening the English Service to those who were in the Admiral with the Bible and Paraphrases thereon So that this may be termed the first reformed Fleet which had the English Prayers and Preaching therein However seeing Nocumenta Documenta and that the Ship-wrecks of some are Sea-marks to others even this Knights miscarriage proved a direction to others As for the Bonaventure which answering its name was onely found by losing it self it returned safe and performed afterwards most excellent service in opening the Traffick to Muscovy Thus as the last Dog most commonly catcheth the Hare which other Dogs have turned and tired before so such who succeed in dangerous and difficult enterprises generally reap the benefit of the adventures of those who went before them As for Sir Hugh and his Company their Discoveries did thaw though their Bodies were frozen to death the English the Summer following finding a particular account of all passages of their voyages remaining entire in the Ship wherein they perished Lapland hath since been often surrounded so much as accosts the Sea by the English the West part whereof belongeth to the King of Sweden but the East moity to the Muscovite They were generally Heathen as poor in knowledge as estate paying their Tribute in Furres whose little Houses are but great â—…oles wherein generally they live in the ignorance of Money Here let me insert a passage to refresh the Reader after this long and sad story of a Custom in this barbarous Country from the mouths of credible Merchants whose eyes have beheld it It is death in Lapland to marry a Maid without her Parents or Friends consent Wherefore if one beare affection to a young Maid upon the breaking thereof to her friends the fashion is that a day is appointed for their friends to meet to behold the two young parties to run a Race together The maid is allowed in starting the advantage of a third part of the race so that it is impossible except willing of her self that she should ever be overtaken If the Maid overrun her Suitor the matter is ended he must never have her it being penal for the Man again to renew the motion of Marriage But if the Virgin hath an affection for him though at the first running hard to try the truth of his love she will without Atalantaes Golden Balls to retard her speed pretend some casualty and make a voluntary hault before she cometh to the mark or end of the race Thus none are compelled to marry against their own wills and this is the cause that in this poor Countrey the married people are richer in their own contentment than in other lands where so many forced Matches make fained Love and cause real unhappinesse Physicians THOMAS LINACER Doctor of Physick was born in the Town of 〈◊〉 bred in Oxford whence he afterwards travelled beyond the Seas residing chiefly at Rome and Florence Returning into England he brought Languages along
great linage allied to the Earl of Devonshire and no lesse Learning excellently skilled in the Knowledg of both Laws So that at the instant suit of K. Henry the Fifth He was preferred Bishop of Norwich Anno 1413. His person the Inne of his Soul had a fair Sign was highly favoured by his Prince and beloved by the people Yet all this could not prolong his life So that he died of a flux at the siege of Harflew in Normandy in the second year of his Consecration and his Corps brought over was honourably entombed in Westminster Jâ—…AMES CARY was born in this County his name still flourishing nt Cockington therein He was at Rome made Bishop of Lichfield and travailing thence homewards towards England did again light on the Pope at Florâ—…nce just at the news of the vacancy of Exeter and the same See was bestowed on him the more welcome because in his Native County Say not this was a Degradation For though in our time Lichfield is almost twice as good as Exeter â—…xeter then was almost four times as good as Lichfield This appeareth by their valuations of their Income into First-Fruits Exeter paying the Pope six thousand Ducats whilst Lichfield paid onely seventeen hundred at the most But what ever the value of either or both was Cary enjoyed neither of them dying and being buried in Florence Thus though one may have two Cups in his hand yet some intervening accident may so hinder that he may taste of neither He died 1419. JOHN STANBERY was saith Bale out of Leland in Occidentali 〈◊〉 parte natus But the Western parts being a wide Parish thanks to our Authour who hath particularized the place of his Nativity viz. the Farm of Church-hill within the Parish of Bratton or Broad-Town in this County where some of his Name and Kindred remain at this day He was bred a Carmelite in Oxford and bâ—…came generaâ—…ly as learned as any of his Order deserving all the dignity which the â—…niversity did or could confer upon him King Hâ—…n the sixth highly favoured and made him the first Provost of Eaton being much ruled by his advice in ordering that his new Foundation He was by the King designed Bishop of Norwich but William de la Poole Duke of Suffolk See the presumption of a proud Favourite or Minion rather got it from him for his own Chaplain and Stanbery was for to stay his stomack on the poor Bishoprick of Bangor till Anno 1453 he was advanced Bishop of Hereford Leland doth condemn him for his over compliance with the Pope in all his intollerable taxes and others commend him as much for his fidelity to his Master King Hen. whom he deserted not in all his adversity so that this Bishop was taken prisoner in the Battail of Northampton Say not to this Prelate as Eliab to David Why camest thou down hither with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the Wildernesse I know the pride and the malice of thy heart for thou art come down to see the Battail For Stanbery being Confessor to King Henry he was tyed by his Oath to such personal attendance After long durance in Warwick Castle he was set at liberty and dying Anno 1474 was buried in the Convent of Carmelites at Ludlow where his barbarous and tedious Epitaph ill suiting with the Authour of such learned and pithy Books is not worth the inserting PETER COURTNEâ—… son to Sir Phillip Courtney was born at Powderham in this Shire He was first preferred Arch-Deacon then Bishop of â—…xeter expending very much money in finishing the North Tower giving a great called Peter Bell thereunto He was afterwards Anno 1486 translated to Winchester where he sat five years It is much one of so Illustrious Birth should have so obscure a Burial Bishop Godwin conÌ„fessing that he knew not whereabouts in his Church he lyeth interred Since the Reformation JOHN JEWEL bearing the Christian Name of his Father Grandfather and Great Grandfather was born at Buden a Farm possessed more than two hundred years by his Ancestors in the Parish of 〈◊〉 nigh Illfracombe in this County on the 24th of May 1552. His mothers Sirname was Bellamy who with her husband John Jewel lived happily fifty years together in Holy Wedlock and at their death left ten children behind them It may be said of his Sirname Nomen Omen Jewel his Name and Pretious his Vertues So that if the like ambition led us English men which doth Foraigners speciously to render our Sirnames in Greek or Latine he may be termed Johnnes Gemma on better account then Gemma Frisius entituleth himself thereunto He was chiefly bred in the School of Barstable where John Harding afterwards his Antagonist was his School fellow and at 15 years of age was admitted in Merton Collâ—…dge under the tuition of John Parkhurst afterwards Bishop of Norwich Such his sedulity rising alway at 4 of the Clock and not going to bed till 10 that he was never punished for any exercise and but once for absence from Chappel Hence he was removed to Corpus Christi Colledge where he proved an Excellent Poet having all Horace by heart Linguist and Orator Thus having touched at all Humane Arts he landed at Divinity being much assisted by Peter Martyr the Kings Professor therein St. Jerome telleth us that so great was the intimacy betwixt Pamphilius that worthy Martyr a Priest and Eusebius the Bishop of Caesarea ut ab uno alter nomen acceperet that they mutually were sirnamed the one from the other Pamphilius Eusebii and Eusebius Pamphilii No lesse the unity of affections be twixt these two who accordingly might be called Martyrs Jewell and Jewells Martyr as seldome in body and never in mind asunder What eminent changes afterwards befel him in the course of his life how he fled into Germany lived at Zurick returned into England was preferred Bishop of Salisbury wrote learnedly preached painfully lived piously died peaceably Anno Dom. 1572. are largely related in my Ecclesiastical History and I will trouble the Reader with no repetitions JOHN PRIDEAUX was born at Hartford in the West part of this County bred Scholar Fellow and Râ—…ctor of Exeter Colledg in Oxford Canon of Christ-Church and above thirty years Kings Professor in that University An excellent Linguist but so that he would make words wait on his matter chiefly aiming at expressivenesse therein he had a becomming Feâ—…ivity which was Aristotles not St. Pauls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Admirable his memory retaining what ever he had read The Welch have a Proverb in my mind somewhat uncharitable He that hath a good memory giveth few Alms because he keepeth in mind what and to whom he had given before But this Doctor cross'd this Proverb with his constant charity to all in want His learning was admired by Forreigners Sextinus Amma Rivet c. He was not Vindicative in the least degree One intimate with him having assured me that he would
his friend and Patron Baldwin Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He travailed into Forrain parts which he did not as too many weed but gathered the Flowers returning stored with good Manners and stock'd with good Learning He endeavoured that all in his Convent should be like himself and Ford-Abbey in his time had more Learning therein than three Convents of the same bignesse He was Confessor to King John wrote many pious Works and dying was buried in his own Convent without any Funeral Pomp about the year 1215. RICHARD FISHAKER or FIZACRE Matthew Paris termeth him FISHACLE was saith 〈◊〉 born in Exoniensi Patria which I english in Devonshire He was bred first in Oxford then in Paris and became a Dominican Friar For his Learning and Preaching as highly esteemed as any of that age He was saith Learned Leland as fast linked in Friendship to Robert Bacon of whom hereafter as ever 〈◊〉 to Bacchius or Thesâ—…us to Perithous So that one may say ofthem there was two friends This Richard disdaining to survive Robert aâ—…oresaid hearing of his death expired in the same year 1248. and was buried at Oxford JOHN CUT 〈◊〉 was born at the Manor of Gammage in this County where his Name and Family do continue Owners thereof Now because that which is pretty is pleasing and what is little may be presumed pretty we will insert the short and indeed all the information we have of him In the time of King Edward the Third Johannes Rupe-Scissanus or de Rupe scissa Cutclif being a very sincere and learned man opposed himself against the Doctrine and Manners of the Clergy and wrote against the Pope himself I see Baleus non vidit omnia for Pitzeus it is no wonder if he be pleased to take no notice of a Writer of an opposite judgment to himself When we receive then will we return more Intelligence of this Authour RICHARD CHICHESTER was not born at Chichester in Sussex as his Name doth import but was an extract of that Ancient Family still flourishing at Raleigh in this County He became a Monk in Westminster seldome spending any spare time in vanity but laying it out in reading Scripture and good History He wrote a Chronicle from Hengisius the Saxon to the year of our Lord 1348. done indeed fide Historica His death happened about the year 1355. ROBERT PLYMPTON was born in Plypmton in this County and bred an Augustinian in the Town of his Nativity He was afterwards preferred Arch-Deacon of Totnesse conscientiously discharging his place for perceiving people extreamly 〈◊〉 he was another John Baptist in his painful preaching repentance unto them which Sermons he caused to be written and it is conceived they wrought a very good 〈◊〉 on the Devonians The time wherein he flourished is not certainly known NICHOLAS UPTON was born in this County of an Ancient Family still flourishing therein at ........... He was bred Doctor in the Canon-Law and became Canon of Salisbury Wells and St. Pauls Humphrey Duke of Glocester the Me coenas General of goodnesse and learning had him in high esteem and gave him great rewards Hereupon Upton in expression of his gratitude presented his Patron with a Book the first in that kind of Heraldry and the Rules thereof a Book since set forth in a fair impression by Edward Bish Esquire a Person composed of all worthy accomplishments He flourished under King Henry the Sixth 1440. Since the Reformation RICHARD HOOKER was born at Heavy-tree nigh Exeter bred in Corpus Christi Colledg in Oxford and afterwards was preferred by Arch-Bishop Whitgift Master of the Temple whilst at the same time Mr. Walter Travers was the Lecturer thereof Here the Pulpit spake pure Canterbury in the Morning and Geneva in the Afternoon until Travers was silenced Hooker his Stile was prolixe but not tedious and such who would patiently attend and give him credit all the reading or hearing of his Sentences had their expectation over-paid at the close thereof He may be said to have made good Musick with his fiddle and stick alone without any Rosin having neither Pronunciation nor gesture to grace his matter His Book of Ecclestiastical POLITIE is prized by all generally save such who out of Ignorance cannot or Envy will not understand it But there is a kind of People who have a Pike at him and therefore read his Book with a prejudice that as Jephtha vowed to sacrifice the first living thing which met him these are resolved to quarrel with the first word which occurreth therein Hereupon it is that they take exception at the very Title thereof Ecclesiastical Politie as if unequally yoked Church with some mixture of City-nesse that the Discipline Jure Divino may bow to Humane Inventions But be it reported to the Judicious whether when all is done a Reserve must not be left for prudential Supplies in Church Government True it is his Book in our late Times was beheld as an Old-Almanack grown out of date but blessed be God there is now a Revoluion which may bring his Works again into reputation Mr. Hooker leaving London no inclination of his own but obedience to others put him on so publick a place retired to his small Benefice in Kent where he put off his Mortality Anno 1599 leaving the Memory of an humble holy and learned Divine Here I must retract after a Father no shame for a Child two passages in my Church History For whereas I reported him to die a Bachilour he had Wife and Children though indeed such as were neither to his comfort when living nor credit when Dead But Parents cannot stamp their Children from their Heads or Hearts Secondly his Monument was not erected by Sir Edwin Sandys a person as probable as any man alive for such a performance but by Sir William Cooper now li ving in the Castle of Hartford and let the good Knight have the due Commendation thereof JOHN REINOLDS was born in this County bred in Corpus-Christi-Colledge in Oxford of whom I have spoken plentifully in my Church-History NATHANIEL CARPENTER Son to a Minister was born in this County bred Fellow of Exeter-Colledge in Oxford He was right-handed in the Cyclopedy of all Arts Logick witnesse his Decades Mathematicks expressed in the Book of his Geography and Divinity appearing in his excellent Sermons called Achitophel As for his Opticks it had been a Master-piece in that kind if truly and perfectly printed I have been informed that to his great grief he found the written Preface thereof CaChristmass Pies in his Printers House Pearles are no Pearles when Cocks or Coxcombs find them and could never after from his scattered Notes recover an Original thereof He went over into Ireland where he became Chaplain to James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh and School-Master of the Kings Wards in Dublin A place of good profit great credit greatest trust being to bring up many Popish Minors in the Protestant Religion who under his Education grew
Raigns in that Book for profound penning discoverable from the rest of the different style and much Scripture scited therein Mr. Guillim in his Heraldry was much beholden to this Doctors Emendations He was a greater Lover of Coyns than of Money rather curious in the stamps than Covetous for the Mettall thereof That excellent Collection in Oxford Library was his Gift to the Arch-bishop before the Arch-bishop gave it to the University He dyed March 25. 1641. Benefactors to the Publick JOAN TUCKVILE a Merchants Widdow in this City first procured the possession then the consecration of a parcel of Ground which she had fairly compassed about for the Interment ofsuch as were executed at Hevie-tree hard by allowing Land to buy a shrone for every one of them that such as dyed Malefactors might be buried as men yea as Christians who having passed under the hand of Justice received a Boon from her hand who was mercifull to the dead This I may call exemplary Charity indeed as which set a coppie for others but such as hitherto hath not to my knowledg by any been transcribed She dyed about the beginning of the Raign of Queen Elizabeth The Farewel Malice knoweth no other Heaven than to do mischief to others though thereby no good to it fels Such the spite of the Cornish Rebels besieging Exeter who to damnifie the City damned and stopped up the Channel of the River EX near to a Village thence called Weare at this day to such a degree that thereby the accesse of lesser Vessels is much hindred and of the greater ships wholly debarred Some knowing Sr. Simon Baskervile a Physician and native of this place to have a plentifull purse and publick Spirit wished he would have taken the work in hand to cure this Obstruction but it was no Physicians work to meddle therewith nor is it either powder of Steel or gilded pils which can do the deed but onely pills of massy gold and silver so expensive is the performance Indeed several Acts of* Parliament have ordered the removeal of these Stoppages but nothing is effected in this kinde these real Remoraes remaining as before It is urged as an Argument of Aristotle against the conceit of Plato his having all Women in common and their Children to be brougbt up on the publique charge that then the Education of such Children will be neglected because whâ—…t is ever mans work is no manswork The truth hereof appeareth in the slow avoiding of these steam 〈◊〉 I could heartily wish that one Act of Parliament more an Eunuch yet not barren may be made eunuch that it may beget no more Acts to cause the retarding and elongation of this work yet not barren that it may effectually remedy this Grievance and that a general good be no longer postponed to mens private profit DORCET-SHIRE DORCET-SHIRE It hath Devonshire on the West Somerset and Wilt-shire on the North Hant shire on the East and the Narrow Sea on the South extending from East to West about forty miles though not past six and twenty the broadest part thereof It hath a self-sufficiency of all Commodities necessary for mans temporal well-being and needs not be beholding to any neighbouring County for it can 1. Feed it self with fine Wheat fat Flesh dainty Fowle wild and tame fresh Fish from Sea and Rivers To this meat it yieldeth that sawce without which all the rest is little worth I mean Salt made here in some measure but which hath been and may be in more abundance 2. Cloathe it self with its own Wooll and Broad-cloath made thereof and it is believed that no place in England affordeth more Sheep in so small a compass as this County about Dorchester And as they are provided for warmth in their Woollen so for cleanliness with their Linnen-cloath great store of good Flax and Hemp growing therein 3. Build its own Houses with good Timber out of Black-more Forrest and with if not better I am sure more Freestone out of Portland most approaching that of Normandy as in position so in the purity thereof Nor wanteth it veins of Marble in the Isles of Purbeck And to all this an excellent Air and the conveniency of a Sea to export for their profit and import for their pleasure as whose necessities were provided for before Natural Commodities Tenches Plenty hereof are bred in the River Stowre which is so much the more observable because generally this Fish loveth Ponds better than Rivers and Pits better then either It is very pleasant in taste and is called by some the Physician of Fishes Though in my opinion may better be styled the Surgeon for it is not so much a disease as a wound that he cureth nor is it any potion but a playster which he affordeth viz. his Natural unctuous glutinousness which quickly consolidateth any green gâ—…sh in any fish But the Pike is principally beholding unto him for cures in that kind and some have observed that that Tyrant though never so hungry forbeareth to eat this Fish which is his Physician not that Pikes are capable which many men are not of gratitude but that they are indued with a natural policy not to destroy that which they know not how soon they may stand in need of Tobacco-Pipe-Clay This is a fine Clay which will burn white while others turn red found in several parts of England but so far from the Sea it will not quit cost of portage to London save from two places 1. Poole in this County 2. Isle of Wight This wrought alone makes an hard Pipe but so shrunk and shriveled it is unhandsome to the eye This wrought alone makes a fair and full Pipe but so brittle that it is uncerviceable for use Both compounded together make these Utensils both hard and handsome This Clay brought to London by Ship for Ballast is there worth about Thirty shillings the Tun. Hemp. England hath no better than what groweth here betwixt Remister and Byrdport the use whereof is of absolute necessity for cordage cloathing c. So that a man may admire that the seed being so profitable and our Land affording so much strong and dèep ground proper for the same so little is sown thereof The rather because Hemp in effect secureth it self first against Cattel against which it is its own fence seeing none Deer only excepted will offer to eat thereof Secondly from thieves not because it is ominous for them to steal that which is the instrument of their execution but because much pains which idle persons hate at their hearts is required to reduce Hemp to profit whilest Wheat and Barley left in the field are more subject to Felony as which when threshed will render a present profit But see more of this Commodity in Lincoln-shire To these we may adde Rubia Silvestris VVild Madder which groweth at Hodhill in this County on the next side of the River at Stur-paine two miles from Blanford at Warham likewise and at other
according to the strictness of the Rules which we proposed to follow as not being of the number of those Bishops who may not unfitly be termed with Noah righteous in their Generations having seen two Sets if I may so speak of their Order but preferred to that Dignity since our late happy Revolution He is here fixed though no Native of this County because the fittest place I conceive it is happy when the Antidote meets the Poyson where it was first suck'd in seeing formerly treating in my Church History of this Cathedral I delivered his Character to his disadvantage very defectively JOHN COSEN D. D. was born in the City of Norwich bred in Cays Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was Fellow Hence was he removed to the Mastership of Peter-House in the same University One whose abilities quick apprehension solid Judgement variety of Reading c. are sufficiently made known to the world in his learned Books whereby he hath perpetuated his name to posterity I must not pass over his constancy in his Religion which rendereth him aimable in the eys not of good men only but of that God with whom there is no variableness nor shâ—…dow of changing It must be confessed that a sort of fond people surmised as if he had once been declining to the PopishPerswasion Thus the dim sighted complain of the darkness of the room when alas the fault is in their own eyes and the lame of the unevenness of the floor when indeed it lieth in their unsound leggs Such were the silly folk their understandings the eys of their minds being darkned and their affections the feet of their soul made lame by prejudice who have thus falsly conceited of this worthy Doctor However if any thing that I delivered in my Church History relating therein a Charge drawn up against him for urging of some Ceremonies without inserting his Purgation which he effectually made clearing himself from the least imputation of any fault hath any way augmented this opinion I humbly crave pardon of him for the same Sure I am were his Enemies now his Judges had they the least spark of ingenuity they must acquit him if proceeding according to the evidence of his Writing Living Disputing Yea whilest he remained in France he was the Atlas of the Protestant Religion supporting the same with his Piety and Learning confirming the wavering therein yea dayly adding Proselytes not of the meanest rank thereunto Since the return of our gracious Soveraign and the reviving of swooning Episcopacy he was deservedly preferred Bishop of Durham And here the Reader must pardon me if willing to make known my Acquaintance with so eminent a Prelate When one in his presence was pleased with some Propositions wherein the Pope condescended somewhat to the Protestants he most discreetly returned in my hearing We thank him not at all for that which God hath always allowed us in his Word adding withall He would allow it us so long as it stood with his Policy and take it away so soon as it stood with his Power And thus we take our leave of this Worthy Prelate praying for his long life that he mâ—…y be effectual in advancing the settlement of our yet distracted Church Civilians RICHARD COSIN Doctor of Law was born at Hartly Poole a well known harbour for the safety and some observe a providence that he who afterwards was to prove the grand Champion of Episcopacy should amongst all the counties of England be born in 〈◊〉 â—…ishoprick His Father was a person of quality a Captain of a Company in Mustâ—…borough field whence his valour returned with victory and wealth when crossing the River Tweed O the uncertainty of all earthly happiness was drowned therein to the great losse of his Son Richard and greater because he was not sensible thereof as left an infant in the cradle His Mother afterwards married one Mr. Meddow a York-shire Genâ—…leman who bred this his Son-in-law at a Schoole at Scypton in the Craven wherein such his proficiency that before he was twelue years old little less than a wonder to me in that age from so far a Country he was admitted in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Some of his Friends in Queens Colledge in that University had a design to fetch him thence had not Doctor Beamont prevented the Plot in making him Scholar and Fellow as soon as by his Age Degree and the Statâ—…tes he was capable thereof He was a general Scholar Geometrician Musician Physician Divine but chiefly Civil and Canon Lawyer By Arch-Bishop Whitgift he was preferred to bâ—… first Chancellor of Worcester in that age a place non tam gratiosus quam negotiosus and afterwards Dean of the Arches wherein he carried himself without giving though many took offence at him Of these one wrote a Book against him called the Abstract abstracted saith my Author from all Wit Learning and Charity to whom he returned such an answer in the defence of the High Commission and Oath ex officio that he he put his Adversary to silence Others lay to his charge that he gave many Blank Licences the common occasions of unlawful marriages and the procurer herein is as bad as the thief robbing many a parent of his dear child thereby But always malice looks through a multiplying glasse Euclio complained Intromisisti sexcentos Coquos Thou hast let in six hundred Cooks when there was but two truely told Anthrax and Congrio so here was there but one which a fugitive servant stole from the Register to make his private profit thereby God in his sickness granted him his desire which he made in his health that he might be freed from torture which his corpulency did much suspect bestowing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon him a sweet and qutet departure pious his dying expressions I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. 1. The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. Come Lord Jesus come quickly Revel 12. and his last words was these Farewell my surviving friends remember your mortality and eternal life He gave forty pound to the building of a Chamber in Trinity Colledge and fifteen pound per annum for the maintenance of two Scholar-ships therein a good gift out of his Estate who left not above fifty pound a year clear to his Heir a great argument of his integrity that he got no more in so gainful a place Dying at Doctors Commons he was buried by his own appointment in Lambeth Church and Doctor Andrews preached his Funeral Sermon Amongst the many verses made by the University of Cambridge this with the allowance of poetical Licence came from no bad Fancy Magna Deos inter lis est exorta creatas Horum qui lites dirâ—…mit ille deest Cosinum petiere Dii componere tantas Lites quod vero jure peritus erat It must not be forgotten that Doctor Barlow afterwards Bishop of Lincoln was bred by Doctor Cosen at his charge in his own Family who in expression of his Thankfulness wrote
oath You shall swear by the custome of our confession That you never made any nuptiall transgression Since you were married man and wife By houshold brawles or contentious strife Or otherwise in bed or at bord Offended each other in deed or word Or since the Parish-Clerk said Amen Wished your selves unmarried agen Or in a twelve-moneth and a day Repented not in thought any way But continued true and in desire As when you joyn'd hands in holy Quire If to these conditions without all fear Of your own accord you will freely swear A Gammon of Bacon you shall receive And bear it hence with love and good leave For this is our custome at Dunmow well known Though the sport be ours the Bacons your own It appeareth in an old book on record that Richard Wright of Badesnorth in Norfolk in the twentieth third of Henry the sixth when John Canon was Prior that Stephen Samuel of Little-Easton in Essex the seventh of Edward the fourth when Roger Rullcot was Prior and that Thomas Lee of Coxhall in Essex the second of Henry the eight when John Taylor was Prior demanded their Bacon on the premisses and receiv'd it accordingly Princes HENRY FITZ-ROY naturall son to King Henry the eight Here we confess our Trespass against our own Rules who confined our selves to the Legitimate Issue of Kings presuming that the worth of this Henry will make amends for our breach of order herein He was begotten on the Body of the Lady Talbois and born at Blackmore-Mannor in this County Anno 1519. being afterwards Created Earl of Noâ—…tingham and Duke of Richmond He confuted their Etymology who deduced Bastard from the Dutch words boes and art that is an abject Nature and verifyed their deduction deriving it from besteaerd that is the best disposition Such was his forwardness in all Martiall Activities with his knowledge in all Arts and Sciences Learned Leland dedicating a book unto him He married Mary daughter to Thomas Duke of Norfolk and dying Anno 1536. in the seventeenth year of his age was buried at Framlingham in Suffolk with great lamentation Saints Saint HELEN was born at Colchester in this County daughter to Coel King thereof as all our British Authors unanimously doe report She was Mother of Constantine the first Christian Emperour and is famous to all ages for finding out Christ's Cross on Mount Calvary Hence it is that in memoriall hereof the City of Colchester giveth for its Arms a Cross enragled between four Crowns A scandal is raised on her name that she was Stabularia A Stableress whereof one rendreth this witty râ—…ason because her Father was Comes Stabuli an high office equivalent to the Constable in France unto the Emperour Others more truly make her so nick named by Pagan malice for her officious devotion in finding out the Stable of Christs Nativity Heathen pens have much aspersed her calling her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose tongues are no slander seeing the Disciple is not above his Master More was I moved when first finding thispassage in Paulinus the pious Bishop of Nola Paulin. Epist. 11. ad Severum This englished ad verbum Prompto filii Imperatoris adsensu mater Augusta patefactis ad opera sancta thesauris toto abusa fisco est She being Mother Emperess the treasuries being set open to pious works by the ready consent of her Son the Emperor she wholly abused the exchequer I wondred to see Paulinus charging such abuses upon her being a person so prodigiously charitable that he is said to have sold himself to redeem a widows son from captivity but consulting the best of Orators I find abuti sometimes fixing no fault and importing no more then uti so that abusing the Exchequer signifieth no more then a full free usage thereof She died at Rome being eighty years of age Anno Domini 337. Saint CONSTANTINE son to the aforesaid Saint Helen was born also at Colchester one sufficiently known to all posterity by the meer mentioning of him My pen shall now do penance with its silence to expiate its tediousness in describing his character in our Ecclesiasticall History He died Anno Domini 339. Saint Ethelburgh Hildetha Theorithoid Edilburge Wolfhild Sister to Erkenwald Bishop of London was by him appointed first Abbess of the Nunnery of Barking in this County by him built and endowed Here she led a very austere life and obtained the veneration of a Saint after her death which happened 676. Sister to St. Ethelburgh aforesaid succeeded her in the government of the said Nunnery for the term of four and twenty years so that she died very aged with the reputation of a Saint Anno 700. The first of whose name soundeth Greek the second Saxon was in this respect inferior to the two former because no Abbess but onely a Nun of Barking Yet did she equall them in some sort in the holiness of her life and her memory may go a breast with them in the Classis of Sts. She died 678. Wife to Ina K. of the West-Saxons by the consent of her husband who went a Pilgrim to Rome became a Nun at Barking after her death Anno 740. room was made for her memory amongst the rank of Saints Afterwards Barking Nunnery destroyed by the Danes was rebuilt by King Edgar Daughter to Wulfhelme E. of the West-Saxons born after the 18. year of her Mothers barrenness was by King Edgar made Abbess of Barking which was the first Nunnery of England the richest valued at above 1000l of year rent at the dissolution and the fruit fullest of Saints as by this parallel doth appear St. Wolfhild died Anno 989. Saint OSITH She was daughter to the King of the East-Angles and wife to Suthred last King of East-Saxons by whose consent forsaking the world she was veiled and at last became Abbess of a Monastery of her own founding at Chich in this County untill the Danes infesting these fea-coasts cut off her head in hatred of Religion Yet this her head after it was cut off was carried by Saint Osith oh wonder oh lie three furlongs and then she fell down and died The same mutatis mutandis is told of Saint Dionys in France Saint Winefride in Wales and others such being the barrenness of Monkish invention that unable to furnish their severall Saints with variety of fictions their tired fancie is fain to make the same miracle serve many Saints She was martyred about the year of our Lord 870. Saint NEOTS why Sir-named Adulphius I know not was born saith Bale either in Essex or Kent but Pitz. who wrote sixty years after him saith positively he was born in Essex It seemeth he met with some evidence to sway down the even beam to preponderate on the side of this County Waving the pleasures of the world he lived long an Eâ—…emite in Cornwell and then leaving his solitary life he became a painfull and profitable Preacher of the
without the Brittleness thereof soon Ripe and long Lasting in his Perfections He Commenced Doctor in Physick and was Physician to Queen Elizabeth who Stamped on him many Marks of her Favour besides an Annuall Pension to encourage his Studies He addicted himself to Chemistry attaining to great exactness therein One saith of him that he was Stoicall but not Cynicall which I understand Reserv'd but not Morose never married purposely to be more beneficiall to his Brethren Such his Loyalty to the Queen that as if unwilling to survive he dyed in the same year with her 1603. His Stature was Tall Câ—…plexion Cheerfull an Happiness not ordinary in so hard a Student and retired a Person He lyeth buried in Trinity Church in Colchester under a plain Monument Mahomets Tombe at Mecha is said strangely to hang up attracted by some invisible Load-stone but the Memory of this Doctor will never fall to the ground which his incomparable Book De Magnete will support to Eternity Writers GERVASE of TILBURY born at that Village in this County since famous for a Câ—…mpe against the Spaniards in 88. is reported Nephew to King Henry the second But though Nepos be taken in the Latitude thereof to signify Son to Brother Sister or Child I cannot make it out by the Door and am loth to suspect his coming in by the Window This Gervase may be said by his Nativity to stand but on one foot and that on tip toes in England being born on the Sea side at the mouth of Thames and therefore no wonder if he quickly convayed himself over into Forraign Parts He became Courtier and favorite to his Kinsman Otho the fourth Emperour who conferred on him the Marshal-ship of the Arch-bishoprick of Arles which proveth the Imperiall Power in this Age over some parts of Province an office which he excellently discharged Though his person was wholly conversant in Forraign Aire his Pen was chiefly resident on English Earth writing a Chronicle of our Land and also adding illustrations to Gâ—…ffrey Monmouth He flourished Anno 1210. under King John ADAM of BARKING no mean market in this County was so termed from the Town of his Nativity Wonder not that being born in the East of England he went West-ward as far as Sherborn where he was a Benedictine for his education it being as usuall in that age for Monkes as in ours for Husbandmen to change their soil for the seed that their grain may give the greater encrease He was a good Preacher and learned Writer and surely would have soared higher if not weighed down with the ignorance of the age he lived in whose death happened Anno 1216. RALPH of COGSHALL in this County was first Canon of Barnewell nigh Cambridge and afterwards turn'd a Cistertian Monke He was a man Incredibilis frugalitatis parsimoniae but withall of great learning and abilities These qualities commended him to be Abbot of Cogshall the sixth in order after the first foundation thereof where he spent all his spare hours in writing of Chronicles and especially of additions to Radulphus Niger Afflicted in health he resigned his place and died a private person about the year 1230. ROGER of WALTHAM was so called from the place of his Nativity I confess there be many Walthams in England and three in Essex but as in Herauldry the plain Coat speaks the bearer thereof to be the best of the house whiles the younger Brethren give their Armes with differences so I presume that Waltham here without any other addition of Much Waltham Wood-Waltham c. is the Chief in that kind viz. Waltham in this County within twelve Miles of London eminent in that Age for a wealthy Abby The merit of this Roger being saith Bale tersè nitidè eleganter eruditus endeared him to Fulke Basset Bishop of London who preferred him Canon of Saint Pauls He wrot many worthy works flourishing under King Henry the third Anno Domini 1250. JOHN GODARD wherever born had his best being at Cogshall in this County where he became a Cistercian Monke Great was his skill in Arithmetick and Mathematicks a Science which had lain long asleep in the World and now first began to open it's eyes again He wrot many certain Treatises thereof and dedicated them unto Ralph Abbot of Cogshall He flourished Anno Dom. 1250. AUBREY de VERE extracted from the right Honorable Earls of Oxford was born saith my Authors in Bonaclea Villa Trenovantum Three miles srom Saint Osith by which direction we find it to be Great Bentley in this County Now although a witty Gentleman saith that Noble-men have seldome any thing in Print save their Cloths yet this Aubrey so applyed his studies that he wrote a Learned Book of the Eucharist In his old age he became an Augustinian of Saint Osiths preferring that before other places both because of the pleasant retireness thereof and because his kindred were great Benefactors to that Covent witness their Donation de septem Libratis terrae thereunto This Aubrey the most learned of all Honorable Persons in that Age Flourished Anno Domini 1250. THOMAS MALDON was born at Maldon no mean Market Town in this County anciently a City of the Romans called Camulodunum He was afterwards bred in the University of Cambridge where he Commenced Doctor of Divinity and got great reputation for his Learning being a Quick Disputant Eloquent Preacher Solid in Defining Subtle in Distinguishing Clear in Expressing Hence he was chosen Prior of his own Monastery in Maldon where he commendably discharged his place till the day of his death which happened 1404. THOMAS WALDENSIS was son to John and Maud Netter who declining the Surname of his Parents took it from Walden the noted place in this County of his Nativity so much are they mistaken that maintain that this Waldensis his name was Vuedale and that he was born in Hant-shire In some sort he may be termed Anti-Waldensis being the most professed Enemy to the Wicklevites who for the main revived and maintained the Doctrine of the Waldenses Being bred a Carmelite in London and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford he became a great Champion of yet Vassall to the Pope witness his sordid Complement consisting of a conjunction or rather confusion and misapplication of the words of Ruth to Naomi and David to Goliah Perge Domine Papa perge quò cupis ego tecum ubicunque volueris nec deseram in Authoritate Dominorum meorum incedam in armis eorum pugnabo He was in high esteem with three succeeding Kings of England and might have changed his Coul into what English Miter he pleased but refused it Under King Henry the fourth he was sent a solemn Embassadour 1410. about taking away the Schismâ—… and advancing an Union in the Church and pleaded most eloquently before the Pope and Segismund the Emperour He was Confâ—…ssor and Privy Councellour to King Henry the fifth who died in his
fortnight in stocks in the Bishop of Londons Cole house with Irons upon him chained again by Sir Thomas More to a post two nights cruelly handled for a seven-night at Fulham scourged for a fortnight in the Tower and at last sent to a second Tree of Truth I mean to the Stake Whereat he was burned in Smithfield April 30. 1532. Here Mr. Fox reports a passage which I cannot with credit insert or omit but take it as I find it When his Armes and Legs were half consumed in the fire he spake these words O â—…e Papists behold ye look for miracles and here now you may see a miracle for in this fire I feel no more pain than if I were in a Bed of Downe but it is to me as sweet as a Bed of Roses Soft and sweet both to please the touch and smell a double wonder I believe it might be a falshood but no lye in the Author reporting it who possibly might be abused in his intelligence Secondly it is possible that this good man feeling so much pain before might through Gods goodnesse have none at his death Thirdly this story may be kept on the deck to counterpoise the scales against that of Father Briant a Popish Priest who reported himself cruelly racked in the Tower and yet se nihil quicquam doloris sensisse That he felt not any pain at all Lastly though our Saviour juâ—…ly taxeth those who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slow in heart to believe such things as were revealed in the Scripture yet neither God nor Man wâ—…ll be offended with the incredulous in such reports attested onely with Humane suspicious Authority Prelates TIDEMAN de WINCHCOMBE was born in this County at the Market Town formerly famous for a rich Abbey now for plenty of Poore therein He was preferred first Abbot of Benle then Bishop of Landaffe and lastly of Worcester by King Richard the second his importunity to the Pope notwithstanding one John Green was fairly elected thereunto This Tideman was the Kings Physician and very well skilled in that Faculty Be it observed by the way that I am dayly more confirmed in my opinion that till the last two hundred years Physick in England was not a distinct profession from Divinity and the same persons Physicians and Confessors to Princes Say not these Functions were inconsistent the former uâ—…ually departing the later commonly coming to dying men for the several Professions did not justle but succeed one another so that when Potion did end Unction did begin A practice continued by Popish Priests in England at this day gaining commodity and concealment by being such Pluralists in their profession having the most best and last privacy with their Patients This Tideman died Anno Dom. 1400. JOHN CHEDWORTH was born in this County and bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge being the third Scholar that came thereinto by election from Eaton Schoole though some I confesse for a short time make him admitted into Merton Colledge in Oxford He afterwards was the third Provost of Kings Colledge possessing the place six years till at last he was elected Bishop of Lincoln He was joyned in Commission by King Henry the sixth with Bishop Wainfliet of Winchester to revise and regulate the Statutes of Eaton and Kings Colledges He sate Bishop about eighteen years and dying 1471. lies buried in his own Cathedral under a Marble Monument JOHN CARPENTER was as my Author rationally collecteth born at Westbury in this County bred in Oriall Colledge in Oxford whereof he became Provost and Chancellor of the University thence preferred Prefect of Saint Anthonies in London and at last Bishop of Worcester He was so indulgent to Westbury the place of his Nativity that of a mean he made it a magnificent Convent more like a Castle than a Colledge walling it about with Turrets and making a stately Gate-house thereunto He had an humorous intent to style Himself and Successors in imitation of Bath and Wells Bishops of Worcester and VVestbury which Title though running cleverly on the tongues end never came in request because therein Impar conjunctio the matching of a Collegiate and Cathedral Church together He died Anno Dom. 1475 and was buried in his Native Town of VVestbury His Tomb since his Death I will use my Authors words hoping their ignorance if alive understands no Latine A stolidis quibusdam nebulonibus pudendum in morem mutulatur As for the Colledge of VVestbury it is the inheritance of the Right VVorshipful and Hospital House-keeper Ralph Sadler Esq and was in these Civil Broils unhappily burnt down though those who esteemed themselves judicious in war apprehended neither necessity thereof noâ—… advantage thereby THOMAS RUTHAL born at Cicester in this County bred in Cambridge where he commenced Doctor of the Laws was by King Henry the Seventh for his great Abilities preferred to be Bishop of Durham King Henry the Eighth made him of his Privy Councel notwithstanding the hatred which Cardinal VVolsey bare unto him It happened King Henry employed him as a politick person to draw up a Breviate of the State of the Land which he did and got it fairly transcribed But it fell out that in stead thereof he deceived with the likenesse of the cover and binding presented the King with a Book containing an Inventory of his own Estate amounting to an inviduous and almost incredible summe of One hundred thousand pounds VVolsey glad of this mistake told the King he knew now where a masse of money was in case he needed it This broke Ruthall his heart who had paid the third part of the cost of making the Bridge of New-Castle over Tyne and intended many more Benefactions had not death 1523. on this unexpected occasion surprised him Since the Reformation EDWARD FOX was born in Duresley in this County bred first in Eaton then in Kings Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was chosen Provost which place he kept until his death He was afterwards Almoner to King Henry the Eighth He first brought Doctor Cranmer to the knowledge of the King which Doctor first brought the King to the knowledge of himself how he stood in matter of marriage with the Widow of his Brother This Doctor Fox was after Bishop of Hereford and was saith my Author Reformationis Ecclesiasticae illius tempore coeptae clanculum fautor Let me adde he was the principal pillar of the Reformation as to the managery of the Politick and Prudential part thereof being of more activity and no less ability then Cranmer himself Martin Bucer dedicated unto him his Comment on the Gospels yea this Bishop wrote many Books whereof that De differentia utriusque potestatis was his Master-piece He was employed by the King on several Embassies into France and Germany and died to the great loss of Gods Church May 8. 1538. States-men Sir RALPH BUTLER Knight of the Garter and Lord Sudeley in this County was Lord Treasurer of England
about three years viz. from the seventh of July in the 22. year of King Henry the Sixth being the year of our Lord 1544. until the 25. year of that Kings raign This Lord built Sudeley Castle in this County which of Subjects Castles was the most handsome Habitation and of Subjects Habitations the strongest Castle King Edward the Fourthâ—…ent â—…ent for him with such summons that this Lord conjectured and that truly enough that it was but a Preface to his imprisonment whereupon going to London and resting himself on a Hill whence he did behold his own Castle It is thou Sudeley it is thou said he and not I that am a Traytor and so resigned the same at last into the hand of the King to procure his own liberty So true it is what Solomon saith The ransome of a mans life are his riches but the poor heareth not rebuke I find not the certain date of his death Capital Judges and Writers on the Law ANTHONY FITZ-HERBERT for a long time Justice of the Common Pleas was as a good Antiquary will have it born about Dean Forrest in this County but is by another no whit his inferiour on better evidence referred to Derby-shire where formerly we have placed his Nativity Yea I have been informed from excellent hands the Natives of this County that no Capital Judge of the three Great Courts though many of the Marches was ever born in this County yet are they here as litigious as in other places Sure I am that Gloucester-shire did breed if no Judge yet a Plaintiff and Defendant of the primest quality which betwixt them with many alternations traversed the longest suit that ever I read in England for a suit was commenced betwixt the Heirs of Sir Thomas Talbot Viscout Lisle on the one party and the heirs of Lord Barkley on the other about certain possessions lying in this County not far from Wotton-under-edge which suit begun in the end of King Edward the Fourth was depending until the beginning of King James when and was it not high time it was finally determined But the long barrenness of this County in Judges may be recompenced with fruitfulness at last the rather because Gloucestershire at this day sheweth two eminent ones Mr. Justice Adkins and Mr. Justice Hales which grace the Court of the Common Pleas with their known ability and integrity EDWARD TROTMAN Son of Edward Trotman Esquire was born at Cam nigh Duresly in this County bred a Student of the Law till he became a Bencher in the Inner Temple He wrote an Abridgement of Sir Edward Coke his eleven Volumes of Reports for the benefit of those who had not money to purchase or leisure to peruse them at large Yea such as have both may be profitted thereby for in my owne profession and in the Book of Books even those who are best acquainted with the Chapters make also use of the Contents This Gentleman in his Title page ingeniously wisheth that his Compendium might not prove Dispendium to the Reader thereof And I verily believe he hath had his desire being informed that his endeavours are well esteemed by the Learned in that profession He was buried in the Temple Church May 29. Anno Dom. 1643. Souldiers Sir WILLIAM TRACY of Todington in this County was a Gentleman of high Birth State and Stomach much in favour with King Henry the second on whom he was a daily attendant One fact hath made his Memory call it famous or infamous because he was the first and forwardest of the four Knights who at the encouragement if not command at leastwise at the connivance if not encouragement of the aforesaid King Imbrewed their hands in the blood of Thomas Becket In his old age he went into Devon-shire where he had large possessions as may appear by so many Towns bearing his surname 1. Wollocomb-Tracy 2. Bovi-Tracy 3. Nimet-Tracy 4. Bradford-Tracy c. It is reported that he intended a penitential Pilgrimage to Jerusalem but setting to Sea was ever crost with adverse Winds He is conceived to lie buried in the Parish Church of Mort in Devonshire dying about the year of our Lord 1180. Seamen This is scarcely a Maritine-shire rather bordering on the Severn than on the Sea having therein no considerable Haven Bristol being beheld as a City entire of it self and therein eminent Seamen cannot be expected yet one Family herein hath been most fortunate in such voyages having their chief Seat at Lydney in the Forrest of Dean which hath afforded WILLIAM WINTER Knight and Vice Admiral of England famous in his Generation for several performances 1. Anno 1559. being then but Machinarum classicarum praefectus English it as you please he frighted the French in Edenborough Frith assaulting their Fort in the Island of Inchkeith 2. Anno 1567. he was sent with Sir Thomas Smith with the sound of the Trumpet and shooting of some Cannons to demand the restitution of Callis of the French King 3. Anno 1568. he conducted a great Treasure of the Genoan Merchants safely into the Netherlands in despight of the French opposing him 4. Anno 1576. he with Robert Beale Clerk of the Councel was employed into Zeland to demand the restitution of our Ships which they had either taken or did detain 5. Anno 1588. he did signal service in the station appointed him coming in though not in the heat in the coole of the day when the Spanish Fleet was fallen towards the shore of Zeland and were sadly sensible of his valour I conceive him not to survive long after because if in life he would have been in action and if in action I should have found him in Cambden's Elizabeth And therefore from no mention I conclude no motion that about this time he departed Besides others of this Family unknown to me and justly referred to this County as their chief habitation And were the phrase as proper of Men sailing as Fishes swimming in the Sea I should say that Lydney-House hath brought forth a shole of Mariners So happy have they been in Sea voyages One wondring how the English durst be so bold as to put to Sea in all weathers it was returned that they were provided to saile in all seasons having both Winters and Summers on their side The more the pity that this worthy Family of the Winters did ever leave the Element of Water to tamper with Fire especially in a destructive way to their King and Country Writers OSBERNUS CLAUDIANUS or Osbern of Gloucester was bred a Benedictine Monk in the famous Convent in that City He was learned saith Leland Praeter iliius aetatis sortem above the Standard of that age He was a good Linguist Philosopher Divine he used to give clearness to what was obscure facility to what was difficult politeness to what was barbarous Nor wanted he a becoming facetiousness in his Dialogues He wrote many Books dedicating them to Gilbert Foliot Bishop of Hereford as a
making I behold his as the second accounting the Lord Tiptoft the first noble hand which since the decay of Learning took a Pen therein to be Author of a Book He dyed on the 16. of March 1532. and is buryed in the great church in Calice And I have read that the estate of the Berners is by an Heir-general descended to the Knyvets of â—…shwelthorp in Norfolk Since the Reformation ROGER HUTCHINSON was born in this County and bred Fellow of St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge where he was very familiar with Mr. Roger Askam who disdained Intimacy with Dunces And as this is euough to speak him Scholar so it is a sufficient Evidence to an Intelligent Jury to prove him Protestant that being commended by Bale for writing a book in English of the Image of God he is wholly omitted by John Pits He flourished Anno Dom. 1550. and probably dyed in the happy Reign of Edward the sixth before the following persecution THOMAS CARTVVRIGHT was born in this County and was admitted in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge Anno 1550. In the Reign of Queen Mary he left the University being probably one of those Scholars which as Mr. Fox observeth went alias were driven away from this Colledge all at one time and betook himself to the service of a Counsellour Here he got some skill in the Common-Law which inabled him afterwards to fence the better for himself by the advantage thereof In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth he returned to Cambridge was chosen Fellow first of St. Iohns then of Trinity How afterwards he was made Margaret Professour outed thereof for his Non-conformity travelled beyond Seas returned home became the Champion of the Presbyterian partie is largely related in our Ecclesiastical History Onely I will add that the Non conformists not a greeing which of them where there is much choice there is no choice should answer Dr. Whitgifts Reply I read that Mr. Cartwright at last was chosen by lot to undertake it It seems the Brethren concluded it of high and holy concernment otherwise I know what Mr. Cartwright hath written of the appeal to Lots Non nisi in rebus gravioribus alicâ—…jus magni momenti ad sortis judicium recurrendumm maxime cum per sortem Deus ipse in judicio sedeat One saith for riches he sought them not and another saith that he dyed rich and I beleive both â—…ay true God sometimes making Wealth to find them who seek not for it seeing many and great were his Benefactors He dyed and was buryed in Warwick where he was Master of the Hospital Anno. 1603. DANIEL DIKE was born at Hempstead in this County where his Father was a Minister silenced for his Non-conformity He was bred in ....... Colledge in Cambridge and became afterwards a profitable Labourer in Gods Vineyard Witness besides his Sermons his worthy books whereof that is the Master-peice which treateth of the deceitfulnesse of mans heart wherein he layes down directions for the Discovery thereof As also how in other Cases one may be acquainted with his own Condition seeing many men lose themselves in the Labyrinths of their own hearts so much is the Terra incognita therein This Book he designed for his pious Patron John Lord Harrington But alas when the Child was come to the Birth there was no strength to bring forth before the Book was fully finished the Author thereof followed his honourable Patron into a better World so that his Surviving brother of whom immediately set it forth And to the Lady Lucy Countesse of Bedford the Lords Sister the same was dedicated A Book which will be owned for a Truth whilst men have any badness and will be honoured for a Treasure wilst men have any goodnesse in them This Worthy man dyed about the Year 1614. JEREMIAH DIKE his Younger Brother was bred in Sidney Colledge in Cambridge beneficed at Epping in Essex one of a chearful Spirit And know Reader that an Ounce of Mirth with the same degree of Grace will serve God farther then a pound of Sadnesse He had also a gracious heart and was very profitable in his Ministry He was a Father to some good Books of his own and a Guardian to those of his Brother whose Posthume Works he set forth He was one peaceable in Israel And though no Zelot in the practice of Ceremonies quietly submitted to use them He lived and dyed piously being buryed in his own Parish-Church Anno Dom. 1620. ARTHUR CAPEL Esquire of Hadâ—…m in this County was by King Charls the first created a Baron 1641. He served the King with more Valour and Fidelity then Success during the Civil Wars in the Marches of Wales After the Surrender of Oxford he retired to his own house in this Shire and was in some sort well cured of the so then reputed Disease of Loyalty when he fell into a Relaps by going to Colcbester which cost him his life beheaded in the Palace Yard in Westminster 1648. In his Life time he wrote a book of Meditation published since his death wherein much judicious piety may be discovered His mortified mind was familiar with afflictions which made him to appear with such 〈◊〉 Resolution on the Scaffold where he seemed rather to fright Death then to be frighted with it Hence one not unhappily alluding to his Arms a Lyon Rampant in a Field Gules betwixt three Crosses thus expresseth himself Thus Lion-like Capel undaunted stood Beset with crosses in a Field of Blood A Learned Dr. in Physick present at the opening and embalming of him and Duke Hambleton delivered it at a publike Lecture that the Lord Capels was the least Heart whilst the Dukes wâ—…s the greatest he ever beheld Which alâ—…o is very proportionable to the Observation in Philosophy that the Spirits contracted in a lesser model are the cause of the greater courage God hath since been the Husband to His Widow who for her goodnesse may be a Pattern to her Sexe and Father to his Children whom not so much their Birth Beauty and Portions as Vertues married to the best Bloods and Estates in the Land even when the Royalists were at the lowest condition EDVVARD SYMONDS born at Cottered in this County was bred in Peter House in Cambridge where he commenced Master of Arts afterwards Minister of Little Rayne in Essex a man strict in his Life and profitable in his preaching wherein he had a plain and piercing faculty Being sequestred from his Living for siding with the King with David 1 Sam. 23. 13. He went wheresoever he could go to Worcester Exeter Barnstable France and lastly returned to London He wrote a Book in VINDICATION OF KING CHARLES and was Instrumental in setting forth his Majesties book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pens were brondished betwixt him and Mr. Stephen Marshal though all was fair betwixt them before his Death For Mr. Symonds visited him lying in his bed at Westminster told him Had I taken you for a
Death of Pope Urban But Pope Boniface his Successour restored him to all his honours and dignities sent him over into England to King Richard the Second with most ample Commendation Returning to Rome he lived there in all plenty and pomp and dyed September the seventeenth 1397. Pity it is so good a Scholar should have so barbarous an Epitaph scarce worth our Translation Artibus iste Pater famosus in omnibus Adam Theologus summus Cardi que-nalis erat Anglia cui patriam titulum dedit ista Beatae Ceciliaeque morsque suprema polum Adam a famous Father in Arts all He was a deep Divine Cardi-and nall Whom England bred S. Cicilie hath given His Title Death at last gave heaven He was interred when dead in the Church of St. Cicilie which intituled him when alive though no happiness an honour which no other English man to my observation of his Order ever Injoyed Prelates JOHN BRETON alià s BRITTON Dâ—… of the Lawes He meriteth a high place in this Catalogue and yet I am at a perfect loss where to fix his Nativity and therefore am forced to my last Refuge as the Marginal Character doth confess He was a famous Lawyer living in the Reign of King Edward the First at whose Commandement and by whose Authority he wrote a learned Book of the LAWES of ENGLAND the Tenor whereof runneth in the Kings name as if it had been penned by himself Take one instance thereof 12. Chapter VVe will that all those who are fourteen years old shall make Oath that they shall be sufficient and Loyall unto Us and that they will be neither Felons nor assenting to Felons and We will that all be c. This Style will seem nothing strange to those who have read Justinian his Institutions which the Emperour assumed unto himself though composed by others It is no small Argument of the Excellency of this Book that notwithstanding the great variation of our Lawes since his time that his work still is in great and general Repute Thus a good face conquereth the disadvantage of old and unfashionable Clothes He was preferred Bishop of Hereford in the Reign of King Henry the Third And although there be some difference betwixt Authors about the time wherein he lived and died some assigning a latter date I confide in Bishop Godwin his Successour in the same See computing his death to happen May 12. in the Third of King Edward the First Anno 1275. ADAM de ORLTON was born in the City of Hereford Proceeding Doctor of Law he became afterwards Bishop in the place of his Nativity This is he so Infamous in History for cutting off the life of King Edward the Second with his Ridling Unpointed Answer Edwardum Regem occidere nolite timere bonum est To kill King Edward you need not to fear it is good It is hard to say which of these two were the Original and which the Translation It being equally probable that the English was Latined as that the Latin was Englished by such Authors as relate this transaction This mindeth me of a meaner passage sic Canibus Catulos which to refresh both the Reader and my self I shall here insert A Schoolmaster being shut out of his School at Christmass came to Composition with his Scholars and thus subscribed the Articles tendred unto him Aequa est conditio non nego quod petitis But being readmitted into his house He called all his Scholars to account for their Rebellion they plead themselves secured by the Act of Oblivion he had signed He calls for the Original and perusing it thus pointed it Aequa est Conditio non Nego quod petitis Thus power in all ages will take the priviledge to construe its own Acts to its own advantage But to return to de Orlton he made much bustling in the Land passing through the Bishopricks of Worcester and Winchester and died at last not much lamented July 18. 1345. JOHN GRANDESSON was born at Ashperton in this County a person remarkable on several accounts For his 1. High Birth his Father Gilbert being a Baron and his Mother Sybill Coheir to the Lord Tregose 2. Great Learning being a good Writer of that age though Bale saith of him that he was Orator animosior quà m facundior 3. High Preferment attaining to be Bishop of Exeter 4. Vivacity sitting Bishop in his See two and fourty years 5. Stout Stomack Resisting Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury vi Armis when he came to visite his Diocess 6. Costly Buildings Arching the Beautifull Roofe of his Cathedrall Building and endowing a rich Colledge of Saint Mary Otterey He was the bettter inabled to do these and other great Benefactions by perswading all the secular Clergy in his Diocess to make him sole Heir to their Estates He died July 15. Anno Domini 1369. THOMAS BRADWARDINE Arch-bishop of Canterbury See him more properly in Sussex RICHARD CLIâ—…FORD Bishop of London See him more conveniently in Kent Since the Reformation MILES SMITH D. D. was born in the City of Hereford which I observe the rather because omitted in his Funeral Sermon His Father was a Fletcher and a man of no mean Estate that Vocation being more in use formerly then in our Age. He was bred first in Brasen-Nose-Colledge then Chaplain of * Christ-Church in Oxford A deep Divine great Linguist who had more then a single share in the last Translation of the Bible as hereby will appear 1. More then fourty Grave Divines were imployed in several places on that work 2. When it had passed their hands it was revised by a dozen select ones 3. This done it was referred to the final Examination of Bish. Bilston and Dr. Smith 4. Doctor Smith at last was injoyned to make the Preface to the Translation as a comely gate to a glorious City which remains under his own hand in the University Library in Oxford Yet was he never heard to speak of the work with any attribution to himself more then the rest He never sought any preferment he had and was wont merrily to say of himself that he was Nullius rei praeterquam Librorum avarus Covetous of nothing but Books King James preferred him Bishop of Glocester 1612. wherein he behaved himself with such meeknesse that in all matters of doubt the byass of his inclination did still hang 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He wrote all his books with his own hand in that faculty not being short of the professours thereof and being seaventy years of age died and was buried in his own Cathedrall 1624. Souldiers ROBERT DEVEREUX Son of Walter Devereux Earle of Essex was born at Nethwood in this County November the tenth 1567. Whilst his Father as yet was onely Viscount of Hereford He was such a Master-piece of Court and Camp and so bright a Light therein that we will observe his morning fore-noon high-noon afternoon and night His morning began at his first coming to Court the gates whereof
of Cardinal Wolsey was personated and wherewith that Prelate was so offended that Fish was fain to fly and live two years beyond the Seas There he made and thence sent over into England a small but sharp Treatise called The Supplication of Beggars termed by Master Fox a Libel understand him a little Book Otherwise prizing and praising it for a Master-piece of Wit-learning and Religion discovering the Superstition of that age This by Queen Anna Bollen was presented to King Henry the Eighth who therewith was so highly affected that he sent for the Author home and favoured him in great proportion However many nets were laid by the Popish party against him especially by Sir Thomas More his implacable Enemy yet Fish had the happinesse to escape the hands of Men and to fall into the hand of God more immediately Dying of the Plague 1531. and lieth buried at St. Dunstan in London Sir JAM HALES was born did live was richly landed in this county one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas a man of most signal Integrity When the rest of the Judges frighted at the frowns of the Duke of Northumberland subscribed the disinheriting of the Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth he onely refused as against both Law and Conscience Yet afterwards in the first of Queen Mary he fell into the displeasure of Bishop Gardiner which like Juniper coals once kindled hardly quenched for urging the observation of some Lawes of King Edward the Sixth For this he was imprisoned hardly used and so threatned by his Keeper that he endeavoured to have killed himself which being after let at liberty he afterwards effected drowning himself in a small water near his house fear and melancholly so much prevailing upon him Mr. Fox concludeth the sad Poem of his final estate with this Distich Cū nihil ipse vides propria quin labe laboret Tu tua fac cures caetera mitte Deo Seing nought thou ◅eest but faling in the best Mind thy own matters leave God the rest We must look on his foul Deed with anger and yet with pity on the doer thereof Frown on the one and weep for the other For seeing he had led a right godly life and had suffered so much on the account of his Conscience I hope that his station in this place will not be cavilled at by any charitable persons He died Anno Dom. 1555. Cardinals JOHN KEMP son to Thomas Grand-child to Sir John Kemp Nephew to Sir Roger Kemp both Knights was born at Wie in this County where he built a fair Colledge for Seculars bred also in Merton Colledge in Oxford successively Bishop of Rochester Chichester and London afterwards Arch-Bishop of York and Canterbury Cardinal first by the Title of Saint Balbine then of Saint Rufine in Rome all his preferments are comprehended in the old following verse Bis Primas ter Praesul erat ◅is Cardine functus He had another honour to make up the Distich being twice Lord Chancellour of England so that I may add Et dixit Legem bis Cancellari us Anglis Such are mistaken who report him the first raiser of his Family to a Knightly degree which he found in that Equipage as is aforesaid though he left it much improved in Estate by his bounty and some of his name and bloud flourish in Kent at this day He died a very old man March the 22. Anno 1453. RICHARD CLIFFORD His Nativity may bear some debate Herefordshire pretending unto him But because Robert Clifford was his brother in the first of King Henry the Fourth High Sheriff of this County and richly landed therein I adjudge him a Cantian and assign Bobbing as the most probable place of his birth His worth preferred him Bishop of London 1407. and he was sent by King Henry the Fourth as his Embassadour to the Council of Constance I could hold my hand from ranking him under the Topick of Cardinals confident that no ingenious person would take exception thereat For first he was one in Merit and Desert Secondly in general Desire and Designation Thirdly though no actual Cardinal he acted as a Cardinal when joyned to their Conclave to see fair play amongst them at the choosing of a new Pope Yea some mentioned him for the place who counting it more credit to make than be a Pope first nominated Cardinal Columna and he clearly carried it by the name of Martin During his abode at Constance he preached a Latine Sermon before the Emperour and Pope He answered his name de clivo forti or of the strong Rock indeed viz. Davids being a most pious person returning home he lived in good esteem with Prince and People until his death which happened 1421. being buried nigh the present Monument of Sr. Christopher Hatton Prelates RALPH of MAYDENSTAN I presume this the ancient Orthography of Maydston a noted Town in this County the rather because I met with no other place in England offering in sound or syllables thereunto An Author giveth him this short but thick commendation Vir magnae literaturae in Theologia Nominatissimus Insomuch that in the Reign of King Henry the Third 1234. He was preferred Bishop of Hereford This Prelate bought of one Mount-hault a Noble-man a fair house in and the Patronage of St. Mary Mount-hault commonly but corruptly called Mount-haw in London leaving both to his successours in the See of Hereford Know Reader that all English Bishops in that age had Palaces in London for their conveniency wherein they resided and kept great Hospitality during their attendance in Parliament Now although the School-men generally hold that Episcopacy is Apex consummatae Religionis then which Nihil amplius Nothing higher or holyer in this life and though many Friers have been preferred Bishops as a progressive motion both in Dignity and Sanctity Yet our Ralph was of a different judgement herein This made him in the year 1239. turn his Miter into a Coule and become a Franciscan first at Oxford then at Glocester where he died about the year 1244. HENRY de WINGHAM a well known Town in this County was by K. Henry the Third preferred Chancellour both of England and Gascony Dean both of Totten-Hall quaere where this place is and Saint Martins and twice Embassadour into France It happened that one Ethelmar wom-brother to King Henry the Third was then Bishop of Winchester A person who properly comes not under my pen First for his Foreign nativity Secondly so much as he was English he was an UNWORTHY wanting Age Ability and Orders to qualifie him in that place Hereupon the Monks of Winchester indeavouring to eject him chose Wingham a man of Merit and Might in the Court to be their Bishop which honour he wisely refused fearing to incur the Kings displeasure It was not long before his Modesty and Discretion were rewarded with a peaceable in sted of that litigious Bishoprick when chosen to London 1259. But he enjoyed his See
was whispered at Rome And numerous the spies and eyes of this Argus dispersed in all places The Jesuites being out-shot in their own Bow complain'd that he out-equivocated their equivocation having a mental reservation deeper and farther than theirs They tax him for making Heavenâ—…ow â—…ow too much to Earth oft-times borrowing a point of conscience with full intent never to pay it again whom others excused by Reasons of State and dangers of the times Indeed his Simulation which all allow lawful was as like to Dissimulation condemned by all good men as two things could be which were not the same He thought that Gold might but Intelligence could not be bought too dear The cause that so great a States man left so small an estate and so publick a person was so privately buried in Saint Pauls Anno Dom. 1590. His only Daughter Frances was successively matched to three matchlesse men Sir Phili Sidney Robert Earl of Essex and Richard Earl of Clanricard Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Sir JOHN FINEUX was by all probability born at Swinkfield in this County as I am informed from my good friend Mr. Thomas Fineux a descendant from him a place saith Mr. Cambden bestowed on his Ancestor by T. Criol a great Lord in Kent about the raign of King Edward the second I learned from the same Gentleman that he was eight and twenty years of age before he betook him to the study of the Law that he followed that profession twenty eight years before he was made a Judg and that he continued a Judge for twenty eight years whereby it appears that he lived fourscore and four years This last exactly agrees with Sir Henry Spelman making him continue Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench from the eleventh of King Henry the seventh until the seventeenth of King Henry the eight He was a great Benefactor unto Saint Augustines in Canterbury whose Prior William Mallaham thus highly commendeth him in a Manuscript Instrument Vir prudentissimus genere insignis Justitia praeclarus pietate refertus Humanitate splendidus charitate foecundus c. Now though some will say his Convent may well afford him good words who gave them good deeds yet I believe this Character of him can in no part be disproved He died about the year 1526. and lies buried in Christ Church in Canterbury who had a fair habitation in this City and another in Herne in this County where his Motto still remains in each window Misericordias Domini cantabo in Aeternum Sir ROGER MANWOOD born at Sandwich in this County applyed himselfe from his youth to the study of the Common Law wherein he attained to such eminency that by Queen Elizabeth he was preferred second Justice of the Common Pleas in which place he gave such proof of his ability and integrity that not long after in Hillary Term in the 21. of Queen Elizabeth he was made chief Baron of the Exchequer discharging that office to his 〈◊〉 Commendation full fourteen years till the day of his death He was much employed in matters of State and was one of the Commissioners who sate on the Trial of the Queen of Scots His Book on the Forest Laws is a piece highly prized by men of his Profession In Vacation time his most constant habitation was at Saint Stephens in Canterbury where saith my Author the poor inhabitants were much beholding to his bounteous liberality He erected and endowed a fair Free Schoole at Sandwich the place of his Nativity and died in the 35. of Queen Elizabeth Anno Dom. 1593. Sir HENRY FINCH Knight was born in this County of Right Worshipful Extraction their ancient sirname being Herbert a Family which had and hath an hereditary happinesse of Eminency in the study of the Laws He was Sergeant at Law to King James and wrote a Book of the Law in great esteem with men of his own profession yet were not his studies confined thereunto witnesse his Book of The calling of the Jews and all ingenious persons which dissent from his judgement will allow him learnedly to have maintained an error though he was brought into some trouble by King James conceiving that on his principles he advanced and extended the Jewish Commonwealth to the depressing and contracting of Christian Princes free Monarchies He was father unto Sir John Finch Lord Chief Justice and for a time Lord Keeper and Baron of Foreditch who is still alive Souldiers Kent hath so carried away the credit in all ages for Man-hood that the leading of the Front or Van-guard so called from Avant-guard or Goe on guard because first in marching in former times hath simply and absolutely belonged unto them I say absolutely for I find two other Shires contending for that place The best is it is but a Book-Combate betwixt learned Writers otherwise if real such a division were enough to rout an Army without other Enemy But let us see how all may be peaceably composed It is probable that the Cornish-men led the Van in the days of King Arthur who being a Native of Cornwall had most cause to trust his own Country-men But I behold this as a temporary honour which outlasted not his life who bestowed it The men of Archenfeld in Hereford-shire claimed by custom to lead the Van-guard but surely this priviledge was Topical and confined to the Welsh Wars with which the aforesaid men as Borderers were best acquainted As for Kent Cantia nostra primae cohortis honorem primos congressus hostium usque in Hodiernum diem in omnibus praeliis obtinet saith my Author Reader It may rationally be concluded that the ensuing Topick had been as large in this as in any County in England seeing it is bounded by the Sea on the East and South sides thereof had not the Author departed this life before the finishing of the same Seamen WILLIAM ADAMS was as his own Pen reporteth born at Gillingham in this County and take the brief account of his Life being the first Englishman who effectully discovered Japan Twelve years he lived at home with his Parents Twelve years he was Apprentice and Servant to Nich. Diggins a brave Seaman for some time he was Master of one of the Queens Ships Ten years he served the English Company of Barbary Merchants Fourteen years as I collect it he was employed by the Dutch in India For he began his Voyage 1598. Pilot to their Fleet of five Sail to conduct them to Japan and in order to the settlement of Trade endured many miseries He who reads them will concur with Cato and repent that ever he went thither by Sea whither one might go by Land But Japan being an Island and unaccessible save by Sea our Adams his discretion was not to be blamed but industry to be commended in his adventures He died at Firando in Japan about 1612. Civilians NICHOLAS WOTTON Son to Sir Robert was born at Bockton-Malherb in this
County a place so named as it seems from some noxious and malignant herbs growing therein What the natural plants there may be I know not sure the moral ones are excellent which hath produced so many of the Honourable Family of the Wottons Of whom this Nicholas Doctor of Civil Laws bred in Oxford may be termed a Center of Remarkables so many met in his person 1. He was Dean of the two Metropolitan Churches of Canterbury and York 2. He was the first Dean of those Cathedrals 3. He was Privy Councellor to four successive Soveraigns King Henry the eight King Edward the sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth 4. He was employed Thirteen several times in Embassies to forraign Princes Now because there are some of so diffident Natures that they will believe no total summe except they peruse the particulars let them satisfie themselves with what followeth Five times to Charls the fifth Emperor Once to Philip his Son King of Spain Once to Francis the first King of France Once to Mary Queen of Hungary Governess of the Netherlands Twice to William Duke of Clive Once to renew the peace between England France and Scotland Anno Dom. 1540. Again to the same purpose at Cambra 1549. Once sent Commissioner with others to Edinbourgh in Scotland 1560. We must not forget how in the first of Queen Elizabeth the Archbishoprick of Canterbury was proffered unto and refused by him He died January the twenty sixth Anno Dom. 1566. being about seventy years of age and was buried in Canterbury GILES FLETCHER brother of Richard Fletcher Bishop of London was born in this County as I am credibly informed He was bred first in Eaton then in Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he became Doctor of Law A most excellent Poet a quality hereditary to his two Sons Giles and Phineas Commissioner into Scotland Germany and the Low-Countries for Queen Elizabeth and her Embassador into Russia Secretary to the City of London and Master of the Court of Requests His Russian Embassie to settle the English Merchandise was his master-piece to Theodor Juanowich Duke of Muscovia He came thither in a dangerous juncture of time viz. in the end of the year 1588. First some forraigners I will not say they were the Hollanders envying thâ—… free Trade of the English had done them bad offices Secondly a false report was generally believed that the Spanish Armado had worsted the English Fleet and the Duke of Muscovy who measured his favour to the English by the possibility he apprehended of their returning it grew very sparing of his smiles not to say free of his frowns on our Merchants residing there However our Doctor demeaned himself in his Embassie with such cautiousness that he not only escaped the Dukes fury but also procured many priviledges for our English Merchants exemplified in Mr. Hackluit Returning home and being safely arrived at London he sent for his intimate friend Mr. Wayland Prebendary of S. Pauls and Senior Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Tutor to my Father from whose mouth I received this report with whom he heartily exprest his thankfulnesse to God for his safe return from so-great a danger for the Poets cannot fansie Ulrsses more glad to be come out of the Den of Polyphemus than he was to be rid out of the power of such a barbarous Prince who counting himself by a proud and voluntary mistake Emperour of all Nations cared not for the Law of all Nations and who was so habited in blood that had he cut off this Embassadors head he and his friends might have sought their own amends but the question is where he would have found it He afterwards set forth a Book called The Russian Commonwealth expressing the Government or Tyranny rather thereof wherein saith my Author are many things most observable But Queen Elizabeth indulging the reputation of the Duke of Muscovy as a confederate Prince permitted not the publick printing of that which such who have private Copies know to set the valuation thereon I cannot attain the certain date of his death Physicians ROBERT FLOID who by himself is latined Robertus de Fluctibus was born in this County and that of a Knightly Family as I am informed bred as I take it in Oxford and beyond the Seas A deep Philosopher and great Physician who at last fixed his habitation in Fan-Church-Street London He was of the Order of the Rosa-Crucians and I must confesse my self ignorant of the first Founder and Sanctions thereof perchance none know it but those that are of it Sure I am that a Rose is the sweetest of Flowers and a Cross accounted the sacredest of forms or figures so that much of eminency must be imported in their composition His Books written in Latine are great many and mystical The last some impute to his Charity clouding his high matter with dark language left otherwise the lustre thereof should dazle the understanding of the Reader The same phrases he used to his Patients and seeing conceit is very contributive to the well working of Physick their fancy or faith-natural was much advanced by his elevated expressions His works are for the English to sleight or admire for French and Forraigners to understand and use not that I account them more judicious than our own Countrymen but more inquiring into such difficulties The truth is here at home his Books are beheld not so good as Chrystal which some say are prized as precious pearls beyond the Seas But I conclude all with the Character which my worthy though concealed Friend thus wrote upon him Lucubrationibus quas solebat edere profusissimas semper visus est plus sumere laboris quam Populares nostri volebant fructum quia hunc fere negligebant prae tedio legendi prejudicio quodam oleam perdendi operamque ob CABALAM quam scripta ejus dicebantur olere magis quam PERIPATUM ob ferventius hominis ingenium in quo plerique requirebant Judicium He died on the eighth of September Anno Dom. 1637. WILLIAM HARVEY Son of Thomas Harvey was born at Folkston in this County His Father had a Week of Sons whereof this William bred to learning was the eldest his other brethren being bound Apprentices in London and all at last ended in effect in Merchants They got great Estates and made their Father the Treasurer thereof who being as skilful to purchase Land as they to gain Money kept employed and improved their gainings to their great advantage so that he survived to see the meanést of them of far greater estate than himself Our William was bred in Caius Colledge in Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Physick Five years also he studied at Padua making a good Composition of Forraign and Domestick learning So that afterwards he was for many years Physician to King Charles the First And not only Doctor Medecinae but Doctor Medicorum For this was he that first found out the Circulation of the Blood an
Tâ—…rtius Edwardus dilexit hunc ut amicus Fortia qui gessit Gallos Navaros que repressit Sic cum recessit morte feriente decessit Anno Milleno trecento septuageno Atque his junge duo sic perit omnis homoÌ„ His Monument is not extant at this day and it is pity that so good a Sword did not light on a better Pen and that Pallas so much honoured by him in her Military relation did not more assist in his Epitaph in her Poetical capacity Sr. WILLIAM MOLINEUX junior Knight descendant from the former flourished under K. Henry the eighth being a man of great command in this County bringing the considerable strength thereof to the seasonable succour of the Duke of Norfolk with whom he performed signal service in Flodden-Field It is confesâ—…ed on all sides that the Scots lost the Day by not keeping their Ranks but not agreed on the cause thereof Bucanan who commonly makes the too much Courage of his Countrymen the cause of their being conquered imputes it to their indiscreet pursuing of the English routed at the first Others say they did not break their Ranks but they were broken unable to endure the Lancashire Archers and so forced to sunder themselves In this Battail the Scotch King and chiefest Gentry were slain the English loosing scarce any of the Scâ—…ts scarce any but of prime note The King afterwards wrote his gratulatory Letter to Sr. William Molinâ—…ux in forme following Trusty and Welbeloved We greet you well and understand as well by the Report of Our Right Trusâ—…y Cousin and Counsellor the Duke of Norfolk as otherwise what acceptable serviâ—…e You amongst others lately did unto us by your valiant towardnesse in the assisting of Our said Cousin against our great Enemy the late King of Scots and how couragiously you as a very hearty loving Servant acquitted your self for the overthrow of the said late King and distressing of his malice and power to our great Honour and the advancing of your no little Fame and praise For which We have good cause to favour and thank you and so we full heartily do and assured may you be that VVe shall in such effectual wise remember your said service in any your Reasonable Pursuits as you shall have cause to think the same Rightwell imployed to your comfort and weal hereafter Given under our Signet at our Castle at Windsore the 27 of November It appears by our Authour that thâ—… like Letters mutatis mutandis were sent unto Sr. Edward Stanley and some other men of principal note in Lancashire and Cheshire I have nothing more to observe save that these two worthy Sr. VVilliams were Ancestors unto the truly Honourable the Lord Molineux Viscount Marybourgh in Ireland lately deceased Writers HUGH of MANCHESTER was saith my Authour when Adolescens a youth a Dominican but when Juvenis a young man he changed his Copy and turned a Franciscan Say not he degraded himself choosing a later order then he left for it seems that amongst them the last is counted the best as of a more refined perfection He was a great scholar and highly esteemed in that age for his severity and discretion An Imposter happened at this time pretending himself first blind then cured at the Tomb of King Henry the Third so to get coine to himself and credit to the dead King But our Hugh discovered the cheat and Writing a Book De 〈◊〉 Diliriis Dedicated it to King Edward the First who kindly accepted thereof preferring that his Fathers memory should appear to posterity with his true face 〈◊〉 painted with such false miracles This Hugh with another Franciscan was imployed by the same King to Philip King of France to demand such Lands as he detained from him in Aquitain Such who object that sitter men than Friers might have been found for that service consider not how in that Age such mortified men were presumed the most proper Persons peaceably to compremise differences between the greatest Princes This Embassie was undertaken Anno Dom. 1294. RICHARD ULVERSTON was born in this County at Ulverston a well-known Market in Loynsâ—…ay-Hundred A great Antiquary ambitious of all Learned Mens acquaintance complained that he knew him not so well as he desired He was bred in Oxford and wrote a Book intituled the Articles of Faith or the Creed of the Church this lay latent a good while till John Stanberry Bishop of Hereford rescued it from the Moaths some Thirty Years after the Authours death and bestowed a double Light upon it one in producing it into the Publick the other illustrating it with a Commentary he wrote thereon Say not this was false Herâ—…ldry but true Humility to see a Bishop commenting which is not usual on the Book of a Priest Bale concludeth all thus longum Non doctrina potest obscuro carcere claudi noâ—… will Worth Long be confin'd but make its own way forth The Time and Place of his Death are equally uncertain but by probability about 1434. under the Reign of King Henry the sixt THOMAS PENKETH so was his true name though wrested by some Latinists into Penâ—…hettus and miswritten Penthy and Penker by some English taken from a Village in this County He was bred an Augustinian in Warrington and a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford a deep Scotist and of so great a memory that Foreiners amongst whom he lived report of him that had all the Books of Scotus been lost he could easily have restored every word of them He was called to be Professor at Padua and returning into England became Provincial of his Order But his last act stained his former life who promoted the bastardizing of the Issue of K. Edward the 4th and as Dr. Shaw ushered his Flattery held up the train of the Usurper's Praises in a Sermon at St. Pauls in preaching whereof he who had formerly forfeited his Honesty lost his* Voice a proper punishment for a Parasite His Disgrace had some influence on his Order which then verticall and numerous â—…ayly 〈◊〉 in England to their Dissolution This Thomas dyed and was buryed in London 1487. JOHN STANDISH Short mention shall serve him who might have been left out wâ—…thout losse He was Nephew to Henry Standish Bishop of St. Asaph of no mean Family in this County One would suspect him â—…ot the same Man called by Pale a scurrillous Fool and admired by pitâ—… for piety and learning jealous lest another man should be more wise to Salvation than himself he wrote a Book against the Translation of Scripture into English and presented it to the Parliament His death happened seasonably for his own safety 1556. a little before the Death of Queen Mary Since the Reformation THOMAS LEAVER was born in this County where his Family and Name still remains at two Villages called Leaver at this day He was bred Fellow and Batchelour of Divinity oâ—… St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was chosen Master
1552. He was also preferred Master of Sherburn-House or Hospital in the Bishoprick a Place it seems of good profit and credit as founded by Hugh Pudsey Bishop of Durham and Earle of Northumberland In the beginning of Queen Mary he was forced to fly beyond the Seas and became the principal Pastour for they had three other of the English Exiles at Arrow in Switzerland which Congregation I behold as the least so the freest from Factions of any in that age of our Nation He was saith my Author Virtutum in omni mansuetudine seminator and besides some Sermons and a Comment on the Lords Prayer he wrote a Book intituled The Right Path way to Christ. After the death of Queen Elizabeth coming over into England he took a Journey to Durham to visite his old Hospital of Sherburne and falling sick by the way dyed at Ware anno 1558. in that very juncture of time when what Church-Preferment he pleased courted his Acceptance thereof I finde two more of his Name Ralph Leaver and John Leaver probably his Kinsmen Exiles for their Conscience in Germany in the Reign of Queen Mary WILLIAM WHITACRE was borne at Holme in this County whose Life hath been formerly twice written by me He dyed anno 1596. ALEXANDER NOWELL was born 1510. of a Knightly Family at Read in this County and at thirteen Years of age being admitted into Brasen-nose Colledge in Oxford studied thirteen Years therein Then he became School-Master of Westminster It happened in the first of Queen Mary he was fishing upon the Thames an Exercise wherein he so much delighted insomuch that his Picture kept in Brazen-nose Colledg is drawn with his lines hooks and other â—…ackling lying in a round on one hand and his Angles of several sorts on the other But whilest Nowel was catching of Fishes Bonner was catching of Nowel and understanding who he was designed him to the Shambles whither he had certainly been sent had not Mr. Francis Bowyer then Merchant afterwards Sheriffe of London safely conveyed him beyond the Seas Without offence it may be remembred that leaving a Bottle of Ale when fishing in the Grasse he found it some dayes after no Bottle but a Gun such the sound at the opening thereof And this is believed Casualty is Mother of more Inventions than Industry the Original of bottled-Ale in England Returning the first of Queen Elizabeth he was made Dean of St. Pauls and for his meek Spirit deep Learning Prudence and Piety the then Parliament and Convocation both chose injoyned and trusted him to be the man to make a 〈◊〉 for publick use such a one as should stand as a Rule for Faith and Manners to their Posterity 〈◊〉 by the way is an ancient Church Ordinance as appears by Theophilus and Apollos both exercised 〈◊〉 It remained in state during thâ—…â—…rimitive Church and did not decline till Popery began to encrease For 〈◊〉 Catechising continued it had made the Laity more wise in Religion than would well have stood with the interest of the Church of Rome It was therefore outed by School-Divinity and then a fruitfull Olive was cut down to have a bâ—…amble set in the room thereof In the first Reformation Protestants revived this Ordinance and by the use thereof Religion â—…ot the speed and great ground of Superstition till the Jesuits sensible thereof have since outshot us in our own bow most carefull to catechise their Novices whilest English Protestants for I will not condemn Foreigâ—… Churches grew negligent therein What is the Reason that so much â—…loth so soon changeth colour even because it was never well 〈◊〉 and why do men so often change their Opinions even because they were never well catechised He was Confessour to Queen Elizabeth constantly preaching the First and Last Lent-Sermons before Her He gave two Hundred Pounds per annum to maintain thirteen Schollars in brasen Nose Colledge He died being Ninety Years of age not decayed in sight Febru 13. 1601. JOHN d ee where born I cannot recover was a man of much motion and is mentioned in this place where he had his though last best fixation He was bred as I believe in Oxford and there Doctorated but in what faculty I cannot determine He was a most excellent Mathematiti an and Astrologer well skilled in Magick as the Antients did the Lord Bacon doth and all may accept the sence thereof viz. in the lawfull knowledg of Naturall Philosophie This exposed him anno 1583. amongst his Ignorant Neighbours where he then lived at Mortclack in Surrey to the suspicion of a Conjurer the cause I conceive that his Library was then seized on wherein were four thousand Books and seven hundred of them Manuscripts This Indignity joyned with the former Scandal moved him to leave the Land and go over with Sr. Edward Kelly into Bohemia as hereafter shall be more fully related Returning to Mortclack 1592. the same Scandal of being a Conjurer haunted him again Two Years after Viz. 1594. he was under a kinde of Restraint which caused him to write to the Lady Scydemore to move Queen Elizabeth either that he might declare his case to the Counsel or have liberty under the broad Seal to depart the Land Next year he wrote an apologetical Letter to Arch-bishop Whitgift which it seems found good reception yea at last he gave such satisfaction of the lawfulness and usefulness of his Studies that the Queen besides many considerable New-Years Gifts sent unto him presented him Warden of Manchester in this Countie 1596. where he had many contests and suits with the Fellows of that Colledge The last mention I find of him is in Mr. Camden to whom he presented an ancient Roman Inscription found about Manchester and Mr. Camden in his requital presented him with this Commendation Hanc mihi descripsit qui vidit Cl. Mathematicus J. d ee collegij Manchestrensis custos And indeed all the books he hath left behind him speak him a learned as those de Usu Globi Terrestris De Nubium Solis Lunae ac Planetarum distantiis c. an aged man being dedicated to King Edward the Sixth and he dying about the beginning of King James ROGER FENTON D. D. Fellow of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge was born in this County as appeareth by his Epitaph in St. Stephens Wallbrook London being the painfull pious learned and beloved Minister thereof Little is left of him in print save a sollid Treatise against Usury Great was his intimacy with Dr. Nicholas 〈◊〉 being Contemporaries Collegiates and City-Ministers together with some 〈◊〉 in their Sirnames but more sympathy in their Natures Once my own Father gave Dr. Fenton a visite who excused himself from entertaining him any longer Mr Fuller said he hear how the passing-bell towls 〈◊〉 this very Instant for my Dear Friend Dr. Felton now a dying I must to my Study it 〈◊〉 mutually agreed upon betwixt us in our healths that the Surviver of
as he himself delighted in for the Churches of Manchester Bolton and other Chapels thereabouts He gave the Remainder of his Estate Debts and Legacies first paid to the Encrease of the books in the Library Now as the Loaves in the Gospel multiplyed in the breaking So Mr. Chethams Estate did not shrink but swell in the calling of it in Insomuch That the aforesaid Surplusage is known to be the better part of Two thousand pounds Dying a Bachelour he appointed George Chetham Esquire Citizen and Grocer of London whereof he was chosen Alderman 1656. and fined for the same and Edward Chetham Gent. Executors of his Will and Testament God send us more such men That we may dazle the Eyes of the Papists with the light of Protestant good works And know Reader I am beholding for my exact Information herein to my worthy friend Mr. Johnson late Preacher of the Temple and one of the Feoffees appointed by Mr Chetham for the uses aforesaid Memorable Persons Sir EDMUND de TRAFFORD Knights Sir THOMAS de ASHTON Knights were persons of high esteem as anciently descended and richly reveneued in this County how great their skill was in Chemistry will appear by the following Patent faithfully transcribed with mine own hand out of the Original in the Tower granted unto them by King Henry the sixth in the four and twentieth year of his Reign REX omnibus ad quos c. Salutem Sciatis quod cum dilecti fideles nostri Edmundus de Trafford Miles Thomas Ashton Miles Nobis per quandam supplicationem monstraverint quod quamvis ipsi super certis metallis per Artem sive Scientiam Philosophiae operari vellent metalla imperfecta de suo proprio genere transferre tunc ea per dictam Artem sive Scientiam in Aurum sive Argentum perfectum transubstantiare ad omnimodas probationes examinationes sicut aliquod aurum sive argentum in aliqua Minera crescens expectandum indurandum ut dicunt Nihilominus certae personae illis malevolentes et malignantes supponant ipsos per Artem illicitam operari sic ipsos in probatione dictae Artis sive Scientiae impedire et perturbare pâ—…ssunt Nos praemissa considerantes ac conclusionem dictae operationis sive Scientiae scire volentes de gratia nostra speciali concessimus licentiam dedimus iisdem Edmundo Thomae ipsorum servientibus quod ipsi Artem sive Scientiam praedictam operari probare possint licite impune absque impetione nostra vel Officiariorum nostrorum quorumcunque aliquo Statuto Actu Ordinatione sive Provisione in contrarium facto ordinat sive provis non obstante In cujus c. T. R. apud Westmond septimo die Aprilis The King to all unto whom c. Greeting Know ye that whereas our beloved loyal Edmund de Trafford Knight and Thomas 〈◊〉 Knight have by a certain Petition shown unto Us that although they were willing by the Art or Science of Philosophie to work upon certain metalls to translate imperfect metalls from their own kind and then to transubstantiate them by the said Art or Science as they say into perfect Gold or Silver unto all manner of proofs and trialls to be expected and indured as anâ—… Gold or Silver growing in any Mine Notwithstanding certain persons ill willing and maligning them conceive them to work by unlawful Art and so may hinder and disturb them in the triall of the said Art and Science We considering the premisses and willing to know the conclusion of the said Working or Science of Our special grace have granted and given leave to the same Edmund and Thomas and to their Servants that they may work and trie the aforesaid Art and Science lawfully and freely without any hinderance of Ours or of Our Officers whatsoever Any Statute Act Ordinance or Provision made ordained or provided to the contrary notwithstanding In witness whereof the King at Westminster the 7. day of April Mr. ...... KIDSON Reader I presume not now to direct thee who my self am at a losse and Grope for a Guide Leland in his Itinerary speaking of Warton a Village in this County observeth that Mr. Kidson was born there a passage which never had fallen from his Pen had he not been one of signal Remark Who this Mr. Kidson was where he lived what he did where he dyed I shall be thankful to such as give me Satisfaction RICHARD ROTHVVELL was born at or near Bolton in the Mores in this County Taking the Ministry after his education in Cambridge upon him he disposed his temporal estate to his freind to live of the Gospell I remit the Reader to his Life extant at large in Print wherein this most remarkable viz. his dispossessing of John Fox near Nottingham of a Divel there passing betwixt them a large Discourse by way of Question and Answer I know that such Confabulations are common in the Church of Rome to whose Exorcists Satans Language is as Familiar as Erasmus his Dialogues are well known to men or those of Corderius to School-Boys But such accidents amongst Protestants are very rare and therefore the more to be observed There are I confess more Thomases then my self much given to mistrust whose faith will be at a stand herein However finding it attesteâ—… by an honest and * able person I dare not deny the truth thereof All I will say is this That is the best beleif which is neither over forward nor over-froward which as it will not run it self out of breath with too much speed will not be like a 〈◊〉 horse which no force can make to go farther He dyed at Mansfield in Nottingham-shire 1627. in the 64 year of his age Noâ—… could I write lesse of him whom one termeth Orbis Terra rum Anglicarum Oculum The Eye of our English World and my Book would seem 〈◊〉 and blind if passing him over in Silence Lord Mayors  Name Father Place Company Time 1 Nicholas Mossey Edward Mossey Hough Clothworker 1599. 2 James Pemberton James Pemberton Ecclestonâ—… Goldsmith 1611. Reader Lancashire is one of the 12. pretermitted Counties the Names of whose Gentry were not returned into the Tower in the Twelfth year of K. Henry the Sixth Sheriffes Name Place Armes Reginae Elizab.   Anno   1 Johan Talbot ar  Arg. 3 Lions Rampant Purpre 2 Rob. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   3 Joh. 〈◊〉 m. Atherton 〈◊〉 3 Falcons Or. 4 Joh. Southworth   5 Tho. Hesketh m.  Arg. on a Bend S. 3 Garbs Or. 6 Tho. Houghton a. Houghton 〈◊〉 3. Bars Argent 7 Edw. Trafford ar Trâ—…fford Argent a Griffin Ramp Gules 8 Ric. Mollineux m Sheffâ—…on 〈◊〉 a Cross Moline Or. 9 Tho. Laugnton m.  Arg. 3 〈◊〉 Gules 10 Edw. Holland ar  Az. a L. R. sem de Fluer de L. Ar. 11 Joh. Preston arm  Arg. 2 bars ou a Cant. Gules a 12 Tho. â—…utler arm Â
whom the Cheif Justice therin said Your Kinsman was my Predecessour in the Court and a great Lawyer My Lord replied the Gentleman he was a very honest man for he left a small estate But indeed though his estate was not considerable compared to his Successors then present it was in it self of a good valuation Writers WILLIAM DE LEICESTER otherwise called William de Montibus which I would willingly English William of the Woulds was born in Leicester in this County bred in Oxford where he was Doctor and Professor of Divinity so eminent for his Learning that he was known to and much beloved by the Nobility of the land He was also known by the name of Mr. William an evidence I assure you sufficient to avouch his Majesterialty in all Learning He was removed to Lincolne and became first Canon then Chancelour of the Church Boston of Bury reckoneth up many and Learned Books of his making He flourished under King John 1210. and lyeth buryed at Lincolne RICHARD BELGRAVE was born saith J. Pitz at Chichester in Sussex but at Belgrave in Leicester-shire saith Mr. William Burton whom I rather beleive because he wrote a particular Description of this County Now surely the more is the exactness of the Authour the less the extent of his Subject especially making it his Set-work what was Pits his by-work to observe the Natives of this Shire But both agree him to be a Carmelite bred in Cambridge an excellent Divine and good Schoolman more Learned then eloquent He wrote one Book of Theological Determinations and another of Ordinary Questions flourishing in the year 1220 under King Edward the Second ROBERT DE LEICESTER was born therein but bred in Oxford a Franciscan Fryer He was one of those who brought preaching into Fashion in that age and was much esteemed for his faculty therein by most of the Nobility But Robert Mascall Bishop of Hereford as pious and learned as any in that age had an extraordinary affection for him Our Leicestrian Robert appeareth also a good Chronologer having written judiciously of the Hebrew and Roman Computation In his reduced age he retired to Leichfield where he dyed and was buryed in the Monastery of the Franciscans 1348. THOMAS RATCLIF born at Ratcliffe in this County was bred an Augustinian in Leicester where he was Ordinis sui Episcopus strain the Word no higher then to overseer of his order He had Ingenium fecundum amplum and pity it was that he had Vitae institutum sterile angustum However to enlarge his Soul he wrote divers Books and flourished anno 1360. BARTHOLOMEVV CULIE was born at Radoliffe-Culie in this County as the exact Describer thereof avoucheth And therefore Pitz committeth a double mistake about this One Writer first calling him Conway then making him a Welshman by his Nativity How hard is it to commit one and but one Error This Bartholomew was an excellent Philosopher and wrote a Book of Generation and Corruption and although J. Pitz. confesseth himself ignorant of the time he lived in my Authour assureth me that he flourished under King Edward the third WILLIAM DE LUBBENHAM was born at Lubbenham in this County brought up in Oxford a good Philosopher and a Divine was after a White Fryer or Carmelite in Coventry and after became Provincial of the Order which place he kept till he dyed He wrote upon Aristotles Posteriors and one Book of ordinary Questions He dyed in the White Fryers in Coventry 1361. in the 36. year of K. Edward the Third JEFFERY DE HARBY was born at Harby in this County and bred in Oxford where he became Provincial of the Augustines and Confessor to K. Edward the Third Wonder not when meeting with so many Confessors to that King presuming he had but one at one time Conscience not standing on State and variety in that kind For know King Edward reigned 50. years and Confessors being aged before admitted to their place his Vivaciousnesse did wear out many of them Besides living much beyond the Seas it is probable that he had his Forraign and his Home Confessors Our Jeffery was also of his Privy Counsel being as prudent to advise in matters politick as pious in spiritual concernments Such as admired he was not preferred to some wealthy Bishoprick must consider that he was ambitious and covetous to be poor and wrote a violent Book in the praise and perfection thereof against Armachanus Dying in London he was buryed in the Church of the Augustines about the Year 1361. WILLIAM DE FOLVIL was born at Ashbye-Folvil in this County and therefore when Bale calleth him Lincolniensem understand him not by County but by Diocesse He was bred a Franciscan in the University of Cambridge and engaged himself a great Master of defence in that doughty quarrel pro pueris induendis that children under the age of 18. might be admitted into Monastical orders For whereas this was then complained of as a great and general grievance that by such preproperous Couling of Boyes and vailing of Girles Parents were cozened out of their children and children cozened out of themselves doing in their Minority they knew not what and repenting in their maturity not knowing what to do our Folvil with more passion then reason maintained the legality thereof He dyed and was buryed in Stamford anno 1384. HENRY DE KNIGHTON was born at Knighton in this County sometime Abbot of Leicester who wrote his History from William the Conquerour to the time of King Richard the Second in whose Reign he dyed It seemeth Lelandus non vidit omnia nor his shadow Bale nor his shadow Pits all three confessing that the History of this Knighton never came to their hands Whereas of late it hath been fairly printed with other Historians on the commendable cost of Cornelius Bee Thus it is some comfort and contentment to such whom Nature hath denyed to be Mothers that they may be drye Nurses and dandle Babes in their Laps whom they cannot bear in their Wombs And thus this Industrious Stationer though no Father hath been Foster Father to many worthy Books to the great profit of posterity WILLIAM WOODFORD I cannot fixe his Nativity with any certainty because so many Woods and Fords and would the former did continue as well as the latter and consequently so many Towns called Woodfords in England He is placed here because his Surname in this age flourished in great Eminency in this County He was bred a Franciscan and though Bilious Bale giveth him the Character of Indoctè Doctus we learn from Leland that he was one of profound Learning and Thomas Waldensis owneth and calleth him Magistrum suum His Master Indeed Woodford set him the first Copy of Railing against Wickliffe being deputed by T. Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury to confute publickly in Writing his Opinions He dyed and was buryed at Colchester 1397. THOMAS LANGTON was born at
of the Carmelites in a Synode at Narbone deputed two English Provincials of that Order to the great grievance of our Lidlington refusing to subscribe to the Decisions of that Synode His stubbornesse cost him an Excommunication from Pope Clement the Fifth and four years Pennance of banishment from his Native Country Mean time our Lidlington living at Paris acquired great credit unto himself by his Lectures and Disputations At last he was preferred Provincial of the Carmelites in Palestine whence from Mount Carmel he fetched their Original and he himself best knew whether the Depth of his profit answered the Heigth of his Honour therein which I suspect the rather because returning into England he dyed and was buryed at Stanford anno Dom. 1309. NICHOLAS STANFORD He was born at that well-known Town once offering to be an University and bred a Bernardine therein The Eulogy given him by Learned Leland ought not to be measured by the Yard but weighed in the ballance Admirabar hominem ejus aetatis tam argute tam solido tamque significanter potuisse scribere I admired much that a man of his age could write so smartly so solidly so significantly Understand him not that one so infirm with age or decrepit in years but that one living in so ignorant and superstitious a generation could write so tercely flourishing as may be collected about the year of our Lord 1310. JOHN BLOXHAM was born at that Town in this County and bred a Carmelite in Chester I confess it is a common expression of the Country folk in this County when they intend to character a dull heavy blundering person to say of him he was born at Bloxham but indeed our Iohn though there first incradled had acuteness enough and some will say activity too much for a Fryer He advantagiously fixed himself at Chester a City in England nere Ireland and not far from Scotland much conducing to his ease who was supream prefect of his Order through those three Nations for two years and a half For afterwards he quitted that place so great was his employment under King Edward the second and third in several Embassies into Scotland and Ireland flourishing anno 1334. JOHN HORNBY was born in this County bred a Carmelite D. D. in Cambridge In his time happened a tough contest betwixt the Dominicans and Carmelites about Priority Plaintiffe Judges Defendant Dominican  Carmelite Iohn Stock or Stake rather so sharp and poinant his pen left marks in the Backs of his Adversaries Iohn Donwick the Chancellor and the Doctors of the University Iohn Hornby who by his preaching and writing did vindicate the seniority of his Order But our Hornby with his Carmelites clearly carried away the Conquest of precedency and got it confirmed under the authentique seal of the University However the Dominicans desisted not to justle with them for the upper hand until Henry the Eight made them friends by thrusting both out of the Land Our Hornby flourished anno Domini 1374 and was buried at his Convent in Boston BOSTON of BURY for so he is generally called I shall endevour to restore him first to his true name then to his native countrey Some presume Boston to be his Christian of Bury his Sirname But seeing Boston is no Font-name and Godfathers were consciencious in those dayes I appeal to all English Antiquaries in imposing if not Scripture or Saints names yet such as were commonly known the christianizing of Sirnames to baptized Infants being of more modern devise we cannot concur with their judgment herein And now thanks be to Doctor Iohn Caius who in the Catalogue of his Authors cited in the Defence of the Antiquity of Cambridge calleth him Iohn Boston of Bury being born at and taking his Sirname from Boston in this County which was customary for the Clergymen in those dayes though he lived a Monk in Bury Thus in point of Nativities Suffolk hath not lost but Lincoln-shire hath recovered a Writer belonging unto it He Travelled all over England and exactly perused the Library in all Monastaries whereby he was enabled to write a Catalogue of Ecclesiasticall Writers as well Forraign as English extant in his age Such his acuratness as not only to tell the Initiall words in Every of their Books but also to point at the place in each Library where they are to be had John Leland oweth as much to this Iohn Boston as Iohn Bale doth to him and Iohn Pits to them both His Manuscript was never Printed nor was it my happiness to see it but I have often heard the late Reverend Arch-Bishop of Armagh rejoyce in this that he had if not the first the best Copie thereof in Europe Learned Sir James WARE transcribed these Verses out of it which because they conduce to the clearing of his Nativity I have here Inserted Requesting the Reader not to measure his Prose by his Poetry though he dedicated it to no meaner then Henry the fourth King of England Qui legis hunc Librum Scriptorum Rex Miserere Dum scripsit vere non fecit ut aestimo pigrum Si tibi displiceat veniat tua Gratia grandis Quam cunctis pandis haec sibi sufficiat Scriptoris nomen Botolphi Villa vocatur Qui condemnatur nisi gratum det Deus Omen Sure it is that his Writings are Esteemed the Rarity of Rarities by the lovers of Antiquitys which I speak in Humble Advice to the Reader if possessed thereof to keep and value them if not not to despise his Books if on any Reasonable price they may be procured This Iohn Boston flourished Anno Dom. 1410. LAURENCE HOLEBECK was born saith my Author Apud Girvios that is amongst the Fenlanders I confess such people with their Stilts do stride over much ground the parcells of severall Shires Norfolk Suffolk Cambridg Huntington Northampton Lincolnshire But I have fixed him right in this County where Holebeck is not far from Crowland in Holland He was bred a Monk in the Abby of Ramsey and was very well skill'd in the Hebrew Tongue according to the rate of that Age. For the English-men were so great strangers in that Language that even the Priests amongst them in the Reign of King Henry the Eight as Erasmus reporteth Isti quicquid non intelligunt Haebraicum vocant counted all things Hebrew which they did not understand and so they reputed a Tablet which he wrote up in Walsingham in great Roman Letters out of the Rode of Common Cognizance Holebeck made an Hebrew Dictionary which was counted very exact according to those days I. Pitz doth heavyly complaine of Robert Wakefeild the first Hebrew Professor in Cambridg that he purloined this Dictionary to his private use whereon all I will observe is this It is resolved in the Law that the taking of another mans Sheep is Felony whilst the taking away of a Sheep-Pasture is but a Trespass the party pretending a right thereunto Thus I know many men so Conscientious that
they will not take twenty lines together from any Author without acknowledging it in the Margin conceiving it to be the fault of a Plagearie Yet the same Criticks repute it no great guilt to seize a whole Manuscript if they can conveniently make themselves the Masters though not Owners thereof in which Act none can excuse them though we have had too many Precedents hereof This Laurence died Anno Dom. 1410. BERTRAM FITZALIN Finding him charactered Illustri stemmate oriundus I should have suspected him a Sussex man and Allied to the Earls of Arundell had not another Author positively informed me he was patria Lincolniensis bred B. D. in Oxford and then lived a Carmelite in the City of Lincolne Here he built a faire Library on his and his freinds cost and furnish'd it with books some of his own making but more purchased He lived well beloved and dyed much lamented the seventeenth of March 1424. Writers since the Reformation EDMUND SHEFFEILD descended from Robert Sheffeild Recorder of London Knighted by King Henry the Seventh 1496 for his good Service against the Rebells at Black-Heath was born at Butterwick in the Isle of Axholm in this Country and was by King Edward the sixth Created Baron thereof Great his Skill in Musick who wrote a Book of Sonnets according to the Italian fashion He may seem Swan like to have sung his own Funeral being soon after Slaine or Murthered rather in a skirmish against the Rebells in Norwich first unhorsed and cast into a ditch and then Slaughtered by a Butcher who denyed him Quarter 1449. He was direct Anchester to the hopeful Earl of Moulgrave PETER MORVVING was born in this County and bred fellow of Magdalen Colledg in Oxford Here I cannot but smile at the great Praise which I Pitz bestoweth upon him Vir omni Latini sermonis elegantia bellè instructus qui scripta quaedam tum versu tum Prosa tersè nitidèque composuisse perhibetur It plainly appeareth he mistook him for one of his own perswasion and would have retracted this Caracter and beshrewed his own fingers for writing it had he known him to have been a most Cordial Protestant Nor would he have afforded him the Phrase of Claruit sub Philippo et Mariâ who under their Reigns was forced for his Conscience to fly into Germany where he supported himself by Preaching to the English Exiles I find not what became of him after his return into England in the Reigne of Queen Elizabeth ANTHONY GILBY was born in this County and bred in Christs Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to great skill in the three learned languages But which gave him the greatest Reputation with Protestants was that in the Reign of Queen Mary he had been an Exile at Geneva for his Conscience Returning into England he became a feirce fiery and furious opposer of the Church Discipline established in England as in our Ecclesiasticall History may appear The certaine date of his death is to me unknown JOHN FOX was born at Boston in this County and bred Fellow in Magdalen Colledg in Oxford He fled beyond the Seas in the Reign of Queen Mary where he set forth the first and least edition of the Book of Martyrs in Latine and afterwards returning into England inlarged and twice revised the same in our own language The story is sufficiently known of the two Servants whereof the one told his Master he would do every thing the other which was even Esop himself said he could do nothing rendering this reason because his former fellow servant would leave him nothing to do But in good earnest as to the particular subject of our English Martyrs Mr. Fox hath done every thing leaving posterity nothing to work upon and to those who say he hath overdone somthing we have returned our answer before He was one of Prodigious Charity to the poor seeing nothing could bound his bounty but want of mony to give away but I have largely written of his life and death in my Church History THOMAS SPARKS D. D. was born at South Sommercot in this County bred in Oxford and afterwards became Minister of Bleachley in Buckingham-shire An Impropriation which the Lord Gray of Wilton whose dwelling was at Whaddon hard-by Restored to the Church He was a solid Divine and Learned man as by his Works still extant doth appear At first he was a Non-conformist and therefore was chosen by that party as one of their Champions in the Conference of Hampton Court Yet was he wholy silent in that Disputation not for any want of Ability but because as afterwards it did appear he was Convinced in his Conscience at that Conference of the lawfullness of Ceremonies so that some accounted him King James's Convert herein He afterwards set forth a book of Unity and Uniformity and died about the year of our Lord 1610. Doctor TIGHE was born at Deeping in this County bred as I take it in the University of Oxford He afterwards became Arch Deacon of Middlesex and Minister of Alhallowes Barking London He was an excellent Textuary and profound Linguist the reason why he was imployed by King James in translating of the Bible He dyed as I am informed by his Nephew about the year of our Lord 1620. leaving to John Tighe his Son of Carby in this County Esquire an Estate of one thousand pounds a year and none I hope have cause to envy or repine thereat FINES MORISON Brother to Sir Richard Morison Lord President of Munster was born in this County of worshipfull extraction and bred a fellow in Peter-house in Cambridge He began his Travels May the first 1591 over a great part of Christendome and no small share of Turky even to Jerusalem and afterwards Printed his Observations in a large book which for the truth thereof is in good Reputation For of so great a Traveller he had nothing of a Traveller in him as to stretch in his reports At last he was Secretary to Charles Blunt Deputy of Ireland saw and wrote the Conflicts with and Conquest of Tyrone a discourse which deserveth credit because the Writers cye guide his pen and the privacy of his place acquainted him with many secret passages of Importance He dyed about the year of our Lord 1614. Benefactors to the Publique Having formerly presented the Reader with two Eminent ones Bishop Wainfleit Founder of New Colledge and Bishop Fox Founder of Corpus Christi in Oxford He if but of an ordinary appetite will be plentifully feasted therewith so that we may proceed to those who were Since the Reformation WILLIAM RATCLIFF Esq And four times Alderman of the Town of Stamford died Anno Dom. 1530. Gave all his Messuages Lands and Tenements in the Town to the Maintenance of a Free-School therein which Lands for the present yeild thirty pounds per Annum or there-abouts to a School-Master and Usher I am informed that an Augmentation was since
because some love Poetry either very good or very bad that if they cannot learn from it they may laugh at it they are here inserted WILLLIAM KNIGHT was born in this City bred Fellow of New-colledge in Oxford on the same token that there have been ten of his Sirname Fellowes of that Foundation He proceeded Doctor of Law and a noble Pen makes him Secretary to King Henry the Eighth Sure it is he was the first Person imployed to the Pope to motion to him the matter of his Divorce advertizing the King by his weekly dispatches how slowly his Cause though spurred with English Gold crept on in the Court of Rome After his return the King rewarded his Industry Fidelity and Ability with bestowing the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells upon him In Wells with the assistance of Dean Woolman he built a stately covered Crosse in the Market-place for the glorâ—… of God and conveniency of poor people to secure them from the weather adding this Inscription Laus Deo Pax Vivis Requies Defunctis He dyed September 29. Anno 1547. NICOLAS HEATH was born and had his childhood in the City of London being noted for one of St. Anthonies Pigs therein so were the Scholars of that School commonly called as those of St. Pauls Pauls pigeons and bred first in Christs-Colledge then Fellow of Clare-hall in Cambridge By K. Henry the eighth to whom he was Almoner he was preferred Bishop first of Rochester then of Worcester deprived by K. Edward the Sixth restored by Q. Mary who advanced him Arch-bishop of York and Lord Chancelour of England A moderate man who would not let the least spark of persecution be kindled in his Diocess if any in his Province In the Conference at Westminster betwixt Papists and Protestants primo Elizabethae he was a kind of Moderatour but interposed little Infected bâ—… his Fellow-PrisonerPopish-Prelates he could not be perswaded to take the Oath of Supremacie for which he was deprived He led a pious and private life on his own lands at Cobham in Surrey whither Q. Elizabeth came often to visit him and dyed about the year of our Lord 1566. Since the Reformation JOHN YOUNGE D. D. was borne in Cheapside and bred in Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge whereof he became Master hence he was preferred Rector of St. Giles Cripple gate and at last Bishop of Rochester A constant preacher and to whose Judgement Q. Elizabeth ascribed much in Church matters Better Bishopricks were often offered to and as often refused by him particularly when Norwich was proferred him by one who affirmed it to be a higher Seat Bishop Young pleasantly returned Yea but it is a harder and not so easie for an old man since the Cushion was taken away from it Meaning since Dr. Scambler had scambled away the Revenues thereof He dyed Anno Dom. 1605. and lyeth buried at Bromly Church in Kent where his son most solemnly and sumptuously interred him though he enjoyned all possible privacy and on his death-bed forbad all funeral expences But in such cases it may become the Charity and Affection of the survivers to do what beseemes not so well the modesty and discretion of the dying to desire WILLIAM COTTON D. D. was bon in this City though his infancy was much conversant about Finchley in Middlesex as his nearest relation hath informed me He was bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge preferred by Queen Elizabeth Arch-Deacon of Lewis and Canon Residentiary of St. Pauls Hence he was advanced and consecrated Bishop of Exâ—…ter November the 12. 1598. During his sitting there Mr. Snape a second Cartwright not for abilities but activity came out of Gersey and plentifully sowed the Seeds of non-conformity in his Diocesse which the vigilancy of this stout and prudent Prelate plucked up by the roots before they could come to perfection In his old age he was Apoplectical which malady deprived him of his Speech some dayes before his death so that he could only say Amen Amen often reiterated Hereupon some scandalous Tongues broached this jeer that he lived like a Bishop and dyed like a Clark and yet let such men know that no dying person can use any one word more expressive Whether it be an invocation of his help in whom all the promises are Amen or whether it be a submission to the Divine providence in all by way of approbation of former or option of future things I will only add and translate his Epitaph transcribed from his Monument A Paulo ad Petrum Pia te Regina vocavit Whom th' Queen from Paul to Peter did remove Cum Petro Paulo Coeli Rex arce locavit Him God with Paul and Peter plac'd above He lyeth buried in the North-side of the Quire of Exeter but his Monument is distanced from the place of his Interment in a North-East Chappel His Death happened Anno Domini 1621. LANCELOT ANDREVVS D. D. was born in this City in Tower street his Father being a Seaman of good repute belonging to Trinity House He was bred Scholar Fellow and Master of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge He was an unimitable Preacher in his way and such Plagiaries who have stolen his Sermons could never steal his Preaching and could make nothing of that whereof he made all things as he desired Pious and pleasant Bishop Felton his Contemporary and Colleague indevoured in vain in his Sermon to assimulate his style and therefore said merrily of himself I had almost marr'd my own natural Trot by endevouring to imitate his artificial Amble But I have spoken largely of this peerlesse Prelate in my Church-History He dyed Anno Dom. 1626. THOMAS DOVE D. D. was born in this City as a Credible person of his nearest Relation hath informed me bred a Tanquam which is a Fellowes Fellow in Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge He afterwards became an eminent Preacher and his Sermons substantial in themselves were advantaged by his comely person and graceful elocution Q. Elizabeth highly affected and Anno 1589. preferred him Dean of Norwich advancing him eleven yeares after to the Bishoprick of Peterborough He departed this life 1630. in the thirtieth year of his Bishoprick on the thirtieth of August who kept a good house whilst he lived and yet raised a Family to Knightly degree JOHN HOWSON D. D. was born in St. Frides Parish in this City bred a Scholar in St. Pauls School whence going to Oxford he became a Student and Canon of Christ-Church and afterwards was consecrated Bishop of Oxford May 9. 1619. being his Birth-day in his Climacterical then entring upon the 63 year of his age His Learned book in what case a Divorce is lawfull with his Sermons against Sacriledge and stating of the Popes supremacy in 4 Sermons injoyned on him by King James to clear his causelesse aspersion of favouring Popery and never since replyed unto by the Romish party have made him famous to all posterity He was afterwards removed to the Bishoprick
ready for hearing being finally determined Whereon a Rhythmer When More some years had Chancelor been â—…o more suits did remain The same shall never more be seen Till More be there again Falling into the Kings displeasure for not complying with him about the Queens divorce he seasonably resigned his Chancellours Place and retired to his House in Chelsey chiefly imploying himself in writing against those who were reputed Hereticks And yet it is observed to his Credit by his great friend Erasmus that whilest he was Lord Chancellor no Protestant was put to death and it appears by some passages in his Utopia that it was against his mind that any should lose their Lives for their Consciences He rather soyled his Fingers then dirtied his hands in the matter of the holy Maid of Kent and well wiped it off again But his refusing or rather not accepting the Oath of Supremacy stuck by him for which he was 16. Months imprisoned in the Tower bearing his afflictions with remarkable patience He was wont to say that his natural temper was so tender that he could not indure a philip But a supernatural Principle we see can countermand yea help natural imperfections In his time as till our Memory Tower Prisoners were not dyetâ—…d on their own but on the Kings charges The Lieutenant of the Tower providing their Fare for them And when the Lieutenant said that he was sorry that Commons were no better I like said Sir Thomas Your Dyet very well and if I dislike it I pray turn me out of Dores Not long after he was beheaded on Tower hill 153. He left not above one hundred pounds a year Estate perfectly hating Covetousnesse as may appear by his refusing of four or five thousand pounds offered him by the Clergy Among his Latin Books his Utopia beareth the Bell containing the Idea of a compleat Common-wealth in an Imaginary Island but pretended to be lately discovered in America and that so lively counterfeited that many at the reading thereof mistook it for a real truth Insomuch that many great Learned men as Budeus and Johannes Paludanus upon a fervent zeal wished that some excellent Divines might be sent thither to preach Christs Gospel yea there were here amongst us at home sundry good men and Learned Divines very desirous to undertake the Voyage to bring the People to the Faith of Christ whose manners they did so well like By his only Son Mr. John More he had five Grandchildren Thomas and Augustin born in his Life time who proved zealous Romanists Edward Thomas and Bartholomew born after his Death were firm Protestants and Thomas a married Minister of the Church of England MARGARET MORE Excuse me Reader for placing a Lady among Men and Learned Statesmen The Reason is because of her 〈◊〉 affection to her Father from whom she would not willingly be parted and for me shall not be either living or dead She was born in Bucklers-bury in London at her Fathers house therein and attained to that Skill in all Learning and Languages that she became the miracle of her age Forreigners took such notice hereof that Erasmus hath dedicated some Epistles unto her No Woman that could speak so well did speak so little Whose Secresie was such that her Father entrusted her with his most important Affairs Such was her skill in the Fathers that she corrected a depraved place in St. Cyprian for whereas it was corruptly writen she amended it Nisi vos sinceritatis Nervos sinceritatis Yea she translated Eusebius out of Greek but it was never printed because I. Christopherson had done it so exactly before She was married to William Roper of Eltham in Kent Esquire one of a bountiful heart and plentiful Estate When her Fathers head was set up on London Bridge it being suspected it would be cast into the Thames to make room for divers others then suffering for denying the Kings Supremacy she bought the head and kept it for a Relique which some called affection others religion others Superstition in her for which she was questioned before the Council and for some short time imprisoned until she had buryed it and how long she her self survived afterwards is to me unknown THOMAS WRIOTHESLEY Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesley York Herauld and Grandchild to John VVriothesley descended from an heir general of the ancient Family of the Dunsterviles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge and if any make a doubt thereof it is cleared by the passage of Mr. Ascams Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa Cui uni quam universis aliis se chariorem intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. He afterwards effectually applyed his Studies in our municipal Law wherein he attained to great eminency He was by King Henry the Eighth created Baron of Titchborne at Hampton Court January the first 1543. and in the next year about the beginning of May by the said King made Chancelor of England But in the first of King Edward the Sixth he was removed from that place because a conscienciously Rigorous Romanist though in some reparation he was advanced to be Earl of Southampton He dyed at his House called Lincolns place in Holborn 1550. the 30. of Iuly and lyes buryed at St. Andrews in Holborn WILLIAM PAGET Knight was born in this City of honest Parents who gave him pious and learned education whereby he was enabled to work out his own advancement Privy-Councellour to 4 successive princes which though of different perswasions agreed all in this to make much of an able and trusty Minister of State 1. King Henry the Eighth made him his Secretary and imployed him Embassador to Ch. the Emperor and Francis King of France 2. King Edward the Sixth made him Chancellor of the Dutchy Comptroller of his Houshold and created him Baron of Beaudesert 3. Queen Mary made him â—…eeper of her privy Seal 4. Queen Elizabeth dispenced with his attendance at Court in favour to his great Age and highly respected him Indeed Duke Dudley in the dayes of King Edward ignominiously took from him the Garter of the Order quarrelling that by his extraction he was not qualified for the same Bur if all be true which is reported of this Dukes Parentage he of all men was most unfit to be active in such an imployment But no wonder if his Pride wrongfully snatched a Garter from a Subject whose Ambition endevoured to deprive two Princes of a Crown This was restored unto him by Queen Mary and that with Ceremony and all solemn accents of honour as to a person who by his prudence had merited much of the Nation He dyed very old anno 1563 and his Corps as
revenge of the most high God suddenly arising by breaking asunder the buildings of the houses brake their cruel assaults and weakned their forces This if literally true deserved a down-right and not only so slenting a mention But hitherto meeting it in no other Author I begin to suspect it ment Metaphorically of some consternation of mind wherewith God's restraining grace charmed the adversaries of the truth Bankinus flourished under King Richard the second Anno 1382. ROBERT IVORY was saith Leland none of the meanest Natives of this City a Carmelite and President General of his Order D. D. in Cambridge He wrote several books and Prece Precio procured many more wherewith he adorned the Library of White-Fryars in Fleet-street He dyed November the fifth 1392. JULIANA BARNES was born ex antiquâ illustri domo Understand it not in the sense wherein the same was said of a certain Pope born in a ruinous Cottage where the Sun did shine through the Rotten Walls and Roof thereof But indeed she was descended of a respective Family though I not able to find the place am fain to use my Marginal Mark of greatest uncertainty She was the Diana of her Age for Hunting and Hawking skilful also in Fishing and wrote three books of these Exercises commending the practise thereof to the Gentry of England The City of Leyden is scited in the very bottom of the Low-Countries so that the water setled their would be soon subject to putrefaction were it not by Engins forced up that it might fall and so by constant motion kept from corruption Idleness will betray Noble mens minds to the same mischief if some ingenious industry be not used for their imployment Our Julian also wrot a book of Heraldry Say not the needle is the most proper pen for the woman and that she ought to meddle with making no Coats save such as Dorcas made for the widows seeing their Sex may be not only pardoned but praised for such lawful diversions No Gentleman will severely censure the faults in her 〈◊〉 but rather imitate Julius Scaliger who passing his verdict on all Poets and coming to do the like on Sulpitia a Roman Poetress living under Domitian thus courteously concludeth Ut tam 〈◊〉 Heroinae ratio habeatur non ausim objicere ei judicii severitatem She flourished Anno Domini 1460. under King Henry the sixth ROBERT FABIAN was born and bred in this City whereof he became Sheriff 1493. Treating his Guests with good chear and wellcome he doubled his dishes with pleasant discourse being an excellent Historian witness two Chronicles of his own writing 1. From Brutus to the death of King Henry the second 2. From the first of K. Richard to the death of K. Henry the seventh He was also an excellent Poet both in Latine French and English A Modern Master wit in the contest betwixt the Poets of our age for the Laurel maketh Apollo to adjudge it to an Alderman of London because to have most wealth was a sign of most wit But had the Scene of this competition been laid seven score years since and the same remitted to the umpirage of Apollo in sober sadness he would have given the Laurel to this our Alderman As for his Histories if the whole strain of them doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be indulged to him that followed the genius of his own education He died at London 1512. and was buried in the Church of All-hallows where he hath a tedious and barbarous Epitaph as commonly Reader I should be glad to have my observation confuted who hath worse Poetry then Poets on their Monuments After his death Cardinal Wolsey caused so many Copies of his Book as he could come by to be burnt because therein he had opened the Coffers of the Church too wide and made too clear discovery of the Revenues of the Clergy THOMAS LUPSET was born in this City and was related to most English and some forraign learned eminencies of his age 1. Bred a child in the house of Dean â—…olet 2. Under W. Lilly in St. Pauls School 3. Sent to Oxford where he became Greek Professor 4 Resigns his place to his friend Ludovicus Vives 5. Travailed into Italy and at Padua was familiar with C. Pole 6. Was known unto Erasmus who giveth him this Character Hujus ingenio nihil gratius nihil amantius 7. Intended Divinity diverted by Cardinal Woolsy 8. At Paris was Tutor to Th. Winter a ward to the Cardinal 9. Returning into England was known to King Henry the eight 10. Began to grow into his favour when cut off with a Consumption 1532. in the prime of his life He died in London and lieth buried in the Church of Saint Alphage nigh Cripplegate without a monument Since the Reformation JOHN RASTALL was a Citizen and Printer of London by marriage a kin to Sir Thomas More and when the said Sir Thomas and Bishop Fisher wrote in defence of Purgatory to prove it by Scripture Rastall undertook to maintain it by reason Surely he that buy 's the two former books deserveth to have this last given him to make him a saver Some will say the former two indeavoured to prove the fire and Rastall the smoak of Purgatory But to pass by his works in Divinity he 〈◊〉 a good Mathematician and made a Comedy of Europe Asia and Africa which my Author saith was very witty and very large and I can believe the later seeing he had three parts of the world for his subject and how long would it have been had America been added He wrote a book against John Frith but afterwerds convinced with his adversaries arguements recanted it of his own accord the cause why we have placed him since the Reformation He wrote a book of the terms of Law and made an Index to Justice Fitz Herbert yea I behold this John as father to Rastall the famous Lawyer of whom before He died and was buried at London 1536. EDWARD HALL We may trace him from his cradle to his coffin as followeth 1. He was a Citizen of Londâ—…n by his birth 2. He was bred a Scholar at Eaton 3. Thence he removed and was one of the Foundation of Kings-colledge 4. Thence he went to Grays-Inn and studied the Municipal-law 5. He became common Serjeant of London for the well discharging whereof he 6 Was advanced to be one of the Judges in the Sheriffs Court 7. Wrote an elegant history of the wars of York and Lancaster from K. Henry the fourth till the end of King Henry the eight 8. Died a very aged man 1547. He was as by some passages in his book may appear in that age well affected to the Reformation He lieth buried in the Church of Saint Sithes contracted I think for Saint Osiths where I cannot recover any Epitaph upon him WILLIAM FULKE D. D. was born in this City bred first Fellow of
Convent of Blackney and afterwards studied first in Oxford then in Paris one remarkable on many accounts First for the Dwarfishness of his stature Scalpellum calami atramentum charta libellus His Pen-knife Pen Ink-horn one sheet of Paper and any of his books would amount to his full height As for all the books of his own making put together their burden were more then his body could bear Secondly for his high spirit in his low body Indeed his soul had but a small Diocess to visit and therefore might the better attend the effectual informing thereof I have heard it delivered by a learned Doctor in Physick at the Anatomy lecture in London who a little before had been present at the Emboweling and and Embalming of Duke Hamilton and the Lord Capel that the heart of the former was the largest the latter the least he had ever beheld inferring hence that contracted spirits act with the greatest vigorousness Thirdly for his high title wherewith he was generally termed the resolute Doctor Two sorts of people he equally disliked Scepticks who are of none and unconstant people who are successively of all opinions and whilst others turned about like the Wheel he was as fixed as the Axletree in his own judgement Yet this his resoluteness was not attended with censuring of such who were of another Opinion where equal probability on either side allowed a latitude to dissent He groaped after more light then he saw saw more than he durst speak of spake of more then he was thanked for by those of his superstitioâ—…s Order amongst whom saith Bale neither before nor after arose the like for learning and religion Most agree in the time of his death Anno 1346. though dissenting in the place of his burial assigning Blackney Norwich London the several places of his Interment JOHN GOLTON born at Tirington in this County was Chaplain to William Bateman Bishop of Norwich and first Master by the appointment of the Founder of Gonvil-hall in Cambridge Leland allows him a man plus quam mediocriter doctus bonus for which good qualities King Henry the fourth advanced him Arch-bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland He was imployed to the Court of Rome in the heavy schisme betwixt Pope Urban the sixth and Clement the seventh which occasioned his writing of his learned treatise De causa Schismatis and because knowing the cause conduceth little to the cure without applying the remedy he wrote another book De Remediis ejusdem It seemeth he resigned his Arch-bishoprick somewhat before his death which happened in the year of our Lord 1404. ALAN of LYNNE was born in that famous Mart-town in this County and brought up in the University of Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Divinity and afterwards became a Carmelite in the Town of his nativity Great his diligence in reading many and voluminous Authors and no less his desire that others with him should reap the fruit of his industry to which end he made Indexes of the many Writers he perused An Index is a necessary implement and no impediment of a book except in the same sense wherein the Carriages of an Army are termed Impedimenta Without this a large Author is but a labyrinth without a clue to direct the Reader therein I confess there is a lazy kind of learning which is onely Indical when Scholars like adders which onely bite the horse heels nibble but at the Tables which are calces librorum neglecting the body of the book But though the idle deserve no Crutches let not a staff be used by them but on them pity it is the weary should be denied the benefit thereof and industrious Scholars prohibited the accommodation of an Index most used by those who most pretend to contemn it To return to our Alan his Herculean labour in this kind doth plainly appear to me who find it such a toil and trouble to make but an Index of the Indexes he had made of the Authors following 1 Aegidius 2 Alcuinus 3 Ambrosius 4 Anselmus 5 Aquinas 6 Augustinus 7 Baconthorpe 8 Basil 9 Bede 10 Belethus Bles. 11 Bernard 12 Berthorius 13 Cassianus 14 Cassiodorus 15 Chrysostome 16 Cyril 17 Damascen 18 Gerard. Laodic 19 Gilbert 20 Gorham 21 Gregory 22 Haymo 23 Hierome 24 Hilary 25 Hugo 26 Josephus 27 Neckam 28 Origen 29 Pamph. Eusebius 30 Phil. Ribot 31 Raban 32 Remigius 33 Richard All these I. Bale professeth himself to have seen in the Carmelites Library at Norwich acknowledging many more which he saw not Now although it be a just and general complaint that Indexes for the most part are Heteroclites I mean either redundant in what is needless or defective in what is needful yet the Collections of this Alan were allowed very complete He flourished Anno 1420. and was buried at Lynne in the Convent of Carmelites WILLIAM WELLS was born saith Pitz. at Wells the Cathedral See in Somerset-shire wherein no doubt he is mistaken For be it reported to any indifferent judgement that seeing this VVilliam had his constant converse in this County living and dying an Augustinian in his Covent at Lynne and seeing there is a VVells no mean Market-Town in this Shire with more probability he may be made to owe his nativity and name to Norfolk He was for twenty years Provincial of his Order in England Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge an industrious man and good writer abate only the Siboleth of Barbarisme the fault of the age he lived in He died and was buried at Lynne 1421. JOHN THORPE was born in a Village so called in this County bred a Carmelite at Norwich and Doctor at Cambridge Logick was his Master-piece and this Dedalus wrote a book intituled the Labyrinth of Sophismes and another called the Rule of Consequences for which he got the title of Doctor Ingeniosus This minds me of a Prognosticating Distick on the Physiognomies of two children Hic erit Ingenuus non Ingeniosus at ille Ingeniosus erit non erit Ingenuus The later of these characters agreeth with our Thorpe who had a pound of wit for a dram of good nature being of a cruel disposition and a violent persecutor of William White and other godly Wickliffites He died Anno Domini 1440. and lieth buried at Norwich His name causeth me to remember his Name-sake of modern times lately deceased even Mr. John Thorpe B. D. and Fellow of Queens-colledge in Cambridge my ever honored Tutor not so much beneath him in Logick as above him in the skill of Divinity and an Holy conversation JOHN SKELTON is placed in this County on a double probability First because an ancient family of his name is eminently known long fixed therein Secondly because he was beneficed at Dis a Market-town in Norfolk He usually styled himself and that Nemine contradicente for ought I find the Kings Orator and Poet Laureat We need go no further for a testimony of his learning than to Erasmus styling
Comment on a Netling Text and so taxed the pride and lasiness of all Friers that his book was burnt by command from the Pope and the Writer thereof had been burnt also had he noâ—… seasonably secured himself by his flight beâ—…ond the Seas This mindeth me of a passage of a Frier who burned a book of Peter Ramus after the death of the Author thereof and then and there used this Distick in some imitation of Ovid Parve nec invideo sine me Liber ibis in Ignem Hei mihi quod Domino non licet ire tuo Small Book thy fate I envy not Without me feel the Flame O had it been thy Masters lot He might have felt the Same But our Pateshull was out of retch in Bohemia betwixt which and England a great intercourse in that age since King Richard the second had married a Sister of Wincelaus King of Bohemia We behold him as an advancer of Wicklivisme in that Country for which John Husse and Hierome of Prague were afterwards condemned He flourished in the year of our Lord 1390. Since the Reformation ROBERT CROWLEY was born in this County bred Master of Arts in Magdalen-colledge in Oxford It happ'ned that one Miles Hogheard whom Pitz maketh a learned Writer and intituleth him Virum doctum ptum in fide Catholica mirè zelosum though in Master Fox it appeareth by his own confession that he was but an Hosier in London wrote railing books against the poor Protestants Our Crowley took him to task and confuted him in several Treatises Under Queen Mary he fled over to Frankford and returning under Queen Elizabeth was made Vicar of Saint Giles without Cripple gate London where he lieth buried under a fair plated stone in the â—…hancel He died on the 18. of June 1588. EUSEBIUS PAGET was born at â—…ranford in this County â—…as Master Ephraim Paget â—…is aged son late Minister of St. Edmond the King Lombard street hath informed me He was admitted at twelve years of age into Oxford where when a boy he brake his right-arme with carrying the Pax though surely some casualty beside so light a weight concurred thereunto He was commonly called the golden Sophister and yet he proved no leaden Graduate Many years he was a painful Minister in London and was Author of that excellent book called the History of the Bible and Caâ—…echisme of The fourty short questions which hath done as much good to nn book learn'd people as any of that kind The certain date of his death I cannot attain JOHN PRESTON D. D. was born at Heyford in this County bred in Queens-colledge in Cambridge whose life interwoven much with Church and State matters is so well written by his Pupill Master Thomas Ball that all additions thereunto may seem carrying of Coals to New-castle However seeing he who carrieth Char-coal a different kind from the native Coal of that place may meet with a Chapman there on the same confidence a word or two of this Doctor Before he Commenced Master of Arts he was so far from Eminency as but a little above Contempt Thus the most generous Wines are the most muddy before they are fine Soon after his skill in Phylosophy rendred him to the general respect of the University He was the greatest Pupil-monger in England in mans memory having sixteen Fellow-Commoners most heirs to fair estates admitted in one year in Queens-colledge and provided convenient accommodations for them As VVilliam the Popular Earl of Nassaw was said to have won a Subject from the King of Spain to his own party every time he put off his Hat so was it commonly said in the Colledge that every time when Master Preston plucked off his Hat to Doctor Davenant the Colledge-Master he gained a Chamber or Study for one of his Pupils Amongst whom one Chambers a Londoner who dyed very young was very eminent for his learning Being chosen Master of Emanuell-colledge he removed thither with most of his Pupills and I remember when it was much admired where all these should find lodgings in that Colledge which was so full already Oh! said one Master Preston will carry Chambers along with him The Party called Puritan then being most active in Parliament and Doctor Preston most powerful with them the Duke rather used then loved him to work that Party to his complyance Some thought the Doctor was unwilling to do it and no wonder he effected not what he affected not others thought he was unable that Party being so diffusive and then in their designs as since in their practices divided However whilst any hope none but Doctor Preston with the Duke set by and extolled and afterwards set by and neglected when found useless to the intended purpose In a word my worthy friend fitly calls him the Court Coment blazing for a time and faiding soon afterwards He was a perfect Politician and used lapwing like to flutter most on that place which was furthest from his Eggs exact at the concealing of his intentions with that simulation which some make to lye in the Marches of things lawful and unlawfull He had perfect command of his passion with the Caspian Sea never ebbing nor flowing and would not alter his compos'd pase for all the whipping which Satyrical wâ—…ts bestowed upon him He never had wife or cure of souls and leaving a plentifull no invidious estate died Anno Domini 1628. July 20. Pass we now from one who was all judgement and gravity to an other place and time making the connexion who was all wit and festivity viz. THOMAS RANDOLPH born at Houghton in this County was first bred in Westminster-school then Fellow in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge The Muses may seem not onely to have smiled but to have been tickled at his nativity such the festivity of his Poems of all sorts But my declining age being superannuated to meddle with such ludicrous matters configneth the censure and commendation of his Poems as also of his Country-man Peter Haulsted born at Oundle in this County to younger Pens for whom it is most proper Master Randolph died Anno Dom. 163. NICHOLAS ESTWICK B. D. was born at Harowden the Baronny of the Lord Vaux in this County A solid Protestant to counterpoise Kellison a violent Papist and native of the same Village He was bred Fellow of Christs-colledge in Cambridge being there beheld as a pious and judicious Divine always cheerful without the least levity and grave without any morosness He was afterwards presented by the Lord Montague Parson of Warton where he lived a painful Preacher 40. years less then a Deacon in his humility and more then an Arch bishop in his own contentment Hence he was unwillingly willing preferred by the Earl of Rutland to Botsworth in Lecestershire where he had hardly inned one harvest before like a ripe Sheaf he was brought into the Barn of the grave Thus though young Trees are meliorated with transplanting yet old ones seldome live and never flourish
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for an hour or short time yet this Doctor had his hour measur'd him by a large glass continuing in publick esteem till the beginning of these Civil Wars when the times turn'd and he standing still was left to the censure of factious innovatours Most candid his disposition and if he had the infirmity of ingenious Persons to be Cholerick he prevented others checking it in him by checking it first in himself He suffered long imprisonment in Ely-house and the Tower for a Sermon he made when Vicechancellour of Cambridge and at last restored to his Liberty waited on his Majesty in the Isle of Weight He is here entred amongst the Bishops because profered Bristol but refused it and such who know least of his mind are most bold to conjecture the cause of it He sleighted not the smalness thereof because such his Manners Loyalty and Conscience that he would have thanked his Sovereign for an injury much more for a smaller courtesie Wherefore such onely shoot by the aime of their own fancies who report him to have said he would not wear a Bristol stone Sure I am that England had if any more able none more zealous to assert Episcopacy and let that suffice us that he esteemed the acceptance thereof in that juncture of time unsafe and unseasonable for himself he afterwards took the Deanary of Worcester though he received no profit the place received honour from him being the last who was entituled and indeed it was no more with that dignity Pity it is so learned a person left no monuments save a Sermon to Posterity for I behold that Posthume-work as none of his named by the Transcriber the Valley of Vision a Scripture expression but here mis-placed Valley it is indeed not for the fruitfulness but lowness thereof especially if compared to the high parts of the pretended Author but little vision therein This I conceived my self in Credit and Conscience concerned to observe because I was surprised to Preface to the Book and will take the blame rather then clear my self when my innocency is complicated with the accusing of others Dying about the year 1650. he was buried in his own Parish Church in Saint Peters Broad-street his ancient friend Doctor Jefferies of Pembrook-hall taking for his Text. My days are like a shadow that decline Thomas Rich and Richard Abdi Esquires his Executors and worthy friends ordering his funeral with great solemnities and lamentation Souldiers To speak of this County in general it breedeth most hardy men He who deduced the Merches so truly called from Mercke a limitary bound from frequent marching and warlike expeditions therein missed the word but hit the matter These Borderers have been embroyled in several Battles agtinst the Scotch witness the Battle of Chevy-chase whereof Sir Philip Sidney is pleased to make this mention Certainly I must confess my own barbarousness I never heard the old song of Percy and Douglas that I found not my heart moved more then with a Trumpet and yet it is sung but by some blind Crowder with no rougher voice then rude style which being so evil apparell'd in the dust and â—…bweb of that uncivil age what would it work trimmed in the gorgeous eloquence of Pindar True it is the story is not true in the letter and latitude thereof no Earl of Northumberland being ever killed in Chevy-chase as by the perusall of the ensuing Catalogue will appear 1 Henry Percy the first Earl lost his life in a battle against King Henry the fourth Anno Domini 1408. 2. Henry Percy his Grand-child the second Earl was slain on the side of King Henry the sixth against King Edward the fourth Anno 1455. 3. Henry his Son taking part with K. Henry the sixth was slain at Touton-field in the first of King Edward the fourth 4. Henry his Son promoting a Tax for the King was kill'd in a tumultuous rout at Cockledge eighteen miles from York in the fourth of King Henry the seventh 5. Henry his Son died a natural death in the eighteenth of King Henry the eight 6. Henry his Son died peaceably at Hackney neer London the nine and twentieth of King Henry the eight in whose reign the Scene is laid for the aforesaid Trajedy in Chevy-chase This I thought fit to have said partly to undeceive people least long possession might create a Title in their belief to the prejudice of truth partly that the noble Family of the Percy 's what need a good head of hair wear a Perriwig for birth and valour equal to any subjects in Christendome should not be beholding to an untruth to commend their martial Atchievement Yet though there be more fancy in the vernish there is much faith in the ground-work of this relation presenting a four-fold truth to posterity First that on light causes heavy quarrels have happened betwixt the Scotch and English in the Borders Secondly that the Percy 's with other Families in this County mentioned in this Ballade were most remarkable therein Thirdly that generally the English got the better in these broils Lastly that for the most part they were Victories without Triumphs wherein the Conquerour might sigh for his Conquest so dear the price thereof Physicians WILLIAM TURNER was born at Morpeth in this County bred in the University of Cambridge where he became an excellent Latinist Grecian Oratour and Poet. He was very zealous in the Protestant Religion writing many books in the defence thereof and much molested for the same by Bishop Gardner and others he was kept long in durance and escaping at last by Gods Providence fled over beyond Sea At Ferrara in Italy he Commenced Doctor of Physick there gaining his degree with general applause He wrote a great Herball and a book of Physick for the English Gentry as also several Treatises of Plants Fishes Stones Mettals c. He went afterwards into Germany where he lived in great Credit and Practise and as I conjecture died there in the reign of Queen Mary Reader I conceive him worthy of thy special notice because he was both a Confessor and Physician qualifications which meet not every day in the same Person THOMAS GIBSON It is pity to part him from the former because symbolising in many particulars of concernment Both 1. Born in this County and in the same Town of Morpeth 2. Flourishing atthe self same time 3. Physicians by Profession and it is said of this Thomas that he did aegritudinum sanationes incredibiles Incredible cures of Diseases 4. Writing of the same Subject of the nature of Hearbs 5. Professed enemies to Popery This Thomas wrote many other Books and one Entituled The Treasons of the Prelates since the Conquest which work had it come to the hand of a modern Authour happily it might have much helped him in that Subject He was alive in the last of Queen Mary and Bale sendeth forth a hearty Prayer for the continuance of his heâ—…th and
here or Sea-cole brought hither This minds me of a passage wherein Oxford was much concerned When Shot-over Woods being bestowed by King Charles the First on a Person of Honour were likely to be cut down the University by Letters laboured their preservation wherein this among many other pathetical expressions That Oxford was one of the eyes of the Land and Shot-over Woods the hair of the Eye-lids the loss whereof must needs prejudice the sight with too much moisture flowing therein This retrenched that design'd for the present but in what case those Woods stand at this day is to me unknown Buildings The Colleges in Oxford advantaged by the vicinity of fair Free-stone do for the genâ—…rality of their structure carry away the credit from all in Christendom and equal any for the largness of their endowments It is not the least part of Oxfords happiness that a moity of her Founders were Prelates whereas â—…bridge hath but three Episcopal Foundations Peter-house Trinity-hall and Jesus who had an experimental knowledge what belonged to the necessities and conveniences of Scholars and therefore have accommodated them accordingly principally in providing them the patronages of many good Benefices whereby the Fellows of those Colleges are plentifully maintained after their leaving of the University Of the Colleges University is the oldest Pembroke the youngest Christ-church the greatest Lincolâ—… by many reputed the least Magdalen the neatest Wadham the most uniform New-college the strongest and Jesus college no fault but its unhappiness the poorest and if I knew which was the richest I would not tell seeing concealment in this kind is the safest Hâ—…-college is most proper for Southern Exeter for Western Queens for Northern Brazen-nose for North-western men St. Johns for Londoners Jesus for Welsâ—…men and at other Colleges almost indifferently for men of all Countries Merton hath been most famous for School-men Corpus Chresti formerly called 〈◊〉 Gollegium for Linguists Christ-church for Poets All-souls for Orators New-college for Civilians Brazen-nose for Disputants Queens college for Metaphysicians 〈◊〉 for a laâ—…e series of Regius Professor's Magdalen for ancient St. Johns for modern Prelates and all eminent in some one kind or other And if any of these Colleges were transported into forreign parts it would alter its kind or degree at least and presently of a College proceed an University as equal to most and superiour to many 〈◊〉 beyond the Seas Before I conclude with these Colleges I must confess how much I was posed with a passage which I met within the Epistles of Erasmus writing to his familiar friend Ludâ—…vicus Vives then residing in Oxford in collegio Apum in the College of Bees according to his direction of his Letter I knew all Colleges may metaphorically be rermed the Colleges of Bees wherein the industrious Scholers live under the rule of one Master In which respect St. Hierom advised Rusticus the Monk to busie himself in making Bee-â—…ives that from thence he might learn Monasteriorum ordinem Regiam disciplinam the order of Monasteries and discipline of Kingly government But why any one College should be so signally called and which it was I was at a loss till at last seasonably satisfied that it was Corpus Christi whereon no unpleasant story doth depend In the year 1630. the Leads over Vives his Study being decayed were taken up and new cast by which occasion the Stall was taken and with it an incredible mass of Honey But the Bees as presaging their intended and imminent destruction whereas they were never known to have swarmed before did that Spring to preserve their famous kind send down a fair swarm into the Presidents Garden The which in the yâ—… 1633 yielded two Swarms one whereof pitched in the Garden for the President the other they 〈◊〉 up as a new Colony into their old Habitation there to continue the memory of this 〈◊〉 Doctor as the University styled him in a Letter to the â—…ardinal It seems theâ—… Bees were Aborigines from the first building of the Colledge being called Collegium Apum in the Founders Statutes and so is John Claymâ—…d the first President thereof saluted by Erasâ—… The Library If the Schools may be resembled to the Ring the Library may the better be compared to the Diamond therein not so much for the bunching forth beyond the rest as the preciousness thereof in some respects equalling any in Europe and in most kinds exceeding all in England yet our Land hath been ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much given to the love of Books and let us Fleet the Cream of a few of the primest Libraries in all ages In the infancy of Christianity that at York bare away the Bell founded by Arch-Bishop Egbert and so highly praised by Alevinus in his Epistle to Charles the Great but long since abolished Before the dissolution of Abbies when all Cathedrâ—…s and Convents had their Libraries that at Ramsey was the greatest Râ—…bbin spake the most and best Hebrew abounding in Iewish and not defective in other Books In that age of Lay Libraries as I may term them as belonging to the City I behold that pertaining to Guild-Hall as a principal â—…ounded by Richard Whâ—…ington whence three Cart loads of choice Manuscripts were carried in the raign of King Edward the sixth on the promise of never performed Restitution Since the Reformation that of Benet in Cambridge hath for Manuscripts exceeded any thank the cost and care of Mathew Parker Collegâ—…ate Library in England Of late Cambridge Library augmented with the Arch-Episcopal Library of Lambeth is grown the second in the Land As for private Libraries of Subjects that of Treasurer Burlies was the best for the use of a States-man the Lord Lumlies for an Historian the late Earl of Arundels for an Herald Sir Robert Cottons for an Antiquary and Arch-Bishop Ushers for a Divine Many other excellent Libraries there were oâ—… particular persons Lord Brudnels Lord Hat tons c. routed by our Civil Wars and many Books which scaped the execution are fled transported into France Flanders and other forraign parts To return to Oxford Library which stands like Diâ—… amongst her Nymphs and surpasseth all the rest for rarity and multitude of Books so that if any be wanting on any Subject it is because the world doth not afford them This Library was â—…ounded by Humphrey the Good Duke of Gloâ—…ster confounded in the raign of Edward the sixth by those who I list not to name re-founded by worthy Sir Thomas Bodley and the bounty of daily Benefactors As for the Kings Houses in this County Woodstock is justly to be preferred where the Wood and Water Nymphs might equally be pleased in its â—…uation Queen Elizabeth had a great affection for this place as one of her best Râ—…membrancers of her condition when a prisoner here in none of the best lodgings in the raigâ—… of her Sister Here she escaped a dangerous fire but whether casual or intentional God knoweth Here hearing
that the world may see what time cureth in a weak mind that Discretion and Moderation helpeth in you in this accident where there is so just cause to demonstrate true Patience and Moderation Your gracious and loving Sovereign E. R. Now thoughâ—… nothing more consolatory and pathetical could be written from a Prince yet his death went so near to the heart of the Lord his ancient father that he dyed soon after Writers JOHN HANVILE took his name as I conceive from Hanwell a Village in this County now the habitation of the ancient Family of the Copes seeing none other in England both in sound and spelling draweth nearer to his Sirname He proceeded Master of Arts in Oxford then studied in Paris and travelled over most parts in Christendom He is commonly called Archithrenius or Priâ—…ce of lamentation being another Jeremy and man of mourning He wrote a book wherein he bemoned the errors and vices of his own Age and himself deserved to live in a better Yet this doleful Dove could peck as well as grone and somtimes was satyrical enough in his passion there being but a narrow â—…age betwixt grief and anger and bitterness is a quality common to them both He flourished under King John Anno 1200. and after his return from his travels is conceived by some to have lived and dyed a Benedictine of St. Albans JOHN of OXFORD was no doubt so named from his birth in that City otherwise had he onely had his Education or eminent learning therein there were hundreds Johns of Oxford as well as himself Hector Boethius sirnamed him a Vado Boum and owneth him the next Historian to Jeffrey Monmouth in age and industry He was a great Anti-Becketist as many more in that Age of greater learning except stubornness be made the standard thereof than Becket himself Being Dean of old Sarâ—…m and Chaplain to King Henry the second he was by him imployed with others to give an account to the Pope but I question wheâ—…her he would take it of the Kings carriage in the business of Becket He was preferred Anno 1175. Bishop of Norwich where he repaired his Cathedral lately defaced with fire built a fair Almes-house and Trinity-church in Ipswich His death happened Anno Dom. 1200. ROBERT BACON first Scholer of afterward a familiar Friend to St. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and when aged became a Dominican or preaching Fryer and for his Sermons he was highly esteemed by King Henry the third He was Lepidus Cynicus and a most profest enemy to Peter Roach Bishop of Winchester Matâ—…hew Paris gives him and another viz. Richard de Fishakle this praise Quibus non erant majores imò nec pares ut creditur viventes in Theologia aliis scientiis and I listen the rather to his commendation because being himself a Benedictine Monk he had an antipathy against all Fryers I behold this Robert Bacon as the senior of all the Bacons which like tributary streams disembogued themselves with all the credit of their actions into Roger Bacon who in process of time hath monopolized the honour of all his Sirname-sakes in Oxford Our Robert dyed Anno Dom 1248. ROBERT of OXFORD was not onely an Admirer but Adorer of Thomas Aquinas his contemporary accounting his Opinions Oracles as if it were a venial sin to doubt of and a mortal to deny any of them Mean time the Bishop of Paris with the consent of the Masters of Sorbonne the great Champions of liberty in this kind granted a licence to any Scholer Opinari de opinionibus to guess freely and by consequence to discuss in Disputations any mans Opinions which as yet by a general Council were not decided matters of faith Our Roberâ—… much offended thereat wrote not onely against Henricus Gandavensis and Aegiâ—…ius Romanus but also the whole College of Sorbonne an act beheld of many as of more boldness than brains for a private person to perform He flourished under King Henry the third Anno Dom. 1270. JEFFREY CHAUCER was by most probability born at Woodstock in this County though other places lay stiff claim to his Nativity Berk-shires title Londons title Oxford shires title Leland confesseth it likely that he was born in Barochensi provincia and Mr. Cambden avoweth that Dunington-castle nigh unto Newburie was anciently his Inheritance There was lately an old Oake standing in the Park called Chaucers Oake The Author of his life set forth 1602. proveth him born in London out of these his own words in the Testament of love Also in the Citie of London that is to mâ—…e â—…ot deare and swéete in which I was foorth growne and more kindely love have I to that place than to any other in yerth as every kindely creature hath full appetite to that place of his kindly ingendure Besides Mr. Cambden praiseth Mr. Edmund Spencer the Londoner for the best Poet Ne Chaucero quidem concive excepto Chaucer himself his fellow-citizen not being excepted Leland addeth a probability of his birth in Oxford-shire and Cambden saith of Woodstock Cuâ—… nihil habeat quod ostentet Hâ—…merum nostrum Anglicum Galfredum Chaucerum alumnum suum fuisse gloriatur Besides â—… Pits is positive that his father was a Knight and that he was born at Woodstock And Queen Elizabeth passed a fair stone-house next to her Palace in that Town unto the Tenant by the name of Chaucers house whereby it is also known at this day Now what is to be done to decide the difference herein Indeed Appion the Grammarian would have Homer concerning whose Birth-place there was so much controversie raised ab Inferis that he might give a true account of the place of his Nativity However our Chaucer is placed heâ—…e having just grounds for the same untill stronger reasons are brought to remove him He was a terse and elegant Poâ—…t the Homer of his Age and so refined our English Tongue Ut inter expolitas gentium linguas potuit rectè quidem connumerari His skill in Mathematicks was great being instructed therein by Joannes Sombus and Nicholas of Linn which he evidenceth in his book De Sphaera He being Contemporary with Gower was living Anno Dom. 1402. Since the Reformation THOMAS LYDYATE Now I find the old sentence to be true Difficile fugitivas mortuorum memorias retrahere seeing all my industry and inquiry can retrive very little of this worthy person and the Reader I hope will not be angry with me who am so much grieved with my self for the same Indeed contradicting qualities met in him Eminency and Obscurity the former for his Learning the later for his Living All that we can recover of him is as followeth He was born at Alkerton in this County bred first in Winchester school then in New college in Oxford being admitted therein Iune 22. 1593. An admirable Mathematician witness these his learned
Works left to posterity 1. De variis Annorum Formis 2. De natura Coeli conditione Elementorum 3. Praelectio Astronomica 4. De origine Fontium 5. Disquisitio Phisiologica 6. Explicatio additameutnm Arg. temp nat ministerii Christi In handling of these subjects it seems he crossed Scalliger who was highly offended thereat conceiving himself such a Prince of Learning it was high Treason for any to doubt of much more deny his opinion Yea he conceited his own Judgment so canonical that it was Heresie for any inferiour person to differ from the same Shall Scalliger write a book of the Emendation of Times and should any presume to write one of the Emendation of Scalliger especially one no publick Professor and so private a person as Lydyate However this great Bugbear Critick finding it more easie to contemn the person than confute the arguments of his Adversary sleighted Lydyate as inconsiderable jeering him for a Prophet who indeed somewhat traded in the Apocalyptical Divinity Learned men of unbiassed judgments will maintain that Lydyate had the best in that Contest but here it came to pass what Solomon had long before observed Nevertheless the poor mans wisdom is despised and his words are not heard He never attained higher Church-preferment than the Rectory of Alkerton the Town of his Nativity and deserted that as I have cause to suspect before his death Impute his low condition to these causes 1. The nature of his Studies which being Mathematical and Speculative brought not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grist to the mill 2. The nature of his Nature being ambitious of Privity and Concealment 3. The death of Prince Henry whose Library-keeper he was and in whose Grave Lydyates hopes were interred 4. His disaffection to Church-discipline and Ceremonies used therein though such wrong his memory who represent him an Anabaptist His modesty was as great as his want which he would not make known to any Sir William Boswell well understanding his worth was a great friend unto him and so was Bishop Williams He dyed about Westminster as I take it in the year of our Lord 1644. Happy had it been for posterity if on his death-bed he could have bequeathed his Learning to any surviving Relation Sir RICHARD BAKER Knight was a Native of this County and High-Sheriff thereof in the 18. of King James Anno Dom. 1621. His youth he spent in learning the benefit whereof he reaped in his old age when his Estate thorough Surety-ship as I have heard him complain was very much impair'd But God may smile on them on whom the World doth frown whereof his pious old age was a memorable instance when the storm on his Estate forced him to flye for shelter to his studies and devotions He wrote an Exposition on the Lords prayer which is corrival with the best Comments which professed Divines have written on that subject He wrote a Chronicle on our English Kings imbracing a method peculiar to himself digesting Observables under several heads very useful for the Reader This reverend Knight left this troublesome world about the beginning of our Civil wars WILLIAM WHATELEY was born in Banbury whereof his father was twice Mayor and bred in Christs-college in Cambridge He became afterwards Minister in the Town of his Nativity and though generally people do not respect a Prophet or Preacher when a Man whom they knew whilest a Child yet he met there with deserved reverence to his Person and Profession Indeed he was a good Linguist Philoso pher Mathematician Divine and though a Poetical Satyrical Pen is pleas'd to pass a jeer upon him free from Faction He first became known to the world by his book called the Bride-bushe which some say hath been more condemned than confuted as maintaining a Position rather odious than untrue But others hold that blows given from so near a Relation to so near a Relation cannot be given so lightly but they will be taken most heavily Other good Works of his have been set forth since his death which happened in the 56. year of his age Anno Dom. 1639. JOHN BALLE was born at Casfigton four miles North-west of Oxford in this County an obscure Village onely illustrated by his Nativity He proceeded Batchelor of Arts in Brazen-nose college in Oxford his Parents purse being not able to maintain him longer and went into Cheshire untill at last he was beneficed at Whitmore in the County of Stafford He was an excellent School man and School-master qualities seldom meeting in the same man a painful Preacher and a profitable Writer and his Treatise of Faith cannot sufficiently be commended Indeed he liv'd by faith having but small means to maintain him but 20 pounds yearly Salary besides what he got by teaching and boording his Scholers and yet was wont to say he had enough enough enough Thus contentment consisteth not in heaping on more fuell but in taking away some fire He had an holy facetiousness in his discourse when his friend having had a fall from his horse and said that he never had the like deliverance Yea said Mr. Balle and an hundred times when you never fell accounting Gods preserving us from equal to his rescuing us out of dangers He had an humble heart free from passion and though somewhat disaffected to Ceremonies and Church-discipline confuted such as conceived the corruptions therein ground enough for a separation He hated all New Lights and pretended Inspirations besides Scripture and when one asked him whether he at any time had experience thereof in his own heart No said he I bless God and if I should ever have such phantasies I hope God would give me grace to resist them Notwithstanding his small means he lived himself comfortably relieved others charitably left his children competently and dyed piously October the 20. Anno Dom. 1640. WILLIAM CHILLINGWORTH was born in the City of Oxford so that by the benefit of his birth he fell from the lap of his mother into the armes of the Muses He was bred in Trinity college in this University an acute and subtil Disputant but unsetled in judgment which made him go beyond the Seas and in some sort was conciled to the Church of Rome but whether because he found not the respect he expected which some shrewdly suggest or because his Conscience could not close with all the Romish corruptions which more charitably believe he returned into England and in testimony of his true conversion wrote a book entituled The Religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation against Mr. Knot the Jesuit I will not say Malo nodo malus quaerendus est cuneus but affirm no person better qualified than this Author with all necessary accomplishments to encounter a Jesuit It is commonly reported that Dr. Prideaux compared his book to a Lamprey fit for food if the venemous string were taken out of the back thereof a passage in my opinion inconsistent with the Doctors approbation prefixed in the beginning
else quite forgotten any other vocation Hard it was for peace to feed all the Idle mouthes which a former war did breed being too proud to begge too lazy to labour Those infected the Highwayes with their Felonies some presuming on their multitudes as the Robbers on the Northern Rode whose knot otherwise not to be untyed Sr. John cut asunder with the Sword of Justice He possessed King James how the frequent granting of pardons was prejudicial to Justice rendring the Judges to the contempt of insolent Malesactors which made his Majesty more sparing afterward in that kind In a word the deserved death of some scores preserved the lives and livelyhoods of more thousands Travellers owing their safety to this Judges severity many years after his death which happened Anno Dom. 16. Souldiers JOHN COURCY Baron of Stoke-Courcy in this County was the first Englishman who invaded and subdued Ulster in Ireland therefore deservedly created Earl thereof He was afterward surprised by Hugh Lacy corrival for his Title sent over into England and imprisoned by King John in the Tower of London A French-Castle being in controverfie was to have the Title thereof tried by Combate the Kings of England and France beholding it Courcy being a lean lank body with staring eyes prisoners with the wildnesse of their looks revenge the closenesse of their bodies is sent for out of the Tower to undertake the Frenchman and because enfcebled with long durance a large bill of fare was allowed him to recruit his strength The Monsieur hearing how much he had eat and drank and guessing his courage by his stomack oâ—… rather stomack by his appetite took him for a Canibal who would devoure him at the last course and so he declined the Combate Afterwards the two Kings desirous to see some proof of Courcy's strength caused a steel Helmet to be laid on a block before him â—…ourcy looking about him 〈◊〉 grimme countenance as if he intended to cut with his eyes as well as with his arms sundered the Helmet at one blow into two pieces striking the Sword so deep into the wood that none but himself could pull it out again Being demanded the cause why he looked so sternly Had I said he failed of my design I would have killed the Kings and all in the place words well-spoken because well taken all persons present being then highly in good humour Hence it is that the Lord Courcy Baron of Ringrom second Baron in Ireland claim a priviledge whether by Patent or Prescription Charter or Custome I know not after their first obeisance to be covered in the Kings presence if processe of time had not antiquated the practice His devotion was equal to his valour being a great Founder and endower of Religious Houses In one thing he fouly failed turning the Church of the Holy Trinity in Down into the Church of St. Patrick for which as the Story saith he was condemned never to return into Ireland though attempting it fifteen several times but repell'd with foul weather He afterwards went over and died in France about the year 1210. MATTHEW GOURNAY was born at Stoke-under-Hamden in this County where his Family had long flourished since the Conquest and there built both a Castle and a Colledge But our Matthew was the honour of the House renowned under the reign of King Edward the Third having fought in seven several signal set Battails viz. 1 At the siege of d'Algizer against the Sarazens 2 At the Battail of Benemazin against the same 3 Sluce a Sea-fight against the French 4 Cressy a Land-fight-against the same 5 Ingen Pitch'd fights against the French 6 Poictiers Pitch'd fights against the French 7 Nazaran under the Black Prince in Spain His Armour was beheld by Martial Men with much civil veneration with whom his faithful Buckler was a relique of esteem But it added to the wonder that our Matthew who did lie and watch so long on the bed of honour should die in the bed of peace aged ninety and six years about the beginning of King Richard the Second He lieth buried under a fair Monument in the Church of Stoke aforesaid whose Epitaph legible in the last age is since I suspect defaced Sea-men Sir AMIAS PRESTON Knight was descended of an Ancient Family who have an Habitationat Cricket nigh Creukern in this County He was a Valiant Souldier and Active Sea-man witnesse in 88. when he seized on the Admiral of the Galiasses wherein Hugh de Moncada the Governour making resistance with most of his Men were burnt or killed and Mr. Preston as yet not Knighted shared in a vast Treasure of Gold taken therein Afterwards Anno 1595 he performed a victorious Voyage to the West-Indies wherin he took by assault the I le of Puerto Santo invaded the I le of Coche surprised the Fort and Town of Coro sacked the stately City of St. Jago put the Town of Cumana to ransome entred Jamaica with little loss some profit and more honour safely returned within the space of six months to Milford Haven in Wales I have been informed from excellent hands that on some dis-tast he sent a Challenge to Sr. Walter Raleigh which Sr. Walter declined without any abatement to his Valour wherein he had abundantly satisfied all possibility of suspicion and great advancement of his Judgement For having a fair and fixed Estate with Wife and Children being a Privy Counsellor and Lord Warden of the Stannereys he thought it an uneven lâ—…y to stake himself against Sr. Amias a private and as I take it a single person though of good birth and courage yet of no considerable Estate This also is consonant to what he hath written so judiciously about Duels condemning those for ill Honours where the Hangman gives the Garland However these two Knights were afterwards reconciled and Sr. Amias as I collect died about the beginning of the reign of King James Learned Writers GILDAS sirnamed the WISE was born in the City of Bath and therefore it is that he is called Badonicus He was eight years junior to another Gildas called Albanius whose Nativity I cannot clear to belong to our Brittain He was also otherwise sur-stiled Querulus because the little we have of his Writing is only a Complaint Yet was he none of those whom the Apostle condemneth These are Murmurâ—…s Complainers c. taxing only such who either were impious against GOD or uncharitable against men complaining of them either without cause or without measure whilst our Gildas only inveigheth against the sins and bemoaneth the sufferings of that wicked and woful age wherein he lived calling the Clergy Montes Malitiae the Brittons generally Atramentum seculi He wrote many Books though we have none of them extant at this day some few fragments excepted inserted amongst the Manuscript Canons but his aforesaid History This makes me more to wonder that so Learned a Critick as Dr. Gerrard 〈◊〉 should attribute the Comedy of Aulularia
in Plautus to this our Gildas meerely because that Comedy is otherwise commonly called Querulus Whereas indeed their language is different that in Aulularia tolerably pure though perchance courser than the rest in Plautus whilst the style of Gildas is hardly with sense to be climbed over it is so harsh and barbarous Besides I do not believe that Gildas had a drop of Comical bloud in his veâ—…nes or any inclination to mirth and festivity and if he had prepared any thing Scenical to be acted on the Theater certainly it would have been a Tragedy relating to the ruin and destruction of his Nation Some variety there is about the date of his death which most probably is assigned Anno 570. MAURICE SOMERSET carried this County of his Nativity about with him in his Name and was bred first a Cistercian Monk in Ford-Abbey then studied in Oxford and became a good Writer both in Prose and Verse His deserts preferred him Abbot of Wells which in his old age he resigned loving Ease above Honour Some Books he dedicated to his Diocesan Reginald Bishop of Bath and flourished Anno 1193. ALEXANDER of ESSEBIE is saith my Authour by some accounted a Somerset by others a Staffordshire man and therefore by our fundamental Laws laid down in our Preface to decide differences about nativities falls to the share of this County He was the Prince of English Poets in his age and in imitation of Ovid de Fastis put our Christian Festivals into Verse setting a copy therein to Baptista Mantuanus Then leaving Ovid he aspired to Virgil and wrote the History of the Bible with the lives of some Saints in an Heroical Poem and though falling far short of Virgil went beyond himself therein He afterward became Prior of Esseby-Abbey belonging to the Augustins and flourished under King Henry the Third Anno Dom. 1220. ADAMUS de MARISCO or ADAM of MARSH was born in this County where there be plenty of Marshes in the Fenny part thereof But I take Brent-marsh as the principal the most probable place for his Nativity It seemeth that a foggie Air is no hinderance to a refined Wit whose Infancy and Youth in this place was so full of pregnancy He afterwards went to Oxford and there became D. D. It is argument enough to perswade any indifferent man into a belief of his Abilities because that Robert Groshead that Learned and Pious Bishop of Lincoln made use of his paines that they might jointly peruse and aompare the Scripture He became afterwards a Franciscan Frier in Worcâ—…ster and furnished the Library thereof with most excellent Manuscripts for then began the Eâ—…ulation in England betwixt Monasteries which should outvie other for most and best Books He flourished Anno Dom. 1257. I cannot grieve heartily for this Adam his losse of the Bishoprik of Ely because Hugo de Balsham his corrival got it from him the Founder of Peter house in Cambridge Since the Reformation HENRY CUFFâ—… was born at St. George Hinton in this County as the late Lord Powlet Baron thereof did inform me though none of that name left there at this day He was afterwards fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxford and Secretary to Robert Earl of Essex with whom he ingaged in his rising Anno 1600. being arraigned at Westminster for his life Sir Edward Cook then but the Queens Attourney disputed Syllogistically against him whom Cuffe an admirable Logician could caeteris paribus well have encountred But power will easily make a solecisme to be a silogisme The most pregnant proof brought against him was a Verse out of Lucan alledged by him For when the Earl sitting in consultation with his Complices demanded their advice whether he should proceed in their design or desist Mr. Cuâ—…e returned Viribus utendum est quas â—…ecimus Arma ferenti Omnia dat qui justa negat This I may say proved his Neck verse being attested against him for which he suffered He wrote an excellent Book of the difference of the Ages of man a rare piece indeed though not altogether so hard to be procured as worthy to be perused Sr. JOHN HARRINGTON Knight where born I know not sure I am he had a fair Estate at Kelston neer Bath in this County and is emiment for his Confessor Extraction His Father only for carrying a Letter to the Lady afterwards Queen Elizabeth by Bishop Gardiner kept twelve monthes in the Tower and made to spend 1000 pounds ere he could get free of that trouble His Mother servant to the Lady Elizabeth was by Gardiners command sequestred from her as an Heretick and her husband enjoyned not to keep company with her Queen Elizabeth was Godmother to this Sir John and he was bred in Cambridge where Doctor Still was his Tutor but whether whilst he was Fellow of Christs or Master of St. Johns is to me unknown He afterward proved one of the most ingenious Poets of our English Nation witnsse his translation of Orlando Furioso out of the Italian dedicated to the Lady Elizabeth since Queen of Bohemia and the several pieces of his own invention It happened that while the said Sir John repaired often to an Ordinary in Bath a female Attendress at the Table neglecting other Gentlemen which sat higher and were of greater Estates applyed her self wholly to him accommodating him with all necessaries and prebenting his asking any thing with her officiousnesse She being demanded by him the reason of her so careful waiting on him I understand said she you are a very Witty man and if I should displease you in any thing I fear you would make an Epigram of me A posthume Book of his is come forth as an Addition to Bishop Godwins Catalogue of Bishops wherein beside mistakes some tart reflections in Uxoratos Episcopos might well have been spared In a word he was a Poet in all things save in his wealth leaving a fair Estate to a Learned and Religious Son and died about the middle of the reign of King James SAMUEL DANIEL was born not far from Taunton in this County whose Faculty was a master of Musick and his harmonious Mind made an impression on his Sons Genius who proved an exquisite Poet. He carried in his Christian and Surname two Holy Prophets his Monitors so to qualifie his Raptures that he abhorred all prophaness He was also a judicious Historian witness his Lives of our English Kings since the Conquest until King Edward the Third wherein he hath the happiness to reconcile Brevity with Clearnesse qualities of great distance in other Authours A work since commendably continued but not with equal quicknesse and judgment by Mr. Trusal He was a Servant in Ordinary to Queen Anne who allowed him a fair Salary As the Tortoise burieth himself all the Winter in the ground so Mr. Daniel would lye hid at his Garden-house in Oldstreet nigh London for some Months together the more retiredly to enjoy the Company of the Muses and
setling Lands to maintain them 3 Safety which consisteth in good Statutes which here he wisely altered and amended He sat in his See 24 years and dying 1419 was buried under an Alabaster Tomb in his own Cathedral WILLIAM DUDLEY son of John Dudley the Eighth Baron Dudley of Dudley-Castle in this County was by his Parents designed for a Scholar and bred in University Colledge in Oxford whence he was preferred to be Dean of Windsor and afterwards was for six years Bishop of Durham He died Anno 1483 at London and lies buried in Westminster on the South side of St. Nicholas Chappel EDMUND AUDLEY Son to the Lord Audley of Heyley in this County whose sirname was Touchet I am informed by my worthy Friend that skilful Antiquary M â— Tho. Barlow of Oxford that this Edmund in one and the same Instrument writeth himself both Audley and Touchet He was bred in the University of Oxford and in processe of time he built the Quire of Saint Maries therein a new on his own charge adorning it Organâ—… 〈◊〉 which I think imports no more than a Musical Organ He was preferred Bishop first of Rochester then of Hereford and at last of Salisbury He died at Ramsbury August 23 1624 and is buried in his own Cathedral on the South side of the Altar in a Chappel of excellent Artifice of his own erection Not meeting with any Bishops born in this County since the Reformation let us proceed Lawyers Sr. THOMAS LITTLETON Knight Reader I have seriously and often perused his life as written by Sr. Edward Coke yet not being satisfied of the certainty of his Nativity am resolved to divide his Character betwixt this County and Worcester-shire He was son to Thomas Westcote Esq. and Elizabeth Littleton his wife whose mother being daughter and heir of Thomas Littleton Esq. and bringing to her husband a great Inheritance indented with him before marriage that her Virgin-sirname should be assumed and continued in his posterity He was bred Student of the Laws in the inward Temple and became afterwards Serjant and Steward of the Court of the Marshal-sea of the Kings Houshold to Henry the Sixth By King Edward the Fourth in the sixth of his Reign he was made one of the Judges of the Common Pleas and in the fifteenth of his Reign by Him created Knight of the Bath He is said by our Learned Antiquary to have deserved as well of our Common as Justinian of the Civil-Law whose Book of Tenures dedicated by him to Richard his second son who also studied the Laws is counted oraculous in that kind which since hath been commented on by the Learned endeavours of Sr. Edward Coke He married Johan one of the daughters and co-heirs of William Boerley of Bromsecraft Castle in Salop by whom he had three sons Founders of three fair Families still flourishing 1 William 2 Richard 3 Thomas Fixed at Frankley in this County where his Posterity is eminently extant Whose Issue by Alice daughter heir of Will. Winsbury remain at Pillerton-Hall in Shropshire Who by Anne daughter and heir of John Botreaux hath his lineage still continuing in Worcesier-shire This Reverend Judge died the 23 of August in the one and twentieth of King Edward the Fourth and lieth buried under a very fair Monument in the Cathedral of Worcester EDMUND DUDLEY Esq. was son to John Dudley Esq. second son to John Sutton first Baron of Dudley as a Learned Antiquary hath beheld his Pedegree derived But his descent is controverted by many condemned by some who have raised a report that John father to this Edmund was but a Carpenter born in Dudley Town and therefore called John Dudley who travailing Southward to find work for his Trade lived at Lewis in Sussex where they will have this Edmund born and for the pregnancy of his parts brought up by the Abbot of Lewis in Learning But probably some who afterwards were pinched in their purses by this Edmund did in revenge give him this Bite in his reputation inventing this Tale to his disparagement I must believe him of Noble Extraction because qualified to marry the daughter and heir of the Viscount Lisle and that before this Edmund grew so great with King Henry the Seventh as by the age of John his son afterwards Duke of Northumberland may probably be collected He was bred in the study of the Laws wherein he profited so well that he was made one of the Puis-née Judges and wrote an excellent Book compounded of Law and Policy which hitherto I have not seen intituled the Tree of the Common-wealth But what saith Columella Agricolam arbor ad fructum perducta delectat A Husbandman is delighted with the Tree of his own planting when brought to bear fruit Judge Dudley knew well how to turn a Land into the greatest profit of his Prince which made him implyed by King Henry the Seventh to put his penal Statutes in execution which he did with severity cruelty and extortion so that with Sr. Richard Empson Viis modis vitiis modis rather they advanced a mighty Mass of Money to the King and no mean one to themselves King Henry the Eighth coming to his Crown could not pass in his progress for complaints of people in all places against these two wicked Instruments who with the two daughters of the horse leach were alwayes crying give give and therefore he resolved to discharge their protection and to resign them to Justice so that they were made a peace-offering to popular anger 1510 and were executed at Tower-hill Sir THOMAS BROMLEY Knight Reader I request thee that this short note may keep possession for his Name and memory until he may be fixed elsewhere with more assurance He was in the first of Queen Mary Octob. 8. made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench holding his place hardly a year but whether quitting his Office or dying therein is to me unknown Souldiers JOHN BROMLEY Esq. branched from the Bromleys in Shrop-shire but born and living in this County at Bromley followed the fortunate Arms of King Henry the Fifth in France It happened that in a Battle near Corby the French according to their fashion furious at first fell so fiercely on the English that they got away the Kings Standard of GUIEN to the great dismay of our Army But Bromley's heart had no room for fear or grief anger had so wholely possessed it Insomuch that valiantly he recovered the Captive Standard and by his exemplary Prowess largely contributed to that dayes Victory Hereupon Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier conferred on him a yearly pension of fourty pounds during his life Afterwards in the sixth of King Henry the Fifth Anno 1418 he was not only Knighted by the King for his venturous Activity but also made Captain of Dampfront and Great Constable of Bossevile le Ross in France Yea and rewarded by the King with fourty pounds in Land a year to him and his
ROBERT SAMUEL was Minister of Barfold in this County who by the cruelty of Hopton Bishop of Norwich and Downing his Chancellour was tortured in Prison Not to preserve but to reserve him for more pain He was allowed every day but three mouthfuls of Bread and three spoonfuls of water Fain would he have drunk his own Urin but his thirst-parched body afforded none I read how he saw a Vision of one all in white comforting and telling him that after that day he never should be hungry or thirsty which came to passe accordingly being within few hours after martyred at Ipswich August 31 1555. Some report that his body when burnt did shine as bright as burnish'd silver Sed parcius ista Such things must be sparingly written by those who would not only avoid untruths but the appearance thereof Thus loath to lengthen mens tongues reporting what may seem improbable and more loath to shorten Gods hand in what might be miraculous I leave the relation as I found it Besides these two I meet with more than twenty by name martyred Confessors doubling that number whose ashes were scattered all over the County at Ipswich Bury Bekles c. It is vehemently suspected that three of them burnt at Bekles had their death antedated before the Writ de Haeretico comburendo could possibly be brought down to the Sheriff And was not this to use Tertullians Latin in some different sense Festinatio homicidii Now though Chaâ—…ity may borrow a point of Law to save life surely Cruelty should not steal one to destroy it Cardinals THOMAS WOLSEY was born in the Town of Ipswich where a Butcher a very honest Man was his Father though a Poet be thus pleased to descant thereon Brave Priest who ever was thy Sire by kind Wolsey of Ipswich ne're begat thy mind One of so vast undertakings that our whole Book will not afford room enough for his Character the writing whereof I commend to some eminent Person of his Foundation of Christ-Church in Oxford He was made Cardinal of St. Cecily and died heart-broken with grief at Leicester 1530. without any Monument which made a great Wit of his own Colledge thus lately complain And though from his own store Wolsey might have A Palace or a Colledge for his grave Yet here he lies interr'd as if that all Of him to be remembred were his fall Nothing but earth to earth nor pompous weight Upon him but a pebble or a quaite If thou art thus neglected what shall we Hope after death that are but shreds of thee This may truly be said of him he was not guilty of mischievous pride and was generally commended for doing Justice when Chancellour of England Prelates HERBERT LOSING was born in this County as our * Antiquary informeth us In Pago Oxunensi in Sudovolgia Anglorum Comitatu natus but on the perusing of all the Lists of Towns in this County no Oxun appeareth therein or name neighbouring thereon in sound and syllables This I conceive the cause why Bishop Godwin so confidently makes this Herbert born Oxoniae in Oxford in which County we have formerly placed his Character However seeing Bale was an excellent Antiquary and being himself a Suffolk-man must be presumed knowing in his own County and conceiving it possible that this Oxun was either an obscure Church-less-Village or else is this day disguized under another name I conceive it just that as Oxford-shire led the Front Suffolk should bring up the Reer of this Herberts description Indeed he may well serve two Counties being so different from himself and two persons in effect When young loose and wild deeply guilty of the sin of Simony When old nothing of Herbert was in Herbert using commonly the words of St. Hierome Erravimus juvenes emendemus senes When young we went astray when old we will amend Now though some controversie about the place of his birth all agree in his death July 22 1119 and in his burial in the Cathedral Church of Norwich RICHARD ANGERVILE son to S â— Richard Angervile Knight was born at Bury in this County and bred in Oxford where he attained to great eminency in Learning He was Governour to King Edward the Third whilst Prince and afterwards advanced by Him to be successively his Cofferer Treasurer of his Wardrobe Dean of Wells Bishop of Duresme Chancellour and lastly Treasurer of England He bestowed on the poor every week Eight Quarters of Wheat baked in Bread When he removed from Duresme to Newcastle twelve short miles he used to give eight pounds sterling in Alms to the Poor and so proportionably in other places betwixt his Palaces He was a great lover of Books confessing himself Exsiatico quodam librorum amore potenter abreptum in so much that he alone had more Books than all the Bishops of England in that Age put together which stately Library by his Will he solemnly bequeathed to the University of Oxford The most eminent Foreigners were his Friends and the most Learned Englishmen were his Chaplains untill his death which happened Anno 1345. JOHN PASCHAL was born in this County where his name still continueth of Gentle Parentage bred a Carthusian and D. D. in Cambridge A great Scholar and popular Preacher Bateman Bishop of Norwich procured the Pope to make him the umbratile Bishop of Scutari whence he received as much profit as one may get heat from a Glow-worm It was not long before by the favour of King Edward the Third he was removed from a very shadow to a slender substance the Bishoprick of Landaffe wherein he died Anno Domini 1361. SIMON SUDBURY alià s TIBALD was born at Sudbury as great as most and ancient as any Town in this County After many mediate preferments let him thank the Popes provisions at last he became Arch-bishop of Canterbury He began two Synods with Latin Sermons in his own person as rare in that age as blazing stars and as ominous for they portended ill successe to Wickliffe and his followers However this Simon Sudbury overawed by the God of Heaven and John Duke of Lancaster did not because he could not any harm unto him He was killed in the Rebellion of J. Straw and Wat. Tyler Anno Domini 1381. And although his shadowey Tomb being no more than an honourary Cenotaph be shown at Christ-Church in Canterbury yet his substantial Monument wherein his Bones are deposited is to be seen in St. Gregories in Sudbury under a Marble stone sometimes inlayed all over with Brass some four yards long and two broad saith mine eyewitnesse-Authour though I confesse I never met with any of like dimension so that in some sense I may also call this a Cenotaph as not proportioned to the bulk of his Body but height of his Honour and Estate THOMAS EDWARDSTON so named from his Birth-place Edwarston in this County a Village formerly famous for the Chief Mansion of the Ancient Family of
short Character be pitch'd up like a Tent for a time to be taken down when a firmer Fabrick which as I am informed a more able Pen is about shall be erected to his memory He died Anno Domini 1659. Romish Exile Writers NICHOLAS SANDERS was born at Charlewood in this County where his Family still continueth worshipful bred Bachelour of the Laws in New-Colledge Going over beyond the seas he was made D. D. at Rome and afterwards Kings-Professor thereof at Lovain Pity it was he had not more honesty or less Learning being Master of Art in malice not hoping the whole body of his lies should be believed but being confident the least finger thereof finding credit could prove heavy enough to crush any innocence with posterity presuming the rather to write passages without truth because on a subject beyond memory He thought it would much advantage his Cause to call the Church of England Schismatick first in that his libellous Treatise But what said St. Augustine in a Dispute with one of the Donatists Uâ—…rum schismatici nos simus an vos non ego nec tu sed Christus interrogelur ut judicet Ecclesiam suam Indeed the controversie consisting much in matter of fact let Records and Histories be perused and it will appear that our English Kings after many intolerable provocations and intrenchments on their Crown from the Church of Rome at last without the least invading of others conserv'd their own right Partly as Supreme Princes calling together their Clergy by their advice to reform the errours therein partly to protect their subjects from being ruined by the Canons and Constitutions of a foreign power But this subject hath lately been so handled by that Learned Baronet Sir Roger Twysden that as he hath exceeded former he hath saved all future pains therein To return to Sanders it is observeable that he who â—…urfeited with falshoods was famished for lack of food in Ireland We must be sensible but may not be censorious on such actions such deserving to forfeit the eyes of their souls who will not mark so remarkable a judgement which happened Anno Domini 1580. Benefactors to the Publick I meeâ—… with none besides Bishop Merâ—…on of whom I have spoken eminent before the Reformation Since it we find HENRY SMITH who was born at Wandsworth in this County Now Reader before I go any further give me leave to premise and apply a passage in my apprehension not improper in this place Luther Commenting on those words Gen. 1. 21. And God created great Whales rendereth this reason why the creation of Whaleâ—… is specified by name Ne territi magnitudine creâ—… ea spectra esse Lest affrighted with their greatness we should believe them to be â—…nly Visions or Fancies Indeed many simple people who lived where Luther did in an In-land Country three hundred miles from the sea might suspect that Whales as reported with such vast dimentions were rather 〈◊〉 than Realities In like manner being now to relate the Bounty of this Worthy Person I am affraied that our Inâ—…idel Age will not give credit thereunto as conceiving it rather a Romanza or Fiction than a thing really performed because of the prodigious greatness thereof The best is there are thousands in this County can attest the truth herein And such good deeds publickly done are a pregnant proof to convince all Denyers and Doubters thereof This Henry Smith Esq. and Alderman of London gave to buy Lands for a perpetuity for the relief and setting the Poor to work Croidon one thousand pounds In Kingston one thousand pounds Guilford one thousand pounds Darking one thousand pounds In Farnham one thousand pounds Rigate one thousand pounds In Wandsworth to the Poor five hundred Besides many other great and liberal legacies bequeathed to pious uses which I hope by his Executors are as conscionably imployed as by him they were charitably intended He departed this life the 13th of January 1627. in the seventy-ninth year of his Age and lieth buried in the Chancel to Wandsworth Memorable Persons ELIZABETH WESTON We must gain by degrees what knowledge we can get of this eminent Woman who no doubt was 1 Of Gentile Extraction because her Parents bestowed on her so liberal and costly Education 2 A Virgin because she wrote a book of Poetry called Parthâ—…nicon 3 A great Scholar because commended by two grand Criticks 4 She must flourish by proportion of time about 1600. Hear what Janus Dousa saith of her Angla vel Angelica es vel prorsus es Angelus 〈◊〉 Si sexus vetat hoc Angelus est animus Joseph Scaliger praiseth her no less in prose Parthenicon Elizabethae Westoniae Virginis nobilissimae Poetriae florentissimae linguarum plurimarum peritissimae And again speaking to her Penè priùs mihi contigit admirari ingenium tuum quà m nosse It seems her fame was more known in foreign parts than at home And I am 〈◊〉 that for the honour of her Sex and our Nation I can give no better account of her However that her memory may not be harbourless I have lodged her in this County where I find an Ancient and Worshipful Family of the Westons flourishing at Sutton ready to remove her at the first information of the certain place of her Nativity Here we may see how capable the weaker Sex is of Learning if instructed therein Indeed when a Learned Maid was presented to King James for an English rarity because she could speak and write pure Latine Greek and Hebrew the King returned But can she spin However in persons of Birth and quality Learning hath ever been beheld as a rare and commendable accomplishment The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the 12 year of King Henry the Sixth Anno Dom. 1433. Commissioners to take the Oaths H. Bishop of Winchester Cardinal of England Robert de Ponyges Chivaler Joh. Fereby one of the Knights of the Shire Regin Cobham de Lingfeld mil. Joh. Kigele de Walketon mil. Hen. Norbury de StokedeberoÌ„ m. Joh. Leboys de Farnham mil. Joh. Weston de Papeworth arm Th. Winter shul de Wintershul ar Tho. Husele de Southwark arm Johan Corue de Mercham Rob. Skirnde Kingeston Rob. Fitz-Robert de Bernas Joh. Gainsford de Crowherst ar Will. Uvedale de Tichsay arm Nich. Carewe de Bedington Joh. Ardern de Lye armigeri Rog. Elingbrig de Croydon ar Th. Codeington de Codington a. Joh. Yerd de Chayham arm Will. Kygâ—…le de Waweton arm Joh. Burg de Waleton armiger Joh. Merston de Cobbesham arm Will. Otteworth de Parochia Scemortle armiger Arth. Ormesby de Southwark ar Will. Weston de Okeham arm Thomae Stoughton Ade Lene Lord de Southwark ar Will. Godyng de eadem armig Nich. Hogh de eadem Joh. Malton de eadem Joh. Godrick de Bermondsey ar Tho. Kenle de Southwark arm Rob. Stricklond de Walworth Rich. Tyler de Southwark Joh. Hanksmode de eadem Joh. Newedgate de eadem ar Will Sidney
of the Ladies amongst whom one reputed a kins-man to the great Sophy after some Opposition was married unto him She had more of Eb◅ny then Ivory in her Complexion yet amiable enough and very valiant a quality considerable in that Sex in those Countries With her he came over into England and lived many years therein He much affected to appear in forreign Vestes and as if his Clothes were his limbes accounted himself never ready till he had something of the Persian Habit about him At last a Contest happening betwixt him and the Persian Ambassadour to whom some reported Sir Robert gave a Box on the Ear the King sent them both into Persia there mutually to impeach one another and joyned Doctor Go◅gh a Senior Fellow of Trinity-colledge in Cambridge in Commission with Sir Robert In this ◅oyage as I am informed both died on the Seas before the controverted difference was ever heard in the Court of Persia about the beginning of the reign of K. Charles Sir THOMAS SHIRLEY I name him the last though the eldest Son of his Father because last appearing in the world mens Activity not always observing the method of their Register As the Trophies of Miltiades would not suffer Themistocles to sleep so the Atchivements of his two younger brethren gave an Ala◅m unto his spirit He was ashamed to see them Worne like flowers in the Breasts and Bosomes of forreign Princes whilst he himself withered upon the stalk he grew on This made him leave his aged Father and fair Inheritance in this County and to undertake Sea Voyages into forreign parts to the great honour of his Nation but small inriching of himself so that he might say to his Son as Aeneas to Aescanius Disce puer Virtutē ex me verumque Laborem Fortunam ex aliis Virtue and Labour Learn from me thy Father As for success Child Learn from others rather As to the generall performances of these three brethren I know the Affidavit of a Poet carieth but a small cre◅it in the court of History and the Comedy made of them is but a friendly foe to their Memory as suspected more accommodated to please the present spectators then inform posterity However as the belief of Miti◅ when an Inventory of his adopted Sons misde◅nours was brought unto him embraced a middle and moderate way nec omnia credere nec nihil neither to believe all things nor nothing of what was told him so in the list of their Atchivements we may safely pitch on the same proportion and when abatement is made for poeticall embelishments the remainder will speak them Worthies in their generations The certain dates of their respective deaths I cannot attain Physicians NICHOLAS HOSTRESHAM Know Reader I have placed him in this County only on presumption that Horsham in this Shire no such place otherwise in England is contracted for Hostresham He was a learned man a most famous Physician and esteemed highly of all the Nobility of the Land who coveted his company on any conditions It seemeth that he was none of those so pleasing and conformable to the Humor of their Patients as that they press not the true Cure of the Disease and yet none of those who are so Regular in proceeding according to Art for the Disease as that they respect not sufficiently the condition of their Patients but that he was of a Middle Temper and so in effect was two Physicians in one Man Many were the Books he wrote reckoned upby Bale and Pitz amongst which I take especial notice of one contra dolorem renum thus beginning Lapis quandoque generatur in renibus I observe this the rather because his Practise was wholly at home it not appearing that he ever went beyond the Sea and this is contrary unto the confidence of such who have vehemently affirmed that the Stone was never heard of in England untill Hopps and Beer made therewith about the year 1516. began to be commonly used He flourished Anno Domini 1443. Writers LAURENCE SOMERCOTE was born saith Bale in the South-part of the Kingdome But had I am sure his best English preferment in Sussex being Canon of Chichester After his breeding here under his Carefull Parents and Skilfull Masters who taught him Logick and Rhetorick he applied himself to the Study of the Law and attained to great Learning therein Then leaving the Land he went to Rome and repaited to his Brother or Kinsman Robert Somercote Cardinall who it seems procured him to be Sub-Deacon under the Pop◅ He wrote some Books both in Latine and French and flourished in the year of our Lord 1240. JOHN DRITON so is his Surname Englished by Bale And why not as well John Driby a V◅llage in Lincoln-shire seeing no Driton in all England The truth is this in Latine he wrote himself de Arida Vill◅ equivalent with Sicoa villa or Sack-wil a Surname most renowned in this County and because it is added to his Character ex Illustri quadam Angliae familia procre◅s it suiteth well with our conjecturing him this Country-man He was bred according to the Mode of that Age in France and there became at Paris Summus Gymnasii Moderator which howsoever rendred in English soundeth a high place Conferred on a Forreigner In his time was much busling in the University about an Apocrypha Book patched together out of the Dreams of Joachime and Cyril two Monkes which was publickly read and commented on by many Admirers thereof by the name of the Eternall Gospell The Pope who often Curseth where God Blesseth here Blessed where God Cursed and notwithstanding the solemn Commination against such Additions to Scripture favoured them and what a Charitable Christian can scarcely believe damned their Opposers for Hereticks this our Sackwill bestirred himself and with William de Sancto Amore and other pious Men opposed this piece of Imposture Pitz in the Character of this our de Arida Villa treads like a foundred Horse on stones mentioning only that he met with much disturbance without any particulars thereof At last this Eternall Gospell had a Temporal End and with the Serpents of the Aegyptian Inchanters which vanished away this pretended Quint Essence Gospell sunk with shame into silence whilst the other four Gospells with the Serpent of Moses doe last and continue This our Writer flourished 1260. JOHN WINCHELSEY was bred in Oxford and became a great Scholar therein I am not bound to believe Bale in full latitude that he made a Centaur-Divinity out of Poets and Philosophers but this I believe that in his old Age he turned a Franciscan and when Gray became a Green Novice of the Order at Sarisbury Many condemned him that he would enter into such a life when ready to goe out of the world and others of his own Covent commended him who being old was concerned to find out the most compendious way to Heaven The year of his Probation was not ended when he died and was
bestowed should be pleased to provide a fair and firm Fabrick to receive it but now is reposited Bodly within a 〈◊〉 in the matchless Library of Oxford Romish Exil'd Writers GREGORY MARTINE was born at Macfield in this County bred contemporary with Campian Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford He was chosen by Thomas Duke of Northfolk to be Tutor to his Son Philip Earl of Arundell and well discharged his trust therein Going afterwards beyond the Seas and living some time in Doway and Rome he fixed at last in the English-colledge at Rhemes where he was Professor of Divinity As he was Papall both in his Christian and Surname so was he deeply dyed with that Religion writing many Books in the defence thereof and one most remarkable intituled A Detection of the corruptions in the English Bible Athaliah did craftily to cry out first Treason Treason when she was the greatest Traitor her self and this Martine conscious of the many and foul corruptions in his own Rhemish translation politickly complained of the Faults in our English Bible He dâ—…ed the 28. of October 1582. and lyeth buried in the Parish Church of St. Stephens in Rhemes THOMAS STAPLETON was born at Henfield in this County as Pitts his familiar friend doth informe us Object not that it is written on his Tomb at Saint Peters at Lovaine Thomas Stapletonus qui Cicestriae in Anglia Nobili loco Natus Chichester there not being taken restrictively for the City but extensively for the Diocess His bare Sirname is sufficient proof of his Gentile Birth Those of his own perswasion please themselves much to observe that this Thomas was born in the same year and month wherein Sir Thomas Moor was beheaded as if Divinè Providence had purposely dropped from Heaven an Acorn in place of the Oake that was â—…ell'd He was bred in New colledge in Oxford and then by the Bishop Christopherson as I take it made Cannon of Chichester which he quickly quitted in the First of Queen Elizabeth Flying beyond the Seas he first fixed at Doway and there commendably performed the Office of Catechist which he discharged to his commendation Reader pardon an Excursion caused by just Grief and Anger Many counting themselfs Protestants in England do slight and neglect that Ordinance of God by which their Religion was set up and gave Credit to it in the first Reformation I mean CATECHISING Did not nor Saviour say even to Saint Peter himself feed my Lambs feed my heep And why Lambs first 1. Because they were Lambs before they were Sheep 2. Because if they be not fed whilst Lambs they could never be Sheep 3. Because Sheâ—…p can in some sort feed themselves but Lambs such their tenderness must either be fed or famished Our Stapleton was excellent at this Lamb-feeding from which Office he was afterwards preferred Kings Professor of Divinity in Lovain and was for fourty years together Dominus ad Oppositum the Undertaker-General against all Protestants Dr. Whitacre Professor in Cambridge experimentally profest that Bellarmine was the fairer and Stapleton the shrewder adversary His preferment in mine Eye was not proportionable to his Merit being no more then Cannon and Master of a Colledge in Lovain Many more admired that Stapleton mist then that Allen got a Cardinals Cap equalling him in Strictness of Life exceeding him in Gentility of Birth and Painfulness of Writing for the Romish Cause Such consider not that Stapletons Ability was drowned with Allens Activity and one Grain of the Statesman is too heavy for a pound of the Student Practical Policy in all Ages beating Pen-pains out of distance in the Race of Preferment Stapleton died and was buried in St. Peters in Lovain Anno 1598. Benefactors to the Publick Reader let not the want of Intelligence in me be mis-interpreted want of munificence in the natives of this County finding but one most eminent and him since the Reformation RICHARD SACKVILL Eldest son of Thomas Earl of Dorcet by Cecilly his Wife had his Barony if not his Birth at Buckhurst in this County A Gentleman of Singular learning in many Sciences and Languages so that the Greek and Latine were as familiar unto him as his own native Tongue Succeeding his father in that Earldom he enjoyed his dignity not a full year as lacking seven Weeks thereof Yet is there no fear that the shortness of his Earlship will make his Name forgotten having erected a Monument which will perpetuate his Memory to all Posterity viz. A Colledge at East-greensted in this County for one and Thirty poor people to serve Almighty God therein Endowing the same with three hundred and thirty pounds a Year out of all his Land in England By Margaret sole daughter to Thomas Duke of Norfolk he left two surviving sons Richard and Edward both Persons of admirable parts successively Earls after him and dying 1608. was buried at Withiham in this County Memorable Persons JOHN PALMER HENRY PALMER THOMAS PALMER Sons unto Edward Palmer Esq. of Angmarine in this County A Town so called as I am informed from Aqua Marina or the water of the sea being within two Miles thereof and probably in former Ages neerer thereunto Their Mother was daughter to one Clement of Wales who for his effectuall assisting of King Henry the seventh from his landing at Milford-haven untill the Battle of Bosworth was brought by him into England and rewarded with good Lands in this and the next County It happened that their Mother being a full fortnight inclusively in Labour was on Whitsunday delivered of John her eldest son on the sunday following of Henry her second son and the sunday next after of Thomas her third son This is that which is commonly called Superfoetation usuall in other Creatures but rare in Women the cause whereof we leave to the disquisition of 〈◊〉 These Three were knighted 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 by King 〈◊〉 the eighth who never laid his sword on his Shoulders who was not a Man so that they appear as remarkable in their sucâ—…esse as their Nativities The truth hereof needeth no other Atrestation then the generall and uncontrolled Tradition of their no lesse worshipfull then Numerous posterity in Sussex and Kent Amongst whom I instance in Sir Roger Palmer aged 80. years lately deceased and 〈◊〉 to our late King averring to me the faith hereof on his Reputation The exact date of these Knights deaths I cannot attain LEONARD 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 in this County being much delighted in gardening mans Original vocation was the 〈◊〉 who brought over into England from beyond the seas Carps and Pippins the one well cook'd delicious the other cordial and restorative For the proof hereof we have his own word and witness and did it it seems about the Fifth year of the reign of King Henry the eighth Anno Dom. 1514. The time of his death is to me unknown WILLIAM WITHERS born at Walsham in this County being a Child of Eleven years old did Anno 1581. lye
upon him Many were the wit combates betwixt him and Ben Johnson which two I behold like a Spanish great Gallion and an English man of War Master Johnson like the former was built far higher in Learning Solid but Slow in his performances Shake-spear with the English-man of War lesser in bulk but lighter in sailing could turn with all tides tack about and take advantage of all winds by the quickness of his Wit and Invention He died Anno Domini 16 ... and was buried at Stratford upon Avon the Town of his Nativity MICHAEL DRAYTON born in this County at Athelston as appeareth in his poeticall address thereunto My native Country If there be vertue yet remaining in thy earth Or any good of thine thou breath'st into my birth Accept it as thine own whilst now I sing of thee Of all thy later Brood th' unworthiest though I be He was a pious Poet his conscience having always the command of his fancy very temperate in his life slow of speech and inoffensive in company He changed his laurel for a crown of glory Anno 1631. and is buried in Westminster-Abby near the South-door with this Epitaph Doe pious Marble let thy Readers know What they and what their children owe To Draitons name whose sacred dust We recommend unto thy trust Protect his memory and preserve his story Remain a lasting Monument of his glory And when thy ruins shall dâ—…aime To be the Treasurer of his name His name that cannot fade shall be An everlasting Monument to thee He was born within few miles of William Shake-speare his Countryman and fellow-Poet and buried within fewer paces of Jeffry Chaucer and Edmund Spencer Sir FULKE GREVIL Knight Son to Sir Fulke Grevil the Elder of Becham-Court in this County he was bred first in the University of Cambridge He came to the Court back'd with a full and fair Estate and Queen Elizabeth loved such substantiall Courtiers as could plentifully subsist of themselves He was a good Scholar loving much to employ and sometimes to advance learned men to whâ—…m worthy Bishop Overal chiefly owed his preferment and Mr. Cambden by his own Confession tasted largely of his liberality His Studies were most in Poetry and History as his works doe witness His Stile conceived by some to be swelling is allowed for lofty and full by others King James created him Baron Brook of Beachamp-Court as descended from the sole daughter and heir of Edward Willowby the last Lord Brook in the reign of King Henry the seventh His sad Death or Murther rather happened on this occasion His discontented servant conceiving his deserts not soon or well enough rewarded wounded him Mortally and then to save the law the labour killed himself verifying the observation that he may when he pleaseth be master of an other mans life who contemneth his own He lieth buried in Warwick Church under a Monument of black and white Marble whereon he is styled Servant to Q. Elizabeth Counsellor to K. James and friend to Sir Phillip Sidney Dying Anno 16 ... without Issue and unmarried his Barony by vertue of Entail in the patent descended on his kinsman Robert Grevill Lord Brook father to the Right Honorable Robert Lord Brook NICHOLAS BYFIELD was born in this County as his son hath informed me bred as I remember in Queens-colledge in Oxford After he had entred into the Ministry he was invited into Ireland to a place of good profit and eminency in pâ—…ssage whereunto staying wind-bound at Chester his Inn proved his home for a long time unto him preaching a Sermon there with such approbation that he was chosed Minister in the City Not without an especiall Providence seeing the place promised in Ireland would have failed him his going over had been a labour in vain The Cestrians can give the best account of his profitable preaching and pious life most strict in keeping the Lords day on which occasion pens were brandished betwixt him and Mr. Breerwood In his declining age he was presented to the Benefice of Isleworth in Middlesex where for fifteen years together he preached twice every Lords-day and expounded Scripture every Wednesday and Friday till five weeks before his death notwithstanding there was Mors in ollâ—… A stone in his bladder which being taken out weighed and measured after his death was found of these prodigious proportions In 1. Weight thirty three ounces and more In 2. Measure about the edge fifteen inches and an half In 3. Measure about the length thirteen inches and above In 4. Measure about the breadth almost thirteen inches It was of a solid substance to look upon like a flint Lo here is the patience of the Saints All I will adde is this the Pharisee said proudly I thank thee Lord I am not as this Publican Let Writer and Reader say humbly and thankfully to God We are not as this truly painfull Preacher and let us labour that as our bodies are more healthfull our souls may be as holy as his who died and was buried at Iâ—…leworth PHILEMON HOLLAND where born is to me unknown was bred in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge a Doctor in Physick and fixed himself in Coventry He was the Translator Generall in his Age so that those Books alone of his Turning into English will make a Country Gentleman a competent library for Historians in so much that one saith Holland with his Translations doth so fill us He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus Indeed some decry all Translators as Interlopers spoiling the Trade of Learning which should be driven amongst Scholars alone Such also alledge that the best Translations are works rather of Industry then Judgement and in easy Authors of Faithfulness rather then Industry That many be but Bunglers forcing the meaning of the Authors they translate picking the lock when they cannot open it But their Opinion resents too much of Envy that such Gentlemen who cannot repair to the Fountain should be â—…ebard access to the Streame Besides it is unjust to charge All with the faults of some and a Distinction must be made amongst Translators betwixt Coblers and Workmen and our Holland had the true knack of Translating Many of these his Books he wrote with One Pen whereon he himself thus pleasantly versified With one sole pen I writ this Book Made of a Grey Goose Quill A Pen it was when it I took And a Pen I leave it still This Monumental Pen he solemnly kept and showed to my reverend Tutor Doctor Samuel â—…ard It seems he leaned very lightly on the Neb thereof though weightily enough in an other sense performing not slightly but solidly what he undertook But what commendeth him most to the Praise of Posterity is his Translating Camdens Britannia a Translation more then a Translation with many excellent Additions not found in the Latine done fifty years since in Master Camdens life time not onely with his knowledge and consent but also no doubt by his desire and help
Yet such additions discoverable in the former part with Asterisks in the Margent with some Antiquaries obtain not equal Authenticalness with the rest This eminent Translator was Translated to a better life Anno Dom. 16 ... FRANCIS HOLYOAKE latining himself de sacra Quâ—…rcu and Minister of Southam born at Witacre in this County He set forth that staple Book which School-boys called Riders Dictionary This Rider did Borrow to say no worse both his Sâ—…ddle and Bridle from Thomas Thomatius who being bred Fellow of Kings-colledge in Cambridge set forth that Dictionary known by his Name then which Men have not a Better and Truer Children no Plainer and Briefer But Rider after Thomas his death set forth his Dictioâ—…ary the same in effect under his own Name the property thereof being but little disguised with any Additions Such Plageary ship ill becometh Authors or Printers and the Dove being the Crest of the Stationers Armes should mind them not like Rooks to filch copies one from an other The Executors of Thomas Thomaâ—…us entring an Action against Rider occasioned him in his own defence to make those Numerous Additions to his Dictionary that it seems to differ rather in Kind then Degree from his first Edition I am forced to place this Child â—…ather with his Guardian then Father I mean to mention this Dictionary rather under the name of Master Holyoake then Rider both because the residence of the latter is wholly unknown unto me and because Mr. Holyoakâ—… added many as his learned Son hath since more wonders thereunto This Master Holyoake died Anno Dom. 16 ... JAMES CRANFORD was born at Coventry in this County where his father was a Divine and School-Master of great note bred in Oxford beneficed in Northampton shire and afterwards removed to London to Saint Châ—…istophers A painfull Preacher an exact Linguist subtill Disputant Orthodox in his Judgement sound against Sectaries well acquainted with the Fathers not unknown to the School-men and familiar with the Modern Divines Much his Humility being James the less in his own esteeme and therefore ought to be the Greater in Ours He had as I may say a Broad-chested Soul favourable to such who differed from him His Moderation increased with his Age Charity with his Moderation and had a kindness for all such who had any goodness in themselves He had many choise books and not like to those who may lose themselves in their own libraries being Owners not Masters of their books therein had his books at such command as the Captain has his Souldiers so that he could make them at pleasure goe or come and do what he desired This lame and loyall Mephibosheth as I may terme him sadly sympathizing with the sufferings of Church and State He died rather infirme then old Anno 1657. Romish Exile Wâ—…iters WILLIAM BISHOP was born in this County saith my Auther ex Nobili Familia Enquiring after his Surname in this Shire I find one John Bishop Gentleman Patron of Brails in this County who died Anno 1601. Aged 92. Being a Protestant as appeareth by his Epitaph who according to Proportion of time might in all Probability be his father the rather because he is said Parentes ampli Patrimonii spem reliquisse to have left his Parents and the hope of a fair Inheritance Reader a word by the way of the word Nobilis which soundeth high in English ears where Barons youngest children are the lowest step of Nobility whilst Nobilis from the Pen of a foraigner generally importeth no more then an ordinary Gentleman It is not long since my weakness was imployed to draw up in Latin a Testimoniall for a high German who indeed was of honourable extraction and according to direction I was advised to style him Generosissimum ac Nobilissimum For Generosus which runneth so low in England in Saxony doth carry it clear as the more honourable Epithet Thus Words like Counters stand for more or less according to Custome Yea Latine words are bowed in their Modern senses according to the acception of severall Places This Bishop leaving the Land went first to Rhemes then to Rome where he was made Priest and being sent back into England met with variety of success 1. Being seized on He was brought before Secretary Walsingham and by him committed to the Marshalsey 2. After three years being bâ—…nished the Realm he became a Doctor of Sorbâ—… 3. He returned into England and for nine years laboured in the Popish Harvest 4. By their Clergy he was imployed a Messenger to Rome about some affairs of importance 5. His business dispatch'd he returned the third time into England and after eight years industry therein to advance his own Cause was caught and cast into Prison at London where he remained about the year 1612. 6. Soon after he procured his Enlargement and Anno 1615. lived at Paris in Collegio Atrebatensi Men of his Perswasion cry him up for a most Glorious Confessor of theâ—… Popish faith who if any goodness in him should also be a Thankfull Confessor of the Protestant Charity permitting him twice to depart Prison on hope of his amendment though so Active an Instrument against our Religion No such courtesy of Papists to Protestants Vestigia nulla retrorsum No return especially the second time out of durance The first disease being dangerous but deadly their Relaps into a Prison but perchance this William Bishop found the more favour because our Church men accounting it toâ—… much severity to take away both his Credit and his Life both to Conquer and Kill him seeing this Priest whilst in Prison was often worsted though his Party bragged of victory both by Tongues and Pens in Disputings and Writings of severall Protestants amongst whom Robert Abbot afterwards Bishop of Salisbury gave him the most fatall Defeat The certain date of his death is to me unknown Benefactors to the Publick HUGH CLOPTON was born at Stratford a fair Market Town in this County bred a Mercer in London and at last Lord Mayor thereof Anno 1491. Rememâ—…g 〈◊〉 his Native Town stood on Avon a River in Summer and little Sea in Winter â—…oublesome for Travellers to pass over he in liew of the former inconventent 〈◊〉 built a stately and long Stone-bridge of many Arches over the Channel and Overflowings thereof I behold this Bridge more usefull though less costly then what Caligula made termed by Suetonius novum inauditum spectaculi genus reaching from Putzol to Bauly three miles and a quarter This was only a Pageant-bridge for Pompe set up to be soon taken down whereof Lipsius said well Laudem immenso operi vanitas detraâ—…it But our Cloptons Bridge remaineth at this day even when the Colledge in the same Town built by Arch-bishop Stratford is as to the intended use thereof quite vanished away Indeed Bridges are the most lasting Benefactions all Men being concerned in their continuance lest by destâ—…oying of them they destroy themselves not knowing
fell down and bruised himself to death But that Simon did it by the Black our Oliver by the White Art he being supported by ill spirits this by meer ingenuity which made him the more to be pitied He wrot some books of Astrology and died Anno Dom. 1060. five years before the Norman Invasion and so saw not his own prediction prevented by death performed It being the fate of such Folk Ut sint Oculati foras caecutiant Domi. That when they are quick sighted to know what shall betide to others they are blind to behold what will befall to themselves WILLIAM quitting his own name of SUMMERSET assumed that of MALMESBURY because there he had if not born his best Preferment Indeed he was a Duallist in that Convent and if a Pluralist no ingenious person would have envied him being Canter of that Church and Library-Keeper therein Let me adde and LibraryMaker too for so may we call his History of the Saxon Kings and Bishops before the Conquest and after it untill his own time An History to be honoured both for the Truth and Method thereof if any fustiness be found in his Writings it comes not from the Grape but from the Cask the smack of Superstition in his books is not to be imputed to his person but to the Age wherein he lived and dyed viz. Anno Dom. 1142. and was buried in Malmesbury ROBERT CANUTUS His Surname might justly perswade us to suspect him a Dane but that Bale doth assure him born at Cricklade in this County and further proceedeth thus in the desciption of the place Leland in the life of great King Alfred informs us that during the flourishing of the glory of the Britains before the University of Oxford was founded two Scholars were famous both for Eloquence and Learning the one called Greeklade where the Greek the other Latinlade where the Latine tongue was professed since corruptly colled Cricklade and Lechlade at this day Having so good security I presumed to Print the same in my Church-History and am not as yet ashamed thereof But since my Worthy Friend Doctor Heylyn whose Relations living thereabouts gave him the opportunity of more exactness thus reporteth it that Cricklade was the place for the Profession of Greek Lechlade for Physick and Latine a small village small indeed for I never saw it in any Map hard by the place where Latin was professed But to proceed our Canute went hence to Oxford and there became Chief of the Canons of Saint Fridswith He gathered the best flowers out of Plinie his Naturall History and composing it into a Garland as he calleth it dedicated the book to King Henry the second He wrot â—…so his Comments on the greater part of the Old and New Testament and flourished Anno 1170. RICHARD of the DIVISES A word of the place of his nativity The Vies or Devises is the best and biggest Town for trading Salisbury being a City in this Shire so called because antiently divided betwixt the King and the Bishop of Salisbury as Mine-Thine corruptly called Minden a City in Westphalia had its Name from such a partition Now because the Devises carrieth much of strange conceipts in the common sound thereof and because Stone-henge is generally reputed a wonder Country-People who live far off in our Land misapprehend them distanced more then 12. miles to be near together Our Richard born in this Town was bred a Benedictine in Winchster where his Learning and Industry rendred him to the respect of all in that Age. He wrot a History of the raign of King Richard the first under whom he flourished and an Epitome of the British affaires dedicating them both to Robert Prior of Winchester His History 〈◊〉 could never see but at the second hand as cited by others the rarity thereof making it no piece for the Shop of a Stationer but a Property for a publick Library His death was about the year 1200. GODWIN of SALISBURY Chanter of that Church and what ever was his skill in Musick following the precepts of Saint Paul he made melody in his heart having his mind given much to Meditation which is the Chewing of the Cud of the food of the soul turning it into Clean and Wholsome Nourishment He wrot beside other works a book of Meditations dedicating the same to one Ramulia or rather Ranilda an Anchoress and most incomparable woman saith my Author the more remarkable to me because this is the first and last mention I find of her memory This Godwin flourished about the year of our Lord 1256. JOHN of WILTON Senior was bred an Augustinian Friar and after he had stored himself with home-bred Learning went over into France and studied at Paris Here he became a subtile Disputant insomuch that John Baconthorp that Staple School-man not onely highly praiseth him but also useth his authority in his JOHN of WILTON Junior was bred a Benedictine Monke in Westminster He was Elegant in the Latine tongue praeter ejus aetatis sortem He wrot Metricall Meditations in imitation of Saint Bernard and one Book highly prized by many intituled Horologium sapientiae english it as you please the Clock or Diall of Wisdome Arguments I meet not with any man in that age better stock'd with Sermons on all occasions having written his Summer his Winter his Lent his Holy-day Sermons He flourished under King Edward the second Anno 1310. He was a great Allegory-Monke and great his dexterity in such Figurative conceits He flourished some fifty years after his Namesake under King Edward the third Reader I confess there be eleven Wiltons in England and therefore will not absolutely avouch the Nativities of these two Johns in this County However because Wilton which denominateth this Shire is the best and biggest amongst the Towns so called I presume them placed here with the most Probability JOHM CHYLMARK was born at that Village well know in Daworth Hundred and bred Fellow of Merton-colledge in Oxford He was a diligent searcher into the mysteries of Nature an acute Phylosopher and Disputant but most remarkable was his skill in Mathematicks being accounted the Archemedes of that age having written many Tractates in that Faculty which carry with them a very good regard at this day He flourished under King Richard the second Anno 1390. THOMAS of WILTON D. D. was for his Learning and Abilities made first Chancellour and then Dean of Saint Pauls in London in his time in the raign of King Edward the fourth happened a tough contest betwixt the Prelats and the Friars the latter pretending to poverty and taxing the Bishops for their pompe and plenty Our Wilton politickly opposed the Friars Now as the onely way for to withdraw Hanniball from his invasive war in Italy was by recalling him to defend his own Country near Carthage so Wilton wisely wrought a diversion putting the Friars from accusing the Bishops to excuse themselves For although an Old Gown a
Tattered Cowle a Shirt of Hair a Girdle of Hempe a Pair of Beads a Plain Crucifix and Picture of some Saint passed for all the wealth and Wardrobe of a Friar yet by hearing Feminine Confessions wherewith Wilton twitteth them and abusing the Key of Absolution they opened the Coffers of all the Treasure in the Land He wrot also a smart Book on this subject An validi Mendicantes sint in 〈◊〉 Perfectionis Whether Friars in health and Begging be in the state of perfection The Anti-Friarists maintaining that such were Rogues by the Laws of God and Man and fitter for the House of Correction then State of Perfection This Dean Wilton flourished Anno Dom. 1460. Since the Reformation WILLIAM HOREMAN was saith my Author Patria Sarisburiensis which in the Strictest sence may be rendred born in the City in the Largest born in the Diocess of Salisbury and in the Middle-sence which I most embrace born in Wiltshire the County wherein Salisbury is situated He was bred saith Bale first in Eaton then in Kings-colledge in Cambridge both which I doe not deny though propably not of the Foundation his name not appearing in the exact Catalogue thereof Returning to Eaton he was made Vice-Provost thereof where he spent the remainder of his 〈◊〉 He was one of the most Generall Scholars of his age as may appear by the Diffusiveness of his Learning and Books written in all Faculties Grammar  Of Orthography Poetry  Of the Quantities of penultime syllables History  A Chronicle with a Comment on some Index of most Chronicles Controversial Divinity A Comment on Gabriel Biel. Case  On the divorce of King Henry the eighth Hnsbandry  A Comment on Cato Varro Columella Palladius de Re Rusticâ Other books he left unfinished for which Bale sends forth a sorrowfull sigh with a Proh Dolor which his passion is proof enough for me to place this Horeman on this side of the line of Reformation He dyed April 12. 1535. and lieth buried in the Chappel of Eaton Masters of Musick WILLAM LAWES son of Thomas Lawes a Viâ—…ar Choral of the Church of Salisbury was bred in the Close of that City being from his Childhood inclined to Musick Edward Earl of Hertford obtained him from his Father and bred him of his own cost in that Faculty under his Master Giovanni Coperario an Italian and most Exquisite Musician Yet may it be said that the Schollar in time did Equal yea Exceed his Master He afterwards was of the Private Musick to King Charles and was respected and beloved of all such Persons who cast any looks towards Vertue and Honour Besides his Fancies of the three four five and six parts to Vyol and Organ he made above thirty severall sorts of Musick for Voyces and Instruments neither was there any Instrument then in use but he composed to it so aptly as if he had only studied that In these distracted times his Loyalty ingaged him in the War for his Lord and Master and though he was by Generall Gerrard made a Commissary on designe to secure him such Officers being commonly shot-free by their place as not Exposed to danger yet such the activity of his Spirit he disclaimed the Covert of his Office and betrayed thereunto by his own adventurousness was casually shot at the Siege of Chester the same time when the Lord Bernard Stuart lost his life Nor was the Kings soul so ingrossed with grâ—…ef for the death of so near a Kinsman and Noble a Lord but that hearing of the death of his dear servant William Laws he had a particular Mourning for him when dead whom he loved when living and commonly called the Father of Musick I leave the rest of his worth to be expressed by his own Works of Composures of Psalms done joyntly by him and his brother Master Henry Laws betwixt which two no difference either in Eminency Affection or otherwise considerable save that the one is deceased and the other still surviving Master William Laws dyed in September 164. Benefactours to the Publique T. STUMPS of the Town of Malmesbury in this County was in his Age one of the most eminent Clothiers in England of whom there passeth a story told with some variation of circumstances but generally to this purpose King Henry the eighth Hunting near Malmesbury in Bredon Forrest came with all his Court Train unexpected to Dine with this Clothier But great House-keepers are as seldome surprised with Guests as vigilant Captains with Enemies Stumps commands his little Army of Workmen which he fed daily in his house to fast one Meal untill night which they might easily doe without indangering their health and with the same Provision gave the King and his Court-train though not so delicious and various most wholesome and plentifull entertainment But more Authentick is what I read in the great Antiquary speaking of the plucking down of Malmesbury Monastery The very Minster it self should have sped no better then the rest but being Demolished had not T. Stumps a wealthy Clothier by much suit but with a greater summe of Money redeemed and bought it for the Iowns-men his Neighbours by whom it was converted to a Parish-church and for a great part is yet standing at this day I find one William Stumps Gentleman who in the one and thirtieth year of King Henry the eight bought of him the demeans of Malmesbury Abby for fifteen hundred pound two shillings and a half penny Now how he was related to this T. Stumps whether son or father is to me unknown It will not be a sin for me to wish more branches from such Stumps who by their bounty may preserve the Monuments of Antiquity from destruction Memorable Persons SUTTON of 〈◊〉 Tradition and an old Pamphlet newly vamped with Additions make him a great Clothier Entertaining King Henry the first and bequeathing at his death one hundred pounds to the Weavers of Salisbury with many other benefactions I dare not utterly deny such a person and his bountifull Gifts but am â—…ured that he is notoriously mis-timed seeing Salisbury had scarce a stone laid therein one hundred years after King Henry the first and as for old Sarum that age knew nothing of Clothing as we have proved before Thus these Mungrell Pamphlets part true part false doe most mischief Snakes are less dangerous then Lampries seeing none will feed on what is known to be poison But these books are most pernicious where truth and falshoods are blended together and such a Medly Cloth is the Tale-story of this Clothier MICHEL born at ........... in this County was Under-sheriffe to Sir Anthony Hungarford a worthy Knight Anno 1558. in the last year of Queen Mary Of this Master Michel I find this Character A right and a perfect godly man Under sheriffs generally are complained of as over-crafty to say no worse of them but it seems hereby the place doth not spoil the person but the person the
the Chequer and afterwards Treasurer of England and twice Embassadour to the King of France He deserved right well of his own Cathedrall and dying October 31. 1228. was buried under a Marble Tombe on the South-side of the Presbytery WILLIAM de MELTON was born in this County wherein are four villages so named and preferred therein Provost of Beverly and Canon then Arch-bishop of York He went to Avinion there to procure his Consecration I say to Avinion whither then the Court was removed from Rome and continued about threescore and ten years on the same token that those remaining at Rome almost starved for want of employment called this the seventy years captivity of Babilon Consecrated after two years tedious Attendance he returned into England and fell to finish the fair fabrick of his Cathedrall which John Roman had began expending seven hundred Marks therein His life was free from Scandall signall for his Chastity Charity Fasting and Praying He strained up his Tenants so as to make good Musick therewith but not break the string and surely Church-lands were intended though not equally yet mutually for the comfortable support both of Landlord and Tenants Being unwilling that the Infamy of Infidell should be fixed upon him according to the Apostles Doctrine for not providing for his family he bought three Mannors in this County from the Arch-bishop of Roan with the Popes Confirmation and setled them on his Brothers Son whose Descendant William Melton was High-sheriff of this County in the Fiftieth of King Edward the third There is a Place in York as well as in London called the Old-baly herein more remarkable then that in London that Arch-bishop Melton compassed it about with a great Wall He bestowed also much cost in adorning Feretrum English it the Bear or the Coffin of Saint William a Person purposely omitted by my Pen because no assurance of his English Extraction Arch-bishop Melton dyed after he had sate two and twenty years in his See Anno Domini 1340. Entombed in the Body of his Church nigh the Font whereby I collect him buried below in the Bottom of the Church that Instrument of Christian Initiation antiently advancing but a little above the Entrance into the Church HENRY WAKEFEILD is here placed with Assurance there being three Towns of that name in and none out of this County Indeed his is an Episcopall Name which might mind him of his Office the Diocess of Worcester to which he was preferred Anno 1375. by King Edward the third being his Field and he by his place to Wake or watch over it Nor hear I of any complaints to the contrary but that he was very vigilant in his Place He was also for one year Lord Treasurer of England Dying March 11. 1394. he lyeth covered in his own Church Ingenti marmore and let none grudge him the greatness of his Grave-stone if two foot larger then ordinary who made the Body of this his Church two Arches longer Westward then he found it besides a fair Porch added thereunto RICHARD SCROOPE son to the Lord Scroope of Bolton in this County brother to William Earl of Wilt-shire was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge attaining to be a man of great learning and unblamable life Nor was it so much his high extraction as his own Abilities causing him to be preferred Bishop first of Coventry and Lichfield then Arch-bishop of York Being netled with the news of his Earl-brothers Beheading he conjoyned with the Earl of Northumberland the Earl Marshall Lord Bardolph and others against King Henry the fourth as an Usurper and Invader of the Liberties of Church and State The Earl of Westmerland in outward deportment complied with him and seemed to approve a Writing wherein his main intentions were comprised so to Trepan him into his destruction Toling him on till it was too late for him either to advance or retreat the King with his Army being at Pontfract Bishop Godwin saith it doth not appear that he desired to be tried by his Peers and I believe it will appear that nothing was then Calmly or Judiciously transacted but all being done in an hurry of heat and by Martiall Authority The Executioner had five strokes at his Neck before he could sunder it from his Body Imputable not to his Cruelty but Ignorance it not being to be expected that one nigh York should be so dextrous in that trade as those at London His beheading happened Anno 1405. STEPHEN PATRINGTON was born in the Village so called in the East-riding of this County He was bred a Carmelite and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and the three and twentieth Provinciall of his Order through out England for fifteen years It is incredible saith Leland what Multitudes of People crowded to his Sermons till his Fame preferred him Chaplain and Confessour to King Henry the fifth He was deputed of the King Commissioner at Oxford to enquire after and make Process against the Poor Wicklevites and as he was busyed in that employment he was advanced to the Bishoprick of Saint Davids Hence he was sent over to the Councill of Constance and therein saith Walsingham gave great Testimony of his ability Returning into England he was made Bishop of Chichester but dying before his Translation was finished 1417. was buried in White-fryars in Fleetstreet WILLIAM PEIRCY was Son to Henry Peircy second Earl of Northumberland of that Name and Eleanour Nevill his Wife Indeed the Son of a Publique Woman conversing with many men cannot have his Father certainly assigned and therefore is commonly called Filius Populi As a base child in the Point of his Father is subject to a shamâ—…full so is the Nativity of this Prelate as to the Place thereof attended with an Honorable Uncertainty whose Noble Father had so many houses in the Northern Parts that his Son may be termed a Native of North-England but placed in this County because Topliffe is the Principall and most Antient seat of this Family He was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge whereof he was Chancellour and had a younger Brother George Peircy a Clerk also though attaining no higher preferment then a Prebend in Beverly Our William was made Bishop of Carlile 1452. Master Mills erroneously maketh him afterwards Bishop of Wells and it is enough to detect the mistake without disgracing the Mistaker He died in his See of Carlile 1462. CUTHBERT TONSTALL was born at Hatchforth in Richmond-shire in this County of a most Worshipfull Family whose chief seat at Tonstall Thurland not far off and bred in the University of Cambridge to which he was in books a great Benefactor He was afterwards Bishop of London and at last of Durham A great Grecian Orator Mathematician Civilian Divine and to wrap up all in a word a fast friend to Erasmus In the raign of King Henry the eight he publiquely confuted the papall supremacy in a learned Sermon with various and solid arguments preached on
the leaves of the Bayes and â—…y be withered to nothing since the erection of the Tomb but only rosated having a Chaplet of four Roses about his head Another Author unknighteth him allowing him only a plain Esquire though in my apprehension the Colar of S.S.S. about his neck speak him to be more Besides with submission to better judgements that Colar hath rather a Civil than Military relation proper to persons in places of Judicature which makes me guess this Gower some Judge in his old age well consisting with his original education He was before Chaucer as born and flourishing before him yea by some accounted his Master yet was he after Chaucer as surviving him two years living to be stark blind and so more properly termed our English Homer Many the Books he wrote whereof three most remarkable viz. Speculum Meditantis in French Confessio Amantis in English Vox Clamantis in Latine His death happened 1402. JOHN MARRE by Bale called MARREY and by Trithemius MARRO was born at Marre a village in this County three miles West from Doncaster where he was brought up in Learning Hence he went to Oxford where saith Leland the University bestowed much honour upon him for his excellent Learning He was by Order a Carmelite and in one respect it was well for his Memory that he was so which maketh John Balâ—… who generally falleth foul on all Fryers to have some civility for him as being once himself of the same Order allowing him subtilly learned in all secular Philosophy But what do I instance in home-bred Testimonies Know Reader that in the Character of our own Country Writers I prize an Inch of Forraign above an Ell of English Commendation and Outlandish Writers Trithemius Sixtus Senensis Petrus Lucius c. give great Encomiums of his Ability though I confesse it is chiefly on this account because he wrote against the Opinions of J. Wickliffe He died on the eighteenth of Mà rch 1407. and was buried in the Convent of Carmelites in Doncaster THOMAS GASCOIGNE eldest son to Richard the younger brother unto Sir William Gascoigne Lord Chief Justice was born at Huntfleet in this County bred in Baliol Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Doctor in Divinity and was Commissioner of that University Anno Dom. 1434. He was well acquainted with the Maids of Honour I mean Humane Arts and Sciences which conducted him first to the presence then to the favour of Divinity the Queen He was a great Hieronymist perfectly acquainted with all the Writings of that Learned Father and in expression of his gratitude for the good he had gotten by reading his Woâ—…ks he collected out of many Authors and wrote the life of Saint Hierom. He made also a Book called Dictionarium Theologicum very useful to and therefore much esteemed by the Divines in that age He was seven and fifty years old Anno 1460. and how long he survived afterwards is unknown JOHN HARDING was born saith my Author in the Northern parts and I have some cause to believe him this Countrey-man He was an Esquire of ancient Parentage and bred from his Youth in Military Employment First under Robert Umfrevil Governour of Roxborough Castle and did good service against the Scots Then he followed the Standard of King Edward the fourth adhering faithfully unto him in his deepest distresse But the Master-piece of his service was his adventuring into Scotland not without the manifest hazard of his Life where he so cunningly demeaned himselfe that he found there and fetched thence out of their Records many Original Letters which he presented to King Edward the fourth Out of these he collected an History of the several Solemn Submissions publickly made and Sacred Oaths of Fealty openly taken from the time of King Athelstane by the Kings of SCOTLAND to the Kings of ENGLAND for the Crown of SCOTLAND although the Scotch Historians stickle with might and maine that such Homage was performed onely for the County of Cumberland and some parcels of Land their Kings had in ENGLAND south of TWEED He wrote also a Chronicle of our English Kings from BRUTUS to King EDWARD the fourth and that in English Verse and in my Judgement he had drank as hearty a draught of Helicon as any in his age He was living 1461. then very aged and I believe died soon after HENRY PARKER was bred from his infancy in the Carmelite Convent at Doncaster afterwards Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge Thence he returned to Doncaster and well it had been with him if he had staid there still and not gone up to London to preach at Pauls-Crosse where the subject of his Sermon was to prove That Christs poverty was the pattern of humane perfection and that men professing eminent sanctity should conform to his precedent Going on foot feeding on Barley-bread wearing seamless-woven-coats having no houses of their own c. He drove this nail so far that he touched the quick and the wealthy Clergy winched thereat His Sermon offended much as preached more as published granting the Copy thereof to any that would transcribe it For this the Bishop of London put him in prison which Parker patiently endured in hope perchance of a rescue from his Order till being informed that the Pope effectually appeared on the party of the Prelates to procure his liberty he was content at Pauls-Cross to recant Not as some have took the word to say over the same again in which sense the Cuckow of all Birds is properly called the Recanter but he unsaid with at least seeming sorrow what he had said before However fâ—…om this time we may date the decay of the Carmelites credit in England who discountenanced by the Pope never afterwards recruited themselves to their former number and honour but moulted their feathers till King Henry the eight cut off their very wings and body too at the Dissolution This Parker flourished under King Edward the fourth Anno 1470. Since the Reformation Sir FRANCIS BIGOT Knight was born aud well landed in this County Bale giveth him this testimony that he was Evangelicae veritatis amator Otherwise I must confess my self posed with his intricate disposition For he wrote a book against the Clergy Of IMPROPRIATIONS Had it been against the Clergy of Appropriations I could have guessed it to have proved Tithes due to the Pastors of their respective Parishes Whereas now having not seen nor seen any that have seen his book I cannot conjecture his judgment As his book so the manner of his death seems a riddle unto me being though a Protestant slain amongst the Northern Rebells 1537. But here Bale helpeth us not a little affirming him found amongst them against his will And indeed those Rebells to countenancé their Treason violently detained some Loyall Persons in their Camp and the Blind sword having Aciem not Oculum kill'd friend and foe in fury without distinction WILFRID HOLME was born in this County of Gentile
parentage Veritati Dei tunc revelatae Auscultans and Pitz taxeth him that his Pen was too compliant to pleasure K. Henry the eight The truth is this he lived in these parts in that juncture of time when the two Northern Rebellions happened the one in Lincoln the other in Yorkshire and when the Popish party gave it out that the Reformation would ruine Church and State levell all dignities and degrees Wilfrid to Confute the Priests truthless Reports and the Peoples causless Jealousies stated the Controversie Truely Clearly and Wittily in the manner of a Dialogue He survived not many months after the setting forth of this book Anno 1536. THOMAS ROBERSON was born in this County and being Doctor of Divinity in Oxford was one of the best Grammarians for Greek and Latine in that age He had an admirable faculty in teaching of youth for every Boy can teach a Man whereas he must be a Man who can teach a Boy It is easie to inform them who are able to understand but it must be a Master piece of industry and discretion to descend to the capacity of Children He wrote notes upon the Grammar of Lilly and besides others one book De Nominibus Hetoroclitis and another De verbis Defectivis so that by his pains the hardest parts of Grammar are made the easiest and the most anomalous reduced to the greatest regularity by his endeavours What Robert Robinson under whose name Quae genus in the Grammar is Printed was to this Thomas Roberson I have no leisure to enquire and leave it to those to whom it is more proper suspecting they may be the same person and thâ—…t Pitzaeus our Author living mostly beyond the seas might be mistaken in the name However he flourished Anno Domini 1544. WILLIAM HUGH was born in this County and bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford where he attained to great Eminency in Learning In his time the Consciences of many tender Parents were troubled about the Finall Estate of Infants dying unbaptized as posting from the Wombe to the Winding sheet in such speed that the Sacrament could not be fastened upon them To pacify persons herein concerned this William wrote and Dedicated a book to Q. Katherine Parr entituled The troubled mans Medicine He died of the breaking of a Vain Anno Dom. 1549. ROGER ASCHAM was born at Kirby-weik in this County and bred in Saint Johns-Colledge in Cambridge under Doctor Medcalfe that good Governour who whet-stonelike though dull in himself by his encouragement set an edge on most excellent wits in that foundation Indeed Ascham came to Cambridge just at the dawning of learning and staid therein till the bright-day thereof his own endeavours contributing much light thereunto He was Oratour and Greek-Professour in the University places of some sympathy which have often met in the same person and in the beginning of the raign of Queen Mary within three days wrote letters to fourty seven severall Princes whereof the meanest was a Cardinal He travailed into Germany and there contracted familiarity with John Sturmius and other learned men and after his return was a kind of teacher to the Lady Elizabeth to whom after she was Queen he became her Secretary for her Latine letters In a word he was an Honest man and a good Shooter Archery whereof he wrote a book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being his onely exercise in his youth which in his old age he ex changed for a worse pastime neither so healthfull for his body nor profitable for his purse I mean Cock-fighting and thereby being neither greedy to get nor carefull to keep money he much impaired his estate He had a facile and fluent Latine-style not like those who counting obscurity to be elegancy weed out all the hard words they meet in Authors witness his Epistles which some say are the only Latine-ones extant of any English-man and if so the more the pity What loads have we of letters from forraign Pens as if no Author were compleat without those necessary appurtenances whilst surely our English-men write though not so many as good as any other Nation In a word his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is accounted a good book for Young-men his School-master for Old-men his Epistles for all men set out after his death which happened Anno Dom. 1568. December 30. in the 53. year of his Age and he was buried in Saint Sepulchers in London Sir HENRY SAVILL Knight was born at Bradley in the Parish of Hallifax in this County of antient and worshipfull extraction He was bred in Oxford and at last became Warden of Merton-colledge and also Provost of Eaton Thus this skilfull Gardiner had at the same time a Nurcery of young Plants and an Orchard of grown Trees both flourishing under his carefull inspection This worthy Knight carefully collected the best Copies of Saint Chrysostome and imployed Learned men to transcribe and make Annotations on them which done he fairly set it forth on his own cost in a most beautifull Edition a burden which he underwent without stooping under it though the weight thereof would have broken the back of an ordinary person But the Papists at Paris had their Emissaries in England who surreptitiously procured this Knights learned Labours and sent them over weekly by the Post into France Schedatim sheet by sheet as here they passed the Press Then Fronto Duceus a French Cardinall as I take it caused them to be Printed there with implicite faith and blind obedience letter for letter as he received them out of England onely joyning thereunto a Latine translation and some other inconsiderable Additions Thus two Editions of Saint Chrysostome did together run a race in the world which should get the speed of the other in publique sale and acceptance Sir Henry his Edition started first by the advantage of some Months But the Parisian Edition came up close to it and advantaged with the Latine Translation though dearer of pâ—…ice out-stript it in quickness of Sale but of late the Savilian Chrysostome hath much mended its pace so that very few are left of the whole Impression Sir Henry left one onely Daughter richly married to Sir William Sidley of Kent Baronet He dyed at Eaton where he lyeth buried under a Monument with this Inscription Hic jacent Ossa Cineres Henrici Savill sub spe certa resurrectionis natus apud Bradley juxta Halifax in Comitatu Ebor Anno Domini 1549. ultimo die mensis Novembris Obiit in Collegio Etonensi Anno Domini 1621. xix die mensis Februarii It must not be forgotten that he was a most excellent Mathematician witness his learned Lectures on Euclid Yet once casually happening into the Company of Master Briggs of Cambridge upon a learned encounter betwixt them Master Briggs demonstrated a truth besides if not against the judgment of Sir Henry wherewith that worthy Knight was so highly affected that he chose him one of his Mathematick
and a fire Not kindled before by others pains as often thou hast wanted brains Indeed some men are better Nurses then Mothers of a Poem good onely to feed and foster the Fancies of others whereas Master Sandys was altogether as dexterous at Inventing as Translating and his own Poems as spritefull vigorous and masculine He lived to be a very aged man whom I saw in the Savoy Anno 1641. having a youthfull soul in a decayed body and I believe he dyed soon after JOHN SALTMARSH was extracted from a right antient but decayed family in this County and I am informed that Sir Thomas Metham his kinsman bountifully contributed to his education he was bred in Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge Returning into this his Native Country was very great with Sir John Hotham the Elder He was one of a fine and active fancy no contemptible Poet and a good Preacher as by some of his profitable Printed Sermons doth appear Be it charitably imputed to the information of his Judgment and Conscience that of a zealous observer he became a violent oppresser of Bishops and Ceremonies He wrote a book against my Sermon of Reformation taxing me for many points of Popery therein I defended my self in a book called Truth maintained and challenged him to an answer who appeared in the field no more rendring this reason thereof that he would not shoot his arrows against a dead mark being informed that I was dead at Exeter I have no cause to be angry with fame but rather to thank her for so good a Lye May I make this true use of that false report to dye daily See how Providence hath crossed it the dead reported man is still living the then living man dead and seeing I survive to goe over his grave I will tread the more gently on the mold thereof using that civility on him which I received from him He died in or about Windsor as he was Riding to and fro in the Parliament Army of a Burning Feaver venting on his death-bed strange expressions apprehended by some of his party as extaticall yea propheticall raptures whilst others accounted them no wonder if outrages in the City when the enemy hath possessed the Castle commanding it to the acuteness of his disease which had seized his intellectualls His death happened about the year 1650. JEREMIAH WHITACRE was born at Wakefield in this County bred Master of Arts in Sidney-colledge and after became School-master of Okeham then Minister of Stretton in Râ—…and He was chosen to be one of the Members of the late Assembly wherein he behaved himself with great moderation at last he was Preacher at St. Mary Magdalens Bermonsey well discharging his duty being a solid Divine and a man made up of Piety to God pity to poor men and Patience in himself He had much use of the last being visited with many and most acute diseases I see Gods love or hatred cannot be conjectured much less concluded from outward accidents this mercifull man meeting with merciless afflictions I have sometimes wondered with my self why Satan the Magazeen of Malice who needeth no man to teach him mischief having Job in his power did not put him on the rack of the Stone Gout Collick or Strangury as in the height most exquisite torments but onely be-ulcered him on his Skin and outside of his body And under correction to better judgments I conceive this might be some cause thereof Being to spare his life the Devill durst not inflict on him these mortall maladyes for fear to exceed his commission who possibly for all his cunning might mistake in the exact proportioning of the pain to Jobs ability to bear it and therefore was forced to confine his malice to externall pain dolefull but not deadly in its own nature Sure I am this good Jeremiah was tormented with Gout Stone and one ulcer in his bladder another in his kidneys all which he endured with admirable and exemplary patience though God of his goodness grant that if it may stand with his will no cause be given that so sad a Copy be transcribed Thus God for reasons best known unto himself sent many and the most cruell Bayliffes to arrest him to pay his debt to nature though he always was ready willingly to tender the same at their single summons His liberality knew no bottome but an empty purse so bountifull he was to all in want He was buried on the 6. of June Anno 1654. in his own Parish in Southwarke much lamented Master Simon Ash preaching his Funerall Sermon to which the Reader is referred for his further satisfaction I understand some sermons are extant of his preaching Let me but adde this Distick and I have done Whites ambo Whitehead Whitgift Whitakerus uterque Vulnera Romano quanta dedere papae Romish Exile Writers JOHN YOUNG was born in this County His life appeareth to me patched up of unsuiting peices as delivered by severall Authors A Judicious Antiquary seldome mistaken will have him a Monke of Ramsey therein confounding him with his Name-sake many years more antient An other will have him bred Doctor of Divinity in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge though that Foundation suppose him admitted the first day thereof affordeth not Seniority enough to write Doctor before the raign of Queen Mary except we understand him bred in some of the Hostles afterwards united thereunto So that I rather concurre herein with the forenamed Antiquary that he was Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in that University It is agreed that at the first he was at the least a Parcell-Protestant translating into English the Book of Arch bishop Cranmer of the Sacrament But afterwards he came off with a witness being a Zealous Papist and great Antagonist of Mart. Bucer and indeed as able a Disputant as any of his Party He was Vice-Chancellour of Cambridge Anno 1554. Master of Pembroke hall Kings-Professor of Divinity and Rector of Land-beach nigh Cambridge but lost all his preferment in the first of Queen Elizabeth Surely more then Ordinary Obstinacy appeared in him because not onely deprived but imprisoned And in my judgment more probably surprised before he went then after his return from forraign parts He died under restraint in England 1579. JOHN MUSH was born in this County bred first in the English-colledge at Doway and then ran his course of Philosophy in their Colledge at Rome Afterwards being made Priest he was sent over into England to gaine People to his own perswasion which he did without and within the Prison for 20. years together but at last he got his liberty In his time the Romish Ship in England did spring a dangerous Leak almost to the sinking thereof in the Schisme betwixt the Priests and the Jesuits Mush appeared very active and happy in the stopping thereof and was by the English Popish Clergy sent to Rome to compose the controversie behaving himself very wisely in that service Returning into his own Country he was for fourteen
VVales want them To conclude some will wonder how Perfect coming from Perficere to do throughly and Perfunctorie derived from Perfungi throughly to discharge should have so Opposite Senses My Motto in the description of this Principality is betwixt them both Nec Perfectè Nec Perfunctorie For as I will not pretend to the Credit of the former so may I defend my self from the shame of the latter having done the utmost which the Strength of my Weakness could perform WALES THIS PRINCIPALITY hath the Severn Sea on the South Irish-Ocean on the West and North England on the East antiently divided from it by the River Severn since by a Ditch drawn with much Art and Industry from the Mouth of Dee to the Mouth of Wie From East to West Wie to Saint Davids is an hundred from North to South Carâ—…ion to Hollihead is an hundred and twenty miles The Ditch or Trench lately mentioned is called Clauhd-Offa because made by King Offa who cruelly enacted that what Welch-man soever was found on the East-side of this Ditch should forfeit his Right-hand A Law long since Cancelled and for many ages past the Welch have come peaceably over that Place and good reason bringing with them both their Right-hands and Right-hearts no less Loyally then Valiantly to defend England against alâ—… enemies being themselves under the same Soveraign United thereunto It consisteth of three parts the partition being made by â—…oderick the great about the year 877. dividing it betwixt his three sons 1. North-Wales Whose Princes chiefly Resided at 1. Aberfrow 2. Mathravall 3. Dynefar 2. Powis 3. South-Wales This division in fine proved the Confusion of Wales whose Princes were always at War not onely against the English their Common Foe but mutually with themselves to enlarge or defend their Dominions Of these three North-wales was the chief as doth plainly appear first because Roderick left it Mervin his Eldest Son Secondly because the Princes thereof were by way of Eminency stiled the Princes of Wales and sometimes Kings of Aberfrow Thirdly because as the King of Aberfrow paid to the King of London yearly Threescore and three pounds by way of Tribute so the same summe was paid to him by the Princes of Powis and South-wales However South-wales was of the three the Larger Richer Fruitfuller therefore called by the Welsh Deheubarth that is The Right-side because nearer the Sun But that Country being constantly infested with the Invasions of the English and Flemings had North-wales preferred before it as more intire and better secured from such annoyances Hence it was that whilst the Welsh-tongue in the South is so much mingled and corrupted in North-wales it still retaineth the purity thereof The Soil It is not so Champion and Levell and by consequence not so fruitfull as England mostly rising up into Hills and Mountains of a lean and hungry nature yet so that the ill quality of the ground is recompenced by the good quantity thereof A right worshipfull Knight in Wales who had a fair Estate therein his rents resulting from much Barren-ground heard an English Gentleman perchance out of intended opposition to brag that he had in England so much ground worth forty shillings an Acre you said he have ten yards of Velvet and I have teâ—… score of Frize I will not exchange with you This is generally true of all Wales that much ground doth make up the Rent and yet in proportion they may lose nothing thereby compared to Estates in other Countries However there are in Wales most pleasant Meadows along the sides of Rivers and as the sweetest flesh is said to be nearest the bones so most delicious vallies aâ—…e interposed betwixt these Mountains But now how much these very Mountains advantage the Natives thereof in their Health Strength Swiftness Wit and other naturall Perfections Give me leave to stand by silent whilst a great Master of Language and Reason entertaineth the Reader with this most excellent and pertinent discourse Carpenters Geography second Book chap. 15. pag. 258. This conceit of Mounsieur Bodin I admit without any great contradiction were he not over-peremptory in over-much censuring all Mountainous people of Blockishness and Barbarisme against the opinion of Averroes a great Writer who finding these People nearer Heaven suspected in them a more Heavenly Nature Neither want there many reasons drawn from Nature and Experiment to prove Mountainous People more pregnant in Wit and Gifts of understanding then others inhabiting in low and plain Countries For however Wit and Valour are many times divided as we have shewn in the Northern and Southern people yet were they never so much at variance but they would sometimes meet First therefore what can speak more for the witty temper of the Mountain People then their clear and subtile Aire being far more purged and rarified then that in Lower countries For holding the Vital spirits to be the chiefest Instruments in the Souls Operation no man can deny but that they sympathize with the Aire especially their chiefest foment Every man may by experience find his Intellectuall Operations more Vigorous in a Clear day and on the contrary most Dull and Heavy when the Aire is any way affected with foggy vapours What we find in our selves in the same place at divers seasons may we much more expect of places diversly affected in Constitution A second reason for the proof of our assertion may be drawn from the Thin and spare Diet in respect of those others For people living of Plains have commonly all Commodities in such plenty that they are subject to surfeiting and luxury the greatest Enemy and Underminer of all Intellectuall Operations For a fat Belly commonly begets a gross Head and a lean Brain But want and scarcity the Mother of Frugality invites the Mountain-dwellers to a more sparing and wholesome Diet. Neither grows this conveniency only out of the scarcity of Viands but also out of the Dyet Birds Fowls Beasts which are bred upon higher places are esteemed of a more Cleanly and wholsome feeding then others living in Fens and Foggy Places And how far the Quality of our Dyet prevails in the Alteration of our Organs and Dispositions every Naturalist will easily resolve us A third reason may be drawn from the cold Aire of these Mountainous Regions which by an Antiperistasis keeps in and strengthens the Internall heat the chief instrument in Natural and Vital Operations For who perceives not his Vital and by consequence his Intellectuall Parts in cold frosty weather to be more strong and vigorous then in hot and soultry seasons wherein the spirits be dâ—…faced and weakned This disparity in the same region at divers times in regard of the disposition of the Aire may easily declare the disparity of divers Regions being in this sort diversly affected A fourth reason may be taken from the Custome and Hardness whereunto such people inure themselves from their infancy which as Huartus proves begets a better temper of the Brain in
press I know not whether the doing hereof soundeth more to the honour of the dead or the not Printing thereof since his death to the shame of the living seeing surely money might be procured for so general and beneficiall a design Which makes some the less to pity the great pains of the Ministers of the Isle of Man who by double labour read the Scriptures to the peoplé out of the English in the Manks-tongue This singularly learned hospitable painfull and pious Prelate died Anno Dom. 16 ... Physicians ROBERT RECORDE was born in this Country ex Claris Parentibus bred in Oxford where he proceeded Doctor of Physick His soul did not live in the Lane of a single science but traversed the Latitude of Learning witness his Works In Arithmetick not so absolute in all numbers before his time but that by him it was set forth more Compleat Astrology he Practicall part whereof hath so great an influence upon Physick Geometry whereof the wrot a Book called the Path of Geometry and that easier and nearer then any before Physick of the Judgements of Urines and though it be commonly said Urina meretrix yet his judicious rules have reduced that Harlot to Honesty and in a great measure fixed the uncertainty thereof Metals his Sight may seem to have accompanied the Sun-beams into the Bowells of the Earth piercing into those Penetralls in his discoveries of and discourses on Gold and Silver wherewith I believe him well stored Brass Tin Lead and what not What shall I speak of his skill in Anatomy Cosmography Muâ—…ick whereof he read publique Lectures in Oxford As for his Religion say not this is of no Concernment in a Physician I conjecture him to be a Protestant First because he wrot of Auricular Confession and de Negotio Eucharistiae each whereof is a Noli me tangere for a Romish Lay-man to meddle with according to Popish principles Secondly because so largely commended by Bale But I dare conclude nothing herein having not hitherto seen his Treatises in Divinity He flourished under K. Edward the sixth about the year 1550. THOMAS PHAIER was born in Wales and bred I believe first in Oxford then in London a generall Scholar and well versed in the Common Law wherein he wrot a book De natura Brevium of the Nature of Writs Strange that he would come after Justice Fitz-herbert who formerly had written on the same Subject But probably Phaiers Book having never seen any who have seen it treateth of Writs in the Court of Marches whereto Wales was then subjected and where the Legal Proceedings may be somewhat different from ours in England But the Study of the Law did not fadge well with him which caused him to change his Copy and proceed Doctor in Physick Now though he made none he out of French did translate many usefull books 1. Of the Pestilence and the cure thereof 2. Of the Grief of children 3. Of the Nature of Simples 4. The Regiment of Nuturall Life He had also his Diversion some excursion into Poetry and translated Virgil his Eneads Magna Gravitate saith my Author which our Modern Wits will render with great Dulness and avouch that he instead of a Latine Virgill hath presented us with an English Ennius such the rudeness of his verse But who knoweth not that English Poetry is improved fifty in the Hundred in this last Century of years He died and was buried in London about the year of our Lord 1550. ALBANE HILL was Britannus by birth I confess Britannus doth not clearly carry his Nativity for Wales except it were additioned Cambro-Britannus But according to our peaceable promise premised let him pass for this Country-man The rather because so many Hills and Mountains too therein He was bred a Doctor of Physick professing and practising most beyond the Seas more famous in Forraign Parts then in his Native Country I find two eminent Outlandishmen viz. Josias Simler an Helvetian of Zurich and Bassianus Landus an Italian of Placentia charactering him to be Medicus Nobilissimus ac optimus in omni disciplinarum genere optime versatus and that he wrot much upon Galen and the Anatomicall part of Physick so that we may say with the Poet Ut littus Hilum Hilum omne sonarct The shoar resounded still Nothing but Hill and Hill I find no time affixed wherein he flourished but according to the received Rule Noscitur è socio he may from his Contemporaries be collected in full Lustre Anno 1550. and it is remarkable that Wales had three eminent Physicians Writers all in the same Age. Writers Be it premised that as I should be loth by my lasiness to conceal so with all my Industry I conceive it impossible to compleat their Characters For as the Venetian Courtezan after she had put off her lofty attire and high Chippines almost pares away her self into nothing such the slender account given us of these Writers that after some set forms and Commendations of Course common to all Persons be first defalked the remainder will be next to nothing But it is no fault of me the Cistern if I be empty whilst my fountain is dry seeing I spill nothing by the Leakage of my Neglect but faithfully deliver all the intelligence I find as followeth PETROK was a Welch-Irish-Cornish-Man He had his birth in Wales but breeding in Ireland according to the Mode of that Age wherein all British sailed over into Ireland as the English in after ages did into France there to have their Education in all learned Sciences Who would have thought to have found Helicon amongst the Bogs as indeed it was at that Time Petrok after twenty years reading good Authours there came over into Cornwall and fixed himself nigh the Severn Sea in a small Oratory called Petrok-Stowe the station or abiding place of Petrok now corruptly Pad-Stowe where many eminent Scholars were brought up under him He wrot a book of Solitary life whereto he was much addicted I confess Petrok is somewhat degraded as entred under the Topick of Writers who is reputed a Saint and I remember a handsome Church in Exeter dedicated to his Memory who flourished Anno 560. GILDAS the FOURTH for there were three before him viz. Gildas Albanius Gildas Surnam'd Sapiens of whom before Gildas Cambrius and this our Gildas who laggeth last in the Teame of his Name-sakes But the second of these is worth all the rest were there four hundred of them whom I behold as a Sun indeed shining with the Lustre of his own desert whilst two of the others are but so many Meteors about him some suspecting them no realities in Nature but meerly created by mens sight-deception and the reflection of the Memory of the true Gildas This our fourth Gildas is made a Welch-Scotch-Irish-Man Wales sharing in him two parts of three viz. his Birth and Death the largest part of his life belonging to Ireland where he studied Many the
tract of its self But this Edward first estranged himself from his Subjects and in effect subjected himself to a stranger Pierse Gaveston his French Minion and after his execution to the two Spencers who though Native English-men were equally odious to the English for their insolence Hence it was that he first lost the love of his Subjects then of his Queen the vacuity of whose bed was quickly filled up then his Crown then his Life Never any English Kings case was so pitiful and his person less pitied all counting it good reason that he should give entertainment to that woe which his wilfulness had invited home to himself His violent death happened at Berkley Castle Septemb. 22. 1327. Saints There is an Island called Berdsey justly reduceable to this County lying within a mile of the South-West Promontory thereof wherein the Corps of no fewer than twenty thousand Saints are said to be interred Estote vos omnes Sancti Proud Benhadad boasted that the dust of Samaria did not suffice for handfuls for all the people that followed him But where would so many thousand Bodies find Graves in so petty an Islet But I retrench my self confessing it more facile to find Graves in Berdsey for so many Saints than Saints for so many Graves States = Men. JOHN WILLIAMS was born at Aber-Conwy in this County bred Fellow of Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge Proctor of the University Dean of Westminster Bishop of Lincoln Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and lastly Arch-Bishop of York In my Church History I have offended his Friends because I wrote so little in his praise and distasted his Foes because I said so much in his defence But I had rather to live under the indignation of others for relating what may offend than die under the accusation of my own conscience for reporting what is untrue He died on the 25. day of March 1649. Prelates since the Reformation RICHARD VAUGHAN born at Nuffrin or else at Etern in this County was bred Fellow in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge and was afterwards successively Bishop of Bangor Chester and lastly of London a very corpulent man but spiritually minded an excellent Preacher and pious Liver on whom I find this Epigram which I will endeavour to English Praesul es ô Britonum decus immortale tuorum Tu Londinensi primus in Urbe Brito Hi mihi Doctores semper placuere docenda Qui faciunt plus quam qui faciendae docent Pastor es Anglorum doctissimus optimus ergo Nam facienda doces ipse docenda facis Prelate of London O immortal grace Of thine own Britons first who had that place He 's good who what men ought to do doth teach He 's better who doth do whâ—…t men shold preach You best of all preaching what men should do And what men ought to preach that doing too Here to justifie the observation Praesul must be taken for a plain Bishop and primus accounted but from the conversions of the Saxons to Christianity For orherwise we find no fewer than sixteen Arch Bishops of London before that time and all of the British Nation He was a most pleasant man in discourse especially at his Table maintaining that Truth At meals be glad for sin be sad as indeed he was a mortified man Let me add nothing could tempt him to betray the Rights of the Church to sacrilegious Hands not sparing sharply to reprove some of his own Order on that account He died March 30. 1607. being very much lamented HENRY ROULANDS born in this County bred in the University of Oxford was consecrated Bishop of Bangor Novemb. 12. 1598. We have formerly told how Bishop Bulkley plundered the Tower of Saint Asaph of five fair Bells now the bounty of this Bishop bought four new ones for the same the second Edition in Cases of this kind is seldom as large as the first whereof the biggest cost an hundred pounds He also gave to Jesus Colledge in Oxford means for the maintenance of two Fellows He died Anno Dom. 1615. The Farewell The Map of this County as also of Denby and Flint-shire in Mr. Speed is not divided as other Shires in England and Wales with Pricks into their several Hundreds which would have much conduced to the compleating thereof whereof he rendreth this reason That he could not procure the same though promised him out of the Sheriffs Books fearing lest the riches of their Shire should be further sought into by revealing such particulars He addeth moreover This I have observed in all my Survey that where least is to be had the greatest fears are possessed I would advise these Counties hereafter to deny no small Civility to a painful Author holding a Pen in his hand for fear a drop of his Ink fall upon them for though juyce of Lemmon will fetch such spots out of Linnen when once printed in a Book they are not so easily got out but remain to posterity DENBIGH-SHIRE DENBIGH-SHIRE hath Flint-shire Cheshire and Shrop-shire on the East Montgomery and Merionith-shires on the South Carnarvonshire divided by the River Conwey on the West being from East to West thirty one from North to South twenty miles The East part of this County towards the River Dee is fruitful but in the West the industrious Husbandman may be said to fetch his bread out of the fire paring off their upper Turfs with a Spade piling them up in heaps burning them to Ashes and then throwing them on their barren ground which is much fertilized thereby Natural Commodities Amelcorne This English Word which I find in the English Cambden is Welsh to me Let us therefore repair to his Latine Original where he informeth us that this County produceth plenty of Arinca Here the difficulty is a little changed not wholly cleared In our Dictionaries Arinca is Englished 1. Rice but this though a frequent name of many in this Country is a grain too choice to grow in Wales or any part of England 2. Amelcorn and now having run round we have not stirred a step as to more information of what we desired a kind of At last with long beating about we find it to be RYE in Latine more generally called Serale Plinles Pen casts three dashes on this Grain being it seems no friend to it or it to him 1. Est tantum ad arcendam famem utile Good only to drive away famin as not pleasant at all 2. Est licet farre mixtum ventri ingratissimum as griping the Guts 3. â—…ascitur quocunqne solo any base ground being good enough to bear it However whatever his forraign Rye was that which groweth incredibly plentiful in this County is very wholsome and generally in England Rye maketh moistest bread in the dryest Summer for which cause some prefer it before Wheat it self Buildings The Church of Wrexham is commended for a fair and spacious building and it is questionable whether it claimeth more praise for
the artificial Tower thereof or for the Organs These were formerly most famous the more because placed in a Parochial no Cathedral Church for beauty bigness and tunableness though far short of those in worth which Michael Emperor of Constantinople caused to be made of pure Gold and beneath those in bigness which George the Salamitan Abbot made to be set up in the Church of his Convent whose biggest Pipe was eight and twenty foot long and four spans in compass The first Organ which was ever seen in the West of Europe was what was sent Anno 757. from Constantine the Grecian Emperor to Pipin King of France And their general use in Churches began about the year 828. I read that the form of this instrument was much improved by one Bernard a Venetian who was absolutely the best Musician in the World with addition of many Pipes thereunto What is become of Wrexham-Organs I know not and could heartily wish they had been removed into some Gentlemans house seeing such as accuse them for superstitious in Churches must allow them lawful in private places Otherwise such Moroso's deserve not to be owners of an articulate voice sounding thorough the Organ of a Throat But to return to the buildings in this County Holt Castle must not be forgotten How well â—…t is now faced and repaired without I know not I know when it was better lined within than any Subjects Castle I believe in Europe at that time viz. when in the possession of William Lord Stanley When the ready mony and plate therein besides Jewels and rich Houshold-stuff amounted unto forty thousand Marks got by the plunder of Bosworth field But as the River Dee running by this Castle is soon after swallowed up in the Irish Ocean so it was not long before this vast treasure upon the Owners attainder was confiscated into the Coffers of King Henry the seventh Prelates LEOLINE being born in the Marches he had a double name to notifie him to posterity One after the Welsh-mode à Patre Leoline ap Llewelin ap Yuyr the other according to the custom of the English Clergy à Patria Leoline de Bromfield a most fruitful tract of ground in this County Under King Edward the first Anno 1293. he was consecrated Bishop of Saint Asaph and deserved right well of that See by his manifold Benefactions appropriating some Churches to his Chapter As for a portion of Tithes in the Parish of Corwen appropriated to the Fabrick of the Church he reduced it to its former estate The first and last instance for Precedent I dare not call it which I have met with of a Church legally appropriated which reverted to its presentative propriety Had King Henry the eighth at the dissolution of Abbies followed this example the Church had been richer by many pounds the Exchequer not poorer by a penny I find also that he asked leave of King Edward the first to make a Will which may seem very strange whether it was a Court-complement or ex gratia cautela or because Welsh Bishops in that age might not Testamentize without Royal assent By his Will he bequeathed much of Plate rich Vests and Books to the Canons of that Church and his Chaplains dying Anno Dom. 1313. Since the Reformation GODFREY GOODMAN was born of wealthy Parentage in this County bred under his Uncle of whom hereafter in Westminster School then in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge where he commenced Doctor of Divinity successively preferred Pâ—…ebendary of Windsor Dean of Rochester and Bishop or 〈◊〉 He is 〈◊〉 joyned to the Prelates before though he lived long 〈◊〉 the Reformaâ—…on because he agreed with them in Judgement dying a professed Romanist as appeareth by his Will Yet the Adversaries of our Hierarchy have no cause to triumph thereat who 〈◊〉 charge Popish compliance on all his Order being able to produce of two hundred Bishops since Queen Elizabeth but this only instance and him a person of no great eminency not only disavowed by his fellow Prelates but imprisoned in the late Convocation for his erronious Opinions Indeed in this Discourse he would be constantly complaining of our first Reformers and I heard him once say in some passion That Bishop Ridley was a very Odde man to whom one presently returned he was an Odde man indeed my Lord for all the Popish party in England could not match him with his equal in Learning and Religion To give Goodman his due he was a harmless man hurtfull to none but himselâ—… pitiful to the poor hospitable to his neighbours against the ruining of any of an opposite judgement and gave the most he left to pious uses He was no contemptible Historian but I confesse an under-match to Doctor Hackwell But I remember the Ring bequeathed to me in his Will with the Posie thereof Requiem Defunctis and therefore I will no longer be troublesome to his Memory who was made Bishop 1624. and some seven years since deceased in Westminster almost 80. years of age Writers since the Reformation VVILLIAM SALESBURY was born in this County where his family flourisheth at this day This Gentleman out of a love to his Native language Amor patriae ratione valentior omni composed a short English and Welsh Dictionary first privately presented to and approved by King Henry the eighth being a Tuthar by his Fathers side of Welsh extraction and then publickly printed Anno Dom. 1547. Some captious spirits will quarrel the usefulness thereof seeing the Welsh did not want and the English did not wish a Book of that natnre But let them know that it is useful for both Nations to the English for attaining to the VVelsh for retaining that Language Attaining For being an original Tongue an Antiquary is lame without it which I find by my own defect to understand the few of many remaining Monuments of that Nation Retaining That Tongue as well as others by disuse being subject not only to Corrupâ—…ion but Oblivion by the confession of the Natives of that Countrey Indeed all Dictionaries of Languages are very useful VVords bringing Matter to the Tongue and as Plato well observed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Name or Word is an instrument of Instruction and ushereâ—…h Knowledge into our Understanding However seeing nothing can be begun and finisht at once Salesbury his Book as the first in this kind did rather essay than effect the work and since hath been completed by others He died about the year 1560. Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation Sir THOMAS Son of RICHARD EXMEW was born at Rythin in this County Being bred in London a Goldsmith he thrived therein so well that Anno 1517. he was Lord Mayor thereof besides other Benefactions in his own Country and to Saint Mary Magdalen in Milk-street London where he lies buried He made the Water Conduit by London-wall at More-gate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so Pindar begins his Poems Water is a
Statutes of Ruthland made in the year of King Edward the first This Lady Elizabeth at fourteen years of age was married to John the first of that name Earl of Holland Zealand c. And after his death remarried to Humfreâ—… Bohune Earle of Hereford and Essex High Constable of England by whom he had a numerous issue She died Anno Dom. 1316. and was buried in the Abby-Church of Saffron Walden in Essex Saints CONGELLUS or COMGALLUS I perceive a storm a coming and must provide a shelter against it The omitting this Writer will make Wales angry and the inserting him will make Ireland offended with me whom a good Antiquary makes the first Abbâ—…t of Banchor in this County and a better though living later first Abbot of Bangor nigh Nockfergus in Ireland What is to be done herein When the Controversie was started whether the Isle of Man belonged to England or Ireland it was adjudged to the later because no venomous Creature will live therein But this controverted nativity is not capable of that discrimination Indeed if the difference was betwixt Wales and England my Native Country concerning Congellus we would according to our premised principles freely resign him not daring to be so bold with an outlandish Interest let him stand here so long till better evidence be brought to remove him For if those be beheld as the worst of Felons who steal stragling Children in London streets from their Parents and spirit them over unto forraign Plantations high also is their robbery who deprive Countries of their true Natives as to their Memories after their deaths and dispose them elsewhere at their pleasures As for Congellus it is agreed on all hands that he was one of a pious life who wrote learned Epistles and being aged eighty five years died Anno Dom. 600. St. BENO was instructer to Saint Wenefride committed by her Father to his careful Education now it happened when the head of the said Wenefride was cut off by Cradocus Son to Alane King of North Wales for not yielding to his unlawful lust This Beno miraculously set it on again she living fifteen years after But if the tip of his tongue who first told and the top of his fingers who first wrote this damnable lye had been cut off and had they both been sent to attend their cure at the Shrine of Saint Beno certainly they would have been more wary afterwards how they reported or recorded such improbable untruths ASAPH was born in these parts of right honourable parentage and bred at Llan-Elvy in this County under Kentigernus or Mongo the Scotch Bishop in that place Here the said Kentigerâ—…us had a Convent consisting of 663. Monks whereof 300. being unlearned in the nature of Lay-Brethren were employed abroad in Husbandry as many busied about work at home the rest attended Divine service in the Convent so divided that some were always officiating therein Amongst these Asaph was eminently conspicuous for piety and learning in so much that Kentigernus being called into his own Country resigned both his Convent and Cathedral unto him Here this Bishop demeaned himself with such Sanctity that Llan-Elvy lost its name and after his death was called from him St. Asaph He was an assiduous Preacher having this Speech in his mouth Such who are against the preaching of Gods Word envy mans salvation Bishop Godwin confesseth himself ignorant of the certain time of his death though another not more knowing but more confident assigneth the first of May but with this abatement about 569. I say not out possibly a randome date may hap to hit the mark Here I would be thankful to them who should expound unto me that passage in J. Bale concluding the life of this Saint with these words Primus hic erat qui d Romano Pontifice Unctionem accepit He was the first who received Unction from the Pope of Rome This neither Pits owneth ready enough to steal out of Bale especially to improve what might sound to Papal advantage nor any other Romanist writing his Life whom I have seen so that it seems to me a Note 〈◊〉 scattered After the death of Saint Asaph his See stood void above 500. years until Jeffery of Monmouth was placed therein Prelates since the Reformation RICHARD PARRY D. D. was born at Ruthin in this County bred in Christ Church in Oxford whence he was preferred Dean of Bangor and at last Bishop of Saint Asaph consecrated Decemb. 30. 1604. Bishop Godwin passeth on him this Complement take it in the best derivation of the word from Completio mentis that he desireth being so near unto him in time and his Studies to be his equal in other Episcopal Qualities I crave the Readers leave to forbear any further Character of him Pictures present buildings presumed at great distance very small whilest such things which are supposed near the eye are made in a greater proportion Clean contrary I may sasely write largely on mens lives at far distance whilest as I may say I must make Landskips of those near hand and touch little on them who lived in later times Bishop Parry died Anno Dom. 16. ... Souldiers OWEN GLENDOWER-WYE was born in his ancient Patrimony of Glendower-Wye in this County then bred in London a Student in the Common Law till he became a Courtier and servant to King Richard the second After whose death this Owen being then on the wrong side of preferment retired to this his Native County where there arose a difference betwixt him and his neighbour the Lord Gre of Ruthen about a piece of Common which Owen by force recovered and killed the Lord Gre. There wanted not many to spur his posting Ambition by telling him that he was the true Heir to all North Wales and now or never the time to regain it That the injuries he had already offered the English were above pardon and no way left to secure himself but by committing greater There needeth no Torch to light Tinder where a Spark will do the deed and hereupon Owen brake out into open rebellion The worst was being angry with the King his revenge fell upon God burning down the fair Cathedrals of Bangor and Saint Asaph His destructive nature delighted in doing mischief to others though no good to himself King Henry the fourth found it more facile by far to depose King Richard than subdue this Owen who had taken Roger Mortimer Earl of March and next Heir to the Crown prisoner Writers ELVODUGUS surnamed Probus and no doubt it was true of him what was said of Probus the Emperor he was Vir sui nominis was a Cambrian by birth and this Country-man by habitation for he lived most of his days at Bangor Monachorum in that age the Cambridge and Oxford of all Britain He wrote many Books and particularly a Chronicle of his Nation which the envy of time hath denied to posterity He had many eminent men for his Scholars amongst
with the Title of Earl thereof until the raign of King James who created Philip Herbert second Son to Henry Earl of Pembroke Baron Herbert of Shurland and Earl of Montgomery Natural Commodities Horses How good and swift are bred in this County I may well spare my Commendation and remit the Reader to the Character I find given of them in a good Author From the Gomerian fields Then which in all our Wales there is no Country yields An excellenter Horse so full of Natural fire As one of Phoebus Steeds had been that Stallions Sire Which first their race begun or of th' Asturian kind Which some have held to be begotten by the wind Now after proportionable abatement for his Poetical Hyperbole the remainder is enough to inform us of the good Strain this Shire doth afford Proverbs Y Tair Chiwiorydd In English the Three Sisters being a common By-word to express the three Rivers of 〈◊〉 Severn Rhiddiall arising all three in this County out of the South-west side of Plynnillimmon Hill within few paces one of another but falling into the Sea more miles asunder Severn into the Severn Sea Wye into the Severn Rhiddiall into the Irish Sea The Tradition is that these three sisters were to run a race which should be first married to the Ocean Severn and Wye having a great journey to go chose their way through soft Medows and kept on a Travellers pace whilest Rhiddiall presuming on her short Journey staid before she went out and then to recover her lost time runs furiously in a distracted manner with her mad stream over all opposition The Proverb is applyable to Children of the same Parents issuing out of the same Womb but of different dispositions and embracing several courses of lives in this World so that their Cradles were not so near but their Coffins are as farre asunder Pywys Paradwys Cymry That is Powis is the Paradise of Wales This Proverb referreth to Teliessen the Author thereof at what time Powis had far larger bounds than at this day as containing all the land inter-jacent betwixt Wye and Severn of the pleasantness whereof we have spoken before Gwan dy Bawlyn Hafren Hafren fyà d hifcl cynt That is Fixt thy Pale with intent to sence out his water in Severn Severn will be as before Appliable to such who undertake projects above their power to perform or grapple in vain against Nature which soon returns to its former condition Writers GEORGE HERBERT was born at Montgomery-Castle younger Brother to Edward Lord Herbert of whom immediately bred Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and Orator of the university where he made a speech no less learned than the occasion was welcome of the return of Prince Charles out of Spain He was none of the Nobles of Tâ—…koa who at the building of Jerusalem put not their necks to the work of the Lord but waving worldly preferment chose serving at Gods Altar before State-employment So pious his life that as he was a copy of primitive he might be a pattern of Sanctity to posterity to testifie his independency on all others he never mentioned the name of Jesus Christ but with this addition My Master Next God the Word he loved the Word of God being heard often to protest That he would not part with one leaf thereof for the whole world Remarkable his conformity to Church-Discipline whereby he drew the greater part of his Parishioners to accompany him daily in the publick celebration of Divine Service Yet had he because not desiring no higher preferment than the Benefice of Bemmerton nigh Salisbury where he built a fair house for his Successor and the Prebend of Leighton founded in the Cathedral of Lincoln where he built a fair Church with the assistance of some few Friends free Offerings When a Friend on his death bed went about to comfort him with the remembrance thereof as an especial good work he returned It is a good work if sprinkled with the Blood of Christ. But his Church that unimitable piece of Poetry may out-last this in structure His death hapned Anno Dom. 163 EDWARD HERBERT Son of Richard Herbert Esquire and Susan Newport his Wife was born at Montgomery * Castle in this County Knighted by King James who sent him over Embassador into France Afrerwards King Charls the first created him Baron of Castle Island in Ireland and some years after Baron of Cheirbury in this Counâ—…y he was a most excellent Artist and rare Linguist studied both in Books and Men and himself the Author of two Works most remarkable viz. A Treatise of 〈◊〉 written in French so highly prized beyond the Seas that as I am told it is extant at this day with great Honour in the Popes Vatican He married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir VVilliam Herbert of Saint Julians in Monmouth-shire with whom he had a large Inheritance both in England and Ireland He died in August Anno Domini 1648. and was buried in Saint Giles in the fields London having designed a fair Monument of his own Invention to be set up for him in the Church of Montgomery according to the Model following upon the ground a Hath pace of fourteen foot square on the midst of which is placed a Dorrick Columne with its rights of Pedestal Basis and Capital fifteen foot in height on the Capital of the Columne is mounted an urn with an Heart Flamboul supported by two Angels The foot of this Columne is attended with four Angels placed on Pedestals at each corner of the said Hath pace two having Torches reverst extinguishing the Motto of Mortality the other two holding up Palmes the Emblems of Victory This Monument hath not hitherto by what obstruction I list not to enquire and I fear will not be finished which hath invited me the rather to this Description that it might be erected in Paper when it was intended in Marble Memorable Persons HAWIS GADARN She was a Lady of remark sole Daughter and Heir to Owen ap Graffyth Prince of that part of Powis called Powis Wenwinwin which taketh up this whole County She was justly as will appear surnamed Gadarn that is the Hardy I confess Hardy sounds better when applyed to men as Philip the Hardy a Prince in France meek and mild being a more proper Epethite for a woman Yet some competent hardiness to comport with troubles mis-becometh not the weaker Sex and indeed if she had not been Hawis the Hardy she had been Hawis the Beggerly She had four Uncles her Fathers Brethren Lhewelyn Iohn Griffith Vachan and David which uncles became her Cosens detaining all her inheritance from her Give said they a Girle a little Gold and marry her God and nature made Land for men to manage Hereupon Hawis comes to Court complains to King Edward the second The mention of her minds me of the Daughter of Zelophehad who pleaded so pathetically for her patrimony before Moses and Joshua The King commiserating her case
him home and commanded him to surrender his acquests into his hands which done he received them again by re-grant from the King save that Henry reserved the City of Dublin for himself This Strongbow is he who is commonly called Domitor Hiberniae The Tamer of Ireland though the Natives thereof then and many hundred years after paid rather â—…erbal submission than real obedience to our English Kings Yea some of their great Lords had both the power and Title of Kings in their respective Territories witness the Preface in the Commission whereby King Henry the second made William Fitz. Adelme his Lieutenant of Ireland Archiepiscopis Episcopis Regibus Comitibus Baronibus omnibus fidelibus suis in Hibernia Salutem Where Kings are postposed to Bishops which speaketh them Royolets by their own ambition and by no solemn inauguration This Earl Richard died at Dublin 1177. and lieth buried in Trinity Church therein Sir ROGER WILLIAMS born of an ancient Family at Penrosse in this County was first a Souldier of Fortune under Duke D'Alva and afterwards successfully served Queen Elizabeth having no fault save somewhat over-free and forward to fight When a Spanish Captain challenged Sir John Norris to fight a single Combat which was beneath him to accept because a General This Roger undertook the Don. And after they had fought some time both Armies beholding them without any hurt they pledged each other a deep â—…raught of Wine and so friendly departed Another time at midnight he assaulted the Camp of the Prince of Parma nigh Venloe slew some of the enemies and pierced to the Tent of the General as highly blamed by some for rashness as commended by others for his valour He bravely defended Slufe whilest any hope of help WILLIAM HERBERT Earl of Pembroke with Sir Richard Herbert his Brother were both undoubtedly born in this County but whether or no at Ragland Castle is uncertain Both valiant men and as fast Friends to King Edward the fourth as professed Foes to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick They gave the last and clearest evidence hereof in the Battel of Banbury where we find it reported that these two leading the Army of the Welsh with their Poll-Axes twice made way through the Battel oâ—… the Northern men which sided with King Henry the sixth without any mortal wound There passeth a tradition in the Noble Family of the Herberts of Chierbury that this Sir Richard their Ancestor slew that day one hundred and forty men with his own hands which if done in charging some censure as an act of impossibility if after a rout in an execution as a deed of cruelty But others defend both truth and courage therein as done in passing and repassing through the Army Indeed Guns were and were not in fashion in that age used sometimes in sieges but never in field service and next the Gun the Poll-Ax was the mortal Weapon especially in such a Dead hanâ—… as this Knight had with which Quot icti tot occisi He is reported also to be of a Giants stature the Peg being extant in Mountgomery Castle whereon he used to hang his Hat at dinner which no man of an ordinary height can reach with his hand at this day However both these brave brethren circumvented with the subtilty of their Foes Odds at any time may be bet on the side of treachery against valour were brought to Banbury beheaded and buried the Earl at Tinterne and Sir Richard at Abergaveny in this County Writers JEFFREY of Monmouth was born in and named from Monmouth He was also called ap Arthur from his Father as I suppose though others say because he wrote so much of King Arthur but by the same proporâ—…ion Homer may be termed Achillides and Virgil the Son of Aeneas Yea this Jeffrey by an ancienter title might be sirnamed ap Bruit whose story he asserteth He translated and compiled the various British Authors into one Volume I am not so much moved at William Newbourough calling this his book Ridicula sigmenta as that Giraldus Cambrensis his Countryman and as I may say Con-sub-temporary should term it Fabulosam historiam Indeed he hath many things from the British Bards which though improbable are not ipso facto untrue We know Herodotus nick-named by some Pater Fabularum is by others acknowledged to be Pater Historiarum The truth is that both Novelants and Antiquaries must be content with many falshoods the one taking Reports at the first rebound before come to the other raking them out of the dust when past their perfection Others object that he is too hyperbolical in praising his own Countrey A catching disease seeing Livy mounts Italy to the skyes and all other Authors respectively and why should that be mortal in our Monmouth what is but venial in others And if he be guilty in Mis-timing of actions he is not the onely Historian without company in that particular However on the occasion of the premisses his book is prohibited by his Holiness whilst the lying Legend is permitted to be read without controul Thus Rome loves questuosa non inutilia figmenta Falshoods whereby she may gain Some conceive it to be his greatest fault that he so praiseth the ancient Church in Britain making it Independent from the See of Rome before Austin the Monk came hither One maketh him a Cardinal which is improbable whilest it is more certain that he was Bishop of St. Asaph and flourished Anno 1152. THOMAS of Monmouth was probably born certainly bred and brought up in the chief Town of this County Nor doth it move me to the contrary because Pits calls him an Englishman Monmouth in that Age being a Frontier Garrison peopled with English Inhabitants It happened at this time many Jews lived in Norwich where their habitation was called Abrahams Hall though therein not practising the piety of that worthy Patriarch He out of conformity to Gods command sacrificed his one and onely son they contrary to his will in his Word crucified the child of another William by name His Sepulchre was afterwards famed for many miracles whereof this Thomas wrote an History and dedicated it to William de Turbes Bishop of Norwich though he lived above six score miles from the place of those strange performances But probably the farther the better Major è longinquo reverencia and miracles are safest reported and soonest believed at some competent distance He flourished Anno 1160. under King Henry the Second Benefactors to the Publick HENRY PLANTAGENET first Duke of Lancaster was born in Monmouth castle the chief seat of his Barony He is commonly sirnamed de torto collo or the wry-neck and by others the good Duke of Lancaster by which name we entitle him it being fitter to call men from what was to be praised than what to be pâ—…tied in them not from their natural defects but moral perfections His bounty commends him to our mention in this place being head of
prayer before his Sermon usually consisted of one entire Allegory not driven but led on most proper in all particulars He was at last by exchange of his living setled in Suffolk which hath the best and worst aire in England best about Bury and worst on the Sea-side where Master Fleticher was beneficed His clownish and low parted Parishoners having nothing but their shoos high about them valued not their Pastour according to his worth which disposed him to melancholy and hastened his dissolution I behold the life of this learned Poet like those half-verses in Virgils Aeneids broken off in the middle seeing he might have doubled his days according to the ordinary course of nature whose death happened about the year 162. He had another brother Phineas Fletcher Fellow of Kings-colledge in Cambridge and beneficed also in Norfolk a most excellent Poet witness his Purple Island and several other pieces of great ingenuity JOHN DONNE was born in this City of wealthy parentage extracted out of Wales one of an excellent wit large travail and choice experience After many vicissitudes in his youth his reduced age was honoured with the Doctorship of Divinity and Denary of Saint Pauls Should I endeavour to deliver his exact character who willingly would not doe any wrong should do a fourfold injury 1. To his worthy memory whose merit my pen is unable to express 2. To my self in undertaking what I am not sufficient to perform 3. To the Reader first in raising then in frustrating his expectation 4. To my deservedly honored friend Master Isaac Walton by whom his life is so learnedly written It is enough for me to observe he died March 31. Anno Dom. 1631. and lieth buried in Saint Pauls under an ingenious and choice monument neither so costly as to occasion envy nor so common as to cause contempt Romish Exile Writers JOHN HEIWOOD was born in London and was most familiar with Sir Thomas More whom he much resembled in quickness of parts both undervaluing their friend to their jest and having Ingenium non edentulum sed mordax I may safely write of him what he pleasantly writes of himself that he applied mirth more then thrift many mad plays and did few good works He hath printed many English proverbial Epigrams and his Monumenta Literaria are said to be non tam labore condita quà m lepore condita He was highly in favour with Queen Mary and after her death fled for Religion beyond the seas It is much that one so Fancyful should be so conscientious He lived and for ought I find died at Mechlin about the year 1566. Gasper Heiwood his son was a great Jesuit and executed here in Q. Elizabeths raign MAURICE CHAMNEE most probably born in this City was bred a Friar in Charter-house now called Suttons Hospital He was imprisoned for refusing the Oath of Supremacy with 18. of his Order all which lost their lives for their obstinacy whilst our Maurice like Jobs messenger only escaped alone to tell of his fellows misfortune and write the history of the execution Some of Chamnee's party report to his praise that Martyrdome was only wanting to him and not he to Martyrdome Others more truly tax him for warping to the Will of King Henry the eighth not so much to decline his own death as to preserve his Covent from destruction who sped in the first and failed in the latter However fearing some afterclaps he fled beyond the Seas passing the rest of his life in the Low-Countries dying Anno Dom. 1581. EDMUND CAMPIAN was born in this City and bred Fellow in Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford where he became Proctor Anno 1568. when Queen Elizabeth visited that University being made Deacon by the Protestant Church he afterwards renounced that Order and fled beyond the Seas A man of excellent parts though he who rod post to tell him so might come too late to bring him tidings thereof being such a valuer of himself that he swelled every drop of his ability into a bubble by his vain ostentation And indeed few who were reputed Scholars had more of Latine or less of Greek then he had He was sent over with Father Parsons into England to reduce it to the Church of Rome to this purpose he set forth his Ten Reasons so purely for Latine so plainly and pithily penned that they were very taking and fetch'd over many Neuters before to his perswasion It was not long before he was caught by the Setters of the Secretary Walsingham and brought to the Tower where one of his own Religion saith that he was exquisitissimis cruciatibus tortus rack'd with most exquisite torments Yet the Lieutenant of the Tower truly told him that he had rather seen then felt the rack being so favourably used therein that being taken off he did presently go to his lodging without help and used his hands in writing Besides as Campian confess'd he was not examined upon any point of Religion but only upon matters of State Some days after he was ingaged in four solemn disputations to make good that bold challenge he had made against all Protestants Place Auditors Time Opposers Questions Campians answer The Chappel in the Tower The Lieutenant of the Tower Mr. Bele Clerk of the Counsel withmany Protestants and Papists 1581 August 31 Alexander Nowell Dean of Pauls 1. Whether the Protestants had cut off many goodly and principal parts of Scripture from the body thereof Affirmative   Septem 18 William Day Dean of Windsor 2. Whether the Catholick Church be not properly invisible Negative   23 William Fulk D. D. 3. Whether Christ be in the Sacrament Substantially very God and Man in his Natural Body Affirmative   27 Roger Goad D. D. 4. Whether after the Consecration the Bred Wine are Transubstantiated Negative    William Fulk D. D. 5. Whether the Scriptures contain sufficient Doctrine for our Salvation     Roger Goad D. D. 6. Whether Faith only justifyeth     John Walker      William Clarke   An Authentick Author giveth this unpartial account of Campian in his Disputation ad disputandum productus expectationem concitatam aegre sustinuit and in plain truth no man did ever boast more when he put on his Armour or had cause to boast less when he put it off Within few days the Queen was necessitated for her own security to make him the subject of severity by whose laws he was executed in the following December Benefactors to the Publike THOMAS POPE Knight was born in this City as my worthy friend Doctor Seth Ward the Head and others of the Society of Trinity colledge in Oxford have informed me I behold him as fortunae suae fabrum the Smith who by Gods blessing hammered out his own fortune without any Patrimonial advantage Indeed he lived in an Age which one may call the harvest of wealth wherein any that
would work might get good wages at the dissolution of Abbyes Herein he was much employed being under the Lord Cromwell an instrument of the second magnitude and lost nothing by his activity therein however by all the Printed books of that age he appeareth one of a candid carriage and in this respect stands sole and single by himself That of the Abby Lands which he received he refounded a considerable proportion for the building and endowing of Trinity-colledge in Oxford He died as I collect about the beginning of the raign of Queen Elizabeth There are in Oxford shire many descendants from him continuing in a worshipful Estate on the same token that King James came in Progress to the house of Sir 〈◊〉 Pope Knight when his Lady was lately delivered of a daughter which Babe was presented to King James with this Paper of Verses in her hand which because they pleased the King I hope they will not displease the Reader See this little Mistress here Did never sit in Peters chair Or a triple Crown did wear And yet she is a Pope No Benefice she ever sold Nor did dispence with sins for Gold She hardly is a Sevenight Old And yet she is a Pope No King her feet did ever kiss Or had from her worse look then this Nor did she ever hope To saint one with a Rope And yet she is a Pope A female Pope you 'l say A second Joan No sure she is Pope Innocent or none I behold the Earl of Down in Ireland but living in Oxford shire the chief of the Family THOMAS CURSON born in Alhallows Lumbard street Armorour dwelt without Bishop-gate It happened that a Stage-player borrowed a rusty Musket which had lien long Leger in his Shop now though his part was Comical he therewith acted an unexpected Tragedy killing one of the standers by the Gun casually going off on the Stage which he suspected not to be Charged O the difference of divers mens in the tenderness of there Consciences some are scarse touch'd with a wound whilst others are wounded with a touch therein This poor Armourer was highly afflicted therewith though done against his will yea without his knowledge in his absence by another out of meer chance Hereupon he resolved to give all his Estate to pious uses no sooner had he gotten a round sum but presently he posted with it in his Apron to the Court of Aldermen and was in pain till by their direction he had setled it for the relief of poor in his own and other Parishes and disposed of some hundreds of pounds accordingly as I am credibly informed by the then Church-wardens of the said Parish Thus as he conceived himself casually though at great distance to have occasioned the death of one he was the immediate and direct cause of giving a comfortable living to many he dyed Anno Domini 16. EDWARD ALLIN was born in the aforesaid Parish near Devonshire-house where now is the sign of the Pie He was bred a Stage-player a Calling which many have condemned more have questioned some few have excused and far fewer consciencious people have commended He was the Roscius of our age so acting to the life that he made any part especially a Majestck one to become him He got a very great Estate and in his old age following Christs Councel on what forcible motive belongs not to me to enquire He made friends of his unrighteous Mammon Building therewith a fair Colledge at Dulwich in Kent for the relief of poor people Some I confess count it built on a foundred foundation seeing in a spiritual sense none is good and lawfull money save what is honestly and industrously gotten but perchance such who condemn Master Allin herein have as bad Shillings in the bottome of their own bags if search were made therein sure I am no Hospital is tyed with better or stricter laws that it may not Sagg from the intention of the Founder The poor of his native Parish Saint Buttolph â—…ishopgate have a priviledge to be provided for therein before others Thus he who out-acted others in his life out did himfelf before his death which happened Anno Domini 16. WILLIAM PLAT was born in this City as his Heir hath informed me son to Sir Hugh Plat grand-son to Richard Plat Alderman of London He was a FellowCommoâ—…er bâ—…ed in Saint Johns colledge in Cambridge and by his Will bequeathed thereunto Lands to maintain Fellows and Scholars Fellows at thirty Schollars at ten pounds per annum so many as the Estate would extend unto But this general and doubtful settlement was liable to long and great suits betwixt the Colledge and the Heirs of the said William until Anno 1656. the same were happily compoled betwixt the Colledge and John Plat Clerk Heir to the foresaid William when a settlement was made by mutual consent of four Scholars at ten and two Fellows at fifty pounds per annum Here I mention not thirty pounds yearly given by him to the poor of Hornsey and High-gate with a Lecture founded therein This William Plat died Anno 1637. ALEXANDER STRANGE son to a Doctor in Law was born in London bred in Peter-house in Cambridge where he commenced Bachelour of Divinity and afterwards for forty six years was Vicar of Layston and Prebend of Saint Pauls where his Prebenda submersa the Corps whereof were drowned in the Sea afforded him but a noble year Now because Layston Church stood alone in the fields and inconveniently for such who were to repair thereunto he built at Buntingford a thorow-road market mostly in his Parish a neat and strong Chappel è stipe collatitiâ from the bounty others gave and he gathered Wherefore having laid the foundation before well furnished for the finishing thereof he gave for his Motto Beg hard or beggard None could tax him with the Scribes and Pharisees for binding heavy burthens and grievous to be born and laying them on other mens shoulders whilst he himself would not move them with one of his fingers First because the burthens were not heavy being light in the particulars though weighty in the total summe Secondly he bound them on none but profest himself bound unto them if pleased to take them up for a publick good Thirdly he put his and that a bountiful hand unto them purchasing land out of his own purse to pay for the daily reparation thereof He also promoted the building of a Free-school in the said place to which some sisters worshâ—…pfully born in the same Town wealthily and honourably married were the Foundresses yet so as it will still be thankful to contributors thereunto for better accommodation This Master Strange being no less prosperous then painful in compounding all differences among his neighbours being a man of peace went to eternal peace December 8. in the eightieth year of his age 1650. To the Readér Pauperis est numerare They have but few who have but a number It passeth my power