Clarence President in his stead for the same No sooner was his Father dead but he reclaimed himself and became a Glory to his Country and a constant Terror to his Enemies yea and banished all his idle Companions from Court allowing them a competency for their subsistence When the Lord Chief Justice who had secured him when Prince for striking him for the Commitment of some of his lewd Companions he not only forgave him but rewarded his Justice In his Reign a Supplication was preferred that the Temporal Lands given to pious uses but abusively spent might be siezed on by the King This was wisely awarded by Chichley Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by putting the King on the design of recovering France Yea this King by his Valour reduced Charles 6. King of France to such a condition that he resigned his Kingdom into his hand and our King Henry 5. was accordingly Crowned in Paris King of France There the French found him as good or rather worse as his Promise which he made to the Dolphin who sent him a Barrel of Paris Tennis-Balls sending such English-Balls that they proved fatal to them He dyed at Boys St. Vincent ult Aug. 1422. and was brought over with great Solemnity and interred in Westminster-Abbey Saints St. Amphibalus a Citizen of Carlion See the Saints in Hereford St. Aaron a wealthy Citizen of Carlion was Martyred under Dioclesian the Emperour 30â— Note that the three first British Martyrs viz. Alban Amphibalus and Aaron have the first a Latine the second a Greek and the third an Hebrew Name St. Julius of Carlion suffered with Aaron aforesaid Note that Carlion now a small Town was once a great City reaching a Mile in length and comprehending St. Julian's a House of late Sir William Herbert's now a Mile distant from the Town Cardinals Geffery of Monmouth is avouched by some to have been made Cardinal but it is improbable that so much honour should be done unto him whilst living who was so solemnly disgraced after his death his Books being then publickly prohibited by the Court of Rome See Writers in this Shire John of Monmouth D. D. and Canon of Lincoln was chosen Bishop of Landaff 1296. after that See had been 7 years vacant He was a Learned and Pious Divine Besides other Benefactions to his See he procured the Rectory of Newland in the Forrest of Dean to be appropriated thereto But Bishop Kitchin afterwards impoverished the same more then all his Predecessors had endowed it in 400 years This John dyed April 8. 1322. and was buried in St Maries Chappel Walter Cantilupe Son to William the elder Lord Cuntilupe whose prime residence was at Abergavennie in this County was made by Henry 3. Bishop of Worcester He would not yield to the Popes Legate who complained of many Clergy-men keeping their Livings against the Canons intending to make room for the Popes Favourites or force such irregular incumbents to a Composition He was one of a keen nature whose two-edged spirit did cut on both sides against the King and Pope Against the former he sided with the Barons to whom he promised Heaven for the reward of their Rebellion against their Prince though it cost him an Excommunication from the Pope who was the more forward in denouncing that fatal Sentence against him because he had told Rusland his Legate coming hither 1255. that he would preferr him to be hang'd on the Gallows rather then ever consent to such expilation of the Church as aforesaid Lying on his deathâ—bed he was touched with true remorse for his disloyalty and obtained Absolution He dyed February 1267. whom I behold as Uncle to Thomas the Sainted Bishop of Hereford Souldiers Richard de Clare alias Strongbow born probably at Stringule Castle was Earl of Stringule and Pembrook A person of effectual performance It happened that Mac Murugh an 1167. being expelled his Territories for several Tyrannies by the Lords of Meath and Conaight repaired to King Henry 2. and invited him to Ireland That Politick King sent over this R. Strongbow with 1200 Men who possessed himself of the Ports of Leinster and Mounster with large Lands thereunto belonging insomuch that the King growing jealous of his greatness remanded him home and commanded him to surrender his Acquest into his hands which done he received them by regrant from the King save that Henry reserved the City of Dublin for himself This Strongbow is commonly called Domitor Hiberniae the Tamer of Ireland Yet some of the great Lords there did still retain the Power and Title of King Witness the Preface in the Commission whereby King Henry 2. made William Fitz-Adelme his Lieutenant of Ireland Archiepiscopis Episcopis Regibus c. Salutem This Earl dyed at Dublin 1177. Sir Roger Williams born of an ancient Family at Penross was first a Souldier of Fortune under the Duke of Alva and afterwards served Queen Elizabeth A man extreamly forward to Fight When a Spanish Captain challenged Sir John Norris to fight a single Combat which was beneath him to accept being 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 draught of Wine and so friendly departed Another time at mid-night he assaulted the Camp of the Prince of Parma nigh Venloe slew some of the Enemies and pierced to the Tent of the General He bravely defended Sluse whilst any hope of help William Herbert Earl of Pembrook with Sir Richard his Brother were both valiant Men and as fast Friends to King Edward 4. as professed Foes to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick Leading the Army of the Welsh in the Battle of Banbury with their Poll-Axes they twice made way through the Battle of the Northern men which sided with King Henry 6. 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 140 Men with his own hands in passing and repassing through the Army Guns not being then in fashion the Poll-Axe was the next Mortal Weapon especially in such a dead Hand as this Knight had He is reported also to be of a Giants Stature the Peg being extant in Montgomery 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 alias ap Arthur Translated and Compiled the various British Authors into one Volume He hath many things from the British Bards which though improbable are not therefore ipso facto untrue yet Humanum est errare and Tradition having run a great way from its clear Original may swell into a rapide Stream violently
age would admit An 1. Ed. 6. 3. When the same after the Marian interruption was resumed and more refined in the Reign of Q. El. The first of these I may call the Morning Star The Second the Dawning of the Day The third the rising of the Sun As to the Prelats and Writers in Q. Maries days their inclinations are discovered in their Writings and by their Actions CHAP. XII Memorable Persons THE former Heads were like Private Houses but this Topick is like a publick Inn admitting all Comers and Goers having any extraordinary not vicious Remark upon them Such therefore who are over under or beside the Standard of Common Persons for strength stature fruitfulness vivacity c. are lodged under this Head under which I also repose such Mechanicks who have reached a clear note above others in their Vocation and Eminent improvers of Arts being Founders of that Accession which they add thereunto CHAP. XIII Of Lord Mayors of London AFter the Death of the King the Lord Majors Office and Authority continues a whole year whereas most other Offices determine with the Kings Death Younger Sons are raised to this Dignity by their own Vertue which affords an Illustrious Example and gives the greatest Encouragement to all well-disposed Youth Some Shires are destitute of this Honourable Office tho 't is probable they may come to arrive at the Priviledge of Majorality for Sir Richard Chiverton Skinner descended of a right Ancient and Worshipful Family having been lately the first in Cornwal has opened the door there for others to follow after him Some in London have refused the Office and Fined and thereby have Charitably increased the Stock of the City CHAP. XIV Why a Catalogue of the English Gentry in the Reign of H. 6. is inserted in this Book IN the days of H. 6 under pretence of routing out Felons Outlaws c. Opposition was made to the House of York which was the Occasion that a List of Gentry was made As to the Method of the Catalogue among the Commissioners the Bishop of the Diocess is first put after whom follow Earls Barons Knights of the Shire Note here that in the time of H. 6 de such a place was left off and the addition of Knight or Squire was assumed tho not generally in all places CHAP. XV. Of Sheriffs SHeriff is a Reeve or Overseer of a Shire in Latin Vicecomes or Deputy of an Earl or Count who anciently presiding over a County gave names both to the Place and deputed Jurisdiction In the year 888. K. Alfred first divided England into Shires The Clerk of the Peace for each County in Mich. Term presents to the Lord Chief Justice six or more names of able Persons for the Office of Sheriff of whom three are presented to the King who pricks one to stand Sheriff for the County His Power is to suppress Riots secure Prisoners distrain for Debts execute Writs return Knights and Burgesses for Parliament empannel Juries attend the Judge see the Execution of Malefactors c. By 4. H. 4 5. Sheriffs are to abide within their Counties 'T is observed by some that anciently the Office of Sheriff was Honos sine onere in middle times Honos cum onere and in our days Onus sine Honore a burden without honour CHAP. XVI Of the Coats of Arms of Sheriffs ARms seem to have been Jure Divino to the Jews and their use is great both in War and Peace without them an Army neither has Method nor strikes terror and in peace Arms distinguish one Man from another Arms assumed according to one's fancy are but personal but Arms assigned by Princes are Hereditary The plainer the Coat is the more Ancient and Honourable two Colours are necessary and most highly honourable tho both may be blazoned with one word as Varrey formerly born by the Beauchamps of Hatch in Wiltshire and still quartered by the Duke of Somerset three are very honourable four Commendable five Excuseable more disgraceful One said of a Coat that it was so well Victualled that it might endure a Siege such was the Plenty and Variety of Fowl Flesh and Fish therein Or and Azure are the richest Argent and Sable the fairest Coats The Lion and Eagle are the most Honourable the Cross the most Religious bearing a Bend the best Ordinarie being a Belt athwart as a Fess is the same about the middle Herbs Vert being natural are better then Or. There are Reasons rendred for some bearings Thus whereas the Earls of Oxford anciently gave their Coat plain quarterly Gules and Or they took afterwards in the first a Mallet or Star Argent because the Chief of the House had a Falling-Star as is said alighting on his Shield as he was fighting in the Holy-land Now for the Arms of Sheriffs we have added them ever since the first of King Richard 2. I will conclude this Discourse with a Memorable Record Claus 5 H. 5. Membr 15 in the Tower The King to the Sheriff Health c. because there are divers Men as we are informed which before these times in the Voyages made by us have assumed to themselves Arms and Coat-Armours where neither they nor their Ancestors in times past used such Arms c. and Propound with themselves to use and exercise the same in this present Voyage which God willing we intend to make And altho the Omnipotent disposeth his favours in things Natural as he pleaseth equally to the Rich and Poor yet We willing that every one of our Liege Subjects should be Esteemed and Treated in due manner according to the Exigency of his State and Condition We Command thee that in every place within thy Bailiwick where by our Writ we have lately shewn you cause to be Proclaimed that no Man of what State Degree or Condition soever he be shall take upon him such Arms or Coats of Arms save he alone who doth possess or ought to possess the same by the right of his Ancestors or by Donation and grant of some who had sufficient power to assign him the same and that he that useth such Arms or Coats of Arms shall on the day of his Muster manifestly shew to such Persons assigned or to be assigned by us for that purpose by vertue of whose gift he enjoyeth the same those only excepted who carried Arms with us at the Battle of Agincourt under the penalties not to be admitted to go with us in our aforesaid Voyages under his Command by whom he is for the present retained and of the loss of his wages as also of the rasing out and breaking off the said Arms called Coat-Armours at the time of his Muster aforesaid if they shall be shewn upon him or found about him And this you shall in no case omit Witness the King at the City of New Sarum June the Sâ—cond CHAP. XVII Of the Alterations and Variations of Surnames SUrnames of Families have been altered and new Names assumed chiefly for Concealment in time of Civil
of Mean and Honest Parents and bred in Christ-Church in Oxf. where he Studied 16 hours a day for many years together A general Scholar and Exquisite Linguist his Modesty setting the greater Lustre oâ— his Learning His Notes on Doctor Redleys Book of Civil-Law gave the first Testimony of the Pregnancy of his Parts He was first Chapl. of Christ-Church then Prebendary of Chichester and Sarum He dyed 1646. and was buried at Christ-Church in Oxf. His Posthume Works are set out by Jo. Gurgam dedicated to Edw. Bishop Esquire who relieved Gregory in his greatest Distress Sam. Collins Son to Baldwin Preacher Prodigiously Bountiful to the Poor whom Queen Eliz. called constantly Father Collins born and bred at Eaton Hence successively chosen Fellow Provost and Regius Professor of K. Coll. in Camb. Of admirable Wit and Memory and a most fluent Latinist Of his Lectures which he constantly read twice a Week for 40 years together there were not two which did not Critically differ He used all his Friends to decline his Election to the Bishoprick of Bristol as being in profit inferiour to the place he enjoyed In these troublesome times he lost his Church but kept his Choir wherein he dyed about 1651. Will. Oughtred branch'd from a right Ancient Family in the North born and bred in Eaton becamâ— Fell. of K. Coll. and at last Beneficed by Th. Earl Arundel at Albury in Surrey Prince of Mathematicians in our Age and Nation This Aged Simeon had a strong Persuasion that he should behold Christs anointed restored to his Throne which he did to his incredible Joy and then had his Dimittis out of this mortal life June 10. 1660. Romish Exile Writers Th. Dorman born at Amersham Nephew to Th. Dorman a Confessor in the Reign of H. 8. and Cordial Protestant tho through weakness he did abjure the Realm This Th. junior was bred at Barkhamsted-School founded by Doctor Incent in Hartfordshire under Mr. Reeve a Prot. School-master but this Dorman turn'd tail and becoming a great Romanist fled beyond the Seas where he wrote Against Alex. Nowel the English Calvanist He flourished An. 1560. Memorable Persons Jo. Mathew Mercer Son to Th. Mathew was born at Sherington Lord Mayor of London An. Dom. 1490. the first Batchelor that ever was chosen into that Office a singular Example for above 120 years when Sir Jo. Leman also Batchelor enjoyed the same Dignity 1616. Dame Hester Temple Daughter to Miles Sands Esq was born at Latmos and Married to Sir Th. Temple of Stow Baronet She had four Sons and nine Daughters who Married and Multiplyed exceedingly insomuch that she saw 700 Extracted from her Body Which Off-spring if contracted into one place had been enough to have peopled a City of Competent Proportion Noted Sheriffs Jo. Croke Ar. afterwards Knighted monarch Q. Eliz. Son of Sir Jo. Croke one of the six Clerks in Chanc. The Name was assumed by their Ancestors for that of Le Blount which they concealed in the Civil Wars between York and Lanc. As for this Sir John Sher. of Buck. he was fortunate in an Issue happy in the knowledge of our Municipal-Law Of whom Sir Jo. Croke his eldest Son Speaker of the House of Commons in the Parl. 43. Eliz. received this Elogium from her Majesty That he had proceeded therein with such Wisdom and Discretion that none before him had deserved better Rob. Dormer Ar. Jun. 10. 1615. made Baronet by King Ja. and 30 of the same Month Baron Dormer of Wing in this County His Grand-child Robert was An. 4. King Ch. I. created Viscount Ascot and Earl of Carnarvan and lost his Life fighting for him who gave him his Honour in the first Battle of Newbury Being a little before his Death desired to make a Suit to the King he replyed I will not dye with a Suit in my Mouth to any King save to the King of Heaven By Anne Daughter to Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery he had Charles now Earl of Canarvan Edw. Bulstrod Ar. Whose Arms are Ancient viz. S. a Buckhead Ar. attired O. shot the Nose with an Arrow of the 3. headed and featherd of the 2. a Cross patee fitchee betwixt the attire O. Hen. Longvile Ar. Had to his 4 th Son Sir Mich. Longvile who Married Susan sole Daughter to H. Earl of Kent Now when the Issue in a direct line of that Earldom failed in our memory Mr. Selden proved that the Barony of Ruthyn parcel of the Earldom ought to descend to the Son of the said Sir Michael and thereupon he sat as Baron Ruthyn in the late long Parl. His sole Daughter and Heir was Married to Sir Henry Yelverton of Earton in the County of Northampton Baronet a worthy Gent. of fair Estate Benedict Winchcombe whose Arms I represent in gratitude to the Memory of his Ancestor so well deserving of Newbury monarch K Ja. viz. Az. on a Chev. engrail'd between 3 Birds O. as many Cinqfoiles of the 1. on a chief of the 2. a fl de luce between 2. Spears-heads of the 1. Edward Coke Knight the English Trebonianus monarch K. Ch. famous for his Comments on the Common-Law The Court-party to prevent his Election as a Member of Parliament got him prickt Sheriff whose Oath he scrupled to take because amongst other things the Sheriff is bound thereby to prosecute the Lollards wherein the best Christians may be included but no excuse could serve so that his Friends must behold him who had been Lord Chief Justice attend on the Judges of the Assises Francis Cheney Knight A noble Ancient Name There was a Family of the Cheneys flourishing in Kent giving for their Arms Az. 6. Lyons Ramp Arg. a Canton Ermin Of this House was Hen. Cheney High-Sheriff of this County and Bedf. An. 7. Eliz. and not long after created by her Baron of Tuddington in Bedf. tho in his Youth wild and venturous witness his playing at Dice with Hen. 2. King of France from whom he won a Diamond of great worth at a cast and being demanded what shift he would have made to repair himself in case he had lost the cast I have said the young Cheney in an Hyperbolical Brave Sheeps-tails enough in Kent with their Wool to buy a better Diamond then this His reduced Age afforded the befitting fruits of Gravity and Wisdom And this Lord deceased without Issue As for Sir Fr. Cheney Sher. he was Father to Charles Cheney Esquire who by his Exquisite Travelling hath Naturalized Forreign Perfection to himself and is Exemplarily happy in a Vertuous Lady Jane Daughter to the truly Noble Will Marquess of New-Castle and by her of hopeful Posterity Cambridgeshire CAmbridgeshire hath Lincolnshire on the North and Suffolk on the East Essex and Hartfordshire on the South Huntington and Bedfordshire on the West in length 35 in breadth not full 20 Miles Plentiful in Provision the South part of Bread and Beer and the North of Cattle The Grain here is so good that it outselleth
Glouc. Brist and Peterbur being the other 4. whose Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction were not confirmed by the Pope nor Baronies by the Parliament These owed their being solely to the Kings Prerogative And therefore when some Anti-Prelatists in the late long Parl. 1641. endeavoured to overthrow their Baronies for want of Confirmation in Parl. upon better Consideration they desisted from that design as unfesible Proverbs I. When the Daughter is stoln shut Pepper-gate The Mayor of Chester had his Daughter stoln through that Gate whereupon he caused that shut with all other Gates in the City Martyrs Geo. Marsh condemned by Bishop Coats burnt without this City near to Spittle Boughton See his Charact. in Lanc. Prelates Geo. Dounham D. D. Son to Jo. Dounham Bishop of Chester was born in this City and bred in Christs-Coll in Camb. made Fellow thereof 1585. and chosen Logick Professor of the University Was as well skilled in Rhetorick as Logick tho 't is seldom seen that the Clunch-fist of this Art good to knock a Man down at a blow can so open it self as to Smooth and Stroak one with the Palm thereof That the Doctor could do both his Oration prefixed to his Treatise of Logick does sufficiently Witness He Preached the Sermon Apr. 17. 1608. at the Consecration of Ja. Montague Bishop of Bath and Wells irrefragably proving therein Episcopacy jure divino After which he was made Bishop of Derry of Ireland to which London-Derry had been added a little before He endeavoured by his Gentleness to Civilize the Wild Irish and proved very successful therein Sea-men Dav. Middleton one of those who effectually contributed his Assistance to the making of Through-lights in the World I mean New discoveries in the East and West Indies v. his Printed Relation His dangers were great and many among Canibals and Portugals Crocodiles and Hollanders yet at last he did settle the English Trade at Bantam about 1610. Sir Hen. Middleton Knight younger brother as I take it to the former under-went great Pains and Perils in advancing the English Trade Remarkable his Voyage into the Red-Sea which had like to have proved the Dead-Sea unto him Here he was tolled to Land at Moha by the Treacherous Aga and had eight of his Men Barbarously Slain himself and seven more Chained up by the Necks The pretence was because that Port was the Door of the Holy-City and it is Capital for any Christian to come so near thereunto Then was he sent above 160 Miles to the Basha at Zenan in Arab. Jan. 1611. in which City tho but 15 deg N. Lat. from the Equator there was Ice at that time of a Fingers thickness in one Night as the said Sir Hen. did relate At last the Basha giving him leave he sailed East-ward and repaired himself by a gainful Composition with the Indians for the losses he had sustained by the Turks His Ship called the Trades encrease well answered the Name thereof until it pleased God to visit his Men with a strange disease whereof 100 English deceased the grief whereat was conceived the cause of this Worthy Knights Death May 24. 1613. whose Name will ever survive whilst Middletons-Bay from him so called appeareth in the Dutch Cards Writers Roger of Chester a Benedictine Monk in St. Werburges wrote a British Chron. from the beginning of the World which after an addition of 25 years he Entitled Polycratica Temporum the Stile pure Latine He dyed about 1339. and was buried in Chester Randal or Ranulph Higden commonly called Ran of Chester bred a Benedictine in St. Werb not only vamp'd the History of Rog. aforesaid but composed One of his own Commendable for his Method and Modesty therein He continued 46 years a Monk and dyed 1363 and was buried in Chester Hen. Bradshaw a Benedictine in this City and diligent Historian wrote a Chronicle and the Life of St. Werburge in Verse A pious Man for the Age he lived in He flourished about 151â— Since the Reformation Edward Brierwood bred in Brason-nose-Coll in Oxf. Being Candidate of a Fellowship and loosing it he afterwards applyed himself so seriously to his Studies that he became a most accomplished Scholar in Logick Witness his Treatise thereof Mathematicks being afterwards Lecturer thereof in Gresham-Coll and Languâ—ges of which he wrote his Enquiries He maintained against Mr. Byfield That we are not bound to a Jewish exactness in the observatiobservation of the Sabbath He dyed about 1633. Jo. Downham younger Son of Will Bishop of Chester bred in Camb. B. D. became a profitable Preacher in London and was the first who commendably discharged the Eminent Lecture behind the Exchange plentifully endowed by Mr. Jones of Monmouth He is Memorable to Posterity for his worthy work of the Christian Warfare He dyed about 1644. Benefactors Will. Aldersea a Pious Man was Mayor of the City 1560. and compleated the Lame List of Mayors out of the Records He dyed Oct. 12. An. 1577. and lies buried in the Chancel of St. Oswals Sir Th. Offley bred a Merch. Taylor in London whereof he became Lord Mayor An. 1556. in his Mayoralty began the Custom of the Night-Bell-man He was the Zaccheus of London for his high Charity bequeathing the half of his Estate being 5000 pound to the Poor tho he had Children of his own yea he appointed that 200 pound left to his Son Hen. should be taken out of the other half and employed to Charitable uses He dyed 1560 and was buried in the Church of St. Andr. Vndershaft Mr. Hugh Offley Leather-Seller Sheriff of London An. 1588. buried in the same Church gave 600 pound to the City to put forth young Men. Mr. Rob. brother to Hugh gave 600 pound for 24 young Men in Chester whereof 12 were Apprentices On the first of these I suppose these Rhythms were made Offley three Dishes had of daily Roast An Egg an Apple and the third a Toast Feasting himself moderately that he might feed others by his Bounty Jo. Terer Gent. Erected a seemly Water-work built Steple-wise at the Bridge-gate which serves to convey the River-water through Pipes to the Citizens Houses in Chester His Son endeavoured and I believe effected the like for the Conveniency of the middle part of that City Cornwal COrnwall hath its Name from the Form and Inhabitants thereof Cornu signifying a Horn and Wale Strangers for such were the Inhabitants of this County reputed by their Neighbours It hath Devonshire on the West divided from it by the River Tamer encompassed with the Sea on all other sides affording plenty of Harbours where Forreigners touch in their passage to or from Spain Ireland the Levant the E. or W. Indies The Language hath some Affinity with the Welsh and is Copious to express the Conceits of a good Wit tho as 't is said affording but two Natural Oaths or three at the most The Natural Commodities are Diamonds which well cut and set off with a good Foyl may at the first sight deceive no unskilful Lapidary
born in Verulam was Martyred under Dioclesian An. 303. Note that there grows good Liquoras on the ruinous Walls of that City Popes Nicholas Son to Rob. Breakspear born at Abbots-Langley was Lay-brother in the Abbey of St. Albans He was afterwards Pope of Rome by the Name of Adrian 4. having recommended himself to the Chair by his converting the Norwegians He was Choakt with a Fly 1158. Whose Nephew Boso was made Cardinal 1155. Prelates Richard de Ware al. Warren was made Abbot of Westminster 1260 and afterwards Treasurer of England to E. 1. He made that Pavement at Westminster which is a Master-piece of Art He died 1283. Ralph Baldock wrote a History of England and was made B. of London by E. 1. He gave above 200 l to repair the East part of St. Pauls where upon clearing the Foundation there were a great number of Heads of Oxen found which probably had been sacrificed to Diana He died 1313. Jo. Barnet was made B. of Worc. then translated to Bath and Wells hence to Ely and was Lord Treasurer of England He died 1373. Th. Rudburn was Chancellour of the University of Oxf. 1420. A great Scholar and Mathematician His mildness procured him the Love of persons of Honour He built a Tower over the Gate of Merton Coll. He wrote a Chron. of England and was B. of St. Dav. He flourished 1419. Statesmen Sir Edw. Waterhouse Knight born at Helmsted-bury of an ancient Family since the time of H. 3. His Father was Auditor to H. 8. who foretold that this Edward when but a Child would be the Crown of all his Fathers Children and a Man of great Honour and Wisdom fit for the Service of Princes And accordingly he grew in the Favour of great Persons and Knowledge of the Affairs of State Walt. Devereux E. of Essex lying on his death-Bed said to him Oh my Ned farewell thou art the faithfullest and friendliest Gentleman that ever I knew Sir Jo. Perrot Dep. of Ireland would do nothing in State-Affairs without him He was afterwards in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth Knighted then made Privy-Councellor for Ireland and Chancellor of the Exchequer therein Where he was highly instrumental in modelling the Shires as they now are He boldly signed the Instrument wherein the Earl of Desmond was proclaimed Traitor when other Privy-Councellours dreading the Earls greatness durst not do the same He died at Wood-Church 1591. leaving no Issue Henry Cary Visc of Faulkland in Scotland was born at Aldnam A most accomplished Gentleman and compleat Courtier He was made by K. James Dep. of Ireland He married the Daughter and Heir of Sir Lawrence Tanfield Chief Bar. of the Exchequer by whom he had a fair Estate in Oxf. He died 1620. Souldiers Sir Henry Cary was made by Q. Elizabeth Lord Chamb. Baron of Hunsden He said to his Servants when they had drawn their Swords in his Quarrel against one Mr. Colt You Rogues may not I and my Neighbour change a Blow but you must interpose His custom in Swearing and Obscenity in Speech tho it may induce some of the Modern improvers of such Liberal Arts to Swear He was a fine Gentleman yet it made him seem a worse Christian than he was and a better Knight of the Carpet then he could be He might have been with the Queen whatsoever he would himself but would be no more then what he was preferring enough above a Feast in that Nature He was a Man of great Candour Loyalty and Courage The first Northern Commotion was suppressed by him after which the Queen sent him a Congratulatory Letter in which she highly commended his Wisdom Valour and Fidelity When he lay on his death-Bed the Queen was pleased to give him a Visit and caused a Patent for the Earldom of Wiltshire be drawn up and the Robes to be made and both to be laid upon his Bed But this Lord whose Dissimulation was as his Latine Madam said he seeing you counted me not worthy of this Honour whilst I was living I count my self unworthy of it now I am dying He deceased 1596. and lyeth buried in Westminster-Abbey being the direct Ancestor to the Earls of Dover and Monmouth Physicians Jo. Giles born at St. Albans was Physician to Philip K. of France then D. D. and the first English Dominican Rob. Grosthead B. of Linc. lying on his death-Bed sent for him and expected double comfort from him He died 1253. Writers Alex. Nequam was born in St. Albans to the Abbot of which he wrote for Admission Si vis veniam Sin autem tu autem To whom the Abbot return'd Si vis venias Si Nequam nequaquam One Philip accosts Nequam thus Et niger nequam cum sis cognomine Nequam Nigrior esse potes Nequior esse nequis To whom Nequam rejoyn'd Phi nota faetoris lippus malus omnibus horis Phi malus Lippus totus malus ergò Philippus Yet Nequam was Miraculum ingenii He was Canon of Exeter and lyes buried at Worcester William of Ware was Instructor to Jo. Duns Scotus He flourished under H. 3. 1270. Jo. Mandevile Knight born at St. Albans wrote his own Wonderful Itinerary through Afric c. He was wont to say of that Age Virtue is gone the Church is despised the Clergy doe err the Devil reigns and Simon is his Deputy He died 1370. Nicholas Gorham a Dominican bred in Merton Colledge in Oxford spent his life in France He commented almost on all the Scriptures He died at Paris 1400. Jo. Whethamstead was Abbot of St. Albans in the adorning of which Church he spent above 6000 pounds On the North side of the Church he set up the Statues of those Heathen Philosophers who had testified of the Incarnation of Christ Having written above 80 Treatises he died 1440. Jo. Bourchier Baron Berners of an Honourable Family whose ancient Seat was Tharfield in this County For his good Service in mauling Michael Joseph the Black-smith leader of the Cornish Rebells against K. Henry 7. 1496 he was made Chief Governour of Calis He translated many and wrote some Books He was the second Author the Lord Tiptoft being the first since the decay of Learning He died 1532. 'T is said the Berners Estate is descended to the Knyvets in Norf. Since the Reformation Th. Cartwright of St. Jo. Coll. in Cambridge whence he fled in Q. Maries time was Marg. Professor in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth He was the Champion of the Presbyterian Party He died An. 1603. Arthur Capel Esquire of Hadham was by Charles 1. created Baron 1641. After the surrender of Oxford he retired to his House from whence he went to Colchester His Loyalty to his Master was proof against all Batteries and Sollicitations of his Enemies He was beheaded 1648. Undaunted on the Scaffold Hence one alluding to his Arms a Lyon Ramp in a field G. betwixt 3 Crosses made these following Lines Thus Lyon-like Capel undaunted stood Beset with Crosses in a field of blood He wrote a
a Fight And hence forward the Sun of the Kings Cause declined versing more and more VVestward till at last it set in Cornwal and since after a long and dark night rose again by Gods goodness in the East when our Gracious Sovereign arrived at Dover Note that an 1607 there happened an Inundation by the irruption of the Severn-Sea which over-flowed this County almost 20 Miles in length and four in breadth though by Gods special Providence it drowned no more then 80 Persons BRISTOL BRistol or Bright-stow i. e. Illustrious Dwelling is divided by the River Avon and pleasantly Scituated on the Rising of a Hill The Buildings are fair and firm the Streets cleanly kept The City answereth its Name chiefly for having bred many Eminent Persons It is a Liberty of it self though it standeth both in Sommerset-shire and Glocester-shire There are Diamonds though somewhat dim produced at St. Vincents Rock near to this City Of Manufactures Gray Sope was anciently made only in this City As for Buildings Ratcliff-Church is the best Parish Church in England It was first Founded by Cannings first a Merchant then a Priest St. Augustines Church is better accommodated with publick Buildings about it for the See of the Bishop Under St. Vincents Rock on the VVest of the City there is St. Vincents Well the waters whereof run through some Mineral of Iron and are sovereign for sores and sicknesses being washt in or taken inwardly The Beer brewed thereof is wholsome against the Spleen If it should chance that the Crudity of the Waters trouble the Stomach there is a remedy in this City and that is Bristol Milk a Prov. or Sherry-Sack which the Courteous Inhabitants present to all Strangers when first visiting their City Martyrs Richard Sharp Th. Benion and Th. Hale were Martyred in this City in the dayes of Q. Mary whose Blood will be visited on account of Dalbye the Chancellour of this Diocess Jo. Holyman then Bishop of this City not having Persecuted any therein Prelates Ralph of Bristol born there and bred belike in the Covent of Glassenbury became Treasurer of St Pat. in Dublin then Bishop of Kildare He wrote the Life of Lawrance Arch-Bishop of Dublin and granted certain Indulgences to the Covent aforesaid He dyed 1232. Since the Reformation Tobias Matthew D. D. bred in Oxford became Bishop of Durham and at last of York He dyed 1628. See my Eccles Hist Seamen Hugh Eliot Merchant of this City the prime Pilot of our Nation in his Age first with the Assistance of Mr Thorn his Fellow Citizen found out New-found-Land though an 1527. before Virginia or any other English Plantation was conceived And note that no City in England London alone excepted hath in so short a time bred more brave and bold Seamen As for Eliot's discovery had it been as fortunate in publick Encouragement as private Industry probably before this time we had enjoyed the kernel of those Countries whose shell only we now possess VVriters Th. Norton a great Professor of Chymistry in the 7 Chap. of his Ordinal wrote the two following Lines of himself Thomas Norton of Briseto A perfect Master you may him trow The first Line whereof he modestly parted into the initial Syllables of several other Lines thereby obliging his Reader to become a perfect Master in Nominal Chymistry before he can extract the Golden Name of Norton He affirms of himself that being scarce 28 years of Age he learned the perfection of Chymistry in 40 dayes The spight is he complaineth that a Merchants Wife of Bristol stole from him the Elixir of Life Some suspect her to have been the Wife of VV. Cannings of whom before contemporary with Norton who started up to so great and sudden Wealth He is said to have undone himself and those who trusted him He dyed 1477. Jo. Spine D. D. in Oxford living under Edw. 4. left some Books to Posterity His sirname seems to be Latine which Englished is Thorn an ancient name in this City He was Provincial and Champion of the Carmelites through England Scotland and Ireland He laboured to make all believe that Christ was a Carmelite and Professor of wilfull Poverty by which he tacitly condemned the pomp of the Prelates Hereupon the Bishop of London his Diocesan cast him into Prison from whom he appealed to Paul II and went to Rome where he remained three years in close Prison then he was enlarged by 7 Cardinals to whom the business was referred Returning into London he was nominated Bishop of St. Dav. but never sat in that See He dyed 1â—86 W. Grocine an excellent Poet became publick Professor of the Greek Tongue in Oxford Erasmus owns him in his Epistles for his Patron and Master His Mistriss it seems having in a frolick pelted him with a Snow-ball he declared in a Poetical Rapture that that cold Meteor had made so great an addition to his Flame that it could not be quenched otherwise then by a reciprocal Affection Sola potes nostras extinguere Julia flammas Non nive non glacie sed potes igne pari He dyed an 1520. Romish Exile Writers Jo. Flower Printer skilful in Latine and Greek and a good Poet Orator and Divine wrote an Abridgment of Thomas his Summes the Translation of Osorius into English Having fled for his Religion he set up at Antwerp where he was serviceable to the Catholick Cause He dyed 1579. Benefactors to the Publick Robert Thorn a Merchant-Taylor in London gave more then 4445 pound to pious uses and to his Kindred 5142 pound He dyed a Batchelor 1532 and was buried in St. Christophers London Since the Reformation Mary Dale or Ramsey Daughter of William Dale became second Wife to Sir Thomas Ramsey Grocer and Lord Mayor of London 1577. She founded two Fellowships and two Scholarships in Peter-House in Cambridge on which she would have have setled 500 pounds per Annum on condition that it should be called the Colledge of Peter and Mary Dr. Soams then Master of the House refused affirming that Peter who so long lived single was now too old to have a Feminine Partner She dyed 1596 and lyeth buried in Christs-Church in London Thomas White D. D. was bred in Oxford and a Preacher in the Reign of Q. Eliz. He had one Cure of Souls but several dignities False was the Aspersion of his being an Usurer Besides Benefactions to Christs-Church and a Lecture in St. Pauls London he left 3000 pounds for the building of Sion-Colledge He built there also an Almshouse for twenty poor Folk allowing them yearly 6 pounds a piece and another at Bristol which is better endowed He dyed 1623. Mr. Jo. Simson Minister of St. Olaves Hart-street London perfected the aforesaid Colledge of Sion building the Gate-house with a fair Case for the Library and endowing it with 60 pounds per Annum Mr. Richard Grigson expended a great sum of Money in new casting of the Bells of Christs-Church in Bristol He paid 105 pounds for his reputed
Countries fail she plentifully feedeth them with Provision and is said to afford Corn enough to sustain all Wales Nor is she less happy in Cattle then Corn. II. Crogging Crogging The Original of this by word was in dayes of King Henry 2. who had many men slain by the Welsh at Croggen-Castle The English afterwards used it as a Provocative when they had the Welsh at an advantage It is now without cause uttered in disgrace of the Welsh though originally it was expressive of their Honour Prelates Guido de Mona that is of Anglesey was Bishop of St. Davids and Lord Treasurer of England under King Henry 4. though the Parliament moved that no Welshman should be a State Officer in England He dyed 1407. Arthur Bulkley Bishop of Bangor though bred Dr. of the Laws never read or forgot the Chapter de Sacrilegio for he spoyled the Bishoprick and sold the five Bells being so over-officious that he would go down to the Sea to see them Shipped He was suddenly deprived of his sight and dyed 1555. William Glyn D. D. bred in and Master of Queens-Colledge in Oxford was an 2. Mary preferred Bishop of Bangor An excellent Scholar being constant to his own and not cruel to opposite judgments he caused no persecution in his Diocess He dyed an 1. Elizabeth whose Brother Jeffrey Dr. of Laws built and endowed a Free School at Bangor Since the Reformation Rouland Merrick Dr. of Laws was born at Bodingan bred at Oxford where he became Principal of New-Inn-hall and afterwards a Dignitary in the Church of St. Davids He procured the imprisonment of Robert Ferrar his Diocesan in the dayes of King Edward 6. who was afterwards Martyred in the Reign of Queen Mary Mr. Merrick was Consecrated Bishop of Bangor an 2. Elizabeth 1559. He was Father to Sir Gilly Merrick Knight who lost his life for engaging with the Earl of Essex 1600. Lancelot Bulkley was born of a then Right Worshipful since Honourable Family one of whose fair Habitations is near Beumaris He was bred in Brazen-Nose-Colledge in Oxford and afterwards became first Arch-Deacon and then Arch-Bishop of Dublin October 3. 1619. Soon after he was made by King James one of his Privy Counsel in Ireland He dyed about 16. Seamen Madoc Son to Owen Gwineth ap Griffith ap Conan and Brother to Dav. Prince of North-Wales was born probably at Aberfraw then the principal Palace of their Royal residence He 1170. made a Voyage Westward and probably those names of Cape de Breton Norvinberg and Pengwin in part of the Northern America were Reliques of his discovery BRECKNOCK-SHIRE BRecknock-shire hath Radnor-shire on the North Cardigan and Carmarthen-shire on the West Glamorgan-shire on the South Hereford and Monmouth-shire on the East In length 28 and in breadth 20 miles The fruitfulness of the Vallies in this Shire maketh amends for the barrenness of the Mountains Brecknock the chief Town hereof doth at this present time afford the Title of an Earl to James Duke of Ormond the first that ever received that Dignity About 400 years since a Daughter of Gilb. and Maud Becket and Sister to Thomas Becket was by King Henry 2. bestowed in Marriage on one Butler an English Gentleman Him King Henry sent over into Ireland and endeavouring to expiate Beckets blood rewarded him with large Lands so that his Posterity were created Earls of Ormond In this County there is plenty of Otters in Brecknock Meer the Wool whereof is much used in making of Beavers As for Wonders 't is reported by Speed that Cloaks Hats and Staves cast down from the top of an Hill called Mouchy Denny or Cadier Arthur and the North-East Rocks would never fall but were with the air and wind still returned back and blown up again nor would any thing descend save a Stone or some metallin substance When the Meer Lynsavathan within two Miles of Brecknock hath her frozen Ice first broken it yields a thundering noyse and there is a Tradition that where that Meer spreadeth its waters stood a fair City till swallowed up by an Earthquake which is not improbable first because all the Highways of this County do lead thither secondly Ptolemy doth place in this Tract the City Loventrium which Mr. Cambden could not recover and therefore likely to be drown'd in this Pool the rather because Levenny is the name of the River running by it Saints St. Canoch Cadock Sons and Keyne Daughter to Braghan King builder and namer of Brecknock who had 24 Daughters all Saints though only St. Keyne survived flourished about 492. of whom St. Cadock is reported a Martyr and all had in high Veneration amongst the people of South-Wales St. Clintanke was King of Brecknock It happened that a Noble Virgin gave it out That she would never Marry any man except the said King who was so zealous a Christian A Pagan Souldier purposely to defeat her desire killed this King who left behind him the reputation of a Saint Prelates Giles de Bruse born at Brecknock was Son to William de Bruse Baron of Brecknock a prime Peer in his time This Giles became Bishop of Hereford and in the Civil Wars sided with the Nobility against King John on which account he was banished but at length returned and recovered the Kings favour His Paternal Honour and Inheritance was devolved upon him and from him after his death transmitted to his Brother Reginald who Married the Daughter of Leoline Prince of Wales His Effigies on his Tomb in Hereford Church holdeth a Steeple in his hand whence it is concluded that he built the Belfree of that Cathedral He dyed 1215. Since the Reformation Thomas Howel born at Nangamarch bred Fellow of Jesus-Colledge in Oxford became a most meek man and excellent Preacher His Sermons like the waters of Siloah did run softly gliding on with a smooth stream King Charles I. made him Bishop of Bristol He dyed 1646. leaving many Orphan Children behind him I have been told that the Honourable City of Bristol hath taken care for their comfortable Education Statesmen Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham set up King Richard on the Throne endeavouring afterwards in vain to depose him the King compassing him into his clutches through the treachery of Humphrey Banister the Dukes own Servant the Sheriff siezing him in Shrop-shire where he was digging of a Ditch in a disguise He was beheaded at Sarisbury without any Legal Tryal 1484. Memorable Persons Nesta Daughter to Gruffin Prince of Wales and Wife to Bernard of Newmarch a Noble Norman and Lord by Conquest of this County was an Harlot to a young Gentleman Mahel her Son having got this Stallion into his hands used him very hardly wherewith Nesta being madded came into open Court and on her Oath before King Henry 2. publickly protested that Mahel was none of Newmarch his Son but begotten on her in Adultery This if true spake her dishonesty if false her perjury true or false her Peerless impudency Hereby she disinherited Mahel