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 30. 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 nowa 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 Cantilupe 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 death bed he was touched with true remorse for his disloyalty and obtained Absolution He dyed February 1â—…67 whom I behold as Uncle to Thomas the Sainted Bishop of Heresord 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 forcing Rubbish into its own Channel which shall render the waters thereof impenetrable by the Eye and ungrateful to the Palate His Book is prohibited by his Holiness whilst the lying Legend is permitted to be read without controul If Jeffrey be guilty of mistakes they are such as make not for the Popes advantage He was Bishop of St. Asaph and flourished 1152. Thomas of Monmouth wrote an History of St. William the Child that was Crucified by the Jews in Norwich in hatred of our Saviour He flourished 1160. under King Henry 2. Benefactors to the Publick AMP. Henry Plantagenet first Duke of Lancaster was born in Monmouth Castle the chief Seat of his Barony He is commonly Sirnamed the Wry neck and by others more rightfully the good Duke of Lancaster He was Head of the Guild of Corpus-Christi in Cambridge and the first Founder of a Colledge so called in that University Indeed the Land was little he conferred thereon but great the Countenance of so eminent
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 Haâ—…ch 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 beâ—…ring 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 Mullet 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 Second CHAP. XVII Of the Alterations and Variations of Surnames SUrnames of Families have been altered and new Names assumed chiefly for Conceâ—…lment in time of Civil
Scholar and Exquisite Linguist his Modesty setting the greater Lustre on 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 became 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 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. â—… 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 Canavan Edw. Bulstrod Ar. Whose Arms are Ancient 〈◊〉 S. a Buckhead Ar. attired O. shot the Nose with and Arrow of the 3. headed and featherd of the 2. a Cross pâ—…tee fitchee betwixt the attire O. Hen. Longvile Ar. Had to his 4th 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 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 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 Redfordshire 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 others in 6 pence in the Bushel The late draining of the North part of the County was not very grateful to the poor knowing that it is Felony to take another
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 slourished about 1513. 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 Languages of which he wrote his Enquiries He maintained against Mr. Byfield That we are not bound to a Jewish exactness in the observation 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. Undershaft 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 seed 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 Ambergreese not engrossed here but casually found by small parcels of which the best greatest and last quantity that ever this Age did behold was found on the Coasts of this County An. 3. Car. I. in the Mannor of Anthony
Convent besides Homilies He flourished An. 1284. Will. Lillie born at Odiam Mr. of St. Pauls School wrote a Lat. Grammer revised by Erasmus He flourished An. 1522. Will. Alton a Dominican in his Sermons avouched the Blessed Virgin tainted with Original Sin He flourished An. 1330. Since the Reformation Mich. Reneger bred in Oxf. wrote a Book in defence of Ministers Marriage Th. Sternhold was Servant to H. 8. and a Legatee in his Will by which 100 Marks were left to him as Groom of the Robes He was also one of the Bed-Chamber to E. 6. He Translated 37 Psalms into English Meeter which with the rest have been called by some Geneva Giggs and 't is no wonder Libellous Verses or Songs were made on the Translaters of the Psalms seeing Drunkards made them on David the Author thereof He dyed An. 1549 before the Reign of Queen Ma. Dav. Whitehead bred in Oxf. fled in the days of Queen Ma. into Frankford where he was in great esteem In the Reign of Queen Eliz. he refused the Arch-bishoprick of Cant. out of a desire of Privacy and the Master-Ship of Hospital of the Savoy which had he been disaffected to the Government he might have accepted without Subscription but would not affirming he could live plentifully on the Preaching of the Gospel Being a great Divine he was chosen 1. Eliz. one of the Disputants against the Popish Bishops His many Books extant testify his Learning and Religion When the Queen told him She loved him the better because he was unmarried In truth Madam said he with a Conscientious Bluntness I love you the worse because you are unmarried He dyed An. Dom. 1571. Nich. Fuller Minister of Allington was an Excellent Linguist and his Books found good regard beyond the Seas where they were reprinted Drusius charged him for being his Plagiary tho Mr. Fuller had never seen any of his Works He was Eminent for his Humility and dyed 1626. Th. James born in the Isle of Wight D. D. and Keeper of the Library in Oxf. was a Member of the Convocation held with the Parl. of Oxf. 1 Car. where he made a Motion that some might be Commissioned to peruse the Manuscript Fathers in all English Libraries for detecting Popish Editions He was Sub-Dean of Wells and dyed 1628. Ch. Butler wrote a Book of Musick an English Grammer and a Treatise of Bees whence were made these Lines Aut a Consiliis Apibus Butlere fuisti Aut a Consiliis est Apis ipsd tuis He was a Pious Man painful Preacher and solid Divine Witness his Book of the Marriage of Cousen Germans approved by Dr. Prideaux He dyed about 1640. Romish Exile Writers Rich. White born at Basingstoak proceeded Dr. of the Laws in Padua were he was afterwards Regius Professor He wrote amongst other Books a British and English History He was made Priest and was alive at Doway 1611. Jo. Pits D. D. born near Alton after much Writing and Travelling was Confessor to the Dutchess of Cleve One Book of his de Illustribus Augliae Scriptoribus survived him having caused all the rest to be Buried with himself And because that single Book Treated of a Subject handled by many he with his Base sets off this Treble viz. Pits the Drone Leland the Bee and Bale the Wasp make up Three He was at first Nephew to Sanders and at last Dean of Liverdune in Lorrain where he dyed 1616. Benefactors since the Reformation Sir Will. Doddington Sher. of this County An. 3. Jac. restored to the Church the Impropriations which be held The Almighty God Polished him with the sharp Instruments of Affliction He dyed about 1638. Jos Diggons a Dutch-man lived at Whetham became Barrester and by his Will bequeathed to Clare-hall in Camb. where he had been bred his Real Estate to the value of 130 l. per An. for the founding of Fellowships c. He dyed 1658. Memorable Persons One at Stockbridge made a Plough which drawn by Dogs and managed by one Man could Till in one Day nigh an Acre of Light-ground in this County But these were brought up to their Trade I have heard of a Race of Beagles about Portsmouth that were Artists in hunting of Moles tho they had never served an Apprentiship Note that H. Ep. Winton Cardinalis Anglia An. 1445. was Son of Jo. of Gaunt and the Popes Legate or General who led an Army into Bohemia Hertford-Shire HErtford-Shire is so called from Hertford the chief City therein which gives a Hart c for its Arms it hath Essex on the E. Middlesex on the S. Buckingham on the W. Bedford and Cambridge on the N. and is almost a Square of 20 Miles The Garden of England for Delight The Soyle tho fittest for a crop of Wood bears good Grain Of Buildings 1. Theobalds once in greatest Credit was built by Sir William Cecil Lord Treasurer of England and by his Son exchanged with K. James for 2. Hatfield-house which was at first the Bishops of Ely then the Kings afterwards the Earls of Salisbury and is inferior to none in England being proud of the adjoyning Vineyard the English Tempe Of Medicinal Waters there is one Well near Barnet that springs from Allomveins The Water coagulateth Milk and the Curd thereof is an excellent Plaister for green Wounds Proverbs 1. Hertford-shire clubs and clouted Shoon 2. Hertford Hedge-hogs Whereof there is plenty in this County whose nudling on the Earth may serve as a Metaphor for Covetousness 3 Hertford-shire â—…inâ—…ness This is taken for a mutual return of Favours Princes William Second Son of K. E. 3. was born at Hatfield An. 9. E. 3. 1335. and died within a few days after Edmund of Langley Fifth Son to E. 3. was created Earl of Cambridge An. 36. E. 3. and Duke of York An. 9. R. 2. He married Isabel Daughter and Coheir of Peter K. of Castile and they lye buried at Langley together He had Richard Duke of York to his eldest and died An. 1402. Edmund of Haddam Son to Q. Katherine by Owen Theodor half-brother to H. 6. and Father to H. 7. was solemnly created Earl of Richmond at Reading An. 31. H. 6. He died 1456. 'T is said the fair Cathedral of St Davids was spared in the days of H. 8. for the Monument of this Prince which was in the Quire as the Church of Peterborough was saved by the Corps of Q. Katherine Dowager Others say the Earl was buried at Carmarthen Saints St. Alban 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
dat qui justa negat For which he suffered He wrote an excellent Book of the difference of the Ages of Man Jo. Harrington Knight had a fair Estate at Kelston near Bath was Master of St. John's Colledge and afterwards one of the most ingenious Poets of the English Nation witness his Translation of Orlando Furioso out of Italian c. Being at an Ordinary in Bath with some Gentlemen of greater Estates than himself the Maid that waited at Table attended him with a particular observance and being demanded the reason 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 He made an Addition to Bishop Godwins Catalogue of Bishops He lest a fair Estate to a Learned and Religious Son and dyed about the middle of the Reign of K. James His Father suffered Imprisonment and lost One Thousand Pound for carrying a Letter to the Lady afterward Queen Eliz. from whom his Mother was sequestred as an Heretick and all by Gardiner's means Samuel Daniel born near Taunton was an exquisite Poet and a Judicious Historian witness his Lives of the English Kings since the Conqueror untill Edw. 3. He was servant in Ordinary to Q. Anne In his old Age he rented a Farm in VVilt-shire and dyed about the end of K. James Humphrey Sidenham born at Dalverton of an Ancient and Worshipful Family was bred a Fellow in Wadham Colledge So eminent a Preacher that he was commonly called Silver-tongued Sidenham He wrote learned Sermons of which that called the Athenian Babler was most remarkable He dyed 1650. Romish Exile Writers Jo. Gibbon leaving the Land was by Pope Greg. 13. made Canon in the Church of Bonn he was afterwards Rector of the Jesuits-Colledge in Triers He wrote a Book in which he endeavoured to prove that the Pope was not Antichrist He dyed 1589. Rob. Person bred in Oxford whence he was expelled for his Viciousness went to Rome whence he returned with Campian to preserve this Nation 1589. Some of his own party offended with his ill-nature intended to resign him to the Queens Officers He was Satyrical and so much of a Politician as to provide for his own safteâ—…y who would look on direct give ground abet on other Mens hands but never plaid so as to adventure himself into England He wrote a shrewd Book of the Succession to the English Crown setting it forth under the Name of Dolman He had an Authoritative influence on all the English Catholicks He was 23 years Rector of the Colledge at Rome where he dyed 1610. Jo. Fen born at Montacute and Batchelour of the Laws in Oxford fled into Flanders thence into Italy whence returning he fixed at Lovain He wrote many and Translated more books and dyed 1613. Note there lived a rigid Non-Conformist of his Sirname about Coventry who in his latter Will and Testament rail'd against the Hierarchy Jo. Collington bred in Oxford was taken with Campian and Condemned but being Reprieved after some Travel he advanced his Religion in England for 30 years together He was alive 1611. Benefactors to the Publick The Lady Mohun obtained from her Husband Jo. Lord Mohun of Dunstor so much ground for the Commons of the Town of Dunstor as she could in one day compass about going on her naked Feet She dyed as is conjectured in the Reign of Hen. 5. Since the Reformation Nich. Wadham of Merrifieild Esq having great length in his Extraction breadth in his Estate and depth in his Liberality Marryed Dorothy Daughter to the Secretary Sister to the first Lord Peters His Hospital house was an Inn at all times a Court at Christmas This worthy Pair being Issuless Erected the Colledge of VVadham in Oxford His Estate after his Death descended to Strangwayes Windham VVhitt c. He was buried in the Church of Ilminster Phil. Biss of a worthy Family at Spargrave Commenced D. D. in Magdalens-Colledge in Oxford and was Arch-Deacon of Taunton He bequeathed his Library consisting of so many Folio's as were valued at One Thousand Pound to VVadham-Colledge then newly Founded One Epitaph made on him begins Bis suit hic natus c. in allusion to his Name He dyed about 1614. Memorable Persons Sir Jo. Champneis born at Chew bred Skinner in London and Lord Mayor thereof 1535. was the first private Man who in his house next Cloth-VVorkers Hall built a Turret to oversee his Neighbours in the City which delight in his Eye was punished with blindness some years before his Death Tho. Coriat born at Odcombe and bred in Oxford A great Grecian carried Folly which the Charitable call Merriment in his Face and had a Head in form like an inverted Sugar-loaf He lay alwayes in his Cloaths to save both labour and charge in shifting Prince Henry allowed him a Pension and kept him for his Servant Sweet-meats and Coriat made up the last course at all Entertainments being the Courtiers An. vil to try their Wits upon sometimes he returned the Hammers as hard knocks as he received His Book called Coriat's Crudities is not altogether useless Being hardy he undertook to travel on foot to the East-Indies and dyed in the midst of his Journey Noted Sheriffs An. 14. Jo. Paulet Arm. an Accomplisht Gentleman and bountiful House-keeper was by King Charles I. Created Baron Paulet of Hinton St. George in this County whose Right Honourable Son and Heir Jo. Lord Paulet now succeedeth in that Barony Modern Battles The Skirmish at Martials-Elm 1642. made much noise in Mens Ears a Musket gave a greater report then a Canon since and is conceived to have first broken the Peace of the Nation As for the Encounter at Lang-Port where the Kings Forces under the Lord Goring were defeated July 12 1645 it was rather a Flight than 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
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 Essigies 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 porjury true or false her Peetless impudency Hereby she disinherited Mahel and setled a vast Territory on Sybil her sole Daughter Married afterwards to Milo Earl of Hereford Note that when Mr. Speed in pursuance of his Description of England passed this County 8 persons who had been Bayliffs of Brecknock gave him courteous entertainment CARDIGAN-SHIRE CArdigan-shire is washed on the West with the Irish Sea and parted from Merioneth-shire by the River Dovi from Brecknock-shire by Tovy and on the South from Carmarthen and Pembroke-shire by Tyvy Being in form like a Horn wider towards the North and has a Cornu-copia universal plenty This County though remotest to England was soonest reduced to the English Dominion as being nearer to the Sea which afforded a more convenient passage to the English who were potent in Shipping and invaded this County in the Reign of VVilliam Rufus and Henry 1. bestowed the same entirely upon VVilliam de Clare In former times plenty of Bevers did breed in the River Tyvy in this County Proverbs I. Talaeth Talaeth that is Fine Fine