whole year without any renewing after the Inter-Regnum Objection Such persons had better been omitted whereof many were little better then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though by good fortune they have loaded themselves with Thick clay and will be but a burden in your Book to the Readers thereof Answer All Wise men will behold them under a better Notion as the Pregnant proofs of the truth of 2. Proverbs not contradictory but confirmatory one to another Prov. 10. 22. Prov. 10. 4. The Blessing of the Lord maketh Rich. The hand of the Diligent maketh Rich. The one as the principal the other as the Instrumental cause and both meeting in the persons aforesaid For though some of them were the Younger Sons of Worshipful and Wealthy Parents and so had good Sums of Money left them Yet being generally of mean extraction They raised themselves by Gods Providence and their own Painfulness The City in this Respect being observed like unto a Court where Elder Brothers commonly spend and the younger gain an Estate But such Lord Maiors are here inserted to quicken the Industry of Youth whose Parents are only able to send them up to not to set them up in London For whaâ—… a comfort is it to a poor Apprentice of that City to see the Prime Magistrate thereof Riding in his Majoralibus with such Pomp and Attendance which another day may be his hap and happiness Objection It commeth not to the share of one in twenty thousand to attain to that Honour and it is as impossible for every poor Apprentice in process of time to prove Lord Maior as that a Minum with long living mould become a Whale Answer Not so the later is an utter Impossibility as debarred by nature being Fishes of several kinds Whereas there is a Capacity in the other to arive at it which puts hopes the only Tie which keeps the heart from breaking into the hearts of all of the attainablenesse of such preferment to themselves Doctor Hutton Arch-bishop of York when he came into any Great Grammar School which he did constantly visit in his visitations was wont to say to the young Scholars Ply your Books Boys ply your Books for Bishops are old men and surely the possibility of such dignity is a great Encouragement to the Endévours of Students Lord Maiors being generally aged and always but Annual soon make Room for Succession whereby the Indevours of all Freemen in Companies are incouraged But if they should chance to fall short as unable to reach the Home of Honour I mean the Majoralty it self yet if they take up their Lodgings at Sheriffe Alderman and Common-Councellour with a good Està tè they will have no cause to complain I confess some Counties in our ensuing Discourse will appear Lord-Maior-less as Cumberland Dorset-shire Hant-Shire c. However though hitherto they have not had hereafter they may have Natives advanced to that Honour and it may put a lawful Ambition into them to contend who shall be their Leader and who should first of those Shires attain to that Dignity As lately Sir Richard Cheverton Skinner descended I assure you of a right antient and worshipful Family was the first in Cornwall who opened the Dore for others no doubt to follow after him Nor must it be forgotten that many have been Lord-Maiors Mates though never rémembred in their Catalogues viz. Such who by Fine declined that Dignity and as I am glad that some will Fine that so the Stock of the Chamber of London may be increased so am I glad that some will not fine that so the State of the City of London may be maintained I begin the observing of their Nativities from Sir William Sevenoke Grocer Lord Maior 1418. For though there were Lord Maiors 200. years before yet their Birth-places generally are unknown It was I confess well for me in this particular that Mr. Stow was born before me being herein the Heir of Endevours without any pain of my own For knowing that Cuilibet Artifici in sua Arte est credendum I have followed him and who him continued till the year 1633. at what time their Labours do determine Since which Term to the present year I have made the Catalogue out by my own Inquiry and friends Intelligence To speak truth to their due praise one may be generally directed to their Cradles though by no other Candle then the Light of their good works and Benefactions to such places CHAP. XIV A Catalogue of all the Gentry in ENGLAND made in the Reign of King HENRY the Sixth why inserted in our Book AFter we have finished the Catalogue of the worthy Natives of every Shire We present the Reader with a List of the Gentry of the Land sollemnly returned by select Commissioners into the Chancery thence into the Records in the Tower on this occasion The Commons in Parliament complained that the Land then swarmed with Pilours â—…obbers Oppressers of the People Man-stealers Fellons Outlaws Ravishers of Women Unlawful Haunters of Forrests and Parks c. Whereupon it was ordered for the suppressing of present and preventing of future mischeifs that certain Commissioners should be impowered in every County to summon all persons of Quality before them and tender them an Oath for the better keeping of the Peace and observing the Kings Laws both in themselves and Retainers Excuse me Reader if I be bold to inâ—…pose my own Conjecture who conceive what ever was intended to palliate the Businesse The Principal Intent was to detect and suppress such who favoured the Title of York which then began to be set on foot and afterwards openly claimed and at last obtained the Crown 2. Even-done Of the method general used in this Catalogue The first amongst the Commissioners is the Bishop of their Diocesse put before any Earl partly because he was in his own Diocesse partly because giving of Oaths their proper work was conceived to be of Spiritual cognisance Besides the Bishop when there were three as generally Commissioners the first of them was either an Earl or at least though often intituled but Chivaler an Actual Baron as will hereafter appear And which will acquaint us partly with the Peerage of the Land in that Age. Next follow those who were Knights for the Shire in the Parliament foregoing and if with the addition of Chivaler or Miles were Knights by dubbing before of that their Relation All Commissioners expressed not equal Industry and Activity in prosecution of their trust For besides the natural Reasons that in all Affairs some will be more rigorous some more Remiss by their own Temper some more some less fancyed their Imployment insomuch as we find some Shires 1. Over done as Oxford and Cambridge-Shires whose Catalogues are too much allayed descending to persons of meaner quality 2. Even done as generally the most are where the Returns bear a competent proportion to the Populousness and numerousnesse of the Counties 3. Under done as Shropshire York-shire Northumberland c. where
Perin in Cornwall The Angel Gabriel was very much beholding to him for instituting an Annual Festival unto Him observed as I humbly conceive only in his own Cathedral or own Diocesse at the most and least people shoâ—…ld complain of the dearnesse of their Devotion he left good Land to defray the cost of that Solemnity He is much blamed for compassing the Mannour of Bishops-Clift to his Church by indirect means to which I can say nothing but only observe that this small City within eighty Years did afford three eminent Prelates whereof two Episcopi in Patria the Natives thereof which will scarcely be paralell'd in any Place of the same proportion He died Anno 12. Writers JOSEPHUS ISCANUS was born at this City anciently called Isca from the River Isk now named Eske running thereby A golden Poâ—…t in a leaden Age so terse and elegant were his Conceipts and expressions This our English Maro had for his Mecenas Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury But I revoke my words and desire to turn Maro into Cornelius Nepos under whose name the Dutch-men have lately printed a Poem made by this Josephus debello Trojano It soundeth much to a Mans honour even to be mistaken for another Man of eminency for though there may be much of error in the mistake there must be something of truth in the error especially with the judicious Yea in such case a general conformity betwixt the Persons is not enough to build the mistake on without some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as here the affinity of phrase and fancy betwixt these two Poets This 〈◊〉 Nepos under whose name the Poems of this Josephus were printed flourished in the time of Tully Indeed I finde not any Poems made by him though having to that purpose perused all Scaliger de Arte 〈◊〉 as a most probable Authour But most sure it is that this Cornâ—…lius was most judicious in that Art because Valerius Catullus dedicated his Poem unto him as best able to pâ—…sse a learned censure thereon this Josephus Iscanus flourished under King John Anno 1210 being Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux I have nothing more to observe of him save what with the Readers pardon I cannot omit viz. that this Josephus alwayes minded me of another Josephus Iscanus I mean Joseph Hall lately Bishop of Exeter a witty Poet when young a painfull Preacher and solid Divine in his middle a patient Sufferer in his old age of whom God willing more in due place WILLIAM of Exeter was born in this City bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and afterwards became 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 in the place of his nativity Now in his age fome Franciscan Friers so praised the perfectiou of Poverty that they touched the Popes Coppy-hold of Inheritance For if Poverty was so essential to Piety Papal pomp and plenty must needs argue prophaneness In confutation hereof this William of Exeter undertook William of Ockam though indeed impar congressus betwixt them for Exeter a fair City did not more exceed Ockam a smal village in Surrey in beauty and building than that Ockam William excelled this Exeter William in parts and Learning however what he wanted in brains he had in a good back to assist him and William of Exeter with John the three and twentieth Pope of Rome was able to undertake any Authour of that age He flourished in the Year of our Lord 1330. under the Raign of King Edward the third Since the Reformation RICHARD MARTYN was born in this City and bred partly in the Court partly in the Inns of Court and at last â—…etook himself to the Study of the Law He was accounted one of the highest Witts of our Age and his Nation King James being much delighted with his facetiousnesse a quality which with other of his Abilities commended him to be chosen Recorder of London He is eminent as for many Speeches so especially for that he made in Parliament in the tenth year of King James when account was taken of Forty Gentlemen in the House which were not twenty and some of them not sixteen years of age Formerly said this Râ—…order Martyn it was the custome of Old men to make Lawes for Young ones But now Nature is invaded and inverted seeing Young men enact Lawes to govern their Fathers He had an excellent Pen and wrote very much and the more the pitty that they are suppressed from publick use his death happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM MARTIN Kinsman to the aforesaid Recorder was born in this City and bred a Student in the Lawes of the Land He wrote a short and clear of the Kings of England since the conquest I have been credlbly informed that King James took some exceptions at a Passage therein sounding either to the derogation of his own Family or of the Scotch Nation which he took so tenderly that Mr. Martin was brought into trouble for the same and though he wethered out the Kings displeasure and was reconciled to his Majesty yet he never râ—…covered his former chearfulnesse It seems that a Princes Anger is a disease which though cured is not cured grief for the same being conceived to hasten his death which happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM TUCKER was born in this City bred fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford and after became Doctor in Divinity Canon of Sarisbury Arch-deacon of Barnstable and Dean of Lichfield The purity of his Latine Pen procured his preferment writing and dedicating a Book to Queen Elizabeth de Charismate of our Kings of England their gracious healing the Evil being the best that I have seen on that Subject vindicating such cures from all imposture unlawfull Magick and from some French Writers bold usurpations who lay claim to it as originally belonging to their Kings alone Whereas under correction I conceive that the word Soveraign which properly importeth the Supream Majesty doth also in our English Tongue in a secondary sence signiâ—…ie what is cordial to cure and heal Diseases or sores ever since such sanative power hath been annexed to the Crown of England This Doctor may be said to have worn half a Miter seeing his Congee de-lire was signed if not sent to elect him Bishop of Glocester but afterwards by Order fâ—…om King James it was revoked on what occasion I list not to enquire I conjecture the date of his death was much about the Year 1617. JOHN BARKHAM born in this City was bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford whereof he was Fellow Chaplain afterwards to Archbishop Bancroft and Parson of Bocking in Essex Much his Modesty and no lesse his Learning who though never the publique Parent of any was the carefull Nurse of many Books who otherwise had expired in their Infancy had not his care preserved them He set forth D. Crackenchorp his Posthume Book against Spalato and was helpfull to John Speed in the composing of his English History yea he wrote the whole Life of the Raign of King John which is the King of all the
under K. Henry the seventh Anno 1490. Since the Reformation RICHARD STOCK was born in this City bred Scholar of the house in Saint Johns-Colledge in Cambridge and designed Fellow of sidney though not accepting thereof He was afterwards Minister of All hallows Bredstreet in London by the space of thirty two years till the day of his death Where if in health he omitted not to Preach twice every Lords day with the approbation of all that were Judicious and Religious No Minister in England had his Pulpit supplyed by fewer Strangers Doctor Davenant afterwards Bishop of Sarum whose father was his parishioner was his constant Auditor while lying in London His Preaching was most profitable Converting many and Confirming more in Religion so that appearing with Comfort at the Day of Judgement he might say behold I and the Children that God hath given me He was zealous in his life a great Reformer of prophanations on the Sabbath prevailing with some companies to put off their wonted Festivalls from Mundays to Tuesdays that the Lords-day might not be abused by the preparation for such entertainments Though he preached oft in neighbouring Churches he never neglected his own being wont to protest That it was more Comfortable to him to win one of his own Parish then twenty others Preaching at Saint Pauls Cross when young it was ill taken at his mouth that he reproved the inequality of Rates in the City burdening the Poor to ease the Rich and he was called a Green head for his pains But being put up in his latter days to preach on the Lord Mayors Election and falling on the same subject He told them That a Gray head spake now what a Green-head had said before He dyed Aprill 20. Anno Domini 1626. with a great lamentation of all but especially of his Parishioners Memorable Persons JOHN LEPTON of York Esquire servant to King James undertook for a wager to ride six days together betwixt York and London being sevenscore and ten miles stylo vetere as I may say and performed it accordingly to the greater praise of his strength in acting then his discretion in undertaking it He first set forth from Aldersgate May 20. being Munday Anno Domini 1606. and accomplished his journey every day before it was dark A thing rather memorable then commendable many maintaining that able and active bodies are not to vent themselves in such vain though gainfull ostentation and that it is no better then tempting Divine Providence to lavish their strength and venture their lives except solemnly summoned thereunto by just necessity Lord Mayors Expect not Reader that under this Title I should present thee with a list of the Lord Mayors of this City born therein Onely to make this part conformable to the rest of my book know that I find one Native of this City Lord Mayor of London viz. Name Father Place Company Time 1 Martin Bowes Thomas Bowes York Goldsmith 1545 The Farewell To take our leaveof this Loyall City I desire that some Lucrative Trade may be set up therein to repair her former losses with advantage Mean time I rejoyce that the Archiepiscopat See is restored thereunto not despairing but that in due time if the Supream Authority adjudge it fit the Court of the Presidency of the North may be re-erected therein presuming the Country will be Eased and City Inriched thereby as the Loadstone which will atract much Company and by consequence Commodity thereunto Let me adde I am informed that Sir Thomas Widdrington a person accomplished in all Arts as well as in his own Profession of the Laws hath made great Progress in his Exact Description of this City Nor doe I more congratulate the happiness of York coming under so Able a Pen then Condole my own Infelicity whose unsuccessfull attendance hitherto could not compass speech with this worthy Knight Sure I am when this his work is set forth then indeed YORK SHALL BE what a City most compleatly Illustrated in all the Antiquities and Remarkables thereof FINIS THE PRINCIPALITY OF WALES PSAL. 95. 4 5. In his hand are the deep places of the Earth the strength of the Hills is his also The Sea is his and he made it PROV 27. 25 26. The herbs of the Mountains are gathered The Lambs are for thy clothing and the Goats are the price of thy fields A NECESSARY PREFACE TO THE READER IT bare a debate in my serious consideration whether a Totall Omission or Defective Description of this Principality were to be preferred finding my self as Unable to do it Exactly as Unwilling to Pretermit it For First I never was in VVales and all know how necessary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to accurateness herein Secondly I understand not their Language and cannot go to the Cost nor dare take the State of having an Interpreter King James was wont pleasantly to say that he cared not though he was poor himself so long as his Subjects were Rich as confident he could command their wealth on good conditions and a just occasion But indeed it matters not how meanly skil'd a Writer is so long as he hath Knowing and Communicative Friends my happiness in England who here am quite destitute of such assistance However on the other side a Totall Omission seemed very unhandsome to make a Cypher of this Large Principality Besides England cannot be well described without VVales such the Intimacy of Relation betwixt them three of our English Kings being born and many of Our Prime Atchievments being acted in VVales Wherefore I resolved to endeavour my utmost in the description thereof though sadly sensible in my self that my desires were as high as a Mountain but my performances would fall as low would they were half so fruitfull as the Vallies And here I humbly desire that the many faults by me committed may be like a Ball cast down and deaded on a soft Floor even to be buried in my own weakness to my own shame without the least Ripling or Rebounding to the disgrace of the VVelsh Country or Nation And my hope and desire is that these my weak pains will provoke others of more Ability to substitute a more Exact Description in the room thereof I had rather the Reader should take the name of that worthy Knight from Master Camden then from me who designing to build according to the Italian Mode of Architecture plucked down a good and convenient English-house preposterously destroying the one and never finished the other I hope the Reader will not be so uncharitable I will not say undiscreet but will allow our grains a subsistence till they will willingly vanish at the substitution of another In Doubtfull Nativities of Worthy Persons betwixt England and Wales I have not call'd for a sword to divide the controverted Child betwixt the two Mothers but have wholy resigned it to VVales partly out of desire of quietness not engage in a contest partly because I conceived England might better spare then
resumption thereof by Undertakers of as able Brains and Purses but more patience than the former as a hopeful fore-runner of better successe BRECKNOCK-SHIRE BRECKNOCK-SHIRE hath Radnor shire on the North Cardigan and Carmarthen-shires on the West 〈◊〉 shire on the South Hereford and Monmouth-shires on the East the length thereof being adjudged twenty eight the 〈◊〉 thereof twenty miles My Author saith that this County is not greatly to be praised or disliked of with which his Character the Natives thereof have no cause to be well pleased or much offended The plain truth is the fruitfulnesse of the Vallies therein maketh plentiful amends for the barrennesse of the Mountains and it is high time to give a check to the vulgar errour which falsely reporteth this County the worst in Wiles let it 〈◊〉 for me to say this is not it and which is it let others determine Nor doth it sound a little to the credit of this County that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chiefe Town thereof doth at this present afford the title of an Eartl to James Duke of Ormond the first that ever received that Digniry Above four hundred years since a Daughter of Gilbert and Maud Becket and Sister to Tho. Becket was by King Henry the second bestowed in marriage on one Butler an English Gentleman Him King Henry sent over into Ireland and endeavouring to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blood rewarded him wâ—…th large lands so that his posterity were created Earls of Ormond Now therefore we have cause to congratulate the return of this noble Family iâ—…to their Native Country of England and wish unto them the encrease of all 〈◊〉 therein Natural Commoditiâ—…s Otters Plenty of these Lutrae in Latine in Brecknock-meer A Creature that can dig and dive resident in the two clements of Earth and Water The 〈◊〉 where hee bites maketh his Teeth to mâ—…et and the Otter leaves little distance betwixt them He is as destructive to Fish as the VVoolf to Sheep See we here more is required to make fine Flesh than to have fine Feeding the Flesh of the Otter from his innate rankness being nought though his Diet be dainty I have seen a reclaimed Otter who in a quarter of an houre would present his Master with a brace of Carps Otter-VVooll is much used in the making of Beavers As Physicians have their Succedanea or Seconds which well supply the place of such Simples which the Patient cannot procure so the Otter is often in stead of the Bever since the BeaverTrade is much wasted in the West Indies their remnant retiring high into the Country and being harder to be taken Yea Otter-wooll is likely dayly to grow dearer if Prime Persons of the weaker Sex which is probable resume the wearing of Hais Brecknock-shire equalling her Neighbours in all General Commodities exceedeth them in Wonders In the Air. He that relateth Wonders walketh on the edge of an house if he be not careful of his footing down falls his credite this shall make me exact in using my Authors words informed by credible persons who had experimented it That their Cloaks Hats and Staves cast down from the top of an Hill called Mounch-denny or Cadier Arthur and the North-East Rock thereof 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 metalline substance No wonder that these should descend because besides the magnetical quality of the Earth their forcing of their way down is to be imputed to their united and intended gravity Now though a large cloak is much heavier than a little stone yet the weight thereof is diffused in several parts and fluttering above all of them are supported by the Clouds which are seen to rack much lower than the top of the Hill But now if in the like trial the like repercussion be not found from the toppes of other Mountains in Wales of equal or greater height we confesse our selves at an absolute losse and leave it to others to beat about to find a satisfactory answer Let me adde that waters in Scripture are divided into waters above and waters under the Firmament by the former men generally understand since the interpretation thereof relating to Coelum Aqueum is exploded by the judicious the water ingendred in the Clouds If so time was when the waters beneath were higher than the waters above namely in Noahs flood when the waters prevailed fifteen Cubits above the tops of the Mountains In the Water When the Meer Llynsavathan lying within two miles of Brecknock hath her frozen Ice first broken it maketh a monstrous noise to the Astonishment of the hearers not unlike to Thunder But till we can give a good cause of the old Thunder and the power of his Thunder who can understand we will not adventure on the disquisition of this new one In the Earth Reader pardon me a word of Earthquakes in general Seneca beholds them most terrible because most unavoidable of all earthly dangers In other frights Tempest Lightning Thunder c. we shelter our selves in the bowels of the Earth which here from our safest refuge become our greatest danger I have learned from an able * Pen that the frequency and fearfulnesse of Earthquakes gave the first occasion to that passage in the Letany From sudden death good Lord deliver us Now to VVales The Inhabitants of this County have a constant Tradition that where now the Meer Llynsavathan spreadeth its waters stood a fair City till swallowed up by an Earthquake which is not improbable First because all the High-ways of this County do lead thither and it is not likely that the Loadstone of a bare Lake should attract so much Confluence Secondly Ptolomy placeth in this Tract the City Loventrium which all the care of Master Cambden could not recover by any ruines or report thereof and therefore likely to be drowned in this Poole The rather because Levenny is the name of the River râ—…nning through it Saints Saint KEYNE CANOCH CADOCK The first of these was a Woman here put highest by the curtesie of England the two later Men all three Saints and children to Braghan King builder and namer of Brecknock This King had four and twenty Daughters a jolly number and all of them Saints a greater happinesse though of them all the name onely of Saint Keyne surviveth to posterity Whether the said King was so fruitful in Sons and they as happy in Saintship I do not know onely meeting with these two Saint Canoch and Saint Cadock whereof the later is reported a Martyr all flourishing about the year of our Lord 492. and had in high veneration amongst the people of South-VVales I know not whether it be worth the reporting that there is in Cornwall near the Parish of St. Neots a Well arched over with the robes of four kinds of Trees VVithy Oak Elm and Ash dedicated to Saint Keyne aforesaid The reported vertue of
dispositions Many faults must be confessed in such Foundations which for the future may be amended But grant corruptions should continue in such foundations it is not plea enough for their abolition If the sentence of condemnation was pronounced on those who saw Christ naked and would not* cloth him how heavy a doome will fall on such who found Christ clothed and stript him in his poor Members of endowments given to their maintenance Here let me recommend some choice Charity to bountiful Hearts and plentiful Estates It were arrant presumption for any to imprison freedome it self and confine anothers Bounty by his own pretended Discretion Let the charitably minded do what when where how to whom and how much God and their own goodnesse shall direct them However it will not be amisse humbly to represent unto them the following considerations The rather because many well affected to the publick good have lately been disheartned with the frustrations of former Charity First for the time it is best to do it whilest they are living to prevent all suspicions that their intentions should be misimployed Sem will not be angry with me for saying Cham was a Mocker of his Father Peter will not be offended if I call Judas a betrayer of his Master Honest Executors will take no exception if I justly bemoan that too many dishonest ones have aâ—…used the good intents of the Testators How many Legacies sound and whole in themselves have proved before they were payed as maimed as the Cripples in the Hospitalls to whom they were bequeathed Yea as the blinded Syrians desiring to go and beleiving they went to Damascus were led to their Enemies and into the midst of Samaria so is it more then suspicious that many blind and concealed Legacies intended for the Temple of God have been imployed against the God of the Temple Next for the objects of well doing Surely a vigilant Charity must take the Alarum from the Groans of the Prisoners The Schoolmen reduce all Corporal Charity to seven principal heads 1 Visito 1 Visit men in Misery 1 Ebedmelech 1 Jeremiah 2 Poto 2 Give drink to the Thirsty 2 Obediah 2 The Prophets 3 Cibo 3 Meat to the Hungry 3 Nehemiah 3 The Jews Rulers 4 Redimo To 4 Rescue the Captive As 4 Abraham did to 4 Lot 5 Tego 5 Cover the Naked 5 Dorcas 5 The Widowes 6 Colligo 6 Dress the Wounded 6 The good Jaylor 6 Saint Paul 7 Condo 7 Bury the Dead 7 The Devout men 7 Saint Stephen See here how these 7. kinds of good Works are placed like the Planets whilst to Redeem Captives stands like the Sun in the midst of all the rest Indeed it may be sadly presumed that such Captives oft times want Visiting Meat Drink Clothes Dressing and all things but burying except any will say that they are buryed alive Liberty being the Life of mans life so that the Redeeming of Captives is eminently comprehensive of all these outward acts of Charity Yea this Act may extend it self to a Spiritual Concernment to save many Souls from Damnation seeing it may be feared that many dispairing of Ransome may put their Souls in Thraldome to purchase the Liberty of their Bodies and renounce their Religion could therefore wish That there were in London a Corporation of able and honest Merchants whereof that City affordeth a plentiful choice legally impowered to receive and imploy the charity of well affected people for a General Goale Delivery of all English Captives in Tunis Tripoli Algier Salli c. And our Countrymen first discharged if there were any Surplusage running over that it might be disposed for the ransoming of Christians of what Country soever This were a Heroick Act indeed whereby Christians endevour to be like Christ himself who was the Grand Redeemer Oh that I might be but instrumental in the least degree to advance their Enlargement I should behold it as an advancement to my self Two Reasons make me the more importunate therein One because the Papists had a Company of Fryers in England of the Order of the Holy Trinity De Redimendis Captivis which being now extinct I humbly conceive that we are bound in Conscience as to quench the Superstition so to continue the Charity of so good a design Secondly because whilst other Beggars can tell their own Tale we must plead for them who cannot plead for themselves There being so great a Gulf of distance betwixt us and them And God grant That we may never passe over to theirs but they return to our Condition Objection 1. It maketh Marriners Cowards who presuming on good mens charity that they shall be ransomed do not fight it out valiantly against the Turks as they ought and might but surrender themselves on such expectations Answer I see not but the same Objection lies with equal force against the Redeeming of Souldiers taken in land Fights by what Foe soever by exchange or otherwise Secondly accidentall and sinister miscarriages ought not to discourage any sincere intention Lastly let those who have given the best testimonies of their Valour be first redeemed and let them lye longer to suffer bad usage till the feeling thereof shall convert them into more valour if after their Liberty procured ingaging again on the same occasion Objection 2. The late Long Parliament made an Act since after some intermission renewed charging a Taxe on Merchants Goods known by the name of Algier Dutie for the Redemption of Captives in Turkey Answer The blessing of God light on the hearts of those if living who first moved and since revived it as I doubt not but those departed this life have found their Reward I could heartily wish that yearly a Catalogue were printed of the names of such prisoners thereby redeemed not knowing whether it would be more honourable for or Satisfactory to this Nation But seeing such provisions fall short of doing the Work and cannot strike home to break off the Fetters of all Prisoners It will not be amiss to implore the auxiliary Charity of others Next I desire them to reflect upon aged sequestred Ministers whom with their charge the generally ill paid fifth part will not maintain say not it will be interpreted an affront to the State to Releive them which it hath adjudged Offenders If the best of beings should observe this Rule all the World would be starved Secondly some of them abateing only that their Conscience inclined them to the Royal Cause were otherwise unblameable both in Life and Doctrine Thirdly the better Divines they were the worse they are able to shift for themselves having formerly no excursion into secular affairs so that applying themselves only to and now debarred the exercise of the Ministry they are left in a sad condition Lastly allow them faulty yet quid teneri infantes c. It is pity their Wives and Children should be ruined for their offence but enough hereof seeing in motions of this
placed in the first ranck nearest of all unto the Town and with no less success then valour to the great safety of the whole army beat back and put to flight the Spaniards who in the same day made several sallies out of the Towâ—… Know therefore that We in 〈◊〉 of the premises have appointed the aforesaid Thomas Roper Knight c. Then followeth his Patent wherein King Charles in the third of his raign created him Baron of Bauntree and Viscount 〈◊〉 in Ireland I will only adde from exact intelligence that he was a principal means to break the hearts of Irish Rebels for whereas formerly the English were loaded with their own cloths so that their slipping into Bogs did make them and the slopping of their breeches did keep them prisoners therein he first being then a Commander put himself into Irish Trouzes and was imitated first by all his Officers then Souldiers so that thus habited they made the more effectual execution on their enemies He died at 〈◊〉 Rest Anno Dom. 164. and was buried with Anne his wife daughter to Sir Henry 〈◊〉 in Saint Johns Church in Dublin Seamen I behold these Sea men as the Sea it â—…elf and suspect if I launch far therein I sâ—…all see land no more Besides I know there be many laws made against Forestalers and would be loth to fall under that penalty for preventing the pains of some able person a 〈◊〉 of the Trinity 〈◊〉 who may write a just tract thereof Civilians Sir HENRY MARTIN Knight was born in this City where his Father left him forty pounds a year and he used merrily to say that if his Father had left him 〈◊〉 he would never have been a Scholar but lived on his Lands whereas this being though a large encouragement but a scant maintenance he plyed his book for a better livelyhood He was bred a Fellow in New colledge in Oxford and by the advice of Bishop Andrews addressed himself to the Study of the Civil Law By the advice of the said Bishop Master Martin had weekly transmitted unto him from some Proctors at Lambeth the Brief heads of the most Important causes which were to be tried in the high Commission Then with some of his familiar friends in that faculty they privately pleaded those Causes amongst themselves acting in their Chamber what was done in the Court But Mr. Martin making it his work exceeded the rest in amplifying and agravating any fault moving of anger and indignation against the guilt thereof or else in extenuating and excusing it procure pitty obtain pardon or at least prevail for a lighter punishment Some years he spent in this personated pleading to enable himself against he was really called to that Profession Hence it was that afterwards he became so eminent an Advocate in the high Commission that no cause could come amiss to him For he was not to make new armour but only to put it on and buckle it not to invent but apply arguments to his Cliant He was at last Knighted and made Judge of the Prerogative for Probate of Wills and also of the Admiraltry in causes concerning forraign traffick so that as King James said pleasantly He was a mighty Monarch in his Jurisdiction over Land and Sea the Living and dead He died very aged and wealthy Anno Dom. 1642. Physicians RICHARDUS ANGLICUS was certainly a man of Merit being eminently so denominated by Foraigners amongst whom he conversed from his Country and he who had our Nation for his Name cannot have less then London for his Lodging in this our Catalogue of Worthies He is said to have studied first in Oxford then in Paris where he so profited in the faculty of Physick that he is counted by Simphorianus Champerius a stranger to our Nation and therefore free from Flattery one of the most eminent Writers in that Profession Now because he was the first English man whom I find famous in that Calling may the Reader be pleased with a Receipt of the several names of the Books left by him to posterity 1. A Tractate of 〈◊〉 2. Of the Ruâ—…es of Urins 3. Of the Signs of Diseases 4. Of Prognostick Signs 5. Of Letting Bloud 6. toâ—…alen â—…alen 7. Of Feavors 8. A Correction of Alchymy 9. A Mirour of Alchymy 10. Of Physick 11. Repressive 12. Of the Signs of Feavors Leland reporteth that besides these he writ other works which the Envy of time hath denied unto us He flourished about the year of our Lord 1230. JOHN 〈◊〉 was born in this City bred Fellow of Baliol-colledge in Oxford where he contracted familiarity with his Colleague and Mecaenas I. Tiptoft Earl of Worcester He afterwards travelled into Italy and at Ferrara was a constant auditor of Gwarinus an old man and famous Philosopher Hitherto our Phreas made use only of his ears hereafter of his tongue when of Hearer he turned a Teacher and see the stairs whereby he ascended 1. He read Physick at Ferrara concerning Medicinal herbs 2. Then at Florence well esteemed by the Duke thereof 3. Then at Padua beneath Florence in beauty above it in learning an University where he proceeded Doctor of Physick 4. Then at Rome where he was gratious with Pope Paul the second dedicating unto him many books translated out of Greek The Pope rewarded him with the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells dying before his consecration poisoned as is vehemently suspected by some who maligned his merit Heu mihi quod nullis livor medicabilis herbis Solomon himself who wrot of all Simples from the Cedar in Lebanus to the Hysop on the Wall could find no defensative against it which made him cry out But who can stand before envy No wonder therefore if our Phreas though a skilful Botanist found mens malice mortal unto him He died at Rome Anno Domini 1465. and Lelands commendation of him may serve for his Epitaph if but Hic jacet Johannes Phreas be prefixed before it qui primus Anglorum erat qui propulsâ barbarie patriam honesto labore bonis literis restituit ANDREW BORDE Doctor of Physick was I conceive bred in Oxford because I find his book called the Breviary of Health examined by that University He was Physician to King Henry the eighth and was esteemed a great Scholar in that age I am confident his book was the first written of that faculty in English and dedicated to the Colledge of Physicians in London Take a tast out of the beginning of his Dedicatory Epistle Egregious Doctors and Masters of the Eximious and Arcane Science of Physick of your Urbanity exasperate not your selves against me for making this little volume of Physick c. Indeed his book contains plain matter under hard words and was accounted such a Jewel in that age things whilst the first are esteemed the best in all kinds that it was Printed Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum for William Midleton Anno 1548. He died as I collect
in the raign of Queen Mary Writers NOTâ—…ELMUS of LONDON Having casually let slip his forelock I mean his Episcopal Capacity being successively Bishop of London and Arch-bishop of Canterbury under which he ought to be entred we are fain to lay hold on his hind-part that his memory may not escape us taking notice of him as a Writer In his Age shined a Constellation of three learned men Bede Alcuinus and our Nothelme whom the two former by their letters invited to writ a performance proper for his Pen the gests of Gregory the Great and the Disciples sent by him with Austin the Monk for the Conversion of Britain Nothelme the more effectually to enable himself for this work went to Rome obtained leave from Pope Gregory the second to peruse his Records then sent his compleated collections to Bede to be inserted in his Church history Bede in gratitude according to the courteous custome of the learned exchange dedicated to him his thirty questions on the Books of Kings His death happened Anno Domini 739. WILLIAM FITZ-STEPHENS was descended saith Leland of Norman Nobility but born in this City and bred a Monk in Canterbury He wrote many learned works and one in Latine of the description of London since commendably because rare to come by translated and added to the Survey of London Say not that London then was but the Suburbs to the London now for the bigness and populousness thereof seeing in Fitz Stephens time it accounted thirteen Conventual and an hundred and six and thirty Parochial Churches not producing so many at this day so that it seems though there be more Bodies of Men there be fewer Houses of God therein As for the populousness thereof in his time it was able to set forth sixty thousand Foot which I believe it may treble in our time It could also then raise twenty thousand Horsemen which would pose it at this day to perform But as railing Rabshekah made Jerusalem weaker not able to set two thousand Riders on horses so possibly Fitz-Stephens might make London stronger then it was I hope one may safely wish this City may be better in holiness as bigger in houses then it was when Fitz-Stephens flourished 1190. ALBRICIUS of LONDON Leland maketh him a Native of this City and signally learned though little is extant of his writings save a work of the Original of Heathen Gods Herein he sheweth how mankind having by error and ignorance left and lost the true God multiplyed Deities that a Mock-infinite viz. what was but Indefinite in number should supply his place who was Infinite in Nature Albricius flourished Anno Domini 1217. WILLIAM SENGHAM born of mean but honest Parents being one of a meek nature and quick wit was brought up in learning wherein he attained to great perfection He wrote many books and one de fide Legibus wherein Bale highly praiseth this passage There is no other law for the Salvation of men besides the Gospel of Christ our Lord. Now although this be but a plain expression of the common truth yet was it beheld as an Oracle in that ignorant age Thus a beam of noon-day might it be seen at mid-night would shine as the Sun it self besides these words were uttered in that age when impudent Friers began to obtrud on the world a fift forged Gospel consisting of superstitious ceremonies and called Aeternum Evangelium which did much mischief in the Church amongst credulous men This William is supposed by some an Augustinian Frier who flourished Anno Dom. 1260. LAURENTIUS ANGLICUS was certainly an English-man and probably a Londoner but brought up and living most of his time in Paris where he was Master of the Colledge which had an English-man for the sign thereof Hence I collect it for building little better then our ordinary Inns for entertainment where probably our Country men had their lodgings for nothing This Laurence being a learned and pious person stoutly opposed that mock Gospel commonly called Evangelium Aeternum with the Mendicant Friars the Champions thereof He wrote a smart book contra Pseudo-Praedicatores but afterwards being frightned with the Popes thunderboults and the Friars threatnings he cowardly recanted But what saith Solomon A just man falleth seven times the Vulgar Latine addeth in die in one day and riseth again as we hope this Laurence did who flourished Anno Dom. 1260. NICHOLAS LYRA was as Barnabas a Jew-Cypriot and Saul a Jew-Gilician a Jew-English man the first by Nation the second by Nativity He had the Râ—…bbins at his Fingers ends but conversed so long with that at last he was converted by some Franciscans to be a Christian and I behold Nicholas Conquerour of his People as his Font-name then given him as predictory of those Victories he afterwards got by his disputings and writings over his own Country-men Nor doth the Church of God more complain of Nicholas that Proselite of Antioch the last of the seven Deacons and first founder of the Nicholaitans whom God hated then it doth commend our Nicholas who vigorously confuted the Jews who expect the rising of the Sun in the afternoon waiting for Messias still to come I read how some fifty years before Henry the third founded a house called Domus Conversorum where now the Office of the Rolls is kept in Chancery-lane where Converted Jews were accommodated with Lodging and a small Salary But I believe Lyra made no use thereof contenting himself to live first in Oxford then in Paris a Franciscan Fryar and wrote Comments on all the Old and New-Testament whereof so different the Editions that I am certainly informed one is so bad one can hardly give too little and one so good one can hardly give too much for it Though sometimes he may be wide of the Mark and this Harp be out of Tune yet uncharitable their censure of Lyra Delirat whilst Luther highly praiseth him because his wanton wit did not gad after empty Allegories but with the good house-keeper stays at home keeping himself close to the Text in his literal interpretations Now though there were many Jewish Synagogues in England at York Cambridge Northampton c. yet the Old Jury in London equalling all the rest in numerousness Lyra his birth is here assigned with best assurance though dying in Paris about the year 1340. BANKINUS of LONDON not Bancks of London who taught his Horse reason to perform feats above belief but one of hgher Parts and worse employed Being an Augustinian Friar he set himself wholly to suppress the poor Wicklevicks and being ready to dispute against them in a publique Council was taken off in his full speed with the following accident worthy of the Readers observation Bale de Script Brit. Cent. 6. Num. 97. Sed terrae motus justissima summi Dei vindicta subito exortus diruptis Passim domorum edificitis immanes eorum impetus fregit ac vires infirmavit But an Earthquake by the just
revenge of the most high God suddenly arising by breaking asunder the buildings of the houses brake their cruel assaults and weakned their forces This if literally true deserved a down-right and not only so slenting a mention But hitherto meeting it in no other Author I begin to suspect it ment Metaphorically of some consternation of mind wherewith God's restraining grace charmed the adversaries of the truth Bankinus flourished under King Richard the second Anno 1382. ROBERT IVORY was saith Leland none of the meanest Natives of this City a Carmelite and President General of his Order D. D. in Cambridge He wrote several books and Prece Precio procured many more wherewith he adorned the Library of White-Fryars in Fleet-street He dyed November the fifth 1392. JULIANA BARNES was born ex antiquâ illustri domo Understand it not in the sense wherein the same was said of a certain Pope born in a ruinous Cottage where the Sun did shine through the Rotten Walls and Roof thereof But indeed she was descended of a respective Family though I not able to find the place am fain to use my Marginal Mark of greatest uncertainty She was the Diana of her Age for Hunting and Hawking skilful also in Fishing and wrote three books of these Exercises commending the practise thereof to the Gentry of England The City of Leyden is scited in the very bottom of the Low-Countries so that the water setled their would be soon subject to putrefaction were it not by Engins forced up that it might fall and so by constant motion kept from corruption Idleness will betray Noble mens minds to the same mischief if some ingenious industry be not used for their imployment Our Julian also wrot a book of Heraldry Say not the needle is the most proper pen for the woman and that she ought to meddle with making no Coats save such as Dorcas made for the widows seeing their Sex may be not only pardoned but praised for such lawful diversions No Gentleman will severely censure the faults in her 〈◊〉 but rather imitate Julius Scaliger who passing his verdict on all Poets and coming to do the like on Sulpitia a Roman Poetress living under Domitian thus courteously concludeth Ut tam 〈◊〉 Heroinae ratio habeatur non ausim objicere ei judicii severitatem She flourished Anno Domini 1460. under King Henry the sixth ROBERT FABIAN was born and bred in this City whereof he became Sheriff 1493. Treating his Guests with good chear and wellcome he doubled his dishes with pleasant discourse being an excellent Historian witness two Chronicles of his own writing 1. From Brutus to the death of King Henry the second 2. From the first of K. Richard to the death of K. Henry the seventh He was also an excellent Poet both in Latine French and English A Modern Master wit in the contest betwixt the Poets of our age for the Laurel maketh Apollo to adjudge it to an Alderman of London because to have most wealth was a sign of most wit But had the Scene of this competition been laid seven score years since and the same remitted to the umpirage of Apollo in sober sadness he would have given the Laurel to this our Alderman As for his Histories if the whole strain of them doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be indulged to him that followed the genius of his own education He died at London 1512. and was buried in the Church of All-hallows where he hath a tedious and barbarous Epitaph as commonly Reader I should be glad to have my observation confuted who hath worse Poetry then Poets on their Monuments After his death Cardinal Wolsey caused so many Copies of his Book as he could come by to be burnt because therein he had opened the Coffers of the Church too wide and made too clear discovery of the Revenues of the Clergy THOMAS LUPSET was born in this City and was related to most English and some forraign learned eminencies of his age 1. Bred a child in the house of Dean â—…olet 2. Under W. Lilly in St. Pauls School 3. Sent to Oxford where he became Greek Professor 4 Resigns his place to his friend Ludovicus Vives 5. Travailed into Italy and at Padua was familiar with C. Pole 6. Was known unto Erasmus who giveth him this Character Hujus ingenio nihil gratius nihil amantius 7. Intended Divinity diverted by Cardinal Woolsy 8. At Paris was Tutor to Th. Winter a ward to the Cardinal 9. Returning into England was known to King Henry the eight 10. Began to grow into his favour when cut off with a Consumption 1532. in the prime of his life He died in London and lieth buried in the Church of Saint Alphage nigh Cripplegate without a monument Since the Reformation JOHN RASTALL was a Citizen and Printer of London by marriage a kin to Sir Thomas More and when the said Sir Thomas and Bishop Fisher wrote in defence of Purgatory to prove it by Scripture Rastall undertook to maintain it by reason Surely he that buy 's the two former books deserveth to have this last given him to make him a saver Some will say the former two indeavoured to prove the fire and Rastall the smoak of Purgatory But to pass by his works in Divinity he 〈◊〉 a good Mathematician and made a Comedy of Europe Asia and Africa which my Author saith was very witty and very large and I can believe the later seeing he had three parts of the world for his subject and how long would it have been had America been added He wrote a book against John Frith but afterwerds convinced with his adversaries arguements recanted it of his own accord the cause why we have placed him since the Reformation He wrote a book of the terms of Law and made an Index to Justice Fitz Herbert yea I behold this John as father to Rastall the famous Lawyer of whom before He died and was buried at London 1536. EDWARD HALL We may trace him from his cradle to his coffin as followeth 1. He was a Citizen of Londâ—…n by his birth 2. He was bred a Scholar at Eaton 3. Thence he removed and was one of the Foundation of Kings-colledge 4. Thence he went to Grays-Inn and studied the Municipal-law 5. He became common Serjeant of London for the well discharging whereof he 6 Was advanced to be one of the Judges in the Sheriffs Court 7. Wrote an elegant history of the wars of York and Lancaster from K. Henry the fourth till the end of King Henry the eight 8. Died a very aged man 1547. He was as by some passages in his book may appear in that age well affected to the Reformation He lieth buried in the Church of Saint Sithes contracted I think for Saint Osiths where I cannot recover any Epitaph upon him WILLIAM FULKE D. D. was born in this City bred first Fellow of
flecte tuis He died a Batchelour in the fourtieth year of his Age Anno Domini 1532 and lieth buried in Saint Christophers London Since the Reformation MARY DALE better known by the name of Mary Ramsey daughter of William Dale Merchant was born in this City She became afterward second Wife to Sir Thomas Ramsey Grocer and Lord Major of London Anno 1577 and surviving him was thereby possessed of a great Estate and made good use thereof She founded two Fellowships and Scholarships in Peter-House in Cambridge and profered much more if on her terms it might have been accepted For most certain it is that she would have setled on that House Lands to the value of five hundred pounds per annum and upwards on condition that it should be called the Colledge of Peter and Mary This Doctor Soams then Master of the House refused affirming that Peter who so long lived single was now too old to have a Feminine Partner A dear jest to loose so good a Benefactres This not succeeding the stream of her Charity was not peevishly dried up with those who in matters of this nature will do nothing when they cannot do what they would do But found other channels there in to derive it self She died Anno Dom. 1596 and lieth buried in Christs-Church in London THOMAS WHITE D. D. was born in this City and bred in Oxford He was afterwards related to Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy of Ireland whose Funeral Sermon he made being accounted a good Preacher in the reign of Queen Elizabeth Indeed he was accused for being a great Pluralist though I cannot learn that at once he had more than one Cure of Soules the rest being Dignities As false is the Aspersion of his being a great Vsurer but one Bond being found by his Executors amongst his Writings of one thousand pounds which he lent gratis for many years to the Company of Merchant-Tailors whereof he was Free the rest of his Estate being in Land and ready money Besides other Benefactions to Christ-Church and a Lecture in St. Pauls London he left three thousand pounds for the Building of Sion Colledge to be a Ramah for the Sons of the Prophets in London He built there also a fair Alms-house for Twenty poor Folk allowing them yearly six pounds a piece And another at Bristol which as I am informed is better endowed Now as Camillus was counted a second Romulus for enlarging and beautifying the City of Rome So Mr. John Simpson Minister of St. Olaves Hart-street London may be said a second White for perfecting the aforesaid Colledge of Sion building the Gate-house with a fair Case for the Library and endowing it with Threescore pounds per annum Dr. Thomas White died Anno Dom. 1623. Lord Majors Name Father Company Time John Aderley John Aderly Ironmonger 1442 Thomas Canning John Canning Grocer 1456 John Young Thomas Young Grocer 1466 The Farewel I am credibly informed that one Mr. Richard Grigson Cittizen hath expendeth a great Sum of money in new casting of the Bells of Christ-Church adding tunable Chymes unto them Surely he is the same person whom I find in the printed List of Compounders to have paid One hundred and sive pounds for his repuetd Delinquency in our Civil Wars and am glad to see one of his perswasion so lately purified in Goldsmiths-Hall able to go to the Cost of so chargeable a Work I wish Bristol may have many more to follow his Example though perchance in this our suspicious Age it will be conceived a more discreet and seasonable desire not to wish the increase but the continuance of our Bells and that though not taught the descant of Chymes they may retein their plain song for that publick use to which they were piously intended STAFFORD-SHIRE hath Cheshire on the North-West Darby-shire on the East and North-East Warwick and Worcester-shires on the South and Shrop-shire on the West It lieth from North to South in form of a Lozenge bearing fourty in the length from the points thereof whilst the breadth in the middle exceeds not twenty six miles A most pleasant County For though there be a place therein still called Sinai-park about a mile from Burton at first so named by the Abbot of Burton because a vast rough hillie ground like the Wilderness of Sinai in Arabia yet this as a small Mole serves for a soil to set off the fair face of the County the better Yea this County hath much beauty in the very solitude thereof witness Beau-Desert or the Fair Wildernesse being the beautiful Barony of the Lord Paget And if their Deserts have so rare Devises Pray then how pleasant are their Paradises Indeed most fruitful are the Parts of this Shire above the Banks of Dove Butchers being necessitated presently to kill the Cattle fatted thereupon as certainly knowing that they will fall in their flesh if removed to any other Pasture because they cannot but change to their loss Natural Commodities The best Alabaster in England know Reader I have consulted with Curious Artists in this kind is found about Castle-Hay in this County It is but one degree beneath White Marble only more soft and brittle However if it lye dry fenced from weather and may be let alone long the during thereof Witness the late Statue of John of Gaunt in Pauls and many Monuments made thereof in Westminster remaining without breck or blemish to this day I confess Italy affords finer Alabaster whereof those Imagilets wrought at Ligorn are made which indeed Apes Ivory in the whiteness and smoothness thereof But such Alabaster is found in small Bunches and little proportions it riseth not to use the Language of Work-men in great Blocks as our English doth What use there is of Alabaster Calcined in Physick belongs not to me to dispute Only I will observe that it is very Cool the main reason why Mary put her ointment so precious into an Alabaster Box because it preserved the same from being dried up to which such Liquors in hot Countries were very subject Manufactures Nailes These are the Accommodators general to unite Solid Bodies and to make them to be continuous Yea coin of gold and silver may be better spared in a Common-wealth than Nailes For Commerce may be managed without mony by exchance of Commodities whereas hard bodies cannot be joyned together so fast and fast so soon and soundly without the mediation of Nailes Such their service for Firmness and expedition that Iron Nailes will fasten more in an hour than Wooden Pins in a day because the latter must have their way made whilst the former make way for themselves Indeed there is a fair House on London Bridge commonly called None-such which is reported to be made without either Nailes or Pins with crooked Tennons fastened with wedges and other as I may term them circumferential devices This though it was no labour in vain because at last attaining the intended end yet was it no better than
Extraction a Welch man immediately adding patria Herefordensis by his Country a Hereford-shire man We now for quietness sake resign him up wholly to the former Yet was he a Person worth contending for Lealand saith much in little of him when praising him to be Vir illustris Famâ Eraditione Religione He wrot severall Comments on Aristotle Peter Lumbard and the Revelalion He was chief of the Franciscans Convent in Hereford where he was buried in the raign of King Henry the fourth 1406. DAVID BOYS Let not Kent pretend unto him wherein his Surname is so Ancient and Numerous our Author assuring us of his British Extraction He studied in Oxford saith Lealand no less to his own Honour then the Profit of others reaping much benefit by his Books Having his Breeding at Oxford he had a Bounty for Cambridge and compassing the writings of John Barningham his Fellow-Carmelite he got them fairly transcribed in four Volumes and bestowed them on the Library in Cambridge where Bale beheld them in his Time He was very familiar understand it in a good way with Eleanor Cobham Dutchess of Gloucester whence we collect him at least a Parcell-Wickliffite Of the many books he wrot fain would I see that Intituled of Double Immortality whether intending thereby the Immortality of Soul and Body or of the Memory here and Soul hereafter I would likewise satisfie my self in his Book about the madness of the Hagarens whether the Mahometans be not ment thereby pretending themselves descended from Sarah when indeed they are the Issue of the Bond-woman He was Prefect of the Carmelites in Gloucester where he dyed 1450. Let me adde that his Surname is Latined Boethius and so Wales hath her David Boethius whom in some respects she may Vie with Hector Boethius of Scotland Since the Reformation Sir JOHN RHESE alias Ap Ryse Knight was born in Wales Noble by his Linage but more by his Learning He was well vers'd in the British Antiquities and would not leave a Hoof of his Countries Honour behind which could be brought up to go along with him Now so it was that Polydore Virgil that Proud Italian bare a Pique to the British for their Ancient Independency from the Pope Besides he could not so easily compass the Welch Records into his clutches that so he might send them the same way with many English Manuscripts which he had burnt to ashes This made him slight the Credit of Welch Authors whom oâ—… Sir John was a Zelot to assert being also a Champion to vindicate the story of King Arthur Besides he wrot a Treatise of the Eucharist and by the good words Bale bestoweth on him we believe him a Favorour of the Reformation flourishing under King Edward the sixth 1550. JOHN GRIFFIN was born in Wales first bred a Cistercian Friar in Hales-Abbey in Gloucester-shire After the dissolution of his Convent he became a Painfull and Profitable Preacher He suited the Pulpit with Sermons for all seasons having his Conciones Aestivales Brumales which he preached in English and wrot in Latine flourishing under King Edward the sixth Anno Domini 1550. HUGH BROUGHTON was born in Wales but very nigh unto Shrop-shire He used to speak much of his Gentility and of his Armes which were the Owles presaging as he said his Addiction to the study of Greek because those were the birds of Minerva and the Emblâ—…me of Athens I dare not deny his Gentile Extraction but it was probable that his Parents were fallen to great decay as by the ensuing story will appear When Mr. Barnard Gilpin that Apostolike man was going his annual journey to Oxford from his Living at Houghton in the North he spied by the way-side a Youth one while walking another while running of whom Mr. Gilpin demanded whence he came he answered out of Wales and that he was a going to Oxford with intent to be a Scholar Mr. Gilpin perceiving him pregnant in the Latine and having some smattering in the Greek Tongue carried him home to Houghton where being much improved in the Languages he sent him to Christs-colledge in Cambridge It was not long before his worth preferred him Fellow of the House This was that Broughton so famous for his skill in the Hebew a great Ornament of that University and who had been a greater had the heat of his Brain and Peremptoriness of his Judgement been tempered with more moderation being ready to quarrell with any who did not presently and perfectly imbrace his Opinions He wrote many books whereof one called The consent of times carrieth the generall commendation As his Industry was very Commendable so his Ingratitude must be condemned if it be true what I read that when Master Gilpin his Mecaenas by whose care and on whose cost he was bred till he was able to breed himself grew old he procured him to be troubled and molested by Doctor Barnes Bishop of Durham in expectation of his Parsonage as some shrewdly suspect At last he was fixed in the City of London where he taught many Citizens and their Apprentices the Hebrew Tongue He was much flocked after for his Preaching though his Sermons were generally on Subjects rather for Curiosity then Edification I conjecture his death to be about the year of our Lord 1600. HUGH HOLLAND was born in Wales and bred first a Scholar in Weâ—…minster then Fellow in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge No bad English but a most excellent Latine Poet. Indeed he was addicted to the New-old Religion New in comparison of Truth it self yet Old because confessed of long continuance He travailed beyond the Seas and in Italy conceiving himself without Ear-reach of the English let flie freely against the Credit of Queen Elizabeth Hence he went to Jerusalem though there he was not made or he would not own himself Knight of the 〈◊〉 In his return he touched at Constantinople where Sir Thomas Glover Embassador for King James called him to an account for his Scandalum Reginae at Rome and the former over freedome of his tongue cost him the confinement for a time in Prison Enlarged at last returning into England with his good parts bettered by learning and great learning increased with experience in travail he expected presently to be chosen Clerk of the Councell at least but preferment not answering his expectation he grumbled out the rest of his life in visible discontentment He made verses in description of the chief Cities in Europe wrot the Chronicle of Queen Elizabeths raign believe him older and wiser not railing as formerly and a book of the life of Master Camden all lying hid in private hands none publikely Printed This I observe the rather to prevent Plagearies that others may not impe their credit with stollen feathers and wrongfully with ease pretend to his painfull endeavours He had a competent estate in good Candle-rents in London and died about ' the beginning of the raign of King Charles The Farewell To take my Vale
River Tyvy which saith Giraldus Cambrensis was the only place afforded them in all Britain A cunning Creature yet reported by some men more crafty than he is who relate that being hunted and in danger to be taken he biteth off his Stones as useful in Physick for which only his life was then sought and so escapeth Hence some will have him called Castro à Castrando seipsum And others adde that having formerly bitten off his Stones he standeth upright and sheweth the Hunters that he hath none that so they may surcease their pursuit of an unprofitable Quâ—…re Hence it was that amongst the Egyptians the Bever passeth for an Hieroglyphick of him who hurteth himself though by Alciate the great Emblematist he is turned to another purpose to teach men rather to part with their purses than their lives and by their wealth to redeem themselves out of danger The plain truth is all those reports of â—…he Bever are no better than vulgar errours and are disproved both by sense and experience For his Stones are so placed in his body as those of the Boar that it is impossible for himself with his teeth to touch them And some maintain they cleave so fast to his back they cannot be taken away without loss of his life However grant the story true the gelding of himself would not serve his turn or excuse the Bever from Hunters now adays except he could also flea off his skin the wooll whereof is so commonly used for the making of Hats All that I will add is this that what plenty soever there was of Bevers in this County in the days of Giraldus the breed of them now is quite destroyed and neither fore-foot of a Bever which is like a Dogs nor hind-foot which is like a Goose to be seen therein Proverbs Being well at leisure in this little County we will observe what indeed is generall to all Wales something Proverbial and conducing to our necessary information Talaeth Talaeth In effect the same in English with Finâ—… Fine when Mothers and Nurses are disposed to please their little Ones in dressing them take the original thereof When Roderick the Great divided Wales betwixt his three Sons into three Dominions North Wales South VVales and Powis He ordered that each of them should wear upon his Bonnet or Helmet a Coronet of Gold being a broad lace or head-band indented upwards set and wrought with precious stones called in the British Talaeth and they from thence Ytri twysoc Talaethioc that is the three crowned Princes But now either the number of Princes is well multiplied in Wales or which is truer the Honour of Talaeth is much diminished that being so called wherewith a Childs head is bound uppermost upon some other linnen cloaths Thus the English have that which they call the Crown of a Cap. Bu Arthur ond tra fu That is Arthur was not but whilest he was It is sad to say Nos fuimus Trojes the greatest eminency when not extant is extinct The Fryer never loved what was good Ne thorres Arthur Nawdd gwraig That is King Arthur did never violate the refuge of a Woman Arthur is notoriously known for the mirrour of manhood By the Womans Refuge many understand her Tongue and no valiant man will revenge her words with his blows Nullum memorabile Nomen Fâ—…minii in Paena Caleny Sais wrah Gymro That is the heart of a Englishman whom they call Saxons towards a Welsh-man It is either applied to such who are possessed with prejudice or only carry an outward compliance without cordial affection We must remember this Proverb was origined whilest England and wales were at deadly Feude there being better love betwixt them since the union of the Nations Ni Châ—…itw Cymbro oni Gollo That is the welshman keeps nothing until he hath lost it The historical truth thereof is plain in the British Chronicles that when the British recovered the lost Castles from the English they doubled their diligence and valour keeping them more tenaciously than before A fo Pen bid Bont That is he that will be a Head let him be a Bridge It is founded on a Fictitious tradition thus commonly told Benigridran a Britain is said to have carried an Army over into Ireland his men came to a River over which neither was Bridg nor Ferrey hereupon he was fain to carry all his men over the River on his own back To lesson men not to affect the empty title of a General except they can supply their Souldiers with all necessaries be their wardrobe in want of Cloaths Kitching in want of Meat c. Thus Honour hath ever a great burden attending it We will conclude these General Proverbs of wales with a Custom which was ancient in this Nation they had a kind of Play wherein the stronger who prevailed put the the weaker into a Sack and hence we have borrowed our English By-word to express such betwixt whom there is apparent odds of strength he is able to put him up in a bagge The Farewell It is observable what a credible Author reporteth that there was in this County a City once an Episcopal See called Llan-Badern-Vaure that is Llan-Baderne the great Which City is now dwindled to nothing Reader by the way I observe that Cities surnamed the Great come to Little at last as if God were offended with so ambitious an Epithete Sidon the Great Ninive the Great Babylon the Great it is fallen c. But the cause of the ruine of this City was for their cruel killing of their Bishop which provoked Divine Justice against them I hope the welsh warned herewith will for the future demean themselves with due respect to such persons and am confirmed in my confidence from their commendable Proverb Na difanco y Beriglawr vilifie not thy Parish-Priest and then much more ought the Bishop to be respected CARMARTHEN-SHIRE CARMARTHEN-SHIRE hath Pembroke shire on the Wâ—…st the Severn-Sea on the South Cardigan-shire on the North Brecknock and Glamorgan-shires on the East The mountains therein are neither so many nor high as in the neighbouring Counties affording plenty of Grass Grain Wood Fish and what not Besides nature here giveth the Inhabitants both meat and stomach the sharpness of the air breeding an appetite in them There is a place in this County called Golden-grove which I confess is no Ophir or Land of Havilah yielding Gold in specie but plentifully affording those rich Commodities which quickly may be converted thereunto and the pleasure is no less than the profit thereof It is the Possession of the right Honourable Richard Vaughan Baron of Emelor in England and Earl of Carbery in Ireland He well deserveth to be owner of Golden-grove who so often hath used a Golden hand in plentiful relieving many eminent Dâ—…vines during the late Sequestration This county affording no peculiar Commodities let us proceed to Wonders Giraldus Cambrensis reporteth a Fountain to be in this County let he himself