4 Edw. Stanley bar ut prius  5 Tho. Leigh esq ut prius  6 Pet. Dutron esq ut prius  7 Tho. Stanley esq ut prius  8 Ric. Brereton es ut prius  9 Edw. Fitton esq ut prius  10 Pet. Venables ut prius  11 Tho. Ashton bar ut prius  12 Will. Leigh esq ut prius  13 Tho. 〈◊〉 bar DuddingtoÌ„ Arg. a Cheveron 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or betwixt 3 Gadds of stteel S. 14 Tho. Cholmley ut prius  15 Phil. Manwaring ut prius  16 Tho. Powell bar Berkenhad Sable 3 Roses Arg. 17 Ioh. Billot esq  Arg. on a Chief G. 3 Cinque foils of the Field 18 Hug. Calvely k. ut prius  19 Tho. Leigh esq ut prius  20 Ri. Gravenor ba. ut prius  21 Rob. Totton esq Winthaw Quarterly Arg. G. 4 Crescents counter changed 22 Hen. Brood esq   Reader if thou discoverest any difference in the Method betwixt this and the other Catalogue of Sheriffs impute it to this cause that whilst I fetched the Rest from the Fountain in the Exchequer I took these out of the Cestern I mean the Printed Book of Vale-royal I presume that the Sheriff who is last named continued in that Office all that Intervale of years till his Successor here nominated entred thereon The Reader may with the more confidence relie on their Armes imparted unto me by Mr. Daniel King who to me really verifieth his own Anagram DANIEL KING I KIND ANGEL And indeed he hath been a Tutelar one to me gratifying me with whatsoever I had need to use and he had ability to bestow Henry III. 56 HUGH de HATTON King William the Conquerer bestowed Lands on one of his Name and Ancestors at Hatton in this County From him is Lineally descended that Learned and Religious witness his pious meditations on the Psalmes Sir Christopher Hatton Knight of the Bath created by King Charles the first Baron Hatton of Kerby in Northampton-shire The Original of this grant of the Conquerors is still in this Lords Possession preserved in our Civil Wars with great care and difficulty by his vertuous Lady On the same token that her Lord patiently digested the plundring of his Library and other Rarities when hearing the welcome tidings from his Lady that the said Record was safely secured Queen Mary 3 Sir HUGH CHOLMLY or CHOLMONDELEIGH This worthy person bought his Knight-hood in the field at Leigh in Scotland He was five times High-sheriffe of this County and sometimes of Flintshire and for many years one of the two sole deputies Leiutenants thereof For a good space he was Vice-President of the Marches of Walles under the Right Honorable Sir Henry Sidney Knight conceive it during his abscence in Ireland For Fifty years together he was esteemed a Father of his Country and dying Anno 157. was buried in the Church of Mallpasse under a Tombe of Allabaster with great lamentation of all sorts of people had it not mitigated their Mourning that he left a Son of his own name Heir to his Vertues and Estate 2 JOHN SAVAGE Ar. I behold him as the direct Ancestor unto Sir Thomas Savage Kt. and Baronet Created by K. Charles the first Baron Savage of Rock savage in this County This Lord a very prudent States-man married Elizabeth eldest Daughter and Co-heir of Thomas Lord Darcy of Chich Viscount Colchester and Earl of Rivers Honours entailed on his Posterity and now injoyed by the Right Honorable Thomas Savage Earl Rivers The Battles Rowton heath 1645. Sept. 24. His Majesty being informed that Colonel Jones had seized the Suburbs and Strong Church of St. Johns in Chester advanced Northward for the relief thereof Poins one of the Parliaments Generalls pursued his Majesty At Rowton-heath within 3. miles of Chester the K. Army made an Halt whilst his Majesty with some prime persons marched into the City Next day a fierce Fight happened on the Heath betwixt the Kings and Poinses Forces the latter going off with the greater loss Judicious Persons conceive that had the Royalists pursued this Single Enemy as yet unrecruited with additional strength they had finally worsted him which Fatall omission opportunities admit of no after-games proved their overthrow For next day Col. Jones drew out his men into the field so that the Royalists being charged on the Heath in Front and Rear were put to the worst the whole body of whose Army had Wings without Legs Horse without Foot whilst the Parliament was powerfull in both Immediatly after a considerable Party of Horse the Lord Byron Governour of the City being loth to part with any Foot as kept to secure the Kings person came out of Chester too late to succour their defeated Friends and too soon to engage themselves Here fell the Youngest of the three Noble Brethren who lost their lives in the King service Bernard Stuart Earl of Leichfield never sufficiently to be lamented The Farewell To take my leave of Cheshire I could wish that some of their hospitality were planted in the South that it might bring forth fruit therein and in exchange I could desire that some of our Southern delicacies might prosperously grow in their gardens and Quinces particularly being not more pleasant to the palate then restorative of the health as accounted a great cordiall The rather because a native of this County in his description thereof could not remember he ever saw Quince growing therein CHESTER is a fair City on the North-east side of the River Dee so ancient that the first founder thereof is forgotten much beholding to the Earls of Chester and others for Increase and Ornaments The Walls thereof were lately in good repair especially betwixt the New-tower and the Water-gate For I find how Anno 1569. there was a personal fight in this City betwixt the two Sheriffs thereof viz. Richard Massey and Peter Lycherband who shall keep peace if aged Officers break it who deservedly were fined for the forfeiting of their gravity to repair that part of the Wall It seems it is more honour to be keeper of a gate in Chester then a whole City elsewhere seeing Eastgate therein was committed to the câ—…ody formerly of the Earl of Oxford Bridgegate to the Earl of Shrewsbury Watergate to the Earl of Daâ—…by and Northgate to the Mayor of the City It is built in the form of a Quadrant and is almost a just Square the four Cardinal Streets thereof as I may call them meeting in the middle of the City at a place called the Pentise which affordeth a Pleasant Prospect at once into all Four Here is a property of building peculiar to the City called the Rows being Galleries wherein Passengers go dry without coming into the Streets having Shops on both sides and underneath The fashion whereof is somewhat hard to conceive it is therefore worth their pains who have Money and Leasure to make their own Eyes the Expounders of the manner thereof The
found in the name of ALCUINUS LUCIANUS Thus these Nominall Curiosities whether they hit or miss the Mark equally import nothing to Judicious Beholders He was made first Abbot of Saint Augustines in Canterbury and afterward of Saint Martins in the City of Towers in France and dying Anno 780 he was buried in a small Convent appendant to his Monastery He is here entred under the Topick of Saints because though never solemnly canonized he well deserved the Honor His Subjects said to David Thou art worth ten Thousand of us and though I will not ascend to so high a Proportion many of the Modern Saints in the Church of Rome must modestly confess that on a Due and True estimate our Alcuinus was worth many Scores of them at least so great his Learning and holy his Conversation SEWALL had his Nativity probably in these Parts But he was bred in Oxford and was a Scholar to St. Edmund who was wont to say to him Sewald Sewald thou wilt have many Afflictions and dye a Martyr Nor did he miss much of his mark therein though he met with Peace and Plenty at first when Arch-bishop of York The occasion of his Trouble was when the Pope plenitudine potestatis intruded one Jordan an Italian to be Dean of York whose Surprised Installing Sewald stoutly opposed Yea at this time there were in England no fewer then three Hundred Benefices possessed by Italians where the People might say to them as the Eunuch to Philip How can we understand without an â—…nterpreter Yea which was far worse they did not onely not teach in the Church but mis-teach by their lascivious and debauched behaviour Asfor our Sewald Mathew Paris saith plainly that he would not bow his Knee to Baal so that for this his contempt he was excommunicated and cursed by Bell Book and Candle though it was not the Bell of Aarons Garment nor Book of Scripture nor the Candle of an Unpartiall Judgement This brak his heart and his Memory lyeth in an Intricate posture peculiar almost to himself betwixt Martyr and no Martyr a Saint and no Saint Sure it is â—…ewall though dying excommunicated in the Romish is reputed Saint in Vulgar estimation and some will maintain that the Popes solemn Canonization is no more requisite to the making of a Saint then the Opening of a Manâ—… Windows is necessary to the lustre of the Sun Sewald died Anno Dom. 1258. Bale who assumeth liberty to himself to surname Old-writers at his pleasure is pleased to Addition this worthy man Sewaldus Magnanimus Martyrs VALENTINE FREESE and his Wife were both of them born in this City and both gave their lives therein at one Stake for the testimony of Jesus Christ Anno Domini 1531. Probably by order from Edward Lee the cruell Arch-bishop I cannot readily call to mind a man and his wife thus Marryed together in Martyrdome And begin to grow confident that this Couple was the first and laâ—… in this kind Confessors EDWARD FREESE brother to the aforesaid Valentine was born in York and there a Prentice to a Painter He was afterwards a Novice-Monke and leaving his Convent came to Colchester in Essex Here his hereticall Inclination as then accounted discovered it self in some sentences of Scripture which he Painted in the Borders of Cloths for which he was brought before John Stoaksley Bishop of London from whom he found such cruell usage as is above belief Master Fox saith that he was fed with Manchet made of Saw-dust or at the least a great part thereof and kept so long in Prison Manicled by the wrests till the Flesh had overgrown his Irons and he not able to kembe his own head became so distracted that being brought before the Bishop he could say nothing but my Lord is a good man A sad sight to his Friends and a sinfull one to his Foes who first made him mad and then made mirth at his madness I confess distraction is not mentioned in that list of losses reckoned up by our Saviour He that left his House or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake c. But seeing his wits is nearer and dearer to any man then his wealth and seeing what is so lost may be said to be left no doubt this poor mans distraction was by God gratiously accepted on his enemies severely punished and to him mercifully rewarded We must not forget how the wife of this Edward Freese being big with child and pressing in to see her husband the Porter at Fulham gave her such a kick on the belly that the child was destroyed with that stroke immediately and she died afterwards of the same Prelates JOHN ROMAN so called because his Father was born in Rome though living a long time in this City being Treasurer of the Cathedrall therein and I conjecture this John his Son born in York because so Indulgent thereunto For generally Pure Pute Italians preferred in England transmitted the gain they got by Bills of Exchange or otherwise into their own Country and those outlandisâ—… Mules though lying down in English Pasture left no Hairs behind them Whereas this Roman had such Affection for York that being advanced Arch-bishop he began to build the Body of the Church and finished the North Part of the Cross-Isle therein Polydore Virgil praised him no wonder that an Italiaâ—… commended a Roman for a Man of great Learning and Sincerity He fell into the disfavour of King Edward the first for Excommunicating Anthony Beck Bishop of Durham and it cost him four thousand marks to regain his Princes Good Will He died Anno Domini 1295. And let none grudge his Buriaâ—… in the best Place of the Church who was so Bountifull a Builder thereof ROBERT WALBEY born in this City was therein bred an Augâ—…stinian Friar he afterwards went over into France where he so applied his studies that at last he was chosen Divinity Professor in the City of Tholouse he was Chaplain to the black Prince after his death to his Father K. Edward the third Now as his Mr. injoyed three Crowns so under him in his three Kingdoms this his Chaplain did partake successively of three Miters being first a Bishop in Gascoine then Arch-bishop of Dublin in Ireland afterwards Bishop of Chichester in England not grudging to be degraded in Dignity to be preferred in profit At last he was consecrated Arch-bishop of York and was the first and last Native which that City saw the least of Infants and in his Time when Man the greatest therein Yet he enjoyed his place but a short time dying May 29. Anno Domini 1397. Since the Reformation THOMAS MORTON was born Anno 1564. in the City of York whose father Richard Morton allyed to Cardinall Morton Arch bishop of Canterbury was a Mercer I have been informed the first of that calling in that City sure of such repute that no Mercers
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
Per ipsum Regem 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-Armors where neither they nor their Ancestors in times past used such Arms or Coat Armours and propound with themselves to use and exercise the same in this present Voyage which God willing we shortly inâ—…end to make And although 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 Leige Subjects should be had and Handled in due manner according to the Exigence 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 possesse or ought to possesse 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 virtue of whose gift he enjoyeth the same Those only excepted who carried Arms with us at the Battle of Agincourt uuder the penalties not to be admitted to go with us in Our foresaid Voyage 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 shewed upon him or found about him And this you shall in no case omit Witnesse the King at the City of New Sarum June the second Consimilia Brevia diriguntur Vicecom Wilts Sussex Dors. sub eadem data I could wish a reviving of this Instrument in our Age many Up-starts in our late Civil wars having injuriously invaded the Arms of ancient Families CHAP. XVII Of the often Altering of Sirnames and the Various Writing thereof HAving dealt so largely in Sirnames it is necessary to observe that Sirnames of Families have been frequently altered some Families deposing their Old and assuming new names on several occasions But cheifly for 1. Concealment in time of Civil Wars A Name is a kind of Face whereby one is known Wherefore taking a false name is a Vizard whereby men disguise themselves and that lawfully enough when not fradulently done to deceive others but discreetly in danger to secure themselves Thus during the Contest 'twixt York and Lancaster Carington in Warwick-shire took the name of Smith La Blunt the Name of Croke in Buckingham-shire with many others 2. For Advancement when adopted into an estate as Newport the Name of Hatton in Northampton-shire Throckmorton the Name of Carew at Beddington in Surrey as long before Westcoat the Name of Littleton in Stafford-shire Besides the same Sirname continued hath been variously altered in Writing First because Time teacheth New Orthography altering spelling as well as speaking Secondly the best Gentlemen anciently were not the best Scholars and minding matters of more moment were some what too incurious in their Names Besides Writers ingrossing Deeds were not over critical in spelling of Names knowing well where the person appeared the same the Simplicity of that age would not fall out about Misnomer Lastly Ancient Families have been often removed into several Counties where several Writings follow the several pronunciations What Scholar knoweth not that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Greek Name for Jupiter is by their seven Dialects written ten several wayes and though not so many Dialects in England there is a real difference betwixt our Southern Western and Northern Pronunciations Hence it is that the same Name hath been so often disguised unto the Staggering of many who have mistook them for different Idem non Idem quaeruntque in Nomine Nomen The same they thought was not the same And in their Name they sought their Name Thus I am informed that the Honourable Name of Villiers is written fourteen several ways in their own Evidences and the like though not so many Variations may be observed in others And the Name of Roper in Darby-shire changed from Musard to Rubra-Spatha Rospear Rouspee Rooper Roper I insist the longer on this point because in our Catalogue of Sheriffs the same Sirname is variously written which some without cause may impute to my carelesnesse being the effect of my care conforming the Orthography exactly to the Original where such variation doth plainly appear and however such Diversity appeareth in the Eye of others I dare profess that I am delighted with the Prospect thereof CHAP. XVIII Of Modern Battels IMmediately before our Farewell to the Respective Counties we have inserted a Breviate of Modern Battels since our Civil Distempers I need here premise nothing of the difference betwixt a Skirmish being only the Ingagement of Parties and a Battle being an incounter betwixt Generals with their Armies Nor yet of the difference betwixt Praelium a Fight or Battel and Bellum a War the former being a Fight in Field the later the continuance of Hostility which may be for many years whilst the difference dependeth undecided Peracto Prâ—…lio manet Bellum And though a Truce may give a Comma or Colon to the War nothing under a Peace can put a perfect Period thereunto In describing these Battels I am for distinction sake necessitated to use the word Parliament improperly according to the Abusive acception thereof for these latter years Let us think and judge with the Wise but if we do not speak with the Vulgar we shall be Dumb to the Vulgar Otherwise I know a Parliament properly is a compleat Syllogisme the Lords and Commons being the two Propositions the King the Conclusion thereof and our English Tongue wanteth one word to express the dissenting part of a Parliament and I trust in God as our Language doth not afford the Name so our Land shall not hereafter behold the Nature thereof These Battels are here inserted not with any intent God knows my heart to perpetuate the odious Remembrance of our mutual Animosities that Heart burnings may remain when House burnings are removed but cheifly to raise our Gratitude to God that so many Battels should be fought in the bosome of so little a Land and so few Scars and Signs thereof extant in their visible Impressions Such who consider how many men we have lost would wonder we have any left and such who see how many we have left that we had any lost In a word as it is said of the best Oyl that it hath no Tast that is no Tang but the pure Natural Gust of Oyl therein so I have indevoured to present these Battels according to plain Historical truth without any
that age and assign 1339. the time of his death Chester the place of his buriall RANDAL or RANULPH HYGDEN commonly called Ranulph of Chester was bred a Benedictine in Saint Werburge He not onely Vamped the history of Roger aforesaid but made a large one of his own from the beginning of the World commendable for his Method and Modesty therein Method assigning in the Margent the date of each action We read Genesis 1. that Light was made on the First and the Sun on the Fourth day of the Câ—…eation when the Light formerly diffused and dispersed in the Heavens was Contracted United and Fixed in one full Body thereof Thus the Notation of Times confusedly scattered in many antient Authors as to our English Actions are by our Ranulphus reduced into an Intire bulk of Cronology Modesty Who to his great commendation Unicuique suorum Authorum honorem integrum servans confeseth himself to use his own expression with Ruth the Moabite to have gleaned after other Reapers He calleth his book Poly-Cronicon He continued sixty four years a Monke and dying very aged 1363. was buried in Chester HENRY BRADSHAW was born in this City and lived a Benedictine therein A diligent Historian having written no bad Chronicle and another Book of the Life of Saint Werburg in verse Take a tast at once both of his Poetry and the Originall Building of the City both for Beauty alike The Founder of this City as saith Polychronicon Was Leon Gawer a mighty strong Giant Which builded Caves and Dungeons many a one No goodly Building ne proper ne pleasant These his verses might have passed with praise had he lived as Arnoldus Vion doth erroniously insinuate Anno 1346. But flourishing more then a Century since viz. 1513. they are hardly to be excused However Bale informeth us that he was the Diamond in the Ring pro ea ipsa aetate admodum pius and so we dismiss his Memory with Commendation Since the Reformation EDWARD BRIERWOOD was as I am informed born in this City bred in Brasen-nose-colledge in Oxford Being Candidate for a Fellowship he lost it without loss of credit For where preferment goes more by favour then merit the Rejected have more honour then the Elected This ill success did him no more hurt then a Rub doth to an over-thrown Bowl bringing it the nearer to the mark He was not the more sullen but the more serious in his studies retiring himself to Saint Mary-hall till he became a most accomplished Scholar in Logick witness his worthy work thereof Mathematicks being afterwards a Lecturer thereof in Gresham-colledge All learned and many modern languages hereof he wrot a Learned book called his Enquiries No Sacrilegious Enquiries whereof our age dothsurfet It is a Snare after vows to make Enquiries but judicious disquisitions of the Originall and Extent of Languages A little before his death Pens were brandish'd betwixt Master Byfield and him about the keeping of the Sabbath Master Brierwood learnedly maintaining that th other exacted more strictness therein then God enjoyned Let me contribute my symbole on this Subject Our Saviour is said to be made under the Law and yet he saith of himself The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath Indeed he was made under the fourth Commandement as under the rest of the Law to observe the dominion not tyranny thereof usurped partly by the misinterpretation of the Priests partly by the misapprehension of the People and therefore both by his Life and Doctrine did manumisse men from that vassallage that the day instituted for rest and repose should not be abused for self-affliction and torment To return to our Brierwood I have heard a great Scholar in England say That he was the fittest Man whom he knew in England to sit at the Elbo of a Professor to prompt him But in my opinion he was a very proper person to discharge the place himself I conjecture his death about 1633. JOHN DOWNHAM younger Son of William Downham Bishop of Chester was as far as my best enquiry can recover born in this City bred in Cambridge B. D. and afterwards became a painfull and profitable Preacher in London He was the first who commendably discharged that eminent Lecture plentifully indowed by Master Jones of Munmouth and is memorable to posterity for his worthy work of the Christian Warfare Well had it been for England had no other war been used therein for this last twenty years all pious Persons being comfortably concerned in the prosecution thereof Seriously considering that their Armour is of proof their Quarrel is lawfull their Fight is long their Foes are fierce their Company are Saints their Captain is Christ their Conquest is certain their Crown is Heaven This grave Divine died very aged about the year 1644. Benefactors to the Publique WILLIAM ALDERSEA a pious and godly man was Mayor of the City 1560. demeaning himself in his place with much Gravity and Discretion He caused with much Cost and Industry the Catalogue of the Mayors of Chester to be compleated and that on this occasion He found by Authentick Evidences that one Whetlyâ—…ad â—…ad been four times Mayor of Chester and yet his name was never mentioned in the ordidinary Book of Mayors This put this good Magistrate on the employment Detection of faults informes little without Correction of them to amend and compleat that lame list out of their Records Thus Imperfections may occasion Perfection which makes me to hope that hereafter the Defects of this my Book without prejudice to my Profit or Credit will be judiciously discovered and industriously amended by others This William died the twelfth of October Anno 1577. and lyeth buried in the Chancell of Saint Osswalls under a fair stone of Alabaster Sir THOMAS OFFLEY Son to William Offley was born in the City of Chester and bred a Merchant-taylor in London whereof he became Lord Mayor Anno 1556. The usefull custome of the night Bellman preventing many Fiers and more Felonies began in his Mayoralty He was the Zachaeus of London not for his low Stature but his high Charity bequeathing the half of his Estate computed by a Reverend Divine to amount to five thousand pounds unto the Poor although he had children of his own Yea he appointed that two hundred pound should be taken out of the other half left to his son Henry and employed to charitable uses He died 1560. and was buried in the Church of Saint Andrews Undershaft I am heartily sory to meet with this passage in my Author Sir Thomas Offley bequeatheth one half of all his goods to charitable actions But the Parish meaning Saint Andrews Undershaft received little benefit thereby If the Testators Will were not justly performed it soundeth to the shame and blame of his Executors But if the charity of Sir Thomas acted Eminus not Comminus I mean at some distance and not at his own habitation it was no injury for any to dispose of
bountifull in such cases though our Nation be most concerned therein Let all ships passing thereby be fore-armed because fore-warned thereof seeing this Rock can no otherwise be resisted than by avoiding EXETER EXETER It is of a circular and therefore most capable form sited on the top of an Hill having an easie assent on every side thereunto This 〈◊〉 much to the cleannesse of this City Nature being the chief Scavenger thereof so that the Rain that falleth there falleth thence by the declivity of the place The Houses stand sidewaies backward into their Yards and onely 〈◊〉 with their Gables towards the Street the City therefore is greater in content than appearance being bigger than it presenteth it self to 〈◊〉 through the same Manufactures Cloathing is plyed in this City with great Industry and Judgment It is hardly to be believed what credible Persons attest for truth that the return for Serges alone in this City amounteth weekly even now when Trading though not dead is sick to three Thousand Pounds not to ascend to a higher proportion But the highest commendation of this City is for the Loyalty thereof presenting us with a pair-Royal of Services herein when besieged by 1 Perkin Werbeck in the Reign of King Henry the seventh 2 The Western Rebels in the Raign of King Edward the sixth 3 The Parliament Forces in the Raign of King Charles the first There Valour was invincible in the two first and their Loyalty unstained in the last rewarded by their Enemies with the best made and best kept Articles yea in the very worst of times a depressed party therein were so true to their Principles that I meet with this epitaph in the Chancell of St. Sidwells Hic jacet Hugo Grove in Comitatu Wilts Armiger in restituendo Ecclesiam in asserendo Regem in propugnando Legem ac Libertatem Anglicanam captus decollatus 6 Maii 1655. The Buildings The Cathedrall dedicated to St. Peter is most beautifull having the West end thereof adorned with so lively Statues of stone that they plainly speak the Art of those who erected them There is in this City a Castle whitherto King Richard the Usurper repaired and for some dayes reposed himself therein He demanded of the Inhabitants how they called their Castle who returned the name thereof was RUGEMONT though I confesse it a Rarity that the castle in a City should be called by any other name than a Castle Hereat the Vsurper was much abashed having been informed by Wizards that he should never prosper after he had met a thing called Rugemont It seems Sathan either spoke this Oracle low or lisping desirous to palliate his fallacy and ignorance or that King Richard a guilty conscience will be frighted with little mistook the word seeing not Rugemont but Richmond the title of King Henry the seventh proved so formidable to this Vsurper As for Parish-Churches in this City at my return thither this year I found them fewer than I left them at my departure thence 15 years ago But the Demolishers of them can give the clearest Account how the plucking down of Churches conduceth to the setting up of Religion besides I understand that thirteen Churches were exposed to sale by the publick Cryer and bought by well-affected Persons who preserved them from destruction The Wonders When the City of Exeter was besieged by the Parliaments Forces so that only the southside thereof towards the Sea was open unto it incredible number of Larks were found in that open quarter for multitude like Quails in the Wildernesse though blessed be God unlike them both in cause and effect as not desired with Mans destruction nor â—…ent with Gods anger as appeared by their safe digestion into wholesome nourishment hereof I was an eye and mouth witnesse I will save my credit in not conjecturing any number knowing that herein though I should stoop beneath the truth I should mount above belief they were as fat as plentifull so that being sold for two Pence a dozen and under the Poor who could have no cheaper as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meat used to make pottage of them boyling them down therein Seveâ—…al natural Causes were assigned hereof 1. That these Fowl frighted with much shooting on the Land 〈◊〉 to the Sea-side for their Refuge 2. That it is familiar with them in cold winters as that was to shelter themselves in the most 〈◊〉 parts 3. That some sortes of Seed were lately fown in those parts which invited them thither for their own repast However the Cause of causes was Divine 〈◊〉 thereby providing a Feast for many poor people who otherwise had been pinched for provision Princes HENRIETTA youngest Childe of King Charles and Queen Mary was born at BedfordHouse in this City Anno 1644. on the sixteenth day of June After her long and sad night of Affliction the day dawn'd with her in her Brothers happy returne Since she is marryed to the Duke of Orleance I hope that I once related unto her as a Chaplain may ever pray for her that her soul may be sanctified with true Grace and she enjoy both the Blessings of this and a Better life Prelates BARTHOLOMEUS ISCANUS born in this * City was accounted in that age the Oracle of Learning and Religion so that in all Conventions to that purpose his suffrage clearly carried it He became afterwards Bishop in the place of his nativity being intimate with his City-man whose Character next followeth Baldwin of Devonshire then but Abbot of Ford afterwards advanced to higher preferment These mutually dedicated Books each to others Commendation so that neither wanted praise nor praised himself This Leland calleth pulcherimum certamen Indeed this Alternation of reciprocal Encomiums became them the better because it was merit in both flattery in neither This Bartholomew was an opposer of Becket his insolence and having sate Bishop 14 Years ended his life Anno 1185. BALDVINUS DEVONIUS was born in this City of poor Parentage save that in some sort a worthy man may be said to be Father to himself His preferment encreased with his Learning and deserts being first a School-master then an Arch-deacon then Abbot of Ford afterwards Bishop of Worcester and lastly Arch-bishop of Canterbury An eloquent Man and a pious Preacher according to the Devotion of those dayes so that the errours which he maintained may justly be accounted the Faults of the timâ—…s and in him but infirmities When King Richard the first went to Palestine he conceived himself bound both in conscience and credit to partake of the pains and perils of his Soveraign whom he attended thither but not thence dying there and being buried at Tyre Anno Dom. 1190. WALTER BRONSCOMBE was Son to a very mean * man in this City and therefore the more remarkable that taking no rise from his extraction he raised himself by his own industry to be Bishop of Exeter Here he built and endowed an Hospital for poor people and also founded a fair Colledge at
clear evidence to the contrary this Henry Marny Esquire shall pass with me for him who was then Servant afterwards Executor to the Kings Mother the Lady Margaret Countess of Richmond The very same who afterwards was Knighted made Chancellor of the Dutchy and Created Lord Marny by King Henry the eighth and whose daughter and sole heir Elizabeth was with a fair inheritance married to Thomas Howard Viscount Bindon 14 JOHN CHRISTMAS Ar. Such will not wonder at his Surname who have read the Romans cognominated Jaâ—…arius Aprilis c. Yea Festus himself is well known in Scripture probably so called from being born on some solemn festivall the occasion no doubt of this Sheriffs Surname at the first If the name be extinct in Essex it remaineth in other Counties and the City of London where ...... Christmas Esquire a great promoter of my former and present endeavours must not by me be forgotten Henry VIII 6 WILLIAM FITZ-WILLIAMS Ar. I cannot exactly design his habitation but conceive it not far from Waltham Abby in the South west part of this County because he bequeathed 50. pounds to mend the High-ways betwixt Chigwell and Copers-hall He was afterwards Knighted by King Henry the eighth on a worthy occasion whereof hereafter in his Sheriffalty of North-hampton-shire in the 15. of King Henry the eight He bequeathed 100. pounds to poor Maids Marriages 40. pounds to the University c. and delivering a Catalogue of his Debtors into the hands of his Executors he freely forgave all those over whose names he had written Amore Dei remitto 25 BRIAN TUKE Knight He was Treasurer of the Chamber to King Henry the eight as appears by his Epitaph and dying Anno 1536. lyeth buried with Dame Grissel his wife deceasing two years after him under a fair Tombe in the North Isle of the Quire of Saint Margarets in Lothbury London Lealand giveth him this large commendation that he was Anglicae linguae eloquentiâ mirificus Bale saith that he wrot observations on Chaucer as also against Polidore Virgill for injuring the English of whom then still alive he justly and generously demanded reparations though since his unresponsable memory can make us no satisfaction Edward VI. 3 Sir JOHN GATES He was descended from Sir Geffry Gates Knight who as appears by his Epitaph in the Church of High-Eastern bought the Mannor of Garnets in that parish of one Koppenden Gentleman This Sir Geffry was six years captain of the Isle of Wight and Marshall of Callis and there kept with the Pikards worschipfull Warrys Reader it is the Language of his Epitaph And died Anno Dom. 1477. As for this Sir John Gates Knight descendant from the said Sir Jeffry he is heavily charged with Sacriledge in our Histories and ingaging with John Dudley Duke of Northumberland in the Title of Queen Jane he was beheaded the 22. of August the first of Queen Mary 1553. Queen Elizabeth 1 RALPH ROWLET Knight He married one of the learned daughters of Sir Anthony Cook Sister to the wives of the Lord Chancellour Bacon and Treasurer Cecill His family is now Extinct one of his daughters marrying into the then Worshipfull since honorable family of the Mainards and with her devolved a fair inheritance 12. JAMES ALTHAM Esq. His Armes casually omitted in our List were Pally of six Ermin and Azure on a Chief Gules a Lyon rampant Or. His Name-sake and direct Descendent now living at Markhall made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the second addeth with his accomplished civility to the Honor of his Ancestors King James 1. HENRY MAINARD Kt. He was Father to William Maynard bred in Saint John's Colledge in Cambridge where he founded a Logick Professor created Baron of Wicklow in Ireland and Easton in this County whose Son William Lord Maynard hath been so noble an encourager of my Studies that my Hand deserveth to wither when my Heart passeth him by without a prayer for his good successe 15. PAUL BANNING Kt. and Bar. No doubt the same Person who afterwards was created Viscount Banning of Sudbury His Son was bred in Christ-Church of most hopeful parts descended from the Sackvils by the Mother-side and promising high Performance to his Country but alas cut off in the prime of the prime of his life He left two Daughters which though married left no Issue so that his large estate will be divided betwixt the children of his four Sisters Wives to the Marquess of Dorchester Viscount Grandison the Lord Dacres of the South and Henry Murrey Esq of the Bed-Chamber to King Charles King Charles 12. JOHN LUCAS Esq This worthy Person equalling his Extraction with his Vertues was at Oxford made Baron by King Charles the first I understand he hath one sole Daughter to whom I wish a meet Consort adequate to her Birth and Estate seeing the Barony began in this Lord is suspicious in him to determine The Battels Though none in this County the heart of the Eastern Association yet the siege Anno 1648. of Colchester must not be forgotten Know then that the Remnant of the Royalists routed in Kent with much difficulty recovered this County the Parliliaments Forces pursuing them March much farther they could not such their weariness and want of Accommodation bid Battel to their numerous Foes they durst not which was to run in the Jaws of ruine wherefore they resolved to shelter themselves for a time in Colchester Reader pardon a Digression Winchester Castle was by the Long-Parliament ordered to be made UNTENABLE but the over-officious malice of such who executed the Order wilfully mistaking the word made it UNTENANTABLE To apply the Distinction to 〈◊〉 All men beheld it as Tenantable full of faire Houses none as Tenable in an hostile way for any long time against a great Army But see what Diligence can do in few days they fortified it even above imagination Indeed the lining of the Wall was better than the faceing thereof whose Stone outside was ruinous but the in-side was well filled up with Earth which they valiantly maintained Nor was it General Fairfax they feared so much as General Famine that grand Conqueror of Cities having too much of the best Sauce and too little of the worst Meat Insomuch that they were fain to make Mutton of those Creatures which kill Sheâ—…p and Beefe of Cattel which never wore Horns till they were forced to submit to the worst but best they could get of Conditions Here those two worthy Knights Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle the one eminently a whole Troop of Horse the other a Company of Foot were cruelly sentenced and shot to Death whose bodies have since had a civil Resurrection restored to all possible outward Honour by publick Funerall Solemnities The Farewell I wish the sad casualties may never return which lately have happened in this County The one 1581. in the Hundred of Dengy the other 1648. in the Hundred of Rochford and Isle
as when perceiving his old Palace at Otford to want water he struck his staff into the dry ground still called Saint Thomas his well whence water runneth plentifully to serve that house lately re-built unto this day Others spightful as when because a Smith dwelling in that Town had clogged his Horse he ordered that no Smith afterwards should thrive within that Parish But he who shall go about seriously to confute these Tales is as very a Fool as he was somewhat else who first impudently invented and vented them Prelates STEPHEN LANGTON Here we are at a perfect losse for the place of his birth his surname affording us so much direction in effect it is none at all Inopes nos copia fecit finding no fewer than twelve Langtons though none very near to this place which makes us fly to our marginal refuge herein Stephen born in England was bred in Paris where he became one of the greatest Scholars of the Christian world in his age He was afterwards consecrated Cardinal of Saint Chrysogone and then by Papal power intruded Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in defiance of all opposition which King John could make against him Many are his learned Works writing Comments on all the Old and on some of the New Testament He was the first that divided the whole Bible into Chapters as Robert Stephens a French-man that curious Critick and painful Printer so ne six score years since first subdivided into Verses A worthy Work making Scripture more managable in mens memories and the passages therein the sooner to be turned to as any person who is â—…ooner found out in the most populous City if methodized into Streets and Houses with signs to which the Figures affixed do fitly allude Say not this was a presumption incurring the curse denounced to such who adde to Scripture it being no Addition but an Illustration thereof Besides God set the first pattern to mens industry herein seeing the distinction of some Verses may be said to be Jure Divino as those in the Lamentations and elsewhere which are Alphabetically modelled As causless their complaint who cavil at the inequality of Chapters the eighth of the first of Kings being sixty six the last of Malachy but six verses seeing the entireness of the sense is the standard of their length or shortness It is confessed some few Chapters end and others begin obruptly and yet it is questionable whether the ateration thereof would prove advantageous seeing the reforming of a small fault with a great change doth often hurt more than amend and such alterations would discompose Millions of Quotations in excellent Authors conformed to the aforesaid received divisions Here it must not be concealed that notwithstanding this general tradition of Langtons chaptering the Bible some learned men make that design of far ancienter date and particularly that able Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman This I am confident of that Stephen Langton did something much material in order thereunto and the Improver is usually called the Inventor by a complemental mistake However though I believe Langton well employed in dividing the Bible he was ill busâ—…ed in rending asunder the Church and Kingdom of England reducing King Iohn to sad extremities He died and was buried at Canterbury Anno Dom. 1228. Souldiers WILLIAM PRUDE Esquire vulgarly called Proud was born in this City where his stock have continued for some hundreds of years bred a Souldier in the Low Countreys where he attained to be Lieutenant Colonel He was slain Iuly 12. 1632. at the siege of Mastrich His body which I assure you was no usual honour was brought over into England and buried in the Cathedral of Canterbury in Saint Michaels Chappel on the South side of the Quire with this Inscription on his Monument Stand Souldiers ere you march by way of charge Take an example here that may enlarge Your minds to noble Action Here in peace Rests one whose Life was War whose rich encrease Of Fame and Honour from his Valour grew Unbegg'd unbought for what he won he drew By just desert having in service been A Souldier till near sixty from sixteen Years of his active Life continually Fearless of Death yet still prepar'd to die In his Religious Thoughts for midd'st all harmes He bare as much of Piety as Armes Now Souldiers on and fear not to intrude The Gates of Death by th' example of this Prude He married Mary Daughter of Sir Adam Sprackling Knight and had Issue by her four Sons and three Daughters to whose memory his surviving Son Searles Prude hath erected this Monument Writers OSBERN of CANTERBURY so called because there he had his first birth or best Being as Chanter of the Cathedral Church therein An admirable Musitian which quality endeared him though an Englishman to Lankfrank the Lordly Lombard and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was the English Jubal as to the curiosity thereof in our Churches An Art which never any spake against who understood it otherwise Apollo is in a sad case if Midas his ears must be his Judges However in Divine Service all Musick ought to be tuned to edification that all who hear may understand it otherwise it may tend to delight not devotion and true zeal cannot be raised where knowledge is depressed This Osbern wrote the life of Saint Dunstan in pure Latine according to that age flourishing under William the Conquerer Anno 1070. SIMON LANGTON was by his Brother Stephen Langton the Arch-Bishop preferred Arch-Deacon of Canterbury who Carne sanguine revelante saith the Record made the place much better both to him and his successors in revenue and jurisdiction A troublesome man he was and on his Brothers score a great adversary to King Iohn even after that King had altered his Copy and became of a fierce Foe a Son-Servant to the Pope by resigning his Crown unto him But our Simon could not knock off when he should having contracted such an habit of hatred against K. Iohn that he could not depose it though commanded under the pain of excommunication This caused him to trudge to the Court of Rome where he found little favour For such who will be the Popes white Boyes must watchfully observe his signals and not only charge when he chargeth but retreat when he retreateth This Simon beside others wrote a Book of the penitence of Magdalene in relation it seems to himself though she found more favour in the Court of Heaven than he at Rome He died Anno Dom. 12 Benefactors to the Publick JOHN EASDAY was Alderman and Mayor of this City Anno 1585. He found the Walls thereof much ruined and being a man but of an indifferent estate began the reparation thereof at Ridingate and therein proceeded so far as his name is inscribed on the Wall whose exemplary endeavours have since met with some to commend none to imitate them THOMAS NEVILE born in this City of most honourable extraction as his name is enough to notifie
and avouch He was bred in Cambridge and Master first of Mag dalen then of Trinity Colledge and Dean of Canterbury He was the first Clergy man sent by Arch-Bishop Whitgift who carried to King James tidings of the English Crown and it is questionable whether he brought thither or thence more welcome news especially to the Clergy acquainting them with the Kings full intentions to maintain Church-Discipline as he found it established But the main matter commending his memory is his magnificency to Trinity College whose Court he reduced to a spacious and beautiful Quadrangle Indeed he plucked down as good building as any erected but such as was irregular intercepting the sight disturbing the intended uniformity of the Court whereby the beauty at this day is much advanced For as the Intuitive knowledge is more perfect than that which insinuates it self into the Soul Gradually by discourse so more beautiful the prospect of that Building which is all visible at one view than what discovers it self to the sight by parcels and degrees Nor was this Doctor like those Poets good only at Translation and bad at Invention all for altering nothing for adding of his own who contributed to this Colledge I will not say a Widows Mite but a Batchelours Bounty a stately new Court of his own expence which cost him three thousand pounds and upwards Much enfeebled with the Palsie he died an aged man Anno Dom. 161 The Farewell I am heartily sorry that the many laudable endeavours for the scouring and enlargement of the River Stoure advantagious for this City have been so often defeated and the Contributions given by well-disposed Benefactors amongst whom Mr. Rose once an Alderman of Canterbury gave three hundred pounds have missed their ends praying that their future enterprises in this kind may be crowned with success For the rest I refer the Reader to the pains of my worthy Friend Mr. William Somner who hath written justum volumen of the Antiquities of this City I am sorry to see him Subject-bound betrayed thereto by his own modesty seeing otherwise not the City but Diocesse of Canterbury had been more adaequate to his abilities I hope others by his example will undertake their respective Counties It being now with our age the third and last time of asking the Banes whether or no we may be wedded to skill in this kind seeing now use or for ever hold your Pens all Church Monuments leading to knowledge in that nature being daily irrecoverably imbezeled LANCASHIRE LANCASHIRE Hath the Irish Sea on the West York-shire on the East Cheshire parted with the River Mersey on the South Cumberland and Westmerland on the North. It rangeth in length from Mersey to Wenander-Mere full fifty five miles though the Broadest part thereof exceedeth not One and thirty The Ayre thereof is Subtil and Piercing being free from Foggs saving in the Mosses the Effects whereof are found in the fair Complections and firme Constitutions of the Natives therein whose bodies are as able as their minds willing for any laborious Employment Their Soyle is tolerably fruitful of all things necessary for humane Sustenance Aâ—…d as that Youth cannot be counted a Dâ—…nce though he be Ignorant if he be Docible because his lack of Learning is to be scored on the want of a Teacher So Sterilitie cannot properly be imputed to some places in this County where little Graine doth grow because capable thereof as daily experience doth avouch if it were husbanded accordingly This Shire though sufficiently thick of people is exceedingly thin of Parishes as by perusing this parallel will plainly appear Rutland hath in it Parishes Forty eight Lancashire hath in it Parishes Thirty six See here how Rutland being scarce a Fifth part of Lancashire in greatness hath a fourth part of Parishes more therein But as it was a fine Sight to behold Sir Tho. More when Lord Chancellour of England every morning in term time humbly ask blessing in VVestminster-hall of Sir John More his Father then a pusnie Judge so may one see in this Shire some Chapels exceeding their Mother-Churches in fairness of Structure and numerousnesse of people yet owning their filial relation and still continuing their dutiful dependance on their Parents But for Numerosity of Chapels surely the Church of Manchester exceedeth all the rest which though anciently called but Villa de Manchester is for Wealth and Greatnesse corrival with some Cities in England having no lesse then Nine Chapels which before these our civil Wars were reputed to have five hundred communicants a peice Insomuch that some Clergy men who have confulted Gods Honour with their own credit and profit could not better desire for themselves than to have a Lincoln-shire Church as best built a Lancashire Parish as largest bounded and a London Audience as consisting of most intelligent people The people generally devout are as I am informed Northward and by the West Popishly 〈◊〉 which in the other parts intended by Antiperistasis are zealous Protestants Hence is it that many Subtile Papists and Jesuits have been born and bred in this County which have met with their Matches to say no more in the Natives of the same County So that thereby it hath come to passe that the house of Saul hath waxed weaker and weaker and the house of David stronger and stronger Natural Commodities Oates If any ask why this Graine growing commonly all over England is here entered as an Eminent Commodity of Lancashire Let him know that here is the most and best of that kind yea Wheat and Barlie may seem but the adopted whilst Oates are the Natural Issue of this County so inclined is its genius to the production thereof Say not Oates are Horse-graine and fitter for a Stable then a Table For besides that the Meal thereof is the distinguishing form of Gruel or Broth from Water most hearty and wholsome Bread is made thereof Yea anciently North of Humber no other was eaten by People of the Primest Quality For we read how William the Conquerour bestowed the Mannour of Castle Bitham in Lincoln-shire upon Stephen Earl of Albemarle and Holderness chiefly for this consideration that thence he might have wheaten bread to feed his Infant Son Oaten bread being then the Diet of Holderness and the Counties lying beyond it Allume I am informed that Allume is found at Houghton in this County within the Inheritance of Sir Richard Houghton and that enough for the use of this and the neighbouring Shires though not for Transportarion But because far greater plenty is afforded in York-shire the larger mention of this Mineral is referred to that place Oxen. The fairest in England are bred or if you will made in this County with goodly heads the Tips of whose horns are sometimes distanced five foot afunder Horns are a commodity not to be slighted seeing I cannot call to mind any other substance so hard that it will not break so solid that it will hold liquor within
it and yet so clear that light will pass through it No Mechanick Trade but hath some Utensils made thereof and even now I recruit my pen with Ink from a Vessel of the same Yea it is useful cap-a-pe from Combs to shooing-horns What shall I speak of the many gardens made of horns to garnish houses I mean artificial flowers of all colours And besides what is spent in England many thousand weight are shaven down into leaves for Lanthorns and sent over daily into France In a word the very Shavings of Horn are profitable sold by the Sack and sent many miles from London for the manuring of ground No wonder then that the Horners are an ancient corporation though why they and the Bottle-makers were formerly united into one company passeth my skill to conjecture The best horns in all England and freest to work without Flaws are what are brought out of this County to London the shop-general of English Industry The Manufactures Fustians These anciently were creditable wearing in England for persons of the primest quality finding the Knight in Chaucer thus habited Of Fustian he weared a Gippon All besmottred with his Haubergion But it seems they were all Forreign Commodities as may appear by their modern names 1. Jen Fustians which I conceive so called from Jen a City in Saxony 2. Ausburgh Fustians made in that famous City in Swevia 3. Millaine Fustians brought over hither out of Lumbardy These retain their old names at this day though these several sorts are made in this County whose Inhabitants buying the Cotton Wool or Yarne coming from beyond the Sea make it here into Fustians to the good employment of the Poor and great improvement of the Rich therein serving mean people for their out 〈◊〉 and their betters for the Lineings of their garments Bolton is the staple-place for this commodity being brought thither from all parts of the County As for Manchester the Cottons thereof carry away the credit in our Nation and so they did an hundred and fifty years agoe For when learned Leland on the cost of King Henry the Eighth with his Guide travailed Lancashire he called Manchester the fairest and quickest Town in this County and sure I am it hath lost neither spruceness nor spirits since that time Other Commodities made in Manchester are so small in themselves and various in their kinds they will fill the shop of an Haberdasher of small wares being therefore too many for me to reckon up or remember it will be the safest way to wrap them all together in some Manchester-Tickin and to fasten them with the Pinns to prevent their falling out and scattering or tye them with the Tape and also because sure bind sure find to bind them about with points and 〈◊〉 all made in the same place The Buildings MANCHESTER a Collegiate as well as a Parochial Church is a great ornament to this County The Quire thereof though but small is exceeding beautiful and for Woodwork an excellent peice of Artifice The Wonders About VViggin and elsewhere in this County men go a Fishing with spades and Mathooks more likely one would think to catch Moles then Fishes with such Instruments First they pierce the Turffie ground and under it meet with a black and deadish water and in it small Fishes do swim Surely these Pisces Fossiles or subterranean Fishes must needs be unwholesome the rather because an unctuous matter is found about them Let them be thankful to God in the first place who need not such meat to feed upon And next them let those be thankful which have such meat to seed upon when they need it Proverbs Lancashire fair Women I believe that the God of nature having given fair complections to the Women in this County Art may save her pains not to say her sinnes in endeavouring to better them But let the Females of this County know that though in the Old Testament express notice be taken of the beauty of many Women Sarah Rebekah Rachel 〈◊〉 Thamar Abishag Esther yet in the New Testament no mention is made at all of the fairness of any Woman not because they wanted but because Grace is chief Gospel-beauty Elizabeths unblameableness the Virgin Maries ponâ—…ering Gods word the Canaanitish Womans faith Mary Magdalens charity Lydia her attention to Pauls Preaching these soul-piercing Perfections are far â—…etter than skin-deep Fairness It is written upon a Wall in Rome RIBCHESTER was as rich as any Town in Christendome And why on a Wall Indeed the Italians have a Proverb A wall is the fools paper whereon they scribble their Fancies 〈◊〉 not to be overcurious in examining hereof we suppose some Monumental Wall in Rome as a Register whereon the names of principal Places were inscribed then subjected to the Roman Empire and probably this Ribchester anciently was some eminent Colony as by pieces of Coins and Coluâ—…s there dayly digged out doth appear However at this day it is not so much as a Mercate Town but whether decaied by age or destroyed by accident is uncertain Here Reader give me leave the Historian must not devour the Divine in me so as to debar me from spiritual Reflections What saith S. * Paul We have here no continuing City and no wonder seing Mortal Men are the Efficient Moldring Buildings the Material and Mutable Laws the formal cause thereof And yet S. Paul was as well stocked with Cities as any man alive having three which in some sort he might call his own Tarsus where he was born * Jerusalem where he was bred at the feet of Gamaliel and Rome whereby he received the Priviledg of Freedome all which he waved as nothing worth because of no abiding and continuance Martyrs JOHN ROGERS was born in this County and bred in the University of Cambridge a very able Linguist and General Scholar He was first a Zealous Papist till his eyes being opened he detested all Superstition and went beyond * Seas to VVitenberg where some years after Tyndal he translated the Bible from Genesis till the Revelation comparing it with the Original coming to England he presented it in a fair Volumne to King Henry the 〈◊〉 prefixing a Dedicatory Epistle and subscribing himself those dangerous dayes required a Disguise under the name of Thomas Matthew And now Reader that is unriddled unto me which hath pusled me for some Years for I finde that K. James in the Instructions which he gave to the Translators of the Bible enjoyned them to 〈◊〉 the former Translations of 1. Tindal 2. Matthews 3. Coverdale 4. 〈◊〉 5. Geneva Now at last I understand who this Matthews was though unsatisfied still in VVhitchurch believing his Book never publickly printed but remaining a Manuscript in the Kings Library Yet this present could not procure Mr. Rogers his security who it seems for fear of the 6 Articles was fain to fly again beyond Seas
Etymology was peculiar to himself who would have it termed Mildew because it grindeth the Grain aforehand making it to dwindle away almost to nothing It falleth be it Mist or Dew when Corn is almost ripe for the Sicle and antidateth the Harvest not before it is welcome but before it is wished by the Husbandman Grain being rather withered then ripened thereby If after the fall a good Rain or strong wind cometh it washeth and wipeth it off so that no mischeif is done Otherwise the hot Sun arising sealeth to use the Husbandmans Phrase the Mildew upon the Straw and so intercepteth the Nourishment betwixt the Root and the Ear especially if it falleth not on the Hoase which is but another case and hath another Tunicle under it but on the stripped Straw near to the top of the Stalk Grain growing under Hedges where the wind hath least power is most subject thereunto though VVheat of all Grain is most Bearded VVheat of VVheat is least liable unto it Not that the Hawnes thereof are Spears to fright the Mildew from it but advantagious Gutters to slide it away the sooner which sticketh on notted or pollard VVheat Inland Counties Northampton-shire Bedford-shire c. complain the least Maritime the most of Mildew which insinuateth the Vapors of the Sea to be causall thereof Some hold that seeing it falls from the Skies Earth hath no guard for Heavens blowe save praier which in this very case is prescribed by Solomon But others conceive that humane may be subordinate to Spiritual means to prevent not the falling but the hurting of this Dew in such a degree and hopefully expect the Remedy from the Ingenuity of the next Generation I am the rather confirmed in my Hopes because a help hath been found out against the smooting of VVheat at leastwise in some good proportion I say the smooting of VVheat which makes it a Negro as Mildew makes it a Dwarfe viz. by mingling the seed with Lyme as your Husbandmen will inform you And for my Vale to this County I heartily desire that either God would of his Goodnesse spare the Fruits of the Earth from so hurtful a Casualty or put it into the Minds of Men if it may stand with his VVill to find out some defensitive in some part to abate the Malignity thereof LONDON It is the second City in Christendome for greatnesse and the first for good Government There is no civilized part of the World but it hath heard thereof though many with this mistake that they conceive London to be the Country and England but the City therein Some have suspected the declining of the Lustre thereof because of late it vergeth so much VVestward increasing in Buildings in Convent Garden c. But by their Favour to disprove their Fear it will be found to Burnish round about to every point of the compasse with new Structures daily added thereunto It oweth its greatnesse under Gods Divine providence to the well conditioned River of Thames which doth not as some Tyrant Rivers in Europe abuse its strength in a destructive way but imployeth its greatnesse in goodnesse to be beneficial for commerce by the Reciprocation of the Tide therein Hence it was that when K. James offended with the City threatned to remove his Court to another place the Lord Maior boldly enough returned that he might remove his Court at his pleasure but could not remove the River of Thames Erasmus will have London so called from Lindus a City of Rhodes averring a great resemblance betwixt the Language and Customes of the Britains and Grecians But Mr. Camden who no doubt knew of it honoureth not this his Etymology with the least mention thereof As improbable in my apprehension is the deduction from Ludstown Town being a Saxon no Brittish Termination and that it was so termed from Lan Dian a Temple of Diana standing where now St. Pauls doth is most likely in my opinion Manufactures Natural Commodities are not to be expected to growe in this place which is only the Field of Art and Shop General of England Cheapsiae being called the best Garden only by Metaphore seeing otherwise nothing but Stones are found therein As for London Manufactures they are so many I shall certainly loose my self in this Labyrinth if offering to enter in leaving therefore all intermediate Inventions to others I will only insist on the Needle and the Engine as the least and greatest Instruments imployed therein Needles The Use hereof is right ancient though sewing was before Needles For we read that our first parents made themselves Aprons by sewing Fig leaves together either fastning them with some Glutinous Matter or with some sharp thing joyning them together A Pin is a Blind Needle a Needle a Pin with an Eye What Nails do in solid Needles do in supple Bodies putting them together only they remain not there formally but vertually in the Thread which they leave behind them It is the womans Pencil and Embroidery Vestis acu picta is the masterpeice thereof I say Embroydery much used in former neglected in our age wherein modern Gallants affecting Variety of suits desire that their Cloaths should be known by them and not as Our Ancestors They by their cloaths one suit of state serving them for several solemnities This Industrious Instrument Needle quasi Ne idle as some will have it maintaineth many millions Yea he who desireth a Blessing on the Plough and the Needle including that in the card and compass comprehendeth most Employments at home and abrode by land and by sea All I will add is this that the first fine spanish Needles in England were made in the Reign of Queen Mary in Cheapside by a Negro but such his Envy that he would teach his Art to none so that it dyed with him More charitable was Elias Crowse a German who coming over into England about the Eigth of Queen Elizabeth first taught us the Making of spanish Needles and since we have taught our selves the using of them The Engine This general Word 〈◊〉 to all Machins or Instruments use in this City hath confined to signifie that which is used to quench Scare-fires therein One Mr. Jones a Merchant living in Austin Fryers fetched the first Form thereof from Norenberge and obtained a Patent of King James that none should be made without his Approbation Two were begun but not finished in his Life time who dyed in the great Plague Primo Caroli primi since which Time William Burroughs City-Founder now living in â—…bury hath so compleated this Instrument that his additions amount to a new Invention having made it more secure from breaking and easie to be cleansed so that with the striking out of a Wedge it will cleanse it self and be fit to work again in Four Minutes Since the aforesaid 〈◊〉 hath made about threescore of these Engines for City and Country The Cooper Carpenter Smith Founder Brasier and Turner contribute their skills to the 〈◊〉 oâ—… it
Prison to which many are committed for their contempts more for their debts So called it is from a Brook running by as that of Tygris in Armenia from its former Fleetnesse though now it creepeth flow enough not so much for age as the injection of City excrements wherewith it is so obstructed The Proverb is appliable to those who never owed ought or else having run into debt have crept out of it so that now they may defie danger and arrests yea may triumphare in Hostico laugh in the Face of the Serjeants Surely the Threshold of the Fleet so used setteth a good edge on the Knife and a better on the Wearer thereof acting him with a Spirit free from all engagements All goeth down Gutter-lane There is a small Lane inhabited anciently by Gold-beaters leading out of Cheapside East of Foster-lane which Orthography presents to the Reader by the name of Guthurun-Lane from him the once Owner thereof But common people we must speak with the volge and think with the wise call it Guttur Lane pleading for their mispronouncing it that the narrow form thereof is like the Throat or Gullet and such a one would have pleased Apitius the Epicure who wished to himself Tricubitale Guttur The Proverb is appliable to those who spend all in Drunkennesse and Gluttony meer Belly-Gods whom the Philosopher called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I confesse the word both in sound and sense hath some affinity with that of St. Pauls of the Gretians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Idle-bellyes save that our Gastrimargi are far worse so named from the meer madnesse and distraction of their appetite As Lame as St. Giles Criple-gate St. Giles was by â—…irth an Athenian of noble Extraction and great Estate but quitted all for a solitary Life He was visited with a Lamenesse whether natural or casual I know not but the Tradition goes that he desired not to be healed thereof for his greater mortification if so his Judgement differed from all the good Lame-men in the Gospel importunate for ease from their infirmity He is accompted the Patron of Criples and whereas Churches dedicated to other Saints of better Footmanship get the speed of him and come into the City generally Lame St. Giles laggeth behind in the Suburbs as in London Cambridge Salisbury c. Criplegate was so called before the Conquest from Criples begging of Passengers therein And indeed they may prescribe for their Custome ever since the Lame-man begged an Alms of â—…eter and Iohn at the beautiful Gate of the Temple This Proverb may seem guilty of false Herauldry Lamenesse on Lamenesse and in common Discourse is spoken rather merrily then mournfully of such who for some light hurt lagg behind and sometimes is applied to those who out of Lazinesse none so lame as they that will not go counterfeit Infirmity You are all for the Hoistings or Hustings It is spoken of those who by Pride or Passion are mounted or elated to a pitch above the due proportion of their Birth Quality or Estate such as are all in Altitudinibus so that Common persons know not how to behave themselves unto them It cometh from Hustings the Principal and highest Court in London as also in Winchester Lincolne York c. so called from the French word Haulser to raise or lift up The mention of the Hustings a Court so called mindeth me of another Court called the Court of Hall-mote and I am resolved to run the hazard of the Reader 's anger with this my Digression to rectifie a mistake in some and prevent it in others Sir Edward Coke Institut 4. part cap. 9. This is derived of Hall and Mote as much as to say the Hall Court id est Conventus Civium in Aulam Publicam Every Company in London having a Hall wherein they kept their Courts and this Court antiently called Hall-Mote or Folk-Mote With whom verbatim concurreth who would not willingly dissent from him in point of Common-Law the Learned Doctor Cowel in his Interpreter But let all take heed that they confound not this Court with another more Antient and more proper for the cognizance of the Pen of a Divine viz. Haly-Mote Court being a Court derived from Haly which is Holy and Mote a Meeting being an Assembly kept before the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs for the Regulation of the Company of the Bakers in London wherein the Staffe of Bread and therein the Life of the poor is so much concerned formerly kept on the Lords Day whence it took its Name before the Feast of St. Thomas But a Court of Common-Councell 〈◊〉 the 15th 1609. altered that Court until the Thursday before St. Thomas's Day as since by a later act of the same Councel it is Removed unto the Monday before the said Festival The Antient Title of this Court ranne as followeth Curia Sancti-Motus tenta in Guilhaldea Civitatis London coram Majore Vicecomitibus Civitatis London Die Dominico proximo ante Festum St. Thomae Apostoli ad horam sextam ante Meridiem ejusdem Diei secundum Consuetudinem Civitatis London Such who are Learned in the Lawes and are pleased to reflect on the Name of my Author and Worthy Friend on the Margin will not in the least Degree suspect the Truth hereof Before I come to enroll the List of the Worthies of this City I premise the words Londinas and Londinensis as some have curiously stated their Senses according to whose fancy 1. Londinas signifieth one born in London wheresoever he doth live 2. Londinensis  one living in  wheresoever he was born Could this be made a truth this distinction would be very serviceable to me in this work but it will not hold water finding on due enquiry that by the best Criticks both are used promiscuously for anâ—… either born or living in that City save that Londinas answering to the Question Cujas signifieth Persons alone whilst Londinensis importeth either Persons or Things relating to that City as Turris Londinensis Pons Londinensis c. Princes KATHERINE third Daughter of K. Henry the third and Q. Eleanor was born at London Anno Dom. 1252. November the 25th being St. Katherins day whose name was therefore given unto her at the Font by Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury her Uncle and Godfather She dyed in her very Infancy on whom we will presume to bestow this Epitaph Wak't from the wombe she on this world did peep Dislik tit clos'd her eyes fell fast asleep She lyeth interr'd at Westminster in the space betwixt the Chappels of King Edward and St. Bennet JOAN Eldest Daughter and third child of K. Edward the second and Q. Isabel was born in the Tower of London about the year 1316. She was afterward married to David the second K. of Scotland continuing his wife twenty eight yeares This was she as I conceive who was commonly called Joan Make-Peace and we know Blessed are the peace makers improving her power though sometimes
ready for hearing being finally determined Whereon a Rhythmer When More some years had Chancelor been â—…o more suits did remain The same shall never more be seen Till More be there again Falling into the Kings displeasure for not complying with him about the Queens divorce he seasonably resigned his Chancellours Place and retired to his House in Chelsey chiefly imploying himself in writing against those who were reputed Hereticks And yet it is observed to his Credit by his great friend Erasmus that whilest he was Lord Chancellor no Protestant was put to death and it appears by some passages in his Utopia that it was against his mind that any should lose their Lives for their Consciences He rather soyled his Fingers then dirtied his hands in the matter of the holy Maid of Kent and well wiped it off again But his refusing or rather not accepting the Oath of Supremacy stuck by him for which he was 16. Months imprisoned in the Tower bearing his afflictions with remarkable patience He was wont to say that his natural temper was so tender that he could not indure a philip But a supernatural Principle we see can countermand yea help natural imperfections In his time as till our Memory Tower Prisoners were not dyetâ—…d on their own but on the Kings charges The Lieutenant of the Tower providing their Fare for them And when the Lieutenant said that he was sorry that Commons were no better I like said Sir Thomas Your Dyet very well and if I dislike it I pray turn me out of Dores Not long after he was beheaded on Tower hill 153. He left not above one hundred pounds a year Estate perfectly hating Covetousnesse as may appear by his refusing of four or five thousand pounds offered him by the Clergy Among his Latin Books his Utopia beareth the Bell containing the Idea of a compleat Common-wealth in an Imaginary Island but pretended to be lately discovered in America and that so lively counterfeited that many at the reading thereof mistook it for a real truth Insomuch that many great Learned men as Budeus and Johannes Paludanus upon a fervent zeal wished that some excellent Divines might be sent thither to preach Christs Gospel yea there were here amongst us at home sundry good men and Learned Divines very desirous to undertake the Voyage to bring the People to the Faith of Christ whose manners they did so well like By his only Son Mr. John More he had five Grandchildren Thomas and Augustin born in his Life time who proved zealous Romanists Edward Thomas and Bartholomew born after his Death were firm Protestants and Thomas a married Minister of the Church of England MARGARET MORE Excuse me Reader for placing a Lady among Men and Learned Statesmen The Reason is because of her 〈◊〉 affection to her Father from whom she would not willingly be parted and for me shall not be either living or dead She was born in Bucklers-bury in London at her Fathers house therein and attained to that Skill in all Learning and Languages that she became the miracle of her age Forreigners took such notice hereof that Erasmus hath dedicated some Epistles unto her No Woman that could speak so well did speak so little Whose Secresie was such that her Father entrusted her with his most important Affairs Such was her skill in the Fathers that she corrected a depraved place in St. Cyprian for whereas it was corruptly writen she amended it Nisi vos sinceritatis Nervos sinceritatis Yea she translated Eusebius out of Greek but it was never printed because I. Christopherson had done it so exactly before She was married to William Roper of Eltham in Kent Esquire one of a bountiful heart and plentiful Estate When her Fathers head was set up on London Bridge it being suspected it would be cast into the Thames to make room for divers others then suffering for denying the Kings Supremacy she bought the head and kept it for a Relique which some called affection others religion others Superstition in her for which she was questioned before the Council and for some short time imprisoned until she had buryed it and how long she her self survived afterwards is to me unknown THOMAS WRIOTHESLEY Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesley York Herauld and Grandchild to John VVriothesley descended from an heir general of the ancient Family of the Dunsterviles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge and if any make a doubt thereof it is cleared by the passage of Mr. Ascams Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa Cui uni quam universis aliis se chariorem intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. He afterwards effectually applyed his Studies in our municipal Law wherein he attained to great eminency He was by King Henry the Eighth created Baron of Titchborne at Hampton Court January the first 1543. and in the next year about the beginning of May by the said King made Chancelor of England But in the first of King Edward the Sixth he was removed from that place because a conscienciously Rigorous Romanist though in some reparation he was advanced to be Earl of Southampton He dyed at his House called Lincolns place in Holborn 1550. the 30. of Iuly and lyes buryed at St. Andrews in Holborn WILLIAM PAGET Knight was born in this City of honest Parents who gave him pious and learned education whereby he was enabled to work out his own advancement Privy-Councellour to 4 successive princes which though of different perswasions agreed all in this to make much of an able and trusty Minister of State 1. King Henry the Eighth made him his Secretary and imployed him Embassador to Ch. the Emperor and Francis King of France 2. King Edward the Sixth made him Chancellor of the Dutchy Comptroller of his Houshold and created him Baron of Beaudesert 3. Queen Mary made him â—…eeper of her privy Seal 4. Queen Elizabeth dispenced with his attendance at Court in favour to his great Age and highly respected him Indeed Duke Dudley in the dayes of King Edward ignominiously took from him the Garter of the Order quarrelling that by his extraction he was not qualified for the same Bur if all be true which is reported of this Dukes Parentage he of all men was most unfit to be active in such an imployment But no wonder if his Pride wrongfully snatched a Garter from a Subject whose Ambition endevoured to deprive two Princes of a Crown This was restored unto him by Queen Mary and that with Ceremony and all solemn accents of honour as to a person who by his prudence had merited much of the Nation He dyed very old anno 1563 and his Corps as
22 Tho. Barney ar ut prius  Queen ELIZABETH 18 DRUGO DRURY Arm. This Sir Dru being afterwards Knighted was joyned in Commission with Sir Amias Paulet to keep Mary Queen of Scots and discharged his dangerous trust therein It moveth me not that I find both these Knights branded for Puritans being confident that Nick-name in relation to them both was first pronounced through a Popish mouth causlesly offended at their Religion King CHARLES 5 ROGER TOWNSEND Baronet He was a religious Gentleman expending his soul in piety and charity a lover of God his Service and Servants A grave Divine saith most truly that incroachments on the Church are like breaches of the Seas a thousand to one if they ever return But this worthy Knight may be said to have turn'd the tide restoring Impropriations to the Church to some hundreds in yearly valuation He married Mary daughter and co-heir of Horatio Lord Vere of Tilbury by whom he had Sir Horace who for his worth was deservedly Created a Baron at the Coronation of King Charles the second The Farewell And now being to take my leave of this County I wish the inhabitants thereof may make good use of their so many Churches and cross that pestilent Proverb The nigher to the Church the farther from God substituting another which will be a happy change in the room thereof viz. The more the Churches the more sincere the Devotion NORWICH is as you please either a City in an Orchard or an Orchard in a City so equally are Houses and Trees blendid in it so that the pleasure of the Country and populousness of the City meet here together Yet in this mixture the inhabitants participate nothing of the rusticalness of the one but altogether of the urbanity and civility of the other Natural Commodities Flowers The Dutch brought hither with them not onely their profitable crafts but pleasurable curâ—…osities They were the first who advanced the use and reputation of Flowers in this City A Flower is the best complexioned grass as a Pearl is the best coloured clay and daily it weareth Gods Livery for He cloatheth the Grass in the Field Solomon himself is out-braved therewith as whose gallantry onely was adopted and on him their 's innate and in them In the morning when it groweth up it is a Lecture of Divine Providence In the evening when it is cut down withered it is a Lecture of Humane Mortality Single flowers are observed much sweeter then the double ones poor may be more fragrant in Gods nostrils then the rich and let Florists assign the cause thereof whether because the Sun doth not so much dry the Intricacies of such flowers which are Duplicated Great the Art in meliorating of flowers and the Rose of Roses Rosa Mundi had its first being in this City As Jacob used an ingenious invention to make Laban's cattle speckled or ring-straked so much the skil in making Tulips feathered and variegated with stripes of divers colours In my judgement those flowers carry it clearly which acquit themselves to a double sense sight and smel for though in some thing it may be true Optime quae minime olent yet in flowers besides a negation of an ill the position of a good sent is justly required Manufactures Stuffs It is an ill wind which bloweth no man good even Storms bring VVrecks to the Admiral The cruelty of Duke D'Alva as it blew the Dutch out off their own brought them into this City and with them their Manufactures which the English quickly learned from them until Norwich became the Staple of such Commodities for the whole Land For the nimble wooffe its artificial dancing in several postures about the standing warpe produceth infinite varieties in this kind Expect not I should reckon up their several names because daily increasing and many of them are binominous as which when they begin to tire in sale are quickned with a new name In my child-hood there was one called Stand-far-of the embleme of Hypocrisie which seemed pretty at competent distance but discovered its coursness when nearer to the eye Also Perpetuano so called from the lasting thereof though but a counterfeit of the cloaths of the Israelites which endured in the VVillderness 40. years Satinisco Bombicino Italiano c. Comineus saith that a Favorite must have an handsome name which his Prince may easily call on all occasions so a pretty pleasing name complying with the Byers fancy much befriendeth a Stuffe in the sale thereof By these means Norwich hath beaten Sudbury out of distance in the race of Trading Indeed in the starting the South having the better of the North and Bury or City being before VVich or Vicus a Village Sudbury had the advantage but now Norwich is come first to their Mark The Buildings The Cathedral therein is large and spacious though the roof in the Cloysters be most commended When some twenty years since I was there the top of the Steeple was blown down and an Officer of the Churce told me That the wind had done them much wrong but they meant not to put it up whether the wrong or the steeple he did not declare Amongst private houses the Duke of Norfolks palace is the greatest I ever saw in a City out of London Here a covered Bowling-alley the first I believe of that kind in England on the same token that when Thomas last Duke of Norfolk was taxed for aspiring by marriage of the Q to the Crown of Scotland he protested to Queen Elizabeth that when he was in his Bowling-alley at Norwich he accounted himself as a King in Scotland As for the Bishops Palace it was formerly a very fair structure but lately unleaded and new covered with tyle by the purchasers thereof Whereon a wag not unwittily Thus Palaces are altered we saw John Leyden now Wat Tyler next Jack Straw Indeed there be many thatch'd houses in the City so that Luther if summoned by the Emperour to appear in this place would have altered his expression and said instead of Tyles of the house that if every Straw on the roof of the houses were a Divel notwithstanding he would make his appearance However such thatch is so artificially done even sometimes on their Chancels that it is no eye-sore at all to the City Physicians JOHN GOSLIN born in this City was first Fellow and afterwards Master of Caius-colledge in Cambridge Proctor of the University and twice Vice-chancellour thereof a general Scholar eloquent Latinist a rare Physician in which faculty he was Regius Professor A strict man in keeping and Magistrate in pressing the Statutes of Colledge and University and a severe punisher of the infringers thereof And here courteous Reader let me insert this pleasant passage seeing Cato himself may sometimes smile without offence I remember when this Doctor was last Vice-chancellour it was highly penal for any Scholar to appear in boots as having more of the Gallant then Civil Student therein
de Sutton Roberti Doyle Rogeri Perponnt Thome Hercy Richardi Bevercotes Reberti Moresby Roberti Morewode Iohannis Clifton Roberti Dunham Iohannis Serlby Willielmi Wilbram Thome Genelâ—…y Thome Schâ—…feld Thome Anne Iohannis Rolley Iohannis atte Vikars Willielmi Boson Edm. Nornamuyle Richardi Gatford Iohannis Becard Willielmi Remston Richardi Strelly Thome Meryng Willielmi Lassels Iohannis Powerr Willielmi Powerr Ioh. Leâ—…k de Halom Thome Okere Philippi Barley Thome Warberton Iohannis Alferton Willielmi Alferton filius ejus Richardi Ranchestere de Wirssope Iohannis VVhite de Colyngam Iohannis Glouseter de Carcoston Richardi Walfeld de Newerk Roberti Kelom de Newerk Willielmi Skrynishire de Muskham Roberti Garnon de Muskham Ioh. Kelom de Kelom Rob. Darley de Thorp Thome Columboll de Thorp Riginaldi Shawe de Estwayte Gervasii Bampton de Beston Iohannis Mathewe de Sterroppe Willielmi Crecy de Markham Petri Creci de Markham Roberti Forsett de Grynley Will. Lord de Retford Roberti Wytham de Orston Radulphi â—…tuffin de Mansfeld Wodhous Iohannis Brannspath de Ragnell Ioh. Brannspath filius ejus de Ragnell Tho. Brannspath de Ragnell Rad. Barre de Ragnell Iohannis Crostes de Ragnell Iohannis Melton de Mormanton Willielmi Clerk de Gedlynge Radulphi Wilbram de VVestmerkham Galfridi Botelere de VVelhagh Rob. Norton de Kirton Iohannis Milnere de Allerton Will. Haley de Sutton Iohan. Morehagh de Mansfeld Ioh. Arnall de Arnall Iohan. Spondon de Newerk Iohan. Dennett de Newerk Hugonis Garnon de Muskham Iohan. Crumwell de Charleton Rob. Crumwell filius ejus de eadem Willielmi Daynell de Egmanton Edm. Berkyn de Allerton Henrici Payser de Clypston Simonis Caldewell de Laxton Roberti Bliton de Cannton Rob. Waryn deWanton Williel Drapour de Welhagh Iohannis Carleton de Blithe Tho. Bagley de Blithe Walteri Carleton de Carleton VVill. Hogekyngson de Misterton Ioh. Darnall de Misterton Williel Lyndrike de Stockwith Willielmi Browet de Walkryngham Richardi Caxton de Tuxford Iohannis Parlethorpe de Laxton Tho. Grengorge de Allerton Sheriffs This County had the same Sheriffs with Derby-shire untill the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth wherein they were divided and since which time these were the particular Sheriffs of this Shire Name Place Armes ELIZ. REG.   Anno   10 Tho. Cowper ar  Azure a Tortois erected Or. 11 Ioh. Biron ar  * Gules a Saltyr Erminâ—… 12 Ioh. Nevil ar Grove †Az. in a Chief Or a Lion issuant G. and 〈◊〉 Arg. 13 Rob. Markham ar †  14 Gerv. Clifton mil. Clifton Sable semi de cinque-soils a Lion ramp Arg. 15 Will. Hollis mil. b Houghton  16 Th. Stanhope mil. c Shelford b Ermine 2. Piles sable 17 Hen. Perpoynt ar d Holme c Quarterly Ermine and Gul. 18 Geo. Chaworth ar e Wiverton d Arg. a Lion ramp sable in an Orb of cinque-soils Gul. 19 Tho. Markham ar ut prius  20 Ioh. Biron ar  e Azure two cheverons Or. 21 Fra. Willoughby m.  Or on 2. bars Gul. 3. Waterbougets arg 22 Gâ—…o Nevil ar ut prius  23 Will. Sutton ar Arundel Arg. a quarter S. a crescent G. 24 Fran. Molineux ar Teversha Az. a cross moline quater pierceâ—… Or. 25 Rob. Markham ar ut prius  26 Brian Lasles ar  Argent 3. Chaplets Gules 27 Ioh. Sydenham ar Some shi Sab. 3. Rams argent 28 Geo. Chaworth m ut prius  29 Tho. Stanhope mil. ut prius  30 Fra. Willoughby m. ut prius  31 Ioh. Biron mil.   32 Th. Thornhough ar   33 Ioh. Hollis ar ut prius  34 Ioh. Basset ar  Or 3. Piles G. a Canton Erm 35 Fra. Willoughby ar ut prius  36 Will. Sutton ar ut prius  37 Rich Whalley ar   38 Ioh. Biron mâ—…l   39 Ioh. Thorold ar  Sable 3. Goats salient Gules 40 Hâ—…n Chaworth ar ut prius  41 Brian Lasâ—…els ar ut prius  42 Edw. Noâ—â—â— ar  Az. a Lion passant Or betwixt 3. Flower 〈◊〉 arg 43 Hen. Perpoint ar ut prius  44 Rog. Ascough mil.  Sable a Fess Or between 3. Asses passant arg JACOB   Anno   1 Will. Reyner mil.   2 Gab. Armstrong ar  G. 3. right hands coped and armed bar-wayes proper 3 Will. Sutton mil. ut prius  4 Will. Cowper ar ut prius  5 Io. Thornhough ar   6 Hen. Sachererell ar  Arg. on a Saltyre 5. Waterbougets of the first 7 Ioh. Molineux ar ut prius  8 Ger. Clifton mil. ut prius  9 Ioh. Molineux mil. ut prius  10 Ioh. Biron mil.   11 Geo. Perkins mil.   12 Ro. Williamson ar Eastmark Or a Cheveron Gules betwixt 3. Tresoils Sab. 13 Rob. Perpoynt ar ut prius  14 Geo. Lassels mil. ut prius  15 Io. Thornhough m.   16 Tho. Barton ar   17 Will. Reason ar   18 Tho. Hutchinson m   19 Ioh. White mil.   20 Ioh. Digby ar  Azure a Flower de luce Arg. 21 Math. Palmes ar  Gul. 3. flower de luces Arg. a Chieâ—… Varry 22 Edw. Goldinge †〈◊〉 Markham ar CAROL I. ut prius †Gules a Cheveron Or betwixt 3. Besants Anno   1 Tim. Pusey ar   2 Fran. Williamson ut prius  3 Tho. Hewet mil.  Sab. a Chev. counter-Battilee betwixt 3. Owles Arg. 4 Jer. Teresy ar   5 Ith. Perkins ar   6 Rob. Sutton ar ut prius  7 Tho. White ar   8 Tho. Bolles ar  Az. 3. Cups Arg. holding as many Boars heads erected Or 9 Ioh. Melish ar *   10 Ioh. Biron mil.  * Az. 2. Swans Arg. betwixt as many Flanches Ermine 11 Har. Wasteneys b. †Hendon  12 Geo. Lassels mil. ut prius †Sab. a Lion ramp Arg. collered Gules 13 Fra. Thorohaugh m   14 Ioh. Chaworth ar ut prius  15 Tho. Williamson ar ut prius  16 Gilb. Edw. Nevil ar ut prius  Q. Elizadeth 15. WILLIAM HOLLIS Mil. This was that steddy and constant House-keeper who for his hospitality and other eminent vertues was commonly called The good Sir William A most honourable title seeing of Gods two grand Epithets Optimus Maximus the former is imbraced by too few the later affected by too many This Sir William was son to Sir William Hollis Lord Mayor of the City of London father to John Hollis Lord Houghton of Houghton created Earl of Clare in the 22. of King Charles the First and Grand-father to the Right Honourable John the present Earl of Clare K. James 13. ROBERT PERPOINT Armig. He was afterwards created Baron Perpoint and Viscount Newark and afterwards in the fourth of King Charles the first Earl of Kingston upon Hull One descended of right ancient and noble extraction whose Ancestors coming over with the Conqueror first fixed at Hurst-â—…erpoint
Henry the sixth and afterwards to King Richard the third 1. Her Husband being killed at Barnet fight all her land by Act of Parliament was setled on her two Daughters as if she had been dead in Nature 2. Being attainted on her Husbands score she was forced to flye to the Sanctuary at Beauly in Hant-shire 3. Hence she got her self privately into the North and there lived a long time in a mean condition 4. Her want was increased after the death of her two daughters who may be presumed formerly to have secretly supplyed her I am not certainly informed when a full period was put by death to these her sad calamities Saints St. FRIDESWIDE was born in the City of Oxford being daughter to Didan the Duke thereof It happened that one Algarus a noble young man sollicited her to yield to his lust from whom she miraculously escaped he being of a sudden struck blind If so she had better success than as good a Virgin the daughter to a greater and better father I mean Thamar daughter of King David not so strangely secured from the lust of her brother She was afterward made Abbess of a Monastery erected by her father in the same City which since is become part of Christ-church where her body lyeth buried It happened in the first of Queen Elizabeth that the Scholars of Oxford took up the body of the wife of Peter Martyr who formerly had been disgracefully buried in a dunghill and interred it in the Tomb with the dust of St. Frideswide Sanders addeth that they wrote this Inscription which he calleth Impium Epitaphium Hic requiescit Religio cum â—…uperstitione though the words being capable of a favourable sense on his side he need not have been so angry However we will rub up our old Poetry and bestow another upon them In tumulo fuerat Petri quae Martyris uxor Hic cum Frideswida virgine jure jacet Virginis intactae nihilum cum cedat honori Conjugis in thalamo non temerata fides Si facer Angligenis cultus mutetur at absit Ossa suum â—…ervent mutua tuta locum Intom'd with Frideswide deem'd a Sainted maid The Wife of Peter Martyr here is laid And reason good for Women chaste in mind The best of Virgins come no whit behind Should Popery return which God forefend Their blended dust each other would deâ—…end Yet was there more than eight hundred years betwixt their several deaths Saint Frideswide dying Anno 739. and is remembred in the Romish Calendar on the nineteenth day of October St. EDWOLD was younger Brother to St. Edmund King of the East-Angles so cruelly martyred by the Danes and after his death that Kingdom not onely descended to him by right but also by his Subjects importunity was pressed upon him But he declined both preferring rather a sollitary life and heavenly contemplation In pursuance whereof he retired to Dorcester in this County and to a Monastery called Corn-house therein where he was interred and had in great veneration for his reputed miracles after his death which happened Anno Dom. 871. St. EDWARD the CONFESSOR was born at I slip in this County and became afterwards King of England sitting on the Throne for many years with much peace and prosperity Famous for the first founding of Westminster Abby and many other worthy aâ—…hievements By Bale he is called Edvardus simplex which may signifie either shallow or single but in what sense soever he gave it we take it in the later Sole and single he lived and dyed never carnally conversing with St. Edith his Queen which is beheld by different persons according to their different judgments coloured eyes make coloured objects some pitying him for defect or natural Impotence others condemning him as affecting singelness for want of Conjugal affection others applauding it as an high pâ—…ece of 〈◊〉 and perfection Sure I am it opened a dore for forreign Competitors and occasioned the Conquest of this Nation He dyed Anno Dom. 1065. and lyeth buryed in Westminster Abby Cardinals ROBERT PULLEN or Pullain or Pulley or Puley or Bullen or Pully for thus variously is he found written Thus the same name passing many mouths seems in some sort to be declined into several Cases whereas indeed it still remaineth one and the same word though differently spelled and pronounced In his youth â—…e studied at Paris whence he came over into England in the reign of King Henry the Fiâ—…st when learning ran very low in Oxford the university there being first much afflâ—…cted by Herald the Dane afterwards almost extinguished by the cruelty of â—…he Conqueror Our Pullen improved his utmost power with the King and Prelates for the restoring thereof and by his praying preaching and publick reading gave a great advancement thereunto Remarkable is his character in the Chronicle of Osny Robertus Pulenius scriptur as divin as quae in Anglia obsolverant apud Oxoniam legere câ—…pit Robert Pullen began to read at Oxford the holy scriptures which were grown out of fashion in England The fame of his leâ—…rning commended him beyond the Seas and it is remarkable that whereas it is usual with Popes in policy to unravel what such weaved who were before them three successive Popes continued their love to and increased honours upon him 1. Innocent courteously sent for him to Rome 2. Celestine created him Cardinal of St. Eusebius Anno 1144. 3. Lucius the second made him Chancellor of the Church of Rome He lived at Rome in great respect and although the certain date of his death cannot be collected it happened about the year of our Lord 1150. THOMAS JOYCE or Jorce a Dominican proceeded Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and living there he became Provincial of his Order both of England and Wales From this place without ever having any other preferment Pope Clement the fifth created him Cardinal of St. Sabine though some conceive he wanted breadth proportionable to such an height of dignity having no other revenue to maintain it Cardinals being accounted Kings fellow in that Age. Others admire at the contradiction betwixt Fryers pâ—…ofession and practice that persons so low should be so high so poor so rich which makes the same men to 〈◊〉 that so chaste might be so wanton He is remarkable on this account that he had six brethren all Dominicans I will not listen to their compaâ—…ison who resemble them to the seven sons of Sceva which were Exorcists but may term them a week of brethren whereof this Rubricated Cardinal was the Dominical letter There want not those who conceive great vertue in the youngest son of these seven and that his Touch was able to cure the Popes Evil. This Thomas as he had for the most time lived in Oxford so his Corps by his own desire were buried in his Convent therein He flourished Anno Dom. 1310. Prelates HERBERT LOSING was born in Oxford his father being an Abbot
that the world may see what time cureth in a weak mind that Discretion and Moderation helpeth in you in this accident where there is so just cause to demonstrate true Patience and Moderation Your gracious and loving Sovereign E. R. Now thoughâ—… nothing more consolatory and pathetical could be written from a Prince yet his death went so near to the heart of the Lord his ancient father that he dyed soon after Writers JOHN HANVILE took his name as I conceive from Hanwell a Village in this County now the habitation of the ancient Family of the Copes seeing none other in England both in sound and spelling draweth nearer to his Sirname He proceeded Master of Arts in Oxford then studied in Paris and travelled over most parts in Christendom He is commonly called Archithrenius or Priâ—…ce of lamentation being another Jeremy and man of mourning He wrote a book wherein he bemoned the errors and vices of his own Age and himself deserved to live in a better Yet this doleful Dove could peck as well as grone and somtimes was satyrical enough in his passion there being but a narrow â—…age betwixt grief and anger and bitterness is a quality common to them both He flourished under King John Anno 1200. and after his return from his travels is conceived by some to have lived and dyed a Benedictine of St. Albans JOHN of OXFORD was no doubt so named from his birth in that City otherwise had he onely had his Education or eminent learning therein there were hundreds Johns of Oxford as well as himself Hector Boethius sirnamed him a Vado Boum and owneth him the next Historian to Jeffrey Monmouth in age and industry He was a great Anti-Becketist as many more in that Age of greater learning except stubornness be made the standard thereof than Becket himself Being Dean of old Sarâ—…m and Chaplain to King Henry the second he was by him imployed with others to give an account to the Pope but I question wheâ—…her he would take it of the Kings carriage in the business of Becket He was preferred Anno 1175. Bishop of Norwich where he repaired his Cathedral lately defaced with fire built a fair Almes-house and Trinity-church in Ipswich His death happened Anno Dom. 1200. ROBERT BACON first Scholer of afterward a familiar Friend to St. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and when aged became a Dominican or preaching Fryer and for his Sermons he was highly esteemed by King Henry the third He was Lepidus Cynicus and a most profest enemy to Peter Roach Bishop of Winchester Matâ—…hew Paris gives him and another viz. Richard de Fishakle this praise Quibus non erant majores imò nec pares ut creditur viventes in Theologia aliis scientiis and I listen the rather to his commendation because being himself a Benedictine Monk he had an antipathy against all Fryers I behold this Robert Bacon as the senior of all the Bacons which like tributary streams disembogued themselves with all the credit of their actions into Roger Bacon who in process of time hath monopolized the honour of all his Sirname-sakes in Oxford Our Robert dyed Anno Dom 1248. ROBERT of OXFORD was not onely an Admirer but Adorer of Thomas Aquinas his contemporary accounting his Opinions Oracles as if it were a venial sin to doubt of and a mortal to deny any of them Mean time the Bishop of Paris with the consent of the Masters of Sorbonne the great Champions of liberty in this kind granted a licence to any Scholer Opinari de opinionibus to guess freely and by consequence to discuss in Disputations any mans Opinions which as yet by a general Council were not decided matters of faith Our Roberâ—… much offended thereat wrote not onely against Henricus Gandavensis and Aegiâ—…ius Romanus but also the whole College of Sorbonne an act beheld of many as of more boldness than brains for a private person to perform He flourished under King Henry the third Anno Dom. 1270. JEFFREY CHAUCER was by most probability born at Woodstock in this County though other places lay stiff claim to his Nativity Berk-shires title Londons title Oxford shires title Leland confesseth it likely that he was born in Barochensi provincia and Mr. Cambden avoweth that Dunington-castle nigh unto Newburie was anciently his Inheritance There was lately an old Oake standing in the Park called Chaucers Oake The Author of his life set forth 1602. proveth him born in London out of these his own words in the Testament of love Also in the Citie of London that is to mâ—…e â—…ot deare and swéete in which I was foorth growne and more kindely love have I to that place than to any other in yerth as every kindely creature hath full appetite to that place of his kindly ingendure Besides Mr. Cambden praiseth Mr. Edmund Spencer the Londoner for the best Poet Ne Chaucero quidem concive excepto Chaucer himself his fellow-citizen not being excepted Leland addeth a probability of his birth in Oxford-shire and Cambden saith of Woodstock Cuâ—… nihil habeat quod ostentet Hâ—…merum nostrum Anglicum Galfredum Chaucerum alumnum suum fuisse gloriatur Besides â—… Pits is positive that his father was a Knight and that he was born at Woodstock And Queen Elizabeth passed a fair stone-house next to her Palace in that Town unto the Tenant by the name of Chaucers house whereby it is also known at this day Now what is to be done to decide the difference herein Indeed Appion the Grammarian would have Homer concerning whose Birth-place there was so much controversie raised ab Inferis that he might give a true account of the place of his Nativity However our Chaucer is placed heâ—…e having just grounds for the same untill stronger reasons are brought to remove him He was a terse and elegant Poâ—…t the Homer of his Age and so refined our English Tongue Ut inter expolitas gentium linguas potuit rectè quidem connumerari His skill in Mathematicks was great being instructed therein by Joannes Sombus and Nicholas of Linn which he evidenceth in his book De Sphaera He being Contemporary with Gower was living Anno Dom. 1402. Since the Reformation THOMAS LYDYATE Now I find the old sentence to be true Difficile fugitivas mortuorum memorias retrahere seeing all my industry and inquiry can retrive very little of this worthy person and the Reader I hope will not be angry with me who am so much grieved with my self for the same Indeed contradicting qualities met in him Eminency and Obscurity the former for his Learning the later for his Living All that we can recover of him is as followeth He was born at Alkerton in this County bred first in Winchester school then in New college in Oxford being admitted therein Iune 22. 1593. An admirable Mathematician witness these his learned
behold Bristol as the staple-place thereof where alone it was anciently made For though there be a place in London nigh Cheapside called Sopers-lane it was never so named from that Commodity made therein as some have supposed but from Alen le Soper the long since owner thereof Yea it is not above an hundred and fifty years by the confession of the Chronicler of that City since the first Sope was boyled in London Before which time the Land was generally supplyed with Castile from Spain and Graysope from Bristol Yea after that London medled with the making thereof Bristol-sope notwithstanding the portage was found much the cheaper Great is the necessity thereof seeing without Sope our bodies would be no better than dirt before they are turned into dust men whilst living becoming noisome to themselves and others Nor lesse its antiquity For although our modern Sope made of Pot-ashes and other ingredients was unknown to the Ancient yet had they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 something which effectually supplied the place thereof making their Woollen clear their Linnen-Cloth cleanly Christ is compared by the Prophet to Fullers sope in Hebrew Borith which word Arias Montanus in his Interlineary Bible reteineth untranslated but in his Comment following the example of St. Hierom on the place rendreth it Herba fullonum expounding it to be Saponaria in English Sopeworth Indeed both Dodoneus and Gerardus writeth thereof This plant hath no use in Physick Yet seeing nature made nothing in vain Sopeworth cannot justly be charged as useless because purging though not the body the Clothes of a man and conducing much to the neatnesse thereof The Buildings Ratcliffe Church in this City clearly carrieth away the credit from all Parish-Churches in England It was founded by Cannings first a Merchant who afterwards bâ—…ame a Priest and most stately the ascent thereunto by many stairs which at last plentifully recompenceth their pains who climb them up with the magnificent structure both without and within If any demand the cause why this Church was not rather made the See of a Bishop then St. Augustins in this City much inferiour thereunto such may receive this reason thereof That this though an intire stately structure was not conveniently accomodated like St. Augustins formerly a great Monastery with publick Buildings about it for the Palace of a Bishop and the Reception of the Dean and Chapter However as the Town of Hague in Holland would never be Walled about as accounting it more credit to be the Biggest of Villages in Europe than but a Lesser City so Ratcliffe-Church esteemeth it a greater grace to lead the Van of all Parochial than to follow in the Rear after many Cathedral Churches in England Medicinal Waters St. Vincents Well lying West of the City under St. Vincents Rock and hard by the River is sovereign for Sores and Sicknesses to be washt in or drunk of to be either outwardly or inwardly applyed Undoubtedly the Water thereof runneth through some Mineral of Ironâ—… as appeareth by the rusty ferruginous taste thereof which it retaineth though boiled never so much Experience proveth that Beer brewed thereof is wholesome against the Spleen and Dr. Samuel VVard afflicted with that malady and living in Sidney-Colledge was prescribed the constant drinking thereof though it was costly to bring it thorough the Severn and narrow seas to Lin and thence by the River to Cambridge But men in pain must not grudge to send far to purchase their ease and thank God if they can so procure it Proverbs Bristol Milk Though as many Elephants are fed as Cows grased within the Walls of this City yet great plenty of this Metaphorical Milk whereby Xeres or Sherry-Sack is intended Some will have it called Milk because whereas Nurses give new-born Babes in some places Pap in other water and sugar such Wine is the first moisture given Infants in this City It is also the entertainment of course which the courteous Bristolians present to all Strangers when first visiting their City Martyrs The moderation of John Holyman Bipshop of this City is much to be commended who in the reign of Queen Mary did not persecute any in his Diocess And yet we find Rich. Sharpe Tho. Benion and Tho. Hale martyred in this City whose Bloud the Inquisitor thereof will visit on the account of Dalbye the cruel Chancellour of this Dio cess Prelates RALPH of BRISTOL born in this City was bred as I have cause to conceive in the Neighbouring Covent of Glassenbury Going over into Ireland first he became Treasurer of St. Patricks in Dublin then Episcopus Darensis Bishop of Kildare He wrote the life of Lawrence Arch-Bishop of Dublin and granted saith my Author certain Indulgences to the Abbey of Glassenbury in England probably in testimony of his Gratitude for his Education therein He died Anno Dom. 1232. Since the Reformation TOBIAS MATTHEW D. D. was born in this City bred first in St. Johns then in Christ-Church in Oxford and by many mediate Preferments became Bishop of Durham and at last York But it will be safest for my Pen now to fast for fear for a Surfeit which formerly feasted so freely on the Character of this Worthy Prelate who died 1628. Sea-men No City in England London alone excepted hath in so short a Time bred more Brave and Bold Sea-men advantaged for Western Voyages by its situation They have not only been Merchants but Adventurers possessed with a Publick Spirit for the General Good Aiming not so much to return wealthier as wiser not alwayes to en-rich themselves as inform Posterity by their Discoveries Of these some have been but meerly casual when going to fish for Cod they have found a Country or some eminent Bay River or Hauen of importance unknown before Others were intentional wherein they have sown experiments with great pains cost and danger that ensuing Ages may freely reap benefit thereof Amongst these Sea-men we must not forget HUGH ELIOT a Merchant of this City who was in his Age the prime Pilot of our Nation He first with the assistance of Mr. Thorn his fellow-Citizen found out New-found-land Anno 1527. This may be called Old-found-land as senior in the cognizance of the English to Virginia and all our other Plantations Had this Discovery been as fortunate in publick Encouragement as private Industry probably before this time we had enjoyed the Kernel of those Countries whose Shell only we now possess It 's to me unknown when Eliot deceased Writers THOMAS NORTON was born in this City and if any doubt thereof let them but consult the Initial syllables in the six first and the first line in the seventh chapter of his Ordinal which put together compose Thomas Norton of Briseto A parfet Master you may him trow Thus his modesty embraced a middle way betwixt concealing and revealing his name proper for so great a Professor in Chymistry as he was that his very name must from his
Book be mysteriously extracted He was scarce twenty eight years of Age when in fourty dayes believe him for he saith so of himself he learn'd the perfection of Chymistry taught as it seems by Mr. George Ripley But what saith the Poet Non minor est virtus quà m quaerere parta tueri The spight is he complaineth that a Merchants wife of Bristol stole from him the Elixir of life Some suspect her to have been the wife of William Cannings of whom before contemporary with Norton who started up to so great and sudden Wealth the clearest evidence of their conjecture The admirers of this Art are justly impatient to hear this their great Patron traduced by the Pen of J. Pits and others by whom he is termed Nugarum opifex in frivola scientia and that he undid himself and all his friends who trusted him with their money living and dying very poor about the year 1477. JOHN SPINE I had concluded him born at Spine in Bark-shire nigh Newbury but for these diswasives 1. He lived lately under Richard the Third when the Clergy began to leave off their Local Surnames and in conformity to the Laity to be called from their Fathers 2 My Author peremptorily saith he was born in this City I suspect the name to be Latinized Spineus by Pits and that in plain English he was called Thorn an ancient Name I assure you in this City However he was a Carmelite and a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford leaving some Books of his making to posterity He died and was buried in Oxford Anno Dom. 1484. JOHN of MILVERTON Having lost the Fore I must play an After-game rather than wholely omit such a Man of Remark The matter is not much if he be who was lost in Somerset-shire where indeed he was born at Milverton be found in Bristol where he first fixed himself a Frier Carmelite Hence he went to Oxford Paris and at last had his abode in London He was Provincial General of his Order thorough England Scotland and Ireland so that his Jurisdiction was larger than King Edward the Fourth's under whom he flourished He was a great Anti-Wiâ—…liffist and Champion of his Order both by his writing and preaching He laboured to make all believe that Christ himself was a Carmelite Professor of wilful Poverty and his high commending of the Poverty of Friers tacitly condemned the Pomp of the Prelates Hereupon the Bishop of London being his Diocesan caâ—…t him into the Jaile from whom he appealed to Paul the II. and coming to Rome he was for three years â—…ept close in the Prison of St. Angelo It made his durance the more easie having the company of Platina the famous Papal Biographist the Neb of whose Pen had been too long in writing dangerous Truth At last he procured his Cause to be referred to Seven Cardinals who ordered his enlargement Returning home into England he lived in London in good repute I find him nominated Bishop of St. Davids but how he came to miss it is to me unknown Perchance he would not bite at the bait but whether because too fat to cloy the stomack of his mortified Soul or too lean to please the appetite of his concealed covetousness no man can decide He died and was buried in London 1486. WILLIAM GROCINE was born in this City and bred in Winchester-School Where he when a Youth became a most excellent Poet. Take one instance of many A pleasant Maid probably his Mistris however she must be so understood in a LoveFrolick pelted him with a Snow-ball whereon he extempore made this Latin Tetrastick Me nive candenti petiit mea Julia rebar Igne carere nivem nix tamen ignis erat Sola potes nostras extinguere Julia flammas Non nive non glacie sed potes ignes pari A snow-ball white at me did Julia throw Who would suppose it Fire was in that snow Julia alone can quench my hot desire But not with snow or Ice but equal fire He afterwards went over into Italy where he had Demetrius Calchondiles and Politian for his Masters And returning into England was Publick Professor of the Greek Tongue in Oxford There needs no more to be added to his Honour save that Erasmus in his Epistles often owns him pro Patrono suo praeceptore He died Anno 1520. Romish Exile Writers JOHN FOWLER was born in Bristol bred a Printer by his occupation but so Learned a Man that if the Character given him by one of his own perswasion be true he may pass for our English Robert or Henry Stephens being skilful in Latin and Greek and a good Poet Oratour and Divine He wrote an abridgment of Thomas his Summes the Translation of Osorius into English c. Being a zealous Papist he could not comport with the Reformation but conveyed himself and his Presse over to Antwerp where he was signally serviceable to the Catholick Cause in printing their Pamphlets which were sent over and sold in England He died at Namurch 1579. and lies there buried in the Church of St. John the Evangelist Benefactors to the Publick ROBERT THORN was born in this City as his ensuing Epitaph doth evidence I see it matters not what the Name be so the Nature be good I confesse Thorns came in by mans curse and our Saviour saith Do men gather Grapes of Thorns But this our Thorn God send us many Copices of them was a Blessing to our Nation and Wine and Oil may be said freely to flow from Him being bred a Merchant-Tailor in London he gave more than Four thousand four hundred fourty five pounds to pious uses A Sum sufficient therewith to build and endow a Colledge the time being well considered being towards the beginning of the reign of King Henry the Eighth I have observed some at the Church-dore cast in six pence with such ostentation that it rebounded from the Bottom and rung against both the sides of the Bason so that the same piece of Silver was the Alms and the Givers Trumpet whilst others have dropt down silent 5 shillings without any noise Our Thorn was of the second sort doing his Charity effectually but with a possible privacy Nor was this good Christian abroad worse in the Apostle-phrase than an Iâ—…del at home in not providing for his Family who gave to his poor Kindred besides Debt forgiven unto them the sum of five thousand one hundred fourty two pounds Grudge not Reader to peruse his Epitaph which though not so good as he deserved is better than most in that Age. Robertus cubat hic Thornus Mercator Honestus Qui sibi legitimas Arte paravit opes Huic vitam dederat parvo Bristolia quondam Londinum hoc tumulo clauserat ante diem Ornavit studiis patriam virtutibus auxit Gymnasium erexit sumptibus ipse suis. Lector quisquis ades requiem cineri precor ora Supplex precibus numina
fell down and bruised himself to death But that Simon did it by the Black our Oliver by the White Art he being supported by ill spirits this by meer ingenuity which made him the more to be pitied He wrot some books of Astrology and died Anno Dom. 1060. five years before the Norman Invasion and so saw not his own prediction prevented by death performed It being the fate of such Folk Ut sint Oculati foras caecutiant Domi. That when they are quick sighted to know what shall betide to others they are blind to behold what will befall to themselves WILLIAM quitting his own name of SUMMERSET assumed that of MALMESBURY because there he had if not born his best Preferment Indeed he was a Duallist in that Convent and if a Pluralist no ingenious person would have envied him being Canter of that Church and Library-Keeper therein Let me adde and LibraryMaker too for so may we call his History of the Saxon Kings and Bishops before the Conquest and after it untill his own time An History to be honoured both for the Truth and Method thereof if any fustiness be found in his Writings it comes not from the Grape but from the Cask the smack of Superstition in his books is not to be imputed to his person but to the Age wherein he lived and dyed viz. Anno Dom. 1142. and was buried in Malmesbury ROBERT CANUTUS His Surname might justly perswade us to suspect him a Dane but that Bale doth assure him born at Cricklade in this County and further proceedeth thus in the desciption of the place Leland in the life of great King Alfred informs us that during the flourishing of the glory of the Britains before the University of Oxford was founded two Scholars were famous both for Eloquence and Learning the one called Greeklade where the Greek the other Latinlade where the Latine tongue was professed since corruptly colled Cricklade and Lechlade at this day Having so good security I presumed to Print the same in my Church-History and am not as yet ashamed thereof But since my Worthy Friend Doctor Heylyn whose Relations living thereabouts gave him the opportunity of more exactness thus reporteth it that Cricklade was the place for the Profession of Greek Lechlade for Physick and Latine a small village small indeed for I never saw it in any Map hard by the place where Latin was professed But to proceed our Canute went hence to Oxford and there became Chief of the Canons of Saint Fridswith He gathered the best flowers out of Plinie his Naturall History and composing it into a Garland as he calleth it dedicated the book to King Henry the second He wrot â—…so his Comments on the greater part of the Old and New Testament and flourished Anno 1170. RICHARD of the DIVISES A word of the place of his nativity The Vies or Devises is the best and biggest Town for trading Salisbury being a City in this Shire so called because antiently divided betwixt the King and the Bishop of Salisbury as Mine-Thine corruptly called Minden a City in Westphalia had its Name from such a partition Now because the Devises carrieth much of strange conceipts in the common sound thereof and because Stone-henge is generally reputed a wonder Country-People who live far off in our Land misapprehend them distanced more then 12. miles to be near together Our Richard born in this Town was bred a Benedictine in Winchster where his Learning and Industry rendred him to the respect of all in that Age. He wrot a History of the raign of King Richard the first under whom he flourished and an Epitome of the British affaires dedicating them both to Robert Prior of Winchester His History 〈◊〉 could never see but at the second hand as cited by others the rarity thereof making it no piece for the Shop of a Stationer but a Property for a publick Library His death was about the year 1200. GODWIN of SALISBURY Chanter of that Church and what ever was his skill in Musick following the precepts of Saint Paul he made melody in his heart having his mind given much to Meditation which is the Chewing of the Cud of the food of the soul turning it into Clean and Wholsome Nourishment He wrot beside other works a book of Meditations dedicating the same to one Ramulia or rather Ranilda an Anchoress and most incomparable woman saith my Author the more remarkable to me because this is the first and last mention I find of her memory This Godwin flourished about the year of our Lord 1256. JOHN of WILTON Senior was bred an Augustinian Friar and after he had stored himself with home-bred Learning went over into France and studied at Paris Here he became a subtile Disputant insomuch that John Baconthorp that Staple School-man not onely highly praiseth him but also useth his authority in his JOHN of WILTON Junior was bred a Benedictine Monke in Westminster He was Elegant in the Latine tongue praeter ejus aetatis sortem He wrot Metricall Meditations in imitation of Saint Bernard and one Book highly prized by many intituled Horologium sapientiae english it as you please the Clock or Diall of Wisdome Arguments I meet not with any man in that age better stock'd with Sermons on all occasions having written his Summer his Winter his Lent his Holy-day Sermons He flourished under King Edward the second Anno 1310. He was a great Allegory-Monke and great his dexterity in such Figurative conceits He flourished some fifty years after his Namesake under King Edward the third Reader I confess there be eleven Wiltons in England and therefore will not absolutely avouch the Nativities of these two Johns in this County However because Wilton which denominateth this Shire is the best and biggest amongst the Towns so called I presume them placed here with the most Probability JOHM CHYLMARK was born at that Village well know in Daworth Hundred and bred Fellow of Merton-colledge in Oxford He was a diligent searcher into the mysteries of Nature an acute Phylosopher and Disputant but most remarkable was his skill in Mathematicks being accounted the Archemedes of that age having written many Tractates in that Faculty which carry with them a very good regard at this day He flourished under King Richard the second Anno 1390. THOMAS of WILTON D. D. was for his Learning and Abilities made first Chancellour and then Dean of Saint Pauls in London in his time in the raign of King Edward the fourth happened a tough contest betwixt the Prelats and the Friars the latter pretending to poverty and taxing the Bishops for their pompe and plenty Our Wilton politickly opposed the Friars Now as the onely way for to withdraw Hanniball from his invasive war in Italy was by recalling him to defend his own Country near Carthage so Wilton wisely wrought a diversion putting the Friars from accusing the Bishops to excuse themselves For although an Old Gown a
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
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
Saint John's then Master of Pembroke hall in Cambridge His studies were suitable to his years when young a good Philosopher witness his book of Meteors afterwards his endeavours ascended from the middle region of the aire to the highest heavens when he bâ—…came a pious and solid Divine Now the Romanists seeing they could no longer blind-fold their Laitie from the Scriptures resolved to fit them with false spectacles and set forth the Rhemish Translation which by Doctor Fulke was learnedly confuted though he never attained any great preferâ—…ent in the Church Here it is worth our pains to peruse the immediate succession of Masters in Pembroke-hall because unparallel'd in any English Foundation Edm. Grindall Archp. of Cant. Mat. Hutton Archp. of York Jo. Whitgift Archp. of Cant. Jo. Young 〈◊〉 of Rochester William Fulke D. D. Lanc. Andrews Bp. of Winchester Sam. Harsnet Archp. of York Nic. Felton Bp. of Eely Here though all the rest were Episcopated Doctor Fulke was but Doctor Fulke still though a man of great merit This proceeded not from any disaffection in him to the Hierarchie as some would fain suggest but principally from his love of privacy and place of Margaret-Professour wherein he died Anno Dom. 1589. EDMOND SPENCER born in this City was brought up in Pembroke-hall in Cambridge where he became an excellent Scholar but especially most haypy in English Poetry as his works do declare In which the many Chaucerisms used for I will not say affected by him are thought by the ignorant to be blemishes known by the learned to be beauties to his book which notwithstanding had been more salable if more conformed to our modern language There passeth a story commonly told and believed that Spencer presenting his Poems to Queen Elizabeth She highly affected therewith commanded the Lord Cecil Her Treasurer to give him an hundred pound and when the Treasurer a good Steward of the Queens money alledged that sum was too much then give him quoth the Queen what is reason to which the Lord consented but was so busied belâ—…ke about matters of higher concernment that Spencer received no reward Whereupon he presented this petition in a small piece of paper to the Queen in her Progress I was promis'd on a time To have reason for my rhyme From that time unto this season I receiv'd nor rhyme nor reason Hereupon the Queen gave strict order not without some check to her Treasurer for the present payment of the hundred pounds she first intended unto him He afterwards went over into Ireland Secretary to the Lord Gray Lord Deputy thereof and though that his office under his Lord was lucrative yet got he no estate but saith my Author Pâ—…culiari Poetis fato semper cum paupertate conflictatus est So that it fared little better with him then with William Xilander the German a most excellent Linguist Antiquary Philosopher and Mathematician who was so poor that as Thuanus saith he was thought fami non famae scribere Returning into England he was robb'd by the Rebels of that little he had and dying for grief in great want Anno 1598. was honorably buried nigh Chaucer in Westminster where this Distick concludeth his Epitaph on hâ—…s monument Anglica te vivo vixit plausitque poesis Nunc moritura timet te moriente mori Whilst hâ—…iu didst live liv'd English poetry Which fears now thou art dead that she shall die Nor must we forget that the expence of his funeral and monument was defrayed at the sole charge of Robert first of that name Earl of Essex JOHN STOW son of Thomas Stow who died Anno 1559. grand-child to Thomas Stow who died 1526. both Citizens of London and buried in Saint Michaels in Cornhill was born in this City bred at learning no higher then a good Gramar-scholar yet he became a painful faithful and the result of both useful Historian Here to prevent mistake by the homonymie of names I request the Reader to take special notice of three brace of English writers 1. Sir Thomas commonly with the addition of De la More who lived under and wrote the life of King Edward the second 1. John Leland bred in Oxford the most exquisite Grammarian of his age who flourished Anno 1428. 1. John Stow a Benedictine Monke of Norwich Anno 1440. who wrote various Collections much cited by Caius in his history of Cambridge 2. Sir Thomas More the witty and learned Chancellour of England 2. John Leland bred in Cambridge the most eminent Antiquary under K. Henry the eight 2. John Stow this Londiner and Historian I confess I have heard him often accused that as learned Guicciardine is charged for telling magnarum rerum minutias he reporteth res in se minutas toys and trifles being such a Smell-feast that he cannot pass by Guild-hall but his pen must tast of the good chear therein However this must be indulged to his education so hard it is for a Citizen to write an History but that the fur of his gown will be felt therein Sure I am our most elegant Historians who have wrote since his time Sir Francis Bacon Master Camden c. though throwing away the basket have taken the fruit though not mentioning his name making use of his endeavors Let me adde of John Stow that however he kept tune he kept time very well no Author being more accurate in the notation thereof Besides his Chronicle of England he hath a large Survey of London and I believe no City in Christendome Rome alone excepted hath so great a volume extant thereof Plato was used to say that many good laws were made but still one was wanting viz. a law to put all those good laws in execution Thus the Citizens of London have erected many fair monuments to perpetuate their memories but still there wanted a monument to continue the memory of their monuments subject by time and otherwise to be defaced which at last by John Stow was industriously performed He died in the eightieth year of his age April 5. 1605. and is buried at the upper end of the North-Isle of the Quire of Saint Andrews-Undershaft His Chronicle since continued by another whose additions are the lively embleme of the times he writeth of as far short of Master Stow in goodness as our age is of the integrity and charity of those which went before it GILES FLETCHER was born in this City son to Giles Fletcher Dr. in law and Embassadour into Russia of whom formerly in Kent From Westminster-school he was chosen first Scholar then Fellow of Trinity colledge in Cambridge One equally beloved of the Muses and the Graces having a sanctified wit witness his worthy Poem intituled Christs Victory made by him being but Bachelour of Arts discovering the Piety of a Saint and Divinity of a Doctor He afterward applied himself to School-Divinity cross to the grain of his Genius as some conceive and attained to good skill therein When he preached at Saint Maries his