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
was whispered at Rome And numerous the spies and eyes of this Argus dispersed in all places The Jesuites being out-shot in their own Bow complain'd that he out-equivocated their equivocation having a mental reservation deeper and farther than theirs They tax him for making Heavenâ—…ow â—…ow too much to Earth oft-times borrowing a point of conscience with full intent never to pay it again whom others excused by Reasons of State and dangers of the times Indeed his Simulation which all allow lawful was as like to Dissimulation condemned by all good men as two things could be which were not the same He thought that Gold might but Intelligence could not be bought too dear The cause that so great a States man left so small an estate and so publick a person was so privately buried in Saint Pauls Anno Dom. 1590. His only Daughter Frances was successively matched to three matchlesse men Sir Phili Sidney Robert Earl of Essex and Richard Earl of Clanricard Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Sir JOHN FINEUX was by all probability born at Swinkfield in this County as I am informed from my good friend Mr. Thomas Fineux a descendant from him a place saith Mr. Cambden bestowed on his Ancestor by T. Criol a great Lord in Kent about the raign of King Edward the second I learned from the same Gentleman that he was eight and twenty years of age before he betook him to the study of the Law that he followed that profession twenty eight years before he was made a Judg and that he continued a Judge for twenty eight years whereby it appears that he lived fourscore and four years This last exactly agrees with Sir Henry Spelman making him continue Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench from the eleventh of King Henry the seventh until the seventeenth of King Henry the eight He was a great Benefactor unto Saint Augustines in Canterbury whose Prior William Mallaham thus highly commendeth him in a Manuscript Instrument Vir prudentissimus genere insignis Justitia praeclarus pietate refertus Humanitate splendidus charitate foecundus c. Now though some will say his Convent may well afford him good words who gave them good deeds yet I believe this Character of him can in no part be disproved He died about the year 1526. and lies buried in Christ Church in Canterbury who had a fair habitation in this City and another in Herne in this County where his Motto still remains in each window Misericordias Domini cantabo in Aeternum Sir ROGER MANWOOD born at Sandwich in this County applyed himselfe from his youth to the study of the Common Law wherein he attained to such eminency that by Queen Elizabeth he was preferred second Justice of the Common Pleas in which place he gave such proof of his ability and integrity that not long after in Hillary Term in the 21. of Queen Elizabeth he was made chief Baron of the Exchequer discharging that office to his 〈◊〉 Commendation full fourteen years till the day of his death He was much employed in matters of State and was one of the Commissioners who sate on the Trial of the Queen of Scots His Book on the Forest Laws is a piece highly prized by men of his Profession In Vacation time his most constant habitation was at Saint Stephens in Canterbury where saith my Author the poor inhabitants were much beholding to his bounteous liberality He erected and endowed a fair Free Schoole at Sandwich the place of his Nativity and died in the 35. of Queen Elizabeth Anno Dom. 1593. Sir HENRY FINCH Knight was born in this County of Right Worshipful Extraction their ancient sirname being Herbert a Family which had and hath an hereditary happinesse of Eminency in the study of the Laws He was Sergeant at Law to King James and wrote a Book of the Law in great esteem with men of his own profession yet were not his studies confined thereunto witnesse his Book of The calling of the Jews and all ingenious persons which dissent from his judgement will allow him learnedly to have maintained an error though he was brought into some trouble by King James conceiving that on his principles he advanced and extended the Jewish Commonwealth to the depressing and contracting of Christian Princes free Monarchies He was father unto Sir John Finch Lord Chief Justice and for a time Lord Keeper and Baron of Foreditch who is still alive Souldiers Kent hath so carried away the credit in all ages for Man-hood that the leading of the Front or Van-guard so called from Avant-guard or Goe on guard because first in marching in former times hath simply and absolutely belonged unto them I say absolutely for I find two other Shires contending for that place The best is it is but a Book-Combate betwixt learned Writers otherwise if real such a division were enough to rout an Army without other Enemy But let us see how all may be peaceably composed It is probable that the Cornish-men led the Van in the days of King Arthur who being a Native of Cornwall had most cause to trust his own Country-men But I behold this as a temporary honour which outlasted not his life who bestowed it The men of Archenfeld in Hereford-shire claimed by custom to lead the Van-guard but surely this priviledge was Topical and confined to the Welsh Wars with which the aforesaid men as Borderers were best acquainted As for Kent Cantia nostra primae cohortis honorem primos congressus hostium usque in Hodiernum diem in omnibus praeliis obtinet saith my Author Reader It may rationally be concluded that the ensuing Topick had been as large in this as in any County in England seeing it is bounded by the Sea on the East and South sides thereof had not the Author departed this life before the finishing of the same Seamen WILLIAM ADAMS was as his own Pen reporteth born at Gillingham in this County and take the brief account of his Life being the first Englishman who effectully discovered Japan Twelve years he lived at home with his Parents Twelve years he was Apprentice and Servant to Nich. Diggins a brave Seaman for some time he was Master of one of the Queens Ships Ten years he served the English Company of Barbary Merchants Fourteen years as I collect it he was employed by the Dutch in India For he began his Voyage 1598. Pilot to their Fleet of five Sail to conduct them to Japan and in order to the settlement of Trade endured many miseries He who reads them will concur with Cato and repent that ever he went thither by Sea whither one might go by Land But Japan being an Island and unaccessible save by Sea our Adams his discretion was not to be blamed but industry to be commended in his adventures He died at Firando in Japan about 1612. Civilians NICHOLAS WOTTON Son to Sir Robert was born at Bockton-Malherb in this
left some books to posterity and flourished Anno Dom. 1250. JOHN of KILLINGWORTH born in that Castelled-village in this County bred in Oxford an excellent Philosopher Astronomer and Physitian He studyed the Stars so long that at last he became A STAR himself in his own Sphere and out-shined all others of that Faculty He was Father and Founder to all the Astronomers in that Age. I never did spring such a Covye of Mathematicians all at once as I met with at this time Cervinus or Hart Cure John Stacy and Blach all bred in Merton Colledge Which Society in the former Century applyed themselves to School-Divinity in this to Mathematicks and attained to Eminency in both so good a Genius acted within the walls of that worthy foundation He flourished about the year 1360. WILLIAM of COVENTRY was born and bred a Carmelite in that City He in his Youth was afflicted with an unhealable Sprain in his Hip and was commonly called Claudus Conversus which I adventure to English the lame Converted Conversus properly is one who for lack of Learning or Deformity of Body is condemned to the servile work in the Monastery under a Despair ever to be made Priest termed it seems Conversus because not of voluntary choice Turning to that course of Life but Turned as Passively necessitated thereunto But hear how J. Pits clincheth in his Praise Claudicavit corporis gressu non virtutis progressu vitiatus corpore non viciosus animo being in his writings full of Sâ—…ntences Amongst which Bale takes especial notice of his Prodesset Hierosolymam petere alia invisere loca sacra sed multum praestaret eo precio pauperes alere domi wherein though I perceive no more sententiousness then common sense yet because it containeth a Bold Truth in those Blind Dayes it may be mentioned He never set his name to his Books but it may according to the Frierly-Fancy be collected out of the Capital Letters of his severall works Who flourished Anno 1360. JOHN ROUSE Son of Jeffery Rouse was born at Warwick but descended from the Rouses of Brinkloe in this County he was bred in Oxford where he attained to great Eminencie of Learning he afterwards retired himself to Guisâ—…cliffe within a Mile of Warwick A most delicious place so that a Man in many Miles Riding cannot meet so much variety as there one forlong doth afford A steep Rock full of Caves in the Bowels thereof wash'd at the Bottome with a Christall River besides many clear Springs on the side thereof all overshadowed with a stately grove so that an ordinary Fancy may here find to it self Helicon Parnassus and what not Many Hermites and Guy Earl of Warwick himself being sequestred from the world retreated hither Some will say it is too Gaudy a place for that purpose as having more of a Paradice then Wilderness therein so that mens thoughts would rather be Scattered then Collected with such various objects But seeing Hermits deny themselves the Company of Men let them be allowed to Converse with the Rarities of Nature and such are the fittest texts for a solitary devotion to comment upon To this place came our John Rouse and by leave obtained from King Edward the fourth immured himself therein that he might apply his Studies without distraction Here he wrote of the Antiquities of Warwick with a Catalogue of the Earls thereof a Chronicle of our English Kings and a History of our Universities He was as good with the Pensill as the Pen and could Draw Persons as well as Describe them as appears by lively Pictures Limmed with his own hand He died a very aged man Anno Domini 1491. Since the Reformation WILLIAM PERKINS was born at Marston in this County bred Fellow of Christ-colledge and then became Preacher of Saint Andrews in Cambridge The Athenians did nothing else but tell or hear some new thing Why tell before hear Because probably they themselves were the first Finders Founders and Fathers of many reports I should turn such an Athenian to fain and invent should I adde any thing concerning this worthy Person whose life I have formerly written at large in my Holy-State He died Anno Dom. 1602. THOMAS DRAX D. D. was born at Stonely in this County his Father being a Younger Brother of a Worshipfull family which for many years had lived at Wood-hall in York-shire he was bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge He was a Pious man and an excellent Preacher as by some of his Printed Sermons doth appear He translated all the Works of Master Perkinâ—… his Countryman and Collegiat into Latine which were Printed at Geneva Doctor King Bishop of London removed him from his Native Country and bestowed a Benefice on him nigh Harwich in Essex where the change of the Aire was conceived to hasten his Great change which happened about the year 1616. I cannot forget how this worthy name of Drax may be resembled to the river Anas in Spain which having run many miles under ground surgeth a greater channell then before They have flourished at Wood hall aâ—…oresaid in the Parish of Darfield ever since a Co-heir of the Noble Family of Fitz-williams brought that good Mannour with the alternate gift of the Mediety of the rich Parsonage therein in marriage into this Family as since by an Heir-general it hath been alienated But after many various changes this Name hath recovered and encreased its lustre in Sir James Drax a direct descendant from the Heirs-male who by Gods blessing on his Industry and Ingenuity hath merited much of the English nation in bringing the Sugars and other Commodities of the Barbadoes to their present perfection WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was born at Stratford on Avon in this County in whom three eminent Poets may seem in some sort to be compounded 1. Martial in the Warlike sound of his Sur-name whence some may conjecture him of a Military extraction Hasti-vibrans or Shake-speare 2. Ovid the most naturall and witty of all Poets and hence it was that Queen Elizabeth coming into a Grammar-School made this extemporary verse Persius a Crab-staffe Bawdy Martial Ovid a fine Wag. 3. Plautus who was an exact Comaedian yet never any Scholar as our Shake-speare if alive would confess himself Adde to all these that though his Genius generally was jocular and inclining him to feâ—…ivity yet he could when so disposed be solemn and serious as appears by his Tragedies so that Heraclitus himself I mean if secret and unseen might afford to smile at his Comedies they were so merry and Democritus scarce forâ—…ear to sigh at his Tragedies they were so mournfull He was an eminent instance of the truth of that Rule Poeta non fit sed nascitur one is not made but born a Poet. Indeed his Learning was very little so that as Cornish diamonds are not polished by any Lapidary but are pointed and smoothed even as they are taken out of the Earth so nature it self was all the art which was used
 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
happened hath been shewn to some eminent Lawyers riding that Circuit which are yet alive However no violent impression is intimated in this his peaceable Epitaph on his Monument in Amerie Church Hic jacet Will. Hankford Miles quondam Capitalis Justiciarius Domini R. de Banco qui obiit duodecimo Die Decembris Anno Domini 1422. cujus c. His Figure is portraied kneeling and out of his mouth in a Label these two sentences do proceed 1 Miserere mei Deus secundum magnam misericordiam tuam 2 Beati qui custodiant judicium faciunt justitiam omni tempore No charitable Reader for one unadvised act will condemn his Memory who when living was habited with all requisites for a person of his place Sir JOHN FORTESCUE was born of a right Ancient and Worthy Family in this County first fixed at Wimpstone in this Shire but since prosperously planted in every part thereof They give for their Motto Forte Scutum Salus Ducum and it is observable that they attained eminency in what Profession soever they applyed themselves In the Field In Westminster Hall In the Court. Sir HEN FORTESCUE a valiant and fortunate Commander under King Henry the Fifth in the French Wars by whom he was made Governour of Meux in Berry Sir HEN. FORTESCUE was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland and justly of great esteem for his many vertues especially for his sincerity in so tempting a place Sir JOHN FORTESCUE that wise Privy Councellor Overseer of Queen Elizabeth her Liberal Studies And Chancellor of the Exchequer and Dutchy of Lancaster Sir ADRIAN FORTESCUE Porter of the Town of Calice came over with King Henry the Seventh and effectually assisting him to regain the Crown was by him deservedly created Knight Banneret Sir JOHN FORTESCUE our present Subject Lord Chief Justice and Chancellour of England in the Raign of King Henry the Sixth whose learned Commentaries on the Law make him famous to all posterity  Sir LEWIS POLLARD of Kings Nimet in this County Sergeant of the Law and one of the Justices of the Kings Bench in the time of King Henry the Eighth was a man of singular knowledg and worth who by his Lady Elizabeth had Eleven Sons whereof four attained the honour of Knighthood Sir Hugh Sir John of Ford. Sir Richard Sir George who got his honour in the defence of Bullen All the rest especially John Arch Deacon of Sarum and Canon of Exeter were very well advanced Eleven Daughters married to the most potent Families in this County and most of them Knights So that what is said of Cork in Ireland that all the Inhabitants therein are Kinne by this Match almost all the Ancient Gentry in this County are allied The Portraiture of Sir Lewis and his Lady with their two and twenty Children are set up in a Glasse Window at Nimet-Bishop There is a Tradition continued in this Family that the Lady glassing the Window in her husbands absence at the term in London caused one child more then she then had to be set up presuming having had one and twenty already and usually conceiving at her husbands coming home she should have another child which inserted in expectance came to passe accordingly This memorable Knight died Anno 1540. Sir JOHN DODERIDG Knight was born at ...... in this County bred in Exeter Colledg in Oxford where he became so general a Scholar that it is hard to say whether he was better Artist Divine Civil or Common Lawyer though he fixed on the last for his publick Profession and became second Justice of the Kings Bench. His soul consisted of two Essentials Ability and Integrity holding the Scale of Justice with so steady an hand that neither love nor lucre fear or flattery could bow him on either side It was vehemently suspected that in his time some gave large sums of money to purchase places of Judicature And Sir John is famous for the expression That as old and infirm as he was he would go to Tyburn on foot to see such a man hang'd that should proffer money for a place of that nature For certainly those who buy such Offices by whole sale must sell Justice by retail to make themselves savers He was commonly called the Sleeping Judg because he would sit on the Bench with his eyes shut which was onely a posture of attention to sequester his sight from distracting objects the better to lissen to what was alledged and proved Though he had three Wives successively out of the respectful Families of Germin Bamfield and Culme yet he left no issue behind him He kept a Hospital House at Mount-Radford neer Exeter and dying Anno Domini 1628. the thirteenth day of September after he had been seventeen years a Judg in the seventy third year of his age was interred under a stately Tomb in our Ladys Chappel in Exeter To take my leave of the Devonian Lawyers they in this County seem innated with a Genius to study Law none in England Northfolk alone excepted affording so many Cornwal indeed hath a Famine but Devon-shire makes a Feast of such who by the practice thereof have raised great Estates Three Sergeants were all made at one Callâ—… Sergeant Glanvil the Elder Dew and Harris of whom it was commonly said though I can nor care not to appropriate it respectively One Gained as much as the other two Spent Gave One Town in this Shire Tavistock by name furnisheth the Bar at this present with a Constellation of Pleaders wherein the biggest Stars Sergeant Glanvil who shineth the brighter for being so long eclipsed and Sergeant Maynard the Bench seeming sick with long longing for his sitting thereon As it is the Honour of this County to breed such able Lawyers so is it its happinesse that they have most of their Clients from other Shires and the many Suits tried of this County proceed not so much from the Litigiousnesse as Populousnesse of her Inhabitants Souldiers Sir RICHARD GREENVIL Knight lived and was richly landed at Bediford in this County He was one of the Twelve Peers which accompanied Robert Fitz-Haimon in his expedition against the Welsh when he overthrew Rhese ap Theodore Prince of South-Wales and Justine Lord of Glamorgan and divided the conquered Countrey betwixt those his Assistants This Sir Richard in my apprehension appears somewhat like the Patriarch Abraham For he would have none make him rich but God alone though in his partage good land was at Neath Nidum a City in Antoninus in Glamorgan-shire allotted unto him Indeed Abraham gave the tenth to God in Melchisedeck and restored the rest to the King of Sodom the former proprietary thereof This Knight according to the Devotion of those darker dayes gave all to God erecting and endowing a Monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary at Neath for Cistertians bestowing all his military Acquests on them for their maintenance so that this Convent was valued at 150 li. per. annum at the dissolution Thus having finished and setled this foundation he
Perin in Cornwall The Angel Gabriel was very much beholding to him for instituting an Annual Festival unto Him observed as I humbly conceive only in his own Cathedral or own Diocesse at the most and least people shoâ—…ld complain of the dearnesse of their Devotion he left good Land to defray the cost of that Solemnity He is much blamed for compassing the Mannour of Bishops-Clift to his Church by indirect means to which I can say nothing but only observe that this small City within eighty Years did afford three eminent Prelates whereof two Episcopi in Patria the Natives thereof which will scarcely be paralell'd in any Place of the same proportion He died Anno 12. Writers JOSEPHUS ISCANUS was born at this City anciently called Isca from the River Isk now named Eske running thereby A golden Poâ—…t in a leaden Age so terse and elegant were his Conceipts and expressions This our English Maro had for his Mecenas Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury But I revoke my words and desire to turn Maro into Cornelius Nepos under whose name the Dutch-men have lately printed a Poem made by this Josephus debello Trojano It soundeth much to a Mans honour even to be mistaken for another Man of eminency for though there may be much of error in the mistake there must be something of truth in the error especially with the judicious Yea in such case a general conformity betwixt the Persons is not enough to build the mistake on without some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as here the affinity of phrase and fancy betwixt these two Poets This 〈◊〉 Nepos under whose name the Poems of this Josephus were printed flourished in the time of Tully Indeed I finde not any Poems made by him though having to that purpose perused all Scaliger de Arte 〈◊〉 as a most probable Authour But most sure it is that this Cornâ—…lius was most judicious in that Art because Valerius Catullus dedicated his Poem unto him as best able to pâ—…sse a learned censure thereon this Josephus Iscanus flourished under King John Anno 1210 being Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux I have nothing more to observe of him save what with the Readers pardon I cannot omit viz. that this Josephus alwayes minded me of another Josephus Iscanus I mean Joseph Hall lately Bishop of Exeter a witty Poet when young a painfull Preacher and solid Divine in his middle a patient Sufferer in his old age of whom God willing more in due place WILLIAM of Exeter was born in this City bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and afterwards became 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 in the place of his nativity Now in his age fome Franciscan Friers so praised the perfectiou of Poverty that they touched the Popes Coppy-hold of Inheritance For if Poverty was so essential to Piety Papal pomp and plenty must needs argue prophaneness In confutation hereof this William of Exeter undertook William of Ockam though indeed impar congressus betwixt them for Exeter a fair City did not more exceed Ockam a smal village in Surrey in beauty and building than that Ockam William excelled this Exeter William in parts and Learning however what he wanted in brains he had in a good back to assist him and William of Exeter with John the three and twentieth Pope of Rome was able to undertake any Authour of that age He flourished in the Year of our Lord 1330. under the Raign of King Edward the third Since the Reformation RICHARD MARTYN was born in this City and bred partly in the Court partly in the Inns of Court and at last â—…etook himself to the Study of the Law He was accounted one of the highest Witts of our Age and his Nation King James being much delighted with his facetiousnesse a quality which with other of his Abilities commended him to be chosen Recorder of London He is eminent as for many Speeches so especially for that he made in Parliament in the tenth year of King James when account was taken of Forty Gentlemen in the House which were not twenty and some of them not sixteen years of age Formerly said this Râ—…order Martyn it was the custome of Old men to make Lawes for Young ones But now Nature is invaded and inverted seeing Young men enact Lawes to govern their Fathers He had an excellent Pen and wrote very much and the more the pitty that they are suppressed from publick use his death happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM MARTIN Kinsman to the aforesaid Recorder was born in this City and bred a Student in the Lawes of the Land He wrote a short and clear of the Kings of England since the conquest I have been credlbly informed that King James took some exceptions at a Passage therein sounding either to the derogation of his own Family or of the Scotch Nation which he took so tenderly that Mr. Martin was brought into trouble for the same and though he wethered out the Kings displeasure and was reconciled to his Majesty yet he never râ—…covered his former chearfulnesse It seems that a Princes Anger is a disease which though cured is not cured grief for the same being conceived to hasten his death which happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM TUCKER was born in this City bred fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford and after became Doctor in Divinity Canon of Sarisbury Arch-deacon of Barnstable and Dean of Lichfield The purity of his Latine Pen procured his preferment writing and dedicating a Book to Queen Elizabeth de Charismate of our Kings of England their gracious healing the Evil being the best that I have seen on that Subject vindicating such cures from all imposture unlawfull Magick and from some French Writers bold usurpations who lay claim to it as originally belonging to their Kings alone Whereas under correction I conceive that the word Soveraign which properly importeth the Supream Majesty doth also in our English Tongue in a secondary sence signiâ—…ie what is cordial to cure and heal Diseases or sores ever since such sanative power hath been annexed to the Crown of England This Doctor may be said to have worn half a Miter seeing his Congee de-lire was signed if not sent to elect him Bishop of Glocester but afterwards by Order fâ—…om King James it was revoked on what occasion I list not to enquire I conjecture the date of his death was much about the Year 1617. JOHN BARKHAM born in this City was bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford whereof he was Fellow Chaplain afterwards to Archbishop Bancroft and Parson of Bocking in Essex Much his Modesty and no lesse his Learning who though never the publique Parent of any was the carefull Nurse of many Books who otherwise had expired in their Infancy had not his care preserved them He set forth D. Crackenchorp his Posthume Book against Spalato and was helpfull to John Speed in the composing of his English History yea he wrote the whole Life of the Raign of King John which is the King of all the
Raigns in that Book for profound penning discoverable from the rest of the different style and much Scripture scited therein Mr. Guillim in his Heraldry was much beholden to this Doctors Emendations He was a greater Lover of Coyns than of Money rather curious in the stamps than Covetous for the Mettall thereof That excellent Collection in Oxford Library was his Gift to the Arch-bishop before the Arch-bishop gave it to the University He dyed March 25. 1641. Benefactors to the Publick JOAN TUCKVILE a Merchants Widdow in this City first procured the possession then the consecration of a parcel of Ground which she had fairly compassed about for the Interment ofsuch as were executed at Hevie-tree hard by allowing Land to buy a shrone for every one of them that such as dyed Malefactors might be buried as men yea as Christians who having passed under the hand of Justice received a Boon from her hand who was mercifull to the dead This I may call exemplary Charity indeed as which set a coppie for others but such as hitherto hath not to my knowledg by any been transcribed She dyed about the beginning of the Raign of Queen Elizabeth The Farewel Malice knoweth no other Heaven than to do mischief to others though thereby no good to it fels Such the spite of the Cornish Rebels besieging Exeter who to damnifie the City damned and stopped up the Channel of the River EX near to a Village thence called Weare at this day to such a degree that thereby the accesse of lesser Vessels is much hindred and of the greater ships wholly debarred Some knowing Sr. Simon Baskervile a Physician and native of this place to have a plentifull purse and publick Spirit wished he would have taken the work in hand to cure this Obstruction but it was no Physicians work to meddle therewith nor is it either powder of Steel or gilded pils which can do the deed but onely pills of massy gold and silver so expensive is the performance Indeed several Acts of* Parliament have ordered the removeal of these Stoppages but nothing is effected in this kinde these real Remoraes remaining as before It is urged as an Argument of Aristotle against the conceit of Plato his having all Women in common and their Children to be brougbt up on the publique charge that then the Education of such Children will be neglected because whâ—…t is ever mans work is no manswork The truth hereof appeareth in the slow avoiding of these steam 〈◊〉 I could heartily wish that one Act of Parliament more an Eunuch yet not barren may be made eunuch that it may beget no more Acts to cause the retarding and elongation of this work yet not barren that it may effectually remedy this Grievance and that a general good be no longer postponed to mens private profit DORCET-SHIRE DORCET-SHIRE It hath Devonshire on the West Somerset and Wilt-shire on the North Hant shire on the East and the Narrow Sea on the South extending from East to West about forty miles though not past six and twenty the broadest part thereof It hath a self-sufficiency of all Commodities necessary for mans temporal well-being and needs not be beholding to any neighbouring County for it can 1. Feed it self with fine Wheat fat Flesh dainty Fowle wild and tame fresh Fish from Sea and Rivers To this meat it yieldeth that sawce without which all the rest is little worth I mean Salt made here in some measure but which hath been and may be in more abundance 2. Cloathe it self with its own Wooll and Broad-cloath made thereof and it is believed that no place in England affordeth more Sheep in so small a compass as this County about Dorchester And as they are provided for warmth in their Woollen so for cleanliness with their Linnen-cloath great store of good Flax and Hemp growing therein 3. Build its own Houses with good Timber out of Black-more Forrest and with if not better I am sure more Freestone out of Portland most approaching that of Normandy as in position so in the purity thereof Nor wanteth it veins of Marble in the Isles of Purbeck And to all this an excellent Air and the conveniency of a Sea to export for their profit and import for their pleasure as whose necessities were provided for before Natural Commodities Tenches Plenty hereof are bred in the River Stowre which is so much the more observable because generally this Fish loveth Ponds better than Rivers and Pits better then either It is very pleasant in taste and is called by some the Physician of Fishes Though in my opinion may better be styled the Surgeon for it is not so much a disease as a wound that he cureth nor is it any potion but a playster which he affordeth viz. his Natural unctuous glutinousness which quickly consolidateth any green gâ—…sh in any fish But the Pike is principally beholding unto him for cures in that kind and some have observed that that Tyrant though never so hungry forbeareth to eat this Fish which is his Physician not that Pikes are capable which many men are not of gratitude but that they are indued with a natural policy not to destroy that which they know not how soon they may stand in need of Tobacco-Pipe-Clay This is a fine Clay which will burn white while others turn red found in several parts of England but so far from the Sea it will not quit cost of portage to London save from two places 1. Poole in this County 2. Isle of Wight This wrought alone makes an hard Pipe but so shrunk and shriveled it is unhandsome to the eye This wrought alone makes a fair and full Pipe but so brittle that it is uncerviceable for use Both compounded together make these Utensils both hard and handsome This Clay brought to London by Ship for Ballast is there worth about Thirty shillings the Tun. Hemp. England hath no better than what groweth here betwixt Remister and Byrdport the use whereof is of absolute necessity for cordage cloathing c. So that a man may admire that the seed being so profitable and our Land affording so much strong and dèep ground proper for the same so little is sown thereof The rather because Hemp in effect secureth it self first against Cattel against which it is its own fence seeing none Deer only excepted will offer to eat thereof Secondly from thieves not because it is ominous for them to steal that which is the instrument of their execution but because much pains which idle persons hate at their hearts is required to reduce Hemp to profit whilest Wheat and Barley left in the field are more subject to Felony as which when threshed will render a present profit But see more of this Commodity in Lincoln-shire To these we may adde Rubia Silvestris VVild Madder which groweth at Hodhill in this County on the next side of the River at Stur-paine two miles from Blanford at Warham likewise and at other
WADES-Mill Part of a Village lying two miles North thereof were so prodigiously rich as to countervail the wealth of LONDON The Fallacy lieth in the Homonymy of WARE here not taken for that Town so named but appellatively for all vendible Commodities We will not discompose the wit of this Proverb by cavilling that WEARE is the proper name of that Town so called anciently from the Stoppages which there obstruct the River But leave it as we found it and proceed HARTFORD-SHIRE Kindness This is generally taken in a good and grateful sense for the mutual return of favours received It being belike observed that the people in this County at entertainments drink back to them who drank to them parallel to the Latine Proverbs Fricantem refrica Manus manum lavat par est de merente bene bene mereri However sometimes Hartford-shire kindness may prove Hartford-shire cruelty and amount to no less then a Monopoly when this reciprocation of Favours betwixt themselves is the exclusion of all others from partaking thereof Princes WILLIAM second Son of King Edward the Third and Philip his wife took his Christian-name from his Grandfather William Earle of Henault and his Sirname of Hatfield from the place of his Nativity in this County where he was born the ninth of his Fathers Reign Anno Domini 1335. and expired within few dayes afâ—…er So that what I find written on the late Monument of a Noble Infant may also serve for his Epitaph Vivus nil poteram fari quin mortuus Infans Nunc loquor ut mortis sis memor atque vale Living I could not speak now dead I tel Thy duty think of death and so farewel It is uncertain where he was interred but most believe him buried at Westminster EDMUND of LANGLEY Fifth son to King Edward the Third and Queen Philip Was so sirnamed from Kings-Langley in this County the place of his Nativity He was created Earle of Cambridge in the Thirty sixth year of the Reign of his Father and Duke of York in the ninth year of his Nephew King Richard the Second He married Isabel daughter and Co-Heir of Peter King of Castile and lie buried at Langley together He had besides other Children of both Sexes to his eldest Son Richard Duke of York and he died Anno Dom. 1402. EDMUND of HADDAM Reader I presume thee to be so much a Gentleman as in courtesie to allow him a Prince who was Son to Queen Katherine by Owen Theodor her second husband womb-brother to King Henry the Sixth and Father to King Henry the Seventh That he was born in this County one may well be confident seeing there is no Haddam in any Shire of England save Hartford-shire alone I confesse therein three Villages of that name but sure no lesse then Great Haddam was the place of so eminent a Native He was solemnly created Earle of Richmond at Reading in the 31. of King Henry the Sixth Many good works no doúbt he did when living whose corps when buried saved from destruction the fair Cathedral of Saint Davids For his Monument in the midst of the Quire saith my Author as the Prebendaries told him spared their Church from defacing in the dayes of King Henry the Eighth I could wish all King Henries nearest relations had after their decease been severally so disposed preservatives from ruine rapine as the corps of Q. Katherin Dowager did as some say save the Church of Peterburgh But this ill agreeth with that which Brookes reporteth viz. That this Earl was buried in Carmarthen and because Vincent his professed adversary finding fault with him alwayes when any sometimes when no cause taketh no exception thereat I the more rely on his Testimony Onely it is possible that this Earle first enterred in Carmarthen might be afterwards for the more eminence of Sepulture removed to Saint Davids He died Anno Domini 1456. Saints Saint ALBAN though as Saint Paul a Roman by priviledge but Britton by Parentage was born in this County though many hundreds of years before Hartfordshire had its modern Name and Dimensions in the City of Verulam and was martyred for Christianity under Dioclesian An. 303. The cause and manner whereof with the Martyrdome of Saint Amphibalus hard by Rudborn I have so largely related in my Ecclesiastical History that as I will repeat nothing I can add nothing of consequence thereto Except any will conceive this to be remarkable that good Liquoras groweth naturally out of the ruinous walls of Verulam an old City the Mother of the New Town of Saint Albans as a skilful eye-witness Antiquary and zealous Protestant hath observed Had some Papist taken first notice hereof he might probably have made it a Miracle and assign the sanctitie of this place for the root of this Liquoras Martyrs It appeareth by the Maps that Africa lieth partly in the Torrid and partly in the Temperate Zone Nor is the wonder any at all considering the vastness thereof extending it self through many Degrees More strange it is that this small County should be partly in a Temperate viz. the Western part thereof subjected to the Bishop of Lincoln and partly in the Torrid Climate namely the Eastern Moity belonging to the Dioces of London which under Bonner was parched with persecution Yet not to make this Monster worse then he was though many in his Jurisdiction were much molested and though Tradition points the very place in Bishops Stortford where poor people were burnt at the stake yet my Book of Martyrs or Eyes or both be defective wherein I cannot recover the name of any particular person Pope NICHOLAS Son to Robert Break-spear a Lay brother in the Abbey of St. Albans fetcht his Name from Break-speare a place in Middlesex but was born at Abbots-Langley a Town in this County When a Youth he was put to such servile work in St. Albans Abbey that his ingenious Soul could not comport therewith Suing to be admitted into that house he received the repulse which in fine proved no mis-hap but a happy-miss unto him for going over into France he studied so hard and so happily at Paris that for his worth he was preferred Abbot of St. Rufus neer Valentia and afterward by Pope Eugenius the Third was made Bishop of Alba nigh Rome Adnatalis soli memoriam saith my Author that he who was refused to be Monachus Albanensis in England should be Episcopus Albanensis in Italy He was employed by the Pope for the conversion of the Norwegians and though Bale saith he were not Bale if he were not bitter Anti-christiano charactere Norwegios signavit yet his reducing them from Paganisme to Christianity in the Fundamentals was a worthy work and deserves true commendation He was afterwards chosen Pope of Rome by the name of Adrian the fourth There is a mystery more then I can fathome in the changing of his name Seeing his own font-name was a Papal one Yet he
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
any cause they should undergoe the punishment of death Whereas henceforward in England many were brought to the fire by the Bishops and others of the Clergy whose opinions were neither so blasphemous nor deportment so inhumane as ancient Hereticks I confesse not onely simple heresie was charged on this Sautre but also a relapse thereinto after abjuration in which case such is the charity of the Canon-Law that such a person is seculari judicio sine ulla penitus audientia relinquendus not affording any audience to one relapsed though he should revoke his opinions Quite contrary to the charitable Judgement of St. Chrysostome who sticked not to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If thou fall a thousand times and repent thee of thy folly come boldly into the Church There is some difference amongst Authors about the legal proceedings against this Sautre by what power he was condemned to dye Walsingham will have him die during the sitting of the Parliament secundo Henrici quarti by vertue of the Law then made against Hereticks Others will have him put to death not by any Statute-Law then made but as convicted in a Provincial Councel of the Archbishop of Canterbury The latter seemeth most true because the Writ De Haeretico comburendo sent down by the advice of the Lords Temporal to the Mayor of London to cause his execution bare date the 26 of February whereas it was ordered in that Parliament that the penal Statutes made therein should not take effect till after VVhitsontide But by what power soever it was done poor Sautre was burnt in Smithfield about the 28 of February 1400. One criticisme of cruelty and hypocrisie is most remarkable The close of the Archbishops sentence of degradation when Sautre was committed over to the Secular Court endeth with this expression Beseeching the Court aforesaid that they will receive favourably the said William unto them thus recommitted We are much beholding to Baronius for the better understanding this passage informing us that it was ever fashionable with their Clergy to this day that when they consigne an Heretick over to the Secular for execution they effectually intercede that he may not be punished with death For it appeareth in Prosper that 4 Bishops were excommunicated An. 392. for being accusers of Priscilian the first Heretick who was confuted with steel that age conceiving all tendency to cruelty utterly inconsistent with Clerical profession And hence it was thinks the aforesaid Baronius that this custome was taken up of the Clergie's mock-mercy in their dissembled mediation for condemned Hereticks I say dissembled for if the Lay having them in his power shall defer the doing of it more than ordinary it is the constant tenet of the Canonists relying on a Bull of Alexander the 4th 1260. he is to be compell'd unto it by spiritual censures We have been the larger upon this Sautre's death because he was the English Protestant pardon the Prolepsis Proto-martyr But every son must not look to be an heir we will be shorter on the rest in this City contenting our selves with their bare names except some extraordinary matter present it self to our observation JOHN BADBY was an Artificer in Black Friars in London condemned and burned in Smithfield about 1401. Henry Prince of VVales afterwards King Henry the 5th happened to be present at his execution who not onely promised him pardon on his recantation but also a stipend out of the Kings Treasury sufficient for his support all which Badby refused He was put into an empty Tun a ceremony of cruelty peculiar to him alone and the fire put therein At the first feeling thereof he cryed Mercy Mercy begging it of the God of heaven which Noble Prince Henry mistook for a kind of Revocation of his Opinions and presently caused the fire round about him to be quenched renewing his promises unto him with advantage which Badby refused the second time and was Martyred But Reader I will engage no deeper in this copious subject lest I lose my self in the Labyrinth thereof * Joseph left off to Number the Corn in Egypt for it was without number the cause alone of my desisting in this subject Yea Bloudy Bonner had murdered many more had not that Hydropical Humor which quenched the life of Queen Mary extinguished also the Fires in Smithfield Prelates Here in this City we are at a greater losse as to this Topick than in any Shire in England for in vain it is for any man to name himself Thomas of London John of London c. such Sirnames not reaching their end nor attaining their intention viz. 〈◊〉 diversifie the Person the laxity of so populous a place leaving them as unspecified as it found them We therefore have cause to believe that many Clergy-men both Bishops and Writers born in this City did not follow suit with others of their Coat to be named from the Place of their Nativity but from their Fathers the Reason why we can give so slender an account of them as followeth SIMON OF GAUNT was born in this City his Mother being an English Woman his Father a Flemming and being bred in good literature became so famous that by King Edward the first he was preferred Bishop of Salisbury 1298. He gave the first leave to the Citizens thereof to fortifie that place with a deed Ditch partly remaining and a strong wall wholly demolished at this day Now seeing good Laws are the best walls of any foundation no lesse was his care for the Church than City of Salisbury making good Statutes whereby it was ordered even unto our age He dyed about the year 1315. JOHN KITE was born in London bred in Oxford sent Embassadour into Spain made a Grecian titulary Arch bishop receiving thence as much profit as men shear wool from hogs and at last the real Bishop of Carlisle yet is his Epitaph in the Church of Stepney neither good English Latine Spanish or Greek but a barbarous confusion as followeth Under this Stone closyd marmorate Lveth John 〈◊〉 Londoner naciste Encreasing invirtues rose to hyghestate In the fourth Edwards chappel by his yong life Sith which the Seuinth Henries service primatife Proceeding still in virtuous efficase To be in favour with this our Kings grase With Witt endewyed chosen to be Legate Sent into Spain where he right joyfully Combined both Princes in pease most amate In Grece Archbishop elected worthely And last of Carlyel ruling postorally Kepyng nobyl houshold with great hospitality On thousand fyve hundred thirty and seuyn Inuyterate with carys consumed with Age The nineteeth of Jun reckonyd full euyn Passed to Heauyn from worldly Pylgramage Of whose Soul good peopul of Cherite Prey as ye wold be preyd for for thus must you lye Ieâ—…u mercy Lady help These if made 300 years ago had been excusable but such midnight verses are abominable made as it appears in the dawning of good learning and pure language Yet
because some love Poetry either very good or very bad that if they cannot learn from it they may laugh at it they are here inserted WILLLIAM KNIGHT was born in this City bred Fellow of New-colledge in Oxford on the same token that there have been ten of his Sirname Fellowes of that Foundation He proceeded Doctor of Law and a noble Pen makes him Secretary to King Henry the Eighth Sure it is he was the first Person imployed to the Pope to motion to him the matter of his Divorce advertizing the King by his weekly dispatches how slowly his Cause though spurred with English Gold crept on in the Court of Rome After his return the King rewarded his Industry Fidelity and Ability with bestowing the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells upon him In Wells with the assistance of Dean Woolman he built a stately covered Crosse in the Market-place for the glorâ—… of God and conveniency of poor people to secure them from the weather adding this Inscription Laus Deo Pax Vivis Requies Defunctis He dyed September 29. Anno 1547. NICOLAS HEATH was born and had his childhood in the City of London being noted for one of St. Anthonies Pigs therein so were the Scholars of that School commonly called as those of St. Pauls Pauls pigeons and bred first in Christs-Colledge then Fellow of Clare-hall in Cambridge By K. Henry the eighth to whom he was Almoner he was preferred Bishop first of Rochester then of Worcester deprived by K. Edward the Sixth restored by Q. Mary who advanced him Arch-bishop of York and Lord Chancelour of England A moderate man who would not let the least spark of persecution be kindled in his Diocess if any in his Province In the Conference at Westminster betwixt Papists and Protestants primo Elizabethae he was a kind of Moderatour but interposed little Infected bâ—… his Fellow-PrisonerPopish-Prelates he could not be perswaded to take the Oath of Supremacie for which he was deprived He led a pious and private life on his own lands at Cobham in Surrey whither Q. Elizabeth came often to visit him and dyed about the year of our Lord 1566. Since the Reformation JOHN YOUNGE D. D. was borne in Cheapside and bred in Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge whereof he became Master hence he was preferred Rector of St. Giles Cripple gate and at last Bishop of Rochester A constant preacher and to whose Judgement Q. Elizabeth ascribed much in Church matters Better Bishopricks were often offered to and as often refused by him particularly when Norwich was proferred him by one who affirmed it to be a higher Seat Bishop Young pleasantly returned Yea but it is a harder and not so easie for an old man since the Cushion was taken away from it Meaning since Dr. Scambler had scambled away the Revenues thereof He dyed Anno Dom. 1605. and lyeth buried at Bromly Church in Kent where his son most solemnly and sumptuously interred him though he enjoyned all possible privacy and on his death-bed forbad all funeral expences But in such cases it may become the Charity and Affection of the survivers to do what beseemes not so well the modesty and discretion of the dying to desire WILLIAM COTTON D. D. was bon in this City though his infancy was much conversant about Finchley in Middlesex as his nearest relation hath informed me He was bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge preferred by Queen Elizabeth Arch-Deacon of Lewis and Canon Residentiary of St. Pauls Hence he was advanced and consecrated Bishop of Exâ—…ter November the 12. 1598. During his sitting there Mr. Snape a second Cartwright not for abilities but activity came out of Gersey and plentifully sowed the Seeds of non-conformity in his Diocesse which the vigilancy of this stout and prudent Prelate plucked up by the roots before they could come to perfection In his old age he was Apoplectical which malady deprived him of his Speech some dayes before his death so that he could only say Amen Amen often reiterated Hereupon some scandalous Tongues broached this jeer that he lived like a Bishop and dyed like a Clark and yet let such men know that no dying person can use any one word more expressive Whether it be an invocation of his help in whom all the promises are Amen or whether it be a submission to the Divine providence in all by way of approbation of former or option of future things I will only add and translate his Epitaph transcribed from his Monument A Paulo ad Petrum Pia te Regina vocavit Whom th' Queen from Paul to Peter did remove Cum Petro Paulo Coeli Rex arce locavit Him God with Paul and Peter plac'd above He lyeth buried in the North-side of the Quire of Exeter but his Monument is distanced from the place of his Interment in a North-East Chappel His Death happened Anno Domini 1621. LANCELOT ANDREVVS D. D. was born in this City in Tower street his Father being a Seaman of good repute belonging to Trinity House He was bred Scholar Fellow and Master of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge He was an unimitable Preacher in his way and such Plagiaries who have stolen his Sermons could never steal his Preaching and could make nothing of that whereof he made all things as he desired Pious and pleasant Bishop Felton his Contemporary and Colleague indevoured in vain in his Sermon to assimulate his style and therefore said merrily of himself I had almost marr'd my own natural Trot by endevouring to imitate his artificial Amble But I have spoken largely of this peerlesse Prelate in my Church-History He dyed Anno Dom. 1626. THOMAS DOVE D. D. was born in this City as a Credible person of his nearest Relation hath informed me bred a Tanquam which is a Fellowes Fellow in Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge He afterwards became an eminent Preacher and his Sermons substantial in themselves were advantaged by his comely person and graceful elocution Q. Elizabeth highly affected and Anno 1589. preferred him Dean of Norwich advancing him eleven yeares after to the Bishoprick of Peterborough He departed this life 1630. in the thirtieth year of his Bishoprick on the thirtieth of August who kept a good house whilst he lived and yet raised a Family to Knightly degree JOHN HOWSON D. D. was born in St. Frides Parish in this City bred a Scholar in St. Pauls School whence going to Oxford he became a Student and Canon of Christ-Church and afterwards was consecrated Bishop of Oxford May 9. 1619. being his Birth-day in his Climacterical then entring upon the 63 year of his age His Learned book in what case a Divorce is lawfull with his Sermons against Sacriledge and stating of the Popes supremacy in 4 Sermons injoyned on him by King James to clear his causelesse aspersion of favouring Popery and never since replyed unto by the Romish party have made him famous to all posterity He was afterwards removed to the Bishoprick
prayer before his Sermon usually consisted of one entire Allegory not driven but led on most proper in all particulars He was at last by exchange of his living setled in Suffolk which hath the best and worst aire in England best about Bury and worst on the Sea-side where Master Fleticher was beneficed His clownish and low parted Parishoners having nothing but their shoos high about them valued not their Pastour according to his worth which disposed him to melancholy and hastened his dissolution I behold the life of this learned Poet like those half-verses in Virgils Aeneids broken off in the middle seeing he might have doubled his days according to the ordinary course of nature whose death happened about the year 162. He had another brother Phineas Fletcher Fellow of Kings-colledge in Cambridge and beneficed also in Norfolk a most excellent Poet witness his Purple Island and several other pieces of great ingenuity JOHN DONNE was born in this City of wealthy parentage extracted out of Wales one of an excellent wit large travail and choice experience After many vicissitudes in his youth his reduced age was honoured with the Doctorship of Divinity and Denary of Saint Pauls Should I endeavour to deliver his exact character who willingly would not doe any wrong should do a fourfold injury 1. To his worthy memory whose merit my pen is unable to express 2. To my self in undertaking what I am not sufficient to perform 3. To the Reader first in raising then in frustrating his expectation 4. To my deservedly honored friend Master Isaac Walton by whom his life is so learnedly written It is enough for me to observe he died March 31. Anno Dom. 1631. and lieth buried in Saint Pauls under an ingenious and choice monument neither so costly as to occasion envy nor so common as to cause contempt Romish Exile Writers JOHN HEIWOOD was born in London and was most familiar with Sir Thomas More whom he much resembled in quickness of parts both undervaluing their friend to their jest and having Ingenium non edentulum sed mordax I may safely write of him what he pleasantly writes of himself that he applied mirth more then thrift many mad plays and did few good works He hath printed many English proverbial Epigrams and his Monumenta Literaria are said to be non tam labore condita quà m lepore condita He was highly in favour with Queen Mary and after her death fled for Religion beyond the seas It is much that one so Fancyful should be so conscientious He lived and for ought I find died at Mechlin about the year 1566. Gasper Heiwood his son was a great Jesuit and executed here in Q. Elizabeths raign MAURICE CHAMNEE most probably born in this City was bred a Friar in Charter-house now called Suttons Hospital He was imprisoned for refusing the Oath of Supremacy with 18. of his Order all which lost their lives for their obstinacy whilst our Maurice like Jobs messenger only escaped alone to tell of his fellows misfortune and write the history of the execution Some of Chamnee's party report to his praise that Martyrdome was only wanting to him and not he to Martyrdome Others more truly tax him for warping to the Will of King Henry the eighth not so much to decline his own death as to preserve his Covent from destruction who sped in the first and failed in the latter However fearing some afterclaps he fled beyond the Seas passing the rest of his life in the Low-Countries dying Anno Dom. 1581. EDMUND CAMPIAN was born in this City and bred Fellow in Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford where he became Proctor Anno 1568. when Queen Elizabeth visited that University being made Deacon by the Protestant Church he afterwards renounced that Order and fled beyond the Seas A man of excellent parts though he who rod post to tell him so might come too late to bring him tidings thereof being such a valuer of himself that he swelled every drop of his ability into a bubble by his vain ostentation And indeed few who were reputed Scholars had more of Latine or less of Greek then he had He was sent over with Father Parsons into England to reduce it to the Church of Rome to this purpose he set forth his Ten Reasons so purely for Latine so plainly and pithily penned that they were very taking and fetch'd over many Neuters before to his perswasion It was not long before he was caught by the Setters of the Secretary Walsingham and brought to the Tower where one of his own Religion saith that he was exquisitissimis cruciatibus tortus rack'd with most exquisite torments Yet the Lieutenant of the Tower truly told him that he had rather seen then felt the rack being so favourably used therein that being taken off he did presently go to his lodging without help and used his hands in writing Besides as Campian confess'd he was not examined upon any point of Religion but only upon matters of State Some days after he was ingaged in four solemn disputations to make good that bold challenge he had made against all Protestants Place Auditors Time Opposers Questions Campians answer The Chappel in the Tower The Lieutenant of the Tower Mr. Bele Clerk of the Counsel withmany Protestants and Papists 1581 August 31 Alexander Nowell Dean of Pauls 1. Whether the Protestants had cut off many goodly and principal parts of Scripture from the body thereof Affirmative   Septem 18 William Day Dean of Windsor 2. Whether the Catholick Church be not properly invisible Negative   23 William Fulk D. D. 3. Whether Christ be in the Sacrament Substantially very God and Man in his Natural Body Affirmative   27 Roger Goad D. D. 4. Whether after the Consecration the Bred Wine are Transubstantiated Negative    William Fulk D. D. 5. Whether the Scriptures contain sufficient Doctrine for our Salvation     Roger Goad D. D. 6. Whether Faith only justifyeth     John Walker      William Clarke   An Authentick Author giveth this unpartial account of Campian in his Disputation ad disputandum productus expectationem concitatam aegre sustinuit and in plain truth no man did ever boast more when he put on his Armour or had cause to boast less when he put it off Within few days the Queen was necessitated for her own security to make him the subject of severity by whose laws he was executed in the following December Benefactors to the Publike THOMAS POPE Knight was born in this City as my worthy friend Doctor Seth Ward the Head and others of the Society of Trinity colledge in Oxford have informed me I behold him as fortunae suae fabrum the Smith who by Gods blessing hammered out his own fortune without any Patrimonial advantage Indeed he lived in an Age which one may call the harvest of wealth wherein any that
five parts which were used in Cathedrals many years after his death the certain date whereof I cannot attain JOHN DOULAND was as I have most cause to believe born in this City sure I am he had his longest life and best livelyhood therein being Servant in the Chappel to Queen Elizabeth and King James He was the rarest Musician that his Age did behold Having travailed beyond the Seas and compounded English with Forreign Skill in that faculty it is questionable whether he excell'd in Vocal or Instrumental Musick A chearful Person he was passing his days in lawful meriment truly answering the Anagram made of him JOHANNES DOULANDUS ANNOS LUDENDO HAUSI Christian the fourth K. of Denmark coming over into England requested him of K. James who unwillingly willing parted with him Many years he lived as I am credibly informed in the Danish Court in great favour and plenty generally imployed to entertain such English Persons of quality as came thither I cannot confidently avouch his death at Denmark but believe it more probably then their assertion who report him returned and dying in England about the year 1615. Benefactors to the Publique JAMES PALMER B. D. was born in this City and bred in Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge The Company of Carpenters in London gave him an exhibition towards his maintenance there or lent it him rather For since his bounty hath repaid them the Principle with plentiful consideration He was afterwards for many years the constant Preacher of Saint Bridgets in Fleetstreet the onely Church preferment he enjoyed I perceive thus craft and cruelty may raise a quick and great but plain frugallity especially if vivacious will advance a better and surer estate Though sequestred in these times what he had formerly gained in his place he hath since bestowed in building and endowing over against the New Chappel in Westminster a fair Almes-house for twelve poor people besides this many and great have his gifts been to Ministers poor widdows and wonder not Reader if they be unknown to me which were unknown to his own left-hand all this he did in his life time O it giveth the best light when one carrieth his Lant-horn before him The surest way that ones Will shall be performed is to see it performed Yea I may say that his poor people in his Almes-house are in some sort provided for not onely from head to foot but also from body to soul he constantly preaching to them twice a week He dyed Anno 1659. Memorable Persons EDMOND DOUBLEDAY Esquire was of a tall and proper person and lived in this City Nor had this large case a little jewell this long body a lazy soul whose activity and valour was adequate to his strength and greatness whereof he gave this eminent testimony When Sir Thomas Knevet was sent November 4. 1605. by King James to search the Cellar beneath the Parliament-house with very few for the more privacy to attend him he took Master Doubleday with him Here they found Gui Faux with his dark-lant-horn in the dead of the night providing for the death of many the next morning He was newly come out of the Divels Closset so I may fitly term the inward room where the powder lay and the train was to be laid into the outward part of the Cellar Faux beginning to bussel Master Doubleday instantly ordered him at his pleasure up with his heels and there with the Traytor lay the Treason flat along the floor by Gods goodness detected defeated Faux vowed and though he was a false Traitor herein I do believe him that had he been in the inner room he would have blown up himself and all the company therein Thus it is pleasant musick to hear disarmed malice threaten when it cannot strike Master Doubleday lived many years after deservedly loved and respected and died about the year of our Lord 1618. The Farewell Seeing the well-being yea being of this City consisteth in the Kings Court and in the Courts of Justice I congratulate the happy return of the one praying for the long continuance of the other yea may the Lawyers in Westminster-hall never again plead in their Armour as they did in the time of Wyats rebellion but in their peaceable Gowns and Legal Formalities Nor doth this Wish onely extend to the Weal of Westminster but all England For no such dearth in a Land as what is caused from a drought of Justice therein For if judgement do not run down as Waters and righteousness as a mighty Stream Injustice like an Ocean will drown all with its inundation NOR FOLK hath the German Ocean on the North and East thereof Suffolk severed by the river Waveny on the South-side Cambridge-shire parted by the river Ouse and a small part of Lincoln shire on the West it extendeth full 50. miles from East to West but from North to South stretcheth not above thirty miles All England may be carved out of Norfolk represented therein not onely to the kind but degree thereof Here are Fens and Heaths and Light and Deep and Sand and Clay-ground and Meddows and Pasture and Arable and Woody and generally woodless land so gratefull is this Shire with the variety thereof Thus as in many men though perchance this or that part may justly be cavelled at yet all put together complete a proper person so Norfolk collectively taken hath a sufficient result of pleasure and profit that being supplied in one part which is defective in another This County hath the most Churches of any in England six hundred and sixty and though the poorest Livings yet by some occult quallity of their good husbandry and Gods blessing thereon the richest Clergy-men Nor can there be given a greater demonstration of the wealth and populousness of this County than that in the late Act for an Assessment upon England at the rate of sixty thousand pounds by the Month for three Months Norfolk with the City of Norwich is rated at three thousand two hundred sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence the highest proportion of any Shire in England And though Norfolk hath little cause to please and less to pride it self in so dear purchased pre-eminence yet it cannot but account it a credit to see it self not undervalued Natural Commodities It shareth plentifully in all English Commodities and aboundeth with the best and most Rabbits These are an Army of natural Pioners whence men have learned cuniculos agere the Art of undermining They thrive best on barren ground and grow fattest in the hardest frosts Their flesh is fine and wholesome If Scotish-men tax our language as improper and smile at our wing of a Rabbit let us laugh at their shoulder of a Capon Their skins were formerly much used when furs were in fashion till of late our Citizens of Romans are turned Grecians have laid down their grave gowns and took up their light cloaks men generally disliking all habits though emblemes of honour if also badges of age Their rich
the lands belonging to the Church of Norwich which formerly he had so industriously recovered and setled thereon were again called into question being begged by a Peer who shall pass nameless Sir Edward desired him to desist telling him that otherwise he would put on his Gown and Cap and come into Westminster-hall once again and plead there in any Court in Justification of what he had done He died at Stoke Poges in Buckingham-shire on Wednesday the 3. of September being the 83. year of his age whose last words were Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done Sir THOMAS RICHARDSON Knight was born at Mulbarton in this County his father being Minister thereof He was bred in the study of our Municipal-law and became the Kings Serjeant therein Afterwards on the 28. of November 1626. he was sworn Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas that place having been void ten months before But coming now to our own times it is safest for me to break off Virgil I remember put a period to his Eclogue with Et Hylax in limine latrat VVe 'l Verfifie no more For do but hark Hylax doth bark at th' entrance of the Dore. Seeing many will be ready to carp it is safest for me to be silent whilst his Brass Monument on the South-side of VVestminster Abby thus entertaineth the Reader Deo Om. Thomae Richardsoni Iceni Equitis Aurati Humanum Depositum Ille Juris Municip omnes gradus exantlavit Conventus tertii ordinis ann Jacobi Regis 21 22. Prolocutor extitit Fori civilis Communium Placitorum vocant Supremum Magistratum quinquennium gessit Ad summum tandem primarii per Angliam judicis Tribunal A Rege Carolo evectus expiravit Anno aetatis 66. salutis MDCXXXIIII Tho. Richardson fil unicus Eques Aur. Baro Scotiae designatus Patri incomparabili posuit This Judge married for his second Lady Elizabeth Beaumont the sister as I take it of Mary Countess of Buckingham and the Relict of ........ Ashburnham Knight She was by King Charles Created Baroness of Craumount in Scotland and though issueless by the Judge the Honour descended to his Grand-child Souldiers ROBERT VENILE Knight one I confess whose name I never heard of till meeting with this memorable Note in a Modern Historian And here must not be forgotten Robert Venile Knight a Norfolk man who when the Scots and English were ready to give battle a certain stout Champion of great stature commonly called Tournboll coming out of the Scots Army and challenging any English man to meet him in a single combate this Robert Venile accepteth the challenge and marching towards the Champion and meeting by the way a certain black Mastife dog which waited on the Champion he suddenly with his sword cut him off at the loyns and afterwards did more to the Champion himself cutting his head from off his shoulders This put me with blushing enough that one so eminent in himself should be altogether to me obscure upon the inquiry after this valiant Knight but all my industry could not retrive him in any author so that he seems to me a kin to those spirits who appear but once and finally vanish away Sir OLIVER HINGHAM was born richly landed and buried in Hingham an eminent Market-town in this County A right valiant man whom King Edward the third left Governour of Aquitain in France an honorable but difficult place being to make good a great Country with a few men against a fierce and numerous enemy Yet he gave a good account of his trust When the French lay before Burdeaux the Citizens thereof to abuse the enemies hopes set open their gates displaying the Golden-lilies the French-armes on their Towers as if they were theirs the French were no sooner securely entred but brave Oliver Captain of this City and Warden of the whole Country for King Edward gave them such an entertainment that they drank not so much Claret-wine in the City as they left Bloud behi nd them This happ'ned in the thirteenth year of the reign of King Edward the third This Sir Oliver liv'd many years after and was made Knight of the Garter and lies buried at Hingham under a fair tomb of free-stone curiously wrought with his resemblance in his Coat-Armour having a Crowned Owle out of an Ivy-bush for his Crest lying upon a Rock beholding Sun Moon and Stars because a great Travailer all lively set forth in metal with four and twenty mourners about his monument JOHN FASTOLFE Knight was a native of this County as I have just cause to believe though some have made him a French-man meerly because he was Baron of Sineginle in France on which account they may rob England of many other Worthies He was a Ward and that the last to John Duke of Bedford a sufficient evidence to such who understand time and place to prove him of English extraction To avouch him by many arguments valiant is to maintain that the sun is bright though since the Stage hath been over bold with his memory making him a Thrasonical Puff and emblem of Mock-valour True it is Sir John Oldcastle did first bear the brunt of the one being made the make-sport in all plays for a coward It is easily known out of what purse this black peny came The Papistsâ—…ailing â—…ailing on him for a Heretick and therefore he must also be a coward though indeed he was a man of arms every inch of him and as valiant as any in his age Now as I am glad that Sir John Oldcastle is put out so I am sorry that Sir John Fastolfe is put in to relieve his memory in this base service to be the anvil for every dull wit to strike upon Nor is our Comedian excusable by some alteration of his name writing him Sir John Falstafe and making him the property of pleasure for King Henry the fifth to abuse seeing the vicinity of sounds intrench on the memory of that worthy Knight and few do heed the inconsiderable difference in spelling of their name He was made Knight of the Garter by King Henry the sixth and died about the second year of his reign Sir CLEMENT PASTON Knight fourth son to Sir VVilliam Paston son to Sir John Paston a famous Soldier and favorite to King Edward the fourth sent by him with the Lord Scales to conduct the Lady Margaret the sister of the King to her husband Charles Duke of Burgundy son to VVilliam Paston the Judge was born at Paston in this County When a youth he was at the burning of Conquest in France and afterwards by King Henry the eight was made Captain of one of his ships of war and in a Sea-fight took a French Gally and therein the Admiral of France prisoner called the Baron of Blancard whom he brought into England and kept at Castor nigh rarmouth till he had payed 7000. crowns for his ransome besides the spoil of the Galley wherein he had a cup and two snakes of gold which were the
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
worth the inserting Know then that notwithstanding the literall allusion Shrewsbury affordeth as many meeke Wives as any place of the same proportion Besides a Profitable Shrew well may content a reasonable man the Poets faining Juno chasâ—…e and thrifty qualities which commonly attenda shrewd nature One being demanded How much shrewishnesse may be allowed in a VVife Even so much sayed he as of Hops in Ale Whereof a small quantity maketh it both last the longer in it selfe and taste the better to the owner thereof The Case is altered quoth PLOWDEN This Proverb referreth its originall to Edmund Plowden an eminent Native and great Lawyer of this County though very various the relations of the occasion thereof Some relate it to Plowden his faint pleading at the first for his Client till spurred on with a better Fee which some will say beareth no proportion with the ensuing Character of his Integrity Others refer it to his altering of his Judgement upon the Emergencie of new matter formerly undiscovered It being not Constancie but Obstinacie to persist in an old error when convinced to the contrary by cleer and new Information Some tell it thus That Plowden being of the Romish perswasion some Setters trapanned him pardon the prolepsis to hear Masse But afterwards Plowden understanding that the pretender to Officiate was no Priest but a meer Lay-man on designe to make a discovering Oh! The case is altered quoth Plowden No Priest no Masse As for other meaner Origination of this Proverb I have neither List nor Leasure to attend unto them Princes RICHARD PLANTAGENET second Son to Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Queen was born at Shrewsbury 1472. He was created by his Father Duke of York and affianced to Anne Daughter and Heir to John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk But before the nuptials were solemniz'd his cruel â—…ncle the Duke of Glocester maried him to a grave in the Towre of London The obscurity of his burial gave the advantage to the report that he lived in Perkin Warbeck one of the Idols which put politick King Henry the seventh to some danger and more trouble before he could finally suppresse him GEORGE PLANTAGENET youngest son to Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Queen was born at Shrewsbury He was like Plautus his Solsticial Flower Qui repentinò ortus repentinò occidit dying in the infancie of his infancie Some vainly conceive such conjectures may be safely shot when no body can see whether they hit or misse the mark that had this George surviv'd he would have secured the lives of his two elder Brethren whose â—…ncle Duke Richard durst not cut thorow the three-fold Cable of Royal Issue A vain surmise seeing when Tyrants hands are once wash'd in blood two or three are all one with their cruelty Saints MILBURGH daughter to Meroaldus Prince of Mercia had the fair Mannor of Wenlock in this County given to her by her Father for her portion She quitting all wordly wealth bestowed her Inheritance on the Poor and answered her name of Milburgh which as an Antiquary interpreteth is Good or Gracious to Town and City Living a Virgin she built a Monastery in the same place and departed this life about the year 664. Four hundred years after in the Reign of William the Conquerour her Corps discovered by Miracles wrought thereby were taken up sound and uncorrupted to the admiration of the beholders saith my Authour and surely had I seen the same I would have contributed my share of wondring thereunto This I am sure of that as good a Saint Lazarus by name by the confession of his own Sister did stink when but four dayes buried Her Relicts inshrined at Wenlock remained their in great state till routed in the reign of King Henry the Eighth OSWALD was King of Northumberland who after many fortunate battels fought was vanquished and slain at last by Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians at a place in this County called after his name Oswaldstre now a famous Market-Town in the Marches thereby procuring to his memory the reputation of Saint and Martyr Be pleased Reader to take notice that all battels of this nature though they were quarrels or armed-suits commenced on a civil or temporal account for the extending or defending their Dominions yet were they conceived in that age especially to have a mixture of much Piety and Church-concernment therein because fought against Infidels and so conducing consequentially to the propagation of the Faith the reason that all Kings kill'd in such service atchieved to themselves the veneration of Saints and Martyrs Say not that King Saul might be Sainted on the same account mortally wounded in a pitcht field fought against the Vncircumcised Philistins both because in fine he slew himself and his former life was known to be notoriously wicked Whereas our Oswald was alwayes pious and exceedingly charitable to the Poor His arm cut off it seems from the rest of his body remained said Bede whole and incorrupt kept in a silver Case in S. Peters Church at Bamborough whilest his Corps was first buried at Peterborough and afterwards in the Danish persecution translated to Bergen in Flanders where it still remaineth The fifth of August was in our Kalendar consecrated to his memory save that the Thanks-giving for the defeating of Gowries-Conspiracy made bold to justle him out all the reign of king James His death hapned Anno Domini 635. Confessors This County afforded none as the word is reconfined in our Preface But if it be a little enlarged it bringeth within the compasse thereof THAMAS GATAKER younger son of William Gataker was a branch of an Ancient Family so firmely planted by Divine providence at Gatacre-Hall in this County that they have flourished the owners thereof by an noninterrupted succcession from the time of King Edward the Confessor This Thomas being designed a Student for the Law was brought up in the Temple where in the raign of Queen Mary he was often present at the examination of persecuted people Their hard usage made him pity their persons and admirable patience to approve their opinions This was no sooner perceived by his Parents being of the Old perswasion but instantly they sent him over to Lovain in the Low-Countries to win him to a compliance to the Popish Religion and for his better encouragement setled on him an estate of One hundred pound per annum old Rent All would not do Whereupon his Father recalled him home and revoked his own grant to which his Son did submit as unwilling to oppose the pleasure of his Parents though no such Revocation could take effect without his free consent He afterwards diverted his mind from the most profitable to the most necessary Study from Law to Divinity and finding Friends to breed him in Oxford he became the profitable Pastor of S. Edmonds in Lumbard-street London where he died Anno leaving Thomas Gatakèr his Learned Son of whom formerly heir to
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
upon him Many were the wit combates betwixt him and Ben Johnson which two I behold like a Spanish great Gallion and an English man of War Master Johnson like the former was built far higher in Learning Solid but Slow in his performances Shake-spear with the English-man of War lesser in bulk but lighter in sailing could turn with all tides tack about and take advantage of all winds by the quickness of his Wit and Invention He died Anno Domini 16 ... and was buried at Stratford upon Avon the Town of his Nativity MICHAEL DRAYTON born in this County at Athelston as appeareth in his poeticall address thereunto My native Country If there be vertue yet remaining in thy earth Or any good of thine thou breath'st into my birth Accept it as thine own whilst now I sing of thee Of all thy later Brood th' unworthiest though I be He was a pious Poet his conscience having always the command of his fancy very temperate in his life slow of speech and inoffensive in company He changed his laurel for a crown of glory Anno 1631. and is buried in Westminster-Abby near the South-door with this Epitaph Doe pious Marble let thy Readers know What they and what their children owe To Draitons name whose sacred dust We recommend unto thy trust Protect his memory and preserve his story Remain a lasting Monument of his glory And when thy ruins shall dâ—…aime To be the Treasurer of his name His name that cannot fade shall be An everlasting Monument to thee He was born within few miles of William Shake-speare his Countryman and fellow-Poet and buried within fewer paces of Jeffry Chaucer and Edmund Spencer Sir FULKE GREVIL Knight Son to Sir Fulke Grevil the Elder of Becham-Court in this County he was bred first in the University of Cambridge He came to the Court back'd with a full and fair Estate and Queen Elizabeth loved such substantiall Courtiers as could plentifully subsist of themselves He was a good Scholar loving much to employ and sometimes to advance learned men to whâ—…m worthy Bishop Overal chiefly owed his preferment and Mr. Cambden by his own Confession tasted largely of his liberality His Studies were most in Poetry and History as his works doe witness His Stile conceived by some to be swelling is allowed for lofty and full by others King James created him Baron Brook of Beachamp-Court as descended from the sole daughter and heir of Edward Willowby the last Lord Brook in the reign of King Henry the seventh His sad Death or Murther rather happened on this occasion His discontented servant conceiving his deserts not soon or well enough rewarded wounded him Mortally and then to save the law the labour killed himself verifying the observation that he may when he pleaseth be master of an other mans life who contemneth his own He lieth buried in Warwick Church under a Monument of black and white Marble whereon he is styled Servant to Q. Elizabeth Counsellor to K. James and friend to Sir Phillip Sidney Dying Anno 16 ... without Issue and unmarried his Barony by vertue of Entail in the patent descended on his kinsman Robert Grevill Lord Brook father to the Right Honorable Robert Lord Brook NICHOLAS BYFIELD was born in this County as his son hath informed me bred as I remember in Queens-colledge in Oxford After he had entred into the Ministry he was invited into Ireland to a place of good profit and eminency in pâ—…ssage whereunto staying wind-bound at Chester his Inn proved his home for a long time unto him preaching a Sermon there with such approbation that he was chosed Minister in the City Not without an especiall Providence seeing the place promised in Ireland would have failed him his going over had been a labour in vain The Cestrians can give the best account of his profitable preaching and pious life most strict in keeping the Lords day on which occasion pens were brandished betwixt him and Mr. Breerwood In his declining age he was presented to the Benefice of Isleworth in Middlesex where for fifteen years together he preached twice every Lords-day and expounded Scripture every Wednesday and Friday till five weeks before his death notwithstanding there was Mors in ollâ—… A stone in his bladder which being taken out weighed and measured after his death was found of these prodigious proportions In 1. Weight thirty three ounces and more In 2. Measure about the edge fifteen inches and an half In 3. Measure about the length thirteen inches and above In 4. Measure about the breadth almost thirteen inches It was of a solid substance to look upon like a flint Lo here is the patience of the Saints All I will adde is this the Pharisee said proudly I thank thee Lord I am not as this Publican Let Writer and Reader say humbly and thankfully to God We are not as this truly painfull Preacher and let us labour that as our bodies are more healthfull our souls may be as holy as his who died and was buried at Iâ—…leworth PHILEMON HOLLAND where born is to me unknown was bred in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge a Doctor in Physick and fixed himself in Coventry He was the Translator Generall in his Age so that those Books alone of his Turning into English will make a Country Gentleman a competent library for Historians in so much that one saith Holland with his Translations doth so fill us He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus Indeed some decry all Translators as Interlopers spoiling the Trade of Learning which should be driven amongst Scholars alone Such also alledge that the best Translations are works rather of Industry then Judgement and in easy Authors of Faithfulness rather then Industry That many be but Bunglers forcing the meaning of the Authors they translate picking the lock when they cannot open it But their Opinion resents too much of Envy that such Gentlemen who cannot repair to the Fountain should be â—…ebard access to the Streame Besides it is unjust to charge All with the faults of some and a Distinction must be made amongst Translators betwixt Coblers and Workmen and our Holland had the true knack of Translating Many of these his Books he wrote with One Pen whereon he himself thus pleasantly versified With one sole pen I writ this Book Made of a Grey Goose Quill A Pen it was when it I took And a Pen I leave it still This Monumental Pen he solemnly kept and showed to my reverend Tutor Doctor Samuel â—…ard It seems he leaned very lightly on the Neb thereof though weightily enough in an other sense performing not slightly but solidly what he undertook But what commendeth him most to the Praise of Posterity is his Translating Camdens Britannia a Translation more then a Translation with many excellent Additions not found in the Latine done fifty years since in Master Camdens life time not onely with his knowledge and consent but also no doubt by his desire and help
the Baron of Kendal 〈◊〉 his singular deserts â—…oth in Peace and War This was that Richard 〈◊〉 who sâ—…w the wild Bore that raging in the Mountains 〈◊〉 as sometimes that of Erimanthus much indamaged the Country people whence it is that the Gilpins in their Coat Armes give the Bore I confess the story of this Westmerland-Hercules soundeth something Romanza like However I believe it partly because so reverend a pen hath recorded it and because the people in these parts need not feigne foes in the fancy Bears Bores and Wild beasts who in that age had real enemies the neighbouring Scots to encounter Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Cuthbert Buckle Christopher Buckle Bourgh Vintner 1593 Sheriffs I find two or three Links but no continued chain os Sheriffs in this County untill the 10. of K. John who bestowed the Baily-week and Revenues of this County upon Robert Lord Vipont ROBERT de VIPONT the last of that Family about the raign of K. Edward the first left two daughters 1. Sibel married to Roger Lord Clifford 2. Idonea the first and last I meet with of that Christian-name though proper enough for women who are to be meet helps to their husbands married to Roger de Leburn Now because honor nescit dividi Honour cannot be divided betwixt Co-heirs and because in such cases it is in the Power and Pleasure of the King to assign it entire to which he pleased the King Conferred the Hereditary Sheriffalty of this County on the Lord Clifford who had Married the Eldest Sister Iâ—… hath ever since continued in that honorable family I find Elizabeth the Widdow of Thomas Lord Clifford probably in the Minority of her son Sheriffess as I may say in the sixteenth of Richard the second till the last of K. Henry the fourth Yet was it fashionable for these Lords to depute and present the most Principal Gentry of this Shire their Sub-Vicecomites Under-sheriffs in their Right to order the affairs of that County I find Sir Thomas Parr Sir William Parr Ancestors to Q. Katherin Parr as also Knights of the Families of the Bellingams Musgraves c. discharging that office so high ran the Credit and Reputation thereof Henry Lord Clifford was by K. Henry the eight Anno 1525. Created Earl of Cumberland and when Henry the fift Earl of that family died lately without Issue male the Honour of this Hereditary Sheriffalty with large Revenues Reverted unto Anne the sole daughter of George Clifford third Earl of Cumberland the Relict of Richard Earl of Dorset and since of Phillip Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery by whom she had two daughters the Elder married to the Earl of Thanet and the younger married to James Earl of Northampton The Farewell Reader I must confess my self sorry and ashamed that I cannot do more right to the Natives of this County so far distanced North that I never had yet the opportunity to behold it O that I had but received some intelligence from my worthy friend Doctor Thomas Barlow Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford who for his Religion and Learning is an especiall ornament of Westmerland But Time Tide and a PrintersPress are three unmannerly things that will stay for no man and therefore I request that my defective indeavours may be well accepted I learn out of Master Camden that in the River Cann in this County there be two Catadupae or Waterfalls whereof the Northern sounding Clear and Loud foretokeneth Fair Weather the Southern on the same Terms presageth Rain Now I wish that the former of thesemay be Vocall in Hay-time and Harvest the latter after Great Drought that so both of them may make welcome Musick to the Inhabitants VVILT-SHIRE WILT-SHIRE hath Gloucester-shire on the North Berk-shire and Hampshire on the East Dorset-shire on the South and Summerset-shire on the West From North to South it extendeth 39. Miles but abateth ten of that Number in the breadth thereof A pleasant County and of great Variety I have heard a Wise man say that an Oxe left to himself would of all England choose to live in the North a Sheep in the South part hereof and a Man in the Middle betwixt both as partaking of the pleasure of the plain and the wealth of the deep Country Nor is it unworthy the observing that of all Inland Shires no ways bordered on Salt-water this gathereth the most in the Circumference thereof as may appear by comparing them being in compass one Hundred Thirty and Nine Miles It is plentifull in all English especially in the ensuing Commodities Naturall Commodities Wooll The often repetition hereof though I confess against our rules premised may justly be excused Well might the French Embassadour return France France France reiterated to every petty title of the King of Spain And our English Wooll Wooll c. may counterpoize the numerous but inconsiderable Commodities of other Countries I confess a Lock thereof is most contemptible Non flocci te facio passing for an expression of the highest neglect but a quantity thereof quickly amounteth to a good valuation The Manufactures Clothing This Mystery is vigorously pursued in this County and I am informed that as MEDLEYS are most made in other Shires as good WHITES as any are woven in this County This mentioning of Whites to be vended beyond the Seas minds me of a memorable contest in the raign of King James betwixt the Merchants of London and Sir William Cockain once Lord Mayor of that City and as Prudent a Person as any in that Corporation He ably moved and vigorously prosecuted the design that all the Cloth which was made might be died in England alledging that the wealth of a Country consisteth in driving on the Naturall Commodities thereof through all Manufactures to the utmost as far as it can go or will be drawn And by the Dying of all English cloth in England Thousands of poor People would be imployed and thereby get a comfortable subsistence The Merchants returned that such home-dying of our cloth would prove prejudiciall to the sale thereof Forreigners being more expert then we are in the mysterie of fixing of Colours Besides they can afford them far cheaper then we can much of dyingstuff growing in their Countries and Forraigners bear a great affâ—…ction to White or Virgin cloth unwilling to have their Fancies prevented by the Dying thereof insomuch that they would like it better though done worse if done by themselves That Sir William Cockain had got a vast deal of Dying-stuff into his own possession and did drive on his own interest under the pretence of the Publick good These their Arguments were seconded with good store of good Gold on both sides till the Merchants prevailed at last A Shole of Herrings is able to beat the Whale it self and Clothing left in the same condition it was before Tobacco pipes The best for shape and colour as curiously sized are made at Amesbury in this County They may be
For although he found not the same favour with Joseph to whom the Gaoler committed the care of all his family making him Super-intendent of all other Prisoners yet had he always Respective Usage and oftimes Liberty on his Parol By his Bounty to the Poor he gained the good-will saith Master Camden of all Persons whilst I behold his Bounty to Others as the Queens Bounty to him enabling because not disenabling him for the same and permitting him peaceably to possess his Estate He died a very aged man in Wisbich-castle as I collect Anno 1585. and the Character which Pitzeus giveth him may suffice for his Epitaph Erat in eo insignis pietas in Deum mira charitas in proximos singularis observantia in majores mitis affabilitas in inferiores dulcis humanitas in omnes mulâ—…plex doctrina redundans facundia incredibilis religionis catholicae zelus HENRY BRIGHT was born in the City of Worcester No good man will grudge him under this Title who shall seriously peruse this his Epitaph composed by Doctor Joseph Hall then Dean in the Cathedrall in Worcester Mane Hospes lege Magister Henricus Bright Celeberrimus Gymnasiarcha Qui Scholae Regiae istic fundatae per totos Quadraginta Annos Summa cum Laude praefuit Quononalter magis sedulus fuit Scitusve aut dexter in Latinis Graecis Hebraius Literis feliciter edocendis Teste utraque Academia quam Instruxit affatim numerosa pube literaria Sed totidem annis eoque amplius Theologiam professus hujus 〈◊〉 per Septennium Canonicus major saepissime Hic Alibi Sacrum Dei praeconem magno cum Zelo Fructu egit Vir Pius Doctus Integer frugi de Republica deque Ecclesia optime meritus A laboribus perdiu per noctuque ab anno 1562. ad 1626. strenue usque extant latis 4 to Martii suaviter requievit in Domino For my own part I behold this Master Bright placed by Divine Providence in this City in the Marches that he might equally communicate the Lustre of Grammerlearning to youth both of England and Wales Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Richard Lee Simon Lee Worcester Grocer 1460 2 Richard a Lee John a Lee Worcester 1468 3 Alexander Avenon Robert Avenon Kings Norton Iron-monger 1569 This is one of the twelve pretermitted Counties the Names of whose Gentry were not returned into the Tower by the Commissioners in the raign of King Henry the sixth Sheriffs HEN. II. Anno 1 Anno 2 Will. de Bello Campo for 14 years Anno 16 Will. de Bello Campo Hugo de Puckier Anno 17 Ranul de Launch for 4 years Anno 21 Rob. de Lucy Anno 22 Mich. Belet for 7 years Anno 29 Rad. de Glanvill Anno 30 Mich. Belet Anno 31 Rob. Marivion for 3 years RICH. I. Anno 1 Rob. Marmion Anno 2 Will. de Bello Campo Anno 3 Will. de Bello Campo Rich. de Piplinton Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Will. de Bello Campo Anno 6 Idem Anno 7 Hen. de Longo Campo for 3 years Anno 10 Rad. de Grafton JOH Rex Anno 1 Rad. de Grafton Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Will. de Cantela Adam de Worcester for 3 years Anno 6 Rob. de Cantelu Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 Will. de Cantelu Adam Clicus Anno 9 Will. de Cantelu Walt. le Puchier for 3 years Anno 12 Will. de Cantelupo Adam Ruffus Anno 13 Will. de Cantelupo Adam Delwich Anno 14 Idem Anno 15 Will. de Cantelupo Phus. Kutton for 3 years HEN. III. Anno 1 Anno 2 Walt. de Bello Campo Hen. Lunett for 3 years Anno 5 Walt. de Bello Campo for 3 years Anno 8 Walt. de Bello Campo Hug. le Pohier Anno 9 Walt. de Bello Campo Tho. Wigorne for 3 years Anno 12 Walt. de Bello Campo for 3 years Anno 15 Walt. de Bello Campo Hug. le Poer Anno 16 Walt. de Bello Campo Will de Malvern for 3 years Anno 19 Walt. de Bello Campo Hug. le Pohier Anno 20 Idem sive Will. Anno 21 Will. de Bello Campo Will de Blandhall Anno 22 Idem Anno 23 Will. de Bello Campo Laur. de Wandlesworth for 3 years Anno 26 Will de Bello Campo Simon de London Anno 27 Will. de Bello Campo for 24 years Anno 51 Will. de Bello Campo Ioh. de Hull Anno 52 Idem Anno 53 Will. de Bello Campo for 3 years EDW. I. Anno 1 Will. de Bello Campo Comes Warwic for 26 years Anno 27 Guido de Bello Campo for 9 years EDW. II. Anno 1 Guido de Bello Campo Comes Warr Rob. de Berkenhall Anno 2 Guido de Bello Campo Comes Warr Walt. de Perthrope for 4 years Anno 6 Guido de Bello Campo Rob. de Warwick Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 Guido de Bello Campo Anno 9 Iohan. de Heâ—…ingwoll Anno 10 Walt. de Bello Campo Anno 11 Idem Anno 12 Will. Stracy Anno 13 Idem Anno 14 Idem Anno 15 Will. de Bello Campo Anno 16 Anno 17 Nich. Russell Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Walt. de Kokesey EDW. III. Anno 1 Walt. de Kokesey Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Rich de Hâ—…deslowe for 3 years Anno 6 Tho. de Bello Campo Comes Warr for 46 years RICH. II. Anno 1 Tho. de Bello Campo Comes Warr for 4 years Anno 5 Tho. de Bello Campo for 13 years Anno 18 Tho. de Bello Campo Anno 19 Idem Anno 20 Ioh. Washburne Anno 21 Hen. Haggeley Anno 22 Rob. Russell HEN. IV. Anno 1 Tho. de Bello Campo Anno 2 Tho. de Bello Campo Will Beaucham Anno 3 Tho. Hodington Anno 4 Rich. de Bello Campo Comes Warr fâ—…r 9 years HEN. V. Anno 1 Rich. de Bello Campo for 9 years HEN. VI. Anno 1 Rich. de Bello Campo for 16 years Anno 16 Norm Washburne Subvic In the 17. year of King Henry the sixth this worthy Richard Beauchamp deceased And here the records are at a loss such as ever since came to my hand presenting no Sheriff for 21 years till the end of the raign of King Henry the sixth And yet I am confident that Henry Beauchamp Son and Heir to Richard aforesaid Earl of Warwick and Albemarle for Duke of ALBEMARLE I meet with none before that ILLUSTRIOUS PERSON who now deservedly possesseth that Honour injoyed the Shrevalty of this County EDW. IV. Anno 1 Walt. Scull Subvic for 19 years Here we have an Under-sheriff but no High sheriff could my industry hitherto recover though my confidence is grounded on good cause that Richard Nevill the Make-King Duke of Warwick was Honorary Sheriff though too great to officiate in his Person Annoâ—…0 â—…0 Iacob Radcliffe mil. for 3 years RICH. III. Anno 1 Iacob Radcliffe miles Anno 2 Will. Houghton
Professors in Oxford wherein he founded two allowing a liberall salary unto them THOMAS TAYLOR was born at Richmond in this County where his father a bountifull entertainer of people in distress was Recorder of the Town He was afterwards bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge and chose a Fellow thereof This Timothy grave when green entred very young but not raw into the Ministry at 21. years of age and continued in the same at Reading and London for the space of thirty five years His Sermons were generally well studied and he was wont to say That oftimes he satisfied himself the least when he best pleased his people not taking such pains in his preaching His flock was firmly founded and well bottomed on Catechistacall Divinity It being observed that his Auditors stuck close to their principles in this Age wherein so many have reeled into damnable Errors He was a great giver of Alms but without a Trumpet and most strict in his Conversation Zeal for the House of God may be said in some sort to have Consumed him Dying in the fifty six year of his age Anno Domini 1632. comfortably avowing at his death that we serve such a Master Who covereth many imperfâ—…ctions and giveth much wages for a little work NATHANIELL SHUTE was born at Gigleswick in this County Christopher Shute his father being the painfull Vicar thereof He was bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge A most excellent schollar and solid preacher Though nothing of his is extant in Print save a Sermon call'd Carona Charitatis preached at the funerall of Master Fâ—…shbourn But the goodness of the Land of Canaan may as well be guessed from one great bunch of grapes as if the spies had brought whole vineyards along with them Indeed he was a profouâ—…d and profitable preacher for many years together at St. Mildred Poultrey in London One in the University being demanded his judgement of an excellent sermon in Saint Maries returned that It was an uncomfortable sermon leaving no hope of imitation for such as should succeed him In this sense alone I must allow Master Nathaniel Shute an uncomfortable preacher though otherwise a true Barnabas and Son of consolation possessing such as shall follow him in time with a dispair to equall him in eminency He died Anno Domini 1638. when our English skâ—…e was clouded all over and set to rain but before any drops of war fell down amongst us Doctor Holdesworth most excellently preached his Funerall Sermon taking for his text We have this our treasure in earthly vessels JOSIAH SHUTE brother to Nathaniel aforesaid was bred in Trinity colledge in Cambridge and became afterwards Minister of Saint Mary Woolnoâ—…h in London and was Reader I doe say and will maintain it the most Pretious Jewell that was ever shewn or seen in Lumbardstreet All Ministers are Gods Husband mâ—…n but some of them can onely plough in soft ground whose Shares and Coultures will turn Edge in a hard point of Divinity No ground came amiss to Master Shute whether his Text did lead him to controversiall or positive Divinity having a strain without straining for it of native Eloquence he spake that which others studied for He was for many years and that most justly highly esteem'd of his Parish till the beginning of our late Civil Warrs somâ—… began to neglect him distasting wholesome meat well dressed by him merely because their mouths were out of tast by that generall distemper which in his time was but an Ague afterwards turn'd to a feaver and since is turn'd to a Frensy in our Nation I insist hereon the rather for the comfort of such godly Ministers who now suffer in the same nature wherein Mr. Shute did before indeed no servant of God can simply and directly comfort himself in the sufferings of others as which hath something of envy therein yet may he do it consequentially in this respect because thereby he apprehends his own condition herein consistent with Gods love and his own salvation seeing other precious Saints tast with him of the same affliction as many godly Ministers doe now a days whose sickles are now hung up as useless and neglected though before these Civil Warrs they reaped the most in Gods harvest Master Shute dyed Anno Domini 1640. and was buried with great solemnity in his own Church Master Udall preaching his Funerall Sermon since his death his excellent Sermons are set forth on some part of Genesis and pity it is there is no more extant of his worthy indeavours It must not be forgotten how retiring a little before his death into the Country some of his Parishioners came to visit him whom he chearfully entertained with this expression I have taught you my dear flock for above thirty years how to live and now I will shew you in a very short time how to dye He was as good as his word herein for within an Hour he in the presence of some of them was peaceably dissolved Be it also known that besides these two brothers Nathaniel and Josiah fixed in the City of London there were three more bred and brought up in the Ministry viz. Robert preacher at Lyn Thomas Minister for a good time in Chester and Timothy lately if not still alive a preacher in Exeter All great though not equall Lights are set up in fair Candlesticks I mean places of eminency and conveniently distanced one from another for the better dispersing of their Light and good Housewives tell me Old Candles are the best for spending Happy their Father who had his Quiver full with five such Sons he need not be ashamed to see his Enemies in the Gate It is hard to say whether he was more happy in his sons or they in so good a Father and a wary man will crave time to decide the doubt untill the like instance doth return in England GEORGE SANDYS youngest son of Edwin Sandys Arch-bishop of York was born at Bishops-Thorp in this County he proved a most accomplished gentleman and an observant Travailer who went as far as the Sepulchre at Jerusalem and hath spared other mens pains in going thither by bringing the Holy Land home to them so lively is his description thereof with his passage thither and return thence He most elegantly translated Ovid his Metamorphosis into English verse so that as the soul of Aristotle was said to have transmigrated into Thomas Aquinas because rendring his sence so naturally Ovid's genius may seem to have passed into Master Sandys He was a servant but no slave to his subject well knowing that a Translatour is a person in free Custody Custody being bound to give the true sense of the Author he translated Free left at liberty to cloath it in his own expression Nor can that in any degree be applyed to Master Sandys which one rather bitterly then falsly chargeth on an Author whose name I leave to the Readers conjecture We know thou dost well as a Translatour But where things require a genius
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
Extraction a Welch man immediately adding patria Herefordensis by his Country a Hereford-shire man We now for quietness sake resign him up wholly to the former Yet was he a Person worth contending for Lealand saith much in little of him when praising him to be Vir illustris Famâ Eraditione Religione He wrot severall Comments on Aristotle Peter Lumbard and the Revelalion He was chief of the Franciscans Convent in Hereford where he was buried in the raign of King Henry the fourth 1406. DAVID BOYS Let not Kent pretend unto him wherein his Surname is so Ancient and Numerous our Author assuring us of his British Extraction He studied in Oxford saith Lealand no less to his own Honour then the Profit of others reaping much benefit by his Books Having his Breeding at Oxford he had a Bounty for Cambridge and compassing the writings of John Barningham his Fellow-Carmelite he got them fairly transcribed in four Volumes and bestowed them on the Library in Cambridge where Bale beheld them in his Time He was very familiar understand it in a good way with Eleanor Cobham Dutchess of Gloucester whence we collect him at least a Parcell-Wickliffite Of the many books he wrot fain would I see that Intituled of Double Immortality whether intending thereby the Immortality of Soul and Body or of the Memory here and Soul hereafter I would likewise satisfie my self in his Book about the madness of the Hagarens whether the Mahometans be not ment thereby pretending themselves descended from Sarah when indeed they are the Issue of the Bond-woman He was Prefect of the Carmelites in Gloucester where he dyed 1450. Let me adde that his Surname is Latined Boethius and so Wales hath her David Boethius whom in some respects she may Vie with Hector Boethius of Scotland Since the Reformation Sir JOHN RHESE alias Ap Ryse Knight was born in Wales Noble by his Linage but more by his Learning He was well vers'd in the British Antiquities and would not leave a Hoof of his Countries Honour behind which could be brought up to go along with him Now so it was that Polydore Virgil that Proud Italian bare a Pique to the British for their Ancient Independency from the Pope Besides he could not so easily compass the Welch Records into his clutches that so he might send them the same way with many English Manuscripts which he had burnt to ashes This made him slight the Credit of Welch Authors whom oâ—… Sir John was a Zelot to assert being also a Champion to vindicate the story of King Arthur Besides he wrot a Treatise of the Eucharist and by the good words Bale bestoweth on him we believe him a Favorour of the Reformation flourishing under King Edward the sixth 1550. JOHN GRIFFIN was born in Wales first bred a Cistercian Friar in Hales-Abbey in Gloucester-shire After the dissolution of his Convent he became a Painfull and Profitable Preacher He suited the Pulpit with Sermons for all seasons having his Conciones Aestivales Brumales which he preached in English and wrot in Latine flourishing under King Edward the sixth Anno Domini 1550. HUGH BROUGHTON was born in Wales but very nigh unto Shrop-shire He used to speak much of his Gentility and of his Armes which were the Owles presaging as he said his Addiction to the study of Greek because those were the birds of Minerva and the Emblâ—…me of Athens I dare not deny his Gentile Extraction but it was probable that his Parents were fallen to great decay as by the ensuing story will appear When Mr. Barnard Gilpin that Apostolike man was going his annual journey to Oxford from his Living at Houghton in the North he spied by the way-side a Youth one while walking another while running of whom Mr. Gilpin demanded whence he came he answered out of Wales and that he was a going to Oxford with intent to be a Scholar Mr. Gilpin perceiving him pregnant in the Latine and having some smattering in the Greek Tongue carried him home to Houghton where being much improved in the Languages he sent him to Christs-colledge in Cambridge It was not long before his worth preferred him Fellow of the House This was that Broughton so famous for his skill in the Hebew a great Ornament of that University and who had been a greater had the heat of his Brain and Peremptoriness of his Judgement been tempered with more moderation being ready to quarrell with any who did not presently and perfectly imbrace his Opinions He wrote many books whereof one called The consent of times carrieth the generall commendation As his Industry was very Commendable so his Ingratitude must be condemned if it be true what I read that when Master Gilpin his Mecaenas by whose care and on whose cost he was bred till he was able to breed himself grew old he procured him to be troubled and molested by Doctor Barnes Bishop of Durham in expectation of his Parsonage as some shrewdly suspect At last he was fixed in the City of London where he taught many Citizens and their Apprentices the Hebrew Tongue He was much flocked after for his Preaching though his Sermons were generally on Subjects rather for Curiosity then Edification I conjecture his death to be about the year of our Lord 1600. HUGH HOLLAND was born in Wales and bred first a Scholar in Weâ—…minster then Fellow in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge No bad English but a most excellent Latine Poet. Indeed he was addicted to the New-old Religion New in comparison of Truth it self yet Old because confessed of long continuance He travailed beyond the Seas and in Italy conceiving himself without Ear-reach of the English let flie freely against the Credit of Queen Elizabeth Hence he went to Jerusalem though there he was not made or he would not own himself Knight of the 〈◊〉 In his return he touched at Constantinople where Sir Thomas Glover Embassador for King James called him to an account for his Scandalum Reginae at Rome and the former over freedome of his tongue cost him the confinement for a time in Prison Enlarged at last returning into England with his good parts bettered by learning and great learning increased with experience in travail he expected presently to be chosen Clerk of the Councell at least but preferment not answering his expectation he grumbled out the rest of his life in visible discontentment He made verses in description of the chief Cities in Europe wrot the Chronicle of Queen Elizabeths raign believe him older and wiser not railing as formerly and a book of the life of Master Camden all lying hid in private hands none publikely Printed This I observe the rather to prevent Plagearies that others may not impe their credit with stollen feathers and wrongfully with ease pretend to his painfull endeavours He had a competent estate in good Candle-rents in London and died about ' the beginning of the raign of King Charles The Farewell To take my Vale
resumption thereof by Undertakers of as able Brains and Purses but more patience than the former as a hopeful fore-runner of better successe BRECKNOCK-SHIRE BRECKNOCK-SHIRE hath Radnor shire on the North Cardigan and Carmarthen-shires on the West 〈◊〉 shire on the South Hereford and Monmouth-shires on the East the length thereof being adjudged twenty eight the 〈◊〉 thereof twenty miles My Author saith that this County is not greatly to be praised or disliked of with which his Character the Natives thereof have no cause to be well pleased or much offended The plain truth is the fruitfulnesse of the Vallies therein maketh plentiful amends for the barrennesse of the Mountains and it is high time to give a check to the vulgar errour which falsely reporteth this County the worst in Wiles let it 〈◊〉 for me to say this is not it and which is it let others determine Nor doth it sound a little to the credit of this County that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chiefe Town thereof doth at this present afford the title of an Eartl to James Duke of Ormond the first that ever received that Digniry Above four hundred years since a Daughter of Gilbert and Maud Becket and Sister to Tho. Becket was by King Henry the second bestowed in marriage on one Butler an English Gentleman Him King Henry sent over into Ireland and endeavouring to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blood rewarded him wâ—…th large lands so that his posterity were created Earls of Ormond Now therefore we have cause to congratulate the return of this noble Family iâ—…to their Native Country of England and wish unto them the encrease of all 〈◊〉 therein Natural Commoditiâ—…s Otters Plenty of these Lutrae in Latine in Brecknock-meer A Creature that can dig and dive resident in the two clements of Earth and Water The 〈◊〉 where hee bites maketh his Teeth to mâ—…et and the Otter leaves little distance betwixt them He is as destructive to Fish as the VVoolf to Sheep See we here more is required to make fine Flesh than to have fine Feeding the Flesh of the Otter from his innate rankness being nought though his Diet be dainty I have seen a reclaimed Otter who in a quarter of an houre would present his Master with a brace of Carps Otter-VVooll is much used in the making of Beavers As Physicians have their Succedanea or Seconds which well supply the place of such Simples which the Patient cannot procure so the Otter is often in stead of the Bever since the BeaverTrade is much wasted in the West Indies their remnant retiring high into the Country and being harder to be taken Yea Otter-wooll is likely dayly to grow dearer if Prime Persons of the weaker Sex which is probable resume the wearing of Hais Brecknock-shire equalling her Neighbours in all General Commodities exceedeth them in Wonders In the Air. He that relateth Wonders walketh on the edge of an house if he be not careful of his footing down falls his credite this shall make me exact in using my Authors words informed by credible persons who had experimented it That their Cloaks Hats and Staves cast down from the top of an Hill called Mounch-denny or Cadier Arthur and the North-East Rock thereof would never fall but were with the air and wind still returned back and blown up again nor would any thing descend save a stone or some metalline substance No wonder that these should descend because besides the magnetical quality of the Earth their forcing of their way down is to be imputed to their united and intended gravity Now though a large cloak is much heavier than a little stone yet the weight thereof is diffused in several parts and fluttering above all of them are supported by the Clouds which are seen to rack much lower than the top of the Hill But now if in the like trial the like repercussion be not found from the toppes of other Mountains in Wales of equal or greater height we confesse our selves at an absolute losse and leave it to others to beat about to find a satisfactory answer Let me adde that waters in Scripture are divided into waters above and waters under the Firmament by the former men generally understand since the interpretation thereof relating to Coelum Aqueum is exploded by the judicious the water ingendred in the Clouds If so time was when the waters beneath were higher than the waters above namely in Noahs flood when the waters prevailed fifteen Cubits above the tops of the Mountains In the Water When the Meer Llynsavathan lying within two miles of Brecknock hath her frozen Ice first broken it maketh a monstrous noise to the Astonishment of the hearers not unlike to Thunder But till we can give a good cause of the old Thunder and the power of his Thunder who can understand we will not adventure on the disquisition of this new one In the Earth Reader pardon me a word of Earthquakes in general Seneca beholds them most terrible because most unavoidable of all earthly dangers In other frights Tempest Lightning Thunder c. we shelter our selves in the bowels of the Earth which here from our safest refuge become our greatest danger I have learned from an able * Pen that the frequency and fearfulnesse of Earthquakes gave the first occasion to that passage in the Letany From sudden death good Lord deliver us Now to VVales The Inhabitants of this County have a constant Tradition that where now the Meer Llynsavathan spreadeth its waters stood a fair City till swallowed up by an Earthquake which is not improbable First because all the High-ways of this County do lead thither and it is not likely that the Loadstone of a bare Lake should attract so much Confluence Secondly Ptolomy placeth in this Tract the City Loventrium which all the care of Master Cambden could not recover by any ruines or report thereof and therefore likely to be drowned in this Poole The rather because Levenny is the name of the River râ—…nning through it Saints Saint KEYNE CANOCH CADOCK The first of these was a Woman here put highest by the curtesie of England the two later Men all three Saints and children to Braghan King builder and namer of Brecknock This King had four and twenty Daughters a jolly number and all of them Saints a greater happinesse though of them all the name onely of Saint Keyne surviveth to posterity Whether the said King was so fruitful in Sons and they as happy in Saintship I do not know onely meeting with these two Saint Canoch and Saint Cadock whereof the later is reported a Martyr all flourishing about the year of our Lord 492. and had in high veneration amongst the people of South-VVales I know not whether it be worth the reporting that there is in Cornwall near the Parish of St. Neots a Well arched over with the robes of four kinds of Trees VVithy Oak Elm and Ash dedicated to Saint Keyne aforesaid The reported vertue of