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
Saint John's then Master of Pembroke hall in Cambridge His studies were suitable to his years when young a good Philosopher witness his book of Meteors afterwards his endeavours ascended from the middle region of the aire to the highest heavens when he bâ—…came a pious and solid Divine Now the Romanists seeing they could no longer blind-fold their Laitie from the Scriptures resolved to fit them with false spectacles and set forth the Rhemish Translation which by Doctor Fulke was learnedly confuted though he never attained any great preferâ—…ent in the Church Here it is worth our pains to peruse the immediate succession of Masters in Pembroke-hall because unparallel'd in any English Foundation Edm. Grindall Archp. of Cant. Mat. Hutton Archp. of York Jo. Whitgift Archp. of Cant. Jo. Young 〈◊〉 of Rochester William Fulke D. D. Lanc. Andrews Bp. of Winchester Sam. Harsnet Archp. of York Nic. Felton Bp. of Eely Here though all the rest were Episcopated Doctor Fulke was but Doctor Fulke still though a man of great merit This proceeded not from any disaffection in him to the Hierarchie as some would fain suggest but principally from his love of privacy and place of Margaret-Professour wherein he died Anno Dom. 1589. EDMOND SPENCER born in this City was brought up in Pembroke-hall in Cambridge where he became an excellent Scholar but especially most haypy in English Poetry as his works do declare In which the many Chaucerisms used for I will not say affected by him are thought by the ignorant to be blemishes known by the learned to be beauties to his book which notwithstanding had been more salable if more conformed to our modern language There passeth a story commonly told and believed that Spencer presenting his Poems to Queen Elizabeth She highly affected therewith commanded the Lord Cecil Her Treasurer to give him an hundred pound and when the Treasurer a good Steward of the Queens money alledged that sum was too much then give him quoth the Queen what is reason to which the Lord consented but was so busied belâ—…ke about matters of higher concernment that Spencer received no reward Whereupon he presented this petition in a small piece of paper to the Queen in her Progress I was promis'd on a time To have reason for my rhyme From that time unto this season I receiv'd nor rhyme nor reason Hereupon the Queen gave strict order not without some check to her Treasurer for the present payment of the hundred pounds she first intended unto him He afterwards went over into Ireland Secretary to the Lord Gray Lord Deputy thereof and though that his office under his Lord was lucrative yet got he no estate but saith my Author Pâ—…culiari Poetis fato semper cum paupertate conflictatus est So that it fared little better with him then with William Xilander the German a most excellent Linguist Antiquary Philosopher and Mathematician who was so poor that as Thuanus saith he was thought fami non famae scribere Returning into England he was robb'd by the Rebels of that little he had and dying for grief in great want Anno 1598. was honorably buried nigh Chaucer in Westminster where this Distick concludeth his Epitaph on hâ—…s monument Anglica te vivo vixit plausitque poesis Nunc moritura timet te moriente mori Whilst hâ—…iu didst live liv'd English poetry Which fears now thou art dead that she shall die Nor must we forget that the expence of his funeral and monument was defrayed at the sole charge of Robert first of that name Earl of Essex JOHN STOW son of Thomas Stow who died Anno 1559. grand-child to Thomas Stow who died 1526. both Citizens of London and buried in Saint Michaels in Cornhill was born in this City bred at learning no higher then a good Gramar-scholar yet he became a painful faithful and the result of both useful Historian Here to prevent mistake by the homonymie of names I request the Reader to take special notice of three brace of English writers 1. Sir Thomas commonly with the addition of De la More who lived under and wrote the life of King Edward the second 1. John Leland bred in Oxford the most exquisite Grammarian of his age who flourished Anno 1428. 1. John Stow a Benedictine Monke of Norwich Anno 1440. who wrote various Collections much cited by Caius in his history of Cambridge 2. Sir Thomas More the witty and learned Chancellour of England 2. John Leland bred in Cambridge the most eminent Antiquary under K. Henry the eight 2. John Stow this Londiner and Historian I confess I have heard him often accused that as learned Guicciardine is charged for telling magnarum rerum minutias he reporteth res in se minutas toys and trifles being such a Smell-feast that he cannot pass by Guild-hall but his pen must tast of the good chear therein However this must be indulged to his education so hard it is for a Citizen to write an History but that the fur of his gown will be felt therein Sure I am our most elegant Historians who have wrote since his time Sir Francis Bacon Master Camden c. though throwing away the basket have taken the fruit though not mentioning his name making use of his endeavors Let me adde of John Stow that however he kept tune he kept time very well no Author being more accurate in the notation thereof Besides his Chronicle of England he hath a large Survey of London and I believe no City in Christendome Rome alone excepted hath so great a volume extant thereof Plato was used to say that many good laws were made but still one was wanting viz. a law to put all those good laws in execution Thus the Citizens of London have erected many fair monuments to perpetuate their memories but still there wanted a monument to continue the memory of their monuments subject by time and otherwise to be defaced which at last by John Stow was industriously performed He died in the eightieth year of his age April 5. 1605. and is buried at the upper end of the North-Isle of the Quire of Saint Andrews-Undershaft His Chronicle since continued by another whose additions are the lively embleme of the times he writeth of as far short of Master Stow in goodness as our age is of the integrity and charity of those which went before it GILES FLETCHER was born in this City son to Giles Fletcher Dr. in law and Embassadour into Russia of whom formerly in Kent From Westminster-school he was chosen first Scholar then Fellow of Trinity colledge in Cambridge One equally beloved of the Muses and the Graces having a sanctified wit witness his worthy Poem intituled Christs Victory made by him being but Bachelour of Arts discovering the Piety of a Saint and Divinity of a Doctor He afterward applied himself to School-Divinity cross to the grain of his Genius as some conceive and attained to good skill therein When he preached at Saint Maries his
Indeed I read of a Company of â—…hysicians in Athens called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they would take no Money of their Patients and our St. German was of their Judgement as to his Clients 5. Ability being excellently skill'd in Civil Caxon and Common Law so that it was hard to say wherein he excelled Add to these his skill in scripture witnesse his Book called The Doctor and Student where the former vics Divinity with the Lâ—…w of the later 6. Industry he wrote several works wherein he plainly appeareth not only a Favourer of but Champion for the Reformation 7 Vivacity Lâ—…ving to be above eighty years old and dying anno Dom. 1593. was buryed at St. Alphage London near Criplegate WILLIAM RASTAL was born in this City Sisters Son to Sir Thomas More and was bred in the Study of our Common Law and whoever readeth this passage in Pitz. will thence conclude him one of the two Chief Justices of England Pitz. de Ang. Script Aetat 16. anno 1565. Factus est Civilium Criminalium causarum alter ex duobus per Angliam supremis Judicibus whereas in deed he was but one of the Justices of the Kings Bench yet his Ability and Integrity did capacitate him for higher preferment being also a person of Industry He wrote the Life and set forth the Works of his Uncle More made a Collection of and Comment on the statutes of England Great was his Zeal to the Roâ—…ish Religion flying into Flanders with the changing of his Countrey under King Edward the Sixth he changed the nature of his Studies but then wrote worse Books on a better subject I mean Divinity He undertook Bishop Juel as much his over match in Divinity as Rastal was his in the common Law The Papists are much pleased with him for helping their cause as they conceive and we are not angry with him who hath not hurt ours in any degree He dyed at Lovain 1565. and lyeth buryed with his Wife in the same Tomb and this Epitaph may be bestowed on him Rastallus tumulo cum conjuge dormit in uno Unius carnis Pulvis unus erit Know that Winifrid Clement his Wife was one of the greatest Female Scholars an exact Grecian and the Crown of all most pious according to her perswasion Souldiers No City in Europe hath bred more if not too many of late and indeed we had had better Tâ—…adesmen if worse Souldiets I dare not adventure into so large a Subject and will instance but in one to keep possession for the rest submitting my self to the Readers censure whether the Parties merit or my private Relation puts me on his Memorial Sir THOMAS ROPER Son of Thomas Roper Servant to Queen Elizabeth was born in Friday Street in London whose Grandfather was a younger Son of the House of Heanour in Derby shire Indeed Furneaux was the ancient name of that Family until Richard Furneaux marryed Isald the Daughter of ..... Roper of Beighton in the County of Derby Esquire and on that Consideration was bound to assume the name of Roper by Indenture Dated the Sâ—…venth of Henry the Sixth This Sir Thomas Going over into the Lowe Countries became Page to Sir John Norrice and was Captain of a Foot Company at sixteen years of age what afterwards his Martial performances were to avoid all suspicion of Flattery to which my Relation may incline me I have transcribed the rest out of the Original of his Patent Cum Thomas Roper Eques auratus è Secretioribus Concilliariis nostris in regno nostro Hyberniae jampridem nobis Bellicae virtutis Splendore clarus innotuerit Utpote qui quam plurimis rebus per eum in nuperrimo bello hujus Regni fortiter gestis praeclarum Nomen Strenui Militis prudentis Ducis reportavit Cujus virtus praecipuè in recessu in Provinciâ nostrâ Conaciae prope Le Boyle emicuit ubi paucissimis admodum equestribus ingentes equitum turmas per Regni Meditullia hostiliter grassantes fortiter aggressus Ita prudentiâ suâ singulari receptui cecinit ut non modo se suos sed etiam totum exercitum ab ingenti periculo Liberavit hostesque quam plurimos ruinae tradidit Qui etiam cum Provincia nostra Ultoniae bello deflagaverat ob exploratam animi fortitudinâ—…m ab honoratissimo Comite Essexiae exercitus tunc imperatore unius ex omnibus designatus fuit ad Duellum eum Makal uno ex fortissimis Tyronentium agminum ducibus suscipiendum nisi praedictus Makal duello praedicto se exponere remisset Cumque etiam praedictus Thomas Roper in nuperrimo Bello apud Brest in Regno Gallie se maximis periculis objiciendo sanguinem suum effundendo Fortitudinem suam invictam demonstravit Qui etiam in expeditione Portugalenci se fortiter ac honorifice 〈◊〉 ac etiam apud Bergen in Belgio cum per Hispanos obsideretur invictissimae fortitudinis juvenem in defensione ejusdem se praebuit Qui etiam in expugnationis Kinsalensis die primus 〈◊〉 juxta 〈◊〉 propissime constitutus fuerat Hispanesque ex eo oppido sepius eodem die 〈◊〉 fortissime felicissimeque ad maximam totius exercitus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profligavit Sciatis igitur quod nos intuitu praemissorum Dominum Thomam Roper millitem c. Whereas Thomas Roper Knight one of our Privy Councellors of our Kingdome of Ireland long since hath been known unto us famous with the Splendor of his Warlike vertue As who by the many Atchievements valiantly performed by him in the late War of this Kingdome hath gained the eminent Repute both of a stout Souldier and a discâ—…eet Commander whose Valour chiefly appeared in his Retreat near Le Boyle in â—…ur Province of Conaught where with very few horse he undantedly charged great Troops of the Horse of the Enemy who in a Hostile manner forraged the very Bowels of the Kingdome and by his Wisdome made such a singular retreat that he not only saved himself and his men but also delivered the whole Army from great danger and slew very many of his Enemies Who also when our Province of Ulster was all on Fire with war being one out of many was for the tryed resolution of his mind chosen by the Right Honorable the E. of Essex then General of the Army to undertake a Duel with Makal one or the stoutest Captains in the Army of Tyrone had not the said Makal declined to expose himself to the appointed Duel And also when the aforesaid Thomas Raper in the late war in the Kingdome of France at Brest by exposing himself to the greatest perils and sheding of his own bloud demonstrated his courage to be unconquerable Who also iâ—… the voyage to Portugal behaved himself valiantly and honorably as also at Bergen in the Nether-lands when it was besiedged by the Spaniards approved himself a young man of 〈◊〉 valour in the defence thereof Who also in the day wherin Kinsale was assaulted was
placed in the first ranck nearest of all unto the Town and with no less success then valour to the great safety of the whole army beat back and put to flight the Spaniards who in the same day made several sallies out of the Towâ—… Know therefore that We in 〈◊〉 of the premises have appointed the aforesaid Thomas Roper Knight c. Then followeth his Patent wherein King Charles in the third of his raign created him Baron of Bauntree and Viscount 〈◊〉 in Ireland I will only adde from exact intelligence that he was a principal means to break the hearts of Irish Rebels for whereas formerly the English were loaded with their own cloths so that their slipping into Bogs did make them and the slopping of their breeches did keep them prisoners therein he first being then a Commander put himself into Irish Trouzes and was imitated first by all his Officers then Souldiers so that thus habited they made the more effectual execution on their enemies He died at 〈◊〉 Rest Anno Dom. 164. and was buried with Anne his wife daughter to Sir Henry 〈◊〉 in Saint Johns Church in Dublin Seamen I behold these Sea men as the Sea it â—…elf and suspect if I launch far therein I sâ—…all see land no more Besides I know there be many laws made against Forestalers and would be loth to fall under that penalty for preventing the pains of some able person a 〈◊〉 of the Trinity 〈◊〉 who may write a just tract thereof Civilians Sir HENRY MARTIN Knight was born in this City where his Father left him forty pounds a year and he used merrily to say that if his Father had left him 〈◊〉 he would never have been a Scholar but lived on his Lands whereas this being though a large encouragement but a scant maintenance he plyed his book for a better livelyhood He was bred a Fellow in New colledge in Oxford and by the advice of Bishop Andrews addressed himself to the Study of the Civil Law By the advice of the said Bishop Master Martin had weekly transmitted unto him from some Proctors at Lambeth the Brief heads of the most Important causes which were to be tried in the high Commission Then with some of his familiar friends in that faculty they privately pleaded those Causes amongst themselves acting in their Chamber what was done in the Court But Mr. Martin making it his work exceeded the rest in amplifying and agravating any fault moving of anger and indignation against the guilt thereof or else in extenuating and excusing it procure pitty obtain pardon or at least prevail for a lighter punishment Some years he spent in this personated pleading to enable himself against he was really called to that Profession Hence it was that afterwards he became so eminent an Advocate in the high Commission that no cause could come amiss to him For he was not to make new armour but only to put it on and buckle it not to invent but apply arguments to his Cliant He was at last Knighted and made Judge of the Prerogative for Probate of Wills and also of the Admiraltry in causes concerning forraign traffick so that as King James said pleasantly He was a mighty Monarch in his Jurisdiction over Land and Sea the Living and dead He died very aged and wealthy Anno Dom. 1642. Physicians RICHARDUS ANGLICUS was certainly a man of Merit being eminently so denominated by Foraigners amongst whom he conversed from his Country and he who had our Nation for his Name cannot have less then London for his Lodging in this our Catalogue of Worthies He is said to have studied first in Oxford then in Paris where he so profited in the faculty of Physick that he is counted by Simphorianus Champerius a stranger to our Nation and therefore free from Flattery one of the most eminent Writers in that Profession Now because he was the first English man whom I find famous in that Calling may the Reader be pleased with a Receipt of the several names of the Books left by him to posterity 1. A Tractate of 〈◊〉 2. Of the Ruâ—…es of Urins 3. Of the Signs of Diseases 4. Of Prognostick Signs 5. Of Letting Bloud 6. toâ—…alen â—…alen 7. Of Feavors 8. A Correction of Alchymy 9. A Mirour of Alchymy 10. Of Physick 11. Repressive 12. Of the Signs of Feavors Leland reporteth that besides these he writ other works which the Envy of time hath denied unto us He flourished about the year of our Lord 1230. JOHN 〈◊〉 was born in this City bred Fellow of Baliol-colledge in Oxford where he contracted familiarity with his Colleague and Mecaenas I. Tiptoft Earl of Worcester He afterwards travelled into Italy and at Ferrara was a constant auditor of Gwarinus an old man and famous Philosopher Hitherto our Phreas made use only of his ears hereafter of his tongue when of Hearer he turned a Teacher and see the stairs whereby he ascended 1. He read Physick at Ferrara concerning Medicinal herbs 2. Then at Florence well esteemed by the Duke thereof 3. Then at Padua beneath Florence in beauty above it in learning an University where he proceeded Doctor of Physick 4. Then at Rome where he was gratious with Pope Paul the second dedicating unto him many books translated out of Greek The Pope rewarded him with the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells dying before his consecration poisoned as is vehemently suspected by some who maligned his merit Heu mihi quod nullis livor medicabilis herbis Solomon himself who wrot of all Simples from the Cedar in Lebanus to the Hysop on the Wall could find no defensative against it which made him cry out But who can stand before envy No wonder therefore if our Phreas though a skilful Botanist found mens malice mortal unto him He died at Rome Anno Domini 1465. and Lelands commendation of him may serve for his Epitaph if but Hic jacet Johannes Phreas be prefixed before it qui primus Anglorum erat qui propulsâ barbarie patriam honesto labore bonis literis restituit ANDREW BORDE Doctor of Physick was I conceive bred in Oxford because I find his book called the Breviary of Health examined by that University He was Physician to King Henry the eighth and was esteemed a great Scholar in that age I am confident his book was the first written of that faculty in English and dedicated to the Colledge of Physicians in London Take a tast out of the beginning of his Dedicatory Epistle Egregious Doctors and Masters of the Eximious and Arcane Science of Physick of your Urbanity exasperate not your selves against me for making this little volume of Physick c. Indeed his book contains plain matter under hard words and was accounted such a Jewel in that age things whilst the first are esteemed the best in all kinds that it was Printed Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum for William Midleton Anno 1548. He died as I collect
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
partial Reflections CHAP. XIX Of the Number of Modern Shires or Counties in England And why the WORTHIES in this Work are digested County-wayes I Say Modern not meaning to meddle with those antiquated ones which long since have lost their Names and bounds as Winchelcomb-shire united to Gloucester-shire Howdon-Shire annexed to York-shire and Hexham-Shire to Northumberland As little do we intend to touch on those small Tracts of Ground the County of Poole and the like being but the extended Limits and Liberties of some Incorporations We add Shires or Counties using the words promiscuously as the same in sense I confess I have heard some Criticks making this distinction betwixt them that such are Shires which take their Denomination from some principal Town as Cambridgeshire Oxford-shire c. Whilest the rest not wearing the Name of any Town are to be reputed Counties as Norfolk Suffolk c. But we need not go into Wales to confute their Curiosity where we meet Merioneth-shire and Glamorgan-shire but no Towns so termed seeing Devon-shire doth discompose this their English Conceit I say English Shires and Counties being both Comitatus in Latine Of these there be nine and thirty at this day which by the thirteen in Wales are made up fifty two England largely taken having one for every Week in the year Here let me tender this for a real Truth which may seem a Paradoxe that there is a County in England which from the Conquest till the year 1607 when Mr. Camdens last Latine Britannia was set forth never had Count or Earl thereof as hereby may appear In his Conclusion of Bark-shire Immediately it followeth Haec de Bark shire quae hactenus Comitis honore insignivit neminem In hujus Comitatus complexu sunt Parochiae 140. Now this may seem the more strange because Comes and Comitatus are relative But under favour I humbly conceive that though Bark shire never had any Titular Honourary or Hereditary Earl till the year 1620. when Francis Lord Norris was created first Earl thereof yet had it in the Saxons time when it was first modelled into a Shire an Officiary Count whose Deputy was termed Vice-comes as unto this day Why the Worthies in this Work are digested County-ways First this Method of Marshalling them is new and therefore I hope neverthelesse acceptable Secondly it is as informative to our judgements to order them by Counties according to their place as by Centuries so oft done before according to the time seeing WHERE is as essential as WHEN to a mans being Yea both in some sort may be said to be jure divino understand it ordered by Gods immediate providence and therefore are coupled together by the Apostle Acts 17. 26. And hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation If of their habitation in general then more especially of the most important place of their Nativity The Spirit of God in Scripture taketh signal notice hereof The Lord shall count when he writes up the people That this man was born there Philip was of Bethsaida the City of Andrew and Peter and all know how St. Paul got his best Liberty where he saw the first light in Tarsus a City of Cilicia When Augustus Câ—…ar issued out a decree to taxe the whole World it was ordered therein that every own should go into his own City as the most compendious way to prevent confusion and effectually to advance the businesse I find the same to expedite this work by methodizing the Worthies therein according to the respective places of their Nativities If some conceive it a pleasant sight in the City of London to behold the Natives of the several Shires after the hearing of a Sermon passe in a decent equipage to some Hall there to dine together for the continuance and increase of Love and Amity amongst them Surely this Spectacle will not seem unpleasant to ingenuous Eyes to see the Heroes of every particular County modelled in a body together and marching under the Banners of their several Eminencies Here may you behold how each County is Innated with a particular Genius inclining the Natives thereof to be dexterous some in one profession some in another one carrying away the credit for Souldiers another for Seamen another for Lawyers another for Divines c. as I could easily instance but that I will not forestall the Readers Observation seeing some love not a Rose of anothers gathering but delight to pluck it themselves Here also one may see how the same County was not always equally fruitful in the production of worthy persons but as Trees are observed to have their bearing and barren years So Shires have their rise and fall in affording famous persons one age being more fertile then another as by annexing the dates to their several Worthies will appear In a word my serious desire is to set a noble emulation between the several Counties which should acquit themselves most eminent in their memorable off spring Nor let a smaller Shire be disheartned herein to contest with another larger in extent and and more populous in persons seeing Viri do not always hold out in proportion to Homines Thus we find the Tribe of Simeon more numerous than any in Israel Judah and Dan only excepted as which at their coming out of Egypt afforded no fewer than fifty nine thousand and three hundred Yet that Tribe did not yeild Prince Preist Prophet or any remarkable person Apocrypha Judith only excepted Multi gregarii pauci egregii and Multitude with Amplitude is never the true Standard of Eminency as the judicious Reader by perusing and comparing our County Catalogues will quickly perceive A Case of Concernment propounded and submitted to the Equity of the Reader It is this Many Families time out of mind have been certainly fixed in eminent Seats in their respective Counties where the Ashes of their Ancestors sleep in quiet and their Names are known with honour Now possibly it may happen that the chief Mother of that Family travelling in her Travel by the way side or by some other Casualty as visit of a friend c. May there be delivered of the Heir of her Family The Question is whether this Child shall be reputed the Native of that place where his Mother accidentally touched or where his Father and the Father of his Fathers have landed for many Generations On the one side it seemeth unreasonable to any man according to his Historical conscience that such a casual case should carry away the Sole credit of his Nativity This allowed tota Anglia Londinizabit a Moiety almost of the Eminent Persons in this Modern age will be found born in that City as the Inn-general of the Gentry and Nobility of this Nation Whether many come to prosecute Law-Suits to see and to be seen and on a hundred other occasions among which I will not name saving of house-keeping in the Countrey One Instance of many I find
favour will be indulged to my Endevours for my many Infirmities To Come to particulars some seeming Omissions will appear to be none on better Enquiry being only the leaving of many persons which belong not to our land to their Forraign Nativities If any ask why have you not written of John a Gaunt I answer because he was John of Gaunt born in that City in Flanders Thus whilst our Kings possessed large Dominions in France from King William the Conquerour to King Henry the Sixth many eminent English men had their birth beyond the Seas without the bounds of our Subject Secondly I hope real Omissions will neither be found many nor material I hope I shall not appear like unto him who undertaking to make a Description of the Planets quite forgot to make mention of the Sun I believe most of those who have escaped our Pen will be found Stars of the Lesser Magnitude Thirdly I protest in the presence of God I have not wittingly willingly or wilfully shut the Dore against any worthy person which offered to enter into my knowledge nor was my prejudice the Porter in this kind to exclude any of what perswasion soever out of my Book who brought merit for their Admission Besides I have gon and rid and wrote and sought and search'd with my own and friends Eyes to make what Discoveries I could therein Lastly I stand ready with a pencel in one hand and a Spunge in the other to add alter insert expunge enlarge and delete according to better information And if these my pains shall be found worthy to passe a second Impression my faults I will confess with shame and amend with thankfulnesse to such as will contribute clearer Intelligence unto me These things premised I do desire in my omissions the pardon especially of two sorts concerned in my History first Writers since the Reformation having those before it compleatly delivered unto us who cannot be exactly listed First for their Numerousnesse and therefore I may make use of the Latine Distick wherewith John Pitseus closeth his Book of English Writers Plura voluminibus jungenda volumina nostris Nec mihi scribendi terminus ullus erit More Volums to our volums must we bind And when that 's done a Bound we cannot find Secondly for the scarcenesse of some Books which I may term Publici-privati juris because though publickly printed their Copies were few as intended only for friends though it doth not follow that the Writers thereof had the less Merit because the more Modesty I crave pardon in the second place for my Omissions in the List of Benefactors to the Publick for if I would I could not compleat that Catalogue because no man can make a fit garment for a growing Child and their Number is daily encreasing Besides if I could I would not For I will never drain in Print the spring so lowe but to leave a Reserve and some whom I may call Breeders for posterity who shall passe un-named in which Respect I conceive such Benefactors most perfectly reckoned up when they are Imperfectly reckoned up All I will add is this when St. Paul writing to the Philippians had saluted three by name viz. Euodias Syntyche and Clement he passeth the rest over with a Salutation General whose Names are in the Book of Life Thus I have indevoured to give you the most exact Catalogue of Benefactors but this I am sure what is lost on Earth by my want of Industry Instruction c. Will be found in Heaven and their names are there recorded in that Register which will last to all Eternity As for my omitting many Rarities and Memorables in the respective Counties I plead for my self that mine being a general Description it is not to be expected that I should descend to such particularities which properly belong to those who write the Topography of one County alone He shewed as little Ingenuity as Ingeniousnesse who Cavilled at the Map of Grecia for imperfect because his Fathers house in Athens was not represented therein And their expectation in effect is as unreasonable who look for every small observeable in a General work Know also that a mean person may be more knowing within the Limits of his private Lands then any Antiquary whatsoever I remember a merry challenge at Court which passed betwixt the Kings Porter and the Queens Dwarfe the latter provoking him to fight with him on condition that he might but choose his own place and be allowed to come thither first assigning the great Oven in Hampton Court for that purpose Thus easily may the lowest domineere over the highest skill if having the advantage of the ground within his own private concernments Give me leave to fill up the remaining Vacuity with A Corrollary about the Reciprocation of Alumnus The word Alumnus is effectually directive of us as much as any to the Nativities of Eminent persons However we may observe both a Passive and Active interpretation thereof I put Passive first because one must be bred before he can breed and Alumnus signifieth both the Nursed child and the Nurse both him that was educated and the Person or Place which gave him his Education Wherefore Laurentius Valla though an excellent Grammarian is much deceived when not admitting the double sense thereof as by the ensuing instances will appear Passive Pro Educato Active Pro Educatore Cicero Dolabellae Mihi vero gloriosum te juvenem Consulem florere laudibus quasi Alumnum Disciplinae meae Plinie lib. 3. de Italia Terra omnium terrarum Alumna eadem parens numine Deum electa De finibus 122. b. Aristoteles caeterique Platonis Alumni Augustinus lib. 70. Civit. Jovem Alumnum cognominaverunt quod omnia aleret The Design which we drive on in this observation and the use which we desire should be made thereof is this viz. That such who are born in a Place may be sensible of their Engagement thereunto That if God give them ability and opportunity they may expresse their Thankfulnesse to the same Quisquis Alumnus erat gratus Alumnus erit A Thankful man will feed The Place which did him breed And the Truth hereof is eminently conspicuous in many Persons but especially in great Prelates before and rich Citizens since the Reformation BARK-SHIRE hath Wilt-shire on the West Hamp-shire on the South Surry on the East Oxford and Buckingham-shâ—…re parted first with the Isis then with the flexuous River of Thames on the North thereof It may be fancied in a form like a Lute lying along whose belly is towards the West whilst the narrow neck or long handle is extended toward the East From Coleshull to Windsor it may be allowed in length forty miles But it amounteth to little more then half so much in the broadest part thereof It partaketh as Plentifull as any County in England of the Common Commodities Grasse Grain Fish Foul Wooll and Wood c. and we will particularly instance on one or two
their order who passed by the name of Historicus Regius the Kings Historian to write the remarkable passages of his time Our Roger was by King Henry the third selected for that service and performed it to â—…is own great credit and the contentment of others He flourished in the year of our Lord 1235. ROBERT RICH Son to Edward and Mabell his Wife Brother of St. Edmund Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was born at Abbington in this County he followed his Brother at very great distance both in Parts and Learning though accompanying him in his Travells beyond the Seas and wrote a Book of the Life Death and Miracles of his Brother being much to blame if he did not do all right to so near a Relation He dyed about the year of our Lord 1250. RICHARD of WALLINGFORD was born in that Market Town pleasantly seated on the River Thames wherein his Father was a Black-Smith He went afterwards to Oxford and was bred in Merton Coll then a Monke and at last Abbot of St. Albans where he became a most expert Mathematician especially for the Mechanical part thereof and retaining somewhat of his Fathers Trade was Dexterous at making pritty engines and Instruments His Master-piece was a most Artificial Clock made saith my Author Magno labore majore sumptu Arte verò maxima with much Pain more Cost and most Art It remain'd in that Monastry in the time of John Bale whom by his words I collect an Eye-witness thereof affirming that Europe had not the Like So that it seemed as good as the famous Clock at Strasburg in Germany and in this Respect better because ancienter It was a Calendar as well as a Clock Shewing the fixed Stars and Planets The Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea Minutes of the Hours and what not I have heard that when Monopolies began to grow Common in the Court of France the Kings Jester moved to have this Monopoly for himself viz. a Cardescue of every one who carried a Watch about him and cared not how he employed his Time Surely the Monks of Saint Albans were Concerned to be carefull how they spent their hours seeing no Convent in England had the like Curiosity This their Clock gathering up the least Crum of Time presenting the Minutary fractions thereof On which account I conceive Richard the maker thereof well prepared for the time of his dissolution when he died of the Leprosie Anno Dom. 1326. Since the Reformation HENRY BULLOCK was most probâ—…bly born in this County where his ancient name appears in a worshipful estate He was bred Fellow and Doctor of Divinity in Queens Colledge in Cambridge A good Linguist and general Scholar familiar with Erasmus an Evidence of his Learning it being as hard to halt before acriple as to deceive his Judgement calling him Bovillum in his Epistles unto him By the way our English Writers when rendring a Sirname in Latine which hath an Appellative signification content them to retein the Body of the Name and only disguise the termination as Cross Peacok Crossus Peacocus c. But the Germans in such a Case doe use to mould the meaning of the name either into Latine as I. Fierce they translate I. Ferus Bullock Bovillus or into Greek as Swarts they render Melanthon Reeck-lin Capnio T is confessed our Bullock compelled by Cardinal Wolsy wrote against Luther but otherwise his affections were biased to the Protestant Party The Date of his death is unknown WILLIAM TWIS was born at Spene in this County which was an ancient Roman City mentioned by Antonine in his Itinerary by the name of Spinae This mindeth me of a passage in Clemens Alexandrinus speaking of sanctified afflictions Nos quidem è Spinis uvas colligimus and here in another sense Gods Church gathered grapes this Good man out of this thornie place Hence he was sent by Winchester-School to New-Colledge in Oxford and there became a general Scholar His plaine preaching was good solid disputing better pious living best of all He afterwards became Preacher in the place of his nativity Spinham lands is part of Newberry and though generally our Saviours observation is verified A prophet is not without honour save in his own country chiefly because Minutiae omnes pueritiae ejus ibi sunt cognitae yet here he met with deserved respect Here he laid a good foundation and the more the pity if since some of his fancifull auditors have built hay and stubble thereupon And no wonder if this good Doctor toward his death was slighted by Sectaries it being usuall for New-lights to neglect those who have born the heat of the day His Latin Works give great evidence of his abilities in controversial matters He was chosen Prolocutor in the late Assembly of Divines wherein his moderation was very much commended and dying in Holborn he was buried at Westminster Anno Dom. 164. WILLIAM LYFORD was born at Peysmer in this County and bred in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Bachelour of Divinity 1631. He was also Fellow of that foundation on the same token that his Conscience Post factum was much troubled about his resigning his place for money to his Successor but as his friends have informed me he before his death took order for the restitution thereof The modesty of his mind was legible in the comeliness of his countenance and the meekness of his Spirit visible in his courteous Carriage He was afterwards fixed at 〈◊〉 in Dorset-shire where his large Vineyard required such an able and painfull Vine-dresser Here he layed a good foundation before the beginning of our Civil Wars with his learned Preaching and Catechising and indeed though Sermons give most Sail to mens souls Catechising layeth the best Ballast in them keeping them stedy from being carriâ—…d away with every wind of Doctrine Yet he drank a deep Draught of the bitter Cup with the rest of his brethren and had his share of Obloquie from such factious Persons as could not abide the wholsome words of sound Doctrine But their Candle without their Repentance shall be put out in darkness whilst his memory shall shine in his Learned works he hath left behind him He died about the year of our Lord 1652. Romish Exile Wâ—…iters THOMAS HYDE was born at Newberry in this County and bred a Master of Art in New Colledge in Oxford he was afterwards Canon of Winchester and chief Master of the school therein He with â—…ohn martiâ—…l the second Master about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth left both their School and their Land living long beyond the Seas This Hyde is charactred by one of his own perswasion To be a man of upright life of great gravity and severity He wrote a book of Consolation to his fellowexile And died Anno Dom. 1597. Bâ—…nefactors to thâ—… Publick ALFREDE the fourth Son to K. Athelwolph was born at Wantage a market-town in this County An excellent scholar though he was
Aequalia Cambridge requires all to be equal Some interpret this of their Commons wherein all of the same Mess go share and share alike Others understand it of the expenses out of the Hall all being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in their Collations all paying alike Which Parity is the best Preservative of Company according to the Apothegme of Solon which Plutarch so commends for the wisedome thereof 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Equality breeds no Battles Otherwise it is a Murthering-â—…hot where one pays all the Reckoning as recoiling on him that dischargeth it Yea such inequality is a certain symptome of an expiring society Some expound the words that Graduates of the same degree either within or without the University are to be Fellows well met one with another Dido had a piece of State in her Court peculiar to her self which may be called an Equipage indeed where she had a hundred servants in ordinary attendance all of the same age Thus the same Degree in effect levells all Scholars so that seniority of years ought not to make any distance betwixt them to hinder their familiarity I have nothing else to adde of this Proverb saving that it is used also in Oxford Cambridge-shire Camels I cannot reconcile this common saying to any considerable sense I know a Camel passeth in the Latine proverb either for gibbous and distorted or for one that undertaketh a thing awkely or ungeenly Camelus saltat or else for one of extraordinary bulk or bigness all unappliable in any peculiar manner to the people of this County as straight and dexterous as any other nor of any exorbitant proportions All that I can recover of probability is this the Fen-men dwelling in the Northern part of this County when stalking on their Stilts are little giants indeed as Master Camden hath well observed However that Mathematician who measured the height of Herâ—…ules by the bigness of his foot would here be much mistaken in his dimensions if proportionably collecting the bulk of their bodies from the length of their legs A Boisten horse and a Cambridge Master of Art are a couple of Creatures that will give way to no body This Proverb we find in the Letter of William Zoon written to George Bruin in his Theatre of Cities and it is objected against us by an Oxford Antiquary as if our Masters wanted manners to give place to their betters though all things considered it soundeth more to their honour then disgrace For mark what immediately went before in the same Author In plateis ambulantes decedi sibi de via non à civibus solùm sed etiam à peregrino quovis nisi dignitate excellat postulant Walking in the Streets they require not onely of the Towns-men but also of every stranger except they excell in dignity that they goe out of the way unto them Herein two things are observable in the Scholars 1. Their Manners or Civility 2. Their Manhood or Courage If the party whatever he be appear dignified above them they willingly allow him Superiority what is this but to give what is due to another If he seem beneath them then they doe uti jure suo and take what is their own to themselves What reaâ—…on is it he should give place to a Towns-man ut quid cedat Plenum vacuo scientia ignorantiae This mindeth me of a passage in Plutarch concerning Themistocles when a Boy going home from School he met one of the Athenian Tyrants in the City and the people cryed out unto him to goe out of the way What said Themistocles is not all the street broad enough for him but I must be put out of my path and pace to make room for him This was interpreted by such as heard him as a presage of his future magnanimity And surely it shews not want of breeding but store of spirit when a man will not be put out of his way for every swelling emptiness that meets him therein An Henry-Sophister So are they called who after four years standing in the University stay themselves from commencing Bachelors of Art to render them in some Colledges more capable of preferment Several reasons are assigned of their name That tradition is senseless and inconsistent with his Princely magnificence of such who fansie that K. Henry the eighth coming to Cambridge staid all the Sophisters a year who expected a year of grace should have been given unto them More probable it is because that King is commonly conceived of great strength and staâ—…ure that these Sophistae Henriciani were elder and bigger then others The truth is this in the reign of King Henry the eighth after the destruction of Monasteries â—…earning was at a loss and the University thanks be unto God more scar'd then hurt stood at a gaze what would become of her Hereupon many Students staid themselves two three some four years as who would see how their degrees before they took them should be rewarded and maintained Martyrs WILLIAM FLOWER was born at Snow-hill in this County bred first a Monk in Ely till relinquishing his habit he became a Secular Priest and a Protestant and after many removals fixed at last at Lambeth Wonder not Reader to see a long black line prefixed before his name which he well deserved to distinguish him from such men who had an unquestionable title of Martyrdom Whereas this Flower dangerously wounded a Popish Priest with a Woodknife a mischievous weapon in Saint Margarets Westminster just at the Ministration of the Masse so that the bloud of the Priest Spirted into the Challice A fact so foul that the greatest charity would blush to whisper a syllable in the excuse thereof As for such who in his defence plead the precedent of Elia his killing of Baals Priests they lay a foundation for all impiety in a Christian Common-wealth If in the Old World Giants were the Product of those Marriages when the sons of God took to Wives the daughters of Men a Copulation not unlawfull because they were too near a kin but because they were too far off what Monsters will be generated from such mixtures when Extraordinary actions by immediate Commissions from God shall be matched unto Ordinary Persons of meer men and Heaven unjustly alledged and urged for the defence of Hell it self However it plainly appears that Flower afterwards solemnly repented of this Abominable act and was put to death for the Testimony of the truth Grudge not Reader to peruse this following Parallel as concerning the hands of the Martyrs in the reign of Queen Mary The right-hand of Thomas Tomkins was burnt off in effect so as to render it useless by Bishop Bonner some days before he was Martyr'd Arch-bishop Canmer at the Stake first thrust his right hand into the flame to be burnt in Penance for his subscription to a Recantation The right hand of William Flower before he went to the Stake was cut off by order of the Judges for his
 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
that age and assign 1339. the time of his death Chester the place of his buriall RANDAL or RANULPH HYGDEN commonly called Ranulph of Chester was bred a Benedictine in Saint Werburge He not onely Vamped the history of Roger aforesaid but made a large one of his own from the beginning of the World commendable for his Method and Modesty therein Method assigning in the Margent the date of each action We read Genesis 1. that Light was made on the First and the Sun on the Fourth day of the Câ—…eation when the Light formerly diffused and dispersed in the Heavens was Contracted United and Fixed in one full Body thereof Thus the Notation of Times confusedly scattered in many antient Authors as to our English Actions are by our Ranulphus reduced into an Intire bulk of Cronology Modesty Who to his great commendation Unicuique suorum Authorum honorem integrum servans confeseth himself to use his own expression with Ruth the Moabite to have gleaned after other Reapers He calleth his book Poly-Cronicon He continued sixty four years a Monke and dying very aged 1363. was buried in Chester HENRY BRADSHAW was born in this City and lived a Benedictine therein A diligent Historian having written no bad Chronicle and another Book of the Life of Saint Werburg in verse Take a tast at once both of his Poetry and the Originall Building of the City both for Beauty alike The Founder of this City as saith Polychronicon Was Leon Gawer a mighty strong Giant Which builded Caves and Dungeons many a one No goodly Building ne proper ne pleasant These his verses might have passed with praise had he lived as Arnoldus Vion doth erroniously insinuate Anno 1346. But flourishing more then a Century since viz. 1513. they are hardly to be excused However Bale informeth us that he was the Diamond in the Ring pro ea ipsa aetate admodum pius and so we dismiss his Memory with Commendation Since the Reformation EDWARD BRIERWOOD was as I am informed born in this City bred in Brasen-nose-colledge in Oxford Being Candidate for a Fellowship he lost it without loss of credit For where preferment goes more by favour then merit the Rejected have more honour then the Elected This ill success did him no more hurt then a Rub doth to an over-thrown Bowl bringing it the nearer to the mark He was not the more sullen but the more serious in his studies retiring himself to Saint Mary-hall till he became a most accomplished Scholar in Logick witness his worthy work thereof Mathematicks being afterwards a Lecturer thereof in Gresham-colledge All learned and many modern languages hereof he wrot a Learned book called his Enquiries No Sacrilegious Enquiries whereof our age dothsurfet It is a Snare after vows to make Enquiries but judicious disquisitions of the Originall and Extent of Languages A little before his death Pens were brandish'd betwixt Master Byfield and him about the keeping of the Sabbath Master Brierwood learnedly maintaining that th other exacted more strictness therein then God enjoyned Let me contribute my symbole on this Subject Our Saviour is said to be made under the Law and yet he saith of himself The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath Indeed he was made under the fourth Commandement as under the rest of the Law to observe the dominion not tyranny thereof usurped partly by the misinterpretation of the Priests partly by the misapprehension of the People and therefore both by his Life and Doctrine did manumisse men from that vassallage that the day instituted for rest and repose should not be abused for self-affliction and torment To return to our Brierwood I have heard a great Scholar in England say That he was the fittest Man whom he knew in England to sit at the Elbo of a Professor to prompt him But in my opinion he was a very proper person to discharge the place himself I conjecture his death about 1633. JOHN DOWNHAM younger Son of William Downham Bishop of Chester was as far as my best enquiry can recover born in this City bred in Cambridge B. D. and afterwards became a painfull and profitable Preacher in London He was the first who commendably discharged that eminent Lecture plentifully indowed by Master Jones of Munmouth and is memorable to posterity for his worthy work of the Christian Warfare Well had it been for England had no other war been used therein for this last twenty years all pious Persons being comfortably concerned in the prosecution thereof Seriously considering that their Armour is of proof their Quarrel is lawfull their Fight is long their Foes are fierce their Company are Saints their Captain is Christ their Conquest is certain their Crown is Heaven This grave Divine died very aged about the year 1644. Benefactors to the Publique WILLIAM ALDERSEA a pious and godly man was Mayor of the City 1560. demeaning himself in his place with much Gravity and Discretion He caused with much Cost and Industry the Catalogue of the Mayors of Chester to be compleated and that on this occasion He found by Authentick Evidences that one Whetlyâ—…ad â—…ad been four times Mayor of Chester and yet his name was never mentioned in the ordidinary Book of Mayors This put this good Magistrate on the employment Detection of faults informes little without Correction of them to amend and compleat that lame list out of their Records Thus Imperfections may occasion Perfection which makes me to hope that hereafter the Defects of this my Book without prejudice to my Profit or Credit will be judiciously discovered and industriously amended by others This William died the twelfth of October Anno 1577. and lyeth buried in the Chancell of Saint Osswalls under a fair stone of Alabaster Sir THOMAS OFFLEY Son to William Offley was born in the City of Chester and bred a Merchant-taylor in London whereof he became Lord Mayor Anno 1556. The usefull custome of the night Bellman preventing many Fiers and more Felonies began in his Mayoralty He was the Zachaeus of London not for his low Stature but his high Charity bequeathing the half of his Estate computed by a Reverend Divine to amount to five thousand pounds unto the Poor although he had children of his own Yea he appointed that two hundred pound should be taken out of the other half left to his son Henry and employed to charitable uses He died 1560. and was buried in the Church of Saint Andrews Undershaft I am heartily sory to meet with this passage in my Author Sir Thomas Offley bequeatheth one half of all his goods to charitable actions But the Parish meaning Saint Andrews Undershaft received little benefit thereby If the Testators Will were not justly performed it soundeth to the shame and blame of his Executors But if the charity of Sir Thomas acted Eminus not Comminus I mean at some distance and not at his own habitation it was no injury for any to dispose of
was made Lord Chancellour of England dischargeing his place with Prudence and Equity for the terme of five years Foreseeing he should be outed of his Office being of the Anti-faction to Duke Dudley to prevent stripping he politickly put off his Robes of State resigning his Office Which done no danger of catching cold his own Under-suit was so well lined having gotten a fair Estate about Lees Abbey in Essex whereof he was created Baron He died in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth being direct Ancestour unto the right Honourable Charles Rich now Earl of VVarwick WILLIAM POWLET where ever born had his largest Estate and highest Honour Baron of Basing and Marquess of VVinchester in this County He was descended from a younger house of the Powlets of Hinton Saint George in Sommersetshire as by the Crescent in his Arms is acknowledged One telleth us that he being a younger brother and having wasted all that was left him came to Court on trust where upon the bare stock of his wit he traffick'd so wisely and prospered so well that he got spent and left more than any Subject since the Conquest Indeed he lived at the time of the dissolution of Abbeys which was the harvest of Estates and it argued idleness if any Courtier had his Barnes empty He was servant to K. Henry the seaventh and for Thirty years together Treasurer to K. Henry the eighth Edward the sixth Qu. Mary and Qu. Elizabeth The 〈◊〉 in some 〈◊〉 owed their Crowns to his Counsel his policy being the principal 〈◊〉 of Duke Dudleys Designe to disinherit them I behold this Lord 〈◊〉 like to aged Adoram so often mentioned in Scripture being over the Tribute in the dayes of K. David all the Reign of K. Solomon untill the first Year of 〈◊〉 And though our Lord Powlet enjoyed his place not so many years yet did he serve more Soveraigns in more mutable times being as he said of himself no 〈◊〉 but an 〈◊〉 Herein the Parallel holds not The honry hairs of Adâ—…m were sent to the Grave by a violent death slain by the people in a 〈◊〉 This Lord had the rare happiness of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 setting in his full splendour having lived 97 years and seen 103 out of his body he dyed anno Domini 1572. Sr. THOMAS LAKES was born in the Parish of St. Michael in the Town of South-Hampton and there bred in Grammer-Learning under Doctor Seravia By several under Offices he was at last deservedly preferred Secretary of Estate to K. James Incredible his dexterity in dispatch who at the same time would indite write discourse more exactly than most men could severally performe them Men resembled him to one of the hips-Royal of Qu. Elizabeth called the Swift-sure such his celerity and solidity in all Affairs No lesse his secresie in concealing and what was credited to his Counsel was alwayes found in the same posture it was left in Add to all these he was a good man and a good mans Brother Dr. Arthur Lakes Bishop of Bath-and Wells King James who allwayes loved what was facile and fluent was highly pleased with his Latine Pen who by practice had made Tullie's phrase his own He was one of the three noble hands who at the Court first led Mr. George Villers into the favour of King James At last he fell for the faults of others into the Kings displeasure being punished for the Offences of one of his nearest Relations and of all them fin'd in the star-chamber he was the only person generally pittied for his suffering yet even then K. James gave him this publick Eulogie in open Court That he was a Minister of State fit to serve the greatest Prince in Europe He was outed his Secretaries place which needed him more than he it having atchieved a fair fortune which he transmitted to posterity How long he lived afterwards in a private life is to me unknown Souldiers BEAVOIS an English man was Earle of South-Hampton in the time of the Conquerer and being unable to comport with his Oppression banded against him with the Fragments of the English men the strength of Hastings the Dane and all the assistance the VVelch could afford In whose Country a Battel was fought near Carcliffe against the Normans anno Domini 1070. wherein Three Nations were conquered by One Beavois being worsted Success depends not on Valour fled to Carlile a long step from Carcliffe And afterwards no mention what became of him This is that Beavois whom the Monks cryed up to be such a man that since it hath been questioned Whether ever such a man I mean whether ever his person was in rerum natura So injurious those are who in the Reports of any mans performances exceed the bounds of probability All I will add is this that the Sword preserved and shewed to be this Beavoises in Arundel Castle is lesser perchance worn with age than that of King Edward the third kept in Westminster-Church Seamen Sr. JOHN WALLOP born in this County of a most ancient and respected Family was directed by his Genius to Sea-service at what time our Coasts were much infested with French-Piracies For there was a Knight of Malta passing in our Chronicles by the name of Prior John more proper by his Profession to be employed against the Turks lately so victorious in Hungary who liv'd by pickeering and undoing many English Merchants But our Sr. John made the French pay more than treble Dammages who with Eight Hundredh Men landed in Normandy burnt One and Twenty Towns with divers Ships in the Havens of Traport Staples c. and safely returned with wealth and Victory Methinks the ancient Armes of the Wallhops appear propheticall herein viz. argent a Bend-unde Sable interpreted by my Authour a wave or sourge of the Sea raised by some turbulent flaw of wind and tempest prognosticating the activity of that Family in Marine Performances ROBERT TOMSON Merchant was born at Andover in this County bred much at Bristol in Sea-Imployments Hence anno 1553. he sailed into Spain and thence two Years after shipped himself for Nova Hispania to make a discovery thereof on the same token that in his passage thither in a Spanish Ship a light like a canâ—…le being nothing else but a Meteor frequent by Sea and Land sell on their main Mast which the Spaniards on their knees worshiped for St. Elmo the Advocate of Saylers He afterwards wrote the Description of New Spain with the City of Mexico giving a good and the first account thereof of any Englishman During his abode many Months in Mexico at dinner he let fall some Discourse against Saint-worship for which he was imprisoned in the holy-House and enjoyned solemn Penance by the Arch-Bishop of Mexico This Tomson being the first reputed Heretick which was ever seen in America on a penitential Scaffold Hence he was sent into Spain and after three Years durance in the Inquisition discharged
Wild Beast I would not have rouzed you in your Den. He was very conscientious in discharging his calling Being once requested by me to preach for me he excused himself for want of competent warning and when I pleaded that mine being a Country Parish would be well pleased with his performance I can saith he content them but not mine own conscience to preach with so little preparation he dyed ahout Anno Dom. 1649. and was buryed in St. Peters Pauls Wharf in London Benefactors to the Publique NICHOLAS DIXON Parson for thirty years together of Cheshunt in this County He was also Clerk of the Pipe-Office belonging to the Exchequer See we here why the Officers of that place as also those of the Chancery were called Clerks because Priests in Orders with Cure of Souls did formerly discharge those Offices He was also Under-Treasurer and at last Baron of the Chequer when partly by his own bounty and partly by Collection of others He builded the Parish Church of Cheshunt and that I assure you is a very fair one with a Chancel to the Virgin Mary Now for an Affidavit for the proof hereof The Reader is referred to this his Epitaph inscribed in Cheshunt Chancel more to be respected for the truth then wit thereof O miserere Jesu famuli Dixon Nicolai â—…ui brevis hospitium tumulus pâ—…stat satis amplum Istud qui Fanum ter denis Rexerat annis Ad cujus fabricam Bursas proprias alienas Solvit allexit quo crevit in ardua Templum Pulchrum cancellum tibi dat pia Virgo novellum Dum laudaris eo famulo suffragia praestes Clericus hic Pipae subthesaurarius inde Baro Scaccarii se iuste gessit ubique Pacem pauperibus dans cedat divitis iras Larga manus relevat quos pauperies fera pressit Anno Milleno C. quater bis bis deca Christi Octavo moriens mutans terrestria caelis Octobris Luce ter denâ transit ad astra Auxiliare prece qui perlegis haec Nicholao Ut sibi cum sanctis praestetur vita perennis The word Rexerat doth intimate that Cheshunt was then a Rectorie or Parsonage though since impropriated and made a Vicarage What a deal of doe does this pitiful Poet make with words at length and Figures and Latine and Greek to describe the date of his death which if I understand his signes aright was October the thirtieth one thousand four hundred fourty eight Sir RALPH JOSCELINE son to Jefferie Josceline was born at Sabridgworth in this County bred a Draper in London whereof he was twice Mayor Once Anno 1464 and ere the end of that year was made Knight of the Bath by King Edward the Fourth in the Field saith my Author But seeing there is more of the Carpet then of the Camp in that Order it is more probable what another writes that he was invested Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Elizabeth Queen to the King aforesaid He was Mayor again Anno 1476. when he corrected the Bakers and Victuallers of the City and by his diligence were the walls thereof repaired Walls now a mere complement serving more for the dividing then the defending of the City 〈◊〉 that as some forreign Cities cannot be seen for the walls here the walls cannot be seen for the City Sad were the case of London if not better secured with bones within then stones about it Thâ—…s Sir Ralph died October the 25. Anno 1478. and was buried in the Church of Sabridgeworth JOHN INCENT son of Robert Incent and Katharine his wife was born at Berkhamsted in this County He was afterwards a Doctor of Law and advanced Anno 1543. when Richard Sampson was preferred Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield Dean of Saint Pauls This John probably invited by the example of another John his mediate predecessour Collet Dean of Pauls Founded a fair Free-school in the Town of his Nativity procuring it confirmed by act of Parliament allowing the Master twenty the Usher ten pounds Per annum He died as I collect in the beginning of the Reign of King Edward the Sixth Sir THOMAS WHITE son to Thomas White was born at Rixmansworth in this County and afterwards bred a Merchant-Taylor in London of which Citie he was Lord Mayor An. Dom. 1553. He first built Glocester-Hal and afterwards built and endowed St. Johns Colledge in Oxford the Seminarie of many flourishing wits He bestowed also a vaâ—… summe of money on several Corporations to be imployed circularly for the benefit of the poor Freemen therein Ionce intended to have presented the Reader with an exact particular of his Benefactions till seasonably I reversed my Resolution on this consideration Amongst the Jewes it was an injury for one removed further off in blood to do the Office of a Kinsman to the childless Widow until the next of Kin had first disclaimed his interest therein as in the Case of Ruth most plainly appeared A son I am sure is nearer then a Nephew therefore it is a more proper performance for one bred in Oxford to Collect the particulars of his Bounty who whither soever he went left the Finger-marks of his Charity behind him Then for me distanced a degree farthrr off by my Education in another Universitie Since the Reformation RICHARD HALE Esquire was born at Cudicot in this County and bred a Grocer in the Ciry of London Where his industrious Endeavours were so blessed that in a little time he got a great Estate Wherefore in Expression of his Gratitude to God the giver thereof He Founded a very fair School allowing fourty pounds a year to the Master thereof at Hartford in this County A place very prudently chosen for such a purpose First because the prime Town in his Native Shire Secondly great the want of a School in that populous place And lastly because most pure the Aire thereof so that Parents need not fear their Childrens loss of health for the gaining of Learning He died Anno Dom. 16 0. Whose wealthy Family do still flourish with worth and worship at Kings-Walden in this County EDWARD BASH Knight was born at Aldnam in this County in the Mannor-House then belonging to the noble Family of the Caries whereof Francis his Mother afterwards married to George Earle of Rutland was descended He was an hearty Gentleman and a good English Housekeeper keeping a full Table with solid dishes on it and welcome guests about it And one may tearm him a valiant man who durst be Hospital in these dangerous dayes Whilest living he was a Benefactor to Peter-house in Cambridge wherein he was bred a Fellow Commoner And at his death bequeathed more thereunto the particulars whereof I have not yet attained He gave also twenty ponnds per annum for the maintenance of a Schoolmaster at Stansted in this County where he had his constant habitation He died Anno Dom. 1605. Many other Benefactours this Shire hath of late afforded and amongst them one born in Chessunt
Civil War is a vagrant and will trace all corners except they be surrounded with Gyges his ring Surely some eyes in that place besides the Sweet Rivers of Severn and Wye running by them have had Salt Waters flowing from them since the beginning of our late Distractions Lemster bread and Weabley Ale It seems both these are best in their kinds though good in other places of the Land Thus though Palestine was universally termed a Land of Wheat yet the Spirit of God takes signal notice of the wheat of Minnith and Pannag as finer than the rest Yet is there Wheat in England which justleth for pureness with that of Weabley viz. What groweth about Heston in Middlesex yeilding so fine floure that for a long time the Manchet for the Kings of England was made thereof except any will say it is prized the more for the Vicinity to London Saints ETHELBERT was King of the East-Angles and went to Offa King of Mercia to treat of a marriage with his Daughter but Queen Quendred Wife to Offa more ambitious of her own unlawful then her Daughters lawful advancement practised his Death at a Village now called Sutton-Wallis four miles from Hereford His corps was afterwards removed by Milfred a petit Prince of that Country to Hereford where he obtained the reputation of a Saint and Martyr His suffering happened Anno Dom. 793. THOMAS CANTILUPE was of honourable extraction whose Father William Lord Cantilupe had two fair habitations Abergavenny Castle in Monmouth and Harringworth in Northampton-shire which by an Heir-general of that Family afterwards descended to the Lord Zouch He was bred in Oxford whereof at last he became Chancellour and was preferred Bishop of Hereford A charitable man may believe him a person of Holy Life and great Learning But no wise man will credit what Walsingham writes of him That he was never guilty of any mortal sin Going to others say returning from Rome to assert his Church from the encroachment of Peckam Arch-bishop of Canterbury he dyed at a City in Tuscany where his flesh was taken off his Corps and buryed whilst his bones were sent for Reliques into England and enshrined at Hereford Now though different dates be assigned of his death I adhere to Bishop Godwin noting his Dissolution 1282. He was afterwards canonized by Pope John the twenty second and no fewer then four hundred twenty five miracles are registred in that Church reported to be wrought at his Tomb. I say just four hundred twenty five which falls out sewer by five and twenty then the Prophets of Baal and more by five and twenty then the Prophets of the Groves in a middle number betwixt both and all of thâ—…m I beleive honest and true alike Yea it is recorded in his legend that by his Prayers were raised from death to life threescore several persons one and twenty Lepers healed and three and twenty blind and dumb men to have received their sight and speech No wonder then what Mr. Camden observeth that in process of time parum abfuit quin pietatis opinione Regio Martyri Ethelberto praeluxerit He lack'd but little to eclipse the Lustre of Ethelbert the Royal Saint and Martyr formerly buryed as is aforesaid in the same Cathedral Indeed it is given to Superstition alwayes to be fondest of the youngest Saint But long since King Henry the eighth hath put a period to all emulations betwixt their memories The Bishops of Hereford so highly honoured this Thomas that waving their ancient Arms they assumed the paternal Coate of Cantilupe viz. Gules 3 Leopards heads inverted each with a Flower de Luce in his Mouth Or to be successively the Arms of their See This Cantilupe lived the latest of any Englishman who was canonized so that blind zeal may even close her Stomack and make up her Mouth with the Sweet-meats of his memory Martyrs Sir JOHN Son to Sir Thomas OLDCASTLE was a Native of this County whereof he was Sheriff in the seventh of Henry the fourth Lord Cobham in the right of his Wife a right valiant man but great follower of VVickliffe so that he lost his life on that account As his body was hanged and burnt in an unusual posture at Tyburne so his memory hath ever since been in a strange suspense betwixt Malefactour and Martyr Papists charging him with Treason against King Henry the fifth and heading an Army of more then ten thousand men though it wanted nine thousand nine hundred ninety and nine thereof so far as it appears solidly proved But it hath ever been the Practice of the Devil and his instruments angry with Gods Servants for their Religion to accuse them for Sedition perceiving Princes generally more jealous of their own honour then Gods Glory and most careful to cut off such as oppose their power or persons Thus Christ was accused for Disloyalty to Caesar and St. Paul for raifing of Tumults though they as it is plain in the Text either raised themselves or were raised by the Pharisees and Saducees Pauls professed Enemies But I have so worne out the Neb of my Pen in my Church-History about clearing the Innocency of this worthy Knight that I have nothing to add new thereunto Marian Martyrs this Diocess affordeth none such the Moderation of Robert Parfew the Bishop thereof Cardinal ADAM de EASTON We were at a great losse had we but his bare Sirname to direct us to the place of his Nativity seeing scarcely one County in England which hath not one or more Eastons or Eatons the same in effect therein But thanks be to our Author who hath fixed his Birth though but with an ut videtur in this Shire Pretenders to Skill in Palmestry would perswade us that such the Table in whose hands is narrow beneath and broad above are marked out for Poverty in their youth and plenty in their old Age. I will not say such the Signature in the hands of our Adam but sure I am such his successe Mean his birth homely his breeding hard his fare till by his Industry he was advanced Dr. of Divinity in Oxford wherein he became a great Scholar skill'd in Greek and Hebrew rare accomplishments in that age and was very dexterous in all civil Negotiations He was afterwards made Cardinal with the Title of St. Cicilie by Pope Urban against whom Clement the seventh was elected and erected by others Fierce the Fight between Bears and Boars but far fiercer betwixt two Anti-Popes giving no Quarter to the opposite party if brought into their power Urban suspecting Treachery in some of his Cardinals imprisoned seven of them at once and puting five of them into Sacks sunk them into the Sea Oh most barbarous Urbanity Our Adam being the sixth hardly escaped with Life and may be said in some sort put into a Sack though of a larger size I mean a streight Dungeon where he remained half starved for five years together till the
as when perceiving his old Palace at Otford to want water he struck his staff into the dry ground still called Saint Thomas his well whence water runneth plentifully to serve that house lately re-built unto this day Others spightful as when because a Smith dwelling in that Town had clogged his Horse he ordered that no Smith afterwards should thrive within that Parish But he who shall go about seriously to confute these Tales is as very a Fool as he was somewhat else who first impudently invented and vented them Prelates STEPHEN LANGTON Here we are at a perfect losse for the place of his birth his surname affording us so much direction in effect it is none at all Inopes nos copia fecit finding no fewer than twelve Langtons though none very near to this place which makes us fly to our marginal refuge herein Stephen born in England was bred in Paris where he became one of the greatest Scholars of the Christian world in his age He was afterwards consecrated Cardinal of Saint Chrysogone and then by Papal power intruded Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in defiance of all opposition which King John could make against him Many are his learned Works writing Comments on all the Old and on some of the New Testament He was the first that divided the whole Bible into Chapters as Robert Stephens a French-man that curious Critick and painful Printer so ne six score years since first subdivided into Verses A worthy Work making Scripture more managable in mens memories and the passages therein the sooner to be turned to as any person who is â—…ooner found out in the most populous City if methodized into Streets and Houses with signs to which the Figures affixed do fitly allude Say not this was a presumption incurring the curse denounced to such who adde to Scripture it being no Addition but an Illustration thereof Besides God set the first pattern to mens industry herein seeing the distinction of some Verses may be said to be Jure Divino as those in the Lamentations and elsewhere which are Alphabetically modelled As causless their complaint who cavil at the inequality of Chapters the eighth of the first of Kings being sixty six the last of Malachy but six verses seeing the entireness of the sense is the standard of their length or shortness It is confessed some few Chapters end and others begin obruptly and yet it is questionable whether the ateration thereof would prove advantageous seeing the reforming of a small fault with a great change doth often hurt more than amend and such alterations would discompose Millions of Quotations in excellent Authors conformed to the aforesaid received divisions Here it must not be concealed that notwithstanding this general tradition of Langtons chaptering the Bible some learned men make that design of far ancienter date and particularly that able Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman This I am confident of that Stephen Langton did something much material in order thereunto and the Improver is usually called the Inventor by a complemental mistake However though I believe Langton well employed in dividing the Bible he was ill busâ—…ed in rending asunder the Church and Kingdom of England reducing King Iohn to sad extremities He died and was buried at Canterbury Anno Dom. 1228. Souldiers WILLIAM PRUDE Esquire vulgarly called Proud was born in this City where his stock have continued for some hundreds of years bred a Souldier in the Low Countreys where he attained to be Lieutenant Colonel He was slain Iuly 12. 1632. at the siege of Mastrich His body which I assure you was no usual honour was brought over into England and buried in the Cathedral of Canterbury in Saint Michaels Chappel on the South side of the Quire with this Inscription on his Monument Stand Souldiers ere you march by way of charge Take an example here that may enlarge Your minds to noble Action Here in peace Rests one whose Life was War whose rich encrease Of Fame and Honour from his Valour grew Unbegg'd unbought for what he won he drew By just desert having in service been A Souldier till near sixty from sixteen Years of his active Life continually Fearless of Death yet still prepar'd to die In his Religious Thoughts for midd'st all harmes He bare as much of Piety as Armes Now Souldiers on and fear not to intrude The Gates of Death by th' example of this Prude He married Mary Daughter of Sir Adam Sprackling Knight and had Issue by her four Sons and three Daughters to whose memory his surviving Son Searles Prude hath erected this Monument Writers OSBERN of CANTERBURY so called because there he had his first birth or best Being as Chanter of the Cathedral Church therein An admirable Musitian which quality endeared him though an Englishman to Lankfrank the Lordly Lombard and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was the English Jubal as to the curiosity thereof in our Churches An Art which never any spake against who understood it otherwise Apollo is in a sad case if Midas his ears must be his Judges However in Divine Service all Musick ought to be tuned to edification that all who hear may understand it otherwise it may tend to delight not devotion and true zeal cannot be raised where knowledge is depressed This Osbern wrote the life of Saint Dunstan in pure Latine according to that age flourishing under William the Conquerer Anno 1070. SIMON LANGTON was by his Brother Stephen Langton the Arch-Bishop preferred Arch-Deacon of Canterbury who Carne sanguine revelante saith the Record made the place much better both to him and his successors in revenue and jurisdiction A troublesome man he was and on his Brothers score a great adversary to King Iohn even after that King had altered his Copy and became of a fierce Foe a Son-Servant to the Pope by resigning his Crown unto him But our Simon could not knock off when he should having contracted such an habit of hatred against K. Iohn that he could not depose it though commanded under the pain of excommunication This caused him to trudge to the Court of Rome where he found little favour For such who will be the Popes white Boyes must watchfully observe his signals and not only charge when he chargeth but retreat when he retreateth This Simon beside others wrote a Book of the penitence of Magdalene in relation it seems to himself though she found more favour in the Court of Heaven than he at Rome He died Anno Dom. 12 Benefactors to the Publick JOHN EASDAY was Alderman and Mayor of this City Anno 1585. He found the Walls thereof much ruined and being a man but of an indifferent estate began the reparation thereof at Ridingate and therein proceeded so far as his name is inscribed on the Wall whose exemplary endeavours have since met with some to commend none to imitate them THOMAS NEVILE born in this City of most honourable extraction as his name is enough to notifie
and avouch He was bred in Cambridge and Master first of Mag dalen then of Trinity Colledge and Dean of Canterbury He was the first Clergy man sent by Arch-Bishop Whitgift who carried to King James tidings of the English Crown and it is questionable whether he brought thither or thence more welcome news especially to the Clergy acquainting them with the Kings full intentions to maintain Church-Discipline as he found it established But the main matter commending his memory is his magnificency to Trinity College whose Court he reduced to a spacious and beautiful Quadrangle Indeed he plucked down as good building as any erected but such as was irregular intercepting the sight disturbing the intended uniformity of the Court whereby the beauty at this day is much advanced For as the Intuitive knowledge is more perfect than that which insinuates it self into the Soul Gradually by discourse so more beautiful the prospect of that Building which is all visible at one view than what discovers it self to the sight by parcels and degrees Nor was this Doctor like those Poets good only at Translation and bad at Invention all for altering nothing for adding of his own who contributed to this Colledge I will not say a Widows Mite but a Batchelours Bounty a stately new Court of his own expence which cost him three thousand pounds and upwards Much enfeebled with the Palsie he died an aged man Anno Dom. 161 The Farewell I am heartily sorry that the many laudable endeavours for the scouring and enlargement of the River Stoure advantagious for this City have been so often defeated and the Contributions given by well-disposed Benefactors amongst whom Mr. Rose once an Alderman of Canterbury gave three hundred pounds have missed their ends praying that their future enterprises in this kind may be crowned with success For the rest I refer the Reader to the pains of my worthy Friend Mr. William Somner who hath written justum volumen of the Antiquities of this City I am sorry to see him Subject-bound betrayed thereto by his own modesty seeing otherwise not the City but Diocesse of Canterbury had been more adaequate to his abilities I hope others by his example will undertake their respective Counties It being now with our age the third and last time of asking the Banes whether or no we may be wedded to skill in this kind seeing now use or for ever hold your Pens all Church Monuments leading to knowledge in that nature being daily irrecoverably imbezeled LANCASHIRE LANCASHIRE Hath the Irish Sea on the West York-shire on the East Cheshire parted with the River Mersey on the South Cumberland and Westmerland on the North. It rangeth in length from Mersey to Wenander-Mere full fifty five miles though the Broadest part thereof exceedeth not One and thirty The Ayre thereof is Subtil and Piercing being free from Foggs saving in the Mosses the Effects whereof are found in the fair Complections and firme Constitutions of the Natives therein whose bodies are as able as their minds willing for any laborious Employment Their Soyle is tolerably fruitful of all things necessary for humane Sustenance Aâ—…d as that Youth cannot be counted a Dâ—…nce though he be Ignorant if he be Docible because his lack of Learning is to be scored on the want of a Teacher So Sterilitie cannot properly be imputed to some places in this County where little Graine doth grow because capable thereof as daily experience doth avouch if it were husbanded accordingly This Shire though sufficiently thick of people is exceedingly thin of Parishes as by perusing this parallel will plainly appear Rutland hath in it Parishes Forty eight Lancashire hath in it Parishes Thirty six See here how Rutland being scarce a Fifth part of Lancashire in greatness hath a fourth part of Parishes more therein But as it was a fine Sight to behold Sir Tho. More when Lord Chancellour of England every morning in term time humbly ask blessing in VVestminster-hall of Sir John More his Father then a pusnie Judge so may one see in this Shire some Chapels exceeding their Mother-Churches in fairness of Structure and numerousnesse of people yet owning their filial relation and still continuing their dutiful dependance on their Parents But for Numerosity of Chapels surely the Church of Manchester exceedeth all the rest which though anciently called but Villa de Manchester is for Wealth and Greatnesse corrival with some Cities in England having no lesse then Nine Chapels which before these our civil Wars were reputed to have five hundred communicants a peice Insomuch that some Clergy men who have confulted Gods Honour with their own credit and profit could not better desire for themselves than to have a Lincoln-shire Church as best built a Lancashire Parish as largest bounded and a London Audience as consisting of most intelligent people The people generally devout are as I am informed Northward and by the West Popishly 〈◊〉 which in the other parts intended by Antiperistasis are zealous Protestants Hence is it that many Subtile Papists and Jesuits have been born and bred in this County which have met with their Matches to say no more in the Natives of the same County So that thereby it hath come to passe that the house of Saul hath waxed weaker and weaker and the house of David stronger and stronger Natural Commodities Oates If any ask why this Graine growing commonly all over England is here entered as an Eminent Commodity of Lancashire Let him know that here is the most and best of that kind yea Wheat and Barlie may seem but the adopted whilst Oates are the Natural Issue of this County so inclined is its genius to the production thereof Say not Oates are Horse-graine and fitter for a Stable then a Table For besides that the Meal thereof is the distinguishing form of Gruel or Broth from Water most hearty and wholsome Bread is made thereof Yea anciently North of Humber no other was eaten by People of the Primest Quality For we read how William the Conquerour bestowed the Mannour of Castle Bitham in Lincoln-shire upon Stephen Earl of Albemarle and Holderness chiefly for this consideration that thence he might have wheaten bread to feed his Infant Son Oaten bread being then the Diet of Holderness and the Counties lying beyond it Allume I am informed that Allume is found at Houghton in this County within the Inheritance of Sir Richard Houghton and that enough for the use of this and the neighbouring Shires though not for Transportarion But because far greater plenty is afforded in York-shire the larger mention of this Mineral is referred to that place Oxen. The fairest in England are bred or if you will made in this County with goodly heads the Tips of whose horns are sometimes distanced five foot afunder Horns are a commodity not to be slighted seeing I cannot call to mind any other substance so hard that it will not break so solid that it will hold liquor within
revenge of the most high God suddenly arising by breaking asunder the buildings of the houses brake their cruel assaults and weakned their forces This if literally true deserved a down-right and not only so slenting a mention But hitherto meeting it in no other Author I begin to suspect it ment Metaphorically of some consternation of mind wherewith God's restraining grace charmed the adversaries of the truth Bankinus flourished under King Richard the second Anno 1382. ROBERT IVORY was saith Leland none of the meanest Natives of this City a Carmelite and President General of his Order D. D. in Cambridge He wrote several books and Prece Precio procured many more wherewith he adorned the Library of White-Fryars in Fleet-street He dyed November the fifth 1392. JULIANA BARNES was born ex antiquâ illustri domo Understand it not in the sense wherein the same was said of a certain Pope born in a ruinous Cottage where the Sun did shine through the Rotten Walls and Roof thereof But indeed she was descended of a respective Family though I not able to find the place am fain to use my Marginal Mark of greatest uncertainty She was the Diana of her Age for Hunting and Hawking skilful also in Fishing and wrote three books of these Exercises commending the practise thereof to the Gentry of England The City of Leyden is scited in the very bottom of the Low-Countries so that the water setled their would be soon subject to putrefaction were it not by Engins forced up that it might fall and so by constant motion kept from corruption Idleness will betray Noble mens minds to the same mischief if some ingenious industry be not used for their imployment Our Julian also wrot a book of Heraldry Say not the needle is the most proper pen for the woman and that she ought to meddle with making no Coats save such as Dorcas made for the widows seeing their Sex may be not only pardoned but praised for such lawful diversions No Gentleman will severely censure the faults in her 〈◊〉 but rather imitate Julius Scaliger who passing his verdict on all Poets and coming to do the like on Sulpitia a Roman Poetress living under Domitian thus courteously concludeth Ut tam 〈◊〉 Heroinae ratio habeatur non ausim objicere ei judicii severitatem She flourished Anno Domini 1460. under King Henry the sixth ROBERT FABIAN was born and bred in this City whereof he became Sheriff 1493. Treating his Guests with good chear and wellcome he doubled his dishes with pleasant discourse being an excellent Historian witness two Chronicles of his own writing 1. From Brutus to the death of King Henry the second 2. From the first of K. Richard to the death of K. Henry the seventh He was also an excellent Poet both in Latine French and English A Modern Master wit in the contest betwixt the Poets of our age for the Laurel maketh Apollo to adjudge it to an Alderman of London because to have most wealth was a sign of most wit But had the Scene of this competition been laid seven score years since and the same remitted to the umpirage of Apollo in sober sadness he would have given the Laurel to this our Alderman As for his Histories if the whole strain of them doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be indulged to him that followed the genius of his own education He died at London 1512. and was buried in the Church of All-hallows where he hath a tedious and barbarous Epitaph as commonly Reader I should be glad to have my observation confuted who hath worse Poetry then Poets on their Monuments After his death Cardinal Wolsey caused so many Copies of his Book as he could come by to be burnt because therein he had opened the Coffers of the Church too wide and made too clear discovery of the Revenues of the Clergy THOMAS LUPSET was born in this City and was related to most English and some forraign learned eminencies of his age 1. Bred a child in the house of Dean â—…olet 2. Under W. Lilly in St. Pauls School 3. Sent to Oxford where he became Greek Professor 4 Resigns his place to his friend Ludovicus Vives 5. Travailed into Italy and at Padua was familiar with C. Pole 6. Was known unto Erasmus who giveth him this Character Hujus ingenio nihil gratius nihil amantius 7. Intended Divinity diverted by Cardinal Woolsy 8. At Paris was Tutor to Th. Winter a ward to the Cardinal 9. Returning into England was known to King Henry the eight 10. Began to grow into his favour when cut off with a Consumption 1532. in the prime of his life He died in London and lieth buried in the Church of Saint Alphage nigh Cripplegate without a monument Since the Reformation JOHN RASTALL was a Citizen and Printer of London by marriage a kin to Sir Thomas More and when the said Sir Thomas and Bishop Fisher wrote in defence of Purgatory to prove it by Scripture Rastall undertook to maintain it by reason Surely he that buy 's the two former books deserveth to have this last given him to make him a saver Some will say the former two indeavoured to prove the fire and Rastall the smoak of Purgatory But to pass by his works in Divinity he 〈◊〉 a good Mathematician and made a Comedy of Europe Asia and Africa which my Author saith was very witty and very large and I can believe the later seeing he had three parts of the world for his subject and how long would it have been had America been added He wrote a book against John Frith but afterwerds convinced with his adversaries arguements recanted it of his own accord the cause why we have placed him since the Reformation He wrote a book of the terms of Law and made an Index to Justice Fitz Herbert yea I behold this John as father to Rastall the famous Lawyer of whom before He died and was buried at London 1536. EDWARD HALL We may trace him from his cradle to his coffin as followeth 1. He was a Citizen of Londâ—…n by his birth 2. He was bred a Scholar at Eaton 3. Thence he removed and was one of the Foundation of Kings-colledge 4. Thence he went to Grays-Inn and studied the Municipal-law 5. He became common Serjeant of London for the well discharging whereof he 6 Was advanced to be one of the Judges in the Sheriffs Court 7. Wrote an elegant history of the wars of York and Lancaster from K. Henry the fourth till the end of King Henry the eight 8. Died a very aged man 1547. He was as by some passages in his book may appear in that age well affected to the Reformation He lieth buried in the Church of Saint Sithes contracted I think for Saint Osiths where I cannot recover any Epitaph upon him WILLIAM FULKE D. D. was born in this City bred first Fellow of
him in his letter to King Henry the eight Britannicarum Literarum Lumen Decus Indeed he had seholarship enough and wit too much seeing one saith truly of him Ejus sermo salsus in mordacem risus in opprobrium jocus in amaritudinem Yet was his Satyrical wit unhappy to light on three Noli me tangere's viz. the rod of a Schoolmaster the Couls of Friars and the Cap of a Cardinal The first gave him a lash the second deprived him of his livelyhood the third almost outed him of his life William Lilly was the School-master whom he fell foul with though gaining nothing thereby as may appear by his return And this I will do for W. Lilly though often beaten for his sake endeavour to translate his answer Quid me Sceltone fronte sic apertâ Carpis vipereo potens veneno Quid versus trutinâ meos iniquâ Libras dicere vera num licebit Doctrinae tibi dum parare famam Et Doctus fieri studes Poeta Doctrinam nec habes nec es Poeta VVith face so bold and teeth so sharp Of Vipers venome why dost carp VVhy are my verses by thee weigh'd In a false scale may truth be said VVhilst thou to get the more esteem A learned Poet fain wouldst seem Skelton thou art let all men know it Neither lâ—…arned nor a Poet. The Dominican Friars were the next he contested with whose vitiousness lay pat enough for his hand but such foul Lubbers fell heavy on all which found fault with them These instigated Nix Bishop of Norwich to call him to account for keeping a Concubine which cost him as it seems a suspension from his benefice But Cardinal VVolsey impar congressus betwixt a poor Poet and so potent a Prelate being inveighed against by his pen and charged with too much truth so persecuted him that he was forced to take Sanctuary at VVestminster where Abbot Islip used him with much respect In this restraint he died June 21. 1529. and is buried in Saint Margarets Chappel with this Epitaph J. Sceltonus Vates Pierius hic situs est The word Vates being Poet or Prophet minds me of this dying Skeltons prediction foretelling the ruine of Cardinal VVolsey Surely one unskilled in prophecies if well versed in Solomons Proverbs might have prognosticated as much that Pride goeth before a fall We must not forget how being charged by some on his death-bed for begetting many children on the aforesaid Concubine he protested that in his Conscience he kept her in the notion of a wife though such his cowardliness that he would rather confess adultery then accounted but a venial than own marriage esteemed a capital crime in that age Since the Reformation JOHN BARRET was born of an honest family at Linne in this County bred a Carmelite of White-Friars in Cambridge when learning ran low and degrees high in that University For many usurped scarlets qualified onely with ignorance and impudence properties seldome parted so that a Scholar could scarcely be seen for Doctors till the University sensible of the mischief thereby appointed Doctor Cranmer afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury to be the Poser-general of all Candidates in Divinity amongst whom he stopt Barret for insufficiency Back goes Barret to Linne turns over a new yea many new leaves plying his book to purpose whose former ignorance proceeded from want of pains not parts and in short time became a tollerable a good an excellent and admirable scholar and Commencing Doctor with due applause lived many years a painful Preacher in Norwich always making honourable mention of Doctor Cranmer as the means of his happyness Indeed he had been ever if not once a dunce who if not debarred had never deserved his Degree Bale saith that in the reign of Q. Mary he returned to his vomit and became a great Papist But his praises are better to be believed then his invectives and seeing Wood not growing crooked but warping with weight may be straightned again we charitably believe that though complying in times of persecution he returned to the truth in the reign of Queen Elizabeth in the beginning whereof he died EDMOND GOURNEY born in this County was bred in Queens and Bennet-Colledge in Cambridge where he Commenced Bachelour of Divinity and afterwards was beneficed in this Shire An excellent scholar who could be humorous and would be serious as he was himself disposed his humors were never prophane towards God or injurious towards his Neighbours which premised none have cause to be displeased if in his fancies he pleased himself Coming to me in Cambridge when I was studying he demanded of me the subject whereon I studied I told him I was Collecting the Witnesses of the truth of the Protestant Religion through all ages even in the depth of Popery conceiving it feasible though difficult to evidence them It is a needless pains said he for I know that I am descended from Adam though I cannot prove my pedigree from him And yet Reader be pleased to take notice he was born of as good a family as any in Norfolk His book against Transubstantiation and another on the second Commandement are learnedly and judiciously written he died in the beginning of our Civil Wars Benefactors to the Publique GODFREY BOLLEN Knight Son of Jeffrey Bollen was born at Salle in this County Being but a second brother he was sent into the City to acquire wealth ad aedificandum domum antiquam Unto whose atchievements fell in both the blood and inheritance of his eldest brother for want of Issue Male. By which accumulation he attained great wealth and Anno Domini 1457. was Lord Mayor of London By his Testament made in the next year he gave liberally to the Prisoners Hospitals and Lazer-houses Besides he gave one thousand pounds the greatest sum I meet with in that age to pious uses to poor Housholders in London and two hundred pounds to those in Norfolk But it was the height of his and our happiness that he was Great-grand-father by the Mothers side to Queen Elizabeth JAMES HOBART was born in this County though I dare not say at Halles-hall which he left to his posterity He was Atturney-general and of the Privy-counsel to King Henry the seventh by him dubbed Knight at such time as he Created Henry his Son Prince of Wales This worthy Patriot besides his many benefactions to his Parish-church in London built a fair Bridge over the river VVaveny betwixt this County and Suffolk and a firm Cause-way thereby with many other works of charity so that the three houses of his issue planted in this County with fair possessions may be presumed to prosper the better for the piety of this their Ancestour ANDREW PERNE was born at Bilny bred in Peter-house whereof he was Fellow and Master as also Proctor and Vice-chancellour of Cambridge and Dean of Ely Very bountiful he was to his Colledge wherein he founded a Fellowship and Scholarships Besides many rare
Now a Scholar undertook for a small wager much beneath the penalty to address himself ocreated unto the Vice-chancellour which was beheld by others as a desperate adventure Carrying his state in his Urinal he craved his advise for an hereditary numness in his legs and something of truth therein which made him in his habite to trespass on the Universities Statutes to keep them warme The Vicechancellour pitying instead of punâ—…shing him prefcribed him his best receipts and so by this fraus honesta he effected his desires This Doctor was a worthy Benefactour to Katharine-hall to which he had no relalion save what his bounty created bestowing thereon the fair Bull-inn of considerable value If he who giveth a nights lodging to a servant of God shall not lose his reward certainly he that bestoweth Inn and all upon the sons of the Prophets shall find full compensation The rather because that Hall pent formerly for lack of ground and complaining with the sons of the Prophets the place where we dwell is too strait for us may now say with Isaac The Lord hath made room for us by this convenient addition He died in his Vice-chancellour ship Anno 1625. JOHN CAIUS born in this City son to Robert Caius was bred Fellow in Gonvile hall in Cambridge Hence he travailed into Italy where he studied much and wrote several learned Treatises Returned home became Physician to Queen Mary and improved Gunvile-hall into a Colledge He bestowed good land on erected fair buildings in bequeathed thrifty statutes to produced a proper Coat of Arms for and imposed a new name on this Foundation Gonvile and Caius Colledge He wrote an excellent book of the Antiquity of Cambridge When King James passed thorough this Colledge the Master thereof presented him A Caius de antiquate Cantabridgiae fairly bound to whom the King said What shall I do with this book give me rather Caius de Canibus a work of the same Author very highly praised but very hardly procured Few men might have had a longer none ever had a shorter Epitaph FUI CAIUS Writers since the Reformation ROBERT WATSON born in this City was excellently well skilled in the Laws and saith Bale à Dispensatione sive Administratione domesticâ English it as you please to Arcsh-bishop Cranmer Being imprisoned for his Religion he often disputed during his Restraint with several Papists concerning Transubstantiation and at length having gained his enlargement wrote a Treatise in elegant Latine dedicating the same to such who with him suffered banishment for their Religion wherein he relateth the accidents of his life I cannot attain to any certainty in the date of his death Benefactors to the Publique WILLIAM BAITMAN was born in this City bred in Cambridge and afterwards became first Arch-deacon and then by King Edward the third made Bishop of this his Native See One of an high spirit to maintain the profit and priviledges of his place and I charitably presume him watchful over his sheep souls subjected to his charge because he was so careful of his Deer for the stealing whereof he enjoyned penance to Robert Lord Morley and making him perform them in the Cathedral of Norwich notwithstanding the Kings threatning Letters to the contrary This Prelate in his travails beyond the Seas perceiving that our English Common-law was Out-lawed in those parts and apprehending the absolute necessity that the English should have skill in the Cannon and Civil-laws for the managing of foreign Negotiations erected a Colledge in Cambridge called Trinity-hall for the Study thereof As he was Father to Trinity he was Foster-father to Gonvil-hall in the same University removing it to a more convenient place building and setling the Revenues thereof according to the Will of the Founder King Edward the third resolving to follow his Title to the Crown of France sent this Bishop to the Pope to acquaint him with his intentions in which Embassage he died at Avenion 1354. Since the Reformation THOMAS LEGG was born in this City bred first Fellow in Trinity then Jesus-colledge in Cambridge until he was chosen by Doctor Caius then surviving the nineteenth Master of Gonvil-hall and the second of Gonvil and Caius-colledge He was Doctor of the Law and Arches one of the Masters of the Chancery twice Vice-chancellour of the University and thirty four years Master of his Colledge therein There needeth no other testimony for to avouch his great learning then the Character given him by J. Lipsius in his hitherto unprinted Epistle In Antiquitatis studio tam egregie versatus es ut id de Teipso potes quod de se Apollo Enni A me omnes Cantabrigienses consilium expetunt in literis incerti quos ego mea ope ex incertis certos compotesque consilii dimitto This Doctor though himself a serious man used to recreate himself with delightful studies observing gravity in his very pleasures He composed a Tragedy of the Destruction of Jerusalem and having at last refined it to the purity of the Publique Standard some Plageary filched it from him just as it was to be acted He formerly had made a Tragedy of the life of King Richard the third presented with great Applause Queen Elizabeth I suppose being a beholder thereof in Saint Johns-colledge-hall On the same token that John Palmer afterwards Dean of Peterburough who acted King Richard therein had his head so possest with a Princelike humor that ever after he did what then he acted in his Prodigal Expences so that the Cost of a Sovereign ill befiting the Purse of a Subject he died Poor in Prison notwithstanding his great preferment Great the bounty of Doctor Legg unto his Colledge bequeathing 600. pounds for the building the East-part thereof besides several lesser liberalities Yea be it remembred that after Thomas Bacon fifteenth Master of the Colledge had been a Malefactour thereunto leaving it much indebted the four succeeding Masters ill examples avoided do good Doctor Caius Legg Branthwaite Gosling all natives of Norwich were signall Benefactours though Masters of but Stewards for the House making it for the main their Heir at their decease Doctor Legg died July 12. 1607. in the 72. year of his age The Farewell I heartily wish that this City may long flourish in its full lustre In tendency whereunto may the Thatch of all their houses by Divine Providence be effectually secured from the merciless Element of fire as which knoweth not to be a King but must be a Tyrant whose furious raging is seldome bounded unless by the want of fewel to feed on Yea may their Straw in due time advance into Tyle that thereby their houses may for the future be better fenced against an other Element I mean the injury of Wind and Rain NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE being a long narrow Inland County is stretched from North-east to South-west and bordereth on more Counties then any other in England being nine in number viz. On the East On the West On the North.
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
of his book This William Chillingworth was taken prisoner by the Parliament Forces at Arundel castle and not surprised and slain in his studiâ—…es as Archimedes at the sacking of Syracuse as some have given it out but wâ—…s safely conducted to Chichester where notwithstanding hard usage hastened his dissolution DANIEL FEATLY D. D. was born in or very near to the City of Oxford his father being a servant of Corpus-Christi college and this his son Fellow thereof Here he had the honour to make the Speech in the College at the Funeral of Dr. Reynalds Some men may be said to have mutinous parts which will not obey the commands of him who is the owner of them Not so this Doctor who was perfect Master of his own Learning He did not as Quintilian saith of some Occultis thesaur is incumbere but his learning was in numerato for his present using thereof He was as good in the Schools as in the Pulpit and very happy in his Disputes with Papists for in the Conference with F. Fisher when Fisher was caught in his own Net though Dr. White did wisely cast that Net Dr. Featly did help strongly to draw it to the shore It seems though he was in yet he was not of the late Assembly of Divines as whose body was with them whilest his heart was at Oxford Yea he discovered so much in a Letter to the Archbishop of Armagh which being intercepted he was proceeded against as a Spie and closely imprisoned though finding some favour at last he dyed in the Prison College at Chelsey Anno Dom. 1643. His Wifes son hath since communicated to me his Pocket-Manual of his memorable observations all with his own hand but alas to be read by none but the writer thereof JOHN WHITE descended from the Whites in Hant-shire was born at StantonSt Johns in this County bred first in Winchester then New-college in Oxford whereof he was Fellow and fixed at last a Minister at Dorchester in Dorcet-shire well nigh forty years A grave man yet without moroseness as who would willingly contribute his shot of facetiousness on any just occasion A constant Preacher so that in the course of his Ministery he expounded the Scripture all over and half over again having an excellent faculty in the clear and solid interpreting thereof A good Governor by whose wisdom the Town of Dorchester notwithstanding a casual merciless fire was much enriched Knowledge causing Piety Piety breeding Industry and Industry procuring Plenty unto it A beggar was not then to be seen in the Town all able Poore being set on work and impotent maintained by the profit of a publique Brew house and other collections He absolutely commanded his own Passions and the purses of his Parishioners whom he could wind up to what height he pleased on important occasions He was free from covetousness if not trespassing on the contrary and had a Patriarchal influence both in Old and New-England yet towards the end of his dayes Factions and fond Opinions crept in his flock a new generation arose which either did not know or would not acknowledge this good man disloyal persons which would not pay the due respect to the Crown of his old age whereof he was sadly and silently sensible He was chosen one of the Assembly of Divines and his judgment was much relied on therein He married the sister of Dr. Burges the great Non-conformist who afterwards being reclaimed wrote in the defence of Ceremonies by whom he left four sons and dyed quietly at Dorchester Anno Dom. 164. I hope that Solomons observation of the poor wise man who saved the little City Yet no man remembred him will not be verified of this Town in relation to this their deceased Pastor whom I hope they will not I am sure they should not forget as a person so much meriting of them in all considerations His Comment on some part of Genesis is lately set forth and more daily expected Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation THOMAS TISDALL of Glimpton in this County Esquire deceasing Anno 1610. bequeathed five thousand pounds to George Abbot then Bishop of London John Bennet Knight and Henry Aray Doctor of Divinity to purchase Lands for the maintainance of seven Fellows and six Scholers which money deposited in so careful hands was as advantagiously expended for the purchase of two hundred and fifty pounds per annum It fell then under consideration that it was pity so great a bounty substantial enough to stand of it self should be adjected to a former Foundation whereupon a new College formerly called Broad-gates-hall in Oxford was erected therewith by the name of Pembroke-College which since hath met with some considerable Benefactors May this the youngest College in England have the happiness of a youngest child who commonly have in their mothers love what they lack in the land of their father We must not forget that the aforesaid Thomas Tisdall gave many other charitable Legasies and deserved very well of Abington-school founding an Usher therein Memorable Persons ANNE GREENE a person unmarried was indicted arraigned cast condemned and executed for killing her child at the Assizes at Oxford Decemb. 14. 1650. After some hours her body being taken down and prepared for dissection in the Anatomyschools some heat was found therein which by the care of the Doctors was improved into her perfect recovery Charitable people interpret her so miraculous preservation a Compurgator of her innocence Thus she intended for a dead continues a living Anatomy of divine Providence and a monument of the wonderful contrivances thereof If Hippolytus revived onely by Poetical fancies was surnamed Virbius because twice a man why may not Mulierbia by as good proportion be applied to her who since is married and liveth in this County in good reputation Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1. John Norman John Norman Banbury Draper 1453 2. Thomas Pargitor John Pargitor Chippingnorton Salter 1530 3. Michael Dormer Jeffrey Dormer Tame Mercer 1541 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth William Bishop of Lincoln  William de Lovell chiv Commissioners to take the Oaths Stephen Haytfeld Knights for the Shire  Richard Quatermayns Knights for the Shire  Tho. Wikeham chiv Lodowici Grevill Iohannis Wisham Iohan. Banufo Humphridi Hay Iohannis Tyso Will. Thomlyns Thome Andrey Thome atte Mille Iohannis Benet Rad. Archer Ioh. Archer Thome Willes Iohannis Perysson Ioh. Crosse de Sibford Thome Eburton Thome Kynch Willielmi Brise Willielmi Dandy Richardi Stanes Iohannis Wallrond Iohannis Daypoll Iohannis Fabian VVill. Page Iohannis Mose Williel Seton Iohannis Pytte Thome Helmeden Tho. Scholes Thome Sperehawke Thome Gascoine Thome Clere Ioh. Goldwell Williel Goldwell Iohannis White Thome Lynne Will. Smith de Bloxham Thome Chedworth Willielmi Haliwell Ioh. Chedworth Ioh. de Berford Robert Qâ—…inaton Richardi atte Mille Willielmi Mason Willielmi almer Thome Tymmes Ioh. Cross
behold Bristol as the staple-place thereof where alone it was anciently made For though there be a place in London nigh Cheapside called Sopers-lane it was never so named from that Commodity made therein as some have supposed but from Alen le Soper the long since owner thereof Yea it is not above an hundred and fifty years by the confession of the Chronicler of that City since the first Sope was boyled in London Before which time the Land was generally supplyed with Castile from Spain and Graysope from Bristol Yea after that London medled with the making thereof Bristol-sope notwithstanding the portage was found much the cheaper Great is the necessity thereof seeing without Sope our bodies would be no better than dirt before they are turned into dust men whilst living becoming noisome to themselves and others Nor lesse its antiquity For although our modern Sope made of Pot-ashes and other ingredients was unknown to the Ancient yet had they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 something which effectually supplied the place thereof making their Woollen clear their Linnen-Cloth cleanly Christ is compared by the Prophet to Fullers sope in Hebrew Borith which word Arias Montanus in his Interlineary Bible reteineth untranslated but in his Comment following the example of St. Hierom on the place rendreth it Herba fullonum expounding it to be Saponaria in English Sopeworth Indeed both Dodoneus and Gerardus writeth thereof This plant hath no use in Physick Yet seeing nature made nothing in vain Sopeworth cannot justly be charged as useless because purging though not the body the Clothes of a man and conducing much to the neatnesse thereof The Buildings Ratcliffe Church in this City clearly carrieth away the credit from all Parish-Churches in England It was founded by Cannings first a Merchant who afterwards bâ—…ame a Priest and most stately the ascent thereunto by many stairs which at last plentifully recompenceth their pains who climb them up with the magnificent structure both without and within If any demand the cause why this Church was not rather made the See of a Bishop then St. Augustins in this City much inferiour thereunto such may receive this reason thereof That this though an intire stately structure was not conveniently accomodated like St. Augustins formerly a great Monastery with publick Buildings about it for the Palace of a Bishop and the Reception of the Dean and Chapter However as the Town of Hague in Holland would never be Walled about as accounting it more credit to be the Biggest of Villages in Europe than but a Lesser City so Ratcliffe-Church esteemeth it a greater grace to lead the Van of all Parochial than to follow in the Rear after many Cathedral Churches in England Medicinal Waters St. Vincents Well lying West of the City under St. Vincents Rock and hard by the River is sovereign for Sores and Sicknesses to be washt in or drunk of to be either outwardly or inwardly applyed Undoubtedly the Water thereof runneth through some Mineral of Ironâ—… as appeareth by the rusty ferruginous taste thereof which it retaineth though boiled never so much Experience proveth that Beer brewed thereof is wholesome against the Spleen and Dr. Samuel VVard afflicted with that malady and living in Sidney-Colledge was prescribed the constant drinking thereof though it was costly to bring it thorough the Severn and narrow seas to Lin and thence by the River to Cambridge But men in pain must not grudge to send far to purchase their ease and thank God if they can so procure it Proverbs Bristol Milk Though as many Elephants are fed as Cows grased within the Walls of this City yet great plenty of this Metaphorical Milk whereby Xeres or Sherry-Sack is intended Some will have it called Milk because whereas Nurses give new-born Babes in some places Pap in other water and sugar such Wine is the first moisture given Infants in this City It is also the entertainment of course which the courteous Bristolians present to all Strangers when first visiting their City Martyrs The moderation of John Holyman Bipshop of this City is much to be commended who in the reign of Queen Mary did not persecute any in his Diocess And yet we find Rich. Sharpe Tho. Benion and Tho. Hale martyred in this City whose Bloud the Inquisitor thereof will visit on the account of Dalbye the cruel Chancellour of this Dio cess Prelates RALPH of BRISTOL born in this City was bred as I have cause to conceive in the Neighbouring Covent of Glassenbury Going over into Ireland first he became Treasurer of St. Patricks in Dublin then Episcopus Darensis Bishop of Kildare He wrote the life of Lawrence Arch-Bishop of Dublin and granted saith my Author certain Indulgences to the Abbey of Glassenbury in England probably in testimony of his Gratitude for his Education therein He died Anno Dom. 1232. Since the Reformation TOBIAS MATTHEW D. D. was born in this City bred first in St. Johns then in Christ-Church in Oxford and by many mediate Preferments became Bishop of Durham and at last York But it will be safest for my Pen now to fast for fear for a Surfeit which formerly feasted so freely on the Character of this Worthy Prelate who died 1628. Sea-men No City in England London alone excepted hath in so short a Time bred more Brave and Bold Sea-men advantaged for Western Voyages by its situation They have not only been Merchants but Adventurers possessed with a Publick Spirit for the General Good Aiming not so much to return wealthier as wiser not alwayes to en-rich themselves as inform Posterity by their Discoveries Of these some have been but meerly casual when going to fish for Cod they have found a Country or some eminent Bay River or Hauen of importance unknown before Others were intentional wherein they have sown experiments with great pains cost and danger that ensuing Ages may freely reap benefit thereof Amongst these Sea-men we must not forget HUGH ELIOT a Merchant of this City who was in his Age the prime Pilot of our Nation He first with the assistance of Mr. Thorn his fellow-Citizen found out New-found-land Anno 1527. This may be called Old-found-land as senior in the cognizance of the English to Virginia and all our other Plantations Had this Discovery been as fortunate in publick Encouragement as private Industry probably before this time we had enjoyed the Kernel of those Countries whose Shell only we now possess It 's to me unknown when Eliot deceased Writers THOMAS NORTON was born in this City and if any doubt thereof let them but consult the Initial syllables in the six first and the first line in the seventh chapter of his Ordinal which put together compose Thomas Norton of Briseto A parfet Master you may him trow Thus his modesty embraced a middle way betwixt concealing and revealing his name proper for so great a Professor in Chymistry as he was that his very name must from his
enjoy the honour thereof or farther off so as not to be envied and suspected for his Title thereunto by King Henry the Fourth Now all the harm this Earl had done King Henry was this that King Henry held from him his lawful Inheritance Yea this meek Mortimer was content to wave the Crown so be it he might but enjoy his private Patrimony which he could not without many molestations from the King For this is the nature of some Men to heap injuries on those they have wronged as if the later injuries would give a countenance of Justice to the former He employed this Edmund in a War against Owen Glendour the Welsh Rebel on the same design that Saul sent David to fight against and fetch the fore-skins of the Philistins If he prov'd Conquerour then was King Henry freed from a professed Foe if conquered then was he rid of a suspected Subject But Mortimer went by the worst and being taken prisoner the King though often solicited never endeavoured his enlargement till at last he dearly ransomed himself Yet did he but exchange a Welsh for an Irish prison kept 20 years in râ—…traint in his own Castle of Trim in the end of the reign of cunning King Henry the Fourth all the reign of couragious King Henry the Fifth and the beginning of the reign of innocent King Henry the Sixth their different tempers meeting in cruelty against this poor Prisoner He died Anno Domini 1454. without Issue leaving Anne his sister his heir and lieth buried in Clare as is aforesaid Saints St. EDMUND King of the East-Angles Hear what falshoods are hudled together in our English Martyrology written as he terms himself By a Catholick Priest Permiâ—… Superiorum 1608. pag. 319 on the 20 of November At Hexam in Northumberland the passion of St. Edmund King and Martyr who being a Saxon by Bloud born in the City of Noremberg in that Province and Nephew to Offa King of the East-Angles First Hexam in Northumberland should be Hoxton in this County where St. Edmund was martyred Secondly there is no City Noremberg in Brittain nor Europe save that in Germany This is enough to make us distrust what he writeth afterwards viz. that When the said St. Edmund was cruelly murdered by the Danes and when the Christians seeking his Corps were lost in a Wood did call one to another Where art Where art Where art The martyred head answered Here Here Here. However God forbid that this Authors fauxities should make us undervalue this worthy King and Martyr cruelly tortured to death by the Pagan Danes and by an old Author thus not unhansomely express'd Utque cruore suo Gallos Dionysius ornat Graecos Demetrius gloria quisque suis. Sic nos Edmundus nulli virtute secundus Lux patet patriae gloria magna suae Sceptra manum diadema caput sua purpura corpus Ornat ei sed plus vincula mucro cruor As Denis by his death adorneth France Demetrius Greece each credit to his place So Edmunds lustre doth our Land advance Who with his vertues doth his Country grace Scepter Crown Robe his hand head corps renouns More famous for his bonds his bloud his wounds His death happened Anno Domini 870. whose body was placed in a goodly shrine richly adorned with jewels and precious stones at Bury in this County These all are vanish'd whilst the name of St. Edmund will ever remain in that Towns denomination ROBERT GROSTHEAD â—…ehosaphat seeing four hundred Prophets of Baal together and suspecting they were too many to be good cast in that shrewd question Is there not here a Prophet of the Lord besides and thereupon Micaiah was mentioned unto him Possible the Reader seeing such swarms of Popish Saints in England will demand Is there not â—…et a Saint of the Lord besiâ—…es and I conceive my self concerned to return a true answer that there is Robert Grosthead by name whom now we come to describe He was born in this County bred in Oxford where he became most eminent for Religion and Learning in all kind of Languages Arts and Sciences and at last was preferred Bishop of Lincoin 1235. He wrote no fewer than three hundred Treatises whereof most are extant in Manuscript in Westminster Library which Dr. Williams his Successor in the See of Lincoln intended to have published in three fair Folio Volumes had not the late troublesome Times dis-heartned him Thus our Civil Warrs have not only filled us with Legions of lying Pamphlets but also deprived us of such a Treasure of Truth as this worthy Mans works would have proved to all posterity He was a stout Opposer of Popish-Oppression in the Land and a sharp Reprover of the Corruptions of the Court of Rome as we have largely declared in our Ecclesiastical History Such the Piety of his Life and Death that though loaded with Curses from the Pope he generally obtained the Reputation of a Saint Bellarmine starts a Question whether one may pray lawfully to him paint his Picture in the Church who is not Canonized by the Pope and very gravely he determineth a short line will serve to fadom a shallow water that privately he may do it and that a Picture of such a Man may be painted in the Church provided his head be not encompassed with a Radiated Circle as particular to Canonized Saints Thus our Learned and Pious Robert must want that addition of a Glory about his Picture and the matter is not much seeing no doubt having Turned many to righteousness he doth shine in Heaven as the brightness of the Firmament Whose death happened Anno Domini 1254. Martyrs ROWLAND TAYLOR Where born unknown though some without any assurance have suggested his Nativity in Yorkshire was bred in Cambridge and became head of Borden Hostle nigh if not now partly in Cajus Colledge where he commenced Doctor of the Laws Hence he was by Archbishop Cranmer presented to the Rectory of Hadley in this County He was a great Scholar painful Preacher charitable to the Poor of a comly Countenance proper Person but inclining to corpulency and chearful behaviour The same devotion had different looks in several Martyrs frowning in Stern Hooper weeping in meek Bradford and smiling constantly in pleasant Taylor Indeed some have censured his merry Conceits as trespassing on the gravity of his calling especially when just before his death But surely such Romanists who admire the temper of Sr. Thomas More jesting with the Axe of the Executioner will excuse our Taylor for making himself merry with the Stake But though it be ill Jesting with edged Tooles whereof Death is the sharpest yet since our Saviour hath blounted it his servants may rather be delighted than dismayed with it Not long after Doctor Taylor set Archbishop Cranmer who was his Patron a Copy of Patients who indeed wrote after it but not with so steady a hand and so even a Character of constancy Taylor was martyred at Hadley February 9 1555.
bestowed should be pleased to provide a fair and firm Fabrick to receive it but now is reposited Bodly within a 〈◊〉 in the matchless Library of Oxford Romish Exil'd Writers GREGORY MARTINE was born at Macfield in this County bred contemporary with Campian Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford He was chosen by Thomas Duke of Northfolk to be Tutor to his Son Philip Earl of Arundell and well discharged his trust therein Going afterwards beyond the Seas and living some time in Doway and Rome he fixed at last in the English-colledge at Rhemes where he was Professor of Divinity As he was Papall both in his Christian and Surname so was he deeply dyed with that Religion writing many Books in the defence thereof and one most remarkable intituled A Detection of the corruptions in the English Bible Athaliah did craftily to cry out first Treason Treason when she was the greatest Traitor her self and this Martine conscious of the many and foul corruptions in his own Rhemish translation politickly complained of the Faults in our English Bible He dâ—…ed the 28. of October 1582. and lyeth buried in the Parish Church of St. Stephens in Rhemes THOMAS STAPLETON was born at Henfield in this County as Pitts his familiar friend doth informe us Object not that it is written on his Tomb at Saint Peters at Lovaine Thomas Stapletonus qui Cicestriae in Anglia Nobili loco Natus Chichester there not being taken restrictively for the City but extensively for the Diocess His bare Sirname is sufficient proof of his Gentile Birth Those of his own perswasion please themselves much to observe that this Thomas was born in the same year and month wherein Sir Thomas Moor was beheaded as if Divinè Providence had purposely dropped from Heaven an Acorn in place of the Oake that was â—…ell'd He was bred in New colledge in Oxford and then by the Bishop Christopherson as I take it made Cannon of Chichester which he quickly quitted in the First of Queen Elizabeth Flying beyond the Seas he first fixed at Doway and there commendably performed the Office of Catechist which he discharged to his commendation Reader pardon an Excursion caused by just Grief and Anger Many counting themselfs Protestants in England do slight and neglect that Ordinance of God by which their Religion was set up and gave Credit to it in the first Reformation I mean CATECHISING Did not nor Saviour say even to Saint Peter himself feed my Lambs feed my heep And why Lambs first 1. Because they were Lambs before they were Sheep 2. Because if they be not fed whilst Lambs they could never be Sheep 3. Because Sheâ—…p can in some sort feed themselves but Lambs such their tenderness must either be fed or famished Our Stapleton was excellent at this Lamb-feeding from which Office he was afterwards preferred Kings Professor of Divinity in Lovain and was for fourty years together Dominus ad Oppositum the Undertaker-General against all Protestants Dr. Whitacre Professor in Cambridge experimentally profest that Bellarmine was the fairer and Stapleton the shrewder adversary His preferment in mine Eye was not proportionable to his Merit being no more then Cannon and Master of a Colledge in Lovain Many more admired that Stapleton mist then that Allen got a Cardinals Cap equalling him in Strictness of Life exceeding him in Gentility of Birth and Painfulness of Writing for the Romish Cause Such consider not that Stapletons Ability was drowned with Allens Activity and one Grain of the Statesman is too heavy for a pound of the Student Practical Policy in all Ages beating Pen-pains out of distance in the Race of Preferment Stapleton died and was buried in St. Peters in Lovain Anno 1598. Benefactors to the Publick Reader let not the want of Intelligence in me be mis-interpreted want of munificence in the natives of this County finding but one most eminent and him since the Reformation RICHARD SACKVILL Eldest son of Thomas Earl of Dorcet by Cecilly his Wife had his Barony if not his Birth at Buckhurst in this County A Gentleman of Singular learning in many Sciences and Languages so that the Greek and Latine were as familiar unto him as his own native Tongue Succeeding his father in that Earldom he enjoyed his dignity not a full year as lacking seven Weeks thereof Yet is there no fear that the shortness of his Earlship will make his Name forgotten having erected a Monument which will perpetuate his Memory to all Posterity viz. A Colledge at East-greensted in this County for one and Thirty poor people to serve Almighty God therein Endowing the same with three hundred and thirty pounds a Year out of all his Land in England By Margaret sole daughter to Thomas Duke of Norfolk he left two surviving sons Richard and Edward both Persons of admirable parts successively Earls after him and dying 1608. was buried at Withiham in this County Memorable Persons JOHN PALMER HENRY PALMER THOMAS PALMER Sons unto Edward Palmer Esq. of Angmarine in this County A Town so called as I am informed from Aqua Marina or the water of the sea being within two Miles thereof and probably in former Ages neerer thereunto Their Mother was daughter to one Clement of Wales who for his effectuall assisting of King Henry the seventh from his landing at Milford-haven untill the Battle of Bosworth was brought by him into England and rewarded with good Lands in this and the next County It happened that their Mother being a full fortnight inclusively in Labour was on Whitsunday delivered of John her eldest son on the sunday following of Henry her second son and the sunday next after of Thomas her third son This is that which is commonly called Superfoetation usuall in other Creatures but rare in Women the cause whereof we leave to the disquisition of 〈◊〉 These Three were knighted 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 by King 〈◊〉 the eighth who never laid his sword on his Shoulders who was not a Man so that they appear as remarkable in their sucâ—…esse as their Nativities The truth hereof needeth no other Atrestation then the generall and uncontrolled Tradition of their no lesse worshipfull then Numerous posterity in Sussex and Kent Amongst whom I instance in Sir Roger Palmer aged 80. years lately deceased and 〈◊〉 to our late King averring to me the faith hereof on his Reputation The exact date of these Knights deaths I cannot attain LEONARD 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 in this County being much delighted in gardening mans Original vocation was the 〈◊〉 who brought over into England from beyond the seas Carps and Pippins the one well cook'd delicious the other cordial and restorative For the proof hereof we have his own word and witness and did it it seems about the Fifth year of the reign of King Henry the eighth Anno Dom. 1514. The time of his death is to me unknown WILLIAM WITHERS born at Walsham in this County being a Child of Eleven years old did Anno 1581. lye
the vomit of Popery which my charity will not believe Indeed in the first of Queen Mary he was outed of his Bishoprick for being married and all that we can recover of his carriage aâ—…terwards is this passage at the examination of Master Thomas Hauke Martyr When John Bird then very old brought Boner a bottle of Wine and a dish of Apples probably a present unto him for a Ne noceat and therefore not enough to speak him a Papist in his perswasion Bishop Boner desired him to take Haukes into his Chamber and to try if he could convert him whereupon after Boners departure out of the room the quondam Bishop accosted Haukes as followeth I would to God I could do you some good you are a young man and I would not wish you to go to far but learn of the elders to bear somewhat He enforced him no further but being a thorough old man even fell fast asleep All this in my computation amounts but to a passive compliance and is not evidence enough to make him a thorough paced Papist the rather because John Pitts omitteth him in the Catalogue of English-writers which no doubt he would not have done had he any assurance that he had been a radicated Romanist Nothing else have I to observe of him but onely that he was a little man and had a pearl in his eyes and dying 1556. was buried in Chester States men Sir NICHOLAS THROCKMORTON Knight fourth Son of Sir George Throckmorton of Coughton in this County was bred beyond the Seas where he attained to great experience Under Queen Mary he was in Guild-Hall arraigned for Treason compliance with Wyat and by his own warie pleading and the Jurie's upright verdict hardly escaped Queen Elizabeth employed him Her Leiger a long time first in France then in Scotland finding him a most able Minister of State yet got he no great wealth and no wonder being ever of the opposite party to Burleigh Lord Treasurer Chamberlain of the Exchequer and Chief Butler of England were his highest preferments I say Chief Butler which office like an empty covered cup pretendeth to some state but affordeth no considerable profit He died at supper with eating of salates not without suspicion of poison the rather because hapning in the house of one no mean artist in that faculty R. Earl of Leicester His death as it was sudden was seasonable for him and his whose active others will call it turbulent spirit had brought him into such trouble as might have cost him at least the loss of his personal estate He died in the fifty seventh year of his age February the 12. 1570. and lyeth buryed in the South-side of the Chancel of St. Katharine Cree-Church London EDWARD CONWAY Knight Son to Sir John Conway Knight Lord and Owner of Ragleigh in this County This Sir John being a Person of Great skill in Military affaires was made by Robert Earl of Leicester Generall of the English Auxiliaries in the united Provinces Governour of Ostend His Son Sir Edward succeeded to his Fathers Martial skill and valour and twisted therewith peaceable policy in State-affaires so that the Gown and the Sword met in him in most Eminent Proportion and thereupon King James made Him one of the Principal Secretaries of State For these his good services he was by him created Lord Conway of Ragleigh in this County and afterwards by King Charles Viscount Killultagh in the County of Antrim And lastly in the third of King Charles Viscount Conway of Conway in Carnarvanshire England Ireland and Wales mutually embracing themselves in His Honours He dyed January the third Anno 1630. JOHN DIGBY Baron of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was born in this County a younger Son of an ancient family long flourishâ—…ng at Coleshull therein To pass by his Infancy all Children being alike in their long Coats his Youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He didken the Emhassador-Craft as well as any in his age employed by King James in several services to frreign Princes recited in his Patent which I have perused as the main motives of the Honors conferr'd upon him But his managing the Matchless Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a Good I mean a Great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides His contest with the Duke of Buckingham is fresh in many mens Memories charges of High Treason mutually flying about But this Lord fearing the Dukes Power as the Duke this Lorâ—…s policy it at last became a Drawn Battail betwixt them yet so that this Earl lost the love of King Charles living many years in his Dis-favour But such as are in a Court-Cloud have commonly the Countries Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclyps was very Popular with most of the Nation It is seldom seen that a favorite once Broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather then happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long-Parliament as one Best able to give him the safest Counsell in those dangerous Times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be excepted Pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in forraign which he missed in his Native Country The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I have heard from him who was to his commendation a Cordial Champion for the Church of England He dyed in France about the year 1650. Writers WALTER of COVENTRIE was born and bred a Benedictine therein Bale saith he was Immortali vir dignus Memoria and much commended by Leland though not of set purpose but sparsim as occasion is offered He excelled in the two Essential Qualities of an Historian Faith and Method writing truly and orderly onely guilty of Coursness of style This may better be dispenced with in him because Historia est res veritatis non Eloquentiae because bad Latin was a catching disease in that age From the beginning of the Britons he wrote a Chronicle extant in Bennet Colledge Library to his own time He flourished Anno 1217. VINCENT of COVENTRIE was born in the chief City in this shire and bred a Franciscan though Learned Leland mistakes him a Carmelite in the University of Cambridg His order at their first entrance into England looked upon learning as a thing beneath them so totally were they taken up with their Devotion This Vincent was the first who brake the Ice and then others of his order drank of the same water first applyed himself to Academicall studies and became a publick Professor in Cambridge he set a Coppy for the Carmelites therein to imitate who not long after began their publick Lectures in the same place he
fell down and bruised himself to death But that Simon did it by the Black our Oliver by the White Art he being supported by ill spirits this by meer ingenuity which made him the more to be pitied He wrot some books of Astrology and died Anno Dom. 1060. five years before the Norman Invasion and so saw not his own prediction prevented by death performed It being the fate of such Folk Ut sint Oculati foras caecutiant Domi. That when they are quick sighted to know what shall betide to others they are blind to behold what will befall to themselves WILLIAM quitting his own name of SUMMERSET assumed that of MALMESBURY because there he had if not born his best Preferment Indeed he was a Duallist in that Convent and if a Pluralist no ingenious person would have envied him being Canter of that Church and Library-Keeper therein Let me adde and LibraryMaker too for so may we call his History of the Saxon Kings and Bishops before the Conquest and after it untill his own time An History to be honoured both for the Truth and Method thereof if any fustiness be found in his Writings it comes not from the Grape but from the Cask the smack of Superstition in his books is not to be imputed to his person but to the Age wherein he lived and dyed viz. Anno Dom. 1142. and was buried in Malmesbury ROBERT CANUTUS His Surname might justly perswade us to suspect him a Dane but that Bale doth assure him born at Cricklade in this County and further proceedeth thus in the desciption of the place Leland in the life of great King Alfred informs us that during the flourishing of the glory of the Britains before the University of Oxford was founded two Scholars were famous both for Eloquence and Learning the one called Greeklade where the Greek the other Latinlade where the Latine tongue was professed since corruptly colled Cricklade and Lechlade at this day Having so good security I presumed to Print the same in my Church-History and am not as yet ashamed thereof But since my Worthy Friend Doctor Heylyn whose Relations living thereabouts gave him the opportunity of more exactness thus reporteth it that Cricklade was the place for the Profession of Greek Lechlade for Physick and Latine a small village small indeed for I never saw it in any Map hard by the place where Latin was professed But to proceed our Canute went hence to Oxford and there became Chief of the Canons of Saint Fridswith He gathered the best flowers out of Plinie his Naturall History and composing it into a Garland as he calleth it dedicated the book to King Henry the second He wrot â—…so his Comments on the greater part of the Old and New Testament and flourished Anno 1170. RICHARD of the DIVISES A word of the place of his nativity The Vies or Devises is the best and biggest Town for trading Salisbury being a City in this Shire so called because antiently divided betwixt the King and the Bishop of Salisbury as Mine-Thine corruptly called Minden a City in Westphalia had its Name from such a partition Now because the Devises carrieth much of strange conceipts in the common sound thereof and because Stone-henge is generally reputed a wonder Country-People who live far off in our Land misapprehend them distanced more then 12. miles to be near together Our Richard born in this Town was bred a Benedictine in Winchster where his Learning and Industry rendred him to the respect of all in that Age. He wrot a History of the raign of King Richard the first under whom he flourished and an Epitome of the British affaires dedicating them both to Robert Prior of Winchester His History 〈◊〉 could never see but at the second hand as cited by others the rarity thereof making it no piece for the Shop of a Stationer but a Property for a publick Library His death was about the year 1200. GODWIN of SALISBURY Chanter of that Church and what ever was his skill in Musick following the precepts of Saint Paul he made melody in his heart having his mind given much to Meditation which is the Chewing of the Cud of the food of the soul turning it into Clean and Wholsome Nourishment He wrot beside other works a book of Meditations dedicating the same to one Ramulia or rather Ranilda an Anchoress and most incomparable woman saith my Author the more remarkable to me because this is the first and last mention I find of her memory This Godwin flourished about the year of our Lord 1256. JOHN of WILTON Senior was bred an Augustinian Friar and after he had stored himself with home-bred Learning went over into France and studied at Paris Here he became a subtile Disputant insomuch that John Baconthorp that Staple School-man not onely highly praiseth him but also useth his authority in his JOHN of WILTON Junior was bred a Benedictine Monke in Westminster He was Elegant in the Latine tongue praeter ejus aetatis sortem He wrot Metricall Meditations in imitation of Saint Bernard and one Book highly prized by many intituled Horologium sapientiae english it as you please the Clock or Diall of Wisdome Arguments I meet not with any man in that age better stock'd with Sermons on all occasions having written his Summer his Winter his Lent his Holy-day Sermons He flourished under King Edward the second Anno 1310. He was a great Allegory-Monke and great his dexterity in such Figurative conceits He flourished some fifty years after his Namesake under King Edward the third Reader I confess there be eleven Wiltons in England and therefore will not absolutely avouch the Nativities of these two Johns in this County However because Wilton which denominateth this Shire is the best and biggest amongst the Towns so called I presume them placed here with the most Probability JOHM CHYLMARK was born at that Village well know in Daworth Hundred and bred Fellow of Merton-colledge in Oxford He was a diligent searcher into the mysteries of Nature an acute Phylosopher and Disputant but most remarkable was his skill in Mathematicks being accounted the Archemedes of that age having written many Tractates in that Faculty which carry with them a very good regard at this day He flourished under King Richard the second Anno 1390. THOMAS of WILTON D. D. was for his Learning and Abilities made first Chancellour and then Dean of Saint Pauls in London in his time in the raign of King Edward the fourth happened a tough contest betwixt the Prelats and the Friars the latter pretending to poverty and taxing the Bishops for their pompe and plenty Our Wilton politickly opposed the Friars Now as the onely way for to withdraw Hanniball from his invasive war in Italy was by recalling him to defend his own Country near Carthage so Wilton wisely wrought a diversion putting the Friars from accusing the Bishops to excuse themselves For although an Old Gown a
for many years by past were of any Eminency but either immediately or mediately were Apprentices unto him He was bred in York school where he was School-fellow with Guy Faux which I note partly to shew that Loyalty and Treason may be educated under the same Roof partly to give a check to the received opinion that Faux was a Fleming no Native English-man He was bred in Saint Johns-colledge in Cambridge and chosen Fellow thereof to a Fellowship to which he had no more Propriety then his own Merit before Eight Compâ—…titors for the place equally capable with himself and better befriended Commencing Doctor in Divinity he made his Position which though unusuall was Arbitrary and in his own power on his second Question which much defeated the expectatioâ—… of Doctor Playfere replying upon him with some passion Commosâ—…i mihi stomachum To whom Morton return'd Gratulor tibi Reverende professor de bono tuo stomacho caenabis apud me hac nocte He was successively preferr'd Dean of Gloucester Winchester Bishop of Chester Coventry and Lichfield and Durham The Foundation which he laid of Forraign corre spondency with eminent persons of different perswasions when he attended as Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent by King James Embassadour to the King of Denmark and many Princes of Germany he built upon unto the Day of his Death In the late Long Parliament the displeasure of the House of Commons fell heavy upon him partly for subscribing the Bishops Protestation for their Votes in Parliament partly for refusing to resign the seal of his Bishoprick and baptizing a Daughter of John Earl of Rutland with the sign of the Cross two faults which compounded together in the judgement of honest and wise-men amounted to a High Innocence Yet the Parliament allowed him eight hundred pounds a year a proportion above any of his Brethren for his maintenance But alass the Trumpet of their Charity gave an uncertain sound not assigning by whom or whence this summe should be paid Indeed the severe Votes of the Parliament ever took full effect according to his observation who did Anagram it VOTED OUTED But their mercifull Votes found not so free performance However this good Bishop got a thousand pounds out of Goldsmiths-hall which afforded him his support in his old Age. The Neb of his Pen was unpartially divided into two equall Moyeties the one writing against Faction in defence of three Innocent Ceremonies the other against Superstition witness the Grand Impostor and other worthy works He solemnly proffered unto me pardon me Reader if I desire politiquely to twist my own with his Memory that they may both survive together in these sad times to maintain me to live with him which Courteous Offer as I could not conveniently accept I did thankfully 〈◊〉 Many of the Nobility deservedly honoured him though none more then John Earl of Rutland to whose Kinsman Roger Earl of Rutland he formerly 〈◊〉 been Chaplain But let not two worthy Baronets be forgotten Sir George Savill who so civilly paid him his purchased Annuity of two hundred pounds withall Proffered advantages and Sir Henry Yelveâ—…ton at whose house he dyed aged 95. at Easton-Manduit in Northampton shire 1659. For the rest the Reader is remitted to his life written largely and learnedly by Doctor John Barwick Dean of Durham States-men Sir ROBERT CAR was born in this City on this occasion Thomas Car his father Laird of Furnihurst a man of great lands and power in the South of Scotland was very active for Mary Queen of Scots and on that accompt forced to fly his land came to York Now although he had been a great inroder of England yet for some secret reason of State here he was permitted safe shelter duâ—…ing which time Robert his son was born this was the reason why the said Robert refused to be Naturalized by Act of our Parliament as needless for him born in the English Dominions I have read how his first making at Court was by breaking of his leg at a Tilting in London whereby he came first to the Cognizance of King James Thus a fair starting with advantage in the notice of a Prince is more then half the way in the race to his favour King James reflected on him whose Father was a kind of Confâ—…ssor for the cause of the Queen his Mother besides the Young Gentleman had a handsome person and a conveniency of desert Honors were crowded upon him made Baron Viscount Earl of Sommerset Knight of the Garter Warden of the Cinque-Ports c. He was a well natured man not mischievous with his might doing himself more hurt then any man else For abate one foul fact with the appendance and consequences thereof notoriously known and he will appear deserving no foul Character to posterity but for the same he was banished the Court lived and dyed very privately about the year of our Lord 1638. Writers JOHN WALBYE was born in this City of honest Parentage He was bred an Augustinian Provinciall of his Order and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford A Placentious Person gaining the good-will of all with whom he conversed being also Ingenious Industrious Learned Eloquent Pious and Prudent Pitz writeth that after Alexander Nevell he was Chosen but never Confirmed Arch bishop of York an Honour reserved for Robert his Younger Brother of whom before But Bishop Godwin maketh no mention hereof which rendreth it suspicious The said Pitz maketh him actuall Arch-bishop of Dublin whilst Bale who being an Irish Bishop had the advantage of exacter Intelligence hath no such thing whence we may conclude it a Mistake The rather because this John is allowed by all to have died in this place of his Nativity 1393. Also I will adde this that though sharp at first against the Wickliffites he soon abated his own Edge and though present at a Council kept at Stanford by the King against them was not well pleased with all things transacted therein JOHN ERGHOM was born in this City an Augustinian by his profession Leaving York he went to Oxford where passing thorough the Arts he fixed at last in Divinity proving an admirable Preacher My Author tells me that sometimes he would utter nova inaudita whereat one may well wonder seeing Solomon hath said There is no nâ—…w thing under the Sun The truth is he renewed the custome of expounding Scripture in a typicall way which crouded his Church with Auditors seeing such 〈◊〉 preaching break 's no bones much pleased their fancy and little cross'd or curb'd their corruptions Indeed some but not all Scripture is capable of such comments and because metalls are found in Mountains it is madness to Mine for them in every rich Meadow But in expounding of Scripture when mens inventions out-run the Spirits intentions their swiftness is not to be praised but sawcyness to be punished This Erghom wrote many books and dedicated them to the Earl of Hereford the same with Edward Duke of Buckingham and flourished
his Grand-Child Robert Earl of Essex to have died in the same year of his age or to have lived longer let others decide Writers AMBROSE MERLIN was born at Carmarthen a City so denominated from his Nativity therein This I write in conformity to common Tradition and he who will not errare cum vulgo must pugnare cum vulgo my own judgement remonstrating against the same finding the City called Mariadunum in Ptolomy before Merlins Cradle was ever made if Merlins Cradle was ever made His extraction is very incredible reported to have an Incubus to his Father pretending to a Pedigree older than Adam even from the Serpent himself But a Learned Pen demonstrateth the impossibility of such Conjunctions And let us not load Satan with groundless sins whom I believe the Father of lyes but in a litteral sense no Father of Bastards Many are the pretended Prophesies of Merlin whereof the British have a very high esteem and I dare say nothing against them only I humbly tender to this Nations consideration a modest Proverb of their own Country Namyn Dduw nid oes Dewin that besides God there is no Diviner Yet I deny not but the Devil can give a shrewd conjecture but often the deceiver is deceived Sure I am Merlins Prophesies have done much mischief seeing such who pretended skill therein that they could unfold his meaning though for my part I believe they must have the Devils key who open the Devils lock put Owen Glendower on his Rebellion against King Henry the fourth perswading him the time was come wherein he should recover the Welsh Principality which caused the making of those cruel Laws with Draco's written in blood against the Welsh which no tender Englishman can read without regret There want not those who maintain Merlin to be a great Chymist and those we know have a Language peculiar to themselves so that his seeming Prophesies are not to be expounded historically but naturally disguising the mysteries of that faculty from vulgar intelligence The best Prophesie I meet with in Merlin which hit the mark indeed is what I find cited out of him by Giraldus Cambrensis Sextus maenia Hiberniae subvertent Regiones in Regnum redigentur The Sixth shall overturn the walls of Ireland and reduce their Countries into a Kingdom This was accomplished under King James the sixth when their Fastnesses Irish Walls were dismantled and Courts of Civil Justice set up in all the Land But enough of Merlin who is reported to have died Anno The Farewell How this County with the rest of Wales hath preserved its woods in our unhappy Civil Wars is to me unknown yet if they have been much wasted which I suspect I wish that the Pit-Coal which in some measure it affordeth may daily be increased for the supply of their fewell CARNARVON This County hath the Irish Sea on the West Anglesea divided by Menaifreâ—… on the North Denby shire on the East and Merionith shire on the South This I have observed peculiar to this County that all the Market are Sea Towns being five in number as noted in the Maps which no other County in England or Wales doth afford The Natives hereof count it no small credit unto them that they made the longest resistance against and last submitted unto the English And indeed for natural strength it exceedeth any part of this Principality so that the English were never more distressed than in the Invasion thereof I am much affected with the ingenuity of an English Nobleman who following the Camp of King Henry the third in these parts wrote home to his friends about the end of September 1245. The naked truth indeed as followeth We lie in our Tents watching fasting praying and freezing we watch for fear of the Welsh-men who are wont to invade us in the night we Fast for want of meat for the half peny loaf is worth five pence we Pray to God to send us home again speedily we Freeze for want of winter garments having nothing but thin linnen betwixt us and the wind Yet is this County in it self sufficiently plentiful though the Welsh had the wit to keep â—…ood from the English and Snow-don-Hills therein are commended by my * Author for fertility of wood cattel fish and fowl Smile not Reader to hear of Fish in so high Mountains which have plenty of Pools interposed Wonders Giraldus Cambrensis telleth us how there is a Lake in Snowden Hills in this County which hath a floating Island therein But it seemeth that it either always swimmeth away from such who endeavour to discover it or else that this vagrant wearied with long wandring hath at last fixed it self to the Continent He telleth us also of Monoculous Fishes though not fully acquainting us how their one eye is disposed Whether Polyphemus-like in the midst of their head or only on one side The truth is these One-eyed Fishes are too nimble for any men with two eyes to behold them Proverbs Craig Eriry or Snow don will yield sufficient Pasture for all the Cattell of VVales put together Some will say this cannot be literally true except the Cattel of VVales be few beneath and Snow-don-hills fruitful above all belief The best is the time is not expressed how long these hills will suffice for their pasture But let us not be so morose but to understand the meaning of this expression importing by help of an Hyperbole the extraordinary fruitfulness of this place Diange ar Gluyd a boddi ar Gonway That is to scape Clude and be drown'd in Conway parallel to the Latine Incidit in Scyllam qui vult vitare Charibdin However that Pilot is to be pitied who to shun Scylla doth run on Charibdis because those rocks were neer and a narrow passage betwixt them whereas the two Rivers of Clude and Conway are twenty miles a sunder affording men scope enough to escape them but little or much in such cases are the same with indiscreet persons Princes EDWARD the Fourth but first surviving son of King Edward the First and Queen Eleanor was born at Carnarvon in this County April 25. 1284. No Prince ever ascended the English Throne with greater or used it with less advantage to himself First though his Father had in a manner surprised the Wâ—…lsh to accept him for their Prince pleading his royal extraction birth in VVales in ability to speak a word of English and innocence that none could tax him with actual sin Yet I find them not for his Fathers fallacy to think the worse of his Son sic juvat esse deceptos and generally they accepted him as preferring that a Prince should be put with wit rather than with violence upon them In England he succeeded to a wise and victorious Father who happily had hit the expedient to be both beloved and feared by his Subjects leaving the land in so good a posture for government that touch the wheele and it would turn in the right
whom was learned Nenniuâ—… commonly called Nennius Elvodugi assuming his Masters name for his surname on which account some mistake him for his Father This Elvoduge flourished Anno 590. Since the Reformation MERIDITH HANMER D. D. was born in this County where a respective Family of his name and alliance flourish at Han-meer at this day was Treasurer of Trinity Church in Dublin He translated the Ecclesiasticall Histories of Eusebius Socrates Euagrius c. into English wrote an Ephemeris of the Irish Saints and a Chronicle of that Country He died at Dublin of the Plague Anno 1604. Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation RICHARD CLOUGH was born at Denbigh in this County whence he went to be a Chorister in the City of Chester Some were so affected with his singing therein that they were loath he should lose himself in empty air Church-Musick beginning then to be discountenanced and perswaded yea procured his removal to London where he became an Apprentice to and afterwards Partner with Sir Thomas Gresham He lived some years at Antwerp and afterwards travelled as far as Jerusalem where he was made a Knight of the Sepulchre though not owning it after his return under Queen Elizabeth who disdained her Subjects should accept of such foraign Honour he afterwards by Gods blessing grew very rich and there want not those who will avouch that some thousands of pounds were disbursed by him for the building of the Burse or Royal Exchange Such maintain that it was agreed betwixt him and Sir Thomas Gresham that the survivor should be chief Heir to both on which account they say that the Knight carried away the main of the Estate How much the new Church in Denbigh was beholding to his bounty I am not as yet certainly inâ—…ormed This is true that he gave the Impropriation of Killken in Flint-shire worth an hundred pounds per annum to the Free Schoole in Denbigh and if the same at this day be aliened I question whether Repentance without Restitution will secure such who are the Causers thereof He died Anno Dom 15 Memorable Persons THOMAS ap William ap Thomas ap Richard ap Howel ap Evan Vaâ—…ghan c. Esquire was born of ancient and worshipful Parentage at Moston in this County This Gentleman being called at the Pannel of a Jury by the aforesaid names and many more was advised by the Judge in the reign of King Henry the eight for brevity sake to contract his name who thereupon denominated himself Moston from the place of his Nativity and ancient Inheritance This leading Case was precedential to the practice of other Gentry in Wales who leaving their Pedigrees at home carry one sirname only abroad with them whereby much time especially in Winter when the days are short is gained for other employment The Farewell I understand that superstitious pilgrimages do still continue of fond people in this County to the Well of St. Winifred and will only presume to mind them of a savoury Proverb of their own Nation Goreu Pererindod Cyrchu offeren Sull that is It is the best Pilgrimage to frequent the Divine Duties of the Sabboth A Pilgrimage it may well be called in Wales where some Parishes are so large people go ten miles to Church and whose pains are employed more acceptable to God than in longer peregrinations to less porpose GLAMORGAN-SHIRE GLAMORGAN-SHIRE hath the Severn Sea on tâ—…e South Carmarthen on the West Brecknock on the North Monmouth-shire severed by the River Remney falling from the Mountains which in the Britâ—…sh Tongue signifieth to drive on the East thereof The North of this County is so full of Mountains that almost nothing is to be had the South is so fruitful a Valley nothing at all is wanting therein Indeed it is the Garden of Wales and I am informed that at Saint Donats in this Shire an ancient house of the right Worshipful Family of the Stradlings groweth as good fruit and as soon ripe as in any part of England Mr. Cambden will have it so called though others affirm one Morgan a Prince thereof gave his name thereunto from Mor the British word for the Sea as agreeing 〈◊〉 its scituation Wonders Giraldus Cambrensis reports that in the Island Barrey termed so from Baruch an Holy man that was there buried three miles from the mouth of Taff there appeareth a chink in a Rock or Cliff to which if you lay your ear you may easily discover a noise not altogether unlike to Smiths at work one while blowing of the Bellows another while striking of the Hammer the grinding of Iron Tools the hissing of Steel Gads yea the puffing noise of Fire in a Furnace I must confess my self at a loss for the reason thereof for it cannot proceed from the close stealing in of the Sea water as some have supposed seeing the same noise continueth even at a low Ebb when the Sea is departed There is also at Newton on the bank of Ogmore west-ward a Well the water whereof is so low at the flowing of the Sea in Summer you can scarce get up a dish full of the same whereas at the ebb thereof you may easily recover a pail or bucket full Mr. Cambden doubting of the truth made his own eyes Witnesses herein finding it true according to the common relation adding withall that it is the same thoughnot so discernable by reason of the accession of much rain water in Winter Civilians Sir EDWARD CARNE is here placed with confidence because assured to be a Welsh-man and I find his Family flourishing at Wenny in this County He was bred I believe in Oxford Doctor of the Civil Law and was Knighted by Charles the fifth Emperor The first publick service he eminently appeared in was when King Henry the eight having intelligence of the Popes intention shortly to cite him to appear at Rome either in Person or Proxie dâ—…spatched him thither for his Excusator to remonstrate that his Grace was not bound by Law so to appear This he effectually performed pleading that the Emperor was so powerful at Rome that he could not expect Justice declaring that unless they desisted he must appeal thence to the able men in some indifferent Universities and if this were refused he protested a nullity in all that they did A behaviour which spake him of no less Valour than Ability Queen Mary highly prized him and no whit the less for his cordial appearing for King Henry in the matter of her Mothers Divorce imputing it to the discharge of his Câ—…edit and Calling in him who otherwise was a thorow paced Romanist and whom she employed her Embassador to the Pope After her death he still resided at Rome and by command from Queen Elizabeth repaired to Pope Paul the fourth to give him an account that his Mistress was called to the Crown of England To whom the Pope returned That England was a Fee of the Church of Rome and that she could not
under K. Henry the seventh Anno 1490. Since the Reformation RICHARD STOCK was born in this City bred Scholar of the house in Saint Johns-Colledge in Cambridge and designed Fellow of sidney though not accepting thereof He was afterwards Minister of All hallows Bredstreet in London by the space of thirty two years till the day of his death Where if in health he omitted not to Preach twice every Lords day with the approbation of all that were Judicious and Religious No Minister in England had his Pulpit supplyed by fewer Strangers Doctor Davenant afterwards Bishop of Sarum whose father was his parishioner was his constant Auditor while lying in London His Preaching was most profitable Converting many and Confirming more in Religion so that appearing with Comfort at the Day of Judgement he might say behold I and the Children that God hath given me He was zealous in his life a great Reformer of prophanations on the Sabbath prevailing with some companies to put off their wonted Festivalls from Mundays to Tuesdays that the Lords-day might not be abused by the preparation for such entertainments Though he preached oft in neighbouring Churches he never neglected his own being wont to protest That it was more Comfortable to him to win one of his own Parish then twenty others Preaching at Saint Pauls Cross when young it was ill taken at his mouth that he reproved the inequality of Rates in the City burdening the Poor to ease the Rich and he was called a Green head for his pains But being put up in his latter days to preach on the Lord Mayors Election and falling on the same subject He told them That a Gray head spake now what a Green-head had said before He dyed Aprill 20. Anno Domini 1626. with a great lamentation of all but especially of his Parishioners Memorable Persons JOHN LEPTON of York Esquire servant to King James undertook for a wager to ride six days together betwixt York and London being sevenscore and ten miles stylo vetere as I may say and performed it accordingly to the greater praise of his strength in acting then his discretion in undertaking it He first set forth from Aldersgate May 20. being Munday Anno Domini 1606. and accomplished his journey every day before it was dark A thing rather memorable then commendable many maintaining that able and active bodies are not to vent themselves in such vain though gainfull ostentation and that it is no better then tempting Divine Providence to lavish their strength and venture their lives except solemnly summoned thereunto by just necessity Lord Mayors Expect not Reader that under this Title I should present thee with a list of the Lord Mayors of this City born therein Onely to make this part conformable to the rest of my book know that I find one Native of this City Lord Mayor of London viz. Name Father Place Company Time 1 Martin Bowes Thomas Bowes York Goldsmith 1545 The Farewell To take our leaveof this Loyall City I desire that some Lucrative Trade may be set up therein to repair her former losses with advantage Mean time I rejoyce that the Archiepiscopat See is restored thereunto not despairing but that in due time if the Supream Authority adjudge it fit the Court of the Presidency of the North may be re-erected therein presuming the Country will be Eased and City Inriched thereby as the Loadstone which will atract much Company and by consequence Commodity thereunto Let me adde I am informed that Sir Thomas Widdrington a person accomplished in all Arts as well as in his own Profession of the Laws hath made great Progress in his Exact Description of this City Nor doe I more congratulate the happiness of York coming under so Able a Pen then Condole my own Infelicity whose unsuccessfull attendance hitherto could not compass speech with this worthy Knight Sure I am when this his work is set forth then indeed YORK SHALL BE what a City most compleatly Illustrated in all the Antiquities and Remarkables thereof FINIS THE PRINCIPALITY OF WALES PSAL. 95. 4 5. In his hand are the deep places of the Earth the strength of the Hills is his also The Sea is his and he made it PROV 27. 25 26. The herbs of the Mountains are gathered The Lambs are for thy clothing and the Goats are the price of thy fields A NECESSARY PREFACE TO THE READER IT bare a debate in my serious consideration whether a Totall Omission or Defective Description of this Principality were to be preferred finding my self as Unable to do it Exactly as Unwilling to Pretermit it For First I never was in VVales and all know how necessary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to accurateness herein Secondly I understand not their Language and cannot go to the Cost nor dare take the State of having an Interpreter King James was wont pleasantly to say that he cared not though he was poor himself so long as his Subjects were Rich as confident he could command their wealth on good conditions and a just occasion But indeed it matters not how meanly skil'd a Writer is so long as he hath Knowing and Communicative Friends my happiness in England who here am quite destitute of such assistance However on the other side a Totall Omission seemed very unhandsome to make a Cypher of this Large Principality Besides England cannot be well described without VVales such the Intimacy of Relation betwixt them three of our English Kings being born and many of Our Prime Atchievments being acted in VVales Wherefore I resolved to endeavour my utmost in the description thereof though sadly sensible in my self that my desires were as high as a Mountain but my performances would fall as low would they were half so fruitfull as the Vallies And here I humbly desire that the many faults by me committed may be like a Ball cast down and deaded on a soft Floor even to be buried in my own weakness to my own shame without the least Ripling or Rebounding to the disgrace of the VVelsh Country or Nation And my hope and desire is that these my weak pains will provoke others of more Ability to substitute a more Exact Description in the room thereof I had rather the Reader should take the name of that worthy Knight from Master Camden then from me who designing to build according to the Italian Mode of Architecture plucked down a good and convenient English-house preposterously destroying the one and never finished the other I hope the Reader will not be so uncharitable I will not say undiscreet but will allow our grains a subsistence till they will willingly vanish at the substitution of another In Doubtfull Nativities of Worthy Persons betwixt England and Wales I have not call'd for a sword to divide the controverted Child betwixt the two Mothers but have wholy resigned it to VVales partly out of desire of quietness not engage in a contest partly because I conceived England might better spare then