Josephus his Antiquities Polychronicon c. An. 2. Rob. Dimock Mil. at the Coronation of H. 7. came on Horse-back into Westm Hall where the K. dined monarch R. 2. and casting his Gauntlet on the ground challenged any who durst question the Kings Right to the Crown An. 9. â—0 Husee created by H. 8. the first and last Baron of Husee in Sheford engaging with the Rebellious Commons An. 1537. was beheaded monarch H. 7 An. 16. Th. Burge Mil. descended from the Heir Gen. of the Lord Cobham of Sterbury in Surry monarch H. 8. afterwards created Baron Burge or Burough by H. 8. His Grand-child Th. Lord Burge Dep. of Ir. and Knight of the Garter left no Issue Male nor plentiful Estate only 4 Daughters Eliz. married to Sir Geo. Brook Frances to the ancient Family of Coppinger in Suff. Anne Wife to Sir Drue Drury and Kath. married to Knivet of Norf. Mother to Sir Jo. Knivet Knight of the Bath An. 9. Jervase Scroop Mil. engaged with his Majesty in Edge-hill-fight where he received 26 Wounds and was left among the Dead monarch K. Char. Next day his Son Adrian obtained leave to bury his Corps which when he found he perceived some heat therein and by Gods Mercy he recovered and lived 10 years after Middlesex IT is in Effect but the Suburbs at large of London replenished with the retiring Houses of the Gentry and Citizens thereof Palaces of Noblemen and 3 lately Royal Mansions It is about 18 miles in length and 12 in breadth It hath Hartford on the N. Buck on the W. Ess on the E. Kent and Surrey on the S. The Air generally is most healthful especially about High-Gate The Natural Commodities are Wheat the best in Engl. growing in the Vale lying South of Harrow-the-hill nigh Hessen Q. Eliz. received no Composition-Money from the Villages thereabouts but took her Wheat in kind one of those Villages being called Perivale or Purevale from the cleerness of the Corn therein Tamarisk first brought over by B. Grindal out of Switz and planted in his Garden and Fulham The Manufactures are Leather in the true Tanning of which the Lord Burleigh was indoctrinated by a Cobler exemplifying the same in toasted Bread called by him a tanned Toast which if artificially done will last said the Cobler many Mornings Draughts Of Buildings HAMPTON-COURT built by Card. Woolsey who bestowed it on H. 8. by him erected into an Honour mightily encreased and now continues tho the other Royal Palaces Holdenby Oatlands Richmond Theobalds have found their fatal Period H. 8. enforrested the Grounds hereabouts OSTERLY-HOUSE now Sir Will. Waller's was built in a Park by Sir Th. Gresham who here magnificently entertained and lodged Q. Eliz. who found fault with the Court of this House as too great affirming that it would appear more handsome if divided with a Wall in the middle Sir Thomas being very observant had the Court made double against the next Morning of which a Courtier then said It was no wonder he could so soon change a Building who could build a Change Another reflecting on some known differences in this Knights Family affirmed That any House is easier divided than united Proverbs 1. A Middlesex Clown Clown i. e. Colonus one that Plougheth the Ground of which Middlesex hath many of great Estates and there are some of the Yeomantry in this County as compleatly civil as any in England 2. He that is a low Ebbe at Newgate may soon be a float at Tiburn This is too Satyrical Some will have Tiburn so called from Tie and Burn the poor Lollards having been the first who were tied up and burnt in that place 3. When Tottenham Wood is all on fire Then Tottenham street is nought but mire That is when that Wood of many 100 Acres on the top of a Hill hath a Mist like Smoak over it generally foul weather followeth 4. Tottenham is turned French About the beginning of H. 8. French Mechanicks swarm'd in England to the great prejudice of English Artisans which caused the Insurrection in London on ill-May-day 1517. The City and Country Villages were filled with French Fashions and Infections The Proverb is applied to such who contemning the Custom of their Country make themselves more ridiculous by affecting forreign Humours and Habits Princes Edward Sole surviving Son of H. 8. and Jane his Wife was born at Hampton-Court An. 1537. He succeeded his Father in the Kingdom and was most Eminent in his Generation Whose Virtues were so resplendent no faults humane frailties excepted appeared in him He died July 5 th 1553. and pity it is that deserved the best should have no Monument indeed a brass Altar of excellent Workmanship under which he was buried I will not say sacrificed with an untimely Death by treachery of others did formerly supply the place of his Tombe which since is abolished under the notion of Superstition Being a Child he had more of Man in him than any of his Age And his Goodness was no less conspicuous In a Letter he wrote to Mr. Barnaby Fitz-Patrick Gentleman of his Bed-Chamber he charges him to regard the Scripture or some good Book and to give no reverence to the Mass at which that Gentleman should chance to be present in his Attendance on the French K. To avoid the Company of Women as far forth as he might Besides other Advertisments relating to the Publick which are very judiciously penned In another Letter to him he congratulates his Constancy and sends him an Account of the Great Tide which drowned the Isle of Doggs Plumsted Marsh Shippey and Foulness in Ess as also Towns and Cities in Zealand c. Martyrs At Barnet Islington and Stratford Bow there were more than 20 persons Martyred Mr. Jo. Dendley burnt at Vxbridge began to sing a Psalm at the Stake and Dr. Story there present caused a prickley Faggot to be hurled in his Face Now the singing Nightingale needed no Thorn but only the sleeping one to awake it We may believe that this Martyrs Prick-song indeed made good Melody in the Ears of the God of Heaven Smithfield near London being Bonners Shambles and the Bone-fire General of England no wonder if some sparks thereof were driven thence into the vicinage Prelates Richard Northall a Carmelite and Chaplain to R. 2. was made B. of Ossory and Chancellour of Ireland and at last Arch-Bishop of Dublin He wrote a Set of Sermons for the whole year he died 1397. Since the Reformation William Wickham junior born at Enfield bred in K. Coll. Bishop first of Lincoln then of Winchester died of the Strangury 1596. having not made water for 14 days together 'T is no ill Custom among the Modern Jews that they Praise God solemnly for their vents of ejection as well as Mouths for the admission of nourishment Souldiers Falcatius or Fulke de Brent was Minion to King Jo. who gave him in marriage Marg. the Daughter of Warrin Fitz-Gerald his Chamberlain He was highly in favour
so sacred an Obligation But these some Weeks after appeared on the same side as fierce as before This County is infested with Mildew when Corn is almost ripe for the Sicle which a good Rain or strong Wind doth remove London LOndon is the Second City in Christendom for greatness and the First for good Government but of so large a Reputation that Some Strangers have conceived London to be the Country and England the City The River Thames may in some sence be called the Foundation of this vast and solide Structure which River could not be removed by King Ja. as the Lord Mayor told his Majesty when he threatned to remove his Court from the City and no wonder seeing Thunder can make no impression upon it and by Gods special Providence it can wash off the blackest marks and saddest effects of the Most dreadfull Fire In reference to this River London may use the Millers Riddle If I have Water I will drink Wine but if I have no Water I must drink Water This City is the Field of Art and Shop General of England and Cheap-side the best Garden c. the whole every Part containing the greatest Variety of Adventitious and no Natural Commodities Of Manufactures the greatest is the Engine for quenching of Scare-fires the form whereof was first brought from Norenberg by one Mr. Jones a Merchant living in Austin Friers who obtained a Patent of King Ja. that none should be made without his approbation William Burroughs City-Founder living in Lothbury hath so compleated this Instrument that his additions amount to a new Invention having made it stronger and easie to be cleansed so that with the striking out of a wedge it will cleanse it self in 4 minutes As for Buildings St. Paul's the Mother Church having a Babe viz. Saint Faiths in her Body was lately struck with the Palsie or rather Death as the Way to a Noble Resurrection which is now so far accomplished that it stands already on its Feet or rather it is arising with its Feet foremost the Foundation being laid anew and a considerable progress made in the rebuilding thereof The Mony for defraying the Charges is raised on Coals The former Reparation of this Church was a worthy Monument of the Piety and Charity of Arch-Bishop Laud. May they who have Plundered the Cloak and Cover of Saint Pauls be compelled to make him a new one of their own cost at least to contribute more than ordinary Proportions thereunto As for other Churches Saint Clement's East-Cheap the Monument of the Bounty of Baldwin Hamey Dr. in Physick with other Parochial Churches which have at least their Fronts beautified if not their Bodies rebuilt may all of them have this Inscription Heus Viator Anne bonis operibus effaetum est hoc seculum which is written upon the Entry of Saint Gile's Church in the Fields As for other Structures The Bridge was made with great Cost and is maintained with daily Charge Some 20 years ago a Lamentable fire hap'ning there could not be quenched because of the great store of water which hindred all access thereunto The Exchange was built by Sir Th. Gresham Knight An. 1571. In imitation of that at Antwerp but so that the Copy exceedeth the Original The Tower was first founded by William the Conqueror finished by William Rufus encompassed with a Ditch by William Longchamp Bishop of Ely enlarged by H. 3. fortified by E. 4. beautified by R. 3. repaired by H. 8. In which there is an Armory a Mine and a Ward-robe for the keeping of Vests and Robes of State c. There is an Vnicorns Horn to be shewn amongst the Rarities of the Tower and tho some are apt to believe that there never was any such creature as an Vnicorn and others that it is the same with a Rhinoceros Yet for the first the Indian Ox is famous for carrying one horn and for the latter the Vnicorn carries his Horn on his Forehead and not on his Nose as the Rhinoceros doth The horn is an Antidote against poyson Proverbs 1. A London Jury hang half and save half This is such a Libell as comprehends in a few words a large volume of Calumny As if London Juries were for dispatching their business without any regard to Justice 2. A Fool will not part with his Bawble for the Tower of London 3. London Lick penny The Countryman will tell you 't is very true and the Citizen on the other hand does know that there is no less Truth in this London Get penny 4. London Cockneys That is such who are born within the sound of Bow-Bell are tender enough and sufficiently ignorant of Country businesses One merrily perswaded a She-Citizen that seeing Malt did not grow the good House-wives in the Country did spin it I knew as much said the Cockney for one may see the threds hang out at the ends thereof 5. An ill word meets another and it were at the Bridge of London This is Scottish The meaning seems to be that on that Bridge as being a narrow Passage Quarrels are apt to arise 6. Billingsgate Language Many rude Persons especially Scolds repair to that Place and sometimes improve their smart Words into smarter Blows 7. Kirbies Castle and Megses Glory Spinola's Pleasure and Fishers Folly These were 4 Houses about the City whereof the 2 first are forgotten Spinola a Genoan was infected with the Italian Plague of Building As for the last it was built by Jasp Fisher free of the Goldsmiths one of the 6 Clerks in Chanc. and J. of Peace who was much in Debt and it is called Devonshire House at this day 8. He will follow him like a St. Anthonies Pig St. Anth. is the Patron of Hogs and therefore very well known by them Besides the Protectors of Hosp in Bennets-Fink in this City built to the Honour of St. Anthony used to garble the Live pigs in the Markets of the City and such as they found starved or unwholsome they would slit in the ear tie a Bell about their necks and let them loose about the City through which they followed their feeders that is their Leaders The Proverb is applied to servile Souls c. 9. He was born within the sound of Bow-Bell This is the Periphrasis of a Londoner at large born within the Suburbs thereof Jo. Dun Mercer 1472 gave 2 Tenements to maintain the ringing of this Bell nightly at 9 a clock which sounded to Servants a Retreat from their Work William Copland the King's Merchant about 1520. gave a bigger Bell for the same purpose and had the Hansel thereof himself being first rang as a Knell at his Burial 10. St. Peters in the Poor Where no Tavern Alehouse or Sign at the Door I conceive it is called in the Poor because the Augustinian Friers professors of Poverty possessed one moiety thereof Their Signless Houses are a Sign of Rich and EEminent inhabitants 11. To dine with Duke Humphrey This at first signified to dine well viz.
Shotesham bred in King's Colledg in Cambridge then in Trin. Hall being afterwards Chancellor of the University A great Scholar Witness his Learned Dispensative against the Poison of supposed Prophesies dedicated to Sir Fr. Walsingham He lived privately in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth till King James advanced him in Honour and Wealth creating him Baron of Marnehill in Dors Earl of Northampton Lord Privy Seal Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports Knight of the Garter He founded and endowed an Hospital for 12 poor Women and a Governour at Rising in this County Another for 12 poor Men and a Governour at Clun in Shrop. another at Greenwich in Kent for a Governour and 20 poor men of which 8 are to be chosen out of Shotesham He died 15 June 1614. and was buried in the ancient Chappel of the Castle of Dover Memorable Persons Sharnborn born at and Lord of Sharnbourn a Mannor in this County which Mannor William the Conquerour conferred on Warren a Norman Souldier Sharborn traversed his Title and being a Norfolk-man durst go to Law with the Conqueror and question the Validity of his Donations Yea he got the better of the Suit and the Kings Grant was adjudged void This is pressed by many to prove that King William tho in name was in deed no Conqueror but came in by Composition to keep the Laws of England Sharborn was lately aliened the Heirs Males being extinct to a worthy Person Fr. Ash Esquire who hath setled it on Emanuel College Noted Sheriffs An. 14. Philip Calthrope a Facetious Gentleman monarch H. 7. when he understood that Jo. Drakes a Shoe-maker had bought some of the same French Tawney that himself had provided for a Gown commanded his Taylor to cut his Gown full of Holes which purged Drakes of his Proud Humour that he wou'd never be of the Gentlemans Fashion again An. 29. Edm. Windham whose Grandmother was Daughter to Jo. Howard D. of Norf. struck Mr. Clere monarch H. 8. a Gentleman of his own Country in the Kings Tennis Court For this he was arraigned in the great Hall at Greenwich and had Judgment to lose his right-hand He desired that the King of Mercy would be pleased to take his left-hand and spare his right for therewith said he I may be hereafter able to do his Grace Service The King being informed hereof granted his full Pardon He made his promise good to E 6. by whom he was Knighted endeavouring to suppress Kets Rebellion in this County till at last it proved a Task above his Strength to perform Th. Woodhouse Mil. descended from Honourable Ancestors monarch Q. Mary many of whom were employed in State Affairs viz. Rob. Treasurer was summoned to Parliament by E. 3 Jo. was Servant and Executor to Hen. 5. Sir Will. was Vice Ad. of the English Fleet in Masleborough Field Philip active at the taking of Cadiz and Knighted there by the Earl of Essex And ever since there hath been a Military inclination in this Family which hath manifested it self on several occasions An. 18. Drugo Drury Arm. afterwards Knighted monarch Q. Eliz. was joyned in Commission with Sir Amias Paulet to keep Ma. Q. of Scots Both were nicknamed Puritans by the ill-natur'd Roman Catholicks An. 5. Roger Townsend Baronet a Religious Gentleman expending his Soul in Piety and Charity monarch K. Charles a Lover of God his Service aâ—d Servants restored Impropriations to the Churâ—h to some Hundreds per An. He married Mary Daughter and Coheir of Horatio Lord Vere of Tilbury by whom he had Sir Horace created Baon at the Coronation of K. Ch. II. Norwich NOrwich is a Pleasant and Populous City the first with the Inhabitation of Trees the latter with the Plantation of People The pleasantness of the City was not a little advanced by the Dutchmen who first garnished it with curious Flowers As for Manufactures Stuffs were first brought hither by the Dutch who were expelled their Country by the Cruelty of the D. of Alva Of these Stuffs there was one formerly called Stand-far-off which discovered its coursness when near to the Eye another called Perpetuano from the lasting thereof Satinisco Bombicino Italiano c. Norwich hath beaten Sudbury out of distance in the Race of trading Of the Buildings the Cathedral is spacious tho the Roof in the Cioysters be most commended Amongst private Houses the D. of Norfolk's Palace is the greatest I ever saw in any City out of London Here is a covered Bowling-Alley The Bishops Palace formerly a fair Structure was lately unleaded and new covered with Tyle Whereon a Wagg Thus Palaces are altered we saw John Leyden now Wat Tyler next Jack Straw Physicians Jo. Goslin Master of Caius Colledge in Camb. Proctor of the University and twice Vice-Chancellour thereof a greet Scholar and Reg. Prof. of Physick was strict in pressing the Statutes of the University and it being then highly penal for a Scholar to wear Boots in the University there was a Student undertook for a Wager to address himself booted to the Vice-Chancellor craving his advice for a Numness in his Leggs the Vice-Chancellor prescribed him a Receit and dismissed him very civilly This Youth a cunning Gibeonite covering at the same Instant his Leggs with his Boots and his Boots with his Leggs escaped the punishment that was due in that case Dr. Goslin was a Worthy Benefactor to Kath. Hall bestowing thereon the fair Bull-Inn of considerable value He died 1625. Jo. Caius Fellow in Gonvil-Hall in Camb. travelled into Italy and wrote several Trea. there After his Return he was Physician to Q. Mary and improved Gonvil-Hall into a College He wrote an Excellent Book of the Antiquity of Cambridge and another De Canibus His Epitaph is FUI CAIUS Since the Reformation Rob. Watson was Skilled in the Laws and Steward of the House to Arch-Bishop Cranmer Having frequently disputed with Papists during his Imprisonment for Religion he wrote after his enlargement an Elegant Latin Treatise wherein he relateth the Accidents of his Life Benefactors to the Publick Will. Baitman bred in Cambridge Arch-Deacon then B. of Norwich in the Reign of E. 3. enjoyned Penance to Rob. Lord Morley for stealing of his Deer and made him perform the same in the Cathedral of Norwich notwithstanding the Kings threatning Letters to the contrary He erected Trinity-Hall Colledge in Cambridge for the Study of the Canon and Civil Laws He removed Gonvil-Hall to a more convenient place building and setling the Revenues thereof according to the Will of the Founder King Ed. 3. resolving to follow his Title to the Crown of France sent this Bishop to the Pope to acquaint him with his Intentions In which Embassy he died at Avignon 1354. Since the Reformation Th. Legg Master of Gonvil-Hall in Cambridge was Doctor of Law and Arches one of the Masters in the Chancery twice Vice-Chancellor of the University He was well skilled in Antiquity He wrote a Tragedy of the Destruction of Jerus which was filched from him by a Plagiary
then of Botsworth a pious and judicious Divine His Works witness his great Worth He died 1657. Romish Exile Writers Math. Kellison born at Harowden was Kings Professor and Rector of the University in Rhemes He wrote a Book to King James another against Sutliff with many more and was living 1611. Benefactors to the Publick Hen. Chichley born at Higham Ferrers and bred in Oxford was sent by Henry 4. to the Council of Pisa 1409 and by the Popes own hand was consecrated Bishop of St. Davids at Vienna and thence was advanced Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by Henry 5. Which Wise King having a shrewd design against the Abbeys was diverted with vast sums of Mony paid by the Clergy to maintain his Wars in France He refused a Cardinals Cap proffered to him in the Reign of Henry 6. being loath as some think to be junior to Cardinal Beaufort of Winchester who had often disobliged him He was cruel against the Wicklevites but was a Zealous Asserter of the English Liberties in opposition to the Popes Vsurped Supremacy Great his Zeal to promote Learning as appears by 3 Collâ—ges erected and endowed at his expence and procurement One with an Hospital at Higham-Ferrers St. Bernards in Oxford afterwards bettered by Sir Th. White into St. John's Colledg and All-Souls in Oxford Having continued in his See 29 years He died 1443. William Laxton of Oundle was bred a Grocer in London whereof he was Lord Mayor 1544. He founded and endowed a fair School and Alms-house at Oundle in this County well maintained at this day by the Company of Grocers He died 1556. Since the Reformation Nic. Latham born at Bridgstock was Minister at Barn-Wells He founded several small Schools with Salaries in Country Villages and founded a most beautifull Almshouse at Oundle He died 1620. Edward Montague Baron of Baughton a pious peacable and hospitable Patriot was a Bountiful Benefactor to Sidney-Colledg and built and endowed an Alms-house at Weekley in this County He was Honourable at Court and beloved in the Country tho he never affected popularity being wont to say Do the common sort of people 19 Courtesies together and yet you may lose their love if you do but go over the stile before them He died in restraint in the Savoy on the account of his Loyalty to his Soveraign 164 ... Memorable Persons A Sexton of the Cathedral of Peterborough interred 2 Queens Kath. Dowager and Mary of Scotland more than 50 years interceding betwixt their 2 sepultures He buried also 2 generations of people that lived in the place Noted Sheriffs An. 16. Rich. Widevil al. Woodvil married Jaquet Dutchess of Bedford monarch H. 6. of most ancient extraction malicious therefore the Cavil of Rich. Duke of York That the Family was made Noble which was not worth a Noble Yea 't is very probable that all the ancient Nobility of England are derived from his Daughters 23. Hen. Green of another Family than those of Green Norton built Draiton House in this County He had one Daughter and Heir Constance married to Jo. Stafford E. of Wilt. to whom she bare Edward who died without Issue so that her Inheritance devolved unto the Family of the Veres An. 1. Hen. Vere Arm. a jolly Gentleman both for Court and Camp monarch H. 7. a great Reveller good as well at a March as Masques being Governour of Guines in Picardie was created by H. 8. Baron of Harouden Ancestor to Edw. Lord Vau. now living He was a great Courtier and appeared in costly Equipage wearing on the Marriage day of P. Arthur a Gown worth above 1000 l. and the day following a Collar of S S worth 800 l. The solemn occasion of this Gallantry was that which hindred Empson from taking this Gentleman by the Collar and picking a Hole in his Gown upon the breach of some rusty penal Sumptuary Statute An. Th. Par. removed from Kendal-Castle in Westmerland into this County monarch H. 8. upon his marrying Maud Daughter of Sir Th. Green of Green-Norton He was Father to Q. Kath. Par and to W. Marquiss of Northam 15. W. Fitz-Williams Sen. Mil. first a Merchant-Taylor and Servant to Cardinal Woolsey was Alderman in London 1506. Afterwards upon his entertainment of his Mr. Woolsey at Milton in Northamptonshire the King being displeased therewith demanded how he durst harbour so great an Enemy to the State his Answer was That he had done it because he had been his Master and partly the means of his greatest Fortunes The K. was so well pleased with his Answer that saying himself had few such Servants immediately Knighted him and afterwards made him a privy Councellor 17. W. Par Uncle to Queen Kath. Par was by H. 8. created Baron Par of Horton 21. Jo. Clarke Mil. Aâ— 5. H. 8. at the Siege of Terrowane took Prisoner Lewis de Orleans D. of Longevile for which service he got the Arms of that Duke viz. a Canton sinister Az. and thereupon a Demi-Ram mounting Ar. armed O. betwixt 2 Flower de Luces in Chief of the last over all a Batune dexter-ways Ar. 24. Dav. Cecil was Grandfather to W. Cecil Baron of Burleigh and Lord Treasurer of England 25. W. Par Mil. brother to Q. Kath. Par was made Lord Par of Kendâ—l and E. of Essex in the right of Anne Bourcher his Wife King Ed. 6. created him Marq. of Northampton under Queen Mary he was condemned for siding with Queen Jane but pardoned and restored by Q. Eliz. He was skilled in Musick and wanted not for Valour tho unsuccessful in his employment against Ket He died 1571 without issue An. 1. Th. Tressam Mil. for his activity in bringing Q. Mary to the Crown monarch Q. Mary was by her made Prior of St. Jo. in Jerusalem An. 6. Edm. Brudenell Arm. afterwards Knighted was a great Antiquary monarch Q. Eliz. and seems to have entailed his Abilities on Th. Lord Brud of Stoughton 15. Th. Tressam Arm. Knighted 18 Eliz. built the Market-House at Rothwell For his Zeal to the Popish Religion he was confined to Wisbich Castle 20. Th. Cecil Mil. Son to Sir Will. Bar. of Burleigh was created E. of Exeter and married Dorothy Daughter to the Lord Latimer These joyntly bestowed 108 l. per An. on Clare-hall in Cambridge 34. Anth. Milemay Esq was Knighted by Q. Eliz. and sent Ambassador into France 43. Rob. Spencer Knight descended from the Spencers Earls of Glocester and Winchester was An. 1. Jac. created Baron Spencer of Wormleiton in Warw. speaking in Parliament of the Valour of their English Ancestors in defending the Liberties of the Nation your Ancestors said the Earl of Arundel were keeping of Sheep when those Liberties were defended The other returned And yours were then in plotting of Treason He was sent by K. James to Frederick Duke of Wirtenberge to present him with the Garter An. 2. Arth. Throgmorton Knight whose Sister was married to Sir Walt. Raleigh an ingenious Gentleman monarch K. James left his Estate to his 4 Daughters married
a Fight And hence forward the Sun of the Kings Cause declined versing more and more VVestward till at last it set in Cornwal and since after a long and dark night rose again by Gods goodness in the East when our Gracious Sovereign arrived at Dover Note that an 1607 there happened an Inundation by the irruption of the Severn-Sea which over-flowed this County almost 20 Miles in length and four in breadth though by Gods special Providence it drowned no more then 80 Persons BRISTOL BRistol or Bright-stow i. e. Illustrious Dwelling is divided by the River Avon and pleasantly Scituated on the Rising of a Hill The Buildings are fair and firm the Streets cleanly kept The City answereth its Name chiefly for having bred many Eminent Persons It is a Liberty of it self though it standeth both in Sommerset-shire and Glocester-shire There are Diamonds though somewhat dim produced at St. Vincents Rock near to this City Of Manufactures Gray Sope was anciently made only in this City As for Buildings Ratcliff-Church is the best Parish Church in England It was first Founded by Cannings first a Merchant then a Priest St. Augustines Church is better accommodated with publick Buildings about it for the See of the Bishop Under St. Vincents Rock on the VVest of the City there is St. Vincents Well the waters whereof run through some Mineral of Iron and are sovereign for sores and sicknesses being washt in or taken inwardly The Beer brewed thereof is wholsome against the Spleen If it should chance that the Crudity of the Waters trouble the Stomach there is a remedy in this City and that is Bristol Milk a Prov. or Sherry-Sack which the Courteous Inhabitants present to all Strangers when first visiting their City Martyrs Richard Sharp Th. Benion and Th. Hale were Martyred in this City in the dayes of Q. Mary whose Blood will be visited on account of Dalbye the Chancellour of this Diocess Jo. Holyman then Bishop of this City not having Persecuted any therein Prelates Ralph of Bristol born there and bred belike in the Covent of Glassenbury became Treasurer of St Pat. in Dublin then Bishop of Kildare He wrote the Life of Lawrance Arch-Bishop of Dublin and granted certain Indulgences to the Covent aforesaid He dyed 1232. Since the Reformation Tobias Matthew D. D. bred in Oxford became Bishop of Durham and at last of York He dyed 1628. See my Eccles Hist Seamen Hugh Eliot Merchant of this City the prime Pilot of our Nation in his Age first with the Assistance of Mr Thorn his Fellow Citizen found out New-found-Land though an 1527. before Virginia or any other English Plantation was conceived And note that no City in England London alone excepted hath in so short a time bred more brave and bold Seamen As for Eliot's discovery had it 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 VVriters Th. Norton a great Professor of Chymistry in the 7 Chap. of his Ordinal wrote the two following Lines of himself Thomas Norton of Briseto A perfect Master you may him trow The first Line whereof he modestly parted into the initial Syllables of several other Lines thereby obliging his Reader to become a perfect Master in Nominal Chymistry before he can extract the Golden Name of Norton He affirms of himself that being scarce 28 years of Age he learned the perfection of Chymistry in 40 dayes The spight is he complaineth that a Merchants Wife of Bristol stole from him the Elixir of Life Some suspect her to have been the Wife of VV. Cannings of whom before contemporary with Norton who started up to so great and sudden Wealth He is said to have undone himself and those who trusted him He dyed 1477. Jo. Spine D. D. in Oxford living under Edw. 4. left some Books to Posterity His sirname seems to be Latine which Englished is Thorn an ancient name in this City He was Provincial and Champion of the Carmelites through England Scotland and Ireland He laboured to make all believe that Christ was a Carmelite and Professor of wilfull Poverty by which he tacitly condemned the pomp of the Prelates Hereupon the Bishop of London his Diocesan cast him into Prison from whom he appealed to Paul II and went to Rome where he remained three years in close Prison then he was enlarged by 7 Cardinals to whom the business was referred Returning into London he was nominated Bishop of St. Dav. but never sat in that See He dyed 1â—86 W. Grocine an excellent Poet became publick Professor of the Greek Tongue in Oxford Erasmus owns him in his Epistles for his Patron and Master His Mistriss it seems having in a frolick pelted him with a Snow-ball he declared in a Poetical Rapture that that cold Meteor had made so great an addition to his Flame that it could not be quenched otherwise then by a reciprocal Affection Sola potes nostras extinguere Julia flammas Non nive non glacie sed potes igne pari He dyed an 1520. Romish Exile Writers Jo. Flower Printer skilful in Latine and Greek and a good Poet Orator and Divine wrote an Abridgment of Thomas his Summes the Translation of Osorius into English Having fled for his Religion he set up at Antwerp where he was serviceable to the Catholick Cause He dyed 1579. Benefactors to the Publick Robert Thorn a Merchant-Taylor in London gave more then 4445 pound to pious uses and to his Kindred 5142 pound He dyed a Batchelor 1532 and was buried in St. Christophers London Since the Reformation Mary Dale or Ramsey Daughter of William Dale became second Wife to Sir Thomas Ramsey Grocer and Lord Mayor of London 1577. She founded two Fellowships and two Scholarships in Peter-House in Cambridge on which she would have have setled 500 pounds per Annum on condition that it should be called the Colledge of Peter and Mary Dr. Soams then Master of the House refused affirming that Peter who so long lived single was now too old to have a Feminine Partner She dyed 1596 and lyeth buried in Christs-Church in London Thomas White D. D. was bred in Oxford and a Preacher in the Reign of Q. Eliz. He had one Cure of Souls but several dignities False was the Aspersion of his being an Usurer Besides Benefactions to Christs-Church and a Lecture in St. Pauls London he left 3000 pounds for the building of Sion-Colledge He built there also an Almshouse for twenty poor Folk allowing them yearly 6 pounds a piece and another at Bristol which is better endowed He dyed 1623. Mr. Jo. Simson Minister of St. Olaves Hart-street London perfected the aforesaid Colledge of Sion building the Gate-house with a fair Case for the Library and endowing it with 60 pounds per Annum Mr. Richard Grigson expended a great sum of Money in new casting of the Bells of Christs-Church in Bristol He paid 105 pounds for his reputed