by the Romans an emblem of liberty is esteemed by the English except Faulconers and Hunters a badge of servitude though very useful in themselves and the Ensign of constancy because not discomposed but retaining their fashion in what form soever they be crouded The best Caps were formerly made at Monmouth where the Cappers Chappel doth still remain being better carved and gilded than any other part of the Church But on the occasion of a great plague hapning in this Town the trade was some years since removed hence to Beaudly in Worcester-shire yet so that they are called Monmouth Caps unto this day Thus this Town retains though not the profit the credit of Capping and seeing the Child still keeps the Mothers name there is some hope in due time she may return unto her All I will adde is this if at this day the phrase of wearing a Monmouth Cap be taken in a bad acception I hope the inhabitants of that Town will endeavour to disprove the occasion thereof Saints Saint AMPHIBALUS a Citizen of Carlion See the Saints in Hereford shire Saint AARON was a wealthy Citizen of Carlion in this County who for the testimony of the Christian Faith was martyred under the Tyrant Emperor Dioclesian By the way we may observe the names of the three first British Martyrs as to their Language 1. Alban Of Latine Originall 2. Amphibalus  Greek  3. Aaron  Hebrew  It seems that the Christian Britons at the Font quitted their Native names as barbarous and imposed on their Children those of the learned Languages This Aaron was martyred Anno Dom. 303. Saint JULIUS It is pity to part so fast friends both being Citizens of Carlion Yea they were lovely in their lives and in their deaths they were not divided both suffering martyrdom together and therefore like Philip and Jacob one day is assigned to their Memories in the Kalendar Nor must I forget how Carlion the place of their aboad though now a small Town was once a great City stretching so far oâ—… both sides of the River that Saint Julians a house of late of Sir William Herberts was sometimes within the City though now about a mile South-West thereof being a Church dedicated anciently to the Memory of this Saint Julius Cardinals GEFFERY of Monmouth is by some very firmly avouched to have been created a Cardinal but by what Pope and with what Title uncertain but my worthy Author justly suspecteth the truth hereof alledging that Popes in that age advanced few Forraigners at so great a distance to that Title except their merits to the See of Rome which appears not to this Jeffery were very great Let me adde that it is improbable so much honour should be done unto him whilest living who was so solemnly disgraced after his death whose Books extant in his life were afterwards by the Court of Rome publickly prohibited See him therefore in this Shire under the Title of Writers JOHN of Monmouth so called from the place of his Nativity D. D. and Canon of Lincoln was chosen Anno 1296. Bishop of Landaff The manner whereof was remarkable for when Robert Kilwarby complained to Pope Celestine how that Cathedral had been for seven years without a Bishop caused either by the troublesomness of those Times or the exility of revenue thereof his Holiness remitted his Election wholly to the discretion of this Arch-Bishop to conferre that vacant See on whomsoever he pleased The Arch-Bishop knowing all eyes intent on his Integrity herein resolved on a Welsh-man by his birth as most proper for and acceptable in the place and on one of merit for the Function Both Qualifications met in this John of Monmouth as British by his birth and alliance and Charactered to be Doctus Pius Theologus One of his Successors in that Bishoprick acknowledgeth that he was Multimodis sedi suae Benefactor and more particularly that he procured the Rectory of Newland in the Forrest of Dean to be appropriated thereunto But one Bishop Anthony Kitchin by name more unlanded Landaff in one than all his Predecessors endowed it in four hundred years This John dying April 8. 1323. was buried in Saint Maries Chappel whose Epitaph in French is hardly legible at this day on his Marble Monument WALTER CANTILUPE was Son to William the elder Lord Cantilupe whose prime residence was at Abergavennie in this County One of high birth higher preferment made by King Henry the third Bishop of Worcester and highest spirit In his time the Popes Legate came into England and complained of mâ—…ny Clergy-men keeping their livings against the Canons intending either to force such irregular Incumbents into avoydance so to make room for the Popes Favourites or else to compound for their continuance at his arbitrary price But our Walter would not yield to such extortion Indeed he was one of a keene nature and his two-edged spirit did cut on both sides against The Pope The King Telling Rusland his Legate coming hither 1255. that he would preferre to be hang'd on the Gallows rather than ever consent to such expilation of the Church Siding with the Barons he encouraged them in their Civil Warres promising Heaven for their reward though this doctrine cost him an excommunication from the Pope Lying on his death-bed he was touched with true remorse for his disloyalty and upon his desire obtained absolution He died February the fifth 1267. whom I behold as Uncle unto Thomas Cantilupe the Sainted Bishop of Hereford Souldiers RICHARD de CLARE was born as from all concentred probabilities may be conjectured at Strigule-Castle in this County and had the Title of Earl of Strigule and Pembroke He was otherwise surnamed Strongbow from drawing so strong a Bow and had Brachia projectissima saith my Author though I can hardly believe that Reacher which another writeth of him that with the palms of his hands he could touch his knees though he stood up right More appliable to him is the expression of Tully Nihil egit levi brachio being a person of effectual performance It hapned that Mac Murugh Lord of Leinster in the year of our Lord 1167. being expelled his Territory for several Tyrannies by the Lords of Meth and Conaght repaired to our King Henry the second and invited him to invade Ireland But that politick King fearing if failing in success to forfeit the reputation of his discretion would not engage in the design but permitted such Subjects of his who had a mind Militare propriis stipendiis to adventure themselves therein Amongst these Richard Strongbow was the principal going over into Ireland with twelve hundred men too great for an Earls Train yet too little for a Generals Army to make a National Invasion yet so great his success that in a short time he prossessed himself of the Ports of Leinster and Mounster with large lands belonging thereunto insomuch that King Henry grew jealous of his greatness remanded
Gospell He was a Zacheus for his Stature and with him tall in Piety and Charity He moved King Alfred to found or restore the University of Oxford on which account his memory is sacred to all posterity He died Anno Dom. 883. whose body was buried by one Barry his Scholar in Eynsebury since St. Neots in Huntington-shire and some say was afterwards removed to the Abby of Crouland Martyrs Of the forty four Martyrs in this Shire Three were most Remarkable 1. JOHN LAURENCE who at the Stake was permitted a Posture peculiar to himself For being so infeebled with long durance and hard usage that he could not stand he had a Chair allowed him and had the painfull ease to sit therein Nor must we forget how little Children being about the fire Câ—…ied unto him God strengthen you God strengthen you which was beheld as a product of his providence who out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings ordained Strength as also it evidenced their Pious Education To say Hosanna is as soon learnt by children as go up thou Bald head if it be as surely taught unto them 2. THOMAS HAWKES Gentleman first brought into trouble for refusing to Christen his Child after the Popish fashion This man going to the Stake promised his friends to give them some solemn token of the clearness and comfort of his Conscience In performance where of whilst his body was burning he raised up himself and though having the sence having no fear of the Fire joyfully clapp'd his hands over his head to the admiration of all the beholders 3. ROSE ALLIN a Virgin who being in her Calling fetching Beer for her Bedrid Mother was intercepted by Justice or rather un-justice Tyrrell who with a Candle most cruelly burnt her wrists which her Fire-proof patience most constantly endured What was said of the Roman scaevola when he burnt his hand before Porcenna is more appliable to this Maid Manum amisit sed Palmam retinuit Tyrrell did this meerly by the Law of his List otherwise no statute except written on the back-side of the book did authorize him for so Tyrannicall an act Some days after the fire which here took Livery and seisin of her hand brought her whole body into the possession thereof Confessors RICHARD GEORGE Labourer of West-Barfold is most eminent amongst the many Confessors in this Shire For he had successively three wives whereof two were burnt and the third imprisoned for Religion viz. 1. Agnes George burnt at Stratford-Bow June 27. 1556. 2. Christian George burnt at Colchester May 26. 1558. 3. ........... George imprisoned in Colchester and escap'd by Queen Maries death Novemb. 17. 1558. Some who consult the dates of his wives deaths will condemn him for over-speedy marriage and the appetite to a new wife is not comely before the grief for the former be well digested Such consider not that their glorious death in so good a cause was the subject rather of his joy then grief and that being necessitated for his children sake to marry he was carefull as it appears to marry in the Lord. Nor did he thrust his wives into the fire and shrink back from the flames himself who being imprisoned in Colchester had followed his two first and gone along with his last to the Stake had not Divine Providence by Queen Maries death prevented it Cardinalls THOMAS BOURCHIER was son to Sir William Bourchier who though but an English Knight was a French Earl of Ewe in Normandy Created by King Henry the fifth and had a great estate in this County with many Mansion-houses Hawsted being the place of their principall residence where I presume this Prelate was born He was bred in the University of Oxford whereof he was Chancellour 1454. Dean of Saint Martins then successively Bishop of Worcester Ely Arch-bishop of Caâ—…terbury and Cardinall by the title of Saint Cyriacus in the Baths A Prelate besides his high birth aforesaid and brotherhood to Henry Bourchier first Earl of Essex of that Surname remarkable on many accounts First for his vivacity being an old man and proportionably an older Bishop 1. Being consecrated Bishop of Worcester 1435. the fourteenth of Henry the sixth 2. Dying Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1486. the second of K. Henry the seventh Whereby it appeareth that he wore a Mitre full fifty one years a term not to be paralleld in any other person Secondly he saw strange revolutions in State the Civil-wars between Lancaster and York begun continued and concluded For though Bishop Morton had the happiness to make the match Arch-bishop Bourchier had the honour to marry King Henry the seventh to the Daughter of King Edward the fourth so that his hand first solemnly held that sweet posie wherein the White and Red Roses were tied together Thirdly for his wary compliance that he lost not himself in the labyrinth of such intricate times applying himself politiquely to the present predominant power However it may be said of him Praestitit hic Praesul nil tanto sanguine munere tempore dignum He left no monument to posterity proportionable what was an hundred pounds and a chest given to Cambridge to his great blood rich place and long continuance therein But this my Author imputeth unto the troublesomeness of the times seeing peace was no sooner setled and the land began to live but he died March 30. 1486. I know not what generous planet had then influence on the Court of Rome this I know that England never saw such a concurrence of noble Prelates who as they were Peers by their places were little less by their descent I behold their birth a good buttress of Episcopacy in that age able in Parliament to check and crush any Antiprelaticall project by their own relations But let us count how many were contemporaries with Thomas Bourchier from his first consecration at Worcester till the day of his death John Stafford son to the Earl of Stafford Arch-bishop of Canterbury Robert Fitz-Hugh Bishop of London Henry Beauford son to John Duke of Lancaster Bishop of Winchester William Gray son to the Lord Gray of Codnor Bishop of Ely Marmaduke Lumley extracted from the Lord Lumley Bishop of Lincoln Richard Beauchamp brother to the L. Saint Amand Bishop of Sarum Lionel Woodvile son to the Earl of Rivers Bishop of Sarum Peter Courtney extracted from the Earls of Devon Bishop of Exeter Richard Courtnee of the same extraction Bishop of Norwich John Zouch descended of the Lord Zouch Bishop of Landaffe George Novile brother to the Make-King Earl of Warwick Arch-bishop of York William Dudley son to the Lord Dudley Bishop of Durham William Piercy son to the Earl of Northumberland Bishop of Carlile But after the death of Bourchier I meet with but three Bishops of noble extraction viz. James Stanley Edmond Audley and Cardinall Pole However they were though of lower image of no less learning and religion Prelates RICHARD de BARKING took his name according to the Clergy-mens
Culcword for 9 years Anno 17 Rob. de Walsh Anno 18 Will. de Hollewell Anno 19 Will. de Coleworth Anno 20 Petr. de Tany for 4 years Anno 24 Bartr de Crioll Anno 25 Ioh. de Walton Anno 26 Idem Anno 27 Rich. de Munfitchet for 4 years Anno 31 Will. filius Regind for 4 years Anno 35 Rich. de Whitsand Anno 36 Hen. de Helegton Anno 37 Anno 38 Idem Anno 39 Rad. de Ardene Anno 40 Idem Anno 41 Tho. de Cameden Anno 42 Hub. de Monte Cam. Anno 43 Idem Anno 44 Rich. de Taney Anno 45 Rich. de Taney Math. de la Mare Anno 46 Math. de la Mare Anno 47 â—…dem Anno 48 Idem Anno 49 Nich. le Epigornell Anno 50 Nich. de Sathrich Anno 51 Idem Anno 52 Idem Anno 53 Ioh. de Kammell Walt de Essex Anno 54 Will. de Blunvill Anno 55 Idem Anno 56 Walt. de Essex EDW. I. Anno 1 Walt. de Essex Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Tho. de Sandivic Anno 4 Laur. de Scio Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Idem Anno 7 Will. de San. Caro Anno 8 Regin de Ginges forâ—… â—… years Anno 13 Idem Will de Lamburne Anno 14 Idem Anno 15 Hugo de Blound Anno 16 Idem Anno 17 Rad. de 〈◊〉 Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Hen. Grapâ—…ill Anno 20 Idem Anno 21 Will. le Grose Anno 22 Will. de Suâ—…ton Anno 23 Idem Anno 24 Idem Anno 25 Simon de Bradenham Anno 26 Idem Anno 27 Idem Anno 28 Ioh. de Le Anno 29 Idem Anno 30 Will. de Harpden Anno 31 Ioh. de Bassenburne Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Ioh. de la Le Anno 34 Idem Anno 35 Ioh. de Harpessend EDW. II. Anno 1 Walt. de Bauds Anno 2 Alanus de Goldingham Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 Gafr de la Le Ioh. de la Hay Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Ioh. Aignell Anno 7 Ioh. Ward de Hoo Anno 8 Rich. Perers for 4 years Anno 12 Iohan. de Vouret Rad. Giffard Anno 13 Idem Anno 14 Nich Engayn Anno 15 Idem Anno 16 Adam Frances Anno 17 Tho. Gobium Anno 18 Rich. de Perers Anno 19 Idem EDW. III. Anno 1 Rich. Perers Anno 2 Will. Baud Anno 3 Rich. de Perers Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Ioh. de Wanton Anno 6 Ioh. de la Hay Ioh. de Wanton Anno 7 Ioh. de la Hay Adam de Bloy Anno 8 Will. Baud Adam Bloy Anno 9 Ioh. de Coggeshall for 5 years Anno 14 Idem Will de Wanton Anno 15 Will. Atte Moore Anno 16 Hen. Gernet Anno 17 Idem Anno 18 Ioh. de Cogeshall Anno 19 Idem Anno 20 Ioh. de Cogeshall for 4 years Anno 24 Pet. de Boxstede Anno 25 Tho. Lacy Anno 26 Ioh. de Cogeshall Anno 27 Idem Anno 28 Idem Anno 29 Hugo Fitz Simond Anno 30 Will. de Enefeld Anno 31 Tho. de Chabham Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Roger. le Louth Anno 34 Idem Anno 35 Hugo Blount Anno 36 Will. de Leyre Anno 37 Guido de Boys Anno 38 Tho. Fittling Anno 39 Ioh. Iernoun Anno 40 Tho. de Helpeston Anno 41 Ioh. Oliver Anno 42 Tho. Chardlowe Anno 43 Ioh. Heuxteworth Anno 44 Idem Anno 45 Tho. Basingborn Anno 46 Will. Baud Anno 47 Ioh. de Broumpton Anno 48 Ioh. Filiol Anno 49 Edw. Fitz Simond Anno 50 Ioh. Battail Anno 51 Rob. Fitz Williams Richard I. 7 WILL. de LONGO CAMPO CANCELLARIUS DOMINI REGIS This is that insolent Bishop of Ely our Chroniclers having so much anger at his pride and no pity at his downfall He seems a Riddle to me who was Lord-Chancellour of England a Norman by birth and could not speak a word of English It seems Chancery-suits in that age were penned and pleaded in French King John 1 HUGO de NEVIL JOHAN de NEVIL Hugh was he who attended King Richard the first and slew a Lyon in the Holy-land a great Benefactour to Waltham-Abby in which Church he was buried John was his son to whom Mat. Paris giveth this testimony Non ultimus inter Angliae nobiles patris sui pedetentim sequeâ—…s vestigia These worthy persons in my Ecclesiasticall History I mistook for the Ancestors of who were but the allies to the honourable family of the Nevills being since informed that the issue-male of this Hugh and John is long since extinct Edward II. 1 WALTER de BAUD This ill-sounding-surname is both ancient and honorable Some do deduce it from Baden a Marquisate in Germany and most sure it is that they here have flourished 12. Generations as followeth 1. Sir Simon Baud or Bauld Knight died in the Holy-land 1174. 2. Sir Nicholas Baud Knight died in Gallicia in Spain 1189. 3. Sir Walter Baud Knight died at Coringham in this County 1216. 4. Sir William Baud Knight died at Coringham 1270. 5. Sir Walter de Baud Sheriff this year died at Coringham 1310. 6. Sir William de Baud died at Coringham 1343. 7. Sir John de Baud Knight died in Gascoigne 1346. 8. Sir William de Baud Knight died at Hadham-parva 1375. thrice Sheriff under King Edward the third 9. Thomas Baud the first Esq. of his line died at Hadham aforesaid 1420. 10 Thomas Baud the second Esq. died at Hadham 1449. he was Sheriff in the 25. of King Henry the sixth 11. Sir Thomas Baud Knight died in London 1500. 12. John Baud Esq. died at Coringham 1550. The Bauds held land in this County of the Dean and Chapter of Saint Pauls by paying a Fee-Buck and Doe in their seasons They were brought alive as I take it in Procession to the High-altar in the Church where the Dean and Chapter met them apparalled in Copes embroydered with Bucks and Does the gift of the Bauds to their Church with garlands of Roses on their heads and then the Keeper who brought them blowed their deaths which was answered by the Company of Horners in London resounding the same Other ceremonies were used better befitting their Mouths who cried out Great is Diana of the Ephesians then the Ministers of the Gospell Some seem'd to excuse it as done in commemoration of the property of that place altered to a Christian-church from a Temple of Diana I suspect the Bauds extinct in Essex and understand them extant in Northamton-shire Sheriffs of Essex and Hertford-shire Name Place Armes RICH. II.   Anno   1 Rob. Goldington  Argent 2 Lions passant Azure 2 Ioh. Fitz-Simonds  Argent 3 Escoucheons Gules 3 Edw. Bensted   4 Ioh. Seawale  S. a Cheveron betwixt 3 Gaddbees Argent 5 Will. Godmanston   6 Galf. de Dersham   7 Tho. Battaile  G. a Griffon Sergriant within a border engrailed Or. 8 Ioh. Walton  Argent a
to inherit Happiness so severe her Education VVhilest a childe her Father's was to her an House of Correction nor did she write Woman sooner than she did subscribe Wife and in Obedience to her Parents was unfortunately matched to the L. Guilford Dudley yet he was a goodly and for ought I â—…ind to the contrary a Godly Gentleman whose worst fault was that he was Son to an ambitious Father She was proclaimed but never crowned Queen living in the Tower which Place though it hath a double capacity of a Palace and a Prison yet appeared to her chiefly in the later Relation For She was longer a Captive than a Queen therein taking no contentment all the time save what she found in God and a clear Conscience Her Family by snatching at a Crown which was not lost a Coronet which was their own much degraded in Degree and more in Estate I would give in an Inventory of the vast Wealth they then possessed but am loth to grieve her surviving Relations with a List of the Lands lost by her Fathers attainture She suffered on Tower-Hill 〈◊〉 on the twelfth of February KATHARINE GREY was second Daughter to Henry Duke of Suffolk T is pity to part the Sisters that their Memories may mutually condole and comfort one another She was born in the same place and when her Father was in height married to Henry Lord Herbert Son and Heir to the Earl of Pembroke buâ—… the politick old Earl perceiving the case altered and what was the high way to Honour turned into the ready road to Ruin got pardon from Queen Mary and brake the marriage quite off This Heraclita or Lady of Lamentation thus repudiated was seldome seen with dry eyes for some years together sighing out her sorrowful condition so that though the Roses in her Cheeks looked very wan and pale it was not for want of watering Afterward Edward Seymour Earl of Hertford married her privately without the Queens Licence and concealed till her pregnancy discovered it Indeed our English Proverb It is good to be near a kin to Land holdeth in private patrimonies not Titles to Crowns where such Aliances hath created to many much molestation Queen Elizabeth beheld her with a jealous Eye unwilling she should match either Forreign Prince or English Peer but follow the pattern she set her of constant Virginity For their Presumption this Earl was fined fifteen thousand pounds imprisoned with his Lady in the Tower and severely forbidden her company But Love and Money will find or force a passage By bribing the Keeper he bought what was his own his Wifes Embraces and had by her a surviving Son Edward Ancestor to the Right Honourable the Duke of Somerset She dyed January 26. a Prisoner in the Tower 1567. after nine years durance therein MARY GREY the youngest Daughter frighted with the Infelicity of her two Elder Sisters Jane and this Katharine forgot her Honour to remember her Safety and married one whom she could love and none need fear Martin Kayes of Kent Esq. who was a Judge at Court but only of Doubtful casts at Dice being Seâ—…jeant-Porter and died without Issue the 20. of April 1578. Martyrs HUGH LATIMER was born at Thurcaston in this County what his Father was and how qualified for his State take from his own mouth in his first Sermon before King Edward being confident the Reader will not repent his pains in perusing it My Father was a Yeoman and had no Lands of his own onely he had a Farme of three or four Pounds a Year at the uttermost and hereupon he tilled so much as kept halfe a dozen men he had walk for an Hundred Sheep and my Mother milked thiry Kine he was able and did finde the King an HARNESS with himself and his Horse whilest he came unto the Place that he should receive the Kings Wages I can remember I buckled his Harness when he went to Black Heath Field He kept me to School or else I had not been able to have Preached before the Kings Majestie now He married my Sisters with Five Pounds or twenty Nobles a piece so that he brought them up in Godliness and Fear of God He kept Hospitallity for his Poor Neighbours and some Almes He gave to the Poor and all this did he of the same Farme where he that now hath it payeth sixteen pounds by the Year and more and is not able to do any thing for his Prince for himself nor for his Children or give a Cup of Drink to the Poor He was bred in Christ's Colledg in Cambridg and converted under God by Mr. Bilney from a Violent Papist to a Zealous Protestant He was afterwards made Bishop of Worcester and four Years after outed for refusing to subscribe the six Articles How he was martyred at Oxford 1555. is notoriously known Let me add this Appendix to his Memory when the Contest was in the House of Lords in the Raign of K. Henry the Eighth about the giving all Abby Lands to the King There was a Division betwixt the Bishops of the Old and New Learning for by those Names they were distinguished Those of the Old Learning unwillingly willing were contented that the King should make a Resumption of all those Abbies which his Ancestors had founded leaving the rest to continue according to the Intention of their Founders The Bishops of the new Learning were more pliable to the Kings Desires Only Latimer was dissenting earnestly urging that two Abbies at the least in every Diocess of considerable Revenues might be preserved for the Maintenance of Learned men therein Thus swimming a good while against the stream he was at last carried away with the Current Eminent Prelates before the Reformation GILBERT SEGRAVE Born at Segrave in this County was bred in Oxford where he attained to great Learning as the Books written by him do declare The first Preferment I find conferred on him was The Provosts place of St. Sepulchers in York and the occasion how he obtained it is remakable The Pope had formerly bestowed it on his near Kinsman which argueth the good value thereof seeing neither Eagles nor Eagles Birds do feed on Flyes This Kinsman of the Popes lying on his death bed was troubled in Conscience which speakâ—…eth loudest when men begin to be speechlesse and all Sores pain most when nere night that he had undertaken such a Cure of Souls upon him who never was in England nor understood English and therefore requested the Pope his Kinsman that after his Death the Place might be bestowed on some Learned English-man that so his own absence and negligence might in some sort be repaired by the Residence and diligence of his Successor And this Segrave to his great Credit was found the fittest Person for that Performance He was afterwards preferred Bishop of London sitting in that See not full four years dying Anno Dom. 1317. WALTER DE LANGTON was born at VVest-langton in this County He was highly in favour
lost his life for the house of Lancaster and Petitioned King Edward to take off the sequestration from her Joynter Beauty is a good solicitress of an equal sute especially where youth is to be the judge thereof The King fell much inamored with her feature whilst the Lady put her self into a chast posture and kept a discreet distance neither forward to accept nor froward to decline his favonr She confessed her self too worthless to be his wife yet pleaded too worthy to be his wanton till at last the King was content to take her upon her own terms though a widow and his Subject She got more greatness then joy height then happiness by her marriage her husband keeping company with others for his pleasure her for posterity Nor was it long before the tempest of his lust drave him to another Shore which had a greater share in his affections This Lady liv'd to see the death of her husdand murder of her two sons restraint of her self and rest of her children And though her condition was altered and bettered by the marriage of her eldest daughter to King Henry the seventh yet that cunning King who always weighed his love in the ballance of policy was not over dutiful to her nor over-loving to her daughter She dyed Anno Domini 14 ... But her memory is most remarkable to posterity for finishing Queens-colledge in Cambridge wherein I had my first breding and for it and all therein shall ever have an unfeigned affection begun by Queen Margaret wife to King Henry the sixth an implacable enemy to her husband so that the two houses of Lancaster and York had their first amity in that Foundation a comfortable presage that in process of time they should be publikely and effectually united RICHARD PLANTAGENET son to Richart Plantagenet Duke of York was born at Fothinghay castle in this County He was somewhat rumpled in his Mothers womb which caused his crooked back otherwise handsome enough for a Soldier Ajax and Ulysses Valour and Eloquence met in his person having as well a tongue to flatter as an arm to fight He compassed the Crown by cruelty and the killing of his Nephews the two Sons of King Edward the fourth When King he made good Laws which never procured him the peoples love as who beheld vice for his native colour and virtue for his painted complexion on design to make himself popular He lost the Crown and his life in the battle of Bosworth where it may be verified of him what Livy saith of Hannibal when beaten by Scipio that in that fight he performed all the offices of a wise General and valiant Souldier onely fortune did not befriend him If any except that King Richard in this battle was too prodigal of his own person engaging it too far for a General his condition did excuse him herein with whom it was all one to dye as too survive Success His memory hath since met with a Modern Pen who hath not onely purged but praised it to the height and pity it is that so able an Advocate had not a more meriting person to his Client He was slain Anno Domini 1435. KATHARINE PAR daughter to Sir Thomas Par and last wife to King Henry the eighth may probably be presumed a Native of this Shire However to prevent cavils we resign her over to Westmerland where God willing we shall meet with her character Saints WERBURGH was daughter to Wolpher Prince of Mercia who had his chief Palace of Residence at Wedon in the Street in this County which place her father bestowed on her for her Portion She was bred a Nun under Saint Audery her Aunt and Abbess at Ely untill such time that she was able of herself to go alone without leading in a Monastical life Returning to Wedon she turned that place which had been her fathers Palase into a Monastery Besides Wedon she had the inspection of two other Monasteries Trekingham in Lincolnshire and Hamburge noted by my Author neer Ely in Cambridgeshire though no such place appear in any modern Maps or Catalogue She parted herself whilst living successively betwixt these three places But on her death-bed commanded her body to be buried at Hamburge when contrary to her Will it was carried to the Monastery of Trekingham and the gates thereof fast locked and carefully watched to keep so great a Treasure Reader if the day be as long with thee when thou readest as it was with me when I wrote the ensuing story time may the better be afforded for the perusal thereof My Author proceeds Eut see a wonder It were well if we could see whereas now by his leave we do but hear it They which were appointed to watch the same fell into a deep sleep so as the people of Hamburge coming in the night for the Body the gates both of the Monastery and Church were opened themselves without mens hands and taking it away without any resistance they interred it at Hamburge as before her death she requested Wonder not they were so ambitious for her body for as Werburgh was her name which by a great Antiquary is interpreted the Keeper or Conserver of a Burgh or Town so all presumed she would prove a Tutelary Patroness to the place which possessed her body seeing some have reported that she hath miraculously driven away all Geese from Wedon that they shall destroy no grain thâ—…reabout If this be true then as a certain Jupiter amongst the Heathens was called Jupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jupiter the flie-flapper who drave away those offensive Insects let this Saint hereafter be termed Werburga 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chaser away of noisome Geese which spoil grain grass and water where they come She died Anno Domini 675. her body was afterwards taken up and translated to Chester where Hugh Lupus somewhat after the Conquest built the fair Monastery of Saint Werburghs to her memory converted into a Cathedral by King Henry the eight Martyrs This County affordeth no Marian Martyrs thanks be to a good and Gracious God a meek and moderate man David Pool Bishop of Peterburough whom I here mention the more willingly not knowing where to fix his Nativity However Unus Homo nobis One Martyr we had not chargable on the Bishop but his bloudy Arch-Deacons account John Gurd of Syrsam a Shoo-maker burnt in Northampton As for Augustine Dudley Parson of Castor though some of his familly credibly informed me that he was Martyred yet on enquiry his fufferings amounted not to loss of life and therefore the less wonder that they escaped the drag-net of Master Fox's diligence Cardinals HENRY CHICHLEY was born at Higham Ferrers in this County and by the Author of Antiquitates Britanicae is avouched made Cardinal by the title of Saint Eusebius But because this appeareth not in his Epitaph on his Tombe wherein an exact inventory of all his dignities the truth thereof is
bred in Bennet Colledge in Cambridge to which afterwards he proved a bountiful Benefactor building a beautiful Chappel therein He afterwards applied himself to the study of the Common Law and was made Attourney to the Court of Wards whence he was preferred Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in the First of Queen Elizabeth 1558. He married Anne second daughter to S â— Anthony Cook of Giddy-hall in Essex Governour to King Edward the Sixth And it is worthy of our observation how the Sates-men in that Age were arched together in affinity to no small support one to another Sir John Cheek Secretary to K. Edward the Sixth whose sister was first wife to Sr William Cecil Secretary to the same King Sir Will. Cecil aforesaid for his second wife married the wives sister unto this Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper Sr. Francis Walsingham Secretary to Queen Elizabeth had a sister married unto Sir Walter Mildmay Chancellour of the Exchequer Sir Franc. Walsingham was also brother in Law unto Sir Tho. Randolph that grand States-man Ambassador To return to Sir Nicholas Bacon he was condemned by some who seemed wise and commended by those that were so for not causing that Sâ—…atute to be repealed the Queen relying on him as her Oracle of Law whereby the Queen was made illegitimate in the dayes of her Father For this wise States-man would not open that wound which time had partly closed and would not meddle with the variety yea contrariety of Statutes in this kind whereby people would rather be perplexed than satisfied but derived her right from another Statute which allowed her succession the rather because Lawyers maintain That a Crown once worn cleareth all defects of the wearer thereof He continued in his Office about eighteen years being a Man of rare wit and deep experience Cui fuit ingenium subtile in corpore crasso For he was loaden with a corpulent body especially in his old Age so that he would be not only out of breath but also almost out of life with going from Westminster-hall to the Star-chamber in so much when sitting down in his place it was some time before he could recover himself And therefore it was usual in that Court that no Lawyer should begin to speak till the Lord Keeper held up his staffe as a signal to him to begin He gave for his Motto Mediocria Firma and practised the former part thereof Mediocria Never attaining because never affecting any great Estate He was not for Invidious Structures as some of his Contemporaries but delighted in Domo Domino pari Such as was his house at Gorhambury in Hartfordshire And therefore when Queen Elizabeth coming thither in progresse told him My Lord your house is too little for you No Madam returned he no less wittely than gratefully But it is your Highness that hath made me too great for mine house Now as he was a just practiser of the first part of this Motto Mediocria so no doubt he will prove a true Prophet in the second part thereof Firma having left an Estate rather good than great to his posterity whose eldest son Sir Edward Bacon in this County was the first Baronet of England He died on the 20th of February 1578 and Iieth buried in the Quire of St. Pauls In a word he was a goodman a grave States-man a Father to his Country and Father to Sir FRANCIS BACON Sir WILLIAM DRUERY was born in this County where his Worshipful Family had long flourished at Haulsted His name in Saxon soundeth a Pearle to which he answered in the pretiousness of his disposition clear and hard innocent and valiant and therefore valued deservedly by his Queen and Country His youth he spent in the French Wars his middle in Scotland and his old Age in Ireland He was Knight Marshal of Barwick at what time the French had possessed themselves of the Castle of Edenburgh in the minority of King James Queen Elizabeth employed this Sir William with 1500 men to besiege the Castle which service he right worthily performed reducing it within few dayes to the true owner thereof Anno 1575 he was appointed Lord President of Mounster whether he went with competent Forces and executed impartial Justice in despite of the Opposers thereof For as the Sign of Leo immediately precedeth Virgo and Libra in the Zodiack so no hope that innocency will be protected or Justice administred in a Barbarous Country where power and strength do not first secure a passage unto them But the Earl of Desmond opposed this good President forbidding him to enter the County of Kerry as a Palatinate peculiarly appropriated unto himself Know by the way as there were but four Palatinates in England Chester LancasterDurham and Ely whereof the two former many years since were in effect invested in thâ—… Crown there were no fewer than eight Palatinates in Ireland possessed by their Respective Dynasts claiming Regal Rites therein to the great retarding of the absolute Conquest of that Kingdom Amongst these saith my Author Kerry became the Sanctuary of sin and Refuge of Rebels as out-lawed from any English Jurisdiction Sir William no whit terrified with the Earls threatning entred Kerry with a competent Train and there dispenced Justice to all persons as occasion did require Thus with his seven-score men he safely forced his return through seven hundred of the Earls who sought to surprise him In the last year of his life he was made Lord Deputy of Ireland and no doubt had performed much in his place if not afflicted with constant sickness the fore-runner of his death at Waterford 1598. Sir ROBERT NAUNTON was born in this County of Right ancient Extraction some avouching that his Family were here before others that they came in with the Conqueror who rewarded the chief of that Name for his service with a great Inheretrix given him in marriage In so much that his Lands were then estimated at a vast sum in my Judgment seven hundred pounds a year For along time they were Patrons of Alderton in this County where I conceive Sir Robert was born He was first bred Fellow Commoner in Trinity Colledge and then Fellow of Trinity-Hall in Cambridge He was Proctor of the University Anno Domini 160 0 1 which Office according to the Old Circle returned not to that Colledge but once in fourty four years He addicted himself from his youth to such studies as did tend to accomplish him for Publick imployment I conceive his most excellent piece called Fragmenta Regalia set forth since his death was a fruit of his younger years He was afterwards sworn Secretary of State to King James on Thursday the eighth of January 1617. which place he discharged with great ability and dexterity And I hope it will be no offence here to insert a pleasant passage One Mr. Wiemark a wealthy Man great Novilant and constant Pauls walker hearing the News that day of the beheading of Sir Walter Raleigh His head said he
One hundred thousand pounds towards maintaining the war then on foot against the Turks This vast donation makes some suspect this Sir George for a Knight who by this might have been Eques Auratus though indeed never more than Sir Priest and Canon of Bridlington Returning into his native Country and desiring to repose his old age no Philosophers Stone to quiet retirement he was dispensed with by the Pope to leave his Canons place as too full of employment and became a Carmelite-Anchorite at Boston in Lincolnshire where he wrote no fewer than 25. Books though his Compound of Alchimy carrieth away the credit of all the rest It presenteth the Reader with the twelve gates leading to the making of the Philosophers Stone which are thus reckoned up in order 1. Calcination 2. Solution 3. Separation 4. Conjunction 5. Putrefaction 6. Congelation 7. â—…ibation 8. Sublimation 9. Fermentation 10. Exaltation 11. Multiplication 12. Projection Oh for a Key saith the Common Reader to open these Gates and expound the meaning of these words which are familiar to the knowing in this mystery But such who are disaffected thereunto what Art hath not enemies demand whether these gates be to let in or let out the Philosophers Stone seeing Projection the last of all proves but a Project producing nothing in effect We must not forget how the said Sir George beseecheth all men wheresoever they shall meet with any of his Experiments written by him or that go under his name from the year 1450. to the year 1470. either to burn them or afford them no credit being written according to his esteem not proofe and which upon trial he afterwards found false and vaine For mine own part I believe his Philosophy truer than his Chimical Divinity for so may I call his Work wherein he endeavours to equal in merit for mankind the compassion of the Virgin Mary with the passion of Christ. He died about the year of our Lord 1492. and some of his Works are since exactly set forth by my worthy and accomplished Friend Elias Ashmole Esqire in his Theatrum Chimicum Britannicum THOMAS JOHNSON was born in this County not far from * Hull bred an Apothecary in London where he attained to be the best Herbalist of his age in England making Additions to the Edition of Gerard. A man of such modesty that knowing so Much he would own the knowledge of Nothing The University of Oxford bestowed on him the Honourary degree of Doctor in Physick and his loyalty engaged him on the Kings side in our late Civil Warre When in Basing House a dangerous piece of service was to be done this Doctor who publickly pretended not to Valour undertook and performed it Yet afterwards he lost his life in the siege of the same House and was to my knowledge generally lamented of those who were of an opposite judgement But let us bestow this Epitaph upon him Hic Johnsone jaces sed si mors cederet herbis Arte fugata tua cederet illa tuis Here Iohnson lies could Physick fence deaths dart Sure death had bin declined by his art His Death happened Anno Dom. 1644. Wâ—…iters ALPHRED of Beverley born therein a Town termed Urbs or City by Bale or thereabouts and bred in the University of Cambridge Hence he returned to his native place where he was made Treasurer of the Convent â—…ence as some will have it commonly called Alphredus Thesaurarius others conceiâ—…g this his Topical relation too narrow to give him so general a Name will have him sâ—… stiled from being so carefull a storer up God send more to succeed him in that Office of memorable Antiquities Indeed with the good Housholder he brought out of his Treasury things new and old writing a Chronicle from Brutus to the time of his own death which happened Anno 1136. GULIELMUS REHIEVAILENSIS or WILLIAM of RIEVAULX was so named from the place of his Nativity in this County being otherwise a Monk of Rushford His Learning was great according to that age and his genius enclined him most to History whereof he wrote a fair Volumne of the things done in his own age himself being an eye witnesse of a great part thereof For though generally Monks were confined to their Cloisters more liberty was allowed to such persons whose Pens were publickly employed And when Monks could not go out to the news news came home to them such was their intelligence from Clergy men who then alone were employed in State Offices It was no wonder that the writings of this William did but had been a miracle if they did not savour of the superstition of the times He dedicated his Book to Ealread Abbot of Rievaulx and died Anno Dom. 1146. EALREAD Abbot of Rievaulx lately named was one eminent in his generation for Piety and Learning He was most intimate with David King of Scotland and had the rare felicity to adventure on desperate differences betwixt great persons and yet above humane hope to compleat their agreement He had Saint Augustines Confessions both by heart and in his heart yet generally he is accounted the English Saint Bernard and wrote very many Books whereof one De Virginitate Mariae and another De Abusionibus Claustri shewing twelve abuses generally committed in that kind of life Yet as Saint Paul honoured widows that were widows indeed he had a high esteem for Monks who were Monks indeed so addicted to a solitary life that he refused all Honours and several Bishopricks proffered unto him He died in the 57. year of his age 1166. and after his death attained with many the reputation of a Saint WALTER DANIEL was Deacon to Ealread aforesaid and it is pity to part them Leland saith that he followed his Abbot Sanctâ Invidiâ Give me leave to english it with holy emulation and they who run in that race of Vertue neither supplant such who are before them nor justle those that are even with them nor hinder those who come behind them He trod in his Masters foot steps yet so that my Author saith Non modo aequavit sed superavit writing a Book on the same subject De Virginitate Mariae He flourished Anno 1170. under King Henry the second and was buried in his own Abby ROBERT the SCRIBE but no Pharisee such his Humility not Hypocrite such his Sincerity was the fourth Prefect of Canon Regulars at Bridlington in this County He had his surname from his dexterity in writing not a little beneficial in that age Erasmus ingeniously confessing that his Father Gerard got a handsome livelihood thereby But our Robert in fair and fast writing did reach a Note above others it being true of him what was said Nondum lingua suum dextra peregit opus The Tongue her task hath not yet done When that the Hand her race hath run And he may be said to have had the long Hand of short Hand such the swiftness of his Pen though I confesse
be without excuse if not expressing their bounty in some proportion God having provided them Paper enough The poor you have alwayes with you and set them signal examples as in our ensuing Work will plainly appear Fourthly To entertain the Reader with delight I confess the subject is but dull in it self to tell the time and place of mens birth and deaths their names with the names and number of their books and therefore this bare Sceleton of Time Place and Person must be fleshed with some pleasant passages To this intent I have purposely interlaced not as meat but as condiment many delightful stories that so the Reader if he do not arise which I hope and desire Religiosior or Doctior with more Piety or Learning at least he may depart Jucundior with more pleasure and lawful delight Lastly to procure moderate profit to my self in compensation of my pains It was a proper question which plain dealing Jacob pertinently propounded to Laban his Father in Law and now when shall I provide for mine house also Hitherto no Stationer hath lost by me hereafter it will be high time for me all things considered to Save for my self The matter following may be divided into Real and Personal though not according to the legal acception of the words By Real I understand the commodities and observables of every County by Personal the Characters of those worthy men who were Natives thereof We begin with a Catalogue of the particular heads whereof this book doth consist intending to shew how they are severally useful and then I hope if good as single instruments they will be the better as tuned in a Consort CHAP. II. The Real Topicks insisted on in the Respective Counties The Native Commodities NO County hath cause to complain with the Grecian Widdowes that they are neglected in the daily Ministration God hath not given all Commodities to one to elate it with pride and none to others to deject them with pensivenesse but there is some kind of equality betwixt the Profits of Counties to continue commerce ' and ballance trading in some proportion We have therefore in this work taken especial notice of the several cōmodities which every Shire doth produce And indeed God himself enjoyneth us to observe the variety of the Earths productions in this kind For speaking of the land of Havilah where saith he there is Gold and the gold of that land is good there is Bdellium and the Onix-stone See here how the holy spirit points at those places where God hath scattered such treasure and the best thereof in all kinds that man if so disposed may know where to gather them up I confess England cannot boast of Gold and precious Stones with the land of Havilah yet affordeth it other things both above and beneath ground more needful for man's being Indeed some shires Joseph like have a better coloured coat then others and some with Benjamin have a more bountiful messe of meat belonging unto them Yet every County hath a Childs portion as if God in some sort observed Gavel-kind in the distribution of his favours O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness and declare the wondrous works which he doth for the Children of men Know Reader when a Commodity is general to all England then to avoid Repetition it is entered in that County where there was the first or else the most and best of that kind And we have so contrived it that generally Three Commodities are treated of in every County The Manufactures Some heathen have causlesly complained of nature as a step-mother to man-kind because other creatures come into the world clothed with Feathers furs or fleeces c. or armed with pawes clawes beaks tusks horns hoofs whilest man is exposed naked into the world I say a causles charge because providence having given men Hands and Reason to use them two blessings denyed to other creatures all Clothing and fencing is eminently and transcendently bestowed upon him It is very remarkable to see the Manufactures in England not knowing whether more to admire the Rarity or Variety thereof Undoubtedly the wealth of a Nation consisteth in driving a native commodity through the most hands to the highest artificial perfection whereof we have taken especial cognisance in the respective counties yet so as though breifly nameing not largely handling that Manufacture whereon we have formerly insisted It must not be forgotten that there be some things which cannot properly be termed Natural commodities because of their quality altered and disguised by mens industry and yet they attain not the reputation of Manufactures As salt being water boyled malt barley dryed Cider Apples pressed seeing therefore they have a mixt nature they are promiscuosly placed as suiteth best with my own conveniency Medicinal Waters The God of Nature hath not discovered himself so variously wonderful in any thing as in the waters of Fountains Rivers c. England hath as large a share herein as any Country and her springs wonderful on several accounts 1. Colour Black Red Yellow c. 2. Tast Sweet bitter salt acide corroding astringing c. 3. Odour stinking of Sulphur like the scouring of a gun very fowl 4. Sound beating somtimes like a March sometimes like a Retreat on several occasions 5. Heat Luke-warm and gradually hot even to scalding 6. Weight considerably heavier or lighter in proportion to other watters 7. Motion though many miles from the sea sympathizing therewith ebing and flowing accordingly 8. Effects some being surgeons to heale sores others Physitians to cure diseases The last is proper for our pen being the Largess of heaven to poor people who cannot go to the price of a costly cure Of these more have been discovered by casualty than industry to evidence that therein we are not so much beholden to mans paynes as Gods providence Many Springs formerly soveraign have since lost their vertue yet so that other springs have found it so that their sanative qualities may seem not taken away but removed And as there are many mean men of great ability yet depressed in obscurity so no doubt there are in our Land Aquae incognitae of concealed worth and vertue in effect no whit inferior to those which in fame are far above them However the gift which nature holdeth forth may be doubled in the goodnesse thereof if the hand of Art do but help to receive it and the patients be prepared with Physick in the using of such water otherwise fons vitae may be fons mortis if diet due time and quantity be not observed Some will say that our English waters must needs be raw because so far from the fire whilest those are better boyled which lying more south are neerer the sun But experience avow's the contrary that England affordeth most sanative waters for English bodies if men were as judicious in taking as Nature is bountiful in tendering them As for the Proprietaries of such or rather of
William Sawtree John Badby c. In the two former of these we are prevented and they anticipated from us by the Popes canonizing them under the Title of Saints The third and last only remain proper for our pen martyred by the Romish Prelates for above an hundred and fifty years together I confess I have formerly met with some men who would not allow them for Martyrs who suffered in the Reign of Queen Mary making them little better then Felons de se wilfully drawing their blood on themselves Most of these I hope are since convinc'd in their judgement and have learn'd more charity in the School of affliction who by their own Losses have learn'd better to value the Lives of others and now will willingly allow Martyrship to those from whom they wholy with-held or grudgingly gave it before We have reckoned up these Martyrs according to the places of their Nativity where we could find them which is my first choice in Conformity to the rest of this work But in case this cannot be done my second choyce is for know Reader t is no refuge to rank them according to the place of their death which is their true birth-place in the Language of Antiquity Hear how a right Antient Authour expresseth himself to this purpose Apte consuetudinem tenet Ecclesia ut solennes beatorum Martyrum vel Confessorum Christi Dies quibus ex hoc mundo ad regionem migraverunt Vivorum nuncupentur Natales eorum Solennia non funebria tanquam morientium sed utpote in vera vita nascentium Natalitia vocitentur Now if the day of their Death be justly entituled their Birth-day the place of their Death may be called their birth-Birth-place by the same Analogy of Reason and Language We have given in a List of Martyrs names in their respective Countyes but not their Total Number only inâ—…isting on such who were most remarkable remiting the Reader for the rest to the voluminous pains of Mr. Fox who hath written All and if malicious Papists be believed more then All of this Subject Worthy Confessors All good Christians are concluded within the Compase of Confessors in the Large acception thereof With the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation But here we restrain this Title to such who have adventured fair and far for Martyrdome and at last not declined it by their own Cowardize but escaped it by Divine Providence Confessor is a Name none can wear whom it cost Nothing It must be purchased for the Maintenance of the Faith with the Losse of their Native Land Liberty Livelyhood Limbs any thing under Life it self Yet in this confined sense of Confessors we may say with Leah at the birth of Gad behold a Troop cometh Too many to be known written read remembred We are forced therefore to reconfine the Word to such who were Candidates and Probationers for Martyrdome in proxima potentia There was not a stride but to use Davids expression but a step betwixt them and Death their Wedding Clothes were made but not put on for their marriage to the Fire In a Word they were soft Waxe ready chafed and prepared but the Signature of a violent Death was not stamped upon them Manifold is the use of our observing these Confessors First to show that God alone hath Parramount power of Life and Death Preserving those who by men are appointed to Dye One whose Son lay very Sick was told by the Physician Your Son Sir is a dead man To whom the Father not disheartned thereat returned I had rather a Physician should call him so an hundred times than a Judge on the Bench should do it once whose Pronouncing him for a Dead man makes him to be one But though both a Physician in Nature and a Judge in Law give men for Gon The one passing the Censure the other Sentence of Death upon them GOD to whom belongeth the Issues from Death may Preserve them long in the Land of the Living Hereof these Confessors are Eminent Instances and may God therefore have the Glory of their so strange Deliverances Secondly it serveth to comfort Gods servants in their greatest distress Let hand joyne in hand let Tyrants piece the Lions cruelty with the Fox his craft let them face their plots with power and line then with policy all shall take no effect Gods servants if he seeth it for his glory and their good shall either be mercifully preserved from or mightily protected in dangers whereof these Confessours are a Cloud of Witnesses We have an English Proverb Threatned Folks live long but let me add I know a Threatned Man who did never dye at all namely the Prophet Elijab Threatned by cruel and crafty Iesabel The Gods do so to me and more also if I make not thy Life like one of their Lives by to morrow at this time Yet did he never tast of Mortallity being conveyed by a fiery hariot into Heaven Now although our ensuing History presenteth not any miraculously preserved from Death yet affordetb it Plenty of strange preservations of Persons to extream Old age though they wear the Marks of many and mighty mens Menacies who plotted and practised their Destruction We have persued the same course in Confessors which we embraced in Martyrs viz. We have ranked them according to their Nativities where we could certainly observe them to make them herein Uniforme with the rest of our Book But where this could not be attained we have entred them in those Counties where they had the longest or sharpest 〈◊〉 And this we humbly conceive proper enough seeing their Confessor-ship in a strict sense did bare true date from place of their greatest Persecution CHAPTER IV. Of Popes Cardinals and Prelates before the Reformation Popes I Meet with a mess of English Natives advanced to that Honour Pope John-Joan is wholly omitted partly because we need not charge that See with suspicious and doubtful crimes whose notorious faults are too apparent partly because this He-She though allowed of English extraction is generally believed born at Ments in Germany Wonder not that so few of our Countrymen gain'd the Triple-Crown For first great our distance from Rome who being an Island or little World by our selves had our Archbishop of Canterbury which formerly was accounted Alterius orbis Papa Secondly 〈◊〉 â—…talians of late have ingrossed the Papacy to themselves and much good may their Monopolie do them seeing our English may more safely repose themselves in some other seate then the Papal Chair more fatal it is to be feared to such as sit therein than ever Eli's proved unto him Yea I assure you four Popes was a very fair proportion for England For having perused the voluminous book of Pantaleon De Viris illustribus Germaniae I find but six Popes Dutchmen by their Nativity viz. Stephen the Eighth Gregory the Fifth Silvester the Second Leo the Ninth Victor the Second and Adrian the Sixth Seeing therefore Germany
the Chancellour by Act of Parliament We have begun our Catalogue of Chancellours at Sir Thomas More before whose time that place was generally discharged by Clergy men entered in our Book under the Title of Eminent Prelates If any demand why such Clergy-men who have been Lord Chancellours are not rather ranked under the Title of Statesmen than under the Topick of Prelates Let such know that seeing Episcopacy is challenged to be jure Divino and the Chancellours place confessed to be of Humane Institution I conceive them most properly placed and to their best advantage If any ask why the Lord Chancellours who meddle so much in matters of Law are not rather digested under the Title of Lawyers then under that of Statesmen Let such know it is done because some Chancellours were never Lawyers ex professo studying the Laws of the Land for their intended Function taking them only in order to their own private accomplishment Whereof Sir Christopher Hatton was an eminent instance As we begin our Catalogue with Sir Thomas More we close it with Sir Thomas Coventry it being hard toâ—…ay whether the Former were more Witty and Facetious or the Later more Wise and Judicious Lord Treasurers Kings without Treasure will not be suitably obeyed and Treasure without a Treasurer will not be safely preserved Hence it was that the Crowns and Scepters of Kings were made of gold not only because it is the most pure and precious of metalls but to show that wealth doth effectually evidence and maintain the strength and state of Majesty We may therefore observe not only in prophane but holy writ not only in Old but New Testnment signal notice taken of those who were over the Treasury in which great place of Trust the Eunuch served Candace Queen of Ethiopia The Office of Lord Treasurers was ever beheld as a Place of great charge and profit One well skilled in the Perquisits thereof being demanded what he conceived the yearly value of the place was worth made this Return That it might be worth some thousands of pounds to him who after death would go instantly to Heaven twice as much to him who would go to Purgatory and a Nemo Scit to him who would adventure to go to a worse place But the plain truth is He that is a Bad Husband for himself will never be a good one for his Soveraign and therefore no wonder if they have advanced fair Estates to themselves whose Office was so Advantagious and they so judicious and prudent persons without any prejudice to their Master and for ought I know Injury to his Subjects We have begun our Catalogue at William Lord Powlett Marquess of Winchester For although before him here and there Lay-Lords were Intrusted with that Office Yet generally they were Bishops and so anticipated under our Topick of Eminent Prelates and blame me not if in this particular I have made the Lustrè of the Lords Spiritual to Eclipse the Lords Temporal drowning their Civil Office in their Ecclesiastical Employment We close our Catalogue of Lord Treasurers with Francis Lord Cottington Secretaries of State There were but two of these at once in the Kings time whereof the one was styled the Principal Secretary the other the Secretary of Estate Some have said that the first in the Senioritie of Admition was accounted the Principall but the Exceptions in this kind being as many as the Regularities the Younger being often brought over the head of the elder to be Principal Their chiefnesse was Penes Regis Arbitrium Nor was the one confined to Forreign Negotiations the other to domestick businesse as some have believed but promiscuously ordered all affaires though the Genius of some Secretaries did incline them most to forreign Transactions Their Power was on the matter alike and Petitioners might make their Applications indifferently to either though most addressed themselves to him in whom they had the greatest Interest Their Salaries were some Two hundred pounds a piece and five hundred pounds a piece more for Intelligence and Secret Service Before the Reformation Clergy-men who almost were all things were generally Secretaries of Estate as Oliver King Secretary to Edward 4. Edward 5. and Henry the 7. and those came under our Pen in the Notion of Eminent Prelates We therefore begin our Catalogue of Secretaries from Sir Thomas Cromwell in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth because from him until our Time a continued Series of Lay-men haâ—…e discharged that Office We â—…onclude our Secretaries of State with Sir John Cook who perceiving his aged body not so fit for such Active times resigned his Place about the beginning of the Long Parliament though surviving some years after in a private condition We will for the more safety follow the Pattern of so wise a States-man and where he gave over his Office we will give over writing of those Officers for fear we tread too neere on the Toes of the Times and touch too much on our Modern distempers Amiralls or Admiralls Much difference there is about the Original of this word whilst most probable their Opinion who make it of Eastern Extraction borrowed by the Christians from the Saracens These derive it from Amir in Arabick a Prince and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Belonging to the Sea in the Greek Language such mixture being precedented in other words Besides seeing the Sultans Dominions in the Time of the Holy War extended from Sinus Arabius to the North Eastern part of the Midland-Sea where a barbarous kind of Greek was spoken by many Amirall thus compounded was significatively comprehensive of his Jurisdiction Admirall is but a Depraving of Amirall in vulgar mouths However it will never be beaten out of the Heads of the Common sort that seeing the Sea is Scene of Wonders something of Wonderment hath incorporated it self in this Word and that it hath a Glimps Cast or Eye of Admiration therein Our English Kings following the Precedent of the Politick Romans who very seldome entrusted places of great importance especially during life in a single person as also that they might gratifie more and trust less divided the Over-sight of sea-matters betwixt a Triumvirate of Amiralls and like wary Merchants ventured the charge in several bottoms for the more Safety 1. The North Amirall 2. The South Amirall 3. The West Amirall His jurisdiction reached from the Mouth of Thames to the outmost Orcades though often opposed by the Scots and had Yarmouth for his prime Residence His Bounds stretched from the Thames Mouth to the Lands end having his station generally at Portsmouth His power extended from the lands end to the Hebrides having Ireland under his Inspection Milford Haven the chief Stable for his Wooden Horses I find that Richard Fitz-alin Earl of Arundell was by King Richard the second made the first Amirall of all England yet so that if Three Co-Admiralls were restored as formerly his Charter expired John Vere Earl of Oxford was the sirst of Hen. the seventh
Gods grace may prove sober Christians and eminent in their generations The last Port to which I traffiqued for intelligence towards our insuing Work was by making my addresses by letters and otherwise to the nearest Relations of those whose Lifes I have written Such applications have sometimes proved chargable but if my weak pains shall find preferment that is acceptance from the judicious Reader my care and cost is forgotten and shall never come under computation Here I cannot but condemn the carelessness not to say ingratitude of those I am safe whilst containing my self in general terms who can give no better account of the Place where their fathers or grand-fathers were born then the child unborn so that sometimes we have been more beholden to strangers for our instructions herein then to their nearest Kindred And although some will say Sons are more comfortably concerned to know the time of their Fathers death then place of their birth yet I could almost wish that a moderate fine were imposed on such heirs whose Fathers were born before them and yet they know not where they were born However this I must gratefully confess I have met with many who could not never with any who would not furnish me with information herein It is observable that men born an hundred years since and upwards have their nativities fixed with more assurance then those born some eighty years since Mens eyes see worst in the Twilight in that intervale after the Sun is set and natural light ended and before candles are set up and artificial light begun In such a crepusculum oftime those Writers lived who fall short of the history of Bale and Leland yet go before the memory of any alive which unhappy insterstice hath often perplexed us and may easier be complained of then amended To conclude should I present all with Books who courteously have conduced to my instruction the whole Impression would not suffice But I remember the no less civil then politick invitation of Judah to the Tribe of Simeon Come up with me into my Lot to Conquer the Cananites and I likewise will go with thee into thy Lot if such who have lent me theirs shall have occasion to borrow mine assistance my Pains Brains and Books are no more mine then theirs to command which besides my prayers for them and thanks to them is all my ability in requital can perform CHAP. XXIII A double Division of the English Gentry 1. According to the Nation whence they were extracted 2. According to the Profession whereby they were advanced THis discourse I tender the Reader as a preparative to dispose him for the better observing and distinguishing of our English Gentry in our ensuing Lives and Catalogue of Sheriffs We begin with the Britains the Aborigines or Native Inhabitants of the South of this Island but long since expelled by the Saxons into the West thereof None then remaining in some since returning into our Land of whom hereafter We confess the Romans Conquered our Country planted Colonies and kept Garrisons therein but their descendants are not by any character discernable from the British Indeed if any be found able to speak Latine naturally without learning it we may safely conclude him of Roman Extraction Mean time it is rather a pretty conceit then a solid notion of that great Antiquary who from the allusion of the name collecteth the noble family of the Cecils more truly Sytsilts descended from the Cecilii a Senatorian Family in Rome The Saxons succeed whose Of-spring at this day are the main bulk and body of the English though not Gentry Nation I may call them the whole cloath thereof though it be garded here and there with some great ones of foreign Extraction These Saxons though pitifully depressed by the Conquerour by Gods goodness King Henry the first favour their own patience and diligence put together the plankes of their Shiprack'd Estates and aferwards recovered a competent condition The Danes never acquired in this Land a long and peaceable possession thereof living here rather as Inroders then Inhabitants the cause that so few families distinguishable by their Surnames are descended from them extant in our age Amongst which few the respected Stock of the Denizes often Sheriffs in Devon and Gloustershire appear the principal As for Fitz-Hardinge the younger son of the King of Denmark and direct ancestour of the Truly Honourable George Lord Berkeley he came in long since when he accompanied the Conquerour I must confess that at this day there passeth a Tradition among some of the Common People that such names which Terminate in Son as Johnson Tomson Nicolson Davison Saunderson are of Danish Origination But this fond opinion is long since conâ—…uted by Vestegan that ingenious and industrious Antiquary Yea he urgeth this as an argument which much prevaileth with me why those Surnames were not derived from the Danes because they had no such name in use amongst them as John Thomas Nicholas David Alexander from whence they should be deduced Yea he further addeth that it is more probable that they made the Childs name by adjecting the syllable Son to the Appellation of the Father a custome which is usual even at this time amongst the Vulgar sort of the Dutch Yet is there not remaining any sign thereof amongst the names of our Age which probably might have been Canutson Ericson Gormoson Heraldson Rofolson c. The Normans or French under the Conquerour swarmed in England so that then they became the only visible Gentry in this Nation and still continue more then a Moity thereof several Catalogues of their Names I have so largely exemplifyed in my Church-history that some have taxed me for tediousness therein and I will not adde an new obstinacy to my old error But besides these we have some Surnames of good Families in England now extant which though French are not by any diligence to be recovered in the lists of such as came over with the Conquerour and therefore we suppose them to have remained of those Gentlemen and others which from Henault attended Queen Isabel wife unto King Edward the second Of this sort was Deureux Mollineux Darcy Coniers Longchamp Henage Savage Danvers with many more Of the British or Welsh after their expulsion hence by the Saxons some signal persons have returned again and by the Kings Grant Matches Purchases c. have fixed themselves in fair possessions in England especially since the beginning of the reign of their Country-man King Henry the seventh rewarding the valour of many contributing to his Victory in the battle of Bosworth Of the Welsh now re-estated in England and often Sheriffs therein some retain their old Surnames as the Griffins in Northamptonshire the Griffiths and Vaughans in Yorkshire some have assumed New ones as the Caradocks now known by the new Name of the Newtons in Somersetshire Many Scotch long before the Union of the two Kingdomes under King James seated themselves
he could not avoid to behold it For these reasons he left the Land went or shall I say fled into France where he sighed out the remainder of his Life most at Pontiniack but some at Soyssons where he dyed Anno 1240. Pope Innocent the fourth Canonized him six years after his death whereat many much wondred that he should so much honour one a professed foe to Papal Extortions Some conceived he did it se defendendo and for a ne noceat that he might not be tormented with his Ghost But what hurt were it if all the Enemies of his Holiness were Sainted on condition they took death in their way thereunto Sure it is that Lewis King of France a year after translated his Corps and three years after that bestowed a most sumptuous Shrine of Gold Silver and Chrystal upon it and the 16. of November is the Festival appointed for his Memorial Martyrs It appeareth by the confession of Thomas Man Martyred in the beginning of King Henry the eighth that there was at Newberry in this County a glorious and sweet Society of faithful Favourers who had continued the space of fifteen years together till at last by a certain lewd person whom they trusted and made of their Council they were betrayed and then many of them to the number of six or seven score were abjured and three or four of them burnt Now although we knew not how to call these Martyrs who so suffered their Names no doubt are written in the Book of Life We see how the day of the Gospel dawned as soon in this County as in any place in England surely Seniority in this kind ought to be respected which made Paul a pusney in piety to Andronicus and Iunia his kinsmen to enter this caveat for their Spiritual precedency who were in Christ before me On which account let other places give the honour to the Town of Newberry because it started the first and I hope not tire for the earliness thereof in the race of the Reformed Religion Yea Doctor William Twis the painful Preacher in that Parish was wont to use this as a motive to his flock to quicken their pace and strengthen their perseverance in piety because that Town appears the first fruits of the Gospel in England And Windsor the next in the same County had the honour of Martyrs ashes therein as by the ensuing list will appear There was in Windsor a company of right godly persons who comfortably enjoyed themselves untill their enemies designed their extirpation though it cost them much to accomplish it one of them confessing that for his share he expended an hundred marks besides the killing of three Geldings These suspecting that the Judges Itinerant in their circuit would be too favourable unto them procured a special Session got four arraigned and condemned by the Commissioners whereof the three following were put to death on the Statute of the six Articles 1. Anthony Persons a Priest and profitable Preacher so that the great Clerks of Windsor thought their idleness upbraided by his industry Being fastned to the stake he laid a good deal of straw on the top of his head saying this is Gods hat I am now arm'd like a souldier of Christ. 2. Robert Testwood a singing-man in the Quire of Windsor There hapned a contest betwixt him and another of that Society singing an Anthem together to the Virgin Mary Robert Philips on the one side of the Quire Robert Testwood on the other side of the Quire Oh Redemtrix Salvatrix Non Redemtrix nec Salvatrix I know not which sung the deepest Base or got the better for the present Sure I am that since by Gods goodness the Nons have drowned the Ohs in England Testwood was also accused for disswading people from Pilgrimages and for striking off the nose of the image of our Lady 3. Henry Fillmer Church-Warden of Windsor who had Articled against their superstitious Vicar for heretical Doctrine These three were burnt together at Windsor Anno 1544. and when account was given to their patient death to King Henry the eighth sitting on horse-back the King turning his horses head said Alas poor innocents A better speech from a private person then a Prince bound by his place not only to pity but protect oppressed innocence However by this occasion other persecuted people were pardoned and preserved of whom hereafter This storm of persecution thus happily blown over Bark-shire enjoyed peace and tranquillity for full twelve years together viz. from the year of our Lord 1544. till 1556. When Dr. Jeffrey the cruel Chancellour of Sarisbury renewed the troubles at Newberry and caused the death of JULINS PALMER See his Character being born in Coventry in Warwickshire JOHN GWIN THOMAS ASKINE These three July 16. 1556. were burnt in a place nigh Newberry called the Sand-pits enduring the pain of the fire with such incredible constancy that it confounded their foâ—…s and confirmed their friends in the Truth Confessors JOHN MARBECK was an Organist in the Quire of Windsor and very skilful therein a man of Admirable Industry and Ingenuity who not perfectly understanding the Latin Tongue did out of the Latin with the help of the English Bible make an English Concordance which Bishop Gardiner himself could not but commend as a piece of singular Industry Professing that there were no fewer then twelve Learned men to make the first Latin Concordance And King Henry the eighth hearing thereof said that he was better imployed then those Priests which accused him Let therefore our Modern Concordances of Cotton Newman Bernard c. as Children and Grand-Children do their duty to Marbecks Concordance as their Parent at first endeavour'd in our Language This Marbeck was a very zealous Protestant and of so sweet and amiable Nature that all good men did love and few bad men did hate him Yet was he condemned Anno 1544. on the Statute of the 6. Articles to be burnt at Windsor had not his pardon been procured divers assigning divers causes thereof 1. That Bishop Gardiner bare him a speciall affection for his skill in the Mystery of Musick 2. That such who condemned him procured his pardon out of Remorse of Conscience because so slender the evidence against him it being questionable whether his Concordance was made after the Statute of the 6. Articles or before it and if before he was freed by the Kings General pardon 3. That it was done out of design to reserve him for a discovery of the rest of his party if so their plot failed them For being as true as Steel whereof his fetters were made which he ware in Prison for a good time he could not be frighted or flattered to make any detection Here a mistake was committed by Mr. Fox in his first Edition whereon the Papisâ—…s much insult making this Marbeck burnt at Windsor for his Religion with Anthony Persons Robert Testwood and Henry Fillmer No doubt Mr. Fox rejoyced at
his own mistake thus far forth both for Marbecks sake who escaped with his Life and his Enemies who thereby drew the less guilt of bloud on their own Consciences But hear what he pleads for his mistake 1. Marbeck was dead in Law as condemned whereon his errour was probably grounded 2. He confessing that one of the four condemned was pardoned his Life misnaming him 〈◊〉 instead of Marbeck 3. Let Papists first purge their Lying Legend from manifest and Intentionall untruths before they censure others for casuall slips and un-meant Mistakes 4. Recognizing his Book in the next Edition he with blushing amended his errour And is not this Penance enough according to the principals of his accusers Confession Contrition and Satisfaction All this will not content some morose Cavillers whom I have heard jeeringly say that many who were burnt in Fox in the Reign of Queen Mary drank Sack in the days of Queen Elizabeth But enough is said to any ingenious person And it is impossible for any Author of a Voluminous Book consisting of several persons and circumstances Reader in pleading for Master Fox I plead for my self to have such Ubiquitary intelligence as to apply the same infallibly to every particular When this Marbeck dyed is to me unknown he was alive at the second English Edition of the Book of Martyrs 1583. thirty and nine years after the time of his Condemnation ROBERT BENET was a Lawyer living in Windsor and a zealous Professor of the true Religion He drank as deep as any of the Cup of Affliction and no doubt had been condemned with Testwood Persons and the rest Had he not at the same time been sick of the plague-sore in the Prison of the Bishop of London which proved the means of his preservation Thus it is better to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of men And thus as out of the devourer came food out of the Destroyer came life yea the Plague-sore proved a Cordial unto him For by the time that he was recovered thereof a Pardon was freely granted to him as also to Sir Thomas Cardine Sir Philip Hobby both of the Kings Privy-chamber with their Ladies and many more designed to death by crafty Bishop Gardner had not His Majesties mercy thus miraculously interposed Cardinalls I have read of many who would have been Cardinals but might not This County afforded one who might have been one but would not viz. WILLIAM LAUD the place being no less freely profered to then disdainfully refused by him with words to this effect That the Church of Rome must be much mended before he would accept any such Dignity An expression which in my mind amounted to the Emphaticall Periphrasis of NEVER But we shall meet with him hereafter under a more proper Topick Prelats WILLIAM of READING a Learned Benedictine imployed by King H. the Second in many Embassies and by him preferred Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux where he dyed in the Reign of King Richard the first JOHN DE BRADFIELD sive de lato Campo Finding fifteen Villages of the Name I fixt his Nativity at Bradfield in Berks as in my measuring the nearest to Rochester where he was Chanter and Bishop 1274. If mistaken the matter is not much seeing his Sir-name is controverted and otherwise written John de HOE However being Charractred Vir conversationis honestae decenter literatus in omnibus morigeratus I was desirous to crowd him into our Book where I might with most probability RICHARD BEAUCHAMP was Brother saith Bishop Godwin to Walter Beauchamp mistaken for William as may appear by Mr. Camden Baron of St. Amand whose chief habitation was at Wydehay in this County he was bred Doctor in the Laws and became Bishop first of Hereford then of Salisbury He was Chancellour of the Garter which Office descended to his Successors Windsor-Castle the seat of that Order being in the Dioces of Salisbury He built a most beautifull Chappel on the South-side of St. Maries Chappel in his own Cathedral wherein he lyeth buryed His death hapned Anno Dom. 1482. Since the Reformation THOMAS GODWIN was born at Oakingham in this County and first bred in the Free School therein Hence was he sent to Magdalen Colledge in Oxford maintained there for a time by the bounty of Doctor Layton Dean of York till at last he was chosen Fellow of the Colledge This he exchanged on some terms for the School-Masters place of Barkley in Gloucester-shire where he also Studied Physick which afterwards proved beneficial unto him when forbidden to teach School in the Reign of Queen Mary Yea Bonner threatned him with fire and faggot which caused him often to Obscure himself and Remove his Habitation He was an Eloquent Preacher Tall and Comely in Person qualities which much Indeared him to Q. Elizabeth who loved good parts well but better when in a goodly Person For 18. years together he never failed to be one of the Select Chaplains which Preached in the Lent before her Majesty He was first Dean of Christ-church in Oxford then Dean of Canterbury and at last Bishop of Bath and Wells Being infirm with Age and deseased with the Gout he was necessitated for a Nurse to marry a second wife a Matron of years proportionable to himself But this was by his Court-Enemies which no Bishop wanted in that Age represented to the Queen to his great Disgrace Yea they traduced him to have married a Girl of twenty years of age until the good Earl of Bedford casually present at such discourse Madam said he to her Majesty I know not how much the Woman is above twenty but I know a Son of hers is but little under forty Being afflicted with a Quartern feaver he was advised by his Physicians to retire into this County to Oakingham the place of his Birth seeing in such Cases Native Ayr may prove Cordial to Patients as Mothers milk to and old men are twice children Here he dyed breathing his first and last in the same Place November the 19. 1590. And lyeth buried under a Monument in the South-side of the Chancell THOMAS RAMME was born at Windsor in this County and admitted in Kings Colledge in Cambridge Anno Dom. 1588. whence he was made Chaplain first to Robert Earl of Essex then to Charles Lord Mountjoy both Lord Lieutenants in Ireland After many mediate Preferments he was made Bishop of Fernos and Laghlin in that Kingdom both which he Peaceably injoyed Anno 1628. WILLIAM LAWD was born at Reading in this County of honest Parentage bred in Saint Johns Colledge in Oxford whereof he became Pâ—…esident Successively Bishop of Saint Davids Bath and Wells London and at last Arch-Bishop of Canterbury One of low Stature but high Parts Piercing eyes Chearfull countenance wherein Gravity and Pleasantness were well compounded Admirable in his Naturalls Unblameable in his Morals being very strict in his Conversation Of him I have written in my Ecclesiastical History though I
confess it was somewhat too soon for one with safety and truth to treat of such a Subject Indeed I could instance in some kind of course Venison not fit for food when first killed and therefore cunning Cooks bury it for some hours in the Earth till the rankness thereof being mortified thereby it makes most palatable meat So the memory of some Persons newly deceased are neither fit for a Writers or Readers repast untill some competent time after their Interment However I am Confident that unpartial Posterity on a serious review of all Passages will allow his Name to be reposed amongst the HEROES of our Nation seeing such as behold his expence on St. Pauls as but a Cypher will assign his other Benefactions a very valuable Signification viz. his erecting and endowing an Almes-house in Reading his increasing of Oxford Library with Books and St. Johns Colledg with beautifull buildings He was beheaded Jan. 10. 1644. States-men Sir JOHN MASON Knight was born at Abbington where he is remembred among the Benefactors to the beautifull Almes-house therein bred in All souls in Oxford King Hènry the eighth coming thither was so highly pleased with an oration Mr. Mason made unto Him that he instantly gave order for his education beyond the seas as confident he would prove an able Minister of State This was the politick discipline of those days to select the pregnancies of either Universities and breed them in forraign parts for publique employments He was Privy-Councellour to King Henry the eighth and K. Edward the sixth One maketh him His Secretary of State which some suspect too high another but Master of the Requests which I believe as much beneath him He continued Councellor to Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth to whom he was Treasurer of the Household and Chancellor of the University of Oxford Mr. Camden gives him this true character Vir fuit gravis atque eruditus which I like much better then that which followeth so far as I can understand it Ecclesiasticorum Beneficiorum incubator maximus Surely he could be no Canonical Incumbent in any Benefice not being in Orders which leaveth him under the suspicion of being a great ingrosser of long leases in Church-livings which then used to be let for many years a pityful pension being reserved for the poor Curate Thought possibly in his younger time he might have Tonsuram primam or be a Deacon which improved by his great power might qualify at least countenance him for the holding of his spiritual promotions He died 1566. and lieth buried in the Quire of St. Pauls over against William Herbert first Earl of Pembroke and I remember this Distick of his Long Epitaph Tempore quinque suo regnantes ordine vidit Horum a Consiliis quatuor ille fuit He saw five Princes which the scepter bore Of them was Privy-Councellour to Four It appears by His Epitaph that he left no Child of his own Body but adopted his Nephew to be his Son an Heir Sir THOMAS SMITH Knight was born at Abbington bred in the University of Oxford God and himself raised him to the eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any extraction He may seem to have had an ingenuous emulation of Sir Tho. Smith senior Secretary of State whom he imitated in many good qualities and had no doubt equalled him in preferment if not prevented by death He attained only to be Master of the Requests and Secretary to K. James for His Latine Letters higher places expecting him when a period was put to his life Novemb. 28. 1609. He lieth buried in the Church of Fullkam in Middlesex under a monument erected by his Lady Frances daughter to William Lord Chandos and since Countess of Exeter Souldiers HENRY UMPTON Knight was born as by all Indications in the Heralds Office doth appear at Wadley in this County He was Son to Sir Edward Umpton by Anne the Relick of John Dudley Earl of Warwick and the Eldest Daughter of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset He was imployed by Queen Elizabeth Embassadour into France where he so behaved himself right stoutly in her behalf as may appear by this particular In the Moneth of March Anno 1592. being sensible of some injury offered by the Duke of Gwise to the honour of the Queen of England he sent him this ensuing challenge For as much as lately in the Lodging of my Lord Du Mayne and in publick elsewhere Impudently Indiscreetly and over boldly you spoke badly of my Soveraign whose sacred Person here in this County I represent To maintain both by word and weapon her honour which never was called in question among people of Honesty and Vertue I say you have wickedly lyed in speaking so basely of my Soveraign and you shall do nothing else but lie whensoever you shall dare to taxe her honour Moreover that her sacred Person being one of the most complete and Vertuous Princess that lives in this world ought not to be evil spoken of by the Tongue of such a perfidious Traytor to her Law and Country as you are And hereupon I do defy you and challenge your Person to mine with such manner of Arms as you shall like or choose be it either on horse back or on foot Nor would I have you to think any inequality of Person between us I being issued of as great a Race and Noble house every way as your self So assigning me an indifferent place I will there maintain my words and the Lie which I gave you and which you should not endure if you have any Courage at all in you If you consent not meet me hereupon I will hold you and cause you to be generally held for the arrantest coward and most slanderous slave that lives in all France I expect your Answer I find not what answer was returned This Sir Henry dying in the French Kings Camp before Lofear had his Corps brought over to London and carryed in a Coach to Wadley thence to Farington where he was buryed in the Church on Tuesday the 8. of July 1596. He had allowed him a Barons Hearse because dying Ambassadour Leigier Writers HUGH of READING quitted his expectances of a fair Estate and sequestring himself from worldly delights embraced a Monastical life till at last he became Abbot of Reading Such who suspect his sufficiency will soon be satisfied when they read the high Commendation which Petrus Bloesensis Arch Deacon of Bath one of the greatest Scholars of that Age bestoweth upon him He wrote a Book of no Trival Questions fetcht out of the Scripture it self the reason why I. Bale generally a back-friend to Monks hath so good a Character for him who flourished Anno Dom. 1180. ROGER of WINDSOR was undoubtedly born in this Town otherwise he would have been called Roger of St. Albans being Chanter in that Convent Now in that Age Monks were reputed men of best Learning and most leasure The cause why our English Kings alwaies choose one of
great Disputant and well studied Scholar as his works do declare He was afterwards preferred Bishop of Lincoln where several contests happened betwixt him and Pope Boniface the ninth who in revenge ex plenitudine Potestatis removed him from Lincoln to Litchfield that is from the Hall into the Kitchin a Bishoprick of less credit and profit Buckingham grew sullen hereat and would rather shut himself out then play at a less game and so quitting Episcopacy 1397. lived and died a private Monck at Canterbury where he lies buried the lowermost in the body of Christ-Church under a very fair Grave-stone as my industrious friend hath well retrived his memory though the brasse on his Monument be worn or rather torn away He indented with the Prior and Covent at Canterbury to build him a Chantry-Chappel near his Sepulcher which I find not performed JOHN YOUNG was born at Newton-longvile in this County and bred in New-colledge in Oxford on the same token that there are no fewer then ten Youngs in their Register reckoned Fellows of that Foundation and one said that Seeing the Colledge was always New well may many Fellows be Young therein This John Young became Warden thereof and afterwards was made Bishop of the fair City of Callipoli in Greece An excellent place to fat a neither Camel nor Lion but Camelion in and seeing the great Turk was his Tenant little the rent he paid to this his Landlord However this titular Bishoprick gave him Precedency a Vote in General Councils and Power of Ordination But some English Earth doth not well with such Grecian Aire and for his better support he was made Master of the Rowles Jan. 12. in the first of King Henry the eighth and either died or resigned his Office some eight years after As I remember he lieth buried with a brass Inscription in New-colledge Chappel JOHN HOLYMAN was born at Codington in this County bred in New-colledge in Oxford and afterwards became a Benedictine in Reading untill that Monastery was dissolved Queen Mary in the first of her reign preferred him Bishop of Bristoll whilst his predecessor Paul Bush deprived for being married was yet alive He lived peaceably not embrewing his hands in Protestants bloud and died seasonably for himself a little before the death of Queen Mary 1558. Since the Reformation JOHN HARLEY was born in the Parish of Newport-Paganel in this County as a learned Antiquary a native of the same place hath informed me where some of his kindred were lately if not still in being He was bred first Fellow then School-Master in Magdalen-colledge in Oxford in the dangerous days of King Henry the eighth he was an hearty but concealed Protestant In the first week of the reign of King Edward the sixth whilst most mens minds stood at a gaze it being dead-water with them which way the tide would turn Master Harley in the Parish-Church of Saint Peters in Oxford and a solemn Lent-Sermon publiquely preached Antipapal doctrine and powerfully press'd justification by faith alone whereupon the over-officious Vice-Chancellor hurried him up to London for an Heretick there to answer for his contempt But the case was soon altered Harley was acquitted commended preferred to be Tutor to the sons of John Earl of Warwick afterwards Duke of Northumberland He was thence made Bishop of Hereford It is said of Abraham he was buried in a good old age It cannot be said of our Harley he died in an old age finding him not above fifty though expiring in a good age in two respects in relation to the piety of his life past and in reference to the future troubles which immediately followed Surely had he survived a little longer he had lost his life as he did his Bishoprick for being married in the first of Q. Mary Doctor LAURENCE HUMPHRED Harley his Scholar in Magdalen-colledge hath consecrated this Distick to the memory of his Master though the Muses in my mind looked very solemnly without the least smile at the making thereof Floâ—… domui Harlaeus socius ludique Magister Celsus-deinde throno celsior inde polo. He died Anno Domini 1554. shifting from place to place the cause why there is no certain intelligence where he was interred ROBERT ALDRICH although he lived but in the twilight of Religion he is justly to be placed not on the Dark but Light side of Reformation For though his actions were but weak his affections were sincere therein Born he was at Burnham in this County bred in Kings-colledge in Cambridge Proctor of that University anno 1525. About which time many letters passed betwixt him and his familiar friend Erasmus who stileth him Blandae eloquentiae juvenem He was afterward School-master then Fellow and Provoster of Eaton and at last made Bishop of Carlile anno 1537. by King Henry the eighth He was never a through paced Papist much lesse a persecutor of Protestants though a complyer with some superstitions He died at Horncastle in Lincoln shire a house belonging to his See in the reign of Queen Mary 1555. WILLIAM ALLEY was born at Wiâ—…kham in this County bred first at Eaton then in Kings-colledge where he was admitted Anno Domini 1528. Hence he went away being Batchelour of Arts and afterwards became Lecturer in Saint Pauls I say Lecturer which name though since it hath sounded ill in some jealous ears as infected with faction was an ancient office founded in some Cathedralls to read Divinity there and this Master Alleys learned lectures according to that age are Extant in Print He was Consecrated Bishop of Exeter July 14. 1560. and dying 1576. lyeth buried under a fair Marble in his own Cathedrall RICHARD COX was born at Whaddon in this County and bred for some years in Kings-colledge in Cambridge Even when Cardinal Woolsy was erecting Christs-church in Oxford This great Prelate desiring that this his Colledge should be as fair within as without and have learning answerable to the building thereof employed his Emisaries to remove thither the most hopefull Plants of Cambridge and this Richard Cox amongst the rest He became afterwards School-master of Eaton which was happy with many florishing wits under his endeavours and Haddon amongst the rest whom he loved with filiall affection nor will it be amisse to insert the Poeticall Passe betwixt them Walter Haddon to Doctor COX his School-master Vix caput attollens è lecto scribere carmen Qui velit is voluit scribere plura Vale. Doctor COX to Walter Haddon his Scholar Te magis optarem salvum sine â—…armine Fili Quam sine te salvo carmina multa Vale. Hence he was sent for to be Instructor to Prince Edward which with good conscience to his great credit he discharged Here Reader forgive me in hazarding thy censure in making and translating a Distick upon them Praeceptor doctus docilis magis an puer ille Ille puer docilis Praeceptor tu quâ—…que doctus Master
ingenious person would Print Mr. Parkers Book for the use of Posterity He was a melancholy man neglecting all Preferment to enjoy himself and died in the place of his Nativity as I conjecture about 1624. MICHAEL DALTON Esquire He was bred in the study of our Municipall-law in Lincolns Inn and attained great skill in his own profession His gravity graced the Bench of Justices in this County where his judgment deservedly passed for an Oracle in the Law having enriched the world with two excellent Treatises the one of the Office of the Sheriffs the other of the Justices of Peace Out of the Dedicatory Epistle of the later I learnt this which I knew not before that K. James was so highly affected with our English Government by Justices of Peace that he was the first who setled the same in his Native Country of Scotland Mr. Dalton dyed before the beginning of our Civil Distempers THOMAS GOAD D. D. was son to Dr. Roger Goad for more then fourty years Provost of Kings-colledge but whether born in the Provosts Lodgings in Cambridge or at Milton in this County I am not fully informed He was bred a Fellow under his Father afterwards Chaplain to Arch-bishop Abbot Rector of Hadly in Suffolk Prebendary of Canterbury c. A great and Generall Scholar exact Critick Historian Poet delighting in making of verses till the day of his death School-man Divine He was substituted by K. James in the place of Doctor Hall indisposed in health and sent over to the Synod of Dort He had a commanding presence an uncontrolable spirit impatient to be opposed and loving to steere the discourse being a good Pilot to that purpose of all the Company he came in I collect him to have died about the year 1635. ANDREW MARVAIL was born at Mildred in this County and bred a master of Arts in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge He afterwards became Minister in Hull where for his life time he was well beloved Most facetious in his discourse yet grave in his carriage a most excellent preacher who like a good husband never broached what he had new brewed but preached what he had preâ—…studied some competent time before Insomuch that he was wont to say that he would crosse the common proverb which called Saturday the working day and Munday the holy day of preachers It happened that Anno Dom. 1640. Jan. 23. crossing Humber in a Barrow-boat the same was sand-warpt and he drowned therein by the carelesness not to say drunkenness of the boat-men to the great grief of all good men His excellent comment upon Saint Peter is daily desired and expected if the envy and covetousness of private persons for their own use deprive not the publick of the benefit thereof Benefactors to the publick HUGO de BALSHAM for so is he truly written was born in this County as may easily be spelled out of the four following probabilities put together First it was fashionable for Clergy-men in that age to assume their Surnames from the place of their Nativity Secondly Balsham is an eminent village in this County whereof an ancient Author taketh notice naming thence the neighbouring ground Amaenissima Montana de Balsham Thirdly There is no other Village of that name throughout the Dominions of England Fourthly It is certaine this Hugh was bred in this County where he attained to be Sub-prior and afterwards Bishop of Ely This Hugh was he who founded Peter-house in the University of Cambridge the first built though not first endowed Colledge in England This Foundation he finished Anno 1284. bestowing some lands upon it since much augmented by Bountifull Benefactors He sat 28 years in his See and dyed June the 6. 1286. Sir WILLIAM HORN Salter son to Thomas Hoâ—…n was born at Snail-well in this County he was Knighted by King Hen. the seventh and Anno 1487. was L. Mayor of London He gave bountifully to the Preachers at Saint Pauls crosse and bestowed five hundred Marks to the mending of the high ways betwixt Cambridge the County Town where he had his first Life and London the City where he got his best livelihood Know in that Age Horn his five hundred Marks had in them the intrinsick value of our five hundred pounds which in those days would go very far in the wages of Laborers Sir WILLIAM son of JOHN PURCASE was born at Gamlinggay in this County bred a Mercer in London and Lord Mayor thereof Anno 1497. He caused Morefields under the walls to be made plain ground then to the great pleasure since to the greater profit of the City Sir THOMAS son of JOHN KNEISWORTH was born at Kneisworth in this County bred a Fishmonger in London whereof he was Lord Mayor Anno 1505. He appointed the Water-conduit at Bishop-gate to be built to the great convenience of the City formerly much wanting that usefull Element Be it here observed for the incouragement of the industry of Cambridg-shire Apprentices that by the premises it doth appear that this small County in the compass of eighteen years afforded three L. Mayors and Benefactors which no other Shire of equal or greater quantity ever produced Since the Reformation JOHN CRANE was born in Wishbeech in this County bred an Apothecary in Cambridg so diligent an youth that some judicious persons prognosticated that he would be a rich man Dr. Butler took so great a fancy unto him that he lived and died in his Family yea and left the main body of his rich Estate unto him This Mr. Crane had a large heart to entertain his friends and Annually very nobly treated all the Oxford men at the Commencement He gave at his death no less then three thousand pounds to charitable uses bestowing the house he lived in and that a very fair one aster his Wives death on the Publick Professor of Physick and in settlement of his other Benefactions discreetly reflected on Wishbeech where he was born to which he gave 100l to build a Town-hall Cambridge where he lived Lin where he was well acquainted Ipswich where Doctor Butler the first founder of his estate was born and Kingston where his lands lay He in some sort gives Preventing Physick to the Scholars now he is dead by giving 100l to be lent gratis to an honest man the better to enable him to buy good Fish and Fowl for the University having observed much sickness occasioned by unwholsome food in that kind He bequeathed to Dr. Wren Bishop of Ely and Doctor Brounrigg Bishop of Exeter one hundred pounds a piece by his Will and as much by a Codecil annexed thereunto Besides his concealed Charities his hand was always open to all the distressed Royalists He died in May 1650. Memorable Persons WILLIAM COLLET was born at Over in this County bred a Clerk in London till at last he attained to be Keeper of the Records in the Tower none equalling him in his dexterity in that office He went the same path with his predecessor in that
Staffondshire The meaning is the Genâ—…ry in Cheshire find it more profitable to match within their County then to bring a Bride out of other 〈◊〉 1. Because better acquainted with her birth and breeding 2. Because though her Portion perchance may be less the expence will be less to maintain her Such 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 County have been observed both a prolonger of worshipfull families and the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them seeing what Mr. Camden reported of the Citizens of 〈◊〉 is verified of the Cheshire Gentry they are all or an Alliance Cardinals WILLIAM MAKILESFIELD was saith my Author 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishop Godwin 〈◊〉 little 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Civitate 〈◊〉 However I conceive him born in this 〈◊〉 finding a 〈◊〉 Market-town and Forrest therein so named though he was reputed a 〈◊〉 because 〈◊〉 in that Age was in the 〈◊〉 of Coventry and Lichfield But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not swim against the stream I Remit the Reader to his Character in Warwickshire 〈◊〉 WILLIAM BOOTH was first bred in 〈◊〉 Inn in London in the studie of our Municipall Laws till he 〈◊〉 that profession on the proffer of a 〈◊〉 Place in Saint Pauls and took Orders upon him It was not long before he was 〈◊〉 Bishop of Letchfield and six years after translated to 〈◊〉 He expended much money 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 died and was buried in Saint Maries Chappell in Southwell 1464. LAURENCE BOOTH Brother but by another Mother to William aforesaid was bred and became Master of 〈◊〉 hall in 〈◊〉 and was Chancellour of that University He made the Composition 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 colledge to their mutuall advantage and was an eminent 〈◊〉 to his own Colledge bestowing thereon all the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Church amongst which was St. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Colledge of a Pension of five pounds which he redeemed and and Conferred there on the 〈◊〉 and Patronage of Overton-Waterfield in Huntingtanshire As it is Gods so it is all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 method in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Servants Be faithfull in a little and thou shalt rule over much Doctor Booth well performing his Chancellors Place in Cambridge was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 the fixth Well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of King 〈◊〉 the fourth made Lord High Chancellor 〈◊〉 seems his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishop of York and deserving well of both Sees For he built in the first the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 colledge and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It must not be forgotten than this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 till the day of his death and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Bishop 〈◊〉 not that they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the place but the place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with them as it is this day by the Right Reverend Father in God Benjamin Lany Lord Bishop of Peturborough This Arch-bishop died Anno Dom. 1480. JOHN BOOTH Brother to Laurence aforesaid Bachellor of Laws was consecrated Bishop of Exceter in the sixth of King Edward the fourth 1466. He built the Bishops Chair or Seat in his Cathedral which in the judicious Eye of Bishop Godwin hath not his Equall in England Let me adde that though this be the fairest Chair the soft Cushion thereof was taken away when Bishop Vescy alienated the Lands thereof The worst was when Bishop Booth had finished this Chair he could not quietly sit down therein so troublesome the times of the civil wars betwixt York and Lancaster So that preferring his privacy he retired to a little place of his own purchasing at Horsley in Hampshire where he dyed April the first 1478. and was buried in Saint Clements Danes London We must remember that these three Prelates had a fourth and eldest Brother Sir Roger Booth Knight of Barton in Lancashire Father of Margaret Wife of Ralph Nevill third Earl of Westmerland And may the Reader take notice that though we have entred these Bishops according to our best information in Cheshire yet is it done with due reservation of the right of Lancashire in case that County shall produce better Evidence for their Nativities THOMNS SAVAGE was born at Maklefield in this County his Father being a Knight bred him a Doctor of Law in the University of Cambridge Hence was he preferred Bishop of Rochester and at last Arch-bishop of York He was a greater Courtier then Clerke and most Dextrous in managing Secular Matters a mighty Nimrod and more given to Hunting then did consist with the Gravity of his Profession No doubt there wanted not those which taxed him with that Passage in Saint Jerome Penitus non invenimus in scripturis sanctis sanctum aliquem Venatorem Piscatores invenimus sanctos But all would not wean him from that sport to which he was so much addicted His provident Precedent spared his Successors in that See many pounds of needless expences by declining a costly instaulation being the first who privately was instauled by his Vicar Yet was he not Covetous in the least degree maintaining a most numerous Family and building much both at Scroby and Cawood Having sate seven years in his See he died 1508. his Body being buried at York his Heart at Maklefield where he was born in a Chapel of his own Erection intending to have added a Colledge thereunto had not death prevented him Since the Reformation WILLIAM CHADERTON D. D. Here I solemnly tender deserved thanks to my Manuscript Author charitably guiding me in the Dark assuring that this Doctor was ex praeclaro Chadertonorum Cestrensis comitatus stemmate prognatus And although this doubtfull Direction doth not cleave the Pin it doth hit the White so that his Nativity may with most Probability not prejudicing the right to Lancashire when produced here be fixed He was bred first Fellow then Master of Queens and never of Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge as Reverend Bishop Godwin mistaketh and chosen first the Lady Margarets then Kings Professor in Divinity and Doctor Whitacre succeeded him immediately in the Chair He was Anno 1579. made Bishop of Chester then of Lincoln 1594. demeaning himself in both to his great commendation He departed this life in April 1608. His Grand-child a virtuous Gentlewoman of rare accomplishments married to Mr. Joceline Esquire being big with child wrot a Book of advise since Printed and Intitled the Mothers Legacie to her unborn Infant of whom she died in travail WILLIAM JAMES D. D. was born in this County bred a Scholar in Christs-church in Oxford and afterwards President of the University Colledge He succeeded Bishop Mathews in the Deanary and Bishoprick of Durham He had been Chaplain to Robert Dudly Earl of Lecester and I hope I may lawfully transcribe what I read Sir J. Harrington view of the Church of England pag.
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
of the same Hand under the new name of a Subsidie Indeed it was pity that the Father of the Diocess should want any thing which his Sons could contribute unto Him He highly favoured the Templars though more pitying then profiting them as persons so stiffly opposed by the Pope and Philip King of France that there was more fear of his being suppressed by their Foes then hope of their being supported by his Friendship He was present in the Councel of Vienna on the same token that therein he had his place assigned next the Arch-bishop of Triers and that I assure you was very high as beneath the lowest Elector and above Wortzbury or Herbipolis and other German Prelates who also were Temporal Princes But now he is gone and his pompe with him dying at Cawood 1315. and buried in the Chappel of Saint Nicholas leaving the reputation of an able Statesman and no ill Scholar behind him MICHAEL TREGURY was born in this County and bred in the University of Oxford where he attained to such eminency that he was commended to King Henry the fifth fit to be a forraign Professor This King Henry desiring to Conquer France as well by Arts as Armes knowing that learning made Civil Persons and Loyall 〈◊〉 reflected on the City of Cane honoured with the Ashes of his Ancestors in Normandy and resolved to advance it an University which he did Anno 1418. placing this Michael the first Professor in the Colledge of his Royal Erection Hence King Henry the sixth preferred him Arch bishop of Dublin in Ireland wherein he continued 22. years deceasing December 21. 1471. and is buried in the Church of Saint Patrick in Dublin I am sorry to see the Author of so many learned books disgraced on his Monument with so barbarous an Epitaph Praesul Metropolis Michael hic Dubliniensis Marmore Tumbatus pro me Christum flagitetis Allowing him thirty years old when Professor at Cane he must be extreamly aged at his departure JOHN ARUNDLE was born of right ancient Parentage of Lanhearn in this County bred in the University of Oxford and was by King Henry the seventh preferred Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield anno 1496. thence translated to his Native Diocese of Exeter 1501. Impute it to the shortness of his continuance in that See that so little is left of his Memory not enough to feed much less Feast the Pen of an Historian He dyed at London anno 1503. and lyeth buryed saith my Author in St. Clements not acquainting us whether Clements East cheap or Clements Danes but I conclude it is the latter because the Bishops of Exeter had their Inne or City-house now converted into Essex-house within that Parish Capital Judges and Writers on the Law There passeth a pleasant Tradition in this County how there standeth a man of great strength and stature with a black Bil in his hand at Polston-bridge the first entrance into Cornwall as you pass towards Launceston where the Assizes are holden ready to knock down all the Lawyers that should offer to plant themselves in that County But in earnest few of that profession have here grown up to any supereminent height of Learning Livelyhood or Authority Whether because of the far distance of this County from the Supremer Courts or because of the multiplicity of petty ones nearer hand pertaining to the Dutchy Stannerie's and other Franchises enabling Atturneys and the like of small reading to serve the peoples turne and so cutting the profit from better-studyed Counsellers Some conceive that Sir Robert Tresillian chief Justice of the Kings-Bench in the fifth of King Richard the Second to be this Country-man though producing no other evidence save Tre the initial syllable of his Surname as a badge of Cornish extraction However we have purposely omitted him in this our Catalogue partly because not claimed by Mr. Carew in his Survey for their Countryman partly because no Worthy as justly executed by Act of Parliament for pronouncing their Acts revocable at the Kings pleasure As for one Cornish man though neither Writer nor actual Judge his worth commands us to remember him namely WILLIAM NOY born in this County was bred in Lincolns-Inn a most sedulous Student constantly conversant with ancient Records verifying his Anagram WILLIAM NOY I Moyl in Law He was for mâ—…ny years the stoutest Champion for the Subjects Liberty untill King Charles entertained him to be his Attorney after which time I read this Character of him in an History written by an ingenious Gentleman He became so servilely addicted to the Prerogative as by Ferretting old penall Statutes and devising new exactions he became for the small time he enjoyed that power the most pestilent Vexation to the subjects that this latter age produced However others behold his Actions with a more favourable eye as done in the pursuance of the place he had undertaken who by his Oath and Office was to improve his utmost power to advance the profit of his Master Thus I see that after their Deaths the Memories of the best Lawyers may turn Clients yea and sue too in forma Pauperis needing the good word of the Charitable Survivors to plead in their behalf He dyed anno Domini 163. Let me add this passage from his mouth that was present thereat The Goldsmiths of London had and in due time may have a Custom once a year to weigh Gold in the Star-Chamber in the presence of the Privy Councill and the Kings Attourney This solemn weighing by a word of art they call the Pixe and make use of so exact scales therein that the Master of the Company affirmed that they would turn with the two hundereth part of a grain I should be loath said the Attorney Noy standing by that all my actions should be weighed in those Scales With whom I concur in relation of the same to my self And therefore seeing the Ballance of the Sanctuary held in Gods hand are far more exact what need have we of his mercy and Christs merits to make us Passable in Gods presence Souldiers King ARTHUR Son to Uther-Pendragon was born in Tintagel-Castle in this County and proved afterward Monarch of Great Britain He may fitly be termed the British Hercules in three respects 1. For his illegitimate birth both being Bastards begotten on other mens wives and yet their Mothers honest women deluded the one by Miracle the other by Art-Magick of Merlin in others personating their husbands 2. Painfull life one famous for his twelve labours the other for his twelve victories against the Saxons and both of them had been greater had they been made less and the reports of them reduced within compass of probability 3. Violent and wofull death our Arthurs being as lamentable and more honourable not caused by Feminine Jealousie but Masculine Treachery being murdered by Mordred near the place where he was born As though no other place on Britains spacious earth Were
Bastenthwayt Mi. for 7 years Anno 13 Nul Titulus Comitis in hoc Rotulo Anno 14 Anno 15 Anno 16 Anno 17 Hen. de Malton Rob. le Brum Anno 18 Hen de Malton EDW. III. Anno 1 Pet. Tilloll Rob. Brun Anno 2 Anno 3 Pet Tilloll Anno 4 Rad. de Dacre Ranulphus for 6 years Anno 10 Ric. de Denton Anno 11 Anth. de Lucy Roul Vaux Anno 12 Idem Anno 13 Anth. de Lucy Anno 14 Idem Anno 15 Hug. de Moriceby Anth. de Lucy Anno 16 Idem Anno 17 Hug. de Moriceby Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Tho. de Lucy Hug. de Moriceby Anno 20 Idem Anno 21 Tho. de Lucy Anno 22 Idem Anno 23 Idem Anno 24 Rich. de Denton Anno 25 Idem Anno 26 Hug. de Louthre Anno 27 Idem Anno 28 Idem Anno 29 Nul Titulus Comitis in Rotulo Anno 30 Will. de Thirkeld Anno 31 Rob. Tillioll Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Will. de Lancaster Anno 34 Chri. de Moriceby Anno 35 Rob. de Tillioll Anno 36 Idem Anno 37 Chri. de Moriceby Anno 38 Idem Anno 39 Idem Anno 40 Idem Anno 41 Will. de Windesor Anno 42 Idem Anno 43 Adam Puinges Anno 44 Idem Anno 45 Idem Anno 46 Ioh. de Denton Anno 47 Rob. de Moubray Anno 48 Ioh. de Derwentwater Anno 49 Ioh. de Denton Anno 50 Ioh. de Derwentwater Anno 51 Ioh. Bruyn King Henry II. 21 ROBERTUS de VAUS Alias de Vaux or de Vallibus a right ancient name still extant in this County There is a Cross in the Church-yard of Beu-castle about twenty foot in height all of one square stone carved with the Armes of Vaux whence Master Cambden concludeth it though otherwise the inscription thereon not legible of their erection I behold this Robert as Father to John de Vallibus of whom Mathew Paris saith that he was one of those that muneribus excaecati à fidelitate quam Baronibus in commune juraverant recesserunt Blinded with bribes they went back from the some will say such breach no breach of fidelity which they had jointly sworn to the Barons Indeed the same Author reckoneth him amongst those whom he termeth Clarissimos milites on whose loyalty and valour King Henry the third relied The Lord Vaux of Harrowden in Northamptonshire doth hence fetch his Extraction King Henry III. 8 WALT. EPIS CARLIOL ROB. filius WILL. de HAMPTON This Walter Bishop of Carlile was he who commonly was called Male-Clerk English it as you please Bad-scholar or Clergy-man It seems to me a strange Transposition that Henry the first King of England should be termed Beau-Clerk a Good-scholar and our Walter a Bad One who was a Bishop in Orders However though Male-Clerk had he been Bon-Homme a Good-Man the matter had been much mended But I find little praise of his manners Indeed he was Lord Trea surer of England and found false both in Word and Deed avowing his Accounts even when he was justly charged with an hundred pound a summe in that age in the purse of a poor King debt to the Exchequer This cost him much molestation so that at last he resigned his Bishoprick which by my Author is beheld as no kindly act of mortification but that he came unjustly by his place and was afraid to lose though ashamed to keep it any longer He afterwards became a Friar at Oxford as if lacking learning in his Youth he would recover it in his Old Age where he dyed October 28. 1248. Edward II. 2 ANDREAS de HARCLA Had his latter end answered his beginning he might deservedly have been ranked amongst the Worthies of Westmerland where he was born at Harcla whereas now it shall suffice to make this oblique mention of him in this place He behaved himself right handsomely in the service of King Edward the second many years together especially at the battle of Borough-brigge where he killed Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and took Thomas Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster with many others of the Nobility prisoners and delivered them to the King In reward whereof he was Created in the 19. â—…ear of that King Earl of Carlile and had the Isle of Man bestow'd upon him Next year I know not upon what discontentment he fell into private confederacy with the Kings foes the Scots for which he was taken and condemned Now lest the Nobility of others should by secret sympathy suffer in his disgracefull death the Earl was first parted from the Man and his honour severed from his person by a solemn degradation having his knightly spurs hewed off from his heels which done he was hang'd drawn and quartered Sheriffs Name Place Armes RICH. II.   Anno   1 Io. Derwentwater  Ar. 2 barrs G. â—… a Canton of the second a Cinqsoile of the first 2 Wil de Stapleton*   3 Gilb. de Culwen †〈◊〉 Argent a Lion rampant Sable 4 Io. de DeweÌ„rwater ut prius †Arg. Frettee G. a Cheif Azure 5 Ama. Mounceaux   6 Rober. Parning   7 Ama. Mounceaux   8 Ioh. Therlwall   9 Ama. Mounceaux   10 Ioh. Therlwall   11 Pet. Tillioll   12 Ioh. Ireby  Aâ—…gent Frettee a Canton Sable 13 Rich. Redman  G. 3 Cussions Erm. buttoned and Tasselled Or. 14 Chri. Moriceby   15 Ioh. de Ireby ut prius  16 Tho. de Musgrave  Azure six Annulets Or. 17 Rich. Redman ut prius  18 Pet. Tiliot   19 Ioo de Ireby ut prius  20 Ricq Redman ut prius  21 Wil. Culwen ut prius  22 Rich. Redman ut prius  HEN. IV.   Anno   1 Will. Leigh   2 Will. Louther  Or. six Annuletes Sable 3 Rich. Redman Wil. Osmunderlaw ut prius Arg a Fess between 3 Martlets Sable 4 Pet. Tillioll   5 Idem   6 Râ—…ch Skelton  〈◊〉 Fess 〈◊〉 3 Flower de 〈◊〉 Or. 7 Will. Louther ut prius  8   9   10 Ioh. Delamore   11 Rob. Rodington   12 Rich. Redman m. ut prius  HEN. V.   Anno   1 Ia. Harington m.  Sable Frettee Argent 2 Will. Stapelton ut prius  3 Chri Culwen m. ut prius  4 Ioh. Lancaster  Arg. 2 Bars G. on a Canton of the same a Lion passant Or. 5 Wil. Osmunder law ut prius  6 Rob. Louther mi. ut prius  7 Ioh. Lamplough  Or 2 Cross floury Sable 8 Will. Stapilton ut prius  9 Will. Stapleton ut prius  Rich. Ratcliffe Darwentwater Arg. a Bend engrailed Sable HEN. VI.   Anno   1 Will. Leigh mil.   2 Chri. Gulwen m. ut prius  3 Chri. Moresby m.  Arg. a Cross S. in the
his friend and Patron Baldwin Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He travailed into Forrain parts which he did not as too many weed but gathered the Flowers returning stored with good Manners and stock'd with good Learning He endeavoured that all in his Convent should be like himself and Ford-Abbey in his time had more Learning therein than three Convents of the same bignesse He was Confessor to King John wrote many pious Works and dying was buried in his own Convent without any Funeral Pomp about the year 1215. RICHARD FISHAKER or FIZACRE Matthew Paris termeth him FISHACLE was saith 〈◊〉 born in Exoniensi Patria which I english in Devonshire He was bred first in Oxford then in Paris and became a Dominican Friar For his Learning and Preaching as highly esteemed as any of that age He was saith Learned Leland as fast linked in Friendship to Robert Bacon of whom hereafter as ever 〈◊〉 to Bacchius or Thesâ—…us to Perithous So that one may say ofthem there was two friends This Richard disdaining to survive Robert aâ—…oresaid hearing of his death expired in the same year 1248. and was buried at Oxford JOHN CUT 〈◊〉 was born at the Manor of Gammage in this County where his Name and Family do continue Owners thereof Now because that which is pretty is pleasing and what is little may be presumed pretty we will insert the short and indeed all the information we have of him In the time of King Edward the Third Johannes Rupe-Scissanus or de Rupe scissa Cutclif being a very sincere and learned man opposed himself against the Doctrine and Manners of the Clergy and wrote against the Pope himself I see Baleus non vidit omnia for Pitzeus it is no wonder if he be pleased to take no notice of a Writer of an opposite judgment to himself When we receive then will we return more Intelligence of this Authour RICHARD CHICHESTER was not born at Chichester in Sussex as his Name doth import but was an extract of that Ancient Family still flourishing at Raleigh in this County He became a Monk in Westminster seldome spending any spare time in vanity but laying it out in reading Scripture and good History He wrote a Chronicle from Hengisius the Saxon to the year of our Lord 1348. done indeed fide Historica His death happened about the year 1355. ROBERT PLYMPTON was born in Plypmton in this County and bred an Augustinian in the Town of his Nativity He was afterwards preferred Arch-Deacon of Totnesse conscientiously discharging his place for perceiving people extreamly 〈◊〉 he was another John Baptist in his painful preaching repentance unto them which Sermons he caused to be written and it is conceived they wrought a very good 〈◊〉 on the Devonians The time wherein he flourished is not certainly known NICHOLAS UPTON was born in this County of an Ancient Family still flourishing therein at ........... He was bred Doctor in the Canon-Law and became Canon of Salisbury Wells and St. Pauls Humphrey Duke of Glocester the Me coenas General of goodnesse and learning had him in high esteem and gave him great rewards Hereupon Upton in expression of his gratitude presented his Patron with a Book the first in that kind of Heraldry and the Rules thereof a Book since set forth in a fair impression by Edward Bish Esquire a Person composed of all worthy accomplishments He flourished under King Henry the Sixth 1440. Since the Reformation RICHARD HOOKER was born at Heavy-tree nigh Exeter bred in Corpus Christi Colledg in Oxford and afterwards was preferred by Arch-Bishop Whitgift Master of the Temple whilst at the same time Mr. Walter Travers was the Lecturer thereof Here the Pulpit spake pure Canterbury in the Morning and Geneva in the Afternoon until Travers was silenced Hooker his Stile was prolixe but not tedious and such who would patiently attend and give him credit all the reading or hearing of his Sentences had their expectation over-paid at the close thereof He may be said to have made good Musick with his fiddle and stick alone without any Rosin having neither Pronunciation nor gesture to grace his matter His Book of Ecclestiastical POLITIE is prized by all generally save such who out of Ignorance cannot or Envy will not understand it But there is a kind of People who have a Pike at him and therefore read his Book with a prejudice that as Jephtha vowed to sacrifice the first living thing which met him these are resolved to quarrel with the first word which occurreth therein Hereupon it is that they take exception at the very Title thereof Ecclesiastical Politie as if unequally yoked Church with some mixture of City-nesse that the Discipline Jure Divino may bow to Humane Inventions But be it reported to the Judicious whether when all is done a Reserve must not be left for prudential Supplies in Church Government True it is his Book in our late Times was beheld as an Old-Almanack grown out of date but blessed be God there is now a Revoluion which may bring his Works again into reputation Mr. Hooker leaving London no inclination of his own but obedience to others put him on so publick a place retired to his small Benefice in Kent where he put off his Mortality Anno 1599 leaving the Memory of an humble holy and learned Divine Here I must retract after a Father no shame for a Child two passages in my Church History For whereas I reported him to die a Bachilour he had Wife and Children though indeed such as were neither to his comfort when living nor credit when Dead But Parents cannot stamp their Children from their Heads or Hearts Secondly his Monument was not erected by Sir Edwin Sandys a person as probable as any man alive for such a performance but by Sir William Cooper now li ving in the Castle of Hartford and let the good Knight have the due Commendation thereof JOHN REINOLDS was born in this County bred in Corpus-Christi-Colledge in Oxford of whom I have spoken plentifully in my Church-History NATHANIEL CARPENTER Son to a Minister was born in this County bred Fellow of Exeter-Colledge in Oxford He was right-handed in the Cyclopedy of all Arts Logick witnesse his Decades Mathematicks expressed in the Book of his Geography and Divinity appearing in his excellent Sermons called Achitophel As for his Opticks it had been a Master-piece in that kind if truly and perfectly printed I have been informed that to his great grief he found the written Preface thereof CaChristmass Pies in his Printers House Pearles are no Pearles when Cocks or Coxcombs find them and could never after from his scattered Notes recover an Original thereof He went over into Ireland where he became Chaplain to James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh and School-Master of the Kings Wards in Dublin A place of good profit great credit greatest trust being to bring up many Popish Minors in the Protestant Religion who under his Education grew
daily out of the Nonage of their Years and Vassallâ—…ge of their Errours He died in Dublin Robert Usher soon after Bishop of Kildare preached his Funeral Sermon on that Text Behold a true Israelite wherein there is no guile shewing how he was truly a Nathaniel Gods Gift and a Carpenter a Wise Builder of Gods House until the Dissolution of his Own Tabernacle about the year 1636. Benefactors to the Publick PETER BLUNDELL of Tiverton in this County was a Clothier by his Profession and through Gods Blessing on his Endeavours therein raised unto himself a fair Estate Nor was he more painful and industrious in gaining then Pious aud Prudent in disposing thereof erecting a fair Free-School in the Town of his Nativity By his Will he bequeathed thereto a competent maintenance together with conveniency of Lodging for a Master and Usher And lest such whose Genius did encline and Parts furnish them for a further Progresse in Learning should through want of a Comfortable Subsistency be stopped or disheartned he bestowed two Scholarships and as many Fellowships on Sidney Colledge in Cambridge carefully providing that the Scholars bred in his School at Tiverton should be elected into the same I cannot attain to a certainty in the Time of his Death though it be thought to have happened about the year 1596. WILLIAM BURGOIN Esquire must not be forgotten finding this his Epitaph on his Marble Stone in the Church of Arlington Here lies Will. Burgoin a Squire by discent Whose death in this World many People lament The Rich for his love The Poor for his Almes The Wise for his Knowledge The Sick for his Balmes Grace he did love and Vice conroul Earth hath his body and Heaven his Soul He died on the Twelfth day of August in the Morning 1623. as the Inscription on his said Tomb doth inform us Memorable Persons HENRY de LA POMERAY lived at and was Lord of Berry-Pomeray in this County This Henry taking heart at the imprisonment of Richard the First by Leopaldus Duke of Austria surprized and expulsed the Monkes out of Michaels-Mount in Cornwal that there he might be a petty Prince by himself But being ascertained of his Soveraignes inlargement and fearing deserved death to prevent it he laid violent hands on himself as Roger Hoveden doth report But the Descendants from this Pomeray make a different relation of this accident affirming that a Serjeant at Armes of the Kings came to his Castle at Berry-Pomeray and there received kind entertainment for certain dayes together and at his departure was gratified with a liberal reward In counter-change whereof he then and no sooner revealing his long concealed errand flatly arrested his Host to make his immediate appearance before the King to answer a capital crime Which unexpected and ill carried Message the Gentleman took in such despight that with his Dagger he stabbed the Messenger to the heart Then despairing of pardon in so superlative an offence he abandoned his home and got himself to his Sister abiding in the Island of Mount-Michael in Cornwal Here he bequeathed a large portion of his land to the religious people dwelling there to pray for the redeeming of his soul and lastly that the remainder of his estate might descend to his heir he caused himself to be let blood unto death JOHN de BEIGNY Knight lived Lord of Ege-Lifford in this County who having been a great Travailer and Souldier in his youth retired home married and had three Sons in his reduced Age. Of these the third put himself on Forraign Action in the War against the Saracens in Spain whereof Fame made a large report to his Fathers great contentmâ—…nt which made him the more patiently dispence with his absence But after that death had bereft him of his two elder Sons he was often heard to say Oh that I might but once embrace my Son I would be contented to die presently His Son soon after returning unexpectedly the old man instantly expired with an extasie of Joy An English Father I see can be as passionate as the Italian Mother which died for Joy after the return of her Son from the Battail of 〈◊〉 Thus if all our randome desires should hit the Mark and if Heaven should alwayes take us at our word in our wishes we should be tamed with our Wild prayers granted unâ—…ous us and be drowned in the Deluge of our own Passions This Knight as I take it flourished under King Edward the Third CHILD Whose Christian Name is unknown was a Gentleman the last of his Family being of ancient extraction at Plimstock in this County and great Possessions It happened that he hunting in Dart-More lost both his Company and way in a bitter Snow Having killed his Horse he crept into his hot bowels for warmâ—…h and wrote this with his bloud He that findes and brings meto my Tombe The Land of Plimstock shall be his doom That nâ—…ght he was frozen to death and being first found by the Monkes of Tavâ—…stock they with all possible speed hasted to interre him in their own Abby His own 〈◊〉 of Plimstock hearing thereof stood at the Ford of the River to take his Body from them But they must rise early yea not sleep at all who over-reach Monkes in matter of profit For they cast a slight Bridge over the River whereby they carried over the Corps and interred it In avowance whereof the Bridge a more Premeditate Structure I believe in the place of the former Extempore Passage is called Guils Bridge to this day And know Reader all in the Vicinage will be highly offended with such who either deny or doubt the credit of this common Tradition And sure it is that the Abbot of Tavistock got that rich Manor into his Possession The exact Daâ—…e of this Childs Death I cannot attain NICHOLAS ANDREW TREMAINE were Twins and younger Sons to Thomas Tremaine of 〈◊〉 in this County Esquire Had they preceded Hypocrates in time posterity would have presumed them the sympathising Twins whereof he maketh so large mention Such their likenesse in all lineaments they could not be distinguished but by their several habits which when they were pleased on private confederacy to exchange for disport they occasioned more mirthful mistakes than ever were acted in the Amphitruo of Plautus They felt like pain though at distance and without any intelligence given they equally desired to walk travail sit sleep eat drink together as many credible Gentry of the Vicinage by relation from their Father will attest In this they differred that at New-haven in France the one was a Captain of a Troop the other but a private Souldier Here they were both slain 1564 death being pitiful to kill them together to prevent the lingering languishing of the Surviver Lord-Mayors Never one of this Office was a Devon-shire man by birth on my best enquiry Whereof some assigne these reasons 1 The Distance of the Place whose Western part is removed from London Two
their own Country Well it were if this good old custome were resumed for if where God hath given Talents men would give but Pounds I mean encourage hopefull Abilities with helpfull Maintenance able persons would never be wanting and poor men with great parts would not be excluded the Line of preferment This Sir Thomas was afterwards Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth and a grand benefactor to both Universities as I have formerly declared at large He died Anno Domini 1577. THOMAS HOWARD wherever born is justly reputed of this County wherein he had his first honour and last habitation He was second son to Thomas last Duke of Norfolk but eldest by his wife Margaret sole heir to Thomas Lord Audley Queen Elizabeth made him Baron of Audley and Knight of the Garter and King James who beheld his father a State-Martyr for the Queen of â—…ots in the first of his raign advanced him Lord Chamberlain and Earl of Suffolk and in the twelfth of his raign July 12. Lord Treasurer of England He was also Chancellour of Cambridge loving and beloved of the University When at his first coming to Cambridge Master Francis Nethersole Orator of the University made a Latine Speech unto him this Lord returned though I understand not Latine I know the Sence of your Oration is to tell me that I am wellcome to you which I believe verily thank you for it heartily and will serve you faithfully in any thing within my power Doctor Hasnet the Vice-chancellour laying hold on the Handle of so fair a Proffer requested him to be pleased to Entertain the King at Cambridge a Favour which the University could never compass from their former great and wealthy Chancellours I will do it saith the Lord in the best manner I may with the speediest conveniency Nor was he worse then his word giving his Majesty not long after so Magnificent a Treatment in the University as cost him five thousands pounds and upwards Hence it was that after his death Thomas his second son Earl of Bark-shire not suing for it not knowing of it was chosen to succeed him losing the place as some suspected not for lack of voices but fair counting them He died at Audley end Anno Domini 1626. being Grand-father to the right Honourable James Earl of Suffolk RICHARD WESTON I behold him son to Sir Jerome Weston Sheriff of this County in the one and fourtieth of Queen Elizabeth and cannot meet with any of his relations to rectifie me if erronious In his youth he impaired his estate to improve himself with publique accomplishment but came off both a saver and a gainer at the last when made Chancellor of the Exchequer and afterwards upon the remove of the Earl of Marlburrough July 15. in the fourth of King Charles Lord Treasurer of England But I hear the Cocks crow proclaiming the dawning day being now come within the ken of many alive and when mens memories do arise it is time for History to haste to bed Let me onely be a Datary to tell the Reader that this Lord was Created Earl of Portland February 17. in the eight of King Charles and died Anno Domini 163. being father to the right Honorable Jerome now Earl of Portland Capitall Judges Sir JOHN BRAMSTONE Knight was born at Maldon in this County bred up in the Middle-Temple in the study of the Common-law wherein he attained to such eminency that he was by King Charles made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench One of deep learning solid judgement integrity of life gravity of behaviour in a word accomplished with all qualities requisite for a Person of his place and profession One instance of his integrity I must not forget effectually relating to the Foundation wherein I was bred Serjeant Bruerton of whom formerly bequeathed by Will to Sidney-colledge well nigh three thousand pounds but for haste or some other accident so imperfectly done that as Doctor Samuel Ward informed me the gife was invalid in the Rigour of the Law Now Judge Bramstone who married the Serjeants Widdow gave himself much trouble gave himself indeed doing all things gratis for the speedy payment of the money to a Farthing and the legal setling thereof on the Colledge according to the true intention of the dead He deserved to live in better times the delivering his judgement on the Kings side in the case of Ship â—…oney cost him much trouble The posting Press would not be perswaded to stay till I had received farther instructions from the most Hopefull sons of this worthy Judge who died about the year 1646. Souldiers ROBERT FITZ-WALTER It is observable what I read in my Author that in the raign of King John there were three most eminent Knights in the land 〈◊〉 for their prowess viz. Robert Fitz-Roger Richard Mont-Fâ—…chet and this Robert Fitz-Walter Two of which three a fair proportion fall to be natives of this County This Robert was born at Woodham-walters and behaved himself right 〈◊〉 on all occasions highly beloved by King Richard the first and King John untill the later banished him the land because he would not prostitute his daughter to his pleasure But worth will not long want a Master the French-King joyfully entertained him till King John recalled him back again on this occasion five-years truce being concluded betwixt the two Crowns of England and France an English-man challenged any of the French to just a course or two on horse-back with him whom Fitz-Walter then oâ—… the French party undertook and at the first course with his great spear fell'd horse and man to the ground Thus then and ever since English-men generally can be worsted by none but English-men Hereupon the King next day sent for him restored his lands with license for him to repair his Castles and particularly Bainards-castle in London which he did accordingly He was styled of the common-people The Marshall of Gods Army and Holy-Church He died Anno Domini 1234. and lieth buried in the Priory of Little-Dunmow Sir JOHN HAWKEWOOD Knight Son to Gilbert Hawkewood Tanner was born in Sible heningham This John was first bound an apprentice to a Taylor in the City of London but soon turned his needle into a sword and thimble into a shield being pressed in the service of King Edward the third for his French Wars who rewarded his valour with Knighthood Now that mean men bred in manuall and mechanick trades may arrive at great skill in Martiall performances this Hawkewood though an eminent is not the onely instance of our English nation The heat of the French Wars being much remitted he went into Italy and served the City of Florence which as yet was a Free State Such Republiques preferred forrainers rather then natives for their Generalls because when the service was ended it was but disbursing their pay and then disbanding their power by cashering their Commission such Forraigners having no advantage to continue their
command and render themselves absolute because wanting an interest in alliances and relations Thus a single Stake if occasion serves is sooner plucked up then a tree fastned to the earth with the many fibrae appendant to the root thereof Great the gratitude of the State of Florence to this their Generall Hawkewood who in testimony of his surpassing valour and singular faithfull service to their State adorned him with the Statue of a man of armes and sumptuous Monument wherein his ashes remain honoured at this present day Well it is that Monument doth remain seeing his Coenotaph or honorary tombe which sometimes stood in the Parish Church of Sible-heningham arched over and in allusion to his name berebussed with Hawkes flying into a Wood is now quite flown away and abolished This Sir John Hawkewood married Domnia daughter of Barnaby the warlike brother of Galeasius Lord of Millain father to John the first Duke of Mallain by whom he had a son named John born in Italy made Knight and naturalized in the seventh year of King Henry the fourth as appeareth by the Record Johannes filius Johannis Haukewood Miles natus in partibus Italiae factus indigena Ann. 8. Hen. 4. mater ejus nata in partibus transmarinis This valiant Knight dyed very aged Anno 1394. in the eighteenth of King Richard the second his friends founding two Chantreys to pray for his and the souls of John Oliver and Thomas Newenton Esquires his military companions and which probably may be presumed born in the same County THOMAS RATCLIFF Lord Fitz-walter second Earl of Sussex of that Surname twice Lord Deputy of Ireland was a most valiant Gentleman By his prudence he caused that Actuall Rebellion brake not out in Ireland and no wonder if in his time it Rained not war there seeing his diligence dispersed the clouds before they could gather together Thus he who cures a disease may be the skilfubest but he that prevents it is the safest Physician Queen Elizâ—…beth called him home to be her Lord Chamberlain and a constant Court faction was maintained betwixt him and Robert Earl of Leicester so that the 〈◊〉 and the Leicesterians divided the Court whilst the 〈◊〉 as neuters did look upon them Sussex had a great Estate left him by his Ancestors Leicester as great given or restor'd 〈◊〉 by the Queen 〈◊〉 was the honesâ—… man and greater Souldier 〈◊〉 the more faceit 〈◊〉 and deep Politician not for the generall good but his particular profit Great the 〈◊〉 betwixt them and what in vain the Queen endeavoured death performed taking this Earl away and so the competition was 〈◊〉 New-Hall in this County was the place if not as I believe of his Birth of his principall Habitation He dyed .... ... And lyeth buried in the Church of Saint Olives Hartstreet London Sir FRANCIS and Sir HORACE VERE sons of Geffrey Vere Esquire who was son of John Vere the 〈◊〉 Earl of Oxford were both born in this County though severall places Heâ—…ngham Castle Colchester Tilbury juxta clare be by sundry men assigned for their Nativity We will first consider them severally and then compare them together Sir FRANCIS was of a fiery spirit and rigid nature undaunted in all dangers not over valuing the price of mens lives to purchase a victory therewith He served on the Scaene of all Christendome where war was acted One masterpiece of his valour was at the Battle of Newport when his Ragged Regiment so were the English then called from their ragged Cloths help'd to make all whole or else all had been lost Another was when for three years he defended Ostend against a strong and numerous Army surrendering it at last a bare skeliton to the King of Spain who paid more years purchase for it then probably the world will endure He dyed in the beginning of the raign of King James about the year of our Lord 16 ... Sir HORACE had more meekness and as much valour as his Brother so pious that he first made his peace with God before he went out to war with man One of an excellent temper it being true of him what is said of the Caspian Sea that it doth never 〈◊〉 nor Flow observing a constant Tenor neither 〈◊〉 nor depressed with success Had one seen him râ—…turning from a victory he would by his silence have suspected that he had lost the day and had he beheld him in a retreat he would have collected him a Conqueror by the chearfulness of his spirit He was the first Baron of King Charles his Creation Some years after coming to Court he fell suddenly sick and speechless so that he dyed before night Anno Domini 163. No doubt he was well prepared for death seeing such his vigilancy that never any Enemy surprised him in his quarters Now to compare them together such their Eminency that they would hardly be parallell'd by any but themselves Sir Francis was the elder Brother Sir Horace lived to be the older man Sir Francis was more feared Sir Horace more loved by the Souldiery The former in Martiall discipline was oftimes Rigidus ad ruinaâ—… The later seldome exceeded Adterrorem Sir Francis left none Sir Horace no Male issue whose four Co-heirs are since matched into Honorable families Both lived in War much Honored dyed in Peace much Lamented HENRY VERE was son of Edward Vere the seventeenth Earl of Oxford and Anne Trentham his Lady whose principall habitation the rest of his patrimony being then wasted was at Heningham Castle in this County A vigorous Gentleman full of courage and resolution and the last Lord Chamberlain of England of this Family His sturdy nature would not bow to Court-Compliants who would maintain what he spake spake what he thought think what he apprehended true and just though sometimes dangerous and distastefull Once he came into Court with a great Milk-white Feather about his hat which then was somewhat unusuall save that a person of his merit might make a fashion The Reader may guess the Lord who said unto him in some jeer My 〈◊〉 you weare a very fair feather it is true said the Earl and if you mark it there 's â—…e'r a Tâ—…int in it Indeed his family was ever Loyall to the Crown deserving their Motto VERO NIL VERIUS Going over one of the four Engish Colonells into the Low Countries and endeavouring to raise the Siedge of Bxeda he so over-heat himself with Marching Fighting and Vexing the design not succeeding that he dyed few days after Anno Domini 16 ... He married Diana one of the Co-heirs of William Earl of Exeter afterwards married to Edward Eaâ—…l of Elgin by whom he left no issue Physicians WILLIAM GILâ—…T was born in Trinity Parish in Colchester his Father being a Counsellour of great Esteem in his Profession who first removed his family thither from Clare in Suffolk where they had resided in a Gentile Equipage some Centuries of Years He had saith my informer the Clearness of Venice Glass
without the Brittleness thereof soon Ripe and long Lasting in his Perfections He Commenced Doctor in Physick and was Physician to Queen Elizabeth who Stamped on him many Marks of her Favour besides an Annuall Pension to encourage his Studies He addicted himself to Chemistry attaining to great exactness therein One saith of him that he was Stoicall but not Cynicall which I understand Reserv'd but not Morose never married purposely to be more beneficiall to his Brethren Such his Loyalty to the Queen that as if unwilling to survive he dyed in the same year with her 1603. His Stature was Tall Câ—…plexion Cheerfull an Happiness not ordinary in so hard a Student and retired a Person He lyeth buried in Trinity Church in Colchester under a plain Monument Mahomets Tombe at Mecha is said strangely to hang up attracted by some invisible Load-stone but the Memory of this Doctor will never fall to the ground which his incomparable Book De Magnete will support to Eternity Writers GERVASE of TILBURY born at that Village in this County since famous for a Câ—…mpe against the Spaniards in 88. is reported Nephew to King Henry the second But though Nepos be taken in the Latitude thereof to signify Son to Brother Sister or Child I cannot make it out by the Door and am loth to suspect his coming in by the Window This Gervase may be said by his Nativity to stand but on one foot and that on tip toes in England being born on the Sea side at the mouth of Thames and therefore no wonder if he quickly convayed himself over into Forraign Parts He became Courtier and favorite to his Kinsman Otho the fourth Emperour who conferred on him the Marshal-ship of the Arch-bishoprick of Arles which proveth the Imperiall Power in this Age over some parts of Province an office which he excellently discharged Though his person was wholly conversant in Forraign Aire his Pen was chiefly resident on English Earth writing a Chronicle of our Land and also adding illustrations to Gâ—…ffrey Monmouth He flourished Anno 1210. under King John ADAM of BARKING no mean market in this County was so termed from the Town of his Nativity Wonder not that being born in the East of England he went West-ward as far as Sherborn where he was a Benedictine for his education it being as usuall in that age for Monkes as in ours for Husbandmen to change their soil for the seed that their grain may give the greater encrease He was a good Preacher and learned Writer and surely would have soared higher if not weighed down with the ignorance of the age he lived in whose death happened Anno 1216. RALPH of COGSHALL in this County was first Canon of Barnewell nigh Cambridge and afterwards turn'd a Cistertian Monke He was a man Incredibilis frugalitatis parsimoniae but withall of great learning and abilities These qualities commended him to be Abbot of Cogshall the sixth in order after the first foundation thereof where he spent all his spare hours in writing of Chronicles and especially of additions to Radulphus Niger Afflicted in health he resigned his place and died a private person about the year 1230. ROGER of WALTHAM was so called from the place of his Nativity I confess there be many Walthams in England and three in Essex but as in Herauldry the plain Coat speaks the bearer thereof to be the best of the house whiles the younger Brethren give their Armes with differences so I presume that Waltham here without any other addition of Much Waltham Wood-Waltham c. is the Chief in that kind viz. Waltham in this County within twelve Miles of London eminent in that Age for a wealthy Abby The merit of this Roger being saith Bale tersè nitidè eleganter eruditus endeared him to Fulke Basset Bishop of London who preferred him Canon of Saint Pauls He wrot many worthy works flourishing under King Henry the third Anno Domini 1250. JOHN GODARD wherever born had his best being at Cogshall in this County where he became a Cistercian Monke Great was his skill in Arithmetick and Mathematicks a Science which had lain long asleep in the World and now first began to open it's eyes again He wrot many certain Treatises thereof and dedicated them unto Ralph Abbot of Cogshall He flourished Anno Dom. 1250. AUBREY de VERE extracted from the right Honorable Earls of Oxford was born saith my Authors in Bonaclea Villa Trenovantum Three miles srom Saint Osith by which direction we find it to be Great Bentley in this County Now although a witty Gentleman saith that Noble-men have seldome any thing in Print save their Cloths yet this Aubrey so applyed his studies that he wrote a Learned Book of the Eucharist In his old age he became an Augustinian of Saint Osiths preferring that before other places both because of the pleasant retireness thereof and because his kindred were great Benefactors to that Covent witness their Donation de septem Libratis terrae thereunto This Aubrey the most learned of all Honorable Persons in that Age Flourished Anno Domini 1250. THOMAS MALDON was born at Maldon no mean Market Town in this County anciently a City of the Romans called Camulodunum He was afterwards bred in the University of Cambridge where he Commenced Doctor of Divinity and got great reputation for his Learning being a Quick Disputant Eloquent Preacher Solid in Defining Subtle in Distinguishing Clear in Expressing Hence he was chosen Prior of his own Monastery in Maldon where he commendably discharged his place till the day of his death which happened 1404. THOMAS WALDENSIS was son to John and Maud Netter who declining the Surname of his Parents took it from Walden the noted place in this County of his Nativity so much are they mistaken that maintain that this Waldensis his name was Vuedale and that he was born in Hant-shire In some sort he may be termed Anti-Waldensis being the most professed Enemy to the Wicklevites who for the main revived and maintained the Doctrine of the Waldenses Being bred a Carmelite in London and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford he became a great Champion of yet Vassall to the Pope witness his sordid Complement consisting of a conjunction or rather confusion and misapplication of the words of Ruth to Naomi and David to Goliah Perge Domine Papa perge quò cupis ego tecum ubicunque volueris nec deseram in Authoritate Dominorum meorum incedam in armis eorum pugnabo He was in high esteem with three succeeding Kings of England and might have changed his Coul into what English Miter he pleased but refused it Under King Henry the fourth he was sent a solemn Embassadour 1410. about taking away the Schismâ—… and advancing an Union in the Church and pleaded most eloquently before the Pope and Segismund the Emperour He was Confâ—…ssor and Privy Councellour to King Henry the fifth who died in his
fortnight in stocks in the Bishop of Londons Cole house with Irons upon him chained again by Sir Thomas More to a post two nights cruelly handled for a seven-night at Fulham scourged for a fortnight in the Tower and at last sent to a second Tree of Truth I mean to the Stake Whereat he was burned in Smithfield April 30. 1532. Here Mr. Fox reports a passage which I cannot with credit insert or omit but take it as I find it When his Armes and Legs were half consumed in the fire he spake these words O â—…e Papists behold ye look for miracles and here now you may see a miracle for in this fire I feel no more pain than if I were in a Bed of Downe but it is to me as sweet as a Bed of Roses Soft and sweet both to please the touch and smell a double wonder I believe it might be a falshood but no lye in the Author reporting it who possibly might be abused in his intelligence Secondly it is possible that this good man feeling so much pain before might through Gods goodnesse have none at his death Thirdly this story may be kept on the deck to counterpoise the scales against that of Father Briant a Popish Priest who reported himself cruelly racked in the Tower and yet se nihil quicquam doloris sensisse That he felt not any pain at all Lastly though our Saviour juâ—…ly taxeth those who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slow in heart to believe such things as were revealed in the Scripture yet neither God nor Man wâ—…ll be offended with the incredulous in such reports attested onely with Humane suspicious Authority Prelates TIDEMAN de WINCHCOMBE was born in this County at the Market Town formerly famous for a rich Abbey now for plenty of Poore therein He was preferred first Abbot of Benle then Bishop of Landaffe and lastly of Worcester by King Richard the second his importunity to the Pope notwithstanding one John Green was fairly elected thereunto This Tideman was the Kings Physician and very well skilled in that Faculty Be it observed by the way that I am dayly more confirmed in my opinion that till the last two hundred years Physick in England was not a distinct profession from Divinity and the same persons Physicians and Confessors to Princes Say not these Functions were inconsistent the former uâ—…ually departing the later commonly coming to dying men for the several Professions did not justle but succeed one another so that when Potion did end Unction did begin A practice continued by Popish Priests in England at this day gaining commodity and concealment by being such Pluralists in their profession having the most best and last privacy with their Patients This Tideman died Anno Dom. 1400. JOHN CHEDWORTH was born in this County and bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge being the third Scholar that came thereinto by election from Eaton Schoole though some I confesse for a short time make him admitted into Merton Colledge in Oxford He afterwards was the third Provost of Kings Colledge possessing the place six years till at last he was elected Bishop of Lincoln He was joyned in Commission by King Henry the sixth with Bishop Wainfliet of Winchester to revise and regulate the Statutes of Eaton and Kings Colledges He sate Bishop about eighteen years and dying 1471. lies buried in his own Cathedral under a Marble Monument JOHN CARPENTER was as my Author rationally collecteth born at Westbury in this County bred in Oriall Colledge in Oxford whereof he became Provost and Chancellor of the University thence preferred Prefect of Saint Anthonies in London and at last Bishop of Worcester He was so indulgent to Westbury the place of his Nativity that of a mean he made it a magnificent Convent more like a Castle than a Colledge walling it about with Turrets and making a stately Gate-house thereunto He had an humorous intent to style Himself and Successors in imitation of Bath and Wells Bishops of Worcester and VVestbury which Title though running cleverly on the tongues end never came in request because therein Impar conjunctio the matching of a Collegiate and Cathedral Church together He died Anno Dom. 1475 and was buried in his Native Town of VVestbury His Tomb since his Death I will use my Authors words hoping their ignorance if alive understands no Latine A stolidis quibusdam nebulonibus pudendum in morem mutulatur As for the Colledge of VVestbury it is the inheritance of the Right VVorshipful and Hospital House-keeper Ralph Sadler Esq and was in these Civil Broils unhappily burnt down though those who esteemed themselves judicious in war apprehended neither necessity thereof noâ—… advantage thereby THOMAS RUTHAL born at Cicester in this County bred in Cambridge where he commenced Doctor of the Laws was by King Henry the Seventh for his great Abilities preferred to be Bishop of Durham King Henry the Eighth made him of his Privy Councel notwithstanding the hatred which Cardinal VVolsey bare unto him It happened King Henry employed him as a politick person to draw up a Breviate of the State of the Land which he did and got it fairly transcribed But it fell out that in stead thereof he deceived with the likenesse of the cover and binding presented the King with a Book containing an Inventory of his own Estate amounting to an inviduous and almost incredible summe of One hundred thousand pounds VVolsey glad of this mistake told the King he knew now where a masse of money was in case he needed it This broke Ruthall his heart who had paid the third part of the cost of making the Bridge of New-Castle over Tyne and intended many more Benefactions had not death 1523. on this unexpected occasion surprised him Since the Reformation EDWARD FOX was born in Duresley in this County bred first in Eaton then in Kings Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was chosen Provost which place he kept until his death He was afterwards Almoner to King Henry the Eighth He first brought Doctor Cranmer to the knowledge of the King which Doctor first brought the King to the knowledge of himself how he stood in matter of marriage with the Widow of his Brother This Doctor Fox was after Bishop of Hereford and was saith my Author Reformationis Ecclesiasticae illius tempore coeptae clanculum fautor Let me adde he was the principal pillar of the Reformation as to the managery of the Politick and Prudential part thereof being of more activity and no less ability then Cranmer himself Martin Bucer dedicated unto him his Comment on the Gospels yea this Bishop wrote many Books whereof that De differentia utriusque potestatis was his Master-piece He was employed by the King on several Embassies into France and Germany and died to the great loss of Gods Church May 8. 1538. States-men Sir RALPH BUTLER Knight of the Garter and Lord Sudeley in this County was Lord Treasurer of England
c. Which many think meerly made by a conceited Brain on design to puzzle Intellects to create sense by their Ingenuity and Industry which was never intended therein For I am clearly of his opinion who said Qui ea scribit legi quae non vult intelligi debet negligi I have nothing else to observe of this Richard White save that after he had successively married two Wives He was made a Priest by the special dispensation of Pope Clement the eight and that he was alive at Doway 1611. JOHN PITS was born in this County nigh the Market Town of Aulton witness his words in Vicinio cujus Oppidi natus sum ego Son he was to Henry Pits and Elizabeth his Wife Sister to Nicholas Sanders It is hard to say whether his hands took more pains in writing or feet in travelling if the List of his Laborious Life be perused whereby he will appear a very aged person At 11. years of Age he went to the school of Winchester 11 Seven years he staid there until chosen unto New-Colledge 18 Two years he lived in Oxford and then went beyond the Seas 20 One year he stayed and studied in the Colledge of Rhemes 21 Thence going to Rome he lived 7. years there in the English-Colledge and was ordained Priest 28 Returning to Rhemes two yeares he there taught Rhetorick and Greek 30 Then lived in Lorrain and in Triers two years 32 Three years at Ingolstad in Bavaria where he was made D. D. 35 Made Canon of Verdun in Lorrain and lived there two years 37 Then for twelve years he was Confessor to the Dutches of Cleve 49 Here he wrote many Volumes of several Subjects one of the Apostolical men another of the Kings and Bishops in England but because he survived not to see them set forth He was as good as his word mecum morientur sepelientur with him they died and were buried Onely that his book is brought to light which is Intituled de Illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus a Subject formerly handled by many so that some stick not to say J. Leland is the industrious BEE working all J. Bale is the angry WASP stinging  J. Pits is the idle DRONE stealing  For my part I have made much use of his endeavours to help me with many Writers especially with such English Papists as have been since the Reformation Nor will I pay him with rayling from whose pen I have borrowed much information Some wonder at his invectiveness I wonder more that he inveigheth so little and seeing he was sisters son to blackmouth'd Sanders it is much that he doth not more Avunculize in his bitterness against Protestants After the death of Anthonia Dutches of Cleve he returned the third time into Lorrain where the Bishop of Toul who formerly had been his Scholar gave him the Deanary of Liverdune a place of good credit and revenue where quietly he reposed himself for the remainder of his life for many years and dying Anno 1616. was there buried Benefactors to the Publick Besides Bishop Wickham of whom before who alone may pass for Ten I meet with none of grand remark before the Reformation since it besides many of meaner note I find Two of signal Charity Sir WILLIAM DODDINGTON Knight High Sheriffe of this County in the Third of King James kept a bountiful House at Bremer therein Succeeding to an unexpected Estate he had the words of David frequent in his mouth What am I or what is my Fathers House that thou hast brought me hitherto Having a godly jealousie that some former Dysasters in his Family had been caused by Gods displeasure on his Ancestors for holding so many Impropriations he freely and fully restored them to the Church setling them as firmly as Law could devise to a greater yearly value than many will believe or any imitate Yet was he a man of Mourning or son of Affliction all the dayes of his life No sooner had he seen Herbert his eldest son a most hopeful Gentleman married to a considerable Co-heir in Somer set-shire but he beheld him snatcht away by an untimely death What Tragedies have since happened in his household is generally known All these he bare with Saint-like Patience hearing the Rod that is understanding and obeying it and him who appointed it In a word God the skilful Lapidary polished him with sharp Instruments that he then did glister as a Pearle here who now shineth as a Starre in Heaven He died about the year of our Lord 1638. JOSEPH DIGGONS Esquire was of Dutch extraction whose Father was a Sea-man of Trinity-House but had his longest Habitation in this County in a house of his own building at Whetham in the Parish of Lisse He was bred a Fellow-Commoner of Clare-hall in Cambridge and afterwards became a Barrester in the Temple By his Will he gave to Clare hall where none knew his Face nor remembred his Name save the Worthy Master Dr. Pask all his Estate in Land of very improveable Rents to the Value of One Hundred and Thirty Pounds per annum for the founding of Fellowships and Scholarships at the discretion of the Master and Fellows He made Mr. Pickering an Attourney of Clements-Inn living at Oldham in this County an Overseer of his Will who faithfully gave the Colledge notice thereof and was very usefull and assistant to them in the settling of the Lands aforesaid Mr. Diggons died anno 1658. Memorable Persons We must not forget ONE better known to me by his Invention than his Name who dwelling at Stockbridge in this County made so artificial a Plough that by the help of Engins and some Contrivances it might be drawn by Doggs and managed by one Man who would plough in one day well nigh an Acre of the Light Ground in this County This Plough I saw some thirty Years since at Stockbridge aforesaid But the â—…roject was not taking beheld rather as pretty than profitable though in the judgment of Wise Men this Groundwork might have been built upon and Invention much improved by the skilfull in Mathematicks For I have heard that some Polititians are back Friends how justly I know not to such Projects which if accomplish'd invite the Land to a Losse the fewer Poor being thereby set awork that being the best way of Tillage which imployeth most about it to keep them from stealing and starving So that it would not be beneficiall to State might a Plough be drawn by Butterflies as which would draw the greater Burden on the Common wealth to devise other wayes for the Maintenance of the Poor The mentioning of these plow 〈◊〉 Doggs mindeth me one Rarity attracteth another of other Doggs in this County more usefull for the Common-wealth meeting with this Passage in a * Modern Authour It is reported that about Portsmouth is a Race of small Doggs like Beagles that they use their to hunt Moles which they hunt as their proper natural Game If this be true
WADES-Mill Part of a Village lying two miles North thereof were so prodigiously rich as to countervail the wealth of LONDON The Fallacy lieth in the Homonymy of WARE here not taken for that Town so named but appellatively for all vendible Commodities We will not discompose the wit of this Proverb by cavilling that WEARE is the proper name of that Town so called anciently from the Stoppages which there obstruct the River But leave it as we found it and proceed HARTFORD-SHIRE Kindness This is generally taken in a good and grateful sense for the mutual return of favours received It being belike observed that the people in this County at entertainments drink back to them who drank to them parallel to the Latine Proverbs Fricantem refrica Manus manum lavat par est de merente bene bene mereri However sometimes Hartford-shire kindness may prove Hartford-shire cruelty and amount to no less then a Monopoly when this reciprocation of Favours betwixt themselves is the exclusion of all others from partaking thereof Princes WILLIAM second Son of King Edward the Third and Philip his wife took his Christian-name from his Grandfather William Earle of Henault and his Sirname of Hatfield from the place of his Nativity in this County where he was born the ninth of his Fathers Reign Anno Domini 1335. and expired within few dayes afâ—…er So that what I find written on the late Monument of a Noble Infant may also serve for his Epitaph Vivus nil poteram fari quin mortuus Infans Nunc loquor ut mortis sis memor atque vale Living I could not speak now dead I tel Thy duty think of death and so farewel It is uncertain where he was interred but most believe him buried at Westminster EDMUND of LANGLEY Fifth son to King Edward the Third and Queen Philip Was so sirnamed from Kings-Langley in this County the place of his Nativity He was created Earle of Cambridge in the Thirty sixth year of the Reign of his Father and Duke of York in the ninth year of his Nephew King Richard the Second He married Isabel daughter and Co-Heir of Peter King of Castile and lie buried at Langley together He had besides other Children of both Sexes to his eldest Son Richard Duke of York and he died Anno Dom. 1402. EDMUND of HADDAM Reader I presume thee to be so much a Gentleman as in courtesie to allow him a Prince who was Son to Queen Katherine by Owen Theodor her second husband womb-brother to King Henry the Sixth and Father to King Henry the Seventh That he was born in this County one may well be confident seeing there is no Haddam in any Shire of England save Hartford-shire alone I confesse therein three Villages of that name but sure no lesse then Great Haddam was the place of so eminent a Native He was solemnly created Earle of Richmond at Reading in the 31. of King Henry the Sixth Many good works no doúbt he did when living whose corps when buried saved from destruction the fair Cathedral of Saint Davids For his Monument in the midst of the Quire saith my Author as the Prebendaries told him spared their Church from defacing in the dayes of King Henry the Eighth I could wish all King Henries nearest relations had after their decease been severally so disposed preservatives from ruine rapine as the corps of Q. Katherin Dowager did as some say save the Church of Peterburgh But this ill agreeth with that which Brookes reporteth viz. That this Earl was buried in Carmarthen and because Vincent his professed adversary finding fault with him alwayes when any sometimes when no cause taketh no exception thereat I the more rely on his Testimony Onely it is possible that this Earle first enterred in Carmarthen might be afterwards for the more eminence of Sepulture removed to Saint Davids He died Anno Domini 1456. Saints Saint ALBAN though as Saint Paul a Roman by priviledge but Britton by Parentage was born in this County though many hundreds of years before Hartfordshire had its modern Name and Dimensions in the City of Verulam and was martyred for Christianity under Dioclesian An. 303. The cause and manner whereof with the Martyrdome of Saint Amphibalus hard by Rudborn I have so largely related in my Ecclesiastical History that as I will repeat nothing I can add nothing of consequence thereto Except any will conceive this to be remarkable that good Liquoras groweth naturally out of the ruinous walls of Verulam an old City the Mother of the New Town of Saint Albans as a skilful eye-witness Antiquary and zealous Protestant hath observed Had some Papist taken first notice hereof he might probably have made it a Miracle and assign the sanctitie of this place for the root of this Liquoras Martyrs It appeareth by the Maps that Africa lieth partly in the Torrid and partly in the Temperate Zone Nor is the wonder any at all considering the vastness thereof extending it self through many Degrees More strange it is that this small County should be partly in a Temperate viz. the Western part thereof subjected to the Bishop of Lincoln and partly in the Torrid Climate namely the Eastern Moity belonging to the Dioces of London which under Bonner was parched with persecution Yet not to make this Monster worse then he was though many in his Jurisdiction were much molested and though Tradition points the very place in Bishops Stortford where poor people were burnt at the stake yet my Book of Martyrs or Eyes or both be defective wherein I cannot recover the name of any particular person Pope NICHOLAS Son to Robert Break-spear a Lay brother in the Abbey of St. Albans fetcht his Name from Break-speare a place in Middlesex but was born at Abbots-Langley a Town in this County When a Youth he was put to such servile work in St. Albans Abbey that his ingenious Soul could not comport therewith Suing to be admitted into that house he received the repulse which in fine proved no mis-hap but a happy-miss unto him for going over into France he studied so hard and so happily at Paris that for his worth he was preferred Abbot of St. Rufus neer Valentia and afterward by Pope Eugenius the Third was made Bishop of Alba nigh Rome Adnatalis soli memoriam saith my Author that he who was refused to be Monachus Albanensis in England should be Episcopus Albanensis in Italy He was employed by the Pope for the conversion of the Norwegians and though Bale saith he were not Bale if he were not bitter Anti-christiano charactere Norwegios signavit yet his reducing them from Paganisme to Christianity in the Fundamentals was a worthy work and deserves true commendation He was afterwards chosen Pope of Rome by the name of Adrian the fourth There is a mystery more then I can fathome in the changing of his name Seeing his own font-name was a Papal one Yet he
Death of Pope Urban But Pope Boniface his Successour restored him to all his honours and dignities sent him over into England to King Richard the Second with most ample Commendation Returning to Rome he lived there in all plenty and pomp and dyed September the seventeenth 1397. Pity it is so good a Scholar should have so barbarous an Epitaph scarce worth our Translation Artibus iste Pater famosus in omnibus Adam Theologus summus Cardi que-nalis erat Anglia cui patriam titulum dedit ista Beatae Ceciliaeque morsque suprema polum Adam a famous Father in Arts all He was a deep Divine Cardi-and nall Whom England bred S. Cicilie hath given His Title Death at last gave heaven He was interred when dead in the Church of St. Cicilie which intituled him when alive though no happiness an honour which no other English man to my observation of his Order ever Injoyed Prelates JOHN BRETON alià s BRITTON Dâ—… of the Lawes He meriteth a high place in this Catalogue and yet I am at a perfect loss where to fix his Nativity and therefore am forced to my last Refuge as the Marginal Character doth confess He was a famous Lawyer living in the Reign of King Edward the First at whose Commandement and by whose Authority he wrote a learned Book of the LAWES of ENGLAND the Tenor whereof runneth in the Kings name as if it had been penned by himself Take one instance thereof 12. Chapter VVe will that all those who are fourteen years old shall make Oath that they shall be sufficient and Loyall unto Us and that they will be neither Felons nor assenting to Felons and We will that all be c. This Style will seem nothing strange to those who have read Justinian his Institutions which the Emperour assumed unto himself though composed by others It is no small Argument of the Excellency of this Book that notwithstanding the great variation of our Lawes since his time that his work still is in great and general Repute Thus a good face conquereth the disadvantage of old and unfashionable Clothes He was preferred Bishop of Hereford in the Reign of King Henry the Third And although there be some difference betwixt Authors about the time wherein he lived and died some assigning a latter date I confide in Bishop Godwin his Successour in the same See computing his death to happen May 12. in the Third of King Edward the First Anno 1275. ADAM de ORLTON was born in the City of Hereford Proceeding Doctor of Law he became afterwards Bishop in the place of his Nativity This is he so Infamous in History for cutting off the life of King Edward the Second with his Ridling Unpointed Answer Edwardum Regem occidere nolite timere bonum est To kill King Edward you need not to fear it is good It is hard to say which of these two were the Original and which the Translation It being equally probable that the English was Latined as that the Latin was Englished by such Authors as relate this transaction This mindeth me of a meaner passage sic Canibus Catulos which to refresh both the Reader and my self I shall here insert A Schoolmaster being shut out of his School at Christmass came to Composition with his Scholars and thus subscribed the Articles tendred unto him Aequa est conditio non nego quod petitis But being readmitted into his house He called all his Scholars to account for their Rebellion they plead themselves secured by the Act of Oblivion he had signed He calls for the Original and perusing it thus pointed it Aequa est Conditio non Nego quod petitis Thus power in all ages will take the priviledge to construe its own Acts to its own advantage But to return to de Orlton he made much bustling in the Land passing through the Bishopricks of Worcester and Winchester and died at last not much lamented July 18. 1345. JOHN GRANDESSON was born at Ashperton in this County a person remarkable on several accounts For his 1. High Birth his Father Gilbert being a Baron and his Mother Sybill Coheir to the Lord Tregose 2. Great Learning being a good Writer of that age though Bale saith of him that he was Orator animosior quà m facundior 3. High Preferment attaining to be Bishop of Exeter 4. Vivacity sitting Bishop in his See two and fourty years 5. Stout Stomack Resisting Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury vi Armis when he came to visite his Diocess 6. Costly Buildings Arching the Beautifull Roofe of his Cathedrall Building and endowing a rich Colledge of Saint Mary Otterey He was the bettter inabled to do these and other great Benefactions by perswading all the secular Clergy in his Diocess to make him sole Heir to their Estates He died July 15. Anno Domini 1369. THOMAS BRADWARDINE Arch-bishop of Canterbury See him more properly in Sussex RICHARD CLIâ—…FORD Bishop of London See him more conveniently in Kent Since the Reformation MILES SMITH D. D. was born in the City of Hereford which I observe the rather because omitted in his Funeral Sermon His Father was a Fletcher and a man of no mean Estate that Vocation being more in use formerly then in our Age. He was bred first in Brasen-Nose-Colledge then Chaplain of * Christ-Church in Oxford A deep Divine great Linguist who had more then a single share in the last Translation of the Bible as hereby will appear 1. More then fourty Grave Divines were imployed in several places on that work 2. When it had passed their hands it was revised by a dozen select ones 3. This done it was referred to the final Examination of Bish. Bilston and Dr. Smith 4. Doctor Smith at last was injoyned to make the Preface to the Translation as a comely gate to a glorious City which remains under his own hand in the University Library in Oxford Yet was he never heard to speak of the work with any attribution to himself more then the rest He never sought any preferment he had and was wont merrily to say of himself that he was Nullius rei praeterquam Librorum avarus Covetous of nothing but Books King James preferred him Bishop of Glocester 1612. wherein he behaved himself with such meeknesse that in all matters of doubt the byass of his inclination did still hang 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He wrote all his books with his own hand in that faculty not being short of the professours thereof and being seaventy years of age died and was buried in his own Cathedrall 1624. Souldiers ROBERT DEVEREUX Son of Walter Devereux Earle of Essex was born at Nethwood in this County November the tenth 1567. Whilst his Father as yet was onely Viscount of Hereford He was such a Master-piece of Court and Camp and so bright a Light therein that we will observe his morning fore-noon high-noon afternoon and night His morning began at his first coming to Court the gates whereof
besides subject to rot in these Countries because bought at the second hand whereas we make our best markets fetching our Cordage from the Fountain thereof 4. Force Besides the strength inherent in the structure where of before this is accessary consisting in the Weight and number of their Guns Those of the Sixth 10. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20. Fifth 22. 26. 28. 30. Fourth Rates carrying 38. 40. 44. 48. 50. Ordinance mounted Third 50. 54. 56. 60. Second 60. 64. 70. The Royal-Soveraign being one of the first rates when she is fitted for the Seas carrieth one hundred and four Peeces of Ordnance mounted 5. Sea-men Couragious and skilful For the first we remember the Proverb of Solomon Let an other praise thee not thy own mouth a stranger not thy own lips The Spaniards with sad shrug and Dutch with a sorrowful shaking of their heads give a tacite assent hereunto Skillful Indeed Navigation is much improved especially since Saint Pauls time insomuch that when a man goes bunglingly about any work in a ship I have heard our English-men say such a man is one of Saint Pauls Mariners For though no doubt they were as ingenious as any in that Age to decline a Tempest yet modern experience affords fairer fences against foul Weather 6. Advantagious VVeapons Besides Guns of all sorts and sizes from the Pistol to whole Cannon they have Round-double-head-Bur-spike-Crow-Bar-Case-Chain shot I joyn them together because though different Instruments of death they all concur in doing Execution If they be VVind-ward of a ship they have Arrows made to shoot out of a bow with fire-workes at the end which if striking unto the Enemies Sails will stick there I fire them and the ship if they lye board and board they throw hand-Granadoes with stinck-pots into the ship which make so noisom a smell that the Enemie is forced to thrust their heads out of the Ports for air 7. Provision 1. Wholsome our English Beef and Pork keeping sweet and sound longer then any Flesh of other Countries even twenty six moneths to the East and West-Indies 2. More plentiful than any Prince or State in all Europe alloweth The Sea-men having two Beef two Pork and three Fish-dayes besides every Sea-man is alwayes well stored with Hooks to catch Fish with which our Seas do abound Insomuch that many times six will diet on four mens allowance and so save the rest therewith to buy fresh meat when landing where it may be procured I speak not this that hereafter their allowance from the King should be the lesse but that their Loyalty to him and thankfulnesse to God may be the more 8. Accommodation Every one of his Majesties Ships and Friggot-Officers have a distinct Cabin for themselves for which the Dutch French and Portugals do envy them who for the most partlye sub dio under ship-decks 9. Government Few offences comparatively to other Fleets are therein committed and fewer escape punishment The Offender if the fault be small is tried by a Court-Marshal consisting of the Officers of the Ship if great by a Council of Warre wherein only Commanders and the Judge Advocate If any sleep in their watches it is pain of death After 8 a clock none save the Captain Lievtenant and Master may presume to burn a candle No smoaking of Tobacco save for the priviledged aforesaid at any time but in one particular place of the ship that over a Tub of water Preaching they have lately had twice aweek Praying twice aday but my Intelligencer could never hear that the Lords Supper for soâ—…e yeares was administred aboard of any ship an Omission which I hope hereafter will be amended But never did this Navy appear more triumphant then when in May last it brought over our Gracious Soveraign being almost becalmed such the fear of the winds to offend with over-roughness the prognostick of his Majesties peaceable Reign The Farwel Being to tak our leave of these our wooden walls first I wish that they may conquer with their Mast and Sailes without their Gunnes that their very appearnace may fright their foes into Submission But if in point of Honour or safety they be necessitated to ingage may they alwayes keep the Wind of the Enemy that their shot may flye with the greater force and that the smoake of their Pouder pursuing the Fâ—…e may drive him to fire at hazard May their Gunner be in all places of the ship to see where he can make a shot with the best advantage their Carpenter and his Crew be allwayes in the Hold presently to drive in a wooden plug whereas a shot comes betwixt wind and water and to clap a board with Tar and Camels Hair upon it till the dispute be over Their Chirurgion and his assistants be in the same place out of danger of shot to dress the wounded Their Captain to be in the uppermost the Lieuetenant in every part of the Ship to incourage the Sea-men The Chaplain at his Devotions to importune Heaven for success and encouraging all his by his good Council if Time will permit Medicinal Waters TUNBRIDGE WATER It is usual for Providence when intending a Benefit to Mankind to send some signal chance on the Errand to bring the first Tidings thereof most visible in the Newes of Medicinal-Waters The first Discovery of this Water though variously reported is believed from a Footman to a Dutch Lord who passed this way and drinking thereof found it in taste very like to that at the Spaw in Germany Indeed there is a great Symbolizing betwixt them in many concurrences and I believe it is as Soveraign as the other save that it is true of Things as of Persons Major è longinquo Reverentia Surely it runneth thorough some Iron-Mine because so good for Splenitick distempers But I leave the full Relation to such who having experimentally found the Vertue of it can set their Seal of Probatum est unto the commendation thereof Proverbs A KENTISH Yeoman It passeth for a plain Man of a plentiful estate Yeomen in this County bearing away the Bell for wealth from all of their ranck in England Yeomen contracted for Yemen-mein are so called saith a great Antiquary from Gemein G in the beginning is usually turned into Y as Gate into Yate which signifieth Common in old Dutch so that Yeoman is a Commoner one undignified with any title of Gentility A condition of People almost peculiar to England seeing in France Italy and Spain like a lame Dye which hath no points betwixt Duce and Cinque no medium between Gentlemen and Pesants Whereas amongst us the Yeomen Ingenui or Legales Homines are in effect the Basis of all the Nation formerly most mounting the subsidyBook in Peace with their purses and the Muster Roll in war with their Persons Kent as we have said affordeth the richest in this kind whence the Rime A Knight of CALES and a Gentle-man of WALES and a Laird of the North Countree A Yeoman of KENT with his
of Cardinal Wolsey was personated and wherewith that Prelate was so offended that Fish was fain to fly and live two years beyond the Seas There he made and thence sent over into England a small but sharp Treatise called The Supplication of Beggars termed by Master Fox a Libel understand him a little Book Otherwise prizing and praising it for a Master-piece of Wit-learning and Religion discovering the Superstition of that age This by Queen Anna Bollen was presented to King Henry the Eighth who therewith was so highly affected that he sent for the Author home and favoured him in great proportion However many nets were laid by the Popish party against him especially by Sir Thomas More his implacable Enemy yet Fish had the happinesse to escape the hands of Men and to fall into the hand of God more immediately Dying of the Plague 1531. and lieth buried at St. Dunstan in London Sir JAM HALES was born did live was richly landed in this county one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas a man of most signal Integrity When the rest of the Judges frighted at the frowns of the Duke of Northumberland subscribed the disinheriting of the Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth he onely refused as against both Law and Conscience Yet afterwards in the first of Queen Mary he fell into the displeasure of Bishop Gardiner which like Juniper coals once kindled hardly quenched for urging the observation of some Lawes of King Edward the Sixth For this he was imprisoned hardly used and so threatned by his Keeper that he endeavoured to have killed himself which being after let at liberty he afterwards effected drowning himself in a small water near his house fear and melancholly so much prevailing upon him Mr. Fox concludeth the sad Poem of his final estate with this Distich Cū nihil ipse vides propria quin labe laboret Tu tua fac cures caetera mitte Deo Seing nought thou ◅eest but faling in the best Mind thy own matters leave God the rest We must look on his foul Deed with anger and yet with pity on the doer thereof Frown on the one and weep for the other For seeing he had led a right godly life and had suffered so much on the account of his Conscience I hope that his station in this place will not be cavilled at by any charitable persons He died Anno Dom. 1555. Cardinals JOHN KEMP son to Thomas Grand-child to Sir John Kemp Nephew to Sir Roger Kemp both Knights was born at Wie in this County where he built a fair Colledge for Seculars bred also in Merton Colledge in Oxford successively Bishop of Rochester Chichester and London afterwards Arch-Bishop of York and Canterbury Cardinal first by the Title of Saint Balbine then of Saint Rufine in Rome all his preferments are comprehended in the old following verse Bis Primas ter Praesul erat ◅is Cardine functus He had another honour to make up the Distich being twice Lord Chancellour of England so that I may add Et dixit Legem bis Cancellari us Anglis Such are mistaken who report him the first raiser of his Family to a Knightly degree which he found in that Equipage as is aforesaid though he left it much improved in Estate by his bounty and some of his name and bloud flourish in Kent at this day He died a very old man March the 22. Anno 1453. RICHARD CLIFFORD His Nativity may bear some debate Herefordshire pretending unto him But because Robert Clifford was his brother in the first of King Henry the Fourth High Sheriff of this County and richly landed therein I adjudge him a Cantian and assign Bobbing as the most probable place of his birth His worth preferred him Bishop of London 1407. and he was sent by King Henry the Fourth as his Embassadour to the Council of Constance I could hold my hand from ranking him under the Topick of Cardinals confident that no ingenious person would take exception thereat For first he was one in Merit and Desert Secondly in general Desire and Designation Thirdly though no actual Cardinal he acted as a Cardinal when joyned to their Conclave to see fair play amongst them at the choosing of a new Pope Yea some mentioned him for the place who counting it more credit to make than be a Pope first nominated Cardinal Columna and he clearly carried it by the name of Martin During his abode at Constance he preached a Latine Sermon before the Emperour and Pope He answered his name de clivo forti or of the strong Rock indeed viz. Davids being a most pious person returning home he lived in good esteem with Prince and People until his death which happened 1421. being buried nigh the present Monument of Sr. Christopher Hatton Prelates RALPH of MAYDENSTAN I presume this the ancient Orthography of Maydston a noted Town in this County the rather because I met with no other place in England offering in sound or syllables thereunto An Author giveth him this short but thick commendation Vir magnae literaturae in Theologia Nominatissimus Insomuch that in the Reign of King Henry the Third 1234. He was preferred Bishop of Hereford This Prelate bought of one Mount-hault a Noble-man a fair house in and the Patronage of St. Mary Mount-hault commonly but corruptly called Mount-haw in London leaving both to his successours in the See of Hereford Know Reader that all English Bishops in that age had Palaces in London for their conveniency wherein they resided and kept great Hospitality during their attendance in Parliament Now although the School-men generally hold that Episcopacy is Apex consummatae Religionis then which Nihil amplius Nothing higher or holyer in this life and though many Friers have been preferred Bishops as a progressive motion both in Dignity and Sanctity Yet our Ralph was of a different judgement herein This made him in the year 1239. turn his Miter into a Coule and become a Franciscan first at Oxford then at Glocester where he died about the year 1244. HENRY de WINGHAM a well known Town in this County was by K. Henry the Third preferred Chancellour both of England and Gascony Dean both of Totten-Hall quaere where this place is and Saint Martins and twice Embassadour into France It happened that one Ethelmar wom-brother to King Henry the Third was then Bishop of Winchester A person who properly comes not under my pen First for his Foreign nativity Secondly so much as he was English he was an UNWORTHY wanting Age Ability and Orders to qualifie him in that place Hereupon the Monks of Winchester indeavouring to eject him chose Wingham a man of Merit and Might in the Court to be their Bishop which honour he wisely refused fearing to incur the Kings displeasure It was not long before his Modesty and Discretion were rewarded with a peaceable in sted of that litigious Bishoprick when chosen to London 1259. But he enjoyed his See
not full two years dying July 13. 1261. And was buried in his own Cathedral HENRY of SANDWICH Archdeacon of Oxford was consecrated Bishop of London 1263. He took part with the seditious Barons against King Henry the Third for which he was deservedly excommunicated by Othobon the Popes Legate Going to Rome it cost him well nigh an Apprenticeship of Patience dancing attendance almost seven years before he could gain his Absolution Which obtained he returned home and dying September 16. 1273. was buried in his own Church of St. Pauls RICHARD of GRAVES-END Arch Deacon of Northampton was after Fulk Lovel had freely refused it Consecrated at Coventry Bishop of London Anno 1282. He was the first Founder of a Covent of Carmelites at Maldon in Essex and dying at Fulham 1303. was buried in his own Cathedral SIMON MEPHAM was born at Mepham in this County He was bred in Merton-Golledge in Oxford he was a good Scholar as those dayes went chosen by the Monk of Cant. approved by King Edward the Third and consecrated by the command of the Pope Archbishop of Cant. He is only Famous for two things his expensive suit with the Moncks of Canterbury wherein at last he got the better though it cost seven hundred pounds in the Court of Rome Secondly his magnificent Visitation in person of the Dioceses South of Thames till he was resisted by Grandison Bishop of Exeter This affâ—…ont did half break Mephams heart and the Pope siding with the Bishop against him brake the other half thereof hastning his death which happened Anno Dommini 1333. HAYMO of HITHE was born therein a small Town on the Sea-side Hithe in old English signifying a Landing place as Queen-Hithe Garlick-Hithe c. in London He was made Bishop of Rochester in the Twelfth of King Edward the Secondto whom he was Confessour I believe him Owner of good temporal means First because he made so much building on a mean Bishoprick erecting the great Hall and fair Frontispice at his Palace in Halling and repairing all the rooms thereof not forgeting the Town of his Nativity where he erected and endowed the Hospital of Saint Bartholomew for ten poor people Secondly because in his old age he lived on his own Estate resigning his Bishoprick which the charitable conceive done not out of Discontent but Defire of retirement to compose himself the better for his Dissolution which happened about the year 1355. JOHN of SHEPEY Prior of Rochester succeeded Haymo aforesaid in the same See and for some time was Treasurer of England His death happened Anno Domini 1360. WILLIAM READ I place him in this County with confidence having clearly conquered all suspicions to the contrary First because of his Name then flourishing at Read in Marden in this County Secondly because the provost-Provost-place of WinghamColledge therein was his first publick preferment To which I may adde that he was bred Fellow of Merton-Colledge abounding with Cantians since a Bishop in Kent was Founder thereof and he merited much of that Foundation not onely building a fair Library therein but furnishing it with books and Astronomical Tables of his own making which they say are still to be seen therein with his lively picture inserted In his reduced age he applied himself to Divinity and by King Edward the Third was preferred Bishop of Chichester Retaining his Mathematical Impressions he commendably expressed them in Architecture erecting a Castle Egregii operis saith my Author at Amberley in Sussex His death happened Anno Dom. 1385. THOMAS KEMP brothers son to John Kemp Archbishop of Canterbury was born of a Knightly Family in this County bred in Oxford whereof he became Proctor Anno 1437. By Papal provision he was made Bishop of London Consecrated by his Uncle at York-House now White-Hall and sate in his See fourty years from the Twenty eighth of Henry the Sixth till the Fifth of Henry the Seventh so that he saw the wars between Lancaster and York begun continued concluded and the two Roses tied together in one Royâ—…l Posie I know not whether his benefactions were adequate to his long possessing of so wealthy a place finding him to have curiously arched and leaded the Divinitie Schools in Oxford and built the Crosse nigh the Church of St. Pauls as it stood in our memories but lately demolished though guilty of no other Superstition save accommodating the Preacher and some about him with convenient places Me thinks though Idle Crosses standing onely for shew were published for offenders this usefull one which did such service might have been spared but all is Fish which comes to the Net of Sacriledge This Bishop died Anno Dom. 1489. JAMES GOLDWELL was born at Great Chart in this County bred in All-Souls-Colledge in Oxford promoted first to be Dean of Salisbury and Secretary to King Edward the Fourth and at last made Bishop of Norwich He not onely repaired the Church at Great Chart where he was born but also founded a Chappel on the South-side thereof where his picture is in the East-window with his Rebus viz. a GoldenWell in every Quarry of the same He died Anno Dom. 1498. THOMAS GOLDWELL was born at Goldwell in the Parish of Great Chart in this County where his Family had long flourished till lately alienated He was by Queen Mary preferred Bishop of Saint Davids and as a Volunteer quitted the Land in the First of Queen Elizabeth Going to Rome he made a deal of do to do just nothing prevailing by much importunity with the Pope to procure large Indulgencies for such who superstitiously were in Pilgrimage to and offered at the Well of Saint Winifrid in his Diocesse The obscurity of his death denieth us the exact date thereof Reader I am sensible how imperfect my list is of the Bishops in this County The rather because I have heard from my worthy friend and excellent Historian Mr. Fisher Fellow of Merton-Col that this his native shire of Kent had twelve Bishops at one time whilst I can hardly make up twelve Bishops at all times before the Reformation But my defects will be perfectly supplyed by such who shall Topographically treat of this subject in relation to this County alone Since the Reformation JOHN POYNET was born in this County bred say some in Kings-Colledge in Cambridge Sure I am he was none of the Foundation therein because not appearing in Master Hatcher his exact Manuscript Catalogue a Bale is rather to be believed herein making him to be brought up in Queens Colledge in the same University But where ever he had his Education he arrived at admirable Learning being an exact Grecian and most expert Mathematician He presented King Henry the 8. with a Horologium which I might English Dial Clock or watch save that it is epitheted Sciotericum observing the shadow of the Sun and therein shewing not only the hours but dayes of the Month change of the Moon ebbing and flowing
us should 〈◊〉 the others Funerall-Sermon But see a strange change God to whom belongs the 〈◊〉 from death was pleased with the Patriarch Jacob blessing his 〈◊〉 wittingly to guide his hands 〈◊〉 reaching out death to the living and life to the dying So that Dr. Felton recovered and not only performed that last office to his Friend Dr. Fenton but also survived him more than ten years and dyed Bishop of 〈◊〉 Roger Fenton dyed in the fiftieth Year of his age anno Dom. 1615. buryed in his own Church under a Monument made at the expence of the Parish ROBERT BOITON was born at Blackborne in this County on Whit sunday 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Year as infamous for the Massacre of many Protestants in France so for the 〈◊〉 of some eminent in England His Parents having a narrow Estate struggled with their necessities to give him liberal Education and he was bred first in 〈◊〉 then in Brazen-nose Colledge in Oxford He had Isocrates his six Marks or Properties of a good Scholar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His want of means proved an advancement unto him For 〈◊〉 having whence to buy Books he borrowed the best Authours of his Tutor read over abridged into Note-books and returned them He was as able to express himself in Latine or Greek as English and that Stylo Imperatorio He was chosen one of the Disputants before King James at his first coming to the University and performed it with great applause Thus far I have followed my Authour mentioned in the Margine but now must depart from him a little in one particular Though Mr. Boltons parents were not overflowing with wealth they had a competent Estate as I am informed by credible intelligence wherin their Family had comfortably continued long time in good repute Sr. Angustine Nicholls presented him to the Rectory of Broughton in Northamptonshire sending him his Presentation unexspectedly from his Chamber in Sergeants â—…nn where D. King Bishop of London being accidentally present thanked the Judge for his good choice but told him withall that he had deprived the University of a singular Ornament Besides his constant Preaching he hath left behinde him many usefull Books the Witnesses of his Piety and Learning and dyed in the 59th Year of his age December 17. 1631. JOHN WEEVER was born at in this County bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge under Dr. John Person his worthy Tutor He was very industrious in the Studie of Antiquity and composed a usefull Book of Funeral Monuments in the Diocesse of Canterbury Rochester London and Norwich He dyed in London in the fifty sixth Year of his age and was Buried in St. James Clerken-well where he appointed this Epitaph for himself Lancashire gave me Breath And Cambridge Education Middlesex gave we Death And this Church my Humation And Christ to me hath given A place with him in Heaven The certain date of his Death I cannot attain but by Proportion I collect it to be about the Year of our Lord 1634. RALPH CUDVVORTH D. D. the second Son of Ralph Cudworth of Wernith-hall near Manchester Esquire Chief Lord of Ouldham was bred Fellow of Emanuel-colledge in Cambridge A most excellent preacher who continued and finished some imperfect works of Mr. Perkins and after his Decease supplyed his place in St. Andrews in Cambridge He was at last presented by the Colledge to the parish of Auler in Somersetshire Anno 163. LAWRENCE CHADERTON was born at Chaderton in this County of ancient and wealthy Parentage but much nuzled up in Popish Superstition He was intended for a Lawyer and in order thereunto brought up some time in the Inns of Court till he changed his profession and admitted himself in Christs Colledge in Cambridge His Father hearing that he had altered his place studies and Religion sent him a Poke with a groat therein for him to go a begging therewith disinheriting him of â—…hat fair estate which otherwise had descended upon him But God who taketh men up when their Fathers and Mothers forsake them provided him a comfortable subsistance when chosen Fellow of the Colledge He was for many years Lecturer at St. Clements in 〈◊〉 with great profit to his Auditors afterwards made by the Founder first Master of Emanuel He was chosen by the Non-Conformists to be one of their four Representatives in Hampton-court conference and was afterwards employed one of the Translators of the Bible He had a plain but effectual way of Preaching It happened that he visiting 〈◊〉 friends preached in this his Native Countrey where the Word of God as in the dayes of Samuell was very pretious And concluded his Sermon which was of two hours continuance at least with words to this effect That he would no longer trespasse upon their Patience Whereupon all the Auditory cryed out wonder not if hungry people craved more meat for God 〈◊〉 Sir Go on go on Hereaâ—… Mr. Chaderton was surprised into a longer Discourse beyond his expectation in Satisfaction of their importunity and though on a sudden performed it to their contentment and his commendation Thus constant Preachers like good house keepers can never be taken so unprovided but that though they make not a plentiful Feast they can give wholsome food at a short warning He commenced Dr. in Divinity when Frederick Prince Palatine who married the Lady Elizabeth came to Cambridge What is said of Mount Caucasus that it was never seen without Snowe on the Top was true of this Reverend Father whom none of our Fathers generation knew in the Universitie before he was gray headed yet he never used Spectacles till the day of his death being Ninety four years of age He was not disheartned with that common saying he that resigneth his place before his death buryeth himself alive but put off his Clothes long before he went to bed divested himself of the Master-ship of Emanuel Colledge that so he might see a worthy successor in his life time The blessing which befell Job was in some sort appliable unto him he saw his Successors to the fourth generation I mean Doctor Presson and after his Death Doctor Sancroft and after his death Doctor Holesworth who preached his Funeral Sermon Anno 1640. about the Ninety fourth year of his age GEORGE WALKER was born at Hauxhead in Fournifells of Religious Parents Being visited when a child with the Small-poxe and the standers by expecting his dissolution he started up out of a Trance with this ejaculation Lord take me not away till I have shewed forth thy praises which made his Parents devote him to the Ministery after his recovery He was bred B. D. in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to be well skilled in the Oriental Tongues an excellent Logician and Divine Mr. Foster formerly his Tutor resigned unto him his living of St. John the Evangelist London wherein Mr. Walker continued the painful Preacher well nigh fourty years refusing higher preferment often profered him Dr. Felton the
founded a Free-school in Halstall and endowed it with competent Revenue for the maintenance of a Schoolmaster there for ever When this party lived I cannot as yet recover THOMAS WEST was younger Brother to the Lord De la Ware and Parson of Manchester On whom the Barony was devolved his Brother dying Issuelesse The Pope allowed him to marry for the Continuance of so honourable a Family upon condition that he would build a Colledge for such a number of preists fellows under a Warden as the Bishops of Durham and Lichfield should think fit which he did accordingly in Manchester The Endowment of this collegiate and parochiall church were the Gleabe and Tithes of the parsonage of that parish and besides them scarce any other considerable Revenue I say the Gleab esteemed about 800. Acres of that County half as much more as the statute Measure Besides a considerable part of the Town commonly called the Deans Gate corruptly for St Dionise Gate to whom with the Virgin Mary and St. George Manchester Church was dedicated built upon the Gleab-Land belonging to the Church As for the Tythes of the Parish they lye in two and thirty Hamblets wherewith the Collegiats were to be maintained which were one Warden and four Fellows The integrated and incorporate Rector unto whom the parsonage was appropriated There were also two Chaplains Singing-men Queristers and Organists This Colledge hath passed many Dissolutions and refoundations But was lately dissolved and the Lands thereof sold by the late Act for Sale of Dean and Chapters Lands Some skilful in the Gospel much bemoaning it and some learned in the Law conceiving That being but the Gleab of that Rectory it came not within the compasse of that Act but blessed be God it since hath reverted to its former Condition Since the Reformation JOHN SMITH was born at ......... in this County bred in Magdalen Câ—…ll in Cambridge Whereof he became Fellow and Proctor of the University when past Sixty years of age when the Prevaricators gave him this Homonyous Salute Ave Pater This man could not fidle could not Tune himself to be pleasant and plausible to all Companies but He could and did make that little Coll. great wherein he had his Education The Poets fain how Bachus by reason of his Mother Semyles her untimely death was taken out of his Mothers Womb and sewed into the thigh of Jupiter his Father where he was bred untill the full time of his Nativity A Fiction which finds a Morall in this Magdalen Coll. Whos 's Mother may be said to decease before the Infant was fit to be borne and that Mr. Smith performed the rest of the Parents part thereunto Indeed Ed. Stafford Duke of Buckingham the first founder thereof gave it little more than a Name The Lord Audley bestowed on it a new name with little buildings and lesse Indowment Magnificent Dr. Nevil for a Time was Mr. thereof but according to the fashion of the World the rich shall still have more his affections were all for Trinity Coll. to which he was after removed Onely Mr. Smith by his long life and thrifty living by what he gave to and what he saved for the Colledge so Improved the Condition thereof that though he left it Lateritium as he found it yet what he found poor and empty he left rich and full of Scholars Nor must we forget his painfulnesse when with Dr. Gouge he sollicited the Suit called Magdalen Colledge Case Nor yet his Patience when he lay so long in the Fleet for refusing to submit to an Order of Chancery fearing their cause would be prejudiced thereby so that he may be called the Confessor of the Colledge from inconsiderable Income He raised by his carefulnesse considerable profit to the Fellows of that house and by observing the Statutes brought the Colledge into such Reputation for Learning That yearly it afforded one or more Eminent scholars In a word he was a true servant to the Colledge all his life and at his Death to which he bequeathed all he had six hundred pounds at least and dyed Anno. Dom. 163. GEORGE CLARKE Haberdasher a plain honest man just temperate and â—…ugal And according to his understanding which in the Worlds esteem was not great devout a daily frequenter of the Prayers in the Colledge Church and the Hearer of Sermons there Not long before the breaking forth of our civil dissentions dying without issue he made the Poor his Heir and did give them one hundred pounds per annum in good lands lying in a place called Crompsall within a Mile from Manchester I have not yet attained the certain Date of his Death HUMPHREY CHETHAM third Son of Henry Chetham of Crompsall Gentleman is thought on just ground to descend from Sir Jeffrey Chetham of Chetham a man of much Remark in former dayes and some old Writings in the hands of Worshipful persons not far remote from the place do evidence as much but the said Sir Geffrey falling in troublesome times into the Kings Displeasure his Family in effect was long since ruinated But it seems his Posterity was unwilling to fly far from their old though destroyed Nest and got themselves a handsome habitation at Crompsall hard by where James elder Brother of this Humphrey Chetham did reside The younger Brethren George Humphrey and Ralph betook themselves to the Trading of this County dealing in Manchester commodities sent up to London And Humphrey signally improved himself in piety and outward prosperity He was a diligent Reader of the Scriptures and of the Works of sound Divines a Respecter of such Ministers which he accounted truely godly upright sober discreet and sincere He was High-Sheriffe of this County 1635. discharging the place with great Honour Insomuch that very good Gentlemen of Birth and Estate did wear his Cloth at the Assize to testifie their unfeigned affection to him and two of them of the same profession with himâ—…elf have since been Sheriffs of the County Grudge not Reader to go through so long a Porch for I assure thee it leads unto a fair Pallace to as great a Masterpiece of Bounty as our age hath afforded This Mr. Chetham by his Will bearing Date the 16. of January 1651. gave 7000. l. to buy a Fee-simple estate of 420. l. for ever for the Education of forty poor Children in Manchester at School from about 6. till 14. years of age when they are to be bound out Apprentizes They must be the Children of poor but honest Parents no bastards nor diseased at the time wherein they are chosen not lame or blind in regard the Town of Manchester hath ample means already if so employed for the maintenance of such Impotents Indeed he intended it for a Seminary of Religion and Ingenuity where the aforesaid Boyes were to have Diet Lodging Apparel and Instruction He gave a 1000. l. for Books to a Library and a 100. l. to prepare a place for them He bequeathed 200. l. to buy Books such
may be said to have ushered him to the English Court whilest the Lady Lucy Countess of Bedford led him by the one hand and William Earl of Pembroke by the other supplying him with a support far above his patrimonial income The truth is Sommersets growing daily more wearisome made Villiers hourly more welcome to K. James Soon after he was knighted created successively Baron Viscount Villiers Earl Marquess Duke of Buckingham and to bind all his honours the better together the noble Garter was bestowed upon him And now Offices at Court not being already void were voided for him The Earl of Worcester was perswaded to part with his place of Master of the horse as the Earl of Nottingham with his Office of Admiral and both conferred on the Duke He had a numerous and beautiful female kindred so that there was hardly a noble Stock in England into which one of these his Cients was not grafted Most of his Neices were matched with little more portion then their Uncles smiles the forerunner of some good Office or Honour to follow on their Husbands Thus with the same act did he both gratifie his kindred and fortifie himself with noble alliance It is seldome seen that two Kings father and Son tread successively in the same Tract as to a Favourite but here King Charles had as high a kindness for the Duke as K. James Thenceforward he became the Plenipotentiary in the English Court some of the Scottish Nobility making room for him by their seasonable departure out of this Life The Earl of Bristoll was justled out the Bishop of Lincoln cast flat on the Floor the Earls of Pembroke and Carlisle content to shine beneath him Holland behind him none even with much lesse before him But it is generally given to him who is the little God at the Court to be the great Devil in the Countrey The Commonalty hated him with a perfect hatred and all miscarriages in Church and 〈◊〉 at Home Abroad at Sea and Land were 〈◊〉 on his want of Wisdom Valour or Loyalty John â—…elton a melancholy malecontented Gentleman and a sullen Souldier apprehending himself injured could find no other way to revenge his conceived wrongs then by writing them with a point of a Knife in the heart of the Duke whom he stabbed at Portsmouth Anno Dom. 1620. It is hard to say how many of this Nation were guilty of this murther either by publick praising or private approving thereof His person from head to foot could not be charged with any blemish save that some Hypercriticks conceived his Brows somewhat over pendulous a cloud which in the judgement of others was by the beams of his Eyes sufficiently dispelled The Reader is remitted for the rest of his Character to the exquisite Epitaph on his magnificent Monument in the Chappel of Henry the Seventh Capital Judges Sir ROBERT BELKNAP Being bred in the Study of the Laws he became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas October the 8. in the 48. of King Edward the third and so continued till the general Rout of the Judges in the wonder-working Parliament the eleventh of Richard the second when he was displaced on this occasion The King had a mind to make away certain Lords viz. His Unkle the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel Warwick Darby Nottingham c. Who in the former Parliament had been appointed Governors of the Kingdome For this purpose he called all the Judges before him to Nottingham where the Kings many Questions in fine were resolved into this Whether he might by His Regal power revoke what was acted in Parliament To this all the Judges Sir VVilliam Skipwith alone excepted answered affirmatively and subscribed it This Belknap underwrote unwillingly as foreseeing the danger and putting to his seal said these words There wants nothing but an hurdle an horse and an halter to carry me where I may suffer the Death I deserve for if I had not done this I should have dyed for it and because I have done it I deserve death for betraying the Lords Yet it had been more for his credit and conscience to have adventured a Martyrdome in the defence of the Laws then to hazzard the death of a Malefactour in the breach therof But Judges are but men and most desire to decline that danger which they apprehend nearest unto them In the next Parliament all the Judges were arrested in VVestminster-hall of high treason when there was a Vacation in Term time till their places were resupplied Sir R. Tresilian Cheif Justice of the Kings Bench was executed The rest thus named and reckoned up in the printed Statutes Robert Belknap John Holt John Cray William Burgh Roger Fulthorp all Judges and Knights with J. Locktan Serjeant at Law had their lands save what were intailed with their goods and chattels forfeited to the King their persons being banished and they by the importunate intercession of the Queen hardly escaping with their lives Belknap is placed in this County only because I find a worshipful family of his name fixed therein whereof one was High Sheriff in the 17. of K. Henry the 7. Provided this be no prejudice to Sussex the same Name being very ancient therein Sir ROBERT CATELIN descended from the ancient Family of the Catelins of Raunds in Northampton shire as doth appear by the Heralds visitation was born at Biby in this County He was bred in the Study of the Municipal Laws profiting so well therein that in the first of Q. Elizabeth he was made Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings Bench. His Name hath some allusion to the Roman Senator who was the Incendiary of that State though in Nature far different as who by his Wisdom and Gravity was a great support to his Nation One point of Law I have learned from him at the Tryall of Thomas Duke of Norfolk who pleaded out of Bracton that the Testimonies of Forreigners the most pungent that were brought against him were of no Validity Here Sir Robert delivered it for Law that in case of Treason they might be given in for evidence and that it rested in the Brest of the Peers whether or no to afford credit unto them He had one as what man hath not many Fancy that he had a prejudice against all those who write their Names with an alias and took exceptions at one in this respect saying that no honest man had a double name or came in with an alias The party asked him what exceptions his Lordship could take at Jesus Christ alias Jesus of Nazareth He dyed in the Sixteenth year of Queen Elizabeth and his Coat of Arms viz. Party per Cheveron Azure and Or 3 Lions passant Guardant counterchanged a Cheif Pearl is quartered by the Right Honourable the Lord Spencer Earl of Sunderland this Judges Daughter and Sole Heir being married to his Ancestor Some forty years since a Gentleman of his name and kindred had a Cause in the Upper-Bench to
By Pope Gregory the Ninth he was made Cardinal of St. Stephens anno 1231. He was a true Lover of his Countrymen and could not abide to hear them abused the cause that his choler was twice raised when the Pope said in his Presence that there was not a faithful man in England though wisely he repressed his Passion After this Pope Gregories death he was the formost of the 〈◊〉 Elects for the Papacy and on fair play the most probable person to carry the place but he was double barr'd First because an honest man as any in that age Secondly because an English-man the Italians desiring to Monopolize the choice to themselves Hereupon in the Holy Conclave the better place the better deed he was made away by poison to make room for Celestine to succeed him who sate that skittish place but a short time dying 17. days after our Somercots death which happened anno Dom. 1241. Prelates WILLIAM of GANESBOROUGH was born in that Fair Market Town which performeth more to the Eye then Fame hath reported to the Ear thereof He was bred a Franciscan in Oxford and became the Twenty fifth Lecturer of his Order He was afterwards sent over by King Edward the first with Hugh of Manchester to Philip King of France to demand reparation for some Dammages in Aquitaine He was a mighty Champion of the Popes Infallibility avowing that what David indulged to his Son Adonijah never saying unto him why didst thou so ought to be rendred by all to his Holynesse being not to be called to an account though causing the Damnation of thousands I remember when I was in Cambridge some thirty years since there was a Flying though false report that Pope Urban the Eight was cooped up by his Cardinals in the Castle of St. Angelo Hereupon a waggish Scholar said jam 〈◊〉 est Papa non potest errare it was then true according to their received Intelligence that the Pope could not straggle or wander But our Ganesborough stoutly defended it in the literal sense against all opposers for which his good service Pope Boniface the Eight preferred him Bishop of Worcester where he sate 6. years and dyed 1308. WILLIAM AYRMIN was descended of an ancient Family in this County still extant in great Eminency of Estate at Osgodby therein He was for some time Keeper of the Seal and Vice-Chancellour to King Edward the Second at what time anno 1319. the following misfortune befell him and take the Original thereof out of an Anonymal Croniclering Manuscript Episcopus Eborum Episcopus Eliae Thesaurarius Abbas Beatae Mariae Eborum Abbas de Selbie Decanus Eborum Dominus Willielmus Arymanee Vice-Cancellarius Angliae ac Dominus Johannes Dabeham cum 8000. ferme hominum tam equitum quam peditum Civibus properanter Civitatem egredientes quoddam flumen Swale nuncupatum sparcis cuneis transeuntes indispositis seu potius confusis ordinibus cum Adversariis congressi sunt Scoti siquidem in Marte gnari amplitudinem eorum exercitus caute regentes in nostris agminibus strictis audacter irruerunt nostrorum denique in brevi laceratis cuneis atque dissipatis corruerunt ex nostris tam in ore gladii quam aquarum scopulis suffocati plusquam 4000. capti sunt Domini Johannes de Papeham Dominus Willièlmus de Arymanee ut praefertur de Cancellaria c. The Arch-bishop of York the bishop of Ely Lord Treasurer the Abbot of St. Maries in York the Abbot of Selby the Dean of York Mr. William Arymane Vice-Chancelour and Mr. John Dabehame with almost 8000. Men as well Horse as Foot and Citizens hastily going out of the City passing over a certain River called Swale with scattered parties and with disordered or rather confused Ranks encountred the Enemy The Scotch cunning in War waryly ruling the greatnesse of their Army boldly rushed on our Men with well ordered Troops and afterwards in short time having broken and scattered ouâ—… Parties there fell of our Men with the mouth of the Sword and chok'd with the Water more then 4000. and Mr. Iohn de Pabehame and Mr. William Arymane of the Chancery as aforesaid were taken Prisoners Afterwards recovering his Liberty he was made Chancelour of England and bishop of Norwich in the 18. year of King Edward the Second He gave two hundred pounds to buy Land to maintain priests to say Masse for his Soul He dyed anno Dom. 1337. at Charing Cross nigh London when he had been eleven years bishop I am credibly informed that he bestowed the Mannor of Silk Willoughby in this County on his Family which with other Fair Lands is possessed by them at this day WILLIAM WAYNFLET was born at Waynflet in this County whence he took his Denomination according to the custome of Clergymen in that age For otherwise he was eldest Son to Richard Pattin an ancient Esquire in this County and I understand that at this day they remain at Barsloe in Darbyshire descended from the said Knight But of this worthy Prelate Founder of Magdalen-colledge in Oxford abundantly in my Church-History WILLIAM LYNVVOOD was born at Lynwood in this County and proceeded Doctor of the Laws probably rather by Incorporation then constant Education in Oxford long living a Commoner in Gunvil Hall in Cambridge He was Chancellor to the Archâ—…bishop of Canterbury Keeper of the Privy Seal to King Henry the Sixth and was employed in several Embassies into Spain and Portugall He wrote a learned Comment on the English provincial Constitutions from Stephen Langhton to Archbishop Chichley and his pains at last was rewarded with the Bishoprick of St. Davids where he dyed 1446. WILLIAM ASCOUGH was descended of a worshipful and very ancient Family now living at Kelsey in this County the variation of a Letter importing nothing to the contrary I have seen at Sarisbury his Arms with allusion to the Arms of that House and some Episcopal addition Such likeness is with me a better Evidence then the samenesse knowing that the Clergy in that age delighted to disguise their Coats from their Paternal bearing He was bred Doctor of the Laws a very able man in his profession became Bishop of Sarum confessor to King Henry the Sixth and was the first as T. Gascoigne relateth of Bishops who discharged that Office as then conceived beneath the place Some will say if King Henry answered the character commonly received of his Sanctity his Confessor had a very easie performance Not so for always the most conscientious are the most scrupulous in the confession of their sins and the particular enumeration of the circumstances thereof It happened that I. Cade with his cursed crew many of them being the Tennants of this Bishop fell fowl on this Prelate at Edington in this shire Bishop Godwin saith Illi quam ob causam infensi non habâ—…o compertum He could not tell why they should be so incensed against him But I conceive it was because he was learned pious and
King Iames Bishop of Salisbury He dyed in his calling having begun to put in print an excellent book against Atheists most useful for our age wherein their sin so aboundeth His Death happened March 11. 1619. not two full years after his Consecration Statesmen EDVVARD FINES Lord Clinton Knight of the Garter was Lord Admiral of England for more then thirty years a Wise Valiant and Fortunate Gentleman The Masterpeice of his service was in Mustleborough Field in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth and the Battail against the Scots Some will wonder what a Fish should do on dry Land what use of an Admiral in a Land fight But know the English kept themselves close to the shore under the shelter of their ships and whilst their Arrows could do little their spears lesse their swords nothing against the Scots who appeared like a hedge of Steel so well armed and closed together the great Ordnance from their ships at first did all making such destruction in the Scottish army that though some may call it a Land-fight it was first a Victory from the sea and then but an Execution on the Land By Queen Elizabeth who honoured her honours by bestowing them sparingly he was created Earl of Lincoln May 4. 1574. and indeed he had breadth to his height a proportionable estate chiefly in this County to support his Dignity being one of those who besides his paternal Inheritance had much increased his estate He dyed January the sixteenth 1585. and lyeth buryed at Windsor in a private chappel under a stately Monument which Elizabeth his third Wife Daughter to the Earl of Kildare erected in his Remembrance THOMAS WILSON Doctor of Laws was born in this County bred Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards was Tutor in the same University to Henry and Charles Brandons successively Dukes of Suffolk Hard shift he made to conceal himself in the Reign of Queen Mary Under Queen Elizabeth he was made Master of the Hospital of St. Katharines nigh the Tower of London upon the same Token that he took down the Quire which my Author saith allow him a little Hyperbole was as great as the Quire at St. Pauls I am loth to believe it done out of Covetousnesse to gain by the materials thereof but would rather conceive it so run to Ruin that it was past repairing He at last became Secretary of State to Q. Elizabeth for four years together It argues his ability for the place because he was put into it Seeing in those active times under so judicious a Queen weaknesse might despair to be employed in such an office He dyed anno dom 15. THOMAS Lord BURGE or BOROUâ—…H Son to William Lord Burge Grandson to Thomas Lord Burge created Baron by King Henry the Eight was born in his Fathers Fair house at Gainsborough in this County His first publick appearing was when he was sent Embassador into Scotland anno 1593. to excuse Bothwell his lurking in England to advise the speedy suppressing of the Spanish Faction and to advance an effectual association of the Protestants in that Kingdome for their Kings defence which was done accordingly Now when Sir William Russel Lord Deputy of Ireland was recalled this Lord Tho. Burgh was substituted in his room anno 1597. Mr. Camden doth thus character him Vir acer animi plenus â—…ed nullis fere castrorum rudimentis But where there is the stock of Valour with an able brain Experience will soon be graffed upon it It was first thought fit to make a Months Truce with Tyrone which cessation like a Damm made their mutual animosities for the present swell higher and when removed for the future run the fiercer The Lord Deputy the Truce expired streightly besieged the Fort of Blackwater the only Receptacle of the Rebells in those parts I mean besides their Woods and Bogs the Key of the County of Tyrone This Fort he took by Force and presently followed a bloody Battle wherein the English paid dear for their Victory loosing many worthy men and amongst them two that were Foster brothers Fratres Collactanei to the Earl of Kildare who so layed this losse to his heart amongst the Irish Foster brethren are loved above the Sons of their fathers that he dyed soon after Tyrons credit now lay a bleeding when to stanch it he rebesieged Blackwater and the Lord Deputy whilst indevouring to relieve it was struck with untimely death before he had continued a whole year in his place All I will add is this that it brake the heart of Valiant Sir John Norris who had promised the Deputies place unto himself as due to his deserts when this Lord Burgh was superinduced into that Office His Relict Lady famous for her Charity and skill in Chirurgery lived long in Westminster and dyed very aged some twenty years since WILLIAM CECIL Know Reader before I go farther something must be premised concerning his position in this Topick Virgil was prophane in his flattery to Augustus Caesar profering him his free choice after his death to be â—…anked amongst what heathen Gods he pleased so that he might take his place either amongst those of the Land which had the oversight of Men and Cities or the Sea-Gods commanding in the Ocean or the Skye-Gods and become a new Constellation therein But without the least adulation we are bound to profer this worthy Peer his own election whether he will be pleased to repose himself under Benefactors to the Publick all England in that age being beholden to his bounty as well as the poor in Standford for whom he erected a fair Bead-house acknowledging under God and the Queen their prosperity the fruit of his prudence Or else he may rest himself under the title of Lawyers being long bred in the Inns of Court and more learned in our Municipal-Law then many who made it their sole profession However for the present we lodge this English Nestor for wisdome and vivacitie under the notion of States-men being Secretarie and Lord-Treasurer for above thirty years together Having formerly written his life at large it will be enough here to observe that he was born at Bourn in this County being son to Richard Cecil Esq of the Robes to King Henry the eighth and a Legatee in his Will and Jane his Wife of whom hereafter He was in his age Moderator Aulae steering the Court at his pleasure and whilst the Earl of Leichester would indure no equall and Sussex no superiour therein he by siding with neither served himself with both Incredible was the kindness which Queen Elizabeth had for him or rather for her self in him being sensible that he was so able a Minister of State Coming once to visit him being sick of the Goute at Burley house in the Strand and being much heightned with her Head Attire then in fashion the Lords Servant who conducted her thorow the door May your Highness said he be pleased to stoop the Queen
Navar called Mortileto de Vilenos who had accused him of Treason to the King and Realm In which combat the Navarois was overcome and afterwards hang'd for his false accusation HENRY the Fourth 2. JOHN ROCHFORD Miles The same no doubt with him who was Sheriff in the 15. of K. Richard the Second I confesse there was a Knightly Family of this Name at Rochford in Essex who gave for their Arms Argent a Lyon Rampant Sable langued armed and crowned Gules quartered at this day by the Lord Rochford Earl of Dover by the Butlers and Bollons descended from them But I behold this Lincolnshire Knight of another Family and different Arms quartered by the Earl of Moulgrave whence I collect his heir matched into that Family Consent of time and other circumstances argue him the same with Sir John Rochford whom Bale maketh to flourish under King Henry the Fourth commending him for his noble birth great learning large travail through France and Italy and worthy pains in translating Iosephus his Antiquities Polychronicon and other good Authors into English RICHARD the Third 2. ROâ—…ERT DIMOCK Miles This Sir Robert Dimock at the Coronation of King Henry the Seventh came on horse back into VVestminster Hall where the King dined and casting his Gauntlet on the Ground challenged any who durst Question the Kings right to the Crown King Henry being pleased to dissemble himself a stranger to that Ceremony demanded of a stander by what that Knight said to whom the party returned He challengeth any man to fight with him who dares deny your Highnesse to be the lawful K. of England If he will not fight with such a one said the King I will And so sate down to dinner HENRY the Seventh 9. JOHN HUSEE This was undoubtedly the same person whom King Henry the Eigth afterwards created the first and last Baron Husee of Sleford who ingaging himself against the King with the rebellious Commons anno 1537 was justly beheaded and saw that honour begun and ended in his own person HENRY the Eighth 16. THOMAS BURGE Miles He was honourably descended from the Heir General of the Lord Cobham of Sterbury in Surry and was few years after created Baron Burge or Burough by King Henry the Eigth His Grandchild Thomas Lord Burge Deputy of Ireland and Knight of the Garter of whom before left no Issue Male nor plentiful Estate only four Daughters Elizabeth married to Sir George Brook Frances to the ancient Family of Copinger in Suffolk Anna Wife to Sir Drue Drury and Katharine married to ..... Knivet of Norfolk Mother to Sir John Knivet Knight of the Bath at the last Installment so that the honour which could not conveniently be divided was here determined King CHARLES 9. JERVASIUS SCROOP Miles He ingaged with his Majesty in Edge-hill-fight where he received twenty six wounds and was left on the ground amongst the dead Next day his Son Adrian obtained leave from the King to find and fetch off his Fathers Corps and his hopes pretended no higher then to a decent Interment thereof Hearty seeking makes happy finding Indeed some more commendedthe affection than the judgement of the Young Gentleman conceiving such a search in vain amongst many naked bodies with wounds disguised from themselves and where pale Death had confounded all complexions together However he having some general hint of the place where his Father fell did light upon his body which had some heat left therein This heat was with rubbing within few Minutes improved into motion that motion within some hours into sense that sense within a day into speech that speech within certain Weeks into a perfect recovery living more then ten years after a Monument of Gods mercy and his Sons affection He always after carried his Arme in a Scarfe and loss of blood made him look very pale as a Messenger come from the Grave to advise the Living to prepare for Death The effect of his Story I received from his own mouth in Lincolne-colledge The Farewel It is vain to wish the same Successe to every Husband man in this Shire as he had who some seven score years since at Harlaxton in this County found an Helmet of Gold as he was Plowing in the Field Besides in Treasure Trove the least share falleth to him who first finds it But this I not only heartily wish but certainly promise to all such who industriously attend Tillage in this County or else where that thereby they shall find though not gold in specie yet what is gold worth and may quickly be commuted into it great plenty of good grain the same which Solomon foretold He that tilleth his Land shall have Plenty of Bread IT is in effect but the Suburbs at large of London replenished with the retyring houses of the Gentry and Citizens thereof besides many Pallaces of Noble-men and three lately Royal Mansions Wherefore much measure cannot be expected of so fine ware The cause why this County is so small scarce extending East and West to 18 miles in length and not exceeding North and South 12 in the bredth thereof It hath Hertford-shire on the North Buckingham-shire on the West Essex parted with Ley on the East Kent and Surrey severed by the Thames on the South The ayr generally is most healtful especially about High-Gate where the expert Inhabitants report that divers that have been long visited with sickness not curable by Physick have in short time recovered by that sweet salutary ayr Natural Commodities Wheate The best in England groweth in the Vale lying South of Harrow-the-Hill nigh Hessen where providence for the present hath fixed my habitation so that the Kings bread was formerly made of the fine flower thereof Hence it was that Queen Elizabeth received no Composition money from the Villages thereabouts but took her Wheat in kinde for her own Pastry and Bake-house There is an obscure Village hereabouts called Perivale which my Author will have more truly termed Purevale an Honour I assure you unknown to the Inhabitants thereof because of the cleerness of the Corn growing therein though the Purity thereof is much subject to be humbled with the Mildew whereof hereafter Tamarisk It hath not more affinity in sound with Tamarind then sympathy in extraction both originally Arabick general similitude in leaves and operation onely Tamarind in England is an annual dying at the approach of Winter whil'st Tamarisk lasteth many years It was first brought over by Bishop Grindal out of Switzerland where he was exile under Queen Mary and planted in his Garden at Fulham in this County where the soile being moist and Fenny well complied with the nature of this Plant which since is removed and thriveth well in many other places Yet it groweth not up to be Timber as in Arabia though often to that substance that Cups of great size are made thereof Dioscorides saith it is good for the Tooth-ach as what is not and yet indeed
England to the great prejudice of English Artisans which caused the insurrection in London on ill May-day Anno Dom. 1517. Nor was the City onely but Country Villages for four miles about filled with French fashions and infections The Proverb is applied to such who contemning the custome of their own Country make themselves more ridiculous by affecting forraign humours and habits Princes EDVVARD sole surviving Son of King Henry the eight and Jane his Wife was born at Hampton Court in this County Anno Dom. 1537. He succeeded his Father in the Kingdome and was most eminent in his Generation seeing the Kings of England fall under a five-fold division 1. Visibly Vicious given over to dissolutenesse and debauchery as King Edward the second 2. Potius extra vitia quà m cum virtutibus Rather free from Vice then fraught with Virtue as King Henry the third 3. In quibus aequali temperamento magnae virtutes inerant nec minora vitia In whom Vices and Virtues were so equally matched it was hard to decide which got the Mastery as in King Henry the eight 4 Whose good qualities beat their bad ones quite out of distance of Competition as in King Edward the first 5 Whose Virtues were so resplendent no faults humane frailties excepted appeared in them as in this King Edward He died July 5. 1553. and pity it is that he who deserved the best should have no monument erected to his memory indeed a brass Altar of excellent workmanship under which he was buried I will not say sacrificed with an untimely death by the treachery of others did formerly supply the place of his Tombe which since is abolished under the notion of superstition Guesse the goodness of his head and heart by the following letters written to Barnaby Fitz-Patrick Gentleman of his Bedchamber and brought up with him copyed out from the Originalls by the Reverend Arch-Bishop of Armagh and bestowed upon me Say not they are but of narrow and personal concernment seeing they are sprinkled with some passages of the Publique Neither object them written by a Child seeing he had more man in him than any of his Age. Besides Epistles are the calmest communicating truth to Posterity presenting History unto us in her night cloths with a true face of things though not in so fine a dress as in other kindes of writings EDVVARD We have received your Letters of the eighth of this present moneth whereby we understand how you are well entertained for which we are right glad and also how you have been once to goe on Pilgrimage For which cause we have thought good to Advertise you that hereafter if any such chance happen you shall desire leave to goe to Mr. Pickering or to Paris for your business And if that will not serve to declare to some man of Estimation with whom you are best acquainted that as you are loth to offend the French King because you have been so favourably used so with safe conâ—…cience you cannot do any such thing being brought up with me and bound to obey my Laws Also that you had Commandment from me to the Contrary yet if you be vehemently procured you may go as waiting on the King not as intending to the abuse nor willingly seeing the Ceremonies and so you look on the Masse But in the mean season regard the Scripture or some good Book and give no reverence to the Masse at all Furthermore remember when you may conveniently be absent from the Court to tarry with Sir William Pickering to be instructed by him how to use your self For Women as far forth as you may avoid their Company Yet if the French King command you you may some time Dance so measure be your meane else apply your self to Riding Shooting Tennis or such honest games not forgetting some times when you have leisure your learning cheifly reading of the Scriptures This I write not doubting but you would have done though I had not written but to spur you on your exchange of 1200 Crowns you shall receive either monthly or quarterly by Bartholomew Campaignes Factor in Paris He hath warrant to receive it by here and hath written to his Factors to deliver it you there we have signed your Bill for wages of the Chamber which Fitzwilliams hath likewise we have sent a Letter into Ireland to our Deputy that he shall take Surrender of your Fathers Lands and to make again other Letters Patent that those Lands shall be to him you and your Heirs lawfully begotten for ever adjoyning thereunto two religious Houses you spake for Thus fare you well from Westminster the 20 of December 1551. Mr. BARNABY I have of late sent you a Letter from Bartholmew Campaigne for your payment by the French Embassadors Pacquet I doubt not but your good nature shall profitably and Wisely receive the Kings Majesties Letter to you Fatherly of a Child Comfortably of your Soveraign Lord and most wisely of so young a Prince And so I beseech you that you will think wheresoever you go you carry with you a Demonstration of the Kings Majesty coming a Latere Suo and bred up in Learning and Manners with him with your conservation and modesty let me therefore believe the good reports of the King to be true and let them perceive what the King is when one brought up with him Habeat Virtutis tam Clarum Specimen This I write boldly as one that in you willeth our Masters honour and credit and I pray you use me as one that loveth you in plain termes Scribled in hast from Westminster the 22 of December 1551. Yours to use and have W. Cecill To the KINGS MAIESTY According to my bounden Duty I most humbly thank your Highness for your gratious Letters of the 20 of December lamenting nothing but that I am not able by any meanes nor cannot deserve any thing of the goodness your Highness hath shewed towards me And as for the avoiding of the company of the Ladies I will assure your Highness I will not come into their Company unless I do wait upon the French King As for the Letter your Majesty hath granted my Father for the assurance of his Lands I thank your Highness most humbly confessing my self as much bound to you as a Subject to his Soveraign for the same As for such simple news as is here I thought good to certifie your Majesty It did happen that a certain Saint standing in a blind corner of the Street where my Lord Admirall lay was broken in the night-time when my Lord was here which the French men did think to have been done by the English-men and the English-men did think it to have been done by some French-men of spite because the English-men lay in that street and now since that time they have prepared another Saint which they call our Ladie of Silver because the French King that dead is made her once of clean Silver and afterwards was stoln like as she hath been divers times both stolen
with small successe to do good offices betwixt the two Kingdomes Coming into England to visit her Brother K. Edward the third she deceased here without issue Anno 1357. and lyeth buried in Gray-Friers London It will not be amiss in Reference to her Name here to observe that Joan which is Feminine to John was a frequent name in the Royal Family of England as also amongst Foreign Princes and no wonder seeing we find a worthy woman of that name Benefactresse to our Saviour himself However seeing in later times it hath been counted but a Course and homely name and some Proverbs of Contempt have been cast thereon it hath since been m ollified into Jane sounding finer it seemes to an English eare though this modern name will hardly be found in any English writer three hundred yeares ago KATHERINE youngest Daughter to K. Henry the 7. and Elizabeth his Queen was born in the Tower of London on the 2 day of February Anno Dom. 1503. deceasing few dayes after It is a sad and probably too true an account of an Antient man which is given in his Epitaph Here lies the man was born and cry'd Liv'd sixty yeares fell sick and dy'd What was a bad Character of his aged unprofitablenesse is a good one of this infant Ladies innocence of whom we know nothing save that she sucked fell sick and deceased Only let me adde she was the last Princesse born in the Tower our English Kings hereafter removing their residence to Bridewel and White-hall and using the Tower not so much as a Palace for the State as Prison for the strength thereof ANNA BOLLEN Daughter of the Lord Thomas Bollen Earl of Wiltshire was as some of her Honourable relations still surviving do conjecture born in London and became second Wife to K. Henry 8th Indeed he passionately affected her when but a Lords Daughter but did not marry her till she was a Princesse Created by him Marchionesse of Pembroke partly to make her the more proportionable Match and partly to try how she would become a â—…oronet before she wore a Crown The Papists much disparage her memory malice will lye or must be dumb making all her Wit to consist in Boldnesse her Beauty in a French garb and her Modesty in a Cunning â—…oynesse whereas indeed she was a Lady accomplished in Body was it likely K. Henry would love what was not lovely and Vertuous in Mind and whilst a Favourite of the Kings a Favourer of all good men and great Promoter of the Gospel The Inconstancy of her husbands affections is conceived by most moderate men what else soever was pretended her chiefest crime and cause of her death which happened Anno 1536. KATHERINE HOWARD Daughter to the Lord Edmond Howard son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk was though her father had large lands and houses in many places probably born in London and at last became fifth wife to K. Henry the eighth Such as desire to know the names number and successe of all six may conceive K. Henry thus speaking on his death bed Three Kates two Nans and one dear Jane I wedded One Spanish one Dutch and four English Wives From two I was divorc'd two I beheaded One died in childbed and one me survives Of this Katherine Howard little is reported and yet too much if all be true of her incontinency which cost her her life The greatest good the Land got by this match was a general leave to marry Cousin-Germans formerly prohibited by the Canon and hereafter permitted by the Common-law A door of lawful liberty left open by God in Scripture shut by the Pope for his private profit opened again by the King first for his own admittance this Katherine being Cousin-German to Anna Bollen his former Wife and then for the service of such Subjects as would follow him upon the like occasion This Lady was beheaded Anno Domini 1540. Saints Not to speak of St. Sedd born in this City and afterwards Bishop thereof of whom we find nothing reported save that he was very instrumental to the converting of the Mercians we begin with WULSINE who was born in this City of worthy Parents breeding him up in the Devotion of that age and became a Benedictine Monk till at last by his fast friend St. Dunstan he was preferred first Abbot of Westminster whence he was afterwards removed to be Bishop of Sherburne in Dorsetshire A mighty Champion he was for a Monastical life and therefore could not be quiet till he had driven all the secular priests out of Sherburne and substituted Monks in their room I read not of any Miracle done by him either whilst living or when dead save that in the juncture of both he is said with St. Stephen to have seen Heavens opened c. He had contracted great intimacy with one Egeline a virtuous Knight who died on the same day with him and he injoyned his Monks that they should both be buried in one Grave their joynt death happened January the 8th Anno 985. THOMAS BECKET son to Gilbert Becket Merchant and Maud his wife was born in this City in the place where now Mercers-Chappel is erected I have Reader been so prodigal in the large description of his life in my Ecclesiastical History that I have no new observable left to present you with Onely when I consider of the multitude of vows made by superstitious Pilgrims to his Sbrine where the stones were hallowed with their bended knees I much admire at their Will-worship no vowes appearing in Scripture but what were made to God alone And therefore most impudent is the attempt of those Papists tampering to corrupt Holy Writ in favour of such vowes reading in the Vulgar Latine Prov. 20. 25. Ruina est homini devotare Sanctos post vota retractare Instead of Ruina est homini devorare Sancta post vota retractare It is a snare to a man who often maketh vowes to Saints and after vowes retracteth them It is a snare to a man who devoureth that which is holy and after vowes to make enquiry This Becket was slain as is notoriously known on Innocents-day in his own Church of Canterbury 1170. Martyrs WILLIAM SAUTRE alià s Chatris Parish-Priest of the Church of St. Osiths London was the first Englishman that was put to death by fire for maintaining the opinions of Wicliffe In the Primitive times pardon Reader no impertinent digression such the lenity and tendernesse of the Fathers of the Church towards Hereticks that contenting themselves with condemning their blasphemous opinions they proceeded to no penalty on their persons Yea in after ages when the Christian Emperour would have punisht the furious Donatists with a pecunlary mulct the Holy men of those times so earnestly interceded as to procure the remission And St. Augustine himself who was most zealous in his writing against those Donatists professeth he had rather be himself slain by them than by detecting them be
or silver-hair-skins formerly so dear are now levelled in prices with other colours yea are lower then black in estimation because their wool is most used in making of hats commonly for the more credit called Half-Beavers though many of them hardly amount to the proportion of Semi-Demi-Castors Herrings Great store and very good of these are caught nigh Yarmouth where once every year on the Feast of Saint Michael is a Fair held for the sale of fish and such the plenty of Herrings there constantly vented that incredible the sum which is raised thereby Indeed the fishing for Herrings is a most gainful trade fish though contemptable in it self considerable in its company swiming in such shoals that what the Whale hath in bigness the Herring hath in number It may well mind such who excell in strength and valour not to boast or be proud thereof seeing the greatest courage may be soon pressed to death under unequal number Yea Red-herrings in England mostly eaten for sauce to quicken the Appetite serve in Holland and elsewhere for food to satisfy hunger I will conclude the Natural Commodities of this County with this memorable passage which I have read in a modern Author The Lord F. W. assured me of a Gentleman in Norfolk that made above 10000l sterl of a piece of ground not forty yards square and yet there was neither Mineral nor Metal in it He aâ—…ter told me it was onely a sort of fine clay for the making a choise sort of earthen ware which some that knew it seeing him dig up discovered the value of it and sending it into Holland received so much money for it My belief tireth in coming up to the top of this story suspecting the addition of a cypher But if it were so how much would it have inriched us if those mockChina-dishes had been made in England Manufactures Worsteds These first took their name from Worsted a Village in this County originally it is nothing but Woollen-thred spun very fine and for the more strength twisted together But O! it surpassesh my skill to name the several stuffs being VVorsted disguised with VVeaving and Colouring made thereof It argueth the usefulness and publick profit of this commodity which first found a general repute in England toward the end of the raign of King Henry the sixth that there are no fewer then fourteen Statutes now in force in the well ordering thereof to Merchantable proof And appointing which of them may which may not be Transported Not to speak of four VVardens of VVorsted VVeavers to be chosen yearly within the City of Norwish and other four out of the County of Northfolk with their solemn Oath Office and Authority As for worsted Stockins they were first made in England Anno 1564. by VVilliam Rider an ingenious Apprentice living against Saint Magnus Church at the foot of London Bridge This William chancing to see a pair of knit worsted Stockins in the Lodging of an Italian Merchant who had brought them from Manâ—…ua borrowed them and making the like by that pattern presented them to VVilliam Earl of Pembroke who first wore them in England Proverbs Norfolk dumplings This cannot be verified of any dwarfish or diminutive stature of people in this County being as tall of their bodies and as tall of their arms too I assure you as any in England But it relates to the fare they commonly feed on so generally called I wish much good may it do them and that their bodies thereby may be enabled for all natural civil and spiritual performances Norfolk VViles Such the skill of the common people hereof in our Common-Law wherein they are so versed ut si nihil sit litium lites tamen ex juris apicibus serere callent If I must go to Law I wish them rather of my Counsel then my Adversaries For whereas pedibus ambulando is accounted but a vexatious Suit in other Counties here where men are said to study Law as following the Plough tail some would perswade us that they will enter an action for their neighbours horse but looking over their hedge Now although we listen to this but as a jeer yet give me leave to observe two parts in VViles VVittiness which all must commend VVickedness condemn Sure I am that in Scripture a VVile always male audit is taken in an evil sense as wherein the simplicity of the Dove is stung to death by the subtilty of the Serpent But no more hereof least Norfolk-men commence a Suit against me though I verily believe many therein are of as peaceable dispositions as any in other places A Yarmouth Capon That is a red-herring No news for creatures to be thus disguised under other names seeing Criticks by a Libyon bear sub pelle Libystidis ursae understand a Lion no Bears being found in the land of Libya And I believe few capons save what have more fins then feathers are bred in Yarmouth But to countenance this expression I understand that the Italian Friers when disposed to eat flesh on Fridays call a Capon piscem è corte a fish out of the Coop He is arrested by the Baily of Marshland The aire of Marshland in this County is none of the wholesomest being surrounded with the Sea and Fens on all sides Hence it is that strangers coming hither are clapt on the back with an ague which sometimes lasts them longer then a Stuffe Suit The best is when such prisoners have paid the Bailiffs Fees and Garnish and with time and patience have weathered out the brunt of that disease they become habited to the aire of the Country and arrive in health at a very great age Princes I meet with no Prince since the Conquest taking his first breath in this County probably because so remote from the principal place of Royal Residence Prelats GILBERT BERKELEY was born in this County but descended from the ancient Barons of that name as appeareth by his Armes He was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells in the first of Queen Elizabeth and sate therein 22. years He died of a Lethargy being 80. years of age 1581. and is buried on the North-side of the Communion-table of his own Cathedral JOHN AYLMER Brother to Sir Robert Aylmer Knight was born at Aylmerhall in the Parish of Tilsely in this County as his nearest surviving relations have informed me from whom I have received the following information When he was but a Child going toward school Henry Gray Duke of Suffolk having some discourse with took so much liking unto him that after he had been bred some years in the University of Cambridge he made him his Chaplain and committed his daughter the Lady Jane Gray to his tuition In the reign of Queen Mary he fled over beyond Sea and was little less then miraculously saved from the Searchers of the Ship by the ingenuity of a Marchant who put him into a great Wine-but which had a partition in the middle so that
Convent of Blackney and afterwards studied first in Oxford then in Paris one remarkable on many accounts First for the Dwarfishness of his stature Scalpellum calami atramentum charta libellus His Pen-knife Pen Ink-horn one sheet of Paper and any of his books would amount to his full height As for all the books of his own making put together their burden were more then his body could bear Secondly for his high spirit in his low body Indeed his soul had but a small Diocess to visit and therefore might the better attend the effectual informing thereof I have heard it delivered by a learned Doctor in Physick at the Anatomy lecture in London who a little before had been present at the Emboweling and and Embalming of Duke Hamilton and the Lord Capel that the heart of the former was the largest the latter the least he had ever beheld inferring hence that contracted spirits act with the greatest vigorousness Thirdly for his high title wherewith he was generally termed the resolute Doctor Two sorts of people he equally disliked Scepticks who are of none and unconstant people who are successively of all opinions and whilst others turned about like the Wheel he was as fixed as the Axletree in his own judgement Yet this his resoluteness was not attended with censuring of such who were of another Opinion where equal probability on either side allowed a latitude to dissent He groaped after more light then he saw saw more than he durst speak of spake of more then he was thanked for by those of his superstitioâ—…s Order amongst whom saith Bale neither before nor after arose the like for learning and religion Most agree in the time of his death Anno 1346. though dissenting in the place of his burial assigning Blackney Norwich London the several places of his Interment JOHN GOLTON born at Tirington in this County was Chaplain to William Bateman Bishop of Norwich and first Master by the appointment of the Founder of Gonvil-hall in Cambridge Leland allows him a man plus quam mediocriter doctus bonus for which good qualities King Henry the fourth advanced him Arch-bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland He was imployed to the Court of Rome in the heavy schisme betwixt Pope Urban the sixth and Clement the seventh which occasioned his writing of his learned treatise De causa Schismatis and because knowing the cause conduceth little to the cure without applying the remedy he wrote another book De Remediis ejusdem It seemeth he resigned his Arch-bishoprick somewhat before his death which happened in the year of our Lord 1404. ALAN of LYNNE was born in that famous Mart-town in this County and brought up in the University of Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Divinity and afterwards became a Carmelite in the Town of his nativity Great his diligence in reading many and voluminous Authors and no less his desire that others with him should reap the fruit of his industry to which end he made Indexes of the many Writers he perused An Index is a necessary implement and no impediment of a book except in the same sense wherein the Carriages of an Army are termed Impedimenta Without this a large Author is but a labyrinth without a clue to direct the Reader therein I confess there is a lazy kind of learning which is onely Indical when Scholars like adders which onely bite the horse heels nibble but at the Tables which are calces librorum neglecting the body of the book But though the idle deserve no Crutches let not a staff be used by them but on them pity it is the weary should be denied the benefit thereof and industrious Scholars prohibited the accommodation of an Index most used by those who most pretend to contemn it To return to our Alan his Herculean labour in this kind doth plainly appear to me who find it such a toil and trouble to make but an Index of the Indexes he had made of the Authors following 1 Aegidius 2 Alcuinus 3 Ambrosius 4 Anselmus 5 Aquinas 6 Augustinus 7 Baconthorpe 8 Basil 9 Bede 10 Belethus Bles. 11 Bernard 12 Berthorius 13 Cassianus 14 Cassiodorus 15 Chrysostome 16 Cyril 17 Damascen 18 Gerard. Laodic 19 Gilbert 20 Gorham 21 Gregory 22 Haymo 23 Hierome 24 Hilary 25 Hugo 26 Josephus 27 Neckam 28 Origen 29 Pamph. Eusebius 30 Phil. Ribot 31 Raban 32 Remigius 33 Richard All these I. Bale professeth himself to have seen in the Carmelites Library at Norwich acknowledging many more which he saw not Now although it be a just and general complaint that Indexes for the most part are Heteroclites I mean either redundant in what is needless or defective in what is needful yet the Collections of this Alan were allowed very complete He flourished Anno 1420. and was buried at Lynne in the Convent of Carmelites WILLIAM WELLS was born saith Pitz. at Wells the Cathedral See in Somerset-shire wherein no doubt he is mistaken For be it reported to any indifferent judgement that seeing this VVilliam had his constant converse in this County living and dying an Augustinian in his Covent at Lynne and seeing there is a VVells no mean Market-Town in this Shire with more probability he may be made to owe his nativity and name to Norfolk He was for twenty years Provincial of his Order in England Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge an industrious man and good writer abate only the Siboleth of Barbarisme the fault of the age he lived in He died and was buried at Lynne 1421. JOHN THORPE was born in a Village so called in this County bred a Carmelite at Norwich and Doctor at Cambridge Logick was his Master-piece and this Dedalus wrote a book intituled the Labyrinth of Sophismes and another called the Rule of Consequences for which he got the title of Doctor Ingeniosus This minds me of a Prognosticating Distick on the Physiognomies of two children Hic erit Ingenuus non Ingeniosus at ille Ingeniosus erit non erit Ingenuus The later of these characters agreeth with our Thorpe who had a pound of wit for a dram of good nature being of a cruel disposition and a violent persecutor of William White and other godly Wickliffites He died Anno Domini 1440. and lieth buried at Norwich His name causeth me to remember his Name-sake of modern times lately deceased even Mr. John Thorpe B. D. and Fellow of Queens-colledge in Cambridge my ever honored Tutor not so much beneath him in Logick as above him in the skill of Divinity and an Holy conversation JOHN SKELTON is placed in this County on a double probability First because an ancient family of his name is eminently known long fixed therein Secondly because he was beneficed at Dis a Market-town in Norfolk He usually styled himself and that Nemine contradicente for ought I find the Kings Orator and Poet Laureat We need go no further for a testimony of his learning than to Erasmus styling
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
on thee all spent in vain See this bright structure till that smart Blind thy blear-eyes and grieve thy heart Some Cottage-Schools are built so low The Muses there must groveling go Here whilst Apollo's sharp doth sound The Sisters Nine may dance around And Architects may take from hence The Pattern of magnificence Then grieve not Adams in thy mind 'Cause you have left no Child behind Unbred unborn is better rather If so you are a second Father To all bred in this School so fair And each of them thy Son and Heir Long may this Worthy person live to see his intentions finished and compleated to his own contentment Memorable Persons THOMAS PARRE son of John Parre born at Alberbury in the Parish of Winnington in this County lived to be above one hundred and fifty years of age verifying his Anagram Thomas Parre Most rare hap He was born in the reign of King Edward the Fourth one thousand four hundred eighty three and two moneths before his death was brought up by Thomas Earle of Arundel a great lover of Antiquities in all kinds to Westminster He slept away most of his time and is thus charactered by an eye witness of him From head to heel his body had all over A quick-set thick-set nat'ral hairy cover Change of Air and Diet better in it self but worse for him with the trouble of many Visitants or Spectators rather are conceived to have accelerated his death which happened Westminster November the 15 1634 and was buried in the Abbey-Church all present at his burial doing homage to this our aged Thomas de Temporibus Lords Majors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Roger Acheley Thomas Acheley Stanwardine Draper 1511 2 Rowland Hill Thomas Hill Hodnet Mercer 1549 3 Thomas Lee Roger Lee Wellington Mercer 1558 4 Thomas Lodge William Lodge Cresset Grocer 1562 5 Rowland Heyward George Heyward Bridg North Clothworker 1570 6 Robert Lee Humphry Lee Bridg North Merchant Tailor 1602 7 John Swinnerton Tho. Swinnerton Oswestry Merchant Tailor 1612 8 Francis Jones John Jones Glaverley Haberdasher 1620 9 Peter Probey Not Recorded White-church Grocer 1622 10 Allen Cotton Ralph Cotton White-church Draper 1625 11 George Whitmore Will. Whitmore Charley Haberdasher 1631 12 Thomas Adams Thomas Adams Wem Draper 164. See we here a Jury of Lords Majors born in this which I believe will hardly be paallel'd in a greater County All no doubt Honestmen and true The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of Henry the Sixth 1433. A VVilliam Bishop of Coven Leichf Commissioners to take the Oaths B John de Talbot Knight C Richard Laken Knights for the Shire VVilliam Boerley Willielmi Malory Militis Johannis Fitz-Piers Willielmi Lodelowe Thomae Hopton de Hopton Richardi Archer Johannis Wynnesbury Thomae Corbet de Ley Thomae Corbet de Morton Johannis Bruyn senioris Thomae Charleton Richardi Peshale Thomae Newport Georgii Hankeston Johannis Brugge Thomae Banastre Hugonis Harnage Leonardi Stepulton Hugonis Cresset Johannis Skryven Willielmi Poynour Richardi Neuport Richardi Horde Nicholai Sandford Griffin Kynaston Johanuis Bruyn junioris Hugonis Stepulton Simonis Hadington Alani Wetenhull Richardi Sonford Johannis Otley Edwardi Leighton de Mershe Edmundi Plowden Thomae Mardford Rogeri Bromley Richardi Lee Humfridi Cotes VVillielmi Leighton Richardi Horton Willielmi Welascote Richardi Husee Johannis Wenlok Willielmi Mersheton Walteri Codour Ricdardi Gerii VVillielmi Bourden A This VVilliam was VVilliam Hieworth Bishop of Coventry and Leichfield of whom here after B Sir John Talbot though here only additioned Knight was the Lord Talbot and eight years after created Earl of Shrewsbury of whom before C Richard Laken the same Family with Lacon whose Seat was at VVillily in this County augmented both in Bloud and Estate by the Matches with the Heirs of 1 Harley 2 Peshal 3 Passilew 4 Blunt of Kinlet My hopes are according to my desires that this Ancient Family is still extant in this County though I suspect shrewdly shattered in Estate The Commissioners of this Shire were neither altogether Idle nor very Industrious having made but a short and slender return only of 45 principal persons therein Sheriffes of Shropshire HEN. II. Anno 1 Anno 2 Will. filius Alani for 5 years together Anno 7 Guido Extraneus for 5 years together Anno 12 Gaufrid de Ver for 4 years together Anno 16 Gaufrid de Ver Will Clericus Anno 17 Guido Extraneus for 9 years together Anno 26 Hugo Pantulfe for 8 years together RICH. I. Anno 1 Will. filius Alani Reginal de Hesden Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Will. filius Alani Will de Hadlega Anno 4 Will. filius Alani for 4 years together Anno 8 Will. filius Alani Reginald de Hedinge Anno 9 Will. filius Alani Wido filius Roberti Anno 10 Will. filius Alani Masculum JOHANNES Anno 1 Will. filius Alani VVarrus de VVililegh Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 VVill. filius Alani Reiner de Lea. Anno 4 G. filius Petri Richardus de Ambresleg Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Thomas de Erolitto Robertus de Alta Ripa Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 Thomas de Erdington for 9 years together HEN. III. Anno 1 Anno 2 Ranul Com. Cestriae Hen. de Aldetheleg Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Ranul Com. Cestriae Philippus Kinton Anno 6 Idem Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 Ranul Com. Cestriae Anno 9 Johannes Bovet Anno 10 Idem Anno 11 Hen. de Aldithle Anno 12 Idem Anno 13 Idem Anno 14 Hen. de Aldithle VVill. de Bromley Anno 15 Idem Anno 16 Idem Anno 17 Petr. Rival Rob. de Haye for 4 years together Anno 21 Johannes Extraneus Robertus de Acton Anno 22 Johannes Extraneus for 11 years together Anno 33 Thomas Corbet Anno 34 Idem Anno 35 Robertus de Grendon for 5 years together Anno 40 Hugo Acover Anno 41 Idem Anno 42 VVillielmus Bagod Anno 43 Idem Anno 44 Idem Anno 45 Jacobus de Audeley for 7 years together Anno 52 VValterus de Hopton Anno 53 Idem EDW. I. Anno 1 Roger. de Mortuo Mari. Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 Bago de Knovile Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Idem Anno 7 Rogerus Sprengehuse for 8 years together Anno 15 Dominus de Ramesley Anno 16 Idem Anno 17 Robertus Corbet Anno 18 VVill. de Tickley â—…ive Tittle for 6 years together Anno 24 Radulphus de Schirle Anno 25 Idem Anno 26 Idem Anno 27 Tho. Corbet Anno 28 Idem Anno 29 Richardus de Harleigh Anno 30 Idem Anno 31 VValter de Beysin Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Johannes de Acton Anno 34 Johannes de Dene Anno 35 Idem EDW. II. Anno 1 Rogerus Trumvine Anno 2 Johannes Extraneus Hugo de Crofts Hugo de Crofts Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Hugo
eos tantum ille qui ut habet Tsalmus 126. numerat multitudinem Stellarum omnibus eis nomina vocat St. BERTELIN was a Britton of a Noble Birth and lead an Eremitical Life in the Woods near Stafford anciently called Bethiney contracted it seems for Bertiliney something of solitariness still remaining in his Memory as being so alone it hath no memorable particulars of his accounts to accompany it WOLFADUS RUFFINUS It was pitty to part them seeing they were loving in their lives and in their death they were not divided They were sons to Wolâ—…erus the Pagan King of Mercia and a Tyrant to boot who hating Christianity and finding these times to profess privately to practice it was so enraged that nothing but their bloud would quench his anger Wolfadus was taken and martyred at Stone in this County Whilst his younger if not twin brother Ruffinus came little more behind him at his death then he started before him at his birth seeking to hid himself in a woody place where since the Chappel of Burnweston hath been built was there by his Herod-father found out and murthered They were by succeding ages rewarded with reputation of Saintâ—…ip This Massacre happened Anno Domini .... Cardinals REGINALD POLE was born at Stoverton Castle in this County Anno 1500. He was second son unto Sr. Richard Pole Knight of the Garter and Frater consobrinus a relation which I cannot make out in reference to him to Henry the Seventh His mother Margaret Countess of Salisbury was Neice to King Edward the Fourth and daughter to Geoâ—…ge Duke of Clarence This Reginald was bred in Corpus-Christi-Colledge in Oxford preferred afterward Dean of Exeter King Henry the Eighth highly favoured and sent him beyond the Seas allowing him a large Pension to live in an equipage suitable to his birth and alliance He studied at Padua conversing there so much with the Patricians of Venice that at last he degenerated into a perfect Italian so that neither love to his Country nor gratitude to the King nor sharp Letters of his Friends nor fear to lose his present nor hopes to get future preferments could perswade him to return into England but that his pensions were withdrawn from him This made him apply his studies the more privately in a Venetian-Monastery where he attained great credit for his Eloquence Learning and good Life Such esteem forreign Grandees had of his great Judgment that Cardinal Sadolet having written a large Book in the praise of Philosophy submitted it wholy to his Censure Pole as highly commended the Work as he much admired that a Cardinal of the Church of Rome would conclude his old age with writing on such a subject applying unto him the Verses of Virgil Est in conspectu Tenedos notissima fama Insula dives opum Priami dum regna manebant Nunc tantum sinus statio male fidacarinis From Troy may th'Ile of Tenedos bespide Much fam'd when Priams kingdom was in pride Now but a Bay where ships in danger ride These far fetch'd lines He thus brought home to the Cardinal that though Philosophy had been in high esteem whilst Paganisme was in the prime thereof yet was it but a bad Harbour for an aged Christian to cast his Anchor therein It was not long before he was made Deacon-Cardinal by the Title of St. Mary in Cosmedin by Pope Paul the Third who sent him on many fruitless and dangerous Embassies to the Emperour and the French King to incite them to War against King Henry the Eighth Afterwards he retired himself to Viterbo in Italy where his House was observed the Sanctuary of Lutherans and he himself became a racking but no thorough-paced Protestant In so much that being appointed one of three Presidents of the Council of Trent he endeavoured but in vain to have Justification determined by Faith alone During his living at Viterbo he carried not himself so cautiously but that he was taxed for begetting a base Child which Pasquil published in Latine and Italian Verses affixed in the season of liberty on his lawless pillar This Pasquil is an Authour eminent on many accounts First for his self-concealement being Noscens omnia notus nemini Secondly for his intelligence who can display the deeds of midnight at high noon as if he hid himself in the holes of their bedstaves knowing who were Cardinals Children better than they knew their Fathers Thirdly for his unpartial boldness He was made all of tongue and teeth biting what e're he touch'd and it bled what e're he bit Yea as if a General Council and Pasquil were only above the Pope he would not stick to tell where he trod his holy Sandals awry Fourthly for his longevity having lived or rather lasted in Rome some hundreds of years whereby he appears no particular person but a successive corporation of Satyrists Lastly for his impunity escaping the Inquifition whereof some assign this reason because hereby the Court of Rome comes to know her faults or rather to know that their faults are known which makes Pasquils converts if not more honest more wary in their behaviour This defamation made not such an impression on Poles credit but that after the death of Paul the Third he was at midnight in the Conclave chosen to succeed him Pole refused it because he would not have his choice a deed of darkness appearing therein not perfectly Italianated in not taking preferment when tendred and the Cardinals beheld his refusal as a deed of dulness Next day expecting a re-election he found new morning new minds and Pole being reprobated Julius the Third his professed enemy was chosen in his place Yet afterwards he became Alterius Orbis Papa when made Arch-bishop of Canterbury by Queen Mary He was a person free from passion whom none could anger out of his ordinary temper His youthful Books were full of the Flowers of Rhetorick whilst the withered stalkes are only found in the Writings of his old Age so dry their style and dull their conceit He died few hours after Queen Mary November the 17 Anno 1558. Prelates EDMUND STAFFORD was Brother to Ralph first Earl of Stafford and consequentially must be son to Edmund Baron Stafford His Nativity is rationally with most probability placed in this County wherein his father though Landed every where had his Prime Seat and largest revenues He was by King Richard the Second preferred Bishop of Exeter and under King Henry the Fourth for a time was Chancellour of England I meet with an Authour who doth make him Bishop first of Rochester then of Exâ—…ter and lastly of York But of the first and last altum silentium in Bishop Godwin whom I rather believe He was a Benefactor to Stapeltons-Inn in Oxford on a three-fold account viz. Of 1 Credit first calling it Exeter Colledge whereby he put an obligation on the Bishop of that See favourably to reflect thereon 2 Profit adding two Fellowships unto it and
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.
till sent to St. Johns then to Trinity Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was Fellow and there chosen Regius Professâ—…r one of the most profound School-Divines of the English Nation Afterwards by the Queens absolute mandate to end a contention betwixt two Corrivals not much with his will he was made Master of Katharine-hall For when Archbishop Whitgift joyed him of the place he returned that it was Terminus diminuens taking no delight in his preferment But his Grace told him That if the injuries much more the less courtesies of Princes must be thankfully taken as the Ushers to make way for greater as indeed it came to passe For after the death of Dr. Nowel he was by the especial recommendation of Sr. Fulke Grevil made Dean of St. Pauls Being appointed to preach before the Queen he profess'd to my Father most intimate with him that he had spoken Latin so long it was troublesome to him to speak English in a continued Oration He frequently had those words of the Psalmist in his mouth VVhen thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth surely every man is vanity I cite it the rather out of the new Translation something different from the old because he was so eminent an Instrument employed therein King James made him Bishop of Norwich where he was a discreet presser of Conformity on which score he got the ill will of many dis-affected thereunto and died Anno 1618. LEONARD MAW was born at * Rendlesham in this Connty a remarkable place Iassure you which though now a Country Village was anciently the Residence of the Kings of the East-Angles Where King Redwald a Mongrel Christian kept at the same time Altare Arulam the Communion Table and Altars for Idols He was bred in Cambridge where he was Proctor of the University Fellow and Master of Peter-house after of Trinity Colledge whereof he deserved well shewing what might be done in five years by good Husbandry to dis-ingage that Foundation from a great debt He was Chaplain to King Charles whilst he was a Prince and waited on him in Spain by whom he was preferred Bishop of Bath and Wells He had the Reputation of a good Scholar a grave Preacher a mild man and one of Gentil Deportment He died Anno Domini 163. RALPH BROUNRIG D. D. was born at Ipswich of Parents of Merchantly condition His Father died in his Infancy and his Mother did not carelesly cast away his youth as the first Broachings of a Vessel but improved it in his Education at School till he was sent to Pembroke-hall in Cambridge and afterwards became Scholar and Fellow thereof King James coming to Cambridge was amongst others entertained with a Philosophy Act and Mr. Brounrig was appointed to perform the Joco-serious part thereof who did both to the wonder of the Hearers Herein he was like himself that he could on a sudden be so unlike himself and instantly vary his words and matter from mirth to solidity No man had more ability or less inclination to be Satyrical in which kind posse nolle is a rarity indeed He had wit at will but so that he made it his Page not Privy Councellour to obey not direct his Judgement He carried Learning enough in numerato about him in his pockets for any Discourse and had much more at home in his chests for any serious Dispute It is hard to say whether his loyal memory quick fancy solid judgement or fluent utterance were most to be admired having not only flumen but fulmen eloquentiae being one who did teach with Authority When commencing Bachelour in Divinity he chose for his Text Vobis autem c. It is given to you not only to beleeve but suffer in the behalf of Christ. A Text somewhat Prophetical to him who in the Sequele of his life met with affronts to exercise his Prudence and Patience being afterwards defied by some who almost Deified him before in whose Eyes he seemed the blacker for wearing white sleeves when 1641 made Bishop of Exeter I was present at his Consecration Sermon made by his good Friend Doctor Younge taking for his Text The waters are risen O Lord the waters are risen c. wherein he very gravely complained of the many invasions which Popular violence made on the Priviledges of Church and State This Bishop himself was soon sadly sensible of such Inundations and yet by the Procâ—…rity of his parts and piety he not only safely waded thorough them himself but also when Vice-Chancellour of Cambridge by his prudence raised such Banks that those overflowings were so not destructive as otherwise they would have been to the University He continued constant to the Church of England a Champion of the needful use of the Liturgie and for the Priviledges of Ordination to belong to Bishops alone Unmoveable he was in his principles of Loyalty witness this instance O. P. with some shew of respect unto him demanded the Bishops Judgement non plus't it seems himself in some business to whom he returned My Lord the best counsel I can give you is Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods with which free answer O. P. was rather silenced than satisfied About a year before his death he was invited by the Society of both Temples to be their Preacher admirably supplying that place till strong fits of the Stone with Hydropical Inclinations and other distempers incident to phletorick Bodies caused his death I know all Accidents are minuted and momented by Divine Providence and yet I hope I may say without sin his was an untimely death not to himself prepared thereunto but as to his longer life vvhich the prayers of pious people requested the need of the Church required the date of Nature could have permitted but the pleasure of God to which all must submit denied Otherwise he vvould have been most instrumental to the composure of Church differences the deserved opinion of whose goodness had peaceable possession in the hearts of the Presbyterian party I observed at his Funeral that the prime persons of all Perswasions were present whose Judgements going several wayes met all in a general grief for his decease He was buried on the cost of both Temples to his great but their greater honour The Reader is referred for the rest to the Memorials of his life written by the Learned Doctor John Gauden who preached his Funeral Sermon and since hath succeeded him both in the Temple and Bishoprick of Exeter His dissolution happened in the 67th year of his Age Decemb. 7 1659 and was buried the week following in the Temple Church States-men S â— NICHOLAS BACON Knight was born in this County not far from the famous Abbey of St. Edmunds Bury and I have read that his Father was an Officer belonging thereunto His name I assure you is of an Ancient Gentry in this Shire as any whatsoever He was
departed this life a little before the beginning of our Civil Wars Memorable Persons JOHN CAVENDISH Esq. was born at Cavendish in this County bred at Court a Servant in ordinary attendance on King Richard the Second when Wat Tyler played Rex in London It happ'ned that Wat was woundly angry with Sir John Newton Knight Sword-Bearer to the King then in presence for devouring his distance and not making his approaches mannerly enough unto him Oh the pride of a self-promoting Pesant Much bussling a rising thereabout Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor of London arrested VVat and with his Dagger wounded him and being well stricken in years wanted not valour but vigour to dispatch him He is seconded by John Cavendish standing by who twice or thrice wounded him mortally my Author complaining That his death was too worthy from the hands of honourable persons for whom the Axe of the Hangman had been too good I would have said the Hâ—…lter of the Hangman But it matters not by whom a Traitor be kill'd so he be kill'd Hereupon the Arms of London were augmented with a Dagger and to divide the Honour equally betwixt them if the Heaft belonged to Walworth the Blade or point thereof at least may be adjudged to Cavendish Let me add that King Richard himself shewed much wisedome and courage in managing this matter so that in our Chronicles he appeareth wiser Youth than Man as if he had spent all the stock of his discretion in appeasing this tumult which happened Anno Dom. 1381. Sir THOMAS COOK Knight Sir WILLIAM CAPELL Knight I present these pair of Knights in parallels because I find many considerable occurrences betwixt them in the course of their lives 1 Both were natives of this County born not far asunder Sir Thomas at Lâ—…venham Sir William at Stoke-Neyland 2 Both were bred in London free of the fame Company of Drapers and were Lord-Mayors of the City 3 Both by Gods blessing on their industry attained great Estates and were Royal-Merchants indeed The later is reported by tradition since by continuance consolidated into Historical truth that after a large entertainment made for King Henry the Seventh he concluded all with a Fire wherein he burnt many Bonds in which the King a Borrower in the beginning of his Reign stood obliged unto him a sweet perfume no doubt to so thrifty a Prince not to speak of his expensive Frolick when at another time he drank a dissolved Pearl which cost him many hundreds in an health to the King 4 Both met with many molestations Sir Thomas being arraigned for lending money in the reign of King Edward the Fourth hardly escaped with his life thank a good God a just Judge and a stout Jury though griveously fined and long imprisoned As for Sir William Empson and Dudley fell with their bodies so heavy upon him that they squeased many thousand pounds out of his into the Kings Coffers 5 Both died peaceably in Age and Honour leaving great Estates to their Posterities The Cooks flourishing lately at Giddy-Hall in Essex in a Worshipful as the Capels at Hadham in Hartford-shire now in an Honourable condition Nor must it be forgotten that Elizabeth daughter to Sir William Capel was married to William Powlet Marquess of Winchester and Mildred descended from Sir Thomas Cook to William Cecil Lord Burleigh both their husbands being successively Lord Treasurers of England for above fifty years Sir Thomas Cook lieth buried in the Church of Augustineâ—… â—… London Sir William Capel in the South-side of the Parish Church of St. Bartholomews in a Chappel of his own addition behind the Exchange though the certain date of their deaths do not appear Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Michel John Michel Ekelingham Stock-Fishmonger 1422. 2 Henry Barton Henry Barton Myldenhal Skinner 1428. 3 Roger Oteley Will. Oteley Vfford Grocer 1434. 4 John Paddesley Simon Paddesley Bury St. Edmunds Gold-smith 1440. 5 Simon Eyre John Eyre Brandon Draper 1445. 6 William Gregory Roger Gregory Myldenhal Skinner 1451. 7 Thomas Cook Robert Cook Lavenham Draper 1462. 8 Richard Gardiner John Gardiner Exning Mercer 1478. 9 William Capel John Capel Stoke-Neyland Draper 1503. 10 William Coppinger Walter Coppinger Buckshal Fish-monger 1512. 11 John Milborn John Milbourn Long-Melford Draper 1521. 12 Roger Martin Lawrence Martin Long-Melford Mercer 1567. 13 John Spencer Richard Spencer Walding-Field Cloath-worker 1594. 14 Stephen Some Thomas Some Bradley Grocer 1598. Reader this is one of the twelve pretermitted Shires the Names of whose Gentry were not returned into the Tower in the reign of King Henry the Sixth Sheriffs Know that this County and Nâ—…hfolk had both one Sheriff until the seventeenth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth a List of whose names we formerly have presented in the description of Northfolk 〈◊〉 Place Armes Reg. ELIZ   Anno   17 Rob. Ashfield ar Netherhall Sable 〈◊〉 Fesse â—…ngrailed betwixt 3 flower de Luces Arg. 18 Ioh. 〈◊〉 arm  Sable a Fesse checkee Or and Azure betwixt 3 Naggs heads erazed Argent 19 Will. Spring mil. Lanham Argent on a Cheveron between 3 Martlets Gules as many Cinquefoiles of the Field 20 Rob. Jermin mil. Rushbrook Sable a Cressant betwixt 〈◊〉 Mullets Argent 21 Philip. Parker mil. Arwerton Argent a Lion passant Gules betwixt 2 Barrs Setheron 3 Bezâ—…nts in Chief as many Bucks heads â—…abosed of the third 22 Th. Bernardiston m. Kedington Azure a Fesse Dauncette Ermin betwixt 6 Crosleâ—…s Argent 23 Nich. Bacon mil. Culfurth Gules on a Chief 〈◊〉 2 Mullets Sable 24 Will. Drury mil. Halsted Argent on a Chief Vert the letter Tau betwixt 2 Mullets pierced Or. 25 Carol. Framling ham miles   26 Ioh. Gurdon arm Assington S. 3 Leopards heads jessant flowers de Luce Or. 27 Will. Clopton aâ—…  Sable a Bend Argent betwixt 2 Cotises dauncette Or. 28 Geo Clopton ar ut prius  29 Franc. Jermy arm  Arg. a Lion ramp gardant Gules 30 Phil. Tilney arm Shelleigh Argent a Cheveron betwixt 3 Griffins-heads erazed Gules 31 Will. Walgrave m. 〈◊〉 Party per Pale Argent and Gu. 32 Tho. Rowse arm  Sable 2 Barrs engrailed Argent 33 â—…c Garnish arm  Ar. a chev engr Az. bet 3 scallops Sab. 34 Lionel Talmarsh 〈◊〉 HelminghaÌ„ Argent Fretty Sable 35 Rob. Forth arm  †Or 3 Buls-heads coupee Sable 36 Tho. †Croâ—… arm SaxmundhaÌ„ * Ar. on a fess Gu. 3. Garbs Or between 2 cheverons Az. charged with Escallops Arg. 37 Will. Spring mil. ut prius  38 Tho. * Eden arm   39 Antho. Wingfield Letheringham Argent a Bend Gules cotised able 3 Wings of the first 40 Hen. Warner ar   41 Antho. Felton ar Playford Gules 2 Lions passant Eâ—…in crowned Or. 42 Edw. Bacon arm ut prius  43 Edwin Withipol Christ Church in Ipswich Party per pale Or and Gules 3 Lions pâ—…ssant regardant armed Sable langued Argent a Bordure interchanged 44 Tho.
Country Martyrs Grievous the persecution in this County under John Christopherson the Bishop thereof Such his Havock in burning poor Procestants in one year that had he sat long in that See and continued after that rate there needed no Iron-mills to rarify the Woods of this County which this BONNER junior would have done of himself I confess the Papists admire him as a most able and profound Divine which mindeth me of an Epigran made by one who being a Suitor to a surly and scornâ—…ull Mistris after he had largely praised her rare parts and Divine perfections concluded She hath too much Divinity for me Oh! that she had some more Humanity The same may this Diocess say of Christopherson who though carrying much of Christ in his Surname did bear nothing of him in his Nature no meekness mildness or mercy being addicted wholly to cruelty and destruction burning no fewer then ten in one fire in Lewes and seventeen others at several Times in sundry Places Cardinals HERBERT de BOSHAM was born at Bosham a goodly mannor in this County which Earl Godwin craftily kissed out of the Arch-bishop of Canterbary and being a good Scholar he was a Manubus I mean to write not to fight for him unto Thomas Becket Arch-bishop of Canterbury He was present at his Murder-martyring and hâ—…d the discretion to make no resistance lest he had been sent the same way with his Master However amongst many other books he wrote the story of his Mâ—…sters death Going over into Italy he was by Pope Alexander the third mâ—…de Arch bishop of Beneventum and in the Month of December 1178. created Cardinal but by what title it is unknown as also is the exact date of his death Prelates JOHN PECKHAM born of obscure Parents in this County bred when a boy in Lewes When a Youth a Franciscan in Oxford when a Young man in Paris when a Man he lived in Lyons where he became Canon when a Grave-man in Rome there made Auditor of causes in that Court when an Old man in Canterbury preferred against his will except out of cunning he would seem Courted into what he Coveted by the Popes plenary power to be Arch bishop thereof Peckham believed the Pope invited him freely to that place when soon after he was called upon to pay a sad reckoning no less then four thousand marks A worthy man he was in his place who neither feared the Laytie nor flattered the Clergy unpartially imposing on both if appearing Pecant most severe penance he was a great punisher of Pluralists and injoyner of Residence His Canons place at Lyons he not only kept during his life but left it to his successours who held it in Commendam some hundred years afterwards Loth they were to part with it as a safe retreating place in case our English Kings should banish them the Realme Besides it was a Convenient Inn for them to Lodge at as almost in the Mid-way of their journey betwixt Canterbury and Rome He sate Arch-bishop almost fourteen years built and endowed a Colledge at Wing ham yet left a great estate to his Kindred I believe his wealth well gotten because the land purchased therewith hath lasted so long in the Linage of his Allies in this and the next County even to our age he died Anno Dom. 1294. ROBERT WINCHELSEY Although Bishop Godwin saith ubi natus traditur opinor à nemine yet considering the custome of the Clergy in that age none can doubt his birth in this County except any should deny Winchelsey to be therein He was bred in the neighbouring Shire of Kent where he was such a proficient in Grammer Learning all did foretell that he then the Arch-Scholar in the School in due time would be Arch-bishop of the See of Canterbury He was afterwards admitted in Merton-colledge in Oxford went thence to Paris where he took the degree of Master of Arts and became Rector perchance no more then a Regent amongst Us of that University returning to Oxford he there proceeded Doctor of Divinity and became Chancellour thereof successively Canon of Pauls Arch-Deacon of Essex and Arch bishop of Canterbury He went to Rome to procure his Pall of Pope Celestine This is that Celestine formerly an Eremite whom a Cardinal afterward his Successor by the Name of Boniface the eighth perswaded by a voice through a hollow-trunk to resign his Popedome and return into the wilderness which he did accordingly Herein his Holiness did trust the Spirit before he did try it contrary to the counsel of the Apostle But this Pope appearing Fallible in his Chamber if in his Chair and consulâ—…ing his Conclave of Cardinalls no doubt would not have been deceived He easily obtained his Pall and refused a Cardinals Cap offer'd unto him returning to Canterbury he was there solemnly inthroned and on the same day Consecrated one Bishop bestowed 12. rich Benefices on 12. Doctors and 12. meaner Livings on as many Bachelors in Divinity Confiding in the Canon of the Councel of Lions which forbad the Clergy to pay any taxes to Princes without the consent of the Pope he created much molestation to himself King Edward the first useing him very harshly till at last he overcame all with his patience For the main he was a worthy Prelate excellent Preacher being Learned himself he loved and preferred Learned men Prodigious his Hospitality being reported that Sundays and Fridays he fed no fewer then four Thousand men when corn was cheap and five Thousand when it was dear and because it shall not be said but my Belief can be as Large as his Bounty I give credit thereunto Otherwise it seemeth suspicious as a mock-imitation of those self same Numbers of Persons which Christ at two severall times miraculously fed with Loafes and Fishes His Charity went home to them which could not come to it sending to such who were Absented by their Impotencies After his Death happening Anno Domini 1313. he was accounted though not the Popes the Poor-mans Saint Bountifull men will always be Canonized in the Calender of Beggers Poor-people repairing in Flocks to the place of his buriall and superstitiously praying unto him and they could best tell whether they found as much Benefit from his Tomb when dead as at his Table when living THOMAS BRADWARDINE was descended of an ancient family at Bradwardine in Hereford-shire who removing thence had setled themselves for three generations in this County where this Thomas was born in or near the City of Chichester He was bred Fellow of Merton-colledge in Oxford where he became a most exquisite Mathematician and deep Divine being commonly called Doctor Profundus He was Confessor to King Edward the third and some impute our great Conquest in France not so much to the Prowesse of that King as to the Prayers of this his Chaplain He constantly preach'd in the Camp Industry to Officers Obedience to Common-souldiers Humility to all in good Patience in
of the Ladies amongst whom one reputed a kins-man to the great Sophy after some Opposition was married unto him She had more of Eb◅ny then Ivory in her Complexion yet amiable enough and very valiant a quality considerable in that Sex in those Countries With her he came over into England and lived many years therein He much affected to appear in forreign Vestes and as if his Clothes were his limbes accounted himself never ready till he had something of the Persian Habit about him At last a Contest happening betwixt him and the Persian Ambassadour to whom some reported Sir Robert gave a Box on the Ear the King sent them both into Persia there mutually to impeach one another and joyned Doctor Go◅gh a Senior Fellow of Trinity-colledge in Cambridge in Commission with Sir Robert In this ◅oyage as I am informed both died on the Seas before the controverted difference was ever heard in the Court of Persia about the beginning of the reign of K. Charles Sir THOMAS SHIRLEY I name him the last though the eldest Son of his Father because last appearing in the world mens Activity not always observing the method of their Register As the Trophies of Miltiades would not suffer Themistocles to sleep so the Atchivements of his two younger brethren gave an Ala◅m unto his spirit He was ashamed to see them Worne like flowers in the Breasts and Bosomes of forreign Princes whilst he himself withered upon the stalk he grew on This made him leave his aged Father and fair Inheritance in this County and to undertake Sea Voyages into forreign parts to the great honour of his Nation but small inriching of himself so that he might say to his Son as Aeneas to Aescanius Disce puer Virtutē ex me verumque Laborem Fortunam ex aliis Virtue and Labour Learn from me thy Father As for success Child Learn from others rather As to the generall performances of these three brethren I know the Affidavit of a Poet carieth but a small cre◅it in the court of History and the Comedy made of them is but a friendly foe to their Memory as suspected more accommodated to please the present spectators then inform posterity However as the belief of Miti◅ when an Inventory of his adopted Sons misde◅nours was brought unto him embraced a middle and moderate way nec omnia credere nec nihil neither to believe all things nor nothing of what was told him so in the list of their Atchivements we may safely pitch on the same proportion and when abatement is made for poeticall embelishments the remainder will speak them Worthies in their generations The certain dates of their respective deaths I cannot attain Physicians NICHOLAS HOSTRESHAM Know Reader I have placed him in this County only on presumption that Horsham in this Shire no such place otherwise in England is contracted for Hostresham He was a learned man a most famous Physician and esteemed highly of all the Nobility of the Land who coveted his company on any conditions It seemeth that he was none of those so pleasing and conformable to the Humor of their Patients as that they press not the true Cure of the Disease and yet none of those who are so Regular in proceeding according to Art for the Disease as that they respect not sufficiently the condition of their Patients but that he was of a Middle Temper and so in effect was two Physicians in one Man Many were the Books he wrote reckoned upby Bale and Pitz amongst which I take especial notice of one contra dolorem renum thus beginning Lapis quandoque generatur in renibus I observe this the rather because his Practise was wholly at home it not appearing that he ever went beyond the Sea and this is contrary unto the confidence of such who have vehemently affirmed that the Stone was never heard of in England untill Hopps and Beer made therewith about the year 1516. began to be commonly used He flourished Anno Domini 1443. Writers LAURENCE SOMERCOTE was born saith Bale in the South-part of the Kingdome But had I am sure his best English preferment in Sussex being Canon of Chichester After his breeding here under his Carefull Parents and Skilfull Masters who taught him Logick and Rhetorick he applied himself to the Study of the Law and attained to great Learning therein Then leaving the Land he went to Rome and repaited to his Brother or Kinsman Robert Somercote Cardinall who it seems procured him to be Sub-Deacon under the Pop◅ He wrote some Books both in Latine and French and flourished in the year of our Lord 1240. JOHN DRITON so is his Surname Englished by Bale And why not as well John Driby a V◅llage in Lincoln-shire seeing no Driton in all England The truth is this in Latine he wrote himself de Arida Vill◅ equivalent with Sicoa villa or Sack-wil a Surname most renowned in this County and because it is added to his Character ex Illustri quadam Angliae familia procre◅s it suiteth well with our conjecturing him this Country-man He was bred according to the Mode of that Age in France and there became at Paris Summus Gymnasii Moderator which howsoever rendred in English soundeth a high place Conferred on a Forreigner In his time was much busling in the University about an Apocrypha Book patched together out of the Dreams of Joachime and Cyril two Monkes which was publickly read and commented on by many Admirers thereof by the name of the Eternall Gospell The Pope who often Curseth where God Blesseth here Blessed where God Cursed and notwithstanding the solemn Commination against such Additions to Scripture favoured them and what a Charitable Christian can scarcely believe damned their Opposers for Hereticks this our Sackwill bestirred himself and with William de Sancto Amore and other pious Men opposed this piece of Imposture Pitz in the Character of this our de Arida Villa treads like a foundred Horse on stones mentioning only that he met with much disturbance without any particulars thereof At last this Eternall Gospell had a Temporal End and with the Serpents of the Aegyptian Inchanters which vanished away this pretended Quint Essence Gospell sunk with shame into silence whilst the other four Gospells with the Serpent of Moses doe last and continue This our Writer flourished 1260. JOHN WINCHELSEY was bred in Oxford and became a great Scholar therein I am not bound to believe Bale in full latitude that he made a Centaur-Divinity out of Poets and Philosophers but this I believe that in his old Age he turned a Franciscan and when Gray became a Green Novice of the Order at Sarisbury Many condemned him that he would enter into such a life when ready to goe out of the world and others of his own Covent commended him who being old was concerned to find out the most compendious way to Heaven The year of his Probation was not ended when he died and was
Spain and the latter would not consent thereunto untill to clear all Titles this Edward Plantagenet were taken out of the way Thereupon he was Charged for intending an Escape out of the Tower was he not a very fool indeed if not desiring his own liberty which far fetch'd deduction was 〈◊〉 into High Treason The simple Earl was perswaded by his friend pretending Foes to confess the fact as the only way to find favour and so freely acknowledging more against himself then others could prove yea or himself did intend soon after found the Proverb true Confess and be Beheaded However the bloud of this Innocent so may he truely be termed take the word in what sence you please did not pass unpunished and the Lady Katherine Dowager was wont to acknowledge the death of her two Sons an ill success of her match as Heavens Judgement on her family for the Murdering of this Earl which happened Anno Domini 1499. Saints Saint WOLSTAN There is some difference but what is easily reconcileable about the place of his Nativity J. Pitz de illust Angliae Script aetate undecima num 174. Sanctus Wolstanus natione Anglus Wigorniensis Hierom. Porter in the Flowers of the lives of English Saints p. 84. Saint Wolstan was born in Warwick-shire of worthy and religious Parents The accommodation is easy seeing a Warwick-shire man by his County may be a Worcester-man by his Diocess to which See the western moity of that County doth belong Since I have learned from my worthy friend that Long Irtington in this Shire may boast of the birth of Saint Wolstan He afterwards began Bishop of Worcester and for his piety and holiness was generally reverenced Indeed he was like Jacob a plain man with Nathaniel an Israelite without guile welt or gard He could not Mode it or comport either with French ficleness or Italian pride which rendred him at once hated by two Grandees K. Wil. the Conqueror and Lankfank the lordly Lombard Arch-bishop of Canterbury These resolved on his removall quarrelling with him that he could not speake French a quality which much commended the Clergy in that Age to preferment and command him to give up his Episcopal staffe and ring into the hands of the King But old Wolstan trudged to the Tomb of King Edward the Confessor in Westminster who had been his Patron and there offered up his Episcopal Habilliments These said he from you I received and to you I resign them This his plain dealing so wrought on his adversaries Honesty at long running is the best Policy that he was not only continued but countenanced in his Bishoprick yea acquired the reputation of a Saint The greatest fault which I find charged on his Memory is his Activity in making W. Rufus King to the apparent injury of Roâ—…ert his Elder Brother But it is no wonder if Clergy men betray their weakness who being bred in a Covent quit Church business to intermedle with Secular matters He died January 19. 1095. Martyrs Name Place Vocation Martyred Time Laurence Sanders  Priest Coventry Feb. 8. 1555. Robert Glover Mancetor Gentleman Coventry Sept. 20. 1555. Cornelius Bongey Coventry Capper Coventry Sept. 20. 1555. John Careles Coventry Wever Kings-bench London  To these let me add JULIUS PALMER a hopefull scholar bred in Magdalen-colledge in Oxford aud though burnt in Newbury born at Coventry Ralph Bains Bishop of this Diocess was the cause of much persecution therein Confessors JOHN GLOVER David saith He shall deliver thâ—…e from the snare of the Hunter Now Hunters often change their Hare losing that which they first followed and starting another which they hunt and take So it happened here For this John was the person by his persecutors designed to Death who after many temporall and spirituall troubles Miraculously escaped those Nimrods Whilst Robert Glover his younger Brother of whom before without their intention fell into their hands and lost his life Yet was there no mistake in Divine Providence making the Swervings and Aberrations of men tend in a straight line to the accomplishing of his hidden Will and Pleasure Cardinals WILLIAM MAKLESFIELD was born saith my Author but with an abatement of a hic fertur in the City of Coventry He was made Batchelour of Divinity at Paris Doctor at Oxford and being a Dominican was made Generall of their Order Pope Bâ—…nedict the eleventh who was of the same fraternity formerly his familiar acquaintance made him Cardinal with the title of Saint Sabine But such his misfortune that he was dead and buried at London before his Cardinals cap was brought to him What said David He shall carry nothing away with him when he dyes Neither shall his Pomp follow him Yet this mans State endeavoured to follow him as far as it could For his Cardinals cap being sent to London with great Solemnity was with much Magnificence set on the Monument where he was buried And perchance this cap did him as much good when he was dead as it would have done if he had been living Sure I am that Fâ—…ithfull Linnen did him far more service which adventured to go down with him into the grave for the winding of his body therein PETER PETOW by Master Camden called William Petow and had I been at his Christening I could have decided â—…he controversy was descended from an Ancient family which for a long time have flourished at Chesterton in this County Being by Order a Franciscan he was by Pope Paulus the third created Cardinal his title unknown June 13. 1557. The same Pope also made him Legat à Latere and Bishop of Salisbury to the apparent wronging of John Capon Bishop thereof then alive and no more Obnoxious then others of his Order But I forget what the Cannon-law saith None may say to the Pope why dost thou so as if what were unjust in it self were made just by his doing it Pâ—…tow thus Armed with a Legatine Power advances towards England with full Intent and Resolution either to force his Admittance into the English Court or else to depart as he came But Queen Mary though Drenched not Drown'd in Popish Principles would not Unprince herself to Obey his Holiness and understanding it a Splenatick design against Cardinal Poole whom she intirely affected wonder not at such differences betwixt Anti-Cardinals whereas worse between Anti-Popes Prohibited his enterance into the Realme which Petow took so tenderly that the April after he dyed in France 1558. Prelates JOHN STRATFORD son of Robert and Isabell Stratford is notoriously known to be born at Stratford an Eminent Market in this County This makes me much admire and almost suspect my own Eyes in what I read both in Arch-bishop Parker and Bishop Godwin De cujus Gente atque Patria nihil accepimus De cujus viri Natalibus traditum non reperi quicquam Being by Papall provisions preferred Bishop of Winchester without the Royall Consent he fell into the Dis-favour of
Palmes-sunday before his Majesty Anno Domini 1539. And yet man is but man he returned to his errour in the raign of King Edward the sixth continuing therein in the first of Queen Elizabeth for which he was deprived of his Bishoprick He shewed mercy when in Power and found it in his Adversity having nothing but the Name of a prisoner in which condition he died and was buried at Lambeth 1560. RALPH BAINES was born in this County bred Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in Cambridge An Excellent Linguist in Latine Greek and Hebrew I say Hebrew then in its Nonage whereof Baines was a good Guardian first in learning then in teaching the Rules thereof Hence he went over into France and became Hebrew Professor at Paris He wrot a Comment on the Proverbs in three Volumes and dedicated it to King Franc is the first of France that Grand Patron of good Men and great Scholars Pitz telleth us ferunt it is reported that the Ministers of Geneva have much depraved many of his writings in severall places which I doe not believe Such passages doubtlesly according to the Authors own writing being reducible to two Heads First his fair mentioning of some learned Linguists though Protestants with whom he kept an Epistolary Correspondency Secondly some expressions in preferring the Original of Scripture to the Diminution of the Vulgar Translation Returning into England he was by Queen Mary 1555 made Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield Hitherto no ill could be spoken of his Intellectualls and hereafter no good of his Moralls in point of his Cruelty he caused such persecution in his Diocess His greatest Commendation is that though as bad a Bishop as Christopher son he was better then Bonner In the first of Queen Elizabeth he was deprived of his Bishoprick and dying not long after of the Stone was buried in Saint Dunstans 1560. Since the Reformation THOMAS BENTHAM was born in this County bred Fellow of Magdalen-colledge in Oxford Under King Henry the eight he was a Complier with no Promoter of Popery In the first of Queen Mary repenting of his former he resolved not to accumulate sin refusing not onely to say Mass but also to correct a scholar in the Colledge though urged thereto by Sir Robert Reed the Prime Visitor for his absence from Popish Prayers conceiving it injurious to punish in another that omission for a fault which was also according to his own Conscience He also then assisted Henry Bull one of the same Foundation to wrest out and throw down out of the hands of the Choristers the Censer when about to offer their superstitious Incense No wonder then if he was fain to fly into Forraign parts and glad to get over into Germany where he lived at Basil Preacher to the English Exiles to whom he expounded the intire book of the Acts of the Apostles Now seeing the Apostles suffering was above all their Doing it was a proper portion of Scripture for him hence to press patience to his banished Country-men Towards the end of Queen Mary he was secretly sent for over to be superintendent of the London Conventicle the onely true Church in time of Persecution where with all his Care and Caution he hardly escaped In the second of Queen Elizabeth he was Consecrated Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield succeeding Ralph Baines therein one of the same County with him but a different Judgement and died on the 21. of February 1578. EDMUND GUEST was born at Afferton in this County bred Fellow of Kings-colledge in Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Divinity He was afterwards Almoner to Queen Elizabeth and he must be both a wise and a good man whom she would trust with her Purse She preferred him Bishop first of Rochester then of Salisbury John Bale saith my Author reckoneth up many books made by him of considerable value He died February 28. 1578. the same year and month with his Country-man Thomas Bentham aforesaid MILES COVERDALE was born in this County bred in the University of Cambridge and afterwards became an Augustine Frier till his eyes being opened he quitted that Superstitious Profession Going into Germany he laboured greatly in Translating of the Bible and in writing many books reckoned up by John Bale He was made Doctor of Divinity in the University of Tubing and returning into England being incorporated in Cambridge was soon after made Bishop of Exeter by King Edward the sixth 1551. But alas he was not comfortably warme in his place before his place by persecution grew too hot for him and in the first of Queen Mary he was cast into prison a certain forerunner of his Martyrdome had not Frederick King of Denmark seasonably interposed This good King with great Importunity hardly obtained this small Courtesie viz. that Coverdale should be enlarged though on this condition to be banished out of hâ—…s Country In obedience whereunto he went over into Germany In the first of Qâ—…een Elizabeth he returned to England but not to Exeter Never resuming that or accepting any other Bishoprick Severall men assigned severall causes hereof but Coverdale onely knew the true reason himself Some will say that for the Books he made he had better been placed under the title of Learned Writers or for the Exile and Imprisonment he suffered ranked under Confessors then under the title of Prelats manifesting an aversness of his own judgement thereunto by not returning to his Bishoprick But be it known that Coverdale in his judgement approved thereof Being one of those Bishops who solemnly Consecrated Mathew Parker Arch-bishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Now quod efficit tale magis est tale I understand it thus He that makes another Arch-bishop is abundantly satisfyed in his Judgement and Conscience of the lawfullness thereof Otherwise such dissembling had been inconsistent with the sincerity of so grave and godly a person He died Anno Dom. 1588. and lyes buried in Saint Bartholomews behind the Exchange under a fair Stone in the Chancell ADAM LOFTUS was born in this County and bred in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge where he Commenced Doctor of Divinity the same year with John Whitgift afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury He was Chaplain to Robert Earl of Sussex Deputy of Ireland and was first made Arch-bishop of Armagh Anno 1562. and afterwards Arch-bishop of Dublin Anno 1567. Wonder not that he should desire his own degradation to be removed from Armagh then Primate of Ireland to Dublin a Subordinate Arch bishoprick seeing herein he consulted his safety and perchance his profit more then his Honour Armagh being then infested with Rebells whilst Dublin was a secure City After the death of Sir William Gerrard he was made Chancellour of Ireland which place he discharged with singular Ability and Integrity untill the day of his death And that which in my judgement commendeth him most to the notice of Posterity and most ingageth Posterity in thankfullness to his memory is that he was a profitable
years together assistant to the English Arch Priest demeaning himself commendably therein he wrote many books and one whose title made me the more to mind it Vitam Martyrium D. Margaretae Clithoroae Now whether this D. be for Domina or Diva for Lady or Saint or both I know not I take her for some Gentlewoman in the North which for some practises in the maintenance of her own Religion was obnoxious to and felt the severity of our Laws This Mush was living in these parts Anno 1612. Benefactors to the Publick THOMAS SCOT was born at Roâ—…heram no obscure market in this County waving his paternall name he took that of Roâ—…heram from the place of his Nativity This I observe the rather because he was according to my exactest enquiry the last Clergy-man of note with such an assumed Surname which Custome began now to grow out of fashion and Clergy-men like other men to be called by the name of their fathers He was first Fellow of Kings-colledge afterwards Master of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge and Chancellour of that University here he built on his proper cost saving something help'd by the Scholars the fair gate of the School with fair walks on each side and a Library on the East thereof Many have mistaken this for the performance of King Richard the third meerly because his Crest the Boar is set up therein Whereas the truth is that Rotheram having felt the sharp Tuskes of that Boar when imprisoned by the aforesaid King for resigning the Great Seal of England to Queen Elizabeth the relict of King Edward the fourth advanced his Armes thereon meerly to engratiate himself He went thorough many Church preferments being successively Provost of Beverly Bishop of Rochester Lincoln and lastly Arch-bishop of York nor less was was his share in Civil honour first Keeper of the Privy Seal and last Lord Chancellour of England Many were his Benefactions to the Publique of which none more remarkable then his founding five Fellowships in Lincoln colledge in Oxford He deceased in the 76. year of his age at Cawood of the plague Anno Domini 1500. JOHN ALCOCKE was born at Beverly in this County where he built a Chappell and founded a Chantry for his parents He was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge and at last became Bishop of Ely his prudence appeared in that he was preferred Lord Chancellour of England by King Henry the seventh a Prince of an excellent palate to tast mens Abilities and a Dunce was no dish for his diet His piety is praised by the pen of J. Bale which though generally bitter drops nothing but honey on Alcocks Memory commending him for a most mortified man Given to Learning and Piety from his Child-hood growing from grace to grace so that in his age none in England was higher for holiness He turned the old Nunnery of Saint Radigund into a new Colledge called Jesus in Cambridge surely had Malcolm King of Scots first founder of that Nunnery survived to see this alteration it would have rejoyced his heart to behold Leudness and Laziness turned out for Industry and Piety to be put in their place This Alcock died October 1. 1500. And had Saintship gone as much by merit as favour he deserved one as well as his name-sake Saint John his predecessor in that See Since the Reformation The extent of this large Province and the distance of my Habitation from it have disabled me to express my desires suitable to the merit thereof in this Topick of Modern Benefactors which I must leave to the Topographers thereof hereafter to uspply my defaults with their diligence But let me forget my self when I doe not remember the worthy charitable Master ....... Harrison inhabitant of the Populous Town of Leeds so famous for the Cloath made therein Methinks I hear that great Town accosting him in the Language of the Children of the Prophets to Elisha Behold now the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us The Church could scarce hold half the inhabitants till this worthy gentleman provided them another So that now the men of Leeds may say with Isaack Rehoboth God hath made room for us He accepted of no assistance in the building of that fair Fabrick but what he fully paid for so that he may be owned the sole Founder thereof But all his Charity could not secure him from sequestration in our Troublesome Times All I will adde is this as he hath built a House for God may God in Scripture Phrase build a House for him I mean make him fruitfull and fortunate in his posterity Memorable Persons PAULINUS DE LEEDS born in this County where there be three Towns of that name in one Wapentake It is uncertain in which of these he was born and the matter is of no great concernment One so free from Simony and far from buying a Bishoprick that when a Bishoprick bought him he refused to accept it For when King Henry the second chose him Bishop of Carlisle and promised to increase the Revenue of that Church with three hundred mark yearly rent besides the grant of two Church livings and two Mannors near to Carlisle on the condition that this Paulinus would accept the place all this would not work him to imbrace so wealthy an offer The reasons of his refusall are rendred by no Author but must be presumed very weighty to overpoise such rich proffers on which account let none envy his name a Room in this my Catalogue He flourished about the year of our Lord 1186. WILLIAM DE LA POLE born at Ravensrode in this County was for wealth and skill in Merchandize inferiour to none in England he made his abode at Kingston upon Hull and was the first Mayor of that Town When K. Edward the third was at Antwâ—…rp and much necessitated for money no shame for a Prince always in War to be sometimes in want this William lent him many thousand pounds of gold In recompence whereof the King made him his Valect equivalent to what afterward was called Gentleman of the Bed-chamber and Lord Chief-Baron of his Exchequer with many other honours Amongst which this was one that he should be reputed a Banneret not that he was really made one seeing the flourishing of a Banner over his head in the field before or after a fight was a ceremony essentiall thereunto but he had the same precedency conferred upon him I find not the exact date of his death but conjecture it to be about the year 1350. Lord Mayor Name Father Place Company Time 1 William Eastfield William Eastfield Tickell Mercer 1429 2 John Ward Richard Ward Howdon Grocer 1484 3 William White William White Tickhill Draper 1489 4 John Rudstone Robert Rudstone Hatton Draper 1528 5 Ralph Dodmer Henry Dodmer Pickering leigh Mercer 1529 6 William Roch John Roch Wixley Draper 1540 7 Richard Dobbes Robert Dobbes Baitby Skinner 1551 8 William Hewet Edmund Hewet Wales
Soon after more then 60. Royalists of prime quality removed themselves beyond the Seas so that hencefor ward the Kings affairs in the North were in a languishing condition The Farewell As I am glad to hear the plenty of a courser kind of Cloth is made in this County at Halifax Leeds and elsewhere whereby the meaner sort are much imployed and the middle sort inriched So I am sorry for the generall complaints made thereof Insomuch that it is become a generall by word to shrink as Northern Cloth a Giant to the eye and Dwarf in the use thereof to signify such who fail their Friends in deepest distress depending on their assistance Sad that the Sheep the Embleme of Innocence should unwillingly cover so much craft under the woo◅ thereof and sadder that Fullers commended in Scripture for making cloth white should justly be condemned for making their own Consciences black by such fraudulent practices I hope this fault for the future will be amended in this County and elsewhere For sure it is that the transporting of wooll and Fullers-earth both against Law beyond the Seas are not more prejudiciall to our English cloathing abroad then the deceit in making cloth at home debasing the Forraign estimation of our Cloth to the unvaluable damage of our Nation YORK is an Antient City built on both sides of the River Ouse conjoyned with a Bridge wherein there is one Arch the highest and largest in England Here the Roman Emperors had their residence Severus and Valerius Constantius their death preferring this place before London as more approaching the Center of this Island and he who will hold the Ox-hide from rising up on either side must fix his Foot in the middle thereof What it lacketh of London in Bigness and Beauty of Buildings it hath in Cheapness and Plenty of Provisions The Ordinary in York will make a Feast in London and such Persons who in their Eating consult both their Purse and Palate would chuse this City as the Staple place of good chear Manufactures It challengeth none peculiar to it self and the Forraign Trade is like their River compared with the Thames low and little Yet send they course Cloth to Ha◅orough and have Iron Flax and other Dutch Commodities in return But the Trade which indeed is but driven on at York runneth of it self at Hull which of a Fishers Town is become a Cities fellow within three hundred years being the Key of the North. I presume this Key though not new made is well mended and the Wards of the Lock much altered since it shut out our Soveraign from entering therein The Buildings The Cathedrall in this City answereth the Character which a forraign Author giveth it Templum opere magnitudine toto orbe memorandum the work of John Romaine Willam Melton and John Thoresbury Successive Arch-bishops thereof The Family of the Percyes contributing Timber of the Valvasors Stone thereunto Appending to this Cathedrall is the Chapter-house such a Master piece of Art that this Golden verse understand it written in Golden Letters is ingraved therein Ut Rosa Flos Florum sic est Domus ista Domorū Of Flowers that grow the Flower 's the Rose All Houses so this House out-goes Now as it follows not that the Usurping Tulip is better then the Rose because preferred by some Forraign Fancies before it so is it as inconsequent that Mod◅h Italian Churches are better then this Reverent Magnificent Structure because some humorous Travailors are so pleased to esteem them One may justly wonder how this Church whose Edifice Woods designed by the Devotion of former ages for the repair thereof were lately sold should consist in so good a condition But as we read that God made all those to pity his Children who carried them captive so I am informed that some who had this Cath◅drall in their command favourably reflected hereon and not onely permitted but procured the repair thereof and no doubt he doth sleep the more comfortably and will die the more quietly for the same Proverbs Lincoln was London is and York shall be Though this be rather a Prophesie then a Proverb yet because something Proverbiall therein it must not be omitted It might as well be placed in Lincoln shire or Middlesex yet if there be any truth therein because Men generally worship the Rising Sun blame me not if here I onely take notice thereof That Lincoln was namely a far Fairer Greater Richer City then now it is doth plainly appear by the ruins thereof being without controversie the greatest City in the Kingdome of Mercia That London is we know that York shall be God knows If no more be meant but that York hereafter shall be in a better condition then now it is some may believe and m◅re doe d◅sire it Indeed this Place was in a Fair way of Preferment because of the convenient Scituation thereof when England and Scotland were first United into GreatB◅itain But as for those who hope it shall be the English Metropolis they must wait untill the River of Thames run under the great Arch of Ouse-bridge However York shall be that is shall be York still as it was before Saints FLACCUS ALBINUS more commonly called Alcuinus was born say some nigh London say others in York the later being more Probable because befriended with his Northern Education under Venerable Bede and his advancement in York Here he so pl◅d the well furnished Library therein much praised by him that he distilled it into himself so great and generall his knowledge Bale ranketh him the third Englishman for Learning placing Bede and Adelme before him and our Alcuinus his Humilt◅y is contented with the place though he be called up higher by the judgements of others Hence he travailed beyond the Seas and what Aristotle was to Alexander he was to Charles the first Emperour Yea Charles owed unto him the best part of his Title The Great being made Great in Arts and Learning by his Instructions This Alcuinus was the Founder of the University in Paris so that whatsoever the French brag to the contrary and slight our Nation their Learning was Lumen de Lumine nostro and a Tapor lighted at our Torch When I seriously peruse the Orthography of his Name I call to mind an Anagram which the Papists made of Reverend Calvin bragging like boys for finding of a Bees when it proves but a Hornets Nest I mean Triumphing in the sweetness of their conceit though there be nothing but a malitious sting therein CALVINUS LUCIANUS And now they think they have Nicked the Good man to Purpose because Lucianus w◅s notoriously known for an Atheist and Grand Scoffer at the Christian Religion A silly and spirefull Fancy seeing there were many Lucians worthy Persons in the Primitive ◅imes amongst whom the chief one Presbyter of Antioch and Martyr under Dio◅sian so Famous to Posterity for his Translation of the Bible Besides the same literall allusion is
know not where to end Besides having in the fundamentalls of this Book confined Princes to the children of Soveraigns it is safest for me not to sally forth but to intrench my self within the aforesaid restrictions Onely I cannot but insert the following note found in so Authentick an Author for the rarity thereof in my apprehension Camdens Remains pag. 181. As for the Britains or Welsh whatsoever Jura Majestatis their Princes had I cannot understand that they ever had any Coin of their own for no Learned of that Nation have at any time seen any found in Wales or elsewhere Strange that having so much Silver digged out they should have none Coined in their Country so that Trading was driven on either by the bartery or change of Wares and Commodities or else by money Imported out of England and other Countries Confessors WALTER BRUTE was born in Wales and if any doubt thereof let them peruse the ensuing protestation drawn up with his own hand I Walter Brute Sinner Layman Husbandman and a Christian having mine of-spring of the Britains both by Fathers and Mothers side have been accused to the Bishop of Hereford that I did err in many matters concerning the Catholick Christian faith by whom I am required that I should write an answer in Latine to all those matters whose desire I will satisfie to my power c. Observe herein a double instance of his Humility that being a Welch-man with which Gentleman is reciprocall and a Scholar graduated in Oxford contented himself with the plain addition of husbandman He was often examined by the aforesaid Bishop by whom he was much molested and imprisoned the particulars whereof are in Master Fox most largely related At last he escaped not creeping out of the window by any cowardly compliance but going forth at the door fairly set open for him by Divine Providence For he onely made such a generall subscription which no Christian man need to decline in form following I Walter Brute submit my self principally to the Evangely of Jesus Christ and to the determination of holy Kirk and to the General Councels of Holy Kirk And to the sentence and determination of the four Doctors of holy writ that is Austin Ambrose Jerome and Gregory And I meekly submit me to your correction as a Subject ought to his Bishop It seems the Popish Prelates were not as yet perfect in their art of persecution Brute being one of the first who was vexed for Wickliffisme so that as yet they were loose and favourable in their language of Subscription But soon after they grew so punctuall in their expressions and so particular in penning abjurations and recantations that the persons to whom they were tendered must either strangle their consciences with acceptance or lose their lives for refusall thereof NICHOLAS HEREFORD I have presumptions to perswade my self though possibly not to prevail with the Reader to believe him of British extraction He was bred Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and a Secular Priest betwixt whose Profession and Fryery there was an ancient Antipathy But our Hereford went higher to defie most Popish Principles and maintain That 1. In the Eucharist after the Consecration of the Elements Bread and Wine still remained 2. That Bishops and all Clergy-men ought to be subject to their Respective Princes 3. That Monks and Fryers ought to maintain themselves by their own labour 4. All ought to regle their lives not by the Popes Decrees but Word of God From these his four Cardinall Positions many Hereticall Opinions were by his Adversaries deduced or rather detracted and no wonder they did Wrack his Words who did desire to torture his Person From Oxford he was brought to London and there with Philip Repington was made to Recant his Opinions publiquely at Saint Pauls Cross 1382. See their severall success REPINTON like a violent Renegado proved a Persecutor of his Party for which he was rewarded first with the Bishoprick of Lincoln then with a Cardinals Cap. HEREFORD did too much to displease his Conscience and yet not enough to please his enemies For the jealousie of Archbishop Arundel persecuted and continued him always a Prisoner The same with the later was the success of John Purvey his partner in opinions whom T. Walden termeth the Lollards Library But they lock'd up this Library that none might have access unto it keeping him and Hereford in constant durance I will say nothing in excuse of their Recantation nor will I revile them for the same knowing there is more requisite to make one valiant under a Temptation then only to call him coward who is foiled therewith Yet I must observe that such as consult Carnall Councills to avoid afflictions getting out by the window of their own plotting not the door of Divine Providence seldome injoy their own deliverance In such Cases our Saviours words are always without the parties Repentance spiritually and often literally true He that findeth his life shall lose it And although we read not that this Hereford was put to death he lost the life of his life his liberty and lustre dwindling away in obscurity as to the time and place of his death REGINALD PEACOCK was born in Wales bred in Kings commonly saith Bale called Orial Colleâ—…ge in Oxford where for his learning and eloquence he proceeded Doctor in Divinity Bishop first of Saint Asaph then of Chichester For twenty years together he favoured â—…he opinions of Wicliffe and wrot many books in defence thereof untill in a Synod held at Lambeth by T. Bourcher Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1457. he was made to recant at Pauls Cross his books being burnt before his eyes confuted with seven solid arguments thus reckoned up Authoritate Vi Arte Fraude Metu Terrore Tyrannide Charitable men behold this his Recantation as his suffering and the act of his enemies some account it rather a slip then a fall others a fall whence afterwards he did arise It seems his recanting was little satisfactory to his adversaries being never restored to his Bishoprick but confinâ—…d to a poor pension in a mean Monastery where he died obscurely though others say he was privily made away in prison He is omitted by Pitzeus in his Catalogue of Writers a presumption that he apprehended him finally dissenting from the Popish perswasion Popes I find none bred in this Principality and the wonder is not great For before the time of Austin the Monk his coming over into England Wales acknowledged no Pope but depended meerly on their own Arch-bishop of Carlyon Yea afterwards it was some hundreds of years before they yielded the Pope free and full obedience besides the inhabitants of Wales being depressed in their condition had small accommodations for their travels to Rome and those at Rome had lesse list to chuse persons of so great distance into the Papasie Cardinals SERTOR of WALES was so called from his Native Country By some he is named Fontanerius Valassus