by the waters thereof Princes I find no Prince since the Conquest who saw his first light in this County probably because our English Kings never made any long residence therein Saints St. ALKMUND son to Alred King of Northumberland slain in a Battel on the behalf of Ethelmund Vice-Roy of Worcester pretending to recover Lands against Duke Wolstan who detained them was therefore reputed Saint and Martyr It would pose a good Scholar to clear his Title to the later who lost his life in a quarrel of civil concernment On which account in all Battels betwixt Christians such as are slain on one side may lay claim to Martyr-ship However it befriendeth his Memory that his body translated to Derby was believed to do miracles being there with great veneration interred in a Church called Saint Alkmunds on the right hand as Passengers from the South go over the Bridge whither the Northern people made many Pilgrimages till discomposed by the Reformation What relation Alkmundsbury a Town in Hantingdonshire hath unto Him is to me unknown Martyrs JOAN WAST was a blind Woman in the Town of Derbey and on that account the object of any mans Alms rather than the Subject of his cruelty Besides she was seemingly a silly Soul and indeed an Innocent though no Fool. And what saith our Saviour For judgement am I come into this world that they which see not might see and that they which see might be made blind This poor Woman had a clear apprehension of Gods Truth for the testimony whereof she was condemned and burnt at the Stake by the command of Bishop Baines who as he began with the Extreams Mistress Joyce Lewis one of the best and this Joan Wast one of the basest birth in his Diocess So no doubt had not Queen Mary died he would have made his cruelty meet in persons of a middle condition Cardinals ROGER CURSON was born saith my Author ex nobili quodam Anglorum genere of Worshipful English extraction Now I find none of his sirname out of this County except some branches lately thence derived but in the same two right ancient Families one formerly at Croxton whose heir general in our age was married to the Earl of Dorset the other still flourisheth at in this County which moves me to make this Roger a Native thereof Bred he was first a Scholar in Oxford then a Doctor in Paris and lastly a Cardinal in Rome by the Title of Saint Stephen in Mount Celius When the City of Damiata in Egypt was taken under John Brenn King of Jerusalem our Cardinal Curson was there accompanying Pelagius the Popes Cardinal He wrote many Books and came over into England as the Popes Legate in the raign of King Henry the third The certain time of his death is unknown PHILIP de REPINGDON took no doubt his name and birth from Repingdon commonly contracted and called Repton in this County and I question whether any other in England of the same name He was bred and commenced first Batchelor then Doctor of Divinity in Oxford where he became a great Champion and Assertor of the Doctrine of John VVickliff which caused him much trouble and many strict examinations But alas he became like the seed on stony ground which not having root in it self endured but for a while and withered away in persecution for he solemnly recanted his opinions Novemb. 24. Anno 1383. And to give the better assurance that he was a true Anti-VVickliffite from a Professor he became a persâ—…cutor and afterwards was termed Rampington by those poor people whom he so much molested Then preferment flowed in thick and threefold upon him from a Canon he became Abbot of Leicester and Anno 1400. he was made Chancellor of Oxford 1405. Bishop of Lincoln 1408. by Pope Gregory the twelfth he was created Cardinal of Saint Nerius and Achilleius though that Pope had solemnly sworn he would make no more Cardinals till the Schisme in Rome were ended The best is the Pope being Master of the Oath-Office may give himself a Pardon for his own perjury What moved this Repington willingly to resign his Bishoprick 1420. is to me unknown Prelates WILLIAM GRAY was son to the Lord Gray of Codnor in this County He suffered not his Parts to be depressed by his Nobility but to make his mind the more proportionable he endeavoured to render himself as able as he was honourable He studied first in Baliol Colledge in Oxford then at Ferrara in Italy where he for a long time heard the Lectures of Guarinus of Verona that accomplished Scholar No man was better acquainted with the method of the Court of Rome which made our King appoint him his Procurator therein It is hard to say whether Pope Nicholas the fifth or our King Henry the sixth contributed most to his free Election to the Bishoprick of Eely whilest it 〈◊〉 out of doubt his own deserts concurred most effectually thereunto He sate in that See twenty four years and wrote many Books which the envy of time hath denied to posterity Bishop Godwin by mistake maketh him Chancellor of England whereas indeed he was Lord Treasurer in the ninth of King Edward the fourth Anno 1469. Let me adde he was the last Clergy-man that ever discharged that Office until Bishop Juxton in our days was preferred thereunto He died Aug. 4. 1478. and lies buried between two Marble Pillars in his Church having bestowed much cost in the reparation of the famous Bellfrie thereof Since the Reformation GEORGE COOKE D. D. Brother to Sir John Cooke Secretary of State was born at Trusley in this County bred in Pembroke Hall in Cambridge Afterwards he was beneficed at Bigrave in Hertford-shire where a lean Village consisting of but three Houses maketh a fat Living Hence he was successively made Bishop of Bristol and Hereford A meek grave and quiet man much beloved of such who were subjected to his jurisdiction He was in the same condemnation with the rest of his Brethren for subscribing the PROTEST in Parliament in preservation of their Priviledges The times trod so heavily upon him that though he ever was a thrifty person they not onely bruised the Foot but brake the Body of his Estate so that he had felt want if not relieved by his rich relations dying about the year 1650. States-Men Sir JOHN COOKE younger Brother to Sir Francis Cooke was born at Trusley in the Hundred of Appletree in this County of ancient and Worshipful Parentage allied to the best Family in this County He was bred Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and being chosen Rhetorick Lecturer in the University grew eminent for his Ingenious and Critical Readings in that School on that Subject He then travailed beyond the Seas for some years returning thence rich in foraign Language Observations and Experience Being first related to Sir Fulk Grivell Lord Brook he was thence preferred to be Secretary of the Navy then Master of the
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
Gray Esq and Briget Holland his Wife Son to Gâ—…orge Gray second Earl of Kent of that Family who died in the twentieth year of King Henry the seventh was born at Branspath in this Bishoprick If any ask what occasion drew his Ancestors into the North know that his GrandFather was invited thither to enjoy the company of his Friend and Kinsman the Earl of Westmerland This Gentleman being bred in the University of applyed himself to the study oâ—… Divinity and became Rector of Burbach in Leicester-shire where he preached conâ—…antly and kept an hospitable house for the poor according to his estate It hapned 〈◊〉 by the death of Henry Gray his Kinsman and the seventh Earl of Kent that Earldom descended upon him Anno Dom. 1639. We read of Sigismund the Emperour that when he had knighted a Doctor of the Laws the Knight Doctor sequested himself from the company of Doctors and associciâ—…ted wholly with Knights whereat the Emperor smiled and taxed his folly For 1 said he can make many Knights at my pleasure though indeed I cannot make one Doctor Not so this good Lord who after the accession of his Title did not in the least degrte disdain the society of his fellow Ministers to converse with the Nobility yea he â—…bated nothing in the constancy of his preaching so long as he was able to be led up into the Puâ—…pit He had read in Scripture this Character given to the Bereans These were more noble than these in Thessâ—…lonica in that they received the Word with all readiness and counted it most noble to labour in Gods Vineyard and to deliver his Word to others However a Diamond is best when set in Gold and Goodness is most Illustrious when supported with Greatness He was summoned as a Peer to Parliament but excused himself by reason of Indisposition and Age. Such his humility that Honours did not change Manners in him Thus a mortified mind is no more affected with additions of Titles than a Corps with a gay Coffin By Magdalene Purefoy his Wife he had besides other Children Henry ninth Earl of Kent He died Anno Dom 164 Sheriffs Expect not that to make this Bishoprick Uniform with other Counties I should present a Catalogue of the Sheriffs thereof For the Princely Prelate of this Bishoprick his Sâ—…l not Oval like others but round the more Princely proportion and as I remember gave a crowned Mitre for his Crest was himself always Paramount Sheriffe deputing one often his own Servant under him to execute the Office This Deputy never accâ—…unted at the Exchequer but made up his Audit to the Bishop to whom all perquisites and profits of this place did belong Since after a long discontinuance this County hath obtained its ancient Sheriff the Bishop thereof of whom formerly The Farewell I understand that there is an intention of erecting an University in Durham and that some hopeful progress is made in order thereunto which I cannot but congratulate For I listen not to their Objection alledging it monstrous for one Face to have three Eyes one Land three Universities seeing I could wish that Argus-like it had an hundred in it Would all men were Moses minded that all the people of God might prophesie the rather because I am sure that ignorance is no more the Mother of Devotion than the Lying Harlot which pleaded before Solomon was Mother to the living Child I confess I was always much affected with their fears who suspect that this Convenience for the North would be a Mischief for the South and this new one in process of time prove detrimental to the old Universities Nor were these jealousies when moved removed in my serious consideration not being well satisfied of the intentions and design of some prime persons undertaking the same But since this Fresh-man Colledge lived not to be matriculated much less not lasting seven years graduated God in his wisdom seeing the contrary fitter The worst I should have wished this new spring if continuing was pure water pious and orthodox Professors to have Principled and Elemented the Members therein with Learning and Religion ESSEX ESSEX hath Kent on the South divided by the River Thames Suffolk on the North severed by the River Stoure Cambridge Hertford shire and Middlesex on the West the two later generally parted by the River Ley and the German Ocean on the East A fair County bearing the full proportion of five and thirty miles square plentifully affording all things necessary to mans subsistance save that the Eastern part is not very healthfull in the Aire thereof These parts adjoyning to the Sea are commonly called the Hundreds of Essex and are very fruitfull in Cattle However the Vulgar wits of this County much astonish strangers with the stock of poor people in these parts five hundred Cows nine hundred Sheep wâ—…ch indeed are but five Cows and nine Sheep in this part of the County called the Hundreds Naturall Commodities Saffron Plenty hereof in this County growing about Walden a fair Market Town which Saffron may seem to have coloured with the name thereof It is called as Serapione affirmeth Sahafaran by the Arabians whence certainly our English word is derived In it self it is atmost admirable Cordiall and under God I owe my life when sick of the small pox to the efficacy thereof Now because our own writers may probably be challenged of partialty hear what forraigners speak in the praise of English Saffron Anglia Hibernia laudatissimum Crocum ferunt quo Belgium Germania aliique vicini cibos condiunt ac medicamentis miscent Propagatur inter alia loca etiam in Britanniae insulae meridionali parte quam Angliam vocant Natus ex altera vero septentrionali quam Picti Scoti tenent reprobus est No precious drug is more adulterated with Cartamus the inward pilling of Willow and generally all yellow flowers when it is bought in great parcells which ought to quick en the care of Chapmen herein In a word the Soveraign Power of genuine Saffron is plainly proved by the Antipathy of the Crocodiles thereunto For the Crocodiles tears are never true save when he is forced where Saffron groweth whence he hath his name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Saffron-fearer knowing himself to be all Poison and it all Antidote Oysters The best in England Fat Salt green-finn'd are bred near Colchester where they have an excellent art to feed them in Pits made for the purpose King James was wont to say he was a very valiant man who first adventured on eating of Oysters most probably meer hunger put men first on that tryal Thus Necessity hath often been the Purveyor to provide diet for delicacy it self famine making men to find out those things which afterwards proved not onely wholesome but delicious Oysters are the onely meat which men eat alive and yet account it no cruelty Sometimes Pearls conside rable both in bulk and brightness have
rich three capital crimes in a Clergyman They plundered his Carriages taking ten thousand marks a Mine of Money in that age from him and then to secure their Riot and Felony by murder and high treason dragged him as he was Officiating from the High Altar And although they regarded difference of place no more then a Wolf is concerned whether he killeth a Lamb in the Fold or Field yet they brought him out of the Church to a Hill hard by and there barbarously murdered Him and tore his bloody Shirt in peices and left his stripped body stark naked in the place Sic concussa cadit Populari MITRA Tumultu Protegat optamus nunc DIADEMA Deus By Peoples fury MITRE thus cast down We pray henceforward God preserve the CROWN This his Massacre happened June 29. 1450. when he had sate almost twelve years in the See of Sarisbury RICHARD FOX was born at Grantham in this County as the Fellows of his Foundation in Oxford have informed me Such who make it their only argument to prove his Birth at Grantham because he therein erected a fair Free School may on the same Reason conclude him born at Tanton in Sommerset shire where he also founded a goodly Grammar School But what shall I say Ubique nascitur qui Orbi nascitur he may be said to be born every where who with Fox was born for the publick and general good He was very instrumental in bringing King Henry the Seventh to the Crown who afterwards well rewarded him for the same That politick Prince though he could go alone as well as any King in Europe yet for the more state in matters of Moment he leaned principally on the Shoulders of two prime Prelates having Archbishop Morton for his Right and this Fox for his left Supporter whom at last he made Bishop of Winchester He was bred first in Cambridge where he was President of Pembroke-hall and gave Hangings thereunto with a Fox woven therein and afterwards in Oxford where he founded the fair Colledge of Corpus Christi allowing per annum to it 401. l. 8. s. 11. d. which since hath been the Nursery of so many eminent Scholars He expended much Money in Beautifying his Cathedral in Winchester and methodically disposed the Bodies of the Saxon Kings and Bishops dispersedly buryed in this Church in decent Tombs erected by him on the Walls on each side the Quire which some Souldiers to showe their Spleen at once against Crowns and Miters valiantly fighting against the Dust of the dead have since barbarously demolished Twenty seven years he sate Bishop of this See till he was stark blind with age All thought him to dye to soon one only excepted who conceived him to live too long viz. Thomas Wolsey who gaped for his Bishoprick and endevoured to render him to the Displeasure of K. Henry the Eigth whose Malice this Bishop though blind discovered and in some measure defeated He dyed anno Domini 1528. and lyes buryed in his own Cathedral Since the Reformation THOMAS GOODRICH was Son of Edward Goodrich and Jane his Wife of Kirby in this County as appeareth by the York-shire Visitation of Heralds in which County the Allies of this Bishop seated themselves and flourish at this day He was bred in the University of Cambridge D. D. say some of Law say others in my opinion more probable because frequently imployed in so many Embassies to Forraign Princes and at last made by King Henry the Eighth Bishop of Ely wherein he continued above tweney years and by King Edward the Sixth Lord Chancellour of England Nor will it be amisse to insert and translate this Distick made upon him Et Bonus Dives bene junctus optimus Ordo Praecedit Bonitas pone sequuntur Opes Both Good and Rich well joyn'd best rank'd indeed For Grace goes first and next doth Wealth succeed I find one Pen â—…pirting Ink upon him which is usual in his Writings speaking to this effect that if he had ability enough he had not too much to discharge his Office I behold him as one well inclined to the protestant Religion and after his Resignation of the Chancellors place to Stephen Gardiner his Death was very seasonable for his own Safety May 10. 1554 In the first of Queen Mary whilst as yet no great Violence was used to Protestants JOHN WHITGIFT was born at Grimsby in this County successively bred in Queens Pembroke-hall Peter-house and Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Master of the Later Bishop of Worcester and Arch bishop of Canterbury But I have largely written his life in my Ecclesiastical History and may truly say with him who constantly returned to all Inquirers Nil novi novi I can make no new addition thereunto only since I met with this Anagram Joannes Whitegifteus Non vi egit favet Jhesus Indeed he was far from Violence and his politick patience was blessed in a high proportion he dyed anno 1603. Feb. 29. JOHN STILL D. D. was born at Grantham in this County and bred first Fellow of Christs then Master of St. Iohns and afterwards of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge where I have read in the Register this commendation of him that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nec Collegio gravis aut onorosus He was one of a venerable presence no lesse famous for a preacher then a Disputant Finding his own Strength he did not stick to warn such as he disputed with in their own arguments to take heed to their Answers like a perfect Fencer that will tell aforehand in what Button he will give his Venew When towards the end of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth there was an unsucceeding motion of a Dyet or meeting which should have been in Germany for composing of matters of Religion Doctor Still was chosen for Cambridge and Doctor Humfred for Oxford to oppose all comers for the defence of the English Church Anno 1592. being then the second time Vice-chancelour of Cambridge he was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells and defeated all causelesse suspition of Symoniacal compliance coming clearly thereunto without the least scandal to his person or losse to the place In his days God opened the bosome of the Earth Mendip Hills affording great store of Lead wherewith and with his own providence which is a constant Mine of Wealth he raised a great estate and layed the Foundation of three Families leaving to each of them a considerable Revenue in a Worshipful condition He gave five hundred pounds for the building of an Almes-house in the City of Wells and dying February 26. 1607. lies buryed in his own Cathedrall under a neat Tomb of Alabaster MARTIN FOTHERBY D. D. was born at Great Grimsby in this County of a good Family as appeareth by his Epitaph on his Monument in the Church of Allhallows Lumbard street London He was bred Fellow of Trinity-colledge in Cambridge and became afterwards one and twenty years Prebendary of Canterbury then he was preferred by
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-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
all earnestnesse which will add so much to their account Some will say if the English be so forward in deeds of Charity as appeareth by what you said before any exhortation thereunto is altogether supersâ—…uous I answer the best disposed to Bounty may need a Remembrancer and I am sure that Nightingale which would wake will not be angry with the Thorn which pricketh her Breast when she noddeth Besides it is a Truth what the Poet saith Qui monet ut facias quod jam facis ipse monendo Laudat hortatu comprobat acta suo Who what thou dost thee for to do doth move Doth praise thy Practice and thy Deeds approve Thus the exhortations of the Apostles at Jerusalem were commendations of St. Paul Only they would that we should remember the poor the same which I also was forward to do Lastly though many of our Nation be free in this kind there want not those who instead of being Zealous are Jealous of good works being so far from shining themselves that they enviously endevour to extinguish the light of others whose Judgements I have laboured to rectifie herein The Stating of the Word REFORMATION with the Extensiveness thereof No word occurs oftner in this our Book then REFORMATION It is as it were the Aequator or that remarkable Line dividing betwixt Eminent Prelates Leaed Writers and Benefactors to the Publick who lived Before or After It. Know then that this Word in Relation to the Church of England is of above twenty years extent For the Reformation was not advanced here as in some Forraign Free-States suddenly not to say rapidly with popular Violence but Leisurely and treatably as became a matter of so great importance besides the meeting with much opposition retarded the proceedings of the Reformers We may observe that the Jews returned from the Captivity of Babylon at three distinct times under the Conduct of several persons 1. When the main Body of the Captives was brought home by Zorobabel by whom the second Temple was built 2. When a considerable Company returned with Ezra by whom the Church part as I may tearm it was setled in that Nation 3. When Nehemiah no doubt with suitable attendance came home and ordered the State moiety repairing the VValls of Jerusalem In like manner we may take notice of three distinct Dates and different degrees of our English Reformation though in relation to the Jewish I confess the method was altogether inverted For 1. The Civil part thereof when the Popes Supremacy was banished in the Reign of King Henry the Eight 2. VVhen the Church Service was reformed as far as that Age would admit in the first year of King Edward the Sixth 3. VVhen the same after the Marian interruption was resumed and more refined in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth The first of these I may call the morning Star The second the dawning of the day The third the Rising of the Sun and I deny not but that since that time his light and heat hath been increased But now the Question will be what is to be thought of those Prelates Writers and Benefactors which lived in the aforesaid Interval betwixt the Beginning and Perfecting of this Reformation For these appear unto us like unto the Batable ground lying betwixt England and Scotland whilest as yet two distinct Kingdomes in so dubious a posture it is hard to say to which side they do belong It is Answered the only way to decide this difference is to observe the Inclinations of the said persons so far forth as they are discovered in their Writings and actions such as appear in some good degree favourers of the Gospel are reputed to be since whilest those who are otherwise are adjudged to be Before the Reformation CHAP. XII Of Memorable Persons THe former Heads were like private Houses in which persons accordingly Qualified have their several habitations But this last Topick is like a publick Inn admitting all Comers and Goers having any extraordinary not vitious Remark upon them and which are not clearly reducible to any of the former Titles Such therefore who are over under or beside the Standard of Common persons for strength stature fruitfulnesse Vivacity or any other observeable eminence are lodged here under the Notion of Memorable Persons presuming the pains will not be to Me so much in marking as the pleasure to the Reader in knowing them Under this Title we also repose all such Mechanicks who in any Manual Trade have reached a clear Note above others in their Vocation Objection It is Deforme Spectaculum an uncouth Sight to behold such handy-crafts-men blended with Eminencies in ingenious professions such a mottley colour is no good wearing How would William Cecill Lord Treasurer of England and Baron of Burghleigh be offended to behold James York the Blacksmith set with him at the same Table amongst the Natives of Lincolne-shire Answer I am confident on the contrary that he would be highly pleased being so great a Statesman that he would countenance and encourage his Industrious Country man accounting nothing little without the help whereof greater matters can either not be attained or not long subsist Yea we see what signal notice the Spirit of God takes of the three Sons of Lamech the first Founders of Tent-making Organs and Iron-works and it is observable that whereas all their names are forgotten which built the Tower of Babel though done on design to get them a name these three Mechanicks viz. Jabal Jubal and Tubal Cain are nominatim recorded to all posterity Thus is it better to bottome the perpetuity of ones memory on honest Industry and ingenuous diligence then on Stately Structures and expensive magnificence I confesse it is easier to add to any art than first to invent it yet because there is a perfection of degrees as well as Kinds Eminent Improvers of an art may be allowed for the Co-inventers thereof being Founders of that accession which they add thereunto for which they deserve to be both regarded and rewarded I could name a worshipful Family in the South of England which for 16. several descents and some hundreds of years have continued in the same stay of Estate not acquiring one foot of Land either by match purchase gift or otherwise to their ancient Patrimony The same may be said of some handycrafts wherein men move in the same compasse but make no further progresse to perfection or any considerable improvement and this I impute generally to their want of competent encouragement CHAP. XIII Of Lord Maiors of LONDON I Have concluded this Work with these Chief Officers in that great City A place of so great Honour and Trust that it hath commonly been said that on the death of an English King The Lord Maior is the Subject of the greatest Authority in England Many other Offices determining with the Kings Life till such time as their Charters be renewed by his Successor whereas the Lord Maiors Trust continueth for a
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
their order who passed by the name of Historicus Regius the Kings Historian to write the remarkable passages of his time Our Roger was by King Henry the third selected for that service and performed it to â—…is own great credit and the contentment of others He flourished in the year of our Lord 1235. ROBERT RICH Son to Edward and Mabell his Wife Brother of St. Edmund Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was born at Abbington in this County he followed his Brother at very great distance both in Parts and Learning though accompanying him in his Travells beyond the Seas and wrote a Book of the Life Death and Miracles of his Brother being much to blame if he did not do all right to so near a Relation He dyed about the year of our Lord 1250. RICHARD of WALLINGFORD was born in that Market Town pleasantly seated on the River Thames wherein his Father was a Black-Smith He went afterwards to Oxford and was bred in Merton Coll then a Monke and at last Abbot of St. Albans where he became a most expert Mathematician especially for the Mechanical part thereof and retaining somewhat of his Fathers Trade was Dexterous at making pritty engines and Instruments His Master-piece was a most Artificial Clock made saith my Author Magno labore majore sumptu Arte verò maxima with much Pain more Cost and most Art It remain'd in that Monastry in the time of John Bale whom by his words I collect an Eye-witness thereof affirming that Europe had not the Like So that it seemed as good as the famous Clock at Strasburg in Germany and in this Respect better because ancienter It was a Calendar as well as a Clock Shewing the fixed Stars and Planets The Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea Minutes of the Hours and what not I have heard that when Monopolies began to grow Common in the Court of France the Kings Jester moved to have this Monopoly for himself viz. a Cardescue of every one who carried a Watch about him and cared not how he employed his Time Surely the Monks of Saint Albans were Concerned to be carefull how they spent their hours seeing no Convent in England had the like Curiosity This their Clock gathering up the least Crum of Time presenting the Minutary fractions thereof On which account I conceive Richard the maker thereof well prepared for the time of his dissolution when he died of the Leprosie Anno Dom. 1326. Since the Reformation HENRY BULLOCK was most probâ—…bly born in this County where his ancient name appears in a worshipful estate He was bred Fellow and Doctor of Divinity in Queens Colledge in Cambridge A good Linguist and general Scholar familiar with Erasmus an Evidence of his Learning it being as hard to halt before acriple as to deceive his Judgement calling him Bovillum in his Epistles unto him By the way our English Writers when rendring a Sirname in Latine which hath an Appellative signification content them to retein the Body of the Name and only disguise the termination as Cross Peacok Crossus Peacocus c. But the Germans in such a Case doe use to mould the meaning of the name either into Latine as I. Fierce they translate I. Ferus Bullock Bovillus or into Greek as Swarts they render Melanthon Reeck-lin Capnio T is confessed our Bullock compelled by Cardinal Wolsy wrote against Luther but otherwise his affections were biased to the Protestant Party The Date of his death is unknown WILLIAM TWIS was born at Spene in this County which was an ancient Roman City mentioned by Antonine in his Itinerary by the name of Spinae This mindeth me of a passage in Clemens Alexandrinus speaking of sanctified afflictions Nos quidem è Spinis uvas colligimus and here in another sense Gods Church gathered grapes this Good man out of this thornie place Hence he was sent by Winchester-School to New-Colledge in Oxford and there became a general Scholar His plaine preaching was good solid disputing better pious living best of all He afterwards became Preacher in the place of his nativity Spinham lands is part of Newberry and though generally our Saviours observation is verified A prophet is not without honour save in his own country chiefly because Minutiae omnes pueritiae ejus ibi sunt cognitae yet here he met with deserved respect Here he laid a good foundation and the more the pity if since some of his fancifull auditors have built hay and stubble thereupon And no wonder if this good Doctor toward his death was slighted by Sectaries it being usuall for New-lights to neglect those who have born the heat of the day His Latin Works give great evidence of his abilities in controversial matters He was chosen Prolocutor in the late Assembly of Divines wherein his moderation was very much commended and dying in Holborn he was buried at Westminster Anno Dom. 164. WILLIAM LYFORD was born at Peysmer in this County and bred in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Bachelour of Divinity 1631. He was also Fellow of that foundation on the same token that his Conscience Post factum was much troubled about his resigning his place for money to his Successor but as his friends have informed me he before his death took order for the restitution thereof The modesty of his mind was legible in the comeliness of his countenance and the meekness of his Spirit visible in his courteous Carriage He was afterwards fixed at 〈◊〉 in Dorset-shire where his large Vineyard required such an able and painfull Vine-dresser Here he layed a good foundation before the beginning of our Civil Wars with his learned Preaching and Catechising and indeed though Sermons give most Sail to mens souls Catechising layeth the best Ballast in them keeping them stedy from being carriâ—…d away with every wind of Doctrine Yet he drank a deep Draught of the bitter Cup with the rest of his brethren and had his share of Obloquie from such factious Persons as could not abide the wholsome words of sound Doctrine But their Candle without their Repentance shall be put out in darkness whilst his memory shall shine in his Learned works he hath left behind him He died about the year of our Lord 1652. Romish Exile Wâ—…iters THOMAS HYDE was born at Newberry in this County and bred a Master of Art in New Colledge in Oxford he was afterwards Canon of Winchester and chief Master of the school therein He with â—…ohn martiâ—…l the second Master about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth left both their School and their Land living long beyond the Seas This Hyde is charactred by one of his own perswasion To be a man of upright life of great gravity and severity He wrote a book of Consolation to his fellowexile And died Anno Dom. 1597. Bâ—…nefactors to thâ—… Publick ALFREDE the fourth Son to K. Athelwolph was born at Wantage a market-town in this County An excellent scholar though he was
past twelve years of age before he knew one letter in the Book and did not he run fast who starting so late came soon to the mark He was a Curious Poet excellent Musician a valiant and successeful Souldier who fought seven Battles against the Danes in one year and at last made them his Subjects by Conquest and Gods servants by Christianity He gave the first Institution or as others will have it the best 〈◊〉 to the University of Oxford A Prince who cannot be painted to the Life without his losse no words reaching his worth He Divided 1. Every natural day as to himself into three parts eight hours for his devotion eight hours for his imployment eight hours for his sleep and refection 2. His Revenues into three parts one for his expences in War a second for the maintenance of his Court and a third to be spended on Pious uses 3. His Land into Thirty two shires which number since is altered and increased 4. His Subjects into Hundreds and Tythings consisting of Ten persons mutually Pledges for their Good behaviour such being accounted suspitious for their Life and Loyalty that could not give such Security He left Learning where he found Ignorance Justice where he found Oppression Peace where he found Distraction And having Reigned about Four and thirty years He dyed and was buried at Winchester Anno 901. He loved Religion more then Superstition favoured Learned men more then Lasie Monks which perchance was the cause that his memory is not loaden with Miracles and He not solemnly Sainted with other Saxon Kings who far less deserved it Since the Reformation PETER CHAPMAN was born at Cokeham in this County bred an Iron-monger in London and at his death bequeathed five pounds a year to two Scholars in Oxford as much to two in Cambridge and five Pounds a year to the Poor in the town of his Nativity besides threescore pounds to the Prisons in London and other Benefactions The certain date of his death is to me unknown JOHN KENDRICK was born at Reading in this County and bred a Draper in the City of London His State may be compared to the Mustard-seed very little at the beginning but growing so great that the birds made nests therein or rather he therein made neâ—…ts for many birds which otherwise being either infledged or maimed must have been exposed to wind and weather The Worthiest of Davids WORTHIES were digested into Ternions and they again subdivided into two Ranks If this double Dichotomie were used to methodize our Protestant Benefactors since the Reformation sure I am that Mr. Kendrick will be if not the last of the first the first of the second Three His Charity began at his Kindred proceeded to his Friends and Servants to whom he left large Legacies concluded with the Poor on whom he bestowed above twenty thousand pounds Reading and Newbury sharing the deepest therein And if any envious and distrustfull Miser measuring other mens hearts by the narrowness of his own suspecteth the truth hereof and if he dare hazard the smarting of his bleered eyes to behold so bright a Sun of Bounty let him consult his Will publickly in Print He departed this life on the 30. day of September 1624. and lyes buried in St. Christophers London To the Curate of which Parish he gave twenty pounds per annum for ever RICHARD WIGHTWICK Bachelor of Divinity was Rector of East Isley in this County What the yearly value of his living was I know not and have cause to believe it not very great however one would conjecture his Benefice a Bishoprick by his bounty to Pembroke Colledge in Oxford to which he gave one hundred pounds per annum to the maintenance of three Fellows and four Scholars When he departed this life is to me unknown Memorable Persons THOMAS COLE commonly called the rich clothier of Reading Tradition and an authorless pamphlet make him a man of vast wealth maintaining an hundred and fourty meniall servants in his house besides three hundred poor people whom he set on work insomuch that his Wains with cloth filled the high-way betwixt Reading and London to the stopping of King Henry the first in his Progress Who notwithstanding for the incouraging of his Subjects industry gratified the said Cole and all of his profession with the set measure of a Yard the said King making his own Arme the standard thereof whereby Drapery was reduced in the meting thereof to a greater certainty The truth is this Monkes began to Lard the lives of their Saints with lies whence they proceeded in like manner to flourish out the facts of Famous Knights King Arthur Guy of Warwick c. in imitation whereof some meaner wits in the same sort made description of Mechanicks powdering their lives with improbable passages to the great prejudice of truth Seeing the making of Broad-cloath in England could not be so ancient and it was the arme not of King Henry but King Edward the first which is notoriously known to have been the adequation of a yard However because omnis fabula fundatur in Historia let this Cole be accounted eminent in this kind though I vehemently suspect very little of truth would remain in the midst of this story if the grosse falshoods were pared from both sides thereof JOHN WINSCOMBE called commonly Jack of Newberry was the most considerable clothier without fancy and fiction England ever beheld His Looms were his lands whereof he kept one hundred in his House each managed by a Man and a Boy In the expedition to Flodden-field against James King of Scotland he marched with an hundred of his own men as well armed and better clothed then any to shew that the painfull to use their hands in peace could be valiant and imploy their Armes in War He feasted King Henry the eighth and his first Queen Katharine at his own house extant at Newberry at this day but divided into many Tenements Well may his house now make sixteen Clothiers houses whose wealth would amount to six hundred of their estates He built the Church of Newberry from the Pulpit westward to the Tower inclusively and died about the year 1520. some of his name and kindred of great wealth still remaining in this County Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Parveis John Parveis Erlgeston Fishmonger 1432 2 Nicholas Wyfold Thomas Wyfold Hertley Grocer 1450 3 William Webbe John Webbe Reading Salter 1591 4 Thomas Bennet Thomas Bennet Wallingford Mercer 1603 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the Sixth 1433. Robert Bishop of Sarum Commissioners to take the Oaths William Lovel Chivaler  Robert Shotsbroke Knights for the Shires William Fyndern  Johan Prendegest Praeceptor Hospitalis St. Johan Jerus in Anglia de Grenham Johannis Golefre Armigeri Willielmi Warbelton Ar. Willielmi Danvers Ar. Johannis Shotesbrooke Ar. Thomae Foxle Ar. Phi. Inglefeld Ar. Thomae Rothewell
Our Commandement comprised in Our said Letters And that ye also from time to time as ye shall see meet quickly and sharply call upon them in Our name for the execution of Our said Commandement and if you shall find any of them Remiss or Negligent in that behalf We will that ye lay it sharply to their charge Advertising that in case they amend not their defaults ye will thereof Advertise Our Councell remâ—…ining with Our dearest Daughter the Princess and so We charge you to do indeed And if Our said Sheriffe or Justice or any other Sheriffe or Justice of any Shire next to you upon any side adjoyning shall need or require your Assistance for the Execution of Our said Commandements We Will and Desire you that what the best power ye can make of Our Subjects iâ—… Harneys ye be to them Aiding and Assisting from time to time as the Case shall require Not failing hereof as you intend to please Us and as We specially truâ—…t you Given under Our Signet at Our Manor of Greenwich the 18. day of May. Henry VIII 1 WILLIAM ESSEX Ar. He was a worthy man in his generation of great command in this County whereof he was four times Sheriffe and the first of his family who fixed at Lambourn therein on this welcome occasion He had married Elizabeth daughter and sole heir of Thomas Rogers of Benham whose Grandfather John Rogers had married Elizabeth daughter and heir of John Shoteâ—…broke of Bercote in this County whose ancestors had been Sheriffs of Barkeshire in the fourth fifth and sixth of King Edward the third by whom he received a large inheritance Nor was the birth of this Sir William for aferwards he was Knighted beneath his estate being Son unto Thomas Essex Esquire Remembrancer and Vice-Treasurer unto King Edward the fourth who dyed November 1. 1500. lyeth buried with a plain Epitaph in the Church of Kensington Middlesex He derived himself from Henry de Essex Baron of Rawley in Essex and Standard-Bearer of England as I have seen in an exact Pedigree attested by Master Camden and his posterity have lately assumed his Coat viz. Argent an Orle Gules There was lately a Baronet of this family with the revenues of a Baron but * riches endure not for ever if providence be not as well used in preserving as attaining them 24 HUMPHRY FORSTER Knight He bare a good affection to Protestants even in the most dangerous times and spake to the Quest in the behalf of Master Marbeck that good 〈◊〉 yea he confessed to King Henry the third that never any thing went so much against his Conscience which under his Graces authority he had done as his attending the execution of three poor men Martyred at Windsor Edward VI. 1 FRANCIS INGLEFIELD Mil. He afterwards was Privy-Councellor unto Queen Mary and so zealous a Romanist that after her death he left the land with a most large inheritance and lived for the most part in Spain He was a most industrious agent to solicite the cause of the Queen of Scots both to his Holiness and the Catholick King As also he was a great Promotor of and Benefactor to the English Colledge at Valladolit in Spain where he lyeth interred in a family of his alliance is still worshipfully extant in this County Queen Mary 1 JOHN WILLIAMS Miles Before the year of his Sherivalty was expired Queen Mary made him Lord Williams of Tame in Oxfordshire In which town he built a small Hospitall and a very fair School He with Sir Henry Bennyfield were joynt-Keepers of the Lady Elizabeth whilst under restraint being as civil as the other was cruel unto Her Bishop Ridley when martyred requested this Lord to stand his friend to the Queen that those Leases might be confirmed which he had made to poor Tenants which he promised and performed accordingly His great estate was divided betwixt his two daughters and coheirs one married to Sir Henry Norrice the other to Sir Richard Wenman Queen Elizabeth 4 HENRY NORRICE Ar. Son-in-law to the Lord Williams aforesaid He was by Queen Elizabeth created Baron Norrice of Ricot in Oxfordshire it is hard to say whether this tree of honour was more remarkable for the root from whence he sprung or for the branches that sprang from him He was Son to Sir Henry Norrice who suffered in the cause of Queen Anne Bullen Grandchild to Sir Edward Norrice who married Fridswide sister and coheir to the last Lord Lovell He was Father though himself of a meek and mild disposition to the Martiall brood of the Norrices of whom hereafter Elizabeth his great Grandchild sole Daughter and heir unto Francis Norrice Earl of Barkshire and Baroness Norrice was married unto Edward Wray Esquire whose only Daughter Elizabeth Wray Baroness Norrice lately deceased was married unto 〈◊〉 Bertue Earl of Lindsey whose Son a Minor is Lord Norrice at this day Sheriffs of Barkeshire alone Name Place Armes REG. ELIZA   Anno   9 Edw. Unton mil. Wadley 〈◊〉 on a Fess Eng. Or twixt 3 Spear-Heads Arg. a Hound cursant S. collered Gu. 10 Io. Fetiplace ar Chilrey G. 2 Chev. Argent 11 Will. Forster ar Aldermerston Sable a Chev betw 3 Arrows Arg. a Chev. 12 Will. Dunch ar LitlewitnaÌ„ Or 〈◊〉 2 Toures in 〈◊〉 a flour de Lice in Base Arg. 13 Ioha Winchcomb Budebury  14 Hen. Nevill mil. Billingber  15 Tho. Essex ar Lamborn 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 Erm. betw 3 Eagles Arg. 16 Ric. Lovelace ar Hurley Gules on a chiefe indented Sable three Marvets Or. 17 Anth. Bridges ar HemstedMarshal  18 Thom. Parry ar  See our Notes 19 Io. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut prius  20 Tho Stafford ar Bradfeld Or a Chev. Gul. Canton Er. 21 Tho. Stephans ar   22 Hum 〈◊〉 ar ut prius  23 Tho. Bullock ar 〈◊〉 Gules a Chev. twixt three Bulls-heads Ar. armed Or. 24 Tho Read ar Abington G. a Saltyre twixt 4 〈◊〉 Or. 25 〈◊〉 Molens ar Clapgate  26 Be. Fetiplace ar ut prius  27 Edw. Fetiplace ar ut prius  28 Chri. Lillcot ar Rushcomb Or. 2 〈◊〉 vairry Arg. Sable 29 Edm. Dunch ar ut prius  30 Thom. Parry ar ut prius  31 Tho. 〈◊〉 ar Shaw Azure a Fess 〈◊〉 inter 〈◊〉 Or. 32 Iohan. 〈◊〉 ar   33 Rich. Ward ar   34 Fr. Winchcombe ut prius  35 Hum. Forster ar ut prius  36 Ricar Hide ar S. Denchw Gules 2 Chevâ—…rons Arg. 37 Hen. Nevill ar ut prius  38 Edm. Wiseman ar Stephenton Sable a Chev. twixt 3 Bars of Spears Arg. 39 Chri. Lidcotte mi. ut prius  40 Hen. Pool mil.   41 Tho. Reede mil. ut prius  42 Sa. Backhouse ar Swallofield  43 Ioha Norris mil.   44 Ed. Fetiplâ—… mil. ut prius  Ed. Dunch ar 〈◊〉 Ja. ut prius  JAC. REX   Anno   1 Edm. Dunch ar
Conjunction with other Doctors of the University By his Testament he gave the Rectory of Milton to the Colledge and dying on Saint Marks day 1610. lieth buried in a Vestery on the North-side of the Chappel JOHN GREGORY was born November 10. 1607. at Amersham in this County of honest though mean parents yet rich enough to derive unto him the hereditary infirmity of the gout which afflicted him the last twenty years of his life He was bred in Christ-church in Oxford where he so applied his book that he studied sixteen hours of the four and twenty for many years together He attained to be an exquisite Linguist and general Scholar his modesty setting the greater lustre on his learning His notes on Dr. Redleys book of Civil-law gave the first testimony of his pregnancy to the world and never did text and comment better meet together He was first Chaplain of Christ-church and thence preferred by Bishop Duppa Prependary of Chichester and Sarum and indeed no Church-preferment compatible with his age was above his deserts He died at Kidlington in Oxford-shire 1646. and was buried at Christ-church in Oxford I find a smart Epitaph made by a friend on his memory and it was in my mind as well valiantly consider the times as truly indited Ne premas Cineres hosce Viator Nescis quot sub hoc jaeent Lapillo Graeculus Hebraeus Syrus Et qui te quovis vincet Idiomate At nè molestus sis Ausculta causam auribus tuis imbibe Templo exclusus Et avita Religione Jam senescente ne dicam sublatâ Mutavit Chorum altiorem ut capesceret Vade nunc si libet imitare R. W. His Opera Posthuma are faithfully set forth by his good friend John Gurgain and deservedly dedicated to Edward Bish Esquire one so able that he could charitable that he would and valiant that he durst relieve Master Gregory in his greatest distress SAMUEL COLLINS son to Baldwin Collins born in Coventry a pious and painfull preacher prodigiously bountifull to the poor whom Queen Elizabeth constantly called Father Collins was born and bred at Eaton so that he breathed learned aire from 〈◊〉 of his nativity Hence coming to Kings-colledge in Cambridge he was succesâ—…ively chosen Fellow Provost and Regius Professor One of an admirable wit and 〈◊〉 the most fluent Latinist of our age so that as Caligula is said to have sent 〈◊〉 souldiers vainly to fight against the tide with the same success have any encountred the torrent of his tongue in Disputation He constantly read his Lectures twice a week for above fourty years giving notice of the time to his Auditours in a ticket on the School-dores wherein never any two alike without some considerable difference in the critical language thereof When some displeased Courtier did him the injurious courtesie to preferre him downwards in point of profit to the Bishoprick of Bristol he improved all his friends to decline his election In these troublesome times affording more Preachers then Professors he lost his Church but kept his Chair wherein he died about the year 1651. WILLIAM OUGHTRED was though branched from a right ancient Family in the North born in the Town bred in the School of Eaton became Fellow of Kings-colledge and at last was beneficed by Thomas Earl of Arundel at Albury in Surrey All his contemporaries unanimously acknowledged him the Prince of Mathematicians in our Age and Nation This aged Simeon had though no Revelation a strong perswasion that before his death he should behold Christs anointed restored to his Throne which he did accordingly to his incredible joy and then had his Dimittis out of this mortal life June 30. 1660. Romish Exile Writers THOMAS DORMAN was born at Ammersham in this County being nephew unto Thomas Dorman of the same town A Confessour in the reign of King Henry the eighth True it is this his Uncle through weakness did abjure let us pity his who desire God should pardon our failings but was ever a cordial Protestant He bred this Thomas Dorman juniâ—…r at Berkhamsted-school founded by Dr. Incent in Hartfordshire under Mr. Reeve a Protestant School-master But this Dorman turn'd tail afterwards and became a great Romanist running over beyond the seas where he wrote a book intituled Against Alexander Nowel the English Calvinist J. Pits doth repent that he affordeth him no room in the body of his book referring him to his Appendix He flourished Anno 1560. Memorable Persons JOHN MATHEW Mercer son to Thomas Mathew was born at Sherington in this County Lord Mayor of London Anno Dom. 1490. He is eminent on this account that he was the first Bachelar that ever was chosen into that office Yea it was above a hundred and twenty years before he was seconded by a single person succeeding him in that place viz. Sir John Leman Lord Mayor 1616. It seemeth that a Lady Mayoresse is something more then ornamentall to a Lord Mayor their wives great portions or good providence much advantaging their estates to be capable of so high a dignity Dame HESTER TEMPLE daughter to Miles Sands Esquire was born at Latmos in this County and was married to Sir Thomas Temple of Stow Baronet She had four sons and nine daughters which lived to be married and so exceedingly multiplied that this Lady saw seven hundred extracted from her body Reader I speak within compass and have left my self a reserve having bought the truth hereof by a wager I lost Besides there was a new generation of marrigable females just at her death so that this aged vine may be said to wither even when it had many young boughs ready to knit Had I been one of her relations and as well enabled as most of them be I would have erected a monument for her thus design'd A fair tree should have been erected the said Lady and her Husband lying at the bottom or root thereof the Heir of the family should have ascended both the middle and top-bough thereof On the right-hand hereof her younger sons on the left her daughters should as so many boughs be spread forth Her grand-children should have their names inscribed on the branches of those boughs the great-grand-children on the twiggs of those branches the great-great-grand-children on the leaves of those twiggs Such as surviv'd her death should be done in a lively green the rest as blasted in a pale and yellow fading-colour Plinie who reports it as a wonder worthy the Chronicle that Chrispinus Hilarus Praelata pompa with open ostentation sacrificed in the Capitol seventy four of his children and childrens children attending on him would more admire if admitted to this spectacle Vives telleth us of a Village in Spain of about an hundred houses whereof all the inhabitants were issued from one certain old man who then lived when as that Village was so peopled so as the name of propinquity how the youngest of the children should call him could not
Egmund Leland for a reason immediately following nameth him William of Stamford but Egremont is the Orthography of his name from a small Market-town yet a Barony of the late Earls of Sussex in this Shire where he was born Quitting this cold Country he took his Progress into the South and fixing himself at Stamford became an Augustinian Eremite and proceeded Doctor of Divinity Going beyond the Seas he was by the Pope made Episcopus Pissinensiâ—… some poor pitifull Bishoprick so that one would scarce trouble himself to find it out to have the profit thereâ—…f and therewith held the Suffragane-ship under Henry Beaufort Bishop of Lincoln Indeed that voluminous Diocess a full fourth part of England before Eli Peterborough and Oxford were cantoned out of it required a Co-adjutor Many are the learned works written by him and seeing he is Doubly qualified I thought fitter to repose him under the Topick of Writers then of Prelates being confident that he got more credit by his Books then profit by his Bishoprick He flourished under King Richard the second anno 1390. JOHN SKELTON was a younger branch of the Skeltons of Skelton in this County I crave leave of the Reader hitherto not having full instructions and preserving the undoubted Title of this County unto him to defer his character to Norfolk where he was Beneficed at Diss therein Since the Reformation RICHARD CRAKENTHORP D. D. was descended of an Ancient Family in this County as appeareth by their frequent being Sheriffs thereof He was bred Fellow of Queens-colledge in Oxford and afterwards in the first of King James went over Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent Embassadour to the King of Denmark and other prime Princes of Germany Here by use he got an easiness in the Latine tongue and correspondency with several persons of eminent Learning He was an excellent Logiciaâ—… witness his work in that kind and became Chaplain in Ordinary to King James Rector of Black-Notley in Essex greater preferments expecting him had not his death prevented it Pliny observeth that Posthume Children born after the death of their Father and Caesars understand such who are cut out of the womb of their Mother prove very happy in success What reason soever Naturalists assign hereof Divines justly impute it to Gods goodness graciously remembring those Orphans which cannot remember their own Parents The Observation may be applyed to the Books of this worthy Doctor set forth after his death one called Vigilius Dormità ns in defence of the Emperour Justinian and a generall Councill held by him Anno 553. set forth by his Brother George Crakenthorp the other being an answer to the Manifesto of the Arch-bishop of Spalato set forth by that Learned Antiquary Dr. John Barkham and both of these Books finding an universall and gratefull reception among the Learned and Religious I cannot certainly fix the date of his death and be it here solemnly entred that Westmerland shall be unprejudiced if he were born as a most credible person hath informed me at NewBiggin in this County SALKELD was a branch of a Right Worshipfull Family in this County bred a Divine beyond the Seas but whether 〈◊〉 or Secular Priest I know not Coming over into England to Angle for Proselites it seems his Line broke and he was cast into prison Hence he was brought out and presented to K. James by whose Arguments and a Benefice bestowed on him in Somersetshire he became a Protestant This he used in all companies to boast of that he was a Royall Convert Nobisque dedit solatia victor And was it not a Noble thing Thus to be conquer'd by a King Indeed His Majesty in some of his works styleth him the Learned Salkeld which the other much vaunted of often telling it to such who well knew it before for fear they might forget it His preaching was none of the best and he retained some Popish though not Opinions Fancies to the day of his death I have heard much of his discourse more of his own praise then to his own praise in my judgement But his true character may be taken out of the Book he wrot of Angells He died about the year 1638. GERARD LANGBAIN D. D. was born at Kirk-Banton in this County bred first Fellow in then Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford A skilfull Antiquary ingenious industrious and judicious in â—…is Writings as by his Works will appear Who so shall read over the History of thâ—… Councill of Trent translâ—…ted out of Italian by Sir Nathaniel Brent will conceive it so compleat a Narration of all the concernments in that Council that nothing of consequence can be added thereunto Yet this his mistake will be confuted by perusing the Works set forth by Doctor Langbain of the dissent of the Gallican Churches from severall conclusions in that Council As his Brain was the Mother of some so was it the Midwife to other good books which he procured to be published Especially a book made by Sir John Cheeke concerning Rebellion and Loyalty seasonably reprinted in the beginning of our Civil Wars But alas such then was the noise of mens Animosities that the Still voice of Truth could not be heard amongst them More Excellent Tracts were expected from him particularly an Edition of Brian Twine with Additions concerning the Antiquity of Oxford when God was pleased almost in the midst of his days to put an end to his life Anno 1657. Benefactors to the Publick ROBERT EAGLESFIELD born in this County was a pious and learned man according to the rate of that age Chaplain and Confessor to Philippa Queen to King Ed ward the third He founded a fair Colledge in Oxford by the name of Queens-colledge for a Provost and twelve Fellows whom he ordered to sit in the Hall in purpura and that they should be attended on more Curiali He appointed that those of Cumberland and Westmerland should be proper for perferment in his Foundation rendring this reason why he reflected most on those Northern Counties Propter insolitam vastitatem melioris literaturae infrequentiam But prevented by death he finished not his intentions leaving onely to the Colledge the Mannor of Renwick in this County with the impropriation of Burgh under Stanmore and which I assure you was considerable most excellent Statutes To shew himself both Courtier and Scholar he ordered that in the Hall they should speak either Latine or French He bequeathed his Colledge to the honorary Patronage of the Queens of England and his Sur-name is still extant in this County in persons of quality but how to him related to me unknown He dyed about the year of our Lord 1370. Memorable Persons MAUD the Daughter of Thomas Lord Lucy Sister and Heir of Anthony Lord Lucy and Baron of Cokermouth the Widow of Gilbert Humfrevile Earl of Angus was the second Wife of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland Who when she saw that she should dye without Issue gave to Earl Henry her husband the Castle and Honour of
out of and far from any publick Road in a corner of the County so that Bediford Bridg is truly Bediford Bridg intended solely for the convenience of that Town 2 It is very long consisting of twenty four Peares and yet one William Alford another Milo of Bediford carried on his back for a Wager four Bushel Salt-water-measure all the length thereof 3 It is very high so that a Barge of sixty Tuns may passe and repasse if taking down her Masts betwixt the Peares thereof 4 The Foundation is very firmly fixed and yet it doth or seem to shake at the slightest step of a Horse 5 The Builder of so worthy a Work is not the more the pity punctually known Yet Tradition the best Authour where no better is to be had maketh that finished by the Assistance of Sir Theobold Greenvill the Goldneyes and Oketenets Persons of great Power in those parts Peter Quivill Bishop of Exeter granting Indulgencies to all such as contributed to the forwarding thereof As for the Houses of the Gentry in this County some may aâ—…tract none ravish the Beholder except it be Wenbury the House of the Heales near Plimouth almost corrival with Greenwich it self for the pleasant Prospect thereof The Wonders Not to speak of a River about Lidford whose stream sinketh so deep that it is altogether invisible but supplying to the Eare that it denies to the Eye so great the noise thereof There is in the Parish of North-Taunton near an House called Bath a Pit but in the Winter a Pool not maintained by any spring but the fall of rain water in Summer commonly dry Of this Pool it hath been observed that before the death or change of any Prince or some other strange accident of great importance or any Invasion or Insurrection though in an hot and dry season it will without any rain overflow its Banks and so continue till it be past that it prognosticated Be the truth hereof reported to the Vicenage the most competent Judges thereof seeing my Authour who finished his Book 1648. reporteth that it over-flowed four times within these last thirty years Some will be offended at me if I should omit the Hanging Stone being one of the Bound Stones which parteth Comb-Martin from the next Parish It got the name from a Thief who having stoln a Sheep and tyed it about his own neck to carry it on his back rested himself for a while upon this Stone which is about a foothigh until the Sheep struggling slid over the Stone on the other side and so strangled the man Let the Lawyers dispute whether the Sheep in this case was forfeited to the Kings Almoner as a Deo-Dand It appeareth rather a Providence then a Casualty in the just execution of a Malefactor To these Wonders I will add and hazard the Readers displeasure for the same The Gubbings So now I dare call them secured by distance which one of more valour durst not do to their Face for fear their fury fall upon him Yet hitherto have I met with none who could render a reason of their Name We call the Shavings of Fish which are little worth Gubbings and sure it is they are sensible that the Word importeth shame and disgrace As for the suggestion of my worthy and learned Friend borrowed from Buxtorfius that such who did inhabitare Montes Gibberosos were called Gubbings such will smile at the Ingenuity who dissent from the truth of the Etymology I have read of an England beyond Wales but the Gubbings-Land is a Scythia within England and they pure Heathens therein It lyeth nigh Brent-Tor in the edg of Dartmore It is reported that some two hundred years since two Strumpets being with child fled hither to hide themselves to whom certain lewd Fellows resorted and this was their First Original They are a Peculiar of their own making exempt from Bishop Arch-Deacon and all Authority either Ecclesiastical or Civil They live in Cotts rather Holes than Houses like Swine having all in common multiplied without Marriage into many Hundreds Their Language is the drosse of the dregs of the Vulgar Devonian and the more learned a man is the worse he can understand them During our Civil Wars no Souldiers were quartered amongst them for fear of being quartered amongst them Their Wealth consisteth in other mens goods and they live by stealing the Sheep on the More and vain it is for any to search their Houses being a Work beneath the pains of a Sheriff and above the Power of any Constable Such their Fleetnesse they will outrun many Horses Vivaciousnesse they out live most men living in the Ignorance of Luxury the Extinguisher of Life They hold together like Burrs offend One and All will revenge his Quarrel But now I am informed that they begin to be civilized and tender their Children to Baptisme and return to be men yea Christians again I hope no Civil peoplâ—… amongst us will turn Barbarians now these Barbarians begin to be civilized Proverbs To Devon-shire ground It is sad when one is made a Proverb by way of derision but honourable to become proverbial by way of imitation as here Devon-shire hath set a Copy of Industry and Ingenuity to all England To Devon-shire land is to pare off the surface or top-turffe thereof then lay it together in heaps and burn it which ashes are a marvailous improvement to battle barren ground Thus they may be said to Stew the land in its own liquor to make the same ground to find compost to fatten its self An Husbandry which where ever used retains the name of the place where it was first invented it being usual to Devonshire land in Dorset-shire and in other Counties A Plimouth Cloak That is a Cane or a Staffe whereof this the occasion Many a man of good extraction comming home from far Voiages may chance to land here and being out of sorts is unable for the present time and place to recruit himself with Cloaths Here if not friendly provided they make the next Wood their Drapers shop where a Staffe cut out serves them for a covering Ho may remove Mort-Stone There is a Bay in this County called Mort-Bay but the Harbour in the entrance thereof is stopped with a huge Rock called Mort-Stone and the People merrily say that none can remove it save such who are Masters of their Wives If so wise Socrates himself with all men who are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under Covert-feme as I may say will never attempt the removal thereof First hang and draw Then hear the cause by Lidford Law Lidford is a little and poor but antient Corporation in this County with very large priviledges where a Court of the Stanneries was formerly kept This Libellous Proverb would suggest unto us as if the Towns-men thereof generally mean persons were unable to manage their own Liberties with necessary discretion administring preposterous and preproperous Justice I charitably believe that some Tinners justly
forgive the greatest injury upon the least show of the parties sorrow and restore him to the degree of his former favour and though Politicians will thence collect him no prudent man Divines will conclude him a good Christian. Episcopacy in England being grievously wounded by malevolent persons King Charles the First conceived that the best Wine and Oil that could be powred into those wounds was to select persons of known Learning and unblameable Lives to supply the vacant Bishopricks amongst whom Dr. Prideaux was made Bishop of Worcester But alasse all in vain such the present fury of the Times He died of a Feaver 1650 and I have perused a Manuscript Book But alasse not made by Oxford but Worcester-shire Muses of Verses on his Funeral Amongst which I take notice of these Define mirari caecos errasse tot Ignes In promptâ—… causa est lux Prideauxus obit Mortuus est Prideaux scriptis post funera vivit Aufertur Letho Mitra Corona datur To these we may add the Chronogram which I meet with amongst the same Verses Iohannes PrIDeaVXVs 〈◊〉 VVIgornIae MortVVs est 1650. He was buried at Bredon in Worcester-shire August the 1â—…th Such as deny Bishops to be Peers would have conceived this Bishop a Prinâ—…e if present at his Interment such the Number and Quality of Persons attending his Funeral States-men Sir ARTHUR CHICHESTER Knight was descended of a right ancient Family dwelling at Rawley in this County He spent his youth first in the University then in the French and Irish Wars where by his valour he was effectually assistant first to plough and break up that barbarous Nation by Conquest and then to sow it with seeds of civility when by King James made Lord Deputy of Ireland Ind ed good Laws and provisions had been made by his Predecessors to that purpose but alas they were like good lessons set for a Lute out of tune uselesse untill the Instrument was fitted for them Wherefore in order to the civilizing of the Irishry in the first year of his Government he established two new Circuits for Justices of Assize the one in Connaught the other in Munster And whereas the Circuits in former times onely encompassed the English Pale as the Cynosura doth the Pole henceforward like good Planets in their several Spheres they carried the influence of Justice round about the Kingdom Yea in short time Ireland was so cleared of Theeves and Capital Offenders that so many Malefactors have not been found in the Two and Thirty Shires of Ireland as in Six English Shires in the Western Circuit He reduced the Mountains and Glinns on the South of Dublin formerly thorns in the sides of the English-Pale into the County of Wicklowe and in conformity to the English Custome many Irish began to cut their Mantles into Cloaks So observant his eye over the actions of suspected persons that Tyrone was heard to complain that he could not drink a full carouso of sack but the State was within few hours advertised thereof After he had been continued many years in his Deputy-ship and deservedly made a Lord King James recalled him home and loath to leave his abilities unimployed sent him Embassadour to the Emperour and other German Princes Being besieged in the City of Mainchine a place much indebted to his prudence for seasonable victualling it by Count Tilley he sent him word that it was against the Law of Nations to besiege an Embassadour Tilley returned that he took no notice that he was an Embassadour The Lord Chichester replied to the Messenger Had my Master sent me with as many hundred men as he hath sent me on fruitlesse Messages your General should have known that I had been a Souldier as well as an Embassadour King James at his return entertain'd him with great commendation for so well discharging his trust and he died in as great honour as any English-man of our age Anno Dom. 162. Capital Judges Sir WILLIAM HERLE Knight was made by King Edward the Third Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench in Hillary Term the first year of his Raign and before the Term ended viz. Jan. the 29. was made Chief Judge of the Common Pleas by his own free consent as I have cause to conceive he standing fair in the Kings favour For whereas sixty marks was in that age the annual salary of that place the King granted him an augmentation of two hundred and forty marks a year so long as he kept that Office This was some four years for I find Sir John Stoner put into his place in the Fourth of the Kings Raign yet so that this Sir William was his Successor the year after such alterations being usual in that age I collect him to die in the ninth of King Edward the Third the mention of him sinking that year and is placed here because if not born at which is most probable he was owner of Illfracombe in this County the Mannor whereof was held by his issue till the Raign of King Henry the Seventh and I understand that a Family of his Name and I believe of his linage hath still a Worshipful existence in Cornwall Sir JOHN CARY Knight was born at Cockington in this County and applying himself to the Study of the Laws was made Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the tenth year of King Richard the Second The greatest fault I find charged on him was Loyalty to his Lord and Master which if any dare call a disease I assure you it is a catching one among conscientious people On this honourable account this Judge lost his Office Goods and Lands in the first of King Henry the Fourth whose losses not long after providence plentifully repayed to his Posterity On this occasion A Knight Errant of Arragon comming into England and challenging any to tilt with him was undertaken by Sir Robert Cary son to Sir John aforesaid who vanquished the vain glorious Don So that King Henry the Fifth out of a sympathy of valour restored all his estate unto him This Judge dyed about the year of our Lord 1404. Sir WILLIAM HANKFORD was born at Amerie in this County a Mannor which from owners of the same name by their daughter and heir descended to the Hank fords bred in the study of the Laws till he became Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the first of King Henry the Fifth which place he adorned with great Learning and Integrity though doleful the manner of his death on this occasion Coming home discontented from London he expressed extream anger somewhat trespassing on his judicial gravity against his Keeper for that as he said his Deer were stolen and charged him to shoot any man in the Park whom he should find there and stood not being spoken unto and he would discharge him The next night being dark he presents himself and refusing to stand the Keeper according to his Injunction shot and killed him The stump of the Oak nigh which this sad accident
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
places and at a place called Somervill near to Chappel which by the landing place as ye come from Altferrâ—… to Chesil is in great abundance It is an assured remedy for the Yellow Jaundice openeth the obstructions of the Spleen c. Buildings The Houses of the Gentry herein are built rather to be lived in than to be looked on very low in their scituation for warmth and other conveniencies Indeed the rhime holds generally true of the English structures The North for Greatness the East for Health The South for Neatness the West for Wealth However amongst the Houses in this County Lullworth Castle and Sherburn-Lodge are most eminent escaping pretty well in the late war so that they have cause neither to brag nor complain Proverbs As much a kin as Lenson-hill to Pilsen-pen That is no kin at all It is spoke of such who have vicinity of habitation or neighbourhood without the least degree of consanguinity or affinity betwixt them For these are two high hills the first wholy the other partly in the Parish of Broad Windsor whereof once I was Minister Yet Reader I assure thee that Sea-Men make the nearest Relation betwixt them calling the one the Cow the other the Calf in which forms it seems they appear first to their fancies being eminent Sea-marks to such as sail along these Coasts And although there be many Hills interposing betwixt these and the Sea which seem higher to a land Traveller yet these surmount them all so incompetent a Judge and so untrue a Surveyor is an ordinary eye of the Altitude of such places Stab'd with a Byrdport Dagger That is hang'd or executed at the Gallowes The best if not the most Hemp for the quantity of ground growing about Byrdport a Market Town in this County And hence it is that there is an ancient Statute though now disused and neglected that the Cable Ropes for the Navy Royal were to be made there abouts as affording the best Tackling for that purpose Dorset-shire Dorsers Dorsers are Peds or Panniers carried on the backs of Horses on which Haglers use to ride and carry their Commodities It seems this homely but most useful implement was either first found out or is most generally used in this County where Fish-Jobbers bring up their Fish in such contrivances above an hundred miles from Lime to London Saints EDWARD son to Edgar King of England was in his Child-hood bred under the cruel correction of Elfrida his Mother-in-law who used for small faults to whip him with Wax-Candles In so much that it is reported it made such an impression in this young Princes memory that when a man he could not endure the sight of Wax-Candles But Edward afterwards outgrew his Mothers tuition and succeeded his Father in his Throne However such her ambition that advantaged with the others easiness of nature She managed most matter of State leaving her Son in-law little more than the bare title of Soveraign Not contented herewith and to derive the Scepter to her own Son Ethelred caused him to be stab'd at Corfe Castle in this County coming in a civil visit unto her His hidden â—…ody being miraculously discovered was first buried at Warham and thence removed to Shaftsbury which Town for a time was termed Saint Edwards from his interment His murder hapned about the year of our Lord 978. Cardinals JOHN MORTON was born at Saint Andrews Milborne in this County of a right Worshipful Family still extant therein He was bred in Oxford and after many mediate preferments made Bishop of Ely Anno 1578. Not long after when many groaned under the Tyranny of King Richard the third this Prelate first found out the design of marrying Elizabeth eldest daughter to Edward the fourth of the House of York to Henry Earl of Richmond the last who was left of the line of Lancaster Indeed the Earls title to the Crown was not enough to make a countenance therewith much less a claim thereto but as the Lady had a Title and wanted a man to manage it the Earl was man enough to manage any design but wanted a Title and pursuing this advice by Gods blessing he gained the Crown by the name of Henry the seventh In expression of his gratitude he made this Bishop Chancellor of England and afterwards Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was a great instrument in advancing a voluntary Contribution to the King through the Land perswading Prodigals to part with their money because they did spend it most and the Covetous because they might spare it best So making both extreams to meet in one medium to supply the Kings necessities who though prodigiously rich may be said always to need because never-satisfied This Bishop with vast cost cut a new Channel in the Fennes for the publick good but it neither answered his expectation nor expence He was magnificent in his buildings and bountiful to poor Scholars enjoyning his Executors to maintain twenty poor Scholars in Oxford and ten in Cambridge twenty years after his death which hapned in October 1500. Prelates JOHN STAFFORD Son to Humphrey Stafford sixth Earl of Stafford was born at Hooke in this County then a most stately House belonging to this Family and bred a Doctor of the Laws in Oxford he was afterwards Dean of the Arches and Dean of Saint Martins This was a fair Colledge near Aldersgate in London founded Anno 1056. by Ingelricus and Edvardus his Brother priviledged by our Kings of England with great immunities the cause of many and high contests betwixt this Colledge and the City of London Afterwards he was made Bishop of Wells and for eighteen years a continuance hardly to be parallel'd was Chancellor of England At last he was advanced Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and no Prelate his Peer in Biâ—…th and preâ—…erment hath either less good or less evil recorded of him He died at Maidstone 1452. and lies buried in Canterbury ROBERT MORTON was Brothers Son to Cardinal Morton of whom before whose Father had a fair Habitation at Saint Andrews Milborne in this County His relation to so good an Uncle mixed with his own merits preferred him to the Bishoprick of Worcester Of whom we have little more than the date of his consecration 1486. and of his Death 1497. He lieth buried in the body of Saint Pauls Church in London JAMES TURBERVIL or De turbida villa was born of a worshipful Family who long have lived in great account in this County â—… First a Monk but afterwards brought up in New-Colledge in Oxford He was consecrated Bishop of Exeter 1556. and deserved right well of that See When he entred thereon it was most true what his Successor therein since said That the Bishop of Exeter was a Baron but a Bare one so miserably that Cathedral had been pilled and polled But Bishop Turbervil recovered some lost lands which Bishop Voysey had vezed and particularly obtained of Queen Mary the â—…estitution of the fair Manor of
She was youngest Daughter and Child to Ralph Earl of Westmerland who had one and twenty and exceeded her Sisters in honour being married to Richard Duke of York She saw her Husband kill'd in battel George Duke of Clarence her second Son cruelly murdered Edward her eldest son cut off by his own intemperance in the prime of his years his two sons butchered by their Uncle Richard who himself not long after was slain at the bartel of Bosworth She was blessed with three Sons who lived to have issue each born in a several Kingdom Edward at Bourdeaux in France George at Dublin in Ireland Richard at Fotheringhay in England She saw her own reputation murdered publickly at Pâ—…uls-Cross by the procurement of her youngest son Richard taxing his eldest Brother for illegitimate She beheld her eldest Son Edward King of England and enriched with a numerous posterity  Yet our Chronicles do not charge her with elation in her good or dejection in her ill success an argument of an even and steady soul in all alterations Indeed she survived to see Elizabeth her grand child married to King Henry the seventh but little comfort accrued to her by that conjunction the party of the Yorkists were so depressed by him She lived five and thirty years a widow and died in the tenth year of King Henry the seventh 1495. and was buried by her Husband in the Quire of the Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay in Northampton-shire which Quire being demolished in the days of King Henry the eighth their bodies lay in the Church-yard without any Monument until Queen Elizabeth coming thither in Progress gave order that they should be interred in the Church and two Tombs to be erected over them Hereupon their bodies lapped in Lead were removed from their plain Graves and their Coffins opened The Duchess Cicely had about her neck hanging in a Silver Ribband a Pardon from Rome which penned in a very fine Roman Hand was as fair and fresh to be read as if it had been written but yesterday But alas most mean are their Monuments made of Plaister wrought with a Trowell and no doubt there was much daubing therein the Queen paying for a Tomb proportionable to their Personages The best is the memory of this Cicely hath a better and more lasting Monument who was a bountiful Benefactress to Queens Colledge in Cambridge Saints BEDE And because some Nations measure the worth of the person by the length of the name take his addition Venerable He was born at Girwy now called Yarrow in this Bishoprick bred under Saint John of Beverly and afterwards a Monk in the Town of his Nativity He was the most general Scholar of that age Let a Sophister begin with his Axioms a Batchelor of Art proceed to his Metaphysicks a Master to his Mathematicks and a Divine conclude with his Controversies and Comments on Scripture and they shall find him better in all than any Christian Writer in that age in any of those Arts and Sciences He expounded almost all the Bible translated the Psalms and New Testament into English and lived a Comment on those Words of the * Apostle shining as a light in the world in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation He was no gadder abroad credible Authors avouching that he never went out of his Cell though both Cambridge and Rome pretend to his habitation Yet his Corps after his death which happened Anno 734. took a journey or rather were removed to Durham and there enshrined Confessors JOHN WICKLIFFE It is a great honour to this small County that it produced the last maintainer of Religion before the general decay thereof understand me Learned Bede and the firm restorer thereof I mean this Wickliff the subject of our present discourse True it is His Nativity cannot be demonstrated in this Bishoprick but if such a scientia media might be allowed to man which is beneath certainty and above conjecture such should I call our perswasion that Wickliff was born therein First all confess him a Northern man by extraction Secondly the Antiquary allows an ancient Family of the Wickliffs in this County whose Heir general by her match brought much wealth and honour to the Brakenburies of Celaby Thirdly there are at this day in these parts of the name and alliance who continue a just claim of their kindred unto him Now he was bred in Oxford some say in Baliol others more truly in Merton Colledge and afterwards published opinions distasteful to the Church of Rome writing no fewer than two hundred Volumns of all which largely in our Ecclesiastical History besides his translating of the whole Bible into English He suffered much persecution from the Popish Clergy Yet after long exile he by the favour of God and good Friends returned in safety and died in quietness at his living at Lutterworth in Leicestershire Anno 1387. the last of December whose bones were taken up and burnt 42. years after his death Disdain not Reader to learn something by my mistake I conceive that Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments had entred the Names of our English Martyrs and Confessors in his Kalender on that very day whereon they died Since I observe he observeth a Method of his own fancy concealing the reasons thereof to himself as on the perusing of his Catalogue will appear Thus VVickliff dying December the last is by him placed January the second probably out of a design to grace the new year with a good beginning though it had been more true and in my weak judgement as honourable for VVickliff to have brought up the rear of the old as to lead the front of the new year in his Kalender Prelates The Nevills We will begin with a Quaternion of Nevils presenting them in Parallels and giving them their Precedency before other Prelates some their Seniors in time because of their Honourable Extraction All four were born in this Bishoprick as I am informed by my worthy Friend Mr. Charles Nevil Vice-Provost of Kings in Cambridge one as knowing 〈◊〉 Universal Heraldry as in his own Colledge in our English Nobility as in his own Chamber in the ancient fair and far branched Family of the Nevils as in his own Study RALPH NEVIL was born at Raby in this Bishoprick was Lord Chancellour under King Henry the third none discharging that Office with greater integrity and more general commendation and Bishop of Chichester 1223. He built a fair House from the ground in Chancery Lane for himselfe and successors for an Inne where they might repose themselves when their occasions brought them up to London How this House was afterwards aliened and came into the possession of Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln from whom it is called Lincolns Inne at this day I know not Sure I am that Mr. Mountague late Bishop of Chichester intended to lay claim therunto in right of his see But alas he was likely to follow a cold scent
after so many years distance and a colder suit being to encounter a Corporation of Learned Lawyers so long in the peaceable possession thereof Bishop Nevil was afterwards canonically chosen by the Monks and confirmed hy King Henry the third Arch-bishop of Canterbury being so far from rejoycing thereat that he never gave any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or reward for their good news to the two Monks which brought him tidings nor would allow any thing toward the discharging their costly journey to Rome foreseeing perchance that the Pope would stop his Consecration For some informed his Holiness that this Ralph was a Prelate of High Birth haughty Stomach great Courtship gracious with the King and a person probable to disswade him from paying the Pension promised by his Father K. Iohn to the Court of Rome then no wonder if his Consecration was stopped theron But was it not both an honor happiness to our Nevil thus to be crost with the hands of his Holiness himself yea it seems that no Crosier save only that of Chichester would fit his hand being afterwards elected Bish. of Winchester then obstructed by the K. who formerly so highly favor'd him He built a Chappell without the east gate of Chichester dedicated to S. Michael and having merited much of his own Cathedral died at London 1244. ALEX. NEVIL third Son of Ralph Lord Nevil was born at Raby became first Canon then Arch-Bishop of York where he beautified and fortified the Castle of Cawood with many Turrets He was highly in Honour with King Richard the second as much in hatred with the party opposing him These designed to imprison him putting Prelates to death not yet in fashion in the Castle of Rochester had not our Alexander prevented them by his flight to Pope Urban to Rome who partly out of pity that he might have something for his support and more out of policy that York might be in his own disposal upon the removal of this Arch-Bishop translated him to Saint Andrews in Scotland and so dismissed him with his Benediction Wonder not that this Nevil was loth to go out of the Popes blessing into a cold Sun who could not accept this his new Arch Bishoprick in point of credit profit or safety 1. Credit For this his translation was a Post-Ferment seeing the Arch-Bishoprick of Saint Andrews was subjected in that age unto York 2. Profit The Revenues being far worse than those of York 3. Safety Scotland then bearing an Antipathy to all English and especially to the Nevils redoubted for their victorious valour in those northern parts and being in open hostility against them Indeed half a loaf is better than no bread but this his new translation was rather a stone than half a loaf not filling his Belly yet breaking his Teeth if feeding thereon This made him preferre the Pastorall Charge of a Parish Church in Lovaine before his Arch-noBishoprick where he died in the fifth year of his Exile and was buried there in the Convent of the Carmelites ROB. NEVIL sixth Son of Ralph first Earl of Westmerland by Joane his second VVife Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt bred in the University of Oxford and Provost of Beverly was preferred Bishop of Sarisbury in the sixth of King Henry the sixth 1427. During his continuance therein he was principal Founder of a Convent at Sunning in Berkshire anciently the Bishops See of that Diocess valued at the dissolution saith Bishop Godwin at 682 l. 14 s. 7 d. ob which I rather observe because the estimation thereof is omitted in my and I suspect all other Speeds Catalogue of Religious Houses From Sarisbury he was translated to Durham where he built a place called the Exchequer at the Castle gate and gave in allusion of his two Bishopricks which he successively enjoyed two Annulets innected in his Paternal Coat He died Anno Dom. 1457. GEO. NEVIL fourth Son of Rich. Nevil Earl of Salisbury was born at Midleham in this Bishoprick bred in Baliol Colledge in Oxford consecrated Bishop of Exeter when he was not as yet twenty years of age so that in the race not of age but youth he clearly beat Tho. Arundel who at twenty two was made Bishop of Ely Some say this was contrary not only to the Canon Law but Canonical Scripture S. Paul forbidding such a Neophyte or Novice admission into that Office as if because Rich. the make-King Earl of Warwick was in a manner above Law this his Brother also must be above Canons His Friends do plead that Nobility and Ability supplyed age in him seeing five years after at 25. he was made Lord Chancellor of England and discharged it to his great commendation He was afterwards made Arch-bishop of York famous for the prodigious Feast at his Installing wherein besides Flesh Fish and Fowle so many strange Dishes of Gellies And yet amongst all this service I meet not with these two But the inverted Proverb found truth in him One GluttonMeal makes many hungry ones for some years after falling into the displeasure of King Edward the fourth he was flenderly dyetted not to say famished in the Castle of Calis and being at last restored by the Intercession of his Friends died heart-broken at Blyth and was buried in the Cathedral of York 1476. Besides these there was another Nevil Brother to Alexander aforesaid chosen Bishop of Ely but death or some other intervening accident hindered his Consecration Since the Reformation ROBERT HORN was born in this Bishoprick bred in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge Going thence under the raign of King Edward the sixth he was advanced Dean of Durham In the Marian days he fled into Germany and fixing at Frankford became the head of the Episcopal party as in my Ecclesiastical History at large doth appear Returning into England he was made Bishop of VVinchester Feb. 16. 1560. A worthy man but constantly ground betwixt two opposite parties Papists and Sectaries Both of these in their Pamphlets sported with his name as hard in Nature and crooked in Conditions not being pleased to take notice how Horn in Scripture importeth Power Preferment and Safety both twitted his person as dwarfish and deformed to which I can say nothing none alive remembring him save that such taunts though commonly called ad Hominem are indeed ad Deum and though shot at Man does glance at Him who made us and not we our selves Besides it shews their malice runs low for might though high for spight who carp at the Case when they cannot find fault with the Jewel For my part I mind not the Mould wherein but the Metal whereof he was made and lissen to Mr. Cambden his Character of him Valido foecundo ingenio of a sprightful and fruitful wit He died in Southwark June 1. 1589. and lyeth buried in his own Cathedral near to the Pulpit And now Reader I crave leave to present thee with the Character of one who I confess falls not under my Pen
oath You shall swear by the custome of our confession That you never made any nuptiall transgression Since you were married man and wife By houshold brawles or contentious strife Or otherwise in bed or at bord Offended each other in deed or word Or since the Parish-Clerk said Amen Wished your selves unmarried agen Or in a twelve-moneth and a day Repented not in thought any way But continued true and in desire As when you joyn'd hands in holy Quire If to these conditions without all fear Of your own accord you will freely swear A Gammon of Bacon you shall receive And bear it hence with love and good leave For this is our custome at Dunmow well known Though the sport be ours the Bacons your own It appeareth in an old book on record that Richard Wright of Badesnorth in Norfolk in the twentieth third of Henry the sixth when John Canon was Prior that Stephen Samuel of Little-Easton in Essex the seventh of Edward the fourth when Roger Rullcot was Prior and that Thomas Lee of Coxhall in Essex the second of Henry the eight when John Taylor was Prior demanded their Bacon on the premisses and receiv'd it accordingly Princes HENRY FITZ-ROY naturall son to King Henry the eight Here we confess our Trespass against our own Rules who confined our selves to the Legitimate Issue of Kings presuming that the worth of this Henry will make amends for our breach of order herein He was begotten on the Body of the Lady Talbois and born at Blackmore-Mannor in this County Anno 1519. being afterwards Created Earl of Noâ—…tingham and Duke of Richmond He confuted their Etymology who deduced Bastard from the Dutch words boes and art that is an abject Nature and verifyed their deduction deriving it from besteaerd that is the best disposition Such was his forwardness in all Martiall Activities with his knowledge in all Arts and Sciences Learned Leland dedicating a book unto him He married Mary daughter to Thomas Duke of Norfolk and dying Anno 1536. in the seventeenth year of his age was buried at Framlingham in Suffolk with great lamentation Saints Saint HELEN was born at Colchester in this County daughter to Coel King thereof as all our British Authors unanimously doe report She was Mother of Constantine the first Christian Emperour and is famous to all ages for finding out Christ's Cross on Mount Calvary Hence it is that in memoriall hereof the City of Colchester giveth for its Arms a Cross enragled between four Crowns A scandal is raised on her name that she was Stabularia A Stableress whereof one rendreth this witty râ—…ason because her Father was Comes Stabuli an high office equivalent to the Constable in France unto the Emperour Others more truly make her so nick named by Pagan malice for her officious devotion in finding out the Stable of Christs Nativity Heathen pens have much aspersed her calling her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose tongues are no slander seeing the Disciple is not above his Master More was I moved when first finding thispassage in Paulinus the pious Bishop of Nola Paulin. Epist. 11. ad Severum This englished ad verbum Prompto filii Imperatoris adsensu mater Augusta patefactis ad opera sancta thesauris toto abusa fisco est She being Mother Emperess the treasuries being set open to pious works by the ready consent of her Son the Emperor she wholly abused the exchequer I wondred to see Paulinus charging such abuses upon her being a person so prodigiously charitable that he is said to have sold himself to redeem a widows son from captivity but consulting the best of Orators I find abuti sometimes fixing no fault and importing no more then uti so that abusing the Exchequer signifieth no more then a full free usage thereof She died at Rome being eighty years of age Anno Domini 337. Saint CONSTANTINE son to the aforesaid Saint Helen was born also at Colchester one sufficiently known to all posterity by the meer mentioning of him My pen shall now do penance with its silence to expiate its tediousness in describing his character in our Ecclesiasticall History He died Anno Domini 339. Saint Ethelburgh Hildetha Theorithoid Edilburge Wolfhild Sister to Erkenwald Bishop of London was by him appointed first Abbess of the Nunnery of Barking in this County by him built and endowed Here she led a very austere life and obtained the veneration of a Saint after her death which happened 676. Sister to St. Ethelburgh aforesaid succeeded her in the government of the said Nunnery for the term of four and twenty years so that she died very aged with the reputation of a Saint Anno 700. The first of whose name soundeth Greek the second Saxon was in this respect inferior to the two former because no Abbess but onely a Nun of Barking Yet did she equall them in some sort in the holiness of her life and her memory may go a breast with them in the Classis of Sts. She died 678. Wife to Ina K. of the West-Saxons by the consent of her husband who went a Pilgrim to Rome became a Nun at Barking after her death Anno 740. room was made for her memory amongst the rank of Saints Afterwards Barking Nunnery destroyed by the Danes was rebuilt by King Edgar Daughter to Wulfhelme E. of the West-Saxons born after the 18. year of her Mothers barrenness was by King Edgar made Abbess of Barking which was the first Nunnery of England the richest valued at above 1000l of year rent at the dissolution and the fruit fullest of Saints as by this parallel doth appear St. Wolfhild died Anno 989. Saint OSITH She was daughter to the King of the East-Angles and wife to Suthred last King of East-Saxons by whose consent forsaking the world she was veiled and at last became Abbess of a Monastery of her own founding at Chich in this County untill the Danes infesting these fea-coasts cut off her head in hatred of Religion Yet this her head after it was cut off was carried by Saint Osith oh wonder oh lie three furlongs and then she fell down and died The same mutatis mutandis is told of Saint Dionys in France Saint Winefride in Wales and others such being the barrenness of Monkish invention that unable to furnish their severall Saints with variety of fictions their tired fancie is fain to make the same miracle serve many Saints She was martyred about the year of our Lord 870. Saint NEOTS why Sir-named Adulphius I know not was born saith Bale either in Essex or Kent but Pitz. who wrote sixty years after him saith positively he was born in Essex It seemeth he met with some evidence to sway down the even beam to preponderate on the side of this County Waving the pleasures of the world he lived long an Eâ—…emite in Cornwell and then leaving his solitary life he became a painfull and profitable Preacher of the
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
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
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
presage of ill success Proverbs As sure as God's in Gloucester-shire This Proverb is no more fit to be used than à Toad can be wholsom to be eaten which can never by Mountebancks be so dieted and corrected but that still it remains rank poyson Some I know seek to qualifie this Proverb making God eminently in this but not exclusively out of other Counties where such the former fruitfulness thereof that it is said to return the seed with increase of an hundred fold Others find a superstitious sense therein supposing God by his gracious presence more peculiarly fixed in this Country wherein there were more and richer mitred Abbeys than in any two Shires of England besides But when all is done the best use of this Proverb is totally and finally to banish it out of the mouths and minds of all mankind You are a man of Duresley It is taken for one that breaks his word and faileth in performance of his promises â—…llel to Fides Graeca or Fides Punica Duresly is a Market and cloathing Town in 〈◊〉 â—…ounty the inhabitants whereof will endeavour to confute and disprove this 〈◊〉 to make it false now whatsoever it was at the first original thereof 〈◊〉 the worst places in the midst of epidemical viciousness have afforded some exceptions from the wickled rule therein The Cretians are always lyars was the observation of a Poet and application of the Apostle yet we find some Cretians whom the Holy Spirit alloweth for Devout men Thus sure I am there was a man of Durâ—…sley who was a man of men Edward Fox by name a right godly and gracious Prelate of whom hereafter However the men of Duresly have no cause to be offended with my inserting this Proverb which if false let them be angry with the Author the first man that made it if true let them be angry with the Subject even themselves who deserve it It is long in coming as Cotswold Barley It is applied to such things as are slow but sure The Corn in this cold County on the Wowlds exposed to the winds bleak and shelterless is very backward at the first but afterwards overtakes the forwardest in the County if not in the Barn in the Bushel both for the quantity and goodness thereof He looks as if he had liv'd on Tewksbury Mustard It is spoken partly of such who always have a sad severe and tetrick countenance Si ecastor hic homo Sinapi victitet Non censeam tam tristem esse posse Partly on such as are snappish captious and prone to take exceptions where they are not given such as will crispare nasum in derision of what they slight or neglect The Traces have always the wind in their faces This is founded on fond and false Tradition which reporteth that ever since Sir William Tracy was most Active amongst the four Knights which killed Thomas Becket it is imposed on Tracies for miraculous Penance that whether they go by Land or by Water the Wind is ever in their faces If this were so it was a Favour in a hot Summer to the Females of that Family and would spare them the use of a Fan. But it is disproved by daily experience there being extant at this day in this County two Houses the one Honourable the other Worshipful growing from the same root so that we see it is not now and therefore believe that it was never true If any say that after so many Generations this curse at last is Antiquated know that according to Popish Principles it deserved rather to be doubted of late seeing no Gentile Family in England since the Reformation have more manifested their cordial disaffection to Popery by their sufferings and writings as hereafter will appear Princes I cannot discover any Prince who took his first â—…andsel of life in this County Let not my unhappinesse discourage the industry of others in their enquiry herein Saints KENELME Son of Kenwolfe King of Mercia succeeded his Father therein being a Child but of seven years old so that his harmless years had not attained to any worldly guile and his vertuous inclination promised great hopes when Quenrid his ambitious Sister caused him to be kill'd as standing in her way to the Crown Solomon saith Curse not the King much less kill him no not in thy thought for a Bird in the air shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter that is a discovery shall surely and swiftly be made by remote unsuspected and improbable means whereby it is thought the murder of this infant-King was reveâ—…led But I cannot belive what the Golden Legend relates how a white Dove which belike had seen the deed done got it engrossed in Parchment and posting to S. Peters in Rome laid it on the high Altar to be read where in the Saxon Character it was thus found At Clenc in a Cow-pasture Kenelme the Kings child lieth beheaded under a Thorn Others say agreeing in all other particulars the discovery was made by an Angel and for fear they should fall out it may be thus accommodated that the Angel was in a Dove-like apparition As for his Sister Quenrid she was so far from getting the Crown that she is said to have lost her eyes which fell out of her head and bloodied her Primer a Womans Book as it seems in that age whilest her Brothers Corps was solemny buried at Winchcomb and had in holy veneration Martyrs JAMES BAYNAM Esquire Son to Sir Alexander Baynam Knight was born at in this County bred in learning and knowledge of the Latine and Greek Tongues He afterward became a student of the Law in the Middle Temple and when a Pleader was charitable to the poor in giving to the rich in moderating his Fees and what was the Crown of all the rest a true lover of the Gospel in the dawning of Reformation Saint Paul saith It is appointed for all men once to dye and yet the same Apostle saith of himself in deaths often so many and great his pains and perils And truly our Baynam encountered often with death so that a little Book of Martyrs might be made of his sufferings First Sir Thomas Moore sent for him to Chelsey and tying him to a tree in his Garden called by him the Tree of Truth caused him to be most cruelly scourged to make him renounce his Opinion This not succeding Sir Thomas himself saw him cruelly racked in the Tower till at last he was perswaded to abjure and solemnly carried a Torch and a Faggot in the Church of St. Pauls Hereby he rather exchanged than escaped the fire finding such a fire in his own conscience he could not be at quiet till in the Church of St. Augustines the next Parochial Church to St. Pauls that the Antidote might be brought as near as he could conveniently to the place of the Poison he publickly recanted his Recantation For which he was afterwards kept a
1266. and presented it to the young Earl conjuring him by the cogent arguments of example and rule to patrizate His other Patron was Sir Henry Sidney so often Lord Deputy of Ireland whereby he became incorporated into the familiarity of his Son Sir Philip Sidney between whom and Sir Edward there was so great freindlinesse that they were never better pleased then when in one anothers Companies or when they corresponded each with other And we find after the Death of that worthy Knight that he was a close-concerned Mourner at his Obsequies as appeareth at large in the printed Representation of his Funeral Solemnity His third Patron was Sir John Perot Deputy also of Ireland who so valued his Counsel that in state-affairs he would do nothing without him So great his employment betwixt state and state that he crossed the seas Thirty seven times until deservedly at last he came into a Port of Honour wherein â—…he sundry years anchored and found safe harbour For he received the Honour of Knighthood was sworn of her Majesties Privy Council for Ireland and Chancellour of the Exchequer therein Now his grateful soul coursing about how to answer the Queens Favour laid it self wholly out in Her service wherein two of his actions most remarkable First he was highly instrumental in modelling the Kingdome of Ireland into shires as now they are shewing himself so great a Lover of the Politie under which he was born that he advanced the Compliance therewith as commendable and necessary in the Dominions annexed thereunto His second service was when many in that Kingdome shrowded themselves from the Laws under the Target of power making force their Tutelary Saint he set himself vigorously to suppress them And when many of the Privy Council terrified with the greatness of the Earl of Desmond durst not subscribe the Instrument wherein he was proclaimed Traitor Sir Edward among some others boldly signed the same disavâ—…wing his and all treasons against his Prince and Country and the Council did the like commanding the publication thereof As to his private sphear God blessed him being but a third Brother above his other Brethren Now though he had three Wives the first a Viliers the second a Spilman the third the Widow of Herlakenden of VVood-church in Kent Esquire and though he had so strong a Brain and Body yet he lived and dyed Childlesse entercommoning therein with many Worthies who are according to Aelius Spartianus either improlifick or have Children in genitorum vituperium famarum laesuram God thus denying him the pleasure of posterity he craved leave of the Queen to retire himself and fixed the Residue of his life at VVood-church in Kent living there in great honour and repute as one who had no designe to be popular and not prudent rich and not honest great and not good He dyed in the fifty sixth year of his age the 13. of October 1591. and is buried at VVood church under a Table Marble-Monument erected to his memory by his sorrowful Lady surviving him Reader I doubt not but thou art sensible of the alteration and improvement of my Language in this Character owing both my Intelligence and expressions unto Edward VVaterhouse now of Syon Colledge Esquire who to revive the memory of his Namesake and great Uncle furnished me with these instructions HENRY CARY Viscount of Falkland in Scotland and Son to Sir Edw. Cary was born at Aldnam in this County He was a most accomplished Gentleman and compleat Courtier By King James he was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and well discharged his Trust therein But an unruly Colt will fume and chafe though neither switcht nor spur'd merely because backt The rebellious Irish will complain only because kept in Subjection though with never so much lenity the occasion why some hard Speeches were passed on his Government Some beginning to counterfeit his hand he used to incorporate the year of his Age in a Knot flourished beneath his Name concealing the Day of his Birth to himself Thus by comparing the date of the Month with his own Birth-day unknown to such Forgers he not only discovered many false Writings which were past but also deterred dishonest Cheaters from attempting the like for the future Being recalled into England he lived honourably in this County until he by a sad casualty brake his Leg on a Stand in Theobalds Park aud soon after dyed thereof He married the sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Lawrence Tanfield Cheif Baron of the Exchequer by whom he had a fair estate in Oxfordshire His Death happened Anno Dom. 1620. being Father to the most accomplished Statesman Lucius Grandfather to the present Henry Lord Falkland whose pregnant parts now clarified from Juvenile Extravagancies perform much and promise more useful service to this Nation Souldiers Sir HENRY CARY Son to Sir William Cary and Mary Bollen his Wife was where-ever born made by Queen Elizabeth Lord Chamberlain Baron of Hunsdon in this County A Valiant man and Lover of Men of their hands very cholerick but not malicious Once one Mr. Colt chanced to meet him coming from Hunsdon to London in the Equipage of a Lord of those dayes The Lord on some former grudge gave him a Boxe on the Ear Colt presently returned the principle with Interest and thereupon his Servants drawing their Swords swarmed about him You Rogues said the Lord may not I and my Neighbour change a blow but you must interpose Thus the Quarrel was begun and ended in the same minute It was merrily said that his Latine and his Dissimulation were both alike and that his custome in swearing and obscenity in speech made him seem a worse Christian than he was and a better Knight of the Carpet then he could be He might have been with the Queen whatsoever he would himself but would be no more then what he was preferring enough above a Feast in that nature He hung at Court on no mans Sleve but stood on his own Botome till the time of his death having a competent estate of his own given him by the Queen Who bestowed on him in the first of her Reign Hunsdon house in this County with four thousand pounds a year according to the valuation in that age in fair Demesnes Parks and Lands lying about it Yet this was rather Restitution than Liberality in her Majesty Seeing He had spent as great an estate left him by his father in her Service or rather Releif during her persecution under Queen Mary â—… This Lord suppressed the first Northern Commotion the sole reason why we have ranked him under the Title of Soldier for which This Letter of Thanks was solemnly returned unto him By the QUEEN Right Trusty and Wellbeloved Cousin We greet you well And right glad we are that it hath pleased God to assist you in this your late Service against that cankred subtil Traytor Leonard Dacres whose force being far greater in Number than yours we perceive you have overthrown and how he
that is Give all kind kind signifying a Child in the low Dutch This practice as it appeares in Tacitus was derived to our Saxons from the ancient Germans Teutonibus priscis patrios succedit in agros Mascula stirps omnis ne foret ulla potens 'Mongst the old Teuch lest one o'retop his breed To his Sire's land doth every son succeed It appeareth that in the eighteenth year of King Henry the sixth there were not above fourty persons in Kent but all their land was held in this tenure But on the petition of divers Gentlemen this custome was altered by Act of Parliament in the 31. of King Henry the eighth and Kentish-lands for the most part reduced to an uniformitie with the rest in England DOVER-COURT All speakers and no hearers There is a Village in Essex not far from Harwich called Dover-Court formerly famous for a Rood burnt in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth But I take it here to be taken for some Tumultuous Court kept at Dover the Consluence of many Blustering Sea-men who are not easily ordered into awful attention The Proverb is applyed to such irregular conferences wherein the People are all Tongue and no Eares parallel to the Latine Proverb Cyclopum Respublica being thus charactered that therein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Father to the Bough The Son to the Plough That is though the Father be executed for his Offence the Son shall neverthelesse succeed to his Inheritance In this County if a Tenant in Fee-simple of Lands in Gavel-kind commit Felony and suffer the judgement of Death therefore the Prince shall have all his Chattels for a forfeiture But as touching the Land he shall neither have the Escheat of it though it be immediately holden of himself nor the Day year and Wast if it be holden of any other for in that case the Heir notwithstanding the offence of his Ancestor shall enter immediately and enjoy the lands after the same Customes and services by which they were holden before In assurance whereof the former Proverb is become Currant in this County But this Rule holdeth in case of Felony and of Murther onely and not in case of Treason nor peradventure in Piracy and other Felonies made by Statutes of later times because the custome cannot take hold of that which then was not in being It holdeth moreover in case where the offender is justiced by Order of Law and not where he withdraws himself after the fault coÌ„mitted and will not abide his lawful trial TENTERDENS Steeple is the Cause of the Breacâ—… in Goodwyn Sands It is used Commonly in derision of such who being demanded to render a reason of some inportant Accident assign Non causam pro causa or a Ridiculous and improbable cause thereof and hereon a story depends When the Vicinage in Kent met to consult about the Inundation of Goodwyn sands and what might be the Cause thereof an Old man imputed it to the building of Tenterden Steeple in this County for those sands said he were firme Lands before that steeple was built which ever since were overflown with Sea-water Hereupon all heartily laughed at his unlogical Reason making that the effect in Nature which was only the consequent in time not flowing from but following after the building of that steeple But One story is good till another is heard Though this be all whereon this Proverb is generally grounded I met since with a * supplement thereunto It is this Time out of mind mony was constantly collected out of this County to fence the East bancks thereof against the eruption of the Seas And such Sums were deposited in the hands of the Bishop of Rochester But because the Sea had been very quiet for many years without any encroachings The Bishop commuted that money to the building of a Steeple and endowing of a Church in Tenterden By this diversion of the Collection for the maintenance of the Banks the Sea afterwards brake in upon Goodwyn Sands And now the old man had told a rational tale had he found but the due favour to finish it And thus sometimes that is causelesly accounted ignorance in the speaker which is nothing but impatience in the Auditors unwilling to attend the end of the discourse A Jack of Dover I find the first mention of this Proverb in our English Ennius Chaucer in his Proeme to the Cook And many a Jack of Dover he had sold Which had been two times hot and two times cold This is no Fallacy but good Policy in an houshould to lengthen out the Provision thereof and though lesse toothsome may be wholsome enough But what is no false Logick in a Family is false Ethicks in an Inn or Cooks-shop to make the abused Guest to pay after the rate of New and Fresh for meat at the second and third hand Parallel to this is the Latine Proverb crambe bis cocta crambe being a kind of Colewort which with vinegar being raw is good boiled better twice boiled noysome to the Palat and nauceous to the stomach Both Proverbs are appliable to such who grate the ears of their Auditors with ungratefull Tautologies of what is worthlesse in it selse tolerable as once uttered in the notion of Novelty but abominable if repeated for the tediousnesse thereof Princes JOHN of ELTHAM Second Son to King Edward the Second by Isabell his Queen was born at Eltham in this County He was afterwards created Earle of Cornwal A spritely Gentleman and who would have given greater evidence of abilities if not prevented by death in the prime of his age He dyed in Scotland in the tenth yeare of the reign of King Edward the Third Be it observed that hitherto the younger Sons to our English Kings were never advanced Higher than Earls Thus Richard Second son to King Iohn never had higher English Honour then the Earle of Cornwel though at the same time he were King of the Romans But this Iohn of Eltham was the last Son of an English King who dyed a plain Earl the Title of Duke coming aâ—…erwards into fashion Hence it was that all the younger Sons of Kings were from this time forwards Created Dukes except expiring in their infancy BRIDGET of ELTHAM fourth Daughter of K Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Q. was born at Eltham in this County Observing her three eldest Sisters not over happy in their husbands she resolved to wed a Monastical life and no whit ambitious of the place of an Abbess became an ordinary votary in the Nunnery at Dartford in this County founded by K. Edward the 3. The time of her death is uncertain but this is certain that her dissolution hapned some competent time before the dissolution of that Nunnerie EDMUND youngest Son to King Henry the 7. and Elizabeth his Queen bearing the name of his Grand-father Edmund of Haddam was born at Greenwich in this County 1495. He was by his Father created Duke of Somerset and he dyed before he was full
County a place so named as it seems from some noxious and malignant herbs growing therein What the natural plants there may be I know not sure the moral ones are excellent which hath produced so many of the Honourable Family of the Wottons Of whom this Nicholas Doctor of Civil Laws bred in Oxford may be termed a Center of Remarkables so many met in his person 1. He was Dean of the two Metropolitan Churches of Canterbury and York 2. He was the first Dean of those Cathedrals 3. He was Privy Councellor to four successive Soveraigns King Henry the eight King Edward the sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth 4. He was employed Thirteen several times in Embassies to forraign Princes Now because there are some of so diffident Natures that they will believe no total summe except they peruse the particulars let them satisfie themselves with what followeth Five times to Charls the fifth Emperor Once to Philip his Son King of Spain Once to Francis the first King of France Once to Mary Queen of Hungary Governess of the Netherlands Twice to William Duke of Clive Once to renew the peace between England France and Scotland Anno Dom. 1540. Again to the same purpose at Cambra 1549. Once sent Commissioner with others to Edinbourgh in Scotland 1560. We must not forget how in the first of Queen Elizabeth the Archbishoprick of Canterbury was proffered unto and refused by him He died January the twenty sixth Anno Dom. 1566. being about seventy years of age and was buried in Canterbury GILES FLETCHER brother of Richard Fletcher Bishop of London was born in this County as I am credibly informed He was bred first in Eaton then in Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he became Doctor of Law A most excellent Poet a quality hereditary to his two Sons Giles and Phineas Commissioner into Scotland Germany and the Low-Countries for Queen Elizabeth and her Embassador into Russia Secretary to the City of London and Master of the Court of Requests His Russian Embassie to settle the English Merchandise was his master-piece to Theodor Juanowich Duke of Muscovia He came thither in a dangerous juncture of time viz. in the end of the year 1588. First some forraigners I will not say they were the Hollanders envying thâ—… free Trade of the English had done them bad offices Secondly a false report was generally believed that the Spanish Armado had worsted the English Fleet and the Duke of Muscovy who measured his favour to the English by the possibility he apprehended of their returning it grew very sparing of his smiles not to say free of his frowns on our Merchants residing there However our Doctor demeaned himself in his Embassie with such cautiousness that he not only escaped the Dukes fury but also procured many priviledges for our English Merchants exemplified in Mr. Hackluit Returning home and being safely arrived at London he sent for his intimate friend Mr. Wayland Prebendary of S. Pauls and Senior Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Tutor to my Father from whose mouth I received this report with whom he heartily exprest his thankfulnesse to God for his safe return from so-great a danger for the Poets cannot fansie Ulrsses more glad to be come out of the Den of Polyphemus than he was to be rid out of the power of such a barbarous Prince who counting himself by a proud and voluntary mistake Emperour of all Nations cared not for the Law of all Nations and who was so habited in blood that had he cut off this Embassadors head he and his friends might have sought their own amends but the question is where he would have found it He afterwards set forth a Book called The Russian Commonwealth expressing the Government or Tyranny rather thereof wherein saith my Author are many things most observable But Queen Elizabeth indulging the reputation of the Duke of Muscovy as a confederate Prince permitted not the publick printing of that which such who have private Copies know to set the valuation thereon I cannot attain the certain date of his death Physicians ROBERT FLOID who by himself is latined Robertus de Fluctibus was born in this County and that of a Knightly Family as I am informed bred as I take it in Oxford and beyond the Seas A deep Philosopher and great Physician who at last fixed his habitation in Fan-Church-Street London He was of the Order of the Rosa-Crucians and I must confesse my self ignorant of the first Founder and Sanctions thereof perchance none know it but those that are of it Sure I am that a Rose is the sweetest of Flowers and a Cross accounted the sacredest of forms or figures so that much of eminency must be imported in their composition His Books written in Latine are great many and mystical The last some impute to his Charity clouding his high matter with dark language left otherwise the lustre thereof should dazle the understanding of the Reader The same phrases he used to his Patients and seeing conceit is very contributive to the well working of Physick their fancy or faith-natural was much advanced by his elevated expressions His works are for the English to sleight or admire for French and Forraigners to understand and use not that I account them more judicious than our own Countrymen but more inquiring into such difficulties The truth is here at home his Books are beheld not so good as Chrystal which some say are prized as precious pearls beyond the Seas But I conclude all with the Character which my worthy though concealed Friend thus wrote upon him Lucubrationibus quas solebat edere profusissimas semper visus est plus sumere laboris quam Populares nostri volebant fructum quia hunc fere negligebant prae tedio legendi prejudicio quodam oleam perdendi operamque ob CABALAM quam scripta ejus dicebantur olere magis quam PERIPATUM ob ferventius hominis ingenium in quo plerique requirebant Judicium He died on the eighth of September Anno Dom. 1637. WILLIAM HARVEY Son of Thomas Harvey was born at Folkston in this County His Father had a Week of Sons whereof this William bred to learning was the eldest his other brethren being bound Apprentices in London and all at last ended in effect in Merchants They got great Estates and made their Father the Treasurer thereof who being as skilful to purchase Land as they to gain Money kept employed and improved their gainings to their great advantage so that he survived to see the meanést of them of far greater estate than himself Our William was bred in Caius Colledge in Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Physick Five years also he studied at Padua making a good Composition of Forraign and Domestick learning So that afterwards he was for many years Physician to King Charles the First And not only Doctor Medecinae but Doctor Medicorum For this was he that first found out the Circulation of the Blood an
Sir VVilliam was made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Richard the Third He married one of the Daughters and Co-heirs of Thomas Butler Earl of Ormond by whom besides four Daughters married into the Worshipful and Wealthy Families of Shelton Calthrop Clere and Sackvil he had Sir Tho. Boleyn Earle of VViltshire of whom hereafter 10. JOH PEACH Arm. This year Perkin VVarbeck landed at Sandwich in this County with a power of all Nations contemptible not in their number or courage but nature and fortune to be feared as well of Friends as Enemies as fitter to spoil a coast than recover a country Sheriff Peach knighted this year for his good service with the Kentish Gentry acquitted themselves so valiant and vigilant that Perkin shâ—…unk his horns back again into the shell of his ships About 150. of his men being taken and brought up by this Sheriff to London some were executed there the rest on the Sea Coasts of Kent and the neighbouring Counties for Sea-marks to teach Perkin's people to avoid such dangerous shoars Henry the Eighth 5 JOH NORTON Mil. He was one of the Captains who in the beginning of the Raign of King Henry the eight went over with the 1500. Archers under the conduct of Sir Edward Poynings to assist Margaret Dutchesse of Savoy Daughter to Maximillian the Emperour and Governesse of the Low-Countries against the incursions of the Duke of Guelders where this Sir John was knighted by Charles young Prince of Castile and afterwards Emperor He lieth buried in Milton Church having this written on his Monument Pray for the souls of Sir John Norton Knight and Dame Joane his Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs of John Norwood Esq who died Febr. 8. 1534. 7. THOMAS CHEYNEY Arm. He was afterward knighted by King Henry the Eighth and was a spriteful Gentleman living and dying in great honour and estimation a Favourite and Privy Counsellor to four successive Kings and Queens in the greatest â—…urn of times England ever beheld as by this his Epitaph in Minster Church in the Isle of Shepey will appear Hic jacet Dominus Thomas Cheyney inclitissimi ordinis Garterii Miles Guarduanus quinque Portuum ac Thesaurarius Hospitii Henrici octavi ac Edwardi sexti Regum Reginaeque Mariae ac Elizabethae ac eorum in secretis Consiliarius qui obiit mensis Decembris Anno Dom. M. D.L.IX ac Reg. Reginae Eliz. primo 11. JOHN WILTSHIRE Mil. He was Controller of the Town and Marches of Calis Anno 21. of King Henry the Seventh He founded a fair Chappel in the Parish of Stone wherein he lieth entombed with this Inscription Here lieth the bodies of Sir John Wiltshire Knight and of Dame Margaret his Wife which Sir John died 28. Decemb. 1526. And Margaret died of Bridget his sole Daughter and Heir was married to Sir Richard VVingfield Knight of the Garter of whom formerly in Cambridge-shire 12. JOHN ROPER Arm. All the memorial I find of him is this Inscription in the Church of Eltham Pray for the soul of Dame Margery Roper late VVife of John Roper Esquire Daughter and one of the Heirs of John Tattersall Esquire who died Febr. 2. 1518. Probably she got the addition of Dame being Wife but to an Esquire by some immediate Court-attendance on Katharine first Wife to King Henry the Eighth King James 3. MOILE FINCH Mil. This worthy Knight married Elizabeth sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas Heneage Vice Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster She in her Widowhood by the special favour of King James was honoured Vicounâ—…ess Maidston unprecedented save by One for this hundred years and afterwards by the great Grace of King Charles the First created Countesse of VVinchelsey both Honors being entailed on the Issue-male of her Body to which her Grand-Child the Right Honourable Heneage lately gone Embassador to Constantinople doth succeed The Farewell Having already insisted on the Courage of the Kentish-men and shown how in former Ages the leading of the Van-guard was intrusted unto their magnanimity we shall conclude our Description of this Shire praying that they may have an accession of Loyalty unto their Courage not that the Natives of Kent have acquitted themselves less Loyal than those of other Shires but seeing the one will not suffer them to be idle the other may guide them to expend their Ability for Gods glory the defence of his Majesty and maintenance of true Religion CANTERBURY CANTERBURY is a right ancient City and whilest the Saxon Hâ—…ptar chy flourished was the chief seat of the Kings of Kent Here Thomas Becket had his death Edward surnamed the Black Prince and King Henry the Fourth their Interment The Metropolitan Dignity first conferred by Gregory the Great on London was for the Honour of Augustine afterwards bestowed on this City It is much commended by William of Malmesbury for its pleasant scituation being surrounded with a fertile soil well wooded and commodiously watered by the River Stoure from whence it is said to have had its name Durwhern in British a swift River It is happy in the vicinity of the Sea which affordeth plenty of good Fish Buildings CHRIST CHURCH First dedicated and after 300. years intermission to Saint Thomas Becket restored to the honour of our Saviour is a stately structure being the performance of several successive Arch-Bishops It is much adorned with glasse Windows Here they will tell you of a foraign Embassador who proffered a vast price to transport the East Window of the Quire beyond the Seas Yet Artists who commend the Colours condemn the Figures therein as wherein proportion is not exactly observed According to the Maxime Pictures are the Books painted windows were in the time of Popery the Library of Lay men and after the Conquest grew in general use in England It is much suspected Aneyling of Glass which answereth to Dying in grain in Drapery especially of Yellow is lost in our age as to the perfection thereof Anciently Colours were so incorporated in Windows that both of them lasted and faded together Whereas our modern Painting being rather on than in the Glass is fixed so faintly that it often changeth and sometimes falleth away Now though some being only for the innocent White are equal enemies to the painting of Windows as Faces conceiving the one as great a Pander to superstition as the other to wantonnesse Yet others of as much zeal and more knowledge allow the Historical uses of them in Churches Proverbs Canterbury-Tales So Chaucer calleth his Book being a collection of several Tales pretended to be told by Pilgrims in their passage to the Shrine of Saint Thomas in Canterbury But since that time Canterbury-Tales are parallel to Fabulae Milestae which are Charactered Nec verae nec verisimiles meerly made to marre precious time and please fanciful people Such are the many miracles of Thomas Becket some helpful though but narrow as only for private conveniency
she was a Kings Daughter none I hope will grudge his memory a room in this Book were it only because he was an Earles Brother He dyed Anno 1515. HEâ—…RY STANDISH was as I have just cause to conclude extracted from the Standishes of Standish in this County bred a Franoiscan and Dr. of Divinity in Cambridge and afterwards made Bishop of S. Asaph I neither believe him so Good as Pitz doth character him pietate doctrina clarum nor so bad as Bale doth decry him making him a doteing Fool. Sure I am there was Impar congressus betwixt him and Erasmus as unequal a Contest as betwixt a Childe and Man not to say Dwarf and 〈◊〉 This Standâ—… is said to have fallen down on his knees before King Henry the Eighth petitioning him to continue Religion established by his Ancesters and 〈◊〉 into Maâ—…ers of Divinity he cited the Colâ—…s for the Corinthians which being but a Memory-mistake in an Aged Person needed not to have exposed him so much as it did to the laughter of the Standers by After he had sate 16 years Bishop of St. 〈◊〉 he died very aged 1535. JOHN CHRISTOPHERSON was born in this County bred first in Pembrook Hall then Fellow of St. Johns and afterwards Master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge an excellent Scholar and Linguist especially I have seen a Greek Tragedy made and written by his own hand so curiously that it seemed printed and presented to K. Henry the eight He no lesse eleganly if faithfullly translated Philo and 〈◊〉 into Latine Besides his own benefaction to the Masters Lodgings and 〈◊〉 he was highly instrumental in moving Queen Mary to her magnificent bounty to Trinity Colledge In the visitation of Cambridge he was very active in burning the bones of 〈◊〉 being then Elect Bishop of Chichester scarcely continuing a year in that Place All expected that at his first coming into his Diocesse he should demean himself very favourably For why should not the Poets Observation of Princes be true also of Prelates Mitissima sors est Regnorum sub Rege novo Subjects commonly do finde New made Soveraigns most kinde But he had not so much mercy as Nero to begin courteously having no sooner put on his Episcopal Ring but presently he washed his hands in the blood of poor Martyrs whereof in due * Place In the First of Qu. Elizabeth he was deprived and kept in some restraint wherein he dyed about the Year 1560. Since the Reformation JAMES PILKINTON D.D. was the third Son of James Pilkinton of Rivington in this County Esq. a Right ancient Family being informed by my good Friend Master William Ryley Norrey and this Countryman that the Pilkintons were Gentlemen of repute in this Shire before the conquest when the chief of them then sought for was fain to disguise himself a Thresher in a barn Hereupon partly alluding to the 〈◊〉 of the flail falling sometime on the one sometime on the other side partly to himself embracing the safest condition for the present he gave for the Motto of his Armes Now thus Now thus This James bred fellow of St. Johns in Cambridge was in the First of Qu. Mary forced to fly into Germany where he wrote a Comment on Ecclesiastes and both the Epistles of St. Peter after his return in the First of Qu. Elizabeth he was chosen Master of St. Johns and March the 2d 1560. was consecrated Bishop of Durham Nine Years after the Northern Rebels came to Durham and first tore the Bible then the English Liturgy in pieces Unhappy though most innocent Book equally odious to opposite parties such who account the Papists Heretiques esteeming it popish whilest the Papists themselves account it heretical The Bishop had fared no better than the book could he have been come by But when the Rebellion was suppress'd the Bishop commenced a Suit against Qu. Elizabeth for the Lands and Goods of the Rebels attainted in the Bishoprick as forfeited to him by his Charter and had prevailed if the Parliament had not itnerposed and on special consideration pro hoc tempore adjudged them to the Queen He dyed Anno Dom. 1576. EDWIN SANDYS was born at Conisby in this County whose good actings great sufferings pious life and peaceable death 1588. are plentifully related in our Church History RICHARD BARNES was borne at Bolde near Warrington in this County bred in Brasen-Nose Colledg in Oxford and afterwards advanced Suffragan Bishop of Nottingham thence he was preferred to Carlile 1570. and seven years after to Durham He was himself One of a good nature as by the sequele will appear but abused by his Credulity and affection to his Brother John Barnes Chancellour of his Diocesse A Man of whom it is hard to say whether he was more Lustfull or more Covetous who where as he should have been the man who ought to have reformed many Enormities in the Diocess was indeed the Authour of them permitting base and dishonest Persons to escape scot-free for a piece of mony so that the Bishop had a very ill report every where By the suggestion of this ill instrument the Patriarchall man Mr. Gilpin fell into this Bishops Displeasure and by him was suspended from his Benefice But the good Bishop afterwards restored him and visiting him at his house took him aside into the Parlour and thus accosted him Father Gilpin I acknowledge you are fitter to be Bishop of Durham then my self to be Parson of this Church of yours I ask forgiveness for Errors passed forgive me Father I know you have hatched up some Chickens that now seek to pick out your Eyes but so long as I shall live Bishop of Durham be secure no man shall injure you This Bishop sate about Eleven years in his See and dyed a very aged man a little before the Spanish Invasion Anno Dom. 1588. JOHN WOOLTON was born at Wiggin in this County of honest Parents and worshipful by his mothers side He was bred a short time in Oxford and in the reign of Queen Mary attended his Unkle Alexander Nowell in his flight beyond the Seas Returning into England he was made first Cannon Residentiary and after Anno 1579. Bishop of Exeter being an earnest assertor of Conformity against opposers thereof He met whilst living with many hard speeches but after his death when mens memories are beheld generally in their true colours he was restored to his deserved esteem even by those who formerly had been his adversaries He indited Letters full of Wisdome and Piety becoming the strength of one in health not two hours before his death which happened March the 13. Anno 1593. It is a part though not of his Praise of his happiness that his Daughter was married to Francis Godwin Bishop of Hereford whose Learned pen hath deserved so well of the Church of England MATTHEVV HUTTON I have given a large account of him formerly in my Ecclesiastical History However having
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
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
they will not take twenty lines together from any Author without acknowledging it in the Margin conceiving it to be the fault of a Plagearie Yet the same Criticks repute it no great guilt to seize a whole Manuscript if they can conveniently make themselves the Masters though not Owners thereof in which Act none can excuse them though we have had too many Precedents hereof This Laurence died Anno Dom. 1410. BERTRAM FITZALIN Finding him charactered Illustri stemmate oriundus I should have suspected him a Sussex man and Allied to the Earls of Arundell had not another Author positively informed me he was patria Lincolniensis bred B. D. in Oxford and then lived a Carmelite in the City of Lincolne Here he built a faire Library on his and his freinds cost and furnish'd it with books some of his own making but more purchased He lived well beloved and dyed much lamented the seventeenth of March 1424. Writers since the Reformation EDMUND SHEFFEILD descended from Robert Sheffeild Recorder of London Knighted by King Henry the Seventh 1496 for his good Service against the Rebells at Black-Heath was born at Butterwick in the Isle of Axholm in this Country and was by King Edward the sixth Created Baron thereof Great his Skill in Musick who wrote a Book of Sonnets according to the Italian fashion He may seem Swan like to have sung his own Funeral being soon after Slaine or Murthered rather in a skirmish against the Rebells in Norwich first unhorsed and cast into a ditch and then Slaughtered by a Butcher who denyed him Quarter 1449. He was direct Anchester to the hopeful Earl of Moulgrave PETER MORVVING was born in this County and bred fellow of Magdalen Colledg in Oxford Here I cannot but smile at the great Praise which I Pitz bestoweth upon him Vir omni Latini sermonis elegantia bellè instructus qui scripta quaedam tum versu tum Prosa tersè nitidèque composuisse perhibetur It plainly appeareth he mistook him for one of his own perswasion and would have retracted this Caracter and beshrewed his own fingers for writing it had he known him to have been a most Cordial Protestant Nor would he have afforded him the Phrase of Claruit sub Philippo et Mariâ who under their Reigns was forced for his Conscience to fly into Germany where he supported himself by Preaching to the English Exiles I find not what became of him after his return into England in the Reigne of Queen Elizabeth ANTHONY GILBY was born in this County and bred in Christs Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to great skill in the three learned languages But which gave him the greatest Reputation with Protestants was that in the Reign of Queen Mary he had been an Exile at Geneva for his Conscience Returning into England he became a feirce fiery and furious opposer of the Church Discipline established in England as in our Ecclesiasticall History may appear The certaine date of his death is to me unknown JOHN FOX was born at Boston in this County and bred Fellow in Magdalen Colledg in Oxford He fled beyond the Seas in the Reign of Queen Mary where he set forth the first and least edition of the Book of Martyrs in Latine and afterwards returning into England inlarged and twice revised the same in our own language The story is sufficiently known of the two Servants whereof the one told his Master he would do every thing the other which was even Esop himself said he could do nothing rendering this reason because his former fellow servant would leave him nothing to do But in good earnest as to the particular subject of our English Martyrs Mr. Fox hath done every thing leaving posterity nothing to work upon and to those who say he hath overdone somthing we have returned our answer before He was one of Prodigious Charity to the poor seeing nothing could bound his bounty but want of mony to give away but I have largely written of his life and death in my Church History THOMAS SPARKS D. D. was born at South Sommercot in this County bred in Oxford and afterwards became Minister of Bleachley in Buckingham-shire An Impropriation which the Lord Gray of Wilton whose dwelling was at Whaddon hard-by Restored to the Church He was a solid Divine and Learned man as by his Works still extant doth appear At first he was a Non-conformist and therefore was chosen by that party as one of their Champions in the Conference of Hampton Court Yet was he wholy silent in that Disputation not for any want of Ability but because as afterwards it did appear he was Convinced in his Conscience at that Conference of the lawfullness of Ceremonies so that some accounted him King James's Convert herein He afterwards set forth a book of Unity and Uniformity and died about the year of our Lord 1610. Doctor TIGHE was born at Deeping in this County bred as I take it in the University of Oxford He afterwards became Arch Deacon of Middlesex and Minister of Alhallowes Barking London He was an excellent Textuary and profound Linguist the reason why he was imployed by King James in translating of the Bible He dyed as I am informed by his Nephew about the year of our Lord 1620. leaving to John Tighe his Son of Carby in this County Esquire an Estate of one thousand pounds a year and none I hope have cause to envy or repine thereat FINES MORISON Brother to Sir Richard Morison Lord President of Munster was born in this County of worshipfull extraction and bred a fellow in Peter-house in Cambridge He began his Travels May the first 1591 over a great part of Christendome and no small share of Turky even to Jerusalem and afterwards Printed his Observations in a large book which for the truth thereof is in good Reputation For of so great a Traveller he had nothing of a Traveller in him as to stretch in his reports At last he was Secretary to Charles Blunt Deputy of Ireland saw and wrote the Conflicts with and Conquest of Tyrone a discourse which deserveth credit because the Writers cye guide his pen and the privacy of his place acquainted him with many secret passages of Importance He dyed about the year of our Lord 1614. Benefactors to the Publique Having formerly presented the Reader with two Eminent ones Bishop Wainfleit Founder of New Colledge and Bishop Fox Founder of Corpus Christi in Oxford He if but of an ordinary appetite will be plentifully feasted therewith so that we may proceed to those who were Since the Reformation WILLIAM RATCLIFF Esq And four times Alderman of the Town of Stamford died Anno Dom. 1530. Gave all his Messuages Lands and Tenements in the Town to the Maintenance of a Free-School therein which Lands for the present yeild thirty pounds per Annum or there-abouts to a School-Master and Usher I am informed that an Augmentation was since
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
revenge of the most high God suddenly arising by breaking asunder the buildings of the houses brake their cruel assaults and weakned their forces This if literally true deserved a down-right and not only so slenting a mention But hitherto meeting it in no other Author I begin to suspect it ment Metaphorically of some consternation of mind wherewith God's restraining grace charmed the adversaries of the truth Bankinus flourished under King Richard the second Anno 1382. ROBERT IVORY was saith Leland none of the meanest Natives of this City a Carmelite and President General of his Order D. D. in Cambridge He wrote several books and Prece Precio procured many more wherewith he adorned the Library of White-Fryars in Fleet-street He dyed November the fifth 1392. JULIANA BARNES was born ex antiquâ illustri domo Understand it not in the sense wherein the same was said of a certain Pope born in a ruinous Cottage where the Sun did shine through the Rotten Walls and Roof thereof But indeed she was descended of a respective Family though I not able to find the place am fain to use my Marginal Mark of greatest uncertainty She was the Diana of her Age for Hunting and Hawking skilful also in Fishing and wrote three books of these Exercises commending the practise thereof to the Gentry of England The City of Leyden is scited in the very bottom of the Low-Countries so that the water setled their would be soon subject to putrefaction were it not by Engins forced up that it might fall and so by constant motion kept from corruption Idleness will betray Noble mens minds to the same mischief if some ingenious industry be not used for their imployment Our Julian also wrot a book of Heraldry Say not the needle is the most proper pen for the woman and that she ought to meddle with making no Coats save such as Dorcas made for the widows seeing their Sex may be not only pardoned but praised for such lawful diversions No Gentleman will severely censure the faults in her 〈◊〉 but rather imitate Julius Scaliger who passing his verdict on all Poets and coming to do the like on Sulpitia a Roman Poetress living under Domitian thus courteously concludeth Ut tam 〈◊〉 Heroinae ratio habeatur non ausim objicere ei judicii severitatem She flourished Anno Domini 1460. under King Henry the sixth ROBERT FABIAN was born and bred in this City whereof he became Sheriff 1493. Treating his Guests with good chear and wellcome he doubled his dishes with pleasant discourse being an excellent Historian witness two Chronicles of his own writing 1. From Brutus to the death of King Henry the second 2. From the first of K. Richard to the death of K. Henry the seventh He was also an excellent Poet both in Latine French and English A Modern Master wit in the contest betwixt the Poets of our age for the Laurel maketh Apollo to adjudge it to an Alderman of London because to have most wealth was a sign of most wit But had the Scene of this competition been laid seven score years since and the same remitted to the umpirage of Apollo in sober sadness he would have given the Laurel to this our Alderman As for his Histories if the whole strain of them doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be indulged to him that followed the genius of his own education He died at London 1512. and was buried in the Church of All-hallows where he hath a tedious and barbarous Epitaph as commonly Reader I should be glad to have my observation confuted who hath worse Poetry then Poets on their Monuments After his death Cardinal Wolsey caused so many Copies of his Book as he could come by to be burnt because therein he had opened the Coffers of the Church too wide and made too clear discovery of the Revenues of the Clergy THOMAS LUPSET was born in this City and was related to most English and some forraign learned eminencies of his age 1. Bred a child in the house of Dean â—…olet 2. Under W. Lilly in St. Pauls School 3. Sent to Oxford where he became Greek Professor 4 Resigns his place to his friend Ludovicus Vives 5. Travailed into Italy and at Padua was familiar with C. Pole 6. Was known unto Erasmus who giveth him this Character Hujus ingenio nihil gratius nihil amantius 7. Intended Divinity diverted by Cardinal Woolsy 8. At Paris was Tutor to Th. Winter a ward to the Cardinal 9. Returning into England was known to King Henry the eight 10. Began to grow into his favour when cut off with a Consumption 1532. in the prime of his life He died in London and lieth buried in the Church of Saint Alphage nigh Cripplegate without a monument Since the Reformation JOHN RASTALL was a Citizen and Printer of London by marriage a kin to Sir Thomas More and when the said Sir Thomas and Bishop Fisher wrote in defence of Purgatory to prove it by Scripture Rastall undertook to maintain it by reason Surely he that buy 's the two former books deserveth to have this last given him to make him a saver Some will say the former two indeavoured to prove the fire and Rastall the smoak of Purgatory But to pass by his works in Divinity he 〈◊〉 a good Mathematician and made a Comedy of Europe Asia and Africa which my Author saith was very witty and very large and I can believe the later seeing he had three parts of the world for his subject and how long would it have been had America been added He wrote a book against John Frith but afterwerds convinced with his adversaries arguements recanted it of his own accord the cause why we have placed him since the Reformation He wrote a book of the terms of Law and made an Index to Justice Fitz Herbert yea I behold this John as father to Rastall the famous Lawyer of whom before He died and was buried at London 1536. EDWARD HALL We may trace him from his cradle to his coffin as followeth 1. He was a Citizen of Londâ—…n by his birth 2. He was bred a Scholar at Eaton 3. Thence he removed and was one of the Foundation of Kings-colledge 4. Thence he went to Grays-Inn and studied the Municipal-law 5. He became common Serjeant of London for the well discharging whereof he 6 Was advanced to be one of the Judges in the Sheriffs Court 7. Wrote an elegant history of the wars of York and Lancaster from K. Henry the fourth till the end of King Henry the eight 8. Died a very aged man 1547. He was as by some passages in his book may appear in that age well affected to the Reformation He lieth buried in the Church of Saint Sithes contracted I think for Saint Osiths where I cannot recover any Epitaph upon him WILLIAM FULKE D. D. was born in this City bred first Fellow of
prayer before his Sermon usually consisted of one entire Allegory not driven but led on most proper in all particulars He was at last by exchange of his living setled in Suffolk which hath the best and worst aire in England best about Bury and worst on the Sea-side where Master Fleticher was beneficed His clownish and low parted Parishoners having nothing but their shoos high about them valued not their Pastour according to his worth which disposed him to melancholy and hastened his dissolution I behold the life of this learned Poet like those half-verses in Virgils Aeneids broken off in the middle seeing he might have doubled his days according to the ordinary course of nature whose death happened about the year 162. He had another brother Phineas Fletcher Fellow of Kings-colledge in Cambridge and beneficed also in Norfolk a most excellent Poet witness his Purple Island and several other pieces of great ingenuity JOHN DONNE was born in this City of wealthy parentage extracted out of Wales one of an excellent wit large travail and choice experience After many vicissitudes in his youth his reduced age was honoured with the Doctorship of Divinity and Denary of Saint Pauls Should I endeavour to deliver his exact character who willingly would not doe any wrong should do a fourfold injury 1. To his worthy memory whose merit my pen is unable to express 2. To my self in undertaking what I am not sufficient to perform 3. To the Reader first in raising then in frustrating his expectation 4. To my deservedly honored friend Master Isaac Walton by whom his life is so learnedly written It is enough for me to observe he died March 31. Anno Dom. 1631. and lieth buried in Saint Pauls under an ingenious and choice monument neither so costly as to occasion envy nor so common as to cause contempt Romish Exile Writers JOHN HEIWOOD was born in London and was most familiar with Sir Thomas More whom he much resembled in quickness of parts both undervaluing their friend to their jest and having Ingenium non edentulum sed mordax I may safely write of him what he pleasantly writes of himself that he applied mirth more then thrift many mad plays and did few good works He hath printed many English proverbial Epigrams and his Monumenta Literaria are said to be non tam labore condita quà m lepore condita He was highly in favour with Queen Mary and after her death fled for Religion beyond the seas It is much that one so Fancyful should be so conscientious He lived and for ought I find died at Mechlin about the year 1566. Gasper Heiwood his son was a great Jesuit and executed here in Q. Elizabeths raign MAURICE CHAMNEE most probably born in this City was bred a Friar in Charter-house now called Suttons Hospital He was imprisoned for refusing the Oath of Supremacy with 18. of his Order all which lost their lives for their obstinacy whilst our Maurice like Jobs messenger only escaped alone to tell of his fellows misfortune and write the history of the execution Some of Chamnee's party report to his praise that Martyrdome was only wanting to him and not he to Martyrdome Others more truly tax him for warping to the Will of King Henry the eighth not so much to decline his own death as to preserve his Covent from destruction who sped in the first and failed in the latter However fearing some afterclaps he fled beyond the Seas passing the rest of his life in the Low-Countries dying Anno Dom. 1581. EDMUND CAMPIAN was born in this City and bred Fellow in Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford where he became Proctor Anno 1568. when Queen Elizabeth visited that University being made Deacon by the Protestant Church he afterwards renounced that Order and fled beyond the Seas A man of excellent parts though he who rod post to tell him so might come too late to bring him tidings thereof being such a valuer of himself that he swelled every drop of his ability into a bubble by his vain ostentation And indeed few who were reputed Scholars had more of Latine or less of Greek then he had He was sent over with Father Parsons into England to reduce it to the Church of Rome to this purpose he set forth his Ten Reasons so purely for Latine so plainly and pithily penned that they were very taking and fetch'd over many Neuters before to his perswasion It was not long before he was caught by the Setters of the Secretary Walsingham and brought to the Tower where one of his own Religion saith that he was exquisitissimis cruciatibus tortus rack'd with most exquisite torments Yet the Lieutenant of the Tower truly told him that he had rather seen then felt the rack being so favourably used therein that being taken off he did presently go to his lodging without help and used his hands in writing Besides as Campian confess'd he was not examined upon any point of Religion but only upon matters of State Some days after he was ingaged in four solemn disputations to make good that bold challenge he had made against all Protestants Place Auditors Time Opposers Questions Campians answer The Chappel in the Tower The Lieutenant of the Tower Mr. Bele Clerk of the Counsel withmany Protestants and Papists 1581 August 31 Alexander Nowell Dean of Pauls 1. Whether the Protestants had cut off many goodly and principal parts of Scripture from the body thereof Affirmative   Septem 18 William Day Dean of Windsor 2. Whether the Catholick Church be not properly invisible Negative   23 William Fulk D. D. 3. Whether Christ be in the Sacrament Substantially very God and Man in his Natural Body Affirmative   27 Roger Goad D. D. 4. Whether after the Consecration the Bred Wine are Transubstantiated Negative    William Fulk D. D. 5. Whether the Scriptures contain sufficient Doctrine for our Salvation     Roger Goad D. D. 6. Whether Faith only justifyeth     John Walker      William Clarke   An Authentick Author giveth this unpartial account of Campian in his Disputation ad disputandum productus expectationem concitatam aegre sustinuit and in plain truth no man did ever boast more when he put on his Armour or had cause to boast less when he put it off Within few days the Queen was necessitated for her own security to make him the subject of severity by whose laws he was executed in the following December Benefactors to the Publike THOMAS POPE Knight was born in this City as my worthy friend Doctor Seth Ward the Head and others of the Society of Trinity colledge in Oxford have informed me I behold him as fortunae suae fabrum the Smith who by Gods blessing hammered out his own fortune without any Patrimonial advantage Indeed he lived in an Age which one may call the harvest of wealth wherein any that
whence I conclude him an obscure person and this Lady rather married then match'd such the distance betwixt their degrees Probably this Cecily consulting her comfort more then her credit did it of design so to be beneath the jealousie of King Henry the seventh She left no children and the date of her death is uncertain CHARLES the second son to King Charles the first of Blessed Memory and Mary youngest daughter to Henry the fourth King of France was born at Saint James's May 29. 1630. Great was the general rejoycing thereat The University of Oxford congratulated his birth with printed Poems and it was taken ill though causelesly by some that Cambridge did not do the like for then the Wits of the University were sadly distracted into several Counties by reason of the plague therein And I remember Cambridge modestly excused herself in their Poem made the year after at the birth of the Lady Mary and it will not be amiss to insert and translate one Tetrastick made by my worthy friend Quod fuit ad nixus Academia muta priores 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Carolus aegra fuit Spe veniente novâ si tunc tacuisset amores Non tantùm morbo digna sed illa mori Prince Charles forgive me that my silent quill Joy'd not thy birth alas sore sick was I. New hopes now come had I been silent still I should deserve both to be sick and die His birth was accompanied with two notable accidents in the heavens The star Venus was visible all day long as sometime it falls out neer her greatest Elongation And two dayâ—… after there was an Ecclipse of the Sun about eleven digits observed by the greatest Mathematicians And now Reader give me leave to be silent my self and present thee with the expressions of a most ingenious Gentleman To behold this babe heaven it self seemed to open one Eye more then ordinary Such Asterisks and Celelestial Signatures affixt to times so remarkable as this usually are 〈◊〉 prophetically hinting and pointing out somewhat future of eminent contingency Yea such have since been the occurrences in the life of this pious Prince that rightly considered they will appear not onely eminent above the common standard of actions but full of miracle and amazement He was on the 1. of January 1650. at Scoon Crowned King of Scotland Being before invaded by an Army under the conduct of O. C. Soon after quitting that Kingdome he marched for England and on the 3. of September 1651. nigh Worcester was fought and lost the day though he to use my Authors expression acted beyond the expectation of his friends and to the great applause of his very enemies Narrow search was made after his person yea a thousand pounds a bait his politique enemies made sure would have been bit at promised to such who should betray him Yet God whose Angels â—… were his Life-guard miraculously preserving him out of the hands of his enemies he safely passed over into France to the Queen his mother During his continuance beyond the Seas great were the proffers tendered unto him if forsaking the Protestant Religion but alas as soon might the impotent waves remove the most sturdy rocks as they once unfix him such his constancy whom neither the frowns of his afflictions nor smiles of secular advantages could make to warp from his first principles At length his piety and Patience were rewarded by God with a happy restitution to his undoubted Dominions and he after a long and tedious exile landed at Dover May 25. 1660. to the great joy of his three Kingdomes A Prince whose vertues I should injure if endeavouring their contraction within so narrow a scantling And yet I cannot pass over that wherein he so much resembleth the King of Heaven whose Vicegerent he is I mean his merciful disposition doing good unto those who spightfully used and persecuted him And now it is my hearty prayer that God who appeared so wonderful in his Restauration would continue still Gracious to us in his Preservation confounding the plots of his adversaries that upon him and his posterity the Crown may flourish forever MARY eldest daughter of King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at Saint James's November 4. 1631. When her royal father out of his paternal love began to cast about for a fitting confort this Peerless Princess though tender in years rich in piety and wisdome made it her humble request she might be match'd as well in her religion as affection which happened answerable to her desires For not long after a marriage treated betwixt her and Count William of Nassau eldest son to Henry Prince of Orange was concluded and this royal pair wedded accordingly May 2. 1641. The February following having at Dover taken her leave of the King her Father the last time she ever saw him on earth she embarked for and within few days landed in Holland His Majesties affairs in England daily growing worse and worse at length the sad news of his horrid murder arrived at her eares this was seconded with the loss of her husband the Prince of Orange who deceased October 8. 1650. Yet such her signal patience that she underwent the weight of so many heavy afflictions sufficient to break the back of a mean Christian with a courage far surpassing the weakness of her sex But amidst these her calamities God was pleased to remember mercy blessing her the November ensuing with a hopeful son The complexion of the times being altered in England she came over to congratulate the happiness of her Brother his miraculous restitution When behold sickness arrests this royal Princess no bail being found by physick to defer the execution of her death which happened 1660. On the 31. of December following she was honourably though privately interred at Westminster in the Chappel of King Henry the seventh and no eye so dry but willingly afforded a tear to bemoan the loss of so worthy a Princess JAMES third son of King Charles and Queen Mary October was 13. 1633. born at Saint James's He was commonly stiled Duke of York though not solemnly created until January 27. 1643. At the rendition of Oxford he was taken Prisoner and some two years after through the assistance of one Colonel Bamfield made his escape landing safe in Holland Hence he went for France where he so prudently deported himself that he soon gained the favour and honour of the whole Court Yea such was this Princes valour and prowess that before arrived at the age of one and twenty years he was made Leiutenant General of the Forces of the King of France a thing which sounds highly to the esteem of this Duke being a sufficient argument as well of his Policy as Magnanimity seeing a wise head is equally required warily to consult as a stout heart resolutely to act for the due performance of that office This trust he discharged to the admiration of all atchieving so many Noble and Heroick exploits which rendred
him renow'd throughout the Christian world Yet such the bafeness and ingratitude of the French that concluding a Peace with O. C. the Usurper of England they wholy forgot his former services and consented to the expulsion of this Prince and his royal brothers out of that Kingdome 〈◊〉 valour cannot long lye neglected soon was he courted by Don John de Austria into Flanders where in the action at Dunkirk he far surpassed his former deeds often forgetting that he was a Prince to shew himself a true souldier such his hazarding his person really worth ten thousand of them to the great molestation of his true friends Since God out of his infinite love to the English hath safely returned this Duke to his native Country where that he may long live to be the joy and delight of the whole Nation I shall constantly beg of God in my daily devotions ELIZABETH second daughter of King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at Saint James's Anno 1635. on the 28. day of December She proved a Lady of parts above her age the quickness of her mind making recompence for the weakness of her body For the remainder of her life I will my hold peace and listen to my good friend Master John Buroughs thus expressing himself in a letter unto me The Princess Elizabeth with her Brother Henry Duke of Glocester being by order of parliament to be removed to Carisbroke-castle in the Isle of Wight where his Most Excellent Maiesty was lately a Prisoner were accordingly received by Mr. Anthony Mild may from the Earl and Countess of Leceister at Penshurst in Kent and began their unwilling journey on Friday 9. of August 1650. On the 16. of the same Month they were first lodged in Carisbroke-castle aforesaid The Princess being of a melancholy temper as affected above her age with the sad condition of her Family fell sick about the beginning of September following and continuâ—… 〈◊〉 for three or four days having onely the Advise of Doctor Bignall a worthy and able 〈◊〉 of Newport After very many rare ejaculatory expressions abundantly demonstrating her unparalelled Piety to the eternal honour of her own memory and the astonishment of those who waited on her she took leave of the world on Sunday the eighth of the same September Her body being embalmed was carefully disposed of in a Coffin of Lead and on the four 〈◊〉 twentieth of the said Month was brought in a Borrowed Coach from the Castle to the Town of Newport attended thither with her few late Servants At the end of the 〈◊〉 the Corps were met and waited on by the Mayor and Aldermen thereof in their formalities to the Church where about the middle of the East part of the Chancel in Saint Thomas 〈◊〉 Chappel her Highness was interr'd in a small Vault purposely made with an Inscription of the date of her death engraved on her Coffin The 〈◊〉 of Norway where a Winters day is hardly an hour of clear light are the 〈◊〉 of wing of any Foul under the firmament nature teaching them to bestir themselves to lengthen the shortness of the time with their swiftness Such the active piety of this Lady improving the little life alloted her in running the way of Gods Commandeâ—… 〈◊〉 third daughter to King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at 〈◊〉 James's March 17. Anno Domini 1637. She was a very pregnant Lady above 〈◊〉 and died in her infancy when not full four years old Being minded by those 〈◊〉 her to call upon God even when the pangs of death were upon her I am not able saith she to say my long prayer meaning the Lords-prayer but I will say my short one Lighten mine eyes O Lord lest I sleep the sleep of death this done the little lamb gave up the ghost KATHARINE fourth daughter to King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at White hall the Queen-Mother then being at Saint James's and survived not above half an hour after her baptizing So that it is charity to mention her whose memory is likely to be lost so short her continuance in this life The rather because her name is not entred as it ought into the Register of Saint Martins in the fields as indeed none of the Kings children save Prince Charles though they were born in that Parish And hereupon a story depends I am credibly informed that at the birth of every child of the King born at Whitehall or Saint James's full five pounds were ever faithfully paid to some unfaithful receivers thereof to record the names of such children in the Register of Saint Martins But the money being embâ—…iled we know by some God knows by whom no memorial is entred of them Sad that bounty should betray any to such baseness and that which was intended to make them the more solemnly remembred should occasion that they should be more silently forgotten Say not let the children of mean persons be written down in Registers Kings children are Registers to themselves or all England is a Register to them For sure I am this common confidence hath been the cause that we have been so often at a loss about the nativities and other properties of those of Royal extraction CHARLES STUART son to the Illustrious James Stuart Duke of York by Anne daughter to the Right Honourable Edward Hide Earl of Clarendon and Lord Chancellour of England and Frances his Lady descended of the Ancient Family of the Aylesburies High-sheriffs for many years together of Bedford and Buckinghamshire in the reign of King Edward the second and third was born at Worcester-house 22. day of October 1660. and christened by the Right Reverend Father in God Gilbert L. Bishop of London his Majesty and George Duke of Albemarle being his God-fathers and Mary the Queen-mother his God-mother He was declared Duke of Cambridge a title which to the great honour of that University for these four hundred years hath been onely conferred either on forraign Princes or persons of the Royal Bloud This Princely infant dyed May 5. 1661. Saints Saint WULSY being a man reputed when living and reported when dead of great vertue and innocency Was by Saint Dunstan created the first Abbot of Westminster where he lived many years very exemplary for his conversation untill his death which happened Anno Dom. 960. Then was his body buried in the same Monastery and the 26. day of September was kept by the Citizens of London with great Veneration of his miracle-working memory Martyrs I meet with none in this City and in my mean Judgment it is most observable that London having two Pages as I may term them attending it viz. Westminster and Southwark both joyned to it in buildings should be so different from it in condition in London we have no room to hold Martyrs in the other two no Martyrs to take up any room Inquiring the cause thereof we find these three places though contiguous not to say
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
justly suspected and I reserve his character to be ranked amongst the Benefactors to the Publique Prelates RICARD of NORTHAMPTON ADAM of NORTHAMPTON We compound them for several reasons First because natives of the same Town Secondly both going over into Ireland there became Bishops of the same See Thirdly because the history of them is single so slender it cannot subsist alone though twisted together it is posible that their memories may support one the other For we have nothing more of them then the dates of their Consecrations and Deaths The former Consecrated Bishop of Fernose October the 13. 1282. dyed Anno 1304. The later Consecrated 1322. died October the 29. 1346. having first seen his Cathedral Church burnt and destroyed by the Rebells WILLIAM le ZOUCH son to Lord Zouch was born at Haringworth in this County as a branch of thar Honorable Family still alive and Critical in their Pedigrees hath credably informed me From Dean he became Arch-bishop of York 1342. King Edward the third going over to France committed the North to the care of this Prelate Soon after David King of Scots with a great Army invaded it he promised himself Cesars success to Come and Conquer See and Subdue The rather because he believed that he floure of the English Chivalry being gone into France onely Priests and Peasants were left behind Our Arch-bishop with such forces as he could suddenly provide bid him Battle at Durham on Saint Lukes Eve whereon the Scotch King found such a fast he had little list to feast the day following being routed and taken Prisoner Hence a Poet of that age Est pater invictus sicco de stipite dictus Zouch in French signifying the dry stump of a stick However his honorable Family flourished as a Green Tree for many years till withered in our memory when Edward the last Lord Zouch dyed without Issue male in the beginning of King Charles To return to our Prelate he began a beautiful Chappel on the South-side of his Cathedral intending to be interred therein But dying before the finishing thereof was buried before the Altar of Saint Edmund 1352. ROBERT BRAYBROOKE was born at a Village in this County well known for the carkase of a Castle therein He was Consecrated Bishop of London January 5. 1381. â—…nd afterwards for six Months was Chancellour of England He dyed 1404. being buried under a Marble-stone in the Chappel of Saint Mary Which is all we can recover of this Prelate and if it be enough to satisfie the Readers hunger he need not leave any thing for manners in the dish LIONELL WYDEVILL or WOODVILL was born at Grafton since called Grafton honor in this County bred in the University of Oxford whereof for a time he was Chancellour then made Bishop of Sarisbury 1482. As he was at first preferred so his memory is still supported from sinking in Silence rather by the Buttresses of his great relations then the foundation of his own deserts For he was Son to Jaquet Dutchess of Bedford and Richard Wydevill E. of Rivers Brother to Elizabeth Q. of England Brother in-law to King Edward the fourth Uncle to King Edward the fiâ—…t and Father say some to Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Heart-broken with grief with the Tragedies he beheld in his own family caused by the cruelty of King Richard the third he died about the year of our Lord 1484. Since the Reformation JAMES MONTAâ—…UE son to Sir Edward Montague Knight was born at Boughton in this County bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge He was afterwards Master or rather Nursing father to Sidney-colledge For he found it in Bonds to pay 20. Marks per annum to Trinity-colledge for the ground whereon it is built and left it free assigning it a rent for the discharge thereof When the Kings Ditch in Cambridge made to defend it by its Strength did in his time offend it with its Stenche he expended a hundred marks to bring running water into it to the great conveniency of the University He was afterwards Bishop first of Bath and VVells then of VVinchester being highly in favour with King James who did ken a man of merrit as well as any Prince in Christendome He translated the works of King James into Latine and improved his greatness to do good offices therewith He died Anno Domini 1618. and lyeth buried within his fair Monument within his fairer Monument I mean a goodly Tombe in the Church of Bath which oweth its well being and beauty to his Munificence FRANCIS GODWIN son to Thomas Godwin Bishop of Bath and VVells was born at Hanningham in this County bred in Christs-church in Oxford Doctor of Divinity and Sub-Dean of Exeter He was born in the fourth year of the raign of Queen Elizabeth Anno 1561. and in the fortieth year of his age 1601. by her Majesty made Bishop of Landaffe A bishoprick better proportioned to his modesty then merits as which was much impaired by his predecessor so that one did tâ—…uly say A bad Kitching did for ever spoil the good Meat of the Bishops of Landaffe He was a good Man grave Divine skilful Mathematician pure Latinist and incomparable Historian The Church of Landaffe was much beholding to him yea the whole Church of England yea the whole Church Militant yea many now in the Church Triumphant had had their memories utterly lost on Earth if not preserved by his painfull endeavours in his Catalogue of English Bishops I am sorry to see that some have since made so bad use of his good labours who have lighted their Candles from his Torch thereby meerly to discover the faults of our Bishops that their Personal failings may be an argument against the Prelatical function He was translated by King James to the Bishoprick of Hereford and died very aged in the reign of King Charles Anno Domini 162. JOHN OWEN was born at Burton Latimers in this County his father being the worthy and grave Minister thereof He was bred a Fellow in Jesus-colledge in Cambridge where he commenced Doctor of Divinity and was Chaplain to King Charles whilst he was a Prince A modest man who would not own the worth he had in himself and therefore others are the more ingaged to give him his due esteem In the vacancy of the Bishop wrick of Saint Asaff King Charles being much troubled with two Competitours advanced Doctor Owen not thinking thereof as an expedient to end the Contest Indeed his Majesty was mistaken in his birth accounting him a Welch-man but not in his worth seeing he deserved a far better preferment Besides he was though not Ortus oriundus è Wallia and by his father being a Welchman he was related to all the best families in North-wales He out-lived his Vote in Parliament and survived to see all contempt cast on his Order which he bare with much moderation and dyed Anno Dom. 164. ROBERT SKINNER D. D. was born at Pisford in this County where his father was
itcrum tedeat esse tuam Do not the least part of your trust disdain Nor grudge of Boys to take the care again He lived to be a very aged man past seventy six and died Anno Domini 162. JOHN FLETCHER Son of Richard Fletcher D. D. was as by proportion of time is collectible born in this County before his Father was Bishop of Bristol or London and whilst as yet he was Dean of Peterborough He had an excellent wit which the back-friends to Stage-plays will say was neither idle nor well imploy'd For he and Francis Beaumont Esquire like Castor and Pollux most happy when in conjunction raised the English to equal the Athenian and Roman Theater Beaumont bringing the ballast of judgement Fletcher the sail of phantasie both compounding a Poet to admiration Meeting once in a Tavern to contrive the rude draught of a Tragedy Fletcher undertook to kill the King therein whose words being over-heard by a listener though his Loyalty not to be blamed herein he was accused of High Treason till the mistake soon appearing that the plot was onely against a Drammatick and Scenical King all wound off in merriment Nor could it be laid to Fletcher's charge what Ajax doth to Ulysses Nihil hic Diomede remoto When Diomede was gone He could do nought alone For surviving his partner he wrote good Comedies himself though inferiour to the former and no wonder if a single thread was not so strong as a twisted one He died as I am inform'd in London of the plague in the first of King Charles 1625. Sir HENRY MONTAGUE Knight third son to Sir Edward Montague Knight grand-child to Sir Edward Montague Knight Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-bench was born at Boughton in this County One skilful in mysterious arts beholding him when a School-boy foretold that by the pregnancy of his parts he would raise himself above the rest of his family which came to pass accordingly He was bred first in Christs-colledge in Cambridge then in the Middle-Temple where he attained to great learning in the Laws and passed through many preferments viz. 1. Sergeant at Law 2. Knighted by King James July 22. 1602. 3. Recorder of London 4. Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-Bench November 18. 1616. 5. Lord Treasurer of England Decem. 16. 1620. 6. Baron of Kimbolton 7. Viscount Mandevile 8. President of the Council Septem 29. 1621. 9. Earl of Manchester 10. Lord Privy-Seal He wisely perceiving that Courtiers were but as counters in the hands of Princes raised and depress'd in valuation at pleasure was contented rather to be set for a smaller sum then to be quite put up into the box Thus in point of place and preferment being pleased to be what the King would have him according to his Motto Movendo non mutando me he became almost what he would be himself finaly advanced to an Office of great honour When Lord Privy-Seal he brought the Court of Requests into such repute that what formerly was called the Almes-basket of the Chancery had in his time well nigh as much meat in and guests about it I mean Suits and Clients as the Chancery it self His meditations on Life and Death written in the time of his health may be presumed to have left good impressions on his own soul preparatory for his dissolution which happened 164. Writers JOHN of NORTHAMPTON in Latine Johannes Avonius was born in the Town of Northampton in ipso Insulae umbilico saith Bale and is not mistaken in his proportion This mindeth me of a village in this County sufficiently known commonly call'd Navesby whose Orthography Criticks will have Navelsby as in the middle of England This John became a Carmelite in his native Town and so addicted himself to the Study of Mathematicks that he became one of the most eminent in that age for practical experiments He was Author of a work which he called The Philosophers Ring This was not like The Philosophers Stone a thing meerly imaginary nor yet was it a work of the Cyclopedy of Arts as the sound may seem to import but it was in plain truth a perpetual Almanack I say Almanack which word though many make of Arabick extraction a great Antiquary will have it derived from the Dutch Al-mon-aght that is to say Al-mon-heed the regard or observation of all Moons However this work of John was beheld as a Master-piece of that age and since commented upon by other Writers He flourished Anno Domini 1340. ROBERT HOLCOT was born in a Village of this County so named bred in the University of Oxford and afterwards became a Dominican in Northampton A deep Scholar and yet commended to be prudent in rebus agendis and accounted one of the greatest School-men in that age Nor was he onely a Candle or domestick light confin'd within the walls of his own Country but his learning was a publick Luminary to all Christendome as appears by the praise which Trithemius bestoweth upon him Vir in Divinis Scripturis eruditissimus secularium literarum non ignarus ingenio praestans clarus eloquio declamator quoque sermonem egregius Scripsit multa praeclara opuscula quibus nomen suum posteris notificavit He died at Northampton of the plague Anno 1349 before he had finished his Lectures on the seventh of Ecclesiastes I say of the plague which at that time so raged in England that our Chroniclers affirm scarce a tenth person of all sorts was left alive Insomuch that the Churches and Church-yards in London not sussicing for their interments a new Church-yard was Consecrated in West-smithfield wherein fifty thousand were buried who at that time died of the pestilence ROBERT DODFORD was born in a Village so called in this County where the Wirlyes Gentlemen of good account have long had their habitation so named as I take it from a Ford over the river Avon and Dods Water-weeds commonly called by children Cats Tales growing thereabouts He was bred a Benedictine Monke in the Abby of Ramsey and applied himself to the Study of the Hebrew Tongue wherewith the Library of which he was Keeper in that Convent did much abound He wrote Postills on the Proverbs and other Sermons which the envy of time hath intercepted â—…rom us He is said to have flourished about the year 1370. by Bale though Pitz on what account I know not maketh him more ancient by an hundred years PETER PATESHULL was no doubt born in that Village not far from Northampton bred a Augustinian in Oxford however falling afterwards into some dislike of his Order he procured from Walter Dysse Legate to Pope Urbane the sixth a Dispensation to relinquish it and was made the Popes Honorary Chaplain Afterwards by often reading the works of Wickliffe but especially his book of Real Universals he became of his judgement and after the death of Wickliffe preached and promoted his doctrine he wrote an Exposition of the Prophesie of Hildegardes a Stinging
after their removal Let his works witness the rest of his worth some of whose books are published others prepared for the Press and I wish them a happy nativity for the publique good Coming to take his Farewell of his friends he Preached on the Fore-noon of the Lords-day sickned on the After-noon and was buried with his wife in the same grave in Warton Chancell the week following 1657. Romish Exile Writers MATTHEW KELLISON was born in this County at Harrowden his father being a Servant and Tenant of the Lord Vaux in whose family his infancy did suck in the Romish Perswasions He afterwards went beyond the Seas and was very much in motion 1. He first fixed himself at the Colledge of Rhemes in France 2. Thence removed to the English-colledge at Rome where he studied in Phylosophy and Divinity 3. Returned to Rhemes where he took the Degree of Doctor 4. Removed to Doway where for many years he read School-Divinity 5. Re-returned to Rhemes where he became Kings Professor and Rector of the University So much for the travails of his Feet now for the labours of his Hands the pains of his Pen those of his own opinion can give the best account of them He wrote a book to King James which his Majesty never saw and another against Sutliff with many more and was living 1611. Benefactors to the Publick HENRY CHICHELY Son of Thomas and Agnes Chichely was born at Higham-Ferrers in this County bred in Oxford and designed by Wickham himself yet surviving to be one of the Fellows of New-colledge he afterwards became Chaplain to R. Metford Bishop of Sarum who made him Arch-Deacon which he exchanged for the Chancelours place of that Cathedral This Bishop at his death made him his chief Executor and bequeathed him a fair gilt Cup for a Legacy By King Henry the fourth he was sent to the Council of Risa 1409. and by the Popes own hands was Consecrated Bishop of Saint Davids at Vienna and thence was advanced Arch-bishop of Canterbury by King Henry the fifth During his reign in the Parliament at Leicester a shrude thrust was made at all Abbies not with a Râ—…bated point but with sharps indeed which this Arch-bishop as a skilful Fencer fairly put by though others will say he guarded that blow with a silver Buckler the Clergy paying to the King vast sums of money to maintain his Wars in France and so made a forreign diversion for such active spirits which otherwise in all probability would have Antidated the dissolution of Monasteries Under King Henry the sixth he sat sure in his See though often affronted by the rich Cardinal Beaufort of Winchester whom he discreetly thanked for many injuries A Cardinals Cap was proferred to and declined by him some putting the refusal on the account of his humility others of his pride loath to be junior to the foresaid Cardinal others of his policy unwilling to be more engaged to the Court of Rome Indeed he was thorough-paced in all Spiritual Popery which concerned religion which made him so cruel against the VVicklevites but in secular Popery as I may term it touching the interest of Princes he did not so much as rack and was a zealous assertor of the English Liberties against Romish Usurpation Great his zeal to promote learning as appears by three Colledges erected and endowed at his expence and procurement 1. One with an Hospital for the poor at Higham-Ferrers the place of his Nativity 2. Saint Bernards in Oxford afterwards altered and bettered by Sir Thomas VVhite into Saint Johns colledge 3. All-souls in Oxford the fruitful Nursery of so many Learned Men. He continued in his Arch-bishoprick longer then any of his Predecessors for 500. years full 29. years and died April 12. 1443. WILLIAM LAXTON Son to John Laxton of Oundle in this County was bred a Grocer in London where he so prospered by his painful endeavours that he was chosen Lord Mayor Anno Domini 1544. He founded a fair School and Almeshouse at Oundle in this County with convenient maintenance well maintained at this day by the Worshipful Company of Grocers and hath been to my knowledge the Nursery of many Scholars most eminent in the University These Latine Verses are inscribed in the Front of the building Oundellae natus Londini parta labore Laxtonus posuit Senibus pâ—…erisque levamen At Oundle born what he did get In London with great pain Laxton to young and old hath set A comfort to remain He died Anno Domini 1556. the 29. of July and lyeth buried under a fair Tombe in the Chancel of Saint Antonies London Since the Reformation NICHOLAS LATHAM was born at Brigtock in this County and afterwards became Minister of Al-saints Church in Barn-wells This man had no considerable Estate left him from his father nor eminent addition of wealth from his friends nor injoyed any Dignity in the Church of England nor ever held more then one moderate Benefice And yet by Gods blessing on his vivacious frugality he got so great an Estate that he told a friend he could have left his son had he had one land to the value of five hundred pounds by the year But though he had no Issue yet making the Poor his heirs he left the far greatest part of his Estate to pious uses Founded several small Schools with salaries in Country Villages and Founded a most beautiful Almes-house at Oundale in this County and I could wish that all houses of the like nature were but continued and ordered so well as this is according to the Will of the Founder He died Anno Domini 1620. and lyeth buried in the Chancel of his own Parish having lived 72. years EDWARD MONTAGUE Baron of Boughton and eldest son to Sir Edward Montague Knight was born in this County a Pious Peaceable and Hospitable Patriot It was not the least part of his outward happiness that having no male issue by his first wife and marrying when past fifty years of age he lived to see his son inriched with hopeful children I behold him as bountiful Barsillai superannuated for courtly pleasures and therefore preferring to live honorably in his own Country wherein he was generally beloved so that popularity may be said to have affected him who never affected it For in evidence of the vanity thereof he used to say Do the common sort of people nineteen courtesies together and yet you may loose their love if you do but go over the stile before them He was a bountiful Benefactor to Sidney-colledge and builded and endowed an Almes-house at VVeekley in this County To have no bands in their death is an outward favour many VVicked have many Godly men want amongst whom this good Lord who dyed in restraint in the Savoy on the account of his Loyalty to his Sovereign Let none grudge him the injoying of his judgement a purchase he so dearly bought and truly paid for whose death happened in the year of our Lord
Works left to posterity 1. De variis Annorum Formis 2. De natura Coeli conditione Elementorum 3. Praelectio Astronomica 4. De origine Fontium 5. Disquisitio Phisiologica 6. Explicatio additameutnm Arg. temp nat ministerii Christi In handling of these subjects it seems he crossed Scalliger who was highly offended thereat conceiving himself such a Prince of Learning it was high Treason for any to doubt of much more deny his opinion Yea he conceited his own Judgment so canonical that it was Heresie for any inferiour person to differ from the same Shall Scalliger write a book of the Emendation of Times and should any presume to write one of the Emendation of Scalliger especially one no publick Professor and so private a person as Lydyate However this great Bugbear Critick finding it more easie to contemn the person than confute the arguments of his Adversary sleighted Lydyate as inconsiderable jeering him for a Prophet who indeed somewhat traded in the Apocalyptical Divinity Learned men of unbiassed judgments will maintain that Lydyate had the best in that Contest but here it came to pass what Solomon had long before observed Nevertheless the poor mans wisdom is despised and his words are not heard He never attained higher Church-preferment than the Rectory of Alkerton the Town of his Nativity and deserted that as I have cause to suspect before his death Impute his low condition to these causes 1. The nature of his Studies which being Mathematical and Speculative brought not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grist to the mill 2. The nature of his Nature being ambitious of Privity and Concealment 3. The death of Prince Henry whose Library-keeper he was and in whose Grave Lydyates hopes were interred 4. His disaffection to Church-discipline and Ceremonies used therein though such wrong his memory who represent him an Anabaptist His modesty was as great as his want which he would not make known to any Sir William Boswell well understanding his worth was a great friend unto him and so was Bishop Williams He dyed about Westminster as I take it in the year of our Lord 1644. Happy had it been for posterity if on his death-bed he could have bequeathed his Learning to any surviving Relation Sir RICHARD BAKER Knight was a Native of this County and High-Sheriff thereof in the 18. of King James Anno Dom. 1621. His youth he spent in learning the benefit whereof he reaped in his old age when his Estate thorough Surety-ship as I have heard him complain was very much impair'd But God may smile on them on whom the World doth frown whereof his pious old age was a memorable instance when the storm on his Estate forced him to flye for shelter to his studies and devotions He wrote an Exposition on the Lords prayer which is corrival with the best Comments which professed Divines have written on that subject He wrote a Chronicle on our English Kings imbracing a method peculiar to himself digesting Observables under several heads very useful for the Reader This reverend Knight left this troublesome world about the beginning of our Civil wars WILLIAM WHATELEY was born in Banbury whereof his father was twice Mayor and bred in Christs-college in Cambridge He became afterwards Minister in the Town of his Nativity and though generally people do not respect a Prophet or Preacher when a Man whom they knew whilest a Child yet he met there with deserved reverence to his Person and Profession Indeed he was a good Linguist Philoso pher Mathematician Divine and though a Poetical Satyrical Pen is pleas'd to pass a jeer upon him free from Faction He first became known to the world by his book called the Bride-bushe which some say hath been more condemned than confuted as maintaining a Position rather odious than untrue But others hold that blows given from so near a Relation to so near a Relation cannot be given so lightly but they will be taken most heavily Other good Works of his have been set forth since his death which happened in the 56. year of his age Anno Dom. 1639. JOHN BALLE was born at Casfigton four miles North-west of Oxford in this County an obscure Village onely illustrated by his Nativity He proceeded Batchelor of Arts in Brazen-nose college in Oxford his Parents purse being not able to maintain him longer and went into Cheshire untill at last he was beneficed at Whitmore in the County of Stafford He was an excellent School man and School-master qualities seldom meeting in the same man a painful Preacher and a profitable Writer and his Treatise of Faith cannot sufficiently be commended Indeed he liv'd by faith having but small means to maintain him but 20 pounds yearly Salary besides what he got by teaching and boording his Scholers and yet was wont to say he had enough enough enough Thus contentment consisteth not in heaping on more fuell but in taking away some fire He had an holy facetiousness in his discourse when his friend having had a fall from his horse and said that he never had the like deliverance Yea said Mr. Balle and an hundred times when you never fell accounting Gods preserving us from equal to his rescuing us out of dangers He had an humble heart free from passion and though somewhat disaffected to Ceremonies and Church-discipline confuted such as conceived the corruptions therein ground enough for a separation He hated all New Lights and pretended Inspirations besides Scripture and when one asked him whether he at any time had experience thereof in his own heart No said he I bless God and if I should ever have such phantasies I hope God would give me grace to resist them Notwithstanding his small means he lived himself comfortably relieved others charitably left his children competently and dyed piously October the 20. Anno Dom. 1640. WILLIAM CHILLINGWORTH was born in the City of Oxford so that by the benefit of his birth he fell from the lap of his mother into the armes of the Muses He was bred in Trinity college in this University an acute and subtil Disputant but unsetled in judgment which made him go beyond the Seas and in some sort was conciled to the Church of Rome but whether because he found not the respect he expected which some shrewdly suggest or because his Conscience could not close with all the Romish corruptions which more charitably believe he returned into England and in testimony of his true conversion wrote a book entituled The Religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation against Mr. Knot the Jesuit I will not say Malo nodo malus quaerendus est cuneus but affirm no person better qualified than this Author with all necessary accomplishments to encounter a Jesuit It is commonly reported that Dr. Prideaux compared his book to a Lamprey fit for food if the venemous string were taken out of the back thereof a passage in my opinion inconsistent with the Doctors approbation prefixed in the beginning
Provost of Kings Colledge in Cambridge Which he reteined with the Bishoprick of Chichester to which he was consecrated 1543. A most pertinacious Papist who though he had made some kind of Recantation in a Sermon as I find it entred in king Edward the Sixth his own Diary yet either the same was not satisfactory or else he relapsed into his errours again for which he was deprived under the said king and restored again by Queen Mary He died Anno Dom. 1556. Prelats since the Reformation WILLIAM DAY was brother to the aforesaid George Day I find no great difference betwixt their age seeing George Day was admitted in Kings Colledge Anno 1538. VVilliam Day was admitted in the same Colledge Anno 1545. Yet was there more than forty years betwixt the dates of their deaths George Day died very young Bishop of Chichester Anno Dom. 1556. VVilliam Day died very old Bishop of VVinchester Anno 1596. But not so great was the difference betwixt their Vivacity as distance betwixt their Opinions the former being a Rigid Papist the later a Zealous Protestant Who requesting of his Brother some Money to buy Books therewith and other necessaries was returned with this denial That he thought it not fit to spend the goods of the Church on him who was an enemy of the Church However this William found the words of Solomon true And there is a friend who is nearer than a Brother not wanting those who supplyed his necessities He was Proctor of Cambridge 1558 and afterwards was made by Queen Elizabeth who highly esteemed him for his Learning and Religion Provost of Eton and Dean of Windsor two fair preferments parted with Thames but united in his person The Bishoprick of Winchester he enjoyed scarcely a whole year and dyed as aforesaid 1596. Statesmen Sir THOMAS BROMLEY was borne at Bromley in this County of a right ancient Family I assure you bred in the Inner Temple and Generall Solicitor to Queen Elizabeth He afterwards succeeded Sir Nicholas Bacon in the Dignity of Lord Chancellor Aprill 25. 1579. Now although it was difficult to come after Sir Nicholas Bacon and not to come after him Yet such was Sir Thomas his Learning and Integrity being charactred by my Authors Virjuris prudentia insignis That Court was not sensible of any considerable alteration He possessed his place about nine years dying Anno 1587 not being 60 years old Hereby the pregnancie of his parts do appear seeing by proportion of time he was made the Queens Solicitor before he was 40 and Lord Chancellor before he was 50 years old Learning in Law may seem to run in the veins of that name which since had a Baron of the Exchequer of his Alliance Sir CLEMENT EDMONDS was born at Shrawardine in this County and bred Fellow in All-Souls Colledge in Oxford being generally skilled in all Arts and Sciences Witness his faithfull Translations of and learned Illustrations on Caesars Commentaries Say not that Comment on Commentary was false Heraldry seeing it is so worthy a work that the Authour thereof may pass for an eminent instance to what perfection of Theorie they may attain in matter of War who were not acquainted with the Practick part thereof being only once employed by Queen Elizabeth with a dispatch to Sir Francis Vere which occasioned his presence at the Battail at Newport For he doth so smartly discusse pro and con and seriously decide many Martiall Controversies that his judgement therein is praised by the best Military Masters King Iames taking notice of his Abilities made him Clerke of the Council and Knighted him And he was at last preferred Secretary of State in the vacancy of that place but prevented by Death acted not therein He died Anno 16. and lies buried at Preston in Northamptonshire where he purchased a fair Estate which his Grandchilde doth possess at this day Capitall Judges and Writers on the Law EDMUND PLOWDEN was borne at Plowden in this County one who excellently deserved of our Municipall Law in his learned Writings thereon but consult his ensuing Epitaph which will give a more perfect account of him Conditur in hoc Tumulo corpus Edmundi Plowden Armigeri Claris ortus Parentibus apud Plowden in Comitatu Salop. natus est à pueritia in literarum studio liberaliter est educatus in provectiore vero aetate Legibus juris prudentiae operam dedit Senex jam factus annum aetatis suae agens 67. Mundo valedicens in Christo Jesu sanctè obdormivit die sexto mensis Februar Anno Domini 1584. I have rather inserted this Epitaph inscribed on his Monument on the North side of the East end of the Quire of Temple Church in London because it hath escaped but by what casualty I cannot conjecture Master Stow in his Survey of London We must add a few words out of the Character Mr. Camden gives of him Vitae integritate inter homines suae professionis nulli secundus And how excellent a medly is made when honesty and ability meet in a man of his Profession Nor must we forget how he was Treasurer for the Honourable Society of the Middle-Temple Anno 1572. when their magnificent Hall was builded He being a great advancer thereof Sir JOHN WALTER son to Edmund Walter Chief Justice of South-Wales was born at Ludlow in this County and bred a Student of our Common-Laws wherein he atteined to great Learning so that he became when a Pleader eminent when a Judge more eminent when no Judge most eminent 1 Pleader The Character that Learned James Thuanus gives of Christopher Thuanus his Father being an Advocate of the Civil Law and afterwards a Senator of Paris is exactly agreeable to this Worthy Knight Ut bonos a calumniatoribus tenuiores a potentioribus doctos ab ignorantibus opprimi non pateretur That he fuffered not good men to be born down by slanderers poor men by more potent Learned men by the ignorant 2 Judge Who as when ascending the Bench entering into a new temper was most passionate as Sir John most patient as Judge Walter and great his gravity in that place When Judge Denham his most upright and worthy Associate in the Western Circuit once said unto him My Lord you are not merry Merry enough return'd the other for a Judge 3 No Judge Being outed of his place when Chief Baron of the Exchequer about the Illegality of the Loan as I take it He was a grand Benefactor though I know not the just proportion to Jesus Colledge in Oxford and died Anno 1630. in the Parish of the Savoy bequeathing 20 l. to the Poor thereof EDWARD LITLETON born at Mounslow in this County was the eldest son to Sir Edward Littleton one of the Justices of the Marches and Chief Justice of North-Wales He was bred in Christ-Church in Oxford where he proceeded Batchelor of Arts and afterward one of the Justices of North-Wales Recorder of London
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
then would appear in publick to converse with his Friends whereof Dr. Cowel and Mr. Camden were principal Some tax him to smack of the Old Cask as resenting of the Romish Religion but they have a quicker Palatâ—…than than I who can make any such discovery In his old Age he turn'd Husbandman and Rented a Farm in Wiltshire nigh the Devises I can give no account how he thrived thereupon For though he was well vers'd in Virgil his fellow Husbandman-Poet yet there is more required to make a rich Farmer than only to say his Georgicks by heart and I question whether his Itaâ—…ian will fit our English Husbandry Besides I suspect that Mr. Daniel his fancy was too fine and sublimated to be wrought down to his private profit However he had neither a Bank of wealth or lank of want living in a competent condition By Justina his wife he had no child and I am unsatisfied both in the Place and Time of death but collect the latter to be about the end of the reign of King James HUMPHRY SIDENHAM was born at Dalverton in this County of a most Ancient and Worshipful Family bred Fellow of Wadham Colledge so Eloquent a Preacher that he was commonly called Silver-tongued Sidenham But let his own printed Sermons and especially that called the Athenian Babler set forth his deserved praise who died since our Civil distempers about the year 1650. Romish-exile Writers JOHN GIBBON was undoubtedly born in this County though herein Pitts presents us with an untoward and left-handed direction Patrica Somersetensis Diocesis Wintoniensis Now either Wâ—…nchester is imprinted for Wells or he was born in this County in some peculiar belonging to Winchester which See hath large revenues about Taunton Leaving the Land for his Religion Pope Gregory XIII collated on him a Canons place in the Church of Bonn. This he soon quitted and became Rector of the Jesuits Colledge in Triers he wrote a Book against G. Schon Professor at Heydelberge in vindication that the Pope was not Antichrist Being indisposed in health his hearing of the defeat of the Spanish Armado was no cordial unto him and died Anno 1589. ROBERT PERSON was born in this County bred in Baliol-Colledge in Oxford till for his viciousness he was expelled thence with disgrace Running to Rome and there finishing the course of his studies he with Campian were the first brace of English Jesuits who returned hither 1589 to preserve this Nation Two years after he escaped hence and got beyond the Seas One of a troublesome spirit wherewith some moderate Romanists were so offended that during his abode here they once resolved to resign him up to the Queens Officers He had an ill natured Wit biassed to Satyricalnesse A great States-man and it was not the least part of his policy to provide for his own safety who would look on direct give ground abet on other mens hands but never plaid so as to adventure himself into England He wrote a shrewd Book of the Succession to the English-crown setting it forth under the false name of Dolman a dulsecular Priest guilty of little Learning and less policy dedicating the same to the Earl of Essex He had an authoritative influence on all English Catholicks nothing of importance being agitated by them but Person had a finger hand arm therein He was for 23 years Rector of the Colledge at Rome where he died Anno Dom. 1610. JOHN FEN was born at Montacute in this County bred in New-Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Bachelour in Laws continuing there till Anno Dom. 1562 for his Popish activity he was ejected by the Queens Commissioners Then for a time he lived Schoolmaster at St. Edmunds-bury till outed there on the same account Hence he fled over into Flâ—…nders thence into Italy whence returning at last he was fixed at Lovain He wrote many and translated more Books living to finish his Jubile or Fiftieth year oâ—… exile beyond the Seas where he died about the years of our Lord 1613. Let me add that this John Fen mindeth me of another of the same surname and as violent on conâ—…rary principles viz. Humphrey Fen a non-conformist Minister living about Coventry who in the preface to his last Will Made such a Protestation against the Hierarchy and Ceremonies that when his Will was brought to be proved the Preface would not be suffered to be put amongst the Records of the Court as which indeed was no Limb but a Wen of his Testament JOHN COLLINGTON was born in this County bred in Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford Going beyond the Seas and there made Priest he returned into England and with Campian was taken cast into the Tower of London and condemned but afterwards reprieved enlarged and sent beyond the Seas Hence he returned and for 30 years together zelously advanced his own Religion being Assistant to the two Arch-Priests and he himself supplied the Place in the vacancy betwixt them He could not but be a very aged Man who though in restraint was alive 1611. Benefactors to the Publik The Lady MOHUN Reader know I can surround the Christian Names of her neâ—…rest Relations Her Husband was John the last Lord Mohun of Dunstor Her eldest daughter Philip married to Edward Duke of York her second Elizabeth to William Montacute Earl of Salisbury her youngest Maud matcht to the Lord Strange of Knockyn buâ—… her own Christian Name I cannot recover However she hath left a worthy memory behind her chiefly on this account that she obteined from her Husband so much good ground for the Commons of the Town of Dunstor as she could in one day believe it a Summer one for her ease and advantage compasse about going on her naked feet Surely no Ingenious Scholar beheld her in that her charitable perambulation but in effect vented his wishes in the Poets expression Ah! tibi nè teneras tellus secet aspera plantas The certain date of her death is unknown which by proportion is conjectured in the reign of King Henry the Fifth Since the Reformation NICHOLAS WADHAM of Merrifield in this County Esq. had great length in his extraction breadth in his Estate and depth in his liberality His Hospital house was an Inn at all times a Court at Cristmas He married Dorothy daughter to the Secretary sister to the first Lord Peters Absolom having no children reared up for himself a Pillar to perpetuate his name This Worthy pair being Issueless erected that which hath doth and will afford many Pillars to Church and State the uniform and regular nothing defective or superfluous therein Colledge of Wadham in Oxford Had this worthy Esquire being a great Patron of Church-Livings annexed some Benefices thereunto which may be presumed rather forgotten than neglected by him it had for compleatenesse of Fabrick and endowment equalled any English Foundation If he was which some suggest a Romanist in his Judgement his charity is the more commendable to build
heirs the Patent whereof is extant in the Tower and exemplified in my Author He appears to me no more than a plain Knight or a Knight Batchelour But were it in the power of my Pen to create a Banneret he should for the Reason premised have that Honour affixed to his Memory who as we conjecture died about the middle of the reign of King Henry the Sixth JOHN DUDLEY Duke of Northumberland where born uncertain was son to Edward Dudley Esq. of whom hereafter and would willingly be reputed of this County a Descendent from the Lord Dudley therein whose memory we will gratifie so far as to believe it He lived long under King Henry the Eighth who much favoured him and the Servant much resembled his Master in the equal contemperament of Vertue and Vices so evenly matched that it is hard to say which got the Mastery in either of them This John was proper in person comely in carriage wise in advising valiant in adventuring and generally till his last project prosperous in success But he was also notoriously wanton intollerably ambitious a constant dissembler prodigeously profuse so that he had sunk his Estate had it not met with a seasonable support of Abbey Land he being one of those who well warmed himself with the chipps which fell from the felling of Monasteriâ—…s King Henry the 8th first Knighted then created him Vicount Lisle Earle of Warwick and Duke of Norâ—…humberland And under Queen Mary he made himself almost King of England though not in Title in power by contriving the settling of the Crown on Queen Jane his daughâ—…er in Law till successe failed him therein And no wonder if that design missed the mark which besides many rubbs it met with at hand was thrown against the general bias of English affection For this his treasonable practises he was executed in the First of Queen Mary much bemoaned by some Martial men whom he had formerly indeared in his good service in the French and Scotish Wars He left two sons who survived to great Honour Ambrose Earl of Warwick heir to all that was good and Robert Earl of Leicester heir to all that was great in their Father The BAGNOLS Something must be premised of their Name and extraction The Bagenhalts commonly called Bagnols were formerly a Family of such remark in this County that before the reign of King Henry the Eighth there scarce passed an Ancient piece of evidence which is not attested by one of that Name But see the uncertainty of all humane things it afterwards sunck down to use my Authours language into a Plebean Condition But the sparks of their gentle Bloud though covered for a time under a mean estate have since blazed again with their own worth and valour when Ralph and Nicholas sons to John Bagnol of Newcastle in this County were both Knighted for their good service the one in Mustle-Borough fight the otherin Ireland Yea as if their courage had been hereditary Their sons Samuel and Henry were for their Martial merit advanced to the same degree Sea-men WILLIAM MINORS Reader I remember how in the Case of the Ship-money the Judges delivered it for Law that England being an Island the very Middle-land-Shires therein are all to be accounted as Maritime Sure I am the Genius even of Land-lock-Counties acteth the Natives with a Maritime dexterity The English generally may be resembled to Ducklings which though hatched under a Hen yet naturally delight to dabble in the Water I mean though born and bred in In-Land places where neither their Infancy nor Childhood ever beheld Ship or Boat yet have they a great Inclinatioâ—… and Aptnesse to Sea-service And the present subject of our Pen is a pregnant proof thereof This William son to Richard Minors Gent. of Hallenbury-Hall was born at Uttoxater in this County who afterwads coming to London became so prosperous a Mariner that he hath safely returned eleven times from the East-Iudies whereas in the dayes of our GrandFathers such as came thence twice were beheld as Rarities thrice as Wonders four times as Miracles Much herein under Divine Providence is to be attributed to the Make of our English Ships now built more advantageous for sailing than in former Ages Besides the oftner they go the nearer they shape their Course use being the mother of Perfectnesse Yet whilst others wonder at his happiness in returning so often I as much commend his moderation in going no oftner to the East-Indies More men know how to get enough than when they have gotten enough which causeth their Coveteousness to increase with their wealth Mr. Minors having advanced a competent Estate quitted the water to live on the land and now peaceably enjoyeth what he painfully hath gotten and is living in or near Hartford at this present year 1660. Writers JOHN STAFFORD born in the Shire-Town of this County was bred a Franciscan No contemptible Philosopher and Divine but considerable Historian who wrote a Latin History of Englands affaires Authors are at an absolute loss when he lived and are fain by degrees to screw themselves into a general notice thereof He must be since the year 1226 when the Franciscans first fixed themselves in our Land He must be before John Ross who flourished Anno 1480 under Edward the Fourth and maketh honourable mention of him Therefore with proportion and probability he is collected to have written about 1380. WILLIAM de LICHFIELD so termed from the place of his Nativity applied himself to a study of Divinity whereof he became Doctor and afterwards Rector of All-hallowes the Great in Thames-street London He was generally beloved for his great Learning and godly liâ—…e He wrote many Books both Moral and Divine in Prose and Verse one intituled The complaint of God unto sinful Men. There were found in his Study after his death Three thousand four score and three Sermons of his own writing He died Anno Dom. 1447. being buried under a defaced Monument in the Quire of his own Church ROBERT WHITTINGTON born at Lichfield was no mean Grammarian Indeed he might have been greater if he would have been less Pride prompting him to cope with his Conquerors whom he mistook for his Match The first of these was Will. Lillie though there was as great difference betwixt these two Grammarians as betwixta Verb defective and one perfect in all the Requisites thereof The two other were William Horman and Alderedge both eminent in the Latin Tongue But some will carp at the best who cannot mend the worst line in a Picture the humour of our Whittington who flourished 1530. Since the Reformation HENRY STAFFORD Baron of Stafford in this County was son unto Edward Duke of Buckingham attainted and beheaded under King Henry the Eighth This our Henry though loosing his Top and Top-Gallant his Earledom and Dukedome in the tempest of the Kings displeasure yet still he kept his Keel his Barony of Stafford The less he possessed of his
Fathers Lands the more he enjoyed of himself It was not sullenesse or revenge but free choice which made him betake himself to his studies wherein he became eminent I place him confidently not a trans but Cis-reformation-man for translating the Book of Dr. Fox Bishop of Hereford a favourer of Luther into English Of the Difference of the power Ecclesiastical and Secular A Subject profitable in all seasonable not to say necessary in our Times For as the Water and Earth making but one Globe take their mutual advantages to enlarge themselves so these two powers united under one King in our land wait their opportunities to advance their respective Jurisdictions the right stating whereof would conduce much to the publick Peace This Lord died I dare not say the more the pitty some moneths before the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Anno 1558. SAMPSON ERDERSWIK Esq. was born at Sandon near Stafford in this County of a Right Worshipful and ancient Extraction He was a Gentleman accomplished with all Noble qualities affability devotion and Learning 'T is hard to say whether his Judgement or Industry was more in matters of Antiquity Bearing a tender respect to his native Country and desiring the honour thereof he began a description â—…ntituled A view of Stafford-shire Anno Domini 1593 conteining the same till the day of his death A short clear true impartial work taken out of ancient evidences and Records the Copies whereof in Manuscripts are deservedly valued for great Rarities This is he who when I often groped in the dark yea feared to fall in matters concerning this County took me by the hand Oh! for the like Conductors in other Counties and hath led me safe by his direction He was much delighted with decency of Gods House which made him on his own cost to repaire new Glaze the Church of Sandon wherein to prevent neglect of Executors he erected for himself a goodly Monument of Free-stone with his proportion cut out to the life and now lieth therein interred He died April the 11 1603 and let his Elogie of Mr. Camden serve for his Epitaph Venerandae Antiquitatis fuit Cultor Maximus THOMAS ALLEN was born in this County deriving his original from Allanus de Buckenhole Lord of Buckenhole in the reign of King Edward the 2d He was bred in Glocester-Hall in Oxford a most excellent Mathematician where he succeeded to the skill and scandal of Frier Bacon taken at both but given I beleeve by neither accounted a Conjurer Indeed vulgar eyes ignorant in Opticks conceit that raised which is but reflected fancy every shadow a spirit every spirit a Divel And when once the repute of a Conjurer is raised in vulgar esteem it is not in the power of the greatest Innocence and Learning to allay it He was much in favour with Robert Earl of Leicester and his admirable writings of Mathematicks are lâ—…tent with some private possessors which envy the publick profit thereof He died a very aged man towards the end of the reign of King James HENRY and ROBERT BURTON Brethren and eminent Authors in their several kinds were as some say born at Fald in this County But Leicester-shire pretending some probability to their Nativities hath by the Alphabetical advantage prevented this Shire and carried away their Characters therein Besides these deceased WRITERS Reader I have Three in my eye who are and long may they be alive as different as eminent in their liberal inclinations Edward Leigh of Rushwel-Hall Esq. whose Critica Sacra with many other worthy works will make his Judicious Industry known to posterity Elias Ashmole Esq. born in Litchfield critically skilled in Ancient Coins Chymistry Heraldry Mathematicks what not John Lightfood D. D. who for his exact insight in Hebrew and Rabbinical Learning hath deserved well of the Church of England But forgive me Reader I have forgot myself and trespassed on my Fundamental Rules Romish Exile Writers WILLIAM GIFFORD Though this Ancient and Worshipful Name be diffused in several Counties I have satisfied my self in fixing him here as an Extract of the Family of Chillington He was a man of much Motion and my Pen is resolved to follow him as able to Travel with more Speed less Pain and Cost 1 From his Fathers house he went to and lived four years in Oxford 2 Thence with his School-master he went over to Lovain where he got Lauream Doctoralem in Artibus was made Master of Arts. 3 Then studying Divinity there under Bellarmin was made Batchelour in that Profession 4 Frighted hence with War went to Paris 5 Removed to Rheams where he eleven years professed Divinity 6 Doctorated at Pont-Muss in Lorain 7 Highly prized by Henry Duke of Guise and Cardinal Lewis his brother who gave him a Pension of two hundred Crowns a year 8 After their death he went to Rome where he became Dean of St. Peters in the Isle for ten years 9 Returning to Rheams he was made Rector of the Vniversity therein 10 At fifty years of Age bidding farewel to the World he became a Benedictine at Delaware in Lorain Thus far Pitseus acquainting us that he was alive 1611 on whose Stock give me leave to graft what followeth This Dr. Gifford was afterwards advanced Arch-bishop of Rheams by the favour of the Duke of Guise who is shrewdly suspected to have quartered to heavily on the profit of that place However our Gifford gained so much as therewith to found not only a Covent for English Monks at St. Mallowes in France but also at Paris for those of the same profession Remarkable Charity that an Exile who properly had no home of his own should erect Houses for others Benefactors to the Publick This County I confess is exceeded by her Neigbours in this particular and I meet with few either ancient or eminent Benefactions therein Yet besides a â—…air School at Wolver-Hampton built by Sr. Stephen Jennings Lord Major of London and another erected by Mr. Thomas Allen at â—…tceter I am credibly informed that MARTEN NOEL Esq. born in the Counâ—…y-Town of Stafford bred Sâ—…rivener in London hath fairly built and largely endowed an Hospital in Stafford aforesaid The Crown Muâ—…al amongst the Romanâ—… waâ—… noâ—… given to every Souldier who scaled the Walls but onely to him who footed them first on which account a Garland of Glory is due to this Gentleman whose Foundation as I am certified is the first considerable Fabrick of that kind in this County Iâ—… is to be hoped that as the zeal of Achaia provoked many â—…o this good Leader will invite maâ—…y Followers to succeed him living in London this present 1660. Memorable persons THOMAS TARLTON My intelligence of the certainty of his birth-place coming too late confessed by the marginal mark I fix him here who indeed was born at Condover in the neighbouring County of Shrap-shire where still some of his Name and Relations remain Here he was in the field keeping his Fathers Swine
ROBERT SAMUEL was Minister of Barfold in this County who by the cruelty of Hopton Bishop of Norwich and Downing his Chancellour was tortured in Prison Not to preserve but to reserve him for more pain He was allowed every day but three mouthfuls of Bread and three spoonfuls of water Fain would he have drunk his own Urin but his thirst-parched body afforded none I read how he saw a Vision of one all in white comforting and telling him that after that day he never should be hungry or thirsty which came to passe accordingly being within few hours after martyred at Ipswich August 31 1555. Some report that his body when burnt did shine as bright as burnish'd silver Sed parcius ista Such things must be sparingly written by those who would not only avoid untruths but the appearance thereof Thus loath to lengthen mens tongues reporting what may seem improbable and more loath to shorten Gods hand in what might be miraculous I leave the relation as I found it Besides these two I meet with more than twenty by name martyred Confessors doubling that number whose ashes were scattered all over the County at Ipswich Bury Bekles c. It is vehemently suspected that three of them burnt at Bekles had their death antedated before the Writ de Haeretico comburendo could possibly be brought down to the Sheriff And was not this to use Tertullians Latin in some different sense Festinatio homicidii Now though Chaâ—…ity may borrow a point of Law to save life surely Cruelty should not steal one to destroy it Cardinals THOMAS WOLSEY was born in the Town of Ipswich where a Butcher a very honest Man was his Father though a Poet be thus pleased to descant thereon Brave Priest who ever was thy Sire by kind Wolsey of Ipswich ne're begat thy mind One of so vast undertakings that our whole Book will not afford room enough for his Character the writing whereof I commend to some eminent Person of his Foundation of Christ-Church in Oxford He was made Cardinal of St. Cecily and died heart-broken with grief at Leicester 1530. without any Monument which made a great Wit of his own Colledge thus lately complain And though from his own store Wolsey might have A Palace or a Colledge for his grave Yet here he lies interr'd as if that all Of him to be remembred were his fall Nothing but earth to earth nor pompous weight Upon him but a pebble or a quaite If thou art thus neglected what shall we Hope after death that are but shreds of thee This may truly be said of him he was not guilty of mischievous pride and was generally commended for doing Justice when Chancellour of England Prelates HERBERT LOSING was born in this County as our * Antiquary informeth us In Pago Oxunensi in Sudovolgia Anglorum Comitatu natus but on the perusing of all the Lists of Towns in this County no Oxun appeareth therein or name neighbouring thereon in sound and syllables This I conceive the cause why Bishop Godwin so confidently makes this Herbert born Oxoniae in Oxford in which County we have formerly placed his Character However seeing Bale was an excellent Antiquary and being himself a Suffolk-man must be presumed knowing in his own County and conceiving it possible that this Oxun was either an obscure Church-less-Village or else is this day disguized under another name I conceive it just that as Oxford-shire led the Front Suffolk should bring up the Reer of this Herberts description Indeed he may well serve two Counties being so different from himself and two persons in effect When young loose and wild deeply guilty of the sin of Simony When old nothing of Herbert was in Herbert using commonly the words of St. Hierome Erravimus juvenes emendemus senes When young we went astray when old we will amend Now though some controversie about the place of his birth all agree in his death July 22 1119 and in his burial in the Cathedral Church of Norwich RICHARD ANGERVILE son to S â— Richard Angervile Knight was born at Bury in this County and bred in Oxford where he attained to great eminency in Learning He was Governour to King Edward the Third whilst Prince and afterwards advanced by Him to be successively his Cofferer Treasurer of his Wardrobe Dean of Wells Bishop of Duresme Chancellour and lastly Treasurer of England He bestowed on the poor every week Eight Quarters of Wheat baked in Bread When he removed from Duresme to Newcastle twelve short miles he used to give eight pounds sterling in Alms to the Poor and so proportionably in other places betwixt his Palaces He was a great lover of Books confessing himself Exsiatico quodam librorum amore potenter abreptum in so much that he alone had more Books than all the Bishops of England in that Age put together which stately Library by his Will he solemnly bequeathed to the University of Oxford The most eminent Foreigners were his Friends and the most Learned Englishmen were his Chaplains untill his death which happened Anno 1345. JOHN PASCHAL was born in this County where his name still continueth of Gentle Parentage bred a Carthusian and D. D. in Cambridge A great Scholar and popular Preacher Bateman Bishop of Norwich procured the Pope to make him the umbratile Bishop of Scutari whence he received as much profit as one may get heat from a Glow-worm It was not long before by the favour of King Edward the Third he was removed from a very shadow to a slender substance the Bishoprick of Landaffe wherein he died Anno Domini 1361. SIMON SUDBURY alià s TIBALD was born at Sudbury as great as most and ancient as any Town in this County After many mediate preferments let him thank the Popes provisions at last he became Arch-bishop of Canterbury He began two Synods with Latin Sermons in his own person as rare in that age as blazing stars and as ominous for they portended ill successe to Wickliffe and his followers However this Simon Sudbury overawed by the God of Heaven and John Duke of Lancaster did not because he could not any harm unto him He was killed in the Rebellion of J. Straw and Wat. Tyler Anno Domini 1381. And although his shadowey Tomb being no more than an honourary Cenotaph be shown at Christ-Church in Canterbury yet his substantial Monument wherein his Bones are deposited is to be seen in St. Gregories in Sudbury under a Marble stone sometimes inlayed all over with Brass some four yards long and two broad saith mine eyewitnesse-Authour though I confesse I never met with any of like dimension so that in some sense I may also call this a Cenotaph as not proportioned to the bulk of his Body but height of his Honour and Estate THOMAS EDWARDSTON so named from his Birth-place Edwarston in this County a Village formerly famous for the Chief Mansion of the Ancient Family of
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
buried by him and if some eminent Surgeon was interred on his other side I would say that Physick lay here in state with its two Pages attending it Writers HUMPHREY NECTON was born though Necton be in Northfolk in this County and quitting a fair fortune from his Father professed poverty and became a Carmelite in Norwich Two Firstships met in this Man for he Handselled the House-Convent which Philip Wat in of Cowgate a prime Citizen and almost I could beleeve him Mayor of the City did after the death of his Wife in a fit of sorrow give with his whole Estate to the Carmelites Secondly He was the first Carmelite who in Cambridge took the Degree of Doctor in Divinity â—…orsome boggled much thereat as false Heraldry in Devotion to super-induce a Doctoral hood over a Friers Coul till our Necton adventured on it For though Poverty might not affect Pride yet Humility may admit of Honour He flourished under King Henry the Third and Edward the First at Norwich and was buried with great solemnity by those of his Order Anno Dom. 1303. JOHN HORMINGER was born of good Parents in this County and became very accomplished in Learning It happened that travelling to Rome he came into the company of Italians the admirers only of themselves and the Slighters-General of all other Nations vilifying England as an inconsiderable Country ' whose Ground was as barren as the people Barbarous Our Horminger impatient to hear his Mother land traduced spake in her defence and fluently Epitomized the commodities thereof Returning home he wrote a Book De Divitiis Deliciis Angliae of the Profit and Pleasure of England which had it come to my hand O how advantageous had it been to my present design He flourished 1310. THOMAS of ELY was born in this County For though Cambridge-shire boasteth of Ely so famous for the Cathedral yet is there Monks-Ely in Suffolk the Native Town of this Thomas who followed the foot-steps of his Countryman Necton being a Carmelitâ—… but in Ipswich and afterwards Doctor in the University of Cambridge aith my Author of Both Divinities But the same hand which tieth untieth this knot giving us to understand that thereby are meant Scholastical and Interpretative Divinity seeming to import them in that Age to have been distinct Faculties till afterwards united as the Civil and Common Law in one profession Leaving his Native Land he travelled over the seas with others of his Order to Bruges in Flanders and there kept Lectures and Disputations as one Gobelike a formidable Author informeth my Informer till his death about 1320. RICHARD LANHAM was born at a Market-Town well known for Cloathing in this County and bred when young a Carmelite in Ipswich He made it his only request to the Trefect of his Convent to have leave to study in Oxford which was granted him and deservedly employing his time so well there that he proceeded Doctor with publick applause Lelands Pencil paints him Pious and Learned but Bale cometh with his spunge and in effect deletes both because of his great Antipathy to the VVicklevites However his Learning is beyond contradiction attested by the Books he left to Posterity Much difference about the manner and place of his death some making him to decease in his Bed at Bristol others to be beheaded in London with Sudbury Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Hales Master of St. 〈◊〉 of Jerusalem by the Rebellious Crew of VVat Tyler who being a Misogrammatist if a good Greek word may be given to so Barbarous a Rebel hated every man that could write or read and were the more incensed against Lanham for his eminent Literature He died Anno Dom. 1381. JOHN KINYNGHAM was born in this County bred a Carmelite first in Ipswich then in Oxford being the 25th Prefect of his Order in England and Ireland Confessor to John of Gant and his Lady He was the first who encountred VVickliffe in the Schools at Oxford disputing of Philosophical Subtilties and that with so much Ingenuity that VVickliffe much taken with the Mans modesty prayed heartily for him that his Judgement might be convinced But whether with so good successe wherewith Peter Martyr besought God on the same account for 〈◊〉 Gilpin I know not He died a very aged man Anno 1399 and was buried at York far I confesse from Ipswich his first fixation But it was usual for Prefects of Orders to travel much in their Visitations JOHN LYDGATE was born in this County at a Village so called bred a Benedictine Monk in St. Edmunds-Bury After some time spent in our English Universities he travelled over France and Italy improving his time to his great accomplishment Returning he became Tutor to many Noble-mens sons and both in Prose and Poetry was the best Author of his Age. If Chaucers Coin were of a greater weight for deeper learning Lydgates were of a more refined Standard for purer language so that one might mistake him for a modern Writer But because none can so well describe him as himself take an Essay of his Verses excusing himself for deviating in his Writings from his Vocation I am a Monk by my profession In Berry call'd John Lydgate by my name And wear a habit of perfection Although my life agrees not with the same That meddle should with things spiritual As I must needs confess unto you all But seeing that I did herein proceed At his command whom I could not refuse I humbly do beseech all those that read Or leasure have this story to peruse If any fault therein they find to be Or error that committed is by me That they will of their gentleness take pain The rather to correct and mend the same Than rashly to condemn it with disdain For well I wot it is not without blame Because I know the Verse therein is wrong As being some too short and some too long For Chaucer that my Master was and knew What did belong to writing Verse and Prose Ne're stumbled at small faults nor yet did view With scornful eye the Works and Books of those That in his time did write nor yet would taunt At any man to fear him or to daunt He lived to be 60 years of age and died about the year 1444 and was buried in his own Convent with this Epitaph Mortuus saeclo superis superstes Hic 〈◊〉 Lydgate tumulatus urna Qui fuit quondam celebris Britannae Fama Poesis Dead in this World living above the skie Intomb'd within this Urn doth Lydgate lie In former time fam'd for his Poetry All over England As for the numerous and various Books which he wrote of several subjects Bale presenteth us with their perfect Catalogue JOHN BARNYNGHAM born at a Village so named in this County was bred a Carmelite in Ipswich and afterwards proceeded Doctor in Oxford thence going to Serbon the Cock-pit of controversies was there admitted to the same Degree Trithemius takes
Commission where he met with some molestation He had three Brethren Ministers on the same token that some have said that these four put together would not make up the abilities of their Father Nor were they themselves offended with this Hyperbole to have the Branches lessened to greaten their Root One of them lately dead was benefic'd in Essex and following the counsel of the Poet Ridentem dicere verum Quis vetat What doth forbid but one may smile And also tell the Truth the while hath in a jesting way in some of his Books delivered much Smart-Truth of this present Times Mr. Samuel died 163. JOHN BOISE Born at Elmeseth in this County being son of the Minister thereof He was bred first in Hadley-School then in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge and was deservedly chosen Fellow thereof Here he as a Volonteer read in his bed a Greek Lecture to such young Scholars who preferred Antelucana studia before their own ease and â—…est He was afterwards of the Quorum in the translating of the Bible and whilst St. Chrysostome lives Mr. Boise shall not die such his learned pains on him in the edition of Sir Henry Savil. Being Parson of Boxworth in Cambridge-shire and Prebendary of Ely he made a quiet End about the beginning of our Warlike disturbances Romish Exile Writers ROBERT SOUTHWEL was born in this County as Pitseus affirmeth who although often mistaken in his locality may be believed herein as professing himself familiarly acquainted with him at Rome But the matter is not much where he was born seeing though cried up by men of his own Profession for his many Books in Verse and Profe he was reputed a dangerous enemy by the State for which he was imprisoned and executed March the 3 1595. Benefactors to the Publick ELIZABETH third daughter of Gilbert Earl of CLARE and wife to John Burgh Earl of Ulster in Ireland I dare not say was born at but surely had her greatest Honor from Clare in this County Blame me not Reader if I be covetous on any account to recover the mention of her Memory who Anno 1343 founded Clare-Hall in Cambridge since augmented by many Benefactors Sir SIMON EYRE son of John Eyre was born at Brandon in this County bred in London first an Upholster then a Draper In which Profession he profited that he was chosen Lord Mayor of the City 1445. On his own cost he built Leaden-Hall for a Common Garner of Corn to the City of squared stone in form as it now sheweth with a fair Chappel in the East side of the Quadrant Over the Porch of which he caused to be written Dextra Domini exaltavit me The Lords right hand hath exalted me He is elsewhere stiled Hoâ—…orandus famosus Mercator He left five thousand Marks a prodigious sum in that age to charitable uses so that if my sight mistake not as I am confident it doth not his bounty like Saul stands higher than any others from the shoulders upwards He departed this life the 18th of September Anno Domini 1459. and is buried in the Church of St. Mary Woolnoth in Lumbard-street London THOMAS SPRING commonly called the Rich Clothier was I believe born I am sure lived and waxed Wealthy at Laneham in this County He built the Carved Chappel of Wainscot in the North-side of the Chancel as also the Chappel at the South-side of the Church This Thomas Spring senior died Anno 1510 and lieth buried under a Monument in the Chappel of his own erection Since the Reformation WILLIAM COPPINGER born at Bucks-Hall in this County where his Family flourisheth at this day in a good esteem He was bred a Fish-monger in London so prospering in his Profession that he became Lord Mayor Anno 1512. He gave the half of his Estate which was very great to pious uses and relieving of the poor His bounty mindeth me of the words of Zacheus to our Saviour Behold Lord the half of my goods I give to the poor and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation I restore him fourefold Demand not of me whether our Coppinger made such plentiful restitution being confident there was no cause thereof seeing he never was one of the Publicans persons universally infamous for extortion Otherwise I confess that that charity which is not bottom'd on Justice is but built on a foundred foundation I am sorry to see this Gentlemans ancient Arms the Epidemical disease of that Age substracted in point of Honour by the addition of a superfluous Bordure Sir WILLIAM CORDAL Knight Where ever he was born he had a fair Estate at Long-Melford in this County and lieth buried in that fair Church under a decent Monument We will translate his Epitaph which will perfectly acquaint us with the great Offices he had and good offices he did to posterity Hic Gulielmus habet requieÌ„ Cordellus avito Stemmate qui clarus clarior ingenio Hic studiis primos consumpsit fortiter annos Mox Causarum strenuus actor er at Tanta illi doctrina inerat facundia tanta Ut Parlamenti publica Lingua foret Postea factus Eques Reginae arcana Mariae Consilia Patriae grande subibat opus Factus est Custos Rotulorum urgente senecta In Christo moriens cepit ad astra viam Pauperibus largus victum vestemque ministrans Insuper Hospitii condidit ille domum Here William Cordal doth in rest remain Great by his birth but greater by his brain Plying his studies hard his youth throughout Of Causes he became a Pleader stout His learning deep such cloquence did vent He was chose Speaker of the Parliament Afterwards Knight Q. Mary did him make And Counsellor State-work to undertake And Master of the Rolls well worn with age Dying in Christ heaven was his utmost stage Diet and clothes to poor he gave at large And a fair Almshouse founded on his charge He was made Master of the Rolls November 5th the Fifth of Queen Mary continuing therein till the day of his death the 23th of Queen Elizabeth Sir ROBERT HICHAM Knight and Serjeant at Law was born if not at near Nacton in this County and was very skilful in our Common-Law By 〈◊〉 practice he got a great Estate and purchased the fair Mannor of Framlingham of the Earl of Suffolk Herein he met with many difficulties knots which would have made another mans Axe turn edge to hew them off so that had he not been one of a sharp Wit strong Brains powerful Friends plentiful Purse and indefatigable Diligence he had never cleared the Title thereof to him and his heirs I am willing to beleeve that gratitude to God who gave him to wade thorough so many Incumbrances and land safely at last on the peaceable possession of his Purchase was the main motive inclining him to leave a great part of his Estate to pious uses and principally to Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge He
this County bred first at Eaton then at Kings-Colledge in Cambridge where when a youth he was a Rakel in grain For something crossing him in the Colledge he could find no other way to work his Revenge than by secret setting on fire the Masters lodgings part whereof he burnt to the ground Immediately after this Incendiary and was it not high time for him left the Colledge and this little Herosâ—…ratus lived for a time in the Country debauched enough for his conversation But they go far who turn not again And in him the Proverb was verified Naughty Boyes sometimes make good Men he seasonably retrenched his wildness turn'd hard Student became an eminent Scholar and most able States-man and after smaller promotions was at last made Bishop of Ely and often employed in forreign Embassies And now hath it been possible he would have quenched the fire he kindled in the Colledge with his own tears and in expression of his penitence became a worthy Benefactor to the house and re-built the masters Lodgings firm and fair from the ground No Bishop of England was better attended with Menial Servants or kept a more bountiful house which made his death so much lamented Anno Dom. 1533. Since the Reformation JOHN PARKâ—…URST was born at Gilford in this County bred first in Magdalen then in Merton-Colledge in Oxford Here it was no small part of praise that he was Tutor yea Mecenas to John Jewel After his discontinuance returning to Oxford it was no small comfort unto him to hear his Pupil read his Learned humanity-Lectures to the Somato Christians Reader I coyn not the word my self but have took it in Payment from a good hand that is to those of Corpus Chrisâ—…i Colledge to which house then Jâ—…wel was removed Hereupon Mr. Parkhurst made this Distich Olim discipulus mihi chare Juelle fuisti Nunc ero discipulus te renuente tuus Dear Jewel Scholar once thou wast to me Now gainst thy will I Scholar turn to thee Indeed he was as good a Poet as any in that Age and delighted to be an AntiEpigrammatist to John VVhite Bishop of VVinchester whom in my opinion he far surpassed both in Phrase and fancy Mr. Parkhurst when leaving Oxford was presented Parson shall I say or Bishop of Cleve in Glocester-shire as which may seem rather a Diocess than a Parish for the rich Revenue thereof But let none envy Beneficium opimum beneficiario optimo A good living to an incumbent who will do good therewith He laid himself out in works of Charity and Hospitality He used to examine the Pockets of such Oxford Scholars as repaired unto him and alwayes recruited them with necessaries so that such who came to him with heavy hearts and light purses departed from him with light hearts and heavy purses But see a sudden alteration King Edward the Sixth dies and then he who formerly entertained others had not a house to hide himself in Parkhurst is forced to post speedily and secretly beyond the Seas where he remained all the reign of Queen Mary and providing for his return in the First of Queen Elizabeth was robbed of that little he had by some Searchers appointed for that purpose Were not these Thieves themselves robbed I mean of their expectation who hoped to enrich themselves by Pillaging an Exile and a Poet It grieved him most of all that he lost the fair Copy of his Epigrams though afterwards with much ado he recovered them from his foul papers These at last he put in print Et juvenilem 〈◊〉 senex edidit without any trespass on his gravity such his Poems being so witty that a young man so harmless that an old man need not be of them ashamed Being returned into England he was by Queen Elizabeth preferred to the Bishoprick of Norwich and was consecrated Sept. the 1 1560. 14 years he sate in that See and died 1574. THOMAS RAVIS was born of worthy Parentage at Maulden in this County bred in Christ-Church in Oxford whereof he was Dean and of which University he was twice Vice-Chancellor Afterwards when many suitors greedily sought the Bishoprick of Glocester then vacant the Lords of the Councel * requested Doct. Ravis to accept thereof As he was not very willing to go â—…hither so after his three years abode there those of Glocester were unwilling he should go thence who in so short a time had gained the good liking of all sorts that some who could scant brook the name of Bishop were content to give or rather to pay him a good Report Anno 1607 he was removed to London and there died on the 14th of December 1609. and lieth buried under a fair Tomb in the wall at the upper end of the North-part of his Cathedral ROBERT ABBOT D. D. was born at Guilford in this County bred in 〈◊〉 Colledge in Oxford whereof he became Principal and Kings Professor of Divinity in that University What is said of the French so graceful is their Garbe that they make any kind of Cloathes become themselves so general was his Learning he made any liberal imployment beseem him Reading VVriting Preaching Opposing Answering and Moderating who could dis-intangle Truth though complicated with errours on all sides He so routed the reasons of Bellarmin the Romish Champion that he never could rally them again Yet Preferment which is ordered in Heaven came down very slowly on this Doctor whereof several Reasons are assigned 1 His Humility affected no high Promotion 2 His Foes traduced him for a Puritan who indeed was a right godly Man and cordiat to the Discipline as Doctrine of the Church of England 3 His Friends were loath to adorn the Church with the spoil of the University and marre a Professor to make a Bishop However preferment at last found him out when he was consecrated B. of Salisbury Decemb. 3. 1615. Herein he equaled the felicity of Suffridus B. of Chichester that being himself a Bishop he saw his brother George at the same time Archbishop of Canterbury Of these two George was the more plausible Preacher Robert the greater Scholar George the abler States-man Robert the deeper Divine Gravity did frown in George and smile in Robert But alas he was hardly warm in his Sâ—…e before cold in his Coffin being one of the â—…ive Bishops which Salisbury saw in six years His death happened Anno 1617. GEORGE ABBOT was born at Guilford in this County being one of that happy Ternion of Brothers whereof two eminent Prelats the third Lord Mayor of London He was bred in Oxford wherein he became Head of University-Colledge a pious man and most excellent Preacher as his Lectures on Jonah do declare He did first creep then run then fly into preferment or rather preferment did fly upon him without his expectation He was never incumbent on any Living with cure of soules but was mounted from a Lecturer to a Dignitary so that he knew well what belong'd to
in this Shire though one may seem somewhat suspicious as being bred living though not to their full strength and stature of being navigable and dying therein swallowed up by the sea It is sufficient evidence of the plenty of this County that the Tolle of the Wheat Corn and Malt growing or made about and sold in the City of Chichester doth amount yearly at a half penny a Quarter to sixty pounds and upwards as the Gatherers thereof will attest and the numbers of the Bushels we leave to be Audited by better Arithmeticians It hath been said that the first Baron Viscount and Earl in England all three have and have had for some term of time their chief residence in this County and it is more civility to believe all then to deny any part of the repoâ—…t though sure I am this observation was discomposed at the death of the Earl of Essex since which time Viscount Hereford is the first Person in England of that Dignity Naturall Commodities Iron Great the necessity hereof some Nations having lived in the ignorance of Gold and Silver scarce any without the use of Iron Indeed we read not of it in making the Tabernacle though from no mention no use thereof therein cannot infallibly be inferred which being but a Slight and Portable Building Brass might supply the want thereof But in the Temple which was a firmer fabrick we find Iron for the things of Iron and a hundred thousand Talents of that Metal imployed therein Great the quantity of Iron made in this County whereof much used therein and more exported thence into other parts of the Land and beyond the Seas But whether or no the private profit thereby will at long-running countervail the publick loss in the destruction of woodâ—… I am as unwilling to discuss as unable to decide Onely let me adde the ensuing complaint wherein the Timber-trees of this County deplore their condition in my opinion richly worth the Readers perusall Joves Oake the warlike Ash veyn'd Elm the softer Beech Short Hazell Maple plain light Aspe the bending Wych Tough Holly and soomth Birch must altogether burn What should the Builders serve supplies the Forgers turn When under publick good base private gain takes hold And we poor wofull woods to ruin lastly sold. But it is to be hoped that a way may be found out to â—…harke Seacole in such manner as to render it usefull for the making of Iron All things are not found out in one age as reserved for future discovery and that perchance may be easy for the next which seems impossible to this generation Talk Talk in Latine Talchum is a cheap kind of Mineral which this County plentifully affords though not so fine as what is fetch'd from Venice It is white and transparent like Chrystall full of strekes or veins which prettily scatter themselves Being calcined and variously prepared it maketh a curious White wash which some justiâ—…y lawfull because Cleaâ—…ing not Changing Complexion It is a great Astringent yet used but little in Physick Surely Nature would not have made it such an Hypocrit to hang out so fair a sign except some guest of Quality were lodged therein I mean it would not appear so beautifull to the eye except some conâ—…ealed worth were couched therein Inclining me to believe that the vertue 〈◊〉 is not yet fully discovered Wheat ears Wheat-ears is a bird peculiar to this County hardly found out of it It is so called because fattest when Wheat is râ—…pe whereon it feeds being no bigger then a Lark which it equalleth in the fineness of the flesh far exceedeth in the fatness thereof The worst is that being onely seasonable in the heat of summer and naturally larded with lumps of fat it is soon subject to corrupt so that though abounding within fourty miles London-Poulterers have no mind to meddle with them which no care in carriage can keep from Putrefaction That Palate-men shall pass in silence who being seriously demanded his judgment concerning the abilities of a great Lord concluded him a man of very weak parts because once he saw him at a great Feast feed on CHICKENS when there were WHEAT-EARS on the Table I will adde no more in praise of this Bird for fear some female Reader may fall in longing for it and unhappily be disappointed of her desire Carpes It is a stately fish but not long Naturalized in England and of all Fresh-water fishes the Ele only excepted lives longest out of his Proper Element They breed which most other fishes doe not severall Months in one year though in cold Ponds they take no comfort to increase A learned Writer observeth they live but ten years though others assign them a far longer life They are the better for their age and bigness a rule which holds not in other Fishes and their Tongues by ancient Roman Palate-men were counted most delicious meat though to speak Properly they have either no Tongues in their Mouths or all their Mouths are Tongues as filled with a Carneous substance whilst their Teeth are found in their throats There is a kind of Frog which is a Profest Foe unto them insomuch that of a Hundred Carpes put into a Pond not five of them have been found therein a year after And though some may say perchance two-leged Frogs stole them away yet the strict care of their Owners in watching them disproved all suspition thereof Now as this County is eminent for both Sea and River 〈◊〉 namely an Arundel Mullet a Chichester Lobster a 〈◊〉 Cockle and an Ameâ—…ly Trout So Sussex aboundeth with more Carpes then any other of this Nation And though not so great as Jovius reporteth to be found in the Lurian Lake in Italy weighing more then fifty pounds yet those generally of great and goodly proportion I need not adde that Physicians account the galls of Carpâ—…s as also a stone in their heads to be 〈◊〉 only I will observe that because Jews will not eat Caviare made of 〈◊〉 because coming from a fish wanting Scals and therefore forbidden in the Levitical Law Therefore the Italians make greater profit of the Spaun of Carps whereof they make a Red Caviare well pleasing the Jews both in Palate and Conscience All I will adde of Carps is this that Ramuâ—… himself doth not so much redound in Dichotomies as they do Seeing no one bone is to be found in their body which is not forked or divided into two parts at the end thereof Manufactures Great Guns It is almost incredible how many are made of the iron in this County Count Gondomer well knew their goodness when of K. James he so often begg'd the boon to transport them A Monke of Mentz some three hundred years since is generally reputed the first Founder of them Surely ingenuity may seem transposed and to have cross'd her hands when about the same time a Sâ—…uldier found out Printing and it is questionable which of the two Inventions
bad success He exhorted them to be Pious to God Dutifull to their King Piâ—…full to all Captives to be Carefull in making Faithfull in keeping articles with their enemies After the death of Strafford he was made Arch-bishop of Canterbury and at Avenion where the Pope then resided received his Consecration Here he was accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 somewhat Clownish by the Romish Court partly because he could not mode it with the Italians but chiefly because money being the generall Turn-key to Preferment in that place he was meeâ—…ly advanced for his merit But that which most recommended his memory to posterity is that worthy book he made de Causâ Dei wherein speaking of Pelagius he complaineth in his second Book that Totus paenè mundus ut timeo doleo post hunc abiit erroribus ejus faveâ—… I fear and lament that almost the whole world runs after him and favours his errors Bradwardine therefore undertook to be Champion for Grace and Gods cause against such who were not defensores sed deceptores sed inflatores sed praecipitatores liberi arbitrâ—… as Augustine calleth them and as the same Father saith of Cicero dum liberos homines esse volunt faciunt sacrilegos He died at Lambâ—…th in October Anno Dom. 1349. THOMAS ARUNDELL was the fourth Arch-bishop of Canterbury who was born in this County Son he was to Robert Brother to Richard Fitz-Alen both Earls of Arundâ—…ll Herein he standeth alone by himself that the Name Arundell speaks him both Nobleman and Clergy-man the Title of his fathers honor and place of his own birth meeting both in the Castle of Arâ—…ell It was â—…ither his Nobility or Ability or Both which in him did supplere aetatem qualifying him to be Bishop of Ely at twenty two years of age He was afterwards Archbishop of York and at last of Canterbury 1396. and three severall times Lord Chancellor of England viz. In the Tenth of Richard the second 1386. in the Fifteenth of Richard the second 1391. the Eleventh of Henry the fourth 1410. By King Richard the second when his Brother the Earl of Arundell was beheaded this Thomas was banished the land Let him thank his Orders for saving his Life the Tonsure of his hair for the keeping of his Head who otherwise had been sent the same path aâ—… pase with his Brother Returning in the First of K. Henry the fourth he was restored to his Arch-bishoprick Such who commend his Courage for being the Churches Champion when a powerfull Party in Parliament pushed at the Revenues thereof condemn his Cruelty to the Wicklevites being the first who persecuted them with Fire and Fagot As for the manner of his death we will neither carelesly wink at it nor curiously stare on it but may with a serious look solemnly behold it He who had stop'd the mouths of so many servants of God from preaching his Word was himself famished to Death by a swelling in his Throat But seeing we bear in our Bodies the seeds of all Sicknesses as of all sins in our souls it is not good to be over-bold and buisie in our censures on such Casualties He died February 20. 1413. and lieth buried in his Cathedral at Canterbury HENRY BURWASH so named saith my Author which is enough for my discharge from Burwash a Town in this County He was one of Noble Alliance And when this is said all is said to his Commendation being otherwise neither good for Church nor State Soveraign nor Subjects Covetous Ambitious Rebellious Injurious Say not what makes he here then amongst the worthies for though neither Ethically nor Theologically yet Historically he was remarkable affording something for our Information though not Imitation He was recommended by his kinsman Bâ—…rtholomew de Badilismer Baron of Leeds in Kent to K. Edward the second who preferred him Bishop of Lincoln It was not long be fore falling into the Kings displeasure his Temporalities were seized on and afterwards on his submission restored Here in stead of new Gratitude retayning his old Grudge he was most forward to assist the Queen in the deposing of her husband He was twice L. Treasurer once Châ—…ncellor and once sent over Ambassador to the Duke of Bavaria He died Anno Domini 1340. Such as mind to be merry may read the pleasant Story of his apparition being condemned after Death to be viridis viridarius a green â—…rester because in his life time he had violently inclosed other mens Grounds into his Park Surely such Fictions keep up the best Park of Popery Purgatory whereby their fairest Game and greatest Gaine is preserved Since the Reformation WILLIAM BARLOW D. D. My industry hath not been wanting in Qaest of the place of his Nativity but all in vain Seeing therefore I cannot fix his character on his Cradle I am resolved rather then omit him to fasten it on his Coffin this County where in he had his last preferment A man he was of much Motion and Promotion First I find him Canon Regular of Sâ—… 〈◊〉 in Essex and then Prior of Bisham in Barkshire Then preferred by K. Henry the eighth Bishop of St. Asaph and consecrated Febr. 22. 1535. Translated thence the April following to St. Davids remaining 13. years in that See In the Third of King Edward the sixth he was removed to the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells Flying the Land in the Reign of Queen Mary he became Superintendent of the English Congregation at Embden Coming back into England by Q. Elizabeth he was advanced Bishop of Chichester It is a Riddle why he chose rather to enter into new First-fruits and begin at Chichester then return to Bath a better Bishoprick Some suggest that he was loth to go back to Bath having formerly consented to the Expilation of that Bishoprick whilst others make his consent to signify nothing seeing impowred Sacriledge is not so mannerly as to ask any By your leave He had a numerous and prosperous female-Issue as appeareth by the Epitaph on his Wifes Monument in a Church in Hant-shire though one shall get no credit in translating them Hic Agathae tumulus Barloi Praesulis inde Exulis inde iterum Praesulis Uxor erat Prole beata fuit plena annis quinque suarum Praesulibus vidit Praesulis ipsa datas Barlows Wife Agathe doth here remain Bishop then Exile Bishop then again So long she lived so well his Children sped She saw five Bishops her five daughters wed Having sate about ten years in his See he peaceably ended his Life Dec. 10. 1569. WILLIAM JUXTON was born at Chichester in this County bred Fellow in Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Bachelour of Law very young but very able for that degree and afterwards became Doctor in the same Faculty and President of the Colledge One in whom Nature hath not Omitted but Grace hath Ordered the Tetrarch Humour of Choler being Admirably Master of his Pen and his Passion for his Abilities
may conquer the corruptions of their Nature If Fâ—…rca in no unusuall sence be taken for the Cross by the vertue of Christs sufferings thereon a man may so repell Nature that it shall not recoile to his destruction Princes KATHARINE PAR daughter of Sir Thomas Par was born at Kendall-castle in this County then the prime seat of that though no parliamentary Barony devolved to her father by inheritance from the Bruses and Rosses of Werk She was first married unto John Nevile Lord Latimer and afterwards to K. Henry the eighth This King first married half a maid no less can be allowed to the Lady Katharine the Relict of Prince Arthur and then he married four maids successively of the two last he complained charging the one with impotency the other with inconstancy and being a free man again resolved to wed a Widow who had given testimony of her fidelity to a former husband This Lady was a great favourer of the Gospell and would earnestly argue for it sometimes speaking more then her husband would willingly hear of Once politick Gardiner who spar'd all the Weeds spoil'd the good Flowers and Herbs had almost got her into his clutches had not divine Providence delivered her Yet a Jesuite tells us that the King intended if longer surviving to behead her for an Heretick to whom all that I will return is this that he was neither Confessour nor Privy-Counâ—…ellour to King Henry the eighth This Queen was afterward married to Thomas Seymer Baron of Sudeley and Lord Admiral and died in child-bed of a daughter Anno Domini 1548. her second husband surviving her This makes me the more admire at the great mistake of Thomas Mills otherwise most industrious and judicious in genealogies making this Lady married the third time unto Edward Burgh eldest son unto Thomas Lord Burgh without any shew of probability Cardinals CHRISTOPHER BAMBRIDGE born near Apleby in this County was bred Doctor of Law in Queens-colledge in Oxford He was afterwards Dean of York Bishop of Durham and at last Arch-bishop of York Being imployed an Embasadour to Rome he was an active instrument to procure our King Henry the eight to take part with the Pope against Lewis King of France for which good service he was created Cardinal of Saint Praxis A title some say he long desired let me adde and little injoyed For falling out with his Steward Rivaldus de Modena an Italian and fustigating him for his faults the angry Italian Poysoned him Herein something may be pleaded for this Cardinal out of the Old sure I am more must be pleaded against him out of the New Testament if the places be Parallell'd Proverbs 29. 19. 1 Timothy 3. 3. A servant will not be corrected by words c. A Bishop must be no striker c. But grant him greatly faulty it were uncharitable in us to beat his Memory with more stripes who did then suffer so much for his own Indiscretion His death happened July 14. 1511 and was buried at Rome not in the Church of Saint Praxis which entitled him but in the Hospitall of the English Prelats THOMAS VIPONT was descended of those Ancient Barons who were Hereditary Lords of this County Surely either his Merit was very great or Might very prevalent advantaged by his near and potent Relations That the Canons of Carlile stuck so stiffly to their electing their Bishop when King Henry the third with so much importunity commended John Prior of Newbury unto them This Thomas injoyed his place but one year the onely reason as I conceive that no more is reported of him He died Anno Dom. 1256. JOHN de KIRKBY born at one of the two Kirkbies Landsdale or Stephens in this County was first Canon and afterwards Bishop of Carlile Anno 1332. This is that Stout Prelate who when the Scots invaded England Anno 1345. with an Army of thirty thousand under the conduct of William Douglas and had taken and burnt Carlile with the Country thereabouts I say this John Kirkby was he who with the assistance of Thomas Lucy Robert Ogle persons of prime power in those Parts fighting in an advantagious place utterly routed and ruined them Such as behold this Act with envious eyes cavelling that he was non-resident from his Calling when he turned his Miter into an Helmet Crosier-staffe into a Sword consider not that true Maxim In Publicos hostes omnis home miles and the most consciencious Casuists who forbid Clergy-men to be Military Plaintiffs allow them to be defendants He died Anno Dom. 1353. THOMAS de APPLEBY born in that Eminent Town in this County where the Assises commonly are kept was legally chosen Bishop of Carlile by all that had right in that Election Yet he was either so Timerous or the Pope so Tyrannicall or both that he durst not own the choice with his publique consent untill he had first obtained his Confirmation from the Court of Rome He was Consecrated Anno Dom. 1363. and having set 33. years in that See deceased Decemb 5. 1395. ROGER de APPLEBY went over into Ireland and there became Prior of Saint Peters near Trimme formerly founded by Simon de rupe forti Bishop of Meath hence by the Pope he was preferred Bishop of Ossory in the same Kingdome He died Anno Dom. 1404. WILLIAM of STRICKLAND descended of a Right Worshishful Family in this County Anno 1396. by joynt consent of the Cannons chosen Bishop of Carlile However by the concurrence of the Pope and K. Richard the second one Robert Read was preferred to the Place which injury and affront Strickland bare with much moderation Now it happened that Read was removed to Chichester and Thomas Mâ—…x his successor translated to a Grecian Bishoprick that Strickland was Elected again Patience gains the Goal with Long-running and Consecrated Bishop of Carlile Anno 1400. For the Town of Perith in Cumberland he cut a pâ—…ssage with great Art Industry and Expence from the Town into the river Petterill for the conveiance of Boatage into the Irish sea He sate Bishop 19. years and died Anno Dom. 1419. NICHOLAS CLOSE was born at Bibreke in this County was One of the Six Original Fellows whom K. Henry the sixth placed in his new erected Colledge of Kings-colledge in Cambridge Yea he made him in a manner Master of the Fabrick committing the building of that house to his Fidelity who right honestly discharged his trust therein He was first Bishop of Carlile then of Leichfield where he died within a year after his Consecration viz. Anno Dom. 1453. Since the Reformation HUGH COREN or CURWEN was born in this County and made by Queen Mary Archbishop of Dublin Brown his immediate Predecessor being deprived for that he was married Here it is worthy of our observation that though many of the Protestant Clergy in that Land were imprisoned and otherwise much molested yet no one Person of what quality soever in all Ireland did suffer
Reader to his Life written at large by Bishop Carlton he was Rector of Houghton in the North consisting of fourteen Villages In his own house he boarded and kept full four and twenty scholars The greater number of his boarders were poor mens sons upon whom he bestowed meat drink and cloth and education in learning He was wont to entertain his Parishioners and strangers at his table not onely at the Christmas time as the custome is but because he had a large and wide Parish a great multitude of people he kept a table for them every Sunday from Michâ—…elmas to Easter He had the Gentlemen the Husbandmen and the Poorer sort set every degree by themselves and as it were ordered in ranks He was wont to commend the married estate in the Clergy howbeit himself lived and dyed a single man He bestowed in the building ordering and establishing of his School and in providing yearly stipends for a School-master and an Usher the full summe of five hundred pounds out of which School he supplied the Church of England with great store of learned men He was carefull to avoid not only all evil doing but even the lightest suspicions thereof And he was accounted a Saint in the judgements of his very enemies if he had any such Being full of faith unfained and of good works he was at the last put into his grave as a heap of wheat in due time swept into the garner He dyed the 4. of March 1583. and in the 66. year of his age RICHARD MULCASTER was born of an ancient extract in the North but whether in this County or Cumberland I find not decided From Eaton-school he went to Cambridge where he was admitted into Kings-colledge 1548. but before he was graduated removed to Oxford Here such his proficiency in learning that by general consent he was chosen the first Master of Merchant-Tailors-School in London which prospered well under his care as by the flourishing of Saint Johns in Oxford doth plainly appear The Merchant-Tailors finding his Scholars so to profit intended to fix Mr. Mulcaster as his Desk to their School till death should remove him This he perceiv'd and therefore gave for his Motto Fidelis servus perpetuus asinus But after twenty five years he procured his freedome or rather exchanged his service being made Master of Pauls-school His method in teaching was this In a morning he would exactly and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the lessons to his Scholars which done he slept his hour custome made him critical to proportion it in his desk in the School but wo be to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slept the while Awaking he heard them 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 to pity as soon as he to pardon where he found just fault The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Mothers prevailed with him as much as the requests of indulgent Fathers rather increasing then mitigating his severity on their offending child In a word he was Plagosus Orbilius though it may be truly said and safely for one out of his School that others have taught as much learning with fewer lashes Yet his sharpness was the better endured because unpartiall and many excellent Scholars were bred under him whereof Bishop Andrews was most remarkable Then quitting that place he was presented to the rich Parsoâ—…ge of Stanfórd-rivers in Essex I have heard from those who have heard him preach that his Sermons were not excellent which to me seems no wonder partly because there is a different discipline in teaching children and men partly because such who make Divinity not the choice of their youth but the refuge of their age seldome attain to eminency therein He died 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth CHRISTOPHER POTTER D. D. kinsman to Bishop Potter of whom before was born in this County 〈◊〉 Fellow of Queens-colledge in Oxford and at last was chosen Provost thereof Chapâ—…in in Ordinary to King Charles and Dean of 〈◊〉 One of a sweet nature â—…mely preâ—…ence courteous carriage devout life and deep learning he wrot an excellent book entituled Charity mistaken containing impregnable truth so that malice may sâ—…arl at but not bite it without breaking its own teeth Yet a railing Jesuit wrote a pretended 〈◊〉 thereof to which the Doctor mâ—…de no return partly because the industrious Bee would not meddle with a 〈◊〉 or Hornet rather partly because Mr. Chillingworth a great Master of defence in School-divinity took up the Cudgells against him This worthy Doctor died in the beginning of our civill distempers Benefactors to the Publique ROBERT LANGTON Doctors of Law MILES SPENCER Doctors of Law It is pity to part them being Natives of this County as I am credibly informed Doctors in the same faculâ—…y and Co-partners in the same Charity the building of a fair School at Appleby The Pregnant Mother of so many Eminent Scholars As for Robert Langton he was bred in and a Benefactor to Queens-â—…edge in Oxford owing the Glaseing of many Windows therein to his Beneficence Witness his Conceit to Communicate his Name to Posterity viz. a Ton the 〈◊〉 or Fancy Generall for all Sirnames in that Termination extended very long beyond an ordinary proportion Lang the Northern man pronounceth it whereby he conceived his Surname completed I shall be thankfull to him who shall enform me of the Dates of their severall deaths ANNE CLYFFORD sole Daughter heir to George Earl of Cumberland Wife first to Richard Earl of Dorset then to Phillip Earl of Pembrokâ—… and Montgomery though born and nursed in Hartfordshire yet because having her greatest Residence and Estate in the North is properly referrable to this County The Proverb is Homo non est ubi animat sed amat One is not to be reputed there where he lives but where he loves on which account this Lady is placed not where she first took life but where she hath left a most lasting Monument of her Love to the Publique This is that most beautifull Hospital Stately Built and Richly Endowed at her sole Cost at Appleby in this County It was conceived a bold and daring part of Thomas Cecill son to Treasurer Burghleigh to enjoyn his Masons and Carpenters not to omit a days Work at the building of Wimbleton house in Surrâ—…y though the Spanish Armado Anno 1588. all that while shot off their Guns whereof some might be heard to the Place But Christianly Valiant is the Charity of this Lady who in this Age wherein there is an Earthquake of Antient Hospitals and as for new ones they are hardly to be seen for New lights I say Couragious this Worthy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who dare found in this Confounding Age wherein so much was demolished and aâ—…ened which was given to God and his Church Long may she live in Wealth and 〈◊〉 exactly to Compleat whatâ—…oever her 〈◊〉 Intentions have 〈◊〉 Mâ—…morable Persons RICHARD GILPIN a Valiant Man in this County was 〈◊〉 offed in the Raign of K. John about the year 1208. in the Lordship of Kent-mire-â—…all by
Rayes they report he hung his Veâ—…ment which miraculously supported it to the great admiration of the beholders Coming to Rome to be Consecrated Bishop of Sherburn he reproved Pope Sergius his fatherhood for being a father indeed to a Base Child then newly born And returning home he lived in great Esteem untill the day of his death which happened Anno Dom. 709. His Corps being brought to Malmesbury were there Inshrined and had in great Veneration who having his longest abode whilst living and last when dead in this County is probably presumed a Native thereof EDITH Naturall daughter of King Edger by the Lady Wolfhild was Abbess of Wilton wherein she demeaned her self with such Devotion that her Memory obtained the reputation of Saint-ship And yet an Author telleth us that being more curious in her attire then beseemed her profession Bishop Ethelwold sharply reproved her who answered him roundly That God regarded the Heart more then the Garment and that Sins might be covered as well under Rags as Robes One reporteth that after the slaughter of her brother Edward holy Dunstan had a design to make her Queen of England the Vail of her head it seems would not hinder the Crown so to defeat Ethelred the lawfull Heir had she not declined the proffer partly on Pious partly Politick diswasions She died Anno Dom. 984. and is buried in the Church of Dioness at Wilton of her own building she is commonly called Saint Edith the younger to distinguish her from Saint Edith her Aunt of whom before Martyrs It plainly appeareth that about the year of our Lord 1503. there was a persecution of Protestants give me leave so to Antedate their name in this County under Edmund Audley Bishop of Salisbury as by computation of time will appear Yet I find but one man Richard Smart by name the more remarkable because but once and that scentingly mentioned by Mr. Fox burnt at Salisbury for reading a book called Wicliffs Wicket to one Thomas Stillman afterwards burnt in Smithfield But under cruel Bishop Capon Wiltshire afforded these Marian Martyrs Name Vocation Residence Martyred in Anno John Spicer Free-Mason    William Coberly Taylor Kevel Salisbury 1556 Apr. John Maundrell Husbandman    Confessors Name Vocation Residence Persecuted in Anno John Hunt Husbandman Marleborough Salisbury 1558 Richard White Husbandman    These both being condemned to die were little less then miraculously preserved as will appear hereafter ALICE COBERLY must not be omitted wife to William Coberly forenamed charitably presuming on her repentance though she failed in her Constancy on this occasion The Jaylors wife of Salisbury heating a key fire hot and laying it in the grasse spake to this Alice to bring it in to her in doing whereof she pitiously burnt her hand and cryed out thereat O said the other if thou canst not abide the burning of a key how wilt thou indure thy whole body to be burnt at the stake Whereat the said Alice revoked her opinion I can neither excuse the Cruelty of the one though surely doing it not out of a Persecuting but Carnall preserving intention nor the Cowardliness of the other For she might have hoped that her whole body encountering the flame with a Christian resolution and confidence of Divine support in the Testimony of the truth would have found lesse pain then her hand felt from the suddain surprize of the fire wherein the unexpectedness added if not to the pain to the fright thereof This sure I am that some condemn her shrinking for a burnt hand who would have done so themselves for a scratched finger Cardinals WALTER WINTERBURN was born at Sarisbury in this County and bred a Dominican-fryer He was an excellent Scholar in all Studies suitable to his age when a Youth a good Poet and Orator when a Man an acute Philosopher Aristotelicarum doctrinarum heluo saith he who otherwise scarce giveth him a good word when an Old-man a deep Controvertial Divine and Skilfull Casuist a quality which commended him to be Confessor to King Edward the first Now news being brought to Pope Benedict the eleventh that William Maklesfield Provincial of the Dominicans and designed Cardinall of Saint Sabin was dead and buried at London before his Cap could be brought to him he appointed this Walter to be heir to his Honour The worst is as Medlers are never ripe till they are rotten so few are thought fit to be Cardinals but such as are extreamly in years Maklesfield had all his body buried and our Winterburn had one foot in the grave being seventy nine years of age before he was summoned to that dignity However over he went with all hast into Italy and though coming thither too late to have a sight of Pope Benedict the eleventh came soon enough to give a suffrage at the choice of Clement the fift This Walter his Cardinals Cap was never a whit the worse for wearing enjoying it but a year In his return home he died and was buried at Genua but afterwards his Corps were brought over and Re-interred most solemnly in London Anno 1305. ROBERT HALAM was saith my Author Regio sanguine Angliae natus born of the bloud Royal of England though how or which way he doth not acquaint us But we envy not his high Extraction whilst it seems accompanied with other Eminences He was bred in Oxford and afterwards became Chancelour thereof 1403. From being Arch-deacon of Canterbury he was preferred Bishop of Salisbury On the sixt of June 1411. he was made Cardinal though his particular title is not expressed It argueth his Abilities that he was one of them who was sent to represent the English Clergy both in the Council of Pisa and Constance in which last service he dyed Anno Dom. 1417. in Gotleby Castle Prelates JOANNES SARISBURIENSIS was born at and so named from old Sarum in this County though I have heard of some of the Salisburies in Denby shire who Essay to assert him to their Family as who would not recover so eminent a person Leland saith that he seeth in him Omnem 〈◊〉 Orbem all the World or if you will the whole Circle of Learning Bale saith that he was one of the first who since Theodorus Arch-bishop of Canterbury living five hundred years before him oh the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Barbarisme in England indeavoured to restore the learned languages to their Originall Purity being a good Latinist Grecian Musician Mathematician Philosopher Divine and what not What learning he could not find at home he did fetch from abroad travelling into France and Italy companion to T. Becket in his Exile but no partner in his protervity against his Prince for which he sharply reproved him He was highly in favour with Pope Eugenius the third and Adrian the fourth and yet no author in that age hath so pungent passages against the Pride and Covetousness of the Court
expressing her intention to confer it on Watson the foresaid Earl requested the contrary acquainting the Queen with the passage betwixt them how otherwise it would be two hundred pounds out of his way Nay then said the Queen Watson shall have it he being more worthy thereof who will give two hundred to decline then he who will give two thousand pounds to attain it I confess such who have read so much of the Corruption of the Earl of Leicester and heard so little of the Integrity of Watson will hardly credit this story which I am ready to believe and the rather because of this his Epitaph written on his Marble Monument in the Church of Saint Mary Overies D. Johannes Watson hujus Ecclesiâ—… Winton Praebendarius Decanus 〈◊〉 deinde Episcopus prudentissimus pater vir optimus praecipuè erga inopes misericors obiit in Domino January 23. anno â—…tatis 63. Episcopatus quarto 1583. Nothing else have I to observe save that there were three Watsons Bishops in the raign of Queen Elizabeth Thomas of Lincoln our John of Winchester and Anthony of Chichester though I believe little allied together States-men Sir THOMAS COVENTRY Knight was born at Croone in this County Eldest Son to Sir Thomas Coventry Knight one of the Justices of the Common Pleas. He was bred in the Inner Temple a student of the Laws and in the year 1618. was Treasurer of the said Temple and Atturney Generall to King James He was afterwards made Lord keeper of the Great Seal of England the first day of November in the first year of King Charles He was by the same King Created in the fourth of his raign April 10. Baron Coventry of Alesborough in this County An ingenious Gentleman in his History giveth him this Character in relation to his Keeper-ship that he injoyed that dignity fifteen years if it was not more proper to say that dignity enjoyed him This latter age affording none better qualified for the place Adding that he knew enough and acted conformable to his knowledge so that Captious Maliâ—…e â—…nds mute to blemish his fame To which we will only adde some few operative words taken out of his Patent when he was Created Baron Nos igitur in personâ Prâ—…dilecti per quam fidelis 〈◊〉 â—…stri Thomae Coventry Militis custodis magni sigilli nostri Angliae gratissima dignissima servitiâ—… quae idem consiliarius noster tam Prâ—…charissimo Patri 〈◊〉 Jacobo Regi 〈◊〉 Memoriae per multos anâ—…s quam nobis ab ipsis Râ—…gni nostri primis auspiciis fidelissimè prudentissimè praestitit impendit indiesque impendere non desistit nec non 〈◊〉 prudentiam strenuitatem dexteritatem integriâ—…tem industriam 〈◊〉 nos nostram coronam animo benigno regali intime recolentes constantiam fidelitatem ipsiâ—… Thomae Coventry Militis c. In cujus rei c. T. R. apud Westm. decimo diâ—… Aprilis Anno regni Regis Caroli 4. He died about the beginning of January 1639. before our Civill distempers began so that it is hard to say whether his Honourable Life or Seasonable Death was the greater favour which God bestow'd upon him I must not forget that it hath been observed that never Lord Keeper made fewer Orders which afterwards were Reversed then this Lord Coventry which some ascribe to his Discretion grounding most of his Orders on the Consent and Comprimise of the parties themselves interested therein whose hands so tyed up by their own Act were the more willing to be quiet for the future Writers on the Law Sir THOMAS LITLETON Knight Reader the Nimiety of my Cautiousness loath to prejudice the seeming right of any made me to bestow part of his Character on Staffordshire who since am convinced that he wholly and solely belongeth to this Shire as born at Frankley therein and I request the Reader to rectify some mistakes I formerly wrot by that which followeth He was a man remarkable in many respects First for his Extraction he was Son to Thomas Wescot Esquire and Elizabeth Litleton his wife who being a Double Inheritrix by her Father to the Litletons Mother to the Quatremains indented with Husband that her Heritable Issue should assume her Surname Say not her Husband might say Accepi dotem cognomen perdidi seeing it was done before his marriage by his free consent Besides we find even in Scripture it self Joab being constantly named the son of his Mother Zeruiah Secondly for his happiness that two great Kings had a great Sympathy to him who had an Antipathy each to other Henry the sixth whose Serjeant he was and rod Judge of the Northern circuit and Edward the fourth who made him a Judge and in his raign he rod the Northamptonshire Circuit Thirdly for his Exquisite skill in the Laws witness his Book of Tenures which though writ about two hundred years since yet at this day retaineth an Authentical reputation Insomuch that when in the raign of King James it came in question upon a Demuâ—…rer in Law whether the release to one Trespasser should be available or no to his Companion Sir Henry Hubbard and Judges Warberton Winch and Nicols his Companions gave Judgement according to the opinion of our Litleton and openly said that They would not have HIS CASE disputed or questioned Lastly for his happy posterity having left three families signally fixed and flourishing in this and the neighboring Counties of Stafford and Salop. And one saith very truely that these Quarter the Armes of many Matches after the best manner of quartering them other are scarce half-half-quartering them viz. they possess at this day good land on the same account Indeed the Lord Coke observeth that our Lawyers seldome dye either without Wills or Heirs For the first I believe it for our Common Lawyers will not have their Estates come under the Arbitrary dispose of a Civilian Judge of the Prerogative and therefore wisely prevent it For the second the Observation as qualified which Seldome may pass otherwise our Grand-fathers can remember Sir James Dier Lord Chief Justice and Periam Lord Chief Baron both dying without Issue His Book of Tenures hath since been Commented on by Sir Edward Coke his most Judicious Pen. Dic mihi num Textus vel Commentatio prestat Dicam ego tam Textus quam Commentatio prestat He died in the 21. year of King Edward the fourth and lyeth buried in the Cathedrall of Worcester having formerly constituted Doctor Alcock his faithfull friend and then Bishop of Worcestor Supervisor of his Will who saw it performed to all criticall particulars Souldiers RICHARD BEAUCHAMP Earl of Warwick was born at the Maâ—…or-house of Salwape in this County January the 28. 1381. King Richard the second and Richard Scroope then Bishop of Coventry afterwards Arch-bishop of York were his Godfathers A person so redoubted for Marshall Atchievements that the poeticall fictions of Hercules his labours found in him a reall
did withstand him L. Humphredus in vita Juelli pag. 44. Sed animosus iste Achilles die ad disputandum constituto cum non Compaâ—…eret sed ad Divum Andream in Scotiam profugeret ratus eum qui in hoc Articulo bene lateret bene vivere But this valiant Achilles when he did not appear on the day appointed for him to dispute fled to Saint Andrews in Scotland conceiving it that in a case of this kind he lived best who lay hid the closest From St. Andrews he afterwards conveyed himself over into the Low-countries But this Smith returned afterwards in the raign of Queen Mary when Peter Martyr was glad to get leave to fly from that University Thus we see as to speak unbiassed without reflexion on the Cause that in such controversies it mattereth little who are the Disputants on either side whilst the Prevalent power is the Moderator Doctor Smith flying again over into the Low-Countries was made Dean of Saint Peters in Dorway and the first Professor in the University founded therein He died Anno Domini 1563. JOHN MARSHALL was born at Dalisford in this County as * New-colledge Register doth attest which is to be credited before J. Pits making him to be born in * Dorsetshire He was bred at New-colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Batchelor of Laws and for his gravity and learning was chosen second Master of Winchester school But in the first of Queen Elizabeth he left the land with Thomas Hide chief School-master thereof so that now their Scholars had a fat Otium and in both their absence might play with Security till a â—…uccessor received their Scepter He became afterwards Canon of Lisle in Flanders though a long time disturbed in his quiet Possession thereof He wrot a book much prised by Men of his Perswasions against John Calâ—…ld an English Protestant At his death he bequeathed a Ring with a rich Stone to adorne a piece of the Crosse in his Cathedrall which by Doctor Gifford was solemnly applied thereunto and died Anno Domini 1597. ROBERT BRISTOW was born in this Connty bred first in Oxford in Exeter-colledge whence he conveyed himself over beyond the seas living first at Lovaine then in the English Colledge at Doway He was the first of that foundation that was made Priest being the right-hand of Cardinall Allen who departing to Rhemes left Bristow Prefect of Doway-colledge Afterwards he was sent for to Rhemes where he wrot his book say the Papists Contra futilem Fulkum Against foolish Fulk railing is easier then reasoning with such mouthes who indeed was a grave and godly Divine Being very sickly he was advised for his health to return into his native Country where having the good hap to miss that which cureth all diseases he dièd in his bed near London 1582. HENRY HOLLAND born in this County was bred Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford Leaving the land he fled over to Doway where he took the degree of Bachelour in Divinity and Order of Priest-hood Hence he removed to Rhemes where saith my Author Traductioni Bibliorum â—…crorum astitit He assisted I might say truly to the Traducing but let it be the Translating of the Bible Returning to Doway he read Divinity in a Monastery hard by wherein he was living 1611. Masters of Musick WALTER of EVESHAM was born thereabouts and bred therein a Benedictine-Monke His harmonious mind expressed it self in its love of Musick wherein he attained to great eminency and wrote a Learned book in that faculty But here Bilious Bale le ts fly without fear though not without some wit inveighing against all Musick in Churches pretending to produce a Pair-Royal of Fathers for his own opinion viz. Saint Jerome calling such chanting Theatrales modulos Gregory terming it consuetudinem reprehensibilem and Athanatius flatly forbidding it the Church for the vanity thereof But by Bales leave such speak not against the decent ornaments of wives who reprove the garish attire of harlots the abuse not use of Musick being taxed by the Fathers aforesaid Our Walter flourished under King Henry the third Anno 1240. Benefactors to the Publick Reader it may be disputed in me whether I am more ashamed of or grieved for my mean intelligence of Benefactions in this County before and since the Reformation But I comfort my self that the Dugdales in this County I mean the worthy future Illustrators thereof will supply my defect Onely I will adde RICHARD DUGARD B. D. was born at Grafton-Fliford in this County bred under Master Henry Bright in the Kings-school at Worcester I name him the rather because never did Master Calvin mention his Master Corderius with more honor then Master Dugard gratefully remembred Master Bright He was chosen Fellow of Sidney-Colledge where in my time for I had the honor of his intimate acquaintance he had a moiety of the most considerable Pupills whom he bred in learning and piety in the golden mean betwixt superstition and faction He held a gentle-strict-hand over them so that none presumed on his lenity to offend or were discouraged by his severity to amend He was an excellent Grecian and generall Scholar old when young such his gravity in behaviour and young when old such the quickness of his endowments He bestowed on the Colledge an hundred and twenty pounds for some perpetuall use for the Master and Fellows and ten pounds for books for the Library At last he was surprised with a presentation of the Rectory of Fulleby in Lincoln-shire where by his constant preaching and pious living he procured his own security a rare happiness in those troublesome times He died January 28. Anno Dom. 1653. and lies buried under a Marble-stone in his Chancell Mâ—…morable Persons JOHN FECKENHAM was born of poor parents in Feckenham Forest in this Shire He was the last Clergy man I find and therefore Memorable who Locally was Surnamed and was bred a Benedictine in Evosham and at the dissolution thereof â—…eceived an Annual Pension of an hundred florens which in my accounting make up some twenty pounds This maintained him when afterwards he went and studied in Oxford attaining to eminent learning therein In the raign of King Edward the sixth he was imprisoned in the Tower untill Sir Phillip Hobby to use Feckenhams own words quasi Mutuatum accepit Borrowed him of the Tower Being at Liberty he had frequent Disputations in the Earnest yet Modest defence of his Religion By Queen Mary he was made Abbot of Westminster being the last Mitred Abbot and therefore more Memorable who sat in Parliament He was very gracious with the Queen and effectually laid out all his interest with her sometime even to offend but never â—…o injure Her to procure Pardon of the Faults or Mitigation of the Punishments for poor Protestants By Queen Elizabeth he was highly honourâ—…d and profered as is currantly traditioned the See of Canterbury which he refused and was kept in easy restraint
not so much for his first bringing over Painted Glass into England as for his bringing up Pious Bead in his Monastery Being struck beneath the Girdle with the dead Palsey his soul retired into the Upper Rooms of his Clay Cottage much employed in meditation untill the day of his death which happened Anno 703. Saint JOHN of Beverley may be challenged by this County on a threefold title because therein he had his 1. Birth at Harpham in this County in the East-Riding 2. Life being three and thirty years and upwards Archbishop of York 3. Death at Beverley in this County in a Colledge of his own foundation I remember his Picture in a Window in the Library at Salisbury with an inscription under it whose character may challenge to it self three hundred years antiquity affirming him the first Master of Arts in Oxford and Alfredus Beverlacensis reporteth as much Arts indeed were and Oxford was though hardly an University in that age but seeing the solemnity of graduating was then unknown a judicious Oxonian rejecteth it as a fiction More true it is that he was bred at Strenshalt under Hilda aforesaid which soundeth something to her honour and nothing to his disgrace seeing eloquent Apollos himself learned the Primer of his Christianity partly from Priscilla He was afterwards educated under Theodorus the Grecian and Arch-bishop of Canterbury Yet was he not so famous for his Teacher as for his Scholar Venerable Bede who wrote this Johns life which he hath so spiced with Miracles that it is of the hottest for a discreet man to digest into his belief Being very aged he resigned his Arch-bishoprick that he might the more effectually apply his private devotions in his Colledge at Beverley for which he procured the Freedstool from King Athelston Yet such Sanctuaries though carrying something of holiness in their name had a profane abuse for their very use making Malefactours with their promise of impunity and then protecting them from justice Saint John died May 7. 722. and was buried in the Porch of his Collegiate Church A Synod held at London 1416. assigned the day of his death an Anniversary Solemnity to his Memory THOMAS PLANTAGENET Before I proceed I must confess my self formerly at a great loss to understand a passage in an Honourable Author speaking of the counterfeit Reliques detected and destroyed at the Reformation Lord Herbert in the life of King Henry the eighth pag. 431. The Bell of Saint Guthlac and the Felt of Saint Thomas of Lancaster both remedies for the Head ach But I could recover no Saint Thomas saving him of Canterbury in any English Martyrology till since on inquiry I find him to be this Thomas Plantagenet He was Earl of Derby Lancaster Leicester and in the right of Alice his Wife of Lincoln A popular person and great enemy to the two Spencers Minions to King Edward the second who being hated as Devils for their pride no wonder if this Thomas was honoured as a Saint and Martyr by the common sort Indeed he must be a good Chymist who can extract Martyr out of Malefactour and our Chronicles generally behold him put to death for Treason against K. Edward the 2d. But let him pass for a Saint in this Shire though never solemnly canonized it being true of such locall Saints what Servius Honoratus observeth of Topicall Gods Ad alias Regiones nunquam transibant They travailed not so far as to be honoured in other Countries His beheading alias his Martyrâ—…ome happened at Pontfret Anno Dom. 1322. RICHARD ROLE alias HAMPOLE had his first Name from his Father the other from the Place three Miles from Doncaster where living he was Honoured and dead was Buried and Sainted He was a Heremite led a strict life and wrot many Books of Piety which I prefer before his Propheticall Predictions as but a degree above Almanack Prognostications He threatned the Sins of the Nation with suture Famine Plague Inundations War and such generall Calamities from which no Land is long free but subject to them in some proportion Besides his Predictions if Hitting were Heeded if Missing not Marked However because it becomes me not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let him pass for a Saint I will adde that Our Saviours Dilemma to the Jews may partly be pressed on the Papists his Contemporaries If Hampoles Doctrine was of Men why was he generally reputed a Saint if from God why did they not Obey him seeing he spake much against the vitiousness and covetousness of the Clergy of that Age He died Anno Domini 1349. JOHN of BIRLINGTON or BRIDLINGTOM was born hard by that Town bred two years in Oxford where he profited in piety and learning above his age and equals Returning home for a short time he was teacher to a Gentlemans Sons untill the twentieth year of his age he entred himself a Canon-Regular in the Covent of Bridlington where he grew eminent for his exemplary holiness It was his happiness that such offices always fell to his share as did not retard but quicken his devotion as Chaunter Almoner c. At last he was choâ—…en Prior but refus'd the place alledging his own unworthiness professing he had rather be beaten in pieces with blows then accept thereof so that another was put into the place This new elect dying soon after our John was chosen again in the vacancy and then took it fearing there might be as much peevishness in rejecting as pride in effecting it and hoping that Providence which fairly called him to would freely fit him for the discharge of that office He used to treat strangers at his table with good chear and seemingly kept pace with them in eating morsell for morsell whilst he had a secret contrivance wherein he conveyed his exceedings above his Monasticall pittance Being demanded of one why he did not enter into more strict and austere Order Surely said he A man may lead a sincere and acceptable life in any order and it were arrogancy in me to pretend to a severer discipline when I cannot observe as I ought this easier course of life My Author saith that Martha and Mary were both compounded in him being as pious so provident to husband the revenues of their house to their best advantage Going to view their lands in Richmond-shire he gave a visit to a woman lately turn'd an Ancorist and renowned for her holiness she told him that now her vision was out who the night before dreamed that an Eagle flew about her house with a label in his bill wherein was written Jesus is my love and you saith she are the person who so honour him in your heart that no earthly thing can distract you To whom our John returned I came hither to hear from you some saving and savoury discourse but seeing you begin with such idle talk farewell and so waved any farther converse However I must not dissemble that the prophesies fathered on this our John are as
Daughter Frances Countess of Warwick scatter her Benesactions the thicker in that place But I have been informed that his Ancestor by some accident came out of Cornwell where his Name is right Antient. He was bred in the study of our Municipall Law and such his proficiency therein that in the sixteenth of Queen Elizabeth in Michaelmas Term he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-bench He was not like that Judge who feared neither God nor man but onely one Widow lest her importunity should weary him but he heartily feared God in his Religious Conversation Each man he respected in his due distance off of the Bench and no man on it to biass his judgement He was pro tempore Lord Privy Seal and sate Chief in the Court when Secretary Davison was sentenced in the Star Chamber Sir Christopher collecting the censures of all the Commissioners concurred to Fine him but with this Comfortable conclusion that as it was in the Queens power to have him punished so Her Highness might be prevailed with for mitigating or remitting of the Fine and this our Judge may be presumed no ill instrument in the procuring thereof He bountifully reflected on Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge which infant Foundation had otherwise been starved at nurse for want of maintenance We know who saith * the righteous man leaveth an inheritance to his Childrens Children and the well thriving of his third Generation may be an evidence of his well-gotten goods This worthy Judge died May the eighth in the thirty fourth of Queen Elizabeth States Men. Pardon Reader my post poning this Topick of States-Men being necessitated to stay a while for further information Sir JOHN PUCKERING Kt. was born at Flamborough head in this County as I have learned out of the Notes of that industrious and judicious Antiquary Mr. Dodâ—…worth He was second Son to his Father a Gentleman who left him neither plentiful nor penurious estate his breeding was more beneficial to him than his portion gaining thereby such skill in the Common Law that he became Queens-Serjeant Speaker in the House of Commons and at last Lord Chancellor of England How he stood in his judgement in the point of Church-Discipline plainly appeareth by his following Speech delivered in the House of Lords 1588. the Original whereof was courteously communicated unto me And especially you are commanded by Her Majesty to take heed that no eare be given nor time afforded to the wearisome solicitations of those that commonly be called Puritans wherewithal the late Parliaments have been exceedingly importuned which sort of men whilest that in the giddiness of their Spirits they labour and strive to advance a new Eldership they do nothing else but disturb the good repose of the Church and Commonwealth which is as well grounded for the body of Religion it self and as well guided for the Discipline as any Realm that prosesseth the Truth and the same thing is already made good to the world by many the writings of Godly and Learned men neither answered nor answerable by any of these new fangled Refiners And as the present case standeth it may be doubted whether they or the Jesuits do offer more danger or be more speedily to be repressed For albeit the Jesuites do empoison the hearts of her Majesties Subjects under a pretext of Conscience to withdraw them from their obedience due to Her Majesty Yet do they the same but closely and only in privy corners But these men do both teach and publish in their printed Books â—…nd teach in all their Conventicles sundry opinions not only dangerous to the well-setled Estate and Policy of the Realm by putting a Pique between the Clergy and the Laâ—…ty But also much derogatory to Her Saâ—…red Majesty and Her Crown as well by the diminution of her ancient and lawfull Revenues and by denying her Highness Prerogative and Supremacy as by offâ—…ng peril to her Majesties safety in her own Kingdom In all which things however in other points they pretend to be at war with the Popish Jesuites yet by this separation of themselves from the unity of their Fellow-Subjects and by abasing the Sacred Authority and Majesty of their Prince they do both joyn and concur with the Jesuites in opening the door and preparing the way to the Spanish Invasion that is threatned against the Realm And thus having according to the weaknesse of my best understanding delivered Her Majesties Royal pleasure and wise direction I rest there with humble suit for Her Majesties most gracious pardon in supply of my defects and recommend you to the Author of all good counsel He died Anno Domini 1596. caractered by Mr. Cambden VIR INTEGER His estate is since descended according to the solemn settlement thereof the male-issue failing on Sir Henry Newton who according to the condition hath assumed the Surâ—…name of Puckering and I can never be sufficiently thankful to him and his Relations Sir GEORGE CALVERT Kt. was born at Kiplin near Richmond in this County had his education first in Trinity Colledge in Oxford then beyond the Seas His abilities commended him first to be Secretary to Robert Cecil Earl of Sarisbury Lord Treasurer of England Afterwards he was made Clerk of the Councel and at last principal Secretary of State to King James succeeding Sir Thomas Lakes in that office Anno 1619. Conceiving the Duke of Buckingham highly instrumental in his preferment he presented him with a Jewel of great value which the Duke returned him again not owning any activity in his advancement whom King James ex mero motu reflecting on his ability designed for the place This place he discharged above five years until he willingly resigned the same 1624. on this occasion He freely confessed himself to the King That he was then become a Roman Catholick so that he must either be wanting to his Trust on violate his Consolence in discharging his office This his ingenuity so highly affected King James that he continued him Privy Councellor all his raign as appeareth in the Councel-Book and soon after created him Lord Baltemore of Baltemore in Ireland During his being Secretary he had a Patent to him and his Heirs to be Absolutus Dominus Proprietarius with the Royalties of a Count Palatine of the Province of Avalon in New-found-Land A place so named by him in imitation of old Avalon in Somerset shire wherein Glassenbury stands the first fruits of Christianity in Britain as the other was in that part of America Here he built a fair House in Ferry Land and spent five and twenty thousand pounds in advancing the Plantation thereof Indeed his publick spirit consulted not his private profit but the enlargement of Christianity and the Kings Dominions After the death of King James he went twice in person to New found-Land Here when Mounsier de l'Arade with three Men of War sent from the King of France had reduced our English Fishermen to great extremity This Lord with two Ships manned at
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
regard of the Wit and Understanding which we happen to find clean otherwise with them who have accustomed themselves to deliciousness These reasons perhaps would seem onely probable and of no great moment were they not strengthened with Forraign and Domestick Observations Thus much I thought fit to transcribe out of our Author un paralleld in his kind confident that our ensuing work will be a Comment on his Text or rather will by the Induction of severall instances Natives of Wales be the Proof of the Truth of this his most Judicious assertion Naturall Commodities Silver Tully a better Orator then Historian yet better Historian then Metallist affirmeth that Britain affordeth ne micam auri vel argenâ—…i not a grain of gold or silver understand him what in his age was discovered Otherwise Wales and especially Cardiganshire yields ROYAL MINES where the silver holds standard and pays with profit for the separation from Lead and the refining thereof as by the ensuing particulars will appear 1. Six Mountains there are in Cardigan shire pardon British Reader if I spell them rather after our English Pronunciation then the Welch Orthography viz. Comsomelock Tallabant Gadarren Bromefloid Geginnon and Cummerrum 2. The Romans first began to mine here as appears by their coines found therein working in trenches not above twenty or four and twenty fathom deep and found plenty of Lead 3. The Danes and Saxons wrought by Sheafts so they call what is long and narrow whether mounting into the aire as Spires of Steeples or sinking into the earth as their Pits here an hundâ—…ed fathom deep 4 They found great plenty of Lead but at last deserted their works either because the vein of metall failed or they drowned with the irruption of water 5. Customer Smith about the latter end of the raign of Queen Elizabeth discovered Silver in Comsomelock and sent it up to the Tower of London with great expence to be coined 6. After his death the design was prosecuted and more perfected by Sir Hugh Middleton Knight coining the Silver to his great charge as his Predecessour at the Tower 7. After the death of Sir Hugh Sir Francis Godolphin of Cornwall Knight and Thomas Bushell Esquire undertook the work 8. King Charles for their greater encouragement and sparing their expence granted them power of coinage at Aberrusky in that County 9. Thomas Bushell Sir Francis dying soon after and Comsomâ—…lock being deserted adventured on the other five Mountains 10. Not disheartned that the first year and half afforded no effectuall discovery at last these Mines yielded one hundred pounds a week besides Lead amounting to half as much coined at Aberrusky aforesaid 11. The pence groats shillings half-crowns c. of this Silver had the Ostrich feathers the Armes of Wales for distinction stamped on them Then came our Civil Wars and discomposed all the work when Mattocks must be turned into Spearâ—… and Shovells into Shields or else probably before this time the project had arrived at a greater perfection Here by the way it is richly worth the observing how the modern manner of Mining exceedeth what was formerly used For thirty years since they began at the top of a Mountain digging directly downwards with their Shafts which was subject to a double mischief of damps and drowning Besides vast was the expense before they could come to the bowels of the Mountain wherein the Oar if any was most probably expected Since they have gone a more compendious way by Adyts making their entrance some five foot and a half high and perchance as broad into the Mountain at the lowest levell therereof so that all the water they meet with conveyeth it self away as in a channel by the declivity of the place And thus they penetrate the most expeditious way athwart the middle thereof which bringeth them to the speediest discovery of the metal therein But the rarest invention is the supplying of the Miners with fresh aire which is performed by two mens blowing wind by a pair of bellows on the outside of the Adit into a pipe of lead daily lengthened as the Mine is made longer whereby the Candle in the Mine is daily kept burning and the Diggers recruted constantly with a sufficiency of breath This invention was the master-piece of Sir Franciâ—… Bacon Lord Verâ—…lam and not onely so acknowledged by Thomas Bushell his gratefull servant but also effectually prosecuted by him a person innated with a publike spirit if he mighâ—… meet with proportionable encouragement And here methinks it were â—…tting Pardon reader a short digression that rewards should be given to such undertakers who are the discoverers of profitable projects and not onely to such who exactly hit the mark but even to those who ingeniously miss it because their aberrations may be directions to others And though many tympanies and false conceptions would happen yet amongst many miscarriages some pregnant wits would happily be delivered of rare inventions especially if the State would be pleased to be their Mid-wife favourably to encourage them Lead This is found in many places in Wales but in Carnarvan-shire the best in many respects First because so near the sea so that they may cast the Oare into the Ship Metalls elsewhere are digged as out of the Bowells of the Earth so out of the Bowells of the Land I mean so far from any Conveyance by Water that the expence of the portage swallows much of the profits thereof which charge is here avoyded Secondly for the plenty Lastly for the purity thereof Insomuch that there was great probability for a long time that it would have proved a Mine Royal. Which hope was frustrated at last to the great gain of the owners thereof For a Leaden Mine is a Silver-mine to such Subjects as possess it whilst a Silver-mine is but a Leaden one unto them from whom the property is taken as then accrewing to the Crown or State by vertue of its Prerogative Goats In Latine Capri à Carpendo from cropping therefore forbidden to be kept in some places because destructive to young Woods are when young most nimble and frisking whence our English to Caper but afterwards put on so great gravity that an He-Goat is recounted by wise Agur amongst the four creatures which are comely in going Yea if that ornamentall excrement which groweth beneath the chin be the standard of wisdome they carry it from Aristotle himself They are strong above their proportion and an He-Goat will beat a Ram of equall bigness Hence it is that in Daniel the Persian Monarchy is compared to a Ram and the Macedonian which subdued the Persian resembled to a Goat They can clamber the highest hills without help of a ladder delighting in steep and craggy places seeming rather to hang then stand as they are feeding Their flesh disguised with good cookery may deceive a judicious palate as it did Isaac's for venison Of their skins excellent gloves are made which may be called our English-Cordovant
press I know not whether the doing hereof soundeth more to the honour of the dead or the not Printing thereof since his death to the shame of the living seeing surely money might be procured for so general and beneficiall a design Which makes some the less to pity the great pains of the Ministers of the Isle of Man who by double labour read the Scriptures to the peoplé out of the English in the Manks-tongue This singularly learned hospitable painfull and pious Prelate died Anno Dom. 16 ... Physicians ROBERT RECORDE was born in this Country ex Claris Parentibus bred in Oxford where he proceeded Doctor of Physick His soul did not live in the Lane of a single science but traversed the Latitude of Learning witness his Works In Arithmetick not so absolute in all numbers before his time but that by him it was set forth more Compleat Astrology he Practicall part whereof hath so great an influence upon Physick Geometry whereof the wrot a Book called the Path of Geometry and that easier and nearer then any before Physick of the Judgements of Urines and though it be commonly said Urina meretrix yet his judicious rules have reduced that Harlot to Honesty and in a great measure fixed the uncertainty thereof Metals his Sight may seem to have accompanied the Sun-beams into the Bowells of the Earth piercing into those Penetralls in his discoveries of and discourses on Gold and Silver wherewith I believe him well stored Brass Tin Lead and what not What shall I speak of his skill in Anatomy Cosmography Muâ—…ick whereof he read publique Lectures in Oxford As for his Religion say not this is of no Concernment in a Physician I conjecture him to be a Protestant First because he wrot of Auricular Confession and de Negotio Eucharistiae each whereof is a Noli me tangere for a Romish Lay-man to meddle with according to Popish principles Secondly because so largely commended by Bale But I dare conclude nothing herein having not hitherto seen his Treatises in Divinity He flourished under K. Edward the sixth about the year 1550. THOMAS PHAIER was born in Wales and bred I believe first in Oxford then in London a generall Scholar and well versed in the Common Law wherein he wrot a book De natura Brevium of the Nature of Writs Strange that he would come after Justice Fitz-herbert who formerly had written on the same Subject But probably Phaiers Book having never seen any who have seen it treateth of Writs in the Court of Marches whereto Wales was then subjected and where the Legal Proceedings may be somewhat different from ours in England But the Study of the Law did not fadge well with him which caused him to change his Copy and proceed Doctor in Physick Now though he made none he out of French did translate many usefull books 1. Of the Pestilence and the cure thereof 2. Of the Grief of children 3. Of the Nature of Simples 4. The Regiment of Nuturall Life He had also his Diversion some excursion into Poetry and translated Virgil his Eneads Magna Gravitate saith my Author which our Modern Wits will render with great Dulness and avouch that he instead of a Latine Virgill hath presented us with an English Ennius such the rudeness of his verse But who knoweth not that English Poetry is improved fifty in the Hundred in this last Century of years He died and was buried in London about the year of our Lord 1550. ALBANE HILL was Britannus by birth I confess Britannus doth not clearly carry his Nativity for Wales except it were additioned Cambro-Britannus But according to our peaceable promise premised let him pass for this Country-man The rather because so many Hills and Mountains too therein He was bred a Doctor of Physick professing and practising most beyond the Seas more famous in Forraign Parts then in his Native Country I find two eminent Outlandishmen viz. Josias Simler an Helvetian of Zurich and Bassianus Landus an Italian of Placentia charactering him to be Medicus Nobilissimus ac optimus in omni disciplinarum genere optime versatus and that he wrot much upon Galen and the Anatomicall part of Physick so that we may say with the Poet Ut littus Hilum Hilum omne sonarct The shoar resounded still Nothing but Hill and Hill I find no time affixed wherein he flourished but according to the received Rule Noscitur è socio he may from his Contemporaries be collected in full Lustre Anno 1550. and it is remarkable that Wales had three eminent Physicians Writers all in the same Age. Writers Be it premised that as I should be loth by my lasiness to conceal so with all my Industry I conceive it impossible to compleat their Characters For as the Venetian Courtezan after she had put off her lofty attire and high Chippines almost pares away her self into nothing such the slender account given us of these Writers that after some set forms and Commendations of Course common to all Persons be first defalked the remainder will be next to nothing But it is no fault of me the Cistern if I be empty whilst my fountain is dry seeing I spill nothing by the Leakage of my Neglect but faithfully deliver all the intelligence I find as followeth PETROK was a Welch-Irish-Cornish-Man He had his birth in Wales but breeding in Ireland according to the Mode of that Age wherein all British sailed over into Ireland as the English in after ages did into France there to have their Education in all learned Sciences Who would have thought to have found Helicon amongst the Bogs as indeed it was at that Time Petrok after twenty years reading good Authours there came over into Cornwall and fixed himself nigh the Severn Sea in a small Oratory called Petrok-Stowe the station or abiding place of Petrok now corruptly Pad-Stowe where many eminent Scholars were brought up under him He wrot a book of Solitary life whereto he was much addicted I confess Petrok is somewhat degraded as entred under the Topick of Writers who is reputed a Saint and I remember a handsome Church in Exeter dedicated to his Memory who flourished Anno 560. GILDAS the FOURTH for there were three before him viz. Gildas Albanius Gildas Surnam'd Sapiens of whom before Gildas Cambrius and this our Gildas who laggeth last in the Teame of his Name-sakes But the second of these is worth all the rest were there four hundred of them whom I behold as a Sun indeed shining with the Lustre of his own desert whilst two of the others are but so many Meteors about him some suspecting them no realities in Nature but meerly created by mens sight-deception and the reflection of the Memory of the true Gildas This our fourth Gildas is made a Welch-Scotch-Irish-Man Wales sharing in him two parts of three viz. his Birth and Death the largest part of his life belonging to Ireland where he studied Many the
Wales is therefore placed in this because the first County thereof Prelates GUIDO de MONA was so sir-named from his Birth-place in Anglesey Some suspect that Filius insulae may be as bad as Filius populi no place being particularized for his birth whiles others conceive this sounding to his greater dignity to be denominated from a whole Island the Village of his nativity being probably obscure long and hard to be pronounced He was afterwards Bishop of Saint Davids and Lord Treasurer of England under King Henry the fourth who highly honoâ—…ed him for when the Parliament moved that no Welsh-man should be a State Officer in England the King excepted the Bishops as confident of their faithful service Indeed T. Wallingham makes this Gui the Author of much trouble but is the lesse to be believed therein because of the known Antipathy betwixt Fryers and Secular 〈◊〉 the former being as faulty in their lafie speculation as the other often offending in the practical over-activity This Bishop died â—…nno 1407. ARTHUR BULKLEY Bishop of Bangor was born either in Cheshire or more probably in this County But it matters not much had he never been born who being bred Doctor of the Laws had either never read or wholly forgotten or wilfully would not remember the Chapter De sacrilegio for he spoyled the Bishoprick and sold the five Bells being so over-officious that he would go down to the Sea to see them shipped which in my mind amounted to a second selling of them We have an English Proverb of him who maketh a detrimental bargain to himself That he may put all the gains gotten thereby into his eye and see nothing the worse But Bishop Bulkley saw much more the worse by what he had gotten being himself suddenly deprived of his sight who had deprived the Tower of Bangor of the tongue thereof Thus having ended his credit before his days and his days before his life and having sate in that See fourteen years he died 1555. WILLIAM GLYN D. D. Was boâ—…n at 〈◊〉 in this County bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was Master until in the second of Queen Mary he was preferred Bishop of Bangor An excellent Scholar and I have been assured by judicious Persons who have seriously perused the solemn Disputations printed in Master Fox betwixt the Papists and Protestants that of the former none pressed his Arguments with more strength and lesse passion than Doctor Glyn though constâ—…t to his own he was not cruel to opposite judgements as appeareth by the appearing of no persecution in his Diocesse and his mild Nature must be allowed at least Causa socia or the fellow-cause thereof He died in the first of Queen Elizabeth and I have been informed that Jeoffry Glyn his Brother Doctor of Laws built and endowed a Free-Schoole at Bangor Since the Reformation ROULAND MERRICK Doctor of Laws was born at Boding án in this County bred in Oxford where he became Principal of New Inne-Hall and afterwards a Dignitary in the Church of Saint Davids Here he with others in the reign of King Edward the sixth violently prosecuted Robert Farrar his Diocesan with intention as they made their boast to pull him from his Bishoprick and bring him into a premunire and prevailed so far that he was imprisâ—…ned This Bishop Farrar was afterwards martyred in the raign of Queen Mary I find not the least appearance that his former adversaries violented any thing against him under that Queen But it is suspicious that advantage against him I say not with their will was grafted on the stock of his former accusation However it is my judgement that they ought to have been I can be so charitable to believe that Dr. Merrick was penitent for his causelesse vexing so good a person Otherwise many more besides my self will proclaim him unworthy to be who had been a Persecutor of a Bishop He was consecrated Bishop of Bangor December 21. in the second of Qâ—…een Elizabeth 1559. and sate six years in his See I have nothing to adde save that he was Father to Sir Gilly Merrick Knight who lost his life for engaging with the Earl of Essex 1600. LANCELOT BULKLEY was born in this County of a then right Worshipful since Honourable Family who have a fair habitation besides others near Beumaris He was bred in Brasen nose Colledg in Oxford and afterwards became first Arch-Deacon then Archbishop in Dublin He was consecrated the third of October 1619. by Christopher Archbishop of Armagh Soon after he was made by King James one of his Privy Councel in Ireland where he lived in good reputation till the day of his death which happened some ten years since Seamen MADOC Son to Owen Gwineth ap Gruffyth ap Conan and brother to David ap Owen Gwineth Prince of North Wales was born probably at Aberfraw in this County now a mean Town then the principal Palace of their royal Residence He made a Sea-voyage westward and by all probability those names of Cape de Breton in Noruinberg Pengwin in part of the northern America for a white Rock and a white headed bird according to the British were reliques of this discovery If so then let the Genoveses and Spaniards demean themselves as younger Brethren and get their Portions in Pensions in those parts paid as well as they may owning us Britons so may the Welsh and English as an united Nation style themselves for the Heirs to whom the solid inheritance of America doth belong for the first discovery thereof The truth is a good Navy with a strong Land-Army therein will make these probabilities of Madoc evident Demonstrations and without these in cases of this kind the strongest Arguments are of no validity This Sea voyage was undertaken by Madoc about the year 1170. The Sheriffs Expect not my description should conform this Principality to England in presenting the respective Sheriffs with their Arms. For as to Heraldry I confesse my self Luscum in Anglia Caecum in Walliâ Besides I question whether out Rules in Blazonry calculated for the East will serve on the West of Severne and suspect that my venial mistakes may meet with mortal anger I am also sensible of the prodigious Antiquity of Welsh Pedegrees so that what Zalmana said of the Israelites slain by him at Tabor Each of them resembleth the children of a King all the Gentry here derive themselves from a Prince at least I quit therefore the Catalogue os Sheriffs to abler Pens and proceed to The Farewell I understand there is in this Island a kind of Allumenous Earth out of which some fifty years since began to make Allum and Copperess until they to use my Authors phrase like unflesht Souldiers gave over their enterprise without further hope because at first they saw it not answer their over-hasty expectations If this Project was sirst founded on rational probability which I have cause to believe I desire the seasonable
resumption thereof by Undertakers of as able Brains and Purses but more patience than the former as a hopeful fore-runner of better successe BRECKNOCK-SHIRE BRECKNOCK-SHIRE hath Radnor shire on the North Cardigan and Carmarthen-shires on the West 〈◊〉 shire on the South Hereford and Monmouth-shires on the East the length thereof being adjudged twenty eight the 〈◊〉 thereof twenty miles My Author saith that this County is not greatly to be praised or disliked of with which his Character the Natives thereof have no cause to be well pleased or much offended The plain truth is the fruitfulnesse of the Vallies therein maketh plentiful amends for the barrennesse of the Mountains and it is high time to give a check to the vulgar errour which falsely reporteth this County the worst in Wiles let it 〈◊〉 for me to say this is not it and which is it let others determine Nor doth it sound a little to the credit of this County that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chiefe Town thereof doth at this present afford the title of an Eartl to James Duke of Ormond the first that ever received that Digniry Above four hundred years since a Daughter of Gilbert and Maud Becket and Sister to Tho. Becket was by King Henry the second bestowed in marriage on one Butler an English Gentleman Him King Henry sent over into Ireland and endeavouring to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blood rewarded him wâ—…th large lands so that his posterity were created Earls of Ormond Now therefore we have cause to congratulate the return of this noble Family iâ—…to their Native Country of England and wish unto them the encrease of all 〈◊〉 therein Natural Commoditiâ—…s Otters Plenty of these Lutrae in Latine in Brecknock-meer A Creature that can dig and dive resident in the two clements of Earth and Water The 〈◊〉 where hee bites maketh his Teeth to mâ—…et and the Otter leaves little distance betwixt them He is as destructive to Fish as the VVoolf to Sheep See we here more is required to make fine Flesh than to have fine Feeding the Flesh of the Otter from his innate rankness being nought though his Diet be dainty I have seen a reclaimed Otter who in a quarter of an houre would present his Master with a brace of Carps Otter-VVooll is much used in the making of Beavers As Physicians have their Succedanea or Seconds which well supply the place of such Simples which the Patient cannot procure so the Otter is often in stead of the Bever since the BeaverTrade is much wasted in the West Indies their remnant retiring high into the Country and being harder to be taken Yea Otter-wooll is likely dayly to grow dearer if Prime Persons of the weaker Sex which is probable resume the wearing of Hais Brecknock-shire equalling her Neighbours in all General Commodities exceedeth them in Wonders In the Air. He that relateth Wonders walketh on the edge of an house if he be not careful of his footing down falls his credite this shall make me exact in using my Authors words informed by credible persons who had experimented it That their Cloaks Hats and Staves cast down from the top of an Hill called Mounch-denny or Cadier Arthur and the North-East Rock thereof would never fall but were with the air and wind still returned back and blown up again nor would any thing descend save a stone or some metalline substance No wonder that these should descend because besides the magnetical quality of the Earth their forcing of their way down is to be imputed to their united and intended gravity Now though a large cloak is much heavier than a little stone yet the weight thereof is diffused in several parts and fluttering above all of them are supported by the Clouds which are seen to rack much lower than the top of the Hill But now if in the like trial the like repercussion be not found from the toppes of other Mountains in Wales of equal or greater height we confesse our selves at an absolute losse and leave it to others to beat about to find a satisfactory answer Let me adde that waters in Scripture are divided into waters above and waters under the Firmament by the former men generally understand since the interpretation thereof relating to Coelum Aqueum is exploded by the judicious the water ingendred in the Clouds If so time was when the waters beneath were higher than the waters above namely in Noahs flood when the waters prevailed fifteen Cubits above the tops of the Mountains In the Water When the Meer Llynsavathan lying within two miles of Brecknock hath her frozen Ice first broken it maketh a monstrous noise to the Astonishment of the hearers not unlike to Thunder But till we can give a good cause of the old Thunder and the power of his Thunder who can understand we will not adventure on the disquisition of this new one In the Earth Reader pardon me a word of Earthquakes in general Seneca beholds them most terrible because most unavoidable of all earthly dangers In other frights Tempest Lightning Thunder c. we shelter our selves in the bowels of the Earth which here from our safest refuge become our greatest danger I have learned from an able * Pen that the frequency and fearfulnesse of Earthquakes gave the first occasion to that passage in the Letany From sudden death good Lord deliver us Now to VVales The Inhabitants of this County have a constant Tradition that where now the Meer Llynsavathan spreadeth its waters stood a fair City till swallowed up by an Earthquake which is not improbable First because all the High-ways of this County do lead thither and it is not likely that the Loadstone of a bare Lake should attract so much Confluence Secondly Ptolomy placeth in this Tract the City Loventrium which all the care of Master Cambden could not recover by any ruines or report thereof and therefore likely to be drowned in this Poole The rather because Levenny is the name of the River râ—…nning through it Saints Saint KEYNE CANOCH CADOCK The first of these was a Woman here put highest by the curtesie of England the two later Men all three Saints and children to Braghan King builder and namer of Brecknock This King had four and twenty Daughters a jolly number and all of them Saints a greater happinesse though of them all the name onely of Saint Keyne surviveth to posterity Whether the said King was so fruitful in Sons and they as happy in Saintship I do not know onely meeting with these two Saint Canoch and Saint Cadock whereof the later is reported a Martyr all flourishing about the year of our Lord 492. and had in high veneration amongst the people of South-VVales I know not whether it be worth the reporting that there is in Cornwall near the Parish of St. Neots a Well arched over with the robes of four kinds of Trees VVithy Oak Elm and Ash dedicated to Saint Keyne aforesaid The reported vertue of
the Water is this That whether Husband or VVife come first to drink thereof they get the mastery thereby St. CLINTANKE was King of Brecknock a small Kingdom for an obscure King though eminent with some for his Sanctity Now it happened that a noble Virgin gave it out that she would never marry any man except the said King who was so zealous a Christian. Such as commend her good choice dislike her publick profession thereof which with more Maiden-like modesty might have been concealed But see the sad successe thereof A Pagan Souldier purposely to defeat her desire kild this King as he was one day a hunting who though he lost his life got the reputation of a Saint and so we leave him The rather because we find no date fixed unto him so that the Reader may believe him to have lived even when he thinks best himself Prelates GILES de BRUSE born at Brecknock was Son to William de Bruse Baron of Brecknock and a prime Peer in his Generation This Giles became afterwards Bishop of Hereford and in the Civil Wars sided with the Nobility against King John on which account he was banished but at length returned and recovered the Kings favour His Paternal Inheritance by death it seems of his elder Brother was devolved unto him being together Bishop and Baron by descent and from him after his death transmitted to his Brother Reginald who married the Daughter of Leoline Prince of Wales If all this will not recover this Prelate into our Catalogue of Worthies then know that his Effigies on his Tomb in Hereford Church holdeth a Steeple in his hand whence it is concluded that he built the Belfree of that Cathedral as well he might having so vast an estate His death happened Anno 1215. Since the Reformation THOMAS HOWEL was born at Nangamarch in this County within few miles of Brecknock bred Fellow of Jesus Colledge in Oxford and became afterwards a meek man and most excellent Preacher His Sermons like the waters of Siloah did run softly gliding on with a smooth stream So that his matter by a lawful and laudable felony did stâ—…al secretly into the hearts of his hearers King Charls made him the last Bishop of Bristol being consecrated at Oxford He died Anno Dom. 1646. leaving many Orphan children behind him I have been told that the honourable City of Bristol hath taken care for their comfortable education and am loath to pry too much into the truth thereof lest so good a report should be confuted States-Men HENRY STAFFORD Duke of Buckingham Though Humphrey his Father had a fair Castle at and large lands about Stafford whereof he was Earl yet his Nativity is most probably placed in this County where he had Brecknock-Castle and a Principality about it This was he who with both his hands set up Richard the third on the Throne endeavouring afterwards with his hands and teeth too to take him down but in vain He was an excellent Spoaks-man though I cannot believe that his long Oration to perswade the Londoners to side with the Usurper was ever uttered by him in terminis as it lieth in Sir Thomas Mores History Thus the Roman Generals provided themselves of Valour and Livy as he represented them stocked them with Eloquence Yet we may be well assured that this our Duke either did or would have said the same and he is the Orator who effects that he aimeth at this Duke being unhappily happy therein Soon after not remorse for what he had done but revenge for what King Richard would not do denying his desire put him on the project of unravelling what he had woven before But his fingers were entangled in the threads of his former Web the King compassing him into his clutches betrayed by Humphrey Banister his Servant The Sheriff seised this Duke in Shropshire where he was digging a ditch in a Disguise How well he managed the Mattock and Spade I know not this I know that in a higher sense He had made a Pit to disinherit his Soveraign and digged it and is fallen into the Ditch which he had made being beheaded at Sarisbury without any legal Tryal Anno 1484. Memorable Persons NESTA Hunger maketh men eat what otherwise they would let alone not to say cast away The cause I confesse wanting matter to furnish out our Description inviting me to meddle with this Memorable not Commendable Person 1. She was Daughter to Grâ—…ffin Prince of Wales 2. VVife to Bernard de Neumarch a Noble Norman and Lord by Conquest of this County 3. Mother to Mahel an hopeful Gentleman and Sibyl his Sister 4. Harlot to a young man whose name I neither do nor desire to know It happened Mahel having got this Stallion into his power used him very hardly yet not worse than he deserved Nesta madded hereat came in open Court and on her Oath before King Henry the second publickly protested no Manna like revenge to malicious minds not caring to wound their Foes though through themselves that Mahel was â—…e of Neumarch his Son but begotten on her in Adultery This if true spake her dishonesty if false her perjury true or false her peerless impudency Hereby she disinherited her Son and setled a vast Territory on Sibyl her sole Daughter married afterwards to Milo Earl of Hereford The Farewell When Mr. Speed in pursuance of his Description of England passed this County no fewer than Eight who had been Bayliffs of Brecknock gave him courteous entertainment This doth confirm the Character I have so often heard of the Welsh Hospitality Thus giving them their due praise on just occasion I hope that the British Reader will the better digest it if he find some passages altogether as true as this though nothing so pleasing to Him in our following Farewells CARDIGAN-SHIRE CARDIGAN-SHIRE is washed on the West with the Irish Sea and parted from the neighbouring Shires by Rivers and the Reader will be careful that the similitude of their sounds betray him not to a mistake herein 1. Dovi severing it on the North from Merioneth-shire 2. Tovy on the East from Brecknock-shire 3. Tyvy on the South from Carmarthen and Pembroke-shlre My Author saith the form thereof is Horn-like wider towards the North and I may say it hath a Cornâ—…-Copia therein of all things for mans sustenance especially if industry be used This County though remotest from England was soonest reduced to the English Dominion whilest the Countries interposed maintained their liberty The reason whereof was this The English being far more potent in shipping than the Welsh found it more facile to saile over the Mountains of Water so the Surges of the Sea are termed by the Poet than march over the Mountains of Earth and by their Fleet invaded and conquered this County in the reign of Rufus and Henry the first bestowed the same entirely upon Gilbert de Clare Natural Commodities Bevers Plenty of these formerly did breed in the
find it out and justifie it which conformable to the Sea ebbeâ—…h and floweth twice in four and twenty hours But seeing this is a maritime Shire possibly there may be a more then ordinary communication betwixt it and the Ocean and then the wonder is not so great More credibly it is related that there are in this Shire strange subterranean Vaults conceived the Castles of routed people in the Civil Wars And no wonder seeing David first set up in a defensive posture for himself in the Cave of Adullam so that having no place where he could safely set the sole of his foot above ground all his present help was under the Earth and future hope was above the heavens Martyrs ROBERT FARRAR an English man by biâ—…th but where born unknown was a prime Martyr of this County A man not unlearned but somewhat indiscreet or rather uncomplying which procured him much trouble so that he may be said with Saint Laurence to be broyled on both sides being persecuted both by Protestants and Papists He was preferred to be Bishop of Saint Davids by the Duke of Sommerset then Lord Protector who was put to death not long after Some conceive that the Patrons fall was the Chaplains greatest guilt and encouraged his enemies against him Of these two were afterwards Bishops in the reign of Queen Elizabeth viz. Thomas Young Arch. Bishop of York and Rowland Merrick Bishop of Bangor Souldiers Sir RICE ap THOMAS was never more than a Knight yet little less than a Prince in this his Native County If the Author of Praelia Anglornm may not be believed Ricius Thomas flos Cambro-Britannum King Henry the seventh will himself witness his worth To him lately landed at Milford Haven with contemptible forces this Sir Rice repaired with a considerable accession of choice Souldiers marching with them to Bosworth field where he right valiantly behaved himself That thrifty King according to his cheap course of remuneration rewarding Gown-men in Orders by him most employed with Church Livings and Sword-men with Honour afterwards made Sir Rice Knight of the Order and well might he give him a Garter by whose effectual help he had recovered a Crown Elmelin in this County was one of his principal seats whose name and â—…ture he altered building and calling it New-Castle and I believe it one of the latest Castles in Wales seeing since that time it hath been fashionable to demolish not to erect fortified Houses As he appeared early so he continued long in military action for I find him in the fourth year of King Henry the eighth conductor of five hundred light horse at the pompous and expensive fiege of Therouene where I meet his last mention in our English Chronicles WALTER de DEVEREUX son of Devereâ—…x and Cicely his Wife sole sister to Thomas Bourchier last Earl of Essâ—…x was born in the town of Carmarthen and by Queen Elizabeth in his Maternall Right created Earl of Essex One Martially minded and naturally hating Idlenesse the Rust of the Soul Though time hath silenced the factions and only sounded the Facts of Queen Elizabeths Court no place had more heart-burnings therein and it was a great part of Gods goodness and her prudence that no more hurt was done thereby Many maligned our Earl Tantae ne Animis Aularibus Irae desirous to thrust him on dangerous designs Nor need we consult the Oracle of Apollo to discover his chief Adversary being he was a prime Favourite who loved the Earls nearest relation better than he loved the Earl himself whom he put on the project of Ireland Yet was not our Walter surprised into that service seeing Injuria non fit volenti and being sensible that his roome was more welcome to some than his company at Court he willingly embraced the employment Articles the first and last I believe in that kind are drawn up betwixt the Queen and him who was to maintain such a proportion of Souldiers on his own Cost and to have part of the fair Territory of ClandeBoy in Ulster for the conquering thereof So much for the Bears skin now all the craft will be to catch kill and fley the Bear himself Well to maintain an Army though a very little one is a Soveraigns and no Subjects work too heavy for the support of any private mans estate which cost this Earl first the Mortgaging then the selling out-right his fair Inheritance in Essex Over he goeth into Ireland with a noble company of Kindred and Friends supernumerary volunteers above the proportion of Souldiers agreed upon Sir William Fitz-VVilliams Lord Deputy of Ireland hearing of his coming and suspecting Court jealousie riseth very early or goeth not to bed at all to be ecclipsed by this great Earl sollicits the Queen to maintain him in the full power of his place without any diminution alledging this much to conduce to the Honour of her Majesty whom he represented Hereupon it was Ordered that the Earl should take his Commission from this Lord Deputy which with much importunity and long attendance he hardly obtained and that with no higher Title than Governour of Ulster After many impressions not over successfully made in Ulster he was by the Deputy remanded into the South of Ireland where he spent much time take much in little in my Authors words as to his general performance Nullius bono sed magno suo damno His Friends in the English Court grow few and cold his Foes many and active affronts were plentifully powred upon him on purpose either to drown him in grief or burn him in his own anger From Munster he was sent back into Ulster where he was forbidden to follow his blow and use a Victory he had gotten Yea on a sudden stript out of his Commission and reduced to be a Governour of three hundred men yet his stout Stomach as true tempered Steele bowed without breaking in all these afflictions embracing all changes with the same tenour of constâ—…cy Pâ—…y days in Ireland came very thick moneys out of England very slow his noble Associates began to withdraw common men to mutiny so that the Earl himself was at the last recalled home Not long after he was sent over the second time into Ireland with a loftier Title the length of the Feather makes not the Head the higher of Earl Marshall of Ireland where he fell into a strange looseness not without suspicion of Poyson and he died Anno 1576. His Soul he piously resigned to God his Lands much impaired descended to his Son Robert but ten years of age His Body was brought over and buried in Carmarthen the place of his Nativity and his Widow Lady to say no more was soon re-married to Robert Earl of Leicester Let me adde that he died in the 36 year of his age fatal to his Family his Father and grand-Father dying in the same which year Robert Earl of Essex his Son never attained to and whether it had not been as honourable for
Statutes of Ruthland made in the year of King Edward the first This Lady Elizabeth at fourteen years of age was married to John the first of that name Earl of Holland Zealand c. And after his death remarried to Humfreâ—… Bohune Earle of Hereford and Essex High Constable of England by whom he had a numerous issue She died Anno Dom. 1316. and was buried in the Abby-Church of Saffron Walden in Essex Saints CONGELLUS or COMGALLUS I perceive a storm a coming and must provide a shelter against it The omitting this Writer will make Wales angry and the inserting him will make Ireland offended with me whom a good Antiquary makes the first Abbâ—…t of Banchor in this County and a better though living later first Abbot of Bangor nigh Nockfergus in Ireland What is to be done herein When the Controversie was started whether the Isle of Man belonged to England or Ireland it was adjudged to the later because no venomous Creature will live therein But this controverted nativity is not capable of that discrimination Indeed if the difference was betwixt Wales and England my Native Country concerning Congellus we would according to our premised principles freely resign him not daring to be so bold with an outlandish Interest let him stand here so long till better evidence be brought to remove him For if those be beheld as the worst of Felons who steal stragling Children in London streets from their Parents and spirit them over unto forraign Plantations high also is their robbery who deprive Countries of their true Natives as to their Memories after their deaths and dispose them elsewhere at their pleasures As for Congellus it is agreed on all hands that he was one of a pious life who wrote learned Epistles and being aged eighty five years died Anno Dom. 600. St. BENO was instructer to Saint Wenefride committed by her Father to his careful Education now it happened when the head of the said Wenefride was cut off by Cradocus Son to Alane King of North Wales for not yielding to his unlawful lust This Beno miraculously set it on again she living fifteen years after But if the tip of his tongue who first told and the top of his fingers who first wrote this damnable lye had been cut off and had they both been sent to attend their cure at the Shrine of Saint Beno certainly they would have been more wary afterwards how they reported or recorded such improbable untruths ASAPH was born in these parts of right honourable parentage and bred at Llan-Elvy in this County under Kentigernus or Mongo the Scotch Bishop in that place Here the said Kentigerâ—…us had a Convent consisting of 663. Monks whereof 300. being unlearned in the nature of Lay-Brethren were employed abroad in Husbandry as many busied about work at home the rest attended Divine service in the Convent so divided that some were always officiating therein Amongst these Asaph was eminently conspicuous for piety and learning in so much that Kentigernus being called into his own Country resigned both his Convent and Cathedral unto him Here this Bishop demeaned himself with such Sanctity that Llan-Elvy lost its name and after his death was called from him St. Asaph He was an assiduous Preacher having this Speech in his mouth Such who are against the preaching of Gods Word envy mans salvation Bishop Godwin confesseth himself ignorant of the certain time of his death though another not more knowing but more confident assigneth the first of May but with this abatement about 569. I say not out possibly a randome date may hap to hit the mark Here I would be thankful to them who should expound unto me that passage in J. Bale concluding the life of this Saint with these words Primus hic erat qui d Romano Pontifice Unctionem accepit He was the first who received Unction from the Pope of Rome This neither Pits owneth ready enough to steal out of Bale especially to improve what might sound to Papal advantage nor any other Romanist writing his Life whom I have seen so that it seems to me a Note 〈◊〉 scattered After the death of Saint Asaph his See stood void above 500. years until Jeffery of Monmouth was placed therein Prelates since the Reformation RICHARD PARRY D. D. was born at Ruthin in this County bred in Christ Church in Oxford whence he was preferred Dean of Bangor and at last Bishop of Saint Asaph consecrated Decemb. 30. 1604. Bishop Godwin passeth on him this Complement take it in the best derivation of the word from Completio mentis that he desireth being so near unto him in time and his Studies to be his equal in other Episcopal Qualities I crave the Readers leave to forbear any further Character of him Pictures present buildings presumed at great distance very small whilest such things which are supposed near the eye are made in a greater proportion Clean contrary I may sasely write largely on mens lives at far distance whilest as I may say I must make Landskips of those near hand and touch little on them who lived in later times Bishop Parry died Anno Dom. 16. ... Souldiers OWEN GLENDOWER-WYE was born in his ancient Patrimony of Glendower-Wye in this County then bred in London a Student in the Common Law till he became a Courtier and servant to King Richard the second After whose death this Owen being then on the wrong side of preferment retired to this his Native County where there arose a difference betwixt him and his neighbour the Lord Gre of Ruthen about a piece of Common which Owen by force recovered and killed the Lord Gre. There wanted not many to spur his posting Ambition by telling him that he was the true Heir to all North Wales and now or never the time to regain it That the injuries he had already offered the English were above pardon and no way left to secure himself but by committing greater There needeth no Torch to light Tinder where a Spark will do the deed and hereupon Owen brake out into open rebellion The worst was being angry with the King his revenge fell upon God burning down the fair Cathedrals of Bangor and Saint Asaph His destructive nature delighted in doing mischief to others though no good to himself King Henry the fourth found it more facile by far to depose King Richard than subdue this Owen who had taken Roger Mortimer Earl of March and next Heir to the Crown prisoner Writers ELVODUGUS surnamed Probus and no doubt it was true of him what was said of Probus the Emperor he was Vir sui nominis was a Cambrian by birth and this Country-man by habitation for he lived most of his days at Bangor Monachorum in that age the Cambridge and Oxford of all Britain He wrote many Books and particularly a Chronicle of his Nation which the envy of time hath denied to posterity He had many eminent men for his Scholars amongst
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
observe that when Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his Metropolitical Visitation charged through and through every Diocesse in his own Province no resistance being of Proof against him all Opposers giving some trouble to him but disgrace to themselves soon suppressed by his high bloud strong brains full purse skill in Law and plenty of powerful friends in the English and Romish Court The difficulty which he underwent herein made the work easie to his Successors ever after He deceased July 31. Anno Domini 1396. Prelates ROBERT CHICHESTER Here I had been at a perfectlosse had I not met with a good Guide to direct me For I had certainly from his Sirname concluded him born at Chichester in Sussex according to the Custome of other Clergy-men But this single swallow which makes no Summer had a Flight by himself retaining his Paternal Name descended from a Noble and Ancient Family saith my Author* Still flourishing at Rawleigh in this County He was first Dean of Sarisbury then Anno 1128. Consecrated Bishop of Exeter highly commended by many VVriters for his Piety though the Principal thereof consisted in his Pilgrimages to Rome and procuring Reliques thence He bestowed much money in building and adorning his Cathedral and having sate therein two and twenty years died and was buried 1150 on the South side of the High Altar nigh a Gentleman of his own Sirname whose inscribed Arms are the best Directory to this Bishops Monument GILBERT FOLIOT was born at Tamerton Foliot in this County Abbot of Glocester Bale saith Exeter then successively Bishop of Hereford and London He was observed when a Common Brother of his Covent to inveigh against the Prior when Prior against the Abbot when Abbot against the pride and lazinesse of Bishops but when he himself was Bishop all was well and Foliots mouth when full was silent Whether because all things do rest quiet in their center or because Age had abated his juvenile Animosity or because he found it more facil to find faults in others then mend them in himself Indeed oft times meer Morosâ—…ness of Nature usurps the reputation of Zeal and what is but a bare disgust of mens persons passeth for dislike of their vices However our Foliot the lesse he had in Satyrs the more he had of Elegies afterwards secretly bemoaning the badnesse of the Age he lived in Hear a Passe betwixt him and a strange voice Satans Challenge O Gilberte Foliot Dum revolvis tot tot Deus tuus est ASHTAROT Foliots Answer Mentiris Daemon qui est Deus Sabaoth est ille meus He finds little favour from our Historians of his Age because they do generally Becketize whilst Foliot was all for the King being a professed Enemy to the not person but pride of that Prelate* This wise and learned Bishop died Feb. 18. 1187. ROBERT FOLIOT Arch-Deacon of Oxford was neer Cosen and therefore is placed Country man to Gilbert aforesaid He was bred first in England then in France where he got the Sirname of Robertus Melundinensis probably from the place of his longest abode He was first Tutor to Becket and Becket afterwards was Patron to him by whose procurement he succeeded his Kinsman in the See of Hereford He wrote several Books whereof One of the Sacraments of the Old Law is most remarkable Hitherto we have followed Bale with blind obedience until Bishop Godwin whom we rather believe hath opened our eyes in two particulars 1 That Robert de Melune Bishop also of Hereford was a distinct person from our Robert 2 That our Foliot was advanced Bishop after the death of Becket probably for the affection he bore unto him not the assistance he received from him His deah happened Anno 1186. Nor must we forget there was also one Hugh Foliot Arch-Deacon of Shrewsbury afterwards Bishop of Hereford of whom nothing remains but his Name and the date of his Death 1234. WILLIAM BREWER was born in this County or in Somerset-shire whereof William his Father was several years Sheriffe under King Henry the Second where we shall insist on the occasion of his Sirname Bishop Godwin informeth us that he was Brother to Sr. William Brewer Knight if there be not an errour therein seeing Two Brethren surviving their Parents together both of a Name are seldome seen in the same Family He was preferred Bishop of Exeter Anno 1224. A Great Courtier and employed in such Embassies proper for a Person of Prime Quality as when he was sent to conduct Isabel Sister to King Henry the Third to be married to Frederick the Emperour whom he afterwards attended to the Holy Land Returning to his See he set himself wholly to the adorning and enriching thereof founding a Dean and 24 Prebendaries allowing the later the Annual Stipend of Four Pounds which they receive at this day But I am lately informed that the Dean and Residenciaries of Exeter have since augmented the Salary of all the Prebendaries at large to twenty pounds a year Which Intelligence if false they are not injured if true they are courteously used This Bishop died Anno Domini 1244. WILLIAM de RALEIGH was born at that well known Town in this County preferred first Canon of St. Pauls then successively Bishop of Norwich and Winchester The last of which cost him much trouble his Election being stiffely opposed by King Henry the Third intending a Valentinian Uncle to the Queen for that Bishoprick whom the Monks of Winchester refused terming him Vir Sanguinum A man of Bloud Whether in that sense wherein David is so termed and on that account prohibited the building of the Temple because a Martial Man or whether onely because descended of high bloud whose Descent was all his Desert so that they ridgidly adhered to the election of Raleigh King Henry who seldome used to be angry and more seldome to swear sware in his anger That he would have his will at last or they should never have Bishop and how his Conscience came off vvithout Perjury herein his own Confâ—…ssor vvas best able to satisfie him Raleigh had beâ—…ides his own merits two good friends his Purse and the Pope the former procuring the later He presented his Holynesse with six thousaâ—…d Mark which effected his Work Here two persons were at once deceived the Pope not expecting so great a sum should be tendred him and Raleigh not suspecting he would take all but leave at least a morsel for manners But his hands will take what ever is tendred him if not too Hot or too Heavy Raleigh thus runin debt could never creep out thereof though living very privately and dying very penitently For when the Priest brought the â—…uchrist unto him lying on his Death-Bed Raleigh expressing himself in language like to that of John Baptist I have need to come to thee and comest thou to me would rise out of his Bed to meet him His death happened Anno Dom. 1249. RICHARD COURTNEY was one of
great linage allied to the Earl of Devonshire and no lesse Learning excellently skilled in the Knowledg of both Laws So that at the instant suit of K. Henry the Fifth He was preferred Bishop of Norwich Anno 1413. His person the Inne of his Soul had a fair Sign was highly favoured by his Prince and beloved by the people Yet all this could not prolong his life So that he died of a flux at the siege of Harflew in Normandy in the second year of his Consecration and his Corps brought over was honourably entombed in Westminster Jâ—…AMES CARY was born in this County his name still flourishing nt Cockington therein He was at Rome made Bishop of Lichfield and travailing thence homewards towards England did again light on the Pope at Florâ—…nce just at the news of the vacancy of Exeter and the same See was bestowed on him the more welcome because in his Native County Say not this was a Degradation For though in our time Lichfield is almost twice as good as Exeter â—…xeter then was almost four times as good as Lichfield This appeareth by their valuations of their Income into First-Fruits Exeter paying the Pope six thousand Ducats whilst Lichfield paid onely seventeen hundred at the most But what ever the value of either or both was Cary enjoyed neither of them dying and being buried in Florence Thus though one may have two Cups in his hand yet some intervening accident may so hinder that he may taste of neither He died 1419. JOHN STANBERY was saith Bale out of Leland in Occidentali 〈◊〉 parte natus But the Western parts being a wide Parish thanks to our Authour who hath particularized the place of his Nativity viz. the Farm of Church-hill within the Parish of Bratton or Broad-Town in this County where some of his Name and Kindred remain at this day He was bred a Carmelite in Oxford and bâ—…came generaâ—…ly as learned as any of his Order deserving all the dignity which the â—…niversity did or could confer upon him King Hâ—…n the sixth highly favoured and made him the first Provost of Eaton being much ruled by his advice in ordering that his new Foundation He was by the King designed Bishop of Norwich but William de la Poole Duke of Suffolk See the presumption of a proud Favourite or Minion rather got it from him for his own Chaplain and Stanbery was for to stay his stomack on the poor Bishoprick of Bangor till Anno 1453 he was advanced Bishop of Hereford Leland doth condemn him for his over compliance with the Pope in all his intollerable taxes and others commend him as much for his fidelity to his Master King Hen. whom he deserted not in all his adversity so that this Bishop was taken prisoner in the Battail of Northampton Say not to this Prelate as Eliab to David Why camest thou down hither with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the Wildernesse I know the pride and the malice of thy heart for thou art come down to see the Battail For Stanbery being Confessor to King Henry he was tyed by his Oath to such personal attendance After long durance in Warwick Castle he was set at liberty and dying Anno 1474 was buried in the Convent of Carmelites at Ludlow where his barbarous and tedious Epitaph ill suiting with the Authour of such learned and pithy Books is not worth the inserting PETER COURTNEâ—… son to Sir Phillip Courtney was born at Powderham in this Shire He was first preferred Arch-Deacon then Bishop of â—…xeter expending very much money in finishing the North Tower giving a great called Peter Bell thereunto He was afterwards Anno 1486 translated to Winchester where he sat five years It is much one of so Illustrious Birth should have so obscure a Burial Bishop Godwin conÌ„fessing that he knew not whereabouts in his Church he lyeth interred Since the Reformation JOHN JEWEL bearing the Christian Name of his Father Grandfather and Great Grandfather was born at Buden a Farm possessed more than two hundred years by his Ancestors in the Parish of 〈◊〉 nigh Illfracombe in this County on the 24th of May 1552. His mothers Sirname was Bellamy who with her husband John Jewel lived happily fifty years together in Holy Wedlock and at their death left ten children behind them It may be said of his Sirname Nomen Omen Jewel his Name and Pretious his Vertues So that if the like ambition led us English men which doth Foraigners speciously to render our Sirnames in Greek or Latine he may be termed Johnnes Gemma on better account then Gemma Frisius entituleth himself thereunto He was chiefly bred in the School of Barstable where John Harding afterwards his Antagonist was his School fellow and at 15 years of age was admitted in Merton Collâ—…dge under the tuition of John Parkhurst afterwards Bishop of Norwich Such his sedulity rising alway at 4 of the Clock and not going to bed till 10 that he was never punished for any exercise and but once for absence from Chappel Hence he was removed to Corpus Christi Colledge where he proved an Excellent Poet having all Horace by heart Linguist and Orator Thus having touched at all Humane Arts he landed at Divinity being much assisted by Peter Martyr the Kings Professor therein St. Jerome telleth us that so great was the intimacy betwixt Pamphilius that worthy Martyr a Priest and Eusebius the Bishop of Caesarea ut ab uno alter nomen acceperet that they mutually were sirnamed the one from the other Pamphilius Eusebii and Eusebius Pamphilii No lesse the unity of affections be twixt these two who accordingly might be called Martyrs Jewell and Jewells Martyr as seldome in body and never in mind asunder What eminent changes afterwards befel him in the course of his life how he fled into Germany lived at Zurick returned into England was preferred Bishop of Salisbury wrote learnedly preached painfully lived piously died peaceably Anno Dom. 1572. are largely related in my Ecclesiastical History and I will trouble the Reader with no repetitions JOHN PRIDEAUX was born at Hartford in the West part of this County bred Scholar Fellow and Râ—…ctor of Exeter Colledg in Oxford Canon of Christ-Church and above thirty years Kings Professor in that University An excellent Linguist but so that he would make words wait on his matter chiefly aiming at expressivenesse therein he had a becomming Feâ—…ivity which was Aristotles not St. Pauls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Admirable his memory retaining what ever he had read The Welch have a Proverb in my mind somewhat uncharitable He that hath a good memory giveth few Alms because he keepeth in mind what and to whom he had given before But this Doctor cross'd this Proverb with his constant charity to all in want His learning was admired by Forreigners Sextinus Amma Rivet c. He was not Vindicative in the least degree One intimate with him having assured me that he would
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