the Bishop Essex ESsex hath Kent on the South Suffolk on the North Cambr. Hartf and Middlesex on the West A fair County 35 Miles Square affording all things necessary for Mans Subsistence save that the Eastern part thereof is not very healthful in the Air thereof The parts adjoyning to the Sea are called the Hundreds of Essex and Vulgar Wits will tell you that the Stock of poor people in these parts is Five Hundred Cows which is no more than five The Natural Commodities are Saffron about Walden Oysters the best in England bred near Colchester King Ja. was wont to say he was a Valiant Man that first adventured on the Eating of them Hops which are said to grow best where Vines will not grow and are wholesome if unmixed c. according to Stat. 1. Jac. c. 18. Puits in the Puit-Island near Harwick a kind of Birds which are delicate Food when fatted As for Manufactures Bays Says and Serges are made in Colchester Coxal c. And there is Gun-powder made in Mills erected on the River Ley between Waltham and Lond. Of Buildings 1. Audley-End built by Th. Howard Earl of Suff is the best Subjects House in this Island 2. New-hall built by the Ratcliffs Earls of Suff. bought by Geo. Villiers D. of Buck. surpasses for the pleasant approach thereunto and the adjoyning Parks 3. Copt-Hall or Coppice-Hall seated on a Hill in the midst of a Park was built by the Abbot of Waltham and enlarged by Sir Th. Heneage In which there is the most Proportionable Gallery in England An. 1639. a Hericano forced the Stones of the great East-Window like Pellets quite through this Gallery in length 56 Yards Dr. Jackson about the same time observed the like Wind as Ominous and Presaging our Civil Dissentions To proceed to more Wonders the huge Bones which were digged out at the Ness near Harwich were generally thought to be Bones of Men tho it be more probable they were Bones of Elephants brought over by the Emperor Claudius The Story of the Anatomy of Bones in the Abbey of Waltham-Cross which being touched in one part fell all into Powder is confirmed by Publick Fame with several instances of the like Nature Proverbs I. Essex miles that is very long Miles Comparatively to those of Middlesex II. Essex Calves the fattest fairest and finest in Engl. III. The Weavers Beef of Colchester That is Sprats the Weavers Food such Beef-eaters and such Beef being numerous in and about that City IV. Jeering-Coxhall it was true by way of Catachresis in Queen Maries daies for then the Inhabitants of that Town were very serious some in suffering and others in shifting Martyrdom V. He may fetch a flitch of Bacon from Dunmoe It was a Custom formerly that whoever did swear before the Prior of the Convent at Dunmoe That they never made any Nuptial Transgression might demand a Gammon of Bacon Princes Hen. Fitz. Roy Natural Son to H. 8. and the Lady Talbois was born at Black-more Mannor An. 1519. He was created Earl of Nottingham and D. of Richmond Bastard in him was not Boes art i. e. an abject Nature but Besteaerd the best disposition since he purchased a Reputation by his Martial Activity and Learning He Married Mary Daughter to Th. D. of Nâ—rf and dyed An. 1536. and was buried in Framlingham in Suff. Saints St. Helen was born at and Daughter to Coel King of Colchester She was Mother of Constantine the first Christian Emperor and is famous to all Posterity for finding out Christs-Cross on Mount Calvary Hence the Arms of Colchester a Cross enragled between four Crowns By the Pagans she was Nick-named Stabularia she having found the Stable of Christs-Nativity Whose Son St. Constantine was born at Colchester V. Eccl. Hist St. Ethelburgh Sister to Erkenwald Bishop of Lond. was Abbess of the Nunery of Barking where she led an Austere Life and dyed 676. Whose Sister Hildetha succeeded her and dyed 700. Theorithoid a Holy Nun of the same place dyed 678. Edilburge Wife to Ina King of the West Saxons a Nun at Barking was reputed a Saint after here Death An. 740. Wolfhild a Barking Nun dyed An. 989. This Nunery was valued at 1000 l. yearly rent at the Dissolution St. Ofith Daughter to the King of the E. Angles was abbess of a Monastery of her own founding at Chich. She was beheaded by the Danes about 870. after which she was able to carry her own head no further than 3. furlongs and if St. Deni's carried his head further you may imagine his was the lighter Head of the twâ— St. Neots first an Eremite in Cornw. then a profitable Preacher of the Gospel a Zaccheus for Stature and Piety He moved King Alfred to found or restore the University of Oxf. for which his Memory is sacred to all Posterity He dyed An. 883. and was buried at Eynsbury since St. Neots in Hunt Martyrs Jo. Lawrence being very feeble had a Chair at the Stake the little Children crying God strengthen you Th. Hawkes Gent. having promised to give his Friends a Token of the comfort of his Conscience whilst burning raised himself up and clapped his Hands over his Head to the Admiration of all the beholders Rose Allin a Virgin endured the Burning of her Wrists with incredible Patience as afterwards the burning of her Body with a Christian Constancy These are the most Noted of 44 Martyrs in this Shire Confessors Rich. George Labourer of West-Barfold Of three several Wives he had two of them were Burnt and himself the third imprisoned for Religion His Burning was prevented by Queen Maries Death Cardinals Th. Bourcher Brother to Hen. first Earl of Ess was successively Bishop of Worc. Ely Arch-bishop of Cant. for 51 years by the Title of St. Cyriacus in the Baths He married H. 7. to the Daughter of E. 4. and applyed himself Politickly to the Power of that Prince Yet 't is said Praestitit hic praesul nil tanto sanguine dignum What was 100 pounds and a Chest given by him to Camb. He saw the Civil Wars between York and Lanc. begun continued and concluded Many Noble Prelates were his Contemporaries and after his decease Cardinal Pole a Man of Noble Extraction Prelates Rich. de Barking became Abbot of Westminster and Councellor to Hen. 3. Ch. Baron of the Exchequer and Lord Treasurer of England He dyed An. 1246. and was buried in Westm Church Jo. de Chesill was Bishop of Lond. and twice Chancellour and afterwards Lord Treasurer of England Jo. Waltham Mr. of the Rolls Keeper of the Pr. Seal and Bishop of Salisbury was Excommunicated by Courtney Arch-bishop of Cant. for refusing to be visited by him after the Popes death Yet he dyed Lord Treasurer and was by R. 2. his Order buried amongst the Kings in Westm 1395. Roger Walden a poor Mans Son was Dean of York and at last Treasurer of England during the Exile of Th. Arundel Arch-bishop of Cant. he called Synods c. in that See till the
under his Uncle of whom hereafter in Westminster-School then in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge where he Commenced D. D. was successively preferred Prebend of Windsor Dean of Rochester and Bishop of Glocester He lived since but was no friend to the Reformation constantly complaining of the first Reformers amongst whom he noted Ridley as a very Odd Man One being then present My Lord says he He was an Odde Man indeed for all the Popish Party in England could not match him with his equal in Learning and Religion He is the only instance amongst 200 Bishops since Queen Elizabeth who was Popishly affected He was a harmless man hurtful to none but himself pitiful to the Poor hospitable to his Neighbours against the ruining of any of an opposite Judgment and gave the most he left to pious uses He was no contemptible Historian He was made Bishop 1624. and dyed about 1655. in Westminster Writers since the Reformation William Salesbury born in this County where his Family flourisheth at this day composed an English and Weâ—sh Dictionary Printed 1547. He dyed 1560. Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation Sir Thomas Son of Sir Richard Exmew was born at Rithin and bred in London a Goldsmith and was Lord Mayor thereof 1517. Besides Benefactions in his own Country and to St. Mary Magdalens in Milk-street London where he lyes buried he made the VVater-Conduit by London VVall at Moor-Gate Gabriel Goodman Son of Edward Goodman Esq was born at Rithin afterwards D. D. in St. Johns-Colledge in Cambridge and Dean of VVestminster for forty years The Bible was Translated into VVelsh on his cost He founded a School-house in Rythin with a competent Salary and erected an Almshouse therein for 12 poor people He repaired the House for the Minster there called the VVarden of Rythin furnishing it with Plate c. which were to descend to his Successors He purchased a fair House thereunto at Cheswick in Middlesex where with his own hands he set a fair row of Elmes for a Retiring place to the Masters and Scholars at VVestminster He was made one of the Executors of the Will of our English Nestor the Lord Treasurer Cecil for the disposing of great sums to charitable uses He dyed 1â—01 and is buried in the Collegiate Church of VVestminster whereof he so well deserved as of all England Mr. Cambden performing his perambulation about it on his Expences Sir Hugh Middleton Son of Sir Richard Middleton was born at Denbigh and bred in London This is that worthy Knight who fetcht into London VVater on his own cost more then 24 Miles encountring all the way with an Army of Oppositions grapling with Hills strugling with Rocks fighting with Forests till in defiance of difficulties he had brought his Project to Perfection A potent person and an idle Spectator struck in and by his greatness possessed a Moiety of the profit whilst the Honour thereof will remain Eternally fixed to the Memory of Sir Hugh Middleton Note Robert Earl of Leicester by his bounty advanced the Building of a new Church in Denbigh FLINT-SHIRE FLint-shire named from Flint formerly an eminent place therein hath the Sea on the North Shrop-shire on the South Cheshire on the East and Denbigh-shire on the West The smallest Shire in VVales Flint the Shire-Town is no Market Town no nor St. Asaph a City and Bishops See till made so very late But it is near to Chester the Market General of these parts and besides every Village hath a Market in it self as affording all necessary Commodities This County was Parcel of the County Palatine paying 2000 Marks called a Mize at the Change of every Earl of Chester until the year 1568. For then upon the occasion of one Thomas Radford committed to Prison by the Chamberlain of Chester this County disjoyned it self from the Earldom of Chester and united it self to the Principality though I cannot see how the one or the other could be done without an Act of Parliament Proverbs I. Mwy nag un bw a yro Ynghaer That is More then on Yugh-Bow in Chester Cheshire men have been very famous for Archery It is applyed to such who take other folks Goods for their own being mistaken with the similitude and resemblance Princes Elizabeth the 7th Daughter of King Edward 1. and Queen Lleanor was born at Ruthland Castle where antiently a Parliament was kept an Edward 1. This Princess at 14 years of Age was Married to John first of that Name Earl of Holland Zealand c. and after his death to Humfrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex High Constable of England by whom he had a numerous Issue She dyed 1316. and was buried in the Abby-Church of Saffron-Walden in Essex Saints Congellus or Comgallus is challenged by the Welsh for their Country-Man as being first Abbot of Banchâ—r in this County though Arch-Bishop Vsher makes him the first Abbot of Bangor in the North of Ireland He was one of a pious Life who wrote Learned Epistles and dyed an 600. Aet 85. St. Beno Instructor to St. Wenefride was it seems a good Chirurgeon to a Miracle who when VVenefride was beheaded by the Lustful Caradocus set her Head on again she living 15 years after Asaph born of Right Honourable Parentage was bred at Llan-Elvy under Mungo the Scotch Bishop of that place who had a Convent of 663 Monks almost the number of the Beast whereof 300 being more unlearned then the rest were employed in Husbandry Amongst the rest who attended Divine Service St. Asaph was eminently conspicuous for Piety and Learning insomuch that Mungo in Latine Quentigermu being called into his Country resigned both his Convent and Cathedral to him Here he demeaned himself with such Sanctity that Llan-Elvy was after his death 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 He is thought by some to have dyed about 569. After which his See was Vacant above 500 years until Jeffrey of Monmouth was placed there Prelates since the Reformation Richard Parry D. D. born at Ruthin was bred in Christs-Church in Oxford whence he was preferred Dean of Bangor and at last Bishop of St. Asaph consecrated December 30. 1604. Bishop Godwin being near to him in time and in his studies desireth to be his equal in other Episcopal Qualities Bishop Parry dyed 16. Souldiers Owen Glendower born in his ancient Patrimony of Glendower-Wye was bred in London a Student of the Common Law till he became a Courtier and Servant to King Richard 2. After whose death being in the wrong side of preferment he retired into Wales where there arose a difference between him and the Lord Gre of Ruthen about a Common which Owen by force recovered from Gre whom he killed Many spur'd his posting Ambition by telling him he was the true Heir to all North-Wales and now or never the time to regain it whereupon he brake into open Rebellion Being
by Heart the second Book of the Aeneads which he learnt at School without missing a Verse He was an excellent Preacher He attended King Ja. his Chaplain into Scotland and after his return was preferred Dean of Westminster then Bishop of Salisbury He was Hospital and Generous He dyed and was buried An. Dom. 1622. Th. Son to Will. Westfield D. D. born An. Dom. 1573. in Ely bred at Jes Coll. in Camb. where he was Fellow He was Assistant to Bishop Felton whilst Minister of St. Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside after Rector of Horsney and great St. Barth Lond. where in his Preaching he went through the 4 Evangelists He was afterward made Arch-Deacon of St. Albans and at last Bishop of Bristol The Parl. had a good Opinion of him as appears by this Order 13. May 1643. From the Committee of Lords and Com. for Sequestration of Delinquents Estates Vpon information in the behalf of the B. of Bristol That his Tenants refuse to pay him his Rents it is ordered by this Committee that all profits of his Bishoprick be restored and a safe Conduct be granted him to pass with his Family to Bristol being himself of great Age and a Person of great Learning and Merit Jo. Wylde By his Will he desired to be buried in the Cathedral-Church near the Tomb of Paul Bush the first Bishop And as for my Worldly Goods the words of his Will which as the times now are I know not well where they be nor what they are I give c. to my Wife Eliz. He dyed June 28. 1644. and lyeth buried according to his own desire An Anagram made on him by his Daughter was Thomas Westfield I dwell the most safe Statesmen Jo. Tiptoft Son and Heir of Jo. Lord Tiptoft and Joyce his Wife Daughter and Coheir of Edw. Charlton Lord Powis by his Wife Eleanor Sister and Coheir of Edmund Holland Earl of Kent was born at Everton in this County He was bred at Baliol-Coll in Oxf. where he attained to great Learning and by H. 6. was afterwards created first Viscount then Earl of Worcester and Lord High Constable of England and by E. 4. Knight of the Garter The Skies began to Lowre and Threaten Civil Wars and the House of York fell sick of a Relapse Mean time this Earl could not be discourteous to Hen. 6. who had so much advanced him nor disloyal to Edw. 4. in whom the Right of the Crown lay For an Expedient he quitted his own and visited the Holy-Land At Rome in his passage by an Elegant Latin Speech he drew the Admiration of all the Auditors and Tears from the Eyes of the Pope Pius II. He returned from Christs-Sepulchre to his own in England in an unhappy time if sooner or later he had found Edward on that Throne to which now H. 6 was restored and whose Restitution was only remarkable for the Death of this Worthy Lord. Treason was charged on him for secretly siding with King Edw. On this account he lost his life The Ax then did at one blow cut off more Learning in England then was left in the Heads of all the Surviving Nobility His Death hap'ned on St. Lukes day 1470. Edw. Lord Tiptoft his Son was restored by Edw. 4. Earl of Worcester but dying without Issue his Inheritance fell to his three Aunts Sisters to the Learned Lord aforesaid viz. 1. Philip married to Th. Lord Ross of Hamlake 2. Joan Wife of Sir Edm. Inglesthrop of Borough-green in this County 3. Joyce married to Sir Edw. Sutton Son and Heir of John Lord Dudley from whom came Edw. Sutton Lord Dudley and Knight of the Garter Jo. Cheeke Knight Tutor to Ed. 6. and Secretary of State born in Camb. Of him see our Church-History Souldiers When the rest of the East-Angles cowardly fled away in the Field from the Danish Army the Men of the County of Camb. did manfully resist whence it was that whilst the English did rule the praise of the People of Cambridgeshire did most eminently flourish At the coming of the Normans they made so stout a Resistance that the Conqueror who did fly into England was glad to creep into Ely Cambridgeshire-men commonly passed for a Proverb tho now like old Coyn almost grown out of request Indeed the Common-people have Robust bodies able to carry 8 Bushels of Barley on their Backs whereas 4 are found a sufficient Load for Men of other Counties and I doubt not but if there were occasion their Arms and Hands would appear to be as good as their Backs and Shoulders Writers Math. Paris probably born in this and bred-in the next County where the Name is right Ancient long before they were setled at Hildersham which accrued to them by their Marriage with the Daughter and Heir of the Buslers He was a Monk at St. Albans skilled in Poetry Oratory and Divinity as also in Painting Graving c. But his Genius chiefly disposed him to the Writing of Histories wherein he wrote a large Chronicle from the Conquest unto the year of our Lord 1250. where he concludes with this Distich Siste tui metas studii Mâ—â—â—â—aee quietas Nec ventura petas quae postera proferat aetas Matthew here cease thy Pen in peace and study on no more Nor do thou aim at things to come which next Age hath in store Yet resuming the Work he continued it to 1259. A catching disease with Authors my self being concerned to obey the importunity of others contrary to their own inclination His History is impartially and judiciously save whereby he indulgeth too much Monkish Miracles and no Writer so plainly discovereth the Pride Avarice and Rapine of the Court of Rome so that he seldom kisseth the Popes toe without Biting it The Papists insinuate a suspicion that such Reflections are forged but all the Candour imaginable has been used in the Editions of that Author first by Math. Parker and then and especially by Doctor Will. Wats This Matthew left off living and writing An. 1259. Tho he had sharp Nailes he had clean Hands strict in his own and striking at the loose Conversation of others and for his Eminent Austerity was not only employed by Pope Innocent 4. to visit the Monks in the Diocess of Norwich but also was sent unto Norway to reform the Discipline in Holni a fair Covent Helias Rubeus in Engl. Rous or Red bred D. D. in Camb. A great Courtier and Gracious with the King Wrote a Book contra Nobilitatem inanem 'T is thought he flourished about the year 1266. Jo. Eversden was bred a Monk in Bury-Abby whereof he was Cellerer or Caterer but his mounting above this mean Employ he buried himself in Pâ—â—try Law and History whereof he wrote a fair Volume from the beginning of the World Being a Monk he was not fond of Fryars And observeth that when the Franciscans first entred Bury An. 1336. there hap'ned a hideous Hericano levelling Trees Towers c. Yet went they out with a Calm at the time
Author saith that from Edge hill one may behold it as the Garden of Eden The Sheep here are very large especially about Warm-Leighton There is a plentiful growth of Ashes in the Woodland of this County and much Coal digged up at Bedworth As for Buildings Coventry sheweth two fair Churches yet such their vicinity that the Arch-Angel eclipseth the Trinity Then St. Maries in Warwick a beautiful Structure owes its life to the Monuments of the dead therein most being Earls of Warwick So numerous is the Church with its Appendances that the Minister can accommodate one Clergy-man of all dignities and degrees to repose them in several Chappels and Vestries by themselves Kenelworth had the strength of a Castle and beauty of a Princes Court a vast and withal a comely Structure the Porch being proportionable to the rest of the Fabrick It was demolished sincâ— the end of the Wars The Castle of Warwick overlooketh the Town being pleasantly Scituated on a rising Hill affording a very fine Prospect mostly of the Lands of the present Owner Robert Lord Brâ—â—k The Cross of Coventry all for Ornament nothing for Superstition was begun 1541 an 33. and finished 1544 36 Henry 8. at the sole cost of Sir William Hollis Lord Mayor of London great Grand-father to the Right Honourable the Earl of Clare The wonders of this County are that at Lemington within two Miles of Warwick there issue out within a stride of the Womb of the Earth two Springs the one salt and the other fresh On Friday April 17 1607. there happened in Coventry such an inundation no considerable Rain preceding that continued for the space of three hours wherein it overflowed more then 250 dwelling houses to the great dammage of the Inhabitants vanishing away as quickly as it did rise and note the City has no River near it save a small Brook over which generally one may make a Bridge with a stride As for Medicinal Waters there is at Newenham a Spring the water whereof drunk with Salt loosneth with Sugar bindeth the Body It is sovereign against Ulcers and Imposthumes and the Stone though Mr. Speed affirms that it turned Wood into Stoâ—e Proverbs I. He is the black Bear of Arden By this is meant Guy Beauchamp Earl of Warwick a grim person and surly of Resolution who in spite of all opposition caused the death of Pierce Gaveston that Minion of Edward 2. at a Hill within two Miles of Warwick Arden is a Forrest anciently occupying all the Wood-land part of this County 'T is applyed to such who without any other Authority then that of their Countenance or Disposition strike terrour into others II. As bold as Beauchamp Though there was a series of successive undauntedness in the Noble Family of the Earls of Warwick yet I conceive that Thomas first of that name gave the chief occasion to this Proverb He being arrived with King Edward 3. at Hogges in Normandy 1346. was the first man who landed and being followed by one Esquire and six Archers is reported to have fought against a 100 Armed men and in hostile manner to have overthrown every one who withstood him having at one shock slain 60 Normans and removed all resistance so that the Kings whole Army landed in safety The Heirs Male of this name are long since extinct though some deriving themselves from the Heirs general are extant at this day III. The Bear wants a Tail and cannot be a Lion This abated the jealousie the Dutch had of Robert Earl of Leicester descended from the ancient Earls of Warwick Governour of the Low-Countries being suspected to hatch a design of making himself Sovereign Commander over the Low-Countries whilst he diffused his own Coat of the green Lion with two Tails and sign'd all instruments with the Crest of the Bear and Ragged Staff Then it was that this Proverb was written under his Crest set up in publick places Vrsa caret caudâ non queat esse Leo. The Bear he never can prevail To Lion it for lack of Tail It is applyed to such who aspire to what is above their power to atchieve IV. He is true Coventry-blew It seems the best Blews are dyed in Coventry It is applyed to such an one who is a faithful Friend Princes Anne Nevil Daughter and coheir to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick was probably born in Warwick Castle She was Married to Edward Prince of Wales sole Son to Henry 6. afterwards murdered by Richard Duke of Glocester who took to Wife the same Anne She died for grief 1464 though others suspect a Grain was given her for the greater dispatch to another World Edward Plantag Son to George Duke of Clarence was the last Male Heir of the Royal Family His Mother was Isabella eldest Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick and he was born in Warwick-Castle Being kept close Prisoner by Edward 4. Richard 3. and Henry 7. he was rendred weak in his Intellectuals Upon the proposal of Marriage for Prince Arthur with Katharine Daughter of Ferdinand King of Spain this Edward was taken out of the way to the end all Titles might be cleared The Lady Katharine Dowager was wont to acknowledge the death of her two Sons an ill success of her match as Heavens judgment on her Family for the murdering of this Earl which happened 1499. Saints St. Wolstan born in Long Jetington was Bishop of VVorcester a man of great Candour and an opposer of the French fickleness and the Italian pride for which he was hated by VVilliam the Conqueror and Lanfrak Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and by them commanded to resign his Episcopalibus Upon this the Honest Bishop repaired to the Monument of Edward the Confessor and there offered up his Episcopal Habiliments These said he from you I received and to you I resign them This his plain dealing not only recovered his Bishoprick but also purchased to him the reputation of a Saint He was active in promoting VVilliam Rufus to the Kingdom in prejudice of his eldest Brother Robert Martyrs Laurence Saunders a Priest was Martyred in Coventry February 8. 1555. Robert Glove born at Mancetor Gentleman was Martyred in Coventry September 20. 1555 Cornel Bongey born at Coventry a Capper was Martyred at Coventry September 20 1555. Jo. Carles born at Coventry a Weaver was Martyred at the Kings Bench London Julius Palmer born at Coventry and bred in Magdalens-Colledge in Oxford was burnt in Newbury Confessors John Glover Brother to the aforementioned Robert escaped miraculously whilst his Brother without the intention of his enemies fell into their hands Cardinals VVilliam Macklesfield born 't is said in Coventry was made B. D. in Paris Dr. at Oxford and became General of the Dominican Order He was by Pope Benedict 11. created Cardinal with the Title of St. Sabine but dyed in London before his Cap was brought him yet this chief part of a Cardinal I mean the Cap was with great solemnity set on his Tomb. Peter Petow of an ancient Family flourishing
and a bad People A French Proverb 't is well they being such Admirers of their own will allow any goodness to another Country XV. The High Dutch Pilgrims when they beg they sing the French whine and cry the Spaniards curse swear and blaspheme the Irish and English steal This is Spanish The Italians are not mentioned because they seldom go out of their Country There was occasion to make Felony highly Penal in England to restrain the Pezantry somewhat addicted thereunto but may Honesty in themselves and Charity in others hinder the Progress and prevent the Consequences of that Sneaking Trade Princes John Eldest Son of King E. 1. and Queen Eleanor born at Windsor dyed in his Infancy 1273. an ult H. 3. and was buried August 8. in Westminster under a Marble Tomb inlaid with his Picture in an Arch over it Eleanor Eldest Daughter to King Ed. 1. and Queen Eleanor born at Windsor An. Dom. 1266. Afterwards was Married by Proxy a Naked Sword interposed between her and his Body to Alphons King of Arragon who dyed An. 1292 before the Consummation of Marriage This Princess was afterwards Married to Hen. 3. Earl of Berry in France from whom the Dukes of Anjou and Kings of Sicil are descended She died in 27 th year of her Fathers Reign Anno Dom. 1298. Margaret third Daughter of E. 1. and Queen Eleanor born at Windsor An. 3. E. 1. 1275. At fifteen she was Marryed at Westminster July 9. 1290. to John II. Duke of Brabant by whom she had John Issue III. Duke of Brabant from whom the Dukes of Burgundy are descended Mary sixth Daughter of King Ed. and Queen El. born at Windsor April 12. 1279. at 10 years of Age was made a Nun at Amesbury in Wiltshire meerly to gratifie Queen Eleanor her Grand-mother The other Children of this King probably born in this Castle viz. Henry Alphonse Blanche dyed in their Infancy who Cleansed at Font did draw untainted Breath Not yet made bad by Life made good by Death The two former were buried with their Brother John at Westminster in the same Tomb but where Blanche was interr'd is unknown Edward III Son to E. 2. and Queen Isab born at Windsor Oct. 13. 1312. a Pious and Fortunate Prince was Passive in the deposing of his Father Practised on in his Minority by his Mother and Mortimer His French Victories speak both of his Wisdom and Valour And tho the Conquests by H. 5. were thicker his were broader in France and Scotland tho both in length alike as lost by their immediate Successors He was the first English King which Coyned Gold He first stamped the Rorse-Nobles having on one side Iesus autem transiens per medium illorum ibat and on the Reverse his own Image with a Sword and Shield siting in a Ship Waving on the Sea Hereupon was made the English Rhym in the Reign of H. 6. For four things our Noble sheweth to me King Ship and Swerd and Power of the Sea He had a Numerous and Happy Issue by Phillippa his Queen after whose Death being almost 70 years old he cast his Affection on Alice Pierce his Paramour to his Dishonour it being true what Epictetus returned to Adrian the Emperour asking of him what Love was In Puero Pudor in Virgine Rubor in faeminâ Furor in juvene Ardor in Sene Risus In a Boy bashfulness in a Maid blushing in a Woman fury in a young-Man fire in an old Man folly However this King had few Equals none Superiors for Wisdom Clemency and Courage He died An. Dom. 1378. William Sixth Son to E. 1. and Queen Phil. born at Windsor He had a Brother born at Hatfield of the same Name who died in his Infancy as this William also did As for King Edwards Female Children Isabel Joan Blanch Mary and Margaret 't is believed they were born in France Henry VI Son to H. 5. born at Windsor was fitter for a Coul than Crown of so easie a Nature that he might well have Exchanged a pound of Patience for an ounce of Valour He Marryed Margaret Daughter of Reinier King of Jerusalem Sicily and Arragon Puissant only in Titles Through Home-bred Dissentions he not only lost the Forreign Acquisitions of the Father in France but also his own Inheritance in England to the House of York Her Death or Murder rather happened 1471. This Henry was twice Crowned twice Deposed and twice Buried first at Chestry then at Windsor and once half Sainted Our Hen. VII cheapned the price of his Canonization but would not come up to the Sum demanded However this Henry was a Saint with the People repairing to his Monument from the farthest part of the Land He was the last Prince whom I find expresly born at Windsor It seems that afterwards our English Queens grew out of Conceit with that place as unfortunate for Royal Nativities Saints Margaret Alice Rich born at Abbington in this County and were successively Prioress of Catesby in Northamptonshire They were Sisters to St. Edmund The former dying An. 1257. the latter 1270. Both were Honoured for Saints and many Miracles were reported done at their Shrine St. Edmund Son to Edw. Rich and Mabel his Wife born at Abbington and bred in Oxford Edmunds-Hall in that University which probably was not built by but Named in Memory of him He was Canon of Salisbury and afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury but after 10 years deserted this Function being offended at the Ambition and Extortion of the Popes Legate in England he therefore going into France sighed out the Remainder of his Life at Pontiniack some say at Soissons where he dyed An. 1240. Pope Innocent IV Canonized him 6 years after his Death that as some affirm he might not be tormented with his Ghost 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 Nov. is the Festival appointed for his Memorial Martyrs At Newbury in this County there were 6 or 7 score Persons being betrayed by a Lewd Person whom they admitted into their Society Abjured and besides there were three or four burnt whose Names tho not known are no doubt written in the Book of Life The day of the Gospel dawned as soon in this County as in any place of England The Honour of the Seniority in this kind belongs to Newbury the Motive used by Doctor Will. Twit to quicken the pace of his Parishoners there that Town as he said being the first Fruits of the Gospel in England At Windsor of a Company of Godly Persons there four were Arraigned and Condemned by Commissioners whereof three were put to Death viz. Anth. Parsons Priest being fast'ned to the Stake he laid a good deal of Straw on his Head saying This is God's Hat I am now Arm'd like a Souldier of Christ Rob. Testwood a Singer in Windsor-Quire There hap'ned a Contest betwixt him and
Saints St. Alkmund Son to Alred King of Northum slain in Battle occasioned by the Vice-Roy of Worcester in pursuing of his Title to some Lands was notwithstanding reputed a Martyr However it was believed Miracles were done at St. Alkmunds Church where his Body was interred whither the Northern People made Pilgrimages till discomposed by the Reformation Martyrs Joan Wast a blind Woman in Derby and an Innocent tho no Fool was burnt for the Testimony of the truth by the Command of B. Bains Cardinals Rog. Curson of Worshipful Extraction bred in Oxf. was afterwards Doctor in Paris and lastly a Cardinal in Rome by the Title of St. Steph. in Mount Celius He Accompanied Pelagius when the City Damiata in Egypt was taken under Jo. Brenn King of Jerusalem He wrote many Books and came over into England as the Popes Legate in the Reign of H. 3. Phil. de Repingdon or Repton became D. D. in Oxf. A great Assertor of the Doctrine of Jo. Wickliff but he recanted An. 1483. and became a Persecuter wherefore he was termed by those he molested Rampington He was made Abbot of Leicester An. 1400. Chancellor of Oxf. 1405. Bishop of Lincoln 1408. and was created by Pope Greg. 12. Card. of St. Nerius c. tho he had solemnly sworn he would make no more Cardinals till the Schisme in Rome were ended He resigned his Bishoprick An. 1420. Prelates Will. Gray Son to the Lord Gray of Codnor was as Honourable He first studied in Baliol-Coll in Oxf. then at Ferrara in Italy where he was an Auditor of Guarinus of Verona He was made by King H. 6. Procurator in the Court of Rome and was freely Elected to the Bishoprick of Ely An. 9. E. 4. 1469. he was Lord Treasurer the last Clergy-man that ever was preferred to that Office until Bishop Juxton in our daies enjoyed it He dyed 1478 and lies buried in the Church of Ely Since the Reformation Geo. Cooke D. D. Brother to Sir Jo. Cooke Secr. of State was born at Trusley and bred in Pemb. Hall in Camb. and then Minister of Bigrave in Hertf. Hence successively made Bishop of Bristol and Hereford a Grave Meek man and much beloved He was in the same Condemnation with the rest of his Brethren for subscribing the Protest in Parl. in defence of their Priviledges so that to prevent his want he was relieved by his Rich Relations He dyed about the year 1650. Statesmen Sir Jo. Cook younger Brother to Sir Francis was born at Trusley of Ancient and Worshipful Parentage He was bred Fell. of Trin. Coll. in Camb. and there became an Eminent Rhetorick Lecture And having Travelled beyond the Seas he returned Rich in foreign Language Observations and Experience Being related to Sir Fulk Grevil Lord Brook he was made Secretary of the Navy then Master of the Requests and at last Secr. of State He was a good Protestant and dyed 1644. Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Jo. Stathom born in the Reign of King H. 6. wrote an Abridgement of the Laws much esteemed for its Antiquity tho as I heard not much follow'd at this day in which Book I found a passage viz. that the Miller of Matlock took Toll twice because he heard the Rector of the Parish Read Tolle Tolle that is Crucifie him c. A Felonius Fruit of Latine Service Sir Anth. Fitz Herbert Son of Ralph H. Esquire was born at Norbury He was first the King Serj. at Law and then 14. H. 8. One of the Justices of the Com. Pleas. He wrote that Treasure of the Common-Law de Naturâ Brevium and a choice Abridgement of the Laws c And 't is Pity that there is not due and speedy care taken for the setting forth a new and more Correct Edition of the latter He lies interred in Norbury-Church Sea-Men Sir Hugh Willoughby Extracted from a Right worthy and Ancient Stock at Riseley in this County was An. ult E. 6. Employed for the North-East Passage and made Captain Gen. of a Fleet for Discovery of unknown Countries Their Commission bore date from the year of the World 55â—5 because they might have occasion to present it to Pagan Princes They departed from Debtford May 10. 1553. steering N. N.E. by a Tempest Aug. 2 they lost the Bonaventure the two other Ships viz. the Bona Esperanza Admiral and the Good Confidence which were all that were left being Shattered Sir Hugh holding on his Course descried a Land 160 Leagues from Synam an Isle belonging to the King of Denmark in lat 72. deg Which therefore was then called Willoughby-land But in Jan. 1554. He with most of his Company was Frozen to Death in the River or Haven called Arzina in Lapland And the Bonaventure returning safe performed afterwards Great Service in opening the Trade to Moscovy And now for your Diversion Note that in Lapland it is Death to Marry a Maid without her Parents or Friends Consent wherefore the Rights of all being saved The Maid must run with her Sweet-heart not for Tryal of Skill but of her Will and having the Advantage of a considerable part of the Race has it meerly in her own choice to signifie her dislike of his Person by out-running him or her consent to Matrimony by a Voluntary Hault under pretence of tying her Garter before she comes to the end of the Race All Parties being hereby concluded it is Penal for the Man to renew the motion of Marriage after a Repulse in the manner aforesaid Physicians Th. Linacer born in Derby bred in Oxf. and beyond the Seas was the first Restorer of Learning in our Nation a Man of an honest Conversation His Translation of Galen is not inferior to the Original in Purity of Style King Hen. 7. and 8. were both his Patrons He founded two Publick Lectures in Oxf. and one in Camb. for Physick 'T is said that a little before his Death he turned Priest and began to Study the Scripture with which formerly he was unacquainted insomuch that reading the 5 6 and 7 Chapters of St. Math. he vowed that either this was not the Gospel or we were not Christians He dyed An. Dom. 1524. and lieth buried at St. Pauls under a stately Monument built by Dr. John Caius another Phoenix of the same Profession springing from Linacer's Ashes and coming into general Credit after his Death Writers Th. Asburn D. D. was one of the Synod which Condemned Wickliff for Heresie Yet he asswaged the fury of the enraged People when they threatned to burn the Convent about the Augustinian Fryers Ears because Pateshul one of their Order in a Sermon Preached by him had some passages in Wickliff's Favour Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation Eliz. Hardwick whose third Husband was Geo. Earl of Shrewsbury a Lady of undaunted Spirit founded a stately Alms-house for 12 poor People in Derby The Queen of Scots having been committed to her Husband the aforesaid Earl Queen Eliz. asking the Countess at Court how that Queen
new supply of Souldiers sent to him for Assistants Hubert de Burozo succeeded the former in his Office No less a Couragious Judge having advised K. Hen. 3. to cancell the Great Charter alledging that since it had been granted by that King during his Minority it was of no Force in Law An. 20. Johan de Northwood of a right Ancient Family before the Conquest monarch E. 1. Their chief Residence was Northwood in the Parish of Milto Church One of their Heirs was married into the Family of the Nortons 16. Rich. Waller in the time of H. 5. took Charles monarch H. 4. D. of Orleans Prisoner at the battel of Agin-Court and brought him over to England where he held him in honourable restraint at Grome-Bridge He was a Benefactor to the repair of Spelherst Church The Prince assigned to him and his Heirs an Additional Crest viz. the Arms of France hanging by a Label on an Oak with the Motto Hic fructus Virtutis From this Richard Sir William Waller is lineally descended 23. Will. Crowmer was taken by Jack Cade the Rebel and committed by his Worship to the Fleet in London because as Jack said he was guilty of Extortion in his Office Jack having catch'd him would not leave him so but being attended with other venturous Lads brought him to Mile-End and there reformed the Gentleman by cutting off his Head which they set upon a long Pole on London Bridge John Scot Arm. was Knighted and was much trusted and employed by E. 4. who made him one of his Privy Council and Knight Marshal of Callis and sent him with others Ambassadour to the Dukes of Burgundy and Brittain to bring back the Earls of Pembrook and Richmond He lyeth buried in the Church of Braborne An. 3. Rich. Blakenbury was nearly allied to Sir Rob. Constable of the Tower monarch R. 3. who dipped his fingers so deep in the Blood of King Ed. 5. and his Brother An. 5. William Boleyn Mil. was made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of R. 3. monarch H. 7. He married a Daughter and Coheir of Th. Butler E. of Ormond by whom he had among others Sir Th. Boleyn E. of Wiltshire 10 Jo. Peach with the Kentish Gentry made Perkin who landed then in Sandwich shrink his Horns back again into the shell of their Ships and brought 150 of Perkin's men up to London He was Knighted for his good service An. 5. Jo. Norton monarch H. 8. Mil. went over a Captain with the 1500 Archers under the Conduct of Sir Ed. Poynings to assist Marg. Dutchess of Savoy against the D. of Guelders where this Sir Jo. was Knighted by Charles Young Prince of Castile and afterwards Emperour He lyeth buried in Milton Church 7. Th. Cheyney Arm. Knighted by H. 8. was a Spritely Gentleman living and dying in great Honour a Favourite and Privy-Councellor to four successive Kings and Queens viz. H. 8. E. 6. Q Mary and Q. Elizabeth 11 Jo. Wiltshire Mil. was Comptroller of Calis An. 21. H. 7. He founded a Chappel in the Parish of Stove An. 3. Moile Finch Mil. married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Sir Th. Heneage Vice-Chamb to Q. Elizabeth monarch K. James and Chancellour of the Duchy of Lancaster She in her Widowhood by the Special favour of K. James was honoured Viscountess Maidston and afterwards by the great grace of K. Charles 1. created Countess of Winchelsey both Honours being Entailed on the Issue Male of her Body To which her Grandchild the right Honourable Heneage lately gone Ambassadour to Constantinople doth succeed Canterbury CAnterbury an ancient City during the Saxon Heptarchie was the chief Seat of the Kings of Kent Here Becket had his death here Edward the Black Prince and K. Hen. 4. had their Interment The Metropolitan Dignity first conferred by Gregory the Great on Lond. was for the Honour of Augustine afterwards bestowed on this City It is pleasantly Situated being surrounded with a fertile Soil well Wooded and commodiously Watered by the River Stoure called Durrwhen in Brit. i. e. a swift River tho it needs scouring Of Buildings Christ-Church first dedicated and after 300 years Intermission to Th. 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 Glass Windows painted with excellent Colours tho none of the best Figures Yet 't is said a Forraign Ambassadour proffered a vast price to transport the East Window of the Quire beyond the Seas As Pictures are the Books painted Windows were in time of Popery the Library of Laymen V. Somners Antiquities Proverbs 1. Canterbury Tales a Book of Chaucer so called it is applied to all Feigned and Pleasant Stories c. such as the Miracles of Becket some helpfull as when perceiving his old Palace at Otford to want water he struck his staff into the dry ground still called St. Thomas his Well whence Water runneth plentifully to serve that House Others spitefull as when because a Smith dwelling in that Town had clogged his Horse he ordered that no Smith afterwards should thrive in that Parish Prelates Steph. Langton born in England bred in Paris was one of the greatest Scholars of the Christian World in his Age. He was consecrated Cardinal of St. Chrysogone and then by the Pope intruded Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in defiance of King John He wrote Comments on all the Old and some on the New Testament He first divided the Bible into Chapters which Robert Stephens a Frenchman subdivided into Verses Others attribute the Division into Chapters to that able Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman who was the Improver but not the Inventor Langton divided also the Kingdom of England reducing King John to sad extremities He died and was buried at Canterbury 1228. Souldiers William Prude Esq Lieutenant Collonel in the Low Countreys was slain July 12 1632 at the Siege of Mastricht His body was brought into England and buried in the Cathedral of Canterbury part of his Epitaph being Stand Souldiers ere you march by way of Charge Take an Example here that may inlarge Your Minds to noble Action He fear'd not Death midst all Harms He bare as much of Piety as Arms. Now Souldiers on and fear not to intrude The Gates of Death by th' Example of this Prude He married Mary Daughter of Sir Adam Sprackling Knight and had Issue by her four Sons and three Daughters his surviving Son Searles Prude having erected his Monument Writers Osbern of Canterbury an admirable Musician and therefore a great Favourite to Lanfrank the Arch-Bishop He was the English ju-bal as to the curiosity of Musick in our Churches An Art which never any spake against who understood it otherwise Apollo is in a sad case if Midas his Ears must be the Judges He wrote the Life of St. Dunstan in Latine flourished under William the Conqueror An. 1070. Simon Langton Brother to Stephen Arch-Bishop was Arch-Deacon of Canterbury who Carne Sanguine revelante encreased both
to Trin. Coll. In the visitation of Camb. he was very active in burning the bones of Bucer being then Elect B. of Chichester He no sooner put on his Episcopal Ring but presently began to wash his hands in the blood of poor Martyrs An. 1. Eliz. he was deprived He dyed in Restraint 1560. Since the Reformation Ja. Pilkinton D. D. of ancient Family before the Conquest when the chief of them then sought for disguised himself a Thresher has for his Motto Now thus now thus in allusion to the head of the Flail or to himself embracing the safest condition for the present He was bred in Camb. and fled an 1. Mar. into Germ. where he wrote a Comment on Ecclesiastes and both the Epistles of St. Peter After his return he was preferred an 1. Eliz. B. of Durham And 9 years after the Northern Rebels came to Durham and tore the English Liturgy The Bishop had fared no better if they had found him When the Rebellion was suppressed the Bishop commenced a Suit against Q. Eliz. for the Lands and Goods of the Rebels attainted in the Bishoprick as due to him But the Parliament interposing on special consideration pro hoc tempore Adjudged them to the Queen He died 1576. Edwin Sandys was born at Conisby v. Eccl. Hist Rich. Barnes born at Bolde and bred in Oxf. was Suffr B. of Nott. then B. of Carlile 1570 and at last of Durham A Man of good Nature but abused by his Credulity and Affection to his Brother Jo. Chancellor of his Diocess who permitting base and dishonest persons to escape Scot-free for a piece of Money was the cause of good Mr. Gilpins's suspension yet the Bp. restored him afterwards and thus accosted him Father Gilpin I acknowledge you are fitter to be B. of Dur. then my self to be Parson of this Church of yours I ask forgiveness for my 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 Bp. of Dur. be secure no man shall injure you He died in 88. Jo. Woolton born at Wiggin fled in Q. Maries daies and after his Return was made Bishop of Exeter 1579. He endited Letters full of Wisdom and Piety not 2 hours before his death An. 1593. His daughter was married to Fr. Godwin Bishop of Hereford Mathew Hutton Marg. Professor and B. D. 1561 was chosen Bishop of Durham 1589. Translated to York 1594. He died 1605. V. Eccl. Hist He gave 100 marks to Trinity College in Cambridge and Founded a Hospital at Wareton in this County A learned and Pious Prelate Martin Heton Canon of Christ Church was made Bishop of Ely by Q. Elizabeth 't is supected he used Simoniacal compliance He was the best House-keeper in that See within Mans remembrance He died 1609. leaving two Daughters married in those Knightly Families of Fish and Filmer Rich. Bancroft bred in Camb. was made by Q. Elizabeth B. of Lond. by K. James Arch-bishop of Cant. A great Statseman and grand Champion of Church Discipline He was so habituated to the Poisons of malicious Tongues that they became Food unto him Once a Gentleman presented to him a Libel which he found pasted on his Door Who nothing moved thereat Cast it said he to 100 more which lye here on a heap in my Chamber Many a Lye-bel or loud Lye was made upon him He cancelled his first Will wherein he left much to the Church whereof a Scurrillous Pen He who never repented of doing Ill Repented that once he had made a God Will. Whereas indeed suspecting a popular violence on Cathedrals and fearing an Alienation of what was bequeathed unto them he thought fit to cancell his own to prevent others cancelling his Testament For by his second Will he gave the Library at Lambeth to the University of Cambridge in case the Archiepiscopal See should be extinct Which Clause secured that Library in the late Wars He died An. 1610. and lyeth buried at Lambeth Th. Jones bred in Cambridge commenced D. D. in Dublin and was made B. of Meath 1584. and one of the Privy Council to Q. Elizabeth in Ireland He was translated to be Arch-bishop of Dublin 1605. and by K. James made Chanc. of Ireland Sir Roger his Son was by K. Charles created Viscount Renelaugh Rich. Parr bred in Oxford was preferred B. of Man by the E. of Darby Lord thereof He died 16 Souldiers Sir Will. Molineux Knight of Sefton was at the Battel of Navarret in Spain made Knight Banneret by Ed. the Black Prince An. 1367. He died at Cant. 1372. Whose descendant Sir Will. Molineux Junior flourishing under H. 8. brought the strength of this County to the Succour of the D. of Norfolk with whom he performed signal service in Flodden-field Writers Hugh of Manchester first a Dominican then a Franciscan having discovered an Impostor wrote a Book de Fanaticorum deliriis dedicating the same to E. 1. who sent him Ambassador to Philip K. of France to demand Lands which were detained from him in Aquitain He died 1294. Rich. Vlverston a great Antiquary bred at Oxford wrote a Book entituled the Articles of Faith He died probably about 1434. Th. Penketh D. D. in Oxford so deep a Scotist and of so great a Memory that had all the Books of Scotus been lost he was reported by Forraigners able to restore them every word He was Professor at Padua and after his return Provincial of the Augustinians in England He died and was buried in London 1487. Jo. Standish wrote a Book against the Translation of the Bible into English and presented it to the Parliament He died 1556 near the end of Q. Mary Since the Reformation Th. Leaver B. D. in Cambridge fled in the Marian days and became Pastor of the English Exiles at Arrow in Switz He wrote a Book entitled The right path way to Christ He died after his return into England 1558. Will. Whitaker born at Holme died 1596. V. Eccl Hist Alexander Nowell born at Read of a Knightly Family and bred in Oxford narrowly escaped being catched by Baner whilst he himself was catching of Fish being conveyed beyond the Seas by one Fr. Biwyer Merch. and leaving behind him a Bottle of Ale on the Grass which afterwards was found no Bottle but a gun such the sound at the opening thereof which is believed the Original of Bottle-Ale in Engl. Returning An. 1 Elizabeth he was made Dean of St Pauls and for his Meekness Learning Prudence and Piety the then Parliament enioyned him to make a Catechisme for publick use He was Confessor to Q. Elizabeth He gave 200 l per An. to maintain 13 Scholars in Brazen-nose College He died at 90 years of age not decayed in sight 1601. Joh. d ee Dr. in Oxford was an excellent Mathematician and well skilled in natural Magick and therefore by ignorant people suspected to be a Conjurer which occasioned the seising of his Library and his leaving of
of Th. E. of Rutland Then the Stone Tower built by William Lord Hastings at Ashby de la Zouch hath something Monarchical in Height Strength and Workmanship above the ordinary Aristocracy of Fabricks Also the Fair Palace built at Broadgate by Th. Grey Marq. of Dorset challengeth the preheminence above the rest As for Wonders There is a Village in this County called Charleton Curly and all that are born therein have an harsh and ratling kind of Speech and cannot well pronounce the Letter R. Which in all probability proceeds from a peculiar Intemperature of the Elements in that place There was a Fellow of Trin. Coll. likely a Native of Charleton composed a Speech of competent length without any R therein which he could not pronounce his Speech having no Room for ERROURS seeing there was an errour in his Speech Proverbs 1. Bean-belly Leicester-shire for Plenty 'T is a merry saying Shake a Leicester-shire Yeoman by the Collar and you shall hear the Beans rattle in his Belly tho at the same time they may have good Silver ringing in their Pockets 2. If Bever have a Cap You Churles of the Vale look to that That is when Clouds hang over Bever-Castle it is a signe of much Rain c. Princes Jane Grey eldest Daughter of Hen. D. of Suff. by Fr. Bandon eldest Daughter to Mary second Sister to K. Hen. 8. was born at Broadgate near Leicester She lived many pious but few pleasant days whose Soul was never out of the Non-age of Afflictions till death made her of full years to inherit Happiness Whilst a Child 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 Lord Guilford Dudley a pious Gentleman but Son to an Ambitious Father She was Proclaimed but never Crowned Queen living in the Tower longer a Captive than a Queen Her Family by snatching at a Crown which â—as not lost a Coronet which was their own She suffered on Tower-hill 1554 5 Feb. 12. Kath. Grey 2 d. Daughter to Henry D. of Suffolk was married to the Lord Herbert Son to the Earl of Pembroke who knowing the Case altered with that Family brake the Marriage quite off Thus she became a Heraclita or Lady of Lamentation The Roses of whose cheeks looked very wan and pale tho they wanted not for watering Afterward Ed. Seymour E. of Hertford married her privately without the Queens Licence and concealed it till her pregnancy discovered it The English Proverb It is good to be near a Kin to land holdeth in private Patrimonies not Titles to Crowns Q. Elizabeth beheld her with a jealous eye unwilling she should match either Forreign Prince English Peer or any person whatsoever The E. of Hartford being fined 15000 l. was imprisoned with his Lady in the Tower and severely forbidden her company By bribing the Keeper he bought what was his own his Wives Embraces and had by her a surviving Son Edw. Ancestor to the Right Honorable the D. of Som. She died Jan. 26. a Prisoner in the Tower 1567 after 9 years Durance therein Whose Sister Mary Grey the Youngest Frighted with the infelicity of her two elder Sisters forgot her Honour to remember her Safety and married one whom She could love and none need fear Martin Kayes of Kent Esq Serjeant Porter and died without Issue 20 Ap. 1578. Martyrs Hugh Latimer born at Thurcaston in his first Sermon before King Ed. 6. declared his own Pedigree to this effect My Father was a Yeoman who had a Farm of 3 or 4l a year kept 100 Sheep and six Servants and my Mother milked 30 Kine He did find the King an HARNESS which I remember I buckled on with himself and his Horse when he went to Black-heath field He kept me to School or else I had not been able to Preach before the King's Majesty now He married my Sisters with 5l a piece so that he brought them up in Godliness and the fear of God He kept Hospitality for poor Neighbours and some alms and all this did he of the same Farm where he that now hath it payeth 16l p. an 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 Cambridg and converted under God by Mr. Bliney from a violent Papist to a zealous Protestant He was afterwards made Bishop of Worc. and 4 years after outed for refusing to subscribe the 6. Art He onely of the Bishops of the new Learning in the time of H. 8. urged that two Abbeys at the least in every Diocess of considerable Revenues might be preserved for the maintenance of Learned Men therein And swiming a good while against the stream he was at last carried away with the Current He was Martyred at Oxford 1555. Prelates Gilb. Segrave born at Segrave and bred in Oxford succeeded a Kinsman who on his death-Bed recommended him in the Provost's place of St. Sepulâ—hers in York and afterwards was Bishop of Londdon He died 1317. Walt. de Langton born at West-Langton made by E. 1. Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and Treas of English He lost the Favor of E. 2. for reproving him when as yet but Prince for his debauchery and tho he never wholly regained that Princes good Will 't is said the surplusage of the People's affection to him did fill up that blank Prodigious his bounty in building and endowing his Cathedral He died 1321 and was buried in the Chappel of St. Ma. of his own erection Rog. de Martival Son of Sir Aukitell Mar. whose Arms were Ar. a cinque-foil S. was born at Nowsley He was First Arch-Deacon of Leic. then Dean of Linc. and at last Bishop of Salisbury in the Reign of E. 2. 1315. He was the last heir male of his Race and Founded a Colledge at Nowsley for a Warden and certain Brethren His Estate descended to Joyce-de Mart. his Sister married to Sir Ralph Hastings lineal Ancestor to the now Earl of Hunt and the Hazleriggs are at this day Possessors of the Mannor of Newsley He died 1329. Rob. Wivil well descended born at Stanton Wivil was made Bishop of Salisbury 1329. tho both a Dunce and a Dwarfe He impleaded William Montague E. of Salisbury in a Writ of Right for the Castle of Salisbury and it had been tried by a Combat of their two Champions had not the King interposed and ordered that the Bishop should pay 2500 marks for the quiet Possession of the Castle Since the Reformation Joseph Hall born at Ashby de la Zouch and bred in Em. Colledg in Cambridg maintained there with a Flourishing wit That the World groweth Old He was Minister at Halsted in Suffolk where his Little Catechisme did much good He became D. D. and was at the Synod of Dort and was preferred first Dean of Worc. then Bishop of Ex. then of Norwich then of
before it was acted In the acting of a Tragedy he had formerly written of R. 3. Jo. Palmer afterward Dean of Peterborough who personated K. Rich. therein had his head so possessed with a Prince-like Humor that ever after he did what he then acted in his prâ—digal Expences Dr. Legg bequeathed 600 l. for the building of the East-Part of his College He died An. 1607. Northamptonshire NOrthampton-shire a long narrow Inland County stretched from the N. E. to S. W. bordereth on 9 several Counties viz. on the E. Camb. Hunt on the W. Warwick-shire on the N. Linc. Rutl. and Leic. on the S. Bedford Buckingham and Oxford It is a fruitful and populous County as any in England Here there is very little Wast Ground so that this Shire is an Apple without Core or Rind All the Rivers therein are bred there which argues the elevation of the Ground The Language of the Inhabitants is very proper There is a Heath in this County nigh to Stamford which hath variety of very rare Plants growing upon it The Natural Commodities besides Grass Corn c. are Salt-Peter most whereof is found in Dove-Houses and most Dove-houses in this great Corn-County Then Pigeons in Hebrew Jonah which comes from a Root which signifies to spoil and destroy They are thought to be the Causers of Dearth and are indeed devouring Innocents This Shire needs no Manufactures yet the Town of Northampton may be said to stand chiefly on other Mens Leggs where if not the best the most and cheapest Boots and Stockins are bought in England Upon Trial of the Cloth Manufacture in this County their Cloth ran very course tho their Wool be fine Among Buildings the Cathedral of St. Peter challengeth the precedency of all in England for a Majestick Western Front of Columel-work The Cloysters of this Cathedral were lately pulled down to repair the Body thereof As for civil Structures Holdenby-House built by Sir Christopher Hatton once a stately Structure is now demolished Next Burleigh-House nigh Stamford built by W. Lord Cecil is a House of great State and Magnificence Withorpe built by Th. Cecil E. of Exeter to retire to as he pleasantly said out of the Dust whilst his great House of Burleigh was a sweeping Castle-Ashbey the Noble Mansion of the E. of Northampton was most beautiful before a casual Fire deformed part thereof Besides these there be many others no County in England yielding more Noblemen no Noblemen in England having fairer Habitations The Wonder of this Shire is that within the Demesnes of Baughton the Barony of the Right Honorable Edward Lord Montague there is a Spring which is conceived to turn Wood into Stone As for Medicinal Waters Wellinborough-Well was very famous in the daies of Queen Mary who lay many weeks thereat Proverbs I. The Mayor of Northampton opens Oysters with his Dagger This Town being 80 miles from the Sa Sea-Fish may be presumed stale therein II. He that must eat a buttered Faggot let him go to Northampton Because it is the dearest Town in England for fuel Princes Elizabeth Daughter of Sir Richard Woodvill by the Lady Jaquet his Wife formerly the Relict of Jo. D. of Bedford was born at Grafton-Honour She was Widow to Sir Jo. Grey who lost his life for the House of Lancaster and petitioned King Edward to take off the sequestration from her Joynture She afterwards became the Royal consort of that King tho it was not long before the Tempest of his lust drove him to another Shore which had a greater share in his Affections This Lady lived to see the Death of her Husband Murder of her 2 Sons and the rest of her Children and tho her Daugh. was afterwards married to H. 7. that King was not over dutiful to her nor over-loving to her Daughter She died An. 14 She finished Queens College in Cambridge where I had my first breeding begun by Queen Marg. Wife to Henry 6 an implacable Enemy to her Husband so that the 2 Houses of York and Lancaster had their first Amity in that Foundation Rich. Plantagenet Crook-back Son to Rich. D. of York was born at Fothinghay Castle Valour and Eloquence met in his Person He compassed the Crown by Cruelty and the Killing of his Nephews the 2 Sons of Edward 4. When King he made good Laws He lost the Crown and his life in the Battle of Bosworth An. 1435. having performed in the Fight all the Offices of a Wise General and Valiant Souldier He knew it was all one for him to die as to survive success Kath. D. to Sir Th. Par and last Wife to Henry 8. was probably born in this County See Westmerland Saints Werburgh D. to Wolpher Prince of Merica was a Nun at Ely whence returning to Wedon formerly her Father's Palace she turn'd that place into a Monastery She had also Juridiction over the Monastery of Trekinghan in Linc. where she was buried the Gates of which place are fabulously reported to have open'd of themselves when the Men of Hamburge which was also within her Jurisdiction came for her Corps to bury it according to the direction given in her Will. 'T was presumed that Werburgh al. Wardburgh would prove a Tutelary Patroness of the Town or place which possessed her body Some have reported that she hath driven awry all Geese from Weden that they shall destroy no Grain thereabout She died An. 675. her body was afterward translated to Chester where H. Lupus built the Monastery of St. Werburghs converted into a Cathedral by Henry 8. Martyrs Jo. Curd a Shoemaker burnt in Northampton An. 1557. whose Blood was not chargeable on the Bishop but his bloody Arch-Deacons account Cardinal Henry Chichley born at Higham-Ferrers is said to have been made Cardinal by the Title of St. Eusebius Prelates Rich. and Adam of Northampton were both Bishops in Ireland the former Consecrated Bishop of Fernose 1282. died 1304. The later Consecrated 1322. died 1346. having first seen his Cathedral burnt by the Rebels W. le Zouch Son to Lord Zouch was born at Haringwort from Dean he became Arch-Bishop of York to whose care Edward 3. going into France committed the care of the North. This Arch-Bishop soon after bid Battle to David King of Scots at Durham on St. Luke's Eve whereon the Scotch King found such a Fast that 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 Family flourished as a Green-tree till withered in our memory when Edward the last Lord Zouch died without Issue male in the beg of King Charles This Prelate began a beautiful Chappel on the South-side of his Cathedrial He died and was buried before the Altar of St. Edmond 1352. Rob. Braybrooke was made Bishop of London 1381. and afterward Chancellour of England He died 1404. and was buried in the Chappel of St. Mary Lionell
differences betwixt Christian Princes much time was spent a Mass of Money expended many lives lost some Honour atchieved but little Profit produced Going to Palestine he suffered Shipwrack and many Mischiefs on the coasts of Cyprus coming for England through Germany he was tossed with a worse Land-Tempest being in pursuance of an old grudge betwixt them taken Prisoner by Leopold D. of Austria yet this Caeur de Lion or Lion-Hearted King for so was he commonly called was no less Lion tho now in a Grate then when at Liberty abating nothing of his high Spirit in his Behaviour The Duke did not undervalue his Royal Prisoner prizing his Person at 10 years purchase according to the then yearly Revenue of the English Crown This Ransom of 100000 pounds being paid he came home first reformed himself and then mended many abuses in the Land He was afterwards shot with an Arrow in France 1199. Edmund Youngest Son to King Edward 1. by Queen Marg. was born at Woodstock Aug. 5. 1301. He was afterwards created E. of Kent and was Tutor to his Nephew King Edward 3. In whose Reign he was beheaded at Winchester March 19. for that he never dissembled his Brotherly affection towards his Brother deposed and went about when he was murdered before not knowing so much to enlarge him out of Prison perswaded thereunto by such as covertly practised his Destruction Edward Eldest Son of King Edward 3. was born at Woodstock and bred under his Father in Martial Discipline He was afterwards called the Black Prince from his Atchievements dismal and black as they appeared to the eyes of his Enemies whom he constantly overcame He married Joan Countess of Salisbury and Kent whose Garter which now flourisheth again hath lasted longer than all the Wardrobes of the Kings and Queens of England since the Conquest continued in the Knighthood of that Order This Prince died before his Father at Cant. An. 46. Aet An. Dom. 1376. whose Maiden success attended him to the Grave as never soiled in any undertakings He left 2 Sons Edward and Richard afterward King both born in France Th. of Woodstock Youngest Son of E. 3. and Queen Philippa was Earl of Buck. and Duke of Gloc. created by his Nephew King Rich. who summoned him to Parliament He married Isabel Daughter of Humphrey Bohun E. of Essex in whose Right he became Constable of England He observed the King too nearly and checked him too sharply whereupon he was conveyed to Calis and there Strangled By whose Death King Richard being freed from the causless fear of an Unkle became exposed to the cunning Plots of his Cosen German Henry Duke of Lancaster who at last deposed him This Th. founded a fair Colledge at Playsie in Essex where he was afterwards buried his Body having been since translated to Westminster Anne Beauchamp born at Cavesham was Daughter to Rich. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and married to Rich. Nevil Earl of Sarisbury and Warwick commonly called the Make-King In his own and her Husband 's right she was possessed of 114. Manners Isa her eldest Daughter was married to Geo. Duke of Clarence and Anne her younger to Edward Prince of Wales Son of H. 6. and afterwards to King Richard 3. Her Husband being killed at Barnet fight all her Land by Act of Parliament was setled on her 2 Daughters Being attainted on the account of her Husband she was forced to flye to the Sanctuary at Beauly in Hant-shire and thence to the North where she lived privately and in a mean condition Saints St. Frideswide was born in Oxford being Daughter to Didan the Duke thereof 'T is said that one Algarius a young Noble man was struck blind upon his attempting her Chastity She was afterwards Abbess of a Monastery erected by her Father in the same City which since is become part of Christs Church where her body lyeth buried An. 1. Eliz. the Scholars of Oxford took up the body of the Wife of Pet. Martyr who formerly had been disgracefully buried in a dung-hill and interred it in the Tomb with the dust of this Saint with this Inscription as Saunders affirms Here lyes Religion with Superstition and there was more than 800 years betwixt their several deaths St. Frideswide dying 739 and is remembred in the Romish Calender on 19 Oct. St. Edwold Younger brother to St Edmond King of the E. Angles so cruelly Martyred by the Danes and after his death Edwold being his right Heir declined the Crown and retired to Cornhouse-Monastery at Dorchester where he was interred and had in great veneration for his reputed Miracles after his death which happened 871. St. Edward the Confessor was born at Islip He was afterwards King of England whose Reign was attended with Peace and Prosperity Famous for the first founding of Westminster-Abbey and for many other worthy Atchievements He lived and dyed Single never carnally conversing with St. Edith his Queen which opened a Door for forreign Competitors and occasioned the Conquest of this Nation He died 1065. and lyeth buried in Westminster-Abbey Cardinals Robert Pullen or Bullen came over from Paris in the Reign of Henry 1. when Learning ran low in Oxford He improved his utmost power with the King and Prelates for the restoring thereof He is said to have begun to read the Scriptures at Oxford which were grown out of fashion in England Afterwards Pope Innocent courteously sent for him to Rome Celestine created him Cardinal of St. Eusebius 1144. Lucius 2. made him Chancellor of the Church of Rome He died about 1150. Th. Joyce or Jorce a Dominican and D. D. in Oxford became Provincial of his Order Afterwardes Pope Clement 5. created him Cardinal of St. Sabine He had 6 Brethren Dominicans who altogether were by one uncharitably resembled to the 7. Sons of Seeva which were Exorcists however they may be termed a Week of Brethren whereof this Rubricated Cardinal was the Dominical Letter There want not those who conceive great Vertue in the youngest Son of these seven and that his touch was able to cure the Popes Evill Th. flourished 1310. and he lyes buried in his Convent in Oxford Prelates Herbert Losing born in Oxford Son of an Abbot gave 1900 l. to King William Rufus for the Bishoprick of Thetford having also purchased his Fathers preferment Hence the Verse Filius est Praesul Pater Abbas Simon uterque both being guilty of Simony Herbert afterwards went to Rome no such clean washing as in the water of Tyber and returned thence as free from fault as when first born Thus cleansed from the Leprosie of Simony he removed his Bishoprick from Thetford to Norwich laid the first Stone and in effect finished the fair Cathedral therein and built 5 beautifull Parish Churches He died 1119. See Suff. Owen Oglethorp Pres of Magdalen Colledg Dean of Windsor and Bishop of Carlile in the Reign of Queen Mary crowned Queen Elizabeth which the rest of his Order refused to do and by her deprived for his ensuing
a Cistertian in Ford Abbey and bred in Oxford was Abbot of Wells Some Books he Dedicated to Reginald Bishop of Bath and flourished 1193. Alexander of Essebie the Prince of English Poets in his Age put our English Festivals into Verse and wrote the History of the Bible with the Lives of some Saints in an Heroick Poem He became Prior of Esseby-Abbey and flourished under Hen. 3. 1220. Adam of Marsh born probably at Brent-marsh was D. D. in Oxford Robert Grosthead and he joyntly compared the Scripture being afterwards Franciscan Frier in Worcester he furnished the Library thereof with excellent Manuscripts He flourished 1257. Hugo de Belsham his Corrival got the Bishoprick of Ely from him Since the Reformation H. Cuffe born at St. George Hinton was Fellow of Merton-Colledge in Oxford and Secretary to Robert Earl of Essex with whom he engaged in his Rising an 1600. being Arraigned at Westminster he was cast 〈◊〉 being proved against him that whilst Essex was in Consultation with his Complices this Cuffe had for promoting that Plot alleadged this Verse out of Lucan Viribus utendum est quas fecimus Arma ferenti Omnia dat qui justa negat For which he suffered He wrote an excellent Book of the difference of the Ages of Man Jo. Harrington Knight had a fair Estate at Kelston near Bath was Master of St. John's Colledge and afterwards one of the most ingenious Poets of the English Nation witness his Translation of Orlando Furioso out of Italian c. Being at an Ordinary in Bath with some Gentlemen of greater Estates than himself the Maid that waited at Table attended him with a particular observance and being demanded the reason I understand said she you are a very witty man and if I should displease you in any thing I fear you would make an Epigram of me He made an Addition to Bishop Godwins Catalogue of Bishops He left a fair Estate to a Learned and Religious Son and dyed about the middle of the Reign of K. James His Father suffered Imprisonment and lost One Thousand Pound for carrying a Letter to the Lady afterward Queen Eliz. from whom his Mother was sequestred as an Heretick and all by Gardiner's means Samuel Daniel born near Taunton was an exquisite Poet and a Judicious Historian witness his Lives of the English Kings since the Conqueror untill Edw. 3. He was servant in Ordinary to Q. Anne In his old Age he rented a Farm in VVilt-shire and dyed about the end of K. James Humphrey Sidenham born at Dalverton of an Ancient and Worshipful Family was bred a Fellow in Wadham Colledge So eminent a Preacher that he was commonly called Silver-tongued Sidenham He wrote learned Sermons of which that called the Athenian Babler was most remarkable He dyed 1650. Romish Exile Writers Jo. Gibbon leaving the Land was by Pope Greg. 13. made Canon in the Church of Bonn he was afterwards Rector of the Jesuits-Colledge in Triers He wrote a Book in which he endeavoured to prove that the Pope was not Antichrist He dyed 1589. Rob. Person bred in Oxford whence he was expelled for his Viciousness went to Rome whence he returned with Campian to preserve this Nation 1589. Some of his own party offended with his ill-nature intended to resign him to the Queens Officers He was Satyrical and so much of a Politician as to provide for his own saftety 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 Name of Dolman He had an Authoritative influence on all the English Catholicks He was 23 years Rector of the Colledge at Rome where he dyed 1610. Jo. Fen born at Montacute and Batchelour of the Laws in Oxford fled into Flanders thence into Italy whence returning he fixed at Lovain He wrote many and Translated more books and dyed 1613. Note there lived a rigid Non-Conformist of his Sirname about Coventry who in his latter Will and Testament rail'd against the Hierarchy Jo. Collington bred in Oxford was taken with Campian and Condemned but being Reprieved after some Travel he advanced his Religion in England for 30 years together He was alive 161◠Benefactors to the Publick The Lady Mohun obtained from her Husband Jo. Lord Mohun of Dunstor so much ground for the Commons of the Town of Dunstor as she could in one day compass about going on her naked Feet She dyed as is conjectured in the Reign of Hen. 5. Since the Reformation Nich. Wadham of Merrifieild Esq having great length in his Extraction breadth in his Estate and depth in his Liberality Marryed Dorothy Daughter to the Secretary Sister to the first Lord Peters His Hospital house was an Inn at all times a Court at Christmas This worthy Pair being Issuless Erected the Colledge of VVadham in Oxford His Estate after his Death descended to Strangwayes Windham VVhite c. He was buried in the Church of Ilminster Phil. Biss of a worthy Family at Spargrave Commenced D. D. in Magdalens-Colledge in Oxford and was Arch-Deacon of Taunton He bequeathed his Library consisting of so many Folio's as were valued at One Thousand Pound to VVadham-Colledge then newly Founded One Epitaph made on him begins Bis fuit hic natus c. in allusion to his Name He dyed about 1614. Memorable Persons Sir Jo. Champneis born at Chew bred Skinner in London and Lord Mayor thereof 1535. was the first private Man who in his house next Cloth-VVorkers-Hall built a Turret to oversee his Neighbours in the City which delight in his Eye was punished with blindness some years before his Death Tho. Coriat born at Odcombe and bred in Oxford A great Grecian carried Folly which the Charitable call Merriment in his Face and had a Head in form like an inverted Sugar-loaf He lay alwayes in his Cloaths to save both labour and charge in shifting Prince Henry allowed him a Pension and kept him for his Servant Sweet-meats and Coriat made up the last course at all Entertainments being the Courtiers Anvil to try their Wits upon sometimes he returned the Hammers as hard knocks as he received His Book called Coriat's Crudities is not altogether useless Being hardy he undertook to travel on foot to the East-Indies and dyed in the midst of his Journey Noted Sheriffs An. 14. Jo. Paulet Arm. an Accomplisht Gentleman monarch K. James and bountiful House-keeper was by King Charles I. Created Baron Paulet of Hinton St. George in this County whose Right Honourable Son and Heir Jo. Lord Paulet now succeedeth in that Barony Modern Battles The Skirmish at Martials-Elm 1642. made much noise in Mens Ears a Musket gave a greater report then a Canon since and is conceived to have first broken the Peace of the Nation As for the Encounter at Lang-Port where the Kings Forces under the Lord Goring were defeated July 12 1645 it was rather a Flight than
was of proof against any Meat objected to his Appetite Lampreys only excepted on a Surfeit whereof he dyed 1135. He had only two Legitimate Children William dying before and Maude surviving him both born in Normandy Thomas fifth Son of King Edward 1. and the first that he had by Margaret his second Wife was born at and Sirnamed from Brotherton a Village in this County June the 1st 1300. He was created Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England He left no Male Issue but from his Females the Mowbrays Dukes of Norfolk and from them the Earls of Arundel and the Lords Berkley are descended Richard Plantag Duke of York commonly called Richard of Connisborough from the Castle in this Shire of his Nativity was Grandchild to King Edward 3. He Married Anne Daughter and sole Heir to Edward Mortimer the true Inheritrix of the Crown But tampering too soon and too openly to derive the Crown in his Wives Right to himself by practising the death of the present King he was taken and beheaded for Treason in the Reign of King Henry 5. Edward sole Son to King Richard 3 and Anne his Queen was born in the Castle of Midleham in this County and was by his Father created Prince of Wales A Prince who himself was a Child of as much Hopes as his Father a Man of Hatred But he consumed away on a sudden dying within a Month of his Mother A Judgment on his Father a Mercy to the Prince that he might not behold the miserable end of him who begot him and a Mercy to all England for had he survived to a Mans Estate he might possibly have proved a Wall of Partition to hinder the Happy Vnion of the two Houses of York and Lancaster Saints St. Hilda Daughter to Prince Hererick Nephew to Edwin King of Northumberland lived in a Convent at Strenshalt in this County and was the Oracle of her Age being a kind of Moderatrix in a Sax. Synode held about the Celebration of Easter The most Learned English Female before the Conquest the She-Gamaliel at whose Feet many Learned Men had their Education This our English Huldah ended her holy life with a happy death 680. St. Benedict Biscop fixed himself in the Dominions of Oswy King of Northumberland and built two Monasteries the one at the influx of the River Were the other at that of the River Tine into the Sea and stockt them in his life time with 600 Benedictine Monks He made five Voyages to Rome and always returned full fraught with Reliques Pictures and Ceremonies He left Religion in England braver but not better then he found it the Gawdiness prejudicing the Gravity thereof His Monastery being but the Romish Transcript became the English Original to which all Monasteries in the Land were suddenly conformed Being struck with the dead Palsie his Soul retired into the Vpper Rooms of his Clay Cottage much employed in Meditation until the day of his death which happened 703. St. John of Beverly born at Harpham was 33 years and upwards Arch-Bishop of York being bred under Hilda aforesaid and after under Theodorus the Grecian and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Venerable Bede his Scholar wrote his Life and supposed Miracles Being Aged he resigned his Arch-Bishoprick and retired to Beverly where he had Founded a Colledge for which he procured the Freedstool a Sanctuary from King Athelstan He dyed May 7. 722. and was buried in the Porch of his Collegiate Church A Synode held at London 1416. assigned the day of his death an Anniversary Solemnity to his Memory Thomas Plantag was Earl of Darby Lancaster Leicester a popular person and a great enemy to the two Spencers Minions to King Edward 2. who being hated as Devils for their Pride no wonder if this Thomas was honoured as a Saint or Martyr by the common sort Indeed he must be a good Chymist who can extract Saint out of Malefactor and our Chronicles generally behold him put to death for Treason against King Edward 2. But let him pass for a Provincial though no National or Loyal Saint seeing he did not Travel far enough for Romish and too far for English Canonization His beheaded Martyrdom happened at Pontfret 1322. Note Lord Herb. in the Life of King Henry 8. speaking of Reliques The Bell of St. Guthlack and the Felt of St. Thomas of Lancaster both Remedies for the Head-ach must mean this St. Thomas seeing there is no other English of the Name found in any English Martyrology Richard Role alias Hampole from the place of his Holy Life Death and Burial was a Hermite of strict Life He wrote many Books of Piety which I prefer before his Prophetical Predictions as but a degree above Almanack Prognostications He threatned the sins of the Nation with future Judgments and his Predictions if hitting were heeded if missing not marked Having spoken much against the Covetousness of the Clergy of that Age he dyed 1349. Jo. Birlington born in Birlington and bred in Oxford became Canon in the Convent of Birlington where he grew Eminent for exemplary Holiness He refused at first the Office of Prior counting himself unworthy thy thereof but upon the second proffer accepted of it 'T is said Martha and Mary were compounded in him being as pious so provident to husband the Revenues of his house to the best advantage A She-Ancorist accosting him thus Jesus is my Love and you so honour him in your heart that no earthly thing can distract you He replyed I came hither to hear from you some saving and savoury discourse but seeing you begin with such idle talk farewel He dyed 1379. being reputed though I think not Canonized a Saint whose Friend W. Slightholme asked of his friend Jo. aforesaid what might be the reason the Devil appeared so seldom in their dayes c. To whom Jo. replyed We are grown so remiss in Godliness that the Devil needs not put himself to such pains seeing less and lighter Temptations will do the deed William is reported to have been one of singular Piety and to have wrought many Miracles at his Tomb after his death which happened 1380. A certain Maid resisting the sollicitations of a Bravo was by him Murdered her Head being set up on a Yew-Tree at Horton called now Halifax The silly people conceited that the Veins which in form of little threds spread themselves betwixt the Bark and the Body of the said Tree were the very Hairs of the Virgins Head to whom they flocked in Pilgrimage Note the prevalency of Opinion Her reputation for being a Saint is transmitted to Posterity though her name be lost Martyrs The County and generally the Province of York escaped from Popish Persecution which under Gods goodness may be imputed to the tempers of their four succeeding Arch-Bishops Thomas Woolsey who was more Proud then Cruel Edward Lee who persecuted to Imprisonment none to Death save two Robert Holgate who was a parcel-Protestant Nicholas Heath a meek and moderate Man And as there
Countries fail she plentifully feedeth them with Provision and is said to afford Corn enough to sustain all Wales Nor is she less happy in Cattle then Corn. II. Crogging Crogging The Original of this by word was in dayes of King Henry 2. who had many men slain by the Welsh at Croggen-Castle The English afterwards used it as a Provocative when they had the Welsh at an advantage It is now without cause uttered in disgrace of the Welsh though originally it was expressive of their Honour Prelates Guido de Mona that is of Anglesey was Bishop of St. Davids and Lord Treasurer of England under King Henry 4. though the Parliament moved that no Welshman should be a State Officer in England He dyed 1407. Arthur Bulkley Bishop of Bangor though bred Dr. of the Laws never read or forgot 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 He was suddenly deprived of his sight and dyed 1555. William Glyn D. D. bred in and Master of Queens-Colledge in Oxford was an 2. Mary preferred Bishop of Bangor An excellent Scholar being constant to his own and not cruel to opposite judgments he caused no persecution in his Diocess He dyed an 1. Elizabeth whose Brother Jeffrey Dr. of Laws built and endowed a Free School at Bangor Since the Reformation Rouland Merrick Dr. of Laws was born at Bodingan bred at Oxford where he became Principal of New-Inn-hall and afterwards a Dignitary in the Church of St. Davids He procured the imprisonment of Robert Ferrar his Diocesan in the dayes of King Edward 6. who was afterwards Martyred in the Reign of Queen Mary Mr. Merrick was Consecrated Bishop of Bangor an 2. Elizabeth 1559. He was Father to Sir Gilly Merrick Knight who lost his life for engaging with the Earl of Essex 1600. Lancelot Bulkley was born of a then Right Worshipful since Honourable Family one of whose fair Habitations is near Beumaris He was bred in Brazen-Nose-Colledge in Oxford and afterwards became first Arch-Deacon and then Arch-Bishop of Dublin October 3. 1619. Soon after he was made by King James one of his Privy Counsel in Ireland He dyed about 16. Seamen Madoc Son to Owen Gwineth ap Griffith ap Conan and Brother to Dav. Prince of North-Wales was born probably at Aberfraw then the principal Palace of their Royal residence He 1170. made a Voyage Westward and probably those names of Cape de Breton Norvinberg and Pengwin in part of the Northern America were Reliques of his discovery BRECKNOCK-SHIRE BRecknock-shire hath Radnor-shire on the North Cardigan and Carmarthen-shire on the West Glamorgan-shire on the South Hereford and Monmouth-shire on the East In length 28 and in breadth 20 miles The fruitfulness of the Vallies in this Shire maketh amends for the barrenness of the Mountains Brecknock the chief Town hereof doth at this present time afford the Title of an Earl to James Duke of Ormond the first that ever received that Dignity About 400 years since a Daughter of Gilb. and Maud Becket and Sister to Thomas Becket was by King Henry 2. bestowed in Marriage on one Butler an English Gentleman Him King Henry sent over into Ireland and endeavouring to expiate Beckets blood rewarded him with large Lands so that his Posterity were created Earls of Ormond In this County there is plenty of Otters in Brecknock Meer the Wool whereof is much used in making of Beavers As for Wonders 't is reported by Speed that Cloaks Hats and Staves cast down from the top of an Hill called Mouchy Denny or Cadier Arthur and the North-East Rocks 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 metallin substance When the Meer Lynsavathan within two Miles of Brecknock hath her frozen Ice first broken it yields a thundering noyse and there is a Tradition that where that Meer spreadeth its waters stood a fair City till swallowed up by an Earthquake which is not improbable first because all the Highways of this County do lead thither secondly Ptolemy doth place in this Tract the City Loventrium which Mr. Cambden could not recover and therefore likely to be drown'd in this Pool the rather because Levenny is the name of the River running by it Saints St. Canoch Cadock Sons and Keyne Daughter to Braghan King builder and namer of Brecknock who had 24 Daughters all Saints though only St. Keyne survived flourished about 492. of whom St. Cadock is reported a Martyr and all had in high Veneration amongst the people of South-Wales St. Clintanke was King of Brecknock 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 A Pagan Souldier purposely to defeat her desire killed this King who left behind him the reputation of a Saint Prelates Giles de Bruse born at Brecknock was Son to William de Bruse Baron of Brecknock a prime Peer in his time This Giles became 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 Honour and Inheritance was devolved upon him and from him after his death transmitted to his Brother Reginald who Married the Daughter of Leoline Prince of Wales 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 He dyed 1215. Since the Reformation Thomas Howel born at Nangamarch bred Fellow of Jesus-Colledge in Oxford became a most meek man and excellent Preacher His Sermons like the waters of Siloah did run softly gliding on with a smooth stream King Charles I. made him Bishop of Bristol He dyed 1646. leaving many Orphan Children behind him I have been told that the Honourable City of Bristol hath taken care for their comfortable Education Statesmen Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham set up King Richard on the Throne endeavouring afterwards in vain to depose him the King compassing him into his clutches through the treachery of Humphrey Banister the Dukes own Servant the Sheriff siezing him in Shrop-shire where he was digging of a Ditch in a disguise He was beheaded at Sarisbury without any Legal Tryal 1484. Memorable Persons Nesta Daughter to Gruffin Prince of Wales and Wife to Bernard of Newmarch a Noble Norman and Lord by Conquest of this County was an Harlot to a young Gentleman Mahel her Son having got this Stallion into his hands used him very hardly wherewith Nesta being madded came into open Court and on her Oath before King Henry 2. publickly protested that Mahel was none of Newmarch 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 Mahel