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
Glouc. Brist and Peterbur being the other 4. whose Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction were not confirmed by the Pope nor Baronies by the Parliament These owed their being solely to the Kings Prerogative And therefore when some Anti-Prelatists in the late long Parl. 1641. endeavoured to overthrow their Baronies for want of Confirmation in Parl. upon better Consideration they desisted from that design as unfesible Proverbs I. When the Daughter is stoln shut Pepper-gate The Mayor of Chester had his Daughter stoln through that Gate whereupon he caused that shut with all other Gates in the City Martyrs Geo. Marsh condemned by Bishop Coats burnt without this City near to Spittle Boughton See his Charact. in Lanc. Prelates Geo. Dounham D. D. Son to Jo. Dounham Bishop of Chester was born in this City and bred in Christs-Coll in Camb. made Fellow thereof 1585. and chosen Logick Professor of the University Was as well skilled in Rhetorick as Logick tho 't is seldom seen that the Clunch-fist of this Art good to knock a Man down at a blow can so open it self as to Smooth and Stroak one with the Palm thereof That the Doctor could do both his Oration prefixed to his Treatise of Logick does sufficiently Witness He Preached the Sermon Apr. 17. 1608. at the Consecration of Ja. Montague Bishop of Bath and Wells irrefragably proving therein Episcopacy jure divino After which he was made Bishop of Derry of Ireland to which London-Derry had been added a little before He endeavoured by his Gentleness to Civilize the Wild Irish and proved very successful therein Sea-men Dav. Middleton one of those who effectually contributed his Assistance to the making of Through-lights in the World I mean New discoveries in the East and West Indies v. his Printed Relation His dangers were great and many among Canibals and Portugals Crocodiles and Hollanders yet at last he did settle the English Trade at Bantam about 1610. Sir Hen. Middleton Knight younger brother as I take it to the former under-went great Pains and Perils in advancing the English Trade Remarkable his Voyage into the Red-Sea which had like to have proved the Dead-Sea unto him Here he was tolled to Land at Moha by the Treacherous Aga and had eight of his Men Barbarously Slain himself and seven more Chained up by the Necks The pretence was because that Port was the Door of the Holy-City and it is Capital for any Christian to come so near thereunto Then was he sent above 160 Miles to the Basha at Zenan in Arab. Jan. 1611. in which City tho but 15 deg N. Lat. from the Equator there was Ice at that time of a Fingers thickness in one Night as the said Sir Hen. did relate At last the Basha giving him leave he sailed East-ward and repaired himself by a gainful Composition with the Indians for the losses he had sustained by the Turks His Ship called the Trades encrease well answered the Name thereof until it pleased God to visit his Men with a strange disease whereof 100 English deceased the grief whereat was conceived the cause of this Worthy Knights Death May 24. 1613. whose Name will ever survive whilst Middletons-Bay from him so called appeareth in the Dutch Cards Writers Roger of Chester a Benedictine Monk in St. Werburges wrote a British Chron. from the beginning of the World which after an addition of 25 years he Entitled Polycratica Temporum the Stile pure Latine He dyed about 1339. and was buried in Chester Randal or Ranulph Higden commonly called Ran of Chester bred a Benedictine in St. Werb not only vamp'd the History of Rog. aforesaid but composed One of his own Commendable for his Method and Modesty therein He continued 46 years a Monk and dyed 1363 and was buried in Chester Hen. Bradshaw a Benedictine in this City and diligent Historian wrote a Chronicle and the Life of St. Werburge in Verse A pious Man for the Age he lived in He flourished about 151â— Since the Reformation Edward Brierwood bred in Brason-nose-Coll in Oxf. Being Candidate of a Fellowship and loosing it he afterwards applyed himself so seriously to his Studies that he became a most accomplished Scholar in Logick Witness his Treatise thereof Mathematicks being afterwards Lecturer thereof in Gresham-Coll and Languâ—ges of which he wrote his Enquiries He maintained against Mr. Byfield That we are not bound to a Jewish exactness in the observatiobservation of the Sabbath He dyed about 1633. Jo. Downham younger Son of Will Bishop of Chester bred in Camb. B. D. became a profitable Preacher in London and was the first who commendably discharged the Eminent Lecture behind the Exchange plentifully endowed by Mr. Jones of Monmouth He is Memorable to Posterity for his worthy work of the Christian Warfare He dyed about 1644. Benefactors Will. Aldersea a Pious Man was Mayor of the City 1560. and compleated the Lame List of Mayors out of the Records He dyed Oct. 12. An. 1577. and lies buried in the Chancel of St. Oswals Sir Th. Offley bred a Merch. Taylor in London whereof he became Lord Mayor An. 1556. in his Mayoralty began the Custom of the Night-Bell-man He was the Zaccheus of London for his high Charity bequeathing the half of his Estate being 5000 pound to the Poor tho he had Children of his own yea he appointed that 200 pound left to his Son Hen. should be taken out of the other half and employed to Charitable uses He dyed 1560 and was buried in the Church of St. Andr. Vndershaft Mr. Hugh Offley Leather-Seller Sheriff of London An. 1588. buried in the same Church gave 600 pound to the City to put forth young Men. Mr. Rob. brother to Hugh gave 600 pound for 24 young Men in Chester whereof 12 were Apprentices On the first of these I suppose these Rhythms were made Offley three Dishes had of daily Roast An Egg an Apple and the third a Toast Feasting himself moderately that he might feed others by his Bounty Jo. Terer Gent. Erected a seemly Water-work built Steple-wise at the Bridge-gate which serves to convey the River-water through Pipes to the Citizens Houses in Chester His Son endeavoured and I believe effected the like for the Conveniency of the middle part of that City Cornwal COrnwall hath its Name from the Form and Inhabitants thereof Cornu signifying a Horn and Wale Strangers for such were the Inhabitants of this County reputed by their Neighbours It hath Devonshire on the West divided from it by the River Tamer encompassed with the Sea on all other sides affording plenty of Harbours where Forreigners touch in their passage to or from Spain Ireland the Levant the E. or W. Indies The Language hath some Affinity with the Welsh and is Copious to express the Conceits of a good Wit tho as 't is said affording but two Natural Oaths or three at the most The Natural Commodities are Diamonds which well cut and set off with a good Foyl may at the first sight deceive no unskilful Lapidary
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
age would admit An 1. Ed. 6. 3. When the same after the Marian interruption was resumed and more refined in the Reign of Q. El. The first of these I may call the Morning Star The Second the Dawning of the Day The third the rising of the Sun As to the Prelats and Writers in Q. Maries days their inclinations are discovered in their Writings and by their Actions CHAP. XII Memorable Persons THE former Heads were like Private Houses but this Topick is like a publick Inn admitting all Comers and Goers having any extraordinary not vicious Remark upon them Such therefore who are over under or beside the Standard of Common Persons for strength stature fruitfulness vivacity c. are lodged under this Head under which I also repose such Mechanicks who have reached a clear note above others in their Vocation and Eminent improvers of Arts being Founders of that Accession which they add thereunto CHAP. XIII Of Lord Mayors of London AFter the Death of the King the Lord Majors Office and Authority continues a whole year whereas most other Offices determine with the Kings Death Younger Sons are raised to this Dignity by their own Vertue which affords an Illustrious Example and gives the greatest Encouragement to all well-disposed Youth Some Shires are destitute of this Honourable Office tho 't is probable they may come to arrive at the Priviledge of Majorality for Sir Richard Chiverton Skinner descended of a right Ancient and Worshipful Family having been lately the first in Cornwal has opened the door there for others to follow after him Some in London have refused the Office and Fined and thereby have Charitably increased the Stock of the City CHAP. XIV Why a Catalogue of the English Gentry in the Reign of H. 6. is inserted in this Book IN the days of H. 6 under pretence of routing out Felons Outlaws c. Opposition was made to the House of York which was the Occasion that a List of Gentry was made As to the Method of the Catalogue among the Commissioners the Bishop of the Diocess is first put after whom follow Earls Barons Knights of the Shire Note here that in the time of H. 6 de such a place was left off and the addition of Knight or Squire was assumed tho not generally in all places CHAP. XV. Of Sheriffs SHeriff is a Reeve or Overseer of a Shire in Latin Vicecomes or Deputy of an Earl or Count who anciently presiding over a County gave names both to the Place and deputed Jurisdiction In the year 888. K. Alfred first divided England into Shires The Clerk of the Peace for each County in Mich. Term presents to the Lord Chief Justice six or more names of able Persons for the Office of Sheriff of whom three are presented to the King who pricks one to stand Sheriff for the County His Power is to suppress Riots secure Prisoners distrain for Debts execute Writs return Knights and Burgesses for Parliament empannel Juries attend the Judge see the Execution of Malefactors c. By 4. H. 4 5. Sheriffs are to abide within their Counties 'T is observed by some that anciently the Office of Sheriff was Honos sine onere in middle times Honos cum onere and in our days Onus sine Honore a burden without honour CHAP. XVI Of the Coats of Arms of Sheriffs ARms seem to have been Jure Divino to the Jews and their use is great both in War and Peace without them an Army neither has Method nor strikes terror and in peace Arms distinguish one Man from another Arms assumed according to one's fancy are but personal but Arms assigned by Princes are Hereditary The plainer the Coat is the more Ancient and Honourable two Colours are necessary and most highly honourable tho both may be blazoned with one word as Varrey formerly born by the Beauchamps of Hatch in Wiltshire and still quartered by the Duke of Somerset three are very honourable four Commendable five Excuseable more disgraceful One said of a Coat that it was so well Victualled that it might endure a Siege such was the Plenty and Variety of Fowl Flesh and Fish therein Or and Azure are the richest Argent and Sable the fairest Coats The Lion and Eagle are the most Honourable the Cross the most Religious bearing a Bend the best Ordinarie being a Belt athwart as a Fess is the same about the middle Herbs Vert being natural are better then Or. There are Reasons rendred for some bearings Thus whereas the Earls of Oxford anciently gave their Coat plain quarterly Gules and Or they took afterwards in the first a Mallet or Star Argent because the Chief of the House had a Falling-Star as is said alighting on his Shield as he was fighting in the Holy-land Now for the Arms of Sheriffs we have added them ever since the first of King Richard 2. I will conclude this Discourse with a Memorable Record Claus 5 H. 5. Membr 15 in the Tower The King to the Sheriff Health c. because there are divers Men as we are informed which before these times in the Voyages made by us have assumed to themselves Arms and Coat-Armours where neither they nor their Ancestors in times past used such Arms c. and Propound with themselves to use and exercise the same in this present Voyage which God willing we intend to make And altho the Omnipotent disposeth his favours in things Natural as he pleaseth equally to the Rich and Poor yet We willing that every one of our Liege Subjects should be Esteemed and Treated in due manner according to the Exigency of his State and Condition We Command thee that in every place within thy Bailiwick where by our Writ we have lately shewn you cause to be Proclaimed that no Man of what State Degree or Condition soever he be shall take upon him such Arms or Coats of Arms save he alone who doth possess or ought to possess the same by the right of his Ancestors or by Donation and grant of some who had sufficient power to assign him the same and that he that useth such Arms or Coats of Arms shall on the day of his Muster manifestly shew to such Persons assigned or to be assigned by us for that purpose by vertue of whose gift he enjoyeth the same those only excepted who carried Arms with us at the Battle of Agincourt under the penalties not to be admitted to go with us in our aforesaid Voyages under his Command by whom he is for the present retained and of the loss of his wages as also of the rasing out and breaking off the said Arms called Coat-Armours at the time of his Muster aforesaid if they shall be shewn upon him or found about him And this you shall in no case omit Witness the King at the City of New Sarum June the Sâ—cond CHAP. XVII Of the Alterations and Variations of Surnames SUrnames of Families have been altered and new Names assumed chiefly for Concealment in time of Civil
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
another of that Society Singing an Anthem together to the Virgin Mary Rob. Philips on the one side of the Quire O Redemtrix Salvatrix Rob. Testwood on the other side Non Redemtrix nec Salvatrix Whoever had the better then God be thanked the Nons have got now the better of the Os in England He was also accused for diswading the People from Pilgrimages and for striking off the Nose of the Image of our Lady Hen. Palmer Church-Warden of Windsor who had Articled against their Superstitious Vicar for Heretical Doctrine When an account was given of the patient Death of these three to King Hen. VIII he was pleased to say Alass poor Innocents This was Pity but could be no Protection yet by this Occasion others were preserved This storm blown over Barkshire enjoyed peace for twelve years viz. from An. Dom. 1544. till 1556 when Doctor Jeffrey the Cruel Chancellour of Sarisbury renewed the Troubles of Nembury and caused the Death of Julins Palmer See his Character being born in Coventry in Warwickshire John Gwin Th. Askin All three Burnt July 16. 1556. in the Sandpits near Newbury enduring the Fire with such incredible Constancy that it confounded their Foes and confirmed their Friends in the Truth Confessors John Marbeck a skilful Organist in Windsor-Quire who not perfectly understanding the Latin Tongue did out of the Latin with the help of the English Bible make an English Concordance commended highly by Bishop Gardiner yea by King Hen. VIII saying He was better employed than those Priests who accused him Marbick was a very Zealous Protestant of so sweet a Nature all good Men did love and few bad Men did hate him Yet he was Condemned An. 1544. on the Stat. of the six Articles to be Burnt at Windsor but was pardoned some say for the Love Gardiner bore to him some that his Accusers out of Remorse of Conscience procured his Pardon others that they intended to reserve him for a discovery of others 'T was a pardonable mistake of Mr. Fox in affirming this Marbeck was burnt which he afterwards amended Some Cavil and tell us That Many who were burnt in Fox's time in the Reign of Queen Mary drank Sack in the days of Queen Elizabeth but Humanum est errare Protestants disclaim infallibility and will reclaim their Errors when known Robert Bennet Lawyer in Windsor a zealous Professor of the true Religion when Mr. Testwood was Condemned was sick of the Plague in the Prison of the Bishop of London and by that means preserved receiving a Pardon after his recovery Cardinals This County affordeth one who might have been a Cardinal but would not viz. William Laud who at the proffer said That the Church of Rome must be first mended before he would accept any such Dignity Prelates Will. Reading a learned Benedictine employed by King Henry II. in many Embassies and by him promoted to the Arch-Bishoprick of Bourdeaux where he died in the Reign of King Richard I. John de Bradfield or De Lato Campo born likely at Bradfield in Berks. He was Chanter and Bishop of Rochester He had another Sur-name viz. De Hoe but the same Character viz. A man of honest Conversation good Learning and Moderation in all things Richard Beauchamp Brother to William Beauchamp Bar. of St. Amaud of Widehay in this County was bred Doctor in the Laws and became Bishop first of Hereford then of Salisbury He was Chancellour of the Garter which Office descended to his Successours Windsor-Castle the Seat of that Order being in the Diocess of Salisbury He built a beautiful Chappel on the South-side of St. Marries Chappel in his own Cathedral where he lyeth buried His death hap'ned An. Domini 1482. Since the Reformation Tho. Godwin born at Oakingham in this County was of Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford maintained there for a time by the Bounty of Doctor Layton Dean of York till at last he was chosen Fellow of the Colledge Afterwards he was School-Master of Barkley in Gloucestershire then he studied Physick which proved Beneficial to him when forbidden to teach School in the Raign of Queen Mary Bonner threatning him with Fire and Faggot caused him often to obscure himself He was an Eloquent Preacher Tall and Comely in person which much indeared him to Queen Elizabeth For eighteen years together he was one of the Select Chaplains which Preached in Lent before her Majesty He was first Dean of Chirst-Church in Oxford then Dean of Canterbury and at last Bishop of Bath and Wells Being Aged and Diseased he was necessitated for a Nurse to marry a second Wife which was represented to the Queen to his disgrace as if he had married a Girl of Twenty But the Earl of Bedford intervening Madam said he to her Majesty I know not how much the Woman is above Twenty but I know a Son of hers is but little under Forty He died at Oakingham of a Quartane Feaver Nov. 19. 1590. And lyeth buried under a Monument in the South-side of the Chancel Th. Ramme born at Windsor was admitted in Kings Colledge in Cambridge An. Dom. 1588. whence he was Chaplain first to Robert Earl of Essex then to Charles Lord Mountjoy both Lord Lieutenants in Ireland afterwards he was made Bishop of Fernos and Laghlin in that Kingdom both peaceably enjoyed An. 1628. Will. Lawd born at Reading in this County of honest Parents bred in S. John's Colledge in Oxford whereof he became President Successively Bishop of S. David's Bath and Wells London and at last Arch-Bishop of Canterbury One of low Stature but high parts piercing Eyes chearful Countenance wherein Gravity and Pleasantness were well compounded admirable in his Naturals unblameable in his Morals being very strict in his Conversation Impartial posterity will allow his Name to be reposed among the Heroes of England seeing such as behold his expence on S. Paul's as but a Cypher will assign his other Benefactions a very valuable Signification viz. His erecting and endowing an Alms-house in Reading his encreasing of Oxford Library with Books and S. John's Colledge with beautiful Buildings He was beheaded Jan. 10. 1644. States-men Sir John Mason Knight born at Abbington where he was Benefactor to a beautiful Alms-house bred in All-Souls in Oxford King Henry VIII coming hither was so highly pleased with an Oration Mr. Mason made unto him that he instantly gave Order for his Education beyond the Seas as confident he would prove an able Minister of State He was Privy-Councellour to Henry 8. and Edward 6. One maketh him Secretary of State Another but Master of the Requests He continued Councellor to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth to whom he was Treasurer of the Houshold and Chancellor of the University of Oxford He having no Child adopted his Nephew He was a Man of Gravity and great Learning He died 1566 and lyeth buried in the Quire of S. Paul's a part of whose Epitaph in English is thus He saw five Princes which the Scepter bore
Of them was Privy-Councellor to four Sir Th. Smith Knight born in Abbington bred in the University of Oxf. God and himself raised him to the Eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any Extraction Emulating Sir Th. Smith Senior Secretary of State he had equalled him in Preferment if not prevented by Death This Sir Thomas was Master of the Requests and Secretary to King James He died Nov. 28. 1609. and was buried in the Church of Fulham in Middlesex under a Monument erected by his Lady Frances Daughter to William Lord Chandes and since the Countess of Exeter Souldiers Henry Vmpton Knight born at Wadley in this County was Son to Sir Edward Vmpton by Anne the Relick of Jo. Dudley Earl of Warwick and eldest Daughter of Edward Seymor D. of Somerset He was employed by Queen Elizabeth Ambassadour into France where in the Month of May An. 1592. being sensible of some injury offered by the D. of Guise to the Honour of the Queen of England he sent him this Challenge Forasmuch as lately in the Lodging of my Lord Du Mayne and in Publick elsewhere impudently indiscreetly and over boldly you spoke boldly of my Soveraign whose sacred Person here in this County I represent To maintain both by Word and Weapon her Honour which never was called in Question by people of Honesty and Vertue I say you have wickedly lyed by speaking so basely of my Soveraign and you shall do nothing else but lye whensoever you shall dare to tax her Honour Moreover that her Sacred Person being one of the most Complete and Vertuous Princess that lives in this World ought not to be evil spoken of by the Tongue of such a perfidious Traitor to her Law and Country as you are And hereupon I defie you and Challenge your Person to mine with such manner of Arms as you shall like or choose be it either on Horse-back or on Foot Nor would I have you to think any inequality of Person between us I being issued of as great a Race and Noble House everyway as your self So assigning me an indifferent place I will there maintain my Words and the Lie which I gave you and which you should not endure if you have any Courage at all in you If you consent not to meet me hereupon I will hold you and cause you to be generally held for the arrantest Coward and most slanderous Slave that lives in all France I expect your Answer I find not what Answer was returned This Sir Henry dying in the French Kings Camp before Lofear and his Corps brought over was buried in Farrington Church July 8. 1596. He had allowed him a Barrons Heirs because dying Ambassadour Leigier Writers Hugh of Reading quitted his Expectances of a fair Estate and embraced a Monastical life till at last he became Abbot of Reading He is highly commended by the Learned and writ a Book of Questions fetcht from the Scripture Roger of Windsor Chanter of the Convent of S. Albans was the Kings Historian He flourished An. Dom. 1235. Robert Rich Son to Edward and Mabel his Wife Brother of S. Edmund Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was born at Abbington in this County He wrote a Book of the Life Death and Miracles of his Brother and died about the year of our Lord 1250. Richard of Wallingford a Black-Smith's Son was bred at Merton-Colledge in Oxford a Monk at last Abbot of S. Albans where being a good Mathematician especially as to the Mechanick part thereof he made a Clock with much Pain more Cost and most Art Being a Calender as well as Clock shewing the Fixed Stars and Planets the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea c. but my Author did not inform me if the Canonical hours were mark't on the Clock He died An. Dom. 1326. Since the Reformation Henry Bullock probably born in this County where his Name appears in a Worshipful Estate He was bred a Fellow and Doctor of Divinity in Queens-Colledge in Cambridge a general Scholar familiar with Erasmus calling him Bovillum in his Epistles to him At Cardinal Wolsey's instance he wrote against Luther tho otherwise his Affections were biased to the Protestant Party When he died is unknown Will. Twis born at Spene an ancient Roman City bred at New-Colledge in Oxford and there became a General Scholar Good at plain Preaching better at Disputing and best in Living He became Preacher in Spinhamlands Towards his Death he was slighted by Sectaries it being usual for New-lights to neglect those who have born the heat of the Day His Latin Works speak him able in Controversie He was Moderate Prolocutor in the Assembly of Divines And dying in Holborn he was buried at Westminster An. Dom. 164 Will. Lyford born at Peysmer and bred at Magdalen-Coll in Oxf. Proceeded there Batchelour of Divinity 1631. He was also Fellow of that Foundation He was troubled in Conscience for having Resigned his place for Money to his Successour but before his Death he made Restitution He had a comely Countenance and modest Mind a Courteous Carriage and meek Spirit He was afterwards Preacher at Shirburn in Dorsetshire and tho both Pious and Painful he had his share of Obloquie from such factious Persons as could not abide the wholsome Words of sound Doctrine He dyed about 1652 tho his Memory lives in his Learned Works Romish Exile Writers Th. Hyde born at Newbury bred Master of Art in New-Coll in Oxf. was made Canon of Winchester and chief Master of the School there He with Jo. Martial about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Eliz. went beyond the Seas This Hyde is Charactered by one of his own profession to be A Man of upright Life of great Gravity and Severity He wrote a Book of Consolation to his Fellow Exile and dyed An. Dom. 1597. Benefactors to the Publick Alfrede the fourth Son to King Athelwolf born at Wantage An excellent Scholar tho he was past 12 years of Age before he knew one Letter He was a Curious Poet an Excellent Musician a valiant and successful Souldier fighting seven Battles against the Danes in one year at last Conquered them and reduced them to the Profession of Christianity He gave the first Institution or according to others the best Instauration to the University of Oxford A Prince who cannot be Painted to the Life without his Loss no Words reaching his Worth He divided 1. every natural day as to himself into 3 parts viz. 8 hours for his Devotion and 8 for Business and the remainder for Sleep and Refection 2. His Revenues into 3 parts one for War a second for his Court and the third for Pious uses 3. His Land into 32 Shires 4. His Subjects into Hundreds and Tithings consisting of 10 Persons mutually Pledges for their Good Behaviour He left Learning where he found Ignorance Justice where he found Oppression and Peace where he found Destraction And having Reigned 34 years he dyed and was buried at Winchester An. 901. He loved Religion more then
Superstition favoured Learned Men more then Lazie Manks which may be the cause he was not solemnly Sainted with other Saxon Kings who did not so much deserve Since the Reformation Pet. Chapman born at Cokeham bred an Iron-monger in Lond. at his Death bequeathed five pounds a year to two Scholars in Oxford as much to two in Camb. and five Pounds a year to the poor of the Town of his Nativity besides sixty Pounds to the Prisons of Lond. c. The time of his Death is unknown Jo. Kendrick born at Reading bred a Draper in Lond. His State may be compared to the Mustard-seed from a small encreasing to a prodigious bigness If Benefactors were digested as David's Worthies Mr. Kendrick would be if not the last of the first the first of the second three His Charity began at his Kindred proceeded to his Friends and Servants to whom he left large Legacies concluded with the Poor on whom he bestowed above 20000 Pounds Reading and Newbury sharing the deepest therein as appears by his Printed Will He dyed 30 Sept. 1624. and is buried in St. Christophers Lond. to the Curate of which Parish he gave 20 Pounds a year for ever Rich. Wightwick Batchellor of Divinity was Rector of East-Isley in this County His Benefice not very great may appear a Bishoprick by his Bounty to Pembroke-Coll in Oxf. to which he gave 100 Pounds a year for 3 Fellows and 4 Scholars When he dyed is unknown Memorable Persons Tho. Cole commonly called the Rich Clothier of Reading He is reported a Man of vast Wealth maintaining 140 Menial Servants besides 300 poor People whom he set on Work insomuch that his Wains with Cloth filled the High-way from Reading to Lond. to the stopping of King H. I. in his Progress which King gratified Cole with a Standard-yard the length of his Royal-Arm but the Truth is was the Arm of E. I. which was the Adequation of a Yard This whole story is uncertain yet Cole may be accounted Eminent in this kind Jo. Winscombe commonly called Jack of Newbury was indeed the most considerable Clothier England ever beheld He kept 100 Looms in his House each of them managed by a Man and a Boy In the Expedition to Flodden-field against Ja. King of Scotland he marched with 100 of his own Men well Mounted to shew that the Painful in Peace could be Valiant in War He Feasted King Hen. 8 and his first Queen Kath. at his own House yet extant at Newbury the Church of which he built from the Pulpit to the Tower Inclusively He dyed about 1520 some of his Name and Kindred of great Wealth in this County As to the Gentry in this County Will. Fachel or Vachel was right Ancient having an Estate in and about Reading And the Family of the Pusays is so Ancient that they were Lords of Pusay a Village near Faringdon long before the Conquest in the time of King Canutus holding their Lands by the Tenure of Cornage viz. by Winding of a Horn when the Enemies made their Approach which that King gave their Family and which their Posterity still Extant at this day do produce But generally the List of Sheriffs is the most Comprehensive Catalogue of the English Gentry Noted Sheriffs monarch R. I. Will. Briewere of mean Extraction yet he was such a Minion to King Rich. I. that he created him Baron of Odcomb in Somersetshire One Fulk-paynel gave this William the Town of Bridgwater that he might procure for him the King's favour which he had lost Seeing he left no Son partition was made of his Inheritance amongst his Daughters married into the Honourable Families of Breos Wake Mohun La-fert and Percy Phillip Son of Rob. and Alan de Marton joynt Sheriffs in this County Rog. Bishop of Covent Lich. Sher. in this County He was Surnamed de Molend monarch H. 3 aliàs Longespee and was Nephew to King Hen. III. Phil. de la Beach The Seat of this Family was at Aldworth monarch E. 2. where their Statues on their Tombs are yet extant They were most Valiant Men their Male issue was extinct in the next Kings Reign whose Heir General was marryed to the Ancient Family of Whitlock Th. Chaucer sole Son to Geffery Chaucer the Famous Poet monarch H. 4. from whom he inherited fair Lands at Dunning-Castle in this County and at Ewelme in Oxf. He married Maud Daughter and Coheir of Sir Jo. Burwash by whom he had Alice married to Will. de la Pole D. of Suffolk He lyeth buried under a fair Tomb in Ewelme Church with this Inscription Hic jacet Th. Chaucer Armiger quondam Dominus istius villae patronus istius Ecclesiae qui ob 13. Nov. An. Dom. 1434. Matilda uxor ejus quae ob 28. Apr. 1436. Th. Wickham Kinsman and next heir to Will. VVickham that famous Bishop of VVinchester monarch H. 5. who notwithstanding above 6000 pounds bequeath'd in Legacies left to Thomas 600 pound Lands a year As for his Arms viz. Arg. 2 Cheverons S. between 3 Roses G. The most ingenious Sir Isaac VVake conceiveth those Cheverons or Couples in Architecture given him in Relation to the two Colledges he built in Oxford and VVinchester Jo. Gowfere or Golofre monarch H. 6. the first who is Styled Esquire as he was Sheriff This Addition grew afterwards more fashionable for after that Jack Straw one of the Grandfounders of the Levellers was defeated the English Gentry to appear above the Mobile did in all publick Instruments insert their Native or acquired Qualifications Sir Jo. Howard Knight Son to Sir Rob. Howard monarch E. 4. soon after was Created a Baron by Edw. IV. and Duke of Norfolk by King Rich. III. as Kinsman and one of the Heirs of Anne Dutchess of York and Norfolk whose Mother was one of the Daughters of Th. Mowbray Duke of Norfolk Soon after he lost his Life in Bosworth-field in the Quarrel of him who had given him his Honour From him descended the Noble and Numerous Family of the Howards of whom four Earls viz. Arundel Notingham Suffolk and Barkshire and two Barons viz. Mowbray and Estrick sat in the last Parliament of King Ch. I. Verstegan the great Antiquary will have their Name to be Holdward that is Keeper of a Castle or Trust and they have well answered unto their Name Did not Th. Howard Earl of Surrey well Hold his ward by Land when in the Reign of King H. 8. he Conquered the Scots in Floddon-field and took James IV their King Prisoner And did not Charles Howard afterward Earl of Nottingham hold his ward by Sea in 88. when the Armado was defeated Humph. Foster Ar. Afterward Knighted lies Buried in St. Martins in the Fields Lond. with this Inscription Of your Charity pray for the Soul of Sir Humphrey Foster Knight whose body lies buried here in Earth under this Marble Stone who deceased 18 Sept. 1500. On whose Soul Jesu have mercy Amen Robert Harecourt Knight right Ancient is this
held the Suffragans-Ship under Hen. Beaufort B. of Lincoln He left behind him many Learned Books He flourished under King R. 2. An. 1390. Jo. Skelton See his Character in Norf. Since the Reformation Rich. Crakenthorpe D. D. descended of an Ancient Family bred Fell. in Queens Coll. in Oxf. An. 1. Jac. went over Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent Ambassadour to the King of Denmark Here he attained to a great easiness in the Latine Tongue and kept Correspondency with Persons of Eminent Learning He was an excellent Logician witness his Work in that kind and became Chaplain in Ord. to King Ja. and Rector in Black-Notley in Ess His Posthume Works viz. Vigilius dormitans in defence of Justinian the Emp. and the Answer to the Manifesto of the Arch-bishop of Spalato find an Universal and Grateful Reception Salkeld a Branch of a Worshipful Family bred beyond the Seas either Jesuit or secular Priest Coming over into England to angle for Proselites his Line broke and he was cast in Prison Whence being brought to King Ja. by his Arguments with a Benefice bestowed on him in Som. he became a Protestant He was not a little proud that that King was pleased to Stile him the Learned Salkeld See his true Character in the Book he wrote of Angels He dyed 1638. Gerard Langbain D. D. born at Kirk-Banton bred first Fellow then Provost of Queens Coll. in Oxf. A Skilful Antiquary and ingenious in his Writings In his Works concerning the Dissent of the Gallican Churches from the Council of Trent he makes it appear that the History of that Council is not so compleat as is generally believed He dyed young An. 1657. Benefactors Rob. Eaglesfield Pious and Learned in that Age Chapl. and Confessor to Philippa Queen to King E. 3. founded Queens Coll. in Oxf. for a Provost and 12 Fellows appointing that those of Cumberland and Westm should be proper for Preferment in his Foundation Alledging that those Counties were Desert Places and the Minds of the Inhabitants uncultivated But prevented by Death he only left to this Colledge the Mannor of Renwick in this County with the impropriation of Burgh under Stanmore He ordered that in the Hall they should speak either Latin or French He bequeathed his Colledge to the Honorary Patronage of the Queens of England He dyed about the year 1370. Memorable Persons Maud Daughter of Th. Lord Lucy and Heir of Anth. Lord Lucy and Bar. of Cokermouth the Widow of Gilb. Humphrevile Earl of Angus was the second Wife of Hen. Piercy E. of Northum Who when she saw that she should die without Issue gave to E. Hen. her Husband the Castle and Honour of Cokerworth c. upon Condition that his Issue should bear the Arms of the Lucies viz. G. 3. Lucies or Pikes Hauriant Arg. quartered with their own Arms of the Percies and incorporated into one Coat in effect and for it levyed a fine in the Court of R. 2. This promise the Piercies have bonâ fide performed She dyed about 1382. Noted Sheriffs An. 21. Rob. de Vaus al. de Vaux or de Vallibus a right Ancient Family monarch K. Hen. 2. still extant in this County Beu-Castle Church is thought to have been of their erection This Rob. was Father to Jo. de Vallibus on whose Loyalty and Valour K. Hen. 3. relied The Lord Vaux of Harrowd of Northamton-sh doth hence fetch his Extraction An. 8. Walt Epis. Carliel no great Clerk monarch H. 3. Being made Lord Treasurer of England he avowed his Accounts even when justly charged with 100 pound debt to the Exchequer upon which he resigned his Bishoprick and became a Fryar at Oxf. where he dyed 1248. An. 2. Andr. de Harcla monarch E. 2. behaved himself right handsomely in the Service of King E. 2. especially at the Battle of Borough-bridge where he killed Humph. Bohun Earl of Heref. and took Th. Plantagenet Earl of Lanc. c. Prisoners In reward whereof he was created Earl of Carlile and had the Isle of Man bestowed upon him But he turned Apostate from his Allegiance and lest the Nobility should by secret Sympathy suffer in his disgraceful Death the Earl was first parted from the Man and his Honour severed from his Person by a solemn Degradation having his Knightly Spurs hew'd off which done he was hang'd drawn and quartered 16. Rich. Duke of Glouc. had a Labell for the difference of his Arms monarch E. 4. tho he was but third Son to the King for in his own Ambition he was not only the Eldest but the only Child of his Father as it appeareth by his project not long after to Bastardize both his Brethern And now did he begin to take this County in his way to the Crown by securing it in the time of his Shirivalty in order to his higher Advancement 21. Th. Wharton by H. 8. Created first Lord Wharton of Wharton in Westmerl gave the Scots such a Blow at Solemn Moss that K. Ja. 5. soon after dyed for Sorrow thereof monarch H. 8. The Scots then preferred rather to be taken Prisoners than to fight under their distasted Genera Ol. Saint-clere a Man of Low-birth and Highpride Derbyshire DErbyshire hath Yorkshire on the North Notinghamsh on the East Leic. on the South and Staff and Cheshire on the West The River South Darwent falling into Trent runneth through the middle thereof It is in length 38 Miles and 29 Miles in the broadest part thereof The South and East thereof are very Fruitful whilst the North part called the Peak is Poor above and Rich beneath the Ground Yet is the fair Pasture near Haddon belonging to the Earl of Rutland so Rich that one proferred to surround it with Shillings to purchase it which because to be set Side-ways not Edgeways was refused Of Natural Commodities there is in this County the best Lead in England The Miners as a particular Common-wealth are Governed with Laws peculiar to themselves often confirmed by Act of Parl. Of which Laws one is this 16 E. 1. c. 2. That whosoever Stealeth Oar twice shall be fined and the third time struck through hit Hand with a Knife unto the haft into the Stow and shall there stand untill Death or loose himself by cutting off his Hand As for Buildings there is Chatsworth erected by the Magnificent Lady Eliz. Cavendish Countess of Shrewsbury A Stately Structure upon the Bank of Darwent The Garden on the backside with an Artificial Rock compleateth the place with all Pleasure Of Wonders the Chief is Maim or Mam Tor that is the Mother-Hill from which incredible heaps of Sandy Earth fall yet it is not visibly diminished And Buxtom Well dedicated to St. Anne sending forth both cold and warm Water by which Queen Mary Queen of Scots received much refreshing of which Mr. Hobbs Huc Mater fieri cupiens accedit inanis Plenaque discedit puto nec veniente Marito Where Wives may breed tho desperately Barren Sans Husbands help as Conies in a Warren
to undertake Will. of Ockam a much more Learned Man than himself who cryed up Poverty in opposition to the Papal Pomp. He flourished An. 1330. under the Raign of E. 3. Since the Reformation Rich. Martyn bred in the Court and in the Inns of Court was accounted one of the greatest Wits of that Age King Ja. being much delighted with his Facetiousness a quality which with his other Abilities commended him to be chosen Recorder of Lond. He is Eminent for the Speech he made in Parl. An. 10. Jac. when account was taken of 40 Gentlemen in the House of Commons which were not 20 and some of them not 16 years of Age. Formely said the Recorder Martyn it was the Custom of Old Men to make Laws for young ones but now Nature is invaded and inverted seeing young Men Enact Laws to govern their Fathers He dyed 1616. Whose Kinsman Will. Martyn bred a Student in the Laws wrote a Treatise Of the Kings of England since the Conquest By a Passage in which reflecting on the Royal Family or the Scotch Nation he irrecoverably lost King Ja. his Favour He dyed 1616. Will. Tucker D. D. Dean of Lichfield wrote a Book de Charismate Of the Kings of England their Gracious healing of the Evil dedicating the same to Queen Eliz. in which he vindicated such Cures from Imposture and the Usurpation of the French c. His Congee d'elire was signed to Elect him Bishop of Glocester but it was revoked by King James so that the Doctor may be said to have worn half a Mitre Jo. Berkham set forth Doctor Crackenthorp his Posthume Works and was helpful to Jo. Speed in Composing his English History yea he wrote the whole Life and Reign of King John which of all in that Book is the most profoundly Pen'd Mr. Guillim in his Heraldry was much beholden to this Doctor 's Emendations He was a greater Lover of Coyns than Money That excellent Collection in Oxf. Library was his Gift to the Arch-bishop before the Arch-bishop gave it to the University He dyed 1641. Benefactors Joan Tuckvile Widow procured the Possession and Consecration of a Parcil of Ground for the interment of such as were Executed at Heavy-tree allowing Land to buy a Shroud for every one of them She dyed about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Eliz. Dorsetshire DOrsetshire hath Devonshire on the West Som. and Wiltshire on the North Hampshire on the East and the Narrow-Sea on the South in length 40 and in the broadest part 26 Miles It aboundeth with all the necessaries for Man's Life has plenty of Sheep Timber Freestone nor wanteth it Veins of Marble in the Isles of Purbeck There is also Salt made in this County and it can cloth it self with its own Wool of which Broad-Cloth is here made And to all this an excellent Air and the Conveniency of Navigation The Natural Commodities are Tenches abounding in the River Stowre Tobacco-Pipe-Clay carried to Lond. from Poole and the Isle of Wight and at Lond. it is worth 30 Shillings the Tun. Hâ—mp betwixt Bemister and Byrd-port Wild-Madder at Hod-Hill c. For Buildings Lulworth-Castle and Sherburn-Lodge are most Eminent Indeed the Rhyme holds true Generally of English Structures The North for Greatness the East for Health The South for Neatness the West for Wealth Proverbs I. As much a Kin as Lenson-hill to Pilsen-pen Spoken of those who are Neigbours and no Relations The first of these two Hills is wholly the other partly in the Parish of Broad-Windsor whereof once I was Minister yet Sea-men make a Relation betwixt them calling the one the Cow and the other the Calf as being Eminent Sea-marks II. Stab'd with a Byrdport Dagger That is Hang'd the best Hemp growing about Byrdport III. Dorsetshire Dorsers i. e. Panniers Saints Edward Son to Edgar King of England was in his Infancy whipt by Elfrida his Mother-in-law with Wax-Candles so that afterwards he could never endure the sight of any such Candles When he was King Elfrida managed for the most part all the Affairs of State and afterwards caused this Edward to be Stab'd at Corfe-Castle whither he had come to visit her An. 978. Intending by that Murder to make way for her Son Ethelred to the Kingdom He was buried at Shaftsbury which formerly was called St. Edwards Cardinals Jo. Morton born at St. Andrews Milborne of a Worshipful Family still Extent was made Bishop of Ely 1578. He proposed the Marriage of Eliz. Eldest Daughter to E. 4. of the House of York to Hen. Earl of Richmond H. 7. of the House of Lanc. which Alliance this Earl did account his surest Title to the Crown The Bishop was made by that King Chancellour of England and afterwards Arch-bishop of Cant. He was a great Instrument in advancing a Voluntary Contribution to the King through the Lands persuading Prodigals to part with their Money because they did spend it most and the Covetous because they might spare it best This Bishop with vast cost cut a new Channel in the Fennes He enjoyned his Executors to maintain 20 poor Scholars in Oxf. and 10 in Camb. 20 years after his Death which hap'ned 1500. Prelates Jo. Stafford Son to Humph. 6 th Earl of Staff was born at Hooke made Bishop of Wells and was 18 years Chancellour of England and at last Arch-bishop of Cant. He dyed at Maidstone 1452. Rob. Morton Brother to Card. Morton was made by his Means Bishop of Worcester 1486. He dyed 1497. and lyeth buried in St. Pauls in Lond. Ja. Turbevil of a Worshipful Family in this County was made Bishop of Exeter 1556. at which time it was said he was a Baron but a Bare one so miserably had that Cathedral been Polled Yet he obtained amongst other Lands the Restitution of the fair Mannor of Crediton or Kiron from Queen Mary which was again alienated in the Reign of Queen Eliz. This Bishop staved off Persecution from those of his Jurisdiction He was deprived in the beginning of Queen Eliz. Since the Reformation Th. Winniffe born at Sherborne D. D. Chapl. to Prince Henry for a passage in his Sermon about Gondomer was committed close Prisoner to the Tower and during his imprisonment a Great Lord begg'd his Church-preferment No said King Ja. I mean not thus to part with the Man At which the Lord said he intended only to try the Kings Resolution and that he knew the Doctor to be a Man of great Merit He was chosen Bishop of Lincoln 1642. He dyed An. 1654. and was buried at Lamburn in Ess the Conclusion of his Epitaph being Anima haec recepta in Coelos non Laudationem quaerit sed Imitationem In the same place had his Father been buried Souldiers Th. Basket Esquire of Divelish much confided in for his Wisdom and Valour by King Hen. 8. He was commonly called Little Mr. Basket the Great Souldier He dyed about 1530. Jo. Russel born at Kingston-Russel bred beyond the Sea was a Man of great Accomplishment and was
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
and dangers of the Times He thought that Intelligence could not be bought too dear the Cause that so great a Statesman left so small an Estate and that so Publick a Person was so privately buried in St. Pauls An. 1590. His only Daughter Frances was successively matched to three matchless Men Sir Philip Sidney Rob. E. of Essex and Richard Earl of Clanricard Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Sir Jo. Fineux born probably at Swinkfield bestowed on him by Th. Criol a Lord in the Reign of E. 2. was for 24 years L. Ch. J. of the K. Bench. viz. from 11 H. 7. to 17. H. 8. He was a great Benefactor to St. Augustines in Cant. and was of great Prudence Justice Piety and Humanity He died about 1526. and lyes buried in Christ-Church in Cant. Sir Rog. Manwood born at Sandwich was by Q. Eliz. preferred second Justice of the Com. Pleas and afterwards Chief Bar. of the Exchequer He was one of the Commissioners who sate on the Trial of the Q. of Scots He wrote a Learned Book of the Forrest Laws He erected and endowed a Free-School at Sandwich and died An. 35 Eliz. 1593. Sir Hen. Finch Knight of Right Worshipful Extraction the ancient Surname being Herbert was Serj. at Law to K. James and wrote a Book of the Law which is much esteemed He wrote also another learned Book of the Calling of the Jews by which he was brought into some trouble K. James conceiving that Sir Hen. advanced the Common-Wealth of the Jews to the depressing Christian Monarchies He was Father unto Sir Jo. Finch L. Ch. J. and for a time Lord Keeper and Baron of Fore-ditch Souldiers In former times the leading of the Front in Armies absolutely belonged to the Men of Kent When the Cornish had that priviledge in the time of K. Arthur it was only Temporary and when the Men of Archenfeld in Herâ—ford-sh prescribed to have it that was only local as being confined to the Welsh Warrs Seamen Will. Adams born at Gillingham served the English Company of Barbary Merchants 10 years and was for 14 years Employed by the Dutch in India Being Pilot to their Fleet of 5 Sail he conducted them to Japan being the first English-man who effectually discovered that Island and in order to the settlement of Trade endured many Miseries He died at Firando in Japan 1612. Civilians Nich. Wotton Son to Sir Rob. was born at Bockton-Malherb He was the first Dean of 2 Metrapol Churches of Cant and York and of those Cathedrals Also Privy Councellour to 4. Successive Soveraigns K. Hen. 8. E. 6. Q. Ma. Q. Eliz. was Employed 13 several times in Embassies to Forreign Princes He refused the Arch-Bishoprick of Cant. He died An. 1566. and was buried in Cant. Giles Fletcher D. L. and Brother to Rich. B. of Lond. was a most Excellent Poet Commissioner into Scotl. Germ. and the Low Countrys for Q. Eliz. and her Ambassador into Russia Secretary of Lond. and Master of the Court of Requests His Russian Embassy to settle the English Merchandise was his Master-piece to Theodore Juanowich D. of Muscovia He came thither in 88. when some Hollanders envying the free Trade of the English had done them bad Offices and when a false report was generally believed that the Spanish Armado had worsted the English Fleet. Yet our Doctor demeaned himself with such Cautiousness that he procured many priviledges for the English Merchants exemplified in Mr. Hackluit Having returned home he gave God hearty Thanks for being rid out of the power of that Barbarous Prince and wrote a Book called The Russian Common-wealth the printing whereof was not permitted by Q. Eliz. Physicians Rob. Floyd of a Knightly Family was bred in Oxf. and beyond the Seas A great Philosopher and Physician He was of the Order of the Rosa-Crucians His Books are Mystical as his Discourses were He died An. 1637. Will. Harvey born at Folkston and bred in Caius-Coll in Camb. where he proceeded Dr. of Physick 5 years also he studied at Padua He was afterwards Physician to Ch. 1. and was not only Dr. Medicinae but Dr. Medicorum For this was he who first found out the Circulation of the Blood Tho he lived a Batchelor he may be said to have left three hopefull Sons to Posterity his Books 1. De Circulatione Sanguinis 2. De Generatione 3. De Ovo This Dr. had made a good progress in laying down a Practice of Physick conformable to his Thesis of the Circulation of blood but was plundred of his Papers in the Civil War Yet Posterity will acknowledge the improvements of this opinion as Superstructures on his Foundations and thankfully pay the fruit to his Memory He hath since been a second Linacre and great Benefactor to the Colledge of Physicians at Lond. He died An. Dom. 1657. Writers Jo. of Kent was sent Legate by Pope Innoc. 4. into Engl. He flourished 1248. Haimo of Feversham went to Paris where he was inter Aristotelicos Aristotelissimus He was Provincial then General of the Franciscan Order in Engl. when on his death-Bed he received a Visit from the Pope He died 1260. Having first corrected the Roman Breviary Sim. Stock lived an Hermite in a hollow Tree whence his name tho B. D. of Oxf. He left behind him many superstitious Books Being 80 years of Age he had a Revelation that before his Death he should behold a Holy Order of Carmelites come out of Syria which fell out accordingly Simon coming out of his Oak to meet them which is as true as that he was fed 7 years with Manna in Mount Carmel Th. Haslewood an Augustinian Frier in Leeds a good Scholar and fruitful Historian He flourished under E. 2. 1321. in a Manuscript in Librar Cotton he mentions how Edw. the Black Prince took K. Jo. of Fr. Captive vanquished Hen. an Usurper in Spain and restored Peter K. of Spain Since the Reformation Sir Th. Wiat Senior Knight was born at Allington-Castle Being Servant to H. 8. he fell into his disfavour about the business of Q. Anne Bullen till by his Innocence Industry and Discretion he extricated himself He was one of great Learning admirable Ingenuity and answered his Anagram Wiat a Wit He translated David Psalms into English Metre Of him Leland Let Florence fair her Dante 's justly boast And Royal Rome her Petrarchs numbred feet In English Wiat both of them doth Coast In whom all graceful Eloquence doth meet Being sent Ambassador by Hen. 8. to Ch. 5. Emp. before he took shipping he died of the Pestilence An. 1541. Leonard Diggs Esq one of excellent Learning and deep Judgment was very skilful in Architecture and Fortification He printed his Tectonicon Prognostick general Stratiotick c. He flourished 1556 and died I think about the beginning of Q. Eliz. His Learning seems to run in the Blood of his Family Witness Sir Dudley Diggs of Chilham-Castle made Mr. of the Rolls 1636. whose Abilities will be in perpetual remembrance And the Son of
Baron of Mounslow He died in Oxford and was buried in Christs-Church 1645. Souldiers Sir Jo. Talbot born at Blackmore was Lord Talbot and Strange from his paternal Extraction Lord Furnival and Verdon by Marriage with Joan Daughter of Th. de Nevil and E. of Shrewsbury in England and Weisford in Ireland by creation of King Henry 6. This is that Talbot so famous for his Sword or rather whose Sword was so famous for his Arm that used it A Sword with bad Latin upon it viz. Sum Talboti pro vincere inimicos meos but good steel within it which constantly conquered where it came insomuch that the bare Fame of his approach frighted the French from the Siege of Burdeaux Being victorious for 24 years together success failed him at last charging the Enemy near Castilion on unequal termes where he was slain with a Shot July 17. 1453. The Victories of the English in France were buried with the Body of this Earl which lyes at White-Church in this County Whose Son Sir Jo. Talbot Visc Lisle in right of his Mother was slain with his Father who had advised him by an escape to reserve himself for future fortune but he craved to be excused and would not on any termes be perswaded to forsake his Father He surpassed Emilius the Roman General who being pressed with Hanibal's Forces was resolved to die and not come again under the Judgment of the People of Rome in that Sir Jo. was young unhurt and able to escape and in no wise answerable for the daies misfortune Aemilius old grievously wounded and accountable for the overthrow received Writers Rob. of Shrewsbury wrote the Life and Miracles of St. Winfride He flourished 1148. Dav. of Chirbury born in Chirbury a Carmelite and according to Leland a Famous Divine was made B. of Drummore in Ireland His Writings were either few or obscure He died and was buried at Ludlow 1420. Since the Reformation Rob. Langeland a Protestant in Judgment tho he lived 150 years before the general Reformation was born at Mortimer's Clibery bred a Priest and one of the first followers of Wickliffe wanting neither Wit nor Learning Witness his Book entituled The Vision of Pierce Plough-man highly commended by Mr. Selden He flourished under Edward 3. An. 1369. Th. Churchyard born in Shrewsbury about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth wrote a Book in Verse of the Worthiness of Wales taking in Shrop-shire He died about 11 Elizabeth 1570. His Epitaph being Come Alecto lend me thy Torch To find a Church-Yard in a Church-Porch Poverty and Poetry his Tomb doth enclose Wherefore good Neighbours be merry in Prose Th. Holland D. D. born in the Marches of Wales bred in and Rector of Exeter Colledge in Cambridge was so much addicted to Study that the Scholar in him almost devoured all other Relations and being well acquainted with the Fathers succeeded Dr. Lawr. Humphride in the place of Regius Professor His solemn Valediction of the Fellows when occasion was I commend you to the Love of God and to the hatred of Popery and Superstition His Extemporaries were often better than his premeditations He died 1612. and was buried in Oxford Abraham Whelock born in White-Church Parish Arabick Professor and Minister of St. Sepulchres in Cambridge admirable his knowledge in the Oriental Tongues amongst the Western he was well versed in the Saxon. Witness his Edition of Bede He translated the New Testament into Persian and printed it hoping that it might tend to the Conversion of that Country He died 1654. Benefactors to the Publick Sir Roger Achley born at Stanwardine was Mayor of London 1511. Observing that poor People who never have more than they need will sometimes need more than they have pepared Leaden-Hall the Common-Garner and stored up much Corn therein collecting from the present Plenty a relief against an ensuing Famine Since the Reformation Sir Rowland Hill born at Hodnet was a Mercer in London whereof he was Lord Mayor 1549. He gave maintainance to a fair school at Drayton in thâ—s County which he built and endowed besides 600 l. to Christs-Church Hospital c. He forgave at his death all his Tenants in his mannors of Aldersey and Sponely a years Rent and enjoyned his Heirs to make them new Leases of 21 years for 2 years Rent He built two Bridges of stone containing 18 Arches in both besides Cawseys c He died 15 Sir Th. Adams Knight born at Wem bred a Draper in became Lord Mayor of London 164 A man who drank of the bitter waters of Meribah without making a bad face thereat He gave the House of his Nativity to be a Free-School with liberal endowment W. Adams Esq born at Newport bred a Haberdasher in London where he fined for Alderman founded a School-house in Newport with a Library and Lodgings for a Master and Usher the one having 60 l. the other 30 l. salary per An. with a Tarras on the top 2 Almshouses near to the School with competent maintainance On which School the following Verses were made Some Cottage-Schools are built so low The Muses there must groveling goe Here whilst Apollo's harp doth sound The sisters Nine may dance around And Architects may take from hence The Pattern of Magnificence Long may this Worthy person live to see his Intentions compleated Memorable Persons Th. Parre born at Alberbury lived above 150 years verifying his Anagram Th. Parre Most rare hap being born in the Reign of E. 4. 1483. he was 2 months before his death brought up by Th. Earl of Arundel a great Lover of Antiquities to Westminster He slept away most of his time and is thus Charactred by an eye witness of him From head to heel his body had all over A Quick-set thick-set natâ—ral hairy cover Change of Air and Diet tho to the better with the trouble of many Visitants are conceived to have accelerated his death which happened Westminster November 15. 1634. and was buried in the Abbey-Church all present at his burial doing homage to this our aged Th. de Temporibus Noted Sheriffs An. 9. Nich de Sandford This ancient Name is still extant in this County monarch R. 2 amongst those who compounded for their reputed delinquency in our late Civil Wars Fr. Sandford Esq paid 459. a Gentleman excellently skilled in Fortification Jo. Cornwall Mil. descended from Rich. Earl of Cornwall and King of the Almains monarch H. 4. was a man of prosperous Valour under Henry 5. in France He built a Fair House at Amp-hil in Bedford-shire He was created by King Henry 6. Baron of Fanhop and Knight of the Garter and faithfully adhered to that King after the Crown forsook him Continuing till the Raign of E. 4. he was by him dispossessed of his lands in Bedford of which he said pleasantly That not he but his fine House at Amp-hill was guilty of High Treason An. 1. Th. Mitton in obedience to the Kings Command monarch R. 3. apprehended the D. of Buckingham the grand Engineer to promote
Lords of the Privy Council at Dublin of whom Bishop Coren a Principal produced a Card for his Commission and was imprisoned for the affront After his enlargement he was very willing to make a reparation by getting the Commission renewed in England but was prevented by the Queens death Bishop Coren conformed with the first to the Reformation of Queen Elizabeth being ever sound in his heart He was for some time Chief Justice and Chancellour of Ireland till he quitted all his Dignities in Exchange for the Bishoprick of Oxford which being attended with more quiet was more welcome to him in his old Age. He dyed 1567. Barnaby Potter was born within the Barony of Kendal 1578. and bred in Queens Colledge in Oxford whereof he became Provost He was Chaplain in Ordinary to Prince Charles being accounted at Court the Penitential Preacher and by King Charles I. was preferred Bishop of Carlile He was commonly called the Puritanical Bishop and they said of him in the time of King James that Organs would blow him out of the Church which I do not believe the rather because he loved Vocal Musick and could bear his own part therein He was a constant Preacher and performer of Family duties of a weak Constitution Melancholly lean and a hard Student He dyed in Honour being the last Bishop that dyed a Member of Parliament 1642. Statesmen Sir Edward Bellingham Knight of an Ancient and Warlike Family was Servant of the Privy Chamber to King Edward 6. who sent him over Deputy of Ireland He first extended the English pale proceeding against the Irishry in a Martial course by breaking the Moors and Connors two Rebellious Sexts He built the Forts of Leix and Offaly to secure his new Acquisition and had setled the English Plantations therein had he not been suddenly revoked before two years were expired His Souldiers never knew whither they went till they were come whither they should go Thus he surprized the rude Earl of Desmond brought him to Dublin reformed him in Civility sometimes making him to kneel an hour together before he knew his Duty till he became a new man in his behaviour This Earl all his Life after highly honoured him and at every Meal would pray to God for good Sir Edward Bellingham When the Deputy returned into England he cleared himself of many faults laid to his charge recovering the King's favour and had been sent over Deputy again save that he excused himself by indisposition of Body and dyed not long after Writers Richard Kendal an excellent Grammarian and Schoolmaster extracted a Quintessence from a vast number of Latine Grammars and boasted like a conceited Pedant that Latine only to be elegant which was made according to his Rules He flourished under Henry 6. Since the Reformation Bernard Son of Edward Gilpin Esquire was born at Kentmire 1517. and bred in Queens Colledge in Oxford He disputed against Mr. Hooper who was afterwards Martyred when indeed he did follow his Argument with his Affections He afterwards became a zealous Protestant He was Rector of Houghton in the North and boarded in his house 24 Scholars the greater number poor mens Sons upon whom he bestowed Meat Drink Cloth and Education He kept a Table for his Parishioners every Sunday from Michaelmas to Easter He commended a Marryed life in Clergy-men himself living and dying a Batchelour He bestowed 500 pounds in the building and endowing of his School He was accounted a Saint in the Judgments of his very Enemies if he had any such Being full of Faith and good works he was put in his Grave as a heap of Wheat in due time swept into the Garner dying March 4. 1583. Aet 66. Richard Mulcaster of ancient Extraction was born in this County or Cumberland and bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge afterwards in Oxford He was chosen the first Master of Merchant Taylors School in London where his Scholars profited so well that the Merchant Taylors intended to fix him as his Desk to their School till death should remove him This he perceived and therefore gave for his Motto Fidelis servus perpetuus Asinus but after 25 years he was made Master of Pauls School Such his Discipline that the Indulgence of Parents rather encreased then mitigated his severity on their offending Children He was Plagosus Orbilius and which quallified the matter unpartial Amongst the many excellent Scholars which he bred Bishop Andrews was most remarkable At last quitting the place he became Parson of Stanford Rivers and dyed about the middle of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Christopher Potter D. D. Kinsman to Bishop Potter was bred in and Provost of Queens Colledge in Oxford He was Chaplain in Ordinary to King Charles I. and Dean of Worcester one of a sweet nature comely Presence courteous Carriage devout Life and deep Learning He wrote an excellent Book Entituled Charity mistaken answered by a Jesuit against whom Mr. Chillingworth took up the Cudgels He dyed in the beginning of the Civil War Benefactors to the Publick Robert Langton and Miles Spencer Doctors of Law joyntly built a fair School at Appleby Robert was bred in and a Benefactor to Queens Colledge in Oxford owing the Glasing of many Windows therein to his Beneficence on which Windows he caused his Sirname to be made in this manner viz. Long or Lang ton Anne Clyfford sole Daughter and Heir to George Earl of Northumberland Wife to Richard Earl of Dorset then to Philip Earl of Pembrock and Montgomery had her greatest Estate in the North She built and endowed a most beautiful Hospital at Appleby in this County and is still living Memorable Persons Richard Gilpin who was enfeoffed in the Lordship of Kent-mire-hall by the Baron of Kendal for his singular deserts killed the wild Bore that raging in the Mountains adjoyning much endammaged the Country people whence it is that the Gilpins give the Bore in their Arms. Note that in the Reign of King Edward 1. the Hereditary Sherivalty of this County was conferred on the Lord Clifford who married Sibel eldest Daughter to Robert de Vipont Henry Lord Clifford was by Henry 8. an 1525. Created Earl of Cumberland and when Henry the 5th Earl of that Family dyed lately without issue male the Honour of the Hereditary Sherivalty reverted unto Anne the third Daughter of George Clifford the third Earl of Cumberland the Relict of Richard Earl of Dorset and since of Philip Earl of Pembrook and Montgomery by whom she had two Daughters the elder Married to the Earl of Thanet and the younger Married to James Earl of Northampton WILT-SHIRE WIlt-shire hath Glocester-shire on the North Bark-shire and Hamp-shire on the East Dorset-shire on the South and Somerset-shire on the West From North to South it extendeth 39 Miles being in bredth 29. and in circumference 139-miles A pleasant County and of great variety It is plentiful in all English Commodities especially in Wool the Manufacture of Clothing being vigorously pursued and very good Whites made
Bishop Capon Wilt-shire affordeth these Marian Martyrs Jo. Spicer Free-Mason William Coberly Taylor in Kevel burnt in Salisbury 1556. John Maundrel Husbandman Confessors John Hunt and Richard White Husbandmen at Marleborough were persecuted in Salisbury 1558 and being condemned to dye were little less then miraculously preserved as will appear hereafter Alice Coberly Wife to William Coberly forenamed failed in her Constancy The Jaylors Wife of Salisbury heating a Key fire hot and laying it in the Grass spake to this Allice to bring it unto her in doing whereof she pitiously burnt her hand and cryed out O said the other if thou canst not abide the burning of a Key how wilt thou endure thy whole Body to be burnt at the Stake whereat the said Alice revoked her opinion Cardinals Walter Winterburn born at Sarisbury and bred a Dominican Frier was an excellent Scholar and a skilful Casuist a quality which recommended him to be Confessor to King Edward 1. Pope Benedict 11. made him being 79 years of Age Cardinal of St. Savin upon the news of the death of Maklesfield at London who dyed before the Cap was sent him and this Walter 's Cap being not enjoyed one year was never a whit the worse for wearing for having made a journey to Rome to procure it in his return home he left it and the World and was buried at Genoa but his Corps afterwards brought over was interred in London 1305. Robert Halam is reported to have been born of the Royal Blood of England He was bred in and Chancellour of Oxford 1403. and was Arch-Deacon of Canterbury then Bishop of Salisbury at last made Cardinal June 6. 1411. He was one of them who represented the English Clergy both in the Council of Pisa and Constance in which last Service he dyed 1417. in Gotleby Castle Prelates Johannes Sarisburiesis a Restorer of Learning in most kinds whereof himself was most eminent He was Companion to Thomas Becket in his Exile but not in his disloyalty for which he sharply reproved him He was highly in favour with Pope Eugen 3. and Adrian 4. and yet no Author in that Age hath so pungent passages against the Pride and Covetousness of the Court of Rome For in his Polycrat he sayes Scribes and Pharisees sit in the Church of Rome His Legates do so swaggeâ— as if Satan were gone forth from the Face of the Lord to scourge the Church They eat the sins of the people with them they are clothed and many ways riot therein Who dissent from their Doctrine are condemned for Hereticks or Schismaticks c. He was generally esteemed a pious man and was by King Henry 2. made Bishop of Chartres in France where he dyed 1182. Richard Poor Dean of Sarisbury was first Bishop of Chester then of Sarisbury He removed his Cathedral most inconveniently seated for want of water c. to a place called Merry field since Sarisbury where he laid the Foundation of that stately Structure which he lived not to finish He was afterwards removed to Durham Pious was his life and peaceable his end April 2. an 1237. His Corps was buried at Tarrent in Dorset-shire in a Nunnery of his own founding and some of his Name and probably of his Alliance are still extant in this County William Edendon born at Edendon and bred in Oxford was by Edward 3. made Bishop of Winchester and Lord Treasurer of England He then first caused â—roats and half Groats to be made with some abatement of the weight He was afterwards made Lord Chancellour and erected a stately Convent for Bonhomes at Edendon in this County valued at the dissolution at 521 l. 12. s. 5 d. ½ per Annum Some condemn him for robbing St. Peter to whom with Swithin Winchester Church was dedicated to pay all Saints to whom Edendon Convent was consecrated suffering his Episcopal Palaces to decay whilst he raised up his new Foundation Whereupon after his death his Executors were sued for Dilapidations by his Successor William Wickham an excellent Architect who recovered of them 1662 l. 10 s. besides his Executors were forced to make good the standing stock of the Bishoprick which in his time was impaired viz. Oxen 1556 Weathers 4717 Ewes 3521 Lambs 3521 Swine 127. He dyed 1366 and lyeth buried under a fair Monument of Alabaster near to the Quire Richard Mayo born nigh Hungerford of good Parentage whose Sirname is since extinguished was bred in and President of Magdalens-Colledge in Oxford He was sent by King Henry 7. into Spain an 1501 to bring over the Lady Katharine to be Married to Prince Arthur After his return he was rewarded with the Bishoprick of Hereford He dyed 1516 and was buried under a Magnificent Monument in his Church Since the Reformation John Thornborough B. D. born in Salisbury and bred in Magdalens-Colledge in Oxford was a man of goodly Presence By Queen Elizabeth he was made Dean of York and Bishop of Lymrick in Ireland where he had a wonderful deliverance For an upper Floor in an old Castle wherein he his Wife and Children lay did fall down in the dead hour of the night into his Room and rested on some Chests after it had crushed Cupboards and Tables c. without hurting any living Creature An. 1. Jac. he was Consecrated Bishop of Bristol holding his other places in Commendam with it and from thence was Translated to Worcester Being a great Chymist he presented King James with an Extraction which was reputed a preserver of Health and prolonger of Life though as for the Bishop himself I conceive that his merry heart was his best Elixir Dying exceeding Aged An. Dom. 164. John Buckbridge born at Dracot was bred in Oxford where he became D. D. and President of St. Johns-Colledge He was afterwards Minister of St. Giles Cripplegate and on the 9th of June 1611 he was Consecrated Bishop of Rochester He wrote a Learned Book against John Fisher De Potestate Papae in Temporalibus He was afterwards preferred Bishop of Ely He dyed 163. and was buried in the Church of Bromly in Kent Statesmen Edward and Thomas Seimor Sons of Sir John Kt. of Wolful are here joyn'd because they were only then invincible whilst they were united in Affection First Edward Seimor Duke of Sommerset Lord Protector and Treasurer of England being the eldest Brother succeeded to a fair Inheritance He was a valiant Souldier for Land-service fortunate and generally beloved by Martial men a man of great Candour and Affability He Married Anne Daughter of Sir Edward Stanhop Knight a Lady of an high Mind and undaunted Spirit His younger Brother Thomas Seimor made Baron of Sudley by the favours of his Nephew King Edward 6. obtained a great Estate Being well experienced in Sea Affairs he was made Lord Admiral of England He was reserved and more cunning in his Carriage He Married Queen Katharine Par the Widow of King Henry 8. Very great the Animosities betwixt their Wives the Dutchess refusing to bear the
Theological Dictionary much esteemed by Divines in that Age. He was 57 years old an 1460. Jo. Harding Esquire of ancient Parentage was bred a Souldier doing good service at Roxborough-Castle against the Scots and following the Standard of King Edward adhered to him in his deepest distress He adventured into Scotland not without the manifest hazard of his Life where he so cunningly demeaned himself that he found there and fetched thence out of their Records many Original Letters which he presented to Edward 4. Out of these he Collected an History of the several Solemn Submissions publickly made and Oaths of Fealty publickly taken from the time of King Athelstan by the Kings of Scotland to the Kings of England for the Crown of Scotland though the Scots affirm that such Homage was only taken for Cumberland and some parcels held of England on the South of Tweed He wrote also a Chronicle of the English Kings from Brutus to King Edward 4. He was living 1461. Henry Parker a Carmelite at Doncaster and D. D. in Cambridge Preached a Sermon in London in which he endeavoured to prove that Christs Poverty was the Pattern of Humane Perfection and drove the Nail so far that he was imprisoned by the Bishop of London for the same and since his Holiness took the Bishops part Parker thought to recant at Pauls Cross where he had Preached before And from this time we may date the decay of the credit of the Carmelites in England moulting their Feathers afterwards till King Henry 8. cut off their Wings and Bodies Politick This Parker flourished under Edward 4. 1470. Since the Reformation Sir Francis Bigot Knight wrote a Book against the Clergy Of Impropriations He was slain 1537. among the Northern Rebels who detained Loyal Persons in their Camp until the blind Sword having Aciem but not Ocuium killed Friend and Foe in fury without distinction Wilfrid Holme of gentile Parentage lived in these parts when the two Northern Rebellions happened and when the Popish-party gave it out that the Reformation would ruine Church and State Wilfrid stated the Controversie truly clearly and wittily confuting the Priests false Reports and the Peoples causless Jealousies He dyed 1536. Thomas Roberson D. D. in Oxford was a Grammarian for Greek and Latine and an excellent Teacher of Youth He wrote Notes upon Lilly's Grammar Robert under whose name Quae Genus is written may be the same with this Thomas He flourished 1544. William Hugh bred in Corpus-Christi-Colledge in Oxford wrote a Book Entituled The troubled Mans Medicine dedicated to Queen Katharine Par. for the satisfaction of those who were troubled about the final State of their Children dying unbaptized He dyed of the breaking of a Vein 1549. Roger Ascham born at Kirby-Weik and bred in St. Johns-Colledge in Cambridge was Orator and Greek Professor of the University and an 1. Mary wrote Letters to 47 several Princes the meanest whereof was a Cardinal Travelling into Germany he was familiar with Jo. Sturmius After his return he was a Teacher to the Lady Elizabeth to whom after she was Queen he became Secretary for her Latine Letters He was an honest man a good Archer and much delighted with Cock-fighting His Latine Style was facile and fluent witness his Letters His 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Book good for young men his School-Master for old and his Epistles for all Men. He dyed 1568. December 30. and was buried in St. Sepulchres in London Sir Henry Savil Knight born at Bradley and bred in Oxford became Warden of Merton-Colledge and Prov. of Eaton He set forth an excellent Edition of Hierom with Annotations Copies of which were stoln before the Printing thereof by Popish Emissaries and sent to France and Printed there with a Latine Translation His only Daughter was Married to Sir William Sidley of Kent Barronet He dyed at Eaton 1549. and was interred there He was an excellent Mathematician witness his Learned Lectures on Euclide He founded Mathematick Professors in Oxford whereof one was Mr. Briggs who had mightily pleased Sir Henry with a certain curious demonstration in that Science Thomas Taylor born at Richmond bred in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge entred into the Ministery at 27 years of Age continuing in the same at Reading and London 35 years A pious and charitable man and a painful Pastor A little before his death 1632. he avowed that we serve such a Master who covereth many imperfections and giveth much wages for a little work Nathaniel Shute born at Gigleswick and bred in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge was an excellent Scholar and solide Preacher at St. Mildred Poultrey in London though nothing of his is extant in Print save a Sermon called Corona Charitatis He was an uncomfortable Preacher in one sense in that he left no hope of imitation for such as should succeed him He dyed 1638. Josiah Shute Brother to Nathaniel aforesaid was bred in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge and was afterwards Minister of St. Mary Woolnoth in London One of the most considerable Labourers in Gods Vineyard that ever was beheld in Lombard street He was good at both Positive and Controversial Divinity and had a strain of Native Eloquence Highly esteemed of his Parish till the beginning of our late Civil Wars when some began to neglect him distasting wholsome Meat because their Mouths were out of taste He dyed 1640. and was buried in his own Church One hour before his death he cheerfully entertained some of the Parishioners who came to visit him with this expression I have taught you my dear Flock for above 30 years how to live and now I will shew you in a very short time how to dye Note there were three other Brothers of this Josiah who were Ministers viz. Robert in Lyn Thomas in Chester and Timothy in Exeter George Sandys youngest Son of Sir Edwin Arch-Bishop of York was born at Bishops-Thorp A most accomplished Gentleman He travel'd to and wrote a description of the Holy Land He most elegantly Translated Ovid's Metamorphosis into English Verse and Composed some spriteful and Masculine Poems of his own He dyed about 1642. Jo. Saltmarsh of an ancient but decayed Family was bred chiefly at the Charge of Sir Thomas Metham his Kinsman in Magdalens Colledge in Cambridge He was a Poet and good Preacher Be it charitably imputed to his Conscience that of a zealous observer he became a violent oppresser of Bishops and Ceremonies He wrote against my Sermon of Reformation taking me for many points of Popery therein I defended my self in a Book called Truth maintained to which he answered not being informed I was dead at Exeter He dyed 1650 in or about Windsor as he was riding to and fro in the Parliaments Army of a burning Feaver venting on his death strange and extatical expressions Jer. Whitacre born at Wakefield was bred Master of Arts in Sidney-Colledge He became School-master of Okeham then Minister of Stretton in Rutland Being a Member in the late Assembly he behaved himself with
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
Clarence President in his stead for the same No sooner was his Father dead but he reclaimed himself and became a Glory to his Country and a constant Terror to his Enemies yea and banished all his idle Companions from Court allowing them a competency for their subsistence When the Lord Chief Justice who had secured him when Prince for striking him for the Commitment of some of his lewd Companions he not only forgave him but rewarded his Justice In his Reign a Supplication was preferred that the Temporal Lands given to pious uses but abusively spent might be siezed on by the King This was wisely awarded by Chichley Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by putting the King on the design of recovering France Yea this King by his Valour reduced Charles 6. King of France to such a condition that he resigned his Kingdom into his hand and our King Henry 5. was accordingly Crowned in Paris King of France There the French found him as good or rather worse as his Promise which he made to the Dolphin who sent him a Barrel of Paris Tennis-Balls sending such English-Balls that they proved fatal to them He dyed at Boys St. Vincent ult Aug. 1422. and was brought over with great Solemnity and interred in Westminster-Abbey Saints St. Amphibalus a Citizen of Carlion See the Saints in Hereford St. Aaron a wealthy Citizen of Carlion was Martyred under Dioclesian the Emperour 30â— Note that the three first British Martyrs viz. Alban Amphibalus and Aaron have the first a Latine the second a Greek and the third an Hebrew Name St. Julius of Carlion suffered with Aaron aforesaid Note that Carlion now a small Town was once a great City reaching a Mile in length and comprehending St. Julian's a House of late Sir William Herbert's now a Mile distant from the Town Cardinals Geffery of Monmouth is avouched by some to have been made Cardinal but it is improbable that so much honour should be done unto him whilst living who was so solemnly disgraced after his death his Books being then publickly prohibited by the Court of Rome See Writers in this Shire John of Monmouth D. D. and Canon of Lincoln was chosen Bishop of Landaff 1296. after that See had been 7 years vacant He was a Learned and Pious Divine Besides other Benefactions to his See he procured the Rectory of Newland in the Forrest of Dean to be appropriated thereto But Bishop Kitchin afterwards impoverished the same more then all his Predecessors had endowed it in 400 years This John dyed April 8. 1322. and was buried in St Maries Chappel Walter Cantilupe Son to William the elder Lord Cuntilupe whose prime residence was at Abergavennie in this County was made by Henry 3. Bishop of Worcester He would not yield to the Popes Legate who complained of many Clergy-men keeping their Livings against the Canons intending to make room for the Popes Favourites or force such irregular incumbents to a Composition He was one of a keen nature whose two-edged spirit did cut on both sides against the King and Pope Against the former he sided with the Barons to whom he promised Heaven for the reward of their Rebellion against their Prince though it cost him an Excommunication from the Pope who was the more forward in denouncing that fatal Sentence against him because he had told Rusland his Legate coming hither 1255. that he would preferr him to be hang'd on the Gallows rather then ever consent to such expilation of the Church as aforesaid Lying on his deathâ—bed he was touched with true remorse for his disloyalty and obtained Absolution He dyed February 1267. whom I behold as Uncle to Thomas the Sainted Bishop of Hereford Souldiers Richard de Clare alias Strongbow born probably at Stringule Castle was Earl of Stringule and Pembrook A person of effectual performance It happened that Mac Murugh an 1167. being expelled his Territories for several Tyrannies by the Lords of Meath and Conaight repaired to King Henry 2. and invited him to Ireland That Politick King sent over this R. Strongbow with 1200 Men who possessed himself of the Ports of Leinster and Mounster with large Lands thereunto belonging insomuch that the King growing jealous of his greatness remanded him home and commanded him to surrender his Acquest into his hands which done he received them by regrant from the King save that Henry reserved the City of Dublin for himself This Strongbow is commonly called Domitor Hiberniae the Tamer of Ireland Yet some of the great Lords there did still retain the Power and Title of King Witness the Preface in the Commission whereby King Henry 2. made William Fitz-Adelme his Lieutenant of Ireland Archiepiscopis Episcopis Regibus c. Salutem This Earl dyed at Dublin 1177. Sir Roger Williams born of an ancient Family at Penross was first a Souldier of Fortune under the Duke of Alva and afterwards served Queen Elizabeth A man extreamly forward to Fight When a Spanish Captain challenged Sir John Norris to fight a single Combat which was beneath him to accept being a General this Roger undertook the Don. And after they had fought some time both Armies beholding them without any hurt they pledged each other a deep draught of Wine and so friendly departed Another time at mid-night he assaulted the Camp of the Prince of Parma nigh Venloe slew some of the Enemies and pierced to the Tent of the General He bravely defended Sluse whilst any hope of help William Herbert Earl of Pembrook with Sir Richard his Brother were both valiant Men and as fast Friends to King Edward 4. as professed Foes to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick Leading the Army of the Welsh in the Battle of Banbury with their Poll-Axes they twice made way through the Battle of the Northern men which sided with King Henry 6. without any Mortal Wound There passeth a Tradition in the Noble Family of the Herberts of Chierbury that this Sir Richard their Ancestor slew that day 140 Men with his own hands in passing and repassing through the Army Guns not being then in fashion the Poll-Axe was the next Mortal Weapon especially in such a dead Hand as this Knight had He is reported also to be of a Giants Stature the Peg being extant in Montgomery Castle whereon he used to hang his Hat at dinner which no Man of an ordinary height can reach with his hand at this day However both these brave Brethren circumvented with the subtilty of their Foes Odds at any time may be bet on the side of Treachery against Valour were brought to Banbury beheaded and buried the Earl at Tinterne and Sir Richard at Abergaveny in this County Writers Jeffrey of Monmouth alias ap Arthur Translated and Compiled the various British Authors into one Volume He hath many things from the British Bards which though improbable are not therefore ipso facto untrue yet Humanum est errare and Tradition having run a great way from its clear Original may swell into a rapide Stream violently