flourished 1460 under H. 6. Robert Fabian Sheriff of London 1493. wrote 2 Chronicles 1. From Brutus to the death of Henry 2. another from the 1. of King Richard to the death of King Henry 7. He was an Excellent Poet. A modern Master-wit in the contest betwixt the Poets of our Age maketh Apollo to adjudge the Laurell to an Alderman of London because to have most wealth was a sign of most wit But had the Scene of this Competition been laid 140 years since c. Apollo would have given the Laurel to this our Alderman He died 1512 and was buried at the Church of Alhallows After his death Cardinal Woolsey caused them to burn all the Copies of his Book which he could come by because therein he had made too clear Discovery of the Revenues of the Clergy Th. Lupset Greek Prof. at Oxford was known unto Erasmus He was diverted from Divinity by Woolsey He was in favour with Hen. 8. and died of a Consumption 1532. in Lond. and buried at St. Alphage Since the Reformation Jo. Rastal Printer undertook to prove Purgatory by Reason He was a Good Mathematician and made a Comedy of Europe Asia and Africa He wrote a Book against Jo. Frith which he afterwards recanted and a Book of the Terms of the Law and an Index to J. Fitz-Herbert He was Father to Rastal the Famous Lawyer He died and was buried at London 1536. Edw. Hall bred in K. College became a Judge in the Sheriffs Court He wrote an elegant Hist of the Warrs of York and Lanc. He died 1547 and was buried in St. Sithes Church Will. Fulke D. D. and Marg. Professor in Camb. when Young wrote a Book of Meteors Being a solid Divine he confuted the Rhemish Translation of the Bible He died 1589. Edm. Spencer bred in Camb. A great Poet who imitated Chaucer 'T is said that he presented Q. Eliz. with a Poem with which she was so well pleased that she commanded the Lord Treasurer Cecil to give him 100 l. and when he alledged that Sum was too much then give him Quoth the Q. what is Reason but being delayed he presented these Lines to the Queen I was promised on a time To have Reason for my Rhyme From that time unto this Season I receiv'd nor Rhyme nor Reason Hereupon the Q. gave strict Order for the present payment of 100 l. He was afterwards Secretary to the Lord Gray Deputy of Ireland He was an Excellent Linguist Antiquary Philosopher Mathematician yet so poor as being a Poet that he was thought Fami non Famae scribere Returning into England he was robb'd by the Rebels of that little he had and dying for Grief in great Want 1598 was honourably buried nigh Chaucer in Westminster The expence of his Funeral and Monument was defrayed at the sole charge of Rob. first of that Name E. of Essex Jo. Stow bred at learning no higher then a good Grammar-Scholar became an useful Historian and very accurate in the Notation of Time Besides his Chron. of England he hath written a large Survey of London He died 1605 and lyeth buried in the Quire of St. Andr. Vndershaft There was another of his Name a Monk of Norwich 1440. Giles Fletcher equally loved of the Muses and Graces wrote a Poem entitled Christs Victory Having commenced D. D. he became Preacher first in St. Maries then in Suff. where being slighted by his clownish Parishioners he fell into Melancholy and died in a short time 162 His Brother Phineas of Cambridge wrote an excellent Poem called The Purple Island c. Jo. Donne a Man of excellent Wit large Travail and choice Experience in his reduced Age became D. D. and Dean of St. Pauls He died 1631. and lyeth buried in St. Pauls His Life is written by Mr. Isaac Walton Romish Exile Writers Jo. Heiwood writes of himself that he applied Mirth more then Thrift many mad Plays and did few good Works His Jests were biting He printed English Proverbial Epigrams and his pleasant Monumenta Literaria After the Death of Q. Mary who highly favoured him he fled for Religion He died 156. Whose Son Jasper a Jesuit was executed in the Reign of Q. Eliz. Maurice Chamnee bred a Frier in the Charterhouse He only escaped when 18 of his Order lost their lives by him written for refusing the Oath of Supremacy 'T is said he warped to the Will of H. 8. to preserve his Convent from Destruction He dyed beyond the Seas 1581. Edm. Campian bred in Oxf. being Deacon of the Protestant Church he renounced that Order and fled beyond the Seas A Man of great Parts and no less Ostentation Coming over into England with Father Parsons to reduce it to the Church of Rome he fetched over many Neuters before to his perswasion by his Ten Reasons in pure Latine and pithily penned He was quickly caught by the Setters of Secretary Walsingham imprisoned examined on Matters of State and saw rather than felt the Rack but a while after he was engaged in 4 solemn Disputations in the Chappel in the Tower to make good a bold Challenge he had made against all Protestants concerning Scripture the Church the Sacrament and Justification and 't is said whatever Questions he there answered that he answered not the general expectation of his own Party He was executed 1581. Benefactors to the Publick Th. Pope Knight Architect under God of his own Fortune employed under the Lord Cromwell an Instrument of the second magnitude got his share at the dissolution of the Abbeys and refunded a considerable proportion for what he received for the Building endowing of Trin. Coll. in Oxf. He died about the beginning of the Reign of Q. Eliz. There are in Oxford-shire many descendants from him continuing in a worshipful Estate the Chief of the Family being the E. of Down in Ireland on the same token that K. James came in Progress to the House of Sir Pope Knight when his Lady was lately delivered of a Daughter who was presented to K. James with this Paper of Verses See this little Mistress here Did never sit in Peter's Chair Or a Tripple Crown did wear And yet she is a Pope No Benefice she ever sold Nor did dispence with Sins for Gold She hardly is a Sevenight Old And yet she is a Pope No King her Feet did ever kiss Or had from her worse Look then this Nor did she ever hope To Saint one with a Rope And yet she is a Pope A Female Pope you 'l say A Second JOAN No sure she is Pope Innocent or none Th. Curson Armorour being much afflicted with a sad Accident one having shot another in his Shop tho during his absence resolved to give all his Estate to pious uses and accordingly disposed of some hundreds of pounds for the use of the poor in Alhallows Lumbard-Street where he was born and other Parishes He died 16 Edw. Allin a Stage-Player and Roscius of our Age built a fair Colledge at Dulwich in Kent for
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
Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench An. 30. H. 8. His Motto was Equitas Justitiae Norma In his time tho the Golden Showers of Abby-Lands rained amongst great Men it was long before he would open his lap scrupling the acception of such Gifts and at last received but little in proportion to others An. 37. H. 7. he was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas a descent in Honour but ascent in profit In drawing up the Will of E. 6. and setling the Crown on Lady Jane for a time he swam against the Tide and Stream of D. Dudley till at last he was carried away with the Stream Outed of his Office An. 1. Mary he found that Contentment in his Hospital-Hall in Northampton-shire which he could not find in Westm Hall He died An. 1556. and lyeth buried in the Church of Weekley Sir Augustine Nicolls born at Eckton was freely made by K. James one of the Judges of the Com. Pleas. That K. commonly called him the Judge that would give no money He was renowned for his Patience to hear both Parties all they could say a happy Memory and singular Sagacity to search into the material circumstances and exemplary Integrity even to the rejection of Gratuities after Judgment given He forbearing to Travel on the Lords Day wrote a Reformation on some of his own Order He loved Plain and profitable preaching being wont to say I know not what you call Puritanical Sermons but they come nearest to my Conscience He died as he went the Northern Circuit and lyeth buried in Kendall-Church in Westmorland Sir Robert Dallington born at Geddington bred a Bible-Clerk in Bennet-Colledg He was afterwards a School-Master in Norf. and after having travelled Secretary to Francis Earl of Rutland His accurate Aphorisms on Tacitus witness his Excellent Wit and Judgment At last he was Knighted and preferred Mr. of the Charter-House At the end of a Latin Speech spoken by a School-Boy with which he was welcomed to that Hospital there was a Distick to this effect Do not the least part of your trust disdain Nor grudge of Boyes to take the Care again He died An. 162. Jo. Fletcher Son of Rich. D. D. had an excellent Wit He with Fr. Beaumont Esq like Castor and Pollux most happy when in conjunction raised the English to equal the Athenian and the Roman Theatre Beaumont being the Ballast of Judgment Fletcher the Sail of Phantasie both compounding a Poet to Admiration Meeting once in a Tavern to contrive the rude draught of a Tragedy Fletcher undertook to kill the King therein his words being overheard by a Listner he was accused of High Treason till the mistake soon appearing that the Plot was only against a Dramatick and Scenical King all wound off in Merriment Fletcher surviving his Partner wrote good Comedies himself tho inferiour to the former and no wonder if a single thred was not so strong as a twisted one He died as I am informed of the Plague An. 1. Car I. 1625. Sir Hen. Montague Grandson to Sir Edward Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench was born at Boughton He raised himself as was foretold in his Childhood above the rest of his Family by the pregnancy of his parts He was bred in Christ's Colledge in Cambridge then in the Middle Temple He became Serjant at Law was Knighted by King James 1602. and was Recorder of London made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench 1616. Lord Treasurer of England 1620. created Baron of Kimbolton and Visc Mandevile afterwards Earl of Manchester made President of the privy Councel then Lord Privy Seal at which time he brought the Court of Requests into such repute that what was formerly called the Almes-Basket of the Chancery had in his time well nigh as many Suits and Clients as the Chancery it self His Motto was Movendo non mutando me His Meditations on Life and death written in time of his health may be presumed to have left good impressions on him preparatory for his death which hapned 164. Writers Jo. of Northampton in lat Jo. Avonius a Carmelite an Eminent Mathematician wrote a Book entitled The Philosophers Ring a Perpetual Almanack a Masterpiece of that Age. He flourished 1340. Robert Holcot born in Holcot and bred in Oxford became a Dominican in Northam A learned and prudent Man He wrote many famous Treatises He died of the plague 1349 at Northam before he had finished his Lectures on Ecclesiastes Note The Plague about that time so raged in England that our Chroniclers affirm scarce a tenth person of all sorts was left alive Robert Dodford born at Dodford was a Benedictine Monk in Ramsey He wrote Postills on the Proverbs which the envy of time hath intercepted from us He flourished about 1370. Pet. Peteshull an Augustinian in Oxford disliking his Order procured a dispensation to relinquish it and became Honorary Chaplain to Pope Vrbain 6. He afterwards promoted the Doctrine of Wickliffe and in his Exposition of the Prophesie of Hildegardes so taxed the pride and laziness of all Friers that his Book was burnt and himself fled to escape the same Fate He flourished 1390. Since the Reformation Robert Crowley bred in Oxford confuted Miles Hogheard who wrote against the poor Protestants He fled to Frankford in the Reign of Queen Mary and in the Reign of Q. Eliz. was made Vicar of St. Giles without Cripple-gate London where he lyes buried having died 1588. Eusebius Paget born at Cranford and bred in Oxford was commonly called the Golden Sophister He was Minister in London and wrote an excellent book called the History of the Bible and Catechism of the 40 short Questions Ja. Preston D. D. born in Heyford and bred in Cambridge was so far from Eminency before he commenced Master of Arts that he was but a little above Contempt Soon after his skill in Philosophy rendred him to the general respect of the University He was the greatest Pupil-manager in England The Duke used him to work the Puritan Party then most active in Parliament to his compliance And tho this Dr. was most powerfull with them he was at last found useless to the intended Purpose He was therefore called by one the Court Comet blazing for a time and fading soon afterwards He was a perfect Politician and used Lapwing-like to flutter most on that place which was furthest from his eggs He had perfect command of his Passion with the Caspian Sea never ebbing nor slowing and would not alter his composed Pace for all the whipping which Satyrical Wits bestowed on him He never had Wife or Cure of Souls and leaving a plentiful no invidious estate died 1628. Th. Randolph born at Hougton was bred Fell. in Trinity College in Cambridg The Muses may seem not only to have Smiled but to have been tickled at his Nativity such the Festivity of his Pomes of all sorts He died 163 Nick. Estwick B. D. born at Harowden and bred in Cambridg was 40 years Parson of Warton
not do He afterwards studied Divinity and became Pastor of St. Edmunds in Lumbard-street London where he died An. leaving Th. his learned Son of whom formerly among the Writers in London heir to his Pains and Piety Prelates Rob. of Shrewsbury preferred B. of Bangor in the Reign of K. Jo. 1197. was afterward taken Prisoner in his own Cathedral Church by the King waging War against Leoline P. of Wales and enjoyned to pay 300 Hawks for his Ransom which was more considerable than a Brace of Grey-Hounds the late Ransom of an English Noble-man in the Reign of King Ch. I. About that time the Men of Norway possessed the Isle of Anglesea could best provide him the best and the most Besides in Pembrook-shire there were Aryes of Peregrines which bred in great plenty This Bishop ordered by his Will that he should be buried in the middle of the Market place of Shrewsbury This may be imputed either to his Humility or fear of future Sacriledge during the Wars betwixt the English and Welsh He died 1215. Rob. Burnel Son to Rob. and Brother to Hugh Lord Burnel whose prime Seat was at Acton-Burnel-Castle in this County was by E. 1. preferred B. of Bath and Wells and first Treasurer then Chancellor of England He caused the Court of Chancery to be kept at Bristol for the more convenient management of the Welsh affairs Having acquired great Riches he is supposed to have rebuilt for his Heirs the Castle of Acton Burnel on his own expence as he built for his Successors the beautiful Hall at Wells the biggest Room of any Bishops Palace in England pluckt down by Sir Jo. Gabos afterwards executed for Treason in the Reign of E. 6. after a good settlement of the English and Welsh affairs this Bishop was employed in some business about Scotland in the Marches whereof he died 1292. and was buried in his own Cathedral Walter de Wenlock Abbot of Westminster was Treasurer of England to E. 1. He died at Periford in Gloc. 1307 and was buried in his Church at Westminster where Abbas Walterus non fuit Austerus is part of his Epitaph Rob. of Shrewsbury was An. 3. E. 3. preferred Bishop of Bath and Wells Being consecrated without the Popes privity he paid a large sum to expiate his presumption He bestowed on his Cathedral a Chest Port-cullis-like barred with iron able to hold out a siege in the view of such as beheld it which notwithstanding was forced open by some Thieves in the Raign of Queen Elizabeth He erected and endowed a spacious Structure for the Vicars-Choral of his Cathedral to inhabit together Having made such a Palace for his Vicars he was necessitated in some sort to enlarge the Bishops Seat which he beautified and fortified Castle-wise He disafforrested Mendip and died 1363 being buried in his Cathedral where his Statute is done to the life Rob. Mascal born probably and a Carmelite in Ludlow was bred in Oxford and became for his Piety and Learning Confessor to King Henry 4. and Councellour to Henry 5. He was one of the 3 English Prelates which went to and one of the 2 which returned alive from the Council of Constance He died 1416. being buried in the Church of White-friers London to which he had been a great Benefactor Rich. Talbot of honourable Parentage was brother to Jo. first Earl of Shrewsbury He was consecrated Arch-Bishop of Dublin in Irland 1417. and was Privy Councellour to Henry 5 and 6. twice Chief Justice and once Chancellour of Ireland He founded 6 Petty Canons and 6 Choristers in his Church and wrote a Book against Ja. Earl of Ormond wherein he detected his abuses during his Lieutenancy in Ireland He died 1449. and lyeth buried in St Patricks in Dublin He had refused the Arch-Bishoprick of Armagh tho a higher place Geo. Day Provost of King's College in Cambridge was preferred Bishop of Chichester 1543. A pertinacious Papist who tho he made some kind of recantation which is entered in the Diary of E. 6. yet either the same was not satisfactory or else he relapsed into his errours again for which he was deprived but restored again by Queen Mary He died 1556. Whose Brother Since the Reformation W. Day a Zealous Protestant bred in Cambridge requested of his Brother some Mony to buy books c. therewith and was answered with this denial That he thought it not fit to spend the Goods of the Church on him who was an Enemy of the Church Yet he found a Friend nearer than a Brother He was Proctor of Cambridge 1558. and afterwards was made by Queen Elizabeth Prov. of Eaton Dean of Windsor and Bishop of Winchester and having enjoyed that See scarcely a whole year he died 1596. Statesmen Sir Th. Bromley born at Bromley of a right ancient Family was Solicitor Gen. to Queen Elizabeth before he was 40 and afterwards Lord Chancellour of England 1579. before he was 50 years old of great Learning and Integrity He died 1587. Learning in Law may seem to run in the Veins of that name which since hath had a Baron of the Exchequer of his Alliance Sir Clem. Edmunds born at Shrawardine and bred in Oxford generally skilled in all Arts and Sciences Witness his Translation of and Illustrations on Caesar's Commentaries was Clerk of the Council to King James Knighted by him and at last preferred Secretary of State tho he acted not therein being prevented by death happening 16. He lyes buried at Preston in Northam were he purchased a fair estate which his Grandchild doth possess at this day Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Edmond Plowden Arm. born at Plowden wrote learnedly on the Common Law He was a man of eminent Integrity He was Treasurer for the Honerable Company of the Middle Temple An. 1572. when their Magnificent Hall was built He being a good advancer thereof He died 1584. and lyes buried in the Quire of Temple Church in London Sir Jo. Walter Son to Edm. Chief Justice of S. Wales was born at Ludlow An eminent Lawyer and Judge When a Pleader he suffered not good men to be born down by slanderers poor men by more Potent Learned men by the ignorant Sir Jo was passionate Judge Walter was most Patient and grave and mery enough for a Judge as he told Judge Denham He was outed of his place when Chief Baron of the Exchequer about the illegality of the Loan as I take it He was a great Benefactor to Jesus College in Oxford and died 1630. in the Parish of Savoy bequeathing 20 l. to the poor thereof Edward Litleton born at Mounslow was Eldest Son to Sir Edward one of the Justices of the Marches and Chief Justice of N. Wales He was bred in Christ Church in Oxford where he proceeded Batchelor of Arts. He was preferred one of the Justices of N. Wales Recorder of London and Sollicitor to King Charles I. and afterwards Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Privy Councellour thence advanced to be Lord Keeper and
Saints St. Alkmund Son to Alred King of Northum slain in Battle occasioned by the Vice-Roy of Worcester in pursuing of his Title to some Lands was notwithstanding reputed a Martyr However it was believed Miracles were done at St. Alkmunds Church where his Body was interred whither the Northern People made Pilgrimages till discomposed by the Reformation Martyrs Joan Wast a blind Woman in Derby and an Innocent tho no Fool was burnt for the Testimony of the truth by the Command of B. Bains Cardinals Rog. Curson of Worshipful Extraction bred in Oxf. was afterwards Doctor in Paris and lastly a Cardinal in Rome by the Title of St. Steph. in Mount Celius He Accompanied Pelagius when the City Damiata in Egypt was taken under Jo. Brenn King of Jerusalem He wrote many Books and came over into England as the Popes Legate in the Reign of H. 3. Phil. de Repingdon or Repton became D. D. in Oxf. A great Assertor of the Doctrine of Jo. Wickliff but he recanted An. 1483. and became a Persecuter wherefore he was termed by those he molested Rampington He was made Abbot of Leicester An. 1400. Chancellor of Oxf. 1405. Bishop of Lincoln 1408. and was created by Pope Greg. 12. Card. of St. Nerius c. tho he had solemnly sworn he would make no more Cardinals till the Schisme in Rome were ended He resigned his Bishoprick An. 1420. Prelates Will. Gray Son to the Lord Gray of Codnor was as Honourable He first studied in Baliol-Coll in Oxf. then at Ferrara in Italy where he was an Auditor of Guarinus of Verona He was made by King H. 6. Procurator in the Court of Rome and was freely Elected to the Bishoprick of Ely An. 9. E. 4. 1469. he was Lord Treasurer the last Clergy-man that ever was preferred to that Office until Bishop Juxton in our daies enjoyed it He dyed 1478 and lies buried in the Church of Ely Since the Reformation Geo. Cooke D. D. Brother to Sir Jo. Cooke Secr. of State was born at Trusley and bred in Pemb. Hall in Camb. and then Minister of Bigrave in Hertf. Hence successively made Bishop of Bristol and Hereford a Grave Meek man and much beloved He was in the same Condemnation with the rest of his Brethren for subscribing the Protest in Parl. in defence of their Priviledges so that to prevent his want he was relieved by his Rich Relations He dyed about the year 1650. Statesmen Sir Jo. Cook younger Brother to Sir Francis was born at Trusley of Ancient and Worshipful Parentage He was bred Fell. of Trin. Coll. in Camb. and there became an Eminent Rhetorick Lecture And having Travelled beyond the Seas he returned Rich in foreign Language Observations and Experience Being related to Sir Fulk Grevil Lord Brook he was made Secretary of the Navy then Master of the Requests and at last Secr. of State He was a good Protestant and dyed 1644. Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Jo. Stathom born in the Reign of King H. 6. wrote an Abridgement of the Laws much esteemed for its Antiquity tho as I heard not much follow'd at this day in which Book I found a passage viz. that the Miller of Matlock took Toll twice because he heard the Rector of the Parish Read Tolle Tolle that is Crucifie him c. A Felonius Fruit of Latine Service Sir Anth. Fitz Herbert Son of Ralph H. Esquire was born at Norbury He was first the King Serj. at Law and then 14. H. 8. One of the Justices of the Com. Pleas. He wrote that Treasure of the Common-Law de Naturâ Brevium and a choice Abridgement of the Laws c And 't is Pity that there is not due and speedy care taken for the setting forth a new and more Correct Edition of the latter He lies interred in Norbury-Church Sea-Men Sir Hugh Willoughby Extracted from a Right worthy and Ancient Stock at Riseley in this County was An. ult E. 6. Employed for the North-East Passage and made Captain Gen. of a Fleet for Discovery of unknown Countries Their Commission bore date from the year of the World 55â—5 because they might have occasion to present it to Pagan Princes They departed from Debtford May 10. 1553. steering N. N.E. by a Tempest Aug. 2 they lost the Bonaventure the two other Ships viz. the Bona Esperanza Admiral and the Good Confidence which were all that were left being Shattered Sir Hugh holding on his Course descried a Land 160 Leagues from Synam an Isle belonging to the King of Denmark in lat 72. deg Which therefore was then called Willoughby-land But in Jan. 1554. He with most of his Company was Frozen to Death in the River or Haven called Arzina in Lapland And the Bonaventure returning safe performed afterwards Great Service in opening the Trade to Moscovy And now for your Diversion Note that in Lapland it is Death to Marry a Maid without her Parents or Friends Consent wherefore the Rights of all being saved The Maid must run with her Sweet-heart not for Tryal of Skill but of her Will and having the Advantage of a considerable part of the Race has it meerly in her own choice to signifie her dislike of his Person by out-running him or her consent to Matrimony by a Voluntary Hault under pretence of tying her Garter before she comes to the end of the Race All Parties being hereby concluded it is Penal for the Man to renew the motion of Marriage after a Repulse in the manner aforesaid Physicians Th. Linacer born in Derby bred in Oxf. and beyond the Seas was the first Restorer of Learning in our Nation a Man of an honest Conversation His Translation of Galen is not inferior to the Original in Purity of Style King Hen. 7. and 8. were both his Patrons He founded two Publick Lectures in Oxf. and one in Camb. for Physick 'T is said that a little before his Death he turned Priest and began to Study the Scripture with which formerly he was unacquainted insomuch that reading the 5 6 and 7 Chapters of St. Math. he vowed that either this was not the Gospel or we were not Christians He dyed An. Dom. 1524. and lieth buried at St. Pauls under a stately Monument built by Dr. John Caius another Phoenix of the same Profession springing from Linacer's Ashes and coming into general Credit after his Death Writers Th. Asburn D. D. was one of the Synod which Condemned Wickliff for Heresie Yet he asswaged the fury of the enraged People when they threatned to burn the Convent about the Augustinian Fryers Ears because Pateshul one of their Order in a Sermon Preached by him had some passages in Wickliff's Favour Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation Eliz. Hardwick whose third Husband was Geo. Earl of Shrewsbury a Lady of undaunted Spirit founded a stately Alms-house for 12 poor People in Derby The Queen of Scots having been committed to her Husband the aforesaid Earl Queen Eliz. asking the Countess at Court how that Queen
the Nation and advantage of the Protestant Religion Those Vseful Instruments remaining in safer Custody will serve upon occasion to pair the Nails if not to cut the Fingers of Sanctified Ambition From this Library Secretaries of State c. have recovered lost Originals This Sir Robert was a Man of publick Spirit it being his principal endeavour in all Parliaments wherein he served so often that the Prerogative and Priviledge might run in their due Channel and in truth he did cleave the Pin betwixt the Soveraign and the Subject He was wont to say that He had the least share in himself whilst his Country and Friends had the greatest Interest in him He died at his House in Westminster May 6. An. 1631. Aet 61. Tho one may truly say his Age was adequate to the continuance of the Creation Such was his exact Skill in all Antiquity By Eliz. Daughter and Coheir of William Brocas Esquire he had only one Son Sir Th. now living who by Margaret Daughter to the Lord Will. Howard Grand-child to Th. D. of Norf. hath one Son Ja. Cotton Esquire and 2 Daughters Lucie and Frances The Posthume Works of this Worthy Knight are lately set forth to the great profit of Posterity Steph. Marshall born at God-Manchester and bred in Eman. Coll. in Camb. was Minister at Finchfield in Ess and after long discontinuance B. D. in Camb. To the long Parliament he was in their Fasts and Preaching their Trumpet in their Sickness their Confessor in their Assembly their Councellour in their Treaties their Chaplain and in their Disputations their Champion He was of so supple a Soul that he brake not a joynt yea sprained not a Sinew in all the alteration of Times and his Friends put all on the account not of his unconstancy but Prudence who in his own Practice as they conceive reconciled the various Lections of St. Pauls Precept Rom. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Serving the Lord and the times He is said on his death Bed to have given full satisfaction to such who formerly suspected his sincerity to the Presbyterian Discipline dying An. 1655. He was buried in the Abbey of Westm Exile Romish Writers Rich. Broughton born at Great Steuckley bred and made Priest at Rhemes in Fr. was afterward in England made Assistant to the English Arch-Priest in propagation of the Roman Catholick Cause He wrote an English Ecclesiastical Hist from the first planting of the Gospel to the coming in of the Saxons He was living in the latter end of K. James Benefactors Ambrose Nicholas born at Needenworth Salter then Lord Mayor in London 1576. founded 12 Alm-houses in Mungwel-Street with competent maintenance Sir Wolstan Dixie born at Catworth Skinner then Lord Mayor in London 1585. gave 600 l. to Eman. Coll. in Camb. to the founding of a Fellowship erected a Free-School at Bosworth in Leic. and endowed it where his Family flourish at this day in worshipfull Estate Rich. Fishbourn Gent. born in Hunt gave 2000 l. for the buying of Impropriations in the North and setling a preaching Ministery where most want thereof he bequeathed as much to the Company of Mercers and the same sum to Huntington with 1000 Marks to Christ-Church Hosp He professed on his death-Bed that to his Knowledge he had got no part of his goods unjustly having got it in the Service of Sir Baptist Hicks after Visc Cambden Memorable Persons Sir Oliver Cromwell Knight Son to Sir Hen. Knight of Hinching Brooke gave K. James and his Court a prodigious entertainment He was an upright dealer Sir Jo. Leamon Lord Mayor of London having bought the fair Mannor of Warboise of him affirmed that it was the cheapest Land that ever he bought and yet the dearest that ever Sir Oliver sold None that bought of him was ever put to a three pence Charge to make good his Title He was very Loyal always beholding the Vsurpation and Tyranny of Nephew and Name-sake with Hatred and Contempt He died 1654. Kent KEnt a Kingdom in the Sax. Heptarchie hath the Thames on the N. the Sea on the E. and S. Surrey and Sussex on the W. in length 53 Miles and in breadth 26. A considerable part of the County is called Weald that is Wood-land Ground the Inhabitants whereof are called Wealdish Men. The general goodness of the Soyl may be gathered from the greatness of the Kentish breed of Cattle The natural Commodities are Cherries first planted here by K. Hen. 8. Saintfoine or Holy Hay a great Fertilizer of Barren Ground Trouts at Forditch Weld or Wold a Seed sown with Barley and peeping out of the Earth when this is cut The use of it is to dy the best Yellow Then Madder for making Reds and Violets whereof there are Crop-Madder betwixt 4 and 5 l. the Hundred Vmber owe between 3 and 4 l. and Pipe or fat-Madder about 1 l. 10 s. It was some 2 years since sown by Sir Nich. Crisp at Debâ—ford The next is Flax the best in England The Manufactures are Cloth in great credit Thread at Maidston As for Buildings the Cathedral of Rochester hath a venerable aspect of Antiquity The Kings Palaces here are 3. viz. 1. Greenwich affording a most pleasant Prospect 2. Eltham not altogether so wholsome and 3 Otford which Arch-bishop Warham did so enlarge and adorn that Cranmer his Successor was in some sort forced to exchange it with H. 8. on no gainful Conditions Cobham the House of the late D. of Richmond and the fair Mansion House of Sir Edward Hales Baronet when finished will carry away the credit from all the Buildings in this County A Wonderful Accident hapned Aug. 4. 1585 in the Hamlet of Mottingham in a Field belonging to Sir Percival Hart. Betimes in the Morning the Ground began to sink 3 great Elm Trees were suddenly swallowed into the Pit and before 10 of the clock no part of them could be discerned the Concave being suddenly filled with Water The Hole was above 50 Fathoms deep Ten yards distance from that place there was another piece of ground sunk in like manner Of Ships the most best and biggest are built at Woolwich and Winter near Chattam The great SOVERAIGN built at Dulwich a Lieger Ship for State is the greatest Ship our Island ever saw I am informed that the Mystery of Shipwrights for some discents hath been preserved successively in Families of whom the Pets about Chattam are of singular regard Queen Eliz. erected a Navy-Royal continued and encreased by her Successors of the best Ships ever Europe beheld whereas before her time our Kings hired Vessels from Hamburgh Lubeck and Genoa The Model of our great Ships primitively were our own and we have improved the Patterns of those Frigots that were taken from the Dunkerkers in the daies of the D. of Buck. Lord Admiral 2 of which still survive in his Majesties Navy by the Name of Providence and Expedition The Navy-Royal exceeds all other Kingdomes and States in Europe for 1. Swiftness 2. Strength
new supply of Souldiers sent to him for Assistants Hubert de Burozo succeeded the former in his Office No less a Couragious Judge having advised K. Hen. 3. to cancell the Great Charter alledging that since it had been granted by that King during his Minority it was of no Force in Law An. 20. Johan de Northwood of a right Ancient Family before the Conquest monarch E. 1. Their chief Residence was Northwood in the Parish of Milto Church One of their Heirs was married into the Family of the Nortons 16. Rich. Waller in the time of H. 5. took Charles monarch H. 4. D. of Orleans Prisoner at the battel of Agin-Court and brought him over to England where he held him in honourable restraint at Grome-Bridge He was a Benefactor to the repair of Spelherst Church The Prince assigned to him and his Heirs an Additional Crest viz. the Arms of France hanging by a Label on an Oak with the Motto Hic fructus Virtutis From this Richard Sir William Waller is lineally descended 23. Will. Crowmer was taken by Jack Cade the Rebel and committed by his Worship to the Fleet in London because as Jack said he was guilty of Extortion in his Office Jack having catch'd him would not leave him so but being attended with other venturous Lads brought him to Mile-End and there reformed the Gentleman by cutting off his Head which they set upon a long Pole on London Bridge John Scot Arm. was Knighted and was much trusted and employed by E. 4. who made him one of his Privy Council and Knight Marshal of Callis and sent him with others Ambassadour to the Dukes of Burgundy and Brittain to bring back the Earls of Pembrook and Richmond He lyeth buried in the Church of Braborne An. 3. Rich. Blakenbury was nearly allied to Sir Rob. Constable of the Tower monarch R. 3. who dipped his fingers so deep in the Blood of King Ed. 5. and his Brother An. 5. William Boleyn Mil. was made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of R. 3. monarch H. 7. He married a Daughter and Coheir of Th. Butler E. of Ormond by whom he had among others Sir Th. Boleyn E. of Wiltshire 10 Jo. Peach with the Kentish Gentry made Perkin who landed then in Sandwich shrink his Horns back again into the shell of their Ships and brought 150 of Perkin's men up to London He was Knighted for his good service An. 5. Jo. Norton monarch H. 8. Mil. went over a Captain with the 1500 Archers under the Conduct of Sir Ed. Poynings to assist Marg. Dutchess of Savoy against the D. of Guelders where this Sir Jo. was Knighted by Charles Young Prince of Castile and afterwards Emperour He lyeth buried in Milton Church 7. Th. Cheyney Arm. Knighted by H. 8. was a Spritely Gentleman living and dying in great Honour a Favourite and Privy-Councellor to four successive Kings and Queens viz. H. 8. E. 6. Q Mary and Q. Elizabeth 11 Jo. Wiltshire Mil. was Comptroller of Calis An. 21. H. 7. He founded a Chappel in the Parish of Stove An. 3. Moile Finch Mil. married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Sir Th. Heneage Vice-Chamb to Q. Elizabeth monarch K. James and Chancellour of the Duchy of Lancaster She in her Widowhood by the Special favour of K. James was honoured Viscountess Maidston and afterwards by the great grace of K. Charles 1. created Countess of Winchelsey both Honours being Entailed on the Issue Male of her Body To which her Grandchild the right Honourable Heneage lately gone Ambassadour to Constantinople doth succeed Canterbury CAnterbury an ancient City during the Saxon Heptarchie was the chief Seat of the Kings of Kent Here Becket had his death here Edward the Black Prince and K. Hen. 4. had their Interment The Metropolitan Dignity first conferred by Gregory the Great on Lond. was for the Honour of Augustine afterwards bestowed on this City It is pleasantly Situated being surrounded with a fertile Soil well Wooded and commodiously Watered by the River Stoure called Durrwhen in Brit. i. e. a swift River tho it needs scouring Of Buildings Christ-Church first dedicated and after 300 years Intermission to Th. Becket restored to the Honour of our Saviour is a Stately Structure being the performance of several successive Arch-Bishops it is much adorned with Glass Windows painted with excellent Colours tho none of the best Figures Yet 't is said a Forraign Ambassadour proffered a vast price to transport the East Window of the Quire beyond the Seas As Pictures are the Books painted Windows were in time of Popery the Library of Laymen V. Somners Antiquities Proverbs 1. Canterbury Tales a Book of Chaucer so called it is applied to all Feigned and Pleasant Stories c. such as the Miracles of Becket some helpfull as when perceiving his old Palace at Otford to want water he struck his staff into the dry ground still called St. Thomas his Well whence Water runneth plentifully to serve that House Others spitefull as when because a Smith dwelling in that Town had clogged his Horse he ordered that no Smith afterwards should thrive in that Parish Prelates Steph. Langton born in England bred in Paris was one of the greatest Scholars of the Christian World in his Age. He was consecrated Cardinal of St. Chrysogone and then by the Pope intruded Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in defiance of King John He wrote Comments on all the Old and some on the New Testament He first divided the Bible into Chapters which Robert Stephens a Frenchman subdivided into Verses Others attribute the Division into Chapters to that able Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman who was the Improver but not the Inventor Langton divided also the Kingdom of England reducing King John to sad extremities He died and was buried at Canterbury 1228. Souldiers William Prude Esq Lieutenant Collonel in the Low Countreys was slain July 12 1632 at the Siege of Mastricht His body was brought into England and buried in the Cathedral of Canterbury part of his Epitaph being Stand Souldiers ere you march by way of Charge Take an Example here that may inlarge Your Minds to noble Action He fear'd not Death midst all Harms He bare as much of Piety as Arms. Now Souldiers on and fear not to intrude The Gates of Death by th' Example of this Prude He married Mary Daughter of Sir Adam Sprackling Knight and had Issue by her four Sons and three Daughters his surviving Son Searles Prude having erected his Monument Writers Osbern of Canterbury an admirable Musician and therefore a great Favourite to Lanfrank the Arch-Bishop He was the English ju-bal as to the curiosity of Musick in our Churches An Art which never any spake against who understood it otherwise Apollo is in a sad case if Midas his Ears must be the Judges He wrote the Life of St. Dunstan in Latine flourished under William the Conqueror An. 1070. Simon Langton Brother to Stephen Arch-Bishop was Arch-Deacon of Canterbury who Carne Sanguine revelante encreased both
that of the Lord Capel was the least that the Anatomist ever beheld whence ' its inferred That contracted Spirits act with the greatest vigorousness This Jo. was termed the Resolute Dr. He equally disliked Scepticks of none and unconstant people successively of all Opinions He groped after more light than he saw saw more than he durst speak of spake of more than he was thank'd for by those of his superstitious Order He died 1346. Jo. Colton born at Tirington was Chaplain to W. Bateman Bishop of Norwich and first Master of Gonvil-Hall in Cambridge For his Learning and Piety he was by Henry 4 preferred Arch. Bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland He was employed to Rome in the Schisme between Pope Vrb 6. and Clem. 7. which occasioned his writing a Learned Treatise De Causâ Schismatis and another De Remedio ejusd It seems he resigned his Arch-Bishoprick before his death which hapned 1404. Alan of Lynne in Cambridge then a Carmelite in Lynne made Indexes of 33 Writers he perused among which were Augustin Anselm and Aquinas He Flourished 1420. William Wells born probably at Wells in this County Provincial of the Augustinian Order in Lynne D. D. in Cambridge was an industrious Man and good Writer He died and was buried at Lynne 1421. Jo. Thorpe born in Thorpe was a Carmelite at Norwich and Dr. at Cambridge Being a great Logician he wrote a Book entitled the Labyrinth of Sophismes and another called the Rule of Consequences for which he got the Title of Doctor Ingeniosus not Ingenuus having a pound of Wit for a Drachm of good nature and being a Violent Persecutor of W. White and other Wicklevites He died 1440. and lyeth buried at Norwich Jo. Skelton Minister at Dis in Norf. stiled himself the Kings Orator and Poet Laureat Erasmus in a Letter to Henry 8. stileth him Britannicarum Literarum Lumen Decus Besides a Satyrical Wit using biting discourse scornfull laughter and bitter Jests which was unhappy to light on three Noli me tangere's viz. the Rod of a School-Master the Couls of Friers and the Cap of a Cardinal The first gave him a lash the second deprived him of his livelyhood the third almost outed him out his life W. Lilly with whom he fell foul paid him sufficiently when he told him That whilst he was Ambitious of the Reputation of a Learned Poet he was neither Learned nor a Poet. The Friers instigated Nix Bish of Norwich to suspend this Skelton from his Benefice for keeping a Concubine And Cardinal Woolsey his too Potent Enemy being charged by him with too much truth so persecuted him that he was forced to take Sanctuary at Westminster In his Restraint he died 1529. and was buried in St. Marg. Chap. with this Epitaph Jo. Sceltonus Vates Pierius hîc situs est On his death bed he declared he had kept the aforesaid supposed Concubine in notion of a Wife Since the Reformation Jo Barret born at Lynne bred a Carmelite in Cambridg in an ignorant and ambitious Age was stoped by Arch-Bishop Cranmer for Insufficiency Afterwards having plyed his Book hard he became an admirable Scholar and having Commenced Dr. was Preacher in Norwich always making honourable mention of Dr. Cranmer 'T is charitably believed that tho complying in the times of Persecution he returned to the truth in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Edm. Gourney bred B. D. in Cambridge was Preacher in this Shire An excellent Scholar and innocently humorous When I was collecting the Witnesses of the Truth in all Ages even in the times of Popery It is needless saith he for I know that I am desended from Adam tho I cannot prove my Pedigree from him Yet he was born of as good a Family as any in Norf. He wrote 2 learned Treatises against Transubstantiation and of the 2 d. Commandment He died in the beginning of the Civil Wars Benefactors to the Publick Godfrey Bollen Knight Son to Jeffrey born at Sale was Lord Mayor of London An. 1457. By his Will he bequeathed liberally to Prisons and Hospitals c. Besides he gave 1000 l. to poor Housholders in London and 200 l. to those in Norfolk He was Great-Grandfather by the Mothers side to Q. Eliz. Ja. Hobart Attorney Gen. and of the Privy Council to and Knighted by H. 7. besides his many Benefactions to his Parish-Church in London built a fair Bridge over the River Wareney betwixt this County and Suffolk and a firm Causey there by c. There are 3 Houses of his Issue in this County Andr. Perne born at Bilney Mr. of Pet. House Protector and Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge and Dean of Ely founded a Fellowship and Scholarships in his Colledge and encreased the Library with many rare Manuscripts In the daies of Queen Mary he was the Skreen to keep off the Fire of Persecution from many poor Protestants so that by his Means no Gremial of the University was Martyred therein Indeed he altered his Religion 4 times in 12 years from the last of H. 8. to 1. Elizabeth a Pap. a Prot. a Pap. a Prot. and was a bending tho no smarting Willow guilty of Compliance not Cruelty Being very Facetious he called a Clergy-man Fool who indeed was little better who returned that he would complain thereof to the Bishop of Ely Do sayes the Dean when you please and my Lord Bishop will Confirm you Yet at last he himself 't is said was Heart-broken with a Jest of the Queens Jester who Arch-Bishop Whitgift and Dr. Pern being present dissuaded her Majesty from going abroad in a wet day Heaven says he Madam dissuades you it is cold and wet And Earth dissuades you it is moist and dirty Heaven dissuades you this heavenly Man Arch-Bishop Whitgift and Earth dissuades you your Fool Clod such a Lump of Clay as my self And if neither will prevail with You here is one that is neither Heaven nor Earth but hangs betwixt both Dr. Perne and he also dissuades you He died soon after at Lambeth Since the Reformation Sir Th. Gresham bred a Mercer and Merchant in London the Wealthiest Citizen in England of his Age Founded 2 stately Fabricks the Old Exchange a kind of Colledge for Merchants and Gresham College a kind of Exchange for Scholars As Vessels of Massy Gold need no burnishing whilst Vessels that are only gilded are set off therewith So let lesser Donations be set off with Rhetorical Praises whilst those of this Knight are resplendent without any adventitious Lustre He died 21 Nov. 1579. Sir William Paston Knight whose Ancestors were bountifull to the Abbeys of Saint Bennet in Holme and Bromholme in this County erected a fair School with 30 l. per An. at Northwalsham in this County He married Frances the daughter of Sir Th. Clear of Stokesby and was great-grandfather to Sir William the bountiful Promoter of all my weak endeavors Henry Howard Youngest Son of Henry Earl of Surrey and Brother to Th. last D. of Norfolk was born at
Woodvill or Wydevill born at Grafton bred in then Chanc. of Oxford was made B. of Salisbury 1482. His Memory is supported rather by the Buttresses of his great Relations than the Foundation of his own Deserts For he was Son to Jaquet Dutchess of Bedford and Rich. Wydevill Earl of Rivers Brother to Elizabeth Queen of England and Brother in Law to Edward 4. Heart-broken with grief with the Tragedies he beheld in his own Family caused by the Cruelty of King Richard 3. he died about 1484. Since the Reformation Ja. Montague Son to Sir Rich. Knight was born at Boughton bred in Christ-college in Cambridge was after Mr. of Sidney-college which he freed from a debt of 20 l. yearly payable to Trin. College He expended 100 Marks to bring running water into the Kings-ditch in Cambridge He was afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells then of Winchester being highly in favour with King James whose Works he translated into Latin He died 1618 and lyeth buried in the Church of Bath Fr. Godwin Son to Th. Bishop of Bath and Wells was born at Hanningham 1561. and became D. D. in Christs-Church in Oxford Sub-Dean of Exeter and afterwards Bishop of Landaffe An. 40 Eliz. 1601. He was a good Man grave Divine skilfull Mathematician pure Latinist and incomparable Historian to whose painful Endeavors the whole Church Militant is much beholding He was translated by King James to Hereford and died in the Reign of King Charles An. 162 Jo. Owen born at Burton Latimers where his Father was Minister was bred in Jesus-College in Cambridg where he commenced D. D. and was Chaplain to King Charles whilst he was a Prince King Charles being troubled with 2 Competitors advanced this modest Doctor to the Bishoprick of St. Asaph to end the contest He outlived his Vote in Parliament and survived to see all Contempt cast on his Order which he bare with Moderation and died 164 ... Rob. Skinner D. D. born at Pisford and bred in Oxford became a Preacher in London and Dean of Hence he was preferred Bishop of Brist then of Oxford and is still and long may he be living Statesmen Sir Christopher Hatton born at Holdenby of an ancient Family was beloved of the Queen for his handsom Dancing better for his Proper Person and best of all for his Abilities The Queen at last preferred him Lord Chancellor of England He by his Power and Prudence convinced some sullen Serjeants who thought him not throughly learned in the Laws of their Errours and his own Abilities His Zeal for the Discipline of the Church of England gave the first being to a scandalous report that he was Popishly affected It brake his heart that the Queen rigorously demanded the present Payment of some Arrears and falling into a mortal Disease he could not be recovered by the Queens broth 's which some affirm her Majesty brought to him with her own hands He died 1591. and was buried in the Quire of St. Paules Sir W. Fitz-Williams born at Milton married the Sister of Sir Henry Sidney Lord Dep. of Ireland where himself was 5 times Dep. and when Walt. Earl of Essex was sent over Governour of Vlster he took his Commission from this Sir W. then Lord Dep. He was Serviceable towards the reduction of that Kingdom in raising a Composition in Munster and in setling the Possessions of the Lords and Tenants in Monohan His Vigilancy was most conspicuous in 88. when the routed Armado in its return dared not to land in Ireland except against their Wills when driven by tempest when they found the Shore worse than the Sea unto them Some impute the Irish Rebellion which afterwards brake out to this Deputies Severity in imprisoning suspected Persons for concealed Spanish Goods tho this gave only the Irish a Mantle for their intended Wickedness He died An. 15. Sir Isaack Wake honorably descended was bred in Oxford where he was Orator of the Univ. He was afterwards Secretary to Sir Dudley Charleton Secretary of State and from his was advanced into the Kings service and employed Ambassadour to Venice where he neglected his own Commodity to attend his Majesties Imployment the reason that he died only rich to his own Conscience He was afterwards appointed Leiger for France and designed Secretary of State had not Death prevented him at Paris He was accomplished with all Qualifications requisite for publick Employment King Charles allowed the Expences for his Funeral and at his Majesties Command his Corps was brought over to England and buried in the Castle of Dover An. 16 Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Martin de Pateshull was made Justice of the Common Pleas An. 1. H. 3. He was 4th Dean of St. Pauls Sir Tho. Billing dwelt at Ashwell was made Chief Justice of the Kings Bench An. 6. E 4. Whose Lands have since by the Lovils descended to the Shirlies He married for his 2d Wife Mary Daughter and Heir of Robert Nosenham of Conington in Hunt the Relict of W. Cotten whose Issue possess her Inheritance at this day and she lyeth entombed in Westminster Sir W. Catesbye whose Family flourished at Ashby St. Leger was advanced by W. Lord Hastings into the Notice and Favour of Richard 3. tho ill requiting it when betraying him who caused his Preferment He was a man well Learned in the Laws of the Land and sure great pity it was that he had not had more Truth or less Wit He was eminently all Officers in every Court of Judicature Witness the Libell which Collingborn made and which cost him his Life for the same The Rat and the Cat and Lovel the Dog Do Govern all England under the Hog He died probably before the end of R. 3. Sir Richard Empson another Catesbye was eminent for having odious for abusing his skill in the Law active for his Prince injurious to the People He was Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster and from a Sieve-maker's Son at Towceter in this County where he was born came to sift the Estates of the wealthiest Men in England For Henry 7. vexed that he had refused Columbus his proffer whereby the West Indies fortunately discovered fell to Ferd. King of Spain resolved to discover Indies in England and to this purpose made Empson Promoter General to press the Penal Statutes all over the Land Impowred hereby this prolling Knight did grind the faces of the Rich and Poor bringing the grist thereof to the K. and keeping the Toll thereof to himself whereby he advanced a vast Estate which now with himself is reduced to nothing He united the Houses of York and Lanc. in the Kings Coffers taking notice of no person for his good service but making all equally obnoxious to Forfeitures This Empson scoffingly demanding of a Judicial Astrologer in Warw. When the Sun would change Even then said the Astrologer when such a wicked Lawyer as you go to Heaven In the beginning of H. 8. he was beheaded 1510. Edw. Mountague born at Brigstock was made
but none more then John Earl of Rutland to whose Kinsman Roger Earl of Rut. he had formerly been Chaplain Sir George Savil civilly paid him his purchased Annuity of 200 pounds He dyed at Easton Manduit in Northampton-shire the House of Sir Henry Yelverton 1659. Aet 95. Statesmen Sir Robert Car Son to Thomas Laird of Funihurst in the South of Scotland who being active for Mary Queen of Scots was thereupon forced to fly to York was born in this City and therefore he afterwards refused to be Naturalized by Act of Parliament as needless to him being born in the English Dominions 'T is reported that his first making at Court was by breaking of his Leg at Tilting in London whereby he came first into the cognizance of King James who reflected on him whose Father had been a kind of Confessor for the Cause of the Queen his Mother Besides the young Gentleman had a handsome Person and a conveniency of desert Honours were crowded upon him made Baron Viscount Earl of Sommerset Knight of the Garter Warden of the Cinque Ports c. He was a good natur'd Man doing himself more hurt then any Man else For abating one foul Fact with the Consequences thereof notoriously known and he will appear deserving no foul Character to Posterity but for the same he was banished the Court lived and dyed very privately about 1638. Writers Jo. Walbye an Augustinian Provincial of his Order and D. D. in Oxford was a complaisant person being Ingenious Industrious Learned Eloquent Pious and Prudent Though sharp at first against the Wicklevites he soon abated his own edge and though present at a Council held at Stanford by the King against them was not well pleased with all things transacted therein He dyed in York 1393. Jo. Erghom an Augustinian went to Oxford and became an admirable Preacher He renewed the custom of Expounding Scripture in a Typical way which crowded his Church with Auditors being more pleased then edified therewith He wrote many Books and Dedicated them to the Earl of Hereford the same with Edward Duke of Buckingham and flourished under King Henry 7. 1490. Since the Reformation Richard Stock bred in St. Johns-Colledge in Cambridge was Minister of All-hallowes Breadstreet in London by the space of 32 years till the day of his death where if in Health he omitted not to Preach twice every Lords day with the approbation of all that were Judicious and Religious Dr. Davenant was his constant Auditor whilst lying at London He prevailed with some Companies to put off their wonted Festivals from Mondays to Tuesdays that the Lords day might not be abused by the preparation for such Entertainments Though he Preached often in Neighbouring Churches he never neglected his own being wont to protest That it was more comfortable to him to win one of his own Parish then twenty others Preaching at St. Pauls Cross when young it was ill taken that he reproved the inequality of Rates in the City burdening the Poor to ease the Rich and he was called a Green-Head for his Pains But being put up in his latter dayes to Preach on the Lord Mayors Election and falling on the same Subject he told them That a Gray-Head spake now what a Green-Head said before He dyed April 20. 1626. THE PRINCIPALITY OF WALES Nec Perfecte nec Perfunctorie THIS Principality hath the Severn-Sea on the South Irish Ocean on the West and North England on the East divided by a Ditch drawn from the Mouth of Dee to the Mouth of Wie From East to West it is 100 and from North to South 120 Miles The foresaid Ditch is called Claudh-Offa because made by King Offa who Enacted that what Welsh-man soever was found on the East side of this Ditch should forfeit his Right Hand a Law long since Cancelled And the Loyal and Valiant Welsh have for many Ages past enjoyed the same Priviledges with other Subjects of the King of England It was divided into three parts by Roderick the Great about the year 877. and allotted to his three Sons 1. North-Wales 2. Powis 3. South-Wales Whose Princes chiefly resided at 1. Aberfrow 2. Mathraval 3. Dynefar This Division proved the Confusion of Wales whose Princes were always at War not only against the English but mutually with themselves to enlarge and defend their Dominions Of these Three North-Wales was the Chief being left to Mervin eldest Son to Roderick aforesaid the Princes whereof by way of Eminency were stiled the Princes of Wales and sometimes Kings of Aberfrow paid to the King of London yearly 63 pounds by way of Tribute the same sum being like wise paid to the said King by the Princes of Powis and South-Wales However South-Wales called by the Natives Deheubarth i. e. the Right-side because nearer the Sun was of the three the largest richest and most fruitful But this Country being constantly infested with the Invasions of the English and Flemings had North-Wales preferred before it as more entire and better secured from such Annoyances Hence it is that the Welsh-Tongue retaineth the purity thereof only in North-Wales The Soil mostly rising up into Hills and Mountains is of a lean and hungry Nature yet is the ill quality recompenced by the good quantity thereof Whence it was that a Worshipful Knight in Wales who had a fair Estate therein said to an English Gentleman who bragged that he had in England so much Ground worth 40 Shillings an Acre You have 10 yards of Velvet and I have 200 of Frize I will not exchange with you However there are in Wales most pleasant Meadows along the sides of Rivers and as the sweetest Flesh is said to be nearest the Bones so most delicious Vallies are interposed betwixt these Mountains The Inhabitants are Healthful Strong Swift and Witty which is imputed to the clear and wholsome Air of the Mountains the cleanly and moderate Diet of the people and the hardness whereunto they are inured from their infancy Of Natural Commodities there is Silver whereof Cardigan-shire yields Royal Mines in these Mountains viz. Comsomelock Tallabant Gadarren Bromfloid Geginnon and Cummerrum The Romans began to Mine here as appears by their Coynes found therein working in Trenches about 24 Fathom deep and found plenty of Lead The Danes and Saxons wrought 100 Fathom deep and found great plenty of the same till their Works were drown'd with water Customer Smith about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth discovered Silver in Comsomelock After his death the design was prosecuted and more perfected by Sir Hugh Middleton Knight Coyning the Silver to his great Charge as his Predecessor had done at the Tower After whose death Sir Francis Godolphin of Cornwal Knight and Thomas Bushel Esquire undertook the Work King Charles I. granted to them power of Coinage at Aberrusky in that County Thomas Bushel Sir Francis dying and Comsomelock being deserted adventured on the other five Mountains and at last these Mines yielded 100 pounds a Week besides Lead amounting to
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